Hong Kong: Residents comply with testing rules The Government today completed a joint enforcement operation at Central Plaza in Tai Po, which was earlier included in a compulsory testing notice. The enforcement action was conducted from around 7am to 10am by the Tai Po District Office, the Tai Po Police District and the Department of Health. Having checked about 100 peoples test records, all of them were found to have undergone testing in compliance with the requirement. This story has been published on: 2022-09-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. RTHK: Russia's Rosneft sees 13pc rise in net profit Russian energy giant Rosneft said on Thursday its half-year net profit rose 13.1 percent despite "adverse external factors" amid the Russian offensive in Ukraine. The Russian energy giant has been hit by Western sanctions which have impeded its global financing and trading. However its net profit still rose to $7.2 billion following an increase in crude oil prices due to rising global demand and supply constraints brought about by the Russian operation in Ukraine. The company's revenues increased by 32.5 percent, reaching $86.7 billion. In a statement, Rosneft chief executive Igor Sechin hailed "stable results" despite the "unprecedented pressure of adverse external factors and unlawful sanctions." The company's statement said that "significant increase in the cost of logistics, rise in railroad transportation tariffs (...) as well as higher electricity costs" had a negative impact on the company. So did the "unprecedented increase of the Bank of Russia's key [interest] rate", which was as high as 20 percent and has now gone down to eight percent. Having processed 45.8 million tonnes of oil this semester, Rosneft said its debt had decreased by 12 percent from the beginning of the year. It also announced the "discovery of two new deposits with recoverable crude oil reserves of 101.4 million tonnes" in the area of the gigantic project "Vostok Oil" in the region of Krasnoyarsk, Siberia. The construction of the Vostok Oil project facilities, which started in 2021, "continues as planned" the statement added. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2022-09-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. By Trend French Lagazetteaz.fr online newspaper, founded by Trend News Agency, published an article about Azerbaijan's readiness to unilaterally hand over the bodies of 100 Armenian servicemen to Yerevan, Trend reports. The article noted that Azerbaijani had already informed the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on the matter. "Azerbaijan ... declares its readiness to unilaterally repatriate the bodies of nearly 100 Armenian servicemen who died following the Armenian provocation against the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan on September 12-13, 2022, thereby demonstrating its commitment to international humanitarian law and humanistic values," the article cited the statement of Azerbaijan's State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages, and Missing Persons. Pelosi: From US to Ukraine to Taiwan to Armenia, world faces choice between democracy, autocracy Azerbaijan's unilateral actions are real threat to international peace, Deputy Minister says Erdogan, Lapid to meet on sidelines of UN General Assembly in New York Baku reports transfer of 32 Armenian soldier's bodies Armenian village: There is no electricity in Sotk village for fifth day already Over 30,000 people take part in protest against rising prices in Austria MOD: No change on Armenian-Azerbaijani border as of 9pm French MEP on torture of Armenian servicewoman: This is happening today and it is unacceptable Statement of Stepanakert rally participants: Don't sign any document Tokayev renames Kazakhstan's capital Astana and set 7-year presidential mandate Erdogan says he will go to Karabakh and open airport with Aliyev Charles Michel calls Aliyev Armenia's deputy permanent representative to UN calls for end to ethnic cleansing campaign in Azerbaijan Deceased soldier Narek Hayrapetyan was conscripted 3 months ago White House: Relations between Russia and a number of its partners cannot be considered alliances Erdogan announces completion of military operation on Armenian border CSTO mission gets acquainted with consequences of Azerbaijani aggression in Armenia Norat Ter-Grigoryants calls for martial law Nancy Pelosi arrives in Yerevan 25,000 students, 6,000 children of Vayots Dzor, Gegharkunik and Syunik provinces dont attend school, kindergarten. Nancy Pelosi: We will convey strong, ongoing support of US for lasting settlement to Karabakh conflict Armenian Ombudsman: Gas pipeline and medical point damaged in Jermuk Toivo Klaar on Azerbaijan attack on Armenia: Disturbing reports of crimes, violence targeting civilians Azerbaijan announces new death toll due to own military aggression against Armenia Armenia Investigative Committee chief: As of now we have 2 confirmed civilian casualties Russia Orthodox Church ready to contribute to starting dialogue between Armenia, Azerbaijan spiritual leaders Yerevan to host 9th Russia-Armenia interregional forum CBN News: War in Ukraine, Russia oil shortfall spark Azerbaijan attack against world's first Christian country Nancy Pelosi's Armenia visit agenda is announced Karabakh President to deliver video message on September 19 Armenia ombudswoman visits some settlements recently targeted by Azerbaijan army (PHOTOS) At least 14 dead in landslide caused by heavy rains in Nepal CSTO stresses need to pacifically resolve Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border situation Representation at ECHR: Armenia petitioned to International Court of Justice Armenia PM, European Council chief discuss matters on settlement of situation Iran objects to any change of internationally-recognized borders in region, Raisi tells Erdogan Armenia representation at ECHR: More than dozen Armenian soldiers captured due to Azerbaijan attack Iran ambassador in Baku details Tehran position towards Armenia, Azerbaijan Biden threatens Russia with consequences in case of using nuclear weapons in Ukraine Ombudsperson publishes report on consequences of Azerbaijan recent military attack on Armenia Azerbaijan embassy representative in US curses at Armenian women, tears protesters banner Germany deputy chief of mission to Armenia is shocked by destruction he saw in Jermuk city by Azerbaijan (PHOTOS) Rally being held in Stepanakert for 3rd day No change, as of 9am, in situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border 5 Syria soldiers killed after Israel missile attack on Damascus airport Newspaper: Armenia PM's not attending Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit not clearly understood Newspaper: Situation at Armenia border with Azerbaijan still very tense despite relative calm White House not ruling out new sanctions on Russia Armenia parliament speaker: Let Russia tell us if it is unable to do anything at this moment U.S. State Department announces updated strategy for Arctic Alen Simonyan: Armenia is dissatisfied with CSTO reaction to Azerbaijani aggression, we made conclusions China imposes sanctions on heads of U.S. companies for supplying weapons to Taiwan Alen Simonyan: Azerbaijan wants Armenia and Armenians not to exist Alen Simonyan: Introduction of martial law may be perceived as act of aggression Japanese PM says he is ready to meet with Kim Jong-un without preconditions Speaker of Parliament: One or two adversary groups who penetrated territory of Armenia are under search Ten people die in Italy due to heavy rains CSTO members do not agree: Kyrgyzstan uses drones to attack Tajik targets Today Armenia will apply to International Court of Justice Russian Defense Ministry: No violations of ceasefire in Karabakh in Russian zone of responsibility during day Turkey wants more Russian gas Putin: Turkey will pay for quarter of Russian gas supplies in rubles Defense Ministry: As of 9 p.m., situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border remains unchanged Putin: Erdogan keeps offering to arrange meeting with Zelenskyy Putin announces Russia's role in localization of Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict Gas prices in Europe are getting down Putin: Latest incident on border between Armenia and Azerbaijan has nothing to do with Karabakh Poland signs $3 billion deal with South Korea to buy 48 FA-50 fighters Aliyev: Events show that neither Baku nor Yerevan wants large-scale escalation Scholz: German government ready to revise military export rules Putin calls situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border tense Putin briefs Aliyev on his talks with Pashinyan Greece MFA welcomes Armenia-Azerabaijan ceasefire agreement Digital technologies have no alternative: SAP signs cooperation agreement with Armenian Revytech (PHOTOS) Mexican authorities arrest retired general in connection with kidnapping of 43 students Putin and Aliyev's talks kick off Orban calls the European Parliament's call to cut funding for Hungary 'boring joke' Mourad Papazian and French Armenians hold rally in Paris against Azerbaijani aggression (PHOTOS) Lebanese banks close all their offices after attacks by disgruntled depositors Putin and Erdogan hold talks in Samarkand Inflation in Eurozone hits another record 9.1% Nancy Pelosi confirms reports on her upcoming visit to Armenia State Department: Russia hoped to get military aid from China At least 7,600 people from 3 Armenian regions leave their homes amid Azerbaijani aggression World Bank: rising global interest rates may trigger recession in 2023 Secretary of Security Council of Armenia: Our expectations from CSTO are not justified China hopes Yerevan and Baku will resolve their differences through political dialogue EBRD President notes importance of road construction programs in Armenia Lithuania MPs condemn Azerbaijan military attack against Armenia Stepanakert rally continues for 2 days Azerbaijan reports about death of 77 servicemen German government tries to nationalize three major gas companies CSTO mission receives operational information on situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border American journalist Lindsay Snell tweets about Azerbaijani atrocities Development of private sector is our main focus and objective. Interview with EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso UK retail sales fall, highlighting recession risk Man arrested in Lebanon after bank robbery in attempt to access his own savings Russia envoy: Armenia attaches special importance to CSTO mission Athens: Turkish leadership made a choice that leaves no room for negotiation Armenia army chief: 50-60 member group from Azerbaijan retreated to state border today By Trend Armenia continues to grossly violate obligations assumed by them as part of the trilateral agreement, Head of the Press Service Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Leyla Abdullayeva told Trend. She said that Azerbaijan has repeatedly stated that, contrary to Article 4 of this statement, the presence of the Armenian armed forces on the territory of Azerbaijan is maintained, as well as that the Armenian side is preventing the opening of communications. Abdullayeva added that the remaining mine risks on the liberated territories of Azerbaijan is also worth noting. "Among the reasons of large-scale provocation committed by Armenia during the night of September 12, there was an attempt by the Armenian Armed Forces to take advantage of the mountainous terrain, to mine the territories between the positions of the Azerbaijani units and the supply routes in Lachin, Kalbajar and Dashkesan directions. To prevent this attempt, Azerbaijani Armed Forces took countermeasures. The provocation of Armenia was accompanied by shelling of Azerbaijani positions," she said. Head of the press service emphasized that Armenia demonstrating an unconstructive position, deals a serious blow to the peace process. "The latest processes once again show that Armenia isn't ready for peace, but is trying to prevent its establishment by committing military provocations," she said. The UN welcomes the ceasefire agreements between Armenia and Azerbaijan and hopes that the ceasefire will be respected. The UN Special Representative of the UN Secretary General Miroslav Jenca said this. He said the two countries have sent letters to the UN secretary general and the UN Security Council alleging that the Russian-brokered 2020 cease-fire has been violated. The UN cannot verify or confirm the specific elements contained in these reports, but we are deeply concerned about this dangerous escalation and in particular the possible impact on civilians. The UN urged the parties to take concrete steps to defuse tensions. They are keeping open channels of communication with the authorities of the two countries and are ready to respond to humanitarian needs as necessary and if circumstances permit, he said, adding that this week's clashes were the latest in a series of incidents that underscore the fact that the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan continues to face serious obstacles. According to Jenca the escalation also underscores the urgent need for the parties to move forward with delimitation and demarcation in mutual recognition of their territorial integrity and sovereignty. We urge the parties to take advantage of this important mechanism as a crucial step toward defusing tensions at the border. This week's events were also a reminder that tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan have the potential to destabilize the region. There is a need for all players in and outside the region to act constructively and put pressure on the sides to work towards a peaceful settlement. In this regard, a number of countries are making efforts in the region, in particular the EU and the Russian Federation. The UN supported these efforts, which can lay the groundwork for the resumption of dialogue on the path to long-term peace. He said the UN will send a mission to the country at Armenia's request to assess the situation on the border, with subsequent reports to member states. Jenca said that the parties should remain fully committed to a peaceful settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan and every effort should be made to defuse the current tensions so that the parties can return to the negotiating table to help them achieve peace and stability in the region, and called on the parties to fulfill their obligations under the November 9, 2020 trilateral cease-fire statement. The UN urged the parties to return to the negotiating table and take steps toward signing a treaty. By Trend The Spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova reacted harshly to the question of an Armenian journalist, regarding tensions on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, during the ministrys weekly briefing, Trend reports. After listening to the monologue of the Armenian propagandist, Zakharova noted that this was a briefing by an official representative of the Foreign Ministry, and not by journalists. "Therefore, please ask a question instead of reading positional materials," she said. When asking her second question, the Armenian journalist continued her provocative anti-Azerbaijani rhetoric. This time, the spokesperson didnt even listen to her. "So, you know, I probably said something vaguely, right? I asked you not to declare certain statements, but to ask a question. I understand everything perfectly, and I treat you with respect, but I hope youll hear my request so that I dont have to correct you anymore, and I really wouldnt want to do this. Please ask a question, Zakharova said, thus disrupting the anti-Azerbaijani provocation at the briefing. Azerbaijan's latest attack on Armenia's sovereign territory claimed the lives of 105 people, dozens were wounded, dozens are missing, and serious material damage was inflicted on civilian settlements and infrastructure, Armenia's permanent representative to the UN, Mher Margaryan, said at a UN Security Council meeting. At least 7 prisoners of war have been captured by Azerbaijan, and according to video reports there may be more. Armenia calls for the release and repatriation of all Armenian POWs, as the opposite would be a violation of IHL. The scale of the destruction is so big that according to the preliminary data only about 200 houses were damaged, 60 of them were totally destroyed. A number of densely populated settlements in Armenia, including Goris, Jermuk, Vardenis, Kapan and Sotk have come under heavy fire for several days in a row. According to the latest reports, at least 2,756 people were displaced in Gegharkunik, Syunik, Vayots Dzor, among them 370 children and 55 people with disabilities as a result of the offensive. The shelling of the Jermuk resort, which is absolutely not a military target, is a war crime in the same way as the strikes on the Kechut reservoir, with potentially catastrophic consequences for people and the environment. This is a gross violation of the Geneva Convention and IHL. Journalists, both local and foreign, who have covered these events, have also been targeted. Over the last year Armenia has repeatedly drawn the attention of the Security Council to Azerbaijan's illegal practice of seizing territory by force. In letters dated 14 May, 29 July and 16 November 2021, Armenia warned the members of the Security Council that Azerbaijan was continuously violating the norms and principles of international law as well as the terms of the tripartite ceasefire statement of 9 November 2020. The latest strikes confirm that, in the absence of proper accountability measures, the policy of aggression is likely to continue, and its scale and scope will even increase. Over the past two days, Azerbaijan has occupied more than 10 square kilometers of sovereign Armenian territory. This strike followed the attacks of May and November 2021, when Azerbaijan occupied about 45 square kilometers of sovereign territory of our country. This act of aggression took place in the context of peace negotiations taking place in different arenas and facilitated by different players. Armenia is participating in all of those processes in good faith towards the stabilization of the situation in the South Caucasus. Armenia is openly making efforts to work with the region and has already stated its readiness to start negotiations towards a peace agreement. This aggression is Azerbaijan's response to the mediation efforts of the international community. Azerbaijan will justify its predatory behaviour, but let us make no mistake: no armed attack was initiated by Armenia. It is clear for Armenia that these blame games have been Azerbaijan's best friends for years. It is for this reason that Azerbaijan so vehemently objects to any ideas of establishing verification mechanisms under international control for detecting cease-fire violations, Margaryan noted. Armenian News - NEWS.am presents the breaking news as of 15.09.22: Amid Armenian-Azerbaijani clashes, which resulted in the death of 105 Armenian soldiers, PM Nikol Pashinyan addressed parliament on Wednesday and answered lawmakers questions. However, one of his statements sparked confusion and outrage. The PM said he is willing to make a difficult decision to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, even if it meant that people would ask for his ouster from office. According to the PM, they want to sign a paper, as a result of which Armenia will receive lasting peace and security on an area of 29,800 km2. PM Pashinyan has also mentioned that Azerbaijan has occupied over 50 square kilometers of Armenia (10 of which were recently occupied and 40 of which during last years Azerbaijani incursions). Later on Wednesday, he sought to assure citizens that he had not signed any document with Azerbaijan as after his comments at the parliament, outraged people staged protests calling the PM to resign. Meanwhile, in her Thursday's statement, Russian MFA spokesperson Maria Zakharova noted that the Yerevan-Baku peace treaty is being prepared even despite current tensions. Russia strives to bring the positions of the two parties closer together, she added. She also noted that to discuss the current situation, the co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group from Russia, Igor Khovaev, visited Baku on September 8-9 and Yerevanon September 13-14. Yerevan and Baku have reached a ceasefire agreement as of 8 pm Wednesday with the mediation of the international community, Armen Grigoryan, Armenias Security Council Secretary told Public TV. Naturally, it would not be possible to have a ceasefire without an agreement. Lets hope that Azerbaijan will continue to observe it, said Grigoryan. The Defense Ministry, in turn, noted that as of 11am Thursday, no significant incidents were recorded on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. As a result of shelling from the Azerbaijani side on September 14, a civilian was killed in the village of Noravan, Syunik province of Armenia, said the head of the community Slavik Papyan. Meanwhile, the number of Armenias civilians who are injured as a result of the Azerbaijani shelling has reached seven. As of Thursday, four of these civilians continue to receive inpatient treatment in hospitals, the Armenian health ministry reported. "One is in critical condition, twosevere, the fourthmoderate," the ministry also reported, adding that the seventh civilian was discharged from hospital after receiving outpatient treatment. Earlier, two more injured were discharged. The Security Council convened a meeting to discuss Armenia's letter on Azerbaijan's military aggression against the territorial integrity of Armenia. During the session, the UN welcomed the ceasefire agreements between Armenia and Azerbaijan expressing hope that the ceasefire will be respected. The UN Special Representative of the UN Secretary General Miroslav Jenca noted that the UN would send a mission to the country at Armenia's request to assess the situation on the border, with subsequent reports to member states. In turn, the Indian representative said that they are serious about examining why the situation in the Caucasus, especially on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, remains tense. She said recent reports of strikes along Armenia's border, including strikes on civilian infrastructure, are troubling. They call on the aggressor side to immediately cease hostilities and show restraint. France, in turn, called on Azerbaijan to withdraw its troops from the borders of Armenia to their original positions. The delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border should be carried out exclusively through negotiations, he added, noting that, given the advance of Azerbaijani forces beyond certain segments of the border, Armenia's territorial integrity must be respected. Meanwhile, the USs representative said they are deeply concerned about the outbreak of fighting on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as reports of shelling of civilian infrastructure on Armenian territory. Russia, in turn, noted that they consider the use of force unacceptable and count on the implementation of all Russian-brokered cease-fire agreements. Tayari Jones is one of the most accomplished novelists working today. She is the author of four books, including the bestseller, An American Marriage, which was an Oprahs Book Club official selection in 2018. Jones was honored with the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award for Debut Fiction and was also the recipient of a 2021 Guggenheim Fellowship. On the latest episode of his podcast, One Big Question, Emory President Gregory L. Fenves interviews Jones, who is the Charles Howard Candler Professor of Creative Writing at Emory University. On the podcast, Fenves sits down with Emory authors, inventors, researchers, alumni and more to learn about their experiences and areas of expertise. The first episode featured epidemiologist and social media star Laurel Bristow, and the next episode will feature Emory College alumnus Christopher Mims, who pens the Wall Street Journal tech column, Keywords. During the interview with Jones, Fenves starts by asking, Why do you, an acclaimed novelist with an audience around the world, dedicate your teaching time to undergraduate students at Emory, and especially students that are in disciplines that, at least on the surface, appear to have nothing to do with writing? Jones laughs before answering Fenves, then continues, Well, in my opinion, the undergraduate classroom is really where the magic happens. When I was a young person, I took a creative writing class. And one, I was stunned to find out that you could actually take a class in creative writing. The class Jones is referring to was taught by Pearl Cleage at Spelman College. Two decades before Jones success with her novel, Cleages book What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day was the Oprahs Book Club selection in 1998. During a conversation hosted by Emory Libraries three years ago, Jones admitted that she forged her advisors signature to be able to take Cleages class as a first-year student. Like Jones, Cleage is a Spelman alumna who grew up in southwest Atlanta. Both use Atlanta and its history as a backdrop for their stories. In An American Marriage, a young newlywed couple Roy and Celestial find their happily ever after dashed when Roy is wrongfully incarcerated for a crime he didnt commit. When hes finally released, he finds that the world and the woman he left behind are very different. Jones was inspired to write the novel after overhearing a couple arguing at Lenox Square Mall. She heard the woman say, You wouldnt have waited for me for seven years. On One Big Question, Fenves asks Jones, How do you teach your students to relate to their own experience and then express that in a character that may be very different than who they are? To which Jones replies in part, One thing people do when they're starting writing is they say, Oh, I want to write about someone so different from me. I think part of that is because to examine the self is the most challenging thing. I ask them, What is the history of your name? Because when you can tell how you got your name, it tells us a lot about who you are. It tells us about your parents' ambition for you, what kind of culture you're from. During the episode, Fenves and Jones try that exercise. Fenves: If you gave that assignment to me, the history of my name, it'd be about two or three sentences. How do you get students to think more deeply than just the surface of who they are? Jones: Give me those two or three sentences. I'm ready. Fenves: Okay. Let's see. My mother named me Gregory because ... well, in the 1950s I think it was a common name. That's all I know. Jones: Well, that's a lot to know. That means your mother wanted you to have a name that wouldn't stand out like a sore thumb. She wanted you to get along with other people. She wanted you to have a name that was legible. It was the 1950s when that kind of legibility was a huge part of the culture. So that tells us right there, some context. If you take my name, Tayari, which is Swahili, which means she is prepared, you can tell right away I was born in 1970 and that my parents were part of this kind of African American cultural reclamation movement, and they did not care one bit that I had a name that no one could spell or pronounce. So, it's really the opposite impulse. Fenves: Oh, my goodness. I have got to take your class. Listen to the full conversation between Jones and Fenves now. The next episode of One Big Question will be posted Sept. 28. The Doctor of Juridical Science inaugural class features two international students: Shaikha Al-Muraikhi and Joanna Harris. The degree is designed for scholars and teachers of law. It is often obtained by international attorneys pursuing academic or high-ranking governmental careers in their home countries. The program started in Fall 2022 under the direction of Professor Sergio Campos. From Doha, Qatar, Al-Muraikhi is a lecturer of private law at Qatar University. She received her Master of Laws in intellectual property and technology law in 2020 from Washington University in St. Louis. She also interned at Squire Patton Boggs in Doha, assisting attorneys in preparing legal briefs, conducting legal research, and outlining precedents. Al-Muraikhi says her passion for IP law developed during an introductory course that focused primarily on the IP laws of the State of Qatar. "During this course, I became curious about how IP is interwoven into the fabric of our daily lives and present in all that we do. I am constantly practicing IP law while running errands; I am often perusing the aisles of a grocery store, wondering if there is a 'likelihood of consumer confusion' between the different products. This fascination with the complexity and intricacy of IP law inspired me to pursue graduate degrees in this field. "Moreover, working as a teaching assistant made clear to me that academia is the right career path for me. I do not say that lightly; I truly loved sharing and exchanging knowledge with young driven intellects as they would sometimes provoke my ideas and personal views, leading me to view topics in a way that I never had before. I even genuinely enjoyed grading their assignments. This was especially true when we were discussing a purely theoretical question, as it gave me the chance to see how each student uniquely viewed the situation," she said. Al-Muraikhi plans to become an intellectual property professor at Qatar University and practice law in the same field. Harris, of Richmond Hill, Ontario, received a Bachelor of Law from Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, in 2005, an LL.M. specializing in family law from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University in Toronto, and, most recently, a certificate in family mediation from the School of Continuing Studies, York University, Toronto. She serves as legal counsel to the York Region Children's Aid Society in Newmarket, Ontario. Harris is pursuing an SJD degree because of her long-standing interest in effective representation for children involved with the child protection system in Ontario, Canada. "Miami Law is an excellent choice for me because of the Miami Law Children and Youth Law Clinic, the outstanding professors with expertise in this area of law, as well Florida has a guardian ad litem program, which is unlike the Ontario system of representation for children and creates an interesting comparative review," said Harris. "I hope my research will compare the effectiveness of various models of representation for children involved with child protection in Ontario and Florida, contribute to improving advocacy for these vulnerable children in Ontario, and create further scholarly and practical discussions to improve the lives of children involved with child protection in Ontario, particularly those in foster care. This SJD is an incredible opportunity to focus on this important area of the law and develop increasing child advocacy expertise," said Harris. Targeted degree program The SJD, the highest level of law degree, is an advanced research degree program designed for aspiring legal academics, members of the judiciary, and public policymakers. The mission of the SJD program is to produce graduates who are prepared to become leaders in international academic, judicial, and public service communities. The program is only open to exceptionally well-qualified candidates who have already obtained an LL.M. degree or wish to begin their SJD studies with an LL.M. degree at Miami Law. Through the support and guidance of a faculty adviser, students in the SJD program are expected to develop, research, and complete a scholarly dissertation that will constitute an outstanding contribution to legal scholarship. "The SJD degree program builds on the success of our other international graduate programs by providing opportunities for students to pursue advanced scholarship," said Sergio J. Campos, SJD director. "It further solidifies our reputation as a leader in international graduate education, and I am proud to serve as the program's first director." An SJD information session will be held September 29 from 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. Read more about the SJD Program Miami Law professors organized and participated in the annual academic conference conducted by SELA. The conference, titled "Fixing the Ship at Sea: Threats to Democracy and Efforts to Rebuild" was held this summer in Santiago, Chile. Initially founded by students and faculty of Yale Law School, the University of Miami School of Law became a member and co-director of SELA in 2021. As part of its commitment to international law, Miami Law joined as an equal partner to direct, organize, and participate in SELA, which was founded over two decades ago and dedicated to promoting and fostering legal scholarship in the Americas. "The conference brings together the top legal scholars in the Americas to discuss important issues to the hemisphere," said Professor Sergio Campos, who was introduced as a co-director of SELA at the conference. "This years conference was inspired by the constitutional process in Chile, and Miami law faculty were able to provide their unique perspectives to tough issues of constitutional design and democracy." Campos, director of Miami Law's new S.J.D. Program, attended with Andres Sawicki, director of the Business of Innovation, Law, and Technology Concentration. Professor Lisa Iglesias and Visiting Professor Madeleine Plasencia drafted papers for the conference, which were presented and discussed. Professors Irwin Stotzky, Ileana Porras, and Pablo Rueda Saiz are also participants in SELA. "Our participation in SELA will enrich our existing international graduate programs, and will allow our faculty and students to participate and collaborate in the production of the highest levels of legal scholarship in the Americas," says Caroline Bradley, associate dean of international and graduate law programs. Through SELA, scholars from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, and the United States present papers on themes determined by the faculty directors and representatives from partnering universities and analyzed in a series of panel discussions. The papers are written in English, Spanish, or Portuguese and published in a standalone book following the talks. The seminar provides leading researchers from across the Americas opportunities to learn from and collaborate with other experts who share their commitment to democratic principles and values. The School of Law and the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law joined as equal partners with Yale Law School in the direction and management of SELA, becoming only the second and third law U.S. law school to join the consortium. Miami Law's role includes helping to organize the substance of the annual conference and the consortium's other events and initiatives. Read more about Miami Law's faculty and intellectual life By Trend The value of Irans exports to the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member countries grew by 40% YOY during the first five months of the fiscal year (March 21 August 22), according to the spokesman of Iran Customs Administration, Trend reports citing IRNA. Rouhollah Latifi said on Tuesday that Iran exported some 7.3 million tons of goods worth $4.1 billion to the nine-member bloc in the period under review. The official put Irans total trade with ECO member countries at 9.1 million tons ($6.89 billion), which he said is up 39% compared to figures from the corresponding period of the preceding year without mentioning whether this growth was in terms of weight or value. According to Latifi, Irans imports from the organization member countries stood at 1.79 tons. Despite a 2% fall in terms of weight, Irans imports register a 38% hike in value terms. Turkey, Afghanistan, and Pakistan were the top three destinations for Iranian commodities among ECO member countries during the five-month period with Turkey, Pakistan and Kazakhstan being the main importers to Iran during the time span, the spokesman said. Xi Jinping hails China-Kyrgyzstan relations President Xi Jinping says China supports Kyrgyzstan's sovereignty and security. File photo: RTHK President Xi Jinping on Thursday hailed strong ties between China and Kyrgyzstan during his meeting with his Kyrgyz counterpart Sadyr Zhaparov in Uzbekistan. Xi and other regional leaders are in Uzbekistan to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. Xi is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the summit. According to Xinhua News Agency, Xi told Zhaparov that China has been, is now and will always be a trustworthy and reliable friend and partner of Kyrgyzstan. Xi said China firmly supports Kyrgyzstan in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and security, as well as choosing its path of development. Zhaparov, for his part, said his country firmly adheres to the one-China principle and stressed the need for closer cooperation with Beijing to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership. China and Kyrgyzstan signed a series of agreements in areas including agriculture and medical care. On Wednesday, the European Commission proposed capping the profits of renewable and nuclear electricity producers, and taxing the windfall earnings of oil and gas companies, CNN reported. Profits at power generators using wind, solar and nuclear energy have ballooned because their tariffs are linked to the wholesale price of natural gas, which soared to a record high in March after Russia invaded Ukraine, and now stands about 550 pert cent up on year-ago levels, the report said. Europe sanctioned Russian oil and coal exports after the invasion, prompting Moscow to slash supplies of gas in return. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday that the bloc would conduct a "deep and comprehensive reform" to decouple the cost of gas from the price of electricity. "These companies are making revenues they never accounted for, they never even dreamt of," she told EU lawmakers in a speech in Strasbourg, France. "It is wrong to receive extraordinary record profits benefiting from war and on the back of consumers," she added, CNN reported. The Commission's proposals still need to be debated and adopted by EU member states. The bloc could introduce a cap of $180 per megawatt hour on the electricity produced by renewable energy firms, the Commission said in a statement. --IANS san/arm ( 257 Words) 2022-09-14-22:10:03 (IANS) The government has given a target of 80 per cent coverage of 5G telecom services in the country in the short timeframe, Union Minister for Communications, Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said. Addressing an industry event in the national capital on Wednesday, Vaishnaw said, "the journey of 5G is going to be very exciting and noted that many countries took multiple years to reach 40 per cent to 50 per cent coverage. But we are targeting a very aggressive timeline and the Government has given a target of 80 per cent coverage in a short time frame and we should definitely cover at least 80 per cent in a very short timeframe." The minister asked the industry including Telecom Operators and Infrastructure Providers to move full steam ahead on improving the quality of services in the country as the government has introduced a slew of reforms, according to an official statement released by the Ministry of Communications. He said more reforms are also lined up in the telecom sector. Asking the industry to take measures to improve services, the minister said initiatives cannot be one-sided, and the equation has to be reciprocal. Vaishnaw said that service quality parameters have to be significantly increased, and the Telecom Department should approach the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in this regard. He advised the Telecom Department to send a new consultation paper to TRAI for significantly increasing the quality-of-service parameters almost making it 3X or 4X of what it is today. While addressing the Annual Flagship Event 2022 of the Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA), an apex industry body representing Digital Infrastructure providers industry in India, Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan said our country is transforming from Developing Country into Developed Country and the Telecom Sector's role is crucial in achieving this. He referred Prime Minister's Reform, Perform and Transform which should be the slogan of this sector to move ahead. Chauhan said that the last mile connectivity is very crucial for the development of the Telecom Sector and he advised the Telecom operators to work hard in this direction. He further said that the 5G connectivity should play a major role in providing Health, Education, Mining, Transportation, Logistics fields etc. DIPA should play a pivotal role in this regard, he added. (ANI) Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Thursday asked the International Dairy Federation (IDF) to direct focused efforts towards finding relevant, contemporary, practical and cost-effective solutions to make small dairy farms in developing nations more productive, sustainable, eco-friendly, quality oriented and profitable. Speaking at the World Dairy Summit 2022 at Greater Noida, the minister urged the International Dairy Federation to explore the possibility of stationing a small team of experts in India to carry out research at the farm level, study India's varied climatic conditions and come up with solutions that will help the country align with the global standards and global emission norms. "I can assure you that India wants to be a part of the solution and not the problem," he said. Highlighting India's status as the largest producer of dairy in the world, with nearly one-fourth of the world's production, the Minister expressed confidence that with greater international engagement and the strong initiative taken by the government, the cooperative sector and the farmers, India's share of the global dairy market will see significant growth in the years to come. This, he said would greatly benefit the small and marginal farmers of India and give them much-needed supplementary income and contribute towards better nutrition for their children. It may be noted that one-third of dairy production is used by the farmers for their family consumption. Speaking of quality standards and sustainability, the Minister reiterated that India would very much like to become a part of the global efforts to bring down the impact of farming on global emissions. Drawing a picture of the contrast between India where a large number of farmers with small land holdings are engaged in dairying and developed nations where relatively fewer numbers of farmers are engaged in production, the Minister called upon stakeholders of the dairy industry to find contemporary, relevant solutions to aid small farmers. Echoing India's commitment to take the fruits of prosperity and development to each and every one of its 1.3 billion people during the Amritkaal, the period leading up to the 100th anniversary of our independence in 2047, Goyal asked for focused efforts towards making small farms profitable. Observing that the farmers of India are very conscious of their responsibility to the environment, the Minister said that they intrinsically, by their very nature and philosophical thinking strongly believed in sustainability. Referring to the deep regard and reverence that Indians have for the divinity that exists in nature, Goyal said that our dairy farmers have always been very conscious of the environmental impact of their occupation. He cited as an example, the extensive use of cow dung as manure which considerably reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides and for the production of fuels such as biogas. This, he said, was also an important contribution towards efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of farming. The Minister said that this reverence for nature was observable not only in dairying but also in our farming and fishing practices. He pointed out that this was one of the reasons behind India supporting nearly 17 per cent of the world's population and yet contributing less that 3 per cent to the harmful global Green House Gas emissions. In this context, the Minister opined that relevant and cost-effective solutions for sustainability if offered to our farmers would be quickly adopted. Goyal expressed his strong concerns about the inability of the developed world to meet its commitments to effectively support the developing and less developed nations of the world through their contributions of technology, low cost, long term government-supported climate finance. That should have been a natural outcome of the polluter-pays principle, the Minister said. He urged IDF to consider initiating a global effort whereby nations who have contributed more towards the Green House Gas emissions actually put relevant technology and financing on the table to help mitigate climate crisis in the less developed counties. This would include many nations in Asia and Africa, many of whom have the commitment but do not necessarily possess the relevant technology and resources, he said. The Minister said that the commitment to support the developing world in climate mitigation was made by the developed world more than a decade ago and was reiterated at the COP 21 in Paris where India played a leading role in aligning the world to work towards achieving climate goals. Seven years after COP 21, Goyal said that we were still only hearing slogans and seeing no action. He said that he would be speaking on behalf of the entire developing world if he says that 'we mean business' when it comes to climate change. The Minister expressed confidence that in any analysis comparing India's dairy sector to the mechanised dairy industry of the developed world, India would come out as a winner when it comes to sustainability. He also stated that many parts of the developed world were very sensitive to the concerns of the developing world when honest discussions were held. He cited as an example the negotiations India had with the bipartisan Australian government to sign the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA). The Minister recounted that when he shared the agony of the small farmers in India and the constraints and difficulties under which the dairy farmers worked, he experienced great sensitivity, deep understanding and immense appreciation for these farmers. (ANI) According to Variety, the adaptation, set to release on August 11, 2023, will be directed by Neill Blomkamp, the filmmaker behind sci-fi hits like 'District 9', 'Elysium' and 'Chappie'. The 'Gran Turismo' video games, which have sold more than 80 million copies worldwide, are a series of racing games that date back to 1997, with the most recent entry, 'Gran Turismo 7', launching in March 2022. Variety has reported that the movie's logline is as follows: "Based on a true story, the film is the ultimate wish fulfilment tale of a teenage Gran Turismo player whose gaming skills won a series of Nissan competitions to become an actual professional race car driver." The screenplay has been penned by Jason Hall and Zach Baylan with the movie being produced by PlayStation Production's Asad Qizilbash and Carter Swan, Doug Belgrad and Dana Brunetti. Harbour most recently appeared as Jim Hopper in Netflix's 'Stranger Things' Season 5 and will return for the final Season. Last weekend, he was also revealed to be starring in Marvel's team-up film 'Thunderbolts', reprising his 'Black Widow' superhero Red Guardian. He'll also star in Universal's holiday thriller 'Violent Night' and HBO's 'My Dentist's Murder Trial', as per Variety. (ANI) Actor Jada Pinkett Smith recently posted a gorgeous selfie on Instagram to celebrate 'Bald Is Beautiful Day'. According to Page Six, Jada took to her Instagram handle and shared the picture along with the caption, "Happy Bald is Beautiful day to all my brothers and sisters with no hair." Jada's husband, Will Smith, famously slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars six months ago for his joke about her starring as 'G.I. Jane 2' while reportedly not knowing about her alopecia, Jada first spoke of her hair loss struggle in 2018 on her Facebook Watch show, 'Red Table Talk'. At the time, she said, "I've been having issues with hair loss. It was terrifying when it first started. I was in the shower one day and had just handfuls of hair in my hands and I was just like, 'Oh my God, am I going bald?'" Inspired by daughter Willow Smith, who has also shaved her head, Jada embraced the bald by buzzing it off in 2021 after "experimenting" with steroid shots to try to regrow it. As per Page Six, while she's seemingly at peace with her condition, Jada also hopes Will and Chris Rock can come together, too. In an episode of 'Red Table Talk' after the infamous slap, she said she really wants "these two intelligent, capable men to have an opportunity to heal, talk this out and reconcile." (ANI) A video has gone viral on social media that shows one of the Royal guards standing next to Queen Elizabeth II's coffin fainting and falling right to the floor. A video shared by 9News Sydney's Twitter account showed a guard clad in a black uniform first stumbling from his position and then moments later falling flat on the ground. As seen in the video, three other guards came to his rescue and helped him get emergency aid. The guard's collapse comes as hundreds of thousands of mourners thronged the streets of London to pay homage to the late Queen. Check it out: https://twitter.com/9NewsSyd/status/1570223140248367107 Queen Elizabeth's coffin draped in the Royal Standard is now lying in state in London's Westminster Hall where it will remain for four days until her funeral on Monday. Borne on a gun carriage and accompanied by the boom of artillery cannons and the tolling of Big Ben's bell, the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II was transported on Wednesday from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster, as per New York Post. King Charles III, in full dress uniform and carrying a field marshal's baton, walked behind the coffin, joined by his sister, Princess Anne, and their two brothers, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. His elder son and heir, Prince William, newly named as the Prince of Wales, walked behind him, next to his brother, Prince Harry. The cortege passed by the most familiar symbols of royal London, from Buckingham Palace to the wide, tree-lined vista of the Mall, then past government institutions on Whitehall and Downing Street, before arriving at Westminster Hall, the oldest part of the Parliamentary estate. Westminster Hall, which sits in the shadow of Big Ben, is one of the most hallowed places in British public life, as per the media portal. The British Queen breathed her last at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8.The death of the 96-year-old Queen ended a generation-spanning, seven-decade reign that made her a beacon of stability in a tumultuous world. The UK has entered a period of official mourning, with tributes pouring in worldwide. (ANI) People of the UK will relive the glorious life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II at her state funeral on Monday. The Queen breathed her last on September 9 and ever since the Royal Family and the people of the UK have been in mourning. For the funeral, many guests ranging from political heads of countries to distinct royal family members and dignitaries from across the globe will fly to the UK. Although the official guest list hasn't been released yet, New York Post has shared the names of a few countries that didn't make the cut. 1. Russia 2. Belarus 3. Afghanistan 4. Myanmar 5. Syria 6. Venezuela According to the online publication, Russian President Vladimir Putin wished King Charles III on his accession recently, however, the country was still snubbed by the UK as they reportedly didn't get an invite for the funeral. It's also interesting to note here that North Korea, Iran, and Nicaragua were sent invites however those were only sent out to their ambassadorial representatives and not the head of state. Another news that recently made rounds was that former US President Donald Trump would also be in attendance however, the UK government, according to New York Post, has squashed the rumour saying that only the sitting US President and his wife will be attending. New York Post further reports that 750,000 people will be present at the funeral. (ANI) Taking to Instagram Stories, Kangana shared a tweet by trade analyst Taran Adarsh. She wrote, "This is the best and most effective way a superstar can utilise his resources and influence, not only it generates employment it also increases our screen count... Number of screens in India= less than 7000. Number of screens in China= more than 70,000. Congratulations sir @ajaydevgn." Taran's tweet read, "Ajay Devgn's NY cinemas on expansion spree: opens 4-screen multiplex in Ahmedabad...* located at #aamrakunj at #moteraroad in #ahmedabad. * 4 screens. can play #3d movies. #nycinemas will shortly open in #anand, #surat and #rajkot." NY Cinemas is a multiplex chain launched by Ajay a few years ago. Kangana's tweet comes a few months after she said that he will never promote her film. "Ajay Devgn will never promote my film. He will promote other films but will never promote my film. Akshay Kumar called me, quietly, to tell me 'hush-hush' that you know, I love your 'Thalaivi', but he will not tweet my trailer," Kangana reportedly said in an interview. Kangana and Ajay have worked together in the 2010 gangster saga Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai. Meanwhile, currently, Ajay is currently busy promoting his film 'Thank God', which also stars Sidharth Malhotra, while Kangana is busy working on the film 'Emergency', which is based on the life of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. (ANI) According to a recent study published in the American Diabetes Association journal Diabetes Care, the score results of commonly used depression-screening methods should be carefully altered to better detect the illness in teenagers with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). The study is the first to extensively evaluate the efficacy of such screeners for this population when compared to diagnostic interviews. Researchers from Primary Children's Hospital and Nemours Children's Health in Jacksonville led the study. Data were gathered in conjunction with Children's Mercy Kansas City when both researchers were affiliated with the University of Kansas Medical Center, which provided funding for the experiment. According to earlier research, teenagers with T1D are more likely than counterparts without diabetes to develop depression. Additionally, depression, according to researchers, can affect glycemic control, cause poor blood glucose monitoring, and result in more frequent hospitalizations. For these reasons, regular depression screening is advised by national and international standards for all diabetic teenagers. "Depression screening is crucial for youth with Type 1 diabetes since depression treatment is likely to keep them healthier now and in the long run," said the paper's lead author, Arwen M. Marker, PhD, a pediatric psychology fellow at Primary Children's Hospital of Salt Lake City. "We need to know which screening tools perform best and how best to use them in this population, so we do not fail to identify depressed kids and get them the support they need." The research team gathered 100 T1D teenagers (aged 12 to 17) and conducted clinical interviews with each one of them, which are regarded as the gold standard for identifying depression. Five regularly used depression screening tools, each of which took one to three minutes to complete, were also given to the participants. The outcomes of each screening instrument were then contrasted with those of the interviews. The majority of the screeners' usual diagnostic cut-off scores had to be lowered in order to maximise their sensitivity for T1D-affected adolescent patients, they claimed, which shocked them. "We thought we might need to increase the cut-off scores for accuracy with this population, thinking that symptoms common to diabetes and depression would inflate the number of depression diagnoses, suggesting more were depressed when actually diabetes symptoms were the cause," said Marker. "However, we generally found the opposite - we needed to lower cut-off scores to most accurately identify youth with depressive symptoms." Most of the screening tools evaluated in the study were made with adults in mind. None were designed expressly for people with T1D, and none had been demonstrated to identify adolescent depression in the past reliably. Researchers suggested that diabetes care professionals employ the CDI-2 Short, PHQ-9A, and SMFQ, which have been shown to have the highest accuracy in this population. According to co-author Susana Patton, PhD, ABPP, CDE, a principal research scientist at Nemours Children's Health in Jacksonville, "without the right sensitivity cut-offs, even great screening tools will miss some teens with depression, meaning they will not receive mental health services and could continue to experience depression." That also means that some T1D teenagers may have more difficulty controlling their diabetes. An autoimmune condition known as type 1 diabetes occurs when the body's immune system unintentionally kills insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. There is currently no known cure, and its causes are unclear. This disorder, which affects an estimated 244,000 kids and teenagers in the United States, can lead to major health issues either early in life or later in life. (ANI) By Trend A wave of protests against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is taking place in Yerevan, Trend reports citing Armenian media. People are demanding his resignation. The protesters are chanting "Nikol, go away!" Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena on Wednesday ordered disciplinary proceedings against two SHOs, two SIs and one ASI of the Delhi police. Assistant Sub Inspector Heera Lal, Sub Inspector Rahul Sagar, SI Ravi Poonia, present Station House Officer Harish Kumar and the then SHO, Sanjeev Gautam committed serious lapses and misconduct in the discharge of their duties while attending a complaint received via PCR on August 8, 2018, in connection with one Musa being physically assaulted by Farid and Shaan Ali, said an official from the LG's office. A complaint by Asma Bibi filed at the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) on 15.01.2019, detailed that the PCR call made by her son Hasrat went unaddressed by the IO, who neither got a medical examination done of the victim nor did he take any action against the accused persons. On August 18, Asma Bibi's brother Musa had to be admitted in the GTB Hospital vide MLC No. A4670/40/18 and information was given to the local police. A case FIR No. 729/2018 u/s 323/341/34 IPC was registered by SI Ravi Poonia. On 30.12.2018 the victim died due to the injuries sustained during the assault on 08.12.2018, but no proper action was taken by the IO, the complainant Asma Bibi said. On the contrary, the MLC No. B6659/41/18 with A/H/O observed that the patient had been brought in with "self inflicted injury at 4.30 PM on 15.12.2018 as stated by patient himself", said the LG office. The police did not conduct any inquiry or register any FIR or investigate the matter, nor did it file any charge sheet with regard to an injury in the stomach with a sharp edged object and the subsequent death of the victim due to this injury. There was total inaction on the part of the police officials who dealt with this matter. The PCA after thorough examination of the matter recommended appropriate action against the police personnel. Perusal of reports revealed that the police personnel in their deposition before the PCA, themselves accepted their lapses/misconduct, the official said. The LG in his order has stated "recommendation of Police Complaints Authority is accepted. Delhi Police be directed to initiate appropriate disciplinary proceedings against the delinquent police personnel, as per rules". --IANS avr/bg ( 388 Words) 2022-09-14-19:46:03 (IANS) The accused ASI has been identified as Deepak Deshmukh and is posted in the control room. The accused Deshmukh felt that the victim police officer was behind his transfer and so, he started harassing her. The accused was sending obscene messages, abusing and threatening the victim police officer. After the complaint of the female Police Inspector, the Kurar police registered a case against the accused ASI Deepak Deshmukh. The case has been registered under sections 354, 354 (D), 509 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections of the relevant IT. The accused ASI was arrested last night after a complaint registered by a female police officer. (ANI) The exhibition is part of the celebrations being organised by the Union Ministry of Culture to mark 75 years of the accession of the erstwhile Hyderabad state with the Indian Union. The exhibition showcases archival images associated with the erstwhile Hyderabad state and its unification with India on September 17, 1948. The exhibition will continue till September 17, when Union Home Minister Amit Shah will hoist the national flag and review a parade at the same venue. The Governor felicitated some freedom fighters who participated in the fight against Nizam's rule. She recalled the supreme sacrifices and loss of lives due to the atrocities and heinous crimes committed by 'Razakars'. She said that it is a moment of pride to celebrate Hyderabad Liberation Day and pay respect to the martyrs and remember the unsung heroes. Union Minister for Culture, G. Kishan Reddy, who is an MP from Secunderabad, has already announced that his ministry will be organising Hyderabad Liberation Day celebrations. This will be year-long celebrations which will continue till September 17, 2023. The minister has also invited the Chief Ministers of Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra for the event to be held at Parade Grounds on September 17. Meanwhile, the government of Telangana has announced that the occasion will be celebrated as National Integration Day. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will hoist the national flag and address the people to launch the year-long celebrations on September 17. The state government also plans rallies by students, youth and women on September 16. A big procession is planned in Hyderabad the next day, culminating in a public meeting at the NTR Stadium. The public meeting will be addressed by the Chief Minister and other leaders. --IANS ms/arm ( 320 Words) 2022-09-14-20:32:01 (IANS) Congress's Kerala President K.Sudhakaran on Wednesday slammed the "unethical" coverage by the CPI-M-backed Kairali TV channel of party leader Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra. Sudhakaran claimed all the basic rules to be followed in journalism have been thrown out of the window by Kairali TV channel, which is airing baseless reports, especially on the yatra. "The underlying agenda of this yatra is unite the country against the present fascist regime which is dividing the society and at this time, instead of providing support to the yatra, baseless news and unethical journalism is being practised by the CPI-M backed TV channel," he said. Sudhakaran contended that the CPI-M has turned jittery seeing the massive response to the yatra and is now working overtime to discredit it. "The news that there is a division in the party over the yatra is utter nonsense and Kerala's people know the real reason why such baseless news is being put out. This is being done with the knowledge of the top CPI-M leadership," he said. The yatra reached the Kerala border on September 11 and will cover 43 Assembly and 12 Lok Sabha constituencies as it traverses 453 km through the state in 19 days. There is no yatra on Thursday as the general body meeting of the state unit of the Congress is being held in the state capital. The yatra has 118 permanent members and will crisscross the country covering over 3,750 kms through 12 states and reach its destination in 150 days. --IANS sg/vd ( 266 Words) 2022-09-14-20:36:04 (IANS) Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez left the office of the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police after being grilled by the cops for over eight hours in connection with the Rs 200 crore extortion-cum-cheating case involving multimillionaire conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, who is presently lodged in jail. Jacqueline had reached the EOW office at around 11 am, but she didn't speak to the media and went straight inside. She was accompanied by her counsels. The actress was confronted with Pinky Irani, her associate in the matter. The EOW unit had prepared a long list of questions. "She was asked about her relationship with Chandrashekar, and about the gifts and money she received from the conman. Irani and Fernandez both were confronted together," a source in the EOW said. She was also asked how much money she and her family members received from Chandrashekar. "We asked why she was in touch with him even after knowing that Chandrashekar was a conman. Why did she take his help to take her family out of a financial soup," the source said. Jacqueline reportedly confessed that Chandrashekar did help her family. She also said that a few gifts were returned by her. Earlier in the first week of September, the EOW officials had recorded the testimony of another Bollywood personality, Nora Fatehi, in connection with the same case. Chandrashekhar was arrested for allegedly cheating and extorting money from some high-profile people, including former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh's wife Aditi Singh. Many Bollywood actors and models have been questioned by the Enforcement Directorate for their alleged links to Chandrashekhar. In April last year, Chandrashekhar was arrested in a money laundering case linked to the 2017 Election Commission bribery case, which allegedly involved a former AIADMK leader, among others. --IANS atk/arm ( 308 Words) 2022-09-14-20:40:02 (IANS) Ahead of the assembly elections in Goa the Congress had administered an oath that the elected MLAS will not leave the party but on Wednesday 8 MLAS switched to the BJP leaving the Congress in shock. The Congress had P Chidambaram as senior election observer and Dinesh Gundu Rao as state in-charge. Both of them failed in the elections as the BJP swept to power. The turncoats had been in the BJP earlier. Digambar Kamat, an old BJP hand, switched to the Congress and was made chief minister and has now defected again. Similarly Michael Lobo and his wife were also in the BJP. P Chidambaram said, "Carlos Ferreira, Yuri Alemao and Altone D' Costa stand tall and proud among the ranks of Honourable MLAs, I salute them for their steadfast loyalty to God, their party, their electorate and their principles". He said the curse of Goa's politics is the "buying" of MLAs. Since 2014, there is a wholesale buyer in the Indian market. On January 22, three dozen Congress candidates for the assembly elections pledged their loyalty to the party at three religious institutions; a temple, a church and a mosque, ahead of the February assembly polls in the state. The precaution was taken because of doubts in the voters' minds that the Congress candidates may defect to the BJP, following the mass defection of 10 Congress legislators to the BJP in July, 2019. The Congress lost 8 MLAs on Wednesday. Goa Congress president Girish Chodankar had said that the party had tweaked its candidate selection procedure to ensure that not a single elected MLA would be poached by rival parties after the 2022 polls. "Not a single MLA will break this time round. We have changed our selection process to that effect," he had said, Dinesh Gundu Rao, the in-charge of the Congress in Goa, on Wednesday termed the act of the MLAs who joined the BJP as the 'height of betrayal' and 'shamelessness'. "People of #Goa voted for these MLAs as they were @INCIndia candidates. They had sworn in front of temples, church & dargah that they will not defect to #BJP. They gave affidavits that they'll always be with the Congress and took a pledge on the Constitution," Rao tweeted. "Isn't this the height of betrayal and shamelessness by @digambarkamat, @MichaelLobo76 and the others," he stated while tagging Digambar Kamat and Michael Lobo, who joined the BJP earlier in the day. Former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Michael Lobo, Delilah Lobo, Kedar Naik, Sankalp Amonkar, Rajesh Faldesai, Aleixo Sequeira and Rudolf Fernandes are the eight legislators who have switched sides. The first attempt to join the BJP was made on July 10, 2022, by these MLAs. However they had not succeeded. Even recently they tried again to gather eight, two-third, MLAs to avoid action under the anti-defection law. However, they failed the second time also. Former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Wednesday said it was under God's guidance that he decided to quit the Congress and join the BJP. "God told me 'you take the decision, I am with you'. Hence I decided to join the BJP," the senior politician said. --IANS miz/bg ( 541 Words) 2022-09-14-20:52:04 (IANS) In another shocker, the Shiv Sena said on Wednesday that Maharashtra has lost out the mega project of Bulk Drugs Park to adjoining Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh this month. Sena ex-Ministers Aditya Thackeray and Subhash Desai told the media that earlier this month, a Central notification indicated that Maharashtra has forfeited the prestigious project. Corroborating the claim, they said that the September 1 statement said: "Centre grants in-principle approval of three bulk drug parks in Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh. The three states to submit their detailed project report in next 90 days", and added it was another move to make the country Atmanirbhar in bulk drugs. The Sena duo said that Maharashtra is missing in the Centre's statement implying that this state has lost out on the project, though it was vigorously pursued by the erstwhile Maha Vikas Aghadi government of Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress. This is the second big political-economic jolt to the state this month, after the Vedanta Group-Foxconn decided to shift its proposed Rs 2.06 lakh-crore project to Gujarat, sparking a major row in Maharashtra. Aditya Thackeray said that the MVA government had reserved 5,000 acres of land in Raigad district for the Rs 30,000 crore Bulk Drug Park project which had the potential to create at least 75,000 jobs for locals. The duo said that both the projects were planned to be implemented in Maharashtra "on merits", but owing to the "current unconstitutional government in the state and its disinterest in the state's development" - implying Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis - it has gone out. Then CM Uddhav Thackeray had written a letter to the Centre proposing to set up the Bulk Drugs Park in Raigad while Desai had brought it up before the state cabinet, but now the Centre has asked Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh to start working on it, they pointed out. --IANS qn/vd ( 332 Words) 2022-09-14-20:52:05 (IANS) "On a specific input generated by police, an encounter has started in Nowgam area of Srinagar district. Srinagar Police and 50RR are on the job," police said. The firefight started after a joint team of security forces got an input about the presence of terrorists there. After security forces cordoned off the area, terrorists hiding there started firing on security forces and the latter retaliated. A terrorist was killed in an encounter between terrorists and security forces at Heff Shirmal area in Shopian district on Monday. --IANS zi/vd ( 115 Words) 2022-09-14-20:56:02 (IANS) In a shocking incident, a stray dog in Kottayam attacked a minor girl (12), leading to her death. Locals in the district expressed concern over a worrying increase in stray dog attacks. "Several cases of dog bites were reported recently. They should be rehabilitated to a new place and essential assistance should be provided to them," said a local. After the continuous reports of stray dog attacks in Kerala, the state has decided to seek permission from the Supreme Court to kill violent and rabies-infected dogs. Minister for local self-governments M B Rajesh has informed that the state will conduct a massive vaccination drive for vaccinating stray dogs. The drive will be conducted from 20 September to 20 October 2022. Minister M B Rajesh said that they are also looking at the possibility of giving oral vaccination to dogs through food and also a meeting will be held with hotels, Restaurant associations, meat merchants, and auditoriums to ensure that waste is disposed of properly. Notably, hearing a petition filed by the Animal Welfare Board of India, challenging a 2006 judgment of the Kerala High Court which empowered local self-government institutions to kill stray dogs, the Supreme Court earlier had said that a solution must be found to address the stray dog issue menace and balance the same with animal rights. The petition was filed in the apex court after the Kerala government in 2015 had decided to eliminate stray dogs after a spate of dog attacks on people. A Bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and JK Maheshwari suggested that those who feed street dogs could be made responsible for vaccinating them and bearing costs if somebody is attacked by the animal. He suggested putting chips to track the stray dogs. Justice Khanna said, "Most of us are dog lovers. I also feed dogs... Have to find a rational way out. I also walk dogs. Some are ferocious. Have to segregate those." (ANI) Joymala, an elephant which was allegedly tortured at a temple in Tamil Nadu, has become the bone of contention between the Assam and Tamil Nagu governments. The Assam government has now moved the Gauhati High Court seeking the custody of the elephant. It has been alleged that Joymala has been kept at the Srivilliputhur Nachiyar Thirukovil temple for over a decade now and the animal is facing torture there. A number of videos surfaced on social media in this regard a few days ago. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India had urged the state governments to look into the elephant's well-being. Soon after that, the Assam government sent a four-member team to Tamil Nadu to bring back Joymala. But it has been alleged that the Tamil Nadu government did not allow the team to even see the elephant. The Tamil Nadu forest department in a letter addressed to Assam government said that Joymala is fine and Assam should not waste its time trying to meet her. However, the officials of the four-member team are still in Chennai and trying to meet Joymala. An official of the team informed that the matter has been moved to the Gauhati High Court and a report has been sent to the court stating all the details. As per sources, the Tamil Nadu government also did not agree for a discussion with the officials from Assam for the custody of Joymala. The official added, "It is getting difficult as the Tamil Nadu government is adamant about not letting anyone from Assam meet Joymala." --IANS tdr/arm ( 277 Words) 2022-09-14-21:02:04 (IANS) By Trend A fight broke out in a crowd of protesters against Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan, it was broken up, Trend reports citing Armenian media. Some of the protesters are reportedly talking about the need to break into the parliament building, but so far no one has taken action. Eatery owner Prabakaran, in his complaint before the police, said that the eatery was to be opened on Wednesday but the miscreants reached the premises on Tuesday evening and destroyed the board and vandalised the inside of the eatery. Prabakaran was running a gas agency and a chicken meat stall. He said that a few Hindu Munnani workers had earlier approached him and informed him that he could not use the name of Periyar in their area. "I am from Karamadai and those who attacked the eatery were from Kannampalayam. They did not target me and instead attacked the eatery as they were unhappy with the name," he told media persons. On the complaint from Prabakaran, Karamadai police registered an FIR under various sections of the IPC including rioting, criminal trespass, obscene language, and the Tamil Nadu Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act. The arrested were produced before the judicial magistrate's court and sent to judicial custody. --IANS aal/vd ( 198 Words) 2022-09-14-21:06:04 (IANS) Like previous years, St. Stephen's College of Delhi University wanted to include interview in the admission process this year too. However, the Delhi High Court has told St. Stephen's College that it will have to follow the Common University Entrance Test (CUET). Delhi University has also clarified that it will not recognise the admissions taken by St. Stephen's College in case of non-compliance of CUET procedure. Not only this, Delhi University has clarified that if St. Stephen's College does not comply with CUET, then the admissions made here can be declared invalid. The Delhi University can also refuse to recognise the degree of students who have secured admission on the basis of interview. After the new changes, now St. Stephen's College will also have to withdraw its prospectus. In fact, in its new prospectus, the college will have to make it clear that admission in St. Stephen's College is being given only on the basis of CUET examinations. In the prospectus released earlier, St. Stephen's College had decided to give 85 per cent weightage to CUET exams and 15 per cent weightage to interviews. However, the decision of St Stephen's College has now been set aside. In fact the stand of St. Stephen's College has been that it will abide by the CUET without compromising on the privileges granted by the Constitution. The college had also cited the Supreme Court's Constitution Bench decision that St Stephen's as a minority institution has its own admission procedures which are guaranteed by the Constitution. This is the reason, St. Stephen's College may approach the Supreme Court after the High Court ruled in favour of CUET. This time admission in DU is being done through CUET score. CUET result for undergraduate (UG) courses is to be declared on or before September 15. Delhi University has shared the information related to admission in DU on September 12, after the tentative date of CUET result was revealed. There are about 80 departments under the DU where postgraduate degrees, PhD, certificate courses, degree courses, etc are conducted. Similarly, Delhi University has about 79 colleges in which undergraduate, postgraduate studies are done. Every year more than 70,000 students are admitted in these colleges and departments in the subjects of science, commerce and humanities at the graduation level. On the other hand, minority educational institution, Jamia Millia Islamia has decided to implement the CUET for admission in many undergraduate courses from the academic session 2022-23. The university has also informed the UGC and National Testing Agency (NTA) about this. UGC Secretary Rajnish Jain wrote a letter to the Vice Chancellors and Directors of all universities and colleges to adopt CUET. The UGC had appealed to all state governments and private universities to adopt the CUET for admitting students. --IANS gcb/uk ( 477 Words) 2022-09-14-22:08:03 (IANS) Kolkata Police said on Wednesday that the sleuths of its special task force (STF) have arrested a resident of Malda district, who was an active associate of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (QQIS), from Bengaluru on Tuesday night. The name of the arrested person is Hasnath Sheikh alias Sahid Majumdar. This is the sixth AQIS member to be arrested by the Kolkata Police STF in little less than two months. It is learnt that another AQIS member named Faizal Ahmed alias Shahid Majumdar was arrested from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh on September 11. Originally a resident of Bangladesh, Ahmed was in the most-wanted list of both Kolkata Police and West Bengal Police for a long time. From Ahmed, the STF sleuths came to know about Hasnath Sheikh's hideout in Bengaluru. "Both were responsible for brainwashing and making fresh recruits for AQIS's sleeper cells," a city police official confirmed. Earlier, on September 3, the STF, in coordination with the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra Police, had arrested two residents of Bengal with alleged AQIS links from Mumbai. The arrested persons -- Samir Hossain and Saddam Hossain -- are residents of Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas district. Both were wanted by the STF and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for a long time. On August 17, the STF sleuths had arrested two AQIS members -- Raqib Sarkar and Kazi Ahshanullah -- from Shashan village under Barasat block in North 24 Parganas district. Sarkar is a resident of Ganganagar in South 24 Parganas district, while Kazi Ahshanullah hails from Arambagh in Hooghly district. The latter owns a house at Topsia area in Kolkata. --IANS src/arm ( 281 Words) 2022-09-14-22:40:04 (IANS) Speaking to reporters, Ibrahim criticised Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai over the alleged attempts by the BJP-led Central government to impose Hindi language in Karnataka. "Bommai is promoting Hindi with our money. We will not allow the imposition of Delhi language in our state," he said. Over the past few days, the issue of Hindi Day celebrations in Karnataka have gradually raised political heat. JD-S leader and former Chief Minister Kumaraswamy had earlier written to Bommai urging him not to organise Hindi Day celebrations in the state. On Wednesday, Ibrahim went a step further. "We don't need to learn Hindi and go to north India to sell gol gappas. All these people from Gujarat and Hindi states come here to sell pani puri," he said. While there have been no reactions as yet to Ibrahim's comments, observers feel that the Hindi language issue may not rouse passions to the extent it does in neighbouring Tamil Nadu. --IANS pvn/vd ( 201 Words) 2022-09-14-22:48:03 (IANS) The bodies of two minor sisters, belonging to the Scheduled Caste community, were found hanging from a tree in Lalpur Majra Tamoli Purva village under the Nighasan police station of Lakhimpur Kheri district on Wednesday evening. Local villagers and the girls' family marched a protest and blocked the road demanding justice for the victims. The family of the deceased has accused three men of rape and murder and staged a demonstration at the Nighasan crossing, a few kilometres from the village. Lakhimpur Kheri superintendent of police (SP) Sanjiv Suman, along with the police force, rushed to the protest site and assured villagers that strict action will be taken against the accused. Lucknow range inspector general (IG) of police Laxmi Singh, while talking to ANI, said, "Dead bodies of two girls were found hanging from a tree in a field outside a village in Lakhimpur Kheri. No injuries were found on the bodies." The bodies have been sent for post-mortem and reports are awaited. "Other things to be ascertained after post-mortem. We'll try to expedite the probe," IG further said. The police officials presented there urged the villagers to call off their roadblock and cooperate with the post-mortem examination. Meanwhile, following the matter, Congress has questioned the law and order in the state. Expressing her grief over the incident, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slammed the state government and said, "The incident of murder of two sisters in Lakhimpur (UP) is heart-wrenching. The relatives say that those girls were abducted in broad daylight. Giving false advertisements in newspapers and TV every day does not improve law and order. After all, why are heinous crimes against women increasing in UP?" However, more information on the matter is awaited. (ANI) On Vedanta-Foxconn's decision to set up a semi-conductor facility in Gujarat instead of Maharashtra, Vedanta Resources Ltd Chairman Anil Agarwal on Wednesday said that the company is still committed to investing in Maharashtra. Agarwal said that the company chose Gujarat for the deal on the basis of professional and independent advice. The chairman took to Twitter and said, "We decided on Gujarat few months ago as it met our expectations. But in the July meeting with Maharashtra leadership, they made a huge effort to outbid other states with a competitive offer. We have to start in one place and based on professional and independent advice, we chose Gujarat." "We are committed to investing in Maharashtra. We will soon create a hub where Maharashtra will be part of our forward integration," Agarwal further said in a series of tweets adding that Vedanta-Foxconn have been assessing the sites and engaging in dialogue with state governments for the last two years, and we hope to continue these conversations for the growth of our country in years to come. Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Limited and Taiwan's Foxconn on Tuesday signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Gujarat government for setting up a semiconductor and display FAB manufacturing unit in the state with an investment of over Rs 1.54 lakh crore. The agreement was signed in presence of the Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel and the Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw. Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat Jitubhai Vaghani was also present on the occasion. The Vedanta-Foxconn group under the MoU will set up a Display Fab Unit in Gujarat with an investment of Rs 94,500 crore as well as an integrated Semiconductor Fab Unit and OSAT facility in Gujarat with an investment of Rs 60,000 crore. The two MoUs, together, will bring an investment of more than Rs 1.54 lakh crore and generate around 1 lakh new employment opportunities in the state, stated Jitu Vaghani during the event at a Hotel in Gandhinagar. The proposed investment, by Vedanta and Foxconn Group, for setting up India's first display manufacturing fab unit and an Integrated Semiconductor fab unit with an OSAT facility will further support the development of upstream and downstream electronics manufacturing clusters and the establishment of healthy trade linkages. Later, after the deal between Vedanta- Foxconn deal and Gujarat, opposition leaders of Maharashtra criticised the state government for letting go of the deal. Shiv Sena leader Aditya Thackeray accused the Shinde-led government and said, "Although I'm glad to see this in India, I am also a little bit shocked," Thackeray said. Thackeray further said, "For a project almost finalised, and a new dispensation claiming credit over it, only shows lack of commitment from the new dispensation for our State's progress." Former Maharashtra minister said that he himself had worked on the deal and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government had almost finalized it. "Industries Minister Subhash Desai Ji, the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and I myself held meetings for bringing this semiconductor project to Maharashtra. The MVA Government had brought this to the final stage. Under the MVA, our effort was to make Maharashtra, the lead state contributor to India's progress, just like other states in a healthy competition," the Shiv Sena leader said. (ANI) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Thursday slammed the Uttar Pradesh government over the law and order situation in the state after the bodies of two minor sisters, belonging to the Scheduled Caste community, were found hanging from a tree in Lakhimpur Kheri district. Taking to Twitter, the BSP chief condemned the incident stating that criminals are roaming free in Uttar Pradesh because the priorities of the government are wrong. "The heartbreaking incident that took place in Lakhimpur Kheri where two Dalit daughters were abducted and raped in front of their mother and their bodies were hanged from a tree is in discussion everywhere, because the condemnation for such heinous crime is less. Criminals in UP are roaming fearlessly because the priorities of the government are wrong," said Mayawati. She further urged the state government to make necessary reforms in its policy, methodology and priorities. "This incident has exposed the law and order situation in the state and the false claims made by the ruling government on women's safety etc. in UP. Government is busy hiding the truth in such henious crimes including Hathras and the criminals are fearless. The UP government should make necessary reforms in its policy, methodology and priorities," she added. Earlier on Wednesday Congress also questioned the law and order situation in the state. Expressing her grief over the incident, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slammed the state government and said, "The incident of murder of two sisters in Lakhimpur (UP) is heart-wrenching. The relatives say that those girls were abducted in broad daylight. Giving false advertisements in newspapers and TV every day does not improve law and order. After all, why are heinous crimes against women increasing in UP?" Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday said that four accused have been taken into custody after the bodies of two minor sisters, belonging to the Scheduled Caste community, were found hanging from a tree in Lakhimpur Kheri district. Arun Kumar Singh, Additional Superintendent of Police of Lakhimpur Kheri, said that further interrogation is underway. "Four accused in the matter have been taken into custody. Interrogation is underway," said Additional SP. On Wednesday evening, the bodies of two minor sisters were found hanging from a tree in Lalpur Majra Tamoli Purva village under the Nighasan police station of Lakhimpur Kheri district. Local villagers and the girls' family lodged a protest as they marched and blocked the road demanding justice for the victims. The family of the deceased has accused three men of rape and murder and staged a demonstration at the Nighasan crossing, a few kilometres from the village. Lakhimpur Kheri superintendent of police (SP) Sanjiv Suman, along with the police force, rushed to the protest site and assured villagers that strict action will be taken against the accused. Lucknow range inspector general (IG) of police Laxmi Singh, while talking to ANI, said, "Dead bodies of two girls were found hanging from a tree in a field outside a village in Lakhimpur Kheri. No injuries were found on the bodies." The bodies have been sent for post-mortem and reports are awaited. "Other things to be ascertained after post-mortem. We'll try to expedite the probe," IG further said. The police officials present there urged the villagers to call off their roadblock and cooperate with the post-mortem examination. However, more information on the matter is awaited. (ANI) A day after the two Dalit minor sisters were found hanging from a tree in Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh, the father of the victims on Thursday demanded justice stating that the "culprits should be hanged." My daughters were abducted from the house and then they were raped and murdered. I demand justice, and the culprits should be hanged," said the father of the victims. He has also questioned the police action and demanded compensation. Meanwhile, a post-mortem of the victims has been done and the report will be submitted to court and copy will be handed over to the Superintendent of Police (SP). "A panel of doctors in presence of a videographer conducted the post-mortem. The report will be submitted to court and copy will be handed over to the SP," said CMO Arunendra Tripathi on the post-mortem of the girls. Additional Director General (law and order), Prashant Kumar said that the post-mortem has been completed and the body has been handed over to the family members, who will perform the last rites according to their customs. "We received info that bodies of 2 sisters were found hanging on Sept 14. All accused were arrested within 24 hrs; one of the accused got injured during police proceedings. Post mortem done, bodies handed over to the family," said Kumar Notably, six people have been arrested in the case and they are identified as Chotu, Junaid, Sohail, Hafizul, Karimuddin and Arif, said Sanjeev Suman, Superintendent of Police, Lakhimpur Kheri. The accused have been booked under Sections 302, 376 of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO) Act. According to the SP, the accused Junaid was nabbed in an encounter where he was shot in the leg. The SP disclosed that the accused were friends with the deceased girls. "The girls were yesterday lured to farms and raped by Sohail and Junaid. After the girls wanted the accused to marry them, Sohail, Hafizul, and Junaid strangulated and killed them. They then called Karimuddin and Arif and hanged the girls to eliminate any proof," SP Sanjeev Suman said. As per Suman, all the accused persons other than Chotu hailed from Lalpur village in Lakhimpur Kheri. Chotu, who was a neighbour of the girls, had introduced the two girls to these boys and he too has been arrested, the SP added. He further added that this was a preliminary probe and the post-mortem will start in about 2-3 hours. Uttar Pradesh's Deputy Chief Ministers also assured strict action against the culprits in the rape and murder of two Dalit girls in UP's Lakhimpur Kheri and urged the opposition to 'console the family instead of politicising the matter. On Wednesday evening, the bodies of two minor sisters were found hanging from a tree in Lalpur Majra Tamoli Purva village under the Nighasan police station of Lakhimpur Kheri district. Local villagers and the girls' family lodged a protest as they marched and blocked the road demanding justice for the victims. (ANI) In a scathing attack on the BJP government in UP, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday condemned the incident of the killing of two Dalit girls in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri, stating that women's safety cannot be expected from those who get rapists released from jail and respect them. "The kidnapping and murder of two minor Dalit sisters in Lakhimpur in broad daylight is a very disturbing incident. Women's safety cannot be expected from those who get the rapists released and respect them," he said in a tweet in Hindi. With the aforesaid remark, the Congress leader could be seen referring to the incident of Bilkis Bano wherein the Gujarat government released the 11 convicts, who were sentenced to life imprisonment, on August 15. All the 11 life-term convicts in the case were released as per the remission policy prevalent in Gujarat at the time of their conviction in 2008. In March 2002 during the post-Godhra riots, Bano was allegedly gang-raped and left to die with 14 members of her family, including her three-year-old daughter. She was five months pregnant when rioters attacked her family in Vadodara. Rahul Gandhi further emphasised the need to create a safe environment for women in the country. "We have to create a safe environment in the country for our sisters and girls," he added in the tweet. Earlier, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati slammed the Uttar Pradesh government over the law and order situation in the state after the bodies of two minor sisters, belonging to the Scheduled Caste community, were found hanging from a tree in Lakhimpur Kheri district. Taking to Twitter, the BSP chief condemned the incident stating that criminals are roaming free in Uttar Pradesh because the priorities of the government are wrong. Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday expressed her grief over the incident and said that the incident of the murder of two sisters was 'heart wrenching'. However, Uttar Pradesh's Deputy Chief Ministers Brajesh Pathak and KP Maurya on Thursday assured strict action against the culprits in the rape and murder of two Dalit girls in UP's Lakhimpur Kheri and urged the opposition to 'console the family instead of politicising the matter'. Lakhimpur Kheri's Superintendent of Police, Sanjeev Suman informed that a total of six persons, identified as Chotu, Junaid, Sohail, Hafizul, Karimuddin and Arif were arrested in the case. According to the SP, the accused Junaid was nabbed in an encounter where he was shot in the leg and disclosed that the accused were friends with the deceased girls. "The girls were yesterday lured to a farm and raped by Sohail and Junaid. After the girls wanted the accused to marry them, Sohail, Hafizul, and Junaid strangulated and killed them. They then called Karimuddin and Arif and hanged the girls to eliminate any proof," SP Sanjeev Suman said. As per Suman, all the accused persons except Chotu hailed from Lalpur village in Lakhimpur Kheri. Chotu, who was a neighbour of the girls, had introduced the two girls to these boys and he too has been arrested, the SP added. He further added that this was a preliminary probe and the post-mortem will start in about 2-3 hours. On Wednesday evening, the bodies of two minor sisters were found hanging from a tree in Lalpur Majra Tamoli Purva village under the Nighasan police station of Lakhimpur Kheri district. (ANI) Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested a hybrid terrorist, who was in touch with Pakistani handlers, from Reasi and recovered arms and ammunition from his possession. Police received information that a person namely Zaffer Iqbal, a resident of Angralla tehsil under Mahore police station in Reasi district was in touch with terrorist handlers in Pakistan. According to Police, Zaffer's brother namely Mohd Ishaq was a terrorist of outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and got killed in an encounter with security forces in Rajouri and reportedly one of his relatives namely Abdul Rashid, a resident of Reasi is in Pakistan and is also working with terror groups. On this information, Jammu and Kashmir Police registered a case under sections 120-B, 121, 121-A, 122, 123, 124 IPC and teams of Reasi Police raided and arrested Zaffar Iqbal from Plaasu Nallah and put him under sustained interrogation. During interrogation, Zaffar confessed his intimacy with terror organizations and about the commission of the offence. On this, a joint operation of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Indian Army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was launched in Angrala forest and arms, ammunitions as well as explosives were recovered from a hideout in the area. Forces recovered two pistols, four magazines, 22 9 mm live rounds and a grenade. During further disclosure, terror fund Rs 1.81 lakh which was to be used for terror-related activities was also recovered. Terming the arrest and recovery a big success, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Reasi Amit Gupta said that Zaffar was in touch with Terror groups and a major terror strike has been averted with his arrest. SSP further added that Pakistani handlers are in constant effort for the revival of terrorism in the upper reaches of district Reasi and people like Zaffar are working for them. He appealed that peace-loving citizens of Reasi disowned terrorism in past also and no such attempt will be successful in this area. (ANI) By Trend Sending a peacekeeping contingent of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to Armenia is not yet on the agenda, Head of the CSTO Joint Staff Colonel General Anatoly Sidorov said during a briefing, Trend reports citing TASS. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Heads of states unanimously declared on September 13 that this problem that exists between Armenia and Azerbaijan should be resolved with political and diplomatic methods. That means that the CSTO isn't considering involving military forces..." The main office of the JHM group in West Bengal's Bentinck street was raided on Wednesday in connection with the cattle smuggling case, the Crime Investigation Department (CID) informed. The JHM group, which has been raided, belonged to the nephews of Enamul namely Humayun Kabir, Jahangir Alam, and Mehedi Hasan. "The main office of JHM group, which belongs to Humayun Kabir, Jahangir Alam and Mehedi Hasan, all nephews of Enamul Haque, was raided yesterday at Bentinck street in connection with cattle smuggling case. Both 405 and 401 are sealed," said the CID. Further search and seizure will take place today. Enamul Haque was arrested by the ED on February 18 and is currently in judicial custody. With this attachment, the total attachment, in this case, had reached Rs 11.67 crore. Proceeds of Crime to the tune of Rs. 418 crore till then were identified by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Notably, Trinamool Congress (TMC) Birbhum district president Anubrata Mondal has been sent to 14-day judicial custody by the CBI Special Court in the alleged cattle smuggling case on Wednesday. Mondal, a close associate of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was arrested last week in connection with the 2020 cattle-smuggling case. The court had earlier sent him to CBI custody till August 20. Mondal was summoned several times by the CBI asking but he had evaded citing health issues. He was finally arrested on August 11 from his residence in Bolpur in Birbhum district. Meanwhile, a special CBI court judge has alleged that he has received a letter threatening to implicate his family in drug cases if he did not grant bail to Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Anubrata Mondal. The Asansol Special CBI court judge Rajesh Chakraborty alleged that the letter he received was signed by one Bappa Chatterjee. The special court judge said the letter warned that if Mondal "was not released his family members would be implicated in the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act case with commercial quantity," the judge's letter read. The arrest also led to a war of words between the BJP and the TMC. Finance Minister of West Bengal Chandrima Bhattacharya had alleged that the CBI summons to Mondal was "political vendetta." BJP leaders have repeatedly accused the TMC regime of fostering corruption. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on September 21, 2020, arrested a former Border Security Force (BSF) Commandant, in connection with an illegal cattle smuggling case across the Indo-Bangladesh border. Anubrata Mondal's name came under the CBI scanner during the investigation of the case, the agency had claimed. (ANI) The case, under criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), was filed by the ED after studying a November 2020 FIR of the CBI that alleged a multi-crore coal pilferage scam related to the Eastern Coalfields Ltd mines in the state's Kunustoria and Kajora areas in and around Asansol. Local state operative Anup Majhi alias Lala is alleged to be the prime suspect in the case. West Bengal Law Minister Moloy Ghatak skipped appearing before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) here on Wednesday for questioning in a case of alleged coal pilferage from Eastern Coalfields Ltd mines in Asansol. The ED summoned Ghatak on September 10 to appear before investigators at its headquarters here on Wednesday (September 14) in the agency's coal smuggling and money laundering case. Earlier this month, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) interrogated Ghatak and conducted searches at his premises in West Bengal in connection with its probe into the alleged coal pilferage case. Notably, Maneka Gambhir, the sister-in-law of Trinamool Congress (TMC) National General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee, was also summoned by the ED in connection with the coal smuggling case. (ANI) With an aim to keep the beach clean and safe for tourists, the government of Goa will organise a beach cleanliness drive on September 17, said the officials on Thursday. The program has been titled 'Clean Coast, Safe Sea program' and will start at 8 AM on International Coastal Clean Up Day. The drive is organised in association with the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Ministry of Tourism Government of Goa, at various beaches. "Goa, being a tourist state famous for Sun, Sand and Sea, it is important to keep the beaches clean and safe for the tourists. To achieve the objective and create more awareness about Clean Coast and Safe Sea the program is organised at Miramar, Calangute, Colva and Canacona beaches," Tweeted Goa CM Pramod P Sawant. He further appealed to the masses to join the program. "I appeal to everyone to join the program. We have decided to celebrate the Seva Pakhawada on the occasion of Hon'ble PM's Birthday, The Clean Coast, Safe Sea program is a good start alongside the Seva Pakhwada," he added. Earlier eight Congress MLAs, including former Goa CM Digambar Kamat and Leader of Opposition Michael Lobo, met with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant at the Assembly Complex ahead of joining the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday. The eight MLAs who met with CM Sawant are Digambar Kamat, Michael Lobo, Delilah Lobo, Rajesh Phaldesai, Kedar Naik, Sankalp Amonkar, Aleixo Sequeira and Rudolf Fernandes. Goa CM Sawant also took a jibe at Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra and said, "Congress Chhodo Yatra will begin from Goa now" while welcoming the leaders. The BJP already holds a majority of 25 in the House of 40 of which its own 20 MLAs with two others from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and three independent leaders. After the joining of eight Congress MLAs, its count will rise to 33. (ANI) A Forensic Science Laboratory team from Bihar's Patna reached Begusarai on Wednesday to collect the evidence at the four police station areas where the shootout took place, claiming the life of one person while leaving nine others injured. One person died while nine others sustained injuries in separate firing incidents at different locations on Tuesday in Bihar's Begusarai. Following the incidents, Bihar Police on Wednesday suspended seven police officials. Deputy superintendent of police of the Teghra assembly constituency in Begusarai district, Omprakash is supervising the team which is researching and collecting the evidence at the spot where two people were shot for the first time in Godhra village of the Bachwara police station area. Notably, the bike-borne miscreants had started the shootout incident from Goghna village of Bachwara police station area on Tuesday evening. After shooting 2 people in Godhna village of Bachwara police station area, the miscreant shot 3 people near Pidhauli and Aadhar Pur village of Teghra police station area, after which two people were shot at Bagraha Chowk of Phulwaria police station area. Earlier, addressing media persons, Additional Director General of Police (HQ) Jitendra Singh Gangwar said, "Prima facie, our patrolling party was on the streets. Still, they either could not stop the criminals or could not do the checking. In this connection, seven police officials have been suspended with immediate effect." Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said that a probe should examine all angles in the firing incidents that took place in Begusarai yesterday claiming the life of one person while leaving nine injured. "We have called a meeting and held a detailed discussion on this incident. A probe should be done from every angle into this incident. A few days ago, I conducted a meeting to review law and order in the state," he said. Kumar also said that he instructed the officers to remain vigilant. Meanwhile, hitting out at the state government, former Union minister and BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said, "I was trying to set up industries in Begusarai but now bullets are being fired like terrorists in Punjab and Kashmir. So many people have been shot and injured. This is a big incident in Bihar. The morale of criminals is increasing in Bihar and people will not forgive those who boost the morale of criminals." The BJP leader said these kinds of incidents will defame the image of the state and asked the Bihar government which direction the state has been going. "What will be the image of Bihar in the country? Nitish Kumar needs to check this situation," Hussain said. Jeetu Paswan, one of the injured told ANI that he was selling ice cream at Malhipur Chowk when the assailants came and shot at him. He said another person who was near him was also shot at. As per police, two bike-borne assailants are behind the firing incidents in which several people are reported to be injured. "Two persons with bullet injuries have been brought to the hospital," said the doctor in the Government hospital in Teghra. Further investigation into the matter is underway. (ANI) With multiple high profile leaders exiting from the grand old Congress party, former Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat joined the lot on Wednesday and said that the Gods and Goddesses gave him a go-ahead to join the BJP. All the eight MLAs Digambar Kamat, Michael Lobo, Delilah Lobo, Rajesh Phaldesai, Kedar Naik, Sankalp Amonkar, Aleixo Sequeira and Rudolf Fernandes joined BJP after meeting Chief Minister Pramod Sawant at the Assembly complex. "I went to a temple, asked Gods and Goddesses that this (joining BJP) is in my mind, what should I do... God said, you go ahead, don't worry," said former Congress MLA Digambar Kamat. "We have merged with BJP with a majority of 2/3rd to strengthen the hands of PM Modi and CM Pramod Sawant... Congress Chhodo, BJP ko Jodo," said former Congress MLA Michael Lobo. Meanwhile, Goa CM Sawant also took a jibe at Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra and said that "Congress Chhodo Yatra will begin from Goa now" while welcoming the leaders. The BJP already holds a majority of 25 in the House of 40 of which there are its own 20 MLAs with two others from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and three independent leaders. After the joining of eight Congress MLAs, its count will rise to 33. The development came amid Congress leader Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra to combat the BJP-led Centre and awaken the country's people to the dangers of economic inequalities, social polarisation, and political centralization. The Yatra includes Padayatras, rallies, and public meetings which will be attended by the senior Congress leaders including Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.Days ago on September 4, Gujarat Youth Congress President Vishwanathsinh Vaghela resigned from his post which is considered to be a major jolt for the party. On September 2, party leader Rajinder Prasad, who is also the son of late Master Beli Ram Sharma from Nowshera, Rajouri, resigned from all posts and the primary membership of the party. Prasad blamed the 'coterie' system for being a reason for the 'demise' of the party. In recent months, Rajinder Prasad and several high-profile leaders have quit Congress. The exit of veteran leader Ghulam Nabi Azad from the Congress, months before the upcoming Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls, as well as the general elections in two years' time, dealt a huge blow to the party. Jaiveer Shergill, who is a lawyer by profession and was one of the prominent ones among young Congress leaders, on August 24, tendered his resignation claiming that the vision of the decision-makers no longer was in sync with the aspirations of the youth. Earlier this year in May, senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal, a prominent face of the G-23 group of dissenting leaders, resigned from the party and filed nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha elections as an independent candidate backed by the Samajwadi Party (SP). Former Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar too parted ways with the Congress in May this year.Former Union Law Minister Ashwani Kumar in February also resigned from Congress after a long association of 46 years with the party. Back in May, Gujarat Patidar leader Hardik Patel had quit the party after he felt that he was being "ignored". (ANI) Amid the ongoing fracas, the Karnataka government tabled the anti-conversion bill in the Karnataka Legislative Council, said the officials on Thursday. The bill was earlier passed in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. Leaders of both the ruling party and the opposition party have been debating this matter in the House. Karnataka Minister of Law JC Madhu Swamy highlighted that the act restricts forceful conversions. "We haven't made any amendments which can prevent volunteer conversion. We have made amendments to restrict forceful conversions. We are protecting our religion, we have brought this bill to stop forceful conversion. Nowhere we have restricted anybody's desire," said Swamy in the council today. Earlier in the day, Bharatiya Janata Party MLA CT Ravi said that the anti-conversion bill will be passed in the Karnataka Legislative Council as no one supports conversion. However, Congress MLC Nagaraj termed religious conversion a "private matter" and a person's right of choice. "The (anti-conversion) bill will pass in the numbers game as well. No one supports conversion and we will not be scared of the mafia. The bill should pass," Ravi said. "It is unfortunate as there are so many issues in state after floods. What is the urgency of doing such things? They want to polarise... this is not acceptable to people as they want to live in brotherhood. It is their right of choice, is a private matter," Congress MLC Nagaraj had said. Earlier, BJP MLC DS Arun had expressed his confidence that even the Congress and JDS would support this and everything shall go smoothly. "Even Congress and JDS must support this bill introduced. Everything should go smoothly. It was passed in the lower house, doing it in the upper house now. We're all enthusiastic it will be passed and it is one of the most awaited bills," DS Arun had said. Last year in December, amid a ruckus by the opposition, the Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021 or anti-conversion Bill was passed in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly but due to the lack of majority, the Prohibition of Conversion Bill was not presented in the Council. The government has decided to present the proposal in the Karnataka Legislative Council today and Congress is likely to oppose the bill but since BJP has a majority, the possibility of passing the bill has increased. The Bill will provide for the protection of the right to freedom of religion and prohibition of unlawful conversion from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or any fraudulent means. The bill introduced by the BJP government gives the right to any person to file a complaint against religious conversion, protecting the right to freedom of religion in the state. It proposes imprisonment of up to 10 years for forced religious conversion and the offence is made to be non-bailable and cognizable. According to the new law, in the case of any converted person, his or her parents, brother, sister, or any other person who is related by blood, marriage, adoption, or in any form associated, or colleague may file a complaint of such conversion. The bill has the purpose of prohibiting unlawful conversion of religion, providing protection to those who were forced to convert from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement, the promise of marriage, or by any fraudulent means and for the matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. "No person shall convert or attempt to convert, either directly or otherwise, any other person from one religion to another by use or practice of force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means or by any other means or promise of marriage, nor shall any person abet or conspire such conversion," the Bill stated. Notably, the bill was introduced by the BJP government in the Karnataka Assembly last year after which it sparked controversy and was opposed by Opposition parties in the state. (ANI) With an aim to create awareness, Karnataka Animal Husbandry Minister Prabhu B Chavan on Thursday said a 15-day vaccination campaign has been launched across the state to prevent rabies, which is a deadly animal disease. He launched the free rabies vaccination campaign at Pashu Super Specialty Hospital, Queens Road, Bangalore. "To create awareness for the eradication of rabies, World Rabies Day is celebrated on September 28 every year. A free vaccination campaign has been organized for 15 days to celebrate World Rabies Day in district and taluk centres," said Chavan. If a rabies-affected dog bites other animals and humans, the rabies virus enters the body and causes rabies. Zollinim rabies virus from an infected animal can spread to other animals. He also expressed concern that 30000 people die every year due to this disease in the country. All Deputy Directors have been directed to implement the vaccination program in collaboration with each Gram Panchayat, Taluk Panchayat, Municipality, and Municipal Council. Minister Prabhu Chavan informed that the vaccination program is being promoted across the state. Rabies is spread by dogs, cats, sheep, goats, cows, buffaloes, monkeys, wolves, foxes, bears, mongooses, pigs, donkeys, horses and camels. Vaccination is given to prevent rabies. "It is estimated that there are 13 lakh dogs in the state and a target of vaccinating 50 per cent of the dogs in all the districts has been set. Every dog in Bangalore city should be vaccinated. There are two types of rabies symptoms in dogs. Divided into intense insanity and dull insanity. You all should cooperate to prevent rabies," he added. He also appealed to the public to vaccinate dogs against rabies. Minister Prabhu Chavan instructed the officers and veterinarians of BBMP Veterinary Department to create awareness among the public to go door-to-door and compulsorily vaccinate their pet dogs against rabies. On the same occasion, Minister Prabhu Chavan, who planted a sapling in the hospital premises and watered it, lit the torch for the Lasik Abhiyan program and released a vaccination registration card. On this occasion, Department Director Dr Manjunath Palegar, Deputy Director Dr Prasad Murthy, Rabies expert Dr Srikrishna Islur, BBMP Veterinary Department Deputy Director Dr Ravi, Super Specialty Hospital Deputy Director Dr Parameshwar and others were present. (ANI) Khandu said PM Modi's vision has been vital in the growth trajectory of Arunachal Pradesh. "Adarniya PM Shri @narendramodi Ji's vision has been vital in the growth trajectory of Arunachal Pradesh in last 8 years. As we step up the pace of progress, sought his valuable guidance. Honoured to have called on Hon PM today in New Delhi," Khandu said in a tweet. (ANI) The economic offences wing (EOW) of Delhi Police on Thursday recovered a bike from Prashant, manager of actor Jacqueline Fernandez. According to officials, the bike (Ducati), which cost around Rs 8 lakh, was given to Prashant by Sukesh Chandrasekhar with the proceeds of fraud. "EOW recovered a Ducati bike from Jacqueline Fernandez's manager Prashant. This bike was given to Prashant by Sukesh Chandrasekhar with the money of fraud. In February 2021, Sukesh gave this bike to Jacqueline's manager," said the officials. Sukesh Chandrashekhar has been accused of running an extortion racket worth Rs 200 crore when he was lodged in Rohini jail, from Aditi Singh, the wife of jailed former Ranbaxy owner Shivinder Singh, posing as officials from the union law ministry and the PMO, on the pretext of getting her husband out on bail. Sukesh Chandrashekhar, a native of Bengaluru in Karnataka, is currently lodged in a Delhi jail and faces over 10 criminal cases registered against him. According to the sources, Delhi Police had prepared a questionnaire of 100 odd questions that actor Jacqueline Fernandez was asked to answer in the alleged Rs 200 crore scam on Wednesday. Jacqueline was in Delhi after she was summoned by the Delhi Police for the third time on Wednesday. Previously, she has been summoned twice but she did not turn up on both dates - August 29 and September 12. Jacqueline arrived at the Economic Offences Wing office at Mandir Marg yesterday around 11 am along with a team of her lawyers. She was then given a long questionnaire including at least 100 questions that the officers said mostly pertained to her relationship with Sukesh Chandrashekhar and the gifts she received from him that are said to have been bought using the proceeds of crime. EOW had also summoned Pinky Irani to join the investigation. She is said to have helped Sukesh to contact Jacqueline Fernandez. She was known to both of them. Pinky and Jacqueline might be confronted during questioning to get more clarity in the case, sources said. Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also recorded statements of Nora Fatehi on September 13 and October 14, 2021, where she had acknowledged having received gifts from the alleged conman and his actor wife Leena. ED had registered a case of money laundering in the alleged scam over the FIR registered by the Delhi Police. ED had earlier stated that Fernandez's statements were recorded on August 30 and October 20, 2021, where she admitted to having received gifts from Sukesh Chandrashekhar. ED also said that Fernandez had used proceeds of crime and valuable gifts bought using it for herself and her family members in India as well as abroad and that this amounts to an offence of money laundering under section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002. Earlier, Pinky Irani, who had apparently introduced Bollywood actors Jacqueline Fernandez and Nora Fatehi to conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, appeared before the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police in connection with the Rs 200 crore money laundering case. Irani, who is believed to be a close aide of Sukesh, appeared before EOW officials for the second day in a row after she was questioned for around 8 hours on Wednesday. Notably, actor Jacqueline Fernandez also joined the questioning by the EOW of Delhi Police in the alleged 200 crore scam on Wednesday. According to sources, Jacqueline and Pinki Irani engaged in a war of words during the Delhi Police interrogation on Wednesday. The EOW sources said, while the two were being interrogated face to face, they kept arguing and accusing each other of lying for around two hours. Pinki accused Jacqueline of accepting gifts from Sukesh, despite knowing that he is behind bars on charges of cheating people of Rs 200 crores. On the other hand, Jacqueline accused Pinki of lying. She said she had no idea about Sukesh's background. Both of them reportedly also abused each other, after which police had to intervene. (ANI) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday arrested the former president of the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education, Kalyanmoy Ganguly, for his alleged involvement in the School Service Commission (SSC) scam case. "It was alleged that the accused extended undue advantage and in conspiracy with others had facilitated illegal appointment to the undeserving and unlisted candidates to the post of Group-C staffs in various schools across the State of West Bengal," read a statement by CBI. CBI registered the instant case in May this year. The arrested accused has been taken to SSKM Hospital for a mandatory medical check-up and will be produced on Friday before the Court of Special Judge of CBI Court in the Alipore district of Kolkata. On Thursday, CBI conducted searches at six locations in Delhi and Kolkata at the premises of a software company in connection with the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) scam. Earlier on September 1, West Bengal Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Suvendu Adhikari said that Partha Chatterjee and his close associate should be punished "severely" in response to their extended judicial custody. In a veiled attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Adhikari told ANI that Partha Chatterjee took a bribe of Rs 800-1000 crore under the influence of Banerjee. "These people should be punished severely. A special trial should be conducted... under the influence of Mamata Banerjee, Partha Chatterjee took a bribe of Rs 800-1000 Cr and destroyed the dreams of unemployed youth," he said. "It is shameful that the poor don't have a place to live and politicians are purchasing apartments to hide their illicit funds. The corrupt individuals should be punished according to the law," he added further.In response to Banerjee referring to him as "Gaddar", Adhikari stated that everyone knows who "Gaddar" is or not. She should introspect herself first. "The outcome of the Nandigram election speaks for itself, people are aware of who is 'Gaddar' and who is not. People have answered this, so I won't say much more," he added. A special court in Kolkata had extended the judicial custody of former West Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee and his close associate, Arpita Mukherjee, till September 14 in connection with the School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment scam case. (ANI) By Trend All 35 MPs of Armenia and 'I Have the Honor' opposition parties have put their signatures under the document initiating the impeachment process of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Trend reports via the Armenian media. According to the media, the names of the opposition MPs who put their signatures under the document were read out last night in front of the protesters near the building of the National Assembly by a member of Armenia party Aram Vardevanyan. In order to start the process of expressing a vote of no confidence in the prime minister and the government, 18 signatures of members of the ruling Civil Contract party are missing, added the media. The Supreme Court on Tuesday remarked that the rules say the educational institutes have the power to prescribe uniforms. The remark came from a bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia, which was hearing various pleas against Karnataka HC's judgement upholding the ban on Hijab in educational institutes. The court remarked a petitioner's lawyer argues that a private club can have a dress code but not a public educational institution cannot. The lawyer also submitted that the school cannot restrict entry for not wearing a dress. Justice Gupta asked is it your submission that govt schools cannot have a uniform. The lawyer replied that even if the educational institutes can, they can't restrict the hijab. Justice Dhulia remarked that the rules say the educational institutes have the power to prescribe uniforms. Hijab is different, the judge further remarked. The hearing in the matter will be continued on Monday (September 19). The arguments that went on for more than four hours have witnessed many noted lawyers arguing on behalf of various petitioners. Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal, Meenakshi Arora, Jayna Kothari, AM Dar were among the known lawyers who had made their submissions on behalf of the petitioners before the top court. Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave said that the matter requires serious attention and has to be referred to a larger bench. Senior Advocate Dave will argue on the behalf of the petitioner on next Monday. Senior Advocate Sibal pointed out that the hijab is also a cultural right protected under Article 29 and the consequence of depriving young girls is depriving them of fundamental rights of access to education, privacy, and dignity. Senior Advocate Sibal also raised questions that how is it detrimental to public order, if Muslim girls wear hijab. Justice Dhulia observed that the govt restricted it after some other students started wearing shawls and all. Senior Advocate Jayna Kothari said that it is not a case where all girls are discriminated or all Muslims are discriminated against, but it is specifically affecting Muslim girls. Senior Advocate AM Dar questioned the Karnataka High Court order and says what Karnataka HC held was wrong. As the hearing remained inconclusive today, the matter will continue to be heard on next Monday, September 19. (ANI) Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) announced through a tweet on Thursday, that mountaineer Padam Shri Santosh Yadav will be the chief guest at the annual RSS Vijayadashmi festival, becoming the first woman in the history to be a chief guest at an RSS event. The event will be organized at Reshimbagh Maidan in Nagpur on October 5 and will be inaugurated by RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, said RSS in a tweet. Santosh Yadav has been a mountaineer who made world record, by becoming the first woman in the world to scale Mount Everest twice. Earlier, Kailash Satyarthi had also been the chief guest at the RSS event. The Vijayadashmi program is considered to be of great significance for RSS, as the Sangh was founded by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar on this very day back in 1925. Bhagwat will also address the RSS workers after the 'weapon worshipping' event. The speech holds great significance as it serves as the guidelines for the organisation and political units. Last year, the Vijayadashmi program of RSS was done in restricted numbers only, due to the COVID restrictions. Earlier today, RSS informed through a press release that, Sarsanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat reached Mata Amritanandamayi Math in Amritapuri, Kollam in Kerala on Thursday. He was received under the leadership of senior sanths of the Math. Bhagwat left after two hours, after meeting Mata Amritanandamayi Devi and taking her blessings. "Mata Amritanandamayi Devi is always an inspiration. In the light of our great tradition and culture, we always get very good advice from Amma in very simple words. Amma always gives advice on how to behave and how to act. All this gives new impetus to action. Mohan Bhagwat said that is why I am coming here regularly," Bhagwat said in the release. As per the release, many prominent names, like A. Senthilkumar, P.N Iswaran, K. Padmakumar, S. Sudarshan, and A. Jayakumar also arrived in Kerala along with Bhagwat. Bhagwat reached Ernakulam Prantha Karyalayam Madhavanivas on Thursday for a four-day visit and will also go to Thrissur Sankara Math tomorrow morning, where he will be participating in various organisational meetings with prominent people from different sectors of the society for the next two days. The release also stated that from the morning of September 18, Bhagwat will be participating in the RSS Prantha Karyakari Baithak which will be held at Radheyam Auditorium, Guruvayur. He will also attend Poorna Ganavesh Sanghik of Guruvayur Sangha Jilla at the Guruvayur Srikrishna College ground, in the evening of the same day. (ANI) BJP state president and MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Thursday called CM K Chandrashekhar Rao's decision to name the new secretariat after B R Ambedkar a "good decision" but added that if there was love for weaker sections, a Dalit should be made the chief minister. "Naming the new secretariat of the Telangana government after Ambedkar is a good decision. But, what happened to KCR's promise that he would be beheaded if he did not keep his word? If there is love for Dalits then a Dalit should be seated as Chief Minister permanently as long as TRS is in power. A Dalit should be seated in the CM's new seat in the new secretariat," Bandi said. Bandi Sanjay, who is currently in Secunderabad Cantonment constituency, as part of his Praja Sangrama Yatra, paid tributes to the portrait of Bharat Ratna Swargiya Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya by placing flowers in honor of Engineers Day. While talking to the media, he invited the public to the Telangana Liberation Day event. "Telangana Liberation Day is being officially organized at the Parade Grounds under the leadership of Amit Shah. There will be a parade of central government forces. There will be cultural programs. Everyone should come to the parade grounds at 8 o'clock in the morning, the day after tomorrow," the BJP State President said. He further attacked KCR for not celebrating the event earlier. "Only after the central government announced, KCR announced that he will celebrate National integration Day. National integration Day is being celebrated to satisfy the MIM party," Bandi Sanjay said. Earlier on Wednesday, Bandi slammed KCR for not fulfilling his promises of providing houses to the people and alleged that he asked for a bribe to provide houses to poor people. He also promised that if the BJP government comes to power they will allot houses to all the homeless people if it is voted in the State. Telangana has been witnessing a strong war of words between the ruling TRS and the state's opposition BJP. (ANI) National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested three more accused in the Mundra heroin case, according to a press release issued on Thursday. The accused persons have been identified as Rahmatullah, Ishwinder Singh, and Jasbir Singh added the press release. They were arrested yesterday for their alleged involvement in the smuggling of heroin in large consignments camouflaged in containers of talc stones, bituminous coal etc through the maritime route, the agency claimed. So far, one first charge sheet has been submitted against 10 arrested accused persons and six wanted accused persons in the NIA Spl. The court, Ahmedabad on March 14, 2022. One supplementary charge sheet has also been filed on August 29, 2022, against nine accused persons in NIA Special Court, Ahmedabad, said the statement. The case pertains to the operations of one of the largest international drug smuggling syndicates, run by Dad brothers Hassan Daad and Hussain Daad, both Afghan nationals who are already wanted by the NIA in the Mundra case. The duo have smuggled multiple consignments of heroin concealed in apparently innocuous consignments of goods such as semi-processed Talc stones and Bituminous coal imported into India. These consignments were imported through different Indian ports, including Mundra, Gujarat and Kolkata and further moved to New Delhi via trucks. The investigation has revealed a vast and widespread network of drug traffickers, international facilitators/conduits, importers using fake/shell companies, distributors and local wholesalers and retailers, who are operating a huge international drug smuggling racket from many countries, including Afghanistan, Iran and UAE. The investigations conducted so far have revealed that five consignments of heroin-laden goods were imported into India between November 2020 and September 2021. Three such consignments of semi-processed Talc stones ultimately reached a warehouse in Neb Sarai, Delhi, which was rented by the absconding accused, Najibullah Khalid in the name of another Afghan national Noorzahi Abdul Salam. The heroin was segregated from the concealing goods in this warehouse by Afghani experts and then sent for distribution in the market through a network of drug suppliers and peddlers. The concealing material was removed to another warehouse rented out by Shaheen @ Rock, an Aghan national and key associate of Najibullah, through arrested accused Jasbir Singh and Ishwinder Singh. Ishwinder Singh, a known drug distributor, was in direct touch with Javed, an Afghanistan-based accused and key aide of Hassan Daad. On directions of Javed, Ishwinder Singh, in connivance with Jasbir Singh fabricated false documents and rented a Warehouse at Vill. Hamidpur, Delhi where the semi-processed Talc was shifted from the Neb Sarai Warehouse for further disposal. A sustained examination of Ishwinder Singh revealed the presence of a close aide and associate of Javed, namely Rah Matullah, an Afghan national, in Delhi. Rah Matullah was arrested and 3.9 kgs of heroin were recovered from him. Rah Matullah is an Afghan national who was especially inducted into India around 8-10 months ago for handling the drug trade network run by Hassan Daad and Hussain Daad. Earlier, a search conducted at the residence of Ishwinder Singh led to the recovery of heroin in commercial quantities. Further investigations in the case are in progress. (ANI) The remarks came during a meeting between Sharif and Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, The News reported. During the meeting, matters of mutual interests, bilateral relations between the two countries, and other issues were discussed. Putin also said that a gas pipeline between Pakistan and Russia was part of the already existing infrastructure, The News reported. Earlier on Thursday, Sharif reached Uzbekistan on a two-day visit to attend the annual meeting of the SCO's Council of Heads of State (CHS). The premier is attending the SCO summit scheduled to be held on September 15-16 at the invitation of Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The CHS is the highest forum at the SCO, which considers and defines the strategy, prospects and priorities of the organisation. During the meeting, the SCO leaders will deliberate on important global and regional issues, including climate change, food security energy security, and sustainable supply chains. --IANS san/arm ( 203 Words) 2022-09-15-19:16:06 (IANS) Following a complaint lodged by Canara Bank, the CBI registered a case against company, PSL Ltd and its director Ashok Yoginder Punj, Alok Yoginder Punj, Rajender Kumar Bahri, Chitranjan Kumar Jagdishchadra Goel, and other known and unknown persons including public servants. As per the Canara Bank's complaint, between 2009-2016, the accused entered into a conspiracy to cheat the bank through sanction of various credit facilities and misrepresented books of accounts. They are charged with alleged misutilisation of the funds of the bank and diverting the receivable from its debtors, diverting the loans for projects to other purposes, thus, causing an alleged loss of Rs 428.50 crore to Canara Bank. The CBI sleuths raided seven locations in Mumbai and Gujarat at the premises of the accused resulting in the recovery of incriminating documents and other articles. --IANS qn/vd ( 185 Words) 2022-09-15-19:34:02 (IANS) Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves on Thursday told the Supreme Court that the Karnataka High Court's judgment upholding ban on hijab in pre-university colleges, is basically from the perception of the majority community, and some observations made in the judgment are hurtful and deeply offensive to those who follow Islam. Gonsalves, representing one of the petitioners in the matter, submitted before a bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia that the HC judgment was basically from the perception of the majority community where the minority view is seen very partially. "It is a majoritarian judgment. It does not have constitutional independence... There are startling paragraphs, hurting paragraphs in the judgment," he said. The bench said it has seen his written submissions. Citing the HC judgment, Gonsalves submitted that it said one cannot have scientific temper if she wears hijab, and this is a hurtful statement. Referring to another observation in the HC judgment, he said that insistence on wearing hijab is against emancipation of women, and this is also a hurtful statement. "Parts of the judgment are deeply offensive to those who follow Islam...". He also drew a comparison between the kirpan and turban with the hijab, noting that the former had already been protected by the Constitution. "If a turban is allowed in school, why not the hijab? What's the difference? Apart from the fact that it got constitutional protection 75 years ago," he said. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing one of the petitioners, submitted that there can be no quarrel with the proposition that a citizen is entitled to give expression of her personality by not just wearing a dress of her choice but, in the context of her cultural traditions. "Wearing such dress which allows others to identify that she belongs to a particular community, embraces a particular culture, and represents the values of that culture," he said. "This fundamental right to express herself and the culture she hails from must be protected under Article 19(1)(a) and would be in aid of the Preambular objective of liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship." He argued that there can be no law which prohibits such expression as long as it does not disturb the public order, or, violate the accepted norms of decency and morality as prescribed by law. Sibal told the apex court that 145 students out of 900 in colleges at Mangaluru, Udupi, and Dakshina Kannada have collected their transfer certificates after the hijab ban, which is "very disturbing". He cited a response received under RTI, showing 16 per cent dropout of students in pre-university colleges due to the hijab ban after February 6 notification by the Karnataka government. He said the matter should be referred to the constitution bench, since the HC judgment raised questions which have not been decided before by this court. "The kind of dress worn by a citizen also gives expression to the autonomy of the mind by which she also protects the autonomy of her body," he said. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing one of the petitioners, submitted that it was not necessary to raise essential religious practice argument and the petitioners only need to show it is a bona fide practice, and public educational institutions cannot impose a dress code. The top court will continue to hear arguments next week on the petitions challenging the Karnataka High Court's judgement of March 15 upholding ban on hijab in pre-university colleges. --IANS ss/vd ( 586 Words) 2022-09-15-19:44:02 (IANS) Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said on Thursday that the Prime Minister will hold bilateral meetings with the President of Uzbekistan and some other leaders on the sidelines of the summit. "Prime Minister will have other bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit. And we would keep you apprised as along the way when the Prime Minister's schedule of these bilateral meetings unfolds as we go along. At this stage, that is all I can share with you." Kwatra said that the PM's participation in this summit is a reflection of the importance that India attaches to the SCO and its goals. "This is also tied to our approach and engagement with the region as a whole. "India hosted the first India-Central Asia Summit earlier this year, preceded by a Foreign Minister level meeting. "We remain focused on strengthening our linkages with Central Asia and the extended neighbourhood. And this visit will take that vision and that perspective forward," he said. --IANS miz/vd ( 202 Words) 2022-09-15-19:50:04 (IANS) "Multifaceted ties between our countries are actively developing. Last year, the trade turnover increased by 35 per cent and exceeded $140 billion," Putin said, adding that in the first seven months of this year, the volume of mutual trade grew by another 25 per cent. "I am convinced that by the end of the year, we will reach new record levels, and in the near future, as agreed, we will increase the annual trade turnover to $200 billion or more," he added, RT reported. Last month, Beijing's ambassador to Moscow expressed hope that Russia-China trade could reach the targeted milestone of $200 billion this year. He pointed out that economic cooperation between the two nations shows excellent results and sustainable development, despite the challenges associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, the global economic downturn, and difficult international and regional situations. Vladimir Putin has thanked President Xi Jinping for China's "balanced position" on Ukraine, in their first face-to-face talks since Russia invaded the country, BBC reported. The Russian leader met his counterpart at a summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where he condemned "attempts to create a unipolar world". Xi said China was willing to work together with Russia as "great powers", BBC reported. China hasn't endorsed Russia's invasion but has steadily grown trade and other ties with Moscow since it was launched. --IANS san/uk ( 269 Words) 2022-09-15-21:00:03 (IANS) The CBI on Thursday evening arrested West Bengal School Service Commission's (WBSSC) former President, Kalyanmoy Gangopadhyay, in connection with the alleged teachers' recruitment scam in the state. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sources said that Gangopadhyay was asled to appear at the central agency's Nizam Palace office on Thursday morning along with certain documents. He was questioned for hours and after that, he was arrested. Sources said that after the arrest, he was first taken to state-run SSKM Medical College & Hospital for medical check-up. As per the latest information available, after the medical check-up Gangopadhyay has been brought back to the agency's Nizam Palace office and another round of questioning has started. He will be presented at a special CBI court on Friday. Incidentally, on Thursday only, the CBI sought the custody of former West Bengal Education Minister and Trinamool Congress Secretary General, Partha Chatterjee, who is already is judicial custody following his arrest by Enforcement Directorate (ED) sleuths in connection with the scam. The matter will come up for hearing on Friday and Chatterjee will have to physically present at the court during the hearing. CBI sources said that till date their sleuths are yet to identify some missing links as well answers to some crucial questions relating to the WBSSC scam. "If we get Partha Chatterjee in custody, we can question him by putting up face-to face with Gangopadhyay. We are surely these missing links will surface then," a CBI associate said. The principal charge against Gangopadhyay is of distribution of appointment letters flouting all norms and blinding following the recommendations of WBSSC's screening committee without cross-checking. --IANS src/vd A A A A ( 287 Words) 2022-09-15-21:26:02 (IANS) By Trend President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed several agreements on bilateral cooperation, Trend reports via Tajik president's press service. During the meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Uzbekistan's Samarkand, the following documents were signed: - Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening investment cooperation in the field of green growth between Tajikistan's Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and Ministry of Commerce of China; - Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening investment cooperation in the field of digital economy between Tajikistan's Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and Ministry of Commerce of China; - Additional protocol on the implementation of the construction project of the main partial sections of the second phase of the Dushanbe-Kulma highway. According to NBC News, the app, known as Seesaw, for parents and teachers was hacked and some parents said they received messages with an explicit photo that is infamous on the internet. "School districts in Illinois, New York, Oklahoma, and Texas all said that the photo was sent through the app, Seesaw, to parents and teachers in private chats," the report mentioned. Seesaw, however, declined to comment on how many users were affected. The platform said in a statement that "specific user accounts were compromised by an outside actor" and that "we are taking this extremely seriously". "Our team continues to monitor the situation to ensure we prevent further spread of these images from being sent or seen by any Seesaw users," the spokesperson was quoted as saying. The photo was sent to some parents and teachers as links to bitly, a popular link-shortening service. Some school districts made announcements warning parents not to open links sent through Seesaw. "Please do not open any 'bitly' links that are sent to you this morning in a Seesaw message," they advised parents and told them to communicate with teachers via emails. --IANS na/vd ( 231 Words) 2022-09-15-19:12:05 (IANS) Controversial cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz is once again under the spotlight for testing the nerves of the Pakistani government by occupying the state-owned Lal Masjid and reiterating his claim to be its Khateeb (the sermon-giver), media reports said. Maulana Aziz is famous for maintaining his track record of delivering fiery sermons and lambasting state authorities. Later, Dawn reported that nearly 200 people, including teenagers and minors, occupied the worship place once again on Tuesday under the leadership of the controversial cleric. In a bid to contain the situation, the police cordoned off Lal Masjid with the help of a well-equipped contingent and barbed wire. The cleric, along with the gathering, was inside the mosque. On the condition of anonymity, some officials told Dawn that a few dozen people claiming to be natives of Rojhan city of Pakistan's Punjab province came to Lal Masjid. After getting a tip-off over their presence, police reached the area and asked them to leave, to which they agreed. However, later, over 200 people under the leadership of Maulana Aziz moved from Aabpara (a neighbourhood in Islamabad) to the mosque. Once again, the police reached the spot and asked the cleric to avoid creating a scene and leave the area, reported Dawn. The siege was a difficult one for the police to get it rid of as the police, including the station house officer (SHO) Aabpara, tried to intercept the people but remained unsuccessful as some of them were armed with SMGs, Dawn reported citing the officers said. The police were informed by members of the group that they had come to take possession of the mosque. Later, they entered the mosque and the gunmen took positions at the gates, police said, adding hours later, officials concerned sent a contingent to assist the area police. The mosque was cordoned off after the contingent reached there, they added. The acting public relations officer of the police, when contacted, said a meeting was going to take place over the issue. He said he would contact senior officers for their comments. The cleric has remained defiant to the repeated warnings by the police over such actions. (ANI) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been involved in a car accident but he is "not seriously injured", reported Ukrainian media portal The Kyiv Independent quoting Zelenskyy's spokesman. Zelensky's spokesperson Serhii Nykyforov in a Facebook post on September 15 said that a car collided with the presidential car and motorcade reported The Kyiv Independent. As per the media portal, Zelensky was examined by a doctor after the accident and is said to be not seriously injured. Medics accompanying Zelensky also provided his driver with medical assistance and transferred him to an ambulance. Law enforcement will thoroughly investigate the crash, Nykyforov said. The war between Russia and Ukraine appears to be entering a new phase after Kyiv dealt a big blow to Moscow's grip on parts of the east with a fast-moving offensive that saw Ukrainian troops enter the strategic city of Izium after six months of occupation. When Ukrainian forces entered the city of Izium on Saturday, it was more than a significant military victory. It was a sign that the Russian troops are scrambling to hold onto the territory they captured over the past six months, reported CNN. Russian forces were forced to evacuate the strategic eastern city just five days after Ukrainian forces began a new offensive eastward through the Kharkiv region. "Russians escaped and left weapons and ammo behind. The city centre is free," a spokesperson for the Bohun Brigade of the Land Forces of Ukraine said in a statement Saturday afternoon. Ukrainian forces have liberated the settlement of Chkalovske in the Kharkiv region of Russian troops, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram on Sunday. "Another freed settlement! Thanks to the 14th separate mechanized brigade named after Prince Roman the Great, the Ukrainian flag returned to Chkalovske, Kharkiv region," Zelenskyy said. In his daily video message late on Friday, Zelenskyy said that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had liberated and taken control of more than 30 settlements in the Kharkiv region. The last few days have seen the most ambitious ground assaults by the Ukrainians since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in late February. "Weapons, weapons, weapons have been on our agenda since spring. I am grateful to partners who have answered our call: Ukraine's battlefield successes are our shared ones. Three agenda items now are schedule, schedule, and schedule. Prompt supplies bring victory and peace closer," tweeted Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. (ANI) China has unleashed its cyber warfare on Taiwan which has forced Taipei to have its guard up especially in the wake of heightened tensions after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit, media reports said. In a bid to become resilient amid the Chinese aggression, Taiwan has raised its defence spending by 15 PC next year, reported Nikkei Asia. However, in the contemporary world, there are other methodologies which China is eyeing to exploit including cyber warfare against Taiwan. After Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, the island nation's government and companies were targets of such attacks. Customers in 7-Eleven stores saw bulletin messages reading "Warmonger Pelosi, get out of Taiwan." And electronic billboards were hijacked across Taiwan -- one calling her an "old witch" whose visit is a "serious provocation to the sovereignty of the motherland," reported Nikkei Asia. Even the websites of the presidential office and foreign affairs and defence ministries were not spared by the Chinese. They were shut down by hackers for a short while. What transpired has instilled worry and concerns in Taiwan. Taiwan is now thinking aloud over whether its key infrastructure and essential services have strong enough firewalls and the ability to withstand determined cyberattacks. The cyber attack is an added agression amid China's biggest-ever military drills which encircled the democratic island. "If power plants, hospitals, and transportation are hacked, the damage would be significant," Wang Ming-hung, an assistant professor of computer studies at National Chung Cheng University, told Nikkei Asia. "Everyone is exposed to the risks of cyberattacks," he said, "from sensitive data leakage to online service suspension and disinformation or misinformation to critical infrastructure." Moreover, Kuo Szu-Wei, a cybersecurity analyst at the Taipei-based Institute for Information Industry (III), shares Wang's concern when he noted that, "all of the key infrastructures," Kuo told Nikkei, "hospitals, water and electricity stations as well as leading companies could be targets. "In the age of digital transformation, linking devices and systems to the internet is almost inevitable. That leads to regular software and firmware updates, which create vulnerabilities for attacks." Taiwan is not sitting idle as China continues to flex its muscles. Taiwan's government has been stepping up efforts to combat cyberattacks. President Tsai Ing-wen has repeatedly declared "cybersecurity is national security." Another key area in which Taiwan has started to lay the foundation of a cybersecurity agency inside the newly established Ministry of Digital Affairs, which is headed by hacker-turned-cabinet member Audrey Tang. The agency will hire an initial 150 cybersecurity specialists, a sharp increase from the 20 staff it had at a cabinet-affiliated cybersecurity center. (ANI) The Islamabad High Court (IHC) said intelligence officials would be summoned if they fail to recover a "missing person" by Wednesday. The court issued the directives while hearing a petition for the recovery of Haseeb Hamza, who reportedly went "missing" in August, reported the Daily Times. The IHC instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Chief Commissioner to produce the missing citizen Haseeb Hamza by Wednesday 11:30 am after recovering him. The Chief Justice said that in case of failure in the recovery of the missing person by the chief commissioner, Islamabad Capital Territory and the Inspector-General of Police, the court would summon every responsible intelligence official and will hold them accountable. Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the case filed by Zulifqar Ali, the father of the missing citizen. The petitioner's lawyer adopted the stance that Hamza was lifted on August 22, by the unknown people in uniform. The police registered an FIR on the complaint but couldn't recover him so far, he said, as per Daily Times. The court held a recession and summoned IGP Akbar Nasir who appeared before it as the hearing resumed. The IGP said that the FIR was registered. The court said that this practice couldn't be tolerated, adding that it had already given a judgment in missing persons' cases and the court would move according to it. Expressing concern, the court noted that the incident was taken place on August 22, but the FIR was registered on September 12. In the petition, petitioner Zulfiqar Ali said his 27-year-old son Hamza was a farmer and was working in Layyah. On the midnight of August 22 and 23, around 20 persons - 15 of whom were in black uniform - raided the petitioner's house without any search warrant, the plea said, as per Daily Times. During the search, they apprehended the petitioner's son, and seized several items, including five laptops, six cellphones and some documents. "The circumstances suggest that the detenu is a victim of state-enforced disappearance. The petitioner ran pillar to post for the search of his son, however, no information [was] received from any corner of state organs," the petition said. It also asked the court to identify and investigate those responsible, directly or indirectly, for abduction and illegal detention while also prosecuting those responsible. Earlier, the Islamabad High Court has given the Pakistan government two months to take measures in order to recover missing persons and criticized the government for its sheer apathy in the matter, media reports said. IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah on Friday said that the government should resign if subordinate institutions are not under control, reported Pakistan's local media outlet The Express Tribune. (ANI) Russian President Vladimir Putin will have a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 22nd Summit of the Council of Heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States (SCO-CoHS) in Samarkand in Uzbekistan, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov said on Thursday. "Russian President Putin is going to participate in the forthcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. PM Modi is also going. We've already announced that there will be a number of meetings in Samarkand, including with PM Modi," Alipov said in an interview with ANI. The 22nd Summit of the Council of Heads of the SCO Member States (SCO-CoHS) is set to commence on Thursday in Samarkand in Uzbekistan after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. "SCO has been very succesful. It is an established organisation with various mechanisms and extensive cooperation on various tracks. Hundreds of mechanisms operate under the SCO organisation, not only on political matters and matters related to security, but primarily in economic area, in trade, and in creating opportunities, jobs for the people of the member countries," the Russian envoy said. "This is an organisation that has been a factor of stability in the region. Its influence increasing reflected in the intentions and desire of many countries to join the organisation," Alipov added. This SCO summit would be the first in-person SCO-CoHS Summit, after the last one held in June 2019 in Bishkek, before the Covid pandemic hit the world as the subsequent two summits under the chairmanship of Russia and Tajikistan were held in virtual format. Leaders of SCO Member States, Observer States, Secretary General of the SCO, Executive Director of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), President of Turkmenistan and other invited guests would attend the meeting. The leaders of the SCO member countries will hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit, as they are meeting after two years due to the COVID pandemic. The leaders are expected to review the organization's activities over the past two decades and discuss the state and prospects of multilateral cooperation. Topical issues of regional and global importance are also expected to be discussed at the meeting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the summit for two days, today and on Friday, where he would hold bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He would also have other bilateral meetings during the summit which begins on September 14 at Samarkand Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi are also expected to attend the summit. Uzbekistan is the current chair of SCO 2022. India will be the next chair of the SCO. The SCO currently comprises eight Member States (China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan), four Observer States interested in acceding to full membership (Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia) and six "Dialogue Partners" (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey). SCO has potential in various new sectors, wherein all the member-states could find converging interests. India has already pushed hard for cooperation in Startups and Innovation, Science and Technology and Traditional Medicine. India, from the time of its full membership, made sincere efforts to encourage peace, prosperity, and stability of the whole Eurasian region in general and SCO member countries in particular. The SCO provides India with an opportunity to initiate multilateral and regional initiatives on counter-terrorism and deal with the illicit drug trade, which is now being used by its neighbours to inflict social wounds and target India's youth. Uzbekistan is the current chair of SCO 2022. India will be the next chair of the SCO. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is set to attend the 22nd Summit of the Council of Heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States (SCO-CoHS) on Thursday in Samarkand in Uzbekistan, will be holding bilateral meetings with other member leaders on the sidelines of the summit, said the Ministry of External Affairs. In a special briefing, Foreign Secretary, Vinay Kwatra said, "Besides his bilateral with the host country, PM will have bilateral with other leaders. Will keep you apprised.PM's participation in the Summit is a reflection of the importance that India attaches to the SCO & its cause" when asked about his bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. PM Modi will attend the summit on Friday. He is expected to have bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand. PM Modi and the Russian President will discuss Russian-Indian cooperation within the UN and G20 during the SCO summit. "At the invitation of Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, PM Modi will be leaving later this evening for a 24-hour visit to Samarkand to participate in the 22nd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). PM will attend the Summit tomorrow morning. The Summit usually has 2 sessions - a restricted session, only for the SCO member states, and then an extended session likely includes participation by observers and special invitees. Prime Minister is there for the SCO Summit for a brief period; he reaches there later tonight, and attends the restricted & extended sessions & a couple of other engagements tomorrow, along with a set of bilateral meetings. He's then scheduled to return tomorrow night," said Foreign Secretary. Kwatra said that the security situation in the region, expansion of the grouping, trade, and connectivity will be the focus of the SCO Samarkand Summit. "We expect that the discussions during the summit would cover topical, regional and international issues, reform and expansion of SCO, the security situation in the region, cooperation perspective in the region, including strengthening connectivity, as well as boosting trade and tourism in the region. Samarkand Declaration and numerous other documents are expected to be finalized during the summit. They are currently under consideration," said Kwatra. The heads of the two permanent bodies of SCO, the Secretary-General of the SCO Secretariat and the Director of SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) will also be present in both sessions. "The regional anti-terrorist structure - RATS is another important mechanism of the organization. India assumed the chairship of the Executive Council of RATS in October last year for a year and has been focussing on promoting practical cooperation in combatting the problem of terrorism in the region," said Kwatra. Leaders of SCO Member States, Observer States, Secretary General of the SCO, Executive Director of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), President of Turkmenistan and other invited guests would attend the meeting. The Foreign Secretary also answered India's stance on price capping on Russian oil, he said, "On the price cap coalition, what form it takes, what shape it evolves into something which the countries that floated the idea perhaps can better answer to that." "India is not a member of G7. Deeper discount, market pricing. We have said several times, that when Indian entities go out. They procure from the market and they are not government-to-government purchases", he added. When asked about boat rides with other leaders, Kwatra said that PM Modi would be there (Samarkand) for a very brief period. Speaking on the issue of terrorism, Kwatra said, "Here are multiple ways to look at how different countries assess and look at the challenge of terrorism. irrespective of what a particular country does, there is deep appreciation within the SCO." He refused to comment on the issue of disengagement talks with China, saying that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had already commented on it yesterday. PM Modi has been leading the Indian delegation to the SCO Summit every year since India became its full member in 2017. During the last two summits in 2020 and 2021, Prime Minister participated in the virtual format. "In Samarkand, we expect full-physical format participation by all the leaders. Since, joining SCO as a full member, India has been making positive contributions to the SCO's processes, deliberations and its outcomes," said Kwatra. After the Council of Head of States, the Council of Heads of Governments is the second most important mechanism of the SCO which deals principally with the trade, economy and cultural agenda of all the organization. India chaired this mechanism in 2020. "During our chairmanship, a number of initiatives were taken, including holding an exhibition of shared Buddhist heritage in SCO member states in virtual format by the National Museum, translation of 10 books of regional Indian literature into the official languages of the SCO - Russian and Chinese; and hosting the first SCO Start-up Forum, the first SCO MSME Forum and the first SCO Young Scientist Conclave in virtual format," said Kwatra. The 22nd Summit of the Council of Heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States (SCO-CoHS) is set to commence on Thursday in Samarkand in Uzbekistan after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The summit would be the first in-person SCO-CoHS Summit, after the last one held in June 2019 in Bishkek, before the Covid pandemic hit the world as the subsequent two summits under the chairmanship of Russia and Tajikistan were held in virtual format. The SCO currently comprises eight Member States (China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan), four Observer States interested in acceding to full membership (Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia) and six "Dialogue Partners" (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey). SCO has potential in various new sectors, wherein all the member-states could find converging interests. India has already pushed hard for cooperation in Startups and Innovation, Science and Technology and Traditional Medicine. India, from the time of its full membership, made sincere efforts to encourage peace, prosperity, and stability of the whole Eurasian region in general and SCO member countries in particular. (ANI) There is a deeply held understanding and deep appreciation among the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on ways to deal with terrorism irrespective of what a particular country does, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said on Thursday. Responding to a question on Pakistan's involvement in harbouring cross-border terrorism, despite being a member of the SCO, Foreign Secretary said, "There are multiple ways to look at how the different countries assess and look at the challenges of terrorism in the regions. And with Pakistan and its link with the challenge of terrorism in the region, if you look at the history of terrorism within the framework of SCO, you will find that both the substance of the discussion and various structures of the SCO has evolved over the years." "And now irrespective of what particular country does on the problem of terrorism, there is a deeply held understanding and deep appreciation within the SCO countries of what the nature of this terrorism is, where this problem comes from, and most importantly the need for SCO countries on their own and also for the SCO structures including in particular Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) to come together and form ways for practical cooperation," he added. SCO's RATS, based in Tashkent, is a permanent body of the grouping for countering terrorism, extremism, and separatism in the Eurasian region. India is the current chair of the executive council of SCO RATS and will be hosting the SCO RATS council meeting this October. "We have been focusing on this strongly since we took the chairship of the executive council of RATS in October last year. The SCO RATS structure has also decided towards creating a unified register of terrorists and extremist organisations whose activities are prohibited on the territories of the SCO member countries within SCO RATS," Foreign Secretary said. "There is the question of databases which this particular problem involves and RATS as a body is particularly working to develop a sharper focus on this issue," Kwatra added. Director of SCO RATS Mirzaev Ruslan Erkinovich visited India earlier this year and held talks with NSA Ajit Doval and the Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi. The SCO is one of the largest plurilateral, covering around 40 per cent of the global population and 30 per cent of the global GDP. The 22nd Summit of the Council of Heads of the SCO Member States (SCO-CoHS) is being held in Samarkand in Uzbekistan, starting today. The Summit usually has 2 sessions - a restricted session, only for the SCO member states, and then an extended session likely includes participation by observers and special invitees. The heads of the two permanent bodies of SCO, the Secretary-General of the SCO Secretariat and the Director of SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) will be present in both sessions. The SCO summit this year would be the first in-person SCO-CoHS Summit, after the last one held in June 2019 in Bishkek, before the Covid pandemic hit the world as the subsequent two summits under the chairmanship of Russia and Tajikistan were held in virtual format. Leaders of SCO Member States, Observer States, Secretary General of the SCO, Executive Director of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), President of Turkmenistan and other invited guests would attend the meeting. The leaders of the SCO member countries will hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit, as they are meeting after two years due to the COVID pandemic. The leaders are expected to review the organization's activities over the past two decades and discuss the state and prospects of multilateral cooperation. Topical issues of regional and global importance are also expected to be discussed at the meeting. PM Modi will attend the summit on Friday. He is expected to have bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand. PM Modi and the Russian President will discuss Russian-Indian cooperation within the UN and G20 during the SCO summit. PM Modi has been leading the Indian delegation to the SCO Summit every year since India became its full member in 2017. During the last two summits in 2020 and 2021, Prime Minister participated in the virtual format. SCO has potential in various new sectors, wherein all the member-states could find converging interests. India has already pushed hard for cooperation in Startups and Innovation, Science and Technology and Traditional Medicine. India, from the time of its full membership, made sincere efforts to encourage peace, prosperity, and stability of the whole Eurasian region in general and SCO member countries in particular. The SCO currently comprises eight Member States (China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan), four Observer States interested in acceding to full membership (Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia) and six "Dialogue Partners" (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey). (ANI) A group of the Indian community, the India Club in Tashkent on Thursday sent a gift to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a mark of respect to him, ahead of his arrival in Uzbekistan to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. An Uzbek wall carpet painted with a picture of PM Modi was handed over to the Indian Ambassador to Uzbekistan. "Today, on behalf of 1800 Indians living in Uzbekistan, India Club Tashkent has got your picture painted on the Uzbek wall carpet as a mark of respect. We request you to kindly accept this small gift," said India Club in a letter to Prime Minister. Ashok Kumar Tiwari, Chairman of the India Club, Tashkent said, "All Indians connected with this organisation are pleased with Prime Minister's arrival in the country. This is his third visit to the country, which reflects the good ties between India-Uzbekistan. The Indian Community here has prepared this gift for him as a mark of respect." "The handicrafts of Uzbekistan are very famous in the entire world, and so with the help of the artisans here we have painted the picture of PM Modi on the Uzbek wall carpet, which we will gift him. We look forward to meeting him in person during this visit," he added. Tiwari in his letter to the Prime Minister said that India Club Tashkent was formed 10 years ago in Tashkent to connect the Indians living in Uzbekistan on one platform to celebrate all the festivals of India with the same joy and gaiety as people living in India." "India Club Tashkent with the help of the Indian Embassy transported a huge amount of relief material to the people of India during COVID. India Club Tashkent has done many such noble deeds for Uzbekistan and India, so that the friendship between India and Uzbekistan becomes stronger." Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the 22nd Summit of the Council of Heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States (SCO-CoHS) today in Samarkand in Uzbekistan after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. He will attend the summit on Friday and is expected to have bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand. PM Modi and the Russian President will discuss Russian-Indian cooperation within the UN and G20 during the SCO summit. Modi has been leading the Indian delegation to the SCO Summit every year since India became its full member in 2017. During the last two summits in 2020 and 2021, Prime Minister participated in the virtual format. The summit would be the first in-person SCO-CoHS Summit, after the last one held in June 2019 in Bishkek, before the Covid pandemic hit the world as the subsequent two summits under the chairmanship of Russia and Tajikistan were held in virtual format. Leaders of SCO Member States, Observer States, Secretary General of the SCO, Executive Director of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), President of Turkmenistan and other invited guests would attend the meeting. The SCO currently comprises eight Member States (China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan), four Observer States interested in acceding to full membership (Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia) and six "Dialogue Partners" (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey). (ANI) The United States on Wednesday announced to release USD 3.5 billion of the total USD 7 billion frozen money of Afghanistan to the new "Afghan Fund" for humanitarian aid. The Treasury Department of the US said that it would transfer USD 3.5 billion in Afghan central bank assets into a new Swiss-based trust fund that will be shielded from the Islamic Emirate and used to help stabilize Afghanistan's collapsed economy. According to CNN, two senior US officials, "The US is moving USD 3.5 billion to the new "Afghan Fund," but will not release the money imminently to an institution in Afghanistan because there is no trusted institution to guarantee the funds will benefit the Afghan people." "Instead, it will be administered by an outside body, independent of the Taliban and the country's central bank," the official said. "The Fund may use assets to provide Afghan banking sector liquidity, keep Afghanistan current on its debt service obligations, support exchange rate stability, transfer funds, as appropriate to public Afghan financial institutions, or any other use for the benefit of the Afghan people that is approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees," said a US State Department official. The officials said that the transfer of the funds will depend upon two key factors- the responsible management of the bank and assurances that the funds will not be diverted to terrorists or criminals, CNN reported. "We do not have that confidence today," a senior US official said adding that, "at minimum the Afghan central bank will need to demonstrate its independence from political influence and interference." "It will also need to demonstrate it has instituted adequate anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism controls and complete a third party needs assessment and onboard a reputable third party monitoring," the official added. On July 27, United States' Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West and Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson led a senior interagency delegation from the Department of State and the Department of the Treasury to hold discussions on the issue of Afghan central bank reserves with the senior Taliban representatives and technocratic professionals in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The discussion took place during meetings that took place after the conclusion of the Uzbekistan-hosted Tashkent Conference on Afghanistan on July 26. According to the State Department release, the United States expressed the need to address the urgent humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. The two sides discussed ongoing efforts to enable the USD 3.5 billion in licensed Afghan central bank reserves to be used for the benefit of the Afghan people. The United States underscored the need to accelerate the work on these efforts. After the Taliban seized the nation by force last year, the US froze Afghan reserves. Earlier this year, President Joe Biden signed an executive order allowing for the USD 7 billion in frozen assets from Afghanistan's central bank to fund humanitarian relief in Afghanistan and compensate victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Taliban ruled Afghanistan, at the time of the September 11 attacks, harboured Osama bin Laden, the head of the Al-Qaida terrorist network and mastermind of the US attacks. A US-led invasion of Afghanistan weeks after the attacks overthrew the Taliban after they refused Washington's demands to surrender Bin Laden. The US withdrawal from Afghanistan last August ended the nearly 20-year war, but the United Nations and other international relief groups say Afghanistan faces one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, which stems from more than four decades of conflict and natural calamities. More than half of the country's poverty-stricken population, or an estimated 24 million Afghans, face an acute food shortage and some one million children under five years of age could die from hunger by the end of this year, according to UN estimates following the US withdrawal from the country. (ANI) By Trend Maslikhat (municipality) of Kazakhstan's capital city supported the renaming of Nur-Sultan back to Astana, Trend reports citing Kazakh media. The decision was made at an extraordinary session on the issue of renaming the capital. It was attended by 25 out of 31 MPs. The decision will be sent for consideration by the Republican Onomastic Commission under the Government. There are precedents in world practice when capitals and states were renamed back. Now, when we enter New Kazakhstan, the new name of the capital is symbolic. As a native, I support the return of the name Astana to the city its known not only in Kazakhstan, but also in the world, MP from the Ak Zhol party Askar Smagulov said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is looking forward to exchanging views on topical, regional and international issues at the 22nd Summit of the Council of Heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States (SCO-CoHS) to be held in Samarkand. "At the SCO Summit, I look forward to exchanging views on topical, regional and international issues, the expansion of SCO and on further deepening of multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation within the Organization," read Prime Minister's Office departure statement ahead of his visit to Uzbekistan. PM Modi will attend the summit on Friday. He is expected to have bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand. "I will be visiting Samarkand at the invitation of President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev to attend the Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)," added the statement. Under the Uzbek Chairship, a number of decisions for mutual cooperation are likely to be adopted in areas of trade, economy, culture and tourism. "I also look forward to meeting President Mirziyoyev in Samarkand. I fondly recall his visit to India in 2018. He also graced the Vibrant Gujarat Summit as its Guest of Honour in 2019. In addition, I will hold bilateral meetings with some of the other Leaders attending the Summit," read the statement. The 22nd Summit of the Council of Heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States (SCO-CoHS) is set to commence on Thursday in Samarkand in Uzbekistan after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The summit would be the first in-person SCO-CoHS Summit, after the last one held in June 2019 in Bishkek, before the Covid pandemic hit the world as the subsequent two summits under the chairmanship of Russia and Tajikistan were held in virtual format. The SCO currently comprises eight Member States (China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan), four Observer States interested in acceding to full membership (Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia) and six "Dialogue Partners" (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey). SCO has potential in various new sectors, wherein all the member-states could find converging interests. India has already pushed hard for cooperation in Startups and Innovation, Science and Technology and Traditional Medicine. India, from the time of its full membership, made sincere efforts to encourage peace, prosperity, and stability of the whole Eurasian region in general and SCO member countries in particular. (ANI) The Bangladesh genocide perpetrated by Pakistan, one of the biggest after World War II, took place when Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared the independence of a sovereign new Bangladesh in the early hours of March 26, 1971. Pradip Kumar Dutta, writing in the Daily Sun said that Bangladeshis are enjoying their freedom and are developing well as a country. But the world still owes the country something very important, that is, the recognition of the genocide and its consequent remedies. The genocide that the whole world has witnessed has not yet been internationally recognised. The pertinent question arises will UNHRC recognise the Bangladesh genocide in its 51st session? As can be expected, Pakistan and its supporters will obviously opt for denial as in every single case of genocide. But the countries of the whole world and the world bodies including the United Nations cannot just keep silent on the issue. The Bangladesh government and all sections of the country's population should raise a concerted strong voice demanding recognition. But it is high time that we should become proactive in achieving our reasonable goal. In recent years we see some progress in this regard. Bangladesh government has declared 25th March as Genocide Day. Civil society has also raised its voice and different civil society organisations are raising the issue in different international forums to push forth the demand of 1971 genocide recognition, said Dutta. So far, two internationally acclaimed organisations working on the prevention of genocide worldwide, namely Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Genocide Watch have recognised the 1971 genocide and issued statements to the effect, reported the Bangladeshi publication, The Sun. In their statements, they have emphatically recognised the mass killings, war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed by Pakistan and called upon the international community including the United Nations to come forward and recognise the genocide. They also have supported the demand of bringing the perpetrators to justice. They have rightly pointed out that such international recognition will pressure Pakistan to work with Bangladesh towards the closure of the chapter by taking all actions to achieve and ensure justice to the victims. Lemkin Institute also studied in depth the refugee crisis, sexual violations by the Pakistan army, planned annihilation of intellectuals and mass killings, all of which were parts of the genocidal acts. In the meantime, a Bangladeshi diaspora organisation BASUG, having its base in the Hague and having ECOSOC status in the UN has submitted a statement on the 1971 Bangladesh genocide to the UN Human Rights Council which demands recognition of the genocide. The statement has been accepted and can be discussed under agenda number 3 of the upcoming session of UNHRC in Geneva which is due to start on the 11th of the current month, reported Dutta. Projonmo Ekattor, an organisation of martyrs of the War of Liberation and Aamra Ekattor, a platform of progressive pro-Liberation War Bangladeshis, have become co-signatories to the statement. It may be mentioned here that EBF (European Bangladeshi Forum), another broad-based Bangladeshi diaspora organisation active in the UK, Netherlands and other European countries, is the driving force behind BASUG's present steps. The acceptance of the statement is just the beginning. In fact, the same organisation BASUG did send a statement on the same issue to be taken up in the previous session of UNHRC just three months ago. It was accepted and could be raised, and discussed and a result could have been achieved. The latest good news in this respect is utilising its ECOSOC status BASUG applied for getting a hall to hold a seminar demanding Justice for Bangladesh in getting the international recognition of the 1971 Genocide and had just got a nod from the UN authorities to use a hall in Geneva premises of UN for an hour on October 3. The UNHRC session will still be on and it may be considered a golden opportunity to attract the attention of the delegates of the session to the justified demand and convince them to support the adoption of a resolution. (ANI) For the last two years Beijing has imposed an undeclared blockade at the transit points on the Nepal-China border citing the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused economic hardships for Nepali traders and deaths by suicide. Sudarshan Ghimire, owner of Swet Baraha Enterprises, who created the image of a good businessman of New Road, chose the path of suicide. He died by suicide on September 6, 2022, reported local media EPARDAFAS. China for the last two years has been allowing only a few containers to cross the transit points on the Nepal-China border. Hare Ram Paudel, a young entrepreneur from Sindhupalchowk involved in the import and supply of Chinese goods in the Nepali market committed suicide on October 13, 2020, due to frustration when his goods got stuck on the Nepal-China border for months. The entrepreneurs were in a double trap, their goods were lying at the border for many months and they also had a massive amount of loans, reported the Nepali publication. On one hand, they had been going through a financial crisis, and on the other hand banks, and other moneylenders were demanding the instalment or the dues cleared on a regular basis. The entrepreneur committed suicide under stress as his financial condition worsened since the containers with his goods got stuck at the Chinese border for a long time. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in China in December 2019, Nepal's trade through the China border has been affected. Many meetings and discussions between the two countries were held to ease smooth trade, there was an agreement to operate the border completely in two directions, but it has not been implemented yet, reported EPARDAFAS. Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi, who recently visited Nepal assured that arrangements would be made soon so that imports and export can be done easily from both northern ports. However, the border restrictions have not been eased till now. Foreign Minister of Nepal Dr Narayan Khadka who was on a visit to China last August, also said that discussions have been held with China on the border issue but the outcome of that visit and meeting is not seen as fruitful till now. Similarly, at present, the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China Li Zhanshu is on an official visit to Nepal. Nepalese leaders are again urging the Chinese side to facilitate opening of the transit points on the Nepal-China border, including the Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi checkpoints so that the China-imported goods can enter Nepal in time for big festivals like Dashain, Tihar, and others are approaching in the country, reported EPARDAFAS. (ANI) Sixty Afghan Sikhs who were scheduled to arrive in India on September 11 were stopped by the Taliban regime from leaving the country as they were carrying holy scriptures with them. Following the incident, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Thursday condemned the Taliban move and asked the Centre to intervene and ensure that the community's sentiments were not hurt or disrespected in the landlocked Afghanistan. SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami strongly condemned the ban on taking the "holy body of Sri Guru Granth Sahib" out of Afghanistan by the Taliban regime, according to a statement issued by the committee. He said that according to the information received by the committee, a group of 60 Afghani Sikhs were supposed to come to India on September 11, but they could not arrive because they were prevented from bringing the "holy image of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji". The Shiromani Committee President termed it a "direct interference" in the religious affairs of the Sikhs by the Taliban regime, according to the statement. Advocate Dhami said that on the one hand, attacks were being carried out against Sikhs and holy Gurudwaras inside Afghanistan while on the other hand they were being prevented from bringing the holy scripture with them to India. Advocate Dhami said that the Sikhs in Afghanistan were leaving the country because "they are not safe and when the Sikhs do not stay in the country, then who will take care of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji?" "That is why Sikhs bring the holy Guru Granth Sahib with them when they come to India," he explained. Dhami said the Taliban regime should not take decisions against the sentiments of Sikhs. The SGPC chief also made an appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the matter and stop the actions being taken by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan against the religious sentiments of the Sikhs. Religious minorities in Afghanistan, including the Sikhs, have been victims of repeated targeted attacks after the Taliban took control of the country. There was a spate of attacks on Sikhs in Afghanistan recently. On June 18 this year, Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) attacked the Karte-Parwan Gurdwara in Kabul which claimed the lives of about 50 people. There have been other attacks as well. In March 2020, a deadly attack took place at Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Gurudwara in Kabul's Short Bazaar area in which 27 Sikhs were killed and several were injured. Islamic State terrorists claimed responsibility for the attack. There were just about 700 Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan in 2020, but a large number of them left the country following the Taliban's takeover on August 15, 2021. (ANI) A customised jet has arrived in Namibia to bring cheetahs to India's Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh where they will be re-introduced in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17. High Commission of India in Windhoek, Namibia tweets the visual of the Indian aircraft. "A special bird touches down in the Land of the Brave to carry goodwill ambassadors to the Land of the Tiger," the High Commission of India in Windhoek said on Thursday. PM Modi will inaugurate the "Reintroduction of the Cheetah" project at the Kuno National Park in the Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh on September 17. PM Modi will also release cheetahs being brought from Africa into the state's forests. The big cat species will be reintroduced in India after 70 years since being declared extinct in 1952. Meanwhile, Indian Oil Corporation Limited will contribute Rs 50.22 crore over five years for the transcontinental relocation of Cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa to the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, according to an official statement issued here on Tuesday. Earlier, IndianOil on 2nd August 2022, signed an MoU with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for the transcontinental relocation of Cheetah in its historical range in India. The MoU was signed by S M Vaidya, Chairman, IndianOil and Dr S P Yadav, Addl. Director General (Project Tiger) and Member Secretary (NTCA). Under the ambitious project of the Indian government - Project Cheetah - the reintroduction of wild species, particularly cheetah is being undertaken as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines. Project Cheetah is an ambitious project undertaken by the government which aims to re-establish the species in its historical range in the country. India has a long history of wildlife conservation. One of the most successful wildlife conservation ventures 'Project Tiger' which was initiated way back in 1972, has not only contributed to the conservation of tigers but also to the entire ecosystem. (ANI) Taking to Twitter, the Prime Minister said he looks forward to working closely together for strengthening the bilateral relations between India and Angola. "Congratulations to H.E. Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco @jlprdeangola on being re-elected as the President of Angola. I look forward to working closely together for strengthening our bilateral relations," PM Modi wrote on Twitter. Angola is a valued friend of India from Africa and the two nations share warm and friendly people-to-people ties. As President Joao Lourenco has secured another five-year term, the bilateral ties shared between India and Angola in terms of trade are only expected to get better. Earlier on September 7, PM Modi congratulated Williams Ruto on being elected the President of Kenya. "Congratulations to @WilliamsRuto on being elected the President of Kenya. I look forward to working closely with him for strengthening our historic bilateral relations," PM Modi tweeted. The congratulatory tweet comes a day after Kenya's Supreme Court upheld the results declaring William Ruto the winner of last month's presidential elections. (ANI) Amid border tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan over the Durand line, spokesperson of the Taliban has said that fresh clashes between the security forces of the two countries have been reported in Paktia province, as per local media. Bilal Karimi, the deputy spokesman of the Taliban said as quoted by Tolo News. The clashes took place in the Dand Patan area of the province, as per the Afghan media outlet. Writing on social media as per Tolo News, Karimi said that military facilities should not be built close to the Durand Line "in principle," and, added that on Tuesday the Pakistani military sought to build an outpost there. Meanwhile, footage of the Taliban forces driving into Pakistan's side of the Durand line surfaced on social media. Taliban members went to talk to the Pakistani side but the other side opened fire which caused casualties, Karimi said, as per Tolo News. While the media affairs wing of the Pakistan military after the incident on Tuesday said that three Pakistani soldiers were killed in firing by "terrorists from inside Afghanistan" in the general area of Kharlachi, Kurram tribal district, Dawn reported. "Pakistan strongly condemns the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for activities against Pakistan and expects that Afghan government will not allow conduct of such activities in future," the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had said, as per the Pakistani publication. Till May 1 this year, there have been around 40 clashes along the Durand Line most of which pertain to the border dispute. More than 40 people died when rockets were fired from Pakistan Air Force (PAF) helicopters in Kunar, Khost, Paktika and other bordering provinces on April 16, 2022. The Durand Line passes through the present-day Pakistani provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (NWFP), Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Balochistan. It also includes 10 provinces in Afghanistan. Disputed in the context of the struggle for the Pashtun homeland, the Durand Line has of late become the cause of heightened border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. (ANI) French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna on Thursday thanked her Indian counterpart S Jaishankar and said that she is eager to see External Affairs Minister next week in New York at the United Nations General Assembly. Jaishankar is expected to attend UNGA later this month, as per the Foreign Ministry. "Thank you @DrSJaishankar and eager to seeing you next week in NY at the United Nations General Assembly," she tweeted. Earlier in an official release issued by ministry of foreign affairs, both Colonna and Jaishankar look forward to the trilateral ministerial meeting to be held in New York on the sidelines of the UNGA, later this month. France's Foreign Minister is in India on a three-day visit. Currently, she is in Mumbai. Colonna, during a press conference along with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi, said that France is open to Indian students, as the country set the ambitious target of welcoming 20,000 students by 2025. "We have discussed today (Wednesday) the strengthening of ties between our peoples, this partnership of hearts and minds, to which we are so attached. This morning I conveyed a message to Indian students in this regard: France is open to you. We wish to see you come and study iforeignn France in greater numbers. President Emmanuel Macron has set us the ambitious target of welcoming 20,000 Indian students to France by 2025," she said. Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India and France agreed to work towards the establishment of Indo-Pacific trilateral development cooperation. "The French have a long-standing presence on either extremity of the Indo-Pacific. Hearing Minister Colonna's views and assessments of those regions was truly of great value. We agreed to establish Indo-Pacific trilateral development cooperation that would facilitate development projects, especially in the framework of the International Solar Alliance," Jaishankar said. Jaishankar spoke about the collaboration between India and France on joint projects in the International Solar Alliance in three countries namely Bhutan, Papua New Guinea and Senegal. (ANI) Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has slammed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) Punjab government for seizing flour trucks of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) at the Sindh-Punjab border. Lambasting PTI for also lodging an FIR, Memon said such acts are worsening the situation of the flood-affected people as the action of the Punjab government of seizing the relief goods is only adding to the miseries of the people affected by the natural disaster, the News International reported. Taking to Twitter on Wednesday, Memon said that the PDMA had purchased flour from Punjab for Sindh's flood-affected people following which PTI's Punjab government not only seized the trucks at the border but also lodged an FIR. He said that initially, the Imran Khan-led government launched a fake social media campaign to try to persuade international donor agencies and the UN to stop humanitarian aid for the flood-hit people, and now they are using the Punjab government for blocking relief items, according to News International. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also took a dig at the Punjab government and called the actions of PTI deplorable and painful, saying flood victims' urgent needs have been constantly ignored. Meanwhile, in a tweet on Monday, Imran Khan accused the ruling coalition of making attempts for his party's media blackout besides fake cases against journalists, The Nation reported. Responding to Khan, Shehbaz Sharif said that the PTI Chief should rather account for illegal foreign funding that he received post the 2010 floods and asserted that he has no time to respond to Imran Khan's allegations. Pakistan has lost more than 1,000 people to floods, and about 33 million are displaced. Homes are inundated, roads and bridges swept away, and many dead bodies are still missing. Sindh and Balochistan have suffered heavily, but Sindh is worse affected. Many victims have developed skin diseases. There is malaria, diarrhoea, and many complain of throat pain. Even pregnant women do not have any facilities to keep themselves healthy and get medical help. Monsoon rains have submerged a third of Pakistan, claiming more than a thousand lives since June and unleashing powerful floods that have washed away swathes of vital crops and damaged or destroyed more than a million homes. Officials have blamed climate change, which is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather around the world. (ANI) Charge d'Affaires of US Mission to India, Patricia A Lacina on Thursday stressed on the crucial contribution of Indian students who represent one of the largest diasporas in the world by beginning their journey as students in the United States. The Charge d'Affaires was speaking at the US Department of Commerce Education Trade Mission's US study abroad fair in New Delhi. "The United States currently has one of the largest Indian diasporas in the world. Many members of that diaspora began their journey by coming to the United States to study. International student mobility is central to US diplomacy and fundamental in maintaining an atmosphere of continued security, innovation and continued prosperity," Patricia A Lacina said. "In addition, Indian students make crucial contributions to the social fabric of both the United States and India. They build lifelong connections with their America colleagues, peers, and friends. Many of these personal connections blossom into international partnerships," she added. The US department of commerce is leading and Education Trade Mission to three cities in India: Mumbai, Bengaluru and New Delhi. This trade mission identifies and promotes opportunities for collaboration between India and American institutes of higher education. The delegation includes 21 US higher education institutions from 15 states. The announcement of India's National Education Policy in 2020 outlined plan to revamp and expand India's higher education system, including expansion of research, experimental learning and internationalization of curricula. Hailing the U.S Mission in India for issuing record-breaking 82,000 student visas this summer, Patricia said that the figure reflects the importance that the United States places on education. "Today, I could not be happier to say that there are more Indian students travelling to the United States to study than students from any other country. This number inspires me for several reasons. On the economic front, a thriving, well-educated workforce will bolster both our economies. The innovations you unlock will create more jobs and more opportunities for both our countries. This will increase security and prosperity in our countries and will propel both the United States and India to play a greater role on the world stage," she added. In a statement last week, the US Mission in India had said that it has issued a record-breaking 82,000 student visas to Indians in 2022 to date. Indian students have received more US student visas than any other country, including China. (ANI) RTHK: EU lawmakers say Hungary no longer a 'full democracy' Hungary reacted furiously on Thursday to a vote in the European Parliament that declared that the country was no longer a "full democracy" and that the European Union needed to act. Their response came after MEPs voted 433 in favour, 123 against a resolution that described Hungary as "a hybrid regime of electoral autocracy" in "serious breach" of EU democratic norms. The country is ruled by populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who maintains close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The vote was largely symbolic and does not change the course of EU decision-making, which requires unanimity among all 27 member states including Hungary to adopt positions on major issues, such as sanctions on Russia. But Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told reporters in Budapest: "I consider it an insult against a Hungarian person if someone questions Hungary's capacity for democracy." He said he was astonished that some in Brussels and Strasbourg insisted on "belittling" his country, he added. With their vote, the EU lawmakers endorsed a parliamentary report that said Hungary had been backsliding on democratic and fundamental rights since 2018 through the "deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian government". The lack of action by EU institutions including the commission, which acts as "guardian" of the EU treaties enshrining democratic standards, had exacerbated the degradation, the report said. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2022-09-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. By Trend China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have signed an agreement on the railway construction, Trend reports via Kyrgyz president's press service. The National Development and Reform Commission of China, Kyrgyzstan's and Uzbekistan's Transport Ministries signed an agreement on construction of China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad (section on the territory of Kyrgyzstan) on.the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Samarkand on September 14. "The new railway corridor will open access to the markets of Southeast and West Asia and the Middle East. This route will be able to ensure the delivery of goods from China to Kyrgyzstan, as well as to Central Asian countries and the Middle East, including Turkiye and further to the EU," the message said. Notably, the agreement envisions cooperation in successful finalization of the technical and economic assessments of construction of China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway on Kyrgyzstan's territory along combined route Torugart-Arpa-Makmal-Jalal-Abad. The deadline for completion of all work on the feasibility study (including the time of the assessment) is no later than June 1, 2023. A representative organisation of the Chamkani tribe of Kurram in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has protested against the deteriorated law and order situation in the district, local media reported. The members of the Chamkani Youth Movement gathered outside the Peshawar Press Club on Tuesday to stage their demonstration, The News International reported. Protesters were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans of their demands, the protesters urged the government to take practical and effective steps to maintain law and order. Quoting the speakers, The News International reported that the Chamkani tribe members had faced a lot of problems and migrated to safer places during the wave of terrorism in the recent past. They said their area was backward and lacked all basic necessities of life, adding that the restoration of peace was a must for the development of the area and people, per the media outlet. Separately, residents of Swat took to the streets on Wednesday against the fresh wave of terrorism in the area, as per Dawn newspaper. On Tuesday, an explosion took place in Swat's Bara Bandai area and the death toll of the blast has reached eight, as per reports. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in a statement cited by Dawn had claimed responsibility for the attack. Meanwhile, in August, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly had admitted an adjournment motion on the 'deteriorating' law and order situation in the Swat area and other districts of Malakand division and tribal districts for general discussion, local media reported. Concerns were expressed over the movement of militants in various parts of the Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Malakand Division. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former federal minister Murad Saeed has accused the country's Shahbaz Sharif-led government of being responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation in the division. Earlier, it was reported that a district of Balochistan province has been witnessing the law and order situation for the last several months, raising a question mark about the administration. Dawn newspaper reported that a member of the provincial assembly from the Chagai constituency Mir Mohammad Arif Mohammad Hasni made this statement while speaking to journalists after visiting a man who allegedly received bullet injuries during a robbery attempt near the Pak-Iran border area. (ANI) Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday said a formal decision about India's Agnipath scheme would only be made after the November elections in the country. Foreign ministry spokesperson Sewa Lamsal said that there are slim chances of an immediate decision over the scheme. "This issue will be considered only after the elections. Nepal also will not be holding talks or dialogues immediately with the Indian Government. It only would be decided after the November elections," Lamsal said at a media briefing. "It should be a decision of national consensus so there is less possibility that the decisions would be made immediately," Lamsal added. Earlier Nepal's ambassador to India Shankar Prasad Sharma had said that talks are underway between India and Nepal over the recruitment process of Gorkhas under India's Agnipath scheme. Responding to a question at a session in the United Service Institute of India, Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande had said the vacancies allocated to Nepali Gurkhas will have to be "redistributed" to others for the time being if Kathmandu does not allow recruitment as per the laid-down cut-off dates. The Indian government on June 14 approved a recruitment scheme for Indian youth to serve in the three services of the Armed Forces called Agnipath. The youth selected under this scheme will be known as 'Agniveers'. The Agnipath scheme allows patriotic and motivated youth to serve in the Armed Forces for a period of four years. The Agnipath scheme has been designed to enable a youthful profile of the Armed Forces. 'Agnipath' is a pan-India merit-based recruitment scheme for enrolling soldiers, airmen and sailors. The scheme provides an opportunity for youth to serve in the regular cadre of the armed forces. All those recruited under the 'Agnipath' scheme will be called 'Agniveers'. After four years, 25 per cent of the Agniveers will be retained or re-enlisted in the regular cadre based on merit, willingness and medical fitness. The Agnipath scheme has been brought to strengthen India's security, the government has said. The other 75 per cent 'Agniveers' will be demobilized, with an exit or "Seva Nidhi" package of Rs 11-12 lakh, partly funded by their monthly contributions, as well as skill certificates and bank loans for help in their second careers. (ANI) Even though China pledges to be in accord with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) declaration on combating terrorism, in practice, it fights shy of sanctioning terrorist individuals, primarily due to the special relationship it enjoys with Pakistan, said former Indian envoy to Italy and Poland Anil Wadhwa. In conversation with ANI, Diplomat Wadhwa said, "China does go along with all the SCO documentation related to tackling terrorism however in practice, of course, there is a difference when it comes to sanctioning the terrorist individuals." "It is quite obvious because China enjoys a special relationship with Pakistan and that stance is going to continue in the future. I think there should be a consensus among the SCO member states that declaration on terrorism does not mean anything unless it is implemented in practice," Ex-Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs Wadhwa added. Moreover, as speculations are rife over a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Wadhwa said, "If the meeting does take place it will be a chance for PM Modi to tell President Xi Jinping to complete the disengagement process and go back to the status quo." Highlighting that as much as the disengagement was crucial it is yet to be done from the Depsang and Demchok region where the Chinese positions are. Diplomat Wadhwa also noted that connectivity with Central Asian nations would remain a top agenda for India at the SCO summit. "Chinese agenda is to push the BRI but it is different from the Indian connectivity agenda because we have to open up our route to Central Asia and to look at how we can achieve it through Chabahar port with Iran coming into the group next year." "The Chinese try and extend the BRI onto Afghanistan through the occupied territory that is all the more reason that India will have to put itself vehemently once again," he continued. Another key aspect that diplomat Wadhwa talked about is the way the SCO grouping is currently looked upon by the West. "You have to look at it with a context that why these countries are trying to join this grouping. After all, they got something to gain from joining. It just so happened that these countries are the ones which are not in the Western camp so to speak as of now. They are countries who are pursuing their own foreign policies so there is an element of Western propaganda when they say that this is an anti-west and anti-NATO grouping." He added that the bad intentions of one country should not malign the intentions of other member states. "Of course, there's a problem as far as China is concerned and now because as far as Russia is concerned with the United States and western Europe .. but that cannot be extended to everybody who is there because everybody else needs to pursue their own independent foreign policy I think that is why one has to take these definitions with a pinch of salt. This is basically a grouping which helped these countries in a way that is why there are coming together in this larger group." Furthermore, the diplomat also spoke briefly about the IPEF framework's first in-person ministerial summit in Los Angeles which was attended by Union Minister for Commerce Piyush Goyal. Notably, last week, India opted out to join the trade pillar of IPEF. Replying to a question about India's positioning as far as multilateral institutions are concerned, Wadhwa said, "It is not that India walked away from the trade pillar of the IPEF. They have not joined it as yet and the reason is quite simple because Piyush Goyal explained to the Americans that you have some new elements in there which are things like the labour standards and environment and if you have these linkages of environment and labour with trade so India will have to know what are those linkages." "Once those linkages become clear we will decide that we should join it or not. That is the situation right now. I don't think that this is a rejection so far. I think just to say that we're walking away from the multilateral arrangements is not correct. We are actually looking at it from our own perspective because we do not want to walk into something that ties our hands down and we have to take our country's situation into account as well." Speaking on whether there could be trade talks between India and Pakistan at the SCO summit amid the devastating floods in Pakistan, Wadhwa stressed, "Of course, trade is the foremost agenda but with Pakistan, there are many other linkages which will come into play ..so we have to see how it goes because there is no reason for Pakistan not to stop cross border terrorism. India has continued with the policy that unless terrorism is stopped there is no point talking about anything." Besides this, whether there will be talks over the security issues in Afghanistan, diplomat Wadhwa added, "As Afghanistan is an observer state, there will be a number of countries who will try and prevail upon because they are also concerned about terrorism. Maybe Pakistan is not bothered about it and China is untouched by it but the other countries are concerned." (ANI) Alessandro Negrete in the lobby of the consulting firm where he works in downtown Los Angeles. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) Ten years ago, Alessandro Negrete missed out on the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program better known as DACA a policy that gives certain immigrant youth who were brought to the United States as children a work permit and protection from deportation. In 2008, Negrete had been arrested for being drunk in public and fighting with a police officer. While he eventually got his record expunged 10 years later, it kept him from qualifying for immigration relief. His lack of DACA changed the trajectory of his life pushing him toward success. Now, the 39-year-old, who came from Mexico as a baby with his mother, is an entrepreneur. He earns a six-figure salary as a communications, political and philanthropic strategy consultant. He makes his own schedule. Hes looking to buy his first home in Los Angeles. As people of color, growing up in poverty pushes us. I think the added layer of being status ambiguous pushed me even harder, Negrete said. Negrete, who launched Alessandro Advisors six years ago, is one of an estimated 820,000 entrepreneurs who are in the country without legal status, a jump from 770,000 in 2016, according to a study by the New American Economy, a research and immigration advocacy think tank based in New York. "As people of color, growing up in poverty pushes us. I think the added layer of being status ambiguous pushed me even harder," says Alessandro Negrete. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) Much of that growth is driven by millennials and younger immigrants, said Iliana Perez, director of research and entrepreneurship at Immigrants Rising, a San Francisco-based advocacy organization that works with immigrant youth who are in the country without legal status. These immigrant youth would have benefited from DACA if then-President Trump hadnt ended the program five years ago and if a court ruling hadnt limited the government to granting DACA renewals but not accepting new applications. Perez said she first noticed immigrant youth taking an interest in entrepreneurship around 2017, when Trump started to unwind the DACA program, shutting out a new generation of recipients. Story continues This immediately forced a large number of people to think of a Plan B, Perez said. This year, an estimated 100,000 immigrant youth, most in California, graduated high school without legal status and without the benefit of DACA, which means that many have been shut out of the labor market. Some will go to college. Others may find work without authorization and with false identification. But they all have the option to legally work for themselves or even start their own business. Although federal law prohibits employers from hiring someone residing in the country illegally, there is no law prohibiting such a person from starting a business or becoming an independent contractor. As a result, some young immigrants are forming limited liability companies or starting freelance careers even providing jobs to U.S. citizens as the tenability of DACA remains uncertain. This month, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals is set to release its ruling deciding whether DACA is lawful. Whatever the 5th Circuit decides, the case likely will reach the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2016, Immigrants Rising launched an Entrepreneurship Fund that provided more than $400,000 in grants to entrepreneurs who lack legal status. In 2021, the state awarded the organization a Social Entrepreneurs for Economic Development Grant of $5.41 million, which allowed the organization to dispense microgrants and provide technical assistance to nearly 800 immigrant entrepreneurs in California in 2021 and 2022. The microgrants range from $5,000 to $10,000 for immigrants in California who already have a business or are thinking of starting one. The organization also provides entrepreneurial and technical assistance and an entire curriculum in English, Spanish, Tagalog and Korean on how to create a business plan and launch a limited liability company or sole proprietorship. Perez said a little less than half of the organization's grantees are millennials who got left behind by DACA. An estimated 36% are 18 to 34 years old, she said. A little more than 60% are 35 to 64 years old. About 3% are 65 or older. "In the absence of comprehensive immigration reform, more undocumented people will be pushed toward entrepreneurship over the next few years," Perez said. Some DACA recipients are already preparing, in case DACA falls. Denea Joseph, a 28-year-old DACA recipient, says she always had an entrepreneurial mindset. (Steve Saldivar / Los Angeles Times) Denea Joseph, a 28-year-old DACA recipient and consultant, said she always had an entrepreneurial mindset, but the programs precarious situation led her to start her sole proprietorship in 2019. Given DACAs uncertain future, there was no clear path moving forward, Joseph said. I needed to make preparations for whats to come. She still works part time but mainly focuses on growing DRJ Consulting, which provides communications and racial equity consulting to immigrant rights organizations. Joseph didnt think it was wise to rely solely on DACA, especially given that shes the primary caretaker for her 86-year-old grandmother. Born in Belize, Joseph left her native country at age 7 to join her grandmother in Los Angeles. Her visa expired and she lost her legal status. Working for herself would allow Joseph the freedom to eventually live without DACA in a worst-case scenario. But her business also gives her something DACA never could. Without papers, working for yourself is not only a way to survive, Joseph said. In many instances, its a way to thrive. Thats the case for filmmaker Armando Ibanez, a 40-year-old who lives in Paramount. He said he isn't sure hed have had the gumption to start his own film production company in 2020 if he had qualified for DACA. If I had had DACA I would have just been an employee at a company and Id be OK, he said. The 40-year-old, who left Acapulco, Mexico, for the U.S. when he was 18, was too old to qualify for DACA. He worked jobs here and there while attending film school but knew he wouldn't be able to work legally for a film studio. This hurdle, he said, became an opportunity. This entrepreneurial perspective isnt new and is very much part of many immigrants DNA, Ibanez and others like him say. Many in our community, we have no other choice than hustling," he said. "We see street vendors out there. Those are entrepreneurs people dont talk about. We see senoras selling tamales. ... They may not know it but they are entrepreneurs in the community. His lack of legal status has led him to think big and drove him to grow his production company. Ibanez created "Undocumented Tales," an award-winning YouTube series that follows the journey of Fernando Gutierrez, a queer immigrant from Mexico living in the U.S without legal status. He has other projects on the side, such as creating a short documentary for Lush, the handmade cosmetics company. Zacil Vazquez, right, helps her mother, Maria Vazquez, prepare an order at their restaurant, Sazon, in Huntington Park. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) Zacil Vazquez, who was a DACA recipient when she and her mother opened their restaurant, Sazon, in Huntington Park in 2021, said her lack of legal status has made her "the hustler that I am today." I will tell you that the same stands for a lot of immigrant folks I know, including my mom," Vazquez said. "They have to work twice as hard to be able to provide for themselves. They have to be able to come to this country, learn the language, learn the customs and make something of themselves. But Vazquez, who is a DJ and runs an events production company on the side, recognizes that entrepreneurship isnt for everyone. Aspiring teachers, nurses and doctors, for instance, rely on their work permits and cant easily strike out on their own. Zacil Vazquez, who is a DJ runs an event production company on the side, recognizes that entrepreneurship isn't for everyone. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) Some relatively immigrant-friendly states, such as California, make it easier for immigrants without legal status and without DACA to start their own businesses. But other states arent as friendly. For instance, only a few states including California provide full access to all immigrants without legal status to obtain professional licenses. Most other states provide limited accessibility or don't allow it. Some, like Florida, allow DACA recipients or others who have work authorization to obtain professional licenses. State bans on professional licenses for people without legal status are largely the result of the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. This legislation prohibits immigrants in the country without authorization from obtaining professional or occupational licenses unless states pass their own legislation to allow it. Some states, such as Arizona and Texas, don't allow it. Alabama prohibits immigrants without legal status from accessing occupational licensure in most or all of the professions that require licensure. Negrete, who lives in Boyle Heights, provided consulting services to Los Angeles County in developing its L.A. River Master Plan. But all that hustling can also take a toll, mentally and emotionally, Negrete said. "For some, you are constantly thinking about where your next meal might come from or whether you'll be able to pay your rent," he said. "If you don't have a support system, it can break you." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. LOS ANGELES (AP) Police arrested two men in connection with a burglary at the Los Angeles home of a California congresswoman last week where only two guns were stolen, authorities said Wednesday. The men were arrested Tuesday after investigators saw them get into a vehicle that had been parked at the home of Rep. Karen Bass during the burglary Saturday. Bass, who is running for mayor of Los Angeles, previously said two firearms had been stolen during the break-in. The guns were safely and securely stored when they were stolen, she said in a statement released by her campaign. Cash, electronics and other valuables were left behind. Its unnerving and, unfortunately, its something that far too many Angelenos have faced, she said last week. Los Angeles police announced the arrests on Wednesday but did not say Bass had been the victim of the crime. KTTV-TV first reported the arrests Wednesday in an interview with Bass, who did not have details about the burglary. She said she has guns for personal safety, though she believes gun control is important. I don't know if it was random or what, she told the news station. Two Bradenton men stopped by U.S. Customs agents off the coast of the Florida Keys helming a boat packed with Cuban migrants said they agreed to the smuggling venture to make enough money to pay off a large debt, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court this week. A Customs Air and Marine Operations plane began tracking the 35-foot center console boat as it passed Cay Sal Bank in the Bahamas on Monday. A Customs patrol boat intercepted the vessel on Tuesday as it neared the Keys, about 11 nautical miles off the coast of Ocean Reef Club in North Key Largo, according to the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations complaint. Two men were standing at the helm: Dianny Rodriguez Perez and Onelio Hernandez Gutierrez. According to the complaint, both men obtained legal permanent U.S. residency and live in Bradenton. Also on the boat were 17 people from Cuba who did not have legal permission to enter the United States, the complaint states. Agents also found two handguns, a Garmin GPS, a satellite phone and several miscellaneous cellphones on the boat. A check of the GPS showed the boat left Homestead on Monday and traveled to Cayo Fragoso, Cuba, then to Cay Sal, Bahamas. After being read their rights, Hernandez Gutierrez told agents he agreed to take the job because he owed someone $108,000. Rodriguez Perez said he went along to help Hernandez Gutierrez pay off the debt, the complaint states. Both men face a charge of conspiring to encourage and induce aliens to enter the United States, according to the complaint. Their next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 19 in front of a Key West federal judge. The people on the boat were processed to be sent back to Cuba. Police in South Carolina have charged two juvenile boys with making written threats at a high school in Fort Mill, officials said. One boy charged is age 16, and the other is age 14. The names of the students, who attended Fort Mill High School at the time of the Sept. 8 threats, were not released because of their ages. The 16-year-old is charged with student threats, threatening a public employee, and four counts of vandalism, according to Capt. Steven Bivins of the Fort Mill Police Department. The 14-year-old is charged with one count of student threats and one count of vandalism. The teens will be prosecuted as juveniles in York County Family Court, officials said. Both teens were released to the custody of family members after they were charged, Bivins said. Threats started Sept. 8 The written threats that were vague but referenced the school to watch out on Tuesday -- Sept. 13 -- were found Sept. 8 and Sept. 9 in a boys bathroom stall at the school, according to police and a police incident report. The first threat said, Good Luck Fort Mill 9/13/22 R-Wing Forst, the police report stated. Pictures of the threats were circulated on social media and led to serious concerns for school safety from students, staff and parents. There were no carried out acts from the threats, police said. Threats sparked $1,000 reward Extra officers were at Fort Mill High and several campuses in the district from Sept. 9 through Thursday, officials said. The threats prompted a police and schools investigation that included the Fort Mill school district offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Itt not known whether information that led to the arrests of the juveniles came from the public or from the police investigation. Officials said the school has surveillance cameras but the interior of bathrooms do not have cameras. The Fort Mill school district is the largest in York County with around 18,000 students. The district has three high schools. The district also is adjacent to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina. Story continues Fort Mill school district spokesman Joe Burke said Thursday afternoon a message was sent by the district to all parents and posted on schools social media Thursday stating both suspects had been charged. School safety concerns in York County The seizure of three weapons in Rock Hill in late August and the arrest of three juveniles has prompted safety concerns from parents and the public. Two guns were found at high schools in Rock Hill, and one at a Rock Hill middle school. Sixteenth Circuit Solicitor Kevin Brackett said in court and in a public forum hosted by the Rock Hill school district on Monday that school guns, violence and threats are being taken seriously by his office and cases will be vigorously prosecuted -- even if the perpetrators are juveniles. A 20-year-old man was shot to death after his DoorDash order was delivered to the wrong address, Georgia deputies told news outlets. Now a neighbor is charged in his killing. Rockdale County deputies arrived just before 1:15 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, after a report of a shooting at the Tall Oaks Apartments in Conyers, The Rockdale Citizen reported, citing the sheriffs office. There they found a man injured and bleeding on the ground. The victim, Fernando Solomon, ordered food via DoorDash, but it was mistakenly delivered to the apartment next door, according to WSB-TV. When he went to get his food, he was shot. Authorities later arrested Zaire Watson, 22, who admitted to shooting the victim when he saw Solomon reach into his pocket, WGCL reported. He was booked into jail on charges of murder, felony murder and aggravated assault. Watsons father told investigators he saw someone at the door via their doorbell camera and called his son, who was inside the apartment, according to WSB-TV, citing an incident report. Solomons father also arrived at the scene and found out his son had been shot. Solomon was treated by paramedics but died from his injuries, according to The Rockdale Citizen. McClatchy News reached out to the Rockdale County Sheriffs Office on Thursday, Sept. 15, and was awaiting a response. Watson remained in the Rockdale County Jail as of Thursday, online records show. Conyers is about 25 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta. Woman stabs sister with a screwdriver during fight over food, Alabama cops say Argument in Taco Bell drive-thru line erupts into gunfire, California police say Uber passenger charged in shooting death of driver, a mom of 4, Pennsylvania cops say ASU Police arrested three suspects believed to be involved in Monday's robbery near the Polytechnic campus in Mesa. Three students were arrested in connection with a bomb threat that forced the evacuation of multiple buildings at the Arizona State University Tempe campus, according to ASU police. Lukas Patton, 18, Peter Fraenkel, 18, and Trevor Benoit, 21, were all arrested on charges of offenses against public order, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Mugshot Registry. At around 10 p.m. on Monday, ASU police said they received multiple bomb threats on campus, and moved to evacuate the Memorial Union, the Hassayampa residence hall and the Barrett Residential Complex. ASU police spokesman Adam Wolfe said that K-9 units from ASU, Tempe and Chandler police were brought in to inspect all of the facilities, which took several hours. Following the search, police concluded that no items of concern were found. Everything was cleared at around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Wolfe said that an investigation continued into the source of the threats, and it was later determined that they originated from the social media platform Yik Yak. Police were then able to develop suspects, who were taken into custody. Wolfe said that two of the suspects were taken into custody Tuesday and the other was taken into custody Wednesday. All three were booked on a felony charge of interference/disruption of an educational institution, and four misdemeanor charges of offenses of public order, according to the ASU police Twitter account. Reach breaking news reporter Vic Verbalaitis at vverbalaitis@gannett.com or on Twitter @VicVerb. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 3 students arrested in connection to ASU Tempe bomb threat Five small towns in New England have been ranked among the 15 best places in America for fall leaf peeping, according to a new list. Trips to Discover recently published its 15 Best Small Towns in the U.S. for Fall Foliage ranking with the official start of autumn now just days away. New Englanders thinking about traveling to check out the foliage this year will have a wealth options to choose from. The following picturesque New England towns landed on the list: Stowe, Vermont Camden, Maine Sugar Hill, New Hampshire Stockbridge, Massachusetts Kent, Connecticut Its important to note that forecasters predict that this summers drought is expected to cause a patchy array of fall color starting earlier. Thursday, Sept. 22, marks the official start of fall. To view the full ranking of fall destinations, click here. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW FINTECH.TV, the leading global media technology platform for Digital and Impact Investment content, today announced its new studio in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the international financial centre (IFC) of the capital city of the UAE. Going live this month, FINTECH.TV will add broadcasts from ADGMs financial centre to its daily global coverage. The announcement follows the latest launch of FINTECH.TVs brand new studio on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange last week. Access to thought leaders Vince Molinari, Founder and CEO of FINTECH.TV said: Broadcasting live from ADGM, the leading digital-first international financial centre, will give our global viewers access to thought leaders, innovators, and market news from one of the most important and leading financial hubs in the world. Commenting on this announcement, Dhaher Al Muhairi, CEO of ADGM Registration Authority said: We congratulate FINTECH.TV on launching its studio in ADGM and are confident that this will enable them to expand its reach on a regional and global level, by leveraging ADGMs world-class facilities, vibrant ecosystem, and welcoming community. FINTECH.TVs presence here is another testament to Abu Dhabis positioning as a global Fintech hub for a wide and diversified range of global entities including leading broadcasts. It also gives the media house access to a plethora of FinTech start-ups that have the maximum funding across Mena. Through the years, ADGM has established itself to be the regions most trusted and innovative financial centre and we look forward to supporting FINTECH.TV in securing their further growth and expansion. Content projects In addition to having the ability to go live from Abu Dhabi, we have several content projects in development with ADGM that we are very excited about. The transformation of capital markets is happening, and Abu Dhabi is at the forefront of the global change, said Troy McGuire, Co-Founder and Head of Programming & News of FINTECH.TV. FINTECH.TV is a global media platform bringing top thought leadership interviews in finance, blockchain, technology, sustainability, impact investing, SDGs and ESG. With a studio presence at leading international exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, and the London Stock Exchange, FINTECH.TV is distributed globally on their digital and broadcast platform. US and international channels include ETNow India, TimesNow India, Bloomberg Television, CNBC Africa, and CNBC Arabia.-- TradeArabia News Service A 77-year-old Nevada man was in custody Wednesday after authorities in Hawaii accused him of fatally stabbing a woman in her Honolulu apartment five decades ago, court and jail records show. Tudor Chirila Jr. was accused of second-degree murder in the Jan. 7, 1972, slaying of Nancy Anderson, 19, according to an arrest warrant issued Monday by a Honolulu district court judge. Chirila, of Reno, was in custody at the Washoe County Detention Facility after he survived a suicide attempt Sept. 8, two days after authorities collected a DNA sample from him to compare with genetic material from the crime scene, according to the jail and court records. Nancy Anderson. (Honolulu Police Dept) Authorities identified Chirila, a former graduate assistant at the University of Hawaii, after investigators spent years following dead-end leads and interviewing people of interest. Among them were two knife salesmen who visited Anderson's apartment the day she was found dead, according to a Honolulu detective's affidavit included with the warrant. Anderson was a McDonald's employee who graduated from a Michigan high school two years before her death, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Friends and co-workers interviewed by authorities after her death described her as happy and friendly. Anderson's roommate found her body on the afternoon of Jan. 7, minutes after she awoke from a nap, according to the affidavit. The roommate discovered Anderson on the floor, covered in blood. A medical examiner later found that Anderson had 63 stab wounds, according to the affidavit. Detectives interviewed the knife salesmen, who stopped by Anderson's apartment Jan. 7 after meeting her that day in Waikiki. After a sales pitch, Anderson and her roommate declined their wares, and the salesmen left her with a pie cutter as a gift, the affidavit says. The salesmen provided alibis and fingerprints that were compared to prints from the scene, according to the affidavit. Detectives confirmed that the pair's whereabouts ruled them out as potential suspects, the affidavit says. Story continues Other men whose names were offered by tipsters or were known to have been friendly with Anderson were also ruled out as possible suspects, according to the affidavit. The case went cold for decades, and it remained unsolved even after a detective gave the investigation a fresh look in the early 2000s with DNA samples obtained from Anderson's bedspread, a slipper and towels, including one found beside her body, the affidavit says. Last December, authorities were given a tip that Chirila might be a suspect, according to the affidavit. The document does not say where the tip came from. The Honolulu Police Department has previously said it sought the help of Parabon NanoLabs, a firm that uses traditional genealogical research and DNA analysis to help authorities crack cold cases. In April, Chirila's son, who lives in Newport Beach, California, volunteered a DNA sample to authorities, according to the warrant. An analysis found that his DNA was strongly correlated with the genetic material recovered from the towel found next to Anderson. Four months later, authorities obtained a DNA sample from Tudor Chirila and found that it matched the sample taken from the towel, according to the affidavit. The affidavit does ot identify a possible motive or offer details about how Chirila might have known Anderson or gained access to her apartment. He was not among the potential suspects investigated in the 1970s or the early 2000s. A Honolulu police spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Chirila's son also did not respond to a request for comment. It was not clear whether Chirila has a lawyer to speak on his behalf. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Department of Justice need to discard the so-called 60-Day Rule that supposedly would forbid bringing potential criminal charges against former President Donald Trump within 60 days of the upcoming midterms. To start with, Garland and the DOJ need to tell the American public that no such rule exists. Thats rightthe rule doesnt exist. Its the DOJs equivalent of an urban myth. No actual law or written policy at the DOJ mentions anything about not doing anything within 60 days of anything vis-a-vis criminal charges, involving elections. This is no secret. Commentators including Just Security, Lawfare, and Jeffrey Toobin, plus the DOJ Office of Inspector General have all confirmed the absence of any such written rule and agreed that its actually more like an informal policy of prosecutorial best practices that includes avoiding actions such as public indictments or other overt disclosures that could affect [elections]. But the power and influence of the myth remains pervasive. Former Attorney General Eric Holder referenced the rule in his op-ed criticizing former FBI Director James Comey for having violated DOJ rules and norms in his announcement about the Hillary Clinton investigation less than a month before the election she lost to Trump. The instance of Independent Counsel Lawrence Walshs Iran-Contra indictments coming days before the 1992 presidential election in which the senior Bush lost to Bill Clinton is also often cited as a violation that proves the rule. One actual written best-practices source (albeit missing any mention of 60 days) may arise from the DOJ Manual (what used to be known as the U.S. Attorneys Manual) section 9-85-500 (Actions that May Have an Impact on an Election) which sets forth what we would hope is commonsense guidance requiring that prosecutors and agents may never select the timing of any actionwhich includes investigations, criminal charges statementswith the purpose of affecting elections or helping or hurting particular candidates or parties. Story continues Memorandums like Holders 2012 guidance memorandum, which utilizes this same language, appear to imbue that principle as well. Trumps Lawyers Reveal That Garlands DOJ Has Backed Them Into a Legal Corner There is good reason why none of those written materials impose a deadline of 60 days or any other period of time as being too close to an election. Any such deadline is completely arbitrary and unfounded in anything besides gut instinct. Who is to say that an indictment coming 65 days before an election is any different than one coming 30 days before? More importantly, the rule lacks any utility as an anti-corruption practice because no buffer zone of time can possibly remedy or prevent the damage done by a corrupt, politically motivated criminal prosecution intended to influence an election or hurt a particular candidate. Of course, no ethical prosecutor needs such a rule because ethical prosecutors do not abuse their power and office by weaponizing criminal prosecution against political enemies. And whatever Attorney General Garlands shortcomings may be, a lack of ethics is not among them. So why would he and DOJ officials be agonizing over this mythic rule as some reporting indicates? The frustrating answer may be that Garlands belief that a major part of his mission is to restore the DOJs image and reputation for being ethical and non-partisan, after it was left in tatters by the Trump administration. It may make him want to adhere to the rule in an effort to avoid being criticized for being political but such adherence could stop him from pursuing potential crimes committed by Trump and his inner circle in a timely fashion when time is of the essence. For example, the current criminal investigation into potential Espionage Act violations centered around the national defense documents recovered at Mar-a-Lago involves potential ongoing risks to U.S. national security and even possible danger to human sources. Investigating such a dangerous situation should not be put off until after the midterm elections. The Justice Dept. Just Eviscerated the Trump-Appointed Judge in the Mar-a-Lago Case Similarly, the efforts to deny legitimate election results and alleged interference with election processes need to be investigated and prosecuted yesterday given that those same illegal actions may be occurring right now and in the aftermath of the midterms. Indeed, all of the evidence uncovered publicly by the Jan. 6 Committee indicate that the threat to the stability of our democratic process has never been greater. It makes no sense to put off criminal investigations into threats to our very election processes until after the next election. This is why DOJ needs to disavow the mythology of the 60-Day Rule and simply follow the evidence and law. If they find evidence of criminal wrongdoing that they can prove beyond a reasonable doubt then they should bring the case immediately. Fear of being accused of corrupt political motivations cannot be DOJs guiding star in the midst of unprecedented twin threats to national security and our elections. The possible dangers posed to our country by such threats is so grave that every delay may cause irreparable harm and the DOJ needs to understand that trying to avoid the appearance of looking political by doing nothing can end up being political. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. A 7-week-old was among three people killed in a fiery North Carolina crash, officials said. The childs mother and a 43-year-old man also died after two vehicles collided on Wednesday, Sept. 14, according to the Graham Police Department. Officers responded at about 9:15 p.m. to a call on Moore Street in Graham. While at the scene in Alamance County, roughly 25 miles east of Greensboro police discovered a crash involving a Ford pickup truck and a Chevrolet SUV. Officials said it was apparent that one of the vehicles crossed left of center into the path of the other. The SUV caught fire. The 23-year-old mom and her baby were in the SUV and both died at the scene, Capt. Tony Velez told McClatchy News in a phone interview. The 43-year-old man the only other person involved in the crash was in the pickup truck. He was rushed to a hospital and later died, police said. While officers in a news release didnt reveal which driver went into oncoming traffic, Velez said the vehicles had been traveling in opposite directions. An investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call police at 336-570-6711 or Crime Stoppers at 336-229-7100. Beloved NC doctor and his wife killed when plane crashes in Tennessee, officials say One killed in head-on crash with school bus in North Carolina, officials say MOSCOW (Reuters) - Azerbaijan's Defence Ministry said on Thursday that 71 of its servicemen had been killed during clashes this week on the border with Armenia. Fighting along the border of the two countries, which have been at loggerheads over the breakway region of Nagorno-Karabakh since the 1980s, erupted afresh on Tuesday. Armenia said 105 of its soldiers had died. (Reporting by Reuters) British soldiers with objects looted from the Kingdom of Benin's royal palace during the military expedition to Benin City in 1897. Wikimedia Commons Throughout its history, the British Empire has taken countless artifacts from its colonies and other countries. Governments and activists have since called for the repatriation of these cultural artifacts. Here are 8 of the objects the British took and their contentious histories. Throughout history, Britain has reckoned with its imperial roots. The country is facing mounting pressure by other nations and activists to repatriate objects they allege were stolen by the British Empire. From the late 16th century to the 20th century, the British Empire established colonies, dominions, and protectorates across the globe, asserting itself as the largest empire in history at its peak. Although British rule brought with it some aspects of modernization to the nations it colonized, it also stood in the way of self-governance, democracy, and equality for all under the law. "The Empire itself was a very paradoxical phenomenon that claimed to bring so-called civilization to the colonized people, but at the same time established institutions that were antithetical to modernity," Chika Okeke-Agulu, an art historian and professor at Princeton University, said. Many cultural artifacts now on display at museums in Britain were looted from the colonized people, according to repatriation activists. The British Museum, which houses more than 8 million artifacts like the Benin Bronzes and the Parthenon Marbles, possesses the most number of stolen goods, human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson argued. "All the institutions associated with the emergence of the European middle class, like museums, depended on the extraction of cultural heritage and artifacts from all corners of the empire," Okeke-Agulu told Insider. "These museums were established in the age of Empire as bragging spaces where they showed off their collections from their imperial holdings." Here are 8 cultural artifacts that the British took from their original lands: Benin Bronzes The Benin Bronzes at the British Museum. David Cliff/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images The Kingdom of Benin, now modern-day Nigeria, proudly boasted several thousand bronze sculptures that adorned the royal palace, dating back to the 13th century. But in 1897, the British Empire sent troops on a punitive expedition to punish Benin rebels who retaliated against imperial power. The Empire's soldiers sacked and looted the city, bringing an end to the Kingdom of Benin. Story continues More than 900 historic objects from the former kingdom including more than 200 bronze plaques ended up in the British Museum, now part of its collection of "contested objects." Since gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria has sought the return of the bronzes on several occasions. Although the British Museum has agreed to loan the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, it has not gone so far as to agree to fully return them. "The Museum is committed to active engagement with Nigerian institutions concerning the Benin Bronzes, including pursuing and supporting new initiatives developed in collaboration with Nigerian partners and colleagues," the British Museum wrote on its website. Parthenon Marbles Selections of the Parthenon Marbles on display at the British Museum. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images The Parthenon Marbles, also known as the Elgin Marbles, are another source of heated debate over repatriation for the British museum. The marbles, which depict festivalgoers celebrating the birthday of the goddess Athena and centaurs and Lapiths engaged in battle, were taken from the Parthenon in Greece between 1801 and 1805. Greece had been ruled by the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years since 1453. Lord Elgin, the British ambassador to the Empire, had successfully petitioned to remove about half of the remaining sculptures from the Parthenon's ruins. But Greece has since contested these rights. "These objects were taken during the Ottoman Empire, and so the question is: Did the Ottoman Empire have the legal and moral authority to allow Lord Elgin to take these objects of great cultural significance back to England?" Okeke-Agulu said. The British Museum has refused to return the marbles, calling its removal from the Parthenon a "creative act." Rosetta Stone The Rosetta Stone. David Cliff/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images The Rosetta Stone, which resides in the British Museum, is regarded as a monumental object that enabled researchers to decipher and understand the cultures and history of Ancient Egypt. The stone was originally taken from Egypt by Napoleon Bonaparte, who is widely credited for opening up the country to the rest of Europe and fueling "Egyptomania" in the 19th century, according to Okeke-Ugulu. The British then took the Rosetta Stone after they defeated the French in 1815. The Rosetta Stone has been another cultural object at the center of calls for restitution, though some experts believe the British Museum is unlikely to relinquish one of its most famous acquisitions. Koh-i-Noor The crown of Queen Elizabeth. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images Sitting at the top of the velvet-and-platinum crown of the Queen of England is the Koh-i-Noor, one of the largest cut diamonds in the world. Meaning the "mountain of light," the jewel originally adorned the Mughal Peacock Throne. It changed hands several times among warring factions until it was ultimately handed over to Queen Victoria after the British annexation of India in 1849. Because its bloody history involves much fighting between men, the Koh-i-Noor has become wreathed in superstition that it's a jinx for men, and so is only passed on to the women in the British royal family. Today, the diamond is on display at the Tower of London's Jewel House. Though the governments of India, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan have all claimed ownership of the Koh-i-Noor and have demanded its return since India gained independence in 1947, the British government has rejected these claims, arguing that the gem was legally obtained. Maori heads A preserved Maori head on display. Werner Forman/Universal Images Group/Getty Images Decapitated, dried, and tattooed Maori heads are on display at various European museums, including the British Museum. The Maori used chisels to carve into men's skin, then filled the grooves with ink. The famous Ta moko facial tattoos represented high social status in Maori culture, and decapitated and dried heads played an important part in Maori sacred ceremonies. But when the Europeans landed in New Zealand in 1770, these Maori heads became nothing more than curios and items for trade. "The Maori heads are part of the colonial collection of human remains so-called 'trophy heads' that you still find in many museums in Europe," Okeke-Agulu told Insider. Collecting and displaying human remains was, allegedly, in the name of science. But it was also a means of showing proof of conquering subjugated peoples, according to Okeke-Agulu. In recent years, New Zealand has worked to repatriate these ancestral remains, though some are still held by museums. Saartjie "Sarah" Baartman Drawings of Saartjie 'Sarah' Baartman. History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Saartjie "Sarah" Baartman was a Khoikhoi woman who was taken from South Africa to London, where she was exhibited as a freak show attraction in the 19th century. She was given the name "Hottentot Venus," which used a derogatory colonial-era term for the indigenous Khoikhoi people. When Baartman was sixteen, her husband was murdered by Dutch colonists, and she was sold into slavery to a trader. In 1810, Baartman was said to have signed a contract with a British physician who was her master's friend, and was taken to Europe to be paraded around for her large bottom. She became the subject of scientific interest and racialized eroticism. Even after her death in 1815, Baartman's remains were displayed in a museum in Paris for decades. It wasn't until 2002 that President Nelson Mandela successfully negotiated for her remains to be returned to South Africa and given a proper burial. Maqdala Manuscripts Pages from an Ethiopian religious manuscript. API/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images The Maqdala Manuscripts are religious texts that were taken from Ethiopians by the British after the Battle of Maqdala. In 1868, a British expeditionary force laid siege to the mountain-top fortress of Maqdala, resulting in the capture of more than a thousand predominantly religious manuscripts that were carried on the backs of 15 elephants and hundreds of mules back to Britain, according to Atlas Obscura. 350 of those manuscripts ended up in the British Library. Yet many of these manuscripts are not readily available to the public. "You could think of them as imprisoned, with very little access to the outside world. Why do they keep these objects they can't even display, when that's the primary mandate of museums?" Okeke-Agulu said. "There is no intellectual reason why these objects should remain in Britain, when these are objects of great cultural significance and have powerful functions in Ethiopian Christian religious rituals." In 1999, the Association For the Return of the Maqdala Ethiopian Treasures (AFROMET) was formed with the mission of returning looted items back to Ethiopia. The organization has been successful in retrieving some objects, though its campaign continues. Looty, a Pekingese puppy A painting of Looty by Friedrich Wilhelm Keyl (1861). Public Domain Looty was an aptly named Pekingese puppy that was abducted from China's Imperial Summer Palace by British forces. During the Second Opium War in October 1860, British and French troops looted the palace and came across the dog. "I have been able to retain a good many trifles that I bought in the French camp, also a pretty little dog, a real Chinese sleeve dog. It has silver bells round its neck. People say, it is the most perfect little beauty they have ever seen," British captain John Hart Dunne wrote in his diary. He presented the puppy to Queen Victoria for her Royal Collection of Dogs, and the queen named her "Looty" after how she was acquired. Looty was shunned by the queen's other dogs for her "Oriental habits and appearance," and lived at Windsor Castle until she died in 1872. Read the original article on Insider Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has sent two buses of migrants from the Lone Star State to Vice President Kamala Harriss residence at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., in his latest protest against the Biden administrations immigration policies. This morning, two Texas buses of migrants arrived at the Naval Observatory in DC. VP Harris claims our border is secure & denies the crisis. Were sending migrants to her backyard to call on the Biden Administration to do its job & secure the border, Abbott said on Twitter Thursday. The governor shared a Fox News article reporting that more than 100 migrants from Mexico, Venezuela, Uruguay and Colombia arrived at the Naval Observatory. Harris said the border was secure during a Sunday appearance on NBCs Meet the Press. The border is secure, but we also have a broken immigration system, she said. Pressed on the high numbers of immigrants entering the country, Harris added, We have a secure border in that that is a priority for any nation, including ours and our administration. Abbott in recent weeks has sent thousands of migrants to Democratic-run cities including New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C. The latest buses to D.C. arrived the day after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) sent two planes of migrants to Marthas Vineyard in Massachusetts. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) earlier this month declared a public emergency over what the her office said was more than 9,000 migrants bused into the city since Abbott sent the first bus in April. The migrants have typically been dropped off near the Districts Union Station. Bowser has requested the activation of the D.C. National Guard to help the city manage the influx of migrants, but the Defense Department has denied the ask. Abbott has also been feuding with New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) over the issue, and Adams has followed Bowser in requesting federal assistance. A group of House Democrats from Chicago, D.C. and New York last week asked Congress for $50 million in federal funding to help house and feed the migrants. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The FBI arrested ex-Kansas City, Kansas, detective Roger Golubski Thursday morning after he was indicted on six federal counts of deprivation of civil rights for allegedly sexually assaulting two women multiple times from 1998 to 2002. Golubski has been accused of sexually abusing and exploiting dozens of Black women, coercing witnesses and protecting drug dealers. Some of the allegations date back to the 1980s. These accusations against him became public after Lamonte McIntyre was exonerated and freed after spending 23 years in prison for a double homicide he did not commit that Golubski investigated. The Star has been reporting on Golubski and his alleged connection to widespread abuse for years, and it can get a little confusing, especially because a lot of things that allegedly happened decades ago have just come to light in the last several years. Here is a timeline of the incidents during Golubskis tenure at the Kansas City Kansas Police Department, and after. NEW YORK (AP) Six women who testified against a neurologist they accused of sexaully assaulting them while they were his patients returned to court on Wednesday to speak out against him, this time under unusual circumstances they described as a cruel twist of fate. Authorities say Dr. Ricardo Cruciani killed himself behind bars shortly after his conviction and before the accusers could give victim impact statements at a sentencing that was likely to result in a lengthy prison term. A judge invited the women on Wednesday to give their statements anyway at a New York City hearing where they called Cruciani a predator and a coward. Im really struggling with the fact that Cruciani will never go to prison. or ever be punished, said one woman who wanted her name withheld. He took away my chance to face him as a convicted felon. The doctor, she added, turned me into a drug addict and sexually assaulted me for years. Cruciani, 68, was convicted in July of multiple criminal counts, including predatory sexual assault, rape and attempted rape. He had denied abusing patients while working for several leading pain-management providers during his career. Prosecutors won a conviction by presenting evidence that Cruciani groomed vulnerable patients by overprescribing pain killers, sometimes to treat serious injuries from car wrecks and other accidents. His accusers testified the sexual abuse often occurred behind closed doors during appointments in 2013 at a Manhattan medical center, where the doctor would expose himself and demand sex. Cruciani was found unresponsive last August in a shower area at the Eric M. Taylor Center, a jail at New York's notorious Rikers Island complex. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging. Accuser Hillary Tullin told reporters outside court on Wednesday that she felt the death had robbed her of a chance to tell the doctor off face to face. I wouldnt have minced words, Tullin said. I would have unloaded about the 12 years of abuse I suffered at this hands. Story continues Another victim, Terrie Phoenix, called Crucianis suicide a selfish act that destroyed her faith in the medical profession. I do not trust myself to stay clear of predators, Phoenix said. This case proves they can be everywhere. The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they are survivors of sexual assault unless they grant permission, which Tullin and Phoenix have done. The accusers also pleaded with the judge to reject a defense request to throw out the doctor's conviction based on a legal provision known as abatement by death. Defense attorney Fred Sosinsky made brief arguments supporting the request without responding to the victim statements. Sosinsky had argued at trial that the testimony of the women was unreliable and that they were even willing to lie to back up their accounts. The judge said she would rule later on whether to preserve the conviction. Before his death, Cruciani also was scheduled to go on trial next January on federal charges involving accusations that he abused multiple patients over 15 years at his offices in New York City, Philadelphia and Hopewell, New Jersey. Photo credit: DW Burnett Photo credit: DW Burnett Its tempting to categorize the 2023 Acura Integra as a hot hatch, but Acura is be positioning the new integra at something different. The brand lists the Mercedes CLA 250, Audi A3, and BMW 228i as rivalsnot the Volkswagen GTI or Toyota GR Corolla. Its important to keep that in mind when examining the new Integra. This is a car that carries with it huge expectations. Acura is savvy in pointing out that this is not a Type R, and that the original ITR represented only a fraction of overall Integra sales. Yet, its impossible not to think of a Phoenix Yellow Type R, or the many tuner cars built on lesser models, when hearing the name Integra. The Mercedes CLA inspires no such reverence. An available manual transmission, which you can only get on top-level A-Spec/Technology Package cars, says performance car rather than entry-level compact luxury. Photo credit: DW Burnett Thankfully, the Integra is a drivers car due largely to its superb chassis. On the beautiful roads of New Yorks Dutchess County, cutting through farmland, the Integra constantly encourages the driver just to up the pace just that little bit. Even though the Integra only comes on all-season tires, turn-in is sharp and its easy to modify your line with the throttle. A mechanical limited-slip differential means that traction on corner exit is immense. It reminded me of the old Civic Type R in this regardyou can stand on the throttle so early, and the car just pulls itself straight and out of the corner. Its addictive. While most of the mechanical components are shared with the Civic Si, the Integra gets adaptive dampers, something that came standard on the old Si, but not the current model. To be perfectly honest, its very difficult to tell the difference between the Comfort and Sport settings and they dont really add value to the car. That said, the damping is excellent, providing a comfortable ride over broken city streets and excellent control on twisty roads. Photo credit: DW Burnett The Integra offers four drive modes, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and a driver-programmable Individual. Eco dulls throttle response far too much, so ignore that, and while Comfort and Sport are fine, I found myself using Individual most often. My ideal setting was everything set to Sport except steering in Comfort, which gets rid of artificial weighting. Annoyingly, you have to go further into the cars settings menu to toggle the auto-rev matching function. The system works very well, and I found it particularly useful because this isnt the easiest car to heel-toe in. The brake pedal has a lot of bite at the very top of its travel, so unless youre braking exceptionally hard, its hard to rock your foot over to the throttle. Story continues Just as expected, the shifter is fabulous. Everything youve heard about Honda shifters is true of this oneits well-weighted, with short throws, and precise engagement into the gears. The Integra also gets a single-mass flywheel, which means that the engine responds very quickly to blips, however, the typical Honda rev-hangwhich helps with emissionsis present, and it makes shifting smoothly difficult. Just be patient on upshifts. Downshifts arent a problem. Photo credit: DW Burnett The standard transmission in the Integra is actually a CVT, and while enthusiasts rightfully balk at its presence, it does give the car a much broader appeal. Though one cant help but wish that the dual-clutch available in the Integras predecessor, the ILX, was available as an option. An Acura rep told us previously that the company decided to go with a CVT because it figured enthusiasts would just get the manual anyhow. I think this is a mistake. The Volkswagen GTIs DSG has long been a strong selling point for the car, offering a best-of-both-worlds solution that has some legitimate enthusiast cred. Ill reserve final judgment until driving a CVT-equipped Integra, though I cant imagine that even in its faux-manual mode the transmission would be as crisp as Volkswagens dual-clutch. In the weeks after driving the new Integra, I found myself wishing that Acura had made it more of a GTI rival. Right now, the VWs hot hatch is at a weak point, thanks to cost-cutting and an especially maddening infotainment system. The appeal of the Mk5, Mk6, and Mk7 GTI was not that it was the hottest hatch around, but that it was the one you most wanted to own. It blended strong performance with refinement youd expect from a far more expensive car. It was a sort of Audi on a budget in that regard. Photo credit: DW Burnett The Integra is a nicer car to live with than the current GTI, well-appointed and well-equipped even in base form. With a bit more power and a little more tire, it could thoroughly outclass the GTI. What if the Integra got the 2.0-liter from the Accord? With 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque and a choice of manual or 10-speed automatic, that would put the Integra right in GTI territory. Instead, you get the Civic Sis 1.5-liter. Its a nice engine, yet with 200 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque, it keeps the Integra out of the true performance-car realm. Here, I think Acura is in a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-dont situation, given that there is an Integra Type S coming, which will likely use the 2.0-liter in the same (or similar) tune as the new Civic Type R. If Acura offered a 250-hp Integra, it would sit too close to the Type S. So the 1.5-liter choice makes sense. Photo credit: DW Burnett Theres also the matter of the Honda Civic Sport Touring Hatchback, which offers most of the same features as a loaded Integra, and nearly as much performance and refinement for under $31,000. Our Integra tester adds around $6000 to that price and offers a more desirable badge, a limited-slip diff, a better sound system, slightly nicer interior trim, adaptive dampers that dont do much, and 12 extra horsepower. Im not sure its worth the money. With the tools it had and the hierarchy it needs to fit within, I dont think Acura couldve built a much different car than this. So it makes sense to position it against German entry-level models, and in a lot of ways, its a more compelling offering, especially to enthusiasts. Just with the GTI where it is now, it feels like todays auto market is missing something. The Integra couldve been that car. Photo credit: DW Burnett You Might Also Like JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -The COVID-19 pandemic is still a threat on the African continent given low vaccination rates, the acting director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Thursday. "The virus is still circulating, and with the low rates of vaccination the pandemic is still very much with us here on the continent," Ahmed Ogwell Ouma told a news conference. He was responding to a question about whether he agreed with comments by the head of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus that the end of the COVID pandemic was now in sight. The Africa CDC director said just over 22% of Africa's population was fully vaccinated against COVID and that his agency would continue pushing to raise that number. "The levels of protection are still relatively low," he told reporters. African countries struggled to secure early supplies of COVID vaccines as rich nations hoarded doses, and more recently hesitancy and logistics problems have made it difficult to get shots into arms. Ouma said the Africa CDC was focusing on getting as many people on the continent as possible fully vaccinated, not on procuring new vaccines targeting specific variants like Omicron. (Reporting by Alexander Winning and Anait MiridzhanianEditing by James Macharia Chege) Dubai-headquartered wealth advisory company GSB has revealed its new positioning, brand architecture and identity, amplifying its commitment to creating shared value through purpose-led, impact-driven financial planning. It also pushes the investment advisory sector towards co-creating more conscious and sustainable practices, products and services. Since launching as GSB Capital in 2021, GSB's founding philosophy has fuelled its rapid success. From the outset, the Company has adopted a principles-led Business Impact Model (BIM) approach that stems from a founding belief that responsible investment plays a fundamental role in shaping the world for the better and should only improve people's lives. From portfolio construction to company engagement, ethical decision-making and responsible investing are critical to the companys approach to creating stakeholder value. GSB has created a vast portfolio of service offerings and ethical investment products through its commitment to new product development, values-based partnerships, and social impact alliances. Brand transformation GSBs brand transformation began with completing initial business and brand impact assessments, including a world-class sustainability framework. This has been used to help the company measure, manage, and improve its positive impact on the environment, communities, clients, suppliers, employees, and shareholders. Assessments identified the need to institutionalise the co-founder's philosophy, resulting in GSB carefully articulating its mission, purpose, vision, and measurable guiding principles and values. These principles have been translated into a robust identity system and will help support future product and service innovations. GSB has also begun rolling out an employer brand programme to attract and retain the best talent, enable ethical scaling, and ensure measurable impact as the business grows. Growth story "Brand development is a natural next step in GSB's growth story, ensuring we build upon the strong awareness and credibility we have been able to establish since launch," said Alison Whatnall, chief operating officer of GSB. "Clients and prospects will identify and understand GSB's offerings and why we are different. With teams able to explain our full portfolio of solutions and the benefits they bring to all our stakeholders, not just shareholders and investors." Over the past year, the company collaborated with Firstwater Advisory, an external branding and sustainability firm. Firstwater conducted an initial brand clarity and impact assessment, in-depth interviews, qualitative and quantitative surveys and research. Then, working across the organisation, rationalised the brand portfolio to create a logical naming structure, comprehensive visual and verbal identity system, brand asset management and training. Ensuring clarity The new brand architecture uses functional, descriptive naming to eliminate complexity and ensure clarity and consistency across the stakeholder experience. As such, GSB's services have been organised under three portfolios: GSB as a corporate partner and employer of choice; GSB Capital for financial planning and wealth management; and GSB Private for HNW and UHNW individuals and their families. Purpose-led brand strategy "In an otherwise extrinsically motivated industry, using purpose-led brand strategy and brand architecture to translate our commitment to creating shared value has provided greater strategic clarity and creative direction," said Ross Whatnall, chief executive of GSB. "Brand building has been a bold undertaking for our team, particularly this early in GSB's lifecycle. But we wanted to ensure the structure would be scalable for future growth and truly represent the value we create. We are excited to unveil our solution portfolios and updated product names with clients and prospects."-- TradeArabia News Service Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the name of Novavaxs COVID-19 vaccine. It is currently known in the United States as NVX-CoV2373. A federal appellate judge has dealt another blow to the militarys coronavirus vaccine mandate by allowing a high-profile class-action lawsuit against the Air Force to move forward. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati opted to keep the cases class-action status in an order issued Sept. 9. The three-judge panel also said it plans to fast-track the governments appeal of an earlier district court ruling that favored the unvetoed plaintiffs who are suing on religious freedom grounds. Judge Raymond Kethledges court order pushed back on the militarys argument that stopping the mandate would cause irreparable harm by requiring the Department of the Air Force to retain nearly 10,000 troops who cant or arent allowed to fully carry out their duties because they arent vaccinated against COVID-19. Read the Sept. 9 court order in Doster v. Kendall Those are all the very same harms that the department imposed on itself when, to its credit, it chose to grant temporary exemptions to service members awaiting a final decision on their religious accommodation requests, the order said. Oral arguments in the appellate case are scheduled for Oct. 19. The court plans to decide the outcome in November. The court suggested that instead of enforcing a service-wide vaccine mandate and granting individual exemptions, the Air Force may be better off allowing troops to opt into the mandate instead. Doster v. Kendall in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Ohio brings together about 10,000 airmen and Space Force guardians under a class-action suit that argues the military is unfairly forcing people to receive a vaccine, which they object to on religious grounds, or lose their job. The group includes anyone in the active duty Air Force and Space Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, U.S. Air Force Academy and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps who have asked for a religious exemption to the vaccine since Sept. 1, 2021, showed a sincere religious belief opposing the jab, and whose requests were denied or are not yet settled. Story continues Court blocks Air Force from punishing unvaccinated troops seeking religious waivers Most of them say they oppose any connection to fetal cell lines or tissues that were derived from aborted fetuses years ago. Pfizer and Modernas mRNA products used cells replicated from a fetus aborted in the 1970s to make sure the vaccines worked in human cells. The fetal cells were not used to produce either vaccine, National Geographic reported last fall. Johnson & Johnson uses cells replicated from a fetus aborted in 1985 to produce its vaccine, but those cells are filtered out from the final product. Other vaccines that claim not to have remote ties to abortion practices, like India-made Covaxin and another made by the American company Novavax, are available now as well. In allowing the class-action status to remain, the court said the plaintiffs dont have to prove that the Air Force has created a literal policy opposing religious exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccines or that it is denying every single one. The National Guard has a new weapon in the fight for COVID vaccination But plaintiffs do have to show a trend in how the Air Force is handling cases that it claims are subject to individual scrutiny, the court order said. All those exemptions were granted to service members who were separately eligible for an administrative exemption because they could soon separate or retire from the Air Force, the order said. Thus the record suggests that, at present, the number of exemptions that the department has granted on religious grounds stands at zero. More than 97% of the 497,000 or so uniformed members in the Air Force and Space Force were fully vaccinated as of Sept. 7, the service said. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 95 million COVID-19 cases have been recorded in the U.S. since the pandemic began in late 2019. More than 1 million Americans have died. Since the early days of COVID-19, public health officials had been warning about a likely rise in substance abuse due to fear, isolation, job loss and other consequences of the pandemic. It appears those warnings were accurate. The number of New Jerseyans hospitalized for alcohol-related liver disease jumped 19% from 2019 to 2021 while the number of deaths skyrocketed from 357 to 444, says a report released Thursday by the New Jersey Hospital Association. Rising alcohol sales and consumption were well documented during the pandemic," said Cathy Bennett, the association's CEO. "Now were seeing the downstream toll its taking on New Jersey residents and the growing burden on our health care system. The numbers don't come as a surprise to those who treat mental health and substance abuse. New Jersey saw 3,046 and 3,125 drug overdose deaths in 2020 and 2021, respectively the two highest totals since overdose deaths were first tracked 10 years ago. Meanwhile, demand for mental health services across the state is at an all-time high, with many waiting weeks or even months for a first appointment. Many counselors have been inundated for almost three years with increased caseloads by people suffering from depression, anxiety and a host of other ailments brought on or exacerbated by the pandemic. Legal weed:Can you get fired for smoking weed in New Jersey? Now there are rules for workers In New Jersey's hospitals, 13,188 people were admitted with alcohol-related liver disease last year, compared with 11,039 in 2019, the year before the pandemic, the new report says. Men accounted for the highest raw numbers. But the biggest jump occurred among women a 22% increase. Drinking at home increased substantially in the first months of the pandemic, when liquor stores recorded 20% more sales from March to September 2020 compared with the same time period in 2019, a Columbia University study shows. Liquor stores were among the few New Jersey businesses allowed to remain open during the height of the pandemic. Gov. Phil Murphy deemed them "essential" along with supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations and other retailers. Substance abuse counselors said this was done to keep alcoholics from seeking hospitalization for withdrawal at a time when emergency rooms were inundated with COVID patients. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ alcohol-related hospitalizations, deaths soared during COVID (Getty Images) A composed display from teenager Alice Capsey saw England home against India in Bristol, with a seven-wicket victory clinching the T20 series. India, whose win in Derby had set up the decider, recovered from 35 for five at the halfway stage to set a target of 123. After looking well positioned, opener Sophia Dunkley fell just short of another 50 before stand-in skipper Amy Jones lasted only five balls. South East Stars batter Capsey, though, steadied the ship alongside Bryony Smith to see England over the line in the 19th over. England, showing one change as Issy Wong came into the side for Lauren Bell, won the toss, with Jones electing to bowl first. After Jones missed a stumping chance to dismiss Shafali Verma to the second delivery of the innings, Wong struck to remove the opener with a knuckle ball which swung in, went off the batters foot and back onto leg stump. India soon also lost Sabbineni Meghana who had made a half-century at Derby for a duck as Danni Wyatt took a fine diving catch off Freya Davies. Dayalan Hemalatha was swiftly gone without troubling the scorers as Jones collected a thick edge from Sarah Glenns opening over. With India struggling to find boundaries, captain Harmanpreet Kaur (five) was the next out, clean bowled by Glenn as she came down the wicket. England successfully reviewed an lbw call against Sneh Rana (eight), Sophie Ecclestones low delivery hitting on the back foot, as India slumped to 52 for six. (PA Wire) Jones then stumped Deepti Sharma, ending her revival attempts at a near run-a-ball 24, before wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh went on the offensive with three successive boundaries off Wong to push India towards a century. Ghosh (33) was eventually halted when trapped lbw attempting to sweep Ecclestone in the penultimate over, India up to 103 for eight. Pooja Vastrakar finished with a flourish, unbeaten on 19 off 11, and Radha Yadav was five not out. Ecclestone claimed three for 25. England opener Dunkley whose unbeaten 61 helped guide England to a dominant nine-wicket victory in the opening match at Chester-le-Street soon set about the run chase. Story continues India eventually broke the partnership when Wyatt (22) was caught in the deep by Radha Yadav off Rana as England then moved on to 71 for one at the halfway stage. After being frustrated by facing a maiden over from Yadav when on 49, Dunkley then lost composure as she was bowled by seamer Vastrakar when swinging for a boundary. India kept the squeeze on as Jones (three) lasted only five balls before Yadav removed her off stump, leaving the hosts suddenly stalling at 79 for three. Capsey, though, soon settled any nerves as the 18-year-old made 38 off 24, with six boundaries, alongside Smiths unbeaten 13 to guide England safely home. Misty Gossett said Wednesday that she remembers the exact time when the call came that her son Joshua Jones had died in Ukraine: It was 3:50 p.m. Aug. 23. In the ensuing 22 days, she said, all that she wants is for her son's remains to return to the United States. Gossett is the first member of her family to speak about her son's death and the emotional toll of waiting for his body to be repatriated. "It would be a step to closure," she said from her home in Memphis, Tennessee. "There was a Ukrainian memorial by his comrades that was touching, but ... the United States is my son's home." Joshua Jones. (Courtesy Misty Gossett) Jones traveled to Ukraine on March 30, more than a month after Russia invaded that country. He told his mother the day before his 24th birthday that he would travel to Ukraine, saying "I'm not trying to hurt you, but I have to go." Gossett said that her family does not have any connection to Ukraine, but that her son was a born soldier. He served three years in the U.S. Army, and he decided with a group of friends he made in the military to join the fight. "I think they had just, you know, built this passion to go and help people that needed help," she said. "We personally have no ties to Ukraine in our family whatsoever. It was just our son wanted to go somewhere to help people." Many non-Ukrainians have traveled to the country in hopes of helping its defenders fight off the Russian invasion. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have even created a dedicated Foreign Legion to organize the influx of former soldiers from across the world who have joined the fight. Joshua Jones. (Courtesy Misty Gossett) Jones is not the only American combatant to have died in Ukraine. The Department of State has previously confirmed the deaths of Bryan Young and Luke Lucyszyn in July. Two other American veterans, Alexander John-Robert Drueke and Andy Tai Ngoc Huynh, were captured by Russian forces. Grady Kurpasi, a Marine veteran, has been missing since June. NBC News has reached out to the State Department for comment. Story continues "I know we're not the only family that's trying to get the same resolution," Gossett said. "That's all we want. We don't have a dog in this fight other than to get our baby home." CORRECTION (Sept. 15, 2022, 1:00 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated the time Misty Gossett was told about the death of her son. It was 3:50 p.m., not 3:15 p.m. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com An American has sparked a debate after claiming that customer service representatives in France are cold while describing a recent experience she had trying to board a train. On TikTok, Amanda Rollins frequently posts videos about her experiences as an American living in Paris. In a recent clip, Rollins said she really didnt understand the customer service in France, before claiming that the workers in the country purposely choose to be the opposite of helpful and kind. Whenever theres an opportunity to be kind, helpful, understanding, they choose the opposite. she said, adding how one of the things she misses most about living in the US is the friendly customer service. After noting the differences between French and American culture, and revealing that someone told her arguing was a part of the French way, Rollins went on to describe how a ticket collector on her train to Bordeaux was recently unkind to her. According to Rollins, as she headed to her train, she paused for a couple minutes before getting her ticket scanned when the doors were still open. However, she said that, as she stepped onto the train, a man working there stopped her and told her she was too late. When questioning the employee about why she couldnt get on the train, the TikToker said that the train conductor popped his head out the window to tell her that she could get on the train. However, she said that the ticket collector continued to tell her she was too late and that, after several minutes, she still wasnt allowed to get on the train. Rollins went on to note that this was the first time in her life that she even missed a train, prompting her to immediately start crying. I was so on time, today, she explained. It was a really good price, and I just could not believe this. This man sitting here looking at me, Im literally crying, and hes like: Yeah, too bad. Im not begging for sympathy or anything. The American went on to criticise the French ticket collector, adding: He had every capability to let me on, there was plenty of time. And I think he just enjoyed saying no. In the US, they wouldve done everything possible to let me get on. Story continues As of 14 September, Rollins clip has more than 147,000 views, with TikTok users weighing in on the TikTokers claim. As a French person, I am also tired of it. Cant stand it, one person wrote. Customer service might not matter to some people but it is the saving grace for so many lonely people. It matters, another wrote. A third person claimed: When a French person says hes kind man (cest un gentil) he means hes simpleminded. That tells how kindness is perceived there: as a weakness. On the other hand, some TikTok users noted that individuals who work in customer service arent required to be nice and that Rollins shouldnt have expected employees working in France to be similar to Americans. They choose reality. American customer service has gone SO FAR overboard that we now all suffer because thats what everyone expects, one viewer claimed. Cultural difference - you cant expect everywhere to be the same as where you came from, another person wrote. A third person added: But on the flip side I hate American service, like leave me aloneIm not there to make small talk, Im there to find a dress that only I know I like. Speaking to The Independent, Rollins addressed how she has had multiple experiences in Paris when a customer service representative was being rude and unhelpful, compared to the US. In a store if you are trying to check out or placing an order at a coffee shop, the worker will continue an entire conversation with a coworker before addressing you, she said. You can be standing there waiting to order and the person will keep talking and laughing with a colleague for like five minutes while you literally just stand there. Its also very common for service workers to yell at you, she continued. I got horrible highlights once and when I came back to ask for them to be fixed, she told me it is my fault and she is not going to redo it, she said. This is common for any service. Amtrak announced Wednesday it is suspending long-distance routes ahead of a Friday night deadline to avert a strike along the country's freight rail lines. Amtrak said in an emailed statement that it was taking the measure to avoid stranding passengers en route to their destinations. Much of Amtrak's long-distance service runs on freight tracks. The company had already suspended 10 of 15 routes when it made the announcement around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday that service on its five remaining long-distance routes would be suspended. It said most travel within the Amtrak-owned Northeast Corridor and related East Coast branch lines would not be affected and that service on its Acela express line would continue to operate a full schedule. Earlier Wednesday, the Midwest commuter rail carrier Metra said multiple Chicago-area routes would be canceled in advance of the deadline. The cancellations, which will take effect late Thursday, will affect 23 trains on the BNSF Railway, Union Pacific North, Union Pacific Northwest and Union Pacific West lines. A full list of affected Metra trains can be found here. Negotiators for railroad carriers and unions met in Labor Secretary Marty Walshs office Wednesday as the sides tried to negotiate a deal, CNBC reported. The meeting started just after 9 a.m. ET, CNBC said, and continued into midday. The parties are negotiating in good faith and have committed to staying at the table today, a Labor Department representative told the network. The Associated Press reported that by 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, one labor union had already rejected a deal. The railroads need to reach an agreement with all their unions to avert the strike, the AP said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com By Yoruk Bahceli (Reuters) - Euro zone governments have raised 15 billion euros ($15 billion) from green bonds over the last two weeks, pushing volumes above a year ago even as heightened volatility cuts issuance in the broader market. High inflation and rapidly rising interest rates have injected a level of turbulence into world markets not seen for years, leading to caution generally among borrowers. But this does not seem to have dented demand for green government bonds that fund environmentally beneficial projects. Belgium on Wednesday became the third European state in two weeks to sell green debt, raising 4.5 billion euros from a new 2039 bond. Germany raised 4.75 billion euros from a new five-year bond sale on Aug. 31 and Italy raked in 6 billion euros from a 12-year offering last week. Governments in the euro market have raised over 40 billion euros from green bonds so far this year, according to ING Bank, just above the 39 billion in the comparable period of 2021. Bram Bos, lead portfolio manager for green, social and impact bonds at NN Investment Partners, said there was "very strong" momentum in the government green bond market and that the conflict in Ukraine could provide further impetus. "The war in Ukraine triggers a lot of investments into renewable energy. A big part of that will be funded through governments," he said. "That for sure is a trigger for governments to issue more green bonds going forward." "SMOOTH EXECUTION" The growth in sovereign green bond sales contrasts with the broader green bond market, where issuance - which also includes corporates - stood at $278 billion by the end of August versus $335 billion at the same time in 2021, according to UniCredit. It has cut its forecast for overall green bond sales this year to $500 billion, down around 10% from last year. Green bond issuance from companies has dropped this year alongside conventional debt sales as surging rates and recession fears curb investor demand for corporate debt. Story continues "There is a stronger commitment from governments to maintain their green activity at a certain level, if only as a signalling to the wider market," said ING senior rates strategist Benjamin Schroeder. While companies are often opportunistic borrowers and more likely to change funding plans as market conditions change, sovereigns - having to fund state budgets - are less flexible. Issuance from governments has also increased even as the "greenium" on the debt has shrank in recent months in the secondary market, ING data suggests. "Greenium" refers to the slightly lower yield green bonds offer versus conventional debt, reflecting a dedicated investor base chasing a limited pool of these assets. ING saw the decline as a function of worsening liquidity in government bond markets generally. Governments may face a narrowing pricing benefit as a result, but are still able to tap an additional pool of sustainability investors focused exclusively on securities such as green bonds, analysts said. "When I look at our strategies for green bonds, we have record inflows this year, which is remarkable because with most regular fixed income strategies they are all facing outflows," said NN Investment Partners' Bos. Maric Post, director at the Belgian debt agency, estimated Wednesday's green bond issue still offered a pricing benefit of 1 to 1.5 basis points relative to a conventional bond sale. "In this sense we feel the green element has given us some improvement in the terms and a smooth execution in what could otherwise have been a more difficult backdrop," he told Reuters. A banker who managed Italy's green bond sale last week said the banks arranging that deal considered election uncertainty when deciding on the format. Italy holds an election on Sep. 25. "We thought that, in that environment, issuing in green would provide an added advantage to Italy and would certainly help them secure a very good transaction," the banker said, speaking on condition of anonymity. (Reporting by Yoruk Bahceli; Editing by Dhara Ranasinghe and Mark Potter) Two examples of burials were a rock or a brick was placed in the deceased's mouth. David Pickel/Stanford University/Insider; REUTERS/Handout/Insider For centuries, humans have been concerned about the dead coming back to life. Many people thought this could be stopped by putting a stone or brick in the mouths, experts said. 'Vampires' were thought to eat their way out of the grave, unless something hard stopped them. Archeologists recently uncovered an example of a "vampire" burial in Poland with a sickle around the body's neck to keep it from rising from the grave. But there are other ways humans prevented the undead "vampires" from tormenting the living, one of which was placing a rock or brick in their mouth, experts told Insider. Here are two examples of such burials uncovered by archeologists and what they mean according to experts. A stone to stop the Nachzehrer "vampire" The skill of a woman found in a 16th century mass grave in Venice had a brick placed in her mouth to prevent her feasting on plague victims. REUTERS/Handout/Insider In this case, a woman's body was uncovered in a 16th-century grave in Lazzaretto Nuovo, about 2 miles from Venice, Italy. The woman, nicknamed "Carmilla" by the scientists who uncovered her, was found with a brick in her mouth inside a mass grave, a bizarre ritual unlike other burials at the time. Not much is known about her identity in life, but archeologists know she died during a deadly outbreak of bubonic plague. "I had to find an explanation for someone actually manipulating the body of a person with a deadly disease," Matteo Borrini, principal lecturer of forensic anthropology at the Liverpool John Moore University, told Insider. Borrini was the lead scientist on the dig. He conducted a careful forensic examination to understand what happened. A 3D model of the woman's remans is shown overlaid on a picture of the remains in the mass grave. REUTERS/Han He discovered the woman was probably thought to be a Nachzehrer, a type of vampire in old European folklore. "It's not the classical idea that the vampire is going out and sucking the blood of people. It's more someone that is killing people from the grave before being able to then rise as a full vampire," he said. "What I found was that there was this tradition that said there were bodies people believed were responsible for spreading the plague around. These body were not completely dead and were captured by some demonic influence," said Borrini, describing the old beliefs. Story continues "And they were chewing their shroud inside their graves and spreading the plague in a sort of black magical way," he said. A forensic reconstruction of what the woman, nicknamed "Carmilla" by the scientists, might have look like. Dr Matteo Borrini - Liverpool John Moores University Placing a brick in her mouth would, per these beliefs, keep the Nachzehrer from chewing their way out, and so protect the living from the disease. Carmilla wouldn't have been considered a vampire during her lifetime, however. Borrini's work showed that the mass grave was reopened after Carmilla was buried. At that point, her body, which was still wrapped in a shroud, was likely not completely decomposed. Grave diggers, confronted with this body seemingly still fresh with the shroud decomposed around the mouth, may have assumed the body was possessed and placed the brick there. A stone to keep the soul from spreading disease The body of a child found in a 5th century Roman cemetery, buried with a stone it the mouth. David Pickel/Stanford University/Insider Researchers at the University of Arizona and Stanford University found another example of a "vampire." This one was buried in a child cemetery on the site of the Poggio Gramignano ancient Roman villa in Teverina, Italy. The child, who was about 10 years old, was buried in the 5th century during a deadly outbreak of malaria. A stone was also placed in the child's mouth. The child's body was found laying on the side. David Pickel/Stanford University Jordan Wilson, the lead bioarchaeologist for the Villa Romana di Poggio Gramignano archeological project, told Insider the stone was likely there to keep the child's soul from coming in or out of the body. "There's a very ancient idea of breath being linked to life and the soul, and the mouth in particular as being sort of the portal through which the soul exits after death," she said. The stone may have been a way to keep the child's body or spirit from spreading the disease or generally tormenting the living. It may also have been a way to keep the child safe from witches, which were thought to be able to raise children from the dead and use their souls. Vampires as vectors for disease "Vampire" myths have been accompanying the death of humans for centuries. They were ways to understand what couldn't be explained with the knowledge of the time, such as mysterious deaths during a contagious outbreak, Borrini said. "These 'vampires' start to hunt and kill family members first, then the neighbors, and then all the other village. This is the classical pattern of a disease that is contagious," he said. Borrini defines a "vampire" as a dead person rising from the dead as a body. Wilson, however, said any myth where a dead person can torment the living, either via their spirit or their reanimated body, is part of the "vampire" folklore. "The idea the dead can either rise from the grave in a literal sense or that the dead, in a spiritual sense, can continue to plague the living beyond death is something that's essentially present in almost every culture and has very, very ancient origins," she said. Read the original article on Business Insider Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo filed a state ethics complaint on Wednesday alleging that New York Attorney General Letitia James deliberately mishandled an investigation that found he sexually harrassed numerous state employees. Mr Cuomo, who comes from a New York political dynasty, resigned as governor in disgrace shortly before the publication of the investigations findings. The investigation, led by Ms James, found that Mr Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women during his time as governor and had illegally retaliated against one former aide, Lindsey Boylen, for her allegation against him. Now, however, Mr Cuomo is attempting to salvage his reputation as he aims for a possible political comeback. Since the beginning of the year, he has spent heavily on television advertising promoting his accomplishments, made a series of appearances at Black churches, and repeatedly criticised the treatment he received during his final months as governor. The ethics complaint, which alleges that Ms James cynically manipulated a legal process for personal, political gain, takes that critique of the investigation that ultimately led to his downfall step further. Mr Cuomo alleges that Ms James and a pair of outside lawyers who ran the investigation violated rules of professional conduct by defaming him. Fundamentally, the Attorney General and her investigators issued a purposefully inaccurate and misleading Report on August 3, 2021 ... bombastically and repeatedly implying that I sexually harassed eleven women, even though the allegations made by most of the eleven women did not constitute sexual harassment under state or federal law, even assuming arguendo the truth of those allegations, the complaint reads in part. The complaint includes passages not only on the nature of the investigation, but also comments Ms James made following Mr Cuomos resignation. Serial sexual harasser Andrew Cuomo wont even spare a house of worship from his lies [e]ven though multiple independent investigations found his victims to be credible, Cuomo wasnt railroaded; he quit so he wouldnt be impeached, the complaint quotes Ms James as saying in March of 2022. New Yorkers are ready to move forward from this sick, pathetic man. Story continues Ms James briefly launched a run for governor following Mr Cuomos resignation, but dropped out of the race shortly thereafter and continues to serve as attorney general. She is running for re-election in November. Though his reemergence onto the public scene stoked speculation that Mr Cuomo might try to regain his old job in this Novembers gubernatorial election, Mr Cuomo himself did not attempt to run for office himself. He has hinted, however, that he is interested in running again at some point in the future. The allegations against Mr Cuomo included groping, inappropriate remarks, and an unwanted kiss. On Wednesday, one of his accusers, Charlotte Bennett, sued him and three of his former aides in federal court. My career as a public servant was abruptly cut short because of Governor Cuomos and his top aides sexual harassment and retaliation against me after I complained about Governor Cuomos misconduct, Ms Bennett said in a statement on Wednesday reported by The New York Times. They must all be held accountable for their actions. WASHINGTON Anduril Industries on Thursday announced a new command-and-control center that military forces could deploy to austere bases in rough environments and set up in about 10 minutes. The system, dubbed Menace, is an expeditionary command, control, communications and computing platform that would allow commanders to plan and execute missions at locations around the world. Anduril, a defense and security technology firm based in California, said the product could support the U.S. Air Forces Agile Combat Employment effort. If a war erupts, that initiative would see the Air Forces deployed forces spread out from centralized air bases and instead use a dispersed network of bases throughout a region. The Air Force believes this concept would be particularly useful in the Indo-Pacific during a war against China, which has advanced capabilities to strike American allies bases, because the battlefield would take up a wide area. Dispersing forces is intended to make it harder for an advanced adversary, such as China, to knock out a large portion of the Air Forces airmen and aircraft with a single attack, the service has said. Agile Combat Employment could include partner nations military airfields, local civilian airports and austere bases set up by the U.S. in the field. Anduril said users of Menace, in its 20-foot container configuration, can load the platform almost entirely intact into a single C-130 transport aircraft, fly it to a base and then quickly set it up. Once it is unloaded from the plane and put into place, two people can construct it and make it fully operational within 10 minutes, Anduril said.= Cargo is loaded onto the ramp of a C-130 variant in 2014, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Staff Sgt. Sara Keller/U.S. Air Force) Menace could serve as an expeditionary operations center, with a handful of computer stations inside allowing battlefield commanders to track where friendly and enemy forces are at any time, and then issue orders to their troops, Zachary Mears, head of strategy for Anduril, said in a Wednesday interview. Commanders could also manage base defense and security, counter-drone efforts, and maintenance and logistics using Menace, according to the company. Story continues Mears said Menace was designed to be software agnostic to allow for the integration of a variety of mission planning tools and communications protocols. He added that Anduril envisions Menace as working with the militarys Joint All-Domain Command and Control concept for battlefield communications. Anduril also said Menace would use commercial proliferated low-Earth orbit and military medium-Earth orbit satellite communications, as well as high-frequency communications pathways. It is secure and capable of handling classified mission planning, and can act as a secure compartmented information facility, Anduril said. Menace is also equipped with a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system to allow for a comfortable workspace even in environments with extreme temperatures, Anduril said. Mears said it can run on its own internal power generator and a 5G wireless network, or plug into a bases power and internet systems. Mears noted that the company in recent years has talked with senior leaders and operational commanders from the Air Force, as well as leaders in Europe and the Pacific region, about their need for a reliable way for joint task force commanders and expeditionary squadron commanders in the field to plan and carry out missions while communicating with their troops. Mears said this is Andurils first product that aims to support the Air Force in these missions. Anduril said Menace, shown here as a command and control center housed in a 20-foot container, could be loaded in a C-130, flown to a base, and be up and running within 10 minutes of being put in place. (Anduril) We think about Menace as being that core [command-and-control] node that also enables mission [planning] at the unclassified up to classified levels, Mears said. But Menaces capabilities arent limited to that 20-foot container, Mears said, adding that its software is flexible, scalable and can work in a variety of locations everything from the Air Forces Combined Air Operations Center at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, to mobile and tactical vehicles in the field in a smaller configuration. He also said Menace can help with joint warfighting exercises, such as Northern Edge or Defender Europe, and with the actual joint integration, joint warfighting and combined arms activities. Anduril said it can also help the U.S. Marine Corps put its expeditionary advanced base operations concept into practice; the company has talked with Air Force and Marine Corps officials about the possibility of the services buying Menace. Mears said Anduril is still figuring out the cost of a single Menace unit. Seah Gulf Special Steel said it has sealed two agreements for its new steel pipe factory in Dammam being built at an investment of more than SR1 billion ($266.3 million) - an EPC contract with Saudi-based Sendan International Company for its construction and a land lease agreement with King Salman Energy City (Spark). Seah Gulf Special Steel is a joint venture between Saudi industrial investments company Dussur and Korean group SeAH Changwon Integrated Special Steel Corporation. Announcing this at the signing ceremony, Dussur said it had awarded an engineering, procurement, and construction contract (EPC) contract worth SR260 million ($69.2 million) to Sendan International Company, a leading Saudi-based construction group, for the new steel factory. A major player in Saudi industrial sector, Sendan has developed a strong position as a contractor in the oil, gas, petrochemical, power, water, and mining in the kingdom. As per the deal, the entire project will be completed in 34 months and the commercial operation of the factory will begin by 2025, said the statement from Dussur. A major industrial group in the region, Dussur is owned by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund Public Investment Fund (PIF), state oil giant Aramco and global diversified chemicals company Sabic. Also at the ceremony, Dussur inked a industrial land allocation agreement with Spark for the establishment of its new steel pipe factory in Dammam. Under this, the Saudi energy park will allocate SeAH Gulf Special Steel a land area of 177,845 sq m to build its factory, which, once operational, will have a production capacity of 20,000 tonnes per year. Dussur pointed out that the importance of SeAH Gulf Special Steel factory lies in the opportunities of attracting global expertise and localizing the stainless-steel pipe industry, by serving the oil and gas sectors in addition to energy and water. On choosing Spark for its project, Dussur said it was the best pick as it is one of the most developed industrial cities in the kingdom. Besides, it also provides integrated industrial services including electricity and gas supplies, in addition to water and communication services, it added. Seah Gulf Special Steel pointed out that once the factory starts operation, around 240 technical and engineering job opportunities will be available for Saudi youth. Also it will help the kingdom reduce its dependence on imports for strategic goods into the country. Dussur CEO Dr Raed Al Rayes said: "We had established our company as a sustainable investment model to help develop key industrial sectors and their associated value chains in the kingdom. This joint venture is an important achievement that will meet the current demand for stainless steel pipes in Saudi Arabia and also the Mena region." It is in line with Dussurs mission to empower the industrial sector, maximizing the developmental impact through the transfer and localization of industrial knowledge, creating professional jobs for Saudis, and attracting foreign direct investments, following the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Vampire Academy star J. August Richards finally gets to show his fangs. Best known for playing rogue human vampire hunter Gunn on Angel, Richards is on the other side of the table this time, playing a royal vampire, Victor Dashkov, in the Peacock YA series premiering Thursday. In the back of my mind, I always had a feeling that I would return to the genre and so Im so happy to be doing it, the 49-year-old Maryland native told the Daily News. I was always kind of jealous of what the vampires got to do, so I was always like, if I ever get to do another vampire show, I hope to play a vampire, Richards said. And here I am! As Dashkov, Richards has the power Gunn always sought, playing the head of one of 12 royal families who is trying to push for equality among the different classes of vampires. Hes such a political animal. He knows who all the players are, where they are and how to negotiate the bullshit, he said. Im so connected to who this character is because we have so much in common in terms of what we both want out of our societies. At the center of Dashkovs struggle is the separation of the pure blood Moroi vampires and the half-breed Dhampirs, who serve as their protectors and guardians. In the case of Rose (Sisi Stringer) and Lissa (Daniela Nieves), the best friends at the center of Vampire Academy, they formed a friendship out of their roles, but thats rarely the case. I am this powerful politician who is fighting for equality, yet I still have a guard, Richards said. It was really fun for me to think about what its really like to be a person of privilege in a society like this one. Angolan President Joao Lourenco vowed to push ahead with economic reform on Thursday as he was sworn in for a second term after a divisive electoral win. Amid tight security, Lourenco pledged to be "president for all Angolans" at a colourful ceremony on historic Praca da Republica square in the capital Luanda. He pointed to further economic liberalisation in a country ruled since independence by a historically socialist party. He promised to push ahead with reforms to encourage the private sector, expand the offer of goods and services and fight youth unemployment. "Angolans show the world that at crucial moments they can make the better choice," Lourenco declared. "We as a country have a clear option for democracy and a market economy." Security forces set up a heavy cordon around the venue, which the main opposition party, UNITA, said aimed at stifling dissent. The 68-year-old former general returned to power after elections on August 24 gave his Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) a thin majority, winning just 51.17 percent of the vote. It was the MPLA's poorest showing in the oil-rich country it has controlled since independence from Portugal in 1975. In his inauguration speech, Lourenco also promised to increase wages, including for the armed forces -- receiving cheers from the crowd. His new deputy, Esperanca Maria da Costa, 61, a college professor and biologist, was also sworn in, becoming Angola's first female vice president. The guest list was limited to some 15,000 selected Angolans. Around 50 foreign leaders or their representatives were invited, State Minister Adao de Almeida told reporters. Many Angolans stayed at home, with less traffic on the streets and fewer vendors hawking their wares. - UNITA protests - Opposition parties and civic groups say the vote was marred by irregularities, but a legal challenge by UNITA to overturn the result was tossed out. Observers from other parts of Africa praised the peaceful conduct of the polls but raised concerns over press freedom and the accuracy of the electoral roll. Story continues UNITA -- a former rebel movement which fought a bitter 27-year civil war against the MPLA government -- notched up 43.95 percent of the vote, up from 26.67 percent in 2017. Under its charismatic leader Costa Junior, 60, the party proved popular in urban areas and among young voters eager for economic change. It did particularly well in the capital, where it won a majority for the first time. Costa Junior did not attend the inauguration and has called for protests. Lourenco first came to power in 2017 when, as defence minister, he took over from long-time ruler Jose Eduardo dos Santos. He was bequeathed a country deep in recession and riddled by corruption and nepotism. He swiftly turned on his predecessor, launching an anti-graft campaign targeting dos Santos's family and friends, which some critics say was a political stunt. He also embarked on an ambitious reform programme to lure foreign investors and diversify the economy. But that has so far failed to brighten the prospects of many of Angola's 33 million people who are mired in poverty. "The president speaks well but always makes a lot of promises. We only want our lives to improve, better wages, food on the table, access to schools and hospitals, more jobs," said Luiza Basic, a school teacher in Luanda. Dos Santos died in Spain in July. State funerals for the late strongman were held in August in the same square where the inauguration took place. Analysts see little change between Lourenco and his predecessor. "There is not much difference between (the) two... in terms of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms," said Borges Nhamirre, a researcher at the Pretoria-based think-tank Institute for Security Studies. bur-sn-zam/ub/ri Anne Heche's posthumous second memoir, "Call Me Anne," will be published in January. (Michael Bezjian / Getty Images for Mammoth Media Institute) Anne Heche's second memoir, "Call Me Anne," will be released in January, months after she died from the injuries she sustained in a car crash in the Mar Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles. Publishers Weekly announced Wednesday that independent New Jersey publisher Start Publishing, through its Viva Editions, will release the "Another World" actor's sophomore book on Jan. 24, 2023. Jarred Weisfeld, the president of Start, confirmed to The Times that the book was always set for release in 2023. "We are honored to be able to publish this book," Weisfeld said to the Times in an email statement. "She was so passionate about the book that we felt we owed it to all of her fans to let them read it." "Call Me Anne" is a follow-up to Heche's 2001 memoir "Call Me Crazy," and will consist of the actor's "personal anecdotes of her rise to fame." According to its Amazon listing, "Call Me Anne" will touch on Heche's highly publicized relationship with comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres in the early aughts, her encounter with disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, her journey to self-acceptance and more. "Annes personal stories are interwoven with poems, prompts, and exercises that got Anne through tough times," said the description. Shortly after Heche's death, "Call Me Crazy" jumped up in price with sellers on EBay and Amazon asking anywhere from $50 to nearly $800 for a copy. The book, which remains out of stock at major book retailers, also covered the actor's high-profile relationship with DeGeneres. Heche crashed her car into a house in Mar Vista, which set the building on fire, on Aug. 5. As a result, she was hospitalized for severe burns and slipped into a coma after the crash left her with a serious brain injury. She was declared brain dead on Aug. 11 and pronounced legally dead on Aug. 12. Her body had been kept on life support to preserve organs for donation until Aug. 14 when a recipient was identified. Los Angeles police told The Times that Heche was under the influence of narcotics at the time of her accident but dropped its DUI investigation upon her death. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The occupier also complained about constant shelling and In a new intercepted conversation released by the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraines Defense Ministry, a Russian soldier calls Kadyrovs soldiers f***ing cowards. In the intercept, which the ministry posted on the Telegram messenger on Sept. 14, a Russian soldier can be heard telling his wife about how severely the Ukrainian army is beating them. According to the invader, Kadyrovs troops immediately retreat once the Armed Forces of Ukraine begin the shelling. Read also: Kadyrov expresses shock over Russian army's retreat near Kharkiv, threatens to take Odesa At first, there was a helicopter (firing at us) a projectile flew in where we were sitting, pierced the wall but did not explode, he told his wife. If it flew in and exploded, that would have been the end, goodbye. Later, a mortar demolished the wall of the house where we were hiding. We ran away, and a tank fired nearby, 15 meters away. In addition, we have a new commander whos giving stupid tasks. The place was burned down because of him. They (Ukrainian troops) were shelling us the whole day. In addition, Akhmat-sila (Kadyrovs troops) fled, f***ing cowards. Meanwhile, the counter-offensive of the Ukrainian army on several parts of the front continues. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have kept the strategic Antonivsky Bridge and other crossings across the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast under fire control, thereby preventing Russian troops from restoring critical supply routes. Read also: Ukraines defense minister explains slowness of advance in Kherson Oblast As Ukrainian troops block the deployment of Russian units, the capabilities of the Russian Armed Forces in the region have been severely diminished. In addition to Kherson Oblast, an active counteroffensive also kicked off in Kharkiv Oblast on Sept. 6. And while the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has refrained from commenting on updates regarding the liberation of Kherson, today it is already known about the liberation of a number of territories with a total area of more than 8,000 square kilomters, in particular Balakliya, Kupyansk and Izyum, which had been key positions for Russia. Story continues Read also: Kharkiv Oblast is free, Kherson is next, and Zaporizhzhia NPP completely shuts down Additionally, Ukrainian partisans continue to eliminate pro-Kremlin collaborators who have voluntarily agreed to work for the invading Russian forces. Due to Ukraines ongoing success in liberating the region, the occupying authorities decided against holding a sham referendum on joining the Ukrainian territories under occupation to Russia. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Multiple news outlets have reported that Antigua and Barbuda may be next to claim republic status. The first Caribbean island to achieve this was Haiti in 1804, and the most recent was Barbados in 2021. Antigua and Barbuda earned independence from Britain in 1981, but Queen Elizabeth II was their head of state until her death. Now her son, King Charles III has moved into that role, but it may not be for long. Prime Minister Gaston Browne has expressed his desire to see the sister islands become a republic in his lifetime. But the process will take time. Browne said, this is a matter to be taken to a referendum, probably within the next three years. Becoming a republic is a final step to complete the circle of independence and ensure we are truly a sovereign nation. He quickly added that a referendum wouldnt be an act of hostility, and that Commonwealth membership would stay in place. The general attitude towards the royals in the Caribbean has noticeably cooled as of late. As reported by Travel Noire in August, Last March, Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, went to Jamaica to launch what some called a charm offensive. The objective was to commemorate Queen Elizabeth IIs Platinum Jubilee; celebrating 70 years on the throne. The royals also went to Belize and the Bahamas, but they didnt get much fanfare there either. In fact, they had to scrap one excursion on their itinerary in Belize following protests from locals. Locals in Antigua effectively rolled their eyes when Prince Edward and his wife Sophie Rhys-Jones visited the island. The St. Kitts and Nevis Observer wrote, the people of Antigua pride themselves on the welcome offered to visitors tourism is the countrys mainstay after all. But behind the red carpet and guard of honor upon arrival, the royals encountered pervasive apathy and simmering resentment. Decades ago, they were greeted like deities. We would all turn out to see them and wave flags, said historian Ivor Ford. I suppose we didnt know better then. ASHEVILLE - Three months after it was filed, the second antitrust lawsuit against HCA Healthcare and its local arm Mission Health has its first rebuttal, a 34-page motion to dismiss denying that the largest hospital system in the U.S. holds unlawful monopoly power in Western North Carolina. Attorneys for HCA and Mission filed the motion to dismiss Sept. 9 in the lawsuit originally filed June 3 by the city of Brevard. The case now includes Buncombe County and the city of Asheville, which filed its own lawsuit July 27 with claims similar to those of Brevard. The three entities then merged their lawsuits into one, a process called consolidation, and Madison County was added as a plaintiff. Each government is suing on behalf of its employees, who they say largely use Mission for necessary medical care. Attorneys for HCA Healthcare and Mission Health, which has a flagship hospital in Asheville, have filed their first motion to dismiss in a lawsuit brought by the cities of Brevard and Asheville and Buncombe and Madison counties. The County Commissioners are concerned that HCAs business operations monopolize healthcare while artificially inflating prices, and self-insured organizations like ours have no other recourse," Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Chair Brownie Newman said in a news release published a day after the Asheville/Buncombe lawsuit was filed. More:Without delays, Mission employee $22M pay raises go live, union claims big wage victory More:Judge in 1st antitrust lawsuit v. HCA, Mission says decision is likely in 'next few weeks' At the root of this lawsuit and one filed August 2021 by six WNC residents are allegations the companies have been involved in anti-competitive, monopolistic practices. HCA's motion to dismiss flatly denies these claims, arguing Mission's history in the area speaks for itself. Brevard Mayor Maureen Copelof hosts a forum about Transylvania Regional Hospital, part of the Mission Health system, August 18, 2022. "In their Complaint, Plaintiffs ignore the last 20-plus years of Missions history and the legitimate foundations for its success," the new motion states. Mission provided inpatient and outpatient care between 1995-2017 under a Certificate of Public Advantage or COPA, a regulatory measure which kept a cap on Missions profit margin and the number of doctors it could employ. Under the COPA it merged with St. Josephs and acquired five other area hospitals. Today Mission Health has seven total main facilities. Story continues "Plaintiffs allege that as a result of the COPA, Mission obtained monopoly power over general acute inpatient services in the Asheville Region (Buncombe and Madison counties), and has, since at least 2017 (if not earlier), unlawfully wielded that legitimately obtained power to extract a web of contractual concessions from commercial insurers and self-funded health plans," the motion states. HCA Healthcare, Mission Health motion to dismiss by Andrew Jones on Scribd It goes on to recount how the plaintiffs say "alleged contractual provisions" have allowed Mission to charge extremely competitive prices and reduce quality of care for general acute care and outpatient services in both the Asheville region and Macon, McDowell, Mitchell, Transylvania, and Yancey counties and to "exclude competition for those services in those regions." These claims are "baseless," the motion asserts. Moreover, HCA and Mission's attorneys claim, the plaintiffs are putting a financial burden on the company. "Perversely, the effect of these lawsuits is to increase hospitals cost of doing business in the form of high litigation expenses," the motion states. More:Another group to join class-action lawsuit against Mission, HCA. Here's who and why HCA's revenue in 2021 was more than $58.7 billion, according to company reports, which included profits of nearly $7 billion. More:Mission lawsuit merger: Asheville, Buncombe, Brevard try to team up in class action case More:NC treasurer in Asheville touts bill to end 'predatory' medical billing, debt The hospital company lays out three reasons the case should be dismissed, points that are very similar to the first antitrust lawsuit, currently in North Carolina Business Court. First, it says plaintiffs don't prove that Mission's ownership or acquisition of monopoly power in WNC is unlawful. HCA Healthcare, the the plaintiffs alleged, holds a monopoly market share 70% or more in seven counties: Yancey (88.3.9%), Madison (89.1%), Buncombe (88.6%), Mitchell (85.4%), Transylvania (78.7%), McDowell (76.4%) and Macon (74.7%). The market share percent in the new lawsuit is slightly higher than it was when cited in the 2021 lawsuit. HCA does not dispute those amounts, but notes in the motion that "firms with alleged monopoly power are allowed under federal law to charge higher prices or reduce output." Second, the dismissal denies Mission engaged in anticompetitive conduct by being the dominant force in WNC healthcare and giving limited options to insurers and charging high prices. HCA and Mission attorneys state that, because of lack of evidence, plaintiff's claims about anticompetitive practices "dooms them from the start." Finally, the motion to dismiss says plaintiffs haven't substantively proved Mission is preventing other health care providers in the areas it currently serves. "There are no allegations that competitors were unable to compete or provide services in the relevant markets," the motion states. "Nor are there allegations about potential competitors who decided not to enter or add services to these markets. Plaintiffs anecdotes about reduced output and supposedly higher prices for select Mission services do not plead anti-competitive conduct, and certainly not anti-competitive effects." Hospital competition is at issue for Buncombe and the surrounding counties in more than just the lawsuit. Related:Without delays, Mission employee $22M pay raises go live, union claims big wage victory Related:'We are the mice': Brevard public forum reveals disturbing local stories of HCA Healthcare As previously reported by the Citizen Times, the lawsuit is ongoing as Mission Health is one of three hospital systems including Novant Health and AdventHealth seeking to expand by 67 acute care beds in Buncombe County through a certificate of need. Officials with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Health Service Regulation may make a decision on this CON before the end of 2022. The other two hospital systems are Novant Health and AdventHealth, both nonprofits. Both, in making arguments they should be allowed to build new facilities in Buncombe, have pointed to the antitrust lawsuits as evidence for why they should be chosen above Mission, which seeks to provide the new beds at its Asheville campus. Andrew Jones is an investigative reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at @arjonesreports on Facebook and Twitter, 828-226-6203 or arjones@citizentimes.com. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: HCA Healthcare, Mission Health lawsuit: Monopoly claims 'baseless' The movement to "defund the police" has created a dangerous "ripple effect" that is being felt in departments large and small, making communities across the U.S. less safe, law enforcement veterans say. The Philadelphia Police Department currently operates at around 20% below its targeted staffing level. In Portland, Oregon where hostilities toward law enforcement are particularly high the citys police department has lost more than 230 sworn officers through retirements or resignations since 2020. In Indiana, the Noblesville Police Department, operating with around 100 officers, is seeing fewer and fewer applications, according to local media. Demonstrators hold signs reading "Defund the police" during a protest in Rochester, New York, on Sept. 6, 2020. Reuters/Brendan McDermid Law enforcement veterans who spoke to Fox News Digital said short staffing has led to burnout among officers and morale is at an all-time low. "I talk to law enforcement leaders on a daily basis. And in todays world, their No. 1 problem is staffing," retired Forth Worth Police Chief Jeff Halstead told Fox News. "And what you hear is the same drum being beaten: How are we going get ourselves through this? And what steps are we going to take to get our staffing back?" But the problem of understaffing goes well beyond police departments. Such shortages have an immediate impact on a police departments ability to serve communities. With officers spread thin, residents can expect longer response times. And in some cities, a stolen car or a house break-in can take days to get an officer on the scene. In other cases, some departments have simply stopped taking some reports altogether. MARYLAND POLICE OFFICERS WILL NOT FACE CHARGES IN VA MAN'S DEATH AFTER USING STUN GUN "The national goal for your highest-level priority call and policing was to respond and be on location within five minutes. That was a national goal. It's been the national goal for decades. And the majority of major city police departments were accomplishing that goal within three and a half to about four minutes and 45 seconds," Halstead said. "Today, I don't know of any of them that are aggressively meeting that national standard." Story continues Jeff Rasche, a retired police chief with nearly four decades of experience in Indiana, told Fox News Digital that staffing shortages create more overtime that take away from much-needed training. "With public safety and law enforcement, you can't just turn the lights off and go home," Rasche said. "So, what happens is you have to be creative and find different ways to provide the services you need. And yes, things [are] very delayed during this particular period, especially." Consequently, Rasche said, officers do not have enough time for training or to recharge both of which are highly important to better serve their communities. "Your officers cannot take the time to be doing the training they need to be doing and have the time off," Rasche said. "They need to recharge to come back so that they are 100% when they put that badge back on their chest and come back to work." FILE - Police officers respond to a call in Aventura, Florida, on Oct. 26, 2018. Joe Raedle/Getty Images Rasche said these problems will burden police chiefs to "be that cheerleader and be a watchdog over his officers to make sure that the department is running smoothly." "Theres a ripple effect that right now is really dangerous," he said. Halstead, who has more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement, said morale within police departments is the lowest hes ever seen in this profession. The causes, he said, boil down to two primary reasons: they feel their profession has been demonized, and they are concerned about being indicted criminally. US MALL VIOLENCE: GRIEVING MOM OF MAN KILLED, PUBLIC SAFETY EXPERTS WEIGH IN AMID SPIKE IN SHOOTINGS On the latter point, Halstead noted, some officers have been indicted on crimes when they handled a call for service in exactly the manner for which they were trained. "Because of specific optics of the use of force incident they're now being indicted. So, many police officers, especially in your high-risk, high-crime suppression units, they are not getting nearly as aggressive as they used to be," Halstead said. "And that is one of the primary drivers of a massive increase in violent crime." Rasche argued that only a silent minority of the country is driving a negative narrative of police officers and, consequently, officers "dont want to show up in a courtroom being indicted and (have) the rest of their life being crushed over something that they really didnt do wrong." He added that many community leaders are implementing radical measures that are at odds with what citizens actually want. "It's glaring today in these communities where they're trying to do things that have never been done before that they are obviously not working," Rasche said. "And I think that you're starting to see the public step up and say, 'Look, we're not going to take this anymore. We're not ... going to live in a crime-ridden community. We are going to support the police. We want the police funded, and we are going to be there for police to support them because we need them.'" This story originally published Sept. 15, 1982. It is being republished as part of the commemoration of USA TODAY's 40th anniversary on Sept. 15, 2022. The front page (shown here) and second page of the historic first edition of USA TODAY, Sept. 15, 1982. The first cover story was about growing pains in the Sun Belt. In the aggressively adolescent Sun Belt, there's something new these days: its suburbs, like those of older cities to the north, are grappling with growing pains. In Irvine, California, the national recession is taking its toll. In Katy, Texas, a struggle is emerging over zoning laws. In Rosewell, Georgia, development is outstripping support services. "Sun Belt suburbs are beginning to reflect the problems that other (older) suburbs typically have," says University of Colorado urban planner Dr. Marshall Kaplan. A Rand Corp. report for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Troubled Suburbs: An Exploratory Study highlights the problems that could come. With 16 yardsticks of demographic, social, economic and fiscal change, Rand researchers measured 11,191 communities nearly one-fifth of all suburbs in the country. Most of them were older communities which had their greatest growth just before or after World War II. Eighty-four "troubled" suburbs Hoboken, New Jersey, Alton, Illinois, Compton, California and Highland Park, Michigan along them were isolated with extreme measurements on four or more of the standards. The newer Sun Belt suburbs aren't "troubled" yet. But they show those symptoms unemployment, rising crime, tax squeezes, governments unable to cope with the pressure. In Irvine, a suburb of Los Angeles, a major influx of pharmaceutical, electric and aerospace companies swelled the population from 15,000 in 1970 to almost 70,000 a decade later. But now construction bustling in the late 1970s with more than 4,000 new homes being built is at a standstill. Business has peaked. Irvine Mayor Larry Agran says the tax on hotel and motel bills is going from 6 percent to 8 percent to raise a needed $500,000 a year. Story continues Unemployment a remarkably low 3.5 percent in the late 1970s has shot to 8 percent, with major employers like Occidental Petroleum, Beckman Laboratories, Smith Tool and Sperry Univac laying off workers. As for crime: Statitics show that suburban crime is growing at a faster rate than in many central cities. Irvine's rate in 1981 matched that of the much older New Jersey suburb of Clifton; of some 3,200 crimes for the year, 2,940 were burglaries or larcenies. Mayor Agran links Irvine's sharp rise in burglary to the fact that in many households husband and wife both work, leaving neighborhoods deserted in the daytime. Mayor Larry Agran smiles after taking the oath of office along with Irvine council members (left) Michael Ward, Beth Krom (right), and Chris Mears (not in photo) at the Irvine City Council Chamber in Irvine. In Katy a plains community of 7,500 just 30 miles west of Houston the Western spirit of laissez faire and a 300 percent population increase in just 10 years have put junkyards and auto repair shops next to residences. A zoning ordinance is on the ballot Jan. 15. "It will be a must sooner or later," says Katy insurance agent Marvin Sanders. "I'm for it. I don't know if it will solve all the problems, but it will place some restrictions on commercial development in residential areas." Katy's annual growth rate is projected to continue at 10 percent, and many residents worry about the encroachment of Houston on an agricultural community best known for soybeans and rice. Bonded debt will increase by $1.3 million this year to pay for sewers and roads; lacking a zoning law, Katy can't extract improvements from developers. And without a strong business base, Katy to raise 65 percent of its annual budget from property taxes which are rising at the rate of 3 to 4 percent a year. "I moved out of Houston to Katy because it was small and quiet. It's growing a little too fast," said Carlton Smith, a resident of Katy for seven years. "I plan to move out." And in the rolling hills of Chattahoochee Valley north of Atlanta, commercial, industrial and residential development in Fulton County has overwhelmed towns like Roswell and Sandy Springs. Roswell quadrupled its population to more than 23,000 between 1970 and 1980, and now county planners are colliding with the town's fathers and their all-out drive for growth. To relieve highway congestion the county had planned to widen the Crossville-Woodstock Road and complete a major artery to speed traffic morning and evening. But Roswell had allowed residential development, and the new residents said no to the widening. " I don't think they cared," says Fulton County Senior Planner Tom Ulbricht, who also noted that Georgia, like much of the Sun Belt, pursues growth aggressively. He calls such struggles "turfism." Urban planner Kaplan said Sun Belt suburbs face problems beyond services stretched to the breaking point. Many lack established governments that can solve the problems quickly. In the unincorporated parts of Fulton County there were no fire and police departments. So the State Legislature had to step in to create a special tax district to collect some $5.7 million annually for protection. Residents for the unincorporated areas pay from $30 to $70 each without having voted for the tax. Can anything slow the march toward decay? John Pincus a senior Rand Corp. economist and co-author of Troubled Suburbs, says the federal government should shift more attention to the problems of the suburbs. But spending cutbacks make that unlikely in the immediate future, Kaplan believes any major federal involvement is over at least for the next decade. Meanwhile, growing suburbs try to cope; some do better than others. Irvine has the advantage of a master plan for growth that put manufacturing and office buildings in six carefully placed clusters. The suburb grew up around a branch of the University of California that had developed the plan. Public improvements such as roads and sewers had to go in before the buildings. But even with that, said Agran, the growth was so rapid population was increasing by 15,000 a year the public works still fell behind. Now, with the annual growth slowed to under 5,000, he expects to get caught up. Irvine resident Sylvan Hersh is getting caught up, too. The recession brought a layoff from his biochemist's job at American McGaw Hospital Supply and he's painting his four-bedroom townhouse. He had planned to wait, but then came the letter from the University Community Beautification Committee. You need paint, it advised now. "If we still lived back east in Philadelphia, no one would have cared," observed Sylvan's wife, Anita. In Irvine they do, so the Hershes painted. To them and their neighbors, each coat of paint is another layer of protection against the decay that drove them to southern California six years ago. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sun Belt suburbs reflect problems of older subrubs Federal authorities on Thursday arrested a woman accused of calling in a fake bomb threat at Boston Childrens Hospital, where doctors and staffers have been facing harassment and threats of violence over its surgical program for transgender youths. United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins, Joseph R. Bonavolonta of FBI Boston, and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox announced Thursday afternoon the arrest of Catherine Leavy, 37, of Westfield. Leavy was charged with one count of explosive materials and willfully making a false bomb threat. She is being held pending a detention hearing scheduled for Friday in Boston federal court, Rollins said. On August 30, a bomb threat was made to Boston Childrens in which the caller allegedly said, There is a bomb on the way to the hospital, you better evacuate everybody you sickos. The threatening call prompted a lockdown with children, parents, and staff still inside. A bomb squad that was called in swept the facility and declared the hospital all clear. During the investigation, law enforcement obtained call detail records and location information for the phone number that called in the bomb threat. Records obtained allegedly indicated the phone number was subscribed in Leavys name and that it pinged off a cell tower nearby Leavys residence at the time the bomb threat was made. According to Rollins the phone used to make the threat was recovered during a search of Leavys residence on Thursday. A similar threat was reported at the hospital last week. A hospital spokesperson confirmed that there was no bomb found on site and condemned the extremist behavior. The hospital has been the target of an array of threats against their transgender care programs in recent weeks. This behavior is nothing short of reprehensible, and let me be clear, it needs to stop now, Bonavolonta said. Threatening the life of anyone who seeks any type of health service is a heinous act and will not be tolerated, he said. Story continues This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Sep. 15Mana Up, an accelerator and venture fund for Hawaii-based products, said Wednesday it is partnering with Bank of Hawaii to boost the success of Hawaii entrepreneurs in an effort to diversify the local economy. Mana Up, an accelerator and venture fund for Hawaii-based products, said Wednesday it is partnering with Bank of Hawaii to boost the success of Hawaii entrepreneurs in an effort to diversify the local economy. Bankoh will become the exclusive banking partner at the Founder Level to put into effect key programs, including a new executive mentorship program as well as content collaboration for local entrepreneurs. In addition to supporting the annual accelerator program, Bankoh will co-create with Mana Up an executive mentorship and training program to propel local companies to the next level. The annual initiative will match 10 Mana Up alumni companies with executive mentors from Bankoh based on specialized areas of growth. This program will provide leadership and business maturation content to entrepreneurs while offering the executive mentors the opportunity to extend their expertise for the community at large. "Small businesses and the hardworking individuals behind them are the heartbeat of our community, " Bankoh Chairman, President and CEO Peter Ho said in a statement. "We're excited to support Mana Up and have our executives partner directly with local entrepreneurs to help guide them on their entrepreneurial journey." Mana Up and Bankoh will co-develop campaigns that highlight the state's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. A "Shop Local " feature on Bankoh's website will highlight the benefits of shopping with Hawaii-based businesses that grow the economy, create jobs, and invest in giveback initiatives of their own. "We all have a stake in Hawai 'i's economic future, " Mana Up co-founder Meli James said in a statement. "We are excited and grateful to share a vision with Bank of Hawaii in high-potential industries for Hawaii that are aligned with community values and benefit locals for the long term. Partnering with Bank of Hawaii will be a tremendous leap in accomplishing this vision because they are contributing their expert knowledge to the next generation of the economy." Bankoh also will be recognized as the community partner for Hawai 'i Rising, a program led by Build Native with Shopify and Mana Up. The program is designed to grow e-commerce revenue for Indigenous-identifying and Native Hawaiian-owned businesses. For more information about the accelerator program, visit, and to shop House of Mana Up, visit. GCC Board Directors Institute (GCC BDI), a not-for-profit organisation that guides board directors of organisations in acquiring the know-how and tools to reach and sustain effective corporate governance, is celebrating its 15th anniversary of excellence in promoting professional board directorship and raising the level of board effectiveness across the Gulf. Over the past one-and-a-half decades, GCC BDI has grown to over 2600 members and has helped over 2,600 board directors across the Gulf region in developing their professional capabilities. The Institute currently conducts over 50 workshops and seminars annually covering vital board leadership education, including the areas of corporate governance, board evaluation, board diversity, and corporate leadership. GCC BDI has delivered over 400 programmes and forums to top-tier organisations in the Gulf in these 15 years. Founded in 2007 as a not-for-profit entity, GCC BDIs mission is to promote the highest professional standards of corporate governance and directorship through capacity building, advocacy, and sound governance practices. As the only director institute from the GCC to be admitted to the Global Network of Director Institutes (GNDI), GCC BDI brings together its members to explore the evolving role and value of boards as well as appropriate corporate governance standards, regionally and globally. Over the years, GCC BDI has launched key programmes and certifications to equip board directors and board secretaries in the Gulf, boosting overall board effectiveness. This includes the Certified Board Secretary programme [2018], Director Certification, [2019], Diploma in Board Directorship [2020], & Chartered Director, the flagship qualification and the international gold standard for professional director development [2021]. GCC BDI has also won some accolades over the past 15 years. The Institute was named as one of MEA Markets winners, receiving the Leading Experts in Board Director Development 2022 GCC award; Best Professional Business Organisation Dubai [2021]; and Outstanding Contribution to Corporate Governance GCC Award by Capital Finance International [2017 and 2018], among others. Every year, the Institute holds a Chairman Summit, its flagship event, and this year the 8th GCC BDI Chairman Summit will take place in Riyadh on 6 September with Khalid Al Falih, Minister of Investment for Saudi Arabia, as the keynote speaker. And every two years, GCC BDI undertakes a survey of Board Effectiveness in the region. Last year, the Institute published its 7th edition of the report which provided insights for board members, investors, advisers, and governments into the changes and improvements made in corporate governance practices in the GCC, as well as forming an ongoing process to track corporate governance and board effectiveness in the region. The Institute is supported by eight key strategic partners First Abu Dhabi Bank, National Bank of Bahrain, Saudi Aramco, SABIC, Allen & Overy, Heidrick & Struggles, McKinsey & Company, and PwC, and actively partners with all the regional regulatory authorities. Mohammad Al-Shroogi, Chairman of GCC BDI, said: The 15th anniversary of GCC BDI is a significant milestone in our journey in the Gulf. As the business and economic landscape evolves, the role of GCC boards has shifted considerably over the past 15 years from largely collegial bodies aimed at approving company strategy to a key governance organ meant to challenge and inspire strategy. At GCC BDI, we are proud of what we have achieved in these 15 years with a rich track record of local experience and understanding, strong corporate governance knowledge, practical director expertise and tried and tested programmes that have helped thousands of board directors and shaped businesses across the region, said Al-Shroogi. Jane Valls, Executive Director of GCC BDI, said: GCC BDI has come a long way since its inception. We are a homegrown Institute founded to help board directors in the Gulf we have a huge accumulated knowledge of the local legal and regulatory environment, as well as the cultural understanding of the Gulf and its boards. This aspect is particularly important as we celebrate 15 years of GCC BDI. GCC BDI has been working tirelessly to raise the profile of good corporate governance and strong investor relations in the Gulf. Good governance is a key factor as the Gulf counties have positioned themselves on the global economic map. GCC BDIs 15th Anniversary is also the anniversary of good governance in the Gulf one that we should all be proud of and a key contribution to FDI in the region, as investors seek assurance in high standards of corporate governance, she added.-TradeArabia News Service The exhibition includes Flower Thrower (2003), which sees a young protester throwing a bouquet of flowers An exhibition of "iconic artworks" will aim to show people how Banksy "became the most talked about artist in modern history", its organisers have said. The Art of Banksy, which opens in Salford in October, will show 145 works, including well-known pieces such as Girl with Balloon (2002). It will be housed in a purpose-built 1,200 sq m temporary structure. Organisers said it was a chance to see the pieces which "brought the anonymous artist international acclaim". Banksy is one of the world's most famous artists, who rose to fame with stencilled designs around Bristol in the early 1990s, but despite a worldwide following, the artist's identity remains unknown. Often described as "elusive" and "secretive" by the press, the "guerrilla street artist" has a legion of fans which includes A-list celebrities. The exhibition, which moves to MediaCityUK after a year-long run in London, has not been authorised by the famed graffiti artist and all the works included in it have been loaned by private collectors. On show alongside Girl with Balloon (2002) will be other famous works, including Flower Thrower (2003), which sees a young protester throwing a bouquet of flowers, and Rude Copper (2002), which depicts a policeman holding up his middle finger. Also included will be Brace Yourself (2010), which Banksy gifted to the band formerly known as Exit Through the Gift Shop in exchange for the rights to their name, which the artist used as the title to a film. Brace Yourself (2010) was gifted by Banksy to the band formerly known as Exit Through the Gift Shop The exhibition's organisers said visitors will be able to "see the iconic artworks that brought the anonymous artist international acclaim" and discover how Banksy "became the most talked about artist in modern history". They added that the collection would also let audiences "explore the power of art to affect social change, inspire the public and lay bare the undercurrents of social issues with understated wit". The exhibition, which runs in Salford from 21 October to 8 January, has previously travelled to Melbourne, Chicago, San Francisco, Sydney, Washington DC, Boston, Tel Aviv, Auckland, Toronto, Miami and Gothenburg. Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk A womans dogs alerted her to an intruder in her 10-year-old sons bed in Oregon, multiple news outlets reported. Kelsey Smith was on her back deck on Tuesday, Sept. 13, in Portland when she heard her dogs begin to bark, KOIN reported. But Smith didnt think anything of it at first because she didnt hear her doorbell ring, the outlet reported. When the dogs continued to bark, she went into the home and saw a figure on her 10-year-olds bed, KATU reported. I got closer, and I realized it was a homeless person, and so I immediately backed out of the room and sort of hollering at my friend on the phone that I needed help, Smith told the outlet. The woman in her sons room jumped out of the bed and then threw an ottoman at Smith before running out of the home, all of which was caught on a Ring camera, KGW reported. Police arrested the woman on burglary and harassment charges but the prosecutors office did not charge her, the outlet reported. The safety of this whole household just feels like its been upended, Smith told KATU. Portland Police Bureau did not immediately respond to McClatchy News request for more information on Thursday, Sept. 15. Dad fights off intruder after finding man hiding under 7-year-olds bed, Utah cops say Mom fights off intruder after he climbs into 12-year-olds bed, Arizona deputies say Man comes home to find armed intruder wearing ex-wifes dress, Georgia cops say Baron Funds, an asset management company, released its Baron Real Estate Fund second quarter 2022 investor letter. A copy of the same can be downloaded here. Baron Real Estate Fund (the Fund) declined 20.62% (Institutional Shares) in the second quarter of 2022, underperforming its primary benchmark, the MSCI USA IMI Extended Real Estate Index (the MSCI Real Estate Index), which declined 17.12%. The Fund underperformed the MSCI US REIT Index (the REIT Index), which declined 17.16%. In addition, you can check the top 5 holdings of the fund to know its best picks in 2022. In its Q2 2022 investor letter, Baron Real Estate Fund mentioned Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (NYSE:JLL) and explained its insights for the company. Founded in 1999, Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (NYSE:JLL) is a Chicago, Illinois-based global commercial real estate services company with a $7.9 billion market capitalization. Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (NYSE:JLL) delivered a -38.07% return since the beginning of the year, while its 12-month returns are down by -30.74%. The stock closed at $166.81 per share on September 14, 2022. Here is what Baron Real Estate Fund has to say about Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (NYSE:JLL) in its Q2 2022 investor letter: "Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated is one of the leading commercial real estate services firms in the world. It is currently valued at a P/E multiple of only 9 times 2022 estimated earnings versus a long-term average multiple of approximately 15 times earnings. In a draconian case in which earnings fall short of consensus estimates by 35% (we think unlikely), the shares would still be valued at only 13.5 times earnings. The shares of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated, the second largest commercial real estate services company in the world, declined in the second quarter in part due to concerns that its leasing and transaction businesses will be pressured as economic growth slows. At its recent price, we believe these concerns are largely priced into the companys valuation and remain optimistic about the companys long-term prospects." Story continues youssef-abdelwahab-qyzo7TDSVQs-unsplash Our calculations show that Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (NYSE:JLL) fell short and didnt make it on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (NYSE:JLL) was in 28 hedge fund portfolios at the end of the second quarter of 2022, compared to 35 funds in the previous quarter. Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (NYSE:JLL) delivered a 0.44% return in the past 3 months. In August 2022, we also shared another hedge funds views on Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (NYSE:JLL) in another article. You can find other investor letters from hedge funds and prominent investors on our hedge fund investor letters 2022 Q2 page. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. The position of the organs found in the fossil resemble that of the modern day sharks anatomy (via REUTERS) Scientists have discovered the worlds oldest heart in a 380 million-year-old fossil of a jawed fish. Researchers from Curtin University in Australia found the beautifully preserved heart alongside a separate fossilised stomach, intestine and liver, with the organs position resembling that of a sharks anatomy. The hope is that the discovery could shed light on how creatures, including humans, evolved. The muscular organ comes from a fossilised jawed fish that swam in the waters during the Devonian period, between 419 million and 359 million years ago. According to the scientists, the findings, published in the journal Science, suggest the organs come from the body of a fish from the arthrodire family an extinct group of armoured fishes which have anatomies similar to a modern shark. The internal organs of an ancient armored fish are seen in this undated artists reconstruction (via REUTERS) Lead researcher Professor Kate Trinajstic described their finding as remarkable as it is very rare to find soft tissues of ancient species so well preserved. Prof Trinajstic said: As a palaeontologist who has studied fossils for more than 20 years, I was truly amazed to find a 3D and beautifully preserved heart in a 380-million-year-old ancestor. Evolution is often thought of as a series of small steps, but these ancient fossils suggest there was a larger leap between jawless and jawed vertebrates. These fish literally have their hearts in their mouths and under their gills just like sharks today. The researchers found the fossils in the Gogo Formation in the Kimberley region of western Australia, a reef which preserves unique fauna and flora from the late Devonian period. Based on on the discoveries, the researchers created 3D models of of the jawed fish, which showed the heart was made up of two chambers, with the smaller one sitting on top. Professor Kate Trinajstic from Curtin Universitys School of Molecular and Life Sciences inspects fish fossils (via REUTERS) Prof Trinajstic said their findings offer a unique window into how the head and neck region began to evolve to accommodate jaws. She said: For the first time, we can see all the organs together in a primitive jawed fish and we were especially surprised to learn that they were not so different from us. Story continues However, there was one critical difference the liver was large and enabled the fish to remain buoyant, just like sharks today. Some of todays bony fish such as lungfish and birchers have lungs that evolved from swim bladders but it was significant that we found no evidence of lungs in any of the extinct armoured fishes we examined, which suggests that they evolved independently in the bony fishes at a later date. Professor John Long, from Flinders University, who was a co-author of the study described teh discovery as truly the stuff of a palaeontologists dreams. He added: Gogo has given us world firsts, from the origins of sex to the oldest vertebrate heart, and is now one of the most significant fossil sites in the world. Its time the site was seriously considered for world heritage status. Additional reporting by PA Are you living in an ethnically diverse city? WalletHub recently released its 2022 report on the Most & Least Ethnically Diverse Cities. WalletHub compared over 500 of the largest cities across the U.S. on their ethnoracial diversity, birthplace diversity, and linguistic diversity. When asked what the main benefits of living in an ethnically diverse area are, Jonathan Y. Okamura, Professor Emeritus, UH Manoa, Hawaii says, In such an environment, one has regular opportunities to meet and interact with people from a range of racial and ethnic groups and to develop friendships with some of them. Getty Images Okamura goes on to say, An ethnically diverse city enables one to learn about culture and traditions different from ones own and to teach ones children about appreciating and respecting culture and people who are different from them. Related: Top 20 Travel Destinations In The U.S., According To WalletHubs Latest Report What the report found Oakland, California has the highest racial and ethnic diversity. Hialeah, Florida had the least amount. 95.75 percent of Hialeahs population are Hispanic or Latino. Greenville, Mississippi has the highest concentration of Black residents, at 83.23 percent. Parkersburg, West Virginia, has the highest amount of white people, at 94.09 perfect. Most ethnically diverse cities: Jersey City, NJ Germantown, MD Gaithersburg, MD Silver Spring, MD Spring Valley, NV New York, NY Kent, WA San Jose, CA Oakland, CA Rockville, MD Least ethnically diverse cities: Laconia, NH Butte-Silver Bow, MT Barre, VT Watertown, SD Rutland, VT Wheeling, WV Laredo, TX Hialeah, FL Clarksburg, WV Parkersburg, WV View the full report here. Related: Singapore Is A Place Where Diversity Is Really Celebrated The University of Oxford, a prestigious institution in England active since 1096, is preparing to host Bhad Bhabie (aka Danielle Bregoli) for a coveted speaking gig. This news was announced on Thursday morning by TMZ, and Oxford has invited Bhad Bhabie to speak to students at The Oxford Union, the self-proclaimed worlds foremost debating society. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Oxford Union (@theoxfordunion) Bhad Bhabie acknowledged this exciting news on social media, as she quote-tweeted TMZs announcement and added, been too long. been too long https://t.co/WQXL1Dz5i2 Bhad Bhabie (@BhadBhabie) September 15, 2022 This news comes less than a month after Bhad Bhabie announced the Bhad Scholarship, an initiative that aims to split $1.7M between 1,000 students enrolled in trade and technical schools, as Blavity previously reported. I know that theres a lot of kids out there that really want to get real jobs and want to work hard, but they just dont have the money to provide it, the 19-year-old said of the initiative, according to Yahoo Life. I thought it was an amazing idea. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bhabie (@bhadbhabie) We should also note that Bhad Bhabie partnered up with a scholarship program called the Educapital Foundation for this pursuit. We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with Bhad Bhabie that allows us to continue our mission to eliminate poverty through trade school education, Dr. Brenita Mitchell, founder of the Educapital Foundation, said in a press release. While developing this scholarship program, it was great collaborating with Educapitals Aisha Rodriguez & Dr. Brenita Mitchell, both amazing women giving amazing opportunities to the next generation of entrepreneurs, Bhad Bhabie added in the same announcement. Story continues We didnt want to just give out tuition funds, but also help the grads with startup capital to launch their own businesses. I cant wait to see what these young hustlers do, she continued. Now, the Gucci Flip Flops artist is taking on the Oxford podium a platform that has been shared by noteworthy figures like Albert Einstein, Malcom X, Mother Theresa, Ronald Reagan, Shakira, Sir Elton John and the 14th Dalai Lama, TMZ reports. Shoutout to Bhad Bhabie for securing this gig, and we look forward to seeing what other opportunities shell pursue in the future. The White House came close this week to facing yet another crisis, this time over a railroad dispute that could have taken a crowbar to the U.S. economy ahead of crucial midterm elections. But in the end, a tentative deal was struck, with both sides crediting the Biden administration with stepping in to help avert a strike that was set to begin on Friday one that could have further disrupted the nations fragile supply chain. Administration officials became involved in the talks weeks ago, lobbying both sides around the clock to argue the stakes were too high for a strike. Its a big political risk. If it all blew up, the administration was going to be left holding the bag, an industry source familiar with the talks said. Biden called into negotiations around 9 p.m. last night to say a shutdown of railways was unacceptable, according to a White House official. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh led 20 hours of talks in the final stretch while Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg worked the phones. Walsh called the White House at 2 a.m. on Thursday morning to say there appeared to be a deal, the official said. Biden wasnt on that call but put out a statement announcing the deal around 5 a.m. A source familiar said Bidens Wednesday night call was crucial for the deal. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Thursday said Bidens message was for negotiators to recognize the harm a strike and subsequent railway shutdown would have, asking that they be creative, flexible and meet others halfway. Both sides had until 12:01 a.m. on Friday to broker a deal to avoid a strike, which would have brought the transport of grain, fuel, lumber, car parts and other key products to a halt. Unions now have to approve the deal. Congress had the power to block a strike, but lawmakers were divided up until Wednesday on whether to intervene. Democrats blocked a GOP resolution that would have swiftly put an end to the strike by imposing the White House-appointed boards contract, which called for 24 percent raises over five years and back pay. Story continues But taking a vote on the GOP resolution could have put divisions on the Democratic side on display over how to handle the situation and, with the midterms looming, potentially hurt Democrats at a critical juncture. Action by Congress instead of the White House could have also hurt Biden, who regularly lauds support from labor unions as being imperative to his decades-long political career. Biden owns this space. Most labor friendly president ever. If Congress stepped in and dealt a perceived blow to labor on his watch, that would have been a problem going into the midterm, a Democratic operative said. SMART Transportation Division, one of the two largest railroad unions, said its members requested Congress not be a part of the deal-making. Congressional leaders listened to your requests and stayed out of our dispute, allowing for an agreement to be reached across the bargaining table, rather than through legislation, the union said in a statement. The same sentiment was shared by the White House. Even up until the very end, the Biden administration was really reluctant to bring Congress into it, the industry source said. Another industry source conveyed Speaker Nancy Pelosis (D-Calif.) optimism that Biden would handle the situation, adding that Pelosi did not think that Congress was going to touch this. Rodell Mollineau, a Democratic strategist who served as an aide to the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), said the tentative deal also saved the political momentum the president has right now. Mollineau said media attention on higher consumer prices, which has plagued the White House for much of this year, would have zapped that momentum. It would have restoked the economic anxiety that some Americans are feeling, he said, adding that not only does averting a strike benefit Americans, Its a good thing for Democrats going into the midterms. Another Democratic strategist agreed with Mollineau. This would have been a shitstorm because its at the intersection of so many things that are vital to this country, the strategist said. It would have looked so bad for Biden and even his reputation as Amtrak Joe. The longer it would have been out there, the worse it would be for Democrats, the strategist added. Biden had personally called CEOs and leadership of the rail unions multiple times up until the deal was reached and on Thursday, he hosted the negotiators who brokered the agreement at the White House. The group included union leaders, including from SMART, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, and AFL-CIO. It also included industry leaders from the Association of American Railroads, the trade group that represents railroad companies. Aside from Biden, Walsh and Buttigieg and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack were the most involved administration officials working on reaching an agreement. Buttigieg also hit the road with Biden, joining him in Michigan on Wednesday for the Detroit Auto Show while juggling negotiation talks. At the car show with the president yesterday, anytime there wasnt a public thing he was doing or meeting with people, the secretary was in the hallway or in some room making calls to companies, an administration source said. When press reports started emerging this week that the U.S. could be heading towards the first rail strike in 30 years, the administration had already been engaged in quiet conversations. It was around Labor Day weekend when officials started ramping up their involvement, with Buttigieg and Vilsack mostly focusing on conversations with railroad companies and Walsh on conversations with unions, according to the administration source. As they were trying to get both parties to agree to an extension of the cooling off period, Walsh and Buttigieg were on the phone, like, 24/7 trying to get that deal done, another source familiar said. The tentative deal struck early Thursday includes provisions such as providing workers with voluntarily assigned days off and one additional paid day off, increases to health care copays and deductibles, protections for two-person crews and 24 percent raises over five years. Mollineau also emphasized the significance of the deal for the U.S. economy. Two things: One, this White House, through their leadership, averted this crisis. And two, they will get no credit for averting this crisis, he said. I dont think the American people understand how close to a supply chain crisis would have happened here. An industry source said that there was a fair amount of heartburn in Washington when the deal wasnt getting done. The administration deserves credit for wrestling this to the ground ultimately, the source said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Biden will meet Friday with the families of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, two Americans who have been detained in Russia. Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden will host both families at the White House to discuss his continuing commitment to bringing their family members home safely. One of the reasons he is meeting with the families is he wanted to let them know they remain front of mind and his team is working on this every day, making sure that Brittney and Paul return home safely, Jean-Pierre said at a briefing with reporters. One of the family members was already going to be in Washington, D.C., Jean-Pierre said, and Biden invited the other family members so he could meet with both families at the same time. Griner, a star in the WNBA and an Olympic gold medalist, was detained in February for bringing vape cartridges with hashish oil into Russia. Griner pleaded guilty last month, but she has insisted she did not intend to break the law. She was later sentenced to nine years in prison. Whelan is a former Marine who has been held in Russia since 2018 on spying charges that he vehemently denies. In 2020 he was sentenced to 16 years in prison. The Biden administration maintains both Griner and Whelan are being wrongfully detained. The Biden administration had reportedly floated a potential prisoner swap in which Griner and Whelan would be released in exchange for convicted Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout. Officials have publicly confirmed that they offered an exchange but have not explicitly said if it involved Bout. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. People in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Portland, Oregon, shared whether they thought President Biden has united or divided this country. "Divided it," one Allentown woman told Fox News. "Because he's not doing what he's supposed to do for this country, and I think that he's not really, he doesn't love this country the way he should." However, another woman, Roxy, said: "He's trying to be a unifier. I just think it's really rough right now. You got to do the best you can." President Biden's approval rating rose from a low of 36% in July to 45%, driven in part by a sharp increase in Democrat support for Biden (78% up from 65% in July), according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Throughout the campaign trail and on Inauguration Day, Biden promised to unite the country, but several Americans said they felt he has divided it. BIDEN INFLATION BILL CELEBRATION: MAINSTREAM MEDIA TAKES NOTICE OF UNFORTUNATE TIMING AS MARKET PLUNGED President Biden's approval rating rose to 45%, according to an AP-NORC poll. Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images "I think since he's been in presidency, things have just gotten wrong," one Pennsylvania man told Fox News. "Gas rates have gone up, the housing market's crashing, the recession has gotten worse. It's just so many things to name." The national average gas price reached $5 a gallon in June, but prices have dropped nearly 50 cents per gallon over the last 30 days. For the first time since March 2021, the average home is selling for less than its list price, according to the real estate company Redfin. PRESIDENT BIDEN SHOULD VISIT THE SOUTHERN BORDER TO WITNESS MASS MIGRATION PROBLEMS, TEXAS RESIDENTS SAY "I think he's done a decent job trying to unite the country," an Allentown resident told Fox News. "Obviously he hasn't been perfect, but no president is supposed to be perfect. But I think he's he's definitely done a better job than his predecessor." WHITE HOUSE SAYS BIDEN'S COSTLY LAST-MINUTE DELAWARE TRIP TO VOTE WORKED OUT BEST FOR HIS SCHEDULE Several others also compared Biden to former President Donald Trump. Story continues "This nation was divided when he took office because of Trump," a Portland resident, Carol, said. "One person cant change everything. It takes a collective effort." "Everybody right now is divided on so many issues that anybody that takes office is going to have problems," Carol continued. Xavier said: "The country was already divided, so Biden didn't really help, and he really didn't make it worse." A Portland resident, Jon, said COVID-19 was in part to blame for the country's divisiveness. "This has been a long time coming," Jon told Fox News."I think COVID exacerbated a lot of the issues that Americans face, especially with politicizing vaccines and treatment and stuff like that. And I dont really see a way out of it anymore, especially in states like Washington and Oregon, which are essentially one-party states." The bill was jointly introduced by Democrats and Republicans in the Senate Read also: Biden against designating Russia state sponsor of terrorism In his remarks on the bill, Senator Blumenthal noted the numerous killings of civilian Ukrainians and other acts of cruelty by Russians. The senator said he believes that the adoption of the bill is "more pressing than ever". The co-author of the bill, Senator Graham, said he believes that the adoption of the bill will be convincing evidence of the support of the United States and other U.S. allies for Kyiv. Read also: This is not just war this is genocide The U.S. Senate unanimously approved a resolution on July 28 calling on the U.S. State Department to designate Russia a state sponsor of terrorism. Earlier, on Aug. 11, the Seimas or parliament of Latvia recognized Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the killing of civilians. Moscow has told the United States that if Washington designates Russia a sponsor of terrorism, the Kremlin will recognize such a step as a "point of no return" in U.S.-Russian relations. The concept of "state sponsor of terrorism" is a term used by the U.S. State Department to designate those countries "that have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism." The decision to recognize a country as a "sponsor of terrorism" is made by the U.S. Secretary of State. Read also: Relatives of Azovstal defenders call on world community to declare Russia terrorism sponsor after Olenivka attack As of the summer of 2022, the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism included four countries: Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Syria. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Dubai Helishow 2022, the only international exhibition dedicated to the helicopter and aviation industry in the Middle East, set to take place next month, will have the participation of the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH). The exhibition, from October 24 to 26 highlights the latest technologies, aircraft operations, and trends in the industry along with the support of vertical aviation sectors at Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South. The Dubai Helishow 2022 will be held in conjunction with the Military & Homeland Security exhibition and the Air Medical and Rescue exhibition. The Dubai Helishow will feature the latest technologies for helicopters and drones. Topics that will be addressed during the exhibition include the recovery of the industry after the pandemic, technological developments in drones, aviation safety, the role of rotary aircraft in homeland security, and flying ambulances, among others. The discussions will also cover modern helicopters and air taxis, future vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) technologies, future maintenance and repair organisations in the area, and regulation updates for airports and helipads, to name a few. The event will also emphasise developments in the unmanned aerial vehicles and drones sectors. Organized by The Domus Group, Dubai Helishow will host professionals, government members, VIPs and the helicopter community. It will witness the participation of many experts and specialists who will share their experiences and sciences toward the continued growth of the helicopter and defence industries. Industry leaders under the guidance of the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub will address important topics and current affairs toward advancing industry stakeholders and partnering with international and regional companies. The previous edition of Dubai Helishow witnessed participation from over 5,000 people and has been receiving unprecedented support from all governmental and non-governmental agencies in anticipation of its ninth edition. This indicates the helicopter sectors return and recovery following the pandemic. Tahnoon Saif, CEO of Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub, said: We are pleased to be joining the Dubai HeliShow 2022 exhibition and conference as it represents an excellent opportunity to globally display our projects and capabilities to develop the aviation sector in Dubai. At MBRAH, we seek to fulfil the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the aviation capital of the world. Maysoon Abulhoul, Managing Director and Chief Operations Officer of Domus Group, said: With the UAEs strong focus on modern and sustainable air mobility, the Dubai HeliShow platform is committed to contributing to the progression of the helicopter industry and its associated trade in the UAE and the Middle East as a whole. With the increasingly vital roles of helicopters in the Middle East, ranging from defence, search and rescue operations, cargo, commercial transport, fire protection, and medical evacuation and transport, the next edition of Dubai Helishow will bring together industry leaders and stakeholders, involving government and private organisations from the international and local helicopter community, to share their knowledge and expertise for the continued growth of the industry. The Dubai Helishow will feature the latest technologies for helicopters and drones. Topics that will be addressed during the exhibition include the recovery of the industry after the pandemic, technological developments in drones, aviation safety, the role of rotary aircraft in homeland security, and flying ambulances, among others. The discussions will also cover modern helicopters and air taxis, future vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) technologies, future maintenance and repair organisations in the area, and regulation updates for airports and helipads, to name a few. The event will also emphasise developments in the unmanned aerial vehicles and drones sectors. -TradeArabia News Service After about seven weeks of being forced to boil their water before drinking it or using it to brush teeth, people in Mississippis capital city were told Thursday that water from the tap is safe to consume. For much of the summer, residents in Jackson were told to bring all water used for drinking, food preparation and cooking to a boil on a stove before use after the health department discovered bacteria in cloudy water coming out of faucets in July. Things worsened in August after heavy rains led to flooding and one of the city's two water-treatment plants failed. Low or no water pressure left many residents without sufficient water to drink, bathe or flush toilets. Gov. Tate Reeves and city officials confirmed Thursday water had been fully restored and the boil-water notice had been lifted. We have restored clean water to the city of Jackson, Reeves said during a news conference. BROWN WATER: Brown water coming out of faucets in Jackson. RACIAL INEQUITY: Flooding broke open Jackson's water crisis, but it can't be disentangled from race, experts say Ty Carter, right, and Benjamin Williams, with Garrett Enterprises, fill up a five-gallon jug from a water tanker that is one of two placed in Jackson, Miss., to provide residents with non-potable water. The recent flood worsened Jackson's longstanding water system problems and the state Health Department has had Mississippi's capital city under a boil-water notice since late July. The city also sent out a notice advising residents they were in the clear after testing. "Residents are advised to run their faucets for a few minutes to clear any old water," Jackson's press release states. "The City of Jackson would like to thank all local, state and federal partners that have been assisting us." The news came just a week after a video went viral showing dark brown water coming out of faucets in the majority-Black city. Water problems are not uncommon in the city due to its aging infrastructure that is in desperate need of upgrades. Residents have faced concerns over lead in the water, and a cold snap last year froze pipes, leaving people without water for weeks. Experts say the issues in the majority-Black city are an example of American infrastructure failing low-income residents of color. Local restaurateur Jeff Good, who owns Sal and Mookies and other restaurants, said his Jackson restaurants would shift to using the city's water Thursday after the official notice. Story continues "We (will) clean out filters and start," Good said. Gov. Tate Reeves announces that Jackson's boil water notice has been officially lifted during a press conference in Jackson, Miss.., Thursday, September 15, 2022. The city of Jackson's boil water notice has been in place since the end of July. Derek Emerson of the local Walker's Drive-in said he would run faucets for a while before using the city's water but said he will use it. "I hope it lasts," Emerson said. The City of Jackson also said Thursday that one of two treatment plants in the city remained at steady pressure over the past 24 hours. During Jackson's water crisis, low or no water pressure had left about 150,000 residents without sufficient water to drink, bathe, wash dishes or flush toilets. On Thursday, the city said they were still "receiving isolated reports of discolored water and pressure issues." These reports are decreasing each day," the release says. "Many of these issues are related to routine water leaks or meter issues. Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, Nada Hassanein, Ashley R. Williams, Celina Tebor, USA TODAY; Associated Press This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson water crisis: Boil order lifted in Mississippi capital TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) Oil titan BP reached a $2.75 million settlement Thursday over air pollution from its largest refinery after environmentalists complained of repeated emissions violations at the Whiting facility in Indiana. The agreement is the second in the past year between advocacy groups and BP involving the refinery on the southwestern Lake Michigan shoreline between Hammond, Indiana, and Chicago. Both cases involved releases of sooty particulate matter, which is linked to asthma and other respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. We are thrilled to see BP held accountable for its dangerous pollution and lack of regard for our communities," said Amanda Shepherd, Director of the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter. Christina Audisho, spokeswoman for BP America Inc., said the company welcomed the agreement. BP's commitment to safe, compliant, and reliable operations at the Whiting refinery and across our global operations remains unwavering, Audisho said. The 133-year-old refinery the sixth largest in the U.S. processes around 440,000 barrels of crude oil daily, producing a variety of liquid fuels and 7% of U.S.-made asphalt. BP agreed in December 2019 to pay a $512,450 penalty and reduce soot from two large catalytic crackers that convert heavy oils into lighter oils and gases, said Eric Schaeffer, executive director of the Environmental Integrity Project, which sued on behalf of the Sierra Club. The deal this week involved industrial boilers that provide steam to production units. As with the catalytic crackers, the boilers are subject to emission ceilings under the federal Clean Air Act. State records show violations dating as far back as 2015, said Schaeffer, who was a former enforcement director with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. U.S. District Judge Philip Simon ruled in April 2021 that three boilers exceeded particle emissions limits and ordered a trial on two others. The settlement Thursday would resolve all the environmentalists' claims if it receives court approval. Story continues Under the agreement, BP would pay $1.75 million in civil penalties to a federal fund used for clean air monitoring and enforcement. The company also would pay $1 million for projects intended to boost health and quality of life in the area. They would include $500,000 to the nonprofit Student Conservation Association for tree planting around the Whiting refinery and along nearby roads. An additional $500,000 would go to local school districts for indoor air filtration devices in classrooms and other areas. Its a good penalty, we think, and the environmental projects theyre funding are going to be helpful, Schaeffer said, adding that groups would continue pushing for reduced emissions and stepped-up monitoring. It's never over with a big refinery, he said. SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazil's Natura & Co Holding SA said on Thursday its board is not considering a spinoff of its Aesop cosmetics brand or the sale of Body Shop, denying rumors of a global restructuring of its business. In a securities filing, the group said it is not "conducting any study about a possible spinoff" or sale of its companies. The owner of the Natura, Avon, Aesop and The Body Shop brands was expected to announce the next steps in its restructuring process after a string of lackluster quarterly results weighed on the company's stock. The expectation made the company's shares to rise 1.58% in Sao Paulo's stock market, but it remains more than 70% below the record high it reached last year. In June, Natura tapped former Santander Brasil executive Fabio Barbosa to take the helm at the company, saying at the time it planned to increase the accountability of its business units after years of expansion fueled by high-profile acquisitions. (Reporting by Peter Frontini and Andre Romani; Editing by Diane Craft and Josie Kao) Reuters When Olena Kushnir was allowed to walk freely into her property for the first time after the Ukrainian army recaptured the village of Nova Husarivka from Russian forces, she found an unexploded shell lying in her tomato fields. Nova Husarivka, a village of less than 1,000 residents in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, was under Russian occupation for over six months before it was recaptured by Ukraine in early September as a part of a lightning offensive. Ukraine said earlier this week that it had liberated 3,800 square kilometres (1,500 square miles) of territory in the Kharkiv region since Sept. 6. By Joan Faus BARCELONA (Reuters) - Europe's power crisis, production cuts and shortages of aluminium have left consumers in a quandary about Russian supplies of the metal vital for the region's transport, construction and packaging industries. Some are choosing to shun Rusal's metal, while others are more sanguine - pointing to the fact that neither the company nor its metal is under sanctions imposed on other Russian companies after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February. Known in the industry as "the mating season", consumers and producers gathered at a conference in Barcelona this week to agree deals to buy and sell aluminium for next year. Organisers declined to accredit Rusal's team for the event, without giving a clear reason, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Rusal's team came to the city anyway, one of them added. "Some people don't want Rusal's aluminium on moral grounds, because of the war in Ukraine," an aluminium trader in Barcelona told Reuters. "Others are not worried because Rusal is still sanction free, though they are milking it, asking for discounts." Major consumer Constellium is one company that expects to keep buying Hong Kong-listed Rusal's aluminium. Among those rejecting Russian metal for next year are one of the world's largest aluminium consumer, Novelis, a division of Hindalco Industries, and a unit of Norsk Hydro supplying aluminium products to the auto and construction industries. Some small companies in Europe, including Germany, decided not to sign up for Rusal's metal for next year, a trader told Reuters. Some medium size companies have also decided to stop buying Russian aluminium from next year, Duncan Hobbs, an analyst for Concord Resources, told Reuters, without elaborating. "We have hundreds of clients globally, representing one of the strongest and most diverse customer bases in the industry. Our business is not defined by those few who choose to buy their aluminium elsewhere," a Rusal representative told Reuters. Story continues For some European consumers facing record high electricity prices, squeezed margins and regional shortages, a discount for Rusal's metal is attractive. There is currently a $100-$150 per tonne discount for Russian aluminium, a trader said. Europe's aluminium output capacity is about 4.5 million tonnes. Of that, more than 1.1 million tonnes has been taken offline since 2021 and another 500,000 tonnes is under threat, Citi analysts say. Companies with contracts for this year, agreed in 2021, have continued to buy aluminium from Rusal, the world's largest producer outside China, accounting for 6% of global supplies estimated at around 70 million tonnes this year. "There is feeling that Russia wants to sell more aluminium than before," a European consumer told Reuters in Barcelona, adding that Rusal, fearing sanctions, could be seeking cash flow. (Writing by Pratima Desai; Editing by Mark Potter) INSIDER "We want all of this to end as soon as possible," Putin said in reply to India's PM, who has dodged joining efforts to punish Russia over the war. California filed a lawsuit Wednesday accusing Amazon of using its market influence to prevent merchants from offering buyers better deals elsewhere online, in violation of state antitrust law. Amazon pressures merchants not to list items at lower prices on other websites, which hurts sellers and consumers, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in the lawsuit. "Amazon coerces merchants into agreements that keep prices artificially high, knowing full well that they can't afford to say no," Bonta said in a release. "Many of the products we buy online would be cheaper if market forces were left unconstrained." The attorney general in Washington had filed a similar suit against Amazon, but a judge dismissed the case in March. "Similar to the DC Attorney General -- whose complaint was dismissed by the courts -- the California Attorney General has it exactly backwards," an Amazon spokesperson said in response to an AFP inquiry. "The relief the AG seeks would force Amazon to feature higher prices to customers, oddly going against core objectives of antitrust law." - Amazon dominance - Amazon is such a dominant e-commerce site that merchants feel they have little choice when it comes to agreeing to the titan's selling conditions, Bonta's lawsuit argued. Those demands include agreeing not to offer lower prices elsewhere, whether it be at Amazon rivals such as Walmart or a merchant's own website, the suit said. Vendors who don't comply can see their listings made less prominent or even have their ability to sell items on Amazon suspended, according to the suit. "Amazon takes pride in the fact that we offer low prices across the broadest selection, and like any store we reserve the right not to highlight offers to customers that are not priced competitively," the spokesperson said, noting that sellers set their own prices for products at its website. Sellers have reported that they could offer goods at lower prices on their own websites and some other e-commerce venues because they would save on fees charged by Amazon, state attorneys argued. Story continues But "with other e-commerce platforms unable to compete on price, consumers turn to Amazon as a one-stop shop for all their purchases," Bonta said. "This perpetuates Amazon's market dominance." Bonta is asking a state court in San Francisco to order Amazon to stop its price-floor practice and pay unspecified damages. While it is true that some Amazon agreements with sellers preclude them from offering lower prices elsewhere online, such conditions are common in the retail industry and don't stop merchants from lowering prices overall, GlobalData managing director Neil Saunders said in an analyst note. "This, if anything, allows Amazon to protect its consumers by guaranteeing they are getting one of the best deals," Saunders said. "Amazon attracts a lot of scrutiny, but given the amount of competition it has injected into the retail market, it strains credulity to suggest the company has caused any serious harm to consumers." Unfortunately for Amazon, California has the resources to pour into the litigation, and it comes as Amazon sales are slowing, the analyst noted. Seattle-based Amazon is also likely concerned that the California lawsuit is a prelude to federal antitrust action, Saunders said. US regulators have ramped up their focus on the market power of tech giants, as the fate of legislation aimed at loosening their grip on markets remains undecided. gc/to The Mosquito Fire burns along a ridgetop in unincorporated Placer County on Sept. 8. (Noah Berger / Associated Press) Firefighters battling the Mosquito fire, California's largest blaze this year, were up against treacherous terrain and critically dry fuels Thursday, but a storm system expected to move through the area over the weekend could bring welcome moisture. As of Thursday night, the blaze had charred 67,669 acres in El Dorado and Placer counties and was 20% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Officials said the coming storm, which was moving toward the West Coast from the Gulf of Alaska, will be a mixed blessing for firefighting efforts. Winds will pick up starting Saturday, when temperatures will fall and humidity levels will rise, Jonathan Pangburn, a fire behavior analyst, said during a Thursday night community meeting. Higher winds could throw embers ahead of the blaze, sparking spot fires. On the other hand, of course, the moisture is a welcome relief for all of us in drought-stricken California," he said. By Sunday morning, the area could see rain, possibly lasting through Tuesday or Wednesday. The most recent forecasts available Thursday night showed an 80% chance of one-quarter inch of rain and about a 50% chance of "possibly greater than an inch," Pangburn said. "But that is of course over multiple days, so a little bit of showers here and then a break, and then a little bit of showers again, so its not all one, large rain event," he said. The blaze continued to grow Thursday, but fire behavior was moderated Thursday morning and into the afternoon by rebounding humidity levels and a thick layer of smoke that shaded the east side of the fire, Cal Fire officials said. "Firefighters focused on securing the west corner of the fire down in the Middle Fork of the American River below the communities of Todd Valley and Foresthill," according to Cal Fire. "Crews are finishing the last remaining portions of firing operations along the control lines that tie into the river." The fire continued its steady growth to the east, where "critically dry" vegetation is fueling the spread, officials said. Story continues Crews worked with dozers and heavy equipment to build control lines "in steep and rugged terrain," according to Cal Fire. Firefighters also continued to mop up hot spots and patrol the blaze's southern edge along Volcanoville Road. "Cooperators and utility companies continue work in these areas to assess and start needed infrastructure repair with the goal of repopulating the communities as soon as it becomes safe to do so," according to Cal Fire. More than 9,000 homes and structures remain threatened by the flames, and 70 have already been destroyed. There were 11,277 people evacuated as of Thursday night. Fire officials urged those who have evacuated to be patient. "It is one of our top concerns to get each and every one of you back into your residence, and we are having meetings daily to do that," said Dusty Martin, a unified incident commander. "But with that, we want to make sure it's safe and it's the best time to get you in. We do not want to repopulate an area that we then have to reevacuate." "Historically dry" fuel coupled with particular atmospheric conditions have sparked massive plumes off the blaze, shooting smoke and debris tens of thousands of feet into the air blanketing much of the region in a dangerous haze that hasn't let up. Although the forecast storm could aid fire suppression efforts, it won't make much of a difference in the dry vegetation. "This will not be a season-ending event for fire weather but rather a season-slowing event," according to the weather service's Sacramento office. "Fuels are still critically dry, near record levels, and a period of warmer, drier weather will likely follow the rain." The Reno area remains at "very unhealthy" air quality levels, up to 100 miles from the Mosquito fire, according to the Washoe County Air Quality Management Division. Many communities across California's central and northern Sierra foothills, including Grass Valley, have been affected by smoke. The Mosquito fire's massive plumes of smoke spreading far beyond its boundary is only the latest example of how wildfires in recent years, especially in California's Sierra Nevadas, are forming higher-than-ever plumes, which spread dangerous air quality across greater distances, according to a recent study from the University of Utah. "Our findings suggest that wildfire activity in the Western U.S. presents a growing risk in terms of long-range smoke transport and air quality degradation," the team from the university's Department of Atmospheric Sciences found. "These kind of wildfire-generated air quality issues are going to be a problem into the future, and now we have reason to believe that that air quality degradation might spread further spatially," said Kai Wilmot, a postdoctoral researcher who worked on the study. He said that when smoke enters higher portions of the atmosphere as prompted by higher plumes smoke can move more efficiently, and also be caught in different wind speeds and directions, making it travel not just farther, but also in numerous directions. The Mosquito fire is also threatening one of the smallest groves of giant sequoia in the state, located near the southern edge of the Tahoe National Forest. In the past two years, weve lost nearly 20% of all giant sequoias on earth in high severity fires, so were going to great lengths to make sure that this grove is not part of that statistic," Garrett Dickman, a forest ecologist from Yosemite National Park, told OnScene.TV. Dickman, who was called in to help with the Mosquito fire, said in the video that crews were working to remove extremely parched brush from the base of the trees and will conduct a planned burn in the grove to try to protect the seven mature and six younger sequoias in the area known as the Placer Grove of Big Trees. While wildfires are a natural part of the giant sequoia life cycle, extreme flames that topple the tall trees have proved deadly, especially in recent years as climate change intensifies the blazes. Because of the fuels and the dryness of them, these flames are overtopping these trees and they just cant survive that, Dickman told OnScene.TV. Were prepping to burn it under our own terms and not let the fire come to us. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A Cambridge taxi driver is being held on a $20,000 bail after allegedly sexually assaulting a woman at an MBTA station parking lot in Revere over the weekend, District Attorney Kevin Hayden said. On Saturday, September 10 just before 4 a.m. Transit police responded to the Beachmont station parking lot for a sexual assault in progress. When officers arrived they found Bereket Meshesha, 44, standing outside the rear drivers side door of his cab with the victim in the backseat. According to police, a witness had told them he saw the victim slumped over in the back seat and Meshesha touching her above the waist. The witness then said Meshesha drove away and returned shortly after and continued to touch the victim. The victim, whose identity will not be released, was transported to a local area hospital. Meshesha admitted to police he picked up the victim outside a Boston nightclub at about 2:30 a.m. Our office will give this victim all the support and services she needs to move forward through the process of holding this person accountable for his actions. These cases are always difficult for those who have been assaulted. Were committed to standing with this victim and all victims every step of the way, Hayden said. Meshesha is charged with indecent assault and battery and kidnapping. He was arraigned Monday in Chelsea District Court, and the Judge set bail at $20,000, with a stay away, and to surrender his passport. Meshesha will return to court on October 14 for a pre-trial hearing. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW A man who rioted at the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, while wearing a Camp Auschwitz sweatshirt was sentenced to 75 days in prison on Thursday. He was also ordered to pay $500 in restitution. Robert Keith Packer traveled to Washington from Newport News, Virginia, for a rally in support of then-President Donald Trump, who claimed the election had been stolen. Packer, along with other Trump backers, entered the Capitol building without authorization despite seeing broken windows and tear gas deployed by police, according to prosecutors. Packer was caught on camera in several instances wearing a sweatshirt that referenced the notorious Nazi concentration camp. As prosecutors described in a filing, the sweatshirt read CAMP AUSCHWITZ above an image of a human skull, and underlaid by the phrase, WORK BRINGS FREEDOM. Mr. Packer showed the world who he was on Jan. 6 by both his deeds and his actions, Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst told the court Thursday, according to NBC. He posted his belief on his clothing that day. Robert Keith Packer outside the Capitol in a photo from a court filing. (Photo: DOJ) Robert Keith Packer outside the Capitol in a photo from a court filing. (Photo: DOJ) Once inside the Capitol, Packer joined a crowd in a hallway where other rioters broke apart a sign with House Speaker Nancy Pelosis (D-Calif.) name, according to a court document. Packer then traveled to the stairway near the Speakers Lobby doors where police fatally shot fellow rioter Ashli Babbitt around 2:45 p.m., the filing states. Law enforcement arrested Packer on Jan. 13, 2021, after conducting surveillance at his residence in Newport News. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to misdemeanor charges of unlawful picketing and parading. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. World-leading coatings company, Hempel, passes landmark number of ships coated with Hempaguard. A 335m-long container ship received the 3000th application of Hempels flagship hull-coating product when it dry-docked at Beihei Shipyard in China, a statement from the company said. Alexander Enstrom, Executive Vice President of Marine at Hempel, explains why passing this milestone is so impactful. Our customers are looking for technologies that can support them on their sustainability journey. Three thousand applications of Hempaguard is equal to removing 27 million tonnes of CO2, corresponding with 8.6 million tonnes of fuel saved by having a smoother hull. The adoption of Hempaguard is growing exponentially. This year alone, we have seen sales of Hempaguard systems grow by 82 per cent, continues Alexander. The antifriction properties of Hempaguard help shipowners and charterers save on fuel usage and thereby emissions, so its the obvious choice for our customers. With stricter regulations related to decarbonisation coming into force in 2023, Hempel is seeing a widening range of clients seeking its advice, including an increasing number of bulker, tanker, containership and cruise operators and owners all keen to keep their vessels in operation come next year. The new regulations being introduced by the International Maritime Organization are the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI). Hempels data suggests that about 80 per cent of the world fleet will be required to take action to secure a good CII rating while reaching the required EEXI. Vessels will be forced out of the market if their owners and operators do not identify and adopt a comprehensive emissions reduction pathway. Calculation method The savings related to the 3,000 vessel applications have been calculated by estimating the fuel savings of each Hempaguard application against a market average coating, based on market average numbers from the Fourth IMO GHG Study. For Hempaguard applications, the consumption, activity, duration until next dry dock and relative savings from the IMO GHG Study are estimated and the impact from the full DD cycle is summarized in the year of Hempaguard application, where the coating choice and thus fuel savings decision is taken.--TradeArabia News Service A homeless veteran walks along Veterans Row in West Los Angeles on Oct. 30, 2021. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) California has a new statewide approach to treatment for people struggling with serious mental illness: the CARE Court. The program connects people in crisis with a court-ordered treatment plan for up to two years, while diverting them from possible incarceration, homelessness or restrictive court-ordered conservatorship. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the measure (Senate Bill 1338) into law Wednesday. Because it does not go into effect immediately, however, most California counties will not see the program's implementation until 2024. The law takes a phased-in approach, with Glenn, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Stanislaus, Tuolumne and San Francisco counties implementing the program by October 2023. The remaining counties are required to start the program no later than December of the following year. How will CARE Court work? To initiate a treatment plan, a family member, behavioral health provider or first responder petitions a judge to order an evaluation of an adult with an untreated psychotic disorder (such as schizophrenia) who is in severe need of treatment and, in some cases, housing. A court may also start the program by referring a person from assisted outpatient treatment, conservatorship proceedings or misdemeanor proceedings to a CARE treatment plan. The judge then orders a clinical evaluation and appoints legal counsel and a volunteer CARE supporter. The supporter would help a CARE recipient understand the options available in the program so the recipient can make decisions with as much autonomy as possible. If the person meets the criteria, the judge then orders a series of hearings and the development of an individualized CARE plan that's appropriate culturally and linguistically. The plan developed by county behavioral health professionals, the individual and the volunteer supporter can include behavioral health treatment, medication, substance abuse treatment, social services and housing specific to the individual's needs. Story continues If needed the court may issue orders necessary to support the CARE recipient in accessing housing and services, including imposing sanctions on providers and local government agencies if they fail to provide court-ordered services or treatment. Throughout this process, the court will hold status hearings as needed to check in with the recipient and review the progress made, the services provided, any issues the person might be experiencing with the program and recommendations for making the plan more successful. People who graduate from the program will remain eligible for ongoing treatment, supportive services, and housing in the community to support long-term recovery. Who is eligible for this program? The CARE Court program is for individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder or other psychotic ailments in that class, as defined by the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. A person struggling with these mental health challenges must also be 18 years old or older and not currently stabilized by treatment. In addition, the person must be deteriorating substantially and "unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision," or at risk of a relapse or deterioration that would result in "grave disability or serious harm to the person or others." This program may be an appropriate step for someone who has experienced a short-term involuntary hospital hold (either 72 hours or 14 days) or who can be safely diverted from certain criminal proceedings. Is this program voluntary? Although participation in CARE plans is voluntary, a court can draw up a plan for a qualified individual without that person's consent, and a judge can order housing and other services for that person. Some critics of the program, including the ACLU and Human Rights Watch, argue that it's coercive to force people into court proceedings as a way to provide treatment. No criminal penalty can be imposed if the person refuses or fails to participate. People who don't successfully complete their treatment plan will be terminated from the plan, although they will still be entitled to all the services and support for which they're eligible. In such cases, a court may use existing authority under the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act to ensure a person's safety by notifying the county behavioral health agency and the Office of Public Conservator and Guardian. If all the appropriate CARE plan services were made available but the person didn't participate, that will affect any hearings held for that person under the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act in the following six months, creating a presumption that the person needs additional intervention beyond what CARE can provide. Times staff writer Anita Chabria contributed to this report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Motley Fool If just two themes have defined the stock market in 2022, those themes would be stock splits and the bear market. Both have disproportionately affected the technology sector, with some of the largest tech companies in the U.S. opting for stock splits to reduce their high share prices, and the Nasdaq-100 tech index bearing the brunt of the broader market losses. Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW), Shopify (NYSE: SHOP), and Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) have all conducted stock splits this year, and each stock has touched its 52-week low within the last four months. The father of Cheer star Cassadee Dunlap was shot after he accidentally entered the wrong apartment in Little Rock, Arkansas, according to a police incident report. Ronald Dunlap, 49, was shot multiple times early Saturday morning. Hes hospitalized in critical condition, Little Rock police said. The incident occurred just after 3 a.m. when Dunlap entered the apartment of Joshua Womack, according to the report. Womack, 23, told police that he was sleeping and woke up to banging on his front door, the report stated. He armed himself with a firearm. Womack stated when walking around the corner he observed Ronald Dunlap in his kitchen, according to the report. Womack advised he fired approximately 5-6 rounds. Dunlap was found lying on the ground in the apartment suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, police said. Officers also observed that the apartments front door was split and damaged. Dunlaps nephew told officers at the scene that Dunlap accidentally walked into the wrong apartment and was shot, according to the report. Womack told NBC News that he feared his home was being broken into. He said he has lived in the apartment complex for two and half years and had never met Dunlap before. I thought someone was coming to break in and attack me. That was the only thing I could think of at the moment, he said Wednesday. No charges have been filed pending a review, police said. Dunlaps family could not be reached at phone numbers listed for them. Cassadee Dunlap appears on the Netflix series Cheer, which follows a group of student cheerleaders at Navarro College in Texas. She has not publicly commented on the shooting. The Netflix docuseries made headlines repeatedly after former star Jerry Harris was indicted in 2020 on child sex abuse image charges and sentenced in July to 12 years in prison. This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Sep. 15What do you yell when you're being attacked in public and you need help? If you answered "help," you're probably a man. Many women, like myself, are taught to yell "fire" to get more attention. Because if you yell help, bystanders may just walk by. Is that an accurate theory? Not necessarily, but the fact that women are taught and remember things like this show how scary the world is for us. Just this month, a teacher and mother named Eliza Fletcher went for her 4:30 a.m. run through the streets of Memphis when she was violently abducted. Three days later her body was found discarded in tall grass behind a vacant duplex. Have we forgotten Molly Tibbets? The 20-year-old University of Iowa student who was murdered in 2018 while running a route she'd ran many times before. In both scenarios, the women were blamed for their carelessness. Why were they running by themselves? Why so early? Eliza is criticized for running in the city streets of Memphis while Molly is criticized for running a rural, farmland route. In a viral Tik Tok comment section, women were asked: What would you do if there were no men on earth for 24 hours? Here are just a few of the answers: "Go on walks at night." "Wear an actual bathing suit and go to the beach." "Feel safe, I guess." "Run around at night blasting music into my headphones without like I need to take one out." Of course, men in the comment section were upset they were all being grouped in one category. The problem is, there isn't an arrow pointing out dangerous men from the safe, kind ones. Women are lectured for being too cautious, but criticized if they aren't cautious enough. I hate taking showers when I'm home alone. I tried to explain to my husband that I'm afraid being in the shower will increase my chances of being sexually assaulted if a man were to break into the home while I'm in there. It's something that never goes through a man's mind. It's a fear that's never been unlocked. Story continues We walk with our keys between our knuckles as a weapon. We try to remember every trick and technique sex traffickers use to trap women. Maybe they put something on your windshield to distract you. Maybe they put a zip tie around your door handle to mark your car. Don't wear something too short or too revealing. Don't go out late at night or early in the morning. Don't be alone. Don't get gas after sundown. Don't have headphones in. Don't leave your drink unattended buy this product that covers your drink. Don't walk alone at night buy this self defense kit. If you're in trouble at a bar, order an angel shot and hope the bartender knows it means you need help. If there's a cargo van parked on the driver's side of your car, get in through the passenger door to avoid being kidnapped. You do all this only to be potentially failed by the justice system if you escape. In June 2020, 15-year-old Pieper Lewis stabbed her 37-year-old rapist and sex trafficker Zachary Brooks more than 30 times in a Des Moines apartment after he raped her yet again. Yet Tuesday, she was sentenced to 5 years of closely supervised probation and ordered to pay $150,000 restitution to the man's family even though police and prosecutors have not disputed that Lewis was sexually assaulted and trafficked. If she violates any terms of her parole, she could be sentenced to serve 20 years. So what do we do? Do we teach ourselves self defense knowing our options may be survive and face prison time and a lifetime of trauma or do we just live our lives and hope no one tries to kill us? The Department of Justice reported 975 out of 1,000 sexual assault perpetrators walk free. Of the 1,000, only 310 are reported to police. Why is that? For starters, it's discouraging to women that of the 310 reported, only 50 of them are arrested. Women also may not want to admit it happened. She may think her skirt or having a couple drinks means it's her fault. She doesn't want to face him again. There are a multitude of reasons a woman may be too scared to report the crime. If she does report it and he is arrested, only 28 of those will lead to a felony conviction and 25 will end up incarcerated; 25 out of 1,000. People wonder why women are twice as likely as men to have an anxiety disorder? It's not about hormones or menstruating. We're taught to live our lives scared. As hybrid working becomes the norm in the post-pandemic landscape, several major companies have opened new Chicago offices they hope will give employees a reason to ditch their fuzzy slippers and head downtown. Cisco and Accenture are among those seeking to earn the commute and redefine the workplace with communal settings, creative amenities and seamless technology they hope will blow away your home Wi-Fi. Both share a collaborative vision far removed from the dystopian cubicle farms of yore. In the office of the future, there are plenty of seats, but no assigned desks at all. No one ever loved to go to their office because of their desk, said Todd Heiser, 48, co-managing director of architecture firm Genslers Chicago office, which designed both spaces. But I think people would go to the office because of the great experience they might have using a cafe, or incredible technology. Tech giant Cisco Systems opened its 130,000-square-foot space in the Old Post Office in July. Accenture, the global consulting firm, moved into its new 264,000-square-foot Chicago headquarters in the renamed Accenture Tower last month. The openings follow Meta/Facebook, which launched its new Loop headquarters in June, covering 263,000 square feet across 11 floors at 151 N. Franklin St. In March, Edelman, the worlds largest public relations firm, fully moved into its new 92,000-square-foot loft space in the Gogo building, a century-old former warehouse at 111 N. Canal St. in the West Loop. The offices were conceived before the pandemic and reshaped during it to reflect the reality of a hybrid workforce. They offer such features as locally sourced cafes, rooftop desks, cozy nooks, sweeping views of the city and endless meeting rooms to reconnect with long-lost colleagues. Large video screens adorn the walls to loop in remote holdouts. Hallway sinks, ubiquitous hand sanitizers, touchless doors and air purification systems stand ready to quash germs, while masks remain optional. Crowded elevators and other choke points make social distancing a distant memory, however. Story continues Despite gleaming new facilities, the companies may have their work cut out for them luring employees back to the office after two-and-a-half years of remote working. Empowered by a robust labor market, employees have embraced the flexibility afforded by a home office, while companies have treaded lightly with mandates that they return to their corporate confines. A McKinsey study published in June found that 58% of U.S. employees are able to work from home at least one day a week, while more than a third can be fully remote. That means 92 million employees have the option to work remotely for all or part of the week. Nearly 9 out of 10 employees given the option work remotely at least three days a week, according to the study. That has translated into record downtown office vacancies in Chicago, with companies continuing to shed space as long-term leases come up for renewal. For the second quarter, vacancy rates in the central business district rose to 19.3%, while the Chicago metro ticked up to 21.6%, according to a Newmark report. Things are getting a little busier at offices in recent months, as workers are encouraged to return more frequently. A study by Kastle Systems, which tracks entry badge swipes, found that the number of employees at Chicago office buildings is at 42.6% of pre-pandemic levels as of Aug. 31. Tuesday and Wednesday are the busiest days for hybrid workers to hit the office, according to the study. Early employee returns are modest but encouraging at Accenture, which has 710,000 employees worldwide and more than $50 billion in annual revenues. Chicago houses the largest U.S. office for Accenture with 6,500 employees. In August, the company left its longtime home at 161 N. Clark St. and moved into its West Loop headquarters at 500 W. Madison St., taking over seven extensively renovated floors in the 40-story, Helmut Jahn-designed high-rise above the Ogilvie Transportation Center. The 10-year lease included naming rights. Accenture, which got a foothold in the building with its 2013 acquisition of Acuity Group, announced its expansion plans in July 2019 just months before the pandemic would scatter its workforce to remote home offices. The build-out incorporated the hybrid evolution. We knew its going to be very rare that every meeting in the future has everybody in a room, said Jim Coleman, 56, senior managing director of Accentures Chicago office. We enhanced the tech a fair bit and we enhanced the collaboration capability. A centerpiece of the new communal experience is a cafe featuring locally sourced, chef-prepared meals and flexible seating for up to 400 people. While meals run about $20 per person, Accenture has been offering free lunches as an introductory perk. A recent weekday lunch featuring panzanella salad and lemon caper chicken drew a long line of hungry employees snaking out of the dining area and into the future home of an innovation hub. Other amenities include murals by Chicago artists, a mothers suite with four private nursing rooms and a neighboring interfaith room. The office also features a broadcast studio rivaling network TV, where Accenture can livestream videos for remote employees and produce content for clients. Open seating and meeting rooms are scattered in clusters with panoramic city views. Since opening Aug. 15, Accenture has averaged about 700 to 1,000 employees in the office per day, or about 15% of the Chicago workforce, Coleman said. Accenture is encouraging but not mandating employees to come into the office. If everyone associated with the Chicago office showed up on any given day, there wouldnt be enough seats, or lemon caper chicken, to accommodate. Wed be in trouble, Coleman said. I think our fire-coded number is 3,000 people. Last summer, California-based Cisco Systems announced it was moving its main Chicago-area office from suburban Rosemont to the redeveloped Old Post Office at 433 W. Van Buren St., which has been a magnet for corporate relocations in the West Loop. The repurposed, century-old building, which encompasses 2.5 million square feet of office and event space, reopened in fall 2019. Cisco occupies half of the seventh floor, which it christened with a party in July. The lease runs for 10 years. The sprawling office is filled with huddle rooms, break rooms, kitchens and conference rooms that recognize when you enter, reserving them in real time and instantly connecting you to the virtual world via giant video screens. In the real world, giant windows afford sweeping vistas of the Eisenhower Expressway, which bisects the building, creating an effect reminiscent of a tollway oasis. The space is mapped out with sections named after Chicago neighborhoods. Cubicles and traditional offices are nowhere to be found, but there are 750 workstations spread across large open rooms. Seating is hot desk, or hotel style, with a green marker signifying the desk is clean and ready for new coffee spills. There were plenty of spaces available on a recent weekday morning visit. An interactive video touch-screen map senses how many people are in the office and where they are located. The busiest days, Tuesday and Thursday, might welcome about 200 of the 1,100 or so employees who call the Chicago office home base. Christian Bigsby, senior vice president of workplace resources for Cisco, said the company is rationalizing its national real estate footprint for the post-pandemic landscape, with plans to reduce it by 30% over the next three years. The downsizing process began during the pandemic. We exited a lot of our sales offices, a lot of the locations that truly were just people-dependent, that we werent able to use anyway, because we had sent everybody home, said Bigsby, videoconferencing from his North Carolina office. We also took advantage of any other leases that were lapsing or places we thought we could reduce space. A consolidated Midwestern hub for Cisco, the new Chicago office serves as an engineering talent center and a base for Meraki, a networking company it acquired in 2012. Its also a sales center to showcase products for customers. Daily attendance is not mandated or expected, Bigsby said. Theyre not going to come there out of habit anymore, theyre going to come there more for events and for purpose, Bigsby said. We dont believe theres a lot of people in the company that are going to wake up earlier, wear different clothing, groom differently, commute for an hour to show up and be by themselves. Amit Kramer, professor of labor and employment relations at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, said remote productivity varies by occupation, but some companies still need employees in the office for mentoring and brainstorming. At the same time, he was skeptical that the new communal workplaces would incentivize many top-talent employees to forgo the flexibility of remote work. I think some employees want to go to work, close the door and not see anyone else, and I dont see how that can happen in this new space, Kramer said. The workplace going only collaborative, no ability to isolate yourself for a few minutes or an hour, Im not sure thats a great way to bring back employees to work. Beyond collaboration, Kramer said some companies are looking to reel employees back into the office to keep a closer eye on potential slackers. While so-called quiet quitting has been going on for years, it is harder to know if someone is working on the Penske file or soaking up sun in a backyard hammock when they are remote. It may take a longer time to identify these employees and if need be, dismiss them or give them feedback about that, Kramer said. If they are spending their time looking for a new job on their computer at work, at least you can see that. Cassidy Beadle, 37, of Glen Ellyn, a 15-year veteran who leads the innovation team at Accentures Chicago office, has been coming into the new office two or three days a week since it opened last month. It is a major change after working remotely for much of the last two-and-a-half years. While some colleagues have had trouble getting over the inertia of leaving their home and hitting the road to work, Beadle said she found her commuting groove came back quickly. The cafe and the variety of meeting rooms and workspaces have been draws, but the pull that gets her to make the daily 50-mile round-trip journey is the collaborative mission of the new office. Although the amenities are great, I think its the energy and the collaboration with my colleagues that has really been a dramatic effect, Beadle said. I dont think I realized sitting at my desk by myself, even with my kids at home, how much I was just missing out on that part of work. TheStreet.com Chief executives and political commentary rarely go well together when outgoing Whole Foods CEO John Mackey went on a podcast to say that the "socialists are taking over" and young people "don't seem like they want to work," the internet did not let him retire without one last scandal. The latest person to make a splash with his remarks is McDonald's chief executive Chris Kempczinski. During a conference at the Economic Club of Chicago, Kempczinski drew attention to the issue of crime in the Midwestern metropolis that serves as the headquarters of the Golden Arches. Video above courtesy Molly Kelner Garrett FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) A Chick-fil-A employee is being hailed as a hero after tackling an alleged carjacker in Florida. According to the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office, a woman had been taking an infant out of her car at the Chick-fil-A when the suspect, identified as 43-year-old William Branch, allegedly approached her while wielding a stick. He then demanded her keys before grabbing them from her waistband and getting into the car. The woman then began screaming for help. Thats when a Chick-fil-A employee intervened, authorities say. School messaging app Seesaw responds to NSFW photo sent to parents The employee was punched in the face by Branch, according to authorities. As the video above shows, the young man appears to tackle Branch to the ground before other Chick-fil-A employees and patrons intervened. Deputies arrived to arrest Branch, who now faces charges of carjacking with a weapon and battery. An employee told deputies Branch had been involved in another incident shortly before the carjacking attempt. Were so relieved that our Guests and Team Members are safe following this alarming incident. Im grateful for my amazing Team Member, Mykel Gordon, who so selflessly jumped in to intervene and help our Guests. I couldnt be prouder of his incredible act of care, Matthew Sexton, operator of the Fort Walton Beach Chick-fil-A location said in a statement shared with Nexstar. The sheriffs office said deputies are reviewing the video. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Dramatic video shows a Chick-fil-A employee tackling a man who allegedly tried to carjack a woman with a baby. The suspect, identified as William Branch, was arrested by authorities in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Branch is facing charges of battery and carjacking with a weapon, the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office said on Wednesday. Armed with a stick, Branch allegedly approached a woman in the parking lot outside of Chick-fil-A as she was getting a baby out of the car. He then demanded her keys, grabbed them from her waistband and tried to take the car, the sheriff's office said. The Chick-fil-A employee, identified by the restaurant as Mykel Gordon, intervened after hearing the woman screaming. Part of the video of the encounter shows Gordon wrestling Branch to the ground and pinning him until more people show up to help. In reference to the FWB Chick-fil-A employee who ran to help a woman with a baby who was being carjacked, we want to say a sincere thank you to Ms. Kelner for providing video of a portion of the encounter. (see prior post). A major shout-out to this young man for his courage! pic.twitter.com/2Lcwe46azv OkaloosaSheriff (@OCSOALERTS) September 14, 2022 At one point, Branch punched Gordon in the face, but he was not seriously injured, the sheriff's office said. In the clip, a woman who witnessed the incident unfold is heard calling out the attempted carjacker. "She had a baby in her hands," she says. "She had a baby in her hands! How dare you!" Deputies said Branch was involved in another incident shortly before the carjacking attempt. The local Chick-fil-A's Facebook page identified the quick-thinking employee and called him a "HERO." "This is Mykel Gordon! At Chick-fil-A our mission is to 'Serve' and today Mykel took it furtherto 'Save,'" the post said. Story continues Gordon has worked at the Chick-fil-A for the last 14 years. Matthew Sexton, the restaurant's operator, praised Gordon in a statement to CBS News on Thursday. "We're so relieved that our Guests and Team Members are safe following this alarming incident," Sexton said. "I'm grateful for my amazing Team Member, Mykel Gordon, who so selflessly jumped in to intervene and help our Guests. I couldn't be prouder of his incredible act of care." Authorities also lauded the young man. "A major shout-out to this young man for his courage!" the sheriff's office tweeted. The sheriff's office wrote on its Facebook page that it expects Gordon will receive some sort of award for his actions. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis flies dozens of migrants to Martha's Vineyard Queue to see Queen Elizabeth II lying in state stretches over 4 miles Video shows Florida Chick-fil-A employee stopping man who allegedly tried to carjack woman with baby A woman being carjacked while carrying her baby on Wednesday received help from a local hero. The woman was taking her child out of her car outside a Chick-fil-A in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, when a man approached her with a stick, according to The Washington Post. He then snatched her keys away and entered the vehicle as she screamed out for help. Those cries were answered by Chick-fil-A worker Mikel Gordon, who witnessed the ordeal and rushed to her aid. Footage shows Gordon getting into an altercation with the man, whom the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office identified in a Facebook post as 43-year-old William Branch. The victim was getting the infant out of her car at a restaurant at 743 Beal Parkway when she says Branch approached her wielding a stick and demanding her keys, the sheriffs office wrote. He then grabbed the keys from the waistband of her pants, opened the door, and got inside. The one-minute video was filmed by a witness from the safety of their car. It shows Gordon tackling a man to the ground and putting him in a headlock. His colleagues eventually arrived, alongside a woman carrying her baby who doled out some verbal justice. She had a baby in her hand, the woman screamed. She had a baby in her hand! How dare you! How dare you scare her like that! Footage shows Gordon standing up after winning the fight and placing his hands on the other man to ensure he stayed put. The man remained seated on the concrete without causing problems until authorities placed him in handcuffs. A major shout out to this young man for his courage! the sheriffs office told the Post. Gordon had potentially saved somebodys life before. He was taking orders outside the Fort Walton Beach location in September 2008 when he saw a crane collapse and crash onto a nearby car. Gordon rushed over and noticed a teenage driver and her friend trapped inside, according to the Northwest Florida Daily News. He told the outlet he carried one of them to safety before bystanders sprung into action to help the other. Story continues I didnt have any time to react, Gordon told the paper. It was nothing but instinct, and I ran to the car. Branch was booked on charges of battery and carjacking with a weapon. While its unclear whether Gordon will be promoted for his unrelated heroism, the operator of his Chick-fil-A location, Matthew Sexton, certainly seemed impressed. I couldnt be prouder of his incredible act of care, he said. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... The U.S. is facing an ongoing crisis of care a child care crisis exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic and ensuing economic fallout. Women were among those hardest hit by job losses as a result of COVID, with over 5.4 million net jobs lost between February 2020 and January 2022. At the same time, the cost of child care has been steadily rising in part due to inflation. Child care is one of the biggest challenges for women in the workforce, Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation, told Yahoo Finance. It is one of the reasons why job losses during COVID were disproportionate to women. It is not just the economic gap it's also that they are more likely to leave the workforce when you have challenges like COVID because there are more child care needs. Further disparities Over the past year, child care has gotten more expensive for 63% of parents, according to Care.com's 2022 Cost of Care survey, which also found that 51% of parents are spending more than 20% of their household income on child care, and 72% of parents report spending 10% or more. These numbers are higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. On top of that, COVID had a notably disproportionate impact on women of color, especially Latina and Black women, "often due to the pandemic-driven erosion of child care," said Dr. Sandra Bishop, chief research officer at Council for a Strong America, told Yahoo Finance. "For example, Black mothers labor force participation declined at a rate more than double that of white mothers." Bishop also noted that it's not just households affected by rising costs child care workers are impacted as well, as 97% of child care workers are women and about 43% are women of color. Younger parents, single parents, and/or LGBTQ parents were also badly affected. LGBTQ families were reported to experience severe financial hardship and hunger, due to child care problems, according to a recent analysis by Center for Economic and Policy Research. Story continues In June 2020, 38% of millennial mothers surveyed by the Census Bureau said they were unemployed due to child care issues whereas the number was as low as 16% among fathers. In 2021, the U.S. was ranked the second-most expensive country for child care for a single parent, whereas many European countries like Germany, Italy, and Greece had up to just 1% of net income expenditure on child care per single-parent household, according to the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD). This has broadened the overall disparities including gender inequality in the U.S., which is at a moderate distance to meet the target for gender equality, according to the Women Count Program of the United Nations (UN). As part of the American Rescue Plan, a legislative response to the coronavirus pandemic, eligible families with children were able to receive the Child Tax Credit, which consisted of monthly payments of either $250 or $300 per child. While many lawmakers pushed for the credit to be extended or even included in the Inflation Reduction Act, that has not happened. Child care deserts The pandemic also brought along the closure of over 16,000 child care facilities between December 2019 and March 2021. More than half of Americans live in a child care desert, where there are either no child care services or not enough services for the number of children in that area. About 57% of Hispanic/Latino households and 44% of Black households live in child care desert regions, according to the Center for American Progress. If you can have a more effective child care setup, then you are unlocking the ability for these women to re-enter the workforce and generate a much higher economic return, Suzman said. For example, he noted, the country of Kenya offers child care collectives "mamapreneurs" in low-income areas. These provide jobs for child care workers, while also freeing out "the time for women to go out and get mainstream jobs in the cities." More than half of Americans live in a child care desert, where there are either no child care services or not enough for the number of children in the area. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) To make matters worse, a federal program known as the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) will see an end to its funding on Sept. 30. This program aids to improve the well-being and economic stability of expecting or vulnerable families, as 70% of the families who participate in this program live below the federal poverty level, and helps connect them with child care resources. "Families who enroll in federally-funded home visits have access to a trained professional who can help them locate high-quality child care providers and access available subsidies to which they are entitled, so child care is more affordable, Tawana Bandy-Fattah, associate director of research at Council for a Strong America, told Yahoo Finance. Without sufficient child care infrastructure like MIECHV, the economic implications can become significant. Roughly, the inadequate child care systems across the states are imposing a burden of about 10% of average wages each year for working parents," Dr. Clive Belfield, a professor of economics at City University of New York, told Yahoo Finance. "So if the average wage is about $40,000, the economic penalty for families from inadequate child care is about $4,000. Then there are the losses to businesses and to the local economy." Tanya is a data reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter. Click here for the latest economic news and economic indicators to help you in your investing decisions Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Download the Yahoo Finance app for Apple or Android Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, and YouTube Advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence will contribute to improved reliability, employee safety and making industries more sustainable, said Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Al-Khorayef. Speaking at the plenary session of the 2nd Global AI Summit on the role of advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence in the field of industry and mining, he said the Kingdom has more than 10,000 factories, which constitute 11% of the country's GDP, with an annual growth rate of 10%, according to a Saudi Press Agency report. Advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence-based technologies are no longer an option, but a reality that cannot be bypassed to ensure growth and profitability. In the past, factories were able to achieve all the benefits of different technologies by simply working with technology providers to prepare new solutions in their facilities, he said. With regard to the role of governments in building the ecosystem, the minister said governments are expected to participate more today in enabling the adoption of these advanced technologies, by providing digital infrastructure and advanced applications. He also affirmed the Kingdom's determination to enhance the outcomes of research, development and innovation. In this regard, a new research, development and innovation authority has been established to achieve this goal, he said. BEIJING (Reuters) -China said on Thursday that it had lodged "solemn representations" with the United States, after a U.S. Senate panel advanced legislation that would enhance U.S. military support for Taiwan. If the bill continues to go forward, it would affect U.S.-China relations, Mao Ning, a foreign ministry spokesperson, said at a regular media briefing. Mao also described the new U.S. legislation as sending "a serious false signal to the separatist forces of Taiwan independence." "China is firmly opposed to this and has made solemn representations to the U.S. side that there is only one China in the world, that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's territory, and that China will unswervingly promote the complete reunification of the country," the spokesperson said. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee backed the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022 by 17-5, despite concerns about the bill in U.S. President Joe Biden's administration and anger about the measure from Beijing. The bill comes over one month after China conducted its largest-ever military exercises around Taiwan in response to an earlier visit to the self-ruled island by U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi. (Reporting by Liz Lee; Writing by Ryan Woo and Eduardo Baptista; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky and Kim Coghill) Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 in Washington, DC. Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speculated on the midterm results, Punchbowl News reported. Schumer said the GOP will win the House, with Democrats 60% likely to hold the Senate, per the report. The seemingly unguarded remarks were made loudly at a restaurant, per Punchbowl. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer believes that Democrats are likely to lose their control of the House of Representatives in the November midterms, Punchbowl News reported. In the same exchange he gave Democrats a 60% chance of retaining control of the Senate. According to the outlet, Schumer made the remarks at an Italian restaurant in Washington, DC, with a group of other Democratic senators. The remarks were loud and could be overheard by several other patrons, Punchbowl said. His prediction that Democrats would lose control of the Senate contradicts that of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who said the party would not only hold the House but increase its majority. Per Punchbowl, at the dinner Schumer described Pelosi as being "in trouble." If Democrats lose the House, she would also lose her position as speaker. Video: Watch how Joe Biden has aged from 1974 to 2022 The predictions are part of a long process of setting expectations for the votes. Pundits only weeks ago predicted a GOP "red wave" that would hand control of both houses back to the Republicans a significantly more dramatic reversal that that predicted by Schumer. Republicans have long been expected to win back control of the House in the midterms, in line with the long trend of the party which holds the presidency losing the House in midterm elections. Redistricting and a number of retirements also make a Democratic majority a long shot. But in the Senate, Democrats are increasingly optimistic about retaining their slender majority. President Joe Biden's popularity, which was recently polling in the low 40s, is recovering, amid a dip in gas prices and recent legislative successes. The decision by the conservative majority Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade has provoked a backlash by voters against the GOP, and recent legal scandals embroiling former President Donald Trump have damaged the party's attempts to focus on preferred themes like education and migration. Read the original article on Business Insider The Recount On Late Night with Seth Meyers, Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton commented on Trumps possession of classified documents and having them at his country club. In early August, Donald Trumps country club Mar-a-Lago was raided by FBI agents due to his possession of classified top secret documents, some dealing with nuclear security measures. This is a threat to our national security that somebody would actually have in his country club storage room, his desk, his bedroom top secret information and you have to ask yourself, why? flooding in pakistan Global warming is likely to have played a role in the devastating floods that hit Pakistan, say scientists. Researchers from the World Weather Attribution group say climate change may have increased the intensity of rainfall. However there were many uncertainties in the results, so the team were unable to quantify the scale of the impact. The scientists believe there's roughly a 1% chance of such an event happening in any coming year. In the two months since flooding began in Pakistan, tens of millions of people have been affected, with around 1,500 dying because of the rising waters. The intensity of the downpours saw the river Indus burst its banks, while landslides and urban flash floods swamped many areas. Right from the start, politicians pointed to climate change as having made a significant contribution to the desperate scenes. But this first scientific analysis says the picture is complex. Certainly, the crippling heatwaves that gripped India and Pakistan earlier this year were easier to attribute, with researchers finding that climate change had made them up to 30 times more likely to happen. But extreme rainfall events are hard to assess. Pakistan is located on the edge of the monsoon region where the rainfall pattern is extremely variable from year to year. Map showing damage done by monsoon rains Further complications include the impact of large-scale weather events such as La Nina, which also played a role in the last major floods in Pakistan in 2010. During the 60-day period of heaviest rainfall this summer scientists recorded an increase of about 75% over the Indus river basin, while the heaviest five-day period over the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan recorded a rise in rainfall of around 50%. The researchers then used climate models to determine how likely these events would be in a world without warming. Story continues Some of the models indicated that the increases in rainfall intensity could all be down to human-caused climate change - however there were considerable uncertainties in the results. "Our evidence suggests that climate change played an important role in the event, although our analysis doesn't allow us to quantify how big the role was," said Friederike Otto from Imperial College London, one of the report's authors. "What we saw in Pakistan is exactly what climate projections have been predicting for years. It's also in line with historical records showing that heavy rainfall has dramatically increased in the region since humans started emitting large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. And our own analysis also shows clearly that further warming will make these heavy rainfall episodes even more intense." "So while it is hard to put a precise figure to the contribution of climate change, the fingerprints of global warming are evident." The researchers say that the heavy rainfall that Pakistan endured this year now has around a 1% chance of recurring in any given year, although this estimate does come with a large range of uncertainty as well. Follow Matt on Twitter @mattmcgrathbbc. Sep. 15Cobb police officers shot and killed a man Wednesday night after he allegedly lunged at officers with a knife, the department said Thursday. Police responded to a report of a domestic dispute around 8:15 p.m. at 1826 Sandtown Road, just south of the intersection with Austell Road. After meeting with the caller, police said, a man brandished a knife in front of police. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified the man as Anton Washington, 22, a resident of the home. Washington "initially followed instructions to put the knife on the floor. He then picked the knife back up and lunged towards one of the officers," the GBI said. Two officers shot Washington, who was transported to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The GBI has taken over investigation of the shooting. Associated Press When a government document mysteriously appeared earlier this week in the highest profile case in the federal court system, it had the hallmarks of another explosive storyline in the Justice Departments investigation into classified records stored at former President Donald Trumps Florida estate. The document purported to be from the U.S. Treasury Department, claimed that the agency had seized sensitive documents related to last months search at Mar-a-Lago and included a warrant ordering CNN to preserve leaked tax records. The document remained late Thursday on the court docket, but it is a clear fabrication. ASL Now connects Deaf Consumers with trained Deaf customer service agents at the touch of a button Austin, Texas --News Direct-- Communication Service for the Deaf ASL Now, powered by Connect Direct, has launched its new ASL Now app today, the first-of-its-kind, free mobile app that connects American Sign Language (ASL) users with trained customer service agents who are fluent in ASL no interpreters or captions required. ASL Now redefines customer service, providing equitable communications experiences for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, hard-of-hearing, and late-deafened people whose daily lives are impacted by barriers to accessible communications options. ASL Now gives consumers the freedom to seek out information and support from businesses without wasting hours on randomized interpreting relay services or frustrating captioning services. ASL Now provides users with a directory of companies offering customer support directly in American Sign Language. A user scrolls through the list of companies, finds the one they need to call, and clicks to connect with a trained Deaf customer service agent over video. Companies included in the directory now include Google, Xfinity Comcast, the Minnesota Health Department, Cox Communications, and the State of California. With just a tap of a finger, ASL users can contact their favorite companies and talk to someone in their native language. This communication access attracts new customers and builds loyalty, said Pat Myers, President of CSDs Emerging Markets division. Businesses that use ASL Now show that they are allies to the Deaf community by creating jobs for Deaf people and providing accessible communications. ASL Now is a mobile communication app for consumers and a business service. The ASL Now service partners with globally recognized companies to hire and train teams of Deaf and hard-of-hearing customer service agents, establishing dedicated customer service solutions for their customers who are part of the Deaf community. Businesses establishing an ASL Now team are automatically included in the ASL Now directory, introducing their products and services to new audiences. By partnering with ASL Now, businesses increase customer satisfaction and save money. They can save up to 35% compared to the cost of using traditional third-party interpreters. Customers also get more one-call solutions and have call lengths reduced by up to 33%. Story continues ASL Now is supported by nearly 50 years of experience serving and supporting the Deaf community. The service is engineered by Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD), the worlds largest social impact organization dedicated to the Deaf community. Hence, consumers and businesses alike benefit from the knowledge and experience of the teams behind the scenes at ASL Now. CSD has always sought to create equitable communication and employment opportunities for the Deaf community. This app does that, said CSD CEO Chris Soukup. ASL Now makes it easy for Deaf consumers to get the same customer service that a hearing person would get, with no third parties or added communication barriers in their daily lives. With the ASL Now App, equal communication is at your fingertips. Download the free ASL Now App, available on Apple iOS and Google Play for Android About ASL Now Since 2017, ASL Now powered by Connect Direct has been the leading provider of innovative call center solutions for communicating directly with Deaf customers in American Sign Language. Offering cutting-edge customer service through ASL Now decreases customer frustration and opens the door to a new market of loyal clients. This expertise provides an invaluable, time-saving solution for businesses, customers, and representatives. To learn more, visit ASL Now, explore our media kit, and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn. About Communication Service for the Deaf Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) is the world's largest Deaf-led social impact organization. For more than four decades, CSD has been a leader in creating and providing accessible and innovative solutions for the Deaf community. Today, CSD continues its work to create opportunities for personal and economic growth within the Deaf community, explicitly addressing leadership and employment. For more information, please visit CSD and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. About Communication Service for the Deaf Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) is the largest Deaf-led social impact organization in the world. For more than four decades, CSD has been a leader in creating and providing accessible and innovative solutions for the Deaf community. Today, CSD continues its work to create opportunities for personal and economic growth within the Deaf community, specifically addressing leadership and employment. For more information, please visit CSD and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Contact Details Communication Service for the Deaf Katie Murch media@csd.org Company Website https://www.GetConnectDirect.com View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/connect-direct-launches-asl-now-mobile-app-the-worlds-first-mobile-app-that-directly-connects-deaf-consumers-with-deaf-call-center-agents-no-interpreters-or-captions-needed-581350391 Seah Gulf Special Steel, a joint venture between Saudi industrial investments company Dussur and Korean group SeAH Changwon Integrated Special Steel Corporation, said it has sealed an industrial land allocation agreement with King Salman Energy City (Spark) to set up its new steel pipe factory in Dammam at an investment of more than SR1 billion ($266.3 million). As per the agreement, Spark will allocate SeAH Gulf Special Steel an industrial land area of 177,845 sq m to build its factory, which, once operational, will have a production capacity of 20,000 tonnes per year. And the importance of SeAH Gulf Special Steel factory lies in the opportunities of attracting global expertise and localizing the stainless-steel pipe industry, by serving the oil and gas sectors in addition to energy and water. On choosing Spark for its project, the Dussur-Korean JV said it is one of the most developed industrial cities in the kingdom, as it provides integrated industrial services that include electricity and gas supplies, in addition to water and communication services. Also at the ceremony, SeAH Gulf Special Steel awarded a engineering, procurement, and construction contract (EPC) contract worth SR260 million to Sendan International Company, a leading Saudi-based construction group, for the steel factory. A major player in Saudi industrial sector, Sendan has developed a strong position as a contractor in the oil, gas, petrochemical, power, water, and mining in the kingdom. As per the deal, the entire project will be completed in 34 months and the commercial operation of the factory will begin by 2025. Seah Gulf Special Steel pointed out that once the factory starts operation, around 240 technical and engineering job opportunities will be available for Saudi youth. Also it will help the kingdom reduce its dependence on imports for strategic goods into the country. Dussur CEO Dr Raed Al Rayes said: "We had established our company as a sustainable investment model to help develop key industrial sectors and their associated value chains in the kingdom. This joint venture is an important achievement that will meet the current demand for stainless steel pipes in Saudi Arabia and also the Mena region." Dussur is owned by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund Public Investment Fund (PIF), state oil giant Aramco and global diversified chemicals company Sabic. It is in line with Dussurs mission to empower the industrial sector, maximizing the developmental impact through the transfer and localization of industrial knowledge, creating professional jobs for Saudis, and attracting foreign direct investments, following the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Sep. 15State lawmakers are again recommending a York County District judge serve another seven-year term, despite some public pushback. Members of the Maine Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously Wednesday following a contentious committee hearing that lasted roughly five hours. This is the second time District Judge Jeffrey Moskowitz has faced strong opposition. Just months before his last reappointment in 2015 he unsuccessfully attempted to impose a gag order on media coverage of a domestic violence case. In 2021, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court called attention to one of his rulings, which it partially vacated, in which Moskowitz "abused his discretion" by declining to modify a custody arrangement in favor of a father who wanted to vaccinate his children. Lawmakers on the Judiciary Committee voted unanimously in 2015 to recommend his confirmation to the full Senate, even as a group of lawyers opposed Moskowitz's reappointment, saying he showed clear bias toward the prosecution. Moskowitz, a graduate of the Syracuse University School of Law who served as assistant district attorney in York County throughout the 1990s, was first appointed to the bench in 2008 by Gov. John Baldacci. He was reappointed again in 2015 by Gov. Paul LePage. Gov. Janet Mills is the latest to reappoint Moskowitz to the bench. In his application for another term, the judge said that he handles a wide range of district-level cases in all four of York County's courthouses. He estimated he spends roughly 40 percent of his time as a judge on family matters, 20 percent on criminal issues and 10 percent on domestic violence cases. During Wednesday's hearing, lawmakers referenced letters from people who'd been in Moskowitz's courtroom. They disagreed with his rulings, saying Moskowitz was biased against women, didn't fully consider the facts of their cases and treated litigants representing themselves "pro se" without attorneys unfairly. Story continues Roughly 30 people spoke at Moskowitz's reappointment hearing Wednesday afternoon. More than a dozen voiced their support, most of them attorneys from York County and the Portland area who have tried cases in Moskowitz's court. "Jeff Moskowitz truly is humbled by the responsibility of being a judge. He takes it that seriously," said Portland attorney Rob Ruffner. "I can tell you that he accepts critical feedback from members of the bar. He does so because he is concerned about doing a good job as a judge. He wants that information." "I was troubled mostly (by) the line of questioning and also by some of the online commentary and the letters you have apparently received," attorney Diane Dusini said to the committee. "I do not believe there is any bias on his part. ... he is respectful to everyone, even those who do not treat him with the same level of respect." Moskowitz also received a favorable endorsement from the Maine Trial Lawyer's Association and York County District Attorney Kathryn Slattery, who said she had "no doubt" about Moskowitz's integrity and knowledge of the courts. "When it comes to temperament and how he treats people, I cannot say enough," Slattery said. "I'm surprised (at) the allegations of disparate treatment against women in his courts." Those in opposition were all private citizens, many of whom had cases in which Moskowitz ruled against them. Some of those who spoke during Wednesday's hearing didn't understand the authority of the Judiciary Committee, and asked lawmakers to initiate criminal proceedings against Moskowitz or to launch an investigation. Several speakers went over a three-minute time limit set by the committee, often speaking over lawmakers or becoming emotional. Judiciary Chair Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth, reminded some speakers of the purpose of the hearing when their comments veered from their experiences with Moskowitz to specific details of their court cases. "This hearing is for people to share their information about the qualifications of Judge Moskowitz," Carney told one speaker, mid-testimony. The speaker was later ejected from the meeting for not appearing "to be providing information to the committee that's germane," Carney said. "We've had a little introductory to family court here and all of its emotion," Rep. Christopher Babbidge, D-Kennebunk, said at one point. The Maine Senate is scheduled to vote on Moskowitz's confirmation on Tuesday, Sept. 20. The Judiciary Committee also agreed to advance two other nominations to the District Court, Daniel Mitchell of Scarborough and Jennifer Rush of Portland. Governments around the world "showed themselves to be untrustworthy and ineffective" during the coronavirus pandemic, leading to several million deaths and a "massive global failure" at multiple levels, the Lancet COVID-19 Commission wrote in a report published Wednesday. "Too many governments have failed to adhere to basic norms of institutional rationality and transparency, too many peopleoften influenced by misinformationhave disrespected and protested against basic public health precautions, and the world's major powers have failed to collaborate to control the pandemic," the panel of international experts wrote. The commission also urged the scientific community to intensify its search for the origins of the virus that causes COVID-19. "The proximal origins of SARS-CoV-2 are still not known," the commission wrote. "Identifying these origins would provide greater clarity into not only the causes of the current pandemic but also vulnerabilities to future outbreaks and strategies to prevent them." SARS-CoV-2 could have zoonotic origins, meaning that it emerged from a natural spillover event, such as infection at a wet market. The virus also could have a research-related origin, either by infection of a scientist in the field, infection in the laboratory while studying a natural virus, or infection "while studying viruses that have been genetically manipulated," according to the commission. "The search for origins requires unbiased, independent, transparent, and rigorous work by international teams in virology, epidemiology, bioinformatics, and other related fields," the commission wrote. EDUCATION SECRETARY CARDONA OPENS UP ON SCHOOLS' SPENDING OF COVID-19 RELIEF MONEY, HEAT-RELATED CLOSURES At least 6.9 million deaths have been reported worldwide, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, but the actual number is likely around 17 million. Story continues More than one million people have died in the United States alone, and about 350 Americans continue to die every day, according to the latest numbers from the CDC. The World Health Organization responded to the commission's criticism on Wednesday, saying that the report does not "convey the full arc of WHOs immediate, multi-year, life-saving response." CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky ordered a reorganization of the agency last month to better prepare for future pandemics. "For 75 years, CDC and public health have been preparing for COVID-19, and in our big moment, our performance did not reliably meet expectations," she told employees, according to a statement obtained by the Washington Post. "My goal is a new, public health action-oriented culture at CDC that emphasizes accountability, collaboration, communication, and timeliness." STORY: The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed the death of a 17-year-old. President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the killing and Israel's raids in the West Bank, where dozens of Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces this year. Violence in the West Bank has surged in recent months as Israel has intensified raids following a spate of lethal Palestinian street attacks in its cities. The Israeli military said its soldiers came under fire around Jenin, an area of frequent incursions, during a mapping operation the houses of Palestinians involved in a Wednesday clash that left an Israeli officer and two Palestinian gunmen dead. The mapping was conducted in order to examine the possibility of demolition of the houses, the military said. "Armed suspects hurled explosive devices and Molotov cocktails and fired toward the soldiers. In response, the soldiers fired toward the suspects. Hits were identified," the military said. A spokesperson for Abbas said Israel was responsible for the violence. Israel says it has no choice but to operate in militant strongholds like Jenin. As Republican governors ramp up their high-profile transports of migrants to Democratic-run jurisdictions, the practice is getting a mixed reaction from Christian faith leaders many of whom, especially evangelicals, have supported GOP candidates by large numbers in recent elections. Some depict the actions as inhumanely exploiting vulnerable people for political ends, while others say it's a harmless way of calling attention to the impact of immigration on states near the southern border. Playing political games scores points and the hypocrisy of the current immigration system is easy to point out, Ed Stetzer, a professor, dean and executive director of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center in Illinois, said in a statement. However, it does not solve the actual problems. ... Lets fix the system, he added, and stop turning people into pawns of political one-upmanship. But the Rev. Robert Jeffress, senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Dallas and a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump, who imposed restrictive immigration policies during his term, backed the transports. Government officials who refuse to fulfill their biblical responsibility to protect our borders should be made to feel the effects of their lawless policies, Jeffress said via email. Busing illegal migrants to Washington D.C. or Marthas Vineyard is not exactly the same as sending them to Siberia, he continued. Most Americans would love the opportunity to visit either destination. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis flew immigrants on two planes to the upscale island of Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts on Wednesday, while Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has also dispatched migrants to cities with Democratic mayors. Most recently, on Thursday, two busloads from his state disembarked near Vice President Kamala Harris' residence in Washington. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey also has adopted the policy. The Republican governors are trying to draw attention to what they contend is failed border policy under the Biden administration. Story continues Brent Leatherwood, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's public policy agency, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, said such actions seem to be more about public relations. We have called long for strengthened border protections and at the same time (for) folks who are coming into this country to be treated in a way that respects the imago dei (image of God), he said. Most Americans, including Southern Baptists, want a solution to our broken immigration system, Leatherwood added. Let's cut down on some of these actions and instead come to the table and figure out a solution that actually respects human dignity. Joshua Manning, pastor of the ethnically diverse Community Baptist Church in Noel, Missouri, a town of 1,800 with a large immigrant population, agreed that the transports are the wrong way to highlight a real problem. You shouldnt be loading people up and treating them as political props thats dehumanizing, Manning said. He said, however, that immigration is a tricky subject. Places that have declared themselves in support of migrants and asylum seekers may not see the difficulties of everything thats associated with that," he said. In the mostly Latino neighborhood of Corona, in New York City's Queens borough, the large congregation of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic church held a special service Wednesday to pray for the immigrants. In an interview, their pastor, the Rev. Manuel Rodriguez, called the transports a horrible crime. All of us are horrified about the steady violation of human rights by Gov. DeSantis and other governors who are so inhumane and unethical to keep sending human beings to places where they werent even informed that theyd be sent, Rodriguez said. You dont use human beings who are fleeing their homelands in fear, because of violence, hunger, persecution, because of the threat of rape ... as tools, as objects to make political points," he said. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong assailed M&T Banks merging of accounts with Peoples United Bank, accusing the bank of a serious lack of preparation for this conversion and demanding a swift resolution to more than a week of customer disruptions. Should Connecticut consumers continue to experience extended gaps in customer service, my office will not hesitate to use the full extent of our authority to protect families and businesses, Tong wrote to Buffalo-based M&T in a letter dated Wednesday. Tong noted that customers have been blocked from online accounts and phone apps; wait times in branches and on the phone has been unacceptably long; real estate closings may have been delayed and otherwise complicated; and automatic payments have been disrupted, among other complaints. Tong pushed for a meeting with a high-level executive after his office fielded numerous complaints from customers and employees following the account conversion over the Labor Day holiday weekend. In his letter to Mike Keegan, M&Ts chief of community markets, Tong said his confidence in M&Ts acquisition of Bridgeport-based Peoples United was further shaken by the troubled account conversion, coming after last years confrontation with the bank over potential job losses. The fallout over the account conversion hit particularly hard in Connecticut, where Peoples United one of the largest Connecticut-based banks had hundreds of thousands of consumer and business customers. Max Reiss, an M&T spokesman, said in a written statement that bank executives are willing to meet with Tong immediately to address his concerns. We are in complete agreement that we must remain laser-focused to serve customers and improve their experience as they interact with a new financial institution for the first time, Reiss said. That is why we have been open with our customers before and during the conversion process. Reiss said the vast majority of customers have successfully come on board with the bank, but we know the experience for others have fallen short of our expectations. Story continues Reiss said the bank has beefed up staff in branches to help customers with the transition; worked on reducing wait times on customer service lines and reached out to customers to activate cards and accounts. In addition to the tumultuous account conversion, Tong took aim at the combination of the workforces of the two banks. M&T pledged in August, 2021 to employ at least 1,000 within a year at the Bridgeport headquarters of Peoples United Bank after closing its acquisition of Peoples United and combining account systems. M&T made that commitment in a letter to Tong, who along with a growing number of local, state and federal elected officials, expressed alarm at the depth of the job cuts disclosed by M&T in filing the previous month. The labor department filing disclosed that 747 jobs 661 of them at the Peoples Uniteds Main Street headquarters were on the chopping block. Elected officials said they were taken off guard, having understood job loss would be minimal. Tong praised the agreement in 2021, but said he would be monitoring the combination of the two banks. In his letter Tuesday, Tong said he was disturbed by reports from former Peoples United employees who have been technically retained but in jobs with significantly less pay. Employees have complained that jobs have been siphoned off from elsewhere in the state to meet the Bridgeport employment requirements, Tong said. Employees also have said the majority of new job openings are in New York and not Connecticut. In his letter, Tong asked for an accounting of how many employees who were among the initial 747 had, so far, lost their jobs. Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com. It was characterized as too risky, too dangerous, too out-of-the-question but ultimately, that didn't deter the United States of America or Gen. Douglas MacArthur, for that matter. Just months after the Korean War began and with brilliant scheduling and coordination, U.S. Marines landed at Inchon on the west coast of Korea on this date in history, Sept. 15, 1950. Inchon was 100 miles south of the 38th parallel and just 25 miles from Seoul. ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, SEPT. 14, 1814, THE AMERICAN FLAG WAS STILL THERE' AFTER ATTACK ON FORT MCHENRY General Douglas MacArthur, who had been made supreme commander of the United Nations (U.N.) forces in July of that year, insisted on carrying out the landing a complicated operation and coordination of forces by air, land and sea, as History.com and other sources have noted. American troops are shown pushing inland following the U.N. invasion of the key Korean part of Inchon. With U.N. forces going on the offensive in Korea, Picture Post sent cameraman Bert Hardy to record the movements of American, British and South Korean troops. He photographed front-line scenes, the arrival of U.K. troops, U.S. landings at Inchon, wounded prisoners, refugees and other scenes of the Korean campaign. Photo byHulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images By the early part of the night, the Marines had overcome moderate resistance and secured Inchon. What was the impact? "The brilliant landing cut the North Korean forces in two and the U.S.-led U.N. force pushed inland to recapture Seoul, the South Korean capital that had fallen to the communists in June," History.com noted. "Allied forces then converged from the north and the south, devastating the North Korean army and taking 125,000 enemy troops prisoner." HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AMERICA'S FORGOTTEN WAR? The operation, according to an article published by the U.S. Naval Institute, was "epic in scale" and "audacious in concept." "The Inchon invasion dramatically altered the course of the Korean War and validated anew the importance of being able to project sea power ashore," the same article noted. "The amphibious assault at Inchon marked the Cold War rebirth of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps," the piece said about Operation Chromite, as it was named. "The expertly planned and boldly executed air-sea-ground attack," according to the same source, "put to rest the post-World War II argument that globe-spanning warplanes armed with atomic bombs were all that was needed for the United States to fight and win wars of the future." Story continues Instead, "sea power projected ashore would enable the United Nations to preserve the independence of the Republic of Korea and limit the conflict to the Korean Peninsula." The piece went further: "Throughout the Cold War, Navy-Marine Corps amphibious forces, aircraft carrier battle groups, and surface warships bristling with guns (and eventually long-range ship-to-shore missiles) discouraged aggression around the world and, when necessary, contributed to the success of American arms." The Korean War started on June 25, 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea, pushing the latter back on its heels. Yet on Sept. 15, 1950, the tides began to turn when the MacArthur-envisioned plan was implemented and U.N. forces began the drive toward Seoul. In explaining his rationale to other military leaders, many of whom were dubious, MacArthur famously said, "The Navy has never let me down in the past and it will not let me down this time." He also said, "We shall land at Inchon and I shall crush them!" MacArthur later explained that he felt he could turn the tide if he made a decisive troop movement behind the lines of North Korea's KPA (Korean People's Army) and he preferred Inchon over other locations as the landing site. He also expressed that he felt the enemy would be caught off-guard by the attack. By his own account afterward, he also said that because Inchon was so heavily defended, the North Koreans would not expect an attack there; that victory at Incheon would avoid a terrible winter campaign; and that, by invading a northern strong point, the U.N. forces could cut off North Korea's lines of supply and communication. The Department of Justice probe into the Jan. 6 riot is investigating potential charges of false statements, conspiracy and obstruction of justice, the D.C. Bar revealed in a recent filing. Former Trump official Jeffrey Clark told the D.C. Bars Board on Professional Responsibility which is currently pursuing disciplinary proceedings against him that the Justice Department searched his home and seized his phone in June in connection with an investigation into those three potential charges. Clark asked the board to delay his disciplinary proceedings, given his role in the Justice Department investigation, as well as the Jan. 6 Committees investigation and the Fulton County, Georgia Special Grand Jury investigation. The board denied Clarks request in a filing on Tuesday. The D.C. Bars Office of Disciplinary Counsel filed ethics charges against the longtime environmental lawyer in July over his role in former President Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election. While serving in Trumps Justice Department after the 2020 election, Clark wrote a letter intended for the Georgia state legislature, falsely claiming that the department had identified significant concerns that may have impacted election results. Trump attempted to oust then-Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen and replace him with Clark just days before leaving office, given Clarks willingness to participate in Trumps elections schemes. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Democrats are accusing Republican governors of cruelly using migrants as political pawns after they chartered buses and flights to send them to places like New York City and Marthas Vineyard. Migrants on two flights chartered by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) landed at Marthas Vineyard on Wednesday afternoon, and hours later, dozens of migrants sent by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) arrived on buses near the vice presidents residence in Washington, D.C. The governors, along with Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R), transported thousands of migrants in recent months, arguing the decision provides relief to border communities overwhelmed by President Bidens immigration policies. But Democrats have responded to the moves with intense pushback, and have accused the governors of providing no notice to localities and misleading the migrants. Why send these folks only to blue cities or blue states? Why isnt Abbott sending refugees to Mississippi or Oklahoma or Idaho? Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) asked at a press conference on Wednesday. This is about politics for him without regard to the fear and anguish and the challenges that it poses for these refugees, but here in Illinois we refuse to stoop to that mans level, Pritzker continued, signing a disaster proclamation that frees up state resources and activates 75 members of the Illinois National Guard to assist. Abbotts office said on Friday that Texas bused more than 10,400 migrants since April, with more than 300 migrants arriving in Chicago. Pritzker said Abbott isnt notifying Chicago or the state when they send migrants. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) said on CNN on Saturday that some of the migrants were taken to hospitals upon arrival. They were put on the buses with delicate medical conditions that no one in Texas seemed to care anything about, Lightfoot told the outlet. That is simply not right, and its un-American. Abbott spokeswoman Renae Eze called Democrats complaining about the relocations absolute hypocrites. Story continues Instead of complaining about fulfilling their sanctuary city promises, these Democrat hypocrites should call on President Biden to do his job and secure the border something the President continues failing to do, Eze said. The Republican governors argue the relocations ease the burden on border states after migrant apprehensions reached record levels earlier this year. They all are concerned about a few dozen or a few hundred migrants coming to their town, and we get that many per hour in almost every community across the border, Abbott said during an appearance on Fox Newss Jesse Watters Primetime on Tuesday. So were dealing with this all the time, and Im just helping out our local communities. A majority of Texans 52 percent support Abbotts busing of migrants, while 35 percent oppose the initiative, according to a poll by the University of Texas at Austins Texas Politics Project. Ducey spokesman C.J. Karamargin said Arizona has sent 1,809 migrants to D.C., which he called the source of the problem with an unwillingness to assist. We would encourage anyone who wants to get a better understanding of whats happening to visit a small city on the border, like Yuma, he said. Meanwhile, DeSantis on Wednesday sent migrants on two chartered flights to Marthas Vineyard, an island in Massachusetts known for its popularity among the wealthy. We are not a sanctuary state, and its better to be able to go to a sanctuary jurisdiction, and yes, we will help facilitate that transport for you to be able to go to greener pastures, DeSantis said during a Thursday press conference. Massachusetts state Sen. Julian Cyr (D), who represents Marthas Vineyard, called the flights a fundamentally racist tactic in an interview, drawing comparisons to the Reverse Freedom Rides, when southern segregationists lured African Americans to northern cities under false pretenses in 1962. The flights were also condemned by Massachusettss two Democratic senators, Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, who both called the move cruel. The fact that human beings are being trafficked for political benefits is abhorrent, said Cyr. It also raises some real questions as to whether or not any laws have been broken here. Boston-based group Lawyers for Civil Rights said its attorneys traveled to Marthas Vineyard to investigate whether state or federal human trafficking or kidnapping laws were violated. Cyr said a woman named Perla misled the migrants into boarding the flight by promising expedited work papers and housing. Its unclear whether the migrants are undocumented or whether they are asylum seekers allowed into the country to wait out their immigration court cases, or a combination of both. Still, an individuals immigration status is determined by Department of Homeland Security agencies state governments have little to no say or legal authority to expedite cases. In a statement, DeSantis communications director Taryn Fenske called the migrants illegal immigrants but did not specify their immigration status. Florida can confirm the two planes with illegal immigrants that arrived in Marthas Vineyard today were part of the states relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations, she said. Florida Democrats jumped on DeSantiss move, particularly as it impacted Venezuelan nationals escaping the leftist authoritarian regime of President Nicolas Maduro. Former Gov. Charlie Crist, DeSantiss Democratic opponent, lashed out directly at the Republican governor. When you are this inhumane in how you treat human beings, youre not qualified to be governor of anything, said Crist. And state Sen. Annette Taddeo (D), who is challenging Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.), said the move makes Florida Republicans claims of opposition to leftist authoritarianism in Latin America moot. After last nights news, Republicans can never again claim they stand with the victims of communism. To take advantage of people fleeing oppressive regimes and use them as political pawns to score cheap points with their Fox News audience and the extreme fringes of their party is cruel and inhumane, said Taddeo in a statement. Vanessa Cardenas, deputy director of progressive immigration group Americas Voice, called the relocations caravans 2.0, a reference to Republicans who seized on large groups of migrants that traveled together to the U.S.-Mexico border in recent years. Their hope is to score points on Fox and distract from the Republican decline in the 2022 polls, Cardenas said in a statement. Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott are competing to get MAGA-world kudos for owning the libs, she continued. In the process they are underscoring to the rest of the electorate how cruel, dehumanizing and transparently political their motivations are. RJ Hauman, director of government relations and communications at Federation for American Immigration Reform a restrictionist group that holds considerable sway over immigration hawks in the GOP applauded the relocations. Its beyond hypocritical to see mayors get upset at governors for transporting illegal immigrants to their so-called sanctuaries because its inhumane, when theyve been silent on Biden policies that incentivize the same people to put their lives in the hands of actual human smugglers and cartels, Hauman told The Hill. Updated at 5:30 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON Democrats on Thursday announced the Senate wont vote on legislation to protect same-sex marriage until after the November midterm elections, because of insufficient support for the measure among Republicans. Supporters of the Respect for Marriage Act were hoping to vote on and pass the bill next week, before the Senate recesses for the month of October ahead of the elections. But senators involved in talks over the measure failed to garner at least 10 Republican votes needed to break a filibuster. Were very confident that the bill will pass, but we will need a little more time, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), the lead Democratic sponsor of the bill, told reporters on Capitol Hill. Same-sex marriage is currently legal nationwide due to a 2015 Supreme Court ruling. But given the risk of the conservative-majority court overturning its past decision, like it has on abortion, Democrats and some Republicans are pushing to codify same-sex marriage rights in legislation. The House passed the bill in July with 47 GOP votes. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), the first openly gay elected senator, is helping lead efforts to pass same-sex marriage protections after the Supreme Court overturned abortion rights. (Photo: Tom Williams via Getty Images) Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), the first openly gay elected senator, is helping lead efforts to pass same-sex marriage protections after the Supreme Court overturned abortion rights. (Photo: Tom Williams via Getty Images) Senate Democrats this week agreed to several changes sought by conservatives, including making sure the bill would not protect polygamous relationships or marriage between more than two individuals, and that it would not infringe on religious institutions. Conservatives groups like the Heritage Foundation argued the bill would somehow lead to federal recognition of polygamy. But those changes werent enough for many Republicans. Some viewed the bill as unnecessary, arguing the Supreme Court would never overturn marriage equality despite the fact that it did so on abortion. Im a pretty traditional guy. I believe marriage is between a man and a woman, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said Thursday, making it clear he opposed the bill. Story continues Other Republicans were loath to cast a vote that would anger their base before a pivotal election. They also didnt want to be seen as getting boxed in by Democrats. Theyll get more votes in November and December, Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) predicted on Thursday. If I wanted to pass that and I was the majority leader and I wanted to get as many votes as they can possibly get, Id wait till after the election. The Missouri Republican, a supporter of same-sex marriage, is retiring this year. Hes seen as a potential vote for the measure, though he has yet to say so publicly. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is no stranger to scheduling messaging votes. He could have easily forced a vote on the matter, putting every Republican on the record before the election, as some Democrats and activists had called for. His decision not to do so reflected his desire to pass a law in good faith, according to Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio). It means the Democrats want to get a result, which I appreciate, I really do ... It takes a lot of the political sting out of it, to say this is not about a midterm election, Portman said. Its unclear how many more GOP senators are needed to pass the bill. Only four have expressed public support for it: Portman, Sen. Susan Collins (Maine), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Sen. Thom Tillis (N.C.). Baldwin and Portman were spotted trying to wrangle more GOP votes on the Senate floor on Thursday, but their efforts didnt seem to go well. In the past, the Senate has often punted difficult votes to the lame-duck session of Congress, which occurs after a November election but prior to a new session convening in January. Its possible the same-sex marriage bill gets a stand-alone vote or simply gets rolled into another must-pass bill before the end of the year. My personal preference is to put everyone on the record ahead of the elections, but I understand the decisions that are made about when the prospects are best for passing the measure, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said Thursday. I want a law, not just a bill. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... The New York Times LONDON All Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, did was put on a somber outfit and a sympathetic expression and walk around in public with three other people for 45 minutes. But the pointillistic armchair analysis of that brief event a surprise outing outside Windsor Castle last Saturday featuring Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, and Prince William and his wife has gone on ever since. The incident, for those following this particular saga, represented a brief cessation of, or maybe presaged GE Gas Power has signed an agreement with Taurus Arm, owner of the 500 megawatts (MW) Iraqs Bazyan Power Plant, to provide parts, repairs, and services for two 9F.04 gas turbines at the facility for a period of 16 years. The turbines were supplied by GE to Taurus Arm in 2021 under a fast-track project, where they were delivered to the site within months of notice to proceed. GE Digital will also provide its Asset Performance Management (APM) software to increase the reliability and availability of the units, decrease costs, and reduce operational risks. Saiwan Salih, Board Member of Taurus Arm said: The Bazyan project is a critical facility that is located in the province of Sulaymaniyah and delivers much-needed electricity to the Kurdistan region, the Northern areas of Iraq including Mosul, Kirkuk, and Salahaldin, as well as other parts of Iraq. We are delighted to build upon the existing strong collaboration between Taurus Arm and GE to enable more secure performance of the plant, helping us to better serve the needs of the community. Largest fleet With over 1,700 units deployed worldwide, GE has the largest operating and most experienced F-class fleet in the world. GEs 9F gas turbines are fuel flexible, making them an excellent fit for Iraq, where plant operators often need to run their power generation equipment on both liquid and gaseous fuels. The turbines also feature fast start times of up to 20 minutes in simple cycle and 30 minutes in combined cycle. As Iraq brings more renewable power supplies online, the operational flexibility offered by the turbines enables them to complement variable alternative energy sources with firm, on demand electricity that can ramp up or down quickly to help stabilise the grid. Gas-fuelled power generation continues to play an important role in meeting the growing energy needs of the Iraqi people and supporting the transition to a lower carbon future, said Joseph Anis, President & CEO of GE Gas Power Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Reliable operations at strategic facilities such as the Bazyan Power Plant are essential to sustain economic development efforts across the country. We are delighted to work with Taurus Arm on this essential project, thank them for their continued trust in us, and remain committed to delivering proven, industry-leading solutions to Iraq. Advanced Gas Path GE has supported the development of energy infrastructure in Iraq for over 50 years. The company has helped to build and service power plants and grid substations; rehabilitate power generation facilities in liberated areas across Iraq; install innovations such as the Advanced Gas Path (AGP) upgrade solution to enhance the performance of installed gas turbines; train local power sector professionals; and more. Together with the Iraqi Ministries of Planning, Finance, and Electricity, GE has also collaborated with various financial institutions to help obtain over $2.4 billion in funding since 2015 for energy sector projects in the country.-- TradeArabia News Service WBAL - Baltimore Videos A police pursuit started late Friday morning in east Baltimore and ended in the Timonium area of Baltimore County. While on the Beltway, it appeared the suspect vehicle side-swiped another car and get a flat tire. Three people bolted from the car around 12:15 p.m., when the car stopped in the northbound lanes of Interstate 83 near the Beltway interchange. SkyTeam 11 reported police officers apprehended all three occupants. SkyTeam 11 video showed an occupant of the car throw an object out of the window. The Department of Education on Thursday is announcing grants for two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that have received bomb threats this year. The Department will award $420,000 in Project School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV) funds to Tougaloo College in Jackson, Miss., and $80,000 to Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, N.C. As Secretary of Education, I want to make it abundantly clear that the Biden-Harris administration will not tolerate bomb threats or any efforts to terrorize students of color and everyone who lives, works, and studies at our Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said. The bomb threats made against HBCUs earlier this year not only strained institutions resources by prompting costly campus lockdowns, class cancellations, and law enforcement activities, but shattered students sense of safety and heightened anxiety throughout these campus communities, Cardona added. The grant money is targeted for the universities to support student trauma recovery programs, adding security officers, and expanding their mental health support. In a press release, the Department of Education said it will announce more Project SERV grants following the Tougaloo and Fayetteville grants, and a $133,000 grant to Southern Law University Law Center last month. According to the Department of Education, more than 50 HBCUs out of 101 total have received racially motivated bomb threats this year. The Biden administration has launched criminal probes into the threats, but no arrests have been made. In March, lawmakers expressed frustration over the lack of progress in investigations, at a time when a third of HBCUs had been targeted. Last month, Howard University in Washington, D.C. received two threats within five days, shortly after students returned to class for the fall semester. Cardona and Vice President Harris in March first announced the Project SERV grants would be made available to affected HBCUs, and the Department of Education released a Bomb Threat Resource Guide for the schools. We will continue to work with our partners across the administrationusing a whole-of-government approachto make sure HBCU leaders have access to all available federal resources to respond to threats of violence, shore up campus security, expand their infrastructure and capacity, and provide students with the safe and nurturing learning environments that HBCUs are known for, Cardona said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A Pueblo man accused of murder allegedly confessed to the killing, a Pueblo police detective testified in court Thursday. During a police interview, James Tafoya, 36, confessed to shooting 51-year-old Anthony Valdez in the back of the head, Pueblo Police detective Jose Medina testified Thursday in a preliminary hearing. Judge Thomas Flesher determined during the hearing there was sufficient evidence for Tafoya's case to proceed to trial. Tafoya is charged with first-degree murder, prohibited use of a weapon, vehicular eluding, and obstructing government operations after Valdez was found dead of an apparent gunshot wound on May 23 in a garage on North Lacrosse Avenue. Tafoya believed that Valdez was "into human trafficking and prostitution," and also mentioned "witchcraft," Medina claimed on the stand Thursday. Tafoya allegedly believed that Valdez was hurting Tafoya's daughter and her mother, Medina said, but the police department's investigation found no evidence to support those claims. Valdez's body was found in a laundry room adjoining the garage of a residence in the 1500 block of North Lacrosse Avenue. An autopsy later confirmed Valdez died of a gunshot wound to the back of the head, Medina said. The 9mm pistol police claim was used to shoot Valdez was later retrieved at Tafoya's grandfather's residence, Medina testified. Tafoya also allegedly told Medina he was under the influence of drugs at the time of the shooting, including methamphetamine and heroin. While questioning Medina, Tafoya's attorney Michael Stuzynski argued that the shooting happened late at night, which is "not a time that you usually have guests over." Stuzynski emphasized that Valdez also had meth in his system when he was killed. Medina stated that it did not look like Valdez had broken into the apartment and noted Tafoya made no claims of self-defense, but rather believed he was protecting his daughter. Story continues Tafoya was contacted by a police officer at the scene on May 23 but fled in his car. A short car chase ensued but the chase was called off after Tafoya was identified as the driver, according to documents obtained by the Chieftain. Tafoya was arrested after a short footchase along Fountain Creek a few days later. He will next appear in court for an arraignment on Nov. 21. This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Detective claims in court hearing Pueblo man confessed to killing Sep. 15All 17 schools within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Owensboro gathered together on Wednesday at the Sportscenter for Rainbow Mass the first one in four years due to COVID-19. Founded in the 1980s under Bishop John McRaith, the Mass is an opportunity for all of the students across the Diocese, covering all of western Kentucky, to come together and celebrate the liturgy. The Most Rev. William Medley, bishop for the Diocese, led the students in the Mass. "It was named the Rainbow Mass for all of the different colored uniforms the schools had," said David Kessler, superintendent of the schools. "It has continued to progress every year." The Mass started out as an annual tradition, but Kessler said due to transportation costs, they have cut back to every other year, with 2019 being the last time it had been held. "This is the first time everyone in the Diocese has had the opportunity at the same place at the same time since then," Kessler said. While the schools celebrate Mass at their own locations, Kessler said the Rainbow Mass shows that the students are part of a larger community. "Sometimes it's hard for people to understand how far reaching the Diocese is," he said. Kessler said the Diocese will be planning the next Rainbow Mass soon, and that this year's service had good participation with a little bit of a bigger crowd. "It was good to see the kids smile and have a good time," he said. "This one was special because of how the last few years have been." The Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade has led to a push for citizens initiatives to enshrine abortion rights. Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images In August 2022, a statewide referendum in Kansas saw citizens overwhelmingly reject a plan to insert anti-abortion language into the states constitution. It comes as a slew of similar votes on abortion rights are planned in the coming months putting the issue directly to the people after the Supreme Court struck down the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling. But are referendums and citizens initiatives good for democracy? It may seem like an odd question to pose on International Day for Democracy, especially at a time when many feel democracy is imperiled both in the U.S. and around the world. As someone who researches democracy, I know the answer isnt simple. It depends on the kind of initiative and the reason that it comes to be held. First, some simple distinctions. Referendums and citizens initiatives are mechanisms of direct democracy instances in which members of the public vote on issues that are commonly decided, in representative systems, by legislatures or governments. While with referendums it is typically the government that places questions on the ballot, with citizens initiatives more common at the state level in the U.S. the vote originates outside of government, usually through petition drives. The Chicago Center on Democracy, which I lead at the University of Chicago, recently launched a website that tracks many of these direct democracy efforts over the past half-century. Appealing to the masses or settling scores That a majority of democracies retain some form of direct democracy is a testament to the legitimacy with which citizens voices are heard, even when, in fact, most decisions are made by our elected leaders. Often, national governments call referendums to bring important questions directly to its citizens. But why would governments ever decide to turn a decision over to the people? In some cases, they have no choice. Many countries, among them Australia, require that constitutional amendments be approved in popular referendums. Story continues In other instances, such votes are optional. United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron, for example, was under no obligation to undertake a 2016 referendum on continued EU membership. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos had plenty of legislative support that same year to ratify peace accords with a rebel group through an act of congress. But he turned the decision over to the people, instead. Pushing a Brexit referendum backfired on then-Prime Minister David Cameron. Brian Lawless/PA Images via Getty Images One reason leaders voluntarily put important issues before voters is to solve disputes within their own political parties. The Brexit vote is a case in point. The U.K. Conservative Party was deeply divided over British membership in the EU, and as Cameron later acknowledges in his memoirs his position as head of the party, and thus as prime minister, was increasingly threatened. In these instances, the government is in effect using the people as a referee to decide an internal dispute. It is a high-risk move, though. For Cameron, going to the country meant the end of his premiership. And six years on, the U.K. is still dealing with the fallout of that vote. Sometimes leaders seek public support on issues about which they expect powerful opposition upon implementation. Colombias Santos expected resistance to the peace deal from opponents, including wealthy landed interests. He used the people as a kind of force field to protect the policy. But again, the strategy backfired. The Colombian accords were defeated, and have since faced powerful resistance when subsequent attempts were made to implement them through legislative approval. But do these two high-profile instances illustrate fatal flaws in referendums, and direct democracy in general? Perhaps not. Though plenty of disinformation circulated before both votes, the results probably fairly accurately reflected the peoples preferences. Moreover, they illustrate the perils to political leaders of placing issues of crucial importance before voters they cant be sure they will like the results. And when their referendums fail, they may set back causes that these politicians care about. For example, Brazil held a referendum on gun control in 2005. It failed, and later pro-guns rights president Jair Bolsonaro used its failure to try to loosen restrictions on firearms, claiming that the failure of the referendum allowed him to do so. Tool of demagogues Sometimes the prime minister or president does prevail. A kind of referendum was used in Australia in 2017 to pressure the legislature into legalizing same-sex marriage. Conservative politicians were willing to hold a vote, with the same kind of referee logic as in Brexit they were opposed to same-sex marriage, but preferred to go along with the publics will, rather than continue to fight over this internally divisive issue. In the end, the pro-marriage equality prime minister opted for a postal survey rather than a formal referendum. And the gamble worked for Australias leader a very large majority expressed support of same-sex marriage and the prime minister got his way. For every Colombia-style debacle, in which a leader holds an optional referendum but fails, one can point to governments putting matters to a popular vote to produce a force field, and winning. The approval of the public can make policy immune to - or at least undermine later opposition. Such was the case of same-sex marriage in Ireland, passed by referendum in 2015. The following year, Ireland settled the issue of abortion access, overturning a ban by a two-thirds majority. Referendums are not only used by democratic leaders but also by autocrats and demagogues. Russian president Vladimir Putin put a series of constitutional reforms before voters in 2020, including one that overturned Putins prior term limit in office. Accusations of fraud and intimidation followed the vote. The process could hardly have been more at odds with direct democracy and the autonomous expression of the peoples will. Getting policy to line up with peoples will There are no national referendums in the U.S. But American voters have a great deal of experience with initiatives at the state level and with state-wide referendums, as well. These votes have the potential to force governments to abide by the peoples will in cases where legislators may be resisting popular policies. Yet problems can arise with these exercises in direct democracy. Even though they are presumably citizens initiatives, the influence of political parties, special interests, lobbyists and big money can turn them into something quite different, as was the experience of California in the 1990s which in turn undermined the publics satisfaction in the initiative process. But recently we have seen a spate of state initiatives that seem more promising where majorities of citizens are demanding that their state legislatures bring policy more in line with public opinion. Florida voters approved ex-felon voting; Arizona voters approved bigger budgets for public schools; Missouri voters forced a reluctant legislature to expand Medicare in their state. All of these initiatives were backed with popular public support. Most recently, Kansans said no, in referendum, to inserting pro-life language into their states constitution. Let the people decide! The potential for mechanisms of direct democracy to improve citizen representation depends on the context in which they are held, including the manner in which they are placed on the ballot and the motives of those who placed them there. At one extreme are autocrats like Vladimir Putin who held votes that augment his power and the length of his term. At the other are citizens frustrated by legislators whose actions stray far from public opinion. In between are measures sponsored by governments that may want to insulate policies they care about with the help of the peoples backing, and parties that throw their hands up, in the context of internal divisions, and say, let the people decide. This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Susan Stokes, University of Chicago. Like this article? subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Read more: Susan Stokes does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Several Disney World guests have complained about broken down rides and dirty facilities at the Orlando, Florida, resort amid soaring ticket prices. These complaints come as the price of a ticket to Walt Disney World has increased by 3,871 per cent over the past 50 years. Disney fans have been complaining about their experience at the famous resort on various social media platforms. So sad Disney has fallen so far, one user wrote on Twitter. You have shunned so many in the name of profit while offering lower quality of service and experience. Broken down rides and closed venues. Tourists visiting Orlando should spend all their money and vacay time at Universal Studios and SeaWorld. Another person added: Hey CEO, worst experience with family at your Orlando parks. Half rides [are] inoperable or broken! One person wrote: Terrible experience [the] park has deteriorated greatly. The reactions come after riders got stranded on the famous Its a Small World ride for over an hour after the attraction broke down last month. One of the puppets on Its a Small World (Disney Parks, Experiences and Products) A video of the incident was posted on TikTok, where users described the experience as torture. [Park staff] didnt realise for like 45 mins, everyone was stuck on a boat so we sat there for about an hour stuck with the song on repeat, the visitor commented. Another person complained about the poor maintenance of Disney Worlds new Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel, which costs around $6k for two nights. Last year when I was here, I was blown away with CMs [cast members], especially at Galaxys Edge, with maintaining the illusion. This year, a lot of the CMs were not in character at all, the guest said, according to New York Post. The resorts have all had some small issues like the main door not closing when we leave, to A/C not working properly. The current price for a day ticket to the Orlando, Florida park is $109 (90), while the fee for a child under 10 is $104 (86). The Independent has contacted Disney World for comment. The driver during a crash that killed a 33-year-old Deltona woman is accused of driving with a suspended license and having a blood alcohol level of more than double the legal limit. Volusia County deputies said at the time of the crash that Carlos Palmer, 38, had a blood alcohol level of 0.259 and was traveling at least 63 mph in a 35 mph zone. Deputies said his license had also been suspended since 2010. Palmer is charged with DUI manslaughter and driving with a suspended license resulting in death. Read: Deputies: Womans SUV hit by 7 bullets during road-rage shooting; man, 18, arrested Deputies said they got a warrant for Palmers arrest in July, but werent able to locate him until Aug. 23 when he was taken into custody in Geneva by Seminole County deputies. Palmer remains in custody at Volusia County Branch Jail with a total bond of $110,000. Read: Chick-fil-A employee stops attempted carjacking outside restaurant Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A divided Ohio Supreme Court upheld the state's criminal forfeiture law that allows the government to seize vehicles used in crimes. After being convicted of drunk driving for the third time in 10 years, the government took away Medina County resident James O'Malley's 2014 Chevy Silverado, which was worth $31,000 and was his only significant asset. O'Malley challenged the state law that allows the government to seize vehicles used in crimes. He argued it violated the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution by requiring him to pay an excessive fine and vehicle owners face forfeiture while non-owners don't face the same penalties. A divided Ohio Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the state's forfeiture law. Justice Pat Fischer said there is no simple test to determine if a fine or forfeiture is excessive. In this case, the severity of OMalleys offense, driving drunk on a holiday after already having two convictions for the same conduct, cannot be minimized, he wrote in the majority opinion. Ohio Supreme Court Sleeping in a car after party leads to ticket. Sloppy law wording helps woman beat case In a dissent, Justice Michael Donnelly argued that forfeiture of a $31,000 truck was more than 11 times the maximum fine for misdemeanor drunk driving. Donnelly said research shows high fines don't deter crimes but financial distress can lead to substance abuse and criminal behavior. On July 4, 2018, a state trooper pulled O'Malley over for suspected drunk driving. He eventually pleaded no contest and was sentenced to jail time, fined $850, license suspension and probation. The trial court also held a forfeiture hearing to take his truck. Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Supreme Court upholds law to allow government to seize vehicles Chicago Tribune Tens of thousands of revelers and cars donning Mexican flags and colors took over Downtown into the early hours of Saturday in celebration of Mexican Independence Day. Among the excited crowds enjoying themselves, at least two men were shot and others were robbed and carjacked downtown, officials said, adding that most of the festivities were not violent. Additionally, car caravans and drag ... WASHINGTON Senate Judiciary Chairman Richard Durbin bemoaned a "stunning" rise in threats to federal law authorities following the Aug. 8 FBI search of Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, blaming the former president and his allies for "inflammatory" rhetoric contributing to the dangerous environment. "More and more people questioning government, questioning authority, and threatening their lives in the process," Durbin told Capitol Hill reporters Thursday following a bipartisan, closed-door briefing with FBI and Homeland Security officials. "And we went into questions about how much this has increased. I will just tell you, it was stunning." Durbin would not reveal specific numbers shared in the briefing, though he mentioned that threats from domestic extremists now rank behind only those from international drug gangs. He said the threats are being transmitted in numerous ways, including over social media where agents' personal information can be "vulnerable." Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) speaks during a news conference following a closed-door briefing about increasing threats to law enforcement following the FBIs search at Mar-a-Lago, on Capitol Hill September 15, 2022. Heightened danger: Threats toward FBI, law enforcement were already on the rise. Then came Mar-a-Lago The briefing came a little more than a month after agents discovered thousands of pages of documents, including 54 marked secret and 18 marked top secret," at Trump's Florida estate. The former president has declared the search an illegitimate "raid," though a federal magistrate signed off on a warrant after months of failed negotiations with the National Archives and Trump's lawyers to turn over the documents. "What they did is terrible," Trump reiterated Thursday on the Hugh Hewitt radio show. "And I dont think the people are going to stand for it." Within days of the Mar-a-Lago search, authorities were already reporting specific threat incidents: In Ohio, a man attacked an FBI office with an AR-15 rifle and a nail gun before he was shot and killed in a police standoff. He had posted Kill F.B.I on sight on the Trump-backed social media site Truth Social. In Pittsburgh, a man was charged with influencing, impeding or retaliating against federal law officers. "I am going to (expletive) slaughter you," he wrote on the extremist social media site Gab a few days prior, according to a federal complaint. A handful of armed protesters gathered outside the FBI office in downtown Phoenix, and another group staked out the FBI office in Midland, Texas. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin warning of heightened security risks against their agents. Story continues Durbin also called out Trump and political allies for ramping up rhetoric against law enforcement. "Inviting the mob to return to the streets is exactly what happened here January 6, 2021," the senator said, referring to the pro-Trump mob that stormed the Capitol. "This president knew what he was doing at that rally and we saw the results. Five people died, 149 law enforcement agents were injured. His careless and inflammatory rhetoric has its consequences." What we've learned: The search at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate was a month ago. What we've learned since. Missouri GOP Sen. Josh Hawley, who last month denounced "the raid by Joe Bidens FBI (as) an unprecedented assault on democratic norms," said Thursday Durbin's criticism is misplaced given Democrats' pointed criticisms of policing in America. It's "a little bit rich to talk about what enforcement they have in the folks who have castigated law enforcement," he told USA TODAY. "They said that they're (law enforcement) systemically racists, that they ought to be defunded, that they ought to have their qualified immunity removed. This is the most anti-law enforcement party in American history. So I think all of that is a joke." Contributing; Dylan Wells More: 'It's crazy': FBI Director Christopher Wray expresses deep concern for rising violence in US This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Threats to FBI rise after search of Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Messika Paris continues its global expansion, having opened the doors to its first flagship boutique in Doha, Qatar, on September 1st, 2022. Spanning across 150 square meters, the boutique is situated within iconic luxury retail destination, Place Vendome Qatar. The opening of the new flagship boutique marks the arrival of Messikas 3rd boutique in Doha and 13th in the Middle East. The boutique features dedicated areas which immerse visitors into Messikas transgenerational fashion and rock universe. An expansive main room offers an invitation to explore the brands signature and novelty creations whilst a unique high jewelry lounge showcases an extensive selection of one-of-a-kind high jewelry pieces from Messikas Parisian atelier. Two private VIP rooms complete the experience: an ode to the brands pursuit of beauty, luxury, and unparalleled mastery. The Maison is honored to present the captivating high jewelry creation Released Sun: a versatile jewel that can be worn around the neck or head, especially designed by Valerie Messika for the opening of the Doha flagship. The limited Qatar Editions of the My Move bracelet in burgundy leather as well as the Lucky Move bracelet and Lucky Move pendant in burgundy ceramic, developed in collaboration with Ali Bin Ali Luxury to commemorate Qatars historical year, are also exclusively available at the boutique. TradeArabia News Service The California Rehabilitation Center in Norco, pictured in 2019. State prisons contain disproportionate numbers of Black and Latino prisoners. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times) Its hardly news that Black Americans are overrepresented in prison. Nationwide, Black people are locked up in state prison at a rate of 1,240 per 100,000 residents, as compared with 261 whites. Thats 4.8 times greater incarceration of Black than white people, based on 2019 data from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. On average, one of every 81 Black Americans is in a state prison. In California, its worse. One of 62 Black Californians is in state prison. Latinos, too, are disproportionately imprisoned: 349 per 100,000 nationwide, or a rate of 1.3 to 1 when compared with non-Latino whites. Those numbers are beyond debate. The question is why? Through much of our recent history, the mollifying answer was that Black and Latino people commit more crimes than those from other ethnic groups, and a well-tuned, colorblind justice system responds evenhandedly. Even today, when confronted with evidence that racism infects law enforcement, trial and punishment, defenders of the status quo insist that there is nothing amiss. That attitude threatens the nation and its democratic and legal institutions. An enlightened society seeks information, tests assumptions and corrects errors that undermine its most cherished principles. And it recognizes warning signs of instability and unfairness. Racial and ethnic disparities are an unmistakable warning even in the absence of identifiable racism. And lets be clear there is abundant evidence of racism undermining equal justice, sometimes incidentally, sometimes blatantly. The incidental category includes pretrial detention, in which money bail ensures that people without access to large sums of money disproportionately people of color are held in jail pending trial, while people with money disproportionately white go free. More straightforward racism can be found in prosecution of gun crimes, for which Black people are more likely than white people to be arrested, to get longer base sentences and enhancements for similar offenses, according to the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Black people are four times more likely to be arrested for drug crimes than white people despite similar rates of use and sales, according to a Brookings Institution study. Black men are 21.25% less likely than white men to get sentence reductions from judges for similar crimes, according to the Sentencing Commission, and when they did get reductions, their sentences were still 16.85% longer than their white counterparts. (Historically, fewer data have been uniformly collected and analyzed regarding Latinos than Black people in the criminal justice system.) Story continues Apologists for the status quo insist that Black people are sentenced more frequently and to longer terms because they are more likely to have longer criminal records, which means they are more likely to be sentenced under enhancement laws that lengthen sentences for previous convictions. That may be so, but according to The Sentencing Project, that only demonstrates that the disproportionate arrests serve to compound the pre-existing injustice and exacerbate the justice gap. One study suggests that as the disparity grows as U.S. prison populations become Blacker the greater the public support for harsher sentences. The cycle feeds on itself. In 1987, the Supreme Court ruled in McCleskey vs. Kemp that statistical evidence of racial discrimination was insufficient to overturn a death sentence, and by extension any other unjust sanction based at least in part on systemic racism. To prove their convictions were tainted by race, defendants have to show that it was deliberate and targeted at them. That's a virtually impossible standard to meet and makes a mockery out of the American creed of equal justice under law. In 2020, California adopted the Racial Justice Act to finally permit judges to consider this type of data during the charging, conviction or sentencing phase in criminal cases. Defendants still must show that racial bias affected the charges or the sanctions. Remedies include dismissal of sentence enhancements or special circumstance findings but not outright dismissal of a case in which evidence of guilt is proved. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill during a year of renewed public attention to racism in the justice system following the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. But it was prospective. People already in prison who can show racial animus in proceedings against them, or that there is statistical evidence of racial disproportionality, were out of luck. Equal justice must not be a passing fashion. This year lawmakers passed AB 256, which would apply the racial justice law retroactively, as is the case with California criminal justice reform laws that govern past felony marijuana and theft convictions. Newsom should keep the state on track and sign the bill. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. CAIRO (AP) Egyptian authorities announced Thursday the release of 46 detainees, including a prominent human rights lawyer, the latest to be freed from jail amid intensifying international attention. Tarik el-Awady, a member of Egypts presidential pardon committee, confirmed the release of the lawyer, Haitham Mohamadein, and the other 45 detainees, all of whom are awaiting trial. Several pictures of the freed lawyer alongside friends and family were later shared by activists on social media. It remained unclear if other detainees had walked free yet. Egypt has pardoned dozens of detainees in past months as its human rights record comes under international scrutiny ahead of it hosting the U.N. climate change summit in November. The government of President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi a U.S. ally with deep economic ties to European countries has been relentlessly silencing dissenters and clamping down on independent organizations for years with arrests, detentions and prison sentences, and other restrictions. In April, Egypt released more than three dozen detainees before the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, typically a time when prisoners are released on presidential pardons. In June, el-Sissi initiated a national dialogue with opposition parties and government critics. However, thousands of political prisoners are estimated by rights groups to remain in custody in Egypt, many without trial. Egypt is among the worlds worst jailers of journalists, along with Turkey and China, according to 2021 data produced by the U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists. Last week, authorities charged four journalists from one of the countrys few remaining independent news outlets, Mada Masr, with spreading false news and disturbing public peace, the news website said in a statement. According to the state-owned media outlet Al-Ahram, Mohamadein was arrested in May 2019 and charged with crimes related to spreading false news and joining an illegal group a reference to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. Those are typical charges for detainees and political activists who oppose the government. Many of the major activists involved in Egypt's 2011 popular uprising remain behind bars, most of them arrested under a 2013 draconian law that effectively bans all street protests. El Paso county commissioners on Thursday weighed options for creating a "migrant support services center" while city emergency managers opened a busing hub, as dozens of migrants remained in homeless conditions Downtown. The U.S. Border Patrol released 1,166 migrants to the street over eight days through Wednesday a pace of "provisional," or street, releases not seen in El Paso in years. Both the county and city are wrestling with how to prevent an increase in lawful migration through the region from turning into a humanitarian crisis on El Paso streets. Many of the migrants are arriving from Venezuela. Unlike previous groups, many Venezuelans lack strong family connections in the U.S. or sponsors able to help them financially. The country's economy has collapsed and their currency is all but worthless. "We have peaks (in migration) that are really difficult sometimes and anomalies, and this anomaly is among the hardest," County Judge Ricardo Samaniego said during an emergency commission meeting Thursday. Migrants wake up Thursday morning after having slept on the streets of El Paso. Venezuelan and Nicaraguan families woke up Thursday in the vicinity of the Greyhound bus station. Several said authorities prevented them from pitching the tents that El Pasoans had donated days earlier. There were children, too, sleeping on blankets, but some families had moved to hotels. While many are moving on quickly to their destinations, others are struggling to contact their sponsors or make travel arrangements and are living in the elements. The county faces funding challenges as commissioners determine where to house a support services center and how the county would run it, with the goal of stemming a humanitarian crisis. The commissioners are considering new leases, as well as county-owned facilities in the Coliseum area. There are few ways to fund crisis prevention with federal funding, county Chief Administrator Betsy Keller said; the Federal Emergency Management Agency will typically reimburse a locality months after money is spent on an emergency. Story continues Keller said her team is working to secure special "advance" FEMA funding to set up a services center that could help recently released migrants get oriented, contact family members and secure travel arrangements to their destinations. Separately, if the county wanted to create a full-blown migrant shelter, the price tag could reach $16 million annually, which would require advance federal funding. County commissioners are expected to vote Monday on which options they'll pursue. A woman plays with dogs after U.S. Border Patrol agents lined up migrants before moving them to a secure area underneath the Paisano overpass in El Paso on Thursday. Meanwhile, the city has focused its assistance on transportation. In a guest column published Thursday in the El Paso Times, Deputy City Manager Mario D'Agostino said the Office of Emergency Management has opened a new "Migrant Welcome Center." "The citys Migrant Welcome Center assists in processing paperwork and providing travel arrangements," D'Agostino said. "The center, which is not a shelter, does help coordinate shelter and travel while providing food, clothing, medical attention, and access to free phone and internet service." "Migrant families are kept together and are fed and housed at emergency shelter hotels, providing privacy and space for family units," he said. "Hospitality sites offer food and shelter for people traveling alone, ensuring the migrants are safe and cared for while in El Paso." Migrants receive donations from El Pasoans on Thursday. Some migrants are waiting for help from family members in order to continue their journey inside the U.S. after having requested asylum and having been released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The city didn't immediately respond to a request for additional information about the center on Thursday. The El Paso Times has learned that OEM is accepting 300 migrants per day directly from the Border Patrol at a warehouse-type building in the Northeast, according to two sources with knowledge of the setup who were not authorized to discuss it with the news media. Logistically, the center's services aren't available to those migrants who are being released Downtown. City-chartered buses are departing from the welcome center site adjacent to a COVID-19 testing center. A security officer stationed at the gate said media wasn't allowed to enter; a sign in the parking lot read "shelter drop off area." HAPPENING NOW-a unified command meeting is in motion to discuss the increase in migrants in downtown El Paso. Building our alliance with community stakeholders and law enforcement leaders is critical. We will continue to inform on the current influx and how this will be managed. pic.twitter.com/M3E8FYJ70H Gloria I. Chavez (@USBPChiefEPT) September 14, 2022 In 2018, during the Trump administration, the Border Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement dropped off hundreds of migrant families on El Paso streets during the Christmas season, without coordinating with local government and NGO leaders. Many residents responded as they have this time around, with food, water, blankets and other support. Apart from that period, the Border Patrol's El Paso Sector has historically worked hand-in-glove with the nonprofit Annunciation House to release migrants to its network of shelters, rather than to the street. The Annunciation House network continues to host migrants, but the number of people arriving has outstripped the capacity of the volunteer-run shelter network to host people, especially after Annunciation House closed its largest shelter in El Paso, Casa del Refugiado, in July. The migrants arriving in El Paso "present unique circumstances," said Border Patrol El Paso Sector spokesman Carlos Rivera. "In El Paso, CBP is encountering a significant number of Cuban and Venezuelan migrants who have fled the repressive, authoritarian regimes in those countries," he said. Lauren Villagran can be reached at lvillagran@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @laurenvillagran. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso County, city deal with humanitarian crisis as migration swells By Tom Hals WILMINGTON, Del. (Reuters) -Billionaire Elon Musk accused Twitter Inc of fraud by concealing serious flaws in the social media company's data security, which the entrepreneur said should allow him to end his $44 billion deal for the company, according to a Thursday court filing. Musk, the world's richest person, amended his previously filed lawsuit by adopting allegations by a Twitter whistleblower, who told Congress on Tuesday of meddling on the influential social media platform by foreign agents. The chief executive of electric vehicle maker Tesla Inc also alleged that Twitter hid from him that it was not complying with a 2011 agreement with the Federal Trade Commission regarding user data. "Needless to say, the newest revelations make undeniably clear that the Musk parties have the full right to walk away from the merger agreement -- for numerous independently sufficient reasons," said the amended countersuit. Twitter said in a statement it looked forward to the five-day trial scheduled to start Oct. 17 in Delaware. "Mr. Musks claims are factually inaccurate, legally insufficient and commercially irrelevant," the company said. Musk said the claims by the whistleblower, former head of Twitter security Peiter "Mudge" Zatko, amounted to fraud and breach of contract by Twitter. Musk has asked a Delaware judge to find that he was not obligated to close the deal while Twitter wants the judge to order Musk to buy the company for $54.20 per share. Twitter shares ended up 0.6% on Thursday at $42.14. Twitter has said it conducted an internal investigation of Zatko's allegations and determined they lacked merit. The company has said Zatko was fired for poor performance. Twitter's lawyers have said in court that the whistleblower claims that Musk folded into his case were either not grounds for terminating the deal agreement or failed to meet the standard for fraud. (Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Jonathan Oatis) An environmental lawyer told a Louisianacongressman to think about repenting during a Congressional hearing on Thursday. Raya Salter, who heads the Energy Justice Law & Policy Center, told Representative Clay Higgins that the fossil fuel industry that owns your state is destroying the Earth and the natural world. Rep Higgins, a Republican who represents the southeast corner of Louisiana, had asked her if she cared about the planet after a heated exchange on the petrochemical industry. The congressman also referred to Ms Salter as boo and young lady. The House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing had convened experts to talk about the oil industry and the climate crisis. Congressman Higgins began his time by asking Ms Salter what she would do with petrochemicals products if she had control of the world. What would you do with petrochemical products? he asked. Everything you have, your clothes, your glasses, the car you got here on, your phone, the table youre sitting at, the chair, the carpet under your feet everything youve got is petrochemical products. What would you do with that? Tell the world, the congressman said. If I had that power in the world actually I dont need that power, Ms Salter said in response. Because what I would do is ask you sir, from Louisiana, to search, to search," she continued, as Mr Higgins interrupted her. You sir, from Louisiana, to search your heart and understand why the EPA knows that toxic petrochemical facilities are some of the most toxic, polluting facilities in the world and are killing Black people throughout Louisiana, Ms Salter said. She added that she would ask the congressman to search your heart and ask your God what you are doing to the Black and poor people in Louisiana. Story continues Louisiana is a major centre for the American petrochemical industry, especially along the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge a region colloquially known as Cancer Alley for its high rates of cancer. Congressman Higgins continued to ask Ms Salter what she would do about things like the maritime industry, much of which currently relies on fossil fuels. You have no answers for this stuff, he said. Of course we do, we need to move away from petrochemicals. We need to shut down the petrochemical facilities in your state, Ms Salter responded. Eventually, Mr Higgins asked Ms Salter if she cared about the planet, citing the Bible. From a biblical perspective, we were given the Lord gave us dominion over the planet and the creatures thereof, he said. Now, the original translation of dominion means to care for and nurture. So, from a biblical perspective, I am an environmentalist. I love my planet and the people and the creatures thereof. Do you? If were going to talk about the Lord, I ask that you search your heart again and think about repenting, Ms Salter said. The fossil fuel industry that owns your state is destroying the Earth and the natural world, she added. Representative Higgins tweeted a video of the exchange, saying: This is what Democrats support total and immediate elimination of American oil and gas production. Mr Higgins was later chastised by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York. For the gentleman of Louisiana, and the comfort that he felt in yelling at you like that theres more than one way to get a point across, she said. BRUSSELS (AP) European Union lawmakers on Thursday declared that Hungary has become a hybrid regime of electoral autocracy under the leadership of its nationalist government, and that its undermining of the blocs democratic values had taken Hungary out of the community of democracies. In a resolution that passed 433-to-123 with 28 abstentions, the parliamentarians raised concerns about Hungarys constitutional and electoral systems, judicial independence, possible corruption, public procurement irregularities, LGBTQ+ rights, as well as media, academic and religious freedoms. The lawmakers said that Hungary which its populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban characterizes as an illiberal democracy has left behind many of the democratic values of the bloc. In part, they blamed the other 26 EU member countries for turning a blind eye to possible abuses during Orban's 12 years in office. The vote is the latest in a series of showdowns between the EU's institutions and Orban's government in Budapest. The bloc's executive arm, the European Commission, is expected to announce Sunday that it is prepared to suspend payments of some EU money to Hungary over its alleged violations. The French Greens parliamentarian who chaperoned the resolution through the assembly, Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield, said for the first time, an EU institution is stating the sad truth, that Hungary is no longer a democracy. In the text, the lawmakers condemned the deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian government to undermine the founding values of the Union. The vote is highly symbolic in that it sets Hungary apart from other EU countries in its alleged failure to uphold values enshrined in the EU treaty like respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. But the vote, which came during a plenary session in Strasbourg, France, doesn't impose any penalty on Orbans government, nor does it bind other EU countries into taking any particular actions. Story continues Delbos-Corfield said Orban and the ruling Fidesz party have put their time and effort into tearing apart the fabric of democracy and ripping up the rule of law instead of supporting their citizens. The costs for Hungarian citizens are clear: They are having their rights removed and opportunities undermined, all while their state is stripped apart by autocrats and oligarchs, she said. Lawmakers opposing a report on the resolution said it contains subjective opinions and politically biased statements, and reflects vague concerns, value judgements and double standards. Hungary's foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, said Thursday during a news conference in Budapest that Hungarian voters had decided in four parliamentary elections in a row what kind of future they want for the country by electing Orban and his party. We resent that some people in Strasbourg and Brussels think that the Hungarian people are not mature enough to decide their own future, Szijjarto said. Hungary has long been on a collision course with its European partners. It has routinely blocked joint statements, decisions and events, ranging from high-level NATO meetings with Ukraine to an EU vote on corporate tax and a common EU position on an Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire. The government in Budapest has opposed some EU sanctions against Russia, notably a freeze on the assets of Russias Orthodox Church patriarch, as well as energy-related sanctions against Moscow. Members of the European Commission are meeting Sunday, when they are expected to announce a cut in Hungary's EU funding unless it takes action to end its democratic backsliding. Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn said says suspending around 70% of the funding to Hungary in some EU programs, notably related to public contract procurement, can be considered proportionate. It's unclear how much money that would involve. A full suspension of EU funds is unlikely. Any action must be approved by the member countries, and this requires a qualified majority, which amounts to 55% of the 27 members representing at least 65% of the total EU population. Some EU lawmakers have expressed concerns that if Italy's far right wins the country's Sept. 25 election it could be difficult to establish that majority. BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Members of the European Parliament backed a resolution on Thursday that condemned China's live-fire military exercises in the Taiwan Strait and called for closer ties between the European Union and Taipei. The EU assembly said in a statement that the resolution, backed in a vote by 424 lawmakers with 14 against and 46 abstentions, also demanded that Beijing refrain from measures that could destabilise the Taiwan Strait and regional security. China deployed scores of planes and fired live missiles near Taiwan last month after U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a solidarity trip to the self-ruled island. Taiwan's Foreign Ministry welcomed the resolution and expressed its thanks for the support, saying the move demonstrated high-level and cross-party concern for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. China, which sees Taiwan as one of its provinces and has long said it reserves the right to take the island by force, says its differences with Taipei are an internal affair. Taiwan's democratically-elected government strongly objects to China's sovereignty claims, and says only the island's 23 million people can decide its future. Noting Taiwan's strategic trade position and its leading role in the global supply chain of key high-tech sectors, including for semiconductors, the European Parliament resolution called on the EU to strengthen its relations with the island. It welcomed Lithuania's plan to open a trade representation office in Taipei and said EU countries without a trade office there should follow its example. With the addition of Lithuania, 16 EU member states now have offices in Taiwan. The EU also has representation in Taipei through the European Economic and Trade Office which operates as a de facto embassy in the absence of formal diplomatic ties. (Writing by John Chalmers; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Raju Gopalakrishnan) Viktor Orban Read also: Ukraine irked by Hungarys continued friendliness with Russia Parliament condemned "the deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian government to undermine European values". Members of the European Parliament voted for a document that recognizes that Hungary can no longer be considered a democracy. This decision was supported by 433 votes. Another 123 MEPs voted against the declaration, and 28 abstained. The statement said that the lack of decisive action by the EU contributed to the emergence of a "hybrid regime of electoral autocracy" in Hungary. MEPs specify that elections are taking place in this country, but there is no respect for democratic norms and standards. Read also: Foreign Minister Kuleba criticizes Hungarys stance regarding Ukraine The conclusions of this report are clear and irrevocable: Hungary is not a democracy. It was more important than ever for Parliament to take this position, given the alarming pace of backsliding on the rule of law in Hungary, said Parliamentary Rapporteur on the situation in Hungary, Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield. MEPs call on the European Commission to make full use of all the tools at its disposal and, in particular, the regulation of funding for Hungary. Read also: Ukraine demands that Hungary urgently correct anti-Ukrainian content in school textbook Earlier media reported that the European Commission intends to recommend cutting the funding to the Hungarian government amid fears of large-scale corruption in the country. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine A federal grand jury subpoenaed records of any "payments or gifts" that Charles McGonigal, the FBI's former head of counterintelligence in New York, received from foreign governments. Foreign Policy Association; iStock; Rebecca Zisser/Insider A former high-level FBI agent who was involved in the investigation into the Trump campaign's contacts with Russia during the 2016 election has himself come under scrutiny by federal prosecutors for his ties with Russia and other foreign governments. Late last year, according to internal court documents obtained by Insider, US attorneys secretly convened a grand jury that examined the conduct of Charles McGonigal, the former head of counterintelligence at the FBI field office in New York City. The Justice Department declined to comment on what the grand jury was investigating or whether it remained ongoing. But a witness subpoena obtained by Insider seems to indicate that the government, in part, was looking into McGonigal's business dealings with a top aide to Oleg Deripaska, the billionaire Russian oligarch who was at the center of allegations that Russia colluded with the Trump campaign to interfere in the 2016 election. The subpoena, issued in November, requests records relating to McGonigal and a shadowy consulting firm called Spectrum Risk Solutions. A week after the subpoena was issued, a Soviet-born immigrant named Sergey Shestakov said in a separate filing that McGonigal had helped him "facilitate" an introduction between Spectrum and Deripaska's aide. The filing also states that McGonigal helped introduce the aide to Kobre & Kim, a New York law firm that specializes in representing clients who are being investigated on suspicion of "fraud and misconduct." Shestakov, who has been identified on TV panels as a former Soviet foreign ministry official and former chief of staff to the Soviet ambassador to the United Nations, reported receiving $33,000 for the referrals. While it wouldn't necessarily have been illegal for McGonigal to work on behalf of Deripaska, failing to disclose activities covered by the Foreign Agents Registration Act, such as lobbying and public relations, is punishable by a $250,000 fine and up to five years in prison. Deripaska was sanctioned by the Treasury Department in 2018 for acting as an agent for the Kremlin, and has been accused of ordering the murder of a businessman. "If McGonigal is mixed up in any way shape or form with Deripaska, that strikes me as unseemly, to put it politely," says Tim Weiner, the author of "Enemies: A History of the FBI." Story continues A witness subpoena obtained by Insider indicates information that federal prosecutors were seeking about former FBI official Charles McGonigal. Insider Neither McGonigal nor those he is cited as dealing with responded to requests for comment from Insider. "This is not an area where we can provide a statement at this time," a representative for Kobre & Kim said. It is not clear whether McGonigal is a target of the grand-jury investigation, or simply a subject whose activities are somehow related to it. And there is nothing in the court documents or elsewhere to suggest that McGonigal behaved inappropriately during the FBI's investigation of the Trump campaign. But the materials requested in the witness subpoena raise questions about whether a top FBI agent may have been tapping the connections he made during his years of public service for private gain an all-too-common practice among Washington insiders. And whatever McGonigal's actions, the fact that he has been swept up in a grand-jury investigation is highly unusual. According to a former senior official at the Justice Department who asked not to be identified, prosecutors almost never consider charges against someone so high up in the FBI. "It's very rare that former FBI people at all, and certainly former senior FBI people, wind up as grand-jury targets," the official said. The federal scrutiny of McGonigal is especially striking given his work at the FBI. Before his retirement in 2018, McGonigal led the WikiLeaks investigation into Chelsea Manning, busted Bill Clinton's national security advisor Sandy Berger for removing classified material from a National Archives reading room, and led the search for a Chinese mole inside the CIA. In 2016, when reports surfaced that Russia had hacked the email system of the Democratic National Committee, McGonigal was serving as chief of the cybercrimes section at FBI headquarters in Washington. In that capacity, he was one of the first officials to learn that a Trump campaign official had bragged that the Russians had dirt on Hillary Clinton, sparking the investigation known as Operation Crossfire Hurricane. Later that year, FBI Director James Comey promoted McGonigal to oversee counterintelligence operations in New York. According to the witness subpoena, prosecutors are also looking into whether McGonigal has ties to the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as any "payments or gifts" he was provided by the governments of Kosovo, Montenegro, and Albania. McGonigal used his official FBI letterhead to try and arrange a business meeting with Edi Rama, the prime minister of Albania. Thierry Monasse/Getty Images Two sources told Insider that McGonigal was close to Edi Rama, who has served as the prime minister of Albania since 2013. According to an email reviewed by Insider, McGonigal used his official FBI email account to try to arrange a meeting between Rama and an American firm the prime minister was thinking about hiring for an anti-corruption initiative. In the end, the FBI didn't give McGonigal approval for the meeting, and it never took place. A representative for Rama said the prime minister's relationship with McGonigal was "a totally private friendly relationship of no public interest. We have no idea about any grand jury and no US authority has ever contacted us about it. There have never been meetings with firms, gifts, payments, travel reimbursements before or after Mr. McGonigal left his job." Since he left the FBI, McGonigal has continued to trade on his expertise in counterintelligence. In 2020, months after his reported assistance to Deripaska's aide, he appeared on a panel at the Atlantic Council, where he condemned the corruption of Russia's security services. "You are seeing an erosion in any rule of law as it relates to the FSB," he said. "It would be akin to having in the United States the FBI as a rogue element, operating at the behest of the highest bidder." McGonigal's profile on LinkedIn says he is the senior vice president of "global security and life safety" at Brookfield Properties, a multibillion-dollar real-estate company in New York. But that information, apparently, is inaccurate. "Charlie McGonigal is no longer with Brookfield," Andrew Brent, Brookfield's head of communications, told Insider. McGonigal left the company, he added, in early January just as witnesses were scheduled to appear before the grand jury. Mattathias Schwartz is a senior correspondent at Insider. Read the original article on Business Insider Airports Council International (ACI) World yesterday (September 14) kicked off the annual ACI Customer Experience Global Summit in Krakow, Poland, under the theme Re/humanizing the airport experience. The ACI Customer Experience Global Summit is the premier global event on airport experience and attracts more than 400 senior airport executives, civil aviation authority representatives, airport specialists, and related business executives. This year it included keynote speaker Steven Van Belleghem, a global thought leader and international best-selling author in the field of Customer Experience. Delegates were welcomed by ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira, Host and President of the Board of Krakow Airport Radosaw Woszek, as well as the Polish Minister of Infrastructure Andrzej Adamczyk and Secretary of State, Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy Marcin Horaa. Luis Felipe de Oliveira spoke on the interconnectedness of customer experience within the airport complex, how the pandemic has affected consumer behaviour, and the importance of effective management tools. While the pandemic has had the effect of accelerating the digitalization and implementation of touchless processes within airports, great customer and employee experience depends on the human factor. Evolving customer experience excellence is the outcome of the work of many different stakeholders and technologies deployed within the airport complex, he said. This truly highlights the importance of resources that can help airports retain and strengthen their competitive advantage, such as the ACI Airport Customer Experience Accreditation program that provides a 360-degree view of customer experience management. I would like to thank our host Krakow Airport, a leader in customer experience, for graciously hosting delegates under one roof to discuss this crucial topic that is at the heart of the airport business. President of the Board of Krakow Airport Radosaw Woszek said: It is a great honour for Krakow Airportthe largest regional airport in Polandto host the fourth edition of the ACI Customer Experience Global Summit. Krakow Airport has always focused on safety, quality, and high standards of services. Recent years have shown the importance of these priorities and airports quick response to changing circumstances. Providing the best customer experience is at the core of Krakow Airports daily activities and its commitment to the well-being of its passengers and employees has been acknowledged by numerous industry initiatives including the ACI Airport Health Accreditation program, ACI Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards, and the ACI Voice of the Customer recognition. Travel technology company Amadeusa key ally in the improvement of the customer journeyis sponsoring the prestigious ASQ Awards and Customer Experience Accreditation Ceremony during the Gala Dinner (supported by Krakow Airport) taking place at the Polish Aviation Museum. ACI Worlds annual ASQ Awards recognize airport excellence in customer experience worldwide based on data from ASQs renowned Departures and Arrivals surveys. Launched in 2006, ASQ is the worlds leading airport passenger satisfaction program with close to 350 participating airports in 95 countries. You can view this years ASQ Award winners here. Accessibility enhancement accreditation program In support of ACIs advocacy for a more inclusive, equitable, and accessible air transport system for all, the organization has today launched the first-of-its-kind Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation program. The program provides a continuous path of improvement for airports in the area of accessibility for passengers with disabilities. The accreditation is designed to help airports measure, evaluate, and improve their accessibility management and culture. Developed by ACI with inputs from airport members, industry partners, and accessibility advocacy groups such as Universal Access, the Rick Hansen Foundation, Mima Group, Easy Travel Seat, and Customer Centric Consulting, the program is based on existing international best practices and recommendations, including those put forward in the ACI Airport and Persons with Disability Handbook. Luis Felipe de Oliveira added: Up to 15% of the worlds population has a disability. Airports need to be ready for the increase of elderly passengers with reduced mobility and travellers with visible and nonvisible disabilities. As such, ACI and our industry partners are making accessibility a priority in different ways from advocacy to guidance. The new Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation program provides our members with an initiation into the path of continuous accessibility improvement at airports. We are pleased to have received input from accessibility advocacy groups as we work towards the common goal of improving accessibility. We also thank the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for their support of the program. ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar said: Accessibility enhancement is an important priority for international air transport, and this new ACI program fully aligns with current ICAO policy relating to the transport of persons with reduced mobility. This is a very timely development given that five new ICAO standards on accessibility will become applicable in November of this year, in addition to ongoing work on new accessibility guidance being developed by our Facilitation Panel. I wish to congratulate ACI on the very inclusive approach it has taken in developing this essential new accreditation for world airports. TradeArabia News Service SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Tesla is reevaluating the way it sells electric cars in China, its second-largest market, and considering closing some showrooms in flashy malls in cities like Beijing where traffic plunged during COVID restrictions, two people with knowledge of the plans said. The shift would put more emphasis on stores in less-costly suburban locations that can also provide repairs as the company works to meet Elon Musk's goal of improving service for existing customers, many of whom have complained of long delays, they said. As part of that push, Tesla is looking to ramp up hiring of technicians and other staff for service jobs in China, one of the people said. Tesla's China recruitment website showed more than 300 openings for service jobs as of Thursday. Musk said last week on Twitter, in response to a Tesla owner in Texas who complained that he had been waiting a month to get his vehicle fixed, that he had made "advancing Tesla service to make it awesome" a top priority. Unlike mainstream automakers, Tesla owns all of its own stores, rather than relying on dealers. It also sells its cars online. That has allowed it more leeway to adjust a retail strategy that had been initially modeled on Apple's stores. Tesla didn't immediately response to a request for comment. The U.S. automaker sold 400,000 China-made Model 3 and Model Y cars in the first eight months of the year, with 60% of them sold locally, according to the China Passenger Car Association. That was 67% more than a year ago. The change in Tesla's approach in China, where it has become the second-largest EV brand behind BYD , would reflect a recognition that it has to build customer loyalty now that it has established its brand in the world's largest car market, one analyst said. "It's not necessary to open showrooms in expensive shopping malls, especially when the repair business has become lucrative," said Yale Zhang, managing director at Shanghai-based consultancy Automotive Foresight. Story continues "It makes better sense to keep only one or two showrooms downtown to keep the brand positioning but move more to suburbs. Tesla opened its first store in central Beijing in 2013 and now has over 200 outlets across the country that display models and arrange test drives for potential buyers. More than half of the stores, however, do not offer maintenance service since they are in high-rent locations where space is limited. That includes Tesla's first store in Beijing and its first store in Shanghai. More than half of Tesla's showrooms in seven of China's biggest cities, including Shenzhen and Chengdu, are now in downtown areas, according to a Reuters count based on Tesla's China website. Like other companies, Tesla has seen traffic in its stores heavily disrupted by China's tough approach to containing COVID-19, which has involved lockdowns of varying scope and duration, including in Shanghai where it has a factory. Reuters could not determine how many urban showrooms Tesla was considering closing, how many new locations in fast-growing suburbs could be opened or what the cost of that shift would be. The carmaker has been the target of a series of customer complaints and lawsuits in China, including a well-known case last year which saw an unhappy owner clamber atop a Tesla at the Shanghai auto show to protest the company's handling of her complaints about malfunctioning brakes. The incident received significant attention in China and prompted state media outlets to criticise the company. Tesla later apologised to Chinese consumers for not addressing the complaints in a timely manner and pledged to review its service operations. Tesla's EV rivals in China have taken a mixed approach to retail distribution. Apart from self-run stores, BYD and Xpeng also rely on third-party dealers. Nio, like Tesla, has a network of high profile urban stores in China. It has also invested in door-to-door service, dispatching workers, many of whom were hired from the hotel industry, to pick up cars for repairs and drop them off when work is complete. (Reporting by Zhang Yan, Brenda Goh, additional reporting by Shanghai Newsroom; Editing by Kim Coghill) Democratic lawmakers blasted Ron DeSantis for sending planes full of illegal immigrants to Marthas Vineyard on Wednesday, accusing the governor of using vulnerable human beings as props in an act of political theater. The Florida governor claimed responsibility for sending two planes of illegal immigrants to the affluent summer colony, an apparent retaliation for the federal government flying immigrants to Florida. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre accused Republicans of abandoning the illegal immigrants in Democrat-run sanctuary cities. What they are doing is a legal stunt, is a political stunt. Its really just disrespectful to humanity, she said. Karine Jean-Pierre on governors sending illegal aliens to Democrat-run areas: "What they are doing is a legal stunt, is a political stunt. It's really just disrespectful to humanity." pic.twitter.com/MQ8jjHHodK The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) September 15, 2022 A Massachusetts state Representative whose district includes part of Marthas Vineyard wrote that DeSantiss actions were f***ing depraved. The Governor of one of the biggest states in the nation has been spending time hatching a secret plot to round up & ship people-children, families-lying to them about where theyre going just to gain cheap political points on Tucker Calrson [sic] and MAGA twitter. Its f***ing depraved, Dylan Fernandes wrote on social media. Fernandes added that Marthas Vineyard jumped into action to find 50 beds, food, and health care for the illegal immigrants. Our island jumped into action putting together 50 beds, giving everyone a good meal, providing a play area for the children, making sure people have the healthcare and support they need. We are a community that comes together to support immigrants. pic.twitter.com/kG5bglhbLe Dylan Fernandes (@RepDylan) September 15, 2022 Representative Bill Keating, who represents the island, said, history does not look kindly on leaders who treat human beings like cargo, loading them up and sending them a thousand miles away without telling them their destination. Story continues Massachusetts senator Ed Markey said DeSantis was using the illegal immigrants as a cruel stunt. DeSantis could learn a lesson from Massachusetts on what patriotism and liberty really look like if he werent so busy using humans as props in a cruel stunt to buoy his pathetic political aspirations. To those whove just landed: we gladly embrace you, Markey wrote. State Senator Julian Cyr, who also represents Marthas Vineyard, said the situation was developing and that residents were working hard to provide food + shelter. He added that the situation is pretty disgusting. Developing situation on #MarthasVineyard where migrants arrived via charter flight from TX this afternoon. Islanders working hard to provide food + shelter TY @MVCommServices Sheriff Ogden @DukesCountyEM @DukesOffice #mapoli https://t.co/iMGUmmLLaX Julian Cyr (@JulianCyr) September 14, 2022 Its pretty disgusting to see that politicians are capitalizing on the difficult circumstances these families are in for a gotcha moment and political stunt, Cyr said in a statement to Politico. Republican Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker did not criticize DeSantis, telling Fox News they are in touch with local officials and support their efforts to provide shelter services. More from National Review WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sent two planeloads of migrants to the posh vacation island of Martha's Vineyard this week, to protest the Biden administration's immigration policies. It's the latest provocation by DeSantis, a Republican who is seeking re-election as governor in November and is considered a potential 2024 presidential candidate. POLITICAL RISE DeSantis, 44, was elected Florida's governor in 2018 after President Donald Trump endorsed the then-congressman over a more established Republican candidate. His national profile grew during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he resisted mask and vaccine mandates and argued for the opening of schools. He has governed Florida with a brash and heavy hand, blasting critics, pushing his priorities through the legislature and punishing his enemies. He recently removed from office an elected Democratic prosecutor in Tampa for what DeSantis called an unwillingness to enforce abortion restrictions. IMMIGRATION DeSantis has taken an aggressive approach to illegal immigration despite the fact that Florida does not share a border with another country. He sued Democratic President Joe Biden's administration over its immigration policies and sought to ban so-called sanctuary cities places that refuse to cooperate with immigration authorities - from being established in the state. "People are wondering, Why are you doing this?, DeSantis said earlier this year. People will say, Let Texas or Arizona worry about that. Let me tell you, people trying to come in illegally are trying to get to Florida. CULTURE WARRIOR DeSantis has been the party's leading figure in fighting culture wars, particularly with regard to education. He championed the Dont Say Gay law that prohibits Florida teachers from discussing sexual orientation with young students, sparking a clash with Disney, a large employer in the state. He has backed restrictions on what teachers can teach about U.S. history and race relations, arguing that public schools indoctrinate students with liberal values. He also has seized control of the state Board of Education and supported conservative school board candidates in local races. Story continues PRESIDENTIAL AMBITIONS As his prominence within the Republican Party has risen, so has talk about DeSantis running for president in 2024. The biggest obstacle in his path is Trump himself, who is expected to seek another term in office. DeSantis has been cagey about whether he would challenge Trump, who is still the most popular figure in the party. Meantime, DeSantis has proved to be a prolific fundraiser, having raised $172 million for his re-election campaign from sources inside and outside of Florida on pace to set the record for fundraising in a gubernatorial race. He has continued to build national recognition, taking time away from the state to stump for other Republican candidates ahead of November's midterm elections. (Reporting by James OliphantEditing by Colleen Jenkins and Jonathan Oatis) Social media posts circulating after the death of Queen Elizabeth II claim she was found guilty of killing indigenous children in Western Canada in 1964. This is false; the late monarch's official schedule did not place her in British Columbia when the alleged crime took place, and the institution said to have convicted her has no legitimate judicial authority. "Just a reminder that the queen was found guilty of the murder of 10 canadian Indigenous children she and prince Philip took on a 'picnic' to the woods once day while visiting and they were never seen again," says a September 8, 2022 tweet that attracted thousands of interactions. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral, her rural Scotland retreat, the same day at age 96. Her death inspired numerous false claims on social media. Screenshot of a tweet taken September 13, 2022 Some Facebook posts specify that the conviction was issued in 2013 by the "International Common Law Court of Justice in Brussels" -- not to be confused with the International Criminal Court (ICC), an international tribunal based in the Netherlands. "After nearly a year of litigation, Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Phillip, were found guilty in the disappearance of ten native children from the Catholic-run Kamloops residential school in British Columbia," says text in a September 9 Facebook post. "Grieving parents haven't seen their children since they left for a picnic with the Royal couple on Oct. 10 1964." However, the posts are inaccurate. Court not recognized The court cited in the posts has no power to hand down convictions, independent experts previously told AFP. "The International Common Law Court of Justice is not a recognized international court, and has no authority in Canada," said Ian McLeod, a spokesman for the Department of Justice Canada. The International Common Law Court of Justice has previously spread misinformation about Covid-19 vaccines and regulations. Its self-described "chief adviser," Kevin Annett, is a former pastor in the United Church who was removed from the ministry in 1997. Story continues Visit to Kamloops The claim that Queen Elizabeth II was responsible for the disappearance of 10 Indigenous children in Western Canada in 1964 is not new. Fact-checking organization Snopes traced it back to 2010. The rumor recirculated after the unmarked graves of 215 children were found on the grounds of a former residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia in May 2021. First Nations peoples have sought a royal apology over the crown's role in Canada's residential school program. The schools were set up more than a century ago to assimilate Indigenous peoples, who were physically and sexually abused by headmasters and teachers who stripped them of their culture and language. During a May 2022 visit, then-Prince Charles did not offer a formal apology, but emphasized the importance of acknowledging Canada's past abuses of its Indigenous community and described reconciliation as "vital." AFP found no evidence that the royals visited the Kamloops residential school in 1964, as claimed in the posts. The Canadian Research and Mapping Association said the queen visited Kamloops during her 1959 tour. The Canadian government also recorded a visit to the city by Queen Elizabeth II in March 1983 -- after the residential school had closed. The queen did visit Canada in 1964, but she remained in Eastern provinces. This screenshot taken September 12, 2022 shows the Canadian government's record of royal tours This claim has also been fact-checked by Full Fact in the UK. AFP has fact-checked other false and misleading claims about the queen here, here and here. Relatives are pressing for charges to be filed against the officers involved in the fatal shooting of a Colorado man who called 911 for help when his SUV got stuck this summer. Christian Glass, 22, of Boulder, was shot by a Clear Creek County sheriffs deputy early June 11 in Silver Plume, according to his family's attorneys and the sheriffs office. He appeared to be holding a knife when he was shot five times after he refused to get out of his Honda Pilot for nearly 70 minutes, according to body camera video and an autopsy report provided by his familys attorney. Image: Christian Glass (Courtesy Rathod Mohammedbhai LLC) His family's attorneys said officers escalated and proactively initiated force that led to his death. The act of simply calling 911 for help cannot be a death sentence, the Denver-based Rathod/Mohamedbhai law firm said in a statement Tuesday. 'He trusted police to come and help him' Glass parents, who are from New Zealand and the United Kingdom, made their first public comments this week since their son was killed. He was stuck on a small pile of rocks on the side of the road and called 911 for help," Simon Glass told reporters at a news conference Tuesday. "It was dark, and he was really worried. He trusted police to come and help him. Instead, they attacked and killed him." Sally Glass said her son did nothing wrong, adding, He was just too scared to get out of his car. 'Argumentative and uncooperative' Clear Creek County Sheriff Rick Albers didnt respond to requests for comment Wednesday, and the undersheriff couldnt be reached by phone. Attorneys for the Glass family on Wednesday provided NBC News with an abridged version of body camera video from the shooting, unedited body camera video, an autopsy report and public statements from agencies involved in the incident. According to a June 11 statement from the sheriffs office, deputies were alerted about a call for a motorist assist at 11:21 p.m. June 10. "Deputies arrived and found a single vehicle, which appeared to have been involved in an accident. The driver and sole occupant, an adult white male, immediately became argumentative and uncooperative with the deputies and had armed himself with a knife, the statement said. Additional law enforcement officers arrived and for over an hour tried to bring the situation to a peaceful resolution." Story continues Deputies broke out windows and removed a knife, the agency wrote. "The suspect rearmed himself with a rock and a second knife," the statement said. "Deputies deployed less-lethal bean bags, and Taser with negative results. The suspect eventually tried to stab an officer and was shot." Glass was pronounced dead at the scene. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is investigating, the sheriff's office said, and a deputy has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome. Clear Creek County District Attorney Heidi McCollum said her office is also reviewing the shooting. This office is required to issue a report or to present the case to a grand jury to further investigate or decide if indictments should issue, McCollum said in a statement. I will release my decision on the action this office will take as soon as the review process and a complete and thorough investigation is completed. An autopsy determined Glass died from gunshot wounds. It also showed that he had a .01% blood alcohol level and THC in his system, as well as amphetamine, which Rathod said was likely to be from a prescription to treat ADHD. Rathod said that Glass was most likely having a mental crisis when he placed the 911 call. 'I'm not dangerous' Glass indicates in his nearly 25-minute call to 911 that he is afraid. My vehicle got stuck in a really bad way. I need immediate assistance, please, he says. I will not be fine on my own. When the dispatcher asks about weapons, Glass says he has two knives, a hammer and a rubber mallet. I will throw them out the window as soon as officers get here, he says. Im not dangerous. I will keep my hands completely visible. I understand this is a dodgy situation. Rathod said that Glass was an amateur geologist and that he used the knives, the hammer and the mallet for his hobby. Video provided by the Glass familys lawyers show an officer ordering Glass to get out of the car. Sir, Im terrified, Glass responds. The officers tell him that he doesnt need to be terrified and that they are there to help. At another point in the video, an officer threatens to break the SUVs window. More officers arrive about 18 minutes into the standoff, the video shows. After about 67 minutes, Glass makes what appears to be a heart gesture with his hands toward officers. A female voice is heard saying, Same back at you, but come on out and talk to us. Glass appears to blow kisses toward the officers. Shortly after, an officer announces that police will break into Glass SUV. Its time to move the night on OK. We got to move, the officer says in the video. The SUVs front passenger-side window is broken, and officers are heard ordering Glass to drop the knife. He is shot with bean bags as officers yell for him to drop the knife. Glass is then shot with a stun gun and begins shouting hysterically. You can save yourself. You can still save yourself, an officer can be heard saying. Glass appears to be yelling: Lord hear me. Lord hear me. With the knife in his hand, Glass appears to turn toward an officer shortly before he is shot. He then appears to stab himself before he drops the knife. Rathod said Glass' knife injuries were superficial. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A Louisville man who was initially charged with complicity to child abuse and assault in the first degree, along with a string of drug charges, accepted a plea agreement and was sentenced to five years in prison after his infant son was found with a broken arm, two broken wrists and two broken legs. Brent "Michael" Bishop, 32, pleaded guilty to child abuse in the second degree and was sentenced Sept. 12 after paramedics responded to his home in April 2021 for a call about his son's arm being broken. Once at Norton Children's Hospital, though, doctors found the baby's right humerus and tibia, his right and left radius by the wrists and both femurs were broken. Previously:Louisville parents charged with child abuse after 9-day-old baby found with broken bones A pediatric forensic nurse who examined the baby, who was 9 days old at the time, found the injuries "are diagnostic of inflicted physical abuse" and also are "severe and show extreme indifference for human life," according to Bishop's arrest report. In two video clips from inside his home obtained by The Courier Journal, Bishop can be seen lifting the baby by his throat and striking him in the head and the other shows Bishop drawing smoke from a vape while holding the baby and blowing it in the baby's face. After the baby's examination, officers executed a search warrant at Bishop's home to find more evidence of child abuse, but during the search officers found what appeared to be cocaine, meth, oxycodone, Adderall and sleeping pills, marijuana and "multiple forms of paraphernalia," including grinders, rolling papers, digital scales, baggies and pipes, Bishop's arrest citation stated. 'A new phenomenon': Modified guns are turning up in Louisville at alarming rates He and the baby's mother, Amanda Yff, were charged with abusing the baby and eight drug charges. The drug charges were later dismissed after Bishop's attorney argued police did not have a search warrant to look for evidence of drug dealing when the drugs were found. Story continues The child abuse charges were dismissed against Yff in August 2022 after the video surveillance within the home showed Bishop abusing the baby while Yff was not present. The two share another older child together as well. "Were happy justice prevailed and the responsible party was held responsible," Yff's attorney Nick Mudd said about Bishop's sentencing. The prosecutor in this case was not immediately available to comment on the plea agreement offered to Bishop. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville father sentenced for breaking bones of his 9-day-old son The Fred D. Thompson United States Courthouse and Federal Building Wednesday, June 22, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Anti-abortion activists who attempted to gain entry to a Mt. Juliet clinic this summer "do not consider themselves bound to the laws of man," a federal judge in Tennessee has found. U.S. District Judge William L. Campbell on Wednesday ruled the demonstrators, including members of anti-abortion organization Operation Save America, are barred from the property of carafem, a reproductive health care clinic, as part of an ongoing federal lawsuit. "Defendants have clearly expressed a willingness to take the law into their own hands if, in their view, law enforcement is not taking appropriate action. Concerningly, Defendants have stated that they do not consider themselves bound to the laws of man," Campbell wrote in a memo filed Wednesday afternoon. A July demonstration outside the carafem clinic, which until last month provided abortions to patients and continues to provide other reproductive health care services, was closely watched by police. The demonstrations, including conversations with police and altercations outside the doors of the clinic, were live-streamed, including comments police believed were threats to the clinic, according to a report later released by the department. Your questions answered:Abortion in Tennessee following the reversal of Roe New-look Mt Juliet:New apartments, grocery, city hall and more Mt. Juliet Police Department Deputy Chief Michael Mullins informed clinic staff of "vague threats" made by Operation Save America leadership, including that "they had the men that were willing to go in and stop the killing of children, if needed, but they hoped that law enforcement would handle it instead," the after-action report from the department said. OSA included demonstrations outside the facility as part of the group's national conference gathering at Nashville-area churches. In promotional materials, the evangelical, fundamentalist Christian group misstated that a near-total abortion ban was in effect in Tennessee, calling the timing of their event "God's providence." The ban was not then in effect. Story continues Even police were confused. Mullins' report details calls for clarification to carafem's legal team and to District Attorney General Jason Lawson. Demonstrators, led that day by OSA National Director Jason Storms, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, believed the clinic was illegally performing abortions and approached the doors of the medical building where it is housed, en masse. Carafem argued their time spent in front of the doors is a violation of the 1994 federal FACE act, which prohibits interference with reproductive health care services, even temporarily. 'Take the law into their own hands' Days of escalating protests prompted the clinic to file for a federal restraining order against the group and 10 individuals associated with OSA or that week's events. Demonstrations on sidewalks outside of abortion clinics are not uncommon, and courts have often upheld the rights of protestors to express their views on public ground. But carafem's attorneys argue the events this summer went beyond free speech. Defendants in the case include a trio who attempted to bypass security measures at the clinic's doors inside a larger medical office building on July 28 and were found to be armed when arrested at a Nashville protest later in the day. Many of the defendants have not responded to the court filings, including those who attempted to gain access to the clinic directly, though all have been served. Attorneys for OSA and related defendants were the only ones present at a hearing on the injunction motion Friday. One lawyer's mission:Chloe Akers gets to work on interpreting Tennessee's abortion law Citing video evidence submitted by both parties, Campbell noted the exchange he found "concerning" between OSA demonstrators and police: "'We have to obey God rather than men. It doesnt matter what a man in an air-conditioned office says you have a duty to God to protect life at every level.' "The speaker responds, 'Were going to be obedient to Gods law, not mans.'" OSA-affiliated speaker in video of conversation outside carafem on July 26, 2022, as referenced in federal court order filed by U.S. District Judge William L. Campbell. Nashville attorney Stephen M. Crampton argued that although his clients did approach the building's doors in an attempt to speak with police, they did not meaningfully obstruct the doors and the injunction is unnecessary, as his clients have no intention to return. Mullins' report noted he had been in regular contact with a member of OSA leadership who was present that day and that person did not contact him before 10 to 20 men approached the clinic building on July 26. The Mt. Juliet location indicated providers are no longer planning to perform abortions, under the new law, but will remain open for other services including disease testing and birth control care. Reach reporter Mariah Timms at mtimms@tennessean.com or 615-259-8344 and on Twitter @MariahTimms. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Judge bars anti-abortion Operation Save America from Mt. Juliet clinic After losing billions of dollars in COVID-19 relief funds due to phony claims, the U.S. government has started deploying investigative teams in South Florida, California and Maryland to zero in on criminal organizations that are suspected of stealing from public programs offering small business loans and unemployment insurance. The federal strike-force teams were picked in these states not only because they have experienced significant relief fraud during the pandemic, but they also boast the resources to help combat the escalating problem across the country, federal authorities said in an announcement Wednesday. In some ways, this is a novel approach dictated by the type of fraud were dealing with, Kevin Chambers, the Justice Departments associate deputy attorney general, said in an interview with the Miami Herald. But its not uncommon to go to districts where the prosecutors have developed a particular expertise in specific financial crimes. In effect, the three teams working with the U.S. Attorneys Office in South Florida, California and Maryland will have the authority to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 economic relief cases anywhere in the country without the Justice Department in Washington calling the shots, as it has done with Medicare fraud strike forces deployed in major cities nationwide since 2007. Chambers, who is the national director of COVID-19 fraud enforcement, said the three regional teams will focus on international organizations that are suspected of stealing peoples identities in the United States and filing false claims for relief benefits that were adopted under the nearly $650 billion CARES Act by Congress after the coronavirus struck in 2020. The teams will also focus on domestic criminal gangs suspected of exploiting the same federal and state benefits. Most of the COVID-19 relief schemes revolved around the Small Business Administrations Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which was meant to help businesses decimated by shutdowns caused by the rapid spread of the coronavirus. Story continues The program allowed for the loans to be forgiven, if borrowers followed criteria laid out by the SBA to use the funds for payroll and other overhead. Determined to inject money quickly in the faltering economy, the U.S. government waived many traditional requirements that lenders normally check before issuing business loans. Asked why the Justice Department is ramping up its crackdown on COVID-19 relief schemes, Chambers said: Were taking a breath and saying, weve been at this for two years now so lets amplify our efforts and focus on large-scale fraud. Chambers said that the Justice Department has collected vital data, especially from states hit hard by bogus unemployment insurance claims, that will bolster the three regional teams investigative efforts. Were going to be able to use analytics today that we havent been able to do before, Chambers said. The tools we have are far more advanced than 15 to 20 years ago. U.S. Attorney Tony Gonzalez, based in Miami, said the Feds have compiled dozens of data sources from around the country that will be used by the regional investigative teams to fight COVID-19 relief rackets. Its like putting together a puzzle and now we have all the pieces on the same table, Gonzalez told the Herald. Federal authorities said that while the three investigative teams in South Florida, California and Maryland will target complex criminal rackets, they will also continue to go after individual and small-scale scofflaws. The number of prosecutions and losses have been staggering over the past two years. To date, Justice Department officials say prosecutors have brought criminal charges against more than 1,500 defendants nationwide, with relief fund losses exceeding $1.1 billion and seizures surpassing $1.2 billion. Additionally, prosecutors have launched civil probes of more than 1,800 individuals and entities that applied for pandemic relief loans totaling more than $6 billion. As the nations No. 1 fraud capital, South Florida has led the financial crime wave that followed the passage of the CARES Act, according to federal prosecutors. The U.S. Attorneys Office in South Florida has charged more than 80 COVID-19 relief cases, mostly involving the PPP program, making it the nations leader in such prosecutions. Those schemes account for loan requests totaling more than $230 million, with the applicants receiving tens of millions of dollars in ill-gotten funds. Nationally, one study estimated that up to 15 percent of PPP loans may have been fraudulent. In South Florida, criminal cases have included a businessman using PPP money to buy a $318,000 Lamborghini, a nurse who lied about his business to get $474,000 that was used in part to pay a Mercedes-Benz lease and child support, and a North Miami suburban couple who claimed to be farmers to qualify for $1 million in relief benefits. Pennsylvania Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz at a news conference in Philadelphia, Sept. 6, 2022. (Kriston Jae Bethel/The New York Times) Four months after suffering a stroke he described as a near-death experience, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania acknowledges lingering problems with his speech and hearing that sometimes cause verbal miscues. He has relied on closed captions or the help of staff members to smooth his interactions with voters and reporters as he runs for Senate. But in one of his most extensive interviews since the stroke in May, Fetterman said he was fully capable of handling the rigors of a campaign that may decide the balance of power in the U.S. Senate. He described driving his children to school, walking several miles a day and rapidly improving his auditory processing while also lacing into his opponent, celebrity television physician Mehmet Oz, who trails in the polls and whose campaign has mocked Fettermans health challenges. Im running a perfectly normal campaign, Fetterman said in a 40-minute interview with The New York Times, conducted by video Tuesday. He added at another point, I keep getting better and better, and Im living a perfectly normal life. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Indeed, Fettermans campaign has seemed increasingly normal in many ways. The candidate, whose personality-driven political style has inspired an unusual degree of fandom for a Senate hopeful, speaks at raucous rallies, jokes about his opponent at private fundraisers and makes occasional news media appearances. His onetime Democratic rivals have moved to show a united front with their partys nominee. Several Democratic officials who have interacted with Fetterman closely also said recently that they were encouraged by his progress. On Wednesday, he committed to debating Oz late next month. Yet in other ways, clashes over health and transparency have shaped the contest to a remarkable degree, fueled by attacks from the Donald Trump-backed Oz and Republicans promoting out-of-context clips of Fetterman and by the realities of Fettermans personal situation. Story continues He suffered a stroke on the Friday before the May primary election, although he waited until that Sunday to disclose it. On primary day, he had a pacemaker and defibrillator implanted, which his campaign at the time described as a standard procedure to help address the underlying cause of his stroke, atrial fibrillation. In a statement in June, his doctor said he also had a serious heart condition called cardiomyopathy. In Tuesdays interview, Fetterman said, We have never been hiding any of the health issues. Those issues have plainly shaped how Fetterman campaigns now. He has not tended to take questions from the news media at his events, in contrast to his approach right before his stroke. He is still using closed captioning to conduct video conversations, as he did in the interview Tuesday. And in some appearances over the past month, he jumbled a few words, a problem he has acknowledged. At a Labor Day event last week, he had to restart an occasional sentence, and he promised to champion the union way of life in Jersey excuse me, in D.C., after he sought to cast Oz as more comfortable in New Jersey, his longtime principal residence, than in Pennsylvania. For in-person appearances, Fetterman has sometimes relied on staff members to repeat questions he has trouble hearing over background noise. Many voters appear untroubled: A CBS News/YouGov poll released this week found that 59% of registered Pennsylvania voters surveyed believed Fetterman was healthy enough to serve. On Wednesday, his campaign said he had taken neurocognitive tests, mentioning two: the Saint Louis University Mental Status Examination, administered July 14, and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status, or RBANS, taken Wednesday morning. The campaign said his score on the Saint Louis test was 28 out of 30. That score is typical for people with at least a high school education. His score on the RBANS was within the normal range for his age, according to his campaign. Stroke patients often undergo many neurocognitive tests, including brief ones administered by speech therapists and hourslong cognitive evaluations, said Dr. Lee Schwamm, a stroke expert at Massachusetts General Hospital. Schwamm found Fettermans scores reassuring but added that they dont preclude the possibility that his performance is lower than it might have been before his stroke. But, Schwamm said, the emphasis on Fettermans cognitive tests plays into what he sees as a bias against people who have had strokes. It is playing on the fear that a stroke made him vulnerable, weak, incapable of leadership, he said. Judge the guy on his merits. Fettermans campaign said he continued to take all the medications he was prescribed, including rivaroxaban, a blood thinner. The campaign also said he had exhibited no stroke symptoms or bleeding since the stroke. Fettermans campaign did not make his doctors available for interviews, and efforts to reach them independently were unsuccessful. Dr. Ramesh Chandra of Alliance Cardiology signed the June letter about Fettermans heart condition. Chandras office said health privacy laws prohibited him from discussing patients without their permission. Fetterman returned to the campaign trail last month with a splashy rally in Erie, Pennsylvania. He has held a number of big campaign events since, including a large one Sunday, when, The Philadelphia Inquirer noted, he stumbled over very few words compared with previous speeches. By his campaigns count, he has held more than two dozen fundraisers since his stroke, conducted dozens of political meetings in person and over video, and held or attended a number of public events. Even in appearances when he has halting moments, he can come across as high-energy, sometimes adopting the cadence of a stand-up comic to rip into Oz. He has also used his personal health challenges to bond with voters, asking at events for a show of hands from those who have experienced health problems in their families. Who has someone, maybe personally, yourself, has ever had a big, major health challenge? OK, all right, how about any of your parents? Fetterman said Sunday. Im so sorry. I mean, I certainly have. And I hope, I truly hope for each and every one of you, you didnt have a doctor in your life making fun of it. Asked for comment, Barney Keller, an Oz campaign consultant, said that the Fetterman campaign hasnt been transparent at all about his health challenges. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., who attended the rally and a fundraiser with Fetterman on Sunday, said he had strong exchanges at the private event. There were no closed captions, Scanlon said. He fielded questions and had a sense of humor and was entirely what one would hope for for the next senator from Pennsylvania. The issue of Fettermans health intensified in recent weeks as Oz used the matter of debate participation to question Fettermans fitness to serve. Fettermans campaign said Wednesday that he would debate Oct. 25, two weeks before Election Day, noting that it had held conversations with several TV stations to determine how to accommodate his lingering auditory challenges. Shanin Specter, a Philadelphia lawyer and son of the late Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, said in an interview that some voters might regard one debate as insufficient. The recent indication of agreement to one debate in late October may be seen by voters as too little and too late, especially for those who vote by mail, said Specter, who donates to candidates in both parties. He said at another point, He hasnt done much campaigning. The film of that which hes done has been unreassuring. The drip, drip lack of forthrightness about his problems has been corrosive. Specter said he supported the Democratic nominee for governor, Josh Shapiro, but was not involved in the Senate race. Should he win, Fetterman, 53, would be far younger than many leaders in Washington, including President Joe Biden (79), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (82) and a number of octogenarian U.S. senators, some of whom have faced scrutiny over their mental acuity. The goal posts for John keep moving. John is already healthier and more articulate than about 80% of the Senate, and hes getting better every day, said Rebecca Katz, a senior adviser to the Fetterman campaign. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., who suffered a stroke earlier this year, has been in touch with Fetterman since his illness and said he had no doubt that Fetterman could handle the demands of the office. If anyone wants to see what a stroke survivor looks like, they can just take a look at me, the senator said, noting his participation in an all-night voting session. Hes strong. Hes working. Hes connecting with constituents. Hes going to keep doing that. Fetterman, for his part, suggested the health scare had given him a new perspective. I had to be faced with the idea that this could have ended my life when I have three young children, he said. Thats 10 times harder than anything that Im having, dealing with, right now. 2022 The New York Times Company Carnival Cruise Lines newest ship, Carnival Celebration, is one more milestone closer to her debut in her homeport of PortMiami after successfully completing sea trials in the Baltic Sea. Carnival Celebration set sail on her first round of sea trials September 5, from Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, the same shipyard where Celebrations sister ship, Mardi Gras, was built. Carnival Celebration had a full contingent of officers, technicians and engineers on board to thoroughly test the ships technical, mechanical and navigational systems. During her sea trials, Carnival Celebration underwent several tests, which are meant to determine the ships capability and her performance. Weve done many maneuvering tests, such as endurance tests, steering tests, speed tests and thrusters tests. The ship performed wonderfully, and shortly, we will get her out and start cruising, said Capt. Vincenzo Alcaras. Carnival Celebrations arrival to Miami will continue the cruise lines 50th birthday celebration. The ship will feature several unique zones, including 820 Biscayne a tribute to Miami, where Carnival Cruise Line was born, showcasing styles and flavors of the 305. Celebration will also include many of the features that made Mardi Gras one of the most anticipated cruise ships, including BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster, the first roller coaster at sea, an atrium spanning three decks and guest-favorites like Guys Pig & Anchor Smokehouse, and Shaquille ONeals Big Chicken restaurant. Following an inaugural six-day voyage to the Eastern Caribbean, Carnival Celebration will launch year-round, seven-day cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from PortMiami beginning Nov. 21. The week-long voyages will visit destinations like San Juan, Puerto Rico, Cozumel, Mexico and Grand Turk. - TradeArabia News Service Associated Press Carey Wooten spent nearly seven weeks hunting for safe drinking water for herself, her two children and three dogs after clocking out each day as a Taco Bell manager, so Gov. Tate Reeves' announcement that the water is clean again in Mississippi's capital came as welcome news. While the state plans to stop handing out free bottled water at sites around the city Saturday night, the city said water pressure still hasnt been fully restored, and state health officials said lead in some pipes remains so worrisome that pregnant women and young children should still use bottled water. Wooten said Friday that the liquid flowing into her kitchen sink still smells like sewage, but not as bad as before, and she's glad she won't have to run to distribution sites before their bottled water supplies run out each day. Story at a glance A report from Henley & Partners, an investment migration consultancy firm, shows the total private wealth held by city residents exceeds $3 trillion. The number of wealthy individuals in the Big Apple includes 59 billionaires and 737 centimillionaires, those whose assets total $100 million or higher. The San Francisco Bay Area, the second wealthiest city in the U.S., holds the third spot among the worlds richest cities. New York City home to more than 345,000 millionaires is the wealthiest city on Earth, according to a new report. The number of wealthy individuals in the Big Apple includes 59 billionaires and 737 centimillionaires, whose assets stand at $100 million or higher, the report from Henley & Partners, an investment migration consultancy firm, shows. Total private wealth held by New York City residents exceeds $3 trillion. The San Francisco Bay Area, the second wealthiest city in the U.S., holds the third spot among the worlds richest cities. Around 276,400 millionaires, 623 centimillionaires and 62 billionaires live in the San Francisco Bay area, which includes Silicon Valley. Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston round out the top five. Chicago, which serves as the home base for 35 Fortune 500 companies, is home to 160,100 millionaires, 340 centimillionaires and 28 billionaires. Meanwhile, 192,400 resident millionaires, 393 centimillionaires and 34 billionaires live in Los Angeles. Houston, one of the worlds fastest growing cities in terms of wealth growth over two decades, according to the report, has 132,600 millionaires, 314 centimillionaires and 25 billionaires. Henley & Partners also reviewed the fastest growing cities and towns for high-net-worth individuals from January to June 2022. They found that Austin, Texas, alongside West Palm Beach and Miami, Fla., have become major hubs for high-net-worth retirees. America is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news. A separate analysis from the personal finance website SmartAsset, shows that Americas high wage earners those whose tax returns show an income of $200,000 or more are migrating primarily to states in the nations Sunbelt region. Story continues Florida and Texas, which do not have a state income tax, held the top two spots. Florida earned No. 1 status despite losing more than 11,000 tax filers who reported earnings of at least $200,000 in 2020. The same held true in Texas, where more than 13,000 high-earning households left the state. Floridas net migration totaled 20,263 high-income filers, while Texas netted 5,356. For the analysis, SmartAsset used IRS data from 2019-2020 to compare the influx and outflow of high-earning households in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Just when we think weve heard the most outrageous story of airplane drama, a new one tops it. A Wizz Air flight bound for Romania from Israel was delayed for hours due to luggage issues and because a frustrated man wanted to smoke. According to The Times of Israel, the Wizz Air-operated flight carrying approximately 250 passengers was set to depart when passengers learned that their luggage had not been loaded onto the plane and that they would arrive at their destination without it. Passengers then refused to sit in their seats, and one declared that he wanted to smoke a cigarette, prompting the pilot to call the police. Passengers became visibly agitated, prompting crew to wonder whether actual violence would result. The pilot kept the plane grounded until the police arrived to apprehend the smoker-to- be. Video footage shows officers speaking to the man. The Times of Israel wrote, other passengers then intervened, telling the first passenger not to stand up because it may entangle him further in the altercation. The passenger threatening to light up shouted, I want to smoke a cigarette! Ive been here for four hours, Im going to smoke a cigarette! I smoke weed! Im sick, Im allowed to smoke weed, I have a permit! Then he challenged the officers to bring Yasam! Yasam is the unit of the Israeli Police in charge of riot and crowd control. The Times of Israel added, police did not detain or remove anyone from the plane and eventually left after questioning those onboard. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit held at the Tampa Convention Center on July 22, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. The event features student activism and leadership training, and a chance to participate in a series of networking events with political leaders. Joe Raedle/Getty Ron DeSantis Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says he is responsible for sending two planes of migrants to Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, following in the footsteps of conservative governors in Texas and Arizona, who have sent bus-loads of migrants to Washington, D.C. in recent months. "States like Massachusetts, New York, and California will better facilitate the care of these individuals who they have invited into our country by incentivizing illegal immigration through their designation as 'sanctuary states' and support for the Biden Administration's open border policies," DeSantis' office told CNN in a statement. Orlando news station WESH received a statement from DeSantis' office confirming that the two planes "were part of the state's relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations." Boston station WCVB reports that the Florida Legislature appropriated $12 million for the program. Massachusetts state Sen. Julian Cyr told CNN that approximately 50 migrants traveling by plane landed in Martha's Vineyard Wednesday, and were then taken to Martha's Vineyard Community Services. According to Cyr, there was "no advance notice" given to anyone in Massachusetts. "The island scrambled to respond," he told the network. "They essentially set up shelters, the equivalent of a hurricane or Nor'easter. They set that up in a matter of hours and these families received a meal. They were Covid tested and are spending the night in shelters at several churches on the island." NPR reports that the migrants were told they were traveling to Boston, and that the flight "originated in San Antonio, made a stop in Florida and then another stop in South Carolina before flying on to Martha's Vineyard." Some of the group told NPR that they were approached outside a shelter and lured into boarding the plane with promises of expedited work papers. RELATED: Texas Governor Says State Will Build Its Own Border Wall After Biden Squashed Trump's Plan Massachusetts state Sen. Dylan Fernandes told NPR that flying the migrants to another state was akin to transporting "cattle on an airplane." Story continues "Ship them women and children to a place they weren't told where they were going and never alerted local officials and people on the ground here that they were coming," Fernandes told NPR. "It is an incredibly inhumane and depraved thing to do." It is unclear exactly where the migrants came from before traveling to Martha's Vineyard one of New England's most expensive places to live, where median home sale prices hovered at around $1.3 million in April. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free weekly newsletter to get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday. DeSantis' shuttling of migrants to Martha's Vineyard comes as other Republican governors have done the same: moving refugees out of their states and to Democrat-led areas, as a public push from conservatives against President Joe Biden's border policies. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott claimed responsibility for a similar stunt on Thursday, in which two buses of migrants arrived at the US Naval Observatory Vice President Kamala Harris' residence in Washington, D.C. CNN reports that the volunteers who staff the observatory were surprised at their arrival, and had not been previously notified. CNN reports that the majority of those migrants came from Venezuela, according to volunteers. Abbott, who is running for reelection this year, announced in April that he was busing migrants from the Lone Star State to the Big Apple. Speaking about the move, Abbott blamed Biden for what he called a "refusal to acknowledge the crisis caused by his open border policies." RELATED: N.Y.C. Mayor Adams Condemns Texas Gov. Abbott for Busing Migrants to His City: 'Disgusting' New York City Mayor Eric Adams condemned Abbott in a speech at New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal, where 14 people were dropped off after traveling three days. "This is horrific, when you think about what the governor is doing," Adams said at the time. The mayor added that some of the migrants had no choice but to travel to New York. "Some of the families are on the bus that wanted to go to other locations, and they were not allowed to do so. They were forced on the bus," he said, according to Politico. "Our goal is to immediately find out each family's needs and give them the assistance they want." In May, Arizona's Republican Gov. Doug Ducey made a similar move, sending migrants from his state's southern border to Washington, D.C., as well. According to a news release, the Arizona-to-D.C. bus trips were voluntary, and would "include meals, and onboard staffing and support." Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, left, authorized two planes to relocate migrants to Martha's Vineyard. His Democratic challenger, former Rep. Charlie Crist, called the actions "disgusting and vile." Joe Raedle/Getty Images and Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist criticized GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis for relocating migrants to Martha's Vineyard. Crist said he would support the DOJ getting involved. The Florida legislature allocated $12 million to transport migrants to other states. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist said he would support the Department of Justice getting involved after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Republican he's looking to unseat, used state funds to send Venezuelan migrants to Massachusetts. DeSantis' office on Wednesday night took credit after 50 migrants arrived in two planes to Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, where a local church provided temporary housing. The controversial move is sure to complicate migrants' ability to attend their immigration court hearings. Some attorneys took to Twitter to question whether DeSantis' actions were legal given that federal law prohibits transporting undocumented immigrants across state lines. Asked whether the Department of Justice should get involved during a virtual press conference on Thursday, Crist replied, "That sounds appropriate to me. Justice needs to be served here." Related video: 46 migrants found dead inside tractor trailer in San Antonio During a press conference in Niceville, Florida, DeSantis defended his actions as necessary "to protect the state of Florida from the impact of Biden's border policies." DeSantis has slammed President Joe Biden repeatedly over his immigration policy. He has for months said that he would be relocating migrants to Biden's home state of Delaware or to Martha's Vineyard, and the Florida legislature allocated $12 million for the effort. "Our message to them is that we are not a sanctuary state," he said Thursday. "It's better to be able to go to a sanctuary jurisdiction. And yes, we will help facilitate that transport for you to be able to go to greener pastures." DeSantis was referring to so-called "sanctuary cities" that refuse to comply with federal immigration restrictions. Story continues Rep. Charlie Crist, center, and his fiance Chelsea Grimes, right, celebrate as he announces his running mate Karla Hernandez-Mats, left, at Hialeah Middle School in Hialeah, Florida, on Saturday August 27, 2022. Gaston De Cardenas/AP Photo Crist compares DeSantis to Castro Crist is the underdog vying to unseat DeSantis during the November 8 election. In his press conference, he told reporters that DeSantis was treating migrants "like they're in a socialist regime." "Unfortunately, he's using human beings to try to make political points like he's already a dictator," Crist said, adding, "This is the kind of stuff Castro would do." Crist was referring to Fidel Castro, the former communist prime minister of Cuba. "I'm very cautious, usually, about who I identify people with or compare them to, but I'm hearing from you know, Hispanic radio in South Florida, phrasing it and characterizing it in this way. And they're probably right on point." Pressed by reporters, however, Crist repeatedly refused to say how he as governor would differ from DeSantis on immigration policy other than to say he would be "humane" and "do the opposite of what he's done." "I wouldn't ship them around like they're animals, like they're cattle," he said. "I would not do that. Ron DeSantis is willing to do that. And that's the difference." Crist also said he would have "kept them in Florida and treated them humanely and given them comfort and make sure they were fed and nourished and treated like human beings." Several news outlets said the migrants originated in Texas before arriving to Martha's Vineyard, a wealthy island where former President Barack Obama owns a home. GOP Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, who was DeSantis' predecessor in the governor's mansion, demurred when asked by Insider on Capitol Hill whether the governor's actions were appropriate. "You'd have to ask governor DeSantis," he said. Scott also said the federal government should finish building the wall on the US-Mexico border pushed by former President Trump, and enforce its asylum laws. "I wish the Biden administration would secure the border," Scott said. "Basically the unsecure border has made the whole country less safe." Florida isn't the first state to relocate migrants. Texas has sent 6,200 migrants to Chicago, New York City, and Washington, DC. On Thursday morning, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas announced he sent two buses of migrants to Vice President Kamala Harris' residence after she made comments on NBC's Meet the Press saying the border was secure. Abbott has since April bused migrants to New York, Chicago, and Washington, DC. "This morning, two Texas buses of migrants arrived at the Naval Observatory in DC. VP Harris claims our border is 'secure' & denies the crisis," Abbott, who is also up for reelection in November, wrote on Twitter. "We're sending migrants to her backyard to call on the Biden Administration to do its job & secure the border." Republicans have slammed Biden's immigration policies, saying they're to blame for a surge in border crossings. At his press conference Thursday, DeSantis said Biden should "do his damn job." He accused states of "virtue signaling" through designating themselves sanctuary cities, saying that border towns have struggled to provide aid and that other communities across the US should be "sharing in the burdens." "The minute even a small fraction of what those border towns deal with every day is brought to their front door, they all of a sudden go berserk," he said. Crist, in his press conference, called DeSantis' actions "disgusting and vile" and said he was "on the wrong side of history." The actions, he said, underscore "why we need a change." "If had a problem with any kind of policy of the Biden administration, he can voice it," Crist said. "He doesn't have to engage innocent human beings in this way, in an inhumane fashion, to try to make a political statement." Read the original article on Business Insider SAN JOSE, CA - (NewMediaWire) - September 15, 2022 - (King NewsWire) - FlyFin, the world's number one A.I. tax preparation and tax filing service, today introduced a comprehensive collection of tax resources focused on helping self-employed individuals prepare and file their taxes quickly and accurately. Now taxpayers can quickly find topics around tax deductions, self employed retirement plans, self employed individuals and practical how-to guidance, as well as information around 1099 tax forms. Included in FlyFin's new collection of tax resources is a new self employment tax calculator that is the most accurate on the market for estimating quarterly taxes for 1099 workers, freelancers and self-employed individuals. FlyFin's mission is to make tax preparation and filing as simple and stress-free as possible for all self-employed individuals. Tax preparation can be complicated because the sheer amount of information to sift through makes it difficult for taxpayers to determine what is relevant to them and what's not. Additionally, many self-employed individuals aren't familiar with the tax code and may not be aware of the tax deductions they could be eligible to take. This uncertainty can often lead to self-employed individuals overpaying taxes or missing out on potential deductions. It's not uncommon for self-employed workers to overpay their taxes or miss out on possible tax deductions. This frequent lapse is because they are less likely to be familiar with tax laws and regulations and thus may be more likely to make mistakes when filing taxes. FlyFin's A.I.-powered platform helps tax filers save maximum money on their taxes. Tax professionals are on standby 24/7, so taxpayers can ask a CPA for advice on how to pay the least amount of tax possible. Trusted by more than 100K freelancers, FlyFin's tax calculator for self employment is the only tool that considers a person's income and deductions. This advanced capability allows self-employed individuals to assess how different combinations of income and deductions can affect their overall taxes owed, giving the most accurate option for how to calculate self employment tax. Story continues "With the introduction of this new collection of resources, self-employed individuals can be confident that they are getting the most accurate and up-to-date information to help them prepare and file their taxes," said FlyFin CEO and Co-founder Jaideep Singh. "FlyFin's new collection of tax resources is designed to help self-employed individuals quickly and easily find the information they need to prepare or get help to file their taxes accurately and on time." About FlyFin FlyFin is an A.I.-powered platform that provides self-employed, sub-contractors, independent contractors, gig workers, freelancers and creator economy workers with a convenient, easy-to-use and affordable tax filing solution. FlyFin helps individuals maximize self-employment tax deductions and income tax refunds. With a "Man + Machine" approach, FlyFin leverages A.I. paired with highly experienced tax CPAs to deliver automation that eliminates 95% of the work required for 1099 self-employed individuals to prepare their taxes. FlyFin is a privately-held, venture-backed company based in San Jose, California. Media Contact Carmen Hughes FlyFin Phone: +1.650-576.6444 Email: carmen@ignitepr.com Website: https://flyfin.tax/ Food delivery robots are a common sight nowadays in Los Angeles. However, few have suspected them of being capable of raiding a crime scene. On Sept.13 , a delivery robot was filmed moving through a scene taped off by Los Angeles police. A journalist from KNBC, the local NBC affiliate, recorded the video above. Another social account, @FilmThePoliceLA, shared a similar video from a different angle that went viral. In the viral video, the food delivery robot can be seen heading down a busy crosswalk and pausing upon encountering an intersection before the crime scene. A group of cameramen looked on curiously as the robot waited before the yellow tape and appeared to calculate its next move. After an amused cameraperson lifted the crime scene tape, the robot finally proceeded onto its path. The robot continued to roll along, passing a group of uniformed police officers attending the crime scene. According to KNBC, the crime scene happened after reports of an active shooter situation at Hollywood High School. On Tuesday, at 9:43 a.m., a call came into the Los Angeles Police Department with a description of an active shooting in progress at the high school. After a rigorous search, police found no shooters, no victims, and no evidence that a shooting had occurred. Ultimately, the department determined that the call was a hoax. Recent reports of a critical incident at Hollywood high school are unfounded and, after swift law enforcement response and internal individual classroom verification, we are deeming the incident as a hoax. @LASchools Alberto M. Carvalho (@LAUSDSup) September 13, 2022 Recent reports of a critical incident at Hollywood high school are unfounded, LAUSD Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho announced in a tweet. After swift law enforcement response and internal individual classroom verification, we are deeming the incident as a hoax. According to McKinsey & Company, the market for food delivery doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic. The post-pandemic era has seen a rise in food robot delivery systems. This article was originally published on TODAY.com TINX and Diplo attended the U.S Open together on September 11. Stephanie Cardinale-Corbis/Getty Images; @Diplo/TikTok; Gotham/Getty Images DJ Diplo and TikToker Tinx attended the US Open on September 11. In a video posted to Diplo's Instagram page, the pair tried and failed to get on the jumbotron. The video showed Tinx touting her TikTok following and the pair promising that they are "famous." TikTok star Tinx and DJ Diplo have been mocked on social media after a video showed them trying to convince a worker at the US Open to put them on the jumbotron. A video posted to Diplo's Instagram on September 14 showed Tinx speaking to a man holding a camera, saying, "We promise we're famous! We're relevant! I have like 1.5 million on TikTok." Diplo, who was off-screen, can be heard adding, "Can you record us for the jumbotron? We're famous, I swear to God." The man appeared to misunderstand, pointing to the giant screen and asking, "When? When are they going to put you up? Are they going to put you up there?" The caption under the post said they were unsuccessful in their attempts. Various comments underneath Diplo's post called the pair out for attempting to convince the man that they are famous. One person wrote, "If you gotta yell it, are you really famous?" Another wrote, "He probably doesn't even have TikTok on his phone. So cringe." Several other comments posted laughing emojis in response to the video, and many echoed similar sentiments that it was "cringe" and "sad" of them to shout about their fame and TikTok following. Previously, Diplo and Tinx appeared on the jumbotron at a Las Vegas Raiders game in December 2021, which led to rumors that the two were dating, according to Distractify. Tinx, whose real name is Christina Najjar, told E! News in February that Diplo is "a very handsome man" but did not confirm that they were a couple. Diplo posted a video on his TikTok account on September 12, with on-screen text stating, "When they sit you next to your ex at the US Open." The video showed Tinx and Diplo laughing together, with the caption reading, "Whoever is charge of these seating arrangements" Story continues The video received 2.3 million views, and Tinx commented "awkward" underneath the video. Diplo is the professional name for Thomas Wesley Pentz, as a DJ, songwriter, and record producer, he has worked with Major Lazer, Sia, Labrinth, Jack U, Skrillex, M.I.A, and Mark Ronson, among others. Tinx started her TikTok account in May 2020 and has racked up 1.5 million followers by posting mini-vlogs, beauty and skincare recommendation videos, and commentary. She also has nearly 500,000 followers on Instagram. Neither Diplo or Tinx immediately responded to requests for comment from Insider. For more stories like this, check out coverage from Insider's Digital Culture team here. Read the original article on Insider A former Clark County Auditors Office employee is heading to prison. Robert Vanderhorst, 63, pleaded guilty to one count of theft and one count of theft in office in August. As part of a plea agreement, a third count was dismissed. News Center 7 was in Clark County Common Pleas Court Thursday morning when Vanderhorst was sentenced to seven years in prison. >> Heartbeat Bill temporarily blocked in Ohio; ACLU to seek further legal action The investigation into Vanderhorst started after one of his co-workers noticed something wasnt right with an account they didnt recognize. Prosecutors previously told News Center 7 that he used his public position and trust he built up over the years to help steal the money. He created a dummy corporation that he had the only access to the bank account. He would cut himself checks, cash those checks and then take the money from the dummy corporation and put it right back into his accounts, Dan Driscoll, Clark County Prosecuting Attorney said. >> PHOTOS: Emergency crews respond to crash in Greene County As part of the agreement, prosecutors and the defense agreed that he stole more than $750,00, but less than $1.5 million. The thefts happened between April 2005 through January 2021. He never apologized, Driscoll said after the sentencing Thursday. [He] would just take money from the county. A judge previously ordered Vanderhorst to pay over $1.8 million in restitution and cost of prosecution, which his lawyer Jon Paul Rion called a fair resolution. Investigators seized bank accounts, retirement money and a car to pay a bulk of that money back. With his conviction, Vanderhorst will never be able to hold public office in Ohio again. ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images After a series of battlefield losses in Ukraine, pressure is mounting in Russia for Vladimir Putin to call it quits. And he may not be serving in his role much longer, according to Abbas Gallyamov, Putins former speechwriter. Putins image is tarnished, Gallyamov told CNN on Thursday. The next thing which is going to happen in Russian politics within the next like several months, maybe up to half a year, is the elites will start looking for a successor. Gallyamov isnt the only one reading between the lines. A group of officials in St. Petersburg and Moscow have begun calling for Putins ouster. Some of the officials have accused Putin of high treason for invading Ukraine. Since demanding Putin step down, a court in Russia has ordered the dissolution of a municipal council that wants Putin out of office. Putin himself has taken a step back from some of his duties in recent days following crushing defeats in southern and northeastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian armed forces have staged multiple counteroffensives, sending Russian forces retreating. Putin canceled a meeting with top military brass and defense industry representatives in order to take in the news of the losses, an adviser said. Putin acknowledged during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping Thursday that China has concerns about Russias war in Ukraine, a subtle nod to Russias key geopolitical partner having some doubts about the course the war has taken. Putins Plot to Charm China Is About to Go Full Blast Putins options to make a comeback on the battlefield remain thin. As of Thursday, Ukrainians liberated Novovorontsovska, the Kochubeivska, the Vysokopolska, and the Velykooleksandrivska communities in the Beryslav district, Dmytro Slivchenko, the head of the Beryslav District Council, said. Ukrainians have retaken approximately 8,000 square kilometers in recent days in the counteroffensives, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. And European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen indicated Thursday during a visit to Kyiv that the European Union will continue to back Ukraine in the days ahead. Story continues Its absolutely vital and necessary to support Ukraine with the military equipment they need to defend themselves. And they have proven that they are able to do this, if they are well equipped, she said. Putins forces, many of which have been retreating in the face of Ukraines onslaught, have been petering out for some time now, sabotaging their own equipment. Putin has become so desperate he has tried to create a new fighting force made up of recruited prisoners. But at this stage in the conflict, if Putin were to lean on a broader mobilization or draft, the public would revolt, Gallyamov predicted. If Putin starts making this national draft, he really faces the danger of riots, Galyamov said. Russians are not willing to go to wage this war. They are not ready to go and sacrifice their lives, especially at the moment when the Ukrainians are advancing and Russians are retreating. Its not clear if his loyal National Guard will really suppress those riots like before, because now, those national guards definitely they're no longer as loyal, Gallyamov said. One Russian politician, the head of Russias Communist Party, said this week a mobilization would be necessary in the coming days to address the dire needs of the conflict. The maximum mobilization of forces and resources is now required, Gennady Zyuganov said, acknowledging that Putins special military operationwhich has been branded as a limited operation previouslyis indeed a war. Moscow Officials Urge Putin to GTFO: Everything Went Wrong The special military operationin Ukraine has turned into a full-fledged war, Zyuganov said. A war and a special operation differ at their core A war cannot be ended, even if you want: You take it to the very end, either victory or defeat. The Kremlin doesnt seem intent on taking steps towards mobilization just yet, however. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said early this week there are no discussions ongoing about a full or partial mobilization. For now, Russian forces are trying to keep up the fight in Ukraine, and have kept up missile strikes against civilian infrastructure in recent hours, including in Kryvyi Rih, Nikopol, Hulyaipole, and Myrne. The enemy continues to focus its efforts on attempts to fully occupy the Donetsk oblast, hold the captured territories and disrupt the active actions of our troops in certain areas, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said Thursday. Pavlo Kyrylenko, the head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration, said Russian missiles in the Donetsk region killed 2 people and injured 13 civilians Wednesday. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Emirates and United have announced a historic commercial agreement that will enhance each airlines network and give their customers easier access to hundreds of new destinations* within the US and around the world. From November, Emirates customers flying into Chicago, San Francisco, and Houston - three of the biggest business hubs in the US will be able to easily connect onto United flights to and from nearly 200 cities across the Americas on a single ticket. At the eight other US airports served by Emirates Boston, Dallas, LA, Miami, JFK, Orlando, Seattle and Washington DC both airlines will have an interline arrangement in place. United will launch a new direct flight between Newark and Dubai starting in March 2023 from there, customers will be able to travel on Emirates or its sister airline flydubai to more than 100 cities. Tickets for Uniteds new Dubai flight are now on sale. Emirates and United announced their agreement today at a ceremonial event at Dulles International Airport, hosted by United CEO Scott Kirby and Emirates President Sir Tim Clark, featuring United and Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and flight crews from each carrier. Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: Two of the biggest, and best-known airlines in the world are joining hands to fly people better to more places, at a time when travel demand is rebounding with a vengeance. Its a significant partnership that will unlock tremendous consumer benefit and bring the United Arab Emirates and the United States even closer. We welcome Uniteds return to Dubai next year, where our hub Dubai essentially becomes a gateway for United to reach Asia, Africa and the Middle East via the combined network of Emirates and flydubai. We look forward to developing our partnership with United for the long term. Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines said: This agreement unites two iconic, flag carrier airlines who share a common commitment to creating the best customer experience in the skies. Uniteds new flight to Dubai and our complementary networks will make global travel easier for millions of our customers, helping boost local economies and strengthen cultural ties. This is a proud moment for both United and Emirates employees, and I look forward to our journey together. Customers of both airlines can soon book these connecting flights on a single ticket making check-in and luggage transfer faster and easier. For example travellers will be able to visit United.com or use the United app to book a flight from New York/Newark to Karachi, Pakistan or go to Emirates.com to book a flight from Dubai to Atlanta or Honolulu. This agreement will also give the loyalty program members of both airlines more opportunities for more rewards: Emirates Skywards members can soon earn miles when they travel on United operated flights, and United Mileage Plus members flying on Uniteds New York/Newark to Dubai flight will be able to earn and redeem miles when connecting beyond on Emirates and flydubai. Eligible customers travelling on codeshare flights will also soon enjoy access to Emirates and United lounges. More details on frequent flyer awards and lounge sharing benefits will be communicated in the coming weeks. Both airlines have recently announced significant investments in the customer experience. Emirates will retrofit more than 120 aircraft as part of a $2 billion effort that includes elevated meal choices, a brand-new vegan menu, a cinema in the sky experience, cabin interior upgrades, and sustainable choices. At United, the airline will add 500 new Boeing and Airbus aircraft to its fleet with a focus on a new signature interior that includes seat-back screens in every seat, larger overhead bins, Bluetooth connectivity throughout, and the industrys fastest available in-flight Wi-Fi. TradeArabia News Service Sep. 15Whitworth University will bring the United States' longest-serving combatant commander in recent history to discuss the war in Ukraine during its fall presidential leadership forum. Retired Adm. James Stavridis will discuss the conflict in Ukraine, as well as the geopolitical situation with Russia and China in his presentation "Ukraine and China: Geopolitics and the Way Forward" at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Spokane Convention Center. Stavridis, who served as the 16th Supreme Allied Commander of Europe and the 15th commander of the U.S. European Command (2009-13), has been a frequent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. In an email to The Spokesman-Review, the retired Navy admiral said Ukraine's recent success in driving back Russian forces could be a turning point in the conflict. "Russian military performance is, fortunately, unimpressive," he said. "Their battle plans were poorly conceived, and their logistics terrible. The Ukrainians, on the other hand, have been well supplied by the west, advised by NATO, and are deeply committed to defending their country. So it is not a surprise that Russia is doing poorly and Ukraine fairly well as the conflict continues." Ukrainian forces began what the New York Times described as a "surprise blitzkrieg" into Russian-occupied territory in northeast Ukraine beginning last week, recapturing hundreds of square miles, strategic towns and liberating approximately 150,000 people from Russian control. Russian troops have been demoralized by the counteroffensive, Ukrainian officials told the New York Times. Russia still occupies large swaths of Ukrainian territory in the east and south. The reconquests will have a major positive impact in the war effort for Ukraine and its European and U.S. allies, Stavridis wrote in Bloomberg column on Monday. The Ukrainian success, however, could push Putin to react more dramatically. Story continues "The Russian president still has cards to play," Stavridis wrote. For instance, the Russian president could opt to target Ukrainian infrastructure and civilian targets, or he could renege on his agreement to allow grain shipments from Ukraine, he wrote. "Although the Ukrainians should be proud of their operational skill, determination and combat prowess, their recent successes will ironically increase the potential for the war to expand," Stavridis wrote. "At the dark end of the spectrum, the use of tactical nuclear weapons while highly unlikely cannot be ruled out, and would probably bring NATO into the conflict with the creation of a no-fly zone." During his presentation, Stavridis will discuss the United States' relationship with China and Taiwan, which bears similarity to its relationship with Ukraine and Russia, he said. "Both are nuclear armed, and thus require attention. Russia is much less of a significant strategic competition, while China will be a serious competitor to the U.S. as this century unfolds," Stavridis said. Stavridis is managing director of global affairs and the vice chair of the Carlyle Group and chair of the Rockefeller Foundation Board of Trustees. When he was the Supreme Allied Commander at NATO, Stavridis oversaw operations in Afghanistan, Libya, Syria and the Balkans and counterpiracy off the coast of Africa. In 2016, he was vetted for vice president by Hillary Clinton, and subsequently invited to discuss a cabinet position with President Donald Trump. Previously, former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was at the forum to discuss Afghanistan and the Jan. 6 riot. QUINCY A retired Quincy police lieutenant who has since moved to Florida was arrested on charges he tried to solicit a 14-year-old for sex. Jeffrey Alan Burrell, 68, who retired from the Quincy Police Department in 2016 after a 31-year career, was one of 11 men arrested over four days as part of "Operation Keystroke," authorities said. "They were grooming children and doing real nasty things online," Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper said. "Instead of meeting with children, they were met by law enforcement officers who were online posing as children." Lights on the roof of a police vehicle. "At one point, we had several (people) chatting at the same time with undercover detectives who they thought was a 14-year-old child, wanted to come have sex with these underage children," Leeper said. Leeper said one of the men was Burrell, who now lives in Fort Myers, Florida. "He contacted what he thought was a 14-year-old child and wanted her to perform sex acts on him in his car for $80," Leeper said. More: Quincy executive accused of a series of child rapes, held on $1 million bail "He stated he was in the Brunswick, Georgia, area and would come to meet her, but he lied," Leeper said. "He never showed up." Leeper said Burrell was a law enforcement officer at the Lee County Port Authority Police Department in Fort Myers. "The news of his arrest is both shocking and upsetting," Quincy Police Chief Paul Keenan said. A 31-year-old U.S. army captain stationed at West Point Military Academy was also arrested, authorities said. Nassau County, Florida, is immediately north of Jacksonville, and extends north to the Georgia border. This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Ex-Quincy cop accused of soliciting minor for sex in Florida A documentary about Benjamin Hall, a Fox News reporter who was severely injured while covering the war in Ukraine, is in the works. The films production was announced by Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott during her quarterly address to employees this week, which Hall joined via livestream. Hall returned home to his family in London last month, Scott said, and continues to recover from an attack by Russian forces that also killed Fox cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski and local Ukrainian journalist Oleksandra Kuvshynova. We were all amazed by his progress, inspired by his positive attitude and awed by his determination to recover, Scott said, according to a transcript of her remarks. As he joined the meeting, Hall thanked his fellow employees at Fox and others who have shown him support in the months that followed the incident that left him badly wounded. I want to say thank you to everyone who has got me through that. And when I look back at this time, its tragic. And the stories that we can tell are tragic, but it is some of the more momentous stories that we have to keep telling, Hall said. The heroes who managed to get me out of Ukraine at that incredibly hard point, the heroes who saved my life on numerous occasions, the people who gave me my legs, who started me walking again, who allowed me to now pick up my children. Hall, a leading foreign correspondent at the network who is still eyeing a return to work when he is able, told his co-workers it is still sometimes difficult to think about the attack that killed Zakrzewski and Kuvshynova. Pierre had a smile on his face no matter where we went. He was absolutely the most incorrigible person I know. And I think that when we think back to both Pierre and Sasha, we have to remember what we can learn from them. That what we do, that this job is so important that we have to keep doing it, he said. We have to keep doing it in their names. And if we do so, I think we can pay tribute to both of them. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. MUMBAI (Reuters) - France is aware of and respects India's energy and other relations with Russia, its foreign minister told the India Today news channel on Thursday during a visit to the country. India has not condemned Russia's February invasion of Ukraine, instead calling for negotiations and peace. Russia is India's biggest foreign supplier of defence hardware, and India's imports of Russian crude oil and coal have soared since the war. "We know the differences in our relations vis-a-vis Russia," Catherine Colonna said in an interview, during which she was asked about India's oil trade and overall ties with Russia. "We know the history" of India's past and present relations with Russia, Colonna said. "We do respect your country's decision to keep going with some relations." India has seen a flurry of visits from Western diplomats and other officials in recent weeks, as they seek to widen support for a plan of the G7 group of rich countries including France to cap the price of Russian oil. (Reporting by Shilpa Jamkhandikar; Editing by Christopher Cushing) Charles Shaw wine holds a special place in the hearts of Americans who love both alcohol and bargains. Sold exclusively at Trader Joes stores since 2002, the wine affectionately known as Two-Buck Chuck is affordable (about $2 to $4 per bottle) and proudly unpretentious. Its the kind of drink that an under-funded history department might set out for grad-student happy hour, or that house-party hosts plan to crack open toward the end of the night, when everyone is too tipsy to pay much attention to their quaff. The entrepreneur responsible for the Two-Buck Chuck phenomenon is Fred Franzia, who died on Sept. 13 at age 79. He was the co-founder of Bronco Wine Company, which owns dozens of wine brands in addition to Charles Shaw and ranks as the 13th-largest winemaker in the US. Read more Franzia was born into the wine trade. His grandparents became wine makers after emigrating from Italy to Californias Central Valley and passed their vineyard, Franzia Brothers Winery, onto their children. His parents sold the Franzia business, still widely popular for its boxed wine, to Coca-Cola back in the 1970s. The efficiencies behind Charles Shaw Franzia went on to revolutionize the Napa Valley wine scene with his mission to make cheap wine that yuppies would feel comfortable drinking, as a 2009 New Yorker profile of Franzia put it. That goal was perfectly embodied in Charles Shaw, which is sold in a glass bottle capped with natural cork, making it appear classier than other value wines. Story continues But how exactly did Franzia manage to keep Charles Shaw and other wines in his portfolio so cheap? Here are a few of the key tactics: Bottling wine in lightweight glass. A typical case of wine weighs about 36 pounds, while a case of lightweight bottles weighs 30 pounds. Which means Bronco can ship more at a time, San Francisco public radio station KALW explained in 2020. Franzia told KALW that lightweight glass was really starting to become a standard in the industry because the fuel is going up and when you are dealing with products under ten dollar a bottle, you are very sensitive to gas prices affecting your bottle of wine. Using cheap cork. Franzia opted for natural cork because he believed it produced better-quality wine than plastic corks or screw-tops, but chose the lowest-cost optiona mold of small pieces with a real cork veneer at the bottom, KALW explains. Staying out of Napa. Broncos headquarters and the majority of its 400,000 acres of vineyards are located in San Joaquin Valley, where land is far more affordable than Napa or Sonoma. But as the New Yorker explains, because Bronco also has a bottling plant in Napa Valley, Charles Shaw wine can be labeled as Cellared & Bottled by Charles Shaw Winery, Napa, CA. Buying up surplus grapes... Shortly before launching Charles Shaw in 2002, California began producing more grapes than the market. Franzia got the idea to start buying surplus grapes and wine (to be used in blends) in bulk. ...And, in the past, grape trickery. Franzia pled guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud for misrepresenting the grapes used to produce his wines back in 1994. Fanzia was said to have instructed that Zinfandel leaves be scattered over less expensive grapes, a practice that he allegedly referred to by the Whitmanesque euphemism the blessing of the loads, the New Yorker reports. The legacy of Charles Shaw Franzia was proud of his wines low prices: You tell me why someones bottle is worth eighty dollars and mines worth two dollars, he told the New Yorker. Do you get forty times the pleasure from it? Interestingly, Charles Shaw wine was once significantly more expensive: Bronco acquired the brand after it went bankrupt in 1995. In a 2019 interview with the Stanford Graduate School of Business, the man who created his namesake label was philosophical about the brands evolution under Franzia and Trader Joes founder Joe Coulombe. Joe and Fred saved the brand, Shaw said, and the brand survives today. This undated photo of a Sierra Leonean child fishing was provided by The Center on Human Trafficking Research & Outreach (CenHTRO) at the University of Georgia School of Social Work. A selection of documentary short films by Emmy and Peabody award-nominated filmmaker Lansana Mansaray will be shown for free at Athens Cine on Sept. 20 in connection with the University of Georgia's Center on Human Trafficking Research and Outreach (CenHTRO) and the Willson Center for Humanities & Arts. The program, entitled "Storytelling Sierra Leone's Insecurity," presents Mansaray's work as a director and cinematographer spotlighting human trafficking and child labor in the region of West Africa. Following the 7 p.m. screening, Mansaray, who is also known as "Barmmy Boy," will participate in a live audience Q&A session via Zoom technology. More: With construction still underway, Athens film and TV studio buys more land for expansion More: Historic Athens to launch Facebook livecast that explores history of marginalized people This undated promotional image shows Sierra Leone-based documentary filmmaker Lansana Mansaray, also known as Barmmy Boy. Originally from Freetown, Sierra Leone, Mansaray is the founder and production manager of WeOwnTV, a collaborative media education project that works with filmmakers from underserved communities and balances intensive media production training with professional development. Mansaray's 2018 film "Survivors" was broadcast on the PBS series "POV" and was nominated for Peabody and Emmy awards in 2019. Mansaray's documentary shorts "Youth," "Charity" and "They Resisted" are characterized by their lack of traditional narration, allowing the stark footage and subjects' own words to tell the stories of life in Sierra Leone and the vulnerabilities that can lead to situations of human trafficking and other forms of exploitation. CenHTRO director David Okech will be in attendance at the screening to discuss their efforts to combat human trafficking in Sierra Leone and around the world. Child trafficking is a serious problem in Sierra Leone, Okech said. These children are just like our children, and their potential is being compromised. It is important for all of us to pay attention, and these films help us do that by shining a light on the issue. Athens Cine is located at 234 W Hancock Ave. To RSVP, visit facebook.com/events/479817667320782. For additional information, visit cenhtro.uga.edu. This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: African filmmaker to participate in live Q&A at documentary screening After a big night at Mondays Emmy Awards, the cast and crew of ABCs Abbott Elementary went straight back to work on the new season, doing a table read for an upcoming episode. As the shows cast explained Wednesday at a Television Critics Association panel, they powered through after the night of festivities. On Monday, the show took home awards for the shows creator and showrunner Quinta Brunson, as well as Brunsons co-star Sheryl Lee Ralph, who brought the house down with a legendary acceptance speech befitting her legendary career. I feel like we cranked it out. I feel like everybody showed up kind of, like, riding this wave, this tsunami of love. We were all a little tired, but it was the greatest feeling in the world to get back, actor Chris Perfetti said. It was honestly the perfect way to come down after that experience. It was amazing. Theres nowhere else I wanted to be. I was, like, dying to come back to work, even though my brain was on fire. Actor Tyler James Williams noted that it was especially meaningful to get to celebrate with the shows crew. It felt like one really long day where when we walked in, they got a chance to celebrate as well, because this is just as much theirs as it is ours, he said. I dont know what youre talking about, Chris. I forgot how to act, actor Lisa Ann Walter quipped. I got on set and I was like, What do we do? Where do I stand? I dont know how to do this. The Abbott Elementary cast was full of their A+ repartee at the panel, previewing the workplace comedy and mockumentarys upcoming second season, which is back in session next Wednesday on ABC. When the first season premiered in January, it became a breakout hit, reinvigorating network TV and workplace comedies. Following a group of teachers at an underfunded public school in Philadelphia, the show inspired by Brunsons mother, a teacher has also been celebrated for its loving tribute to teachers. Chris Perfetti and Quinta Brunson in a scene from Season 1 of Chris Perfetti and Quinta Brunson in a scene from Season 1 of "Abbott Elementary." (Photo: Ser Baffo/ABC via Getty Images) Story continues In building on her experience from making the first season, Brunson told HuffPost she wants to keep capturing what made the first season great, while also juggling the logistical challenges of how big of a phenomenon the show has become. What we learned from last season was to trust what we did. I think we did a very good job. We really got to be in this bubble and create this wonderful first season of television, she said. And I think the lesson we learned was to do the exact same thing. Another new creative challenge is that the second season got a full-season order: 22 episodes, compared to 13 in the first season. More episodes has been exciting. But also, I want to make sure that we have things for people to tune into and be excited about each week. Thats just harder to do with 22, Brunson said. With 13, I knew I could put something in there that would make people show up in this ever-changing, binge-worthy climate. This is not something people will be able to binge immediately. So I just want to make sure that theyll be back with us every week that were on the air. The cast of ABC's The cast of ABC's "Abbott Elementary" at the Television Critics Association Virtual Press Tour on Wednesday. Left to right: William Stanford Davis, Chris Perfetti, Janelle James, Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Lisa Ann Walter. (Photo: ABC) In addition, she said that the first season was much easier to do because we got to film and edit and write the majority of the season before it even went to air. This year, well be in a different situation where well still be filming, still be writing, when the show starts airing next week. With the success of the show, plus juggling her many hats, Brunson said she had to hand over some of her showrunning duties to her fellow executive producers, Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker, and executive producer and director Randall Einhorn. Showrunning has become harder, she said. I really have downgraded to just creative and nothing else because its all I can do, because between acting, writing and showrunning and press and stuff, all I can do is just focus on the creative. Lisa Ann Walter and Sheryl Lee Ralph in a scene from the Season 2 premiere of Lisa Ann Walter and Sheryl Lee Ralph in a scene from the Season 2 premiere of "Abbott Elementary." (Photo: Scott Everett White/ABC) The show has earned lots of praise for its depiction of the inequities facing teachers and public education. Brunson stressed she and the writers dont approach the storylines with these issues in mind. Instead, their priority is to find comedic stories that fit each character, which then happen to touch on what a school like Abbott Elementary would be dealing with in real life. We just seek to mine the reality of the situation, she said. I think about an old trick I learned is: If you put a $5 bill on the ground, each character in your show should pick it up differently. So Im always like, What is the $5 bill, and how does that affect everyone? The cast also discussed the fun energy they get from working with the kids who play the students on the show, and whether they ever think the actors are actually their teachers. One of the kids just asked me that today: Are you going to be my teacher? Im like, More or less, sure, Williams said. They add a certain something to this show that you just cant get anywhere else because theyre not hyper professional, and theyre not trying to chart up their careers immediately. We get a lot of really fun energy. Theyre just as responsive in the scenes as we are. And as an actor, that kind of stops it from getting stale. Sometimes, theyll come out with some crazy stuff, Walter added. I had one kid in my class that was talking about interdimensional worlds and conflicted anti-heroes. Im like, How old are you? Hes 10! I said, Everybodys gonna work for Preston one day. Yeah, theyre amazing. Tyler James Williams and Janelle James in a scene from the Season 2 premiere of Tyler James Williams and Janelle James in a scene from the Season 2 premiere of "Abbott Elementary." (Photo: Scott Everett White/ABC) As ever, Ralph stole the show, including when she described how her phone has not stopped buzzing with messages in response to her Emmy win. Its been so absolutely overwhelming. Since Monday, Ive been on the verge of tears all day, all night. It has been the most amazing thing. You know, people talk about your phone blowing up. My phone absolutely blew up. It has not stopped going off, she said. Ive heard from mayor, governor, prime minister. Ive heard from all kinds of people, people that I went to grade school with, that I went to junior high with, that I went to high school with, the president of the university I went to. She has also heard from producers on previous projects in her storied career. I also had to ask them: Why didnt you hire me again? But anyway! When asked if the award was worth the wait, Ralph said: Hell yeah! Yes, absolutely. Yes. Can I say it again? Yes! Season 2 of Abbott Elementary premieres Sept. 21 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... Oxford Biomedica has been hit by the lack of demand for COVID vaccines. Photo: Hannah Beier/Reuters Oxford Biomedica (OXB.L) reported a revenue loss in the first half of the year as demand for COVID vaccines slumps. The British biotech firm saw revenue drop by more than 20% to 64m in the six months to June 30, down from 81.3m. We have made significant strategic and operational progress towards our goal of becoming a global viral vector leader. In the first half of 2022 we achieved double digit revenue growth in our core business and since the start of the year have signed numerous new or expanded partnership deals, chair and interim CEO Roch Doliveux said. Read more: FTSE 250: Housebuilder Redrow sees revenue jump to 2.14bn but market is cooling Oxford Biomedica is in an excellent position to achieve long-term future profitable growth as a leading partner of choice to deliver life-saving cell and gene therapies to patients. COVID cases in the UK hit their lowest level in 11 months in July, according to the Office for National Statistics. The vaccine maker also reported an operating EBITDA loss and operating loss of 5.8m and 19.2m respectively, which compares against profits in the same period of 2021. Oxford Biomedica said this included one-off acquisition-related due diligence costs of 5.1m relating to the transaction with Homology Medicines to establish Oxford Biomedica Solutions. It also said it had expanded customer base by more than 70%, currently working on more than 20 programmes, with a robust new business pipeline across all key vector types. The biotech group signed a new three-year development Agreement with AstraZeneca to facilitate potential future manufacturing opportunities for the COVID vaccine. Meanwhile, subsidiary Oxford Biomedica Solutions has signed a deal with an unnamed new partner, for an undisclosed sum. Read more: FTSE 100: Ocado slumps as cost of living pushes shoppers to cut back on orders The deal will give this unnamed, US-based, private biotechnology firm access to Oxford Biomedica Solutions' process and manufacturing platform. Story continues "This agreement marks a very important step towards achieving our strategic objective of becoming a global viral vector leader across all key vector types, delivering life changing therapies to patients, Doliveux said. Under the agreement, Oxford Biomedica Solutions, which focuses on adeno-associated virus manufacturing and innovation business, will receive payments relating to the full scope of process development. Watch: What is a recession and how do we spot one? Fulton County Georgia District Attorney Fani Willis in her office in Atlanta, on Jan. 4, 2022. AP Photo/Ben Gray, File Fulton County DA Fani Willis appears to be ramping up her Georgia probe of Trump. Willis told the Washington Post that her team has heard allegations of 'serious crimes." Willis is investigating if Trump and his associates attempted to interfere in the state's 2020 elections. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis's probe into former President Donald Trump and his advisers appears to be ramping up after she said her team has heard allegations of "serious crimes" and believes that it will result in some individuals being put behind bars, The Washington Post reported. In an interview with the Washington Post, Willis said, "the allegations are very serious. If indicted and convicted, people are facing prison sentences." Willis is leading a wide-ranging criminal investigation into Trump and his associates' efforts to interfere with the state's 2020 election results. The Fulton County district attorney has not announced any formal charges, but she has hinted that a decision could be made as soon as this fall. At least 17 people have been informed that they are targets of the Georgia investigation, the Post reported. They include former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a personal attorney to Trump who testified in August before the special grand jury as part of the investigation. Willis said a decision could be made late this fall on whether her team will seek testimony from Trump as part of her probe. During a radio interview with Hugh Hewitt on Thursday, the former president said he has not received any target letters in the ongoing investigations he is involved in. When the Fulton County district attorney formally launched her investigation into Trump in February 2021, she said it would focus on the former president's attempt to pressure Georgia state officials to overturn the state's 2020 election results; Trump created a firestorm two days before the insurrection when it became public that he'd asked Georgia's secretary of state to "find" enough to swing the state for him despite losing it. Story continues Since announcing her investigation, it has expanded to include examining an alleged scheme to send a fake slate of electors to the Georgia State Capitol in an attempt to overturn the state's election results. Willis's investigation appears to be heating up. In July, the special grand jury issued several subpoenas to Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Trump's legal advisers, including John Eastman, Kenneth Chesebro, Cleta Mitchell, and Jenna Ellis who all helped advise the former president on legal strategies to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Willis has assembled a team of former police officers, veteran prosecutors, and criminal defense attorneys to assist in her investigation. She did not respond to Insider's request to comment. Read the original article on Business Insider WASHINGTON The nominee to lead the U.S. nuclear arsenal said Thursday that supply chain snags that are pummeling the defense industrial base are also hurting Washingtons plans to modernize its aging nuclear arsenal. I would venture to say that its probably being seen across the Department of Defense, but in particular for the nuclear portfolio, Air Force Gen. Anthony Cotton, nominated to lead U.S. Strategic Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee, at his confirmation hearing. Without offering specifics, Cotton credited vendors with Herculean efforts to keep programs on track, but said the realities of supply chain limitations and supply chain shortfalls have taken hold. Its taking some nuclear programs up to 90 days to source certain U.S.-made components that would have typically taken 10 days, he said. If you look at what we need to do in regard to maintaining a flow and schedule to get our new, modernized systems online, if you introduce that into the flow, those delays right there are going to cause me concern, Cotton said. I think its going to take everyone to understand how to close the gap on supply chain management, to get the supplies to industry partners who are trying to modernize this force. Asked by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Cotton said he was no longer comfortable that needed U.S.-manufactured components and materials would be available. I did, he said, until we started to see that kind of eke into the schedule with problems in the supply chain. US nuclear commander warns of deterrence crisis against Russia and China Operating and modernizing the nuclear force will cost $634 billion in the 2021-2030 period, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said last year. Along with the expense of the Energy Department managing nuclear stockpiles, the Defense Department is modernizing the sea, air and land-based legs of the nuclear triad. At a wide-ranging hearing, Cotton punted on the sensitive question of whether he agrees with the Biden administrations plans to cancel the sea-launched nuclear cruise missile, which deemed the SLCM-N as costly, redundant and destabilizing. Cotton said he was not familiar with the system and wants to make his own assessment of whether it fills a capability gap. Story continues When it comes to SLCM-N, I must admit that I would like to be able to do like my predecessors before, to make an assessment on that, Cotton said. If it is able to meet that capability gap that is there, Id like to be able to see that and assess that so I can make my best military assessment on the specific weapon system itself. A list of four-star officers have come out against the administrations plans, including Strategic Commands current chief, Adm. Charles Richard, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley and Vice Chairman Adm. Christopher Grady. Amid those assessments, lawmakers are poised to add funding through the annual defense policy bill and upend the administrations plans to cancel the missile. Last week, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl offered a glimpse into the Biden administrations rationale against the SLCM-N, when asked in a public forum about Russian President Vladimir Putins arsenal of low-yield nuclear weapons. Kahl said he dismissed the notion that SLCM-N is somehow a silver bullet to the challenge we find from Putin in 2022, for a capability that doesnt pay off until the mid-2030s and comes with an enormous price tag. Yes, nuclear weapons will remain the ultimate backstop, but we have to have the resources to invest in space, to invest in cyber, to invest in advanced conventional systems and emerging technologies, Kahl said. Cotton, a career missile and space officer, manages the Air Forces nuclear weapons and bombers as commander of Air Force Global Strike Command. Nominated in June, he would replace Richard, whos been in the job since late 2019. Amid lawmaker questions about the state of Nuclear Command, Control and Communications, or NC3, Cotton assessed its cybersecurity as high and said he was pleased with efforts to link older and more modern systems. Pentagon warns of Chinas progress toward nuclear triad Asked by Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., about a U.S. investigation into Chinese telecom firms placement of equipment near U.S. missile silos, Cotton said the command is absolutely looking into the potential cybersecurity threat. We are really paying attention to what were seeing as the Chinese are taking advantage of some of the opportunities that they can have near some of our ICBM facilities, he said. When asked about the possibility of 5G communications encroaching on spectrum used for the nuclear enterprise and other national security uses, Cotton said it was incredibly critical that the military make federal regulators understand the necessity to protect certain bands. If confirmed, I would want to collaborate with the FCC and others, he said, adding maybe we need to message better on the importance of key spectrum bands. Looming over the hearing was Strategic Commands scramble to reimagine nuclear deterrence theory that simultaneously faces Russia and China a process Cotton vowed to continue, if confirmed. Upending past assumptions, China is working more closely with Russia and its expanding its nuclear force faster than previously predicted. As recently as 2018, we would describe China as having a minimal nuclear deterrent [and] that it was probably about regional hegemony, Cotton said. Today theyre building ground-based ICBM silos, they have the H6-N nuclear-capable bomber thats a strategic launch platform. Asked by Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, about satellite imagery from 2021 showing three new missile field in western China with about 120 missile silos each, Cotton called it absolutely incredible, and in such a short time. JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa has partnered with Made By Nature to give away an amazing getaway for one lucky Made by Nature customer and their family to create unforgettable memories. JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa presents everything you need for a luxurious, stress-free family vacation with enriching experiences for the body, mind, and spirit. The resort features 60 stylish villas, located both on the beach and overwater, all with private pools, five restaurants and three full-service bars, a Spa by JW and the Little Griffins Kids Club which offers 100 activities for young adventurers. Made by Nature is a family concept store based in Dubai focusing on natural, sustainable, and organic products for babies, kids, mums, and the home. Founded by mother of two, Silvia Pieroni, Made by Nature was born out of her desire to have a beautiful collection of chemical free, stylish, and sustainable brands in one place. From September 15 to October 15, 2022, eligible Made by Nature customers can enter the Shop & Win competition to stand a chance of winning a three-night stay at the luxurious JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa for two children under 12 and two adults. All customers spending AED500 ($136) or more at Made by Nature concept stores in DIFC, Galeries Lafayette - The Dubai Mall and the Made by Nature online store, are eligible to enter. Customers can even enter multiple purchases over AED500 to increase their chances of winning. JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa remains one of the most popular family destinations in the archipelago boasting one of the largest kids' clubs in the Maldives. The FAMiLY by JW Little Griffins Kids Club at the resort offers children 100 activities ensuring endless fun as well as enriching and educational experiences. Inspired by a pirates shipwreck on the beach, the architecture of the space is designed as a puzzle of beach huts while the interior is designed as a sea meets the jungle with its different landscapes, that is sure to spark kids interest and discovery in every room. The Kids Club has its own childrens swimming pool, a 13-meter-long pirate ship and all amenities are child-sized to create a mini fantasy world for the little adventurers. From arts and crafts to pizza making, island exploration, kids beach yoga, and mini beach Olympics, all activities at the FAMiLY by JW Little Griffins Kids Club promote their three pillars of activeness, culinary and creativity that will keep kids stimulated, allowing parents to indulge in a variety of services and amenities around the island, from relaxing treatments at Spa by JW, underwater adventures, or an intimate dinner setting for two on the beach. TradeArabia News Service BERLIN (Reuters) - German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Thursday he could see the possibility of victory for democracy in Ukraine and vowed to send more weapons as the country battles to extend its territorial gains against Russia. "You now can see that it could come to an end with victory for freedom and democracy," Habeck told reporters after meeting Ukraine's trade minister at a G7 gathering in the German state of Brandenburg. Germany would continue to decide which weapons to deliver in discussion with NATO partners, Habeck said, adding that "within this process, I know that more weapons are going to come." Habeck said he and Yulia Svyrydenko, who also serves as first vice prime minister of Ukraine, discussed ways to drum up financial support for the reconstruction of Ukraine. "A lot of money is needed. More money than public money can bring alone," the German minister said. "We need an instrument, a fund, in a way that creates a strong and stable opportunity for companies to invest." This global fund could pull together aid from private investors, banks and hedge funds, he added. Ukraine needs 350 billion dollars for reconstruction, according to Kyiv's own estimates, Habeck said. (Writing by Paul Carrel, editing by Rachel More and Miranda Murray) BERLIN (AP) The organization that handles claims on behalf of Jews who suffered under the Nazis said Thursday that Germany agreed to pay approximately $1.2 billion (euros) to Holocaust survivors living around the world in 2023, bringing its total compensation to more than 80 billion euros. The announcement came as Germany marked the 70th anniversary of the signing of the so-called Luxembourg Agreements, a reparations pact that made it possible for Holocaust survivors to receive a measure of justice for the Nazi persecution of Jews during World War II. More than 6 million European Jews were murdered by Germany's Nazis and their henchmen during the Third Reich. The extermination of European Jews by the Nazis left a horrific chasm, not only in global Jewry, but in global humanity, said Gideon Taylor, the president of the New York-based Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, also referred to as the Claims Conference. "These agreements laid the groundwork for compensation and restitution for those survivors who had lost everything and continue to serve as the foundation for the ongoing negotiations on behalf of the estimated 280,00 Holocaust survivors living around the world, Taylor added. On Thursday, the German government invited hundreds of guests to a ceremony at Berlin's Jewish Museum to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the agreement and to underline the responsibility the country bears for the past, the present, and for the future. The Luxembourg Agreements were fundamental and led to financial compensation in the amount of more than 80 billion euros Germany has paid by the end of 2021," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said. At the same time, it was clear to all concerned that this agreement could not pay off the heavy guilt that Germans had brought upon themselves," Scholz added. "The Luxembourg Agreements were rather an attempt to assume moral responsibility for the failure of morality - the attempt to ensure that it was not inhumanity that had the last word, but humanity. Story continues The reparation agreements, signed in 1952, created the basis for all subsequent compensation for Nazi persecution. The negotiations were very contentious at the time and even led to violent protests in Israel, where some argued that accepting payments critics called the compensation blood money would be like forgiving the Nazis for their crimes. The agreements eventually reached were the first time a defeated power paid compensation to civilians for wartime losses and suffering. As visionary as those original negotiators were, they could not have possibly imagined the long-term and deep consequences of the Holocaust on survivors," Greg Schneider, executive vice president of the Claims Conference, told The Associated Press. No one possibly imagined that 70 years later there would still be elderly Holocaust survivors who were so impoverished, who were so needy, who were still suffering the dire consequences, Schneider said, adding that that was the reason why the funding for next year includes a 130 million-euro increase in the amount designated for home care. The money Germany agreed to pay next year also includes 12 million euros in emergency humanitarian payments to 8,500 Ukrainian Holocaust survivors and 170 million-euro hardship fund designated for approximately 143,000 Holocaust survivors worldwide. Germany also agreed for the first time to specifically fund Holocaust education with 10 million euros allotted for 2022, 25 million euros for 2023, 30 million euros for 2024 and 35 million euros for 2025. As the number of living Holocaust survivors dwindles and memories of the genocide fade, scholars and educators want to ensure future generations know about the Nazi atrocities inflicted on Jewish people. Dingo armored vehicles Lambrecht clarified Ukraine would get 50 Dingo armored vehicles, two MARS II MLRS and 200 rockets. Read also: Germany must get on right side of history, says Zelenskyys advisor The training of the crews to work with this equipment should take place in Germany in September, she said. The courageous and successful conduct of operations by the Armed Forces of Ukraine shows how important it is to quickly provide Ukraine with additional military equipment, Lambrecht said. Read also: Dingo MARS II According to Bild, Dingo sales were considered as an alternative to the transfer of Fuchs armored personnel carriers to Ukraine in close coordination with several German ministries. The Dingo is an armored wheeled vehicle used for patrol and reconnaissance. The Bundeswehr has more than 500 vehicles of this type in various modifications. Read also: Germany to continue supporting Ukraine in war against Russia as long as necessary, says FM On Sept. 7, Germany said it would not supply Dingo armoured vehicles to Ukraine, arguing that it needs them for its own army. Moreover, German newspaper Die Welt reported on Sept. 6 that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had refused to supply Leopard 2 tanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Commenting on this, Scholz said his country was helping Ukraine enough with weapons, while the decision to transfer any military equipment should be made in coordination with allies. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine (Bloomberg) -- Germany is in advanced talks to take over Uniper SE and two other large gas importers in a historic step to avoid a collapse of its energy market, according to people familiar with the matter. Most Read from Bloomberg State ownership of Uniper, VNG AG and Securing Energy for Europe GmbH, formerly Gazprom Germania GmbH, is the main solution under discussion, the people said. The government is considering buying Fortum Oyjs controlling stake in Uniper for a nominal price and would then inject billions of euros into the company through a capital increase, according to some of the people. That move would dilute the stakes of Unipers remaining outside shareholders. The exact specifics have yet to be agreed but a conclusion could be reached in the coming days, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. Surging gas prices and Moscows move to squeeze supplies to Europe have already prompted a series of government bailouts and rescue loans. But those measures are increasingly dwarfed by the scale of the crisis and theres a risk that systemic energy providers collapse without more robust government support. A coordinated swoop on the three firms would mark a clear escalation in Europes response to the energy war being waged by Russia. With Russias main pipeline to Germany cut off, Uniper is having to source alternative supplies and its racking up losses of as much as 100 million euros ($100 million) a day, according to its CEO. SEFE didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. Fortum, Unipers largest shareholder with a 78% stake, said it couldnt comment while negotiations are underway. Spokespeople for the German economy ministry, Uniper and VNG declined to comment. Story continues The three companies are central pillars of Germanys energy infrastructure, bringing gas from all over the world to fire Europes power stations, run factories and heat homes. Their physical assets help store and transport energy, while their teams of traders buy and sell billions of euros of contracts each year to keep the continents economy afloat and societies stable. Asked about nationalization plans, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said: Things are complex, we are working it through very carefully. One of those complications is the Finnish utility Fortum. It has already granted loans to its unit but made clear earlier this year it didnt want to keep extending credit. The government has already agreed to take a 30% stake in Uniper. VNG, which supplies gas to approximately 400 municipal utilities and industrial operators, submitted an application for state aid last week. The extra cost for it to replace Russian flows to fulfill its own contracts is projected to balloon to 1 billion euros ($1 billion) this year, its parent company EnBW said. Taking ownership of SEFE is also tricky as theres a risk of channeling funds to Moscow. In July, German officials opened the door to nationalizing SEFE, passing a law that allows the government to take a stake in companies in its trusteeship against the will of their owner. In SEFEs case, which has been in trusteeship since April, the owner is an unclear Russian entity called Joint Stock Company Palmary, to which Gazprom gave the subsidiary in April. However, the law may require the German government to provide compensation to the former owner. (Updates with details of potential Uniper deal structure from second paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Employees enter Topeka's Goodyear distribution center. The company was awarded cash incentives Wednesday to expand its Topeka operations. Local elected officials voted Wednesday to use revenue from a countywide, half-cent sales tax to award cash incentives totaling as much as $585,000 to the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and $373,000 to Ryder System Inc. to expand operations in Topeka. Goodyear, which has maintained a plant here since 1945, plans to make a five-year capital investment of $125 million and create up to 40 new full-time jobs at that plant at 2000 N.W. US-24 highway. Ryder plans to make a $2.5 million capital investment and create as many as 55 new full-time jobs in Topeka. The incentives are performance-based. They were approved late Wednesday by Topeka and Shawnee County elected officials serving on the board of directors of the Joint Economic Development Organization. "Its exciting to see these economic wins unfold before our eyes," said JEDO board member and Topeka Mayor Mike Padilla. JEDO contracts with a private organization, Go Topeka, to administer the economic development program financed by the sales tax revenue. More: History Guy: Topeka Goodyear plant made first tire 75 years ago How much economic impact will the Goodyear project bring? Goodyear is one of the worlds largest tire companies, employing about 72,000 people and manufacturing its products at 57 facilities in 23 countries, said India Yarborough, communications director for the Greater Topeka Partnership. The companys Topeka plant employs about 1,400 people and focuses on producing tires for commercial and off-highway vehicles. The Goodyear project, referred to before Wednesday as "Project Boomerang," is expected to result in an economic impact locally of $480 million over 10 years, Yarborough said. 'Its great to see a company like Goodyear further their investment in the Topeka area, Padilla said. The growth of our existing employers is a key driver of local job creation." Shawnee County Commissioner and JEDO board chairman Aaron Mays said it felt good to be able to invest in a local employer like Goodyear. Story continues This company has a long history in our community and continues to impact and help grow the Topeka/Shawnee County economy," he said. "I look forward to seeing Goodyear create more well-paying jobs in the area, as they advance their local operations and serve this community for years to come. More news: Topeka mayor, council approve city budget that raises overall property taxes but lowers mill levy Goodyear is deeply grateful for the ongoing partnership and support of JEDO and the greater Topeka community, said Tim Davis, the company's Topeka manufacturing director. Our Topeka facility is integral to our operations, and this investment will help position Goodyear to continue to meet the evolving needs of our customers," he said. Companies like Goodyear have contributed to the strong, diverse local economy Topekans see today, said Molly Howey, president of Go Topeka. The estimated economic impact resulting from their investment is a testament to their willingness to partner with Topeka/Shawnee County, and to the strategic support JEDO incentives provide," she said. How much economic impact will the Ryder project bring? Ryder maintains a Topeka truck rental location at 631 S.W. 1st Ave. That company, a leader in supply chain, dedicated transportation and fleet management solutions, will build out and manage warehouse operations and provide transportation services on behalf of one of its supply-chain solutions customers here, Yarborough said. The Ryder project, referred to before Wednesday as "Project Three," is expected to result in an estimated economic impact locally of $500 million over 10 years, which is "huge," Padilla said. Mays said he was proud to see the JEDO board make another worthwhile investment in a company doing great work in the Topeka area. "Theres no doubt Ryders expansion will positively impact this community and the region, as they create dozens of new jobs and even more opportunities for success," he said. We sincerely appreciate the support of Go Topeka and JEDO as we expand our operations and bring more quality jobs to the area, said Norm Brouillette, senior vice president of supply chain solutions for Ryder. Topeka has a highly skilled workforce, and thats critical to a company that prides itself on its people and has for nearly 90 years now. More news: Stephen Wade, a native of the Shawnee County community, is chosen as Topeka's next city manager Howey said it was great to see a company like Ryder expand its reach in Topeka and Shawnee County. The potential economic impact stemming from their investment is going to be felt throughout our community, further solidifying the strength of our local economy and the businesses operating here, she said. Sales tax finances incentives The incentives approved Wednesday are to be financed using some of the $5 million in revenue from a countywide, half-cent sales tax, which is earmarked annually to be used for economic development. Revenue from the tax is used for purposes that include attracting new companies to Shawnee County and incentivizing companies already located here to stay and expand. Decisions regarding economic development funding from the tax are made by the seven voting members of the JEDO board. They are the three Shawnee County commissioners, Topeka's mayor and three members of the Topeka City Council. The economic development program is designed to create jobs, raise average wage levels and add tax base to the community. Tim Hrenchir can be reached at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Goodyear, Ryder receive incentives to expand their Topeka operations Amazon Web Services CEO Andy Jassy Amazon Over two dozen former Amazon employees at Google started an internal email thread about Amazon. In one email, an employee who left Amazon in 2020 said his team only got one computer monitor. Another former employee said they got "subpar" laptops, and had to prove why they needed Macbooks. In an email thread obtained by Insider's Eugene Kim with a subject line "worked_at_amazon," more than two dozen former Amazon employees now working at Google complained about how frugal their former employer was. In one email from the thread, a former Amazon employee who left the company in 2020 said project managers got "subpar Windows laptops" and had to prove they needed Apple MacBooks for work in order to get the devices. Amazon employees having to ask for higher quality work devices became an example of the term "frupidity," which is spreading throughout Amazon's offices. The term combines the words "frugal" and "stupidity, former Amazon exec Ethan Evans explained in a blog post. Frugality is part of Amazon's culture as one of the company's 16 leadership principles for making business decisions. Another former employee who left in 2020 said in the email thread that his team only got one computer monitor. To get a second monitor, Amazon employees would hire summer interns who would get a monitor, then take them after the intern left. The former employee said the summer intern monitors were supposed to be returned, but weren't. Some employees said they would develop friendships with other employees who were responsible for office supplies so they could get an extra laptop charger on a loan, but keep them until they left the company, according to the emails. The frugalness went beyond work devices too. Cereal was removed from the office kitchens of two former employees on the thread who were told the cereal "didn't represent a frugal mindset." Amazon even sold instant-noodles for more than a store close to the office, according to one email. Story continues In another email, two employees at a meeting were forced to split a bagel because the budget wasn't high enough to order more. One former employee said in the email thread that they were told, "Spending a couple hundred bucks on cereal isn't frugal. You are free to solicit donations to try and keep it running." The email thread is followed by over 2,000 people, and is meant to connect former Amazonians who are now Googlers. One person on the thread previously told Insider that the culture at Google is a flip from Amazon, with a better culture and leaders. Read the original article on Business Insider Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Getty When 41-year-old Trelisa McCray saw dozens of shell casings scattered across a shooting scene on Thursday night, she understood why her son had not been answering his phone. Theres too many shell casings out here. You cant tell me my baby didnt get hit, she would recall saying. McCray is a member of an anti-gun and violence-prevention group called Mothers Love, and for eight years she has gone from crime scene to crime scene in her home city of Minneapolis. More than I can count, she told The Daily Beast. We de-escalate the crowd and comfort families. On Thursday night, she started at a parking lot off Knox Avenue, where a 16-year-old had been fatally shot. The officers at the scene then received a report of four people shot on Broadway Avenue. The police just rushed outta here, she recalled. Her 24-year-old son spends time in that area, and she called his phone. It was a mothers intuition, she later said. There was no reply. Thats not like my son not to answer the phone, she noted. Other family members began calling her son, whom she did not want named. But he had still not answered when she arrived at Broadway Avenue. That was when she saw the dozens of shell casings that she and law enforcement officials say were the sign of a growing threat on the streets of Minneapolis. Over the past year, the city has witnessed an increased use of guns illegally converted from semi-automatic to fully automatic with the installation of a penny-size device called an auto sear. It is available for as little as $20 and known on the street as a switch. A single pull of the trigger unleashes an entire magazine of 15 or sometimes 33 or even as many as 100 rounds. The Minneapolis police report that the use of what are essentially machine guns has increased 338 percent over the past year, with 1,799 bullets fired in 171 shootings as of July. Homicides in the city are up 18 percent over the previous three-year average. Too many people are getting handguns and theyre using switches, McCray said. Story continues The Minneapolis police and ATF are working to address the problem of the semi-automatic weapons converted to machine guns. A 25-year-old Minneapolis man was charged in federal court on Wednesday with using a 3-D printer to make auto sears in his home. But the switch shootings continue and the resulting deadly sprays often hit innocent bystanders. McCray felt sure on Thursday night that her son was among them. I cant hardly breathe, she recalled. Im gonna lose my mind. She was told that nobody with her sons name had been taken by ambulance. But he was still not answering his phone, and she decided he may have taken some other form of transportation. She went to one hospital and was directed to another, which confirmed her son was there. When they said, Yeah, I fell to my knees and started crying, McCray remembered. And Im telling them, I told yall all my baby got hit. I told yall there was too many casings out there. And they said he had to get rushed into surgery because he was shot in his chest. Her son was in surgery for at least four hours. She got no word on his condition until a surgeon emerged. The doctor came and said, Its a miracle that he's alive because where he got shot, people dont survive those, she recalled. She was allowed to see her son in the recovery room. He was in considerable pain. He told her that after the bullet felled him and he was sprawled on the ground, he had been visited by a cousin who had been shot to death in 2014. And I asked him, What did she say? McCray recalled. He said, She kept telling me to go back. He said she gave him a hug. McCray later told The Daily Beast, My son was dying. When he collapsed on that ground, he was dying, close to dead. But she came to him. So that was the angel that was watching over him when he got shot. He was left with firsthand knowledge that a bullet can come out of nowhere at any time and hit anyone. That included his mother. And he now became anxious if she was not back at the hospital right at 8 a.m. when visiting hours started. He worries, McCray said. And he doesnt want the nurses doing anything until Im there with him. On Tuesday, he noticed that McCray was not wearing false eyelashes, as she usually does. My son was like, Mom, where your lashes at? she recalled. I said, I cried them off. He said, Well, you done? I said, Im not getting done until you come home. As long as youre in this hospital bed, Im going to keep crying. The police say the shooting remains an active investigation. They are also investigating the shooting of four people on Friday just down the street from where McCrays son was nearly killed. A 34-year-old man died. The three wounded included two pregnant women, one 21, the other just 17. McCray hopes her son will be home this Friday. She then will be able to stop crying and put on her trademark eyelashes. She will resume going from shooting scene to shooting scene, seeking to comfort others suffering trauma that she now knows all too well in a city of deadly weapons made deadlier. Read more at The Daily Beast. Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AP) Gunmen killed three soldiers in an ambush in the southern Philippines on Thursday in violence that coincided with the president's visit to the region to pledge support for a 2014 peace deal with Muslim rebels that has eased decades of fighting. There was no indication the attack on the soldiers in the island province of Basilan was connected to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s attendance at a ceremony with former Muslim rebel leaders in another southern province. But the midday killings underscored the complex security issues the newly elected leader faces. A group of soldiers was walking to replace other troops ending their work shift at an outpost in Al-Barka town in Basilan when about seven men opened fire and killed three of them, provincial military commander Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway said. Other soldiers returned fire in a brief clash but the attackers fled as army reinforcements approached, Gobway said. The attackers were from a band of outlaws separate from the Abu Sayyaf, a small but violent Muslim militant group which still has a presence in Basilan despite years of battle setbacks, Gobway told reporters. Troops were pursuing the attackers, he said, adding that the outlaws had lost some gunmen in a clash with troops in the province two months ago. Not far from Basilan, Marcos Jr., who took office in June, spoke in Cotabato city and pledged continuing support to former Muslim rebel leaders who are now helping govern an autonomous Muslim region under the 2014 peace pact. Regular elections in the five-province region, called Bangsamoro, are to be held after a transition period ending in 2025. We are steadfast in our commitment to the peace process here in the southern Philippines, Marcos Jr. said. So we push for socioeconomic development in areas affected by decades of conflict. The peace pact involves the largest Muslim rebel group in the south of the largely Roman Catholic nation, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Thousands of its fighters are in a years-long process of giving up their firearms in exchange for livelihood support as they try to return to normal lives. However, smaller militant groups, including the Abu Sayyaf, have continued to fight the government and wage sporadic attacks, especially in impoverished rural regions with weak law enforcement and many firearms. The City Council rejected a developers request Wednesday night to construct a 368-unit apartment complex near Sandy Bottom Nature Park. The councils decision to vote down the request, by a 6-1 vote, came after the citys planning staff and planning commission recommended denial of the project, noting that the high-density complex would be inconsistent with the citys land use plan. Neighboring property owners feared the development would significantly increase traffic and noise. Joint Base Langley-Eustis also expressed concern the development could prevent a future relocation of its existing runway, which would negatively impact its operations. The developer, Westview Landing, sought to build the complex on a 38-acre property at Singleton Drive and Battle Road off Big Bethel Road at the site of the former Sarah Bonwell Hudgins Center. Attorney Lawrence Cumming, who represented Westview Landing, told the council denial would mean giving up $500,000 yearly in real estate tax revenue. He also said it would harm the Sarah Bonwell Hudgins Foundation, which owns the land and hoped to use the sale of the property to finance programs to support people with disabilities. Councilman W.H. Billy Hobbs Jr. was the lone vote against the denial. Josh Janney, joshua.janney@virginiamedia.com KNXV - Phoenix Scripps Triple-digit heat is back for this weekend and early next week in the Valley. But rain chances return by the middle of next week, and that will cool temperatures off as well! Following riots in Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh in April this year, a local bakery owner has alleged that he has been targetted by the government. Muhammad Raafi | TwoCircles.net Support TwoCircles NEW DELHI On April 10 this year communal riots flared up in Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh during a Ram Navami procession. Amjad Khan, a local owner of a small bakery business Best Bakery witnessed the carnage unfold. The next day, Khan received a call from the local police station. He was summoned and told that he was seen at the spot of riots the previous day. Sham Pawar, a policeman, told Khan that he would be arrested and his house demolished. On the day of the riots, Khan revealed to TwoCircles.net that the Sub-Divisional Police Officer of the area told him to help the police and administration to calm the tempers in his locality since he was a reputed businessman and had friends in both the communities Muslims and Hindus. I did what the SDPO told me, Khan said, I stood at Talab Chowk and did not allow people to assemble, he said. Amjad Khan from Khargone who runs a bakery factory has continously been at the target of Anti Muslim State of MP as his factory has demolished for the second time in a space of 4 months. First they demolished it after the state orchestrated 'justice drive' in April and then + pic.twitter.com/Gg419S6FAS Meer Faisal (@meerfaisal01) September 7, 2022 Khan, a resident of the Jeelani Nagar area of Khargone, owns three bakery outlets in Karim Nagar, 100 meters away from his house. Two of the outlets are operated by Khan from self-owned shops while the third one is operated from a rented shop. Priyanka Patel, the then Chief Municipality Officer of Khargone Nagar Palika called Khan and asked him to share the documents of all the shops and his house. She called me at 9:30 in the morning on April 12, Khan said. Within a few minutes, Khan shared all the documents with the CMO. However, at 11 am he received a call from his manager telling him that bulldozers were outside one of their shops in Karim Nagar. As Khan reached Karim Nagar to check what was happening at his shop, he saw a heavy presence of paramilitary and police personnel along with officials of the district administration and municipality at the spot. Some officials were measuring my shop and marking it. When I enquired why they were marking the shop, they said they have an order from higher-ups, Khan told TwoCircles.net. Without getting an answer from the officials on the spot, Khan drove to the local police station to get the answers. At the police station, Khan met the Additional Superintendent of Police and other senior police officials including the SDPO. The ASP enquired from Khan if he had gone to the riot-hit places on April 10. I said I had not gone. The SDPO sir sent me there, Khan said, adding that the SDPO testified to his claims. The ASP asked Khan to reach Karim Nagar. As Khan reached Karim Nagar he saw senior police officers of the district including the IG and DIG and the CMO of the municipality present there. Khan spoke to CMO Patel and asked her why he was being targeted despite helping the police and the civil administration during the riots. She didnt respond and left, Khan said. By now Khan knew something was wrong. I asked the ASP if there was confusion and they were mixing up his name with another Amjad who lives in Qazipora and also owns a Bakery outlet, Khan said. As per Khan, there are five persons in Khargone by the name of Amjad and incidentally all of them own bakeries. He said he showed the ASP a newspaper cutting in which it was reported that a person by the name of Amjad had allegedly looted a house during riots. This alarmed the ASP who called the CMO and narrated to her what Khan had told him. If the person who has filed the complaint testifies that he was involved in looting, he would himself demolish his house, Khan told the CMO. Instead of asking the officials to stop the demolition till there is clarity on the issue, the CMO, Khan said, directed them to demolish one of my shops and let alone my other shops and house. Khan objected and told the CMO that he had not committed any wrongs. While addressing the Inspector General of Police, Khan asked if this was what he was being paid for helping the police administration during the riots. Khan filed a petition with the Madhya Pradesh High Court on April 29 objecting to the demolition of his bakery. Government representatives in the Khargone district were served notifications by the court requesting an explanation for their actions. Khan claimed that the most recent demolition on September 7 was the result of an encounter with naib Tehsildar and some other officials who visited his Bakery on September 2 to see if his bakery had the required permission. Khan claimed they were rude to him and entered without permission. He said the fact is that they did not like that I moved the court against them. They destroyed one of my bakery outlets earlier, and now they are after the other two. As per Khan, the naib tehsildar Mahendra Singh Dangi went to the police station and registered a case against Khan for abusing him, tearing documents and threatening him. Dangi said that he, along with Naib Tehsildar T Vishke and Municipal Revenue Inspector Mahesh Verma and three other officials had come to the bakery for an inspection when indecent language was used against him and they were obstructed from doing their work. A first information report was registered at the Kotwali police station the same day, under sections of the Indian Penal Code that relate to deterring a public servant from discharging his duty and using obscene language. The Khargone district officials told TwoCircles.net that Khans accusations are unfounded. One of the officials said that in addition to lacking building permits, Khans businesses had not acquired clearance from the pollution board. Another official said that Khan had also not paid any of his taxes. However, Khan reiterated that he has paid all his commercial taxes till March 2023. I can share the documents for the same, he said. Khan claimed that the CMO has been sending emissaries to him to drop the case. Every time I tell them I wont withdraw. I havent committed any mistakes and yet my business units have been destroyed. Who will pay for it, he asked. He said that MLA Ravi Joshi also called him on September 7 and told him to apologize to the CMO and withdraw the charges. He assured me that everything will be alright if he withdraws the case, he said. But, Khan said, he did not agree and the moment he came out of the MLAs house, he received a call from his manager telling him that the bulldozers have started razing his Bakery shop. I wont apologize or withdraw the case. Instead, I will file another case against the CMO, he said. Although the court has issued notices to the state government, there hasnt been much development in the case, Ashhar Warsi, the lawyer of Khan said. However, Khan added he is optimistic and that justice will prevail. Muhammad Raafi is a journalist based in New Delhi. He covers politics and human rights. He tweets at @MohammadRaafi A Maplewood High School student is in police custody after authorities say they made shooting threats on Instagram. Metro Nashville Police Department said the student, 14, is charged in juvenile court with threatening mass violence in a school and making false report of an emergency, according to MNPD release. Police are also investigating a similar threat of gunfire Wednesday was made regarding Stratford High School. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Shooting threats investigated at Maplewood, Stratford High School Thursday marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, a celebration honoring the contributions and histories of Americans with roots in Spain, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. The observance straddles two months, spanning from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, honoring a long-established community whose influence is felt throughout the country. It celebrates a vast community of Americans who have made invaluable contributions to the United States for over 300 years, said Margie Huerta, executive director of the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque. Hispanic and Latinx people are making important contributions to American arts, culture and humanities, and all aspects of society, every single day. Who started Hispanic Heritage Month? From newly arrived immigrants to native communities that have called these lands home for centuries, its a community that has gained considerable cultural and political clout since the occasion began in 1968 as a weeklong commemoration under President Lyndon Johnson. The legislation was sponsored by California U.S. Rep. Edward Roybal of Los Angeles, an Albuquerque native whose family moved to California when he was six. An undated official portrait of U.S. Rep. Edward R. Roybal. In 1976, he founded the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, creating a national forum for Latino issues and opening doors for a new generation of Latino leaders. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed into law a bill sponsored by Illinois Sen. Paul Simon expanding National Hispanic Heritage Week to its current 30-day period. Reagan used the moment to praise Hispanics and their cultural pillars of church and school, but most of all to extol the virtues of familia. Mexican culture in the US: Texas boy is the world's youngest mariachi. For his dad, it's a return to Mexican family roots As the great poet Octavio Paz has said: In Hispanic morals, the true protagonist is the family, Reagan said in his address. "I fear that too often, in the mad rush of modern American life, some people have not learned the great lesson of our Hispanic heritage: the lesson of family and home and church and community. Related video: Janet Murguia will never stop fighting for the Latino community How many Hispanics are in the US? According to July 2021 estimates from the Census Bureau, the United States is home to nearly 63 million Hispanics. Its a growing population: A Pew Research Center analysis of 3,140 counties those with Hispanic populations of at least 1,000 in 2010 found that Hispanics grew 23% from 2010 to 2020, more than three times the national population growth rate of 7%. Story continues Much of that growth is taking place in states without historically large Hispanic populations, the analysis found. In 1990, nine states, including Texas and New York, accounted for 86% of the nations Hispanics, but by 2020, that figure had fallen to 73%. Little Havana locals play dominoes in historic Domino Park, a once predominantly Cuban neighborhood in Miami, Florida. The area has changed dramatically in recent years, with new development and changing demographics; Cubans now comprise just a third of the local population. In terms of percentage, the largest rates of growth took place in other states including North Dakota, Louisiana, Georgia and Alabama, where Hispanic populations grew as much as tenfold. Undocumented Latinos: I dont know if I will be deported: Young immigrants prepare for DACA to end The county with the largest Hispanic population 4.8 million remains Californias Los Angeles County. The county with the largest overall growth from 2010 to 2020 was Houstons Harris County, Texas, where the Hispanic population grew by 363,000. Why does the celebration span two months? The months starting date of Sept. 15 is significant: Its the independence day for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. And Mexico, Chile and Belize mark their celebrations on Sept. 16, Sept. 18 and Sept. 21. Starting in the middle of the month also encompasses, on the celebrations latter end, Oct. 12. Known as Columbus Day in the United States, the day is referred to in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries as Dia de la Raza, honoring the countries and peoples conquered by Spain and other European nations. Gabriel Guerrero jogs along the Venice Beach boardwalk with American and Mexican flags to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Los Angeles, California, May 5, 2021. How do you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? Gabriela Baeza Ventura, a professor of Spanish at the University of Houston, said Hispanic Heritage Month pays respect to a population with deep roots in the United States and a wide range of ancestral origins. Its a wonderful and important opportunity for the general public to visualize the contributions and presence of a community that has been in this territory since before the U.S. was formed as a nation, Ventura said. Its a community that encompasses so many different nations, so many registers of Spanish and so many experiences. For years, Latino college enrollment was on the rise. Then came the pandemic. While many celebrations revolve around fiestas, Mexican or Latin American food and popular images of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and Day of the Dead, Ventura said its time to commemorate other notable figures, both historical and those in our midst. For example, she cited Jovida Idar, an early 20th-century Mexican American journalist and activist from Laredo, Texas, whose image will be minted as part of the American Women Quarters Program, as well as Colombia-born Lina Hidalgo, who at age 27 became the first woman and first Latina elected as county judge in Texas Harris County in 2018. Were seeing other characters come to life, Ventura said. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo speaks to the crowd protesting outside an NRA convention on May 27, 2022. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hispanic Heritage Month: What to know about the annual celebration The arrest of former Kansas City, Kansas, police detective Roger Golubski was met with joy Thursday by activists and alleged victims who have long called for him to be indicted. Golubski, 69, is set to appear in court Thursday afternoon on six federal charges that he deprived two women of their civil rights by sexually assaulting them at times from 1998 to 2002. The former detectives arrest marked what activists called a beginning of justice in Kansas City, Kansas. Golubski has long been accused of violating residents civil rights and raping vulnerable Black women. Ophelia Williams has accused Golubski of raping her in 1999. Her accusations are believed to have led to three of the charges against Golubski. She told The Star that she cried when an FBI agent called her Thursday morning to say Golubski had been arrested at his Edwardsville home. Maybe Black people will get justice now, she said. The Rev. Rick Behrens, a board member of the Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity, which for years has called for Golubski to be charged, said his arrest was a huge step toward justice for his alleged victims. But he said the community is still faced with the need for truth and reconciliation in light of all the pain, injustice and evil we have allowed. Those who enabled and sheltered him, including the criminal court system, KCKPD and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County should also be held accountable, Behrens said. Violet Martin, MORE2 executive board member who says her brother was wrongly convicted in a case allegedly investigated by Golubski, said it took over three decades for Thursday to come. Thirty years of this man living like he is a law-abiding citizen and he is one of the biggest criminals we have in Wyandotte County, she said in a MORE2 statement. Startrena Star Cooper, whose mother Dorothy Fay Cooper was killed in 1983, has long been critical of Golubski and how her mothers murder case was handled. Cooper recently tried to get the police department to reopen the investigation of her mothers killing. Story continues This is the best day ever. Im overjoyed, Cooper told The Star. After 38 years theres a possibility that my mother could finally get justice. I prayed that this day would come and it has. In a joint statement, attorneys Cheryl Pilate and Lindsay Runnels, who represented Lamonte McIntyre and his mother Rose McIntyre in a lawsuit against the Unified Government, commended federal authorities in their pursuit of Golubski. McIntyre was freed from prison in 2017 after serving 23 years for a double homicide he did not commit. We are hopeful the justice system delivers the accountability that the Kansas City, Kansas, community deserves, the attorneys said. Earlier this year, the Unified Government settled the McIntyres lawsuit for $12.5 million the largest public wrongful conviction settlement in Kansas history. The lawsuit accused Golubski of not only using his position to sexually abuse Black women, but of framing innocent people for crimes committed by others, including drug dealers who paid him. KCK Police Chief Karl Oakman, in a statement released Thursday afternoon, said the indictment is an example that no individual is above the law. The department will continue to cooperate and offer any assistance needed by the FBI as this case moves forward. By Jonathan Saul LONDON (Reuters) - Around 82 ships with 418 seafarers remain stuck around Ukrainian ports despite the opening of a U.N.-backed sea corridor to ship grains with efforts to get the mariners sailing still stuck, shipping industry officials said on Thursday. The agreement reached in July, creating a protected sea transit corridor, was designed to alleviate global food shortages, with Ukraine's customers including some of the world's poorest countries. However, the initiative only involved dry bulk ships around three Ukrainian ports with dozens of other vessels including oil tankers not able to access the corridor and awaiting approval to leave while waterways remain controlled by Russia and other ports are blocked by Ukraine. According to analysis by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) six ships, which had been stuck since Moscow's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, had been able to leave Ukraine before the corridor was announced in July. "The corridor was made only for the purpose of loading the grain to leave," ICS Chairman Emanuele Grimaldi told a news briefing. "You can understand they (Ukraine) are at war and there are mines around." At the start of the conflict in late February approximately 2,000 seafarers from all over the world were stranded aboard up to 94 vessels in Ukrainian ports. Grimaldi said the ICS, which represents over 80% of the world's merchant fleet, had discussions this week with U.N. shipping agency the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to speed up matters. "It is not easy and a complicated matter," he said. There was no immediate IMO comment. (Reporting by Jonathan Saul; editing by Jonathan Oatis) By Francois Murphy VIENNA (Reuters) - The U.N. nuclear watchdog's 35-nation Board of Governors on Thursday passed a resolution demanding that Russia end its occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine. The resolution is the second on Russia's invasion of Ukraine passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency's board, and their content is very similar, though the first in March preceded Russian forces taking control of Zaporizhzhia, Europe's biggest nuclear power plant. Both resolutions were proposed by Canada and Poland on behalf of Ukraine, which is not on the board, the IAEA's top policy-making body that meets more than once a year. The text, which says the board calls on Russia to "immediately cease all actions against, and at, the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant and any other nuclear facility in Ukraine", was passed with 26 votes in favour, two against and seven abstentions, diplomats at the closed-door meeting said. The text was later posted on the IAEA's website. Russia and China were the countries that voted against while Egypt, South Africa, Senegal, Burundi, Vietnam, India and Pakistan abstained, the diplomats said. The board "deplores the Russian Federation's persistent violent actions against nuclear facilities in Ukraine, including forcefully seizing of control of nuclear facilities," the resolution's text reads. Russia seized radioactive waste facilities in Chernobyl, the site of the world's worst nuclear disaster in 1986, at the start of the war but later withdrew. Russia and Ukraine have repeatedly accused each other of shelling the Zaporizhzhia plant in southern Ukraine. Russia's mission to the IAEA called the text anti-Russian and said "the Achilles' heel of this resolution" was that it said nothing about the "systematic shelling" of the plant. "The reason is simple - this shelling is carried out by Ukraine, which is supported and shielded by Western countries in every possible way," it said in a statement. Story continues The resolution adds that Russia's occupation of the plant significantly increases the risk of a nuclear accident. Ukrainian staff continue to operate the plant in conditions that the IAEA has described as endangering the site's safety. "This Board took up the issue in March and adopted a resolution that deplored Russia's violent actions and called upon Russia to immediately cease all actions against and at nuclear facilities in Ukraine and return control of them to the competent Ukrainian authorities," the U.S. statement to the board said. "The very next day, Russia spurned that call by seizing the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant. Russia is treating Ukraine's civilian infrastructure as a military prize, seeking to deprive Ukraine of control over its own energy resources and to use the plant as a base for military action against Ukraine," it added. (Additional reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Hugh Lawson, Jonathan Oatis and Grant McCool) Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's office is calling out Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker after busses of migrants were sent into suburban towns from the Windy City. Over 100 migrants who arrived in Chicago after being bussed from Texas on Sept. 7 were then transported out of the city and into neighboring suburbs but the mayors of several towns received little to no notice that the migrants would be arriving. Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson told Fox News Digital in an interview that he received a call from Pritzker's office on Sept. 9 informing him that a "migrant bus" was being sent to his town that very same evening, but was provided with no further details. When Johnson pressed for information, such as the number of migrants coming, what hotel they are being sent to, if they have gone through health screenings, or if they had gone through background checks, he got no answer. ILLINOIS MAYOR SAYS GOV. PRITZKER OWES HIS COMMUNITY AN 'APOLOGY' FOR SENDING 90 MIGRANTS WITH LITTLE NOTICE Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov. Greg Abbott have been in a public battle over migrants arriving in their states and cities. Getty Images It wasn't until a later call that federal officials told Johnson that the migrants went through health screenings and background checks. After a delay from the governor's office, according to Johnson, 90 migrants showed up on Sept. 10, at the La Quinta Hotel. Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso, a Republican, said that no state or City of Chicago officials contacted him about a bus of 64 migrants that showed up in his town at a Hampton Inn after initially arriving in Chicago. Renae Eze, press secretary for Abbott, told Fox News Digital that Lightfoot and Pritzker are "absolute hypocrites." "So much for Chicagos Welcoming City Ordinance. These Democrat elites are absolute hypocrites, and now their hypocrisy is on full display for the entire nation. Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot have been complaining about a few hundred migrants being bused into self-declared sanctuary city Chicago, then turn around and dump them in the suburbs for Republican mayors to deal with. Instead of complaining about fulfilling their welcoming city promises, these Democrat hypocrites should call on President Biden to do his job and secure the bordersomething the President continues failing to do," she said. Story continues ILLINOIS OFFICIALS SEND 90 MIGRANTS TO ANOTHER SUBURBAN CHICAGO TOWN WITH LITTLE NOTICE Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images Responding to complaints from Grasso of receiving no notice of the migrants arrival, Jordan Abudayyeh, press secretary for Pritzker, told WGN that it's interesting local officials are complaining about the issue of migrants being bussed to suburbs. "The state is working with our partners at the City of Chicago and Cook County along with advocacy organizations to welcome those seeking asylum in the United States and provide them stability as they work to build a new life in Illinois. The state has a prior relationship with the hotel being used in the suburbs and their staff has done amazing work welcoming refugees and asylum seekers before, so it is interesting that local officials are choosing this specific instance to gripe to the press about this specific group of asylum seekers that consists of about 30 families. Gov. Pritzker has made it clear that Illinois is [a] welcoming state and xenophobia has no home here," Abudayyeh said. Johnson called the governor's response "wrong," adding that he "owes our community an apology." "We don't play those petty games. But to insult us, that we're either being racist or we're being uncaring. That is insulting," Johnson said. "The governor owes our community an apology, and I'll be waiting to hear that." Republican National Committee spokesperson Preya Samsundar also criticized both Lightfoot and Pritzker, and called on them to end their sanctuary city policies. "After years of supporting Joe Biden and Kamala Harris open borders agenda, Lori Lightfoot and J.B. Pritzker are crying foul because theyre now forced to deal with the very issues theyve shoved on southern border states. We welcome Lightfoot and Pritzker to end their sanctuary city policies and join Republicans in the fight to secure the border," Samsundar said. Biofuels, trade, environmental and livestock regulations and the 2023 farm bill were among the top issues discussed by U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Hoffman Estates, and Republican nominee Kathy Salvi of Mundelein during an Illinois Agricultural Legislative Roundtable candidate forum. Speaking to an audience assembled at Schuler Farms in rural Lexington, Duckworth said lessons learned and votes cast during her first term would largely guide her approach to future ag-related legislation, while Salvi, who hasnt before held political office, said she would look mostly to members of the ag industry for direction on proposed bills if elected. An immediate test of either strategy will come with the drafting of the 2023 farm bill. Duckworth said her priorities for the legislation include protecting and improving farm safety net programs, federal crop insurance, disaster assistance and export market developments. Salvi, meanwhile, said she couldnt be the voice for Illinois farmers in drafting the farm bill without listening to you and (your) concerns. She added she would vie for a position on the Senate Ag Committee and be a little more proactive on ag policy that will help serve Illinois agriculture. Asked about livestock vaccination and disease prevention programs covered by the farm bill, Duckworth said she would support continued funding for those efforts to allow livestock producers to manage their herds in the best way possible, in the healthiest way possible, so that we dont see an economic devastation. Salvi did not take a clear position on the question, instead pointing to an audience member and saying Youre going to guide me and advise me on that. On their approach to environmental regulations, Salvi and Duckworth mostly aligned, with both candidates explaining theyd push for policies that dont unnecessarily burden farmers. To expand the definition of a field that can be EPA-regulated to that particular farm parcel it puts a vise over that farmers ability to run their business, Salvi said of the Biden administrations proposed expanded definition of waters of the United States (WOTUS). Story continues Duckworth said shell work with ag groups on WOTUS, advocate for a pragmatic approach and bring a moderate voice to negotiations over a definition. I sort of see myself in there and saying: Whoa, lets be real here, youre talking about something as if its a river or a creek but its actually just like a dry area most of the year and occasionally when it rains theres water there, Duckworth said. So lets not treat that like it is like everything else. The Senate candidates also found common ground on trade reform, with both saying theyd push to eliminate import tariffs on fertilizers. Duckworth went a step further, explaining the U.S. needs to be more aggressive on trade, especially with China, and in emerging Asian markets like Taiwan. On energy policies and the role of biofuels, Duckworth and Salvi both agreed the marketplace should influence where investments go, but they split over how to get there. The newcomer said she supports a comprehensive, all-of-the-above energy policy that expands coal, natural gas and nuclear energy while also growing private investments in biofuels and other renewable technologies. The incumbent, who described herself as agnostic to a carbon-neutral future, said government funds and other incentives should be used to expand renewable energy sources like solar and wind alongside traditional forms of energy. Duckworth also said shed push for a permanent waiver for year-round sale of E15, support a long-term extension of the blenders credit on biodiesel and advocate for new markets for biofuels, like the aviation industry. Without giving specifics, Salvi said there have been too many quick fixes around biofuel policies. She later clarified that position with reporters, telling them biofuels are essential to the Illinois agribusiness community and I am a strong supporter of biofuels. Asked about private property rights around renewable energy projects, such as wind farms and carbon sequestration pipelines, Salvi said, We need to act responsibly to protect some of our best farmland. Duckworth echoed that position. We absolutely have to respect landowner rights, she said. Asked by FarmWeek how CO2 pipelines fit into that model, Duckworth said she supports the technology, but we have to work our way through that, and maybe theres something I can do at the federal level to help bring incentives and federal resources to the mix. This story was distributed through a cooperative project between Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois Press Association. For more food and farming news, visit FarmWeekNow.com. This article originally appeared on Star Courier: Illinois' U.S. Senate candidates Duckworth, Salvi stake out ag agendas WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund could provide about $1.4 billion in emergency aid to Ukraine almost immediately if its executive board approves a new "food shock window" that was discussed informally earlier this week, an IMF spokesperson said. IMF officials were meeting with their Ukrainian counterparts in Sarajevo this week and would launch an in-person mission to start technical discussions, likely in Vienna in the "near future", with a view to building toward a potential full-fledged program, IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice told reporters on Thursday. (This story corrects para 2 to read "with a view to building toward a potential full-pledged program" instead of "on a potential full-fledged program"). (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; editing by Jonathan Oatis) By Aftab Ahmed and Uditha Jayasinghe NEW DELHI/COLOMBO (Reuters) - India does not plan to provide fresh financial support to Sri Lanka on top of the nearly $4 billion it has extended this year, two sources told Reuters, as the island's battered economy starts to stabilise after a preliminary loan agreement with the IMF. India has been the biggest provider of aid this year to its southern neighbour, which is fighting its worst economic crisis in more than seven decades and struggling to pay for imports, although the situation now is less severe than it was between May and July. "We have already given $3.8 billion worth of assistance. Now it's all about the IMF," an Indian government source with direct knowledge of discussions with Sri Lanka told Reuters. "Countries can't keep giving assistance." A Sri Lankan government source said India's decision was not a surprise and that New Delhi had "signalled" to them a few months ago that there would be little further large-scale support forthcoming. The source, however, said that India would be invited to a donor conference that Sri Lanka was planning to hold with Japan, China and possibly, South Korea, later this year. Another Sri Lankan government source said that talks between India and Sri Lanka for a $1 billion swap arrangement and its request for a second $500 million credit line to purchase fuel, made in May, had made little headway. The sources declined to be named, since they were not authorised to speak to media. India's finance ministry, and Sri Lanka's finance ministry and its central bank did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Sri Lanka and the IMF reached a preliminary agreement in early September for a loan of about $2.9 billion, which is contingent on the country receiving financing assurances from official creditors and negotiations with private creditors. "Our focus is more on taking forward the IMF programme and getting ourselves out of this mess on our own," said one of the Sri Lankan sources. Story continues Sri Lanka has worked to use its limited foreign exchange reserves to meet fuel imports and reallocate funding from multilateral agencies for other critical imports, including fertiliser, cooking gas and medicine, said the other Sri Lankan source. The country of 22 million people has been battling shortages of essentials, including fuel, food and medicines, for months after its foreign exchange reserves dropped to record lows, stalling imports and stoking unprecedented public unrest. (Writing by Devjyot Ghoshal; Editing by Krishna N. Das and Raju Gopalakrishnan) Former Kansas City, Kansas, detective Roger Golubski was indicted Wednesday on six federal counts of deprivation of civil rights for allegedly sexually assaulting two women multiple times from 1998 to 2002. The indictment accuses Golubski, who was arrested at his Wyandotte County home on Thursday morning, of willfully depriving the women of their rights. His conduct included aggravated sexual abuse, sexual assault and kidnapping, according to court documents. Some of the alleged crimes, which include Golubski forcing a woman to perform oral sex on him, occurred in his vehicle. If convicted, Golubski faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Golubski is scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Indictment against Roger Golubski by The Kansas City Star on Scribd Court records do not disclose the names of the women and instead use their initials, S.K. and O.W. But the initials and timeframe match with allegations raised during a civil case against Golubski. That case was brought by Lamonte McIntyre, an innocent man who spent 23 years in prison and contended Golubski framed him in a 1994 double murder. His lawsuit recently settled for $12.5 million. One of the women deposed in the McIntryre case, Ophelia Williams, said she awoke early on an August 1999 morning as police officers, looking for her teenage sons, banged on the front door of her KCK home. She soon met Golubski. Several days later, she said, Golubski came back and sexually assaulted her, she alleged under oath during a 2020 deposition. The abuse continued for months, she previously said in an interview with The Star. Justice to me is that he go to jail, Williams said Thursday morning. Ophelia Williams alleged under oath in a 2020 deposition that former Kansas City, Kansas, police Detective Roger Golubski sexually assaulted her in 1999 when he was investigating her 14-year-old sons in connection to a double homicide. Another woman in the McIntyre case, S.K., alleged Golubski abused her for four years starting when she was 13. S.K. said she first met Golubski when he claimed she was a witness in a criminal case and that if she didnt want to be jailed, she needed to talk to him, she testified in 2020. She was in middle-school at the time. Story continues But when they met, Golubski assaulted her with his fingers and began fondling his penis, the woman testified. The assaults continued until S.K. was almost 18, she has said. When she was about 15, she testified, she was found unconscious near a school bathroom from losing too much blood. She was taken to a hospital and told she suffered a miscarriage. Only Golubski, she alleged, could have gotten her pregnant. The teenager complied, she said, because she didnt want to die. Golubski allegedly abused her in a desolate and industrial area close to where the Missouri and Kansas rivers meet and, she said, sung a lullaby that went: Down by the river, said a hanky panky, where they wont find you until you stankin. I can dump you off in that river and nobody will ever know s, she said Golubski told her. Youre an orphan. Nobody even knows you missing. As part of the McIntyre lawsuit, Golubski was asked in a 2020 deposition if he understood he was being accused of some of the grossest acts of corruption a police officer can commit. He invoked his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, as he would a total 555 times. Civil rights attorney Emma Freudenberger, one of the McIntyres lawyers, asked Golubski if he ever raped a minor in his police vehicle or if he targeted S.K. from foster care records. Both times, Golubski took the Fifth. He did so again when asked if he raped Williams. By Ananda Teresia JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia is trying to attract more so-called "digital nomads" to its tropical shores by offering a more flexible visa, the country's tourism minister said, in a move welcomed by the tourism industry on the resort island of Bali. In recent years, some Asian holiday destinations have seen an influx of digital nomads, or long-stay visitors from overseas who combine travel and recreation with remote working. Tourism Minster Sandiaga Uno said in a post on his Instagram account that digital nomads could now visit Indonesia and work for up to six months using a social-cultural visa. "I am increasingly convinced the number of foreign tourists who are interested in staying in Indonesia will increase and will automatically have an impact on economic revival," he said. Employment under this category of visa has not previously been permitted and Indonesia is yet to outline how it could tax digital nomads, but the plan has been positively received by the Bali tourism board. "We have to embrace this opportunity," said the board's chairman Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana. "But I suggest the government make a clear regulation regarding this. For example, travellers must pay a certain amount of tax to the Indonesian government if they work from Bali," he said. Indonesia's immigration department declined to comment on the move when contacted by Reuters. Foreign arrivals in Bali are expected to reach pre-pandemic levels of six million by 2025, the tourism association said, as the island recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from the tourism ministry showed that more than 3,000 digital nomads entered Indonesia from January to August this year, mostly from Russia, Britain and Germany, with the majority staying in Bali. President Joko Widodo recently berated immigration officials over the difficulties that foreigners, including investors and tourists, have faced obtaining visas. Other countries in the region are also seeking to tap opportunities for remote work. The Philippines is offering "workation" packages in the resort of Boracay, while Malaysia announced regulations this week to allow digital nomads who qualify to stay for 12 months. (Additional Reporting by Rozanna Latiff in Kuala Lumpur and Neil Jerome Morales in Manila; Writing by Kate Lamb; Editing by Ed Davies) JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's anti-trust agency (KPPU) said on Thursday it is investigating potential unfair business practices by Google over the use of proprietary payment services for its software distribution platform Google Play Store. The move follows similar investigations by antitrust regulators globally involving Alphabet Inc's Google. "KPPU suspects that Google has conducted an abuse using its dominant position, conditional sales and discriminatory practices in digital application distribution in Indonesia," it said in a statement. An initial investigation found that since June 1 Indonesian app developers had been required to use Google's payment system, which charges a 15% to 30% fee, the KPPU said. The amount charged by Google Pay Billing is much higher than other services, which cost under 5% before the requirement took effect, it said. If apps did not comply, they risked being removed from Google Play Store, it added. KPPU said Google controlled a 93% market share in the country of 270 million people which has a fast growing digital economy. Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but in other countries where it has faced similar probes the company has argued that its service fee helps keep Android free, giving developers the tools and global platform to access billions of consumers around the world. Google has been fined more than 8 billion euros ($7.99 billion) by the European Union in the last decade for anti-competitive practices related to its price comparison service, Android mobile operating system and advertising service. A top European court upheld a ruling on Wednesday that it broke competition rules and fined the company a record 4.1 billion euros. South Korea's telecommunications regulator said in August it planned an investigation into app store operators, including Google, over suspected violations of in-app payment law. Seoul passed legislation last year dubbed the "anti-Google" law, which bans major app store operators from forcing software developers to use their payment systems, effectively stopping them from charging commissions on in-app purchases. Story continues KPPU will conduct the investigation over the next 60 days and an official said if Google is found to have breached anti-monopoly laws it could be fined a maximum of 50% of net profit gained during the period. ($1 = 1.0007 euros) (Reporting by Stefanno Sulaiman in Jakarta; Additional reporting by Fanny Poktin in Singapore; Editing by Gayatri Suroyo and Ed Davies) WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) Infowars' revenues and website viewership spiked as Alex Jones alleged on his show in 2014 that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax, according to documents shown to a jury Thursday. Jones and his Free Speech Systems company are on trial in Connecticut in a lawsuit brought by an FBI agent who responded to the shooting and relatives of eight of the 20 first graders and six educators killed in the December 2012 massacre in Newtown. They say Jones inflicted emotional and psychological harm on them, and they have been threatened and harassed by Jones' followers. Jones has already been found liable for spreading the myth that the shooting never happened and the six-member jury in Waterbury will be deciding how much he and his company should pay the plaintiffs in damages. The trial started Tuesday and is expected to last a month. Christopher Mattei, a lawyer for the families, showed internal Infowars documents detailing the revenue and website-visit spikes around the time of an article on Sept. 24, 2014, on the Infowars website that said no one died at Sandy Hook and Jones discussing the article on his show the next day. The families lawsuit claims that Jones trafficked in lies to increase his audience and sales of the nutritional supplements, clothing and other merchandise he sells on the Infowars website and hawks on his web show. Jones and guests on his show said the shooting was staged with crisis actors as part of gun control efforts. The discussion of revenue and web viewership came Thursday as Mattei spent a second day questioning Brittany Paz, a Connecticut lawyer hired by Jones to testify about his companies' operations. Documents showed daily revenues to the Infowars online store increased from $48,000 on Sept. 24 to more than $230,000 on Sept. 25. Total user sessions on the Infowars website, meanwhile, increased from about 543,000 on Sept. 23 to about 1 million on Sept. 24, the documents showed. Story continues Paz also was asked about Infowars videos that show Jones and guests using lies and misinformation to claiming the massacre was staged. She acknowledged that much of what was said was not true. In the videos, Jones says the school shooting was a giant hoax" and the fakest thing since the $3 bill. He said there were aerial images of student actors running in circles in and out of the school when the images actually were of a nearby firehouse where people gathered after the shooting. He also claimed CNN was using green screens in fake interviews with people in Sandy Hook. Mattei later showed an email from a company executive showing internal conflict within Infowars about continuing to discuss conspiracy theories about the school shooting. The Sandy Hook stuff is killing us, Infowars editor Paul Watson wrote, asking why the company was risking its reputation and audience by harassing the parents of dead children. Last month, a jury in Texas awarded the parents of one of the slain Sandy Hook children nearly $50 million in a similar lawsuit against Jones and his company. Paz acknowledged that Infowars broadcasted misinformation. She also acknowledged that Jones did not check the qualifications of a guest who appeared numerous times on his show- a conspiracy theorist who claimed to be a school security expert who had investigating the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado even as Jones boasted of his credentials and Infowars received emails questioning the guest's credibility. Paz testified that she believes Jones and his companies have made at least $100 million in the decade since the massacre and Jones is now worth millions of dollars. Website traffic data reports run by Infowars employees and presented at the trial also show that by 2016, his show aired on 150 affiliate radio stations, and the Infowars website got 40 million page views a month. Mattei showed Paz internal Infowars emails between employees sharing Google Analytics data. Paz earlier testified that she was told by Infowars employees that they didnt use Google Analytics regularly to track website viewing data. After showing her the emails, Mattei asked if it was still her testimony that Infowars didnt regularly use Google Analytics. I dont know at this point," she said. Jones now says he believes the shooting happened, but he insists his comments were protected by free speech rights, which he cannot argue at trial because he has already been found liable for damages. The families say the emotional and psychological harm to them was profound and persistent. Relatives say they were subjected to social media harassment, death threats, strangers videotaping them and their children, and the surreal pain of being told that they were faking their loss. Jones' lawyer, Norman Pattis, said in his opening statement Tuesday that any damages should be minimal and claimed the families were exaggerating the harm they say they have suffered. On his Infowars show Thursday, Jones once again called the proceedings in Connecticut a show trial. The judge now has to carry out this fraud, he said. But across the legal community, people are just saying, My God, this is something worthy of Venezuela. This is unbelievable. ___ Find APs full coverage of the Alex Jones trial at: https://apnews.com/hub/alex-jones LYON, France (AP) A priest accused of sexually abusing Inuit children when he missioned in their Canadian Arctic community has told alleged victims and relatives who traveled to France to confront him that he wont go back to Canada to be questioned. The 10-member Inuit delegation met this week with the Rev. Joannes Rivoire, hoping to persuade the 92-year-old to return with them to Canada, where they want him to face justice. Canadian police are also seeking his arrest on a sexual assault charge. But the Oblate priest refused and denied wrongdoing, delegation members said Thursday at a news conference in Lyon, the southeastern French city where Rivoire lives in a care home. The daughter of one of the priests late alleged victims described the meeting as like coming face-to-face with the monster. Tanya Tungilik said she blames the priest for her father's death. She said her father also suffered from alcoholism and recurrent nightmares. He has no remorse, she said of Wednesdays meeting with Rivoire. I left. I didnt want to hear his lies. France traditionally does not extradite its citizens a policy reiterated by the French Justice Ministry in Paris when the Inuit delegation also traveled there for a meeting this week. At the Lyon news conference, the delegation and their lawyer urged French authorities to make an exception in this case. The Canadian government has previously said that it, too, has asked France to extradite Rivoire. The delegation booked an extra seat for their planned return to Canada, hoping that the priest would fly back with them. The group alleges that the priest abused 50-60 children when he was stationed in their community from the 1960s to the 1990s. The priest has previously denied allegations of abuse. A Lyon-based lawyer for the priest did not immediately respond Thursday to an Associated Press phone message seeking comment and the lawyers office said he was in court for another matter. Story continues The Inuit delegation also met in Lyon with the Rev. Vincent Gruber, a representative of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. The delegation said Gruber told them that he has started a procedure to expel Rivoire from the church. Canadian authorities issued an initial arrest warrant for the priest in 1998 on accusations of several counts of sexual abuse. Canadian police said Thursday, in response to questions from AP, that they also received a complaint in 2021 of sexual assaults that occurred approximately 47 years ago involving one female victim. Police said that following an investigation, Rivoire was then charged with sexual assault in February this year and a Canada-wide warrant issued for his arrest. ___ AP journalist John Leicester in Le Pecq, France, contributed. JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers is "in the ER room" and is unlikely to be renewed soon, if at all, Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz said on Thursday after European leaders voiced doubt about Tehran's willingness to revive the pact. Israel, Iran's arch-foe, supported the U.S. withdrawal from the accord in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump, who deemed it too limited, and has been advocating against a re-entry into the pact sought by President Joe Biden's administration. Iran, whose nuclear ambitions are seen by Israel as an existential threat, denies seeking atomic bombs. Since Trump's walkout, it has breached the 2015 deal by ramping up uranium enrichment, a process that can create bomb fuel down the line. "...The Iran nuclear deal seems like it is in the ER room," Gantz told a conference on counter-terrorism at Reichman University. "There's a period maybe after the elections, we'll see how it goes," he said in an apparent reference to the U.S. mid-term November elections. His remarks echoed those of a senior unnamed Israeli official on Sunday who predicted the deal would not be signed before the November elections. Israel is not a party to the Vienna-based talks on reinstating the 2015 deal. But its threats to take military action against Iran if it deems diplomacy to be at a dead end keep Western capitals attentive. On Saturday, France, Britain and Germany questioned Iran's commitment to reviving the deal in return for a lifting of sanctions, comments that were rejected by Tehran and called "very untimely" by Moscow. In August, after 16 months of tortuous negotiations, the European Union laid down a final offer to overcome an impasse over terms for restoring the agreement. Earlier this month, Iran sent its latest response to the EU's proposed text. Western diplomats said this was a step backwards, with Iran seeking to link a revival of the deal with the closure of U.N. nuclear watchdog investigations into unexplained nuclear activity by Tehran. (Reporting by Maayan Lubell; Editing by Mark Heinrich) The Iranian hackers accused by the U.S. government Wednesday of carrying out hundreds of ransomware attacks against American targets were working for two Iranian companies the Department of Homeland Security had previously identified as fronts for the Iranian regimes hacking operations. Yahoo News obtained a copy of a daily U.S. Customs and Border Protection intelligence bulletin dated June 25, citing DHS raw intelligence, that identified Akfar Systems and Najee Technology, the two Iranian-based companies used as fronts by the Iranian regime to carry out cyberattacks against international targets, singling out the companies believed to be connected to hackers linked to Iran. The Justice Department announced Wednesday that it filed criminal charges against three Iranian nationals Mansour Ahmadi, 34, Ahmad Khatibi Aghda, 45, and Amir Hossein Nickaein Ravari, 30 who are accused of carrying out of hundreds of ransomware attacks against a variety of of targets in the United States, including local governments, power companies, small businesses and a nonprofit domestic violence shelter. The DOJ indictment did not, however, specifically name the companies that the men worked for. But the Treasury Department sanctioned the alleged hackers and the two companies associated with the defendants on Wednesday. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. (Leah Millis/Reuters) The June 25 CBP document, citing raw DHS intelligence reporting, identifies the two companies as a front for the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp to conduct cyber operations, and cites posts and photos from an online instant messaging group associated with an anti-regime Iranian hacker group. Addresses for the companies alleged to be carrying out cyberattacks on behalf of the Iranian government were included in the CBP summary, which states that photos of company records were also posted. The addresses for Akfar Systems and Najee Technology included in this report match the addresses in Iran listed in the Treasury sanctions against those companies and the hackers charged with carrying out hundreds of ransomware attacks against U.S. and western targets. Story continues The DHS and CBP did not return a Yahoo News request for comment. According to a July 21 raw intelligence report produced by DHS and flagged for law enforcement in mid-July, Afkar Systems and Najee Technology are both fronts for the Iranian Intelligence Organization of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp. Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, D.C. (Liu Jie/Xinhua via Getty Images) CBP and DHS documents reviewed by Yahoo News also revealed ongoing efforts by the State Department to deny entry to the U.S. to diplomats who are suspected of being spies from traveling to the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week. Espionage is one of the few grounds for refusing or revoking a diplomatic visa, but due to the secretive nature of espionage there is often little information available to prevent visa issuance, states a CBP report from last month. A State Department spokesperson told Yahoo News they could not discuss confidential visa records and would not comment on its review of past use of visa inadmissibility code to deny entry to foreign diplomats traveling to U.N. headquarters. As host nation of the U.N., the United States is generally obligated under the U.N. Headquarters Agreement to facilitate travel to U.N. headquarters district by representatives of the U.N. member states, the spokesperson said. We take our obligations under the U.N. Headquarters Agreement seriously. But documents obtained by Yahoo News show a behind-the-scenes effort to explore options to deny entry to diplomats traveling to the U.N. using visa inadmissibility code 3A1. Last year, three Russians heading to the U.N. General Assembly were denied entry this way. Florion Goga/Reuters The actions taken on Wednesday by the Department of Justice and the Treasury Department also come amid continued DHS and FBI warnings of possible retaliatory attacks against U.S. networks, citizens and senior U.S. military and government officials over the 2020 U.S. drone strike in Iraq that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Last month, the U.S. charged Shahram Poursafi, 45, with trying to arrange the killing of former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton and an unnamed Trump official, which Yahoo News identified as former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. In interviews with Yahoo News, Bolton and other top White House officials said that, in light of those charges, they were outraged by the Biden administration's continued pursuit restarting a nuclear deal with Tehran. Caitlin Dickson contributed reporting A young Iranian woman is in a coma and fighting for her life after being arrested in Tehran by the Islamic republic's morality police, campaigners said Thursday. The woman, named as Mahsa Amini, 22, was on a visit to the Iranian capital with her family when she was detained by the special police unit that enforces the strict dress rules for women, including the compulsory headscarf. Her brother Kiaresh told the Iran Wire news website that while he was waiting outside the police station for her to be released an ambulance drove out taking her to hospital. He was told that she had had a heart attack and a brain seizure and was now in a coma. "There were only two hours between her arrest and being taken to hospital," he said. Vowing to file a criminal complaint he added: "I have nothing to lose. I will not let this end without making a noise." A statement by the Tehran police confirmed she had been detained for "explanation and instruction" about the dress rules, along with other women. "She suddenly suffered a heart problem while in the company of other guided people (and)... was immediately taken to the hospital with the cooperation of police and emergency services." It is not yet clear what happened between her arriving at the police station and her departure for hospital. - 'Sickening' - The 1500tasvir social media channel, which chronicles rights violations by the Iranian police, posted a picture of her in hospital with a tube in her mouth and said she was in a coma. "Sickening," the Iranian-British actress and campaigner Nazanin Boniadi wrote on Twitter. "How many innocent young lives must be brutally robbed before we all rise?" "Mahsa Amini's situation is an example of an intentional crime," the Iranian freedom of expression campaigner Hossein Ronaghi wrote on social media. "The systematic suppression of Iranian women under the pretext of enforcing the hijab by the guidance patrol and the police force is a crime." The incident comes as controversy grows -- both inside and outside Iran -- over the conduct of the gasht-e ershad (guidance patrol) who monitor and enforce the dress code in Iran. Story continues The Islamic hijab has been compulsory for women in Iran since shortly after the 1979 Islamic revolution that ousted the shah. Some women, encouraged by the US-based campaigner Masih Alinejad, have sought to protest the rule by removing their hijabs in public. In mid-July, a young Iranian woman, Sepideh Rashno, disappeared in mid-July after becoming involved with a dispute on a Tehran bus with another woman who accused her of removing her headscarf. She was held by the Revolutionary Guards and appeared on TV in what activists said was a forced confession. She was released on bail in late August after about one and a half months behind bars. sjw/jh/jj RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Israeli forces killed a Palestinian teenager on Thursday during clashes in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said, the latest in a string of deadly incidents that have stoked fears of an escalation. Violence in the West Bank has surged in recent months as Israel has intensified raids following a spate of lethal Palestinian street attacks in its cities. The Israeli military said its soldiers came under fire around Jenin, an area of frequent incursions, while operating at the houses of Palestinians involved in a Wednesday clash that left an Israeli officer and two Palestinian gunmen dead. "Armed suspects hurled explosive devices and Molotov cocktails and fired toward the soldiers. In response, the soldiers fired toward the suspects. Hits were identified," the military said. The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed the death of a 17-year-old. President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the killing and Israel's raids in the West Bank, where dozens of Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces this year. U.S.-sponsored Palestinian statehood talks with Israel collapsed in 2014. Since then, the domestic credibility of the Palestinian Authority (PA), which has limited self-government in the West Bank, has waned. "Violence is violence. We want everyone to do more, we want the Palestinian Authority to do more, the Palestinian security forces to do more to prevent it," U.S. Ambassador Tom Nides told Israeli Kan radio. A spokesperson for Abbas said Israel was responsible for the violence. "The U.S. administration must pressure the Israeli government to stop its aggression, rather than look to justify Israel's crimes while holding the Palestinian Authority responsible," Nabil Abu Rudeineh said in a statement. Israel says it has no choice but to operate in militant strongholds like Jenin. "We want the Palestinian Authority to act decisively against terrorism," Israel's National Security Council head Eyal Hulata told a security conference in Tel Aviv. "In periods in which the Authority and the (Palestinian) security did this effectively, Israel was not required to undertake such extensive activity." Palestinian officials say Israel's actions are weakening the Palestinian Authority and that stability can only prevail once the occupation ends. (Reporting by Ali Sawafta in Ramallah and Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem; Editing by Catherine Evans) A Japanese tourist traveling across the United States has gone viral on TikTok for his video explaining why Wisconsin is an underrated destination. George Japan, a popular Japanese YouTuber who rose to fame for his videos explaining Japanese culture and reacting to poorly translated Kanji tattoos, has been touring the U.S since August, having previously visited New York City and Chicago. However, it seems Wisconsin has found a special place in his heart. Im from Japan, but I like Wisconsin, he says over a clip of himself wearing a Green Bay Packers Cheesehead hat. Ill tell you why. More from NextShark: CCTV captures moment girl in China falls out of moving car as it drives away unaware In his video, George raves about the ButterBurger and fried cheese curds at the fast-food restaurant Culvers, which he calls better than McDonalds. He goes on to praise the donuts and apple cider at Edwards Apple Orchard, which he jokes is actually in Illinois near Chicago by pulling it up on Google Maps. Next, George visits the Walworth County Fair, which he says is one of Wisconsins oldest and largest county fairs. Here, he highlights the monster truck derby, showing footage of the trucks slamming into one another as he says, But nobody knows who won the derby. More from NextShark: 'Pokemon Scarlet and Violet' trailer reveals Paldea region, Terastal forms and rideable legendaries Finally, he ends the video on a beach while admiring Wisconsins lakes: This is why I like Wisconsin summer. His video has garnered over 500,000 views on TikTok since being uploaded yesterday, and a reuploaded version on Twitter has reached 4.2 million. This is honestly the best commercial for Wisconsin that I've ever seen, one TikTok user wrote. More from NextShark: Kim Jong Il, inventor of the burrito? North Korean state media makes strange claim Sometimes it takes an outsider to show the locals how fun and cool their place is, a Twitter user wrote. People get too caught up in flyover state narrative, even people in those states. Story continues According to a video posted on his YouTube channel, George is currently on a two-year world tour, meeting his subscribers in person and staying in their homes. He previously visited the Philippines and Canada, and is due to leave the U.S. and travel to Mexico in October. More from NextShark: Naruto Cosplayer's Life 'Changed' After Finding Costume Hack on Amazon Jason Momoa has debuted his newest tattoo and the special connection it has to Hawaii, where he was born. On Instagram on Wednesday, the 43-year-old actor shared a video of himself boarding a Hawaiian Airlines flight to New Zealand while expressing his admiration for his background. Proud to be HawaiianHawaiian, I love you for this, he added, referring to his trip. I got something special for you. The Aquaman star then removed his hat and showcased his shaved head, where he appeared to have gotten a new tattoo. The video showed the ink, which features a triangle design, extending from the bottom of his neck to the top of his skull. In the caption, Momoa tagged and thanked traditional Hawaiian tattoo artist Keone Nunes. It was a true honour 20 years in the making, he wrote about the ink. In Polynesian culture, the placement of a tattoo can have significant meaning, as a tattoo on the head can relate to ones spirituality and knowledge of their heritage, according to The Diplomat. At the end of his Instagram video, Momoa, who was born in Honolulu, referenced his upcoming Apple TV+ show, Chief of War. The limited series, starring, written, and executively produced by the Dune star, follows the epic and unprecedented telling of the unification and colonisation of Hawaii from an indigenous point of view, according to Deadline. On Instagram on Thursday, Leica Camera, a US-based camera manufacturing company, also shared photos of the Aquaman stars tattoo, which were captured for the brands fourth annual photo essay contest, the Leica Women Foto Project. As noted in the caption of the post, the images of Momoa getting the tattoo were taken by Hawaiian actor Mainei Kinimaka, who was a guest star on Apple TV+ drama series I See, which features Momoa as the lead. In the series of images, the actor could be seen lying down as the artist inked the design, while other photos show him standing up with a red cloth around his body to show off the final result of his tattoo. Story continues Momoa later shared the post to his own Instagram, where he said the photos reflected a powerful moment in [his] life that he got to share with his loved ones. The actors tattoo artist also posted a picture of Momoa on Instagram and reflected on their years-long friendship in the caption of the post. I have known Jasons father Joe since high school and started talking to Jason over 20 years ago [and] doing work on him, he wrote. This isnt the first time that Momoa has opened up about the importance of his culture. During an interview with CNN in 2019, he said that he tries to take visits to Hawaii as often as he can because it benefits his soul. For my soul I need to be there, he said at the time. If Im not working, Im trying to get over there. Jimmy Fallon couldnt help but mock pillow salesman and conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell over the FBIs apparent seizure of his phone outside of a Hardees drive-thru. Lindell, the MyPillow CEO who was sued for spreading conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, claimed on his talk show that he was recently stopped by FBI agents outside of the fast food restaurant near Mankato, Minnesota. A spokesperson for the FBIs Denver field office told The Washington Post that a search warrant was executed at the location. Fallon joked that Lindells story about the Hardees encounter looked like a Cameo video. Thats right, the FBI surrounded him at a Hardees. He knew something was up when the intercom was like, So thats one burger, one drink and step out of the car please, sir, Fallon said. Watch Fallons roast of Lindell, starting around the 1:08 mark, below: This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... Jimmy Kimmel has apologised to Abbott Elementary creator Quinta Brunson for stealing your moment after the late-night host crashed her Emmys 2022 acceptance speech. Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Wednesday (14 September), Brunson walked onstage mid-way through Kimmels monologue, and said: You know how when you win an Emmy, you only have 45 seconds to do an acceptance speech, which is like not that much time? And then someone does a dumb comedy bit that goes on a bit too long? Kimmel replied: You know I have heard of that happening in previous years. He then gave Brunson the stage to continue her speech. During Monday (12 September) evenings award show, actor Will Arnett had dragged the late-night talk show host onstage to present the Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. Kimmel pretended to have passed out after drinking too many margaritas upon losing in his own category. However, when the Abbott Elementary star graced the stage to accept her first ever Emmy for the category, Kimmel remained sprawled out on stage while she gave her speech. Jimmy, wake up, I won, Brunson nudged, as she played along with the joke. But he remained where he was, leading many to accuse him of stealing the winners spotlight. After the commercial break, on Wednesdays episode with Brunson, Kimmel apologised for the dumb comedy bitmore seriously. I do want to explain this for those who may be confused by this, he told Brunson, adding: That was a dumb comedy bit that we thought would be funny. I lost, and then I drank too much, and I had to be dragged out on the stage. And then people got upset. They said that I stole your moment, and maybe I did. Im very sorry if I did do that Im sorry I did do that, actually, the 54-year-old continued, And also, the last thing I would ever want to do is upset you because I think so much of you, and I think you know that. I hope you know that. Thanking Kimmel for his apology, Brunson said: I was honestly in such a moment of having a good time, like I won my first Emmy! I was up there happy, and I was wrapped up in the moment. Story continues Kimmel faced heavy criticism online after gatecrashing Brunsons speech. Emmy winner @QuintaBrunson takes some time out of Jimmys monologue to finish her acceptance speech pic.twitter.com/phPtS6CdsW Jimmy Kimmel Live (@JimmyKimmelLive) September 15, 2022 However, Brunson later told press at the event that his bit didnt bother me too much. According to the Los Angeles Times, she added: Honestly, Jimmy gave me my first late-night spot and was one of the first people to see Abbott and he Instagram messaged me that he saw this comedy and thought it was one of the greatest comedies of all time and he was so excited it was going to be on ABC. She also made a reference to her then-forthcoming interview with Kimmel on his show on Wednesday, quipping: Im gonna be on his show on Wednesday, so I might punch him in the face. Meanwhile, Abbott Elementarys Sheryl Lee Ralph had a slightly different reaction. Ralph, who received her own Emmy for the sitcom and gave a rousing speech, addressed the matter during a Q&A panel discussion with TV critics. I was like, Oh, the disrespect, Jimmy, Ralph recalled, as reported by the Associated Press. The metaverse an immersive digital world created by the combination of virtual reality, augmented reality and the internet will have profound implications for China and will affect gaming, advertising and e-commerce, JPMorgan said in a research report last week. The digital world will offer an improved user experience across various internet business models, and this could lead to increased user penetration and average revenue per user (ARPU), the report said. The banks bullish scenario suggests that the metaverse could triple Chinas online-gaming market to $131 billion from $44 billion. The metaverse could digitalize everything in the long term, the bank said. It estimates a $4 trillion total addressable market (TAM) for the metaverse in China from converting offline consumption across physical goods and services. The digital world could help internet companies tap into business services and potentially double the internet time spent, analysts led by Daniel Chen wrote. They estimated a TAM of $27 billion in China for business services and software in the metaverse. The bank says that the development of the metaverse will also have a notable impact on the entire technology, media and telecom (TMT) ecosystem. Tencent, NetEase, Bilibili, Sea, Krafton and Bandai Namco are seen as key Chinese internet and entertainment stocks that could benefit from the metaverse, the note added. Headwinds to the development of the metaverse include regulatory risk around data security, and the technological preparedness and affordability of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) devices, the network environment and AI, the note added. Read more: Metaverse-Related Economy Could Be as Much as $13T: Citi BOISE, Idaho (AP) A judge told attorneys in a high-profile triple murder case that he's worried broad news coverage could make it harder to seat a jury when the trial begins months from now. You've named off 35 major media organizations, which tells me that there is huge interest in putting all the information out to as many people as possible, 7th District Judge Steven Boyce said Thursday. He told attorneys he would decide soon whether to change how or if cameras will be allowed in the courtroom during the criminal case of Lori Vallow Daybell and her new husband, Chad Daybell. The couple is accused of conspiring together to kill Lori Vallow Daybell's two youngest children, Joshua JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, as well as Chad Daybell's late wife Tammy Daybell. The strange details of the case including prosecutors' allegations that the pair used unusual doomsday-focused religious beliefs as the justification for the killings have garnered international attention. Late last month, attorneys for Vallow Daybell asked the judge to ban cameras from the courtroom, contending one news organization abused the privilege to videotape the proceedings when it repeatedly zoomed in on Vallow Daybell's face during an Aug. 16 hearing. The attorneys, Jim Archibald and John Thomas, claimed the cameras and microphones could potentially be used to overhear private conversations or to view private notes on the defense table. A coalition of news organizations led by EastIdahoNews.com last week asked the court to reject that request, noting the coverage of the hearing was done well within the bounds of the judge's previous order allowing cameras, and that no notes or private conversations were ever captured. The Associated Press was among the nearly three dozen news organizations that joined in the request. During Thursday morning's hearing, the attorney for the news organizations said barring cameras from the courtroom would not stop widespread public interest. It would only prevent people from seeing the most accurate depiction of the court proceedings, Steve Wright said. Story continues The reality is, pretrial publicity is a result of what the state has charged and the circumstances in which they base that, Wright said. The video cameras and microphones were set up in places that were preapproved by court personnel, Wright told the judge, and the news organization that served as the pool videographer had a technical staffer that monitored the broadcast closely to ensure that nothing inappropriate was captured. These are professionals who are among the best at what they do in difficult situations like this, Wright said. Wright noted that the judge has the ability to decide where and how any cameras and microphones are placed in the courtroom if he chooses to do so. Barring cameras entirely would be a vast overreaction, he said. That is like taking a sledgehammer to an issue where a scalpel is appropriate, he said. Vallow Daybell's attorney, Archibald, told the judge the media coverage was salacious and pointed out that the judge had already decided to move the trial to a different county because of the media's incessant, nonstop exposure of this case. During the last hearing, a video camera showed a close-up of Vallow Daybell's face for about 30 minutes, Archibald told the judge. She's been in custody now for two and a half years, Archibald said. What's the point to mock her? To make fun of her? To humiliate her? Does it add any value to the public other than prejudice jurors? If the judge does not want to ban cameras entirely, they could be restricted to the jury box or the front row of the courtroom gallery, Archibald said. This case is tough enough without sensationalization ... we certainly don't need any more drama in this case, he said. The judge said he would consider the matter and issue a ruling on a later date. Idaho law enforcement officers started investigating the pair in November 2019 after extended family members reported the children were missing. At the time, JJ Vallow was 7 years old and Tylee Ryan was just two weeks away from turning 17. Their bodies were found buried later on Chad Daybells property in rural Idaho. Chad and Lori Vallow Daybell had married just two weeks after his previous wife, Tammy Daybell, died unexpectedly. The couple was eventually charged with murder, conspiracy and grand theft in connection with the deaths of the children and Daybell's late wife. They have pleaded not guilty and could face the death penalty if convicted. Prosecutors say the couple promoted unusual religious beliefs to further the alleged murder conspiracies. Lori Vallow Daybells former husband, who died while the two were estranged, said in divorce documents that Vallow Daybell believed she was a god-like figure responsible for ushering in the apocalyptical end times. Chad Daybell wrote doomsday-focused fiction books and recorded podcasts about preparing for the apocalypse. Friends of the couple told law enforcement investigators the pair believed people could be taken over by dark spirits, and that Vallow Daybell referred to her children as zombies, which was a term they used to describe those who were possessed. Vallow Daybell is also charged with conspiracy to commit murder in Arizona in connection with the death of her previous husband. Charles Vallow was shot and killed by Lori Daybells brother, Alex Cox, who said it was self-defense. Cox later died of what police said was natural causes. The Arizona legal proceedings are on hold while the Idaho case is underway and Vallow Daybell has not been scheduled to make a plea in the Arizona case. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) A group of anti-abortion activists will continue to be banned from interfering with patients and providers at a reproductive health clinic outside Nashville, a federal judge has ruled. In July, protesters attempted to enter the clinic operated by the nonprofit carafem organization twice during a national conference of Operation Save America formerly Operation Rescue, according to court documents. At the time of the event, Tennessee's so-called trigger law was not yet in effect. Instead, abortion was banned at around six weeks into pregnancy due to the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn the constitutional right to an abortion. Video footage shows the group falsely believed carafem was violating state law because trigger laws in other states went immediately into effect when the Roe ruling was released. However, Tennessee was among the small handful of states that would not be allowed to enforce the trigger law until Aug. 25. During the July 28 event, law enforcement said they would handle any possible legal violations. A speaker then responded "Were going to be obedient to Gods law, not mans. Further video shows protesters saying they had men willing to go inside and stop the clinic from performing abortions. Shortly after the interaction, the clinic filed for a temporary restraining order, claiming the protesters violated the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. That order was granted and extended several times. Defendants have clearly expressed a willingness to take the law into their own hands if, in their view, law enforcement is not taking appropriate action," wrote U.S. District Judge William L. Campbell in Wednesday's decision. Concerningly, Defendants have stated that they do not consider themselves bound to the laws of man. During the July protest, three people entered the medical office building and tried to gain access to the clinic by posing as patients, the complaint alleges. One of them, Bevelyn Williams, said on a livestream video that the trio would terrorize the whole building if it was not allowed inside the clinic. She also said the three were going to take this whole building down, according to court records. Also with Williams were Rickey Williams and Edmee Chavannes. Story continues The clinic went into lockdown with patients and staff sheltering in a locked room until police removed the trio from the building. The three then went to Planned Parenthood in Nashville, where they were arrested for trespassing after refusing to comply with multiple warnings to leave the property, according to Metro Nashville Police. Rickey Williams had a handgun in his waistband, according to court records. Operation Save America National Director Jason Storms has said the three people arrested were not part of his organization, although their actions coincided with Operation Save America protests. He did not immediately return a request for comment Thursday. The clinic stopped offering abortion services Aug. 25 but carafem officials have maintained they continue to offer birth control and other health care services. The public interest is served by ensuring access to health care services provided by carafem, Campbell wrote. El Paso District Attorney Yvonne Rosales will likely face a jury trial in a bid to remove her from office on allegations of "official misconduct and continued incompetence." Visiting Judge Tryon D. Lewis issued a citation allowing a petition to remove Rosales from office to move forward. He issued his order Wednesday in a two-page document. Lewis ordered that the court's citation and the petition be served on Rosales immediately. She has 10 days to appear and answer the citation. Paul Ferris, program administrator in the District Attorney's Office, said Rosales declined to comment on the order, stating that the matter is under litigation. Lewis' order notes that El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal "has entered an appearance in this case and is the designated officer representing the state." He ordered Bernal to file either a notice of the states intent to prosecute this case or a motion to dismiss it within the same 10-day period. If the county attorney requires additional time to make that determination, then a motion for extension of time should be filed with the clerk, Lewis order states. "Our office will not be issuing any comments regarding the case," said Elhiu Dominguez, special projects coordinator for the El Paso County Attorney's Office. El Paso District Attorney Yvonne Rosales is fighting an attempt to remove her from office. A petition seeking the removal of Rosales on accusations of "official misconduct and continued incompetence" was submitted Aug. 24 by an El Paso defense attorney. The effort to remove Rosales from office references a string of concerns, including the dismissal of hundreds of pending criminal cases, accusations of "mishandling" of the Walmart mass shooting case and "prosecutorial vindictiveness" leading to a dismissed murder charge last year. The petition filed by defense lawyer Omar Carmona with the El Paso District Clerk's Office seeks a jury trial to determine whether Rosales is incompetent to do her job. El Paso District Attorney Yvonne Rosales speaks at a "Month of Unity and Healing" news conference July 2, 2021, at the El Paso County Courthouse. The month of healing was meant to help the community come together ahead of the second anniversary of the Aug. 3, 2019, mass shooting at an East Side Walmart. "Allowing her to continue as District Attorney puts the public at risk and demeans the office," the filing by Carmona states. Story continues A written statement issued by the District Attorney's Office after the Aug. 24 filing called the petition "frivolous," "a political tactic" and "a political stunt." The statement added: "The District Attorney is committed to serving the community of El Paso. Every attempt will be made to address and fight this petition. In a democracy, people vote for their elected officials. This is an assault on the electoral process in a manner designed to undermine our democracy. "These types of attacks have taken place since the first day the first female District Attorney in the history of El Paso took office. Never has there been so much hateful rhetoric or tactics used against any predecessor." Rosales was elected in 2020 and took office in January 2021, replacing Jaime Esparza, who retired after three decades as district attorney for the 34th Judicial District, which includes El Paso, Hudspeth and Culberson counties. Carmona called the judge's actions "a step in the right direction." I believe it was a well thought out decision," Carmona said. "(Lewis) wanted to make sure everything was in order and due form. It seems like the petition, it moves on to fight another day. Still, Carmona concedes that the order does not constitute victory in his quest to remove Rosales from office. This doesnt mean the petition has won anything yet, he said. Obviously, now it depends on whether the county attorney is going to decide to prosecute my petition. And thats entirely up to her and her office and I will respect any decision she makes in regard to how shes going to proceed. Carmona emphasized, however, that his petition is justified and serves the public good. Theres merit in my petition, which is why I filed it," he said, "but now its up to (Bernal) on how we proceed. More on Yvonne Rosales: El Paso DA accused of 'official misconduct, incompetence' in removal petition DA takes aim at county attorney, El Paso Matters in latest court filing Judge rejects all pleadings filed by DA Rosales against bid to remove her from office This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Judge lets petition to remove El Paso DA from office go forward Nicole Jackson-Maldonado during a hearing at the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. Circuit Judge Raul Zambrano cautioned Nicole Jackson-Maldonado, the 15-year-old girl accused of shooting at deputies and facing a possible life sentence if convicted, to think carefully about her case, listen to her attorneys and consider reaching a plea deal with prosecutors. Zambrano told her that going to trial would be risky. "I don't know if you know much about gambling, but this is the equivalent of putting all your chips on the table," Zambrano said. "And either you win or you don't and, if you don't, the consequences are going to be lifelong to you." Prosecutors have offered Jackson-Maldonado a plea deal, but it would send the teenager to state prison for 20 years. Wants to go to trial: Nicole Jackson-Maldonado tells judge she wants to go to trial Jail house call: Calling from Volusia jail, girl accused of firing at deputies says it was a 'stupid mistake' Sent to juvenile facility: Boy in shootout with deputies found guilty, committed to juvenile facility, then probation Examining the runaways' gunfight: 'I'm all for not killing kids but we need to do something' Prosecutors, though, reached a plea deal earlier this year with her 13-year-old co-defendant which could free him from a juvenile facility within three years. State Attorney R.J. Larizza did not respond to an email asking him about the different treatment of the two cases. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood has previously referred the question to the state attorney's office. Chitwood has previously said he supports the prosecutors in the case. Assistant State Attorney Sarah Thomas said during Thursday's hearing that prosecutors would be open to hearing counteroffers from the defense. Jackson-Maldonado's defense attorney, Assistant Public Defender Larry Avallone, said during the hearing that the defense needed more time to prepare and had a deposition scheduled for Oct. 20. Avallone said the defense had hired a mental health expert to evaluate Jackson-Maldonado for mitigation purposes. Story continues Zambrano set Jackson-Maldonado's next hearing for Oct. 12 before Circuit Judge Elizabeth Blackburn. Zambrano was filling in for Blackburn on Thursday. The shootout with Volusia deputies Jackson-Maldonado was 14 when she and a then-12-year-old boy ran away on June 1, 2021, from the Florida United Methodist Children's Home in Enterprise, broke into a house and armed themselves with firearms they found inside, according to charging affidavits. Jackson-Maldonado and the boy then reportedly fired at the deputies who responded to the break-in. Deputies initially held their fire, but eventually shot Jackson-Maldonado, reports said. No deputies were injured. Jackson-Maldonado faces up to life in prison on a charge of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer (firearm); burglary of a dwelling while armed; and criminal mischief causing damage of $1,000 or more. Nicole Jackson-Maldonado with her attorneys during a hearing at the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. The plea deal prosecutors have offered her would amend the attempted murder of a law enforcement charge to attempted murder. Jackson-Maldonado declined the plea offer earlier this year. It would have sent her to state prison for 20 years followed by what was described at the time as 40 years probation. Since she is a juvenile, if convicted as charged, Jackson-Maldonado's sentence would be reviewed within 25 years or possibly sooner, at which point she could be released. She is being held without bail at the Volusia County Branch Jail. Prosecutors reached the plea deal earlier this year with the now 13-year-old boy whose case remained in juvenile court. The boy pleaded guilty to the same charges as Jackson-Maldonado and, as part of the plea deal, could be released from a juvenile facility in less than three years. Since the boy was charged as a juvenile, The News-Journal is not naming him. Both children had previously been Baker-Acted, in which a person is taken into custody for psychiatric evaluation if they are considered a threat to themselves or others. Jackson-Maldonado was also accused of setting fires to vacant lots in April 2021 in Palm Coast. She was charged in adult court in Flagler County with five counts of willful malicious intentional burning of lands and one count of criminal mischief over $1,000. Each charge is a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison. That case remains open. 'Facing a life sentence' In the Volusia case, Assistant State Attorney Thomas repeated the previous plea offer on Thursday of 20 years in state prison. But she said it would be followed by 15 years probation. At a previous hearing another prosecutor said probation would be 40 years. Zambrano asked Jackson-Maldonado if she was aware of the offer. Yes, sir, Jackson-Maldonado said. Zambrano said he tries hard to facilitate resolutions in cases. Nicole Jackson-Maldonado is led into court during a hearing at the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. "I know you're a young person and I know the states offer is very, very steep but you need to understand one thing: You are facing a life sentence with a number of reviews somewhere along the way," Zambrano said. "And a life sentence is not an out-of-the-question outcome in your case. And I want you to start thinking about those things because if you reject the state's offer, and this goes to a trial, and the jury finds you guilty of these offenses, you're looking at very serious consequences, which could include far more than just 20 years. He advised her to listen carefully to her lawyers. If you're coming to the court with hope as your only strategy, I'm here to tell you that hope is a terrible tactic. Don't hope that things work out the best for you. Have a plan in place," Zambrano said. The judge told Jackson-Maldonado that if the case went to a jury, the verdict could go against her. Then your fate is out of your hands and it's in the judges hands," Zambrano said. "Now, I'm not saying that you cant mitigate what happened here. But I'm aware of the facts of the case based upon the police reports. And I can tell you, it doesn't look that great for you. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Nicole Jackson-Maldonado case: State open to plea deal with teen Following a motion hearing Sept. 6 at Cedar County Court, Judge Brandon Fisher denied the state of Missouri's motion to reduce the number of times the alleged victim would be deposed in the criminal cases against Dr. David Smock of Stockton. "While the Court tries to be sensitive to a witness in these types of cases, this Court finds to legal authority for the request of the State," the Sept. 9 judgement stated. Smock has been charged with 12 felony counts of sexual abuse of a child in Cedar County, and an additional 3 felony charges in Greene County. Smock was one of the doctors who provided medical treatment to students at Agape Boarding School. Fisher also heard and approved motions made by the state to protect and seal transcripts of the preliminary hearing as well as to seal witness lists. More: Agape Boarding School student files civil suit alleging sexual abuse at physician's home State alleges multiple depositions will cause undue trauma to victim On Aug. 26, the state filed a motion requesting a protective order that would result in the alleged victim being deposed once, rather than for both cases. Jennifer Coffin, a special prosecuting attorney, argued during the hearing that the incidents of child abuse began in Cedar County, continued in Greene County when Smock allegedly brought the victim to a residence in Springfield, and then returned to Cedar County. "The cases are intertwined," Coffin said, and therefore any deposition in the Greene County case would also pertain to the Cedar County case and vice versa. "Are they separate cases? They are not." Coffin also brought up concerns over emotional trauma and undue burden placed on the alleged victim if he had to be deposed on two different occasions on the same subject matter, which she said was supported by an affidavit from a nurse practitioner. More: Greene County judge sets bond for David Smock, accused of 11 felony sex crimes linked to Agape Boarding School Story continues Defense: State's request is a 'travesty' Stacie Calhoun Bilyeu, Smock's attorney, argued that if the cases were the same, it would be considered double jeopardy. She also said that only deposing the victim once was stripping her and her client of their constitutional right to a deposition. "It's not about protecting child witnesses, it's about limiting my right," Bilyeu said. Throughout the hearing, Bilyeu also accused the state of attempting to bend the rules and said the alleged victims were disingenuous, saying a second deposition didn't prevent the filing of a civil case "to make a buck." Bilyeu called the motion requesting an order of protection "a travesty of justice, a complete and utter travesty." Parties still discussing venue change The hearing also briefly discussed the motion to move the hearings to a different county. Both the prosecutors and the defense had exchanged a list of suitable locations, but were unable to come to an agreement. More: Greene County judge finds probable cause in Agape Boarding School Dr. Smock case; accuser takes stand Bilyeu said she was seeking a venue where the case may be less well known, citing concern that Kansas City Star and other local media coverage of the case may cause prejudice. A decision was not reached in the change of venue, with Fisher saying he would be willing to travel wherever they decided to move the case. Both Coffin and Bilyeu agreed to do more research and confer. Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Judge: Witnesses in Smock cases to be deposed in Cedar, Greene county Kate Beckinsale attends the "Prisoner's Daughter" Premiere during the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. (Photo by Jeremy Chan/Getty Images) Kate Beckinsale is pretty in pink. On Wednesday, the 49-year-old made sure that all eyes were on her at the 49th Toronto International Film Festival. The "Click" actress slipped into a sensational outfit to attend the "Prisoner's Daughter" premiere at Roy Thompson Hall. Donning a pair of black latex gloves, the star looked radiant as she posed alongside her co-star Brian Cox. In contrast to her grungy accessory, the brunette beauty rocked a delicate pink strapless gown by Bach Mai. The satin frock cinched at the waist and featured a full skirt that swayed in the wind as she walked the red carpet. Bekinsale topped off her look with sky-high black heels, bold black nail polish and dangling sparkly earrings by Bulgari. Kate Beckinsale rocked black latex gloves on the red carpet. (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images) On Instagram, the star posted a series of photos from her night out. In the post, Beckinsale sat on a luxurious white couch with Cox, who paired a navy and white plaid suit with his signature black frames. "There are about fifteen people Id say are my favourite people in the world and Brian Cox is so mighty hes at least two of them. Here we are hating each other at TIFF for our film "Prisoner's Daughter," she joked in the caption. In the comments, fans went wild over the "Underworld" star's "amazing" look. "This woman doesn't age," commented a follower. "Beautiful dress, you look fabulous. I gotta watch this film," shared someone else. "You both look amazing!" wrote a fan alongside the fire and red heart emojis. "This is such an amazing dress Kate and I love the gloves, you're a bubblegum queen!" added another. In "Prisoner's Daughter," a dying convict (Cox) is granted compassionate release. During this time, he tries to reconnect with his daughter (Beckinsale) and the grandson he's never known. However, his dark and violent past comes back to haunt him, putting his relationship with his family in jeopardy. The drama is directed by "Twilight" and "Thirteen" director Catherine Hardwicke. Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Kentucky State Police announced on Friday that they have arrested a suspect accused of killing someone in Whitley County Wednesday. Martin Canada, 48, was booked into the Whitley County Detention Center at 2:58 a.m. Friday, according to jail records. He has been charged with murder and is being held on a $250,000 bond. State police were notified on Wednesday around 11:45 p.m. of a fatal shooting that took place on Patrick Hollow Road in Whitley County, according to a news release. Canadas listed address is also on Patrick Hollow Road, according to his arrest arrest citation. Preliminary investigation revealed that Whitley County 911 was notified of a physical altercation involving Canada and 31-year-old Kyle Chadwell, according to state police. During the investigation, it was determined Canada allegedly shot Chadwell while they were in a physical altercation. Chadwell was taken by Whitley County EMS to Baptist Health of Corbin Hospital where he died, according to the Whitley County Coroners Office. His body was taken to the State Medical Examiners Office in Frankfort for an autopsy, state police said. The investigation is continuing by state police Detective Arron Peace. He was assisted at the scene by Post 11 personnel, the Whitley County Sheriffs Office, the Williamsburg Police Department, Whitley County EMS, and the Whitley County Coroners Office, according to state police. US climate envoy John Kerry on Thursday urged African countries to help overcome divisions between rich and poor nations at the upcoming UN COP27 talks. Meeting African environment ministers, Kerry acknowledged the historic role of wealthy countries in stoking climate change but said tackling today's emissions was a global problem. "There are some folks unfortunately who are willing to sort of allocate responsibility in a sort of historical... way," he said at talks in the Senegalese capital Dakar. "(They are) pointing a finger at us -- 'what you guys created, you guys need to clear'," Kerry said. "Well, guess what: Mother Nature does not measure where the emissions come from -- they don't have a label of one country or another." The United States is the world's richest country and its second biggest emitter of heat-trapping carbon dioxide. But the first place goes to China, which joins developing economies in a negotiating bloc at the UN climate talks. Kerry pointed to the worsening impact from climate change on Africa. "(The) climate crisis here in Africa is more acute than it is in some other parts of the world," Kerry said. "This year has seen devastating floods in South Africa, Mozambique and Uganda that just killed hundreds and displaced tens of thousands. "Meanwhile, the Horn of Africa is in its fourth year of drought, with more than 18 million suffering from food insecurity as a consequence." - Money and emissions - COP27 -- the 27th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) -- will take place at the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh from November 6-18. The annual climate parlays are dominated by often fierce debate on national pledges on emissions curbs and on funding. Wealthy countries have previously promised billions of dollars to help poorer nations avert carbon emissions and build resilience against climate change. On Wednesday, a bloc of the world's poorest countries said they would urge COP27 to push ahead with another envisioned area of climate finance -- a fund to compensate vulnerable nations for damage such as floods and rising seas. Story continues Ministers and experts from the 46-nation Least Developed Countries (LDC) bloc, also meeting in Dakar, said setting up a funding mechanism for the proposed fund was of "crucial importance." Kerry took a swing at former president Donald Trump, who ditched the UN's landmark 2015 agreement on climate change. "President (Joe) Biden has brought unprecedented resources to the table, joining the Paris Agreement again on Day One after the miserable decision of a president who didn't know the science," he said. Kerry, a former secretary of state, also pointed to the United States' help for Africa, which last year amounted to $8.2 billion in humanitarian and climate adaptation aid. "I will say to you bluntly: the developed world needs to do more... but we need you to also be at the table to do the things that make the difference to be able to deploy the funding and make it work," he said. lal/mba/ri/pvh Following the death of a 3-year-old girl who died of heatstroke in a school bus, a child care facility in Japan is holding drills to teach children how to sound the horn if they are left alone in a vehicle. The Musashino Junior College-affiliated child care center in Sayama, Saitama Prefecture, included the drill in its annual traffic safety class to teach children how to seek help by themselves in case of emergency. Along with their guardians, 42 children participated in the drill on Sept. 12. Sayama Police Station officers first taught the children with a model steering wheel. They were told to keep sounding the horn with their butt or a water bottle until an adult comes along. More from NextShark: Sumo oranges: the Japanese citrus sweeping TikTok The children were also given the opportunity to sound the school bus horn by sitting on the steering wheel. Participants are expected to complete the safety class by Sept. 16. My child is usually told not to touch the steering wheel, but I felt relieved that we could have this kind of experience, a mother told the Mainichi Shimbun. China Kawamoto, 3, died from heatstroke on Sept. 5 after she was left behind in a locked school bus for about five hours at Kawasaki Yochien, a certified childcare facility. In July 2021, a 5-year-old boy also died after being left alone in a nursery school bus in Fukuoka Prefecture. More from NextShark: Japanese court sentences yakuza boss to death for the first time in history The Japanese government is in the process of conducting emergency inspections of nursery schools that use school buses. They plan to compile emergency countermeasures in October. Featured Image via note thanun More from NextShark: Deceased train driver in Japan awarded 45 cents after his pay was deducted for 1-minute delay in 2020 Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Highly anticipated Studio Ghibli theme park releases new images, official website King Charles is having a day away from public duties following a momentous week. (PA) Following a momentous week that saw him become monarch, King Charles will be absent from the public gaze today. Charles has been a mainstay on television screens and in front of crowds over the past seven days as he deals with both the loss of his mother and settling in to his new role. But there will be no public appearances from the new King today as he has a pre-planned private day of reflection at his Highgrove home in Gloucestershire. The 18th century countryside estate near Tetbury, Gloucestershire, serves as the private home of Charles and his wife Camilla, now the Queen Consort, and is something of a sanctuary for the King. King Charles is spending a day away from public duties at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire. (PA) On Wednesday, Charles joined his sons and other members of the royal family in a public display of homage to the late Queen by walking behind her coffin as it was carried into Westminster Hall, where it will lie in state until the state funeral on Monday. Watched by tens of thousands lining the route from Buckingham Palace, the King delivered his mother to the hands of the nation for a period of four days. After an emotional few days, detailed planning for the aftermath of the Queens death known as London Bridge a day has been set aside at this point for the new monarch to have some time away from public duties. Watch: King and Princes follow Queen's final journey Charles rest day comes after a week where he visited every nation of the United Kingdom, travelling more than 1,500 miles to meet mourners, as well as making his maidens Kings speech following his proclamation on Saturday two days after his mother died. He has been seen warmly greeting large crowds and filmed an emotional address to the country, all while mourning the loss of his mother. King Charles stood with his sons and other members of the royal family as the Queen made her final journey from Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. (AP) Today will allow the King to pause but it is understood he will be working in preparation for his new role and will already be receiving his red boxes of state papers. Every day of the year, except Christmas Day, Charles will receive from government ministers and from representatives in Commonwealth and foreign countries information in the form of policy papers, cabinet documents and Foreign Office telegrams. Story continues Crowds cheer as King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort arrive for a visit to Hillsborough Castle during his tour of the four nations of the United Kingdom. (Niall Carson/WPA/Getty) The correspondence also includes a daily summary of events in Parliament, letters and other state papers which are sent by his private secretary in the red boxes also used by government ministers to carry confidential documents. All of the papers have to be read and, where necessary, approved and signed. King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort take part in an address in Westminster Hall on Monday. (Dan Kitwood/Getty) Charles is expected to return to public duties on Friday, ahead of final preparations for the Queens funeral, which will take place on Monday. Meanwhile, mourners continue to join the queue in London for the Queens lying in state. Queues along Lambeth Bridge and Albert Embankment have been flowing all night, with some waiting for nine hours to pay their respects to the late Queen. Princess Anne and King Charles at the lying-in-state ceremony on Thursday. Her steadfast support for her brother will be invaluable as his new reign begins. (Getty) Standing tall in her highly decorated Royal Navy Admiral uniform, Princess Annes eyes glistened, welling up ever-so-slightly as the Archbishop of Canterbury read a final blessing for the Queen before lying-in-state on September 14. After dutifully travelling the length of the country with her beloved mothers coffin, the brief crack in the Princess Royal's stoic facade was rare but perfectly mirrored the emotions of a usually buttoned-up country struggling to hold it together. After four days escorting Queen Elizabeth IIs coffin by car from Balmoral to Aberdeen and by plane from Edinburgh to London, the tearful moment at Westminster Hall was one of the most difficult stops in the Princess Royals poignant journey with the mummy she was so close to. After spending the final 24 hours of her mothers life by her side, it was always Annes wish to remain alongside the Queen as her body was transported. And while much of the route was witnessed by the public, many moments in those sombre days were also extremely private, often in prayer or deep contemplation. Westminster Hall, however, was the place where Anne would have to finally hand her over, witnessing the late monarch being passed from family to state. Anne in Glasgow to meet people who had come to pay their respects to the Queen on Thursday. (Getty) As King Charles took a day away from the public eye to reflect and rest at his Highgrove Home (and to make time for those red boxes of state papers the Queen used to sift through every day), Anne forged ahead with her duties. On Thursday, she returned to Scotland, meeting representatives from organisations Her Majesty was patron of and chatting with well-wishers in Glasgow who had come to pay their respects. For the many royalists and those touched by the life of the Queen, the 72-year-old 16th-in-line has quickly become a steady presence helping comfort the nation through its mourning and, just like her mother, been the constant that many feared would now be a thing of the past. As the stalwart of the family, Anne has reliably been present during every moment since the September 8 death of the sovereign and will continue to be so until she is buried at St Georges Chapel in Windsor on Monday. Story continues Read more: Harrys waiting for accountability and William wants an apology: Why the brothers relationship is at a standstill It should come as no surprise. While it may be her siblings, children, nieces or nephews receiving all the medias attention (often focused on their dramas rather than work), Annes approach to royal life has simply been to keep her head down and get on with her responsibilitieseven when few are watching. Its how she earned the title as hardest working member of the family, carrying out more than 387 engagements last year alone (even with COVID as an obstacle)two more than her older brother Charles and more than three times more than the then Duchess of Cambridge. "She needs no praise nor attention," a family friend told me this week. "The work itself is where she gets her satisfaction." Anne and other senior royals walk behind the Queen's coffin during the procession from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster. (Getty Images) Charles and Anne walk behind their mother's coffin from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster. (Getty Images) For Anne, a life of that work is all she has known. Taking on her first duties as a teenager (she skipped university in favour of charity work and becoming a competitive equestrian), she carefully watched her mother for guidance. It was about listening, and it was about learning, not making assumptions and certainly not throwing your weight around, she recently said. And even as she slowly slid down the ranks in the line of succession (thanks to a ridiculous and, now banished, rule known as male royal primogeniture), her commitment to The Firm has remained as strong as ever. And while much talk is now focused on other family members stepping up to support the new king, or those bigger roles taken on by the newly-styled Prince and Princess of Wales, its business as usual for Anne, who Im told already has a packed diary of engagements to dive into the moment royal mourning ends seven days after the funeral. Mother and daughter at a function at the Hotel Imperial in Vienna during a State Visit to Austria in 1969. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Anne has learned from her mother never to rush to judgement. (Photo by PA Images via Getty Images) It feels almost criminal to think that, because of her current standing, Anne has not become a Counsellor of State after the death of the Queena role that allows the sovereigns spouse and the next four in line (over the age of 21) to stand in for King Charles if he is unable to undertake his duties due to illness or absence abroad. Instead, joining Camilla, Queen Consort, Prince William, Prince Harry and Prince Andrew is a third non-working royal on the listPrincess Beatrice. Make it make sense. Read more: Meghan's podcast proves she's got her voice back and Buckingham Palace is worried But despite the limitations of her ranking, there will be no family member Charles will need more than his sister. As he takes to the throne, the King will need support from those who can provide wise counsel and be trustworthy enough to guide him as he navigates his new role. After all, with changing tides when it comes to support of the royal family from younger and more diverse groups, it will not be an easy walk. Its rumoured that a new, elevated title may be on the horizon for Anne, and I cant think of anyone in the family more deserving. But if it happens, dont expect it to make much difference. Title or no title, Anne will always go above and beyond the call of dutywhether anyone is watching or not. Watch: Princess Anne greets well-wishers in Glasgow STORY: Police in South Korea arrested a woman on Thursday suspected of killing her two children after their remains were found in suitcases last month in New Zealand. The 42-year-old Korean-born New Zealand woman is accused of fleeing to South Korea in 2018 after allegedly killing her then 7-year-old and 10-year-old children in Auckland. New Zealand launched a homicide inquiry after the children's remains were found. The grim discovery was made by a family going through the contents of a storage locker they had purchased unseen. The woman, who denied the murder allegations, was arrested after global police agency Interpol issued a red notice. New Zealand has 45 days to formally seek extradition of the suspect who denies the murder allegations. (Getty Images) A Las Vegas-led consortium is pushing to buy Bournemouth, the PA news agency understands. The Cherries owner Maxim Demin is thought to be weighing up whether to sell, with US investors ready to pay 150million for the south coast club. An American takeover at Bournemouth would see more than half of the current Premier League clubs with minority or majority US shareholders. Business magnates Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali became the latest US Premier League owners when their consortium paid a sports-franchise world-record 4.25billion to buy Chelsea. Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Aston Villa, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Leeds and Liverpool all also have US investment on some scale. Bournemouth owner Maxim Demin is understood to have explored the possibility of a sale in the past, and could now have that interest reignited. Russian-born but a British citizen, Demin bought Bournemouth in 2011 and his investment spurred the club into the Premier League in 2015. (PA Wire) Demin has been sole shareholder at Bournemouth since 2019, when he repurchased a 25 per cent stake he had previously sold to the company PEAK6 Investments. The Cherries have returned to the Premier League this term, but manager Scott Parker was sacked after just four matches following a 9-0 hammering by Liverpool. The managerless south coast side have since secured a goalless draw with Wolves and a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest, with caretaker Gary ONeill having a noticeable impact. Bournemouth were contacted for comment. The anti-aging market is a multi-billion-dollar industry. Weve all seen the ads selling the idea that looking and feeling youthful is better. But its not only about the superficial changes we face when we age. Getting older also means a higher chance of health complications. Members of Congress heard from scientists Thursday about efforts to extend the amount of time a person lives with good health, which can also translate into slowing down the aging process. Testimony before the House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight said there is now testing being done on aging interventions on humans through small FDA-approved clinical trials. The goal is to develop aging therapeutics to lower the risk of diseases and health conditions associated with old age. These advances will not generate a fountain of youth in the colloquial sense but it will fundamentally change what it means to grow old, said Dr. Jay Olshansky, Professor of Public Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago. We will remain younger longer. Retain our youthful vigor for an extended period of time and compress everything we dont like about aging into a shorter duration of time at the end of life. We asked Rich Aertz, age 73 if he has ever wanted to slow down the aging process. Yes, Aertz replied. Because I had a heart attack and a brain attack. Scientists called on Congress to invest more funding in this field of science. The federal government could facilitate geroscience research by providing federal funding dedicated to supporting geroscience research across many disciplines, and support for training physician-scientists knowledgeable about clinical trials in geriatric patients, said Dr. Laura Niedernhofer, Director of the Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism and Medical Discovery Team on the Biology of Aging at the University of Minnesota. Download the FOX13 Memphis app to receive alerts from breaking news in your neighborhood. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD Trending stories: By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK (Reuters) - A group of medical professionals that advocates against "radical, divisive, and discriminatory ideology" in healthcare sued Pfizer Inc on Thursday, saying the drugmaker runs a fellowship that illegally excludes white and Asian-American applicants. In a complaint filed in Manhattan federal court, the plaintiff Do No Harm called Pfizer's Breakthrough Fellowship Program "discriminatory on its face" because only Blacks, Latinos and Native Americans can apply. It said the program violates federal, New York state and New York City civil rights laws, as well as a federal ban on racial discrimination by companies that accept reimbursements from government healthcare programs. "Racial discrimination demeans us," and Pfizer's "open exclusion of white and Asian-American applicants is illegal," the complaint said, citing opinions of two conservative Supreme Court justices, Clarence Thomas and the late Antonin Scalia. The lawsuit seeks injunctions barring Pfizer from making race a factor in obtaining fellowships, and preventing it from filling the 2023 class under current eligibility rules. It also seeks $1 in nominal damages. In a statement, Pfizer said it had not reviewed the lawsuit, but had "every confidence" that the fellowship program complied with all U.S. employment laws. "We will continue to strive to create more opportunity, including through specific programs designed to cast a wide net for talent," it added. Do No Harm had no immediate additional comment. The Glen Allen, Virginia-based group said its members include doctors, other healthcare professionals, medical students, patients and policymakers. Based in New York, Pfizer said the fellowship program https://www.pfizer.com/about/careers/breakthrough-fellowship-program is part of a nine-year commitment to boost minority representation, and that the company aims to enroll 100 fellows by 2025. Story continues Fellows receive two years of full-time jobs after graduating from college, fully-funded master's degrees, and employment at Pfizer after completing the program. In a statement on Pfizer's website, Chief Executive Albert Bourla said the program can help "lead to parity at all levels to create a vibrant culture where every colleague has the opportunity to succeed." The case is Do No Harm v Pfizer Inc, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 22-07908. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) One day after school officials recovered a weapon at a Lehigh Acres preventing injuries on campus, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno sent a message to parents: "Safe kids, safe schools," he said. A day after school officials recovered a BB gun during a student fight at a Lehigh Acres middle school, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno sent a message to parents. "First and foremost, 'Safe kids, safe schools,'" Marceno said to kick off Thursday's press conference. The address comes one day after staff at Lehigh Acres Middle School seized a BB gun when two students, a female and a male, engaged in a brawl. The News-Press doesn't identify minors facing criminal charges. On Wednesday, the sixth-grade girl approached another student, pointing a weapon in his face, Marceno said. Weapon seized at Lehigh Acres Middle School: At least second this school year in Lee Weapons in schools: 'Students should never have to worry about their safety': Weapons found in schools on rise The girl dragged the victim from the lunch table, where they fought for the weapon, he added. The incident happened in a crowded cafeteria. "During this brief struggle, a faculty member stepped directly into the fight for the weapon, placing herself in harm's way," Marceno said. "The weapon was taken from the suspect and it was immediately secured by the faculty member. This faculty member is a hero." Marceno said the incident was over within seconds. He didn't identify the faculty member. The student was arrested and charged with aggravated assault; battery; disruption of a school function; and possession of a BB gun younger than 16. "Safety in our community is the responsibility of everyone," said Christopher Bernier, superintendent for the Lee County School District. Bernier addressed the importance for students to report such incidents. "As a member of our school and larger community everyone has a moral, responsibility and obligation to ensure the safety of all our staff," Bernier said. "School resource officers are prepared to support any student who comes forward and protect the information that they provide." He added that staff is also committed to providing mental health and other services to support students' wellness. Story continues "But threatening behavior cannot be tolerated," Bernier said. "... Students involved in this type of action will be disciplined at the school level, but they also face serious legal consequences as well." Bernier stressed that those consequences could follow a child into adulthood, impacting their college and future careers. "Please take time to sit down with our youth and speak to them about the importance of appropriate behavior, both online and at school," he said. "It's important for our students more than ever to understand the consequences of actions, but it's also just as important for them to understand the responsibility they have, and the obligation they have to ensuring safe learning environments." Bernier added that students are officials' eyes and ears. "I have zero tolerance for threatening the lives of our students and teachers," Marceno said. "Children need to go to school and learn, not being fear. Keeping our children safe is a team effort." Marceno emphasized the roles parents and guardians play. "Please sit your child down ... Check that book bag and make sure books are inside that bookbag," Marceno said, later adding that 106,000 students are enrolled in Lee County schools. "That's 106,000 potential bookbags that we pray books are in them." Marceno said he's not certain where the student got that weapon. "Obviously it was in her bag. And that is alarming to me," Marceno said. Marceno couldn't confirm whether the weapon was loaded. Progress since Texas school shooting Marceno said his school threat enforcement team has recently doubled. "So we're looking at social media ... We're talking to witnesses," Marceno said. "We're gathering statements, and that's piecing together as we speak, to really find out what caused this incident." "We could do everything possible. It doesn't mean we're immune," Marceno said. "I think of the recent unfortunate tragic events that we've seen all across our country." Marceno and Bernier addressed the progress they've made since the May 24 shooting at a Texas elementary school that killed 19 students and two teachers. "We are constantly looking for ways to do better," Marceno said. "To learn and change ... And make change and affect change ... And work better and more efficiently and safer." Following his short address to the question on progress since Uvalde, Marceno turned it over to Bernier. "The school district is going to leave no stone unturned, to use the sheriff's description," Bernier said. "We look at everything related both to physical, electronic barriers ... Anything we can do to get weapons." Bernier added they're looking at different technologies. "Before this incident, we were already working on this," Bernier said. "After this incident, we will continue to move forward to secure our school buildings and make sure that our children are safe." Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Follow him on Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Lehigh Acres Middle School fight: Staff grabbed BB gun from student Joe Lontai blends medical device skills with military service Northampton, MA --News Direct-- Medtronic Time away from work can sometimes be quite an adventure for Joe Lontai. A few weeks ago, he took on a challenge: helping improve how Vietnams healthcare systems treat patients during natural disasters. Lontai is an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) area sales manager in Oregon and Alaska, and also a member of the Oregon National Guard. In that capacity, he serves as director of a program called Pacific Partnership, a 10-year information-exchanging relationship between Vietnam and the Oregon National Guard. He recently spent two weeks in Vietnam supporting the effort. I did a lot of planning and resource managing, Lontai said. It was a busy two weeks, but very rewarding. Vietnam and parts of Oregon both experience severe floods during their rainy seasons and face similar challenges providing healthcare during such emergencies. The Oregon Guard, along with the U.S. military, exchanged information with emergency response leaders in Vietnams Phu Yen province. They talked about everything from establishing efficient healthcare workflows during natural disasters to providing advice and guidance on emergency command systems. We learned about the Vietnamese system of hospital care and disaster management, and we introduced concepts that work in the U.S. to Vietnam, Lontai said. The result from years of these exchanges is that if theres ever an international incident, were already established partners. The U.S. Navy also conducted live disaster training exercises, and U.S. and Vietnamese military medical providers performed 226 side-by-side surgeries on real-world Vietnamese patients. I couldnt do any of this work without Medtronic and its support of veteran employees, Lontai said. Im away from work, but Im still fulfilling our Mission, by helping expand access to quality healthcare for people in another country. Medtronic has a long history of supporting veteran employees. Story continues More than 1,200 military veterans now work at Medtronic facilities in the U.S. alone, and the company actively recruits veterans for job openings. Medtronic provides paid time off for veterans like Lontai to fulfill their military reserve obligations. And if Medtronic employees in the National Guard and Reserves get deployed, the company holds their jobs for up to five years and continue to pay their salaries. Learn more about the Medtronic commitment to veterans. Last year the Department of Defense recognized Medtronic with the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the U.S. governments highest recognition for employers supporting their Guard and Reserve employees. My experience in healthcare is invaluable in this work, Lontai said. This exchange is helping save lives. And I get to be an international ambassador, not only for my country, but for our company, thanks to Medtronics support of veterans. Learn more about Medtronic's social impact efforts. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Medtronic on 3blmedia.com View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/lessons-learned-at-medtronic-help-one-employee-improve-healthcare-in-vietnam-240533120 IRYNA BALACHUK THURSDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2022, 12:33 The State Investigation Bureau of Ukraine detained the collaborators who worked for the Russian occupiers in the liberated cities of Izium and Kupiansk. Source: State Inverstigation Bureau of Ukraine Quote: "In the liberated city of Izium two traitors who used to work in law enforcement were detained. A local tax office official continued to work in the Russian occupying administration after the war started. She worked in recruitment for the occupying city council of Izium and provided the occupiers with the information about the local patriots of Ukraine". Details: Reportedly the woman was always present at mass gatherings and proudly told the pro-Kremlin propagandists how good her life has become after the occupiers came. Videos with her were being broadcasted on Russian television channels. The other female collaborator became a member of the so-called "peoples militia" and was convincing her former colleagues from the Izium police station to start working for the occupiers. She also showed the occupiers where all the city government bodies were located. Another citizen of Ukraine worked in the taxing structure of the occupiers in Kupiansk. The woman was taxing locals for the benefit of the Russian occupiers. The State Investigation Bureau of Ukraine stated that all three women are being accused of treason (Article 111 part 2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The corresponding punishment is life imprisonment with confiscation of property. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Become our patron, support our work! Joseph 'Augie' Merasty Credit - Stobbe Photo In late May of 2021, when spring was unfurling across the country, Canadians awakened to the discovery near Kamloops, British Columbia of 200 dead Indigenous children in unmarked graves. More grizzly discoveries would continue across the country tied to the nations history between 1881 and 1996 of forcing more than 150,000 Indigenous children to attend residential schools that were rife with abuse. The numbers of presumed corpses, mostly children, are now in the thousands. When the headlines emerged, announcing these unmarked gravesites one after another, it felt as though all of Canada had been summoned to a mass exhumation. Doubtless, the people most deeply traumatized by this nightmare were First Nations and Metis, but many of us in all walks of life have still not awakened from this nightmare. How could these schools, which were largely Catholic-run institutions, have operated for so long with such impunity? How could this have happened? The late Joseph Auguste (Augie) Merasty, laborer, taxi driver, security guard, boxer, trapper, hunter, fisherman, town drunk, visual artist and memoirist has some answers to these questions. His memoir of life and abuse in these schools The Education of Augie Merasty: A Residential School Memoir was published in 2015. The excerpt below sheds light on the experiences Merasty had at St. Therese Residential School in Saskatchewan, Canada, which he attended from 1935-1944. David Carpenter, editor of The Education of Augie Merasty *** I was born in 1930 at Sturgeon Landing and baptized there by Father Aquinas Merton, who was also the principal at St. Therese Residential School from 1927, when the school was opened. Two of my sisters and my brother, Peter, were the first three to walk inside the school. Annie and Jeanette were the names of my two sisters. There were also six uncles and the same number of aunts who attended the school in its first year. Story continues All those sisters and cousins, uncles, and many other unrelated people from other villages told me what had happened. Good and bad, positive or negative, were told to me and others when we got to school eight years later, and they all told basically the same stories. So one has to assume they were speaking the truth. We used to enjoy going out miles away from the school, going on picnics, either to the beach or going fishing at the rapids north of the school. It felt so nice to get out of the enclosed playground. Most of the time, we were forced to stay within the yard, which was surrounded by a high barbed-wire fence. It felt like getting out of prison. I really cant recall just how many times I was made to pay for minor offences. I was once made to walk about twenty miles in 40F weather with a fellow student, Abner Joseph, back to where we walked the day before, across the big lake with a strong wind blowing. I imagine the wind chill factor was about 60F. Just because we lost one mitten each. We were very nervous and scared all the way, as we were only about eleven or twelve years old at the time. And we saw some fresh wolf tracks about six miles out on the lake and kept our eyes busy looking every which way, expecting to see some wolves following us.We came back without the lost mittens as the wind and snow had covered everything that could be lost. That was January 1941, and it was that meanest of all nuns, Sister St. Mercy, who had forced us to walk in that god-awful weather, only to come back empty-handed. We, of course, got the strap, twenty strokes on both hands. Sometimes for punishment we were made to kneel on the cold cement floor from 8:30 p.m. until almost midnight, after everyone had gone to bed upstairs. We would fall asleep on the cold cement floor before Sister Mercy came or sent for her co-worker Sister Joy to tell us to go to bed upstairs. Then we were woken up early in the morning to go to church. We were usually awakened at 7:30 a.m., like it or not. All we used for toothpaste was salt, which the sister carried in a saucer. Salt, something we didnt even get to use at mealtime. Yet the cows and horses were getting all they wanted in blocks in the fields. They really enjoyed causing pain and other kinds of suffering as punishment for the smallest infractions. I think they were paranoid in the position they had, being masters of a lower race of creatures, Indians, as we were called. Indians from the bush, what can you expect? was Sister Mercys favourite phrase. They wanted to show who was superior, and no rule or order was to be broken or spoken against. They wanted to impress upon us that all this was for our own good and the will of God, and that the order of nuns, brothers, and fathers of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) were to some degree servants of God on Earth, and we must take any punishment without complaints. To be disobedient was a sin in the eyes of God. Every morning at breakfast, we ate rotten porridge and dry bread that was hard as cardboard. We always watched an impeccably white-clothed cart eight feet long being wheeled to the Fathers and Brothers dining room. Right through the centre of the refectory for all us boys and girls to turn and watch, licking our chops, all the beautiful food going past us ten feet away. It happened almost on a daily basis. Our keepers, one on the girls side and one on the boys side, banged on their clappers, and we were told to get back to our porridge and dont turn our heads again or it would be detention or another kind of penance. I always wondered why our keepers and teachers talked about Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and all the love they had for mankind, and Jesus being born in poverty and we should try to emulate him and learn to take punishment for our wrongs to pay here on Earth and not later in hell or purgatory. Apparently they didnt know it was suffering enough to see all that beautiful food being wheeled by and only getting a smell of it. I know they never practised what they preached, not one iota. Whenever there were visits from the head Catholic cleric in the district or visits from chiefs or members of council from any Indian reserve, they used to make us dress in our best clothing, provide concerts, and they even served us some edible food, beef stew or something. And they treated those northern visitors with good food and everything nice, and of course that chief or counsellor would get up at the end of the concert and speak from the stage facing all 110 children, telling us how lucky we were to be looked after in such a school as St. Therese Residential, and we should be thankful to God and to the administration for such blessings. Oh, God, I used to think, what hypocrisy. Somebody sure pulled the wool over their eyes, because that is how it was meant to look, and it happened time after time. Liz Truss hopes to hold a private meeting with Joe Biden this weekend when the US president visits Britain for the Queens funeral on Monday. Their first meeting since the Tory leader became PM would take place against a backdrop of disputes over the Northern Ireland Protocol and difficulties working towards a trade deal with the White House. Downing Street is set to confirm who she will be meeting on Friday, but a number of meetings with visiting world leaders are set to take place at No 10 and the Chevening country residence over the weekend. However, Ms Truss is not expected to meet Chinese vice-president Wang Qishan, who will reportedly be attending the state funeral instead of leader Xi Jinping on Monday. No 10 said the meetings with formal bilateral meetings, portraying them as chats to offer condolences over the Queens death but said political issues would also likely to come up. We will have a significant number of world leaders, heads of state in the country. She will be meeting a small proportion of those over the weekend, said Ms Trusss official spokesman. These will be opportunities to discuss memories of Her Majesty, but in some instances it will be the first time theyve met since she became prime minister Im sure they will also talk about other issues. Several hundred dignitaries from around the world will be in London to pay their respects to the Queen, in what is set to be one of the biggest logistical and diplomatic events in the UK in decades. A UK meeting with Mr Biden, who will attend the funeral with first lady Jill Biden, would ease the pressure on Ms Trusss expected visit to New York for a UN summit next week. Chevening will be used as one base for meetings rather than the PMs country residence of Chequers, undergoing what has been described as routine maintenance work after Boris Johnsons exit. It was unclear whether Emmanuel Macron will be one of those Ms Truss meets, but the French president has confirmed his attendance at the funeral after offering his countrys condolences in a call to the King. Story continues Mr Macron tweeted about the unbreakable ties between France and the UK, as he promised to strengthen the relationship between the UK and France by following the path of the late Queen. During her campaign to become Tory leader she sparked controversy by saying the jurys out over whether Mr Macron is a friend or foe. There have also been suggestions Ms Truss could speak to Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin around the time of the funeral, amid strained relations over the continuing Brexit row about the protocol. It comes as Ms Trusss government has told the EU it will unilaterally continue to suspend border checks on goods moving from Great Britain and Northern Ireland in a move set to heighten tensions. Senior Tory MPs, meanwhile, are protesting at a senior representative China being invited to the Queens funeral. The vice-president is said to have been invited after some confusion over whether its premier Xi Jingping was on the guest list. It is incredible that the government would contemplate inviting representatives of the government of China to attend such an important international occasion as the state funeral, Tim Loughton told The Independent. About 500 dignitaries from around the world will head to London for the state funeral. They will join members of the royal family, former prime ministers past and key figures from public life at Westminster Abbey at 11am on Monday. The leaders of most Commonwealth countries are expected to attend, with New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern saying she will make the nearly 24-hour journey. Her Canadian and Australian counterparts, Justin Trudeau and Anthony Albanese, have also confirmed their attendance. Germanys president Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Italys president Sergio Mattarella and Brazils president Jair Bolsonaro are among those also attending. WFTS-Tampa Governor Ron DeSantis pulled back the curtain to explain how undocumented immigrants were profiled and then how the state used more than $600,000 of Florida taxpayer-funded transportation on two flights to Martha's Vineyard this week. "They are identified as wanting to come to Florida," Governor DeSantis said of his controversial flights this week. DeSantis took from the playbook of a fellow Republican, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, by surprising Democrat-led cities and states with large influxes of immigrants. Providing little or no information was part of the plan. Full Story: https://wfts.tv/3Bk58Xz DEWITT TWP. A longtime Michigan State University Police and Public Safety captain has taken over as chief of DeWitt Township's police force. Matt Merony, who worked with MSUPD for more than 26 years, started his new role at the DeWitt Township Police Department Aug. 22, according to an MSU press release. Merony, 52, oversaw a number of initiatives for the university's police force, primarily those having to do with patrol, including training in using force, working with canines, and as a uniform division commander. "It's like trying to drink from a fire hose, sorting through all the information. But it's a good transition for me," Merony said. Michigan State University Police Capt. Matt Merony shows the MARCbot IV-N robot, Friday, June 10, 2020, demonstrating the department's military-grade equipment. Merony started his new role as chief of the DeWitt Township Police Department on Aug. 22. The township received 15 applications for the role, according to Board of Trustees meeting minutes. Five people were interviewed by a committee consisting of Township Manager Andrew Dymczyk, DeWitt Township Police Lt. Jason Jones, Assistant Township Manager Julie Coleman and Treasurer Sandy Stump. Two finalists were chosen Merony and David Sileo. The board announced Merony's selection at its July 25 meeting. "Our candidates all had two interviews one was by an internal panel and one at the board level. The Board of Trustees ultimately made that choice, and there, (Merony) really showcased himself," Dymczyk said. Prior to working with MSUPD, Merony worked for about a year as a Detroit police officer. A Michigan State graduate, Merony said returning to MSU and working for the university was a "dream job." In a statement, MSUPD spokesperson Dana Whyte praised Merony for his time at the department. "He took on many roles at the department and was always willing to lend a helping hand. We will surely miss him, but we are very proud of him and wish him the best on his new opportunity," Whyte said. Merony is the second member of MSUPD to leave for a chief position in recent months. Daryl Green, a former Lansing Police Department chief, left his role as MSU Police Chief Marlon Lynch's chief of staff in July for a job in Alabama. Story continues More:Former Lansing Police Chief Daryl Green accepts new job in Alabama Merony is now tasked with overseeing a police force comprised of about 15 officers, according to 2020 data. Merony said he hopes to strike a balance between developing trust with his officers and firmly enforcing departmental policy for the department, which serves a population of about 15,000 people, according to 2020 Census data. More:How diverse are police departments in Greater Lansing? "They have to know that you support them and actually care about them," Merony said. "But on the other side of the coin, they also have to understand that, yes, I am the boss and they may not agree with everything that I do, but I have a job to do." He said the police department is committed to transparency, including having all officers wear body cameras and hiring outside agencies to investigate criminal complaints leveled against police. "We try to be as transparent as we can," Merony said. Michigan State University Police Capt. Matt Merony shows shows a ballistic blanket Friday, July 10, 2020, at the MSU Police Deparment, demonstrating the department's military-grade equipment. Merony started his new role as chief of the DeWitt Township Police Department on Aug. 22. While at MSUPD, Merony oversaw training for active shooter situations, adhering to the federally sponsored Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT). He said he hopes to make sure the DeWitt Township police's preparedness to respond to such situations is at "the tip of the spear." More:'Active violence' training at Grand Ledge High aims to prepare police for mass shooting Dymczyk said Merony's experience with school safety was "a big priority" in his hiring. Dymczyk invited community members who want to meet Merony and other members of the police and fire departments to a block party on Sept. 24. According to the township's website, it will be on the "collective space" between the township hall and fire department, at 1401 W. Herbison Road. Contact reporter Jared Weber at 517-582-3937 or jtweber@lsj.com. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Former MSU officer takes reins for DeWitt Township police A rail crossing. Illustrated | Getty Images The rail industry is on track for a very bad week. Here's everything you need to know: What's going on? An enormous rail worker strike could take effect in the U.S. on Friday unless freight railroad companies and workers' unions reach a long-sought agreement over pay and working conditions, The Washington Post reports. Though most of the unions reached a tentative compromise with carriers as of Tuesday morning, two of the largest groups the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the SMART Transportation Division are still at the table, leaving "about 60,000 workers ready to strike if a deal doesn't happen by Friday," adds CNBC. The deadlock is more specifically tied to "disagreements between management and labor over sick time and penalties for missing work," the Post writes, calling it "a politically challenging stalemate for President Biden, who aims to advocate for union workers but has prioritized untangling the nation's besieged infrastructure in the COVID era." Rail engineers and conductors typically make a decent living around $100,000 a year, per NPR but they crave predictability and flexibility in their schedule, which can change rapidly and with little warning. Some of the largest rail carriers also utilize "points-based attendance policies that penalize workers, up to termination, for going to routine doctor's visits or attending to family emergencies," the Post continues. Meanwhile, conductors and engineers have complained they can be on call for "14 consecutive days without a break and that they do not receive a single sick day, paid or unpaid." "The average American would not know that we get fired for going to the doctor," Dennis Pierce, BLET president, told the Post. "This one thing has our members most enraged. We have guys who were punished for taking time off for a heart attack and COVID. It's inhumane." If an agreement isn't reached before the federally required 30-day "cooling off" period ends Friday, potential worker strikes and employer lockouts are officially on the table, The New York Times writes. Story continues How is this affecting passenger trains? Amtrak has canceled three of its long-distance routes in preparation for a potential strike. Though the company is not involved directly in the union negotiations, many of its 300-some daily trains operate on freight rails that would be impacted by a walkout, The Hill writes. Specifically, Amtrak has shut down Southwest Chief routes running between Chicago and Los Angeles; Empire Builder routes from Chicago to Seattle; and California Zephyr routes that travel from Chicago to San Francisco. Northeastern routes such as those running through Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C. "do not operate on freight rails and will not be impacted by the closures," adds The Hill. Even with those adjustments, however, Amtrak has warned further service disruptions could follow depending on the trajectory of negotiations. "If a strike isn't averted," the Post notes, "commuter lines that run between major cities and suburbs could be affected since those routes often operate on freight tracks, which would not be available to passenger trains." Would a strike affect the economy? Absolutely. On a high level, a strike would burden retailers who rely on freight rails to distribute and transport inventory, ultimately causing "a domino effect retailers will miss their shipping and pickup dates, leaving cargo in limbo without a place to go," the Post summarizes, per supply chain professional Jonathan Gold. More specifically, however, a walkout or lockout could affect everything from energy to food supplies to consumer goods, CNN adds. Gas prices could rise if oil refineries are unable to maintain current gasoline production, which would likely prove difficult without freight rails. Farmers might have difficulty relocating their crops to food processors, while simultaneously struggling to get their hands on much-needed fertilizer. A strike might even throw a damper on the holiday shopping season, which could see both "shortages and higher prices" should a walkout negatively affect imports. "The potential here could be significant on the economy, especially for everybody who's relying on the rails for both imports and exports," Gold told the Post. The Association of American Railroads recently estimated a strike could cost the U.S. more than $2 billion a day though Anderson Economic Group's Patrick Anderson told CNN that projection is a "gross exaggeration." Still, Anderson said, "If we reach a week-long strike, we're in uncharted territory." What is the government doing about this? The Biden administration has concocted contingency plans to ensure "critical goods" are delivered even in the event of a strike, Reuters reports. "We are working with other modes of transportation including shippers, truckers, and air freight to see how they can step in and keep goods moving in case of this rail shutdown," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during a Tuesday press briefing. "The administration has also been working with relevant agencies to assess what supply chains and commodities are most likely to face severe disruptions." Meanwhile, the Labor Department and President Biden have been in contact with the unions and the rail companies "for months" to try and mediate negotiations and avoid a strike, CNBC writes, per Jean-Pierre. "We have made crystal clear to the interested parties the harm that American families, businesses, farmers, and communities would experience if they were not to reach a resolution," she said. You may also like Jimmy Kimmel faces backlash over 'disrespectful' Emmys bit during Quinta Brunson's speech Russian forces appear to be in disarray as Ukraine expands, consolidates lighting gains in Kharkiv 1st U.S. monkeypox death confirmed in Los Angeles County Photograph: Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP A teenage girl at a Hollywood high school died on Tuesday and another was hospitalized, after taking what police believe were counterfeit pills filled with fentanyl. The incident, which is being investigated as a homicide by Los Angeles police, comes as federal officials announced new national counts of overdose deaths, showing nearly 200 people in the US are dying each day due to overdoses of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Related: Monkeypox fatality confirmed in Los Angeles, a possible US first Since 2019 the US has seen a huge surge in teen overdose deaths, as a flood of counterfeit pills, which look like normal oxycodone, Percocet or Xanax tablets but actually contain fentanyl, have hit the black market. Los Angeles police said on Wednesday that officers were called to Bernstein high school in Hollywood on Tuesday evening after a parent went to the school to find a student who had not come home as expected. The parent found the 15-year-old girl experiencing overdose symptoms, authorities said. That teen alerted the parent that her friend was also having trouble. When the parent and a school employee entered the womens bathroom they found the second teen, who was also 15, unresponsive, called 911 and tried to revive her, according to police. Emergency responders pronounced the student dead at the scene. The other teen was hospitalized and is in a stable condition. Investigators said the victims apparently purchased what they believed were Percocet pills in a nearby park. Police noted that emergency crews responded to several other overdose calls in the area of Lexington Park, near the school, believed to be other high school students. On Thursday, police arrested two teenage boys in connection with the apparent overdose. Officers arrested one 15-year-old boy who investigators believe sold pills touted as Percocet to the two girls. They arrested a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of selling fentanyl-laced pills to two other high school students who suffered overdoses after buying the drugs at Lexington Park. Story continues Police said they will work with the US Drug Enforcement Agency to find the distributors of the pills. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid so potent that one counterfeit pill can prove fatal. Vast quantities of these fake pills are being smuggled into the US and are circulating in the illicit drug market, meaning that teens often ingest the deadly drug unknowingly. The 108,174 drug overdoses reported by the CDC on Wednesday in new statistics for the 12 months ending in April 2022 were a slight decrease from a month earlier. Yet drug deaths are still near the highest levels ever recorded, with synthetic opioids including fentanyl being by far the nations most deadly drugs. Overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids more than doubled since 2019 and now make up about 67% of overdose deaths. The data released by the CDC today continue to show signs of hope as overdose deaths have decreased from last months data, said Dr Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in a statement. But we must do more to lower the number of overdoses. Last month, port officials in Arizona reported seizing 250,000 fentanyl pills, some of which were produced in bright rainbow colors to look just like candy. Floridas attorney general warned the colorful pills may be designed to entice children. Hundreds of parents of children who have died from fentanyl overdoses have organized to raise student awareness of the dangers and call on the government to take more action to stop deaths. We are losing our kids and all they are doing is experimenting, northern California mother Laura Didier, whose 17-year-old died from a fake fentanyl pill in 2020, told the Guardian. Fentanyl doesnt even give them a chance. Louis Vuitton owner LVMH will seek to cut energy costs for at least a year - REUTERS/Henry Nicholls Louis Vuitton owner LVMH is preparing to slash its energy bill this winter by turning down the thermostat in its stores and urging staff to take the stairs instead of getting in a lift. The luxury goods giant, which is run by Europe's richest man, Bernard Arnault, has introduced a range of measures to combat spiralling energy costs including reducing the temperature in its stores by 1C this winter and asking over 30,000 staff to change their daily habits. The changes will first happen in France, where the group's energy usage is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of a city of 150,000 people, before being rolled out globally. As well as lowering heating in shops, lights in stores will be switched off between 10pm and 7am and office lights will go off from 9pm. Staff have also been told to rethink their work habits by turning off their computers at night and considering alternatives to lifts and printers. The business said the goal is to "reduce the current tensions on the electricity market" and slash its energy usage by around 10pc. The changes will be implemented from next month and last at least a year, with air conditioning over the summer also to be set at a warmer temperature. The changes will be welcomed by climate change campaigners in France, who have been trying to get retailers to switch off their illuminated lights at night for years. LVMH will start the measures in France before rolling them out worldwide - Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images There has been uproar among protesters in Paris over store lights being left on all night, despite a law introduced almost a decade ago requiring shops to go dark after 1am. France's prime minister Elisabeth Borne also urged companies last month to draft energy savings plans, according to Reuters, warning that they would be hit first if the country ever had to ration gas and electricity. Retailers around the world are expected to put energy-saving measures in place this winter as the cost of running stores soars as a result of a major energy bill crisis. In Britain, the cost of running fashion brand Primark's 400 shops is set to rise by 100m this year instead of the typical 10m. John Bason, the finance chief of Primark owner Associated British Foods, said earlier this month that the company was looking to reduce energy costs in its shops by trying to fit the stores with more LED lightbulbs. PureWow In a stunning moment earlier today, all eight of Queen Elizabeth's grandchildren came together to honor the life of the late monarch with a vigil at Westminster Hall. Prince William, 40, and Prince Harry, 38, led the procession, with the first in line of succession to the throne walking at the front of the pack. While the brothers steered the group, they were followed by two equal lines. On one side stood Princess Beatrice, 34, Lady Louise Windsor, 18, and Zara Tindall, 41, while on the other si It was a painful day in court for the family of a young mother murdered while simply driving down the street in north Charlotte. In 2019, a stray bullet from a shootout struck Kendal Crank while she was on the way to nursing school. In court Thursday, one of the suspects charged, Marquis Smith, pleaded not guilty. Kendal Cranks oldest brother told Channel 9s Ken Lemon that time heals all wounds and it has helped some, but other loved ones said seeing a suspect plead not guilty brought back painful memories. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: The family knows all defendants are innocent until proven guilty but they said Crank should still be alive and anyone who participated in the shooting should be held accountable. Jake Robinson said he sat on the edge of his seat as Smith faced a judge. He traveled from New York to be there after he pledged to get justice for his niece. I got stuff on my shoulders and I promised her and I cant fulfill it until this is over with, he said. Robinson visited Crank in 2019 and left her home the day before she was killed. He said he regrets leaving. Her son said, Uncle Jake, dont go, and he grabbed my leg, Robinson told Lemon. The next day, gunshots rang out on North Tryon Street as Crank drove to her nursing class. Her best friend Porschia Jordan was driving in front of Crank, heard the shots and saw her friend afterward. Everyday I wake up, go to sleep. Its something Ive got to live with for the rest of my life, she said. ALSO READ: Man in custody after mom killed, daughter seriously hurt in Conover shooting, deputies say Story continues Jordan was in court Thursday to hear Smith plead not guilty, and said those words pierced her ears and spirit. She said anyone who took part in the shooting had a hand in the killing. Loved ones promised themselves to be at the hearings for the three suspects in Cranks honor, all hoping that their presence can make things right for the young mother killed in a crime she had nothing to do with. I still feel her spirit, said Cranks brother Jarvis Crank. Smith was one of three charged in the shootout. Family members told Lemon that the other two suspects, Adonis Smith and Tychicus Dobie, are expected to go to trial next year. (WATCH BELOW: Judge denies bond for man accused in shootout that killed Charlotte mother) The Duke of Sussex has had to wear a morning suit at events marking his grandmother's death, but will be allowed to don military dress for a vigil by her coffin - Max Mumby/Getty Images The Duke of Sussex will wear military uniform as he mounts a vigil at the coffin of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, alongside his cousins. The Duke will be given special dispensation to wear his uniform after the Duke of York was told he could do the same as a final mark of respect for the most personal of gestures. The King, the Princess Royal, Prince Andrew and the Earl of Wessex will mount their own vigil at 7.30pm on Friday, standing in silence at the four sides of the catafalque in Westminster Hall. All eight of the late Queens grandchildren - the Duke of Sussex, the Prince of Wales, Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn - will reportedly form their own guard of honour on Saturday evening. 'Common sense has prevailed' A U-turn on the decision to allow Harry, as a non-working royal, to wear military uniform for the occasion is said to have been made after palace officials intervened on his behalf. One royal source was quoted as saying: Common sense has prevailed. It was a ludicrous situation, given the Duke of Sussex has served his country and is a highly respected member of the Armed Forces with everything he has done for veterans. "It is important that the Queen's grandchildren are all made to feel welcome and comfortable as they grieve their beloved grandmother together." A royal source confirmed that the decision was made without intervention from the Duke, who was prepared to wear whatever his grandmother had made plans for. It was announced earlier this week that the Duke, who served for 10 years in the Army and did two tours of Afghanistan, would be denied the right to wear uniform at all ceremonial events during the mourning period. His spokesman said he would wear a morning suit throughout events honouring his grandmother, insisting that his decade of military service was not determined by the uniform he wears. At the state funeral on Monday, both the Dukes of Sussex and York will be in morning dress. Story continues Their status as non-working royals was brutally underlined this week as they were excluded from royal salutes during the procession from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster. They walked in suits, while others were in full military uniform. The Duke of Sussex's status as a non-working royal was highlighted by him wearing a morning suit, while others such as his brother wore military dress - Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images On Monday, the King and his three siblings mounted their first vigil at the Queens coffin, walking together up the aisle of St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh before dividing, each taking a side to honour their mother. Choosing not to hold swords, they stood with hands clasped and eyes lowered, their backs to the coffin. The Princess Royal became the first woman to take part in such a vigil. As members of the public who had queued for more than 12 hours to pay their respects filed past, many did a double take as they noticed the royals in their midst. The Queen's children hold a vigil at St Giles' Cathedral, in Edinburgh, on Monday - Jane Barlow/Getty Images On Friday, once again many people will find themselves paying their respects alongside the King, while on Saturday, others will be surprised to find themselves in the company of the late Queens grandchildren - including the heir to the throne. Both vigils will mark the final ceremonial duties performed by the late Queens children and grandchildren in public before the funeral on Monday. A South Korean court issued an arrest warrant for Terraform Labs founder Do Kwon on Wednesday as authorities continue their investigation of the blockchain company. Earlier this year, Terraform Labs stablecoin UST and cryptocurrency Luna lost $40 billion in value in a matter of days following major selloffs. When UST lost its $1 peg in May, Lunas value plunged to $0, which marked a remarkable collapse for a cryptocurrency that was worth over $115 just a couple of weeks prior. At the time, major crypto exchanges such as Binance and Coinbase delisted the token and halted some of its trading pairs. More from NextShark: North Korea bans laughing, drinking for 11 days on 10th anniversary of Kim Jong-il's death The revived Luna token, which had recently climbed to almost $7, has now dropped to $2.73 as of this writing. Kwon was among six individuals issued arrest warrants for allegedly violating South Koreas capital market laws. News emerged in June that local authorities barred Terraform employees from leaving the country. Kwon would later claim that he had not been in contact with prosecutors and denied that he had been charged with anything. More from NextShark: Asian Shoppers Reportedly Kicked Out of Store in Australia for Recording Abusive Tirade Its kind of hard to make that decision, because weve never been in touch with the investigators, Kwon told Coinage last month. Theyve never charged us with anything. In July, South Korean authorities conducted a raid on the home of Terraform Labs co-founder Daniel Shin as investigators dug into an alleged illegal activity that resulted in Terras crash. Kwon was also advised to notify local authorities once he returns to South Korea. In May, a disgruntled investor who claimed to have lost $2.3 million from Lunas collapse trespassed into Kwons apartment building. The man, who faced a trespassing charge, said he wants Kwon to apologize to over 200,000 investors who lost their money, some of whom reportedly committed suicide. Story continues More from NextShark: 20-Year-Old Man Fatally Stabbed in Melbourne On His Way to the Gym Featured Image via Coinage More from NextShark: Fremont police seek suspect after elderly Asian man dies in hit-and-run One male victim died and another was injured in a shooting Wednesday night in West Baltimore, police said. Baltimore City Police said in a news release that at approximately 7:25 p.m., a Western District officer was at West Lafayette Avenue and North Calhoun Street when gunshots were heard in the 800 block of North Calhoun Street in Harlem Park. The officer called for additional units. Units responded and located two unknown male victims who had been shot. One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene and the second was taken to a hospital and is in serious condition, police said. Detectives allowed a family member to identify the victims body while investigators documented evidence. Officers were seen removing a body from a sidewalk around 9:20 p.m., then hosing off the area about a half-hour later. Police focused their investigation on a section of street and sidewalk in the middle of the block. The crime scene was near Harlem Park Elementary/Middle School. Homicide detectives were notified and have assumed control of the investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call detectives at 410-396-2100 or call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP. About two hours later, at approximately 9:20 p.m., officers responded to the rear of the 3000 block of West North Avenue in Walbrook in West Baltimore for a shooting. The gunshots fired 2 miles away could be heard on the police radios of officers at the Harlem Park crime scene. Upon arrival, officers located a 23-year-old man who was suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest. The victim was taken to a hospital by medics, where he was in serious condition. By about 10 p.m. Wednesday, police had roped off the courtyard behind an apartment complex on West North Avenue. Southwest District shooting detectives are investigating this incident and are asking anyone with information to call 410-396-2488. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP. Sep. 15A Manchester man is free on $1 million bond while facing accusations that he fired a handgun at a group of teenage boys who had run through his backyard, hitting one of them in the arm, then chased the teens and hit another with a minivan. The suspect Jaime Garcia, 44, of 22 Dougherty St. at first denied to police at the scene of the Sept. 1 shooting that he was involved, Detective Andrew Young reported. But after being confronted with surveillance videos of the shooting, Garcia admitted that he was the shooter, the detective wrote. Garcia added, however, that he never intended to hit anyone, saying he fired on an angle above the teens, according to Young. Garcia admitted he had chased kids down in a Honda Odyssey after the shooting, the detective reported. His report doesn't address the issue of the van hitting the teenager. A 17-year-old who was with the teen hit by the van said the driver had confronted them, claiming they had been trying to steal from him, Officer Israel Rivera reported. The man then drove the van "onto the sidewalk grass" and intentionally hit his companion, the witness told the officer. The 17-year-old who was hit by the van was bleeding from cuts on his knees and elbows, Rivera reported, but he refused to be taken to the hospital. Numerous teenagers told police that they had been attending a bonfire birthday party for the 15-year-old who later suffered the gunshot wound. Many were members of the same football team. They decided to play "Manhunt," a cross between tag and hide-and-seek. During the game, one group of teens "accidentally ran through a backyard" from McKee Street to Dougherty Street, a 15-year-old told police. They then ran north on Dougherty Street toward Center Street but were found by the group of friends who were "it" in the game and turned back south on Dougherty Street, he said. The teen said a man came out of a house, possibly the one whose yard they had run through, reached into his back pocket, and pulled a gun. Story continues "He cocked it back, and I heard about five shots," the teen reported. He said he ran away. Police found four spent .40-caliber shell casings in the street in front of 22 Dougherty St. and later seized a .40-caliber handgun from Garcia's house, Young reported. Officers found the 15-year-old shooting victim in the kitchen of his home. He had a gunshot wound in his upper right arm, Officer Lina E. Guindy reported. The victim was taken by ambulance to the Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford, where medical staff members reported that he appeared to be stable, Officer Cory Fullana reported. The bullet went through the back of the teen's upper right arm and exited from the front of the arm, the officer added. The victim said he didn't know he had been shot until he got home, Fullana reported. Garcia is charged with first-degree assault in the shooting, second-degree assault in the van incident, and numerous other crimes, including three counts of attempted first-degree assault for the shots that missed. Garcia's lawyer, William T. Gerace, said today that Garcia has a "pristine record" and has worked at the same job as an auto mechanic for 28 years. Gerace said "eight kids with hoodies" accosted Garcia, adding that many people have been texting him messages that Garcia is a hero and "these kids are out of control." Garcia was released on a $1 million bond the day after the incident. For updates on Glastonbury, and recent crime and courts coverage in North-Central Connecticut, follow Alex Wood on Twitter: @AlexWoodJI1, Facebook: Alex Wood, and Instagram: @AlexWoodJI. Randy Cox, a man paralyzed while being transported by a New Haven police vehicle, is back in the hospital, and his family and attorneys said Thursday they are readying to file a federal lawsuit against the city and the officers. Coxs sister, LaToya Boomer said that he had started to make good progress since the June crash that caused the grave injuries. She said her brother had gotten off the breathing machine and feeding tube. But a few days ago he became ill, returned to the hospital, and is battling against a fever that will not subside at the moment, Boomer said. Its been really hard on him mentally dealing with this situation. At this point, he cant even scratch his hair if its itching. He cant wipe his eyes, if hes crying. He has no use of his fingers. He has a little bit of use of his arms, no movement from the chest down. Trying to keep him in good spiritswere just asking for more prayers. she said. At the steps of City Hall, local attorney RJ Weber, representing the Cox family, said that he had hoped that there would be a finding by Connecticut State Police on their investigation into the New Haven officers involved in the case - so the legal team could have the federal complaint filed and presented Thursday. Due to those setbacks and those delays, I dont anticipate that that lawsuit is going to be filed for another week to 10 days, he said. Weber said that the claims would be against the city and the individual officers for alleged negligence and the operation of the motor vehicle used to transport Cox to the detention facility, and a claim of violating Coxs civil rights in the way that they handled him within the detention center. Civil Rights Attorney Benjamin Crump joined Weber and spoke, asking New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker to do the right thing or the family will move forward in their quest for justice for Randy Cox. We want to see the leadership step up, as they did in other cities when you have injustice, to say, lets right this wrong, lets right this wrong. Yes, you all have the power to do it. You all have the powerthis is an opportunity Crump said. Mr. Mayor, I pray that you all will take advantage of the opportunity of the moment. Story continues Coxs mother, Doreen Coleman, also spoke about her sons progress. She said that he called the family Thursday, telling them he feels a little better, but not too much. She also encouraged the community to volunteer their time to support Cox, while he is in the hospital. Help him turn the TV up, turn the fan on. Give him something to drink, even if he [doesnt] want to, give it to him. We are doing our best, but we need everybody else to do something, she said. Pray, sing, say hello, whatever you need to do. He really [does] hear youso please keep praying. Yes, we are gonna get justice. Yeah, we dont care how long its going to take Crump agreed, saying that they will continue to publicly put pressure on the city and Police Department. We dont want anybody to forget what Randy Cox is having to go through. Its easy for us to forget about our brothers and sisters, especially our Black brothers and sisters. As if their lives dont matter. Randy Coxs life matters, he said. Elicker and New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson released a joint statement after attending the press conference held by the Cox family and legal representatives. We appreciated the opportunity to hear from Mr. Coxs family, his legal team, and New Haven residents today on the steps of City Hall, and we share their disappointment that Mr. Cox has been readmitted to the hospital for further care, the statement said. Just last week we visited with Mr. Cox when he was in better spirits, and we continue to hope and pray for improvements to his health and recovery. The two men reiterated that the city and department would make good on accountability and transparency changes promised after Cox was injured. The New Haven Police Department at that time announced sweeping reforms to its policies surrounding transportation and medical care for prisoners. Among other measures the reforms included new rules that prisoners have seatbelts on and be transported in marked police cruisers rather than vans. Elicker said that he and Jacobson visited Cox last week in a rehabilitation facility, and it was uplifting, but difficult to see him in this condition. When we visited him last week, he was talking, he made a couple of jokes. And that was uplifting. Even so, it was a huge reminder of the incredibly difficult path that he has ahead of him, because he could barely even move his arms, Elicker said. Elicker said that state police have submitted information on their findings to States Attorney Jack Doyle, who is currently in the process of doing his evaluation to determine whether an arrest or other action might be taken. Elicker also said that he believes Doyles process is going to take another several weeks to complete, leaving the citys internal affairs investigation of the case on hold. Once Doyle concludes his process, Elicker said, they will reinitiate or start to pursue the internal affairs investigation, which determines if any kind of discipline would be appropriate for the officers involved in Coxs case, including potential termination. We have to put our internal affairs investigation on hold while the States Attorneys Office is going through their process, because we dont want to be tripping over each other, Elicker said. We dont want to complicate each others processes. So once theyre completed with their process, we will then go on with our process. Jacobson also said that the involved officers remain on paid administrative leave, until Doyle makes his decision on what the next stage will be for them. Elicker said that since the Cox case, the city is working to be proactive to make sure that another situation like his never happens again. So far, the city has conducted three different community engagement sessions to get more input from the public about what residents were want to see for public safety improvements and interventions, and a series of new initiatives and reforms that the New Haven Police Department will undertake. Associated Press Attorneys for Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz asked for the judge in his murder case to remove herself on Friday, two days after she scolded them when they abruptly rested their case after calling only a fraction of their expected witnesses. The Broward Public Defenders Office said in a motion that Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer held a longstanding animosity toward lead defense lawyer Melisa McNeill. The motion cited Florida's Judicial Code of Conduct that states a judge shall disqualify himself or herself if the judges impartiality might reasonably be questioned, including but not limited to instances where the judge has a personal bias or prejudice concerning a party or a partys lawyer. The Chamber of Commerce of Marthas Vineyard said the island was facing a humanitarian crisis after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sent planes carrying 50 illegal immigrants to the island Wednesday afternoon. To our Island community, here is an update on current humanitarian crisis on Marthas Vineyard.we thank people for their continued help. pic.twitter.com/f9YRJSJPow Visit Marthas Vineyard (@VisitMV) September 15, 2022 To our Island community, here is an update on current humanitarian crisis on Marthas Vineyard.we thank people for their continued help, the islands Chamber of Commerce tweeted Thursday. A statement from the Dukes County Emergency Management Association included in the tweet said the island is providing shelter, food, and care to the illegal immigrants who arrived yesterday and that a coalition of Vineyard towns, community-based, and nonprofit groups are assisting in this effort. We will continue to work very closely with our state partners, who have pledged support and resources for any unmet needs that we may nave, the statement continued. The migrants were flown to Massachusetts from Texas, though the state of Florida paid for their travel out of a fund specially designated for that purpose. Massachusetts state Representative Dylan Fernandes, whose district includes part of Marthas Vineyard, wrote that Marthas Vineyard jumped into action to find 50 beds, food, and health care for the illegal immigrants. Our island jumped into action putting together 50 beds, giving everyone a good meal, providing a play area for the children, making sure people have the healthcare and support they need. We are a community that comes together to support immigrants. pic.twitter.com/kG5bglhbLe Dylan Fernandes (@RepDylan) September 15, 2022 Fernandes added that DeSantiss actions were f***ing depraved. Story continues The Governor of one of the biggest states in the nation has been spending time hatching a secret plot to round up & ship people-children, families-lying to them about where theyre going just to gain cheap political points on Tucker Calrson [sic] and MAGA twitter. Its f***ing depraved, Fernandes wrote on Twitter. Republican lawmakers mocked the affluent summer colonys Chamber of Commerce for declaring a humanitarian crisis over the arrival of just 50 Venezuelan immigrants, pointing out that the number constitutes a drop in the bucket compared to what border states deal with on a daily basis. Fifty people in Marthas Vineyard is a humanitarian crisis, but a record high number of over 2 million illegals trespassing in our country in 2022 alone is not a problem for Democrats. . . Florida Representative Matt Gaetz wrote. Texas Senator Ted Cruz said, if 50 constitutes a humanitarian crisis in Marthas Vineyard, what the hell is 4.2 MILLION? alluding to reports citing the number of illegal immigrants who have entered the U.S. since President Joe Biden took office. More from National Review WASHINGTON (AP) A volunteer Ukrainian medic held captive three months by Russian forces in Ukraine's besieged port city of Mariupol told U.S. lawmakers Thursday of cradling and comforting fellow prisoners as they died of torture and inadequately treated wounds. Ukrainian Yuliia Paievska, who was captured by pro-Russian forces in Mariupol in March and held at shifting locations in Russian-allied territory in Ukraine's Donetsk region, spoke to lawmakers with the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, better known as the Helsinki Commission, a government agency created in part to promote international compliance with human rights. Her accounts Thursday were her most detailed publicly of her treatment in captivity, in what Ukrainians and international rights groups say are widespread detentions of both Ukrainian noncombatants and fighters by Russia's forces. Known to Ukrainians by the nickname Taira, Paievska and her care of Mariupol's wounded during the nearly seven-month Russian invasion of Ukraine received global attention after her bodycam footage was provided to The Associated Press. Do you know why we do this to you?" a Russian asked Paievska as he tortured her, she recounted to the commission. She told the panel her answer to him: Because you can. Searing descriptions of the suffering of detainees poured out. A 7-year-old boy died in her lap because she had none of the medical gear she needed to treat him, she said. Torture sessions usually launched with their captors forcing the Ukrainian prisoners to remove their clothes, before the Russians set to bloodying and tormenting the detainees, she said. The result was some prisoners in cells screaming for weeks, and then dying from the torture without any medical help, she said. Then in this torment of hell, the only things they feel before death is abuse and additional beating." She continued, recounting the toll among the imprisoned Ukrainians. My friend whose eyes I closed before his body cooled down. Another friend. And another. Another." Story continues Paievska said she was taken into custody after being stopped in a routine document check. She had been one of thousands of Ukrainians believed to have been taken prisoner by Russian forces. Mariupols mayor said that 10,000 people from his city alone disappeared during what was the monthslong Russian siege of that city. It fell to Russians in April, with the city all but destroyed by Russian bombardment, and with countless dead. The Geneva Conventions single out medics, both military and civilian, for protection in all circumstance. Sen. Ben Cardin, a Maryland Democrat and co-chair of the Helsinki Commission underscored that the conditions she described for civilian and military detainees violated international law. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., called Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal. It is critical that the world hear the stories of those who endured the worst under captivity, Wilson said. Evidence is essential to prosecution of war crimes. Before she was captured, Paievska had recorded more than 256 gigabytes of harrowing bodycam footage showing her teams efforts to save the wounded in the cut-off city. She got the footage to Associated Press journalists, the last international team in Mariupol, on a tiny data card. The journalists fled the city on March 15 with the card embedded inside a tampon, carrying it through 15 Russian checkpoints. The next day, Paievska was taken by pro-Russia forces. Lawmakers played the AP's video of her footage Thursday. She emerged on June 17, thin and haggard, her athletes body more than 10 kilograms (22 pounds) lighter from lack of nourishment and activity. She said the AP report that showed her caring for Russian and Ukrainian soldiers alike, along with civilians of Mariupol, was critical to her release, in a prisoner exchange. Paievska previously had declined to speak in detail to journalists about conditions in detention, only describing it broadly as hell. She swallowed heavily at times Thursday while testifying. Ukraines government says it has documented nearly 34,000 Russian war crimes since the war began in February. The International Criminal Court and 14 European Union member nations also have launched investigations. The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine says it has documented that prisoners of war in Russian custody have suffered torture and ill-treatment, as well as insufficient food, water healthcare and sanitation. Russia has not responded to the allegations. Both the United Nations and the international Red Cross say they have been denied access to prisoners. Paievska, who said she suffered headaches during her detention as the result of a concussion from an earlier explosion, told lawmakers she asked her captors to let her call her husband, to let him know what had happened to her. They said, You have seen too many American movies. There will be no phone call, she recounted. Her tormentors during her detention would sometimes urge her to kill herself, she said. I said, No. I will see what happens tomorrow, she said. - Lori Hinnant contributed to this report from Paris. Follow AP's coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war at: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine NEW YORK (AP) New York City's latest celebrity visitor is stopping traffic even in this jaded, larger-than-life town. Little Amal, a 12-foot puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee, is on a 17-day blitz through every corner of the Big Apple as part of a theater project hoping to raise awareness about immigration. When we talk about migration and refugees, we tend to forget that more than half of the people were talking about are children, said playwright and director Amir Nizar Zuabi, the artistic director of Little Amal Walks NYC. "The reality is theyre children and all children are beautiful in their own special way. And I think thats what Amal brings to the table." She will visit tourists meccas Times Square, Grand Central Station, the American Museum of Natural History and Central Park, among them and also communities far from the glitz of Manhattan, like Corona in the Queens borough and BedfordStuyvesant in Brooklyn. The role of the project is to talk about displacement, to talk about immigration, to talk about vulnerability in different contexts and, of course, each locality, said Zuabi. At each of the 55 planned stops, organizers have reached out to community artists and leaders to create a special event anchored by the place visited. So Amal will join kids her age to hear a reading of the inclusive picture book Julian Is a Mermaid at the Brooklyn Public Library. And when she goes to Harlem she will listen to a drum circle performed by students from the Harlem School of the Arts and be accompanied by a stilt walker from Kotchenga Dance Company. Yazmany Arboleda, a Colombian American artist who is creative producer of the New York visit, calls it one of the largest scale theatrical experiences ever built in the city: This is the biggest stage on Earth and it comes from all the pluralism, of all the stories, of all the people who live here. The puppet comes to the city after completing a 5,000-mile trek across Europe, from the Syrian-Turkish border to Manchester in northwest England. She has traveled through 12 countries including greeting refuges from Ukraine at a Polish train station and stopping at refugee camps in Greece and met with Pope Francis. Story continues New York is interesting because it is a city built from displacement, forced migration and migration. These are the elements that created the city. And the city looms tall and has a very, very interesting engine of creativity, of innovation, of audaciousness. So bringing this project here is very interesting for us, said Zuabi. During a recent rehearsal at the performing arts institution and project co-producer St. Anns Warehouse in Brooklyn, Zuabi stressed the core idea with his 10 puppeteers, four of which are needed to manipulate the puppet at any one time. She is a 10-year-old lost in the city. Whenever you are in doubt, go back to that, he told them as they stretched in a circle. She's never safe in this city. If we understand that, I think we can make real magic. Some other stops for the puppet designed and built by Handspring Puppet Company include salsa dancing in Washington Heights, walking along the Coney Island boardwalk and listening to drummers in Jackson Heights. At Grand Central Station on Thursday, she loomed over admiring pedestrians, who gazed up and took pictures. We often focus on the plight of the immigrant or the refugee, and I think what this work does is really bring our attention to the promise and the beauty, said Arboleda. As she walks through New York, were all going to be learning along. One of Amal's stops will be Liberty Island, where shell come face-to-toe with the Statue of Liberty, who welcomes the huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The core of this project is empathy, is to fight indifference, because indifference is like a stone. You cant turn it. Its what it is. The minute you start cracking indifference, something happens, said Zuabi. ___ Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits Meghan Markle has been applauded for her elegance and grace during Queen Elizabeth IIs service, particularly the moment when she curtsied in front of the late monarchs coffin. On Wednesday, the Duchess of Sussex joined her husband Prince Harry and other members of the royal family at the Queens procession in Westminster Hall. During the event, Meghan was spotted standing with the family as the Queens coffin had arrived. In a video shared on Twitter that featured the Duchess in the background, viewers can see her passing by the coffin and paying her respects by going into a curtsy and bowing her head. In photos from the service, Meghan could also be seen in the midst of curtsying while her husband stood next to her with his head down. On Twitter, multiple fans praised the royals curtsy, as they expressed how graceful and respectful the move was. Meghan Markle, The Duchess of Sussex executes a flawless curtsy, one wrote. Meghans curtsy was the deepest so, if were going off of royalist rhetoric, shes got the most admiration and respect for her, another wrote. A third person added: Meghan..is the epitome of grace and elegance. Other Twitter users went on to notice her Harry and how proud he appeared to look of his wife, one of which wrote: Cant deny [that] was a great curtsy, deep and respectful. Nice touch that shes wearing earrings from the Queen. Harry looked like he was going to cry any moment too. (Getty Images) Meghans gesture was also similar to how Princess Anne paid her respect to her mother in Scotland. When the coffin arrived in Edinburgh on Sunday, the Princess Royal also bent her knees and curtsied in front of it. During the procession on Wednesday, Meghan used her jewellery to pay tribute to the monarch. She donned a pair of pearl diamond earrings that the Queen had gifted to her, having first worn the earrings in 201 when visiting the Storyhouse and Town Hall in Chester with her grandmother-in-law. Meghan also turned heads when she arrived at the service in a separate car from Kate Middleton, who rode to the event with Camilla, Queen Consort. The 41-year-old duchess rode alongside Sophie, Countess of Wessex. The royal and her husband are expected to stay in the UK until after the Queens funeral on 19 September, which will be a bank holiday. Since stepping down from their royal duties in 2020, Meghan and Harry have been residing in their home in California, while raising their three-year-old son, Archie, and one-year-old daughter, Lilibet. PROVIDENCE Two men who are accused of posting white nationalist recruiting flyers on utility poles have pleaded no contest to obstructing East Providence police. The men, Stephen Farrea, 32, of Portsmouth, and Austin Conti, 26, of Warwick, made their pleas on Tuesday before Judge Joseph P. Ippolito Jr. in District Court, Providence. Ippolito sentenced both men to serve 20 hours of community service. The two men have ties to a group that experts refer to as a neo-Nazi organization. In Municipal Court, East Providence, on Aug. 4, Farrea and Conti pleaded not guilty to violating city ordinances by posting flyers on utility poles. Stephen Thomas Farrea, left, and Austin Conti are pictured at their arraignments in District Court. Their trial, before Municipal Court Judge Lisette Gomes, is scheduled for Oct. 20 at 5 p.m. A city ordinance prohibits the hanging of signs without approval from the city manager. Farrea and Conti were posting flyers for the Nationalist Social Club 131 shortly before their arrest in late June, police say. They were among five men who had encountered East Providence police at the time and were trespassing on the property of the Gordon School, police wrote in their report. During the exchange with police, the report states the two men told police they had fastened flyers to utility poles. Antisemitic vandalism, harassment up more than 50% in RI. How that compares to the US At one point, it says, Conti represented himself as a spokesman. Conti's tattoos include a circular marking on his elbow and tricep. The tattoo, which was visible in court in July, is a variant of a "Black Sun" symbol. It incorporates sig runs similar to those employed by the Nazi SS. It strongly resembles a neo-Nazi symbol that has been noted by the Anti-Defamation League. Conti and Farrea declined to comment to The Providence Journal after their arraignment in early July. The arrest of the two men preceded a wave of flyer activity by the Nationalist Social Club in Rhode Island over the Independence Day holiday weekend. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Men who hung Neo-Nazi flyers in East Providence sentenced MEXICO CITY (AP) Mexican authorities have arrested a retired general and three other members of the army for alleged connection to the disappearance of 43 students in southern Mexico in 2014, the government announced Thursday. Assistant Public Safety Secretary Ricardo Mejia said that among those arrested was the former officer who commanded the army base in the Guerrero state city of Iguala in September 2014, when the students from a radical teachers college were abducted. Mejia said a fourth arrest was expected soon, and later a government official with knowledge of the case who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter confirmed that another member of the army had been arrested. Mejia did not give names of those arrested, but the commander of the Iguala base at that time was Jose Rodriguez Perez, then a colonel. Barely a year after the students' disappearances and with the missing students' families already raising suspicions about military involvement and demanding access to the base, Rodriguez was promoted to brigadier general. The government official who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that Rodriguez was arrested and said he was being held at a military installation. The source would say about the others arrested only that two were officers and the third was an enlisted soldier. Last month, a government truth commission re-investigating the case issued a report that named Rodriguez as being allegedly responsible for the disappearance of six of the students. Interior Undersecretary Alejandro Encinas, who led the commission, said last month that six of the missing students were allegedly kept alive in a warehouse for days then turned over to Rodriguez who ordered them killed. The report had called the disappearances a state crime, emphasizing that authorities had been closely monitoring the students from the teachers college at Ayotzinapa from the time they left their campus through their abduction by local police in the town of Iguala that night. A soldier who had infiltrated the school was among the abducted students, and Encinas asserted the army did not follow its own protocols and try to rescue him. Story continues There is also information corroborated with emergency 089 telephone calls where allegedly six of the 43 disappeared students were held during several days and alive in what they call the old warehouse and from there were turned over to the colonel, Encinas said. Allegedly the six students were alive for as many as four days after the events and were killed and disappeared on orders of the colonel, allegedly the then Col. Jose Rodriguez Perez. Numerous government and independent investigations have failed to reach a single conclusive narrative about what happened to the 43 students, but it appears that local police pulled the students off several buses in Iguala that night and turned them over to a drug gang. The motive remains unclear. Their bodies have never been found, though fragments of burned bone have been matched to three of the students. The role of the army in the students disappearance has long been a source of tension between the families and the government. From the beginning, there were questions about the militarys knowledge of what happened and its possible involvement. The students parents demanded for years that they be allowed to search the army base in Iguala. It was not until 2019 that they were given access along with Encinas and the Truth Commission. Shortly after the truth commission report, the Attorney Generals Office announced 83 arrest orders, 20 for members of the military. Then federal agents arrested Jesus Murillo Karam, who was attorney general at the time. Doubts had been growing in the weeks since the arrest orders were announced because no arrests had been announced. The administration of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has also formed a closer public bond with the military than any in recent memory. The president pushed to shift the newly created National Guard under full military authority and his allies in congress are trying to extend the time for the military to continue a policing role in the streets to 2028. On Thursday, Mejia also dismissed any suggestion that Jose Luis Abarca, who was mayor of Iguala at the time, would be released from prison after a judge absolved him of responsibility for the students abduction based on a lack of evidence. Even without the aggravated kidnapping charge, Abarca still faces other charges for organized crime and money laundering, and Mejia said the judges latest decision would be challenged. The judge similarly absolved 19 others, including the man who was Igualas police at the time. The Miguel Agustin Pro Human Rights Center and other nongovernmental organizations that have supported the families of the students said in a joint statement Thursday that the government had so far not notified the families of the case against Rodriguez nor the charges he would face. They said that if the prosecution of Rodriguez did advance on solid evidence it could be very relevant for holding the military accountable. The statement noted that there was abundant evidence about the collusion of soldiers from the Iguala base with organized crime. The organizations also called on authorities to appeal the judges decision absolving Abarca and others. They said the ruling was the result of poor work by the Attorney Generals Office that originally brought the charges, including the extensive use of torture which led much of the evidence to be excluded. The Guardian During his stellar basketball career, Michael Jordan was famous for his gravity-defying dunks and redefining the bounds of what seemed possible. Now a jersey won by the former Chicago Bulls player in the 1998 NBA finals a period chronicled in the hit Netflix documentary The Last Dance has also sent jaws dropping by attracting a record price of $10.091m (8.85m) at auction. The sum, more than double the initial estimates, set a new auction record for a piece of game-worn sports memorabilia, according to Sothebys. The previous highest was the $9.28m (8.14m) paid for the shirt worn by Diego Maradona during the Hand of God game against England at the 1986 World Cup. Reuters Yeshiva University, ordered by a judge to formally recognize an LGBT student group even as the Jewish school in New York City argues that doing so would violate its religious values, on Friday announced that it has halted the activities of all its undergraduate student clubs as it plans its next steps. Yeshiva's announcement came two days after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to block New York state judge Lynn Kotler's June ruling that the university is subject to a city anti-discrimination law and must recognize the club called Y.U. Pride Alliance. Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty Another prominent 2020 election denier claims the FBI confiscated his cellphone this week, just a day after a similar seizure against MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell. Douglas Frank, a former math teacher from Ohio, is a frequent speaker in Stop The Steal circles. In a Wednesday post on Telegram, Frank claimed FBI agents seized his phone when he landed at an Ohio airport. Frank was previously named in a search warrant for Lindells phone, which was confiscated at a Hardees restaurant in Minnesota on Tuesday. Both phone seizures appear to stem from a federal probe into an alleged breach of Colorado voting machines by election conspiracy theorists last year. Reached for comment, the FBI confirmed "that the FBI was at that location executing a search warrant authorized by a federal judge." Two FBI agents met me as I got off the plane today, Frank wrote on Telegram. They were polite and professional, and we smiled at each other knowingly as they approached me. Of course... they knew that I knew that they knew that I would be expecting them there. We shook hands, and I cooperated fully with them. They had a warrant to confiscate my phone. Reached by email, Frank confirmed the phone confiscation. He said that after Lindells phone was subpoenaed the previous day, he was confident that it was imminent. He confirmed that his phone was seized as part of the same case. Frank and Lindell are linked to state and federal investigations into a breach of Mesa County voting machines last year. Neither man has been charged. Trump Throws Epic Tantrum Over FBIs MyPillow Guy Raid The state-level case has resulted in felony charges for Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters and her colleagues in the county clerks office. Peters, who incorrectly blames Donald Trumps 2020 election loss on voter fraud, is accused of conspiring to steal a local tech workers identity, unlawfully breach voting machines in her offices care, and leaking the machines information to conspiracy theorists like Lindellwho falsely claimed that the data revealed election tampering. Story continues Colorado prosecutors claim that Frank held a meeting with Peters and other county clerk staffers in April 2021 to discuss the countys voting machines and how they might be accessed. During that meeting, prosecutors say, Peters asked whether Frank could open the voting machines. Frank replied that doing so would be illegal. But he suggested putting Peters in touch with a team for an audit of the machines. He later told The New Yorker that he contacted Lindell about hiring people to make backups of the machines. A federal probe of the breach also appears to be underway. After Lindells phone was seized at Hardee's on Tuesday, the MyPillow CEO shared a copy of a search warrant that indicated an investigation into him and other people associated with the Mesa County breach. Another Lindell ally, election conspiracy theorist Jeff ODonnell previously suggested that others had been contacted by the FBI on Tuesday. Yep FBI visited Mike today (and others), ODonnell wrote on Telegram on Tuesday, shortly after Lindells phone was taken, but before Frank claims his phone was seized. I was not one of them for those who might wonder. Tina Peters Prohibited From Attending Mike Lindells Bonkers Voter Fraud Summit ODonnell has worked closely with Mesa County election deniers, issuing a report in Peters defense earlier this year. Mesa Countys district attorney debunked the report, showing video evidence that proved its key claims to be false. Its unclear who else, if anyone, was the subject of a subpoena this week. Lindells search warrant described an investigation into him, Tina Peters, Conan James Hayes, Belinda Knisley, Sandra Brown, Sherronna Bishop, and Douglas Frank, among other co-conspirators known and unknown to the government. Reached by phone on Wednesday, Peters did not comment on Lindell's subpoena but instead called for the arrest of Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold. (A Griswold spokesperson did not return a request for comment.) Peters ran for Griswolds office earlier this year but lost in the Republican primaries. Peters accused state officials of cheating in the race, telling campaign supporters that looking at the results, its just so obvious that it should be flipped. She raised more than $250,000 for a recount of the race, which confirmed her loss by 88,578 votes. Asked about searches of her property, Peters told The Daily Beast that I was raided on a fishing expedition in November, related to the state-level case against her. Reached for comment, Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubenstein said the search, which was conducted by FBI agents and state-level investigators, was a parallel investigation involving state and federal cases. That same day, FBI agents also searched the home of Sherronna Bishop, an associate of Peters in Colorados election-denier scene. Bishop later claimed in a live stream that the agents were looking for evidence of a wire fraud conspiracy. Bishop did not return The Daily Beasts request for comment after Lindells subpoena. When asked on Wednesday about warrants for her phone, she told The New York Times that there was nothing to report here. Hayes, Knisley, and Brown could not be reached for comment. Lindell did not return a request for comment, nor did his fellow home goods mogul-turned-conspiracy theorist Patrick Byrne, a former CEO of Overstock who told the Times that he paid Hayes approximately $200,000 a year. Byrne previously claimed that he FaceTimed with Hayes while Hayes used Mesa County credentials to pose as a computer nerd and access the countys voting machines. This story has been updated to include comment from the FBI. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Associated Press The long goodbye for Queen Elizabeth II is a reminder of a broader truth playing out with little fanfare across Britain: The nation is bidding farewell to the men and women who fought the countrys battles during World War II. The queen, who served as a mechanic and truck driver in the last months of the war, was a tangible link to the sailors, soldiers, airmen, marines and others who signed up to do their bit in a war that killed 384,000 service personnel and 70,000 British civilians. Taiwans Foreign Ministry condemned organizers at the 2022 World Congress on Innovation & Technology (WCIT) in Penang, Malaysia, for stopping beauty queen Kao Man-jung from waving the islands flag and joining other pageant contestants on stage. Photos and video, shared by Taoyuan Department of Information Technology Director-General Karen Yu on Facebook, show the Taiwanese beauty queen visibly upset and in tears during the opening ceremony of the WCIT on Tuesday. She is one of over 40 contestants in the running to become the next Miss Asia Global on Sept. 18. More from NextShark: Chinese parents sue daughter they abandoned for not buying her brother an apartment In a statement on Wednesday, Taiwans Foreign Ministry accused China of putting pressure on the event organizers, calling the country a bully. [The incident] highlights how the totalitarian government of the Chinese Communist Party continues to oppress Taiwanese people with cruel acts and forces the international community to accept its one-sided claims and lies, the ministry wrote. The Taiwanese people have the right to show their own flag and their identity internationally. WCIT organizers later apologized to Kao, claiming that they could not allow her to go on stage because of a last-minute change, Yu wrote. More from NextShark: 100-million-year-old dinosaur footprints discovered at restaurant in China Malaysia strictly follows the one-China policy, and since this is a national event, we are obliged to follow and protect the countrys pledge in supporting the policy, Sean Seah, the events organizing chairman, told Free Malaysia Today. Running a global event like this, we are bound by guidelines. We are unable to take any position on this. Featured Image via Karen Yu More from NextShark: Chinese mother goes on TV to beg vlogger daughter with 6 cats to find a job and a man Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' subtitles panned by Taiwanese viewers for 'over-translating' A doctor draws the Moderna COVID-19 booster vaccine targeting BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron sub variants in the US. (PHOTO: Reuters) SINGAPORE The new Moderna COVID-19 booster vaccine that targets the original novel coronavirus strain and the Omicron variant is expected to arrive in Singapore at the end of September, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Thursday (15 September). His comments come a day after the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) gave interim approval for the use of the Moderna Spikevax bivalent vaccine. In a video posted on his Instagram account, Ong echoed HSAs statement on the effectiveness of the Moderna bivalent vaccine. Yes, it is effective. Data from the clinical trial showed that it elicits a strong protection effect against both (original and later) variants, and in particular against Omicron. The vaccine comprises two components that target the original SARS-CoV-2 strain and the Omicron BA.1 variant, HSA said. The preliminary data from an exploratory analysis also suggested that the vaccine may stimulate antibodies against Omicron BA.4/5, as well as other variants such as Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Gamma, HSA added. Ong said that HSA is also evaluating the Pfizer bivalent vaccine. The authorities are finalising the arrangements for the Moderna bivalent vaccine and will update the public later, he added. In a separate statement on Wednesday, Moderna said it is working with HSA and the government to make the vaccine available in Singapore later this month. The technology of vaccines that work against different strains of viruses is not new, Ong said. Influenza vaccines, for instance, are quadrivalent vaccines that target four types of influenza virus strains, he added. Moderna's previous vaccine, which targets the original COVID-19 strain, is one of two vaccines based on the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) technology that have been approved for use under Singapores national vaccination programme the other is produced by Pfizer-BioNTech. Novavaxs Nuvaxovid is one of two non-mRNA shots approved for use under the programme, alongside the CoronaVac developed by Sinovac. Story continues As of Wednesday, 93 per cent of Singapores population have received their shots from the primary vaccination series while 80 per cent have received their booster shots. As of Thursday, there have been a total of 1.87 million COVID-19 cases and 1,605 deaths from the disease. Yahoo Singapore Telegram Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube. NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will come face-to-face on Friday for the first time since deadly border clashes in 2020 frayed ties between the Asian rivals. Modi will fly to the Uzbek city of Samarkand on Thursday for a summit of the regional security group known as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which will also be attended by Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "At the SCO summit, I look forward to exchanging views on topical, regional and international issues, the expansion of SCO and on further deepening of multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation within the organisation," Modi said in a statement https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1859532. He said a number of decisions on trade, the economy, culture and tourism were expected to be taken at the summit. The event comes after Indian and Chinese soldiers this week disengaged at a disputed area along a remote western Himalayan border after more than two years of a standoff. Modi and Xi have not spoken to each other since the standoff began. India's foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra told a news conference on Thursday that Modi would have bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit on Friday but declined to confirm a one-on-one with Xi. China has also not confirmed a meeting between the two leaders. The SCO's permanent members are China, India, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan. Russia has already confirmed a bilateral meeting between Putin and Modi, during which they are expected to talk about overall trade as well as sales of Russian fertilisers and mutual food supplies. (Writing by Krishna N. DasEditing by Raissa Kasolowsky and Catherine Evans) MOSCOW (Reuters) - Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh said on Thursday that he supports the construction of oil and gas pipelines from Russia to China via Mongolia. Speaking via translator at a trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in the Uzbek city of Samarkand, Khurelsukh backed the plans, proposing studies of their economic feasability. Khurelsukh said: "We also support the construction of oil and gas pipelines to supply natural gas from Russia to China through the territory of Mongolia and propose to study this issue from the viewpoint of technical and economic justification". Russian energy giant Gazprom hopes to build the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline via Mongolia to China with a view to exporting 50 billion cubic metres of gas per year via the route by 2030. No plans for an oil pipeline via Mongolia have yet been formally proposed. (Reporting by Reuters) Monica Lewinsky on Tuesday responded to the death of former U.S. Solicitor General Ken Starr, who led the Whitewater investigation into former President Clinton and his relationship with the then-White House intern. As Im sure many can understand, my thoughts about Ken Starr bring up complicated feelings but of more importance, is that I imagine its a painful loss for those who love him, Lewinsky shared on Twitter Tuesday after news of Starrs passing broke. The Whitewater investigation was initially an examination of Clintons real estate dealings and work on the Whitewater Development Corporation, but later expanded to encompass Clintons relationship with then-intern Lewinsky. The ordeal, which forced Lewinsky into the limelight, eventually made her a self-dubbed anti-bullying activist. She was an executive producer of the 2021 HBO Max documentary 15 Minutes of Shame, which looked at the culture of public shaming, and a producer for FXs American Crime Story: Impeachment, which chronicles Lewinskys relationship with Clinton and the surrounding events, including the release of The Starr Report. The prosecutors 1998 report to Congress shared explicit details of the relationship and argued that Clinton had lied to the American people about the affair, suggesting the lie may be grounds for impeachment. Clinton was impeached, but then was acquitted in the Senate. Starr wrote in a 2018 memoir, I deeply regret that I took on the Lewinsky phase of the investigation. But at the same time, as I still see it twenty years later, there was no practical alternative to my doing so, as quoted in The New York Times. More than two decades after the Starr report was released, Starr joined former President Trumps defense team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. He died Tuesday in Houston, Texas, at age 76. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. White House Monkeypox Response Team Despite continuing drops in cases in the United States, public health officials are concerned that monkeypox continues to spread in communities of color where vaccination rates are low. The number of new MPV cases has dropped by nearly half since early August, according to White House MPV response coordinator Bob Fenton. Vaccinations and education efforts contributed to the decrease in new cases, Biden administration officials said during a briefing with the media on Thursday. Nearly 11,000 vaccination doses were administered in a pilot program targeting large Pride events across the country. "In places like Atlanta, where we've worked closely with the public health community to surge vaccines and information around events like Black Pride, the rate of new cases has steadily declined," Fenton said. "In D.C., the new cases have declined 20 percent, on average, per week since they peaked in mid-July." As of September 14, there were close to 23,000 MPV cases in the United States, out of more than 59,600 detected worldwide in 103 countries, according to Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In spite of the decline in new cases, Walensky said, "we have also seen the racial and ethnic makeup of this outbreak evolve" over the past several weeks. Deputy coordinator for the White House MPV response Dr. Demetre Daskalakis said MPV cases are now concentrated in gay, bisexual, and other men of color who have sex with men causing rises in case counts in communities of color while cases nationally are declining. "While monkeypox cases were first seen predominantly in non-Hispanic white men, in the last week, among the cases for which we have race and ethnicity data, non-Hispanic Black men represented 38 percent of cases. Latino or Hispanic men represented 25 percent of cases, and non-Hispanic white men represented 26 percent of cases," Walensky said. So far, Walensky says, over 540,000 doses of MPV vaccine have been administered, with most going to white people. Story continues "Those who are white represent about 47 percent of people who received their first dose. Those who are Hispanic represent about 21 percent, and those who are Black represent about 12 percent," Walensky said, highlighting that this is disproportionately low compared to new cases. An MPV vaccine equity pilot program has been established by the White House to increase access to vaccines in communities of color that the virus has hardest hit, Daskalakis said. "It is critical that education, vaccinations, testing, and treatment are equally accessible to all populations, but especially those most affected by ... this outbreak," Walensky said. According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, scientists continue to study MPV's transmission, testing, and vaccines. "As we implement the interventions that we have, simultaneously we still pursue some unanswered questions," Fauci said. As he explained, one clinical trial examines the intradermal administration of the Jynneos vaccine. As part of the trial, doctors will test if clinicians can use one vial of vaccine to extract up to ten doses in one go by injecting it into the skin. Each vial can be stretched into five doses currently. "If, in fact, one to 10 works, that will immediately double the number of doses available on an international scale," he said. Walensky said the administration is optimistic but still cautioning against taking the foot off the gas. "We approach this news with cautious optimism," Walensky said at the briefing. "We must continue to aggressively respond with our entire toolkit." For more information about monkeypox visit the CDC's website here. Christine Walters, 65, was take into custody at the property on burglary charges (Bullhead City Police Department ) Officers responding to the scene of a burglary in northwest Arizona over the weekend found a mummified body inside a bathtub in the property, officials say. The grim discovery came on Saturday morning when the Bullhead City Police Department said in a statement on Facebook that it was called to the 100 block of Palm Avenue for a possible burglary in progress. When officers entered the home, a dead body was found in the bathtub in the property in a mummified state. It remains unclear how long the body had been inside the bathtub, although a neighbour told officers that they had not seen the home owner for more than a year. Christine Walters, a 65-year-old woman, was meanwhile arrested at the scene and charged with two counts of burglary. The arrest and the death of the home owner are thought to be unrelated. Police said she was found rummaging through property at the home, which had pry marks on the front door indicating forced entry into the home. The department said officers learned that Ms Walters had previously been at the address on 8 September and removed purses, bags and clothing of the victim to attempt to sell online. Further charges are expected against the woman, who police say was in possession of the victims birth certificate, tax paperwork, drivers licence, and credit cards, as well as drug paraphernalia items and a useable amount of methamphetamine, police said. Ms Walter was booked into the Mohave County Jail in Kingman, Arizona. It was not clear if she had entered a plea or had an attorney. Earl Scruggs The Cleveland County Music Hall of Fame, in partnership with the Don Gibson Theatre, will host the inaugural induction ceremony Saturday. Heres what you need to know if you want to go: Honorees Earl Scruggs and Don Gibson, both natives of Shelby, highlight the first class. Joining them are legendary disc jockey Hugh Dover, who worked at local stations WOHS in Shelby and WKMT in Kings Mountain, Bobby Rogers, owner of Bobbys Music Shop and Rogers Theatre, Kings Mountain native and renowned record producer Ron Feemster, and JB and Kathleen Lewis as well as Herman and Jean Dawson, owners of J&K Records. Songs Along with the performers getting inducted into the Hall, two songs performed by former Cleveland County residents Alicia Bridges and Patty Loveless will be inducted. Released in 1978, Disco classic I Love the Nightlife, co-written and performed by Lawndale native Alicia Bridges, went to number two on the US Billboard National Disco Action Top 30 chart for two weeks. It became a crossover hit, peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, and found worldwide success, reaching the top 10 in Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands and South Africa. A re-release in 1994 allowed the song to reach number four in New Zealand and number five in Iceland. Released in May 1989 as a single from former Kings Mountain resident Patty Loveless third studio album Honky Tonk Angel, "Timber, I'm Falling in Love" was Loveless' first No. 1 record on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart. The song charted for 18 weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart, reaching the top of the chart during the week of Aug. 12, 1989. Don Gibson Performers Performing both songs to be inducted will be one of Cleveland Countys most popular bands, Crimson Rose. Additional performers include The Jacktown Ramblers, Carolina-The Band, Dale Brittain with Randy Saxon and Randy Escobedo. The Dancing Fleas, Chris Ferree and the Medicine Crow and Bobby Hicks will join the performers on stage with a full stage jam session at the end of the program. Story continues Details Dinner will begin at 6 p.m. followed by the ceremony at 7:30 p.m. at the Don Gibson Theatre, 318 S. Washington St., Shelby. Tickets range from $27.50 to $52.50 including fees. For more information go to ccmusichalloffame.org or call 704-692-5246. This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Music Hall of Fame induction event set for Saturday in Shelby Parade Lets be honest: Feeling anxious from time to time is something we all experience. Whether its work stress, financial stress or relationship problems, there are many different things that can trigger anxiety. And one of the biggest sources of anxiety for people is their health. Health anxiety can ... A former Massachusetts town official pleaded guilty on Wednesday to joining a mob in storming the U.S. Capitol after she organized a bus trip to Washington, D.C., for fellow members of a right-wing group called Super Happy Fun America. Before her guilty plea, Suzanne Ianni had argued in February that federal authorities had selectively targeted her for prosecution based on her political beliefs. Prosecutors said her political views played no role in charging her with crimes for her conduct at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. A judge rejected Iannis request to dismiss the case before she pleaded guilty. Ianni, 60, of Natick, Massachusetts, faces a maximum sentence of six months of imprisonment and five years of probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct in a Capitol building. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols is scheduled to sentence her on Dec. 2. Ianni was an elected member of Natick Town Meeting in a Boston suburb while serving as operation director of Super Happy Fun America, which gained national notoriety for organizing a Straight Pride Parade in Boston in 2019. On its website, Super Happy Fun America calls itself a right of center civil rights organization focusing on defending the Constitution, opposing gender madness and defeating cultural Marxism. The group registered as a nonprofit with Massachusetts state regulators. A Dec. 29, 2020, post on the groups Twitter account said Super Happy Fun America members would be in Washington to get wild. Ianni was listed as the contact for the trip. The account also tweeted a photo of Ianni and other members on a bus traveling to Washington on the eve of the riot. After marching to the Capitol, she joined a crowd chanting Fight for Trump! and Our house! while rioters near her broke windows, forced open doors and breached police barricades. Surveillance video captured Ianni marching through the Capitol after she entered the building through a Senate fire-exit door. She raised her fist in the air in front of police officers who stopped her and other members of the mob, prosecutors said in a court filing. Story continues Mark Sahady, another Super Happy Fun America member, was arrested on Capitol riot-related charges that havent been resolved. In April 2021, Natick Town Meeting members voted to condemn the Capitol riot. Ianni, who was elected to a three-year term that was due to expire in March 2022, told the MetroWest Daily News that the vote represented political persecution of conservatives. Also on Wednesday, a Nevada man pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement officers at the Capitol with what appeared to be a table leg, injuring an officer. Josiah Kenyon, 35, of Winnemucca, Nevada, is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 15. Kenyon was dressed up as Jack Skellington, a character from the movie The Nightmare Before Christmas, when he attacked police. More than 870 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Jan. 6 riot. Approximately 400 of them have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors, and over 250 have been sentenced. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes speaks during a news conference in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Aug. 27, 2020. (Photo: Morry Gash via Associated Press) Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes speaks during a news conference in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Aug. 27, 2020. (Photo: Morry Gash via Associated Press) On Sept. 2, the National Republican Senatorial Committee began airing a $1.2 million advertisement online and television attack ad against Mandela Barnes, the Democratic for Senate candidate in Wisconsin, with powerful footage that was likely painful for many people in the state: a car plowing into a crowd gathered for a Christmas parade in Waukesha last winter. Six people died and 62 were injured. The ads exploitation of the tragedy was in service of attacking Barnes for his stance on eliminating cash bail for certain crimes falsely. And the slow-motion images of the suspect in the case, Darrell Brooks, who is Black, in an ad attacking Barnes, who is also Black, outraged some Democrats who likened the spot to George H.W. Bushs infamous Willie Horton ad in 1988. They are taking a horrific tragedy and incident, they want to tie things together and say thats Mandela Barnes, and that is his campaign to create these racist ideas in the minds of voters, said Zachary Mueller, the political director at Americas Voice, a pro-immigration advocacy group. The ad heavily implies that Brooks could not have committed the parade massacre if he wasnt bailed out of jail for a previous crime and attacks Barnes cash bail plan, which he sponsored in 2016 when he was a state legislator. But there are several factual issues with that line of attack. Brooks was arrested weeks prior to the incident for hitting his girlfriend with the same vehicle he allegedly used in the parade attack during a domestic dispute. He was charged with a second-degree felony, recklessly endangering safety, and other related charges. Two days before the Christmas parade attack, Brooks was released after posting $1,000 bail. For one, Barnes cash bail plan was never enacted in the state and had no impact on the bail a judge set for Brooks although Barnes supports ending cash bail nationally. The district attorney overseeing the case later admitted $1,000 was too low; local news outlets have reported that the DAs office didnt have full access to Brooks file and due to heavy caseloads asked for $1,000 bail without having seen it. Story continues Moreover, the 2016 bill Barnes sponsored would require a judge to hold a perpetrator in jail if they found clear evidence that the defendant would cause more harm to the community. On Barnes page, the campaign site asserts there was evidence that Brooks would have still been a danger to the community after he was legally barred from contacting his mother before the Christmas attack and the incident with his girlfriend, and therefore should not have been eligible to avoid cash bail. The Senate Leadership Fund also doubled down on political attacks against Barnes after the release of an ad on Tuesday stating that Barnes would eliminate cash bail and would set accused criminals free into the community and not being held before trial. The ad listed crimes such as shootings, robberies and violent attacks on police citing that the state of Wisconsin had over 300 homicides last year alone. None of those crimes would be eligible for bail relief under Barnes plan if the perpetrators served as a threat to society. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... Officials work the scene of a crash that left the driver dead Thursday morning after trying to get past Naval Air Station Jacksonville's Birmingham Gate and slamming into the activated security barrier. The Florida Highway Patrol said the man was fleeing a hit-and-run. A man fleeing a hit-and-run crash tried to get through one of Naval Air Station Jacksonville's gates and was killed when security triggered a protective barrier that the driver slammed into, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. It happened about 6:30 a.m. Thursday at the Birmingham Gate along Roosevelt Boulevard. The unidentified driver has no known military affiliation, according to base officials. It is unknown why he tried to enter the base, but "We do not believe in any way, shape or form that this was an intentional act as far as any type of domestic terrorism or access to the facility," Highway Patrol Master Sgt. Dylan Bryan said. The man was in a rental car when the initial hit-and-run happened about 6 a.m. at Roosevelt and Timuquana Road. Bryan said it was "very minor in nature," but the driver fled south almost 3 miles on Roosevelt, then made a left turn headed toward the base's secondary gate. Gate crasher: Green Cove Springs man tries to run Jacksonville NAS gate Rodney Simeon: Naval Station Man rams stolen truck into Mayport gate That gate is normally used by Navy personnel and is equipped with a security gantry checkpoint as well as massive pop-up barriers to stop unauthorized access, which is what Bryan said this driver was doing. "He sideswiped a vehicle as he was approaching the gantry, then proceeded through the gantry without stopping," Bryan said. "Military personnel on scene deployed the security measures and subsequently stopped that vehicle." Going about 40 mph on impact and not wearing a seat belt, the driver died on scene, the master sergant said. Anyone who witnessed this driver or has information is asked to contact the Naval Criminal Investigative Service at (808) 478-8353. The Birmingham Gate, which is south of the Main Gate on Yorktown Avenue, is open 5 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to the Navy. The Main Gate located on Yorktown Ave is open 24 hours. Story continues The Jacksonville Sheriff's office blocks the scene of a crash that killed a man Thursday trying to get through a barrier at Naval Air Station Jacksonville's Birmingham Gate. It's happened before In August at Jacksonville's other Navy base, Naval Station Mayport, a 40-year-old Georgia man ignored guards stationed there and crashed his Subaru into another activated barrier about 6 p.m., according to news partner First Coast News. Jason Tavares of Marietta was slurring his words and didn't know what day of the week it was, his arrest report said. A beer also was open in the front seat of his vehicle. He said he was coming from a bar, got lost and mistakenly drove past the main gate. He was uninjured but was charged with DUI, careless driving, and possession of an open container in the vehicle. In 2019 an unidentified driver tried to ram his way through Mayport's gate and crashed into a pop-up steel security barrier. The man later died of his injuries later, police said. Then less than two weeks later Rodney Simeon, a 24-year-old former Alabama State University basketball player from Miami, was arrested after trying to smash through the same gate with a stolen dump truck, authorities said. He had been involved in several crashes on Interstate 95 in St. Johns and Duval counties as he fled Palm Coast where the dump truck was heisted. Anti-terrorism/force protection exercises: Jacksonville's Navy bases conduct 2-week security drill Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield Change of command: A change at the top at Naval Air Station Jacksonville Miracle on the St. Johns: Loss of braking on rain-soaked runway deemed primary cause of jetliner crash at NAS Jacksonville He was under arrest on a Flagler County warrant for auto theft and burglary and also charged with careless driving, knowingly operating a vehicle with a suspended license and leaving the scene of an accident, according to court records. Although no possible motive was provided at the time, a ski mask and a gun were found inside the stolen truck. He had also been arrested a few days earlier on charges of destruction of evidence, suspended license, possession of marijuana and no car registration in Orange County, according to court records. In 2011 a barrier at the NAS Jacksonville Main Gate also stopped a pickup as the driver tried to get past guards and smashed into it. When he tried to run and steal a car, he was seized before he got any farther. No weapons were found in his truck. Timothy Migliore, then 45 of Green Cove Springs, was charged with attempted carjacking, resisting an officer without violence, trespassing, criminal mischief and possession of a controlled substance, according to jail records. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity, court records show. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Driver killed attempting to get into Naval Air Station Jacksonville LELAND, N.C. (AP) A North Carolina charter school is petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider an appeals court ruling that the school violated female students constitutional rights by requiring them to wear skirts. In June, a majority of the full U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals found that the dress code at Charter Day School in Leland violated female students equal protection rights. The courts majority concluded that since public charter schools receive public funds theyre state actors and subject to the Constitutions equal protection clause. In its petition, the school asks the Supreme Court to review and reverse the 4th Circuits decision, arguing that its a privately run school that receives public funding through its charter, and therefore its not a government-run entity, The StarNews reported. School officials said in a news release Monday that the decision threatens the model. This holding undoes the central feature of charter schools by treating their private operators as the constitutional equivalent of government-run schools, school officials said. North Carolina state law protects charter schools as independent institutions exempt from rules and regulations applicable to public school districts, the school argued. School founder Baker Mitchell has said the dress code was intended to create a code of conduct where women are treated, theyre regarded as a fragile vessel that men are supposed to take care of and honor. For now, the dress code has been changed to allow girls to wear pants in line with the court ruling. NCAA scouts were in Sacramento on Wednesday touring the city as a potential host for the womens Final Four tournament between 2027 and 2031. Sacramento is one of the seven finalists for the tournament. If awarded to Sacramento, the NCAA Women's Final Four would be the biggest tournament of its kind to be held in the city. The scouts examined the arena as well as the neighboring bars, restaurants and hotels. Everything from what the competition venue experience would be like for our four teams. We have representatives that tour hotels. We also have a lot of events that take place during that weekend. We scope out a lot of those venue opportunities, said Lynn Holzman, the NCAA vice president for womens basketball. A suspect has been arrested in a 50-year-old murder cold case thanks to DNA from the alleged perpetrators son. Tudor Chirila was a 27-year-old grad assistant at the University of Hawaii when he allegedly stabbed 19-year-old Nancy Elaine Anderson to death on 7 January 1972, local TV station Hawaii News Now reported. She was found with several stab wounds by her roommate, who was sleeping in their Waikiki apartment at the time of the killing. In 2020, Honolulu Police Department (HPD) partnered with a Virginia-based lab to create a profile with DNA retrieved from the scene. The next year they received a tip about Mr Chirila, now 77, but were unable to test his DNA. A breakthrough in the investigation came earlier this year when Mr Chirilas son, who lives in California, agreed to provide his DNA. After obtaining a partial match which suggested the DNA belonged to a relative the department was able to obtain a warrant to obtain Mr Chirilas DNA. Mr Chirila, who now lives in Nevada, was arrested in Reno and is waiting for extradition to Hawaii, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported. Nancy Elaine Anderson was stabbed to death in 1972 (HPD) Her body was found by her roomate inside their Waikiki apartment (HPD) HPD had exhausted investigative efforts before asking Parabon NanoLabs to create a prediction of the suspects physical appearance at the time of the crime. According to the rendering, the suspect was of southern and southeastern European heritage, brown or hazel eyes and brown or black hair. Anderson, who had moved to Hawaii from Michigan, had at least five stab wounds in her neck, chest, and abdomen, according to the Advertiser. HPD had exhausted investigative efforts before asking Parabon NanoLabs to create a prediction of the suspects physical appearance at the time of the crime. (HPD) Her roommate told police she was taking a nap before she found the body. She said she had seen Anderson with two male salesmen hours before. Although the department was initially unable to test Mr Chirilas DNA, their son agreed to provide his. A search warrant was obtained for Mr Chirilas DNA on 1 September, and a positive match came back eleven days later. He was arrested on second-degree murder charges on Tuesday. A 20-year-old Newport News man pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiring to swindle four Navy sailors out of $40,000 through Tinder and other dating apps. Samari Smith will be sentenced in January for one charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison for his direct involvement in defrauding four Hampton Roads-based Navy sailors, a release from the Eastern District of Virginia said, but federal sentences are often less than the maximum penalties. According to the release, Samari Smith conspired with at least four other people from April to August 2021, targeting the sailors by posing as women on dating apps interested in a romantic relationship. (Samari) Smith and his co-conspirators asked the victimized sailors to withdraw and turnover funds often under the guise of helping a relative in the Navy who was trying to send them money, the release said. Two co-conspirators previously pleaded guilty, including 21-year-old Trequan Smith who federal prosecutors described as the leader of the conspiracy and Emani Burton, 23. Similar to Samari Smith, Burton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and was sentenced to serve one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The broader fraud conspiracy orchestrated by Trequan Smith, a Hampton resident, victimized dozens of sailors, at least 25 of which were stationed in Hampton Roads, and caused $360,000 of fraud loss. He pleaded guilty in March in U.S. District Court in Newport News to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in exchange for prosecutors agreeing to dismiss four other counts. Court documents from Trequan Smiths plea stated most of the targeted sailors were junior members of the Navy with limited financial means. The individual losses ranged from $1,000 in one case to $91,000 in another. Caitlyn Burchett, 727-267-6059, caitlyn.burchett@virginiamedia.com Nick Cannon attends day 3 of SiriusXM At Super Bowl LVI. Cindy Ord / Getty Images for SiriusXM Nick Cannon announced that his ninth child was born on Wednesday. It is his first child with Lanisha Cole and her name is Onyx Ice Cole Cannon. This comes weeks after announcing he is expecting another child with Brittany Bell. Nick Cannon announced the birth of his ninth child, his first with model Lanisha Cole. While in the past Cannon has announced that he is expecting children before they were born, he shared no news about his child with Cole until after she gave birth to his ninth child, Onyx Ice Cole Cannon. Cannon shared the news on Instagram with a picture of himself, Onyx, and Cole, with his song "I Do" playing in the background. "Introducing ONYX ICE COLE CANNON Once again Today I am in Awe of the Devine Feminine! God has given me and @MissLanishaCole the privilege of hosting an Angel here on earth," Cannon captioned the post. "I vow to protect, provide, guide and love this child to the best of my abilities." He added in the caption: "As we all know I am not easily triggered and have quite tough skin and have always been an open book but not everyone in my family has that same level of strength. So I pray and ask others to please project all criticism and cynicism towards ME and not the loving and precious Mothers of my children." Cannon ended the caption by asking fans to pray for him and his entire family. Cole also shared videos of her baby shower and Cannon with his newborn daughter on her own Instagram. "The joy that I feel as a mother is something that has forever opened up my heart in a huge new way. She's surrounded by so much love and I'm already obsessed with her!" the model said in an Instagram Story. Cannon has had nine children with six women, most of whom arrived in the past two years. He has 11-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe with Mariah Carey; a five-year-old son, Golden, and a one-year-old daughter, Powerful Queen, with Brittany Bell; one-year-old twins, Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir, with Abby De La Rosa; and a six-week-old son, Legendary Love, with Bre Tiesi. Story continues Cannon also had a son, Zen, with Alyssa Scott, who died in 2021 from brain cancer at the age of five months. Last month, Cannon shared the news that he is expecting another child with Bell with a video of the couple posing together for a photoshoot. Cannon with three of his children Moroccan, Monroe and Golden. Frazer Harrison / KCA2018 / Getty Images for Nickelodeon / Daniel Knighton / Getty Images Over the last year, Nick Cannon discussed going celibate or getting a vasectomy to stop having more kids. However, in June, Cannon revealed on the "Lip Service" podcast that he broke the vow of celibacy he made last year after Zen died. He said that he had more children on the way, but did not say exactly how many. "I didn't even make it to January," he said. "I was supposed to make it to the top of the year. Then obviously I started going through some stuff. I got depressed with the loss of my son. So in December, everybody saw I was so down. So everybody was like, 'Let's just give him a little vagina, and that's gonna cure it all.'" Cannon continued: "I fell victim to it 'cause I was in a weak state. So December, especially right before Christmas, I started fucking like crazy." Read the original article on Insider Nick Saban didn't enter into a full-on rant, but he certainly got on edge at one point in his press conference Wednesday. Which isn't terribly surprising. Alabama football has a game coming up with a Group of Five opponent. The top-ranked Crimson Tide (2-0) will face Louisiana-Monroe (1-1) on Saturday (4 p.m. ET, SEC Network). Saban saw his opportunity to get a message across to the team when he was asked how hard it can be to gauge offensive growth when quality of opponent can vary. Then Saban got rolling for about 90 seconds. "That's your opinion on quality of opponent," Saban said. "It's not mine. I respect all the people that we play and I respect winning and what you have to do to win." Then the message became much more specific to the Crimson Tide players who will be on the field against the Warhawks. "Every player should not be focused on who they are playing against relative to the motivation, but every player should want to be the best player they can be," Saban said. "Why would it matter, whether we're playing Texas or playing somebody else? That's how you get good, that's how you develop the right habits. That's how you're consistent." Then Saban went back to his days coaching in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns (as defensive coordinator) and Miami Dolphins (as head coach). He mentioned how when he evaluated players, he didn't pay attention to whom they were playing against. "That means when we play a team that is not as good as somebody else, you don't play as good?" Saban asked. "You let the opponent determine how you play? You let the score determine how you play? You determine where you're playing, that determines how you play? When you get evaluated, what does somebody think? 'Oh this guy is pretty good at home. I don't think we'll draft him.'" Nick Saban had a message for his Alabama players during his Wednesday press conference. Time to panic in Tuscaloosa?: Alabama, Texas lead five biggest overreactions from Week 2 in college football Misery Index Week 2: Jimbo Fisher continues to rob Texas A&M in broad daylight Story continues What's next for Notre Dame?: Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner out for the season Saban then told a cautionary tale, referencing some Week 2 matchups. "What does what you're favored in a game mean when you're favored by 20 points and you lose?" Saban said. "Like two teams did this week? What does it mean? It means the people favoring you don't know what you're talking about, or the players playing got affected by that. Neither one of them are good." The matchups to which he was referring were likely Texas A&M losing to Appalachian State and Notre Dame losing to Marshall. This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Nick Saban goes on mini-rant directed at Alabama players Celebrity gossiper Marley Green, known to her online followers as Nosey Heaux, has had a lot to say about Nicki Minaj and it appears her distasteful words may cost her big time. According to The FADER, the rapper has filed a $75,000 lawsuit against Green over comments the vlogger made regarding her alleged use of illegal substances. The complaint was filed in New York on Wednesday, Sept. 14. In it, Minajs attorney Judd Burstein, accuses Green of defamation, claiming shes lying about the rappers drug use. The comments in question stem from a video Green shared on social media in which Green makes allegations that Nicki Minaj does cocaine and refers to the rapper as a cokehead. [Nickis] shoving all this cocaine up her nose, Green exclaimed in the viral video that has since been retweeted nearly 300 times since Monday. Allegedly. But we all know its true. F***listen, I cant even say allegedly with that because Iwe know its true. Im not saying allegedly on that. Nicki Minaj is a cokehead. The complaint also says that Green made a vile comment about Minajs one-year-old son, whom she affectionately calls Papa Bear. According to the complaint, Green says Minajs son is going to be a rapist, too, referencing Minajs husband, Kenneth Petty who was convicted of attempted rape in 1995 and served four years in prison. Minaj and her legal team believe that Green is working for an unidentified enemy of the rapper who also happens to be a performer as well. The allegations read: On information and belief, and as discovery will likely reveal, Green has been acting as a proxy for another performer who, mistakenly believing that she and Plaintiff are stars of equal stature, has repeatedly used other social media intermediaries in a hopeless effort to advance her career at Plaintiffs expense. However, the fact that Green was acting at the behest of another does not make her conduct less egregious or excuse her from the consequences of the damages she has caused Plaintiff to suffer. Story continues Although Minajs legal team refers to Green as someone whose main accomplishments in life have been a string of criminal charges, bail jumping and bad debts, per TMZ, the rap star is adamant that does not use cocaine and does not want to run the risk of someone believing the lies cooked up by the social media personality. So, not only is Minaj asking for $75,000 in damages, but shes also asking for the Nosey Heaux name. When this case is over, she will no longer be permitted to use the name Nosey Heaux because we will take her trademark from her when she does not have enough money to pay the judgment, Burstein said in a statement to The FADER. Anyone else who spreads lies about Nicki will suffer a similar fate. My marching orders are to aggressively sue anyone with a media or social media following who damages her with intentional lies. Eventually, the lesson will be learned. Meanwhile, Green has spoken out about how Minaj has harassed her since she released the video alleging the stars drug use. Nicki Minaj is unhinged and harassing me on Instagram. She doxxed me and sent her Barbz to threaten to kill me, tweeted the vlogger. Shes been commenting under my IG posts since like 24 hours ago. No one around her is smart enough to just take her phone. San Diego State (1-1) at No. 14 Utah (1-1), Saturday, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN2) Line: Utah by 20 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Series record: Utah leads 17-13-1. WHATS AT STAKE? The Utes have a chance to win game No. 300 against Mountain West teams by beating the Aztecs. Utah was a member of the league before joining the Pac-12 in 2011. Since that switch, the Utes have gone 28-4 in nonconference games during the regular season. One of those losses was last year to the Aztecs in a three-overtime thriller (33-31). San Diego State lost to Arizona in the opener and bounced back last weekend by beating Idaho State, 38-7. Utah had a similar bounce-back, losing at Florida before routing Southern Utah 73-7 in a home opener. Utah boasts a 79-25 home mark under coach Kyle Whittingham. KEY MATCHUP Led by defensive tackle Junior Tafuna, the Utes held Southern Utah to just 85 total yards. Thats the sixth-fewest in program history. They also held the Thunderbirds to only four first downs. Tafuna played a big role with three tackles and an interception. The Aztecs enter the game averaging 360 total yards. PLAYERS TO WATCH SDSU: Wide receiver Jesse Matthews. The former walk-on sits 13th in school history in catches (134) and checks in at 26th in yards receiving (1,643). Utah: Tight end Dalton Kincaid, who had seven catches for 107 yards and two scores against Southern Utah. Kincaid was nominated for the leagues offensive player of the week honors. Hes just another target at tight end for the Utes, who already have Brant Kuithe. FACTS & FIGURES The Aztecs are 0-4 against Utah when the Utes are ranked (2004, 08, 09, 10). ... San Diego State is 7-3 versus teams from the Pac-12 since 2016. ... The Aztecs are 53-2 the last 55 times the team has rushed for 200 or more yards. ... On defense, the Aztecs have a 65-3 mark since 2011 when the opposing team scores 17 or less points. In addition, the Aztecs have won 16 of their last 17 games when they forced two or more turnovers. ... Utah has a nine-game winning streak at Rice-Eccles Stadium. ... Utah kicker Jordan Noyes received a nomination for the leagues special teams player of the week award for going 10-for-10 on extra-points and hitting a 26-yard field goal. ___ More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/ap_top25. Sign up for the APs college football newsletter: https://bit.ly/3pqZVaF KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Coach Josh Heupel's 15th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers have one final chance to work out remaining problems before diving into the Southeastern Conference portion of the season. And part of the Vols' challenge is not overlooking the Akron Zips on Saturday night to a looming home game against No. 18 Florida. The challenge every week is really us, Heupel said. And we talk about that every week. Our players have to buy into it." Tennessee is coming off a 34-27 overtime road win at then-No. 17 Pittsburgh, and the Vols (2-0) survived mistakes by the offense and special teams thanks to a defense that rose to the challenge to escape with the big victory. Heupel didn't think Tennessee practiced as well as expected a couple times last week, which showed up at times against Pittsburgh. Our preparation has to be consistent, your process of how you approach and get to game day is what takes you to game day to play your best football, Heupel said. "If you ever deviate from that plan and change it, youre setting yourself up for failure. Akron (1-1) is coming off a 52-0 rout at the hands of then-No. 14 Michigan State. Coach Joe Moorhead understands the test waiting for his Zips. The 72 Dolphins and the 85 Bears were busy this week, so from a scheduling standpoint, well go with Tennessee, Moorhead deadpanned. Theyll be riding high. Theyre explosive on offense, stingy on defense and play hard on special teams. Tennessee linebacker Solon Page III said the Vols are working on consistency no matter the opponent. We do not overlook anybody, so we are going to go out there with the same work ethic, Page said. "We are going to go out there and prepare for them just like we prepare for anybody. TOPS IN SEC The Volunteers are scoring 46.5 points a game, which leads the SEC and ranks 14th nationally. Tennessee has scored at least 30 points in five straight games. The Vols also are averaging 492.5 yards per game in total offense, second in the SEC and 23rd nationally. Wide receiver Jalin Hyatt said they want to be the best. Story continues We want to be the best offense in the country, Hyatt said. Hendon Hooker threw for 325 yards and 2 TDs against Pitt to earn SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors. He has thrown four TD passes with no interceptions through two games. BIG QUESTION MARK Who the Zips start at quarterback is a question. Moorhead said starter DJ Irons left the Michigan State game with a lower body injury and is day-to-day. Irons has thrown for 399 yards and 2 touchdowns this season. Irons also is the second-leading rusher with 44 net yards. His backup, Jeff Undercuffler, has thrown for 80 yards. DEFENSIVE VOLS Tennessee has forcied multiple turnovers in three straight games going back to last season, and the Vols also have at least one interception in four straight games. They have four takeaways this season and are allowing 18.5 points a game. LATE CHANGE While college football schedules are made years in advance, this game was a late change less than a year ago. When Heupel arrived at Tennessee, he and athletic director Danny White got Army and its triple-option offense off the schedule by paying $100,000 to break the contract. Akron came on the schedule, giving the Vols two games against Mid-American Conference teams in three weeks to open this season. PRIME TIME MILESTONE This will be the 50th anniversary of the first night game at Neyland Stadium. On Sept. 16, 1972, No. 7 Tennessee topped No. 6 Penn State 28-21. ___ More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/ap_top25. Sign up for the APs college football newsletter: https://bit.ly/3pqZVaF Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Nick Saban doesnt have to give his players a history lesson. The Alabama coach need only point to last weekends Sun Belt Conference stunners ahead of Saturdays game against Louisiana-Monroe, incidentally the architect of the most humbling loss of his tenure in Tuscaloosa. His current players werent out of elementary school at the time. The second-ranked Crimson Tide (2-0), who tumbled from the top spot after barely surviving against Texas, host the Warhawks (1-1) on the heels of a huge week for ULMs Sun Belt Conference brethren. Sun Belt teams pulled off upsets of Texas A&M, Notre Dame and Nebraska. That should get the Tide players attention. Saban, for one, cant forget a stunning 21-14, 2007 loss to the Warhawks in his first season. I dont forget things, so I remember when these guys beat us, the 70-year-old coach said. I know that our players wont remember that because history sometimes is not that important. And they were probably only, what would you say, 5-6 years old when that happened. But it kind of is what it is. The players wont remember that, but they couldn't forget the Aggies and other recent Sun Belt victims. It just shows you cant get complacent, Alabama safety DeMarcco Hellams said. We have to take all our opponents seriously. We have to prepare for every opponent the same way. Were just preparing this week to make sure were not one of those teams. Those fresh upsets aside, ULM coach Terry Bowden knows Alabama has four- and five-star recruits and NFL prospects all over the field. Quite obviousy, coaches are coaches and youd like to think that we had an impact on the game, but 99% of the time the team that has the best football players wins, said Bowden, a former Auburn coach. His team is a seven-touchdown underdog, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. BAMA RECEIVERS Alabama is still waiting for a breakout game from a receiver, any receiver. Nobody has consistently stepped up in replacing Jameson Williams and John Metchie III, though there are talented candidates like Jermaine Burton, Traeshon Holden and freshman Kobe Prentiss. Story continues Speedy Louisville transfer Tyler Harrell hasn't played this season with a foot injury and remains out this week. Hopefully, he'll be back sometime soon, Saban said. LATU'S RETURN Alabama tight end Cameron Latu returned in the Texas game from an injury that sidelined him much of the preseason camp. Latu had four catches for 28 yards, including two 5-yarders on the drive for the winning field goal. He's trying to rebuild that connection with quarterback Bryce Young. Were going to keep connecting, building the relationship weve been doing after practice, trying to catch up on the time we missed, Latu said. Were going to get back to where it was. PLAYING TEXAS Coincidentally, both teams have already played Texas but with significantly different results. The Warhawks lost 52-10 while Alabama struggled but prevailed. FACING THE SEC ULM is 4-49-1 against current SEC members, including one of the biggest wins in program history in Tuscaloosa. The Warhawks last beat an SEC team in the 2012 opener, a 34-31 victory over No. 8 Arkansas. REALITY CHECK Bowden doesn't mince words on the talent differences, or the keys to handling such apparent mismatches. All you can do is what the teams in our conference did last week, get your guys ready to play, get them to believe that on any given day it can happen and go out and play the best you can, the ULM coach said. But the talent level is almost always the deciding factor in a ball game. ___ More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25 Sign up for the APs college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25 A 59-year-old Richardson doctor suspected of contaminating IV bags that authorities say resulted in the death of a fellow physician and injuries to patients was arrested Wednesday on a federal warrant, Star-Telegram media partner WFAA reported. Raynaldo Rivera Ortiz Jr., an anesthesiologist, has been accused of tampering with an IV at Baylor Scott & White Surgicare North Texas, WFAA reported. Authorities say his actions resulted in the death of anesthesiologist Melanie Kaspar, according to WFAA. Kaspar wasnt feeling well one day and used an IV she got from the hospital at home in an attempt to feel better. The bag was compromised, according to authorities. So far, at least seven patients have come forward saying they experienced severe, life-threatening medical emergencies while undergoing surgery at the hospital at which Ortiz works, WFAA reported. Ortiz is scheduled to make his initial appearance in court on Friday, where he may enter a plea to the charges filed against him and a federal magistrate will decide if he gets bond and, if so, how much. WFAA reported it is not clear if Ortiz has an attorney. SF Even though HIV diagnoses in San Francisco showed an increase from 2020 to 2021 possibly due to changes in testing due to COVID-19 there have also been some progress when it comes to the disease. For the first time ever, gay and bisexual men who dont inject drugs accounted for less than half of new HIV cases in the City by the Bay, according to a new report from the Department of Public Health and reported on by the Bay Area Reporter. Men who have sex with men (MSM) who dont inject drugs made up 49 percent of new HIV cases in 2021. Another incredible finding from the epidemiology report showed that no children have been diagnosed in San Francisco since 2012. The report doesnt specify whether this achievement came about because of increased testing, improved treatment, or another reason. Still, HIV cases rose 16 percent between 2020 (138) and 2021 (160), but is lower than the 173 new cases in 2019. The numbers are likely skewed because such little HIV testing took place in 2020, when COVID was raging and the city was on lockdown for much of the year. The entire city of San Francisco Californias fourth-largest city has over 15,000 residents living with HIV, 11 percent of all people living with HIV in Americas most populous state. The group is aging too; 73 percent of HIV-positive people in San Francisco are now 50 or older. The report found some groups continue to suffer disproportionately from HIV. Latino individuals make up the largest share of new HIV cases in the city, at 38 percent. Both Latino and Black San Franciscans have high rates of HIV relative to their share of the citys population. The citys unhoused population made up 24 percent of new diagnoses in 2021, the highest ever recorded number for this community. Injectable drug users saw their rates of HIV infection rise from 21 percent in 2020 to 27 percent. The latter findings parallel a report from the Centers for Disease Control that showed significant increases in overdose deaths in the early months of 2021. Still, the report indicates a remarkable recovery in testing, treatment, and PrEP access from the devastation of 2020. "We're doing pretty well in terms of getting people onto antiretrovirals quickly that's stayed pretty stable or is improving, but we're still not seeing quite as good a viral suppression rate," Dr. Susan Buchbinder, director of the Department of Public Healths Bridge HIV program, told the Reporter. Sep. 15Certain things get passed down through generations. It might be language, a way of thinking, or in Jamie Ford's case, art. The author of "The Many Daughters of Afong Moy" grew up with his dad slipping into the garage he turned into a studio to create art. Now, Ford's sons are musicians and one of his daughters is a tattoo artist. It's safe to say art is generational for the Ford family, he said at the Northwest Passages book club event Wednesday evening. "I saw just where our heads and our hearts were at," he said of contemplating his family of artists while writing "Afong Moy." That concept is something Ford explores in his new book, in part rewriting his own family history through Afong Moy and the family he imagined for her. While the novel is fiction, Afong Moy was a real woman, who came to America as a teen in 1834, and is believed to be the first Chinese woman to set foot in the United States. Little is known about her life, and she likely died in poverty. Ford grew interested in Moy in the 1990s after he found an article about her, written for Asian American Heritage Month. That interest grew, and he began to imagine how Moy's life could have been different. "The Many Daughters of Afong Moy" weaves together the story of Moy's imaginary female descendants over eight generations. Jamie Ford, a New York Times bestselling author smiles while signing copies of his latest book "The Many Daughters of Afong Moy" on Wednesday during a Northwest Passages event held at the Montvale Event Center in Spokane. (Tyler Tjomsland/The Spokesman-Review) Ford is well known for his historical fiction novels: "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet," which made itself home on the New York Times Best Seller list for two years, "Songs of Willow Frost," and "Love and other Consolation Prizes." "Afong Moy" has also been a success. It was the August book of the month for co-host of "Today" and daughter of former President George W. Bush, Jenna Bush Hager's, book club. Story continues Ford recently appeared on the Today show, which felt like a "rockstar moment." "It was surreal," he said. "I just tried to step back and enjoy the moment." The moment was made even more impactful after Ford's difficult road to publishing the novel. Partway through writing the book, he showed a draft to his editor at Random House. The editor wasn't thrilled with Ford's foray into futuristic fiction. Ford acknowledges he was known for historical fiction but hoped to break out of the box he had been put in. "I had a choice," Ford said. "Do I throw this away and write something that fits in the box or do I leave?" Ford decided to leave, but it was scary and made him unsure what to make of the book once it was published by Simon and Schuster. Bush Hager choosing the book for her book club and other celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker sharing their love for the novel has been hugely encouraging, he said. "Afong Moy" explores the very relatable feeling of the unconscious ways mothers, daughters and granddaughters are similar, traits passed down to one another. "Everyone in here, you have that moment where you're like 'Oh I'm my mother,' " Ford said, drawing laughs from the audience. The audience also burst into laughter when Ford was asked by Spokesman-Review news editor Carolyn Lamberson when he would show Spokane some love. In "Afong Moy," Spokane boasts white nationalists, wildfires and the world's worst mother in law. Including Spokane in the book, Ford said, was in part an ode to Washington State and his love for the Inland Northwest but also a surrogate for some of the places in his home state of Montana that he wanted to write about. Ford finished out the evening by offering the audience book recommendations including "What My Bones Know," by Stephanie Foo and "Normal People" by Sally Rooney. In another sign tensions are brewing between Mayor Adams and Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, the speaker pushed back Wednesday on Hizzoners demands that city agencies further cut their costs, calling such a move counterproductive. Mayor Adams called for the additional cost saving measures Monday when his Budget Director Jacques Jiha signaled to city department heads that they should prepare to cut 3% from their budgets in addition to the 3% they were required to shed as part of the mayors first adopted budget. In his memo to agency heads, Jiha targeted all city agencies including the NYPD, Health Department and Department of Correction, which were spared previous cuts and he signaled future cuts as well, until at least 2026. Speaker Adams remarks Wednesday represent her strongest critique of the mayors proposal yet. She cited recent difficulties the city has had hiring and retaining employees as part of whats guiding her rationale. Its counterproductive for the administration to further restrict city agencies that need even more capacity for hiring purposes, she said. The city has to be judicious to ensure that its making smart investments that yield long term benefits for our city and our communities, rather than broadly making cuts that can undermine the health of our neighborhoods. Her statement Wednesday came just two days after she said shed support a bill floated by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams thats intended to ban the use of solitary confinement in city jails. Mayor Adams has said for months he opposes such a ban, and on Tuesday, he doubled down on that stance, labeling the Councils proposal silly. The mayor likened banning solitary to instructing cops to stop arresting people for violent street crimes. What the City Council is saying is if someone slashes someone in jail, you do nothing with them, he said Tuesday during an appearance at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. Well, if they believe that, then dont arrest anyone for slashing someone on the street. I mean, you cant have it both ways. Story continues The mayors argument for agency-by-agency budget cuts or the Program to Eliminate the Gap, or PEG, as its also known has been a bit more nuanced. It centers on the idea that the city needs to be prepared for fiscal headwinds, which watchdogs have predicted are likely on the horizon. Theyve cited a downturn in the stock market, soon-to-expire labor contracts, inflation and rising health care costs as realities that make the city ripe for a significant budget shortfall. A recession would be deeply problematic as well. The prospect for such eventualities is what led to Jihas memo, which essentially served as a precursor to the citys November budget modification. Typically, the mayor proposes such modifications, which the Council can approve or vote down. On Wednesday, Council Speaker Adams didnt rule out the potential of a down vote. Were not really there yet. Were still considering our options when it comes to what happens in November, she told reporters. The picture is not clear what were going to be looking at in November, so the discussion is a little bit premature. The six women who testified about being sexually and psychologically tortured by disgraced neurologist Ricardo Cruciani stood together in a Manhattan courtroom Wednesday and implored a judge not to clear his name because of his suicide. Please. For all of us, Terry Phoenix told Judge Michele Rodney. Abatement will strip all his victims of restitution. The sense of justice I would feel from the guilty verdict will be entirely erased. Cruciani killed himself on Rikers Island on Aug. 15, two weeks after a jury found him guilty of predatory sexual assault, sexual abuse, and multiple counts of rape and attempted rape. At what was supposed to be his sentencing Wednesday at which he faced a prison term of up to 25 years Judge Rodney instead heard arguments from the women he abused and his lawyers about how to close the book on his case. Rodney said she would reserve issuing a decision on whether to vacate, dismiss, and seal his conviction. The women who testified at the seven-week trial comprise a fraction of dozens of Crucianis former patients who say he abused them during medical visits. He treated all of them for years for rare and excruciatingly painful neurological disorders. One victim who did not wish to be named, who was Crucianis patient for more than a decade, offered her condolences to his family. Her daughter read her statement as she quietly wept sitting in the courtroom gallery. The older woman said she was still trying to reconcile the sexual abuse Cruciani subjected her to with the physical pain he relieved. When someone reported his behavior, why wasnt action taken? Why was I raped and molested when, years ago, it could have been stopped by authorities? she said. Now, Id rather suffer than go to a doctor. I can never trust a white coat again. The charges in the Manhattan state case date back to 2013 when Cruciani was at Beth Israel hospital near Union Square, now known as Mt. Sinai-Union Square. Considered the top of his field in pain management, Cruciani during his 35-year career also worked in senior roles at Capital Institute for Neurosciences in Hopewell Township, N.J., and as chairman of the neurology department at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Story continues He died with an open federal case against him and 22 pending lawsuits. Hillary Tullin told the court shed worked on her victim impact statement for years and was still coming to terms with the fact Cruciani would never hear it. What do you say to someone whos dead? said Tullin. The best I can do is imagine hes sitting here and let him know the absolute devastation hes caused me every single day. Crucianis lawyer Frederick Sosinsky told the judge dismissing the case against him might not be the most fair outcome, but it was necessary since his death means he cant exercise his legal right to appeal. Sabrina Bierer, from the Manhattan district attorneys office of legislative affairs, said the judge had the power to break from tradition and asked her to use it. Another victim, who did not wish to be named, said Cruciani raped and assaulted her while treating her for severe lifelong injuries from a car crash. She said it would be cruel to clear his name in death. Two weeks in jail is not enough. Its not enough time for what he did to me and my five co-witnesses, she said. Cruciani got away with everything. Im still broken. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on Thursday slammed Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) for his treatment of a witness during a House Oversight Committee hearing. Higgins had a contentious exchange during the hearing with clean energy advocate Raya Salter, who he at various points referred to as young lady and boo. Im trying to give you the floor, boo, Higgins told Salter at one point as the two talked over one another. Higgins later tweeted about the exchange. Salter is an attorney, a consultant and an adjunct professor at Cardoza Law School, according to a biography on her website. Ocasio-Cortez blasted Higgins when she had her turn to speak. In the four years that Ive sat on this committee, I have never seen members of Congress, Republican or Democrat, disrespect a witness in the way that I have seen them disrespect you today, Ocasio-Cortez told Salter during the hearing. Frankly, men who treat women like that in public I fear how they treat them in private. We can be better than this. We dont have to resort to yelling. Higgins and Salter got into an argument during questioning, talking over each other as Higgins asked her how she would deal with petrol-chemical products if fossil fuels were eliminated. Salter replied that she would turn to the congressman and ask him to search your heart about the fossil fuel industrys impact on Black and poor populations in Louisiana, and the conversation became heated. You know what you got, young lady? You got a lot of noise, but you got no answers, Higgins said. Salter accused Higginss state of being owned by the fossil fuel industry. The committee was meeting to examine profits and climate pledges from Big Oil companies like Exxon and Shell in the context of the ongoing climate crisis. Salter is the founder and executive director of the Energy Justice Law and Policy Center. Do you care about the planet, good lady? Like, do you have ecological concern, for real? The Lord gave us dominion over the planet and the creatures thereof from a biblical perspective, I am an environmentalist. I love my planet and the people and the creatures thereof. Do you? Higgins asked Salter. Story continues Ocasio-Cortez said she wanted to apologize to Salter for how Higgins had treated her, saying the people do not deserve to see that. Salter interjected to thank the New York congresswoman. Youve provided so much leadership and courage. They can come for me all day long, Salter said. Well, lets get them today, then, Ocasio-Cortez quipped back. Higgins in a statement to The Hill said he wasnt going to left leftist activists run over him. When radicals show up in front of my Committee with an attitude talking anti-American trash, they can expect to get handled. I really dont care if I hurt anybodys feelings while Im fighting to preserve our Republic. Leftist activists may run over other elected officials, but theyre not running over me, Higgins said. Updated at 6:12 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Today, Sept. 15, marks El Salvadors Independence Day. On this date in 1821, the Provincial Council of Guatemala proclaimed the independence of the entire region from the Spanish Empire in a document known as the Act of Independence of Central America. Its a date worth celebrating even compared to other empires, the Spanish were particularly cruel. But the American Empire in the 20th century cant be far behind in that ranking, especially when it comes to its actions in Central America. And this month marks the one-year anniversary of a much more recent independence struggle: El Salvadors effort to decouple its economy from the U.S. dollar by recognizing bitcoin (BTC) as legal tender and encouraging nationwide adoption of the cryptocurrency. Thats the only reason the Salvadoran Bitcoin Law made some sense: In part thanks to the very instability bred by American interventions in the 1980s, El Salvador abandoned its own currency, the peso, and dollarized through a process starting in 1993 and finalizing in 2000. That meant El Salvadors economy could run on a relatively reliable instrument but also that leaders had no control over national monetary policy and were vulnerable if the dollar inflated. On that front, at least, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele today looks outright prescient. When he first began pursuing his Bitcoin Law, dollar inflation in the U.S. was barely ticking up, and widely regarded as temporary and inconsequential. A year later, that inflation is looking like a more intractable outcome of Americas coronavirus response, with worrying implications for international dollar users. That certainly validates the general impulse to de-dollarize by any means necessary. Unfortunately, one year on, Bitcoin is nowhere near being able to shield El Salvador from its entanglements with the dollar. BTC has failed as an inflation hedge, at least for now, and the market reversal of the last nine months means that most of the bitcoin purchased by El Salvador is underwater. Bukeles decision to use national funds to make large speculative bets on BTC now looks particularly misguided. Story continues Read more: Bitcoin City: El Salvadors Dreams for Utopia on Hold The Salvadoran bitcoin program has also seen major logistical and technical glitches. Even more disappointing, both for mainstream observers in the global North and for many bitcoiners, has been Bukeles continued move towards authoritarian politics. Some of these problems are to be expected given the sweeping and radical nature of the program. Any sovereign nation that disrupts at a level as foundational as its monetary system will not do so without encountering unforeseen complications, initial gridlocks and the need for an adjustment period, says Ian Gaines, communications director of the Bitcoin Policy Institute, which advocates for BTC adoption. Expecting such a program to reach its full potential in one year, he says, is optimistic, to say the least. Things have been a mixed bag so far, in other words. But insiders argue the real payoff is down the road. So, in a reshuffled nod to director Sergio Leone (cue the Ennio Morricone music), here are the Bad, the Good and the Ugly of El Salvadors first Bitcoin Year. The Bad In hindsight, the greatest failure of El Salvadors Bitcoin rollout was the botched technical, logistical and communications aspects of the initial, apparently rushed rollout. There were widespread reports of identity theft, with many Salvadorans claiming their $30 signup bonus had been drained before they accessed the system. The specific requirements of the Bitcoin Law were also poorly communicated, particularly when it came to the requirements for merchants. Outside of El Salvador, even some bitcoiners came to see elements of the Bitcoin Law as an authoritarian imposition. Bitcoin ATM operator Athena Bitcoin handled at least some parts of the early rollout of Chivo and its backend systems. Beginning in December, though, El Salvador transferred control to the seemingly much more seasoned vendor AlphaPoint, which has done similar work in 35 countries. But the hacks had already done a lot of damage to the broader effort. When you have bumps out of the gate and its not uncommon for such an ambitious project it deteriorates trust and desire to use an application, says Igor Telyatnikov, AlphaPoints co-founder and CEO. There were plenty [of Salvadorans] that used Chivo, had an issue and stopped using it as a result. So there is a bit of rebuilding trust with the community. The bitcoin rollout also involved substantial financial commitments by the small country, at a time when it seems it couldnt really afford them. Media outlets have calculated the total tab at around $425 million, with most of that going to the initial $30 BTC signup incentives, escrow pools for bitcoin-dollar conversion and a series of investments directly into bitcoin. A little arithmetic suggests the infrastructure costs were roughly $100 million. The bitcoin investments from El Salvadors balance sheet may constitute the most obvious misstep of the rollout if theyre even real. Bukele and his government havent revealed either the on-chain or off-chain location of their supposed bitcoin buys, so were still largely relying on Bukeles tweets. One calculation is that Salvadoran bitcoin investments have incurred about $50 million in unrealized losses. Read more: El Salvador Postpones Bitcoin Bond: Report Those investments could rebound, but El Salvador may not be able to wait very long, thanks to a national cash crunch. It has a pair of $800 million bonds due in 2023 and 2025, and observers are seriously unsure whether the nation will be able to pay those back. That gets to the final, somewhat ambiguous Bad outcome of El Salvadors larger bitcoin agenda. As I wrote at the time, its push to transition to bitcoin was a matter of international power politics and nose-thumbing at international finance entities like the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Its little surprise, then, that El Salvadors negotiations with the IMF for a $1.3 billion emergency loan have been troubled. The IMF seems to have walked away from the negotiating table, while making noises about its distrust of bitcoin, and Salvadoran officials have been downplaying the importance of the loan. That could be very, very bad for the countrys finances given its short-term debt obligations. On the other hand, challenging the IMF was inherent to the bitcoin agenda. The real problem is that El Salvadors planned end-run around the IMF has also seemingly failed. The Bitcoin Bond would have raised $1 billion, but has been delayed multiple times and now seems indefinitely stalled. The same likely goes for a planned Bitcoin City the bond would have helped fund easily the most absurd element of the Salvadoran plan. President of El Salvador Nayib Bukele (Kellys Portillo/APHOTOGRAFIA/Getty Images) The Good While negativity has dominated coverage of bitcoin in El Salvador, there are bright spots. The use of bitcoin to send remittances from abroad has been validated more than many think. While the initial Chivo wallet rollout was rough, things are getting better. And the advantages for investment, education and tourism in El Salvador remain, at the very least, promising. It was reported in May of this year that 1.9% of remittances to El Salvador, or $96.3 million, were sent via cryptocurrency in the eight months following the Bitcoin Law. That sounds like not much. And indeed, the number has been trotted out as a ding in the pieces attacking the program. But such criticism reflects a misunderstanding of adoption curves and human behavior and more fundamentally, a misunderstanding of percentages and their stakes. You see, Salvadorans at home and abroad reportedly spend about $400 million per year on the fees for remittances thats not the total amount sent, just the fees. Even a small reduction in that big tab is nothing to sneeze at. According to the World Bank, remittance fees to El Salvador averaged 2.85% in 2020 (which is already quite low in global terms). Bitcoin fees, while variable and subject to bull market spikes, are generally less than half as much, and currently stand at an average of 1.28%. If you combine half-price fees with 1.9% of $400 million, you can see that Salvadorans saved a bit under $4 million in remittance fees by transitioning to bitcoin, just in those first eight months. Thats the equivalent of adding 1,100 average annual incomes to the small country. That does ignore the added costs of turning bitcoin into dollars, but thats kind of the point of the attempt to transition the economy as a whole to bitcoin compatibility Salvadorans who receive bitcoin increasingly dont have to convert it. If Salvadoran adoption of bitcoin for remittances accelerates at even just another 2% per year, the roughly $100 million spent on Bitcoin network infrastructure could effectively pay for itself in less than a decade. Read more: El Salvador's Finance Minister Says Bitcoin Adoption is 'Gaining Ground': Report Of course, for that to happen, people have to actually use the system. AlphaPoints takeover of the Chivo wallet and payments system could help that happen. According to CEO Telyatnikov, theyve been working hard to make sure even less-digitally literate Salvadorans can use the app safely and reliably. Its definitely a challenge, Telyatnikov says. Theres quite a bit of effort that goes into working with groups of people that are using the app in front of the team. Theres a product team that works with individuals, works with merchants, observes how they use the app, and makes recommendations. Google and Apple data shows fairly frequent updates to the app since AlphaPoints takeover. Other improvements are just as important, including an expansion of the Chivo customer support team and what Telyatnikov describes as a 1,000% improvement on speed in merchant transaction processing. AlphaPoint has been particularly focused on improving the systems integration with the high-speed Lightning Network that runs on top of Bitcoin. Though the bad impression left by the initial rollout wont be easy to come back from, Telyatnikov thinks the improvements will eventually win back Salvadoran sentiment. That would improve the chances for two of the Bitcoin Laws other stated goals improving bitcoin-driven investment and tourism in El Salvador. The tourism bet seems to have paid off, at least in the short term, with visits up 81% in 2022 compared to pre-pandemic levels, according to United Nations data. With around 5% of Salvadoran GDP generated by international tourism before the Bitcoin Law, a sustained lift of that magnitude could in itself raise El Salvadors GDP more than 3% a transformative change. Though less definitive, there are also some signs that El Salvadors higher concentration of users exposed to crypto is attracting companies to expand and operate there. Because the government has so publicly backed this technology by rolling out comprehensive regulations paired with education initiatives, the people in El Salvador are far ahead of many of their peers around the world, the fintech startup Structure.io said in a statement about its decision to expand operations and services in the country. That could eventually translate into more companies establishing or expanding offices there though it does raise thorny questions about what could be interpreted as Salvadorans acting as guinea pigs for startups based in more-developed countries. Longer term, another big promise is educational. Assuming cryptocurrency demand continues to expand worldwide over the coming decade-plus, Salvadorans could be in pole position to benefit from their current exposure to Bitcoin. Its kind of like in the early days of the internet, an entire country giving everyone internet access, notes AlphaPoints Telyatnikov. Its an educational advantage youll see a lot of people go down the rabbit hole and educate themselves. The Ugly Many elements of El Salvadors bitcoin rollout, then, seem to have performed better than mainstream media coverage would indicate. But that coverage has also frequently focused on Nayib Bukeles autocratic behavior, which has in some ways worsened since the Bitcoin Law came into force. Its genuinely troubling, even if it is arguably tangential to the question of bitcoin itself. Some things seen as antidemocratic from America, certainly, are consequences of El Salvadors uniquely troubled sociopolitical situation. It is still fighting back from both a long civil war and a wave of horrific gang violence both, it must be emphasized, partly triggered by the actions of the United States. That included indoctrinating Salvadoran youth in American-style gang culture, then sending them back home to sow chaos. Some of Bukeles strong-arm tactics may be excusable as necessary for dealing with the legacy of colonially imposed corruption and violence. But there are limits to even that generous interpretation. For me, the bright line came as early as January of this year, when evidence emerged of the Bukele government working to silence journalists through digital surveillance. While Im obviously biased, I find any government attempting to control the press and the flow of ideas viscerally repulsive (not least when America does it). I wrote at the time that Nayib Bukele had shown himself unworthy of serving as a global champion for bitcoin adoption. I still believe thats true but its also somewhat irrelevant. While bizarre figures like the former RT host Max Keiser may be comfortable uncritically cozying up to anyone who says nice things about Bitcoin (RT is funded by Russia), the larger point is that bitcoin itself doesnt care. The system and its benefits are there for anyone to use. And despite the challenges it faces as a first mover, El Salvadors example could still mark the way for other countries. Samson Mow, who worked on the now-stalled Bitcoin Bond as an executive at Blockstream, has since departed that role and spun up a new company called JAN3 to focus entirely on nation-state bitcoin adoption. We are engaged with various parties around the world and making steady progress on other national bitcoin programs, Mow says. It's rare to find a nation-state that will move as quickly and with as much conviction as El Salvador. I'm confident that we will see more nation-state adoption happening, but it will be a gradual process that takes time. In short, it takes more than a year to really understand the consequences of a change as radical as El Salvadors Bitcoin experiment. What happens over the next year, or five, will likely be much more important to whether history views Nayib Bukele and his laser-eyed conversion as a woeful screwup or as a visionary coup. Good Afternoon, OnPolitics readers! And Happy 40th Birthday to us, USA TODAY! Through the 40 years, USA TODAY has grown, evolving from print-bound features and focusing instead on videos, interactives and its growing website, routinely among the top news sites with 100 million monthly visitors. This is a list of 40 moments, chosen by dozens of current and former staffers, when USA TODAY made a dierence to our readers, our nation or to our sta. Our origin story: How did USA TODAY come to be? The nation had no general-interest national newspaper until our founder Al Neuharth had the audacity to create one. The satellite age allowed us to send our pages to printing sites across the country. This new national newspaper had color photos and a full-page weather map and snappy graphics and expanded box scores. A look back through the decades: We've published nearly 250 national editions a year, multiplied by 40 years: that's 10,000 newspapers. Since 1998, Graphics editor Jim Sergent has designed thousands of pages and graphics for USA TODAY. Here's a colorful look at how USA TODAY has delivered the news to readers across the country throughout the years. Whether you've been reading since 1982 or just subscribed yesterday, we appreciate your support. It's Amy and Ella with today's top stories out of Washington. Stay in the conversation on politics: Get this newsletter in your inbox Pres. Biden calls tentative labor deal a 'big win for America' as railroad strike is averted President Joe Biden said Thursday that freight railway companies and workers had reached a tentative agreement that will avert a rail shutdown that could have paralyzed the economy. After 20 straight hours of negotiations, companies agreed to paid sick leave for the first time and other demands of unions. The terms of the deal also include: Voluntary assigned days off and one additional paid day off. Currently, rail freight workers don't have any sick days. Unions had sought 15 paid sick days. Guaranteed time away for medical visits; No disruptions to current health care plans; An immediate wage increase of 14% and 24% over the next five years; Annual lump sum bonuses of $5,000. Story continues What could have happened? Ahead of a Friday deadline for a possible worker strike, railroads had prepared to halt the shipment of crops as soon as Thursday, while shipments of farm fertilizers were delayed this week. Amtrak and commuter railroads had braced for service cuts, disruptions and cancellations amid the dispute that pitted Biden's allegiances to railway companies and unions against one another. "Our rail system is integral to our supply chain, and a disruption would have had catastrophic impacts on industries, travelers and families across the country," Labor Secretary Marty Walsh said in a tweet. How to get reimbursed for your Amtrak cancellation: Amtrak is hustling to get its trains back on track after preemptively canceling all long-distance passenger service for Thursday. USA TODAY's Travel team has answered all your questions about how to be compensated for the unexpected disruption. Real quick: Stories you'll want to read LGBTQ recognition: The Supreme Court on Wednesday backed an LGBTQ student group seeking recognition at an Orthodox Jewish university in New York, temporarily requiring the school to allow the group to meet on campus while the litigation continues. Gen Z in the House?: Former Trump aide Karoline Leavitt won a Republican primary for U.S. House in New Hampshire on Tuesday. She could be one of the first members of Gen Z to serve in Congress if she wins her general election race in November. Classification chaos: Former President Donald Trump has said he had a standing order to "automatically declassify" all documents he took home to his Mar-a-Lago estate and made it core to his defense. But whether thats true and whether the documents are classified or even declassified may not matter for his legal defense, experts told USA TODAY. Flights from Florida: Local leaders in Marthas Vineyard say two planes that landed there Thursday appeared to carry Venezuelan nationals sent to Massachusetts by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who claims undocumented immigrants belong in progressive states. Can Venezuelans recreate the Cuban American voter playbook? Ahead of the 2020 presidential election, former President Donald Trump was making gains with the Cuban American voters in South Florida. With those votes locked in, he set his sights on another promising group: Venezuelan Americans. His campaign and other conservatives focused on their growing fears of socialism and political unrest in the United States. This resonated among many Venezuelan Americans, whose South American country has been governed by a socialist government since 1999. It worked. Trump won 52% of Latino voters in Miami and the Gold Coast, laying the groundwork for Venezuelan Americans to follow in the footsteps of Cuban Americans and become politically influential in Washington. Some experts are already seeing signs of recreating the Cuban American playbook in politics, which has become a key voting bloc in the presidential elections, USA TODAY White House correspondent Rebecca Morin reports. They're going to become voters very soon in four or five years, and they're going to be as influential as the Cuban voters, Joaquin Perez Rodriguez, a political commentator based in Florida who was a political activist in Cuba and Venezuela, said of Venezuelan American voters in the United States. Could the midterm elections majorly shake up the House? Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer reportedly said Monday that he thinks his party won't keep control of the House, and House Speaker Pelosi on Wednesday refused to say whether she would run for Speaker again if Democrats keep control of the chamber. --Ella & Amy This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden reaches labor deal with union to avoid railroad workers strike Passengers on a platform to board a train at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. Metrolink said it would cancel service on some trains in the event of a strike by freight rail workers. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) With just days left to cut a deal, the threat of strike by some 115,000 railroad workers has been averted for now. White House officials announced Thursday morning that they had reached a tentative deal between railroad workers and freight rail companies. The workers demands include sick days, and the new agreement reportedly enables them to take unpaid days for medical care without being punished, also granting a 24% wage increase over five years. The unions still have to vote on the deal but have agreed not to strike during the next stage of the process, which may take weeks. Whether they greenlight the agreement or decide later to strike theyve ramped up the momentum for labor movements nationwide. The Biden administration has been desperate to avert a strike. A shutdown of the nations freight railway system could idle more than 7,000 trains, disrupting supply chains and costing the economy more than $2 billion a day. Amtrak and Metrolink had already planned to cancel some trains in the event of a work stoppage because it would clog tracks used by these passenger lines. Cabinet secretaries and senior administration officials, led by Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, met with railway executives and leaders of the several unions threatening to strike. The workers have been in a militant and strategic mood. In July, 99.5% of one rail unions members voted to authorize a strike. The crucial issue has come down to punishing scheduling policies imposed by railroad management to compensate for the 45,000 workers more than a quarter of the workforce severed from the payroll over the last six years. Under these new work rules, conductors and engineers work on call for many days in a row, forced into irregular and unpredictable workweeks that wreak havoc with family life and necessary medical appointments. The railroads label this precision scheduled railroading, but shippers of grain and chemicals, as well as the railroad workers, describe it as a recipe for gridlock and chaos. The strike absolutely needs to happen, a Union Pacific engineer told the American Prospect before the deal was struck. This is not about money. This is about quality of life. This is about getting time off with your family. Story continues These work-life problems faced by the railroaders are hardly theirs alone. During the last 40 years, countless big retailers, warehouses, fast food chains, hospitals and hotels have sought a flexible scheduling of work but only on managements terms. Such attendance policies create insecurity and fear for millions of workers because employees cant predict their work routine from one week to the next. Wages are important, but at Walmart, Starbucks, Amazon and a host of other enterprises, the flashpoint for much discontent and conflict centers on work schedules and the disciplinary penalties that enforce them. Unionized railroad workers have flexed their power to push back against this dehumanizing system. An agreement securing sick leave and other protections for workers or, down the road, a potential strike shows the renewed power of organized labor in tackling a new range of workplace issues from scheduling to medical policy in an era of so-called flexible work, especially during a season when millions of young workers are seeing the trade union idea in a favorable light. As in decades past, todays organized railroad workers may once again be setting work and wage standards for the nation. Throughout the late 19th century and well into the 20th, the railroad brotherhoods firemen, engineers, conductors and shop craft workers were the vanguard of the American working class, demonstrating a near revolutionary capacity to shut down the largest and most powerful corporations of the first Gilded Age. In 1877 strikers seeking an end to wage cuts and overwork fought bloody battles with the national guard in Baltimore and other cities and burned central Pittsburgh to the ground. Socialist Eugene V. Debs was imprisoned for leading a nationwide railroad strike in 1894, and during World War I the U.S. government nationalized the railroads to keep war material rolling. All this turmoil pushed the government in 1916 to mandate for the first time an eight-hour day, initially just for railroad workers but in the late 1930s extended to millions more. Federally supervised collective bargaining began on the railroads in 1926 (nine years before the National Labor Relations Act extended collective bargaining protections to many other workers) under the Railway Labor Act, which still covers those working on the rails as well as airline workers. Today, rail workers retain the option to strike if the terms agreed to by the freight companies and union leaders ultimately dont satisfy their demands. Even if the railroad work stoppage is averted, we are likely entering an era with more strikes for more worker rights under a president described as the most pro-union chief executive since the New Deal. In forcing changes to inhumane scheduling practices and lack of sick leave, rail workers have already demonstrated that union solidarity and militancy can be as potent in the 21st century as they were in the 19th. Nelson Lichtenstein is a research professor in history at UC Santa Barbara. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A detective with the LAPD's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force demonstrates computer forensics on a hard drive at a mobile lab during a news conference in 2014. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press) Authorities arrested 141 people across Southern California most of them on suspicion of possessing child sexual abuse material as part of a weeklong operation targeting online abuse, officials said Wednesday. The effort was spearheaded by the long-running Los Angeles Regional Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, which comprises dozens of law enforcement agencies led by the LAPD. The results of the operation, which was conducted Sept. 6-12, were announced at a news conference outside Los Angeles police headquarters early Wednesday. LAPD Capt. Jeff Bratcher said many predators take advantage of the anonymity of the internet to target victims for example, by infiltrating online gaming sites where they might try to convince a child to send images of themselves in exchange for virtual credits that can be used to make in-game purchases. The rise of esports and social media platforms in recent years has caused a surge in abuse reports, he said. When we first started in 2004, we started LAPDs ICAC because we received 458 tips that year. In 2019 that number rose to 8,500. In 2020, 2021, both years, were over 24,000. This year so far, were over 25,000, so we should end the year with over 36,000 cybertips, he said in an interview after the news briefing. And each one of these tips was one more potential child victim. Although parents are "so used to seeing digital devices in their kids' hands," he said, he encouraged them to more closely monitor their children's internet activity. Its not the same stranger in a van that your mom and dad and my mom and dad warned us about; its a whole different type of threat, he said. And they never really know who theyre talking to. Among those arrested, the majority were wanted on suspicion of possessing, distributing or manufacturing child sexual abuse material, authorities said. An additional 18 people were booked for parole or probation violations, six were wanted for sexual abuse of a minor, and two each for the charges of statutory rape and pimping. Three people were arrested on suspicion of causing a domestic disturbance. Story continues Investigators pursued new leads while also targeting people who had previously been arrested, Bratcher said. These included a San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center pediatrician charged with possessing more than 600 sexually explicit images of children, he said. The pediatrician, Dr. Gary Goulin, was fired from the hospital sometime after his arrest last November by the LAPD's Juvenile Division and has been ordered not to practice medicine while the case against him is pending, according to the City News Service. He has since pleaded not guilty to possession of child or youth pornography, the wire service reported. Task force members also conducted compliance checks on people required to register as sex offenders for various offenses. The outbreak of the pandemic brought an alarming surge in child sex abuse reports, officials said, as stay-at-home orders meant to slow the virus' spread led to schools closing, youth activities being cancelled and kids spending more time online. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. ISLAMABAD (AP) Pakistani engineers and soldiers cleared a key highway on Thursday to enable aid workers to speed up supplies to survivors of devastating floods that have left hundreds of thousands homeless and killed 1,508 people, the majority of them women and children. Traffic between the flood-hit city of Quetta, the capital of southwestern Baluchistan province, and the southern Sindh province had been suspended for weeks after floods damaged the key highway. The blockage had forced the military to deliver aid to victims by helicopters and boats. As they reopened the route, engineers in Baluchistan also restored the power supply for millions, according to a government statement. And the disaster's deadly toll became more clear, with the United Nations children agency saying on Thursday that 528 children were among those killed in the floods. The National Flood Response and Coordination Centre said this summer's monsoons and the flooding the worst-ever deluge in living memory destroyed 390 bridges and washed away over 12,000 kilometers (7,500 miles) of roads across the country. The inundation of roads affected the government's response to the floods, and people complained they were still waiting, weeks later, for the governments help. The crisis has affected over 33 million people, damaged 1.8 million houses and displaced over half a million people who are still living in tents and makeshift homes, according to the National Disaster Management Agency. The water has destroyed 70% of wheat, cotton and other crops in Pakistan. At one point, a third of the countrys territory was submerged under the floods. But the government in a statement on Thursday insisted there was no shortage of food in Pakistan and that plans are being drawn up for imports of certain food items. Initially, Pakistan estimated that the floods caused $10 billion in damages, but now several economists say the cost of the damages is more like $30 billion. That's five times more than what Pakistans government will get under the 2019 bailout signed with the International Monetary Fund. Story continues So far, 100 flights from different countries and international aid agencies have delivered the much-needed supplies, the Foreign Ministry said Thursday. The U.N. weeks ago urged the international community to generously help in relief, rescue and rehabilitation work. On Wednesday, the U.N. resident coordinator in Pakistan, Julien Harneis, told reporters that the member states had so far committed $150 million in response to an emergency appeal for $160 million. So far, he said, $38 million pledges from the world community had been converted into assistance for Pakistan. On Thursday, Palitha Gunarathna Mahipala, the representative of the World Health Organization in Pakistan, handed over medical equipment and medicines for flood victims to the provincial Health Minister Azra Fazal Pechuho in Karachi, the capital of Sindh, the country's province worst hit by the floods. Mahipala said at a news conference that he had visited flood-affected areas where WHO's staff was on the ground, providing medical camps and mobile medical clinics. He said WHO will soon provide more aid, vehicles and boats to the Sindh government so that officials could use them to reach flood victims in remote areas. Also, WHO has for the past several weeks been helping Pakistan in tackling the outbreak of waterborne and other diseases among flood victims in Sindh and elsewhere in the country. The impoverished nation is diverting funds allocated for development projects to help flood victims. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif this week promised the countrys homeless people that the government will ensure they are paid to rebuild and return to their lives. With winter just weeks away, displaced people living in tents are worried about their future. Sharif on Thursday traveled to Uzbekistan to attend a summit of a security group formed by Beijing and Moscow as a counterweight to U.S. influence. Washington is one of the most generous responders to floods in Pakistan. The United States has announced $50 million aid, which is being delivered by military planes. On the sidelines of the eight-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, Sharif was also expected to brief world leaders about the climate-induced damages caused by the floods in his struggling Islamic nation. Its been three years since Thomas Jodry died after falling from a parking structure in downtown San Luis Obispo. The 21-year-old Atascadero resident suffered his fatal fall after spending a night drinking with another man. Bill and Mary Jane Jodry, Jodrys parents, have never been the same. Its hard to fight off tears when you hear somebody ask how youre doing because youre never ever doing okay, Bill Jodry said Wednesday during a vigil for his son. That searing pain you have when you lose somebody thats really close, that just makes you bend over in agony, that kind of mellows out in time. But the sadness never goes away. On Wednesday, the anniversary of their sons death, the Jodrys stood on the corner of Marsh and Chorro Streets, holding signs, chanting Justice for Tommy! and talking to people passing by by about their sons case. Mary Jane Jodry in green and husband Bill (outside frame) lead a vigil for their son Thomas who died three years ago in a fall from the Marsh Street parking garage in San Luis Obispo. They are still looking for witnesses who might have answers to the events of Sept. 14, 2019. They also gathered signatures for a petition to improve parking structure safety and passing out flyers with tips for young people to practice while enjoying a night out. Justice for Tommy is justice for all young men, Mary Jane Jodry chanted to passing cars. Parents look for answers 3 years after sons death Thomas Jodry met 57-year-old David Allen Knight when Knight bought a cactus from him in August 2019. Text messages saved from Jodrys phone by his parents and shared with the Tribune show the two messaged each other for a few weeks before Knight showed up at the Jodrys Atascadero home on Sept. 14, 2019. The older Atascadero man said he was picking up Thomas Jodry to talk about art in San Luis Obispo and visit Cal Polys Architecture Graveyard. Thomas Jodry (known as Tommy) died in a fall from the Marsh Street parking garage in San Luis Obispo on Sept. 14, 2019. Google Timeline, an app Jodry had installed on his smartphone, shows that his phone went from Cal Polys campus to a Mexican restaurant in San Luis Obispo, traveling to Montana de Oro State Park near Los Osos before heading back to SLO. Security footage then shows the two men at Frog & Peach Pub in downtown San Luis Obispo. In security footage from the bar viewed by the Tribune, the two can be seen drinking alcoholic beverages. Story continues At one point, Knight can be seen buying large shots for himself and Jodry. Knight gestures to Jodry to join him in a toast, the security footage shows. Jodry takes his shot, but Knight does not. The security footage then shows Knight switching his full glass with Jodrys empty glass, and Jodry ends up drinking both of the shots that were purchased. Shortly after leavng the pub, Jodry fell from the third floor of the Marsh Street parking garage, according to police records. Jodrys blood alcohol content was .38% almost five times the legal limit to drive at the time of his death, according to a coroners report obtained by The Tribune. Knight arrived at the scene of Jodrys fall around the time police got there, according to police body camera footage obtained by The Tribune. Knight can be heard telling one officer, I know him but dont want to be on record knowing him. The officer didnt ask for Knights name or take down his information, according to the body camera footage. The body camera footage also shows several people who have yet to be identified but Mary Jane and Bill Jodry believe may have witnessed something from the night Jodry died. The cause of Jodrys death was ultimately ruled undetermined, but the case is not necessarily closed, San Luis Obispo Police Department Chief Rick Scott told The Tribune on Wednesday. We dont have a clear picture of exactly what led to his death, so we are still seeking information, Scott said. I am confident that there are people out there that saw something or have since heard something that can provide closure to this family and a resolution to this case. Bill and Mary Jane Jodry believe Knight, who has a child molestation conviction that has since been expunged, had something to do with their sons death. They filed a wrongful death suit against Knight in June 2020, and it awaits trial. We will never be at peace with the with the way he died, Bill Jodry said. Well never forget this day. San Luis Obispo Chief Rick Scott offered his sympathy to Mary Jane Jodry and husband Bill. The Jodrys were leading a vigil for their son Thomas who died three years ago in a fall from the Marsh Street parking garage in San Luis Obispo, under circumstances which they are still looking for answers. The Jodrys say the heartbreak they feel not only about their son but also for Kristin Smart, Rachel Newhouse, Andrea Crawford and other young people who have been harmed in San Luis Obispo County over the years has motivated them to continue to advocate for a safer county. Theyll continue to fight even after their sons case is resolved. I will continue to do this for years to come and probably the rest of my life, Mary Jane Jodry said. The Jodry family asks anyone who may have any information about Knight or what happened to their son to contact them at JusticeForThomas.com. In addition, Scott urges anyone with information about Jodrys death to contact the San Luis Obispo Police Department at 805-781-7317 or, if they wish to remain anonymous, to contact San Luis Obispo County Community Crime Stoppers. IRONWOOD FOREST NATIONAL MONUMENT, Arizona (AP) After strapping on knee-high snake guards and bowing his head to invoke Gods protection, Oscar Andrade marched off into a remote desert at dawn on a recent Sunday to look for a Honduran migrant missing since late July. The Tucson-based Pentecostal pastor bushwhacked for three hours in heat that rose above 100 degrees (38 Celsius), detouring around a mountain lion, two rattlesnakes and at least one scorpion, before taking a break to call the aunt of another missing man. Andrade believed he found the young mans skull the previous day. Much strength, my dear sister, Andrade told her. Sometimes we dont understand, but there is a reason that God allowed this. On the fourth search for that 25-year-old man from the Mexican state of Guerrero, the pastor and his Capellanes del Desierto (Desert Chaplains) rescue and recovery group had found his ID card in a wallet 40 feet (12 meters) away from a skull and other bones, picked clean by animals and the relentless sun. Since March, Andrade has received more than 400 calls from families in Mexico and Central America whose relatives sick, injured or exhausted were left behind by smugglers in the borderlands. Forensic experts estimate 80% of bodies in the desert are never found, identified or recovered. But those that are, added to massive casualties like 53 migrants trapped in an abandoned trailer in San Antonio, Texas, in June and nine migrants swept away in the Rio Grande this month, point to one of the deadliest seasons on record on the always dangerous Southwest border. Fragile economies pummeled by the pandemic in Latin America, ruthless trafficking networks that control virtually all illegal crossings, and shifting U.S. asylum policies that affect migrants of different nationality and family status in drastically different ways all contribute to the toll as does the Southwests extreme heat. Andrade, his group, and an Associated Press journalist accompanying them on the six-hour search quickly came across evidence of distress on this popular smuggling route abandoned backpacks and half-full water jugs, several days walk from the closest towns. Story continues To be out in the desert is more difficult than to be in a church, said the 44-year-old pastor and father of three teens. Our commitment is firstly with God, and with the families. The group didnt find the missing 45-year-old Honduran, but planned to look again; it usually takes several trips to locate remains in this desert. Its one of the deadliest corridors, according to aid groups and the U.S. Border Patrol, for migrants who, fearing being rejected under a pandemic provision called Title 42, try to evade authorities instead of turning themselves in right after crossing or applying for protection legally. From staging camps guarded by cartel scouts in areas where the border has no fencing or bollard barriers, the migrants walk north for more than a week. They have to cross dozens of miles of desert mountains and dry washes before reaching major highways where smugglers vehicles will take them to destinations across the United States. Once a person told me, How can I believe, look where my brother is, who always did praise and worship, Andrade recalled during the recent search. For God, there are no mistakes. Yes, there are painful things, like the young man from yesterday, who died because of some blisters. Faith often motivates volunteer organizations providing aid along the border. The Capellanes, who search for the missing at least once a week, pray with the grieving families and dont charge them for the searches. They work closely with law enforcement, notifying the Border Patrol of every search and then local authorities if they find human remains, as they have nearly 50 times. Even then, the migrants body still has a long journey home. It takes time for authorities to retrieve the remains, which are then subject to forensic analysis to determine the cause of death and identification. The medical examiner office for Pima County, covering migrant deaths also in two adjacent border counties in southern Arizona, received 30 migrant bodies found in July alone, about half of them dead less than three weeks, said Mike Kreyche of Humane Borders, an aid group that maps border deaths. That puts 2022 on track to match the last two years, when cases were almost double other years in the last decade recorded by the office. Along the entire US-Mexican border, since last fall Customs and Border Protection agents stopped migrants for crossing the border illegally more than 1.8 million times, historically an extraordinarily high number. The agency recorded 557 Southwest border deaths the previous year, the highest since it began tracking them in 1998. Given how quickly a body decomposes in the desert, unless its found within a day of dying, identification might require expensive DNA analysis, said Dr. Greg Hess, chief medical examiner for Pima County. The desert does a good job covering up crimes, said Mirza Monterroso, the missing migrant program director for the Colibri Center, a Tucson-based group that has recorded 4,000 missing migrants 1,300 in Pima County alone from reports from 14 countries and 43 U.S. states. Unless there's a lucky break, like dental records, it might take up to a year to confirm if the remains Andrade found are indeed the young Mexican mans, Monterroso said. His aunt, who asked the AP not to use their names because his parents havent been told yet of Andrades discovery, said she still hopes for a miracle. But otherwise, we fought to the end to recover what little is left. My nephews dream died at the border, but a person shouldnt end up like this, she said. They left him in the desert because he had injured his feet. A 38-year-old father of two from Mexico City nearly died the same way last week after he developed debilitating foot blisters near the Baboquivari Peak, just 14 miles (23 kilometers) north of the border in Pima County. Without food or water, he called 911 and was helped down the mountain by Daniel Bolin, an agent with the Border Patrols search, trauma and rescue team who said this was his fifth rescue this year in the same spot. Facing almost certain expulsion to Mexico, the man, who gave his name as Leonardo, said he came to the United States after losing his business during the pandemic. But now I dont think Ill come back here. Im too old to walk, he said. Asked about his future, he murmured I dont know and burst into sobs. Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. On a Saturday night in 1993, a convenience store clerk in the tiny town of Winterville called police to report a robbery, telling officers hed handed $281 to a nervous young Black man in a hoodie. Before sunrise, police arrested Darron Carmon, a 19-year-old pastors son and college student with a clean record. Officers found neither the stolen money nor the gun, but they charged Carmon with robbery based on the clerks word. That single piece of evidence sent Carmon to prison for eight years, though he produced an alibi witness at trial. His mother fainted in the courtroom. He tried to kill himself behind bars. But almost three decades later, long after he got out early for good behavior, long after he became pastor of two churches, long after he started a mentoring program, long after he got recognized by two North Carolina governors, long after Winterville declared Darron Carmon Day at the end of every April, the state has finally admitted its mistake and vacated his conviction. Just last year, court records show, his lawyers discovered a set of finger and palm prints in a Winterville Police file, which were never released to Carmons attorneys. Those prints do match Carmons, meaning he was sentenced in spite of evidence that might have cleared him. Most of all, Im thankful, he said in an interview Wednesday. Its the one thing I asked God to do for me. Do I feel justice? I actually dont. ... They cant give me the time that they took. Pastor Darron Carmon heading to a dance before his 1994 conviction for robbery, which he did not commit. He came from a family of pastors and had no criminal record prior to being falsely identified. Hes practically an expert Winterville, with a population just over 10,000, sits just south of Greenville in Pitt County. Carmons attorney in Durham, Abraham Rubert-Schewel, said he has already notified the town of a potential claim. Police Chief Ryan Willhite referred questions to the towns attorney, Keen Lassiter, who did not return an email Thursday. Lassiters voicemail box was full and did not take messages. Carmon describes growing up in a time when police routinely followed and watched Black men, believing all to be potential criminals. He came from a family of pastors, and he was studying commercial arts at Pitt Community College. Story continues But that wouldnt have mattered, he said, to officers investigating a robbery. To be honest, to be a Black male at that time, that really, really played a big part, he said. All you have to say is, They have Timbalands and a hoodie on. Carmon said he went to trial in 1993 confident hed return home that day, being innocent of the crime and not knowing anything about it. But his attorney at the time admitted being unprepared for trial, according to court records, and gambled that Carmons case wouldnt come up that week because it was the most recent of three he was juggling. The judge denied his motion to continue the case. More importantly, though, clerk Robert Thompson testified that he worked as a security consultant for Fresh Way convenience stores and was also a certified trainer for local fast food chains. He was, he testified, an expert in robbery security and suspect identification, earning more than $1,000 a day. This cost me a bunch of money to be tied up in this case, OK, he said from the witness stand, according to court records. I have nothing at stake. Carmons lawyer called only one of three alibi witnesses, court records said, and he failed to ask Thompson what his lawyers now consider crucial questions, including: Was anybody at the gas pumps at the time of the robbery? Why did you testify the robber held the gun with his right hand when you also testified he took the money with his right hand? What kind of training did you receive, and when? Then, in his closing argument to jurors, Carmons lawyer said, They couldnt ask for any better witness than Mr. Thompson. Hes practically an expert in identifying people. Not long after he arrived in prison, Carmon began collecting pills from other inmates, keeping them in a cup. When he had enough, he swallowed them all, expecting to die. But he didnt. I just felt this peace over my body, and I knew it was God, he said. God became my fortune. I served him for real. Thats the only way I made it. Darron Carmon of Winterville as a student prior to his conviction on false robbery charges. Clerks testimony in grave doubt Carmon served his eight years without a single behavior infraction. He became assistant chaplain and led inmate church services every day. But when he got out, he felt anxiety just sitting in somebodys car rather than behind four walls. He spent much of his time alone in his room, unaccustomed to freedom. As time passed, he joined his parents in ministry, becoming pastor at Rebuild Christian Center Church in Winterville and Greater Village Gate Church in Lewiston. He adopted five children and started a pair of nonprofits, Sikono Mentoring and People Against Racism. He literally rewrote my narrative, said Darius Crumb, a mentoring graduate, according to WITN news. Im supposed to be on drugs. Im supposed to be on the streets. Im supposed to be a statistic, but because of this man, Im not. Im living proof that this program does work. Then in 2020, Rubert-Schewel and a collection of post-conviction attorneys began to investigate his case, interviewing old witnesses. Most importantly, court records show, they spoke with the former CEO of Fresh Way stores, who could not recall his company ever hiring a security expert or providing any training in robbery prevention or suspect identification. The CEO also told attorneys, according to court filings, that cashiers were required to place cash greater than $100 in a drop box, and that it was common at the time of the robbery for clerks to report fake robberies and take the money themselves. Robert Thompson, they learned through public records requests, worked at Lenoir Community College in addition to his cashiers job. He earned $16 an hour. All of this places his word in grave doubt, his attorneys argued. Thompson has since died. Asked what he would say to him, Carmon paused. I dont believe you can forgive people for things they didnt ask forgiveness for, he said. I do believe you cant have hate in your heart. Pastor Darron Carmon of Winterville served eight years for an armed robbery he didnt commit. A judge has vacated his sentence after 28 years. I still wear hoodies Carmons conviction was overturned with the consent of Farris Dixon, who is Pitt Countys district attorney. The district attorney at the time of Carmons trial, Clark Everett, has since retired. He told Carmons attorneys that had he possessed any fingerprint evidence, he would have given it to the defense. Neither returned the N&Os calls. Meanwhile, Carmon said he trains young Black men on how to interact with police officers, not to act hostile, paranoid or jumpy. But the more he talks about systemic racism, he said, the more he has to be careful not to paint too negative a picture. He knows how the justice system continues to view people who look like him. But, he said, if he places that idea too firmly in a young Black mans head, it could get him shot. I want to curb things that might happen to them, he said, adding, I still wear hoodies now. Pastor Darron Carmon will hold a public media conference at the Pitt County Courthouse in Greenville at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Patagonia is starting a new chapterand so is its founder. The outdoor apparel brand known for its signature puffer veststhe favorite fashion choice of seemingly every CEO and tech brohas announced that its billionaire founder Yvon Chouinard has donated the company to a trust and a nonprofit. The move, the founder says, aligns with its mission to save the planet from climate change. More from Robb Report Chouinard explained the reasons behind the shocking move in an open letter published on the companys website. Its been nearly 50 years since we began our experiment in responsible business, and we are just getting started, he wrote. If we have any hope of a thriving planetmuch less a thriving business50 years from now, it is going to take all of us doing what we can with the resources we have. This is another way weve found to do our part. The letter also lays out the companys new structure. Patagonia is now owned by Holdfast Collective, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting climate change, which holds 98 percent of its non-voting stock. A Patagonia Purpose Trust will control 2 percent of the company and, notably, all of its voting stock. Chouinard, along with a team of advisors, will oversee the brand as part of the trust. The trust was created to protect the companys core values and mission, according to Chouinard. It will be the governing body that approves critical company decisions moving forward. According to the New York Times, the company makes about $100 million in profit annually. In addition to the donation, the Chouinard family will pay almost $18 million in taxes on the gift as a part of the corporate restructuring. The founder of the outdoor apparel brand will be donating the company to continue the battle against climate change. In the letter, Chouinard also said that, as an advocate for the battle against climate change, he realized that his company was only contributing to the climate crisis and was battling between turning the brand into a publicly traded entity or selling it to donate all of the proceeds to charity. Story continues Instead of oing public, you could say were going purpose. Instead of extracting value from nature and transforming it into wealth for investors, well use the wealth Patagonia creates to protect the source of all wealth, Chouinard wrote. Each year, the money we make after reinvesting in the business will be distributed as a dividend to help fight the crisis. Beyond the seismic transfer of ownership, the company says it will also continue to give 1 percent of its earnings to grassroots environmental groups from its original mission statement. Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. When financial institutions want to offer a debit card or credit card, they hire an issuing processor to help them with those services. When they want to offer merchants the ability to accept cards, they sign up with an acquiring processor. But when it comes to cross-border payments and international fund transfers generally, banks have had far fewer choices, and to industry veteran Gary Palmer, that spelled opportunity. He founded Payall, a cross-border processor for regulated banks, in 2018. The Miami-based startup has built what Palmer describes as very specialized software that gives banks a way to offer their own customers the ability to make cross-border payments. If a bank has a client that is paying thousands of people around the world, its nearly impossible today to do that through a bank, Palmer said. Weve built the UI and APIs that make it easy. That in turn allows those businesses to automate the process. Our mission is really to protect the safety and soundness of cross-border payments. And I can't highlight that enough, because this category is considered high risk by regulators and by compliance officers, Palmer told TechCrunch. Indeed, with the COVID-19 pandemic fueling more remote work globally, the need to provide cross-border payments for business and individual clients has never been as pressing for banks. And that is exactly what drew Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) general partner Anish Acharya to lead Payalls new $10 million seed round with an $8 million contribution. The firm came across the problem in its work around default global, in that banks really want to facilitate more cross-border money movement -- especially as the world is increasingly global. We've been scouring the Earth, and ran into Gary because he was one of the few people that have real experience building payment processors, Acharya told TechCrunch. One of the big things that we learned is that a lot of it is actually a compliance problem, more than a movement of money problem, when it comes to cross-border payments. And Gary shared the same thesis. Story continues Payall differentiates itself from other startups in the cross-border payments space in that rather than competing with banks, it works with them by white labeling its software. That software, Palmer says, gives clearing institutions the ability to know their customers customer and feel more confidence in conducting the transactions because as it stands, the institutions may hesitate because they dont know who the foreign banks customer is. We want to make sure that the product is inclusive -- and that banks can deliver money efficiently to anybody on the planet, even if they don't have a bank account, and in near real time and at a fraction of the cost of the normal cross-border product through a bank, Palmer told TechCrunch. The recipients can choose to receive the payments in a variety of methods -- either to their digital wallets, through prepaid cards or in their bank account. Palmer knows a thing or two about payments. In the mid-1990s, he co-founded WildCard Systems, an early independent processor of prepaid cards, that was acquired by eFunds in 2005 for about $250 million. FIS bought eFunds in 2007 for about $1.8 billion. Palmer then went on to co-found Adaptive Payments, which sold to Mastercard in 2015. He was inspired to start Payall after concluding that there had been essentially no innovation, or marginal innovation, in the cross-border payments space in over 50 years. This began to excite me because unlike prepay, which was a new category and a new product, I had a chance to address a category that was $100 to $150 trillion in volume that was highly concentrated among a few banks, Palmer told TechCrunch. There were a lot of fintechs thinking about how to go after that business from banks because it was so inefficient. And it occurred to me that I should apply my 20 years of experience of working with financial institutions to changing the way cross-border payments and international funds transfer work. Additional participants in the seed funding round were Motivate VC along with PS27 Ventures and Bridgeport Partners, with SAFE conversions from RRE Ventures and Transcard. A group of strategic individual investors also participated in the latest financing. Payall previously raised $8.2 million in pre-seed funding and SAFE financings. For a16zs Acharya, who helps lead the firms fintech team, Payall represents a case that supports that banks are here to stay. There are places where internet companies are better and there are places where banks are set up to succeed. And when it comes to serving a lot of smaller customers -- especially overseas -- they already have the relationship. So it's really a matter of helping them offer these capabilities, instead of necessarily competing with them, he told TechCrunch. Speaker Nancy Pelosi will travel to Armenia this weekend in a show of support for the country, which has been locked in a deadly fight with Azerbaijan, two people familiar with the visit told POLITICO. Pelosi will make the journey accompanied by Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) after a stop in Berlin for the G-7 Speakers Summit . Shes expected to meet with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan, the capital, as well as other government officials. It will be the speakers latest dramatic foreign trip following her contentious arrival in Taiwan last month. With the midterms approaching and the possibility that she will lose the gavel if Republicans return to the majority the belief in Washington is that Pelosi wants to cement her legacy as a champion of human rights, not only in the United States but around the world. Speier, meanwhile, is one of a handful of Armenian-American lawmakers in Congress. When asked about the upcoming trip, Drew Hammill, the speakers deputy chief of staff, said, We dont confirm or deny international travel in advance due to longstanding security protocols. Speier's office did not immediately return requests for comment. Armenia and Azerbaijan have been locked in a bloody, decadeslong feud over Nagorno-Karabakh, the territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but populated with ethnic Armenians. Two years ago, both nations fought their second big war over the contested land, leading to thousands dead and more regional power for Baku. Violence erupted again last weekend, with officials in both capitals blaming the other for attacking first. Armenia claimed Azerbaijans military used drones, artillery, mortars and small-arms fire to target a number of border towns. Azerbaijan, however, said Armenian forces were moving into position for a long-term escalation of fighting. More than 170 soldiers on both sides have been killed in skirmishes over the past few days, officials in Yerevan and Baku claim. Story continues Russia said it had brokered a cease-fire Tuesday, but it was short-lived and violence continued into Wednesday . Pelosis visit will mean a lot to the Armenian-American community, which has called for more political focus on the crisis. Armenia has not received the kind of attention Ukraine has received, and this will shine a light on a country crossing an international border in violation of international law, said Anthony Barsamian, co-chair of the Armenian Assembly of America. Sarah Ferris contributed to this report. Former Vice President Mike Pence returned to New Hampshire on Wednesday evening, to headline a fundraiser for former Army Gen. Don Bolduc, who hours earlier narrowly won the Republican Senate nomination in the key general battleground state. Bolduc will face former governor and first-term Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan in November's midterm elections in a Senate race that may determine if the GOP wins back the chambers majority. "I am here for one reason, and one reason only. And that is 54 days from today we need to retire Maggie Hassan," the former vice president said to energetic applause from the crowd of Republican leaders, officials, activists and donors gathered in Wilton, New Hampshire. "If there was ever a time when we needed New Hampshire and America to send proven conservative leadership to the United States Senate, it is now. If there was ever a time for Gen. Don Bolduc in the United States Senate, it is now." Bolduc, in making his second straight Senate bid, has run as an outsider and populist as hes embraced much of former President Donald Trumps agenda. He narrowly edged his top rival longtime New Hampshire Senate president Chuck Morse in a crowded and combustible field of contenders in a primary battle that became increasingly divisive. TRUMP STAYED NEUTRAL, BUT MAGA-REPUBLICANS SWEEP NEW HAMPSHIRE'S FIERY GOP PRIMARIES While Bolduc gave New Hampshire conservatives plenty of red meat, there were concerns from some Republicans in the state and nationally that a primary victory by the retired general, who has severely struggled with fundraising, will allow Hassan to win re-election. Two weeks ago, a newly formed super PAC named the White Mountain PAC, which had loose links to longtime Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's political orbit, dished out roughly $4 million to run TV commercials in New Hampshire blasting Bolduc for his "crazy ideas." ABORTION SHOWDOWN: HASSAN TARGETS BOLDUC IN KEY SENATE FACE-OFF Story continues Both Pence and Bolduc urged party unity in their remarks at the fundraiser. "Now is the time for us to unite and come together as a party in New Hampshire, come together as a party all across this country and do what needs to be done. And Im here to tell you I know we will," Pence said. "People worry sometimes about the divisions in party. I was asked about that when I was up in Wisconsin earlier this week. What are we going to do to bring the Republican Party together? I said I got four solutions Chuck, Nancy, Joe, Kamala." With two of his primary rivals sitting in the audience, Bolduc attempted to make amends. "A campaign is tough. Its tough on everybody. We say things in the heat of conversation that we regret later. We hope that we can say were sorry for it and people forgive, but thats not always the case. And Im no different," Bolduc lamented. "Im a man whos fallible. A man who errors. A man who says things that perhaps should be left unsaid." And he emphasized that "I think we should take account for that. Because the only way that we are going to gain unity is to recognize that were not all perfect. Recognize our faults. Recognize that weve made mistakes. Ask God for forgiveness. Ask people for forgiveness. And then we have to move forward. I cannot do this alone. I need your help." THESE 11 SENATE RACES WILL DECIDE THE CHAMBER'S MAJORITY Hillsborough County GOP chair Chris Ager, whos one of New Hampshires two committee members on the Republican National Committee, stressed that "its great that within 24 hours of winning, we have a substantial number of a different segment of the party, that may not have voted for him [Bolduc], but have contributed to him already. Its a great sign moving forward that we can pull everybody together." Ager, who helped organize the fundraiser, added that "I think its an important message that Republicans are coming together to win in November in New Hampshire." In both of his Senate campaigns, fundraising has not been Bolducs strong suit. As of August 24, he had a meager $84,000 cash on hand in his campaign coffers. A source involved in Wednesday nights fundraiser told Fox News that six-figures were raised at the gathering. Pence agreed to headline the fundraiser a couple of weeks ago, without knowing who would win the GOP Senate nomination in New Hampshire. And the teaming up of the former vice president and Bolduc may have potentially led to some awkward conversation. Pence has been very clear about his differences with Trump over the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by right wing extremists and other Trump supporters who aimed to disrupt congressional certification of President Bidens Electoral College victory in the 2020 election. Some of the rioters chanted hang Mike Pence as they stormed the Capitol. Pence, at the time, was in the Capitol in his constitutional role overseeing the congressional certification and he and the members of Congress were moved by Capitol Police to safety after the building was breached. SEN. HASSAN SPOTLIGHTS DIFFERENCES WITH BIDEN BUT SAYS PRESIDENT'S WELCOME IN N.H. Bolduc, during his Senate bid, has appeared to embrace the former president's unproven claims that the 2020 election was "rigged." Bolduc was part of a group of retired generals who signed a letter questioning the legitimacy of the election due to what they charged was "a tremendous amount of fraud." The trip by Pence, who appears to be moving towards launching a 2024 presidential campaign, was his second this summer and fifth over the past year and a half to New Hampshire, which for a centurys held the first primary in the race for the White House. During his last visit to the Granite State, he headlined "Politics and Eggs," which is a must stop for potential or actual White House hopefuls. Two days after his August stop in New Hampshire, Pence made a busy two-day swing through Iowa, whose caucuses have led off the presidential nominating calendar for half a century. The former vice presidents itinerary included another must-stop for White House hopefuls: a visit to the Iowa State Fair. Locals of a retaken Ukrainian town reportedly had their phones checked for any signs of collaboration with Russian occupiers. Residents of Shevchenkove lined up outside of a police station to have their phones checked days after the town was reclaimed, CNN reported. In recent days, Ukrainian forces reclaimed large swaths of territory from Russian occupation. Residents of a Ukrainian town that's been newly reclaimed from Russian occupation in a counteroffensive amid Moscow's war with the country have reportedly had their phones checked for any evidence of collaboration with the Kremlin's forces. Days after Ukrainian forces took back the Kharkiv settlement of Shevchenkove, locals of the largely deserted small town in northeastern Ukraine lined up outside of a police station so that authorities could check whether they had collaborated with the Russian occupiers, CNN reported on Thursday. Police in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, refused to say what would happen to anyone suspected of working with Russian troops, according to the news outlet, which reported that Ukrainian officials have threatened criminal sanctions for those who have collaborated with the occupiers. Related video: What life is like 6 months after Putin invaded Ukraine A woman from the town, which had been occupied by Russian forces since the beginning of the nearly seven-month-long war, said she was racked with guilt over how she had to take food given out by the Russians. "We couldn't buy anything in the shops," 73-year-old Larisa Kharkivska told CNN. "And we couldn't get money because the banks were closed, so we had to stand there like beggars." Kharkivska said she and her daughter were "terrified to go outside" their home to the sights of Russian soldiers parading around with automatic weapons. "We survived, thank God, we survived! But it was very frightening. We just hope they never come back," said Kharkivska. Story continues In recent days, Ukrainian forces reclaimed territory in the Kharkiv region from Russian occupation in a lightning-fast counteroffensive. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that "stabilization measures" were being carried out in the reclaimed land. "Remnants of occupiers and sabotage groups are being detected, collaborators are being detained and full security is being restored," said Zelenskyy. Read the original article on Business Insider After devastating floods left nearly a third of Pakistan underwater, a photo of a tearful girl was widely shared in posts about the disaster. However, the photo actually shows a child fleeing violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state in 2017. "Floods in Pakistan have created havoc. Homeless, displaced, devastated," reads an Instagram post shared by Pakistani actress Neelam Muneer Khan on August 25. "People of Pakistan are in horror & loss but our leaders are fighting with each other for power. How will they justify themselves in front of Allah Almighty?" The post attracted more than 42,000 likes. Screenshot of the misleading post taken on September 14, 2022. Heavy rain has poured misery on millions affected by Pakistan's worst floods in history. Nearly a third of the country is under water -- an area the size of the United Kingdom -- following months of record monsoon rains that have killed 1,300 people and washed away homes, businesses, roads and bridges. The photo of the girl was widely shared in posts praying for victims of the disaster, including on Facebook and Twitter. Pakistani lawmaker Shagufta Malik also shared the picture in a tweet on the floods. However, the photo was taken on the Myanmar-Bangladesh border years before the record floods hit Pakistan. Violence in Myanmar A reverse image and keyword search found the photo in the archives of Getty Images. The photo's caption reads: "A Rohingya girl cries as refugees fleeing from Myanmar cross a stream in the hot sun on a muddy rice field on October 16, 2017 near Palang Khali, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh." Screenshot of the photo published in the archives of Getty Images The photo was published in various reports about Rohingya fleeing violence in Myanmar, including by CNBC and The Atlantic. In August 2017, around 750,000 Rohingya streamed over the border from Myanmar's Rakhine state to Bangladesh to escape a brutal military crackdown. The US Biden administration accused the Myanmar military of committing genocide against the Muslim minority. The Rohingya have been subject to decades of discrimination in Buddhist-majority Myanmar and have been stripped of citizenship. AFP has debunked a string of false and misleading claims about the floods in Pakistan, including here, here and here. Queen Elizabeth II takes pictures at The Windsor Horse Show in May 1982. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II was the most well-traveled monarch in history. During her reign, she traveled more than 1 million miles, earning her the nickname "million mile Queen." The Queen traveled to 117 countries in her lifetime. These photos show some of her most historic trips. In the 70 years Queen Elizabeth II reigned, she traveled at least 1,032,513 miles, earning her the title of the most-well-traveled monarch and the nickname the "million mile Queen," according to Conde Nast Traveler. Queen Elizabeth ll picks up a mango as she tours a market in the British Virgin Islands in October of 1977. Anwar Hussein/Getty Images Source: Conde Nast Traveler Step back in time and take a look at a few of her most historic trips. England's Queen Elizabeth poses at a Yosemite Valley, California, during her 1982 tour of the West Coast. George Rose/Getty Images In February 1952, the then-Princess Elizabeth arrived in Kenya to meet with the governor at the time, Sir Philip Mitchell, Conde Nast Traveler reported. Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip arrive in Nyeri County, Kenya, on February 5,1952. Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Source: Conde Nast Traveler A day after arriving at the Treetops Hotel in Aberdare National Park, she learned that her father, King George VI, had died. The next day, still in Kenya, she acceded to the throne, Conde Nast Traveler reported. Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh admiring the view from a bridge in Kenya. The following day, news would arrive of the death of King George VI and Elizabeth's accession to the throne. Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Source: Conde Nast Traveler Five months after being crowned in 1953, the Queen flew to Bermuda as part of a six-month tour of the Commonwealth, a political association of countries that were once British colonies, CNN reported. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh leave the House of Assembly in Hamilton, Bermuda, during a six-month tour of the Commonwealth nations, November 1953. Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Source: CNN She visited more than 10 destinations on her first tour, including a Christmas stop in Auckland, New Zealand, according to CNN. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are greeted at Auckland Hospital, in Auckland, New Zealand, during the coronation world tour on December 24, 1953. Hulton Archive/Getty Images Source: CNN "I set out on this journey in order to see as much as possible of the people and countries of the Commonwealth and Empire," she said during a radio broadcast from New Zealand, per Conde Nast Traveler. Queen Elizabeth II makes a radio broadcast from Auckland, New Zealand during a Royal tour of Australasia in 1953. Fox Photos/Getty Images Source: Conde Nast Traveler And she accomplished just that. In her 70-year reign, the Queen visited 117 countries, according to The Independent. Queen Elizabeth ll and Prince Philip are carried in war canoes down the main street in Tuvalu during a tour of the South Pacific on October 27, 1982. Anwar Hussein/Getty Images Source: The Independent For over four decades, she flew via the elite Royal Air Force unit, a now-disbanded fleet of planes created in 1936 by King Edward VIII and later renamed "The Queen's Flight," according to Conde Nast Traveler. Queen Elizabeth II at the Coronation Review of the Royal Air Force in July 1953. Monty Fresco/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images Source: Conde Nast Traveler Story continues For local trips, the Queen often rode the Royal Train, which carried the royal family and associated staff around the UK railway network, according to Conde Nast Traveler. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh bid farewell to onlookers as the Royal Train departs from Sunderland station in the UK on October 29, 1954. SSPL/Getty Images Source: Conde Nast Traveler But her favorite way to travel was on the Royal Yacht Britannia, Conde Nast Traveler reported. The yacht was five stories tall with more than 240 staff members and nicknamed the Queen's "floating palace. The Queen And Prince Philip waving on board the Royal Yacht Britannia during an official visit to Kuwait during the tour of the Gulf in 1979. Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images Source: Conde Nast Traveler; Insider The yacht retired in 1997, one of the few times the Queen publicly shed a tear, per Conde Nast Traveler. Today, the ship is anchored in Leith, Scotland, and has reopened as a tourist attraction, according to Insider. The Queen wipes a tear at the de-commissioning ceremony for the Hmy Britannia. Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images Source: Conde Nast Traveler; Insider Whether via train, plane, or ship, Queen Elizabeth's travels made milestones in British history. In 1961, she was the first British monarch to visit the Vatican, CNN reported. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip leave the Vatican after visiting with the Pope in 1961. Hulton Archive/Getty Images Source: CNN She also became the first reigning British monarch to visit South America when she traveled to Brazil in 1968, according to CNN. The Queen waves from her motorcade in Salvador, Brazil, in 1968. Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix/Getty Images Source: CNN In 1979, she rode British Airways' supersonic Concorde aircraft to Saudi Arabia. When she landed, she met King Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, which marked the first visit from a female head of state, per CNN. British Royal Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, descend the steps from Concorde at Riyadh Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 17 1979. Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images Source: CNN She was also the first British monarch to visit China. In 1986, she traveled around the globe and toured the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City in Beijing, per CNN. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visit the Great Wall of China on October 14, 1986. Tim Graham/Getty Images Source: CNN 2011 marked the first time a British monarch toured the Republic of Ireland in more than a century. Queen Elizabeth II arrives by helicopter at the Rock of Cashel on May 20, 2011, in Cashel, Ireland. Oli Scarff/Getty Images Source: Conde Nast Traveler The Queen visited nearly every Commonwealth member state and island nation except Cameroon and Rwanda, according to The Independent. The Queens royal visit to Sri Lanka in October 1981. Mike Maloney/Mirrorpix/Getty Images Source: The Independent Canada was the Queen's most-visited country, according to The Independent. In her 70 years on the throne, the head of state traveled to Canada 24 times. Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she visits Bowring Park in St. John's, Newfoundland, on June 25, 1997. CARLO ALLEGRI/AFP/Getty Images Source: The Independent Behind Canada for most-visited countries was Australia, which the sovereign visited 19 times, The Independent reported. Queen Elizabeth II tours the grounds of Admiralty House on March 13, 2006, in Sydney Australia. Paul Miller/Getty Images Source: The Independent In 2015, the Queen ended her overseas travels with the Duke of Edinburgh by her side. The two traveled to the Mediterranean country of Malta, Conde Nast Traveler reported. Queen Elizabeth II tours the Grand Harbour in a traditional Maltese fishing boat on November 28, 2015, in Valletta, Malta. Toby Melville/Pool/Getty Images Source: Conde Nast Traveler According to CNN, it was a symbolic final trip for the pair. From 1949 to 1951, Malta was where the Queen and Prince Philip lived before she became the Queen. The Queen and Prince Philip at a theater during their Malta visit in November 1967. Fox Photos/Getty Images Source: CNN But even after her final overseas trip, the Queen continued to travel around the United Kingdom. Queen Elizabeth II is greeted with Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, as they arrive by Royal Train at Runcorn Station in Cheshire, England, in 2018. Peter Byrne - WPA Pool/Getty Images The Queen spent her last days at her beloved Balmoral Castle in Scotland, Insider reported. There, she died on September 8, 2022. Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeen, Scotland, in September 2022. Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images Read more: I visited Balmoral, where Queen Elizabeth spent her final days, after her death. I can see why she cherished this castle as a 'royal escape.' Read the original article on Insider Princess Anne escorted Queen Elizabeth's casket as it traveled from Balmoral, Scotland, to Edinburgh. She continued to accompany her mother's coffin as it made its way to Westminster Hall in London. Photos show the Royal trailing her mother's coffin across the UK before she says farewell on Monday. Princess Anne has been with her mother almost constantly since she died. Britain's Princess Anne, Princess Royal speaks to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to The Childrens Wood Project in Glasgow on June 30, 2021, as part of her traditional trip to Scotland for Holyrood Week. ANDREW MILLIGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday, September 8, at Balmoral Castle after 70 years on the throne. She was 96 at the time of her death. The royal family has been preparing for the Queen's death for years, and because she died in Scotland, her body had to be transferred to London for her funeral at Westminster Abbey. The responsibility of ensuring the Queen arrived safely in London fell to Princess Anne, her second eldest child and only daughter. She was with Queen Elizabeth II at their family home in Balmoral Castle during the final 24 hours of her life. A general view of Balmoral Castle, which is one of the residences of the Royal family, and where Queen Elizabeth II traditionally spent the summer months. Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images In a touching tribute shared with Insider, Princess Anne spoke about her mother and said it was an "honor and a privilege to accompany her on her final journeys." Three days after the Queen's death, the Princess Royal rode behind her mother's hearse as it traveled from Balmoral to Edinburgh. Princess Anne and her husband travel behind the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II on September 11, 2022. Paul Campbell - PA Images/Getty Images The princess and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, rode behind the Queen's casket for six hours on Sunday, September 11. Photographers captured her looking solemn in a vehicle. When the Queen's casket arrived at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Princess Anne curtsied to her mother. The Princess Royal curtsies to her mother Queen Elizabeth's coffin in Edinburgh on September 11, 2022. Aaron Chown/WPA Pool/Getty Images After the long car journey, the Queen arrived at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. Princess Anne curtsied to her mother's casket as it was carried into the palace, honoring the Queen's rank even in death. The following day, Princess Anne and her brothers processed behind the Queen's coffin down the streets of Edinburgh to St Giles' Cathedral. King Charles III and his siblings walk behind the car carrying Queen Elizabeth's coffin on September 12, 2022. OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images King Charles III, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Prince Andrew processed behind the Queen's casket from the Palace of Holyroodhouse down the Royal Mile to St Giles' Cathedral, where a Service of Thanksgiving was held in her majesty's honor. Story continues Thousands of onlookers watched as the Queen's children trailed behind her, with one briefly interrupting the procession to heckle Prince Andrew. Anne stood next to King Charles, walking almost directly behind her mother's casket. Once inside the cathedral, the princess became the first female royal to participate in the Vigil of the Princes following the Service of Thanksgiving. King Charles III, Prince Edward, Princess Anne, and Prince Andrew hold a vigil at St Giles' Cathedral in honor of Queen Elizabeth II on September 12, 2022. Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images At the cathedral, the Queen's children stood guard around her coffin for the Vigil of the Princes. They surrounded the casket with the Royal Company of Archers, who were protecting the Queen's coffin, for around 10 minutes, according to People. The vigil, which was performed for both King Edward and the Queen Mother, is a way for a monarch's children to mourn the loss of their parent, The Independent reported. Princess Anne is the first female royal to take part in the tradition, according to The Independent. The next day, Anne accompanied the Queen's casket as it traveled from St Giles' Cathedral to Edinburgh Airport. Princess Anne follows the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II from St. Giles Cathedral to Edinburgh Airport on September 13, 2022. Louisa Gouliamaki - WPA Pool/Getty Images Members of the public applauded the Queen's coffin before it left St Giles Cathedral and lined the route to Edinburgh Airport, the Guardian reports. She then flew with her mother's casket to London and accompanied it to Buckingham Palace. The Princess flew with her mother's casket on September 13, 2022. WPA Pool / Pool / Getty Images The Princess Royal and her husband were photographed at RAF Northolt as they and the Queen's casket arrived in London. A hearse was waiting to transfer the Queen to Buckingham Palace. On the following day, the royal family accompanied Queen Elizabeth as her coffin made its way from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. Members of the royal family walking behind the coffin on September 14, 2022. Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Prince Andrew, Prince William, and Prince Harry marched behind the Queen's casket on Wednesday, September 14. Like two of her brothers and her nephew, Anne wore her military regalia as she trailed her mother. Princess Anne stood between her brothers during the processional. The royals paid the Queen respect with a salute on September 14, 2022. WPA Pool / Pool / Getty Images She saluted the Queen as she arrived at Westminster Hall. The princess stood right behind King Charles III as the Queen arrived at Westminster Hall. The royal family face the Queen's casket at Westminster Hall on September 14, 2022. Dan Kitwood / Staff / Getty Images The royals lined up in pairs for a brief service as the Queen arrived at Westminster Hall, where she will lie in state until her funeral on Monday, September 19. An estimated one million people will come to pay their respects to the Queen at Westminster Hall, waiting in queues of over 30 hours. The princess and the rest of the royal family will process behind the Queen's casket before and after her funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19. Princess Anne will accompany her mother on the day of her funeral. NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty Images The Queen's funeral will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19. The royal family, including Princess Anne, will process behind the Queen's coffin as it is transferred from the Hall to the Abbey. After the funeral, the Queen will process to Windsor Castle through London for a Committal Service at St George's Chapel, and once again, the royal family will follow the Queen. Her majesty will then be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Windsor, which Anne will also attend. Read the original article on Insider Examples of "vampire" burials found by archeologists. Amy Scott/Insider; REUTERS/Handout/Insider Scientists have uncovered the remains of a "vampire" burial in Poland last month. This is the latest in a string of "vampire" burial sites in Europe. Here is what those sites looked like and what they mean, according to scientists. A series of archeological digs have uncovered the remains of people who may have been thought of as "vampires" during their lifetime. These pictures show the burials, and archeologists and forensic experts told Insider what they might mean. Something in the mouth. The skull of a 16th-century woman was found with a brick placed in her mouth in Venice, Italy. REUTERS/Handout/Insider One way to spot a vampire burial is to look for something obstructing the mouth of the deceased, like a brick, said Matteo Borrini, principal lecturer of forensic anthropology at the Liverpool John Moore University, told Insider. Borrini discovered the body of this 16th-century woman in Venice. He found a brick had been shoved in her mouth, a bizarre occurrence for burials at the time. Was she thought to be a Nachzehrer? the woman was found in a mass grave filled with plague victims. REUTERS/Han After careful forensic analysis, Borrini concluded that the brick would have likely been placed there by people fearing she may have risen as a type of vampire called Nachzehrers. In this myth, the body would stay somewhat alive after it was buried. The first sign of a Nachzehrer would be that the body would chew through the shroud they were buried in. While this happened, they would either suck the life force of their living relatives from the grave or rise as an almost dead body. As they did, they would spread the disease, making their family members sicker and sicker until they died. The rock placed in the mouth would have prevented that chewing from happening. A bizarre explanation for the unknown. A forensic reconstruction of what the woman, nicknamed "Carmilla" by the scientists, might have looked like. Dr Matteo Borrini - Liverpool John Moores University Though it sounds very bizarre to us today, the idea that the dead were affecting the living was not so crazy by the standards of the day. The woman's body was buried in a mass grave, at a time when the bubonic plague was causing a lot of deaths. Grave diggers may have come across this body when they opened up the grave to add more bodies. It may have been in an earlier state of decomposition. Maybe it was still pink rather than pale. The shroud may have decomposed around the mouth first, prompting grave diggers to think it had been chewed on. Story continues Coming across this body, the frightened grave diggers may have put a brick in the body's mouth, just in case. "We can clearly explain all of this. We know that all these changes can be actually explained as a decomposition stage. However, the people in the past didn't have a relation with the body as we have nowadays, right?" Borrini said. A 10-year old Roman child with a stone in the mouth. The body of a child found in a 5th century Italian cemetery buried with a stone it their mouth. David Pickel/Stanford University/Insider "Vampire" burials are also often found in times of strife. This child, who died in the fifth century, was found in a child cemetery in the Poggio Gramignano ancient Roman villa in Teverina, Italy. The child, who died at about 10 years old, was found buried with a stone in the mouth, in a cemetery for infants and young children. The child may have died from malaria. The child's body was found laying on the side. David Pickel/Stanford University There is evidence that the child died at a time when malaria was sweeping across the area. "There's also a very ancient idea of breath being linked to life and the soul and the mouth in particular as being sort of the portal through which the soul exits after death," Jordan Wilson, the lead bio archeologist for the Villa Romana di Poggio Gramignano archeological project, told Insider. The stone may have been a way to keep the child's body or spirit from spreading the disease or generally tormenting the living. "It could also have been with the intent to keep the child's body safe from witches," she said. Romans, in particular in Umbria, where the body was found, thought witches had the power to raise the dead and use their souls, she said. Vampires were an explanation for disease. Vintage engraving showing a scene from Hans Holbein the Younger's "Dance of Death." Published in 1538, in this scene Death approaches an astrologer. Getty Images "There's a very long history of the vampires being linked to disease," said Wilson. "In European folklore you actually also see some of that in the earliest folklore of the United States from the 1600s to the 1800s there's this idea that if someone in a family dies, especially unexpectedly or under mysterious circumstances, then they might come back and torment the living, starting with their own family," she said. These mythical creatures were blamed for all sorts of misery that couldn't be explained with the science of the time. One example might be if a contagious disease like tuberculosis was spreading through the village, said Borrini. "These 'vampires' start to hunt and kill family members first, then the neighbors, and then all the other village. This is the classical pattern of a disease that is contagious," he said. The idea of a 'sexy' vampire is quite new The good looking vampire is a more modern invention. ImagesbyTrista/Getty Unlike modern-day myths about vampires, in older myths, vampires were not thought to be nearly as sexy as we think of them today. "A lot of stereotypical images of vampires (a noble person, sucking blood by a bite on the neck, hypnotic eyes, fascinating individual with a sexual appeal, etc.) are the results of Victorian novels and more modern movies," said Borrini. Before then, the vampire had a lot less sex appeal, a version that Borrini described as "a corpse that is not completely dead and rises from the grave to spread death and diseases." It is the poet Lord Byron who first started "shaping the idea of the vampire from a kind of rotting zombie, like a corpse to a sexy aristocrat," Wilson said. Their lurid behavior and neck biting was then used as "a sort of metaphor for sex" in the books, per Borrini. However, "the idea that 'vampirism' is contagious, so that someone that has been lured and caught or killed by a vampire can become a vampire themselves is present in both early traditions and Victorian novels," said Borrini. Metal through the chest. A skeleton pierced with a piece of iron is seen at the National History Museum in Sofia June 14, 2012 REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov/Insider This body of a man found in a monastery near the Black Sea city of Sozopol, Bulgaria, is another example of a "vampire" burial. The body was found stabbed through the chest with a piece of iron. The iron kept him from returning from the dead A skeleton pierced with iron is seen at the National History Museum in Sofia June 14, 2012. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov Modern depictions of vampires would have us think that staking them through the heart would turn them to dust. But originally, people who buried the bodies were more interested in making sure they didn't get out of the grave. The stake would have been hammered through the body to pin it to the bottom of the grave, Bozhidar Dimitrov who headed the National History Museum in Sofia, Bulgaria, said in 2012 per Reuters. Other ways to keep the body in the grave, spiritually or physically, would be to nail down the shroud that they were wrapped in, to weigh them down with stones, or to place rose thorns on their graves, Borrini said. A "bad death" was more likely to make you a vampire, rather than a bite mark. Originally, it was more likely that you'd be suspected of being a revenant after death if something sinister happened to you. "People who are believed to be vampires kind of fall in two categories," said Wilson. "There are people who in life either held some sort of marginalized social status or were believed to maybe practice witchcraft or be sorcerers, or it could be people who suffered what is known basically as 'bad death'." "Bad deaths" could refer to any death out of the ordinary, such as death from suicide, murder, or drowning. "Lots of unusual burials of people who just die suddenly, like people who get struck by lightning, are often given unusual burial," said Wilson. Being the seventh child of a parent who was also the seventh child was also a risk factor, Borrini said. Unusual burials were sometimes given to people who looked different from others. But Wilson says this doesn't necessarily mean they were seen as vampires. "It's quite common to see people with less common physical features in burials, but that's not always done with disrespect. Sometimes these people were just believed to be very powerful. So they merit a kind of specialized mortuary treatment after death," she said. A stone weighing down the throat An annotated image of a woman over 40's body buried with a stone placed directly on top of the throat. Gregoricka et al./Insider This body found in a cemetery in Drawsko, Poland, is also thought to be a "vampire" burial. The body was one of six that had so-called "deviant" burials in the cemetery buried between the 17th and 18th centuries. Two of the bodies interred as deviant burials had stones under the chins. A 2014 study looking at these bodies concluded that this may be to prevent them from biting others or to block their throats to keep them from feeding. A sickle across the throat. A mid-30s woman's body found buried with a sickle around the throat in Drawsko, Poland. Amy Scott/Insider Others in the cemetery were found with sickles positioned across their necks or waists. In the 2014 study, the authors said these were intended to remove the head or open the gut should the corpses attempt to rise from the grave. "In a lot of cultures, metal has special ritual and magical significance. So it could have a dual purpose: the physical pinning down or binding, but also the kind of ritual binding," said Wilson. What makes a 'vampire'? Experts debate what makes a "vampire" burial. For Borrini, spiritual energy rising from the grave to torment the living is defined as a ghost whereas a "vampire" was thought to raise as a body. For him, vampire burials have to include beheading or staking, burning of the bodies, or obstruction of the mouth, he said. In that sense, in Eastern Europe, the first documented account of a vampire dates all the way back to the 11th century. But because they are few other contemporary documents, it's difficult to know when and how the beliefs started spreading. It's only in the 17th century that scholars started really studying and documenting these myths, said Borrini. Another way to define a "vampire" is as a recipient of a so-called deviant burial, Wilson said. This word means that the person was buried in a way that is different from other burials at the time, for instance, buried face down or beheaded. "The Western idea of the vampire comes from Slavic folklore. But the idea the dead can either rise from the grave in a literal sense or that the dead, in a spiritual sense, can continue to plague the living beyond death is something that's essentially present in almost every culture and has very, very ancient origins," she said. By this standard, "vampire" burials can be found all the way back to the stone age, she said. A new 'vampire' burial was uncovered last month. Female "vampire" with a sickle across her throat found in Pien, Poland. Mirosaw Blicharski A set of remains that could possibly be a vampire burial was uncovered last month in a cemetery in Pien, Poland. The body is of a woman who died in the 17th century, who was likely of high status and was found with a sickle across her throat and a padlock on her left big toe. Though the remains are still under investigation, scientists who uncovered her believe this means she was likely someone people were concerned may rise from the grave, perhaps because they thought she was a vampire. Pinning the body down and restraining them was common practice The padlock found around the woman's toe is shown here. Andrzej Romanski, NCU For Borrini, the evidence they presented so far doesn't amount to a vampire grave, at least for now. "The fact that the feet were locked in the graves is something well known, not necessarily for vampires, but for all the situations in which we had the fear that the person was coming back," he said. Myths that still scare people to this day.. While the myths originated centuries ago, the fear of the undead goes on. Borrini says he still receives calls from people who are worried about being vampires today. "Over the decades, I have received calls from different people asking me: 'I know that you studied the vampires. I'm thinking that I am one of those,' 'Oh, I think that my boyfriend is one of those,'" he said. For Wilson, there's a lot to be learned about the culture through these beliefs. "As an archaeologist, it's important to remember that the people in the past are very much like us today. The fears and anxieties that people had still exist. We just talk about them and express them in different ways. "Our monsters never really go away. They just change shape," she said. Read the original article on Business Insider ALBEMARLE COUNTY Virginia State Police said one person was killed after a plane crashed Wednesday night in Albemarle County, a press release said. Police said the plane crashed shortly before 11:30 p.m. According to the press release, Albemarle County authorities received a distress call from the unidentified pilot. Efforts were made to direct him to the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, but the private, single-engine aircraft was unable to make it to the airport and crashed into a wooded area near Plank Road and Stillhouse Creek Road, south of Interstate 64. The plane caught fire, the release said. Police said the pilot was the only occupant of the aircraft. State Police Aviation assisted ground crews in locating the wreckage. The pilot's remains were sent to the Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy, examination and positive identification. Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are on the way to the crash site to conduct an investigation, state police said. Staunton Growers Cup competition celebrates the art of cultivating cannabis Behind a strong defense, Michael Bell and his Staunton Storm have found early success Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@newsleader.com. You can also follow him on Twitter. This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Plane crash kills one in Albemarle County Two Las Vegas-based podcasts are joining efforts to offer a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of rapper Tupac Shakurs killer. The whopping offer from The Problem Solver podcast comes after Tuesday marked 26 years since the death of one of the most influential and prolific figures in hip-hop, the show confirmed Sunday. The podcasts host, David Kohlmeier, announced that he was offering $50,000 for information that would lead to the hip-hop legends killer finally being locked up. Subsequently, Kohlmeiers reward was matched by Jon Orlando of The Action Junkeez podcast, making the reward in a total of $100,000. On September 7, 1996, Shakur was struck by four bullets in a drive-by shooting at an intersection near the Las Vegas Strip while leaving a Mike Tyson match at the MGM Grand. He died six days later in the hospital at the age of 25. Although the murder case remains unresolved, Duane Keffe D Davis reportedly previously confessedto being involved in Tupacs killing to the Los Angeles Police Department. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact The Problem Solver Show at 702-999-1111. There is also an anonymous hotline: 1-833-TIPSCASH (847-7227). This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... Police on Wednesday arrested a man in connection with a killing last week in west Fort Worth. Malcolm Walls, 33, was booked on suspicion of murder in the shooting death of Willie Allen, 23, according to a Fort Worth police log. Allen was shot on Sept. 7 in the 3000 block of Las Vegas Trail. An acquaintance drove him about a mile to a shopping center parking lot in the 9100 block of Camp Bowie Boulevard West, police have said. Allen was pronounced dead there. Police did not describe a motive in the killing. Allen died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office. PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) Haitis National Police said it is investigating the recent slaying of three officers that it blamed on gang members. The agency said a gang called Ti Makak, which means Little Macaques, killed the officers Tuesday in Laboule, a largely gated community just south of Port-au-Prince. It is also the site of recent turf wars between gangs that have led to other killings in the area. Two journalists were fatally shot and set on fire in January, and a former senator who worked for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor and his nephew were killed in August in the same fashion. The gang violence comes amid growing unrest over Haiti's economic troubles. People protested in the streets Thursday for a second day over the government's announcement of increases in prices for gasoline and other fuels. Police said Wednesday that they had opened an investigation into the killings of the officers, which the statement called an odious and repugnant act. A video circulating on social media appears to show the slain officers sprawled on the ground, stripped of their shirts, with various guns and automatic weapons lying on their bodies. Here they are, here they are, a man says as the camera pans across the bodies. Gangs have grown more powerful since the July 7, 2021, assassination of President Jovenel Moise and have overpowered police, who are understaffed and have limited resources. The international community has tried to help boost Haitis National Police by providing training and resources in recent months. The increase in violence prompted police to announce Thursday that all gun license permits were being suspended, adding that security companies would take the measures needed to comply with the new order. WBAL - Baltimore Videos Officers called early Saturday to a domestic dispute fatally shot an armed man, Anne Arundel County police said. County police said officers were called around 2:15 a.m. to the 4100 block of Sands Road in the Harwood area. Police said a woman told them that her husband tried to strangle her. She was able to break free and get to a neighbor's house. Police said officers arrived, heard gunshots and moved to a position of cover when they realized their cars were shot at from behind and beside them. Police said officers repositioned as the suspect emerged from the woods with a gun. Police said officers warned the suspect to drop the gun, but he did not comply and officers shot him. As Republicans in state capitals and Washington race to enact new restrictions on abortion following the fall of Roe v. Wade, a new poll shows that Americans have a message for lawmakers: Slow down and learn. Seven in 10 Americans dont think politicians are informed enough about abortion to create fair policies a position held by majorities of both Democrats and Republicans, according to the survey of more than 20,000 adults by The 19th, a news organization focused on gender and politics, and SurveyMonkey. A majority of Americans also said they think abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while 35 percent said abortion should be illegal in all or most cases. The data sheds new light on a top issue for both parties in the final weeks ahead of the November election. By overturning Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court sent the power to determine abortion policy back to the states, triggering new abortion restrictions across the country and juicing interest in the midterm elections among Democrats and women more broadly. Abortion has shot up as a key issue among voters, and it has partially fueled an improved outlook for Democrats in November. And the issue is only getting more relevant as the general election draws nearer. This week, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) rolled out proposed federal legislation that would put in place a national ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, a bill that immediately divided Senate Republicans wary of stepping into a state issue and potentially inflaming a debate that has been hurting the party this summer. The poll from The 19th also reflects broad confusion among Americans over exactly what the end of Roe v. Wade will mean for abortion policy in the long term. According to the survey results, 44 percent of people think abortion will become less accessible during their lifetime while 22 percent believe they will gain more access. Notably, women are more pessimistic about the notion that abortion access could expand, with 48 percent saying they think abortion will be harder to access ,versus 40 percent of men who agreed. Story continues General pessimism about government pervades the results. Only 4 in 10 adults said American institutions are working well for them. The split is even more stark by party: Over half of Democrats agreed with that statement, while only 28 percent of Republicans said Americas institutions work well for them. The poll did show similar levels of partisan enthusiasm ahead of the midterms, as 73 percent of Republicans and 72 percent of Democrats said they were excited to vote in this falls election. Thats been reflected in public polling throughout much of the summer, which showed Democrats closing an enthusiasm gap, particularly after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The survey also showed a deadlocked political environment, with 39 percent of adults saying they preferred to elect Democrats to Congress this fall to 38 percent who said they preferred Republicans. The economy and preserving democracy tied as the top motivating issues for voters, followed by Americas place in the world and abortion. For adults under 35, abortion ranked higher, as their main motivation for voting this fall. The poll was conducted online, in English and in Spanish, among more than 20,000 Americans from Aug. 22 to Aug. 29. The margin of error is plus or minus 1 percentage point. The world's poorest countries say they will insist that the UN's upcoming climate talks push ahead with proposals for a fund to compensate vulnerable nations for climate-inflicted damage. Ministers and experts from the 46-nation Least Developed Countries (LDC) bloc, meeting in Dakar, said their countries were most exposed to climate impact but least to blame for the carbon emissions that cause it. In a statement issued late Wednesday ahead of the November climate talks, they said that setting up a funding mechanism for loss and damage was of "crucial importance." They also reiterated a call for "all parties, particularly major emitters" to make swift and deep cuts in carbon emissions, and for rich economies to honour past pledges on climate aid. COP27 -- the 27th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) -- runs in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh from November 6-18. The annual parlays are dominated by often fierce debate on national pledges on emissions curbs and on funding. Wealthy countries have previously promised billions of dollars to help poorer nations avert carbon emissions and build resilience against climate change. The LDC bloc, gathering countries mainly from Africa and Asia, is campaigning in particular for compensation for vulnerable countries which suffer from climate-related damage such as floods and rising seas. It wants the upcoming talks to establish a mechanism to provide funding. "Countries are being left to fend for themselves" in the face of climate damage, Senegalese Environment Minister Abdou Karim Sall told reporters. "It is imperative for a fund to be set up which takes care of loss and damage, especially for least developed countries." The pre-COP meeting among LDC representatives in the Senegalese capital was to be followed by talks on Thursday among African environment ministers, attended by US climate envoy John Kerry. lal/mba/ri/lth By Philip Pullella ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (Reuters) - Pope Francis asked the Nicaraguan government on Thursday to allow expelled nuns of the order founded by Mother Teresa to return to Nicaragua, saying they were harmless "revolutionaries of the gospel." The 18 nuns of the Missionaries of Charity order were taken to the border with Costa Rica in July as part of a crackdown on the Catholic Church by the government of Daniel Ortega. The Church in the Central American country acted as a mediator during 2018 protests against the government. Since then, the Church has had a strained relationship with the government after calling for justice for more than 360 people who died during the unrest. "At the very least I would expect that the sisters of Mother Teresa (be allowed) to return," Francis said in response to a question about Nicaragua on the plane returning from a Kazakhstan trip. "These women are good revolutionaries, but of the gospel. They are not making war against anyone. On the contrary, all of us need these women," he said, adding that their expulsion was "inexplicable." The nuns, who had been working among Nicaragua's poor for more than 30 years, had their legal status revoked. NICARAGUA'S CRACKDOWN ON THE CHURCH In recent months, authorities of the Sandinista government have detained priests while others have gone into exile. Bishop Rolando Alvarez of Matagalpa in the north of the country was whisked away during a pre-dawn raid last month and put under house arrest in the capital Managua. Alvarez, a critic of Ortega's government and one of the Nicaraguan Church's most influential figures, had been confined for two weeks in a Church house in Matagalpa along with five priests, one seminarian and a cameraman for a religious television channel. In March, the Vatican's ambassador to Nicaragua, Archbishop Waldemar Sommertag, who had been critical of Nicaragua's slide away from democracy, had to leave the country suddenly after the government withdrew its approval of the envoy. Story continues Francis said the Vatican was in talks with the government to improve the Church's situation, which has had severely strained relations with the government since a harsh crackdown on protests in 2018. Bishop Silvio Baez, also a critic of the government, went into exile in 2019. (Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Josie Kao) NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan (AP) Pope Francis reaffirmed the critical value Thursday of interfaith dialogue to contrast the folly of war, even as one of his own bishops warned that Francis participation in a big interfaith peace conference in Kazakhstan could imply papal endorsement of a supermarket of religions. Francis delivered the closing speech to the Kazakh governments triennial conference of traditional religions, which gathered some 80 Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist and Taoist faith leaders who called for greater interfaith efforts to combat war, poverty, climate change and other ills facing the world. Francis praised the summit and underlined its conclusion that religion can never be used to justify war -- a call that came against the backdrop of the Russian Orthodox Churchs support of Moscows invasion of Ukraine. The final document says extremism, radicalism, terrorism and all other forms of violence and wars, whatever their goals, have nothing to do with true religion and must be rejected in the strongest possible terms. Without mentioning Russia or any other warring country by name, the final document calls on world leaders to abandon all aggressive and destructive rhetoric which leads to destabilization of the world, and to cease from conflict and bloodshed in all corners of our world. Francis told the gathering that interfaith encounters such as the Kazakh summit are more valuable than ever in challenging times like our own, when the problems of the pandemic have been compounded by the utter folly of war. With a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church at the table, Francis said peace was urgently needed. We plead with you, in the name of God and for the good of humanity: Work for peace, not weapons! Only by serving the cause of peace, will you make a name for yourselves in the annals of history, he said. A note of caution, however, came from Bishop Athenasius Schneider, the auxiliary bishop of Astana and one of Francis most vocal critics. Schneider has joined other traditionalist and conservative cardinals and bishops in criticizing several of Francis signature gestures and what they say are his doctrinal ambiguities on issues such as divorce and remarriage, homosexuality and interfaith outreach. Story continues As an auxiliary bishop of Kazakhstans capital, Schneider had to help play host to Francis during his three-day visit and had a prominent role in the pontiffs Thursday morning visit to the capitals cathedral. He accompanied Francis wheelchair down the aisle at the start of the meeting and introduced a line of dignitaries who met the pontiff afterward, serving as translator. But Schneider has also joined American Cardinal Raymond Burke in criticizing a landmark 2019 document Francis signed with the grand imam of al-Azhar university in Cairo which, among other things, said that all religions are willed by God. Some Catholic critics have said the idea that God actively wanted a plurality of religions could lead to relativism that would accept that all religions are equally valid paths to God, when the Vatican holds that Catholicism provides the only true path to salvation. The so-called Human Fraternity document was held up as an example of great historical significance by Kazakhstans president at the start of the interfaith conference, and the final communique recognized its importance and value in calling for peace, dialogue, mutual understanding and mutual respect among believers for the common good. Speaking to reporters at the cathedral, Schneider defended his occasional criticism of the pontiff as respectful, fraternal advice to the pope, borne out of love and providing true help for the church. This is normal because we (bishops) are not employees of the pope, he said. We are brothers. We have to say with respect when we recognize something is a danger for the entire church. This is a help. He welcomed the pope's visit to Kazakhstan, but he warned that Francis participation in such a big international interreligious event could call into question what he said was the Catholic Churchs unique role in providing the sole path to salvation. The congress as such has a good aim to promote mutual respect and understanding in the world today. But it has also a danger because it could give the impression of a supermarket of religions and this is not correct because there is only one true religion, which is the Catholic Church, founded by God himself, Schneider said. He urged the Vatican to reconsider participation in such international events in the future and instead focus on building relationships at a more local level. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) Pope Francis said Thursday the Vatican was in contact with the Nicaraguan government about its crackdown on the Catholic Church and hoped at the very least that nuns from Mother Teresas Sisters of Charity religious order would be allowed to return to operations in the country. Francis said he didnt understand the governments actions: it has forced out the Vatican ambassador, closed the Sisters of Charity local operation and placed a bishop under house arrest. But Francis stressed that the Vatican was not prepared to sever contact or relations with the Nicaraguan government. There is dialogue. That doesnt mean we approve of everything the government is doing, or disapprove of it. There is dialogue, he said. When theres dialogue it means we must resolve problems. In this moment, there are problems. Speaking while traveling home from a trip to Kazakhstan, Francis termed Managuas expulsion of Ambassador Waldemar Stanislaw Sommertag a serious diplomatic incident, especially since the ambassador was very capable diplomat, who has recently been appointed to head the Vaticans embassy in West Africa. Francis said he hoped at least the Sisters of Charity could return. These women are great revolutionaries, of the Gospel. They arent making war against anyone. Actually, we all need them. One cannot understand this gesture. But we hope they can go back. The Vatican has been exceedingly measured in its public reaction to Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortegas crackdown, limiting itself to a statement of concern after Sommertag was forced out as the Holy See's ambassador and then again last month when Matagalpa Bishop Rolando Alvarez was put under house arrest. Vatican officials have said they havent wanted to escalate the conflict by publicly admonishing Ortegas administration. Sommertags appointment in West Africa creates a formal opening in the Vaticans Managua embassy that the Vatican would presumably seek to fill with someone else if the Ortega government approves his credentials. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. By Kanupriya Kapoor SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The popular governor of Indonesia's capital Jakarta on Thursday said he is "prepared" to run for president of the world's third-largest democracy in 2024, despite not yet securing the support of any political party. With his five-year term as governor coming to a close next month, Anies Baswedan, 53, has emerged in independent opinion polls as one of the top figures expected to contest the presidential election due in February, 2024. "I'm prepared to run for president if a party nominates me," he told Reuters in an interview in Singapore, adding that not being a member of a party allows him "room to communicate with all factions". "These unsolicited surveys happening before I'm even campaigning, I think they give me more credibility," said Anies, a former education minister and university rector. Other popular potential candidates include Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, who ran twice before, unsuccessfully, and Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, an up-and-coming politician in the ruling party. Incumbent Joko Widodo has reached his two-term limit and cannot run again. Analysts say Anies is a likely frontrunner given his popularity at the helm of one of Southeast Asia's biggest cities, a position often considered a springboard to the presidency. Widodo was the city's governor for two years before winning the top job in 2014. But Anies has also been criticised for how he rose to power in Jakarta in 2017, helped by hardline Islamist groups who had agitated for months against his opponent and former governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama - an ethnic Chinese Christian - who was later jailed for insulting Islam. At the time, Anies, who espouses moderate Islam, was seen to be doing little to mend widening religious and communal rifts in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation. But he says his policies as governor had "united the people of Jakarta". "Before, people made assumptions about me and what I stood for and what I would do in office. Now, I have served for five years, so judge me based on reality and track record," he said. (Additional reporting by Stanley Widianto in Jakarta; Editing by Martin Petty) By Jan Schwartz, Emma-Victoria Farr and Lucy Raitano HAMBURG/FRANKFURT/LONDON (Reuters) -Volkswagen's supervisory board is due to meet on Sunday to move forward with the IPO of its Porsche brand, which will comprise 911 million shares in a nod to its most famous model, two sources close to matter said. Details on the price range, valuation and confirmed cornerstone investors are likely to be announced after the meeting, a third source said. The 911 million Porsche AG shares will be divided into 455.5 million preferred shares and 455.5 million ordinary shares, according to the website for the share placement. Only the preferred shares will be listed. Porsche SE, Volkswagen's top shareholder, has already committed to buying 25% plus one of the ordinary shares at a 7.5% premium to the preferred shares. Investor roadshows are due to complete this Friday, several sources said, allowing time for senior executives to hold discussions over the weekend before opening the book building process early next week. A stock exchange prospectus is expected to be published on Monday, the sources said, after which institutional and private investors can subscribe to Porsche shares. Volkswagen and Porsche declined to comment. Investor interest in the initial public offering (IPO) is still strong, two of the sources said, despite concerns raised about governance in regard to Oliver Blume's dual role as CEO of Volkswagen and Porsche. Porsche's valuation is likely to be between 70 billion and 80 billion euros ($70-80 billion), one of the sources said, playing down an analyst note from HSBC this week that valued the sports car maker at a much lower 44.5-56.9 billion euros. But nothing is certain while the process is ongoing, that source added. "It's at a point where it could go either way," the source said, noting the sharp reaction in markets this week to a slight deviation from expectations in U.S. inflation data. "One has to be careful. There are still pitfalls if the market continues to slide," the source said. But due to the anchor investors involved, Porsche is confident of reaching a 70-80 billion euro valuation, this source added. Story continues At the upper end of estimates, Porsche's valuation would still be lower than that of luxury carmaker Ferrari on benchmark measures, though higher than some other premium automakers, according to bankers working on the deal. A valuation of 65-85 billion euros for Porsche would correspond to an enterprise value of 8.5-11.3 times its forecast earnings before interest and tax for 2023, and a price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 12.6-16.5, one banker involved in the deal said. Ferrari currently trades at a PE ratio of 35 for 2023 estimates, according to Refinitiv data, but Mercedes-Benz and BMW trade between 4.5 and 5 times on the same basis, the data show. Volkswagen has a market valuation of around 89 billion euros, according to Refinitiv data. "Volkswagen said it was hoping the IPO would crystallise value, but that is a huge amount of value to be created overnight," said Joshua Warner, Financial Markets Analyst at City Index. Pointing to the HSBC note, Warner said a hefty valuation could pose a problem as Porsche needed to avoid stifling its start to public life by setting the bar too high - especially in current market conditions. ($1 = 1.0016 euros) (Reporting by Emma-Victoria Farr in Frankfurt, Jan Schwartz in Hamburg, Lucy Raitano in London, Victoria Waldersee in Berlin, Editing by Christoph Steitz and Mark Potter) At portrait of the late Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) was unveiled at the Capitol on Wednesday. Cummings, who was first elected to the House in 1996, died in October 2019 at the age of 68. He was serving as chairman of the powerful House Oversight and Reform Committee at the time of his death. Baltimore-based artist Jerrell Gibbs painted Cummingss portrait, which will hang in the Rayburn House Office Building s Oversight and Reform Committee hearing room. According to the office of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), commissioning an official portrait is a customary honor for congressional lawmakers who serve as chairs of committees. Cummings, who died during his 13th term in Congress, lay in state in the Capitols Statuary Hall. His office at the time said he died due to complications concerning longstanding health challenges. The son of a sharecropper, Cummings was born on Jan. 18, 1951, in Baltimore. He graduated from Howard University and received a law degree from the University of Maryland. Before serving in Congress, the Maryland Democrat spent 13 years in the state House of Delegates. Cummings was a frequent figure in the news in the weeks before his death for his involvement in the House impeachment inquiry focused on then-President Trump. As the chairman of the Oversight and Reform Committee, Cummings was one of the top three lawmakers leading the inquiry. A number of lawmakers delivered remarks honoring Cummings at the portrait unveiling on Wednesday, including Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.). He was my Baltimore brother, Pelosi, who was born in the Maryland city, said at the ceremony on Wednesday. He was so astute, so smart, so wise, so strategic and the rest, and thats why he made such a big difference. He was a leader of towering integrity. Everybody knows that. A man whose life embodied the American dream, Pelosi added, calling him the north star of the House of Representatives. Story continues The Speaker noted that the room where the portrait unveiling took place is the same location where the Jan. 6 House select committee has held its public hearings. Elijah said, When were dancing with the angels, when were dancing with the angels, what would we have thought that we could have done to make the future better for our children, for our democracy? Thats what theyre doing in this room. When were not honoring Elijah directly, we are indirectly for his patriotism, she said. The Speaker said she still has Cummings on her speed dial, adding, I cant separate myself. I go to it frequently and just try to think of what he would be thinking of what is going on, she added. Updated Thursday at 4:32 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The study found that children who used social media were more likely to report poor sleep and anxiety (Getty Images) Primary school children could be missing out on the equivalent of one full-nights sleep each week due to excessive social media use, a new study suggests. Almost 70 per cent of children surveyed revealed they used social media for four hours a day or more, with 66 per cent accessing it in the two hours before bed, while 12.5 per cent admitted using it in the middle of the night when they should be asleep. TikTok was the most popular platform accessed by the sample group, with nearly 90 per cent of those surveyed accessing it, while 84 per cent used Snapchat, 88 per cent used YouTube and 57 per cent used Instagram. The small study of 60 children from Leceister found that youngsters who used social media were more likely to report higher levels of FOMO (fear of missing out), anxiety, and worse sleep. Instead of getting the NHS-recommended 9-12 hours each night, the 10-11-year-olds in the study were getting an average of 8.7 hours of sleep. The blue light emitted by mobile phones and other devices is also believed to interrupt sleep rhythms, the researchers said. Researchers believe it is the first study to look in depth at how social media sites such as TikTok and Instagram may be affecting the sleep and emotions of pre-teens. Dr John Shaw, of De Montfort University (DMU), Leicester, who oversaw the work, spoke about the research at the British Science Festival in Leicester, saying: This is quite terrifying when you think about the level of engagement. When asked what his concerns were, he replied: I suppose it is that knock-on effect on sleep and what that means for the children in terms of their cognitive development and really their social development as well because if they are always online, what does that mean for them with their in-person socialisation? 12.5 per cent of those children surveyed 12.5 per cent admitted using social media in the middle of the night when they should be asleep (Getty Images) Healthy sleep can impact a childs cognitive and biological development, he continued. When they sleep, its very important for emotion processing and memory consolidation, creativity and problem solving. Story continues When youre not getting enough sleep, those processes dont get a chance to occur, he said. When it comes to biological processes during sleep, when we enter slow-wave sleep, our body rests, recovers, releases growth hormone. Theyre still growing, thats why younger people tend to get more sleep than adults because they are going through biological changes. Dr Shaw added that his research team wanted to recruit children who are rarely online in order to compare sleep patterns, but admitted that finding kids who were not on social media was a struggle. He highlighted the importance of parents setting an example. Its all well and good telling [a child] to be off their phone, he said. But if the parent is saying that while on their phone or on social media, theyre not going to listen to you. In what is perhaps the ultimate in first-world problems, King Charles is not expected to bestow an HRH honorific on Harry and Meghan Markles kids, but they will become prince and princess, it has been reported. The Sun reports that the new arrangements, which will formalize the names of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are expected to be confirmed over the coming weeks. Lilibet Finally Meets Her Grandpa Prince Charles According to a custom begun in 1917, the grandchildren of the king are given prince or princess titles. Great-grandchildren are not, but an exception is made for the grandchildren of the heir to the throne, which is why the Cambridge kids are known as Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Its why students of the unwritten British convention have declared that Meghan was wrong when she said in her interview with Oprah Winfrey that her children were denied a title unfairly. However if they were not to be given the titles now that their grandfather is king, she would be proved quite right. And maybe, her supporters will say, this is what she meant all along. There is no doubt that under the 1917 rules, their children should automatically become HRHs. Equally, there is little denying that it would be very odd if Archie and Lilibet were publicly using the HRH title when their parents have been asked not to do so, and have agreed to that request. King Charles office declined to comment on the report to The Daily Beast. The Sussexes office has been contacted for comment. However the Sun says that the decision to not create Archie and Lilibet as His or Her Royal Highnesses (HRHs) has angered the childrens parents. The Sun quotes a source as saying: Harry and Meghan were worried about the security issue and being prince and princess brings them the right to have certain levels of royal security. There have been a lot of talks over the past week. They have been insistent that Archie and Lilibet are prince and princess. They have been relentless since the queen died. But they have been left furious that Archie and Lilibet cannot take the title HRH. That is the agreementthey can be prince and princess but not HRH because they are not working royals. Story continues There are plenty of other non-working royals who are HRHs, of course. Prince Andrews daughters Beatrice and Eugenie spring to mind. If the palace wants to now change the rules, going forward, to restrict the issuing of HRHs to working royals as opposed to grandchildren of the monarch, it is of course its right to do so. But that will represent a significant shift. And the only people to lose out (at least until Louis and Charlotte have kids) will be Harrys children. Not a great look. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. After more than 70 years of Queen Elizabeth II's steady reign over the United Kingdom, Prince Charles ascended the throne upon her death and is now King Charles III. The first-born son of the queen and her late husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, Charles was next in line for the throne from the time he was 3 years old, making him the longest serving, and the most prepared, heir to the throne in British history. Elizabeth was the reigning monarch from February 1952, when she was 25, up until her death at 96 last week. Now that Charles has become king, people (especially Americans) are asking questions about who he is, his role in the royal family and what he is expected to do during his reign. Here's everything to know about King Charles III. Now begins the reign of King Charles III: What kind of sovereign will he be? Not like his mother Who is King Charles III of the United Kingdom? Born, Nov. 14, 1948, Charles Philip Arthur George Windsor is the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and her late husband, Prince Philip. Upon the death of the queen on Sept. 8, 2022, Charles, formerly known as Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, became king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. King Charles is known for his previous marriage to the late Princess Diana. The couple had two children, Prince William and Prince Harry. More Q&As: King Charles III succeeds Queen Elizabeth. What to know about British royal line. Britain's King Charles III walks behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, adorned with a Royal Standard and the Imperial State Crown, pulled by a Gun Carriage of The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, during a ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. Wednesday Sept. 14, 2022. When will Charles be crowned? Legally, Charles became king from the moment of the queen's death, meaning he is head of state for the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and a dozen other countries. He's also the titular head of the Church of England, head of the military and the judiciary, and carries a host of other royal titles and duties. The name he chose as his regnal, or reign, name is his own first name, Charles, and it is followed by the Roman numeral III because he is the third king Charles in British history. Story continues In the days following the queen's death, Charles was formally proclaimed as monarch in an accession ceremony and gave his first formal address as king. Charles will likely be crowned within the year; the ancient ritual of the coronation requires advance planning, although a lot of that has already been done. But there hasn't been a coronation since June 1953 when the late queen was crowned. King Charles speech: Read the full transcript from his first national address following queen's death How old is King Charles III? He is 73, the oldest monarch to ever take the British throne. Survival of the monarchy: Why Queen Elizabeth II's funeral is more than just ceremony Who is first in line to become king after Charles? Prince William, King Charles' elder son and formerly the Duke of Cambridge, is next in line for the throne under the British line of succession. Charles named William, 40, the new Prince of Wales in an announcement on his first full day as king. As a result, William's wife Catherine, or Kate as she is widely known, also 40, became Princess of Wales. She is the first to hold that title since the death of Princess Diana in 1997. After Prince William, the line of succession turns to Prince William and Princess Kate's children. The succession is as follows: Prince William, the Prince of Wales (Charles and Diana's first-born son) Prince George of Wales (Will and Kate's first-born son) Princess Charlotte of Wales (Will and Kate's second-born daughter) Prince Louis of Wales (Will and Kate's third-born son) Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex (Charles and Diana's second-born son) More: What happens to the other royals under King Charles III and his new slimmed-down monarchy? Prince William, Princess Kate, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan wave to a crowd on the long Walk at Windsor Castle on September 10, 2022. Is King Charles married? Charles is married to the former Camilla Parker Bowles, who was known as Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. She is now the Queen Consort. Legally, Camilla was the Princess of Wales when she married Charles in 2005 but it was decided at the time she would assume one of the Charles' lesser titles instead. Diana long blamed Camilla for the breakup of her marriage to Charles and public fury remained when Camilla and Charles married eight years after Diana's death in a car crash in Paris. King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort view tributes on Sept. 9, 2022, in London left outside Buckingham Palace, London, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 8, 2022, in Balmoral, Scotland. When did Charles marry Camilla? Charles married Camilla in 2005 in two ceremonies in Windsor. Right after the reception for 800 guests at Windsor Castle, the couple left for a honeymoon in Scotland. Few Brits thought the wedding would actually happen. A future king had never married a divorced woman. Plus, Camilla was once the most despised woman in Britain, the alleged home-wrecker who broke up the marriage of Charles and Diana. But by the couple's 10th wedding anniversary, public perception of Camilla began to change as the royal family, including the queen, embraced her. Charles once said she would never be called Queen Camilla when he assumed the throne. His wishes on that later changed, and the late queen made if official in February 2022 when she announced she wanted her heir's second wife to be known as Queen Consort. When were Prince Charles and Princess Diana married? Charles was first married to Lady Diana Spencer, later known as the beloved Princess Diana. They were married for 15 years from 1981 to 1996. Diana was 20 and Charles was 32 at the time of their nuptials. The wedding was billed as a fairy tale, but their married life was not. As the public would learn later, Charles had always been in love with Camilla, a woman hed met over a decade prior in 1970. During the marriage of Charles and Diana, there were affairs on both sides. The royal couple separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996. FILE - Britain's Prince Charles and his bride Diana, Princess of Wales, are shown on their wedding day on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London, July 29, 1981. (AP Photo, File) Diana, Charles and Camilla: The love triangle of the century What will Camilla be called now? People could call her just Queen Camilla, but her official title is Queen Consort Camilla, or Camilla, the Queen Consort. The vexing question of what to call her once Charles assumed the throne was resolved when the late queen announced during festivities marking her seven decades on the throne that the then-Duchess of Cornwall should be known as Queen Consort, as opposed to Princess Consort, when Charles became king. "Queen Consort" is the fancy name for the wife of a reigning king. In general, a queen consort's job is to support the king in any way she can. As with the first lady of the United States, there's no job description, no official duties and no salary. But there's high visibility, high pressure and high expectations from the public whose taxes pay for the monarchy. Camilla's new title, explained: What's the difference between queen and 'Queen Consort'? If King Charles dies, will Camilla be queen? While we call her Queen Camilla, she will never be the reigning queen. Only members of the royal family who are born in the direct line of succession can become the monarch. With Prince William and his son Prince George, 9, the next two in line for the throne after King Charles, a reigning queen is unlikely to come anytime soon. (There have only been six reigning queens in British history since 1066.) Who are King Charles siblings? King Charles has three siblings: From oldest to youngest, Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, 72, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, 62, and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, 58. They are all children of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Charles' only sister, Princess Anne, is a full-time working royal, currently 16th in line for the throne. She appears in line after her younger brothers because she was born before the Succession to the Crown Act of 2013, which ended the system of male primogeniture. Before the rules changed, younger sons would displace an elder daughter in the line of succession. Now the succession is based on birth order, not gender: Thus, Princess Charlotte, 7, is now third in line and ahead of her younger brother Prince Louis, 4, who is fourth. Prince Andrew is eighth in line for the throne despite his scandal-ridden history. He's been under fire in Britain since at least 2011 for his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted American sex offender who died in jail in 2019. After a disastrous 2019 TV interview about his relationship with Epstein, Andrew officially stepped back from public duties and as a senior working royal. Earlier this year, Andrew settled a lawsuit with an American sexual assault accuser, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who had been airing allegations against him publicly since 2015. Charles' youngest brother, Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, is a full-time working royal and is 13th in line for the throne. What is King Charles III known for? Beyond his role in the royal family as William and Harry's father, the queen's son and the new king, Charles is known for his long and steady service as the Prince of Wales, as he carried out his official and ceremonial duties and established more than 20 charities, including The Prince's Trust, The Prince's Foundation and The Prince of Waless Charitable Fund. As Queen Elizabeth's mobility waned in the months before her death, Charles stepped in for the monarch, including standing in for her for the first time at the state opening of Parliament this year, when he delivered what has long been called "the Queen's Speech." Now it will be called "the King's Speech." What are King Charles' interests? Did he serve in the military? King Charles has shown keen interest in environmental causes including organic farming, architecture and urban planning, and fighting climate change. He served in the military, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy in the 1970s, and will no doubt be on hand for many military parades and events during his reign. As king, Charles is expected to "slim down" the monarchy reduce the number of working senior royals supported by taxpayers and reduce the overall multimillion-pound annual cost of the royal show. More: How much power did Queen Elizabeth II actually have? And will King Charles III have more or less? Contributing: Maria Puente, Marco della Cava, Andrea Mandell This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: King Charles III: Everything to know about the new king of the UK Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) on Wednesday accused Texas of dropping off buses of migrants in Chicago in the dead of night. We have tried to direct the buses to reception centers in Chicago that we have prepared for the arrivals, but the state of Texas instead chooses to send them to Union Station, dumping these human beings off in the dead of night, Pritzker said at a press conference on Wednesday. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) began busing migrants from the southern border to various Democratic-run cities, including Washington, D.C., New York City and Chicago, in April. The first bus arrived in Chicago on Aug. 31, with what Chicago officials have said was no notice. The governor of the state of Texas is choosing not to notify the city or the state when he is sending busloads of families, Pritzker said. They wont tell us how many infants, children, seniors or families are on board, he continued. They wont tell us what route theyll take or when they will arrive. They wont provide any information that would actually help their fellow Americans welcome and care for these human beings. Pritzker issued an emergency disaster proclamation on Wednesday and activated 75 members of the Illinois National Guard in an effort to provide for the more than 500 asylum-seekers that have arrived in Chicago thus far. Let me be clear: while other states may be treating these vulnerable families as pawns, here in Illinois, we are treating them as people, Pritzker said in a press release. Other GOP governors, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, have joined Abbott in sending migrants to Democratic-led cities and states in protest of the Biden administrations immigration policies. Abbott sent two buses of migrants to Vice President Harriss D.C. home on Thursday, while DeSantis confirmed that he sent two planes of migrants to Marthas Vineyard, Mass., on Wednesday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Ukrainian law enforcement officers search for remnants of projectiles used by Russian forces this morning to fire at one of the sleepy districts of Kharkiv, Ukraine on August 08, 2022. Sofia Bobok/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Former Newsmax host John Cardillo is being sued for failing to deliver body armor to Ukraine. Cardillo, a one-time NYPD officer, operates a munitions company called M42 Tactical. Cardillo's lawyers allege the holdup has to do with properly validating the delivery. Full-time MAGA supporter and part-time munitions dealer John Cardillo is allegedly holding up $200,000 worth of tactical body armor meant for Ukrainian cops caught in the crossfire of the ongoing Russian invasion. Ukrainian-born Michael Bogachek is suing Cardillo, a former New York City police officer and now conservative commentator, for breaching their contract, the Daily Beast reports. Bogachek says he and Cardillo brokered a deal in March to supply Ukrainian law enforcement personnel with 250 body armor kits capable of withstanding rounds from an AK-47. Cardillo said his weapons-related company, M42 Tactical, could procure the gear in Serbia and send it to Ukraine, Bogachek wrote in the court filing. Six months later, no body armor has been delivered and Bogachek's lawyer is reportedly pushing for "vigorous discovery to find out how M42 actually used the money." Cardillo's lawyers say the body armor is sitting on a loading dock pending final confirmation from Bogachek of a "final delivery address and End User Certificate." The latter, Cardillo's camp maintains, is legally required to ensure that any purchased ammunition, weapons or armor actually make it to the intended recipient. Cardillo has apparently emerged from prior legal scuffles unscathed. Fellow conservative pundit Dave Rubin wrote on social media that he and Cardillo, a former Newsmax host, dined with Florida governor and likely 2024 presidential contender Ron DeSantis earlier this year. Read the original article on Business Insider State lawmakers in West Virginia approved a sweeping anti-abortion law with few exceptions on 13 September, drawing furious protests from abortion rights advocates in the halls of the state Capitol building. The bill is awaiting the signature of Republican Governor Jim Justice, who convened a special legislative session in July to clarify and modernise the states abortion laws after the US Supreme Court struck down the constitutional right to abortion in June. Both chambers of West Virginias Republican-dominated legislature approved a bill that outlaws all abortions except in pregnancies from rape or incest or for medical emergencies. It goes into effect 90 days after it is signed into law. The law only allows survivors of rape or incest to receive an abortion up to eight weeks of pregnancy, and only if they report the crime to a law enforcement agency. Minors who are survivors of rape or incest have up to 14 weeks and must also report the crime to law enforcement. Protesters inside the halls of the state capitol on Tuesday chanted vote them out and law enforcement officers were captured grabbing demonstrators and dragging women away from the building in handcuffs. The states only abortion clinic Charlestons Womens Health Center announced that it will be pausing abortion care but continuing to offer exams, STI treatment, birth control, cancer screenings, family planning, gender-affirming care and other healthcare services. We wont stop fighting for your right to access comprehensive reproductive health care, and we remain committed to providing the care our community needs, the group said in a statement. West Virginia is the second state to pass a near-total ban on legal abortion care after the Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organization, which overturned precedent established by the decisions in Roe v Wade and Planned Parenthood v Casey. Indiana the first state to pass an anti-abortion law in the wake of the Dobbs decision enacted its measure on 14 September. Story continues On 18 July, a circuit court judge in West Virginia issued a preliminary injunction against the states 150-year-old anti-abortion law, freezing its enforcement as a legal challenge plays out. But state lawmakers intended to draft legislation that would override the previous trigger law. This cruel ban insults West Virginia doctors, endangering their patients lives while subjecting them to appalling government surveillance, and threatens to put other medical providers in prison simply for providing health care, according to Alisa Clements, the director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. The bills passage came as Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina unveiled his proposal for a nationwide abortion ban on Tuesday that would outlaw abortions at 15 weeks of pregnancy with few exceptions. At least 12 states have effectively outlawed abortion entirely following the Supreme Courts decision. State-level anti-abortion laws that followed have forced the closure of more than 40 clinics and denied access to care for millions of women and girls. Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose for a photograph during their meeting in Beijing, on February 4, 2022. Photo by ALEXEI DRUZHININ/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images Russia's Putin and China's Xi held a face-to-face meeting on Thursday in Uzbekistan. Putin acknowledged during the meeting that China has "questions and concerns" on Ukraine. Russian forces have suffered significant battlefield defeats in Ukraine in recent weeks. Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged on Thursday that even China has concerns about the war in Ukraine, as the disastrous conflict he initiated earlier this year continues to create problems for Moscow, including leaving Russia increasingly isolated. "We highly value the balanced position of our Chinese friends when it comes to the Ukraine crisis," Putin told Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit in Uzbekistan, according to media reports. "We understand your questions and concerns in this regard," he continued. "During today's meeting, of course, we will explain in detail our position on this issue, although we have spoken about this before." China has largely been hesitant to offer its full support to Russia's invasion, despite their close partnership as both countries face pressure from the West over actions considered alarming, specifically Russian aggression in Europe and Chinese assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. Chinese state news agency Xinhua cited Xi telling Putin that his country was "ready to work with Russia in extending strong support to each other on issues concerning their respective core interests." The meeting between the two authoritarian leaders comes as they face growing tensions with Western countries Putin for his unprovoked war in Ukraine and Xi for stepping up threats against the self-ruled democratic island Taiwan. For Putin, Russia's increasing isolation throughout the war, driven in part by global condemnation and international sanctions, has forced the country to seek partnership with other states that often face pressure from the global community, like Iran and North Korea. Russia has deployed Iran-made drones on the battlefield in Ukraine while also approaching North Korea seeking ammunition. US officials said earlier this month that Putin's hunt for supplies from these countries is a sign of desperation and that his troops are struggling in the conflict. Story continues Putin's remarks to Xi on Thursday come as his forces have been routed by a Ukrainian counteroffensive in the country's northeastern Kharkiv region. Ukraine's advances have sent Russian troops scrambling from their positions and seen Ukrainian forces liberate thousands of square miles of territory that were previously under the occupation of Putin's forces. "Events show that the only way out for Russian soldiers is to surrender to Ukrainian forces. This is the only option that guarantees them life and attitude in accordance with all conventions," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday after returning from a visit to a newly liberated front-line city. "Every Russian soldier should have already understood that only in Ukrainian captivity will no one use him as cannon fodder in a war that is obviously losing for Russia," he said. Read the original article on Business Insider Photo Illustration by Erin O'Flynn/The Daily Beast/Getty and Wikimedia Commons As Ukraines two-pronged offensive against the Russians continues, one great imponderable troubles U.S. policymakers. Can Vladimir Putin handle the truth? Speaking to one senior administration official this week, he wondered aloud whether and how Putin would respond to the massive blows being delivered against his army, especially if the Russians keep losing ground. Can Putin simply acknowledge what has happened, withdraw, and turn the page? Will he identify and possibly eliminate scapegoatssuch as Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu and some generals? Will he lash out and lay waste to whatever parts of Ukraine he can strike? Or will he use tactical nuclear weapons? What Happens to Russia After It Loses? A related series of questions also are currently being evaluated by Western analysts. And those revolve around how will the three main groups surrounding Putin respond; the people of Russia, the business elites, and the security services. In the views of one official with whom I spoke, the X-factor is whether the security services will indefinitely tolerate the damage Putins catastrophic blunder in Ukraine is doing to Russia. The people are likely to tolerate Putins failures and the hardships for the country. The business elites are getting restive and may put pressure on him. But how the security services go will determine whether Putin has a future as Russias leader or not, the official said. All of these questions have been brought to the fore due to the stunning successes Ukraine has achieved both from the outset of the current phase of the conflict in February and, more recently, with their lightning offensives that have resulted in defeat after humiliating, devastating defeat for the Russians. Russia is, quite simply, losing. And the Russians may keep losing as Ukraine moves toward strategic cities in the north, and then turns its attention south to Kherson, and ultimately to coastal regions. When asked whether the coming winter will see a significant slowdown in fighting, the official with whom I spoke questioned the whole concept that winter was an impediment to an expanded war that began, as he rightly noted, in mid-winter. When asked whether we will still be discussing the conduct of the war a year from now, he nodded, indicating that the general expectation is that, despite Ukraines victories, it will be a difficult and time-consuming prospect to dislodge Russia entirely from Ukraine. Story continues Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) talks to his bodyguard (R) as Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (L) looks on during the Navy Day Parade on July 31, 2022, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. President Vladimir Putin has arrived to Saint Petersburg to review Main Naval Parade of over 50 military ships on Russia's Navy Day. Contributor/Getty Images Nonetheless, there is a sense of admiration for what the Ukrainians have achieved in the current offensive, just as there is optimism about the future of their operations. They have demonstrated themselves to be superior strategists and fighters to the Russians, having relegated the worlds second best army to being the second best (if that) in their own neighborhood. Officials assured me that the U.S. and the West remain committed to supporting Ukraine, and to providing the assistance needed to capitalize on the recent wave of Ukrainian victories. Further, U.S. officials believe that while Russia will try to inflict pain on Europe in the form of reducing access to crucial energy supplies this winter, they also believe that Europe is preparing to weather that squeeze. Multiple new supplies of gas are being negotiated and new policies are being implemented, which could bring with them the long-term benefit of ensuring Europe is permanently immune to Russian energy blackmail efforts. Compounding the challenge for Russia is the recently started war between Azerbaijan and Armenia, a distraction at just the wrong time for Moscow which has pledged in the past to intervene on Armenias behalf. Further, while Russia might hope for greater support from China, its most important allyperhaps coming in the wake of this weeks scheduled meeting between Putin and Chinese President Xi at the Shanghai Summit in Uzbekistanthat support is unlikely to come in the form of military assistance. The Russians and the Chinese have talked a good game of solidarity, but China has been wary of getting too involved in what they see as a mess of Russias making in Ukraine and, concerned with economic issues at home, the Chinese government especially does not wish to damage relations with the EUwhich would certainly be the case were China to provide weapons to Russia and the West were to respond with sanctions against Beijing. Mikhail Gorbachev Rode the Wave of History. Putin Is Swimming Against It. All of this is to say: Putin is in a pickle. Things have gotten so bad that the significant quantities of abandoned, usable Russian vehicles, weapons, and ammunition left on the battlefield are now being described by the Ukrainians with their characteristic mordant humor as Russian Lend Lease. Thats why the question turns to what Putin and those around him will do in response to defeat after defeat and the harsh reality that victory for Russia is really an impossibility at this point. U.S. officials said they have directly told the Russians that the use of tactical nuclear weapons would trigger a response that would surely and deeply compound Russias pain. That likely does not portend the use of U.S. or Western nuclear weapons. But it could mean providing Ukraine with new weapons systems, perhaps some with the capability of striking into Russiaas well as significantly enhancing aid to Ukraine and dramatically increasing sanctions on Russia. A soldier, call sign Petrovich, stands in trenches on the Kherson frontline in Mykolaiv region, Ukraine, 8th of August 2022. Wojciech Grzedzinski/For The Washington Post via Getty Images If Putin does not choose that route, then what? Is the Russian president strong enough at home (and mentally healthy enough) to acknowledge the reality on the ground, offer excuses, declare victory, and fire a few senior military officials? He has never shown such equanimity in the past. If he lashes out, then how badly will he lash out? It is fair to say that Western intelligence assets are heavily devoted to tracking this situation and trying to anticipate and blunt the consequences of whatever the wounded Russian leader does. A New Iran Nuclear Deal Would Help Prove America Is Truly Back The difference between great men and pretenders is how they handle defeat. The former recognize defeat is both an inevitable aspect of long-term leadership, and that it offers lessons which they are adaptable enough to apply. The latter grouppretenders, lesser men, and worsedeny defeats, pretend they did not happen or they blame others. All indicators point to Putin being a bad loser, who will likely make a terrible situation much worse. Hoping for the best has been a losing strategy when dealing with himwhich is why, for now, Ukraine, and the West must expect and prepare for the worst. We must remain committed to enabling Ukraines surprising and inspiring armed forces to fight and punish Russia until no one, not even an isolated dictator, surrounded by toadies, can deny the reality of defeat on the groundor until those around Putin acknowledge the inevitable, by putting a stop to his reign of brutality before all of Russia suffers even more greatly the cost of their leaders obsession, cruelty, and denial. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that a delegation of 80 large companies will visit Iran next week, Russian state-owned news agency RIA reported. President Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi are at a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Samarkand, in Uzbekistan. Earlier, Iran's foreign minister said that Tehran had signed a memorandum to join the bloc. (Reporting by Reuters) Russian President Vladimir Putin. Getty Images Putin is likely humiliated as Russia's military losses mount in Ukraine, a Russia expert told Insider. Such defeats are made worse due to the US, UK, and other NATO allies aiding Ukraine's cause. "He misjudged the resilience of the West," Simon Miles, a Duke professor said of Putin. When Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an unprovoked war against Ukraine nearly seven months ago, he significantly underestimated the willingness of Western governments to become involved in the conflict between two Soviet neighbors, an expert on Russia told Insider. That miscalculation was on full display earlier this month as Ukraine secured one of its biggest victories yet following the launch of two major offensives in the northeast and south in an effective effort to reclaim occupied territory that sent Russian troops fleeing an assault that while exclusively executed by Ukrainian forces, was reportedly made possible thanks to US and UK intelligence, strategy, and weapons. "The last thing I want to do is take anything away from the pretty extraordinary heroism of the Ukrainians on the ground who are using those tools," Simon Miles, an assistant professor at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy and a historian of the Soviet Union and US-Soviet relations said. "But the preparation of that battle space and the un-leveling of the playing field in the Ukrainians' favor is in big part a story of the weapons they've been getting from the US and other NATO allies and then using to extraordinary effect." The Ukrainians' soaring success coupled with the presence that Putin's geopolitical adversaries played in recent victories have almost certainly left the Russian president fuming, Miles said. "Absolutely Putin is aware of this," the professor told Insider. "This is, I'm sure, frustrating and humiliating to him because I think he genuinely didn't believe this would happen." Putin's personal vendetta against Ukraine and his misplaced assuredness in Russia's military supremacy likely blinded him to the Western world's willingness to come to Ukraine's aid. Story continues "He misjudged the resilience of the West," Miles said. "He misjudged the willingness of western governments and firms to take a hit to punish Russia, and certainly the willingness of Europe to imperil their supply of gas." Russia has targeted the continent's natural gas supply, shutting down Nord Stream 1 pipeline and leaving just one major pipeline delivering gas to all of Europe in retaliation against European sanctions on Russia. Energy prospects throughout Europe remain somewhat grim and Miles predicted that Putin will try to push Europe to its limit as winter comes to the continent in a few short months. But recent inventory data suggests the European Union is actually set to meet its winter natural gas storage goals two months early, despite Russia's chokehold. The US, too, has had to make sacrifices as a result of Russia's war in Ukraine. Gas prices skyrocketed earlier this summer and remain high in many places, while increased shipping prices have impacted the country as well. Putin's war has also had massive implications on global politics. The notoriously neutral Finland and Sweden quickly made moves to join NATO following Russia's incursion an ironic consequence of the war, considering Putin's goal to hinder the military alliance's power. Russia's mounting military losses in conjunction with the Western world's rallying behind Ukraine is a worst-case scenario for Putin. "I think this is driving him nuts. I think he's totally miserable right now," Miles said. Experts told Insider's John Haltiwanger that Russia's strategic defeat throughout the war thus far has "dramatically" altered perceptions of Russia's military strength and may ultimately put Putin's regime in jeopardy. "All of this is pretty humiliating for Putin, as it should be," Miles said. "This is legitimate humiliation on the world stage." Read the original article on Business Insider UKRAINSKA PRAVDA THURSDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2022, 11:40 Russian President Vladimir Putin is worried about the problem of alcohol abuse among his "close circle" and the top leadership of the Russian Federation, which he claims has become particularly acute since February this year. Source: [Latvia-based Russian media outlet] Meduza, referring to several sources close to the administration of the President of Russia Details: According to two sources, Putin began to pay special attention to the problem of alcohol abuse, because in the background of the war against Ukraine, Russian officials started drinking much more often. In particular, the President of the Russian Federation is particularly concerned about the condition of some people from his "close environment". Quote: "Since February, people have been relieving stress like this. Ministers, their deputies, even some vice prime ministers, employees of the presidential administration and the Security Council, some heads of state corporations, and governors." More details: According to one of the sources of the publication, the main cause of the "stress" is the damage caused to Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine, including sanctions: "They sat down (in February - ed.) on a glass. Someone got involved." However, two sources claim that the problems of the Russian Federation on the front do not affect the attitude of officials to alcohol, because they have "their own problems and their own war" there. According to Meduza, the President of the Russian Federation began to worry about alcohol abuse, as discipline among senior Russian leaders and officials began to suffer: "Someone disappears before an important event; someone reports in a vague and confusing manner. The general public can see this." According to the publication's sources, Putin is not yet going to fire those who are guilty. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met for their first face-to-face talks since the start of the conflict in Ukraine on Thursday, hailing their strategic ties in defiance of the West. Sitting across from each other at two long rounded tables and flanked by aides, the two leaders met on the sidelines of a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in ex-Soviet Uzbekistan. The meeting was part of Xi's first trip abroad since the early days of the pandemic. For Putin, it was a chance to show Russia has not been fully isolated despite Western efforts. "China is willing to make efforts with Russia to assume the role of great powers, and play a guiding role to inject stability and positive energy into a world rocked by social turmoil," Xi told Putin at the talks. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV also quoted Xi as saying China was willing to work with Russia to support "each other's core interests". Putin took a clear broadside at the United States, which has been leading efforts to support Ukraine and impose sanctions on Russia. "Attempts to create a unipolar world have recently acquired an absolutely ugly form and are completely unacceptable," Putin said. "We highly appreciate the balanced position of our Chinese friends in connection with the Ukrainian crisis," Putin told Xi, while reiterating Moscow's backing for China on Taiwan. "We adhere to the principle of one China. We condemn the provocation of the US and their satellites in the Taiwan Strait," Putin said, after a US Senate committee on Wednesday took the first step towards Washington directly providing billions of dollars in military aid to Taiwan. - 'Alternative' to West - It was the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since Putin saw Xi in early February for the Winter Olympic Games, days before the Russian leader launched the military offensive in Ukraine. The Kremlin has touted the SCO summit in the ancient Silk Road city of Samarkand as showing there is an "alternative" to Western dominated international institutions. Story continues The SCO -- made up of China, India, Pakistan, Russia and the ex-Soviet Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan -- was set up in 2001 as a political, economic and security organisation to rival Western institutions. The leaders of those countries were to attend, as well as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus. Putin met with the leaders of Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan earlier Thursday, as well as with Raisi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. With both Raisi and Sharif he said ties were "developing positively", while the Iranian leader told Putin that US-backed sanctions on both countries would only make their relationship "stronger". "The Americans think whichever country they impose sanctions on, it will be stopped. Their perception is a wrong one," Raisi said. For Putin, the summit comes at an important time, as his forces face major battlefield setbacks in Ukraine and amid a continued Western push to make Russia an international pariah. For Xi, it is an opportunity to shore up his credentials as a global statesman ahead of a pivotal congress of the ruling Communist Party in October. The Chinese leader also met Thursday with Belarus's strongman leader Lukashenko, who was quoted by state news agency Belta as thanking Xi for China's "serious support in these difficult times". Lukashenko has been shunned by Western leaders after a fierce crackdown on the opposition two years ago and for backing Russia on Ukraine. Chinese state media on Friday said Xi would meet Raisi that morning. - 'No-limits' relationship - Formerly Cold War allies with a tempestuous relationship, China and Russia have drawn closer in recent years as part of what they call a "no-limits" relationship acting as a counterweight to the global dominance of the United States. The two countries have also stepped up military cooperation, with China sending hundreds of troops to take part in military exercises last month in Russia's Far East. The defence ministry in Moscow said Thursday that Russian and Chinese warships were on a joint patrol in the Pacific and planning a live-fire artillery exercise at sea. The main day of the SCO summit will be on Friday, with sessions involving all the attending leaders. Putin was also set to hold talks Friday with Erdogan and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Security was tight in Samarkand, a city of grand tiled mosques that was one of the hubs of Silk Road trade routes between China and Europe, with a huge police presence on the streets and armoured vehicles parked downtown. bur/je/it Russian President Vladimir Putin. GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images Russia's political system is in "shock" after Moscow's recent defeats in Ukraine, a former Vladimir Putin aide said. "This is no exaggeration," Abbas Gallyamov, a political consultant and ex-speechwriter to Putin, told CNN. Gallyamov said that Putin's "image" has now been "tarnished" over the losses on the battlefield. Russia's entire political system is in a state of "shock" following the Kremlin's recent disastrous defeats in Vladimir Putin's war with Ukraine, the Russian president's former speechwriter said. "The Russian political system is in real shock now this is no exaggeration," Abbas Gallyamov, a political consultant and ex-speechwriter to Putin, told CNN in an interview published on Wednesday. Gallyamov said that Putin's regime has long considered Ukraine as "inferior," and "they could never imagine that Ukrainians would be advancing and the Russians the Russian troops, the invincible troops how they were viewing them would have to retreat and not just to retreat, but to actually run away." "This is a real shock," Gallyamov told CNN. The former speechwriter said that "little by little the Russian public opinion got acquainted to the thought that, OK, Ukrainians are not so bad after all they can defend themselves, they can be on the defensive." "But nobody could expect that they would advance so rapidly, so professionally, and to make the Russians retreat," he said. In recent days, Ukrainian forces reclaimed territory from Russian occupation in an equally stunning and lightning-fast counteroffensive in the nearly seven-month-long war. They recaptured large swaths of territory from Russian control in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine's second-largest city. And fleeing Russian troops reportedly left behind a bounty of weaponry and ammunition. Since the beginning of this month, Ukrainian forces have taken back more than thousands of square miles of territory from Russian occupation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. Story continues "The whole system is in shock and what makes this situation worse is the absolutely inadequate reaction of Putin personally," Gallyamov told CNN, adding that when Putin "is in shock himself" and "doesn't know how to act," the Russian leader "is trying to show that nothing bad is happening." "Putin's image is tarnished," his former speechwriter said. Gallyamov said that he believes that Russian elites will begin to look for a successor to be appointed within the next few months. "I think the next thing which is going to happen in Russian politics within the next like several months, maybe up to half a year, is the elites will start looking for a successor, and so the political process will begin around this figure," he told CNN. Read the original article on Business Insider A viral tweet has resurfaced some harrowing information about Queen Elizabeth IIs beloved corgis. It seems the late monarchs favourite pets caused quite a bit of trouble in the royal household, reportedly biting staff and even the Queen herself so much so that she had to receive three stitches. Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September in Balmoral Castle at age 96. Throughout her 70-year reign, the British monarch was known for her love of the breed and owned more than 30 corgis during the course of her life. Although the Queens corgis seem like lovable creatures, one Twitter user unearthed some little known facts about the dogs which proves that living with the furry friends may not have always been so pleasant. Writer and historian Hannah Rose Woods took to Twitter on 14 September after scrolling through a Wikipedia entry for the Queens corgis. The section was menacingly titled, Victims. I did not expect the Wikipedia entry for the royal corgis to become this horrifying, she tweeted, alongside two screenshots from the site. According to the page, the Queen and her royal staff have been bitten by the corgis on several occasions. The first one occurred in 1954, when a Pembroke corgi named Susan who was gifted to the Queen on her 18th birthday bit the royal clockwinder, Leonard Hubbard, at the Royal Lodge in Windsor. A New York Times archive from 1954 reported that one of the Queens dogs, possibly Susan, also bit one of the Queens Guardsmen one week after biting Hubbard. Later in the same year, the Queen Mothers corgi bit a policeman on duty in London. In 1968, parliament member Peter Doig called for royal staff to put up a sign at Balmoral Castle that reads Beware of the dog after another corgi bit a postman who was delivering a letter at the castle. This is a laughing matter here but it isnt a laughing matter for the postman, Doig told the House of Commons at the time, according to the St Joseph Gazette. I did not expect the Wikipedia entry for the royal corgis to become this horrifying pic.twitter.com/81ZwOdvS6g Hannah Rose Woods (@hannahrosewoods) September 14, 2022 When the corgis bad behaviour started to get out of hand, the royal family reportedly hired an animal psychologist in 1989 in order to tame the dogs. Story continues But it wasnt just humans that the corgis seemed to bite. In 1989, the Queen Mothers dog, Ranger, led a pack of corgis that attacked and killed Chipper, the Queens beloved dorgi (a dachshund and corgi mix). And in 2003, one of the Queens beloved dogs, Pharos who was a tenth-generation offspring of Susan was fatally mauled by Princess Annes English bull terrier, Dotty. The incident occurred when Princess Anne visited her mother at Sandringham Place on Christmas Day as the Queens corgis rushed out the door. As the door was opened by a servant, the queens corgis raced down the main staircase to greet Anne, The Sun reported at the time. The Queen has more than 30 corgis during her lifetime (AFP via Getty Images) But Dotty went for Pharos savaging the corgis hind legs and breaking one in three places. This wasnt Dottys only offense. In November 2002, Princess Anne pled guilty to a charge under the Dangerous Dog Act, after the English bull terrier bit two children in Windsor Great Park. The Princess Royal was ordered to pay a $790 fine, $395 in compensation to the boys, and court costs of $234. The Queen was not left unscathed by her beloved corgis behaviour, either. In March 1991, she tried to break up a fight among ten dogs and had to receive three stitches in her left hand. Two of the Queen Mothers dogs also joined in on the fight. The Queen Mothers chauffeur, Joan Collins, had to receive a tetanus shot after she tried to intervene. Now I have a mental image of the Queen trying to break up a fight between 10 of her corgis stuck in my head, one person said in response to the viral tweet. Proposing The Real Story of the Royal Corgis for a micro series, another user wrote. Now I have a mental image of the Queen trying to break up a fight between 10 of her corgis stuck in my head. https://t.co/VyQ2Rv4Ooe Joe (@joeb_EY) September 15, 2022 Proposing The Real Story of the Royal Corgis for a micro series. https://t.co/Nhu8NLsIf0 provo-macher (@ProvoMacher) September 15, 2022 Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon paid tribute to the Queen when she recently shared a funny story about the misbehaving corgis. One of the Queens young corgis, a beautiful pup called Sandy, was eating through a lamp switch, Sturgeon said, describing the experience as tense. Thankfully, tragedy was averted and Sandy emerged unscathed, though not before a stern ticking off from his mistress. Upon Queen Elizabeth IIs death, much speculation has surrounded the fate of her two dogs who were left behind. It was announced on 11 September that the Duke and Duchess of York will inherit two of the Queens dogs, Muick and Sandy. Both dogs were gifted to the late monarch by her son, Prince Andrew. The Royal Family wore all black as they followed the coffin bearing the body of the Queen on its journey from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. (Getty Images) Ever since the Queen's death was announced last Thursday, TV broadcasters and contributors have been appearing on screen dressed in all-black attire to show their respect to the late monarch. And following King Charles' declaration of a period of national mourning, that will last until one week following Her Majesty's funeral on September 19, the Royal Family has also been sticking to an all-black dress code. Last weekend the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex greeted mourners outside Windsor castle, all wearing dark-hued clothes, and the King and Queen Consort and other members of the Royal Family also adhered to black clothing as a mark of respect. Ordinarily, black is rarely worn by members of the Royal Family, who prefer to reserve the colour for periods of mourning, one exception being Remembrance Sunday, another a sombre occasion. For Monday's funeral, according to Debrett's, certain members of the Royal Family will be expected to wear black, as per the strict dress code observed at state funerals. "An all-black formal dress code is always respected. Ladies wear black knee-length dresses, or coats, black hats, and may also wear face-covering veils," the site explains. The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, all wore black to look at the tributes left for the Queen at the gates of Windsor Castle. (Getty Images) Male mourners, on the other hand can either: "wear military attire, or as was the case at the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh black morning coats with medals." There's little doubt that black has become custom attire for funerals and periods of mourning, and of course the current period of mourning for the Queen is no exception, but where does the tradition stem from? Why do we wear black to funerals? Historians have traced the very earliest tradition of wearing black at funerals to the Roman Empire, when a person's death would be marked by switching a normally white toga for a black one. More recently, the tradition of wearing black at funerals, in the UK at least, is believed to have been inspired by Queen Victoria. "The colour black has long been connected with death however the tradition of wearing black at the time of mourning is strongly believed to have become fashionable in the time of Queen Victoria," explains Jeremy Field, managing director of C.P.J. Field, funeral directors who arranged the funerals for Queen Victoria and the Duke of Wellington. Story continues "She famously wore only black following the death of her consort Prince Albert." The Royal Family wore black to attend the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997. (Getty Images) According to a blog post by Kirsty Salisbury, end of life worker and podcaster, when Queen Victoria's beloved husband Prince Albert died in 1861, she wore black at the funeral, and continued to wear black mourning veils for the remaining 40 years of her life. As the monarch was considered something of a style icon, the British upper-class aspired to be like their Queen, adopting her clothing choices when in mourning as something of a status symbol. Eventually, during the Victorian era, black clothing during periods of mourning became common practice, with official rules brought in specifying how long black attire should be worn for. "After that, widows were regularly seen in black for one-two years after the death of their spouse," adds Field. "A significant proportion of the ritual and ceremony still observed in funerals is derived from the Victorian period." The congregation stuck to an all-black dress code as the coffin of the Queen arrived at Westminster Hall from Buckingham Palace for her lying in state. (Getty Images) It is a tradition still largely practiced today thanks, in part, to the colour's association with sombre feelings. "The colour black can be reflective of the desolation we feel when someone we love dies," Field explains. "To some, it can feel wrong to seem exuberant in such circumstances. Wearing black or sombre clothes signifies that the wearer is in mourning and would appreciate patience and kindness." Exceptions to the all-black rule Of course, while black remains the traditional colour of choice for many mourners, some funerals across the UK are becoming decidedly more colourful. "While it has been seen over time to be a sign of respect to avoid colourful clothing to a funeral and around others who are grieving, fashions are changing, with the emphasis on trying to celebrate that the person has lived rather than mourn the fact that they have died," explains Field. And one way of doing that is introducing more colour to the dress code. Watch: First mourner to see Queen Elizabeth lying in state camped out for over 48 hours A recent survey, by Co-Op Funeralcare, revealed that over a third (37%) feel that funerals are generally too sombre and should be more uplifting. With that in mind, over a fifth (22%) of respondents would like mourners to move away from traditional black attire, preferring attendees to dress in bright colours. This compares to only 13% who now prefer a darker dress code. According to Marie Curie, this shift away from black could also reflect our increasingly multicultural society; in Hinduism, for example, white is the traditional choice of colour to wear to a funeral. The Royal Family hasn't always stuck steadfastly to the all-black rule either. In 1938, the Queen Mother wore a white dress to her mothers funeral to counter the sombre mood of impending war. The Queen dressed in all-black for the funeral of her husband, Prince Philip in April 2021. (Getty Images) "The ultimate masterclass in making mourning dress into a regal fashion statement came in 1938, when Queen Elizabeth's mother, the Countess of Strathmore, died weeks before a pivotal royal tour to France," Matthew Storey, curator at Historic Royal Palaces, told The Telegraph. "More than a mere charm offensive, this was the king and queen's first foreign visit since the abdication of Edward VIII and came as the prospect of war loomed gravely over Europe. A black wardrobe simply wouldnt do, as it was imperative to come bearing optimism." And for Prince Philip's memorial service royals eschewed the traditional black to pay a touching tribute to the late Duke of Edinburgh by wearing the same shade of dark green, the late royal's livery colour. Why TV presenters and Royals have black outfits to hand It has been revealed that news reporters were able to change so quickly into black outfits, as presenters always have black outfits on standby for sombre occasions, such as the death of a senior royal. Similarly, royals have to be prepared for possible tragedy when they travel overseas, packing a black outfit with them in their luggage. From L-R the Queen, the Queen Mother, widow of King George VI, and Queen Mary all wore black veils for the arrival of the the coffin of King George VI from Sandringham, 11 February, 1952. (Getty Images) This custom actually seems to have been put in place after the death of the Queens father, King George, in 1952. When news broke that her father had died, the then-Princess was on a royal tour with Prince Philip in Kenya and was rumoured not to have a black outfit with her to arrive home in. She reportedly had wait for it to be delivered directly to her plane when she landed back in the UK before she could disembark. Since then, royals are thought to have been encouraged to pack a black outfit when travelling in case there is a death in the family or another sombre event, which they must be seen to show respect for. Throughout her decades as monarch, the queen was known for her class and complete dedication to the crown, as well as her unique sense of humor and quick wit. There were many instances in which Queen Elizabeth cracked a joke. Whether it was during a speech or while performing a skit, she kept everyone on their toes with her sense of humor. Here are some of the queens funniest moments over the years. Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she arrives before the opening of the Flanders Fields Memorial Garden at Wellington Barracks Nov. 6, 2014, in London. Stefan Wermuth/WPA Pool /Getty Images During the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, the queen participated in a skit with actor Daniel Craig in character as James Bond. PRINCE HARRY ISSUES FIRST STATEMENT AFTER THE QUEEN'S DEATH: 'THIS FINAL PARTING BRINGS US GREAT SADNESS' The skit started off innocently enough, with James Bond escorting the Queen out of Buckingham Palace and to the Olympics on her own private helicopter. Things took a surprising turn, however, once the queen boarded the helicopter. At that point, an actress dressed as the queen was shown jumping out of the helicopter and floating to the ground with a Union Jack parachute. What made the whole skit even better was the fact that the queen kept her family in the dark about her plans to participate. It was, in fact, a condition of her participation that her role be kept secret, so her family's shocked expressions were all the more special. More recently, the queen acted opposite Paddington Bear, voiced by Ben Whishaw, in a prerecorded segment for a BBC special event. The two were joined by Simon Farnaby, who plays Barry the Security Guard. The three of them were enjoying a lunch of marmalade sandwiches at Buckingham Palace. The clip ended with Paddington wishing the queen a "happy Jubilee" and saying, "Thank you, maam, for everything." Soon after the announcement of the queens death, the Paddington Twitter account tweeted those exact words, thanking the queen for everything she did for her country. The queen couldn't pass up an opportunity to joke about a mistake the president made when he accidentally aged her by 200 years. Chris Jackson/Getty Images During a visit to the United States in 2007, the queen poked fun at then President George W. Bush. Upon her arrival, the president greeted the queen on the front lawn of the White House and accidentally aged her 200 years by stating she helped the country celebrate the anniversary of its independence in 1776, rather than 1976. Story continues The president said that, following his mistake, the queen "gave (him) a look that only a mother could give a child." PRINCE WILLIAM, PRINCE HARRY, KATE MIDDLETON AND MEGHAN MARKLE: THE FAB FOUR'S ROCKY RECENT HISTORY While the queen let it slide in the moment, she reminded the president of his mistake later on in her visit at a dinner hosted by the British ambassador. The queen started her speech at the dinner, saying, "I wondered whether I should start this toast by saying, When I was here in 1776 " The president took the joke in stride, telling the queen in his toast that he "cant top that one." In an effort to promote the annual Invictus Games in 2016, the queen appeared in a promotional video with grandson Prince Harry. In the video, Prince Harry and the queen are talking about the upcoming games, when Harrys phone buzzes as he receives a tweet from first lady Michelle Obama. Upon receiving the tweet, the queen and Harry watch the video together. In the video, Michelle reminds Harry of when he "told (them) to bring it at the Invictus Games" to which the president added, "Be careful what you wish for." An officer in the background ended the video by saying, "Boom." The queen then playfully looks up at Harry and says, "Oh, really. Please!" Harry then turns to the camera adding, "Boom," driving home the point that the Brits were not frightened by the Americans. The queen prompted President Reagan to burst into laughter when she made a joke about the bad weather in California. Bettmann/Getty Images The queen was able to make serious functions a little more entertaining with her wit. One example was a state dinner in San Francisco in 1983 when Ronald Reagan was president. As California is notoriously known for its lack of rain, the queen was surprised to have experienced nothing but rain during her trip to the west coast. In her toast at the event, the queen acknowledged the fact that the Puritans brought a lot of English customs to the New World with them when they first arrived. She then added that she was completely unaware and confused as to why they would also bring Englands terrible weather with them. Reagan found the joke to be extremely funny. WHY MEGHAN MARKLE MIGHT NOT ATTEND QUEEN ELIZABETH II'S FUNERAL: IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE, ROYAL EXPERT SAYS Even the queen couldnt resist a good photobomb. During the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, the queen was in the audience during a girls hockey match between Australia and Malaysia. After Australia beat the Malaysian team, 4-0, the queen got in on the celebrations in a unique way. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER When the queen saw Australian defender Jayde Taylor taking a celebratory selfie with her teammate, she decided to get in on the fun, posing and smiling for the photo in the background. Queen Elizabeth II joked with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, telling him he made her feel old. Steve Parsons/Pool/AFP via Getty Images In 2015, the queen hosted a gala dinner for leaders who were in attendance at the Commonwealth Summit in Malta. At the gala, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gave a speech in honor of the queen and her years of service. He praised her for her over six decades of service, calling her reign "long and tireless," even stating that, throughout her time as the monarch, she had likely seen more of Canada than the average Canadian. During her toast, the queen responded to the prime ministers statement by remarking, "Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister of Canada, for making me feel so old." Her comment drew laughter from everyone in the room. Julia McCarthy-Fox made an 11,600-mile trip from New Zealand to Britain to pay her last respects to the Queen. (SWNS) A royal family fan paid 2,500 to travel to the UK from New Zealand so she could pay her respects to the Queen. Julia McCarthy-Fox, 57, made an 11,600-mile trip to say her goodbyes in person to the Queen, ahead of Mondays funeral. Since arriving back on British soil she has set up camp on The Mall where she witnessed the Queen arriving back at Buckingham Palace for the final time. Ms McCarthy-Fox, who moved to New Zealand from Horsham in West Sussex in 2019, said: "It was quite odd when she arrived, but it was very moving, as her coffin was lit up like a spotlight as the hearse arrived in the dark and rain. "I think the reality really hit me when I saw the car, it was very emotional." Julia McCarthy-Fox has joined the queue to see the Queen lying in State. (Christopher Furlong/Getty) Ms McCarthy-Fox then joined the long queue to see her lying-in state. She said she was well prepared for the long wait, adding: "I have packed lots of chocolate so I will be living off that." Watch: Mourners shed tears as they bid farewell to the Queen She will stay in London for the funeral and is preparing to get up 3am to get a good spot before flying back to New Zealand on 27 September. She said: "While it has been hard and frustrating at times I am so glad I have come. "I would have regretted it if I didnt." A large queue stretches along the River Thames opposite Houses of Parliament in the early hours as mourners join the line to pay their respects to the Queen. (Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu Agency/Getty) The Queen will lie in state until Monday morning, shortly before the state funeral takes place. Thousands of mourners are continuing to join the queue to see the Queens coffin, with some people reporting waiting for nine hours before entering Westminster Hall. King Charles will not be making any public appearances today as he has taken a day of reflection following a momentous week. Two of the most important figures in the modern era of the British Royal Family were Her Majesty and Diana, Princess of Wales both beloved, adored, and globally renowned. Upon her marriage to the Queens eldest son, Prince Charles, on 29 July, 1981, the then-Diana Spencer was a hopeful Queen consort. But cracks in the marriage soon emerged, and Charles and Diana separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996, just one year before Dianas tragic, untimely death in a Paris car accident at age 36. But what was the relationship between Diana and her mother-in-law, the Queen, like? The Queen met Diana when Diana was a child Dianas family, the Spencers, always enjoyed a close relationship with the royal family. Her father was an equerry to the Queen, and both of her grandmothers had served as ladies-in-waiting to the Queen Mother. In fact, Dianas grandmother, Baroness Fermoy, remained a close friend of the Queen Mother for decades. Diana spent her early years living at Park House, situated on the royal familys Sandringham estate in Norfolk. There she often played with Her Majestys younger sons, Andrew, born in 1960, and Edward, born in 1964 as Diana was born in 1961. Charles, more than 12 years her senior, was much older and therefore not a playmate of the young Diana Spencer. Prince Charles, the Queen and Princess Diana after Charles and Diana announced their engagement in 1981 (PA) Charles and Diana meet Though surely the Prince of Wales and Diana had been in close proximity in earlier years, their first meeting of note was in 1977, when Charles was dating Dianas older sister, Sarah. At the time, Diana was 16 and Charles was approaching 30. Charles and Diana connected at a grouse hunt, where the Prince of Wales made quite an impression on the teenager; for his part, he just remembers her as a jolly young girl. Initially, the relationship between Charles and Diana was deeply encouraged by the royal family, and it began a few years later. Now, at 32, Charles was being pushed more and more to find a suitable bride and produce an heir and a spare. Diana was young and per standards at the time still a virgin, making her an ideal bride as compared to other women Charles had wooed, namely Camilla Parker Bowles, whom Charles had fallen in love with nearly a decade prior. After the family opposed the relationship and eventually caused Charles and Camilla to break up, Camilla subsequently married Andrew Parker Bowles, but remained close to the Prince of Wales. Story continues Facing mounting pressure from his father, Prince Philip, and thanks to the Queen Mother and Baroness Fermoys matchmaking behind the scenes, Charles proposed to Diana in February 1981 after only seeing her romantically 13 times. A fairytale it was not Though their July 1981 nuptials was nothing short of a fairytale, it became evident quickly that Charles and Diana were not a love match and that Diana had little in common with Charles or his family. When they married, Charles was 32 and Diana was barely 20. The ever-brighter gleam of the spotlight did not help matters either, and heated arguments ensued between the newlyweds. Palace insiders would later suggest that Diana turned to the Queen for guidance after marrying into the royal family, but these two women were drastically different. Her Majesty was committed to duty and service and was incredibly stoic, even with the closest members of her family. She was ill-prepared to deal with the emotionally vulnerable Diana. Diana sought emotional closeness that Her Majesty wasnt able to provide her. As the cracks between Charles and Diana emerged, so did those between the Queen and Diana. The Queen with Princess Diana and Prince Charles on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day in 1981 (PA) The marriage breaks down Charles and Diana tried in earnest to repair their fractured marriage and did share some happy years surrounding the birth of their sons, William in 1982 and Harry in 1984. But not long after Harrys birth, the cocktail of Dianas celebrity led to burgeoning resentment on the part of her husband. Not only did Diana overshadow Charles, but she overshadowed the rest of the family, as well. By the mid-1980s, both Charles and Diana were having extramarital affairs and, after the 1992 release of Andrew Mortons bombshell book Diana: Her True Story which was posthumously confirmed that Diana assisted with the Queen and Philip arranged a summit to try to salvage the marriage. Finally, at the end of 1992, the Queen gave her consent to, at last, allow the fractured couple to separate. In 1995, the War of the Waleses took to primetime, with both Charles and Diana appearing on separate television programmes spilling secrets of their private lives. In Dianas much-maligned interview with Martin Bashir, she claimed she had received little support from the family during her marriage. The Queen, despite her reluctance, wrote to both Charles and Diana that, after nearly four years, it was time to finalise the divorce. Her Majesty reportedly advocated for Diana to retain her Her Royal Highness title; Charles adamantly refused. Dianas death in 1997 One year and three days after she and Charles divorce was finalised on 28 August, 1996, Diana was killed in a high-speed car crash in Paris on 31 August, 1997. During the week that followed, the Queen was criticised for her seemingly uncaring manor, but on the eve of Dianas funeral on 6 September, the Queen delivered a live speech in which she praised her former daughter-in-law and broke with tradition and allowed the flag to fly at half-staff over Buckingham Palace on the day of her funeral. Her Majesty also bowed her head as Dianas coffin passed by her during her funeral procession. The Queen and Diana shared a warm relationship (PA) There has been so much written incorrectly about the Queen being a bit of a dictator, demanding Diana behave a certain way, royal correspondent Victoria Arbiter tells The Independent. Diana and the Queen shared a warm relationship. The Queen found emotional problems difficult thats her generation. Her Majesty felt deeply for the level of press attention Diana garnered, including calling a meeting for newspaper editors early in Charles and Dianas marriage, encouraging them to lay off Diana and leave her alone. All the meeting did was further galvanize the press, Arbiter says. She certainly gave [Diana] support behind the scenes and felt very fondly towards Diana, whom she had known since she was a little girl. Diana had tremendous respect for the monarchy and, by extension, the Queen. By Nyasha Chingono HARARE (Reuters) - A memorial service in Zimbabwe for Queen Elizabeth drew a handful of mourners on Thursday but some on the streets of the capital said she was a symbol of British colonial rule that should not be celebrated. Scriptures were read aloud and solemn songs were sung during the two-hour service at the Anglican Church in Harare. Priests led a mixed congregation of Black and white attendees to the church, where a portrait of the Queen was surrounded by flowers. Some congregants expressed fond memories of the British monarch, who visited Zimbabwe in 1947 with her parents and again as queen in 1991 for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, when she was hosted by former president Robert Mugabe. "I think she always held Zimbabwe in her heart and the visits that the royal family made to Africa showed they were very interested in what happened in Africa. They were guiding lights for the population," said Rhona Datlow, 82, who attended the memorial service. At the time of Elizabeth's first visit to Zimbabwe, the country was a British-ruled colony with some autonomy, known as Southern Rhodesia and with a white minority government. Some Zimbabweans said that history was inextricably entwined with Elizabeth's 70-year reign. "I do not think it is necessary to celebrate her life. In times past she led the colonial era," said Rownward Manzungu, 47, standing near the church. "It is painful that they took our land while we were left to suffer. We will never forget." Langton Muza, 36, said he did not see any need for a memorial service for Elizabeth in Zimbabwe, which became formally independent in 1980. Zimbabwe left the Commonwealth network of mostly former territories of the British Empire in 2003 after Mugabe, who had ruled the country from independence, came under criticism over disputed elections and land seizures from white farmers. Elizabeth awarded Mugabe an honorary knighthood in 1994 but stripped him of the title in 2008, citing the abuse of human rights and disregard for the democratic process. The queen's death a week ago has stirred mixed feelings among some Africans about the legacy of colonialism on a continent where Britain once ruled more than half the territory. (Reporting by Nyasha Chingono; Writing by James Macharia Chege; Editing by Catherine Evans) Many investors are still learning about the various metrics that can be useful when analysing a stock. This article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE). To keep the lesson grounded in practicality, we'll use ROE to better understand Qualitas Limited (ASX:QAL). Return on Equity or ROE is a test of how effectively a company is growing its value and managing investors money. In simpler terms, it measures the profitability of a company in relation to shareholder's equity. View our latest analysis for Qualitas How Is ROE Calculated? Return on equity can be calculated by using the formula: Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) Shareholders' Equity So, based on the above formula, the ROE for Qualitas is: 5.1% = AU$18m AU$355m (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2022). The 'return' is the profit over the last twelve months. One way to conceptualize this is that for each A$1 of shareholders' capital it has, the company made A$0.05 in profit. Does Qualitas Have A Good Return On Equity? One simple way to determine if a company has a good return on equity is to compare it to the average for its industry. However, this method is only useful as a rough check, because companies do differ quite a bit within the same industry classification. As shown in the graphic below, Qualitas has a lower ROE than the average (8.6%) in the Real Estate industry classification. roe That certainly isn't ideal. That being said, a low ROE is not always a bad thing, especially if the company has low leverage as this still leaves room for improvement if the company were to take on more debt. A company with high debt levels and low ROE is a combination we like to avoid given the risk involved. How Does Debt Impact ROE? Virtually all companies need money to invest in the business, to grow profits. The cash for investment can come from prior year profits (retained earnings), issuing new shares, or borrowing. In the case of the first and second options, the ROE will reflect this use of cash, for growth. In the latter case, the debt required for growth will boost returns, but will not impact the shareholders' equity. Thus the use of debt can improve ROE, albeit along with extra risk in the case of stormy weather, metaphorically speaking. Story continues Qualitas' Debt And Its 5.1% ROE Qualitas clearly uses a high amount of debt to boost returns, as it has a debt to equity ratio of 1.17. Its ROE is quite low, even with the use of significant debt; that's not a good result, in our opinion. Debt does bring extra risk, so it's only really worthwhile when a company generates some decent returns from it. Conclusion Return on equity is useful for comparing the quality of different businesses. In our books, the highest quality companies have high return on equity, despite low debt. If two companies have the same ROE, then I would generally prefer the one with less debt. But when a business is high quality, the market often bids it up to a price that reflects this. The rate at which profits are likely to grow, relative to the expectations of profit growth reflected in the current price, must be considered, too. So you might want to check this FREE visualization of analyst forecasts for the company. But note: Qualitas may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here PAKISTAN-WEATHER-FLOODS-CLIMATE Members of a non-governmental organisation pack sanitary pads for women displaced by massive flooding, in Lahore on August 31, 2022. Credit - ARIF ALI/AFP via Getty Images Many of the more than 8 million women of reproductive age affected by Pakistans unprecedented floods have been turning to desperate measures to manage their periods. One woman in the hard-hit province of Balochistan, who called volunteers in distress, reported using tree leaves. It was heartbreaking, says Bushra Mahnoor, one of two college students who in July founded Mahwari Justice, a grassroots movement to distribute menstrual products to women in need. Floods have inundated one-third of Pakistan and displaced more than 33 million people. The waters have also killed more than 1,400 individuals and destroyed hundreds of thousands of houses, as well as bridges and roads. More than 660,000 people are still living in relief camps and makeshift homes. On Monday, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said the country was grappling with food shortages. Relief organizations are rushing aid to affected areasbut supplies of menstrual products are often overlooked. Thats partly because of the stigma around discussing periods in Pakistan, according to Mahnoor. Read More: Scotland Just Showed How Easy It Is to End Period Poverty When people associate shame with menstruation, people also do not talk about the problems associated with menstruation, she tells TIME. Thats why Mahwari Justice chose such an unapologetic name for itself: Mahwari simply means periods in Urdu, Pakistans national language. As the flood waters intensified, the group redoubled its efforts to get menstrual products to Pakistani women, knowing that the deluge could lead to a higher incidence of reproductive and urinary tract infections by making safe menstrual practices even harder. So far, Mahwari Justice has delivered 20,000 menstrual kits to those in need and Mahnoor and her co-founder Anum Khalid have been invited to speak about their efforts on the BBC. Along with similar organizations, they have also helped generate a general discussion about the most effective way to help women in flood-stricken areas. Story continues This is something that gets neglected really easily because for a lot of people, and especially for countries like Pakistanwhere laws are made by men, when relief work is led by mentheres no discussion around what a woman needs, says Sana Lokhandwala, co-founder of HER Pakistan. The group has so far handed out more than 7,000 menstrual kits and partners with volunteers, community mobilizers, activists, and other organizations to distribute additional essentials such as food, shelter, and clothing. A displaced woman stands inside a tent at a makeshift camp near a flooded area following heavy monsoon rains in Rajanpur district of Punjab province on Sept. 4, 2022. ARIF ALI/AFP via Getty Images The needs of Pakistans rural women Even before the floods, misconceptions about periods were rife in Pakistan. Dr. Sidra Nausheen, an assistant professor and vice chair of research in obstetrics and gynecology at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Pakistans biggest city Karachi, has been working for many years in rural communities to raise awareness about proper menstrual management. She has encountered girls and women who would not take a bath for a week, or avoid drinking hot or cold beverages, for fear it would disrupt their cycle. Some women would be confined to a room until their periods were over. Many girls were not attending school during their periods because of the lack of availability of menstrual products. Menstrual hygiene is something that in Pakistan especially nobody talks about, Nausheen tells TIME. In such an atmosphere, inaccurate information can thrive. Lots of women dont know whats happening to their bodies. When Mahnoor and Khalid first started Mahwari justice, they studied other disaster relief efforts to learn about the most effective ways of supplying menstrual products. They also spoke directly with women in rural areas to find out what items would be most helpful. Read More: Why the Idea of Period Leave Is Still Sparking Debate Then they came up with three kinds of kits. One contains a pack of sanitary napkins and underwear, the second small towels and underwear, while the third consists of cotton pads. Diagrams accompany the kits, showing the right way to use the products. Different circumstances determine which items are most effective. Lokhandwala, of HER Pakistan, explains that if flood waters havent receded, cloth towels may present problems as there is no clean water to wash and dry them. Cloth pads might work in one community if they are still living in homes and have washing supplies, but might not work in relief camps, she says. In this picture taken on May 18, 2019, Pakistani woman Hajra Bibi makes a sanitary pad with a sewing machine at her home in Booni village in Chitral. AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images Menstrual help for women in Pakistan Doctors, relief workers, and public health advocates have long called for Pakistan to remove its luxury tax on menstrual products. Women dont feel luxurious during these days, Khalid says. Menstrual kits [and] sanitary napkins should be free but the taxes on them are so high people cannot afford it, says Dr. Alia Haider, a doctor currently working in relief camps. Its the responsibility of the state to give us a healthy lifehealth should be free. But until menstrual products become affordable, many Pakistani women will have no choice but to rely on private organizations and volunteers for help in managing periods. Read More: The Tampon Shortage Is the Supply Chain Problem No One Is Talking About From 2019 to 2021, Nausheen and her colleagues from Aga Khan University Hospital conducted fieldwork on menstrual hygiene among women aged 14-49 in Dadu district, Sindh provincean area hit hard by the recent floods. About 40% of the 25,000 women surveyed in Dadu were not using any pads or napkins during their periods but instead would repeatedly change out of and wash their stained clothes. Many werent aware of reusable pads or the availability of pads. They thought it was very expensive and We cant afford it, Nausheen says. Nausheen and her team taught the women how to stitch pads from a cheap, absorbent cloth available in the local market. Now, some 90% of the women who took part in the survey are using such pads. Many are also making and selling themeven during the catastrophic floods. Says Khalid of Mahwari Justice: Periods never stop during any calamity. CBS News Videos Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is facing criticism for sending migrants to Martha's Vineyard. It's the latest in a series of moves by Republican governors to transport migrants into Democratic-led cities. Elaine Quijano spoke to migrants who say they were misled about the details of their trip. How to protect people in temporarily occupied territories from forced mobilization by the invaders First of all, Ukrainians are urged, if possible, to inform the National Information Bureau about cases of forced mobilization in the temporarily occupied territories. This can be done by calling the hotline 1648 or +38 (044) 287 81 65 for calls from abroad. It is also possible to use the agencys website and chatbots on Viber and Telegram. Read also: How to survive in a house without gas, water supply, electricity, cellular reception The calls we receive are not made public, said the head of the National Information Bureau, Oleksandr Smirnov. Read also: Total forced mobilization in place in Russia-occupied territories, says deputy defense minister We maintain the absolute confidentiality for each person. Everyone who is involved in war crimes will definitely be punished! How to avoid mobilization to the Russian army: Avoid personally receiving summons and calls from enemy military enlistment offices. Change your phone number or temporarily stop using it. If possible, change your place of residence, if it is known to the invaders it is better to evacuate. If the invaders search for you, you should provide evidence why you cannot serve: religious beliefs, unsuitability due to health, etc. Read also: General mobilization in Russia would mean Putin's failure in Ukraine Ukraines intelligence What to do if you were forcibly mobilized: Ignore criminal orders from the aggressor army. By following them, you become an accomplice to war crimes, which do not have a statute of limitations even under forced mobilization. At the first opportunity, surrender to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and report that you were forcibly mobilized. Ukraines Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov has recently announced that all Ukrainian conscripts should be ready to go to the front in the near future as the Ukrainian side also suffered heavy losses during the counter-offensive. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Rep. Lauren Boebert. Drew Angerer/Getty Images Rep. Lauren Boebert was reading a passage from Romans that referred to "wanton killing." But she pronounced the word like "wonton" the Chinese dumpling. Earlier this year, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene had a similar slip-up with "gazpacho" and "Gestapo." Rep. Lauren Boebert confused the words "wanton" and "wonton" while reading a passage from the Bible, a video shows. Boebert was reading a passage from Romans that referred to "wanton killing," meaning reckless killing. However, she pronounced it like "wonton" the Chinese dumpling. A video of the slip-up was posted by left-wing activist Twitter account PatriotTakes on Wednesday. "I don't know what a wonton killing is," Boebert said after mispronouncing the word from the Bible reading, drawing laughter from the crowd. "I'm going to have to look that one up." Boebert was speaking at at a Truth & Liberty Coalition's conference on September 9. The nonprofit was cofounded by right-wing pastor Andrew Wommack. Earlier this year, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene had a similar slip-up with "gazpacho" and "Gestapo." In February, Greene accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of having "gazpacho police," confusing a cold Spanish soup with Nazi Germany's secret police. Boebert's gaffe prompted some mocking responses online. "Wonton killing is a shameful abuse of our civil right by the gazpacho police," wrote one person on Twitter. Former GOP Rep. Denver Riggleman took to Twitter, writing, "Everyone should download the hit song 'Wonton Violence' by the Notorious MSG to show solidarity." Boebert did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment that was sent outside regular business hours. Read the original article on Business Insider Story at a glance Reproductive health app Flo announced a new Anonymous Mode feature that lets users access the app without requiring a name, email address or other technical identifiers. The new feature is intended to protect users sensitive health data from state abortion laws. Cybersecurity advocates say users should consider apps privacy policies, which can be dense and hard to find, but are critically important. One of the worlds most popular period tracking apps released a heightened privacy mode for users to activate in an effort to protect their sensitive health data from abortion bans cropping up across the country. Yet some cybersecurity experts are demanding more reforms that permanently end data harvesting and retention across the digital app space. On Wednesday, Flo, a period tracker app thats used by about 200 million users worldwide, announced it now has an Anonymous Mode that lets users access the app without requiring a name, email address or other technical identifiers from being associated with their health data. The new feature was inspired by the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade a nearly 50-year precedent that affirmed abortion access as a constitutional right and since, at least 12 states have banned abortion or heavily restricted the procedure. Digital privacy advocates have warned about how law enforcement or anti-abortion groups could seek out users digital data in order to enforce those abortion bans. America is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news. Thats because many period tracking apps, including Flo, allow users to input their menstrual cycles, sexual activity and ovulation windows. That information could potentially be used to identify individuals seeking abortions. Andrew Crawford, senior policy council at Center for Democracy & Technology, believes Flos Anonymous Mode is a positive step in the right direction. He told Changing America that, reducing the amount of data that companies collect and retain can really reduce the risk of peoples reproductive health data being used and shared in unwanted and harmful ways. Story continues There are still more reforms needed, as Crawford explained law enforcement entities, including from states that have passed abortion bans and restrictions, can still go to companies and demand data they have on users some of which may include sensitive health information. Its a situation that recently played out in Nebraska when Metas Facebook turned over chat messages of a mother who is accused of giving abortion pills to her daughter and then helping bury the fetus. Those actions would be in violation of Nebraska law that bans abortion 20 weeks after an egg is fertilized. Facebook Messenger offers end-to-end encryption, which means chats between users are only visible on those users phones and arent readable by Facebook or any government entity that requests to see it but end-to-end encryption is not an automated feature and Facebook users must select the option to mark chats as secret. Theres currently no federal law preventing companies from collecting and selling user data and a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that more regulations are needed to manage how companies collect, use and sell online personal information often done with a consumers knowledge or consent. Most reproductive health apps have weak privacy protections, with the Mozilla Foundation investigating 25 popular reproductive health apps and wearable devices and found 18 offered dangerously vague privacy labels that also could carry security concerns. However, Crawford says there are proactive measures companies can take, like limiting the amount of unnecessary information collected on users and in instances where it is collected, its deleted quickly. Google announced such a policy in July by saying if its systems identified a user was visiting a sensitive location like an abortion clinic it would delete those entries from its Location History feature soon after the visit. Caitlin Seeley George, campaign director for Fight for the Future, agreed, telling Changing America in an emailed statement, We need companies to collect and retain less data from the get-go, and to make Anonymous Mode the default so that no one has to be afraid of who might gain access to their information. When considering a mobile app or any digital program, Crawford recommends users should take a close look at their privacy policies, which can be dense and hard to find but critically important. Users should also be considering whether an app tracks location data, has access to photos and microphones and whether messages have end-to-end encryption. In addition to its Anonymous Mode, Flo confirmed it uses encryption technology on all of its data and passcode protection to reduce the risk of any unauthorized users from accessing the app on their personal devices. Anonymous Mode will offer a deeper layer of privacy, with the app partnering with Cloudflare to remove the connection between a users IP address and their health data. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. LAS VEGAS April Becker doesnt want to talk about abortion. As Democrats seek to make the November elections a referendum on Republican efforts to restrict abortion rights, the GOP nominee challenging Democratic Rep. Susie Lee in a competitive House district in Nevada is pursuing a highly unusual strategy: arguing that Congress doesnt have the power to regulate abortion. Beckers campaign website describes her as pro-life, with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. But she told NBC News that she would absolutely not vote for a federal abortion ban because she believes that would be unconstitutional. In an interview Saturday at the Spanish Trail Private Country Club off the strip, Becker said she interprets the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade to mean that it must be left to the states to regulate. She said shes not interested in more modest nationwide restrictions like a ban after 15 or 20 weeks either, arguing that if a federal law were passed either way, it would be unconstitutional. Beckers opinion is exceedingly rare and has drawn condemnation from both sides of the abortion debate, an indication of the tightrope she is walking. Legal experts say the landmark Dobbs decision hands the question back to legislators in the states and Congress. Some like Nevada's Senate GOP nominee Adam Laxalt have said they prefer the issue to be dealt with at a state level without foreclosing on the legality of federal restrictions. On Tuesday, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., introduced a 15-week national ban, though it was panned by Republican strategists who said it elevates an issue that benefits Democrats in the 2022 election. Asked about Beckers argument that Congress doesnt have the authority to regulate abortion, Lee chuckled. Maybe she should go back to law school, the Democratic congresswoman said in an interview. Ive never heard that. I dont know if shes in a different reality. Rep. Susie Lee, D-Nev., speaks at the Capitol on June 15, 2022. (Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images file) Beckers view also drew pushback from anti-abortion rights activists pushing for federal limits on terminating a pregnancy. After decades of trench warfare that culminated in the landmark decision to end Roe v. Wade, they say they expect Republicans to deliver. Story continues We are firm believers that there is a federal government role here and are advocating that among Republican lawmakers and candidates, said Mallory Carroll, a spokesperson for SBA Pro-Life America. We are expecting for anyone who calls themselves pro-life to advocate at the federal level for protections for the unborn. Carroll said her group wants a GOP-led Congress to be as ambitious as possible in protecting lives of unborn children," citing the 14th Amendment and commerce clause as a basis for federal restrictions. As the fallout of the abortion ruling makes Democrats more optimistic about keeping the House majority, three Democratic-held districts centered around the bright lights and glamorous casinos of the world-famous Las Vegas strip could prove decisive. All are rated toss up by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. Lees race is seen by analysts and national operatives in both parties as the most competitive, but Democratic Reps. Steven Horsford and Dina Titus are also running for re-election. And in Nevadas Senate race, which is one of the most hotly contested in the country, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., is also highlighting abortion. "I don't think politicians in Washington, D.C., should be able to mandate government pregnancy. I'm worried about what a Republican-controlled Congress would do around a federal ban, which my opponent supports," Horsford said in an interview at an event in North Las Vegas. "We're a little libertarian here in Nevada. We don't like government telling us what to do with our bodies." His Republican rival, Sam Peters, has taken a more common approach in his party, championing a series of federal restrictions on legal abortion, including a 20-week ban. "As a Congressman, I will fight to protect life, not devalue it," he says on his website. Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., attends a House hearing on June 8, 2022. (Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call via AP file) National Democrats are hammering Becker on TV as staunchly anti-choice, pointing to endorsements she has received from anti-abortion groups like the National Right to Life Committee and accusing her of aligning with their position on outlawing abortion. Theyre lying, a frustrated Becker said. The ads that are being run against me are lies. When asked about Becker's opposition to a national abortion ban, Lee, a two-term congresswoman first elected in 2018, responded by asking why her opponent is willing to accept the endorsements of extreme groups that want to ban abortion nationwide. Lee added that the Supreme Court's ruling has made the political climate feel significantly different than it did three months ago. People are energized because theres been an attack on womens rights and womens rights to choose across this country since the fall of Roe v Wade, she said. Recent contests suggest Democrats are stirred up to turn out in the 2022 midterm elections and punish the GOP for assembling the court majority that ended Roe v. Wade. Beyond abortion, Becker is playing down her party identity and striking a genial tone about finding common ground an unusual approach for Republicans, even in many swing districts. Becker said she wants to focus more on what we have in common and what we agree on, without elaborating on areas of policy compromise. I wish people wouldnt just immediately generalize a person based on what party that theyre affiliated with," she said. "I always say, were not the Crips and the Bloods red and blue. Its not like that. We all, I think, want the same things. We just have different plans on how to get to that goal. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com US-POLITICS-TECHNOLOGY-SECURITY TikTok Chief Operating Officer Vanessa Pappas (R) listens during a U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing regarding social media's impact on homeland security on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on September 14, 2022. Credit - Stefani ReynoldsAFP via Getty Images A group of bipartisan Senators agree: the spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media poses a risk to homeland security, and something needs to be done about it. But at a hearing that included executives from Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter, Republicans and Democrats didnt get any closer to agreeing on a solution. The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs convened on Wednesday to speak to current and former social media executives, hoping to address how disinformation and extremist ideologies that amplify hate speech and promote violence put the U.S. at risk. But the Senators became quickly bogged down in partisan talking points that ultimately did not seem to bring them any closer to finding a path forward to regulate the social media giants. Its a critical moment for the major social media companies. The hearing took the place almost exactly one year after whistleblower Frances Haugen came forward to allege that Facebook and Instagram knowingly downplayed the harm its products caused young people, and the day after Twitter whistleblower Peiter Mudge Zatko spoke before Congress about what he called egregious security failures. Read More: The Twitter Whistleblower Needs You to Trust Him At Wednesdays hearing, Senators on both sides of the aisle called on the companies to be more transparent, said child sexual abuse content needed to be more urgently addressed, and raised concerns over how cartels use the platforms to conduct illegal activity, including human smuggling. But the bipartisanship stoped there. Most Democratic Senators questioned the social media executives about how algorithms fuel hate groups, how the companies algorithms targets users, and how user data is kept and secured. Republican Senators, on the other hand, spent considerable time questioning the executives about their platforms decisions to censor some COVID-19 content, and TikToks association with China. Story continues People were censored, eminently qualified doctors who had the courage and compassion to treat COVID patients with cheap, generic, widely available drugs, said Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, a Republican who also expressed concerns about the political leanings of the people employed at the social media companies and whether they could exert influence on elections. I think hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives because you did not allow a second opinion to be published on your platforms. The social media executives struggled to respond to many of the questions and critiques directed at them from both parties. Senator Gary Peters of Michigan, the Democratic chairman of the committee, questioned Meta Chief Product Officer Chris Cox and YouTube Chief Product Officer Neal Mohan about why it took years before Facebook realized it needed to remove QAnon content. (Meta, formerly known as Facebook Inc., owns Facebook and Instagram.) This stuff was on your platforms for years, so it took you a long time to come to the conclusion, Peters said. You caught it, but not until 16% of the American people are part of this insidious theory. To be very clear, we have no incentive to post this content, to promote it in any nature, Mohan said in response. Read More: After a Year of Focus on Big Techs Harms, Why Were Still Waiting on Reform For several minutes, Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, grilled TikTok Chief Operating Officer Vanessa Pappas over whether members of the Chinese Communist Party had access to U.S. user data. Pappas said the Chinese government has never been given access to user data, but could not state whether the companys employees in China are members of the communist party. Nobody on this panel would be able to tell you the political affiliation of any individual, she said. Earlier in the day, before the current executives appeared before the committee, former Facebook and Twitter executives sat on the panel, and warned Senators that these companies lack of transparency poses a danger to the U.S. Today, you dont know whats happening at the platform. You have to trust the companies, said Brian Boland, a former high-level Facebook executive. I lost my trust I think we should move beyond trust to helping our researchers and journalists understand the platforms better. Near the end of the hearing none of the social media executives could provide data about how many engineers work on their platforms, one of many questions they were unable or unwilling to answer to the Senators satisfaction. Ill be honest, Im frustrated that the chief product officers, all of you, who have a prominent seat at the table when these business decisions are made, were not more prepared to speak to specifics about your product development process, Peters said in his closing statement. Your companies continue to really avoid sharing some very important information. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-KY) unveils a nationwide abortion bill with new abortion restrictions, during a press conference alongside representatives from national anti-abortion organizations, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., September, 13, 2022. Credit - Evelyn HocksteinReuters Republicans have been waiting for decades to ban abortion. But now that they can, conservative lawmakers are finding they disagree about how extreme to make the restrictions. While the most ardent anti-abortion lawmakers are pushing legislation with no exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest, some Republicans are backing away from hardline abortion bills in a tacit acknowledgement that most Americans dont support such severe restrictions. Others are trying to strike a balance by selling what used to be seen as aggressive measureslike bans on abortion after 15 weeksas the new middle ground in light of the no-exceptions bans. The latest round of tensions played out in Congress this week, where Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, introduced a national 15-week abortion ban to the surprise of many of his colleagues, and in West Virginia, where Republican state lawmakers reached a compromise on limited exceptions to a near-total abortion ban after deadlocking in July over the details of a similar ban. These developments came just days after South Carolina lawmakers hotly debated a near-total abortion ban only to abandon the legislation because they, too, couldnt agree on which exceptions to include. These bills are the result of messy arguments about difficult moral, legal, political, and practical questions that many lawmakers had previously only considered in theory. Should rape and incest victims be exempted from abortion bans? What about people with lethal fetal anomalies? Should the government impose jail time on doctors and other medical providers who violate abortion bans? How should Republicans factor in the brewing public backlash to these laws as the midterm elections approach and the issue is now top of mind for many voters? Story continues Read More: Never-Ending Nightmare. An Ohio Woman Was Forced to Travel Out of State for an Abortion Some of this infighting has stalled bills like in South Carolina, but in other instances has led lawmakers to adopt conflicting or unpopular positions as they seek to navigate the many competing interests. After it dropped the total ban, the South Carolina senate settled on a more restrictive version of the six-week ban already on the states books and temporarily blocked by the courts. At the federal level, Grahams bill is less strict than a national six-week ban that some anti-abortion groups had been lobbying lawmakers to pursue. His 15-week proposal includes exceptions for life-threatening pregnancies, and for cases of rape and incest if the patient receives counseling, treatment or reports the incident to law enforcementa compromise that some conservatives decried as too strict, and others complained didnt go far enough. And in West Virginia, which became the second state to pass a sweeping abortion ban since the fall of Roe v. Wade when the legislature approved its new bill on Tuesday, lawmakers landed on narrow exceptions for medical emergencies, nonviable pregnancies, and for rape and incest, if the patient reports the crime to law enforcement. The debate and compromises in West Virginia reflect discussions happening on the right all over the country. The bill won over West Virginia senate majority leader Tom Takubo, a Republican, who over the summer refused to support the near-total ban without rape and incest exceptions. Takubo, who is an osteopathic physician, amended the ban so that doctors would not face criminal charges if they violate it but could lose their medical licenses (though other providers like nurses or people who help with abortions could still face criminal charges and jail time). But others, like Republican state sen. Eric Tarr, opposed the final legislation because they thought it allowed too many exceptions. This bill will save a lot of lives in West Virginia, Tarr said on the senate floor. But Im also torn and disappointed that my vote now is to decide when do you execute an innocent? Protesters gather inside the South Carolina House as members debate a new near-total ban on abortion with no exceptions for pregnancies caused by rape or incest at the state legislature in Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. August 30, 2022. Sam WolfeReuters Abortion rights supporters, doctors, and legal experts say that few people will be able to take advantage of the exceptions Republicans were debating anyway. Physicians around the country have said that laws restricting them to providing abortions in emergency situations are forcing them to wait until patients are close to death to provide care. Rape and incest exceptions are typically difficult to use because sexual violence is so underreported, and many of the bills have reporting requirements. The quote unquote exceptions that were put into this total abortion ban are that in name only, says Katie Quinonez, executive director of Womens Health Center of West Virginia, the states only abortion clinic. They are a marketing strategy of the forced birth movement so that they can make themselves seem less like the monsters that they are. As Republicans debate these policies and settle on different compromises, theyre deciding for the first time since the 1970s what abortion looks like in America without a guaranteed right to the procedure. How they settle these debates will not only determine what health care pregnant people receive, but also shape a complicated tangle of laws that affect a wide variety of other medical care and economic realities for millions of families across the country. Public backlash to strict abortion bans Polls consistently show that severe abortion bans are very unpopular. Large majorities of Americans believe abortion should be legal in at least some circumstances. A Pew Research Center poll in March found that 69% of Americans, including 56% of Republicans, said abortions should be legal when the pregnancy is the result of rape. When the Supreme Court struck down the national right to abortion in June in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, it triggered a cascade of abortion bans across the country. Thirteen states are now enforcing near-total abortion bans, and others are tied up in litigation. But Republicans are already dealing with public pushback. Voters in Kansas resoundingly rejected a ballot measure in August that would have taken protections for abortion rights away from the states constitution, and special election candidates in New York and Alaska who campaigned on abortion rights won their races. The Republican National Committee issued a memo on Sept. 13 that acknowledged 80% of voters are not pleased with the Supreme Courts decision and advised candidates to speak with compassion and stakeout common ground with the majority of Americans [sic] who support exceptions. The public outcry is contributing to Republicans shifting stances and forcing changes to some legislation. In South Carolina, Republicans had proposed a bill banning abortion starting at fertilization with no exceptions, but a small group of lawmakers, including the state senates three GOP women, said they would not support the legislation without exceptions for rape and incest. After seeing they would not have enough votes to pass the total ban, senators dropped it and instead added restrictions to the states six-week ban. Republican state sen. Sandy Senn, who opposed the total ban, told TIME she received thousands of messages from South Carolinians saying they did not want Republicans to pass the legislation. She predicted that the extreme laws would lead women to vote on abortion in November and challenge anti-abortion lawmakers in the future. Youre going to see women actually go ahead and vote single issue politics, she says. And what youre going to see is more competition. My colleagues are so worried about getting a competitor from the right because my state is so rightwing that they are overlooking getting a female competitor, and thats going to be a real threat to them. Earlier in the summer, a similar debate took place in West Virginia. When legislators initially convened for a special session in July, citizens, many of whom opposed the abortion ban, flooded the state capitol. Abortion rights supporters still expected Republicans to quickly pass a new ban, but when lawmakers couldnt agree on which exceptions and penalties to allow, they adjourned for the month of August without new legislation. We pressured them, and people power really helped stall it. We rattled them, says Alisa Clements of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, who was in the West Virginia capitol in July and this week. The delay in new legislation meant the states only abortion clinic could continue seeing patients for more than another month before it stopped providing abortions this week after the legislature passed the new ban. Shifting messaging on abortion The heightened scrutiny and new legal reality around abortion has also led some Republicans to re-evaluate where they stand on downstream issues like emergency contraception. Earlier this month, South Carolina state rep. Doug Gilliam said a hypothetical 12-year-old rape victim would have choices even under the proposed ban that did not include rape or incest exceptions because she could get a morning after pill thats available at Walmart. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also recently pointed to emergency contraception as a solution when asked about the lack of exceptions in his states abortion ban. We want to support those victims, Abbott said, according to the Dallas Morning News. By accessing health care immediately, they can get the Plan B pill that can prevent a pregnancy from occurring in the first place. These responses reveal a gap between Republican politicians seeking to assuage voters and some anti-abortion activists, who have long opposed emergency contraception because they view it as tantamount to an early abortion. Students for Life, a group that is gaining influence in state legislatures and on Capitol Hill, opposes emergency contraception, for example, as well as rape and incest exceptions. Kristi Hamrick, a spokesperson for Students for Life, said its not surprising that lawmakers are still figuring out their positions on abortion bans and exceptions at this point after the end of Roe. Were going to have to educate people. We need to talk with legislators, we need to talk with people, we need to explain what kind of services are available, what kind of help people are going to need, she says. It is going to be a conversation and an active education ongoing for us in the pro-life movement. As the right negotiates its new positions and observes the effect of more states implementing abortion bans, real women and families are caught in the middle. Theres a lot of disagreement about what personhood means or what a right to life is that you see the movement having to figure out in part because they hadnt had to before, says Mary Ziegler, a University of California, Davis law professor who specializes in the history of abortion. Actually figuring out what you were going to be for when the bill could go into effect versus just be a vehicle for challenging Roe is a completely different story for a lot of legislators. Republican lawmakers on Thursday promised a looming battle over Veterans Affairs officials decision to provide abortions at department medical centers even in states where the procedure is outlawed, but agency leaders responded that they are confident they can win that fight. We feel this is needed care, Dr. Shereef Elnahal, VAs Under Secretary for Health, told members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing on the topic. If these veterans are under our care, and we know we can save their lives, we have to do it. Earlier this month, VA officials announced plans to offer abortion access for the first time to veterans and eligible dependents in cases of rape, incest and pregnancies that endanger the life or health of an individual. The department will also offer abortion counseling services to all patients, another first for the department. VA to provide abortions in cases of rape, danger to veterans health The move came about 10 weeks after the Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe vs. Wade ruling which legalized abortion nationwide. Since then, at least 25 states have started to place limits or already imposed restrictions on health care workers from providing abortions. VA officials said those limits forced the department to intervene. They have not yet released a detailed timeline of when abortions may start, but Elnahal said an implementation plan is under development. Should an abortion be needed, VA anticipates that medication abortion will be a common type of care provided and is working to ensure that providers have access to training where needed, as well as needed medications, he said. VA will ensure that all necessary staffing and equipment are available at sites. Provider guidance and training, to the extent training is necessary, also are being finalized. But Republican lawmakers said they will work to stop that. They promised both legal challenges and, if they retake control of either chamber of Congress this fall, appropriations punishments for the department. Story continues Committee ranking member Mike Bost, R-Ill., called VAs decision illegal and said he is working with fellow lawmakers on those potential sanctions. Abortion is not health care, no matter what those on the other side of this issue may feel, he said. The right to life is a sacred, American value enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and I am committed to defending it now for [veterans] and their unborn children. Opponents say that VAs decision to provide abortions violates several existing laws, including the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992, which prohibits abortions at VA medical locations. But Democratic supporters have argued that under the Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996, the department can furnish needed medical care to veterans, including abortions. VA officials said they are confident in their legal standing on the issue. As Republican lawmakers at Thursdays hearing angrily blasted VA officials for the new abortion rule, Democratic representatives praised them. Advocates draw battle lines ahead of looming VA abortion fight Women veterans freedom to make choices that are best for their own personal health, and medical providers freedom to exercise their clinical judgment, are under attack, said Chairman Mark Takano, D-Calif. This rule will save womens lives and protect their health. Rand researcher Kayla Williams (the former director of the Center for Women Veterans at VA) said at the hearing that about 260,000 women veterans of reproductive age currently live in states with significant abortion restrictions. An estimated 70,000 VA patients may be affected by the rule changes. Elnahal told lawmakers he expects about 1,000 abortions to be performed by VA annually. But he also noted the number could rise as the number of women veterans in America grows in coming years. Russian soldiers clear an area in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol on July 13. Olga Maltseva/AFP via Getty Images Russians in the town of Belgorod are fearful of where the war with Ukraine may head. Some residents told The New York Times they were concerned Ukrainian troops would invade Russia. In recent weeks, Ukraine has regained thousands of square miles of its territory from Russia. Ukrainian troops have pushed Russian invaders so deeply back into their own territory that some Russian residents in a town 25 miles from the country are worried about how far the troops will advance. Residents in the border town of Belgorod, Russia, told The New York Times that as the war raged on across the border, their lives had changed drastically, adding that they feared an imminent Ukrainian invasion after a series of Russian military setbacks over the past few weeks. "It is as if they are already here," one woman in the town's central market told The Times over the sound of nearby explosions. Another resident said "rumors" were swirling of Ukrainian troops crossing the border for the first time during the war. "There are so many rumors, people are afraid," Maksim, who sells military and outdoor gear at the market, told The Times. His clientele has shifted from fishers and hunters to soldiers, he added. Others are digging bomb shelters and adapting to the daily reality of evacuation drills and missiles being intercepted overhead. "We feel scared, and it is especially hard when you work with children," Ekaterina, a kindergarten teacher, told The Times. "The children start running around screaming 'missiles' but we tell them it is just thunder." In the past weeks, Russia has suffered heavy defeats after a swift Ukrainian counteroffensive in the northeast, where troops regained thousands of square miles of territory from Russia, including areas of Kharkiv, near Belgorod. Read the original article on Business Insider Sorry for inconvenience! You have been redirected to this page due to the following reasons:-- Your session has expired. You have closed the browser, without logging out. If the problem persists, kindly remove all the temporary files and cookies from your browser. For IE - 1. Click on tools from the task bar of browser. 2. Click on Internet Options. 3. Click on "Delete temporary files." For Mozilla Firefox - 1. Click on tools from the task bar of browser. 2. Click on "Clear recent history." Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman co-hosting Pointless. (BBC) Richard Osman has said the Queen was "very competitive" when she played a game of Pointless. The TV star said Alexander Armstrong, his co-host on the quiz show, played Pointless with the late monarch at the Sandringham Womens Institute. He said Armstrong told him that Her Majesty was really competitive - and admitted he was "fuming" that he didn't get to go too. Read more: Richard Osman gives 'heartfelt' goodbye to Alexander Armstrong on final 'Pointless' Sharing the story on ITV's Lorraine as he paid tribute to the Queen, Osman said: "He was invited up to see the Queen. "I note I wasnt invited!" The Queen was apparently a Pointless fan. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant Pool, File) He went on: "He went up to Sandringham WI and he played a game of Pointless. There were two teams, the Queen was captain of one of the teams against a local woman from the village. "The Queens team won. "He said she was very, very forthright in her opinions as to what answers they should give and at the end he presented her with a Pointless trophy." Osman told host Lorraine Kelly: "She was apparently very competitive and very funny." The star was 'fuming' about not getting an invite himself. (PA) "I was fuming the next day because he kept it all a secret, I was fuming that I hadn't been invited!" he confessed. Read more: Richard Osman confirms engagement to Doctor Who star Osman had hosted Pointless for 13 years since 2009 but announced earlier this year that he was stepping down. "Pointless has been a joy from start to finish, working alongside my friend Alexander Armstrong, backed by the most wonderful team, and for the best viewers in the world," he said at the time. From now on the star will only appear in celebrity specials. Watch: Richard Osman doesn't think Alexander Armstrong would leave 'Pointless' if he quit show Two buses carrying migrants were sent from Texas to just outside Vice-President Kamala Harris's residence in Washington DC on Thursday, amid a growing political row over immigration. The state's Republican governor said the move was intentional and called for tighter immigration policies. It comes a day after Florida sent migrants to a Massachusetts island. Both states appear to be escalating a tactic which has seen Republican states send migrants to Democratic areas. As political tension over the number of people arriving at the US-Mexico border grows, states such as Texas and Arizona have sent thousands of migrants to cities such as Chicago, New York and Washington DC which they accuse of failing to fully enforce immigration laws. While legal experts say the tactic will likely be challenged in court, it remains unclear what the legal basis for such a challenge would be. Immigration groups in both Washington DC and the wealthy Massachusetts island of Martha's Vineyard said they were not given an advance warning about the arrivals. Footage shown on Fox News showed two buses - reportedly carrying between 75 and 100 people - arriving near the vice-president's residence and migrants, who were mostly from Venezuela, gathering their belongings and standing nearby. A non-governmental organisation later came and reportedly transported them to a church. "Harris claims our border is 'secure' [and] denies the crisis," Texas Governor Greg Abbott later wrote on Twitter. "We're sending migrants to her backyard to call on the Biden Administration to do its job and secure the border." 'We're in limbo' Among the migrants on the buses in Washington were Delinyer Mendoza and his partner Maybel, a young Venezuelan couple who arrived in the US five days ago after an arduous trek through Central America and Mexico. While officials in Texas told the couple they were headed to Washington, the pair only learned that they were at the vice-president's house when told by journalists. Story continues "We didn't know," Maybel said. "We're finding out about this from you all... we're in limbo and were just going to walk around not knowing where we were." The pair said they planned to spend the day with a local humanitarian organisation before heading north to New York, where Mr Mendoza has family. Another migrant, Cuban national Leonardo Perdomo, told Reuters that he had boarded a bus in Texas after officials offered him passage to Washington "free of charge". A local volunteer helping the migrants, Carla Bustillos, was quoted as saying that immigration organisations were only told about the arrivals at the last minute. "While we're doing this political show, we have human beings feeling that their suffering is being exploited," she said. The migrants, including children, arrived in Martha's Vineyard on Wednesday afternoon In a similar move on Wednesday, two planes carrying migrants were flown to Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. The resort is a traditional summer destination for Hollywood stars and former President Barack Obama is among those who have holiday homes in the area. The migrants, including children, arrived at about 15:00 (11:00 GMT) on Wednesday without any warning, according to Massachusetts State Senator Julian Cyr. Officials and volunteers then "moved heaven and earth" to set up the response like "we would do in the event of a hurricane", he said. Migrants were given food and clothing as well as being tested for Covid. Many did not know where they were, according to Massachusetts state Representative Dylan Fernandes. They had been told they would be given housing and jobs, he said. On Twitter, Mr Fernandes described the move as an "evil and inhumane" plot to use "human lives - men, women and children - as political pawns". Speaking at an event in Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis said the state was willing to help facilitate the movement of migrants to be able to go to "greener pastures". He also said Florida was not a "sanctuary" state. So-called sanctuary cities in the US are cities that have policies to aid undocumented immigrants. "All those people in DC and New York were beating their chest when Trump was president, saying how they were so proud to be sanctuary jurisdictions," Mr DeSantis said. "The minute even a small fraction of what those border towns deal with every day is brought to their front door, they all of a sudden go berserk." Aleksander Cuic, an immigration lawyer and the director of the Immigration Clinic at Case Western Reserve University's school of law, said that while he believes efforts to relocate migrants in this way will be legally challenged, it is still unclear what - if any - laws may have been broken. "The big question is what they are being told, and if there is any sort of fraud or inducement," he told the BBC. "But how would anyone know if there's nothing in writing? It could be that they [the migrants] are willingly saying they'll go if there are jobs and opportunities." Mr Cuic added that authorities in Texas and Florida are likely to argue they "are doing the same thing" as the government, which regularly moves detained migrants around the country. Governor DeSantis has previously cited Martha's Vineyard as a possible destination for migrants being sent out of his state, telling reporters last year that if they were, the "border would be secure the next day". This year, Florida representatives set aside $12m (10.4m) for transporting migrants. It is unclear how many migrants Florida plans to send to other states. The BBC has reached out to Governor DeSantis' office for comment. Brace yourselves, Im about to believe two things at once. First, I believe that Gov. Ron DeSantis decision to use Florida taxpayers money to fly two planes of Venezuelan migrants from Texas to Marthas Vineyard in Massachusetts, dumping them on the island without advance notice, is morally reprehensible and an inhumane political stunt. Second, I believe that Americas immigration system is a mess, and that the Biden administration, like the Trump administration before it, has failed to establish a sensible, humane system to handle the massive influx of migrants and asylum seekers arriving at our borders seeking a better and safer life. DeSantis wants to 'own the libs' all the way to the White House See, I did it. Its possible to believe that Americas immigration system is broken and creating a humanitarian crisis while also condemning the behavior of governors using planes and buses to shuttle men, women and children across the country like cattle to score political points among people aroused by cruelty. Migrants gather with their belongings outside a church on Sept. 14, 2022, in Edgartown, Mass., on Martha's Vineyard. Local leaders say two plane landings here appear to be carrying Venezuelan nationals sent to Massachusetts by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis who seems to believe he can ride an own the libs attitude to the White House was apparently watching Texas Gov. Greg Abbott with envy as Abbott grabbed headlines for rounding up asylum-seeking migrants and putting them on buses to cities like Washington, D.C., New York and Chicago, all of which are, of course, run by Democrats. Stand united: Hate-fueled violence is ripping apart our cities and nation. We need to stop it. While border states have ample reason to be fed up with the federal governments response to record-breaking illegal border crossings, Abbotts migrant-busing program has all the subtlety of a frat-house prank its funny to those amused by cruel, lowest-common-denominator jokes, but nobody with a scrap of compassion is laughing. Did Florida's governor follow Tucker Carlson's marching orders? So along comes Floridas DeSantis, a man who seems to take governing inspiration from right-wing Twitter memes, with a plan to REALLY stick it to those northern liberals by flying people who have already endured untold horrors fleeing their home country to Marthas Vineyard, a largely liberal place Fox News hosts love to assail. Story continues Fox News host Tucker Carlson has said of Marthas Vineyard: They are begging for more diversity. Why not send migrants there, in huge numbers? Fox News host Tucker Carlson has said of Marthas Vineyard: They are begging for more diversity. Why not send migrants there, in huge numbers? DeSantis apparently takes orders well. 'We are going to take care of these people' On Wednesday, with no forewarning to local officials, two planes carrying nearly 50 migrants from Venezuela landed on Marthas Vineyard. Government officials, faith leaders and residents scrambled to meet the families and provide them with food and shelter and begin lining up the necessary immigration services. Carla Cooper, head of the Democratic Council of Martha's Vineyard, told USA TODAY: When something happens to our island, we come together to help. We are going to take care of these people. Trump's finances: We sued the FEC to hold Trump accountable for raising money. Here's why we did it. That echoes what residents and state officials in Illinois, New York and Washington, D.C., have said upon receiving the human beings Abbott and DeSantis are treating as props. Theyre being met with compassion and an OK, well figure this out attitude, which seems to fly in the face of the sick burn the governors are attempting to deliver. Great stunt, guys. Now how is this actually helping anyone? Which gets us to an important question: How is any of this helping? Migrants and asylum seekers are detained by U.S. Border Patrol agents after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in Yuma County, Ariz., on July 28, 2022. Again, we can agree Americas immigration system stinks, desperately needs to be reformed, and isnt getting the serious attention it deserves from either party. But we can also look at the inhumanity of using people who have already suffered mightily as pawns in a dopey stunt and say: Hey, knock it off. You might get a kick out of cruelty, but we dont, and this is helping no one. When you're repeating what segregationists did, well ... To put the awfulness of what Abbott and DeSantis are doing in historical context, consider the fact that segregationists in the South tried the same feeble game in the 1960s. Annoyed by the Freedom Riders, Black and white activists from northern states who crisscrossed the South advocating for the integration of buses and bus terminals, segregationists organized the Reverse Freedom Rides, offering Black people bus tickets to northern cities. A woman, who boarded a bus for migrants in Texas, helps a child after being dropped off within view of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 11, 2022. Clive Webb, a professor at the University of Sussex in England who studies racists, told NPR: They targeted people who were either welfare recipients or prison inmates. People who were placing a burden, as they saw it, on public resources. Americans at that time saw it as a callous ploy, and it fizzled into infamy. The same will happen with this modern-day version. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. Claiming you're as bad as the cartels? An odd strategy. Not helping his boss moral case, DeSantis deputy press secretary Jeremy Redfern on Thursday responded to a tweet complaining that Marthas Vineyard officials had no advance notice, tweeting this: Do the cartels that smuggle humans call Florida or Texas before illegal immigrants wash up on our shores or cross over the border? No. Welcome to being a state on the Southern border, Massachusetts. Do the cartels that smuggle humans call Florida or Texas before illegal immigrants wash up on our shores or cross over the border? No. Welcome to being a state on the Southern border, Massachusetts. https://t.co/pkjWYnznna Jeremy Redfern (@JeremyRedfernFL) September 15, 2022 First off, what a complete (expletive). Second, when your defense is to put yourself on the same moral plane as drug cartels, you might want to reevaluate the overall righteousness of your position. Politicians react to DeSantis flying migrants to Massachusetts: Massachusetts, Florida and Texas politicians react to migrants flown to Martha's Vineyard The system needs fixing, and there's ample blame to go around Democrats and Republicans need to come together to address immigration thats long, long overdue. But schlepping human beings including families with young children around and dumping them in cities run by people you dont like isnt helping anyone. Its just scoring points with a social-media-obsessed swath of the population addicted to a steady drip of opportunistic cruelty and dehumanization. More humor and satire from Rex Huppke: If the GOP is ready to rebrand, here are my ideas for a post-MAGA party. Amid teacher shortage, folks who called them 'groomers' should say sorry. Here's how. Quiet quitting is all the rage. But let's not stop there. How about 'quiet dieting'? Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on Twitter @RexHuppke and Facebook: facebook.com/RexIsAJerk You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DeSantis flies migrants to Martha's Vineyard in immigration stunt Florida governor Ron DeSantis has sent two planes of undocumented migrants to Marthas Vineyard, an exclusive island off the coast of Massachusetts where Barack Obama owns a mansion. The migrants could be seen getting off the planes at the islands airport on Wednesday in a video obtained by Fox News Digital. Yes, Florida can confirm the two planes with illegal immigrants that arrived in Marthas Vineyard today were part of the states relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations, the governors communications director, Taryn Fenske, told the right-wing news organisation. States like Massachusetts, New York, and California will better facilitate the care of these individuals who they have invited into our country by incentivising illegal immigration through their designation as sanctuary states and support for the Biden Administrations open border policies. Follow live coverage of the controversy here A number of the migrants told National Public Radio that they thought were travelling to Boston to receive work papers. Floridas Republican-controlled state legislature has handed the governor $12m to remove migrants from the state and transport them elsewhere. Mr DeSantis has previously threatened to send migrants to Joe Bidens home state of Delaware, while Mr Obama bought his $12m estate on the island in 2019. The Independent has reached out to the office of Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker for comment. Mr DeSantis, who is reportedly eyeing a 2024 presidential campaign, is not the only Republican politician to carry out such a publicity stunt. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, also a Republican, has been sending busloads of migrants to Washington DC since April. He has also authorised buses going to New York City and Chicago. A recent television ad from Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), who is running in one of the most competitive House districts in the country, was paid for by taxpayer funds. The ad shows a montage that included Border Patrol vehicles, law enforcement activity and Cuellars own photo. Movie-score-like instrumental music plays in the background. I continue to secure funding for Border Patrol and law enforcement for more boots on the ground, equipment and technology, Cuellar says in the ad. Im fighting to keep your families safe. Im Henry Cuellar, representing the best interests in South Texas. The ad was paid for through the Houses franked communications, which allow members to use official funds for each of their offices on communications to constituents. Franked communications from members of Congress, which started as postal mail and then expanded to email, social media, and broadcast television and radio ads, are intended to keep constituents informed of what their representatives are doing in Congress. The practice stretches back to the countrys founding. Rules are in place to prevent abuse and blatant electioneering to keep the focus on policy and official House business, and all mass communications are approved by a bipartisan commission. But franking has long drawn criticism for potentially giving incumbent members an advantage in elections on the taxpayers dime and having the purpose of promoting an individual rather than being in the spirit of aiming to inform and serve the public. This election cycle, members of Congress may utilize franked communications funds closer to Election Day than they have been able to in decades. A 90-day blackout period barring members from sending such mass communications before a primary or general election, instituted in 1995, was lowered back down to 60 days at the end of the last Congress. That allowed members to take advantage of franked communications during the August recess. Story continues Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.), who is in a competitive race, ran a series of digital video ads on Facebook that ended on Sept. 7, ahead of the Sept. 9 general election blackout deadline. Over the last two years, Dina Titus fought for Nevadans, a narrator says in one ad. Another says she is working to make sure women maintain the right to choose no matter what. The ads feature bullet points and headlines of her achievements. Facebook ad data says Titus spent $37,500 to $45,000. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), who lost a competitive member-on-member primary to Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.) over the summer, ran a digital ad series up until the day before the 60-day blackout point before his June 28 primary that focused on his support for gun rights. Im standing up to anti-gun politicians who want to limit our constitutional rights, Davis says in an ad made for Facebook and YouTube that pictured him aiming a firearm. To some, such ads violate the spirit of franked communications. Theyre playing games here. Theyre getting up close to the deadline, using our money, said University of Minnesota law professor Richard Painter, who was chief ethics lawyer in the White House counsels office under former President George W. Bush. This stuff on social media is so obviously targeted for political campaigns. This isnt keeping your constituents informed about whats going on in the district or in Washington thats going to help the district. Defenders of franked communications ads have noted the bipartisan commission that approves the ads. Congresswoman Titus feels it is important to inform her constituents about what Congress is doing and how it impacts them. Transparency is key to maintaining democracy. The contents of her messages are approved by the bipartisan House Communications Standards Commission, comprised of an equal number of Democrats and Republicans, a Titus spokesperson said. The offices for Davis and Cuellar did not respond to requests for comment. There is no rule requiring that official communications to constituents be boring or stuffy, and various members have used franking in different ways. Some do not send franked communications at all, while others use less flashy forms of mailers, such as letters sent on an official letterhead. Some use franked radio ads that include stating support for specific policies or publicizing phone-in town hall events. Members of Congress see [franking] as part of a legislative strategy, as part of their official duties. But they also see it as a way, in theory, some free advertising for the campaign, said Matthew Glassman, a senior fellow at the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University who has written extensively about and researched franking privileges in Congress. Franked mail straddles this line between, sort of, official duties and campaigning, Glassman said, adding that members ability to use public money to reach their constituents is both an important piece of a democracy. However, digital ads have significantly dropped the cost of using the frank, Glassman said. And the shift to digital has also made franked communications less of an advantage. Challengers also have good access to relatively cheap electronic communications, Glassman said. Once upon a time, when mail was dominant in a lot of this stuff and all this free mail was coming from Congress, challengers were sort of just behind the eight ball, Glassman said. But now, you know, free communications and mass communications on the digital side are a lot more sort of relatively level playing field. The system is also more transparent than ever before, with an online database that tracks members franked mass communications. Franked communications are paid for out of the Members Representation Allowance, the same pool of money also used for congressional staff salaries. You want to spend $50,000, $60,0000 on franked mail, thats another LC [legislative correspondent] that could be actually doing constituent work in your office for a year. And so there are definitely trade-offs to it now, Glassman said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Russia has deployed Iranian-made drones for the first time this week, according to British intelligence reports. "Russia is almost certainly increasingly sourcing weaponry from other heavily sanctioned states like Iran and North Korea as its own stocks dwindle," the British defense ministry wrote in an intelligence update on Wednesday. A U.S. official last week said that Russia had turned to North Korea to purchase military equipment, including artillery shells and rockets. The Biden administration had reported in August that Russia had received Iranian drones but ran into technical problems when trying to deploy them. The British defense ministry, citing Ukrainian officials, said that Russia has now "highly likely" deployed the Iranian drones in Ukraine, specifically naming the Shahed-136 drone, which Ukrainian officials claimed to have shot down. CHINA SAYS IT WILL WORK WITH RUSSIA TO CREATE NEW INTERNATIONAL ORDER "The loss of a Shahed-136 near the front lines suggests there is a realistic possibility that Russia is attempting to use the system to conduct tactical strikes rather than against more strategic targets further into Ukraine territory," the report stated. The report further notes that similar drones have turned up in attacks in the Middle East, including an attack on the oil tanker MT Mercer Street last year. Two people died in the attack, which occurred near the coast of Oman. UKRAINE WAR REACHES MAJOR TURNING POINT: FORMER MILITARY INTELLIGENCE SPECIALIST Rebekah Koffler, the president of Doctrine & Strategy Consulting and a former DIA intelligence officer, told Fox News Digital that Russias cooperation with rogue nations poses "a serious risk" because it further solidifies ties between these rogue nations as well as providing Iran and North Korea a battlefield test of their weapons against NATO and U.S. military hardware. "With Russia possessing the worlds largest nuclear arsenal and extensive know-how that Moscow could potentially share, this emerging coalition even though its not a NATO-style true alliance could have destabilizing effects on the homeland and globally," Koffler said. Story continues US INTEL SHOWS RUSSIA PAID $300M TO INFLUENCE FOREIGN POLITICAL PARTIES "This emerging trend has far-reaching implications because Iran and North Korea are some of the most dangerous, aggressive, and reckless U.S. adversaries," she added. "Both Iran and North Korea have been pursuing nuclear programs, seeking to target the United States and our allies. They both also routinely launch cyber attacks on U.S. computer networks." Russia will also be able to draw out the conflict in Ukraine, prolonging the attrition and potentially starving the U.S. and European allies of their own weapon stocks. Defense contractors in May warned that sustaining Ukraines war effort was depleting the weapon supplies the U.S. had. A Pentagon official, who remained anonymous, in August told the Wall Street Journal in August that some munition supplies have hit "uncomfortably low" levels. Getty Images Russian gas exports to Europe will fall roughly 66% this year, according to the Kremlin's deputy prime minister. Russia accounted for 40% of Europe's gas supply before the invasion of Ukraine, but that share is now 9%. Meanwhile, output from state-run major Gazprom has increased on strong Chinese demand. Russian natural gas exports to Europe will fall roughly 66% this year, according to the Kremlin's deputy prime minister, even as the country's top gas company increases production. Exports to Europe will fall by 50 billion cubic meters, Alexander Novak said Thursday. Exports a year earlier were 150 bcm, and Russia accounted for 40% of Europe's supply before the Kremlin invaded Ukraine. But that share has since tumbled to 9% as Moscow cuts off gas flows and indefinitely shuts down the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. European officials have accused the Kremlin of using energy as a weapon to retaliate against sanctions for Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia's state-run energy major Gazprom has increased gas production this month. From September 1 to 15, Gazprom produced 847 million cubic meters per day, an uptick of 2.1% compared to the prior month, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Overall output year to date is still down 16% from 2021. But this month's uptick comes as Chinese demand grows. Russian gas exports to China will reach 15 billion to 16 billion cubic meters this year, according to Bloomberg, compared to 10.4 billion cubic meters in 2021. Gazprom's Deputy Chief Executive Officer asserted Thursday that Russian gas is irreplaceable to Europe, telling a conference that "there is not a country which is able to supply resources comparable to resources of fields in Siberia and Yamal peninsula." Read the original article on Business Insider Zhdanov: Putin has already begun to be accused of losing the war Read also: Putin seeks to avoid blame for Kharkiv defeat and step-up recruitment, ISW report says According to Zhdanov, this defeat posed the question who is to blame to the Russian elites. There is a confrontation between the military and politicians, he said. Read also: St. Petersburg local councilors call for Putin to be tried for treason This is the main fissure, which is currently expanding at breakneck speed. Zhdanov said he did not rule out that changes at the helm of the aggressor state could be the consequences of this political turbulence. Read also: NV analysis shows why Russian local deputies have started demanding Putins resignation If in the near future, in a few weeks, Putin does not reveal some mutiny among the generals and does not start disturbances with the chief of the General Staff, then after the same period of time the generals may turn on Putin, the expert said. They have already started blaming him for losing this war. And there is still a wave of parliamentary demarche: the deputies of local councils are starting call on Putin to resign, because were not going to go that way. According to Zhdanov, prolonging this process is in any case not in Putins favor. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Very similar to a Read also: Russian invasion forces shoot down their own combat helicopter in Kherson Oblast But, in fact, the video shows the Russians helicopters fired at an abandoned bridge support dating from the time of the Second World War. "The crew, using a search and targeting system, detected a barge with servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at a distance of 15 kilometers, the Russian message reads. Read also: Video shows Russian missile malfunction, hit own territory in Belgorod Two Vikhr guided missiles were fired at the object. The master missile hit the bow, and the slave missile hit the stern of the barge. Read also: Russia withdraws from key town near Kherson, ISW report says The Russian military actually hit the remains of a bridge that German invasion forces built back in 1943. Following the Soviet offensive in 1944, they were forced to blow up the structure. Only two pillars remained of the bridge one in Nikopol at the site of a local bar, and the other in the Dnipro River near the shore at Kamianka-Dniprovska. The video from the Russian Ministry of Defense even shows birds flying near the abutment and scattering after the helicopter strike unlikely for a barge filled with Ukrainian troops. The so-called "barge" is even marked on maps of the area. Earlier, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu out of favor because of the military failures in Ukraine attempted to cheer up Russian dictator Vladimir Putin with a long-awaited "achievement" the capture of the village of Pisky in Donetsk Oblast. This is the fourth time the capture of the village has been announced in recent weeks. Help HB continue reporting on the Russian invasion Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Wagners PMC recruited Russian prisoners, and give preference to murderers Read also: Putins chef ordered Wagner mercenaries to murder Azov soldiers in Olenivka Ukrainian intelligence They take everyone, no matter what they are in prison for, said Romanova in a video on the Popular Politics YouTube channel. They took a maniac who, so to speak, has cannibalism in his portfolio. He was also sent to war. But Prigozhin said they give preference to murderers and those who were engaged in robbery. They also take plenty of those who went to jail for causing grievous bodily harm. And now people who have been convicted of rape have begun to be taken, but they are in a separate detachment. We know two stories from the absolutely terrible Saratov prisons. Read also: Ukrainian military obliterates Wagner Group base in Popasna, Luhansk governor confirms The human rights activist cites data according to which 7,000-10,000 prisoners have been recruited into the Wagner mercenary company. According to her, in search of cannon fodder to make up for the colossal Russian losses in Ukraine, Prigozhin has to make more and more visits to recruit convicts. Sofar he has limited himself only to the regions of Central Russia. Read also: Captive Russian pilot, hired by Wagner, talks about his sorties in Ukraine The northernmost part is Komi, Syktyvkar, the southernmost is Adygea, the easternmost is Tatarstan, the westernmost is the Pskov and Smolensk regions, Romanova said. Earlier, a video was published on social networks in which Prigozhin is seen recruiting mercenaries from among prisoners of the colony of the Mari El Republic, trying to select the most strong and bold among them. Read also: Russia using Wagner pilots due to insufficient trained personnel, says UK intelligence Your dead body will be taken to the place that you indicate in your will, Prigozhin tells the convicts. Everyone (who dies) gets buried in (their hometowns) alley of heroes, if there is one. After six months you can go home, having received a pardon. Those who want to stay with us stay with us, so that you wont have a chance of returning to the Zone (slang for prison). Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine OLEKSANDR SHUMILIN THURSDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2022, 18:37 The head of the Russian occupation government in Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, stated that two "volunteer battalions" were being prepared for the war against Ukraine. Source: Aksyonovs post on Telegram Details: Aksyonov claimed that 1,200 Crimeans have already been prepared for war, but "two additional battalions were being formed." He declared his full support for the idea put forward by Ramzan Kadyrov, the pro-Russian leader of Chechnya, of training contract soldiers in all regions. Background: In August, it was reported that Russia had, since the spring, been forming so-called "volunteer" units for the war in Ukraine Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! PARIS (Reuters) - A Russian billionaire is suing French authorities in an effort to win back access to two of his yachts, arguing customs officials did not have the right to immobilise them despite him being on an EU sanctions list, his lawyer said on Thursday. Alexey Kuzmichev, one of the main shareholders of Russia's Alfa-Bank, who was sanctioned by the EU in March for his ties to President Vladimir Putin, appealed the seizure of his ships "La Petite Ourse" and "La Petite Ourse II", held in the Cote D'Azur towns of Antibes and Cannes, respectively. "If you own an asset for your personal use, like a yacht, you have the right to make use of it even though it's frozen", Philippe Blanchetier, Kuzmichev's lawyer who brought the case before a court in Paris on Wednesday, told Reuters. Kuzmichev also owns cars and properties in France which he also can't sell or rent out due to the sanctions, but he still has the right to use them, the lawyer said, adding: "I don't know why one should make a difference when it's a yacht." He also argued there were procedural flaws linked to the seizures. The French customs office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The verdict on Kuzmichev's bid to regain use of his yacht is due on Oct. 5, his lawyer said. Kuzmichev, who is worth close to $7 billion according to Forbes, co-founded the international investment group LetterOne, which owns several telecoms groups, but left the firm's board in March. (Reporting by Tassilo Hummel; Editing by Ingrid Melander and Bernadette Baum) LONDON (Reuters) - Russia's lower house of parliament will consider summoning Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu to face questioning in a closed session, senior lawmaker Sergei Mironov was cited as saying by Kommersant newspaper on Thursday. It is virtually unknown for the State Duma to summon a defence minister to account for himself. However, Russia's armed forces have been openly criticised by military commentators this week after losing control of large parts of Ukraine's Kharkiv region to a lightning advance by Ukrainian forces. Mironov, a strong supporter of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and head of the small pro-Kremlin "Just Russia" party, was quoted as saying that the State Duma Council, which manages the chamber's business, would discuss the matter on Monday. Mironov had tweeted on Wednesday that his party had proposed the session with Shoigu "so that the deputies can speak with him behind closed doors and ask all the questions that interest us and the citizens". Russia's defeat in the Kharkiv region was its biggest since it was driven back from an advance on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv in the first weeks of the invasion, which began on Feb. 24. Moscow says that what it calls a "special military operation" was necessary to prevent Ukraine from being used as a platform for Western aggression, and to defend Russian-speakers. Kyiv and its Western allies dismiss these arguments as baseless pretexts for an imperial-style war of aggression. (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Bernadette Baum) The occupiers admit that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are much stronger than their troops In an intercepted call published on the Telegram channel of the Main Intelligence Department of Ukraine on Sept. 15, a Russian serviceman can be heard admitting that Russias army is being beaten. Their army is much stronger," he says. Read also: Russian troops in Kharkiv Oblast were thrashed by advancing Ukrainian forces, intercept shows Ukrainian Defense Intelligence clarifies that the Russian soldier was commenting on the situation in the area of Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast. His interlocutor advises him to attack in any direction and says there are reports that they are surrounded. Read also: Attacks on civilian infrastructure sign of Russias defeat in war, says Zelenskyy Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to liberate settlements in the east and south of Ukraine from Russian invasion forces. The Ministry of Defense noted that since Sept. 6, the defenders of Ukraine have liberated 388 settlements and about 8,500 square kilometers of territory in Kharkiv Oblast. Read also: Kharkiv Oblast is free, Kherson is next, and Zaporizhzhia NPP completely shuts down Against the backdrop of the success of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the region, Russian troops carry out attacks on residential areas of Kharkiv and critical infrastructure facilities. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The army of the Russian Federation wants to blame the shelling of Kherson on the armed forces Read also: Ukraines defense minister explains slowness of advance in Kherson Oblast He said that there may have been casualties as a result of the shelling. According to Sobolevsky, the Russians are trying to blame the attack on the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Read also: Russian units near Kherson negotiating surrender, Ukraine says "The shelling of the Tavriysky district in Kherson (with possible victims) is another bloody provocation by the Russians, Sobolevsky said. Read also: Russia withdraws from key town near Kherson, ISW report says The Armed Forces of Ukraine did not engage with that area of the city during this period of time! In addition, the analysis of the location of the events and the speed with which their propagandists arrived at the scene of the tragedy speak of a provocation. (They are) animals no other way to put it. You will answer for this as well!" Meanwhile, the head of the Kherson Regional Council, Oleksandr Samoilenko, confirmed reports that the village of Kyselivka had been liberated from the invaders. He stressed that the only settlement now separating the Ukrainian army from the city of Kherson is the famous suburb of Chornobayivka, the airfield of which used as a Russian base has been attacked dozens of times by Ukrainian forces. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine By Conor Humphries DUBLIN (Reuters) -Ryanair apologised on Thursday for blocking media access to its Annual General Meeting, saying it happened by mistake, but said it would continue to prevent access to one journalist from an Irish newspaper. Reporters who understood they were being brought to the Annual General Meeting room, which is normally open to the press, were told they were being brought to a media room instead for a post-AGM briefing by Chief Executive Michael O'Leary. After the conclusion of the meeting, O'Leary apologised to journalists saying his team had "mishandled" the situation and promised a more detailed explanation later. All resolutions at the meeting were approved, Ryanair said, with 96% backing the remuneration policy and 100% backing the company's annual accounts, the airline said. Most of the board was re-elected by at least 85% of shareholders, though two former senior Ryanair executives, Howard Millar and Michael Cawley were backed by 72% each. Proxy advisory firm PIRC has questioned whether former executives can provide independent oversight. O'Leary said he did not agree and said the two gave management "the most grief" of any board members. He said he had no plans to replace either. O'Leary defended a decision to bar John Mulligan, a journalist for the Irish Independent, who he said had "misreported" on the company in the past, a charge Mulligan has repeatedly rejected as baseless. The Irish Independent quoted the National Union of Journalists as saying that any attempt to dictate who covers a story would be unacceptable and pointed out that a complaint by Ryanair against the newspaper in 2019 had been rejected by Ireland's Press Ombudsman. (Writing by Conor Humphries; editing by Tomasz Janowski, Kirsten Donovan) AccuWeather AccuWeather meteorologists are closely monitoring the potential for a powerful storm to bring rain and what would be the season's first mountain snow to Northern California from Sunday through Monday. A sprawling area of low pressure in the eastern Pacific Ocean is expected to track southeast this weekend and remain off the Pacific Northwest coast. It is then predicted to stall out and perhaps even track a bit to the west before it eventually moves onshore in Northern California. This system app San Francisco's newly-appointed district attorney said underage suspects will only be prosecuted as adults when they are accused of committing "heinous" crimes "that shock the conscience of the community." The new policy is a different approach from former San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, who had a blanket ban on charging juveniles as adults under any circumstance before he was recalled by voters in June. Under Brooke Jenkins, the district attorney's office will only transfer the cases of defendants ages 16 and 17 to adult court for serious allegations, including murder, attempted murder, sexual assault, kidnapping and torture. Before a teen is charged as an adult, the case will be reviewed by the newly created Juvenile Review Team, Jenkins said Tuesday. SAN FRANCISCO VICTIM'S RAPE KIT USED AS EVIDENCE AGAINST HER YEARS LATER IN UNRELATED CASE: LAWSUIT "Juveniles of color have been disproportionately charged as adults in the American criminal justice system. We must always presume that our justice-involved youth should remain in the juvenile justice system where they have access to supportive services," she tweeted. "I also have to recognize that as a DAs office we must retain prosecutorial discretion to ensure that we protect the public and deliver justice in our most serious and egregious cases that is fair and proportional." The Juvenile Review Team will review the cases before making a recommendation to Jenkins, who has the final say. The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California said such policies for young defendants have historically been used against minority suspects. "Adult prosecution of children has always been applied in a very racist way, both in San Francisco and elsewhere," said Yoel Haile, director of the criminal justice program for the ACLU of Northern California. "Black and Latino youths are significantly more likely to be prosecuted as adults than their white peers." Other California prosecutors have chosen to shield underage suspects from adult court. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon has received backlash and been on the end of two failed recall efforts over many of his policies, including his office's handling of juvenile cases. A father and daughter pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to charges they exploited workers they brought legally from Mexico to work on Lexington and Charleston farms for long hours, low pay and bad food. Sentences for the father, Enrique Balcazar, 36, and his daughter, Elizabeth Balcazar, 20, will be issued later. Enrique Balcazar faces up to 20 years in prison for obtaining labor by force or threats of force and for not keeping promises to workers brought into the country. Because he is a Mexican citizen, he could be deported at the end of his prison sentence, noted Judge Sherri Lydon during a hearing at the Perry federal courthouse in downtown Columbia. Elizabeth Balcazar, who was born in Greenwood, faces up to five years for fraud in foreign labor contracts. During the plea hearing, assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Daniels told Judge Lydon that the arrests grew out of an investigation that began in August 2021 and targeted the Balcazars and their company, Balcazar Nature Harvesting. The investigation showed that the workers at three Lexington County locations had worked longer hours than promised, for lower pay than promised... their passports were confiscated and their food and medical care was inadequate, Daniels said. Workers were promised a 40-hour work week, but some actually worked 70 hours a week, Daniels said. They were promised $11.81 an hour but only paid $10.25 an hour, according to pay stubs, he said. When they worked at a Charleston farm, they would wake around 3 am in Lexington County and not get back home until 11 pm, Daniels said. During those weeks, they were only paid for 40 hours of work, he said. One victim told agents that Enrique Balcazar carried a gun that he brandished and would shoot at times, Daniels said. The Balcazars brought the workers from Mexico under a program that issues visas for temporary agricultural workers. Under that program, companies can bring workers from other countries, but employers have to keep promises about work conditions, pay and how many hours per week they will work. Story continues By August, 12 of the 45 workers at Balcazar had fled their living sites because working conditions had become so intolerable, Daniel said. The Balcazars, who were indicted in December, told the other workers they better not leave and posted an armed guard through the night to make sure they didnt slip out, Daniel said. The produce picked by the workers was eventually distributed to grocery stores and restaurants throughout the Midlands by Clayton Rawl Farms, Daniel said. Enrique Balcazar was represented by attorney Stanley Myers. Elizabeth Balcazar by Will Lewis. The investigation was carried out by agents from Homeland Security, the State Law Enforcement Division and the U.S. Department of Labor. Agents gathered evidence in the case from interviewing witnesses, surveillance, business records and defendants cell phones. Mexican farm workers in the Midlands have made news before. In 2015, a federal judge levied a $1 million fine against HW Group, LLC, a closely held family firm that serves as the umbrella group for five corporate entities, including Walter P. Rawl & Sons, a well-known, large vegetable producer. An investigation found the company had used between 300 and 350 illegal immigrants as workers, according to court filings. A scientific study has found that the climate crisis did have a role in Pakistans historic floods this year which caused an unprecedented scale of devastation in the country, killing 1,400 people and impacting over 33 million people. The excessive rainfall and flooding this year was widely dubbed as a climate catastrophe with UN chief Antonio Guterres describing the devastation as climate carnage and Pakistans government holding rich countries responsible for the havoc. However, this is the first time a scientific study has been carried out to assess the role the warming planet has played in the occurrence and intensity of these floods. The research released by World Weather Attribution (WWA), an initiative for conducting real-time attribution analysis of extreme weather events, shows the climate crisis has indeed played a role in Pakistans floods by intensifying the rainfall in the region by 50-75 per cent. The rapid attribution study, conducted by 26 researchers from 10 countries, used scientific models and historic data to determine how likely such an extreme event would have been if the world had not already warmed by about 1.2C since the late 1800s, and how frequent the event would become as the planet continues to warm. Two datasets were used in the study first was the 60-day period of heaviest rainfall over the areas surrounding the Indus river, the largest river in Pakistan, in June and September. The second was the five-day period of the heaviest rainfall in the southern provinces of Sindh and Balochistan, which suffered heavy flooding. Researchers used published, peer-reviewed methods and found that climate change increased the intensity of rainfall in the five-day period in Sindh and Balochistan by up to 75 per cent. While the 60-day monsoon period was around 50 per cent more intense due to warming. The southern provinces of Sindh and Balochistan have been heavily hit by the flooding in the last few weeks and have witnessed their wettest August ever recorded. Terms such as monster monsoon and monsoon on steroids have been used by officials to describe the unusual rainfall the region has witnessed. Story continues The two states received seven and eight times their usual monthly total rainfall respectively this season. Pakistan as a whole has received more than three times its usual rainfall in August. Infographic showing the worst-affected regions in Pakistan by number of houses destroyed (UNOCHA) The study found that such phenomena can occur once every 100 years, or in other words, has a 1 per cent chance of occurring every year, due to the current levels of warming. The same event would probably have been much less likely in a world without human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, meaning climate change likely made the extreme rainfall more probable, it said. However, as the world is set to warm further from the current 1.2C warming despite efforts to limit it by 1.5C as enshrined in the international Paris agreement, such events are feared to become much more likely to occur. The situation could be even worse with a 2C warming. Also read: InFact: What would be the difference between 1.5C and 2C global warming? As a limitation, the WWA noted that there were some uncertainties in assessing the impact on the overall monsoon period due to a lack of data and high variability in rainfall in the region. Our evidence suggests that climate change played an important role in the event, although our analysis doesnt allow us to quantify how big the role was, said Dr Friederike Otto, co-lead of WWA and senior lecturer in climate science at the Grantham Institute. Dr Otto said the mathematical uncertainty is because the region has very different weather from one year to another, which makes it hard to see long-term changes in observed data and climate models. However, she added the findings are in line with what climate projections have been predicting for years. Its also in line with historical records showing that heavy rainfall has dramatically increased in the region since humans started emitting large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. And our own analysis also shows clearly that further warming will make these heavy rainfall episodes even more intense. She added: While it is hard to put a precise figure to the contribution of climate change, the fingerprints of global warming are evident. This combination of handout satellite pictures courtesy of Maxar Technologies shows an overview of a village and fields in Rajanpur, Pakistan, prior to flooding and after major flooding occurred (Maxar Technologies/AFP via Getty) The intensity of rainfall in the region is driven by several weather patterns, such as the La Nina event and the arrival of multiple depressions from the Bay of Bengal, something that makes Pakistan highly prone to heavy rainfall. However, the climate crisis is known to have also contributed to the changes in variability of the weather systems like eastern monsoon rains and western disturbances in the region, something meteorologists have been pointing at for quite some time. The WWA study also found links between the historic rainfall with the worsening heatwave, which the initiative had earlier found to have become 30 times more likely in a research published in June this year. Scientists and climate activists have been pointing at this connection for quite some time as hotter air traps more moisture. It also mentioned the role of melting glaciers in swelling up the rivers, something that was exacerbated due to the deadly heatwave in April-May when parts of Pakistan saw temperatures soaring up to 50C. Pakistan is home to over 7,000 glaciers, the highest for any country outside the poles. The findings of the study are in line with the IPCC sixth assessment report which projected more intense rains in South Asia as the planet warms, a region considered one of the most vulnerable to the worsening impacts of the climate crisis. The research concludes that the scale of the devastation also had multiple factors behind it. Pakistans infrastructural vulnerabilities, high population density, poverty rates and political instability played a huge role in the extent of damage it suffered. Pakistan governments preliminary assessment says the country suffered around $30bn worth of damages, something it will take years to overcome. Meanwhile, millions of people have either been displaced or have gone through significant losses. This aerial photograph taken shows flooded residential areas after heavy monsoon rains in Sukkur, Sindh province (AFP/Getty) The country is also staring at a public health crisis as water-borne diseases spread among vulnerable people, something aid agencies say can be a bigger disaster than the floods. The flooding has also increased calls for more climate finance and compensation from rich countries. Not just in Pakistan, but in light of frequent extreme weather events around the world, the calls for loss and damage fund are picking momentum. Loss and damage is a term used in climate negotiations to refer to the money rich countries owe to vulnerable nations suffering the impact of the climate crisis. Fingerprints of climate change in exacerbating the heatwave earlier this year, and now the flooding, provide conclusive evidence of Pakistans vulnerability to such extremes, Fahad Saeed, Researcher at the Center for Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Islamabad, Pakistan said at the release of the study. Being the chair of G77, the country must use this evidence in Cop27 to push the world to reduce emissions immediately, he added. Pakistan must also ask developed countries to take responsibility and provide adaptation plus loss and damage support to the countries and populations bearing the brunt of climate change. However, despite increasing evidence of climate crisis making extreme weather more frequent, the issue remains a contentious point and it is yet to be seen how the upcoming UN climate summit, Cop27, would be able to bring any consensus. Americans use an estimated 36.5 billion rolls of toilet paper every year and the average consumer will go through the equivalent of 384 trees just for toilet paper in the course of a lifetime. Deforestation causes a range of environmental problems, including loss of wildlife habitats and biodiversity. It also contributes to climate change, since trees absorb and store carbon dioxide, which is the most common greenhouse gas. Amid a growing interest in which brands use the best sustainability practices, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), an environmental advocacy organization, analyzed the sourcing of the largest brands of toilet paper, facial tissue and paper towels on the U.S. market. Its resulting scorecard, released on Wednesday, gives failing sustainability grades to most of the biggest household names. The four-largest name brands in the country Angel Soft, Charmin, Cottonelle, and Quilted Northern all received an F. Cottonelle brand toilet tissue, manufactured by Kimberly-Clark. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images) As this years scorecard shows, the largest tissue brands in America are failing the climate, communities, and biodiversity by continuing to create their products from forests like the Canadian boreal, which stores more carbon than any other terrestrial ecosystem, wrote NRDCs Ashley Jordan in a blog post explaining the ratings. The largest brands, she added, are made almost exclusively from virgin forest fiber and fail to avoid sourcing from primary forests. Virgin forest fiber refers to any wood that has been cut down and used for the first time. Since cutting down trees releases the carbon dioxide stored within them, recycled paper has a much lower carbon footprint, as it only creates emissions from the energy used to manufacture and transport it. Tissues made from recycled paper create one-third of the carbon emissions of tissue made from virgin wood, according to the Environmental Paper Networks Paper Calculator 4.0. Of the 58 types of toilet paper scored by NRDC, 12 received either an A or A+ because they are made from post-consumer recycled paper. The vast majority of those are specifically eco-conscious products, including Green Forest, Natural Value, Natures Promise, Seventh Generation Soft and Strong, and Marcal 100% Recycled. Story continues Toilet paper for sale at a grocery store in San Francisco. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Trader Joes store brand and Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value 100% Recycled both received A+ scores. That stands in contrast to some of the store brands from other large retailers. Wegmans, Stop & Shop/Giant Food, Publix Super Soft and Publix Ultra Strong, Kirkland (which is Costcos store brand), Amazon Basics and every variation of Walmarts store brand Great Value all received an F. "Were looking into that, its the first we've seen of the rating a Walmart spokesperson told Yahoo News when asked for comment. She also pointed to Walmarts Sustainable Forests policy, which sets a goal that By 2025, Walmarts goal is that private brand products made of pulp, paper, and timber will be sourced deforestation and conversion-free. (Conversion in this usage means when forest land is converted to another use, such as farming, by cutting down its trees.) Different products from the same brand can often receive very different scores. While Trader Joes regular brand received an A+, Trader Joe's Super Soft got an F, for instance. The same also applies to different brands from the same manufacturer. For example, Kimberly-Clark makes Cottonelle and Georgia-Pacific makes Quilted Northern, both of which received an F grade. But those companies also offer greener alternatives. Georgia-Pacifics Pacific Blue Basic and Kimberly-Clarks Scott Essential Standard Roll both got a B+. Procter & Gamble, which makes Charmin, does not offer any recycled-paper bathroom tissue. Charmin brand toilet paper sits on display in Princeton, Ill. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images) For the first time ever, Georgia-Pacific landed itself among the B-plus scores after making a 100 percent recycled content toilet paper option available online directly to consumers; Kimberly Clark made this same move last year, Jordan wrote. This development leaves P&G last among the Big Three U.S. tissue companies to still receive straight F scores across all of its tissue brands, including Charmin, Puffs, and Bounty. Yahoo News contacted all three companies. Georgia-Pacific relies on forests and recycled content for the wood/fiber we use to make the paper and building products people want and need. With regards to those raw materials, weve always been careful in the way we source and use natural resources, a spokesperson for Georgia-Pacific said in an emailed statement. We are committed to sustainable forestry and actively take steps to ensure that the virgin fiber (trees) used in our products is responsibly sourced, no matter the location. And, we are committed to helping maintain healthy forests now and into the future not only to use available resources more efficiently, but to also follow and promote good science-based forest protection and enhancement practices. Georgia-Pacific also referred to a website where it asserts that the logging for its products is sustainable because new trees are grown in place of the ones cut down. Georgia-Pacific recently announced that it is modernizing one of its premier sawmills in Pineland, Texas. The Pineland Lumber Complex will undergo $120 million in improvements. (AP Photo) Procter & Gamble made a similar claim. Responsible sourcing is an important issue for not just our business but, more importantly, for the environment and people who depend on it, P&G spokesperson Tonia Elrod told Yahoo News in an email. Our sourcing prohibits deforestation, respects the rights of Indigenous peoples (FPIC), and protects biodiversity. For every tree Charmin uses, at least two are regrown. Kimberly-Clark did not respond to Yahoo News. Some environmental experts say that replanting is not an adequate substitute for preserving existing trees. Cutting down trees can destroy wildlife habitats, which are not immediately replaced by a much younger and smaller tree in its place. A 2019 study also found that new trees have less nutrients, due to the effect of logging on soil. Replanted trees are often also all of the same species, creating a less rich ecosystem than what is found in nature and making the forest more susceptible to infestation by fungus or invasive species. The NRDC scorecard also examined paper towels and facial tissues, and it found a similar range of performance. The same eco-conscious brands such as Trader Joes, Green Forest and Natural Value produced A-rated paper towels and facial tissues. But many of the most popular brands, including Brawny Paper Towels (made by Georgia-Pacific) and Kleenex Everyday (made by P&G), got Fs. Correction: Kimberly-Clark makes Cottonelle and Georgia-Pacific makes Quilted Northern. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Gary Gensler faced a grilling on Capitol Hill on Thursday, with the agency head defending the SECs approach to issues including climate disclosure and cryptocurrency regulation. The SECs proposed climate disclosure rules which it released in March would require publicly traded companies to calculate and publish the risks that climate change poses to their operations and what they are doing to address it. Republicans have criticized the rules as onerous, arguing they are an example of the SEC conducting policy beyond its mandate. Gensler joined two other Democratic commissioners in voting for the proposed rules in March, while the SECs lone Republican commissioner, Hester Peirce, voted no. GOP lawmakers on the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday attempted to paint SEC climate disclosure policy as a backdoor and likely ineffectual attempt to reduce global temperatures. What bothers me is why were spending trillions of dollars of scarce resources while China gets 60 percent of its energy from coal, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said. We spend all this money and world temperatures are not reduced. Gensler sidestepped the line of questioning, saying he refused to accept the premise that the SEC is attempting to influence global temperatures a key tenet of broader Republican charges that the agency is pursuing policymaking beyond its mandate. He stressed that neither he nor his deputies were motivated by the drive to reduce global temperatures. Its about actually helping investors get more consistent information, even if they want to invest in what might be brown assets rather than green assets, Gensler said, referring to fossil fuels and other carbon-intensive investments. Such investors will get more consistent information and will probably avoid some of the greenwashing thats out there, he added, referring to misleading marketing of unsustainable investments. Story continues In a later exchange with Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Gensler steered away from a question about whether the purpose of environmental, social and governance disclosure was to help newer investors who are focused on going green. There are also investors that are just thinking that because of climate risk, it could affect the financial performance of a company. It could affect their supply chain, it could affect their competition, it could affect regular future regulation, Gensler said. So theyre thinking about how to value today that future transition risk, he added, referring to the financial risk that the transition from fossil fuels could pose to a companys bottom line. He emphasized that the SECs primary immediate goal is to ensure truth in advertising. There are asset managers managing trillions of dollars that are saying to the public, We will invest your money, your money in something thats carbon neutral, or green and the like, he said. And so we put out some proposals earlier this year to address what is what stands behind a name literally the name of a fund. And are you living up to the obligations that you made or commitments youve made to investors when you ask for their money? During the hearing, Gensler weighed in on the concept of materiality the idea that the SEC should only require the disclosure of information that is relevant to an investors decision to buy or sell. He argued that climate risk is material because investors consider it material. Many investors are considering it and why are they considering it? Because theres a future chance of transition risk. [Companies] might have changed their operations. Competitors might change their operations. Laws might change. These companies that are listed here in the U.S. operate around the globe. Gensler said that the Supreme Court says investors get to decide what risks they take, adding that 14,000 investors had written the SEC in support of the proposed climate disclosure rule. If you look at the top 300 or 400 of the investors, the big asset managers, that adds up to $50 trillion of assets under management that have come in mostly supportive of this, he added, arguing many are looking for the ability to make an informed choice. The SEC head also addressed cryptocurrencies, another issue where the agency has taken fire from the GOP for pursuing new financial tools that Republicans argue go beyond its mandate. Gensler countered that most cryptocurrencies are securities that fall well within the agencys purview. Its a fairly straightforward, because of these 10,000 crypto tokens without prejudging any one of them I believe that the vast majority are securities, because theres a somebody in the public is betting on a better future. They are betting on anticipating profits on a common enterprise with a group of entrepreneurs in the middle. He noted that such middlemen can hold securities in the same trading platforms they operate, raising the risk of the sort of manipulations that would be illegal on traditional exchanges. Frankly, theres a fair amount of noncompliance, and so were going to continue to try to work with the intermediaries get them inside and regulated and if need be use our regulatory toolkit, he said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Senate confirmed Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David Pekoske to a second term on Thursday. In a 77-18 vote, the upper chamber confirmed Pekoske to a second five-year term after previously confirming him to the post in August 2017 by unanimous consent. It is a privilege to continue serving the American people alongside an incredible workforce of dedicated and highly skilled professionals, he said in a TSA statement. I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure our nations transportation system remains secure and facilitates the movement of people and cargo. President Biden in May renominated Pekoske, who was nominated for his first term by former President Trump. Pekoske also served a brief stint as the Department of Homeland Securitys acting secretary when Biden took office. Pekoske leads a workforce of roughly 60,000 employees at nearly 430 airports nationwide, and the agency is also responsible for security of pipelines, rail and mass transit systems. TSAs statement also outlined Pekoskes priorities for his second term, which include implementing more equitable compensation, investing in technology and strengthening partnerships with transportation stakeholders and international governments. TSAs mission lies in the commitment of professionals and highly skilled individuals, and Admiral Pekoskes confirmation and continued leadership of this team will enable the TSA to further its ongoing and important mission, Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) said on the Senate floor prior to the vote. The agency during Pekoskes first term grappled with a large number of unruly passengers amid the coronavirus pandemic, with thousands of reported mask-related incidents. Prior to joining the TSA, Pekoske was a vice commandant in the U.S. Coast Guard, where he was second-in-command and chief operating officer. He also served as commander of Coast Guard Pacific Area and Coast Guard Defense Forces West. Story continues TSA now faces passenger levels not seen since before the pandemic, with the agency regularly screening more than 2 million passengers per day. The airline industry has seen a chaotic summer travel season with many flight cancellations and delays, but TSA has continually touted low wait times during peak travel days. Earlier this month, Labor Day marked the first holiday weekend to surpass pre-pandemic air travel levels. TSA said over the course of the weekend, 94.9 percent of PreCheck passengers waited less than five minutes, and about 91.6 percent of standard-screening passengers waited less than 15 minutes. TSAs highly trained and dedicated workforce facilitated secure travel for millions of passengers during the busy summer travel season with very little disruptions at the checkpoint, Pekoske said at the time. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon at a press conference on banning stock trades for members of Congress on April 07, 2022. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images Senate Democrats won't release a consensus bill to ban congressional stock trading until after the midterms. "It's not going to happen before the election," said Sen. Jeff Merkley, a leading advocate on the issue. It comes just a day after Nancy Pelosi said the House could vote on a bill this month. Senate Democrats will not introduce legislation to ban members of Congress from trading stocks until after the November midterm election, according to Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, a leading proponent of the legislation. "I'm looking forward to getting this across the finish line, but it's not going to happen before the election," Merkley told Insider on Thursday. In February, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer formed a working group for the purpose of developing consensus legislation that would stand a chance of passing the evenly-divided Senate, where floor time is valuable. The New York Democrat's move came after Insider's "Conflicted Congress" investigation revealed widespread violations of the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act. A slew of legislation was introduced to address the problem. "I feel like we've made very large strides towards a consensus bill," Merkley said during an interview in the US Capitol. "But there are a whole lot of other bills and judicial nominations lined up for the balance of the few days we have left here." Two other members of the Senate working group told Insider they couldn't confirm Merkley's assessment of the stock bill. But neither would refute it, either. "I don't have a comment," said Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia. "Except what I've consistently said, which is that it's time to vote." "There is no reason that we should not have a stock trading bill on the floor and vote on it," added Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat. "Every day that we delay on passing meaningful restrictions on stock trading among members of Congress is a day that further erodes the credibility of this body." Story continues House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, during her weekly press conference on Capitol Hill in August, 2022. Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images Merkley's Senate news comes just a day after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters that the House may vote on legislation to ban congressional stock trading this month. "We believe we have a product that we can bring to the floor this month," she told reporters at her weekly press conference on Wednesday. "I'm pleased with it, it's very strong." The decision to punt the much-anticipated legislation into this year's lame-duck session when lawmakers may feel less pressure from the public so soon after an election could imperil the potential for enacting the widely-popular reform this Congress. Walter Shaub, a senior ethics fellow at the Project on Government Oversight which has been working with Merkley and other Senate Democrats on the consensus legislation ripped into Merkley in a statement to Insider. "I'm not surprised to hear this is Senator Merkley's position," said Shaub. "He took control of the working group and slow-walked this thing for 223 days. It's a tragic lost opportunity and a shameful failure." But Merkley sounded an optimistic note, saying that in over a decade working on the issue, he's never felt so close to fixing what he says is a significant ethical problem. "I think we have the best momentum that we've ever had in the 10 years I've been fighting to end this practice of stock trading," he said. "Our candidates are much more aware of it, our entire membership continues to see how it creates a real conflict of interest if you have a personal portfolio and you're serving the public." Merkley has previously told Insider that the legislation being hammered out by Senate Democrats will also include a ban on spouses from trading stocks, closing a potential loophole in the existing legislation. "Slowly over time, we have reached a strong consensus on almost everything," he said. "You can touch the brass ring, but we can't quite grab it yet. But part of that is people realizing it's not going to get on the floor because of the bills that are stacked up before the election anyway." Merkley also told Insider that he wasn't aware of the details of the legislation being hammered out by House Democratic leadership, raising questions about whether the House and Senate versions will have significant differences. "I'll evaluate what the House does when they act," said Merkley. He also noted that several House proponents of stock-ban legislation say they're unaware of what's being worked on by leadership. On Wednesday, Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia one of the leading proponents of a bill to ban members of Congress and their spouses from trading stocks confirmed the lack of communication from House leadership to Insider. "Literally no returned emails, no returned phone calls, like, ghosted," she said. Read the original article on Business Insider Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), shown in 2017, released part of the CIA torture report in 2014 over the objections of the intelligence community. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) The U.S. Senate does not have to release its full report detailing the Central Intelligence Agencys interrogation and detention program following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, a federal judge ruled Thursday. Journalist Shawn Musgrave sought the 6,700-page document, citing a common law right of access to public records. The legal argument is conceptually similar to the Freedom of Information Act. Congress is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled in 2016 that the report was a congressional record. Musgrave's legal argument was made in an attempt to get around that limitation. Common law right of access is decided in the District of Columbia Circuit based on a two-part test that requires a determination that the document is a public record and then balancing the government's interest in keeping the document secret against the public's interest in disclosure. District of Columbia District Judge Beryl Howell ruled that the report "does not qualify as a public record subject to the common law right of public access" because although it was part of the committee's investigation, it was aimed at gathering information and did not make recommendations or propose legislation. Therefore, she said, it falls under the protections of the 1st Amendment's speech and debate clause protecting legislators' speech while crafting legislation. The government interest in keeping the information secret outweighs public interest, Howell wrote. "The Report contains highly classified information about the CIAs detention and interrogation policies and procedures that would compromise national security if released, far outweighing the publics interest in disclosure," Howell said in her opinion dismissing the case. Musgrave's attorney, Kel McClanahan, said Thursday they plan to appeal the decision. "While we're obviously disappointed with the results, we recognized from the outset that this would be an uphill battle," he said. "We understand that this is a thorny issue and will ultimately need to be decided by a superior court." Story continues McClanahan disagreed with Howell's assertion that the report was a preliminary and advisory step to inform future legislation. The committee crafted the report to "preserve information and inform people about what had happened. It is not deliberative; it does not fall under the speech and debate clause protection," he said. Former Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) released part of the report in 2014 over the objections of the intelligence community, making public a 500-page executive summary that said the CIA misled the White House and the public about torture of detainees in Afghanistan. She favored releasing the full report, but much of the more than remaining 6,000 pages is classified. I agree with the judge that the Senate Intelligence Committee should retain control over its own documents. I also continue to believe the full torture report with appropriate redactions should be released at some point," Feinstein said in a statement. "The use of torture by the American government was a dark mark on our history that must never be allowed to happen again. We must continue to learn from our mistakes, and that means eventually releasing the torture report at an appropriate time. President Obama declared the full report part of his presidential records before he left office, which preserved a copy in the National Archives. Public requests for the document could trigger declassification starting in 2029. When Republicans controlled the Senate under then-President Trump, Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) insisted that all other copies of the report be retrieved from the executive branch, where they could potentially be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the current committee chairman, said in a statement that the opinion recognizes that "the committee is committed to conducting vigorous oversight of the activities carried out by our intelligence agencies and to ensuring that the American public has visibility into those activities without jeopardizing intelligence sources and methods vital to our national security. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Many Republicans running in this year's midterm elections do not support Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., proposed bill that would limit abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy or after "the stage at which substantial medical evidence indicates that they are capable of feeling pain." In June, the Supreme Court, in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, returning power to the states to limit abortion. Following the SCOTUS decision, abortion became one of the focal points of this year's midterm election, as numerous GOP candidates were accused by their Democratic opponents of holding "extreme" views on abortion. One recent ad from VetVotes and the Senate Majority PAC targeted Arizona Senate candidate Blake Masters for his pro-life stance, and called him "unAmerican." Since Graham's announcement, several Senate Republican candidates who supported the Dobbs decision told Fox News Digital that they will not support a federal limitation on abortion, while only a few would back the measure. SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM EXPLAINS PROPOSED FEDERAL ABORTION BILL: I HAVE NO APOLOGY FOR BEING PROUDLY PRO-LIFE Some Democrats have pointed out that if GOP members back a federal abortion restriction, they are effectively taking abortion out of the hands of the states. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, who is running against Mehmet Oz in the Pennsylvania Senate race, tweeted, "Just 'leave it to the states', huh @droz?" while also calling on his opponent to say whether he supports the bill. "Dr. Oz is pro-life with three exceptions: life of the mother, rape and incest." Brittany Yanick, communications director for Dr. Oz for Senate, told Fox News Digital, before saying Oz would uphold the state's right to rule on the issue of abortion. "And as a senator, he'd want to make sure that the federal government is not involved in interfering with the state's decisions on the topic. It's quite the contrast from John Fetterman, who supports abortion up until the moment of birth," Yanick said. Story continues MIKE HUCKABEE: GOP NEEDS TO STOP BEING AFRAID OF ISSUES LIKE ABORTION Other Republicans echoed Oz's position, but were more forthright in saying that Graham's bill had no chance of passing in Congress. "If Washington, D.C., were half as interested in addressing inflation, reducing the debt, and securing the border as they are waging partisan fights over abortion, the American people would be better off," said Republican Joe O'Dea, the Colorado Senate candidate challenging Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo. "This bill will never pass, just like Bennet and Schumers bill legalizing elective late-term abortion will never become law. The whole back and forth proves the point Ive been making for months: Congress needs to pass a balanced approach that protects a womans right to choose early in pregnancy and provides responsible limits on late-term abortion," O'Dea said. Pro-life Republican Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz supports exceptions for abortion. Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call Brian Freimuth, spokesperson for the campaign of Nevada GOP Senate nominee Adam Laxalt, told Fox News Digital that he does not support a federal law. "This proposal has no chance to pass Congress and receive President Biden's signature," Freimuth said. "The law in Nevada was settled by voters decades ago and isn't going to change. As a pro-life candidate, Adam made his views clear in a recent Reno Gazette Journal column," where he described how he believes the right to an abortion in Nevada should be decided by Nevada voters, not the federal government. Republican U.S. Senate candidate Adam Laxalt, in a recent op-ed, said the issue of abortion in Nevada should be decided by Nevada voters, not the federal government. Bridget Bennett Laxalt has also stressed the views of his midterm opponent, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., who supported the Women's Health Protection Act that would allow abortions "without limitations" and after fetal viability. Not all Republicans have taken stances against the abortion limitation bill. Graham said it was Democrats who, following the Dobbs decision, "rallied behind pro-choice legislation which allows abortion right up until the moment of birth," pushing a "radical" position that Americans would reject. "Our legislation is a responsible alternative as we provide exceptions for cases of rape, incest, and life and physical health of the mother," the senator said, also noting that around 55,000 abortions at or after 15 weeks of pregnancy occur each year. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who co-sponsored the Graham bill, said he believes it would be the right move for Florida. "Banning abortion after four months is consistent with Florida law and more permissive than all but two European countries," Rubio said. "Why doesnt the media ask Val Demings why she doesnt support a single restriction on abortions? She is an extremist that supports abortion, for any reason, at any time up to the moment of birth and paid for by taxpayers." The bill, labeled the Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act, aims to protect unborn babies after the point in the pregnancy where they begin to feel pain. The bill, which includes exceptions for rape, incest and when the life of the mother is threatened, would mirror European abortion limits. "The Supreme Court of the United States has acknowledged that, by at least 12 weeks gestation, an unborn child has taken on the human form in all relevant aspects" the bill reads, referring to the 2007 Gonzales v. Carhart court case that banned partial-birth abortion. Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex watch the RAF flypast on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018 (Chris Jackson/Getty) When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from their roles as senior working members of the royal family in January 2020, Her Majesty responded to their requests by saying, in part: My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghans desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. The statement was a rare first-person statement by the Queen, and the words she wrote that they were a valued part of my family wasnt just lip service. While close to all of her grandchildren in their own way, Her Majesty and Harry always enjoyed a close bond full of laughter and merriment since Harrys birth in 1984. When Meghan came into Harrys life, Her Majesty welcomed the princes future bride with open arms, meeting her in September 2017 at Balmoral Castle and then breaking a long-standing tradition by inviting her to the familys Christmas Day church service and dinner at Sandringham later that year. (Previously, one was invited only if they had married into the family.) Meghan fully recognised the special relationship Her Majesty shared with Prince Harry. She said in an interview following her and Harrys engagement: To be able to meet her through his lens, not just with his honour and respect for her as the monarch, but the love that he has for her as his grandmother, all of those layers have been so important for me so that when I met her, I had such a deep understanding and, of course, incredible respect for being able to have that time with her. Shes an incredible woman. Not long after Harry and Meghan married in May 2018, the newly minted Duchess of Sussex embarked on her first solo engagement with Her Majesty, travelling aboard the Royal Train to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge in Cheshire on 14 June that year less than a month after their wedding. The trip was an overnight one without the Duke of Sussex; in addition to opening the bridge in Cheshire, they launched the Storyhouse Theatre in Chester and attended a lunch at the Chester Town Hall. Story continues Queen Elizabeth II with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge on June 14, 2018 (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty) Later, in her tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, Meghan reflected on that trip, saying that Her Majesty had gifted her a set of pearl earrings and a necklace. I just really loved being in her company, she said. We were in the car going between engagements. And she has a blanket that sits across her knees for warmth, and it was chilly. And she was like, Meghan, come on, and put it over my knees as well. It made me think of my grandmother, where shes always been warm and inviting and really welcoming. Despite Harry and Meghans step back from the Firm the working arm of the royal family they still both deeply loved Her Majesty as grandmother and grandmother-in-law, respectively. Its important to be able to compartmentalise that [the difference between the Firm and the family] because the Queen, for example, has always been wonderful to me, Meghan told Oprah in 2021. Days after the original January 2020 statement from the Queen, she continued to express her love for Harry and Meghan. Just days after the original January 2020 statement from the Queen, she continued to express her love for Harry, Meghan, and Archie in the first person, writing: Harry, Meghan, and Archie will always be much loved members of my family. I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life. I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across the country, the Commonwealth, and beyond, and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family. It is my whole familys hope that todays agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life. Though the miles separated them in later years Her Majesty in the UK and the Sussexes eventually landing in California the couple remained much loved members of the family, Buckingham Palace wrote in February 2021, when the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs decision to leave their posts as working members of the royal family was again confirmed after a 12-month review period. The next month, even with the explosive interview where it was revealed one royal family member made comments about Archies skin tone before he was born, Harry was quick to point out that the offending member of the family was not the Queen or Prince Philip. Meghan, Harry and the Queen at the Queens Young Leaders Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace on June 26, 2018 (John Stillwell/Getty) Perhaps the couples ultimate sign of affection for Her Majesty was choosing to name their daughter, Lilibet, after the Queen Lilibet being a childhood nickname of Her Majesty. Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor was born on 4 June, 2021 and is known affectionately as Lili. Though Harry, Meghan, and the Queen were not seen together for quite some time, royal correspondent Victoria Arbiter tells The Independent that, while its impossible to know the ins and outs of the trios relationship, their warm affection for one another when speaking about the other party is proof that all was well before her death. The relationship between them [was] good, Arbiter says. The Queen is very pragmatic, and, at the end of the day, she adores her family. She wants them to be happy. She [was] very glad for Harry and Meghan, who are now living the kind of life they hoped to achieve. But she missed them terribly and wished things hadnt quite gone as combative as they had. But she doesnt hold it against them. At the end of the day, Harry is a beloved grandson, and she wants him to be happy and live a happy life. He went [to the US] with her blessing. Shell chief executive Ben van Beurden Shell is to replace its current boss Ben van Beurden with its head of gas and renewables, the oil giant has said. Mr van Beurden will to step down at the end of 2022, and be replaced by Wael Sawan. Mr Sawan, a duel Lebanese-Canadian national who previously led Shell's oil and gas production business, was seen as a favourite to take the top job. He now oversees Shell's growth into low carbon energies as well as its giant gas business. Mr Sawan said he would "grasp the opportunities presented by the energy transition". "We will be disciplined and value focused as we work with our customers and partners to deliver the reliable, affordable and cleaner energy the world needs," he said. Shell's chairman, Sir Andrew Mackenzie, said Mr van Beurden had "been in the vanguard for the transition of Shell to a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050 and has become a leading industry voice on some of the most important issues affecting society". Mr van Beurden was in charge when Shell bought gas giant BG Group for 36bn in 2015, and when the firm moved its headquarters to London earlier this year. He also oversaw Shell's commitment to reduce oil production and cut emissions by 2050. Analysis box by Simon Jack, business editor Ben van Beurden spent his entire career at Shell and was chief executive for the last nine years. His lasting legacy will be the acquisition of gas giant BG group for $52bn (36bn) in 2015. This turbocharged Shell's gas and LNG business just before many nations decided that gas would be their transition fuel between coal and greener alternatives, creating bumper profits for the group that delighted shareholders and scandalised activists and some politicians. Mr van Beurden also set the oil giant on its transformation from an oil and gas company to an energy company, with a long-term focus on becoming a carbon neutral company by 2050. Story continues But he was always very clear that the money to fund this transition would come from a hydrocarbons business that the world economy would need for decades to come. A couple of years ago this position had some shareholders fearing he was off-message, and behind the zeitgeist, but the current crisis and the international scramble for gas to replace Russian supplies left him looking right and the company in a very strong position. Sophie Lund-Yates, lead equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said Mr Sawan's appointment was a "clear marker" that the company intends to change its "somewhat vague, though grand sounding" renewables strategy. "Change won't happen overnight, but it's reasonable to think that at least tweaks to the existing renewable strategy could be on the cards," she said. The public is "very sensitive surrounding allegations of profiteering and environmental damage" at the moment, she said, but for investors dividends would take precedence over renewables strategy. Under Mr van Beurden the oil giant has been criticised for its environmental record. Last year, a court in the Netherlands ruled that Shell had to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions, saying that by 2030 they must be cut by 45% compared to 2019 levels. Friends of the Earth, one of the environmental groups that brought the case, said: "Shell is causing dangerous climate change and must now stop it quickly." Shell filed its appeal against the ruling in March this year, with Mr van Beurden previously saying that Shell should not be responsible for reducing its customers' emissions. In May this year, safety consultant Caroline Dennett stopped working for Shell, saying she could "no longer work for a company that ignores all the alarms and dismisses the risks of climate change and ecological collapse". She added that Shell was "not winding down on oil and gas, but planning to explore and extract much more". Ben van Beurden has run Shell since 2014 and joined the oil major in the 1980s (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA) (PA Archive) The chief executive of Shell, Ben van Beurden, is stepping down from the top job at the UKs most valuable company. He will be replaced at the end of the year by a fellow company insider, Wael Sawan, who steps up from its gas and renewables division. The 64-year old van Beurden has run the oil company since January 2014 and moved its main corporate headquarters to London from the Netherlands, after simplifying its complex Anglo-Dutch dual-listing structure, which City investors had long been seeking. During his time in charge, Shell also acquired BG Group for $52 billion. It adapted to the impact of the Paris climate change accord via plans to cut carbon emissions and the production of traditional fuels, from crude oil to liquified natural gas (LNG), moves a Dutch court ruled that it must accelerate. He was paid just over 6 million in 2021. Van Beurden said: In my journey from LNG design engineer to CEO, I have been fortunate to work alongside so many talented people from diverse backgrounds all committed to the companys goal of providing the world with the essential commodities of modern life. He recently resisted Shells label as an oil major, preferring the term energy transition company. But after Russias invasion of Ukraine, governments have called for greater use of fossil fuels, including oil and gas from the North Sea, to improve Europes energy security. Van Beurden, who joined Shell in 1983, will remain as an advisor to the board until midway through 2023. He becomes the eighteenth FTSE 100 CEO to announce in 2022 plans to step down and one of the biggest names on the list. Wael Sawan, who is based in The Hague, will move to London when he takes over as Shell's CEO. Photo: Bruno Kelly/Reuters Shell (SHEL.L) has tapped its head of gas and renewables as its new chief executive as Ben van Beurden departs after almost four decades at the FTSE 100 group. Ben van Beurden will hand over the reins to the companys Canadian director of integrated gas, renewables and energy solutions, Wael Sawan. After resigning as chief executive at the end of this year, the Dutchman will continue to advise the board until next June. A dual Lebanese-Canadian national born in Beirut, Sawan joined the company in 1997 and has previously run the companys oil and gas projects in Qatar, its deepwater business from Houston and its upstream division. Read more: Shell shares surge on record quarterly profits He was named head of the integrated gas and renewables business Shells most strategically important division last year and has been a member of Shells executive committee since July 2019. Im looking forward to channelling the pioneering spirit and passion of our incredible people to rise to the immense challenges, and grasp the opportunities presented by the energy transition, he said. Sawan, who is based in The Hague, will move to London when he takes over as chief executive. Under van Beurdens leadership, who joined in 1983, Shell had to give up its Royal Dutch designation for the first time in more than 100 years as it scrapped its listing in the Netherlands. The headquarters of Shell also moved to London at the same time, forcing van Beurden to leave his native country his was one of only a handful of jobs that moved with the office. But perhaps the most consequential moment of the chief executives time in charge was the promise that Shell would become a carbon net zero company by the middle of this century. For now it is merely a promise for a long time into the future, but Shell also has a target to halve absolute emissions by 2030, compared with where they were in 2016. Read more: Shell to exit Russian gas ventures Ben van Beurden has achieved a lot for shareholders in his near-decade as chief executive of Shell. Principally, he has managed to navigate the company through some uncertain times as the world went ESG-crazy and businesses in the oil and gas industry were viewed as toxic entities not fit for the modern world, Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said. Story continues He has helped to steer Shell towards renewable energy while at the same time capitalising on the sudden surge in the oil price as the world emerged from the pandemic and the Ukraine crisis sent ripples through the energy sector. Van Beurdens resignation comes as Shells share price returns to pre-pandemic levels, illustrating how he has steadied the ship and now seems as good a time as any to pass the baton to a new leader, Mould added. Big oil chief executives rarely serve longer than 10 years and if Sawan stays as long as van Beurden, he will have to answer for those 2030 environmental targets that were left by his predecessor. Shell will enter a new era as chief executive Ben van Beurden steps down after almost a decade at the helm. Hes overseen some remarkable changes as the company ditched its dual share structure, moved headquarters to London, committed to becoming a zero carbon business by 2050, endured a pandemic that saw oil prices collapse and a war in Europe that helped produced record profits, Neil Wilson, chief market analyst for markets.com, said. Read more: FTSE 100: BP to review investments in North Sea after Sunak's windfall tax Its been a funny old ten years for the oil industry with drilling now in vogue again. With shares up 38% YTD and 60% in the last 12 months, and with the company reporting record profits of $11.5bn in July, hes leaving on something of a high, he added. Watch: Shell names renewables head as CEO KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO THURSDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2022, 18:42 Ukrainian soldiers have inflicted significant losses on the Russians on the Slobozhanshchyna front. Source: report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 18.00 on 15 September Quote: "Significant losses of the enemy on the Slobozhanshchyna front have been confirmed. Thus, the 202nd and 204th Rifle Regiments of the 2nd Army Corps of the occupying forces, which took part in hostilities, have been hastily withdrawn to the temporarily occupied territory of Luhansk Oblast and are subject to disbandment. Remaining personnel are divided among units of the mobilisation reserve. Due to the large number of wounded in the town of Novoaidar, civilian medical facilities, including a children's hospital, are urgently being repurposed as military hospitals." Details: The General Staff also reports that the military-political leadership of the Russian Federation has decided to replenish the reserve for the war in Ukraine at the expense of penal institutions, state-owned businesses and institutions, the lifting of conscription restrictions for large families and the forced creation of regional battalions formed on a national basis. As of 18:00 on 15 September, the Russian forces were continuing to attack peaceful residential areas and civilian infrastructure targets, violating the norms of International Humanitarian Law and the laws and customs of war. The infrastructure of more than 20 settlements was damaged as a result of Russian airstrikes, missile strikes, and MLRS attacks, in particular Kryvii Rih, Nikopol, Bilohirka, Marinka, Olhivske, Oskil, Mykolaiv, Ochakiv, Liubomyrivka, Huliaipole and Myrne. During the current day, the Russian forces carried out five missile strikes, five airstrikes and 23 attacks using rocket artillery systems on military and civilian targets on the territory of Ukraine. The Russian soldiers fired on Ukrainian infrastructure using tank guns, mortars and artillery of various calibres: Story continues on the Sivershchyna front : the Russians fired on areas in and around Halahanivka (Chernihiv Oblast) and Kindrativka (Sumy Oblast); on the Kharkiv front : Vovchansk, Hoptivka, Baranivka, Vysoka Yaruha, Neskuchne and Sotnytskyi Kozachok; on the Sloviansk front : Kupiansk; on the Kramatorsk front : Tetianivka, Bilohorivka, Siversk, Mykolaivka, Kramatorsk, Ivano-Darivka and Verkhnokamianske; on the Bakhmut front : Sukha Balka, Mykolaivka Druha, Zaitseve, Odradivka, Soledar, Yakovlivka, Bakhmutske, Bakhmut and Vesela Dolyna; Russian forces did not undertake active operations on the Avdiivka, Novopavlivka, and Zaporizhzhia fronts , but fired on the positions of Ukrainian forces along the entire line of contact; on the Pivdennyi Buh front, Russian troops also fired on the positions of Ukrainian forces along the entire line of contact and used UAVs to conduct aerial reconnaissance, making a total of 48 sorties. Defence forces of Ukraine successfully repelled Russian attacks in the vicinity of Vesela Dolyna, Maiorsk and Zaitseve. In order to support the actions of ground groups, the aircraft of the Ukrainian Defence Forces carried out 18 airstrikes on the areas where Russian military personnel and equipment were concentrated. It has been confirmed that the Ukrainian aircraft struck 10 such areas, as well as three Russian strong points and five anti-aircraft missile systems. Russias losses have yet to be confirmed. Air defence units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed two UAVs of the occupiers on different fronts. Units of the Ukrainian Missile Forces and artillery inflicted damage on three Russian control points and 12 areas where Russian military personnel and equipment were concentrated, striking two Russian ammunition storage points, several pieces of anti-aircraft defence equipment, and ground lines of communication. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! (Bloomberg) -- Singapores Law Minister said cancel culture rules may be included in legislation in the near future as the government looks to protect residents against online pressure over expressing views on topics including an ongoing debate on LGBTQ rights. Most Read from Bloomberg The government is preparing to repeal a colonial-era law that criminalizes sex between men while reinforcing traditional definition of marriage between a man and woman, sparking fierce reactions online. We should be encouraging people to be able to express their viewpoints on all sides as long as its not offensive and doesnt descend to hate speech, Law Minister K Shanmugam said in an interview with Bloomberg Televisions Haslinda Amin. If we find the right solutions, yes, that should be something that we could see in legislation in the near future. In the past decade, the term cancel culture has been embraced globally by religious groups and political conservatives who are experiencing new, vocal opposition from historically marginalized groups and social liberals. Shanmugam, who was one of Singapores top litigators until he became a cabinet minister, said the move toward cancel culture is a concern to the government based on a wide variety of issues aired in the country. Both religious and LGBTQ groups have told the government they have been attacked online on this debate, he added. Religious groups, in particular, feel very put upon because they feel whenever they express their views they are attacked as homophobes, he said. So there is a line between expressing your view on religion and becoming homophobic or engaging in hate speech against LGBT groups. Story continues Why Singapore is Abolishing a Ban on Sex Between Men: QuickTake Singapore is currently ranked 139th out of 180 nations in the world for press freedom this year, but the city-states lively online forums and blogs provide an alternative to mainstream media and are an avenue for social and government criticism. Shanmugam said Singapore will go ahead with plans to amend the constitution to make clear that it is parliaments prerogative to define marriage so that it cant be challenged in courts. This has been widely seen as a compromise with conservative and religious groups and ensures that only a parliamentary vote can make future changes to that definition. For now, a majority of Singaporeans are against same-sex marriages though there was support for the planned repeal of the legal ban on sex between men known as Section 377A. A poll by Blackbox Research found 55% of the respondents said no when asked whether they personally support gay marriage while 31% said yes. A government has a duty both to lead but also to understand the peoples wishes, Shanmugam said. On 377A, the repeal, we are trying to forge as much of a consensus as possible and move forward on some social harmony on an issue that has torn asunder the social fabrics in many countries. More Challenging Shanmugam, who is also the home affairs minister, defended Singapores use of the death penalty for serious crimes, including drug trafficking. The government has to do right by the majority of Singapore citizens who support the death penalty, he said. Singapore restarted executions after a two-year pause during the pandemic with ten hanged this year alone. One was a Malaysian man convicted for drug trafficking some three tablespoons of heroin into Singapore and his case drew criticism globally due to concerns over his mental capacity. The city-state has consistently warned against a global easing of drug laws even after Thailand legalized cannabis and as Malaysia weighs decriminalizing marijuana for medical use. This would create more challenges for Singapore with regards to trafficking, though the regulations in place are adequate for now, Shanmugam said. The more the availability of drugs, the more challenging it is to deal with it, he said. Here are other highlights from the interview: A bill passed to thwart foreign interference via local proxies is being implemented in stages. It gives officials the authority to order social media platforms like Facebook Inc. and Internet service providers to disclose information behind harmful content they suspect may be carried out by foreign actors or entities. We have not yet seen substantial interference yet, but if it can happen to others, it can happen to us, Shanmugam said. The new political leadership helmed by prime minister-in-waiting Lawrence Wong will have to tackle the existential question over the city-states size, Shanmugam said. It doesnt have a hinterland and doesnt have the size of a substantial country and that will always impose very substantial challenges for its existence, he said. The new leadership will have to deal with that. (Updates with details from an opinion survey. An earlier version of this story corrected paragraph eight to make clear the government will amend the constitution to ensure only parliament has the right to define marriage.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Police have identified the woman who was shot and killed at a Sioux Falls apartment Wednesday morning. Brianna Marie Mattix-Hatch, 26, was shot and killed by a 32-year-old Sioux Falls man who later turned the gun on himself, police spokesman Sam Clemens said. The man has life-threatening injuries. The shooting happened at the 3600 block of S. Willow Avenue just south of 41st Street around 8 a.m. "Everything is pointing toward this being a murder and a suicide attempt," Clemens said. Police were initially dispatched to the apartment after someone called 911. Dispatchers could hear screaming but couldn't decipher anything specific, Clemens said. Multiple agencies responded to a fatal shooting that was initially reported as a family dispute on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. Police spokesperson Sam Clemens said the man inside the apartment where the incident occurred had made a call to someone and told them he had shot a woman. When police arrived and knocked on the door, a 5-year-old boy answered and said that the suspect had hurt a woman inside the apartment. The suspect then fled into a bedroom and police followed until the man pointed a gun at officers. Police grabbed the boy and left the apartment. As they were leaving, they heard some gunshots, Clemens said. Earlier: Man fatally shoots woman before turning gun on himself in southwestern Sioux Falls, police say Clemens said it wasn't clear whether or not the suspect fired the gun at police or Mattixhatch. Later, the suspect made a call to someone and told them he had shot a woman. That information was relayed to police, who heard another child in the background while negotiators were speaking with the man on the phone, Clemens said. A SWAT team was dispatched and ready to go inside the apartment when another gunshot was heard, Clemens said. The SWAT team entered and found the man with a gunshot wound as well as Mattixhatch's body. An 8-year-old in the apartment was unharmed. Clemens said the suspect is connected to the children and Mattixhatch. His name will be released in the following days, Clemens said. He has not been charged with a crime yet, but will be if he leaves the hospital. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Sioux Falls Police identify woman killed in shooting Sam Mendes has said he thinks it would be wonderful to see a woman direct the next James Bond film. Mendes the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind 2012s Skyfall and 2015s Spectre opened up about his thoughts on the franchises future in a new interview. While others have been debating on whether or not a female actor should play the next 007 following Daniel Craigs exit, Mendes said it was time for a woman to step behind the camera. I dont envy Barbara having to follow Daniels [Craig] five movies, Mendes told Deadline. He reinvigorated the franchise, but the franchise is so huge that its very difficult for a younger actor to step into that. He clarified: Let me rephrase that. I think that the actor playing Bond is going to evolve, the director has to evolve. I think it would be wonderful to see a woman directing Bond. I think it would be wonderful. Craigs final outing as the spy arrived last year in Cary Joji Fukunagas No Time to Die. The actor, who had played the character since 2006, previously weighed in on the casting debate, stating: There should simply be better parts for women and actors of colour. Why should a woman play James Bond when there should be a part just as good as James Bond, but for a woman? Producer Barbara Broccoli echoed the same sentiment. She said: I believe in making characters for women and not just having women play mens roles. I dont think there are enough great roles for women, and its very important to me that we make movies for women about women. He should be British, so British can be any [ethnicity or race]. Tom Hardy, Idris Elba and Bridgerton star Rege-Jean Page are among the long list of actors being touted to play Bond. You can find a full list of all the rumoured stars here. Businesses affected by the Jackson water crisis will soon be able to receive assistance from the Small Business Administration. The U.S. SBA approved the request from Mississippi, the governor's office announced. Businesses in Jackson, Hinds County and neighboring counties can apply by June 14, 2023 for Economic Injury Disaster Loans. "These low interest loans will go a long way to support our Jackson businesses and help them make it through the ongoing water crisis," Governor Tate Reeves said in a release Wednesday evening. "I'm committed to ensuring that we both restore clean water to the city and relieve the burdens of this crisis for Jacksonians." Claiborne, Copiah, Madison, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, and Yazoo County business are also eligible. Businesses and non-profit organizations can apply for aid to meet obligations that cannot be met due to the crisis. Applications are available at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Small Business Administration approves aid in Jackson water crisis South Koreas Ministry of Foreign Affairs is trying to get the co-founder of the now defunct stablecoin provider Terraform Labs, Do Kwon, to return his passport, according to a local media report on Thursday. Do Kwon along with five others, all South Korean nationals, are residing in Singapore. They were issued with an arrest warrant on Wednesday by a South Korean court and were charged with violating the Capital Markets Act. The warrants were issued months after the collapse of the $40 billion Terra ecosystem, which resulted in a crypto bloodbath and several related bankruptcies, including Singapore-based hedge fund Three Arrows Capital. South Koreas Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued an order to the other five individuals to return the passports they posses. The order was put through after the Seoul Southern District Prosecutor's Office for Financial and Securities Crimes requested the six individuals' passports be invalidated, Munhwa reported. As it usually takes a month for the passport to be invalidated, the prosecutors are likely to pressure the six individuals to return their passports before that time lapses. South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to CoinDesk's request for comment. WASHINGTON (AP) It's not just rocket fuel propelling America's first moonshot after a half-century lull. Strategic rivalry with China's ambitious space program is helping drive NASAs effort to get back into space in a bigger way, as both nations push to put people back on the moon and establish the first lunar bases. American intelligence, military and political leaders make clear they see a host of strategic challenges to the U.S. in Chinas space program, in an echo of the U.S.-Soviet rivalry that prompted the 1960s race to the moon. That's as China is quickly matching U.S. civil and military space accomplishments and notching new ones of its own. On the military side, the U.S. and China trade accusations of weaponizing space. Senior U.S. defense officials warn that China and Russia are building capabilities to take out the satellite systems that underpin U.S. intelligence, military communications and early warning networks. There's also a civilian side to the space race. The U.S. is wary of China taking the lead in space exploration and commercial exploitation, and pioneering the technological and scientific advances that would put China ahead in power in space and in prestige down on Earth. In a decade, the United States has gone from the unquestioned leader in space to merely one of two peers in a competition, Sen. Jim Inhofe, an Oklahoma Republican, declared this week at a Senate Armed Services hearing. Everything our military does relies on space. At another hearing last year, NASA administrator Bill Nelson brandished an image transmitted by a Chinese rover that had just plunked down on Mars. The Chinese government ... theyre going to be landing humans on the moon soon, he said. "That should tell us something about our need to get off our duff." NASA, the U.S. civilian space agency, is awaiting a new launch date this month or in October for its Artemis 1 uncrewed test moonshot. Technical problems scrubbed the first two launch attempts in recent weeks. Story continues China likewise aims to send astronauts to the moon this decade, as well as establish a robotic research station there. Both the U.S. and China intend to establish bases for intermittent crews on the moon's south pole after that. Russia has aligned with Chinas moon program, while 21 nations have joined a U.S.-initiated effort meant to bring guidelines and order to the civil exploration and development of space. The parallel efforts come 50 years after U.S. astronauts last pulled shut the doors on an Apollo module and blasted away from the moon, in December 1972. Some space policy experts bat down talk of a new space race, seeing big differences from John F. Kennedy's Cold War drive to outdo the Soviet Union's Sputnik and be the first to get people on the moon. This time, both the U.S. and China see moon programs as a stepping stone in phased programs toward exploring, settling and potentially exploiting the resources and other untapped economic and strategic opportunities offered by the moon, Mars and space at large. Beyond the gains in technology, science and jobs that accompany space programs, Artemis promoters point to the potential of mining minerals and frozen water on the moon, or using the moon as a base to go prospecting on asteroids the Trump administration in particular emphasized the mining prospects. There's potential in tourism and other commercial efforts. And for space more broadly, Americans alone have tens of thousands of satellites overhead in what the Space Force says is a half-trillion dollar global space economy. Satellites guide GPS, process credit card purchases, help keep TV, radio and cell phone feeds going, and predict weather. They ensure the military and intelligence community's ability to keep track of perceived threats. And in a world where China and Russia are collaborating to try to surpass the U.S. in space, and where some point to private space efforts led by U.S. billionaires as rendering costly NASA rocket launches unnecessary, the U.S. would regret leaving the glory and strategic advantages from developing the moon and space solely to the likes of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Tesla magnate Elon Musk, Artemis proponents say. The moon programs signal that space is going to be an arena of competition on the prestige front, demonstrating advanced technical expertise and know-how, and then also on the military front as well, said Aaron Bateman, a professor of history and international affairs at George Washington University and a member of the Space Policy Institute. People who are supportive of Artemis and people who see it as a tool of competition, they want the United States to be at the table in shaping the future of exploration on other celestial bodies, Bateman said. There's no shortage of such warnings as the Artemis program moves toward lift-off. Beijing is working to match or exceed U.S. capabilities in space to gain the military, economic, and prestige benefits that Washington has accrued from space leadership, the U.S. intelligence community warned this year in its annual threat assessment. A Pentagon-commissioned study group contended last month that China appears to be on track to surpass the U.S. as the dominant space power by 2045. It called that part of a Chinese plan to promote authoritarianism and communism down here on Earth. It's sparked occasional heated words between Chinese and U.S. officials. China's space program was guided by peaceable principles, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in July. Some U.S. officials are constantly smearing Chinas normal and reasonable outer space undertakings, Zhao said. Flying on the mightiest rocket ever built by NASA, Artemis 1 aims for a five-week demo flight that would put test dummies into lunar orbit. If all goes well with that, U.S. astronauts could fly around the moon in 2024 and land on it in 2025, culminating a program that will have cost $93 billion over more than a decade of work. NASA intends that a woman and a person of color will be on the first U.S. crew touching foot on the moon again. Lessons learned in getting back to the moon will aid in the next step in crewed flights, to Mars, the space agency says. China's ambitious space program, meanwhile, is a generation behind that of the United States. But its secretive, military-linked program is developing fast and creating distinctive missions that could put Beijing on the leading edge of space flight. Already, China has that rover on Mars, joining U.S. ones already there. China carved out a first with its landing on the far side of the moon. Chinese astronauts are overhead now, putting the finishing touches on a permanent orbiting space station. A 1967 U.N. space treaty meant to start shaping the guardrails for space exploration bans anyone from claiming sovereignty over a celestial body, putting a military base on it, or putting weapons of mass destruction into space. I dont think its at all by coincidence or happenstance that it is now in this period of what people are claiming is renewed great-power competition that the United States is actually investing the resources to go back, said Bateman, the scholar on space and national security. Time will tell if this turns into a sustained program. Competition isn't necessarily a bad thing, said Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Does rivalry with the Chinese ensure greater sustained interest in our space program? Sure, Coons said. But I don't think that's necessarily a competition that leads to conflict. I think it can be a competition like the Olympics that simply means that each team and each side is going to push higher and faster. And as a result, humanity is likely to benefit, he said. Garnett Querta slips on his work gloves as he shifts the big rig hes driving into park. Within seconds, he unrolls a fire hose and opens a hydrant, sending water flowing into one of the plastic tanks on the trucks flat bed. His timer is set for 5 minutes, 20 seconds when the tank will be full and hell turn to the second one. The water pulled from the ground here will be piped dozens of miles across rugged landscape to serve the roughly 700,000 tourists a year who visit the Grand Canyon on the Hualapai reservation in northwestern Arizona an operation thats the main source of revenue for the tribe. Despite the Colorado River bordering more than 100 miles of Hualapai land in the canyon, the tribe cannot turn to it as a water source. About a dozen tribes across the Colorado River basin similarly have yet to fully secure access to the river. Now that the river is shrinking because of overuse, drought and human-caused climate change, tribes want the federal government to ensure their interests are protected. ___ EDITORS NOTE: This is part of a collaborative series on the Colorado River as the 100th anniversary of the historic Colorado River Compact approaches. The Associated Press, The Colorado Sun, The Albuquerque Journal, The Salt Lake Tribune, The Arizona Daily Star and The Nevada Independent are working together to explore the pressures on the river in 2022. ___ The Hualapai Tribe has a water settlement in Congress that comes with $180 million for infrastructure. Still, it could be years before a pipeline is built and water flows from the river to the main town of Peach Springs or the tribe's tourist center at Grand Canyon West. It was the best of a bad deal, said Phil Wisely, the tribes public services director. And the thing is, I dont think we could get a better deal, especially now. The Colorado River no longer can support the 40 million people in the U.S. West who have relied on it, plus a $15 billion agriculture industry. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation recently mandated deeper cuts to the water supply and asked seven states to find ways to conserve more. Story continues Tribes did not get a share of the river when the states agreed to divide it and signed the Colorado River Compact in 1922. Unlike other water users, tribes dont lose access to water when they dont use it. A 1908 U.S. Supreme Court decision known as the Winters Doctrine says tribes have the right to enough water to establish a permanent homeland. Often, tribes give up potentially huge water claims in exchange for an assured supply and federal funding to deliver it. Tribal water rights once they're fully resolved could add up to about one-quarter of the river's historic flows, according to the Water & Tribes Initiative. On the Ute Indian Tribe's reservation east of Salt Lake City, a water settlement has been delayed for decades because not everyone now agrees on the amount the tribe should receive. Tribal leaders say they're tired of pressing the federal government to protect its interests. They maintain the way water has been apportioned in Utah has been unfair, though Utah state officials disagree. Until you start to deal with the inequities or the injustice, you can never really have any momentum going forward, said Shaun Chapoose, chairman of the Ute Business Committee. In a statement to The Associated Press, the Interior Department did not say how tribal water rights, which are federal rights, would be protected as the rivers flow decreases. It said it is working with tribes that are affected by drought. Back on the Hualapai reservation, the tribe has been chasing groundwater for years. Quertas job is a grind, but hes well-suited for it analytical, quick and goal-oriented. The truck takes a beating on the gravel and dirt road on multiple round trips of more than 30 miles most days. The side mirrors and back windows have rattled loose and are held on by red duct tape. Major truck repairs or illness can put him out of commission. COVID-19 sidelined Querta for two weeks last year with no replacement. I didnt mind because I didnt want anybody to mess up my truck or my tanks, said Querta. I take care of this truck like its mine. The water he taps is sent through a pipeline just outside Peach Springs to Grand Canyon West. Revenue from tourism funds programs for the elderly, public works, the cultural center and other services. The main tourist attraction is the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a glass bridge with a view of the Colorado River 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) below. A restaurant overlooking the canyon operates with water conservation in mind waterless urinals, faucets with sensors, bottled water and food served in disposable containers. Those practices will remain even if Hualapai gets water from the Colorado River, said operations manager Alvaro Cobia-Ruesga. The Hualapai Tribe has long planned to expand Grand Canyon West with a store, fire and police station, housing and elementary school to serve tribal members who now ride a shuttle up to five hours round trip daily from Peach Springs and surrounding communities to their jobs there. But without a secure source of water for Grand Canyon West, it wont happen, said tribal Chairman Damon Clarke. One of the biggest things with our settlement is hope for the future and getting this not for us at this time, but for the generations ahead, Clarke said. ___ Fonseca covers Indigenous communities on the APs Race and Ethnicity team. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/FonsecaAP By Natalie Grover LONDON (Reuters) - Two COVID-19 antibody therapies are no longer recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), on the basis that Omicron and the variant's latest offshoots have likely rendered them obsolete. The two therapies - which are designed to work by binding to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 to neutralise the virus' ability to infect cells - were some of the first medicines developed early in the pandemic. The virus has since evolved, and mounting evidence from lab tests suggests the two therapies - sotrovimab as well as casirivimab-imdevimab - have limited clinical activity against the latest iterations of the virus. As a result, they have also fallen out of favour with the U.S. health regulator. On Thursday, WHO experts said they strongly advised against the use of the two therapies in patients with COVID-19, reversing previous conditional recommendations endorsing them, as part of a suite of recommendations published https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m3379 in the British Medical Journal. GSK and partner Vir Biotechnology's sotrovimab - which has generated billions in sales and became one of the British drugmaker's top sellers last year - was pulled off the U.S. market by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April. Given the United States had begun to question sotrovimab's clinical effectiveness against Omicron as early as February, the WHO's realisation is coming a little late, said Penny Ward, visiting professor in pharmaceutical medicine at King's College London. "Now WHO has issued this recommendation, it will be interesting to see how many other countries align with it," she said. Regeneron and partner Roche's antibody cocktail casirivimab-imdevimab has also generated billions in sales and was one of the U.S. drugmaker's top sellers last year. Back in January, the FDA revised its stance on the treatment, limiting its use to a smaller group of patients, citing its diminished potency against the Omicron variant. Story continues Both therapies continue to be recommended for use by the European drugs regulator. Another COVID therapy that emerged early in pandemic was Gilead's antiviral remdesivir. The WHO expanded its conditional recommendation for the drug, advising that it can be used in patients with severe COVID as well as non-severe COVID patients at the highest risk of hospitalization. There are a handful of existing COVID therapeutics that remain useful in the fight against the virus, and others in development that are expected to also benefit patients. (This story Corrects to explain WHO has expanded conditional use of remdesivir to include severe COVID patients in paragraph 11) (Reporting by Natalie Grover in London; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle) Aadrina Salean Smith, a 24-year-old substitute P.E. teacher, was arrested Monday after allegedly encouraging five children to beat up another student as she watched nearby. The incident occurred on Aug. 23 during a gym class in which Smith was subbing for another full-time teacher at North Caddo Elementary Middle School in Vivian, Louisiana. Caddo Youth Services Division alleges that Smith offered to pay five different students five dollars each to tackle their classmate. Caddo detectives arrested a substitute physical education teacher who encouraged students to commit battery and bully a classmate, Officer Steve Prator said, per the Caddo Parish Sheriffs Offices official statement. The statement further notes that video evidence of the incident exists and shows Smith verbally communicating with the students and appearing to congratulate three of the boys who participated in the assault. Smith also appears in the footage, sitting in the bleachers while the battered victim lay on the gym floor. He later got up, but with no assistance from the substitute teacher who neither helped nor reported the incident. Smith was ultimately booked and charged with five counts of contributing to the delinquency of juveniles, as well as one count of malfeasance in office. Further, her actions resulted in her termination by the school district. The Caddo Parish School Board expects employees to conduct themselves professionally and in the interest of students at all times, district officials wrote in a statement, according to the Atlanta Black Star. KSLA reports that Smith was held on a $10,000 bond, and the Caddo Correctional Centers Currently Housed Inmates section suggests that she is no longer in custody. Authorities are still investigating the ordeal, and the Caddo Parish Sheriffs Office notes that more arrests are pending. The Supreme Court denied a bid by Yeshiva University to block an LGBTQ+ student organization from forming on campus and is sending the issue back to the New York courts. In a 5-4 ruling against the Jewish university on Wednesday, the Supreme Court denied Yeshiva's request to put a New York County Supreme Court decision on pause, and the school will now need to go through the New York court system. Supreme Court Justices who dissented from the majority included Justice Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, writing for the majority, said that "The application is denied because it appears that applicants have at least two further avenues for expedited or interim state court relief." SUPREME COURT TEMPORARILY BLOCKS PRIOR RULING, ALLOWS JEWISH UNIVERSITY TO DENY LGBTQ+ GROUP RECOGNITION People walk by the campus of Yeshiva University in New York City. Spencer Platt/Getty Images Alito's dissent states that the First Amendment allows Yeshiva University to freely exercise its religion, and added that it's doubtful a return to state court will be successful for the school. "I doubt that Yeshivas return to state court will be fruitful, and I see no reason why we should not grant a stay at this time. It is our duty to stand up for the Constitution even when doing so is controversial," Alito wrote. New York County Supreme Court Judge Lynn Kotler ruled on June 14 that because the university is chartered as a nonreligious organization, it must be in compliance with the New York City Human Rights Law. JUDGE RULES YESHIVA UNIVERSITY MUST RECOGNIZE LGBT STUDENT GROUP Kotler said in a previous ruling that the university must "immediately grant plaintiff YU Pride Alliance the full equal accommodations, advantages, facilities and privileges afforded to all other student groups at Yeshiva University." The Supreme Court said Wednesday that an Orthodox Jewish university in New York is required for now to officially recognize an LGBTQ student group in a rare legal defeat for religious rights. In a 5-4 vote, the justices rejected an emergency request made by Yeshiva University, which claims that recognizing the group would be contrary to its sincere religious beliefs. The decision leaves intact a decision by a New York state judge, who ruled in June that the university was bound by the New York City Human Rights Law, which bars discrimination based on sexual orientation. The university argues that it is a religious institution and therefore should be exempted from the law. Requiring the school to endorse the group would be a clear violation of its First Amendment rights, which protect the free exercise of religion, it said. Justice Sonia Sotomayor last week imposed a temporary hold on the state court ruling, giving the court more time to consider the request. Wednesday's court order said the university could turn to the high court again if it is not able to block the ruling in New York state courts. Four of the court's six conservative justices dissented, saying the court should have intervened immediately. "I doubt that Yeshivas return to state court will be fruitful, and I see no reason why we should not grant a stay at this time. It is our duty to stand up for the Constitution even when doing so is controversial," Justice Samuel Alito wrote. The LGBTQ Pride Alliance group, which first sought recognition from the university in 2019, sued in April 2021, saying the school was required to grant its request because it is a place of public accommodation that is covered by the anti-discrimination law. Yeshiva, which describes itself in court papers as a deeply religious Jewish university, has said officials concluded after consulting with Jewish religious scholars that an official LGBTQ club would be inconsistent with its religious values. The university, which was founded in 1897 for religious purposes, says it maintains that character even as it has expanded its educational scope to include secular programs. Story continues The New York anti-discrimination law includes an exemption for religious organizations, but Manhattan-based Judge Lynn Kotler concluded that Yeshiva did not meet the relevant criteria. Pride Alliance, joined by four individual plaintiffs, said in its response that the universitys request was premature and questioned whether it was facing an emergency. All the university would be required to do is provide the group access to the same facilities that 87 other groups already receive, it said. Kotler's ruling does not touch the universitys well-established right to express to all students its sincerely held beliefs, lawyers said in court papers. They noted that an LGBTQ club has existed within the universitys law school for decades and that the universitys student bill of rights says the New York Human Rights Law applies to students. Members of Pride Alliance have said they are planning events backing LGBTQ rights for the coming weeks, some of them timed around Jewish holidays. The Supreme Courts 6-3 conservative majority has strongly backed religious rights in recent cases, including several in its last term, which ended in June. Among those rulings, the court ruled in favor of a high school football coach who led prayers on the field after games, sparking concerns from school officials that his actions could be viewed as government endorsement of religion prohibited under the First Amendment. The court has also weighed several cases pitting LGBTQ rights against religious rights, ruling last year in favor of a Catholic Church-affiliated agency that Philadelphia had barred from participating in its foster care services because the group refused to place children with same-sex couples. In 2018, the court ruled in favor of a conservative Christian baker in Colorado who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. Along similar lines, the justices are set to hear oral arguments this fall in a case involving a web designer from Colorado who wants the court to rule that, based on her evangelical Christian beliefs, she does not have to design wedding websites for same-sex couples. The court is on its summer recess, with the new term set to start in October. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Federal law enforcement and prosecutors have arrested a suspect following a hoax bomb threat against Boston Childrens Hospital, which has faced a wave of harassing messages and threats of violence after far-right influencers and anti-trans activists promoted false claims about its gender-affirming care programme. Catherine Leavy was arrested on 15 September. She faces one count of making a false bomb threat and remains in custody pending a detention hearing at noon on Friday. On 30 August, she allegedly called the hospital and told the operator that there is a bomb on the way to the hospital, you better evacuate everybody, you sickos, according to federal prosecutors. Law enforcement officials did not discuss a motive for the call but stressed that the hospital has endured a sustained harassment campaign against the hospital for its services for transgender patients and their families, according to US Attorney Rachael Rollins. Healthcare providers who support and care for gender diverse and transgender people and their families deserve to do so and without fear, she said. The hospital has faced dozens of hoax threats, including harassing phone calls and emails, individual death threats and threats of mass casualty attacks, according to law enforcement officials. There were at least two false bomb threats within the last month. This has caused a huge amount of angst, alarm and unnecessary expenditure of law enforcement resources, according to FBI special agent in charge Joe Bonavolonta. Last month, Boston Childrens Hospital reported receiving threatening phone calls and online messages after influential far-right social media personalities falsely claimed that the hospital performs gender-affirming hysterectomies on children under 18 years old. A bomb threat followed on 30 August. A second threat was reportedly received on 9 September. Childrens National Hospital in Washington DC also has been the target of an online harassment campaign over its gender-affirming care services. Story continues Bostons hospital is home to the Gender Multispecialty Service, the nations first pediatric and adolescent transgender healthcare programme. Only eligible adolescents and young adults can receive treatment, and genital surgeries are only performed on patients age 18 and older, according to the hospital. Patients must be age 18 or older and have a letter from a medical doctor stating they have persistent, well-documented, gender dysphoria to be eligible for a hysterectomy, which is done only in connection with other affirming care and surgery, per hospital guidance. The hospital also requires a letter from a mental health provider to ensure that the patient understands the procedure and recovery needs, fertility implications of surgery, and risks of surgery. Care standards from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health and other leading medical groups do not reccomend that the procedure be performed on minors. This is a developing story Philadelphia authorities have released a video showing the moments leading up to the fatal shooting of a teen who was out walking her dog with another person over the weekend. The surveillance video shows a hooded suspect stalking around, looking through and around parked vehicles to watch 17-year-old Teryn Johnson, who was shot just before 9 p.m. Sunday night in what investigators believe was a targeted attack. The Philadelphia Police Department has not yet made an arrest and is requesting public assistance for any information that could lead to an arrest. On Sunday, Philadelphia police officers responded to the 5300 block of Harrock Street, after reports of gunfire. FATHER OF 7 'AMBUSHED AND EXECUTED' ON PHILADELPHIA HOME'S FRONT LAWN, POLICE SAY Once on scene, the officers found a severely wounded victim and transported her to Temple University Hospital. She was pronounced dead at 9:16 p.m., police said. The new surveillance video leading up to the deadly shooting provides additional details surrounding the attack, including that at least two people were involved in carrying out the attack as well as a general description of the suspect and the identification of the getaway vehicle. Investigators say the suspect watched the victims for several minutes before carrying out the attack and the video montage appears to confirm this information. PHILADELPHIA SHOOTING LEAVES 2 DEAD AND 4 INJURED In the video, authorities said the suspect and at least one other person were in a dark-colored Dodge Challenger parked on the road next to the victims before it is seen parking further down the street. Once the victim and the other individual pass the Challenger, the suspect, dressed in all-black clothing, exits and runs across the street towards them. The suspect appears to continue watching the victim from behind a utility van for several moments before re-entering the Challenger. The sportscar then drives up close to the victims, the suspect exits and fires a gun at least three times. Story continues Witnesses at the scene Sunday night claimed the victim had several gunshot wounds, Fox 29 reported. On Monday, Captain Jason Smith from the Philadelphia Police Department said at a press conference that the victim was "specifically targeted." The Homicide Detectives Division is continuing to investigate the incident and the city of Philadelphia is offering a cash reward of $20,000 for information that results in an arrest and conviction. Authorities warn not to approach the suspect but to contact 911 immediately. Tips can be submitted via telephone, at 215.686.TIPS (8477) or texted to 215.686.TIPS (8477). Sweden's incumbent Social Democrats prime minister Magdalena Andersson resigned on Wednesday after conceding defeat in a closely fought election, making way for a bloc of anti-immigration, right-wing parties. Ms Andersson, who was the Nordic country's first woman prime minister and led the nations historic bid to join Nato, announced she would step down with less than .1 per cent of votes remaining to be counted. Tomorrow [Thursday] I will therefore request my dismissal as prime minister and the responsibility for the continued process will now pass to the parliament speaker and the Riksdag, Ms Andersson said. She added that "the preliminary result is clear enough to draw a conclusion" that her centre-left forces had lost power. "In parliament, they have a one or two seat advantage," Ms Andersson said. "It's a thin majority, but it is a majority." The outgoing prime minister pointed out that despite losing the majority, the Social Democrats retained more than 30 per cent of the vote. Ms Andersson was a popular leader, but citizens have been reportedly concerned over the rise in crime rates in segregated districts that are home to large numbers of immigrants. Populist Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Akesson declared victory for the bloc, adding his party would be "a constructive and driving force" in the work of rebuilding safety in Sweden. It was "time to put Sweden first," he said. Now it will be enough with the failed Social Democratic policy that for eight years has continued to lead the country in the wrong direction, Mr Akesson said. The right bloc of four parties - Moderates, Sweden Democrats, Christian Democrats and Liberals had held a one-seat lead after Sunday's election but looked like getting 176 seats in the 349-seat parliament to the centre-left's 173 seats. Ulf Kristersson, the leader of the Moderates, is expected to lead the bloc and form a government. "Now we will get Sweden in order," he wrote on Facebook. Ulf Kristersson (L), leader of the Moderate Party in Sweden and Jimmie Akesson, leader of the Sweden Democrats party (AFP via Getty Images) "The Moderates and the other parties on my side have received the mandate for the change that we asked for. I am now starting the work of forming a new, effective government," Mr Kristersson said. Although there has been no formal agreement between the parties about how they would govern the nation, centre-right parties have said they will not approve ministerial positions for the far-right Sweden Democrats. In a major shift in Swedish politics, the Sweden Democrats, who were once shunned by the citizens due to being founded in the 1980s by neo-Nazis, garnered nearly 20 per cent of the vote. BERLIN/ZURICH (Reuters) - The Swiss competition commission (COMCO) has opened an investigation of Novartis over possible unlawful use of a patent to reduce competitive pressure, the Swiss drugmaker confirmed on Thursday. COMCO conducted an early morning raid on the company on Sept. 13, it said in a statement that did not name Novartis, which subsequently said in its own statement that it was the group under investigation. "The company allegedly attempted to protect its drug for the treatment of skin diseases against competing products by using one of its patents to initiate litigation proceedings," COMCO said in a statement. Novartis said COMCO had started an investigation in collaboration with the European Commission into the assertion of a patent in the broader field of dermatology treatments. "In connection with this investigation, COMCO representatives visited the company headquarters in Basel," it said. "The opening of an investigation does not imply any finding of wrongdoing or any financial impact. Novartis is fully cooperating with the authorities and is confident to clarify the legitimacy of its position," it added. (Writing by Miranda Murray and Michael Shields, editing by John Revill) TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan is looking for the most "appropriate" way to express its condolences for the death of Britain's Queen Elizabeth and is still in the process of understanding plans for her state funeral, the island's foreign ministry said on Thursday. The queen's funeral will take place in London on Monday, and a host of world leaders, royalty and other dignitaries have already said they will attend. Britain, like most countries, has no diplomatic ties with Chinese-claimed Taiwan, but the two have close unofficial relations. Taiwan Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman Tsui Ching-lin told reporters that they and their representative office in Britain were still in the process of "understanding the plans" for the funeral. We "hope to use the most appropriate way to express the mourning of our government and people to the British royal family and government", Tsui said, when asked whether a Taiwan government representative would be at the funeral. Taiwan views Britain as a like-minded democratic partner and has been heartened by support from London over issues like taking part in the World Health Organization, which the island is excluded from due to Chinese pressure. Taiwan's government was quick to send its condolences after the queen's death, with President Tsai Ing-wen tweeting in English that "Taiwan remembers & celebrates her life of leadership & service, which set an example for people around the world". Britain's de facto embassy, formally called the British Office Taipei, has also opened a public condolence book. Britain is inviting a representative from North Korea to attend the funeral, but Afghanistan, Syria and Venezuela will not be given an invite, a foreign office source said on Wednesday. Russia, Myanmar and Belarus have also not been asked to attend. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Kim Coghill) KABUL (Reuters) - The Taliban's foreign affairs ministry on Thursday condemned the United States' decision to transfer Afghan central bank reserves into a Swiss-based trust, saying it was against international norms. On Wednesday, Washington announced it would transfer $3.5 billion in previously frozen Afghan central bank assets into a new trust fund that it said would be shielded from the Taliban and used to help stabilise Afghanistan's collapsed economy. The foreign affairs ministry deemed the U.S. decision "to transfer a part of the reserves of the Central Bank of Afghanistan to Switzerland and use it for targeted disbursement without any input by Afghanistan as unacceptable and a violation of international norms," spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi said in a statement. "If the reserves are disbursed without taking into consideration legitimate demands of the Afghans, the Islamic Emirate will be forced to impose fines against, and ban activities of, all individuals, institutions and companies that facilitate this illegal venture and seek to misuse central bank reserves for humanitarian and other purposes," he said. The U.S. has said the Afghan fund, managed by a board of trustees, could pay for critical imports like electricity, cover debt payments to international financial institutions, protecting Afghanistan's eligibility for development aid, and fund the printing of new currency. Though U.S. officials have had talks for months with Taliban and Afghan central bank officials, Washing has said no money would go to the bank until it is "free of political interference" - diplomatic parlance for replacing the bank's top Taliban officials, two of whom are under U.S. and U.N. sanctions - and anti-money laundering safeguards are instituted. Balkhi said that in talks with U.S. officials the Taliban had made clear its willingness to open the central bank to third party monitoring of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing programs and that it had proven the central bank was independent. (Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield; Editing by David Gregorio) The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office is investigating after a teen was shot on Shrewbury Drive early Thursday morning. STORY: Biden says railroad companies, unions reach tentative deal, averting strike JSO said that at approximately 1:10 a.m., officers responded to the location and found an 18-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound. The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department responded and transported the victim to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Violent Crimes Unit and Crime Scene Unit detectives are at the scene conducting an investigation. STORY: What is woke math?: In Florida, public school teachers bristle at DeSantiss changes to education Detectives believe the victim was in a car with two other men when they were approached by a dark colored sedan that began shooting at them. The sedan fled the scene, and detectives are trying to determine the relationship between the two parties. However, detectives say the incident is isolated and poses no threat to the general public. Anyone with information about this incident or the suspects are asked to contact JSO at 904-630-0500 or jsocrimetips@jaxsheriff.org. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS. Action News Jax will continue to follow the story and update you as events unfold. STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories Marco Jimenez last saw his father, Jose Jimenez-Quinones, several days before Jose was shot. Marco was having trouble with his mother's car, and Jose came over to help fix it. "We did it together," he said. Jose Jimenez Quinones This willingness to help was typical for Jimenez-Quinones, but it's also what led to his death. Just days after helping his son fix a car, Jimenez-Quinones stopped to help others who had wrecked near Redbud Drive in Gastonia, and someone shot him. Tyrin Deshawn Dudley, 16, of Dallas was charged with second-degree murder in Jimenez-Quinones' death. Marco Jimenez, 22, said he wasn't surprised when he heard that a teenager had been indicted. "I wasn't surprised because it's a senseless crime," he said. Jimenez said that in July, he himself wrecked on a road near where he lives in Gastonia. His father was the first one to the scene. "And he took me back home," Jimenez said. Now, Jimenez-Quinones' family is left wondering why Jimenez-Quinones was killed. Speaking while her daughter, Gabriela Jimenez, translated, Jimenez-Quinones' wife, Maria Enriquez, said that she is still in shock. She wonders what a teenager was doing with a gun and where his parents were. She described Jimenez-Quinones as a generally happy person who was willing to help anybody. "We miss him. We miss him a lot," she said in Spanish. Police have released little evidence about what exactly happened in the moments leading up to the shooting, and emergency callers described a chaotic scene. One caller said that people in a white vehicle got out and approached a car sitting at a red light. The caller heard a bang, "and then the car that they had approached started running, like speeding off through the intersection, got into a wreck." "It was a multiple collision, three or four cars, and the guys got back in the car, they backed up and drove off," he said. Another caller said that Jimenez-Quinones was trying to help after the wreck when he was shot. "He went to the white car to help open the door, and I just heard a gunshot, and he got shot in the back," a caller said. "I don't know what car shot him. I just heard a gunshot." Story continues Another caller said that two young men ran from the scene of a wreck and got into a green minivan with a Virginia license plate. The caller followed them to Poston Circle, where the van parked in front of a house. Marco Jimenez said that he feels the murder charge that Dudley is facing is justified. "I would say you deserve all the suffering you receive in life," he said. "You earned it." This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Dallas teen indicted in Gastonia man's death More than 350 U.S. victims of terrorist attacks are formally asking President Joe Biden to move currently frozen Afghan assets into a fund created by Congress to benefit all families, according to a new letter obtained by CBS News. "We write to you today with a respectful but urgent request: to move the currently frozen Afghan assets into the USVSST(US Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism) Fund to accomplish your goal of supporting U.S. terrorism victims," the families wrote in their Sept. 14 letter to the president. They said that the decision to leave nearly $4 billion dollars for a New York court to decide compensation had created "vicious infighting, legal maneuvering, and political gamesmanship that has beset our friends, colleagues, and loved ones regarding the best fair and equitable way to distribute the $3.5 billion in frozen DAB (Da Afghanistan Bank) funds." A "CBS Mornings" investigation earlier this year revealed a race to the courthouse, after the president signed an executive order in February that left the frozen Afghan funds with a New York court to consider victim compensation claims. Last month, a New York magistrate said that she was unable to disburse any of the frozen assets and recommended against allowing a small group of 9/11 families with claims against the Taliban to draw on the assets. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn ruled that although these families "have fought for years for justice, accountability and compensation" and deserve these outcomes, nonetheless, "the law limits what compensation the Court may authorize and those limits put the DAB's assets beyond its authority." The families, in their letter to Mr. Biden, suggested that the court's ruling stems from a "misunderstanding" that preceded his executive order. As a result of the order, they said the funds "were inadvertently earmarked for only a very small group of victims." This, they said, "can now be corrected by continuing to preserve the $3.5 billion for victims of terrorism and asking Congress to pass legislation that would ensure that the funds are directed to the USVSST Fund." Story continues The families said the New York judge's recommendation provides "a new window of opportunity to ensure that victims of terrorism are compensated fairly and equitably." In 2015, with bipartisan support, Congress created a fund to compensate all terrorism victims with final judgments against state sponsors of terrorism. It's funded through fines and penalties and has disbursed more than $3 billion in claims. After the U.S. pulled out of Afghanistan, it froze $7 billion in assets from that country's central bank to keep the money out of the hands of the Taliban, which had seized control from the Afghan government. At the time some families expected at least part of the money would go to the victim compensation fund. The CBS News investigation team spoke with 77-year-old Bob Essington, who in 1983 sustained permanent injuries when a suicide bomber used a car bomb to destroy the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, killing 63 people. The explosive force compressed Essington's spine, permanently impairing his mobility. "I have a stimulator implanted in my hip with 14 plates on my spine. If I shut it off, I go into instant pain. And there's nothing to stop the pain," he told CBS News. At the time, Essington and other families were surprised by Mr. Biden's order to earmark $3.5 billion to support "the urgent needs of the people of Afghanistan." On Thursday, the U.S. and international partners set up a fund in Switzerland to disburse some of those assets to help stabilize Afghanistan's economy and "work to alleviate the worst effects of the humanitarian crisis" there, a State Department spokesperson told CBS News. The money is to be used to pay for electricity imports and covering arrears at international financial institutions. The State Department also said that the Taliban "are not a part of this financing mechanism." Safeguards are in place, the department said, to protect the funds from being diverted or misused. The remaining $3.5 billion went to the court to decide compensation, with a small group of 9/11 families who have brought claims against the Taliban at the head of the line for the funds. "We're not going to get anything for what happened to us. You know, it's like the government doesn't care anymore," Essington said. Kenneth Feinberg, who has overseen more than $20 billion in victims' compensation, including claims by 9/11 families, called Mr. Biden's executive order "very unusual." In addition to the fund created by Congress, Feinberg said the federal court was also an option to handle victims' claims, but opined that no decision is without controversy. "You're going to get frustration and emotional disagreement and anger no matter how you distribute $3.5 billion dollars," Feinberg said. Victims of terrorist attacks in the '80s and '90s against U.S. embassies and military installations sent an earlier letter to Mr. Biden, urging him to change course. They wrote that the Victim Compensation Fund was created "for exactly these momentsfor the benefit of all U.S. terrorism victims, not one small group." At that time, the White House told CBS News the administration "undertook extensive analysis on this complex issue" that factored in the urgent need for Afghan aid and victims' compensation, adding the administration "could not simply transfer" to the victims' fund. Feinberg agrees that the compensation from the funds should be more broadly distributed. "These programs are more than just sort of taking a calculator and deciding who gets what. There's a very important element I learned the hard way in 9/11 fund: giving everybody a voice," he said. Last summer, more than 300 veterans and their families wrote to the House and Senate Armed Services and Veterans committees, urging them to support legislation that redirects the money to the victims' fund. Critics of the executive order say it punishes the Afghan people, who face a humanitarian crisis, and all of the money rightfully belongs to them. The Taliban said in a statement that the decision of the U.S. to transfer part of the reserves to Switzerland for disbursement without their input is "unacceptable and a violation of international norms" and complained that the U.S. was undermining the "economic stability and well-being" of the Afghan people. CBS News asked the White House whether Mr. Biden would act on the new request from the families, and whether there would be action before the midterm elections. There was no immediate response. Reaction to latest jobs and retail rales reports Florida Governor Ron DeSantis flies dozens of migrants to Martha's Vineyard Queue to see Queen Elizabeth II lying in state stretches over 4 miles A man accused of killing a family of four in Texas, including two children, in 2014 was arrested in San Francisco over the weekend after arriving on a flight from China. Feng Lu, 58, was taken into custody Sunday by the San Francisco Police Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection and is being held in a Northern California jail pending his extradition to Texas, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said Tuesday. NYC MAYOR ADAMS SAYS CITY IS AT BREAKING POINT WITH ARRIVAL OF MIGRANTS SENT FROM TEXAS Lu is charged with capital murder in connection with the Jan. 30, 2014, shooting deaths of the Sun family in their home in the Houston suburb of Cypress. Deputies responded to the scene and found Maoye Sun, 50, his wife 49-year-old Mei Xie, and their two sons, 7-year-old Timothy Sun and 9-year-old Titus Sun shot dead execution style. Investigators have not disclosed a motive for the killings. "For eight plus years hes been on the run, and then he made a big mistake, and thats why he is in custody waiting to be sent back," Andy Kahan of Crime Stoppers Houston told Fox Houston. "Youre looking at capital murder charge. I would imagine it's a matter of time hell be back to face trial." Storyful Two buses of migrants from Texas arrived at US Vice President Kamala Harris residence in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, September 15.This footage, filmed by Penguinsix, shows groups of people gathered outside the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C, as volunteers organize transportation for them.Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced the arrival of over 100 immigrants in a Twitter post, saying that he would continue sending migrants to sanctuary cities like D.C. until Biden & Harris do their jobs to secure the border.The Biden-Harris Administration continues ignoring and denying the historic crisis at our southern border Abbott claimed in the statement posted to Twitter. Our supposed Border Czar, Vice President Kamala Harris, has yet to even visit the border to see firsthand the impact of the open border policies she helped to implement.This comes just hours after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis followed through on a similar pledge to send immigrants to sanctuary jurisdictions, after dispatching two planes full of migrants to Marthas Vineyard on Wednesday. Credit: Penguinsix via Storyful Two migrant buses sent by Texas Governor Greg Abbott carrying between 75 and 100 people have arrived outside the home of Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington, DC. The buses arrived on Thursday morning after setting off from Del Rio, Texas, according to Fox News Digital. The Naval Observatory, the vice presidents designated residence since 1974, is located in northwest Washington, DC. The migrants were picked up in Eagle Pass, which, like Del Rio, is situated along the border with Mexico. Fox News Digital reported that the migrants came from Venezuela, Uruguay, Colombia, and Mexico. The conservative outlet claimed that some of the migrants said they believe the border is open. The buses arrived in the US capital not long after Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis sent two planes carrying migrants to Marthas Vineyard, an island off the Massachusetts coast, on Wednesday. Attempting to make a point about border control, right-wing governors have been sending migrants to progressive areas. Fox News Digital reported that a member of Sanctuary DMV came to the scene, telling the migrants they would be heading to a church in the area. Sanctuary DMV describes itself as an all-volunteer solidarity group resisting policies [and] practices targeting immigrants in DC, Maryland [and] Virginia. Group member Marla Bustillos told Fox News Digital that they had been at Union Station since 6 in the morning waiting and just heard 20 minutes ago that the drop-off was this one. Weve already set up a church and ... a safe location for them to tell us where they need to go next, where they have relatives, she added. Ms Bustillos said she was surprised to see the media present on the scene before we could get here. So the press knew the location before we did, some of the volunteers its very frustrating, she said. Were gonna make it happen, but it takes a lot of resources, a lot of effort. More follows... Thailand's Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a final appeal by the local subsidiary of car giant Toyota over a disputed $270 million import tax bill following a decade of legal wrangling. The case relates to Toyota Motor Thailand's importation of parts for its Prius model at a reduced tax rate between 2010 and 2012 under a Japan-Thailand trade agreement. Thai authorities said Toyota's imports were not included under that agreement and estimate the company owes roughly 10 billion baht ($270 million). While the country's Central Tax Court ruled in favour of Toyota in 2017, the decision was later overturned. On Thursday the Supreme court issued a final ruling against Toyota, stating the firm was not eligible for the 30 percent import duty reduction. In a statement Toyota Motor Thailand said it "respects the Supreme Court's ruling". But it noted that a 2012 customs ruling -- later upheld by the Supreme Court -- reinterpreted previously agreed import rules, "resulting in a much higher tax on TMT". "Once TMT has obtained the Supreme Court's full, written decision, we will study the ruling and comply with its requirements," the statement said. "We are committed to ensuring that our business practices comply with all applicable government regulations," the firm added. The dispute centres on whether the imports should be classified as car parts or fully assembled cars. The 10 billion baht is comprised of import duty, value-added tax, excise tax, and municipal tax, explained customs department senior official Chaiyut Khumkhun. "We have yet to see the exact amount Toyota has to pay because we are waiting for the full document of the ruling," he said. United States officials are also examining allegations that consultants hired by Toyota Motor Thailand may have attempted to bribe officials over the tax dispute. In April 2020, Toyota reported possible anti-bribery violations related to its Thai subsidiary to the US Securities and Exchange Commission and the US Department of Justice. Story continues Those two bodies oversee America's Foreign Corrupt Practices Act -- a law that aims to stop businesses from bribing public officials in foreign countries. The company said it is cooperating with the investigations. "The investigations could result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties, fines or other sanctions, or litigation by the DOJ or the SEC," the company said in a filing made public in March last year. "Toyota cannot predict the scope, duration or outcome of the matter at this time." The firm has operated in Thailand since 1962 and runs three plants employing 13,500 people. It manufactures about 760,000 vehicles in the Southeast Asian country annually. ton-lpm/rbu/axn This is the day that some of those whove accused former Kansas City, Kansas, police detective Roger Golubski of kidnapping, rape, stalking and threats never thought would come. One woman cried in my car when she told me that the authorities were never going to believe a bunch of terrorized Black women with no connections or money accusing a cop with so many powerful friends. I just didnt understand, she said, that in KCK, no amount of evidence would ever be enough. Another woman was convinced that the FBI investigation was just for show and was going nowhere by design, because law enforcement always protects its own. A third woman, who said Golubski had raped her and then threatened to kill her and her brother if she ever told a soul, waited until after her brother was dead to say anything. When she finally did talk to me and then to the FBI, it was despite deep fears that he might still make good on those threats. That she and others told their stories anyway is astonishingly brave. After my brother passed, I sat down and had a long talk with God and just told him to give me some answers and help me, and I came to my decision to report. Even then, I didnt know if I was ready to be revealed. And Im still scared, because hes still out there. I dont know who hes still connected to. He has friends in higher places or he wouldnt still be walking around. As I wrote at the time, none of those accusing the former captain had enjoyed the luxury of trusting others in quite a while. A fourth woman, who from the first trusted the FBI to do the right thing, was still so terrified at what Golubski could do to her that the first time she called me, she was hyperventilating. Roger Golubski is wearing cuffs today for three reasons: One, because of the brave women and men, too, some of them cops who pushed their fears of retribution aside and came forward anyway. Two, because defense attorney Cheryl Pilate never gave up on justice for wrongfully convicted Lamonte McIntyre. Without his case, no one outside Roger Golubskis world would ever have heard his name. Story continues And three, because FBI agents did their job despite all of the worst-case naysaying, some of it from me. Its thanks to the victims themselves, who helped agents build the case against Golubski, brick by brick, that he is finally in custody. They did to him what he did to so many, rolling up on him in the early morning said Ophelia Williams, whose rape allegations against the former detective are described in three of the six counts against him laid out in the indictment. Hes charged with violating her civil rights, and of raping her. The indictment also says he violated the civil rights, and the body, of a second person, identified as S.K.: On or about May or June 1998, in the District of Kansas, the defendant, ROGER GOLUBSKI, while acting under color of law, did willfully deprive S.K., whose identity is known to the Grand Jury, of the right, secured and protected by the Constitution and laws of the United States, not to be deprived of liberty without due process of law, which includes the right not to be deprived of bodily integrity. Specifically, while in GOLUBSKIS vehicle, GOLUBSKI sexually assaulted S.K. by digitally penetrating S.K. and making S.K. perform oral sex on him, all without S.K.s consent. GOLUBSKIs conduct included aggravated sexual abuse and an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, and included kidnapping and an attempt to commit kidnapping. One relative of a Golubski victim who never did doubt that justice was coming, and told me many times that God was on the case, too, shouted, God is good! and As you sow, so shall you reap! when I told her the news this morning. When the innocent spend decades behind bars, as McIntyre did, after Golubski arrested him for a double murder that he did not commit, its hard to keep faith in our flawed system. When justice is so long delayed, its hard to believe that it wont be denied. But today, its a little less hard. What MLK said about the long arc of the moral universe bending towards justice seems a little less theoretical. I wish I could join the victims and advocates who are going to a bar where KCK cops hang out this afternoon, to offer a toast to their bravery and to at least a glimpse of justice. And I hope that Niko Quinn, who believes that Golubski was connected to her sister Stacey Quinns murder, is right when she says, This is just the beginning. I hope everybody will be held accountable for whatever part they played. Niko says shell wait and celebrate on the day he and others are convicted, and I hear that, too. Global Citizen Leads a Powerful Call to World Leaders To End the Hunger Crisis Now Northampton, MA --News Direct-- Global Citizen Press Kit: WHAT: Today, international advocacy organization Global Citizen has laid out 1000 empty plates opposite the United Nations headquarters in New York to draw urgent attention to the global food crisis, and call on world leaders to deliver the $33 billion needed to mitigate the emergency. 50 million people are on the brink of starvation in 45 countries, and over 800 million people are facing extreme hunger globally. The stunt calls on world leaders gathering during the UN General Assembly and for President Bidens Global Food Security Summit to deliver on the billions needed to solve the hunger crisis. Simultaneously, plates were delivered to the missions of the G20 countries in New York City by the Hungry For Action campaigners to urge leaders of the worlds wealthiest nations to mobilize funds over the coming weeks and save millions of lives. WHEN: September 15, 2022 WHERE: Long Island City, New York ADDITIONAL DETAILS:50 million people are on the brink of starvation in 45 countries and over 828 million people are facing extreme hunger globally. This crisis has worsened over the past two years, as the impacts of the pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine have combined with financial and climate-driven shocks, and the worlds most marginalized populations are paying the price of the stagnant inaction of world leaders. As world leaders gather for President Bidens Global Food Security Summit and at the United Nations General Assembly, we hope they will have the courage to address, with unprecedented action, the severity and urgency of the global food crisis. They must mobilize immediate and drastic action to intercept this worsening yet entirely preventable disaster by delivering the $33 billion needed to solve the hunger crisis NOW, because millions of lives are at stake. Michael Sheldrick, Co-Founder and Chief Policy, Impact and Government Affairs Officer of Global Citizen Story continues We live in a world where we know how to prevent extreme hunger, yet hundreds of thousands of people still die from a lack of food. Today, allowing hunger around the world is a political choice. For millions of children in Somalia and the Horn of Africa, time is running out. Weve already seen the deadly consequences this drought is having on children. We cannot wait any longer to act. In some of the worst affected areas in Somalia, our health clinics are seeing four times as many children suffering from severe malnutrition compared to just six months ago and death rates are soaring. Save the Children's Country Director for Somalia, Mohamud Mohamed Hassan This activation takes place ahead of the 2022 Global Citizen Festival happening on September 24 in New Yorks Central Park and Black Star Square in Accra, Ghana. During the festival, millions of global citizens will collectively call on world leaders gathering at the United Nations General Assembly and in advance of the G20 and COP27 in November to step up and invest $600 million into the future of women and girls, close the annual $10 billion climate financing shortfall, deliver $500 million to help African farmers respond to the global food crisis, and provide urgent relief from crushing debts to End Extreme Poverty NOW. Tickets to the festivals are free and can be earned by downloading the Global Citizen app or visiting www.globalcitizen.org to take action on the campaigns issues. Users can sign an open letter urging world leaders to address the global food crisis to earn points that can be redeemed for tickets to the festivals. For more information about the 2022 Global Citizen Festival, visit www.globalcitizen.org, and follow @glblctzn on Instagram, Tik Tok, Twitter, and YouTube. - ENDS - About Global Citizen:Global Citizen is the world's largest movement of action takers and impact makers dedicated to ending extreme poverty NOW. We post, tweet, message, vote, sign, and call to inspire those who can make things happen government leaders, businesses, philanthropists, artists, and citizens together improving lives. By downloading our app, Global Citizens learn about the systemic causes of extreme poverty, take action on those issues, and earn rewards, which can be redeemed for tickets to concerts, events, and experiences all over the world. For more information, visit www.globalcitizen.org and follow @GlblCtzn. Press Kit:Click HERE for photos Contact:Global Citizen Inquiries: media@globalcitizen.orgMedia inquiries: Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis for Global Citizen: gc@sunshinesachs.com Additional quotes: The food crisis is a global problem from Asmara, Liverpool, Tegucigalpa and Aden to Austin, Juba, Islamabad and Mogadishu. 828 million people are unsure where their next meal is coming from. And a glaring truth must be told: the global food crisis is a political choice, and G20 governments are allowing this to persist. We demand that this changes and that the global food crisis is ended. Government leaders must immediately step up and deliver the $33 billion required to meet urgent humanitarian needs, and to prevent 50 million people starving. We call on these same leaders to prioritize investment in agriculture and nutrition to make this devastating food crisis the last. Paul Newham, Campaign Director, Hungry for Action No child should go to bed hungry, be unable to afford to go to school or struggle to access clean water. Rising prices due to the war in Ukraine, climate change and the economic impact of COVID-19 have combined to create a hunger crisis on an unprecedented scale, putting the lives of millions of children at risk. With rains forecast to fail once again, time is running out for these children. The world must act now to prevent catastrophe. Yvonne Arunga, Save the Children Country Director in Kenya Were seeing horrific levels of malnutrition with 5.7 million children currently acutely malnourished. With the UN warning that more than 350,000 could die in Somalia if we do not act, the clock is ticking. Every minute that passes is a minute too close to starvation and possible death of children. How can we live with that if we let it happen again? Save the Childrens Regional Spokesperson for East and Southern Africa, Shako Kijala View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Global Citizen on 3blmedia.com View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/a-thousand-empty-plates-outside-the-u-n-represent-50-million-facing-starvation-798560570 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Thousands of nurses returned to work Thursday at Minnesota hospitals following a three-day strike over wage increases and staffing and retention made worse by the coronavirus pandemic. Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association at 15 hospitals in the Minneapolis and Duluth areas walked off the job Monday. Nurses could soon learn what impact the strike may have had on efforts to reach a new contract. The Twin Cities Hospitals Group said in a statement Thursday that negotiators were expected to return to talks sometime next week. Some 15,000 nurses at seven health care systems in the Minneapolis and Duluth areas walked out, a number the union says makes it the largest strike ever by private-sector nurses. The affected hospitals recruited temporary nurses to cover for striking union members. The hospitals have offered a 10-12% wage increase over three years, but nurses are seeking more than 30%. Hospital leaders called their wage demands unaffordable, noting that Allina and Fairview hospitals have posted operating losses and that the cost of such sharp wage increases would be passed along to patients. The hospitals affected by the strike are operated by Allina Health, M Health Fairview, Childrens Hospital, North Memorial and HealthPartners. In Duluth, it is Essentia and St Lukes. Paul F. deLespinasse In 1787, delegates from the original 13 states met in Philadelphia and drafted a proposed new basic law for the United States of America. They wanted to replace the grossly inadequate Articles of Confederation under which we were then governed. After heated debates, the necessary number of states ratified this proposal, adopting what is now, as amended, our Constitution. The Cincinnati Inquirer recently ran a commentary calling for a new constitutional convention. The idea is a tempting one, given the shambles our Supreme Court has made of constitutional law and the imperfections of the Constitution which created the opportunities for it to do this. Let me remind readers who react indignantly to any suggestion that our current Constitution is improvable that the people who wrote it never claimed that it was perfect. As Alexander Hamilton noted at the time, "I never expect to see a perfect work from imperfect men." And the 1787 convention included an amendment clause in the Constitution, which would be inadvisable in a document if it was already perfect. Why change a perfect document? Granted, the present Constitution needs improvement. But on balance I think it would probably be a bad idea to hold another convention. The prologue to my 1981 college textbook weighed the opportunities against the dangers, noted the changed circumstances since 1787, and concluded flatly that it was unlikely that a new convention could improve the country. And this was written decades before the current political mess developed. A new constitutional convention would have one obvious advantage over the 1787 convention: experience accumulated in the meantime. Two hundred, thirty-five years under the present Constitution, a Civil War, several world wars as well as many "small" ones, a Depression and a multiplicity of recessions, three presidential impeachment crises, and about six hundred volumes of Supreme Court decisions have taught us much about what works and what does not. Story continues And we could also consider experience with constitutions in other countries. However the disadvantages faced by a new convention would far outweigh these advantages. In 1787, delegates were able to maintain strict secrecy until they had agreed on a final document. A new convention would suffer from intense news coverage and would probably have to be televised live. But privacy is needed to allow delegates the flexibility to negotiate delicate compromises without losing political face when they have to back down on particulars. In 1787, there were no political parties, an immense advantage. Individual convention delegates were able to negotiate as they personally felt best. Unlike 1787, the convention would be under immense pressure from organized interest groups, and not only by domestic groups. Foreign governments would not be able to restrain themselves from trying to shape the new constitution to suit their own interests. Furthermore, the current Constitution is not as obviously defective as the Articles of Confederation. There would be many people who consider a new constitution to be totally unnecessary and even a step backwards. The current Constitution was barely ratified, and a new one would have an even tougher time. So why spend time, effort and attention drafting a document that would probably never go into effect? A game I invented, Perplexichess, allows players to change a rule instead of moving a piece. Experience with this game, in college classes and other groups, shows that rule changes often produce results which were neither expected nor desired by the player who changed them. And real life is far more complicated than any game, which makes it even harder to predict the consequences of legal changes, especially major ones. A new constitution would undoubtedly incorporate major changes. Society today is far more complex than it was in 1787. It will probably be safer to continue our historical, piecemeal approach to constitutional change, one amendment, one judicial decision, at a time. Paul F. deLespinasse is a retired professor of political science and computer science at Adrian College. He can be reached at pdeles@proaxis.com. This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Paul deLespinasse: Time for a new constitutional convention? Missing Jacksonville 5-year-old Taylor Williams was first reported missing Nov. 6, 2019. Her body was later found in Demopolis, Alabama. Here is the timeline of events in Taylor's disappearance: Wednesday 11/6/19, 12 a.m.: Taylors mother Brianna S. Williams, a Petty Officer 1st Class at NAS Jacksonville, tells police that this is the last time she saw Taylor inside their Brentwood home on Ivy Street. Wednesday 11/6/19, 7 a.m.: Williams told police she woke up at this time and did not see Taylor inside the house. She also said the home's back door was open. [NEW: Photos of Taylor Williams, Jacksonville girl at center of statewide Amber Alert] Wednesday 11/6/19, 7:11 a.m.: Officer is dispatched to the Williams home on Ivy Street. Wednesday 11/6/19, 8:23 a.m.: Taylor is listed as a missing person after the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office contacts the National Crime Information Center. Wednesday 11/6/19, 8:51 a.m.: JSO sends a notice to the media and to the public via social media that Taylor is missing. [Strangers, including man from Folkston, Georgia, help search for Taylor Williams] Wednesday 11/6/19, 8:51 a.m.: Florida Department of Law Enforcement issues a Florida Missing Child Alert for Taylor. Wednesday 11/6/19, 11:30 a.m.: The Missing Child Alert for Taylor is upgraded to a Florida Amber Alert. Wednesday, 11/6/19, 12:30 p.m.: JSO confirms it is also searching an apartment complex on the Southside -- Southside Villas -- where the family used to live. The Brentwood home and the apartment complex are 16 miles apart. [Photos: Massive search for Taylor Williams, missing 5-year-old Jacksonville girl] Wednesday, 11/6/19, 3:40 p.m.: Sky Action News Jax spotted JSO's Dive Team searching water near Southside Villas. Wednesday, 11/6/19, around 4:45 p.m.: A dumpster is escorted by JSO from the Southside Villas apartment complex to a tow yard on Philips Highway. The dumpster's contents are emptied on the ground. Wednesday, 11/6/19, 5:15 p.m.: JSO Chief Investigations T.K. Waters said the search for Taylor will continue into the night. Story continues Wednesday, 11/6/19, before 6 p.m.: A JSO truck with lights and a JSO crime scene van arrives at the tow yard on Philips Highway. [AMBER ALERT UPDATES: 5-year-old Jacksonville girl missing] Thursday, 11/7/19, 5:20 a.m.: JSO is keeping a close eye on the house where investigators say Taylor Williams was last seen by her mother more than 24 hours ago. Thursday, 11/7/19, 7:12 a.m.: More investigators arrive at the command center to search for Taylor Williams. The command center is near the Brentwood home where Taylor's mom said she was last seen. Thursday, 11/7/19, 10:51 a.m.: Action News Jax's Ben Becker observes biohazard bags outside of Brianna Williams' apartment at Southside Villas. Thursday, 11/7/19, 11:40 a.m.: JSO's crime scene unit van showed up to the home on Ivy Street. Action News Jax crews observe investigators going in and out of the Brentwood home. [10 things to know: What happened to 5-year-old Taylor Williams?] Thursday, 11/7/19, 12:07 p.m.: The crime scene unit van leaves the Brentwood home. Action News Jax crews see an investigator with a camera go inside the house. He also took pictures of the front door. There are white sheets covering the windows. Thursday, 11/7/19, 2 p.m.: Three sources tell Action News Jax that it has been weeks since 5-year-old Taylor Williams was last seen. Thursday, 11/7/19, 3:08 p.m.: JSO announces Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams will hold a news conference about Taylor Williams at 4 p.m. Thursday, 11/7/19, 4 p.m.: Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams said Taylor's mother Brianna S. Williams is no longer being cooperative with the investigation. Sheriff Williams is asking anyone who has seen Taylor and Brianna Williams together in Jacksonville in the last six months to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at (904) 630-0500. Friday, 11/8/19: The search for missing Taylor entered its third day on Friday and so far, hundreds of officers and volunteers have come up empty-handed. ['The similarities are quite uncanny': Cases of two missing 5-year-old girls connected by mystery] Sunday, 11/10/19: The Demopolis Police Department said Sunday afternoon it is assisting the FBI and other out-of-state agencies in a search for a missing person around the Demopolis area. Demopolis is about 15 miles away from where Brianna previously lived. Monday, 11/11/19: Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams said Monday that Brianna Williams is now a person of interest in her daughter's disappearance. Sheriff Williams asks anyone who has seen Taylor and her mother between Jacksonville and Alabama in the past few weeks to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at (904) 630-0500. The sheriff also asked anyone who has seen Brianna Williams' vehicle -- a 2017 black Honda Accord -- between Jacksonville and Alabama in the past 2 weeks to contact police. Tuesday, 11/12/19: The Demopolis Police Department said human remains were found during the search for Taylor Rose Williams. Forensic tests still need to be done to confirm the identity of the body. Taylor's mother, Brianna Williams, was taken to a hospital after being found unconscious at Naval Air Station Jacksonville because of an apparent overdose. [Taylor Williams' mother assigned 2 senior public defenders specializing in homicide cases] Wednesday, 11/13/19: A warrant for Brianna Williams details what led to charges against her in the disappearance of her daughter, Taylor Rose Williams. She is facing two counts of child neglect. A neighbor who lived near Taylor and Brianna Williams told detectives he saw Taylor alone and wandering the apartment complex multiple times. The warrant says he first noticed Taylor alone on April 17, 2019. Thursday, 11/21/19: Brianna Williams, the mother of missing Jacksonville girl Taylor Williams, is moved from the hospital to the Duval County Jail. Saturday, 11/23/19: A vigil is held for Taylor Williams at Losco Park. The organizers of the vigil collect toys in Taylor's honor. Monday, 11/25/19: The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office confirms that the remains found in Demopolis, Alabama, are those of missing 5-year-old, Taylor Williams. Tuesday, 12/3/19: The court date for Taylor Williams mom Brianna is moved to Dec. 18. Brianna Williams is charged with child neglect and lying to police in connection with the disappearance of her daughter. Friday, 12/13/19: Brianna Williams arraignment was supposed to take place Dec. 18, but on Friday, the arraignment was moved to Jan. 2. STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories Wednesday, 1/8/20: Brianna Williams appeared in front of a judge in Duval County for the first time. She pleaded not guilty to charges of child neglect and lying to police. She is set to appear in court again on Feb. 4. Wednesday, 1/29/20: The State Attorneys Office released a list of discovery items, shedding light on the evidence the state is gathering in the case against Brianna Williams. Wednesday, 2/12/20: Taylor Williams would have turned 6 on this day. Tuesday, 3/3/20: Newly released video among the evidence the state is gathering in the case against Brianna Williams shows Williams becoming physically ill when she is told she is a person of interest in the disappearance of her daughter. A search of Williams vehicle found the trunk floor covered in rubber liner. Thursday, 6/25/20: Hundreds of pieces of evidence in the investigation into Taylor Williams death are made public. Friday, 11/6/20: This day marks the 1-year anniversary that Taylor Rose Williams was reported missing. Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020: An autopsy report reveals that medical experts cant determine how Taylor Williams died. Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020: More than 100 new body camera videos are released as evidence in the case. Our expert says Briana Williams showed no real emotion in the new body camera videos that were released. Thursday, March 3, 2022: Brianna Williams pleads guilty to second-degree murder in 2019 death of 5-year-old daughter. Wednesday, May 11, 2022: Sentencing dates are set for Brianna Williams for Sept. 15 and 16, 2022. Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022: Sentencing hearing for Brianna Williams begins. Some business owners and city officials worry the recent crime may keep people from visiting Memphis. This could be a major blow to the tourism industry, which plays an important role in our economy and creates jobs in our community. Most of the [tourists] have said they have the same thing happening at their house and their town, so its kind of like OK, its happening everywhere, Elliott Schwab, the former owner of A. Schwab on Beale St. said. Schwab now works behind the souvenir shops soda fountain. He said he has seen fewer customers over the past few weeks following a string of violent crimes in Memphis. For me, its hard to say if its because of what is going on, or if it is just slow this time of year, Schwab said. According to state data, more than 10 million people visit Memphis annually. In 2021, visitors to Memphis and Shelby County spent 3.4 billion dollars in our community. When asked what is being done to keep visitors safe, Kevin Kane, the CEO, and president of Memphis Tourism sent FOX13 this statement: Destination experience is important and safety is a top priority for Memphis Tourism, the Memphis Police Department, and all of our hospitality partners. We want Memphis to continue to be a place that leads with hospitality, warmth and love to our out-of-town guests and locals alike these tragic events do not define our city, said Kevin Kane, President and CEO of Memphis Tourism. We are collectively working with our industry, partner agencies and local businesses to ensure that Memphis is a safe and secure destination for visitors. People who call this city home are resilient and we must all commit to being a part of the solution. Kane said that hotel occupancy is forecasted and shared with the Memphis Police Department ahead of each weekend to ensure enough staffing and security for events. Tourists FOX13s reporter Mandy Hrach talked to, said theyre not letting the bad scare them from seeing all the good our city has to offer. Story continues As long as you walk with a bunch of people, I dont think it will bother you, Roseanne Walton, who is visiting from Ohio said. Officials with Memphis Tourism said during the weekend of the Southern Heritage Classic, downtown hotel occupancy was near 100%. They also said the outlook for hotel occupancy for the rest of the month remains strong. Download the FOX13 Memphis app to receive alerts from breaking news in your neighborhood. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD Trending stories: Tropical Storm Fiona continued to churn across the Atlantic Ocean Thursday and forecasts show it taking aim at Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, threatening heavy rain, wind and rough surf this weekend, the National Hurricane Center said. Tropical storm warnings have been issued for several Caribbean islands, including Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla and St. Maarten. According to Weather.com, tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area within 36 hours, or in this case by Friday night. Tropical storm watches were issued Thursday afternoon for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, which means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours, the Hurricane Center said. As of 11 p.m. Thursday, the center of Fiona was located about 335 miles east of the Leeward Islands and heading west at a speed of 15 mph. Fiona had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles, mainly to the north of the center of the storm, the hurricane center said. It became the Atlantic hurricane seasons sixth named storm Wednesday evening. HURRICANE SCIENCE: These seafaring 'robot surfboards' will float into a hurricane soon for science Fiona brings heavy rain, flood threat Rainfall of 4 to 6 inches is likely in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by the weekend, with isolated maximum totals of 10 inches across eastern Puerto Rico. "These rains may produce flash and urban flooding, along with isolated mudslides in areas of higher terrain," according to the hurricane center. The forecast path of Tropical Storm Fiona. Although Fiona's winds are forecast to strengthen over the coming days to 70 mph, current predictions keep it just below hurricane strength of 74 mph. Wind shear in the Gulf of Mexico and southwest Atlantic could limit strengthening of the system. LA NINA UPDATE: 'Triple dip' La Nina is on the way. Here's what it means for weather in the US Story continues Ocean swells should begin affecting the northern Leeward Islands by early Friday, causing life-threatening surf and rip currents, the hurricane center said. Will Fiona impact the US? The eventual track and strength of Fiona remain uncertain, forecasters said. Some computer models show the storm curving out to sea while others show it coming closer to the U.S. East Coast, potentially as a hurricane. AccuWeather forecasters expect Fiona to take a turn more to the north once it reaches the Bahamas because of strong wind shear in the Gulf of Mexico and nearby steering winds. As such, initial indications are that the storm could miss the United States. However, since any direct interaction from Fiona in the U.S. is more than a week away, it is possible that weather patterns shift, AccuWeather said. "For this reason, interests along the East Coast of the U.S. and Bermuda should continue to monitor Fiona's progress," said Courtney Travis, AccuWeather senior meteorologist. Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tropical Storm Fiona takes aim on Puerto Rico, Caribbean islands Donald Trump and Ronald Lauder. AP Photo/Evan Vucci Wealthy cosmetics heir Ron Lauder pitched Trump on buying Greenland, per a new book. Trump became obsessed with the idea of purchasing Greenland from Denmark in 2019. "I love maps," Trump told the authors. "And I always said: 'Look at the size of this. It's massive." Wealthy cosmetics heir Ron Lauder pitched former President Donald Trump on a plan to buy Greenland, according to a new book. The New York Times' Peter Baker and The New Yorker's Susan Glasser reveal in their forthcoming book "The Divider" reveal more details about Trump's desire to purchase Greenland. Insider obtained a copy of the book ahead of its publication on September 20. Lauder, a longtime friend of Trump's and an heir to the Estee Lauder cosmetics fortune, pitched the plan to Trump and offered himself up as a conduit to negotiate a possible purchase of the semiautonomous territory from Denmark. "A friend of mine, a really, really experienced businessman, thinks we can get Greenland," Trump asked National Security Adviser John Bolton, according to the book. "What do you think?" Trump, a real estate developer, quickly became obsessed with the idea and thought of it as a monumental real estate deal that could secure a unique place for him in US history. National security council officials, including top Russia expert Fiona Hill, were assigned by Bolton to study and research the idea, according to the book. "I said, 'Why don't we have that?'" Trump told the authors in an interview for the book. "You take a look at a map. I'm a real estate developer. I look at a corner, I say, 'I've got to get that store for the building that I'm building,' etc. It's not that different." "I love maps," Trump added. "And I always said: 'Look at the size of this. It's massive. That should be part of the United States.'" Bolton, a lifelong defense hawk, thought the United States acquiring Greenland, home to valuable minerals, could bolster the US' strategic positioning in the Arctic and ward off increasing influence in the region from China. But he thought the idea of purchasing Greenland was highly impractical, according to the book. Story continues And not everyone else in Trump's cabinet and administration liked the idea. "You'd just sit there and be like, 'Well, this isn't real,' " one cabinet secretary told the authors. "But then you're like, 'Oh, well, maybe this is real in his mind." Trump also floated the implausible ideas of diverting federal money meant for the US territory of Puerto Rico to purchase Greenland, or outright trading Puerto Rico to Denmark in exchange for Greenland, the authors write. Other officials tried desperately keep the news from getting out to avoid a diplomatic dustup, the authors write, with Bolton warning Trump that the Danish "go apoplectic when you so much as say the word 'Greenland." But those efforts too were in vain. The Wall Street Journal learned of the plan and broke the story of its existence in August 2019, and Trump subsequently scrapped a planned trip to Denmark after Danish leaders publicly mocked the plan. Read the original article on Business Insider Photograph: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images Donald Trumps White House chief of staff secretly bought a book in which 27 mental health professionals warned that the president was psychologically unfit for the job, then used it as a guide in his attempts to cope with Trumps irrational behavior. Related: Trump feared assassination by Iran as revenge for Suleimani death, book says News of John Kellys surreptitious purchase comes in a new book from Peter Baker of the New York Times and Susan Glasser of the New Yorker. The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021, will be published next week. The Guardian obtained a copy. The book Kelly bought, The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump, was a bestseller in 2017. In January 2018 its editor, then Yale psychiatrist Bandy Lee, described its aims in a Guardian column. She wrote: While we keep within the letter of the Goldwater rule which prohibits psychiatrists from diagnosing public figures without a personal examination and without consent there is still a lot that mental health professionals can tell before the public reaches awareness. These come from observations of a persons patterns of responses, of media appearances over time, and from reports of those close to him. Indeed, we know far more about Trump in this regard than many, if not most, of our patients. Nevertheless, the personal health of a public figure is her private affair until, that is, it becomes a threat to public health. Kelly, a retired general, became Trumps second chief of staff in July 2017 after Trump fired Reince Priebus by tweet and left the job in January 2019. His struggles to impose order on Trump and his underlings and his virulent falling out with the president have been extensively documented. According to Baker and Glasser, who interviewed Kelly, the retired Marine Corps general bought a copy of The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump as he sought help to understand the presidents particular psychoses and consulted it while he was running the White House, which he was known to refer to as Crazytown. Story continues Kelly told others that the book was a helpful guide to a president he came to consider a pathological liar whose inflated ego was in fact the sign of a deeply insecure person. The authors report that Kellys view was shared by unnamed senior officials, quoting one as saying: I think theres something wrong with [Trump]. He doesnt listen to anybody, and he feels like he shouldnt. He just doesnt care what other people say and think. Ive never seen anything like it. The 25th amendment, which provides for the replacement of a president unable to meet the demands of the job, was seriously discussed at the end of Trumps presidency, after the Capitol attack he incited. Baker and Glasser say the amendment was tentatively discussed by cabinet members within months of Trump taking office. However, its flaws if Trump opposed its use he would be all but impossible to shift precluded further action. Trump regularly dismissed claims about his mental health and his staffs worries about it. In January 2018, after the publication of Michael Wolffs tell-all book Fire and Fury, Trump memorably told reporters he was a very stable genius. Kelly has regularly attacked Trump. In October 2020, CNN reported that Kelly told friends Trumps dishonesty was astounding more pathetic than anything else and called Trump the most flawed person he had ever met. Related: Trump backed failed campaign coup against Kushner, Navarro book says Trump blasted back, claiming Kelly didnt do a good job, had no temperament and ultimately he was petered out. He got eaten alive. He was unable to handle the pressure of this job. The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump was a bestseller, hailed by the Washington Post as the most daring book of 2017. But it also stoked controversy over its discussion of the mental state of a public figure. In May 2020, Lee lost her job at Yale, in part, she said, over tweets about Trump. This month, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit in which Lee said she was wrongfully fired. Former President Donald Trump often bragged about how he authorized the killing of Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian general, in a U.S. drone strike in January 2020. We stopped him and we stopped him quickly and we stopped him cold, Trump said at a rally in Toledo, Ohio, that month. He was a bad guy. He was a bloodthirsty terrorist, and hes no longer a terrorist. Hes dead. But in private, Trump feared that Iran would try to assassinate him to avenge Soleimanis death, according to The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021, a forthcoming book by Peter Baker and Susan Glasser about the former presidents tumultuous term in office. Former President Donald Trump speaks at a rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., on Sept. 3. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) Baker is the chief White House correspondent for the New York Times and Glasser is a staff writer for the New Yorker. Excerpts from the book were published by various media outlets on Wednesday night. At a cocktail party in Florida in December 2020, Trump told his friends he was afraid Tehran would attempt to assassinate him and that he had to go back to Washington, where he would be safer, the authors write, according to an excerpt published by the Guardian. That is just one of numerous revelations from the book, which will be released on Tuesday. Here are some of the others. Trumps billionaire friend convinced him that the U.S. could buy Greenland A family of polar bears is seen crossing a glacier in Greenland in 2016. (NASA/Handout via Reuters) In 2019, when Trump publicly floated the far-fetched idea of the United States buying Greenland from Denmark, many assumed it was just Trump being Trump, the authors write, according to an excerpt published by the New York Times. But Trump had been seriously discussing it with his top aides. According to the book, the idea was first suggested to him by Ronald Lauder, heir to the Estee Lauder cosmetics fortune, who discussed it with Trump in the early days of the presidency and offered himself as a back channel to the Danish government to negotiate. John Bolton, Trumps national security adviser, and his aide, Fiona Hill, assembled a small team to brainstorm ideas and even engaged in secret talks with Denmarks ambassador. When they informed Trump that an increased American presence in Greenland made sense but that an outright purchase was not feasible, the president kept pushing, suggesting that the administration use federal money from Puerto Rico to buy Greenland. Story continues On another occasion, he suggested outright trading Puerto Rico for Greenland, the authors write. Trump says he wont pick Pence as his running mate again Vice President Mike Pence looks on as President Trump speaks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, on May 24, 2018. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) In an interview with the authors for the book, Trump said he will not pick former Vice President Mike Pence as his running mate if he decides to run for president again. It would be totally inappropriate, Trump told them. By refusing to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, Trump said, Mike committed political suicide. Pence, whose memoir recounting his experience in the Trump White House is due out later this year, is thought to be eyeing his own presidential bid. President Trump is wrong, Pence said in a speech to the conservative Federalist Society in Florida earlier this year. I had no right to overturn the election. Trump said he wouldnt pick Haley, either because of her looks President Trump speaks with Nikki Haley in the Oval Office after accepting her resignation, on Oct. 9, 2018. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) During his reelection campaign, there was speculation that Trump might replace Pence with Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, on the Republican ticket. But according to the book, Trump told people he would not pick Haley as a running mate because she had a complexion problem. Trump was harshly critical of other prominent women for their looks, telling visitors that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was an example of why women should be careful about plastic surgery. A top U.S. intelligence official wondered what Putin has on Trump President Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin after their joint news conference in Helsinki, Finland, on July 16, 2018. (Lehtikuva/Antti Aimo-Koivisto via Reuters) Trumps infamous 2018 joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland during which he sided with Putin over the assessment of U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia had interfered in the 2016 election left the top U.S. intelligence official wondering what Trump was thinking. I never could come to a conclusion, Dan Coats, Trumps then-director of national intelligence, told people afterward, according to an excerpt from the book published by CNN. It raised the question in everybodys mind: What does Putin have on him that causes him to do something that undermines his credibility? John Kelly secretly bought a copy of a book questioning Trumps mental health Gen. John Kelly, Trumps second chief of staff, secretly bought a copy of The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump, a bestselling 2017 book by a group of psychiatrists questioning the 45th presidents mental health. Kelly told others that the book was a helpful guide to a president he came to consider a pathological liar, whose inflated ego was in fact the sign of a deeply insecure person, according to Baker and Glasser. In a previously published excerpt of their book, Trump once asked Kelly why his generals couldnt be more like Adolf Hitlers, who were, in Trumps view, totally loyal. President Donald Trump speaks to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly in the Oval Office, on Oct. 10, 2018. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) You f***ing generals, why cant you be like the German generals? Trump asked Kelly, according to the book. Which generals? Kelly asked. The German generals in World War II, Trump responded. You do know that they tried to kill Hitler three times and almost pulled it off? Kelly said. But Trump was apparently unaware of that part of Nazi history. No, no, no, they were totally loyal to him, Trump replied. According to a new excerpt dealing with the passing of the longtime Republican senator from Arizona, a presidential candidate and former U.S. Navy officer who was captured by the North Vietnamese and imprisoned during the Vietnam War, Kelly grew so disaffected from Trump that he snapped at him when the president refused to lower the flag after Sen. John McCains death. If you dont support John McCains funeral, when you die, the public will come to your grave and piss on it, Kelly told Trump at the time, according to the book. Former President Trump will hold a rally in Michigan on Oct. 1 to boost several GOP candidates, including Tudor Dixon, who trails in the polls of his closely watched race to unseat Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D). Trumps Save America PAC said in a Thursday release that the 7 p.m. rally will be held at the Macomb County Community College Sports & Expo Center. The former president will seek to boost the candidacies of Dixon, Republican state attorney general nominee Matthew DePerno and Republican secretary of state candidate Kristina Karamo, all of whom he has endorsed. The news comes as the high-stakes race between Dixon and Whitmer heats up. Earlier this week, Whitmers campaign embraced the new Republicans for Whitmer group, which consists of more than 150 prominent Republicans pushing to reelect the Michigan Democrat. The group said its backs Whitmer because she has been an effective leader for the state and was best suited to heal rifts between the two parties. She is polling well ahead of Dixon less than two months out from Election Day. DePerno is also lagging slightly behind in the polls against current Democratic state Attorney General Dana Nessel in their race. Nessel last month called for a special prosecutor to probe DePerno and others who she said sought to gain improper access to ballot voting machines after the 2020 election. DePerno has denied the allegations, while a prosecutor is considering charges in the matter, according to nonprofit news source Bridge Michigan. Trump-backed Karamo, who has also repeated the former presidents false claims the 2020 election was stolen, faces a tough battle against Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former President Donald Trump. AP Photo/Mary Altaffer Former President Donald Trump weighed in on a possible indictment. Trump said he could run again for president even if he is criminally charged. Trump faces several criminal investigations related to his efforts to cling to power. Former President Donald Trump told a talk show host on Thursday that even if he is criminally indicted he would have "no prohibition" against running for president again in 2024. I can't imagine being indicted I have done nothing wrong," Trump said on the Hugh Hewitt Show. "I think you'd have problems in this country the likes of which you have ever seen before." Hewitt, who is a conservative radio host, then asked Trump, "What kind of problems?" The former president responded: "Big problems." Trump faces numerous criminal investigations and lawsuits stemming from the January 6 insurrection and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. A person can run for office if they face criminal charges, and theoretically they could even run for office from prison as that is not barred by the Constitution. Hewitt asked Trump if he was insinuating the possibility of violence if the former president was indicted. "That's not inciting," Trump replied. Read the original article on Business Insider TUNIS (Reuters) -Tunisia's president issued an electoral law on Thursday reducing, but not ending, the role of political parties in a reformed parliament that will have fewer powers under a constitution passed in July. Under the new law, voters will choose candidates in the Dec. 17 election individually rather than by selecting a single party list - a switch that will weaken the influence of parties. The unilateral changes are the latest that President Kais Saied has made to Tunisia's political system since he seized most powers last summer in a move his foes called an anti-democratic coup to establish one-man rule. "We are passing through a new stage in the history of Tunisia towards the sovereignty of the people after previous sham elections," said Saied during a cabinet meeting. He said political parties were not being excluded and that accusations constituted "lies and fabrications." The main parties across Tunisia's political spectrum have already rejected the law, saying they will boycott any elections under Saied's new constitution, which has greatly expanded his powers and removed most checks on his actions. The constitution was passed overwhelmingly in a referendum in which official figures showed only 30% of voters took part - though opposition parties have accused the authorities of inflating even that low rate of participation. The previous democratic constitution from 2014 enshrined a major role for parliament, giving it the main responsibility for forming governments, while the president had less direct power. Saied's new constitution has instead brought the government directly under the president, while reducing the influence of a new two-chamber parliament. The new lower chamber will only have 161 members, compared to the 217 previously. Details of the second chamber, including how its members will be elected, have not yet been issued. The United States has repeatedly voiced concern at what it sees as democratic backsliding under Saied, a political independent who worked as a constitutional law lecturer before running for president in 2019. He has rejected the criticism, calling it unacceptable interference in domestic Tunisian affairs, and has denied his actions constitute a coup or that he will become a dictator. (Reporting by Tarek Amara; Writing by Angus McDowall; Editing by Josie Kao) The Abraham Accords unleashed great opportunity and potential for our region. We have shifted the prevailing dialogue from defense and security to innovation and collaboration. As we look back over the last two years, innovation and technology have played a central role in business exchange. Setting our sights toward the third year of this relationship, I believe that trade and investment between Israel and the Abraham Accord countries will double in 2023 and that innovation and technology will continue to make up a significant part in this. Collaboration in innovation and tech, in the form of mutual investments and geographic expansion, will play a major role in Israel's integration into the region. After the rush of Israeli tourism, technology and innovation deals have led to a new dawn in the region. We are seeing major deals being formed in their early stages and an interest in not only buying Israeli innovation but investment and partnerships as well. I am particularly excited about the idea of collaboration. Working together with the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco will allow citizens of all of our countries to better understand each other culturally and professionally, which I believe will lead to greater understanding between our peoples. From left, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald Trump, Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani and United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan participated in the signing of the Abraham Accords. New Middle East alliances are taking shape in response to opportunity and the need to confront shared challenges. The politics of yesterday are being replaced with the interests of the people of the region. For example, the Accords have allowed us to explore collaboration around urgent climate needs. It has also provided the opportunity to address the human capital challenge while also contributing to the development of the innovation ecosystem in these countries. Earlier:Trump touted the Abraham Accords as a 'new dawn' for the Middle East While we often group these countries together and refer to them as the Abraham Accords countries, its important to realize that they have different characteristics and Israels relationship with each of them is based on different needs. For example, I recently joined our partners in Morocco for a major innovation conference that we organized to encourage Israelis and Moroccans to collaborate and innovate on solutions to common threats, like water security, food shortages, and human capital challenges. What we saw was a genuine desire from government ministers to heads of universities to the countrys business elite for precisely the sort of innovation in which Israel excels. On the Israeli side, we saw a similar interest in the possibilities that collaborating with Morocco could offer as a gateway to the rest of the African continent. Story continues Along with Bahrains Ambassador to Israel, Ambassador Khaled Al Jalahma and our partners at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Israel and Bahrains Economic Development Board, we recently brought together 15 leading Israeli start-ups to discuss setting up a regional R&D hub in Bahrain. The Kingdom of Bahrain offers low operating costs as well as significant labor subsidies that can benefit Israeli start-ups and provide a solution to combat the tech employment shortage in Israel. These startups can provide technological advancements to Bahrain and make a huge impact on the economy and the overall level of jobs created. While weve worked closely with the UAE on several projects, we recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Abu Dhabi Global Market, Abu Dhabis leading international financial center, to work together to explore and promote collaboration and investment opportunities for companies in our respective ecosystems, and the opening of such companies commercial presence in ADGM and Israel. We are consulting with each other on matters relating to policy and funding to contribute to the general development of the innovation ecosystem in their respective countries. A similar agreement was signed nearly a year ago with DIFC, the Dubai International Financial Center, focusing on collaborations in the field of fintech, which seeks to marry the UAEs need for advanced financial tools with Israels expertise in developing such solutions. The Accords were created with the idea of bringing peace and prosperity to the region and over the last two years, they have done so. We have seen wonderful developments on the economics front including the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Israel and the UAE, on the people-to-people front and in the arts and culture space. The excitement is contagious, and we have seen other countries take note. Last month, Turkey and Israel announced that they would restore full diplomatic ties and there is business taking place between companies in Israel and its Arab neighbors, even without official diplomatic relations. Leaders establish diplomatic relations, but its up to the people of both nations to make it a warm peace and what we are seeing two years into the Abraham Accords is that the people of both countries are partners in making these Accords work. The signing of the Abraham Accords on Sept. 15, 2020, was just the beginning and as we are about to embark on the third year of this relationship, the future has never been so bright for our region. Avi Hasson is the CEO of Start-Up Nation Central, a Tel Aviv-based non-profit organization that promotes Israeli innovation around the world. Hasson previously served as Israels Chief Scientist and the founding CEO of the Israel Innovation Authority and as an investor in many Israeli technology companies. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Abraham Accords: Tech and innovation play a critical role By Edward McAllister DAKAR (Reuters) - African nations must help combat climate change and halt a rise in temperatures that is hitting crop yields and causing flooding and drought in the region, U.S. climate envoy John Kerry told a conference in Senegal's capital on Thursday. At the African Ministerial Conference on Environment in Dakar, Kerry acknowledged that the 48 countries of sub-Saharan Africa emit only 0.55% of global harmful emissions, but said that every nation had to pull together in the face of crisis. "All of us are threatened by emissions - and Mother Nature does not care where those emissions come from," Kerry told delegates. "The challenge of the climate crisis comes from the crisis of emissions in every country." Twenty countries, including the United States, are responsible for 80 percent of global emissions, Kerry said. Coal, oil and gas - drivers of the American economy - are the worst emitters, climate experts agree. As the impacts of climate change come into focus, large economies have the difficult task of trying to persuade African nations to curb emissions or reduce investments in fossil fuels at a critical juncture in their own economic development. Senegal will become a significant oil and gas producer when newly-tapped fields off its Atlantic coast begin producing in the next two years. President Macky Sall has said that ending financing for gas exploration would be a "fatal blow" to emerging economies. Yet, Kerry's message comes at a telling moment: Floods killed hundreds this rainy season in Nigeria, Niger and Chad, and millions face severe hunger in the Horn of Africa from drought. "We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past," said Kerry. "How you decide to approach the future will have a profound impact, not just on Africa, but on our ability as a planet to solve this problem." (Reporting by Edward McAllister; editing by Jonathan Oatis) By Rami Ayyub and Arshad Mohammed WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States on Thursday imposed fresh sanctions to punish those supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine, targeting people and entities it accused of helping Moscow skirt financial sanctions, steal Ukrainian grain and violate human rights. The steps by the U.S. Departments of Treasury, Commerce and State were designed to hold the Russian government accountable for its Feb. 24 invasion and continuing war against Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. Ukrainian forces have made major gains this month, advancing in the Kharkiv region and driving Russian soldiers from the city of Izium, dealing Russian troops their worst defeat since they were repelled from the outskirts of the capital Kyiv in March. "The United States will continue to take actions against those who support Russias defense-industrial base, its violation of human rights, and its attempts to legitimize its occupation of Ukrainian territory," Blinken said. The Treasury said it blacklisted 22 individuals, including four financial executives whose actions could directly or indirectly support Russia's war effort by helping it evade financial sanctions imposed on Russia after the invasion. It named the four as Vladimir Komlev of NSPK, which operates Russia's Mir payment card network; Viktor Zhidkov of Russias central securities depository; Eddie Astanin of a stock exchange clearing service provider; and Andrei Melnikov of Russias Deposit Insurance Agency, a state-owned entity used to liquidate financial institutions and access foreign assets. The U.S. Treasury also sanctioned Maria Alexeyevna Lvova-Belova, a Russian official it said had led Moscow's efforts to deport thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia. It also put new sanctions on Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who has mobilized Chechens to fight in Ukraine, and seven members of his family. A full list of those sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury can be found here https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20220915. As a result of the sanctions, access to any of their property that falls under U.S. jurisdiction is blocked and U.S. persons are generally barred from transactions with them. Story continues In addition, the Treasury said it would bar U.S. persons from providing quantum computing services to anyone in Russia from Oct. 15. This step was taken in coordination with the Commerce Department, which imposed controls on exports of quantum computing-related technology. The Commerce Department also expanded sanctions to add items useful for Russias chemical and biological weapons production and needed for advanced manufacturing in a number of industries. The State Department said it had imposed sanctions on 22 "Russian proxy officials," five for allegedly helping to steal Ukrainian grain and 17 for aiding in Russia's occupation of Ukraine. It also put new sanctions on the GRU Russian military intelligence agency for aiding forced deportations from Ukraine. It also sanctioned a string of Russian groups, including three engaged in military space activities, 13 in advanced technology that contributes to Russia's defense industrial base, and 14 involved in sophisticated electronics. The Russian Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Reporting by Rami Ayyub in Washington and by Arshad Mohammed in Saint Paul, Minn.; Writing by Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Doina Chiacu and David Gregorio) By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. chief Antonio Guterres said he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday about Ukrainian Black Sea grain exports and that he was hopeful a U.N.-brokered deal would be maintained and expanded to include Russian ammonia. "To remove the obstacles that still exist in relation to the export of Russian fertilizers is absolutely essential," Guterres told reporters shortly after speaking to Putin. Facilitating Russia's food and fertilizer shipments is a central aspect of a package deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey on July 22 that also restarted Ukraine's Black Sea grain and fertilizer shipments. Russia has recently criticized the deal, complaining that its exports were still hindered. The deal included ammonia - a key ingredient in nitrate fertilizer. A pipeline transporting ammonia from Russia's Volga region to Ukraine's Black Sea port of Pivdennyi (Yuzhny) was shut down when Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. The United Nations is now trying to broker a resumption of those ammonia exports. "There are ... talks in relation to the possibility of Russian ammonia exports through the Black Sea," said Guterres, adding that there was a "dramatic situation" in the world fertilizer market. "We are risking to have fertilizer market crunch," he said. "We have news from different parts of the world where the areas cultivated are much smaller than in the previous cycle, which means that we risk to have in 2022 real lack of food." He said there had been some exports of Russian food and fertilizers from Russian ports but they were "much lower than what is desirable and what will be needed." The United States and others have stressed that Russian food and fertilizer is not subject to sanctions imposed over Moscow's invasion of its neighbor, but Russia has asserted there has been a chilling effect on its exports. Story continues The United States said last week it is working with the United Nations to address any Russian complaints. Despite the success so far of the food and fertilizer export deal, Guterres said that an end to the war was "still far away." "I believe that peace is essential - peace in line with the U.N. Charter and international law. But I would be lying if I would say that I hope that it will happen soon," Guterres said. Guterres said he also spoke with Putin about prisoners of war, a U.N. fact-finding mission into a July attack in the front-line Ukranian town of Olenivka that killed prisoners held by Moscow-backed separatists, and the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine. He said there would be no obstacles from Russia on the fact-finding mission making its way to Olenivka, A U.N. human rights mission in Ukraine said last week that Russia is not allowing access to prisoners of war and that the United Nations had evidence that some had been subjected to torture and ill-treatment which could amount to war crimes. "I strongly hope that all prisoners of war from both sides will be exchanged," Guterres said. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Rami Ayyub and Catherine Evans) By Pete Schroeder and Michelle Price WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler defended his agency's position on cryptocurrencies and its push to include climate risks into public company disclosures before the U.S. Senate Banking Committee on Thursday. Gensler appeared before the panel for its regular oversight duties, but the hearing comes at a time of Republican frustration over his agenda. They claim he has overstepped his authority with a broad assault on U.S. capital markets and adopted a hostile stance toward the financial industry. But in prepared testimony released ahead of the hearing, Gensler insisted his new rules are critical to ensuring the U.S. capital markets remain the global "gold standard." Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown applauded Gensler's ambitious agenda. "If Wall Street and its allies are complaining, it probably means youre doing your job," he said. Republicans are especially concerned about a draft SEC rule requiring public companies to disclose climate-related risks, including greenhouse gas emissions. Corporate groups say it is onerous and exceeds the agency's authority. "The cost of compliance will be more material to the investor than the information itself," the committee's top Republican Pat Toomey said in his opening remarks. He also warned that the SEC should be "nervous" about legal challenges in light of a recent Supreme Court decision to curb the Environmental Protection Agency's power, which some legal experts say undermines the SEC's authority on its climate rule. Jon Tester, a Democratic U.S. Senator from Montana, also raised concerns about the potential impact of the climate rule on small business owners like farmers who could be ensnared by its requirement for public companies to disclose emissions in their supply chains. But Gensler, in his testimony, said the rule would provide needed clarity and consistency to an issue important to investors and being disclosed by some companies under disparate frameworks, and later added the agency was considering all feedback. Story continues CRYPTOCURRENCY CRITICISMS Republicans also pressured Gensler on what they see is his increasingly hawkish stance on cryptocurrency oversight. Gensler made headlines last week when he said crypto companies may need multiple SEC registrations and split their operations into separate legal entities. Gensler said such "disaggregation" could enhance investor protections and guard against conflicts of interest. He added that SEC staff was working with traditional market intermediaries interested in entering the crypto market, and urged Congress to not inadvertently undermine existing investor protections while crafting cryptocurrency legislation. Toomey, though, said the SEC has failed to provide regulatory clarity in the crypto market and accused the SEC of being asleep at the wheel as crypto lending platforms Celsius Network and Voyager Digital collapsed this summer, leaving thousands of retail customers unable to access their assets. Gensler also struck a cautious tone on a recent deal between U.S. and Chinese officials on auditing U.S.-listed Chinese firms, noting the accord is meaningful only if U.S. officials actually are permitted to fully investigate Chinese auditors. If not, roughly 200 companies would still face the prospect of trading restrictions in the United States, he warned. (Reporting by Michelle Price and Pete Schroeder; Editing by Josie Kao and Diane Craft) University of Florida students who were secretly recorded nude in dormitory bathrooms and showers say they are disappointed that a judge sentenced the man responsible to no additional time behind bars. Alachua County Circuit Judge James M. Colaw earlier in September sentenced Deontre Donnell Mason, 25, of Carterville, Illinois, to one year of house arrest followed by four years of probation with electronic monitoring. Mason pleaded no contest to nine felony charges of video voyeurism. Police said Mason had secretly recorded students in the second-floor bathrooms and showers using his blue iPhone in December. They found 37 videos of 18 women from the University of Florida on his phone. Colaw also sentenced Mason to 90 days behind bars but gave him full credit for 81 days spent in jail since his arrest and allowed him to be released. Mason was not a university student. Mason did not return a phone message. He is also accused of illegally recording women at four other universities in at least two other states, according to court records and police interviews. He is facing a criminal trial Oct. 10 in Orlando in one of the cases. His family said Mason was planning to move to Orlando once he obtains permission from court authorities. In Gainesville, the judge ordered him to have no contact with victims in his case, stay away from all colleges or universities, undergo a psychiatric evaluation within 30 days and turn over any sexual images he still possessed within seven days. Victims at the University of Florida said in interviews they wanted tougher penalties for Mason, including at least five years in prison, noting that Mason had been investigated for doing this on other campuses. They said they were disgusted over Masons light sentence, and predicted he would not learn his lesson. News organizations generally do not identify victims of sex crimes. Under Florida law, video voyeurism carries penalties of up to five years in prison on each charge. Defendants cant be ordered to register as sex offenders unless the victims were under 18. Story continues I think he needs to be registered as a sex offender, one woman said. Its not because of how many times hes done it but the fact hes been warned so many times, and caught at these different schools, that he still continues to do it. Another woman said she believed Mason would offend again based on his sentence but said she was comfortable he would be wearing an ankle monitor. Yeah, that to me does not feel long enough at all, said another woman who was listed in court records as a prospective trial witness. I feel like it wouldve been longer if minors were involved, and a lot of the girls just turned 18 at the time. Another witness said: The punishment might be enough to where he can take the time to seek therapy in the comfort of his home rather than in prison for five years; however, I still feel uneasy that he served only 81 days. Another victim said she had been using the womens bathroom stall while Mason peered over the divider recording her. She also criticized the university for allowing Mason to sneak inside the dormitory. University police filed a trespass order against Mason in December banning him from campus until the end of 2024. I was at a place that I was promised to be safe and UF didnt keep that promise, she said. UF should take womens safety more seriously. Were lucky that something (worse) didnt happen. The woman said the State Attorneys Office did not notify her immediately about Masons sentence. She said she had offered to testify at Masons hearing. A spokesman for the prosecutors office, Darry Lloyd, said prosecutors kept in touch with victims throughout the process and victims did not consistently press for harsher penalties. We talked to multiple victims and they told us multiple things, he said. Masons lawyer, Yolanda Means of Gainesville, said the judge initially did not want to accept the plea agreement but the sides explained to him how it would resolve the criminal case. We believe in punishment, but we also believe in rehabilitation, Means said. In one video obtained by police, Mason was seen crawling across a bathroom floor to record his victims. I am not a rapist, he told police, according to court records. You know, Im not sitting out here, looking at you with a drooly mouth or anything. Its literally like, its the rush of being caught. I dont know, man, Im sorry. He added: You know, I was trying to fight a battle with myself that I shouldnt have. I didnt know where to turn. It wasnt clear from court records whether Mason kept the videos and photographs for himself or shared or sold them online. Mason has been investigated in incidents at the University of Minnesota, University of Miami, University of Central Florida and Palm Beach Atlantic University, according to court records and police interviews. Mason was charged with a peeping misdemeanor at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis after two women in October 2021 said he tried to peer under a dorm shower, according to court records. They said he fled when they confronted him. Police said they tracked him through surveillance cameras and rental car records. Mason failed to appear in court, and court records showed that an arrest warrant was issued in March. He also has faced misdemeanor charges in Illinois for aggravated and battery assault, violating a restraining order and vandalism since 2016. In November 2021, Mason was accused of photographing women in the library bathroom at the University of Central Florida, according to police records. A student said she saw Mason hold his phone over the stall divider and record her in an engineering building bathroom. She confronted him and he immediately said he had just ended a relationship with his girlfriend, police said. The victim asked to see his phone but he fled the scene. Police there studied surveillance video on campus and identified Mason driving a vehicle that belonged to family members. They said he was wearing a distinctive hat that he also wore in photographs on his mothers Facebook page. Campus police in Orlando notified an intelligence-sharing group for all university police chiefs across Florida with Masons description and asked whether any had experienced similar cases. That was how some of the other cases came to light: The University of Miami said it had a similar incident in April 2021, and another officer said Mason was a suspect in an incident at Palm Beach Atlantic University, which banned him from campus in 2020 for being in a womens dorm without permission, police said. In December, the University of Florida warned students about a man suspected of using a cellphone to illegally record young women in two dormitories and a library. In one UF dorm, he used his blue iPhone 11 to record an accuser undressing in the shower, court records said. Once the accuser saw him, he fled. Police arrested him on Dec. 7 when license-plate cameras alerted police that the vehicle he was driving was back on the University of Central Florida campus. Mason acknowledged that he had photographed a student in a bathroom stall at an engineering building on campus there, according to court records. Masons mother, Arlinda Tray Johns, told the judge she believes this will be the start of the rest of her sons life. I dont condone what he did but hes my son, Johns said. Im here to show what he needs to be accountable for and show that with love. This story was produced by Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. The reporter can be reached at etritto@ufl.edu. You can donate to support our students here. (Reuters) - Britain's defence ministry said on Thursday that Ukrainian forces continue to consolidate their control of newly liberated areas of Kharkiv Oblast. Russian forces have largely withdrawn from the area west of the Oskil River, the British Defence Ministry said in its daily intelligence bulletin on Twitter.(https://bit.ly/3SnlLbR) High-value equipment abandoned by retreating Russian forces included capabilities essential to enable Russia's artillery-centric style of warfare, the tweet added. (Reporting by Jaiveer Singh Shekhawat in Bengaluru; Editing by Jacqueline Wong) (Reuters) -Ukrainian authorities have found a mass grave of more than 440 bodies in the eastern city of Izium that was recaptured from Russian forces, a regional police official said on Thursday, adding some of the people had been killed by shelling and air strikes. Serhiy Bolvinov, the chief police investigator for Kharkiv region, told Sky News that forensic investigations would be carried out on every body. "I can say it is one of the largest burial sites in a big town in liberated (areas)... 440 bodies were buried in one place," Bolvinov said. "Some died because of artillery fire ... some died because of air strikes," he said. Thousands of Russian troops fled Izium at the weekend. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy put the blame on Russia and likened the discovery to what happened in Bucha, on the outskirts of the capital Kyiv in the early stages of the late February invasion by Russian forces. Ukraine and its Western allies have accused the Russian forces of perpetrating war crimes there. "Russia is leaving death behind it everywhere and must be held responsible," Zelenskiy said in a video address. Russia has repeatedly denied it targets civilians or has committed war crimes. (Reporting by David Ljunggren and Ronald PopeskiEditing by Grant McCool) KYIV (Reuters) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday said she was impressed with the speed at which Ukraine is proceeding in its bid to become a member of the European Union. "The accession process is well on track. It's impressive to see the speed, the determination, the preciseness with which you are progressing", von der Leyen said during a press conference in Kyiv with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Von der Leyen, who arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday to meet with Zelenskiy, added that the EU needs to do as much as possible to ensure Ukraine has "more business, more income". (Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout, Bart Meijer) Bloomberg (Bloomberg) -- President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that a mass burial site has been found in Izyum, a city that Ukrainian forces recaptured from Russian troops during the recent counteroffensive. President Joe Biden announced that the US would give Ukraine as much as $600 million in additional weaponry from Pentagon stockpilesMost Read from BloombergAdobe Near Deal for Online Design Startup Figma, Sources SayRay Dalio Does the Math: Rates at 4.5% Would Sink Stocks by 20%Putin Acknowledges Xis When the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February, Ukrainian venture capitalist Nathan Kay's priorities shifted overnight. Kay, who's CEO of crypto-focused VC firm Mempool Ventures, had new problems instead of growth for his company and his employees, the immediate-term became all about survival. "Each and every member of our team will never be the same as before," Kay told Yahoo Finance. "Not only did it change how we invested, but how we managed our team." As the invasion began, Kay, who also serves as a senior partner at blockchain accelerator Applicature, adjusted his companies' HR practices to support a workforce in wartime. Mempool and its portfolio companies moved dozens of employees across the country, from the eastern parts of Ukraine to the safer west. In some cases, Kay's companies even helped employees move abroad. But the changes couldn't be as simple as relocation. The lives of Ukrainian tech workers were in as much upheaval as the state of their startups. So, Kay began hiring coaches and psychologists to work with employees and encouraged founders to spearhead charity initiatives, including one with a million-dollar buy-in from Ethereum co-founder Gavin Woods. 'Companies need to be rebuilt' Kay's story is far from the only one of its kind. As the war's gone on for more than six months, Ukrainian tech has pivoted. Today, a once-thriving ecosystem of tech companies, VCs, startups, and workers has gone from growing to surviving. Pre-war, Ukraine's buzzy tech sector had been expanding rapidly. In 2021, the IT space in Ukraine grew by nearly 36% year-over-year, hitting $6.8 billion in exports, according to a report by IT Ukraine Association. An image from Sirens Gallery, a charity NFT project built by ZibraAI. Additionally, high-profile names in Big Tech, from Amazon (AMZN) to Samsung, fostered their bustling Ukrainian outposts, as the country's startup scene flourished, producing well-known names like cloud-based typing startup Grammarly and open source leader Gitlab. However, as the war's gone on, the tech sector's options have narrowed, leading to the emergence of grassroots efforts like the Ukrainian Tech Circle, an alliance of investors and companies helping startups make it through the war. Story continues Innumerable startups have been beaten down by the war, and many haven't survived at all, according to Nina Levchuk, who's a startup and VC lead at Google (GOOG, GOOGL) and Ukrainian Tech Circle co-founder. Many startups and companies that were very early-stage unfortunately just didnt survive, said Levchuk. They were forced to shut down, but their talent and their operational teams are still there. Companies need to be rebuilt while getting the resources that connect them to the European markets. That connection to European markets has been, and will continue to be, important, as Ukrainian tech finds its future. For now, there's evidence that Ukrainian tech has been resilient. For example, about 77% of Ukrainian tech companies have onboarded new clients during the war, according to data cited by Tufts University. Nevertheless, as the war drags on, VCs and experts told Yahoo Finance in different ways the same thing: Though many startups and companies have carried on their businesses successfully, the margin for error is shrinking. Resilience, and what's next The startups that have made it have in many cases had to evolve substantially, pivoting their business models, especially in highly regulated businesses, Levchuk said. One such startup that had to shift gears completely when the war set in was ZibraAI, an AI-focused 3D processing company. Attendees visit the Ukraine booth at the Viva Technology conference dedicated to innovation and startups, in Paris, France June 16, 2022. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier "Until the very last moment, we did not believe there could be a full-scale war in Europe in the 21st century," Alex Petrenko, ZibraAI CEO and co-founder, told Yahoo Finance. "Nevertheless, we were preparing for such a possibility. Thanks to that, we successfully evacuated our team to safer regions of the country in the first days of the full-scale Russian invasion." From there, it was a matter of finding workflows that were operational. Much of ZibraAI's team re-located from Kyiv though about 8% of the company's workforce stayed behind and deadlines shifted back as the company adapted. By March, the company had managed to sell a record number of licenses, war be damned. "Overall, war delayed our plans for a few weeks but did not disrupt them completely," Petrenko said. We've now hit a new phase, where the war has gone on long enough that communicating with employees about the constantly evolving situation is a challenge of its own. Kay has realized that this long-term informational support is its own task. "We set a separate tactical group inside our team that is taking care of war-related questions and requests," he told Yahoo Finance. For Ukrainians, there's been good news recently. This month, Ukraine notched substantial victories in pushing back Russian forces in the eastern and southern parts of the country. Troops have recaptured more than 6,000 square kilometers, or about 2,317 square miles, from Russian forces in recent weeks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this week. This week, Zelensky even visited the re-claimed city of Izyum, much of which has reportedly been destroyed. Still, for Ukrainian tech, emergency relief remains key, said Levchuk. She also stressed that Ukraine's considerable tech expertise and resources have and will continue to be valuable across Europe, adding another layer of hope for the future of the country's tech sector. Its still very competitive and challenging in Europe to find the great technical resources that Ukraine has so much of, she said. Allie Garfinkle is a Senior Tech Reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter at @agarfinks. Click here for the latest technology business news, reviews, and useful articles on tech and gadgets Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Download the Yahoo Finance app for Apple or Android Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, and YouTube Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Armed Forces of Ukraine eliminated almost 54,000 Russian soldiers Read also: Russian officials evacuating families from southern Ukraine and Crimea, Ukrainian intelligence says The Russian army suffered the greatest losses on the Kryvyi Rih and Mykolaiv axes over the last 24 hours. The invading troops have also lost a total of almost 14,000 units of equipment, among them (loss over past day in parentheses): Tanks 2,193 (+13) Armored combat vehicles 4,682 (+17) Artillery systems 1,295 (+5) Read also: Russia withdraws from key town near Kherson, ISW report says Multiple Launch Rocket Systems 311 (+0) Air defense systems 167 (+0) Warplanes 250 (+4) Helicopters 215 (+0) UAVs of operational and tactical level 908 (+0) Cruise missiles 233 (+0) Warships / military boats 15 (+0) Motor vehicles and fuel tankers 3,522 (+21) Specialized vehicles 120 (+0). Russia attacked Ukraine on Feb. 24. Sept. 15 marks the 204th day of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Invading Russian forces initially tried to advance from the north, east and south, attacking peaceful cities throughout Ukraine. Civilian targets across Ukrainian cities remain under sporadic Russian air strikes, while settlements along the Russian border are regularly shelled. During this time, the Kremlin has changed the war goals in Ukraine several times. After the failed operation to seize Kyiv, Russian troops retreated from Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy oblasts to concentrate on fighting for the parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts that were under Ukrainian control before the full-scale invasion. Read also: In wake of Kharkiv counter-offensive, Russian troops flee from Melitopol toward Crimea, mayor says Kherson is the only provincial capital under Russian control. Invading Russian forces currently occupy parts of Kherson, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhya oblasts. The Ukrainian Armed Forces has launched a counter-offensive in the south and east of Ukraine, striking at Russian ammunition depots and manpower clusters. Shortly after the beginning of the Kherson counter-offensive, Ukrainian army launched another counter-offensive in Kharkiv Oblast in the north-east of the country. Most of the oblast was liberated from Russian occupation in just a few days. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine (Reuters) -British Prime Minister Liz Truss is expected to hold one-to-one talks with U.S. President Joe Biden and other world leaders gathered in London before Queen Elizabeth's funeral on Monday, The Times reported on Thursday. Truss may also meet President Emmanuel Macron of France, as well as other key UK allies such as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Canada's Justin Trudeau, the report said. Downing Street and the Foreign Office had been keen to stress that the event would not be used as a diplomatic exercise despite the presence of more than 100 heads of state in the capital to pay their respects, the report added. The talks will primarily be about paying their respects and will be low-key, the newspaper said, citing a source. Queen Elizabeth's funeral will take place in London on Sept. 19, and a host of world leaders, royalty and other dignitaries have already said they will attend. Downing Street did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment. (Reporting by Rhea Binoy in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Christopher Cushing) WASHINGTON German defense leaders on Thursday pledged additional weapons and equipment to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia, announcing plans to deliver two multiple-launch rocket systems, known as MARS II, with 200 missiles and 50 Dingo armored personnel carriers. In addition, the government is close to finalizing a swap with Greece that would see Athens send 40 of its Soviet-made BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine and in return get 40 Marder IFVs from former Bundeswehr stocks now kept by industry, Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said in Berlin. The announcements come as the government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz is under pressure to justify its reluctance to give Kyiv battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles Leopards and Marders made in Germany. Critics argue the prudence is misplaced because it fails to match the governments rhetoric that Europes freedom is being defended in Ukraine. Speeches this week by Lambrecht and the Bundeswehrs top uniformed official, Gen. Eberhard Zorn, indicate defense leaders are still wary of Russia as a formidable foe, despite recent Ukrainian battlefield wins in the northeast of the country. By that logic, Moscow launching yet another war closer to Germany is a scenario for which Berlin should keep its panzer powder dry. Lambrecht said the armed forces must keep the Leopard 2 battle tanks, for example, to uphold homeland defense pledges and commitments made to NATO and its eastern members, like Poland and the Baltic states. That argument fails to account for the reluctance to send older equipment, though, namely Leopard 1 tanks and Marder fighting vehicles, hoarded by manufacturers Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann since the Bundeswehrs massive shrinkage after the end of the Cold War. Rheinmetall requested an export permission to Ukraine for 88 Leopard 1 tanks and 100 Marders, Reuters reported, but the case has been pending since the spring. Experts argue Ukrainian soldiers could learn fighting with those weapons relatively quickly because the low-tech design is reminiscent of the Soviet-style tanks with which they are familiar. Story continues Lambrecht on Monday praised the tech-savvy of Ukrainian experts, who were able connect the software baselines of German and Dutch howitzers previously donated to Ukraine, the Panzerhaubitze 2000, in a surprisingly short time. German officials believe those howitzers, plus the 20-some Gepard air-defense tanks, have contributed to Ukrainian wins since Kyiv launched a counter-offensive aimed at liberating Russian-held territory earlier this month. But Zorn, the Bundeswehr chief of staff, cautioned against viewing the trajectory of the war and Russias remaining strength through western glasses. We havent seen a counteroffensive along the entire length of the front, he said. No western country has sent Ukraine modern battle tanks, though officials say theres no formal policy keeping individual nations from doing so. Advocates argue there is a window of opportunity now in which tanks could help Ukrainians push Russia out of the country further. Queen Elizabeth II and President Reagan chat at Santa Barbara airport before a visit to the Reagan's hilltop ranch. This photo was published in the Los Angeles Times on March 2, 1983. (George Rose / Los Angeles Times) The tale about Queen Elizabeth II sipping gin in Californias state Capitol needs some fleshing out. And here it is: It was the late Ronald Reagan aide Mike Deavers tale. He told it to me shortly after Her Majesty toured storm-battered California in the winter of 1983. The story was off the record back then. But now all the main players have died: The queen, Prince Philip, Gov. George Deukmejian, President Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan and Deaver. Nothings off the record forever. So I reported Deavers tale in my previous column about the grace and grit displayed by the queen on her venturous 10-day trip. But two other players in the gin episode who are still with us remember it a bit differently than what Deaver relayed to me hush-hush. And one of them called me after my column ran. For one thing, the queen and the prince apparently had more than a few sips. Does it really matter? No. Its mere trivia. But since the tale gives us a quick look into the private side of Britains longest-reigning monarch, a historical figure for the ages, it might as well be a clear picture. Deaver was arguably Reagans most trusted aide. He certainly was Nancy Reagans. He had been a close advisor all through Reagans two terms as California governor and was White House deputy chief of staff. The president assigned him the task of organizing the queens trip and escorting her around the state. He booked a day trip to Sacramento and a meeting in the Capitol with the governor and legislative leaders. A few days after the visit, this is what Deaver told me: He and the queen wound up in his old Capitol office. I could use a spot of gin, she said. The former gubernatorial aide used to keep a small gin bottle in his desk. And, sure enough, it was still there. He found a glass and poured the grateful queen a drink. OK, that apparently wasnt quite accurate and there was more to it more gin, for one thing. After reading the column, Deukmejians former Chief-of-Staff Steve Merksamer called with the full story. I confirmed it with the second participant, former Deputy Chief of Staff Sal Russo. Story continues I never told the story. Deaver said it was a state secret. If it got out, it would be embarrassing to the country and to the president, said Merksamer, who runs one of Sacramentos most successful political law and lobbying firms. Russo, a Republican political consultant, also kept his mouth shut. Mike said, I dont want to read about this in any story until Ron and Nancy are dead. Merksamer says the queen and her entourage arrived at the governors office around 9:30 a.m. Deukmejian and top aides chit-chatted in the cabinet room with the queen and prince for a few minutes. There was a certain protocol, Merksamer recalls. Dont speak until she says hello. You dont have to curtsy because youre an American. Dont touch her. She touches you first. He adds, I thought she was terrific. Very gracious. Just charming. Very nice to my wife. Not stuck up. And Prince Philip? He was funny as hell, Merksamer says. Very irreverent. A little bit off color. Not reserved at all. She was there, just kind of the queen. Very regal. He was always funny, Russo says. And, of course, thats not quite the image we all saw on TV. After a few minutes, the queen wanted to relax, Merksamer says. So, they gave her the cabinet room and the adjoining governors study. Merksamer and Russo both say that the queen never went into Deavers old office, then occupied by Russo. Deukmejian, Merksamer and Russo retreated there while the queen and prince relaxed in the governors digs. Deaver was in and out. Deaver comes running in, Oh, Sal, Steve, the queen needs a gin and tonic, Merksamer remembers. Do you have any gin and tonic? I said, We dont have any alcohol here. Unlike with governors before and after, Deukmejian forbade booze in the governors office suite. But with the queen asking for a drink, Russo says, I finally said, George, if you get off that credenza, I can solve the problem. Russo had stocked a bar in there and did have some gin and tonic. But it was cheap gin with a department store label. We cant give her Gemco gin, he said. Deaver answered: The British think all American gin is inferior. Shes expecting inferior gin. So, give her Gemco gin. I stirred the drinks with my finger, Russo says. They were sent to the queen and prince and were clearly acceptable. Deaver comes running back a few minutes later and says, I need another two gin and tonics for the queen and prince, Merksamer recalls. Russo said, Here, take the bottle. After the queen left, Russo went back to retrieve the bottle. It only had about an inch left in it, he says. Her Majesty walked up to the west balcony of the Capitol and waved to thousands of people. Then she was hosted at a lunch with the governor and legislators in the Capitol Rotunda. We all walked with her. She was perfectly OK. Not inebriated at all, Merksamer says. I did a Google search to inquire about the queens drinking habits. One website, quoting a cousin, said she routinely had four drinks a day: a gin and Dubonnet cocktail in the morning, wine at lunch, a dry martini before dinner, then a glass of champagne. And at least two gin and tonics in provincial capitals. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. children's agency UNICEF on Thursday named Vanessa Nakate, a 25-year-old Ugandan climate activist, goodwill ambassador. Inspired by Sweden's Greta Thunberg, Nakate began her climate action in 2019 and has since founded the Rise Up Movement and addressed global climate summits. "This role with UNICEF will provide me with more opportunities to meet children and young people in the places most affected by climate change and an expanded platform to advocate on their behalf," Nakate said. Last week, Nakate travelled to northwest Kenya to see the impact of the worst drought in the Horn of Africa in more than 40 years. She met with communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis, including children being treated for acute malnutrition and families using solar-powered water systems. UNICEF says nearly half the world's 2.2 billion children live in one of the 33 countries it classifies as at "extremely high-risk" of the impacts of climate change. The top ten countries are all in Africa. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said she hopes Nakate's appointment "will help ensure that the voices of children and young people are never cut out of the conversation on climate change and always included in decisions that affect their lives." (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Bernadette Baum) Photograph: Seth Wenig/AP The moment Terrell Carter learned the death sentence he received decades ago would end, he was filled with extreme happiness and intense sorrow. Carter had spent 30 years of his life in prison without parole for second-degree murder he committed in Pennsylvania, one of six states in the US where there is no possibility of parole when sentenced to life. In July, after Governor Tom Wolf commuted his sentence, Carter, now 53, regained his freedom after a nearly three-year process petitioning with the state board of pardons. Still, he said he felt survivors guilt. Related: Nearly 50,000 people held in solitary confinement in US, report says It shows me the other guys who were just as deserving as I was couldnt make it not because they are not worthy but because the process is super arbitrary, Carter told the Guardian from a halfway house just a month after his release. The system doesnt allow room for a person to seek redemption. A coalition of civil and human rights organizations on Thursday filed a complaint urging United Nations special rapporteurs to declare the United States longstanding practice of subjecting people to life sentences, including without possible release, cruel, racially discriminatory and an arbitrary deprivation of liberty that violates incarcerated peoples rights. They argued that death by incarceration a term describing life sentences without parole coined by Carter and other members of the Right to Redemption Committee, a group of incarcerated people seeking the abolition of the practice amounted to torture. In their complaint, the civil rights organizations asked the international watchdogs to pressure the United States, who leads the world in sentencing people to life imprisonment, to abolish the extreme practice altogether. They proposed instead to impose maximum sentencing laws that would eliminate the practice of virtual life sentences those longer than a persons remaining years of life expectancy, often more than 50 years. Story continues Death by incarceration is the devastating consequence of a cruel and racially discriminatory criminal legal system that is designed not to address harm, violence, and its root causes, but to satisfy the political pressure to be tough on crime, the complaint noted. Dozens of testimonies from incarcerated people sentenced to life detail the horrific toll so-called death by incarceration has not just on their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing but also the lasting impact separation has on their family members. Carlos Ruiz Paz, who is serving a life sentence in California, wrote in a testimonial that a life sentence without parole signaled a person was irreparably damaged without hope of redemption, adding: Extreme sentences affect the kids who grow up without us and the parents that will die without us at their side. The complaint noted that the United States use of virtual life sentences increased exponentially since the 1970s, particularly after the supreme court abolished the death penalty in 1972, prompting states to strengthen life sentencing laws for offenders. Even after the supreme court reversed course in 1976, extreme sentencing practices continued. By the 1980s and 90s, as the federal government incentivized states to impose harsher sentencing practices in an effort to curtail perceived rises in crime, more and more people were imprisoned for longer. The toll of that suffering has disproportionately upended the lives of Black and brown people who have been subjected to over-policing throughout time, exposing them to the US carceral system and led to escalating mass incarceration. Organizers argue that that violates international human rights law prohibiting racial discrimination. This systemic deprivation of resources, including education, healthcare and other social support and services, is coupled with the entry of more police and prisons in these communities and exposure to the criminal legal system, the complaint noted. The US is the only country that sentences children under 18 to life without parole, a practice that the United Nations has already singled out. And the US accounted for more than 80% of people worldwide serving life sentences without parole. We are the world leader in life imprisonment, said Kara Gotsch, deputy director of the Sentencing Project, one of the organizations involved in the UN complaint. Were just continuing to warehouse people, expose them to dangerous conditions in prisons that are not built for old people, quite frankly. And its not serving the public interest or our moral interest is to incarcerate elderly people, until they die, because theyre not a threat to public safety. Black people accounted for 12% of the US population in 2020 yet made up 46% of all incarcerated people serving life or virtual life sentences, according to the Sentencing Project. Whats more, people of color account for more than two-thirds of those incarcerated serving life sentences in the US. For Latino Americans, the disparity is smaller but still stark, particularly at the state level: in California, where a third of its prison population serves a life sentence, nearly 40% of those serving life sentences are Latino and a third are Black. Though women account for just 3% of the US prison population serving life sentences, the number of women serving such sentences grew 32% faster than men in the past decade. When Rose Marie Dinkins reflects on the past five decades in SCI Muncy in Pennsylvania, she sees how the US criminal justice system doesnt allow mercy for change. Dinkins, a Black mother of four, was 24 when, in 1972, she was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences after she killed two police officers during an armed robbery. Her children, then toddlers, were now adults with children and grandchildren. Dinkins recounted how she had great-grandchildren she had never seen. Dinkins saw how the American justice system values some lives more than others, pointing to how Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd, will be eligible for parole. These discriminatory sentencing practices have gone on for far too long, she added. No one deserves to die in prison who has made the effort to change for the better. Bret Grote, legal director of the Abolitionist Law Center, one of the organizations submitting the complaint, told the Guardian that pressure from the United Nations and the international community could bolster the ongoing movement. He and others pointed to the impact past condemnations by the UN of solitary confinement practices and imprisonment of youth on life sentences have had on influencing legislative change. The complaint to the UN arises ahead of a case in Pennsylvania challenging the states life sentences without parole statute for people convicted of a felony that led to someones death, even if the person who received the sentence had no direct connection to the death. By the time Carter first entered prison at 23, he had struggled with drugs and saw himself growing up in a society that taught me that my Blackness was a curse. It destroyed my self-esteem, he told the Guardian. Over time, after years of self-reflection work, he believed he could get a second chance, even as he was relegated to what he saw as a death sentence. He turned to writing, publishing three novels and co-authoring a Northwestern Law Review article with Rachel Lopez entitled Redeeming Justice that makes the case for rehabilitation and redemption from imprisonment. He eventually helped form the Right to Redemption Committee, which was established in 2011 and advocates for abolishing life without parole in Pennsylvania and beyond, and they wanted to file a petition to the United Nations calling for death by incarceration to be classified as a human rights violation. Now that hes out of prison, he hopes to facilitate writing workshops and create redemption hubs for formerly incarcerated people to contribute back to society after release. His release by commutation is a rarity in the US, especially for Black people seeking pardon: a 2011 study of pardons under former presidents George W Bush and Barack Obama found that white applicants had a 12% chance of acceptance while Black applicants had between 2 and 4% chance. And in Pennsylvania alone, Governor Tom Wolf commuted 53 life sentences over seven years, a far cry from the just six between 1995 and 2015. The idea of redemption should be something that the state facilitates as opposed to hindering. They hinder the idea of atonement by imprisoning people but also confining people in the worst expression of themselves for the rest of their lives, even though thats not who they are, Carter told the Guardian. Thats a gross violation of human rights. UKRAINSKA PRAVDA THURSDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2022, 14:12 The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation claimed that if the US government sends Ukraine long-range missiles, it will make the States "a party to the conflict", and Russia will react "correspondingly". Source: Russian Kremlin-aligned information agency RIA Novosti, citing Maria Zakharova, press secretary of the Russian Foreign Ministry Quote: "If Washington decides to supply Kyiv with missiles of a larger range, it will cross the red line and will become a party to the conflict. We are maintaining our right to defend our territories with all means available". Background: In September, The Wall Street Journal reported that among the armament requested by Ukraine from the USA, there are ATACMS tactical missiles with a range of 300 kilometres. Earlier, Washington refused to provide Ukraine with this particular kind of weapon due to the risk of provoking Russia. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron. By Philip Pullella ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (Reuters) - The Vatican told China that Pope Francis was willing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping while both leaders where in the Kazakh capital but China said there was not enough time, a Vatican source said on Thursday. The source gave no details on how or when the Vatican approached China, with which it is involved in a delicate dialogue over the status of the Roman Catholic Church in the country. The source said the Vatican made "an expression of availability". The Chinese side said they "appreciated the gesture" but that there was no free time on Xi's schedule. Both the pope and Xi were in Nur-Sultan on Wednesday. Xi was there for an official visit and the pope was there to attend a congress of world religious leaders.. A meeting between the two men, however brief, would have been historic. Speaking to reporters accompanying him on his flight to the Central Asian republic on Tuesday, Francis was asked whether he might meet Xi in its capital. Francis replied coyly: "I don't have any news about that," without elaborating. Asked if he was ready to go to China, Francis responded: "I am always ready to go to China". The pope has tried to ease the historically poor relations between the Holy See and China, and told Reuters in an interview in July that he hoped to renew a secret and contested agreement on the appointment of Roman Catholic bishops in China. (Reporting by Philip Pullella; editing by Jonathan Oatis) Cynthia Ann Hernandez, 32, of Victorville was indicted on suspicion of fraudulently obtaining $500,00 in COVID-19 relief funds. by using the names of inmates in the California state prison system. A Victorville woman was arrested on a seven-count federal grand jury indictment alleging she fraudulently obtained more than $500,000 in pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits by using the names of inmates in the California state prison system, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Cynthia Ann Hernandez, 32, a.k.a. Cynthia Roberts, of Victorville, was taken into custody on Wednesday and was scheduled to appear for her arraignment on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Riverside. Hernandez is charged with four counts of mail fraud, one count of access device fraud over $1,000 and two counts of aggravated identity theft, the DOJ said. More news: Suspect arrested for burglarizing Open Water Aquarium twice in one morning According to the indictment returned on Sept. 9, from June 2020 to August 2020, Hernandez filed with the California Employment Development Department fraudulent applications for UI benefits in the names of persons incarcerated in the California state prison system. EDD manages Californias unemployment insurance benefits program. Hernandez allegedly falsely stated on the UI benefits applications that the named claimants were individuals whose employment had been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and were eligible for pandemic unemployment assistance under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Congress passed the CARES Act in March 2020, in part, to help individuals whose employment and finances were adversely affected by the pandemic. The applications also falsely stated that the named claimants were eligible for the UI benefits and that they resided and worked in Los Angeles and Orange counties. The EDD then authorized Bank of America to issue debit cards in the claimants names and were mailed to Hernandezs mailing address, according to the indictment. Once Hernandez allegedly received the debit cards, she used them to withdraw cash at ATMs and banking centers. Story continues In total, Hernandez allegedly caused at least 29 fraudulent applications to be filed with EDD, resulting in losses to EDD and the U.S Treasury of approximately $515,138. An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This matter was investigated by: The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. The California Employment Development Department Investigation Division. Homeland Security Investigations. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Special Response Team. Assistant United States Attorney Solomon Kim of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section is prosecuting this case. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justices National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz. This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Victorville woman arrested after illegally obtaining COVID-19 relief Vietnamese girl group DREAMeR are playing with fire following plagiarism accusations by BLACKPINK fans. Netizens noticed the posts from the rookie Vietnamese girl group on September 14. One image of the groups comeback shows similarity to BLACKPINKs Born Pink world tour announcement poster. DREAMeRs image shows pink, protruding lightning bolts coming down from the top of the image, while BLACKPINKs uses pink fangs. DREAMeR member Bao Uyens introduction poster also shows striking resemblance to BLACKPINK member Lisas Pink Venom comeback teaser photo. Uyen is wearing a long-sleeved pink top, pointed nails, long straight hair with pinkish hues and pinning stick ornaments, blue contacts and pink lipstick, all features of Lisas own visual look. Even a shattered glass effect seems to be replicated. Additionally, DREAMeR member MiiNas debut images bare strong resemblance to aesthetics from BLACKPINK member Roses On The Ground solo images, including her posture, blonde hair color, purple dress and floral elements. More from NextShark: Chris Martin surprises Kelly Clarkson by singing the Korean verses of Coldplay and BTS' new single If same hair style or outfit its ok, but their copy the whole concept is not creative pic.twitter.com/mhhCBnwB3y Gebimoyart (@GebiMoya) September 14, 2022 More from NextShark: Jay Park releases new single Bite BLACKPINK fans were not pleased and called on YG Entertainment to issue a response to the matter. There's a group that steals BLACKPINK's brains from posters, photos, costumes, etc. I'm from the same country as them and I find it disgusting to blatantly steal words like that. Can international BLINKs help us speak out on this issue so that DREAMeR can't do any more acts of pic.twitter.com/1aetJRObXt Ktrynk (@HynnieHoba) September 14, 2022 A music group called DREAMeR blatantly plagiarized lisa's concept and image in BLACKPINKs comeback with Pink Venom. How can they be so blatant? wtf is this ?? #BLACKPINK #Lisa #lisablackpink # # pic.twitter.com/LUVFzseGAX tminh () (@tmmuoncobo8383) September 14, 2022 The YG Entertainment superstars will release their eight-track second album Born Pink on Friday, led by the title track Shutdown. Feature Image via @baouyen.dreamer (left), @lalalalisa_m (right) The Volusia County School Board approved a $1.36 billion budget on Tuesday and a corresponding tax increase, again making it the largest public budget in the county. It surpasses even the county budget, which has been preliminarily approved at $1.06 billion for the 2022-23 fiscal year. Thats the largest budget weve ever had. Thats a lot of money to manage, Board member Linda Cuthbert noted after a presentation of the financials. The budget is nearly $190 million, or 16.1%, more than last years budget of over $1.17 billion. A family affair: Daughter, parents and grandmother all attend Daytona State College Related news: Volusia schools security director Michelle Newman resigned one week after school started Gunshots, hostages, victims: Daytona Beach police dispel Mainland High lockdown rumors Instruction, building improvements make up large chunk of budget Of the $1.36 billion budget, $1.19 billion is estimated for actual expenditures, and the remainder is left for transfers and an ending fund balance. Nearly $495 million of the budget is dedicated to instruction costs, which come from the districts general fund and special grant revenue. The district and teachers union, Volusia United Educators, agreed in January to raise the base pay for teachers to $47,500. The district also raised the pay for support staff to $15 an hour on July 1 for all employees not already making that amount, which preempted a state requirement to do so by Oct. 1. Volusia County Schools is the largest employer in the county with around 7,800 staff members. It also has nearly 66,000 students. Almost $300 million, the next largest expense, is planned for facilities acquisition and construction. Some of the major projects budgeted for 2022-23 are new construction and renovations at Woodward Avenue Elementary, Turie T. Small Elementary, Tomoka Elementary, Starke Elementary, Orange City Elementary, Enterprise Elementary and McInnis Elementary. View the full budget here: Volusia County Schools 2022-23 budget Story continues The budget includes federal, state and local revenues, with a base allocation of $4,587.40 per student from the state. Though that number increases every year, the funding for K-12 funding in recent years has really not kept up with inflation, Todd Seis, the districts new chief financial officer, said. While the base allocation increased by 5%, inflation based on the Florida Consumer Price Index was 7%, he noted. He also noted that the district only receives 96 cents back for every dollar it sends to the state, resulting in a loss of $11.8 million dollars versus if it received every dollar back. Volusia County Superintendent of Schools Carmen Balgobin visits with some of the students having breakfast, Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, at Palm Terrace Elementary School in Daytona Beach as students head back to classes for the 2022-23 school year. Tax rate drops while property values soar The school board also unanimously adopted a tax rate of 5.482, a decrease of 5.5% from last years rate of 5.802. The rate includes 3.230 in Required Local Effort and 0.004 in Prior Period Funding Adjustment Millage, which are required to receive approximately $243.7 million in Florida Education Finance Program funding, Seis said. It also includes a standard 1.500 in capital outlay millage and 0.748 in discretionary operating millage, the latter of which is also required to receive another $7 million in funding from the state, he said. The tax rate of 5.482 means that a homeowner would pay $5.482 for every $1,000 of taxable property value. For a home valued at $150,000 with a $50,000 homestead exemption last year, the homeowner would have paid $580.20 in school property taxes under last years rate. Assessed taxable values in Volusia County increased 17.77% to over $56 billion this year, but the Save our Homes legislation limits the annual increase in the assessed value of homesteaded properties to whichever is less of 3% or the National Consumer Price Index. This would limit the tax on the same house with the exemption to around $573 this year based on a $154,500 valuation from the 3% increase and the new rate of 5.482. The new Deltona Middle School is Volusia County's first three-story school and features a view from a balcony overlooking the front entrance. If the home was recently bought with the increased market price of 17.7%, it would be valued at $176,655. With the $50,000 homestead exemption obtained, the new homeowner would pay around $694 in school property taxes. The rolled-back tax rate, the rate which would generate the same amount of revenue as last year based on this years taxable property value, is 5.0283. Since the proposed rate is 9.02% higher, it is considered an ad valorem tax increase, but new homeowners will see the increase rather than existing homeowners with the assessment cap. Flagler Schools recently passed a total budget of $290.3 million with $201.3 million for expenditures and the remainder for transfers and an ending funding balance. It also adopted at tax rate of 5.546. Contact reporter Danielle Johnson at djohnson@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia County Schools approves $1.36 billion budget, new tax rate SYDNEY (Reuters) - Washington should accept Pacific island priorities for the region, making climate change - not superpower competition - the most urgent security task, the region's leaders said in Hawaii, ahead of a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden this month. "The sentiment shared by Pacific island leaders is that they are hopeful that they would be able to work with the Biden administration on our strategy and our plan, rather than have the White House and the United States develop a plan for the region," the governor of the U.S. state of Hawaii, David Ige, said at a news conference after the closed-door meeting. A regional strategy called the 2050 Blue Pacific Continent had been backed by all Pacific island nations and territories, Ige said. Leaders and officials from 16 Pacific island nations and territories were present at Wednesday's meeting in Honolulu. Competition between China and the United States for influence in the Pacific islands has intensified this year, after China signed a security agreement with the Solomon Islands, prompting warnings of a militarization of the region. Biden will host the first meeting of Pacific island leaders at the White House on Sept. 28-29. Increased engagement with Washington was "very much welcome", said David Panuelo, president of the Federated States of Micronesia and the conference chairman. The United States and its allies Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Britain formed a group in June to discuss how to work together in the Pacific islands region, seen as a counter to China's growing influence. Panuelo said Pacific islands want China and the United States to "compete in a healthy manner" to maintain peace in the region. Climate change will be a bigger challenge than the Second World War, he said, adding "it is like pulling teeth" for low-lying island states to access support from international climate funds. Only 12 nations have been invited to Washington, with French territories among those excluded for protocol reasons, and the meeting criticised the decision. "When the United States invites our region we want to be inclusive of all the members of the Pacific Island Forum as a family," said Panuelo, referring to the main regional group. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) SEATTLE (AP) For two weeks against lesser competition, it has all gone according to plan. Impressive moments on both sides of the ball against teams that should be warmups for challenges still to come. That description could be applied to both No. 11 Michigan State and Washington heading into their nonconference showdown Saturday. Michigan State (2-0) beat up on a couple of teams from the Mid-American Conference and did nothing to refute the idea the Spartans are worthy of being on the cusp of cracking the top 10. Washington (2-0) thumped Kent State and Portland State and appears to be enjoying the early stages of Kalen DeBoers tenure as head coach. But while both teams have looked the part, neither has proven much yet. Which makes Saturdays matchup rather intriguing. It would be huge, no question. With where were at in the process of coming back and building, I like where were at after two games, DeBoer said. "But this is a different animal. Were talking about a top ranked team. So it would mean a lot to us, theres no doubt about it. DeBoer seems to have brought some fun back to the Huskies, and a win over the Spartans would immediately raise their profile nationally and expectations heading into the start of their Pac-12 schedule next week. But Washington is in a bit of a drought when it comes to marquee home wins against teams not from the West Coast. Washington hasnt defeated a ranked Power Five opponent in a nonconference game at home since beating Michigan to open the 2001 season. That 21-year drought has included home losses to the likes of Notre Dame, Ohio State, LSU and Nebraska. Michigan State coach Mel Tucker knows the importance of getting a statement win early in your tenure. While the 2020 season was rough for the Spartans, their convincing win on the road against a ranked Miami team last year seemed to be the catalyst for Michigan States terrific season, which ended with a victory in the Peach Bowl. Story continues But Tucker wants the focus on this team and not comparisons to a year ago. Were building the story of this years team right now, Tucker said. Last years team is gone. Thats a different team. This is a new team, this is a new season. Were focused on what we have to do on a day-to-day basis to prepare to play good football. Thats where our focus needs to be." FAMILIAR FACE Someone who knows plenty about the Spartans is Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Penix faced Michigan State twice during his time at Indiana and had a couple of his best games. He threw for 286 yards and three touchdowns and ran for one in a 40-31 loss to the Spartans in 2019. A year later, Penix threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-0 win over the Spartans. Also familiar with the Spartans is DeBoer. He faced Michigan State while an assistant at Eastern Michigan and was the offensive coordinator at Indiana for that 2019 loss to the Spartans. PRESSURE PACKED Michigan State is hoping Penix becomes familiar with the face of edge rusher Jacoby Windmon. Windmon was named the Big Ten defensive player of the week in each of the first two weeks of the season. He leads the country in sacks with 5 and forced fumbles with four. Windmon had 1 sacks and three forced fumbles last week against Akron and had four sacks in the opener against Western Michigan. Windmon, a transfer from UNLV, is the first Michigan State defensive player to win Big Ten player of the week in consecutive weeks. Washingtons offensive coaches do have some familiarity with Windmon from their time at Fresno State. Two seasons ago, Windmon had 2 sacks against Fresno State while playing for UNLV. Hes a mature player, a mature young man and he understands opportunity, Tucker said. GO WEST The West is not familiar terrain for Michigan State, nor has it had much success here. Since 1957, the Spartans are 0-13 in regular-season games played in California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Hawaii. Their last win out West was on Oct. 5, 1957, a 19-0 victory over Cal. The Huskies and Spartans have faced each other only three times before, the last coming in the 1997 Aloha Bowl, a 51-23 Washington victory. ___ More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/ap_top25. Sign up for the APs college football newsletter: https://bit.ly/3pqZVaF Voters in Oregon and Washington sounded off on their election priorities both locally and nationally as the midterms approach. "The farther left the better," Sydney said in Bellingham, Washington, a city located about 20 miles south of the Canadian border. But extreme candidates won't appeal to voters like Jon, a Seattle resident whose priorities include preserving the Second Amendment as well as a woman's right to have an abortion. "I'm looking for a Holy Grail candidate," he told Fox News while visiting Portland. "The Dems need to put up a more moderate candidate to get my vote and then the Republicans need to also do the same." OREGON GOP HOPEFUL CHRISTINE DRAZAN REVEALS PLANS FOR STATE THAT HASN'T ELECTED REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR IN DECADES He also said he's skeptical voters will find moderate candidates in Washington or Oregon, which he called "essentially one-party states." "A lot of Americans don't want a collaborator or a moderate candidate anymore. They want someone who's gung-ho and going to go full 100 and very emotional," he said. "I think that makes our politics more dangerous." A three-way open-seat race for governor is bringing more competition to Oregon, which hasn't elected a Republican to that office since 1982. In Washington, a first-time Republican candidate hopes to unseat Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, who was first elected to the Senate in 1992. SUPREME COURT'S ROE V. WADE DECISION: READ THE DOBBS V. JACKSON WOMEN'S HEALTH RULING Brenda told Fox News she supports the Second Amendment but would like to see tougher gun control as Portland continues to deal with high numbers of shootings. There were 114 shooting incidents in the city in July, compared with 34 during the same month in 2019, according to police data. "This is out of control," Brenda said. Amber, a Portland resident, said eco-friendly initiatives were her number one priority nationally. "Understanding that global warming is real and aiming to make the initiatives that help push us in the right direction and kind of combat that," she said. Story continues But locally, safety was top of mind for Amber. She said she wants to see the city of Portland focus on making people "feel comfortable" downtown again. Farther north in Bellingham, many people told Fox News they hadn't started thinking about the election yet. Those who were planning to vote placed abortion rights, affordable housing and the environment among their top priorities. People gather to protest the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022, in Portland, Oregon. Voters in Oregon and Washington told Fox News abortion, affordable housing and the environment are among their top priorities this election season. Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images Women's rights have "been put kind of under attack, especially at the federal level with the Supreme Court and everything," Francis said. Election experts speculate the Supreme Court's June decision to overturn Roe v. Wade could drive more Democratic voters to the polls, potentially threatening Republicans' shot at taking control of Congress. Washington and Oregon both have state laws protecting abortion rights, but this week Sen. Lindsey Graham announced a federal bill to ban abortion after 15 weeks. "It's important locally to make sure that you focus on candidates that are going to support your beliefs to hopefully have things go more to the federal level and just kind of be like a snowball effect," Francis said. HOUSE DEMOCRATS DEMAND TWITTER PUT FORTH PLAN FOR COMBATTING MIDTERMS 'MISINFORMATION' Voters are also worried about housing costs, as rent and home prices continue to increase in the Pacific Northwest. "It seems like with COVID when everyone started working remote, you got a lot of people from wealthier cities like Seattle that have a lot more high-paying jobs come into smaller communities" and drive up housing prices, Francis told Fox News. The median home price in Washington was $560,400 in 2021, nearly double the price of a house just six years previously, according to state data. In 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic began, the median price of a home was just shy of $398,000. Mary said she wished local legislators would address affordable housing and "unhoused issues" more aggressively. Nationally, she hopes Democrats retain control of the House and Senate even though she doesn't consider herself a Democrat. "I felt like there was a lot of the hatemongering that went on in the last Republican president's term," she said. "Not only BIPOC people but also people's gender differences, and everybody was a loser if they didn't love him." Kaelyn and Sydney said they hope to see more compassionate candidates elected. "Caring about like homeless, people of color, LGBTQ rights, people that have been kind of like pushed to the side forever," Kaelyn said. "Making sure that every little step is taken to help those people out and work towards a better equilibrium." Keith was most concerned about term limits and said "it's time for a revolution." "We've got to get the incumbents out and put new people in," he said. "The House of Representatives is supposed to be replaced every two years. Why are they in the house for 30 years?" Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell and several other U.S. senators have introduced a bill to help remove space junk thats orbiting the earth. The newly proposed bipartisan bill, the Orbital Sustainability (ORBITS) Act, is the first of its kind, and would thin out thousands and thousands of pieces of space trash that currently threaten space exploration, scientific research missions and impending commercial space services. There are more than 900,000 pieces of space junk passing over our heads every day, including abandoned government satellites, said Cantwell. This bill will jumpstart the technology development needed to remove the most dangerous junk before it knocks out a satellite, crashes into a NASA mission or falls to the ground and hurts someone. We must continue to explore space, and we have to do it safely. According to a release from Cantwell, a large piece of space debris crashed onto a Grant County, Washington, farmers property in March 2021. The newly proposed program would focus on research, development and other technologies suited for Active Debris Removal missions and also jumpstart a new market for such services. Washington companies like Starfish Space are pressing for the removal of space debris. Other Washington companies that are campaigning for the removal of space junk include SpaceX, Amazons Kuiper Systems and Stoke Space Technologies. Officials said there are approximately 8,000 metric tons of debris in orbit. For more details on the bill, click here. Two Bradenton men stopped by U.S. Customs agents off the coast of the Florida Keys helming a boat packed with Cuban migrants said they agreed to the smuggling venture to make enough money to pay off a large debt, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court this week. A Customs Air and Marine Operations plane began tracking the 35-foot center console boat as it passed Cay Sal Bank in the Bahamas on Monday. A Customs patrol boat intercepted the vessel on Tuesday as it neared the Keys, about 11 nautical miles off the coast of Ocean Reef Club in North Key Largo, according to the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations complaint. Two men were standing at the helm: Dianny Rodriguez Perez and Onelio Hernandez Gutierrez. According to the complaint, both men obtained legal permanent U.S. residency and live in Bradenton. Also on the boat were 17 people from Cuba who did not have legal permission to enter the United States, the complaint states. Agents also found two handguns, a Garmin GPS, a satellite phone and several miscellaneous cellphones on the boat. A check of the GPS showed the boat left Homestead on Monday and traveled to Cayo Fragoso, Cuba, then to Cay Sal, Bahamas. After being read their rights, Hernandez Gutierrez told agents he agreed to take the job because he owed someone $108,000. Rodriguez Perez said he went along to help Hernandez Gutierrez pay off the debt, the complaint states. Both men face a charge of conspiring to encourage and induce aliens to enter the United States, according to the complaint. Their next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 19 in front of a Key West federal judge. The people on the boat were processed to be sent back to Cuba. SmartAsset: Where Hispanics and Latinos Fare Best Economically - 2022 Edition Hispanics and Latinos have played a major role in the countrys population growth over the last decade. In fact, Hispanics and Latinos made up almost one-fifth of the countrys population in 2020 at roughly 62 million, according to the Census Bureau. Thats an increase of nearly 12 million people since 2010, or an increase of 23%. Data from the nonprofit Latino Donor Collaborative shows how this population boom has impacted the economy. Total Hispanic and Latino economic output in 2019 added up to a gross domestic product of $2.75 trillion, which is up from $1.7 trillion in 2010. However, the economic situation for Hispanic and Latino communities varies by city. To uncover where Hispanics and Latinos fare best economically, SmartAsset analyzed data for 147 cities across six metrics, spanning topics including income, homeownership and education. For details on our data sources and how we put all the information together to create our final rankings, read the Data and Methodology section below. If you want to grow your investments and reach your financial goals, a financial advisor can help you make smart decisions for your money. SmartAssets free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. This is SmartAssets second study on where Hispanics and Latinos fare best economically. You can read the 2021 edition here. Key Findings Homeownership rates vary widely. Across the 147 cities in our study, Port St. Lucie, Florida has the highest Hispanic and Latino homeownership rate (72.95%). New York City, by contrast, has the lowest (16.94%). At least a fifth of Hispanics and Latinos in the top 10 cities have bachelors degrees. Hispanics and Latinos in Frisco, Texas and Naperville, Illinois have the highest percentage of Hispanics and Latinos holding bachelors degrees in the top 10 at 41.6% and 41.0%, respectively. Six out of the top 10 cities are in states with large Hispanic and Latino populations. Arizona has two cities (Gilbert and Chandler), Texas has one (Frisco) and California has three (Rancho Cucamonga, Elk Grove and Torrance). Census data shows that Hispanics and Latinos make up over 30% of the population in all three of those states. Story continues 1. Pembroke Pines, FL Located roughly 22 miles north of Miami, Florida's Pembroke Pines takes the top spot. Hispanics and Latinos here have a median household income that is just over $67,000 (ranking 36th for this metric). Housing costs for this group make up 23.22% of their income (13th-best in the study) and almost 70% own their homes (the second-highest rate out of all 147 cities). More than 32% of Hispanics and Latinos here hold a bachelor's degree and just over 28% own a business. 2. Miramar, FL Miramar, Florida claims second place in our study. Roughly 68% of Hispanics and Latinos own a home here, which is the fourth-highest rate in the study. The median household income for this group is just over $72,600 (ranking 25th-highest). And Hispanics and Latinos pay about 25% of their income in housing costs (30th-lowest). 3. Gilbert, AZ Gilbert, Arizona is home to Hispanics and Latinos with the fifth-highest median household income ($94,333) in our study. This group pays roughly one-fifth of their income in housing costs (20.52%), but 67.85% own their homes (the fifth-highest rate). Additionally, Gilbert has the fourth-lowest Hispanic and Latino poverty rate in our study, at 7.0%. 4. Frisco, TX Frisco is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area. Hispanics and Latinos here have a median household income of $105,696, which is the second-highest in this study. They spend almost 27% of that income (ranked 42nd) on housing costs and just over 56% own their homes (ranking 29th). Hispanics and Latinos here have the second-lowest poverty rate (5.2%) and almost 42% hold a bachelor's degree (ranking 10th). 5. Rancho Cucamonga, CA In Rancho Cucamonga, Los Angeles, almost 58% of Hispanics and Latinos own their homes (ranking 26th) and they pay almost 30% of their income on housing costs (73rd-lowest). This group has a median household income just over $84,000 (11th-highest). Almost 16% own businesses (ranking 13th) and roughly 25% have bachelor's degrees (46th-highest). 6. Elk Grove, CA Elk Grove is located just over 15 miles south from the California state capital Sacramento. Hispanics and Latinos here have a median household income of $93,891, the sixth-highest in the study. The homeownership for this group is almost 69% (the third-highest) and about a quarter of their income goes to paying housing costs (25.31%). Less than a fifth of Hispanics and Latinos in this city have a bachelor's degree and only 7.24% own a business. 7. Naperville, IL Naperville is a western suburb of Chicago. Hispanic and Latinos here have the highest median household income in our study, at $108,000. Just under 49% own a home (ranking 53rd-best) and almost a quarter of their income goes to paying housing costs (27th-best). Naperville also has the third-lowest poverty rate for Hispanics and Latinos (6.8%). 8. Chandler, AZ In Chandler, Arizona, the median household income for Hispanics and Latinos is almost $74,100. And about a quarter of that income (23.82%) is spent on housing costs - the 19th-lowest rate in our study. Though just under 55% own a home (ranking 33rd), roughly 26% of Hispanics and Latinos hold a bachelor's degree and just over 7% own a business. 9. Torrance, CA Torrance is the third California city in our top 10. Hispanics and Latinos here have a median household income above $83,200, the 12th-highest in the study. Almost 42% own their homes and they spend nearly a third of their income on housing costs. About 32% of Hispanics and Latinos in the city hold bachelor's degrees (ranking 24th) and roughly 10% own a business (tying for 26th). 10. Fort Lauderdale, FL Best known for its beaches and boat canals, Florida's Fort Lauderdale is just 30 miles north from Miami. This city ties for the fourth-highest percentage of Hispanic and Latino business owners (28.06%). The median household income for this group is just over $60,200 (60th-highest) and 35.1% of Hispanics and Latinos hold a bachelor's degree (17th-best). Data and Methodology To identify the cities where Hispanics and Latinos fare best economically, SmartAsset looked at the 200 largest cities in the U.S. Of those, 147 cities had complete data available, and we compared them across six metrics: Median Hispanic household income. Data comes from the Census Bureaus 2020 5-year American Community Survey. Housing costs as a percentage of income. This is median monthly housing costs divided by the median Hispanic household income. Data comes from the Census Bureaus 2020 5-year American Community Survey. Hispanic homeownership rate. This is the number of Hispanic owner-occupied housing units divided by the number of Hispanic occupied housing units. Data comes from the Census Bureaus 2020 5-year American Community Survey. Poverty rate for Hispanic adults. Data comes from the Census Bureaus 2020 5-year American Community Survey. Percentage of Hispanic adults with a bachelors degree. This is for the Hispanic population 25 years and older. Data comes from the Census Bureaus 2020 5-year American Community Survey. Percentage of business owners who are Hispanic. This is the number of Hispanic-owned businesses with paid employees divided by the number of businesses with paid employees. Data comes from the Census Bureaus 2019 Annual Business Survey and is at the metro area level. To determine our final list, we ranked each city in every metric, giving a full weighting to all metrics. We then found each citys average ranking and used the average to determine a final score. The city with the highest average ranking received a score of 100. The city with the lowest average ranking received a score of 0. Editors' Note: SmartAsset published this study in celebration and recognition of Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month. We are aiming to raise awareness surrounding economic inequities and provide personal finance resources and information to all individuals. Financial Tips for Hispanics and Latinos Figure out when homeownership makes sense. It you're planning to move to one of the top cities where Hispanics and Latinos fare best economically, SmartAssets rent or buy calculator can help you compare costs to see which one makes sense for your financial situation. Additionally, if you want to figure out how much house you can afford to buy, our home-buying calculator will help you break down the target price for your income. Consider working with a financial advisor. Hispanics and Latinos are a driving force in the U.S. economy. If you want to grow your investments and reach your financial goals, a financial advisor can help you make smart decisions for your money. SmartAssets free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. Questions about our study? Contact us at press@smartasset.com. Photo credits: iStock.com/MesquitaFMS The post Where Hispanics and Latinos Fare Best Economically 2022 Edition appeared first on SmartAsset Blog. Peiter Zatko (left) and Elon Musk. Michael Gonzalez/Getty Images/The Washington Post via Getty Images Experts told Insider the Twitter whistleblower's hearing did little to aid Elon Musk's legal case. During the Senate hearing, Peiter Zatko alleged that Twitter prioritized profits over security. Musk's legal team has amended its countersuit against Twitter to include Zatko's claims. Elon Musk's legal team amended its countersuit against Twitter to include explosive claims from a former employee, but legal experts say the whistleblower's testimony on Tuesday might have been more of a win for Twitter than it was for Musk. Twitter whistleblower and former security chief Peiter Zatko appeared before Congress for a two-and-a-half hour testimony regarding an 84-page complaint he filed earlier this year. In the complaint, he accused Twitter of "lying" to Musk about spam accounts on its site, and claimed it has poor security practices that could violate a previous settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. But several experts said the hearing did little to aid Musk's argument for getting out of the $44 billion purchase agreement. Musk has said the company intentionally mislead investors as to the number of authentic accounts on its platform. "It's certainly not a nail in the coffin for Twitter," said Jasmine Enberg, an analyst at research firm Insider Intelligence, a unit of Insider's parent company. "Zatko didn't really offer any hard evidence that Twitter knowingly misrepresented the number of bots on its platform." Ann Lipton, a business law professor at Tulane University Law School, told Insider that Zatko's testimony might even help Twitter's case. Multiple experts said Musk's case would rely on whether his lawyers could prove he would face significant financial consequences because of the whistleblower's allegations. But the whole thrust of the hearing in Washington was that there will be no such financial consequences, she said. Lipton said the whistleblower's testimony seemed to underline that Twitter was prioritizing profit over expensive security measures. Story continues "That may be bad as a matter of social policy it may even be something Congress will change but it only affirms Twitter's legal position that Twitter is very much the entity it represented itself to be," she said. A black eye for Twitter, but not a knockout Still, the whistleblower's allegations are hardly beneficial to Twitter overall. "Twitter might be letting out a small sigh of relief, but it's still not very good news overall," Enberg said. "No company wants to have their issues broadcast so publicly like that and users already don't trust these platforms." Michael Maimone a partner at Barnes & Thornburg who has represented clients in Delaware's Chancery Court told Insider that he sees Musk's only successful argument as attempting to prove Twitter would have concealed the whistleblower's information from Musk, even if he had not waived due diligence. The team would also have to prove the information would negatively affect the value of the company. "This will be a 'difficult road for Musk to travel,' but it is 'his only road.' Arguably without the whistleblower, Musk had 'no road,'" Maimone said. Though, the expert noted the judge overseeing the case in the Delaware court has already pushed back against Musk's lawyers' attempts to argue a similar point. "We don't know what would have happened in diligence because there wasn't any due diligence, right?" Judge Kathaleen St. J. McCormick said last week when Musk's legal team argued Twitter would have hidden data around the number of authentic accounts on its platform even if Musk had not waived due diligence. Another avenue for Musk's team could be if the FTC imposes a fine or revisits its 2011 settlement with Twitter. But, Zatko appeared to have no firsthand knowledge of FTC compliance issues in his testimony, experts said. "The FTC hasn't fined Twitter and hasn't even said that it intends to fine the company," said Erik Gordon, a professor at the University of Michigan's Ross Business School. "Mere speculation about a fine or an opinion that the FTC should levy a fine doesn't constitute a material adverse effect." Meanwhile, Chris Pierson, the CEO of cybersecurity firm BlackCloak, told Insider the whistleblower's allegations indicate Twitter might have a "weakness," but it's nothing the company couldn't come back from. "There is no 'end state' to cybersecurity it is always evolving and getting better," he said. Zatko has been subpoenaed for the $44 billion court battle between Musk and Twitter. The case is set for a five-day trial in October. Read the original article on Business Insider YouTube, Twitch, Microsoft and Meta launched updates aimed at combating violent extremism online, the White House announced Thursday as part of a summit to counter hate-fueled violence. The updates come after pressure from the Biden administration and Democrats in Congress and state offices on tech platforms to revamp their policies to address online hate, especially after mass shootings in Buffalo, N.Y., and Uvalde, Texas. YouTube will expand its policies by removing content glorifying violent acts for the purpose of inspiring others to commit harm, even if the creator of that content is not related to a designated terrorist group, according to the White House announcement. The Google-owned video platform will also launch an educational media literacy campaign aimed at assisting young users in identifying manipulation tactics to spread misinformation. The campaign will launch first in the U.S. and expand to other countries. Twitch, an Amazon-owned livestreaming platform, will launch a tool this year that empowers its streamers and their communities to help counter hate and harassment and further individualize the safety experience of their channels. The announcement did not expand on the specific details of the new tool for Twitch users. Microsoft will make a basic, more affordable version of its artificial intelligence and machine learning tools to detect credible threats of violence available to schools and smaller organizations. The tech company will also develop a new experience on the popular Minecraft game called Education Edition that aims to help students, families and educators build a safer online and offline world through respect, empathy, trust and safety. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, will partner with the Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies on research to analyze trends in violent extremism and tools that help communities combat it. Story continues Tech companies have been under increasing scrutiny over the role they play in amplifying hate speech. The day before the White House summit, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee questioned current and former social media employees about their platforms safety policies. The summit also comes a week after the White House released a set of core principles for reform aimed at enhancing competition and tech accountability. The principles included calls for increasing transparency about algorithms and stopping discriminatory algorithmic decisionmaking. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON The White House denounced transports of Latin and South American migrants to Marthas Vineyard and Washington, D.C., by Republican Govs. Ron DeSantis of Florida and Greg Abbott of Texas, while DeSantiss rival for the governorship called for him to be investigated by the Department of Justice. Using migrants as political pawns is shameful, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at Thursdays press briefing, as images circulated on social media of 50 migrants from Venezuela disembarking on Wednesday evening from two airplanes on Marthas Vineyard, a remote island off the Massachusetts coast where presidents, movie stars and cultural and political elites are known to vacation. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at the daily press briefing at the White House on Thursday. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) The flights originated in Texas but had been ordered by DeSantis, on the presumption that states like Massachusetts, New York and California will better facilitate the care of these individuals who they have invited into our country by incentivizing illegal immigration, as a DeSantis spokeswoman said in a statement. The Florida Legislature set aside $12 million for the program. A videographer reportedly accompanied the migrants. Its really just disrespectful to humanity, Jean-Pierre said, describing the transports as a cruel, premeditated political stunt. On Thursday morning, two buses carrying about 100 migrants that had originated in Texas arrived at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. The gated complex is home to Vice President Kamala Harris, whose portfolio includes addressing the root causes of migration. Shes the border czar, and we felt that if she wont come down to see the border, if President Biden will not come down and see the border, we will make sure they see it firsthand, Abbott explained in a radio interview. Throughout the last several months, Abbott has been sending migrants attempting to enter the U.S. without proper authorization to cities like Washington, D.C., and New York as a way to highlight what he sees as the hypocrisy of progressive cities and states that support undocumented immigrants but do not have to directly deal with the humanitarian crisis at the border, which has most severely impacted states like Texas and Arizona. Story continues Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at a campaign stop in Geneva, Fla. (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) DeSantis, who is widely expected to seek the presidency in 2024, indicated in late August that he was interested in following Abbotts lead. According to NPR, migrants who had arrived in San Antonio were offered passage to Boston by a woman who identified herself as Perla. She offered us help, a 30-year-old migrant named Andres Duarte said, help that never arrived. And now were here. We got on the plane with a vision of the future, making it. Residents of Marthas Vineyard had reportedly not been warned by DeSantiss office that migrants were en route. Thats not how you treat people, Jean-Pierre said. Thats inhumane. A humanitarian effort was quickly launched, in what Massachusetts state legislator Dylan Fernandes, who represents Marthas Vineyard, called the best of America. Activists sharply criticized DeSantis. Venezuelans come to Florida because this is where they have their families and support networks, Yaneth Galvis of the Florida Immigrant Coalition said in a statement. We ask you to have humanity and not use us as political tokens. We came to work and contribute to this country. Comparing DeSantis to the late Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, his Democratic challenger in the gubernatorial race, Charlie Crist, called for a Department of Justice investigation into the migrant transports. So did California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who sent U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland a letter in which he argued that because the migrants had been fooled into agreeing to the flights, prosecution could be justified under sweeping racketeering statutes. Newly arrived immigrants are fed outside a church on Wednesday in Edgartown, Mass., on Martha's Vineyard. (Ray Ewing/Vineyard Gazette via AP) While the White House rarely shies away from a fight with Abbott or DeSantis, it has struggled to convince Americans that the Biden administration has adequately addressed the persistent crisis at the southern border. Were not going to flip a switch and get that done, Jean-Pierre said on Thursday. But, she added, we need to do it in a humane way. We need to do it in a safe way. This story was updated to reflect that $12 million was allocated by the Florida Legislature for a migrant transport program, not specially for flights. Prince William was allowed to wear a military uniform on Wednesday, but Prince Harry was not. (PA) Since the death of the Queen, Prince Harry has been seen back in the public spotlight paying respects to his grandmother. On Wednesday, the Duke of Sussex was seen walking behind the Queen's coffin as it was moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. Most of his family members were wearing military uniforms except for the Duke of York but Prince Harry was not, despite his significant amount of experience in the army. Why Harry not in uniform? Prince Harry served for 10 years in the army, including two tours in Afghanistan, and has been seen wearing military uniforms at previous public events. His brother, Prince William, was commissioned as a lieutenant in the army and served for five months as the leader of an armoured reconnaissance unit based in Dorset. Watch: Prince Harry blocked from wearing uniform while mourning Queen The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Prince and Princess of Wales leave after paying their respects to Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Hall. (PA) He also spent two years working as a helicopter pilot for the RAFs Search and Rescue force and later with the East Anglian Air Ambulance but he never served in active combat. But when it came time to appear besides the Queen's coffin Prince William was given the right to wear a military uniform but Prince Harry was not. That's because only working members of the Royal Family have been allowed to wear a military uniform while at public events commemorating the Queen. This has excluded Prince Harry as well as Prince Andrew. Read more: Queen's funeral: How to watch Monday's ceremony at Westminster Abbey The royals in uniform were allowed to salute at the Cenotaph. (PA) Prince Harry lost his honorary military titles when he stepped down as a working royal in 2020 and Prince Andrew was stripped of them in early 2022 amid the scandal about his relationship with paedophile billionaire Jeffery Epstein. Prince Harry retains the current rank of captain but he lost the title of Captain General of the Royal Marines after he left the Royal Family. When the procession through London passed the Cenotaph the royals in uniform saluted, while Prince Harry bowed and Prince Andrew performed eyes right and looked at the memorial. Story continues Read more: Devoted royal fan travels 11,000 miles for Queens funeral and procession Prince Andrew was also not allowed to wear a military uniform. (PA) Although there was speculation Prince Harry was unhappy he was denied the right to wear a military uniform a spokesperson for the Duke denied this. The spokesperson said the Duke "will wear a morning suit throughout events honouring his grandmother." "His decade of military service is not determined by the uniform he wears, and we respectfully ask that focus remain on the life and legacy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II." Why was an exception been made for Prince Andrew? Although Andrew has so far been seen in civilian clothes during the public events surrounding the Queen, he has been given an exception for the final vigil of the Queen in Westminster Hall on Friday night alongside the Queen's other three children. Known as the Vigil of the Princes, all of the Queen's children will stand watch over her coffin at the end of her Lying-in-State. At the Vigil of the Princes in Scotland, Prince Andrew was not allowed to wear a military uniform. (PA) The exception for Andrew is believed to have been made as a "special mark of respect" to the Queen, a decision that sparked a backlash in some quarters among those angry the disgraced Duke of York was being accorded such as honour despite having had his royal titles stripped in disgrace. However, on Thursday it emerged that a similar exception may in fact be made for Harry after all. The Mirror reported that Harry will be allowed to wear at a separate event on Saturday evening, which will see the Queens eight grandchildren, including Harry and his brother Prince William, will pay their respects during a 15-minute vigil next to the coffin in Westminster Hall. A source told the paper: "It was a ludicrous situation given the Duke of Sussex has served his country and is a highly respected member of the armed forces with everything he has done for veterans. "It is important that the Queen's grandchildren are all made to feel welcome and comfortable as they grieve their beloved grandmother together." A Wilmington Ponzi schemer was sentenced to up to 30 years in prison this week for his role in a $7 million investment scam. A Wilmington man faces up to 30 years in prison for his role in a $7 million investment fraud scheme. Shawn Edward Good pleaded guilty Thursday to wire fraud and money laundering, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice. A complaint filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission in April accused Good of running a decade-long "Ponzi scheme" that resulted in the loss of at least $2 million in investments. We are cracking down on fraudsters who scam unwitting investors, said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley in Thursdays release. This investment advisor breached the trust of at least a dozen clients, taking over $7 million money he promised would go to low-risk investments and used it to line his pockets, buying real estate, luxury cars, and vacations. This decade-long scam has finally come to an end. Related:Accused Wilmington Ponzi schemer allegedly swindled more than $2 million Earlier:Audio transcripts reveal cunning ways of Wilmington's alleged Ponzi schemer Good was a registered representative and investment advisor for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC in Wilmington. From December 2012 to February 2022, Good solicited funds from clients to his personal bank account for "low-risk investments," which he then used for personal expenses. According to the release, Good used the more than $7.2 million he frauded from at least 12 victims to pay for his Wilmington residence, condo in Florida, luxury vehicles and vacations, among other expenses. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington man guilty of fraud, money laundering in Ponzi scheme Nearly a year after two people were charged for a shooting that killed a man on Ladys Island, a third person has been charged for her alleged involvement in the case, according to the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office. Josephine Seabrook, 35, of St. Helena, was charged as an accessory after the fact in the murder of 47-year-old Laventis Cohen, jail records show. Both William Johnson III, 22, of St. Helena and Brittany Smalls, 30, of Beaufort, already have been charged with murder, obstruction of justice and possession of a weapon in the commission of a violent crime, court records show. On Oct. 16, 2021, deputies responded to a home on Brickyard Point North Road and found Cohens body inside. The man had been shot multiple times, according to previous reporting by the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. Smalls, who lived at the Brickyard Point home, was there when police arrived but was not charged at the time. Police accused Seabrook of picking up Johnson from Brickyard Point North Road, where the shooting took place, and driving him to Augusta, Georgia, where he was later arrested, according to a warrant. The shooting is still under investigation and stemmed from a domestic situation, Staff Sgt. Danny Allen, a spokesperson for the sheriffs office, said Thursday. Seabrook was released from the Beaufort County Detention Center on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond Tuesday. When we publish mugshots The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette publishes police booking photos, or mugshots, in the following instances: In situations where a public figure or someone in a position of public trust is arrested In cases where there is an immediate and widespread threat to public safety In cases where the arrested person is accused of a crime reporters have evidence to believe involved numerous, unknown victims Reporters will avoid using mugshots as lead images for online articles in order to limit their circulation on social media, except in cases where the public is served by the immediate identification of the accused. Reporters and editors may use discretion in situations that dont meet the criteria outlined in this policy but still present a compelling reason to publish a mugshot. BOSTON (AP) Federal authorities on Thursday arrested a woman accused of calling in a fake bomb threat at Boston Children's Hospital amid a barrage of harassment and threats of violence over its surgical program for transgender youths. Catherine Leavy, 37, was arrested at her home in Westfield, Massachusetts, and authorities recovered the phone they believe she used to make the bomb threat on Aug. 30, Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins told reporters. The caller said: "There is a bomb on the way to the hospital, you better evacuate everybody you sickos," according to court documents. The threat resulted in a lockdown of the hospital, and no explosives were found. Leavy initially denied making the threat during an interview on Thursday with FBI agents, according to court documents. After agents told her that phone records indicated her number made the threat, she admitted doing so, an agent wrote in court papers. She expressed disapproval of the hospital on multiple occasions during the interview, the agent said. Leavy is being held pending a detention hearing scheduled for Friday in Boston federal court, Rollins said. She is charged with one count of making a false telephonic bomb threat. It was not immediately clear on Thursday if she has an attorney to comment on her behalf. Rollins did not comment directly on the alleged motive in Leavy's case. But she condemned the barrage of attacks against Boston Children's Hospital, which is home to the first pediatric and adolescent transgender health program in the United States. This alleged conduct is disturbing to stay the least, Rollins said. The people that work at Childrens Hospital and the parents that bring their loved ones to Childrens Hospital are under enough stress, she said. Boston Children's Hospital thanked law enforcement for their work on the case. We will continue to focus on providing the highest quality care and work with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and our security and emergency response teams to ensure the safety of all across our hospital, the hospital said in an emailed statement. We stand firmly by our commitment to support transgender patients, their families and the LGBTQ+ community. Story continues The hospital became the focus of far-right social media accounts, news outlets and bloggers last month after they found informational YouTube videos published by the hospital about surgical offerings for transgender patients. The hospital swiftly removed the videos. Transition treatment is under attack in many states, with some labeling it a form of child abuse or barring Medicaid coverage. Critics argue that safety should be well established before subjecting youths to potentially irreversible treatments. But many medical groups support allowing varying types of medical treatment for transgender youths, citing evidence that it can improve their well-being, although rigorous long-term research on benefits and risks is lacking. The critics cited the videos and snippets of previous language on the hospitals website to claim that Boston Childrens Hospital was improperly performing gender-affirming surgeries, such as hysterectomies, on minors and young children. The response was swift and relentless, with a barrage of users demanding the hospital be shut down and calling the surgeries mutilation, barbarism and child abuse, while accusing its doctors of engaging in malpractice or illegal activity. The hospital has updated language across its websites to emphasize that to qualify for most gender-affirming surgical procedures, patients must be at least 18 and meet certain criteria, including undergoing intensive medical and mental health evaluations and submitting letters of support. Far-right social media accounts and news outlets have also targeted hospitals in Pittsburgh, Phoenix and other major cities for their gender-care programs. ____ This story has been corrected to reflect that the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney's name is Rachael Rollins, not Racheal Rollins. An Ohio woman searching for her lost dog in the woods ended up stumbling upon a grisly discovery: the skeletal remains of a woman missing since 2017, police said. The remains were discovered Aug. 26 in a wooded area along Thorn Hill Road on the East Side of Youngstown, Ohio, about 10 miles west of the Pennsylvania line, police said. The pet owner took the remains home and called authorities, who launched an investigation and transported the bones to the coroner's office. Amy Hambrick went missing in 2017. (Youngstown Police Dept. ) Youngstown police announced Tuesday that the remains were identified as those of Amy Nicole Hambrick, who vanished from Youngstowns West Side in November 2017 at age 29. Hambrick would have been 34 Thursday. Identifying the remains was no easy task. The bones were assembled by Dr. Loren Lease of Youngstown State Universitys anthropology department. At first the team determined that the bones belonged to a human female. Then, using dental records, it determined from the jawbone and teeth from the recovered skull that the remains belonged to Hambrick, police said. Police Capt. Jason Simon said Hambrick was last known to be meeting up at a friends house in North Jackson but never made it. Several law enforcement agencies had worked with Hambricks family to locate her. Every investigative avenue was utilized over the last five years, including countless interviews, searches of residences, the use of cadaver dogs and the serving of legal process on digital and cellular records, Simon said, noting that the case eventually went cold. Her family had desperately searched for her for five long years. Several of Hambrick's relatives were at the news conference but did not speak. Even though Hambrick's remains have been found, questions persist about exactly when she died and how she ended up in the woods. The investigation continues, and the cause of death will be listed as undetermined given the condition of her remains, Simon said. Simon asked for the public's help with information about her last whereabouts. Story continues At least one person knows what happened to her, he said. Were asking to speak to either that individual, because clearly theres a side of the story here, or anyone that has information about her discovery. Simon extended his condolences to Hambrick's family and friends, reassuring the public that investigations into missing loved ones continue even after leads grow cold. These cases are always challenging, but they are never forgotten about," he said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Sep. 14LIMA A second Lima resident charged in a January bar fight that left a local man with extensive facial fractures failed to show up to court for sentencing Wednesday the same day another man charged in the incident was arrested. Janicqua Bailey, 23, who is out on bond, was set to be sentenced on a second-degree felony charge of felonious assault charge a week after her boyfriend, Nicholas Williams, received four years in prison for the same January 2022 incident. Tysheen Polk, 26, who was also involved in the fight, was arrested Wednesday morning on felonious assault and contempt of court charges. He had evaded capture since the incident. It happened outside J's American Pub, leaving Bradin Fisher-Jones, 23, of Lima, with injuries that required him to be transported via helicopter to a Toledo hospital for surgery. Assistant Allen County Prosecutor Kyle Thines said Bailey is on a GPS ankle monitor. Through tracking, it was discovered that Bailey or her ankle monitor had stopped at one location for a long period of time. Allen County Common Pleas Court Judge Terri Kohlrieser will issue a bench warrant for Bailey's arrest, according to a bailiff. Donavan Denson, 22, has also pleaded guilty and is set to be sentenced next week. According to court documents, Lima police officers were dispatched to the bar in reference to a large fight after receiving a 911 call from Jordan Wehrly, who at the time was an off-duty patrolman with the Spencerville Police Department. Wehrly has since left that position. Upon their arrival, officers located Fisher-Jones, whose face was covered in blood, outside the bar. Reach Jessica Orozco at 567-242-0398. When you think Miami Beach and fake documents, perhaps you think of people selling kids fake IDs to get into Vendome. But Nicole Cardona, police say, went for grown folks money selling fraudulent paperwork that let the buyer successfully apply for a disability parking placard. On Thursday, the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office, in concert with Miami Beach and Miami-Dade police, announced Cardonas arrest on charges of forgery; criminal use of a public record or public records information; organized scheme to defraud, under $20,000; and false official statements. Cardona, 26, was booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center just before noon Thursday. Miami Beach police arrest Nicole Cardona, whom they accuse of running a scam allowing people who arent disabled to get disabled parking permits. While profiteering from the sale of illegal handicapped parking placards may seem like a small issue to many who live beyond Miami Beach, Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said, this enterprise which allegedly involved the forging of doctors signatures on official documents, is a criminal act and impacts the daily lives of numerous residents living in the city. Miami Beach Police Chief Richard Clements said: The fraudulent use of disabled parking permits is certainly not a victimless crime. The victims are those who legitimately need the parking spaces. According to a release by Fernandez Rundles office, a Miami Beach police officer saw a driver getting out of a vehicle parked in a space reserved for the disabled. After talking to the driver, the officer learned the appropriate parking placard had been acquired after the driver paid a woman $150 for an application. The driver learned about the woman through a coworker. The release says police ran two undercover buys from Cardona, each time getting a completed application with a doctors signature and medical license number for $200. But, police noticed, each application had the same handwriting, though they were supposed to come from different local doctors. Both doctors told investigators they didnt sign those documents. Michael Gibson/United Artists An adaptation of Miriam Toews 2018 novel of the same name, which itself was inspired by real events, Women Talking is a story about misogynistic tyranny and terror that recalls The Handmaids Taleexcept for the fact that it takes place not in a dystopian world but, depressingly, our own. Set in a cloistered Mennonite community wracked by male monstrousness, writer/director Sarah Polleys first fictional feature since 2011s Take This Waltz is a wrenching drama about freedom, faith, abuse, autonomy, responsibility and survival, all of which it tackles with patience and poignancy. Theres weight to its stillness, heartbreak in its communal suffering, and hope in its belief in the power of transformation and, also, in peoples capacity to act. Collaborating with Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley and Frances McDormand, Polley provides no context for Women Talkings time period or geography, which allows her to fixate on her scenarios unique specifics while simultaneously positioning the material as representative of larger contemporary concerns. Driven by a young girls narration to an unborn child, the film involves a Mennonite enclave at a moment of pivotal calamity: the rape of a four-year-old girl by a young male community member. This is recounted in jarring flashes, including the sight of the childs mother Salome (Foy) trying to exact brutal vengeance against the perpetrator, and concludes with word that the men have departed for the city to bail out the accused kids. In the meantime, this populations women vote on whether to stay, to fight, or to flee. When no consensus is reached, a select group gather in a barn hayloft to determine the best course of action. Sanctuary Review: Margaret Qualley and Christopher Abbotts Sexy BDSM Thriller Heats Up Toronto The title of Women Talking is not misleading; its drama is of a predominantly conversational nature. The womens 12 Angry Men-esque debate is led by optimistic and open-minded Ona (Rooney Mara), furious Salome, and bitter and fearful Mariche (Buckley), and its complicated by everyones shared history of systematic subjugation. None of these females can read or writeor have been educated about (or exposed to) the wider world. Instead, theyve been indoctrinated to believe that reaching the Kingdom of Heaven is their primary goal, and can only be achieved by obeying male church elders. They have, for all intents and purposes, been born and bred to remain docile, ignorant, and servile. More horrifying still, theyve been taught to grin and bear it when they awaken in the morning with bruises on their bodies and blood dripping from beneath their nightgowns courtesy of tranquilizer-facilitated rape. Generation after generation, this has been their fate, thus making Salomes tragedyand resultant revolta traumatic rupture in the status quo. Story continues Employing an ashen palette that reflects the desolation of her charactersall of whom wear prairie dresses and head scarves like residents of the 18th centuryPolley stages these deliberations with intense empathy, her camera capturing anguish and anger in moving close-ups and graceful pans. Like a knife stabbing a body, flashbacks suddenly intrude upon the primary proceedings and then vanish just as quickly, suggesting the way in which past violations continue to wound. In the present, the focus remains on the pros and cons of their options, while August (Ben Whishaw)a failed farmer-turned-schoolteacher whose mother was exiled for speaking out against the communitys sexist power dynamicstakes handwritten minutes of the meeting. With the mens not-too-distant return hanging over their heads, and devout Scarface Janz (McDormand, in a near-silent background role) refusing to take part in this potential heretical rebellion, tensions begin high and only escalate from there. Women Talkings prime interest is how women find their voice when theyve been denied the opportunity to ever have one, and Polley tackles the issue from the unique perspective of her protagonists, whose only frames of reference are their religious convictions and personal experiences. The question isnt whether Ona and company should leave (which is obvious) but, rather, how they can come to that conclusion after a lifetime of being brainwashed and trapped by theological ritual and dogma, as well as physical and sexual violence. Polleys script investigates that process in exacting detail, allowing Salome to articulate her rage (which shes certain will blossom into murderousness should she stay); Mariche to express fear about the consequences of abandoning their home; Ona to itemize and analyze the costs and benefits of their choices; and Onas mother Agata (Judith Ivey) to offer guidance and counsel and Mariches mom Greta (Sheila McCarthy) to impart wisdom through metaphorical tales about her horses. There are additional wounded souls strewn throughout Women Talking, including two young daughters who braid their hair together in a symbolic gesture of kinship, as well as trans teen Melvin (August Winter), the victim of unthinkable incest. All are scarred by the brutality and domination of their male counterparts, who remain unseena creative decision that renders them specters, which is fitting considering that they disingenuously blame their rapes on ghosts. What follows is an act of female imagination reads an early title card, foreshadowing the womens struggle to envision an independent future for which they have no model, and consequently arent sure is attainableor, moreover, enviable, even in comparison to their nightmarish current circumstances. Though its most touching performance comes courtesy of Whishaw as a man whos torn between selfless compassion and love for Ona, Women Talking is a showcase for its leading ladies, with Mara the affecting axis around which the restand, particularly, a distressed Buckley and incensed Foyrevolve. Eschewing theatrics, they embody these marginalized individuals with soulful intensity, pinpointing the grief and anxiety that threatens to keep them in figurative chains, and the resolve and piety that affords them a shot at liberation (beautifully visualized by the sight of Ona teaching her compatriots how to use their fists and thumb to locate the Southern Cross constellation). Polley grants her ensemble plentiful space to navigate the emotional and intellectual ins and outs of their predicament, eliciting a collection of superb turns that are at once reserved and volatile, despairing and determined. Together, they craft a portrait of the birth of feminine agency and solidarity that resounds with urgent timeliness. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Fortunate is the actor who can claim one meaty, memorable horror part in a filmography. Mia Goth can boast of having three of them in 2022 alone. First, Goth starred in writer-director Ti West's '70s-set X, which was released by A24 in March and found the actress playing both an aspiring porn actress called Maxine Minx and, in full body makeup, a much older woman named Pearl, who terrorizes the cast and crew of the adult movie being shot on her remote Texas farm. (Even without an onscreen credit for the wrinkled murderess, news got out that it was Goth in the double role.) Now, in X's West-directed prequel Pearl (out Sept. 16), Goth portrays a young but still dangerous version of the title character, who dreams of becoming a movie star while living on the same farm in 1918. The two films were shot back-to-back in New Zealand, with the second being co-scripted by both West and and Goth. "There have been so many pinch-me moments throughout all of this from the very beginning," says Goth. "Honestly, this whole project has been such a gift." PEARL Christopher Moss/A24 Mia Goth in Pearl West initially planned to shoot a single film, X, and conceived the notion of making a prequel just before he flew to New Zealand for the shoot at the end of October 2020, a time he calls "peak pandemic." "I had the idea right before I got on the plane," says the director, whose previous horror films include 2009's The House of the Devil and 2011's The Innkeepers. "I knew we were going to a place that you could make a movie when no one else could make a movie, and I knew that we were going to have all of this cast and crew and equipment and everything there, ready to do it. We were going to spend a lot of money building locations, barns, and boarding houses, and things like that. It just occurred to me that if we made two in a row, we would amortize all these costs. So the second movie could just be on sale, compared to the first movie, and that to me seemed like it could maybe be convincing to someone who was going to pay for it. Then I asked Mia. I said, 'If we pull this off, would you stay and do two movies back to back?' And she said, 'Yes.'" Story continues "I received a text message from Ti saying something along the lines of, 'I want to make a second film with you,'" recalls Goth. "I was immediately incredibly interested but I didn't really know what it involved. He started to explain in a little bit more detail and it just snowballed." PEARL Christopher Moss/A24 Mia Goth in Pearl West and Goth worked on the script for Pearl while they were quarantining for two weeks after arriving in New Zealand. "You had to sit in a hotel for two weeks in New Zealand before they would let you into the country," says West. "We would Facetime probably once a day, something like that, and come up with some ideas." "Ti liked the idea of us collaborating and me helping to write scripts with him," says the actress. "I'd never written anything before, so I was very naive to the whole process, really, but he was a great role model. He's been doing this for so long and at such a high level that he really kind of shepherded me along. It was difficult at first, just understanding the format and structure and page count and so on, but eventually I just started to write. [I would] put the timer on my phone for 30 or 45 minutes at a time, and then I would just write whatever it is that I felt might be of value to the movie. I would send that over to Ti and he would then incorporate it into the script." The pair were deep into writing the script for Pearl before they were sure that the film would get produced. "We didn't know for a long while whether or not we were actually ever going to make this," says Goth. "We always said to each other, at the very least it would serve as an amazing backstory to Pearl. It was more than halfway through the shooting of X that we found out that A24 [had] greenlit it." PEARL Christopher Moss/A24 Mia Goth in Pearl After shooting had wrapped on X in the early spring of 2021, West's crew set about redressing the location sets, transforming the shabby buildings seen in the '70s film into brighter and more pristine edifices. "It was incredibly odd, because we spent months on that farm, where it looked like [it did in] X," says West. "I was there a couple of times a week, so I saw it gradually turning into [the sets for Pearl], but for the rest of the crew, they had three weeks off, so when they came back for the first tech scout on the farm, it was like a lucid dream for them. They had just spent a month, mostly at night, doing this '70s, gritty, gory porn-horror movie, and now they're standing in the same place, with bright green cut grass, a bright red barn that was blinding, all this wallpaper. They were walking into rooms they had spent twelve hours a day in and they didn't recognize them. It was very very surreal and a once-in-a-lifetime experience." Goth explains that, in retrospect, shooting X now seems like a "warm-up" for filming Pearl. "We were so in-sync by then, when we got back to the set to begin shooting Pearl, we had established such a working relationship with one another that you could feel the difference," she says. "I really think it [helped] the overall quality of the film." On the last day of the shoot, Goth had to perform a lengthy monologue in which Pearl reveals to her sister-in-law, played by Emma Jenkins-Purro, both her mental distress and the diabolical acts she has committed. "The idea for the monologue mostly came from trying to think of what a satisfying climax for this movie would be, and we're pretty much a small-budgeted movie, and we were short on time," says West. "I remember being like, maybe it will be interesting if we do this seven minute, one-take shot, which is just all on her, dumping out what she's going through. And full credit to Mia, she nailed it every single time." "I was terrified to shoot that," says Goth. "I don't have any formal training, I really didn't have any tools in my bag as to how to tackle something like that. We shot it on the very last day of Pearl, and Ti did that on purpose, and credit to him too, because all that emotional turmoil that Pearl had gone through, and the intensity of what that shoot was, I think, really informed the monologue. Every evening I would go through the lines so when we got to the day I wasn't thinking of the lines. We did one take of it, and as soon as we did that first take and all went well, then we just started having fun with it." West only announced the existence of Pearl this March when X premiered at the SXSW Festival, where the director also screened a teaser for the second film. "From the very beginning, I was like, let's keep this [second] movie a total secret," says the director. "We just told everyone, don't say anything. And in 2022, to make it all the way to your premiere with no one knowing is a miracle. But the whole goal was to be like, if we get to the X premiere, and we can tell people then, that'll be really fun, let's try to do that." X was a mid-sized hit for A24 when it was released in March, earning almost $12 million. Both that film and Pearl have earned critical acclaim with Guardian writer Peter Bradshaw describing Goth as "the Judy Garland of horror" in his five-star review. West is particularly heartened by the way in which the films have been received, given that he has been mostly been working in TV since his last feature, 2016's Ethan Hawke-starring western In a Valley of Violence. "Five stars in the Guardian may never happen to me again, so I'm incredibly grateful for it," says West. "Two movies at the same time after not making a movie for six, seven years, and 10 years from a horror movie, I'm happy that they went well, because there's that story where I came back to making horror movies and just blew it." Mia Goth and Ti West Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images Mia Goth and Ti West at the 2022 Toronto Film Festival West has at least one more tale to relate in the X universe: At the Toronto Film Festival screening of Pearl on Tuesday night, the director announced that he will make a sequel to X called MaXXXine. The movie will once again star Goth, continuing what she has come to regard as among her most important collaborations. "It would be a dream," the actress told EW last week. "It's just really become one of the most fulfilling experiences I've ever had." Pearl is released in cinemas by A24 Sept. 16. Watch the trailers for Pearl and X below. Related content: The state of New Yorks chief law enforcement officer may soon file a civil lawsuit against former president Donald Trump, his eponymous real estate and licensing conglomerate, and at least one of his adult children after the twice-impeached ex-president rejected a proposed settlement that would have ended a years-long probe into whether his companies defrauded state tax authorities. Citing three sources with knowledge of the matter, The New York Times reported on Thursday New York State Attorney General Letitia James had rejected an offer to settle the long-running fraud investigation. The rejection of Mr Trumps offer is a strong indicator that Ms James intends to sue Mr Trump and the Trump Organization for defrauding New York out of tax revenues by improperly deflating valuations of his property and improperly obtaining other tax benefits. Ms James is also reportedly considering filing suit against one of Mr Trumps three eldest children. All three of them Donald Trump Jr, Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump have served as executives at their fathers company. The Times said Mr Trumps attorneys have made multiple entreaties to Ms James, each time offering to settle the case and avoid litigation. Each of those offers has been rejected. Over the course of the three-year civil probe into whether Mr Trump or his companies violated tax laws, the ex-president has repeatedly attacked the investigation as politically-motivated and at times denigrated Ms James as racist. He also attempted to enjoin her from investigating him by way of a federal lawsuit, but courts rejected that litigation earlier this year. Mr Trumps company also faces legal peril in criminal court as a result of its alleged business practices. Next month, prosecutors working under New York City District Attorney Alvin Bragg will deliver opening statements in a criminal trial of the Trump Organization on charges that it committed criminal tax violations. The company could face massive financial penalties if convicted. YouTube has refused to take down a channel dedicated to anti-Amber Heard content, claiming that it does not violate its community guidelines. The channel, called Just In, posts multiple videos each day slamming the Aquaman actor and accusing her of lying in her explosive defamation trial against ex-husband Johnny Depp. Some of the recently uploaded videos include those with the titles: New RUMOUR: Ambers Baby Was Only A PR Stunt To Gain PITY!, NEW Texts & Insighter Photos REVEAL Amber Exploiting Celebs With S*x! and Amber Caught Attacking New Partner 3 TIMES In Front Of The Police! While the channel describes itself as a platform to bring you the latest Hollywood spill, drama and news, at least a dozen of its videos posted in the last 24 hours through to midday ET on Thursday were of anti-Amber Heard content. The platform even recently posted a job advertisement for a researcher to source content that proves how guilty Amber Heard is, according to Newsweek. The listing, which has since been taken down, offered to pay an individual $8 an hour to research content that goes against Ms Heard and appeals to the channels audience of Mr Depp fans. Basically, we are looking for content that concerns something that proves how guilty Amber Heard is as our fans are all Johnny Depp Fans, so they prefer videos about new evidence, celebrities, or something else that goes against Amber Heard or supports Johnny Depp, the job listing read. YouTube told Newsweek that it had reviewed both the channel and a number of its videos and concluded that it has not violates community guidelines. Upon review, the flagged videos do not violate our Community Guidelines or our advertiser-friendly guidelines, the company spokesperson said. Hate speech is not allowed on YouTube. Our hate speech policies strictly prohibit content promoting violence or hatred against individuals or groups based on certain protected attributes. We enforce our Community Guidelines rigorously and removed over 95,000 videos for violating our hate speech policy in the first three months of 2022. Story continues Some of the videos posted on the YouTube channel Just In (Just In/YouTube) The Independent has reached out to YouTube for further comment. The channels content marks just a fraction of the videos and online abuse directed at Ms Heard even after the high-profile trial came to an end. Mr Depp sued his ex-wife for defamation over a 2018 op-ed for The Washington Post where she described herself as a victim of domestic abuse and spoke of feeling the full force of our cultures wrath for women who speak out. During the televised trial in Fairfax, Virginia, both Mr Depp and Ms Heard took the stand and accused one another of physical abuse. One of the most damning accusations came when Ms Heard described in graphic detail how Mr Depp allegedly raped her with a liquor bottle in Australia in 2015. Mr Depp, meanwhile, accused his ex-wife of severing the top of his finger after she threw a liquor bottle at him. The six-week trial became the focus of an intense online obsession, with social media users sharing edited clips of the courtroom drama, memes and conspiracies about the case. The online frenzy was dramatically skewed in favour of Mr Depp, with dominant hashtags including #amberheardisaliar and #justiceforjohnnydepp. Amber Heard testifies as Johnny Depp looks on during their defamation trial on 5 May (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Outside the courtroom, diehard Mr Depp fans also camped out for weeks to try to catch a glimpse of the star. Before the verdict was returned, experts warned The Independent that social media had weaponised the trial. Social media has weaponised this trial, said Evan Nierman, CEO of Red Banyan Crisis PR firm and author of book Crisis Averted. More people are drawing conclusions about guilt or innocence based on online curated content than they are the facts in the courtroom. And that could have serious consequences for all of us moving forward. In June, a jury of seven sided with Mr Depp and determined that Ms Heard had defamed him on all three counts. Jurors awarded Mr Depp $10m in compensatory damages and $5m in punitive damages, before Fairfax County Circuit Judge Penney Azcarate reduced the latter to the states legal limit of $350,000. Ms Heard won one of her three counterclaims against her ex-husband, with the jury finding that Mr Depp via his lawyer Adam Waldman defamed her by branding her allegations about a 2016 incident an ambush, a hoax. She was awarded $2m in compensatory damages but $0 in punitive damages, leaving the Aquaman actor $8.35m out of pocket. The legal battle appears to be far from over with both sides filing appeals. Zoe Saldana happened upon her latest project at a dinner with Reese Witherspoon. "Well, Reese Witherspoon not necessarily landed on my lap, but kind of," the actress, 44, tells PEOPLE of how she came to portraying Amahle "Amy" Wheeler in From Scratch, Netflix's adaptation of Tembi Locke's memoir From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home. "We were at dinner with our partners and some common friends," recalls Saldana. "And I guess she saw the dynamic between my husband [Marco] and I, and then called me up the next day or a week later to tell me that her company, they had read this book, and it was going to be a part of their club." RELATED: Reese's Rose! Reese Witherspoon Partners with SIMI Winery on New Wine Inspired by Her Book Club Zoe Saldana, Reese Witherspoon Cindy Ord/Getty; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty At the time, the New York Times best seller hadn't been released yet, but Witherspoon, 46, strongly felt Saldana would have a real interest in it. "I was a little nervous because you're scared to open up your heart to something that you know has an eminent ending," the actress admits, but she decided to take on the role anyway. RELATED: Zoe Saldana Reveals Her Italian Husband Became a U.S. Citizen The story follows Saldana's character, who is an an American student studying abroad in Italy. She ends up meeting a Sicilian chef named Lino who faces health struggles before their two families come together. "When I read it, obviously we all know how Tembi Locke and Saro's story ends," Saldana says. "But their love, their friendship, their life, their journey, the story of their lives together, it's timeless. And that was deeply moving to me." Zoe Saldana as Amy Wheeler, Eugenio Mastrandrea as Lino Ortolano in episode 106 of From Scratch Jessica Brooks/Netflix From Scratch also struck a personal cord for the Guardians of the Galaxy star, who married artist Marco Perego (now Saldana) in 2013. "I would laugh out loud to all the things that she as a woman that is not Italian, marrying a very Italian man went through," she says of reading the book. "It's an ongoing thing for me. It's a saga that never ends, that I love. I've learned to embrace a lot of it." Story continues RELATED: Zoe Saldana and Husband Marco Perego Share Romantic Kiss at Venice Film Festival Attica Locke and Tembi Locke both serve as writers and creators of the eight-episode series featuring Eugenio Mastrandrea, Danielle Deadwyler, Keith David, Judith Scott, Kellita Smith, Lucia Sardo, Paride Benassai and Roberta Rigano. Saldana, who pulled double duty as an executive producer alongside Witherspoon, describes it as "perfect and beautiful and blissful and exactly what I wanted." She does note, though, "It's not for the faint of heart when you marry somebody who comes with a big baggage of 4,000 years of history and art and philosophy." "And great cuisine," she adds. "It's a lot to handle in just one simple day." Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. From Scratch premieres Oct. 21 on Netflix. Zoo Atlanta announced the addition of its newest animal: Casper, a 1-year-old male bontebok native to Africa. Born at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Ohio, Casper was recommended to move to Atlanta by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, according to a news release from Zoo Atlanta. Bonteboks are medium-sized antelopes, with males weighing up to 175 pounds. They are mostly dark brown in color, with distinctive white blazes in the center of their faces. Both sexes have horns that can grow up to 18 inches long. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] There are almost 2,000 bonteboks in the present-day population, according to the release. The species is considered vulnerable, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Bonteboks outside of zoos are found only in protected areas in South Africa, according to the release. Their primary threats are habitat fragmentation and low genetic diversity resulting from the small number of founding animals. The species is also particularly sensitive to climate variability, according to the release. TRENDING STORIES: We are very excited to welcome Casper to Zoo Atlanta. This is a beautiful species many people have never heard of, with a story most people have likewise never heard, said Jennifer Mickelberg, Ph.D., vice president of collections and conservation. We look forward to introducing our Members and guests to this wonderful new addition to the already majestic complement of wildlife in our African Savanna. Casper will have an opportunity to explore his new surroundings on his own before being introduced to the giraffes, zebras, and ostriches, who will share eventually share a mixed-species habitat. These animal introductions typically take several weeks, according to the zoo. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] AMHERST The rollout of Amherst County Public Schools first two electric school buses brought cheers and positive reviews among a crowd of educators and students celebrating the historic move Wednesday at Amelon Elementary School. For the past several weeks the two buses, referred to as Jouley, have been making the rounds for Amelon Elementary and Amherst County High School at about 130 miles per eight hours of electric charging, said Tim Hoden, the divisions chief operations officer. The buses were made possible from a grant program through Appalachian Power Company, a subsidiary of American Electric Power, and a third electric bus is being built through an additional AEP grant, according to Hoden. Over the course of the next few months we will be monitoring the cost benefit of these electric buses, Hoden said. These buses will provide zero emission and are better for the environment ... and studies indicate a 60% lower maintenance cost as obtained from using an electric bus. Currently, the division runs about 55 buses per day on 250 routes that transport about 3,000 students, he said. The addition of electric buses is exciting and will be a window to the future of student transportation, Hoden said. Larry Jackson, director of external affairs for AEP, attended Wednesdays celebration and said its great for the power company to partner with the school system in the endeavor. Weve never had an exciting time like were having now as were converting to more renewable energy: solar, wind, hydro, Jackson said, adding the transfer to electric is wonderful to watch. Caley Edgerly, president and CEO of Sonny Merryman Inc., the Evington-based dealership for the buses, complimented Amherst school leaders for pursuing the opportunity to add electric vehicles to its fleet. Whoevers desk that fell upon had a lot of courage, Edgerly said. Youre really innovators. And youre doing something special and we have these two buses here doing very important things. We thank you for having the courage to do it. He urged the Amherst community to be proud for being early innovators in embracing electric buses, referring to one of the vehicles as a she. I always think of a school bus as a community member. This vehicle is going to be running the roads of Amherst County for the next 20 years, Edgerly said. Shes going to be forever a part of your community. Edgerly said electric buses are cool to drive and fun and more cost effective than diesel buses. Its the right thing to do and drivers want to get on this bus because its something special, Edgerly said. This is about educating our future and our kids on how clean a vehicle can be. He said replacing a traditional diesel bus with an electric bus can eliminate 14 tons of greenhouse gas annually, the equivalent of filling 500,000 balloons. And I hope your kids are super excited to be on these buses because we are super excited to deliver them to you, Edgerly said. Appalachian Power Co. announced in November the awarding of $2.1 million in grants to five Virginia school systems, including Campbell and Bedford counties' divisions, as well as Montgomery and Washington counties, toward the purchase of nine energy-efficient buses. Schools were eligible to receive $250,000 per bus plus $4,175 toward charging equipment and installation, according to APCo. To qualify, each school system had to agree to disable or scrap a conventional diesel bus and replace it with a new electric model, APCo has said. The grant program was part of a settlement agreement between AEP and the Environmental Protection Agency over Clean Air Act violations. We never would have thought here in Amherst we would have two electric buses, ACPS Superintendent William Wells said. Here we are and moving forward hopefully well have more than that. Hannah Dancey, a freshman at Amherst County High School, said she personally likes the experience of an electric bus. They run a lot smoother and I think its going to help the environment in the long run because it will help with less fumes in the air, Dancey said. Falon Miller, a freshman at ACHS, also is a fan. It doesnt make any loud noises like the old buses do, Miller said. Economically, it would help a lot. Personally, I really do like it. Its a good bus. Amelon Elementary School fifth grader Ilia Coleman said louder speakers helps students better hear bus drivers when they give important instructions. Driver Bill Cox said some features, such as the parking brake, work much better than in the diesel bus and the students seem to like it. It drives a little different, but you get used to it, Cox said. Air-conditioning on the two new buses also is much welcomed as drivers have to deal with extreme heat for parts of the year, he said. Driver Shari Hammett said a major benefit of the electric bus is less noise that allows her to hear surroundings much better, which is crucial in transporting students. Im old school, so I was a little intimidated at first because I wasnt used to it, Hammett said. Its quieter and youre able to have better interactions with the kids safety-wise. Amherst County School Board members Chris Terry, John Grieser and Priscilla Liggon attended the rollout and observe how they operate. Grieser said in the early 20th century there was similar skepticism with embracing the first automobiles. Its change, Grieser said. Like anything it takes some getting used to. With the first few buses in service and people seeing their benefit, including enhanced safety, better experiences for students and drivers and cleaner emissions, those tangible experiences will help them be sold, Grieser said. This is a good step forward. Alphabet Incs Google is bringing back its Original Chips snack in Japan, offering flavoured potato chips branded with the companys name to promote its upcoming smartphone release. Google launched the first version of the campaign last year to publicise its Tensor processor the first of its kind designed in-house and the product of four years of development. The snacks were an immediate hit, and this years reprise offers 2,000 people the chance to grab a bag via a lottery. A choice of Snow Cheese, Hazel Onion, Salty Lemon or Obsidian Pepper flavours mirrors the colour options of the Pixel 7 devices. Google seeks to showcase some of the potential of the worlds most popular mobile operating system through the flagship Android handsets, powered by the companys second generation of Tensor chips. ... continue reading Japan will drop a ban on individual tourist visits and remove a cap on daily arrivals, Nikkei has learned, moving closer to pre-pandemic rules as the country looks to ride a global travel rebound. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to announce the changes in the coming days. The latest easing of Japan's entry rules -- the toughest in the Group of Seven advanced economies -- is expected to take place in October, though the final decision will depend on the COVID-19 situation at home and abroad. The government is looking to take advantage of fall travel demand at a time when a weak yen boosts international travelers' buying power in Japan. After the change, Japan will not require visas for short-term travelers from the U.S. and certain other countries. Japan will also scrap the daily entry cap of 50,000 people. Qualifying travelers are expected to have to meet certain conditions, such as vaccination status. ...continue reading The Bank of America Corporation Board of Directors today appointed Jose (Joe) E. Almeida as a director, effective immediately. Almeida, 59, serves as chairman, president and chief executive officer of Baxter International Inc., a position he has held since 2016. Before joining Baxter, Almeida served as chairman, president and chief executive officer of Covidien plc from 2012 to 2015. Almeida also served in leadership roles at Tyco Healthcare (Covidiens predecessor), Wilson Greatbatch Technologies Inc., American Home Products Acufex Microsurgical division, and Johnson & Johnsons Professional Products division. He began his career as a management consultant at Andersen Consulting (Accenture). Almeida previously served on the boards of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., Analog Devices, Inc., EMC Corporation, State Street Corporation and Covidien plc. He currently serves on the Northwestern University Board of Trustees. Joes experience in leading large, global companies and serving as a board member in a variety of industries will bring additional depth to our board, said Brian Moynihan, chair and chief executive officer. Almeida has been appointed to the Audit Committee and Compensation and Human Capital Committee of the Bank of America Board of Directors. Joe has a tremendous record of achievement as a business leader and we look forward to him making a significant contribution to our Board, said Lionel Nowell, lead independent director. A native of Brazil, Almeida received a bachelors of science degree in mechanical engineering from Instituto Maua de Tecnologia. Bank of America Bank of America is one of the worlds leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 67 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 4,000 retail financial centers, approximately 16,000 ATMs , and award-winning digital banking with approximately 55 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and approximately 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts. P.E.O. Chapter MF shares news about recent activities P.E.O. Chapter MF gathered at Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard on Aug. 18 for social time, shopping and lunch. Chapter GQ members were its guests. The chapters regular meeting was held Sept. 1 at Council Bluffs Country Club. Sixteen members were in attendance. The chapter is supporting applicants for Educational Loan Fund, STAR scholarships and Iowa P.E.O. Project Fund scholarships for women who attend Cottey College, which is owned by P.E.O. After a short business meeting, Cindy Lakatos shared some Schoolhouse Rock videos, including the first one from 1973. It was a trip down memory lane. The chapter kept with the Back to School theme by bringing in school supplies, which were donated to Childrens Square USA. The next meeting will be Oct. 6 at Council Bluffs Country Club. GLENWOOD Mike Lees way of life has faded away in most of the United States, and it soon will vanish from southwestern Iowa. Lee, 57, has spent 44 years at the Glenwood Resource Center, a state-run institution for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. He has autism and epilepsy, and his parents decided when he was 13 that he needed the structure and constant oversight offered by a large facility. Theirs was a common decision at the time. It no longer is. The number of Americans living in such institutions has dropped more than 90% since the late 1960s. Seventeen states have closed all their large public institutions for people with disabilities. Just five states Iowa, Nebraska, South Carolina, Utah, and Wyoming havent closed any, according to a University of Minnesota expert. Iowa announced in April that in 2024 it would shutter the Glenwood Resource Center, a sprawling campus near the states western border. State leaders cited federal pressure to improve conditions for the facilitys residents or place them elsewhere. Many of the remaining residents of such places have lived there for decades, leaving their families with wrenching choices when closures loom. Lee knows he will move soon, even if he doesnt understand all the implications. His sister, Connie Bowen, broached the subject during a recent visit. She picked her brother up from the one-story house where he lives with several other residents on the institutions grounds and drove him to a nearby Pizza Hut for lunch. As he sipped on a root beer, she asked how he felt. Does it make you sad or happy that youre leaving? she said. Happy! Im happy, he replied. Lee wore a black T-shirt decorated with a bald eagle, the American flag, and the words land of the free, home of the brave. He said he is looking forward to a calmer life away from the institution, where he said other residents often become disruptive. Bowen, who is her brothers legal guardian, agrees in theory with the idea of caring for people with disabilities in homes or apartments. But like many other relatives of Glenwood Resource Center residents, she worries that the new arrangements might not be safe for people who have been institutionalized for decades. I hope I can find a good place thatll take good care of you, Bowen told Lee. Yeah, I know, he said. Dwindling censusThe Glenwood Resource Center, founded as an orphanage in the 1860s, housed more than 1,900 people at its peak in the 1950s. Now, 134 people live there. Many residents face more hurdles than Lee does. Some cant speak. Many also have physical disabilities that make getting around difficult and can pose life-threatening risks. Some residents can become confused or agitated. Sheryl Larson, a University of Minnesota researcher who tracks institutional care for people with disabilities, said Iowa lags behind most other states in winding down such facilities. The number of Americans living in state-run institutions plummeted from 194,650 in 1967 to 17,596 in 2018, according to a recent paper that Larson helped write. The closures partly stemmed from the U.S. Supreme Courts 1999 decision in Olmstead v. L.C., which held that Americans with disabilities have a right to live in the least restrictive setting that is practical. Like Glenwood, most state institutions opened more than a century ago, and they typically were constructed in rural areas. There was a movement to create a bucolic environment for individuals, said Mary Sowers, executive director of the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services. Many of the big institutions included farms, where residents helped grow their food. Conventional wisdom held that country life would be healthful. Now, Sowers said, we recognize that the larger settings really didnt wind up living up to that promise, and individuals are able to thrive more when theyre able to live in communities. Sowers said about 1.3 million Americans are served by public programs for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Only about 1% of them live in large state institutions. Larson said families of the institutions remaining residents may feel whipsawed by experts advice. Years ago, medical professionals told parents that their children could best be served in such places. Now, those same families are urged to move their loved ones out. They did what they thought was the right thing to do and now to be told it wasnt the right thing to do is really, really hard for them to accept, she said. The transition away from institutions for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities has been handled better than the wave of state mental hospital closures over the past 50 years, Larson said. Critics contend that as large state mental hospitals were shuttered, they werent replaced with sufficient community services. That sparked a surge in people with untreated mental illnesses living on the streets or in jails and prisons. Facilities like the Glenwood Resource Center serve people with intellectual disabilities, such as severe autism and brain injuries. Larson said that community services for people with intellectual disabilities have increased and that surveys find most families are satisfied with the results after their loved ones move from institutions to community placements. Scandals preceded closureThe Iowa closure decision came after a series of scandals at the Glenwood Resource Center. Allegations included that insufficient medical care led to several deaths and that administrators planned unethical research on residents. Top administrators were ousted, and the U.S. Justice Department began investigating as allegations of poor care continued. Federal investigators determined that Iowa violated Glenwood Resource Center residents rights and that the state relied too much on institutional care. Justice Department officials declined to comment for this article, noting that negotiations over a legal settlement with the state are ongoing. In the scandals wake, Iowa leaders assured residents families that they had no plans to close either of the states two institutions for people with disabilities. But the message abruptly changed in April, when state officials announced the Glenwood Resource Center would close. They cited the high cost of complying with federal expectations if it were to stay open. The state and federal governments spend about $392,000 per resident annually at the institution. Kelly Garcia, Iowas director of health and human services, said she understands that contemplating a move can be stressful for residents and their families. But she said Iowa clung too long to an outdated role for such institutions. This notion that you are admitted at age 2 and you live 80 years there is no longer the way we as a society would want to support a human being, she said. Garcia said administrators are trying to arrange for longtime roommates and friends to stay together when they move out and for people to be placed near their families. She said the state is committed to providing money and expertise to the private agencies that will support former Glenwood Resource Center residents. She noted the state has already helped such agencies raise wages so they can hire and retain caregivers. Those that take on clients with high needs could qualify for extra payments to make the transition, Garcia said. Garcia said the states commitment is one reason more than 30 agencies showed up in July for a provider fair in the institutions gym. Residents families and guardians met with private care providers and considered their options. Crest Services, a residential care company for people with disabilities, sent representatives to the event. Director Bob Swigert said in a recent interview that his agency is looking to arrange community placements for 10 residents of the Glenwood Resource Center. The main hurdle has been finding suitable housing for the residents, including those who use wheelchairs, Swigert said. His company might retrofit some homes for that purpose. Swigert said he and his staff are reassuring residents families that they will continue to have necessary services, including round-the-clock staffing. Theyre concerned, theyre anxious which is very understandable, he said. These individuals are being required to move from what has pretty much been their lifetime home. The institutions 380-acre campus includes numerous ranch-style homes, where residents live with oversight from staff. It has several large old buildings, from days when people with disabilities were warehoused. It also includes a fire station, a greenhouse, a water tower, and a cemetery containing the graves of hundreds of people who have died at the institution since the 1800s. The facility has been a vital part of life in Glenwood, a town of about 5,000 people near the Missouri River. The institution has nearly 470 workers, making it the largest employer in the area, with relatively good wages and benefits. Two or three generations of many local families have worked there. Some may find new jobs in the Omaha, Nebraska, area, which is less than an hour away, but town leaders worry others will move away. A few may transfer to a similar institution owned by the state in the town of Woodward, which is 150 miles to the northeast. Last ones outSome of the institutions residents will never understand the situation. One is Seth Finken, 43, who has lived at the Glenwood Resource Center since 1984. Childhood meningitis damaged his brain and left him blind, deaf, and medically fragile. His mother, Sybil Finken, lives in the town of Glenwood and sees few options for her son in the region. The most advanced care programs she has talked to are in bigger cities, such as Des Moines or Dubuque. This is Seths community, she said. I dont want him moving two or four hours away. For years, Sybil Finken called for Iowa to keep operating the Glenwood Resource Center. She knew most other states had closed institutions for people with disabilities. She figured Iowa would follow suit eventually, but she believed assurances that longtime residents could live out their lives there. Now, she said, all she can do is keep talking to private care agencies and hope someone figures out how to keep her son safe in a community setting. Seth and I are going to be the last ones out the door, she said. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. As Africa reflects on the legacy of Britains Queen Elizabeth II, from Kenya to Nigeria to South Africa, the monarchs passing has reignited a sensitive debate about Britains colonial past in parts of the continent, particularly the queens role as head of state during British rule. The death of the British monarch has prompted an outpouring of condolences from African heads of state praising an extraordinary leader and sharing memories of her frequent visits to the continent during her 70-year reign. Ordinary Kenyans, for example, remember how a princess visiting the country in 1952 left a queen. Analysts across Africa note how Queen Elisabeth II helped steer the end of Britains empire and exploitative colonial rule. During her reign, most of the 56 countries that make up the Commonwealth gained their independence, including many nations on the African continent such as Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria. But while relations were repaired and improved during Queen Elizabeths reign, some observers have reminded that colonialism left lasting wounds to these days. Her death comes at a time when European countries are under pressure to come to terms with their colonial history, atone for past crimes, and to return stolen African artifacts held for years in museums in London, Berlin or Paris. Many Africans also remember the tragedies of the colonial era of her rule, including in Kenya, where the Mau Mau revolt in the 1950s against colonial rule left at least 10,000 people dead in one of the bloodiest repressions of the British empire. The Queen leaves a mixed legacy of brutal repression of Kenyans in their own country and mutually beneficial relations, wrote The Daily Nation, Kenyas leading newspaper, in a weekend editorial. In Nigeria, while President Muhammadu Buhari paid tribute to the monarch, saying his countrys history will never be complete without a chapter on Queen Elizabeth II., others stressed that she was head of state when Britain supported the Nigerian army during the countrys civil war in Biafra between 1967 and 1970. The Namibian opposition has asked Germany for the renegotiation of a controversial genocide deal reached between the two governments last year this latest move is said to have been prompted by Berlins reticence that has led to even more resentment in its former colony. The leader of Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), Namibias largest opposition party, McHenry Venaani, said Tuesday (13 September) he had written to German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock last week but has yet to get a response. In Namibia, Germany was responsible for massacres of the indigenous Herero and Nama peoples, which many historians consider the first genocide of the 20th century. In total, at least 60,000 Hereros and about 10,000 Namas were killed between 1904 and 1908. Now descendants of the victims peoples want recognition and compensation. For a long time, we thought the Greens were our friends, says Nandiuasora Mazeingo, chairperson of the Ovaherero Genocide Foundation (OGF), shrugging his shoulders at news that German government sees no need to renegotiate the Joint Declaration with Namibia. After more than five years of bitter negotiations, Berlin announced last year that it recognized that it had committed genocide in this southern African territory during its colonial occupation between 1884 and 1915, and promised development aid of 1.1 billion over 30 years to benefit the descendants of the two tribes. Germany also stressed that the aid would be paid on a voluntary basis and that the agreement was not tantamount to reparations. However, the agreement led to heated debates in the Namibian parliament in September 2021. We are not going to sign a sham agreement that makes Germany look good on the international stage, Mazeingo told the media. The biggest stumbling block seems to lie within the wording of the Joint Declaration, which describes the atrocities committed by Germany by being a genocide from todays perspective. Ivory Coast on Wednesday (14 September) slammed Mali for blackmailing over 46 Ivorian troops who have been detained by Bamako and urged leaders of the regional bloc ECOWAS to discuss the crisis as soon as possible. Malis ruling junta last week tied the troops release to the extradition of Malians living in Ivory Coast a condition that amounts to unacceptable blackmail, the Ivory governments National Security Council said in a statement. It reiterated a call for the soldiers immediate release and called for West African leaders to help solve the diplomatic crisis that is liable to harm peace and security in the sub-region. The two countries have been locked in a diplomatic tug-of-war since 10 July, when the Malian authorities arrested 49 troops who had arrived at Bamako airport. The junta-led government claimed the troops had had no orders or supporting documents, accused them of possessing weapons and ammunition of war without a mission order therefore, it described them as mercenaries and charged them with attempted harm to external state security. Ivory Coast says the troops were simply on a routine rotation for personnel who provide back-up services for the United Nations peacekeeping mission UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). The recent demand by Malis military junta for compensation for Mali referring to Malians living in political asylum in Ivory Coast who were being sought by Bamako through international arrest warrants was denounced by Ivory Coast as a blackmail that confirms once more the fact that our soldiers are in no way mercenaries but hostages. Malians in Ivory Coast include son of former president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, overthrown by the junta in 2020 and defense and foreign affairs minister under Keita. Japan has recently announced an ambitious multibillion-dollar program of economic assistance to Africa pledging to spend $30 billion on the continent and stressing a focus on training African professionals, food production and green growth in a bid to provide the continent with an alternative to Chinese lending and investment. The recent flurry of visits from Western leaders in many African capital cities have been seen by many analysts as an attempt to counter Beijings clout, and to some extent, Russian influence. Japan is the latest country to try to increase engagement with Africa in the face of Chinas rapidly growing influence on the continent and amid perceived threats to the international order. Last month, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged $30 billion during the eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) held in Tunisia. During TICAD, Japan also announced that some $1 billion would go toward support for African countries debt restructuring and promised that Japan aspires to be a partner growing together with Africa. The amount Japan pledged at TICAD last month was less than Chinas pledge of $40 billion at last years Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Senegal. Japan-Africa trade, worth some $24 billion a year, according to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, is also dwarfed by Chinas, which amounted to a record $254 billion last year. I think lately, Japan definitely has been trying to strengthen its engagements in Africa and obviously China is a strategic competitor to Japan, says Paul Nantulya, a research associate at the Washington-based Africa Center for Strategic Affairs. However, experts say Japans long-term ambitions in Africa are hindered by large national debt and a shrinking economy, which means that Japan cannot afford to provide Africa with the amount of money that China can. Also, unlike China, Japan cannot provide no-strings-attached loans that are preferred by some African countries. Amid continuing clashes between Mozambiques federal forces and other African allies against Islamist militants in the Cabo Delgado Province, the countrys president Filipe Nyusi has called on Western energy companies to resume work, assuring them security situation had improved in the conflict-torn region. Addressing the Mozambique Gas & Energy Summit in Maputo Wednesday (14 September), Nyusi noted locals were returning to the town of Palma and other areas they had abandoned because of terrorist attacks and urged Western energy companies to do the same. Frances TotalEnergies in March 2021 halted exploration of a major gas field and a $20 billion plant in northern Mozambique after Islamist militants attacks. The Mozambique president said the success in combating the terrorists in the districts of Mocimboa da Praia and Palma improved stability since the attacks on the town of Palma. But insurgent attacks last week spread to Mozambiques northern Nampula Province where, according to authorities, the militants attacked several villages, beheaded six Mozambicans, killed an Italian nun, abducted three people and torched scores of homes. The Islamic State-linked militants call themselves al-Shabab, though they have no direct connection to the Somali militant group by the same name. There was no immediate response from the energy companies to Nyusis call to return. Total Energies CEO said in April the company did not expect to resume work in Mozambique, which has Africas third largest-known gas reserves, until 2023. The increasingly violent attacks by the insurgents in the Cabo Delgado Province, many targeting towns and communities near the gas project, are often blamed on the project that is said to stoke the insurgency by not investing enough to develop the impoverished region. ECOWAS has brought its support for the Morocco-gas pipeline with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to speed up the achievement of this structural project that will help meet West Africas energy needs and offer an infrastructure for exporting West African gas. The memorandum of understanding was signed in Rabat this Thursday by head of Moroccos hydrocarbons and mines agency (ONHYM), CEO of Nigerias National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the ECOWAS. Speaking at the event, ONHYM head Amina Benkhadra said the project is tailored to benefit coastal West African countries as well as landlocked countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. The Islamic development bank has agreed to finance the project and brought OPEC funding on board, she said. The pipeline will reduce gas flaring and curb desertification, she said, adding that the current deal with the ECOWAS confirms the commitment of all the regional groupings member countries. Echoing her, head of NNPC Mele Kayri said the project is the fruit of the vision of King Mohammed VI and President Buhari who both agreed to launch this structural project in 2016. A final investment decision for the project is expected to be made in 2023, Reuters quoted Kayri as saying. Countries of West Africa are focused on delivering this project, he said. ECOWAS energy, infrastructure and digitalization Sediko Douka said the project comes at the right time to meet the regions energy challenges. He mentioned in particular the projects consistency with ECOWAS efforts to boost electrification adding that his organization will spare no effort for its completion. Once completed, the pipeline will have a beneficial impact on the lives of 400 million people in the region through ensuring steady access to gas for power. Algeria has isolated itself in the Arab and African environment due to its positions in support of the polisario separatists and its anti-semitic stands, US media the National Interest wrote. Some observers worry that Algeria could become increasingly isolated as more and more Arab countries normalize with Israel and line up against Iran, with whom Algeria has maintained relatively positive relations, Sabina Henneberg said in an article entitled Will the Western Sahara Crisis Tear the Maghreb Apart? The article highlights how Algeria managed to drag Tunisia into positions backing separatism in southern Morocco, noting that Algiers took advantage of the financial and economic crisis facing its smaller eastern neighbor. She recalled the series of provocations and uncorroborated accusations that preceded and followed Algerias severance of ties with Morocco. But she said that Algerias hostile foreign policy has failed to achieve its goals within the Arab region. Algeria appears to be already receiving pushback against its assertive foreign policy as it prepares to host the Arab League summit in November, the author of the article said. Indeed, Algeria is now obliged under its Arab League commitment to send an invitation at the highest level to Morocco and roll on the red carpet for Moroccos representatives despite months of warmongering that gave Algeria the perception of a pro-Iranian rogue state. Morocco may be winning in the competition between the two Maghreb rivals for a strategic presence in Sub-Saharan Africa, she said. She also recommended the US administration to act in order to curb Algerias assertive foreign policy regarding weak neighbors like Tunisia. However, she recalled that the Biden administration has made clear that while it is renewing the United States emphasis on the UN process for the Western Sahara, it will not reverse the Trump administrations recognition of Moroccan sovereignty. King Mohammed VI has been represented at the inauguration ceremony of the re-elected Angolan president, Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, by Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch. The President-elect of Angola Joao Lourenco took the oath of office for a second term as the nations president at a ceremony held in Luanda, the capital of Angola, Thursdsay. Vice president, Esperanca Costa, was also sworn-in at the ceremony. King Mohammed VI sent a message of congratulations to Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, on the occasion of his re-election as president of Angola. In this message, the King expressed warm congratulations and sincere wishes of success to president Lourenco in his high office. The King also expressed appreciation of the ties of friendship and African brotherhood uniting the two countries, reiterating his constant determination to work together with the Angolan president to strengthen bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect and fruitful cooperation, in the service of the interests of the two brotherly peoples. The leader of the ruling Peoples Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) took the oath of office in the presence of at least 12 heads of state and dozens of other countries representatives. On Aug. 29, the MPLA was declared the winner of the 2022 general elections held on Aug. 24, by gaining 51.17 percent of the votes cast, while the nations largest opposition party, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), gained 43.95 percent of the total votes cast. The National Electoral Commission (CNE) also announced that the MPLA won 124 of the 220 National Assembly seats. The UNITA finished second with 90 seats in parliament. On the eve of the Arab Summit to be hosted by Algiers, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has sent a strong message to the Algerian rulers reminding them of the need to preserve Arab Countries territorial integrity and stop dealing with armed militias, an allusion to the polisario that is supported, armed and financed by the Algerian junta and that claims the independence of the Moroccan Sahara. In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA) during his official visit to Doha, President El-Sisi confirmed that the upcoming Arab Summit comes at a sensitive time for the Arab nation, which faces multiple crises and tension. The President stressed that it was imperative to restore a number of principle and concepts in the Arab region such as upholding the nation-state, preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and not dealing with terrorist groups and armed militias, the Egyptian head of state was quoted by QNA as saying. The President underlined the importance of supporting national armies and military institutions as well as strengthening the authority of central institutions to avoid leaving vacuum that powers outside this framework could exploit to tamper with the capabilities and future of peoples in Arab countries, QNA said, adding that the Egyptian president also called for closing the door in the face of foreign interventions, while adhering to the principle of citizenship as a fundamental pillar to protecting societal peace. These are the basic principles around which the issues of the Arab region revolve and that is the framework through which we look forward to cooperating with the Arab brothers during the upcoming summit, the president was quoted by QNA as saying. Egypts President visited Qatar on Tuesday for the first time since a four-year rift between Cairo and Doha, a visit described as marking a new era in relations between the two Arab countries. Cairo had joined Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies, the UAE and Bahrain, in cutting ties with Doha in June 2017 over its alleged support for the Muslim Brotherhood and alleged soft line on Iran. Their blockade of Qatar was lifted in January 2021. Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani visited Cairo in June, and in late March, Cairo had announced that Qatar planned to invest five billion dollars in Egypt. Meanwhile, hydrocarbon giant QatarEnergy announced an agreement with US major ExxonMobil to acquire a 40-percent stake in a gas exploration block off Egypt in the Mediterranean. OMAHA Omaha is moving forward with a plan to turn human waste into green energy, and make millions of dollars in the process. With a $20 million investment approved last month, one of the citys wastewater treatment plants will increase its ability to turn the waste into renewable natural gas, also known as biogas. The project will allow the city to profit off its biogas production and contribute to the renewable energy market. Its a big step for Omaha on climate initiatives and moving toward net zero emissions, said David Sykora, plant manager. Since 1977, Omahas Papillion Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility has operated in Sarpy County just north of where the Platte River meets the Missouri River. Simply put, the plants purpose is to take dirty water and make it clean, Sykora said. All day, every day, wastewater from thousands of homes is treated at the facility. The amount of dirty water that flows to the plant each day could fill up to 100 Olympic-size swimming pools. Water comes into the facility through a collection system and is separated by solids and liquids. Both are stabilized and refined to state and federal standards before waste is turned into fertilizer for farm fields and water is pumped into the Missouri River. Jim Theiler, assistant public works director, compares the process to a big human digestive system. There are liquids and solids the plant disposes of, just like a human, Theiler said. And there are large amounts of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. For years, the facility has used the gas internally to heat the plant. Now, with the $20 million project, the facility aims to capture more gas, refine it and sell it to Black Hills Energy. In 2021, the plant produced enough electricity to power about 1,000 homes. Through the biogas project, officials estimate that the renewable natural gas produced by the plant each year will be enough to meet the yearly heating needs of 4,000 Nebraska households. The City of Omaha has approved a nearly $20.2 million contract with All Purpose Construction to build the infrastructure needed for the project, including an expansion and updates to the gas pipeline and a biogas building. Sewer revenue bonds will be issued to help finance the project. Facility leaders hope to have the project up and running by spring 2024. Once in operation, the Public Works Department expects to see a profit of $4 million to $5 million annually from the project making the citys investment back within five years. The use of biogas as a sellable energy source by water treatment plants has gained popularity in recent years, Theiler said. The City of Lincoln in early 2021 completed its own biogas project in partnership with Black Hills Energy and has since used the gas to produce vehicle fuel. Lincolns project is estimated to generate $2.6 million each year, recouping the citys project costs in just more than three years, according to Black Hills Energy. Lincolns successful project is an example of what is possible in Omaha, Sykora said. To be one of the first places in Nebraska to take this step I think is pretty exciting, Sykora said. Theres a lot of different options that this will provide the city of Omaha. We want to be a utility of the future. ANIMA Research Centre Anima Research Center participating in a trial for an investigational RSV vaccine Belgiums largest clinical trial center encourages continued participation in trials to evaluate investigational vaccines Center currently recruiting for participants in its clinical trial for Modernas investigational RSV vaccine Alken, Belgium September 15, 2022: One of Europes leading clinical trial centers, Anima Research Center, based in Alken, Belgium, is calling on the Belgian public to continue its support of investigational studies, especially those focused on investigational vaccines that may potentially combat winter viruses. Anima, which has grown since 2018 to become one of the most successful clinical trial centres in Europe, wants to ensure that the outstanding support for investigational drug and vaccine research continues, especially as winter closes in and seasonal flu and viruses start spreading. Viruses that can cause issues in winter include Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV, a highly infectious illness that can cause serious respiratory issues such as pneumonia and even death in the elderly and very young. Over 160,000 people globally die of RSV annually and in Belgium alone, around 7,000 people are diagnosed with it each year. There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for RSV, and Anima recently partnered with US biotech company Moderna to evaluate an investigational RSV vaccine, aimed at the over 60s. Anima Research Center is the largest clinical trial center in Belgium. CEO and Principal Investigator, Dr Erik Buntinx, founded the centre with his wife, Dr Hilde Bollen, and his daughter, Linde Buntinx, PhD. Since 2018, Erik and his family, along with a highly experienced team, have built Anima into a leading European site for clinical trials, specializing in trials for CNS disorders and vaccines. Dr Erik Buntinx, CEO of Anima Research Center and Principal Investigator, says: RSV in most people will present as nothing more than a mild cold, however RSV in the elderly and very young can be very dangerous indeed. Despite huge amounts of research a vaccine has so far eluded developers, but were pleased to be supporting Moderna to recruit for their trial to evaluate an investigational vaccine. I would like to urge people to sign up if they are eligible your contribution will help towards advancing research of an investigational vaccine to see if it is effective at preventing RSV. Story continues To read more about the trial and check your eligibility, visit the Anima Research website: https://www.animaresearch.com/en/study/respiratoir-syncytieel-virus-rsv/ END For more information, please contact: Anima Research Center Dr Erik Buntinx, CEO and Principal Investigator Tel: + 32 11 94 91 15 Consilium Strategic Communications Amber Fennell, Tracy Cheung, Maya Bennison Email: Anima@consilium-comms.com Tel: +44 (0)20 3709 5813 About RSV RSV is a highly contagious virus that can affect anyone and in mild cases resembles the common cold. But RSV can also cause more serious respiratory illness, mainly in older adults and young babies. RSV, like influenza (flu), is seasonal and in temperate climates often occurs during the winter months. RSV and influenza are different viruses; therefore, even if you have been vaccinated against the flu, you may get an RSV infection. About Anima Research Center ANIMA Research Center (ARC) in Alken, Belgium, is a highly specialized medical research center and has been conducting clinical studies for more than 25 years to test new drugs with a focus on the central nervous system. Since 2018, ARC is also one of the largest test centers in the world for vaccines and other preventive treatment methods. Visit our website to learn more: www.animaresearch.com Data Bridge Market Research Frozen convenience foods sold by food supply chain companies continue to contribute significantly to revenue. Additional revenue share is expected soon as convenience stores expand their frozen ready meal selection and internet sales tap into previously untapped market opportunities. DALLAS, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Data Bridge Market research has a newly released an expansive study titled Global Ready to Eat Food Market which guarantees you will remain better informed than your competition. This study provides a broader perspective of the marketplace with its comprehensive market insights and analysis which eases survival and succeeding in the market. The Ready to Eat Food report provides an explanation of market trends, prospects, market restraints, leading market drivers, market segments, key developments, key players in the market, and competitor strategies. Ready to Eat Food report is very consistent as all the data and information regarding this industry is derived via authentic sources such as websites, journals, annual reports of the companies, and magazines. CAGR values mentioned in the report give evaluations about the rise or fall of the product demand in the forecasted period. Data and information included in this report aid businesses take superior decisions and improving return on investment (ROI). Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the ready to eat food market was growing at a value of USD 163.1 million in 2021 and is expected to reach a value of USD 250.31 million and register a CAGR of 5.50% from 2022 to 2029. In addition to the market insights such as market value, growth rate, market segments, geographical coverage, market players, and market scenario, the market report curated by the Data Bridge Market Research team includes in-depth expert analysis, import/export analysis, pricing analysis, production consumption analysis, patent analysis and consumer behavior. Download Exclusive Sample of Ready to Eat Food Market Report in PDF Version @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-ready-to-eat-food-market REPORT METRIC Forecast Period - 2022 to 2029 Story continues Base Year 2021 Historic Years - 2020 (Customizable to 2014 - 2019) Market Synopsis:- In recent years, ready-to-eat food has emerged as one of the most versatile segments of the global ready to eat food market. A rise in convenience trends and a parallel increase in demand for specific meal solutions has resulted in strong demand for frozen ready-to-eat food. The food and beverage industry is viewed as a one-stop shop for customers on the go, offering everything from frozen sweets to appetisers and meals. Ready-to-eat food is a type of packaged cooked food that does not require additional processing to ensure quality. It can be frozen, shelf-stable with minimal heating, or served hot. Some foods must be refrigerated until used, while others require special handling to ensure food quality. Opportunity Online grocery shopping and the introduction of new apps that make it easier for consumers to select their preferred products are two of the most recent market trends. Customers prefer online shopping because it is more convenient and diverse. According to Eurostat, nearly a quarter of the population bought food and groceries from online retailers. As the Internet and smartphone penetration increase, retail ready meal shopping is emerging as one of the platforms for companies to showcase and sell their food products. Some of the major players operating in the Ready to Eat Food market are The Hain Celestial Company (U.S.) AGRARFROST GMBH & CO. K.G. (Germany)Agristo (Belgium) Barts Potato Company bvba (Belgium) Royal Cosun (Netherlands) Farm Frites (Netherlands) Greenyard (Belgium) Himalaya Food International Ltd. (India) J.R. Simplot Company (U.S.) McCain Foods Ltd. (U.K.) Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (U.K.) General Mills, Inc. (U.S.) Mondelez International, Inc. (U.S.) THE KRAFT HEINZ COMPANY (U.S.) Access In-depth 350 Pages Research Report @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/checkout/buy/enterprise/global-ready-to-eat-food-market Recent Development In 2021, Nomad Foods announced an agreement with Fortenova Grupa d. d. to acquire Fortenova's Frozen Food Business Group (FFBG) in cash for USD 724 million to expand its product portfolio, as FFBG offers a wide range of frozen meals and has a large distribution channel in Eastern Europe. Conagra Brands Inc. launched its extensive summer line products in 2021 to provide manufacturers inside single-serve frozen meals and collect brands with new Banquet, Marie Callender's, Wholesome Alternative, and Hungry Man dishes. Conagra's mission is to please customers by providing nutritious frozen foods. In 2020, the Dutch start-up Lazy Vegan released its latest frozen ready meal, "Thai Green Curry," which is gluten-free and soy-free. It also launched vegan frozen meals with plant-based chicken and Ready to Eat Food in order to establish a strong presence in the European market. Key Market Segments: Product type Instant Breakfast/Cereals Instant Soups and Snacks Ready Meals Baked Goods Meat Products Others Distribution channel Supermarket & Hypermarket Online Retail Packaging Type Canned Frozen or Chilled Retort Others Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-ready-to-eat-food-market Ready to Eat Food Market Regional Analysis/Insights The countries covered in the ready to eat food market report are U.S., Canada and Mexico in North America, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Russia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Rest of Europe in Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific (APAC) in the Asia-Pacific (APAC), Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa (MEA) as a part of Middle East and Africa (MEA), Brazil, Argentina and Rest of South America as part of South America. Europe dominates the ready to eat food market as a result of an increase in demand for frozen Ready to Eat Food caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected several countries. Furthermore, the region's population growth, rapid urbanisation, and increased customer awareness of the benefits of frozen food will drive the growth of the ready to eat food market during the forecast period. Asia-Pacific is expected to see significant growth in the ready to eat food market because of the rise in the trend of ready-to-eat food among the working-class population. Furthermore, the substantial increase in demand for frozen food due to the decrease in time for preparing and cooking is expected to further propel the market growth in the region. How the Report Aids Your Business Discretion? This section of this Market report highlights some of the most relevant factors and growth enablers that collectively ensure a high-end growth spurt The report unravels details on pronounced share assessments across both country-wise as well as region-based segments A leading synopsis of market share analysis of dynamic players inclusive of high-end industry veterans New player entry analysis and their scope of new business models The report includes strategic recommendations for new business veterans as well as established players seeking novel growth avenues A detailed consultation services based on historical as well as current timelines to ensure feasible forecast predictions A thorough evaluation and detailed study of various segments as well as sub-segments across regional and country-specific developments Details on market estimations, market size, dimensions A review of market competitors, their high-end product and service portfolios, dynamic trends, as well as technological advances that portray high end growth in this Market TABLE OF CONTENTS Part 01: Executive Summary Part 02: Scope Of The Report Part 03: Research Methodology Part 04: Market Landscape Part 05: Pipeline Analysis Part 06: Market Sizing Part 07: Five Forces Analysis Part 08: Market Segmentation Part 09: Customer Landscape Part 10: Regional Landscape Part 11: Decision Framework Part 12: Drivers And Challenges Part 13: Market Trends Part 14: Vendor Landscape Part 15: Vendor Analysis Part 16: Appendix For More Insights Grab TOC @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-ready-to-eat-food-market Browse Related Reports: Ready to Eat Soup Market , By Product Type (Tomato Ready to Eat Soup, Beans Ready to Eat Soup, Chicken Ready to Eat Soup, Beef Ready to Eat Soup, Mixed Vegetables Ready to Eat Soup, Others), Form (Dry Soup, Wet Soup), Nature (Conventional, Organic), Packaging Type (Bottles, Cans, Packets), Application (Retail, Catering and Industrial, Others), Distribution Channel (HoReCa, B2C), Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Italy, U.K., France, Spain, Netherland, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, New Zealand, Vietnam, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-ready-to-eat-soup-market Ready to Drink Tea and Ready to Drink Coffee Market , By Additives (Flavours, Artificial Sweeteners, Acidulates, Nutraceuticals, Preservatives and Others), Type (Black Tea, Green Tea, Oolong Tea, Fruit & Herbal Based Tea, Taurine, Guarana, Vitamin B, Ginseng, Yerba Mate, Acai Berry), Packaging (Glass Bottle, Canned, Pet Bottle, Sachets, Fountain/Aseptic/Cartons, and Others), Price (Premium, Regular and Super Premium), Distribution Channel (Off-Trade and On-Trade), Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Italy, U.K., France, Spain, Netherland, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, New Zealand, Vietnam, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-ready-drink-tea-ready-drink-coffee-market Frozen Ready Meals Market , By Type (Frozen Rice Mixes, Frozen Quinoa Food Mixes, Frozen Pizza, Frozen Pasta, Frozen Wraps & Rolls, Frozen Snacks, Frozen Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt, Frozen Cakes, Frozen Sorbet And Sherbet, Frozen Custard, Frozen Drinks, Frozen Savory Products And Frozen Soup, Frozen Dairy Products, Frozen Chicken Products, Frozen Seafood Products, And Others), Category (Organic And Conventional) Technology (Flash-Freezing/ Individual Quick Freezing (IQF), Belt Freezing, High Pressure-Assisted Freezing, And Others), End User (Food Service Sector And Households), Packaging Technique (Freezing Technique And Equipment And Freezing Ready Meals Packaging And Distribution Channel (Store-Based And Non-Store Retailers) - Industry Trends and Forecast https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-frozen-ready-meals-market Ready to Drink Premixes Market , By Type (Ready to Drinks and High Strength Premixes), Distribution Channel (Specialty Stores, Modern Trade, Duty-Free Stores, Online Stores and Other), Product Type (Alcoholic Beverages and Non-Alcoholic Beverages) and Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Italy, U.K., France, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, New Zealand, Vietnam, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, South Africa, Rest of the Middle East and Africa) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-ready-to-drink-premixes-market Ready to Drink Coffee Market , By Nature (Natural, Conventional, Organic), Product Type (Iced Coffee, Coffee Latte, Black Coffee, Others), Price Range (Economical, Mid-Range, Premium), Packaging (Bottles, Cans, Carton Packaging, Tubs, Others), Flavour (Vanilla, Mocha, Caramel, Others Flavours), Sales Channel (Store-Based Retailing, E-Commerce) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-ready-to-drink-coffee-market Ready to Drink/High Strength Premixes Market By Type (Malt Based RTDs, Spirit Based RTDs, Wine Based RTDs, Others), Processing Type (Single Compound and Blended), Gender (Male and Female), Packaging Type (Bottle, Cans and Others), Trade (Off- Trade, On-Trade) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-ready-to-drink-high-strength-premixes-market Asia-Pacific Ready to Drink/ High Strength Premixes Market By Type (Malt-Based RTDs, Spirit-Based RTDs, Wine-Based RTDs, Others), Processing Type (Single Compound, Blended), Gender (Male, Female), Packaging Type (Bottle, Can, Others ), Trade (Off-Trade, On-Trade), Country (China, Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam and Rest of Asia-Pacific) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/asia-pacific-ready-to-drink-high-strength-premixes-market About Data Bridge Market Research: An absolute way to forecast what future holds is to comprehend the trend today! Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavours to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process. Data Bridge is an aftermath of sheer wisdom and experience which was formulated and framed in the year 2015 in Pune. Data Bridge Market Research has over 500 analysts working in different industries. We have catered more than 40% of the fortune 500 companies globally and have a network of more than 5000+ clientele around the globe. Data Bridge adepts in creating satisfied clients who reckon upon our services and rely on our hard work with certitude. We are content with our glorious 99.9 % client satisfying rate. Contact Us:- Data Bridge Market Research US: +1 888 387 2818 UK: +44 208 089 1725 Hong Kong: +852 8192 7475 Email:- corporatesales@databridgemarketresearch.com MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) A federal judge told Alabama to stop being vague and give a firm answer by Thursday evening on if the prison system is ready to use the untested execution method of nitrogen hypoxia at an execution next week. U.S. District Judge R. Austin Huffaker, Jr. gave the state the deadline to file an affidavit, or declaration, on whether the state could try to execute inmate Alan Miller by nitrogen hypoxia on Sept. 22 if the use of lethal injection is blocked. The order came after the state dangled the possibility during a Monday court hearing of being ready to become the first state to attempt an execution with nitrogen hypoxia. Nitrogen hypoxia is a proposed execution method in which death would be caused by forcing the inmate to breathe only nitrogen, thereby depriving him or her of the oxygen needed to maintain bodily functions. Its authorized as an execution method in three states Alabama, Oklahoma and Mississippi but has never been used. The state provided vague and imprecise statements regarding the readiness and intent to move forward with an execution on September 22, 2022, by nitrogen hypoxia, Huffaker said. The judge asked the state Monday whether it was ready to use the method at Millers execution. A state attorney replied that it was very likely it could use nitrogen hypoxia next week, but said the state prison commissioner has the final decision. On or before September 15, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. CDT, the defendants shall file an affidavit or declaration of Commissioner John Q. Hamm, Attorney General Steve Marshall, or other appropriate official with personal knowledge, definitively setting forth whether or not the Defendants can execute the Plaintiff by nitrogen hypoxia on September 22, 2022, the judge wrote in a Tuesday order. Miller is seeking to block his scheduled execution by lethal injection, claiming prison staff lost paperwork he returned in 2018 choosing nitrogen hypoxia as his execution method. Miller testified Monday that he is scared of needles so he signed a form selecting nitrogen hypoxia as his execution method. He said he left the form in his cell door tray for an prison officer to pick up. The state said there is no evidence to corroborate his claim. Miller, a delivery truck driver, was convicted in the 1999 workplace shootings that killed Lee Holdbrooks, Scott Yancy and Terry Jarvis in suburban Birmingham. Miller shot Holdbrooks and Yancy at one business and then drove to another location to shoot Jarvis, evidence showed. A defense psychiatrist said Miller suffered from severe mental illness but his condition wasnt bad enough to use as a basis for an insanity defense under state law. Alabama lawmakers in 2018 approved legislation that authorized nitrogen hypoxia as an alternate execution method, although lethal injection would remain the primary method for carrying out death sentences. State law gave inmates a brief window to select nitrogen as their execution method. A number of inmates selected nitrogen. The Alabama Department of Corrections did not respond to an email seeking comment about the status of the proposed new execution method or what it would look like. The state has disclosed little information about the new execution method. The Alabama Department of Corrections told a federal judge last year that it had completed a system to use nitrogen gas but did not describe it. Ill admit I sometimes say things without thinking and occasionally blurt out words I wish I could take back. This practice of acting too quickly can happen on a much larger scale. At the turn of the 20th century, the National Park Service was looking for a way to help drain some of the swamps in Everglades National Park. After considering some options, it was decided that planting melaleuca trees might solve the problem. So melaleuca trees with their black trunks and white branches were shipped from Australia and planted in the Florida swampland. This seemed to be a good solution for a number of years, but nowadays, park rangers regret that melaleuca trees were brought in. Today, the trees are taking over and nobody can figure out how to get rid of them. To make matters worse, the overabundance of melaleuca trees makes it impossible for much of the native flora and fauna to live there. Here in Alabama, weve had a similar situation develop with kudzu. This Asian vine was planted to help with erosion control. Now were frantically wondering how to curb the kudzu. But, out of control plants are a mere inconvenience compared to another dilemma that our countrys facing: the computer revolution. Its easy to see the good thats come from computer technology. On the other hand, we werent prepared for some of the negative effects. When the Founding Fathers wrote the First Amendment protecting freedom of the press, they never dreamed millions of Americans would someday have their own version of a press sitting on the desk in their study, or maybe a laptop on their knees. But, thats exactly what happened with the advent of the internet. With the digital revolution, a major legal quandary has emerged. Just what standards are individuals to be held to when it comes to what they publish on millions of home computers. Can the internet serve as the worlds soapbox? Can you make threats online? And is it legal to disclose something private about somebody? In fact, putting words or pictures online is like publishing them in the newspaper. Theres another First Amendment freedom that has caused a problem. Pornography is festering online, like an inflamed boil. And, pornographers are arguing that to ban it would be depriving them of their constitutional rights. They insist that parents can control every minute their children surf the internet. But keeping children off the internet negates one of its most positive aspects: doing online research. Im reminded of the 10th grade student who was doing a report on Louisa May Alcott. She typed Little Women into the computer, and she got little women all right, but it was child pornography. Lets face it. The avalanche caught us off guard. And as H.R. Haldeman so aptly put it, Once the toothpaste is out of the tube, its hard to get it back in. Thats jizz Reply Thread Link literally said dripping with excitement?! aloud and my partner responded with oh yeah, the cum hats from the other room Reply Parent Thread Link They knew, someone knew. They were bored at work. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Well, she's dripping in someones excitement, thats for sure. Reply Thread Link Well, let me tell you I never thought Id see Disney selling cum earsbut hey, its a magical world! Reply Thread Link Loool. Who was the mastermind behind this? Reply Thread Link I bet it was a man who thought of it Reply Parent Thread Link An intern via the boomer who thought it was a good idea to ask the intern for his opinion ... and then they got trolled again when they asked him what 'dripping' meant and how it's used. A quick urban dictionary search would have cleared the air right up. It has 'fellow kids' written all over it Reply Parent Thread Link This looks like something edgy hipsters would wear. Reply Thread Link in 2012 with those shutter shade Kanye sunglasses Reply Parent Thread Link *shudder* remember when everyone was getting curly mustaches tattooed on their fingers? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link What a terrible choice of words oh my god! Reply Thread Link Oh no, my amazing idea got taken down. Reply Thread Link nnn i need it, lemme spend a coin Reply Thread Link I don't even care about the Freudian slip, both the hairband and the hat look TERRIBLE. And they want almost $200 for these things? Reply Thread Link Disney fans are wild source: past ONTD Disney posts Reply Parent Thread Link Oh, I have no doubt people will pay the money, it's just WHY? Reply Parent Thread Link I love those posts so much, I had no idea about Disney Adults before I read about them on ONTD. A friend of mine was in the Eurostar queue recently and it was packed with grown ups wearing Mickey Mouse ears, he was wondering where their kids were and was shocked when I explained the concept to him (we're Gen Xers, in case it's a generational thing!) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link If you HAVE to have Mickey ears for something, Primark sells them for $5, have fun and save money. Reply Parent Thread Link truly putting the adult in disney adult Reply Parent Thread Link Ngl I would wear that for activities. Reply Thread Link Your icon reminded me that this is totally applicable to this post Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Oh my WORD Reply Thread Link omg Reply Thread Link lol this reminds me of The Little Mermaid (I believe but not sure) where there were hidden penises drawn on the front of the video case illustration. I had the original video case but it was stolen so I never could go back and see if I could see it. Reply Thread Link I found my old vhs and it is absolutely true Reply Parent Thread Link And the priest on the ship had an erection Reply Parent Thread Link It was his very happy knee, right Disney? Reply Parent Thread Link Whaatttttttt never heard that one before Reply Parent Thread Link I remember thinking this was an urban legend until I finally took my VHS out of storage, found the scene, and then was SHOOK to see it absolutely did happen Reply Parent Thread Link and "sex" written in the clouds in the lion king!! there were soo many things in all those movies Reply Parent Thread Link And Cronk's little tent is supported on only one side, the other side is held up... By his crotch? Hmmmmm. Reply Parent Thread Link That R&B singer who song yall are dancing to on Tik Tok was just convicted on charges related to child pornographry STOP DONATING TO BLM NATIONAL AND SHAUN KING (@WrittenByHanna) September 14, 2022 Reply Thread Link Are people still doing that?? I would hope the allegedly progressive Gen-Z wouldn't give him any attention. Reply Parent Thread Link His music was so good, but I cannot listen to him. It's even hard when artists have songs written by him. Even though people would say he's the "King of R&B," I'd rather give that title to Usher and just forget about him. Yeah, he is a a talented singer and writer, but if you think about it, his songs about women were most likely about young girls. I didn't know people are using his music for challenges these days. Reply Parent Thread Link Finding out he wrote and produced Maxwell's Fortunate Also Mariah still having his feature on one of her songs on streaming is just disgusting. Wake tf up, people! Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah, and it's hard to listen to Whitney's "I Look to You" because he wrote it and also sang it at her funeral. Reply Parent Thread Link Same. Like yeah I like his music but there are other artists. Reply Parent Thread Link About a month ago I was going to a friends place for a get together and this guy was driving fast through the parking area in a pickup truck loudly blasting an r Kelly song. I just shook my head and gave him this dirty look. Anyway I hope he rots in prison and hell for his crimes Reply Thread Link Im glad that he will die in prison. And I hope these convictions bring some level of peace to the survivors. Reply Thread Link It was a long time coming, but I'm happy his victims are finally getting the justice they deserve. Let him rot. It was a long time coming, but I'm happy his victims are finally getting the justice they deserve. Let him rot. Reply Thread Link I wish they convicted him on all charges but this is better than nothing. I hope he and the people who enabled, helped and assisted him rot in hell Reply Thread Link It's disheartening that he was acquitted of the conspiracy counts. He was charged with keeping the victim and her family from telling the truth at his 2008 trial. The victim and her mother testified this time around to confirm that is what happened. The jurors heard directly from the horses' mouths and they still found him not guilty. The IRS witness testified that the family had received thousands of dollars in payments from him, some of them labeled "settlement." What did they think that money was for? Reply Parent Thread Link If I have learned anything at all this year is that victims never get their full justice. Reply Parent Thread Link It should have happened much, much sooner, and if it had, a lot of his victims would have never been victimized by him. That being said, at least he'll die in prison. Reply Thread Link half of the people in this trial were paid to lie in the original trial. I'm sure somehow, Dave Chappelle is planning to celebrate R.Kelly all over again Reply Parent Thread Link With any justice he will live a long life deprived of everything Reply Thread Link I saw "Surviving R. Kelly," at least the first season. I am a Chicagoan, so I know about him for years. I even know people who knew him, seen him, or heard of him in the community. Anyway, it is so fucked up how that video that leaked years ago was indeed him and a minor. What's worse is that people saw it, downloaded it, and even distributed copies for profit. May she be at peace and have all the justice in the world because that is just awful to go through and to relive it if people know about it. As for him, most pedos are at risk of murder in prison because even inmates find any form of child assault to be foul. Reply Thread Link it's crazy how long people in Chicago/the burbs knew about this. That journalist really put in the work to get people to pay attention. Reply Parent Thread Link I bought the journalist's book about Robert. I haven't read it yet because I know it will infuriate me. Reply Parent Thread Link The fact that he probably would have gotten a fine and some years on probation here Reply Thread Link my thoughts are with all his victims Reply Thread Link Asphalt Plant in Colorado Designated Star Site Under VPP Owens Corning has 15 other locations with the same recognition. An asphalt plant in Colorado has been recognized as a star site under OSHAs Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). Owens Corning received the renewal of the status in August of this year, according to an OSHA news release. This specific site is located in Denver, Colorado. Owens Corning has 15 other sites with star statuses under the VPP and received its first status in 2009. "Owens Corning has committed leaders dedicated to safety and health excellence at every level of this worksite. Employee engagement is a fundamental requirement of the OSHA Voluntary Protection Program, and this site is an outstanding example of involvement, empowerment, and ownership at the employee level. We are happy to recognize Owens Corning with a VPP Star," said OSHA Regional Administrator Jennifer Rous in Denver in the news release. The VPP recognizes companies that have excellent health and safety systems, according to its website. Currently, there are 2,000 federal and state-plan sites in OSHAs VPP. OSHAs Top Ten Citations: A Costly Countdown Each year OSHA publishes a Top Ten list of citations given to employers during the previous fiscal year (October 1st to September 30th). The list gives employers an idea of the top violations that OSHA has identified during their visits to facilities and jobsites across the United States and what they should look out for on their own worksites. The purpose of this presentation is to (1) identify the top ten citations given in the most recent year data is available, (2) compare the results to previous years and (3) provide real-life examples of the violations that resulted in these citations. The goal should be for employers to take this information and use it to make their workplaces safer for their employees. Register below for this free webinar! DATE: November 3, 2022 TIME: 2:00PM ET - 1:00PM CT - 11:00AM PT Speaker: Stephen Badger has over 35 years of safety experience working in a variety of industries. His experience in the papermaking, medical sterilization and construction industries gives him a unique perspective of the safety needs in manufacturing facilities and in the field. He encourages companies to find innovative safety solutions and not just settle for a quick fix. He facilitates employers tapping into their most valuable asset, their employees, for ideas and solutions that may not be available anywhere else. Stephen has earned his Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST) and Workers Compensation Professional (WCP) designations. He is a member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and is an authorized training instructor through the OSHA Training Institute in Manchester, NH. In addition to his experience as a safety professional, he has formal training in industrial hygiene practices and indoor air quality testing. Sponsors: Avetta connects global organizations with more than 100,000 qualified suppliers, contractors, and vendors across 100+ countries. We support the continued growth of supply chains through trusted contractor prequalification, safety audits, monitoring, and more. With real results in reducing TRIR, our highly configurable solutions elevate safety and sustainability in every workplace. https://www.avetta.com KPA is a leading provider of EHS software and services for mid-sized businesses. KPA solutions enable clients to identify, remedy, and prevent workplace safety and compliance problems across their enterprise. The combination of KPAs EHS software, consulting, and award-winning training content helps organizations minimize risk so they can focus on what's importanttheir core business. Learn more at www.kpa.io. Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions (SPS) provides products, software and connected solutions that improve productivity, workplace safety and asset performance for our customers across the globe. We deliver on this promise through industry-leading mobile devices, software, cloud technology and automation solutions, the broadest range of personal protective equipment and gas detection technology, and custom-engineered sensors, switches, and controls. https://sps.honeywell.com/us/en/products/safety Moldex is proud to be a provider of comfortable, durable, cost effective and effective personal protective equipment for industrial end users, healthcare personnel, first responders, critical infrastructure and those on the front lines. Whether in a time of crisis or calm users can depend on Moldex to deliver on their promise Ideas that wear well. www.moldex.com Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions (SPS) provides products, software and connected solutions that improve productivity, workplace safety and asset performance for our customers across the globe. We deliver on this promise through industry-leading mobile devices, software, cloud technology and automation solutions, the broadest range of personal protective equipment and gas detection technology, and custom-engineered sensors, switches, and controls. sps.honeywell.com/us/en/contact-us Vector Solutions is the leading provider of award-winning, intelligent SaaS solutions that help organizations and individuals operate at the highest level and prepare for more challenging workplaces and environments. Our industry-focused, innovative products help to solve our clients needs by improving outcomes, optimizing performance, mitigating risk and staying compliant. Our suite of software includes our learning management system, mobile apps, compliance software, and over 3,000 award-winning eLearning courses. https://www.vectorsolutions.com National Fire Protection Association NFPA LiNK is the information delivery platform set to revolutionize how you work. Put safety expertise at your fingertips with digital NFPA codes and standards. Utilize dynamic search functionality, bookmarking, and the ability to share and collaborate with others to save time and get the job done right. With NFPA LiNK you can go by the book without the book to get the job done right faster and more efficiently. https://www.nfpa.org/link Skillsoft's compliance solutions provide environmental, health, and safety (EHS) and legal and ethics training tailored to meet your organization's unique, industry-specific requirements. Our advanced learning management system, Skillsoft Percipio Compliance, delivers an engaging user experience and robust functionality, including advanced customization to meet both federal and state training requirements. With over 500 risk topics in 30+ languages, Skillsoft offers one of the largest selections of compliance topics and training to ensure organizations can effectively meet regulatory obligations, safeguard employees, and encourage a culture of compliance. www.skillsoft.com/compliance Mechanix Wear, an industry-favorite when it comes to hand protection, recently acquired Chicago Protective Apparel the 108-year-old manufacturer known for their extensive line of over 20,000 products for arc flash, foundry, and welding applications. The combination of these trusted companies with loyal followings means even greater innovation and advancements in PPE. See their first release here. https://safety.mechanix.com Time: 2:00 PM ET Duration: 1 Hour Despite big promises to move rapidly away from coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel, many countries around the world continue to rely heavily on coal production and imports for their energy needs. This is not surprising from the likes of China and Australia, who make no secret of their reliance on coal, but is more worrying when coming from European states that just last year announced aims of weaning themselves off coal by the middle of the decade. An increase in coal production, import and export figures this summer suggests that the world is far from over its coal addiction. Chinas coal imports climbed this summer as it opted to purchase discounted Russian supplies following Europe and the U.S. move away from Russian energy. In July, China imported 15 percent more coal from Russia than the previous year, an estimated 7.42 million tonnes, making it the highest import level in five years. Many expect China to continue increasing its import of cheap Russian coal as it stockpiles supplies for the winter months. The countrys demand for coal already rose this summer as China faced a record heatwave. As the Russian invasion of Ukraine led to the U.S. and E.U. imposing sanctions on Russian energy, Putin introduced significant discounts on its oil, gas, and coal to appeal to alternative markets. Russian thermal coal traded at $150 a tonne in late July, dramatically lower than supplies from Australias Newcastle port, which cost around $210 a tonne on a free-on-board (FOB) basis. Not only have Chinas coal imports from Russia risen in recent months but so have the countrys production levels. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, China mined 2.19 billion tonnes of coal from January to June, an increase of 11 percent year on year. While many worry that this reliance on coal will negatively impact Chinas decarbonisation goals, experts in the sector believe that China is still on target to stop market expansion within the next few years, with Chinas president, Xi Jinping, announcing strict controls on coal for the 14th Five Year Plan period (20212025). Related: Goldman Warns EU Energy Price Freeze Could Backfire As well as China, Australia has also seen growth in its coal market. Australian coal stocks have gone up by around 150 percent, to reach $5.47, since the start of the war on Ukraine. Australian coal producer Whitehaven has seen its shares increase by 200 percent since January. Although analysts worry that the stock is highly speculative. One Australian stock analyst Under, Peter Chilton, explained: Its a good company but theres been a great deal of share price exuberance, which is not sustainable. Despite its distance, many European powers are now turning to Australia to fill the gap caused by sanctions on Russian coal. In addition, Australia continues to provide several Asian countries with their coal supplies. Other major Australian coal producers New Hope, Terracom, and Yancoal, have all also seen an increase in their share prices in recent months. This has shocked many analysts who were expecting coal shares to drop following an increase in the number of climate pledges made by governments worldwide after the COP26 climate summit last November. But its not only traditional coal-producing states that are relying on coal, as many European powers seem to be going back on their climate promises by welcoming coal once again in the face of scarcity and rising prices. In a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), published last month, the organisation warned that global coal demand could once again hit an all-time high, with E.U. consumption rising by an estimated 7 percent, adding to a 14 percent increase in 2021. Many European countries are now expecting to continue using high levels of coal until at least 2023, as they face gas shortages and rising energy costs. In Germany, the financial officer of energy firm RWE, Michael Muller, said that the company will continue to burn more coal in the short-term to meet the countrys energy demand as it faces severe gas shortages. Germany has already recommissioned some of its coal-fired power plants, and RWE is expected to boost production further. Muller stated, RWE is actively supporting the German government, or European governments, in managing the energy crisis. He added, so were also bringing back additional coal capacity to manage that situation. Meanwhile, in the U.K., which pledged to close the doors of all its coal plants a year earlier than anticipated by 2024, energy firms are now being asked to ramp up their coal production to help the country avoid blackouts in the winter months. The closure of a coal-fired power station in Nottinghamshire will now be delayed and several other plants will be on standby to provide the National Grid with more power if required. At present, the delays are not threatening the U.K.s 2024 goal, but if Europe sees energy shortages and high prices continue into the next year this could soon change. As traditional coal-producing countries continue to rely heavily on the fossil fuel, several European countries are also increasing their coal usage in the face of energy shortages. The war in Ukraine and severe weather conditions across Europe this summer have seen state powers that previously pledged to rapidly move away from coal coming to rely on coal-fired power plants once again. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Toyota announced in December a $28 billion investment in a lineup of 30 battery-powered electric vehicles by 2030, and will continue to invest in hybrids such as the Prius and other potential models. While many automakers have committed billions of dollars in recent years to develop all-electric vehicles, Toyota has approached the technology with far more caution - opting instead to continue investing in a portfolio of hybrid "electrified" vehicles, such as the Prius. And while the Japanese automaker was a darling of US environmentalists and 'eco-conscious' consumers when the Prius came out two decades ago, given that it was among the cleanest and most fuel-efficient vehicles ever produced - Toyota has fallen out of favor with the 'green' crowd thanks to its hesitancy to jump into the fray with fully electric vehicles. "The fact is: a hybrid today is not green technology. The Prius hybrid runs on a pollution-emitting combustion engine found in any gas-powered car," said Katherine Garcia, director of the Sierra Clubs Clean Transportation for All campaign, in a recent blog post. As CNBC notes, Greenpeace has now ranked Toyota at the bottom of a list of 10 automakers' efforts to 'decarbonize,' citing slow progress in its supply chain and sales of zero-emission vehicles, which are less than 1% of Toyota's sales. While automakers such as General Motors, Volkswagen and others vowed to invest billions of dollars in recent years to develop all-electric vehicles that dont require gas-powered engines like the Prius, Toyota lagged, only more recently announcing similar investments. It also continues to invest in a portfolio of electrified vehicles ranging from traditional hybrids like the Prius to its recently launched, yet underwhelming, bZ4X electric crossover. -CNBC Toyota execs say the strategy is appropriate given the lack of EV-supporting infrastructure around the world, as well as the high cost of the vehicles. "For as much as people want to talk about EVs, the marketplace isnt mature enough and ready enough ... at the level we would need to have mass movement," said Jack Hollis, executive vice president of sales at Toyota Motor North America, during an August virtual meeting. Toyota Crossover EV Concept That said, Toyota announced in December a $28 billion investment (4 trillion yen) in a lineup of 30 battery-powered electric vehicles by 2030, and will continue to invest in hybrids such as the Prius and other potential models. "We want to provide each person with a way that they can contribute the most to solving climate change. And we know that that answer is not to treat everybody the same way," said Gill Pratt, Toyota chief scientist and CEO of the Toyota Research Institute, during a media event last month in Michigan. Meanwhile, the company announced several weeks ago that it would allocate $5.6 billion for hybrid and all-electric battery production in Japan and the US as part of the aforementioned 2030 plan. And while this may seem like a significant amount of money, which it is, it's dwarfed by commitments from competitors such as GM and VW - the former of which has announced it will exclusively offer "zero-emission" EVs by 2035. Other automakers have vowed to set targets for at least 50% of their vehicles sold in North America to be all electric. Toyota, meanwhile, has a goal to sell 3.5 million electric vehicles per year by 2030 - over 1/3 of current sales, which include around 1 million units from its Lexus brand, which will exclusively offer EVs in Europe, North America and Chiny by then. "I think theyre hedging their bets," said Paul Waatti, manager of industry analysis at AutoPacific. "From a global perspective, a lot of markets are moving at different paces. U.S. is slower than Europe and China in EV adoption but there are other markets where theres no infrastructure at all. To take a varied approach in powertrains makes sense for a global automaker." According to Toyota, electric vehicles are one solution, not the solution, for the company's carbon-neutral goals. "In the distant future, Im not investing assuming that battery electrics are 100% of the market. I just dont see it," said Jim Adler, founding managing director Toyota Ventures. "It really will be a mixed market." By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Chinas oil demand could soon see a boost from a fresh batch of fuel export quotas allocated to refiners as Beijing is said to be eager to revive economic activity. Refiners have applied for 15 million tons in new export quotas for fuels, including diesel and gasoline, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing sources with knowledge of the matter. If Chinese authorities decide to grant the asked quota volumes, the total Chinese quota so far this year would rise to the level of the whole of 2021 and would mark a U-turn in export quota policies of recent months. With the previous batch in July, Chinas fuel export quotas for refiners so far this year were 39 percent lower than the collective quotas this time last year. China started this year by considerably reducing the allowances for fuel exports in the first export quota batch for 2022, signaling its intention to limit fuel sales abroad and curb excessive refinery output. According to Reuters sources, cited by CN Wire, on Thursday China issued a new batch of refined fuel export quotas for this year at 1.5 million tons. On Wednesday, trading sources also told Reuters that China had issued a fourth batch of export allowances for very-low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO) of 2.75 million tons. Thus, the VLSFO quota is now at 15 million tons so far this year, exceeding the total quotas for 2021 by one-quarter. The possible ramp-up of fuel export allowances for 2022 could be one of the ways in which China looks to revive its economic activity, Bloombergs sources said today. Higher export quotas could mean potentially higher Chinese oil imports, which would be supportive of demand and oil prices. Just yesterday, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said it expects Chinas oil demand to fall for the first time in more than three decades. On the other hand, higher Chinese fuel exports could ease the tight oil product markets. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A vote on the expansion of Tesla's German factory in Grunheide has been delayed, according to reports from German Media. A planned discussion about the plants development that was planned for a September council meeting will no longer take place, according to translated versions of the report, which cites the mayor of Grunheide, Arne Christiani. Tesla is seeking to expand its 300 hectare factory by another 100 hectares, the report notes, in order to build a freight depot and expand production capabilities. Christiani said he wasn't sure if the topic could even be brought up this year. He took the item of the agenda after, in June, the Grunheide main committee had approved plans for the expansion and had recommended that the local council draw up a plan. Bloomberg reported that the expansion was "postponed indefinitely." Christiani said there is still a need for clarity about the expansion, according to the German media report. Building in Germany has been one headache after the next for Tesla, who has dealt with local red tape in addition to pushback from environmentalist groups, over the last several years. Recall, last summer, we commented on the ongoing war between Tesla and German environmentalists who were trying to prevent the erection of the plant. German environmentalist groups Green League and NABU filed complaints against the company in 2021, looking to block provisional approvals necessary for the construction of the factory. Those complaints have obviously failed, at this point. As if the irony of Tesla's planned getting bulldozed by groups looking to preserve the environment wasn't rich enough, the action came after deficiencies were discovered in how Tesla may deal with environmental hazards at its forthcoming plant. "...A recent accident report warned Tesla wasnt sufficiently prepared with regard to the possibility of exploding gas clouds and the escape of irritant gas in the factorys paint shop," Bloomberg reported. By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Russia's natural gas exports to the European Union this year are expected to decline by 50 billion cubic meters (bcm)or by one-third of last year's volumesRussian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Thursday. "According to estimates currently in the Ministry of Energy, exports will decrease by about 50 billion cubic meters," Novak said on the sidelines of an event in Moscow, as carried by Russian news agency Interfax. To compare, last year, Russian gas exports to the EU totaled around 150 bcm, per Reuters estimates. Russia has drastically cut gas supply to Europe since the invasion of Ukraine, with cuts to gas deliveries culminating (so far) in the shutdown of the Nord Stream pipeline to Germany. Russia said last week that the key gas export route to Germany wouldn't reopen until Western sanctions impeding gas turbine repairs in the West are not lifted. Europe, for its part, is looking to diversify gas imports away from Russia, and has managed to reduce its gas dependence on Putin materially. "Last year, Russian gas accounted for 40% of our gas imports. Today it's down to 9% pipeline gas," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in the 2022 State of the Union speech on Wednesday. Gazprom, Russia's gas giant, said last week that since the beginning of this year, the EU had reduced its imports of Russian gas by 48%, while the EU plus the UK combined have reduced Russian gas imports by 49%. Gazprom's exports to countries outside the CIS have shrunk this year by more than 35% compared to last year's period. Still, the gas giant is set to rake in 85% higher revenues this year, to around $100 billion, as natural gas prices surged following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the significant cut to Russian pipeline gas exports to Europe, an analyst told the Financial Times last week. By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Russias largest oil producer, state-owned Rosneft, reported on Thursday a 13% increase in its first-half net income compared to the same period last year, boasting increased efficiency despite the Western sanctions on Russia over the invasion of Ukraine. Rosnefts net profit increased to $7.2 billion (432 billion Russian rubles) in the first half of 2022. The companys oil and gas production rose by 1.5% to 4.85 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) as compared to the same assets it held last year, excluding assets disposed of in 2021. In 1H 2022, Rosneft was under an unprecedented pressure of adverse external factors and unlawful sanctions. However, thanks to high operational efficiency and appropriate management decisions, we were able to ensure business continuity and demonstrate stable results, Rosnefts Chairman of the Management Board and Chief Executive Officer Igor Sechin a long-time ally of Putin said in a statement. 1H 2022 financial results form a solid basis for interim dividends payment and a further growth of total payments for 2022, Sechin added. While Russian production and exports have proven resilient since the invasion of Ukraine in February, analysts and top forecasting organizations expect a deep decline in Russian oil supply to the global market in just a few months time. The global oil market will have to prepare itself for a loss of 2.4 million bpd supply when the EU embargo kicks in, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its Oil Market Report earlier this week. An additional 1 million bpd of products and 1.4 million bpd of crude will have to find new homes, which could result in deeper declines in Russian oil exports and production, the Paris-based agency added. Its not only Rosneft that has boasted higher profits and revenues this year. Russian gas giant Gazprom, for example, is estimated to have doubled its export revenue despite delivering 43% less natural gas to Europe. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in March 2020, First National Bank of Omaha joined employers across the country in shutting down most office operations, quickly pivoting to working from home. No one knew it at the time, but the American workplace had fundamentally changed. More than 2 years later, many First National workers continue to make their home their office. For workers here and everywhere, the days of going into an office five days a week have gone the way of the fax machine. We have seen from our employees and job candidates a desire for flexibility, and working from home is a big piece of that, said Ken Bunnell, First Nationals vice president for human resources. First Nationals workers certainly arent the only ones locally opting for that choice. The number of Nebraskans primarily working from home nearly tripled between 2019 and 2021 a lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. New U.S. Census Bureau survey data shows the percentage of Nebraska workers whose primary workplace was their home increased from 4.6% to 12.8% over those two years. That mirrored what happened nationally, where the percentage of workers primarily working from home shot up from 5.7% to 17.9%. As virus rates continue to ebb, flow and persist, employers are still seeking to strike a balance. Some jobs cant be done from home. And theres still value in the ability to collaborate face-to-face in the workplace. But experts say theres no doubt the pandemic has forever changed how and where many workers perform their jobs. Those rates may drift over time, but the working from home situation is not going away, said David Drozd, an Omaha demographer. Weve proven theres a lot of work that can be done from home with the technology we have today. Census data shows the District of Columbia, home to myriad offices of the federal government, has been leading the nation in working from home, with 48.3% of workers there listing their home as their primary workplace in 2021. Leading work-from-home states included Washington, Maryland, Colorado and Massachusetts, all at about 24% of workers. Iowas work-from-home rate in 2021 was 13.4%, more than double the states 5.8% rate in 2019. The widespread adoption of working from home is a defining feature of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Michael Burrows, a Census Bureau statistician. The pandemic has very strongly impacted the commuting landscape in the United States. So many people are now working from home that census data shows the average one-way commute time nationally dropped by two minutes between 2019 and 2021. When the United States declared COVID-19 a national emergency in March of 2020, workers quickly found they liked the flexibility. Its helped create new norms in the workplace, said a recent report from McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm. A recent McKinsey survey showed 58% of workers nationally are now working from home at least one day a week. And more than a third said they had the option of working from home as many as five days a week. The McKinsey survey also found that when offered the chance to work from home at least part time, 87% of workers embrace the opportunity. What makes these numbers particularly notable is that respondents work in all kinds of jobs, in every part of the country and sector of the economy, including traditionally labeled blue collar jobs, the McKinsey report said. At a time of a national worker shortage, employers are incentivized to respond to workers desires for flexibility. Brokerage firm Charles Schwab, which employs some 2,400 workers in Omaha, provides employees 90 flexible work location days per year, and they can opt to work with their managers for more. Schwab spokesman Peter Greenley said the hybrid approach balances workers desires for workplace flexibility with the benefits of in-person interactions to train and learn from one another, build human connections, collaborate and maintain Schwabs culture. Such changes could also impact need and demand for office space. Mutual of Omaha announced plans earlier this year to build a new corporate headquarters in the heart of downtown Omaha. Though the building could rank with First Nationals tower among the tallest in the city, the new buildings square footage would be significantly below that of Mutuals current midtown campus. While nearly all 4,000 of Mutuals Omaha employees would be based downtown, company officials have said with flexible work schedules, perhaps only two-thirds would be in the office on any given day. First Nationals Bunnell said the company has been taking the opportunity over the past two years to transform its workplaces, including adding more on-site amenities and spaces to foster innovation. At the time the pandemic arrived, First National had barely 100 employees working from home. Today, its 3,000-person metro area workforce combines a mix of those back in the office full time, those working from home and those splitting time on a hybrid basis. People tried it, felt it was efficient, and continue to value it, Bunnell said of working from home. When you can take things like the commute out of there and be as productive, its a win-win for them. SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday for his balanced approach to the Ukrainian crisis and blasted Washington's ugly" policies at a meeting that followed a major setback for Moscow on the battlefield. Speaking at the start of talks with Xi in Uzbekistan, Putin said he was ready to discuss unspecified concerns by China about Ukraine. We highly appreciate the well-balanced position of our Chinese friends in connection with the Ukrainian crisis, Putin said, facing Xi across a long table. We understand your questions and your concerns in this regard, and we certainly will offer a detailed explanation of our stand on this issue during today's meeting, even though we already talked about it earlier, he added. Putin's rare mention of Chinese worries comes as Beijing has been anxious about the impact of volatile oil prices and economic uncertainty due to the war in Ukraine that has dragged on for nearly seven months. The two met on the sidelines of the eight-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organization that includes India, Pakistan and four ex-Soviet nations in Central Asia. The security alliance was created as a counterweight to U.S. influence. A Chinese government statement issued after the meeting didnt specifically mention Ukraine, but said Xi promised strong support to Russias core interests. While the statement gave no details, Beijing uses core interests to describe issues such as national sovereignty and the ruling Communist Partys claim to Taiwan, over which it is willing to go to war. U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price called Putin's apparent admission striking, but said that China's concerns are not surprising given its verbal gymnastics to avoid criticizing the Russian invasion. It is somewhat curious that President Putin would be the one to admit it and to admit it so openly, Price said in Washington, D.C. Speaking after the meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the assessments of the international situation by Moscow and Beijing fully coincide. We dont have any differences. He added that both countries will continue coordinating our actions, including at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly. Lavrov described the talks as excellent, saying they were very businesslike and concrete, involving a discussion of tasks for various ministries and agencies. The Biden administration described the Putin-Xi talks as part of a rapprochement that has worried Washington. Weve made clear our concerns about the depth of Chinas alignment and ties with Russia, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, adding that Thursdays meeting is an example of that alignment. Xis government, which said it had a no-limits friendship with Moscow before the Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, has refused to criticize Russias military actions. Beijing and India are buying more Russian oil and gas, which helps Moscow offset Western sanctions imposed over the invasion. Observers say Russia will likely grow increasingly reliant on China as a market for its oil and gas as the West moves to establish a price cap on Russian energy resources and potentially cut their imports altogether. In trying to strengthen an alliance with China, Moscow has strongly backed Beijing amid tensions with the U.S. that followed a recent visit to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. We condemn the provocations of the U.S. and its satellites in the Taiwan Strait, Putin told Xi. Along with Russians attack on Ukraine, the summit is taking place against the backdrop of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan not far from Uzbekistan, as well as strains in Chinas relations with Washington, Europe, Japan and India due to disputes over technology, security and territory. Speaking at the start of his one-on-one talks with Xi, Putin blasted efforts by the United States and its allies to dominate global affairs. Attempts to create a unipolar world have recently taken an absolutely ugly shape. They are absolutely unacceptable for the vast majority of countries on the globe, he said in opening remarks. The tandem of Moscow and Beijing plays a key role in ensuring global and regional stability, Putin said. We jointly stand for forming a just, democratic and multipolar world based on international law and the central role of the United Nations, not rules invented by some who try to enforce them on others without explaining what they are. Xi was more careful, saying that in the face of changes in the world, times and history, China is willing to work with Russia to reflect the responsibility of a major country, play a leading role and inject stability into a troubled and interconnected world. The meeting came after Russia was forced to pull back its forces from large swaths of northeastern Ukraine last week amid a swift Ukrainian counteroffensive. Ukraine regaining control of several Russian-occupied cities and villages represented Moscow's largest setback since its forces had to retreat from areas near the capital early in the war. The SCO summit in the ancient city of Samarkand is part of Xis first foreign trip since the start of the coronavirus pandemic 2 1/2 years ago, underscoring Beijings desire to assert itself as a regional power. Putin also met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, whose country is on track to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Raisi said Moscow and Tehran were finalizing a major treaty that would bring their relations to a strategic level. He and Putin both criticized the U.S. at the start of their meeting. Raisi accused the U.S. of breaching its obligations under Iran's nuclear deal with world powers. Putin gibed American officials, saying They are masters of their word -- they give it and then take it back whenever they want. The Russian leader also met with Central Asian leaders and planned a session with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. There was no indication whether Modi would meet Xi. Relations between India and China are strained due to clashes between the countries' soldiers from a border dispute involving a remote area of the Himalayas. Putin also is scheduled for a one-on-one meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan. Turkey and Azerbaijan have the status of dialogue partners with the SCO. Earlier this week, Azerbaijan and Armenia engaged in cross-border shelling that killed 176 troops on both sides, the most serious hostilities in nearly two years between the decades-long adversaries. The fighting has put Moscow, which has tried to maintain close ties with both countries, in a precarious position. Putin's meeting with Erdogan will be closely watched for their statements on Ukraine and a July deal brokered by Turkey and the U.N. to clear the way for exports of grain and other agricultural products that were stuck at Ukraine's Black Sea ports after the invasion. The Chinese leader is promoting a Global Security Initiative announced in April following the formation of the Quad by the U.S., Japan, Australia and India in response to Beijings more assertive foreign policy. Xi has given few details, but U.S. officials complain it echoes Russian arguments in support of Moscows actions in Ukraine. The region is part of Chinas multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative to expand trade by building ports, railways and other infrastructure across an arc of dozens of countries from the South Pacific through Asia to the Middle East, Europe and Africa. On Thursday, Xi met with President Sadyr Zhaparov of Kyrgyzstan and said Beijing supports the early operation of a planned railway linking China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, the Chinese foreign ministry said. Chinas economic inroads into Central Asia have fueled unease in Russia, which sees the region as its sphere of influence. Crews continued to attempt to bring a 3,700-acre fire in western Nebraska under control on Wednesday. Emergency personnel from across the region have responded to the blaze, named the Smokey Fire, which started around 16 miles southeast of Gering Tuesday, according to a news release from the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. The fire is mostly burning timber. Erratic winds and a temperature inversion that trapped smoke near the ground have posed additional obstacles for firefighters, according to the release. As of Wednesday evening, crews were working to establish fire containment lines. Firefighters from nearly 30 departments worked through the night to combat the Smokey Fire, Tim Grubbs, fire chief for the Banner County volunteer fire department, said in the release. The many air assets fighting this fire along with those firefighters on the ground are working tirelessly to get this fire under control. Response to the fire has included aircraft from Nebraska, Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming, including two Nebraska National Guard Blackhawk helicopters, according to the release. The Nebraska State Fire Marshal, Nebraska Forest Service and a state incident management team have also been deployed. The fire was reportedly at 3,700 acres Wednesday afternoon and could potentially grow, with low humidity and warm temperatures contributing to the spread, according to the release. Banner County has declared a state of emergency, the release said. People are asked to stay out of the area as crews fight the fire. Wrights Gap Road remained closed as of Wednesday. Some advisory evacuations have been issued, and additional evacuations may be necessary depending on the fire activity, according to the news release. No injuries were reported as of Wednesday evening. Two Omaha women have lost their lawsuit against the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services over a policy denying the listing of both same-sex parents on their sons' birth certificates. "The court certainly understands why plaintiffs seek a policy change. But that policy decision is for the Legislature, not this court," Lancaster County District Judge Ryan Post wrote in a 43-page decision dismissing the case. Erin Porterfield and Kristin Williams were in a relationship from 2000 to 2013, during which each gave birth to a son using artificial insemination and an anonymous donor. After they split, they continued to co-parent and sought a child custody determination from a Douglas County District Court judge, who ordered joint legal and physical custody and told them to attempt to amend the birth certificates to add the other as a parent. When Porterfield tried to add Williams as a parent to Kadin in 2018, DHHS denied the application, then reaffirmed its denial when she requested a hearing. Porterfield and Williams signed a voluntary acknowledgment of parentage, using gender neutral language, as opposed to the department's form, which used the words "mother" and "father" and required the signers to affirm the father is the child's biological father. In 2021, after consulting with the Nebraska Attorney General's Office and considering the governing statutes, regulations and case law, DHHS denied the request to amend the birth certificate, concluding it lacked legal authority to do so. In response, the ACLU of Nebraska filed the lawsuit on their behalf, which attorneys for DHHS sought to dismiss at a hearing in May. In a brief, Assistant Nebraska Attorney General Erik Fern said their claims rest on "a fundamental misunderstanding of Nebraska law." The ACLU of Nebraska's Legal and Policy counsel, Sara Rips, said the lawsuit is about equal treatment for families with same-sex parents. But Fern said that ignores two indisputable aspects of Nebraska law: that state statutes and regulations require acknowledgments of paternity to affirm the biological father of the child; and that DHHSs acknowledgment form explicitly requires affirmation of a biological connection. "Together these unassailable principles conclusively establish that the challenged laws draw a constitutionally appropriate biologically based distinction, that they do not discriminate based on sex or sexual orientation, and that plaintiffs equal protection claims fail as a matter of law," he said. In an order in August, Post said the lawsuit raised two theories: One, that the acknowledgments signed by Porterfield and Williams were valid under Nebraska law so DHHS must accept them and amend the birth certificates; and two, that Porterfield and Williams are the mothers even if their acknowledgments do not comply with the statutes. "Plaintiffs cannot prevail under either theory," the judge said. Post said Porterfield and Williams do not dispute that DHHS lacks authority to declare parentage. But he concluded the two have standing to seek a declaration that their acknowledgements of parentage comply with Nebraska law. The judge said he begins by observing the Legislature has created both acknowledgments of maternity and paternity. "Thus, whether their acknowledgments of parentage comply with Nebraska law depends on whether they are complete under the acknowledgment of maternity statute," Post said. He said because the Legislature created acknowledgment statutes for both maternity and paternity, he concluded that lawmakers intended those terms to have their gendered meaning. Thus, he concluded that Porterfield and Williams' acknowledgments were not complete, so the department wasn't required to accept them. As for the allegation of discrimination, Post said the acknowledgement of maternity statute does not draw any distinctions based on the sexual orientation of the birth mother, the biological mother, or their spouses or romantic partners. "That is, the statute treats all women equally without regard to their sexual orientation," he said. Post closed his order by observing that the question of whether Nebraska law should allow for intended parents to submit an acknowledgement of parentage was one of policy. He said the plaintiffs failed to identify a single court that has adopted their constitutional arguments. "On the other hand, a number of legislatures have made the policy decision. And the Nebraska Legislature has considered legislative changes to parentage," Post said, referring to Legislative Bill 1245, which was indefinitely postponed last session. Mindy Rush Chipman, legal director at the ACLU of Nebraska, said after talking with their clients they won't be appealing the decision, which she called disappointing. "Despite this setback, our work to change that process will continue," she said. "We will keep focusing our efforts on wherever we can make the most difference for our clients and every other family in similar situations. Same-sex parents deserve equal treatment before the law. Lincoln Sen. Suzanne Geist announced her bid for mayor on Wednesday, becoming the first candidate to officially enter the field for the 2023 race. A Republican state lawmaker who has served in the Legislature since 2016, Geist made the announcement in a packed room full of family, friends and supporters at MoMo Pizzeria and Ristorante Wednesday afternoon. I imagine leading an administration that serves the city of Lincoln, Geist said during a short speech kicking off her campaign, an administration that works for the people; not an administration that the people work for. Geist said shell also work to bring all voices to the table, and would place value on diversity of thought, listening to everyone from large business executives to small business owners, factory workers to land developers. Though she did not name Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird the incumbent mayor is expected to announce a bid later this fall to seek a second term Geist identified several positions where she said her experience would be a better fit for the city than the Democratic leader. That could be a tall task in Lincoln, however, which has become a reliable blue dot in a conservative-majority state in recent years. Even though voters chose to implement term limits keeping Democrat Chris Beutler from seeking a fourth term as Lincolns mayor, they chose Gaylor Baird as his replacement on a 54.5%-45.3% margin in the 2019 city election. The last Republican to be elected mayor was Mike Johanns, who served from 1991 to 1998. Democrats have also expanded their majority on the Lincoln City Council, and now occupy six of the seven seats. But Geist has also seen electoral success in Lincoln. In her 2020 re-election bid, Geist won 66.7% of the general election vote. In 2016, she won her initial term over Jim Gordon by a margin of 12,899-10,258 votes. Geist said she believes voters in the city want new leadership that would operate in a less divisive way she did not say what the source of division was and said she believes she can bring unity to the city. Government-wise, were going a direction Id like to see be different, otherwise I wouldnt be running, she said. A wife, mother and grandmother, as well as a business owner and volunteer, Geist said Lincoln has a reputation as a city thats hard to do business with, and said she would work to make Lincoln a city that says yes to companies looking to locate and expand here. Geist also said she would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with law enforcement, firefighters and EMTs, and touted her support for those groups in her work as a state lawmaker. I will not waver or cower in my support for them, she said. A member of the Legislatures Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, Geist also said she would work on ensuring Lincoln has safe and smooth streets and thriving infrastructure. Lincoln voters approved a quarter-cent sales tax in 2019 to collect more revenue for street repair and construction. Geist said she would study how that money was being spent and other budget priorities to see if money could be reallocated to speed up that work. While she did not have specific proposals on Wednesday, Geist said she would study the citys budget in the coming months as the campaign heats up: Citizens deserve an administration who prioritizes their quality of life in these specific ways. Even before her announcement Wednesday, Geist was already facing attacks, albeit from an unexpected direction. The Nebraska Freedom Coalition, which ousted several members of the Nebraska GOP at the partys state convention in July, criticized Geist for not being conservative enough in a news release Tuesday. Specifically, the coalition criticized Geist for not supporting Legislative Bill 773, which would have allowed Nebraskans to carry a concealed weapon without a permit, calling it an absolute slap in the face to essentially every true conservative. The so-called constitutional carry bill fell two votes short of breaking a legislative filibuster in April. Geist was among six lawmakers who did not cast a vote. On Wednesday, Geist said she told the bills sponsor, Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, that she would not support the bill unless an amendment backed by both the Lincoln Police Department and the Omaha Police Officers Association was included. The amendment, which would have maintained a limited handgun registry, failed to be attached to the bill. Since I worked so closely with (law enforcement), I couldnt in good conscience vote for something that makes them less safe, Geist said. So that was my hesitation, and I was clear that if that was not added, I would not vote for the bill. Geist, who has sponsored or co-sponsored several pieces of anti-abortion legislation as a state senator, said she has been and remains a solid Republican. I have a record that Im proud of, she said. In my perspective, we dont have to agree on everything, and yet I think we should still support each other. Sen. Julie Slama was present at Wednesdays event with her husband, former state Sen. Andrew La Grone. Other prominent Republicans, including Secretary of State Bob Evnen, Attorney General Doug Peterson, Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers, Nebraska GOP Chairman Eric Underwood and Lancaster County GOP Chair Samuel Lyon were also at Wednesdays announcement. Geist, who has two years left as a state senator, will be running for mayor while continuing to serve the residents of southeast Lincoln and Lancaster County at the Capitol. The citys primary election is scheduled for April, while the general election will take place in May. The Legislature will meet for a 90-day session beginning in January that could continue into June. While legislative sessions require an immense amount of work, Geist said shes ready to tackle both challenges, and looks forward to meeting with voters in Lincoln. I believe if we can imagine it, we can accomplish it, she said. We can accomplish all these things better if we accomplish them together. LINCOLN The first of four public hearings to gather feedback on ways to aid underserved areas of Nebraska will take place Monday. All four hearings will take place in Omaha, with one per day Monday through Thursday starting at either 11 a.m. or 5 p.m., according to a news release. Members of the public will learn how they can formally submit ideas for spending $335 million allotted through legislation signed into law earlier this year. Legislative Bill 1024, dubbed the Economic Recovery Act, provided the money to help historically underserved areas in North and South Omaha, along with some other low-income communities in Lincoln and rural Nebraska. The leading lawmaker on the project, State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, told The World-Herald in July that about $80 million of the $335 million is planned for an industrial park and an affordable housing project in Omaha. Remaining projects are still undecided. Engineering firm Olsson is working with a committee of seven lawmakers to vet all proposals for their generational impact, Wayne said. The firm will then present a final report in December that will help the committee identify projects for funding, which the Legislature must approve in the next session. Both the industrial park and the affordable housing project were outlined in the bill. Wayne previously said other projects could include infrastructure investments, crime prevention, financial literacy and education projects. Of the $335 million allocated for LB 1024, most about $250 million comes from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. Most of the remaining money comes from Nebraskas general fund, cash reserve and a coronavirus capital projects fund. Members of the special committee and Olsson will be present at the hearings to answer questions and provide guidance to applicants. Here is the schedule for the hearings: Sept. 19 at 11 a.m. Metropolitan Community CollegeSouth Omaha Campus, Room 120 in the Center for Advanced Manufacturing, 2709 Edward Babe Gomez Ave. Sept. 20 at 5 p.m. Metropolitan Community CollegeSouth Omaha Campus, Room 120 in the Center for Advanced Manufacturing, 2709 Edward Babe Gomez Ave. Sept. 21 at 5 p.m. Omaha Public Schools teacher administrative center auditorium, 3215 Cuming St. Sept. 22 at 11 a.m. Metropolitan Community CollegeFort Omaha Campus, Room 201 in the Swanson Conference Center, 5370 N. 30th St. A Nebraska State Patrol trooper arrested an Illinois woman after the trooper found 10 pounds of methamphetamine at an Interstate 80 rest area. Around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, the patrol said, a trooper smelled marijuana when talking to the driver of a Hyundai Accent who was stopped at the eastbound I-80 rest area near York. A search of the car found a small amount of marijuana and 10 pounds of meth. The meth was concealed inside a suitcase in the cars trunk. Troopers also found a handgun in the Hyundai, the patrol said. The estimated street value of the meth is just under $40,000. The 31-year-old driver, of Mount Prospect, Illinois, was arrested and taken to the York County Jail. Harris County 2022 Bond Propositions Community Engagement Meetings HOUSTON Sept. 14, 2022 Harris County is hosting a series of community engagement meetings on the Harris County 2022 Bond Propositions. The purpose of these meetings is to share information about the bond and gather input from the community. There will be 24 meetings held in total, with 16 in-person meetings divided evenly among the four County Commissioner Precincts, and eight virtual meetings. The in-person meetings will be open-house format, allowing guests to attend at their convenience to learn about Harris County projects and needs that may be impacted by the passage of the bond propositions. To view the schedule, including meeting dates, times and locations, visit www.harriscounty2022bond.org. We invite everyone in Harris County to attend one of our upcoming open house or virtual meetings to learn about the proposed Harris County bond propositions, said Dr. Milton Rahman, Executive Director and County Engineer for the Harris County Engineering Department. The input we receive from the community on this bond program is critical as it will help each precinct identify and prioritize projects if the bond propositions pass. The three Harris County 2022 bond propositions will appear on the general election ballot on November 8, 2022, giving voters the opportunity to vote on the issuance of bonds totaling $1.2 billion. The bond package would provide funding in multiple categories, including public safety facilities; roads, neighborhood drainage and transportation-related programs; and parks and trails. The open house and virtual meetings will include representatives from Harris County departments who will share information and answer questions about current projects and future needs. The meetings also will provide opportunities for participants to provide location-specific input as well as general comments about regional or county-wide needs related to the three bond propositions: Proposition A would provide up to $100 million in investments in public safety facilities. Proposition B would provide up to $900 million in investments in roads, drainage and transportation-related programs. Proposition C would provide up to $200 million in investments in parks and trails. We encourage and want the publics input on their priorities in their own neighborhoods, continued Dr. Rahman. This is a great opportunity for the community to tell us, for example, specifically where they feel new parks or sidewalks are needed, or if there is a road or neighborhood drainage issue that needs to be resolved, he said. Community input will be collected through electronic and written comment forms submitted at the in-person open house meetings; online on the www.harriscounty2022bond.org website; or comment forms can be mailed to the Harris County Engineering Department at 1111 Fannin, 11th Floor, Houston, Texas, 77002 ATTN: 2022 Bond Program Communications. The public also can provide comments via phone by leaving a recorded message at 713-274-6000. For questions about the community engagement meetings or the Harris County 2022 bond propositions, please visit www.harriscounty2022bond.org. Illinois State Rep. Mike Marron, R-Fithian, has two professional titles: lawmaker and farmer. Hes fifth-generation farming corn and soybeans on more than 600 acres of land in rural Vermillion County thats been in his family since 1867, one year before construction began on the current Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. Including land he rents, Marron farms more than 2,000 acres. But ever since he saw President Ronald Reagan speak during a visit to a Central Illinois farm as a kid, he's also had the political bug. Eventually, he acted on it, getting involved first in policy as a member of the Illinois Soybean Association, later serving on the Vermillion County Board and, eventually, being appointed to the Illinois House in 2018. "You have to have a very, very strong skill set and have a pretty complicated knowledge base to be a successful farmer," Marron said. "It makes for a pretty good, well-rounded legislator to have that skill set." Agriculture is Illinois' largest industry, with the state being the top producer of soybeans and the second-highest producer of corn in the country. There are more than 72,000 farms covering more than three-quarters of the state's land area, according to the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Yet the number of farmers in the 177-member Illinois General Assembly can be counted on two hands, with the profession making up far less than, say, lawyers or businesspeople under the Capitol dome in Springfield. This can present a challenge at times, but the state's farmer-legislators also see it as an opportunity to share their knowledge base within the citizen legislature. "I feel it's our mission as farm legislators to educate our legislative colleagues that food doesn't just come from a grocery store, it comes from our farms," said state Rep. Dan Swanson, R-Woodhull. Swanson has a 2,000-acre farm operation just southeast of the Quad Cities. It's been in his family since the early 1900s, starting with his great-grandfather and two of his great-uncles. Today, Swanson farms corn, soybeans, oats, hay and proudly boasts that he's "the only legislator who grows hogs." "I've not stood before a judge and acted as a lawyer, but I've walked the shoes of farmers and worked on cattle and hogs and stuff like that where other people haven't," Swanson said. State Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Okawville, lives in the house his great-grandparents built and farms on land his family first purchased in 1905. For Meier, farming is more than just an occupation. Ground is truly like a family member, he said. So you have to have that respect for it. As a farmer, you know, we want to leave that ground in better shape than we inherited it. Meier works on the farm every day and said he was even up feeding cattle the morning before his first day of session after being elected to the state legislature in 2012. As discussions on clean energy have dominated the statehouse in recent years leading up to the passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) last fall Meier feels his perspective as a farmer is becoming increasingly necessary. CEJA requires the Prairie State Energy Campus, which is located in Meiers district, to reduce its carbon emissions by 45% by 2035 and become carbon-free by 2045. The plant is still active and is one of the cleanest coal-fueled plants in the country, but Meier said he saw the restrictions laid out in CEJA as an attempt to force it to shut down. Meier fears that phasing out coal plants in favor of newer, clean forms of energy could lead to the loss of hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland. It will take 123,000 acres of farmland in solar panels to make up the difference for what Prairie State produces, he said. That's just one power plant. Less farmland means less revenue, he said, not just for individual farmers, but also for the entire state. Theres a lot on the line for Illinois farmers, and thats why Meier said there should be more of them in the statehouse. If (agriculture) is our largest industry, should we not have representatives in there representing it? Meier asked. Farmers are hard workers, Meier said, and their perspectives can help make a difference in Springfield. A lot of Illinoisans work very hard every day, and we need everybody in the legislature. We should have doctors, we should have lawyers, we should have teachers, but we need farmers, he said. We need the individuals that work with their hands. What do farmers bring to the table that may be unique to the profession? A common word that kept coming up in interviews with Lee Enterprises was "common sense." "It boils down to having common sense and level-headedness and having such a vast experience," Swanson said. "A farmer's the decision maker for what he's going to put in his field, he's a decision maker of how he's going to grow his livestock." "We do our repair system, I know how to weld, I know how to do electrical work," he continued. "I know how to do all those types of things because that's how we survive on the farm is by doing a lot of those activities ourselves." "I love to remind people of what farmers do," said state Sen. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia. "I tell them that farmers fix things that are broken, farmers solve problems, and farmers grow things. All of which are very true and it seems like that makes for a pretty interesting solution to some of our problems today." Bailey, who along with his three sons farms corn, soybeans and wheat on more than 12,000 acres in Clay County, has made his farming background a centerpiece of his gubernatorial campaign against Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Bailey, who recently moved to the John Hancock Building in Chicago as he seeks votes in the state's most populous region, said that his farming background resonates with city slickers and suburbanites alike who recognize and appreciate hard work traits often associated with farmers. "Knowing that I had to work and earn what I have, knowing that I've got to sweat and work and worry to keep it I think that's the whole purpose of that message," Bailey said. Farmers say they often have to act as a backstop on legislation that would have an adverse impact on agriculture, such as environmental regulations or other other items that may impact their input costs, such as fuel prices. "You're impacted with almost every bit of legislation when the license plates fees go up (because) you have licensed equipment, whether it's emissions, whether it's with handling animal manure, chemicals, pesticides. And then all the EPA regulations," Bailey said. "Almost everything that takes place affects the farmer." However, farmer legislators say their colleagues have a better understanding of agriculture issues than some might expect. "As big of a challenge as it is for agriculture with a very urban legislature and people that are very removed from farms and food production, and I do feel like we're playing defense sometimes, I think groups like farm bureau and the commodity groups do a very good job of really educating legislators," Marron said. Indeed, the Illinois Farm Bureau has run a unique "adopt-a-legislator" program since 2001 that pairs a legislator from the Chicago area with a downstate farm bureau. There are currently 78 lawmakers participating. The goal is an "educational exchange" in which the legislator visits farms in their adopted county in order to better understand agricultural issues. And on the flip side, farmers travel to the legislator's district to learn about the issues facing urban areas. "Most of them just by way of where they grew up and the urban districts they represent a lot of times maybe have never even been able to be on a farm before or have much background in agriculture," said Christina Nourie, northeast legislative coordinator for the Illinois Farm Bureau. "And so I think this program provides a really unique opportunity for our Chicago legislators to visit farms, to get to know farmers and to better understand how the food is grown." With lawmakers not scheduled to be back for the fall veto session until November, those who are farmers are turning their focus to harvest, which many of them say appears to be promising this year. "The cool thing about being a legislator, in the fall especially, there's not a lot going on in Springfield," Marron said. "So a lot of the work that we have is constituent work." "Well, with modern day technology with an iPad, with a phone, a lot of the constituent work that you would normally be doing in the office, you can do it from the cab of a combine, especially with the auto-steer technology that we have," he said. How do you like them apples? Regarding established varieties, not so much anymore. The types of apples we have grown up eating are becoming less and less popular today, being replaced by newer varieties that better suit consumer preferences and farmer needs. Stalwarts like Red Delicious, Golden Delicious and Granny Smith may have seen their best days. Red Delicious is losing popularity pretty quickly, said Chris Eckert of Eckert Orchards in Belleville, Illinois. Trees on a lot of acres have been taken out of the ground. Even relatively newer varieties such as Fuji and Gala are fading in the marketplace. They are being supplanted with apples that have traits favorable to consumers and farmers. One example is EverCrisp, developed through the efforts of the Midwest Apple Improvement Association. Jim Eckert, Chris uncle, was instrumental in breeding efforts that produced EverCrisp. Its by far the most popular variety developed through the association, Chris Eckert said. There are now more than a million trees planted all over the world. The fruit business differs from grain production in that consumer preferences often take precedence over production traits. While corn hybridization and soybean cultivars may emphasize yield, disease resistance and other agronomic benefits, taste and texture are often more important for fruits. Mohammad Babadoost, a University of Illinois plant pathologist who specializes in fruits and vegetables, said efforts to create new varieties with grower-friendly traits continue. But taste and texture may trump other considerations. There have been efforts for 15 or 20 years to develop some varieties resistant to disease such as fire blight or root rot, Babadoost said. But people will raise the varieties that they can easily market. And those that are disease resistant may not be as popular. Eckert, who operates one of the largest orchards in the Midwest, agrees. It has to taste good or it wont sell, he said. Also, cosmetic performance is important. Despite the consumer acceptance of the fruit, growers must be able to produce the crop in the first place. Were looking at when it ripens, for instance, Eckert said. We dont want the fruit to ripen super early or super late. MAIA was created in the 1990s when apple producers across the Midwest got together with the goal of developing varieties more suited to the climate of the Corn Belt states. EverCrisp was formed as a cross between HoneyCrisp and Fuji. Its two parents are still popular especially HoneyCrisp but they may inevitably share the same fate as the earlier varieties like Red Delicious. HoneyCrisp is slowing down, Eckert said. Theres a lot of competition. Granny Smith and her cousins may be a fond memory for many, but the new kids on the block are taking over. Relative to the new varieties, they just dont stand up, Eckert said. They dont have the texture and sweetness of the newer competitors. The newer apples also hold up better in cold storage. Apple growers will likely continue to deal with growing challenges the traditional way. So far in Illinois we do not have an acceptable variety resistant to disease, Babadoost said. But we do have very effective chemicals to control diseases. That may be one reason attempts at organic orchards in the region have not met with universal success. Organic production is very difficult in Illinois, he said. Conditions are so conducive that whatever you do youre going to get diseases. Nostalgia aside, the improved apples of today have gained favor. NORMAL Jazz, rock 'n' roll and puppies. Thats whats coming this weekend to Connie Link Amphitheatre in Normal: two separately-produced free festivals, ranging in musical styles from the heaviest rock to the spiffiest jazz riffs. And, most performing musicians are local to Central Illinois. Brandon Cattle with the Branding Irons will be dashing out the gate with cowpunk jams at 5 p.m. Friday, opening for the Look, We're Just Trying to Do Something Nice, Okay?" Festival. Theyll be followed by hardcore punk band False Negative, Brett Conlin and the Midnight Miles, and free jazz group Disorganizer. Later in this column youll read about what inspires Conlin to write roots rock 'n' roll, from growing up in a small town to loud FaceTime conversations overhead on a train ride. That festival is being produced by Waiting Room Records out of uptown Normal. Store owner Jared Alcorn said they were approached by the Town of Normal about using the space, and Alcorn said, "let's do something nice." And so, theyll be hosting four talented bands, all local to the Blo-No area, as well as a pet adoption event with the Humane Society of Central Illinois. Those not wishing to adopt can provide to the shelter donations and supplies from their wish list. Alcorn said theyve personally gotten many animals from the Humane Society, including their shop cat, Murph. He noted they had previously hosted an indoor cat adoption event, but an outdoor one would work better for dogs. Alcorn expressed his gratitude to the bands, the Town of Normal, and all of his customers. Further Jazz Fest Snappy tunes will be clicking Saturday afternoon and evening at the Further Jazz Festival, being put on by nonprofit Further Jazz Inc. Saxophonist and former Illinois Wesleyan University jazz director Glenn Wilson is leading his Further Jazz Octet that closes out the fest at 8 p.m. Saturday. He told me the events lineup is an eclectic mix of talented, improvisational jazz musicians, as an effort by the nonprofit to preserve and promote jazz as creative arts. Everybody on this stage pretty much has a doctorate or a master's degree in jazz, or they're working on it, said Wilson. He counted six with doctorates and a dozen with masters degrees. Their level of musicianship is so high, he said that theyre not even rehearsing. We're all going to just show up and play it, said Wilson. The festival gets swinging at 4 p.m. Saturday with the Illinois State University Jazz Ensemble. After the big band plays, Wilson said the Crystal Rebone & Thaddeus Tukes Trio takes the stage, and it gets much quieter. He noted they have a diverse lineup of both women-led and Black-led jazz bands. Rebone is a bassist who earned her doctoral degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and will be joined by Chicago vibraphonist Tukes. Wilson said Rebone also teaches part time at Bradley University in Peoria. The Reginald Lewis Quintet is up next at 6 p.m., and will be tuning in 1960s-style blue note jazz, Wilson said, led by IWUs new jazz director. Lewis will be joined by others on piano, bass and drums, along with Wilson for a few tunes. The Carlos Vegas Latin Jazz Ensemble goes on at 7 p.m., showcasing a Miami-based sax player. Wilson said his octet will be playing Latin jazz too, throwing back to his New York days when he played with Tito Puente and Machito. Wilson said hes additionally excited for the octet to perform songs by Dave Pell, a 1950s band leader and saxophonist. The tunes were all kind of short, the solos were short and it was very accessible music for people, he said. Pells arrangements were published only last year, Wilson continued. I think people are really going to enjoy that, he said. "Don't let go" Brett Conlin said when writing music, he used to just settle for whatever ended up up on the page. Now, he tells me he constantly obsesses over syllables and stories. That obsession was well worth every dime of his time. In the Midnight Miles latest EP record, his songwriting catches the listener like a sunset with starting track Sidewalk Saints. Then in Thanks for the Gas Money, he scores out his punk rock band experiences, something that was a dream for many young guitarists and drummers, including myself. Conlin details the tough reality of playing a $50 bass guitar at shows where the room is cleared out in seconds or where concert-goers wont look away from their phones. Moving on, the Midnight Miles strikes into Dont Let Go on an uplifting note. Hes not kidding when he sings: These nights theyre all one of a kind / Like a song that makes you feel great to be alive. The current Midnight Miles lineup includes Conlin, Ian Sheridan, Chris Whitacre and Gary Nass. BloNo Beats invited Conlin to answer the following questions about his experiences in live music: What are the most important lessons youve learned from writing and releasing new music? I feel like Im still learning what Im capable of as a writer. The biggest part of that has been that it will never get better without repetition, intent and inspiration. I used to write things and just settle for whatever ended up on the page. Now Im constantly obsessing over words, syllables and stories. Ive learned a lot from the other guys in the band about the importance of production and sound quality to be the vessel for a good song. Ive also learned that you have to spill some of your own blood on the page and get the best guys in the band alongside you if you want to reach the people listening... Putting out your own music has changed so much over the years. I remember just putting our bands stuff on cassette tapes and CDs and it seemed so easy. And I wasnt even good at playing music then! I think the overall lesson that Ive learned in releasing music is that its a TON of work in todays world; it can be overwhelming. For me whats worked is to look at what bigger artists are doing and model that, even if it feels silly, because theyre doing these huge things and youre not. Giving people an insight into what youre feeling behind the words and music is huge for me with any release. You gotta put yourself out there if you expect people to latch on. You just have to be honest about who you are as person, and hope people will think youre cool enough to buy your record. Ive also realized that Im very grateful to be releasing my own music, my own way. With your last EP released, which songs are you most proud of and why? I feel like the song "Sidewalk Saints" was the first song that I wrote for that, and it is still one of the ones Im most proud of. I tend to always try and write lengthier songs with lots of words, so I was so happy that we got this short, radio-friendly anthem-sounding song together. Ive never been able to do that! I love "Dont Let Go," the last song on the record. We somehow managed to put pop punk, country and these like Beach Boys harmonies all in one song and make it work. The song that I think is my personal favorite is "Alley Boy Eternal." I feel like you can feel us all come together as a band on that one, and its about real stuff and the place where I grew up with my best friend, so it always feels like a really good, fun release to sing it. Are there any specific life experiences that you derive inspiration from? Or is it anything and everything that strikes a lasting emotion? Its kind of a mix. Sometimes I tend to write a lot about how Ive felt growing up in a smaller town, screwing up things in life, and struggling to find who I really am now as a 35-year-old with a wife and kids. Other times I really love digging into how I think people are feeling or experiencing something in their life. I love writing from someone elses perspective and telling a story, even if its mostly fiction sparked from a certain moment. I wrote a song recently after hearing a person behind me on a train talk about how their life is falling apart. It was actually super annoying because they were on their FaceTime with the volume blaring in my ear, but their story stuck with me and I wrote this heartbreaking piano ballad about it. Even in that, it was impossible to not let parts of my own life spill in, though. If you could give any advice to someone who is newly developing their passion for playing and writing music, what would you say? Dont get too excited and feel pressured to put out something thats not ready. I did that a lot when I started. An embarrassing amount of times. Stay honest. With yourself. With your audience. Dont be afraid to be vulnerable. Write something every day, even if it sucks. Write something funny once a week, or else youll take yourself too seriously. Find other people that are doing the same thing and get their feedback on what youre working on. Find those friends that make you smile when youre onstage together and stick with em. Tell me about the energy your band is bringing to Connie Link next week. So, we have to do something a little different for this one. Our drummer, Ian, just had to have back surgery and wont be able to play. So the rest of us are just going to do a stripped-down set. But were still super excited to be part of this. Morgan has been killing it with the events for uptown Normal, and Jared at Waiting Room is a great friend. Plus, we get to play with a bunch of local bands that we also love to see while we pet some cute dogs from the Humane Society. Definitely the most unique show that weve gotten to do all summer! CONNIE LINK LINEUP WHAT: "Look, We're Just Trying to Do Something Nice, Okay?" Festival When: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Sept 16 LINEUP: 5 p.m. - Brandon Cattle with the Branding Irons 6 p.m. - False Negative 6:45 p.m. - Brett Conlin & The Midnight Miles 7:45 p.m. - Disorganizer WHAT: Further Jazz Festival WHEN: 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 LINEUP: 4 p.m. - ISU Jazz Ensemble 5 p.m. - Crystal Rebone & Thaddeus Tukes Trio 6 p.m. - Reginald Lewis Quintet 7 p.m. - Carlos Vega Latin Jazz Ensemble 8 p.m. - Glenn Wilson and the Further Jazz Octet WHERE: Connie Link Amphitheatre: 621 S. Linden St., Normal NORMAL Two pedestrians are in critical condition after being hit by a car early Thursday morning outside a bar in Normal. A press release from the Normal Police Department said officers were called to the collision around 12:30 a.m. Thursday at 102 N. Linden St. Early reports stated the location as the Pub II bar and restaurant, where two people had been hit by a vehicle, NPD said. NPD Chief Nick Thacker said in an email to The Pantagraph that the Pub II structure was struck as well. Police officers, along with Normal Fire Department paramedics, provided aid to both individuals. A Thursday morning statement said the two victims are listed in critical condition, and one was airlifted to a hospital in Champaign. Crash investigators were called in, and theyre continuing to investigate with NPD detectives. No further information was available Thursday morning. Anyone with additional information on this crash is asked to call NPD at 309-454-9535. This story has been updated to reflect additional information provided by the Normal Police Department. NORMAL Police say a 37-year-old man was arrested at a Normal hotel after reports of a rifle being pointed out of the window, though the weapon recovered from the room was a BB gun. Normal Police Chief Steve Petrilli said in a statement that officers were dispatched to the Comfort Suites, 310 Greenbriar Drive, after reports of a rifle pointing out of a window at the nearby Walmart parking lot. Upon arrival, officers saw through the window what appeared to be a type of long gun propped against the wall of a hotel room, Petrilli said. Police secured the floor and attempted to call the room; there was no answer, but officers saw the suspect close the curtains and window, he said. A short time later, officers contacted the suspect and he voluntarily exited the room, when he was taken into custody without incident. A search warrant was obtained and the BB gun was located, Petrilli said. The man was charged with one count of disorderly conduct and taken to the McLean County Jail. Police are asking anyone with information to contact the department at 309-454-9593 or cso@npd.org. CHICAGO A shooting at a southside Chicago park has left two people dead and seven others wounded. An argument between two groups in Washington Park about 7:45 p.m. Tuesday escalated into an altercation with members of both groups firing shots, police said. Two men were pronounced dead at hospitals. The wounded range in age from 19 to 46. Each was listed Wednesday in good condition at area hospitals. Police said they recovered more than 40 shell casings. No arrests have been made. The image of Absa Bank's Managing Director, Abena Osei-Poku, gliding along the busy and complex streets of Ghana's capital city, in search of her customers, is not unfamiliar to many. At the start of this year, it was Abena who took to the streets of Kantamanto, sliding her way through thick crowds, and into the shops of her clients. Next, she sat and interacted with them; find out their challenges and key needs. These visits usually end with a message of acknowledgement and appreciation for their business and a pledge to resolve outstanding issues. Earlier this week, Abena was a familiar sight once again. This time it was to the busy Makola shopping district where she got the chance to engage three SME clients involved in the sale of different goods. It was vintage Abena; always interested in knowing what the key economic challenges are, how her clients are handling the pressure and what she can do to ease their pain points. The conversations drifted towards familiar territory of access to funds at convenient rates and the flexibility of the banks services and product offerings. Abena was pretty much upbeat about the customers and their enthusiasm. She also took the opportunity to highlight the bank's strong focus on supporting local SME businesses across different sectors of Ghanas economy. SMEs, undoubtedly, are the backbone of economic transformation in Ghana. They contribute more than 80% to socio-economic growth and Absa's strong footing in that space is a key part of the bank's success, after only two years of existence in the country. A lot of thinking has gone into the banks positioning in the eyes of SME businesses. For example, a recent partnership with the Mastercard Foundation has transformed access to finance for most of these SMEs, especially the ones owned by women in the country. The Mastercard Foundation agreement has opened doors for Absa, leading to a relationship with the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), which now makes it possible for SMEs to access up to GHS1m collateral-free loans from the bank. What is significant about this offering is that it fits into the perfect circumstance of these businesses, many of whom are trying to find their feet amidst the pandemic and general macroeconomic challenges. If the pandemic taught us nothing, it highlighted a return to prudence by banks in terms of lending. This makes Absa Bank a desired destination for SMEs due to its readily available funds. The clients were encouraged by Abena's presence and expressed gratitude for the relationship, most of whom have been with the bank for decades, during the erstwhile Barclays era. Sharing her thoughts after the visits, Abena said: "Our clients and customers matter to us because they are the reason for our existence. We are a bank that is excited by the role SMEs play in economic growth and how we are positioned to support and empower them. It is a strong commitment for us, and we shall continue to look for new and dynamic ways to help them grow. Staying in touch with our customers has become a part of our culture and I am happy to be leading by example." Absa Banks unique focus on SMEs and a digital-first approach to banking is winning many businesses to its stable. Despite the myriad of challenges faced by most businesses last year, Absa emerged as the most profitable bank in Ghana with a 55% rise in profit before tax and a 17% increase in total revenues. It also became the first bank in the history of the country to cross GHS1 billion in general profitability. Absa is a bank that has constantly trotted to the rhythm of it own beat and has over the years, delivered the goods to show for it. A strong focus on SMEs is a stroke of inspiration; especially as the current landscape has shown, and Abena is not resting on her laurels to reinforce this. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video New Patriotic Party stalwart, Captain (Rtd) Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey, on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, showed up at the Accra Circuit Court 9 to represent Aisha Huang and 3 other Chinese nationals facing trial for illegal mining activities. The suspects, during their last appearance on September 5, 2022, had no legal representation. In addition to the absence of an interpreter to facilitate the proceedings, the court remanded the suspects into custody to reappear on Wednesday, September 14, 2022. On Wednesday, when the case was called, lawyer Effah-Dartey, who in the last few years has been engaged more in legal practice than the politics he is known for, rose for the accused persons. As a politician, Captain Effah-Dartey, who resigned from the Ghana Armed Forces in 1983, represented the people of Berekum Constituency as a Member of Parliament for two terms between 2000 and 2008. He also worked as a Deputy Minister for the Interior over the period. Having been away from active politics, Captain Effah-Dartey is now operating his private law firm. Appearing for the accused on Wednesday, Captain Effah-Dartey prayed to the court to grant his clients bail. The court, however, turned down the request following opposition from the prosecution. The case has been adjourned to September 27, 2022. Background Ms. Huang, in 2017, was charged with undertaking small-scale mining operations contrary to Section 99 (1) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703). She was also charged with providing mine support services without valid registration with the Minerals Commission, contrary to Section 59 and 99 (2) of the Minerals and Mining Act; and also charged with illegal employment of foreign nationals (in breach of Section 24 of the Immigration Act and Regulation 18 of the Immigration Regulations). Her case was, however, discontinued and she was deported. Her deportation meant the state discontinued the trial against her. She, however, found her way back into the country, leading to her recent arrest. A court last week remanded Aisha Huang and three other Chinese nationals into custody to reappear on charges of illegal gold mining and trading. Her recent arrest is on the same issue of illegal mining. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video South Korean police say they have arrested a woman accused of murdering her two children who were found in suitcases in New Zealand last month. In a case that shocked the country, the bodies were discovered by strangers who had bought the abandoned suitcases from a storage unit in Auckland. The bodies were believed to have been stored for a few years. Korean police said the victims were aged 7 and 10. New Zealand has applied for the woman's extradition from South Korea. Police in Auckland said they had worked closely with South Korean authorities in their search for the woman, after saying last month they believed she was in South Korea. The woman had fled to South Korea in 2018 after the children's deaths, South Korean police said. She is a 42-year-old New Zealand national of Korean descent. A global Interpol warrant had been issued for her arrest. Officers arrested her on Thursday in a midnight raid on an apartment in the south-eastern city of Ulsan. It followed a stakeout after investigators received tips about her whereabouts, Seoul's National Police agency said. Last month, New Zealand police said they were searching for the woman after they managed to identify the children, whose names have not been disclosed. Read Full Story .... HERE >>> : Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Bank heists in Lebanon have become a growing trend but these armed robbers storming into banks are not stealing anyone elses money. They are just demanding access to their own savings. And instead of being prosecuted, the perpetrators have largely been allowed to remain free and have become folk heroes. The incidents have become increasingly common as Lebanons economic crisis continues. The local currency, the Lebanese pound, has depreciated by more than 90 percent against the United States dollar on the black market, while the governments restrictions on how much money people can withdraw from their own bank accounts have also exacerbated the situation. Read Full Story .... Aljazeera >>> : Source: Aljazeera Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ayawaso West Assembly has come under intense fire after illegally demolishing a structure in a prime area at East Legon in the Greater Accra Region on Wednesday. The most shocking aspect of the exercise is that the Estate Developer, Nana Ofori Boasiako, has already been granted a permit by the Assembly. Furthermore, the MCE, Sandra Ahenkorah, signed all of the documents confirming Nana Oforis ownership of the property and land. When the media arrived on the scene, the entire fence surrounding the land, as well as the culverts installed for the drainage system to allow the free flow of water, had been demolished. In a press conference, Nana Ofori Boasiako, CEO of Incant 2 solution Homes, described the demolition as illegal and ill-motivated. He said he couldnt understand why the Assembly that issued him a permit to develop the land would later turn and demolish his project, running into millions of cedis. I applied to the Ayawaso West Assembly that I want to cover the culverts and do it to international standards to allow for easy flow of the drainage, he said. The government is supposed to do this drainage system, but Ive taken it upon myself to do it so that I can develop my office apartment without impediments. He went on to say that the demolition was illegal and unacceptable, asking, How can the MCE issue me a permit to develop and then come and demolish the project? Giving the background to the land acquisition, the enraged Estate Developer emphasized that he legitimately purchased that parcel of land from the owners years ago for $140,000 with no dispute. He went on to say that the land adjacent to the Araya Islamic School, as well as all lands stretching to Lagos Avenue, are all part of the Airport Extension, and that anyone who owns land within that enclave must apply for regularization of the land at the Lands Commission because it belongs to the state. Nana Ofori, who presented all documents to support his claim, stated that he applied to the Lands Commission for the regularization of the land, which was granted at a cost of GHC780,000. As a result, he claims that no one can claim ownership of the land, resulting in the demise of his project. According to him, his caretaker called him late last year and informed him that a top businessman and his boys were on the site. He stated that when he learned of this, he went to the Lands Commission to determine who was the rightful owner of the land. He stated that the data available at the Lands Commission confirms his ownership of the land, and that his inquiries with the family who sold the land to him revealed that the land had not been sold to anyone other than him. Later, the CEO of Incant 2 Solutions Home stated that he had petitioned the Secretary to the President, the Presidency, and the Director of Operations at the Presidency, Mr. Lord Commey, to intervene and prevent Sandra Ahenkorah, MCE of Ayawaso West Wuogon, from engaging in illegalities. He hinted that he had instructed his attorneys to sue the Assembly and the police for the illegal demolition of his project. Source: Atinkaonline.com . Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video District Chief Executive (DCE) for Amansie South District, Clement Opoku Gyamfi, has called on government to declare a state of emergency to fight the activities of illegal mining (galamsey). According to the DCE, the nation must fight galamsey like they did against Coronavirus disease through a concerted effort by getting every citizen and the media actively involved. Clement Opoku Gyamfi, speaking to Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme, admitted that the galamsey fight is a hard nut to crack but the nation cannot give up. He believed a state of emergency will get every individual and all the State authorities as well as the media focused on achieving victory over the illicit business. "The nation will be in trouble should the media give up. If the Police gets fed up with the fight of galamsey, it won't augur well for the country. Ghana Armed Forces and Immigration Service, don't give up . . . Our teachers must teach the school children the effects of galamsey activities," he said. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Four men have been imprisoned for life after being convicted of rape in Nigeria's northern state of Jigawa. The state's high court in the town of Birnin-Kudu found them guilty of raping four girls in separate cases. In a statement, the state justice ministry says two pupils - both eight-year-olds - were attacked while returning from primary schools in separate incidents by the convicts. The victims in the other cases were aged six and 12. Some of the convicts had denied the charges levelled against them. But a spokesperson for the justice ministry, Zainab Baba Santali, says medical reports were part of the evidence presented by prosecutors to the judge to prove what happened. The convicted rapists have the right to appeal against the judgements. Campaigners have been decrying increasing cases of rape and low rates of punishment for perpetrators in Nigeria - and pushing for more drastic measures to tackle the problem described by some as an epidemic. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Its a father-son situation with regards to lawyers in charge of the galamsey kingpin, Aisha Huangs case. In court on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, Nkrabeah who is the lead counsel introduced Divine Effah Dartey as one of his assists in the case involving Aisha Huang and 3 others and the name rang a bell immediately. Upon further interrogation, it was confirmed that Divine Effah Dartey Junior is one of Mr Effah Dartey sons. With a blue shirt, and well suited, the son solidly backed his father who vehemently argued out his case for the lady who has become arguably the most topical in recent times; Aisha Huang. Aside from Divine being a lawyer, Mr Effah Dartey also has a son called David Effah Dartey who is a medical doctor. New Patriotic Party stalwart, Captain (Rtd) Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey, on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, showed up at the Accra Circuit Court 9 to represent Aisha Huang and 3 other Chinese nationals facing trial for illegal mining activities. The suspects, during their last appearance on September 5, 2022, had no legal representation. In addition to the absence of an interpreter to facilitate the proceedings, the court remanded the suspects into custody to reappear on Wednesday, September 14, 2022. On Wednesday, when the case was called, lawyer Effah-Dartey, who in the last few years has been engaged more in legal practice than the politics he is known for, rose for the accused persons. As a politician, Captain Effah-Dartey, who resigned from the Ghana Armed Forces in 1983, represented the people of Berekum Constituency as a Member of Parliament for two terms between 2000 and 2008. He also worked as a Deputy Minister for the Interior over the period. Having been away from active politics, Captain Effah-Dartey is now operating his private law firm. Appearing for the accused on Wednesday, Captain Effah-Dartey prayed to the court to grant his clients bail. The court, however, turned down the request following opposition from the prosecution. The case has been adjourned to September 27, 2022. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Kwamena Duncan, former Central Regional Minister, says Ex-President John Dramani Mahama's revelation that he only recieves monthly pension is an absolute falsehood. In an interview on TV3 on Monday, September 12, John Mahama stated that he has been taking care of his own expenses including those covered under his emoluments as an ex-Head of State. I receive only my monthly pension, like President Kufuor or President Rawlings was receiving until he died. That is all I get. I pay the electricity bill for my house, for my office. I pay the water bill for my house and my office. I live in my own accommodation so the state does not pay me anything for accommodation. They havent given me an office, I rent an office in East Cantonments, I pay the rent myself, I pay for my own fuel, the state doesnt give me fuel. I pay my own domestic staff, I pay my own medical bills. I pay for my own air tickets when I travel, he said on TV3. But Kwamena Duncan says the former President is lying because he has been receiving other benefits aside his monthly pension from the State. He disclosed on Peace FM's Wednesday edition of "Kokrokoo" that the Statesman has received cars comprising a brand new Mercedes Benz registered this year, two Land Cruisers and other vehicles as well as his travel costs covered by State. "The man tells us that apart from his pension, in fact, he bears the cost of travels and all of those when it is a palpable lie; absolute falsehood! . . . If he tells you that except my monthly pension, nothing else is done for me, what does that mean? It means that for vehicles, I'm not getting vehicles. If it were travels, I'm not being supported in my travels. It it were this, even payment, except monthly salary or monthly pension. This is pure deception," he said. To him, John Mahama has become desperate for power but cautioned Ghanaians stating "if there was anybody that this country had to be firm and build a solid Chinese wall between power and that individual is President Mahama. He must not have the least chance to corridor of power". "He is become so desperate that there is a certain four-year term hanging there, I need to have it just for the sake of it that I have become President again . . . Ask yourself, what is President Mahama capable of doing? What can he do to change our fate?", he admonished the citizenry. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A former National Political Activist, James Kwabena Bomfeh has dared former President John Dramani Mahama to give up his emoluments and other perks linked to his ex gratia. The former President recently granted an interview to TV3 and claimed aside his monthly pension, he hasn't been paid his emoluments and other privileges. I receive only my monthly pension, like President Kufuor or President Rawlings was receiving until he died. That is all I get. I pay the electricity bill for my house, for my office. I pay the water bill for my house and my office. I live in my own accommodation so the state does not pay me anything for accommodation. They havent given me an office, I rent an office in East Cantonments, I pay the rent myself, I pay for my own fuel, the state doesnt give me fuel. I pay my own domestic staff, I pay my own medical bills. I pay for my own air tickets when I travel, the former President said. Mr. John Mahama, also in a recent public event, pledged the next National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration will review Article 71 which backs the payment of ex gratia. "I want to assure all Ghanaians that the next NDC administration, as I have recently said, will revisit the matter of Article 71 emoluments, especially the issue of ex gratia payments and the size of government, to cut down on expenditure as a way of protecting our scarce resources", he said. But James Kwabena Bomfeh, who is currently the Editor of National Forum newspaper, slammed the former President for not coming clear on his stance on the payment of ex gratia and emoluments to Article 71 office holders. Responding to Mr. Mahama's remarks during "Kokrokoo" show on Peace FM, he asked; "What do you stand for? Constitutionalism, rule of law, democracy or what?" Mr Bomfeh believed the former President had a golden opportunity to amend the constitution since it was during his tenure as Vice President, and subsequently President of the Republic, that a Constitutional Review Committee was set up, but he failed to implement the Committee's recommendations. "I want to remind His Excellency, the former President [that] if there was anybody who had the golden opportunity as President to amend, review or alter any provision in this constitution, you were the one." "Mr. former President, sincerely, are you telling me that if you meant and you stood for something that you are claiming today you stand for, four years and half; between July 24, 2012 and January 6, 2017, you set up a Constitutional Review Implementation Committee...but you didn't effect the changes", he stated. Kabilla challenged the former President to follow the example of Togbe Afede and relinquish his emoluments and privileges "if it is indeed his commitment that the emoluments and so forth should be cancelled". "...he should forgo them now. Togbe Afede set an example recently by giving back some money he was entitled to; former President John Dramani Mahama can do same if he's committed and he stands for something." Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The 2021 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Artiste of the Year, Diana Antwi Hamilton is poised to invade London with her flagship concert, Experience with Diana Hamilton. This years event in partnership with Enterprise Life is dubbed AkwantuPa Experience with Diana Hamilton is set off comes off on the 24th of September, 2022, inside the Dominion Centre. Speaking at the press launch at the Silicon House Production in Accra, Diana Antwi Hamilton said that, the event will be an unforgettable night of spiritaining ministrations from Gospel stars both home and abroad. The partnership is no compromise with the Diana Hamilton Brand but just an addition of a family that takes care of me and Vice versa she said. She also added that, the support by the AkwantuPa Brand will bring the Enterprise Life AkwantuPa to it target Group being people living abroad. She further stated that, preparations have been amazing with a bigger auditorium than the previous years and so far and tickets are fast selling on Eventbrite.com and on her website. She mentioned Koda, Niella amongst others as artiste also lined up for the event. On her part, the Senior Manager for Alternate Channels at Enterprise Life, Madam Grace Arthur, said partnership seeks to Talking about partnership to promote their objective of helping customers celebrate life and enjoy every moment. She explained that, AkwantuPa is an ingenious product by Enterprise Life designed for Ghanaians living abroad. It is designed to ensure that handling financial responsibilities towards your loved ones back home is easy and stress-free. AkwantuPa pays out a lump sum cash benefit upon the demise of family members who live in Ghana, to finance their burial rites. She mentioned that there will be a lot of freebies for all patrons of the event as well as other special prizes. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video For more than 30 years, Donna Elbert crunched numbers for astrophysicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar. Credit: Dianne Hofner Saphiere, Susan Elbert Steele, Joanne Elbert Kantner Scientists have long studied the work of Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, the Indian-born American astrophysicist who won the Nobel Prize in 1983, but few know that his research on stellar and planetary dynamics owes a deep debt of gratitude to an almost forgotten woman: Donna DeEtte Elbert. From 1948 to 1979, Elbert worked as a "computer" for Chandrasekhar, tirelessly devising and solving mathematical equations by hand. Though she shared authorship with the Nobel laureate on 18 papers and Chandrasekhar enthusiastically acknowledged her seminal contributions, her greatest achievement went unrecognized until a postdoctoral scholar at UCLA connected threads in Chandrasekhar's work that all led back to Elbert. Elbert's achievement? Before anyone else, she predicted the conditions argued to be optimal for a planet or star to generate its own magnetic field, said the scholar, Susanne Horn, who has spent half a decade building on Elbert's work. Now Horn and UCLA professor of Earth, planetary and space sciences Jonathan Aurnou have published a paper in Proceedings of the Royal Society A in which they present the newly named "Elbert range," which details their predictions about the range of combinations that rotation, convection and magnetism may assume to best generate a planet-wide magnetic field. The work, the authors say, will help researchers in a variety of disciplines to better understand conditions in Earth's interior and within other planets and to identify planets outside our solar system with the potential to host life. "Elbert had no formal mathematics degree, but what she did, most people couldn't do nowadays. It's really tough math usually done using modern electronic computers," said Horn, now an associate professor at the Research Centre for Fluid and Complex Systems at Coventry University in the UK. "Chandrasekhar says in footnotes that the subtle and elegant ways to solve particular problems were actually put forward by Elbert. She's all over his treatise on geophysical and astrophysical fluid dynamics but is not an author. Today, she would be considered a mathematician in her own right, but in the '50s and '60s, it was hard for a woman to get more credit than a footnote." And because Elbert's discovery concerning the generation of planetary magnetic fields remained embedded within her employer's body of work, the finding has generally been attributed to Chandrasekhar, who shared the Nobel in physics for discoveries related to stellar evolution and massive stars. Horn said she hopes the work she and Aurnou have undertaken to refine and expand upon Elbert's original predictions provides a fittingif belatedtribute to Elbert, who died in 2019 at the age of 90. The Elbert range: How planets and stars create magnetic fields Planets generate their own magnetic fields through the internal circulation of heated, electrically conducting fluids such as liquid metals or very salty oceans. As a planet rotates on its axis, the movement of these fluids becomes organized, generating planetary magnetic fields along the way. Scientists think that planets with magnetic fields are more likely to sustain life because the magnetic field acts as a sort of cocoon that shields the planet from the surrounding, often unfriendly space environment, Aurnou said. "The key is you have all these fluid motions. Earth's core is dominantly comprised of liquid iron. As the planet slowly cools to space, the cooler upper part of the liquid core sinks, and the hotter iron rises at depth," he explained. The movement caused by this sinking and rising is known as convection. Convection motions in electrically conducting materials, such as the liquid iron in Earth's core, can create electric currents that can then generate a planet's global magnetic field. "It's not clear if convective turbulence alone will generate a planetary-scale magnetic field," Aurnou noted, "but we know planetary rotation organizes the turbulence into patterns of motion that can." In other words, he said, rotational forces called Coriolis forces move fluids in predictable ways as the planet spins. "Elbert was the first to point out that when these rotational forces are comparable in strength to magnetic forces, then convection will start to become organized on the scale of the planet itself. It's such a simple, sensible system." Elbert discovered this principle on her own while Chandrasekhar was on a summer lecture tour and presented it to him upon his return. He incorporated Elbert's finding into his own work and credited her in a footnote without delving further into its significance. But Horn leapfrogged off Elbert's work. "What we did is seek how the patterns of convection in liquid metals and their evolution vary when subject to both rotation and magnetic fields," Horn said. "We found that there are different regimes of convective behavior, and we mapped out where these exact regimes are. This work makes a whole suite of new predictions that we will use to build future laboratory and numerical models of planetary and stellar magnetic field generation." The open-access paper, "The Elbert range of magnetostrophic convection. I. Linear theory," is the first in a series of three papers Horn and Aurnou plan to publish that build on Elbert's work. Explore further Strong planetary magnetic fields like Earth's may protect oceans from stellar storms More information: Susanne Horn et al, The Elbert range of magnetostrophic convection. I. Linear theory, Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences (2022). Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society A Susanne Horn et al, The Elbert range of magnetostrophic convection. I. Linear theory,(2022). DOI: 10.1098/rspa.2022.0313 The Conceptual Modelcapabilities as conversion factors between conditions and subjective QoL. Credit: Scientific Reports (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18877-3 Young people not in education, employment or training, long-term unemployed, people with refugee backgrounds, and older people living alone and at risk of exclusion perceive their capabilities to promote their individual health and well-being as weak. A new study shows that these people also perceived their quality of life to be weaker than the Finnish population on average. The study, conducted by Research Director Tomi Maki-Opas and Professor Marja Vaarama at the University of Eastern Finland and by Professor Richard Pieper at Tampere University, employed the capability framework, which hasn't been widely used to examine the background factors affecting the health and well-being of disadvantaged population groups so far. The findings suggest that individuals' own assessment of their capabilities to act and pursue things they find important has a strong impact on perceived well-being. These capabilities are shaped not only by individual factors such as age and gender, but also and in particular by structural factors such as income and education. "It is important for everyone to have certain fundamental opportunities to maintain and promote their well-being. Believing and having confidence in one's own choices, i.e., one's own capabilities, in shaping individual well-being is also important," Maki-Opas points out. In addition, it is vital to note that a person's capabilities to mobilize their resources and make healthy choices in life is always promoted or limited by the circumstances they live in. "It is thus essential for social welfare and health policies not only to promote people's individual capabilities, but also to remedy what needs to be fixed, such as low income or substandard living conditions. Education alone is an investment in strengthening people's capabilities," Vaarama points out. According to Professor Richard Pieper, the capability approach and the related scoring used in the study is promising and can open up new avenues for promoting people's well-being. "Capability scoring describes not only the empowerment of people to achieve things they value, but also their hopes for the future. By supporting these, people can be helped to achieve their desired future," Pieper emphasizes. Published in Scientific Reports, the study revealed both common factors and group-specific differences in people's capabilities to maintain and promote their well-being. All the study participants felt that having capabilities to achieve things in life and to get intellectual stimulation were important to their well-being. For young people not in education, employment or training, for people with refugee backgrounds and for older people, it was important to live in a pleasant environment at home, at work and in leisure time. Capabilities to forge meaningful social relations were important especially for young people, and capabilities to seek happiness in life were essential for everyone but older people. Among older people, having meaningful things to do, access to the necessary services, and a positive attitude towards one's own aging were highlighted in many ways. The researchers utilized cross-sectional data from the Inclusive Promotion of Health and Well-being project, PROMEQ, containing diverse data on the physical, psychological, social and environmental quality of life and living conditions of the respondents, as well as on their perceived capabilities to promote their quality of life. More information: Tomi Maki-Opas et al, Exploring the capability approach to quality of life in disadvantaged population groups, Scientific Reports (2022). Journal information: Scientific Reports Tomi Maki-Opas et al, Exploring the capability approach to quality of life in disadvantaged population groups,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18877-3 (a) Schematic of the solid proton field effect transistor. (b, c) Optical and atomic force microscope images of heterostructure device. (d, e) Gate-dependent exchange bias effects at T = 30 and 40 K, respectively. (f, g) Amplitudes of the exchange bias effects under various gating voltages at T = 30 and 40 K, respectively. Credit: Zheng Guolin Van der Waals (vdW) ferromagnets are the building blocks of vdW heterostructure devices such as vdW ferromagnetic (FM)-antiferromagnetic (AFM) heterostructures and vdW FM-ferroelectric heterostructures. These vdW heterostructure devices have attracted a lot of attention due to their promising applications in modern spintronics. However, the interface coupling of a vdW heterostructure is weak due to the large vdW gap, which impedes the development of this burgeoning area. Understanding of how to electrically tune the interface coupling in vdW heterostructure device remains elusive. Recently, professor Zheng Guolin from the High Magnetic field laboratory at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), collaborating with professor Lan Wang from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, experimentally studied the interface coupling in FePS 3 -Fe 5 GeTe 2 van der Waals heterostructures via proton intercalations. This is the first time scientists discovered that the interface coupling induced exchange bias effect can be electrically controlled via gate-induced proton intercalations, which provide a promising way to manipulate the interface coupling in many more vdW heterostructures. The results were recently published in Nano Letters. In this research, the team fabricated FePS 3 -Fe 5 GeTe 2 vdW heterostructure devices (with the thickness of FM layer Fe 5 GeTe 2 between 12-18 nm) and showed that the weak exchange bias effects below 20 K developed due to the interface magnetic coupling. However, when they put the heterostructure devices onto the solid proton conductors, the blocking temperature (where the exchange bias effect disappeared) was boosted up to 60 K. Moreover, the observed exchange bias effect can be electrically switched "ON" and "OFF" due to the intercalations or de-intercalations of the protons under a gate voltage. Interestingly, the magnetic properties of the top Fe 3 GeTe 2 layerincluding coercivity, anomalous Hall resistivity and Curie temperaturedidn't change during the whole gating process, revealing that the proton intercalation has a very limited impact on FM layer. Further theoretical calculations based on density functional theory demonstrated that the proton intercalations mainly affected the magnetic coupling at the interface as well as the magnetic configurations in AFM layer, leading to a gate-tunable exchange bias effect. Explore further Manipulating interlayer magnetic coupling in van der Waals heterostructures More information: Sultan Albarakati et al, Electric Control of Exchange Bias Effect in FePS3Fe5GeTe2 van der Waals Heterostructures, Nano Letters (2022). Journal information: Nano Letters Sultan Albarakati et al, Electric Control of Exchange Bias Effect in FePS3Fe5GeTe2 van der Waals Heterostructures,(2022). DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c01370 Graphical abstract. Credit: Science of The Total Environment (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158399 In California's Ventura County, increased agricultural pesticide use and related toxicity risks for humans occur the most in areas with more people of color and limited resources, according to a new study by Environmental Working Group scientists. The paper, on racial and social disparities in the county based on agricultural pesticide applications, was just published in the journal Science of the Total Environment. "This peer-reviewed study is further evidence that communities of color are shouldering the biggest burden of pesticide exposure," said Alexis Temkin, Ph.D., an EWG toxicologist and co-author of the paper. EWG's scientists set out to identify, based on race and ethnicity and indicators of social vulnerability, disparities in potential pesticide exposure among communities. They analyzed more than 340,000 pesticide application records collected by the state of California for Ventura between 2016 and 2018, then layered this on U.S. Census Bureau sociodemographic data. More than 5 million pounds of pesticides are applied on Ventura farms each year, according to EWG's analysis of California pesticide data. These pesticide exposures, documented in the EWG mapping tool, threaten the health of hundreds of thousands of people who live in the county and put farmworkers and their families at the greatest health risk. The data show greater pesticide application in communities with a higher percentage of people who identify as Latino, Black and Asian American. The areas in the county where very little or no pesticides are applied are largely inhabited by non-Hispanic white residents. "This is another stark example of unjust policies and practices rooted in environmental racism," said Uloma Uche, Ph.D., environmental health science fellow at EWG, who conducted sociodemographic analysis for the study. EWG's researchers developed and used a pesticide ranking methodology based on toxicity, and the amounts applied to farm fields, to highlight geographic areas of greatest concern and identify pesticides associated with the greatest potential threat to health. Many of the pesticides widely used in Ventura are associated with serious health problems, including neurological and behavioral problems in children, endocrine disruption and cancer, among others. Of the 290 pesticides used with available toxicity information, 113 were associated with multiple health issues. Most of the locations with high-risk pesticide use are located near Oxnard, the biggest city in Ventura County. Oxnard has a higher percentage of people who identify, in census records, as Hispanic or Latino or non-Hispanic African Americans, compared to the county's other communities. This echoes other reports showing people of color are more likely to live close to areas of high environmental pollution and inadequate environmental health protection. "We have to stop applying pesticides that can increase the risk of cancer and other serious health problems that are associated with these chemicals," said Paul Burke, chair of the Environmental and Climate Justice Committee of the Ventura County branch of the NAACP. "We need to require farms to use fewer toxic pesticides, and more natural pest prevention solutions. Too many families are losing their loved ones to cancer." These health risks are greatest for farmworkers and their families, who experience the highest exposures to pesticides in the county. Epidemiological studies conducted in California found that living near pesticide spraying is linked to increased risk of cancer and harm to the respiratory system and the developing fetus, such as low birth weight and reduced IQ. The EWG study's findings are similar to those in an earlier analysis by the state of California under its CalEnviroScreen program, which reported social and environmental injustice and inequities in exposure to toxic chemicals, including pesticides. "Pesticide toxicity not only affects Ventura County communities at large, it systemically impacts the underserved Black and Brown communities who already face the highest numbers of deaths due to cancer, asthma and other respiratory diseases," said Regina K. Hatcher-Crawford, California Hawaii State NAACP Central Area director and Ventura County NAACP branch president. "Exposures to toxic chemicals and disparities in the health care system continue harming Black and Brown communities. Like Flint, Mich., and Jackson, Miss., people in Ventura face severe environmental injustices. Pesticide pollution in the air we breathe is like a silent killer," Hatcher-Crawford added. More than one in four homes in Ventura is located a half-mile or less from fields sprayed with pesticides linked to serious health harms, including cancer, neurotoxicity and harm to development and reproduction. And 33 elementary schools in the county are within a quarter-mile of pesticide applications, as shown in the EWG mapping tool. "As a long-time former farmworker and now community organizer educating the public on pesticide issues, I am very concerned about how little public understanding there is regarding the health risks of pesticide use, and the lack of awareness people have of what is being sprayed around them," said Teresa Gomez, coordinator of CAPS 805, Coalition Advocating for Pesticide Safety, part of the statewide Californians for Pesticide Reform coalition. "That's why we are campaigning for the right to know about pesticide applications in advance, and why mapping pesticide use data is so important," Gomez said. A 2014 analysis of pesticide use near schools in California found Hispanic children were far more likely than non-Hispanic white children to attend schools near the heaviest pesticide use. There are no state or federal limits on the number of agricultural pesticides allowed in air, so any amount of a single pesticide or pesticide mixture in air, over any period, is legal. Although the California Department of Pesticide Regulation performs seasonal air monitoring for pesticides in certain high-use areas, the frequency of monitoring and number of monitoring locations do not fully capture the heavy agricultural use in Ventura or the state. "Mapping pesticide use data is an important tool in our shared work toward a California food and farming system free of the dangerous pesticides. This is the kind of information residents and workers need in their own hands to advocate for the protection of their families and communities," said Pesticide Action Network Senior Scientist Margaret Reeves. In EWG's study of Ventura County, research clearly shows that communities of color and populations with limited social protection and services experience a greater burden of pesticide exposure and potentially greater health risks. More health-protective and socially equitable policies are necessary to better protect these vulnerable communities, EWG concludes. Explore further Examining the pesticides that may increase cancer risk in children More information: Alexis M. Temkin et al, Racial and social disparities in Ventura County, California related to agricultural pesticide applications and toxicity, Science of The Total Environment (2022). Alexis M. Temkin et al, Racial and social disparities in Ventura County, California related to agricultural pesticide applications and toxicity,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158399 EWG mapping tool: www.ewg.org/interactive-maps/2 y-pesticide-map/map/ Journal information: Science of the Total Environment Provided by Environmental Working Group Credit: CC0 Public Domain Indiana high school students with disabilities who spent 80% of their educational time in general education classrooms scored higher on state reading and math assessments and were better prepared for post-secondary education and employment opportunities than their peers in less inclusive settings, according to a new study by Indiana University researchers. "We are currently in a time when the experience of 'community' is being stressed in multiple ways in our society," said Hardy Murphy, study co-author and a clinical professor in the School of Education at IUPUI. "Changing and elevating our expectations of what students with disabilities are capable of lies at the heart of people with disabilities contributing to and benefiting from being a part of our community experience, beyond K-12 education. Including students with disabilities in their school communities with their general education peers is an important place to begin this transformation. These results show that it is as much a moral and ethical question as it is an educational one." The study, conducted by IU's Center on Education and Lifelong Learning, one of seven research centers at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, was recently published in the Journal of Special Education. Led by Sandi Cole, lead author on the study and director of the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, researchers used statewide student and school demographic and outcome data to investigate the relationship between high- and low-inclusion educational settings and the academic outcomes of students with disabilities. High inclusion was defined as 80% or more educational time spent in the general education classroom. Low inclusion was defined as less than 80% of educational time spent in the general education classroom. The new study is the second phase of their 2020 study, which looked at special education placement and academic outcomes for third- to eighth-grade Indiana students with primary disabilities including cognitive, learning and emotional disabilities; autism spectrum disorder; blindness; and deafness. In that study, students who experienced more inclusion demonstrated significantly higher achievement on state assessments than students experiencing less inclusionregardless of the disability category. Given the previous study's finding in favor of high inclusion related to student success, the new study assessed whether the same pattern existed for high school students with disabilities, focusing on a cohort of Indiana students who were eighth graders in 2013 and graduated high school in 2018. A statewide comparison of student achievement in English/language arts with a cohort sample size of 23,796 and math scores with a sample size of 23,940 students in low- and high-inclusion placements was initiated using ISTEP+, the state assessment tool used for all students in Indiana. Students identified for the state's alternative assessment (approximately 1% of students with disabilities) were excluded from the study. Additionally, because diploma type often reflects the curriculum path of high school students, the study used this data to investigate relative differences in preparedness for post-secondary transition related to placement. Key findings of this study include: Comparisons of 10th grade ISTEP scores yielded highly significant results. Students with disabilities who spent 80% or more time in the general education classroom scored an average of 24.3 points higher in English/language arts and 18.4 points higher in math than their peers in low-inclusion settings. Students with disabilities in high-inclusion settings were 22% more likely than their peers in low-inclusion settings to graduate with a Core 40 diploma by passing the state assessment rather than receiving a waiver. Researchers said this suggests these students were more prepared for successful post-secondary educational and employment opportunities. "It is clear from these two studies that place matters," Cole said. "By using a propensity matching methodology, we can state with great certainty that students with disabilities have better outcomes in inclusion settings than their peers in more segregated settings. As we noted in the paper, 'We cannot, as a society, afford to continue to support policies and practices that result in academic failure, limited post-secondary options and continued separation and marginalization based on disabilities. We can, however, accept the ambitious agenda to transform educational systems to create inclusive school environments, maximize student participation and increase the achievement of students with disabilities.'" More information: Sandi M. Cole et al, The Relationship Between Special Education Placement and High School Outcomes, The Journal of Special Education (2022). Sandi M. Cole et al, The Relationship Between Special Education Placement and High School Outcomes,(2022). DOI: 10.1177/00224669221097945 The Gogo fish fossil where the 380-million-year-old, 3D preserved heart was discovered by researchers. Pictured at the WA Museum. Credit: Yasmine Phillips, Curtin University Researchers have discovered a 380-million-year-old heartthe oldest ever foundalongside a separate fossilized stomach, intestine and liver in an ancient jawed fish, shedding new light on the evolution of our own bodies. The new research, published today in Science, found that the position of the organs in the body of arthrodiresan extinct class of armored fishes that flourished through the Devonian period from 419.2 million years ago to 358.9 million years agois similar to modern shark anatomy, offering vital new evolutionary clues. Lead researcher, John Curtin Distinguished Professor Kate Trinajstic from Curtin's School of Molecular and Life Sciences and the Western Australian Museum, said the discovery was remarkable given that soft tissues of ancient species were rarely preserved and it was even rarer to find 3D preservation. "As a paleontologist who has studied fossils for more than 20 years, I was truly amazed to find a 3D and beautifully preserved heart in a 380-million-year-old ancestor," Professor Trinajstic said. Heart position animation created by Alice Clement. Credit: Alice Clement "Evolution is often thought of as a series of small steps, but these ancient fossils suggest there was a larger leap between jawless and jawed vertebrates. These fish literally have their hearts in their mouths and under their gillsjust like sharks today." This research presents the first 3D model of a complex S-shaped heart in an arthrodire that is made up of two chambers, with the smaller chamber sitting on top. Curtin University Professor Kate Trinajstic inspects the ancient fossils at the WA Museum. Credit: Adelinah Razali, Curtin University Professor Trinajstic said these features were advanced in such early vertebrates, offering a unique window into how the head and neck region began to change to accommodate jaws, a critical stage in the evolution of our own bodies. "For the first time, we can see all the organs together in a primitive jawed fish, and we were especially surprised to learn that they were not so different from us," Professor Trinajstic said. "However, there was one critical differencethe liver was large and enabled the fish to remain buoyant, just like sharks today. Some of today's bony fish such as lungfish and birchers have lungs that evolved from swim bladders but it was significant that we found no evidence of lungs in any of the extinct armored fishes we examined, which suggests that they evolved independently in the bony fishes at a later date." The preserved stomach of a Gogo fish fossil under the microscope. Pictured at the WA Museum. Credit: Yasmine Phillips, Curtin University The Gogo Formation, in the Kimberley region of Western Australia where the fossils were collected, was originally a large reef. Enlisting the help of scientists at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization in Sydney and the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France, researchers used neutron beams and synchrotron X-rays to scan the specimens, still embedded in the limestone concretions, and constructed three-dimensional images of the soft tissues inside them based on the different densities of minerals deposited by the bacteria and the surrounding rock matrix. This new discovery of mineralized organs, in addition to previous finds of muscles and embryos, makes the Gogo arthrodires the most fully understood of all jawed stem vertebrates and clarifies an evolutionary transition on the line to living jawed vertebrates, which includes the mammals and humans. Co-author Professor John Long, from Flinders University, said, "These new discoveries of soft organs in these ancient fishes are truly the stuff of paleontologists' dreams, for without doubt these fossils are the best preserved in the world for this age. They show the value of the Gogo fossils for understanding the big steps in our distant evolution. Gogo has given us world firsts, from the origins of sex to the oldest vertebrate heart, and is now one of the most significant fossil sites in the world. It's time the site was seriously considered for world heritage status." Gogo fish diorama at WA Museum Boola Bardip. Credit: Professor Kate Trinajstic, Curtin University Co-author Professor Per Ahlberg, from Uppsala University, said, "What's really exceptional about the Gogo fishes is that their soft tissues are preserved in three dimensions. Most cases of soft-tissue preservation are found in flattened fossils, where the soft anatomy is little more than a stain on the rock. We are also very fortunate in that modern scanning techniques allow us to study these fragile soft tissues without destroying them. A couple of decades ago, the project would have been impossible." The Curtin-led research was a collaboration with Flinders University, the Western Australian Museum, the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization's nuclear reactor, Uppsala University, Monash University's Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute and the South Australian Museum. The paper is titled "Exceptional preservation of organs in Devonian placoderms from the Gogo lagerstatte." More information: Kate Trinajstic, Exceptional preservation of organs in Devonian placoderms from the Gogo lagerstatte, Science (2022). www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abf3289 Journal information: Science Kate Trinajstic, Exceptional preservation of organs in Devonian placoderms from the Gogo lagerstatte,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/science.abf3289 NASAs Perseverance rover puts its robotic arm to work around a rocky outcrop called Skinner Ridge in Mars Jezero Crater. Composed of multiple images, this mosaic shows layered sedimentary rocks in the face of a cliff in the delta, as well as one of the locations where the rover abraded a circular patch to analyze a rocks composition. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS NASA's Perseverance rover is well into its second science campaign, collecting rock-core samples from features within an area long considered by scientists to be a top prospect for finding signs of ancient microbial life on Mars. The rover has collected four samples from an ancient river delta in the Red Planet's Jezero Crater since July 7, bringing the total count of scientifically compelling rock samples to 12. "We picked the Jezero Crater for Perseverance to explore because we thought it had the best chance of providing scientifically excellent samplesand now we know we sent the rover to the right location," said Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA's associate administrator for science in Washington. "These first two science campaigns have yielded an amazing diversity of samples to bring back to Earth by the Mars Sample Return campaign." Twenty-eight miles (45 kilometers) wide, Jezero Crater hosts a deltaan ancient fan-shaped feature that formed about 3.5 billion years ago at the convergence of a Martian river and a lake. Perseverance is currently investigating the delta's sedimentary rocks, formed when particles of various sizes settled in the once-watery environment. During its first science campaign, the rover explored the crater's floor, finding igneous rock, which forms deep underground from magma or during volcanic activity at the surface. "The delta, with its diverse sedimentary rocks, contrasts beautifully with the igneous rocksformed from crystallization of magmadiscovered on the crater floor," said Perseverance project scientist Ken Farley of Caltech in Pasadena, California. "This juxtaposition provides us with a rich understanding of the geologic history after the crater formed and a diverse sample suite. For example, we found a sandstone that carries grains and rock fragments created far from Jezero Craterand a mudstone that includes intriguing organic compounds." Credit: Jet Propulsion Laboratory "Wildcat Ridge" is the name given to a rock about 3 feet (1 meter) wide that likely formed billions of years ago as mud and fine sand settled in an evaporating saltwater lake. On July 20, the rover abraded some of the surface of Wildcat Ridge so it could analyze the area with the instrument called Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics & Chemicals, or SHERLOC. SHERLOC's analysis indicates the samples feature a class of organic molecules that are spatially correlated with those of sulfate minerals. Sulfate minerals found in layers of sedimentary rock can yield significant information about the aqueous environments in which they formed. What Is Organic Matter? Organic molecules consist of a wide variety of compounds made primarily of carbon and usually include hydrogen and oxygen atoms. They can also contain other elements, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. While there are chemical processes that produce these molecules that don't require life, some of these compounds are the chemical building blocks of life. The presence of these specific molecules is considered to be a potential biosignaturea substance or structure that could be evidence of past life but may also have been produced without the presence of life. NASAs Perseverance rover collected rock samples for possible return to Earth in the future from two locations seen in this image of Mars Jezero Crater: Wildcat Ridge (lower left) and Skinner Ridge (upper right). Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS In 2013, NASA's Curiosity Mars rover found evidence of organic matter in rock-powder samples, and Perseverance has detected organics in Jezero Crater before. But unlike that previous discovery, this latest detection was made in an area where, in the distant past, sediment and salts were deposited into a lake under conditions in which life could potentially have existed. In its analysis of Wildcat Ridge, the SHERLOC instrument registered the most abundant organic detections on the mission to date. "In the distant past, the sand, mud, and salts that now make up the Wildcat Ridge sample were deposited under conditions where life could potentially have thrived," said Farley. "The fact the organic matter was found in such a sedimentary rockknown for preserving fossils of ancient life here on Earthis important. However, as capable as our instruments aboard Perseverance are, further conclusions regarding what is contained in the Wildcat Ridge sample will have to wait until it's returned to Earth for in-depth study as part of the agency's Mars Sample Return campaign." The first step in the NASA-ESA (European Space Agency) Mars Sample Return campaign began when Perseverance cored its first rock sample in September 2021. Along with its rock-core samples, the rover has collected one atmospheric sample and two witness tubes, all of which are stored in the rover's belly. The geologic diversity of the samples already carried in the rover is so good that the rover team is looking into depositing select tubes near the base of the delta in about two months. After depositing the cache, the rover will continue its delta explorations. "I've studied Martian habitability and geology for much of my career and know first-hand the incredible scientific value of returning a carefully collected set of Mars rocks to Earth," said Laurie Leshin, director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. "That we are weeks from deploying Perseverance's fascinating samples and mere years from bringing them to Earth so scientists can study them in exquisite detail is truly phenomenal. We will learn so much." The Biden Administration Allows a 'Target' to be Placed on All Life-affirming Clinics, Pregnancy Resource Centers and Pro-life Churches Across America NEWS PROVIDED BY Stanton Healthcare Sept. 15, 2022 WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /Christian Newswire/ -- After months of violent attacks and threats against pro-life centers, President Biden refused to include them in a White House unity summit against violence. Today the White House is hosting the "United We Stand Summit" to "counter the corrosive effects of hate-fueled violence on our democracy and public safety." See link: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/blog/2022/08/19/united-we-stand-countering-hate-fueled-violence-together/ Stanton Healthcare reached out numerous times to the White House asking to be a participant in the "United We Stand Summit." Below is one such request sent to the White House Domestic Policy Advisor, Ambassador Susan E. Rice: "Since May 2, life-affirming centers like Stanton Healthcare and churches all across American have been subjected to violent and hateful attacks because of their pro-life beliefs and values. "In fact, like so many other centers, Stanton had to spend thousands of dollars to hire private security firms to protect us from fire bombing, vandalism, death threats and other acts of violence. We live daily under the threat of violence. "In light of these attacks, Stanton Healthcare is asking the White House to include them as a participant in the 'United We Stand Summit.' Stanton would be a representative of the thousands of life-affirming clinics, centers and churches that face these threats of violence." Pregnancy Resource Center that was Recently Firebombed The White House declined to respond to our numerous requests. Stanton Healthcare is a women's healthcare provider which specializes in serving women facing unexpected pregnancies by providing professional medical care, practical and emotional support, women's wellness care, and a special outreach to refugee and marginalized communities. Stanton is based in Idaho with affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is part of a women's movement which includes over 3,000 pregnancy resource centers across the nation. Brandi Swindell, Founder and CEO of Stanton Healthcare, states: "For those who disagree with the Supreme Court's decision on Roe v. Wade, directing revenge and retaliation on centers like Stanton Healthcare is misguided, hateful, anti-women and must be personally condemned and stopped immediately by the Biden Administration and federal law enforcement. All Americans should be free to peacefully express their beliefs in the public square without the fear of violence and hate. "President Biden's failure to personally condemn violence against pro-life centers and refusal to invite us to the 'United We Stand Summit,' has allowed a target to be placed on the back of the pro-life community." Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Chief Strategy Officer for the Stanton Public Policy Center, comments: "Excluding pro-life centers from the 'United We Stand Summit' clearly shows the event has become politicized and the Biden Administration is only concerned about violence against communities, organizations and ideologies they agree with and politically support. It is deeply troubling for President Biden not to address violence against all Americans. "With the future of abortion being such an important conversation taking place across America, it is critical for millions of pro-life Americans to know the Biden Administration will not tolerate violence and hate directed toward our community. With federal law enforcement not even making one arrest concerning violence against pro-life organizations, we do not feel safe." For more information or interviews call: Rev. Patrick Mahoney at 540.538.4741 SOURCE Stanton Healthcare CONTACT: Rev. Patrick Mahoney, 540-538-4741 Share Tweet A, Heatmap depicting the effect of drug library inhibitors on the expression level of BTLA in RAW264.7 cells by in-cell western blotting. The top 10 drugs that inhibit (left) and enhance (right) BTLA expression are noted. B, Structure of the compound identified to enhance BTLA activity. C, Immunofluorescence staining of spleen tissues in the CLP and CLP+CP-673451 group mice as assessed with anti-BTLA (red). Nuclei are stained with DAPI (blue). Scale bar, 20m/50m. Flow cytometry was used to detect BTLA expression in CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and B cells in the spleen one day after sepsis. D, Bar graph comparing measurements of BTLA mRNA in mouse spleen samples of the CLP and CLP+CP-673451 groups on the 1st and 3rd days after sepsis. **, P <0.01. E, Analysis of the survival rate of CLP model mice treated with or without CP-673451. Credit: Science China Press In a study was led by Dr. Jianxin Jiang (Institute of Department of Trauma Medical Center, Daping Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Army Medical University), a team screened a highly selective kinase inhibitor library and found that CP-673451 can upregulate BTLA expression on immunocytes and reduce sepsis-related mortality. The team also found that CP-673451 treatment mainly enhanced BTLA expression in CD4+ T, CD8+ T cells and B cells. CP-673451 treatment was associated with reduced sepsis-induced lung injury such as infiltration of inflammatory cells and thickened alveolar septa were significantly reduced. CP-673451 administration can significantly reduce enzyme release in the heart, kidney and liver in septic mice. Furthermore, CP-673451 administration also reduced immune cell apoptosis. In conclusion, CP-673451 might reduce the mortality rate of septic mice by protecting the function of vital organs and reducing the apoptosis of immune cells. To further elucidate the mechanism by which CP-673451 reduces mortality in sepsis, the researchers observed its effect on cytokine release. The serum concentration of IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, TNF- decreased significantly after CP-673451 treatment in septic mice. Furthermore, the release of chemokines, such as CCL1, CCL2, CCL7 and CXCL13, was also reduced significantly after treatment with CP-673451 in septic mice. A, Serum cytokine levels of control, CLP and CP-673451-treated CLP group (CLP+CP-673451) mice were detected by cytokine array kits on the 1st and 3rd days post-sepsis. The cytokines labeled red were elevated after CLP but significantly reduced after treatment with CP-673451. The cytokines labeled blue were decreased after both CLP and treatment with CP-673451. B, CXCL13 release assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) from control and CLP with or without CP-673451 treatment on the 1st and 3rd days after sepsis. C, CXCL13 release assayed using ELISA in serum samples of sepsis patients and healthy volunteers. *, P<0.05; **, P<0.01. D, Serum cytokine and chemokine levels of control and CLP mice treated with or without CP-673451 were detected by Luminex liquid chip. Credit: Science China Press These results suggested that the selective PDGFR kinase inhibitor CP-673451 might inhibit the chemotaxis of T and B cells by inhibiting the release of chemokines such as CXCL13, CCL1, CCL2 and CCL7, thus reducing the release of cytokines by the two groups of immune cells to the peripheral blood. Consequently, CP-673451 alleviated the cytokine storm and decreased the mortality of sepsis. Therefore, the study provided a new therapeutic target and a new effective compound for sepsis. The research was published in Science China Life Sciences. More information: Qiang Wang et al, PDGFR kinase inhibitor protects against septic death via regulation of BTLA, Science China Life Sciences (2022). Journal information: Science China Life Sciences Qiang Wang et al, PDGFR kinase inhibitor protects against septic death via regulation of BTLA,(2022). DOI: 10.1007/s11427-021-2136-y Xenon purification system at SLAC. The two central columns are each filled with almost half a ton of charcoal, which is used to produce ultra-clean xenon for the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) dark matter experiment. Credit: Jacqueline Ramseyer Orrell/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory Sitting a mile below ground in an abandoned gold mine in South Dakota is a gigantic cylinder holding 10 tons of purified liquid xenon closely watched by more than 250 scientists around the world. That tank of xenon is the heart of the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment, an effort to detect dark matterthe mysterious invisible substance that makes up 85% of the matter in the universe. "People have been searching for dark matter for over 30 years, and no one has had a convincing detection yet," said Dan Akerib, professor of particle physics and astrophysics at the Department of Energy's (DOE) SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. But with the help of scientists, engineers, and researchers around the globe, Akerib and his colleagues have made the LZ experiment one of the most sensitive particle detectors on the planet. To reach that point, SLAC researchers built on their expertise in working with liquid noblesthe liquid forms of noble gases such as xenonincluding advancing the technologies used to purify liquid nobles themselves and the systems for detecting rare dark matter interactions within those liquids. And, Akerib said, what researchers have learned will aid not only the search for dark matter, but also other experiments searching for rare particle physics processes. "These are really profound mysteries of nature, and this confluence of understanding the very large and very small at the same time is very exciting," Akerib said. "It's possible we could learn something completely new about nature." Looking for dark matter deep underground A current leading candidate for dark matter is weakly interacting massive particles, or WIMPs. However, as the acronym suggests, WIMPs barely interact with ordinary matter, making them very difficult to detect, despite the fact there are theoretically many of them passing by us all the time. To deal with that challenge, the LZ experiment first went deep underground in the former Homestake gold mine, which is now the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead, South Dakota. There, the experiment is well protected from the constant bombardment of cosmic rays on Earth's surfacea source of background noise that could make it hard to pick out hard-to-find dark matter. Even then, finding dark matter requires a sensitive detector. For that reason, scientists look to noble gases, which are also notoriously reluctant to react with anything. This means there are very few options for what could happen when a dark matter particle, or WIMP, interacts with the atom of a noble gas, and therefore a lower chance of scientists missing an already tough-to-find interaction. But which noble? As it turns out, "xenon is a particularly good noble for detecting dark matter," Akerib said. Dark matter interacts most strongly with nuclei, and the interaction becomes even stronger with the atomic mass of the atom, Akerib explained. For example, xenon atoms are a little more than three times as heavy as argon atoms, but they're expected to have interactions with dark matter that are more than ten times as strong. Another benefit: "Once you purify other contaminants out of the liquid xenon, it's going to be very radio quiet by itself," Akerib said. In other words, the natural radioactive decay of xenon is unlikely to get in the way of detecting the interactions between WIMPs and xenon atoms. Just the xenon, please The trick, Akerib said, is getting pure xenon, without which all the benefits of the noble gas are moot. However, purified noble gases aren't readily availablethe fact that they don't interact with much of anything also means they are generally pretty difficult to separate from one another. And, "unfortunately you can't just buy a purifier off the shelf that will purify noble gases," Akerib said. Akerib and his colleagues at SLAC therefore had to figure out a way to purify all of the liquid xenon they needed for the detector. The biggest contaminant in xenon is krypton, which is the next lightest noble gas and has a radioactive isotope, which could mask the interactions researchers are actually looking for. To prevent krypton from becoming the particle detector's kryptonite, Akerib and his colleagues spent several years perfecting a xenon purifying technique using what's called gas charcoal chromatography. The basic idea is to separate ingredients in a mixture based on their chemical properties as the mixture is carried through some kind of medium. Gas charcoal chromatography uses helium as the carrier gas for the mixture, and charcoal as the separation medium. "You can think of the helium as a steady breeze through the charcoal," Akerib explained. "Each xenon and krypton atom spends some fraction of time stuck on the charcoal and some time unstuck. When the atoms are in an unstuck state, the helium breeze sweeps them down the column." Noble gas atoms are less sticky the smaller they are, which means krypton is somewhat less sticky than the xenon, so it gets swept away by the non-sticky helium "breeze," thus separating the xenon from the krypton. The researchers could then capture the krypton and throw it away and then recover the xenon, Akerib said. "We did that for something like 200 cylinders of xenon gasit was a pretty large campaign." The LZ experiment isn't the first experiment SLAC has been involved in an attempt to search for new physics with xenon. The Enriched Xenon Observatory experiment (EXO-200), which ran from 2011 to 2018, isolated a specific xenon isotope to search for a process called neutrinoless double beta decay. Results from the experiment suggested the process is unimaginably rare, but a new proposed search dubbed Next EXO (nEXO) will continue the search using a detector similar to LZ's. A different sort of electrical grid No matter what liquid noble fills the detector, a sophisticated detection system is crucial if scientists ever hope to find something like dark matter. Above and below the tower of liquid xenon for the LZ experiment are large, high-voltage grids that create electric fields in the detector. If a dark matter particle collides with a xenon atom and knocks a few electrons off, it will free some electrons from the atom and separately create a burst of light that can be detected by photo detectors, explained Ryan Linehan, a recent Ph.D. graduate from SLAC's LZ group who helped develop the high voltage grids. Electric fields running through the detector then drive the free electrons up into a thin layer of gas at the top of the cylinder where they create a second light signal. "We can use that second signal together with the original signal to learn a lot of information about position, energy, particle type, and more," Linehan said. But these aren't your average electrical gridsthey're carrying tens of thousands of volts, so high that any microscopic bits of dust or debris on the wire grid can cause spontaneous reactions that rip electrons out of the wire itself, Linehan said. "And those electrons can create signals that look just like the electrons that came from the xenon," thus masking the signals they are trying to detect. The researchers came up with two main ways to minimize the chances of getting false signals from the grids, Linehan said. First, the team used a chemical process called passivation to remove iron from the surface of the grid wires, leaving a chromium-rich surface that reduces the tendency of the wire to emit electrons. Second, to remove any dust particles, the researchers thoroughlyand very carefullysprayed the grids with deionized water immediately before installation. "Those processes together helped us get the grids to a state where we could actually get clear data," he said. The LZ team published their first results online in early July, having pushed the search for dark matter farther than it's ever gone before. Linehan and Akerib said they're impressed by what LZ's global collaboration has been able to accomplish. "Together, we're learning something fundamental about the universe and the nature of matter," Akerib said. "And we're just getting started." The LZ effort at SLAC is led by Akerib, together with Maria Elena Monzani, a lead scientist at SLAC and LZ deputy operations manager for computing and software, and Thomas Shutt, who was the founding spokesperson of the LZ collaboration. Explore further Global team of scientists finish assembling next-generation dark matter detector Woodlands next to agricultural land stored two to three times more carbon than neighbouring fields and reduced emissions of nitrous oxide by an average of 89 per cent, according to a U of A study. Credit: University of Alberta Both dead and alive, trees are an important ally for farmers in helping the environment, a new University of Alberta study shows. The research appears in Global Change Biology. Preserving and planting shelterbelts and hedgerowsand keeping the deadwood they containnext to cropland helps store carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. "Retaining those live and dead trees, and planting more trees where possible on agricultural lands, is a valuable way to help mitigate climate change," says lead author Cole Gross, post-doctoral researcher at Yale University's School of the Environment, who conducted the study while completing his Ph.D. in soil science in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences. In the three-year study, researchers looked at several central Alberta cropland sites and their nearby woodlands: shelterbelts, which are rows of planted trees, and hedgerows, which are naturally occurring trees and wild bushes. The results show that shelterbelts and hedgerows stored two and three times more carbon, respectively, than neighboring fields of wheat, barley and canola. The two types of woodlands also reduced emissions of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, by an average of 89% over the three years of the study, compared with the nearby cropland. The research, which is the first to explore the benefits of deadwood in shelterbelts and hedgerows, shows that the material plays a valuable role in storing carbonmeaning farmers should let it lie. "Clearing out live and even dead trees from shelterbelts and hedgerows has detrimental effects on carbon storage. Deadwood plays a valuable role, particularly in hedgerows, and likely provides additional benefits such as enhancing biodiversity," Gross says. The researchers also explored the effect of planting saplings in grassland gaps within the woodlands, but found no significant effect on carbon storage or greenhouse gas emissions in the initial three years following planting. That finding provides another reason to retain existing woodlands, Gross says. "Planting trees is going to take decades to show really substantial increases in carbon storage, so we need to preserve what we have now." In addition to maintaining existing woodlands, farmers should also consider planting more shelterbelts along the roadside margins of their fields, he suggests. "It can really help with the overall sustainability and environmental impact of that land." Gross says offering tax reductions, carbon credits, grants or other resources could help encourage retention and planting of hedgerows and shelterbelts. Explore further Planting trees not always an effective way of binding carbon dioxide More information: Cole D. Gross et al, Agroforestry perennials reduce nitrous oxide emissions and their live and dead trees increase ecosystem carbon storage, Global Change Biology (2022). Journal information: Global Change Biology Cole D. Gross et al, Agroforestry perennials reduce nitrous oxide emissions and their live and dead trees increase ecosystem carbon storage,(2022). DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16322 Closed canopy mangrove cover in northwest and Western Australia tracking the 18.6-year oscillation in tide range caused by the lunar wobble. Credit: Author provided, CC BY Over the summer of 2015, 40 million mangroves died of thirst. This vast die-offthe world's largest ever recordedkilled off rich mangrove forests along fully 1,000 kilometers of coastline on Australia's Gulf of Carpentaria. The question is, why? Last month, scientists found a culprit: a strong El Nino event, which led to a temporary fall in sea level. That left mangroves, which rely on tides covering their roots, high and dry during an unusually dry early monsoon season. Case closed. Or is it? While evidence clearly implicates El Nino, we found this climate cycle had a very large accomplice: the moon. In our study, published in Science Advances today, we mapped the expansion and contraction of mangrove forest cover over the past 40 years, and found clear evidence that the moon's orbital wobble had an effect. Our mapping also shows mangroves are expanding and their canopy thickening across the entire continent, which is most likely due to higher carbon dioxide levels. Spectacular though it was, the Gulf of Carpentaria mangrove dieback event was entirely natural. What clues gave away the moon's role? During El Nino cycles like the one in 2015, sea levels fall around Australia and other countries in the western Pacific. But these climate cycles affect the whole Indo-Australian region. If El Nino was the main cause, mangroves elsewhere should have been hit too. But the deaths of these tidal-flat dwelling shrubs and trees were largely localized to the Gulf of Carpentaria. Death rates were highest along shorelines that experience the full range of the tide. By contrast, mangroves continued to thrive at the tidal limits of the estuaries, far into the floodplains where climatic effects ought to be most strongly felt. That's where the moon comes inand particularly the "lunar wobble." Back in 1728, astronomers noticed the plane in which the moon orbits Earth isn't fixed. Instead, it wobbles up and down, a bit like a spinning coin as it begins to slow. When we mapped the extent and distribution of Australian mangrove forests over the past 40 years, we found clear signs of the moon's wobble at work. This 18.6-year orbital cycle turns out to be the main reason why mangrove canopy expands and contracts around most of Australia's coastlinesand explains the patterns of mangrove mortality in the Gulf of Carpentaria. You might be wondering why the wobble has such influence over whether mangroves live or die. It's the tides. The wobble changes how the moon's gravity pulls on the world's oceans, so periods of exceptionally high tides are followed by exceptionally low tides 9.3 years later. Research by NASA scientists suggests this cycle is likely to lead to major coastal flooding in the early 2030s, as extreme high tides meet accelerating sea-level rise. The author inspecting mangrove dieback in far north Queensland, April 2016. Credit: Author provided The lunar-mangrove cycle is clearly visible from above. When we mapped changes to dense mangrove forest in Northwest and Western Australia, we saw clear peaks in closed canopywhere mangrove leaves and branches thicken to cover more than 80% of the groundcoinciding with the highest tidal phase of the lunar cycle. When the tides are at their highest, water inundates mangroves and brings nutrients, which accelerate growth. These periods potentially influence how much blue carbon is stored by mangroves over thousands of square kilometers. But when the tides are at their lowest, mangroves can't get the water they need. Over 20152016, the lunar wobble reduced tide range in the Gulf of Carpentariaenough to slash tides by an estimated 40cm. Earlier mangrove dieback events in 1998 and 1982 also coincided with these troughs. In 2015, tides along Australia's northern coastline fell further still under the influence of El Nino, which moves seawater to the eastern Pacific. The result of the overlapping lunar and climate cycle in the Gulf of Carpentaria was the mass death of mangroves. One challenge we had was to distinguish between the effects of El Nino and the lunar wobble, given they tend to occur in the same time period in the western Pacific. Some scientists have even suggested the lunar wobble may contribute to intense El Nino events. To tease out the two causes, we relied on a quirk in the lunar wobbleand a quirk in the coastline. The lunar wobble's timing of the high and low tide range periods is reversed between coastlines with two high tides each day (semi-diurnal tides) and those receiving one high tide each day (diurnal tides). The Gulf of Carpentaria is one of the few coastlines in Australia with diurnal tides. Most other coastlines have two high tides each day. Put together, this meant that in 2015, semi-diurnal coastlines had bigger-than-usual tides, while rare diurnal coastlines like those along the gulf had smaller-than-usual tides. This explains why mangroves in the semi-diurnal coastlines directly next to the Gulf of Carpentaria were spared over the 201516 summer. The northern coastlines next to the gulf were in the big-tide, high-productivity phase of the 18.6-year cycle and so were protected from El Nino. In the diurnal Gulf of Carpentaria, the small tide phase of the lunar wobble cycle combined with El Nino. Lower sea levels and lower tidal range pushed mangroves over the edge. Interestingly, mangroves kept growing near the tidal head of rivers in the gulf despite the El Nino, because the effect of the lunar wobble was less pronounced upriver. This is good news for mangroves. We now know short-term natural climate cycles like El Nino likely cannot cause widespread mangrove deaths by themselves. And we can anticipate the danger times when it coincides with the low tides brought by the lunar wobble. While mangroves still face an uncertain future adapting to a world of higher seas, we can chalk the 2015 mass death up to "natural causes." More information: Neil Saintilan et al, The lunar nodal cycle controls mangrove canopy cover on the Australian continent, Science Advances (2022). Journal information: Science Advances Neil Saintilan et al, The lunar nodal cycle controls mangrove canopy cover on the Australian continent,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo6602 This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. LAKE LUZERNE A former Lake Luzerne Town Board member was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly swindling nearly $128,000 from the South Warren Snowmobile Club. Mark McLain, 72, was charged with felony second-degree grand larceny. State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced the arrest in a news release. McLain allegedly took advantage of his volunteer position and the citizens of Lake Luzernes trust to line his own pockets at the expense of valued community services, DiNapoli said. Thanks to the work of my team, Warren County District Attorney Carusone and the New York State Police, McLain will have to answer for his misdeeds. McLain served as treasurer of the snowmobile club from 1999 to early 2020. The club gets money from various public sources including Warren County, the town of Queensbury, the town of Lake Luzerne, the town and village of Lake George and the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. McLain is accused of pocketing money that was intended for operating and maintaining public snowmobile trails. He wrote checks to himself and to cash. He used the money to pay for Lions Club expenses, pay his personal credit card balances in full and also got paid twice for the same reimbursements, according to the news release. McLain allegedly falsified claims to state and local agencies for club funding and misrepresented SWSCs financial condition to make it appear the club had a financial need. He allegedly falsified reimbursement claims to Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservations Snowmobile Trail Grant Program and submitted duplicate claims for expenses that were actually for the Lions Club not the snowmobile club. Club President Mike Zilm said he took over leadership of the organization in the spring of 2019 when McLain was still in charge of the finances. He had been treasurer for 20-some years kept his cards close to his chest, he said. A new treasurer came on board and reviewed the books, according to Zilm. Once we started looking into the finances, things werent adding up, he said. The club is in charge of grooming South Warren Snowmobile Trail System, which extends from Lake Luzerne to Lake George and connects to Queensbury through a parking lot at West Mountain Road. Zilm said the organization has nearly 700 members who have assisted in maintenance including improving trails, fixing washouts, upgrading culverts and adding gates and signage. Zilm said the theft went undetected for so long because these projects were still getting done. The club financially didnt see the impact, he said. It was a slow trickle of money that disappeared. Zilm said the new treasurer has tightened up controls. Its such a change of pace. Shes super detail-oriented. Everything is documented. She wont cut a check to anybody unless she has receipts and documents, he said. Warren County declined to comment on the matter in light of the ongoing criminal investigation, according to spokesman Don Lehman. Lake Luzerne Supervisor Gene Merlino also did not wish to comment while the court matter is still pending. McLain, who now lives in Lancaster, S.C., was arraigned in Warren County Court by Judge Michael Muller and is due back in Lake Luzerne Town Court on Nov. 19. McLain served on the Lake Luzerne Town Board from 2006 until stepping down in 2011 for personal reasons, according to Post-Star archives. He was elected again in 2019 but abruptly resigned in November 2020. ATLANTIC CITY The citys Planning Board approved a second phase of development for a waterfront maintenance and operations facility being built in the Bungalow Park neighborhood by offshore wind developer rsted North America. The approval came during a virtual meeting Tuesday morning and allows rsted to repurpose the Davenport Community Center building on New Jersey Avenue, located on its site, as a construction office. This particular facility has a number of community benefits, said Planning Board attorney Joel Fleishman during Tuesdays meeting. rsted will invest about $200,000 for improvements, including replacing the ceiling and collapsed floor slabs, waterproofing the floor and walls, adding new windows, and remediating asbestos and lead, said Richard Grist, lead real estate manager for rsted. After rsted has completed construction, it will return the renovated building for use as a community center, according to an agreement with the city. Improvements to Bungalow Park include a $50,000 contribution for the betterment of Fishermans Park and a small waterfront park at the facility, according to rsted. rsted lays out traffic plan for operations hub in Bungalow Park ATLANTIC CITY Offshore wind farm developer rsted North America laid out plans Thursday ni The two-story rsted Atlantic City O&M Upland Facility will be a 23,950-square-foot warehouse between New Jersey and Delaware avenues. The facility on the Delta Basin is accessible to Clam Creek and the Absecon Inlet, which will make transportation to the Atlantic Ocean easier for boats and workers building rsteds two-state approved wind farms 15 miles off Atlantic Citys coast. It is now estimated to be up to $14 million, with no PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes), no city contribution and us paying our full rate on the site, said Grist about the money rsted is putting into the project. So hopefully that outlines some of the community benefits, and benefits to the city as a whole. At Tuesdays meting, Sherrie Terrell said residents, especially older residents, were unaware of the project and were against the facility in Bungalow Park. But this isnt the first time rsted has met with the public to listen to concerns about the two offshore wind farms estimated to cost a total of $1.5 billion, and expected to generate about $5 million in revenue for the state. Since rsted received approval for its Ocean Wind 1 and Ocean Wind 2 projects in 2019, the company has held numerous public meetings, including one last Thursday about Phase 2 at Community Baptist Church on New Jersey Avenue, where the pastor voiced support for rsteds plans. Atlantic City chosen by FEMA for $5.4 million in flood protection grants ATLANTIC CITY Three city flood mitigation projects will have help from grants from the Fed At that meeting, Terrell and Bungalow Park resident Al Bailey said there was a petition going around from Bungalow Park residents that had more than 120 signatures against the rsted Facility. We know what we love at this small, closeted community. Its been a blessing that we have survived this long without seeing significant things, said Sheila Hoffman, a Bungalow Park resident for over 40 years. We know that change happens. We want to get out in front of it and make sure that its positive change for the neighborhood. Hoffman said the fact that Bungalow Park has remained a mostly quiet residential neighborhood (a rarity in the city), unchanged over the course of several decades, is what its residents love most. rsted reps answered many of the questions curious residents had. Among their concerns were traffic, safety, wear on local roads and concerns over fumes several noticed during the first phase of the project. Grist assured residents traffic should not be greatly impacted since the company had worked with the Atlantic City Police Department to work that out. During the meeting last week, rsted North America laid out plans to minimize traffic impacts on the neighborhood. rsted will be installing four-way stops with solar-powered stop signs and flashing LED lights for visibility at all intersections along New Jersey Avenue coming from Route 30, said Fleishman. Bungalow Park neighborhood meeting Thursday on wind project ATLANTIC CITY Without fanfare or much discussion, the Planning Board on Tuesday memorializ rsteds engineering and planning expert Kevin Dixon said most of the traffic on New Jersey Avenue would be passenger cars from workers traveling to the site. Delaware Avenue traffic would be for truck deliveries, which wouldnt always be big freight trucks. They would be sizable like an Amazon or UPS truck, although residents like Terrell mentioned worries about fueling trucks and other heavy trucks during school times, which also could affect traffic. So while there is more traffic, were really only talking about 65 or 70 trips per day, said Grist about the number of passenger cars that would be entering the neighborhood. Grist also did the traffic study for rsted. Dixon said truck deliveries would also not be an issue, as big delivery trucks would only be delivering supplies about three times per week for the first six months. Any possible damage to the roads would be fixed by rsted, he said. Focusing on jobs the project would create, Grist said rsted plans to hire about 120 locals for construction, servicing and maintenance of the facility. The company also will hire a head of site in 2023, which rsted hopes can be filled by someone in the community. So we tend to provide the necessary training to be able to enable future employees at all levels, said Grist. So technicians would be the largest proportion of employees on site, and we would be providing training for those positions. Atlantic City Planning Board OKs phase 1 of rsted maintenance facility ATLANTIC CITY The Planning Board on Tuesday gave site plan approval for Phase 1 of a maint Many residents were supportive of the project overall. Some residents, like Frank Becktel, were excited for rsted to move into Bungalow Park and welcomed them, noting the company would create higher paying jobs for residents and fix up the neighborhood. Im a third-generation resident of Bungalow Park, and its been an environmental wasteland and pollution site my entire life, said Becktel. Welcome to the neighborhood. As a member of the Bungalow Park Civic Association, Hoffman said the association has been looking for ways the community center could serve all of Atlantic City, not just Bungalow Park. She suggested the community center be turned into a Girl Scout troop location or a site where fishing and sailing classes could be held. Now that Phase 2, the final phase of the rsted project, has been approved, rsted said it will move forward with plans to train and hire city residents for the hundreds of jobs the wind farms will generate. Atlantic City is the only town that has waterfront property available, so I bet this Planning Board is going to be seeing a lot more of these applications, because its 4 or 5 billion dollars worth of lease investment offshore, said Becktel. And I think all those maintenance and service sites are going to have to come to Atlantic City, so buckle up, its gonna be a lot more. Throughout the summer, Cape Assist has been holding Life Space Crisis Intervention and Trauma Responsive Classroom Leadership and Management workshops for professionals across the county. Led by educational specialist Michael McKnight, the workshops have been designed over the years to provide training to adults who are responsible for young people with behavioral struggles and/or requiring emotional support in educational settings. Just last week, McKnight spent 3 days with the entire leadership team of the Egg Harbor Township School District. He also spent time in early August with numerous other educational leaders in Atlantic and Cape May counties. These four- and two-day workshops, respectively, have been immensely helpful to Cape Assists mission of helping the youth of Cape May County grow. Life Space Crisis Intervention is a brain-based, trauma-informed, relationship-building verbal strategy that helps adults turn problem situations into learning opportunities for young people who exhibit challenging behaviors in schools and communities. LSCI is centered on the core belief that behavioral changes for our most difficult children and youth start with how adults speak to them. LSCI integrates well with schools that are working to become trauma responsive and as schools are moving toward the implementation of restorative practices. These workshops perfectly align with our core values of respect and understanding said Katie Faldetta, executive director and CEO of Cape Assist. Michaels work has always been about helping our children grow and feel more heard. The skills taught here allow educators to not only work with our youth but build trust with them. Where LSCI is focused on respecting youth on a more specialized scale, Trauma Responsive Classroom Leadership and Management is geared toward a larger number of students. The workshop focuses on skills for organizing and speaking to youth on a respectful and understanding level, while ensuring that teachers can effectively lead their students through their education. McKnight is the founder of 4 Directions seminars and has worked in the field of behavioral therapy and special education for more than 40 years. He has been developing these workshops throughout his career working in schools as a specialist. Cape Assist was able to sponsor and support the creation of School Resiliency Teams in our local school and together with Lori Desautels from Butler University in Indiana, we were able to train over 1,000 educators and student support personnel over those years, free of charge to the participants, said McKnight. Educating our communities on these important topics and practices especially with the support of nonprofits such as Cape Assist its such an asset to helping our communities grow. Presentations and workshops like these are held regularly by Cape Assist to promote its belief in the power of learning patience and compassion. For more information about Cape Assist and workshops like these, visit capeassist.org. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem disclosed Monday that she recently underwent back surgery to treat an injury impacting her spine and that her activity would be limited during several months of recovery. The 50-year-old Republican governor said she traveled to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, for the surgery after receiving medical treatment for several weeks in South Dakota. She said in a video posted on Twitter that she injured her back about two months ago. She said she will be restricted in the amount of travel she can do and the time she can spend standing while she recovers. Noem is in the midst of a reelection campaign and is also considered a potential 2024 White House contender. I won't be able to stand for more than 10, 15 minutes at a time, I won't be able to get out and about South Dakota like I love to do so much, the governor said in the video where she appeared slightly dispirited. Dr. Mohamed Bydon said in a statement released by the governor's office that he treated her for an acute condition impacting her lumbar spine. He added that the surgery was successful and that the governor is in excellent health. The governor's office and her campaign spokesman did not immediately respond to a question on how she was injured. BRIDGETON A judge denied a pretrial release motion for a 28-year-old city woman accused of murdering her toddler and hiding his dismembered body in 2019. Nakira M. Griner has been incarcerated for over three years for allegedly killing her 23-month-old son, Daniel Griner Jr. She is charged with murder, evidence-tampering, child endangerment, disturbing human remains and false public alarm. Griners attorney, Jill Cohen, said her client should be released because she is over the incarceration limit for individuals awaiting trial. Criminal trials were suspended temporarily during the coronavirus pandemic. In 2021, Griner declined a plea agreement in which prosecutors would recommend a 30-year prison term in exchange for her confession. Pretrial motions are set to begin Sept. 28 before Cumberland County Superior Court Judge George Gangloff, court official Rosemarie Gallagher said Thursday. Griner was arrested after her sons buried remains were recovered from underneath a shed at her home in February 2019. The remains were burned and dismembered at the time detectives found them, according to Griners criminal complaint. Bridgeton woman rejects plea deal, will face trial in toddler's death BRIDGETON A woman accused of having killed her toddler son and telling police he had been Griner said she admitted to striking the child, bruising him and forcing him to plummet down a staircase. After striking the child, she didnt call for help, instead placing him in a stroller and leaving him alone. Then, according to Griners account, she was walking with her toddler in a stroller when she was attacked. She told police both her son and the stroller had disappeared. The stroller was eventually found by officers, with only a pair of red sneakers inside. Griners story began to change during subsequent interviews with police, authorities said in 2019. After asserting the abduction, Griner said the childs staircase spill was accidental. Prosecutors, however, said Griner made statements on a recorded phone line that she did what she did to him to cover up bruising on his body. That statement was planned to be used as evidence in her trial, according to past reports. State gets more time to indict Bridgeton woman in son's murder BRIDGETON The city woman charged in the February murder of her toddler son and hiding his Cohen, Griners lawyer said in earlier court filings that Griner doesnt deny tampering with Daniels remains, but did not knowingly or purposefully cause his death. Those assertions were made in a motion, later withdrawn, seeking to try the murder charge separately from the other counts. A judge had barred prosecutors from using Griners earlier statements to police, saying she was not read her Miranda rights. Her attorney at the time disputed that she was considered a suspect from the start and was also going through a crisis and a clear mental break, thus making her incapable of voluntarily waiving her rights. BRIDGETON Dulce Maria Alavez went missing three years ago Friday, and county prosecutors say they are still searching for the missing girl. The Cumberland County Prosecutors Office on Thursday reiterated that investigators have been in contact with 11 different states as well as Mexico regarding the missing girl, who would now be 8 years old. They say they still get tips on Dulces whereabouts, including one earlier this month. Dulce, then 5, went missing Sept. 16, 2019, while in a Bridgeton park with her 3-year-old brother. Her mother, then 19, was sitting in her car with an 8-year-old relative at the time. The case has gained national attention, including coverage on Dr. Phil. On Friday, Dulces family will hold a vigil at a tree dedicated in the girls honor near the spot where authorities believe she was last seen. We (the CCPO and Bridgeton Police Department) thank our state and federal partners (NJSP, FBI, the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice and others) for their continued cooperation and assistance in this matter, the Prosecutors Office posted on social media. Since we hope to charge and prosecute the person(s) responsible for Dulces disappearance, we cannot speak about many of the details of our investigation. However, we want to reiterate, that in the absence of evidence of Dulces demise, investigators hold out hope that she is alive. Police shared two age-advanced photos of Dulce as well as a sketch of a person of interest, described as a 5-foot, 7-inch Hispanic man with a slender build between 30 and 35 years old. This case will remain open and on our minds until we charge and prosecute those responsible for taking Dulce Maria Alavez, the Prosecutors Office said. Anyone with information can visit the Prosecutors Office tip site at ccpo.tips. Tips also can be texted anonymously to tip411. Include Bridgeton or CCPOTIP in the subtext. Carter Centers Dr. Donald R. Hopkins Receives Honorary Degree from the American Museum of Natural Historys Richard Gilder Graduate School ATLANTA (Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022) Dr. Donald R. Hopkins, the Carter Centers special advisor for Guinea worm eradication, received an honorary Doctor of Science degree Wednesday from the American Museum of Natural Historys Richard Gilder Graduate School. For your influential scientific research and extraordinary success in the eradication of smallpox, near-eradication of Guinea worm disease, and similar efforts against many other devastating diseases, you are rightly considered an international hero, the schools citation reads. Hopkins and The Carter Center collaborated with the American Museum of Natural History in 2015 in the creation of Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, a powerful exhibition to educate visitors of all ages about disease eradication. The exhibition appeared in New York, Abu Dhabi, London, Atlanta, and Seattle. The impact of institutions like the museum that are training the next generation of scientists and working to increase scientific and public health literacy is hard to overstate, Hopkins said in accepting the honorary degree. I extend my thanks to the Richard Gilder Graduate School at the museum for this honor. Dr. Donald Hopkins demonstrates how to use a pipe filter to prevent Guinea worm disease in Molujore, South Sudan. (Photo: The Carter Center) Hopkins joined The Carter Center in 1987 as senior consultant for health programs, leading the Centers efforts to eradicate Guinea worm disease. Under his leadership, the Center became the home of the International Task Force for Disease Eradication and added programs to eliminate river blindness and lymphatic filariasis and control trachoma and schistosomiasis, all of which are considered neglected tropical diseases. With the ITFDE, he created the Hispaniola Initiative, a binational campaign to eliminate lymphatic filariasis and malaria from Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Hopkins retired as vice president of health programs in 2015. He continues to serve actively as the Centers special advisor for Guinea worm eradication. During Hopkins tenure, Guinea worm disease has been reduced by more than 99.99%. In 1986, there were an estimated 3.5 million cases annually in 21 countries in Africa and Asia. In 2021, just 15 human cases were reported in four countries. Guinea worm is poised to become the second human disease in history to be eradicated. The first was smallpox, in 1980; Hopkins worked in that campaign in Sierra Leone, India, and Ethiopia while at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He authored Princes and Peasants: Smallpox in History in 1983, which was re-issued in 2002 as The Greatest Killer: Smallpox in History. Hopkins has received numerous awards, including the CDC Medal of Excellence, the Distinguished Service Medal of the U.S. Public Health Service, and a MacArthur Fellowship in 1995, as well as honorary degrees from Morehouse College (1988), Emory University (1994), University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1997), Morehouse School of Medicine (1999), Harvard University (2013), and Yale University (2021). He was elected a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences in 1987 and has been a member of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene since 1965. He was elected a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1997, inducted as a Knight of the National Order of Mali in 1998, awarded the Medal of Honor of Public Health (Gold) by the country of Niger in 2004, and named a Champion of Public Health by Tulane University in 2005. On Wednesday, Sept. 14, the American Museum of Natural History held its ninth commencement under the iconic blue whale in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, conferring Ph.D. in comparative biology and Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Earth science degrees. (Photo: American Museum of Natural Hitsory) PLEASANTVILLE The states largest teachers union is rallying on behalf of the leader of an esteemed diverse-curriculum program in the local school district. Members of the New Jersey Education Association attended the Pleasantville Board of Education meeting Tuesday night to ask for the restoration of Tamar LaSure-Owens to her position as coordinator of the AMHOTINO program, short for Amistad, Holocaust and Latino history. Christine Miles, director of NJEA professional development and instructional issues, spoke on LaSure-Owens behalf Tuesday. She said many diversification efforts in education tended to be disjointed and that protecting the positions of those charged with developing diverse teaching standards was important. Its incredibly disappointing and disconcerting that the board is removing a position that was really a lighthouse type of position and could shine a light and be a model for all sorts of districts throughout the state, Miles said. Pleasantville Public Schools entered into a partnership agreement with the state Amistad Commission in March. The agreement had LaSure-Owens diversify district curriculum and build toward the states inclusive learning standards, while working to help implement those standards in other school districts across the state. The Amistad Commission, which is an autonomous body within the state Department of Education, would in turn reimburse the district for LaSure-Owens salary. That reimbursement, however, never came, according to district officials. Acting Superintendent Karin Farkas said the district has reached out to the state on multiple occasions to have the situation resolved. She said they are still pressing state officials for reimbursement promised by last years agreement and are seeking to set an agreement for the 2022-23 school year. State officials, Farkas said, have not been responsive. Pleasantville at risk of losing diverse-curriculum leader PLEASANTVILLE An esteemed diversity-and-inclusion initiative in the district could be in j They made a promise, Farkas said of the states commitment to the district. Farkas said the district would continue to support inclusive education programming and that it would not abandon the AMHOTINO program. In the case that the state does respond, Farkas said district officials would be eager to restore LaSure-Owens role. We still have hope, Farkas said. The Department of Education did not respond to a request for comment as of Wednesday afternoon. Miles said she believed it was the districts prerogative to restore LaSure-Owens to the AMOTINO coordinator position in some capacity, regardless of the states actions. The school board voted Tuesday to rehire LaSure-Owens as a first-grade teacher, which was the position she held prior to her installation as AMHOTINO coordinator. It had entertained a resolution to terminate the partnership agreement with the Amistad Commission at the Aug. 9 school board meeting. That resolution failed 4-2, falling short of a five-vote threshold required to deal with personnel matters on the nine-member board. Representatives from local NJEA affiliates and the Atlantic County Council of Education Associations spoke during the meetings public comment section. ACCEA President Barbara Rheault praised LaSure-Owens, noting she had received the NJEA Urban Education Activist award in December. A former Main Street School teacher, Rheault said district faculty and staff are committed to the AMHOTINO mission. Its not just what she does in her classroom, its what she imparts and teaches to every staff member here, and they in turn continue to sew those seeds of equity and truth, said Rheault, who sits on the Board of Directors for the National Education Association. Sundjata Sekou, a third-grade teacher in Irvington, Essex County, drove more than two hours to attend the meeting at Pleasantville High School. He praised LaSure-Owens and Pleasantville for their unique diversity curriculum and said he was eager to press the state to have the situation resolved. We are willing to bring the smoke to the Amistad Commission, Sekou said. Members of the board Tuesday were largely sympathetic to LaSure-Owens, although they varied as to how they should resolve the situation with the state. Board President Jerome Page said he and the district fully supported LaSure-Owens and her initiatives. The board fully paid for LaSure-Owens work as AMHOTINO coordinator last year, he said, but stressed that it was incumbent on the state to honor its financial commitments to the district regarding her contract. Pleasantville students learn about Purim PLEASANTVILLE Lessons about diversity, tolerance and different cultures took on a festive The discussion over LaSure-Owens status came in the midst of a school board meeting that lasted about four hours. Board members traded barbs over the composition of an ad hoc committee to devise a response to a collaborative monitoring report presented in August, as well as how to provide more consistent education to children in the midst of a widespread bus driver shortage, alongside several other controversies. NJEA officials ordered pizza for attendees during the long intermission when the board entered into executive session. The board has been locked in a feud over the superintendent position and related issues since it voted to place Superintendent Natakie Chestnut-Lee on leave 11 months ago. There have been 14 superintendents at Pleasantville over the past 14 years, and the district was subject to a fiscal monitor from 2007 to 2021. Several NJEA officials expressed concern over what they characterized as dysfunction on the board. Janet Davis, of Hackensack, Bergen County, even interjected to admonish the board during the meeting. In other developments, the board voted to partner with AtlantiCare to conduct school physicals at no cost to parents and guardians. Farkas also noted that the state Department of Education had selected Leeds Avenue School students to decorate the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP Retired Superior Court Judge Julio Mendez has joined the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University as a senior contributing analyst. Mendez will produce written analyses and columns on important issues, according to a news release from the school. Those pieces will be published online and be offered to New Jersey news outlets. He also will lead discussions with students of all majors and mentor those studying pre-law and interested in a legal career, Stockton said Wednesday. The most important part of this for me is to work with and to inspire Stockton students, said Mendez, who retired from the judiciary March 1. I want them to see how legal issues affect so many areas of the lives and careers of people, and not just lawyers. Mendez also will participate in public programs and panel discussions aimed at enlightening students, faculty and South Jersey residents about trends and issues affecting government, the law and society, Stockton said. Atlantic County dedicates new central municipal court MAYS LANDING Those instrumental in centralizing Atlantic Countys municipal courts see the In a time of social change and volatility, as were in today, we are pleased to have an experienced leader like Judge Mendez at Stockton to offer ethical and insightful guidance to our community, Stockton President Harvey Kesselman said. Mendez brings to Stockton decades of work in the law field. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Rutgers School of Law-Camden, becoming a member of the New Jersey Bar in 1981. Mendezs judicial career began in 2002, when he was appointed as a Superior Court judge in Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties. In 2005, he was named presiding judge of the vicinages family court, Stockton said. In 2011, Mendez was named assignment judge, a vicinages top rank, for Atlantic and Cape May counties, a seat he held until he retired in March. A courtroom in the Central Municipal Court of Atlantic County is named in his honor. Palmer College of Chiropractic is rooted in history but focused on the future, Chancellor and CEO Dennis Marchiori said Thursday in an address to students and alumni as part of the school's 125th anniversary this week. "We should use the past as clues and inspiration, not as a blueprint," he said. "As we look for a chance to create more authentic blueprints moving forward, we've got to make sure we stay in touch with our roots in the context of what we need." Marchiori shared a photograph of the Palmer family from 1890, five years before Daniel David "D.D." Palmer discovered chiropractic. "Did he have any sense that he would impact tens of millions of lives, if not more?" Marchiori asked. "Folks before us made tremendous sacrifices; there are almost 100 documented cases of chiropractors being jailed." Mabel Palmer, married to D.D.'s son Bartlett Joshua "B.J." Palmer, is known as the "First Lady of Chiropractic," and was a strong women's rights advocate. Palmer's student population is now 47% female. Marchiori thanked the continued efforts of the Palmer family toward the college's development, saying that the college's finances have "never been better." "Looking forward, we have some big challenges. We have a responsibility to be courageous and create the kind of workplaces and practices that we know is possible to our fullest potential," Marchiori said. "At the same time, let's center ourselves on what we're about. We came into this profession to help others, and we'll continue that through our science, art and philosophy. That's how we do it ... our hands are driven by our heads, hearts, passion and the culture we all share." He mentioned recent facility improvements, such as the new anatomy labs featuring upgraded technology. Marchiori also noted the continued progress of a new student housing complex under construction on the east side of campus near Perry Street and Palmer Drive. "We're thrilled to bring this new asset to campus, with high-grade amenities, allowing students to live and learn this close to campus," Marchiori said. Dr. Ron Varth is a 1971 Palmer graduate. Though now a retired chiropractor, he traveled from Witchita, Kan., to attend Palmer's homecoming festivities. "Palmer is different from other colleges I've graduated from," he said. "Coming back, it's just the attraction of being together with your fellow chiropractors." Marchiori touched on this point during his address. "Palmer is connected; Palmer graduates understand that they have a life cycle with us," he said. "They do not walk across the stage never to be heard or seen from again. They connect their energies and talents to make the next generation have a greater advantage." Varth said his biggest takeaway from the annual address was Marchiori's "positive, forward-thinking outlook on the future of chiropractic." Palmer's formal 125th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday evening at the RiverCenter will conclude the college's homecoming events. The cost for the event is $75. Beginning that month, Genesis invited more than 30 health care systems to submit proposals aimed at helping Genesis expand, whether through a merger or acquisition or some other arrangement. Genesis employs 5,100 in the Quad-Cities, behind only the Rock Island Arsenal and John Deere. MercyOne is part of Trinity Health, one of the largest not-for-profit health care systems in the country with 88 hospitals in 25 states. It's headquarters is in Livonia, Michigan. MercyOne and Genesis Health System are both mission-driven organizations committed to delivering the highest quality care and best patient experience to all we serve across Iowa, said Bob Ritz, MercyOne president and CEO. We look forward to continuing discussions and shaping a framework to enhance access to personalized, convenient health care across eastern Iowa and western Illinois. Cropper, the Genesis CEO, said the partnership will help retain workers and recruit new ones. The recent bankruptcy filing by Happy Joe's is related to five company-owned restaurants, but the dozens of franchise stores are not to be impacted, according to company leadership. Tom Sacco, CEO at Happy Joe's since late 2020, said the 50 franchise restaurants currently in operation continued to experience double-digit growth. That hasn't been the case for the five company-owned stores Spruce Hills, Bettendorf; Locust Street and 50th Street in Davenport, Galesburg and Kewanee. Those locations, like the two that recently closed at Rockingham Road in Davenport and in Eldridge, are "bleeding" the company, Sacco said. The Chapter 11 filing seeks to reorganize only the company-owned stores. The franchise side of the business still is growing and has about 30 more locations whose openings are pending, Sacco said. Most are located in the Egypt. "It shows we're upside-down," he said of the bankruptcy filing for the five company stores. "We were losing significant money $30,000 to $40,000 a month at one location. "But it's the company that's filing bankruptcy, which is a fraction of our business. Ninety percent of Happy Joe's is franchise." The franchise locations are making money while the company side is losing money, Sacco said, "Because they (franchises) didn't refinance their restaurants." Happy Joe's founder Lawrence Joseph "Happy Joe" Whitty, who died in 2019, sold the company in 2018, Sacco said, and the sale of assets and the division of proceeds among family members had a big financial impact on company operations. Buildings the company previously owned suddenly were strapped with rent payments and/or mortgages, he said. The timing was especially damaging because the pandemic came two years after the sale. Wages for pizza makers went from $7.50 or $8 an hour to $12 or $13 an hour, Sacco said. On the supply-chain side, more bad news. For instance, diced Canadian bacon is in high demand at Happy Joe's, and the price went from $1.90 a pound in 2020 to nearly $5 a pound today. "When it's just rent or just labor or just food prices, you can deal with that," he said of the increases. "When it's all three and that's what happened to the company stores you start bleeding. "The restaurants that were bleeding us aren't bleeding us anymore." The focus now is on growing the franchise side, which means adding more restaurants around the country and beyond. "I inherited a declining franchise system. We now have a growing franchise system," he said. According to the income statement attached to the bankruptcy petition, Happy Joes had a net income loss of $1,196,579.18 for the 2022 fiscal year. In fiscal year 2021, the company had a net income of $766,523.50. Sacco previously served as CEO for Bonanza Steakhouses, which at one time had more than 300 restaurants. Today, there are fewer than 20 Bonanza locations, according to the company's website. From 2012 to 2017, when Sacco was at the helm of Bonanza, he said, the company grew. "During those five years there were more stores there when I left than when I started. That's all I'll say," he said. "The company was growing while I was there just like Happy Joe's was in decline when I got here." Several people were injured, one of them seriously, when a minivan and a tractor collided Wednesday in Rock Island. The crash happened about 11:45 a.m. in the 7800 block of Ridgewood Road and resulted in the minivan turning on its side, according to the Rock Island police and fire departments. The occupants of the minivan had to be extricated. Firefighters did so by removing the roof and windshield of the minivan to free them, the fire department said. Both of those people were sent to the hospital, according to the fire and police officials said. The tractors driver also suffered injuries and was also sent to the hospital. One of the minivans occupants did suffer serious injuries, the fire department said. The police department said none of the injuries were considered life threatening. Train shipments of grain, fertilizer, lumber, produce and fuel will not come to a screeching halt on Friday, as a strike that could have idled freight and passenger trains across the state and the country seems to have been averted for now. After some 20 hours of negotiations, railroad leaders and unions announced a tentative agreement Thursday morning that, at the least, paused a pending national rail strike that had the potential to shut down rail shipments across a variety of industry sectors and hobble already struggling supply chains. Iowa Democrats said the proposed deal would provide better pay, improved working conditions and peace of mind for railroad workers in the state around their health care costs, echoing a statement from President Joe Biden announcing the tentative agreement early Thursday morning. U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, meanwhile, cautioned in a Senate floor speech that theres no guarantee that union members who have been furious with employers for years over working conditions will ratify the agreement. If they dont, Grassley said Congress must step in and force railroad workers and companies to accept recommendations from a White House panel to avoid a strike that would affect millions of Americans. The alternative is unacceptable, Grassley said. A railroad strike would plunge us back into the supply chain issues that have just now started to improve, he said. These trains carry the food we eat, the gas for our tanks and the energy that heats our homes. Already, Im hearing from grain elevators that theyre having trouble transporting feed. Hazardous cargo such as the chlorine that cities need to purify drinking water stopped moving earlier this week due to the potential strike, and Amtrak canceled long-distance passenger train routes that run on tracks owned, maintained and dispatched by freight railroads. But this is just the tip of the iceberg unless they agree to a long-term deal, Grassley said. The last thing we need is for grain shipments to grind to a halt right as farmers are trying to harvest their crops. Iowa corn and soybeans cant feed the world if they are stuck on the farm. An official for one of the unions that represents represent engineers and conductors in Iowa said railroad workers in the state had yet to see specifics of the tentative agreement, but that workers were quietly optimistic. The Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, or SMART-TD, has roughly 700 members in the state, mainly train conductors and some engineers. Im glad that theyve reached a voluntary, tentative agreement before the deadline was reached, aid Christopher Smith, Iowa state legislative director for SMART-TD. We hope that the agreement is good enough that membership can ratify a vote, and go from there. Smith said he was hesitant to say too much about the agreement and the threat of a possible strike as negotiations continue. U.S. freight railroad workers were close to striking over claims that grueling schedules, strict on-call policies and poor working conditions have been driving employees out of the industry over the past several years. A major sticking point in the labor dispute between rail companies and the unions was the adoption of a points-based attendance policy by some carrier. Those policies penalize workers, up to termination, for going to routine doctors visits or attending to family emergencies. Conductors and engineers say that they can be on call for 14 consecutive days without a break and that they do not receive a single sick day, paid or unpaid. Rail employees remained on the job throughout the pandemic, often working mandatory overtime to compensate for staff cuts and departures, but note they have gone without a raise for three years while rail companies saw record profits in 2021 and stock buybacks have boosted shareholder values. The railroad and unions have been negotiating a new contract since 2019. SMART-TDs Smith also pointed to a paragraph in a report issued by a presidential emergency board appointed by Biden to help the resolve the labor contract dispute between major freight railroads and unions. The paragraph states the rail companies believe that capital investment and risk are the reasons for their profits, not any contributions by labor. It also says the carriers assert that since employees have been fairly and adequately paid for their efforts and do not share in the downside risks if the operations are less profitable, then they have no claim to share in the upside, either. Smith said the statement riled union membership that has worked through the pandemic and now works hard to maintain the railroad in the place it is. That is still a troubling statement that we have to work to get past, he said. So hopefully this agreement is good and we can move forward. Smith said members were largely reserving judgment until they have a chance to see the exact wording and get briefed on the tentative agreement, which could take a couple of days. We quietly are remaining optimistic, he said. We have faith in our national bargaining team that if theyre coming back saying they have something thats worthwhile to potentially ratify, were entrusting them to bring forward a good contract. One Pleasant Hill, Iowa, railroad worker with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, who did not wish to be identified, said he was still processing and trying to understand the details of the proposed deal, but that he heard from workers who were not pleased. The worker said that, if implemented, the agreement still would contribute to attrition and health and safety problems, and that it does not address current labor concerns needed to build a better-functioning rail network and supply chain. Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Ross Wilburn, however, called the tentative agreement an important win for our economy and Iowans. So the bottom line is that rail workers deserve a fair contract, Wilburn told reporters Thursday, noting his brother is a retired rail worker. A fair contract and bargaining in good faith is critical. But, regardless of what happens, this tentative agreement ensures that rail workers will get better pay, improved working conditions and peace of mind around their health care costs. Iowas lone Democrat in Congress, U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne of West Des Moines, applauded rail union leaders for reaching a tentative agreement on a new contract that will avoid a work stoppage. Its disappointing that union leaders had to fight so hard for fundamental and reasonable demands such as unpaid time off so their members could visit the doctor or take care of loved ones without penalty, Axne said. While this agreement still needs to be ratified, I am optimistic this progress will keep our goods moving and give a raise and better working conditions for the men and women who work day in and day out to provide for their families and help Iowa farmers and businesses get their goods to market. Caleb McCullough of The Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau contributed to this report. A voter registration movement is underway to reach out to underrepresented Black, Hispanic, and Latino voters across the Quad-Cities. Called the Power in Our Numbers Coalition, its members include the League of Latin American Citizens and the Davenport and Rock Island chapters of the NAACP, among others. A voter-registration drive slated for this weekend will provide packets on how to register and pick up an absentee ballot. Frank Holley is an associate minister at Third Baptist and a member of the NAACP. Mike Reyes sits on the Iowa executive board of the League of Latin American Citizens (LULAC). Reyes and Holley emphasize the group does not endorse any political candidates. "In the past, both LULAC and the NAACP have done various voter registration and voter education events," Reyes said. "We feel that combining our efforts will help us reach more people and help more people understand the things they need to do to be able to vote." Holley said many people " ... don't really know what is required to become a registered voter." "Many don't know where they can vote or how they can apply for an absentee ballot," Holley said. "That's not because people are uninformed or because they are not interested. Registering to vote can be confusing, or maybe overwhelming, or people might think they don't have the time. "That's where the education part of our efforts come in helping people understand what they have to do to have their vote counted." Reyes said all voters in the Quad-Cities need to know about changes in voting laws especially new laws in Iowa. "Here in Iowa the times for absentee voting has been shortened pretty significantly," Reyes said. "And the hours polls are open have been changed." In 2021, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a law cutting Election Day in-person voting hours by an hour; instead of polls closing at 9 p.m., they now close at 8 p.m. Perhaps the biggest change in Iowa's voting laws can be found in absentee ballots. Fueled by mail-in voting during the pandemic, Iowa saw record voter turnout in 2020. Reynolds' law in 2021 required mailed absentee ballots to be returned by the time the polls close on Election Day in order to count. In previous years, the ballots had to have a postmark from the day before Election Day or earlier. The 2021 legislation cut the state's early voting period from 29 days to 20 just four years after the early voting period was slashed from 40 days to 29. Also in 2017, LULAC of Iowa sued to have a voter ID requirement law struck down, but courts upheld the majority of the law's requirements. The most significant change to voting laws in Illinois is legislation that gives voters the option of voting by mail on a permanent basis election offices across the state are now mandated to send all registered voters a vote-by-mail application by Aug. 10. Voters can use that application to indicate how theyd like to utilize the new mail-in option or do nothing if they plan to vote in person. The states new mail-in system also allows voters to have party-specific ballots sent to them ahead of primary elections. The mail-in ballots start going out to voters who request them on Sept. 29 and voters who choose to vote by mail must return ballots by Nov. 3. Holley and Reyes pointed out one challenge raised by the effort to connect with Black, Hispanic and Latino voters: digging down through registration and census numbers to find out just how many registered and unregistered voters there are in those groups. Power in Our Numbers turned to Vince George to find out the ethnic make-up of registered voters across Scott and Rock Island counties. He found two sources, the Census and VAN. The latter, the Voter Action Network, is a national database used by nonprofit organizations looking to initiate voter contact. "There are some big differences between the Census numbers and the VAN numbers," George said. "So we have a rough idea of voters in Scott County by city and precinct but it's a start and it gives us an idea of registration numbers and registration numbers by precinct. "We are making estimates." George said so far estimates are available for Scott County. The next target is Rock Island County. The basic statistics show the number of minority voters considered "active" in Scott County. Of the estimated 11,721 minority voters, a total of 7,180 are active. That's 61%. Minority voters make up 9.05% of the 129,511 registered voters in Scott County. "We hope to be able to target precincts where the number of registered voters is lower," Holley said. "And we know the precincts where there are a lot of registered voters and we can go in and make sure people know about changes in laws and make sure people know where to go to register or to vote." Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy Though it wasnt his original plan, South Dakota is home for the Rapid City Police Departments Capt. James Johns. His goal early on was to be a police officer. His plan was to be an officer for a few years in the Rapid City Police Department and then move back to Alaska, where he lived the longest before South Dakota, and become a trooper. But things change, he said. Twenty-seven years later, Johns is still here with retirement on the horizon. However, he wont be returning to Alaska. He said he and his wife are happy to stay on their land in South Dakota. Johns said his dad was in the military so the family moved around a lot. He said his earliest memories are from Alaska. Alaska is about the greatest place for a little kid to grow up, especially if they like doing things like hunting and fishing, he said. Its also where Johns got the bug for being an officer. He said his dads best friend, John Adams, was a state trooper. To this day, the two stay in touch. It really is kind of just a bug that gets into you, he said. You really want to become part of something, and law enforcement... its a great career. Its been very wonderful for me, helped me raise my family, so I have no complaints about moving forward. He said he wanted to change the world as an officer. From Alaska the family moved to Spokane, Wash., and then to Rapid City with the arrival of the B-1 bomber at Ellsworth Air Force Base. We were very fortunate in that he was either going to go to Dallas, Texas, or he was going to come here, and thank God we came here because Texas is nothing but hot, he said. Johns said he wasnt the best student. You know, school is an acquired taste and some of us are really good at it and some of us arent, he said. After graduating from Central High School, he took a year off to see the world. He said he quickly realized in order for him to become a police officer, he was going to need an education. Johns said Western Dakota Tech had just begun its law enforcement technology program designed to get people into law enforcement. He said he joined the second class of the program. Johns said he was too young to become an officer when he graduated, so he and a friend took their associates degrees to Chadron State College in Chadron, Neb., received 66 credits and worked toward a bachelors in criminal justice. When he graduated, Johns applied with the Rapid City Police Department. He was originally told no. Then out of the blue, then-Sgt. Ed Hofkamp contacted me by phone. I was cutting sod at a Valley Green sod farm and he called and said, Are you still interested in becoming a Rapid City police officer? Johns said. I said I was and so on a quick turnaround, I quit cutting sod and Oct. 1 of 95, I started here at the Rapid City PD. Johns said hes one of the few in the department thats had a position everywhere in the department. He was a patrol officer, detective, juvenile sergeant, patrol sergeant, traffic division lieutenant, criminal investigation division captain, patrol commander and back to captain of investigations. He said most recently hes taken over the duties of the assistant acting chief while the assistant chief is at the FBI National Academy doing training. Johns said there are a number of cases that have stuck with him over the years like the July 13, 2001 Cameron Ebel homicide. Ebel was 15 years old when he died at Rapid City Regional Hospital after being beaten to death by Stephen Russel Harrison, who was 18 at the time. He pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter Sept. 30, 2002 in a plea deal that dropped the original first- and second-degree murder charges and was sentenced to 45 years in prison. He said the Larissa Lonehill homicide also hangs over his career. Lonehill was 21 when she went missing in October 2016. We dont know where Larissa is, weve never found her, and odds of us being able to find her are going to be pretty minimal, Johns said. That one hurts because Larissas mom and Larissas family deserve to know where shes at and the truth about what happened to her. Unfortunately were never going to be in a position to get that one taken care of. Johns said the Jessica Rehfeld homicide is another major investigation that sticks with him. He said it was a long investigation and there are very bad people locked up now. Rehfeld, 22, was killed in May 2015 in a contract killing. Johns said the case was a team effort, and he will always be impressed and thankful for the ability of the team and detectives hes worked with. Outside of the department, Johns said he is first and foremost a husband and a father. He enjoys fishing, but isnt able to do it near as often as he would like. He said he thinks thats one of the reasons hes retiring. He said as the commander of investigations or patrol, hes on call, and the moment he thinks he can put the boat on the lake, he gets a call. Johns also said when youve been doing the job long enough, things weigh you down. There are things that are bad out there, we learn to live with them, we learn to process them and we learn to deal with them as best we can, he said. But you know, you live with your demons long enough and all of a sudden they become your friends. Johns said hes proud of the department for taking a proactive approach in dealing with officer wellness and making sure officers are able to process what theyve been through. Johns said he wanted to change the world as a young officer. Now with a retirement date set for Sept. 30 and being able to look back, he knows he didnt. The reality is we cant save the world, but you find the little moments, you find the little people that you can help, the little times that are good things that happen, he said. Theres enough of those that are out there that you can smile about and be proud of. Photo: The Canadian Press A woman uses her computer keyboard in North Vancouver, B.C. A new academic analysis has identified at least 75 foreign digital operations of a malicious political or industrial nature directed at Canada since 2010 from attempts to steal COVID-19-related research to the targeting of Uyghur human rights activists. The report by researchers at the University of Quebec at Montreals Observatoire des conflits multidimensionnels found cyberespionage accounted for more than half of these episodes. The centre brings together Canadian and international researchers studying how foreign players try to destabilize states, weaken societies and institutions, and undermine critical systems through cyberattacks, disinformation and political interference. The analysis focuses on what the centre considers geopolitical or strategic cyberincidents events not primarily linked to criminal or domestic political activity but rather global rivalries and strategic competition. It says these events originate most often outside Canada, usually orchestrated by foreign governments for political, economic or other purposes. Targets include Canadian public authorities, the general public, research institutions and companies, individuals or international organizations based in Canada. "Some targeted Canada specifically, while others were aimed at multiple countries including Canada." Canadian security agencies have become increasingly vocal about cyberthreats from abroad aimed at pilfering valuable information or meddling in political affairs by spreading mistruths or even compromising elected officials. Cyberespionage directed at state secrets and intellectual property, as well as the targeted surveillance of individuals, accounted for 49 of the 75 incidents analyzed by the centre. The researchers caution that the exact nature of the cyberespionage campaigns was sometimes difficult to determine, but about half were economic or industrial espionage efforts. "These operations targeted major companies, universities and other R&D-dedicated entities, most noticeably involved in the information technology, energy, finance and aerospace industries." Several digital spying operations were directed at Canadian government agencies. Among the other ploys aimed at Canada since as early as 2010: 15 instances of information manipulation the intentional, co-ordinated spread of false or biased information in cyberspace for hostile purposes; five cases of digital reconnaissance fraudulently entering a computer system in order to map it or assess vulnerabilities; four defacement operations, involving the takeover or alteration of a website or account for hostile political purposes; and four episodes of doxing the intentional disclosure of personal information about people to humiliate, threaten or punish them. The researchers traced the vast majority of geopolitical cyberincidents in Canada during the period to China, Russia, Iran or North Korea. However, they note the governments of these countries were not necessarily involved. Rather, non-state forces located there could have been acting on their own. The report also highlights three major, worrisome trends: the growing digital surveillance of activists in Canada by foreign powers, the expansion of the cybermercenary industry, and the huge growth in the number of ransomware attacks. "Hackers-for-hire are often employed by authoritarian states to track political opponents, spy on NGOs and journalists or steal personal information destined to blackmail and harass dissenters," the report says. "Cyberspace now provides nation-states with countless new avenues of espionage and surveillance everywhere in the world, without much risk of retaliation." The researchers say that while Canada does not seem to be a primary target of cyber-related retaliation for backing Ukraine following Russias invasion, there are reasons to be vigilant. Russia could encourage its cybercriminal networks to bolster their assaults especially ransomware attacks against Canadian organizations, notably those who took specific actions against Moscow. Despite efforts by NATO members to prevent any escalation, it is also conceivable that Russia might eventually try to target western critical infrastructure, such as electrical grids, the report adds. The Rapid City office of South Dakotas Department of Social Services is moving into a new building at 221 Mall Drive. It is a one-stop state services center that will house local offices of seven state agencies. According to a news release, DSS will transition services to the new location in three phases over the next couple weeks. DSS said Economic Assistance staff begins serving customers at the new location starting Monday and Child Support Services will open Tuesday. Child Protection Services and all other DSS programs will be in the new building Sept. 28. We are excited to serve our customers in this convenient new location, said DSS Cabinet Secretary Laurie Gill. The one-stop will allow customers to not only handle their DSS related business, but also other state agency related needs in one building. The news release said DSS staff will have the same phone numbers and can be reached Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 605.394.2525 or toll-free at 800.644.2914. DSS also continues to offer a variety of ways for people to access programs and services, including online, email, mail and telephone. Online applications, forms, responses to frequently asked questions and other information can be found on the department website at dss.sd.gov. We are always striving to provide the best possible service and hope customers find the new location comfortable and welcoming, Gill said. DSS believes in building stronger families, and this new building is a sign of our strong commitment to that goal well into the future. The one-stop building features an accommodating and open atmosphere. Groundbreaking occurred in March 2021 with construction completed last month. The project was led by Dream Design International in partnership with the state of South Dakota, JLG Architects and Scull Construction. In addition to DSS, the one-stop complex will house local offices for the Departments of Health, Revenue, Human Services, and Environment and Natural Resources. It will also be home to local offices for the Bureau of Information and Technology, and Bureau of Administration. South Dakota is playing catch-up when it comes to stemming the so-called brain drain of college graduates leaving for careers in other states, with declining college enrollment related to the COVID-19 pandemic adding to the urgency. Major employers such as First Premier Bank, Sanford and Avera hospitals whose operations are tied to having skilled workers available for hire are providing scholarship money and other incentives to assist the South Dakota Board of Regents in not just educating young people in the state but enticing them to take in-state job opportunities. From 2015-2019, only 53% of the nearly 35,000 students who graduated from South Dakotas six public universities were working for in-state employers one year past their graduation. That percentage increased to about 70% when narrowed to just South Dakota residents. Experts point to several economic realities that make it tough to reverse the trend in which many of the states youngest and most educated and skilled residents are leaving the state where they grew up. Prior reporting by News Watch has also shown that teachers, in particular, are leaving South Dakota due to the influence of divisive politics and the culture wars entering into curriculum and the classroom. South Dakota ranks 50th in average pay for teachers ($49,547), according to the National Education Association. The state also ranks 50th in the United States in average salary for registered nurses ($60,550), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Management. Across all occupations, the state ranks 48th in the United States for average annual pay ($44,960), with the national average at $56,310. What were seeing more often than not when students leave South Dakota after graduation is that they can be compensated at higher levels in other states, said Michaela Willis, South Dakota State University vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. Some of our positions in South Dakota arent competitive with other states, and teaching is a big one. Until our compensation structure for teachers increases to be competitive in that market, we will continue to lose students to Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa and other states. The Board of Regents, which oversees the states public universities, has teamed with state government officials and corporate leaders to tailor areas of study to in-state workforce needs, with Executive Director Brian Maher saying the BORs commitment to research should be as robust as it can be. But he concedes that not every student can be matched with a suitable job that matches their field. That was the case for Jeff Gillaspie, a 23-year-old Hill City native who decided to leave his home state behind after earning a bachelors degree in physics from South Dakota Mines in 2021. He accepted an optics position with a high-tech company in Bozeman, Mont., that uses lasers to scan for gas leaks, an opportunity that he said did not present itself in South Dakota. Most of the jobs I was looking for were primarily outside the state, Gillaspie said. With that major and what I wanted to do, I had to look somewhere else to find a job in my career field. Undergraduate enrollment at South Dakotas six public universities dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic, complicating a downward trend that was already under way. Total enrollment was 36,532 in 2013 and dipped to 34,520 by 2019, with South Dakota State and the University of South Dakota leading the way in declines. The Board of Regents reported a total of 33,455 for the 2021-22 school year, mirroring a national trend of stagnation or decline on the heels of the pandemics social and economic effects. Now, the challenge is to spark a renewal of interest in college attendance, partly by tapping into a new reservoir of prospective students who might not otherwise have considered a college experience. South Dakota was the last state in the U.S. to offer a needs-based scholarship, unveiling the Freedom Scholarship in 2021 with a lead donation of $100 million from First Premier Bank and billionaire philanthropist T. Denny Sanford, in partnership with the state of South Dakota and the Avera and Sanford health systems. The scholarships, currently funded at $175 million, are given to high school graduates who might not otherwise be able to afford post-secondary education, with the stipulation that they stay and work in South Dakota for three years following graduation. They are available not just for public universities but private colleges and tribal institutions, with about $5 million allocated for 2022-23, the programs pilot year. The program is modeled after the Build Dakota Scholarship, which focused on technical education and required students receiving the grants to work in their trained field in South Dakota for a minimum of three years. The Freedom Scholarship extends that concept to four-year degrees, using a University Advisory Council to identify non-traditional students who lack the financial means to attend college. First Premier CEO Dana Dykhouse, who chairs the Freedom Scholarship board, called it a worthy investment as businesses become more involved in higher education in the interest of strengthening the state workforce. Emergence of the scholarship program is partly recognition that there is untapped potential in cities like Sioux Falls, where nearly 80 different languages are represented in the public school district and 43% of students are eligible for free and reduced lunch. For my generation, the vision for going off to college was mom and dad loading up the station wagon with a bean bag chair in the back and a box of grandmas chocolate chip cookies and theyd drop you off at the door, Dykhouse said. If you look at Sioux Falls, with almost a 50% diverse community coming from all over the world, they dont all have that same vision. We want to create an opportunity where they can have a different on-ramp into higher education, and we hope this helps achieve that goal. As part of its strategic plan for 2022-2027, the Board of Regents aims to manage the costs of attending college, which includes working with the state legislature to freeze tuition fees and maximizing student access to federal student aid. Maher said the mission is tied to increasing enrollment from South Dakota high schools by 5% over the next five years. Some forces are beyond the boards control, such as the natural tendency of young people to be drawn to cultural offerings in larger cities and states. Though South Dakota was 21st overall in WalletHubs Best States to Live rankings for 2022, it ranked 41st in the quality-of-life category, behind North Dakota, Wyoming and Alabama. Alex Chapman, 24, a Rapid City Stevens High School graduate, was lured to out-of-state colleges that encouraged his love of music. He considered several colleges across the U.S. and decided on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Im not sure why I didnt look at South Dakota schools, said Chapman. Maybe its because I knew that I wanted to do something in music, initially that was the direction I wanted to go. Really, my mentors in music pushed me toward schools that were outside of the state. Chapman majored in double-bass performance with a minor in biology and discovered a love for the medical field, which he decided to pursue after graduating in 2020. He now lives in New York City and is studying at Columbia University, focusing on classes he needs to qualify for medical school. Despite his education and positive experiences outside of the state, Chapman still looks back on his home state fondly, recognizing the opportunities the state makes available. Iran becomes full-fledged member of Shanghai Cooperation Organization MOSCOW, September 15 (RAPSI) The Islamic Republic of Iran changed its observer status to full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO); the respective document was signed on Wednesday evening, the Iranian news agency IRNA reports. The memorandum was signed by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and the SCO Secretary General Zhang Ming. All documents related to the completion of the procedure for registration of full membership of Iran have already been approved at the level of the country's government and submitted to the national parliament to complete the legal formalities, IRNA quotes the statement of the Foreign Minister. The SCO Secretary General, in turn, noted that the signing of the memorandum was an "important milestone" for all interested parties and congratulated Iran and the Organization's member states on the appearance of a new member in their ranks. Iran is a powerful, stable and reliable country in the region, its entry into the SCO is important for the Organization and its development as a whole, Zhang Ming noted. The SCO is an international organization founded in 2001 by the leaders of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan joined the organization in 2016. Iran received the status of an observer state in the SCO in 2005 and began the procedure for joining the Organization in 2021. The Happy Fall Yall Arts & Crafts Show benefits the Social-Overall-Academics-Recreation (SOAR) nonprofit at the Darby Clubhouse on Saturday, Sept. 17. SOAR strives to provide funding for Darby Schools events and programs not funded by the school. SOAR provides funding for reading program incentives, teachers appreciation acknowledgments, welcome back to school events, the Darby After School Program, The Santa Shop, and family nights. Co-Chairs for this Happy Fall Yall Arts & Crafts Show are Trish Becker, Diana Rogers and SOAR President Jennifer Bush. They invite the community to attend the show, support SOARs charitable event and welcome Fall just a little bit early. Rogers said everyone is invited and there will be something for everyone. Rain or shine, come, enjoy the show, discover some of your local arts and craftspeople and their wares, have lunch and visit the town of Darby, Rogers said. There is a new family attraction in town. The Old West Candy store installed a mining sluice on the south end of the store. There is mining for gemstones, fossils and even sharks teeth have been found there. The Happy Fall Yall Arts & Crafts Show will have plenty of fun, raffle drawings, and great items including yummy bakery items, jams, jellies, sauces, plus quality handcrafted goods including jewelry, fall decor finery, pottery, custom embroidery, handmade greeting cards, unique sewn items, and DYI Makery Take & Makes. Wendy Blake Embree of Friendship Products will be serving her always-in-demand yummy baked goods including slices of PIEcaken a five-layer decadent delight, pumpkin spice scones, cream puffs, several varieties of cookies, brownies, wraps and sliders. Classy Cowgirls by Nature owner Allison Dunn has added a new item to her Montana Made jams, jellies, sauces, syrups and Montana Cowboy Candy. She also handcrafts earrings, necklaces and unique wire gemstone designs. Nancy McCullough, of My Heart Dog Creations, is bringing her beautiful seasonal wreaths, swags, centerpieces and cards. Whispering Vines Studio by Kathleen Dobson Piasecki will have unique jewelry creations and lovely watercolor art for sale. Cindi Jos Creations is a painted paradise with designs of flowers, moose, cows, and trout adorning buckets, mailboxes, shirts and jackets. Landmark Growers will have a lovely selection of recently harvested lavender bouquets, oil, hydrosol, and lavender oil pendants. Mrs. Murphys Stitches, Robin Barker, will have embroidered items and take custom orders. Precious Indian Arts will be attending our show. Sylvia will be offering beyond beautiful Horse Hair pottery creations, Navajo sterling silver and copper Jewelry. Patty Conns creations include fleece blankets, decorator pillows, table runners, placemats, hot pads and Fall arrangements. Dana Stellato at her Little Tin Cup Farm always has delightful dairy goat milk soap and lotions. The cold-processed soaps are all unique in colors, textures, scents and shapes. Wild Turkey Acres owner Trish Becker will include original Montana Snow Dyed Silk Wild Rags scarves, beautiful, one-of-a-kind two-sided aprons and intriguing shirts. Kathy Balvin creates porcupine quill jewelry, medicine bags and leather earrings. Bitterroot Designs Terrie Forrest, designer and maker of her leather bags and accessories, offers many choices and designs. Donna Wherry has a wide range of cutting boards, wood bowls, hat racks, pine needle baskets and must-see gourds. Bunnys Cre8ions, yes with an 8, has vases, bottle holders, baskets, alcohol ink trivets, and in keeping with Montana Cowboy traditions offers recycled cowboy boot decor- each one is an appealing beautiful creation. MattiMos Makery from Stevensville will have completed painted wood items as well as an impressive selection of Take & Make Kits. There is a Makery Workshop after the Arts and Craft show at 4 p.m. These workshops are a really fun idea for a get-together. Stop by and meet Sam Yeager the creative mind behind MaddiMo Makery, Rogers said. If you are thinking about doing something different for a birthday, team builder, girls day out, talk to Sam she has unlimited ideas when it comes to workshops. A SOAR raffle includes fantastic area gift certificates, coffee offerings, decor items and gift baskets. Rogers said SOAR was created several years ago as a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit (# 82-3173325) to support the Darby After School Program. When the Darby Parent Teacher Organization was dissolved in the Fall of 2019 the funding was folded into S.O.A.R., Rogers said. The Happy Fall Yall Arts & Crafts Show is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Darby Montana Clubhouse, 106 N. Main St. in Darby. For further information email dkr1221xx@gmail.com. The state health department director on Thursday issued a statement indicating he would not immediately comply with an order from a Billings judge to follow a 2017 rule allowing transgender Montanans to update their birth certificates using a form. Though Yellowstone County Judge Michael Moses said in a rare bench order earlier in the morning that the 2017 rules "are the rules that will apply during the course of this litigation," Montana Department of Health and Human Services Director Charlie Brereton said the department would keep their September rule in effect. Moses' order also said the rule recently finalized by the department could not be enforced. The administrative rule, which the Department of Public Health and Human Services adopted Sept. 10, said vital records could be amended only if the sex designation "was listed incorrectly on the original birth certificate due to a data entry error." The rule did not allow the certificate to be amended "based on gender transition, gender identity or change of gender." The department thoroughly evaluated the judges vague April 2022 decision and crafted our final rule to be consistent with the decision. Its unfortunate that the judges ruling today does not square with his vague April decision. The 2022 final rule that the department issued on Sept. 9 remains in effect, and we are carefully considering next steps," Brereton said in an emailed statement. A department spokesperson said in an email seeking clarification that "the department is awaiting a written order from todays hearing, and carefully considering next steps." "There is no such order in place at this time. The court acknowledged that it could not address the 2022 final rule and, therefore, could not invalidate it," spokesperson Jon Ebelt wrote. Moses issued his order from the bench. The dispute comes after the state Legislature in 2021 passed a law to require gender-affirming surgery and petition to a court to be able to update a birth certificate. Moses put a temporary halt to the law in April. Following Moses' preliminary injunction, the state issued an emergency rule in May, which the department finalized last week even after strong opposition during a June hearing. In issuing his order from the bench, Moses said Thursday that "the preliminary injunction has always enjoined all aspects of (the law passed in 2021) and it cannot be circumvented by departmental action." Moses' order from the bench is part of a lawsuit filed last year where the ACLU of Montana sued the state on behalf of two transgender Montanans over the 2021 law. The lawsuit is on behalf of Amelia Marquez, a Billings resident, and a trans man identified as John Doe in court proceedings. It is against the state of Montana; Gov. Greg Gianforte; the state Department of Public Health and Human Services, which handles birth certificates; and department Director Adam Meier. Meier has since left the position and was replaced by Brereton. Moses on Thursday also disputed the state's assertion his original injunction was not clear. That April order read, in part, that the state was blocked from "enforcing any aspect of SB 280 (the 2021 law)." "The department was enjoined in all aspects from (enforcing the law) and decided to pass rules anyway, claiming that they have the power to do whatever they want, notwithstanding an order. That really is unacceptable," Moses said. "And so my order was not unclear. It was clear as a bell. It said 'all aspects.'" He continued: "This court's preliminary injunction is not to be violated pending the outcome of this case. It's as simple as that." Akilah Lane, a lawyer for ACLU of Montana, said the characterization of Moses order as vague is just false. It could not be any clearer that today the court said that the department's 2022 final rule is unenforceable and that the department must revert to the status quo, which in this case is the procedures in the 2017 rule, Lane said Moses on Thursday morning stopped short of holding the state in contempt for issuing the emergency rule and then finalizing it, something the plaintiffs suggested in their June motion to seek clarification when the state enacted the rule in spite of the preliminary injunction. "If we are simply going to circumvent orders of the court where the court finds, preliminarily, a violation of the Constitution, that's not what justice is all about. That's not what our government is all about. Our government is about ... figuring out what the right thing to do is and critically important is everybody having a say, and we haven't had a say yet." The 2017 rule was issued by the administration of former Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock, with opposition from Republican state lawmakers. Plaintiff Marquez on Thursday evening said she was first ecstatic to see Moses' ruling. After the department's statement, she first felt furious and then disgusted. "To know that the administration is currently playing games with my life and the lives of other transgender Montanans, really the only feeling that I can put around it is disgust. I know my home, my birthplace, we're better than that," Marquez said. "It's a matter of nobody should feel as though they're above the law, and that's definitely what the current administration is making it feel like." Marquez said that the roadblocks in place for her to be able to update her birth certificate means she worries about the possibility of someone asking for the document as part of a job application and or other process, forcing her to have to out herself in a situation where that might not be safe. Before Brereton's statement, plaintiffs in the case issued a statement welcoming Moses' order. Were thankful the court saw the states discriminatory new rule for what it was: a desperate effort to circumvent the judicial process and target transgender Montanans," the statement from the ACLU of Montana, the ACLU Foundation LGBTQ & HIV Project and Nixon Peabody LLP read. Forcing anyone to carry documents that contradict their identity is unjust and unconstitutional, and such a rule marks transgender people for further mistreatment and discrimination. Well continue to fight this baseless law until no transgender person is denied this fundamental right. The state Department of Justice, which is defending the state of Montana, was critical of Moses' order. Judge Moses mischaracterized the words of his own order, the parties motives, and the state of the law. His behavior today revealed his extreme prejudice, and his ruling continues the pattern of first determining his desired political outcome and then creating a justification for it," wrote Kyler Nerison, communications director for the department. A Republican state lawmaker also took aim at Moses in a statement issued after the ruling. Like clockwork, Judge Moses issued yet another predetermined order in favor of liberal plaintiffs without thoroughly engaging with the legal issues at hand," said Sen. Greg Hertz of Polson. Hertz made claims of "improper judicial activism aligned with Democrat operatives." A Hanover County School Board member is accused of violating federal student privacy law and could be removed from office as a result. Hanover County Attorney Dennis Walter on Wednesday evening gave a presentation to the Board of Supervisors about the legal process to remove appointed School Board members from office. Supervisors did not name a School Board member on Wednesday, but Board Chair Angela Kelly-Wiecek said at an Aug. 24 meeting that the discussion would be relative to a longtime appointee. School Board Chair John Axselle, who was appointed in 1995, is the longest-standing appointee. Walter said the public raised concerns about improper conduct by a School Board member including the violation of a federal student privacy law. In February, Axselle reached out to the conservative legal advocacy organization Alliance Defending Freedom through his personal email, according to records obtained by The Times-Dispatch. Parts of the emails were redacted due to public record law exemptions. Allegations of the violation of privacy laws stem from emails sent from a School Board member to ADF, supervisors said Wednesday. Supervisor Sean Davis asked Walter on Wednesday if it is a violation of student privacy law to send private student information to ADF, which was a potential attorney, he said. The School Board in March voted 4-3 to engage with ADF, a Christian organization with anti-LGBT views. The Arizona-based organization largely wrote the controversial School Board policy passed last month. It requires transgender students to submit a written request to school administration asking for access to the schools facilities that align with the students gender identities. Walter said he needed more information on the timeline of events. It was unclear Wednesday if the allegations of violating privacy law were founded. If true, the violation could result in the federal government withholding funds from the school division. I think what becomes very clear to me with very little question is that if someone took information off their county server and transferred it to their private server to send it out, they know that they were doing something they werent intended to do, said Supervisor Faye Pritchard. At the meeting Wednesday, Walter also discussed the treatment of speakers at School Board meetings, and sometimes that involves the possibility of asking law enforcement to get involved, he said. At an Aug. 16 meeting, Axselle interrupted resident Wendy Kersey who was speaking at public comment about a local conservative organization that has a significant presence in the local education scene. Axselle continued to interrupt the speaker and asked her to stay on the topic of a proposed transgender policy. The woman was ushered away by a sheriffs office deputy as she spoke about ADF. According to Virginia Code, two components must be present to remove a public officer for improper conduct. The officer must have done something that constitutes either neglect of duty, misuse of office, or incompetence in the performance of duties. Additionally, that neglect of duty and misuse of office has to have a material, adverse effect upon the conduct of the office. Since the Board of Supervisors in Hanover is the appointing authority of the local School Board, the majority of the supervisors would have to go forward with the proceeding, according to state law. Any removal proceeding has to be filed in the circuit court where the officer resides, which in this case would be the Hanover Circuit Court. Axselle told The Times-Dispatch on Aug. 30 that he did not know anything about the possible removal of an appointee beyond what Kelly-Wiecek said publicly a week prior. Im being truthful. I really dont know, Axselle said on Aug. 30. Axselle has faced sharp criticism from the community over the past couple of months, including from the Hanover NAACP President Pat Hunter-Jordan, who called for him to resign. She said at a news conference in August that Axselle does not respect women and yells at women in public, referencing the incident in which a resident was removed by law enforcement during public comment. The supervisors did not take any action related to the removal of a School Board member at the Wednesday meeting. Axselle could not be reached for comment Wednesday evening. Virginia school divisions are on track to save millions by using solar energy. Over the past two years, the solar capacity of Virginias K-12 schools has more than doubled, according to data from Charlottesville-based advocacy organization Generation180. The progress was largely spurred by a policy change in Virginia allowing tax-exempt entities like schools and localities to use third-party power purchase agreements. With these agreements, solar developers own and maintain the system for the life of the agreement, or typically around 25 years. In return, the school district purchases the solar energy produced. The contracts allow schools to go solar with no upfront capital costs. School divisions save millions by paying for solar power, which is much cheaper than standard electricity. Thats important for school districts around Virginia because its typically the second-highest cost for schools after staffing, said Tish Tablan, program director for Generation180. Instead of paying that money to the utility, thats money they can now reinvest into students, into teacher pay and to learning. About 94% of the solar capacity installed by K-12 schools was funded through third-party ownership. Virginia ranks ninth in the U.S. for cumulative solar capacity in K-12 schools and ranks 13th in the nation for the total number of schools with solar. There are now 154 schools powered by solar an increase of 65 schools over the past two years. Hanover County Public Schools has four of its schools powered by solar through a contract with Sun Tribe Solar, a Charlottesville solar energy company. The four projects have saved the school division more than $100,000 each year, and the savings should increase as host utility rates rise. Historically, host utility rates have increased at a predictable level, but in recent years, they have risen dramatically. Hanover Public Schools was expected to save $183,000 between 2020 and 2022, but actually saved about $202,000 due to the rising cost of standard electricity. In Henrico County, three schools Highland Springs High School, J.R. Tucker High School and Holladay Elementary are in the final stages of solar installation and will begin operating later this fall. The Henrico school division executed power purchase agreements last year with five schools: Glen Allen High, Harvie Elementary, Holman Middle, Kaechele Elementary and Colonial Trail Elementary. Solar will be installed at those schools in the future, but the exact timeline is unknown, according to Carrie Webster, the countys energy manager. Henrico, which has active solar installations in other county facilities, projects it will save $4 million over 25 years with its installed or planned solar projects. Two large solar arrays will soon be installed in Southwest Virginia, in two localities that have historically been coal mining communities: Wise County and Lee County. In Wise County, the five schools that will go solar will cover almost half of the energy needs at the divisions schools. According to the solar developer, the school division is expected to save $7.5 million over the 35-year lifetime of the solar array. Virginia allotted $100 million earlier this year to launch college partnership laboratory schools throughout the state. While the budget language limits recipients of the funds to public colleges, Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera wants to offer the money to private schools, too. Democratic members of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee pushed back Wednesday against the idea of opening the funds to private colleges, saying the law doesnt allow for that. Some private schools, including Virginia Union University and Liberty University, have expressed interest in opening lab schools, and the future of their efforts may hang in the balance. What matters is the language that was put in the budget and signed by the governor, which is unambiguous, said Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond. In June, Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed a budget that includes $100 million to help launch lab schools free, K-12 public schools that have the freedom to innovate and control their own budgets. The budget language allows only public colleges in Virginia to receive the funds. That limitation was written on purpose, said Sen. George Barker, D-Fairfax. The state should see if lab schools work for public schools before opening up the funding to private schools, Barker said. He added that private colleges shouldnt receive funds when some K-12 school divisions are still in need. That language is not squishy, Barker said. That language is very clear as to what it means. But Guidera said the administration has a different opinion. The budget also included a clause that redefines lab schools in general as institutions built by public or private colleges. Attorney General Jason Miyares has not offered an opinion on the matter. Two attorneys for the Division of Legislative Services wrote in July, saying the more restrictive budget language that prohibits private schools from receiving the funds takes precedent. Its unclear if private colleges would be forced to stop their efforts without the funding. A spokesperson for Virginia Union did not respond to a request for comment. Last month, Guidera said shed like to see lab schools open as early as next fall. On Wednesday, she offered a more tempered prediction, saying a couple could open in the fall of 2023 but that the majority will likely open in the fall of 2024. Supporters of lab schools say that some students arent receiving a high quality education and are in need of an alternative. Some schools do very well, Guidera said. But excellence isnt available to all families in Virginia. Barker disputed the idea that Virginias K-12 public school system is underperforming. I do take a little bit of exception to saying weve been failing our students, Barker said. In reality, our school divisions are not failing our students. Lab schools would offer children the opportunity to learn in different ways, Guidera said. Corporations such as Microsoft, Google-owner Alphabet Inc. and Amazon have pledged either financial assistance, employees to staff the schools or classroom space. Each school could have a different approach or focus. The administration would like to see colleges partner with K-12 school districts, nonprofits, museums and other entities. Virginia Union University intends to partner with Richmond Public Schools, a spokesperson for the university said. Virginia State University, which is public, intends to partner with Petersburg schools. Guidera pledged that no money will leave public school systems to fund their lab schools. The schools will likely launch in existing buildings. Colleges cant use government funds to erect new buildings for their lab schools. No colleges have submitted applications yet, Guidera said. An audit of the community stabilization program revealed that a service budgeted for $12.5 million in the last fiscal year had been billed $88.5 million from providers through the state's contracts with six managed care companies. The RVA Street Art Festival is returning to the place where it all began this weekend: the Power Plant building along the Haxall Canal. When we started 10 years ago, I had no idea what to expect, said Ed Trask, Richmond artist and co-founder of the festival. We didnt know if the city would adhere to it or if anybody wanted to see these paintings. The festival was a huge hit. The murals along the canal became a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. What was once a neglected area of the city became a cultural hot spot and a point of citywide pride. I remain amazed at the impact this site has had on the city in the 10 years, said festival co-founder Jon Baliles in a statement. Its hard to find a video about Richmond on social media today without seeing a shot of this building. It has become a must-visit spot. In honor of the festivals 10th anniversary, the festival board decided to paint over the old murals at the site and install new ones by a new generation of muralists. But the decision has raised some controversy in the arts community, especially with some whose work has been painted over. Graffiti writer El Kamino, who painted the Richmond sign at the first RVA Street Art Festival, posted his frustration to Instagram when his mural was painted over earlier this week. I had poured my heart and soul into this piece and I had a very strong emotional attachment to it. ... My mural was an homage to my beautiful girlfriend Sarah who sadly took her own life in 2009, as well as my homie Travis [also known as graffiti legend Conrail Twitty] who took his own life in 2008. When I painted this mural I was very much grieving their loss, and I was thankful to have a public platform to commemorate both of their lives and all the things we had enjoyed together in Richmond while they were both alive, he posted to his Instagram Stories. [T]his here breaks my heart, he posted. All the money and resources at your fingertips, an entire community that supports the arts, and the best you can come up with is to paint over these beautiful murals. I loved this goddamn piece. Shame on yall @rvastreetart. There are some pieces that got painted over that I really didnt want to see go away, Trask said. Its been very emotional for me and others. There were some historical, iconic pieces. Being a muralist, your work is buffed all the time, its part of the industry, said Nico Cathcart, a Richmond muralist and co-curator of the Fresh Paint exhibit featuring Richmond muralists a few years ago at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. While Cathcart is not involved with this years RVA Street Art Festival, she said she understands where El Kamino is coming from. As artists, we grow more attached to some pieces, because art is a little piece of your soul that you are leaving behind ... I think its totally normal to grieve the loss of something like that, she said. The inaugural RVA Street Art Festival in 2012 brought in nationally known muralists and graffiti artists like Californias Jeff Soto, Chicagos Pose and San Franciscos Richard Colman to paint at the festival, alongside Richmond artists like Trask, Hamilton Glassand Mickael Broth. All those murals are now gone. It is a cultural asset to the city to have the work of important national-level artists here alongside our local talent. When you look at great street art cities, like Detroit or Atlanta, their large public spaces like the floodwall are filled with art that mixes both local and national artists. Its the way we grow to be an arts destination on the national level so that the locals get the attention they deserve, Cathcart said. Still, she said shes looking forward to this years solid line-up, which includes Richmond artists well-known for their work around town like Nils Westergard, Auz, Wing Chow and Emily Herr, as well as lesser-known artists like illustrator Chris Visions, whos worked on the Scarlet Witch and Constantine comics, and Hampton Roads abstract painter DKane. Change is always hard in Richmond. Im right there with everybody, Trask said. At the same time, I think we need to embrace a new generation of artists. For instance, Westergards work has become a Richmond landmark, as well as being embraced internationally in Berlin and Croatia, to name a few. Hes known for his striking black-and-white style depicting youth culture like the girl in the Fan with hands covering her face at the corner of Allen and Main. He often signs his work with a black butterfly. Auz is the art name for Austin Miles, a young Black female artist whose work can be seen in the Brooklyn Park neighborhood locally and which often focuses on body positivity and community healing. Her murals are now being picked up elsewhere and can be found in Durham, N.C., and Cleveland, Ohio. Herr created the traveling mural project Girls! Girls! Girls! to better represent women in public art. Her bright pink mural of a woman and child under a spotlight can be found near Quirk Hotel. Trask said the board focused on selecting a more diverse group of artists representing women and artists of color. Over 200 artists applied to paint at the festival, with 10 being selected by the RVA Street Art Festival board. Trask, Glass and Broth will also be painting at this years festival. Earlier this spring, Broth, known as The Night Owl, painted over his 2012 mural when the festival announced that new murals would be going up over the old. For the past 10 years, I got jaded on some of the mural work that Id done. But being down here, getting the public reaction, it honestly reinvigorated my excitement about this and about public art in this capacity, Broth said. Ultimately, this is about a positive burst of creativity. People are excited to see new work in this space. Naomi McCavitt, a Richmond illustrator and muralist known for her botanical and naturalistic murals at The Common House and Bar Solita, will be painting at the RVA Street Art Festival for the first time. In the past, her work has been shown in more interior spaces rather than exterior places, but shes looking forward to adding her work to the RVA Street Art Festival. Its for everyone. Theres no price of admission. Its public art, McCavitt said. Richmond is full of awesome painters. She said shes excited to work with many of her peers whom shes admired for a long time, such as Broth, Auz and Wing Chow. These are a group of really creative, brilliant young artists in Richmond that are changing the fabric of our city, Trask said. When we started this, we didnt think the murals would last more than two years, much less 10, Trask said. This is a new generation of artists. Public art making has changed dramatically in the past 10 years. We have to celebrate that and share that. This will be the fifth RVA Street Art Festival. The previous four were held at the Haxall Canal Hydro Plant in 2012, the GRTC Bus Depot in 2013, the Manchester Silos in 2016 and The Diamond in 2017. The RVA Street Art Festival kicks off Friday with live mural painting from 3 to 7 p.m., continuing Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be food trucks and breweries on site. The festival will direct proceeds from the event to support Richmond Public Schools arts programs. The event is free entry and pay as you go. For more information, visit rvastreetart.com/ 2022-festival. Photo: Pixabay The National Day of Mourning will be a national headache for parents and guardians scrambling to find childcare with less than a weeks notice. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Monday, Sept. 19 would be a federal holiday to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who died Sept. 8. In B.C., public sector employees will have the day off. Premier John Horgan also announced that K-12 public schools, post-secondary institutions and Crown corporations will be closed for the day. But many working in the private sector will still have to work, and the unexpected holiday has put pressure on parents already facing a strained child-care system, said Lisa Connell, chair of Tillicum Elementarys Parent Advisory Council. The families in our school community are already challenged when it comes to child care, Connell said. The expectation that theyre going to be able to find child care with less than a week to go is just completely unrealistic. Connell said shes heard from many parents that their only option is to take the day off work. We have a very diverse population of families at Tillicum and I know this is going to be a huge struggle a financial impact for those families who dont have a choice, she said. In addition to the holiday, parents of children in the Greater Victoria School District were already preparing for a Professional Development Day on Sept. 23, when no classes are held. We already struggle with child care, so this just feels like another hit, Connell said. Tracy Humphreys, president of the Victoria Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils, said child care is a real struggle for parents of kids with complex care needs. I just hope employers will be understanding that it might be hard for families to get care on such short notice, she said. I dont think the province has much choice, but it is worrying to not have something in place for families who are going to struggle. [email protected] >>> To comment on this article, write a letter to the editor: [email protected] The Roanoke Valleys primary supplier of public water took steps Thursday to curtail a contaminant found in the Spring Hollow reservoir and the nearby Roanoke River. In a unanimous vote, the board of the Western Virginia Water Authority approved a $13.5 million package of improvements at Spring Hollow, including an upgrade to a carbon filtering system designed to lower levels of a so-called forever chemical. Tests of the reservoir and river water have detected hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid, better known by its trade name of GenX, at concentrations that exceed what is recommended for long-term consumption by the Environmental Protection Agency. An EPA health advisory calls for no more than 10 parts per trillion. The level at Spring Hollow has been as high as 62 parts per trillion, and more recent tests in the Roanoke River just upstream of the reservoirs intake have shown more than twice that. There is an urgent need to implement improvements for GenX removal, a memorandum presented to the authoritys board of directors stated. Although the EPAs health advisory is not enforceable, obviously we want to be providing water that is safe and healthy to drink, Michael McEvoy, executive director of the authority, told the board. The improvements will be financed through tax-exempt bonds over an extending period of time and are not expected to result in higher rates for the authoritys 69,000-some customers. The first phase of the project will be to upgrade an existing granular activated carbon filer system, first installed when Spring Hollow was built in the 1990s. Although the system has been successful in reducing the levels of GenX to some degree, a $2.5 million upgrade of its infrastructure is needed to deal with the amount of the chemical believed to be in the reservoir. The water authority stopped pumping water from the river into Spring Hollow earlier this summer. Even so, McEvoy estimated that it will take about two years to remove the GenX that has accumulated there. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to determine the origin of the chemical believed to be an industry or business upstream of the 3.2-billion gallon reservoir, which is close to the Roanoke-Montgomery county line. I feel confident that were going to find the source, McEvoy said. GenX is not widely used by industries in the area. Not an end product in itself, the compound is used in the making of fluoropolymers, which in turn are ingredients in the manufacture of non-stick plastics, semiconductor chips, automotive parts and other products. Also known as HFPO-DA, GenX is one of more than 6,000 compounds that are commonly referred to as forever chemicals because they are slow to break down and can last for generations in the environment. Concerns about their toxicity have grown in recent years, although there are currently no federal or Virginia regulations to limit the release of the chemicals. The EPA is considering action, as is the state Health Department. Water with more than 10 parts per trillion of GenX, when consumed in large amounts over a lifetime, can cause liver and kidney complications for some people, according to the EPA. At Thursdays meeting, the water authoritys board also approved two other improvements at Spring Hollow construction of a 2-million gallon storage tank estimated to cost $4.8 million and an upgrade to a water pump station that will cost another $5.2 million that were seen as complementing the carbon filtering system. The trend is positive; were moving in the right direction, McEvoy said. But to make it work were going to have to spend some money. We know its there, he said, and we need to remove as much of it as possible. CHESTERFIELD California-based Plenty Unlimited Inc. will build a vertical farming operation at Chesterfield Countys Meadowville Technology Park that it expects will create 300 jobs. The company said it expects the facility will be the worlds largest indoor vertical farm campus. A vertical farm grows produce indoors on towers. It represents an investment of $300 million. The company will complete the Chesterfield facility in several phases over the next six years, with the first farm to be completed in the winter of 2023-2024. It will grow Driscolls brand strawberries, producing 4 million pounds a year, on 30-foot high towers of stiff, squared off plastic cylinders. The towers are pierced with 1 inch by 1 inch slanted slots for strawberry plants, with inner tubing delivering water and nutrients. Eventually, the company expects to raise 20 million pounds a year of various produce in Chesterfield, including the leafy greens, such as spinach and arugula it grows now at its smaller California facilities, said chief executive officer Arama Kukutai. He said the company is eyeing tomatoes as well. Our people in California are jealous that were going to start strawberries in Virginia, Kukutai said. Kukutai, who grew up on a New Zealand dairy farm, said raising produce on the towers allows a continuous harvest, instead of the traditional seasonal one. He expects to ship the first berries from Chesterfield in the winter of 2023 to 2024, soon after the first building on the farm is completed. Because they are grown inside and on a medium of old coconut shells, neither pests nor soil bacteria are a problem. And the companys workers can pick the berries they are ripenone of those sour, white-tipped ones people when when farmers need to pick an entire field in one go, he said. What Plenty represents is .. the combination of Virginias agricultural heritage, its our largest industry, with Virginias leading position in technology and oh by the way the spirit of entrepreneurship were so proud of, said Gov. Glenn Youngkin. The state is backing the project with a $2.4 million grant from the Commonwealth Opportunity Fund and a $500,000 grant from the Governors Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund. In addition, the company can see benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program and the Major Facility Job Tax Credit program, tied to new jobs created. Youngkin said state officials customized a package of incentives that ties public support to the actual investment and hiring the company does. Kukutai said the Richmond area has the skilled workforce and nearby colleges that the company will need to find the technicians and plant scientists who will keep robotic planting gear and well as lighting, ventilation and nutrient feeds operating, as well as making sure produce is picked when it is ripe and ready to be shipped. When can pick when they are ripe and theyll be on the shelf the next day, Kukutai said. The site is within a days drive of 100 million customers, including some of the nations biggest berry eaters, he said. One, in fact, is Youngkin, who told Kukutai that his family is probably the biggest per-capita collection of strawberry-eaters around. RICHMOND While the Virginia Department of Education is taking a longer approach in updating its history standards, including scheduling community engagement sessions and public hearings, the department has not made significant changes to the drafts content nor does it anticipate doing so. State Board of Education member Anne Holton, a former state secretary of education, asked during a meeting Wednesday whether the education department anticipates any major cuts to the draft based on what it knows so far and further input. I dont anticipate any major changes or deletions of content, Christonya Brown, the state education departments history and social science coordinator, said in response. What we have seen with our public comment and also from working with our committees was more of expanding and being more inclusive of other peoples events, and cultures. So I dont anticipate any type of deletion, especially major deletions in content. Brown presented an updated timeline to the board on Wednesday afternoon. The new timeline comes on the heels of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow urging the board in August to allow more time before the boards first thorough review of the proposed standards. The department is scheduling community engagement sessions and public hearings regarding the History and Social Science Standards of Learning for the next coming months. Holton asked: So your anticipation is that the draft that will be shared for public response is basically the same as the draft that was presented to the board [in August]? So youre not anticipating major reductions or additions to that content before the community engagement sessions? The draft you will present to us for consideration for at first review [in November] will it be the same content or will it reflect updates based on the sessions to date?, Holton asked. Brown said that if state education officials make any changes as a result of the community sessions, she will do her best to make it part of the first review the department prepares for the board in November. The department is slated to present the standards to the board for final approval in January, roughly two months after the original timeline. Currently, department staff and unidentified consultants are working on an element of the project which will result in a standards document and curriculum frameworks for each course. The framework documents will divide content into columns organized by the categories of understandings, supporting questions, and knowledge and learning experiences. Next month, the education department will continue to work with its senior leadership to review the standards and frameworks and schedule three in-person community engagement sessions. In November, the department plans to schedule two in-person community engagement sessions and bring the first review to the board, followed by public hearings the first week of December. One virtual community engagement session is slated for December. Brown said the department is looking to cut off registration for community engagement sessions at 100 people. The department will then bring the standards to the Board of Education for a final review at a January meeting. According to state law, the Department of Education and the State Board of Education are required to review Standards of Learning subject areas at least once every seven years. First published in 1995, the department and board reviewed history and social sciences Standards of Learning in 2001, 2008 and 2015. Proposed changes to the history standards include an expansion on the civil rights movement and the Holocaust for U.S. History classes and the introduction of Sikhism as a major world religion in high school world history and geography classes. Balow had recommended ahead of the August meeting that the standards undergo further development and input from Virginians and national experts. She also wanted to allow the five new Board of Education members more time to review the draft proposal and to fix corrections and typos in the draft. Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, expressed criticism of Balow for asking for input from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a Washington-based conservative think tank, in a news conference last month. What I suspect is the real intentionality of the delay is to revise the standards through the specific lens of the [Gov. Glenn] Youngkin administration, its corporate partners, and special interest groups whose intent is to whitewash our history books and to not allow for a more full representation of the rich diversity that is part of our American heritage and history, Hashmi, a former college administrator and chair of the Senate Public Education subcommittee said last month. In Youngkins first executive order signed Jan. 15, the day he was inaugurated, he called for ending the use of inherently divisive concepts in Virginias K-12 public education. Revisions to the current history standards began during then-Gov. Ralph Northams administration. The revision process has garnered over 5,000 public comments. The Department of Education also worked with several committees made up of students, teachers, historians, professors, museums, school administrators and more when crafting the nearly 400-page standards draft. The public comment period closes Sept. 25. Virginias Medicaid program has begun a potential fraud investigation into allegedly improper use of a program for stabilizing people in mental health crisis, with its focus on a relatively small number of providers in Henrico County and other parts of central Virginia. An audit of the community stabilization program revealed that a service budgeted for $12.5 million in the last fiscal year had been billed $88.5 million from providers through the states contracts with six managed care companies. In the new fiscal year, which began July 1, the insurers already have spent $28.9 million on services authorized for $21.2 million. The Department of Medical Assistance Services, the state Medicaid office, said it has referred the issue to the attorney generals Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, which is working with the FBI and Henrico police to investigate alleged misuse of a service designed to bridge the gap between people in crisis and community-based care. This is really a central Virginia problem, Tammy Whitlock, deputy director for complex care services, told the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee on Wednesday. Whitlock said the department is auditing the use of service and referring potential misuse to the attorney generals Medicaid fraud unit. She said it is likely to result in financial retractions that will return the funds to the commonwealth and to managed care companies that oversee the service. A spokesperson for Attorney General Jason Miyares had no comment on the investigation. The department also has instituted a new requirement, effective Sept. 1, for providers to receive authorization from managed-care companies before providing the service and billing for it. It also held a training session for 250 providers on Aug. 29 to review the new authorization requirement. This is definitely a problem we saw, and we need to fix it, Whitlock said. The department said that 61 providers or about 18% of the 348 participating providers accounted for 80% of the cost of the service in the fiscal year that ended June 30 and the first two months of this fiscal year. Those providers billed for almost $94 million of the $117.4 million spent on the service. Twenty-seven of those providers each billed for more than $1 million in six months, the department said. The central Virginia area showed a high and disproportionate density of providers and utilization, with four to five providers driving utilization, Whitlock said. The department did not name any of the providers in its presentation to the committee. The problem was not a surprise to the insurance companies that manage the care for the state. Doug Gray, executive of the Virginia Association of Health Plans, said his companies had recommended that the state require vendors to receive prior authorization before providing the service, based on similar experiences with other community-based behavioral health services in previous years. The state did not require prior authorization, Gray said. The providers ran wild with it. The good news is, theyre trying to get it under control, he said. Whitlock said the Medicaid office became aware of the problem during an audit of the service in April. We didnt act as quickly as I thought we should have on this, she acknowledged. The department is reviewing all major services to spot any other unusual utilization anomalies by the end of the year. It also is beginning a process for reviewing new services during their implementation, including monitoring plans and thresholds for further analysis and intervention. The community stabilization service is part of a broader initiative, known as BRAVO, or Behavioral Health Redesign for Access, Value and Outcomes, meant to improve services provided through Medicaid for people with behavioral health needs. Community stabilization is meant to help people after theyve undergone a behavioral health crisis as a transition either to a lower level service thats not immediately available or diversion to a higher level of care. We want to see some growth [in the service], Whitlock said. There is some pent-up demand there ... but we want it to be appropriate utilization, and clearly $88 million is not appropriate. Local and regional community services boards are not involved in the administration of the service, but they have a strong interest as providers in ensuring its viability to help people emerging from psychiatric crises. Its unfortunate that this has occurred ... because it has the potential to impact the availability of the service for the folks who need it, said Jennifer Faison, executive director of the Virginia Association of Community Services Boards. Its an essential service. Virginia allotted $100 million earlier this year to launch college partnership laboratory schools throughout the state. While the budget language limits recipients of the funds to public colleges, Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera wants to offer the money to private schools, too. Democratic members of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee pushed back Wednesday against the idea of opening the funds to private colleges, saying the law doesnt allow for that. Some private schools, including Virginia Union University and Liberty University, have expressed interest in opening lab schools, and the future of their efforts may hang in the balance. What matters is the language that was put in the budget and signed by the governor, which is unambiguous, said Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond. In June, Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed a budget that includes $100 million to help launch lab schools free, K-12 public schools that have the freedom to innovate and control their own budgets. The budget language allows only public colleges in Virginia to receive the funds. That limitation was written on purpose, said Sen. George Barker, D-Fairfax. The state should see if lab schools work for public schools before opening up the funding to private schools, Barker said. He added that private colleges shouldnt receive funds when some K-12 school divisions are still in need. That language is not squishy, Barker said. That language is very clear as to what it means. But Guidera said the administration has a different opinion. The budget also included a clause that redefines lab schools in general as institutions built by public or private colleges. Attorney General Jason Miyares has not offered an opinion on the matter. Two attorneys for the Division of Legislative Services wrote in July, saying the more restrictive budget language that prohibits private schools from receiving the funds takes precedent. Its unclear if private colleges would be forced to stop their efforts without the funding. A spokesperson for Virginia Union did not respond to a request for comment. Last month, Guidera said shed like to see lab schools open as early as next fall. On Wednesday, she offered a more tempered prediction, saying a couple could open in the fall of 2023 but that the majority will likely open in the fall of 2024. Supporters of lab schools say that some students arent receiving a high quality education and are in need of an alternative. Some schools do very well, Guidera said. But excellence isnt available to all families in Virginia. Barker disputed the idea that Virginias K-12 public school system is underperforming. I do take a little bit of exception to saying weve been failing our students, Barker said. In reality, our school divisions are not failing our students. Lab schools would offer children the opportunity to learn in different ways, Guidera said. Corporations such as Microsoft, Google-owner Alphabet Inc. and Amazon have pledged either financial assistance, employees to staff the schools or classroom space. Each school could have a different approach or focus. The administration would like to see colleges partner with K-12 school districts, nonprofits, museums and other entities. Virginia Union University intends to partner with Richmond Public Schools, a spokesperson for the university said. Virginia State University, which is public, intends to partner with Petersburg schools. Guidera pledged that no money will leave public school systems to fund their lab schools. The schools will likely launch in existing buildings. Colleges cant use government funds to erect new buildings for their lab schools. No colleges have submitted applications yet, Guidera said. Virginia Tech, UVa move up in U.S. News & World Report ranking of best colleges Virginia Tech placed 62nd among all colleges in the U.S. UVa moved up one spot in the ranking of public schools to third. " " According to carbon dating, Old Tjikko, a spruce tree on Fulu Mountain in Sweden, sprouted around 7542 B.C.E., making it older than written history. But is it the oldest tree in the world? TTphoto /Shutterstock The title of oldest tree in the world is, surprisingly enough, up for grabs. Since about 2018, a majestically gnarled bristlecone pine in California has held the designation, only to be usurped by a new up-and-comer discovered on a Swedish mountaintop. Not to be outdone, a controversial find in a Chilean forest has tree aficionados wondering whether an ancient cypress could actually be hundreds yes, hundreds of years older than any known living tree in existence. With the competition literally growing, crowning the world's oldest tree is much more complicated than one might think. So, which tree is the oldest in the world? Advertisement A Generational Front-runner for World's Oldest Tree To see the world's oldest tree, or one of the frontrunners for world's oldest tree, one must travel to a mountaintop in Sweden where a spruce tree has kept its tenacious hold on life for nearly 10,000 years. The spruce tree, which took root at the end of the world's last ice age in about 7542 B.C.E., was discovered by scientists surveying tree species on Fulufjallet (Fulu for short) Mountain in Dalarna province in 2004. Its age was confirmed by carbon dating in 2008. The type of tree and its age came as a surprise to Leif Kullmann, professor of Physical Geography at Sweden's Umeaa University. Kullmann led a team of researchers to a spot near the summit of Fulu Mountain, where they found a cluster of spruce trees that were more than 8,000 years old, and among them, evidence that a single tree had been in existence for 9,550 years. (Kullman named the tree Old Tjikko, in honor of his late dog.) "It was a big surprise because we [previously] thought ... that this kind of spruce grew much later in those regions," Kullmann said in an interview with the Daily Mail. Kullman now believes that people immigrating across a land mass close to shrinking glaciers may have introduced the spruces. "[There was a ] big change in our way of thinking," Kullman told the Daily Mail. "We have also found fossil acorns in this area and people may have taken them with them as they moved over the landscape." The discovery of the mountain spruce is not without controversy, however. The tree's remarkable age is attributed to its root system, which has been alive for at least four generations; the visible part of the tree the trunk, branches, cones and needles only lives for about 600 years. When the trunk dies, a cloned stem takes root to replace it. The ability to replace a new trunk from the tree's root system has been key to its lengthy survival, say researchers. " " Methuselah, a bristlecone pine in California, was long considered to be the world's oldest tree. Yen Chao /Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0) Is a long-living clone growing from a generation-spanning root system still the same tree? It's a question scientists and researchers (and record-book publishers) will need to debate. One thing, though, is certain: If you consider that all the world's oldest trees have lived anywhere from 5,000 to nearly 10,000 years, they are each a living example of nature's ingenuity. While even the shortest-lived trees (like most fruit trees) can survive for 50 years, some species (like pine trees) grow so slowly that even at the age of 40, they may only be 6 inches (15 centimeters) tall. This "slow and steady wins the race" strategy appears to be a winning one, at least when trees are young, but changes as trees age. A study published in the journal Nature reports that the older a tree is, the faster it will grow. Previously, prevailing thought was that tree-growth slowed with age. Now researchers know that the largest and oldest trees can increase their wood, bark and leaf mass by 1,300 pounds (about 600 kilograms) each year. And, unlike most living creatures whose cells change and break down with each day that passes, many trees don't have an age limit. While trees can succumb to being cut down, or to fire, insect infestations, diseases or natural occurrences like lightning, some trees could technically live indefinitely. " " El Alerce Milenario (Fitzroya cupressoides), aka Gran Abuelo, stands in the Alerce Costero National Park in Chile. Wikimedia Commons (CC By SA 4.0) Advertisement Previous and Potential Record-holders for World's Oldest Tree Title Before the Egyptians had even started constructing the famed pyramids of Giza, there was a tiny tree putting down roots in the White Mountains of eastern California. This tree, a bristlecone pine dubbed Methuselah, is still growing in California's Great Basin and was once believed to be the world's oldest tree. Tree-ring data from a core sample of its trunk estimates its age at 4,853 years old. But in 2022, a Patagonian cypress in Chile, known as Gran Abuelo (great-grandfather) or Alerce Milenario, was discovered and is thought to be a new candidate for world's oldest tree. This particular tree, found growing in a ravine in Chile's Alerce Costero National Park, is estimated at 5,484 years old, which is more than 600 years older than Methuselah. Chilean environmental scientist Jonathan Barichivich, who found and studied the tree, plans to publish the results in a forthcoming scientific journal, and has been presenting the findings at conferences. But because Barichivich estimated the tree's age based on a partial sample of the core, there is some controversy surrounding the accuracy of the estimate. Whatever their age, the world's oldest trees are vital not only to the health of their respective environments, but as a measure of climate change. By studying the trees' core samples, scientists are able to see the impact of environmental changes on the trees and their surroundings. Now That's Interesting Dendrochronology, the study of tree rings, is being used to pinpoint previous eras of climate change. Using the width of a tree ring, which signifies a tree's growth in a single year, scientists can verify whether it was a year of drought (a narrow ring) or of excess moisture (a wide ring). Identifying similar bands across a range of trees helps scientists connect data projections to a timeline and helps identify which trees survived a changing climate. MARION, SC On September 17, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the last time to sign the document they had created. Constitution Week is the commemoration of the Constitution, America's most important document. Celebrated annually Sept. 17-23, its purpose is to remind and educate the public of the importance of the Constitution to the nations history and to its future generations. The goal of the celebration is to raise student awareness of the Constitution in the life of our country. FLORENCE, S.C. The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 8th annual Kickin Chicken Wing and Chili Festival on Friday, Oct. 21, in the 100 block of South Dargan Street in downtown Florence. The event will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. The wings and chili will be prepared by competing chefs and local cooking teams. For those interested in sharing special sauces for wings and chili, while competing for cooking awards, contact the Florence Chamber at 843-665-0515. The chamber supplies the wings for the cooks, but the chili is the cookers responsibility to supply a minimum seven gallons of chili, and wing cookers will be expected to cook between 80 and 120 pounds of wings throughout the evening. The event will feature a few other food vendors along with a selection of beverages, including wine, local beer and craft beer. The grand stage will be set for music by the Inland Band. Chamber President Mike Miller said this festival is estimated to be one of the larger downtown events drawing more than 2,500 people each year. Miller said last years festival sold more than 1,700 pounds of chicken wings with 20 wing and chili cooks participating. The rise in food prices has been challenging, but the chamber is committed to offering an affordable event for the public and expects food and beverage ticket prices to be the same as last year. The main event sponsors for the festival include Raines Hospitality, Synergi Partners and Wilcox, Buyck and Williams with additional support from South Carolina Federal Credit Union, MPD Electric Cooperative, Florence Regional Arts Alliance and Victors Downtown. Proceeds go to the Pee Dee Visions Foundation, which the chamber manages, to support a variety of local educational initiatives and key leadership programs. Hoping and pushing for SCOTUS finally taking up acquitted conduct sentencing enhancements | Main | Ninth Circuit panel holds non-retroactive sentencing changes can be considered in compassionate release motions September 14, 2022 Rounding up lots of notable headlines and stories Busy times means I sometimes need to cover a lot of stories of interest through a round-up post. This is one of those posts: From AL.com, "We have to do something: Alabama lawmaker pitches increased penalties for fentanyl traffickers as overdoses mount" From Bloomberg Law, "Ninth Circuit Standard Sentencing Terms Ruling Highlights Split" From CBS News, "Minnesota man sentenced to life in prison for selling fentanyl in 11 fatal overdoses: 'Your disregard for human life is terrifying'" From the Chicago Tribune, "An Illinois man is serving a life sentence for 6 grams of cocaine. He is fighting to be freed." From Florida Politics, "Not so deadly DeSantis law and order Governor has signed fewer death warrants than predecessors" From The Guardian, "My emancipation proclamation: the man fighting to free millions from their criminal records" From NPR, "110 people once sentenced to life in prison as juveniles convene for 'freedom party'" From Politico, "Arrests in New Jersey for small-time cannabis dealing plummet post-legalization" From Time, "People Age Out of Crime. Prison Sentences Should Reflect That" From WGHP, "Why do some of NCs convicted killers get parole and others dont?" From WHYY, "Sentencing reform, or getting tough on crime? Oz and Fetterman on criminal justice" September 14, 2022 at 08:44 PM | Permalink Comments The Kentucky Legislature has found an interesting way to increase the punishment for distributing fentanyl here. They upped the percentage of the sentence the defendant must serve before being considered for parole to 85% from 50%; the sentences themselves have not changed. Posted by: Jim Gormley | Sep 14, 2022 11:29:04 PM Post a comment Photo: . Port McNeill Mayor Gaby Wickstrom appears on a screen on the panel Re-envisioning Health Care, at the Union of B.C. Municipalities meeting in Whistler. SUBMITTED Port McNeill Mayor Gaby Wickstrom, whose north Island town has been hit by revolving weekend emergency-room closings, applauded fellow mayors Wednesday for passing a motion calling on the province to take urgent steps to keep ERs open 24 hours a day across B.C. The resolution at the Union of B.C. Municipalities meeting in Whistler also calls on the province to increase funding and training opportunities for health-care professionals to ensure appropriate and necessary levels of care. All we can do is advocate, but it will help knowing the Union of B.C. Municipalities will be at the table, said Wickstrom. Municipal officials representing almost 200 local governments are gathered at the annual conference of the UBCM at the Whistler Conference Centre this week. The convention wraps up Friday with an address from Premier John Horgan. One of the most anticipated events of the week was a panel discussion featuring Health Minister Adrian Dix entitled Re-envisioning Health Care, but some who attended felt the vision was the same one theyve heard in recent years. Both urban and rural communities are facing health-care pressures ranging from revolving emergency-room closings to shortages of doctors, nurses, and emergency dispatchers and call takers all amid two public health emergencies: the pandemic and drug-overdose crisis. Dix told the mayors that the province has added 38,000 health-care workers. The Health Ministry said Wednesday more surgeries were performed the week of Aug. 7-13 than in the same week in 2019 6,365, up 356 and that the number of MRI exams was 69 per cent higher in the last fiscal year than in 2016-17. Ambulance-call volumes have jumped significantly during the pandemic. In 2021-2022, there were 2,232 purple or highest-priority calls for an ambulance in the Island Health region, up from 1,793 in 2019-2020. Listening to the minister, there were a lot of statistics, a lot of talk about COVID and how COVID has exacerbated the health-care crisis, but we didnt really hear anything concrete except for how we could expedite getting foreign doctors, said Wickstrom. Dix did address some of the solutions the province is working toward, such as expediting the accreditation process for foreign doctors, expanding the scope of pharmacists, and working to change the payment system for family doctors, but the mayors noted that no concrete plan or money was attached. The health minister mentioned the work being done with stakeholder groups, including with municipalities, but I dont see that happening, said Wickstrom. Port McNeills hospital emergency room was closed last weekend, while Port Hardy is reportedly down to two family doctors and there will be none in Alert Bay by the end of the year. Island Health workers have rolled up their sleeves and helped with solutions, but once those are passed up through layers of senior administration, they become clogged, Wickstrom said. View Royal Mayor David Screech said the health minister was out of touch with the deep concerns in the room in his address Tuesday. Earlier this year, two doctors left Eagle Creek Medical Clinic in View Royal, forcing the closing of its walk-in clinic. No one doubts that our health-care workers are first class, said Screech. That is not what the room wanted to hear. The room wanted to hear an acknowledgment of the real problems facing our communities and residents. While the session was titled Re-envisioning Health Care, Screech said he didnt hear anything that made him think anything was being re-envisioned. We need our government to act like this is a state of emergency, he said. We also need actions and not words. The province and Doctors of B.C. announced $118 million in temporary funding for family doctors next month to help with operational costs. The goal of the short-term funding, about $25,000 per physician until Jan. 31, 2023, is to stop clinic closures while the province and doctors negotiate a new Physician Master Agreement which will include new payment structures. I dont think throwing more money at a system collapsing will help, said Screech. We need to identify the underlying causes and fix them. [email protected] Ninth Circuit panel holds non-retroactive sentencing changes can be considered in compassionate release motions | Main | US organizations file complaint at United Nations stating LWOP and other extreme prison terms "are cruel in violation of the international prohibition on torture" The title of this post is the title of this recent article published in the Saint Louis University Law Journal authored by Jelani Jefferson Exum and David Niven. Here is part of its abstract: Scholars and advocates have long acknowledged that the death penalty is disproportionately applied to Black offenders. It is also well known that the race of a victim is a leading factor in a capital defendants risk of receiving the death penalty, with those convicted of murdering whites significantly more likely to receive the death penalty than those convicted of murdering Blacks. This Article takes an in-depth look at statistics covering the sentencing outcomes in capital murder cases in Texas from 1973 to 2018, revealing the clear evidence that race matters in the imposition of the death penalty. However, this Article does not simply join the chorus of voices that have recognized the racial disparity in the death penalty. Rather, the authors argue that the lesson from the Black victim effect on the death penalty decision fits into the broader, historic, and present-day context of devaluing Black lives. As the Texas example provides, the devaluing effect of Blackness is apparent. This is not simply a failure to recognize the value of Black lives as the Black Lives Matter movement exposes but a reflection of the societal view that Blackness actually reduces the value and importance of all things from property to community spaces to ultimate humanity. In life, Black people are vastly under-protected by the law, and the same is true for Black people even in a system designed to exact retribution for death. When we accept the fact that the death penalty reveals that Black deaths do not matter, then it becomes apparent that there is not an antiracist fix for the death penalty other than its abolition. In this Article, the authors present the most comprehensive data ever assembled on capital murder cases in Texas to affirm that the scope of the race of victim difference is jarring. This data shows how pervasive race is in death penalty outcomes. In every single comparison the racial disparity was statistically significant, and harsher punishment was associated with white victims than with African American victims, who clearly mattered less. The truth, of course, is that Black victims matter as much as any, even if the legal system and society havent recognized their value. Within a database of thousands of cases there are thousands of tragic stories of lives upended by acts of an almost unspeakable nature. The details differ from case to case, but across all those thousands of cases the race of victim disparity persists. The math is straightforward. Indeed, the odds against the patterns seen here emerging by chance are truly astronomical. The race of the victim matters in the Texas criminal justice system. As a matter of jurisprudence and policy making, however, the meaning of this data is uncertain. When legislators debate the death penalty, racial disparities are among the most frequently cited concerns of opponents of the death penalty. Supporters of the death penalty, however, dispute both the math and the meaning of findings of racial disparities, taking particular offense at the suggestion that race influences sentencing or influences their own views. These authors argue that abolition is the only corrective approach. We must make the radical choice to uproot systems, like the death penalty, that allow the anti-Black biases in our national consciousness to not only thrive, but to be just. To do otherwise is to perpetuate a system where Black lives matter less. We celebrate National Day and also Malaysia Day (yes, they are different). But what are the differences between them? (Photo: Getty Images) KUALA LUMPUR For those who are unfamiliar, Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day happening fairly near one another can be a bit confusing. Two weeks after Malaysia's Independence Day (Merdeka) on 31 August, the Malaysian flag still flutters throughout the streets and on the top of cars as people prepare to celebrate yet again. This time, the celebrations mark Malaysia Day, which is held on 16 September, and the festivities do bear similarities to the Merdeka Day that has just passed. If you're asking why Malaysians celebrate a National Day-type holiday twice, we'll have to look back into the history of how Malaysia's birthday started. The history of Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day In 1957, Malayan leaders met with the British Colonial Office in London to negotiate the country's freedom. This set the stage for the historic event on 31 August, 1957, when Tunku Abdul Rahman read the Proclamation of Independence at Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. And so, Merdeka Day commemorates Malaya's 1957 declaration of independence from the British. A few years later, on 16 September, 1963, Singapore, North Borneo (now called Sabah), and Sarawak joined the Malayan Federation to form the Malaysia we know today... almost. Singapore resigned from the federation in 1965, two years after, on 9 August, which became the country's own National Day. That said, the incorporation of East Malaysia is an event worthy of commemoration. Hence, the country now celebrates not one but two "National Days". The first celebrates the country's independence, and the other the national unity of its 13 states. How do people celebrate Malaysia Day? Malaysia Day officially became a public holiday in 2010 to promote the Malaysian spirit and remind Malaysians of the hard work their ancestors did to give them the freedom they enjoy today. Many of the celebrations and events happening between August and September often celebrate Merdeka and Malaysia day interchangeably, but here are suggestions for celebrating Malaysia Day in 2022: Story continues Celebrate Malaysia Day in Melaka This small, charming city in the southern part of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia is hosting this year's Malaysia Day Celebration for the first time. The celebration, which usually takes place in Sabah or Sarawak, will be held at the Proclamation of Independence Memorial in Melaka City at 8am, and 20,000 people are expected to participate in the activities and performances. The Malaysia Day celebrations will be held in Malacca this year. (Photo: Getty Images) Visit Malaysia's national landmarks If you want to skip the traffic to Melaka, you can opt to visit well-known historical sites around the country. From massive fortresses to peaceful places of worship and stunning monuments, many landmarks show Malaysia's rich history. Depending on where you stay, I would recommend visiting the National Museum and Sultan Abdul Samad buildings as well as the National Monument (Tugu Negara) in Kuala Lumpur, or visiting one of the many beautiful temples in Penang. Eat delicious Malaysian food Malaysians love their food. And since Malaysia Day is about unity and the diverse heritage of Malaysia, what better way to celebrate than to try dishes from the main food cultures that have significantly impacted modern Malaysia? There's a wide variety of cuisines to pick from, including Malay-inspired dishes like Rendang, Nasi Lemak, and satay, as well as Chinese dishes like Char Kway Teow and Hokkien mee, or Indian dishes like Biryani Rice and Tandoori Chicken. Watch a classical Malaysian movie There is something very nostalgic about watching films by the late P. Ramlee with friends and family. It's the perfect way to get into the spirits of the day. And for those who aren't huge fans of black and white movies, you can check Mat Kilau, which streams this Malaysia Day on Netflix. Whatever you decide to do, at the core of it, this day is a reminder of how beautifully all the cultures that make up this country come together. While the places and food are exceptional, it is the people and amalgam of cultures and races that set this peaceful country apart. Whether you are a local, a tourist or a resident, you will always feel welcome, and that to me is the epitome of harmony. Huda Hekmat is an educator, content writer, and Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. She is currently doing her masters in Educational Psychology. When she isn't teaching, writing, or trying to armbar her fellow gym mates, you can find her reading a thriller, watching a stand-up comedy, or on the hunt to find the best nasi lemak in KL. Do you have a story tip? Email: malaysia.newsroom@yahooinc.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube. /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES/ Highlights: 2.0 x 1.2 km-sized advanced argillic alteration zone with vuggy silica ledges Channel samples include: 2.10 m @ 1.53 g/t Au and 70.1 g/t Ag, 7.53 m @ 0.55 g/t Au and 30.5 g/t Ag 3.23 m @ 0.36 g/t Au and 123.4 g/t Ag TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2022 /CNW/ - Silver Mountain Resources Inc. ("Silver Mountain", "AGMR" or the "Company") is pleased to report that a high sulphidation epithermal gold-silver target has been recognized at the Pucasora zone, within the Company's 15000-ha Dorita property block in Huancavelica, central Peru (Fig. 1). Pucasora is located approximately 3 km southwest of the previously described Dorita vein system (see press release July 7, 2022). Based on the results of 1:2000-scale geological mapping, the Pucasora target is underlain by dacitic to andesitic volcanic rocks, intruded by a subvolcanic stock of dioritic composition. This prospect is characterized by the occurrence of a large alteration zone typical for high sulphidation epithermal systems. The dominant feature is an advanced argillic alteration zone extending over an area of 2.0 x 1.2 km, with common alteration minerals including alunite, dickite, and kaolinite. Hydrothermal breccias, silica ledges, and silicified tensional fractures can be observed within the advanced argillic zone, indicating a structural control of the mineralization. Vuggy silica is developed in discrete structures and ledges, locally accompanied by native sulphur. The structural corridors show predominantly northwest-southeast and northeast-southwest strike directions, reaching strike lengths of up to 870 m. Assay results have been received for 660 rock channel samples, systematically collected from key areas across the Pucasora target (Fig. 1). The channel sample results include strongly anomalous concentrations of gold (Au) and silver (Ag) at surface, similar to known high sulphidation systems throughout the Andes. Individual structural corridors display average Au values between 0.20 and 0.40 g/t, with highs of up to 1.53 g/t Au. Silver assays averaged over individual structural corridors range from 3.29 to 41.10 g/t, reaching a maximum of 217 g/t Ag. Pathfinder elements like arsenic, antimony, bismuth, and mercury show consistently elevated concentrations in surface samples, implying limited erosion and therefore a largely preserved epithermal system. Hydrothermal breccias containing pervasively silicified fragments with disseminated electrum and pyrite or clasts of vuggy silica with native sulphur indicate the presence of favourable lithological horizons at depth. Story continues Petrographic studies of rock samples from the Pucasora zone1 have identified no less than five hydrothermal pulses, of which at least two have introduced gold and silver in the form of finely disseminated electrum into the system. Associated minerals include tetrahedrite, pyrite, covellite, and minor sphalerite, either disseminated or as wispy veinlets in the rock matrix. The geological characteristics recognized to date at the Pucasora zone confirm the presence of a high sulphidation system with promising Au-Ag values at surface. As a next step, the Company is planning to conduct detailed mapping and selective sampling of the most prospective zones, with the objective of identifying targets for an initial drill campaign during 2023. _____________________________ 1 Andes Consultores & Prospectores EIRL: Avance Petrografico y Mineragrafico (July 2022) Fig.1: Map of the Pucasora zona, Dorita project, showing alteration zones, dominant structural corridors, and gold values of surface channel samples. (CNW Group/Silver Mountain Resources Inc.) The following table provides more detail regarding selected channel sampling results: Table 1: Results of channel sampling from surface outcrops at Pucasora target, Dorita property block. Where channel is composed of more than one sample, assays shown are weighted average over complete channel width. (CNW Group/Silver Mountain Resources Inc.) On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Silver Mountain Resources Inc. Alfredo Bazo, Chief Executive Officer and Director Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Antonio Cruz, an independent consultant of the Company and a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators. About Silver Mountain Silver Mountain Resources Inc. is a silver explorer and mine developer planning to restart production at the Reliquias underground mine and undertake exploration activities at its prospective silver camps at the Castrovirreyna Project in Huancavelica, Peru. For additional information in respect of the Castrovirreyna Project, please refer to the Company's technical report, titled National Instrument 43-101 Technical ReportCastrovirreyna Project, Peru, dated October 6, 2021, amended November 18, 2021, effective date August 17, 2021, available at https://sedar.com Silver Mountain's subsidiary Sociedad Minera Reliquias S.A.C. owns 100% of its concessions and holds more than 27,000 hectares in the district of Castrovirreyna, Huancavelica, Peru. Sampling, QA/QC, and Analytical Procedures Silver Mountain follows systematic and rigorous sampling and analytical protocols which meet industry standards. These protocols are summarized below. All surface rock samples were collected with an electric diamond saw, typically over a 12-meter sample interval. The sample bags were sealed with a plastic zip tie and identified with a unique sample number, pending shipment to a certified laboratory sample preparation facility. Samples are sent by batch to the ALS laboratory in Lima for assaying. Silver Mountain independently inserts certified control standards, fine and coarse blanks, and duplicates into the sample stream to monitor data quality. These standards are inserted "blindly" to the laboratory in the sample sequence prior to departure from the storage facilities. At the laboratory samples are dried, crushed, and pulverized and then analyzed using a fire assay-AA finish analysis for gold and a full multi-acid digestion with ICP-AES analysis for other elements. Samples with results that exceed maximum detection values for the main elements of interest (Ag, Zn, Pb, Cu) are re-analyzed using precise ore-grade ICP analytical techniques, while high gold values are re-analyzed by fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements") that relate to Silver Mountain's current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result", "are expected to", "expects", "will continue", "is anticipated", "anticipates", "believes", "estimated", "intends", "plans", "forecast", "projection", "strategy", "objective" and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements in respect of the Company's proposed exploration program and the timing and potential results thereof. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Silver Mountain's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors set forth under "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the Company's final prospectus dated January 26, 2022 and other disclosure documents available on www.sedar.com. Silver Mountain undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Silver Mountain to predict all of them or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Silver Mountain Resources Inc. logo (CNW Group/Silver Mountain Resources Inc.) SOURCE Silver Mountain Resources Inc. Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2022/15/c5230.html SEA TO SKY 1142 ONE INNOVALE 2 ONE INNOVALE 21.43 12830 3.2515 Wetland 3200 15 PatagoniaiPhone 41% 91651 SEC 0.89% 2.65% 15 5%100 iPhone 143360 510 HKTVmall 0.42% 1.24% iPhone14 512GB Pro Max2400 Streaming has changed everything in the music business. Artists used to be beholden to their record labels. Now, says Big & Richs John Rich, they can release music anytime they want and they dont have to curb their song-writing enthusiasm. Three companies run 90 percent of the labels in Nashville, Rich says. If they dont like the subject matter, you will never hear that song. Thats why Im not there anymore. Eager to share his feelings about progressiveness in America, he wrote Progress and released it on his own. It sat at No. 1 on the all-genre iTunes chart, ahead of Beyonce and Lizzo, he says. I had the No. 1 downloaded song for 12 days. Progress didnt get much radio play, he says, because big conglomerates dominate that business, too. A local guy may want to play it, but the record labels and radio stations have a chokehold. Its always been that way. YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and conservative platforms like Truth Social have given him another way to reach an audience. When Big & Rich broke into country music, Rich and partner Big Kenny were told what we needed to record and how we go about our business, the former says. Thats not allowing artistry to happen. Our thoughts and feelings as artists bring a unique perspective, but they werent being heard. Rather than fight from the inside, Big & Rich broke away. When Progress made an impact, Rich says he got a lot of calls and texts from other artists who wanted to follow suit. Courage is contagious, he says. Its unsustainable for an industry to keep (its) creators muzzled forever. One by one, theyre standing up and pushing against it. Now, the audience is learning about it. For Big & Rich, rebelliousness has always been a way of life. Even when the duo released Horse of a Different Color in 2004, the two were introducing audiences to acts they hadnt seen before ones with a similar bent. Cowboy Troy and Gretchen Wilson were among those who broke through. Rich extended the branch to rock acts and had such an eclectic battery of collaborators it was hard to pigeonhole the duo as any one thing. Key to Big & Richs success: Both have written extensively for others. Ive written over 2,000 songs songs that people want to hear. Ive written with Taylor Swift, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Gretchen Wilson and, now, I can say whatever I want, Rich says. Not everyone likes what I have to say, but thats whats called being an American. A large section of our country has been silenced to a large degree. Im a straight-ahead, red-blooded-American, stick your progress where the sun dont shine kind of guy. Songs in that same vein are sitting, half-written at Richs home. When touring slows down this winter, I intend to get back to them. Touring, though, is the way acts make money these days. Because record sales are hardly an infallible engine, they need touring to pay the bills. Record sales dont make anything. Songwriters and publishers have taken a hit, too, so we tour. Because there are plenty of places to play, a pair like Big & Rich dont always get back to sites they once hit with regularity (thus, a big gap between stops in Sioux City). Wilson, a 2005 CMA female vocalist of the year and Big & Rich associate, is out there, too, mixing it up. Meanwhile, back in Nashville, the industry is very liberal and the audience is more conservative, Rich says. Theres a gulf in between. To make sure he can speak to the people, Rich says he and Big Kenny give voice to veterans during their concerts. The move came as a result of their hit, 8th of November, the story of Niles Harris, a Vietnam War veteran they met tending bar in Deadwood, South Dakota. In concert, we let them say whatever they want to and then it's Big & Rich country. Its an absolute showdown. Making their own rules, breaking others? Thats practically the hook to a song they just havent written yet. SIOUX CITY -- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 111 Third St., will host a free Halloween Karaoke and Costume Party, beginning at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 inside Anthem. There will be 20 available spots for anyone to belt out their best karaoke on the Anthem stage. Q102 Radio's Moose and Google will determine which top three winners will receive up to $500 in best individual and group/duo categories. Moose and Google will also award up to $500 in prizes for best individual and group/duo costumes. Elaborate makeup or masks must be removed to enter the casino. It can be reapplied inside of Anthem. Nothing resembling or which can be used as a weapon is allowed. All Anthem events are for guests, 21 and older. All winners will be announced following the Live Band Karaoke performance. Karaoke contest registration is based on a first-come, first-serve basis. Only one prize per person. SIOUX CITY Two Woodbury County landowners are challenging the constitutionality of a state law that permits surveyors for a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline to enter their property. William and Vicki Hulse, of Moville, filed a counterclaim in Woodbury County District Court on Sept. 7, asking a judge to declare the law unconstitutional and void. They also are seeking an injunction prohibiting agents of Navigator Heartland Greenway from entering their property until the constitutionality issue has been decided. They argue that Iowa Code 479B.15, which grants pipeline companies right of entry to private land to survey and examine it to determine a pipeline's depth and route, does not require just compensation to the landowner, "which amounts to an unlawful taking in violation of Iowa's Takings Clause" and runs counter to the Iowa Constitution's protection of landowner property rights from "unwarranted government intrusions." The challenge is in response to a Navigator lawsuit in which the Dallas-based company is seeking an injunction to stop the Hulses from denying its agents access to survey their land, which lies in the proposed pipeline's route. The lawsuit also asks for the sheriff's office to ensure access is provided. In its suit, filed in August in Woodbury County District Court, Navigator says the Hulses have twice refused to grant a land agent access to their rural Woodbury County property. District Judge Jeffrey Neary has scheduled a hearing for Monday to hear arguments on the injunction. The Hulses' lawyer, Brian Jorde, of Omaha, on Wednesday filed a request to continue the hearing to a later date. No hearings have been scheduled on the counterclaim. Navigator has filed a similar lawsuit in Clay County against Sioux Rapids resident Martin Koenig and two against landowners in eastern Iowa's Butler County. The company says Koenig has denied entry to his property three times and in one instance his spouse threatened to "let the dog go" on agents attempting to enter their land to survey it. Jorde has filed counterclaims similar to the one filed for the Hulses in Clay County and one of the Butler County cases. Navigator has proposed a $3 billion, 1,300-mile pipeline that would collect carbon dioxide from ethanol plants and fertilizer processors in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and Illinois, convert it to liquid form and transport it under high pressure to a site in Illinois, where it would be pumped thousands of feet beneath the surface. The pipeline would run approximately 900 miles through 36 Iowa counties, including Woodbury, Clay and Butler counties. Other Siouxland counties include Plymouth, Lyon, Osceola, O'Brien, Cherokee, Dickinson and Buena Vista in Iowa and Dakota, Dixon and Wayne counties in Nebraska. It's one of two carbon pipelines proposed to run through the area. As required by law, Navigator has held informational meetings in all counties in the pipeline's path, a step that opens up land along the route to company surveyors, who must first provide 10 days' notice to landowners. The law says the entry for surveys is not trespassing and may be aided by an injunction. The company must pay for any damages caused by the survey. In the counterclaims, Jorde says the law is unconstitutional because the state constitution says "private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation first being made." The code section that grants survey rights "fails to justly compensate landowners for the entry-right granted to pipeline companies for purposes of surveying a private landowner's land," the counterclaim says. That code section also conflicts with another code section that requires pipeline companies to pay for the right of entry onto private land, the claim says. The Navigator pipeline and one proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions that would run through 30 Iowa counties, including Woodbury and other Northwest Iowa counties, have encountered opposition from numerous landowners and elected officials. Pipeline opponents say the pipelines are unsafe, and many landowners oppose the use of eminent domain, which would allow the pipeline companies to use their land if they do not voluntarily grant easements for the pipelines to run beneath their property. Officials with both pipeline companies have said the pipeline would pump millions of dollars in property tax revenues into Iowa and add value to ethanol produced at facilities that have agreed to provide gas to the pipeline. The pipelines also would remove millions of tons of carbon from the atmosphere annually, benefiting the environment, the companies have said. SIOUX CITY -- A Sioux City man charged in a drive-by shooting now faces a federal gun charge. Jalond Hills, 19, pleaded not guilty Monday in U.S. District Court in Sioux City to one count of possession of a firearm by a drug user. His trial was scheduled for Nov. 21. According to a grand jury indictment unsealed on Friday, Hills possessed a 9mm handgun while he was using marijuana at the time of the Sept. 16, 2021, incident, in which he is suspected of firing a shot into an occupied car while a mother and her two children were getting out in the 700 block of Center Street. He was charged in Woodbury County District Court with intimidation with a dangerous weapon and going armed with intent. That case was dismissed after his federal indictment. Hills was involved in another shooting incident in April in which a woman suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound in her leg after struggling for possession of a handgun with Hills in an apartment in the 2200 block of Gibson Street. He was arrested in June on gun and drug charges and pleaded guilty on Sept. 6 in Woodbury County District Court to one count of failure to affix a drug tax stamp. According to terms of a plea agreement, he will receive a five-year prison sentence, to be served at the same time as the sentence he receives in his federal case. Our countrys health care system is falling apart. Fundamental government services are unable to deliver, crime and homelessness is on the rise and housing affordability is at an all-time high. (Prime Minister Justin) Trudeau and his team are so out of touch with reality they announce a national holiday for public sector employees, which will cost billions of dollars, (money) that would be better used to address the concerns of Canadians. (He is the) worst prime minister ever. Bruce Jones SIOUX CITY A Sioux City man has pleaded guilty of setting a fire inside a Sioux City convenience store. Orlando Castro, 64, entered a written plea Sept. 7 in Woodbury County District Court to reduced charges of second-degree arson and third-degree criminal mischief, which were reduced as part of a plea agreement from first-degree arson and second-degree criminal mischief. Sentencing was scheduled for Nov. 14. He will be sentenced to 15 days in jail and receive credit for 15 days already served for criminal mischief. A judge will decide his sentence on the arson charge. Castro entered Sam's Mini Mart, 923 W. Seventh St., on June 22, went to shelves stocked with flammable automotive products, ignited an object he was holding and tossed it on top of the shelf before leaving. A past employee at the store, Castro was located at his home less than two blocks from the store. A cigarette lighter was found in his pocket when he was arrested. During an interview with police, Castro said the store owner had falsely accused him of theft and dishonesty, court documents said. STORM LAKE, Iowa Storm Lake voters approved a $9.95 million bond for the second phase of the districts Early Elementary School. The Tuesday special election results showed a 73.97 percent approval rate, above the 60 percent majority needed to be approved. The election drew 899 people to the polls, with 665 voting for and 234 voting against the project, according to unofficial election night results. Of the registered voter, 18.4 percent participated. "We are incredibly grateful for the support of our community," said Superintendent Stacey Cole. "We appreciate all of the great questions and feedback we have received throughout this process." The bond is the second for the elementary school located on the northwest side of town. The first occurred in 2019 when the voters approved a $15 million bond. This new bond will fund the addition of a 31,141-square-foot first-grade wing. The wing includes 12 first-grade classrooms, a special education area, art area and four multi-purpose classrooms. Early Elementary School, which opened in January, currently houses kindergarten classes. Its kitchen, media center and gymnasium were built large enough to accommodate future expansion. Approval of the bond will not cause property tax to increase, school officials say, because other tax levies will be reduced to offset the increase in the debt levy, keeping the district's total tax levy at $17.17 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Passage of the bond issue would help ease a space crunch caused by growing enrollment, which grew from 2,577 students in the 2017-18 school year to 2,841 in 2021-22, an annual average growth of 2.45%. This year's enrollment numbers have yet to be certified. This bond passage allows the district to move forward with planning for the third phase of construction, adding a wing for the pre-kindergarten classes that are currently housed in the East Early Childhood Center, a building that is more than 70-years-old. Journal reporter Nick Hytrek contributed to this story. SIOUX CITY -- Four nonprofit agencies in Northwest Iowa were among 24 projects statewide to receive a total of $40 million in funding announced Wednesday by Gov. Kim Reynolds. The Nonprofit Innovation Fund, financed with COVID relief dollars the state received from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, doubles the original investment in shovel-ready infrastructure projects. We received overwhelming interest in this unique grant program which highlights the passion of Iowas nonprofits and their positive impact on our state, Reynolds said in a statement. These grants will invest in innovative projects that will put Iowas nonprofits in a better position to serve those in need. The Boys and Girls Home Residential Treatment Centers received a $2.7 million grant to develop the Ginny Peterson Behavioral Health Campus in Sioux City. Under the $12.375 million project, the Boys and Girls renovated space in the former Indian Hills Shopping Center at 1551 Indian Hills Drive to relocate its operations from the former St. Joseph hospital at 2101 Court St. Rosecrance Jackson Centers received a $2.355 million grant to expand its treatment center campus in Sioux City. The grant represents nearly 90 percent of the cost of the project, which calls for building a new therapeutic recreation resource center, renovating an existing classroom to create a chapel, creating walking paths with outdoor group therapy spaces to connect the campus. In 2015, RJC constructed an 84-bed residential treatment facility in Sioux City. The Centers Against Abuse and Sexual Assault in Cherokee was awarded a $515,295 grant to repair and update New Leaf, a thrift shop whose proceeds benefit survivors of sexual assault. The state award represents 90 percent of the total project cost. Upper Des Moines Opportunity received a $450,000 grant to acquire and expand its UDMO Clay County Outreach Client Services site in Spencer. As part of the $560,500 project, UDMO plans to acquire a centrally located building near the intersection of Highways 71 and 18. The Iowa Economic Development Authority began accepting applications for the Nonprofit Innovation Fund on June 27. Eligible expenses for infrastructure projects include construction costs, acquisition, site development, engineering and architectural services. Funds must be obligated by Dec. 31, 2024. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. PIERSON, Iowa One person was killed and another injured Wednesday in a vehicle crash on a rural highway near Pierson. An Iowa State Patrol accident report shows that Marilyn Ebert, 69, of Washta, Iowa, was eastbound in an SUV on 650th Street, also known as County Road C-66, in rural Cherokee County at 8:39 p.m. As Ebert approached a driveway at 280 650th St., she swerved to miss a GMC pickup driven by Shane Beeson, 40, of Pierson, who was facing west in the eastbound lane and preparing to back the pickup with a flatbed trailer into the driveway. Ebert swerved, striking the left front of the pickup and entered the south ditch, continued east over the driveway, rolled and came to rest in the ditch. A passenger, Jerad Ebert, 48, of Washta, who was not wearing a seat belt, was transported to Cherokee Regional Medical Center and died. Marilyn Ebert, who was wearing a seat belt, was flown by helicopter to MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center in Sioux City. The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office is praising a Chick-fil-A employee in Florida who they said rushed to the aid of a woman who was being carjacked. The woman was getting a baby out of her vehicle outside the restaurant in Fort Walton Beach when a man wielding a stick approached and demanded her keys, the sheriff's office said in a news release Wednesday. The man then grabbed the keys from the waistband of the woman's pants, opened the vehicle's door and got inside, the release said. Hearing the woman's shouts for help, an employee rushed to intervene, deputies said. The employee, identified by the operator of the Chick-fil-A as Mykel Gordon, got into a physical struggle with the suspect, who punched Gordon in the face, the release said. As the two tangled in the parking lot, others came to help subdue the suspect, a video shared on Twitter by the sheriff's office shows. The sheriff's office is crediting the employee as a good Samaritan who stopped the suspect from fleeing. "A major shout-out to this young man for his courage," the department said in the post. Matthew Sexton, the operator of the Chick-fil-A branch, told CNN he is relieved everyone is safe. "I'm grateful for my amazing Team Member, Mykel Gordon, who so selflessly jumped in to intervene and help our Guests. I couldn't be prouder of his incredible act of care," Sexton said The suspect, a 43-year-old man, was arrested and charged with carjacking with a weapon and battery, the sheriff's office said. HONOLULU (AP) Gov. David Ige on Monday appointed several people, including some prominent Native Hawaiian activists, to a new board charged with managing Mauna Kea summit lands underneath some of the world's most advanced astronomical observatories. Two of the eight appointees Lanakila Mangauil and Noe Noe Wong-Wilson were leaders of 2019 protests that brought a halt to the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope, the latest observatory proposed for the mountain on Hawaii's Big Island. Many Native Hawaiians consider the summit sacred, and protesters objected to building yet another telescope there. The summit currently hosts about a dozen telescopes built since the late 1960s. Responding to the protests, the state created the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority this year with a new law that says Mauna Kea must be protected for future generations and that science must be balanced with culture and the environment. Native Hawaiian cultural experts will have voting seats on the governing body, instead of merely advising the summits managers as they do now. The eight nominations must be confirmed by the state Senate. The authority will have 11 voting members. The other three are representatives of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the University of Hawaii Board of Regents and Hawaii County's mayor. Ige thanked the nominees for being willing to serve on the authority. "Through this new stewardship model, I believe we can find a way for science and culture to coexist on Mauna Kea in a mutually beneficial way, Ige said in a statement. Also appointed is Kamanamaikalani Beamer, a University of Hawaii professor and former commissioner of the Hawaii State Water Resource Management Commission. He was named for his expertise in Hawaii Island land resource management. Former Kamehameha Schools general counsel and former Hawaiian Telcom president John Komeiji was appointed for his business and finance experience. The governor selected Rich Matsuda, an engineer who leads community relations for W.M. Keck Observatory, from three names submitted by Maunakea Observatories. Matsuda, Wong-Wilson and Mangauil all served on a working group formed by the House of Representatives to develop recommendations for managing the mountain. The working group's report created the foundation for the new law. This story has been corrected to say that John Komeiji is a former general counsel of Kamehameha Schools. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday flew two planes of immigrants to Martha's Vineyard, escalating a tactic by Republican governors to draw attention to what they consider to be the Biden administration's failed border policies. Flights to the upscale island enclave in Massachusetts were part of an effort to "transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations," said Taryn Fenske, DeSantis' communications director. While DeSantis' office didn't elaborate on their legal status, many migrants who cross the border illegally from Mexico are temporarily shielded from deportation after being freed by U.S. authorities to pursue asylum in immigration court as allowed under U.S law and international treaty or released on humanitarian parole. Massachusetts' Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, said he was in touch with local officials and that short-term shelter was being provided. State Rep. Dylan Fernandes, who represents Martha's Vineyard, tweeted: "Our island jumped into action putting together 50 beds, giving everyone a good meal, providing a play area for the children, making sure people have the healthcare and support they need. We are a community that comes together to support immigrants." Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began busing thousands of migrants to Washington in April and recently added New York and Chicago as destinations. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has been busing migrants to Washington since May. Passengers must sign waivers that the free trips are voluntary. DeSantis, who is mentioned as potential presidential candidate, appears to be taking the strategy to a new level by using planes and choosing Martha's Vineyard, whose harbor towns that are home to about 15,000 people are far less prepared than New York or Washington for large influxes of migrants. The move is likely to delight DeSantis' supporters who deride Democrat-led, immigrant-friendly "sanctuary" cities and anger critics who say he is weaponizing migrants as pawns for political gain. The Florida Legislature appropriated $12 million to transport "illegal immigrants" from the state consistent with federal law, Fenske said. "States like Massachusetts, New York, and California will better facilitate the care of these individuals who they have invited into our country by incentivizing illegal immigration through their designation as 'sanctuary states' and support for the Biden Administration's open border policies," Fenske said. President Joe Biden gathered educators, faith leaders and others who have experienced violence firsthand for a discussion Thursday on how stop the violence, and promised action. In 2020, hate crimes in the U.S. were the highest in more than a decade, and the Justice Department has said it would increase efforts to counter it. Now, political violence fueled by lies about the 2020 election is overlapping with hate crimes. A growing number of ardent Donald Trump supporters seem ready to strike back against the FBI or others who they believe go too far in investigating the former president. Six Illinois stores are among those the troubled home goods retailer Bed Bath & Beyond has slated to close nationwide. The Illinois stores set to close are in Gurnee, Schaumburg, Fairview Heights, Carbondale, Bourbonnais and Joliet. Advertisement The company said in August it would shutter about 150 stores and reduce its workforce by 20%. It did not share information about which stores would close at the time but has since posted a list of 56 stores set to close on its website. Shoppers enter and exit a Bed Bath & Beyond in Schaumburg on Jan. 14, 2021. The store is one of 150 slated to close as part of a company-wide financial restructuring. (Nam Y. Huh/AP) The retailer has 26 locations in Illinois, according to its online store locator, including one in Chicago. The company said in May it had a total of 955 stores including 769 namesake locations, 135 Buy Buy Baby stores and 51 stores under the names Harmon, Harmon Face Values or Face Values. Advertisement Shares of the New Jersey-based retailer lost nearly a quarter of their value upon the August announcement, and the company said it expected a decline in comparable sales of 26% in the second quarter. Chief Operating Officer John Hartmann is leaving and the company is eliminating his position. In August, the company said it was still searching for a permanent CEO. In mid-August, Chewy Inc. co-founder and billionaire Ryan Cohen sold his entire stake in Bed Bath & Beyond, which he bought only months before. COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) Swedens Social Democratic Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson on Thursday handed in her resignation after a right-wing bloc that includes a nationalist, anti-immigration party won a narrow majority in Swedens parliament. Andersson met with Andreas Norlen, the speaker of Swedens 349-seat Riksdag, to formally inform him of her departure. Andersson will continue in a caretaking capacity until a new government is formed. He has accepted her resignation. Norlen said he would start talks with party leaders after the weekend. He is expected to ask the leader of the center-right Moderates, Ulf Kristersson, to try to form a governing coalition. Following Sunday's general elections, the right-wing bloc has 176 seats while the center-left bloc with the Social Democrats has 173. On Wednesday, once 99.9% of votes had been counted, Andersson conceded while populist Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Akesson declared victory for the four-party right-of-center bloc. The Sweden Democrats won more votes than the Moderates but are not considered likely to lead the next government. The party was founded in the 1980s by far-right extremists, and while it has moved to the mainstream in recent years it has not fully shaken off that stigma. Still, because it won more seats than any other party on the right, and is now the country's second largest party in parliament, it is expected to have significant leverage in any government. The Sweden Democrats stood on a platform of cracking down on crime and strictly limiting immigration. Sweden has in recent years seen an increase in gang violence and so far this year there have been 273 shootings, 47 of them fatal, according to police statistics. Those shootings also wounded 74 people, including innocent bystanders. After her 25-minute meeting with Norlen, Andersson said that if the Moderates should come up with other ideas and want to cooperate with me instead of the Sweden Democrats, then my door is open. She added that she is willing to work with all parties except the Sweden Democrats. Andersson, who heads the largest party, resigned less than a year after she became Swedens first female head of government. Her appointment as prime minister had marked a milestone for Sweden, viewed for decades as one of Europes most progressive countries when it comes to gender relations, but which had never previously had a woman in the top political post. Andersson led Swedens historic bid to join NATO following Russias invasion of Ukraine in February. The newly elected Riksdag is scheduled to gather for the first time on Sept. 26. WASHINGTON (AP) A volunteer Ukrainian medic detained in Ukraine's besieged port city of Mariupol told U.S. lawmakers Thursday of comforting fellow detainees as many died during her three months of captivity, cradling and consoling them as best she could, as male, female and child prisoners succumbed to Russian torture and untreated wounds. Ukrainian Yuliia Paievska, who was captured by pro-Russian forces in Mariupol in March and held at shifting locations in Russian-allied territory in Ukraine's Donetsk region, spoke to lawmakers with the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, better known as the Helsinki Commission, a government agency created in part to promote international compliance with human rights. Her accounts Thursday were her most detailed publicly of her treatment in captivity, in what Ukrainians and international rights groups say are widespread detentions of both Ukrainian noncombatants and fighters by Russia's forces. Known to Ukrainians by the nickname Taira, Paievska and her care of Mariupol's wounded during the nearly seven-month Russian invasion of Ukraine received global attention after her bodycam footage was provided to The Associated Press. Do you know why we do this to you?" a Russian asked Paievska as he tortured her, she recounted to the commission. She told the panel her answer to him: Because you can. Searing descriptions of the suffering of detainees poured out. A 7-year-old boy died in her lap because she had none of the medical gear she needed to treat him, she said. Torture sessions usually launched with their captors forcing the Ukrainian prisoners to remove their clothes, before the Russians set to bloodying and tormenting the detainees, she said. The result was some prisoners in cells screaming for weeks, and then dying from the torture without any medical help, she said. Then in this torment of hell, the only things they feel before death is abuse and additional beating." She continued, recounting the toll among the imprisoned Ukrainians. My friend whose eyes I closed before his body cooled down. Another friend. And another. Another." Paievska said she was taken into custody after being stopped in a routine document check. She had been one of thousands of Ukrainians believed to have been taken prisoner by Russian forces. Mariupols mayor said that 10,000 people from his city alone disappeared during what was the monthslong Russian siege of that city. It fell to Russians in April, with the city all but destroyed by Russian bombardment, and with countless dead. The Geneva Conventions single out medics, both military and civilian, for protection in all circumstance. Sen. Ben Cardin, a Maryland Democrat and co-chair of the Helsinki Commission underscored that the conditions she described for civilian and military detainees violated international law. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., called Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal. It is critical that the world hear the stories of those who endured the worst under captivity, Wilson said. Evidence is essential to prosecution of war crimes. Before she was captured, Paievska had recorded more than 256 gigabytes of harrowing bodycam footage showing her teams efforts to save the wounded in the cut-off city. She got the footage to Associated Press journalists, the last international team in Mariupol, on a tiny data card. The journalists fled the city on March 15 with the card embedded inside a tampon, carrying it through 15 Russian checkpoints. The next day, Paievska was taken by pro-Russia forces. Lawmakers played the AP's video of her footage Thursday. She emerged on June 17, thin and haggard, her athletes body more than 10 kilograms (22 pounds) lighter from lack of nourishment and activity. She said the AP report that showed her caring for Russian and Ukrainian soldiers alike, along with civilians of Mariupol, was critical to her release, in a prisoner exchange. Paievska previously had declined to speak in detail to journalists about conditions in detention, only describing it broadly as hell. She swallowed heavily at times Thursday while testifying. Ukraines government says it has documented nearly 34,000 Russian war crimes since the war began in February. The International Criminal Court and 14 European Union member nations also have launched investigations. The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine says it has documented that prisoners of war in Russian custody have suffered torture and ill-treatment, as well as insufficient food, water healthcare and sanitation. Russia has not responded to the allegations. Both the United Nations and the international Red Cross say they have been denied access to prisoners. Paievska, who said she suffered headaches during her detention as the result of a concussion from an earlier explosion, told lawmakers she asked her captors to let her call her husband, to let him know what had happened to her. They said, You have seen too many American movies. There will be no phone call, she recounted. Her tormentors during her detention would sometimes urge her to kill herself, she said. I said, No. I will see what happens tomorrow, she said. - Lori Hinnant contributed to this report from Paris. Follow AP's coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war at: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine IZIUM, Ukraine (AP) Ukrainian authorities found a mass burial site near a recaptured northeastern city previously occupied by Russian forces, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Thursday night. The grave was discovered close to Izium in the Kharkiv region. "The necessary procedures have already begun there. More information clear, verifiable information should be available tomorrow, Zelenskyy said in his nightly televised address. Associated Press journalists saw the site Thursday in a forest outside Izium. Amid the trees were hundreds of graves with simple wooden crosses, most of them marked only with numbers. A larger grave bore a marker saying it contained the bodies of 17 Ukrainian soldiers. Investigators with metal detectors were scanning the site for any hidden explosives. Oleg Kotenko, an official with the Ukrainian ministry tasked with reintegrating occupied territories, said videos that Russian soldiers posted on social media indicated there were likely more than 17 bodies in the grave. We havent counted them yet, but I think there are more than 25 or even 30, he said. Izium resident Sergei Gorodko said that among the hundreds buried in individual graves were dozens of adults and children killed in a Russian airstrike on an apartment building. He said he pulled some of them out of the rubble with my own hands. Zelenskyy invoked the names of other Ukrainian cities where authorities said retreating Russian troops left behind mass graves of civilians and evidence of possible war crimes. Bucha, Mariupol, now, unfortunately, Izium. Russia leaves death everywhere. And it must be held accountable for it. The world must bring Russia to real responsibility for this war, he said in the address. Sergei Bolvinov, a senior investigator for Ukrainian police in the eastern Kharkiv region, told British TV broadcaster Sky News that a pit containing more than 440 bodies was discovered near Izium after Kyivs forces swept in. He described the grave as one of the largest burial sites in any one liberated city. Some of the people buried in the pit were shot. Others died from artillery fire, mines or airstrikes. Many of the bodies have not been identified yet, Bolvinov said. Russian forces left Izium and other parts of the Kharkiv region last week amid a stunning Ukrainian counteroffensive. On Wednesday, Zelenskyy made a rare trip outside the capital to watch the national flag being raised over Iziums city hall. Deputy Interior Minister Yevhen Enin said Thursday night that other evidence found after Kyivs sweeping advance into the Kharkiv region included multiple torture chambers where both Ukrainian citizens and foreigners were detained in completely inhuman conditions. We have already come across the exhumation of individual bodies, not only with traces of a violent death, but also of torture cut off ears, etc. This is just the beginning, Enin said in an interview with Ukraines Radio NV. He claimed that among those held at one of the sites were students from an unspecified Asian country who were captured at a Russian checkpoint as they tried to leave for Ukrainian-controlled territory. Enin did not specify where the students were held, although he named the small cities of Balakliya and Volchansk as two locations where torture chambers were found. His account could not be independently verified. All these traces of war crimes are now carefully documented by us. And we know from the experience of Bucha that the worst crimes can only be exposed over time, Enin said, in a reference to a Kyiv suburb where the bodies of hundreds of civilians were discovered following the Russian armys withdrawal from the area in March. Earlier Thursday, Zelenskyy said that during the five months the Russians occupied the region, they only destroyed, only deprived, only took away." "They left behind devastated villages; in some of them there is not a single undamaged house. The occupiers turned schools into garbage dumps and churches shattered, literally turned into toilets. In other developments Thursday, Zelenskyy worked to add political momentum to Ukraines recent military gains, while missile strikes that caused flooding near his hometown demonstrated Moscows determination to reclaim the battlefield advantage. A week after the Ukrainian counteroffensive, Zelenskyy met with European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen during her third wartime visit to Kyiv. Von der Leyen publicly conveyed the wholehearted support of the 27-nation bloc and wore an outfit in Ukraines national colors. Its absolutely vital and necessary to support Ukraine with the military equipment they need to defend themselves. And they have proven that they are able to do this, if they are well equipped, she said. Air raid sirens blared twice in Kyiv during von der Leyens meeting with Zelenskyy, a reminder that Russia has long-range weapons that can reach any location in Ukraine even though the capital has been spared attacks in recent weeks. Ukrainian officials said Russian missiles late Wednesday struck a reservoir dam near Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskyys birthplace and the largest city in central Ukraine. The strikes flooded over 100 homes. Russian military bloggers said the attack was intended to flood areas downstream where Ukrainian forces made inroads as part of their counteroffensive. The head of the local government on Thursday reported a new attack on the dam and said emergency crews were working to prevent more water from escaping. The first attack so close to his roots angered Zelenskyy, who said the strikes had no military value. In fact, hitting hundreds of thousands of ordinary civilians is another reason why Russia will lose, he said. Hanna Arhirova in Kyiv and Joanna Koslowska in London contributed reporting. Follow AP war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Car buyers might not get the vehicle they want on time, commuter rail lines could see service disrupted, and shipments from everything from oil to livestock feed could be snarled. Those are just a few of the wide-ranging impacts a walkout by U.S. rail workers would have on the countrys industries and economy. A strike could happen if the railroads and unions cant settle their differences before an early Friday walkout deadline. A strike by railroad workers would have wide-ranging impact on consumers, commuters and businesses. That's why business groups are telling Congress to block a strike if necessary. And the Biden administration on Wednesday continued to put pressure on the railroads and unions to settle their differences. So how did negotiations in the freight-rail industry get to this breaking point? Here are some questions people are likely to have about the standoff, along with answers about what it means for the economy. And learn how some industries are gauging the potential impacts and getting ready for the possible work stoppage. Cnn What Amtrak passengers need to know about the looming freight rail strike Explainer: What a rail strike would mean for America HOW DID NEGOTIATIONS GET TO THIS DIRE POINT? Railroad-Contract Talks A worker rides a rail car at a BNSF rail crossing in Saginaw, Texas, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. Business and government officials are preparin WHEN CAN WORKERS STRIKE? CAN A STRIKE BE BLOCKED? WHAT ARE THE BIG ISSUES? HOW WOULD A RAIL STRIKE AFFECT THE COUNTRY? COULD THERE BE POLITICAL FALLOUT? WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) Infowars' revenues and website viewership spiked as Alex Jones alleged on his show in 2014 that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax, according to documents shown to a jury Thursday. Jones and his Free Speech Systems company are on trial in Connecticut in a lawsuit brought by an FBI agent who responded to the shooting and relatives of eight of the 20 first graders and six educators killed in the December 2012 massacre in Newtown. They say Jones inflicted emotional and psychological harm on them, and they have been threatened and harassed by Jones' followers. Jones has already been found liable for spreading the myth that the shooting never happened and the six-member jury in Waterbury will be deciding how much he and his company should pay the plaintiffs in damages. The trial started Tuesday and is expected to last a month. Christopher Mattei, a lawyer for the families, showed internal Infowars documents detailing the revenue and website-visit spikes around the time of an article on Sept. 24, 2014, on the Infowars website that said no one died at Sandy Hook and Jones discussing the article on his show the next day. The families lawsuit claims that Jones trafficked in lies to increase his audience and sales of the nutritional supplements, clothing and other merchandise he sells on the Infowars website and hawks on his web show. Jones and guests on his show said the shooting was staged with crisis actors as part of gun control efforts. The discussion of revenue and web viewership came Thursday as Mattei spent a second day questioning Brittany Paz, a Connecticut lawyer hired by Jones to testify about his companies' operations. Documents showed daily revenues to the Infowars online store increased from $48,000 on Sept. 24 to more than $230,000 on Sept. 25. Total user sessions on the Infowars website, meanwhile, increased from about 543,000 on Sept. 23 to about 1 million on Sept. 24, the documents showed. Paz also was asked about Infowars videos that show Jones and guests using lies and misinformation to claiming the massacre was staged. She acknowledged that much of what was said was not true. In the videos, Jones says the school shooting was a giant hoax" and the fakest thing since the $3 bill. He said there were aerial images of student actors running in circles in and out of the school when the images actually were of a nearby firehouse where people gathered after the shooting. He also claimed CNN was using green screens in fake interviews with people in Sandy Hook. Mattei later showed an email from a company executive showing internal conflict within Infowars about continuing to discuss conspiracy theories about the school shooting. The Sandy Hook stuff is killing us, Infowars editor Paul Watson wrote, asking why the company was risking its reputation and audience by harassing the parents of dead children. Last month, a jury in Texas awarded the parents of one of the slain Sandy Hook children nearly $50 million in a similar lawsuit against Jones and his company. Paz acknowledged that Infowars broadcasted misinformation. She also acknowledged that Jones did not check the qualifications of a guest who appeared numerous times on his show- a conspiracy theorist who claimed to be a school security expert who had investigating the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado even as Jones boasted of his credentials and Infowars received emails questioning the guest's credibility. Paz testified that she believes Jones and his companies have made at least $100 million in the decade since the massacre and Jones is now worth millions of dollars. Website traffic data reports run by Infowars employees and presented at the trial also show that by 2016, his show aired on 150 affiliate radio stations, and the Infowars website got 40 million page views a month. Mattei showed Paz internal Infowars emails between employees sharing Google Analytics data. Paz earlier testified that she was told by Infowars employees that they didnt use Google Analytics regularly to track website viewing data. After showing her the emails, Mattei asked if it was still her testimony that Infowars didnt regularly use Google Analytics. I dont know at this point," she said. Jones now says he believes the shooting happened, but he insists his comments were protected by free speech rights, which he cannot argue at trial because he has already been found liable for damages. The families say the emotional and psychological harm to them was profound and persistent. Relatives say they were subjected to social media harassment, death threats, strangers videotaping them and their children, and the surreal pain of being told that they were faking their loss. Jones' lawyer, Norman Pattis, said in his opening statement Tuesday that any damages should be minimal and claimed the families were exaggerating the harm they say they have suffered. On his Infowars show Thursday, Jones once again called the proceedings in Connecticut a show trial. The judge now has to carry out this fraud, he said. But across the legal community, people are just saying, My God, this is something worthy of Venezuela. This is unbelievable. Find APs full coverage of the Alex Jones trial at: https://apnews.com/hub/alex-jones BOISE, Idaho (AP) A judge told attorneys in a high-profile triple murder case that he's worried broad news coverage could make it harder to seat a jury when the trial begins months from now. You've named off 35 major media organizations, which tells me that there is huge interest in putting all the information out to as many people as possible, 7th District Judge Steven Boyce said Thursday. He told attorneys he would decide soon whether to change how or if cameras will be allowed in the courtroom during the criminal case of Lori Vallow Daybell and her new husband, Chad Daybell. The couple is accused of conspiring together to kill Lori Vallow Daybell's two youngest children, Joshua JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, as well as Chad Daybell's late wife Tammy Daybell. The strange details of the case including prosecutors' allegations that the pair used unusual doomsday-focused religious beliefs as the justification for the killings have garnered international attention. Late last month, attorneys for Vallow Daybell asked the judge to ban cameras from the courtroom, contending one news organization abused the privilege to videotape the proceedings when it repeatedly zoomed in on Vallow Daybell's face during an Aug. 16 hearing. The attorneys, Jim Archibald and John Thomas, claimed the cameras and microphones could potentially be used to overhear private conversations or to view private notes on the defense table. A coalition of news organizations led by EastIdahoNews.com last week asked the court to reject that request, noting the coverage of the hearing was done well within the bounds of the judge's previous order allowing cameras, and that no notes or private conversations were ever captured. The Associated Press was among the nearly three dozen news organizations that joined in the request. During Thursday morning's hearing, the attorney for the news organizations said barring cameras from the courtroom would not stop widespread public interest. It would only prevent people from seeing the most accurate depiction of the court proceedings, Steve Wright said. The reality is, pretrial publicity is a result of what the state has charged and the circumstances in which they base that, Wright said. The video cameras and microphones were set up in places that were preapproved by court personnel, Wright told the judge, and the news organization that served as the pool videographer had a technical staffer that monitored the broadcast closely to ensure that nothing inappropriate was captured. These are professionals who are among the best at what they do in difficult situations like this, Wright said. Wright noted that the judge has the ability to decide where and how any cameras and microphones are placed in the courtroom if he chooses to do so. Barring cameras entirely would be a vast overreaction, he said. That is like taking a sledgehammer to an issue where a scalpel is appropriate, he said. Vallow Daybell's attorney, Archibald, told the judge the media coverage was salacious and pointed out that the judge had already decided to move the trial to a different county because of the media's incessant, nonstop exposure of this case. During the last hearing, a video camera showed a close-up of Vallow Daybell's face for about 30 minutes, Archibald told the judge. She's been in custody now for two and a half years, Archibald said. What's the point to mock her? To make fun of her? To humiliate her? Does it add any value to the public other than prejudice jurors? If the judge does not want to ban cameras entirely, they could be restricted to the jury box or the front row of the courtroom gallery, Archibald said. This case is tough enough without sensationalization ... we certainly don't need any more drama in this case, he said. The judge said he would consider the matter and issue a ruling on a later date. Idaho law enforcement officers started investigating the pair in November 2019 after extended family members reported the children were missing. At the time, JJ Vallow was 7 years old and Tylee Ryan was just two weeks away from turning 17. Their bodies were found buried later on Chad Daybells property in rural Idaho. Chad and Lori Vallow Daybell had married just two weeks after his previous wife, Tammy Daybell, died unexpectedly. The couple was eventually charged with murder, conspiracy and grand theft in connection with the deaths of the children and Daybell's late wife. They have pleaded not guilty and could face the death penalty if convicted. Prosecutors say the couple promoted unusual religious beliefs to further the alleged murder conspiracies. Lori Vallow Daybells former husband, who died while the two were estranged, said in divorce documents that Vallow Daybell believed she was a god-like figure responsible for ushering in the apocalyptical end times. Chad Daybell wrote doomsday-focused fiction books and recorded podcasts about preparing for the apocalypse. Friends of the couple told law enforcement investigators the pair believed people could be taken over by dark spirits, and that Vallow Daybell referred to her children as zombies, which was a term they used to describe those who were possessed. Vallow Daybell is also charged with conspiracy to commit murder in Arizona in connection with the death of her previous husband. Charles Vallow was shot and killed by Lori Daybells brother, Alex Cox, who said it was self-defense. Cox later died of what police said was natural causes. The Arizona legal proceedings are on hold while the Idaho case is underway and Vallow Daybell has not been scheduled to make a plea in the Arizona case. CANBERRA, Australia Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Thursday it would be perfectly acceptable for King Charles III to continue to advocate for climate change action in his new apolitical role as monarch. Albanese was speaking ahead of his departure for Queen Elizabeth IIs funeral. Albanese said the new king would decide whether he continues to advocate for reduced greenhouse gas emissions, as he has done for years as a prince. Its important that the monarchy distance from party political issues. But there are issues like climate change where I think if he chooses to continue to make statements in that area, I think that is perfectly acceptable, Albanese said. It should be something thats above politics, the need to act on climate change. The British monarch is also Australias head of state. In his first speech as king last week, Charles suggested he would be more circumspect as monarch and step back from his advocacy on a range of issues. KEY DEVELOPMENTS: London mourners brave 9-hour wait to say goodbye to queen What to know about the queens lying in state Queens reign saw British leave Mideast with a mixed legacy With its queen gone, Britain ponders how to discuss death Palace reveals details of queens state funeral on Monday Find more AP coverage here: https://apnews.com/hub/queen-elizabeth-ii OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: KAMPALA, Uganda Hundreds of Ugandans attended a memorial service in honor of Queen Elizabeth II, a somber ceremony that underscored affection for the departed British monarch in this East African country. Speakers in the Anglican cathedral in the Ugandan capital on Thursday included Foreign Affairs Minister Jeje Odongo, who paid tribute to the queen as an endearing leader. She wasnt the queen of England alone, she said. She was the queen of all of us in the Commonwealth. The Rev. Jonathan Kisawuzi, the cathedrals dean, spoke of the queens faith, courage and direction in her 70-year reign. We will remember her always, he said. Uganda is one of the 56 member states of the Commonwealth, a group of mostly former British colonies that now includes others, such as Rwanda, that were not part of the British Empire. Elizabeth is fondly remembered among Ugandans, who recall her attendance at the 2007 Commonwealth summit held in Kampala. TORONTO Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said hell travel to London with former prime ministers for Queen Elizabeth IIs funeral and that Canadians will continue to benefit from the stability the monarchy provides. Trudeau and Canadas opposition leaders paid tribute to the late queen in a special session of Parliament on Thursday. She visited the country 22 times as monarch. Trudeau said she embraced her role as queen of Canada and said her sudden absence has struck us all palpably and profoundly. Her Majesty was everywhere. Her face on our coins. Her portrait hanging in Parliament and post offices. Her televised Christmas address a cozy ritual in homes from coast to coast to coast, Trudeau said. Canadians feel like theyve lost a family member - a family member who grew up alongside us. Trudeau said in Canadas constitutional monarchy, the crowns function is to be a bedrock for the constitution, and to transcend daily political debates. LONDON A group of British legislators sanctioned by China have written to officials expressing concerns that the Chinese government has been invited to Queen Elizabeth IIs funeral. Conservative lawmaker Tim Loughton told the BBC on Thursday the invitation to China should be rescinded, citing the countrys human rights abuses and treatment of Uyghurs in the far western region of Xinjiang. Britain cant possibly have official representatives of the Chinese government attending such an important occasion, he said. The Chinese ambassador to the U.K. is banned from Parliament after Beijing sanctioned seven British legislators last year over their stance on China. It is not clear whether President Xi Jinping, currently meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Uzbekistan, will attend Mondays state funeral. Media reports suggest Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan may attend. Russia, Belarus and Myanmar were not included in the funeral invitation list. LONDON Thousands of people have turned up at Sandringham Estate, the royal country estate in Norfolk, to greet Prince William and his wife Catherine. The royal couple appeared outside the gates of the estate to view the sea of floral tributes left for Queen Elizabeth II and to greet thousands of well-wishers. A large crowd gathered outside the country residence on the eastern English coast early Thursday, hoping for a chance to meet and speak with the couple. William and Kate, known since the queen's death as the Prince and Princess of Wales, walked slowly along metal barriers as they received bouquets from the public and chatted to well-wishers. Sandringham was the queens country retreat, where she spent some of her childhood years and where she presided over many Christmas family gatherings. LONDON Buckingham Palace has announced that two minutes of silence will be observed across the United Kingdom at the end of Queen Elizabeth IIs state funeral. The funeral is to be held at Westminster Abbey on Monday, with some 2,000 guests attending, including visiting heads of state and other dignitaries. Officials said Thursday that after the funeral, the late queens coffin will be transported through the historic heart of London on a horse-drawn gun carriage. It will then be taken in a hearse to Windsor, where the queen will be interred alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year. LONDON While mourners in London are standing in a 4-mile (6.5-kilometer) line to view Queen Elizabeth IIs coffin lying in state, members of the royal family are meeting crowds gathered in other parts of Britain. Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, went to Manchester in northern England on Thursday to view tributes left for the queen and speak to well-wishers. Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, was due to visit Glasgow in Scotland later in the day with her husband, Sir Tim Laurence. Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Wales were to view flowers left outside Sandringham House in Norfolk, in eastern England. King Charles III, the new monarch, spent a day in private. LONDON Standing in line to see the queens coffin as it lies in state in London is proving a test of patience and stamina for thousands of people. By late Thursday morning, the line had grown to about 3 miles (5.6 kilometers) long on the south bank of the River Thames, reaching as far as Tower Bridge. Authorities warn those planning to come: You will need to stand for many hours, possibly overnight, with very little opportunity to sit down, as the queue will keep moving. The closed coffin sits on a raised platform, called a catafalque, inside Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament. Visitors go through airport-style security. Only small bags are permitted. The venue is to stay open 24 hours a day until just after dawn on Monday, the day of the queens state funeral. LONDON The spiritual leader of the Church of England has been meeting mourners in the long line of people waiting patiently to pay their last respects to Queen Elizabeth II. Wearing a high-visibility vest, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby was on hand Thursday to speak to some of the thousands of people in the queue along the south bank of the River Thames. He paid tribute to the late monarch, who died last Thursday at age 96, ending a 70-year reign. She was someone you could trust totally, completely and absolutely, whose wisdom was remarkable, he said. Her death and transfer of the crown to her son, King Charles III, means we will move seamlessly to another person who will demonstrate service for the country, and see their role not as over everyone, but to serve the country and the constitution, Welby said. LONDON Thousands of people have stood in line through the night in London, waiting their turn to view Queen Elizabeth IIs coffin as it lies in state. Authorities said the line on Thursday stretched about 2.6 miles (4.2 kilometers) along the south bank of the River Thames. The queens flag-draped oak coffin is lying in state at 900-year-old Westminster Hall for four days before her funeral on Monday. People, hushed and somber, streamed past each side of the coffin. Military detachments standing guard are rotated every 20 minutes. One of the ceremonial guards appeared to faint early Thursday and fell off the raised platform. His condition was not immediately clear. The queen died in Scotland last Thursday at age 96, ending a 70-year reign. PARIS French President Emmanuel Macron has sent King Charles III his condolences and offered him his full support in addressing common challenges. Those challenges include the protection of the climate and the planet, a statement from the French presidency said. Before he became monarch after last weeks death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles often spoke out on those issues. But as sovereign he is expected to tread more carefully in his political comments. Macron spoke with the king by phone on Wednesday. He said on Twitter he will attend the Queens funeral. A man has drawn an automatic sentence of life in prison without parole after a jury convicted him of capital murder in the shooting death of a Dallas-area police officer. The Dallas County jury deliberated a little over an hour Wednesday before finding Jaime Jaramillo guilty in the shooting death last Dec. 3 of Officer Richard Houston. A police affidavit said Houston was shot while answering a domestic disturbance report involving Jaramillo in a Mesquite supermarket parking lot. When Houston went to talk to Jaramillo, authorities say, Jaramillo shot Houston and then himself. Jaramillo was hospitalized for a week but recovered from his wound. NEW YORK Kanye West says hes breaking up with the Gap. An attorney for Kanye West, who goes by Ye, told The Associated Press that a letter has been sent to the clothing chain Thursday seeking to terminate the contract between Gap and Wests company, Yeezy. Advertisement The clash comes a little over a year after Yeezys first item a blue puffer jacket appeared in Gap stores. The deal was announced in June 2020. In the letter that Wests lawyer shared with The AP on Thursday, it said that Gap failed to meet obligations in the pact, including distributing merchandise to Gap store locations and creating dedicated YZY Gap stores. Advertisement Gap left Ye no choice but to terminate their collaboration agreement because of Gaps substantial noncompliance, said Nicholas Gravante, Wests attorney with Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft, in an emailed statement to the AP. Ye had diligently tried to work through these issues with Gap both directly and through counsel. He has gotten nowhere. Gravante said that Gaps failure to comply with the terms of the contract has been costly. He said West plans to begin opening Yeezy retail stores. West has unleashed criticism on social media against Gap as well as Adidas AG where he has a similar deal. Adidas declined to comment. Gap didnt immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday. The San Francisco retailer had been hoping the partnership with West would resonate with customers in a period of declining sales. For Yeezy, being in more than 1,100 Gap stores worldwide would have put his brand in front of more people. West has had a history with Gap. He worked at one of its stores in Chicago as a teenager. And he told Vanity Fair magazine back in 2015 that he wanted to be creative director for the brand. Gov. Pete Ricketts on Thursday urged Nebraskans to take advantage of millions of dollars of potential property tax relief that remains available to them through a new state income tax credit on local property taxes paid to support public schools and community colleges. "We're going to pay 30 percent of your K-12 and community college tax bill," Ricketts said at a news conference called to spotlight the new opportunity for property tax relief that requires taxpayer action. State Tax Commissioner Tony Fulton said "60 percent of what can be claimed has been claimed" on state tax forms, but many Nebraskans still may not be aware of the new tax relief opportunity. Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, chairwoman of the Legislature's Revenue Committee and the catalyst for enactment of 2022 legislation that will deliver an estimated $3.4 billion of tax relief to Nebraskans through the 2027 tax year, hailed the additional property tax relief provision and suggested there is more to come. "I think we can do more," Linehan said. "Let's see what more we can do." Linehan noted that additional property tax relief will also be provided when voter-approved casino gambling begins in Nebraska. Seventy percent of the revenue from a 20% tax on gross gambling revenue will be allocated to local property tax relief. Ricketts said the purpose of the news conference hailing this year's tax relief package, which already had been widely reported, was to spotlight the state income tax credit on local property taxes paid in order to make sure Nebraska taxpayers take advantage of their new opportunity for property tax relief. That's the largest piece of $12.7 billion in total tax relief that will be provided to Nebraskans by 2027, the governor said. Some $10 billion of that total represents property tax relief. "It's up to taxpayers to make sure they take advantage of the income tax credit," Ricketts said. Fulton said taxpayers will still have three years to claim this year's credit. Linehan praised the governor and a number of her legislative colleagues, specifically including members of the Revenue Committee, for enactment of LB873 earlier this year. That tax reduction package will deliver comprehensive tax relief to Nebraskans, including a phased-out end to state income taxation of Social Security benefits. "I felt a little bit like a pioneer. I think every teacher has a dream to start their own school," Tammy Schaapherder said. Today, Schaapherder and her husband, Jan-Peter, live just outside Clarinda. However, 25 years ago, they had just moved to Beira, Mozambique, located on the southeast coast of Africa. Mozambique was just coming out of a war and numerous officials from international organizations had moved to Beira to aid the country in those challenging times. Schaapherder had been teaching at an international school in Tanzania and was recruited to establish a school now known as the Beira International Primary School (B.I.P.S.). "We moved to Beira a couple months before the school was started. There were no international schools and the schools there for national people were only in Portuguese," Schaapherder said. "I knew I wanted to teach, but I didn't know any Portuguese." Therefore, Schaapherder said she would start an international school if there were 10 students enrolled. Although there was interest in the school, B.I.P.S. was officially started in September of 1997 with only three students and Schaapherder held classes in the bottom portion of her home. "People said they were interested, but when we got there only three families actually sent their children. The rest kind of sat back and watched," Schaapherder said. "Those parents really put a lot of trust in us." That trust was rewarded within the first year. The school grew to a point where a larger building was needed, as well as a second teacher and an assistant teacher. Schaapherder spent three years at B.I.P.S. and over that time the school more than tripled in size. Originally, the school offered classes for students ranging in age from kindergarten through fifth grade. That was expanded to sixth grade by the time Schaapherder departed. The school also attracted students of various nationalities including students from the United States, Denmark, the Netherlands and Mozambique. "We had kids from all over. That was the best part," Schaapherder said. Over the past 25 years, the growth of Beira and B.I.P.S. has mirrored one another. When the school was formed in 1997, Beira had a population of 397,368 people. In 2019, the population of the city had risen to 530,604 people. Meanwhile, the school has grown from those three original students to more than 300 today. B.I.P.S. is now a K-12 school with its own school board that was created during the time Schaapherder was affiliated with the school. However, Schaapherder said there were also challenges during her three years at the school. Road conditions at times made it difficult for students to get to school and there were issues with the electricity for the school. "Everything we had for the school we had to work hard to get. We never threw anything away because there was always a chance it could be used for another project. We were very creative because we had to be," Schaapherder said. In 2000, Schaapherder and her husband left Mozambique to return to the United States for the birth of their first child. Schaapherder was a graduate of South Page High School, so the couple settled near Braddyville before moving to their current home near Clarinda. When Schaapherder left B.I.P.S., the school threw a large farewell celebration to honor her for her work with the school. "They gave us a great sendoff. The teacher who took over running the school was from Canada and her children had been in the school. So that was great," Schaapherder said. In recent years, Schaapherder has been able to reconnect with some of her former students through Facebook. So, as B.I.P.S. was preparing to celebrate its 25th anniversary Sept. 3, Schaapherder was asked to submit a video detailing the early days of the school. "I am so proud the school is still going. Putting together the video brought back a lot of memories," Schaapherder said. Thank you! You've reported this item as a violation of our terms of use. This content was contributed by a user of the site. If you believe this content may be in violation of the terms of use, you may report it. Talking with teachers about the beginning of the school year has me feeling optimistic. Everyone I talk to reports their students are energized, eager and motivated. This is a welcome change from the way students have been feeling for the past couple of years. This is partly due to simple relief as pandemic restrictions ease, but it is also a testament to the resiliency of youth. Most young people are inclined toward exuberance; it is good to see their natural enthusiasm returning. I worry, however, that the next few months may dim that enthusiasm. After all, they will be spending time in the company of adults tasked with directing their attention, and too many adults right now are preoccupied with all that is wrong with the world. The other day a father told me that his 9-year-old son learned in school that life expectancy was declining for the first time in history. There are two problems with this: first, it is false; second, it places an unnecessary burden on the child. The statistics show a decline in life expectancy in the United States from 79 years in 2019 to 77 years in 2021. That is the steepest decline in the past 100 years; it is also the sort of thing that happens during pandemics. The expected lifespan dropped from 54 to 47 years in 1918 due to the Spanish flu, but by 1925 it had risen to 58 years. The simple truth is, life expectancy sometimes goes down for a short period of time, but overall it continues to rise. Why arent we teaching our children that? To tell kids only the bad news and not to put that news in the context of the good things happening in the world is to place a tremendous burden on them. It creates the impression that things are getting worse and worse. Thats a terrible thing to do to a child who is coming of age right now. There is a widely known Bob Newhart skit in which he plays a therapist who specializes in five-minute sessions. When a patient begins to describe how her behavior is causing distress, he shouts, Stop it! Thats what I want to say to adults who think they must continually give our youth a dose of so-called realism. Stop it. Stop telling kids that elections are rigged. Stop telling kids the Supreme Court is taking away their rights. Stop telling kids their schools are failing. Stop telling kids the world will end if we dont stop a pipeline or get our candidate elected. For too many young people, the message they take away is that the troubles they face are insurmountable. Instead, we need to be intentional about teaching young people how to participate meaningfully in their communities: how to think independently, how to work collaboratively, how to communicate clearly, how to build, support, and reform when needed. We need to teach them how to be citizens instead of victims. Our kids dont need realism. They need a path forward. They need practical instruction in how to make things work. Most of all, they need hope. The problem with realism is that it isnt real. It is a projection of our fears onto others. It not only paints an inaccurate picture of what the world is like, it induces apathy and despair. It makes many young people less motivated to effectively address the problems they will encounter in their lives. Evidence of our tendency to exaggerate whats wrong with the world can be seen in Gallups annual State of the Nation report. What stands out is that 69% of Americans are very or somewhat satisfied with their overall quality of life, yet their satisfaction with every specific aspect of life and every government policy is considerably lower. How can most people be satisfied with their lives and yet think that everyone and everything around them is terrible? We have become a nation of whiners, blamers and complainers. (And yes, I know. Im complaining about it.) Young people are hearing two messages over and over again from the most vocal among us: Things are getting worse, and it is because our institutions are broken. Both messages are pernicious falsehoods. The facts are that the world is getting better in most significant respects because our institutions are doing what they are designed to do. Our schools and universities, health care organizations, research centers, industries and governments are effectively increasing prosperity, health, education and equality. Not only is life expectancy way up, but extreme poverty has declined dramatically, literacy has vastly increased, major diseases have been eliminated or greatly reduced, infant mortality is down, and violent death has been declining steadily. Sure, there are problems. Young people coming of age today will face significant challenges posed by climate change, water shortages, the uncertainties of artificial intelligence and an ongoing nuclear threat. The question is: How do we best prepare them to face those challenges? It is not by repeatedly complaining about how bad things are. We prepare our young people by telling them the truth that human beings are extraordinarily good at fixing problems when we work together. The truth is that the best time to be alive is now. The best time is always now. THE MINI: Ilya Yashin (and many other Russians) being incarcerated for speaking out against Putin's "military operation" further highlights Putin's tyranny both at home and on the world stage. It occurs to me that my mother would have been a political prisoner for protesting the war in Vietnam had the U.S. shared Putin's politics. I salute our veterans and all Americans who protect our freedoms: to peacefully assemble, to think, to express...without fear of systemic reprisal. -- Greg Grupp, Spirit Lake, Iowa At 1:15 p.m. Sept. 6 at North Middle School a class of sixth grade physical education students were walking back from the track when a car drove by, shooting what was believed to be an airsoft gun at the students, according to a Sioux City schools message to families at 2:57 p.m. The police also found the two males had shot at another high school student and a delivery driver in the area of Glen Oaks and Indian Hills Boulevard. The "gun" was identified as a "Splat-r-ball gun which is similar to an airsoft gun," according to the the police department. Airsoft guns, as the name implies, use compressed gases or springs to shoot projectiles -- in a manner not unlike BB guns or paintball guns -- but rather than metal pellets or paintballs, they typically shoot plastic, BB-shaped projectiles. The plastic pellets are substantially less likely to cause physical harm than metallic BBs. Not infrequently, however, airsoft guns (which have been popular among teenagers for a number of years) are designed to bear a close resemblance to actual firearms, at least superficially. Law enforcement agencies in the U.S. have on numerous occasions warned that it is difficult to discern between an airsoft gun and a real gun, particularly at a distance or in a situation where officers encounter a person brandishing one. This week, New Hampshires Republican senatorial nominee Don Bolduc won his primary, then made a memorable victory speech. Post-primary spin notwithstanding, Bolduc is a MAGA-friendly, far-right politician, who campaigned on eliminating the FBI and the Department of Education. As a military man, hes the genuine articlea retired army brigadier general holding two Purple Hearts and five Bronze Stars (two with Vs for combat valorthey dont just hand those out). So it wasnt surprising he struck a warriors tone in his speech, appearing with a shield stuck full of arrows. Advertisement But the content of his brief speech, and the nature of that shield, indicate that while Bolduc is undeniably a warrior, he is no historian. Both speech and shield invoke a historical event that was no victory, even one as narrowly won as Bolducs (the candidate clinched the nomination by just 1,500 votes). The nominee was referencing, as many on the right like to do, the Battle of Thermopylae, in 480 B.C.a futile defense that utterly failed in its objective of delaying the invading Persian army from conquering Greece. The defending Greek forces, led by the Spartan king Leonidas and his bodyguard of 300 Spartan nobles (plus another 700 lower-ranked Spartan warriors, and other enslaved fighters, all of whom tend to go unmentioned), were all annihilated to a man. Leonidass head was cut off, stuck on a pole, and paraded before the cheering Persian troops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leonidas, to put it plainly, lost. So hes not really not the mannor Thermopylae the battlethat youd want to invoke on your victory night. Yet here was Bolduc, like many other right-wing politicians, just going for it. The Shield The shield Bolduc carries appears to be a toy model of the stylized round aspis (the Ancient Greek shield used at Thermopylae) from the 2006 Zack Snyder film 300, itself a wildly inaccurate, troublingly bigoted film about Leonidass failure to hold off the Persians, which spins the crushing defeat to look like a heroic victory. The shield bears the Greek lambda (, which roughly gives us the L sound), purportedly for Lakedaimon, the place in southeastern Greece from which Spartans hailed. (In a twist, Laconia, another ancient word for Spartas home region, is Bolducs New Hampshire hometown.) Advertisement Snyder included Spartan shields bearing the lambda in 300, faithfully following the 1998 Frank Miller graphic novel. Miller, likewise no historian, had fallen prey to the popular notion that Greeks painted their shields with the first letter of their city-states (alpha, , for Athens, for example). While this was sometimes true, it wasnt consistently so. Greek heavy infantry supplied their own shields, and decorated them as they liked. And we have only one piece of evidence that the Spartans ever practiced this lettering custom (a throwaway fragment from the Athenian comedian Eupolis). We have much more evidence that the Spartans decorated their shields with geometric patterns, grinning gorgons, and parading animals. We know this because we have recovered miniature shields that were left as votive offerings. Theyre currently on display in the Archaeological Museum of Sparta if anyone wanted to bother looking. Just as important, this custom of painting letters on shields seems to have post-dated the Battle of Thermopylae by roughly half a century. We have no reason to believe any Greek (Spartan or otherwise) painted letters on their shields in 480 B.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of these other matters of historical accuracy aside, Bolduc was holding his toy shield upside down, its signature lambda inverted. Adding to the drama, Bolducs plastic shield was embedded with arrows, clearly intended to indicate the execution of an effective defense. But at Thermopylae, the Persian arrows shredded the Greek shields and killed the men behind them. Herodotus, the Father of History (per the Roman senator Cicero) and our main source for the battle, is clearthe last Greeks fell defending themselves with daggers, if they still had them, or otherwise with their hands and teeth. The fierce fighting had destroyed all their weapons and armor. If there was anything left of the Greeks shields, Herodotus doesnt mention them. Indeed, he notes that earlier in the battle, the Spartan Dienekes had scoffed at another Greeks terrified comment that the Persian arrows were so numerous they would blot out the sun. Good, Dienekes had replied, in one of the almost certainly apocryphal quips that have made the Spartans so famous. We will fight in the shade! A badass quote, but it papers over the reality: Dienekes surely knew that the Greeks, hopelessly outnumbered by expert archers, were about to be turned into human pincushions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bolducs shield, in other words, represents a device that, at the end of the Battle of Thermopylae, would have brought the last surviving Greeks a few agonized seconds before they were finally cut to pieces. The Speech We have taken their arrows, Bolduc boasts, indicating that hes warded off the attacks of his political opponents. And the Greeks that shield symbolizes indeed took the Persian arrowsthey took them in their eyes and throats, they took them in arms that were nailed to the stubs of their shields by the killing shafts. They took them in feet that were pinned to the blood-stained surface of the lonely Kolonos hill on the Thermopylae battlefield that would be their final resting place. We have successfully protected ourselves, Bolduc goes on. If so, he did a lot better than the Greeks whose symbol he is trying to invoke. Advertisement Advertisement The speech then takes an even more mystifying turn: And now were going to rally around the circle, Bolduc continues, caressing the aspiss edge, Unity, freedom, liberty. If there are three words less appropriate to be associated with the aspis, I cant think of them. The only people the fractious Greeks in the 5th century B.C. hated more than the Persians were each other. The history of Ancient Greece is a history of civil war. The war against the Persians had not even been over for a single year before the same Spartans who failed to hold Thermopylae were campaigning against other Greeks (the Aleudae Clan of the Thessalians, who had supported the Persian invasion). There are words for the aspis, but unity isnt one of them. Advertisement Advertisement Neither is freedom or liberty, words that didnt apply to the many thousands of slaves kept by nearly every Greek city-state, and most famously by the Spartans, whose commitment to slavery was so complete they enshrined it as a caste systemthe helots, an entire people kept in centuries of bondage until they finally won their freedom by force of arms as Spartas power collapsed in the 4th century B.C. The Context Bolduc joins a parade of right-wing politicians who have invoked Thermopylae on the campaign trail. Ive written previously for Slate about some of them, but the examples are as global as they are prolific: from the UKs Tory Spartans (hardline Brexiters), to 300 Brazil (a far right Brazilian group named for Leonidass 300 and supporting President Jair Bolsonaro), to Greeces current Health Minister Anathasios Plevris, an outspoken anti-immigrant voice who was previously linked to the right-wing Patriotic Association of Thermopylae. Advertisement The myth of Thermopylae, quite distinct from the reality, is tailor-made for right-wing agendas. It is the story of a tiny, beleaguered force of nativists defending their (white, European, if you follow the visuals in both the comic and film 300) homeland against an invading horde of dark-skinned foreigners. While defeated, the myth goes, this tiny force put up such a glorious fight that they galvanized the rest of Greece to at last man up and emulate their example, and demoralized the Persians so badly they were defeated the following year. That this myth is utterly false, that Thermopylae was a disastrous defeat for Greece that had nothing to do with Persias ultimate failure to win their broader objectives, is roundly ignored, despite a growing body of literature directed at puncturing this myth. They like their story more than the truth. Politics aside, the insistence on cleaving to the myth rankles. Politics may be all about spin, but history at its heart is all about getting as close as we can to the truth, and the truth is that the Battle of Thermopylae was a major military disaster. If politicians are seeking last stands that actually achieved their stated aims and covered the defenders in glory, they will need to keep looking. On a recent episode of Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick spoke with Mary Trump and Norm Ornstein about how one Trump-appointed judge was able to derail the Justice Departments investigation into the potential mishandling of classified documents held at Mar-a-Lago and what reforms are needed to repair this broken system. A portion of their conversation, which has been condensed and edited for clarity, has been transcribed below. Dahlia Lithwick: I want to start with you where I just started which is: Why isnt Donald Trump in jail right now? Advertisement Mary Trump: That is the question of our times. Well, he never has been. I think that is the foundational reason. This is a man who should have been in prison decades ago. He certainly should have been indicted for something. And this is just what happens when theres no accountability, which leaves room for these countervailing forces to get momentum, and to change the subject. And we see in this most recent ruling by this hack of a judge, Aileen Cannonshe, by postponing what should have happened, gives room for Donalds enablers and supporters to act as if everythings fine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I mean if it were that bad, right, then nobody could possibly have made that ruling. Clearly he must have some right to these documents. And this is the same thing that happens time after time. If it were that bad, then something wouldve happened already, wouldnt it have? It just underscores that the real problem is the system, which, as you, Dahlia, have said recently, is working exactly as it was designed to. But for those of us who have a problem with that, its incredibly demoralizing. Advertisement Advertisement Theres something so profound actually buried in what you just said. Which is that people look at what Judge Cannon does and say, Well, there must be both sides here. There must be two legitimate sides because after all a federal judge has just issued a stay. But then Judge Cannon in her order says essentially, People are upset and alarmed and this seems worrisome, so lets like pump the brakes. So in a way youve got a feedback loop of normalizing, where she is relying on the fact that people are horrified to justify stopping this process. People who are horrified are saying, Well, if she stops the process, we must be right. There is an almost perfect circle of reinforcement there. Advertisement Advertisement Trump: Yeah, absolutely. The people she and others like her are catering to are those who are inclined to want to get Donald off the hook. And unfortunately, theres still a significant minority of those people in America at large. And 100 percent of elected Republicans, specifically, are eager for Donald to continue for their various reasons. It suits their purposes to have Donald above the law. Norm Ornstein: What struck me over the course of Donald Trumps life, and Marys book reflects this as do others, is its a lifetime of grifting. And he has managed to pay off judges and prosecutors, to intimidate people, with Michael Cohen the enforcer, and in other ways. One of the stories that struck me the mostits a minor part of the griftingwas that he used to buy jewelry at the Bulgari shop in Trump Tower and did this scam of having them certify that it was actually being sent from the Florida store so he wouldnt have to pay sales tax. It got uncovered that it was his scheme. He really basically pushed the employees there to do it. They got punished, and he didnt. Thats the history of his life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We see with his increasingly hysterical missives on Truth Social and elsewhere that he is now actually frightened that this longtime, lifetime pattern of getting off from his criminal schemes may be coming to an end. But what we also see with Judge Cannon is that he finds enablers in the judiciary everywhere. Here you have a woman who manifestly does not belong on the bench, who was jammed through days after he lost the election, put in place because she was a longtime member of the Federalist Society, and was actually under 40 when she was there, never should have taken this case in the first place. It was the most blatant example of shopping for the right judge that weve seen in a long time. Interestingly, when this first came up, she actually mentioned that, asking what gave us a little bit of hope, the pointed question, Why are we here instead of with the magistrate judge? And then not only took the case but issued this execrable ruling. But its not likely to stand. And I think the noose is tightening in so many venues in New York, in Georgia, and with this federal case, and were now seeing a level of criminality that is just shocking beyond even what we might have imagined. Advertisement Advertisement The only publication that Judge Cannon listed in her judicial application was an interview she did about her wedding announcement. This is the most shoddily inappropriate person to be deciding major questions of national security. But as you just said, this is a structures problem. We are in thrall to a federal judiciary that can simply leap in. The DOJ has the president dead to rights. He has taken classified documents. They are not his. They belong to the executive branch. He has refused to return them after painstaking efforts for the National Archives to save face and then lied about all of it. Hes likely compromised national security in ways we will never know about. Its so bad. And a single judge strolls onto the stage, takes it away from both the magistrate judge and the judge in D.C., where this appropriately resides, and then just sticks a fork in the whole thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This kind of rule by juristocracy is crippling, and I dont think were having serious conversations about fixing that structural problem at all. Ornstein: I couldnt agree more. And there was another interesting development along similar lines. Judge Reed OConnor, who infamously had basically ruled that the Affordable Care Act was unconstitutional, just issued a ruling that said that PrEP, the drugs that prevent HIV transmission, cannot be forced as part of the Affordable Care Acts formulary for religious reasons because people think that its only for homosexuals, and homosexuality is immoral, and therefore they dont have to prescribe it. And it gets to a larger point that youve made, which is it is insane that a single district court judge can enjoin the entire country in an important action or can rule in the way that Judge OConnor has. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is in Congress purview. We have a lot of discussion about enlarging the court, and we have some discussion about term limits for Supreme Court justices. Nobody has effectively talked about the jurisdiction of the courts, which is totally, with a very few exceptions, in the original jurisdiction given in the Constitution to the Supreme Court. Congress can determine what appellate jurisdiction is. They can by legislation say, No, were not going to let some insane district court judge who is ruling only because of forum shopping by extremists to basically rule over the entire country. And they can take away some of the Supreme Courts jurisdiction as well. The bias that exists in all of our institutions, an anti-democratic bias, some of it built in, was kept in check by the norms in the system, but the norms have disappeared. And now you have a sizable share of the country willing to use these structural anomalies to basically rule over the rest of the country even though it goes against what the vast majority of Americans want or against what we would view as the rule of law. This is a crisis point, and I can only hope that we will get a Congress that will be willing to address some of this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to stay with Norms observation because I know its something that you have been saying time, and time, and time, again. We cant just complain. We have to fix things. Everything needs to be codified. I just dont quite understand why theres such an appetite in the media for describing whatever the tragedy de jour was, whatever the win was, the highs, the lows, without having the structural conversation that Norm is suggesting. If we do not have it, were just going to have a big win-loss column and no democracy left. And youve been watching how the media has covered Donald so astutely. Why arent we sitting around this week talking about how is it possible to forum shop and get a judge who quite literally sticks a fork into the single most important not just criminal investigation but national security inquiry in the history of this country. And why are we not all of us talking day and night about the kinds of judicial reforms and jurisdictional reforms that Norm is invoking? Advertisement Trump: Part of it is just a failure to grasp what is actually going on. You dont even have to go that deep. But if you dont feel that its your job to dig at all, then you miss the red flag that Norm just spoke about, that literally one person can make decisions that affect the entire country. I think back to the Florida judge who lifted the mask mandate on planes claiming the CDC didnt have jurisdiction over keeping American citizens safe from diseases, which is an interesting take on that. Advertisement Advertisement But a larger problem is that we used to be able to equate media with journalism. And that connection started unraveling not surprisingly in the 80s in New York when Donald was on the front page of at least the New York Post practically every day for God knows how many years because it sold papers. The coverage was incredibly superficial. The focus was on whatever myth he was spitting, and there was no willingness or desire to go beyond that or behind it and report on what was really going on. You could actually say that its that failure alone that has led us here. Donalds ability to use the media to capitalize on the completely false portrait that was painted of him first by New York newspapers and then ultimately by Mark Burnett, thats something were going to be dealing with for a long time. But its also that coupled with the truth, that there are always people smarter and more powerful than Donald whove figured out how they can make use of him. If it were just Donald, hes not savvy, he has specific skills. I mean he is quite good at manipulating the media. Hes very good at finding people weaker than he is to carry his water for him. But if it werent for people like Mark Burnett, or the bankers at Deutsche Bank, or Mitch McConnell, or Vladimir Putin, I dont think Donald wouldve gotten as far as hes gotten. And I think that the original sinner in that regard is my grandfather of course. And its just how this pattern has repeated over time that I still cant quite grapple with it to be completely honest with you. But those two things together, the myth about him sells papers, and other people in positions of power have figured out how to use him toward their own ends. To hear the entire discussion, listen below, or subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. The Supreme Court divided 54 in a clash over religious liberty and LGBTQ equality on Wednesday, forcing Yeshiva University to stop discriminating against a gay rights group on campus. But the majoritys order had little to do with this culture-war skirmish. Instead, it was a rebuke of Yeshivaand specifically, its overeager lawyersfor racing to SCOTUS after losing in the lower courts because of their own errors. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh did not side with the three liberals against the university because they think gay students deserve equal treatment. They did so because Yeshiva brazenly abused the courts shadow docket on the assumption that it would get special treatment. It was an understandable gamble. But it failed. Advertisement Yeshiva University v. YU Pride Alliance arose after the school denied official recognition to a student group that affirms the equal dignity of LGBTQ people. Yeshiva calls itself a Jewish university; however, it is incorporated as a secular institution in order to receive government funds, and fewer than 5 percent of students major in Jewish studies. The LGBTQ student group accused the school of violating the New York City Human Rights Law and sued for formal recognition. Yeshiva argued that it was exempt from the Human Rights Law because it is a religious corporationand added that if the law did apply, it violated the First Amendments free exercise clause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A state trial court sided against the university in June. The court held that New York Citys Human Rights Law does apply, noting that Yeshivas own charter says it operates exclusively for educational purposes, not religious training. The university sought relief from an intermediate appeals court called the First Department, which turned it down. Advertisement Advertisement Yeshiva then tried to appeal the First Departments order to New Yorks highest court. In the process, it made a mistake, one thats fairly technical but still important. State law requires a party to ask the First Department for permission to appeal an order; Yeshiva failed to do so properly, filing the wrong application. The First Department informed the university of its error and instructed it to refile the correct application. After that, it could appeal to the states highest courtthen, if necessary, to SCOTUS. However, lawyers representing the university did not want to play by New Yorks rules. They were hoping to score a quick win, and its easy to see why. To fight the LGBTQ student club, Yeshiva hired the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a right-leaning group with a strong track record at this Supreme Court. As an impact litigation firm, the Becket Fund seeks to rack up high-profile victories thatll attract more acclaim, donors, and clients. With every win, Becket grows more entrenched and respected within the conservative legal movement. It apparently aims to become a marquee litigation shop for the religious right, one on the level of the Alliance Defending Freedom, despite having a small fraction of ADFs budget. Advertisement Advertisement Moreover, Becket had good reason to believe it could short-circuit the appeals process in New York state courts. This Supreme Court has shown extraordinary solicitude to religious liberty claims, most prominently in cases halting COVID restrictions on houses of worship. The conservative justices have repeatedly changed the courts own rules to carve religious exemptions into law. They have exploited the shadow docket to skip over full briefings and oral arguments, sometimes acting before a lower court even issues a decision. The Becket lawyers evidently assumed that they could secure this special treatment for their client, too. Advertisement Advertisement This time, though, they went too far. Under federal law, the Supreme Court can only stay the final judgment of a states highest court. But theres no final judgment here: New Yorks highest court is waiting for Yeshivas lawyers at the Becket Fund to correct their error and refile, teeing up a proper appeal. These lawyers were really asking SCOTUS to bend the rules just for them, and it backfired: Roberts and Kavanaugh sided with Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson in swatting down their emergency application. The majority pointed out that Yeshiva still had options in state courtmost importantly, filing a corrected motion that would put their case before New Yorks high court. It could also seek expedited review to speed up consideration of the merits. If the university pursues these options and still fails, the majority wrote, it could return to SCOTUS with another request for a stay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Predictably, Justice Samuel Alito penned a dyspeptic dissent, joined by Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and Amy Coney Barrett, accusing the majority of shirking its duty to stand up for the Constitution even when doing so is controversial. Notably, Alitos dissent focused on the merits of the case: He accused New York of forcing a Jewish school to instruct its students in accordance with an interpretation of Torah that the school, after careful study, has concluded is incorrect. (Its unclear how requiring Yeshiva to grant equal recognition to a gay student club forces it to instruct its students on anything.) A states imposition of its own mandatory interpretation of scripture is a shocking development that calls out for review, the justice huffed. Advertisement Alito claimed that Yeshiva has a clear First Amendment right to discriminate against LGBTQ students under settled law, which would justify an emergency stay. Is that true? Under existing precedent, maybe not. Religious organizations do have a right to autonomy over their internal management decisions, particularly those fraught with faith-based judgments. Yeshiva, though, may have relinquished that right when it chose to incorporate as a secular institution. This Supreme Court will likely rule for the school in the end, but this area of the law is far from settled. In 1987, for instance, the District of Columbias highest court ordered Georgetown University, a Catholic school, to provide equal benefits to a gay student group. Alito wanted to seize on the Yeshiva case to establish new precedent handing educational institutions a newfound religious right to discriminate, and he was willing to overlook Yeshivas own legal mistakes to do it. Advertisement Advertisement Why did Roberts and Kavanaugh draw the line here? Presumably, they could not bring themselves to sanction such an egregious abuse of the shadow docket. The chief justice has, to his credit, already expressed dismay over the ultraconservative majoritys freewheeling use of emergency orders to reshape the law. Kavanaugh is the surprise here: Hes usually part of the problem, but he cast the key vote to stop his colleagues from indulging Beckets extravagant demands. Perhaps Kavanaugh is having second thoughts about the exponential increase in shadow docket orders since he joined the court. This radical departure from the courts long-standing norms has created the impression that certain litigantsthe Trump administration, Republican attorneys general, religious objectorsdeserve more consideration than others. It has also opened the door to an endless stream of emergency applications from parties who do not want to wait weeks, months, or years for resolution. The majority inadvertently incentivized these rushed requests by granting so many of them when there was no legitimate basis to do so. Lawyers took note: Why slog through the lower courts when you can get immediate relief from SCOTUS? The surge in shadow docket orders since 2018 is unsustainable. Theres no way nine justices can handle a nonstop glut of so-called emergencies that demand instant action. Wednesdays order may have been Roberts and Kavanaughs way of telling conservative lawyers to stop asking SCOTUS for a sweetheart deal when they dont want to put in the work and wait their turn. This story was originally published by Wired and has been republished here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. Europes summer of drought has been impossible to ignore. Rivers dried up, exposing the skeletons of warships and ancient buildings. Images captured by satellite show swathes of the continents normally verdant fields turned to parched dust bowls. The hot, dry conditions have also wreaked havoc on Europes agriculture. Most of the continents water-starved fields will produce lower than expected yields this summer. For some crops, the difference is stark: Soybean yields are 15 percent below their five-year average while sunflower yields are 12 percent down. With agricultural supply chains already stretched because of the war in Ukraine, the vulnerabilities in Europes food system are looking extremely exposed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, some European politicians are starting to rethink the European Unions long-standing opposition to genetically modified and gene-edited crops. In July, an Italian member of the European Parliament called for a loosening of the rules that restrict crop varieties created using new gene-editing techniques like CRISPR from being grown and sold within the EU. New agricultural biotechnology can provide experimentation for more drought- and pest-resistant plants, member Antonio Tajani said in a meeting at the European Parliament. Other Italian politicians have joined him in calling for similar changes to gene-editing regulations. In northern Italy, the drought is so severe that rice fields are drying up and farmers are facing much lower harvests than normal. If European droughts are here to stay, farmers might need new crop varieties that can withstand long, dry summers. Until recently, scientists who wanted to create more drought-resistant crops would have two main options: conventional breeding or genetic modification. Genetically modified crops are made by inserting genetic material from another organism into the DNA of a plantusually a gene that makes the crop resistant to insects or herbicides. The EUs strict rules on GMOs mean that only two such crops have ever been approved there, and only onea bug-resistant cornis grown within EU borders. In the United States, by contrast, nearly 90 percent of soybean and corn fields are GMO. Gene editing is a separate and more recent technique, and involves directly editing the genome of an organism rather than inserting genes from a different species. It was expected to avoid GMO regulations, but in 2018 the European Court of Justice ruled that gene-edited crops should be subject to the same regulations as GMOs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, there are signs that the EUs position might be about to change. The European Commission is responsible for creating new legislation in the EU, and in April 2021 published a study outlining its desire to loosen regulations on gene-edited crops. The commission realized that the European Court of Justice decision was not science-based. It was legally based but it wasnt science-based, says Cathie Martin, a professor of plant science at the John Innes Centre in the U.K. The European Commissions study concluded that the EUs existing GMO rules arent suitable for regulating crops made using gene editing. It also said that gene-edited crops could help the EU meet its goals for sustainability and food security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A change in policy could also have an impact on the EUs agricultural emissions. Agriculture is responsible for around 10 percent of the EUs emissions, but one study from the U.S.-based think tank the Breakthrough Institute found that the EUs adoption of GMO crops such as those grown in the U.S. could lead to a reduction in emissions equivalent to 7.5 percent of the total agricultural emissions of Europe. This mainly comes from the fact that GMO crops tend to have higher yields than conventional varieties. Most of those emissions reductions would come from land outside the EU that didnt need to be converted to agriculture, explains Emma Kovak, lead author of the study. Because crop yields in the EU are higher than the global average, further increasing crop yields in the EU allows production expansion elsewhere in the world to slow, she explains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are some big caveats, however. First, even if the European Commission does get its way, new regulations will apply only to gene-edited crops and not the kind of GMOs widely grown in the U.S. Second, two of the most widely grown crops in the EU are wheat and barley, and there arent gene-edited versions of those crops that are ready to be put straight in the ground. In other words, any emissions reductions from a change in gene-editing regulations wouldnt come quickly. But more drought-tolerant crops might not be too far away. Kovak points out that drought-tolerant wheat has already been approved in Argentina, although that too is a GMO crop. If the EU and its 450 million inhabitants do become a new market for gene-edited crops, however, that might be an incentive for agricultural firms to produce new drought-resistant varieties of European staples. Advertisement Advertisement If gene-edited crops do become deregulated in the EU, then its likely that the first to come to market will be fruits and vegetables rather than big commodity crops, as many of these already have GMO versions and manufacturers might be unwilling to create new gene-edited varieties for just the European market. Big agricultural companies have tended to avoid modifying lower-value foods such as fruit and vegetables because of the large costs associated with developing new GMO varietiesbut gene editing is much cheaper. In the U.S., a CRISPR-edited mushroom was the first gene-edited food to be approved for sale. In the U.K., Martin is doing her first field trials on tomatoes that have been gene edited to contain a precursor to vitamin D. These trials were possible only because the country recently eased regulations around field trials of gene-edited crops, as part of a post-Brexit breakaway from EU-era regulations. Advertisement Legislation to deregulate gene-edited crops in the EU may have a much tougher path ahead. The European Commissions study has been staunchly opposed by groups such as Greenpeace and Slow Food, an organization that promotes local and traditional cooking within the EU. If a change in regulation is to pass, the commission will have to convince the European Council, and then legislation will be put to a vote in the European Parliament. In a bloc with such strong food traditions, its likely there will be a lot of resistance to new rules for gene-edited crops. But Petra Jorasch, a spokesperson for Euroseeds, a group representing European seed companies, says that gene-editing technology could actually help preserve local varieties. Gene editing might mean that the Riesling grape could be made to be resistant to a certain fungus, for example, while still retaining all the other qualities of a Riesling. If you could use those technologies to improve the fungi resistance in a wine, you would have the same crop with this added resistance and less fungicide use, she says. Kovak says that the best way to convince voters and legislators might be to emphasize that increasing crop yields in the EU would make it easier for the region to become more food secure and thus less vulnerable to fluctuations in food prices. And because gene editing is cheaper, consumers might also have more direct experience with edited crops in the form of nutritionally enhanced fruits and vegetables, like Martins tomatoes. It opens the door to more improvements of produce, Kovak says. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. Best remembered now as a 1944 movie starring Cary Grant, Arsenic and Old Lace was a big, fat, Broadway hit in 1941. In an era when long-running shows were far less common, Joseph Kesselrings dark comedy ran for a whopping 1,444 performances and was a similar smash in London. And readers of a certain age likely will recall the title as a staple of the stock and amateur circuits throughout the midcentury decades that followed. The title once was so common as to be a cliche. But in 2022, its a rarity. The last time I was the show was more than 22 years ago, when it was produced by the Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. Renee Matthews and Ann Whitney, Chicago theater royalty, were the stars. Advertisement But Ron OJ Parson, Chicagos currently essential director, has revived the corpse for a new era at Court Theatre. Hes cast a mostly Black cast in this story of two elderly Brooklyn sisters who poison 11 lonely men who were unfortunate enough to come knocking on their door and drink their elderberry wine. They then stuff their bodies in the basement. Abby and Martha Brewster, played at Court by TayLar and Celeste Williams, are otherwise delightful company, holding court over an eccentric household that includes their brother Teddy, who believes he is Teddy Roosevelt and likes to dig the Panama Canal, and nephew Mortimer (Eric Gerard), the normative character, who is, of all things, a theater critic. So normative only goes so far. Advertisement People tend to think of Arsenic and Old Lace as a thriller, if they think of it at all, and thats not true. Its not a whodunit but a freewheeling satire. Kesselring got in his licks at critics (his character hates the theater), but also at Irish cops, Albert Einstein (Guy Van Swearingen plays a fictional Dr. Einstein) and a whole variety of other figures. Its a wacky show: In Parsons production, the incomparable A.C. Smith, playing a thinly veiled spoof of Boris Karloff originally, shows up with a face so disfigured you briefly worry for the actors health. Celeste Williams, Eric Gerard and TayLar in Court Theatre's production of "Arsenic and Old Lace." (Michael Brosilow / HANDOUT) Whats cool about this production is the chance to see so diverse a cast in a show that does not relegate the Black actors to minor roles nor oblige them to hold the burden of performing a story about racial strife and struggle that confronts an audience. Rather, the show offers a slew of fun roles in which these actors surely would not have been cast a generation ago. You can feel their sense of relief flowing in waves from the stage and the casting is a reminder of the rewards that come when a director goes in this direction. Parsons shows invariably are infused by jazz and this production is no exception. He gives his actors room here and some of their work, especially in the first act, is screwball-good. To be frank, though, I found some of the creaky eccentricities of the script eventually wore the production down. Arsenic and Old Lace is a long, three-act play and its full of sly jokes that were designed to play for the literary Broadway-goer in the 1940s, which fall a bit flat these days when the political and cultural references are not so widely understood. And by the end of the night, some of the fabulous initial tension in the show dissipates, as if the cast were just trying to find their way toward the final curtain. Snips were no doubt not an option, but Parson is known for fast pacing and I say kicking this one up another gear would serve the show well. Celeste Williams, Allen D. Edge and TayLar in Court Theatre's production of "Arsenic and Old Lace." (Michael Brosilow / HANDOUT) That said, both TayLar and Williams are just terrific, and Gerard shows some real farcical chops, as does Emma Jo Boyden as his long-suffering girlfriend. Smith is a sight to behold, roaming malevolently around John Culberts tricked-out setting with Van Swearingen as his crazy sidekick, the pair spitting out one truly weird line after another. Im not sure this production will convince everyone of the need to revive the script; I was entertained by the marketing materials describing the piece as offering healing laughter, which is a bit of a stretch for a caustic show with so many murders, not to mention a pair of assassins at the heart of the story. Kesselring would have been amused by that, I think, and happy that old-school fans of his forgotten Broadway blockbuster will have a blast. Chris Jones is a Tribune critic. Advertisement cjones5@chicagotribune.com Review: Arsenic and Old Lace (3 stars) When: Through Oct. 2 Where: Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes Tickets: $23.50-85.50 at 773-753-4472 and www.courttheatre.org On Wednesday, current and former executives from Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok testified before the Senate Homeland Security Committee on contentious issues like data transparency, the role of algorithms in online radicalization, and content censorship. And a good chunk of the lawmakers appeared to have thought about these issues for longer than it takes them to get from their offices to the hearing-room dais. Unlike the early days of social-media hearings, when lawmakers generally lacked a grasp of how the various platforms were designedremember the infamous Senator, we run ads?Wednesdays hearing marked another welcome shift in Senators understanding of the algorithms and the business models of the most powerful companies on the internet. That was the good news. The bad news was that representatives of tech companies have scaled up their ability to never give a straight answer to a politicians question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Notably, Chairman and Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan brought the receiptshe began the current executives portion of the hearing with recent examples of Boogaloo Bois and other extremists groups ability to skirt Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitters content-moderation practices. The organizations he presented had thousands of views, followers, and impressions related to extremist groups, some of whom potentially played a role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. While the January 6th Select Committee is doing the bulk of investigative work, Peters has previously alleged that platforms played a role in facilitating violence that day. Peters emphasized that each company knows that engagement is a key metric to keeping people on the platform. He challenged Chris Cox, Facebooks chief product officer, with Mark Zuckerbergs own words: In 2018, the CEO said, when left unchecked, people will engage disproportionately with more sensationalist and provocative content. Advertisement Advertisement That [sensationalist and provocative] content is actually good for your business! Peters remarked. Isnt that inevitable, Peters added, that more people will engage with provocative content? As usual, the representatives from each company deflected and ducked through each of the questions. At one point, Cox responded to a question about child exploitation online from Ohio Sen. Rob Portman with the shopworn preface, as a father of two kids and went on to offer a vague commitment to tackling the issue, as well as deflecting blame onto an advocacy group. Advertisement Its become evident that tech companies and their representatives are resorting to anything to get out of answering a question in a forthright way. And senators know this. Im going to humbly and respectfully ask you not to give me the topline talking points, said Sen. Jon Ossoff, the Georgia Democrat, when challenging Vanessa Pappas, the chief operating officer of TikTok, about the companys Chinese ownership and its relationship with the Chinese government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ossoff also jumped on the opportunity to challenge Cox about the Markups report on the Meta Pixel, a company tracker that reportedly siphoned off sensitive health data from hospital websites to Facebook. For those who havent been following Missouri Sen. Josh Hawleys years-long saga to get TikTok under oath before Congress well, the Republican finally got his turn. An enraged Hawley repeatedly berated Pappas for her answers about TikToks ties to China and whether Chinese employees of Bytedance, TikToks parent company, have access to U.S. users data. Its a talking point that without a doubt suits Facebook and Google, who finally see some attention being taken off of their companies as TikTok wound up being the main focus of this hearing, with Facebook a close second. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Interestingly, Twitter has been left out of many of these tech hearings until recently (and to be fair, the companys user base is much, much smaller than its peers), when it was thrown back into the spotlight by whistleblower Peiter Mudge Zatko, who told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday that Twitter chose to mislead on issues of security. Senators appeared to miss the opportunity to press Jay Sullivan, Twitters product and technology leader, on this on Wednesday. Ossoff spent some time challenging Sullivan on whether Twitter knowingly misled the Federal Trade Commission (which has a 2011 consent decree with the company governing Twitters use of user information). Sullivan, clearly flustered and likely having prepared little on this issue given Zatkos testimony occurred only a day before, referred the committee only to the companys statement on the matter. Advertisement If ever there was a quote that summarized this hearing, it was the ol Senator, Im happy to follow up. Most frustrating for Peters was the question he apparently asked each witness just days before on a prep call, giving them the chance to prepare a figure and knowing what the standard-issue answer would be if he asked there and then. Peters asked for the number of full-time employees that worked at each company on trust and safety. Each executive, who had time to prepare their answer to this question in advance, did not have a concrete number to offer. Advertisement Advertisement Some probably ask what the point of these hearings is if executives are just going to dodge everything. The scope of these hearings varies, and sometimes members allow their questions to stray from the central purpose. Reuters noted that this was the 31st tech hearing in the past five years, and no major legislation has been passed to address privacy, antitrust issues, childrens harms online, or to strengthen federal regulatory agencies that oversee social-media firms. Advertisement What is clear is that lawmakers arent buying the obfuscation anymore. Getting these companies to answer questions on the record is a play for the long run. As Hawley noted, Coxs testimony will benefit lawsuits in his home state of Missouri against Facebook or perhaps a suit in the Delaware Chancery Court against Facebook which, among other things, alleges that Chris Cox had knowledge of Facebooks misrepresented growth numbers. If I had seven minutes with Facebook's Chris Cox, this is an area of integrity I would definitely ask a number of questions. It's from a Delaware lawsuit and gets to the integrity of the entire platform and the executives running it. /10 pic.twitter.com/KFLGGd4Fyi Jason Kint (@jason_kint) September 14, 2022 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While few new revelations were made about these companies from this hearing, most lawmakers (except maybe Sen. Ron Johnson, who yelled at everyone about the censorship of his horse-medicine tweets) demonstrated a smart and savvy understanding of these companies and their intricate business modelssomething that wasnt true when the industry came under scrutiny in the aftermath of the disinformation-strewn 2016 presidential election and, especially, about Facebooks Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018. Thats not nothing. Legislators pushed back when the companies representatives gave answers that were at odds with basic facts, such as TikToks parent company being based in China, and were able to speak fluently about more complex issues, like what data researchers and academics should have access to be able to study these platforms properly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its true that so far, legislation regulating Big Tech in some way is yet to go anywhere. The Antitrust Subcommittee in the House produced a blockbuster report on competition in the industry, but the bills to come from that effort are reportedly being held up by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, whose daughters work for Amazon and Facebook. As for issues like privacy, platform manipulation, and safety, there is bipartisan support on the Hill for something to happen, but its unclear what. (For one thing, many Republicans who pay attention to these issues fixate on the purported anti-conservative bias of the major tech companies.) But fact-finding and forcing accountability are important too. Clearly, U.S. lawmakers of all stripes love dragging tech executives into the spotlight to berate them. Its encouraging that they finally now seem to know what theyre talking about. Slovakia begins commissioning the third unit of the Mochovce nuclear power plant, a unique paving design is launched in Bratislava, while the capital names a thoroughfare after Maria Theresa. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Good evening. Here is the Friday, September 9 edition of Today in Slovakia the main news of the day in less than five minutes. For weekend events and news on travel and culture in Slovakia, see the latest edition of our Spectacular Slovakia newsletter. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Queen Elizabeth II was a role model and an inspiration, top Slovak state officials say Queen Elizabeth II, pictured in 2008 during her visit to Devin, near Bratislava. She unveiled a memorial there to victims killed while trying to cross the Slovak-Austrian border during communism. (Source: TASR) Queen Elizabeth II's seven decades of steadfast leadership and dedication to the service of her country through many global changes have made her a role model and an inspiration for us all, President Zuzana Caputova wrote on Twitter in reaction to the news of the death of the world's longest-serving monarch. "Her passing is the end of an entire era," the president posted on Facebook. Queen Elizabeth II was a respected sovereign, a role model and a symbol of stability and continuity, Prime Minister Eduard Heger stated as he sent his condolences to the British royal family, and the people of the UK and the Commonwealth. Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok wrote on Twitter that at this difficult time, people in Slovakia are thinking of her family and those closest to her, and express sincere condolences to all the people of the United Kingdom. Feature story for today Famous British producer shoots movie about Slovak nature Nigel Marven. (Source: Facebook/Divoka priroda Slovenska) With more than 150 documentaries under his belt, British television presenter, producer and wildlife documentary filmmaker Nigel Marven has been shooting a movie called Wild Beauty of Slovakia about the country's natural riches. After filming in the Little Carpathians and the Muran Plateau National Park, Marven also visited the High Tatras. More stories on Spectator.sk MUSIC : Read about the history of jazz in Slovakia and what role the communist-era secret police played in it. : Read about the history of jazz in Slovakia and what role the communist-era secret police played in it. NATURE : Ornithologists have discovered a great bustards nest near Bratislava for the first time in 12 years. The bird is the most endangered species in Slovakia, making this a significant find. : Ornithologists have discovered a great bustards nest near Bratislava for the first time in 12 years. The bird is the most endangered species in Slovakia, making this a significant find. ELECTION: See who is running for election to municipal and regional bodies in Bratislava and Bratislava Region next month. If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription. Thank you! Picture of the day Karl von Habsburg, the head of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine, under the table marking the Parkway of Maria Theresa. (Source: TASR) Bratislava finally has a public space bearing the name of Maria Theresa, a Habsburg monarch who had close ties to the city. On Wednesday, September 7, Karl von Habsburg, the head of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine and a direct descendant of Maria Theresa, along with Old City Mayor Zuzana Aufrichtova and city councillor Gabor Grendel, unveiled the official street sign marking Maria Theresa Parkway, which is in the city centre. In other news Commissioning of the third unit of the nuclear power plant in Mochovce , Nitra Region, began shortly after midnight on Friday when operator Slovenske Elektrarne began loading nuclear fuel into its reactor. , Nitra Region, began shortly after midnight on Friday when operator Slovenske Elektrarne began loading nuclear fuel into its reactor. Industry as a whole is experiencing fluctuations in its performance , with production in some industries changing drastically even from month to month, Matej Hornak, an analyst at Slovenska Sporitelna bank, said when commenting on a year-on-year decrease in industrial production of 6.4 percent in July reported by the Statistics Office. , with production in some industries changing drastically even from month to month, Matej Hornak, an analyst at Slovenska Sporitelna bank, said when commenting on a reported by the Statistics Office. Travel-tech company Kiwi.com opened a new branch in Slovakia on Thursday , as the travel business gets back on track. Like its existing office in Bratislava, the new branch in Kosice will focus on developing the key products of the online flight booker. , as the travel business gets back on track. Like its existing office in Bratislava, the new branch in Kosice will focus on developing the key products of the online flight booker. The exhibition Fluid Territories, Maps of the Danube Region, 16501800 , highlighting the Danubes history as the border between the Habsburg and Ottoman worlds will be prolonged in Bratislava until September 25 . , highlighting the Danubes history as the border between the Habsburg and Ottoman worlds . Public and private developers can use paving stones featuring an original design created just for Bratislava . The Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava (MIB) will grant a free license to use the design to interested parties including on privately owned land under precisely defined conditions. . The Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava (MIB) will grant a free license to use the design to interested parties including on privately owned land under precisely defined conditions. The Bratislava Transport Company (DPB) will open its doors to the public again on Saturday, September 10. The open house event will take place at the trolleybus depot and historic park next to Villa Jurajov Dvor, which is being made accessible to the general public for the first time. A programme has been prepared for visitors from 10:00 until 17:00. (DPB) will open its doors to the public again on Saturday, September 10. The event will take place at the trolleybus depot and historic park next to Villa Jurajov Dvor, which is being made accessible to the general public for the first time. A programme has been prepared for visitors from 10:00 until 17:00. Bratislavas Rusovce borough will go back in time almost 2,000 years on Saturday, September 10, when it will host the traditional Roman Games event . This will take visitors back to the times of the Romans and the period when Rusovce was part of the northern border of the Roman Empire for several centuries and the Gerulata military camp was located there. This year, the event will be held as a celebration of the inscription of ancient Gerulata into the UNESCO World Heritage List. borough will go back in time almost 2,000 years on . This will take visitors back to the times of the Romans and the period when Rusovce was part of the northern border of the Roman Empire for several centuries and the Gerulata military camp was located there. This year, the event will be held as a celebration of the inscription of ancient Gerulata into the UNESCO World Heritage List. By 2030, the annual production of hydrogen from low-carbon technologies in Slovakia should increase to 45,000 tonnes. Of this, 20,000 tonnes are to be produced in electrolysers powered by electricity from renewable or nuclear sources, and 20,000 tonnes are to come from waste and biomass. The costs of realising these goals should reach 955 million, reads the Action Plan of Measures for the Successful Implementation of the National Hydrogen Strategy. The Economy Ministry has now submitted the paper for interdepartmental review after several months of delays. Anniversary of the day The Holocaust Museum in Sered (Source: TASR) Slovakia today marks the Day of Victims of the Holocaust and of Racial Violence with an array of events. On September 9, 1942, 81 years ago today, the wartime Slovak State passed its harshly discriminatory Jewish Code. If you have suggestions on how this news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk. Bird spotted months after disappearing from nesting site. The life of the Slovak eagle watched people from 173 countries, illustrative stock photo. (Source: Stanislava Smadisova) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled An eagle that became famous as part of a conservation project in the Tatras has been found alive and well after disappearing for months. The bird, named Anicka by conservationists, was identified by Tatra National Park (TANAP) Administration officer Peter Vrlika few days before the autumn migration of lesser spotted eagles to Africa began. He reported Anicka, estimated to be 14 years old, was in excellent condition and during this nesting season, together with her partner, had again raised a healthy young eagle. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement In the spotlight since 2013 Vrlik and his colleagues had been watching the eagle, originally known as Arnold, using a special solar tracking device since the summer of 2013. The device had allowed them to map its migration route from the northern-Slovak region of Liptov to Africa and back in detail. A web camera that TANAP officers had installed in her nest also gave the public a unique online look at her life. Looking for the eagle The project ended in 2016 when the device fell off on her return from Africa to the nesting ground, but conservationists had been able to identify her by a unique numerical code on a colored ring on her leg. Earlier this year, however, she disappeared. "Since spring, we have been looking for Anicka at her long-term nesting site, and finally it turned out that she had moved about two and a half kilometers away and built a new nest," Vrlik explained. He said Anicka was with her partner, and a young bird was also living in close proximity. He added that after a few hours of observation other lesser spotted eagles arrived, before eventually taking to the sky and heading towards sub-Saharan Africa. Anicka and her family are expected to also migrate soon. https://sputniknews.com/20220914/new-strikes-in-tigray-capital-as-tplf-says-its-killed-tens-of-thousands-of-ethiopians-eritreans-1100789798.html New Strikes in Tigray Capital as TPLF Says Its Killed Tens of Thousands of Ethiopians, Eritreans New Strikes in Tigray Capital as TPLF Says Its Killed Tens of Thousands of Ethiopians, Eritreans Health officials in Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopias Tigray state, have reported 10 deaths following a pair of airstrikes by Ethiopian forces on Wednesday... 14.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-14T23:40+0000 2022-09-14T23:40+0000 2022-09-14T23:41+0000 africa ethiopia eritrea drone strike tplf (tigray people's liberation front) ceasefire /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/0e/1100789651_0:0:2000:1125_1920x0_80_0_0_577e323e0cfa19a5c65bc01547d2af13.jpg Kibrom Gebreselassie, the CEO of Ayder Referral Hospital, Mekelles main hospital, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that two airstrikes had hit a Mekelle neighborhood, killing 10 people and injuring at least 14 others. The agency noted it could not independently confirm the claims of the strike or of the death toll.TPLF Claims Eritrean AdvancesThe strikes come as fighting reportedly continues in western Tigray, where the TPLF has engaged Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) troops and, reportedly, Eritrean forces.Addis Ababa has claimed that it was the TPLF who initiated the fighting in western Tigray, launching an offensive to reclaim the four westernmost woredas and open a land bridge to Sudan, where the group has reportedly been recruiting irregular forces from refugee camps. A day after the fighting resumed, on August 25, the ENDF said it had shot down a transport plane flying from Sudan to Tigray carrying arms. It gave no details about the type or size of the aircraft.New Ceasefire Offer, New DemandsPrior to the new fighting last month, which both sides have accused each other of initiating, months of preparations had seemingly finally set the stage for peace talks to begin between the TPLF and the government of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. On Friday, the TPLF offered a truce via a letter to the United Nations, and on Monday offered to accept the proposed mediation of peace talks by the African Union, something it had previously rejected as impossible.The ceasefire offer, however, was followed by gloating by TPLF spokesperson Getachew Reda, who claimed the Ethiopian-Eritrean offensive had hit a brick wall and that tens of thousands of Eritreans & Ethiopians along with numerous commanders have been killed in engagements the last few days in the south and western fronts.The group has also renewed other demands previously part of the peace talks, including for the restoration of electricity, internet and banking services, and for food aid convoys to return - the lattermost of which were canceled by the UN World Food Program (WFP), not Abiys government. However, the TPLF has also added new demands, such as that the ENDF totally withdraw from Tigray, including the four westernmost woredas that it has occupied since the conflict began in November 2020. The districts were once part of Amhara state, but added to Tigray when the TPLF seized power from the Derg military regime in 1991.Revolt Against AbiyThat insurrection began after two years of waning influence over Ethiopian politics, following Abiys appointment as prime minister. Ethnic parties allied to the TPLF rejected its dominating position and nominated Abiy, the first Oromo to ever hold the office, and he immediately set about reducing the TPLFs influence and reversing many of its policies. Later that year, he received a Nobel Peace Prize for ending the 20-year-long war with Eritrea that had killed 120,000 people.Foreign governments and international organizations have urged both sides to end the fighting, with the European Union on Wednesday throwing its weight behind the AU-led peace process.The war has worsened an already-dire situation as a drought plagues the region. Across Ethiopia, more than 20 million people are in need of food aid - one-fifth of the countrys population - including 5.4 million in Tigray, according to the WFP. ethiopia eritrea Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Fantine Gardinier Fantine Gardinier News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Fantine Gardinier ethiopia, eritrea, drone strike, tplf (tigray people's liberation front), ceasefire https://sputniknews.com/20220915/biden-reportedly-urging-mexico-to-accept-more-us-returns-of-migrants-from-cuba-nicaragua-venezuela-1100802446.html Biden Reportedly Urging Mexico to Accept More US Returns of Migrants From Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela Biden Reportedly Urging Mexico to Accept More US Returns of Migrants From Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela Migration flows across the US-Mexico border during the Biden administration have been unprecedented, fueling a crisis that has become a political liability for... 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T10:13+0000 2022-09-15T10:13+0000 2022-09-15T12:00+0000 us mexico us border patrol migrant crisis ron desantis joe biden donald trump americas /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/04/19/1095052079_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_b3291b125e4e3a5633808dbb05dad978.jpg Joe Biden's administration is pressuring Mexico behind closed doors to accept more migrants from three particular nationalities, Reuters reported citing US and Mexican officials.Furthermore, amid escalating numbers of crossings into the US by migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, the White House is seeking to have them expelled under the COVID-19 health order, known as Title 42, according to the sources.The White House publicly sought to scrap Title 42, first invoked by Donald Trump when he was president, and allowing border authorities to turn migrants back to Mexico or their home country because of the pandemic. Some Democrats have supported Bidens intention to roll back the inhumane Trump policy", claiming there was "no public health benefit to sending asylum seekers back to harm". However, a federal judge in Louisiana blocked the Biden administration from ditching the order earlier this year.Despite Bidens open-borders mentality, as Republicans describe his dogged insistence on undoing everything former President Donald Trump had done, behind the scenes some Biden officials are reportedly singing a different tune. They still rely on expanded expulsions as a means of deterring illegal crossers, one US official said.US Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised the issue of migrants from the three specific countries during a visit on 12 September to Mexico City, but Mexico stopped short of promising any specific actions, the report claimed.Trying to convince Mexico to shoulder the burden was said to be "an uphill battle" by one of the cited sources.Shuffling Of ResponsibilityAt present, Mexico accepts US returns of migrants from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, with an estimated 299,000 people from those nations so far expelled at the border this fiscal year. As for migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, the number was significantly smaller - about 9,000 returns. Most arrivals from these three states who cross into the US are allowed to stay to pursue asylum claims.Overall, this fiscal year has already seen US border agents make a record 1.8Mln migrant arrests at the south-west border, with nearly a quarter of the migrants apprehended hailing from Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela.Mexico is reluctant to take in Cubans, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans expelled from the United States because those countries resist accepting deportation flights from Mexico, according to what Mexican officials told Reuters. Bearing in mind the frosty relations that Washington has maintained with the three nations in question, it is reportedly trying its utmost to relinquish a major part of the burden of returning these arrivals.Instead of agreeing to the Biden teams pressures, Mexico opts to step up internal flights of migrants from its northern border to its southern border, an insider revealed. This maneuver is ostensibly viewed as relieving the burden on the shared frontier.Furthermore, Mexico is said to have indicated it would like the US to ease economic sanctions against Venezuela. This, according to sources, might serve the dual purpose of stemming the exodus from Venezuela and making it easier for migrants to work legally in the United States.Biden officials are also said to be mulling how to shoulder the responsibility of the migrant burden to other nations beyond Mexico, according to the report.Panama is being explored as a destination for deported Venezuelans if they pass through that Central American nation on their way to the US, two American officials said.There has not been any official comment on the report from Mexico's Foreign Ministry or the Panamanian government officials.A White House National Security Council spokesman declined to comment on "diplomatic conversations", adding that nations in the region "have already begun to take collective responsibility to manage migration flows, including through repatriations."Bidens Open Border PoliciesThe continuing border crisis is just one of the slew of challenges the Democratic POTUS is facing ahead of the November mid-term elections on 8 November.Multiple GOP lawmakers have accused Biden of masterminding the migrant crisis plaguing the US southern border with Mexico by doing away with a number of restrictive measures against illegal migrants set in place by his predecessor Trump.In April, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, began sending thousands of illegal immigrants to Washington, DC. In August, buses from Texas started heading to New York City and Chicago. Arizona has also sent buses to Washington."By busing migrants to Washington DC, the Biden administration will be able to more immediately meet the needs of the people they are allowing to cross our border," Abbott said in a statement on 6 April.According to him, the program is voluntary and illegal migrants would bussed after they had been processed and released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).Incentivizing Illegal ImmigrationMore recently, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made good on his promise to divert illegal immigrants to "progressive" states. Two planes full of migrants were sent to Marthas Vineyard Airport in Massachusetts on Wednesday, according to a video seen by Fox News Digital."Yes, Florida can confirm the two planes with illegal immigrants that arrived in Marthas Vineyard today were part of the states relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations," the governors communications director, Taryn Fenske, said.She added:According to Fenske, the Florida legislature had earlier appropriated $12Mln to implement a program to facilitate the transport of illegal immigrants from this state consistent with federal law."Martha's Vineyard, an island located south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts that is known for being a popular summer resort for the affluent, had earlier been proposed as a destination for the migrants by DeSantis. https://sputniknews.com/20220816/over-2-million-illegal-migrant-encounters-expected-at-overwhelmed-us-border-by-fiscal-year-end---1099637923.html https://sputniknews.com/20220726/in-video-on-us-mexico-border-crossing-perils-sen-cruz-blames-biden-for-worst-plague-of-slavery-1097829644.html https://sputniknews.com/20220913/us-mexican-officials-to-continue-talks-on-border-security-in-october---blinken-1100702321.html https://sputniknews.com/20220830/us-border-chief-reportedly-says-migration-crisis-due-to-bidens-no-consequences-policies-1100189132.html mexico americas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko us, mexico, us border patrol, migrant crisis, ron desantis, joe biden, donald trump https://sputniknews.com/20220915/european-commission-proposes-ban-on-forced-labor-goods-1100791522.html European Commission Proposes Ban on Forced Labor Goods European Commission Proposes Ban on Forced Labor Goods China has been accused of using forced labor to produce many of the goods it exports, an accusation that it denies. 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T02:23+0000 2022-09-15T02:23+0000 2022-09-15T02:23+0000 world european union (eu) forced labor china prison labor /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/03/1081342029_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_a0b512c558ac04677a3cdb0e70c14db2.jpg The European Commission proposed a ban on the sale of forced labor products in the European Union on Wednesday.While no countries are listed in the proposal, it is seen as a move to add pressure on China, in addition to moves by the United States. It comes after a call from the European Parliament to pass such a law after human rights violations were alleged in Chinas Xinjiang region.China has been accused of abusing the largely Muslim Uyghur minority in Xinjiang, with the United States accusing China of genocide in the region. China denies any abuses in the region. The United States banned the importation of goods from Xinjiang in 2021.Under the proposal, member countries would be required to appoint competent authorities to determine if products were created by forced labor and ban their sale in the country. The ban would apply to all levels of production, including the extraction and harvest of raw materials and the production of components.Amendments to the proposal are expected before it is voted on. If passed, the proposal is not expected to affect supply chains in a major way, but it could cause companies to take a closer look at where they source their components and materials.The proposal cites the International Labour Organization, which says more than 27.6 million people are used in forced labor in the world. It also notes that an estimated 15.1 million forced laborers reside in the Asia Pacific region.However, it is worth pointing out that US prison labor accounts for the production of $2 billion in goods annually, in addition to another $9 billion in services. While it could be argued some of that is not forced labor because prisoners sometimes volunteer for work, 76% of prison laborers report that they were forced to work or face additional punishment, including solitary confinement.While the 13th amendment of the United States Constitution banned slavery in the United States, it made an exception for those incarcerated after being convicted of a crime.It is not clear if the proposal would affect goods created in the United States using prison labor. When asked, a spokesperson for the European Commission referred Sputnik to a press information sheet. Follow-up questions remained unanswered at press time. https://sputniknews.com/20220914/european-parliament-adopts-bill-on-minimum-wages-in-eu-1100788086.html https://sputniknews.com/20220914/eu-intel-chief-scraps-taiwan-trip-after-china-finds-out-report-1100780220.html china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ian DeMartino Ian DeMartino News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ian DeMartino european union (eu), forced labor, china, prison labor https://sputniknews.com/20220915/export-potential-of-istanbul-negotiations-amounts-to-177-million-rec-1100817638.html Export Potential of Istanbul Negotiations Amounts to $17.7 Million: REC Export Potential of Istanbul Negotiations Amounts to $17.7 Million: REC MOSCOW (Sputnik) The diversified business mission of Russian companies under the "Made in Russia" brand has ended in Istanbul, with the export potential of... 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T13:59+0000 2022-09-15T13:59+0000 2022-09-15T13:59+0000 economy russia made in russia brand russian export center jsc (rec) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/08/1081391709_0:103:3275:1945_1920x0_80_0_0_d2d05d2158eb6915431505894f02e901.jpg "The companies held 152 meetings with Turkish partners in the b2b format. Their export potential has reached $17.7 million. The most demanded goods were the products of the construction sector," the REC said.According to the REC, during the business trip, 13 Russian enterprises actively developing export sales channels or planning to start export activities in Turkey presented their products. Among the participants of the mission were manufacturers of medical diagnostic equipment, industrial technologies, food products, animated series, children's play complexes, and exercise equipment.The business mission was opened by a plenary session on the topic titled "Russia-Turkey: prospects for the development of mutual trade," aimed at the development of bilateral trade relations. During the session, participants discussed the specifics of entering the Turkish market, the specifics of regulating and conducting foreign trade activities in the country, the prospects for Russian exports, and the participation of Russian companies in the implementation of infrastructure development tasks in Turkey.The session was attended by major business associations and business circles in Turkey, including the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEiK), the Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD), the Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation (TURKONFED), the Association of Young Entrepreneurs of Turkey (TUGIAD), and the Russian-Turkish Trade House (ROST). On the Russian side, among the speakers were Consul General of Russia in Istanbul Andrey Buravov and the head of the trade mission of the Russian Federation in Istanbul, Artur Leontiev. russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia, made in russia brand, russian export center jsc (rec) https://sputniknews.com/20220915/hunter-biden-claims-hes-too-poor-to-pay-child-support-for-his-love-child-1100817763.html Hunter Biden Claims He's Too Poor to Pay Child Support for His Love-Child Hunter Biden Claims He's Too Poor to Pay Child Support for His Love-Child Hunter Biden was employed as a board member of Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma from 2014 to 2019, and has more recently begun selling his paintings for sums... 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T16:35+0000 2022-09-15T16:35+0000 2022-09-15T16:35+0000 hunter biden joe biden us ukraine burisma americas /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/07/0a/1097140843_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_c1ff6bf069ba9ed00be7b461d8cd135c.jpg US President Joe Biden's son has asked a court to cut his child support payments, claiming he has money troubles.DailyMail.com reported on Thursday that Hunter Biden's Texas-based attorney Brent Langdon filed a motion with the Independence County circuit court in Arkansas on Monday, asking for his client's payments to be revised.Langdon claimed Biden had suffered "a substantial material change" in his "financial circumstances, including but not limited to his income."The 52-year-old has been paying child support to 31-year-old Arkansas resident Lunden Roberts after fathering her four-year-old daughter Navy Joan, born in 2018. Biden has never met his daughter."Not being part of your child's life is one thing not that Lunden would ever want that but not supporting her financially as he should is quite another," the sources continued. "And where was he living again? Oh yes, a fancy house in Malibu one of the richest towns in the country."Navy Joan was conceived around December 2017, when Biden was in a relationship with his late brother Beau's widow Hallie Biden. That relationship followed his divorce that year from his own wife Kathleen Buhle, mother of his son also named Beau.After a DNA test proved he was the father, Recovering crack cocaine addict Biden claims to have "no recollection" of sleeping with Roberts, even though she had worked for a year at his investment firm Rosemont Seneca and also as a stripper at a club he frequented. Biden claimed he had been on so many "rampages" at the time that he could not remember all his sexual encounters.He also claimed he was too poor to pay the reported $2.5 million settlement in the paternity suit while paying $12,000 a month to rent a property in Hollywood and driving a Porsche.Hunter Biden's poverty claim may come as a surprise to many. His father's personal wealth is reckoned at $8 million, despite raking in over $17 million during the four years between leaving office as VP in 2017 and returning as president in 2021.Biden was a member of the board of Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma from 2014, following the Euromaidan coup supported by the US administration in which his father was vice-president, until 2019. That was despite having no experience in the energy industry and not speaking Ukrainian. His father boasted of using his position to force he Kiev regime to dismiss prosecutor general Viktor Shokin, after the official launched a probe into Burisma.More recently, Biden has been selling his paintings a hobby he says he took to help him recover from his crack addiction for reported sums of between $75,0000 and $500,000 apiece. https://sputniknews.com/20220901/hunter-biden-used-his-fathers-inner-circle-to-secure-dinner-at-chinese-embassy-report-says-1100286421.html ukraine americas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 James Tweedie https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png James Tweedie https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 James Tweedie https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png hunter biden, joe biden, us, ukraine, burisma https://sputniknews.com/20220915/india-says-no-meeting-scheduled-between-modi--pakistans-pm-as-ties-remain-in-limbo-1100806626.html India Says No Meeting Scheduled Between Modi & Pakistan's PM as Ties Remain in Limbo India Says No Meeting Scheduled Between Modi & Pakistan's PM as Ties Remain in Limbo Pakistans Foreign Ministry spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said on Wednesday that no meeting is envisaged between Shehbaz Sharif and Narendra Modi on the... 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T12:32+0000 2022-09-15T12:32+0000 2022-09-15T12:32+0000 sco summit in samarkand pakistan narendra modi shehbaz sharif terrorism kashmir /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/06/1c/1096743288_0:285:3133:2047_1920x0_80_0_0_34e39ccea3994790e07e80db3773a127.jpg Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not been scheduled to hold any meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif, as both leaders are set to come face-to-face for the first time at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State (CHS) meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.Prime Minister will hold bilateral meetings with the President of Uzbekistan and some other leaders on the sidelines of the summit, Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra told a press briefing in New Delhi ahead of PM Modis departure for Uzbekistan.Kwatra underlined that the SCO was primarily a platform to exchange topical regional and international issues rather than holding bilateral talks.He said that the focus of the Prime Minister Modi-led delegation at the summit would be on discussing common challenges facing the South and Central Asian region cooperation in countering terrorism, strengthening regional connectivity, and boosting trade are on top of the agenda.India, currently the chair of the SCOs Regional Anti-terrorism Structure (RATS), is keen on boosting counter-terror cooperation with other SCO states, he added.At the 2019 summit, which PM Modi attended in person, the Indian leader took a veiled swipe at Pakistan, stating that countries sponsoring, aiding and funding terrorism must be held accountable. No meeting took place at the time between Modi and then Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, with the leaders only exchanging pleasantries.New Delhi has repeatedly accused Islamabad of abetting terrorist activity against Indian interests, which prevents the two sides from maintaining a bilateral dialogue. The last leadership dialogue between India and Pakistan took place in 2015, when Prime Minister Modi paid an unannounced visit to Lahore.However, talks between the two neighbors have stalled after a spate of terrorist attacks in subsequent years, including a deadly terror strike on an Indian paramilitary convoy in the Jammu and Kashmir region in February 2019. The attack was claimed by Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM)*, a terror group New Delhi insists is backed by Islamabad.Pakistan downgraded its commercial and diplomatic ties with New Delhi in August 2019, after the Indian parliament revoked the semi-autonomous status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated it into two federal territories.The Jammu and Kashmir region is disputed between India and Pakistan, both of which control parts of it.*A terrorist organization banned in Russia https://sputniknews.com/20220912/scos-global-role-becoming-more-significant-in-the-wake-of-ukraine-crisis-indian-ex-envoy-says-1100676493.html pakistan kashmir Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Dhairya Maheshwari Dhairya Maheshwari News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Dhairya Maheshwari pakistan, narendra modi, shehbaz sharif, terrorism, kashmir https://sputniknews.com/20220915/india-urges-canada-to-launch-inquiry-after-toronto-hindu-temple-vandalized-in-hate-crime-1100792719.html India Urges Canada to Launch Inquiry After Toronto Hindu Temple Vandalized in 'Hate Crime' India Urges Canada to Launch Inquiry After Toronto Hindu Temple Vandalized in 'Hate Crime' New Delhi has regularly raised concerns about the activities of Sikh separatists with the Canadian authorities. It believes Canada's small fringe group of... 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T08:20+0000 2022-09-15T08:20+0000 2022-09-15T08:20+0000 india sikh hinduism temple canada toronto indian foreign ministry hate crimes indians /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/0f/1100797733_0:75:800:525_1920x0_80_0_0_5b85407145b67037a50b1dd1ff860235.jpg India demanded swift action from Canadian authorities on Thursday against those involved in vandalizing a prominent Hindu temple in Toronto with anti-India graffiti. The daubs were said to have been the responsibility of "Canadian Khalistani extremists", in an apparent act of hate crime."We strongly condemn the defacing of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir [temple] in Toronto with anti-India graffiti. Have requested Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take prompt action on perpetrators," the Indian High Commission in Canada said on Thursday.Chandra Arya, a Canadian MP of Indian descent, reckoned that the incident in Toronto is not isolated as the country has witnessed a sharp rise in hate crimes since 2019.This is the second major act of vandalism in Toronto since July when unknown people attacked a statue of Indian freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi. Data compiled by national statistical office Statistics Canada suggests the country has witnessed a 72 percent jump in hate crimes targeting religion, sexual orientation, and race between 2019 and 2021.New Delhi believes that a small fringe group of pro-Khalistan elements in Canada is spreading anti-India feelings through their extremist statements and activities.The Indian government has been highly critical of any support for secessionist activities carried out by Sikh communities in the US, the UK, and Canada. A Sikh secessionist insurgency in India in the Nineties resulted in hundreds of deaths.Canada is home to 1.6Mln people of Indian origin. canada Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg sikh, hinduism, temple, canada, toronto, indian foreign ministry, hate crimes, indians Making friends can be scary, especially if youre one of the biggest scaredy-cats in the whole world. Sometimes it takes the help of some adorable, fluffy monsters to come out of your shell. Monsters Leonardo and Frankenthaler team up to do just that for their human friends, Sam and Kerry, in Manual Cinemas Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster, now playing at Chicago Childrens Theatre. The multimedia production, which makes its Chicago premiere after playing in New York City and Edinburgh, Scotland, blends puppetry, cinematic techniques and original music to tell this sweet, quirky story. If youve never been to a Manual Cinema show (this was my first), watching the puppeteers work is as fascinating as the polished final product on screen. The stage is packed with equipment and props including live feed cameras, overhead projectors, backlit screens and various puppets: 2D illustrated cutouts, shadow puppets and hand puppets. The puppeteers create a film in real-time by manipulating the puppets alongside actors in human roles in front of cameras that project onto a screen in one corner of the stage. Advertisement For those who grew up with Pixar movies, the shows theme of monster-human friendship will evoke fond memories of Monsters, Inc. However, Leonardo is based on the work of author and illustrator Mo Willems, known for beloved childrens books such as Dont Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The production is directed by Sarah Fornace, co-director of Manual Cinema, and is adapted by Fornace and Drew Dir. Sarah Fornace, Leah Casey and Anney Fresh in Manual Cinemas production of "Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About A Terrible Monster" at Chicago Children's Theatre. (Rebecca J. Michelson / HANDOUT) The story begins when Leonardo (Lindsey Noel Whiting), who has always struggled to scare any children, takes a close look in the mirror and admits that he is simply not good at being a monster. His horns are too small, his teeth decidedly non-fanglike and his fuzzy green hair too cute. Advertisement Leonardo embarks on a mission to find the worlds scarediest kid and scare the tuna salad out of them. First, he needs to do some research in the library, which he describes as a store where they give you knowledge for free. Cue an entire song devoted to the wonders of public libraries, to this bibliophiles delight. The score has a whimsical, electronica sound, with music and lyrics by Ben Kauffman and Kyle Vegter. Backed by synthesizers and percussion, Lily Emerson performs acoustic guitar and vocals onstage; she also narrates and voices the characters. The monster finds his new target when a search of the librarys Scaredy Cat Electronic Database reveals the highest-ranking kid to be a boy named Sam (Sarah Fornace and Julia Miller alternate the role). However, when he discovers Sam crying in bed, Leonardo decides to turn his energies toward being a wonderful friend instead of a scary monster. Eventually, the newfound friends come across a pair with the same story: an ever-anxious young human, Kerry (Leah Casey alternating with Shay Turnage), and a kindly monster, Frankenthaler (Emerson). When they realize the kids are more scared of each other than of the monsters, Leonardo and Frankenthaler conspire to help the two form their first human friendship. Leah Casey, Sarah Fornace, Lily Emerson and Anney Fresh in Manual Cinemas production of "Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About A Terrible Monster" at Chicago Children's Theatre. (Rebecca J. Michelson / HANDOUT) Heres where this story might choke up the adults in the room. Behind the humor of Sam and Kerrys over-the-top reactions to the smallest things, its clear they are deeply anxious, lonely children. When they first meet their respective monsters, Sam and Kerry each enumerate their many grievances in their own version of a song called Why Am I Crying? While Emerson performs these songs in a cutesy, pouty tone with the nasal inflection of a stuffed-up kid, the lyrics go to some pretty dark places. For example, Kerry recalls hiding in her schools bathroom and missing snack time after classmates mocked her outfit. Considering how the mental health struggles of children have been exacerbated by the pandemic, its especially poignant when Sam and Kerry bond with each other. The beauty of the story is that these two misfits find friendship without having to change who they are and without being shamed for their anxieties. As one lyric puts it, It can be scary to make a friend, but if you try, you might just find youre scared of similar things. This message of friendship and acceptance comes at the perfect time for young people as they navigate the social complexities of a new school year. At the performance I attended, the house was packed despite heavy rainfall and flooding that morning, and Manual Cinemas captivating visual style and kid-friendly score kept the youngsters engaged throughout. A promising start for a show that tackles important and serious themes with humor, whimsy and some darn cute puppets. Review: Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster (3.5 stars) When: Through Oct. 16 Where: Chicago Childrens Theatre, 100 S. Racine Avenue Advertisement Running time: 45 minutes Tickets: $25-$36 at chicagochildrenstheatre.org or 312-374-8835 https://sputniknews.com/20220915/japanese-opposition-planning-to-boycott-abes-state-funeral-reports-say-1100795573.html Japanese Opposition Planning to Boycott Abe's State Funeral, Reports Say Japanese Opposition Planning to Boycott Abe's State Funeral, Reports Say TOKYO (Sputnik) - The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan has made a decision to join the opposition parties that will not attend the state funeral... 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T07:14+0000 2022-09-15T07:14+0000 2022-09-15T07:14+0000 world japan shinzo abe /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/07/0c/1097215876_0:113:3071:1840_1920x0_80_0_0_9068d5eaa2b24f8a3bfa9ace0e0a9234.jpg "The state funeral ceremony is imposed by the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers. Naturally, this causes rejection and doubts for many people," the head of the party, Kenta Izumi, was quoted as saying by the news agency.Japan's Communist Party, the left-wing party Reiwa Shinsengumi and the Democratic Party have also announced earlier that they would boycott Abe's state funeral.The opposition parties in Japan sharply criticize the decision of the current government to hold a state funeral ceremony for Abe, the costs of which will be fully covered from the state budget, without proper discussions in parliament. The decision on the state funeral was made by the Cabinet of Ministers. This decision is also not supported by more than half of the Japanese.The ceremony will take place in Tokyo on September 27.Abe was attacked on July 8 in the Japanese city of Nara during a campaign speech. His killer, Tetsuya Yamagami, approached the politician from behind and fired two shots from a distance of about 10 meters (33 feet). Police said Abe was conscious immediately after being wounded, but then, during transportation to a hospital, his condition became critical with cardiac and pulmonary arrest. Later in the day, the Nara Medical University hospital pronounced him dead. Abe was 67. His funeral and cremation took place on July 12.Abe's state funeral will be the second state funeral held in Japan for a former prime minister since World War II. The first one was held in 1967 for Shigeru Yoshida. Over 6,000 Japanese and foreign officials are expected to attend Abe's funeral. japan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International japan, shinzo abe https://sputniknews.com/20220915/kiev-utilizing-strategy-wargamed-by-pentagon-in-southern-ukraine-security-analyst-tells-sputnik-1100820817.html Kiev Utilizing Strategy Wargamed by Pentagon in Southern Ukraine, Security Analyst Tells Sputnik Kiev Utilizing Strategy Wargamed by Pentagon in Southern Ukraine, Security Analyst Tells Sputnik Amid its ongoing special military operation in Ukraine, Russias Defense Ministry stated on September 9 that a decision was made to regroup some of its... 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T14:24+0000 2022-09-15T14:24+0000 2022-09-16T12:03+0000 ukraine crisis russia nato pentagon opinion /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/08/13/1099753413_0:4:1019:577_1920x0_80_0_0_308655d93b97cf504a1c2df745640397.jpg Kiev has acknowledged that trying to send troops directly into the face of the main Russian military force, grinding its way through extensive fortifications in Donbass, is not a winning card, international affairs and security analyst Mark Sleboda has told Radio Sputnik.Accordingly, the Ukrainian authorities are now utilizing a plan "wargamed" by the Pentagon, as reported openly by CNN and other media outlets, of using its manpower advantage. The US plan stipulates that Ukrainians attack multiple areas in quick succession or simultaneously with large numbers of rapidly-moving mechanized infantry and mass human wave attacks, according to Sleboda. Kiev currently has a 600,000-strong army, Sleboda believes, which leaves it with more than a 3-1 advantage in sheer manpower over what Russia has in the field. Kiev has massively mobilized forces in recent months, calling up a lot of volunteers, besides starting forced conscription, thus putting hundreds of thousands of people into military service. To enforce it, borders have been closed for any male between the ages of 16 and 60, Sleboda emphasized. Meanwhile, Russia has limited its special military operation to intervene in the ongoing civil conflict in Ukraine to just 150,000 of its one million active-duty troops and two million reserves.This is buttressed by around 40,000 to 50,000 from Donbass and elsewhere fighting to overthrow the West-backed regime in Kiev, the expert adds. This US strategy requires the Kiev regime to accept losing large numbers of troops to Russian fire from artillery and rocket systems as cannon fodder something it is perfectly willing to do, Sleboda claimed. However, in Kherson, this did not work, as Russia had concentrated a significant force there along with heavy artillery and aviation. Costs of Strategy The cost of this all is to the people of eastern Ukraine, Mark Sleboda emphasized, as the Kiev regime has announced that its neo-Nazi battalions are going to cleanse all traitors and collaborators, as they call it. According to new laws introduced by the Kiev regime, anyone who accepts humanitarian aid from Russia or has a Russian passport is branded a "collaborator." Such people possibly face up to 15 years in prison. However, the analyst voices the fear that these people will most likely end up being shot in the back by the Kraken, Azov*, and other neo-Nazi formations funded by the Kiev regime. Going back to the recent regrouping tactics by Russia, Mark Sleboda says that Moscows strategy was to save their forces for a possibly looming more important battle, allowing it to sustain very light casualties throughout the maneuvers. As to why the special operation in Ukraine was limited by the Kremlin to just 10 percent of the Russian force, it could be taken as a political signal to NATO, the analyst tells Sputnik. Possibly, the intention was to clarify from the outset the limited scope of the special operation and its clearly-defined goals. It could also have been an attempt to prevent a direct incursion of the alliance into the territory of western Ukraine, Mark Sleboda concludes.*The Azov battalion is a terrorist group banned in Russia. https://sputniknews.com/20220913/media-coverage-of-russias-regrouping-in-ukraine-and-the-release-of-leonard-peltier--1100697665.html https://sputniknews.com/20220915/only-neutral-status-will-provide-real-security-guarantees-to-ukraine-moscow-says-1100802758.html https://sputniknews.com/20220905/putin-kievs-neo-nazi-regime-responsible-for-donbass-tragedy-1100387293.html russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko ukraine crisis, russia, nato, pentagon, opinion One Dead, Two Injured in Russia's Belgorod Region After Ukrainian Shelling - Governor MOSCOW/BELGOROD (Sputnik) - Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Friday that two civilians sustained injuries and one died after Ukrainian troops shelled the town of Valuyki in Russia's Belgorod region. "The Ukrainian Armed Forces shelled Valuyki. Air defense systems are activated, but there is destruction on the ground. A substation was damaged. and the city's power supply was disrupted. Eight detached houses on Shkolnaya Streets and three cars were engulfed by fire. According to preliminary information, one civilian was killed. Medical assistance is being provided to two injured people at the site," Gladkov said on Telegram. The governor added that social facilities are being connected to backup power sources. The press office of the Belgorodenergo regional energy supplier told Sputnik on Friday that the power supply in Valuyki and the neighboring villages was disrupted after the shelling of the substation, adding that the company personnel at the substation was not injured. The company added that engineers are rerouting power supply to backup sources, with socially critical facilities being connected to backup power grids first and foremost. https://sputniknews.com/20220915/london-playing-geopolitical-card-by-not-inviting-russian-delegation-to-queens-funeral---moscow-1100825866.html London Playing Geopolitical Card by Not Inviting Russian Delegation to Queens Funeral - Moscow London Playing Geopolitical Card by Not Inviting Russian Delegation to Queens Funeral - Moscow MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The UK Foreign Office has informed the Russian embassy in London of its decision to not invite Russian officials to the Queen Elizabeths... 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T17:21+0000 2022-09-15T17:21+0000 2022-09-15T17:22+0000 world uk russia queen elizabeth ii /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/0e/1100774885_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_97f2a37cbe99abc03accfcc2aa4c392e.jpg "The UK Foreign Office informed the Russian embassy in London of the decision to refrain from sending the Russian side, incl. leadership of the Russian embassy, invitations to mourning events in connection with the death of Queen Elizabeth II," Zakharova said in a statement.The spokeswoman added that Russia considers this decision an attempt to "use the national tragedy" for geopolitical purposes."For our part, we express our deep condolences to the British people in connection with the great loss that they faced," Zakharova added.Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96 on September 8. Britain is currently observing 10 days of national mourning for the late monarch before she will be buried on Monday, September 19. https://sputniknews.com/20220914/queens-final-journey-state-funeral-of-longest-serving-british-monarch-1100755386.html russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International uk, russia, queen elizabeth ii https://sputniknews.com/20220915/macron-calls-uk-king-charles-iii-expresses-intention-to-strengthen-ties-1100811978.html Macron Calls UK King Charles III, Expresses Intention to Strengthen Ties Macron Calls UK King Charles III, Expresses Intention to Strengthen Ties PARIS (Sputnik) - French President Emmanuel Macron held a telephone conversation with UK King Charles III and confirmed his intention to further strengthen... 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T11:37+0000 2022-09-15T11:37+0000 2022-09-15T11:37+0000 world emmanuel macron king charles iii /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/04/08/1094589246_0:0:3172:1785_1920x0_80_0_0_5d3a9d009dc4967807c6694d6bb4b558.jpg "In a telephone conversation with King Charles III, I expressed my condolences over the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The bond between the UK and France is unwavering. We will continue to strengthen it," Macron said on Twitter.The president added that he will arrive in London on Monday to attend the queens funeral.The public farewell ceremony began on Wednesday at Westminster Abbey and will run through Monday. The late monarch's funeral will take place at 11 a.m. local time (10:00 GMT) on September 19.Almost 500 officials from different countries will attend the ceremony, including US President Joe Biden, Spanish King Felipe VI and his wife, Queen Letizia, among others.Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, at the age of 96, at Balmoral Castle in Scotland surrounded by her family, after over 70 years on the British throne. Her eldest son, Charles III, became the new king of the United Kingdom immediately after her death, but the official ceremony took place on September 10. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International emmanuel macron, king charles iii https://sputniknews.com/20220915/more-than-half-of-us-student-loan-borrowers-cannot-afford-resuming-payments-poll-suggests-1100818240.html More Than Half of US Student Loan Borrowers Cannot Afford Resuming Payments, Poll Suggests More Than Half of US Student Loan Borrowers Cannot Afford Resuming Payments, Poll Suggests WASHINGTON (Sputnik) More than half of US student loan borrowers say they will not be able to afford their loan payments when the current moratorium expires... 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T13:15+0000 2022-09-15T13:15+0000 2022-09-15T13:15+0000 americas us student loans /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/0f/1100817968_0:320:3072:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_b7b1769bdebf94a24e8871b29283d929.jpg Fifty-eight percent of respondents reported that they would either "probably not" or "definitely not" be able to afford their payments. Women (66%) and adults in households earning less than $50,000 per year (68%) were more likely to be unable to make their payments.The average borrower has about $29,000 in student loan debt. Of those who owe $25,000 or less, 54% said that paying their loans was unaffordable.The survey was conducted on August 27-28 among 715 US adults with student loans.The White House announced last month that student loan payments will resume next year and at least $10,000 of student loan debt will be canceled for each eligible borrower. In March 2020, amid the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education granted forbearance to holders of federal student loans, with an estimated 60% of all borrowers taking advantage of the program. americas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us, student loans https://sputniknews.com/20220915/mysterious-ancient-city-in-pakistan-under-threat-as-archaeologists-call-for-urgent-action-1100827669.html Mysterious, Ancient City in Pakistan Under Threat as Archaeologists Call for Urgent Action Mysterious, Ancient City in Pakistan Under Threat as Archaeologists Call for Urgent Action The 4,500-year-old city of Mohenjo Daro, which has awed the historians for decades, is now in grave danger due to the heavy monsoon rains and floods. Will... 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T18:06+0000 2022-09-15T18:06+0000 2022-09-15T18:07+0000 world pakistan asia floods unesco /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/0f/1100826356_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_dff83a7516d28c5df9eaeb703b1b3bb6.jpg The ancient city of Mohenjo Daro, the best preserved city from the Bronze Age, is located in Pakistan's southern Sindh province. It was a part of Indus Valley Civilization which existed in South Asia during 7000 BC - 3200 BC.According to a research paper, The Chronology of Indus Valley Civilization, it was one of the world's oldest urban civilizations situated in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent, and consisting of what is now present-day Pakistan and northwest India.The civilization spread across the Indus River basin from east to west, north and south over 500,000 square miles, making it the largest known ancient civilization!It is believed to have had a population of some five million people. One of the most famous and well-preserved cities of this civilization is Mohenjo Daro. The inhabitants of this city were skilled urban planners and traders, as the discoveries made within the city suggests.They also had a knack for controlling the water of river Indus, and they built wells and a proper drainage system with bathing areas and flushing toilets.The civilians are believed to have been quite wealthy, as is evident in discovered artifacts such as ivory, lapis, carnelian, and gold beads.Then suddenly the city disappeared. What happened to Mohenjo Daro and its inhabitants? Did they die of some mysterious illness or a cataclysmic event? Or did they relocate in haste, leaving all this evidence behind?Archaeologists indicate that there are no skeletal remains to suggest that tens of thousands of people died at once. There are multiple theories as to what could have happened, but so far nobody has been able to answer these puzzling questions.Mohenjo Daro means "Mound of the Dead" in Sindhi language. The city's original name is unknown, but analysis of the city's seal suggests a possible ancient Dravidian name, Kukkutarma, as stated by the research paper, The Chronology of Indus Valley Civilization.The Modern City of Mohenjo DaroIn school books across Pakistan, children are taught about Mohenjo Daro and its importance to South Asia's history. However, it was not until 1922 that the city was re-discovered and excavated by the British and Indian archaeologists.For more than 3000 years Mohenjo Daro was just abondened ruins in southeastern Pakistan and people didn't know of its historical importance. However, its excavation showed the world that it was quite a huge and technologically-complex city.For starters, "the layout of the city itself along with its public structures indicate that the Indus Valley Civilization was hugely ahead of its contemporaries (the ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians, to name a couple) in terms of urban planning and sanitation," according to Sporcle blog.It covered over 600 acres and was planned entirely in a grid format, which makes it one of the earliest examples of urban planning and development. The city had many small houses, but it contained a large residential building that, according to archaeologists, could have accomodated over 5,000 people at once.While many other cities in other parts of the world were protected by a large wall, Mohenjo Daro was surrounded by a cluster of tall guard towers at its borders.It is however, the city's sanitation system that has truly awed archaeologists.According to the blog, the city had more than 400 public wells and the houses contained private wells too. In these houses and public buildings there were flushing toilets and even public baths that were available for people's use.Larger houses, which possibly belonged to merchants and traders, had private baths and it is worth noting that all of this was way before Roman baths were invented!The city had a rich and diverse culture as shown by the cultural artifacts that were found during excavation. Unique sculptures, seals, pottery, gold jewelry, terracotta figures, and different interesting works of art, show that they had an inventive and creative mindset. Their art was said to be extremely realistic and was made with anatomical details, as can be seen in their models of animal figures.Archaeological excavations further showed that the city had a proper writing system, urban centers, and diversified social and economic systems. At its height of development, Mohenjo Daro could have been home to around 35,000 residents.What Caused Its Downfall?Although that is one theory, there are some reports that suggest that immigration by new and hostile civilizations such as Aryans, deforestation, floods, or changes in the course of the river Indus may have contributed to the collapse of the Indus Valley Civilization.In conversation with Sputnik, urban planner and architect, A.Khalid, shared his theory as to what could have happened to the great city of Mohenjo Daro.Following last month's floods, Pakistan is currently one-third under water. Millions of people have been displaced from their homes and more than 1,300 people have died. The extensive damage is seen in the heritage sites across the country too. The ruins of Mohenjo Daro have been affected as well.With the rising unprecedented nature of climate change-related disasters across the world, it has become crucial to protect these heritage sites before their history is lost forever.Role of UNESCO in Protection of Mohenjo DaroMohenjo Daro is a UNESCO heritage site, which means there are set guidelines and protocols in place to preserve and protect the fragile area. These are particularly important in times of war and calamity.Presently, UNESCO has announced $150,000 to aid in recovery and prevention measures at Mohenjo Daro and Thatta world heritage sites, including long-term mitigation of the impact of natural disasters. Further $200,000 will be provided to cultural heritage elements at risk in the province of Balochistan, in the mountaineous city of Swat and southern Larkana districts.During his two-day trip last week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres paid a visit to Mohenjo Daro together with Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. This was the first-ever visit to the ancient site by a secretary general of the United Nations.The delegation saw how rain and flood waters seeping into the ground are tilting the walls of the Mohejo Daro's prehistoric houses, and this alarming development, according to archaeologists, could potentially lead to walls crumbling and collapsing.He said that due to limited resources giving to the provincial governments, it is tough to protect the site from the effects of climate change.According to the newspaper, since August 27, construction workers under the supervision of archaeologists have been working at the site, trying to preserve the original structure from further damage.How Long Will It Stand?Although over the last decade many institutions have donated money to help preserve the site, unfortunately it has deteriorated greatly since its excavation.The ruins of Mohenjo Daro are completely unprotected, meaning that anyone can access it.Back in 2014, one of the largest political parties, Pakistan Peoples Party, who Bilawal Bhutto represents, organized a large festival at the historic site, despite being warned that it would gravely affect and possibly ruin the excavation site.The Sindh Cultural Festival had a stage set up with lights installed, not to mention some 500 guests and an equal number of policemen for their security. All this was taking place on top of the fragile ruins of the great ancient city!It is not surprising then, that preservation and protection of this area is not being taken seriously and if this continues, Mohenjo Daro could potentially lose its UNESCO status, which will have a detrimental effect on its future.The views expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik. https://sputniknews.com/20200905/scientist-reveals-possible-reason-behind-mysterious-fall-of-indus-valley-civilisation-1080372925.html pakistan asia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Aneela Rashid https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/0e/1100768477_0:338:606:944_100x100_80_0_0_af078d1bbaf1e33c21f16169e9ed7a5f.jpg Aneela Rashid https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/0e/1100768477_0:338:606:944_100x100_80_0_0_af078d1bbaf1e33c21f16169e9ed7a5f.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Aneela Rashid https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/0e/1100768477_0:338:606:944_100x100_80_0_0_af078d1bbaf1e33c21f16169e9ed7a5f.jpg pakistan, asia, floods, unesco https://sputniknews.com/20220915/netizens-unamused-as-food-banks-in-uk-to-close-their-doors-during-queen-elizabeths-funeral-1100807820.html Netizens Unamused as Food Banks in UK to Close Their Doors During Queen Elizabeth's Funeral Netizens Unamused as Food Banks in UK to Close Their Doors During Queen Elizabeth's Funeral The day of the monarchs funeral has been made an official bank holiday in the UK, resulting in the cancellation of numerous hospital appointments, funerals... 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T11:22+0000 2022-09-15T11:22+0000 2022-09-15T11:22+0000 world queen elizabeth ii funeral food banks closure reaction /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105412/29/1054122949_171:0:2646:1392_1920x0_80_0_0_ca9c6aeefb343694a357d0f19e6fe9c7.jpg With the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II being scheduled to take place on 19 September, several food banks in the United Kingdom have announced that they wont be operating on the day the British monarch is laid to rest.According to The Independent, on Tuesday the Stoke-on-Trent food bank declared that three of its distribution centers will be closed, with food banks in East Elmbridge, East Grinstead, Grantham, Ringwood, and South Sefton following suit.The development comes as the UK government has declared the day of the funeral an official bank holiday, with numerous hospital appointments, funerals, and theater performances being cancelled, and museums and supermarkets closing, the newspaper notes.This situation apparently does not sit well with quite a few people, who voiced their concerns on social media.Why are food banks being closed in the UK in honour of the Queen's funeral? one netizen wondered. Surely the Royal family, and the new King, believe that vulnerable families, and the homeless need that vital support?When someone dies its a strange feeling that the world keeps moving around you, yet when the queen dies the uk gov (sic!) expect the world to stop? Theyre closing food banks out of respect to her. Theyre starving people out of respect. We are literally in the Middle Ages, mused yet another social media user.The newspaper points out, however, that a spokesperson for the Trussel Trust a non-profit supporting a network of food banks in the United Kingdom said that most of the food banks are independent and were given an option to either stay open or closed on the funeral day.Britains Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8 at the age of 96, having ruled the country for more than 70 years. https://sputniknews.com/20220915/labour-mps-warned-against-speaking-about-cost-of-living-crisis-during-mourning-for-queen-1100793417.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Andrei Dergalin Andrei Dergalin News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Andrei Dergalin queen elizabeth ii, funeral, food banks, closure, reaction https://sputniknews.com/20220915/norway-greenlights-testing-of-controversial-surveillance-system-despite-backlash-1100794155.html Norway Greenlights Testing of Controversial Surveillance System Despite Backlash Norway Greenlights Testing of Controversial Surveillance System Despite Backlash Using the system for facilitated collection of data would incur changes in the Intelligence Act, which was heavily criticized by the Police Security Service... 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T05:46+0000 2022-09-15T05:46+0000 2022-09-15T07:45+0000 military norway surveillance spying digital privacy /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/104085/23/1040852335_0:0:1280:721_1920x0_80_0_0_df176451b0ee4b668db603908060d424.png The Norwegian government has allowed the country's Intelligence Service (E-Tjenesten) to test a surveillance system that can capture large amounts of information about Norwegian citizens.The Intelligence Service is meant to monitor threats against Norway from abroad. It is not allowed to monitor Norwegian citizens within the country's borders. However, the new system will make it possible to capture large amounts of data about Norwegian citizens as well, national broadcaster NRK reported.Earlier this summer, the nation's Defense Ministry sent out a proposal for changes to the new Intelligence Act which features what has been referred to as facilitated collection and would allow the Intelligence Service to collect and store mass data communications. The law has not yet been introduced because, among other things, there are concerns it may violate Norway's human rights obligations.However, the government has already allowed the Intelligence Service to start developing and testing the system. Norway's Defense Minister Bjrn Arild Gram of the Center Party defended the system by pointing out how parlous security is at present.Today's serious security policy situation indicates that the need for organized collection is greater than ever, Gram said, as quoted by NRK.The use of the surveillance system has been met with opposition from Norway's academia. The Technical and Natural Sciences Association (Tekna), Norway's largest association of academics with 97,000 members, voiced its criticism and vice-president Elisabet Haugsb warned of unfortunate consequences for the Norwegian population.According to Tekna, greenlighting the system before planned consultations have been finished, or placing the entire legislation in place, undermines due process. Haugsb stressed that the system can potentially contribute to mass surveillance of Norwegian citizens and reacted strongly to the fact that professional communities which ask critical questions are being ignored.Previously, the new Intelligence Act received a lot of criticism from, among others, the Police Security Service (PST), the Attorney General and the Norwegian Editors' Association. The Norwegian Data Protection Authority went so far as to suggest that it violated the Constitution.The Defense Ministry cited an instruction that stipulates that the data gathered cannot be used for intelligence analysis, but only for test and development purposes and stressed that facilitated collection will help ward off the most advanced threats against Norway in the digital space. https://sputniknews.com/20220502/norwegian-company-to-launch-surveillance-satellites-to-keep-an-eye-on-northern-seas-1095194647.html norway Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Igor Kuznetsov Igor Kuznetsov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Igor Kuznetsov norway, surveillance, spying, digital privacy https://sputniknews.com/20220915/nur-sultan-residents-back-reverting-of-kazakhstan-capitals-name-to-astana-1100795445.html Nur-Sultan Residents Back Reverting of Kazakhstan Capital's Name to Astana Nur-Sultan Residents Back Reverting of Kazakhstan Capital's Name to Astana NUR-SULTAN (Sputnik) - Residents of Kazakhstan's capital city, Nur-Sultan, supported the idea of renaming it back to Astana during public hearings, the local... 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T07:12+0000 2022-09-15T07:12+0000 2022-09-15T07:25+0000 world kazakhstan astana /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105107/68/1051076831_0:236:5100:3105_1920x0_80_0_0_3774999548193020e9fca214df495927.jpg Astana was renamed into Nur-Sultan in March 2019 to honor Kazakhstan's first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, who was finishing his almost 30-year tenure at the time. The initiative was put forth by his successor, incumbent President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and enshrined into the constitution by the parliament the same day.On Tuesday, the city's maslihat appealed to citizens with a proposal to express their opinions on the idea of renaming the capital. Public hearings on this issue were held in an online format among residents of the city and representatives of the public.According to the local representative authority, the costs of renaming the city will be significantly less than three years ago when Astana became Nur-Sultan.Later in the day, Kanalimov announced that members of the Nur-Sultan maslihat have voted to return the previous name of the Kazakhstan's capital.On September 2, Kazakh lawmakers proposed returning the name Astana to the capital of the country. This proposal, alongside with the initiative to introduce a single seven-year presidential mandate, is included in the draft amendments to the constitution. The Constitutional Council announced on Wednesday that it had considered the bill and recognized it as conforming to the constitution. kazakhstan astana Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International kazakhstan, astana By J. Keeler Johnson ("Keelerman") Twitter: @J_Keelerman How time flies! It's hard to believe, but the 2022-23 Road to the Kentucky Derby is about to begin. The first official stop on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail is Saturday's $300,000 Iroquois S. (G3) on opening day of the Churchill Downs September meet. Inaugurated 1982, the Iroquois has yet to produce a Kentucky Derby winner, but the 1 1/16-mile prize has churned out nine Derby starters since 2010, including 2017 Derby runner-up Lookin At Lee. It won't be a shock if the 2022 Iroquois produces a Derby starter or two. The nine-horse field is packed with promising names, including the undefeated #3 Damon's Mound. If accomplishments were the only criterion for determining betting favoritism, Damon's Mound would be an odds-on choice to win the Iroquois. After all, his form lines are impressive. Did you see Damon's Mound's debut at Churchill Downs, when he smashed a six-furlong maiden special weight by 12 1/2 lengths? Or his 3 1/4-length romp in the Saratoga Special S. (G2) traveling 6 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga? You might be thinking, "Damon's Mound probably beat easy competition," but that isn't the case. He defeated 10 rivals in his maiden score, a performance flattered when third-place finisher #8 Confidence Game came back to trounce an identical maiden sprint at Churchill by five lengths. And in the Saratoga Special, Damon's Mound got the better of Gulfport and Super Chow. The former entered off a 12 1/4-length victory in the Bashford Manor S. and later ran second in the Hopeful S. (G1), while the latter came back to win an allowance optional claimer at Pimlico. Damon's Mound is a serious contender to win the Iroquois, but you know what? It's possible he won't start as the favorite, because #9 Echo Again might be even more talented. Certainly Beyer and Brisnet speed figures suggest Echo Again is the horse to beat in the Iroquois. When Echo Again debuted in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Saratoga last month, he led all the way to trounce his pursuers by 6 3/4 lengths in the excellent time of 1:15.89. That final clocking produced a 99 Brisnet Speed rating (the highest in the Iroquois field by six points) and a 94 Beyer (the highest in the Iroquois field by eight points). From a pedigree perspective, Echo Again is cut out to be something special. He's a son of 2017 Horse of the Year and red-hot young sire Gun Runner out of a mare by three-time leading North American sire Tapit. Gun Runner's first crop of foals has produced champion Echo Zulu, Preakness S. (G1) winner Early Voting, and Grade 1 winners Cyberknife, Taiba, and Gunite, while Tapit's numerous top-level winners include Belmont S. (G1) heroes Tonalist, Creator, Tapwrit, and Essential Quality. Clearly there's an abundance of stamina in Echo Again's pedigree, so stretching out over 1 1/16 miles for the Iroquois should only help his chances. With hot jockey Joel Rosario in the saddle for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, Echo Again looks ready to make his second start a winning one. #6 Jace's Road is another Iroquois entrant with talent and potential. The son of four-time Grade 1 winner Quality Road made a nice impression in his debut sprinting six furlongs at Ellis Park, casually tracking the early pace before surging clear to win by 6 1/4 lengths. This $510,000 yearling acquisition is conditioned by two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox, and since Cox trainees often improve second-time out, Jace's Road is eligible to fire a big shot in his stakes and route debut. If you want to throw a longshot into the mix for exotic wagers, #7 Honed might be worth a try. The Kenny McPeek trainee didn't run especially fast in his July 10 debut racing one mile at Ellis Park, but he showed some determination to rally and win by a head. McPeek strikes at only a 9% rate with first-time starters, but his success rate with last-out maiden winners jumps to 19%, so Honed figures to move forward off his debut. It's worth noting the third-place finisher from Honed's maiden victory came back to win his next start, quietly flattering Honed's performance. Selections 1st: Echo Again 2nd: Damon's Mound 3rd: Jace's Road 4th: Honed Now it's your turn! Who do you like in the Iroquois? ***** Want to test your handicapping skills against fellow Unlocking Winners readers? Check out the Unlocking Winners contests pagethere's a new challenge every week! (Please note: older contest entries can be found here.) J. Keeler Johnson (also known as "Keelerman") is a writer, videographer, voice actor, handicapper, and all-around horse racing enthusiast. A great fan of racing history, he considers Dr. Fager to be the greatest racehorse ever produced in America, but counts Zenyatta as his all-time favorite. Molly Kearney joins the cast of Saturday Night Live for their first season. Kearney spent a number of years in Chicago as a standup. (Mary Ellen Matthews / HANDOUT) Ahead of the Saturday Night Live Season 48 premiere on Oct. 1, the late-night sketch show has announced new cast members, including one-time Chicago standup Molly Kearney. The other additions include Marcello Hernandez (who is originally from Miami), Michael Longfellow (who is originally from Phoenix) and Devon Walker (who is originally from Austin). Advertisement Kearney (who uses they/them pronouns) has appeared on screen in Amazons A League of Their Own and the Disney+ series The Mighty Ducks. A Cleveland native, Kearney has most recently been based in Los Angeles. But during their time in Chicago, they were a frequent presence at the indie standup showcase known as Lincoln Lodge on the citys Northwest Side. They were also a producer for The Blackout Diaries, a comedy show where standup comedians, plus regular people (cops, firefighters, teachers, etc.) tell hilarious drinking stories. Advertisement In 2019, Tribune comedy writer Zach Freeman talked to Kearney about their participation in a live performance series called Dont Tell Comedy, described as a secret comedy show that takes place in unique and intimate settings. Kearney told the Tribune if was one of their favorite shows: Whenever I get asked to do this Im like, Hell, yeah! You know its gonna be sold out. You know its gonna be a diverse crowd. And you know youre gonna walk away feeling good about your set. Molly Kearney entertains the audience during a Don't Tell Comedy showcase in 2019. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) That same year, Kearney was also selected for Comedy Centrals Up Next showcase. Performers from Chicago have long been a part of SNLs past and present. But in recent years, fewer of those names are coming from the two usual feeders: Second City and iO Theater, which both went through significant ownership changes early in the pandemic. The new SNL season will be missing some familiar faces, so much so that executive producer Lorne Michael has described it as a transition year. Among those not returning: Aidy Bryant (who got her start in Chicago), Kate McKinnon, Pete Davidson, Kyle Mooney, Melissa Villasenor, Alex Moffat and Aristotle Athari. Thats seven performers in total, one of the largest number of departures in recent memory. Michael told People magazine that some of those cast members actually might have left earlier, but there was no place to go during the first year or so of the pandemic. Nina Metz is a Tribune critic nmetz@chicagotribune.com Advertisement What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. Sign up for our Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter here. https://sputniknews.com/20220915/pakistans-governing-party-claims-imran-khan-was-sent-by-hostile-forces-to-destroy-country-1100816552.html Pakistan's Governing Party Claims Imran Khan Was Sent by 'Hostile Forces' to Destroy Country Pakistan's Governing Party Claims Imran Khan Was Sent by 'Hostile Forces' to Destroy Country Imran Khan has labeled the incumbent government as "imported," as the PTI chairman accuses Washington of imposing it on Pakistan by hatching a conspiracy... 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T14:39+0000 2022-09-15T14:39+0000 2022-09-15T14:39+0000 world imran khan pakistan pakistan muslim league-nawaz nawaz sharif shehbaz sharif election us religion /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/08/18/1099935587_0:0:3075:1730_1920x0_80_0_0_f1856de2543148867ed4b0755c4d82d3.jpg Pakistan Muslim League (N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz has accused former Prime Minister Imran Khan of using religion for personal political gain and "perverting religious beliefs and interpretations."Maryam labeled the former prime minister as "mentally unsound" over his remarks against female Judge Zeba Chaudhry, who sent PTI politician Shehbaz Gill into police custody last month in a sedition case.At a mass rally on August 20, Khan allegedly threatened the magistrate with severe consequences over her judgment. On Thursday, Gill secured bail from the Islamabad High Court in the sedition case filed against him by the police."I think all institutions, whether the judiciary or army or politicians or government, should acknowledge he is a fitna (chaotic miscreant) who was launched for destruction and from whom no one is safe," she said.The PML-N leader then urged the judiciary to reconsider the opportunity it is providing for the "chaotic miscreant" after Khan was granted bail until September 20 in a terror case, one of many charges brought by the police over his remarks at the August 20 rally.Imran Khan was ousted from power through a parliamentary vote of no-confidence in April, which he insists was the result of a conspiracy hatched by Washington in collusion with local Pakistani parties. pakistan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg imran khan, pakistan, pakistan muslim league-nawaz, nawaz sharif, shehbaz sharif, election, us, religion https://sputniknews.com/20220915/regional-security--trade-perspectives-expert-explains-what-attracts-new-members-to-sco-1100812374.html Regional Security & Trade Perspectives: Expert Explains What Attracts New Members to SCO Regional Security & Trade Perspectives: Expert Explains What Attracts New Members to SCO The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit has started in Uzbekistan's Samarkand to welcome the heads of state from Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan... 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T13:45+0000 2022-09-15T13:45+0000 2022-09-15T13:59+0000 sco summit in samarkand interview china russia uzbekistan /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/0f/1100808734_0:189:3305:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_4257984000c14627f136d139d43fd012.jpg In an interview with Sputnik, Muzaffar Djalalov, acting rector at INHA University in Tashkent, reflected on the role the SCO has played in regional stability in recent years and explained why more states are hoping to join the organization.Sputnik: The SCO summit has begun here in Samarkand, but there have been many events and many meetings on the sidelines. What are your impressions?Muzaffar Djalalov: Yes, this event is very special, considering that it's the first gathering after the pandemic. We can say that it's the first post-pandemic high-level gathering [of SCO leaders] and we can see that the leaders are very interested and very open. Though there might be some conflicts between the countries when it comes to their interests, policies, boundary issues, etc., we can say that the fact that they haven't cancelled their trip means a lot.I think it's sending a signal that they are ready for open discussions and ready to negotiate. Second, we can see that Samarkand has changed a lot in the last decade, and it keeps its ancient, historical view, but at the same time, it's also very modern. Lots of guests are coming and they're pretty much satisfied.Sputnik: Uzbekistan is in the middle of the Silk Road, it has always been in this position, both geographically and in its influence on both East and West. Do you think there is a balance between these influences or is there a slide towards China, for example, at this moment?Muzaffar Djalalov: Big countries such as China or Russia, or India, have always been interested in central Asia, as well as these western countries. Central Asia has always been and will be in the center of politics as well as economic and regional developments. So I think China's role in central Asia is huge, starting from education, because there are lots of students receiving scholarships from the Chinese government. Second, in IT, China is helping tech companies to come into the central Asian market. Furthermore, there's artificial intelligence that is being integrated, and 5G is also being developed. We can say that all these technologies are provided mainly by Chinese companies. Whether you like it or not, it's a fact that China's presence is huge.Sputnik: The SCO is expanding, it's accepting new members. How big a role do you think Uzbekistan plays as host country? Muzaffar Djalalov: Our president has said that there are so many problems these days and we are on a stage where the world is changing. So we face being separated and dragged into other blocs. The most important thing is there are so many problems: the pandemic, for example, showed that healthcare is very important. Also countries can't solve these problem on their own. We have to join forces and then work together. We see that the UN is not doing its job properly and it's losing its relevance.Another point is that the SCO is a non-military bloc - it's mostly an economic bloc. Joining the SCO, new members, for instance Iran, will only open new doors for new markets. It's important to ensure regional safety, especially with neighboring Afghanistan, which is not an SCO member and [whose government] hasn't been recognized yet.Sputnik: Since you mentioned Afghanistan, what would it take for Kabul to be accepted in this club? Because we already see Uzbekistan talking about Afghanistan being a part of the bigger SCO environment. What would it take Afghanistan to be a member or partner in the future?Muzaffar Djalalov: This is not only a neighboring country for Uzbekistan, it's a brotherly country. We've been together for decades, our peoples have always communicated and traded. But as I said, the SCO hasn't recognized the new government in Afghanistan, that's why I think it will be a little bit challenging.However, a number of countries, including Uzbekistan, took part in a peace conference for Afghanistan held a couple of months ago in Tashkent. It showed that many countries were interested in peace in this region. I think that Afghanistan will joining us in the future. It will be a platform that will bring peace into this region. https://sputniknews.com/20220915/sco-should-be-strengthened-as-platform-for-constructive-interaction-putin-1100814494.html https://sputniknews.com/20220913/sco-to-discuss-security-issues-situation-in-afghanistan-at-samarkand-summit-kremlin-aide-says-1100735050.html china russia uzbekistan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Denis Bolotsky https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/06/0b/1083128270_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_8cd81dafcbaac1c176c25141f8af1d2a.jpg Denis Bolotsky https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/06/0b/1083128270_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_8cd81dafcbaac1c176c25141f8af1d2a.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Denis Bolotsky https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/06/0b/1083128270_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_8cd81dafcbaac1c176c25141f8af1d2a.jpg interview, china, russia, uzbekistan https://sputniknews.com/20220915/sco-summit-uzbekistan-could-be-a-mediator-in-international-arena-think-tank-expert-says-1100804604.html SCO Summit: Uzbekistan Could Be a Mediator in International Arena, Think-Tank Expert Says SCO Summit: Uzbekistan Could Be a Mediator in International Arena, Think-Tank Expert Says The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit kicked off in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on 15 September. The leaders present will exchange views on the... 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T13:25+0000 2022-09-15T13:25+0000 2022-09-16T11:19+0000 shanghai cooperation organisation (sco) summit sco summit in samarkand interview interviews /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/0f/1100804424_0:321:3071:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_f855c7ee0463ae76d785831609c9ebd1.jpg In an interview with Sputnik, Marat Aitov, who is head of the department of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, says that Uzbekistans open foreign policy contributed to the growth of the SCO, with new members such as Iran joining the organization during the Samarkand Summit.Sputnik: What is the importance of the SCO summit for Uzbekistan? Marat Aitov: Uzbekistan has chaired the organization over the past year and has hosted more than 80 events, the goal of which was to give a platform to members of the organization to exchange views on important issues relating to bilateral and multilateral cooperation.And moreover, for Uzbekistan, this is the biggest political event of the year. Some 15 leaders of the countries will attend this SCO summit, and at the outcome of the SCO summit, we're expecting to sign more than 30 different documents which will lay the foundation for future development of the SCO.Sputnik: Is this in some way a chance for Uzbekistan to express its foreign policy? And if so, what are the key issues in foreign policy that you would like to express via this summit? Marat Aitov: Definitely we view the SCO platform as a distinct reflection of Uzbekistan's foreign policy, not only in the Central Asia, but in the world, too. And we believe that features of Uzbekistan's foreign policy such as openness and proactive dialogue are essential to making the SCO attractive for the international community. As a result, we see that countries such as Iran are joining this organization. It's actually the second wave of SCO expansion which we are witnessing now.Sputnik: Uzbekistan has not supported the West's harsh rhetoric and anti-Russian sanctions over Ukraine. Is there a possibility that the country may be some kind of a conduit in talks between the East and the West in this situation? Marat Aitov: We expect at the summit that we could bring together the leaders of the world, who will exchange views on different issues. One thing I would like to emphasize is that before the summit China and India withdrew forces from their border regions. So this is already a sign of progress and an indication that Uzbekistan could be a mediator.Sputnik: You mentioned regional specifics, and we saw that Uzbekistan's president has mentioned that he would like to talk about the role of Afghanistan as part of the bigger SCO picture. How important is Afghanistan? And do other SCO members share Tashkent's vision on this issue? Marat Aitov: First of all, we view Afghanistan as an integral part of central Asia, and essential in linking south and central Asia, which will benefit not only those regions but also the Commonwealth of Independent States and even Europe. And in the SCO, there are a lot of countries which support the idea that Afghanistan should be included. Of course, a lot depends on how the process of legitimation of the Taliban government will go. But in my opinion, Afghanistan should be included in all the SCO ideas and SCO platforms because it's an integral part of the larger issue.Sputnik: There are many countries within the SCO which had some issues between themselves, such as Pakistan and India, and India and China. Should they be congratulated for coming together here in this bigger format?Marat Aitov: The mere fact that they will be joining this Samarkand summit already says a great deal for our diplomacy, in my opinion. And I would like to remind you about the spirit of the SCO, which is enshrined in its charter; the organization seeks to build ties based on mutual respect and trust. https://sputniknews.com/20220914/bill-on-irans-accession-to-sco-handed-over-to-parliament-1100779396.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Denis Bolotsky https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/06/0b/1083128270_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_8cd81dafcbaac1c176c25141f8af1d2a.jpg Denis Bolotsky https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/06/0b/1083128270_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_8cd81dafcbaac1c176c25141f8af1d2a.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Denis Bolotsky https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/06/0b/1083128270_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_8cd81dafcbaac1c176c25141f8af1d2a.jpg shanghai cooperation organisation (sco), summit, interview, interviews https://sputniknews.com/20220915/slovak-authorities-level-cemetery-containing-graves-of-russian-wwi-soldiers-with-bulldozer-1100824474.html Slovak Authorities Level Cemetery Containing Graves of Russian WWI Soldiers With Bulldozer Slovak Authorities Level Cemetery Containing Graves of Russian WWI Soldiers With Bulldozer The escalation of the Ukraine crisis has accelerated a decades-long push by authorities in some Eastern European countries to raze monuments and war memorials... 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T16:15+0000 2022-09-15T16:15+0000 2022-09-15T16:35+0000 world russian empire slovakia cemetery bulldozer /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/0f/1100824075_0:95:1558:971_1920x0_80_0_0_82c688666d13cd07bc79a923f8d09d19.png A cemetery in the village of Ladomirov, Slovakia containing the final resting places of Imperial Russian Army soldiers who died during the First World War has been leveled by a bulldozer, a spokesman for the Russian Embassy in Bratislava has told Sputnik.The gruesome discovery was made during a working trip by Ambassador Igor Bratchikov to eastern Slovakia on Tuesday. Locals told the diplomat that the cemetery had been "creatively altered" sometime in July at the direction of the villages mayor.The cemetery in Ladomirov was opened in September 2014 following costly restoration work sponsored by the Russian Embassy.A photo from 2014 shows concrete fencing and gravel work around the perimeter of the graves, but photos taken this year show these elements to no longer be present. Furthermore, the bronzed Russian Orthodox prayer booth building with a traditional onion-shaped dome appears to have had the bronze removed and painted black.The desecration of the cemetery is the latest instance of state-sponsored vandalism targeting war memorials dedicated to fallen Soviet and Russian soldiers. In recent months, authorities and activists in the Baltic countries, Poland, and other Eastern European nations have taken advantage of the escalating crisis in Ukraine to whip up anti-Russian sentiments and to topple, dismantle, or raze dozens of WWII monuments and memorials, accelerating efforts which began back in the early 1990s.In March, vandals splattered yellow and blue paint on the walls and staircases of a cemetery and memorial dedicated to fallen Soviet soldiers in Bratislava, sparking outrage from Ambassador Bratchikov.Over a million Red Army troops perished during the 1944-1945 operations to free Eastern Europe from fascism during World War II, nearly 140,000 of them in Czechoslovakia. More than 2.2 million troops of the Imperial Russian Army also perished in fighting against German, Austro-Hungarian, and Ottoman forces on the eastern and southern fronts of the First World War. The latter conflict ultimately led to the Russian Revolution, and resulted in the breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, giving Czechoslovakia its statehood. The country broke up into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1992. https://sputniknews.com/20220824/demolition-of-war-memorial-in-riga-leads-to-degradation-of-russia-latvia-ties---moscow-1099961808.html https://sputniknews.com/20220509/russian-envoy-to-poland-attacked-with-red-paint-at-wreath-laying-ceremony-in-warsaw-1095361987.html russian empire slovakia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov russian empire, slovakia, cemetery, bulldozer https://sputniknews.com/20220915/stoltenberg-urges-greece-turkey-to-avoid-conflict-using-nato-deconfliction-mechanism-1100825255.html Stoltenberg Urges Greece, Turkey to Avoid Conflict Using NATO Deconfliction Mechanism Stoltenberg Urges Greece, Turkey to Avoid Conflict Using NATO Deconfliction Mechanism MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Greece and Turkey should avoid any "military incidents or accidents" in the Aegean Sea using the deconfliction mechanism established by NATO... 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T16:37+0000 2022-09-15T16:37+0000 2022-09-15T16:38+0000 world greece turkey nato jens stoltenberg /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/06/17/1083225956_28:0:894:487_1920x0_80_0_0_49d3ff7423b5f1e31ce243d698779789.jpg On Wednesday, several Turkish F-16 jets were spotted flying over the Greek islands of Agathonisi and Anthropofagoi, which raised grave concerns in Athens, according to the Ekathimerini newspaper. The aircraft were later identified and intercepted in compliance with international rules, the media outlet added.NATO allies Greece and Turkey have been at odds for decades, with a risk of an armed conflict arising several times. A new round of tensions flared up on August 23, when Greece allegedly used S-300 air defense systems to escort F-16 fighters of the Turkish air force performing a reconnaissance mission west of Rhodes Island. The Greek Defense Ministry has denied Turkey's claims that Athens deployed its S-300s in Crete against Turkish F-16s.Tensions between Athens and Ankara further escalated on September 3, when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that Greece would pay a "heavy price" if incidents with Turkish planes continue. Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that Ankara expected objectivity from NATO in connection with the use by Greece of S-300 systems in the pursuit of Turkish aircraft. According to Akar, Athens ignores international law, good neighborly relations and friendship with Ankara. https://sputniknews.com/20220830/turkish-media-accuses-greece-of-trying-to-create-conflict-between-nato-and-rising-turkey-1100180004.html greece Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International greece, turkey, nato, jens stoltenberg https://sputniknews.com/20220915/sweden-votes-foreign-intelligence-infiltrates-twitter-modern-slavery-russia-and-us-elections-1100784351.html Sweden Votes, Foreign Intelligence Infiltrates Twitter, Modern Slavery, Russia and US Elections Sweden Votes, Foreign Intelligence Infiltrates Twitter, Modern Slavery, Russia and US Elections Giorgia Meloni far-right leader projected to be Italys first female prime minister. 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T09:02+0000 2022-09-15T09:02+0000 2022-09-15T09:02+0000 sweden russia twitter political misfits radio radio sputnik italy election /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/0e/1100784205_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_153b097166069fd8fde6e08f8cf63f78.png Sweden Votes, Foreign Intelligence Infiltrates Twitter, Modern Slavery, Russia and US Elections Giorgia Meloni far-right leader projected to be Italys first female prime minister Dan Lazare, journalist and author joins the show to talk about todays election in Sweden. In Sweden, the countrys right-wing opposition bloc is in the lead with 98% of districts counted. It looks like theyre going to win - and the question is why. The vote is very close, but it looks like it will result in a change in government. The Sweden Democrats in particular, the farthest right party of the block, have received nearly 21% of the vote after a campaign focused on law and order issues and migration. Sweden has seen rising gun violence over the past decade, spent several years as the rape capital of the EU, and this year could see the most shootings ever, breaking the 2020 record.Chris Garaffa, co-host of Covert Action Magazines Covert Action Bulletin podcast joins the show to talk about foreign intelligence agencies infiltrating Twitter. There was some explosive testimony on Capitol Hill yesterday when Twitter whistleblower and former security chief Pieter Zatko, known as Mudge testified that Twitter is extremely vulnerable to being infiltrated by foreign governments, and, indeed, it had accidentally hired at least one Chinese intelligence officer; that Twitter was not afraid of US regulators, but was afraid of foreign regulators; that Twitter collects personal information on its users, including phone numbers, locations, emails, and IP addresses; that Twitter executives arent even sure why this data is collected or what its used for; and that Twitter employees could take over the account of any user and tweet from it.Daniel McAdams, Executive Director of the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity. Daniel served as the foreign affairs, civil liberties, and defense/intel policy advisor to US Congressman Ron Paul, MD (R-Texas) from 2001 until Dr. Pauls retirement at the end of 2012. McAdams joins the program to talk about the Washington Post reporting today that since 2014 Russia has funneled some $300 million to influence candidates and political parties around the world and to promote their alignment with Kremlin interests, particularly in Europe and Africa. The Biden Administration commissioned the study of Russian activities from the CIA and then declassified some of the reports findings. But what the Administration hasnt talked about is the billions of dollars that the US government has spent to influence candidates, political parties, and elections around the world, beginning with the 1948 Italian elections and running through some 86 countries over the next 74 years. Then they talk about the fight for the soul and future of the Republican party.Terry Collingsworth, Executive Director of International Rights Advocates, and labor and human rights attorney specializing in trade and international labor rights issues joins the show to talk about modern day slavery. The UN this week released a grim report on modern slavery that found that forced labor and forced marriage have increased over the last five years. Compared to 2016 global estimates, 10 million more people were in modern slavery in 2021, with women and children disproportionately vulnerable, the report found. The report also noted that more than half of all forced labour and a quarter of all forced marriages can be found in upper-middle income or high-income countries.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comThe views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik sweden russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 John Kiriakou https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107587/24/1075872494_475:-1:1818:1343_100x100_80_0_0_5f29aff18491914c2428c30eddaa3bae.jpg John Kiriakou https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107587/24/1075872494_475:-1:1818:1343_100x100_80_0_0_5f29aff18491914c2428c30eddaa3bae.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 John Kiriakou https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107587/24/1075872494_475:-1:1818:1343_100x100_80_0_0_5f29aff18491914c2428c30eddaa3bae.jpg sweden, russia, twitter, , radio, radio sputnik, italy, election https://sputniknews.com/20220915/ukraine-loses-over-8mln-tonnes-of-crop-storage-since-february-2022---us-ngo-1100831598.html Ukraine Loses Over 8Mln Tonnes of Crop Storage Since February 2022 - US NGO Ukraine Loses Over 8Mln Tonnes of Crop Storage Since February 2022 - US NGO WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Ukraine has lost almost 8.5 million tonnes of crop storage since the beginning of Russia's special military operation, US... 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T19:39+0000 2022-09-15T19:39+0000 2022-09-15T19:39+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukraine russia grain grain crops grain exports /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/0e/1100758304_0:0:3094:1740_1920x0_80_0_0_cd66d0cb8c9a9bbe9f9aab9085d5d147.jpg "It has lost at least 8.41 million tonnes because of the invasion, or 14.57% of its pre-war certified grain storage capacity. At least three million tonnes of storage have been damaged since February of 2022 and six million tonnes or more of storage (including nearly one million tonnes of damaged storage) were in Russia-controlled areas as of September 6," the organization said in a fact-sheet.Approximately 1 in 6 or about 15% of Ukraines crop storage facilities have been either destroyed, damaged, or controlled by Russia, it added.On July 22, Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey signed an UN-brokered initiative to provide a humanitarian maritime corridor for ships with food and fertilizer exports from Black Sea ports. Three key Ukrainian ports Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Yuzhne were unblocked to resume exports. The Istanbul-based Joint Coordination Center (JCC) was set up to monitor the implementation of the initiative, including ensuring that cargo ships do not carry unauthorized goods or personnel.Since the signing of the deal, only 28% of grain shipments from Ukraine went to low-income countries, and 44% to high-income countries, according to a report of the JCC dated September 12. Russia's envoy to the UN has said the part of the deal concerning Russian food exports is not working altogether, which may lead to the termination of the agreements. https://sputniknews.com/20220914/eu-commission-says-30-of-ukraines-grain-exports-going-to-poor-countries-1100766389.html russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukraine, russia, grain, grain crops, grain exports https://sputniknews.com/20220915/us-committed-to-expanding-abraham-accords-to-enhance-peace-security---state-dept-1100832309.html US Committed to Expanding Abraham Accords to Enhance Peace, Security - State Dept. US Committed to Expanding Abraham Accords to Enhance Peace, Security - State Dept. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States is committed to advancing and expanding the Abraham accords and normalization agreements between Israel and Arab... 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T20:24+0000 2022-09-15T20:24+0000 2022-09-15T20:24+0000 world us israel uae bahrain morocco sudan /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0f/1080467220_0:151:3072:1879_1920x0_80_0_0_2edf7f352ac3f990898ed76e6306db69.jpg "This administration is committed to advancing and expanding upon these agreements between Israel and Arab and Muslim majority countries to enhance regional security, prosperity, and peace. The United States looks forward to helping strengthen and deepen these partnerships in the years to come," Price said during a press briefing.Price pointed out that any normalization efforts are not a substitute for Israel- Palestinian peace and the United States will continue to work on furthering a two-state solution.September 15 marks the second anniversary of the Abraham Accords, signed by Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. The agreement was later joined by Morocco and Sudan.The Abraham Accords entailed the resumption of embassy operations, the establishment of direct flights and the lifting of the ban on tourist trips and official visits. uae bahrain morocco sudan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us, israel, uae, bahrain, morocco, sudan https://sputniknews.com/20220915/work-on-new-russia-iran-cooperation-agreement-at-final-stage-putin-1100800851.html Work on 'Strategic' Russia-Iran Cooperation Agreement at 'Final Stage': Putin Work on 'Strategic' Russia-Iran Cooperation Agreement at 'Final Stage': Putin Iran signed a memorandum of commitment to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on Thursday as the SCO summit kicked off in Uzbekistan. The Islamic Republic is... 15.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-15T09:28+0000 2022-09-15T09:28+0000 2022-09-15T10:46+0000 iran russia sco summit in samarkand vladimir putin ebrahim raisi /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/0f/1100802821_0:177:3013:1872_1920x0_80_0_0_9f0bf0b4d4b5294d734046937dd19fc0.jpg Relations between Russia and Iran are developing along all vectors, and work on a major new cooperation agreement which will take relations to the new level is close to completion, President Vladimir Putin has announced.Putin indicated that a large delegation of Russian officials will make their way to Iran next week, including representatives from some 80 large Russian companies. Putin recalled that the last time a large delegation of Russian officials traveled to Iran in May, they expressed surprise at and were impressed with the level of development of Iran's high-tech sector. "To be honest, they did not expect this. We and I personally congratulate you on this," the Russian president told his Iranian counterpart.Putin also offered praise for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying that the Iranian Supreme Leader's personal commitment was responsible for many joint Russian-Iranian projects moving forward. "We are interested in his support in the future. Please convey my best wishes to him," Putin said.The Russian president promised that he would do everything in his power to ensure that Iran becomes a full member of the SCO, and that Russia's partners in the organization have also supported this initiative. "The last formality remains...and Iran will join this serious, large and authoritative international organization," he said. "And we are very happy about this," Putin added.For his part, President Raisi emphasized that relations between Tehran and Moscow carry "strategic importance," and added that the two countries have managed to neutralize the effect of Western sanctions."As for the sanctions against Russia, we do not recognize and will never recognize these sanctions, and will strengthen and develop our relations with the Russian Federation in the trade and economic sphere," he said.As far as Iran is concerned, Raisi emphasized that Tehran never left the negotiating table on the nuclear deal, and has proven to the world that the United States is incapable of negotiating. "They violate all obligations, and everyone has been convinced that the European Union is also in a passive situation, that they too are unable to carry out their obligations."Russia and Iran have doubled down on strategic cooperation in various sectors in recent years. Trade between the two countries grew by 81 percent in 2021, and increased another 30 percent over the first five months of 2022. More than 80 percent of trade between the two countries consists of agricultural goods, with Russia exporting grains and oil seeds, and importing Iran's GMO-free fruits and vegetables, as well as dried fruits and nuts, among other natural and high-quality goods.In addition to trade, the two countries have also carefully increased political, geostrategic and military-technical cooperation in recent years, with Western sanctions forcing both to search for alternatives to Western-dominated institutions and systems. Russia and Iran are working to dedollarize trade, seek to implement a SWIFT-style system for bank transfers and are negotiating the means to ensure interoperability of one another's payment systems. They signed a $40 billion energy cooperation agreement in July, and agreed to expand cooperation in automotive manufacturing in August.Reports abound about Russia using advanced Iranian drones in the ongoing special military operation in Ukraine amid shortcomings in its own UAV technology. However, the Kremlin has quashed these rumors, telling reporters late last month that a story in the Washington Post on the matter was a "fake news story." https://sputniknews.com/20220907/irans-latest-advance-in-uav-technology-ai-powered-drones-1100508085.html https://sputniknews.com/20220829/iran-and-russia-agree-on-strategic-cooperation-plan-president-raisi-tells-sputnik-1100108424.html https://sputniknews.com/20220915/live-updates-shanghai-cooperation-organization-summit-kicks-off-in-uzbekistan-1100792999.html iran russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov iran, russia, vladimir putin, ebrahim raisi Marcel Barrieau pupil Grandeur Seelster paid the highest win mutuel and travelled the fastest mile of the four Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots divisions for two-year-old pacing fillies at Grand River Raceway on Wednesday night (Sept. 14). Driver Austin Sorrie floated Grandeur Seelster off the wings from post seven to race fourth to a :27.3 first quarter set by favourite Bettors Punch. But when the pacesetter slowed proceedings towards a :59.1 half, Sorrie sent Grandeur Seelster after the leader and ranged to take over the lead to three-quarters in 1:27.3. From there, the daughter of All Bets Off scooted clear to a five-length win in 1:55.3 over Best Actress with Bettors Punch finishing third. Grandeur Seelster races for owners Gestion Mastel Inc., Marcel Barrieau and Courtney Gallant. She won her second race from six starts and has now earned $34,762. She paid $28 to win. One Last Wish won from pillar to post in the first Grassroots division. The filly by Bettors Delight pushed for the front from the pylon post and set a clip of :27.3, :58.2 and 1:27.3 while enduring mid-race pressure from Pa Delight. She repelled that challenge spinning for home to cross the finish 1-1/2 lengths better than Carla Cam rallying for second. Pa Delight took third. A homebred for Brian and David Legge, One Last Wish won her second race from eight starts and has now banked $27,736. Paul MacDonell steered the $11.20 winner for trainer Ken Sucee. Cheese So Pretty pressed first over to seize the lead and score in the third Grassroots split. Driver James MacDonald sent the Anthony Beaton trainee off the pegs after a :28.1 first quarter and progressed towards the front through a :59.4 half and through three-quarters in 1:28.4. Matching strides with pacesetter and favourite Brynley Seelster around the final turn, Cheese So Pretty then put her main threat away in the lane to win by 2-3/4 lengths. Chakka finished third. Anthony Beaton co-owns Cheese So Pretty with David Mercer and David Lumsden. The daughter of Betterthancheddar won her third race from nine starts and pushed her bankroll to $47,016. She paid $6.20 to win. The last Grassroots split and last race on the card went the way of an upset with Twin B Echo sliding through off a pocket trip to land at 12-1 in 1:58.1. Driver Jody Jamieson secured the covered trip for the Jack Darling trainee behind pacesetter and favourite Glenboro, who bore pressure on the lead after a :28.2 first quarter and through middle splits of :59.2 and 1:28.2. Glenboro kept fighting off the bottom corner, but Twin B Echo shot through the open stretch to snag a neck victory with Bala rallying from second over for third. Jack Darling Stables Ltd. owns Twin B Echo, a daughter of Artspeak. She won her second race from six starts, has now earned $23,196 and paid $26.70 to win. On the undercard of the Grassroots, the four-year-old Custard The Dragon mare Exotic Dragon emerged victorious in the $10,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred Handicap Pace. Driver Travis Cullen overcame the assigned outer-most post to collar pacesetter and odds-on choice Beach Moment by a head at the finish of a 1:55.4 mile. Jodie Cullen trains the 18-time winner and earner of $234,992 for owners Travis and Ronald Cullen and Paul Sanders. She paid $9.10 to win. To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results - Grand River Raceway. Whether its racing in Ontario or the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge (BCCC), Steve Heimbecker appreciates the importance, impact and influence of teamwork and collaboration. Hes one of Standardbred racings most influential and successful owners, a horseman dedicated to making a difference in the sport. Three years ago, the majority of Heimbeckers racing stock was American-sired horses. In 2020, he altered his blueprint, a buy local philosophy, upping his support for the Standardbred racing scene and breeding program in Ontario. When he was asked to take part in a special initiative leading up to this years Breeders Crown races on Oct. 28 and 29 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Heimbecker didnt hesitate in providing his answer. When I was presented the opportunity to do this, it was a no-brainer," said Heimbecker. "We have a vibrant racing community here in Ontario, people who champion the sport and want to give back. When you are fortunate enough to own a lot of racehorses and be in a position to give back to an industry you love so much, something like this is a wonderful opportunity. Established in 2019 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, the BCCC has raised more than $800,000 for local charities of each years Breeders Crown host track. The format for this years BCCC showcases four teams, with each entry comprised of a prominent owner, their charity of choice and a Mohawk leading driver, competing to net the largest donation amount from a minimum pool of $200,000. The four teams and their respective charities are: Team Steve Heimbecker/James MacDonald Charity: Pine River Institute; Team Brad Grant/Doug McNair Charity: Milton District Hospital Foundation; Team Determination/Bob McClure Charity: Kids Help Phone Line; Team Libfeld-Katz/Louis-Philippe Roy Charity: Peter Munk Cardiac Centre - SickKids Hospital Toronto. Each team has already pledged $25,000, which guarantees their charity of choice a minimum donation in that amount. An additional $100,000 has been raised through donations made by industry participants. With a minimum $25,000 guaranteed to be directed to each charity, the additional monies will be decided through a Driver Challenge and Social Media Challenge. Supporters are asked to go on Twitter and use the hashtag of their favourite team and include #CrownCharity22. Team Steve Heimbecker/James MacDonalds hashtag is #BeckerThanTheRest. Its wonderful to be able to help out a charity of your choice, to raise money and awareness for them, offered Heimbecker. Its just as win-win. Thats the best way to describe it. If were able to do these things, especially for one of the premier nights in Canadian and North American racing, its a great venue to have these charities in the spotlight, using it as a platform to showcase some great causes. I know Brad Grant does a lot of really great things for the industry, as do Marvin and Al, two people who are huge contributors to our great sport, as well as Determination, a marquee owner in the business who are also thrilled to be part of this. To have them all be involved in this is no surprise. The drivers who were asked to team up with us, they were more than willing. Ive talked to James [MacDonald] about it and hes really excited. These are all good, quality people. Heimbecker chose Pine River Institute (PRI) as his teams charity. PRI helps adolescents struggling with addictive behaviours and other mental health issues to reclaim their lives, their families and their futures. The only program of its kind in Canada, PRI offers a live-in treatment centre and outdoor leadership experience for youth, ages 13 to 19. Located near Shelburne, Ont., PRI combines therapy with a fully-accredited education program to reinforce the healthy life skills required for a successful future. Vaughan Dowie, who joined Pine River Institute as its CEO in October 2011, has more than 30 years of experience as a senior manager in public sector and community organizations, is thrilled to see PRI as part of the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge. First off, its an honour for us to be one of the four charities to be part of this challenge, started Dowie, a past Executive Head of Public Affairs at McGill University in Montreal, Que. Its also very exciting. Were very appreciative to have been included. Secondly, its important to us. Were a relatively small organization and to have an opportunity to attract new resources to our program is always welcome. Were in an area of substance abuse and mental health issues, an area that many people understand is more important than ever. The world of addictions and the world of post-COVID mental health issues is kind of a perfect storm for a lot of kids, so its really great to be able to get more support to do our work. Dowie is hopeful that through initiatives like the BCCS, more people will have the chance to get to know Pine River Institute and its efforts to help those who utilize their services. What should people know about PRI? They should know that we are a family-oriented program, where we not only work with the young person who needs our support, but also with the families or caregivers who are part of their lives as well. Were a unique program in North America, in that we combine both a residential treatment approach with a wilderness therapy approach. There are not many, if any, other organizations in North America that do the kind of therapy we do with our programs. We now run a transition program as well, where we do aftercare. We have a public education called the Centre for the Family Initiatives. For an organization of our size, we have a relatively robust research and evaluation capacity. Hopefully, people become more familiar with us through this great Breeders Crown event. Heimbecker is happy to shine the spotlight on PRI. My brother-in-law does a lot of PR work he owns a large public relations firm in Toronto and hes involved with a lot of charities and a lot of boards," said Heimbecker. "This particular one really resonated with me because we do a lot of significant donations to the Waterloo Suicide Prevention program. With Pine River, these are kids that really need to get out of the current scenario they find themselves in and get healthy, mentally, and get the help they need. And thats what Pine River does. Its an amazing cause and its helping youth, which is very important. For me, it comes down to helping our youth. Not everyone had a great childhood, some kids have gone through or are going through a lot. Any time we can help the kids, we absolutely should. A prominent buyer at numerous horse sales each year, Heimbecker, Principal Broker at Heimbecker Mortgage Group, doesnt limit his competitive ways to just his equine stars. With the charity challenge, theres no doubt hes in it to win it. Im a competitive guy and I dont want to lose the challenge," he said. "Its like a horse race. The owners, everyone involved, were all friendly, but as soon as the horses turn the right way, for the next minute and 55 seconds, were not friends, were competitors. And well likely see that come out. Its going to be a great night. In keeping with the horse racing theme, Heimbecker offered up morning line odds for each team in the challenge. If I had to put odds on it, Id say Im 6-5. I put Brad at 9-5, Marvin and Al, lets go with 2-1. Ill put Determination at 3-1. If you want to throw that out there, feel free. (With files from Woodbine) Aged pacing mares will traverse the Woodbine Mohawk Park oval on Saturday (Sept. 17) for their Ontario fall classic: the $230,000 Milton Stakes, while freshmen will also contest for their spots in their respective stakes events with a pair of eliminations for the Shes A Great Lady and Metro Pace. The Milton Stakes, carded as Race 10 on the 12-race card, will see reigning U.S. Horse of the Year Test Of Faith try to sweep the pair of mare-pacing trophies offered by Woodbine Mohawk Park after having won in the Roses Are Red earlier this year. The Brett Pelling pupil starts from post four following a win in her elimination. She starts just outside of the other elimination winner Grace Hill, who recently shifted to Virgil Morgan Jr.'s barn and shipped north to fire home and win her elimination with a :25.1 final quarter. A field of 10 aligns for the Milton Stakes and includes four millionaires. Test Of Faith has recently passed the $2-million earnings mark but faces other millionaires including local warrior So Much More (starting from post one), down-under import Amazing Dream N (post five) and Fire Start Hanover (post eight), the last of which will try for redemption off a fifth-place finish as the favourite in her elimination. The Metro Pace lured 18 into the entry box, splitting to two eliminations of nine frosh pacing colts and geldings. Elimination one, carded as Race 4, will have Save America score from post six off back-to-back wins in Grand Circuit competition at Mohawk. Also in competition are Ace Of Aces, runner-up to Save America in the Champlain Stakes last week; and Huntinthelastdolar, who returns north off a second-place finish in the New York Sires Stakes Final at Tioga. Dr. Ian Moore's undefeated prospect Stockade Seelster starts from post four in the second elimination, going as Race 8. In six starts, he has crossed the line first in all six and enters the Metro eliminations off a 1:49.3 victory in an Ontario Sires Stakes Gold division. He'll spar with a field including Nassagaweya division winner Tickertape Hanover (post six), third-place finisher in the Nassagaweya, Stormalong (post two) and New York Sires Stakes prelim winner Hurrikane Hunter (post eight). For the Shes A Great Lady, two eliminations of seven will go to gate. Elimination one goes as Race 3 and will have standour Silver Label's sister Savethelastdance start from post four. The field also includes third-place finisher in the Whenuwishuponastar final Always B A Star and Charleston, who has only lost one race in five starts with that loss being a second-place effort. Elimination two for the Shes A Great Lady, going as Race 6, will feature another rematch between Shawn Steacy's standout filly Sylvia Hanover and Tony Alagna pupil Caviart Davia. Sylvia Hanover starts from post five while Caviart Davia races from post one. This weekend also would have featured eliminations for the Elegantimage and Canadian Trotting Classic finals, however only 11 dropped into the entry box for each race and will go straight to final next Saturday (Sept. 24). Below are the entrants for each stakes race in alphabetical order: Elegantimage Final Adare Castle Baby Longstocking Cash Infusion Mischevious Rose Mon Cheval Peyton Hanover Raised By Lindy Samosa Saundra Tie One On Warrawee Xenia Canadian Trotting Classic Final B A Superhero Branded By Lindy Duly Resolved Fast As The Wind Keg Stand King Of The North Periculum Pretender Safe Conduct Slay Twin B Archie In the opening race on the Saturday card, eight of the 11 Elegantimage starters will compete in a $30,000 race. Ontario Sires Stakes star Adare Castle will have post two with Canadian upstart Warrawee Xenia starting from post six. To view Saturday's harness racing entries, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Woodbine Mohawk Park. For free past performances, courtesy of TrackIT, click the following link: Saturday Program - Woodbine Mohawk Park. Most owners dream about having one horse of a lifetime, but Paul MacDonald is trying to temper expectations about the prospect of holding another one. A 48-year-old native of Prince Edward Island, Paul has grown up around horses his entire life. His grandfather, aunt and uncle have all been involved with Standardbreds like many other P.E.I. natives but he didnt expect where that would lead him. Fast forward to November 10, 2010 at the Black Book Yearling Sale in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where Paul and his aunt, Sally MacDonald found their superstar; his name: State Treasurer. A relatively inexpensive purchase of just $6,500 did not bear resemblance to his career, which lasted six years with more than $2 million in earnings. From there, the son of Real Desire-Ideal Treasure found his way to Lucan, Ont., where he became a stallion at Seelster Farms. Paul would often make the trek to Seelster from his Toronto homebase to visit State Treasurer and chat with the farms staff. During one of those visits, a specific colt was brought to his attention. The owner mentioned to me that they had a really nice colt a State Treasurer colt, no less, MacDonald told Trot Insider. Once I heard that, I made it a point to see him. Paul went to the field where he saw Stockade Seelster for the first time, running around with his dam Soiree Seelster, and thats when he was enticed. Paul took pictures and sent them to Sally, and they would continue to keep a close eye on the colt through his development. After consulting with Dr. Ian Moore, who trained State Treasurer throughout his career, the MacDonalds decided theyd try to purchase the yearling when he became available. On October 18, 2021, Stockade Seelster became theirs when he sold for $45,000 during the 2021 London Virtual Yearling Sale. The sale price for Stockade Seelster was the third highest price ever fetched by a State Treasurer yearling. If that price tag seemed a bit high for Stockade Seelster, Paul felt it was justified. It was an expensive purchase for sure, but we just knew we had to get him. We thought the breeding looked right and that he had fantastic conformation, so we were willing to go ahead with it. Sally and Paul had purchased a few other State Treasurer foals, but this was one they were more excited about than most. Though theyve yet to find any who share all of their fathers traits, they were hopeful 'Stockade' had a good chance to follow in his sires footsteps. If we could just see babies with the same attitude and desire to win, we knew wed be successful. We just had never seen it yet in one that we had purchased. When Moore finally got the opportunity to work with the yearling, thats when Paul got a glimpse of what could be. Doc Moore was training Stockade down in Florida and I had been hearing some really good things. Sally & Allen [Pauls uncle] have a home down in Florida, so the three of us went down in the beginning of March to watch him train. When we saw him in person, it was clear to us he had ability. Based on the early returns, theres no doubting the ability of their prized pupil. The two-year-old colt remains without a blemish in his freshman campaign, notching six wins in six tries, while amassing over $287,000 to date. That includes a 1:49.3 mile in his most recent victory, which marked the fastest mile paced by a rookie in Ontario Sires Stakes history. Now, the focus for Stockade Seelster will shift towards the $825,000 Metro Pace, with eliminations set to take place on Saturday, Sept. 17 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Stockade Seelster has drawn post four and is the 6-5 morning line choice in the second Metro elim, slated as the eighth race on Saturday. Beyond that, though, Paul doesnt know whats next. With babies, its clear you take it one race at a time. Well see how it goes in the Metro. Depending how things turn out, hes eligible for the OSS Super Final, which is in October, and eligible for the Breeders Crown, which wed be happy to participate in if things go well. For now, owners Paul and Sally MacDonald are taking things week-by-week, all while enjoying the success of their rookie pacer. Were just pinching ourselves that were here again, said Paul, as he relishes the accomplishments of Stockade Seelster thus far. We owe all of it to State Treasurer in this case. Whether he will end up being as good as his father remains to be seen, but the hope is that this horse can eventually lead to more memories for them that they will treasure for a lifetime. (A Trot Insider exclusive by John Rallis) A proclamation authorized by Mayor Frank Reaves Jr. designates Sept. 17-23, 2022, as Constitution Week in the town of Culpeper. It commemorates the 235th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution during the Constitutional Convention in 1787. On Sept. 17, Constitution Day will be celebrated with special observances in Culpeper and at James Madisons Montpelier in Orange County, home of the man known as the Father of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. At the Charters of Freedom display in the towns Yowell Meadow Park, the American Spirit Puppets will present a free, interactive family show at 2 p.m. Saturday to mark the 235th anniversary of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. The Culpeper Minutemen Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will sponsor this unique, history-focused program, at which winners of the DARs Poster Contest will be announced. Culpeper student musicians will perform choral and instrumental selections. Nancy Rice, chairwoman of the Constitution Week Committee, Culpeper Minutemen Chapter DAR, said Tuesday that Saturdays event this weekends event was pretty well set and the weather might be really fine. Sept. 17 looks to be sunny with a low of 55 and high of 84. The DAR received more than 25 poster-contest entries from various schools and via the Culpeper Library. Area applicants 18 and younger were invited to submit an original poster highlighting the Constitutions spirit and meaning. The winner will be announced Saturday, awarded a $25 gift card to Michaels, and entered in the state DARs poster contest and possibly the nationals. Constitution Day at Montpelier will feature a series of panels about the state of American democracy and potential threats to her freedom. Visitors can take advantage of specialty tours, activity booths, and interactive discussions with Mr. Madison himself. The day will start at 9:30 a.m. with a Libation Ceremony in the Enslaved Cemetery on the fourth U.S. presidents plantation. Throughout the day, community organizations will staff information tables, Mr. Madison will be at home, and Burnt Ends BBQ and Patch Brewing Co. will have food and beverages for sale. This Constitution Day, we honor our Foundersincluding James Madison and the Invisible Founders enslaved at Montpelier and surrounding plantations, The Montpelier Foundation said in a statement. While Madison and his contemporaries conceptualized the structure of a new government, enslaved Americans built the nation through their knowledge, expertise, and labor. Montpelier is hosting two free panels onsite that will be available virtually. Reservations via montpelier.org are required for both onsite and virtual participation. At 10:30 a.m, leaders of The Montpelier Foundation and the Montpelier Descendants Committee will discuss Equal Power Sharing at Montpelier, to explore structural parity and what this new power-sharing dynamic means for Montpelier. A 1 p.m. panel discussion in the Visitor Centers Grand Salon will feature a conversation on Is the Constitution in Danger? Panelists Jamelle Bouie (New York Times, CBS News), Michael Higginbotham (University of Baltimore School of Law), and Lindsay Chervinsky (Center for Presidential History) will consider the question. In addition, the Highlights of Montpelier tour will be offered every half hour between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.; the Bill of Rights tour exploring James Madisons role as its author will be offered at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; the Constitution Tour exploring the origins of the Constitution and its legacies today will be offered at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; and the Enslaved Community Tour examining the paradox of slavery will be offered at noon. More tours and free, virtual panel discussions are scheduled throughout the rest of Constitution Month. The Constitution and Bill of Rights tours will be offered on Sept. 24. Virtual panels include Striving for Freedom: How Black Americans Shaped our Democracy on Sept. 22; and Getting Organized! How to Help Create Inclusive Communities on Sept. 29. An in-person panel discussion, Voices from the Community: How to be a Young Change-Maker will take place on Sept. 24. An East Woods Hike, on a newly developed trail on one of the Madisons farms, is set for Sunday, Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. Montpelier celebrates the U.S. Constitution to honor the fundamental ideas of natural rights, individual liberty, democracy, and citizenship that continue to shape American life and inspire people worldwide. On Tuesday, the Culpeper Town Council unanimously adopted a Constitution Week resolution, and presented a copy to Rice, who was present to accept the proclamation. She invited everyone to Constitution Day in Yowell Meadow Park, near where the original Culpeper Minutemen mustered to fight in the American Revolution that helped foster the creation of the Constitution. The town resolution states: WHEREAS, it is of the greatest importance that all citizens understand the provisions and principles contained in the Constitution in order to effectively support, preserve, protect, and defend it against all enemies; and WHEREAS, The Constitution, together with the Bill of Rights, have provided the organic structure for our Democratic Republic and our Individual Liberties, enabling our nation to rise from a collection of ragtag former colonies to a United Nation in which our people have created opportunity and built the greatest economy in the world, based upon freedom, creative genius and hard work; and WHEREAS, in recognition of the signing of the Constitution and of Americans who strive to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of citizenship, the Congress, by joint resolution of February 29, 1952 designated Sept. 17 as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and by joint resolution of Aug. 2, 1956 requested that the President proclaim the week beginning Sept. 17 and ending Sept. 23 of each year as Constitution Week. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Frank Reaves Jr., Mayor of the Town of Culpeper, Virginia, and on behalf of the Culpeper Town Council, hereby proclaim Sept. 1723, 2022 as Constitution Week and ask our citizens to affirm the ideals of the Constitution of the United States of America and the Bill of Rights by vigilantly protecting the freedoms guaranteed through this magnificent document, remembering that lost rights may never be regained and to express gratitude for the privilege of American citizenship. GIVEN under my hand this 13th day of September 2022. A wildfire that started Tuesday afternoon continues to burn large swaths of the Wildcat Hills in northeast Banner County. I think were estimating now about 4,200 acres, Tim Newman, Region 22 Emergency Management Director, said of the fire, which has been dubbed the Smokey Fire. ...Its less that the fire grew than its that the fire edge is further out than we thought. According to information released by the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, the fire is estimated 3,700 acres. In the majority of the area burnt, the fire is consisting on cedar and pine trees. Newman said the main hotspot was in the northwest corner of the fire on the ridges overlooking Wrights Gap Road. The fire is burning an area roughly between the Hubbards Gap fire from 2020 and the Buffalo Creek fire in 2021. Around 30 fire departments and several dozen personnel from across the Panhandle and Wyoming are still engaged in dousing the blaze. Many of these agencies have had firefighters on scene, battling the fire since Tuesday afternoon. Aircraft from Scottsbluff, Valentine, Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming flew sorties Tuesday and Wednesday to drop retardant and slow the fires spread. Two Nebraska National Guard Blackhawk helicopters have also been activated. Banner County has declared the fire an emergency and state resources have been requested. The Wildland Incident Response Assistance Team (WIRAT) which is made up of Nebraska State Marshal and Nebraska Forest Service staff deployed on Tuesday, and Nebraska Type 3 Incident Management Assistance Team were en route on Wednesday afternoon. No injuries or structure fires have been reported from the location. Some residents have evacuated the affected area east of Wrights Gap Road. Additional evacuations may be necessary; smoke is still a major factor. Wrights Gap Road is closed for traffic and people are asked to stay out of the area. We really appreciate everybody avoiding the area, Newman said. The Williams Gap Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Banner County has been temporarily closed due to the blaze. Several hundred acres of the WMA have been burnt. Shifting winds, low humidity and high temperatures have contributed to the continuing spread of the fire. Banner County Fire Chief Tim Grubbs reported firefighters are working on establishing fire containment lines around the entire fire perimeter but do not yet have a percentage of containment. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Grubbs also thanked the public for their generous support of the volunteer firefighters efforts. Donations are being coordinated by the Firefighter Ministry. Any additional needs will be listed on the Banner County Facebook page. The Panhandle Quilt Guild will have it's first meeting on Saturday, Sept. 17. The meeting will be held at 9:30 am. The meeting will be held at West Way Christian Church, 1701 West 27th St.in Scottsbluff. Food will be served as well as door prizes, Show and Tell, Block of the Month and much more. Small business owners can learn more about growing their businesses at a Mitchell Small Business Resource Fair on Thursday, Sept. 15 from 5 6:30 p.m. The event will take place in Mitchell City Hall at 1280 Center Ave. Amy Sapp, a community planner with the Panhandle Area Development District (PADD), said the fair will be beneficial for those looking to start a small business, expand a new one, or pass on their business to someone else. A lot of people dont understand all the free resources available to them, she said. Sapp said she expected around 15 25 people to attend and take advantage of the resources available. The goal of it is, even if you have 10 people show up and just one of them networks properly and grows their business, weve succeeded at what we wanted to do, which is grow our community, she said. How the resource fair operates is simple. First, people from different organizations introduce themselves and describe what resources they can provide. Then, business owners and those interested in starting a business talk about what information or assistance they might need. The different resources will help small business owners learn about funding, marketing, financial forecasting and more. From there, the different parties can network to see how they can help one another. Everyone brings their flyers and brochures and business cards so when they leave, they know theres somebody in the area that can help them, Sapp said. Resource groups include PADD, the Nebraska Business Development Center, the City of Mitchell, the Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce, the Center for Rural Affairs, Western Nebraska Community College, USDA Rural Development, Twin Cities Development and the Nebraska Departments of Labor and Economic Development. Sapp said PADD had asked Mitchell High School to bring along students studying business to learn about the process. A resource fair in the area took place after the closure of Cabelas headquarters there in 2017. At the time, Sapp was the economic development director for the City of Kimball, and she decided it might be a good idea to hold a resource fair there as well. Mitchell is growing a lot right now and they have a lot of people with momentum, so this (fair) is to kick off more, Sapp said. Hopefully other small communities will learn about it and have us come and help their communities, too. She said PADD is available to meet with representatives of cities to host resource fairs in the future. John Dolmayan, the American-Armenian musician and drummer for the rock band System of a Down, wrote on his Instagram page in support of Armenia. "I guess we need to drill for natural gas or oil. Constantly attacked for our religious beliefs and ethnicity by Turks and Their puppets Azerbaijan. Both countrys run by despots who weaponize hate against Christians," the musician wrote under the photo. On September 13 at 12:05a.m., the Azerbaijani armed forces opened an intensive fire with artillery and large-caliber rifles in the direction of Vardenis, Sotk, Artanish, Ishkhanasar, Goris and Kapan towards the Armenian positions. 105 casualties are currently known. Follow NEWS.am STYLE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Lawman, newspaper man, everyman Jack Crosswell, 93, died Tuesday. Straight-shooting and plain talking, Crosswell enjoyed careers as an ATF agent, police chief and journalist before retiring in 1988. His love for words and journalism never left him, however, and he eventually began writing his Beck n Me column for the Wytheville Enterprise. Over the years, Crosswell became a trusted source for reporters, calling with tips on lawbreakers and mayhem within the county, especially in the greater Speedwell area where he lived with his wife, Daphne. If Crosswell said it happened, it more than likely did. Born Jan. 2, 1929, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Crosswell worked for the Beaufort Journal while in high school. After graduating, he joined the Navy and eventually earned a degree in English and good times from Wake Forest University. Crosswell was on the staff of the Raleigh News & Observer, where his moxie impressed federal Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms officials, who offered him a job and a pay raise. He began his ATF career as an undercover agent chasing down moonshiners. After an arrest, wed take dynamite and blow up the still, Crosswell said in a 2017 Wytheville Enterprise profile. We could bust it with axes, but that was a lot of hard work; Id rather use dynamite. Cripple Creek's Jack-of-all-tales Jack Crosswell is a mans man; the rough-and-tumble kind who looks at the exfoliating, moist During his time with the ATF, he busted criminals and worked with the Secret Service, serving as a bodyguard for presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. He also served on the Lady Bird Special, a four-day, 1,628-mile campaign train trip taken by the first lady, Lady Bird Johnson, in 1964. Crosswell retired from the ATF in 1982. He worked as a police chief in the idyllic down of Belhaven, North Carolina, before retiring in 1988. After he retired, he and his wife, Daphne, moved to Cripple Creek, where her dad, Lloyd Carpenter, owned the Cripple Creek Mall. Crosswell was active in the VFW and the Masnoic Lodge, where he received his 32nd degree in the Shriners. He also penned a novel, Murder of a Brother, about a deputy who works to solve the murder of a longtime friend and fellow Mason. Linda Porter met Crosswell right after he moved to Wythe County. Jack called me every morning, and he never said how are you or what are you doing. He always said, Whats the news? He was one of the most intelligent men I ever met. He was very sharp, she said. He was quite the character. He could tell some funny stories; some of them I wouldnt want to repeat. He was something else, he really was. He was a very good friend, and Ill miss him. All of us will. He was just very dear to us. Price Crigger, Crosswells friend of more than two decades, agreed. He was a good man, Crigger said. What he told you is the truth. If he told you something, it was the gospel. He was a fantastic man, really. In the 1990s, Crosswell was elected to the Wythe County Board of Supervisors, sparking anger when he invited a company to consider building a private prison in the county. He believed the prison would be an economic boon to the county, especially after the company agreed to donate land to the county for an industrial park. Voters voted him out of office in 1995. I dont pass the buck, Crosswell told the Roanoke Times after the election. If I do something, Im man enough to stand up and take the responsibility for it. Funeral services for Crosswell will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at the Barnett Funeral Chapel. The family will receive friends prior to the service from noon to 2 p.m. Interment will follow in the Fleming Church Cemetery. Union negotiations representing thousands of workers nationwide may create delays at the Kelso Amtrak station if deals arent struck by Fridays deadline. Members of one union rejected a tentative deal with the largest U.S. freight railroads Wednesday, while two ratified agreements and three others remained at the bargaining table just days ahead of a strike deadline, threatening to intensify snarls in the nations supply chain that have contributed to rising prices. Government officials and a variety of businesses braced for the possibility of a nationwide rail strike that would paralyze shipments of everything from crude to cars to people. Kelso Amtrak The Washington Department of Transportation issued a statement Wednesday about the potential impact the rail shutdown would have for the Amtrak Cascades line, which runs through Kelso. The department said that complete service disruptions to the routes could begin Friday because the Amtrak trains rely on tracks owned by Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway, as well as Union Pacific. While we are hopeful that parties will reach a resolution, Amtrak has now begun phased adjustments to its service in preparation for a possible freight rail service interruption later this week, the department said. The statement said Amtrak has secured buses to run Thursday in the event a shutdown left local passengers unable to complete their trips. People who have already bought tickets are being offered full refunds or a rescheduling of their trip. Negotiations Railroads are trying to reach an agreement with all their other unions to avert a strike before Fridays deadline. The unions arent allowed to strike before Friday under the federal law that governs railroad contract talks. There are 12 unions one with two separate divisions representing 115,000 workers that must agree to the tentative deals and then have members vote on whether to approve them. So far, nine agreed to tentative deals and three are still at the bargaining table. Of the nine that agreed to the deals, two the Transportation Communications Union and the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen unions voted to ratify their contracts Wednesday. But International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 19 members voted to reject their deal. Votes by the other six unions that approved tentative deals are pending. About 4,900 members of the IAM voted to reject the tentative agreement negotiated by IAM leadership with the railroads, the union said Wednesday. The IAM agreed to delay any strike by its members until Sept. 29 to allow more time for negotiations and to allow other unions to vote. All the tentative deals are based closely on the recommendations of a Presidential Emergency Board Joe Biden appointed this summer that called for 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses in a five-year deal thats retroactive to 2020. Those recommendations also includes one additional paid leave day a year and higher health insurance costs. The key unions that represent the conductors and engineers who drive trains are holding out in the hope that railroads will agree to go beyond those recommendations and address some of their concerns about unpredictable schedules and strict attendance policies that they say make it difficult to take any time off. They say the job cuts major railroads made over the past six years eliminating nearly one-third of their workers made a difficult job even harder. The railroads maintain their operations have just become more efficient as they rely on fewer, longer trains. The unions want the railroads to provide unpaid leave time that workers could use to attend doctors appointments or attend to other personal business without being penalized. Ron Kaminkow, general secretary of the Railroad Workers United labor group that includes workers from all the rail unions, said he left the freight industry for an Amtrak engineer job in Nevada years ago because of the grueling working conditions that only got worse in recent years. Hes seen many other workers make that switch, though it often comes with lower pay and means giving up seniority. Everyone knows you can get more money in the freight industry. But its what we would call blood money, Kaminkow said. Its almost impossible to predict when you are going to be off and when you can attend to various life issues like family, like children, like an appointment. Contract talks continued Wednesday with Labor Secretary Marty Walsh participating to put pressure on both sides to reach a deal before Fridays deadline. If the two sides cant agree, Congress could step in to block a strike and impose terms on the railroads and unions, but it wasnt clear Wednesday how quickly they could or would act because Democrats and Republicans cant readily agree on a solution. A number of business groups wrote letters to lawmakers over the past week urging them to be prepared to step in. With the midterm elections just weeks away, politics will play a role if Congress has to settle this dispute. Democrats are wary of becoming crosswise with their allies in organized labor, as unions tend to be strong supporters in elections. At the same time, Republicans see an opportunity to put pressure on Biden and his party if the railroads teeter toward a strike. The businesses that rely on railroads to deliver their raw materials and finished products say a rail strike would cause significant problems particularly for oil refineries, chemical businesses, auto makers, retailers and agricultural groups. The Association of American Railroads trade group estimated that a strike would cost the economy more than $2 billion a day. Businesses would likely try to turn to trucks and other modes of shipping if the railroads do shut down, but there isnt enough trucking capacity to take up all the slack. Starting next month, youth can ride RiverCities Transit bus routes for free. The Cowlitz Transit Authority board gave final approval Wednesday to a policy eliminating fare for riders 18 and younger on RiverCities buses, beginning Oct. 1 and continuing until at least June of 2024. The fare decision was enacted due to the Move Ahead Washington transportation package passed by the state Legislature earlier this year. One part of the package offered a significant pool of state funding for transit agencies that eliminates fare for young riders by the start of October. RiverCities Director Jim Seeks previously estimated that the agency would receive around $250,000 in state funding this year by adopting the policy, more than making up for the fares previously being paid by youth passengers. The transit agency is asking families to sign their kids up for youth bus passes to verify their age for the zero-fare rides and help the agency track the number of young riders. Children can use student ID cards or other identification to ride for free as well. A pilot program offering free youth bus passes has been in place for RiverCities since 2020. More than 700 passes were provided during the first two and a half years of the program. Cowlitz Transit Authority established a new rule preventing children younger than 12 from riding the buses unaccompanied by an adult. Worries about the fare change making it easier for kids to ride alone had been a sticking point in previous transit board meetings, delaying the implementation of the program until near the states Oct. 1 deadline. During the meeting Wednesday, board member Lisa Alexander suggested that RiverCities look into offering similar free fare to riders 60 and older. RiverCities currently offers half-price fares and passes for residents who are 65 and older. William Bill Dygert, a longtime land-use consultant active in conservation efforts in Southwest Washington, died Aug. 27 at his home in Astoria, Ore., from a chronic lung disorder. He was 71. Dygert was a founding member and longtime board member of the Vancouver-based Columbia Land Trust, which has conserved more than 55,000 acres in Oregon and Washington. If you live, work or recreate in Southwest Washington, you have surely benefited from the work of Bill Dygert, who was instrumental in saving much of the natural beauty we enjoy today. No one has been more successful in creating parks and trails, conserving rivers and streams, and maintaining farm and forest land, the Columbia Land Trust said in an emailed statement. Bills impact comes from his direct work: facilitating the creation of park, trail and open space plans; creating citizen groups to advocate for those plans; and raising tens of millions of dollars to implement them, the statement reads. All of us who draw our joy and health from nature will continue to benefit from these efforts, long after his passing. Dygert, who was raised in Vancouver, started working for the Clark County Parks Department in 1973 first as an employee and later as an independent contractor. He negotiated with private landowners and secured funding to allow for the conversion of their private holdings to public uses. Through his grant writing, Dygert secured millions of dollars for municipalities and nonprofits in Southwest Washington, according to an obituary published Sunday in The Columbian. If youve ever been to Lewisville, Frenchmans Bar, Salmon Creek, Lacamas, Cottonwood Beach or Whipple Creek parks; walked the Salmon Creek, Lacamas or Burnt Bridge Creek trails; appreciated the glorious nature of the Washougal River, the Vancouver Lake lowlands or the East Fork Lewis River; had a picnic or thrown a frisbee in your neighborhood park; or fished or hunted in Southwest Washington, Bill played a key role in your experience, Glenn Lamb, Columbia Land Trust executive director, said in an email. Lamb described Dygert as one of the most important people in my life and for so many other people, too. Dygert and his business partner, George Simpson, were behind the Clark County Legacy Lands (Clark County Conservation Futures) program and acquisition of more than 5,000 acres of protected land in Clark County. Later, he supported the development of the Astoria Riverwalk and was a longtime chair of the Lower Columbia River Fish Recovery Board, according to his obituary. An entire generation of conservationists learned their craft from watching Bill, studying his patient persistence and dogged focus. Bill loved nature, and he also loved the colorful people who populate our region, the Columbia Land Trust said. A writer at heart, Bill would walk, take pictures and listen and turn what he learned into grant proposals and testimonies. He took the stories of generations of people whose relationship with land ran deep and turned them into tangible conservation successes. Dygert is the second of three sons of Dr. H. Paul and Helen Dygert. He is survived by his wife, Linda; stepson, Mick; brothers, Peter and Hal Dygert and their families; and his Labrador Prince Harry. Donations in memory of Dygert can be made to the Columbia Land Trust, 850 Officers Row, Vancouver, WA, 98661, and Clatsop Animal Assistance, P.O. Box 622, Warrenton, OR, 97146. A date for his celebration of life has not yet been announced. Visitors to Archie Anderson Park will soon be able to read a picture book while walking the grounds. The Longview Public Library and the Longview Parks Department are working together to install a StoryWalk in the park. Pages of a picture book will be placed on display over a series of 20 signs, encouraging young readers to walk along the path as they read along. Parks staff will spend the next two weeks installing the metal signposts in the park ahead of a kickoff event for the StoryWalk on the afternoon of Oct. 4. Its been a priority for the city to have more collaboration between the library and the Parks Department, so it seemed like a natural fit for us to be doing this, said Becky Standal, the Longview Public Librarys youth librarian. The StoryWalk was originally suggested by two University of Washington graduate students on the Longview library staff as their capstone project. A trial run of the display was put up earlier this year using books on temporary signs placed along paths in Lake Sacagawea and outside the library. Standal said the project was well received, based on the 80 or so survey responses the library got from people who had used it. Library staff decided to use a $6,000 grant they had received from the Washington State Library to pursue a more permanent version. The Longview City Council approved an additional $620 in Neighborhood Park Grant funds for the installation during the Aug. 23 council meeting. Library staff presented the idea to the Parks & Recreation Board, which chose Archie Anderson Park for the project because of the sidewalk circling the park and easy access to the StoryWalk for people living nearby. Twenty metal posts will be placed along a half-mile path on the outskirt of the park, each with one or two pages on display. The pages are laminated and placed under a water-resistant clear cover to protect them from Washingtons rain. Each book will be on display for two weeks at a time. Standal and the two librarians who proposed the original StoryWalk have already selected books that will be used for the next year. Standal said they chose a lot of newer books and books that were available in both English and Spanish. We wanted to get some nonfiction books too, that cover different topics and themes. Theres an emphasis overall on the outdoors, Standal said. The first book that will go on display is The Little Kitten by Nicola Killen, described as an autumnal story about a little girl and her pet cat trying to help a stray kitten. After two weeks, the book will be swapped out for a story about the holiday Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. The StoryWalk idea was created by a librarian in Montpelier, Vermont and is a trademarked approach to making reading more interactive. Camas offered a StoryWalk as part of its summer reading program this year. A temporary popup version has been operating for several years in parks in Seattle and Eastside. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to flock to Londons medieval Westminster Hall from Wednesday to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II, whose coffin will lie in state for four days until her funeral on Monday. People who want to view the queens coffin can do so from 5 p.m. local time Wednesday until 6:30 a.m. on Monday. British officials have published two waiting routes along the River Thames that the public need to join before they can enter Westminster Hall. The closed coffin will be draped with a royal flag and adorned with royal regalia. Royal guards will stand 24 hours a day at each corner of the platform. SEATTLE Harborview Medical Center continues to care for nearly 100 more inpatients than its licensed capacity as it struggles to discharge patients who no longer need hospitalization but still need significant care and have nowhere to go, the hospital's CEO said Wednesday. Harborview, which is publicly owned and serves as the trauma center for much of the Northwest, is licensed for 413 inpatient beds. It currently has about 500 inpatients, CEO Sommer Kleweno Walley told King County's Regional Policy Committee, comprising city and county government officials. The hospital averaged about 477 inpatients, well above its licensed capacity, through fiscal year 2022, which ended in July. The capacity crisis peaked a month ago when the hospital had 562 inpatients and had to divert less-acute patients to other area hospitals. Harborview also serves as the disaster preparedness hospital for Seattle and King County and serves difficult-to-treat populations, including people in King County jails and those with mental illness and addiction. "We had literally no further place to board patients," Kleweno Walley said. "The next car wreck that needed to come in, we could not care for at that point." The "basic life support divert" in effect for about a week in August resulted in about 10 fewer patients per day arriving at Harborview, even as the hospital continued to accept the most critically ill patients. The primary issue facing Harborview, as well as other hospitals in the region, is not that there are too many patients coming in; it's that it's difficult to impossible to discharge patients when they're ready to leave. When Harborview had those 562 patients in August, 152 of them did not need to be there, Kleweno Walley said. They needed to be in a long-term care or skilled nursing facility, like an adult family home, with help dressing, eating and bathing, but without the acute medical services that a hospital provides. About half of the state's nursing homes report being short-staffed, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, about three times more than the number reporting low staffing levels near the start of the COVID pandemic. "We have individuals who need to move to the next level of care, but there is no level of care to move them to," Kleweno Walley said. An additional 94 patients were in long-term care facilities with funding from Harborview, a program the hospital launched in 2018. While Harborview used the diversion program only for about a week in August, as an emergency stabilization measure, it had a spillover effect on other health care providers. Ambulance services have to travel longer distances to take patients to other hospitals, or have to wait with patients that can't be immediately admitted. Other hospitals, of course, have to take patients that otherwise would be at Harborview. Harborview continues to "treat and transfer" patients to other area hospitals, especially those also within the UW Medicine system, Kleweno Walley said. Last year, Harborview had an average of 85 patients who didn't need to be hospitalized but couldn't be discharged because there was no facility to take them. That's a number that has been stubbornly high for years. Solutions tend to involve more funding. The state is providing some emergency staffing to long-term care facilities. Harborview has asked the state for help in reducing its difficult-to-discharge patient population to 50. And the hospital is asking local, state and federal officials for funding to help expand long-term care options. The crisis in discharging patients is not unique to Harborview. Many of the state's hospitals are near or over capacity, according to industry officials. The Washington State Hospital Association earlier this summer said many facilities, especially in the Puget Sound region, are at 120% to 130% of their capacity. At Swedish Health Services, about 17% of patients no longer require hospital care, chief nursing officer Kristy Carrington said in July. At MultiCare Health System, based in Tacoma, staffers were caring for 180 patients who could be discharged. "In many ways, Harborview is the canary in the coal mine," said King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, chair of the Regional Policy Committee. "What happens at Harborview is happening throughout our region." Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn will invest $19.4 billion to make semiconductors in India with local conglomerate Vedanta, backed by New Delhi's push to boost tech self-reliance after a global chip shortage. Semiconductors are an essential component of nearly all modern electronics, from smartphones to kitchen appliances and cars, but the coronavirus pandemic kneecapped global production and leading manufacturers are still struggling to meet demand. India approved a $10 billion incentive plan last December to kickstart its own domestic industry by covering up to half of all project costs. The deal announced Tuesday is the scheme's most ambitious investment to date and will see a manufacturing facility built in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state of Gujarat. "India's own Silicon Valley is a step closer now," Vedanta group chairman Anil Agarwal tweeted on Tuesday, thanking the government for helping "tie things up so quickly". Vedanta, one of India's biggest mining companies, will take a 60 percent share in the joint venture for its first step into chip-making. Foxconn, the world's top iPhone assembler, will take the minority stake. "The improving infrastructure and the government's active and strong support increases confidence in setting up a semiconductor factory," Foxconn vice president Brian Ho said in a statement. The facilities will be operational by 2024 and will also manufacture display screens for phones and tablets, the companies said. Shares in Vedanta rose six percent in Mumbai a day after the announcement. India has sought to boost its domestic production capacity in a range of strategic sectors, including military hardware and advanced technology. "In the current geopolitical scenario, trusted sources of semiconductors... are key to the security of critical information infrastructure," India's technology ministry said earlier. The government's semiconductor incentive scheme has already successfully wooed several investors, with Singapore's IGSS Ventures announcing $3.2 billion in July to make chips in Tamil Nadu state. Another partnership between NextOrbit of the UAE and Israel's Tower Semiconductor signed on in May for a $2.9 billion plant in Karnataka state. The vast majority of the world's top chips are made by just two companies -- TSMC of Taiwan and South Korea's Samsung -- both of which are running at full capacity to alleviate the ongoing global shortage. Anil Agrawal has revealed that Vedanta will be making iPhones in India. Check details here. Foxconn and Vedanta have announced a $19.4 billion (Rs. 1.54 lakh crore) deal to make semiconductors in India. The first semiconductor plant will be set up in Gujarat. "The 60:40 joint venture of Vedanta-Foxconn will set up a semiconductor fab unit, a display fab unit, and a semiconductor assembling and testing unit on a 1000-acre land in the Ahmedabad district," the report informed. Also, Chairman Anil Agarwal told CNBC TV18 that Vedanta will create a hub to manufacture Apple iPhones and TV equipment too. It may also venture into the electric vehicle sector. Live Mint reports the hub is likely to be in Maharashtra. Agarwal added that this would be "kind of forward integration for the Gujarat JV plant". "The plant will start production in two years," Agarwal said after signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat government on Tuesday. It can be known that semiconductors are essential pieces of many electronic products - from cars to mobile phones, ATM cards, and kitchen appliances. The semiconductor supply chain was affected due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and hence the shortage of the semiconductor further affected many industries, including electronics and automotive. The Indian semiconductor market was valued at $27.2 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR of nearly 19 percent to reach $64 billion in 2026. However, none of these chips are manufactured in India so far. The Indian government brought a fiscal incentive scheme for manufacturing semiconductors in the country mainly to cut dependence on imports from nations like Taiwan and China. Vedanta chairman said, "this is the largest ever investment in Gujarat... ours will be the first semiconductor plant in the country," adding local manufacturing of chips will make laptops and tablets affordable. He further informed that Gujarat unit will manufacture 40,000 wafers and 60,000 panels per month to begin with. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the MoU and said that it will boost the economy and create jobs. "This MoU is an important step in accelerating India's semiconductor manufacturing ambitions. The investment of 1.54 lakh crore will create a significant impact to boost the economy and jobs. This will also create a huge ecosystem for ancillary industries and help our MSMEs," he tweeted. HONOR has announced the X40 at the Autumn New Product Launch held in China today. However, the device is confirmed to arrive in Malaysia with a new name, plus even more powerful tech specs. Therefore, if you like what you see at today's launch, you'll be able to get a better version of it soon. The X40 comes with a 6.67-inch OLED curved screen with a 45 curvature, combined with 1.07 billion colours and a 120Hz refresh rate. Despite having a large 5,100mAh battery, it's the thinnest mobile phone with a battery capacity of more than 5,000mAh on the market. HONOR has also conducted 33 rigorous tests on the device, such as marble and simulated concrete drops, and the X40 passed them all. It's unsure which part will get enhanced when the smartphone arrives in the local market, but we'll probably find out soon. Besides that, HONOR Malaysia also revealed that the new HONOR X6 would release on 7 October. The entry-level device gets equipped with 128GB of large memory, making it the leader in large memory compared to other competitors. The HONOR X9 series, X8 series and X7 have visited the local market, while the HONOR X6 will be the latest to join the lineup. Are you excited about their arrival? Leave a comment to let us know how you feel, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more smartphone news. Google has been under scrutiny over its payment system for apps. Indonesia has launched an anti-trust investigation into Google over the etch firm's insistence that its payment system be used for purchases from its app store, authorities said Thursday, accusing it of unfair business practices. The US internet giant has been under legal scrutiny in a number of countries over its stipulation that its billing system be used by all buyers on Google Play. Authorities in Jakarta said in a statement they suspected "Google has abused its dominant position by imposing conditional sales and discriminatory practices in digital application distribution in Indonesia". Google Play is the largest app distribution platform in Indonesia, a country of around 270 million people. Third-party developers offering their apps on Google Play are charged a 15 to 30 percent service fee, higher than the five percent imposed by other payment systems, according to an initial probe by the nation's anti-trust agency. "The respective developers cannot refuse the obligation because Google can impose sanctions by removing their applications from the Google Play store and preventing them from making updates to their applications," the agency said. Google Indonesia said on Friday that it would work with the Indonesian authorities "to demonstrate how Google Play supports developers". It added that since early this month, it has started a pilot billing system, allowing an alternative payment system alongside the one used on Google Play. The American multinational has faced a barrage of legal cases in the United States, Europe and Asia based on similar accusations. Google has also faced claims that it unfairly forced its search engine and Chrome internet browser on phone makers using the Android operating system. On Wednesday, the European Union's second-highest court ruled that "Google imposed unlawful restrictions on manufacturers of Android mobile devices". The court upheld the EU's record fine of more than four billion euros ($4 billion) against Google. That case was the third of three major cases brought against Google by the EU's competition czar Margrethe Vestager, whose legal challenges were the first worldwide to directly take on Silicon Valley tech giants. South Korea fined Google nearly $180 million last year for abusing its dominant market position in a similar case regarding the Android system. Explore further Google handed setback as EU court upholds record fine 2022 AFP A computational strategy to find new optimized structures for organic redox flow batteries. Credit: Sowndarya S. V. et al. Recent advancements in the development of machine learning and optimization techniques have opened new and exciting possibilities for identifying suitable molecular designs, compounds, and chemical candidates for different applications. Optimization techniques, some of which are based on machine learning algorithms, are powerful tools that can be used to select optimal solutions for a given problem among a typically large set of possibilities. Researchers at Colorado State University and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have been applying state-of-the-art molecular optimization models to different real-world problems that entail identifying new and promising molecular designs. In their most recent study, featured in Nature Machine Intelligence, they specifically applied a newly developed, open-source optimization framework to the task of identifying viable organic radicals for aqueous redox flow batteries, energy devices that convert chemical energy into electricity. "Our project was funded by an ARPA-E program that was looking to shorten how long it takes to develop new energy materials using machine learning techniques," Peter C. St. John, one of the researchers who carried out the study, told TechXplore. "Finding new candidates for redox flow batteries was an interesting extension of some of our previous work, including a paper published in Nature Communications and another in Scientific Data, both looking at organic radicals." The new framework created by St. John and his colleagues was inspired by their previous work on molecular optimization. The framework essentially consists of the artificial intelligence (AI) tool AlphaZero, developed by DeepMind, coupled with a fast machine learning-derived model, made up of two graph neural networks trained on almost 100,000 quantum chemistry simulations. The first of the graph neural networks was trained to predict oxidation and reduction potentials, two important parameters for determining how much energy can be stored in aqueous redox flow batteries. The second predicts the density of electrons and the local 3D environment, which have both been found to be associated with the lifetime of these batteries. "We pose molecule optimization as a tree search, where we build molecules by adding components iteratively onto a growing structure," St. John explained. "The advantage of this approach is that we can prune off large branches of the search space where molecules start to show substructures that are unrealistic. We can therefore limit our search space to only molecules that meet a predetermined set of simple criteria." The researchers used their molecular optimization framework to run a series of tests aimed at identifying possible organic radicals for aqueous redox flow batteries that could be particularly stable and promising. The framework successfully identified several molecular candidates that satisfied a specific combination of criteria defined by St. John and his colleagues. "We demonstrated that the set of possible candidates for a particular type of charge carrier in organic redox flow batteries may be larger than previously considered," St. John said. "We also showed that molecules may be found that could lead to simpler, high-performance batteries without requiring the use of transition metals." So far, the optimization framework developed by this team of researchers has proved to be a highly promising tool for tackling complex real-world problems related to engineering and chemistry. In the future, it could thus be used to identify new desirable compounds and molecular candidates for many different technologies, including aqueous redox flow batteries. "We would now like to explore adding additional criteria like solubility and redox pairs between charged states," St. John added. "This would require additional training data, but it may lead to more promising candidate structures." Explore further A heteropoly acid negolyte that could enhance the performance of aqueous redox flow batteries at low temperatures 2022 Science X Network Microsoft in January announced a bid to create the world's third biggest gaming company by revenue by purchasing the owner of hit games "Candy Crush" and "Call Of Duty" Britain on Thursday announced an "in-depth investigation" into Microsoft's planned $69-billion takeover of US gaming giant Activision Blizzard, citing UK competition concerns. US technology giant Microsoft in January announced a bid to create the world's third biggest gaming company by revenue, behind China's Tencent and Japan's Sony, by purchasing the owner of hit games "Candy Crush" and "Call Of Duty". The proposed deal, already controversial owing to allegations of sexual harassment against women at Activision, now faces a probe by Britain's Competition and Markets Authority. "The CMA has referred the anticipated acquisition by Microsoft Corporation of Activision Blizzard, Inc. for an in-depth investigation," a statement said. It added that the "merger may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom". Activision Blizzard's portfolio also includes the popular game "World Of Warcraft". Sorcha O'Carroll, senior director of mergers at the CMA, previously expressed concern that Microsoft could use its control over Call Of Duty and World Of Warcraft "to harm rivals, including recent and future rivals in multi-game subscription services and cloud gaming". Sony has expressed concerns that Call of Duty might no longer be accessible on its PlayStation console. Microsoft dismissed such a suggestion, however, saying in a statement Thursday that "it makes zero business sense... to remove Call of Duty from PlayStation given its market leading console position". Explore further Microsoft's Activision Blizzard deal gets global scrutiny 2022 AFP Earlier this week, it was reported that former New Mexico governor and diplomat Bill Richardson was in Moscow with his team meeting with Russian leadership over a potential prisoner swap to get WNBA star Brittney Griner released from prison. While that sounded like great news at first, the United States government is apparently not a fan of a third party being involved in negotiations. Wednesday, a U.S. official made a stern statement that seemed to be directed at Richardson and anyone else who wanted to be part of the negotiations. Our message is that private citizens should not be in Moscow at all right now and that private citizens cannot negotiate on behalf of the United States government, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Wednesday. While Richardson is indeed a private citizen, he also has extensive experience in these kinds of issues. Hes also the head of an organization that focuses on freeing Americans who are wrongfully detained abroad. Richardsons plans to visit were initially reported in July and, at the time, Kirby said that U.S. officials were in constant communication with him, inferring a partnership of sorts. Richardson has also said that he is optimistic about a resolution soon. However, according to ABC News, the State Department has closed ranked in recent weeks and been less receptive to outside help. Spokesperson Ned Price confirmed that on Wednesday, saying that outside groups and people could end up causing problems for the negotiations. Our concern is that anything other than negotiating further through the established channel is likely to hinder the efforts that we have undertaken to see the release of Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner, he said. Its unclear what changed between now and July, but its clear that the U.S. government thinks theyre better off negotiating directly with Russia over Griner and Whelan, even if that outside help has done this before. [ABC News] Country United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a stark warning to Moscow, declaring that "history will put everything in its place" as Ukrainian troops swept through the northeastern region of Kharkiv. In a Telegram post addressed to Russia, Zelensky asked: "Do you still think that we are 'one nation?' Do you still think that you can scare us, break us, make us make concessions?" "You really did not understand anything? Don't understand who we are? What are we for? What are we talking about?," said the post, which published Sunday. "Read my lips: Without gas or without you? Without you. Without light or without you? Without you. Without water or without you? Without you. Without food or without you? Without you," Zelensky wrote. "Cold, hunger, darkness and thirst are not as scary and deadly for us as your 'friendship and brotherhood,'" he added. "But history will put everything in its place. And we will be with gas, light, water and food ... and WITHOUT you!" Zelensky's message came after a week of stunning transformation on the battlefield of eastern Ukraine, as the country's forces punctured Russian defenses and recaptured more than 3,000 square kilometers (more than 1,100 square miles) of territory. Russia's recent collapse in Kharkiv has been met with stinging criticism from Kremlin loyalists -- and prompted the question of how Moscow will respond to its failure. Zelensky said Russia retaliated on Sunday with missile strikes on infrastructure that caused a power outage in parts of eastern Ukraine, including the regions of Kharkiv and Donetsk. "Even through the impenetrable darkness, Ukraine and the civilized world clearly see these terrorist acts. Deliberate and cynical missile strikes on critical civilian infrastructure. No military facilities," Zelensky said via Telegram. On Monday, Russia launched fresh airstrikes on Kharkiv as the Kremlin sought to downplay Moscow's setback in the region, insisting that it would achieve all the goals of its "special military operation" in Ukraine. "The special military operation continues and will continue until the initial goals are achieved," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin was aware of the situation on the frontline. After the success of Ukraine's counteroffensive on Saturday, the Russian Defense Ministry sought to present its retreat as a strategic regrouping. "The decision was made to regroup Russian troops in the areas of Balakleya and Izium and redirect their efforts in the Donetsk direction," it said. The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Wednesday announced sweeping sanctions against ten individuals and two entities backed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for their involvement in ransomware attacks at least since October 2020. The agency said the cyber activity mounted by the individuals is partially attributable to intrusion sets tracked under the names APT35, Charming Kitten, Nemesis Kitten, Phosphorus, and TunnelVision. "This group has launched extensive campaigns against organizations and officials across the globe, particularly targeting U.S. and Middle Eastern defense, diplomatic, and government personnel, as well as private industries including media, energy, business services, and telecommunications," the Treasury said. The Nemesis Kitten actor, which is also known as Cobalt Mirage, DEV-0270, and UNC2448, has come under the scanner in recent months for its pattern of ransomware attacks for opportunistic revenue generation using Microsoft's built-in BitLocker tool to encrypt files on compromised devices. Microsoft and Secureworks have characterized DEV-0270 as a subgroup of Phosphorus (aka Cobalt Illusion), with ties to another actor referred to as TunnelVision. The Windows maker also assessed with low confidence that "some of DEV-0270's ransomware attacks are a form of moonlighting for personal or company-specific revenue generation." What's more, independent analyses from the two cybersecurity firms as well as Google-owned Mandiant has revealed the group's connections to two companies Najee Technology (which functions under the aliases Secnerd and Lifeweb) and Afkar System, both of which have been subjected to U.S. sanctions. It's worth noting that Najee Technology and Afkar System's connections to the Iranian intelligence agency were first flagged by an anonymous anti-Iranian regime entity called Lab Dookhtegan earlier this year. "The model of Iranian government intelligence functions using contractors blurs the lines between the actions tasked by the government and the actions that the private company takes on its own initiative," Secureworks said in a new report detailing the activities of Cobalt Mirage. While exact links between the two companies and IRGC remain unclear, the method of private Iranian firms acting as fronts or providing support for intelligence operations is well established over the years, including that of ITSecTeam (ITSEC), Mersad, Emennet Pasargad, and Rana Intelligence Computing Company. On top of that, the Secureworks probe into a June 2022 Cobalt Mirage incident showed that a PDF file containing the ransom note was created on December 17, 2021, by an "Ahmad Khatibi" and timestamped at UTC+03:30 time zone, which corresponds to the Iran Standard Time. Khatibi, incidentally, happens to be the CEO and owner of the Iranian company Afkar System. Ahmad Khatibi Aghda is also part of the 10 individuals sanctioned by the U.S., alongside Mansour Ahmadi, the CEO of Najee Technology, and other employees of the two enterprises who are said to be complicit in targeting various networks globally by leveraging well-known security flaws to gain initial access to further follow-on attacks. Some of the exploited flaws, according to a joint cybersecurity advisory released by Australia, Canada, the U.K., and the U.S., as part of the IRGC-affiliated actor activity are as follows - Fortinet FortiOS path traversal vulnerability (CVE-2018-13379) Fortinet FortiOS default configuration vulnerability (CVE-2019-5591) Fortinet FortiOS SSL VPN 2FA bypass vulnerability (CVE-2020-12812) ProxyShell (CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-34523, and CVE-2021-31207), and Log4Shell (CVE-2021-44228, CVE-2021-45046, and/or CVE-2021-45105) "Khatibi is among the cyber actors who gained unauthorized access to victim networks to encrypt the network with BitLocker and demand a ransom for the decryption keys," the U.S. government said, in addition to adding him to the FBI's Most Wanted list. "He leased network infrastructure used in furtherance of this malicious cyber group's activities, he participated in compromising victims' networks, and he engaged in ransom negotiations with victims." Coinciding with the sanctions, the Justice Department separately indicted Ahmadi, Khatibi, and a third Iranian national named Amir Hossein Nickaein Ravari for engaging in a criminal extortion scheme to inflict damage and losses to victims located in the U.S., Israel, and Iran. All three individuals have been charged with one count of conspiring to commit computer fraud and related activity in connection with computers; one count of intentionally damaging a protected computer; and one count of transmitting a demand in relation to damaging a protected computer. Ahmadi has also been charged with one more count of intentionally damaging a protected computer. That's not all. The U.S. State Department has also announced monetary rewards of up to $10 million for any information about Mansour, Khatibi, and Nikaeen and their whereabouts. "These defendants may have been hacking and extorting victims including critical infrastructure providers for their personal gain, but the charges reflect how criminals can flourish in the safe haven that the Government of Iran has created and is responsible for," Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen said. The development comes close on the heels of sanctions imposed by the U.S. against Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) and its Minister of Intelligence, Esmaeil Khatib, for engaging in cyber-enabled activities against the nation and its allies. Throughout the Husker Harvest Day grounds, the internet of things is a dominant feature of agricultural technology. In todays agriculture, nearly everything is connected in some way with the internet. While there is no denying that the internet of things is transforming farming and ranching, it also poses a huge vulnerability to cyber criminals who want to steal information or hold a business or farming and ranching operation as a technological hostage. Cyber Threats and Agriculture was the theme Wednesday at Husker Harvest Days. A press conference was sponsored by Nebraska Farm Bureau. Its president, Mark McHargue of Central City, was one of the speakers, along with Eugene Kowel of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Omaha, and Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson. McHargue said that you dont have to walk very far around the HHD grounds to see something that is collecting data and transmitting it through the internet. He said agriculture is powered by information that is vital to the success of a farming, ranching or agribusiness operation. Having the information vulnerable to cyber criminals not only hurts those businesses and operations, but is also a threat to national security. Kowel said every farm, ranch and agribusiness in Nebraska that is connected to the internet is at potential risk from cyber threats. With harvest season approaching, he said, cyber risks are particularly high. One of the foremost risks he said the FBI is concerned with is a cyber criminal halting the operation of a farm or ranch or food processing plant or agribusiness with a ransomware attack, with the cyber criminals inserting malware into a computer operating system that can steal information and hold it for ransom. There are also cyber threats from foreign governments, Kowel said. We live our lives more and more connected to the digital highway and the theft of our data, our technology and our innovation by foreign adversaries presents a particular concern for us, notably from the Peoples Republic of China, he said. Kowel said the FBI is focused on risks posed by adversarial nation states, whether its China, Russia, Iran or North Korea, that can either steal important technology or sabotage the nations food production system. I want to say that the cyber threats were seeing today are more pervasive, he said. It targets a wider variety of victims that carry the potential for greater damage than weve ever seen before. Kowel said that it impacts every one of us here in Nebraska who lives here, who works here and I want to say that theres a whole lot of companies in Nebraska that have been affected by cyber attacks over the past year. He said there was a surge in ransomware attacks in the agriculture industry during last years fall harvest. We saw six different attacks on cooperatives, three in our region, Kowel said. Some of the ransomware attacks hit production and administrative functions. He said another two co-ops were hit earlier this year. When that happened, we of course were very concerned that these attacks would disrupt fertilizer supply, disrupt seed supply and impact the harvest, Kowel said. Fortunately, attacks were stopped and they were mitigated before there was any lasting damage. He said the FBI believes that those co-ops were targeted and that those attacks were purposely launched to coincide with the planting and harvesting season. In January 2021, a ransomware attack against a U.S. farm resulted in a loss of approximately $9 million, shutting down a farming operation by being able to gain administrator-level access through compromised credentials by obtaining password access. So as we approach this fall season, we expect these kinds of cyber attacks to continue, Kowel said. As agriculture grows more technologically proficient in every aspect of production, the more vulnerable it becomes to cyber threats. We are the envy of the world when it comes to growing crops and raising livestock, Kowel said. It also makes us more vulnerable to cyber threats. And, unfortunately, cyber criminals know this. Theyre very savvy. And when cyber criminals look for targets that have the lowest perceived protection, the lowest perceived security, but have a high potential payout, in many ways agriculture hits the mark for them as it can yield the bad guys a big payday. He said farmers and ranchers do not often have the kind of sophisticated cybersecurity infrastructure that a large multinational corporation might have to protect it from potential cyber threats. Were working hard to detect, deter and disrupt any kind of malicious cyber activity, Kowel said. And its not just a matter of money, I mean, though economic implications are important. But for us, cybersecurity is an issue of national security. He said if a farming, ranching or agribusiness becomes the victim of a cyber attack, the producer should call the FBI immediately and we will come out. We can be on almost any doorstep in this state within a pretty quick amount of time, Kowel said. We will do whatever we can to both help mitigate the attack, get you back into business, identify where the attack came from, and pose significant risks and consequences on that cyber adversary. He said there are some things a person or business can do to prevent cyber attacks: Install security updates to your operating systems, as well as your software and firmware, as quickly as you can. Use multi-factor authentication, which is an electronic authentication method in which a user is granted access to a website or application only after successfully presenting two or more pieces of evidence to an authentication mechanism. Avoid randomly clicking links or going to unknown websites on your computer, phone, or even smart TV, as that can put you at risk of covertly downloaded software intended to damage or disable your computer or other devices. Making backups of collected data is critically important in data management. Backups protect against human errors, hardware failure, virus attacks, power failure and natural disasters. Keep the backed-up data on a hard drive so you can quickly get back up to speed. Have a cyber incident response plan for your farm, your ranch or your company and be prepared to call the FBI as quickly as you can. Kowell said the number to call to contact the FBI if theres a cyber threat is 402-493-8688 or online at fbi.gov/investigate/cyber. For more than a decade, Bill and Tanya Gifford, who ranch in Western Nebraska near Scottsbluff, have been holding a herding dog demonstration at Husker Harvest Days near Alda and Wood River. This year, the Giffords, who are members of the U.S. Border Collie Handler Association, have a new location at HHD. The location affords them better visibility for their demonstrations. They bring their border collies at different ages to show how the dogs progress in their training as they grow older. Bill Gifford said the dogs are born with the natural instinct to work with livestock. The job of the dogs owner is to direct that natural instinct into a productive animal that can work livestock. The Giffords raise both cattle and sheep and put their dogs to good use in managing their herds.At the same time, their demonstrations educate people about how herders and ranchers have put mans best friend to good practical use. From the time man first domesticated dogs, they modified the animals predatory behavior into the ability to herd other animals that man had domesticated. A breed like the border collie can get in front of an animal and use what is called its strong eye to stare the animal down, according to an online encyclopedia. Tanya Gifford said theyre really excited about their new location at HHD. Hopefully, well get a lot of people interested and have them get to know these dogs, she said. After more than a decade, the herding dog demonstrations are still popular with the HHD visitors. In their new location, they are surrounded by the latest technology in agriculture. Demonstrating this old art of tending to livestock brings a perspective to what agriculture has become in feeding a world of 8 billion people. Actually, I dont know how people get along on their ranches and their farms without these dogs, Gifford said. I mean, theyre like having a hired hand, you know, several of them, and they cost a lot less money. For their demonstrations at HHD, the Giffords have brought nine of their border collies with them. While the border collies have a natural born instinct for their work, Gifford relates an old shepherds saying about herding dogs that it takes a year for every leg they have to direct those born instincts into effective herding skills. A couple of weeks earlier, at the Nebraska State Fair, visitors got to see these herding dogs in action in a timed competition. The popularity of these dogs are getting more and more popular all the time, Gifford said. It is growing like crazy. The herding dog demonstration will go on four times daily during HHD at 9 and 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. They are located at Lot 1122. Some drones are good at taking pictures and capturing video from above. Other drones have different uses. They can hold up to 10 gallons of fungicide, herbicide and pesticide and drop those chemicals onto crops and livestock from above. Sprayer drones are on display at Husker Harvest Days this week. Drone demos are put on by Agri Spray Drones, based in Centralia, Missouri. In addition to using drones for their own operations, farmers can make money by spraying fields for their neighbors, said Jordan Sayre, drone applications manager for Agri Spray. Farmers use drones to apply fungicide, pesticide and herbicide. Some spray liquids to control flies on their cattle, or help cool them off, Sayre said. From above, its also possible to remove lily pads and moss from lakes. By using a drone, farmers can take more control over their operations, Sayre said. They can also start a new business by charging others for the service. Buying a drone is cheaper than leasing an airplane, Sayre said. The drones sold by Agri Spray cost $20,000 to $45,000. Smaller models hold two and a half gallons of liquid. The larger drones haul 10 and a half gallons. Its easier to get a drone pilots license (typically known as FAA Part 107) than it is to get a pilots license, Sayre said. Drone operators also save on chemicals, he said. Operators need to make sure theyre spraying herbicide properly. The chemical might drift into another farmers field. But that problem is easily avoidable, Sayre said. Drones can spread seed and fertilizer. Theyre also being used to spray trees in orchards. With something called real-time kinematic positioning (RTK), a drone knows how much to spray on each tree and where a tree is located. Drone sprayers are more precise than application by aircraft. With the drone, you can go through and spray your field and map it out properly. You can get close to the borders; you can get in closer to the trees. You can get close to the road and not have drift go anyplace. You can avoid overlapping (and) underlapping. It really helps out the field a lot more, Sayre said. Other companies sell drones that are better equipped to handle cameras, Sayre said. These days, some farmers fly drones to check on cattle and look at their crops. They inspect the roofs of barns, bins and other structures, or just take aerial photos of the family farm. For more information about Sayres company, visit www.agrispraydrones.com or call 573-519-5000. The readers capture images of plates, which are then stored by a contractor for six months. Police can flag images of plates as investigatory to prevent them from being erased. YORK Jonathan Thornton, 45, of York and formerly of Louisiana, has been charged with 17 felonies related to the possession of illegal firearms and controlled substances. The York Police Department was called to a campground location at the York interchange upon the report of a disturbance. In talking with a woman involved in the disturbance, the police were given information that Thornton is a convicted felon from Louisiana who is living at the campground. They were told he was in possession of illegal firearms. Because he is a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing any firearm. A search warrant was issued for the camper where Thornton was staying. According to court documents, local law enforcement found a Dremel and accessories believed to be used in the manufacturing of firearms, a Scorpio tactical back with Glock magazines, two Ruger BX-025 magazines, two Butler Creek 25-22 magazines, a single stack handgun jig and tools to manufacture a handgun frame, a Ruger 10-22 trigger group, a handgun slide, a Magpul comb riser kit, a bolt carrier for a 10-22 and miscellaneous gun parts. They also allegedly found 8,325 rounds of 22 long rifle ammunition; 1,136 rounds of .223/5.56 ammunition, two single stack Glock frames; five Ruger 10-22 10 round magazines; one Bowie knife with a blade longer than 3.5 inches; 14 AR-15 30-round magazines; a loaded 10-22 magazine; eight loaded Smith and Wesson Bodyguard magazines; a homemade suppressor with baffles that contained burned powder and carbon buildup indicative of it being used on a firearm; a Kydex conceal carry holster; a Smith and Wesson Bodyguard .350; 453 rounds of 9mm ammunition; 350 rounds of .350 ammunition; a Sporter barrel; a 10-22 stock; three loaded magazines for a single stack Glock; a Kydex holster; a Vaultech safe; a homemade no-serial 9mm Ghost Gun handgun; a Bersa .380 handgun; a Pelican Vault gun case; a loaded 10-22 with aftermarket components; and a Battle Arms AR-15 with aftermarket components. The officers also allege they found, according to the affidavit filed with the court, concentrated THC and paraphernalia, six hallucinogenic mushrooms weighing approximately eight grams, raw marijuana and paraphernalia, a digital scale, a knife and marijuana seeds that were individually packaged with genetic information which they say were indicative of intent to produce. Thornton has been charged with five counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, Class 1D felonies, which carry a possible maximum sentence of 3-50 years in prison; one count of using a deadly weapon to commit a felony, a Class 2 felony, which carry a possible maximum sentence of 1-50 years in prison; four counts of possession of a firearm while committing a felony, Class 2 felonies; two counts of possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, Class 2 felonies; two counts of possession of a deadly weapon while committing a felony, Class 2 felonies; delivery of an exceptionally hazardous drug, a Class 2 felony; and two counts of possession of a controlled substance, Class 4 felonies, which carry a possible maximum sentence of two years in prison. Arraignment proceedings were scheduled for this week but have been continued to Oct. 11 in the York County District Court. High-Impact Tutoring Illinois Tutoring Initiative to Scale Statewide In Partnership with Pearl Tutoring platform Pearl today announced that its partnership with the 1-year-old Illinois Tutoring Initiative will expand statewide to all districts meeting the eligibility requirements, thanks to leadership from Illinois State University and federal pandemic relief funds. The program provides largely in-person tutoring to students in grades 312 and is staffed by future teachers enrolled at ISU, home of the largest teacher-education program in the Midwest, Pearl representatives told THE Journal. Relying on Pearls tutor management resources and data capabilities, the Illinois Tutoring Initiative that began last spring has partnered with the Annenberg Institute at Brown University and its National Student Support Accelerator to development the program and establish success metrics for its high-impact tutoring roll-out. The initiative expects to serve 60 districts by the end of fall semester, Pearl said. ISU and five other higher education institutions Governors State University, Illinois Central College, Northern Illinois University, Southeastern Illinois College, and Southern Illinois University System are participating in the initiative; the institutions will recruit qualified tutors from their networks of current teachers, retired teachers, teacher education candidates, higher education students, and other community partners for the initiatives paid tutoring positions, Pearl said. The Illinois Tutoring Initiative will prioritize serving students most in need, based on districts adequacy of funding, concentration of low-income students, disproportionate COVID-19 impact, lost in-person instructional time during the 2020-21 school year, and current level of academic support resources and programs, Pearl told THE Journal. Illinois school districts serving Grades K8 are encouraged to contact the Institutional Partner Office in their respective region listed on the initiatives website. Districts serving grades 912 interested in participating in the initiatives online tutoring for high school mathematics can email [email protected] for information. The expanded tutoring effort expects to reach approximately 8,500 students over the next two years, through both in-person and online tutoring though most will be in-person, as some districts in Illinois have mandated that tutoring programs must be in-person. The programs design has tutors meeting 1:1 or in groups of up to three students for one hour, three times a week, for eight to 14 weeks. Lessons are tied to what students are learning in the classroom. Outcomes will be measured and assessed based on interim assessment scores, as well as annual state testing in math and reading, Pearl told THE Journal, and many districts are also measuring impact over time on social emotional development. ITI uses the Tutoring Quality Improvement System scorecard to align its programming to best practices for high-impact tutoring. In its initial six months during the spring, ITI recruited over 185 tutors from five universities to kick off multiple districts' high-impact tutoring programs that served hundreds of students across the state, Pearl said. The benefits of ITI tutoring services were also clear at the district level, said Jeremy Larson, Superintendent of Paris District 95. The ITI was able to step in and seamlessly deliver high quality, individual tutoring services for our students at a critical time and really helped us meet some important learning goals. Pearl founder and CEO John Failla said the company is thrilled to support the Illinois Tutoring Initiative, calling it a highly strategic and thoughtful deployment of sustainable tutoring. The ITI is a national model for meeting emerging and ongoing needs in education such as educating more dedicated teachers with great experience, while addressing the critical learning gaps exposed and accelerated by the pandemic to better serve students, statewide, he said. Christy Borders, Ed.D., former director of ISUs Cecilia J. Lauby Teacher Education Center, was selected to lead the statewide initiative; under her direction, ISU implemented a free tutoring program during the height of the pandemic in order to provide future teachers with experience while traditional classroom practice-teaching was impossible. Learn more at Pearls website. Ed Tech M&A School Website Provider Finalsite Acquires Anthology's Blackboard K12 Community Engagement Division Finalsite, a website provider for K12 schools, today announced it has acquired Anthologys Blackboard K12 Community Engagement division, which includes Blackboard Web Community Manager, Blackboard Connect, Blackboard Reach, Blackboard Mass Notifications, and the Blackboard Mobile Communications App, according to a news release. The deal makes Finalsite a significantly bigger player in the K12 digital marketing and communications software field; the company said its client base now totals over 7,000 schools and districts across 115 countries. With the addition of Blackboard K12, Finalsite can provide its clients enhanced access to more solutions, services, and thought leadership designed expressly for K12 institutions, delivered and supported by a focused team of industry experts, the companys announcement said. Anthology said that selling the division will allow it to continue its accelerated investment in Blackboard Learn Ultra, Anthology Student, and other areas of the business where Anthology can provide significant value to the global education community. Schools that use Blackboard Learn LMS will not be affected by the acquisition, Anthology said. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Headquartered in Glastonbury, Connecticut, Finalsite provides the software and hosting for about 5,000 school and university websites; a ransomware attack targeting the companys servers in January knocked its operations and about 3,000 of its client websites offline for several days. In these times of employment shortages and help wanted signs, area companies are finding new ways to show their appreciation to current staff members. For some businesses, that means having fun with employees. It goes a lot farther than just giving a cash bonus or something like that, explained Josh Judge, owner of Judge Services, a Carbondale-based exterior cleaning company. Fun experiences bring the team together. Getting everyone together outside of the hustle, bustle and daily grind helps everyone relax and builds a bond. From poolside cookouts to nights at the races and more, area business leaders are seeing the value in having workplace-related fun. For Ashlee Church, general manager of Volkswagen of Marion, fun activities are key to a successful workplace. Happy team members make for a good work environment, a good culture and thats one way that we are able to differentiate ourselves even within our customer experience, she explained. If people are happy to come to work every day, theyre going to deliver a better experience to our customers." Karsen McKinney, sales and marketing manager at HireLevel, a Marion-based employment services company, said her agency tries to hold fun event for employees quarterly and strongly encourages clients to do the same. Judge said he likes to have special events when company activities transition from one season to another and even sometimes surprises employees with parties and outings or even a day of relaxation. Last year, I actually pulled one on them. I scheduled what looked like jobs on the schedule a really rough day with things like big deck cleanings and more and when they came in, told them, Guess what? Were not doing that today. Instead, we laid by the pool and ate lots of food. That was fun, Judge said. For Volkswagen of Marion, special activities range from free lunches at a food truck parked on the sales lot to cookouts, bowling outings and holiday parties. Church said she sees the events not only as team-building exercises but also as an important part of retaining employees. As a manager, she said a willingness to plan fun experiences requires creative thinking and putting people above profits. Church said, We are always trying to ask ourselves, Why cant we? Why cant we close for Independence Day or why cant we take a half day and close the store early to go do something with our team? We need to think not just of our customer experience, but also our employee experience. She continued, I truly believe that whatever revenue you lose in something like this, you make up for in terms of all of the other positives that come from it. Judge said he thinks fun activities make a difference for his employees. I think they know that I appreciate them and hope they see that when Im willing to take a day in the middle of the week where we could be generating revenue, but instead, take it off to show them some thanks, he explained. I hope they see it as something special. Judge said he tries to do something for employees three to four times each year. We are a unique company, Judge said, so I want to keep on giving our employees some unique experiences that they wouldnt get anywhere else. Church said happy employees are more likely to become long-term employees, less apt to look for other work opportunities. The reputation as being a fun employer also helps in new talent. We want to be a part of changing the perception of what its like to work in a car dealership, she explained. We want people to have a positive impression of what it would be like to work for us. It can also be a way to recruit as well. Summer Vanderbilt, development manager at HireLevel, agreed with the retention benefits of having fun. The cost of bringing on somebody new, recruiting and training is expensive and wed rather spend money in making our employees know that they are valued. We want them to enjoy their time with us, she said. Judge said getaways and fun activities is something he would recommend to other employers. Our team comes in everyday and works hard, but they dont get a really good chance to bond with one another, so when whenever we can hit the brakes and do something different, they get a chance to delve into each others personal lives and get to know one another a bit more. It creates a stronger bond, he said. Those bonds are important, Vanderbilt said. This is how you keep your team members: make them feel like they are valued in the family, she said. A 32-year-old Norway man is accused of choking and punching his wife and threatening to kill his family, according to Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office warrants. Ethan Keith Batchler, of Savannah Highway, is facing two counts of first-degree assault and battery and one count each of domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. Batchlers wife claims he started to argue with her after he returned home from work on Wednesday night. They were on the porch when Batchler allegedly choked her until she lost consciousness. The wife said she regained consciousness after hearing a child yell for her. She hit Batchler to get him off of her, according to the incident report. She claims thats when Batchler punched her in the mouth. The wife went inside the house, grabbed the two children, retreated to a closet in the bedroom and called 911, he report said. She accused Batchler of yelling that would kill her and the children while she was on the phone with a dispatcher. The wife also claims Batchler kicked in the bedroom door while holding an AR-style rifle as she and the children were crying. She retrieved her pistol for self-defense. She told her husband that she would shoot him if he came at her again, the report said. Batchler allegedly grabbed his wifes pistol from her. His wife and children then retreated to another closet. She claims Batchler threatened to kill her mother and law enforcement if they showed up at the house. When deputies arrived, they saw Batchler near a vehicle. They took him into custody without incident. Deputies claim they found a 9 mm purple and pink SCCY handgun near the vehicle. Deputies also removed a chambered AR-15 300 Blackout rifle with a fully loaded magazine from the bedroom, the report states. Orangeburg County EMS took Batchlers wife to the Regional Medical Center for treatment. The injured woman had to receive stitches inside of her mouth, victims advocate Amy Rinkenberger said during a bond hearing Thursday. She said the injury will make it difficult for the woman to eat and provide nourishment to an infant child who is nursing. Rinkenberger also claims that the womans 3-year-old told responding deputies, He tried to kill my mommy, referencing Batchler. Rinkenberger asked the court to defer setting Batchlers bond to a circuit judge. We dont want him anywhere near her, she told the court. Batchler asked the court how he could press charges against his wife, because she assaulted me, he said. Orangeburg County Chief Magistrate Derrick Dash set Batchlers bond at $100,000. If he posts bail, hes required to wear a GPS monitor. Dash also signed a no contact order between Batchler and his accuser. At the start of the 2022-2023 school year, there were 162 vacancies in the Orangeburg County School District. Now 19.5 remain. Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Dr. Sharon Hampton made the announcement at the school board meeting held on Tuesday evening. Currently, all elementary-level core class vacancies have been filled, Hampton said. There are two half-vacancies, one in art and the other in music. In the districts secondary schools, there are 18.5 vacancies. Those schools with the greatest number of vacancies include: Five at Edisto High School ROTC, media specialist, social studies and two special services Three at Holly Hill-Roberts Middle School seventh-grade English language arts, eighth-grade science and eighth-grade math Two at Carver-Edisto Middle School sixth-grade English language arts and eighth-grade science Of the 146 teachers hired for the school year, 14 of them came from a recruitment effort for retired teachers. And of the 14 hired retired teachers, 11 of them are full-time and three are part-time, Hampton said. Hampton also noted that the teacher turnover rate has decreased since the countys former three school districts consolidated into one. In other matters discussed: The districts total revenue is $5,489,643.54 with expenses totaling $6,614,479.21, with a difference of negative $1,124,835.67. Assistant Superintendent of Finance Gail Sanders reminded the board that there will be months when the districts revenue will come in below expenditures due to not getting local revenues until the end of the calendar year, which starts around November. Board Secretary Idella W. Carson called for a budget workshop to be scheduled as soon as possible to address some line-item concerns. Carson said a parent reported that their child was required to bring three reams of paper for classroom school supplies. As of Tuesday, there were 11,011 students enrolled in the district, according to Superintendent Dr. Shawn Foster. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Andress Carter-Sims reported that the enrollment on day 180 of the previous school year was 11,016. Board member Peggy J. Tyler asked Carter-Sims to provide information, at a later meeting, about which areas of the county are showing the greatest and least growth in the number of students. Several board members said theyve had trouble trying to call directly to schools and theyve also received similar complaints from parents. Board member Dr. Sylvia Bruce-Stephens said shes attempted to call certain schools and is met with an automated message of this is no longer a working number. The problem is the system isnt doing whats supposed to do, she said. Board member Betty J. Pelzer said, One thing we dont need is for people not to be able to communicate with the schools. District Technology Director Eric Ham explained that the district is trying to remove the traditional, analog systems from the schools and replace them with VoIP. VoIP is an abbreviation for voice over internet protocol. VoIP uses broadband internet connections for calls rather than analog phone lines. Board member Mary B. Ulmer said, Im hearing a lot tonight that we have not been informed about or we hear very little about. If we can have some transparency and let the board be aware of the changes so that when constituents or community come to us with these concerns, we will be aware of whats going on. Foster noted that the VoIP system was put in place prior to him becoming superintendent. Im the only one to follow it through, he said. Well try to continue to be transparent and make folks aware, Foster noted. Were just following this project through from previous, interim superintendents. Ham also noted that the schools fax machines are being switched to an electronic fax system. Ham met with principals on Wednesday, in part to train them how to use e-fax rather than traditional faxing. The August Rookie Teacher of the Month, Isaiah Singleton, a fourth-grade science teacher at Brookdale Elementary School, was recognized. The August Employee of the Month, Susan Ryant, who works in the main office of Hunter-Kinard-Tyler Elementary School, was recognized. The board unanimously approved rescinding an April 2020 resolution so that board meetings are now open to the public to physically attend rather than doing so virtually. The names of several students were read for their perfect scores on various exit exam subjects (for middle and high schoolers) and SC Ready scores (for elementary school students). Coming off of a tough two years in education, thats something to be said about the academic performance of these students, Foster said. I personally want to congratulate those individuals as well because not only did they perform perfectly, but coming off and staying steadfast and consistent during challenging times shows the resiliency of our students, he added. The board met in executive session, then publicly unanimously approved Fosters recommendation for employment separation. The S.C. School Board Association Annual Business meeting is scheduled for Dec. 3. The school district is allowed to have four delegates. The following four board members volunteered: Dr. Sylvia Bruce-Stephens, Betty J. Pelzer, Dr. Debora Brunson and Peggy J. Tyler. Idella W. Carson volunteered as an alternate delegate. The next scheduled board meeting is set for Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m. The South Carolina State University Board of Trustees elected a new chairperson and vice chairperson during a Thursday meeting. The board voted by written ballot to elect Trustee Douglas Gantt as the new chairman for a two-year term, replacing former chairman Rodney Jenkins. Gantt received seven votes to Jenkins six. The board voted by acclamation to elect Trustee Dr. Macie P. Smith as the new vice chairman for a two-year term, replacing former Vice Chairman Donnie Shell. Smith was the only person nominated for the position. Gantt, a 1984 SC State graduate, said he intends to serve the students, faculty and alumni as chairman in the manner many of them are seeking. They want transparent leadership leadership where people are headed in the positive and right direction. I want to do this collectively, he said. For me, its about all the people who love SC State. Were all in this together, Gantt said. Jenkins thanked board members for their support during his tenure and pledged to assist Gantt with anything he might need. SCSU is experiencing a new chapter in its history, Jenkins said following the meeting. Along with the new chapter comes a new board of trustees leader, namely Chairman Douglas Gantt. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as board chair for the last three years. I continue to feel likewise serving on the board of trustees, Jenkins said. Going forward, I offer my support to Chairman Gantt as he transitions into his new role. I truly believe SCSUs trajectory is headed in the right direction to enhance the universitys mission. Bulldog tenacity rings loud. God bless SCSU. Gantt is a resident of North Augusta and is in leadership at Pfizer Inc., an American multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation. He has served on the board from the 2nd Congressional District since 2019. Smith also has served on the board since 2019. She received her bachelor's degree in social work and master's in rehabilitation counseling from SC State. She earned her doctorate in higher education leadership from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She is a licensed gerontology social worker. S.C. State President Alexander Conyers said he looks forward to working with Gantt and Smith in their new roles. The people behind the thousands of roadworks projects currently underway around the Grand Duchy have admitted that the projects are all part of a nation-wide psychology experiment. The aim, say transportation officials who have been working with researchers from the University of Wiltz, is to better understand how drivers react to unexpected delays, long detours, and what appear to be randomly assigned road closures. The project, which to date has cost the universitys psychology department nearly 445 million euros, began 10 years with a residential street in the Kirchberg district being dug up and repaved for no particular reason. The next thing we did was close off a whole block of Limpertsberg, half expecting residents to question what we were doing or maybe yell at us, said project leader Les Hoffer. But no, they all dutifully parked on other streets and never said a peep to us, even though we kept opening and closing the block for a whole year. Oh, wait, we never ended up opening it back up, he added after consulting with a colleague. Oops, lets fix that before the years end. Another time, Hoffers team used a large truck to block one lane of a busy two-lane street and left it there for the whole day, providing no flagman to help direct the flow of traffic and instead let the drivers fend for themselves. Man, some drivers had the weirdest reactions, Hoffer said. One woman rolled down her window and did a Tarzan scream at our team, and one man parked his Fiat and tried to do the job himself before we told him to go away. Hoffer says critics of the study describe it as a waste of money and resources, adding that it causes unnecessary anguish and frustration, and that it really has no point. Rubbish, all of that, Hoffer said. We have conclusively shown that while most drivers put up with obstacles, inconveniences, and shutdowns, they dont like it very much we can say that for sure. Rodrigo, a 34-year-old PhD student whose role in the experiment was to wear a yellow vest and direct drivers around an imaginary hole for a year, agrees with the findings, saying that he could see right away that people dont like being made late for work and appointments. It tends to make them angry, he said. Now we know. More at Wurst.lu Each week, RTL reaches 419,000 people in Luxembourg. Today Ilres published the latest figures of the plurimedia study carried out between September 2021 and June 2022. The plurimedia study was conducted among 3,552 residents aged 15 and over. Key figures about the study in Luxembourg During a one week period RTL.lu is the media which achieves the best coverage rate with 52,4 % of the population, ahead of RTL Radio Letzebuerg (48,7 %) and RTL Tele Letzebuerg* (48,1 %). RTL remains the country's leading media brand. Altogether the RTL media (Radio, TV and digital platforms) reach for 77,2% of Luxembourg's population each week, which means we reach some 419,000 people in all, namely 8 in 10 people. RTL.lu (including RTL Today & RTL 5minutes.lu ) attracts 284,200 users per day. (including & ) attracts 284,200 users per day. RTL Radio Letzebuerg confirms its position as the leading radio station in Luxembourg. Each day, the generalist station reaches 264,300 listeners among the 15+ population. confirms its position as the leading radio station in Luxembourg. Each day, the generalist station reaches 264,300 listeners among the 15+ population. RTL Tele Letzebuerg* is the most watched TV channel in Luxembourg: its programs are enjoyed by 260,900 viewers every day. The whole team of RTL Luxembourg thanks you for your continued trust * Including RTL ZWEE and RTL TV via Internet. On Thursday, officials from the Luxembourg Armed Forces are expected to sign purchase contracts for 80 new armoured vehicles, estimated to cost 226 million. Minister of Defence Francois Bausch and Army Chief of Staff Steve Thull will sign the contract for the 80 new armoured vehicles with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) on Thursday. The set of new vehicles will thus modernise the Army's former fleet of Hummers and Dingos, which are in need of replacement. The transaction is expected to cost 226 million. The citizens' climate council, founded in early 2022, presented its proposals to combat climate change on Thursday. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel announced the creation of the climate council back in October 2021, during his State of the Nation address. Now, after "eight months of intense deliberation", the council, which is made up of around 100 citizens, has presented its proposals to government representatives including Bettel himself, as well as the environment minister Joelle Welfring. The meeting is said to have gone well, with council members later saying the Premier had listened attentively to their proposals. Representatives of the council formulated around 50 recommendations in order to aid the Grand Duchy in the fight against global warming. In particular, the recommendations focused on accelerating the transition to renewable energies, improving waste management, raising public awareness, reducing food waste, preserving soil, reducing meat consumption and better managing our living space. More renewables, as quickly as possible The "polluter-pays" principle was also mentioned, while some recommended a "significant" increase in the CO2 tax. Although many of these objectives already form part of the government's programme, the council took the opportunity to ask the Luxembourg government to step things up a notch. " We must protect the climate at all costs", declared one of the representatives. Les representants du Bureau citoyen pour le climat photographies le 15 septembre 2022 / SIP/ Emmanuel Claude Some original ideas were also mentioned, such as the creation of a new energy passport taking into account "the true carbon footprint of all buildings" or even the establishment of a bonus for consumers who have their electronic devices repaired instead of replacing them. A ban on non-recyclable materials in schools and public spaces was also recommended, as well as the creation of an ecological label on food products and areas reserved for eco-responsible products in stores. Overall, there was no shortage of ideas at the Hotel Saint-Augustin, making it clear that some residents are ready to step up their efforts in the fight against global warming. However, as the Q&A round that followed proved, there are still people who think that climate change is not a priority, such as the journalist who asked the citizens' council if they wanted to "return to the Middle Ages". This suggests that the first battle to be waged will be that of raising public awareness and encouraging immediate action in light of the climate crisis. As a next step, members of the climate council will present their propositions to relevant committees in the Chamber of Deputies in early October, ahead of the consultation debate which is set to take place on 25 October. 5 Must Go To International Destinations during Winter As winter approaches, we find ourselves wishing for winter wonderlands with the excitement of Christmas and New Year coming to experience something unique and unseen. Easy said than done, finding the right place to park ourselves is one Herculean task. But letting you just put your thoughts on what to pack and what not, we bring to you five internatinal holiday destinations you can choose from to make your vacation memorable.If someone tells you Prague is a beauty in summers, tell them Decembers add more to it. The gothic architecture of the city provides the perfect backdrop for sugary pastries, roasted ham and warming up with mulled wine; add to it the major holiday shopping for Christmas in old town and Wenceslas squares. The streets are covered with food and beverages stalls and traditional Czech goods & ornaments with frenzy of holiday carols and lights in every nook and corner you roll your eyes. The must see places are Charles Bridge, Prague Castle which has history of decades, old town square, and St. Vitus Cathedral.Forthose who have love beer, you can literally bath in all the finest brews . The best ever Beer is here!!!Famous for its historical attraction and great art, for distinctive color & flavor of its old sections that has been preserved so well for years, Amsterdam is every tourist's major holiday destination. You can visit the age old museum that tells you the tales of history, for e.g. Van Gogh, Rijksmuseum and the renowned Anne Frank House. The best ways to explore the city is by a boat tour through the historic canal ring or book a bicycle and roam around in the locals in the native.Vienna has an artistic & intellectual legacy shaped by great personalities like Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud. The city is also known for imperial palaces, masterpiece-filled museums and more vibrant epicurean and design scenes & art pieces. If you are coffee person, then Vienna has the best coffee culture in the world with the best taste. Vienna is also known for finer Austrian wines, spectacular cakes, elegant restaurants, and their experiments with the local & fresh flavor combinations in innovative ways and often repurposed venues. It entices locals & visitors with splendid attractions, world-class events, and excellent public transport and city bike scheme, fabulous eateries, cafes, bars, wineries, artisan shops and exciting street markets. This place is consistently rankest for offering the best quality in the world.What makes the trip to Norway an unforgettable one is the wonderful nature with panoramic view, numerous outdoor activities and SPA centers. This place is the gateway to the Fjords of Norway where you can explore the wildest & loveliest sides by roaming through the living history. Bergen is famous for the seven mountains surrounding the city centre, the Hanseatic Wharf, the fish market and one of the Norway's biggest cultural events: the Bergen International Festival which is held every year. Since 10 percent of the Bergen's population is students, it adds a fresh and youthful mood to the city's vibe and is home to diverse restaurants, pubs, craft shops and historic museums.The city never sleeps, even in the coldest day of winters. That is what has made it the most lovable destination for tourists. Especially during Christmas, the place is in the bucket list of all travelers. With options to spoil you, you can either enjoy trolling past fifth Avenue shops, or a glide around the ice rink at Rockfeller center, including a lap underneath the world's most famous Christmas tree, and all of the elaborate holiday window displays. New Yorkers enjoy a brighter spirit during this time of year, and you can hear the carols echoing throughout the subway stations and on the streets making you feel Christmassy. With the U.S. on the verge of its first national railroad strike in three decades, Wyomings biggest industries are preparing to suffer losses in the coming weeks. The hope, for all parties, is reaching a deal that resolves stalled contract negotiations between the railroads and their unionized workers before Friday, when a federally mandated cooling-off period times out and the unions become free to strike. But as the deadline nears, a stoppage is looking increasingly likely. The question, for many, is how long it will last. If we dont have trains, we dont mine the coal, said Travis Deti, executive director of the Wyoming Mining Association. Even a day will have ripple effects for weeks. Wyoming supplies roughly 40% of the countrys coal. With recent months high natural gas prices temporarily slowing the power sectors shift from coal-fired electricity, utilities coal stockpiles have remained lower and Powder River Basin coal prices higher over the past year than at any time during the previous decade. If the railroads cant move that coal, however, Wyomings mines could be forced to scale back production or even shut down until rail service resumes. Its unclear how mine workers will be affected if a strike occurs. Our office is monitoring this situation very closely, as a strike would have significant impacts to not only Wyomings economy through supply chain disruptions, but to energy prices and grid stability nationally, Gov. Mark Gordons communications director, Michael Pearlman, said via email. Other staples of the Wyoming economy, including trona, oil and grain shipments, are also at risk. The states energy producers particularly the coal industry are already frustrated with the railroads. Railroads curtailed their workforce as coal demand declined in the years before the pandemic, made further cuts in early 2020 and have struggled to meet mines current needs. According to the countrys two biggest railroad unions, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART), which together represent about 115,000 workers, inadequate labor conditions have exacerbated and prolonged railroads staffing shortages. The railroaders want a better quality of life, said Stan Blake, a former state lawmaker and retired conductor for the Union Pacific Railroad who is no longer working for the company or participating in a union. Because right now, he added, the railroad is working them nonstop. Attendance policies enacted by both Union Pacific and BNSF Railway have incensed their employees, many of whom say they rarely get enough rest, dread the next call into work and live in fear of sleeping through it. You just kind of spend your life guessing, said a Union Pacific worker who was granted anonymity to avoid the possibility of retaliation. You miss a lot of things. The railroads last national contract with their unions expired in 2020. When the parties couldnt come to an agreement on their own, President Joe Biden intervened, creating a Presidential Emergency Board that tried to find a middle ground. BNSF and Union Pacific accepted its recommendations, which include a substantial pay raise along with one additional day off per year. But the unions werent satisfied. What we want, and continue to push for, is a prompt resolution that provides historic wage increases to employees and allows the railroads to restore service as soon as possible, preventing further disruption to the struggling supply chain, a Union Pacific statement said. In a separate statement, BNSF said it remains committed to the collective bargaining process and [has] faith that should a labor strike occur, Congress will intervene to prevent or quickly resolve the service disruption. Blake expects a strike. But he doubts itll last very long. He walked the picket line during the countrys last rail strike, in 1992, which lasted three days and cost the country more than a billion dollars, the first Bush administration estimated, before Congress stepped in and ordered the unions back to work. I hope they go on strike, Blake said. And I hope Congress doesnt intervene, and the railroad comes back to the negotiating table and says, Lets work on this fatigue issue. Lets work on the work-rest cycles. Thats how the unions hope the dispute will end. Our Unions will not cave into these scare tactics, and Congress must not cave into what can only be described as corporate terrorism, both unions said in a joint statement on Sunday. This time around, though, a strike could cost the U.S. $2 billion per day, according to the Association of American Railroads. All three members of Wyomings Congressional delegation emphasized the harm a strike would cause to the state in statements emailed to the Star-Tribune. Rep. Liz Cheney called it a devastating development for both producers and consumers. Sen. John Barrasso said he expected it to add to the problems that were facing now as a nation under this administration. And Sen. Cynthia Lummis said the resulting supply-chain disruptions would dwarf those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The railroads and their labor are negotiating in good faith, she said, though if they cannot reach an agreement, Congress should step in and pass the Presidential Emergency Boards recommendations swiftly. A man shot by Casper police on Sept. 2 died about a week later, police said on Thursday. Kenneth Marion was identified as a suspect in a shooting early in the morning that day, when a woman reported being shot in the face in a north Casper alley. Marion died on Saturday, a statement from Casper police said. He was being treated for his two gunshot wounds in a Colorado hospital at the time. Police said that Marion pointed a gun at a Casper officer on the evening of Sept. 2, while being pursued. The officer then shot at Marion in self-defense. Investigators had traced Marion to an apartment complex on Caspers east side while investigating the north Casper shooting. He fled from officers when they approached him outside the complex, police said. An arrest warrant for Marion, potentially charging him with aggravated assault, was filed by police two days before his death. The woman involved with the initial shooting is alive, and has been released from the Colorado hospital where she was taken for treatment, Casper Lt. Jeff Bullard said Thursday. As with all shootings involving police officers, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation has taken over the investigation into the incident. The officer, as is standard procedure, was put on administrative leave. Bullard said the department waited to release the news of Marions death until after those close to him had been notified. The police shooting was the second on Sept. 2. Earlier that day, two Casper police officers shot and killed a man at McKenzie Lake Park after they said he fired on them. The shooting occurred after the officer came across the man in a parked car near the lake. Police say the man ran, and during the pursuit, fired at officers, who shot back and killed him. The Natrona County Coroners Officer identified him as 38-year-old Casper resident Corey David Garriott. That shooting is also being investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. Despite some pushback, three proposed Wyoming charter schools won charter contracts Wednesday after approval from a state board. The schools can now enter into negotiations with the Wyoming Department of Education and the Office of State Lands and Investments for a final charter contract. Its the first time the State Loan and Investment Board made up of Gov. Mark Gordon, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Brian Schroeder, Secretary of State Ed Buchanan, State Treasurer Curt Meier and State Auditor Kristi Racines has granted charters. Before, only local school districts could do that. However, a 2021 bill expanded that authority to the state board, making it a little easier for charter schools to be established in the state. Former Speaker of the House Russell Donley, board chair for one of the schools, worked with the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, an organization focused on advancing the charter school movement, to draft the basis of that legislation. This year is a sort of test-run for the new approval process. Because of that, the State Loan and Investment Board could only approve a maximum of three charters, which are good for five years. Two of the schools Wyoming Classical Academy in Mills and Cheyenne Classical Academy will be based on a classical and American curriculum. Prairie View Community School in Chugwater will focus on a place-based, project-based curriculum. The schools in Mills and Cheyenne have in particular come under some criticism for their connection to Hillsdale College, a Christian liberal arts school in Michigan that has opened several charter schools across the country. Sociologist Dave Throgmorton, a resident of Rawlins who spoke at the charter school meetings, one of which took place last week, said that the college has created an ideological stance that its promoting through its charter schools. Throgmorton also said that the Hillsdale College president, Larry Arnn, is notoriously against public education. In July, NewsChannel 5 Investigates in Nashville obtained video footage of Arnn onstage at a private event saying that teachers are trained in the dumbest parts of the dumbest colleges in the country. After the video leaked, one charter school in Tennessee, where the college had been invited to open 50 schools, decided to part ways with Hillsdale College. Some charter school applications have also since been rejected by school boards in the state, according to the Associated Press. To be clear, charter schools are still public schools, and kids can attend them for free. But theyre subject to fewer regulations compared to traditional public schools. Those who spoke in favor of the charter schools many of them parents cited concerns that have flared across the nation regarding the direction of traditional public schools; one parent said shes worried about the teaching of gender ideology in some schools. Another talked about LGBT books that she feels uncomfortable with her child reading and the use of new pronouns for students. They said the new charter schools provide another option for parents who dont want their kids exposed to these kinds of environments. I dont want these ideologies pushed on our students, one parent said. Several people encouraged the State Loan and Investment Board to table the decision on the charters until a full slate of elected members is on the board. The Democrat nominee for State Superintendent of Public Instruction Sergio Maldonado said in a statement a couple days before last weeks meeting that proceeding while the board includes two board members who will not be here in January is folly. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Brian Schroeder, one of the members of the board, was appointed to the position by Gordon in January after the former superintendent, Jillian Balow, left the position to take a similar job in Virginia. Schroeder ran for election in the August primary, but was beat out by Republican candidate Megan Degenfelder. Secretary of State Ed Buchanan will also leave his post on Thursday, he previously told the Star-Tribune. That means an interim secretary of state will need to be appointed for the three months remaining on his term. Rep. Chuck Gray, R-Casper, who won the Republican nomination for secretary of state in August, will likely take over the position in January. Allowing lame ducks on their way out the door to make policy affecting Wyomings most previous asset, our students, is improper and must not go forward, Maldonado, who will face Degenfelder in the November elections, said in his statement. If the negotiations are successful, the three schools will likely open in fall 2023. A legislative committee voted Wednesday to draft a bill that could provide long-term funding for suicide prevention efforts in Wyoming, a move that mental health advocates say is encouraging in the face of the states suicide crisis. The Joint Revenue Committees draft bill would create a trust fund to pay for the states 24/7 suicide hotline and other suicide prevention efforts. The fund would hold assets that the state would manage and distribute on behalf of those in charge of the hotline. The money that would be available to pay for the suicide prevention hotline would come out of the investment returns from those assets, and the state would pay for the initial pot of money from its general fund. Rep. Steve Harshman, R-Casper, estimated that the amount needed for the fund would be roughly $30 million in order for it to generate enough returns to pay for the suicide prevention services. In 2020, there was a suicide every 11 minutes in the U.S., according to Andi Summerville, executive director of the Wyoming Association of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers. And for the past three years, Wyoming has had the highest suicide rates in the country. Each suicide costs Wyoming about $1.3 million in medical costs and lifetime work loss, Summerville said. Wyoming Business Alliance President Cindy Delancey spoke to the latter, saying that suicide, in addition to being a health and mental health crisis, has now become a business crisis. Every day, I hear from my members (that) Wyoming being number one in the country for suicide rate makes it even harder to attract and retain a workforce, she said. Wyoming was the last state in the country to bring in a local suicide prevention call center, according to Summerville. In 2020, the state awarded a contract to the Central Wyoming Counseling Center in Casper to start the states first. Wyoming LifeLine in Greybull independently started another hotline soon after. But even then, the two call centers combined only offered part-time coverage for Wyoming residents. Calls made to the centers after hours were directed to the national suicide prevention lifeline, meaning someone out of state usually answered. Earlier this year, the Legislature appropriated $2.1 million in COVID relief funds plus $400,000 in general-fund money to get a statewide 24/7 suicide hotline going and pay for it over the next two years. The relief funds still havent been distributed, and the call center in Casper has only gotten some of the $400,000. Nevertheless, the call centers were able to get other funding while they waited for that money, and suicide lifeline services in Wyoming became available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in July. Later that month, a new 988 number for suicide prevention hotlines also rolled out nationally. The previous number, (800) 273-TALK (8255), still works too, and people can also text WYO to 307-741-741 for the Crisis Text Line. Summerville said the centers are currently handling about 500 calls per month. She added that its not unusual to get several calls a week that require an active rescue. Getting 24/7 lifeline services going was a big step. But now the challenge is finding a way to fund the hotlines over the long-haul, and thats what lawmakers and advocates are trying to tackle this interim session. Summerville initially asked the committee to consider drafting a bill that would charge a fee on phone lines when people called the suicide prevention hotline. But some people didnt like that idea because phone systems can change, and they said it could put a burden on providers and the people paying for the service. So instead of putting that in the bill, lawmakers decided to try for a trust fund instead, an alternative that Summerville told the Star-Tribune would certainly provide a stable base of revenue to keep the 24/7 hotline going. The committee will look at the first draft of the bill at its next meeting in November. It feels like Aaron Duncan has been around forever. Duncan literally grew up in front the eyes of local music fans, evolving from a tiny kaiso tot to a less tiny teenaged soca star. The Port of Spain-born boy-who-could first endeared himself to the feting masses with his Carnival 2015 breakthrough hit Can You Feel It. His 2018 jam Back to Basics was on the lips of every pre-teen and teeny bopper on the islands. And two years later he pulled them all into his girlfriend drama with the 2020 pre-Covid hit Stay. FOUR swimmers are hoping to achieve what has so far been impossible, as they attempt the gr Thursdays speech by Watson Duke is undoubtedly the start of his campaign for the next Tobag Museum Day is an annual celebration of museums hosted by the Smithsonian Magazine. Participating museums will offer free entry to anyone with an official Museum Day ticket on Saturday, Sept. 17. Three museums in Tucson are participating, along with several more throughout Arizona. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Almost three months after Roe v. Wade was overturned, the landscape of abortion access is still shifting significantly in some states, sometimes very quickly. Changing restrictions and litigation in neighboring Indiana and Ohio this week illustrate the whiplash for providers and patients navigating sudden changes in what is allowed where. Sister clinics who just weeks ago were sending patients from Ohio, where most abortions were banned, to Indiana, where the procedure was allowed, have now flip-flopped roles after the two states' access restrictions reversed, at least temporarily. Here is a deeper look at the current state of the shifting national landscape: WHAT CHANGED THIS WEEK? An Ohio judge blocked enforcement on Wednesday of the state's ban on most abortions after fetal cardiac activity is detected. The ban had been in effect since shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe on June 24. The judge's action allows abortions to resume in pregnancies up to 20 weeks' gestation for 14 days. Then, on Thursday, a new Indiana law took effect that bans most abortions, marking its status as the first state in the nation to approve new abortion restrictions since the high court's abortion ruling. Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the ban into law Aug. 5. Under the new law, abortions are permitted only in cases of rape and incest before 10-weeks post-fertilization; to protect the life and physical health of the patient; or if a fetus is diagnosed with a lethal anomaly. A doctor who performs an illegal abortion or who fails to file required reports must lose their medical license. HOW IS THIS AFFECTING PROVIDERS? All seven Indiana abortion clinics lost their licenses Thursday under the state's new law, which allows abortions to only be performed in hospitals or outpatient surgical centers owned by hospitals. More than 98% of the states abortions were done by those clinics in 2021. Abortion clinics in the state told The Associated Press they will remain open to refer patients out of state, including to neighboring Ohio. I thought that today would be the worst day," Dr. Katie McHugh, a provider at the Indianapolis abortion clinic Womens Med, told the AP on Thursday. But I think the worst day was yesterday, knowing that the patients that we saw in the office yesterday were the last ones that we would see, and knowing how much it meant for all of us that were there the staff, the physicians and the patients that we were able to provide that care to the last moment. Dr. Alison Case who since 2020 provided medication abortions at the South Bend abortion clinic Whole Womans Health will continue her work as a family practice doctor in Indianapolis. She said she worries for the labor and delivery patients she oversees at a hospital in the city. I think theres going to be more people forced to carry their pregnancies to term, so I think well see more deliveries, she said. But I think, important to note, were also going to see more of these complications." In Ohio, clinics were preparing for a high volume of patients coming in from surrounding states following the judge's ruling though they realize it could be short-lived. Well, I never expected to be a surge state, said Iris Harvey, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, using the new lingo of the field. For 14 days, we might be. Ohio clinics that had been prohibited from performing most abortions will resume those services beginning Friday. HOW IS THIS AFFECTING PATIENTS? The shifting legal landscape has required patients in affected states to regroup, sometimes repeatedly. Kellie Copeland, executive director of Pro-Choice Ohio, an abortion rights advocacy group, said some have been unable to terminate their pregnancies. Harvey said Planned Parenthood has set up a central location for abortion requests and hired additional staff, oftentimes social workers, to help people navigate various states' laws as they change. McHugh said Womens Med received dozens of calls Wednesday from patients who could not schedule an abortion that day due to Indianas 18-hour waiting period on the procedure. Every time it was a difficult conversation, because every time it was like breaking the news to someone that they couldnt get their care, McHugh said. Lawyers were still reviewing whether patients traveling from Indiana to Ohio would be able to get anything but a surgical abortion. The two-pill regimen used in medication abortions would generally mean taking one pill in a permissive state and one in a restrictive state, the latter potentially breaking the law, providers said. Anti-abortion groups continue to tout existing restrictions and the new ones being passed in the states in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling. Ohio is pro-life and this law was supported by the people," said Margie Christie, president of the Right to Life Action Coalition of Ohio. "Women do not need abortion in Ohio. We have abundant resources for mothers and their children to thrive. WHEN WILL THE LANDSCAPE SHIFT AGAIN? With Indianas ban taking effect, the nation has 13 states with current bans on abortion at any point in pregnancy and one more, Georgia, with a ban on abortions after fetal cardiac activity can be detected usually around six weeks, often before women realize theyre pregnant. Though it had not yet been signed by the governor, a ban approved by West Virginia lawmakers Wednesday had already prompted the state's only abortion clinic to close, pushing potentially more patients to neighboring Ohio. Arizonas ban is scheduled to kick in Sept. 24, with legal cases and legislative action expected to continue to change the status of abortion access of some states. Then, on Nov. 8, abortion-related measures will be on ballots in at least five states. In California, Michigan and Vermont, voters will be asked to protect the right to abortion. In Kentucky, the question is whether to amend the state constitution to declare that it does not include the right to abortion. And Montana voters will decide on a measure to require medical care for infants born alive after an attempted abortion. Reporter Geoff Mulvihill in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, contributed to this report. Arleigh Rodgers is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Arleigh Rodgers on Twitter: @arleighrodgers PHOENIX A judge tossed out a bid by the head of the Arizona Republican Party to void the election results that awarded the states 11 electoral votes to Democrat Joe Biden. The two days of testimony produced in the case brought by GOP Chairwoman Kelli Ward produced no evidence of fraud or misconduct in how the vote was conducted in Maricopa County, said Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Randall Warner in his Friday ruling. Warner acknowledged that there were some human errors made when ballots that could not be read by machines due to marks or other problems were duplicated by hand. But he said that a random sample of those duplicated ballots showed an accuracy rate of 99.45%. Warner said there was no evidence that the error rate, even if extrapolated to all the 27,869 duplicated ballots, would change the fact that Biden beat President Trump. The judge also threw out charges that there were illegal votes based on claims that the signatures on the envelopes containing early ballots were not properly compared with those already on file. He pointed out that a forensic document examiner hired by Wards attorney reviewed 100 of those envelopes. And at best, Warner said, that examiner found six signatures to be inconclusive, meaning she could not testify that they were a match to the signature on file. But the judge said this witness found no signs of forgery. Finally, Warner said, there was no evidence that the vote count was erroneous. So he issued an order confirming the Arizona election, which Biden won with a 10,457-vote edge over Trump. Federal court case remains to be heard Fridays ruling, however, is not the last word. Ward, in anticipation of the case going against her, already had announced she plans to seek review by the Arizona Supreme Court. And a separate lawsuit is playing out in federal court, which includes some of the same claims made here along with allegations of fraud and conspiracy. That case, set for a hearing Tuesday, also seeks to void the results of the presidential contest. It includes allegations that the Dominion Software voting equipment used by Maricopa County is unreliable and was programmed to register more votes for Biden than he actually got. Legislative leaders call for audit but not to change election results Along the same lines, Senate President Karen Fann and House Speaker Rusty Bowers on Friday called for an independent audit of the software and equipment used by Maricopa County in the just-completed election. There have been questions, Fann said. But she told Capitol Media Services it is not their intent to use whatever is found to overturn the results of the Nov. 3 election. In fact, she said nothing in the Republican legislative leaders request for the inquiry alleges there are any irregularities in the way the election was conducted. At the very least, the confidence in our electoral system has been shaken because of a lot of claims and allegations, Fann said. So our No. 1 goal is to restore the confidence of our voters. Bowers specifically rejected calls by the Trump legal team that the Legislature come into session to void the election results, which were formally certified on Monday. The rule of law forbids us to do that, he said. In fact, Bowers pointed out, it was the Republican-controlled Legislature that enacted a law three years ago specifically requiring the states electors to cast their votes for the candidates who received the most votes in the official statewide canvass. He said that was done because Hillary Clinton had won the popular vote nationwide in 2016 and some lawmakers feared that electors would refuse to cast the states 11 electoral votes for Trump, who won Arizonas race that year. As a conservative Republican, I dont like the results of the presidential election, Bowers said in a prepared statement. But I cannot and will not entertain a suggestion that we violate current law to change the outcome of a certified election. After being the subject of political fights over redevelopment plans then serving a brief stint as a refuge for migrants the Benedictine apartment complex is now home to hundreds of new residents. The 292-unit complex at 800 N. Country Club Road is already 92% leased, even though final touches are still being done, said owner Ross Rulney. We expected it to take longer, but occupancy continues to be very strong in Tucson, he said. There are 37 units that were built inside the historic building where the nuns had their sleeping quarters. The other 255 units in one- and two-bedroom models and lofts are in the new construction around the monastery. Monthly rents are between $1,500 and $2,300. A resort pool area, dog wash station, game room and outdoor decks are among the amenities. The mix of tenants include university faculty, retirees, graduate students and folks from the neighboring Miramonte and Sam Hughes neighborhoods who sold their homes in the hot market. Its all over the place, Rulney said of the residents. The buildings have concrete walls, floors and ceilings. Throughout the property there are tile murals of the time when the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration lived there. They sold the property to Rulney in 2018 and joined their congregation in Missouri. Plans for the beloved monastery underwent several versions until the current development was agreed upon. In 2019, while it sat empty as developers awaited final approvals to move forward, Rulney offered it as a refuge for migrants from Central America who were being processed in Tucson. It was used for that purpose for about 10 months, and at the beginning of 2020, ground was broken for the apartments. Two businesses have leased space on the property. A gym, F45 Training, is in the retail strip along Country Club Road and will be joined this fall by Yellow Brick Coffee. Rulney hopes to get a restaurant/bar in the old chapel and added mechanical systems and grease traps during the construction for that possible use. Talk of turning the chapel into a Greek bath house was nothing more than a humorous image shown at the first neighborhood meeting in 2018. Photos: Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, Tucson Monastery Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration The president of the University of Vermont issued a blistering denial Thursday of allegations the university failed to adequately respond to complaints of anti-Jewish behavior on the Burlington campus. In a message to the university community, President Suresh Garimella said the complaints being investigated by the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights have painted our community in a patently false light. While common wisdom dictates remaining patiently silent as we cooperate diligently with an agencys investigation, I simply cannot do so," Garimella's message said. These public allegations and our communitys deeply held values call for a strong and immediate response." Garimella said the university promptly and thoroughly investigated the allegations outlined in the complaint last year after learning of them. The uninformed narrative published this week has been harmful to UVM," he said. Equally importantly, it is harmful to our Jewish students, faculty, staff, and alumni." On Tuesday, when the complaint and the Department of Education's investigation were made public, university officials said they were aware of the complaint and were cooperating. At the time, they reiterated the university's commitment to inclusiveness. Alyza Lewin, the president of the the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law , who helped file the complaint, said it was discouraging to see the university double-down on its denial of antisemitism on its campus. The rationalizations they provide are the same excuses that they gave me a year ago when I spoke to them," she said Thursday. They are stubbornly refusing to see and acknowledge that Jewish students on their campus are being targeted and marginalized and excluded on the basis of a key component of their Jewish identity. The allegations in the complaint filed by the Center for Human Rights and the organization Jewish on Campus said that Jewish students were excluded from campus clubs, a teaching assistant threatened to reduce the grades of students who supported the state of Israel and rocks were thrown at a building where Jewish students lived. After investigating the complaint made Sept. 30. 2021, that two groups excluded from membership students who supported Israel as the homeland for Jewish people, the university determined the groups were not recognized student organizations, received no university support and were not bound by the university's policies governing student organizations. The university also investigated allegations that an undergraduate teaching assistant made anti-Semitic remarks and had threatened to lower the grades of Jewish students. The university determined that no grades were lowered ,and no student reported they had been discriminated against. Finally, after learning that rocks had been thrown at a campus building where Jewish students lived, police determined small rocks were thrown at the building to get the attention of a friend, and there was no evidence it was motivated by antisemitic bias, Garimella said. Lewin said all three explanations fell short, and the university should have forcefully spoken out against antisemitism in all the cases. The allegations of antisemitism at the university come after antisemitic incidents in the U.S. reached a record high last year. Earlier this year The Anti-Defamation League counted 2,717 antisemitic incidents of assault, harassment and vandalism in 2021, a 34% increase over the previous year and the highest number since the New York City-based group began tracking such incidents in 1979. A mailer being sent out by RUN AAPI as part of their Give a F*ck About Midterms campaign. Asian American voter turnout soared in 2020, especially in Arizona. Ahead of the midterms, advocacy groups are seeking to continue to energize the Asian American Pacific Islander community, a demographic that they say has been largely ignored by political campaigns. Were the fastest growing racial demographic across the country, RUN AAPIs senior advisor, Linh Nguyen said in an interview with the Arizona Mirror. I still dont feel like people are connecting the dots. The Asian American and Pacific Islander community, or AAPI, includes people with origins in Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands and India. In Arizona, that is a voting bloc that consists of approximately 173,000 eligible voters or about 4.6% of the states electorate. This story is part of a project called Democracy Day , in which newsrooms across the country are shining a light on threats to democracy. The AAPI community is also the in the country with Arizona seeing a 157% increase in its population since 2000. AAPI voter turnout in 2020 compared to 42% in 2016. Midterm elections generally have lower voter turnout so Nguyen and RUN AAPI are attempting to engage younger AAPI voters who she said candidates have generally ignored, especially during midterm elections. Run AAPI is trying to do so with a unique campaign that involves local AAPI artist Safwat Saleem that is sure to garner some attention. Give a F*ck About Midterms is the name of their campaign which will be sending out a series of mailers to young AAPI voters encouraging them to vote in the upcoming election. The mailers arent your usual political mailers that include a list of policies, politician pictures or vote yes or vote no positions either. I feel totally dead inside, but I voted anyway, a parody of an I voted sticker on one of the mailers reads. So sick of this sh*t, but I voted anyway, another reads. We thought that these designs would spark a different kind of emotion, Nguyen said. We gotta make sure we connect with them at their level and show them some respect. RUN AAPI, which is headed entirely by young AAPI women, are doing the work themselves after several prominent political mailers refused to work with them on the campaign, Nguyen said. Were not designing this for older people, Nguyen said about the campaigns tone, adding that, I think what we commonly heard is that people were just feeling hopeless. Polling shows that sentiment rings true with the community as well, especially as attacks against the AAPI community continue. Jennifer Chau, the executive director of Arizona Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Advocates said that a survey they did found that discrimination against the community and racial equity is the number one issue for voters. The discrimination piece is something that is still impacting our community, Chau said. That is something that we have been trying to grapple with. One in six Asian American adults reported experiencing a hate crime in 2021 which was up from one in eight in 2020. In 2022 that number is already around one in 12 and according to polling one in five Americans believe that Asian Americans are at least partially responsible for COVID-19, which is not true. Chaus group did a recent survey of 500 people and 36 came forward with detailed descriptions of discrimination that happened to them, many of which were not reported. I think people in our community are afraid of reporting, Chau said. But both Chau and Nguyen are hoping to drive more people to the polls and help them understand that they have a voice, however, both agreed that political campaigns need to do more to reach out to the AAPI community. Chaus group found in their survey that 30% of those surveyed had never been contacted by either local or national political parties. Were here, just make the effort to reach out to us, Chau said about the AAPI community and her organization. They feel like its not worth it because we are so hard to reach. Linh admitted that reaching them could be difficult and daunting for a campaign, as the AAPI community is complex and represents a multitude of cultures and ideals, including around 20 different languages. The entire Asian diaspora is incredibly diverse, Linh said. For one political candidate to speak to all these ethnicities is very intimidating. However, its not impossible, she said and candidates need to make the deliberate decision to reach out to the communities and hire the right people to do so. Chau and Linh plan to continue trying to engage their communities in politics and fight for what they believe is right for them. That even includes Chaus organization joining a coalition of organizations suing to stop a law that they fear could disenfranchise naturalized citizens, such as those in the AAPI community. Volunteers with Northeast Arizona Native Democrats talk with potential Native voters in Window Rock, Arizona, about the congressional and legislative map redistricting. Photo courtesy Northeast Arizona Native Democrats Arizonas newly drawn congressional and legislative maps are officially in use this election cycle and are still a cause of concern for advocates because they could dilute the voting power of Indigenous people in the 2022 midterm election. The map doesnt reflect the reality of what voters want, said Navajo County Democrats Board Chair Missa Foy. The map skews things to the right for the state and makes some races a lot tighter than they previously were. The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commissions maps for the states 30 legislative districts and nine congressional districts which will be used for the next decade weaken the influence that Native American voters will have on who gets elected. This story is part of a project called Democracy Day , in which newsrooms across the country are shining a light on threats to democracy. The map causing the most concern among voting advocates and tribal leaders is Congressional District 2, which largely consists of what was known as District 1 in the prior decade. Its a great concern among Native voters that they will not get a fair chance of electing who they want to be in office, Foy said. The landmass of the district itself is huge, and most tribal communities are in rural areas. Foy is not Native, but shes worked with the Navajo County Democrats alongside Native voting advocates in the region long enough to understand how the Native vote is impacted in their county. The Navajo County Democrats is a committee that provides education and resources to the public about Democratic positions and ideals. The Navajo County Democrats developed education tools through their project Northeast Arizona Native Democrats to teach Native voters about the redistricting process and its impact on tribal communities. This was in response to the lack of public education provided by the AIRC and the state of Arizona about the importance of redistricting. They were among the few Native-led projects to provide redistricting information to Native voters. Foy said that its proven from the work of the districts current Congressman, Rep. Tom OHalleran, how important it is to have someone who understands tribal communities in office. Hes been able to bring funds back into the district and make sure some of that money goes into tribal lands, she said. The land mass of CD2 is huge, Foy said, adding that it makes up about 60% of Arizonas land mass. Tribal land makes up a large part of that district. The Congressional District 2 map now includes 14 tribes in northern, eastern, and central Arizona, and those tribal members make up about 20% of the districts population. The total population within District 2 is more than 794,000 people, with over 628,000 of voting age, according to data from the AIRC. The district voting splits with 46% going toward Democratic candidates and 53% going to Republicans. Foy said voting in District 2 has now shifted by seven points to the right, and District 2 is the most Native district. This shift leaves Native voters at a disadvantage. Even though District 2 includes more tribal communities, the new map consists of heavily GOP Yavapai County and not just the deeply blue communities in the Verde Valley like the previous map did. This boundary was the districts most significant concern for many tribal leaders, who shared their worries with the AIRC. The Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission even submitted a proposal to the AIRC that would remove most of Yavapai County and half of Gila County from District 2, which would keep the voice of Native voters intact. The Navajo Nation Human Rights Commissions proposal garnered support from the Hopi Nation, White Mountain Apache Tribe, San Carlos Apache Tribe, Havasupai Tribeand Paiute tribal leaders. The Gila River Indian Community made similar recommendations. Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis proposed that the district adjust to omit parts of Yavapai County around Prescott and San Tan Valley in Pinal County while adding Casa Grande, Coolidge, and the southern portions of Graham and Greenlee counties. In the end, the AIRC acknowledged the Tribes and voting advocates concerns, but it did not change the boundaries for District 2. During the certification meeting for Arizonas redistricting maps in January, AIRC Democratic Commissioner Shereen Lerner indicated that Republicans outnumber Democrats in voter registration but said Arizona is split roughly evenly between the two parties and independents. For that reason, she said, she wanted as many competitive districts as possible. The final map has 13 Republican districts, 12 Democratic ones and five that would be considered competitive under the metrics used by the AIRC. Four of those five competitive districts lean toward the GOP. The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission officially certified the maps at the beginning of the year. Arizonas Secretary of State distributed them to County Recorders to update their voting materials for this years election. Regarding the legislative district maps, advocates and tribal leaders voiced some concerns over a few proposed districts, but overall they were satisfied. The ARIC is required to draw a Native American majority-minority legislative district because of the Voting Rights Act, but theyre not required by law to do that for the congressional districts. Foy said Legislative District 6 has an Indigenous population of about 61%, allowing Indigenous voters to choose a candidate for the state legislature. What they did was they gave Indigenous voters that district while really taking their congressional representation, Foy said of the AIRCs decision for the District 6 map. One of the biggest concerns surrounding the legislative maps was how District 6 placed the City of Flagstaff and tribal communities in the same district. Tribal leaders and voting advocates noted it tilts the political power away from Indigenous voters. Patty Ferguson-Bohnee, director of Arizona State Universitys Indian Legal Clinic, said in an interview with The Arizona Mirror last year that concern is not just speculation. Ferguson-Bohnee noted that the legislative map used from 2001 to 2011 also put Flagstaff and the tribal lands in the same district. The Native American candidates were the preferred candidates for Native voters, but they lost in the primary election to non-Native candidates who Flagstaff voters favored. That trumped the Native American preferences, she said. That history should be an indicator that drawing a similar district will diminish the ability of Indigenous communities to be able to elect their chosen candidates. The concern resonated with AIRC Chairwoman Erika Neuberg, who said at a commission meeting in December that she was willing to consider changing the map to remove Flagstaff from the predominantly tribal District 6. During the final days of the maps approval, the AIRC agreed to change the boundaries of the District 6 map. The ARIC moved more of the city of Flagstaff, along with Snowflake and Show Low, into District 7 and moved Eagar and St. Johns, and Springerville into District 6. The Brookside location of Senor Tequila, at 3348 S. Peoria Ave., has closed. Its the second location of this Tulsa-based restaurant to close in a little more than a year. The south Tulsa location, at 9999 S. Mingo Road, closed in May 2021. That leaves the restaurant at 6973 E. 71st St., in The Mill shopping center, as the last remaining Senor Tequila in Tulsa. Owner Carlos Atilano said that a number of factors contributed to the decision not to renew the lease at the Brookside location, including health issues, increasing food costs, continuous construction along the stretch of Peoria Avenue in front of the restaurant, and staffing problems. My wife and I were having to work 60-hour weeks to keep things going, he said. We have moved our staff from the Brookside location to the 71st Street restaurant, so we are fully staffed there. We have a lot of loyal customers at our Brookside restaurant, and we want to encourage them to support us on 71st Street. Atilano opened the original Senor Tequila in 1999 at 3525 E. 51st St., taking over a space that was for many years home to the Phoenicia Steakhouse. It was part of a shopping center that included the original Bodean restaurant, all of which was razed to allow for the widening of Interstate 44 through the area. According to a 1999 review in the Tulsa World, Senor Tequila helped introduce Tulsa diners to carnitas, which remain a staple of the menu, along with its popular queso dip, variations on fajitas, and dishes such as Elishas Fish Tacos, named for Atilanos wife. Mazzios brings grab-n-go concept to casinos The Tulsa-based pizza chain Mazzios is bringing its Mazzios GO! concept to area casinos. Mazzios GO! outlets will be opening at eight casinos operated by the Muskogee Creek Nation Gaming Operations Authority Board, including River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa, as well as the Okmulgee Travel Plaza, 2800 N. Wood Drive. The Mazzios GO! concept was developed primarily for convenience stores and other non-traditional outlets, offering whole 12- and 14- pizzas, individual slices or 7-inch grab-n-go pizzas. Tommy Yardy, Director of Food & Beverage for the Muskogee Creek Nation Casinos, said, We were looking for a consistent food service program across all of our locations that our guests would recognize and enjoy. The Mazzios GO! program is simple to operate, offers high quality products and our guests have already told us how much they appreciate the variety. NEFF plans early Oktoberfest In spite of the temporal specificity of the name, in Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest begins in mid-September, and this year, that starting date is Saturday, Sept. 17. Tulsas NEFF Brewing takes its cue from the city that more or less invented Oktoberfest and will host its annual Oktoberfest event 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at the brewery, 321 S. Frankfort Road. It will have a special Oktoberfest menu including beer-soaked bratwurst with Kraft and Dusseldorf spicy mustard, and schnitzel with curly fries, along with NEFFs naturally gluten-free beers. All beers on tap will be $1 off their original price. Beer flights will be available for $10, and one can purchase a colorful Oktoberfest-themed pint glass filled with ones choice of beer for $10. Local vendors offering everything from soy candles to handcrafted knives, and a special kids area with activities and games will be available. Live music will be supplied by such artists as Okra and the Universe, and Tom Basler Music. More information at neffbrewing.com. Kitchen 66 welcomes 10 new culinary concepts The Fall 2022 Kitchen 66 Launch Program has selected 10 local entrepreneurs, who will develop their culinary visions and build their businesses through this unique incubator program, which provides sales training, access to commercial kitchen space, marketing support and more. The Fall 2022 cohort includes concepts ranging from vegan bakery items to upscale Venezuelan dining. Participants and their developing concepts are as follows. (All company names and concepts are tentative.) Se Yon Kim: So Bahn 82, Korean & Japanese Cuisine, which will focus on educating and introducing Americans to Korean cuisine. Jose Angel San Roman: Matea, a fine dining Venezuelan concept with a full rum bar and chocolate pairings. Saundra Reed & Eugene Garner: Mr. Gs Soul To Go Catering, Southern hospitality and food. Logann Little-Randall: Ambrosial Bites, a 100 percent vegan bakery that aims to make desserts less intimidating and more equitable to all people. Cynthia Miller: Sweet Cyn Bakery, artistically crafted desserts. Erin Reed: Reed Em and Eat, fusing international cuisine and Southern food. Johnny Butler: Johnny Sundays, Italian cuisine. Holly Biersack: Floured Hands, pasta-making school. Randale Anderson: Hibachi in the Hood, Southern comfort food with international influences. Lynn Michaels: Lynns Gelato, small-batch gelato using local ingredients to create unique flavors, such as chai-spiced candied ginger gelato. We are honored to welcome the Fall 2022 cohort of the Kitchen 66 Launch Program said KateLynn Dunning, program director of Kitchen 66. These 10 incredibly innovative culinary entrepreneurs have such a contagious energy and passion for Tulsa and Tulsa cuisine. The program began Sept. 12 with orientation. The class will culminate with a demonstration opportunity at Mother Road Market to showcase concepts at its Meet the Makers event on Dec. 8. To keep up with the progress of the class, follow their journey on Facebook and Instagram at @kitchen66tulsa. Importance of family emphasized in life, death When Shi Donglai was younger, he took for granted the importance of traditional Chinese festivals and family ties. But today they resonate with the 29-year-old more strongly than ever. Shi studied literature at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom from 2015 to 2021, and, as a result of the intervening pandemic, was unable to see his beloved grandmother one last time before she passed away in 2020. Now he has returned to China. This year, he celebrated Mid-Autumn Festival in the traditional way by reuniting with his family. But for Shi, he still has feelings of regret. "My grandma passed away of cancer in 2020 when I was still in the UK and I was unable to fly back to see her one last time because of the COVID-19 pandemic," Shi said. "I feel very guilty for not being there with her during the last days of her life." He said the death of his grandmother had the most profound impact on him, and that it reminded him of the importance of family ties. Ultimately, it led to his decision to return to China. Shi was raised by his grandmother in the small city of Lishui in Zhejiang province, until he left to attend senior high school at age 15. In 2014, he flew to the UK to study literature, securing a doctorate at Oxford last year. He said when he received his invitation to the prestigious university, his grandmother was the only member of his family who couldn't hide her sadness that he wasn't going to be around for some years. "She just wanted us to be together without having any extra expectations of me, which was different from my parents," he said. The last time they saw each other in person was in late 2019, after which Shi flew back to the UK. Not too long after that, COVID-19 hit China and the world. Almost at the same time, his grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. She spent her last months in hospital. Shi was shocked at how quickly her condition deteriorated. By June 2020, he said, she would respond to him much more slowly on their video calls. "At that time, I realized I should think about going back to see her one last time," he said. Still, it would take about 30 days for him to board a flight and finish his COVID quarantine period. "My grandma would likely have passed away by the time I arrived home." Shi wrote a long letter he called My Grandma and Me, and he recorded it for her to listen to. He thought it would be the only way left to let her know what her grandson was thinking while she was still able to listen. "My grandma has always doted on me. When everyone else was asking me what grade I got, and when would I graduate and find a job, she was always asking me what I want to eat, braised pork or something else," he said in the letter. "I began to fear that something everyone else knew would hit home for my grandmathat the one she loves most is the one who has remained farthest away from her," Shi wrote. "I fear that she would awake to that fact one day and regret not giving most of her love to someone who has always remained by her side." His grandmother buried her face in her hands and wept while listening to the letter, Shi's mother said. About two weeks later, his grandmother passed away. Upon her passing, Shi began reconsidering the significance of family ties. "Although my grandmamy most important emotional anchoris gone, I see my parents and other family members as more important than before," he said. "Such ties are irreplaceable." After completing his studies at Oxford, Shi returned to China to work as an associate professor in Shanghai. With the world more divided than before by geopolitics and the pandemic, he said he prefers to be back in China, where he can rely on his family and friends. His plans for this year's Mid-Autumn Festival included returning to Lishui, his hometown, to reunite with his family. Traditional holidays give people a chance to go home, he said. Enjoying mooncakes, the traditional food of the festival, is just one way to "express the emotions of our reunions", he added. "If you decide to go back to your home to live, every day is a holiday." Tulsas first Musician Changemaker Accelerator Workshop, a full-day incubator for Oklahoma-based musicians, will launch Nov. 2 at OKPOP in collaboration with the local nonprofit Red Dirt Relief Fund and national charity Music to Life. The TMCA will work with up to 20 artist changemakers who have ideas for building positive, music-driven and sustainable community programs. Supported with funding from the Arvest Foundation, the TMCA is a deep-dive business-skills session where artists receive training in proposal development, identifying good-fit partners and mobilizing community support. TMCA also connects artists with local community advocates and industry changemakers including Chris Davis (Tulsa Creative Engine co-founder), Branjae (artist-activist) and Jeremy Charles, Cherokee Language record producer. Also, TMCA pairs artists with volunteer business mentors from Tulsas SCORE chapter for post-training technical assistance and program troubleshooting. We are excited to partner with Music to Life so Tulsa musicians have the chance to dig into their passions for social change while showcasing one more way that Tulsa is a music city, Red Dirt Relief Fund Executive Director Katie Dale said. Our mission assists music people in crisis, but helping musicians build sustainable careers including music-driven community programs can often prevent them from needing our help in the first place. Participating artists receive a full package of benefits including a complimentary pass to the Tulsa Music Cities Convention ($600 value; thanks to Tulsa Film, Music, Arts + Culture and Music Cities Events), a $50 stipend, complimentary breakfast and lunch and all Accelerator training and materials (estimated value of $1,000). Our work around the country empowers musicians to put their creative ideas for community healing into practice, Liz Stookey Sunde, co-founder and executive director of Music to Life, said. Our goal is to help heart-driven artists collaboratively address the causes that need their attention while also sustaining themselves financially and spiritually. Applications are open to musicians with ideas for community-based programs at reddirtrelieffund.org/uncategorized/tmca. An online application can be found here. The deadline is 5 p.m. Oct. 17. Because Red Dirt Relief Funds mission to serve all Oklahoma music creators intersects with Music to Lifes commitment to racial justice, equity and inclusion, applications from women, people of color and those who identify with or are members of historically marginalized or underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged. Red Dirt Relief Fund provides a safety net of critical assistance to Oklahoma music professionals. Since 2012, more than $625,000 in aid has helped 800-plus music creators recover from unavoidable emergencies, including $300,850 in COVID relief grants. Music to Life is a national nonprofit co-founded by Noel Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul & Mary) and his daughter, Liz, to connect socially conscious musicians with the mentors, resources and training needed to realize their visions for community change. For more, visit musictolife.org. Tulsa World Scene podcast: Route 66s Blue Whale in Catoosa turns 50 YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) A cease-fire between Armenia and Azerbaijan held Thursday following two days of fighting that killed 176 soldiers from both sides. Armen Grigoryan, the secretary of Armenias Security Council, said the truce brokered thanks to international mediation took effect at 8 p.m. Wednesday. A previous cease-fire that Russia brokered Tuesday had quickly failed. Armenia's Defense Ministry said late Thursday that the situation on the border with Azerbaijan has been quiet since the cease-fire started and no violations were reported. There was no immediate comment from Azerbaijan. In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price welcomed the parties' "continued adherence to the ceasefire." "We continue to engage and encourage the work needed to reach a lasting peace again, there can be no military solution to this, he said. The cease-fire declaration followed two days of heavy fighting that marked the largest outbreak of hostilities in nearly two years. Armenia and Azerbaijan traded blame for the shelling, with Armenian authorities accusing Baku of unprovoked aggression and Azerbaijani officials saying their country was responding to Armenian attacks. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Wednesday that 105 of his countrys soldiers had been killed since fighting erupted early Tuesday, while Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry said Thursday it had lost 71. The ex-Soviet countries have been locked in a decades-old conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, which is part of Azerbaijan but has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since a separatist war there ended in 1994. Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council that Moscow expects Armenia and Azerbaijan to abide by all the agreements of the cease-fire. We are in close contact with both countries so as to arrive at a sustainable cease-fire and the return of Azerbaijani and Armenian military to their positions of origin, the Russian ambassador said. He said that ways of lowering tensions were discussed in Russian President Vladimir Putin's call with Pashinyan and conversations between top diplomats of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the defense ministers of Russia and Armenia. Putin is also scheduled to meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Friday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in the Uzbekistan city of Samarkand. At the council meeting, Armenia and Azerbaijan accused each other of starting the latest fighting. During a six-week war in 2020, Azerbaijan reclaimed broad swaths of Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent territories held by Armenian forces. More than 6,700 people died in the fighting, which ended with a Russia-brokered peace agreement. Moscow deployed about 2,000 troops to the region to serve as peacekeepers under the deal. Pashinyan said his government has asked Russia for military support amid the latest fighting under a friendship treaty and also requested assistance from the Moscow-dominated Collective Security Treaty Organization. Yerevan's plea for help has put the Kremlin in a precarious position as it has sought to maintain close relations with Armenia, which hosts a Russian military base, and also develop warm ties with energy-rich Azerbaijan. On Wednesday, Pashinyan told lawmakers that Armenia is ready to recognize Azerbaijans territorial integrity in a future peace treaty, provided that it relinquishes control of areas in Armenia its forces have seized. We want to sign a document, for which many people will criticize and denounce us and call us traitors, and they may even decide to remove us from office, but we would be grateful if Armenia gets a lasting peace and security as a result of it, Pashinyan said. Some in the opposition saw the statement as a sign of Pashinyans readiness to cave in to Azerbaijani demands and recognize Azerbaijans sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh. Crowds of angry protesters quickly descended on the governments headquarters, accusing Pashinyan of treason. Protests were also held in other Armenian cities. Thousands of opposition supporters rallied again late Thursday in front of the country's parliament, calling for Pashinyan to be impeached. One opposition leader, Karin Tonoyan, urged protesters to start blockading government buildings on Friday and also issued a call for a nationwide strike. Aida Sultanova in London, Matthew Lee in Washington and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report. Federal investigators announced seven arrests in a Tulsa-based drug-trafficking operation allegedly distributing fentanyl, cocaine and counterfeit Xanax. Tristan Charles Barlow, 30, is accused of leading the criminal operation, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma. Barlow and six co-conspirators are alleged to have distributed deadly fentanyl, cocaine and thousands of counterfeit Xanax pills in the Northern District of Oklahoma and elsewhere, U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson said in the release. My office will seek to hold these alleged drug traffickers accountable in a federal court. An investigation into the alleged drug-trafficking operation also resulted in the arrests of Zachary Caughron, 30; Natalie Foutch, 20; Richard Markham, 35; Kolby Milford, 27; Christopher Ruff, 30; and Jacob Shoate, 21. All seven face charges of drug conspiracy and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Agents and task force officers searched multiple residences, stash houses, a storage unit and two parcels of rural land, the release states. During the 10 searches, law enforcement officers located a tent at a residence with a pill press and ventilation system, thousands of pills, cash and 19 firearms, including three AR-15 rifles, an AK-47 and an Uzi machine gun, the press release says. The operation allegedly imported powdered clonazolam, among the benzodiazepines group of drugs, from Europe. The powder was used in the pill press to make counterfeit Xanax, which also contained meth, according to the release. Prosecutors say Barlow reportedly provided his distributors anywhere from 10,000 to 40,000 pills per week. In 2022, law enforcement conducted multiple controlled buys of the counterfeit Xanax pills, cocaine and fentanyl, according to the release. A source in Mexico reportedly supplied the fentanyl and cocaine. The arrests and searches were part of Operation Hard Pressed, an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Tonkin in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.ashley.jones@tulsaworld.com The battalion, which was in Vietnam from December 1967 to October 1971, lost almost 300 men during that time and had one of the highest casualty rates of any unit. Oklahoma will offer start-up grants to ease a shortage of child care across nearly half the state, officials said Tuesday. The Department of Human Services will provide up to $10,000 per child for new day care centers that open in what the state considers child care deserts, officials said. That includes Tulsa and 33 other counties, with more than half the states population living in areas where there arent enough licensed child-care providers to meet the needs of working families, according to DHS. Some areas have faced a chronic shortage of child care, but the problem grew worse after facilities closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Jackie Evans, who owns Aunt Jackies Childcare Home in Tulsa. A lot of places never reopened, said Evans. Weve never recouped from the pandemic, and now there are lot more children who need child care than there are places for them. As a licensed child care provider for 42 years, Evans wont be eligible for a start-up grant, but she will welcome new facilities in her neighborhood, where she has a long waiting list for children to enroll at her day care. The community needs it, she said. Grant recipients will participate in the states Human Services Quality Rating Improvement System to create enriching, quality early childhood learning environments, officials said. We are providing funding and startup capital for people to go into a child care desert and open up a new business by becoming a child care provider, said Brittany Lee, director of Child Care Services. Not only will this bring new jobs into communities across Oklahoma, but it will also enable parents and guardians to rejoin the workforce with the peace of mind that their child is in a safe and enriching environment. Applications will be available at okchildcaregrants.com until funds are depleted or until July 31, officials said. An initial $5,000 per child will be paid upon approval of the grant, with the remaining $5,000 per child distributed after 12 months, officials said. Child care deserts The Oklahoma Department of Human Services classifies these area counties among child care deserts: Adair, Creek, Delaware, LeFlore, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Osage, Pawnee, Rogers, Tulsa, Wagoner Featured video: Back to work and lack of child care A dozen Oklahoma lawmakers are using their standing to intimidate and possibly end the career of a Norman teacher who resigned after a controversy over sharing a QR code for the Brooklyn Public Library. The call from the Republican legislators for the state Education Department and State Board of Education to investigate Summer Boismier adds evidence that House Bill 1775 is being used as a weapon and not to improve education. HB 1775 restricts teaching subjects that make a student feel discomfort, guilt, anguish or any other form of psychological distress because of their race or sex. It does not ban books but has created a chilling effect. Schools are pulling titles from shelves, and teachers are avoiding subjects in areas of history and civics. The new law has been used to punish Mustang Public Schools for a self-reported possible violation. Tulsa Public Schools was disciplined despite Tulsa World reporter Lenzy Krehbiel-Burtons finding that the attorney for the Education Department had not accurately described the facts related to the allegation when presenting it to the state board. In Norman, a parent complained after Boismier posted the QR code and covered her classrooms bookshelves with paper with the words Books the state doesnt want you to read written on it. Students werent required to use the code or download books from the Brooklyn library. The parent argued, though, that Boismier was making a political statement and therefore had violated the law. Since April, the Brooklyn library has made e-books and audiobooks available to teens around the country through its program Books Unbanned. Education Secretary and state superintendent candidate Ryan Walters brought additional attention to Boismier by calling for her license to be revoked, which would prevent her from teaching again in the state. He claims that her actions were indoctrination and provided access to banned and pornographic books. Then Boismier a private citizen received an outpouring of threatening messages and moved from her home, fearing for her safety. In an interview with KOKH, Channel 25, she said: I am a walking HB 1775 violation. And one of the sticking points between myself and my previous district was I would do it again in a heartbeat. No regrets. Would do it again. Will do it again. She said English could not be fully taught under the laws restrictions and that she felt it better to quit. The group of lawmakers, including state Sen. Cody Rogers of Tulsa, piled on with investigation requests. The other legislators are Reps. Sherrie Conley of Newcastle, Tom Gann of Inola, Jim Grego of Wilburton, Jim Olsen of Roland, Marilyn Stark of Bethany, Wendi Stearman of Collinsville, Kevin West of Moore, Rick West of Heavener and Danny Williams of Seminole and Sens. George Burns of Pollard and Warren Hamilton of McCurtain. This shameful targeting of a former teacher has become a national embarrassment. It is wrong and an abuse of power. HB 1775 isnt about making schools better; its a political tool to harass and bully public schools and teachers. Oklahoma public education is facing a serious teacher shortage along with challenges in areas such as youth mental health and classroom resources. It needs champions, not grandstanding politicians stoking fear and scaring educators. A representative of national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines said that the airline has been aware of the delisting risk, but added that there are still time and opportunities for it to improve the current situation. The Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HoSE) recently warned Vietnam Airlines, whose stock code is HVN, of the brink of delisting as the company is at risk of reporting losses for three consecutive years as well as a negative equity. This is a force majeure circumstance as the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected its business operations, the representative stressed. The airline has taken various measures to minimize losses and submitted to the government a restructuring plan aimed at removing difficulties, including the restructuring of assets and investment portfolios. Regarding Deloittes doubt on Vietnam Airlines ability to operate continuously, the airline representative stated that the audit firm had made similar comments in 2020 and 2021. This suspicion is reasonable because the airline has suffered losses and is indebted in the context of slow recovery of the aviation sector, the representative continued. It is difficult to overcome these difficulties in a short time, he added. Deloitte also noted that the carriers future operations will largely depend on financial support from the Vietnamese government and the extension of loan payments from commercial banks and credit institutions. Whether or not Vietnam Airlines shares will be delisted depends on the results of the company's efforts as well as the governments approval of its restructuring plan, the representative elaborated. The restructuring will allow the airline to have the necessary cash flow and capital to offset the accumulated losses and negative equity. Up to this point, Vietnam Airlines can still ensure liquidity in the post-COVID-19 recovery period. The plan also includes such solutions as divesting stakes in member enterprises and issuing more shares to balance the equity. For example, if Vietnam Airlines divests capital in Pacific Airlines, the carrier will certainly reduce the accumulated losses because it holds a 98 percent stake in Pacific Airlines, which is suffering a deficit worth about VND8 trillion (US$338.6 million). The representative added that Vietnam Airlines will not propose a VND12 trillion ($508 million) support package from the government like it did in 2021. The government currently holds 86 percent of the carrier. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Preschool children of the Cor ethnic minority in central Vietnam got to kick off their new academic year in a freshly built school earlier this month. They no longer have to study on a borrowed premise. The new kindergarten in Tho An Village, Binh An Commune, Binh Son District, Quang Ngai Province was built on a piece of land donated by 73-year-old Bui Van Anh, a resident of Binh An Commune. The old man lives in his worn-out country house. Adjacent to a major road in the ward, the property boasts a fine location in the commune. Giving up over 1,000 square meters of valuable land, Anh came under tons of criticism. According to his neighbors, the man could have earned over hundreds of millions of dong (VND100 million = US$4,200) from this project. They believed he would lose everything following his decision. They might think that I was out of my mind, but we always have two choices either for us, or for others, he said. I donated my land hoping the younger generations can have a better place for their education, and this is for everybody, too. I believe my decision is well justified. Ngo Ai Phuoc, a school principal in the area, said, Without his compassion, we [the teacher and her children] will be in ceaseless difficulty." For those teachers working in remote areas, we are deeply grateful for Anh." On borrowed grounds Despite the overall increasing growth rate of Binh Son District, Tho An remains a recognized area of poverty according to national standards. It used to be a military base during wartime. The majority of its population are the Cor ethnic people, who prioritize making money over schooling. This results in enormous hurdles to education. In an attempt to encourage early education, the kindergarten of Binh An Commune had to borrow one room inside Binh An Elementary School as a makeshift premise for the preschool children of Tho An Village. As he passed by this standalone kindergarten class on his daily trips to work, Anh noticed the inconvenience the kindergarteners had to go through in their learning efforts. Deep inside, he was struck with an overwhelming desire that the children could learn in a more conducive environment. For kindergarten children, a clean and pretty room is very important. They also need a playground, he said. It doesnt make sense to confine the kids to a tiny room with their teachers. I couldnt bear every time I witnessed rainwater seeping into their classroom. Over the years, the old man carried with him a strong desire to help the children. Financially incapable, the man kept his concerns to himself and had conversations with his family members about the unsuitable kindergarten classroom setting. In 2021, the authorities announced a sponsorship of VND500 million ($21,243) to construct new classrooms for Tho An Kindergarten. Anh was over the moon to learn of the funding and quickly visited the Peoples Committee of the ward for more information. After verifying all the facts and requirements, they discussed the best locale for the new school. It was not a matter of the size of the land, but the parents were too busy to send their children to school regularly on a daily basis. In other words, it is the older siblings of the preschool kids who are in charge of the daily drop-off and pick-up. Therefore, placing the kindergarten away from the elementary school would be unrealistic. My land is next to the [elementary] school, but it would cost a lot to compensate me if they purchased my property, said Anh. So I decided to offer it for free for the education of the younger generations. Giving up Anh was not an indigenous member of this locality. He joined a pioneering group of settlers to this area over 30 years ago. He and his family members had to struggle against underground mines and wild plants. The terrain of the place was full of rugged rocks, taking extra time to convert it to productive land. Based on his intuitive calculations, the land could offer him a yearly income of VND10 million ($420), and selling it away could earn him VND400 million ($17,000). The location was suitable for both residency and business; however, the man gave it up for the sake of education. Bui Van Anh believes that his donation will boost the education of the neighborhood, increasing literacy and eliminating poverty. Photo: Tran Mai / Tuoi Tre Only with a school can there be literacy. Only with education can this community become better, he said. Without sufficient knowledge, the young generations will end up doing the same work as their predecessors. Grateful Twenty years ago, Anh once donated an area larger in size for use as a path connecting Tho An Village to the center of the commune. That decision brought his fellow villagers closer to the outside world. This time, the land he donated would inspire and educate the future generations. This year is the childrens first time learning in a finely constructed school, and Anh was eager to attend the school opening ceremony earlier this month. He yearned to see the concerns in the childrens eyes disappear. A few days before the opening ceremony, Anh rode his old motorbike to the Tho An standalone kindergarten class. Some of the children were having fun on the slide and seesaw. As the children greeted him with a slight bow, Anh responded with a smile on his face and funny remarks. According to Anh, this place is not just a learning hub, but a fun playground for the communal children. They were reluctant to go to school before, but now they arrive every single day. That added to his overall satisfaction. To him, donating his land is like a thank-you note he kept for the place that had him and his family covered for decades. Im old now and may pass away any time; the money will be gone too. But this school will always remain, he said. According to Ngo Ai Phuoc, principal of Binh An Kindergarten, Anh deserved great credits. Against the odds, the school now meets all the required standards according to the national guidelines for kindergartens. Both the parents and the teachers were extremely happy and eager to attend the school opening ceremony, said Phuoc. The opening day was full of emotions and it will open new doors to kindergarten teaching in Tho An Village. As a way to honor Anhs selflessness, the school management decided to integrate stories about the mans act into the training program. Phuoc hopes that such stories will remain in the childrens hearts. Mr. Anhs school The local people lovingly call the new kindergarten Mr. Anhs school.' The place more often goes by that title than its official name. In the Vietnamese countryside, places named after a major benefactor is a common practice. It is a token of gratitude toward that very person. Mr. Anhs school will surely remain for future generations. According to Vo Thanh Tuan, chairman of the Peoples Committee of Binh An Commune, it is an honor for the neighborhood to have Anh as its member. His donation removed the major hurdle to the kindergarten project the premise for the school. For the sake of public benefits, Anh forfeited his personal gains. Inspired by Anhs generosity, a house owner next door donated over 400 square meters for use as a schoolyard. Tuan informed that Anhs family is not well off. They lost a large sum following his act of philanthropy. The local authorities and people are in debt to them. To pay back his compassion and responsibility, the authorities offered him rewards and publicly announced their sincere thank-you to him on the public speaker, so that every single person in the ward is aware of this, said Tuan. The story of Anh, who gave up his land, will be told to future generations. It is a good example for everyone so that the power of the community can be boosted, especially in this land of poverty. We are truly grateful to him. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Summiting the world's 8,000-metre mountains is the ultimate bucket list dream for ambitious climbers, a feat managed by fewer than 50 people, and Sanu Sherpa is the first to do it twice. The Nepali climber's summit of Pakistan's Gasherbrum II (8,035 metres, 26,362 feet) last month completed his unprecedented double ascent of the eight-thousanders -- as the 14 peaks are collectively known. As usual, he was guiding a paying customer -- this time a Japanese climber -- to the top. Summiting the world's 8,000-metre mountains is a feat managed by fewer than 50 people, and Sanu Sherpa is the first to do it twice. Photo: AFP "What I have done is not something that is impossible," the 47-year-old told AFP. "I was just doing my job." Sherpa, who began working in mountaineering as a porter and kitchen aid, climbed his first 8,000-metre peak in 2006 while guiding a South Korean group to the summit of Cho Oyu. "I felt like the Korean climbers would not be able to summit the mountain, but I had to as I would not get work if I returned unsuccessfully," he said. Death zone Nepali guides -- usually ethnic Sherpas from the valleys around Everest -- are considered the backbone of the climbing industry in the Himalayas. They carry the majority of equipment and food, fix ropes and repair ladders. It can be a perilous occupation. Altitudes above 8,000m are considered a "death zone", where there is not enough oxygen in the air to sustain human life for long periods. On average, 14 people die every year on the eight eight-thousanders in Nepal. About a third of deaths on Everest are Nepali guides and porters, underscoring the risks they take to enable their clients' dreams of reaching the world's highest peaks. "I have seen many dead bodies while going up or descending the mountain," said Sherpa. "I am walking the same route or the same mountain," he added. "How would my family and children live if I met the same fate?" Yak farmer Sherpa grew up in Sankhuwasabha district in eastern Nepal -- an impoverished and remote rural area that includes Makalu, the world's fifth-highest mountain. He was farming potatoes and corn, and grazing yaks at the age of 30 -- when many of his peers were making more money on the peaks. "I used to ask myself, if those who could not even carry as much as me were returning to the village after climbing mountains, why couldn't I?" he said. He eventually decided to follow suit, hoping the work would help him support his family of eight, and fulfil his dream of "wearing mountain gear". He donned another climber's hand-me-down boots for his Cho Oyu summit, which paved his way to working as a guide on other eight-thousanders. By 2019, he had double summits on half of the 14 peaks, and a foreign climber suggested he try to complete the set. Sanu Sherpa grew up in a remote rural area of eastern Nepal which includes Manaslu, the world's eighth-highest mountain. Photo: AFP Everest x 7 Long in the shadows as supporters of their paying foreign customers -- it costs more than $45,000 to climb Everest -- Nepali mountaineers are slowly being recognised in their own right. In recent years, several films have helped shine a light on the key role of Nepali climbers, including "Sherpa" which was released in 2015, and more recently "14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible". Nepal's culture and tourism minister Jeevan Ram Shrestha said Sherpa's double ascent record had established him as "a source of inspiration for climbers around the world". Sherpa has climbed Everest seven times and has triple ascents on another four of the 14 peaks. Back in Kathmandu after last month's record-setting climb, he is preparing for a fourth summit of Manaslu, the world's eighth-highest mountain, with a client and is getting offers for other expeditions. "I can do triple ascents," he said. "But, maybe that depends also on luck." Sherpa says his family often tell him he has faced enough challenges in the mountains and the time has come to hang up his boots. "Sometimes I want to go and sometimes I don't want to," he said. "What to do except climbing? There is no other job." Pangasius exports to UK market soar considerably over 8 months Vietnamese pangasius exports to the UK surged by 28% over the past eight months to US$47 million, with the major export products being frozen pangasius fillets and processed pangasius, reported the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). This increase was attributed to high inflation in the UK, the reasonable price of Vietnamese pangasius, along with a shortage of white fish in the UK caused by the ban on seafood products imported from Russia. The VASEP noted the UK currently makes up one of Vietnams 10 largest seafood export markets, accounting for 3% of the total value. During the initial eight months of the year, seafood exports to the UK increased by 3.5% to reach US$213 million, of which pangasius exports accounted for 22% of the total seafood export value to the UK. Industry experts said the enforcement of the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) in May 1 last year has led to Vietnamese pangasius enjoying a tariff reduction in the UK market. Think tanks predicted that Vietnamese pangasius exports to the UK in the remaining months of the year would enjoy a positive outlook compared to the previous period. "The arrow shot is so straight that it hits the bull's-eye, the young people will have good luck, and sitting on the lawn of the archery field is as comfortable as sitting on soft silk," Dargye sang as he worked on his handmade bag. Dargye, 56, is an artist who excels at traditional craftsmanship and Tibetan folk music in Drinba village in Dragyib district, Nyingchi, Tibet autonomous region. The village is famous for its beautiful peach flowers and rich ethnic culture. He remembers many folk songs he learned from his father and uncle. Now, it's his turn to pass them on. "I have liked traditional songs and dances since I was a child," said Dargye, who has four apprentices. "The songs tell the histories of our ancestors and carry our unique culture, and it's always a lot of fun to perform these traditional songs and dances at various gatherings." The song topics vary. The general themes are archery, herding, love, labor and praise for the land. Dargye's favorite songs are about archery and herding, which play key roles in his life. When Drinba villagers herd their yaks and cows in their summer pasture, they always sing folk songs. "When we hold archery competitions in the village, men compete in the field and women offer delicacies and highland barley wine to the participants. We sing archery songs," he said. In addition to teaching these songs to his family members and apprentices by inviting them to his home, he also uses social media platforms such as WeChat to teach songs. His daughter, Chok Butri, also admires the folk culture. After she posted a video of her daughter, Tsering Kyi, dancing on Douyin, she gained a lot of new fans on the popular short-video platform. "We are modern people living in a modern era, so it's important that we use modern tools to pass on our traditional culture to make it last forever. It's our responsibility," said Chok Butri, adding that she and her father often post songs and dances on WeChat and Douyin. Dargye and his fellow villagers also recreate songs, adding modern elements such as aircraft and trains to the lyrics. Besides singing and dancing, Dargye makes handicrafts. His products include various hide and hair ropes, bags made of leather and cloth, and knife sheaths. Most of them are decorated with Tibetan cultural elements, and each element has a meaning. Dargye is also an expert at producing ropes made from the hides of animals. Residents from other villages often come to buy such ropes from him, which are widely used to make harnesses for horses. The local government encourages villagers to inherit and develop folk songs and other forms of traditional culture. Dargye's efforts to preserve folk culture have been acknowledged by the government. In 2014, he was chosen as a county-level intangible cultural inheritor and receives subsidies every year. NEW DELHI -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will come face-to-face on Friday for the first time since deadly border clashes in 2020 frayed ties between the Asian rivals. Modi will fly to the Uzbek city of Samarkand on Thursday for a summit of the regional security group known as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which will also be attended by Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "At the SCO summit, I look forward to exchanging views on topical, regional and international issues, the expansion of SCO and on further deepening of multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation within the organisation," Modi said in a statement. He said a number of decisions on trade, the economy, culture and tourism were expected to be taken at the summit. The event comes after Indian and Chinese soldiers this week disengaged at a disputed area along a remote western Himalayan border after more than two years of a standoff. Modi and Xi have not spoken to each other since the standoff began. India's foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra told a news conference on Thursday that Modi would have bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit on Friday but declined to confirm a one-on-one with Xi. China has also not confirmed a meeting between the two leaders. The SCO's permanent members are China, India, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan. Russia has already confirmed a bilateral meeting between Putin and Modi, during which they are expected to talk about overall trade as well as sales of Russian fertilisers and mutual food supplies. Check out the news you should not miss today: Society -- Police in Nui Thanh District, central Quang Nam Province on Wednesday night said they had detained Le Duc Son, 22, to investigate his actions against law enforcement officers after he hit and injured a policeman while being pulled over on September 11. -- The northern mountainous and midland areas are expected to have rain and thunderstorms in the evening from Thursday to Saturday, with some regions expecting precipitation between 50mm and 200mm, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. -- Authorities in Hoan Kiem District said that they will temporarily close Hanois famed trackside cafe area as the local businesses violate railway traffic safety. -- Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal in Ho Chi Minh City has recently seen people flocking for fishing despite a prevailing fishing ban. Business -- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh described Japan as a leading important economic partner of Vietnam during a reception in Hanoi on Wednesday for Governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Hayashi Nobumitsu, the Vietnam News Agency reported the same day. Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies Heng Swee Keat on Wednesday visited Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) 1 in the southern province of Binh Duong, during which he hailed the VSIP as the most successful model in Vietnam-Singapore partnership, the Vietnam News Agency reported the same day. Lifestyle -- The French Institute in Vietnam and its partners are launching French Cinema Rendez-Vous, a series of weekly screenings at 7:00 pm every Saturday from Saturday, which introduces the richness and diversity of French cinema through a wide range of French films from eternal classics to the newest award winning titles and animated films. World news -- The Doraemon Exhibition will be held at the National Museum of Singapore in November and last for three months, featuring a selection of contemporary artworks reinterpreting Doraemon and showcasing the iconic Japanese characters cultural impact in contemporary history, the Singapore Tourism Board said in a press release on Wednesday. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! SBS has picked up Icelandic drama Blackport. Set in in a small Icelandic fishing village in the 1980s the 8 x 52 drama, follows a married couple, Harpa and Grimur, who along with their friends build a small fishing empire thanks to the introduction of the fishing quota system in the country. But the struggle for power deeply corrupts the couple, resulting in a feud of jealousy, greed and betrayal. Created by Gisli Orn Gararsson (Ragnarok), Bjorn Hlynur Haraldsson (Trapped,Fortitude) and Nina Dogg Filippusdottir (Prisoners & The Valhalla Murders) it is produced by Vesturport and Turbine Studios for Arte (France) and RUV (Iceland). Laurent Boissel and Emmanuelle Guilbart, joint-CEOs and co-founders at About Premium Content , said: The talented creative team behind Blackport have produced a thrilling multi-layered series, not only transporting the audience through the dramatic twisting narrative weaving relationships, business and politics but also exploring the humour and absurdity of greed. It has also been sold to the US, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Ireland. Denmark, Norway, and Finland. An airdate is yet to be announced. Source: TBI Vision ReportLinker Major players in the environmental testing equipment market are Agilent Technologies Inc, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc, Shimadzu Corporation, Waters Corporation, Bruker Corporation, PerkinElmer Inc, Merck KGaA, Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, INFICON, JEOL Ltd, SCIEX, Extech Instruments, Amphenol, and PathSensors, Inc. New York, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Environmental Testing Equipment Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06318512/?utm_source=GNW The global environmental testing equipment market is expected to grow from $0.94 billion in 2021 to $1.02 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.77%. The environmental testing equipment market is expected to reach $1.38 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 7.69%. The environmental testing equipment market consists of sales of environmental testing equipment by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that refers to various products and equipment primarily used to evaluate the dependability of multiple products and components under continuous exposure to a variety of environmental conditions. The purpose of the equipment is to detect and identify multiple contaminants that may impact the quality of the air, water, and soil. The main types of environmental testing equipment include chromatography products, mass spectrometers, molecular spectroscopy instruments, total organic carbon (TOC) analysers, dissolved oxygen analysers, conductivity sensors, turbidity meters, and pH Meters.Chromatography products refer to electronic systems designed for the separation of components or solutes of a mixture based on relative amounts of each solute between a moving liquid stream. They are used in water, air and soil testing by government agencies & municipal authorities, environmental testing laboratories, industrial facilities, commercial & residential facilities. North America was the largest region in the environmental testing equipment market in 2021.Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in this report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The environmental testing equipment market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides environmental testing equipment market statistics, including environmental testing equipment industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an environmental testing equipment market share, detailed environmental testing equipment market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the environmental testing equipment industry. This environmental testing equipment market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry. Rising levels of environmental pollution worldwide significantly contribute to the growth of the environmental testing equipment market.Rapid growth industrialization and urbanization, wildfires, transportation, construction and demonization have contributed to rising levels of environmental pollution across the globe. Governments across the globe are investing in environmental testing equipment to constantly monitor changes in the air, water and soil pollution and implement innovative policies to tackle challenges based on inputs from testing activities. For instance, according to the study published in the Republic of Slovenia Statistical Office, the countrys gross investment in environmental protection accounted for EUR 412 million ($486.57 million) in 2020 a 69.4% increase from 2019. Therefore, the rising level of environmental pollution is expected to boost demand for environmental testing equipment during the forecast period. Technological advancement is the key trend gaining popularity in the environmental testing equipment market.Major companies operating in the environmental testing equipment market focus on providing technologically advanced solutions to meet the end-customer demand and strengthen their market position across the globe. For instance, In June 2020, Agilent Technologies (US) introduced two new mass spectrometry (MS) products, the Agilent 6470B Triple Quadrupole LC/MS (6470 LC/TQ) system, and the Agilent Rapid Fire 400 system, to provide customers with greater sample throughput and reduced time to obtain findings by delivering even faster detection of target chemicals. In August 2020, Smiths Detection, a UK-based detection, and screening technologies company, acquired PathSensors for an undisclosed amount.Through this acquisition, Smiths Detection is focused on broadening its sensing capabilities across the CBRNE (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive) spectrum, and expanding its business across the globe. PathSensors is a USA-based provider of biotechnology solutions and environmental testing equipments. The countries covered in the environmental testing equipment market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, and USA. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06318512/?utm_source=GNW About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Story continues CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 Company Logo Thai Automobile Market Thai Automobile Market Dublin, Sept. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Research Report on Thailand's Automobile Industry, 2022-2031" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Automobile production will continue to grow in Thailand from 2022 to 2031. Thailand's automobile industry originated in the early 1970s. With its superior geographic location and government support, Thailand has become the largest automobile producer in Southeast Asia, and is called the Detroit of Asia. Automobile manufacturing has long been the pillar industry of the Thai economy. In 2021, the output value of automobile manufacturing accounted for more than 10% of Thailand's GDP. From 2011 to 2012, the Thai government implemented the First-Time Buyer Program to encourage automobile consumption, which led to rapid growth in automobile production and sales. However, the automobile production volume dropped by 25.77% in 2014 after the program expired. Despite steady growth, it failed to recover to 2.53 million units in 2013. The sales declined from 2013 to 2016, and rebounded to 873,000 units till 2017. In 2020, due to the impact of COVID-19, annual sales fell 21.4% to 792,146 units, and continued to fall to 762,217 units in 2021. Thailand's automotive industry is export-oriented. In the past five years, over 1 million automobiles were exported to ASEAN countries, Australia, the Middle East and Europe every year. The import volume is less. However, the import tariff on automobiles is expected to be lowered as Thailand signs more free trade agreements in recent years. Over the years, the Thai government has introduced a series of policies to attract foreign investment. The automobile manufacturers in Thailand are mainly Japanese and US companies. The massive competitors and fierce competition make the market perfectly competitive. Compared with other Southeast Asian countries, Thailand has a developed auto parts industry and a large number of auto parts suppliers. However, it still needs to import key auto parts. Story continues There are many automobile brands in Thailand, including Toyota, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Ford, BMW, Chevrolet, etc. which have produced a strong scale effect after years of development and production expansion. With the popularization of new energy vehicles, the Thai government also drew up a roadmap to give tax breaks and other preferential policies to new energy vehicle enterprises. Thailand's automotive industry has a good prospect. Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor initiative proposes to develop 10 target industries including the automotive industry in the eastern region. And the free trade agreements with Australia, China, India, New Zealand and other ASEAN countries will facilitate the development of overseas markets for Thailand's automotive industry. The reduction of import tariffs will also provide a price advantage for automobiles. New energy vehicles will grow rapidly in Thailand with the expiration of the lock-up period of the First-Time Buyer Program, more automobiles beyond the warranty period, and the government's efforts to develop new energy vehicles. It is expected that in the next few years, the increase in residents' income will promote automobile consumption in Thailand. And the exemption of import tariffs on automobiles in ASEAN countries will boost Thailand's automobile exports. Topics Covered: Development environment of Thailand's automobile industry Analysis on supply of and demand for automobiles in Thailand Competition in Thailand's automobile industry Major automobile manufacturers in Thailand Analysis on production costs and prices of automobiles in Thailand Driving forces and market opportunities for Thailand's automobile industry from 2022 to 2022 Prospect of Thailand's automobile industry from 2022 to 2031 Key Topics Covered: 1 Basic Concept of Thailand's Automobile industry 1.1 Thailand's Automobile industry 1.2 Classification of Automobiles in Thailand 2 Analysis on Thailand's Automobile industry 2.1 Economic Environment 2.2 Policy Environment 2.3 Social Environment 2.4 Supply 2.5 Demand 2.6 Import and Export 3 Market Competition in Thailand's Automobile industry 3.1 Barriers to Entry 3.1.1 Technical Barriers 3.1.2 Capital Barriers 3.2 Competition Pattern 3.2.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 3.2.2 Bargaining Power of Consumers 3.2.3 Internal Competition 3.2.4 Potential Entrants 3.2.5 Substitutes for Automobiles 4 Major Automobile Manufacturers in Thailand, 2017-2021 4.1 Toyota Motor Corporation 4.2 Isuzu Motors Limited 4.3 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. 4.4 Mitsubishi Motors Corporation 4.5 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. 4.6 Ford Motor Company 4.7 Mazda Motor Corporation 4.8 Suzuki Motor Corporation 4.9 General Motors 4.10 Mercedes-Benz 5 Analysis on Production Costs and Prices of Automobiles in Thailand, 2015-2021 5.1 Production Costs 5.2 Prices 6 Forecast on Development of Thailand's Automobile industry, 2022-2031 6.1 Factors Influencing Development of Thailand's Automobile industry 6.1.1 Major Driving Factors and Market Opportunities 6.1.2 Threats and Challenges 6.2 Forecast on Supply of Automobiles in Thailand, 2022-2031 6.3 Forecast on Market Demand for Automobiles in Thailand 6.4 Forecast on Automobile Import and Export in Thailand For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/yftbyx Attachment CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 You are here: China China's cyberspace regulator on Wednesday revealed a set of draft revisions to the country's cybersecurity law to solicit public opinion. China's cybersecurity law entered into force in 2017. It amended the Administrative Penalty Law and adopted the Data Security Law and the Law on Protection of Personal Information in 2021. The draft revisions were formulated to coordinate the cybersecurity law with relevant legislation and improve the legal liability system, according to the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC). The highlights of the proposed revisions include adjusting the types and ranges of administrative penalties for violations endangering network operation security and strengthening the responsibility of key information infrastructure operators. The draft also seeks to improve the legal liability systems of network information security and personal information protection. The deadline for submitting feedback is Sept. 29. Top L-R: Boonsong Wannas, Jagpal Singh. Bottom L-R: Vlassis Ntaoulias, Donglin Zhang. A TOP cop has spoken out after four people were jailed for luring women to Glasgow to be trafficked for sex. Jagpal Singh, 52, his partner Donglin Zhang, 48, Vlassis Ntaoulias, 33, and Boonsong Wannas, 62, were convicted at Glasgow High Court of multiple charges including human trafficking and managing a brothel. All four have been remanded in custody and will appear for sentencing next month. READ MORE: Four people behind bars for trafficking women into Glasgow for sex Following the conviction, Detective Superintendent Donna Duffy, who is in charge of Glasgows Human Trafficking Unit, has spoken out about the case. She said: "Human trafficking is a despicable crime that has an unmeasurable long-term impact on its victims. We are committed to working with our partners to conduct thorough investigations, to identify those responsible and to protect their vulnerable victims from harm and these convictions demonstrate that." Singh, Zhang, Ntaoulias and Wannas lured victims from China and Thailand and promised them legitimate employment. Instead, their passports were taken from them and they were forced to work in brothels across Glasgow. Their convictions mark the end of a large-scale police operation which began in September 2019. Detective Duffy added: We will continue in our efforts to tackle human trafficking within the city and information from local people within our communities is key to helping us to identify those involved. "As such, I ask that anyone with any information or who has concerns about the welfare of someone they suspect has been trafficked to contact us on 101. The TUI flight was forced to make an "additional fuel stop" according to the airline. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO A flight full of holidaymakers returning to the North East from Greece was diverted mid-flight yesterday less than an hour into its journey. The TUI flight, codenamed TOM1311, took off from the Greek island of Skiathos at 1.46pm local time but was diverted to Thessaloniki, Greece, after just 40 minutes to make an 'additional fuel stop' Flight tracking service Flightradar24 shows how the plane flew North after departure and landed at Thessaloniki soon after. Read more: Watch as bus depot goes up in flames sending plumes of smoke over A1 The plane, a Boeing 737, then took off again at 3.06pm to continue its journey to Newcastle International Airport. The Northern Echo: A map showing the route North the plane took after take off. Picture: FLIGHTRADAR24 A map showing the route North the plane took after take off. Picture: FLIGHTRADAR24 A TUI spokesperson told The Northern Echo: "We can confirm that flight TOM1311 from Skiathos to Newcastle was briefly diverted into Thessaloniki yesterday as the aircraft required an additional fuel stop. "The aircraft departed shortly after, and customers landed safely in Newcastle yesterday afternoon." TUI says the refuelling stop was due to what it describes as a "performance issue" in Skiathos, where The Northern Echo understands the plane was fuelled before take-off. It comes after two flights were diverted after take-off from Newcastle Airport in the last few weeks. To get more stories direct to your email basket go here On September 1 a Jet2 flight from Newcastle to Dalaman was forced to turn around after the crew reported a technical problem shortly after take-off. The passengers were then moved to a different aircraft for their journey. Meanwhile, a RyanAir flight from Newcastle to Alicante was also diverted mid-flight to Stanstead on August 30 when a passenger became ill on board. Read next: If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as 1.25 a week. Click here Queens funeral plan in full revealed as queue for mourners reaches almost 5 miles More details have been revealed about the Queens funeral on Monday as the public queue for mourners to pay their respects reached almost five miles. Thousands of members of the public have been sombrely filing past the Queens coffin in Westminster Hall since Wednesday at 5pm. Some mourners carried babies in with them after queueing for more than eight hours and there were even reports some had tried to smuggle their dogs inside. As the public flock to London to pay their respects, more details have emerged regarding the late monarchs state funeral, the first for the UK since 1965. Late-Night Rehearsal Held For Funeral Of Queen Elizabeth II A funeral procession marches through Parliament Square during a rehearsal (PA) A funeral procession marches through Parliament Square during a rehearsal (PA) A funeral procession marches through Parliament Square during a rehearsal (Jeremy Selwyn) A funeral procession marches through Parliament Square during a rehearsal (Jeremy Selwyn) A funeral procession marches through Parliament Square during a rehearsal (Jeremy Selwyn) A funeral procession marches through Parliament Square during a rehearsal (Jeremy Selwyn) A funeral procession marches through Parliament Square during a rehearsal (PA) A funeral procession marches through Parliament Square during a rehearsal (PA) A funeral procession marches through Parliament Square during a rehearsal (PA) A funeral procession marches through Parliament Square during a rehearsal (PA) A funeral procession marches through Parliament Square during a rehearsal (PA) The nation will come to a standstill for much of the day on Monday and a national two minutes silence will be held. Flights have even been cancelled at Heathrow to ensure there is no disturbance to the meticulously planned event. Here is everything you need to know: The timings The funeral service will begin at 11am in Westminster Abbey, where the doors will open at 8am for members of the congregation to take their seats. The service is expected to last one hour and then a procession will set off at 12.15pm to Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner, arriving at 1pm. The state hearse and royal family will then travel to Windsor where a committal service will take place at 4pm in St Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle. The majority of those attending St Georges Chapel will not have been at the funeral service at Westminster Abbey (PA Wire) A private burial service will take place at 7.30pm. The funeral service in Westminster Abbey The Queens funeral service will be conducted by the Dean of Westminster, with the sermon given by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Prime Minister and the Secretary General of the Commonwealth will read lessons, while the Archbishop of York, the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and the Free Churches Moderator will say prayers. Joe Biden and Liz Truss will both be in attendance (PA Wire) Towards the end of the service, the Last Post will sound, followed by two minutes of silence to be observed in the abbey and around the UK. Story continues The congregation US president Joe Biden and French president Emmanuel Macron will be among the 2,000 people gathered inside Westminster Abbey. The leaders of most Commonwealth countries are expected to attend, with New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern saying she will make the nearly 24-hour journey, while her Canadian and Australian counterparts, Justin Trudeau and Anthony Albanese, have also confirmed their attendance. Germanys president Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Italys president Sergio Mattarella and Brazils president Jair Bolsonaro are among those attending, along with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. King Felipe of Spain and his wife, Queen Letizia, are among the European royals who will attend. They will join members of the British royal family, UK prime ministers past and present and key figures from public life. Downing Street said nearly 200 key workers and volunteers recognised in the Queens Birthday Honours list in June have been invited. A senior palace official said heads of state and overseas government representatives, including foreign royal families, governors-general and realm prime ministers, will gather at the Royal Hospital Chelsea and travel under collective arrangements to the abbey. The Queens coffin lying in state (PA) The committal service in St Georges Chapel The congregation will be made up of the Queens household past and present, including personal staff who work, or who have worked, on the private estates. The majority of those attending this service, which will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor, will not have attended the earlier service at Westminster Abbey. Before the final hymn, the Imperial State Crown, the orb and the sceptre will be removed from the coffin by the Crown Jeweller and, with the Bargemaster and Serjeants-at-Arms, will be passed to the dean who will place them on the altar. At the end of the final hymn, the King will place The Queens Company Camp Colour of the Grenadier Guards on the coffin. At the same time, the Lord Chamberlain will break his Wand of Office and place it on the coffin. As the coffin is lowered into the Royal Vault, the Dean of Windsor will say a psalm and the commendation before the Garter King of Arms will pronounce the styles and titles of the Queen. The news has shocked the nation (Getty Images) The private burial The Queen will be buried with the Duke of Edinburgh at the King George VI Memorial Chapel. The private burial service will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor, and will be attended by the King and members of the royal family. The route On Monday morning, the Queens coffin will be carried on a State Gun Carriage from New Palace Yard to Westminster Abbey by way of Parliament Square, Broad Sanctuary and the Sanctuary a route lined by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. After the funeral service, the royal family will walk in a procession with the coffin to Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner. The Queen will be buried alongside her late husband (Getty Images) The procession will go by way of Broad Sanctuary, Parliament Square (South and East sides), Parliament Street, Whitehall, Horse Guards including Horse Guards Arch, Horse Guards Road, The Mall, Queens Gardens (South and West sides), Constitution Hill and Apsley Way. The state hearse, carrying the coffin, will then travel to Windsor. The route to Windsor has not been made public. In Windsor, the state hearse will approach Shaw Farm Gate on Albert Road and join the procession which will be in position. The procession route from Albert Road to St Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle is by way of Albert Road, Long Walk, Cambridge Gate, Cambridge Drive, George IV Gate, Quadrangle (South and West sides), Engine Court, Norman Arch, Chapel Hill, Parade Ground and Horseshoe Cloister Arch. How to watch on television The BBCs special programming will air from 8am until 5pm on BBC One and iPlayer, with BSL signed coverage on BBC Two. ITVs programming will start at 9.30am, and all the days programming from 6am to midnight will be broadcast simultaneously on the main channel and five digital channels and the ITV Hub, the first time the broadcaster has done so. Taipei accused China on Wednesday of pressuring organisers of a Malaysian trade event into barring a Taiwanese beauty queen waving the island's flag on stage. Miss Taiwan Kao Man-jung was photographed crying as other contestants in a beauty pageant appeared on stage during Tuesday's opening ceremony of the 2022 World Congress on Innovation and Technology (WCIT), according to Taiwanese authorities. "China pressured the Malaysian organisers to ban Miss Kao from holding our national flag on stage," Taiwan's foreign ministry said, adding that it had instructed its representative office in Malaysia to lodge a formal complaint with the organisers. Beijing regards the self-ruled democratic island as part of its territory to be seized one day, by force if needed. It bristles at any international recognition of Taiwan and often reacts with anger over the display of its flag at international events or by foreign celebrities. Taiwan's foreign ministry said such suppression "would only disgust Taiwanese people and the international community even more" and accused Beijing of deploying "vile actions". Taiwanese media reported that Kao was stopped just as she was about to go on stage, while other contestants were seen waving the flags of their countries. AFP has approached the WCIT for comment. Celebrities including US pop stars Madonna and Katy Perry have sparked ire in China in the past for showing Taiwan's flag, which Beijing views as a show of support for the island's independence. In 2016, a teen Taiwanese K-pop singer was forced to apologise for waving the flag during an online broadcast, which stoked anger in China and accusations that she was an independence advocate. Her video apology went viral on the day of Taiwan's 2016 presidential elections, which saw the island elect Tsai Ing-wen as its first female leader in a landslide victory. China suspended all communications with Taiwan after her win and has ramped up military pressure because her government does not consider the island as a part of China. aw/jta/qan (Daniel Hambury/Stella Pictures Ltd) They say to be Scottish is a gift and its certainly felt that way over the last few days. Balmoral was a slice of paradise in the Highlands for Queen Elizabeth II, as it had been for Queen Victoria. It was her happy place. Locals felt they hadnt just lost their monarch but a neighbour and friend. That she passed away there feels like a final act of love for many Scots. From the majestic sweep of the Highlands to the Gothic elegance of Edinburgh, Scotland shone in the autumnal sunshine. Could you imagine if it had been pelting it down? The Scottish tourist board would have cried a river. As a proud Scot, I was lucky enough to be sent to Edinburgh by ITN to cover the events of the last few days. Edinburgh is a magical ancient city but to see it play such a crucial role in modern history was spine-tingling. Thousands of people lined the streets from Sunday to get a glimpse of the Queens coffin and pay their respects. London will feel that same sense of occasion and pride over the next few days. One woman told me that her mother and grandmother had told her stories of the Queens coronation; she now wanted to be part of this moment so that she could tell her children and grandchildren about it. My rather gruff taxi driver told me that even though he was nae fussed about the Royal family, that Queen was a fine wumman. Ian Blackford, leader of the SNP in Westminster, touchingly called her Elizabeth, Queen of Scots. I spent a lot of time around St Giles Cathedral, where the Queen first lay at rest. Its where John Knox preached fiery sermons when the Catholic and Protestant religions clashed and Mary Queen of Scots was seen as a threat to the English throne. We know how that went. Despite a gruesome end, her son James become King of both Scotland and England in the Union of Crowns in 1603, which paved the way for the act of union in 1707 when the two countries as separate states with separate legislatures were united into one kingdom by the name of Great Britain. Story continues While these last few days have focused on history its hard not to ponder wider contemporary questions. The optics weve seen are reminders of our connection but the union still feels fragile. While the late Queen and our new King had to and will remain neutral, their actions speak volumes. They worked hard to show high regard for the devolved nations because they know this country is more than London and Windsor. It was savvy of the palace to make sure that on Monday, as well as the King addressing Westminster for the first time, he visited the Scottish Parliament resplendent in his kilt. People appreciated the gesture. As one woman nodded approvingly, aye, and you need good pins to carry it off. In Westminster he quoted Shakespeare. In Edinburgh, it was Burns. Yesterday the King made his 40th visit to Northern Ireland and on Friday he will address the Senedd in Cardiff. Compare that genuine curiosity to the behaviour of our senior politicians. Liz Truss gleefully declared she would ignore Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford during the Tory leadership hustings ironically both elected First Ministers of their nations, unlike our new Prime Minister. Successive ministers appear to have not a clue about Northern Irelands complicated history. If our political leaders in London want to save our union they would be wise not to squander the goodwill forged from the Kings first tour. Rosie O'Donnell, Martha Stewart Bruce Glikas/WireImage; Paul Morigi/Getty Rosie O'Donnell likes to make herself available to those in need. During an appearance on SiriusXM's The Howard Stern Show on Monday, O'Donnell, 60, revealed that she reached out to Martha Stewart during her time in prison. (The lifestyle guru served five months at West Virginia's Alderson Federal Prison Camp in 2004, after being found guilty on charges including conspiracy and obstruction of justice.) O'Donnell spoke about her relationship with Stewart, 81, and about how Stewart ended up asking her to come visit her in prison. She said she didn't know Stewart on a personal level, but she had been a guest on her talk show multiple times. In an email, O'Donnell wrote Stewart and said that if she ever needed something to please let her know, she told Stern. Two months later, O'Donnell said Stewart's assistant contacted her to ask her to visit her. "You wanna hear how silly I am?," O'Donnell says of the experience. "I thought, it's prison I didn't take a shower ... I was trying to look as low key as I could and I walk in there and she walks through the door like she's in a Scavullo photo shoot." "Her hair has Jolen Creme Bleach that she told me she got at the commissary. She cinched her orange jumpsuit ... she looked fantastic. and I looked like her homeless cousin from Utah." RELATED: Martha Stewart Details Her 'Horrifying' Prison Experience: 'No One Should Have to Go Through That' While there, O'Donnell recalled asking her, "What do you miss the most the most, aside from your daughters and your animals obviously?" And Stewart responded, "The flavor of lemon." O'Donnell jokingly told Stern, "And I said to her, 'The flavor of lemon? Why didn't you tell me?! I would have shoved it up my hoo-ha! Come on, I would've gotten a lemon in here that would've been nothing for me.'" The interaction even inspired a special gift for Stewart upon her return home. "When she came back from prison, you know what I did, Howard? I flew in a lemon tree from Capri because it was the winter and I had it on her front porch for when she came back. And I never heard back from her again," said O'Donnell. Story continues Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free weekly newsletter to get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday. When Stern asked how it felt to not hear back from Stewart, O'Donnell replied, "When I feel people have suffered greatly, I want to drop grace on them if I can. I want to give you the opportunity to recover." RELATED: Martha Stewart Gets Candid About the Highs and Lows of Her Celebrated Life Stewart spoke to PEOPLE in 2020 about her time in prison, revealing that it wasn't all bad. "I got through it. I learned how to crochet. I still have the gorgeous crocheted poncho [that I wore leaving prison]. It's in the attic," she said. "And I reupped my ceramics there. I had done a lot of ceramics as a child, and we had this fabulous ceramics studio in West Virginia, and I made an entire creche scene. That's my best memory." Russian President Vladimir Putin is to meet China's Xi Jinping Thursday for the first time since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Russia and China share a strong bond, facing off against the West, but the friendship is threatened by the unresolved issue of 600,000 square kilometres of Chinese territory near Vladivostok, occupied by Russia since 1860. The Putin-Xi meeting will take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, under the auspices of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a security alliance created by Beijing in 1996, made up of core members China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Iran were later added as full members. This is Xi's first trip abroad since the start the Covid-19 pandemic, and he is meeting with the SCO and Putin at a time when Putin's war is going badly in Ukraine," Steve Tsang, Director of the School of Oriental and African Studies China Institute, told RFI. It shows the level of support that Xi Jinping is committed to give to Putin. "Far from being a Chinese NATO, the SCO member states are regarded as partners," Tsang added. "The get-together signals Xis desire to show that his first priority is not to engage with Europe or America, but with the friendly countries of the SCO and with Russia." 'Limitless' friendship The Xi-Putin meeting is the first since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February. Two weeks earlier, Putin had travelled to Beijing, officially to attend the Olympic Winter Games, though he likely also informed Beijing of his invasion plans. The meeting resulted in a joint communique, which stated that friendship between the two states has no limits. Since the start of the invasion China has paid lip service to Russias propaganda, while never endorsing it, and calling for respect of sovereignty. Beijing has also refused overt military support of Russias war efforts. Story continues Doing so might trigger secondary sanctions against China, according to Tsang, something Beijing is not willing to contemplate. The result is an almost absurd situation in which both Russia and China talk about a strategic partnership. But Russia, while short of weapons, cannot get resupplies from China and is buying them from North Korea". Friendship turned sour An article on the website of the official Chinese paper Nanfang Daily discussing the upcoming summit refers to the first foreign trip Xi made when he became Chinas supreme leader in 2013. Destination: Moscow. Xi chose the Russian capital, according to the newspaper, to show the great importance that China attaches to the development of Sino-Russian relations. As a gift, Putin offered Xi a copy of the USSRs Communist mouthpiece Pravda of 14 February 1950, when then Chinese leader Mao Zedong and the Soviet Union's Joseph Stalin signed their ill-fated Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship. But after Stalins death, relations between China and Russia deteriorated quickly. Mao hated Moscows de-Stalinisation - which he saw as a direct attack on his own personality cult - and the Soviets did not understand why China focused on the peasantry instead of the urban proletariat to advance socialism. The result was a massive ideological rift that led to deadly border skirmishes which were resolved only after the fall of the Berlin Wall, lengthy border negotiations and a series of demarcation treaties. The relationship improved after the start of Chinas Open-Door policy in 1978 and the visit of Soviet leader Michael Gorbachev in 1989. But in that same year, the ultimate demise of European communism started, leading to the fall of the Soviet Union itself, something for which Beijing blamed Gorbachev. Today, the two countries find common ground in their shared regret of the fall of the USSR, their dislike of the US, and the eastward expansion of NATO. But the current love affair between China and Russia has all the elements of a marriage of convenience. 'Vladivostok' or 'Haishenwai'? There are structural problems in the relationship between Russia and China, says Tsang. Probably the largest elephant in the room is a swathe of some 600,000 square kilometres north of Chinas Heilongjiang province, an area currently called Primorsky Krai, which has the port town of Vladivostok as its administrative center. Vladivostok was once a Chinese city known as Haishenwai and was part of China's Qing dynasty. It was annexed by Russia in 1860 after China's defeat by the British and French forces in the Second Opium War. The area has been administered by Russia ever since. Today, in spite of the numerous treaties that have defined the border between China and Russia, the idea that the vast area surrounding Vladivostok is Chinese is still strongly present among Chinese commentators. The issue flared up in 2020, when the Russian embassy to China published a tweet celebrating Vladivostok's 160th anniversary. The Tweet "isnt so welcome on Weibo", China's Twitter, wrote commentator Shen Shirwei. According to the Russian embassy, the history of Vladivostok - which means Ruler of the East - is from 1860 when Russia built a military harbour. But Shen says "the city was Haishenwai as Chinese land before Russia annexed it via [the] unequal Treaty of Beijing". The stretch of land became part of the Qing empire in 1689, under the Treaty of Nerchinsk, the first ever treaty between Tzarist Russia and the Qing. The 1860 Peking Treaty reversed the Nerchinsk document and granted the area to Russia. "It provides a basic limit to how closely Russia and China will work together," according to Tsang. For now, Beijing does not seem inclined to criticise Russia in the way it has been relentlessly attacking the UK for imposing "150 years of shame" on China - the period covering Britain's colonisation of Hong Kong. But, according to Tsang, Moscow knows and the issue will continue to hang dangerously over relations between the two countries. The three Shenzhou-14 taikonauts have completed their first 100 days in orbit as they prepare for their second spacewalk outside China's planned space station. To mark the first 100 days of what will be a six-month mission, the China Manned Space Agency shared several photos on social media platforms this week. It showed the trio testing spacesuits, playing with food, and doing physical exercises in the challenging microgravity conditions on board the core module Tianhe and lab module Wentian. Two taikonauts, Chen Dong and Liu Yang, emerged from the space station on Sept. 2 to perform tasks. The third taikonaut, Cai Xuzhe, provided support inside the cabin. They completed tasks such as installing additional pumps and lifting a panoramic camera on the lab module. They also became the first Chinese people to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in space, a traditional event symbolizing family reunions. All is going well for the crew, who have been preparing for their next spacewalk, said the Chinese space agency on the microblogging site Sina Weibo. The Shenzhou-14 crew has been in space since June 5. During the second half of their six-month stay in orbit, they will oversee the arrival of the other lab module Mengtian and be involved in the first Chinese space station crew handover when the Shenzhou-15 crew arrives. Viet Nam is considered to be one of the fastest growing blockchain markets in Asia Pacific and an attractive destination for global blockchain companies, with over 50,000 new information technology graduates every year. It is also among the top countries in terms of programmers skills. Numerous world-class blockchain projects have been set up in Viet Nam, and there is also the rising popularity of GameFi, or play-to-earn blockchain games that reward players with cryptocurrencies. This is causing more and more people turning to blockchain technology, especially developers. It has been identified by the Government as one of the driving forces for digital transformation and innovation, and is one of the technologies that Viet Nam should focus on developing. At BUIDL Viet Nam 2022, speakers will discuss the blockchain industry landscape and the growth of the technology in Viet Nam, seeking to inspire and empower a new generation of blockchain founders and product developers. It will discuss the latest developments on blockchain ecosystems such as Ethereum, Polygon, Solana, and Avalanche, foster community building in the blockchain space and promote capable blockchain developers. Other key issues to be discussed include innovation, cross-chain interoperability, composability, and improving accessibility to GameFi and Web3 (a new vision of the Internet with themes of decentralisation, blockchain technologies and token-based economies). The conference will also have workshops with live demo to train attendees on developing products in the field of gaming, and on blockchain ecosystems such as Ethereum, Avalanche and Solana. Leading innovators from various blockchain ecosystems, including Kyber Network founder Loi Luu, Sky Maviss Ronin Network head Quy Bean, Coingecko co-founder TM Lee, and Solana Foundation product and tech leadership Matt Sorg, will provide industry insights. The event is organised by KryptoSeoul, a leading community building and marketing team in Seoul, South Korea, focused on supporting global blockchain projects, and its sister brand KryptoVietnam, which is dedicated to growing the builder community in Viet Nam. Erica Kang, CEO and founder of KryptoSeoul, said, Following [the conferences] success in Seoul, we are hoping for a similar outcome here in Viet Nam. Viet Nam is increasingly becoming a crypto hub with a growing number of GameFi companies and builders. To gather a community that is aligned is an amazing feat, and with Viet Nam leading from the front, it will be able to seek out the greatest economic opportunities. The two-day event aims to attract 600 attendees, and there will be over 30 speakers. Entrance is free. Nicole Nguyen, co-founder of KryptoVietnam, said, We are bringing to Viet Nam an exciting and well-curated line-up of speakers with BUIDL Viet Nam 2022, and are hoping to foster a community-driven discussion, powered by developers and key projects, to strengthen Viet Nams blockchain ecosystem further. More information including the lineup of speakers is available at https://www.buidl.asia/. Nationwide efforts over the past 10 years have provided the Chinese people with a substantial increase in both the quantity and quality of homes, as well as improvements in urban and rural environments, coupled with the steady development of related industries. Bent on providing everyone in China with a roof over their head, the country invested a record 14.8 trillion yuan (about 2.14 trillion U.S. dollars) in affordable housing in the past decade, helping to settle over 140 million people in new homes, Jiang Wanrong, vice minister of housing and urban-rural development, told a press conference on Wednesday. To the same end, China made 3.3 million affordable rental homes for young urbanites available since last year, with over 38 million low-income urban residents moving into public rental housing by the end of 2021, said Jiang. The housing provident fund, established in 1991 to raise money to help the country's workforce purchase homes, has widened its coverage from 102 million people to 164 million over the decade, and includes over a million flexibly-employed people, official data shows. Comfort and convenience China is actively accommodating the people's demand for housing, which is now pivoting increasingly towards comfort and convenience. The country had started renovating 163,000 old urban residential communities over the past decade to the benefit of 28 million households, while 150 million people now live in cities with waste sorting systems, said Li Xiaolong, an official with the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. The urban environment has improved, with better water quality and greener spaces. Last year, green spaces made up 38.7 percent of metropolitan areas, while the per capita coverage of city parks across China averaged 14.87 square meters, said Jiang. As part of the effort to render rural areas more agreeable, around 23.4 million households that once lived below the poverty line were able to move into safe homes during the period, official data shows. To celebrate the country's rich historical legacy in rural areas, 6,819 villages were given special preservation status, while around 520,000 historical rural edifices have been protected. Industrial progress The improvement of residential conditions in China over the past decade has opened up business opportunities for relevant industries, such as real estate and construction. Adhering to the principle that "houses are for living in, not for speculation," China has sought sound and steady development of the real estate sector in the past decade, said Jiang. The sector sold a total of 13.23 billion square meters of commercial homes during the period, up 2.2 times from the previous decade, with better construction quality and more amenities, he said. The construction industry also achieved breakthroughs, with its total output at 29.3 trillion yuan last year, 2.1 times that of 2012. The sector created over 50 million jobs and contributed to 7 percent of China's gross domestic product last year. A number of landmark projects completed during the past decade, including the Beijing Daxing International Airport and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, are touchstones of China's quality construction, said Li Rusheng, chief engineer with the ministry. HCM CITY With Indias recent rice export restrictions, Vietnamese exporters expect to increase shipments and hike prices, industry insiders have said. Nguyen Quang Hoa, director of Duong Vu Co Ltd (Long An Province), said India has imposed a 20 per cent export tax on the grain, and banned shipments of broken rice to soften domestic prices following a significant decline in production due to a poor monsoon. The move would affect the global market for one of the most commonly eaten staple foods amid a surge in commodity prices following the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict. It would also encourage buyers to shift to rivals such as Viet Nam and Thailand, which have been struggling to increase exports and prices, he said. Vietnamese rice exporters are holding off on deals, expecting the price to rise. Nguyen Van on, director of Viet Hung Co Ltd (Tien Giang Province), said the prices of rice of all kinds have already gone up by an average of VN300 per kilo compared to before the Indian restrictions. Nguyen Van Hieu, export director of Loc Troi Group, said shipments of the grain are also expected to increase in the remaining months thanks largely to high demand from countries such as the Philippines, China and the EU. The prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict has led to a shortage of wheat and escalating food prices in the EU. European and South American countries are also in the midst of production difficulties. To make up for this shortfall, European countries are likely to buy rice from Viet Nam and other rice producers, according to Hieu. Dr Nguyen ang Nghia, director of the Southern Centre for Soil Fertiliser and Environmental Research, said global demand for rice is set to keep rising this year. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung uc Tien said Viet Nam is expected to export 6.5- 6.7 million tonnes in 2022 for $3.3 billion. Buyers shift to Viet Nam B.V. Krishna Rao, president of the All India Rice Exporters Association, has been quoted by Reuters as saying: The [export] duty will affect white and brown rice, which account for more than 60 per cent of Indias exports. With this duty, Indian rice shipments will become uncompetitive. Buyers will shift to Viet Nam and Thailand. India accounts for more than 40 per cent of global rice exports and competes with Viet Nam, Thailand, Pakistan, and Myanmar in the global market. Its exports hit a record 21.5 million tonnes last year, more than the combined volumes of the next four largest exporters, Thailand, Viet Nam, Pakistan, and the US. Vijay Setia, former president of the All India Rice Exporters Association, told the Indian Express newspaper, A 20 per cent duty is not going to render Indian rice uncompetitive. He said India currently exports 5 per cent broken white rice for $340 a tonne (as compared to $380 for Pakistan, $395 for Viet Nam and $430 for Thailand). India exports rice to more than 150 countries, and so any reduction in shipments by it would increase food prices, which are already too high due to drought, heat waves and the Russia- Ukraine conflict. Ukraine and Russia are also two major suppliers of wheat, whose global prices have risen substantially recently. In its August report, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) lowered its global rice production forecast for the 2022-23 crop to 512.4 million tonnes, down 2.3 million tonnes from its original forecast and 1.2 million tonnes compared to the previous crop. But it increased projections for global consumption following the crop by up more than two million tonnes. VNS SOC TRANG The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Soc Trang is working hard to boost its one commune-one product programme by strengthening links between co-operatives to create more jobs for locals and increase incomes. The province has around 1,336 co-operative groups and 231 co-operatives in various sectors, but mostly in agriculture, according to its Party Committee. Huynh Ngoc Nha, director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the collective economy plays an important part in fostering socio-economic development, especially agriculture. The development of co-operatives and co-operative groups has enabled an improvement in both volumes and quality serving both domestic sales and exports, he said. Most co-operative members in the province have received training in advanced farming techniques and benefited through a reduction in costs and higher selling prices since co-operatives buy inputs in large quantities and have guaranteed outlets and prices. OCOP products seek to honour Viet Nams high-quality agro-forestry-fisheries products that are well-known in both the domestic and foreign markets. There are around 180 OCOP products in the province, including four fragrant rice varieties, ST 24, organic rice from the Bo ap Agriculture Farm, Tai Nguyen from Phu Khang, and Sua from An Cu. Soc Trang has created many local speciality rice varieties like ST 24 and ST 25, the former won third prize in the Worlds Best Rice Contest in 2017 while the latter was top in 2019. Its ST varieties are also grown in other provinces and are in high demand at home and abroad. More and more farmers are cultivating fragrant and speciality varieties for export in recent years, according to the department. In Long Phu District, for instance, speciality varieties are grown on 46.7 per cent of the total area. Soc Trang is taking various measures to promote linkages between OCOP production and consumption stakeholders. Its Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has helped farmers adopt effective models such as two-stage shrimp breeding and breeding shrimp and black tilapia fish in the same pond. It has also helped seven localities set up clean food shops to showcase OCOP products. Farmers are encouraged to switch to high-value vegetables, aquaculture or livestock breeding on unproductive rice fields. The province has advantages for cow breeding as it has hot and humid weather and plenty of plants year-round, and locals have had a tradition of breeding the animal for generations. In 2020 the province had more than 10,000 dairy cows, twice the number in 2013. It also has more than 44,000 oxen. Cow and oxen breeding has improved the lives of people in rural areas and helped many households escape poverty, according to the province Peoples Committee. VNS HA NOI Although pollution, solid and hazardous waste management has been strictly implemented, and nature and biodiversity conservation has been enhanced, Viet Nam's environmental sector still has shortcomings and limitations, according to experts. Violations A recent report by the Ministry of Public Security said that climate change has become more complicated in recent years. The pressure of socio-economic development and violations of laws related to environment, natural resources and food hygiene and safety have made the quality of the environment continue to be severely affected. From 2016 to June this year, the police detected 156,328 violations by 173,010 people. As a result, the police prosecuted 2,129 cases with 3,147 people and given administrative violations for 142,908 cases with 149,459 people. The amount of administrative fine is over VN1.9 trillion (US$83.3 million). At the fifth National Environment Conference organised last month, Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh said that environmental pollution in some places is at risk of exceeding the threshold. This would impact socio-economic life and people's health. Biodiversity in decline The root cause is that awareness of some Party committees, authorities, organisations and people about environmental protection is not complete, not yet transformed into specific awareness and actions. Attaching importance to immediate economic benefits and ignoring environmental protection is still common. Violations of the law on environmental protection are increasingly sophisticated and severe. In contrast, State management agencies in environmental protection are still limited. Furthermore, infrastructure and technology for environmental treatment have not kept pace with environmental protection requirements. Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha also said that although the environment quality has improved, it is happening too slowly. The environment in some places continues to be polluted, especially in river basins and craft villages. The unreasonable and unsustainable exploitation of natural resources continues to lead to resource loss and negative environmental impacts. Deforestation, illegal hunting, the trade of wild animals and plants, and invasive alien organisms are problematic. Increasing urbanisation and large cities also lead to many pollution risks from economic development activities and pressures of climate change. Minister Ha said that if the country had not found solutions to control and handle in time, it would greatly impact sustainable development goals. "Environmental city" a Nang is a typical city when it comes to environmental protection, the Vietnam News Agency's Tin tuc (News) newspaper reported. To build a Nang into an "environmental city", the city has achieved many outstanding environmental titles such as "One of the 11 environmentally sustainable cities of the region in 2011" (voted by the ASEAN), and "Cities with clean air and low carbon emissions in 2012". The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has recognised a Nang as "one of the five cities with a good level of environmental protection in 2020". During the 2016-21 period, a Nang achieved many impressive environmental protection indicators; all urban and rural households are provided with clean water and sanitation and 88.2 per cent of urban wastewater is collected and treated up to environmental standards. More than 90 per cent of hospitals and medical centres have wastewater treatment systems meeting environmental standards. All industrial zones have standard wastewater treatment systems. As much as 95 per cent of solid waste in urban areas is collected and treated. Daily-life solid waste landfills ensure hygienic standards. All people's feedback and recommendations on environmental pollution through the city's hotline are handled. To achieve the result, education about environmental protection was carried out very early with the initiative and active participation of local authorities, organisations and individuals. Tra Vinh Province is another good example. While approving projects, the province prioritises clean and environmentally friendly technologies and not approving investment projects with potential environmental risks. The province has also issued policies and solutions to manage and protect the environment. The province's report announced at the fifth National Environment Conference last month showed that in 2016-21, the province organised 48 training courses on environmental protection, seven training courses on environmental protection in the petroleum business, delivered 860 trash cans to districts, implemented six environmental protection models in residential areas, gave 1,100 trash cans for people to separate waste at home and published 3,500 books for environmental protection and climate change response. The province organised more than 84,255 environmental sanitation campaigns with more than three million attendees, set up 393 "green-clean-beautiful" roads with a total length of 750km and established more than 4,200 environmental clubs. Strong action The National Strategy for Environmental Protection to 2030 with a vision to 2050, approved by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 13 this year, set a target that by 2030, Viet Nam's environment will be of good quality, ensuring people's right to live in a healthy and safe environment. To develop the country in a sustainable direction, and one of the three pillars is environmental protection, Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh said that in 2022-25 and the following years, the environment industry needed to have strong action. It needed transformation in thinking, awareness of a sustainable lifestyle in harmony with nature, and resolving the relationship between economic development and environmental protection. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment targets that by 2025, 90 per cent of urban daily-life solid waste, 80 per cent of rural-life solid waste, and 95 per cent of hazardous waste will be collected and treated based on a standard. Over 30 per cent of urban wastewater will be treated up to standards. Thirty per cent of areas with serious soil environmental pollution are treated, rehabilitated and restored. The days with a good and average air quality index (AQI) in urban areas remain at 70-75 per cent. It will ensure that 92 per cent of industrial and export processing zones have a centralised wastewater treatment system meeting environmental standards. All industrial zones, businesses and service establishments will install automatic wastewater and emission monitoring systems and transmit data directly to the local department of natural resources and environment. The country strives that by 2025, the area of nature reserves will reach 2.7 million hectares. In addition, the area of marine and coastal conservation zones will reach 1.5-2 per cent of the total national sea area. In those works, each individual's role is especially important as Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said, "This is a global issue, so a global approach is required. This issue affects everyone so we should have a people-wide approach." VNS HCM CITY The Viet Nam Writers Association and weekly newspaper Van Nghe (Literature & Arts) have launched a writing contest for professional and amateur authors this week. The 2022 Short Stories Writing Contest seeks works by Vietnamese writers of all ages in the country and overseas with themes about life, love and people. The lives of young women and their challenges and dreams in a globalised world are included. Young girls and children living in remote areas are also encouraged to submit works. Famous authors and poets will be part of the jury. One first prize, two second and three third prizes worth VN70 million (US$3,200) in cash will be presented. We invited a staff of well-known authors, such as Suong Nguyet Minh, and Le Hoai Luong, to guide the contests participants on writing if they want before they submit their work, said author Khuat Quang Thuy, deputy-in-chief of Van Nghe, a member of the contests organising board. We hope our contest will give Vietnamese writers from around the world a chance to introduce their works and develop their careers. We hope to find and support new and talented writers, and bring writers and publishers together to offer new, quality books to readers, he added. Van Nghe has discovered and supported many writers, particularly amateur and young writers, to become popular among readers. The Facebook page of Van Nghe has attracted nearly 10,000 followers. Participants in the Short Stories Writing Contest must submit their work on paper and send to the weekly newspaper Van Nghe at 17 Tran Quoc Toan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Ha Noi. Entries should be postmarked by September 6, 2024. The best works will be published on Van Nghe every week before the prize presentation ceremony scheduled in December, 2024. Award winning works will be printed by leading publishers, magazines and newspapers. VNS TEL AVIV Vietnamese fashion designer ang Phuong Minh has unveiled an exclusive haute couture collection during a fashion show in Tel Aviv, Israel. The show held at the invitation of the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel was among the numerous activities of the Vietnamese Days in Israel. Taking place on Monday at the Suzanne Dellal Centre for Dance and Theatre, the show presented the creations from the My Lullaby Resort 2022 collection of the designer. All creations were constructed by hand from start to finish and made from high-quality silk. Through this collection, I want all my international friends to know that Vietnamese fashion includes not only the ao dai (traditional women's dress). Craftsmanship, together with the artistic ideas that were forged through generations, has resulted in delicate and refined creations, said designer Minh, who is also the Creative Director of her own fashion brand My Lullaby. Exclusively created for the show in Tel Aviv, the collection was constructed by hand from start to finish, sewn with extreme attention to detail and finished by the most experienced and capable sewers, using time-consuming and hand-executed techniques. It can be said the art of craftsmanship has turned each creation into an artwork, she said. The designer explained the vibrant and energetic colours of the collection symbolise a liberal spirit, embodying the friendly relationship between Viet Nam and Israel. Pham Minh Trang, spouse of the Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel, said: I have spent many years living in Mediterranean countries and I fell in love with the magnificent landscape of the region, as well as the open-minded local people. As soon as I saw the first creations of the My Lullaby Resort 2022 collection, with vibrant colours inspired by the Mediterranean region, I believed that the collection would make a strong impression on audiences in Israel. That's why I decided to invite designer ang Phuong Minh to showcase her collection in Tel Aviv." For the designer, the show in Tel Aviv is an opportunity for her to present artistic fashion creations to Israeli and international friends. VNS NEW DELHI The second Viet Nam-India security dialogue took place in New Delhi on Tuesday. The Vietnamese delegation to the dialogue was led by Deputy Minister of Public Security Sen. Lieu. Gen. Luong Tam Quang, while the Indian delegation was headed by Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri. At the dialogue, the two sides engaged in straightforward discussion on a number of issues of shared concern. Misri reiterated India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) initiated by Indian PM Narendra Modi, which focuses on collaboration efforts to preserve, maintain and protect the maritime industry. Viet Nam highly valued the role of India in promoting peace and security in the region as well as shaping the Indo-Pacific architecture. They agreed to cooperate and coordinate with each other in a number of areas including anti-terrorism, and reached a consensus on the need for joint efforts against the connections of extremism, terrorism, illegal production and trafficking of drugs and weapons in the region. The Indian side offered to continue to support Viet Nam through capacity-building programmes, including the training of public security officers engaging in UN peacekeeping missions, and the sharing of professional knowledge on cyber security. As coastal countries, India and Viet Nam share a long-term interest in ensuring peace and security for the common maritime space, they said. The dialogue agenda also included the sharing of best practices to combat piracy and illegal fishing. Both sides concurred to actively exchange views on areas such as green economy, sustainable oceans and maritime connectivity. India's National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in 2016 to set up a mechanism and institution between the two sides. VNS WELLINGTON Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his New Zealand counterpart Nanaia Mahuta co-chaired the first face-to-face meeting of the annual foreign ministers' meeting (FMM) on Wednesday under an action plan to implement the Viet Nam-New Zealand strategic partnership framework for 2021-2024. The meeting was held right after an official welcome was held for Minister Son, who is on an official visit to New Zealand at the invitation of the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahuta. This is Son's first official visit to the nation and the first ministerial visit by a Southeast Asian country to New Zealand since it opened its borders on August 1. New Zealand Minister Mahuta praised the implementation of the two countries' foreign ministers' meeting mechanism, which boosts the Viet Nam-New Zealand strategic partnership in bilateral cooperation fields and regional and international forums. Minister Son said that Viet Nam always attached great importance to enhancing the friendship with New Zealand - a strategic partner of both Viet Nam in the South Pacific region and ASEAN. At the meeting, the two sides agreed the Viet Nam-New Zealand relations have seen practical progress in all fields since the two countries upgraded their relations to a strategic partnership in July 2020. Despite difficulties caused by COVID-19, the two countries maintained exchanges of delegations, helping to promote political trust and keep the pace of comprehensive cooperation. Two-way trade turnover between the two countries increased 26.7 per cent to reach US$1.3 billion in 2021 compared to 2020. In addition, new Zealand committed to providing $16 million worth of Offical Development Assistance for Viet Nam from July 2021 to June 2024. Other fields of cooperation such as national security and defence, education and training and agriculture were also promoted. The two ministers agreed much potential and opportunities for cooperation between the two countries remain. They discussed measures to deepen bilateral relations in all fields, including continuing to enhance political trust, promoting cooperation in economy and trade and tapping opportunities from current economic cooperation mechanisms. They also hope to more effectively implement new-generation trade agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Discussing the accessibility of products to each country's market, Minister Son proposed New Zealand create more conditions for Vietnamese products to be exported to New Zealand. Son thanked New Zealand for providing the Offical Development Assistance (ODA) to Viet Nam, helping the country to implement sustainable development goals over the past years. He said he hoped that New Zealand would continue offering the ODA to Viet Nam to support the country in sustainable agriculture, climate change adaptation, healthcare and innovation. New Zealand Minister Mahuta agreed to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to invest and do business in New Zealand. Regarding cooperation in labour, tourism and people-to-people exchange, the two ministers discussed the increase of quotas for Vietnamese citizens to participate in the New Zealand working holiday programme and resume direct flights between the two countries. Concerning cooperation in security and national defence, the top New Zealand diplomat agreed to support Viet Nam in training peacekeeping forces, cooperate in fighting against transnational crimes, and share experience in natural disaster prevention and control and search and rescue works. Regarding new fields of cooperation, the two sides said it is necessary to study and promote fields that match the two countries' potential, demand and goals, such as climate change adaptation, forest preservation and development, sustainable agricultural development, fishing cooperation and fishing cooperation and maritime environmental protection. The two ministers also discussed regional and international issues of common concerns and agreed to continue coordinating and supporting each other at multilateral organisations and forums, particularly the United Nations and the ASEAN. The two sides shared a stance of ensuring peace, stability, security, cooperation and development in the region based on the rule of law and handling of issues, including the East Sea issue, following international laws. Foreign minister Mahuta said that New Zealand attaches importance to the strategic partnership with ASEAN and will support sub-regional mechanisms, including in the Mekong region. Earlier the same day, Minister Son met Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives Adrian Rurawhe. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh described Japan as a leading economic partner of Viet Nam during a reception in Ha Noi on Wednesday for Governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Hayashi Nobumitsu. The PM also hailed Japan as the top bilateral supplier of official development assistance (ODA), the second biggest labour cooperation partner, the third biggest investor and the fourth largest trade partner of Viet Nam. Japan has so far provided nearly US$30 billion in ODA for Viet Nam while about 350,000 Vietnamese labourers are working in the Asian country. Japan now has 4,873 valid projects worth over $65 billion in Viet Nam. Two-way trade reached $42.7 billion in 2021 and rose by 11.9 per cent annually in the first half of this year to $23.4 billion, according to the Government leader. Viet Nam always regards Japan as a top, long-term strategic partner and supports Japan's contributions to peace and development in the region and the world as well, he said. Viet Nam is determined to maintain political stability, social safety and order, build a transparent business environment and drastically deal with difficulties faced by Japanese firms, PM Chinh added. He suggested the Governor continue working closely with Japanese agencies to help Viet Nam build a self-reliant and globally integrated economy; enhance policy consultations and workforce training; and promote public-private partnerships in the transition to green and clean energy; build strategic infrastructure, especially transport infrastructure; step up innovation and digital transformation; build a digital government, digital economy and society; and develop supporting industries and equipment production for renewable energy. The Vietnamese leader proposed JBIC offer more preferential loans to Japanese and Vietnamese enterprises participating in joint projects as agreed by the two PMs, encouraging Japanese firms to diversify supply chains to Viet Nam, thus helping Viet Nam join its supply chains and making Japan the biggest investor in Viet Nam soon. He expects that more priority would be given to Viet Nam to deliver on its commitments to reduce greenhouse emissions to zero by 2050 as well as access the US$10-billion aid package committed by Japanese PM Kishida Fumio at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). On the occasion, PM Chinh hoped JBIC and the Japanese Government will work with parties concerned to deal with issues related to Nghi Son oil refinery project in the spirit of harmonised interests, shared risks. Agreeing with the PMs proposals, Nobumitsu hailed Viet Nam as an attractive destination for Japanese investors and the top priority of JBIC. He promised that JBIC and Japan will actively partner with Viet Nam in climate change response, especially energy transition and renewable energy development via assistance in terms of capital, technology and workforce training. The Governor also vowed to work with relevant agencies to deal with issues related to the Nghi Son oil refinery project as directed by the PM, and continue launching practical initiatives to intensify the Viet Nam-Japan extensive strategic partnership. VNS HA NOI Facing the ongoing strong growth of digital communications and fierce competition among various forms of media, as well as changes in the publics approach to information, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) has promoted innovation and creativity to adapt to the new situation and reach more readers, maintaining the core role of the national news agency. That was the message from VNA Director-General Vu Viet Trang, as the country's leading news agency marked its 77th anniversary (September 15, 1945 - September 15, 2022). Trang underlined that optimising strengths and diversifying resources will create steady steps for the agency towards breakthroughs in its long-term strategy. The reality shows that in many cases, the press cannot be the first to provide information to the public. However, the VNA has always persisted the professionality in accessing, processing and pursuing the information, giving the readers a panoramic, multi-dimensional and objective view on particular issues, she said. The VNA leader said that coherence, coordination and multi-platforms have been the keywords often used in many aspects of the VNA's work over the years. In a working environment where digital technology application is the major trend, coherence in all stages from direction to production and distribution has ensured smooth connections. Meanwhile, the strengthening of close that VNA follows the agencys principles and purposes while meeting the diverse demands of the public at the same time. Bringing media publications to different platforms has also helped it reach a larger community, Trang said. The VNA Director-General highlighted that the persistent digitalisation of data information has helped the VNA form a digital database - a platform for it to test and develop products using artificial intelligence, generating more added value for media products in all forms. A project to develop the VNA into the key multi-media news agency in the national communications system, to be signed by the Prime Minister, will create comprehensive resources for the VNA to realise its development goals in the current digital communication era, stated Trang. The VNA Director-General stressed that improving the human resources quality and pushing up the digital transformation are among the solutions for the agency to effectively complete its tasks on strategic information in the new period. In the digital era, reporters, editors and technicians have changed their working methods from mono-tasking to multi-tasking, she said, adding that the VNA products are coming out in the multi-media form instead of the previous single ones. Content linking and cross-promotion have expanded coverage and increased the communication effectiveness of the VNA, stated Trang. On the occasion of the agency's 77th anniversary, the VNA Director-General extended gratitude to its journalists of different periods for always devoting a great love to the common house of VNA. The past 77 years of the VNA history has witnessed the sacrifice and devotion of reporters, editors, technicians and staff in all areas through the direct engagement on the information front or silent efforts to keep news flowing, said Trang. VNS The decision is part of a wider adjustment to speed up the disbursement progress and meet the actual capital needs of the city, according to the Ha Noi People's Council. Flash The European Commission proposed a set of new measures on Wednesday to mitigate the effect of the roaring prices of energy and electricity. The measures were outlined by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her annual State of the European Union (EU) address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. According to the plan, which still must be approved by the member states, the EU should tax the profits of non-gas power producers and should oblige these companies to pay a "solidarity contribution" from their 2022 earnings. "In these times, profits must be shared," she said, "and channeled to those who need it the most. Our proposal will raise more than 140 billion euros (140 billion U.S. dollars) for member states to cushion the blow directly." Energy companies across the EU are also facing severe problems with liquidity in electricity futures markets, risking the functioning of the energy system. "We will work with market regulators to ease these problems by amending the rules on collateral -- and by taking measures to limit intra-day price volatility. And we will amend the temporary state aid framework in October to allow for the provision of state guarantees, while preserving a level playing field," she said. Gas prices have risen by more than 10 times compared to before the pandemic, according to von der Leyen. Looking ahead, von der Leyen said that the EU is planning to reform its electricity market by decoupling "the dominant influence of gas on the price of electricity." The Commission is also proposing the creation of a new European Hydrogen Bank with a 3-billion-euro budget from the European Innovation Fund. HA NOI Viet Nam has recently been listed in the world's 10 most incredible destinations which are surprisingly cheap to visit by Canadian travel magazine The Travel, along with Laos and Indonesia. It is one of the cheapest countries to visit, and among the most underrated, the magazine said. Eating local dishes will only cost you a few dollars per meal, and a cup of iced coffee is less than a dollar. Ca phe a, iced coffee, has become an indispensable part of Vietnamese daily life in recent years with millions starting their day with a cup of coffee in the morning. The cost of a cup of the drink typically starts from VN10,000-VN15,000 (US$0.42-0.64). The Travel also recommended tourists explore Viet Nam by bus or train with cheap fares. If visitors don't mind slow and long-distance travel, then buses and trains around Viet Nam are among the most affordable in the world, making it easy to explore all of this beautiful country, according to The Travel . VNS Hanoi - The coffee shops lining 'train street' have been told they must close by September 17 over safety concerns, according to local authorities. Railway street' is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Hanoi. - VNA/VNS Photo All of these businesses are violating railway safety space and accidents are just waiting to happen, Quan remarked. Before COVID-19 broke out in early 2020, the district received complaints about the business model there. The official said the authorities deployed information campaigns and fined those who committed offences. After COVID-19 was under control and the country reopened, these businesses started to pop up again. "In the immediate future, we will strictly deal with all violations following the law. 100 per cent of households currently doing business in the railway area will have their business registration licences revoked before September 17," he said. In addition, the authorities will put up barricades, provide information, and prevent people especially tourists from entering the area, said Quan. The district will study more projects associated with this railway to create tourism highlights, but whatever those projects are must still strictly comply with the law and ensure the safety of tourists and people. After some foreign tourists discovered this place in around 2018, pictures they took widely circulated on the internet. Quickly catching up with the trend, some households have renovated and repaired the facades to turn them into coffee shops. By the end of 2019, this special street was forced to shut down due to safety concerns. In the last months, domestic and foreign tourists, including many young people in the capital city, have visited this 'street' for its uniqueness. Many people even lie down on the railway tracks to pose for photos. A few days ago, the Vietnam Railway Corporation has proposed that filming, photographing and running cafe shops on 'train street' be a fineable offence. To guarantee security, order and traffic safety, the operator wants local authorities to strictly deal with the sales of cafes, drinks and other goods near the rail line. Thanh made the promise at a reception for Kim Jung-in, CEO of Sein I&D Vietnam, in Hanoi on Tuesday. Chairman of the City People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh (fifth from the right) at the meeting with THT Development Co., Ltd and Daewoo E&C Vietnam Co., Ltd. - Source: Hanoimoi He voiced support for Sein I&D Vietnams plans to invest in hi-tech supporting industry in Vietnam and expand its investment in Hanoi. The official listened to the companys suggestions and assigned relevant agencies to consider and handle them in line with the law. Kim made several proposals to the municipal administration regarding investment in the semi-conductor industry, including mechanisms to attract investment in vocational training. The same day, the Chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee also met with An Kuk-jin, General Director of Daewoo Engineering & Construction Vietnam (Daewoo E&C) and Chairman of THT Development. Thanh said Ha Noi has outlined orientations for urban development and asked the companies to continue investing in the capital city. An presented some requests to the citys leader so that his company can quickly complete its investment project, especially the Tay Ho Tay Starlake urban complex. PM holds dialogue with RoK enterprises Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a dialogue with the Republic of Korea (RoK)s Ambassador Park Noh-wan and representatives of Korean associations and businesses in Vietnam in Hanoi on July 30. RoK expects to cooperate with Vietnam in human resources training, technology transfer The Republic of Korea (RoK) wishes to collaborate with Vietnam in high quality human resources training, technology transfer as well as in mineral exploitation and processing, said RoK Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Chang-yang during talks with visiting Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien in Seoul on August 2. Jakarta - Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan has said Indonesia's Travel and Tourism Development Index score increased, from 4.2 to 4.4 and rose from the 44th ranking to 32nd. IIndonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan (Photo: Internet) For the first time, Indonesia has surpassed Thailand and Malaysia in the rankings, he said. Such achievement prompted President Joko Widodo to call for priority to developing five super-priority tourist destinations in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara as part of the national strategic programme. Luhut expressed hope that a series of new tourist destinations will debut with their typical identity intact. As tourism in Asia-Pacific is expected to return normal by 2024, he urged Indonesia to fully prepare to popularise its tourism via international events in the country. Indonesia considers imposition of tax on nickel exports this year Indonesia may impose a tax on nickel exports this year, as the country, the biggest producer of the electric-vehicle battery metal, looks to refine more at home, according to President Joko Widodo. Indonesia begins first phase of new capital city development project Indonesia Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) has started Phase 1 of the development of its new National Capital City (IKN) Nusantara located on East Kalimantan by signing a 19-package contract worth 5.3 trillion IDR (356 million USD) for 2022. Hanoi Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh described Japan as a leading important economic partner of Vietnam during a reception in Hanoi on September 14 for Governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Hayashi Nobumitsu. PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) and JBIC Governor Hayashi Nobumitsu. (Photo: VNA) The PM also hailed Japan as the top bilateral supplier of official development assistance (ODA), the second biggest labour cooperation partner, the third biggest investor and the fourth largest trade partner of Vietnam. Japan has so far provided nearly 30 billion USD in ODA for Vietnam while about 350,000 Vietnamese labourers are working in the Asian country. Japan now has 4,873 valid projects worth over 65 billion USD in Vietnam. Two-way trade reached 42.7 billion USD in 2021 and rose by 11.9% annually the first half of this year to 23.4 billion USD, according to the government leader. Vietnam always regards Japan as a top, long-term strategic partner and supports Japan's contributions to peace and development in the region and the world as well, he said. Vietnam is determined to maintain political stability, social safety and order, build a transparent business environment and drastically deal with difficulties faced by Japanese firms, PM Chinh added. He suggested the Governor continue working closely with Japanese agencies to help Vietnam build a self-reliant and globally integrated economy; enhance policy consultations and workforce training; and promote public-private partnerships in the transition to green and clean energy; build strategic infrastructure, especially transport infrastructure; step up innovation and digital transformation; build a digital government, digital economy and society; and develop supporting industries and equipment production for renewable energy. The Vietnamese leader proposed JBIC offer more preferential loans to Japanese and Vietnamese enterprises participating in joint projects as agreed by the two PMs, encourage Japanese firms to diversify supply chains to Vietnam, thus helping Vietnam join its supply chains and making Japan the biggest investor in Vietnam soon. He expects that more priority would be given to Vietnam to deliver on its commitments to reduce greenhouse emissions to zero by 2050 as well as access the 10-billion-USD aid package committed by Japanese PM Kishida Fumio at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). On the occasion, PM Chinh hoped JBIC and the Japanese Government will work with parties concerned to deal with issues related to Nghi Son oil refinery project in the spirit of harmonised interests, shared risks. Agreeing with the PMs proposals, Nobumitsu hailed Vietnam as an attractive destination for Japanese investors and the top priority of JBIC. He promised that JBIC and Japan will actively partner with Vietnam in climate change response, especially energy transition and renewable energy development via assistance in terms of capital, technology and workforce training. The Governor also vowed to work with relevant agencies to deal with issues related to the Nghi Son oil refinery project as directed by the PM, and continue launching practical initiatives to intensify the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership. The reception was attended by Vo Van Minh, Chairman of Binh Duong People's Committee, Nguyen Van Hung, chairman of the Board of Directors of Becamex IDC Corporation and co-chairman of VSIP Group, and Kelvin Teo, CEO of Sembcorp Development and co-chairman of VSIP Group, together with leaders of the departments and agencies of Foreign Affairs, Planning and Investment, Industry and Trade, Natural Resources and Environment, and the Binh Duong Industrial Park Management Board. The objective of this visit was to understand more about VSIP's presence and contribution to the industrialisation and development of Vietnam and the success of the VSIP model, from the very first VSIP project in Binh Duong province to the latest VSIP III which has just been built on the basis of applying smart and sustainable innovations. After the solemn reception at the office showroom of VSIP I, deputy prime minister Keat and his delegation visited the 500-hectare VSIP I IndustrialPark. Established in 1996, VSIP I is the first project formed on the basis of friendship and economic cooperation between Vietnam and Singapore. Up to now, in Binh Duong province alone, a total of three VSIP projects (VSIP I, VSIP II, and VSIP III) have built and attracted nearly 600 investors from more than 22 countries and territories with a total investment capital of over $8.6 billion, creating 150,000 jobs. VSIP III - Binh Duong, with an area of 1,000ha, marks a new important milestone for the VSIP joint venture, implementing a strategic transformation to smarter and more sustainable development. VSIP III is designed to integrate smart technology in all activities in the industrial park, from the use of energy, water, and waste, to traffic management and security. VSIP is a joint venture between Singapores Sembcorp Group and the domestic Becamex IDC Corporation Up to now, there have been many outstanding projects registered to invest in VSIP. Among those are more than $1 billion from LEGO Group, the $100-million project from Pandora Group, and more than 40 domestic and foreign corporations and companies that are interested in the park. Currently, Singapore is the fourth largest investor in VSIP Binh Duong with 56 projects and total investment capital of $1.1 billion. This visit by the deputy prime minister and his delegation reaffirms VSIP as a symbol of the effectiveness of Singapore's investment projects in Vietnam and the important contribution of the joint venture in strengthening the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Singapore. VSIP is a joint venture between Singapores Sembcorp Group and domestic Becamex IDC Corporation. Starting in 1996, after 26 years of establishment and development, it has grown to become the VSIP Group investing in 11 projects across the country with a total land area of nearly 10,000ha, attracting $17 billion of investment capital and 860 tenants coming from 30 countries and territories to create jobs for more than 300,000 workers. Trend to develop eco-industrial parks dominates at forum Stakeholders at the Industrial Property Forum 2022 agreed that developing eco-industrial parks and combining several functions with environmental protection shall be the new direction. VSIP from green industrial zones to integrated megacities VSIP Group is one of the pioneers in building a chain of industrial parks and urban service complexes in cities and provinces in Vietnam. Binh Duong commits to resolve land problem for Lego Binh Duong Peoples Committee has committed to resolving the problems relating to planning and land handover for the $1-billion factory project that the Danish group Lego has invested in. HR Asia Award honours VSIP JV as Best Place to Work in Vietnam 2022 VSIP Joint Venture Company (VSIP JV) has just been honoured as one of the Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2022 by HR Asia, the leading magazine on human resources in Asia. Within the framework of the visit, leaders of Becamex IDC shared their observations on the current state of innovation in Vietnam, revolving around access to talent, capital, and funding for startups, new trends, and potential growth areas with the deputy prime minister. At the same time, Becamex also introduced DPM Keat to the startup community operating at Block71 Saigon, as well as the programmes and activities to support the development of the innovation ecosystem and upcoming plans to expand the Block71 system in Vietnam. Over the past five years, Becamex IDC has been a pioneer in investing resources to build an innovation ecosystem in order to promote the next stage of development of Vietnam's economy, helping it to continue its growth rate and surpass the middle-income trap. As a leading integrated industrial and township developer in Vietnam with a business ecosystem that has fully met the needs of investors for more than three decades, Becamex IDC is building a new generation of industrial ecosystems to transform the nation from labour-intensive to technology, skill, and capital-intensive industries and increase labour productivity. Becamex IDC is a driving force and catalyser that accompanies Binh Duong province in the implementation of the Binh Duong Smart City project to enable economic transformation towards innovation and digitalisation. Binh Duong smart city has been named in the global top 21 by ICF for four consecutive years, and twice in the top 7 cities with smart city development strategies. Thereby reaffirming that the Binh Duong Smart City project is in line with the general trend around the world. Block71 Saigon is a part of the startup and innovation ecosystem invested in by Becamex IDC, including the Smart Operations Center, Eastern International University with Becamex Business Incubator, Fablab, Advanced Manufacturing Center, and World Trade Center, aiming to build and develop Binh Duong to become smarter, better, and more livable. During a meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on September 12 in Hanoi, Singaporean DPM confirmed that economic cooperation between the two countries still has great potential and that he highly appreciated how Block71 is operating very effectively in Ho Chi Minh City. He is looking forward to replicating this model in Hanoi in the near future. Block71 Saigon is a strategic partnership and cooperation between NUS Enterprise and Becamex IDC that acts as a gateway to connect the Vietnamese technology startup community to a pool of global startups, supporting access to mentorship and growth in the local and global markets. Operating since 2020, Block71 Saigon has built a dynamic international technology startup community with more than 40 members, including both domestic and foreign startups. Block71 Saigon has also connected with important partners in the innovation startup ecosystem including universities, venture capital funds, large enterprises, and incubation programmes to support international-class startups. Four seasons of the SEA Booster Programme Global Startup Runway have been organised, with more than 40 domestic and foreign startups selected for incubation through a competitive selection process. Nine programmes connect with investment funds and 30 with specialised advisors to train and provide practical experience for startups. Block71 Saigon also hosts regular events and activities to connect key players of the innovation ecosystem through community gatherings and specialised industry-specific seminars. Block71 is an initiative by NUS Enterprise that is engaged in collaborative and strategic partnerships with established corporates and government agencies. It is a technology-focused ecosystem builder and global business connector which catalyses and aggregates the startup community while spearheading new initiatives and providing mentorship and growth opportunities in local and global markets. Established in 2011 after more than 10 years of establishment and development, Block71's global system has been present in nine cities across six countries including Singapore, China, Japan, the United States, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Global Block71's hubs form a value chain of more than 1,200 active startup members. A typical example is NUS Block71 Singapore. With a valuation of member startups standing at S$7.05 billion ($5 billion) in 2021 alone, their operations generated more than S$1 billion ($711 million) in revenue in 2020 and nearly 30 per cent of NUS Block71's Singaporean startups expand overseas. Becamex IDC provides comprehensive and synchronous industrial solutions, supporting investors to organise production and business activities conveniently. As a leading industrial and urban real estate developer, Becamex IDC drives the transition toward a smart and sustainable industrial ecosystem in Binh Duong and throughout Vietnam with innovation as the driving force for growth. Singapore deputy prime minister Heng Swee Keat visits VSIP Within the framework of an official visit to Vietnam, his excellency Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Policies of the Republic of Singapore, and his delegation made a working visit to VSIP I - Binh Duong Industrial Park on September 14. Becamex IDC recognised as Top 10 Prestigious Industrial Real Estate Companies Becamex Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) ranked first in the list of Top 10 Prestigious Industrial Real Estate Companies by Vietnam Report and its media partner. Meanwhile, VSIP Group, a joint-venture between Becamex IDC and Sembcorp (Singapore), came second. Becamex IDC and Central Retail Vietnam co-develop GO! shopping mall in Binh Duong Today, Becamex IDC has inked a deal with Central Retail Vietnam to develop the GO! shopping mall with an investment of $35 million in Ben Cat town of Binh Duong province. Becamex IDC supports Binh Duong's COVID-19 fight with $1.74 million On June 14, Becamex IDC signed an agreement with Binh Duong authorities to respond to the call of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, Binh Duong Department of Health, and the local Centre for Disease Control on supporting funds for the prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic. Propzy Vietnam was opened in 2015 We had raised our $25 million series A in mid-2020, which was immediately met by a prolonged pandemic compounded by global financial market instability from the Russian war in Ukraine. Our efforts to grow the business during this period resulted in absorbing significant losses that we were not able to recover from given the continual lockdowns in Vietnam. Our inability to raise funding amidst the backdrop of an uncertain global environment was the final jab of the knight in our young startup, wrote John Le, CEO of Propzy in the announcement to his staff. I know this was not the outcome we had all expected but sometimes in life as in business, we dont reach our final destination, however, its also important to learn and grow from the journey in and of itself. We should all be very proud of the changes we have shaped in the Vietnam market as we leave behind a proptech eco-system more vibrant now than when we first started. Each and every one of you played a vital role on that journey, Le added. Propzy was a startup operating in proptech and participating in many stages in the real estate transaction process, such as brokerage for buyers and sellers, providing financial solutions for customers buying houses, and managing real estate exploitation and apartment operation. This move comes after Propzy announced the dissolution of Propzy Service Company Ltd. in June this year and laid off half of its employees to restructure its operating model after the pandemic. Propzy was a startup operating in proptech and participating in many stages in the real estate transaction process, such as brokerage for buyers and sellers, providing financial solutions for customers buying houses, and managing real estate exploitation and apartment operation. Propzy raised $25 million in 2020 in a funding round led by private equity fund Gaw Capital and Softbank Ventures Asia. In addition, Propzy's investors were Next Billion Ventures, RHL Ventures, Breeze, FEBE Ventures, RSquare, and Insignia Ventures Partners. Propzy's ambition was to diversify its real estate products and launch direct mortgage lending. The startup aimed to penetrate Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. By 2017, this company had increased to 120 employees and moved to a new office. The number of employees increased to 200 in 2018 and formed a transaction centre system. After just one year, the number of employees doubled. Its transaction centres also increased to 26. In 2020, Propzy Vietnam had 1,200 employees, 80,000 customers, and more than 30 transaction centres. Propzy seeks to raise $50 million in Series B Propzy, a Vietnam-based proptech startup that guides consumers through the entire process of a real estate transaction, is seeking to raise $50 million in its Series B funding round. Gaw Capital to increase its footprint in Southeast Asia The pan-Asian private equity firm Gaw Capital is scouring Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, in search of potential investment opportunities in the real estate technology sector. NEW YORK Up-and-coming comedian Mo Amer was opening for Dave Chappelle in 2014 when the more established comedian made a suggestion: Amer should make a short film to introduce his act. I started thinking about the short film. I put it together, I was obsessed. And then I wrote it out and then all my friends were like, This is genius, bro. You need to save this for a TV series. And I was like, Word? TV series? Since then, Ive just been kind of accumulating all these stories from my mother, my family my history, my refugee experience in America, the fish-out-of-water element. Amers true family history serves as the foundation of his new Netflix dramedy, Mo. He describes the series as a love letter to his Palestinian heritage and his hometown. Although its a refugee story, an immigrant Palestinian story, its also a love letter to Houston. Its also like an everyman struggle (story) people who are working paycheck to paycheck, theyre trying to take care of family, people that are dealing with addiction, said the 41-year-old. It has all these layers to it. The debut season, comprised of eight half-hour episodes, was created by Amer and Emmy-nominated actor Ramy Youssef, Amers good friend and former roommate. Mo, along with shows like Youssefs critically acclaimed Ramy, is part of a growing but still extremely underrepresented movement in Hollywood bringing Muslim and Middle Eastern stories to the masses. The series follows Mo Najjar (played by Amer) as his family, including his mother (Farah Bsieso) and brother (Omar Elba) navigate through life in the Houston area in ways many immigrants in America are forced to: seeking employment without citizenship and therefore working odd, under-the-table jobs, as well as maneuvering an often unforgiving health care system and trying assimilate into society. Similar to the storyline, Amers own parents were originally from Palestine before fleeing to Kuwait. Amer was born there, but the Gulf War forced them to leave and eventually settle in Texas. Learning about his family history and their struggles through conversations with his mother, Amer, helped create a blueprint. However, he also learned hard, previously unknown truths, including how his father was tortured in Kuwait. In the series, flashbacks give context, and some are pivotal to both the show and his real life; episode seven opens with his mother cleverly hiding money as the family prepares to escape Kuwait. My mom started just crying when she saw it. She was just like, Wow, I cant believe you recreated this like that. Shes like, How did you even remember the house, the colors, the things on the walls? Amer recalled proudly. I cant forget that. Houston is known for many things: space exploration, its world-renowned medical center and its slowed down hip-hop music known as screwed music; what Americas fourth largest city is not known for is a film and TV industry. However, Amer was adamant about shooting there, aiming to raise the shows authenticity factor. Despite a couple of major films shot in Houston in the early 90s, it hasnt been a destination for moviemakers. Local talent throughout Texas was hired for production, and there are a few notable guest appearances, including rising Houston-based rapper Tobe Nwigwe who plays Najjars best friend, and cameos from well-known Texas-flag bearers Paul Wall and Bun B of the legendary southern duo, UGK. It just really was shocking to me theres never been a narrative sitcom, native series filmed out of Houston, which is absurd to me knowing what Houston has to offer, he explained. Everything is deliberate from the music choice to the attire, to the accents, to the feel, the picture, the cinematography. Theres nothing that we didnt think really about. Mo has become one of 2022s buzzworthy and binge-worthy shows, attracting viewers from all backgrounds and a deep respect from many Middle Eastern Americans. But he emphasizes the show has been a long time in the making. Netflix drops everything all at the same day and its just like, BOOM! Here it is. But those episodes are many, many years of really thinking this through, he said. You hope it resonates in that way, and its such a relief when it does. Its like, They get it. I didnt screw this up. The multiagency response to Tuesdays active shooter hoax at Waco High School shows that active threat training works, officials said Wednesday. A phone call went to the Waco police dispatch center Tuesday afternoon reporting an active shooter and hurt students at Waco High School, Waco police spokesperson Cierra Shipley said. Many police agencies from across McLennan County responded according to Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training and quickly cleared buildings and classrooms of the campus, determining there was no credible threat. A similar situation played out in several other Texas cities, with hoaxes against schools in Houston, Dallas, Austin and Whitney. I had 10 to 15 minutes of terror, just like everyone else, but the citywide response was unbelievably effective, Waco ISD Trustee and Waco High parent Angelo Ochoa said by phone Wednesday. Ochoa said he heard about the situation shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday and went straight to the Base at Extraco Events Center. When I got there I started texting my kids, and we were scared, he said. Soon after that he found a law enforcement officer who told him about the response and that police were clearing and securing the campus and had found no credible threat. Ochoa said he thought every available police officer, constable, rescue squad member and emergency medical technician made their way quickly to Waco High. I have friends who are doctors, and they told me last night that (Baylor Scott & White) Hillcrest hospital had ER doctors scrubbed and ready to treat patients, Ochoa said. I hate that this happened. Im overjoyed that it was a hoax, but the citywide response was so good to see. Officials in Waco Independent School District, Waco Police Department and Waco ISD Police Department all carried out reviews of their respective responses to the Waco High incident Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. Waco ISD Superintendent Susan Kincannon said the reunification process for parents and students could be improved. The reunification process took place at the Base, where officials had directed families to go, through text messages and phone calls and through in-person instructions in the area immediately around the school. Many parents who gathered at the Base as the campus was being cleared expressed frustration with a lack of clarity on the status of the situation. Some believed their children were at the Base waiting to be picked up when they were actually still under lockdown at the school. Kincannon also said she was proud of how well her administrators and teachers got their building secured. I want to commend Chief Williams for his leadership and all the local law enforcement who responded, Kincannon said in a Wednesday interview. From her point of view, the first responders did a tremendous job, Kincannon said. Teachers this morning said they felt very impressed with law enforcements response yesterday and feel confident in their ability to manage future events, should they happen, Kincannon said. Waco police spokesperson Cierra Shipley said by phone Wednesday that every available police officer did go to Waco High on Tuesday afternoon to help with clearing the campus. Supervisors called in the next shift early for their duties, so no part of the city was without police protection if needed, Shipley said. Waco ISD Police Chief David Williams said in Wednesday interview that all the peace officers who arrived at Waco High followed the protocols taught in the ALERRT training. They formed up into teams under his leadership and began to clear the campus building by building and room by room. You cant do a job halfway, Williams said. Even though the teams did not smell gun powder, hear firearms discharging or see injured students, they would not know the campus was safe until they had cleared and secured every room in every building. Shipley likewise said her department treats every call that comes in as real. Any call is taken seriously, until officers get on scene and determine otherwise, she said. Williams and Shipley both said ALERRT training and training with other agencies made the response at Waco High go smoothly. Waco Police Chief Sheryl Victorian is out of town for the rest of the week and unable to comment, Shipley said. In at least four other Texas cities, similar situations played out Tuesday afternoon, with calls going to municipal police departments warning of shooters in high schools in Houston, Dallas and Pflugerville ISDs, officials said. The elementary school in Whitney received a threat, according to a statement from Police Chief Hugh Corbin. In all of these cities, a variety of law enforcement agencies cooperated in responding to the phoned warnings. None of the agencies found a credible threat in or near any of the threatened schools. ABC 13 in Houston reported Wednesday morning that one of their sources claimed the same phone number called in more than one of Tuesdays false reports of school shooters. Police department spokespeople in Waco, Dallas and Houston all said the origin of the call that started the situation in each jurisdiction was under investigation. But none would release the number. Austin Police Department did not respond by Wednesday evening to the Tribune-Heralds email question about the origin of the call about Connally High School in Pflugerville ISD. Shipley said that in Waco the location of the caller falsely reporting the shooting is part of the investigation. Flash UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths on Wednesday called for more funding for Syria to meet humanitarian and livelihood needs. The UN humanitarian response plan for Syria requires 4.4 billion U.S. dollars for 2022. In addition, the regional refugee and resilience plan, which caters for refugee needs in the region outside Syria, amounts to 6.1 billion dollars for this year, bringing the total up to 10.5 billion dollars, he said. "Quite high amount of money. But the amount reflects the severity of humanitarian needs in Syria and in the region following this decade of crisis," he told the Security Council in a briefing. To date, only a quarter of the humanitarian response plan is funded. The 6.1-billion-dollar regional plan only has 20 percent funding, he said. Engagement with regional donors indicates that the United Nations may not even reach half of the funding requirements for the humanitarian response plan by the end of this year. That obviously has a direct impact on the plight of many Syrians, he warned. Some 14.6 million people in Syria, more than half of them children, need humanitarian assistance. This is the highest level of need since the crisis began, said Griffiths. "We seem to fail the people in Syria more each year. As each year comes and each year passes, the needs grow, the gap increases and the stress and the suffering of the Syrian people from this crisis continues to be exacerbated." He expressed the hope that funding for early-recovery and resilience programming and livelihood programming will also be increased. Airstrikes have disrupted operations of the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), at Aleppo airport. UNHAS is a critical service for the humanitarian operation. It is the basis on which staff deploy, staff move and occasionally also supplies, he said. "Ensuring continuity in the provision of aid and basic services and protection during those kinds of operations is of critical importance. It is not being the case. We would like to see all humanitarian activities resume as soon as possible." In the past two weeks, hostilities in Syria have continued. Airstrikes and shelling along front lines have caused civilian death, injury, and interrupted livelihoods, said Griffiths. Particularly devastating, three children were reportedly killed and four other people injured when an improvised explosive device, attached to a motorcycle, detonated close to a medical facility in a camp near Al-Hasakeh City on Monday, he said. Griffiths expressed particular concern over news of a cholera outbreak in northern Syria. "This cholera outbreak is a stark reminder of how critical our continued support remains to the people of Syria, given that the health system is devastated by these 10 years of conflict. This outbreak is also an indicator of severe shortages of water throughout Syria resulting from the low water levels in the Euphrates ... and the extent of destruction of water infrastructure," he said. "And of course, I call on all relevant parties to facilitate reliable access to safe water. Otherwise, we'll see more of those cases of cholera, we will see more damage to the health system, we will see more problems arising out of the absence of reliable electricity," he added. WATERLOO A Waterloo man was arrested after allegedly struggling with police during a search of his home on Wednesday afternoon. Officers arrested Orrington Alexander Gardner, 37, of 1904 W. Fourth St., for felon in possession of a firearm, interference while armed and possession of marijuana. Bond was set at $21,000. Officers with the Waterloo Police Departments Violent Crime Apprehension Team were executing a search warrant at the home as part of a weapons investigation at about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. Gardner allegedly declined to cooperate with police and reached for his waistband where a 9 mm Beretta handgun was located, according to court records. He was eventually detained. Authorities allege Gardner is prohibited from handling firearms because of a 2002 felony drug conviction. He was released from federal prison in June 2022 after serving time for a 2008 traffic stop where he ran from officers and tossed a .22-caliber pistol, according to court records.ds. Photos: Guns in Northeast Iowa crime cases WATERLOO A Waterloo teen was sentenced to up to 25 years in prison for his role in a 2021 synthetic marijuana heist. His accomplice wasnt so lucky. Alvonni Jante Stone, 19, declined to comment to the court on Wednesday as Judge Kellyann Lekar imposed the sentence on charges of first-degree robbery and first-degree burglary in the robbery that turned into a shootout outside a Washington Street convenience store on Aug. 24, 2021. Stones companion, 20-year-old Dayton Sanders, was shot and killed by their intended victim, Cedrick Ondrell Smith, 25. Stone had also fired a single shot, the bullet glancing off Smiths car as he drove off. Lekar said the prison sentence was appropriate. These were extremely serious circumstances out of which someone did die, she said. Smith wasnt charged in the shooting but was sentenced on drug charges stemming from the investigation. A jury found another would-be robber, Daijon Jarell Stokes, who was accused of setting up the crime, guilty of a lesser assault charge at trial. Because Stone was a juvenile, only 17, at the time of the robbery, he wont face a mandatory minimum before he is eligible for parole. The 25-year sentence will run concurrent to a five-year stint for burglary and theft charges for allegedly stealing more than $1,500 worth of items from a building that served as Stokes T-shirt press and music studio following the botched robbery. It was also concurrent to a misdemeanor charge that he spit on two detention officers at the Black Hawk County Jail in June 2022. During sentencing, defense attorney Alfred Willett said his clients life circumstances left him with little chance to succeed. There is a lack of formal education, a lack of familial stability, a lack of parental supervision, a heavy addition of drug abuse and, quite frankly, an association with the wrong people at the time of this conduct, Willett said. The sentencing came a few days after Stone picked up another felony arrest for having weapons in jail. Court records indicate jail staff found a sharpened comb in his cell while responding to a disturbance on Monday. DES MOINES The Iowa Office of Consumer Advocate was given little floor time during informational meetings on Navigators proposed carbon pipeline passing through several Iowa counties. But that doesnt mean it doesnt play a significant role on behalf of the public. It may be successful in gathering information, which often was requested by residents at these meetings, and making it public. While its still somewhat early to see exactly the role it might play in the Navigator project passing through Bremer and Buchanan counties, the office has put in notable work related to the one proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions, one of three proposed pipeline projects in the state of Iowa. Carbon pipeline proposal sparks debate during Bremer, Buchanan informational meetings Several residents took issue with and formulated arguments against Navigators purported proposal and rationale for building the carbon pipeline. Navigator cannot file its petition for a hazardous liquid pipeline permit from the Iowa Utilities Board until at least 30 days after meetings have been held in all affected counties. The last one is scheduled for Sept. 21. Summit is further along in the process and already has filed its permit application, meaning OCA can engage in formal discovery with Summit, and make recommendations to the Iowa Utilities Board about what should be included in its application. The Office of Consumer Advocate, a division of the Iowa Office of the Attorney General, is the one party automatically allowed to be involved in the legal proceedings. But other parties, like the environmentally-conscience Sierra Club, may file a petition to intervene to be similarly involved in the questioning of the application. In the Navigator case, Bold Iowa and the Ted W. Stein Trust have filed petitions to intervene, but IUB has yet to make a decision on them. Well be very closely scrutinizing any request for eminent domain, and we suspect well see that with Summit and Navigator, said Jon Crotty, an attorney with the OCA. He noted that it's relatively rare for a non-public utility to seek the option. Additionally, he noted the safety of the pipeline, as well as the purported environmental benefits will be put under a microscope. People may be more familiar with the division's role when a public utility company wants to raise rates. The OCA already has recommended that the Iowa Utilities Board, which will have the final say on the application, order Summit to provide additional information about its application like plume modeling for a rupture and how far any chemicals would travel, as well as its plans for emergency response. The board issued an order that in part granted and denied OCA's request. But Summit is asking it be reconsidered, and the board has decided it wants to hear more arguments about whether Summit should be required to file the additional information. The additional information would help the OCA form a position on the application, which, in turn, will be weighed by the IUB. To reach the OCA, call (515) 725-7200 or email IowaOCA@oca.iowa.gov. Iowas Republican U.S. senators shied away from supporting a proposed nationwide ban on abortions when asked about that possibility Wednesday. U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley told reporters he prefers to leave the issue to states. Finally, after 50 years, this issue has been returned to the states so voters can have a voice through their elected representatives at a state level and not by unelected judges, Grassley told reporters. So this is a state issue. Grassley is running for re-election to an eighth term. He faces Democratic challenger Mike Franken, a retired U.S. Navy admiral from Sioux City, in the Nov. 8 election. South Carolina Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham introduced a bill Tuesday that would create a nationwide ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, did not answer whether she supported Grahams bill, instead reiterating her broader stance on abortion rights. Iowans know that I am proudly pro-life, Ernst told reporters. But on Tuesday, Ernst told Axios, We really should let the states take that initial role. Ernst was rumored to be planning to introduce a bill to limit abortion federally in May, according to the Washington Post. In July, soon after the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade and the federal right to an abortion came down, Ernst suggested the decision on how to regulate abortion should be made by the states. Again, this has been referred back to the states and local authorities by our United States Supreme Court. So this is not a national emergency, she said. Graham has previously introduced bills that sought to ban abortions nationally from 20 weeks of pregnancy, which both Ernst and Grassley previously supported. The pair were listed as co-sponsors on a bill Graham introduced in the Senate last year, which would establish criminal penalties including a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both for physicians who perform or attempt to perform an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the pregnant woman. Iowas Republican U.S. House members, Reps. Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Randy Feenstra, are listed as co-sponsors of the House counterpart to Graham's 15-week abortion ban bill introduced Tuesday. Abortion politics Grahams proposal which includes exceptions for rape, incest and the health of the woman comes less than two months out from the midterm elections at a time when Republicans have been working to shift attention and messaging away from abortion to other issues after several recent elections have shown the issue energizing Democrats, female voters and abortion rights advocates. Democrats have warned for months that Republicans would move ahead with a federal abortion ban if they win back control of Congress, a message that has helped drive an increase in voter registration among women in several states. Voters last month in Kansas roundly rejected a proposed amendment to the states constitution that would have removed protections for abortion. Abortion rights advocates and GOP strategists said the result was a warning sign for Republicans, showing that voters, even in conservative, rural states and across party lines, broadly support abortion rights after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Republicans split National polls, as well as those in Iowa, have consistently shown that a majority of voters oppose ending federal abortion protections. Graham, though, said he thinks a federal abortion ban should be part of the campaign process and force Republicans to adopt a partywide consensus on the issue, NPR reported. The issue has split Republicans, putting Graham and other abortion opponents at odds with the views of many congressional Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has said the issue of abortion should be left to the states. McConnell on Tuesday poured cold water on the prospect of Grahams bill making it to the Senate floor. Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Ross Wilburn, in a statement, called on Iowa Republicans to answer whether they support a national abortion ban. Reproductive freedom is about personal liberty and ensuring Iowans can make important decisions about their health care with their doctors and the people they love and trust, Wilburn said. Control over your own body gets at the heart of what it means to be free, and Iowa Democrats believe that everyone has the right to decide their own destiny. DES MOINES There is no legal precedent for the Iowa courts to reinstate a court-halted law that would restrict abortion access, a state advocacy organization is arguing in court. The ACLU of Iowa this week filed the legal brief that argues there is no precedent for Gov. Kim Reynolds request that the state courts lift their injunction and allow the state to implement the so-called fetal heartbeat law that Reynolds and statehouse Republicans passed in 2018. The ACLU argues in its filing that the states motion to reinstate the law is not permitted by Iowa procedural rules, and would take away the right of Iowans to obtain pre-viability abortions, in violation of current Iowa Supreme Court precedent. There is no basis for disturbing the permanent injunction issued by this Court nearly four years ago, the ACLU of Iowa argues in the brief. A state judge in 2019 ruled the 2018 law unconstitutional and placed on it an injunction, which stopped the law from being implemented. In June, the Iowa Supreme Court overturned its previous ruling on a different abortion restriction, in essence eliminating its previous ruling that access to abortion services is a fundamental right in Iowa. The U.S. Supreme Court around the same time also overturned its landmark, decades-old ruling that had made abortion access a national right. Those rulings cleared the way for new abortion restrictions in Iowa, and Reynolds in August filed her request that the state courts remove that injunction and allow the 2018 law to go into effect. Following (the Iowa and U.S. Supreme Court rulings), no right to an abortion exists under the state or federal constitution, that legal brief argues. Strict scrutiny is no longer the test. And the viability line is no more. This Court thus has a duty to vacate its injunction so Iowa can enforce its validly enacted law. The so-called fetal heartbeat law proposes to ban abortions at roughly six weeks of pregnancy, which often is before the individual is aware they are pregnant. However, medical experts say ultrasounds at six weeks cannot detect a heartbeat because the heart is not yet formed, but instead at that point detects electrical pulses. In its new brief, the ACLU argues that the U.S. Supreme Court ruling does not impact the Iowa Supreme Courts interpretation of the state constitution, and thus has no effect on the injunction placed on the 2018 law. The ACLU also disputes Reynolds legal argument that the injunction should be lifted because of a change in legal circumstances in other words, the recent Iowa and U.S. Supreme Court rulings. This argument fails because (1) there is no basis in Iowa law to apply this doctrine to a permanent injunction, particularly a permanent injunction in place to protect a recognized constitutional right and (2) even if there were a basis, the State has not justified modifying this permanent injunction, the ACLU argues in its brief. Top News Today 8 Ukrainian tanks, 13 infantry combat vehicles, 11 other armoured vehicles and over 150 Ukrainian servicemen have been eliminated within unsuccessful offensive of the AFU at the Nikolayev-Krivoy Rog direction. Over the past 24 hours, 33 shells of MRLS, including 7 projectiles launched by Olkha systems and 26 by HIMARS, have been intercepted in Kherson region and Donetsk Peoples Republic. Russian Defence Ministry has published footage of Iskander missile system crews destroying AFU military infrastructure facilities at nighttime, refilling combat vehicles with fuel and Ka-52 rotorcraft crews eliminating AFU marines near Zaporozhye nuclear power plant. This day, 78 years ago, Soviet troops commenced the Baltic offensive operation that resulted in liberating almost all the Baltic region from German troops within 71 days. #MoD #TopNews #Russia #Ukraine @mod_russia_en WtR Weather Alert ...Lingering Smoke Concerns through Sunday Morning, but a Change to Cooler and Wetter Conditions Is Coming... * Deeper southerly flow will push smoke from the Mosquito Fire smoke northward later today. Conditions may deteriorate in the Sierra Valley and from Truckee eastward to Highway 395 between Stead and Doyle from late afternoon into this evening, with some eastward spread across Pyramid Lake and into west central Nevada overnight into Sunday morning. Elsewhere, improved air quality conditions are expected through the rest of today, with fewer smoke concerns from midday Sunday through Monday. * An early season storm moves near the west coast this weekend, bringing much cooler temperatures, and chances for rain and high elevation snow Sunday through Wednesday. The west side of the Sierra is favored for the highest liquid totals, with limited precipitation chances into western Nevada until late Monday or Tuesday. There are decent chances for wetting rainfall through much of the Sierra near Tahoe and Alpine County, northeast California, and far northwest Nevada over this four-day period. * Higher passes such as Mt. Rose, Tioga, Sonora, and Ebbetts could see light slushy snow accumulations, but overall travel impacts will be minimal due to the recent warmth. * It will be rather chilly Sunday through Wednesday with daytime temperatures 15-20 degrees below average. Overnight lows could drop into the 20s in colder Sierra valleys, so be prepared for these chilly conditions if planning backcountry recreation activities. Most western Nevada valleys should remain above freezing, but some of the typical cooler spots could see temperatures drop into the 30s by Monday or Tuesday morning, which could affect cold-sensitive vegetation. METAMORWORKS/GETTY IMAGES En espanol U.S. health officials typically look to the Southern Hemisphere for an indication of what to expect, and Australia is wrapping up its worst flu season in five years. The Australian flu season also arrived significantly earlier than normal, with cases spiking two or three months before their typical peak. You can never predict with 100 percent certainty, but all signs predict influenza will be back this year, and data from Australia suggests it will be a strong flu season, says Andrew Pekosz, a virologist and professor of microbiology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health. In addition, health officials anticipate another surge in COVID-19 cases as school starts, the weather cools and people move inside. Those patients could potentially compete for hospital beds with patients who have complications from the flu. Its also possible to get the flu and COVID-19 at the same time, and a recent study published in The Lancet found that adults who have a dual flu-COVID infection are at greater risk of severe disease and death than patients who have COVID-19 alone or with other viruses. But there is a way to blunt influenzas expected burden, and thats with a flu shot. The vaccine is especially critical for older adults, who see a natural decline in immune function with age and are at higher risk of developing complications from the flu. Older adults are also at higher risk of COVID-19 complications. Americans may be more susceptible to flu this year The past two flu seasons have been milder than usual, with low numbers of cases and few hospitalizations and deaths. Experts attribute the decline to COVID-19 precautions such as wearing face masks and social distancing. People were also traveling less during the height of the pandemic. Now that people are out and about without masks, traveling extensively, and once again having vacations, going to restaurants and religious services, and back to school and to the office, there are more opportunities for the [flu] virus to circulate, says William Schaffner, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases and a professor of infectious diseases at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Americans also have less natural immunity to influenza because so few people were infected in 2020 and 2021, Pekosz says. In typical years, a good percentage of the population gets infected with influenza, and their immunity after infection lasts longer than what we get from vaccination, Pekosz notes. What were seeing is a couple of years where we didnt see infection. So more people may be susceptible to influenza in this coming season. He says an early season is usually a sign of more susceptible people in a population. That would explain what happened in Australia and possibly predict an early season here. Schedule your flu shot The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting your flu shot in September or October. Ideally, everyone should be vaccinated by the end of October, the agency says. (But its better to get it late than not at all.) Since an early influenza season is possible this year, some experts say you should aim to get the vaccine earlier, in September instead of October. You need to be vaccinated one month before influenza comes, because it takes about a month to get the antibodies you want for protection, says Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, director of the Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. What we have seen in Australia would be the equivalent of [the flu season] starting in October here, he adds. If the virus doesnt follow Australias path and peaks in February instead, as it has in other years, your immunity, if you got the shot in September, may be somewhat weakened by then, Garcia-Sastre says. That has prompted discussion among health experts about whether to recommend an influenza booster for high-risk groups, he adds. At this point, however, there is no recommendation for a second shot. Flash Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announced her resignation on Wednesday after losing the election. Andersson, also leader of the ruling Social Democratic Party, conceded defeat at a press conference following the election on Sunday. She said she would hand in her resignation notice on Thursday after it emerged that the opposition blue bloc consisting of the Moderate Party, the Christian Democrats, the Liberal Party and the Sweden Democrats, had won 176 of the 349 seats in parliament. Meanwhile Andersson's red bloc, consisting of her Social Democratic Party, the Left Party, the Green Party, and the Centre Party, won 173 seats. "Tomorrow I will, therefore, request my dismissal as prime minister, and the responsibility for the continued process will pass to the Speaker and the Parliament," Andersson said. She will now lead a transitional government until the new one has been installed, and thereafter she will lead the Social Democrats in opposition. Despite the blue bloc ending up with three seats more than the red bloc, some analysts consider the blue bloc as fragile, since the Liberal Party has vowed not to tolerate a government that includes the Sweden Democrats. Also, during the election campaign Ulf Kristersson, leader of the Moderate Party -- which after decades lost its position as Sweden's second largest party to the far-right Sweden Democrats -- repeatedly said that the Sweden Democrats would not be included in his government should his bloc be victorious. "If it turns out that Ulf Kristersson's intended basis does not hold together, then of course my door is open," Andersson said. "We Social Democrats are ready to cooperate with anyone who wants to be part of the solution to the problems that Sweden is facing." Andersson took over from Stefan Lofven as both leader of the Social Democrats and the country's prime minister last November, following a period of political turbulence. She therefore became Sweden's first female prime minister. Enditem Understanding how Latinx history fits into U.S. history is a key part of building community and culture. An exhibit at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., is breaking new ground and helping people understand those contributions as part of 2022s National Hispanic Heritage Month. Presente!, an exhibit dedicated to the Latinx journey in America, honors icons including Toypurina, a Gabrielino medicine woman in California who rose up against Spanish colonizers; Celia Cruz, the Cuban American Queen of Salsa Music; and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina on the nations highest court. The exhibit is a precursor to the National Museum of the American Latino. Legislation establishing the museum was passed by the U.S. Congress in 2020, and the project is under development. Representation matters, and Latinas and Latinos deserve to understand how their histories fit into the national narrative of the U.S., says David Coronado, senior communications officer for the National Museum of the American Latino. This exhibit introduces visitors to the stories of Latinas and Latinos whove shaped the U.S. from the perspectives of the people who lived them. That effort aligns with the theme for Hispanic Heritage month: Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation. Across the country there are many ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, to recognize and honor the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans in the U.S. Here are a few: Immerse yourself in arts and culture Learn about Latin American heritage by visiting museum exhibits throughout the U.S. Many offer virtual experiences. LACMA, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, is offering Art and Imagination in Spanish America which features more than 90 works created between the years 1500 and 1800 including paintings, sculptures, fabric and furniture from countries including Ecuador, Mexico and Guatemala. Works by Puerto Rican artists Jose Campeche and Francisco Oller are on display at the "Nostalgia For My Island exhibit starting Sept. 20 at Chicagos National Puerto Rican Museum. The exhibit features 20 works by Puerto Rican artists that have never traveled outside of the island. Also in Chicago, the National Museum of Mexican Art is highlighting the work of painter Frida Kahlo, art programs for children and a new Dia de Muertos, Memories & Offerings exhibit that opens Sept. 23. That installation uses art to honor community members who died from COVID-19 and includes Alex Carmonas La Salida a reduction woodcut on rice paper. Investor Webinar Presentation Perth, Sep 15, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - BPH Energy Limited ( ASX:BPH ) is pleased to announce its participation in the ShareCafe Small Cap "Hidden Gems" Webinar, to be held Friday 16th of September 2022 from 12:30pm AEST / 10:30am AWST. Executive Director Mr David Breeze will provide an overview of BPH which holds a significant interest (36%) in unlisted oil and gas exploration company Advent Energy Ltd. BPH is also commercialising Australian biomedical technologies emerging from collaborative research by leading universities, medical institutes and hospitals across Australia. This webinar is able to be viewed live via Zoom and will provide viewers the opportunity to hear from, and engage with, a range of ASX-listed leading micro/mid cap companies. To access further details of the event and to register at no cost, please copy and paste the following link into your internet browser: https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/8YC594H1 A recorded copy of the webinar will be made available following the event. A copy of the investor presentation to be delivered during the webinar will be released. About BPH Energy Limited BPH Energy Limited (ASX:BPH) is an Australian Securities Exchange listed company developing biomedical research and technologies within Australian Universities and Hospital Institutes. The company provides early stage funding, project management and commercialisation strategies for a direct collaboration, a spin out company or to secure a license. BPH provides funding for commercial strategies for proof of concept, research and product development, whilst the institutional partner provides infrastructure and the core scientific expertise. BPH currently partners with several academic institutions including The Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research and Swinburne University of Technology (SUT). Distribution of company announcements to the professional platforms, finance portals and syndication of important corporate news to a wide variety of news aggregators and financial news systems. Warriner Creek - Exploration Results Melbourne, Sep 15, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Cohiba Minerals Limited ( ASX:CHK ) ( CHKMF:OTCMKTS ) provides the following update in relation to the Warriner Creek Project. The Warriner Creek Project comprises 2 tenements under exploration licence to TDG, EL 6324 (Areas A and B) and EL 6533, which cover a combined area of 346 km2 over strategic IOCG targets in the Gawler Craton (Figure 1*). The Warriner Creek prospects are located in the high metamorphic temperature Mount Woods Domain which is a sparsely outcropping domain in the far north Gawler Craton. IOCG (iron ore - copper - gold) style deposits have been discovered in this domain, such as Peak Iron's Peculiar Knob and Cu River Mining's Cairn Hill. Cairn Hill was mined as a magnetite iron ore deposit with accessory copper and gold, and Peculiar Knob is mined as a hematite iron ore deposit. Immediately south of the Mount Woods Domain and 20km south of Warriner Creek West lies Oz Mineral's Prominent Hill copper-gold mine (Figure 2*). Exploration by Cohiba was focused on IOCG and related skarn style deposits, with a secondary focus on any REE (rare earth element) potential in the area. WARRINER CREEK EAST Targeting at Warriner Creek East focussed on an isolated slightly offset magnetic and gravity high, with a scale consistent with a Carrapateena sized geophysical anomaly. Drilling intersected complexly deformed high temperature meta-sediments, and into mafic-intermediate diorite with strong magnetite intrusive at depth (Figure 6*). The strongly magnetic diorite is presumed to be the cause of the magnetic geophysical signature. The fact that the gravity anomaly is offset from the magnetic signature presents the possibility that another dense body is the cause of the gravity anomaly. Brecciation and alteration of IOCG style was not observed. WARRINER CREEK WEST Warriner Creek West is adjacent to the Peak Iron IOCG related iron ore mine, and near to Oz Minerals Prominent Hill copper-gold mine. Targeting focused on a shallow magnetic ridge running approximately eastwest through the tenement (Figure 3*). Drilling intersected high temperature meta-sediments and metagranites. A south dipping contact from sandy dominant to muddy dominant meta-sediments exhibited a minor mafic dyke in CHK22WCW01 and a healed breccia in CHK22WCW02 with minor magnetite alteration, and trace chalcopyrite and pyrite (Figure 7*). It is believed that this contact and mafic intrusions along the contact are the cause of the magnetic anomaly. WARRINER CREEK WEST DRILLING RESULTS Drill hole CHK22WCW01 returned one low grade copper result and one anomalous rare earth element (REE) result which was converted to total rare earth oxides (TREO). The following results occurred: - 1m @ 0.93% Cu from 128 - 129m. - 2m @ 1,053ppm TREO from 139 - 141m. WARRINER CREEK FARM-IN AGREEMENT Given the lack of significant copper, gold and rare earth element results from the initial drilling program at Warriner Creek the Company made the decision not to continue with the Farm-In Agreement having met its obligations for the initial stage. The Company sent a formal letter to Tigers Dominion Group outlining its decision not to progress with the Farm-In Agreement. Cohiba's CEO, Andrew Graham says, "The Warriner Creek Project granted Cohiba the opportunity to drill test two IOCG targets that were identified from historical magnetic and gravity surveys. Whilst there were some anomalous rare earth element intersections and a low-grade copper results these were neither persistent enough nor of sufficient grade to warrant the continuation of the Farm-In Agreement with Tigers Dominion Group (TDG). We appreciated the professionalism with which TDG conducted themselves and the ease of the working relationship. Cohiba will continue to explore additional opportunities as it seeks to expand its footprint in the Gawler Craton as part of its over-arching IOCG strategy. " *To view tables and figures, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/0JQHWI9K About Cohiba Minerals Limited Cohiba Minerals Limited (ASX:CHK) is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange with the primary focus of investing in the resource sector through direct tenement acquisition, joint ventures, farm in arrangements and new project generation. The shares of the company trade under the ticker symbol CHK. The Company recently acquired 100% of the shares in Charge Lithium Pty Ltd, which holds exploration licences in Western Australia. Nate Bargatze is set to release his third Netflix special. The comedian will tape his latest feature for the streaming service while performing back-to-back shows in Phoenix on Sept. 24, but two days beforehand, he visits Albuquerque. Bargatze said that the last time he was in Albuquerque he took a self-guided Breaking Bad tour, but he also has ties to the state through industry friends. Ive been to Albuquerque a few times, he said. Im a fan. Bargatze is currently on The Raincheck Tour, which started this month and will run through the end of the year. Leading up to the Phoenix taping, he explained the September shows are vital to make sure his routine is in order, including the timing of his delivery. Making sure I have it all in there right, the timing right, all that kind of stuff, he said about performing this month. These shows will be big and important. The tour will feature all new material from Bargatze, who has become a popular act in stand-up comedy. He is celebrating 20 years as a comic, and has been featured a plethora of times across the late-night talk show circuit, including one of the first to perform on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. In addition to his television appearances, Bargatze has two comedy albums, Yelled at by a Clown and Full Time Magic. The former peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Top 10 Comedy Charts in 2014 and the latter reached No. 1 in 2015. Bargatze released his first hour-long Netflix special, The Tennessee Kid, in 2019, and his sophomore feature, The Greatest Average American, came out two years later. That special earned him a Grammy nomination. Im very excited about this hour, Im excited to tape it, he said about his upcoming Netflix special. Ive done over 200 shows leading up to it, so I think I have it down exactly how I want it. Bargatze said there will be a lot more original material on growing up, his parents, his wife and daughter, and just everyday life. Essentially, he addresses the common social and random occurrences most people experience. He connects with people; he is the audience member. He added about his style, Sometimes the wife relates to me, sometimes the husband relates to me; it can be whoever. I love the relatability of it; it builds a special connection with the audiences. Which is nice because when youre doing shows in front of people its nice to think that we all could be friends. Comedy fans are drawn to Bargatze, not just because of the natural flow of his conversational delivery, but the fact that he talks about normal life, finds the irony in daily situations that relate to the average person. Audiences are able to visualize a realistic picture of whats going on in the personal stories he shares, perhaps realizing they would have a similar reaction to any of the scenarios. He said, Its always comforting to know that youre not the only one whos doing these dumb things. Bargatze attributes his appeal to his style of comedy to the likes of Jim Gaffigan and Brian Regan, but he also watched a lot of Seinfeld growing up. The show inspired him enough to say that his podcast Nateland is a podcast about nothing. Having a sense of humor helps with the creative process. Bargatze finds humor in peoples stories he can visualize taking place, and the laughter becomes internally infectious from his own imagination. His candid genuine laughter derived from surprise may be a reason why his comedy is well-received, for thats the type of material he expertly offers. If I can take the whole picture and really run with it in my own mind, it can really set me off and I start laughing, he said. If I get off-guard with something, like something that isnt going the way someone wants it to go those hit me pretty hard and those can make me laugh. Though hes an accomplished comedian who has been performing for 20 years, he still has nerves before taking the stage, but more in the form of anticipation. Its exciting when you walk out, he said. It gets much better every time. Albuquerques restaurant community suffered a devastating loss recently when Rosario Zito, beloved owner of Giovannis Pizzeria in the International District, was killed during an armed robbery at his restaurant. Zitos death is yet another setback for a neighborhood still referred to by many as the War Zone. Despite the efforts of community leaders and residents, the violent crime that has plagued this area for decades shows no signs of abating. If there is a reason for optimism in this neighborhood, it can be found in a vibrant dining scene exemplified by places like Los Olivos, the 3-year-old Mexican restaurant on Zuni south of Central. Los Olivos occupies a one-story building that looks more like a home than a restaurant. The stucco walls are painted olive-green and colorful pennants decorate the whitewashed porch. Inside is equally vibrant, with walls of violet and green and colorful papel picados, the intricate, punched paper decorations of Mexico, hanging from the ceiling. A covered patio sits just off the main dining room. The food at Los Olivos celebrates the cuisine of Durango, a landlocked state in northwestern Mexico known for its meats, cheeses and rich, flavorful broths. Breakfast, available until 12:30 p.m., leans toward savory dishes like chilaquiles and huevos rancheros. Most of the rest of the menu is given over to tacos, burritos and tortas with familiar fillings like barbacoa, carnitas and asada. Daily specials offer less common things like pellizcadas, small masa cakes formed with a lip around the edge to contain the fillings. Prices hover in the $10 range. Word of mouth has been strong. I was there for lunch on the recommendation of a friend who himself had been steered there by another friend. A steady procession of customers trudged in that afternoon, including several men wearing the reflective vests of road construction workers. Most of the patrons conversed and ordered in Spanish. The meal started off with a complimentary bowl of chips, thick and crisp, and a red salsa that had a little zip to it. Only strong self-discipline kept me from finishing the bowl and spoiling my appetite for the meal ahead. One page of Los Olivos menu is devoted to a selection of hearty caldos, or soups, available in two sizes and ranging in price from $8.99 to just under $15. A bowl of Menudo ($8.99) brimmed over with chopped tripe in a vivid, earthy red chile and tomato broth. If some foods can be described as acquired tastes, then menudo might be characterized as an acquired texture. The fatty, chewy tripe has the mouth feel of thick rubber bands. Its easier to appreciate when you fork a few pieces between slices of the accompanying telera rolls and squeeze some lime on them. Caldo de Pescado ($10.99), a fish soup popular in Mexico during Lent season, came in a tomato-based broth flavored with cucumbers, onions and carrots that was reminiscent of Italian minestrone. The small catfish filets that crowded the bowl held up well in the broth. Like the menudo, it was filling enough to serve as an entree. You can get shrimp added in for a buck more. The stars of the menu, and the restaurants Facebook page, are the QuesaBirria Tacos ($13.75). The four tortillas are filled with cheese and beef and crisped up on the grill before folding and serving. The beef, slow-cooked until it has an almost jelly-like consistency, was juicy and a dip in the consomme amplified the flavor while adding notes of onion, garlic and red pepper. A dish of Chicken Enchiladas ($13.99) consisted of four tortillas rolled around shredded chicken and served under a blanket of dark red mole. The sauce was smoky and considerably sweeter than the typical red chile enchilada sauce you find around here. It came with sliced avocado and a dollop of sour cream. The silky refried beans and rice that accompanied it were terrific. Drinks include a rotating selection of agua frescas. The choices that day, Strawberry ($3.25) and a Jamaica Chica ($3.25) made from dried hibiscus flowers, were slightly sweet and tart enough to cut the heaviness of the food. Those seeking a shot of caffeine should try the Cafe de Olla, Mexican spiced coffee prepared and served in an earthen clay pot. Neither my friend nor I had any room for the two desserts: cheesecake and fried burritos filled with cream cheese and raspberry and served with chocolate sauce. Two servers worked the dining room, patio and register. Ours was prompt and friendly and shifted seamlessly between English and Spanish. There are a handful of gluten-free options, though they are not marked on the menu. Los Olivos and the other International District restaurants provide a glimmer of hope for the future of the area. They are a fitting honor to Rosario Zitos memory. Flash Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Wednesday that Iran's position in the negotiations aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal has not been changed. Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in an Instagram report about his telephone conversation with his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi. Noting that Iran and other negotiating parties have made a lot of efforts to reach an agreement over the past few months, Amir-Abdollahian told al-Busaidi that "Iran has always adhered to the process of dialogue and exchange of messages to lift sanctions, and the only obstacle to an agreement is the lack of realism and necessary determination on the part of America." Iran has repeatedly shown "sufficient determination and goodwill" necessary to achieve a good, strong and stable agreement, and "there has been no change in Iran's positions," he said. For his part, al-Busaidi emphasized the importance of reaching an agreement and returning all parties to their commitments. Iran and the United States have been indirectly exchanging views about a recent EU proposal aimed at resolving the outstanding issues on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Iran signed the deal with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to curb its nuclear program in return for the removal of sanctions on the country. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to drop some of its commitments under the pact. The talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal began in April 2021 in Vienna but were suspended in March this year because of political differences between Tehran and Washington. The latest round of the nuclear talks was held in the Austrian capital in early August after a five-month hiatus. On Aug. 8, the EU put forward a "final text" of the draft decision on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. Students of Central New Mexico Community Colleges brewing program are now being trained by an award-winning New Mexico brewer. Antonio Fernandez, former head brewer at Ponderosa Brewing Co., is now in charge of the brewing component of CNMs Beverage Production and Management program. Students enrolled in the program are taught hospitality law, guest services, food pairing, menu management, brewing equipment and maintenance, beer production and more, according to CNMs website. Fernandez estimates that there are about 40 to 50 students currently enrolled in the program. During his stint at Ponderosa, Fernandez won gold medals for his Italian Pilsner at the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup. He will continue distilling spirits part-time for Ponderosa but has given up his head brewer title to focus on his new position at CNM. Fernandez applied to be a part-time instructor for the brewing program about a year ago. This summer, Nick Jones, who had been head of the brewing program left to pursue another opportunity. CNM reached out to Fernandez to lead the program and he accepted. It is a program geared toward training students to be able to work in the craft beer industry, Fernandez said. It offers two tracks, a certificate, which I believe is about a one-year program and then an associates degree, which is a full two-year program at CNM. Like all of their other associates degrees, other subjects are included, not just the brewing. (It is) a regular associates degree and it incorporates quite a few things all geared toward learning how to brew beer, all about the ingredients, learning about beer history and styles, service, draft systems, all the equipment. Students who complete either track receive their New Mexico alcohol servers license and a Cicerone level 1 certified beer server designation. This semester, Fernandez will be teaching three different sections: Beer Production I, Beer Production II, and Beer History and Styles. Other instructors will be teaching draft systems and maintenance and another section of the Beer History and Styles. The Beer History and Styles (class), is pretty much just what it sounds like, Fernandez said. Were gonna go over the history of beer from 6,000 to 8,000 years ago until present day and try to get the students familiar with all the major styles and categories of beers, ales, lagers, stouts, IPAs, pilsners, so they have a good basis about what kind of beer is what. And that course is pretty fun too, because it does include sensory training, so they get to taste beers. During the sensory training, students will not only familiarize themselves with different styles of beer but also learn about off flavors and specific defects due to production, storage or service. The other two courses taught by Fernandez will be lab classes specifically geared toward learning about beer production. Until this point, the program has been using shared space with the culinary lab, Fernandez explained. So were basically doing it in the culinary teaching kitchens, brewing on small scale, homebrew size equipment. Its been under construction for about a year and a half. Theyve been constructing an entirely new facility as part of the beverage and culinary program there. Were actually under the new designation, BHT, the College of Business, Hospitality and Technology, which includes things like computer programming, business degrees, and of course, everything in hospitality, hospitality management, beverage service, culinary arts, baking, and now beer brewing, winemaking, and spirits production as well. The new, giant facility has all the bells and whistles, including professional size and quality brewing equipment, according to Fernandez. We actually have four brewhouses, Fernandez said. When a lot of the other brewers in town get to come see my thing, theyre gonna be insanely jealous because of the quality of the equipment that we actually have right now, which is really cool. It includes everything that we need to produce beer from start to finish. The brewhouses, mills, fermenters, Brite tanks, including fermenters for making the wine and the spirits and a nice spirits still, lab space, demonstration space, sensory classrooms, its completely state of the art. Its beyond any kind of expectation I ever had that I might actually get to work on. A large portion of the beverage lab is still under construction and not ready for students to start the semester there. They will be able to learn on full-scale production equipment in the near future. Thats very exciting and then starting in the spring, we will be teaching spirits production, Fernandez said. I will be teaching those classes and we have another instructor as well. So thats going to be a completely new thing. Were working on the curriculum currently. And then in the summer, we will start with wine production. Thats mostly to coincide with when there will be grapes. Its more of a seasonal one, but its going to be a full fledged alcohol and spirits production course. Theyll be able to learn everything from production to service, styles, all that. My main thing is, Im hoping to be able to send out students who are completely ready to take on this endeavor when they get a position at any (company). Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal An ex-felon whos running for a state House seat in Albuquerques South Valley will remain on the general election ballot at least for now after a judge ruled Wednesday that a New Mexico law barring felons from holding office unless they are pardoned is unconstitutional. The ruling by District Judge Joshua Allison could set a precedent for future cases, though the attorney who filed the case seeking to have Solomon Pena removed from the Nov. 8 ballot said he plans to appeal it by as soon as next week. Were not disappointed, said Jacob Candelaria, an Albuquerque state senator who is representing longtime state Rep. Miguel P. Garcia, D-Albuquerque, in the case. Garcia is Penas opponent in the House race. This is all part of the process, Candelaria said. The case hinges on whether Pena, a Republican, is eligible to hold elected office since he did not receive a pardon from the governor nor apply for one after completing his sentence and five-year probation period last year. Pena served nearly seven years in prison after being convicted in 2008 of stealing large amounts of goods from several big box retail stores in a reported smash and grab scheme. He was reportedly part of a burglary crew that used stolen vehicles to smash into stores and take high-end electronics. Pena did not appear in person for Wednesdays hearing at the 2nd Judicial District Court in downtown Albuquerque, and the attorney representing him, Carter Harrison, did not dispute Penas past criminal record. But Harrison, who is also the attorney for the state Republican Party, cited a U.S. District Court ruling in January that found the states current prohibition on convicted felons holding office once theyve completed the terms of their sentence unless they get a pardon from the governor would likely be rejected by the state Supreme Court. This statutes constitutionality is in grave doubt, at the very least, Harrison said. After deliberating for more than 30 minutes, the judge ultimately agreed with that argument. Specifically, Allison said he believes the state Constitution allows legislators to enact laws on felons voting rights and their ability to run for elected office, but not to distinguish between the two by imposing additional requirements. Our state Constitution provides that if a person is qualified to vote, hes qualified to be on the ballot, Allison said while announcing his ruling. While Pena has declined to answer Journal questions about the issue, a House GOP spokesman said in July that Pena turned his life around after his arrest. He also criticized Candelaria for trying to keep Pena off the ballot. Meanwhile, the arguments in the case come as New Mexico elections officials are preparing to send out ballots to overseas voters and military members stationed abroad. An attorney for Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Olivers office said the court case should have been filed sooner, saying Aug. 30 was the deadline for judicial rulings removing candidates from the ballot. But Candelaria said he filed the petition before that date, while also adding that Penas criminal record was kept secret until it was uncovered in July. The Republican Party knew the risks when it nominated the person it nominated, he said. All 70 state House seats are up for election this year. Democrats currently hold a 44-25 advantage over Republicans in the chamber, which also has one independent member Rep. Phelps Anderson of Roswell who is not seeking reelection. However, Republicans have recruited candidates to run in 50 districts around the state in hopes of flipping Democratic-held seats. Garcia, who has served in the Legislature since 1997, is currently the Houses second-longest serving member, behind only Rep. Gail Chasey, an Albuquerque Democrat. He has not had a general election opponent since 2014, though he did survive a primary election challenge in 2020. It sounds like the right thing to do: Take a little more money out of a huge trust fund to spend on public schools and early childhood education, which in New Mexico have struggled for years and were hit hard by the pandemic. But is it right to go into your 401(k) when you win the Powerball? Thats the situation New Mexico voters need to consider this general election with Constitutional Amendment No. 1. Because while it sounds like increasing the annual distribution from the $24 billion Land Grant Permanent Fund from 5% to 6.25% will do right by our students and children, the fact is those programs are not short of money. Not by a longshot. New Mexico is already rolling in more new revenue $2.5 billion at last count thanks to high oil and gas production. Without the amendment the permanent fund is expected to distribute $952 million just to education in fiscal 2024 and more than $1 billion in 2025. And the state established an Early Childhood Education and Care Fund in 2020, with the original $300 million growing to an estimated $2 billion this summer and expected to hit $4 billion by 2025. Like the permanent fund, that growth is also courtesy of oil and gas and investments. Meanwhile, annual funding for early childhood programs has exploded from $179 million to $579 million over a 10-year period. Voters need to step back from the emotions of wanting to invest in our kids and decide if, with all this extra money already dedicated to children and schools, we really need to go into our children and grandchildrens savings accounts to provide more money now. According to a recent Journal poll, 69% of likely voters supported taking more money from the fund to be used for early childhood education, teacher compensation and K-12 education programs. The poll question was modeled on the ballot language, which was written by lawmakers who have made the raid a Holy Grail and fought for years to increase the distribution. It did not include the budget update that the state already has extra billions with a b available. So its not surprising only 15% of likely voters expressed opposition to raiding the land grant fund. But critics correctly point out increasing withdrawals would leave the state with smaller annual distributions over the long haul because of slowed growth in the fund. The math would really kick in after about 20 years and while you can argue thats a problem for another day, why would we take money from our grandchildrens futures (and public schools, universities, water systems and more) when we simply do not need it? We also need to recognize the state and nation are moving away from fossil fuels, and now is the time to shore up these funds so they truly are permanent. Sen. Bill Tallman, a rare Democratic skeptic of raiding the land grant fund, notes the state has a long history of throwing money at problems without achieving measurable results. It feels like deja vu all over again because theres no guarantee increased distributions will be spent in classrooms, increase achievement or require accountability none whatsoever. The permanent fund has grown from $19.7 billion from the end of 2019 to $24.4 billion because the corpus has been left alone. It will distribute $1.3 billion this fiscal year to New Mexicos public schools, universities and other beneficiaries because the fund hasnt been raided since 2003 and has been allowed to earn greater investment income. We hope voters take a hard look at this in coming weeks and dont fall for the platitudes being offered by well-funded special interest groups and political action committees. Vote Yes for Kids alone has raised more than a million bucks to try to convince voters to raid the fund. Voters should instead reject the constitutional amendment and vote no for the sake of New Mexicos children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and on and on. This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal Police arrested a homicide suspect inside a vacant apartment in Southeast Albuquerque on Wednesday weeks after he allegedly cut off his ankle monitor while awaiting trial. Yonnis Abreu, 20, is now back behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center, facing an additional charge of resisting, evading or obstructing an officer stemming from his arrest. Abreu is already charged with an open count of murder in the March 2021 death of 29-year-old Dylon Spiess, who was shot at the American Inn and Suites on East Central. Abreu was arrested in July 2021 and a judge initially ordered him to remain behind bars until trial. The judge reconsidered almost a year later, releasing Abreu on pretrial conditions, including an ankle monitor. Around July 30 authorities announced Abreu cut off the monitor and was in the wind. Sevia Gonzales, 2nd Judicial District Attorneys Office spokeswoman, said GPS monitoring is not the appropriate tool to protect the public from dangerous defendants, especially those accused of homicide. It is unfortunate that the court released Mr. Abreu on GPS after previously granting our offices motion to detain him, she said. Shortly after his release, Mr. Abreu cut off his GPS ankle monitor, preventing any supervision of his actions. Abreus attorney did not respond to a call and message seeking comment. The homicide suspect turned up Tuesday during an unrelated sweep of abandoned buildings. Around 1 p.m., police were clearing what were thought to be vacant buildings in the 700 block of Bell SE, near Zuni and Pennsylvania, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court. Officers detained a man who left one of the apartments and he told them his sister and a baby were also inside. A woman and two men also exited the apartment and were detained, according to the complaint. One of the men later identified as Abreu gave a fake name of Christian but his real birth date. Police said officers matched a booking photo of Abreu to the man who went by Christian, and recognized him from Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers flyers. Then a sergeant said Yonni aloud and Abreu stood up. An officer went to handcuff Abreu and he ran. Force was ultimately used to apprehend (Abreu) and I placed him in handcuffs, according to the complaint. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE Daniel Ivey-Soto a powerful state senator from Albuquerque says the investigation into a harassment complaint filed against him has ended and will not proceed to public hearings that could lead to disciplinary action. In a letter submitted to the Albuquerque Journal on Wednesday, Ivey-Soto said a legislative ethics committee informed his attorney the complaint is indefinitely suspended, with no further action to be taken. In a brief interview, Ivey-Soto, a Democrat, said he would not release the notification letter sent to his attorney in deference to the confidentiality provisions outlined in the Legislatures anti-harassment policy. State law permits a legislator to waive the confidentiality provision in writing. The Legislature itself has made no public disclosure of the results of its investigation into the complaint filed about six months ago by a lobbyist who accused Ivey-Soto of sexual harassment and abusive behavior. Public findings are not issued unless an investigation determines theres enough evidence to merit a hearing. But Ivey-Sotos letter to the Journal said the complaint is not moving forward to a hearing. To any person who may have taken offense or felt hurt when interacting with me, he said, I sincerely apologize, and I am open to discussing such matters directly. In February, he was accused by lobbyist Marianna Anaya of groping and pinching her in 2015, and of sexual harassment and abusive behavior this year. She levied the allegations in an open letter shortly after the conclusion of a 30-day legislative session and called on Ivey-Soto to resign. A month later, a coalition of advocacy groups accused Ivey-Soto of a pattern of abusive behavior against women, and called on his colleagues to remove him from office if he wouldnt step down. It wasnt clear whether any of those allegations were examined as part of the investigation triggered by Anayas complaint. Under the Legislatures anti-harassment policy, a special counsel can be appointed to investigate complaints made against legislators. The attorney then makes a recommendation on whether theres probable cause to support the allegations. Ivey-Sotos letter to the Journal does not address the attorneys recommendation, whatever it was. But he suggests an investigative subcommittee a panel of state senators did not find probable cause after evaluating the recommendation. The complaint, having been exhaustively investigated and fully debated by the Investigative Subcommittee, has been pending in a confidential process until a determination is made regarding whether probable cause exists to hold a public hearing on the merits, Ivey-Soto said in the letter. Last week, my attorney was informed that the current matter before the (Interim Legislative Ethics Committee) regarding the complaint is indefinitely suspended, with no further action to be taken. He added that statutory confidentiality remains in place; those provisions have not been waived. Accordingly, there will be no official announcement that there was no finding of probable cause, meaning the matter is closed. Ivey-Soto or any legislator found to have violated the anti-harassment policy could have been subject to reprimand, censure or expulsion. Secrecy The confidentiality surrounding the process makes it difficult to know precisely what was investigated, what the special counsel recommended or whether the investigative subcommittee of senators voted on the issue. Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, said Ivey-Sotos explanation in the opinion column parts of which were read to her by a Journal reporter is not the full picture. But she said the confidentiality policies prevented her from elaborating. Levi Monagle, an attorney for Anaya, the lobbyist who filed the sexual harassment complaint, said its unfair that Anaya cannot speak more freely about the complaint. There are confidentiality rules that bind Marianna in a way that they do not bind Sen. Ivey-Soto, Monagle said late Wednesday. That is a clear asymmetricality in the law. We believe its a clear constitutional problem and its been a problem for the last seven months. Allegations Anaya is a lobbyist whose clients include the left-leaning Center for Civic Policy and ProgressNow New Mexico. In an open letter Feb. 22, Anaya called on Ivey-Soto to resign because of sexual harassment. Many of her allegations center on this years session as she sought support for a voting rights bill before a committee Ivey-Soto leads. Anaya said the senator drank and pressured her to drink in a meeting at his office Jan. 18 and that he later at a restaurant whispered for her to come closer as they sat in a booth. She also alleged that he asked her a sexualized question about what shed been wearing and yelled at her twice, once at the restaurant and once at the Roundhouse. Anaya also said Ivey-Soto groped and pinched her in 2015 when she was a young congressional staffer at a reception, a matter she said she discussed with him this year. Her attorney said she was also filing a complaint under the Legislatures anti-harassment policy. Ivey-Soto, for his part, denied Anayas allegations, though he acknowledged he may have raised his voice when out of breath while climbing the stairs. In the Journal letter, he said he has a hearing problem. I am often unaware of how loud I may be speaking, Ivey-Soto said, and there are times when I cannot fully hear what is being said to me, causing me to give non-sequitur responses. Policy targeted Stewart, the Senate president pro tem, said she will push for a group of legislators to get together and propose revisions to the anti-harassment policy. The current process, she said, is broken. There are no timelines, Stewart said. Theres very little transparency and we tell the complainant almost nothing. The policy was last revised in 2018. Allegations of sexual misconduct have surfaced periodically against current and former New Mexico lawmakers in recent years including at least one accusation of a then-lawmaker seeking sex in exchange for a vote during the 2009 session. More recently, a legislator accused of sexual harassment in 2018 lost his reelection bid. Ivey-Soto, a lawyer and chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, is one of the most prominent members of the Senate, known for his expertise on election administration and appetite for substantially amending bills he believes lack clarity or that he otherwise objects to. He has represented part of Albuquerque since 2013. IZIUM, Ukraine Ukrainian authorities found a mass burial site near a recaptured northeastern city previously occupied by Russian forces, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Thursday night. The grave was discovered close to Izium in the Kharkiv region. The necessary procedures have already begun there. More information clear, verifiable information should be available tomorrow, Zelenskyy said in his nightly televised address. Associated Press journalists saw the site Thursday in a forest outside Izium. Amid the trees were hundreds of graves with simple wooden crosses, most of them marked only with numbers. A larger grave bore a marker saying it contained the bodies of 17 Ukrainian soldiers. Investigators with metal detectors were scanning the site for any hidden explosives. Oleg Kotenko, an official with the Ukrainian ministry tasked with reintegrating occupied territories, said videos that Russian soldiers posted on social media indicated there were likely more than 17 bodies in the grave. We havent counted them yet, but I think there are more than 25 or even 30, he said. Izium resident Sergei Gorodko said that among the hundreds buried in individual graves were dozens of adults and children killed in a Russian airstrike on an apartment building. He said he pulled some of them out of the rubble with my own hands. Zelenskyy invoked the names of other Ukrainian cities where authorities said retreating Russian troops left behind mass graves of civilians and evidence of possible war crimes. Bucha, Mariupol, now, unfortunately, Izium. Russia leaves death everywhere. And it must be held accountable for it. The world must bring Russia to real responsibility for this war, he said in the address. Sergei Bolvinov, a senior investigator for Ukrainian police in the eastern Kharkiv region, told British TV broadcaster Sky News that a pit containing more than 440 bodies was discovered near Izium after Kyivs forces swept in. He described the grave as one of the largest burial sites in any one liberated city. Some of the people buried in the pit were shot. Others died from artillery fire, mines or airstrikes. Many of the bodies have not been identified yet, Bolvinov said. Russian forces left Izium and other parts of the Kharkiv region last week amid a stunning Ukrainian counteroffensive. On Wednesday, Zelenskyy made a rare trip outside the capital to watch the national flag being raised over Iziums city hall. Deputy Interior Minister Yevhen Enin said Thursday night that other evidence found after Kyivs sweeping advance into the Kharkiv region included multiple torture chambers where both Ukrainian citizens and foreigners were detained in completely inhuman conditions. We have already come across the exhumation of individual bodies, not only with traces of a violent death, but also of torture cut off ears, etc. This is just the beginning, Enin said in an interview with Ukraines Radio NV. He claimed that among those held at one of the sites were students from an unspecified Asian country who were captured at a Russian checkpoint as they tried to leave for Ukrainian-controlled territory. Enin did not specify where the students were held, although he named the small cities of Balakliya and Volchansk as two locations where torture chambers were found. His account could not be independently verified. All these traces of war crimes are now carefully documented by us. And we know from the experience of Bucha that the worst crimes can only be exposed over time, Enin said, in a reference to a Kyiv suburb where the bodies of hundreds of civilians were discovered following the Russian armys withdrawal from the area in March. Earlier Thursday, Zelenskyy said that during the five months the Russians occupied the region, they only destroyed, only deprived, only took away. They left behind devastated villages; in some of them there is not a single undamaged house. The occupiers turned schools into garbage dumps and churches shattered, literally turned into toilets. In other developments Thursday, Zelenskyy worked to add political momentum to Ukraines recent military gains, while missile strikes that caused flooding near his hometown demonstrated Moscows determination to reclaim the battlefield advantage. A week after the Ukrainian counteroffensive, Zelenskyy met with European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen during her third wartime visit to Kyiv. Von der Leyen publicly conveyed the wholehearted support of the 27-nation bloc and wore an outfit in Ukraines national colors. Its absolutely vital and necessary to support Ukraine with the military equipment they need to defend themselves. And they have proven that they are able to do this, if they are well equipped, she said. Air raid sirens blared twice in Kyiv during von der Leyens meeting with Zelenskyy, a reminder that Russia has long-range weapons that can reach any location in Ukraine even though the capital has been spared attacks in recent weeks. Ukrainian officials said Russian missiles late Wednesday struck a reservoir dam near Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskyys birthplace and the largest city in central Ukraine. The strikes flooded over 100 homes. Russian military bloggers said the attack was intended to flood areas downstream where Ukrainian forces made inroads as part of their counteroffensive. The head of the local government on Thursday reported a new attack on the dam and said emergency crews were working to prevent more water from escaping. The first attack so close to his roots angered Zelenskyy, who said the strikes had no military value. In fact, hitting hundreds of thousands of ordinary civilians is another reason why Russia will lose, he said. ___ Hanna Arhirova in Kyiv and Joanna Koslowska in London contributed reporting. ___ Follow AP war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine LONDON Thousands of mourners waited for hours Thursday in a line that stretched for almost 5 miles (8 kilometers) across London for the chance to spend a few minutes filing past Queen Elizabeth IIs coffin while she lies in state. King Charles III spent the day in private to reflect on his first week on the throne. The queue to pay respects to the late queen at Westminster Hall in Parliament was at least a nine-hour wait, snaking across a bridge and along the south bank of the River Thames beyond Tower Bridge. But people said they didnt mind the wait, and authorities brought in portable toilets and other facilities to make the slog bearable. Im glad there was a queue, because that gave us time to see what was ahead of us, prepared us and absorbed the whole atmosphere, health care professional Nimisha Maroo said. I wouldnt have liked it if Id had to just rush through. A week after the queen died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland after 70 years on the throne, the focus of commemorations was in Westminster the heart of political power in London. Her coffin will lie in state at Westminster Hall until Monday, when it will be taken across the street to Westminster Abbey for the queens funeral. Buckingham Palace on Thursday released details about the service, the first state funeral held in Britain since the death of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1965. Royalty and heads of state from around the world are expected to be among the 2,000 people attending, with a smaller, private burial service planned for later Monday at Windsor Castle. The queen will be buried at Windsor alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year. The guest list for the state funeral is a roll call of power and pomp, from Japans Emperor Naruhito and King Felipe VI of Spain to U.S. President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and the prime ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who first met the queen when he was a child and his father Pierre Trudeau was Canadas leader said the queen was one of my favorite people in the world. Her conversations with me were always candid, we talked about anything and everything, she gave her best advice on a range of issues, she was always curious, engaged and thoughtful, he said at a special session of the Canadian parliament in Ottawa. After a day of high ceremony and high emotions on Wednesday as the queens coffin was carried in somber procession from Buckingham Palace, the king was spending Thursday working and in private reflection at his Highgrove residence in western England. Charles has had calls with Biden and Macron and has been speaking to a host of world leaders. Prince William, the heir to the throne, and his wife Catherine, the Princess of Wales, visited the royal familys Sandringham estate in eastern England on Thursday to admire some of the tributes left by well-wishers. The couple walked slowly along metal barriers as they received bouquets from the public. William told well-wishers that walking behind his grandmothers coffin on Wednesday had been challenging and brought back memories of the funeral of his mother, Princess Diana after her death in 1997, when William was 15. I said how proud his mother would have been of him, and he said how hard it was yesterday because it brought back memories of his mothers funeral, Jane Wells, 54, said after meeting the prince Thursday. The queen left Buckingham Palace on Wednesday for the last time, borne on a horse-drawn carriage and saluted by cannons and the tolling of Big Ben, in a solemn procession through the flag-draped, crowd-lined streets of London to Westminster Hall. Charles, his siblings and sons marched behind the coffin, which was topped by a wreath of white roses and the queens diamond-studded crown on a purple velvet pillow. The military procession underscored Elizabeths seven decades as head of state. Her lying-in-state, meanwhile, allowed many Britons to say a personal goodbye to the only monarch most have ever known. Its also a huge logistical operation, with a designated 10-mile (16 kilometer) queuing route lined with first aid points and more than 500 portable toilets. There are 1,000 stewards and marshals working at any given time, and 30 religious leaders from a range of faiths to talk to those in line. Monica Thorpe said she walked for two hours to get to the back of the line and join the queue. People were just walking and walking and the policemen were like Keep going, keep going. It was like the yellow brick road, she said. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the spiritual leader of the Church of England, wore a high-visibility vest emblazoned with the words Faith Team as he spoke to mourners. Welby, who will deliver a sermon at Elizabeths funeral, paid tribute to the queen as someone you could trust totally, completely and absolutely, whose wisdom was remarkable. People old and young, dressed in dark suits or jeans and sneakers, walked in a steady stream through the historic hall, where Guy Fawkes and Charles I were tried, where kings and queens hosted magnificent medieval banquets, and where previous monarchs have lain in state. After passing the coffin, most mourners paused to look back before leaving through the halls great oak doors. Some were in tears; others bowed their heads or curtseyed. One sank onto a knee and blew a farewell kiss. Keith Smart, an engineer and British Army veteran, wiped away tears as he left the hall. He had waited more than 10 hours for the chance to say goodbye. Everybody in the crowd was impeccably behaved. There was no malice, everybody was friends. It was fantastic, he said. And then, to come into that room and see that, I just broke down inside. I didnt bow I knelt to the floor, on my knees, bowed my head to the queen. ___ Follow AP coverage of the Queen at https://apnews.com/hub/queen-elizabeth-ii SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday for his balanced approach to the Ukrainian crisis and blasted Washingtons ugly policies at a meeting that followed a major setback for Moscow on the battlefield. Speaking at the start of talks with Xi in Uzbekistan, Putin said he was ready to discuss unspecified concerns by China about Ukraine. We highly appreciate the well-balanced position of our Chinese friends in connection with the Ukrainian crisis, Putin said, facing Xi across a long table. We understand your questions and your concerns in this regard, and we certainly will offer a detailed explanation of our stand on this issue during todays meeting, even though we already talked about it earlier, he added. Putins rare mention of Chinese worries comes as Beijing has been anxious about the impact of volatile oil prices and economic uncertainty due to the war in Ukraine that has dragged on for nearly seven months. The two met on the sidelines of the eight-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organization that includes India, Pakistan and four ex-Soviet nations in Central Asia. The security alliance was created as a counterweight to U.S. influence. A Chinese government statement issued after the meeting didnt specifically mention Ukraine, but said Xi promised strong support to Russias core interests. While the statement gave no details, Beijing uses core interests to describe issues such as national sovereignty and the ruling Communist Partys claim to Taiwan, over which it is willing to go to war. U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price called Putins apparent admission striking, but said that Chinas concerns are not surprising given its verbal gymnastics to avoid criticizing the Russian invasion. It is somewhat curious that President Putin would be the one to admit it and to admit it so openly, Price said in Washington, D.C. Speaking after the meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the assessments of the international situation by Moscow and Beijing fully coincide. We dont have any differences. He added that both countries will continue coordinating our actions, including at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly. Lavrov described the talks as excellent, saying they were very businesslike and concrete, involving a discussion of tasks for various ministries and agencies. The Biden administration described the Putin-Xi talks as part of a rapprochement that has worried Washington. Weve made clear our concerns about the depth of Chinas alignment and ties with Russia, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, adding that Thursdays meeting is an example of that alignment. Xis government, which said it had a no-limits friendship with Moscow before the Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, has refused to criticize Russias military actions. Beijing and India are buying more Russian oil and gas, which helps Moscow offset Western sanctions imposed over the invasion. Observers say Russia will likely grow increasingly reliant on China as a market for its oil and gas as the West moves to establish a price cap on Russian energy resources and potentially cut their imports altogether. In trying to strengthen an alliance with China, Moscow has strongly backed Beijing amid tensions with the U.S. that followed a recent visit to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. We condemn the provocations of the U.S. and its satellites in the Taiwan Strait, Putin told Xi. Along with Russians attack on Ukraine, the summit is taking place against the backdrop of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan not far from Uzbekistan, as well as strains in Chinas relations with Washington, Europe, Japan and India due to disputes over technology, security and territory. Speaking at the start of his one-on-one talks with Xi, Putin blasted efforts by the United States and its allies to dominate global affairs. Attempts to create a unipolar world have recently taken an absolutely ugly shape. They are absolutely unacceptable for the vast majority of countries on the globe, he said in opening remarks. The tandem of Moscow and Beijing plays a key role in ensuring global and regional stability, Putin said. We jointly stand for forming a just, democratic and multipolar world based on international law and the central role of the United Nations, not rules invented by some who try to enforce them on others without explaining what they are. Xi was more careful, saying that in the face of changes in the world, times and history, China is willing to work with Russia to reflect the responsibility of a major country, play a leading role and inject stability into a troubled and interconnected world. The meeting came after Russia was forced to pull back its forces from large swaths of northeastern Ukraine last week amid a swift Ukrainian counteroffensive. Ukraine regaining control of several Russian-occupied cities and villages represented Moscows largest setback since its forces had to retreat from areas near the capital early in the war. The SCO summit in the ancient city of Samarkand is part of Xis first foreign trip since the start of the coronavirus pandemic 2 1/2 years ago, underscoring Beijings desire to assert itself as a regional power. Putin also met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, whose country is on track to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Raisi said Moscow and Tehran were finalizing a major treaty that would bring their relations to a strategic level. He and Putin both criticized the U.S. at the start of their meeting. Raisi accused the U.S. of breaching its obligations under Irans nuclear deal with world powers. Putin gibed American officials, saying They are masters of their word they give it and then take it back whenever they want. The Russian leader also met with Central Asian leaders and planned a session with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. There was no indication whether Modi would meet Xi. Relations between India and China are strained due to clashes between the countries soldiers from a border dispute involving a remote area of the Himalayas. Putin also is scheduled for a one-on-one meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan. Turkey and Azerbaijan have the status of dialogue partners with the SCO. Earlier this week, Azerbaijan and Armenia engaged in cross-border shelling that killed 176 troops on both sides, the most serious hostilities in nearly two years between the decades-long adversaries. The fighting has put Moscow, which has tried to maintain close ties with both countries, in a precarious position. Putins meeting with Erdogan will be closely watched for their statements on Ukraine and a July deal brokered by Turkey and the U.N. to clear the way for exports of grain and other agricultural products that were stuck at Ukraines Black Sea ports after the invasion. The Chinese leader is promoting a Global Security Initiative announced in April following the formation of the Quad by the U.S., Japan, Australia and India in response to Beijings more assertive foreign policy. Xi has given few details, but U.S. officials complain it echoes Russian arguments in support of Moscows actions in Ukraine. The region is part of Chinas multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative to expand trade by building ports, railways and other infrastructure across an arc of dozens of countries from the South Pacific through Asia to the Middle East, Europe and Africa. On Thursday, Xi met with President Sadyr Zhaparov of Kyrgyzstan and said Beijing supports the early operation of a planned railway linking China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, the Chinese foreign ministry said. Chinas economic inroads into Central Asia have fueled unease in Russia, which sees the region as its sphere of influence. Xi visited Kazakhstan on Wednesday en route to Uzbekistan. Pope Francis was in Kazakhstan, but they didnt meet. New Mexicos Amtrak lines will resume normal operations Friday morning, according to Amtrak officials. Officials announced Wednesday that they were suspending service ahead of a strike deadline with freight railroads and other unions. The New York Times reported that railroad companies and unions representing tens of thousands of workers reached a tentative agreement on Thursday, following all-night talks. Amtrak stops in Albuquerque, Deming, Gallup, Lamy, Las Vegas, Lordsburg and Raton. The New Mexico Small Business Investment Corp. on Tuesday announced that it will disperse $25 million in support of small business development across the state. The announcement and the allocation of funds comes in partnership with RBC Global Asset Management, a Toronto-based capital management company. The funds will target entrepreneurs in underserved communities in the state to help create loans and spur economic development and reduce wealth gaps in areas of the state where business was disrupted by the COVID pandemic, according to a news release. Small businesses are the backbone of the states economy, and this investment will help create new job opportunities in New Mexicos small, rural, and underserved communities, NMSBIC President and Chairman Joseph Badal said in a statement. Most new jobs in the state are generated by small businesses, and small firms represent the majority of business enterprises in New Mexico. The partnership between NMSBIC and RBG Global Asset Management will see the latter source loans for small businesses that have a primary location and a majority of employees working in the state, according to the news release. The loans handed out to businesses will be kept in a seperate account managed by RBG Global Asset Management. NMSBIC was founded in 2001 after the passage of the New Mexico Small Business Investment Act. The organization has a focus on providing equity and debt capital to small businesses through its lending and equity programs. NMSBIC can be reached at 505-274-7789. Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday afternoon received the Order of the Golden Eagle, or "Altyn Qyran" Order, awarded by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace in Nur-Sultan. In the splendid marble hall of the palace, national flags of China and Kazakhstan lined up neatly, filling the room with a warm and dignified atmosphere. Tokayev delivered remarks before awarding the order. He noted that the visit of Xi today, the great Chinese president, is a tremendous honor for Kazakhstan. President Xi is a genuine great leader who has the wholehearted support of the Chinese people, Tokayev said, adding that under the remarkable leadership of Xi, China has made enormous development progress, eradicated extreme poverty, and built a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and the Chinese nation is marching on a new journey toward great rejuvenation. He said he believes that under the wise leadership of Xi, China will realize the grand goal of fully building a modern socialist country as scheduled. Xi put forward the great initiatives including Belt and Road cooperation and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and has made outstanding contribution to building a new type of international relations, Tokayev said, adding that the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative put forward by Xi are of particular strategic significance in resolving risks and challenges faced by today's world. Tokayev highly commended the historic role and extraordinary contribution of Xi in consolidating friendship between the two peoples and in promoting Kazakhstan-China relations, and noted that Xi's visit today will go down in the history of Kazakhstan-China relations. Kazakhstan is ready to work with China to advance shared prosperity and development of the two countries, deliver for the wellbeing of the two peoples, and join hands to create an even brighter future, he said. Tokayev awarded the Order of the Golden Eagle to Xi. The two heads of state took pictures together. Delivering remarks upon receiving the order, Xi described Tokayev's awarding him the order as a demonstration of the great importance Kazakhstan places on China-Kazakhstan ties and the reservoir of goodwill of the people of Kazakhstan towards the people of China. Over the past three decades since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-Kazakhstan relations have kept growing on a high level, Xi said, adding that the two sides have cemented political trust, cooperation has flourished in various fields, efforts to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation have delivered fruitful results, and the two sides have also engaged in close coordination in international affairs, all of which have provided strong support to the development and rejuvenation of both countries and injected strong impetus into regional peace and stability. A bright future lies ahead for the lasting friendship, win-win cooperation and shared prosperity between the two countries, Xi said. Xi said that he deeply cherishes the order, which symbolizes the friendship between the two peoples, and shared his conviction that with the concerted efforts of both sides, China-Kazakhstan relations will soar high and fly far like a golden eagle and deliver more benefits to the people of the two countries. The Order of the Golden Eagle is the highest order of Kazakhstan awarded to individuals in recognition of their significant contribution to Kazakhstan's national development and friendly external relations. Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi and He Lifeng, among others, attended the ceremony. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE A lobbyist who accused state Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto of sexual harassment has filed a lawsuit that aims to strike down the law that prohibits her from speaking about the case. The suit was filed Thursday on behalf of lobbyist Marianna Anaya in the states 1st Judicial District. The 13-page petition asks a judge to declare that the confidentiality rule is an unconstitutional limitation on her free speech rights and that she should be allowed to speak about the case. Ms. Anaya has a right to speak the truth on these matters, and the public deserves to know the truth about them, her attorney, Levi Monagle, states in the petition. The litigation comes a day after Ivey-Soto, an Albuquerque Democrat and chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, revealed in a letter to the Journal that the investigation into Anayas harassment complaint against him is over and wont proceed to public hearings that could lead to discipline. He didnt release details or mention Anaya by name and its unclear what precisely happened. The recommendation of a special counsel appointed to conduct the investigation and any votes taken by the investigative subcommittee of senators remain confidential. The person who filed the complaint Anaya, who accused Ivey-Soto of sexual harassment and abusive behavior is likewise bound by a secrecy provision in the state law. The Santa Fe Reporter, however, reported Thursday that it had obtained a copy of the special counsels report and that it recommended a determination of probable cause on two of the allegations Anaya had lodged against Ivey-Soto one involving an accusation that hed groped her in 2015, another centering on his behavior at a restaurant. Ivey-Soto denied both allegations. The newspaper also reported that the special counsel interviewed someone who said Ivey-Soto had pinned her down on a couch in 2019 after a consensual interaction become non-consensual and she tried to pull away. The person said Ivey-Soto didnt stop when she asked him to, according to the documents posted by the Santa Fe Reporter. In an interview late Thursday, Ivey-Soto said the allegation that anything non-consensual happened is false. Furthermore, he said, the special counsels report omitted material facts and wasnt endorsed by the legislative subcommittee that reviewed it. What the people who have leaked this report are wanting the public to do is substitute their judgment for that of the committee, without having been in the committee to hear about the defects in the report, Ivey-Soto said. He also accused Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, of being linked to the release of the special counsel report. He said he had received a message that Stewart let it be known the report would be leaked if he didnt resign from his post as chairman of the Senate Rules Committee. Stewart said late Thursday that she had nothing to do with the release of the report. In fact, she said, she has never seen the report. Ive never read it, she said. Shame on him. She confirmed that she asked him to resign from leading any Senate committees, which she said was warranted because some members say they dont feel comfortable attending meetings he presides over. Litigation As for the confidentiality lawsuit, Ivey-Soto doesnt face the same restriction Anaya does. He is also empowered to waive the confidentiality provisions in the ethics law, but made it clear to the Journal in the letter and in interviews that he will not do so. By law, the lawmakers serving on the Interim Legislative Ethics Committee, their staff and the person who files a complaint are prohibited from sharing any information about it unless either the accused legislator waives confidentiality or theres a finding of probable cause to support the allegations and move forward with public hearings. Ivey-Soto said the investigative subcommittee did not find probable cause. He said Thursday that he would review Anayas lawsuit. Whether its constitutional or not will be decided by the judge, he said. I appreciate that, instead of taking matters into their own hands, theyre going through the process to get a judicial order. Anayas petition contends the confidentiality provision illegally abridges her right to free speech. Her suit also contends the Interim Legislative Ethics Committee did not properly handle her harassment complaint. She accused Ivey-Soto of sexual harassment and abusive behavior in an open letter shortly after this years legislative session concluded. Ivey-Soto vigorously denied the allegations. But neither has said much about the substance of the case since then, as Anaya filed a formal harassment complaint, triggering the confidentiality provision in the law. Legislation expected Even without litigation, the harassment policy and confidentiality law may face changes. The leaders of New Mexicos legislative ethics committee said Thursday they will push for immediate changes to how the Legislature handles harassment complaints a process they say is prone to deadlock and unfairly limits the free speech of the person who files a complaint. In a joint interview Thursday, state Rep. Daymon Ely, D-Corrales, and Senate Majority Whip Linda Lopez, D-Albuquerque, said parts of the harassment policy could be revised as soon as this month, while other changes would require legislation in next years legislative session. Ely and Lopez spoke to the Journal before the filing of Anayas lawsuit. The process is flawed and it will change, Lopez said. We cannot let it stand as it is. Ely said the result of the law is an unfair gag rule on the person who files a complaint. I just thought Sen. Ivey-Sotos comments were outrageous, Ely said of Ivey-Sotos letter to the Journal. He basically wants to have it both ways. He wants to be able to say this is all confidential, but Ive been vindicated. Ivey-Soto, in a separate interview before the filing of the lawsuit, said he took offense to that characterization. Without the limited comments he made, Ivey-Soto said, the public would have no way of knowing the case wasnt moving forward. The only thing I said was, theres no finding of probable cause, Ivey-Soto said Thursday. I didnt go beyond that. I didnt re-litigate it. I didnt cast any aspersions on the complainant. Quick changes Ely and Lopez are co-chairs of the Interim Legislative Ethics Committee, a panel convened, in certain circumstances, when theres a complaint against a lawmaker. Revising the confidentiality rule, Ely and Lopez said, would require a statutory change in next years legislative session. Lopez said she plans to introduce legislation revising the law perhaps crafting something similar to how the State Ethics Commission handles complaints. Ely is retiring and wont be part of the House next year. The ethics commission itself faces some confidentiality restrictions, but the people involved in a complaint are free to speak about it. Ely and Lopez also said they are examining another piece of the harassment policy the role of four-person subcommittees divided evenly between Republicans and Democrats. Under the harassment policy, for example, a complaint can trigger the appointment of an investigative subcommittee of four legislators to determine whether theres probable cause to support the allegations. But the small, even number of members, Ely and Lopez said, makes it easy for potential action to die on a 2-2 vote. Ely suggested creating a way to break a tie, perhaps by permitting the involvement of a law school dean or someone similar. The change would not require a statutory revision. The policy could be taken up as soon as this month by the Legislative Council, a bipartisan group of high-ranking lawmakers from both chambers. Ivey-Soto, for his part, said he would like to see revisions to the harassment policy, too. But the four-person subcommittees, he said, arent necessarily a problem. Theyre designed to ensure bipartisan support before a complaint moves forward. If its a properly styled case thats not political, Ivey-Soto said, its not going to come down on party lines. Flash The China-Pacific Island Countries meeting on tackling climate change was held on Wednesday in Beijing, with the participants vowing to strengthen cooperation and communication. China's special envoy for climate change, Xie Zhenhua, exchanged views with diplomatic envoys from Pacific island countries including Tonga, Fiji, Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa and Vanuatu. The envoys touched upon topics including policy action and the expected outcomes from the 27th Session of the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP27), as well as South-South cooperation on climate change. China has fulfilled its 2020 greenhouse gas emission control targets ahead of schedule through a series of measures such as adjusting industrial structure, improving energy efficiency, optimizing energy structure, and developing renewable energy, it was noted at the meeting. The country has vowed to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2060. China is willing to work with Pacific island countries to jointly promote the establishment of COP27 with concrete implementations and actions, and achieve positive results on the issues of greatest concern to developing countries, such as adaptation and funding for combating climate change. The country will further address climate change by offering cooperation in building low-carbon demonstration zones, implementing climate change mitigation and adaptation projects, and carrying out training sessions to support the Pacific island countries. A new series of training sessions for climate change officials and technicians from Pacific island countries is set to kick off soon, while a South-South high-level conference will be held during the COP27. Ministers of Pacific island countries are invited to participate. The envoys highly appreciated China's actions and achievements and recognized China for providing valuable support to Pacific island countries in addressing climate change. The countries are willing to further strengthen cooperation and communication with China to jointly make positive contributions. Vietnamese farm produce seek to conquer Netherlands, Northern Europe A forum was held in Hanoi on September 15 to boost farm produce consumption connectivity in the Netherlands and Northern Europe. Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Director of the Trade Promotion Centre for Agriculture Nguyen Minh Tien said Vietnams exports to Northern Europe and the Netherlands are impressive, especially rice, coffee, fruit and cashew nuts. However, Vietnamese farm produce in the European Union only accounts for 4-5% of the 160 billion USD the bloc's imports. Vietnamese Commercial Counsellor in Sweden Nguyen Thi Hoang Thuy said that Nordic people are increasingly favouring organic products that have less impact on the environment. They are also eating less meat and consuming more seafood and meat substitutes. Therefore, products with high protein content which could replace meat are easily accepted. She asked firms to pay attention to environmental protection, the circular economy, sustainable production with social responsibility, and fair trade if they want to conquer Northern Europe. She suggested they focus on healthy, safe, organic, new, convenient and specialty products. Director of VIEC Company based in the Netherlands Nhu Nguyen advised the Vietnamese enterprises to outline long-term strategies, promote marketing, and fully grasp the consumption and business culture of foreign partners./ Flash China is willing to constantly push forward the development of relations with Turkmenistan for the benefit of the two peoples, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a meeting with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov on Thursday morning. Xi said that since China and Turkmenistan established diplomatic relations 30 years ago, the two countries have enjoyed sustained, sound and steady growth of bilateral relations, and the strategic partnership has reached a high level. China always views China-Turkmenistan relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, respects Turkmenistan's independently chosen development path that suits its own national conditions, and opposes any external interference in Turkmenistan's internal affairs and process of stability and development, Xi said, adding that China will continue to work with Turkmenistan to firmly support each other. Xi emphasized the need for the two sides to increase the size and scale of natural gas cooperation and inject new impetus into the development and revitalization of the two countries. He noted the need to accelerate cooperation in non-resource fields and to synergize the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Turkmenistan's strategy to revive the Great Silk Road. The two sides need to deliver on mutually setting up cultural centers as soon as possible to provide a new platform for people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries, Xi said. The Chinese side is ready to set up a Luban workshop in Turkmenistan at an early date and continue to strengthen COVID-19 response cooperation with Turkmenistan, he said. The Chinese side is ready to strengthen cooperation with the Turkmen side within the China+Central Asia (C+C5) Meeting mechanism, implement the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative, enhance international coordination, uphold the converging interests of the developing countries, and contribute to world peace and development, said the Chinese president. Berdimuhamedov wished the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) a full success and expressed his conviction that under the wise leadership of President Xi, the 20th CPC National Congress will draw a blueprint for China's future development and guide China toward more great achievements. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and China 30 years ago, bilateral relations have developed smoothly and cooperation in various fields has been expanding, said the president. Turkmenistan, Berdimuhamedov said, highly values its strategic partnership with China, and is ready to further deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with China in various fields including economy and trade, natural gas, cross-border transportation, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Turkmenistan firmly supports the one-China principle and firmly supports China in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the president said. Turkmenistan supports a series of major initiatives put forward by China, which are conducive to maintaining international peace and security and achieving the sustainable development goals of the United Nations, he said. Turkmenistan is ready to work with China to build stronger synergy between the BRI and Turkmenistan's strategy to revive the Great Silk Road, and closely cooperate with China within multilateral frameworks of the United Nations, the C+C5 Meeting mechanism and so on. Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and other officials attended the event. WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2022 The American Chemical Society (ACS) announces Mitch Jacoby, Ph.D., is the 2023 recipient of the prestigious James T. Grady-James H. Stack Award for Interpreting Chemistry for the Public. He is being recognized for consistently providing outstanding written and audiovisual journalism, which significantly enhances our fellow citizens understanding of chemistry, chemical engineering and scientists in the field. This ACS national award is presented annually to recognize, encourage and stimulate outstanding reporting directly to the public, which materially increases the public's knowledge and understanding of chemistry, chemical engineering and related fields. Jacoby, a senior correspondent for Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), has worked at the publication since 1997 in a variety of positions. Over the years he has written more than 500 articles, including nearly 50 cover stories. In addition to his engaging and understandable articles, Jacoby does his own notable photography for the stories and has produced numerous videos, podcasts and books. C&EN is an independent news outlet of ACS. Three titans of chemistry share their accolades of Jacoby. They are each uniquely distinguished in their respective fields of chemistry, and all are past recipients of the highest award ACS bestows, the Priestley Medal. Tobin Marks, Ph.D., the Vladimir N. Ipatieff professor of chemistry and professor of material science and engineering at Northwestern University, notes Jacobys amazing gift for translating complex chemistry topics into plain English for the general public, thereby facilitating peoples understanding of the role chemistry plays in everyday life. Gabor Somorjai, Ph.D., a professor of chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, and Peter Stang, Ph.D., distinguished professor of chemistry at the University of Utah, also offer glowing remarks about Jacobys work. Somorjai applauds Jacobys unmatched ability to form analogies that make complex ideas readily understandable, while Stang recognizes Jacoby as a superb journalist and chemistry communicator with a strong track record of explaining key scientific advances. Jacoby received his Ph.D. in chemistry from Northwestern University and his bachelors in chemistry from Cleveland State University. Using his multiple talents and storytelling skills, Jacoby clearly and concisely describes the breadth of scientific discoveries in the short format required by a news magazine such as C&EN. The Grady-Stack award consists of $5,000, a medallion and a certificate. The award will be presented to Jacoby at the national awards ceremony at ACS Spring 2023 in Indianapolis. Nominations for the 2024 Grady-Stack award are being accepted through Nov. 1, 2022. A nominee must have made noteworthy presentations through a medium of public communication to increase the American public's understanding of chemistry and chemical progress. The award will be granted regardless of race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, presence of disabilities and educational background. Tim Hortons, part of AG Cafe International Management, has announced the appointment of Aamir Allibhoy as chief marketing manager of Tim Hortons in the Middle East. Holding over 20 years of experience in the domain, Allibhoy has worked with Impact BBDO. Allibhoy began his career in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2002 at Impact, and took up jobs in both Dubai and Riyadh and worked with brands, such as PepsiCo, Emirates Aircrafts, P&G and YUM brands. He likewise set up and drove the BBDO Pakistan office. Aamir comes to AG Cafe with a great track record and wealth of experience in the Middle East. We are excited to have him on the team as our CMO to lead the marketing department and to orchestrate the marketing strategies that support our aggressive growth plan for Tim Hortons in the region, said Hesham Almekkawi, CEO, Tim Hortons Middle East. Aamir Allibhoy, chief marketing officer, Tim Hortons Middle East, said: After twenty fantastic years with Impact BBDO in Jeddah, Dubai, Lahore, and Riyadh, working with leading regional client businesses such as PepsiCo Beverages & Foods, YUM (Pizza Hut) and P&G, it was time to step out of my comfort zone and take on a new challenge in the buzzing world of coffee, donuts & more. Im excited to be part of the newly established AG Cafe family and look forward to powering the Tim Hortons brand and business to new heights in the Middle East region. Allibhoy will be located in situated in Riyadh, the new headquarters for Tim Hortons. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the 22nd Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2022 at the invitation of Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The highly anticipated geopolitical event will take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on September 15-16, 2022. News18 India, the countrys No. 1 news channel is all set to bring live updates of the event from ground zero. With Vishwaguru News18 India will bring you the latest information on the most talked-about event of the year live from Samarkand. Amitabh Sinha, Executive Editor of the channel will be doing extensive coverage of the Summit as well as other important meetings that will happen on the backdrop of the Summit. Through this special programming, News18 India will share insights on some of the most important conversations involving India that will take place at the Summit: Meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled for this Friday. Agenda: Energy and food security. Given the India-China tensions it would be interesting to see Modi-Xi dynamics and stance adopted by both nations at the SCO. First time the new Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif will be sharing a forum with Prime Minister Modi. Interestingly, after a long time, state leaders of India, Pakistan and China will be under one roof. All eyes are on the top four leaders: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Watch "Vishwaguru" and get the latest updates live from Samarkand only on News18 India, 15th and 16th September. The brand-new season of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City will be available to stream on Hayu from September 29. Returning for season three are Housewives Lisa Barlow, Heather Gay, Meredith Marks, Whitney Rose and Jen Shah. Joining this season as friends are Danna Bui-Negrete, Angie Harrington and Angie Katsanevas. Coming up this season: A leading national English daily newspaper, The Times of India has launched a new thought-provoking campaign The Times of a Better India to turn the spotlight on positive news & events. The aim is to highlight the progressive journey of our country. The campaign aimed at communicating a wide array of stories about India, using a series of intriguing images that invokes viewers to think and know about unique aspects of India. The campaign has been exclusively launched on Digital OOH in partnership with Times OOH where 981 digital media units were taken across 6 cities such as Mumbai, Delhi & NCR, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune and Bangalore for the duration of 15 days. While the campaign was also launched on print and online medium, the objective of the DOOH campaign for The Times of a Better India was to not just make people aware but, more importantly, to make people appreciate the beauty of through large, beautiful images. The The Times of a Better India is exploring the continuum of change and positive development that India has witnessed since Independence, where every decade has built upon the progress of its preceding one. It is delving into the change drivers of the past, their impact on the present and a status-check of what the future may hold. Critically, the campaign is also asking questions about whether the success of certain sectors is indeed taking the country forward and what more could be done, shares The Times of India Spokesperson. Since the brand wanted to narrate multiple stories of India beautifully therefore DOOH medium was preferred as it supports storytelling through multiple high resolution images and brings out the beauty of the India. The campaign was launched on a bouquet of media formats including Departure & Arrival at Airports, Malls, Metro and Corporate complexes. The locations were selected to target the captive audience so that they should have some time to comprehend the message and read more about the story if required. Times OOH executed the campaign by choosing the right combination of outdoor locations coupled with the right timing of execution and creatives that would intrigue the audience. The outdoor sites chosen were specifically digital in nature to ensure the flexibility of sharing multiple stories throughout the campaign. The campaign was launched closer to Independence Day when the patriotic feeling is at its peak. For the Creative strategy, eight static creatives were collated highlighting a Big Picture of an Indian success story and sharing a short description to invoke readers to know more. The various assets highlighted several unique things about India from Ice Cafe in Ladakh to a bird in Nagaland which led to the creation of Green village and a sustainably designed school in the Jaisalmer desert that can run without the need of an AC. The Times of a Better India is a progressive campaign in several ways. The campaign sheds light on positive events & happenings in India and put the right set of questions in front of the audience to persuade them to think about the progress of the country. Secondly, it is one of those path-breaking campaigns that has been solely conducted on the Digital OOH medium which is still rare in the Indian OOH industry. It is high time that brands should understand the power of digital displays and the value added by DOOH in the campaign in terms of playing multiple creative, enhancing the effectiveness of the communication, and engaging the audience with a better storytelling possibility. We think that it is commendable of The Times of India team to realise the power of DOOH and employ it, Anchal Dhawan, Business Head, Times OOH. Times OOH offers comprehensive media solutions across Airports, Metro, and Street furniture in India and Mauritius. Authored by Jay Rathod, Founder, Koffeetech Communications. According to KPMG India, there are already more than 800 D2C brands operating in the nation. The D2C market is presently valued at $44.6 billion, but it is expected to reach $302 billion by FY 2030. Several direct-to-consumer (D2C) businesses, including mCaffeine, Khadi Essentials, Arata, WOW Skin Science, Plum Goodness, etc., have been occupying niche markets and forging strong brand relationships with customers in recent years. D2C start-ups like MamaEarth, Sugar, and others are fiercely competing against big FMCG brands like Himalaya, Hindustan Unilever, and numerous others. The growing impact of digital information on consumers cannot be disputed. Nowadays, customers have access to a wealth of information before making a purchasing decision. Additionally, the growth of social commerce has enormous potential to affect peoples decisions. Since India has one of the highest rates of Internet penetration in the world, with 852 million people using smartphones to access the Internet at the lowest global data rates, developing an omnichannel presence has proven to be a successful strategy. India has a relatively large population of social media users. This makes it an ideal environment for social commerce to flourish. The direct purchase or sale of goods or services at the touchpoints where consumers have access to content is known as social commerce. This model assists customers in their quest to discover the latest brands by forcing them to complete the entire purchasing process within their preferred applications. Although social commerce makes up a minor part of Indias e-commerce sector, by 2030, when the e-commerce market is estimated to reach $400 billion, social commerce is expected to reach $70 billion in GMV, based on a study by Sequoia India and Bain & Company. A Winning Combination: Without the use of physical stores or third-party e-commerce partnerships, direct-to-consumer businesses and social commerce offer a direct route to customers, giving them full control over the experience that is created for them. Direct-to-consumer businesses and social commerce benefit from knowing where their customers spend most of their time online.Wherever the content-savvy millennials and GenZ go, whether it be Instagram or Pinterest, they both cater to the same age range, and this is directly tied to the expansion of D2C and social commerce. The Future of E-Commerce: Social media stores ease the customer journey, lowering friction from product discovery to purchase. Examine it, click on it, and buy it. At the end of the day, every mouse click is a chance for a potential customer to change their mind. Customers may lose interest if they must click from their advertisement to the brands website, add the items to their shopping cart, and then enter their credit card information. Socialising while Shopping: Buying on social media is a lot more interactive than it is with traditional online shopping sprees. Customers can easily receive advice from their friends before making purchases; flaunt their new high-tops; drop comments; read comments and interact with other customers. For those who miss the social aspects of a day at the mall, social commerce is the next best thing. Opportunity to Filter Consumers: Companies can customise and target advertising exclusively to consumers because social media makes a tonne of customer information available. In a way that traditional e-commerce and marketing cannot, social commerce enables D2C companies to put specific, ready-to-buy things in front of the precise customers who would love them. Increase in Reviews and Recommendations: D2C brands social media profiles are a terrific way to begin constructing that crucial social proof if their business is new to online sales. If their customers buy from an online platform, consumers won't be able to test or try on the brands products. They may use reviews to make an informed purchasing decision. By bringing new followers into the companys funnel, using social media to manage end-to-end customer experience creates a positive feedback loop that boosts the brands revenue. Promotes effective Interactions: Increased participation is among social commerce's most significant benefits. People are urged to connect with businesses through two-way communication through social commerce. This enables customers to communicate with the companys business as well as use social media as an efficient avenue for customer service where issues may be resolved. Regular customers of a business are more likely to recommend it. D2C brands are supplying the underserved market in Indias Tier 2, 3 and 4 towns and cities with their competitive prices and online presence. Brick-and-mortar stores were unable to satisfy the aspirations of the youth in these towns for a better way of life. Social commerce began to grow as D2C firms worked to establish an omnichannel presence, working in tandem, they are forging a distinctive combination that offers specialized and personalised products to young consumers. Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Thursday. The two heads of state said that bearing in mind the long-term development of China-Uzbekistan relations and the future welfare of their people, the two countries will expand mutually beneficial cooperation, cement their friendship and partnership, and implement the vision of a community with a shared future at the bilateral level. The meeting took place at the newly built International Conference Center, which was ingeniously designed and magnificent, on a refreshing autumn day as the sun shone brightly on Samarkand. At 9:45 a.m. local time, Xi arrived in a motorcade at the center where he was warmly received by Mirziyoyev as he exited the car. Accompanied by Mirziyoyev, Xi walked to the square outside the north entrance through the central hall featuring both traditional Uzbek patterns and modern design. Mirziyoyev held a grand welcome ceremony for Xi. The two heads of state stood on the podium as the military band played the national anthems of China and Uzbekistan. Accompanied by Mirziyoyev, Xi inspected the honor guard. They introduced to each other their accompanying officials and watched the parade of the honor guard together. Following the welcome ceremony, the two heads of state held official talks. Xi pointed out that over the past 30 years of their diplomatic relations, China and Uzbekistan have always respected each other, enjoyed good-neighborliness and worked in partnership for mutual benefits. The two countries have kept deepening their strategic mutual trust and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation, fully promoted their lasting friendship and elevated China-Uzbekistan relations to the new height of a comprehensive strategic partnership, creating strong impetus for their common development and prosperity, Xi said. As a good friend, a good partner and a good brother, China firmly supports Uzbekistan in following a development path compatible with its national conditions, supports its efforts to uphold national independence, sovereignty, security and social stability, and opposes interference by any forces in its internal affairs, he said. China is ready to work with Uzbekistan to implement the vision of a China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future, deepen all-round cooperation for mutual benefit and jointly usher in a better future, he said. Xi emphasized that China and Uzbekistan should firmly support each other on issues concerning national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and other core interests, move faster to synergize their development strategies and promote common development. The two sides need to accelerate the bilateral cooperation and make it even more fruitful, Xi said, adding that it is important to scale up cooperation on trade and investment, and step up collaboration on digital economy and green development. Uzbekistan is welcome to take an active part in the China International Import Expo to share in more of the development opportunities brought by China's massive market, he said. China is ready to work with Uzbekistan to improve the Eurasian transcontinental transport corridors and make an early start in constructing the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project, he said. The two sides need to expand energy cooperation, jointly ensure the safe operation of the China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline and extend cooperation to new energy, with a view to fostering a new pattern of all-dimensional energy cooperation, Xi said. The two sides need to promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in areas including education, culture, tourism, sub-national exchanges, environmental protection and archaeology, he said, adding that China supports and will actively take part in Uzbekistan's initiative of "year of culture and art between the people of Central Asian countries and China." The two sides also need to work together to speed up the establishment of culture centers in each other's country and the building of a Luban Workshop, and communicate the facts of the China-Uzbekistan friendship in the new era, so as to lay a solid public and societal foundation for the sustained and sound growth of China-Uzbekistan relations, Xi said. Young people from Uzbekistan are welcome to study Chinese in China, Xi said, adding that the Chinese side will continue to carry out healthcare, vaccine and pharmaceutical cooperation with Uzbekistan, and support the building of vaccine production centers in Uzbekistan. The two sides need to enhance cooperation on poverty alleviation, and inspire and support each other in promoting growth and improving livelihoods, he said. Noting that China and Central Asian countries have a shared future and a deep stake in each other's security and stability, Xi said that China is ready to work more closely with Uzbekistan to firmly oppose external interference in internal affairs, firmly safeguard domestic stability and firmly defend the security interests of the region. China appreciates Uzbekistan's important contributions to the success of the SCO Samarkand Summit and is ready to work with Uzbekistan to promote the steady and sustained development of the SCO, Xi said. Xi said that China will work with Uzbekistan and other regional countries to strengthen the China+Central Asia (C+C5) Meeting mechanism and open up broader space for the cooperation between China and Central Asian countries. China will also work with Uzbekistan to actively implement the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Security Initiative (GSI), uphold the common interests of developing countries and contribute to building a more just and equitable international governance system, he said. For his part, Mirziyoyev noted that under the wise leadership of President Xi, China has made remarkable achievements in its development, and the friendly people of China are making firm strides toward realizing the Chinese Dream. He wished the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) a full success. Noting that this year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of strategic partnership between the two countries, Mirziyoyev pointed out that Xi's historic state visit to Uzbekistan will certainly consolidate the traditional friendship between the two countries, chart the course for future cooperation, and elevate the Uzbekistan-China comprehensive strategic partnership to a new height featuring new vitality and new prospect. China is a reliable friend and comprehensive strategic partner of Uzbekistan, and Uzbekistan-China relations fully embody the principle of mutual respect, good-neighborliness and mutual benefit, he said. Mirziyoyev said Uzbekistan appreciates China's valuable support for its national development and fight against COVID-19. Uzbekistan is firmly and unequivocally committed to the one-China principle, firmly supports China's position on matters concerning its core interests including those related to Taiwan and Xinjiang, and will always be a good neighbor, good friend and good partner worthy of China's trust, he said. Uzbekistan would like to learn from China's poverty alleviation experience, continue participating actively in the Belt and Road cooperation, advance the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project, and enhance cooperation with China in such areas as economy and trade, investment, natural gas, new energy, agricultural infrastructure, culture, sub-national ties and people-to-people exchanges, he said. Mirziyoyev said Uzbekistan fully supports the GDI and the GSI proposed by China, and appreciates China's strong support for Uzbekistan's presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). He also expressed readiness to work more closely with China within the SCO, C+C5, and "BRICS Plus" mechanisms, to uphold the Shanghai Spirit and to jointly safeguard regional security and stability. Following the official talks, the two heads of state signed and issued the Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Uzbekistan. Relevant departments of the two governments signed multiple cooperation documents covering agriculture, digital economy, green development, culture, sub-national cooperation and media. During the visit, Chinese, Kyrgyz and Uzbek officials signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding concerning cooperation on the Kyrgyz section of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project. After the official talks, Mirziyoyev held a banquet for Xi, during which they had an in-depth exchange of views on matters of shared interest. Following the banquet, Mirziyoyev invited Xi to jointly plant an oak tree at the square outside the north entrance of the International Conference Center. Together, the two heads of state earthed up and watered the seedling. A symbol of longevity, the oak tree signifies that China-Uzbekistan friendship will thrive and endure. Xi pointed out that although this may not be a long visit, he had productive discussions with Mirziyoyev and achieved fruitful outcomes. The world faces many new risks and challenges that require their collective response, Xi said, expressing his readiness to stay in communication with Mirziyoyev to promote sound growth of China-Uzbekistan relations. Describing President Xi as his respected elder brother, Mirziyoyev said he always benefits from their meetings. He noted the fruitful outcomes of this historic visit which will point the way for Uzbekistan-China relations and expressed his expectation to maintain close exchanges with Xi. Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi and He Lifeng were present at the relevant events. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (she/her) held such promise. In the spring of 2020, the then 39-year-old New Zealand prime minister emerged on the world stage as the COVID dramas anti-Trump. Ardern was calm, we were told, where Trump was capricious, compassionate where Trump was callous, and disciplined where Trump was improvisational. She was, in short, the modern major general of the emerging fascist new world order, and the media swooned. The New York Times headlined an April 2020 op-ed, In a Crisis, True Leaders Stand Out: Swift action, compassion and trust in science mark the most effective responses to the coronavirus. When the liberal Ardern promised the most significant restrictions on New Zealanders movements in modern history, the Times praised her for her swift and decisive action. The Atlantic outgushed the Times. Since March, New Zealand has been unique in staking out a national goal of not just flattening the curve of coronavirus cases, wrote Uri Friedman, but eliminating the virus altogether. And it is on track to do it. Ardern was common sense personified. She justified severe policies with practical examples, Friedman continued. People needed to stay local, because what if they drove off to some remote destination and their car broke down? OMG! Added Friedman, She said she knows as a parent that its really hard to avoid playgrounds, but the virus can live on surfaces for 72 hours. Right science. On reviewing the New Zealand COVID timeline, I was reminded of rebel leader Espositos speech in the Woody Allen film, Bananas. From this day on, the official language of San Marcos will be Swedish, Esposito declared. In addition to that, all citizens will be required to change their underwear every half-hour. Underwear will be worn on the outside so we can check. Furthermore, all children under 16 years old are now...16 years old! On March 25, 2020, Ardern outcrazied Esposito, putting the country on complete Lockdown status four days before anyone had died of COVID. On April 25, the country moved from Lockdown status to Restrict. On June 8, with the borders closed and no new cases reported, the restrictions were lifted, but on August 11, four new cases surfaced, and once again Ardern put the Kiwis on Restrict. By October 7, the whole country was back to normal, sort of, but on February 14, 2021, three new cases were reported, and it was back to Restrict. For the next six months, the nation yo-yoed between normal and Restrict. Other than closing New Zealand to the world and treating her citizens like kindergarteners, Arderns finger-in-the-dike strategy seemed to be working. Until it wasnt. Her positively medieval zero-COVID policy led to this headline-making story from August 2021, New Zealands Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern locks down nation over single Covid case. Science! The best thing we can do to get out of this as quickly as we can is to go hard, said Ardern after imposing once more the nations toughest level 4 Lockdown rules. We have made the decision on the basis that it is better to start high and go down levels rather than to go low, not contain the virus and see it move quickly. After seven weeks into a three-day Lockdown, Ardern finally abandoned her increasingly futile zero-COVID policy, and the virus ran through New Zealands population in 2021-2022 much as it had done the rest of the world a year earlier. Despite a vaccination rate of 77 percent and 18 months to prepare for an epidemic, more than one out of three New Zealanders contracted the disease, including Ardern herself. Nearly 2,000 died. As the cases mounted, the swift and decisive Ardern rotated her nation once more through the various levels of oppression. To Arderns seeming surprise, the gratuitous restrictions and mandates caused a major public backlash. In March 2022, protestors set up camp on Parliament grounds in Wellington, the nations capital, and stayed for three weeks until routed by the police. To dislodge the protestors authorities resorted to cruel and unusual measures, including turning on the sprinklers and blast[ing] Barry Manilow tunes. Where was Amnesty International when the protestors needed them? For the prime minister, the protest was her very own January 6. Said Ardern, I was both angry and also deeply saddened. To see the Parliament -- your Parliament, our Parliament -- desecrated in that way, and a childrens playground destroyed, by a small group of illegal protesters. After ruining countless businesses and deforming millions of lives, the ever-compassionate PM would have the nation weep for a broken playground. Added Ardern. But, as I say, its not something that will define New Zealands response to this pandemic. Unfortunately, she was right. Most Kiwis put up with the nonsense. On Monday, September 12, Ardern may not have intended to show how perversely she mismanaged New Zealand these past thirty months, but that is exactly what she did. The one-time poster girl for well-intentioned oppression announced the lifting of virtually all COVID restrictions, including mask wearing and vaccine mandates. Voila! Just like that. Finally, said Ardern at a press conference, rather than feeling that COVID dictates what happens to us, our lives, and our futures, we take back control. In truth, COVID never dictated what happened to New Zealanders. With the eager backing of the worlds media, Ardern did. Thats what dictators do. To learn more, see www.cashill.com Image: Christchurch City Council Newsline/Kirk Hargreaves Anyone who tells you to eat healthier is -- like everything else today -- racist. Blair Imani is a professional intersectionalist who has been written up in the New York Times and produces a video series on YouTube and Instagram called Smarter in Seconds. Her YouTube following is, at best, meh -- about 6,000 subscribers with a typical video view rate in the 1-2,000 range. Her Instagram influencer range is far larger with about 520,000 followers; considering Instagrams demographics skew way younger than anything except TikTok, it is clear her message target is young people. From topics like the meaning of July 4th -- America was founded on slavery, slavery is still legal as a punishment, liberty is symbolized by the dove of peace, justice by a Black fist, etc. -- to what to do when another person uses multiple pronouns (from what I could gather, its contextually driven but insulting to someone who, despite having a penis, uses they/she interchangeably if you pick the wrong one when talking to them/her so ask them/her how they prefer to be addressed at that very moment in time as often as you can, I think) -- Imani is the living, breathing punchline to every woke joke you have ever heard. Her new offering may be even funnier; its definitely more physically dangerous but at least it has the approval of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) who sent it out on its social media (ironically) feed. According to Imani -- and the expert nutritionist she brings in to chat about the subject -- food needs to be approached in a neutral manner. Food itself is neither good for you nor bad for you and that one shouldnt judge (my) food choices on a false standard of health. The nutritionist she brings in -- one Dr. Kera Nyemb-Diop (whose website focuses on decolonizing your plate) -- states that systems of oppression have created false hierarchies of food and that people should eat without guilt regardless of what society says. Exactly what prompted this video is rather muddy. Is it a response to the fact that people at the lower end of the income scale tend to be toward the higher end of the weight scale? Or that the movement to eliminate inner-city healthy food deserts by giving tax dollars to full-service grocery stores so people dont always just go to the corner bodega is in itself a cover for racist oppression? (Of course, it is possible Imani might have a point with that one because the food desert matter tends to be a focus of guilt-ridden 104-pound lower-upper-middle class white women who pay $28 for asparagus water at Whole Foods, but I digress.) But why else -- besides racism, colonization, oppression, bigoted cultural norms, and racism -- would anyone make the claim that eating 12 celery sticks is no different from eating 12 donuts, that deep fried Snickers bars are the same as salads? First, you can never go wrong -- and your Instagram following and therefore income will grow -- by telling kids that eating a bag of Takis is the same as eating a box of raisins. Second, since all of the easy anti-racism positions have already been staked out, getting out in front of this food thing can help you stay edgy and relevant in the movement in general. And third, the fact that Nyemb-Diop is a Senior Scientist - Nutrition & Ingredient Research at Mondelez International -- whose actual slogan is Snacking Made Right -- cannot be discounted. Formerly part of Kraft, Mondelez makes such things as Oreos, Tang, Sour Patch Kids, and Toblerone bars with nary floret of broccoli in sight One doubts that Imani would make a video that features an Exxon scientist extolling the virtues of drinking gasoline instead of milk, but if she did one would think the conflict of interest would at least be acknowledged. While Mondelez seems perfectly comfortable with profiting off of American obesity, the company does want to make sure the world knows it supports the environment and engages in sustainable practices. Said Christine Montenegro McGrath, the companys Senior Vice President and Chief Global Impact and Sustainability Officer (note -- if you job title has 10 words in it you are an unnecessary employee): The issues we are tackling are systemic, requiring supply chain and business transformation. Thats why our integrated approach is not only designed to tackle root causes, but also embedded into our business growth strategy. We are committed to measuring our impact and investing in scalable solutions and innovation so we can drive lasting change." Good for you. As to LAUSDs involvement in supporting the concept, it does seem rather contradictory that an organization that only allows healthy things in its on-campus vending machines, posts calorie, fat, and carbohydrate content lists, has many, many nutritionists on staff, and serves 130 million mostly or completely free meals a year -- breakfast, lunch, and dinner -- would be approving of the healthy, shmealthy message of the video. Now, food fascists are not fun to be around and everyone has at some time looked with disdainful contempt at the person who tells them you know thats not good for you -- try this quinoa salad instead. But it cannot be denied scientifically speaking -- that, at the very least, some foods take longer to kill you than others and that racism and oppression and colonialism have exactly nothing to do with the comparative healthfulness between a glass of water and a glass of clarified butter. That being said, I am eagerly -- kid on Christmas Eve eagerly -- waiting for LAUSD to send out a video saying I can drink whatever I want, too. If Gods from Napa Valley, we may just be in with a chance. Thomas Buckley is the former mayor of Lake Elsinore, Cal. and a former newspaper reporter. He is currently the operator of a small communications and planning consultancy and can be reached directly at planbuckley@gmail.com. You can read more of his work at: https://thomas699.substack.com/ Image: PublicDomainPictures.Net As Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts notes in his introduction, the primary question addressed by Lucass book, The Myth of Voter Suppression. The Left's Assualt on Clean Elections is this: [W]hy does the Democratic Party oppose free, fair, and credible elections? The short answer the author provides is that Democrats are much better at cheating and rigging elections than Republicans. Tammany Hall, the Chicago Daley machine, and Missouris Pendergast organization provide three historical examples. Thats not to say Republicans never engage in electoral shenanigans, of which cases Lucas provides several examples. But it is Democrats who consistently oppose measures designed to increase election integrity -- measures that even a former Democrat president, Jimmy Carter, advocated in 2005 when serving on a bipartisan commission co-chaired by former GOP Secretary of State James Baker. Two major recommendations of that commission were voter IDs and restrictions on mail-in voting, the latter being a process riddled with invitations to fraud, especially when corrupt voter rolls include dead persons, duplications, and folks whove moved elsewhere. Opportunities for fraud are multiplied when, as in California, ballot harvesting is permitted. Under this execrable practice (also known as vote trafficking) almost anyone can take custody of and deliver mail-in ballots to a mail box or voting receptacle -- a chain of custody nightmare that would have made Mayor Daleys day in 1960. By contrast, the top Democrat priority in 2021, HR-1 (mendaciously labeled a voting rights bill) would have eliminated most state voter ID laws, expanded ballot harvesting, mandated Election Day voter registration, and required no-excuse absentee voting in all states. Ironically, in 1977, first-term Delaware Senator Joe Biden opposed Election Day voter registration because it could lead to a serious increase in voter fraud. Fortunately, this For the People bill didnt survive a Senate filibuster but, as Lucas explains, Democrats continue to press for legislation that would essentially federalize elections and thus make their legitimacy as questionable as the COVID-rationalized measures that plagued the 2020 election. Lucas also notes that the whole idea of voter suppression is a myth designed to smear legal measures like voter IDs. No law actually mentions the term voter suppression, and the author cites numerous examples that debunk the Democrat narrative that ID laws diminish election participation. Indeed, most electoral evidence suggests ID laws actually increase participation and buttress voter confidence in election integrity. It is, of course, true that laws designed to increase election integrity do suppress fraud, which is doubtless a major reason Democrats oppose such laws that are common in Europe. Case in point: Today, Democrats routinely call seeking an accurate accounting of eligible voters suppression. Such an accounting would obviously suppress the votes of 25,975 dead people who were discovered on Michigans voter rolls, stiffs who would obviously prefer to vote by mail. A trip down memory lane reveals that political bosses have typically made arguments akin to those now proffered by the voter suppression crowd. Tammany Hall opposed cleaning up voting rolls in New York City (where more votes were cast than there were available voters). That same corrupt Big Apple machine also worked to get prisoners released to ensure they voted and even established a naturalization mill to instantly turn immigrants coming off boats into voters. Other strong-arm organizations campaigned against the secret ballot, which lessened their power to intimidate voters. Then there was 1864, when Democrats tried to use mail-in voting to defeat Republican President Abraham Lincoln. Today, the Brennan Center for Justice, along with the queen of the voter suppression hysteria industrial complex, Stacey Abrams, serve as the foremost Democrat voices for corrupt elections. Lucas provides scores of examples of fraud that actually affected the outcome of elections, thus disproving the Democrat-Media mantra that fraud in American elections, and especially the 2020 election, is almost nonexistent. While Lucas doesnt assert the 2020 POTUS election was stolen from President Trump, the examples he provides (including an eye-opening analysis by Professor John Lott of mail-in voting in adjacent, typically homogenous precincts) make it clear that that election was far from the most secure in American history. I should note that Lucas book is not and does not claim to be a thorough analysis of possible fraud in that election, but in my view the information he does provide indicates that its outcome could easily have been affected by the widespread use of mail-in ballots whose signatures werent carefully scrutinized and whose contents were frequently submitted for tabulation via vote harvesting. Given this evidence plus a whole chapter listing organizations that provide an endless supply of money and energy for the Democrat HR-1 election fraud agenda, I question the brief assertion made in Lucass first chapter that neither voter fraud or voter suppression currently pose an existential threat to the republic. The $400,000,000 supposedly nonpartisan Zuckerbucks that went overwhelmingly to Democrat precincts is only one of many 2020 illegalities that makes this existential observation less than reassuring. Indeed, the conclusion I drew from reading Lucass scrupulously researched analysis of election laws and practices is that voter fraud (not voter suppression) is an existential threat to the republic right now. The original Godfather movie is famous for the line, Leave the gun; take the cannoli. In this case Id say, Read the book but leave out the not-currently-an- existential-threat assessment. Richard Kirk is a freelance writer living in Southern California whose book Moral Illiteracy: "Who's to Say?" is also available on Kindle Image: Chad Davis Senate Republican Lindsey Graham proposed a bill to legalize elective abortions up to 15 weeks, and Democrats barked that this was more evidence of Republican extremism. The mainstream media headlined the bill as Republicans banning abortion nationwide. The 15-week limit was in the fine print. Still, it was a curious headline, because Graham's proposal is consistent with the desires of most Americans. Fifty-five percent oppose abortion in the second and third trimesters (13+ weeks). In the scheme of abortion laws around the world, the Republican position is moderate. It is Democrats seeking an abortion law with a gestational limit beyond 15 weeks who are extremists. Democrats are fond of comparing the United States to Europe when it comes to social spending. They'd be surprised at how abortion compares. In the European Union, the average gestational limit for an elective abortion is 12 weeks. Twelve weeks is not arbitrary. The second trimester begins at 13 weeks, which is when there are increasing concerns about medical complications, including infertility, and there are issues of morality and viability. In all but two countries Sweden and the Netherlands the limit is under 15 weeks. In two countries Poland and Malta abortion is prohibited. In Poland, there is an exception for rape, incest, and the health of a woman. Image: Sen. Lindsey Graham. YouTube screen grab. What about the Latin American homelands of many Americans? In Latin America, elective abortions are legal in four out of twenty-three countries: Argentina, Uruguay, Cuba, and Colombia. The gestational limit in weeks is 14, 12, 12, and 24, respectively. In 10 out of 32 states in Mexico, abortion has been decriminalized. In nine states, the gestational limit is 12 weeks, and in one it is 13 weeks. Abortion is banned in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. In the latter, a woman who has an abortion can be jailed for 630 years. On September 4, 2022, Chilean voters rejected a constitutional amendment giving women the right to elective abortions. Now Chilean women will have the same abortion restrictions as most women. Abortion is permitted in cases of rape, incest, and the health of a woman. The situation is similar in Africa, where 5 of 55 countries permit elective abortions up to 12 weeks, and 6 nations ban abortions. The rest permit abortions on socio-economic grounds and for the health of the mother. In the Middle East, only Turkey and Tunisia allow elective abortion, and this is for up to 10 and 13 weeks, respectively. In Southeast Asia, positions on abortion are all over the place. In Brunei, abortion is punishable by flogging. In 7 of 11 countries, it is available only to save a woman's life or in the case of rape. Elective abortions are available in Cambodia for up to 14 weeks, Thailand for 12 weeks, Vietnam for 22 weeks, and Singapore for 24 weeks. The gestational limits in Vietnam and Singapore (and Colombia) represent the extremes, and some of these abortions will more properly be labeled infanticides. With an emphasis on contraception and family planning, abortion is, however, extremely rare in Singapore. They aren't much on family planning in Vietnam, and most women have at least one abortion. Extreme gestational limits on abortion are often hailed as a victory for women's rights but not for the rights of the unborn, but in some countries, like China where women are not remotely equal to men, it has nothing to do with women's rights and everything to do with the government wanting to control the population. America has been accused on multiple occasions of using abortions to control the Black population. Blacks are 12.5% of the population but account for 38% of abortions. One can argue whether Graham's proposal is a good one. On the one hand, capping abortions at 15 weeks will stop America's descent into immorality with women boasting about having an abortion, states advertising abortion tourism, pretending a fetus has the feelings of a rock, or that infanticide is a woman's right. On the other hand, pro-life people will say the Supreme Court foreclosed any federal abortion laws and that a 15-week cut-off means that hundreds of thousands of abortions can still be performed annually. That's an important debate to have. What all must agree on, though, is that it's the Democrats, almost alone in the world, who support the extreme position on abortion, one that kills viable babies, elevates the risk of harm to a pregnant woman, ignores fetal pain, and disproportionately affects Blacks. Lately, lots of people have been sending me videos from the Babylon Bee, which is, to date, America's most honest and accurate newspaper. As does every conservative who wishes to remain sane, I regularly check out the Bee's headlines. However, I've been less good about their videos. It turns out, though, that the Bee has some good comic minds writing those videos. They are infinitely better than anything the two Jimmys (Kimmel and Fallon) produce or that comes from any of the other late-night TV hosts, who aren't fit to polish Johnny Carson's tombstone. To lighten our load a bit, I thought I'd share some videos with you. First, though, I must give you a glimpse of what's happened to the long-ago concept of lighthearted political comedy on the left. Aside from being viciously political, these comedians just aren't funny probably because they're victims of the very leftism they've fomented over the years. Most recently, we learned that "Jimmy Kimmel has been accused of utilizing white privilege after refusing to leave the stage during Quinta Brunson's victory speech at the 2022 Emmys." Image: Laughter by rawpixel. Kimmel's sin was just lying on the stage like a dead person. When I was a young'un, it would have been thought very amusing if a TV comedian had continued to clown on the stage during a show as boring as the Emmys. Indeed, it would have been disappointing if the comedian hadn't at least made the effort, even an effort as pathetic as Kimmel's. Those days are long gone. Kimmel's dead comedian joke during a point in an award show honoring comedy turned out to be a perfect metaphor for how the left has killed comedy: This picture pisses me off SO bad. pic.twitter.com/QyzSguMEhq (@furyofthegodz) September 13, 2022 Can't you hear each of the women in that picture saying, "That's not funny!"? And frankly, it isn't. If you want funny, you need to go to the Bee. There, you'll get these great headlines: Press Secretary Jean-Pierre Blindsided by Journalist Asking a Question Mike Lindell Still Holding Out Against FBI Inside MyPillow Fort And my personal favorite: King Charles Replaces Harry & Meghan With Two Corgis In Line of Succession I long thought of the Bee as a purely written site, but it turns out to have wonderful videos as well. Several people, knowing my California origins, sent me this one about Californians adjusting to living in Texas: There's also the spelling bee, another instant classic (and the Bee's most popular video): This one, though, about beating carpool lane rules, is my personal favorite: I always like to remember that, while the Americans took WWII very, very seriously, they understood that part of winning a war is demeaning (as opposed to just demonizing) the enemy. Humor does that: If WWII is anything to go by, the side with the best humor wins. And with the Babylon Bee on our side in the culture war currently being waged in the United States, we can't lose. I thought we all agreed to leave the satire to the professionals at The Babylon Bee? Well, apparently Gruesome Newsom didn't get the memo. In a video advertisement released on September 12, Newsom opened his monologue with "fellow Californians, I need to warn you" before he proceeded to express his concern that self-interested pseudo-elites were looking to scam the taxpayers. I mean, of course his primary concern is the little guy, because after all, he's a public servant. Does it get more ironic than that? The initiative in question is Proposition 30, a ballot measure that would raise taxes on those making over $2 million and redirect the confiscated wealth into Green Agenda government programs. Newsom dubbed the proposal a "cynical scheme to grab a huge taxpayer subsidy[.]" Regrettably, we're all very familiar with the remarkable level of hypocrisy concentrated among the minds of the collective left but Newsom takes this to new heights in the short span of thirty seconds. California Democrats are notorious for heavy taxation, punitive policy targeting small businesses, and poor fiscal management. According to a 2017 report put forth by the California Policy Center: We estimate that California state and local governments owe $1.3 trillion as of June 30, 2015. ... When added to the state's share of the national debt, we find that California taxpayers are shouldering debt burdens on par with residents of peripheral Eurozone states [emphasis added]. And this all preceded Newsom's ascension to the highest state office, and before the hallmark spending bills of a post-COVID Congress. But now we're expected to believe that Newsom empathizes with the exploited and struggling Californians, burdened by the yoke of tyrannical taxation? California has the highest rate for income tax! Give me a break. According to Newsom: Prop 30 is being advertised as a climate initiative, but in reality, it was devised by a single corporation, to funnel state income taxes to benefit their company. Put simply, Prop 30 is a Trojan Horse, that puts corporate welfare above the fiscal welfare of our entire state. I could be mistaken, but I don't recall him saying the same thing when companies in which he had ownership share placed corporate interests above those of the citizens and collected nearly $3 million in government handouts paid for by the taxpayer. And was this perhaps a Freudian slip? Recognizing that nefarious agendas are indeed disguised as "climate initiative[s]"? Well, no kidding! It's also worth noting that Prop 30 is on the ballot only because of the actions of Newsom and his communist comrades in the state's Fourth Branch: The ballot measure's campaign is paid for by the ride-hailing company Lyft. Last year, state regulators ordered companies like Lyft to make sure nearly all of their rides are in electric vehicles by 2030. Will this compel the Democrats to remove government from dictating within the private sector? I think it's safe to assume a resounding "no." Newsom has a well known reputation as a climate alarmist, and his tax-collecting policies are reminiscent of King George III, so to see him back a "no" vote on heavy-handed taxation to promote the Green Agenda is political paradox at its finest. Image: Twitter video screen grab. Hunter Biden is trying to scale down the child support he pays for his four-year-old daughter with Lunden Roberts, a former stripper in Arkansas. While Roberts seems to be a lovely mother, Hunter is a disgrace of a father, first refusing to acknowledge the child and then, despite living an excessive Los Angeles lifestyle for a couple of years, doing his best to stiff the little girl. One of the great mysteries about Hunter Biden is how he's able to get so many women into his bed. His first wife seems to have been a decent woman. Then he had an affair with his dead brother's widow. Somewhere along the line, he got into bed with Lunden Roberts, whom he impregnated, only to refuse to acknowledge the child of that union. Following that sordid (the only word) affair, Hunter suddenly married a seemingly successful South African filmmaker. Along the way, as his hard drive shows, he's also had an endless supply of paid women he's bedded. Let's just say I wouldn't ever want to shake his hand or even touch anything he's touched first. On top of this compulsive womanizing was Hunter's compulsive drug use. Again, as his hard drive shows, Biden used so many drugs that it's something of a miracle that he's still alive. Image: Hunter Biden. Through those years, there was always money, lots and lots of money. Thanks to his father's political connections and willingness to sell influence, literally tens of millions of dollars have passed through Hunter's hands. It's true that Hunter complains in one of the many missives on his hard drive that he was expected to help support an apparently greedy family with all this money, something that included giving half to Joe himself. However, Hunter's 50% was still more money than many people will see in a lifetime. Over the past three years, after having married his second wife, Hunter was living in a $12,000-a-month mansion in the Hollywood Hills and driving a very nice Porsche. In addition, his flirtation with "art" to prove he was off drugs was pretty lucrative. Five of his prints sold for $75,000 each. Other artworks were priced from $300,000 to $500,000. Nobody knows if those works sold and, if so, to whom or for how much. When it comes to poor little Navy, though, Hunter somehow can never find the money. In 2019, when Roberts was finally able to prove through DNA that Hunter is Navy's father, Hunter announced that he was too poor to pay for the child, despite all the money he's made. His claim was that his first wife and the three children they had together were draining him dry. Now he's back in court again, claiming he's too poor to pay for Navy's upkeep. In his motion, Hunter claims a "substantial material change" in his "financial circumstances, including but not limited to his income." I'm a cynical person, so I can think of a few reasons for this "substantial material change": one, he's started using again. It's a good bet that much of the money he earned in the past went into his crack pipe or up his nose. Addicts are notoriously unable to hang onto money, and Hunter was no exception. Two, now that Joe is completely in the spotlight in the Oval Office, Hunter's grift has finally ended. Joe can no longer put him in the path of foreign countries that want to buy influence in the White House. Three, Hunter deeply resents Roberts's daring to come after him a Biden! and is making her life difficult just to make her life difficult. The most exciting thing about this whole sordid, depressing affair is what Roberts's attorney has to say: "Ultimately, this is going to require us to look deeply, more deeply, into Hunter's finances." Yes, please! I can think of few things that could be more revealing for the entire Biden clan than a look at those finances. This would be a more informative search, I bet, than the FBI's tax fraud investigation will probably prove to be. Ultimately, there's something very wrong in the Biden family. Joe's two surviving children Ashley and Hunter have both had sex and drug problems. While I know Roberts wants a fair deal for her little Navy, and that it's incredibly insulting that Joe Biden pretends the child doesn't exist while Hunter keeps trying to stiff her, it strikes me that Roberts would be wisest to keep as far away as possible from the Bidens. Everybody who comes near Joe and Hunter seems to end up broken. The New York Times apparently never lets a story go to waste without inclusion of an anti-Trump remark. Accordingly, in the midst of Sarah Lyall's September 14 article that, in the print edition, carried this headline "Finding Comfort (and Forgiveness) in the Fullness of Time" on the apparent rapprochement of the people of the United Kingdom with the royal family since the death of Princess Di these words would propagandize the reader (or reassure the NYT base): "a violent mob nearly derailed the peaceful transfer of power in Washington in 2021[.]" Of course, this example of "fake news" in action does tend to support the Stalinist narrative that what happened at the Capitol on January 6, 2021 was "an insurrection," an "attempted coup." Julie Kelly, writing in American Greatness, is more to the point referring to the January 6 event as a "disturbance." Reading Lyall's insertion of disinformation in her rapprochement-with-the-royals article, it occurred to me: is this propagandist not familiar with the heavy-handed arrests of Trump aides by FBI partisan-agents, as, for example, happened to Peter Navarro last June? Mr. Navarro was handcuffed, denied food and water, and denied his right to call his attorney. Behold the true threat to democracy in the USA: the Democrat perpetrators of political repression. What was Peter Navarro charged with? Two misdemeanor counts of contempt of Congress. (Did Pelosi demand such harsh treatment of this former Trump adviser?) Further, what of the judicially overturned misconduct of zealous Democrat prosecutors as occurred just about nine years ago October 3, 2013, when Wisconsin conservatives endured a pre-dawn raid that included sheriffs' cars with bright lights focused on targeted homes and cops standing watch over the besieged families, denied the right to call their attorneys? This is what the self-anointed Democrats do not us MAGA folk. Fortunately, the assault on democracy in Wisconsin was tried before the late federal judge Rudolph T. Randa, in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Judge Randa (19402016) referred, only in passing, to the secret-police tactics of the Wisconsin (Democrat) officials. For present purpose, citation of portions of Judge Randa's opinion should educate the public how the Democrat party is the real threat to democracy in America. Judge Randa granted the plaintiffs, Eric O'Keefe and the Wisconsin Club for Growth, their motion for a preliminary injunction to protect them from further "John Doe" investigation in effect barring the Wisconsin prosecutors from continuing to harass the plaintiffs for partisan purposes. Right off the bat, Judge Randa signaled how he would decide, stating: "Defendants seek to criminalize the plaintiffs' speech under Wisconsin's campaign finance laws." Today, it is not paranoid to comprehend that Biden's administration, with the midterm elections less than two months away, seeks to criminalize the political speech of Republican Party officials and voters, with the added twist of the wheel: criminalizing Citizen Trump's continuation in politics. Judge Randa's opinion noted, further, that also on October 3, 2013, subpoenas were issued to Club for Growth officers and members, demanding Club records pursuant to a Secrecy Order. (Did the Department of Justice, in recently sending subpoenas to some 60 Trump aides, take instruction from the abusive treatment by Wisconsin rabid politicos of conservatives in the Badger State nine years ago?) What most bothered the Wisconsin "John Doe" prosecutors? Judge Randa's opinion indicates that they were enraged, most of all, that the Wisconsin conservatives intended "'to thwart attempts to recall Senate and Gubernatorial candidates." (This was at the time Wisconsin Democrats wanted to oust Gov. Scott Walker by recall vote.) Judge Randa incisively noted that laws to regulate First Amendment rights of free speech carry the danger that such legislation "may conceal self-interest." How is that "self-interest" made manifest? By throttling political opposition, I infer. The judge's opinion pointed out that Plaintiff O'Keefe, consequent to the John Doe investigation, the issuance of subpoenas, and the taint of the partisan probe, found himself in the political wilderness (just where the partisan prosecutors no doubt wanted him). Judge Randa's opinion, granting plaintiffs their request for a preliminary injunction against the Wisconsin prosecutors, ended with these words: "applying strict scrutiny to this case, plaintiffs have shown ... that their First Amendment rights are being infringed by the defendant's action." But, this observer asks, where do the Wisconsin conservatives go to regain their political strength? Nine years after the political persecution of conservatives in Wisconsin, this president has made clear that he intends to destroy the conservative movement by means of the base lie that we pose a threat to democracy in America. Fortunately, the Wisconsin conservatives had a principled judge committed to honoring to the fullest the terms of the Constitution. But these days, where Republicans in Congress apparently lack Judge Rudolph Randa's commitment to the Constitution, who will protect the country from Biden, Garland, and the rest of the foes of our Republic? Republicans in Congress, wake up. Our democracy our two-party system is at stake. Image via Pxhere. If Texas's governor can bus a few thousand denizens from Joe Biden's border surge into the sanctuary cities of New York and Washington, why can't Florida's governor go one better and start flying them to tony Martha's Vineyard in the sanctuary state of Massachusetts? Turns out he has, and now Martha's Vineyard gets to be the border state. According to Breitbart News: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is responsible for the two planes full of illegal immigrants that landed at Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts on Wednesday, according to Fox News. Approximately 48 migrants landed at Martha's Vineyard Airport Wednesday afternoon, the Vineyard Gazette reported. Although the Gazette reported the migrants came from Texas, DeSantis took credit for sending the migrants. "Yes, Florida can confirm the two planes with illegal immigrants that arrived in Martha's Vineyard today were part of the state's relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations," Desantis communications director Taryn Fenske told Fox News. "States like Massachusetts, New York and California will better facilitate the care of these individuals who they have invited into our country by incentivizing illegal immigration through their designation as 'sanctuary states' and support for the Biden administration's open border policies," Fenske said. It's a fitting response, given the elites' hypocrisy, being all for the entry of illegal aliens to other people's states, while advocating for this arrangement from their isolated and exclusive redoubts. Already Texas governor Greg Abbott's busing of migrants has prompted complaints from the mayors of the two metropolises that have been on the receiving end of the Biden migrant surge, based on his busings. Now that the migrants are going to the actual bedroom and vacation communities of the elites, the howls should go through the roof. Illegal migration, it turns out, has costs, huge economic ones, not just to the migrants themselves, who pay tens of thousands of dollars to Mexico's notorious cartels as illicit admission fees for a dangerous entry into the U.S. They also burden taxpayers. A recent study from the Federation for Immigration Reform (FAIR) found that each illegal migrant costs U.S. taxpayers upwards of $9,000 per year, with the current border surge since Joe Biden took office running up the taxpayer tab of $20.4 billion per year. The bulk of those costs are from those citizens who live in unguarded border states. It gets worse when one calculates the societal cost of crime and disorder. (The FAIR study already includes the cost of increased policing.) Increasingly, we are seeing crime rising and heinous crimes committed by the participants in the current border surge. A recent Venezuelan migrant went berserk in New York City, prompting the city to blame the police officer who attempted to stop him. In California, another illegal alien from Venezuela beheaded the mother of his children with a sword. The Venezuelans as a migrant group seem to have many criminals in their ranks, which appears to be a reflection of the massive crime in their own country. While some Venezuelans indeed may qualify for asylum, these people should not even been allowed in the country under Biden's catch-and-release policy. Releasing the slums of Caracas onto the people of Florida is a crime in itself. The violence seen coming from this group is striking it reminds me of the Marielito criminal onslaught that plagued Florida when Cuban dictator Fidel Castro emptied out his prisons and mental asylums in 1980, and a huge wave of criminals were foisted onto the U.S. Back then, Marielitos were eventually placed in special detention facilities until they could be sorted out in order to protect the public. That was simple use of law and order. The Venezuelans face no such brakes under the Biden administration, and Biden himself is exerting no pressure on Venezuela to take the criminals among them back, which is what past presidents have done when Castro acted out. Venezuela is actually refusing to take back any nationals from its country and suffering no consequences for it, even though that would seem to be the commonsense thing for a president who observes law and order, if not his own polling numbers, to do. Well, now Martha's Vineyard can take a few thousand illegal migrants from Venezuela and elsewhere via Florida and see what that does to their property values. What we have here is a studied pressure move to take the costs of illegal immigration to the supporters of illegal immigration to show them what states such as Florida have experienced and paid. Maybe it will get their attention. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. When a political faction establishes indiscriminate murder of the most vulnerable human beings as a pillar of policy, it's safe to say that calls encouraging wanton violence against its political opponents is not a stretch in morality. In response to Lindsey Graham's proposed legislation to codify abortion into law so long as the execution occurs before the 15th week of the pre-born child's life, crazy Mazie the Democrat made some choice remarks: Democrat Senator Mazie Hirono delivers "literally a call to arms" against pro-life Americans pic.twitter.com/d4Ji7iwCyE RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 14, 2022 In an effort to ensure there was no ambiguity, Hirono emphasized the "literal" nature of what could rightfully be taken as a call to violence (after all, a "call to arms" is a rallying cry for armed combat). She vocally asserted that the appeal was, in fact, meant to be taken "literally." (After scanning Twitter for a good five minutes looking for condemnation from anyone in GOP or elected Republican leadership, expectedly, I came up snake eyes.) Speaking to Hirono's indiscretionary remarks, David Freiheit, a well respected attorney and content creator, said: Undoubtedly, @maziehirono was employing the @maddow literally when saying this is literally a call to arms. But when Trump says to protest peacefully, its literally a call to arms. https://t.co/QgQpbn9fiz Viva Frei (@thevivafrei) September 14, 2022 As far as I can tell, Hirono's rhetoric received zero backlash from her fellow Democrats. In light of that, it sure sounds as though the Democrat consensus is, "If you won't let us kill babies, then we'll kill you." In a political climate of serious violence levied against pro-life establishments since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which occurred less than three month ago (one figure put the number of attacks against pregnancy resource centers and churches at 94), comments like Hirono's are acutely sanctimonious and beyond irresponsible. Hirono still blubbers about January 6 and in one tweet even questioned how Republicans could "look at themselves in the mirror" after experiencing the "violence" of the day's events. In a statement issued this past January, she described the date as a "horrific day" and the protest as a "physical attack" before dropping this little bomb of hypocrisy: Watching armed militia members storm the Capitol was shocking and will undoubtedly have a profound and lasting impact on our country. Apparently to Hirono, Americans exercising their God-given rights secured by the supreme law of the land, while also setting foot inside the public property exclusively occupied by the political aristocracy and their vassals, is unacceptable after all, the peasants should know their place but "literally" issuing a "call to arms" against pro-life citizens is appropriate? The "intellect" of some Democrats can be rather perplexing. Here's a rhetorical question: where's the FBI? Image: Twitter video screen grab. Netflix is in a troubling spot right now. Having posted a loss of 1.17 million subscribers throughout 2022 so far. Netflix has not posted losses of subscribers, really ever, before 2022. So that prompted the company to start looking at an ad-supported tier, that could be cheaper. That is because the ads would off-set the difference in costs. Now, a new report from the Wall Street Journal says that Netflix is projecting about 40 million unique viewers by this time next year, due to the new ad-supported tier. Apparently, these new numbers were shared with ad buyers. It focuses primarily on the US, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Spain and the UK. Its important to note that unique viewers is different from subscribers, since many people share their Netflix subscription with others in their household. Advertisement Netflix still has not confirmed how much this new plan would cost Netflix hasnt yet confirmed how much this new ad-supported tier would cost, though many are expecting it to be priced under $10 per month. Likely closer to $7 or $8. Which, if Netflix can keep it that low, they may get even more subscribers. As much as we all hate seeing ads, many would prefer to pay less for a streaming service with ads, than to pay more for one without. Which is why were seeing so many other services offering an ad-supported tier and an ad-free tier. Like HBO Max, which does ads for $9.99 per month, and ad-free for $14.99 per month. The troubling part for Netflix however, is that most of the content it licensed cannot be run with ads. which means the ad-supported tier may not have as big of a library. This is because a lot of studios will offer different licensing for those services that run ads versus those that dont. This is primarily because studios will get a cut of the ads. With Netflix, they didnt have ads all this time, so now they are reworking these deals with different studios. Advertisement The ad-supported tier of Netflix is expected to start rolling out by the end of 2022. Zoom may be planning to expand beyond videoconferencing and develop into a full productivity suite. According to The Information, the company is preparing to launch email and calendar apps before the end of this year. The new products may arrive at its annual Zoomtopia conference in November. Zooms email and calendar apps are internally known as Zmail and Zcal, respectively. The company has reportedly spent the better part of two years on the development of these services, which suggests the work began as soon as the videoconferencing giant peaked during the early waves of the coronavirus pandemic. It has kept the development a secret even within the organization. Most Zoom employees are unaware of Zmail and Zcal, which may not necessarily be their market names. However, a person with direct knowledge of the plans told The Information that Zoom could launch its first-party email and calendar apps during the Zoomtopia conference a couple of months later. Of course, there hasnt been any official communication from the company regarding this. But if true, we may hear more about the plans, albeit unofficially, in the coming weeks. Advertisement Zoom could be making a full suite of productivity tools Zoom debuted as a videoconferencing tool and grew in popularity during the coronavirus pandemic. It has since expanded its services to offer chat and collaboration tools, as well as features like a whiteboard. However, at its core, Zoom is a videoconferencing tool and people mostly use it in conjunction with productivity suites such as Google Workspace and Microsoft Office 365. These services offer everything from email and calendar to videoconferencing, chat, collaboration, and other productivity tools. As the new report notes, people use appointment links from calendars or email services provided by Google and Microsoft to join online meetings on Zoom. Since both Google and Microsoft offer videoconferencing tools, they can easily eat into Zooms market. The company is seemingly looking to address that limitation in its services. By offering its in-house email and calendar apps, Zoom could reduce reliance o third-party services for bringing people onto its platform. Of course, it isnt an easy task to try and make people switch from Gmail or Outlook to an unknown Zoom email client. But the company seemingly sees these developments as essential to stay afloat during these trying times. After taking during the pandemic, Zoom has somewhat stagnated. Time will tell whether the launch of in-house email and calendar apps brings any change to its fortune. Advertisement Zoomtopia 2022 is scheduled to take place on November 8 and 9 at the San Jose Convention Center in California. (ANSA) - ROME, SEP 15 - The number of new COVID-19 cases and coronavirus hospital admissions stayed on a downward trend in Italy in the week of September 7-13, according to the weekly monitoring report of the GIMBE medical foundation. It said the number of new cases was down 12.9% with respect to the previous week. COVID-linked admissions to intensive-care units were down by 11.9%. Admissions of coronavirus patients to ordinary hospital wards dropped 13.3%. Coronavirus-linked deaths fell by 14.3%, the report said. "The slow decrease in the number of new cases has been taking place for four weeks and is around 108,000 (a week), with a daily average of around 15,000," said GIMBE President Nino Cartabellotta. The report criticised the government's COVID plan for the reopening of Italy's schools after the summer holidays. It said the arrangements were too vague and put too much responsibility on schools. It said this issue had not received sufficient attention amid the campaign for the September 25 general election. It said the plan was "inadequate" and there was a risk of a "significant impact on the circulation of the virus and on public health". Italy's pupils no longer have to wear facemasks and respect social distancing at school. (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, SEP 15 - Italy has registered 17,978 new COVID-19 cases and 60 coronavirus-linked deaths in the last 24-hour period, the health ministry said on Thursday. That was down from 18,854.new cases and 69 deaths on Wednesday. The ministry said 12.2% of the COVID tests done in the last 24 hours were positive, up from 11% on Wednesday. (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, SEP 15 - 5-Star Movement (M5S) leader Giuseppe Conte said Thursday that there was a risk insinuations about Russian funding to political parties could contaminate the campaign for Italy's September 25 general election. According to a US intelligence report, Russia has given over $300 million to foreign parties, officials and politicians in more than 20 countries since 2014. Adolfo Urso, the president of the Italian parliament's Copasir intelligence oversight body, has said that there was no news of Italy being involved in the US report at the moment. Brothers of Italy (FdI) leader Giorgia Meloni and League leader Matteo Salvini said Wednesday that they have never accepted money from Moscow. "I wouldn't like the election campaign to be polluted by these insinuations and conjectures, which I hope are all false," ex-premier Conte told reporters in Bari. "It is necessary to handle this issue with care, not toss on the floor of a delicate, complex election campaign". (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, SEP 15 - United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to outgoing Italian Premier Mario Draghi on Thursday and thanked him for the contribution he has made on the international arena while at the helm of the Italian government. "Great to speak with Prime Minister Draghi this morning about our close and enduring partnership with Italy," Blinken said via Twitter. "I thanked him on behalf of the United States for his leadership through a critical moment in European and world history". A State Department statement added that Blinken thanked Draghi specifically for "Italy's strong support for Ukraine. "The Secretary underscored the importance of maintaining solidarity and resilience in the face of Russia's efforts to use energy and other means to divide countries that support Ukraine," the statement said. The statement also said that Blinken stressed Washington's "commitment to working with the next Italian government on the broad range of our shared interests". Italy is holding a general election on September 25. (ANSA). Lithuania: defense budget will exceed 2.5% of GDP From next year (ANSA) - BELGRADE, SEP 15 - Lithuania's defense budget will exceed 2.5 percent of GDP over the next year, according to Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas in a radio interview. In July, the parties represented in parliament signed an agreement pledging to lend the defense sector no less than 2.5% of GDP. President Gitanas Nausda then asked parliament to increase the budget to 3% of GDP. (ANSA). Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved NAPLES - The Mediterranean Exchange of Archaeological Tourism (BMTA), now at its twenty-fourth edition, will focus on Underground Archaeology launching the First National Meeting of Underground Cities with a view to highlight caves, crypts, catacombs, galleries and labyrinths. One of this edition's novelties, which will run from 27 to 30 October, in Paestum, will be hosted at the prestigious location of the Cafasso Tobacco Factory, at the archaeological site, at the National Museum and in the Basilica, showcasing 150 booths. Among these, there are 18 that come from regional territories (from 12 different regions, Rome and the Ministry of Culture, with 500 square meters dedicated to autonomous Parks and Museums), 20 foreign countries, 30 European and national buyers selected by ENIT (the Italian Government Tourist Board). The agenda includes a total of 80 conferences with 500 speakers. The Ministry of Culture will launch, on its premises, the candidacy of the Via Appia Antica (the ancient Appian Way), in its integral path from Rome to Brindisi, including a Trajan variant, to register to be listed as one of UNESCO's world heritages. The BMTA, once again, will implement best practices to develop sustainable and experiential tourism. This is to support institutions and local administrations and employer's organizations realize these objectives. There will also be a Conference on the support of the PNRR (the National Recovery and Resilience Plan) in favor of touristic and archaeological locations. This will take place in collaboration with Italy's Office at the European Parliament. Another theme that will be highlighted is ArcheoIncoming work, that aims to increase touristic demand at European and national level through specialized tour operators who will interact with autonomous state Park and Museum Directors on Thursday, 27 October. Territories are at the center of this edition, with the International Archaeological Discovery Award named after "Khaled al-Asaad", to honor the archaeologist in Palmyra, Syria, who paid with his life to safeguard the cultural heritage of the place. This edition will award the "discovery of the year 2021". Among the many prestigious international guests of this year's edition are: Ahmed Farouk Ghoneim, Director of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Dimitrios Pandermalis, President of the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Fatma Nait Yghil, Director of the Bardo Museum in Tunis and Zahi Hawass, archaeologist and previously Minister of Antiquity and Director of the Giza digs, Saqqara and the Valley of the Kings. The International Prize for Underwater Archeology, "Sebastiano Tusa", at its second edition, will be awarded to the most innovative project implemented by Institutions, Museums and Archaeological Parks, for the best journalistic contribution with regard to its divulgation and as an award for a life's work and carreer. The Queens committal service in St Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle, will feature traditions symbolising the end of Elizabeth IIs reign. A congregation of 800 people including the King, the royal family, realm prime ministers, governors-general and mourners from the Queens household past and present, including personal staff from across her private estates, will gather in the gothic church on Monday. The service will take place at 4pm, just hours after the state funeral in Westminster Abbey. (PA Graphics) The Queens coffin will be driven from London to Windsor in the state hearse, and make its way up the Long Walk, which will be lined with members of the Armed Forces. The King and other royals will join the procession on foot behind the hearse in the castles quadrangle, with the Queen Consort, the Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Sussex and the Countess of Wessex following by car. During the service, which will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor David Conner, the Imperial State Crown, the orb and the sceptre will be lifted from the Queens coffin by the Crown Jeweller, separating the Queen from her crown for the final time. With the help of the Bargemaster and Serjeants-at-Arms, the priceless Crown Jewels will be passed to the Dean who will place them on the High Altar. At the end of the last hymn, the King will step forward and place the Grenadier Guards Queens Company Camp Colour a smaller version of the Royal Standard of the Regiment on the coffin. The Grenadier Guards are the most senior of the Foot Guards regiments and the Queen was their Colonel in Chief. (PA Graphics) Only one Royal Standard of the Regiment is presented during a monarchs reign, and it served as the Queens Company Colour throughout her lifetime. At the same time, former MI5 spy chief Baron Parker the Lord Chamberlain and the most senior official in the late Queens royal household will break his Wand of Office and place it on the coffin. The ceremonial breaking of the white staff signifies the end of his service to the Queen as sovereign. As the coffin is lowered into the royal vault, the Dean of Windsor will say a psalm and the commendation before the Garter King of Arms pronounces the many styles and titles of the Queen. The Sovereigns Piper will play a lament from the doorway between the chapel and the Deans Cloister and walk slowly away so the music gradually fades. The Archbishop of Canterbury will pronounce the blessing, and God Save The King will be sung. The Queens coffin adorned with the Imperial State Crown (Christopher Furlong/PA) The King and members of the royal family will leave via the Galilee Porch, but will return for a private burial service in the evening, when the Queen will be interred alongside her late husband the Duke of Edinburgh in the King George VI Memorial Chapel in St Georges. A committal service is perhaps the most solemn moment of a Church of England funeral service, and it usually takes place at the graveside, in a crematorium chapel or in the church before a burial or cremation. The majority of those attending St Georges Chapel will not have been in the funeral service at Westminster Abbey. Many of the household and private estate staff spent years working for and supporting the late monarch, with the committal service a chance to pay their last respects. Prayers will be said by the Rector of Sandringham, the Minister of Crathie Kirk and the Chaplain of Windsor Great Park, and by the Dean of Windsor. The state hearse will approach the castle through Shaw Farm Gate on Windsors Albert Road, moving via the Long Walk, Cambridge Gate, Cambridge Drive, George IV Gate, Quadrangle (South and West sides), Engine Court, Norman Arch, Chapel Hill, Parade Ground and Horseshoe Cloister Arch. The Queen with Baron Parker, who will ceremonially break his white staff over the coffin (Victoria Jones/PA) Leading the procession and walking ahead of the coffin will be a dismounted detachment of the Household Cavalry Regiment, followed by a mounted division of the Sovereigns Escort, a Massed Pipes and Drums of Scottish and Irish Regiments, the Bands of the Coldstream Guards and the Household Cavalry, officers of the Household Division, the Kings, Heralds and Pursuivants of Arms and members of the Queens personal staff. In the centre of the procession, the state hearse will be flanked by the Pall Bearers and an Escort Party consisting of two officers and 24 rank and file of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. The Queens Company Colour, the Royal Standard of the Regiment of Grenadier Guards, and a Sovereigns Standard of the Household Cavalry, will be positioned in the front and rear of the hearse. To the rear of the coffin will be members of the Queens, the Kings and the Prince of Waless households, followed by further mounted and dismounted detachments of the Household Cavalry. Minute Guns will be fired by The Kings Troop, Royal Horse Artillery from a position on the East Lawn as the coffin moves in procession from Shaw Farm Gate to the West Steps of St Georges. Both the Sebastopol Bell captured in Crimea in 1856 and the Curfew Tower Bell will be tolled concurrently at the castle. As mourners queued overnight to pay their respects to the Queen, thousands of military personnel in ceremonial uniform took part in a full rehearsal for the procession of her coffin from Westminster Hall to Wellington Arch. The sound of bagpipes began at 2.45am, signalling the start of the procession (Danny Lawson/PA) The State Gun Carriage was towed by almost 100 naval personnel and bore a black coffin during the early morning rehearsal (Gareth Fuller/PA) Several members of the Household Cavalry on horseback took part in the rehearsals (Danny Lawson/PA) Drums and trumpets accompanied the procession and could be heard from streets away, as the rest of the city remained largely silent (Gareth Fuller/PA) The Scots Guards marched away from New Palace Yard and on to the abbey, and were followed by the sailors pulling the gun carriage using white ropes, and several members of the Household Cavalry on horseback. The procession travelled from Westminster Hall on to Westminster Abbey (Danny Lawson/PA) The rehearsal took place before sunrise on Thursday morning (Gareth Fuller/PA) Four soldiers stood either side of the coffin as it was taken into Westminster Abbey, where indoor procedures were also rehearsed (Gareth Fuller/PA) The state funeral will take place in Westminster Abbey at 11am on Monday, before the procession makes its way to Wellington Arch and then on to Windsor Castle. Many of Londons streets had been sealed off for the operation (Danny Lawson/PA) A pottery with strong royal connections has launched hand-painted commemorative mugs marking the death of the Queen. Staff at Emma Bridgewater, who have begun painstaking work on the pieces, have spoken of their honour at being chosen for the task, as the nation mourns after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The factory in Lichfield Street, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, has close ties with the royal family. In 2015, the now Princess of Wales, Kate, visited the works. Sponge-painter Rachel Matthews, who is decorating 30 mugs every hour (Richard Vernalls/PA) Two years later, the future King Charles III, on a tour of Stoke-on-Trent and Middleport Pottery, unveiled a plaque designed by Emma Bridgewater commemorating his visit to the then Princes Trust in Hanley. Charles and the Queen Consort, then the Duchess of Cornwall, also visited the works in 2010. The factory has been creating porcelain designs marking important royal events for years, including most recently for the Queens Platinum Jubilee earlier this year. The then Duchess of Cambridge, Kate, walks with Emma Bridgewater and her husband Matthew Rice, during a visit to the factory in 2015 (Oli Scarff/PA) Since the announcement of the Queens death a week ago, collectors have been eager to have a memento marking the loss of Britains longest-reigning monarch. In response, designers have produced two sponge-printed motifs, both incorporating the heraldic lion and unicorns from the royal crest, the Tudor rose and the Imperial State Crown. One bears the name of the monarch, while the other can be personalised with a message. The then Prince of Wales, Charles, taking part in sponge-painting with local schoolchildren, during a previous visit to Emma Bridgewater (Arthur Edwards/The Sun) Stephen Beeston, head of production at the pottery, said: This is something we first started producing this morning. We produce everything by hand and this is decorated by hand. These designs are done by the design department we then have to cut the sponges out. We then apply those (sponges) on to the biscuit (the un-fired pottery mug). Thats one of the advantages this process is very responsive, he said, adding the mugs went from design, to kiln and into distribution in only a couple of days. When production reaches full tilt, up to 1,500 a day can be made, with a single sponge-painter getting through up to 30 an hour. The base mark on the commemorative mugs (Richard Vernalls/PA) We have an initial plan to do 5,000 and then well just monitor sales from there, he said. He added: This is a tradition in the pottery industry, that we have always made commemorative pieces to mark all sorts of royal occasions. We commemorated the Silver, Golden, Diamond and of course earlier this year, the Platinum Jubilee. Today, were marking and recognising the long service of the Queen to this country and the Commonwealth. He said the factorys ties with the royals made staff pleased and proud. It had been a difficult and challenging week for the workforce, but the current production run has given us an opportunity to say thank you (to the Queen), thank you for being an inspiration and an example for everybody. Rachel Matthews, a sponge-painter who has worked at the pottery for 10 years and met Kate during her visit, was applying the design to unfinished mugs. Mrs Matthews described the trickiest part of the process as applying the Queen Elizabeth II writing, which is cut on to one sponge, to the curved side of the mug without smudging the paint. The first time I did that, it was quite nerve-racking, she added. Of the Queens death, she said: I felt quite emotional, it hit me more than I thought actually. Even though we didnt know her personally, it feels like it were all affected in some ways. Its been a very sad and strange week. Thousands of mourners are continuing to join the miles-long queue to pay their respects to the Queen as she lies in state at Westminster Hall. Many have queued overnight for the chance to file past the monarchs coffin after it was handed to the care of the nation on Wednesday afternoon. By 10am on Thursday, the queue was around three miles long and stretched past London Bridge to HMS Belfast. The coffin, which sits on a catafalque and is draped with a Royal Standard, continues to be guarded at all hours by units from the Sovereigns Bodyguard, the Household Division or Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London. One of the guards suddenly collapsed overnight, with nearby officials quickly rushing to his aid after he appeared to faint. The largely black-clad crowd were solemn and pensive as they flowed into the ancient hall where chandeliers and spotlights illuminated the scene beneath the medieval timber roof. The bearer party carries the coffin into Westminster Hall (Christopher Furlong/PA) As hundreds of ordinary people of all ages filed past the coffin of the long-reigning monarch, many wiped their eyes with tissues. Some bowed, some curtsied and some simply took a moment to look at the extraordinary scene. Former prime minister Theresa May and her husband Philip were among those paying their respects on Thursday morning. Metropolitan Police officers, volunteers and stewards are managing the queue, with people waiting in line given a coloured and numbered wristband. On Wednesday afternoon, the King led the royal family in a public display of homage by walking behind the Queens coffin during a procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall for the lying in state. Charles then returned to his Highgrove home in Gloucestershire on Wednesday evening. He will have a private day of reflection on Thursday and is not expected to attend any public events. In the detailed planning for the aftermath of the Queens death known as London Bridge a day was set aside at this point for the new monarch to have some time away from public duties. The period will allow the King to pause, but it is understood he will be working in preparation for his new role and will already be receiving his red boxes of state papers. The Prince and Princess of Wales will visit Sandringham to view floral tributes left by members of the public. Thousands of people have visited the Norfolk estate to pay their respects, with tributes having piled up by the Norwich Gates to Sandringham House since news of the Queens death was announced last Thursday. Floral tributes at the gates of Sandringham House in Norfolk (Sam Russell/PA) The Earl and Countess of Wessex will travel to Manchester, where they will light a candle in memory of the Queen at the citys cathedral. They will also view the floral tributes in St Anns Square and the book of condolence at Manchesters Central Library. The Princess Royal, accompanied by her husband Sir Tim Laurence, will visit Glasgow City Chambers to meet representatives of organisations of which the Queen was patron. Meanwhile, final preparations for the Queens funeral have been taking place in London, as thousands of military personnel took part in a full rehearsal early on Thursday morning for the procession of her coffin from Westminster Hall to Wellington Arch. The rehearsal took place before sunrise and saw the State Gun Carriage, towed by almost 100 naval personnel and bearing a black coffin, travel from Westminster Hall, on to Westminster Abbey, and then through central London. Hundreds of people have flocked to the famous Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles to pay their respects at a tribute for the Queen. A simple floral wreath surrounding a photo of the monarch was put up following the historic news on Thursday. People began arriving at the cemetery over the weekend after the tributes photo was posted online and venue staff say there are further plans to remember the Queen on Monday the day of her state funeral in London. Theodore Hovey, family service counsellor at Hollywood Forever, said it had been amazing to see the monarchs impact. We thought there was a public need to express respect and so we put up a beautiful wreath and her photo, he told the PA news agency. We posted it on our Facebook and Instagram and hundreds of people showed up the next day just to see a photo, a photo of someone weve seen a lot. Its amazing how much impact she had. The cemetery is the final resting place of Hollywood royalty, including Judy Garland, Burt Reynolds, Mickey Rooney and Johnny and Dee Dee Ramone (Mike Bedigan/PA) Mr Hovey added that details for Mondays tribute were not yet finalised, but that it would probably be very simple. This is a place where we celebrate not just the dead but peoples lives and so it seemed a very appropriate venue for an expression of respect and care, he told PA. Specially made memory cards, featuring a picture of the Queen and the lyrics to I Vow To Thee My Country, were made available to the public for free at the venue. The cemetery is the final resting place of Hollywood royalty, including Judy Garland, Burt Reynolds, Mickey Rooney and Johnny and Dee Dee Ramone. More recently actress Anne Heche and cinematographer Halyna Hutchins were also interred there. The Earl and Countess of Wessex have lit candles at Manchester Cathedral in memory of the Queen. Crowds in the city gave Edward and Sophie a warm welcome on Thursday as they also viewed floral tributes in St Anns Square and a book of condolence at the Central Library. The couple travelled to Manchester a day after they paid their respects with the rest of the royal family at Westminster Hall, where the Queen is lying in state. Members of the public have flocked to the cathedral since the monarchs death to sign a book of condolence and light a candle. The Earl of Wessex lays a floral tribute in St Anns Square, Manchester, following the death of the Queen (Peter Byrne/PA) The earl and countess were invited by the Dean of Manchester, the Very Rev Rogers Govender, and the Bishop of Manchester, David Walker, to each light a candle. They were also shown photographs of the Queens last visit to the cathedral, to mark the 600th anniversary celebration of the collegiate church in July 2021. Earlier, city council leader Bev Craig showed Edward and Sophie similar books of condolences opened at the librarys reading room, where they also looked at a number of cards written by local children. The royal couple then moved on to St Anns Square which, in May 2017, was filled with bouquets of flowers and heartfelt messages and tributes in the wake of the Manchester Arena bombing in which 22 people were killed. Floral tributes and messages of condolence have been left in the square again in large numbers in memory of the Queen. Edward lay a floral tribute as he inspected the bouquets surrounding the statue of free trade campaigner Richard Cobden. The Countess of Wessex meets members of the public as she views floral tributes in St Anns Square, Manchester (Peter Byrne/PA) The Queens youngest son shook hands with people lining the square as they offered their condolences, while Sophie embraced one young well-wisher. Council employee Juliet Felstead, 27, who is leading a team of volunteers overlooking the site, spoke to Edward. She said: He was just really grateful for all of the volunteers who have been out over the week to oversee the tributes. They were both touched by all the messages and the kindness that has been shown. We have seen a steady stream of people, with many sharing their memories of the Queen, including some ex-service personnel. Its meant a lot to people. The cards and messages will be saved and later archived at Manchester Art Gallery, as the Arena bombing tributes were. Edward and Sophie spoke to onlookers at each of the three stops on their visit. Outside the cathedral one woman said to the earl: We really appreciate you coming we are just so sorry for your loss. She offered her hand which Edward shook and then told her: Thank you. The royal couple continued to greet members of the public and thank them for their support before the crowd clapped and cheered as they departed the city. America's Got Talent has crowned a new champion! On Wednesday night's live finale, The Mayyas were declared the winner of season 17, and were awarded with a $1 million prize and a headlining gig at AGT's Las Vegas show. The Lebanese female dance troupe immediately impressed judge Sofia Vergara and earned her Golden Buzzer. "No matter what the outcome in this competition is, already us being here on the biggest stage in the world, as the first Lebanese dance team to be here is already a prize for us," the group's founder, Nadim Cherfan told ET's Denny Directo after their finale performance Tuesday night. "We are proud of each other, so no matter what the outcome is we are all winners." Cherfan noted that the ongoing struggles in her group's home country make the experience all the more meaningful. "We come from a country where, right now, surviving day today is crucial for us," she said. "When you come from such a place like Lebanon, it's going into its darkest time now... to be able to stand here, this is why I think the girls were really emotional. We didnt have time to dream in Lebanon, and now we're here and are living the dream." The runner-up was Kristy Sellers, who wowed time and time again with her pole dancing routines, which incorporate acrobatics, immersive animation, and technology. Following her impressive finale performance, the Australian dancer told ET's Denny Directo that she thought she did "something that will connect with people." "I created it for my daughter," she said of her performance. "I don't know if shes old enough to really understand what I did, but its there forever now. Thats the great thing about it. Its a little time capsule, a little gift that if shes ever down she can just look at it and remember." As for what she'd do with the million-dollar prize, Seller said, "I'd actually really like to get a bus that you can live in and go on a trip with the family. I thought that would be really cool." However, the real prize, Sellers told ET, "has always been the Vegas show." "Thats what I really want. The money is incredible, dont get me wrong, wouldn't mind it, but the reason I entered this competition was for the Vegas act. Its what you cant win on any other talent show in the world." See more of ET's AGT coverage below. RELATED CONTENT: 'AGT': Magicians, Comedians and Knife Throwers Shine in 5th Qualifier Sofia Vergara Gushes Over Americas Got Talent Co-Judge Heidi Klum 'AGT': 2nd Night of Live Rounds Bring Out Some Epic Performances The model minority stereotype may depict Asian Americans as uniformly successful, but a new report exposes how the racial group continues to struggle with advancement in the workplace, particularly Asian American women. New analysis released by the management consulting company McKinsey found that while Asian Americans are heavily represented in corporate jobs, their presence drops off significantly at the board of director level, with Asian American women experiencing a particularly severe drop, at 80%. Its not the responsibility of Asian women to fix all of the issues that affect Asian women, said Michael Chui, a partner at McKinsey who co-authored the study. "It is the responsibility of all of us. And to the extent to which there are more men, we who are men need to help address this problem. The racial group, particularly those who are immigrants, is overrepresented in low-paying occupations, including manicurists and cooks. But it is also overrepresented in high-paying professions like the tech industry, with the simultaneous demographics contributing to the highest income inequality among races in the U.S. The report pointed out further inequalities among the 8.8 million Asian Americans in the workforce. Even though they start off overrepresented by more than two times compared to their share of the population at the entry level, Asian American representation drops off by more than half overall at the board of director level. And among the Fortune 500 companies, 22 are led by Asian Americans. Asian American women meet uniquely strong resistance to advancement by being penalized for being both people of color and women. According to the research, the share of promotions for Asian women is 1 for every 2 Asian men at the senior manager level, dropping to 1 for every 6 Asian men at the C-suite executive level. Margaret Chin, a sociologist and the author of Stuck: Why Asian Americans Dont Reach the Top of the Corporate Ladder, said that in addition to contending with general sexist stereotypes in the workplace, Asian women are often hypersexualized and further typecast as hyperfeminine, acquiescent and compliant, keeping them from being in contention for leadership roles. For Asian American women, its impossible to be right, Chin said. You have a whole group of people who may put you up for leadership, but somebody might have some of these types of images of you. Such ideas are compounded by the motherhood penalty, Chin said, which merges with stereotypes around Asian parenting to keep women back. Some Asian American women she has spoken to have reported that the tiger mom stereotype, which assumes Asian women are strict, demanding and unfeeling caregivers, can harm their advancement in the workplace. Many are seen as overly preoccupied with parenting rather than work, Chin said. Theyre focused on making sure their kids are competitive and the best, Chin said. Not only that, but theyre harsh on their kids, too. And with these other stereotypes, you dont want somebody harsh to be your boss. It just works against Asian American women. Another major issue that affects Asian American women, and the racial group more generally, is the failure to be properly networked in organizations, Chin said. Networking isnt necessarily emphasized in Asian American families, even though its a significant aspect of business in their home countries, like China. Part of that is due to immigrant families belief in the American Dream and the idea of meritocracy thats central to it, Chin said. The way theyre brought up is that theyre American. And part of the American story is to pull yourself up by your own bootstraps, Chin said. But you cant really do that, because what that story leaves out is that a lot of people have been here for generations. Their parents may be lawyers, corporate executives, or they know people and they get information from them. Chin added: For the Asian Americans who dont have access to that information, they dont know. They just know the American Dream story. With Asian American women so scarcely found in leadership roles or effective networking circles, its even less likely for such information to be passed down among them, said Nadia Kim, a professor of sociology and Asian and Asian American studies at Loyola Marymount University. Those who do rise in the workplace, Kim said, end up feeling grateful because of the underrepresentation around them, and others may feel unworthy to discuss or challenge their superiors about the possibility of discrimination when they havent ascended. If Asian Americans and, in particular, women are not seeing themselves represented in upper management, how confident are they going to be about their own abilities? said Kim, who emphasized that its also critical to discuss Asian American underrepresentation in leadership, from social justice to schools. How much are they going to speak back when theyre not gradually promoted stepwise? The report found that companies are doing little to remedy such disparities, in part because diversity, equity and inclusion programs often dont include Asian Americans due to the myth that they are already well represented in senior roles. When data about Asian Americans is collected, its often not sufficiently disaggregated, and the variation in circumstances within the racial group across ethnic groups, education levels and gender isnt reflected, Chui said. If you paint the Asian American experience with one broad brush, if you treat this group as a monolith and you dont look at the entire distribution, you wont be able to actually help the people who need help, he said. Chui emphasized that in addition to getting better data to identify disparities, another solution is for others in leadership roles to more proactively take on the responsibility of sponsoring Asian Americans in the workplace by creating more opportunities for them. Congress is making one last push to curb lawmakers stock trades. "We believe we have a product that we can bring to the floor this month, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi confirmed Wednesday, noting that talks are making progress on the effort to stop lawmakers' trading activities on the grounds that they have access to non-public information. But behind the scenes, negotiators have been unable to agree so far on a proposal that would fold a provision forcing Supreme Court justices to file more detailed financial disclosure reports into the larger bill. It's become a major sticking point, according to multiple sources familiar with negotiations. This latest twist comes after eight months of negotiations where overwhelming public support for a ban has not translated into action. Lawmakers have put forth a bevy of proposals but have struggled to agree on a unified bill with the coming weeks representing the last chance for action before the midterms elections. So why is a Supreme Court top of mind? It's the abortion decision and more, Craig Holman of the group Public Citizen told Yahoo Finance, referring to the high court's June decision ending the federal right to abortion. Holman supports requiring Supreme Court justices to be more transparent about their finances but he says that including the provision now might just might sabotage the bill. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during her weekly press conference on Capitol Hill on Wednesday September 14, 2022. (Sarah Silbiger for The Washington Post via Getty Images) This week's twist is being driven by Democratic fury at decisions from the Supreme Court's conservative majority. The court allowed individual states to ban abortion; loosened gun control laws; and curtailed environmental protections, to name just a few conservative wins. Revelations about potential conflicts created by Justice Clarence Thomas's wife, Ginni, have also stoked the push for transparency. Conservative lawmakers would likely view new rules for the justices as political payback, frustrating efforts to pass any overall deal on Congressional stock trades. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) chairs the committee drafting the bill and is seen, alongside Speaker Pelosi, as pushing for the judicial provisions. Others believe there's only a chance for real action this year if the Supreme Court provision isn't included. "While I support it in principle, I recognize that for some of our colleagues across the aisle, that may be a poison pill at this point in time, Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) told Yahoo Finance Friday. I hope that choice is not intentional to bring in a poison pill. Spanberger has authored a bipartisan plan with Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) to require all members of Congress to put assets into a qualified blind trust while they're in office. Public support for a trading ban The stock trading issue gained attention late last year with revelations that, in the lead-up to the pandemic, then-Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) and Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) sold stocks soon after a private briefing on COVID-19. Burr faced a Justice Department investigation that eventually ended without charges, while Loeffler lost her election bid. Pelosi herself has also drawn attention to the issue because of her husband's frequent trading activity that has even spurred traders to follow along for stock tips. Media reports have further shined a light on the depth of the problem. An Insider investigation found 72 members of Congress have violated provisions in a 2012 law requiring public disclosures of trades within 45 days; meanwhile, a New York Times report this week found 97 lawmakers have reported stock trades overlapping with their work in Congress. But lawmakers have disagreed on the fine print of how a ban would work for months. Many members in both parties also remain skeptical, saying there are already safeguards in place. Early on, Pelosi was one such skeptical lawmaker. She now says she supports the effort but also tempered expectations during her comments Wednesday by questioning whether a deal would have the votes to pass. Just because somebody introduces a bill doesn't mean it becomes the law of land, she cautioned. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) is one of many on Capitol Hill pushing to ban lawmaker's ability to trade stocks. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) A possible deal, advocates say, could require lawmakers and their immediate families to either sell their stocks or place them into blind trust or a mutual fund. The new restrictions would also come alongside increased penalties for any violations of the law. Another still unresolved issue is whether senior congressional staffers will be included in a ban. Running out of time Pelosi first brought up the idea of policing the Supreme Court's stock market activity back in February. The idea gained further traction in recent months following both this summers rulings and a Wall Street Journal investigation that found more than 150 judges ruled in cases in which they had a financial interest. In May, Congress passed and President Biden signed a law that stiffened the financial disclosure requirements for federal judges. While many now want to go further, the clear sentiment among many activists this week was that a limited bill is the only realistic option. Virginia Canter, the chief ethics counsel for the good government group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, told Yahoo Finance in a statement that her group backs judicial ethics reforms. But we believe that those efforts are best pursued separately from current legislative efforts to ban members of Congress from owning and trading stock," she added. Meanwhile, "we're running out of time" says Holman. Unless lawmakers can find common ground in the next few weeks, he said, the effort will be shelved yet again. This story has been updated. Ben Werschkul is a Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit. Ford is throwing a bone to traditional Mustang fans, but the good times won't last too long as the Dearborn-based automaker continues to push its electrification game plan. Ford took the wraps off the latest Mustang, the seventh generation, at the Detroit Auto Show last night. The 2024 Mustang will come with two powertrains a 2.3L EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine, which Ford says has improved fuel efficiency, along with a more powerful 5.0L Coyote V8. Ford did not give power or efficiency numbers for the two powertrains, though it said new air intakes and throttle-body design will increase power. Both will continue to be offered with a 10-speed automatic transmission, though the Mustang GT with the V8 will still come with a 6-speed manual. Ford Motor Co. introduces the 2024 Mustang vehicle during media day of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., September 14, 2022. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook Fun features include a Remote Rev option to amusingly blip the engine from the palm of your hand, Ford said, along with an Electronic Drift Brake, which is essentially an electronic parking brake that can mimic the effect of a traditional parking brake (which visually looks like a mechanical hand brake) for a drivers drifting pleasure. Inside Ford has revamped the interior, with the biggest changes being two flowing and curved displays standing out form the drivers position. The displays can be customized to show new animated designs and drive-mode visuals which Ford says are powered by Epic Games' Unreal Engine creation tool. The interior of the new Mustang is the most technologically advanced, driver-centric cockpit of any Mustang to date. The fighter jet-inspired cockpit offers the driver two flowing and curved displays that can be quickly customized to show information the driver wants or needs to see. Pre-production vehicles shown Back to the powertrains. The lack of a hybrid option or a full EV version coming in the future is somewhat surprising given Chevrolet will see its Corvette go hybrid soon, along with an EV Corvette coming by 2025. Crosstown rival Dodge pulled the wraps off its Dodge Charger Daytona EV muscle car concept last month, one the automaker will be the future of electrified muscle for the brand. Ford does offer an electrified Mustang in the form of the Mustang Mach-e, though that is a crossover and not a sports car like the 7th generation Mustang revealed today. Its possible Ford may electrify or hybridize the seventh-generation Mustang with a special version the coming years. We will have to see. Fords new dealership directive Ford CEO Jim Farley speaks during the official launch of the all-new Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck at the Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. April 26, 2022. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook The debut of the new gas-powered Mustang comes on the heels of big news for Ford dealers, as reports now suggest Ford is requiring its dealers to decide if they want to go electric, and they have six weeks to do so. As first reported by InsideEVs, Ford CEO Jim Farley presented new dealership rules at an event in Las Vegas last week. Ford dealers have to decide whether they want to become Ford Model E Certified or Ford Model E Certified Elite dealerships by October 31 of this year. If dealers dont choose either of those paths, they will lose the ability to sell Ford Model E electric products (Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, etc.) by January 1, 2024. In order to become a Model E Certified dealer, they are required to install one DC fast charger, and it must be made available for public use. However, InsideEVs reports Model e dealers will have a hard cap on the number of EVs they are allowed to sell each year, and that number will be the same for all Model E shops, regardless of annual volume. Ford estimates the cost of becoming Model E Certified will be in the $500,000 range, with 90% of the cost coming from charging infrastructure. Model E Certified Elite dealers must have have two DC Chargers installed as well as a level 2 charging station, with one DC fast charger available for public use. Ford estimates it will cost dealer $1.2 million be become Model E Elite Certified, and they wont have a hard cap on the number of EVs sold. Finally and most importantly, dealers will be required to post set pricing for all EVs online on Fords website. States allow dealers to set prices, so customers can cross-shop, but Ford is telling dealers they must sell the car at the set price, and Ford will be checking purchase orders to make sure. This story has been updated. Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter and on Instagram. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Download the Yahoo Finance app for Apple or Android Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, and YouTube Harry, Meghan, Kate and William follow the coffin into Westminster Hall (Jacob King/PA) The Queens grandchildren are expected to honour her memory by holding a vigil at her coffin with the Duke of Sussex wearing his military uniform. Harry, who saw action on the front line during two tours of duty in Afghanistan, had been denied the chance to wear his military uniform as he publicly mourned as he is no longer a working royal. Despite being a former Army officer he has been in civilian dress for official events, including walking behind his grandmothers coffin on Wednesday when it was carried to Westminster Hall to lie in state. But the Daily Mirror said Palace officials have had a change of heart, with a source saying common sense has prevailed. (PA Graphics) Harry will reportedly join his brother the Prince of Wales and cousins Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall in mounting a vigil around the Queens coffin on Saturday. An exception has been made for the disgraced Duke of York, who is no longer a working royal but will wear his military uniform as a special mark of respect for the Queen when he stands guard around her coffin during a vigil with his siblings on Friday evening. On Monday, Harry wrote of his special memories of the Queen attending his passing-out parade in 2006 when he became an officer in the British Army. He told of his first meeting with his grandmother as my Commander-in-Chief, and is believed to have been referring to the occasion when she made him grin and blush when she reviewed the cadets. Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment. Liz Truss hopes to hold a private meeting with Joe Biden when the US President visits Britain for the Queens funeral. Their first meeting since she became Prime Minister would take place against a backdrop of disputes over the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol and difficulties working towards a trade deal with the White House. Downing Street is set to confirm who she will be meeting on Friday, but a number of head-to-heads with visiting world leaders are due to take place between No 10 and the Chevening country residence over the weekend. In a phone conversation with His Majesty King Charles III last night, I expressed Frances condolences on the death of his mother, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. I will attend the funeral in London on Monday. Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 15, 2022 She is not expected to meet Chinese vice-president Wang Qishan, who is set to attend the state funeral on Monday instead of leader Xi Jinping. Several hundred dignitaries from around the world will be in London to pay their respects to the Queen, in what is set to be one of the biggest logistical and diplomatic events in the UK in decades. No 10 declined to describe the conversations with allies as formal bilateral meetings, and instead portrayed them as chats to offer condolences over the Queens death, during which politics is likely to come up. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: There wont be formal bilaterals in the way we normally recognise them. But we will have a significant number of world leaders, heads of state in the country. She will be meeting a small proportion of those over the weekend. These will be opportunities to discuss memories of Her Majesty, but in some instances it will be the first time theyve met since she became Prime Minister. At the Palaces invitation, 10 Australians who have made extraordinary contributions to their communities will attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II alongside the Prime Minister and Governor-General on September 19. Here's more about who they are: (1/11) Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) September 13, 2022 A UK meeting with the US President, who will attend the funeral with First Lady Jill Biden, would ease the pressure on Ms Trusss expected visit to New York for a UN summit next week. Chevening will be used as one base for meetings rather than the Prime Ministers country residence of Chequers, which was undergoing what has been described as routine maintenance work after Boris Johnsons exit. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed his attendance at the funeral after offering his countrys condolences in a call to the King. Mr Macron tweeted about the unbreakable ties between France and the UK, as he promised to strengthen the relationship between the UK and France by following the path of the late Queen. It was unclear whether he will be among the world leaders Ms Truss will meet, but if they do it would be a chance for her to clear up where their relationship stands. During her campaign to become Tory leader she sparked controversy by saying the jurys out over whether Mr Macron is a friend or foe. Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has confirmed his attendance (Steve Parsons/PA) There have also been suggestions she could speak to Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin on the margins of the funeral, amid strained relations between the two countries over the continuing row about the Northern Ireland Protocol. About 500 dignitaries from around the world will head to London for the state funeral. They will join members of the royal family, UK prime ministers past and present and key figures from public life at Westminster Abbey the historic church which can hold about 2,000 people at 11am on Monday. Representatives from the Commonwealth realms the nations which had the Queen as head of state will also be able to attend the committal service in Windsor Castle. Male dignitaries at the funeral will be advised to wear morning dress or dark lounge suits with a black tie, with dark day dresses and hats for female mourners. National dress may also be worn while serving military officers can wear ceremonial uniforms without swords. The leaders of most Commonwealth countries are expected to attend the funeral, with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying she will make the nearly 24-hour journey with a delegation of five others. Her Canadian and Australian counterparts, Justin Trudeau and Anthony Albanese, have also confirmed their attendance. But Indias prime minister Narendra Modi, who is expected to talk to Russias Vladimir Putin in Uzbekistan this week, is not expected to come to the UK, with president Droupadi Murmu being dispatched instead. There have been suggestions Ms Truss will speak with Irish premier Micheal Martin on the margins of the Queens funeral, amid tensions over the Northern Ireland Protocol (Liam McBurney/PA) Germanys President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Italys President Sergio Mattarella and Brazils President Jair Bolsonaro are among those attending, along with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. King Felipe of Spain and his wife, Queen Letizia, are among the European royals who will attend. Emperor Naruhito of Japan is also set to travel to London, in what would be his first overseas trip since ascending the throne in 2019. Local media reported that Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will attend in the place of president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Invitations to the Queens funeral have not been sent to Russia or Belarus against the backdrop of the invasion of Ukraine. Taliban-ruled Afghanistan was also being excluded, as was Syria and Myanmar. The seating plan, which could prove to be highly complicated due to the various protocol and political issues thrown up by a gathering of this size, is yet to be finalised. President Biden will meet at the White House with the families of WNBA star Brittney Griner and Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, both of whom remain jailed in Russia, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed Thursday. Plans for the meeting, scheduled for Friday, were first reported by the Associated Press. Biden will meet with Griner's wife, Cherelle Griner, and Paul Whelan's sister, Elizabeth Whelan, to discuss his continuing commitment to bringing their family members home safely, Jean-Pierre told reporters. As we have said before, we believe that Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney and Paul under intolerable circumstances, Jean-Pierre said. He wanted to let them know that they remain front of mind and that his team is working on this every day. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Biden would meet with the families of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan on Friday. (Andrew Harnik/AP) Griner, who has been held in Russia since February on drug-related charges, was sentenced last month to nine years in prison after pleading guilty. Griner was detained in Moscow after she was found carrying vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage. The two-time Olympic gold medalist said she accidentally packed them while she was in a hurry. She has appealed the sentence. Whelan, who has been held in Russia since 2018 on espionage charges, is serving a 16-year sentence. Brittney Griner was detained at a Moscow' airport and later charged with illegal possession of cannabis. (Evgenia Novozhenina/Reuters) Earlier this year, the Biden administration reportedly offered to exchange convicted Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout as part of a potential deal to secure the release of Whelan and Griner. Bout is serving a 25-year prison sentence in the United States. We made a significant offer a couple of months ago through the same channels we use for Trevor Reed, Jean-Pierre said Thursday. We have followed up on that offer repeatedly and will continue to pursue every avenue to bring them home safely. Reed, a 30-year-old U.S. Marine veteran, was released in a prisoner swap with Russia in April. Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, who was detained and accused of espionage, holds a sign in protest during his verdict hearing in Moscow in June 2020. (Maxim Shemetov/Reuters) The swap followed a meeting Biden had with Reeds parents at the White House in March. The negotiations that allowed us to bring Trevor home required difficult decisions that I do not take lightly, Biden said in a statement following Reeds release. His safe return is a testament to the priority my administration places on bringing home Americans held hostage and wrongfully detained abroad. We wont stop until Paul Whelan and others join Trevor in the loving arms of family and friends. For being almost a century old, Mickey Mouse looks pretty good. The world's best-known mouse and tens of thousands of his biggest fans came to celebrate what made him famous: The Walt Disney Company. Fans from all 50 states and 43 countries, according to Disney, gathered at the D23 Expo fan convention, filled with heroes and villains to celebrate all things Disney. "It's a place for Disney fans, Star Wars fans, Marvel fans," said Kiara Ortiz, Disney fan. "There's a little bit of everything for everyone. It's just a fun experience." At D23 Expo, the company was already looking ahead to 2023 and its 100th anniversary. In the last century, Disney has grown into a global, cultural and business behemoth with movies, streaming, broadcasting, theme parks, resorts and even cruise ships. But it hasn't all been smooth sailing. Earlier this year, Disney condemned a Florida law that critics called the "Don't Say Gay" bill. That decision angered Gov. Ron Desantis and lawmakers, who voted to revoke a special district status that Disney uses to operate like its own small government. Exactly how it will affect Disney and Florida taxpayers is still unclear. SEE MORE: Disney Releases Trailer For New 'The Little Mermaid' Movie Disney is looking to the past for some of its future, revealing at the D23 Expo the latest live-action movies that will reimagine classic animated films, like "The Little Mermaid," starring Halle Bailey. In a remake of the 1940 original, Tom Hanks plays a live Gepetto in a "Pinocchio" movie now running on Disney+. It's that nostalgia that fans, and especially collectors, can't get enough of. Rare finds can bring in a lot of cash. Anja Buehring is a big fan of the puppet who became a real boy. At an expo booth full of vintage Disney, she saw one thing she couldn't resist. "I bought a trash can, a Pinocchio trash can," Buehring said. "It's too cute to trash it up." The company is also honoring its past by rescuing Walt Disney's mothballed Grumman plane from the punishing Florida climate and restoring it to its former polish. It was the plane Walt Disney used to fly cross country to the 1964 World's Fair, scouting locations for Walt Disney World. It even shows up in a couple of Disney movies. "It was his pride and joy," said Becky Cline, of the Walt Disney Company Archives. "He loved this plane. He had a special seat with his special instrument panel and his phone to the pilot and everything. He just loved this." SEE MORE: How Disney Got Its International Clout These days, Disney has a hand in so many properties it's hard to be a fan of just one. The costume Emily Billones built is a mash up of two Disney characters: Moana and Boba Fett. "I am Moana and Boba Fett combined," Billones said. "We call ourselves Disney Fetts, so I go by Moana Fett. The helmet took me probably on and off, maybe a couple weeks." For Billones and countless fans like her around the world, Disney is a state of mind, as it's about to start its second century. "I feel like it's a place where people can come together," Billones said. "I feel like it's very diversified, so I feel like there's a princess for everybody, so to speak. And, it's just fun. There's really no growing up. You just live your life, enjoy life to the fullest. That's really what life's all about." Location managers help find and secure the right places to shoot each scene in a film or television show. (Juliette Toma / For The Times) In Lori Baltons career working in locations in Hollywood, she has scouted for 1992s A River Runs Through It, 2002s Catch Me If You Can and 2022s Top Gun: Maverick. She found the site in Hawaii that would become the kingdom for the antagonist mermaids Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. She helped pinpoint the best location in Yellowstone National Park for the live-action Lion Kings Elephant Graveyard. And she traversed the Amazon River, from Brazil to Peru, to provide research for Disneys Jungle Cruise. But just as often, shes surveying alleys in downtown L.A., stepping over dead rats, cigarette butts and used condoms, she said. The first half of the job as a location manager is very creative, said Alison Taylor, veteran location manager and vice president of the Location Managers Guild International. This is the scouting part, where youre working with the production designer and director to find the right locations, she said. What does this character's home look like? What does this restaurant look like? What kind of street do they need in this scene? Once the locations have been found, the second half is logistics. It's like planning an event, she said. You have to contract with each location. You have to arrange for parking and figure out where catering is going. We arrange for all the tables, chairs, tents, air conditioning. You're hiring police and fire safety and security. Theres a lot of pride that comes from finding and securing the backdrop or canvas of a film or television project, she said. Taylor ("A Wrinkle in Time," "Insecure,""Shang-Chi"); Balton; veteran location manager Gregory Alpert ("Minority Report," "Frost/Nixon," "Big Little Lies"); and Whitney Breite ("Truth Be Told," "Prey," "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty"), an assistant location manager who recently started working in film and television, share their advice on how to get into location management. Who becomes a location manager? Curious people make wonderful scouts, Taylor said. People who are just out there in the world, looking around, driving." They know why a neighborhood looks a certain way, she said. They know about all these nooks and crannies that other people wouldnt know. It also helps to be a skilled photographer, to learn how to analyze a script, to understand lighting and to visualize how a film camera would move through the location. When Balton worked on Seabiscuit, she heard the cinematographer tell the director, Do you realize that everywhere we put the camera at every location is exactly where Lori Balton took her pictures from? I said to him, That's what I want it to say on my tombstone, she said. Though the job involves exploring new places on your own, it helps to be a people person. "You can't be shy," Balton said. You have to knock on doors. You have to persuade people to let you film in places. You have to be able to negotiate. Most people on a film or television set can exist in a Hollywood bubble, Taylor said, because their job is to be hyper-focused on helping the director or showrunner make the best product. But locations is the one department where its also their job to think about how the production is affecting the rest of the community. The moment you leave the backlot, the location manager is the principal liaison between the studio/production office and the outside world, Alpert said. He said that people often joke that he should be the mayor, because hes dealing with everyone from politicians to residents sometimes introducing neighbors who haven't met yet to business owners to unhoused people. Locations is also the department that handles a lot of the complaints, so you have to have thick skin and good communication skills, Taylor added. How you deal with angry, frustrated people is a big deal, she said. You cant take it personally when a merchant is yelling because they feel that the production has caused them to lose money or a neighbor doesnt like that theyre being held up by the police so the crew can get the shot. When youre dealing with the outside world, how the movie goes is not their lives. They dont care. They're not making any money off your movie. Theyre going to be late for work. Balton who has previously done location management but since built a career where she can focus on location scouting thinks location management is the hardest job on the set. If anything goes wrong, no matter what department, they trace it back to the location manager, she said. And if anything goes right, there are five producers standing in line to take the credit. So you have to really have the right kind of personality for the job where you are confident enough that you don't constantly need somebody patting you on the back. How do you get started? There arent any formal pathways to get into location work, Alpert said. But the job you want to land is the assistant location manager. Thats who we call the closer, because theyre the last ones there every day, Taylor said. Theyre the person on the walkie-talkie when people are calling for locations. But Balton recommends getting a job as a production assistant first. Because you get a sense of how a movie set works and whether location work is actually what you want to do. There are other ways to get on set. Balton started working in craft services and was an assistant production coordinator in the 80s before discovering her knack for location scouting. Breite, who previously worked as a union stage manager and ran a DJ company, entered the film and television industry in 2020 through a job on-set with the COVID team. She met Alpert on the set of the television show "Mom." He mentored her and helped her get into the union. Taylor used to sell pharmaceuticals by day and do event planning by night. One day, she visited a friend who worked as an assistant production coordinator on a set, and she was intrigued by the location department. Her friend later introduced her to a location manager, and she was at the right place at the right time when someone dropped out and she was able to fill in as an assistant location manager. It helps to have connections, but if you dont have any, Taylor and Alpert recommend walking up to a movie or TV set and asking the security guard to direct you to the location manager. I wouldn't recommend that for other departments, Taylor said, but I would recommend it for our department. We are the people who interface with the community. ... We would come, we'd give them a card and say, Send me an email, and we'll set up a time to talk. Taylor also recommends getting involved in the Location Managers Guild International. They host events and have volunteer opportunities, she said, and its a good way to meet people. It can be tricky to get into the union, which is where you need to be to get regular work, she said. You need 30 days on union projects in order to join the union. But most of the time, people can only join the union if everyone else on the unions availability list is not suitable or available for the role. But its good to be on other location managers radars when entry-level opportunities pop up. People hire who they know," Taylor said. "That's the truth. And they only go to the people that they don't know when they need more people. One other strategy to get experience in the film industry is to start with unpaid or nonunion work. If you have the flexibility of being all over the country, then you may want to start someplace like Atlanta, Cleveland, Detroit, Pittsburgh or other markets that have a lot of filming now, she said. Other cities have different location practices, she explained. For example, some productions that film on the East Coast hire location production assistants, which is not a common job in Los Angeles. In New York, there can be a whole team of production assistants specifically for parking, she said. When you get international, there's a unit team, she said. Someone is a unit manager, and its a group of people handling equipment" fans, space heaters, random tables and extra chairs. And lastly, the biggest learning curve is familiarizing yourself with the different parts of the city, Taylor said. It helps to know that Pasadena has different filming rules from the city of Los Angeles, or that Granada Hills has a pocket of Eichler houses. Location managers who have been doing it for a while, we have a collective history and knowledge base," said Alpert. "Over the years, you build up this Rolodex in your head. What are the career paths? There are three main positions: assistant location manager, key assistant location manager and location manager. Within that, you have people who focus on scouting, said Alpert. You have commercial location managers who work on commercials. You also have people who work as location department coordinators to help the location manager in the office. Theyre like the hub, said Balton, of location department coordinators. There are some people who love that. Theyre very organized, and they deal with papers and budgets. When you progress from assistant location manager to key assistant location manager, youre expected to know how to manage your own locations, Taylor said. The location manager hires the team, works with the location scout and reports the best options to the director and production designer. And on larger projects, there are supervising location managers, who manage other location managers. As a newbie in the industry, Breites goal is to try as many jobs within the location department as possible. When she talked to The Times, she was working as a coordinator, processing contracts. On a previous project, she was the opener on set. She has also done prep work, which involved knocking on neighbors doors and getting them comfortable with the fact that there was going to be filming on their street. Next, she wants to get more experience in scouting. Balton said her time working as a location manager also made her a better location scout. I understood the logistics of what needs there are on set, she said. Its not very effective if you find the perfect location, and you can't physically get the crew there. How do you make money? (And what kind of money?) Once you get into the union, Hollywood Teamsters (Local 399), there are benefits and minimums. For example, the minimum for an assistant location manager whether they're working on studio films, television shows (half-hour or hour) or made-for-DVD movies starting July 2022 is $1,715 per week and will be raised to $1,820 effective July 30, 2023. Location managers and key assistant location manager minimums vary, depending on the medium. Location managers of studio films make a minimum of $3,491 per week; the key assistant location manager's minimum is $2,215. And veterans are able to negotiate for much more. "Additionally we get $91 per day for our car," said Balton. "Back in the day, the car rental was a way to get studios to pay us more in general, as we average a 60-hour workweek over five days." And one of the benefits of working in locations is that once you get booked onto a project, you're often there from pre-production to the end of production, Taylor said, which provides more stability than other departments where people are hired for shorter-term duties. How is this career different than it was 10 or 25 years ago? On his most recent project, Alpert had 23 people in his department. But: Back when I started doing this, there'd be one location manager and one assistant," Alpert said, "and I look back and go, 'Oh, my God, how did we do some of these giant films with just the two of us?' And this was prior to cellphones. Technology also changed things. Before, it was either 24 or 36 exposure [film], right? he said. So you really gave a lot of thought. ... How do I capture this in a handful of pictures to show the director and the production designer? You didn't just take your cellphone or SLR and go click, click, click, click, click, click. Balton has recently started taking virtual scouting jobs. This may be a new sort of job that's coming to fruition, someone who is just a location researcher, she said. I did it on the live action Little Mermaid, where they asked me to start scouting really early on, before the director was ready to get into it, just to know what their possibilities were . And then when the director was ready to pick it up, they took the results of my scouting, and they hired a team in Europe. What advice do pros always hear that is wrong? The professionals say that its less that they hear advice thats wrong, but more that most people even their fellow cast and crew members dont understand what they do. The maps the cast and crew get when they enter a set, the yellow signs to tell people where to go, the filming notifications for residents those are made by the locations team. Checking the environmental impacts in the places filmmakers want to shoot that work is also done by locations. Shutting down a street for one day to shoot a one-minute Jaguar car crash scene in "Erin Brockovich" took six weeks to plan, said Alpert. Shutting down a stretch of the California 73 toll road to shoot a two-minute scene in "The Hangover Part III" in which Zach Galifianakis buys a giraffe and tows it in a trailer behind his car required numerous permits, 35 California Highway Patrol officers and four months to plan. People just think this magically happens, Taylor said. Whats some good advice? Learn about architecture. If you have a designer saying, I want a mid-century modern house, you have to know what theyre talking about, Taylor said. Start in jobs with transferable skills. Though Breite is new to locations work, she came into the job with a lot of relevant experience, which she used to petition to get into the union. She had worked with vendors and site reps when she did weddings as a DJ. She had worked with union crews when she was a stage manager. Coming from theater, I understand the nature of having to just keep the ball rolling and going with it, she said. So the ability to pivot and logic through things ends up being an asset. If you can, be a mentor. Because there arent formal pathways into their roles, the professionals The Times talked to try to go out of their way to educate potential newcomers about their profession. I'm always happy to help people, Balton said, encouraging interested parties to DM her on Instagram. I would suggest that people not so much look at the pictures that I take, but to look at the different things that I follow. Different places in Europe, different abandoned building sites and historic building sites. Learn how to deal with frustrated people. Its a lot of relationships to manage, Taylor said. Youre trying to be respectful to the people and places youre filming, while accomplishing what the production needs. If anyone has a legitimate complaint, I'm gonna hear them out, Briete said. I had a guy say that someone was walking on his grass, and we put some caution tape up. He came up to me later to say, 'Thank you. You addressed my concern, and you showed me you weren't brushing me off.' It just takes a little work. All we did was put caution tape up in his yard. Alpert said he always has the same goal for each of his projects: I always want to leave a neighborhood and for them to want us back. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Sen. Josh Hawley introduced a bill Wednesday that would create a select committee in the U.S. Senate to investigate the rushed 2021 U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, in an attempt to highlight the Biden administrations foreign policy blunder. The Missouri Republicans bill would create a bipartisan, 20-member committee to investigate the administrations failures to get people out quickly enough and claims that the administration did not properly vet Afghan refugees. The committee would have subpoena power. The bill is unlikely to go anywhere in the Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate, but it marks the type of investigation the Biden administration will face if Republicans win control of Congress this year. Already, Republicans have promised to make Dr. Anthony Fauci, the retiring director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, testify before Congress and have promised an investigation into the business dealings of President Joe Bidens son, Hunter. Joe Biden is desperate to evade responsibility for his disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, but the American people deserve better, Hawley said in a press release. They deserve to know why the Administration ignored warnings that Kabul could collapse, why they delayed evacuating Americans until it was too late, and why they failed to protect our service members or even vet Afghan evacuees before they came to the United States. Hawley was supportive of the Trump administrations plan to remove U.S. troops from Afghanistan, but has been a frequent critic of the actual withdrawal, as the Taliban was able to seize territory quicker than U.S. intelligence analysts predicted. The Talibans advance led to a frantic withdrawal effort by U.S. troops that produced images evoking the U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam. Amid the frantic push to get people out of the airport, a suicide bomber killed 13 U.S. troops near the Kabul airport and more than 100 Afghans. For the past year and a half, Hawley has slowed the nominations of several of Bidens nominees to the Department of Defense and the State Department, saying there has been no accountability over the withdrawal and that he would not stop slowing down nominees until Secretaries Lloyd Austin and Antony Blinken resign. Democrats have criticized Hawley for blocking the nominees, saying it has jeopardized domestic security. In a floor speech that quickly spread through the internet in April, Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, said Hawleys request was unreasonable. That is not how this world works, Schatz said. That is not a reasonable request from a U.S. senator, that until the Secretary of Defense quits his job, Im going to block all of his nominees? Thats preposterous. A much-anticipated auction for a state-owned island in Payette Lake attracted a single bidder, who offered to buy only one parcel. The Idaho Department of Lands offered five parcels on Cougar Island for sale during Wednesdays auction, with the option for bidders to bid on the entire island at a starting bid of $10.3 million. The only bid was on the parcel of Cougar Island that includes a 3-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home. The bidder, Jim Laski, currently leases the land from the department. Laski paid just over $2 million for the home and 2.5 acres, the department said in a news release. Cougar Island is the largest in Payette Lake at just over 14 acres, part of the departments endowment lands. Revenue from leases on auctions of state-managed endowment lands goes to Idaho public schools. The planned auction received pushback from conservation groups who hoped to conserve the island as public land and wildlife habitat. The Payette Land Trust outlined plans to participate in the auction on its website, while United Payette told BoiseDev it also hoped to bid. Neither group ended up bidding. Local officials also expressed concern about how the auction could affect wildlife or water quality. In June, the Department of Lands board of commissioners, which includes Gov. Brad Little, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden and department head Dustin Miller, declined the Valley County Commissions request to postpone the Cougar Island auction. The McCall Star-News reported that the commission hoped to raise money to purchase the island. The McCall City Council in August voted to make Cougar Island an area of critical concern, BoiseDev reported. That designation would mean potential developers would need environmental review before any development could occur on the island. In the news release, the Department of Lands said it would evaluate the next step for the other parcels on the island. The goal remains maximizing the return on behalf of the endowment beneficiary, officials said. Popular discontent continued across Haiti Thursday as more foreign embassies closed their doors and protesters targeted businesses and charity warehouses, the government-owned television station and the home of a former senator in the hills above Port-au-Prince. In Washington, the president of the Dominican Republic, addressing hemispheric leaders at the Organization of American States, warned that what is happening in the territory of his crisis-wrecked neighbor was akin to a low-intensity civil war that can no longer be ignored. Haiti cannot wait any longer, Dominican President Luis Abinader said in a 14-minute speech after leaving a meeting with four other Caribbean leaders and Vice President Kamala Harris where the subject of Haiti was also broached. We need to act responsibility and we need to act now. Thousands of people are dying. For months, aid workers had been warning that the country faced an explosive situation as gang violence and kidnappings ripped apart communities and left a trail of deaths; inflation hovered at 30% and the cost of imported rice rose by 40%, cooking oil by 88% and wheat flour by 68%, leaving nearly half of the population facing severe hunger. This week it hit a crescendo with Haitians taking to the streets in widespread protests in cities around the country after the interim government announced a hike in fuel prices. But while the hike has ignited outrage, some have sought to capitalize politically on the discontent, calling on protesters to attack banking institutions while also demanding the immediate departure of interim Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who was tapped by Haitian President Jovenel Moise prior to his July 7, 2021, assassination. On Thursday, as demonstrations entered a third day, the damage toll continued to mount as the political paralysis deepened. In the city of Gonaives, just north of the capital, a food warehouse for the Catholic charity Caritas was ransacked, a Haitian police source and aid official both confirmed to the Miami Herald. Looters were filmed running through the streets with bags of rice and other food stocks. Also looted was a World Food Program warehouse in the city and its offices set ablaze, a spokesperson confirmed. While police didnt manage to stop the looting in time, they did succeed in preventing a crowd of protesters from breaking into the local Catholic archdiocese building, said the police source, who wasnt authorized to speak on the record. In Port-au-Prince, tensions were high as young men carried off freezers, tables and other furniture from looted businesses in the Delmas neighborhood. The police confirmed an attack on the headquarters of the National Television Station of Haiti (TNH) in Delmas, but said officers responded in time before it could be totally ransacked. Still, a burning car was observed in the parking lot. Also targeted was the home of Edmonde Supplice Beauzile, a former senator and current head of Fusion Social Democrats political party. Reached by the Herald, Beauzile, a supporter of the current government, was frantically trying to confirm rumors that her home in Thomassin had been torched. She was unable to get in touch with anyone inside, she said. Later on Twitter, Beauzile lashed out. She accused three well-known opposition politicians of sending people to attack her home. I do everything I can to work, I have never been involved in dirty things, no crimes, neither economic, she said. Widespread protests continued on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, in Haiti, where protesters looted businesses in Port-au-Princes Delmas neighborhood. Parts of metropolitan Port-au-Prince remained impassable Thursday because of burning tires, fiery barricades and protesters angry about the increase in fuel prices. Government subsidies, which have previously kept gas prices below $3 a gallon, and diesel and propane under $4 a gallon, are costing the government around $400 million annually, Henry has said. Maintaining that amount of subsidy, on top of the estimated $600 million Haiti loses through uncollected customs duties at its ports, is unsustainable, Henry noted Sunday in an address to the nation. The poverty-stricken nations operating budget is about $2 billion a year. Protesters attacked the parking lot of the government-owned National Television of Haiti on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, and set a car on fire. Henrys address, which was clumsily delivered, did not go over well and by Monday morning Haitians had woken up to blocked roads and general chaos. With protests ongoing, the countrys banking association Thursday announced the closure of all banks nationwide, stating that some branches had come under attack. The embassy of the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, became the latest to announce its temporary closure, joining France, Spain, Canada and Taiwan, which had all taken similar actions in the days prior. The Dominican government also confirmed the evacuation of embassy personnel to Santo Domingo. SIN news in the Dominican Republic quoted a source at the Ministry of Defense confirming that embassy security had been reinforced with six additional soldiers with the caveat that it is normal when there are conflict situations. The situation at the border, the source said, is normal. The closure of the Dominican Embassy in Port-au-Prince and possible evacuation of its diplomats came as Abinader was preparing to deliver his speech at the OAS. He called on the hemispheric body to play a relevant role in helping Haitian authorities get the cooperation needed to overcome the violence. As soon as the security conditions are allowed, we need to collaborate with the Haitian authorities in order to organize an electoral process, which will lead to elected authorities with leadership, legitimacy and popular support, Abinader added. The OAS needs to continue carrying out fundamental steps on behalf of democratic elections. And one of those means providing an appropriate civil registry of the entire population in Haiti. This was being carried out until a few months ago, and then unfortunately, security did not allow it to continue. Abinader said while his request for a U.N. multinational peacekeeping force in Haiti has been ignored, the countrys prolonged, multidimensional crisis can no longer be ignored by the region. The Dominican Republic, in particular, he said, already faces the real possibility of criminal gangs operating in Haiti crossing over. The crisis that is spilling over the Haitian border presents a threat to Dominican national security, he said. A judge in Montana on Thursday blocked a rule that would prevent trans people from changing the gender markers on their birth certificate but the state has already said it will disregard the ruling. District Court Judge Michael Moses ruled that state health officials cant prevent transgender individuals from updating their birth certificates while Senate Bill 280 is challenged in court. According to SB 280, a trans person can only change their gender makers if the states department of public health and human services receives a court order indicating that the sex of the person born in Montana has been changed by surgical procedure which can be either unnecessary or cost-prohibitive to many people. In April, the judge granted a preliminary injunction blocking the enforcement of the law, but last week the state enacted a permanent rule that would ban any changes to a persons gender marker, except to correct a clerical error. Montana District Judge Michael Moses gestures during a court hearing over a state health department rule that prevents transgender people from changing their birth certificates, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, in Billings, Mont. Moses struck down the rule at the conclusion of the hearing. Montana District Judge Michael Moses gestures during a court hearing over a state health department rule that prevents transgender people from changing their birth certificates, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, in Billings, Mont. Moses struck down the rule at the conclusion of the hearing. (Matthew Brown/) The American Civil Liberties Union and its Montana affiliate asked the judge to clarify his April order. On Thursday, Moses said that state officials did violate his earlier order, reinstating the states 2017 rule that allowed people to update the gender on their birth certificate by filing an affidavit with the department. Were thankful the court saw the states discriminatory new rule for what it was: a desperate effort to circumvent the judicial process and target transgender Montanans, the ACLU and the private law firm of Nixon Peabody said in a joint statement early Thursday afternoon. BREAKING: A judge has blocked Montanas effort to deny trans people the right to amend their birth certificates. Trans people know who we are. This is a big win against a baseless effort to circumvent the courts and discriminate against trans people. ACLU (@ACLU) September 15, 2022 Forcing anyone to carry documents that contradict their identity is unjust and unconstitutional, and such a rule marks transgender people for further mistreatment and discrimination. Well continue to fight this baseless law until no transgender person is denied this fundamental right, the statement added. However, just hours after Moses ruling, Charlie Brereton, director of the Montana DPHHS, said that rule issued on Sept. 9 would remain in effect. FILE - Demonstrators gather on the steps of the Montana State Capitol protesting anti-LGBTQ+ legislation on March 15, 2021, in Helena, Mont. FILE - Demonstrators gather on the steps of the Montana State Capitol protesting anti-LGBTQ+ legislation on March 15, 2021, in Helena, Mont. (Thom Bridge /) The Department thoroughly evaluated the judges vague April 2022 decision and crafted our final rule to be consistent with the decision. Its unfortunate that the judges ruling today does not square with his vague April decision, Bereton said. Malita Picasso, an attorney with the ACLU, called the agencys stance shocking. It was very clear that Judge Moses expressly required a reversion to the 2017 policy, and anything short of that is a continued flagrant violation of the courts order, she said. With News Wire Services Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin pauses as she speaks to reporters at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, on Tuesday. (Jean-Francois Badias / Associated Press) The young Finnish prime minister drew a deep breath and looked directly into the cameras. She regretted, she said, that raucous images of late-night revelry with her friends had made their way into the public eye. But she also made clear her belief that busting out dance-like-no-ones-watching party moves did not interfere with her duties of state. Finland is known worldwide as a gender-equality pioneer. But despite the countrys progressive traditions, many here believe 36-year-old Sanna Marin, in office just over two years, is being held to a harsher standard than a male leader would be in similar circumstances. Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, shown in the European Parliament building, speaks during a press conference Tuesday. (Getty Images) When breaking glass ceilings, you will naturally get scratched, said the countrys premier elder stateswoman, Tarja Halonen, 78, who was Finlands first female president. Women in general tend to be measured not by the substance of their politics, but by their looks, their clothes or their family status. To outsiders, the summers weeks-long contretemps over the prime ministers after-hours activities might seem like a tempest in a Nordic teapot. But coming at a particularly grave moment in international affairs most notably, the war in Ukraine it has set off debate about what constitutes proper decorum. This is not about whether she can party or not, Joona Rasanen, the leader of Marin's party in the capital region, told the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper. Everybody has a right to a private life, but dont publicize it. Marins defenders argue that she has repeatedly demonstrated the seriousness of her commitment to the job, staking out thoughtfully reasoned positions on the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, as well as charting a course toward membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization a sharp break with the countrys longtime policy. Despite those achievements, she is often dogged by emphasis on how she dresses and her demeanor. A write- up in Vogue magazine noted her accomplishments, but also dwelled on her fashion sense. In October 2020, when Marin had been in office only a few months, an outcry erupted over a cover photo of her in the Finnish womens magazine Trendi, in which she wore a blazer with no shirt underneath. "If you had to generalize it, it will be men saying it was wrong, and women saying it was fabulous," a magazine spokeswoman, Mari Paalosalo-Jussinmaki, told CNN at the time. Marin said a stylist had made the wardrobe call. On the feminist front, Finland has long outpaced the rest of the world. What was then the Grand Duchy of Finland gave women the right to vote in 1906, 14 years before womens suffrage in the United States. Only Iceland outranks Finland's gender-equality scores, according to the World Economic Forum's 2022 ranking of 146 countries. Although there is an earnings lag Finnish women make about 85 cents on the euro, compared to men women hold 91 of 200 parliamentary seats, and hold nearly 60% of the advanced degrees awarded in the country. Halonen, who was elected president in 2000 and served two six-year terms, was a prime example of Finlands female-friendly political environment. She held major ministerial portfolios assuming the presidency. Forbes magazine ranked her among the most powerful 100 women in the world a distinction it later bestowed on Marin and her approval ratings peaked at an enviable 88%. Yet even she saw herself as held to higher standards, definitely different standards during her public tenure. Many issues that were normal for male presidents had to be considered if they were also fitting for a female president, she said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. Marin, too, was a trailblazer, becoming the worlds youngest prime minister when she took office at 34. Raised by lesbian parents in the traditionally working-class inland city of Tampere, she was the first person in her family to attend university. She had a child in 2018 with her longtime partner, Markus Raikkonen, and the couple married in 2020. Marins clubbing habits ran afoul of critics back in December 2021, when she went out on the town with friends during Finlands Independence Day holiday weekend without her official phone. Government officials who discovered the prime minister had been exposed to COVID-19 could not reach her until the following day. (She did not contract the disease.) In August of this year, leaked video of the prime ministers uninhibited dancing at a private Helsinki apartment party went viral, with critics pointing out that the early-morning episode came shortly before the start of a workday. Marin voluntarily took and passed a drug test, although she said she considered it unjust that the onus was on her to provide proof that she was not using any illegal substance. But her woes werent over. A few days later, a TikTok image emerged of two topless women kissing at the prime ministers state-owned official residence, partly obscured by a country-identifying sign the prime minister usually uses during international virtual events. Marin said the picture was inappropriate and apologized, but added that otherwise, nothing extraordinary happened at the get-together. By then, the party narrative had captured world attention. Keep dancing, Hillary Clinton tweeted at the prime minister, who responded with a heart emoji. Women across the globe posted carefree dance clips of themselves. Late-night comics had a field day, with Trevor Noah joking that Marin got caught on video having exuberant fun because she actually had friends young enough to know how to use a phone. Finns, though, found it all far less funny. A poll conducted by Helsingin Sanomat indicated that 42% of those surveyed believed Marins image had been hurt by the partying flap. Heading into 2023 spring elections, Marins Social Democratic Party holds a slight majority, but the partys demographic skews older and working class, setting up a potential slide in support. The world sees the Finnish prime minister enjoying life, but people see it here as clubbing on the public dime, said communications consultant Harri Saukkomaa. Although Marin expressed dismay about the leaking images she considered private, she has a powerful social-media presence, with half a million Twitter followers and 1 million on Instagram. That allows her to tailor her own messaging, bypassing traditional media outlets, but with the dual-edge effect of bringing her non-official life into the open. Halonen, the former president, said the rise of social media made it harder for political figures, both male and female, to protect their private lives. As to whether Marins troubles had dented Finlands leading-edge reputation on gender equality, she said she hoped not. Finland is a good place for gender equality, but of course we are not perfect, she said. We also have to remember that leadership is not just a battle between genders. It is about equal possibilities for every human being. Hunt is a special correspondent. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Yvon Chouinard, founder and owner of outdoor clothing company Patagonia Inc. (Los Angeles Times) Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard is giving his company away to planet Earth, he announced Wednesday. I never wanted to be a businessman, Chouinard wrote in an open letter announcing the transfer of his roughly $3-billion controlling stake in the company to a trust and a nonprofit. Its a sentiment hes expressed time and time again, telling the Los Angeles Times in 1994: I can sit down one on one with the president of any company, any time, anywhere, and convince them that growth is evil. Chouinard and his family transferred their voting stock to the newly established Patagonia Purpose Trust, which will ensure that Patagonia maintains its commitment to corporate responsibility and donating its profits. The rest of the company, about 98% of its shares, was donated to the Holdfast Collective, a nonprofit organization that will receive all of the companys profits, roughly $100 million a year, and use them to fight climate change. This is one of those heart-stopping moments when the apparently impossible becomes suddenly possible and then ultimately, through a dazzling display of leadership, inevitable, said John Elkington, a pioneering authority on corporate responsibility and sustainable development who is credited with coining the terms "green growth" and "triple bottom line." The Ventura-based outdoor apparel company was founded on Chouinards love of the great outdoors. He grew up in Burbank and took to climbing the Tehachapi Mountains in his teens, surfed along Highway 1, and eventually became a skilled rock climber who lived out of his car in the Yosemite Valley. In 1957, he started by creating his own line of reusable climbing spikes that were hammered into the rock. When he discovered his hardware was severely damaging the rock, he phased out of that business and introduced an alternative in 1972 and it quickly became a hit with climbers. In an early catalog, he espoused the importance of enjoying the wilderness while preserving it, leaving no trace behind. We have always considered Patagonia an experiment in doing business in unconventional ways, Chouinard wrote in his book "Let My People Go Surfing." None of us were certain it was going to be successful, but we did know that we were not interested in doing business as usual. Over the decades, Patagonia has displayed a unique brand of corporate activism backed by its commitment to sustainability. In 2018, the company changed its mission statement to something plain and direct: Patagonia is in business to save our home planet. In more recent years, its environmental activism has extended directly into the political sphere as well. Elkington said the announcement was totally in character, yet still blew my socks off. Chouinards move puts Patagonia light-years ahead of other corporations aspiring to balance business interests and social responsibility, Elkington said. For me, Yvon has always represented true north, Elkington said. And hundreds of CEOs and other business leaders will now be forced to reconsider their own takes on the climate challenge." Heres a timeline of some of Patagonias biggest moves in social activism: 1972: I dont really have the guts to be on the front lines, Chouinard wrote in 2013, but he has supported activists since the conception of the company. A year before its official founding, he gave desk space to a young activist who fought to protect the Ventura River from a commercial development near the rivers mouth. 1985: Began donating 10% of its profit to conservation groups, which it later changed to 1% of all revenue. 1989: Together with REI, the North Face and Kelty, founded the Conservation Alliance, which collects membership dues from companies to distribute to grass-roots environmental organizations. As of 2022, it had more than 270 member companies, and it plans to distribute more than $2.2 million this year. 1990: Donated money to Planned Parenthood, drawing complaints and threats of boycotts from Christian fundamentalists. The company responded by telling callers it would donate an additional $5 to Planned Parenthood for every call received. 1994: Chouinard told the company's managers they had 18 months to switch from conventional to organic cotton or stop selling sportswear altogether. Two years later, Patagonia began exclusively using 100% organic cotton grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides or GMO seeds. 1998: Became first commercial customer in California to commit to purchasing 100% renewable wind energy. 2011: Ran an ad in the New York Times urging readers, Dont Buy This Jacket to bring attention to the companys Common Threads Initiative, which allows consumers to buy or trade in used Patagonia clothing. 2014: Began making Fair Trade Certified clothing. The company said it offers more certified clothing styles than any other brand, and the additional money paid for Fair Trade Certified clothing goes directly to the workers at the factory. 2016: Donated 100% of global Black Friday sales to grass-roots organizations. 2017: Sued President Trump after his proclamation slashing national monuments in Utah sacred to many Native American tribes. 2018: Endorsed Senate candidates for the first time, including Sen. Jon Tester in Montana and then-Rep. Jacky Rosen, who both won their races. The company also helped launch the Time to Vote initiative, which resulted in more than 1,000 companies committing to giving their employees enough time to vote on election day. Former CEO Rose Marcario also announced the company would donate $10 million to climate change groups the amount of taxes Patagonia didnt have to pay because of corporate tax breaks during the Trump administration, she said. 2020: Released limited-edition shorts with the tag, VOTE THE ASSHOLES OUT. They quickly sold out. The same year, Patagonia pulled all ads from Facebook and Instagram and continues to boycott them for failing to take sufficient steps to stop the spread of hateful lies and dangerous propaganda on its platform. 2021: Donated $1 million to Black Voters Matter and the New Georgia Project to fight restrictive voting laws in Georgia. 2022: Announced it would provide bail for employees who have taken a nonviolent civil disobedience class if they were arrested while peacefully protesting for abortion rights after the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Americans use an estimated 36.5 billion rolls of toilet paper every year and the average consumer will go through the equivalent of 384 trees just for toilet paper in the course of a lifetime. Deforestation causes a range of environmental problems, including loss of wildlife habitats and biodiversity. It also contributes to climate change, since trees absorb and store carbon dioxide, which is the most common greenhouse gas. Amid a growing interest in which brands use the best sustainability practices, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), an environmental advocacy organization, analyzed the sourcing of the largest brands of toilet paper, facial tissue and paper towels on the U.S. market. Its resulting scorecard, released on Wednesday, gives failing sustainability grades to most of the biggest household names. The four-largest name brands in the country Angel Soft, Charmin, Cottonelle, and Quilted Northern all received an F. Cottonelle brand toilet tissue, manufactured by Kimberly-Clark. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images) As this years scorecard shows, the largest tissue brands in America are failing the climate, communities, and biodiversity by continuing to create their products from forests like the Canadian boreal, which stores more carbon than any other terrestrial ecosystem, wrote NRDCs Ashley Jordan in a blog post explaining the ratings. The largest brands, she added, are made almost exclusively from virgin forest fiber and fail to avoid sourcing from primary forests. Virgin forest fiber refers to any wood that has been cut down and used for the first time. Since cutting down trees releases the carbon dioxide stored within them, recycled paper has a much lower carbon footprint, as it only creates emissions from the energy used to manufacture and transport it. Tissues made from recycled paper create one-third of the carbon emissions of tissue made from virgin wood, according to the Environmental Paper Networks Paper Calculator 4.0. Of the 58 types of toilet paper scored by NRDC, 12 received either an A or A+ because they are made from post-consumer recycled paper. The vast majority of those are specifically eco-conscious products, including Green Forest, Natural Value, Natures Promise, Seventh Generation Soft and Strong, and Marcal 100% Recycled. Toilet paper for sale at a grocery store in San Francisco. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Trader Joes store brand and Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value 100% Recycled both received A+ scores. That stands in contrast to some of the store brands from other large retailers. Wegmans, Stop & Shop/Giant Food, Publix Super Soft and Publix Ultra Strong, Kirkland (which is Costcos store brand), Amazon Basics and every variation of Walmarts store brand Great Value all received an F. "Were looking into that, its the first we've seen of the rating a Walmart spokesperson told Yahoo News when asked for comment. She also pointed to Walmarts Sustainable Forests policy, which sets a goal that By 2025, Walmarts goal is that private brand products made of pulp, paper, and timber will be sourced deforestation and conversion-free. (Conversion in this usage means when forest land is converted to another use, such as farming, by cutting down its trees.) Different products from the same brand can often receive very different scores. While Trader Joes regular brand received an A+, Trader Joe's Super Soft got an F, for instance. The same also applies to different brands from the same manufacturer. For example, Kimberly-Clark makes Cottonelle and Georgia-Pacific makes Quilted Northern, both of which received an F grade. But those companies also offer greener alternatives. Georgia-Pacifics Pacific Blue Basic and Kimberly-Clarks Scott Essential Standard Roll both got a B+. Procter & Gamble, which makes Charmin, does not offer any recycled-paper bathroom tissue. Charmin brand toilet paper sits on display in Princeton, Ill. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images) For the first time ever, Georgia-Pacific landed itself among the B-plus scores after making a 100 percent recycled content toilet paper option available online directly to consumers; Kimberly Clark made this same move last year, Jordan wrote. This development leaves P&G last among the Big Three U.S. tissue companies to still receive straight F scores across all of its tissue brands, including Charmin, Puffs, and Bounty. Yahoo News contacted all three companies. Georgia-Pacific relies on forests and recycled content for the wood/fiber we use to make the paper and building products people want and need. With regards to those raw materials, weve always been careful in the way we source and use natural resources, a spokesperson for Georgia-Pacific said in an emailed statement. We are committed to sustainable forestry and actively take steps to ensure that the virgin fiber (trees) used in our products is responsibly sourced, no matter the location. And, we are committed to helping maintain healthy forests now and into the future not only to use available resources more efficiently, but to also follow and promote good science-based forest protection and enhancement practices. Georgia-Pacific also referred to a website where it asserts that the logging for its products is sustainable because new trees are grown in place of the ones cut down. Georgia-Pacific recently announced that it is modernizing one of its premier sawmills in Pineland, Texas. The Pineland Lumber Complex will undergo $120 million in improvements. (AP Photo) Procter & Gamble made a similar claim. Responsible sourcing is an important issue for not just our business but, more importantly, for the environment and people who depend on it, P&G spokesperson Tonia Elrod told Yahoo News in an email. Our sourcing prohibits deforestation, respects the rights of Indigenous peoples (FPIC), and protects biodiversity. For every tree Charmin uses, at least two are regrown. Kimberly-Clark did not respond to Yahoo News. Some environmental experts say that replanting is not an adequate substitute for preserving existing trees. Cutting down trees can destroy wildlife habitats, which are not immediately replaced by a much younger and smaller tree in its place. A 2019 study also found that new trees have less nutrients, due to the effect of logging on soil. Replanted trees are often also all of the same species, creating a less rich ecosystem than what is found in nature and making the forest more susceptible to infestation by fungus or invasive species. The NRDC scorecard also examined paper towels and facial tissues, and it found a similar range of performance. The same eco-conscious brands such as Trader Joes, Green Forest and Natural Value produced A-rated paper towels and facial tissues. But many of the most popular brands, including Brawny Paper Towels (made by Georgia-Pacific) and Kleenex Everyday (made by P&G), got Fs. Correction: Kimberly-Clark makes Cottonelle and Georgia-Pacific makes Quilted Northern. An Ohio woman searching for her lost dog in the woods ended up stumbling upon a grisly discovery: the skeletal remains of a woman missing since 2017, according to police. The remains were discovered on Aug. 26 in a wooded area along Thorn Hill Road on the East Side of Youngstown, Ohio, located about 10 miles west of the Pennsylvania state line, police said. The pet owner brought the remains from where she found them to her home and called authorities, who launched an investigation and transported the bones to the coroner's office. Amy Hambrick went missing in 2017. (Youngstown Police Dept. ) On Tuesday, Youngstown police announced the remains were identified as Amy Nicole Hambrick, who vanished from Youngstowns West Side in November 2017 at the age of 29. Hambrick would have been 34 today. Identifying the remains was no easy task. The bones were assembled by Dr. Loren Lease of Youngstown State Universitys Anthropology Department. At first it determined the bones belonged to a human female. Then, using dental records, the jawbone and teeth from the recovered skull, it was determined that the remains belonged to Hambrick, police said. Captain Jason Simon with Youngstown police said Hambrick was last known to be meeting up at a friends house in North Jackson, but never made it. Since she went missing, several law enforcement agencies have worked with Hambricks family to locate her. Every investigative avenue was utilized over the last five years, including countless interviews, searches of residences, the use of cadaver dogs, and the serving of legal process on digital and cellular records, Simon said, noting the case eventually went cold. The August discovery comes after her family had desperately searched for her for five long years. Several of Hambrick's relatives were present at the press conference but did not speak. Despite finding Hambrick's remains, questions persist regarding exactly when she died and how she ended up in the woods. The investigation is still ongoing and the cause of Hambricks death will be listed as undetermined given the condition of her remains, Simon said. Simon asked for the public's help with information about Hambrick's last whereabouts. At least one person knows what happened to her, he said. Were asking to speak to either that individual, because clearly theres a side of the story here, or anyone that has information about her discovery. Simon extended his condolences to Hambrick's family and friends, assuring the public that investigations into missing loved ones continue even after leads grow cold. These cases are always challenging but they are never forgotten about," he said. BUCHA, Ukraine With machine guns trained on them, Natalia Kulakivska had just a few seconds to say goodbye to Yevhen Hurianov, her husband of 16 years. She dropped down on the patio of the family house and they locked eyes as almost 20 Russian soldiers forced him to his knees. I hugged him, touched his cheek, she told NBC News as she tried to hold back disobedient tears. It was the last time she saw Hurianov, who went by the nickname Zhenia, she said around four weeks after he was taken away. The soldiers had accused him of being in Ukraines territorial defense, a volunteer military unit of the countrys army. Kulakivska denies that. According to her, he is an ordinary civilian a car mechanic who runs a family business with his brother and his stepfather from the garage in their backyard. Watch Unbreakable: Taken by Russia Searching for Zhenia on NBC News NOW Sept. 14 at 10:30 p.m. ET While NBC News could not independently verify all the details of Kulakivskas account, it squares with widespread stories of Russia's so-called "filtration" operations. The State Department said on Sept. 7, the U.S. had evidence that hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian citizens have been forcibly deported to Russia in a series of horrors overseen by officials from Russias presidency a charge Russia immediately dismissed. Bucha, a leafy suburb of Kyiv where the couple shared a house made of brownstone, has become a byword for Russian atrocities. Moscows retreat from the area in early April after five weeks of occupation revealed a shocking scene of destruction and brutality: shattered buildings, burned-out cars and bodies strewn on streets. Investigators are examining the towns mass graves for evidence of war crimes. Moscow denies committing atrocities in Bucha, accusing Kyiv of orchestrating them to discredit the Russian army. In an email to NBC News, it called accusations of forced deportation groundless aimed at discrediting Russia. I believe In the midst of the death that has surrounded her, Kulakivska is steadfast in her conviction that Hurianov is alive. Searching, and waiting, for him is an everyday quest. But she isnt just looking for her husband. Around the time Hurianov was taken, she said, her sisters husband, Serhii Liubych, 37, and 20-year-old son, Vlad Bondarenko, who lived in the nearby town of Hostomel, were also captured by Russian soldiers. During the occupation, her sister, Snizhana Liubych, fled to Poland, taking her remaining children and Kulakivskas children, Yevhen, 16, and Nazar, 10. Kulakivska stayed behind to look for the three missing men, keeping a mental image of them coming home, walking through the front gate. I believe this is how it will be, she said. Yevhen Hurianov and Natalia Kulakivska with their two sons Yehven, 16 and Nazar, 10. (Courtesy of Natalia Kulakivska) On April 21, a man did walk through her gate. But instead of her loved ones, it was a former police officer from the neighboring town of Hostomel, who had also been detained by the Russians. The man, Oleh, later said in an interview that on March 20, he had been forced into a dark basement in an unknown location with other men. (NBC News is not publishing Olehs last name out of concerns for his safety.) There, he met Hurianov, who offered him a place on the mattress lying on the floor. Zhenia turned out to be a great human, Oleh said. They spent what Oleh believes to be the next two nights in this pitch-black, cold space. He said they were given porridge twice a day that, in the absence of spoons, they were forced to eat with their hands. They were only allowed one toilet visit a day and only if you couldnt endure it anymore, Oleh said. The two men made a pact: The first to come back alive would find the others family and tell them what had happened. After two days, Oleh said they were moved from the basement, blindfolded and handcuffed, and put on a truck along with other captives to be taken to Ukraines northern border with Belarus, Russias close ally. Eventually, they realized that Kulakivskas nephew, Bondarenko, was also on the truck with them, Oleh said. On March 23, in Belarus, Oleh and Hurianov were separated. Oleh said he spent the next three weeks in a prison in Kursk, a western Russian city close to Ukraines eastern border, before being exchanged for Russian prisoners whom Ukraine was holding. The day after returning home, he found himself at Hurianovs home. Oleh told Kulakivska her husband was alive, at least as of March 23 when they were in Belarus together. He also believed that Bondarenko had managed to escape. He jumped off the truck they were transported in close to what Oleh thought was the Ukrainian town of Chernobyl, near the Belarusian border. For days after learning this from Hordiychuk, Kulakivska was holding onto the hope that Bondarenko was alive. But then, on April 26 a post on the Telegram messaging app, spotted by her sister from Poland, once again turned the familys life upside down. Kulakivska said she later learned that her nephews bullet-ridden body was found by the locals. Then after the Russian forces retreated, his body was exhumed. Kulakivska had to FaceTime her sister in Poland from the morgue to help identify Bondarenkos body, an experience she said was painful beyond words. Hardest thing is to wait There are many like Kulakivska in Ukraine those whom the war has forced to wait for loved ones who may never return. The forcible transfer of civilians is a serious violation of the laws of war amounting to a war crime and could be a crime against humanity, according to the United Nations. In June, the countrys government said that 1.2 million Ukrainians had been deported to Russian territory in this way. In July, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Russian authorities have interrogated, detained, and forcibly deported between 900,000 and 1.6 million Ukrainian citizens, including 260,000 children, from their homes to Russia. The Geneva Conventions, which spell out international rules intended to protect combatants and civilians in armed conflicts, state that individual or mass forcible transfers, as well as deportations of protected persons from occupied territory to the territory of the occupying power or to that of any other country, occupied or not, are prohibited, regardless of their motive. Russia denies targeting or mistreating civilians. A woman walks amid the destruction on the streets of Bucha on April 3. (Rodrigo Abd / AP) The accusations against our country of forced deportation of Ukrainian citizens to the territory of the Russian Federation are groundless and are conjectures aimed at discrediting Russia, the Russian foreign ministry said in an emailed statement. More than six months into the war, many Ukrainians whose loved ones have been taken away have little to no information, from either the Russian or the Ukrainian side, about whether they are alive or where they are being kept. Local prosecutors in Bucha said they are too overwhelmed with requests like Kulakivskas to be of any help. Ukraines Security Service, which is handling cases of Ukrainians who are believed to have been forcibly disappeared from Russian-occupied areas, has not responded to a request for comment on Hurianov. The hardest thing is to wait, Kulakivska said. To wait and understand that there is nothing I can do. By tracking down and talking to two other men who have been in Russian custody with Hurianov, Kulakivska now knows her husband is being held in correctional facility #2 in the town of Novozybkov in Russias Bryansk region, some 160 miles northeast of Bucha. She tried calling the prison but was told there were no Ukrainian citizens held there. After multiple phone calls by Kulakivska, the International Committee of the Red Cross, which tracks information on the war missing, both military and civilians, confirmed in July that her husband is being held in Russian custody. It didnt provide any more details to Kulakivska or to NBC News. And late last month, she received a letter in Hurianovs writing via the Red Cross. It said only: Im alive and in good health. Desperate for help from inside Russia, Kulikavska called on her husbands relatives in Russia, with whom he has been close since childhood. They did not respond to her plea. For her, their silence has tipped the scales, cementing a rift that can never be undone. If Zhenia returns alive, will he be able to forgive everything hes been through? the text message to his relatives read. If I find his body, will I be able to forgive? For now, she still waits for her husband to stride through the black gates in front of their brownstone house. Shira Pinson, Molly Hunter and Mariia Ulianovska reported from Bucha. Yuliya Talmazan reported from London. A group of MPs and peers sanctioned by China have expressed serious concerns about the Chinese Government being invited to the Queens funeral. Senior Tory MPs Tim Loughton and Sir Iain Duncan Smith wrote this week to the Commons Speaker and Lord Speaker, calling it extraordinary that Chinese representatives should have received an invitation. The letter, also signed by crossbench peer Lord Alton and Labour peer Baroness Kennedy, says: We are greatly concerned to hear that the Government of China has been invited to attend the state funeral next week, despite other countries Russia, Belarus and Myanmar being excluded. Tim Loughton MP has also been sanctioned by the Chinese Government (Gareth Fuller/PA) Given that the United Kingdom Parliament has voted to recognise the genocide committed by the Chinese Government against the Uighur people it is extraordinary that the architects of that genocide should be treated in any more favourable way than those countries who have been barred. The Chinese Government is reportedly considering sending a delegation to the funeral on Monday in Westminster Abbey but is is unclear whether President Xi Jinping will attend. The Chinese leader is currently meeting Russian president Vladimir Putin at a summit in Uzbekistan. Chinese vice-president Wang Qishan is expected to attend, the South China Morning Post reported, citing diplomatic sources. In response to the letter from MPs and peers, Downing Street said: First and foremost it is for the Palace on the invite list, this is inviting heads of state, world leaders to the funeral of Her Majesty so it is for them to set out the guest list. And as a convention those we have diplomatic relations with are invited in the main. The UN recently published an assessment of human rights concerns linked with the Xinjiang region of China, and concluded serious violations had been committed there linked to Beijings so-called counter-terror and counter-extremism policies. As foreign secretary, and during her summer-long campaign to become Prime Minister, Liz Truss pushed for a hard line against the Chinese Government. And earlier this month, Tory MP Tom Tugendhat now security minister urged the Government to look at banning the import of all cotton products produced in the Xinjiang region as a response to the countrys treatment of Uighur Muslims. Chinese president Xi Jinping with the Queen at a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in 2015 (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Mr Loughton said he was unsure whether the decision to invite China to the funeral was a conspiracy or cock up. I dont know why this has happened, he told BBC Radio 4s World At One programme. I dont know whether its a conspiracy or cock up. You cannot have a golden age, normal relations, with a country which has now been exposed as committing the sorts of atrocities that it has, not least the genocide against the Uighurs. Asked if he wanted the invite to be rescinded, he said: Yes. In their letter, the parliamentarians say they have written to Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to express their concerns. It is also particularly inappropriate given that seven parliamentarians including ourselves remain sanctioned by the Chinese Government and you along with the Lords Speaker have quite rightly barred the Chinese Ambassador from attending the Palace of Westminster whilst these unjustified sanctions remain in place, they write. It may well be as part of the arrangements for foreign dignitaries attending the state funeral that facilities at the Palace of Westminster will be made available to them before or after attending the service at Westminster Abbey. I am sure you will agree that it would be wholly inappropriate that any representative of the Chinese Government should be able to come to the Palace of Westminster and that you can give us your assurance that this will not happen. Invitations to the Queens state funeral have not been sent to Russia, Belarus or Myanmar while Iran will only be represented at an ambassadorial level, it is understood. On the relationship between China and Russia, former national security adviser Sir Mark Lyall Grant said the countries are closer than they have ever been but there are limits in their friendship. China is, I think, worried by Russias expansionist sort of movement in the West, and is not going to offer, I dont think, any material support to Putin in Ukraine, he told the BBCs World At One. Certainly theres some political support, some rhetorical support, but nothing more than that so far. The UK has risked further antagonising the European Union by responding to legal threats over the Northern Ireland Protocol by refusing to fully implement the post-Brexit agreement. Ministers are understood to have responded to Brussels seven infringement proceedings by saying they will continue with the grace periods on checks currently in place. Britains mission to the EU formally replied by the end-of-Thursday deadline, despite politics as normal being paused during the mourning period for the Queen. The PA news agency was told that the response said the UK would continue with the current approach of not forcing retailers and exporters to adhere to all the agreed checks. The unilateral action is liable to anger the bloc, which has stressed the need to find joint solutions to the trade barrier created in the Irish Sea by the protocol. But Britain hopes that delaying the checks will help create the space for solutions to be found. Four infringement procedures were triggered by the European Commission in July, adding to three already launched a month earlier. There have been unconfirmed suggestions that Prime Minister Liz Truss will speak with Irish premier Micheal Martin on the margins of the Queens funeral (Liam McBurney/PA) The EU has been further angered by the UKs threat to override parts of the protocol with new legislation, which the bloc argues would break international law. Britain also requested a meeting next week of the specialised Committee on EU Programmes amid a row over the UKs association with the Horizon scientific research initiative. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen will be in Westminster for the Queens funeral on Monday. It is unclear if she will be meeting Prime Minister Liz Truss while in London, although Ms Truss is expected to hold some talks with political leaders during their visits. There have been unconfirmed suggestions that Ms Truss will speak to Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin on the margins of the funeral amid tensions over the protocol. The European Commission declined to discuss the contents of the UK letter, as did the UK Government during the mourning period. Neither side was planning to publish the document. Commission spokesman Daniel Ferrie told reporters in Brussels: I can confirm we have received a reply from the UK. We will now analyse the reply before deciding on the next steps. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Li Zhanshu, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari, in Kathmandu, Nepal, Sept. 14, 2022. At the invitation of Speaker of Nepal's House of Representatives Agni Sapkota, Li paid an official goodwill visit to Nepal from Monday to Thursday. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) KATHMANDU, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Speaker of Nepal's House of Representatives Agni Sapkota, Chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee Li Zhanshu paid an official goodwill visit to Nepal from Monday to Thursday. During the visit, Li met with Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, and held talks with Sapkota and Chairman of National Assembly of Nepal Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, separately. While meeting with Bhandari, Li first conveyed cordial greetings and best wishes from Chinese President Xi Jinping. Li said that China and Nepal are linked by mountains and rivers, and the two peoples have been enjoying friendly relations for generations. President Xi paid a historic state visit to Nepal in 2019, during which the two heads of state elevated the China-Nepal relationship to a strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity, offering strategic guidance for the long-term development of bilateral ties, Li said. He thanked the Nepalese side for unswervingly adhering to the one-China principle, and supporting China's position on the Taiwan question and issues concerning Tibet, Xinjiang and human rights. China will continue to firmly support Nepal's efforts to safeguard its sovereign independence and territorial integrity, to achieve prosperity and strength, Li said. He welcomed the Nepalese side to actively participate in the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative proposed by Xi, and congratulated Nepal for its upcoming National Day on Sept. 20. Asking Li to convey her sincere regards to Xi, Bhandari said Xi's visit to Nepal in 2019 is a milestone in the history of the two countries' bilateral relations. China has always been Nepal's most reliable good friend and partner, she said, expressing gratitude to China for its selfless help to Nepal in economic and social development, earthquake rescue and relief, and the fight against COVID-19. With its rapid development, China has become a model of global development and played an important role in safeguarding world peace and stability, she said. Bhandari expressed hope that Nepal and China will strengthen practical cooperation in various fields and push forward the implementation of important projects. When meeting with Deuba, Li said China has always regarded Nepal as a priority in neighborhood diplomacy. The two sides should continue to understand and support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, and jointly uphold true multilateralism. Li called for advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, strengthening exchanges and cooperation in trade and investment, infrastructure, customs clearance and other areas, and jointly building the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network to bring tangible benefits to the people of both countries. For his part, Deuba said that both Nepal and China uphold the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and the bilateral ties have enjoyed a solid political foundation. Nepal's development transformation needs China's support and help, he added. Nepal is ready to strengthen friendly exchanges with China at various levels and expand practical cooperation with China in areas such as economy, people's livelihood, education, tourism and culture, so as to realize common development and prosperity, Deuba said. In his separate meetings with Sapkota and Timilsina, Li said China's NPC is ready to work with Nepal's parliament to implement the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries, promote closer exchanges between their special committees as well as friendship groups, strengthen exchanges on governance experience and provide legal support for the practical cooperation between the two countries. Sapkota said China's foreign policies have fully embodied the notion of win-win cooperation underlined by Xi, expressing his hope that the legislatures of the two countries will further their close exchanges, and promote the implementation of projects in connectivity, livelihood improvement and other areas. Timilsina said Nepal's parliament actively supports the Belt and Road construction and is willing to learn from China's experience in economic and social development as well as in poverty alleviation. Li briefed the Nepalese side about the upcoming 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The Nepalese leaders said that as a friendly neighboring country, Nepal is happy with the great development achievements of the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC. Under the leadership of Xi, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, China will surely be able to successfully realize the second centenary goal, they said, adding that they wish the 20th CPC National Congress a success. The Nepalese leaders unanimously reiterated that Nepal has always firmly adhered to the one-China principle and will not allow any force to use the Nepalese territory for anti-Chinese activities or harming China's interests. During his visit to Nepal, Li also met separately with KP Sharma Oli, chairman of the Community Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), and chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center) Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda. Li also signed with Sapkota a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the NPC of China and Nepal's House of Representatives, met with Nepalese Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka and visited the Bhaktapur Durbar Square, which is undergoing post-quake reconstruction. Li Zhanshu, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, in Kathmandu, Nepal, Sept. 13, 2022. At the invitation of Speaker of Nepal's House of Representatives Agni Sapkota, Li paid an official goodwill visit to Nepal from Monday to Thursday. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) Li Zhanshu, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, holds talks with Chairman of National Assembly of Nepal Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, in Kathmandu, Nepal, Sept. 13, 2022. At the invitation of Speaker of Nepal's House of Representatives Agni Sapkota, Li paid an official goodwill visit to Nepal from Monday to Thursday. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) Li Zhanshu, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, signs with Speaker of Nepal's House of Representatives Agni Sapkota a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the NPC of China and Nepal's House of Representatives after talks, in Kathmandu, Nepal, Sept. 12, 2022. At the invitation of Sapkota, Li paid an official goodwill visit to Nepal from Monday to Thursday. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, ARMENPERSS. US Congressman Frank Pallone said that the resolution submitted to the House of Representatives condemning the latest Azerbaijani attack on Armenia calls for an immediate end to all assistance to Azerbaijan. I introduced a resolution with members of the Armenia Caucus that condemns Azerbaijan's recent attack, calls for an immediate end to all assistance to Azerbaijan and affirms the House's support for Armenia. We must send a strong message that Aliyev's aggression is unacceptable, Rep. Pallone said on Twitter. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, ARMENPERSS. There is no talk about the use of CSTO forces on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Organization hopes that the conflict will be solved peacefully, Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff Anatoly Sidorov said, reports TASS. Lets not go ahead, I only want to say that on September 13 the leaders of our countries unanimously stated that this issue that exists today between Armenia and Azerbaijan must be solved through political and diplomatic means, he said, adding that there havent been any talks about the use of military force, moreover with the involvement of CSTO, neither on September 13, nor yesterday, nor today. The Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff expressed hope that there wont be any talk on such a scenario. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, ARMENPERSS. Taking advantage of the current situation connected with the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Azerbaijan has launched a unilateral attack against Armenia, Member of Parliament of Spain Jon Inarritu said. This unilateral attack grossly violates the norms of international law. Its absurd how the world closes eyes on all this. This speaks about the double standards of Europe. If sanctions are imposed on Russia over Ukraine, the same is not being done against dictator Aliyev, the Spanish lawmaker said in his remarks in the Parliament. Jon Inarritu said Europe should not loss the vigilance because of the Azerbaijani gas and should properly respond to Azerbaijans criminal actions. On September 13, starting at 00:05, the Azerbaijani armed forces launched a major military attack in several directions against Armenia, primarily using artillery and UAVs. 105 Armenian troops were killed and 6 civilians were wounded in the Azerbaijani attack. On September 14 Armenias Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan said that ceasefire has been reached thanks to the involvement of the international community. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, ARMENPERSS. Starting from 20:00, September 14, the situation in Verishen community of Armenias Syunik province is calm, no shots were fired, village leader Artak Zadayan told Armenian and foreign reporters who visited the village. There is no panic in the village at all, only some families who have young children have been evacuated, the others continue staying in the village, he said. 4 residential houses were damaged in the village from the rocket strikes of Azerbaijan. Artak Zadayan said that hundreds of rockets fell 700-800 meters away from the village. Yesterday, at around 15:00, 3 shells fell in the village, a civilian was wounded while helping the boys, now he is in a hospital, has sustained a shrapnel wound. His life is not in danger, he said. No infrastructure has been damaged in the village. No disruptions in electricity, water or gas supply happened in the village. South Africa: Public Enterprises disappointed by SA Express's liquidation The Department of Public Enterprises says it has noted with great disappointment the final liquidation order granted by the South Gauteng High Court on Wednesday, placing SA Express in final liquidation. This comes after the liquidators could not find a suitable buyer for the regional airline, meaning the airline will never take to the skies again. The department sympathises with the employees of the regional airline, who were not able to receive any compensation after years of working at SA Express, Public Enterprises said. The liquidation of SA Express, according to the department, is a result of many factors, including years of bad management, State capture and corruption, exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global aviation market. One of the suppliers of the airline to save the business placed SA Express in business rescue. However, due to the current fiscal constraint, government was not able to provide the post-commencement finance to implement a successful rescue process, the department explained. The business rescue practitioners (BRP) then applied for provisional liquidation, which was granted in April 2020. The department stated that there have been three different attempts by provisional liquidators to attract credible buyers, including a crowdfunding initiative by employees to buy the airline. However, all of them were futile since none had the financial resources to sustain the business post the sale. It is against this background that the department empathises with all the employees of SA Express, who started the regional airline and built it into a national brand, but who will walk away without any incentives. The department believes the liquidation brings into stark reality the impact of State capture, corruption and bad management in the countrys State-owned enterprises (SOEs), especially the devastating consequence on the livelihoods of employees of the regional airline. The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture Part 1 report - released earlier this year by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo - on SA Express detailed evidence of deep-rooted corruption and fraud at the regional airline. The findings of the first part of the report detailed how SA Express was improperly awarded a five-year contract by North West in respect of the Mafikeng-Johannesburg and Pilanesburg-Johannesburg and Cape Town routes, the department said. However, funds were paid with no services rendered. There is evidence that public funds were syphoned out of the North West governments coffers to various individuals and organs of State, the department said. By 2019, the department said a criminal investigation was underway and High Court litigation had been instituted. However, by the time the Commission heard evidence emanating from this investigation, in June 2019, the criminal process had not gained any substantial momentum. The department has since urged law enforcement agencies to speed up investigations into the allegations of corruption and fraud, and bring to book those responsible for the damage. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-09-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Xi pays state visit to Kazakhstan Xinhua) 08:17, September 15, 2022 Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a welcome ceremony held by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Sept. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) NUR-SULTAN, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here Wednesday afternoon and began his state visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan. Xi was warmly received by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev accompanied by senior Kazakh officials including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi and Mayor of Nur-Sultan Altai Kulginov at the airport. Some 70 ceremonial guards stood in two ranks saluting the leaders as the military band played a fanfare. Two beautifully dressed Kazakh girls, with flowers in their hands, welcomed the arrival of Xi. Xi issued a written address, in which he extended, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, sincere greetings and best wishes to the Kazakh government and people. He pointed out that China and Kazakhstan, connected by mountains and rivers, are good neighbors, good friends and good partners with a shared future, adding that over the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-Kazakhstan relations have progressed by leaps and bounds and reached the high level of permanent comprehensive strategic partnership. He noted that, during the visit, he will hold talks with Tokayev to jointly chart a new blueprint for all-round China-Kazakhstan cooperation. He also expressed his confidence that this visit will inject fresh and strong impetus into the common development and prosperity of both countries. Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and other accompanying officials arrived on the same plane. Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Zhang Xiao also came to the airport to receive the delegation. The golden autumn brought fair winds and wispy clouds to the city of Nur-Sultan. On the flagpoles lining the streets, five-starred red flags were flying high. Accompanied by a motorcycle escort, the state guest motorcade of Xi arrived at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace. He was warmly received by Tokayev as he exited the car. The two heads of state then proceeded together to the main hall of the Presidential Palace. In the brightly lit, elegant and august main hall, ceremonial guards stood tall and straight. Tokayev held a grand welcome ceremony for Xi. The two heads of state jointly stood on the podium as the military band played the national anthems of China and Kazakhstan. Accompanied by Tokayev, Xi inspected the honor guard. After the welcome ceremony, Tokayev invited Xi to an art exhibition titled "Kazakhstan-China: A Dialogue Across Millennium. On display were Chinese and Kazakh art treasures from the State Museum of Arts of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The exquisite Chinese paintings and porcelains and the Kazakh silks and ceramics are vivid testaments to the mutual learning between the splendid Chinese and Kazakh civilizations over the millennium. They also bear historical witness to the friendly exchanges between generations of Chinese and Kazakh people. The two Presidents held formal talks. Xi pointed out that over the past three decades since China and Kazakhstan established diplomatic ties, the bilateral relationship has stood the test of the changing international landscape, achieving greater substance, higher levels and more fruitful outcomes. The two countries have created many "firsts" in their relations, including the first in settling the boundary question, the first in laying cross-border oil and gas pipelines, the first in conducting international production capacity cooperation and the first in building a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said. China highly values its relations with Kazakhstan, and firmly supports Kazakhstan in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in taking reform measures to preserve national stability and development, Xi said, adding that China will always be a trustworthy and reliable friend and partner of Kazakhstan. China is ready to work with Kazakhstan in firmly supporting each other's development and rejuvenation, and helping each other achieve development and prosperity. The unbreakable friendship between China and Kazakhstan will contribute to the growth of positive and progressive forces in the world and to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi said. Xi stressed that China-Kazakhstan cooperation enjoys a solid foundation, huge potential and broad prospects, adding that the two sides should make good use of the existing mechanisms such as the regular Prime Ministers' Meetings and the China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee to synergize development strategies, leverage each other's comparative strengths and bring bilateral cooperation to a new scale and new level. It is important that the two sides work together for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, boost cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, production capacity, connectivity and COVID-19 response, and expand innovation cooperation in such fields as big data, artificial intelligence, digital finance, cross-border e-commerce, green energy and green infrastructure, Xi said, adding that the two sides need to forge closer people-to-people ties and promote friendly exchanges and mutual understanding between their peoples. Xi underscored that China supports Central Asian countries in safeguarding political security and social stability and in enhancing cooperation for integration. China will maintain close communication with Kazakhstan to properly handle various new problems and new challenges, oppose external forces' interference in the affairs of Central Asian countries, and jointly uphold lasting stability and security in the region, Xi said. The two sides need to enhance cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and China+Central Asia, and jointly support efforts for a successful SCO Samarkand Summit, in order to inject new impetus into the Organization's future development. The two sides should also step up international coordination, practice true multilateralism and contribute their shares to building a more just and equitable global governance system, he added. Tokayev expressed warm congratulations to China on its great development achievements under the leadership of Xi, and wished the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China a full success. Tokayev said the fact that Xi chooses to visit Kazakhstan on his first overseas trip since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of China-Kazakhstan diplomatic relations, fully reflects the high degree of mutual trust between the two countries and the high-level nature of the Kazakhstan-China permanent comprehensive strategic partnership. The two sides will sign a joint statement to demonstrate their firm commitment to another golden 30 years of Kazakhstan-China relations, which is of special and great significance in the current volatile and complex international environment, Tokayev noted, adding that it is believed that Xi's visit will mark a new milestone in the history of Kazakhstan-China relations and bring new substance and impetus to the growth of the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Kazakhstan will continue to firmly uphold the one-China policy and be a good partner and good friend that China can always rely on under all circumstances, Tokayev said. Noting that next year will mark the tenth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) proposed by Xi, Tokayev said that the BRI has become an important engine driving the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and Kazakhstan will continue to actively support and participate in the BRI. Tokayev expressed appreciation to China for the valuable support Kazakhstan had received in its battle against COVID-19 and pursuit of economic development, adding that Kazakhstan hopes to better synergize development strategies with China, intensify exchanges at various levels, and deepen cooperation across the board including in economy and trade, infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, science and technology, tourism and people-to-people engagements. Kazakhstan stands ready to work with China to implement the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative, enhance coordination and collaboration within frameworks such as the SCO, CICA and China+Central Asia, and jointly safeguard security and stability in the region and promote common development, Tokayev said. The two heads of state signed and issued the Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Kazakhstan on the 30th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, and announced that China and Kazakhstan will work for the goal and vision of building a community with a shared future defined by lasting friendship, a high degree of mutual trust and sharing weal and woe. Relevant departments of the two sides signed bilateral cooperation documents in such areas as economy and trade, connectivity, finance, water conservancy and the media. The two sides decided to set up consulates general in China's Xi'an and Aktobe in Kazakhstan respectively. After the talks, Xi attended the welcoming banquet hosted by Tokayev, and the two leaders had an in-depth exchange of views on issues of shared interest. After the banquet, Xi concluded his state visit to Kazakhstan and left Nur-Sultan for Samarkand. He was seen off at the airport by Tokayev and other senior Kazakh officials. Tokayev said that Xi's visit, albeit a short one, is highly productive and fruitful, adding that the two leaders reached much important consensus, which will steer Kazakhstan-China relations to an even higher level. Xi pointed out that his visit is a new starting point for bilateral relations and believed that with the joint efforts of the two sides, China-Kazakhstan relations will enjoy greater development in the future. The two heads of state agreed to keep in close contact through various means. Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and other officials attended the relevant events. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) QINGDAO, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- A container ship loaded with cargo worth of about 13 million U.S. dollars departed from Qingdao Port in east China's Shandong Province on Wednesday, headed for Russia's port city of Vladivostok. It marked the launch of the shipping route between the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area (SCODA) and Vladivostok, which is the first shipping route from the SCODA to Russia's Far East region. The ship, carrying a total of 346 TEUs of cargos, including tyres, daily necessities, machine parts and cosmetics, is scheduled to arrive in Vladivostok in four days. The cargo will then be transported to other cities, including Moscow. "Compared with traditional railway transportation, the sea-rail combined transport mode has the advantages of large capacity, timeliness and strong stability. Through this mode of transportation, the transport capacity can be increased by more than three times and the transportation time can be cut in half," said Zang Yuanqi with the management committee of SCODA. The demonstration area operates 17 international freight-train routes, reaching 51 cities in 22 countries, including Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members and some along the Belt and Road. Qingdao's imports and exports to other SCO member states totaled 35.85 billion yuan (about 5.19 billion U.S. dollars) in the first eight months of 2022, a year-on-year increase of 19.6 percent, according to Qingdao Customs. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, ARMENPERSS. Armenias all partners contributed equally to the agreement on the ceasefire, the United States played a major role in correcting the situation, Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Alen Simonyan told reporters at a briefing. On September 14 Armenias Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan said that ceasefire has been reached thanks to the involvement of the international community. Asked which partners particularly played a role in the establishment of the ceasefire, the Speaker said: All partners have equally contributed, Russia, France. The United States played a big role in correcting yesterdays situation. In response to the question to what extent it will be possible to keep the situation stable, the Speaker said he cannot say. We must be ready for every development. The logic of our work is fully within this logic, we cannot rely on the adversarys good will or any agreement. We are moving on according to this logic, he said. Yesterday Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in the Parliament that Azerbaijan has occupied 10 square km of Armenias territory during its latest attack. Commenting on this, the Speaker said that this does not relate to any settlement. The main battles have taken place near the positions, the attack was in the direction of the positions, that change was connected with the positions. There has been a place when the position was taken back by us, and there has been a place where they achieved some kind of success, he said. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS. On September 15, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan received EU special representative for the South Caucasus and crisis in Georgia Toivo Klaar. Minister Mirzoyan presented to Toivo Klaar the situation resulting from the pre-planned large-scale aggression by the Azerbaijani armed forces against the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia and the steps undertaken by Armenia to halt the aggression, the foreign ministry said. The Armenian side considered unacceptable the gross violations of human rights, particularly deliberate targeting of the civilian population and civil infrastructure by the Azerbaijani armed forces. The Foreign Minister of Armenia particularly emphasized that such actions of the Azerbaijani side undermine efforts of establishing lasting and comprehensive peace in the region, underlining in this context the direct and adequate condemnation of the Azerbaijani aggression by the international community. The preservation of the ceasefire and speedy elimination of the consequences of Azerbaijani aggression was highlighted. Ararat Mirzoyan and Toivo Klaar also exchanged views on the effectiveness of the Brussels platform for the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. These groups have been in a ceasefire after announcing the suspension of operation years ago and have been holding peace talks thereafter A tripartite agreement will be signed with the Adivasi miltatn groups in the presence of Union home minister Amit Shah (DC File Image) NEW DELHI: With the aim of bringing peace to Assam and the Northeast, the Centre will be signing a peace agreement with five Adivasi (tribal) militant outfits of Assam in New Delhi on Thursday in the presence of Union home minister Amit Shah, officials said on Wednesday. The officials said the tripartite agreement will be signed with five tribal militant groups which are now under a ceasefire deal with the government. The five rebel outfits are the All Adivasi National Liberation Army, the Adivasi Cobra Militants of Assam, Birsa Commando Force, Santhal Tiger Force and Adivasi Peoples Army. These groups have been in a ceasefire after announcing the suspension of operation years ago and have been holding peace talks thereafter. Over a hundred cadres of these groups are now temporarily living in designated camps under the protection of the Assam police. Sharing this information, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said: Held a meeting with rebel Adivasi groups, currently under ceasefire, regarding final settlement to be signed on 15 September 2022 in New Delhi in presence of Honble Union HM Shri Amit Shah ji. Im sure signing of the agreement will usher in a new era of peace & harmony in Assam. Mr Sarma is also likely to be at the Thursdays ceremony. A total of 1,615 cadres of four NDFB factions had laid down their arms on January 30 last year after the signing of the Bodo peace accord with the Central government on January 27, 2020 in New Delhi in the presence of Mr Amit Shah. The Centre has, meanwhile, been trying to conclude the decades-old Naga peace talks and several rounds of talks have been held with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (I-M) and other factions. An 11-member Naga delegation led by Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio and deputy CM Y. Patton on Monday met the home minister at North Block. During the meeting, Mr Shah reportedly urged the delegation to convince the NSCN-IM to reach a final solution on this issue to resolve the protracted Naga political issues. The talks with the NSCN-IM started in 1997 after the signing of a ceasefire agreement and a subsequent Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015. The persistent demand of the NSCN (IM) for a separate flag and constitution has, however, made the final solution elusive. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said that he has asked the civil administration to provide all support to the Army to conduct recruitment rallies NEW DELHI: The Indian Army has no plan to suspend or shift recruitment rallies out of Punjab under the Agnipath scheme, said senior officials on Wednesday. In a statement, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann said Wednesday that he has asked the civil administration to provide all support to the Army to conduct recruitment rallies in the state. The clarification comes in wake of media reports that the local Army unit had written to the state administration threatening to transfer recruitment rallies out of the state due to non-cooperation by civil administration. All deputy commissioners were directed to provide complete support to the Army authorities for recruitment of Agniveers in Punjab. Any laxity shall be viewed seriously, the Punjab CM said. Mr Mann said every effort will be made to recruit the maximum number of candidates into the Army from the state. Indian Army officials said the recruitment of Agniveers as per the Agnipath scheme was progressing as per schedule for recruiting year 2022-23. It is clarified that, specifically in the state of Punjab, recruitment rallies in Ludhiana and Gurdaspur have been successfully conducted with the full support of the civil administration. The registration and footfall of candidates were encouraging as per the trends of previous years, Indian Army sources said. They said that further rallies in Patiala (17-30 September), Ferozepur (1-16 November) and Jalandhar (21 November to 10 December), including women Agniveers, will also be held as scheduled in close coordination with the administration. It is reiterated there is no plan to shift recruitment rallies from Punjab to any other state(s), the Army sources said. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had opposed the Agnipath scheme brought by the Central government and the Punjab Assembly had in June passed a resolution urging the Union government to immediately roll it back. The Centre had on June 14 had unveiled a new radical recruitment policy for the armed forces dubbed Agnipath under which now all soldiers, sailors and airmen for the Army, Navy and Air Force will be hired on a short-term contract for four years to cut down pension bills. After the completion of a four-year term, up to 25 per cent from a batch would be selected to serve as regular troops in the armed forces through a transparent process and the rest will be released from service after a lump-sum payment. Several parts of the country saw violent protests against the scheme. A number of Opposition parties had criticised the scheme, contending it will adversely impact the operational capabilities of the armed forces. The Queen was seen as a matriarch trying to keep a large, dysfunctional family together. Much like matriarchs of joint families here How I miss Khushwant Singh when a famous person passes away! Had Khushwant Singh been alive, he would have penned the most sizzling obituary of Britains longest-serving Rani, Queen Elizabeth II, who died on September 8 at the age of 96. Much has been written in our media, but nobody can match KSs trenchant style. How has India responded to the news of the Queen passing away? The voice on the phone was clear and clipped. It was a lady from the BBC World Service. I was in a rickety car driving up to Ooty, with a driver who was talking on the phone and not wearing his seat belt. I would have worn mine had it been there! The three-hour drive on NH-181 from Coimbatore airport to Ooty (86 km away), up the steep Coonoor ghat with 48 hairpin bends, is hair-raising, with stray bison and baby elephants halting the traffic. It was too vast a question to respond to given the circumstances. I replied honestly, and perhaps a bit too bluntly, by telling the lady:Well we do have several other major concerns to deal with, besides, we also have mixed feelings about the Queen, given the love-hate relationship with your nation. There was a brief pause. She continued:I understand you have met King Charles and the Queen Consort Indeed, I had. What are your views on our new King? The car I was in had narrowly missed a family of langurs, and the driver had only one hand on the wheel. I gulped. And quickly said:He is a wacko, an eccentric with strange political views besides, the world has moved on. His job description has also changed over time The lady reminded me that their country was in mourning and the mood was somber across Britain. I softened my views and added: The Queen was seen as a matriarch trying her best to keep a large, dysfunctional family together. Much like matriarchs of joint families here. She reminded me of the key protagonist in an Ekta Kapoor saas-bahu saga a naani and a daadi stuck in a thankless job. In India, we place great value on family, tradition, and emotional ties that bind generations. We are sentimental and forgiving, when a family elder passes away There was a long Hmmmm. By now the driver had started an animated conversation with his wife. But I wasnt done:The young in India remain largely indifferent to British royalty. They have heard of the Queen, thanks to OTT platforms, and the success of The Crown. They are definitely more interested in gossipy tidbits about Meghan and Harry, and will probably tune in to see what Meghan wears to the funeral. Shes perceived as a wrecker of the family and therefore a vamp. The lady then asked a rather surprising question: Does race and caste figure in the way the Queens passing has been underplayed in India? Huh? I watched the gun carriage as the Queens cortege made its way toWestminster Hall. All that pomp and pageantry seemed so out of sync with today. A made-for-television spectacle, starched, rigid and cold. We are accustomed to rona-dhona and emotional displays of grief. There were far too many stiff upper lips around on TV, and the solemnity seemed forced. All those absurd rules! The protocol! Who gets to wear the military uniform and who doesnt A revered lady is dead. Her children and grandchildren being sifted and divided up for public display appears cruel and humiliating to me. Then there were those distasteful questions about whether or not Meghan the American Witch had come with hidden microphones under her fitted black dress during the staged walkabout. I am neither a hater nor a baiter. Reading all the outpouring of anti-British feelings in India right now, I am frankly pretty bored. Someone wants an apology, someone else wants the Kohinoor. Yes, India was plundered and looted by the Brits but look at the tatters the Empire is in today. And look at us! Look ahead Not back. I doubt King Charles III will be able to keep the monarchy on track, or even whether he will be accepted as a worthy successor to his mother, given the changed public sentiments. I am against this business of coercing apologies out of public figures for past sins of omission and commission. These forced sorrys are pretty meaningless and fake. History cannot be reversed, so why go down that path? The evil that men do lives after themetc, etc. There is enough evil all around us right now in our own backyard why not focus on the present day and look after our own, instead of going back in time and demanding apologies left and right? The Queen had shrewdly adhered to the priceless advice (Never explain, never complain) given to her ancestor, Queen Victoria, by her astute adviser and Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, the first Earl of Beaconsfield, in the late 1800s. Significantly, Disraeli is the only Prime Minister of Jewish origin and a novelist who continued to publish his work even after he became Prime Minister. It is a motto which, royal watchers say, was adopted by Queen Elizabeths mother (the universally beloved Queen Mum, who died aged 101, in 2002) and subsequently by Queen Elizabeth II herself. Id say its a fabulous mantra to follow even without being the Queen of England. The more you explain, the worse it gets. Silence has more power than confessions and admissions. Where has opening the gab benefited anyone? Look at Prince Harrys haalat. Worse, see Prince Andrew (popularly known as Randy Andy, for obvious reasons) marching in tailcoats resembling a royal butler behind his mothers gun carriage, and cutting such a pathetic figure. The state funeral on Monday will undoubtedly attract a record number of eyeballs worldwide. We will be represented by our President, Droupadi Murmu an apt choice. But before that, we will be treated to our Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday celebrations on Saturday,when he turns 72, which will go on for a fortnight and end on Mahatma Gandhis birth anniversary (October 2). Remember folks, its Sewa Pakhwara time. Follow the leader: Gird your loins and toil away. Janam Din Mubarak, Modiji! Glad you also follow half of Disraelis anmol advice by never explaining. Tensions between the two countries rose again in recent days, with 150 people, mostly soldiers, dying in border clashes, in Armenian territory, not only in Nagorno-Karabakh. Moscow's ability to mediate has been affected by the war in Ukraine. For Patriarch Raphael, bombs fell on houses in the middle of the night, torching and destroying them. Yerevan (AsiaNews) Despite many potential snags, a tentative ceasefire was holding today following renewed border clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan. For Armenian Catholic Patriarch Raphael Bedros XXI Minassian, who spoke to AsiaNews, the situation is a raw nerve that regularly sparks tensions as well as causes anxiety and deaths. As a result of the latest violence, Armenia reported 105 dead, mostly soldiers, while Azerbaijani authorities said it lost 50 servicemen. Patriarch Raphael added that civilians were also caught up in the fighting as bombs fell on houses in the middle of the night, torching and destroying them. This time, the outbreak of violence did not directly involve Nagorno-Karabakh, the separatist Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan, but touched the international border and Armenian territory forcing hundreds of people to flee. Two years after the last war, Azerbaijani forces launched an attack overnight last Tuesday, on the countrys western border, its artillery unleashing an artillery barrage and drone attacks within Armenian territory, such as Vardenis, Sotk, Artanish, Ishkhanasar, Goris, Jermu and Kapan. For Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, this is a violation of the 2020 ceasefire and the attacks were indiscriminate. This comes as provocations by the two sides were multiplying, assign of a possible escalation. On 25 August for example, Azerbaijanis took control of Lachin, a town that lies in an area that is the only transit corridor between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh So far Russia has been a key mediator, but since the start of its offensive in Ukraine, its role and commitment appear to have waned. A delegation from the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) is expected in Yerevan today. The latter is a Russia-led military alliance in Eurasia of six post-Soviet states. Russia has also nurtured good relations with Baku, an important supplier of raw materials. The Armenian government has called for the Kremlin's help, but it faces domestic opposition as well. Street protests have broken out demanding the prime minister resign after reports began circulating of a possible agreement that included extensive territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. For Patriarch Raphael, the Armenian people who have resisted in sacrifice and silence for over a hundred years because of the genocide feel forgotten" by the international community "despite past sufferings. Indeed, even those who could help do not. "Where are those who can help? wonders the prelate without citing names. We have lost the contribution of nations that could lend a hand; they remain silent, perhaps because it is in their interest to be silent. The patriarch believes that there is little interest in reaching a real peace agreement, but the support of the 10 million Armenians of the diaspora is of great comfort. We do not have huge reserves of oil or gas, but we can count on our brains, at home or abroad. I am not against dialogue and peace but when I am subjected to aggressions of this magnitude, they prevent me from engaging in dialogue. The international community and Azerbaijanis must understand that these methods do not encourage dialogue and reconciliation. "For true peace, one that is final and lasting, time and will are needed. And trust, even if it becomes difficult to do so in the face of aggression. by Vladimir Rozanskij In the soon-to-be re-renamed Astana, people from across Asia welcomed the pope of Rome like a brother who understands the weariness and burdens of life, in body and spirit. Nur Sultan (AsiaNews) Pope Franciss trip to Kazakhstan is extraordinary for a number of reasons. Of course, it was a great meeting of religions in a country with an important geopolitical role, but it was also striking for another aspect, namely the pontiffs own physical pain. It is well known that Francis has had mobility problems for months due to severe pain to the joints; yet, it is amazing that he chose to travel so far, not only in terms of geography Canada was even farther but above all in terms of history and culture. Indeed, nowadays his physical suffering is compounded by the inner aches caused by todays wars and hardships, which he never stops from confronting in his speeches, at every opportunity, calling for a common commitment to build peace. He is doing this drawing more and more from one of his predecessors, Saint John Paul II, who visited Kazakhstan in the aftermath of 9/11 and the attack against Twin Towers in New York, at which time, he called on everyone to unite so as not to give in to the temptation of permanent war. Back then, the Polish pope was already hunched over and in pain, just a few years before his death; yet, like Francis, he showed incredible resilience. The Argentinian popes weakness highlighted a Kazakh trait, one also found among other Asians, but characterised here by a special ability to smile and welcome with warmth and sincerity. Kazakhs are cheerful and kind, proud of their ability to engage in dialogue with everyone, taught by their ancient and modern history, full of uncertainties and sufferings, yet also of friendships and hospitality. The capital, Nur-Sultan will soon return to its old name, Astana. Embodying an Asian spirit, its residents welcomed the pope of Rome as a brother, as someone who understands the weariness and burdens of life, in body and spirit. Metropolitan Antony of Volokolamsk led a delegation representing the Russian Orthodox Church, since its patriarch, Kirill, did not want to hear voices not in keeping with his own proclamations of holy war. But he kept a low profile, adding its voice after Francis expressed hope for peace. While the local top Orthodox cleric, Metropolitan Alexander also kept his distance from the Congress of Religions, blessing instead the relics of warrior monks in Almaty, other Orthodox clerics at least tried not to show themselves as more threatening than the many muftis and imams, who on the contrary fervently support the pope's intentions. On the last day of the visit, in more informal settings, the pontiff met with Catholics and many other smiling faces. After an early morning Mass with a small group of priests and nuns, Francis met his Jesuit confreres at the nunciature. The apostolic administrator, US-born Fr Anthony Corcoran, led all eleven members of the Jesuit mission in Kirghizstan from the youngest to the oldest. Some have been in these lands for many years, even before the end of the USSR, when the small group of Jesuits had to play hide-and-seek with Soviet authorities. The reception at the Cathedral of the Mother of God of Perpetual Help, where Francis listened to and spoke with the members of the local Church, was even more joyful. Kazakhstans three dioceses are very different from one another. Astana is under the leadership of Polish-born Bishop Tomasz Peta, a pious clergyman who arrived in this land before the dissolution of the Soviet empire. His right-hand man is Auxiliary Bishop, Athanasius Schneider, a very highly cultured ethnic German born in the Kirghiz SSR (USSR), now the independent country of Kirghizstan, known for his theological and liturgical rigour. Almaty, by contrast, is blessed by the great benevolence and magnanimity of Spanish-born Archbishop Jose Luis Mumbiela Sierra, who has attracted some priests and laity from Astana, where they feel marginalised. Last but not least, the pastorally demanding Italian-born Bishop Adelio dell'Oro of Karaganda is somewhere in between the other two. He arrived in 1997 with a group of missionaries trained Fr Luigi Giussani for Russian lands, and has tried to keep a balance between the austere north and the charming south of the local Catholic community. Although the small local Catholic Church in this great Eurasian middle ground is not free from contradictions, its veneration goes especially to the Queen of Peace. Indeed, May Our Lady similarly melt cold hearts, Pope Francis said today. Someone high up evidently heard him in advance, for the bitter cold that had already descended upon the country before his arrival gave way to a brightly shining sun during his visit. A ban on employment in Saudi Arabia was in place for a year because of abuses against foreign workers. Under a new deal, steps will be taken to fight human trafficking. Remittances by Overseas Filipino Workers represent 9 per cent of the countrys GDP. Manila (AsiaNews) The Philippines has lifted an employment ban in Saudi Arabia after the two countries reached an agreement to resume the deployment of Filipino workers to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia starting November 7th, 2022," this according to a joint press release on Tuesday. The ban was in place for about a year after the Philippines stopped processing applications for overseas employment due to abuses experienced by Filipinos in Gulf states. The announcement came from Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople, who recently visited Riyadh to negotiate better working conditions and wages for her compatriots. According to 2019 data, Saudi Arabia is the favourite destination for Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). However, as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, the number of Filipinos in the kingdom dropped from a million to just over 470,000 in 2020. In the first year of the pandemic, 400,000 Filipinos from all over the world were repatriated and departures dropped by 60 per cent. Remittances from Saudi Arabia in 2020 reached US$ 1.8 billion out of a total of US$ 29.9 billion, a figure that rose to US$ 31.4 billion in 2021. After China and India, the Philippines is the largest recipient of remittances in Asia, representing 9 per cent of its GDP. Most workers are employed in the construction industry or, in the case of women, as nurses and domestic workers. The Philippines stopped issuing visas to Saudi Arabia in November 2021 after some construction companies failed to pay millions of dollars in wages to some 9,000 Filipino workers. Foreigners have been victims of large-scale abuses against in the Gulf monarchies. Both Philippine and international media have often relayed stories of mistreatment, sexual abuse, unpaid wages, and even modern forms of slavery. In 2015, Edelyn Astudillo, a Philippine domestic worker and mother of three, went missing; despite years of investigation, her family know nothing about her fate. Such a situation stems in Saudi Arabia stems from the "kafala", a system under which workers legal status is in the hands of their employers, who can keep employees passports and control all their movements. The new agreement between Manila and Riyadh includes the creation of a working group to monitor the implementation of reforms, the drafting a blacklist and a whitelist of recruitment agencies and employers based on criteria agreed by both countries, and a memorandum of understanding to fight human trafficking. For Secretary Ople, the recruitment and payment processes should be automated, while employment contracts could be reduced to one year with a 15-day vacation leave. She returned home yesterday along with a hundred Philippine workers who were staying in shelters because of employment-related issues. The appeal of the final document of the Congress of Religious Leaders in Nur-Sultan signed by Francis at the conclusion of the trip. "Man is also the way for all the religions, look to his good more than to interests". To the Church of Kazakhstan: "Faith is not a lovely exhibition of artefacts from a distant past or a museum, but an ever-present event, an encounter with Christ There is a grace hidden in the little flock'. Nur-Sultan (AsiaNews) - "Religious freedom is not an abstract concept, but a concrete right," said by Pope Francis in his concluding address to the Congress of World Religious Leaders held in Nur-Sultan. The Pope spoke to present the contents of the final document signed at this interreligious meeting in Kazakhstan. And among the salient passages was the exhortation to ensure that religious freedom is truly safeguarded throughout the world. Francis said, "How many people are even now persecuted and discriminated against on account of their faith! We have insistently appealed to governments and relevant international organizations to provide assistance to religious groups and ethnic communities whose human rights and fundamental freedoms have been violated, or subjected to violence by extremists and terrorists, also as a result of wars and military conflicts . Above all, we must ensure that religious freedom will never be a mere abstraction but a concrete right. We defend everyones right to religion, to hope, to beauty: to Heaven.'. In his speech - his last in Kazakhstan before leaving for Rome - the Pontiff reiterated that "he Catholic Church, which tirelessly proclaims the inviolable dignity of each person, created in the image of God". And expressly quoting the words of John Paul II in the encyclical Redemptor Hominis, he added that today "man is also the way for all the religions. Yes, man, men and women, concrete human beings, weakened by the pandemic, worn out by war, wounded by indifference. Let us look to the good of the human being more than to strategic and economic objectives, national, energy and military interests, before making important decisions'. As for the other contents of the final declaration of the congress, it states that 'extremism, radicalism, terrorism and any other incentive to hatred, hostility, violence and war, whatever their motivation or objective, have nothing to do with the authentic religious spirit and must be rejected in the strongest possible terms' (No. 5). Furthermore, based on the fact that the Almighty has created all people equal, regardless of their religious, ethnic or social affiliation, the religious leaders jointly affirm that "mutual respect and understanding must be considered essential and indispensable in religious teaching" (No. 13). Before the final session of the Congress in the morning in the Cathedral named after the Mother of God of Perpetual Help there had been a meeting with priests, consecrated men, seminarians and pastoral workers of the Catholic community of Kazakhstan. With them, Francis had outlined the horizon of a "Church that walks in history between memory and future". Memory - he specified - not about looking back with nostalgia, getting stuck in the past and letting ourselves be paralyzed and immobile. When we do that, we are tempted to take a step backwards. Instead, when Christians look back and remember the past, they marvel all the more at the mystery of God, their hearts filled with praise and gratitude for what the Lord has accomplished." And it is precisely memory that reveals that "faith grows with witness". "There is a hidden grace in being a small Church, a small flock," he added. "Instead of showing off our strength, our numbers, our structures and every other form of human importance, we let ourselves be guided by the Lord and humbly place ourselves beside people. Small,' the pope concluded, 'but not self-sufficient: "We need God, but we also need others, all others: sisters and brothers of other confessions, those who confess religious beliefs different from ours, all men and women animated by goodwill". Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan meets with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk prior to a reception commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of late Cambodian King Father Norodom Sihanouk in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) BEIJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- China-Cambodia relations will continue to grow in vitality, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan said on Thursday at a reception commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of late Cambodian King Father Norodom Sihanouk. Noting that the late King Father was the beloved "father of independence" to Cambodians and a great friend to the Chinese people, Wang said that he got along well with successive Chinese leaders and made indelible contributions to the China-Cambodia friendship. As 2023 marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia, it is understood that China-Cambodia relations will continue to grow in vitality with the joint efforts of both sides, Wang said. Prior to the reception, Wang met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, acknowledging that the King and the Queen Mother have long been committed to bolstering friendship between China and Cambodia, as the late King Father had wished. Under the new circumstances, China is ready to work with Cambodia to build an unbreakable China-Cambodia community with a shared future under the strategic guidance of the two countries' leaders, Wang said. Thanking China for organizing a series of activities to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the late King Father's birth, King Sihamoni and Queen Mother Monineath stressed that Cambodia is willing to work with China to further advance practical cooperation in various fields and push bilateral relations to a new level. Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan attends a reception commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of late Cambodian King Father Norodom Sihanouk in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) The two leaders meet on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. The Russian leader fully backs China's Taiwan policy, and appreciates Beijings balanced" position on Ukraine. For his part, the Chinese president spreads his wings in Central Asia, the Kremlins traditional turf. Nur-Sultan (AsiaNews) Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, met one-on-one on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit currently underway in Samarkand (Uzbekistan). During the meeting the Russian leader said that his government backs Beijings One China policy vis-a-vis Taiwan, under communist rule. He also condemned the provocations by the United States and its satellites regarding the islands status, and expressed appreciation for Chinas balanced position on the Ukrainian conflict. As he finds himself increasingly in trouble in Ukraine, grappling with Kyivs counteroffensive and the effects of Western sanctions, Putin needs more than ever Chinese support, which Beijing is providing, albeit with some nuances. The two leaders met previously, in early February, at the inauguration of the Beijing Winter Games. Three weeks later Moscow invaded Ukraine, irking its Chinese partner, this according to several sources. Ahead of his meeting with Putin, Xi issued a very nuanced statement, according to Russian media. In the face of a changing world, changing times and historic changes, China is willing to work with Russia to demonstrate the responsibilities of big powers and lead, to instil stability and positive energy in a world of chaos, Xi is quoted as saying. The meeting between the two leaders comes as the two countries hold joint naval and air war games in the Pacific Northwest. At the start of this month, Chinese troops joined Russian troops in Eastern Siberia for the Vostok (East) 2022 military drill. Yet, despite all the declarations about their no-limits friendship, the partnership between Russia and China remains "tactical" and "unbalanced". On Ukraine, China "unofficially" supports the Russian position, but is careful to avoid indirect Western sanctions; for instance, it has increased its purchases of Russian oil, gas and coal, but is not providing military support. For Beijing, this is a highly sensitive issue. Last week, Chinas number three, Li Zhanshu, told Russian lawmakers that China understands Moscows actions in Ukraine. According to Li, NATO and the United States threatened Russia, which counterattacked to defend its interests. Usually, statements by Chinese officials about the Russian-Ukrainian war tend to be more cautious, so much so that Chinas official media did publish what Li said during his visit to Russia. Xis trip to Central Asia is his first abroad since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. Before Uzbekistan, the Chinese president was in Kazakhstan for a meeting with his Kazakh counterpart. The two sides said they want to boost cooperation in agriculture, e-commerce, and technological investments, while Kazakhstan pledged to provide stable gas supplies to China. Beijing is the main economic player in Central Asia, but Moscow has the larger military footprint, at least on paper. Nevertheless, Xi's trip is seen as an opportunity to reaffirm China's growing hegemony in the region as Russia grapples with the political and economic fallout from its aggression against Ukraine. RED LANTERNS IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO THE CHINA. TO RECEIVE A WEEKLY UPDATE EVERY THURSDAY, CLICK HERE. Email Newsletters Get the best of The Aspen Daily News in your inbox. Our newsletters are free, and you can unsubscribe at any time. TEHRAN, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Spokesman for Iranian Foreign Ministry Nasser Kanaani said the "ground seriously exists" for the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, the Iranian Students' News Agency reported on Thursday. Kanaani, who made the remark in an exclusive interview with the Iranian Students' News Agency, added that Tehran has put forward no new demand in its latest response to the European Union's proposed final draft of a potential nuclear agreement. The Iranian official stressed that what Iran has done in its response is to make the text clearer and remove "its ambiguities" to minimize "interpretive differences" that can hinder the nuclear deal, which is formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Kanaani reiterated that there is no "serious difference" that can impede the resumption of the nuclear deal, pointing out that if "the other side" has the necessary political will, the negotiations can be concluded in a short period of time. He emphasized that obtaining guarantees from its Western counterparts has always been Iran's main demand, adding that Iran will not strike a deal that could be breached shortly after its signing. In responding to a recent backlashing from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said Iran's response to the EU's proposal was a step back from the current negotiation, the Iranian diplomat said Blinken's claim is a consequence of Washington's bids to shirk its responsibility. The U.S. government is the sole side to be blamed for the collapse of the JCPOA as well as the failure of international diplomacy to resolve differences, said Kanaani, urging Washington not to put forward excessive demands and blame others for its own responsibilities. The spokesman also noted that Tehran is ready to cooperate constructively with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to address issues raised by the IAEA, adding that Tehran has so far had "maximum cooperation" with the agency and answered all its questions. Iran signed the JCPOA with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to curb its nuclear program in return for removing sanctions on the country. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to drop some of its commitments under the pact. The talks on the JCPOA's revival began in April 2021 in Vienna but were suspended in March this year because of political differences between Tehran and Washington. The latest round of the nuclear talks was held in the Austrian capital in early August after a five-month hiatus. On Aug. 8, the EU put forward its final text of the draft decision on reviving the JCPOA. Iran and the United States later indirectly exchanged views on the EU proposal in a process that has failed to produce any favorable outcome. Even though it will be killed in our market, the subcompact model will live on overseas, where the Korean brand is already testing the sixth generation. Spy shots have revealed that it will be inspired by the Elantra, yet the thick camouflage has done a very good job at hiding the design.Up front, the 2023 Hyundai Accent appears to have a wide grille, and headlamps positioned lower. The bumper has sharp lines, by the looks of it, and the roofline is on the sloping side. A more angular trunk lid will be part of the makeover, together with the new taillights, and rear bumper. Expect a revised color palette too, and new wheels.But will it actually look anything like the one imagined by kelsonik, and shared on social media a few hours ago? Maybe, maybe not, and no one should be mad if it actually ends up looking like this, because it is far more appealing than its predecessor. You dont have to go looking for pictures of the outgoing Accent, as the digital artist was kind enough to provide before and after images.We dont know anything about the underpinnings of the all-new Hyundai Accent , also known as the Verna in other markets, nor the engine family. Nonetheless, the latter might comprise the usual gasoline offerings, perhaps some of them (or maybe all of them) with mild-hybrid technology, and probably one diesel in Europe. Hyundai will make everything crystal clear when the will finally unveil it, presumably in the coming months, before opening the order books shortly after. The Bavarians Motorrad division announced on September 15 that the Harley-Davidson-challenging R 18 cruiser is getting a meaner sound and better breathing, thanks to the new, specially-designed Akrapovic rear silencers.Needing no additional homologation, as they have been homologated together with the complete vehicle, the hardware comes in at 97 mm (3.8 inches) shorter than the stock parts and, tipping the scales at just 8.2 kg (18 pounds) of combined weight, are one kg (2.2 pounds) lighter than the standard bits.Made of stainless steel and coated in matt black, they perfectly fit the R 18 image and sport the German companys brand symbol in the center of the end caps. On the sides, the name Akrapovic is clearly visible.BMW says the silencers have been optimally tuned to the 1,802 cubic centimeter Big Boxer of the R 18 and make for particularly rich and powerful sound. Sadly, we have no idea when well get to hear them firsthand, as the Germans do not say when or for how much the silencers will be available.Together with the new exhaust bits, BMW also announced the availability of the BMW Motorrad Bobber Kit for the bike and the BMW Motorrad Hommage single seat in bobber style.The BMW R 18 can presently be had starting from $15,890 in no less than eight variants, with the 2023 R 18 being the entry level, and the 2022 R 18 Transcontinental the top of the range, with a sticker reading $25,790. Unless you have a journo friend who is attending the event in Motor City, or if you cheated on us with other outlets, then chances are the answer to that question is no. Thus, you came to the right place, as several units of the 2024 Ford Mustang have been immortalized at the Detroit Motor Show, and you can check them out in the gallery above.Looking like an evolution of its predecessor, or an intricate facelift if you will, when it comes to the exterior design anyway, it is still instantly recognizable as a Mustang. It has a long hood, slim headlights, wide grille, and vented hood (on upper specs) at the front, and curvaceous wide hips, and similar taillights at the back. At first glance, the profile doesnt appear to have changed that much, but rest assured, everything is new.The same goes for the cockpit, which is not that retro-ish anymore. It combines the central screen that measures 13.2 inches in diagonal, with the 12.4-inch digital gauges. Action cameras can be easily installed thanks to the overhead USB ports, and drivers will be assisted by a generous host of safety gear on their daily commutes. Flat-bottom steering wheel, leather upholstery, and wireless charging pad are included, though the latter two will be reserved for the upper grades.Powering the better-equipped models will be the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8, whose output and torque are yet unknown. The same goes for the turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder unit, which will be found under the hoods of the lesser variants. Transmission options include the six-speed manual and ten-speed automatic. For now, there are no all-wheel drive alternatives, nor electrified powertrains, but who knows, maybe this will change in the future. EV Ford certainly sent shock waves across the automotive industry when it announced new certification rules during the annual dealership meeting in Las Vegas. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, they say, but not this time. Among the harshest rules imposed on dealers is a new no-haggle policy and the requirement to invest as much as $1.2 million in DC fast chargers if they want to keep selling electric vehicles.Ford promotes a new sales model to better compete with direct-sales startups like Tesla and uses the excuse of a new brand image and sales standard to tighten the screw on the dealerships. Dealers have until October 31 to opt into one of twocertification tiers, Model e Certified Elite or Model e Certified, or be cut entirely from the EV allocation. Each tier comes with necessary investments, most of them for installing DC fast charging stations.The Model e Certified Elite dealers will need to invest $900,000 initially, primarily toward installing two DC fast-charging stations, of which one must be available to the public. By 2026, they will need to cough up $300,000 more for a third fast charging station. Certified Elite dealers will have perks like vehicles in stock and demo cars and receive the most car allocations. Ford offered the Model e Certified tier for smaller dealers who could not afford the bigger investment. This carries a $500,000 investment, with the bulk of the money going toward installing a single public-facing fast charging station. With smaller investment comes smaller EV allocations (although Ford hasnt decided on the cap yet), no vehicle stock, and no demo units.Each certification will be effective from January 1, 2024, until the end of 2026, but the dealers need to opt in now. For those who pass the offer, the nearest opportunity to opt in will come in 2025. Provided they fulfill the requirements, they will be allowed to start selling EVs in January 2027.And its not just the investments that will cut deep into dealers bottom line. Ford wants them to forgo much of their fees to level the field with direct-sale carmakers like Tesla. According to Jim Farley, cited by Automotive News , the current retail model creates a roughly $2,000 disadvantage against direct-sale rivals, which needs to go to get Ford out of the red zone.The most significant change is the no-haggle price policy , though. Ford dealers must set a fixed price online on Fords webpage, although the price can be different from dealer to dealer. But the potential buyers can compare the prices online and buy from whatever dealer offers the best conditions. The vehicles are still delivered to the dealership, but the new sales model will ensure a more transparent buying process. UN assistant secretary-general for Europe, Central Asia and Americas, Miroslav Jenca (C), speaks at a Security Council meeting on tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the UN Headquarters in New York on Sept. 15, 2022. Jenca on Thursday stressed the need for a peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. (Loey Felipe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- UN assistant secretary-general for Europe, Central Asia and Americas, Miroslav Jenca, on Thursday stressed the need for a peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. The international community must remain fully committed to a peaceful settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan and spare no effort to de-escalate the current tensions, bring the parties back to the negotiating table and help them achieve peace and stability in the region, said Jenca. In the immediate term, the parties must abide by their obligations to fully implement the November 2020 cease-fire brokered by Russia, he told the Security Council in a briefing. "We urge them to return to the negotiating table and take steps toward the signing of a lasting peace treaty. It will be important that a similar unified message come from the Security Council for the parties to focus on a diplomatic solution," he said. On Monday evening, the authorities in Armenia and Azerbaijan reported heavy fighting on their international border. According to reports, heavy artillery, drones and large-caliber weapons were used. The exchange of fire reportedly continued through Tuesday and Wednesday, said Jenca. On Wednesday evening, it was announced that a cease-fire had been agreed, he said. Earlier this week, the Armenian Defense Ministry stated that the Azerbaijani side was targeting Armenian military positions, as well as civilian infrastructure, in the Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor and Syunik regions of the country. Armenia reported 105 of its servicemen killed and six civilians wounded as of Wednesday night, noted Jenca. While Armenia called the events a deliberate attack, Azerbaijan countered that they were "retaliatory measures" made in response to provocations from Armenia. Azerbaijan, for its part, reported 71 servicemen killed and two civilians wounded, he said. The United Nations is not in a position to verify or confirm the specifics of these reports, said Jenca. "We remain deeply concerned, however, over this dangerous escalation, including its possible impact on civilians, and have urged the sides to take immediate and concrete steps to de-escalate tensions." The fighting this week was the latest and the largest in a series of incidents since 2020. It highlights the fact that the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan continues to encounter serious obstacles. This escalation also underscores the urgent need for the parties to move forward in the ongoing process of delimitation and demarcation within the framework of mutual recognition of their territorial integrity and sovereignty. The United Nations urges the parties to take advantage of this important mechanism as an essential step toward alleviating tensions at the border, said Jenca. This week's events are also a stark reminder that tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan also have the potential to destabilize the region. They highlight the need for all actors, in the region and beyond, to act constructively and to press the sides to work for a peaceful settlement, he said. EV According to Reuters, plaintiff Briggs Matsko sued Tesla in a federal court in San Francisco, arguing that the company and Musk have been pledging autonomous cars for Tesla customers since 2016. Matskos attorneys claim that the company either said the pieces of software were fully functional or just around the corner.On the Autopilot page on Teslas website, the company still has an embedded video published six years ago that states thein the footage a Model X only has a driver for legal reasons. According to the disclaimer, the car is driving itself. The New York Times debunked another video with the same text in December 2021. The newspaper revealed the video was edited to hide a crash the Model X had while shooting it. Reuters said that Matsko accused Tesla of trying to drive up its stock price with these unfulfilled promises, as well as of trying to boost sales, attract investments, and avoid bankruptcy. The plaintiff is one of the people that believed his 2018 Tesla Model X would eventually become a robotaxi by paying $5,000 for Enhanced Autopilot Matsko wants the federal court to grant his class-action lawsuit status. That means that all customers affected by the companys promises could be included in the compensations eventually awarded by the case.This is not the only recent accusation of deceptive advertisement of Teslas software. On July 28, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) said the EV maker did the same thing, which could cost Tesla its license to sell vehicles in the State. Regarding the lawsuit, Matsko asked for unspecified damages. Everyone who bought or leased Tesla vehicles with Autopilot, Enhanced Autopilot, or FSD since 2016 could be included if the lawsuit becomes a class action. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Inaugural County Job Fair Kern County will host its inaugural job fair 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday to advertise open positions in dozens of departments. The event, to be held at the county administrative building, 1115 Truxtun Ave., will allow potential hires a chance to meet employees in each department. Law enforcement agencies will demonstrate their various equipment. Elections and Animal Services will allow registration for volunteers and an adoption event will also be held. The following departments are recruiting: Fire Sheriff Probation County Counsel Kern County Employees Retirement Association Veterans Service Public Works Animal Services Human Services Assessor-Recorder Auditor-Controller-County Clerk Treasurer & Tax Collector Behavioral Health & Recovery Services General Services Library Agriculture & Measurement Standards Child Support Services Human Resources Public Health Employers Training Resource Human Resources will also conduct a professional development workshop regarding job searching, resume writing and interview skills. UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Catherine Russell (R) and Vanessa Nakate are seen at a press briefing at the UN Headquarters in New York, on Sept. 15, 2022. Vanessa Nakate, a 25-year-old climate activist from Uganda, was appointed on Thursday as the newest goodwill ambassador of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Vanessa Nakate, a 25-year-old climate activist from Uganda, was appointed on Thursday as the newest goodwill ambassador of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell described Nakate as instrumental in redirecting the conversation on climate change to focus on the people most affected by the crisis: the poor and the marginalized. Nakate has used her platform to advocate for climate justice to include every community, especially those from the most affected places. She founded the Rise Up Movement, a platform to elevate the voices of African climate activists, as well as the Green Schools Project to install solar panels in rural Ugandan schools. "I take this appointment not as a testament to something I have done, but as something that we have done, as a movement of young people," Nakate said on Thursday at a press event to announce her appointment at UN Headquarters in New York. Russell said Vanessa's work to drive climate action that benefits the communities most affected by the climate crisis aligns directly with UNICEF's mission to drive change for every child. Globally, approximately 1 billion children -- nearly half the world's 2.2 billion children -- live in one of the 33 countries classified by UNICEF's Children's Climate Risk Index as at "extremely high-risk" of the impacts of climate change, which threaten their health, education, and protection, and expose them to deadly diseases. The top 10 countries are all in Africa, according to UNICEF. Vanessa Nakate is seen at a press briefing at the UN Headquarters in New York, on Sept. 15, 2022. Vanessa Nakate, a 25-year-old climate activist from Uganda, was appointed on Thursday as the newest goodwill ambassador of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate LONDON (AP) Two minutes of silence will be observed Monday across the United Kingdom at the end of Queen Elizabeth IIs state funeral at Westminster Abbey, giving British public across the nation a chance to pay their respects to the late monarch. Buckingham Palace released more details Thursday about the state funeral of the queen who died Sept. 8 at 96 and her private interment later Monday. Her death at her beloved Balmoral Castle summer retreat ended the monarch's 70-year reign. Edward William Fitzalan-Howard, the official in charge of arrangements, said the funeral and events over coming days are intended to unite people across the globe and resonate with people of all faiths, whilst fulfilling her majesty and her familys wishes to pay a fitting tribute to an extraordinary reign. Tens of thousands were standing in a line Thursday that snaked for more than four miles along the River Thames in London, waiting to file in silence past her coffin. The queen held a unique and timeless position in all our lives. This has been felt more keenly over the past few days, as the world comes to terms with her demise, Fitzalan-Howard said. On Friday evening, King Charles III and his siblings will stand vigil at their mothers coffin for 15 minutes as it lies in state at the 900-year-old Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament. Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward also stood vigil with the coffin when it lay in St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh earlier this week. After the state funeral on Monday, attended by 2,000 guests, including U.S. President Joe Biden and other visiting heads of state, Elizabeth's coffin will be carried through the historic heart of London, from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch near Buckingham Palace on a horse-drawn gun carriage with Charles and other royals walking behind. Also among the funeral guests will be nearly 200 people honored by the late queen for their work responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and in sectors including charities, healthcare and education. Amid pomp and pageantry, the coffin will travel along virtually the same route, including down the flag-lined Mall to the one it passed Wednesday in front of hushed throngs of mourners when it was taken from the palace to the Houses of Parliament. London's Heathrow Airport announced it will halt all flights for 15 minutes before the two-minute national silence on Monday, until 15 minutes after it has finished to avoid noise disruption. From London, the queen's coffin will then be driven in the state hearse to Windsor for a committal service at St. George's Chapel near Windsor Castle, attended by 800 people, including members of the queen's household and Windsor estate staff. At the end of the service, the coffin will be lowered into the Royal Vault and the sovereigns piper will play a lament. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will pronounce the blessing and the congregation will sing God Save The King. Members of the royal family will then hold a private burial service at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, where the queen will be interred with her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year at 99. ___ Follow AP stories on the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the U.K. royal family at https://apnews.com/hub/queen-elizabeth-ii This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Beaumont Animal Care and Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas are seeking the public's help with an Animal Cruelty Case after a dog was found in a dumpster late last month. The Beaumont Police Department said at 9 a.m. on Aug. 23, a maintenance worker for Harbour Apartments, located at 4040 Crow Rd., saw a black trash bag moving in the dumpster. "He tore the bag open and a black and grey Australian Shepherd ran out," BPD said in a Facebook post. "The maintenance worker notified the police and Beaumont Animal Care responded to investigate. After a complete medical exam by the citys contracted veterinarian, it was determined the dog was neglected, had poor nutrition and tested positive for heartworms. The 'dumpster dog' is now named 'GLAD'. He is doing much better and gaining weight." Authorities are now asking anyone who knows anything about GLAD or his owner to contact Beaumont Animal Care at 409-833-3304. BPD's Facebook post said those who "wish to remain anonymous and be eligible for a possible cash reward" can contact Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas at 409-833-8477, log on to 833TIPS.com or use the P3 TIPS app and submit a tip using a smartphone or tablet. meagan.ellsworth@beaumontenterprise.com RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) North Carolina's two major-party U.S. Senate candidates have agreed to participate in a televised debate next month. Spokespeople for the campaigns of Democrat Cheri Beasley and Republican Ted Budd said on Wednesday they would participate in an Oct. 7 debate that will be aired on Spectrum News 1. The cable channel also confirmed the debate, which will occur in Raleigh. UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Thursday called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to exercise restraint to de-escalate border tensions. China is concerned about the recent armed conflicts and casualties in the border areas of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Maintaining regional peace and stability is in the common interests of the two countries, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations. "We call on the two countries to exercise restraint, persist in resolving problems and differences through political dialogue, and take measures to avoid further escalation of the situation," he said. Geng called on the two sides, which have agreed on a new cease-fire agreement after three days of fighting, to abide by this agreement in a common effort to ease the situation. The normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan is inseparable from the proper settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. China supports the resolution of differences through political dialogue and hopes that all parties will find a proper settlement as soon as possible in line with universally recognized international law and norms governing international relations, he said. China welcomes and supports the November 2020 cease-fire brokered by Russia, and will continue to support positive progress to be made on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, he said. Armenia and Azerbaijan are inseparable neighbors. Maintaining stable bilateral relations and developing forward-looking friendly cooperation is not only in the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples, but also conducive to peace and stability of the whole region, said Geng. "We hope and believe that both countries have full political wisdom in their possession and are able to resolve problems and differences through dialogue and consultation, restore peace and stability and achieve common security. China is willing to work with the international community to make constructive efforts in easing the situation," he said. People stand on the bank of the Padma River in the Munshiganj district of central Bangladesh to examine the damage caused by erosion, Sept. 14, 2022. A United Nations special rapporteur called on Bangladeshs government to stop harassing environmental activists under a notorious online security law, as he wrapped up a 10-day visit to the South Asian nation on Thursday. Ian Fry, the special rapporteur on human rights in the context of climate change, spoke out after meeting with climate change activists who claimed the government was going after them for protesting against new coal-fired power plants. While the government denies that the Digital Security Act (DSA) is being used to harass climate change human rights defenders, efforts must be made to ensure that public comment about climate change matters is allowed to be given freely, Fry, the first independent expert for human rights and climate at the U.N., said during a virtual press conference at the end of his visit. The Digital Security Act needs to be amended so that climate change human rights defenders and indigenous people are not caught up in a broad definitional issues related to terrorism. These people are not terrorists, he said. Fry said the online law was being used to suppress public opinion regarding the power plants and to step on peoples right to free speech. Public protests against developments such as coal-fired power plants should never come within the definition of terrorism. Members of the public should be allowed to express their views directly or via social media without fear of harassment or imprisonment, he said. Echoing Fry, Bangladesh environmentalist and lawyer Syeda Rizwana Hasan said the DSA had become a new weapon for people who are involved in land grabs and destroying water bodies and forests. She spoke of engineer Shahnewaz Chowdhury who was arrested in May 2021 in southeastern Chattogram in a DSA case filed by the Banshkhali coal-fired power plant authorities over a Facebook post by him. In his post, the engineer criticized the power plant for its negative impact on the environment and urged people to mobilize against it, she said. Not only green activists, but ordinary people are also facing harassment for raising their voice to protect greenery, Rizwana, the chief executive of the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association, told BenarNews. As activists mobilize more people via social media, land grabbers are using the act as protection, she added. Amnesty International reported in July 2021 that Bangladesh had imprisoned more than 400 people under the DSA, most of whom are held on allegations of publishing false and offensive information online. Special Rapporteur Ian Fry [United Nations media] The DSA allows police to arrest people without a warrant. It also punishes those who produce or distribute content that hurts religious sentiments or religious values or destroys communal harmony, or creates unrest or disorder with up to 10 years in prison. Critics mostly journalists, cartoonists, activists, entrepreneurs, educators and students have been targeted by the controversial law, which was passed in September 2018 after the ruling Awami League came to power for a third consecutive term. Minister A.K.M. Mozammel Haque, chief of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, said the government was involved with local and international stakeholders to amend the law to prevent its misuse. We are working on it. Every issue and concern will be addressed. The government is against all kinds of misuse of the law, he told BenarNews. Burden of climate change During his trip, which included stops in Dhaka, Sylhet, Sunamganj, Khulna, and Satkhira, Fry met with local and national government representatives, international funders and organizations, community councils and members of civil society organizations. He also spoke with people living in rural areas. Speaking to reporters, Fry called for the establishment of an international fund to assist countries recover from the impacts of climate change, adding that Bangladesh needs help. I have visited some of the most adversely affected regions of Bangladesh and it is clear to me that the burden of climate change should not be carried by Bangladesh alone, Fry said. For too long, major emitting countries have denied their responsibility for the suffering they are causing. This must end, he added. He said major greenhouse emitting countries have an obligation under international law to provide funding to help Bangladesh and other highly vulnerable countries recover from the impacts of climate change. Countries like Bangladesh cannot afford the huge cost to their GDP [Gross Domestic Product] as a consequence of climate change, he said. Bangladesh is seventh among the countries most affected by extreme weather events in 20 years since 1998, according to the 2021 Global Climate Risk Index. Fry said the government needed to develop a clear strategy on how to deal with people displaced by climate change and must provide better services to those forced to live in slums. Particular attention should be given to women, older persons and persons with disabilities, he said. Fry plans to present a report to the U.N. General Assembly focused on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change mitigation, loss, damage and participation an issue he said was brought sharply into focus during his visit to Bangladesh, the U.N. said in a news release. He then plans to present a full report on his visit to Bangladesh to the Human Rights Council in June 2023. Smoke and steam billow from a coal-fired power plant owned by Indonesia Power in Suralaya, Banten province, Indonesia, July 10, 2020. Indonesia is allowing the development of coal-fired power plants for certain projects and under specific conditions, a year after it said it would phase them out to become carbon neutral by 2060. Coal, the dirtiest of fossil fuels, powers 65 percent of Indonesias energy needs, but one analyst told BenarNews that reducing coal usage by more than 20 percent by 2035 would cut into the energy supply and hurt economic growth. A presidential regulation signed on Wednesday allows construction of coal-fired steam power plants within an industrial area oriented toward boosting the value of natural resources, or designated as nationally strategic projects that create many jobs and contribute to economic growth. Companies also are allowed to build coal-fired power plants provided that they commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 35 percent within 10 years since the start of operations and/or cease operations by 2050. Also on Wednesday, President Joko Jokowi Widodo signed an executive order requiring government institutions switch to electric vehicles. The 132,000 vehicles are to transition to electric power by 2030. Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko said the order demonstrated Jokowis commitment. To realize the energy transition, the government begins by transitioning from conventional vehicles to electric vehicles, Moeldoko said in a statement. While other countries are competing to save the world from the threat of climate change, we should not only be spectators. We must be the main actors, he said. But Rere Jamboree Christanto, the energy and mining campaign manager of the environmental group Walhi in East Java, cast doubt on the governments seriousness about transitioning to renewable energy because too many exceptions are made by the president. Coal-fired plants are banned, but the fact that there are various exceptions indicates that the efforts to change the direction in terms of providing electricity are still half-hearted, he told BenarNews. In fact, the longer dependence on fossil energy lasts, the more burden will be placed on state finances, he said. Indonesia is the eighth most polluting country in the world with 2 percent of global greenhouse-gas emissions to its name, according to the World Resources Institute. The energy sector accounts for nearly half of the countrys emissions, with automotive emissions making up about one-fifth of its overall emissions, according to the Ministry of Industry. Southeast Asias largest and most populous country aims to switch to renewable sources supplying 85 percent of its energy needs by 2060. During his appearance at COP26 in Glasgow last year, Jokowi declared Indonesias commitment to net-zero emission by that year. The country has set a goal for 2030 of reducing its greenhouse-gas emissions by 29 percent. Direct hit to economic growth Meanwhile, Yayan Satyaki, an economist at Padjadjaran University in Bandung, warned that phasing out coal-fired power plants without generating more renewable energy will hurt the economy. Coal can be reduced in the range of 20 percent to 30 percent at most by 2035, because a reduction of above 20 percent could cause an energy supply gap, he told BenarNews. The impact can be a direct hit to economic growth. On the flip side, reducing dependence on coal could save forests, according to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on Monday. Indonesia accounted for nearly 60 percent of forest loss to large-scale mining operations, the study said. The report by a team of international scientists who measured the impact of industrial mining on tropical forest loss found that four countries Brazil, Indonesia, Ghana and Suriname were to blame for 80 percent of deforestation caused by such activities. According to the study, industrial-scale mining such as coal, gold and iron ore, has fueled tropical deforestation by clearing previously impenetrable forests for mining and access roads. With 1,901 square kilometers of deforested area, Indonesia was by far the most affected country, accounting for 58.2 percent of direct forest loss by mining across all 26 investigated countries, the study said. Mine expansion in East Kalimantan on the island of Borneo for coal production was the main factor behind this development in Indonesia. The study said the highest deforestation rates were observed between 2010 and 2014, a period that was marked by a doubling of coal production volumes. The situation improved in the following years because of policies to reduce coal extraction, the study said. Institutional reforms after 2014 implemented caps on coal extraction growth rates, which also slowed down direct deforestation, it said. Military and police personnel guard the entrance to the parliamentary compound of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in Cotabato City, southern Philippines, Sept. 15, 2022. Former separatist insurgents in the southern Philippines are scheduled in late September to complete the final phase in decommissioning thousands of their firearms as part of a peace deal with the central government, their leader announced Thursday. Murad Ebrahim (also known as Ahod Balawag Ebrahim) made the announcement during the opening of parliamentary sessions in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, as the Philippines new leader visited the region and also addressed BARRM lawmakers. The final decommissioning is scheduled for Sept. 28 and covers about 5,500 combatants and some 2,400 weapons surrendered by the former guerrillas, Murad said. We are committed to sustain the momentum and the trust you have given us, Murad said at the ceremony in the presence of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The past three years have not been easy. But through our collective efforts and guidance from Allah, we were able to accomplish significant milestones that we can all be proud of, Mr. President, Murad said, addressing Marcos in his speech. Murad, who heads the regions transitional authority, is the head of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a former armed separatist group which signed a peace deal with Manila eight years ago. The pact ended the fronts decades-old insurgency, but it also stipulated that the former rebels must surrender their thousands of weapons for decommissioning. The process was supposed to have been completed in three phases, beginning in 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted it. So far, more than 5,000 firearms owned by MILF guerrillas have been decommissioned, according to government figures. The Philippine defense department earlier estimated that there were around 40,000 firearms in the hands of the former guerrillas. Under the decommissioning process, each former combatant who hands over weapons is expected to receive a cash payment, including funds for education. Each combatant was to receive about U.S. $2,400 in cash assistance in exchange for a weapon. Policemen in riot gear guard the road leading to the compound of the Bangsamoro Transitional Authority in southern Cotabato city, the Philippines, ahead of a visit by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Sept. 15, 2022. [Froilan Gallardo/BenarNews] Despite not supporting the Marcos administration in the May general election, Murad assured President Marcos of his cooperation and support. You will have our full support and together we will make the successful implementation of the Bangsamoro peace process as one of your greatest legacies, he said addressing Marcos. Murad had blamed Marcos namesake father and the military under the late dictator of ransacking Muslim areas and massacring entire communities. Thousands of people died and disappeared under the iron-fisted rule of President Ferdinand E. Marcos, who governed the Philippines from 1965 to 1986, including 14 years under martial law. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front was formed, in part, to fight these alleged atrocities, while also seeking independence. In Mindanao, a heavily Muslim southern region of the mainly Catholic Philippines, Marcos Jr. is viewed as an extension of his fathers regime Historical justice, progress, peace For his part, Marcos assured the people of his full and unwavering support in the peace process. As your president, I assure you, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, and all the Bangsamoro people of this administrations full and unwavering commitment to the peace process .... This is why we are steadfast to our commitment to the peace process here in southern Philippines, Marcos said, speaking at the plenary. The path to lasting peace is always under construction. But we walk this path together. And we walk not because its an easy one. We walk this path together because even with its difficulties, we know that at the end of the journey is historical justice, progress, peace, stability, and the unity that the people in our nation have longest aspired for, he added. Marcos said his administration would push for socio-economic development and intervention to promote peace and development in areas affected by decades of conflict. I encourage the BTA to pass measures that will secure the welfare of the people, particularly in health care, fisheries, transportation, digital infrastructure and e-governance, he said. Meanwhile, the MILF leadership had also invited Nur Misuari, leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), from which the MILF split in 1978, to attend Thursdays session. The MNLF signed its own peace pact with the government in 1996 and Misuari subsequently became governor of the Muslim autonomous region. The pact however was considered a failure by the government with many areas mired in poverty despite millions of dollars poured into the area. Misuari would later again rebel against the government, and lay siege to southern Zamboanga City in 2013, leaving more than 200 people dead. When Marcos predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, took office in 2016, he cleared Misuari of rebellion charges in a bid to further quell Muslim dissatisfaction. On Thursday, Misuari stood on the same stage with Murad, and the two grizzled former fighters hugged one another in front of Marcos, whose late dictator father and namesake was the rebels former enemy. We reached out to MNLF as we vowed to work together for united Bangsamoro, Murad said. We may have differences in terms of strategies and means but at the end of the day, we are bound with our common goal and ultimately our faith. Attack in Basilan Meanwhile in another part of the southern Philippines, a group of unidentified gunmen attacked an army detachment on Thursday afternoon in a remote area of Basilan island, leading to a firefight that left three soldiers dead, the military said. Reports from the Joint Task Force Basilan said the armed men, allegedly led by Abaas Jankatan, attacked the unit of the 18th Infantry Battalion located at an area called Hill 510 at about 1:20 p.m. It was not immediately known whether there were any casualties among the attackers. Basilan is the birthplace of the Abu Sayyaf, the smallest but most vicious of armed Muslim groups in the south. Other groups, including armed gangs of local politicians, also operate in the area. Jeoffrey Maitem in Davao City, and a BenarNews correspondent in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines, contributed to this report. RAMALLAH, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Reconciliation talks between rival Palestinian factions to end more than 15 years of internal division will resume in Algeria in October, a senior Palestinian official announced Thursday. Wassel Abu Yousef, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) executive committee, told reporters in the West Bank city of Ramallah that the reconciliation dialogue in Algeria would include leaders of 14 Palestinian factions. The Fatah Party of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) will join the dialogue on October 2, he added. "The aim of resuming the reconciliation dialogue is to end the internal division and regain unity among the Palestinians in order to face the current Israeli policy against the Palestinians," Abu Yousef said. "Algeria and Egypt coordinated and sponsored the Palestinian reconciliation in order to ensure the success of reaching an agreement prior to the Arab summit slated for November in Algeria," Abu Yousef said. He hoped that the dialogue would become successful in ending the internal division among the Palestinian factions, so they would overcome the challenges facing the Palestinian cause. In the past few weeks, Algeria hosted representatives of Palestinian factions in separate meetings in an attempt to prepare the groundwork for the upcoming dialogue. In an effort to remove any potential barriers that would halt the Algerian efforts, Palestinian officials did not rule out the possibility of holding bilateral meetings between Fatah and Hamas leaders on the sidelines of the dialogue. Palestinian observers believe that the dialogue in Algeria is an important opportunity for the Palestinian factions to reach an agreement and find a unified Palestinian position to confront Israeli policies. In December 2021, Algerian President Tebboune announced that his country would host a gathering of Palestinian factions to unify the Palestinians. The internal Palestinian division between Hamas and Fatah began in 2007 when Hamas forcibly took over the Gaza Strip from Fatah. Since then, the Palestinian territories have been split into a Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and a Fatah-dominated West Bank. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. A bicyclist is seen on the campus of the University of Vermont in Burlington. The U.S. Department of Education is investigating allegations of antisemitism at the University of Vermont, including that some Jewish students were excluded from campus clubs and a teaching assistant threatened to reduce the grades of students who support the state of Israel. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh at Forumlar Majmuasi Complex in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Sept. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with his Mongolian counterpart, Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, at Forumlar Majmuasi Complex in Samarkand on Thursday afternoon. Xi pointed out that China-Mongolia relations have maintained good momentum of growth, and exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields have achieved good results. Relations with Mongolia has an important place in China's neighborhood diplomacy, he said, adding that China stands ready to work with the Mongolian side to carry forward traditional friendship and expand mutually beneficial cooperation in the spirit of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness and take the China-Mongolia comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights. Xi emphasized that the trend of the world is surging forward, that peace and development are the common aspirations of people of all countries, and that unilateralism, hegemony and the Cold War mentality will eventually be swept away by the trend of history. China has always been committed to peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, and calls for building a community with a shared future for mankind, he said. China and Mongolia need to continue to treat each other as friends, support each other and engage in win-win cooperation to set a shining example of relations between neighbors, Xi said. The two countries, he said, need to strengthen strategic communication and policy coordination, uphold mutual respect for each other's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, respect the development paths independently chosen by the two peoples, firmly support each other's core interests and major concerns, and look after and consolidate the political foundation for the development of bilateral relations. The Chinese side is ready to work with the Mongolian side to strengthen the exchange of experience on governance, synergize the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the "Prairie Road" initiative, promote the development of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, implement the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and support Mongolia in achieving better and faster development, he said, adding that China supports Mongolia's "Planting One Billion Trees" plan and is ready to carry out cooperation projects with Mongolia in combating desertification. Khurelsukh said the traditional friendliness between Mongolia and China is increasingly solidified and that the comprehensive strategic partnership is indeed a fine example for state-to-state relations. Mongolia thanks China for offering COVID-19 assistance, which made important contributions to the health of Mongolian people. Issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet and so on are China's internal affairs, he said, stressing Mongolia staunchly abides by the one-China policy and firmly opposes the interference in China's internal affairs by any country. Mongolia highly commends China's important contributions to safeguarding world peace and security, and supports the BRI, the GDI and the GSI put forward by China, he said, adding that Mongolia is ready to build stronger synergy between the two countries' development strategies, and enhance bilateral practical cooperation in various fields such as economy and trade, railway and environment. Great achievements have been made in the building of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, and Mongolia is happy for China, he said. Khurelsukh wished the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China a full success, and expressed conviction that under the strong leadership of President Xi, China will surely realize the grand goal of building China into a modern socialist country in all respects. Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and other officials attended the meeting. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh at Forumlar Majmuasi Complex in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Sept. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) The Boston Business Journal has made Berkshire Bank an honoree for its 2022 Corporate Citizenship Awards, which recognize the region's top corporate charitable contributors. Infowars revenues and website viewership spiked around the time of one of Alex Jones shows in 2014 when he talked about the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting being a hoax GREAT BARRINGTON The federal government said last week that new names are in place for nearly 650 sites in the U.S. that formerly bore the name Squaw. Those include the former Squaw Peak on Monument Mountain changed last year to Peeskawso Peak. The word squaw is considered an offensive slur, which is why a Great Barrington street may also be renamed and soon. Residents of Squaw Peak Road began exploring how to do it and brought their inquiry to town officials earlier this year. Town Manager Mark Pruhenski said residents of 17 out of 18 households along the road met this summer to discuss a name change. The Select Board will continue the discussion Oct. 3. I think well be ready to move forward with a decision very soon now, Pruhenski said in an email. A statement from the Department of the Interior said it and its Derogatory Geographic Names Task Force has made a push to change offensive place names. In this case, the effort involved a host of agencies including the Departments Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and the National Park Services Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights. Sign-up for The Berkshire Eagle's free newsletters Sign up It also involved Native American leaders and other citizens. During the public comment period, the Task Force received more than 1,000 recommendations for name changes. Nearly 70 Tribal governments participated in nation-to-nation consultation, which yielded another several hundred recommendations, the statement says. Five locations in Massachusetts were renamed. The full list and a map of sites can be viewed at the U.S. Geological Survey website. After renaming Peekaswow Peak in Great Barrington last year, the historic preservation manager of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians said that the word Squaw at Monument Mountain had always troubled those for whom the land is still sacred. Bonney Hartley said the manner of the words use over time transformed it into an offense. In Mohican, Peeskawso means virtuous woman. Town resident Jeff Rothenberg initially brought the possibility of renaming Squaw Peak Road up for debate, saying it was the right thing to do. In January, the road sign was sheared from its post and went missing. Four other place names were changed in Massachusetts, according to the Interior Department. Squawbetty Hill, a summit, in Bristol County is now Betty Hill; Squaw Rock, an island in Norfolk County, is now Nickerson Rock; the Squaw Island Marshes, a swamp in Barnstable County, is now Halls Island Marshes; and Squaw Island, a cape land formation in Barnstable County, is also now Halls Island Marshes. MONTEREY The town clerk claims in a federal whistleblower lawsuit that her civil rights were violated by Monterey officials who created a hostile work environment at Town Hall. Quote Terry Walker is also suing the town for its refusal to take disciplinary action even after aggressive behavior that made her afraid for her physical safety. Terry Walkers lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Springfield Sept. 9, names as defendants current Town Administrator Melissa Noe as well as former Select Board members Steven Weisz and Donald Coburn. She accuses Noe of harassment, intimidation and retaliation just as she did in internal complaints last year allegations later backed up by an outside investigators report. Walker had filed complaints against Coburn and Weisz, claiming they tried to intimidate her into dropping the accusations. Walker is also suing the town itself for its refusal to confront the situation or take any disciplinary action even after aggressive behavior that made her afraid for her physical safety, she said. The Town of Monterey and its Select Board took little action to curtail or discipline Defendant Noe, and her harassment of the Plaintiff increased, with friends of Defendant Noe joining in the attempts to intimidate the Plaintiff, the legal filing says. Her suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, but does not specify an amount. Noe declined to comment for this story about these particular accusations, but previously has strongly denied them. Noe says Walker made similar allegations at other workplaces accusations Walker and her attorney say were legitimate. Coburn said he did not have enough time to review the new filing to comment, but previously has pointed to Walker as the problem. Weisz did not return an email seeking comment. Walker declined to comment and referred all questions to her attorney, Timothy Burke. Burke said the heart of the matter is that town leaders ignored the very thorough investigators report. The ongoing harassment has never stopped, despite this report, Burke said. Its as if the report doesnt exist. Noe and others previously said they believe the report was flawed. A decade of rancor reaches a boil The suit stems from long standing turmoil at Town Hall that reached an apex last year, when Walker claims she was verbally assaulted, intimidated, harassed and retaliated against. Walker, who has worked for the town for six years, had filed internal complaints against Noe, then against Weisz while he was board chair and then former Chair Coburn, both of whom she claimed tried to manipulate her into dropping the complaints. Complaints and counter-complaints began to snowball, drawing other officials and residents into the conflict. Out of 18 complaints, 13 were filed against Noe. Noe had filed counter-complaints. This came amid other related skirmishes, like an attempt to oust another board member who said he didnt like what he was seeing at Town Hall. The town hired an investigator from a firm specializing in employment law. The scope ballooned, and so did the cost to more than $20,000. At the heart of the investigators findings was a misuse of power by Noe. The report found Noe central to most of the conflicts, given her wide involvement in town business. The investigator described it as a pattern of conduct. Sign-up for The Berkshire Eagle's free newsletters Sign up Weisz has dismissed the report as one opinion. Noe previously denied the accusations against her. It is this report on which Walkers federal lawsuit is based. Some of the allegations In her report, investigator and Corrine Hood Greene, of Greene & Hafer, LLC, claims town officials, including Weisz, never took steps recommended by the investigator to prevent a repeat. After a drawn-out consideration of what to do about the findings, no one was disciplined. The legal complaint recounts events that Walker said led to the alleged harassment and retaliation, including Walker objecting to what she claims were instances of attempts at voter fraud and election tampering by Noe, which Noe has denied. Walker also claims Noe made false statements about her work performance in public, amid other alleged attempts to disparage and intimidate her. Walker claims things continued to get worse at Town Hall. Ms. Walker continued to be subjected to an overt pattern of retaliation and hostile treatment by Defendant Noe, who seemed emboldened by the lack of action taken by the Select Board, the lawsuit says. The lawsuit includes portions of threatening emails Coburn sent to Walker warning her that he would dig up dirt on her from past workplace problems if she pursued her complaints against town officials threats he and his wife, Ellen Coburn, made good on. Remember when I alerted you to the risks of precipitating an investigation? Donald Coburn wrote to Walker. Well, now you are most likely about to face them. Burke, Walkers attorney, says its not surprising town officials would try to justify their conduct by raising past allegations. Every complaint she has ever made has been legitimate and supported by factual information, Burke said, adding that what has happened in Monterey is much worse than incidents from her past. Another instance, in which Noe allegedly threatened physical violence against Walker in public, prompted Greene to write in her report that the towns employee manual forbids it as one of the egregious behaviors that may warrant immediate dismissal. Walker made a previous complaint saying she feared for her physical safety after a dust-up with Noe and others. The investigator found that Weiszs allowing a second interaction to escalate as far as it did without more intervention or immediate disciplinary action is potentially problematic for the Town. Weisz told The Eagle in May he didnt want to further pursue the investigations findings because he wanted the town to heal from the rancor. Greene had cited as evidence of harassment and intimidation Noes sweeping public records requests to Walker about Walker herself while she was the records access officer. Walkers suit alleges the retaliation continues today. Noe denies this. Harassing behavior, disparaging emails and further attempts to coerce Plaintiff to violate various Massachusetts General Laws have all transpired, the lawsuit says. Walker claims an accommodation made so that Walker could work when Noe was not at Town Hall was rescinded when Noe learned that Walker would be filing a suit under the Massachusetts Whistleblower Act. The lawsuit also claims that the town has pulled her town-issued credit card, removed computer and printer access, among other things both of which Noe denies and says Walker has mischaracterized. Dr. Judea Pearl, father of American journalist Daniel Pearl and president of the Daniel Pearl Foundation, speaks in April 2007. Daniel Pearl, who began his journalism career at The North Adams Transcript and The Berkshire Eagle, was killed by terrorists in 2002 while reporting in Pakistan for The Wall Street Journal. BAGHDAD, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The political gridlock continues in Iraq after the federal court rejected a demand to dissolve the parliament, complicating the already tense political scene almost 11 months after the Oct. 10 parliamentary elections last year. The political disputes have escalated between Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's Sadrist Movement, the biggest winner with 73 seats in the parliament on Oct. 10, and his rivals in the Coordination Framework (CF), an umbrella group of Shiite parliamentary parties. Al-Sadr demanded in the past weeks to dissolve parliament and hold early elections, but his demands were rejected by the CF parties that became the largest bloc after al-Sadr ordered his followers in the Sadrist Movement to withdraw from the parliament in June. Al-Sadr tried to resort to the Federal Supreme Court to dissolve the parliament, but the court stressed on Sept. 7 in a statement that the constitution defines its jurisdiction, which does not include the dissolution of the parliament. The court statement also blamed the political blocs for bypassing the constitutional periods of government formation, saying it is "a violation of the constitution and a demolition of the entire political process." Nadhum al-Jubouri, a political analyst from Salhudin province in northern Iraq, said the court's rejection to dissolve the parliament has complicated the scene and paved the way for the CF to elect a president and form a new government. One scenario al-Jubouri expected is that the CF would increase internal and external pressure on al-Sadr to accept the CF's approach of forming the next government to end the crisis, and to participate in the government according to Sadrist Movement's share of 73 seats in the parliament. Another scenario suggests that al-Sadr may again resort to protest if there is no acceptable solution in the coming days, al-Jubouri said. He believes that the second scenario is more likely because al-Sadr's haggling with his pro-Iran Shiite rivals in the CF "would negatively affect his popularity as he claims himself the leader of reform, and would be a political suicide if he acquiesces to the other Shiite political opponents." For his part, Sabah al-Sheikh, a teacher of politics at Baghdad University, said "it is not possible to form a government without al-Sadr's approval, and even if it is formed, it will not be able to do anything because al-Sadr has supporters in all the central and southern provinces and the capital." Al-Sheikh stressed the need to achieve some of the conditions al-Sadr set, including the dissolution of parliament and early elections, and proposed to send a delegation from the Shiite CF, the Sunni al-Siyada Alliance, and the Kurdistan Democratic Party to visit al-Sadr and reach an understanding with him to end the political deadlock. Hashim al-Shamaa, a researcher of political affairs at the Iraq Center for Legal Development in Baghdad, was more optimistic about reaching the end of the months-long political gridlock. There will be a breakthrough to the political impasse that would appease all the opposing groups after the Shiite ritual of Arbaeen, which will reach its climax on Sept. 24, he said. "The breakthrough will include, among other details, the dissolution of parliament and early elections in no more than one year," said al-Shamaa, referring that undeclared negotiations are underway between the conflicting parties. "A government led by an independent figure will be formed to satisfy all parties," al-Shamaa said. Election is a topic that is commonly discussed and debated among theologians. Generally, the discussion centers on whether we are saved because God first elected us, or if we are elect because we have been saved. But there is another aspect of election that is not often discussed. The doctrine of corporate election. This article will examine corporate election and what the Scripture says about it. What Is Election? Depending on the translation of the Bible that you use, you may or may not find the words elect, election, or elected. More commonly, you will find the Greek and Hebrew words translated as choose, chose, or chosen. But they are the same thing. To be elected is to be chosen. In Nehemiah 9:7, God is said to have chosen (or elected) Abraham and brought him from Ur to Canaan. In 2 Samuel 6:21, David says that God chose (elected) him to be king in place of Saul. And in Acts 9:15, God told Ananias that Paul was his chosen (elect) instrument to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles. Election is usually used in relation to Gods people, but not always. The Pharaoh of the Exodus was chosen to demonstrate Gods power (Rom. 9:17). And in Isaiah 44:28, the Persian king Cyrus was also chosen. The vocabulary of election is not used concerning Pharaoh and Cyrus. But they were chosen by God for a specific purpose. The Concept of Corporate Election The preceding examples were of individual election, the selection of an individual for a specific purpose. And there are many other examples in Scripture where God chooses individuals for a particular purpose. In contrast is the idea of corporate election, the selection of a group of people. In our world today, a company might be chosen to fulfill a contract. A warship might be chosen to attack a specific location. Or a city might be chosen to host a sporting event. In all these cases, the selection is not of individuals but of the larger corporation. Individuals who are a part of the corporate entity are selected, or elected, by virtue of their membership in the corporation. They become elect when they become a part of the elect corporation. And they lose their elect status when they leave the corporation. Corporate Election in the Old Testament In the Old Testament, we find two examples of corporate election. The primary example is that of Israel as a people. In Deuteronomy 7:6, God told Israel, For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. Israel was Gods chosen people. And individuals within Israel were elect, not because God had chosen them individually, but because they were a part of the elect Israel. Membership in elect Israel was not limited to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. There were many individuals from other ethnic backgrounds who had joined themselves to Israel. And in doing so, they became elect as well. There were also many who descended from Abraham who were not a part of the elect Israel, and so were themselves not elect. During a time of great apostasy in Israel, God told Elijah that he still had 7,000 who followed him without bowing to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). These were members of elect Israel, while those who worshipped Baal were not. The second example of corporate election in the Old Testament is the Levites. This tribe was selected from among the other tribes of Israel for a particular purpose. They were responsible for the sacred things used in worshiping God (Num. 1:47-53). By being born into this tribe, a person was automatically selected to serve God at the tabernacle and with all of its related objects. And within the Levitical tribe was one family chosen to serve as priests before God. Aaron's descendants were responsible for offering sacrifices to God, making intercession between God and elect Israel. Corporate Election in the New Testament The corporate election of Israel is easy to see in the Old Testament. But corporate election is a significant storyline in the New Testament as well. However, it is not Israel who is elected here. Peter tells us that Jesus was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake (1 Pet. 1:20). Jesus was chosen, or elected, before creation. He is the elect one. And Paul says that In him [Christ] we were also chosen (Eph. 1:11). Christ is the elect one, and when we are in him, we are also elect. Our election is based on our position in Christ. Our relationship with God is based upon our inclusion in Christ. Below is a sampling of the ways that Paul uses this expression (with emphasis added). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others (Romans 12:5). To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people (1 Corinthians 1:2). I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:4). Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17). In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:26). Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Ephesians 4:32). And in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority (Colossians 2:10). Notice that each of the passages above references what is ours when we are in Christ. If I am not in Christ, I have none of this. But if I am in him, it is all mine. Not because of who I am or what I have done, but simply because of my inclusion in Christ, the elect one. My election, and the benefits that come with it, are based solely on being in Christ. Election as a Believer Christ is the elect one. And all who are in Christ are then also elect. But how am I included in Christ? What is it that takes me from outside to inside? In Ephesians 1:13, Paul says that we were included in Christ when we heard the message and that when we believed, we were marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit. This tells me that belief in the crucified and resurrected Christ is what brings me into Christ. And it is continued belief in Christ that keeps me in Christ. This is very similar to the corporate election of Israel in the Old Testament. Those who committed themselves to the God of Israel were a part of Israel. The rest, regardless of their ethnic background, were not. Even so, those today who have faith in Christ are the elect body of Christ. Corporate Election and the Church What role does the Church play in corporate election? Does it have the same role in the New Testament as Israel did in the Old Testament? Or something else? The Church is composed of all saved individuals, regardless of when and where they have lived. All who are in Christ are members of his Church. So, seeing the Church as the elect corporate identity might be tempting. But, more appropriately, it is Christ who is the elect one rather than the Church. He is the one who is chosen. And it is by virtue of being in him that the Church itself could be called elect. The Challenge of Corporate Election The Bible was written in a time when the family, clan, and tribe were very important. And ones identity was largely based on the group they were a part of. For them, the idea of corporate election would be easy to understand and accept. But today, many of us live in cultures that have elevated individuality over the group. And that cultural shift is reflected in the way that we view the Bibles teaching on election. We read the passages that the Bibles first readers would have seen as referring to corporate election and understand them as referring to individual election. And, as a result, misunderstand this important doctrine. Photo credit: Unsplash/Sarah Noltner Where Did This Practice Come From? On the evening before His death, Jesus Christ inaugurated communion when He gathered with His disciples in the Upper Room during the Jewish feast of the Passover. The Jews celebrated Passover to commemorate their miraculous deliverance from the Egyptian oppressors (Exodus 12). R.C. Sproul said, Early Christians partook of the sacrament at the end of their agape feasts, meals that celebrated the love of God and the love they had for one another. Many refer to the Lords Supper as Holy Communion because it pictures the union believers have with the Savior and with one another. In the Passover, the blood of a lamb was spread on the Jewish peoples doorframes so the Angel of Death would pass by their homes and bring the wrath of God on the Egyptians. Jesus blood has taken the place of the Old Covenant. His is the new and everlasting covenant. Acts 2:42 tells us the early Christians were devoted to the apostles teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. The breaking of bread here refers to the Lords Supper. In Acts 2:46 we are told, And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts Why Did Jesus Institute Communion? Because Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant, the spilling of His blood (in death) brings salvation from sin and death to those who surrender to Him as Lord and Savior. His blood is the New Covenant brought by the spotless Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36). His Supper is a sign of the New Covenant He inaugurated. Why Do We Take Communion Today? Taking part in communion means we remember (with reverence and awe) what Jesus did for us on the cross. It is a solemn and reflective time for each individual, for Jesus instituted it at a solemn time, during Passover and the night before His death. We in effect have supper with Jesus, and until the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9), communion is our remembrance of what He did on the cross. And what He did secures the salvation of everyone who surrenders to Him. Communion strengthens our faith as we remember what Christ did for us. We have a future. We have a hope because of what Jesus did for even us. Erik Raymond says we are saved by God from God and for God. When a church celebrates communion does not matter. What matters is that the church observes the Lords Supper regularly. Most churches observe this ordinance once a month usually on the first Sunday. Others take part weekly or even quarterly. Photo credit: Leonardo Da Vinci/Public Domain Image To quote the great Nelson Mandela: "If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart." Having worked in advertising for many years, I have been tracking ad spend year-on-year, and in 2018 the industry spent R40bn on advertising and by 2021 it reached R47bn. Almost all the briefs we receive are for work in English, with almost half of these asking for the English work to be translated into the various African languages. In a country as diverse as South Africa, with 12 official languages, English is spoken by just 9.6% of the population consisting now of 60,971,807 people. This means that with most brand communication taking place in English, there are so many missed opportunities for them to gain more market share, attract more users or reach lapsed users. Herein lies the problem you dont gain market share by speaking to people in a language that is foreign to them. At the risk of being judged for my authenticity, I want to tell a story of my recent visit to a village near Escort in KZN, to stay with my in-laws. It was my first time in a traditional village, having grown up between the townships and suburbs of Newcastle and Durban in KZN. My lived experience in the village framed and deepened my understanding of how a community in a village goes about living their lives. It was beautiful to see and experience people of all ages, rich in culture and tradition, living in free-standing houses built on fertile land, growing their own food, sharing and consuming all the same brands us city folk consume daily. And there was not a stitch of English spoken in that village. Yes, theoretically I have always known this. But theory is far different from experience. Language is a huge part of culture and it is what connects us to each other. If brands want to connect in the same deep way, they need to speak in the same language as their audience. Brand builders must understand who the person is they are selling to and stop assuming they are all the same and applying theoretical assumptions from their air-conditioned boardrooms in the city. Considering the many idioms Africans use when expressing themselves, it is almost impossible to accurately translate that into the various languages without losing the true meaning. It is a fact that English cannot deliver the same level of connection as ones mother tongue. As a previous jury president of the Pendoring Awards, who celebrate creative content in all its indigenous languages, I can see that the shift has begun, with more agencies and brands moving in this direction. There is a lot more original work being submitted that was conceptualised in that language, work that one knows could not have been translated work because it is so deeply insightful and linked to a particular culture. However, that work is mostly proactive work driven by agencies, and not necessarily work that is backed by considerable advertising spend. At Joe Public we are committed to growing not only our people, but also our clients. If brands are supposed to be a part of the fabric of society, it is important that we help them connect with and evolve with society. A beautiful example is the SAB Izithakazelo Clan Cans campaign. The brand recognised that cultural westernisation of Africa has become extremely prevalent and pervasive, so much so that western civilisation has taken precedence over African values and culture, meaning we are losing sight of who we are, and forgetting our rich and proud heritage. And so, with the insight that most African cultures have praise poems dedicated to their clan names, these clan praises hold an immense sense of pride in lineage, celebrating the ancestry and heritage passed down from generation to generation. The can designs were inspired by a variety of traditional African patterns. The back of each can carried a uniquely South African clan praise which is dedicated to the clans ideals, way of living, as well as imbuing the richness of their lineage and heritage. For a brand to recognise the depth and importance of izithakazelo, iziduko, is truly remarkable. Another is the delightful Sunlight soap bar 'Since Since' print ad done a few years ago that shows the various stages of the soap bar that hits home with Africans who use it for all sorts of reasons right until the very last bit is consumed. This piece of work resonated with me, as the delightful story that it told, is what makes South Africa, South Africa. It is beautiful insightful work like this, that embraces and appreciates its consumers in an authentic way. A brands personality is shaped by the personality of its nation and the sooner brands realise this and take the steps to making this an inclusive country where everyone and every culture is recognised and celebrated, brands will begin to see that marketing, when executed properly, is an investment that yields fruitful results. June/July in ad-land means one thing and one thing only: Cannes. Yes, that time of year where the global advertising and marketing industry descend on beautiful Cannes in the south of France for suntanning, midnight parties on the beach, and a spot of advertising. This year the media category was won by Sheba Cat foods. A brilliant campaign where the advertiser launched a 3-year project to rebuild coral reefs in areas around the world where reefs were devastated by overfishing. The campaign was genius. It spelled the word 'hope' in coral that can be seen from space. The brand partnered with Google and even made the patch of ocean 'dive-able' with Streetview. It raised money for more reef development, shone a spotlight on an important topic, and promoted a brand in a healthy, sustainable way. The beauty of the campaign is, however, in who owns it. Well, everyone really. The idea was conceptualised by AMV BBDO in London and built out with the help of the media agency, Google and the client. It involved the community, governmental institutions and many more stakeholders. It was a case study of the importance of partnership in getting big, dial shifting campaigns off the ground. Of the 9 Golden Lions awarded in the media category, almost all of them had these themes in common. The theme of partnership. All partners need to be equally strong, equally empowered, and equally informed. Like four legs of a chair, you need everyone playing their part. 1. A close collaboration between the creative agency and the media agency Not one of the Golden Lions was awarded to a pureplay media agency. The media and creative agency worked super closely together to achieve magic. All too often in South Africa, this isnt something we see enough of. Creative and media agencies dont see each other as partners with different skills, working together to solve a common problem. All too often we get caught up in wranglings about money, about ideologies and about deadlines, instead of truly seeing each other as partners. If the advertising and media agency world wants to see a future of growth and prosperity, we need to tighten our relationships and fight for partnership. Place our own agendas on the back burner. 2. A close collaboration between media and tech companies Five of the campaigns that won at Cannes in the media category involved a tech partner supporting the campaign. From Google with Hope Reef, ChatPat in India, and Polycam and 'Back up Ukraine'. Media and tech need to work closer together. The old adage of 'the medium is the message' has never been truer. Now, one could argue that the 'tech platform is the message'. Does your media agency treat the major tech giants like suppliers? Not going to work. 3. A close collaboration between the agencies, the tech company, and the client For years now, clients cannot sit back in their boardroom chair and wait for the agencies to waltz in and wow them with their clever thinking. Successful clients are involved in the campaign, from conceptualisation. The product might have to change around the campaign idea. The agency, or tech partner might need the client to adapt to a new direction. This can however only happen when all four partners like four legs of a chair are working together optimally. The future belongs to those brands and businesses that know when, how and who to partner with. Contributed by The AMF Board. Digitisation and automation are the buzzwords on everyone's lips in the printing and packaging industry in South Africa today. More so with the upcoming Sign Africa Expo for all things printing and innovation-related. And, for good reason. In a recent study by Harvard Business Review , 92% of executives surveyed indicate that they believe business success in the next 12 months hinges on digital transformation. At its core, digitisation is a critical component of brand differentiation and position-strengthening in the market. Quick takeaways Automation through digitisation brings profitability and heightened efficiency. When Quickeasy BOS ERP is connected to Enfocus Switch workflow platform, it minimises human intervention and leverages automation benefits. Heres how: Enfocus Switch uses the work ticket from Quickeasy BOS Pro to drive the job through a Preflight, Check and Fix, Approval, Impose and Final Output. Automatic, real-time, with absolutely minimal user touch points. This saves significant pre-production preparation time, reduces errors, ramps up production, and keeps everyone informed. The printing, signage and packaging industry and digitisation Digitisation in printing and packaging has been a global trend for some time. However, what does this mean for South African printing companies? Well, one thing it doesnt have to mean is robots in the warehouse and artificial intelligence in the boardroom. Perhaps finding a hybrid solution that combines all the advantages of digital technology with traditional technology is the first and best place for companies to start. Digitalisation and innovation in the sector should be a tool, not a goal, says Anton Oosthuizen, commercial director of QuickEasy BOS, the trusted ERP system for the printing and packaging industry in South Africa for the last few decades. The reality is that digitalisation not only impacts on technology, but on the way that people do their jobs. For example, imagine that print estimators stop individually and manually quoting on printing and packaging jobs, and instead use computer-generated estimates in minutes. This is at the heart of digitisation. Benefits of automation and digitisation in printing With digitalisation in the printing industry, it is possible to increase efficiency in operations and processes, to improve data transparency and, more importantly, increase profitability. It also makes it possible to do the same task with fewer people, since many of the jobs that were done by people with traditional methods can be done by the software. These resources can then be allocated elsewhere to support the business in other, more profitable areas. Some other benefits include: Customer-centric decisions. Big data and analytics are the life-blood of digitisation, automation, and ERP-efficiency. The result of this is customer-driven development, and faster-to-market delivery. Profitable production planning. Forecasting demand accurately is the most important part of the planning phase. ERP systems for printing, such as Quickeasy BOS Pro, include planning modules that can be customised to meet the needs of the business, streamline planning, supplier, inventory, and production processes, all the while saving time and minimising human errors. Streamlined supply chain and logistics. Through integrated ERP and warehousing systems, orders are placed and produced just in time, and in-warehouse stock tracking can be done in real time. As a result, warehouse recording reduces labour use both inside and outside shipments, while also minimising errors. Real-time production and time tracker. Production factors like machinery and workforce can be tracked and monitored through automation via ERP. This prevents possible errors, allows quality control and monitoring, reduces bottlenecks, and increases productivity. Dashboards provide real-time monitoring of production factors and instant feedback. Plus, it reduces downtime and overtime, as efficiency is increased across the board. Collaboration and integration for greater automation Successful automation depends on connecting various non-communicative apps, technologies, and systems with each other. This means, integration is needed. To do this well, you need to connect business systems into a single automated workflow. There is also a gap in cultural and process adoption when it comes to digitisation. To address this, many organisations (65%) are looking at collaborating with others to bridge the gap. This could be with businesses and consultants, but includes collaborating with suppliers of third party systems, in a bid to integrate new and existing systems and processes. One such solution provider is Colorflow Solutions. We work closely with printers, packaging companies, and technology suppliers for this exact reason, says John Panton, director of Colorflow Solutions. With a range of products from industry leading principal suppliers, and decades of experience in the printing industry, Colorflow Solutions provides both consultancy and solutions to the print and graphics industry. We believe in the power of connecting printing companies with talent and technology to empower them in their goal towards absolute automation. Two such automation-enablers preferred by Colorflow Solutions are Quickeasy BOS Pro and Enfocus Switch. Quickeasy BOS Pro is an all-in-one ERP system for printing, signage, and packaging companies in South Africa. Quickeasy BOS ERP is ideal for: Offset lithography Flexography Digital printing Large format Screen printing Our origins are firmly rooted in solving challenges unique to the printing and packaging sector, says Anton. With integrated modules especially designed to improve efficiency at every point in the business - from estimating, to sales, to production, to purchasing, to accounting, to reporting - Quickeasy BOS Pro does all the admin drudgework in the background. Enfocus Switch automates processes no matter what print applications or devices are in use. We like Enfocus Switch as a workflow platform, says John, As it allows you to build your workflow with your most-used applications. "This includes Quickeasy BOS Pro, web-to-print, imposition, online proofing, PDF preflight, and everything else. Tried, trusted, proven, and supported, Enfocus Switch is what you need to switch on your automation efforts. Switch is a workflow platform for printing companies that allows you to connect everything with everything. The benefits of Quickeasy BOS Pro and Enfocus Switch integration Minimal user intervention, increased time-saving, heightened efficiency, and greater transparency are the obvious wins of this collaboration and integration. Here are some more. Data driven workflows. The ERP system is the storage centre for valuable data that is relevant to the job at hand. This includes customers name, due dates, e-mail address, stock to be used, quantity, etc. Before the Enfocus Switch integration, this information would have to be printed out as a job ticket and a person would then follow those ticket instructions together with the job through the entire process. This is time consuming, and requires manual intervention. Enfocus Switch now uses this valuable data to automate the workflow, saving costs, time, and reducing errors. The ERP system is the storage centre for valuable data that is relevant to the job at hand. This includes customers name, due dates, e-mail address, stock to be used, quantity, etc. Before the Enfocus Switch integration, this information would have to be printed out as a job ticket and a person would then follow those ticket instructions together with the job through the entire process. This is time consuming, and requires manual intervention. Enfocus Switch now uses this valuable data to automate the workflow, saving costs, time, and reducing errors. Automated processes. The integration binds the job tickets instructions with the job artwork file. This is then used to automate and route the flow of the job through the entire process. The integration binds the job tickets instructions with the job artwork file. This is then used to automate and route the flow of the job through the entire process. Quality control. Enfocus Switch automatically checks to see if the artwork size is in harmony with the quoted size. For example, the bleed can be added automatically. The correct imposition scheme can be selected and routed to the right substrate, and drive the amount of copies in the Rip. Enfocus Switch automatically checks to see if the artwork size is in harmony with the quoted size. For example, the bleed can be added automatically. The correct imposition scheme can be selected and routed to the right substrate, and drive the amount of copies in the Rip. Clarity for managers and customers. Furthermore, the status of the job is fed back to Quickeasy BOS Pro, so that the client services representative knows at all times the status of his job. Customers can sign off online too. Final thoughts Together with expert consultants, ERP that automates back office and production tasks, and workflow automation software that brings your existing apps into one place, printing companies in South Africa can transition into greater automation, and leverage the benefits of digitisation, with relative ease. JERUSALEM, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid met here with visiting Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Thursday to mark the second anniversary of the normalization of ties between the two countries. Lapid met Sheikh Abdullah for a one-on-one meeting, which was followed by an expanded meeting with teams from both sides, according to a statement from Lapid's office. Sheikh Abdullah arrived in Israel on Wednesday with a delegation that included three other government ministers. "We are changing the Middle East together. We are moving it from war to peace, from terrorism to economic cooperation, from a mess of violence and fanaticism to a dialogue of tolerance and cultural curiosity," Lapid said. Israeli President Isaac Herzog hosted Sheikh Abdullah for an official luncheon in the afternoon at the president's residence in Jerusalem. Sheikh Abdullah told Herzog that the deal to normalize diplomatic ties between the two countries in 2020 was "historic." On Thursday, Sheikh Abdullah also visited Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem. "We must take a brave step to build a bridge of real peace for future generations," the UAE foreign minister wrote in the guest book. The trip is Sheikh Abdullah's second visit to Israel since the UAE and Israel decided to normalize ties in September 2020. The UAE and Bahrain signed U.S.-brokered agreements to normalize their ties with Israel in September 2020. The move was followed later by Sudan and Morocco. Influencer marketing has often been perceived as a new industry, but in reality it has existed for much longer than many of us can imagine. It is often associated with modern media such as print, radio, TV, and social media. However, the industry has existed since the origin of trade and has long-been integral to marketing. Word of mouth With the origins of agriculture being held in Africa, together with early trade, it is needless to say that influencer marketing has been an important part of early African history. Word of mouth being the most successful influencer marketing tool, the ancient African trade economy experienced many notable expansions in its richest days. Ancient royalty, such as North Africas Nefertiti and West Africas Amina, exercised heavy social sway and were used to legitimise the adoption of new religions, agricultural practices, lifestyle practices, and political movements. Church and royal family The first influencers of Western history can be traced back to important historical figures such as The Pope of the Catholic Church and the Queen of England. In the days before the printing press and mass media, it was up to the church and the monarchy to influence the publics trust. In the 1700s Josiah Wedgewood, a young pottery maker, was able to leverage approval from the Queen of England and turn it into one of the biggest influencer marketing campaigns of early history. From then on, he was known as Her Majestys Potter, and his brand Queensware became the worlds first luxury brand. Fictional influencers Influencer marketing also holds its heritage in fiction. In the 19th century, model Nancy Green became the face of the maple syrup brand, Aunt Jemimas, the popular maple syrup brand that had its beginnings in producing pancake mix. While today, the face of Aunt Jemimas has been altered to reflect societys attitudes against racism and the promotion of a minstrel character, the face of influencer Nancy Green is still remembered and beloved by many. She will forever be considered an award-winning pioneer in the influencer marketing industry. Perhaps the most well-known fictional character and influencer are Santa Claus. Originally presented in the colour green, a groundbreaking campaign with Coca-Cola in 1931 has since associated the jolly Christmas symbol with the colour red, and the soft drink producer with joy and festivity. Those who were young in the 1950s will remember the Marlboro Man. A fictional rugged cowboy is responsible for molding the brand perception of Marlboro cigarettes as a stylish and masculine product, an image that has remained ever since. Influencer marketing as we recognise it now, marked by celebrities and popular personalities, began to take shape in the 20th century. The iconic Coco Chanel became the worlds first large-scale fashion influencer around the time of the first World War. Move to authenticity Later on into the 20th century, influencer marketing trends began to center around high-profile celebrities, athletes, actors, musicians, and supermodels. Following the rise of the famous-for-being-famous influencer, social media allowed for the democratization of influence. Audiences today look to influencers with similar experiences and lives, having lost the ability to relate to the ultra-rich and famous. The rise of social media came hand in hand with a more authentic marketing model that was lacking from influencer marketing models of the past. The authenticity that the public grew to crave. This has bolstered influencer marketing into what it is today, especially influencer marketing via social media. Following years of brand-regulated media and publishing, audiences today trust the reviews and insights of the people who look and live like them or provide them with a grounded, insiders look into the lives to which they aspire. The expanding diversity of the industry has created room for everyone; from celebrities and macro-influencers to micro and nano influencers. Expect to see greater investment and growth for creators in the low spheres as audiences become increasingly savvy and weary of overly sponsored content, in an economy that seeks to sell the public anything and everything. Communicating authenticity is one of the biggest global influencer marketing challenges. It is a feat African influencer marketing could use to its advantage in its journey to overtake the efficacy and stature held by the western influencer marketing space. Content creators like South Africas lifestyle and beauty influencer Kay Yarms, Kenyas influencer comedienne Elsa Majimbo and Ghanas superstar media personality and influencer Nana Aba Amoah, have unlocked the key to the future of success in influencer marketing through their sincere and highly relatable social media personas. They represent the future of influencer marketing because they successfully communicate an authentic brand image. Even with the incorporation of analytics, algorithms, and artificial intelligence, influencer marketing can still be volatile. As the present has come to be known, the next world-altering event can be right around the corner. These events rapidly change the wants and needs of the public and therefore ignite rapid change in the influencer marketing industry. On 9 of September 2022, the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation hosted its second biennial Thari Programme conference at Seemahale Secondary School in Botshabelo in the Free State. The Thari Programme is a five-year pilot programme, implemented by the Foundations partner entity, Adopt-a-School, in Botshabelo in the Free State and Diepsloot in Gauteng, to address a range of social issues like domestic violence, neglect and substance abuse that impact learning outcomes. The theme for this years conference is 'The impact of a multi-sectoral approach toward the protection of women and children against violence in our schools and communities'. The Thari Programme rests on three pillars: psychosocial support safe parks multi-sectoral local community forums This years conference is hosted in partnership with the Department of Basic Education and the Free State Department of Education. Speakers for the day include Mmabatho Maboya, CEO of Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation, who provides an overview and the purpose of the Thari programme. Professor Roelf Reyneke of the University of the Free State speaks to the findings, including challenges and learnings, of the five-year pilot. The MEC of the Free State Department of Education, Dr PHI Makgoe, expresses the departments commitment to care and support and to the continued partnership with the Thari Programme. Our experience in intervention programmes at schools has proven that there are several issues in our education system that hamper childrens ability to perform well in schools, including social issues such as domestic violence. It is a major concern that the neglect and abuse of children is reported to be worsening, says Maboya. We need to equip our schools with programmes like Thari to help protect those who are vulnerable to abuse and violence and to create a network of support to which learners can be referred both those who experience violence as victims, as well as those who act violently towards others, adds Maboya. "The partnership between the department and stakeholders such as the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation is a clear demonstration that active participation by civil society will lead to us finding collective solutions to most of the challenges in the education sector," says Makgoe. Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) has released its annual results which highlight a solid performance in the FY22 financial year. Pre-tax profit was up 17% from June 2021, and the ROE improved to 22.1% - up from 18.7% at June 2021. Source: Supplied. One of the highlights of the results was 18% growth in core lending. Says RMB chief executive officer, James Formby: Our results showed a continued improvement in the credit quality of RMBs core lending portfolio. We advanced R126bn in new loans and refinancings across South Africa and broader Africa. The increase in client demand is a sign of improving confidence especially as much of the funding is earmarked for South African investment. It is part of the reason that South Africa, and many of its businesses, are looking more attractive to investors again. Testament to this is Heinekens acquisition of Distell and Grindrod Shippings expected sale to London-listed Taylor Maritime Investments. RMB advised on both transactions. Adds Formby: The growth in our advances book is before the impact of higher infrastructure investment, particularly in private power generation which will support continued growth. Sustainability and transition finance transactions are a key focus. The establishment of a sustainable finance and ESG advisory team has helped RMB build market leadership in this key growth area for the country. Notably, RMB issued the first and largest, at R8.45bn, syndicated sustainability-linked loan in Africa for Mediclinic, and also the first green loan in the sub-Saharan African real-estate sector for equites property fund. A total of 26 sustainable finance transactions were facilitated worth R26bn. Strong business performance The banking division (which incorporates investment banking and corporate transactional banking) had an excellent year with profits growing 20%. Investment bankings performance benefited from strong origination underpinning robust structuring and commitment fee income. Corporate transactional banking reported strong deposit growth, driven by increased primary banking relationships, higher levels of cross-sell and the build-out of invest deposit offerings. The markets business delivered solid pre-tax profit growth of 11%, driven by strong client-flow volumes, a robust performance from equities, resilient offshore secured financing activities and a reversal of pandemic-related risk reserves. Ashburton Investments, incorporated into RMB to enable better integration and execution of the investment product offering to corporate and institutional clients, turned profitable during the year. The business benefited from improved inflows, which is testament to improved product offerings as well as deliberate changes in the approach to distribution. Private equity Private equity benefitted from strong annuity income growth of 32% as portfolio companies experienced improved operational performances, together with a small component of bad debt releases reflecting improved underlying performance of investee companies. The unrealised value of the portfolio increased 32%. The broader Africa operations showed solid in-country performances specifically supported by Zambia and Botswana, although Nigeria remained muted due to ongoing lower risk appetite from international investors in the Nigerian market. The cautious optimism we are witnessing in corporate South Africa is an early signal of renewed investment opportunities, concluded Formby. We are excited to have a meaningful impact on each of our clients growth journeys and thank them for continuing to choose RMB as their trusted banking partner. Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI) report, has exonerated State Security Deputy Minister, Zizi Kodwa, of any transgression in the department's role in the Phala Phala game farm theft matter. This came after National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula on 5 August requested the JSCI to investigate specific allegations. These included: that the Deputy Minister in The Presidency responsible for State Security knew about the Phala Phala robbery and opted to keep the matter a state secret, rather than reporting the matter to the appropriate authorities. It has also been alleged that Kodwa accompanied Major General Wally Rhoode, the head of the Presidential Protection Unit, during secret interactions between the South African and Namibian authorities; and that reports emerged that a secret Crime Intelligence Fund was used to finance the undercover operations, which traced the thieves, with the goal of recovering the stolen money. It has been alleged that almost R2 million a month from this fund was spent to send an elite special task force to guard President Ramaphosa's private game farm. Should this be true, this would constitute a flagrant abuse of our taxpayers money. Informed by section 3 (h) of the Intelligence Services Oversight Act 40 of 1994 which states that the committee may consider and make recommendations regarding any matter falling within the purview of this Act and referred to it by the President, the Minister or Parliament, Schedule B of the Rules of the JSCI, and its established procedures. The JSCI ensured that the matter was handled with the appropriate urgency, given its importance and the associated public interest,and the JSCI considered the matter. During interactions with the JSCI, Deputy Minister Kodwa denied having prior knowledge of the alleged matter and all allegations against him. The Committee said that SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, stated that no funds from the South African Police Service Crime Intelligence (SAPS-CI) Secret Services Account were utilised in relation to the theft at Phala Phala. The committee found that there was no independently verifiable information to support the allegations against Kodwa and the use of funds from the Secret Services Account of SAPS-CI, Parliament said in a statement on Tuesday. Committee Chairperson Jerome Maake said the investigation was conducted in terms of the oversight mandate of the committee as set out in the Constitution and in the Act. Parliament said whilst the matter was considered in line with the relevant legal framework, however, it does not have any bearing on any other organ of state currently engaged with the same matter. The JSCIs findings should not be construed as an endorsement or exoneration of any of the affected parties in the Phala Phala game farm theft, read the statement. It was a great moment for City Lodge Hotel Group (CLHG) today (14 September 2022) as we were able to donate funds to three major charities for the first time since April 2019. An accumulated figure of R194,500 was donated to the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa), R135,000 to the Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa, and R95,000 to Food and Trees for Africa, totalling R424,500. Putting the 'fun' into fundraising at City Lodge Hotel Fourways are: (back from left) CLHG divisional director: sales and marketing, Zuki Jantjies; CLHG group marketing manager, Colleen Goodman; Cansa national sustainability manager, Anita Snyders; Food & Trees for Africa communication manager, Nicole Ras; and CANSA community mobiliser, Thea Silva. (Front, from left) CLHG divisional director: operations Tony Balabanoff; Food & Trees for Africa events and trees distribution manager, Susan Evans, and executive director, Chris Wild. The pandemic played havoc on the regular flow of donations to charitable organisations, as corporates grappled with the challenges of severe lockdowns and resulting trading restrictions. We are delighted to pass on the accumulated donations on behalf of the Group. Guests booking on our website to stay at any of our 59 hotels have the option of ticking a donation box for either Hospice or Food and Trees for Africa, and the Group makes a donation on their behalf. The Cuppa for CANSA drive sees funds collected from guests purchasing a cup of coffee at our 23 Road Lodges, which is collected on behalf of CANSA. The donations were made at a celebratory breakfast at City Lodge Hotel Fourways, attended by representatives from the three charities as well as senior managers from our support office. We have an extensive corporate social responsibility programme aimed at helping people and the planet, some as national Group initiatives and many others managed regionally by each hotel general manager to benefit local communities. Charities at a glance: Cansa has been a leader in the fight against cancer in South Africa since 1931, offering a unique, integrated service to the public and to all people affected by cancer. Its mission is to enable research with regards to lowering cancer risk, educate the public regarding symptoms, screening and risk reduction, and provide care and support to all people affected by cancer. For more information go to www.cansa.org.za. has been a leader in the fight against cancer in South Africa since 1931, offering a unique, integrated service to the public and to all people affected by cancer. Its mission is to enable research with regards to lowering cancer risk, educate the public regarding symptoms, screening and risk reduction, and provide care and support to all people affected by cancer. For more information go to www.cansa.org.za. Food & Trees for Africa addresses food security, greening, natural resource management and sustainable business; education and training of learners, teachers, and communities; promotion of environmental activities, sustainable economic development and enhanced livelihoods; and building capacity and skills within agriculture, urban forestry and climate change adaptation. For more information go to www.trees.org.za. addresses food security, greening, natural resource management and sustainable business; education and training of learners, teachers, and communities; promotion of environmental activities, sustainable economic development and enhanced livelihoods; and building capacity and skills within agriculture, urban forestry and climate change adaptation. For more information go to www.trees.org.za. Hospice has as its mission promoting quality in life, dignity in death and support in bereavement for those living with a life-threatening illness by supporting member hospices and partner organisations. For more information go to www.hpca.co.za. An American seven-year-old named Tariq went viral on the internet last month after appearing in an 85-second Instagram clip professing his love for corn. His quirky quips, including the catchphrase Have a cornstastic day! quickly found favour with internet audiences, who turned him into the meme affectionately known as Corn Kid. At the time of writing, the original Instagram clip has been viewed over 26 million times and has been widely reposted by several other accounts across Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and TikTok. On the strength of accidental viral popularity, Corn Kid is now well on his way to becoming a child celebrity. His time in the limelight has followed a predictable path carved out over the past decade as the era of cute videos of kids has given way to a full-blown child influencer industry. Turning accidental virality into commercial opportunities Corn Kids humorous interview was auto-tuned into a catchy song Its corn! by comedy music YouTubers The Gregory Brothers. He began featuring in a string of content collaborations with notable influencers. He was even recently named Corn-bassador an ambassador of corn for South Dakota in the US. But Corn Kids serendipitous fame has also brought tangible commercial opportunities.He starred in a social media ad for Chipotle that went viral, and also registered an account on Cameo a video-sharing platform where users can pay for personalised video messages. And it is here where what seems like fun on the internet can begin to have real-world consequences. Accelerated pathways into child celebrity If Corn Kids story sounds familiar, it is because this rapid pathway from accidental virality to meme celebrity to influencer has been a tried-and-tested recipe for more than a decade. In 2011, British cousins Sophia Grace and Rosie (then aged 8 and 5, respectively) went viral with a short dance clip. It led to regular appearances on The Ellen Show, followed by music and film opportunities, and careers as YouTube influencers. In 2014, five-year-old Noah Ritters viral street interview eventually led to regular fixtures on talk shows and appearances at cons, after similarly being picked up by The Ellen Show. But there are also less wholesome examples, such as when 14-year-old Danielle Bregoli went viral for her appearance on the Dr. Phil Show in 2016, after he had called out her bad behaviour and publicly shamed her. She went on to establish herself as a rapper and as a NSFW influencer who reportedly earned $50 million in her first year. As I note in my book Internet Celebrity: Understanding Fame Online, young children who go viral on social media are quickly perceived by industry stakeholders as commercial investments to be spotted and groomed. And this initial period of instant fame is a critical moment for important decisions. Some pitfalls of the influencer industry Parents of children who go viral online often suddenly find themselves in a world of opportunity. Paid cameos, corporate partnerships, offers of talent brokerage and child influencer contracts can line up swiftly. In the growing market, even micro- and mid-tier influencers can demand thousands of dollars for a single post.As parents are quickly pushed into the glitzy world of child celebrity, there is usually little time to make concerted and informed decisions. Tantalising offers may be short-lived and contingent upon wavering public interest.Yet, it is important to consider the pitfalls and longer-term consequences in the child influencer industry. Earlier this year, a TikTok-famous child was sexualised by fan accounts, leading to a public conversation about the safety and privacy of similar child influencers. In another instance, an influencer in my research reported she and her child were involved in a car chase by over-enthusiastic fans. As advertising opportunities expand in range, parents may also find themselves on a slippery slope as they move from child-centred products to less child-relevant recommendations like car decals and fast food.Parents must also recognise when their children may no longer enjoy creating content, such as when they need to be enticed by rewards for compliance to stay in the frame and continue filming. In some cases, parents have also been found to exploit and abuse their children when creating sensational content to attract viewers. In Australia, the industry is growing rapidly. Navigating unregulated terrain The child influencer industry is still largely unregulated terrain. One exception is in France, where the government passed a law in 2020 to regulate workable hours, safeguard the income of under-16s, and ensure that companies apply for permission to work with child influencers. In the UK, a House of Commons committee conducted an inquiry into the child influencer industry in 2021. The UK parliament is presently working on a response to calls for more regulation. Formal regulations are beginning to catch up with the industry. In the meantime parents of aspiring child influencers are also doing more to protect their children. Established family influencers on YouTube have role-modelled how to negotiate childrens involvement in content creation treating it as a reward rather than an obligation, and allowing them to opt out when they want. Lessons from Asia I am conducting a five-year ethnography of the influencer industry in Australia and East Asia, during which I have found many more examples of parents doing more to stand up for the interests of their children. Parents in South Korea are requesting specific clauses in their child influencer contracts with sponsors to give their children more agency. These may accommodate no shows if a child refuses to participate in a client event at late notice, or flexibility to renegotiate advertising briefs if a child does not want to engage with the sponsored product or service. In China, talent managers are trained professionals who act as mediators and brokers for child influencer services. They safeguard access to prominent child influencers, ensure client contracts are fair, educate parents by advising them on legal and contractual matters, and provide quality control for the content that child influencers deliver to clients. Further, influencer agencies are contractually responsible for any faux pas. Thus, they work quickly to resolve issues that impinge on the welfare of the child. Even the most loving and well-meaning parents may not have the capacity and skills to protect the interests of their children in the volatile influencer industry. And while change is coming, we can draw on lessons from the past. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Eskom is seeking an average power tariff increase of just over 32% for the financial year that starts on April 1 2023, much higher than originally sought, it said on Thursday, 15 September. Source: Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko South Africa's energy regulator Nersa has said it intends to announce its decision on Eskom's tariff application in November. It rarely allows Eskom the full increase it applies for, with disputes between the two often ending up in court. Eskom was allowed to increase tariffs by an average of 9.61% this April, whereas it had asked to raise them by 20.50%. The size of its new request means electricity users in the country, already grappling with a cost-of-living crisis, could face much higher power bills next year. Reasons for larger hike In a statement, state-owned Eskom said higher diesel and fuel oil prices, depreciation of its generation assets and greater procurement from independent power producers were some of the main reasons it was asking for a larger hike. Eskom has been mired in financial crisis for years and regularly implements power cuts that constrain economic growth in Africa's most industrialised nation. The company argues that Nersa has not allowed it to recoup sufficient revenue via electricity tariffs and says that is one reason why it is dependent on government bailouts. The upcoming #cocreateDesign Festival will take place in Cape Town from 26-27 October. Under the theme 'Designing African blue-green cities for all', the festival will explore the design of innovative processes, systems and products that can lead to a more water-secure future, particularly in an African context. Source: Supplied An initiative of the Mission Network of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in South Africa (#cocreateSANL), the annual festival celebrates and examines the power of design to address current socioeconomic and environmental challenges. It is organised in collaboration with the Craft and Design Institute (CDI), and in 2022 has been curated in partnership with the University of Cape Towns Future Water Institute, the City of Cape Town and the Institute of Landscape Architects. Live and hybrid event The two-day festival will gather academics, policymakers, government officials, water engineers, professionals, civil society members and creative thinkers from the water sector to discuss, engage, learn, and spark new ideas. It will be a hybrid event, taking place in person at the Youngblood art gallery in Bree Street, with a free live stream also available. The future of our planets natural ecosystem has never been more dependent on the design of better solutions by our human ecosystem of policymakers, government officials, water engineers and practitioners, the private sector and civil society. In South Africa, the challenges are made so much more complex by the need to address unequal access, and the state of our infrastructure, said Erica Elk, CEO of CDI. Helene Rekkers, consul general of the Netherlands in Cape Town, added that the timing of this years theme responds to critical challenges presented by climate change: How do we prepare ourselves for the future as the effects of climate change hit us harder? We need constant focus on continuing discussions about climate change to address its challenges this requires innovation. Innovation is not only technological; it needs a wholistic approach that includes social innovation, governance and financial changes. #cocreate Blue-Green Cities Design Awards As part of the #cocreateDesign Festival, the #cocreate Blue-Green Cities Design Awards have been conceptualised to celebrate inspirational initiatives that represent best practice in terms of water-sensitive design and the transition to water-sensitive cities in South Africa, particularly as it relates to water quality. Entries are open to projects with a strong design element with water as its principal focus. All entries should also comment on any innovations that improve water quality for example, by dealing with diffuse pollution sources. Entries close 5 October 2022. Click here to enter. For more on the #cocreateDesign Festival programme and to book a seat (free), click here. H&M's newly-launched science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (Steam) initiative programme is set to take place in October 2022 in partnership with Scifest Africa. The initiative aims to inspire young women from previously disadvantaged backgrounds and provide sustainable learning and development opportunities. Image supplied Due to the rapid technological advancements, the Steam fields are taking a bigger role in society and businesses. To ensure future innovations and technologies are inclusive, representation and diversity becomes even more important. Bridging the gender gap in the Steam fields is a crucial way for girls and women to expand their employment opportunities and businesses can take equitable actions and measures to contribute to positive change. Empowering underrepresented youth H&M together with Scifest Africa will share knowledge and information through this initiative with communities to empower underrepresented youth to pursue education and careers in Steam. The two-day initiative is a fun programme for these young students to learn about the possibilities within Steam and fashion as well as get hands-on experience in solving real-life problems. The Steam programme is an initiative we are proud to present in partnership with Scifest Africa. One of our core missions as a brand is to always drive local representation and diversity whilst uplifting the communities that we operate in. As a company that operates with data, science, and technology daily, this is a perfect opportunity for us to empower our future leaders," says Caroline Nelson, country manager, H&M South Africa. Scifest Africa, South Africas National Science Festival, was established in 1996 to promote public awareness, appreciation, and understanding of science, technology, and innovation. For the last 26 years, Scifest Africa has been educating and enlightening its audiences, offering a crucial doorway into the world of Steam for young people from across the country. Scifest Africa continues to contribute to South Africas ongoing efforts to create a science-literate society. We are honoured to have partnered with H&M on this journey to launch their first Steam programme in the country. We have a long-standing history of providing Steam workshops in the country and addressing the skill gap that we are currently facing in the country. With the partnership with H&M we can add art into the programme and open the possibilities of what is possible in those fields, says Monica Newton, from the National Arts Festival & Grahamstown Foundation. In addition to the Steam initiative, a three-month mentoring programme will foster the professional and personal development of selected mentees; and seek to inspire participants while developing a range of skills including soft skills, insight into industry trends, and continuous exposure to future skills. The mentoring programme will include one-on-one sessions on key topics with mentors from H&M South Africa selected for their expertise or experience in each field. On Wednesday, the South Gauteng High Court granted the final liquidation order for local regional airline, SA Express, which was handed down without opposition. The airline went into provisional liquidation in April 2020 when a business rescue attempt failed. The proposal for final liquidation was brought forward by the provisional liquidators, who said that there were no prospects for the business to be saved. The provisional liquidators indicated in 2020 that the amount to be raised was R50m. At the time, the sale by the liquidators of the airline's few tangible assets raised about R30m. In 2021, to save the airline, airline employees, through a worker-owned entity called Fly SAX, made a bid to acquire the group's tangible assets for the purchase of R50m. This was over R60m less than what provisional liquidators had at the time valued the airline at. However, the entity failed to get the necessary financial backing. In early August this year, the Air Services Council cancelled the airlines licences SAX because it was not complying with the licensing provisions of the International Air Services Act. The loss of its licences meant SAX had no intangible assets left. SA Expresss liquidation comes months after Comair business rescue practitioners (BRP) lodged their court application to have Comair liquidated. European Commission proposes emergency energy measures Xinhua) 08:22, September 15, 2022 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a press conference in Brussels, Belgium, July 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong) According to the plan, which still must be approved by the member states, the EU should tax the profits of non-gas power producers and should oblige these companies to pay a "solidarity contribution" from their 2022 earnings. BRUSSELS, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission proposed a set of new measures on Wednesday to mitigate the effect of the roaring prices of energy and electricity. The measures were outlined by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her annual State of the European Union (EU) address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. According to the plan, which still must be approved by the member states, the EU should tax the profits of non-gas power producers and should oblige these companies to pay a "solidarity contribution" from their 2022 earnings. "In these times, profits must be shared," she said, "and channeled to those who need it the most. Our proposal will raise more than 140 billion euros (140 billion U.S. dollars) for member states to cushion the blow directly." Solar panels are placed on the roofs of buildings in Haarlem, the Netherlands, Sept. 10, 2022. (Photo by Sylvia Lederer/Xinhua) Energy companies across the EU are also facing severe problems with liquidity in electricity futures markets, risking the functioning of the energy system. "We will work with market regulators to ease these problems by amending the rules on collateral -- and by taking measures to limit intra-day price volatility. And we will amend the temporary state aid framework in October to allow for the provision of state guarantees, while preserving a level playing field," she said. Gas prices have risen by more than 10 times compared to before the pandemic, according to von der Leyen. Looking ahead, von der Leyen said that the EU is planning to reform its electricity market by decoupling "the dominant influence of gas on the price of electricity." The Commission is also proposing the creation of a new European Hydrogen Bank with a 3-billion-euro budget from the European Innovation Fund. A man fuels a vehicle up at a gas station in Berlin, Germany, Sept. 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) MOGADISHU, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Somali National Army (SNA) elite forces, Danab, killed 18 al-Shabab militants during an anti-terror operation conducted at a village in Hiran region of central Somalia on Wednesday, the military chief confirmed on Thursday. Odowaa Yusuf Rageh, Chief of Defense Forces, said the military operation was conducted in Buq Aqable area, targeting one of the main bases for al-Shabab terrorists in Beledweyne. "During the operation, the Danab forces destroyed al-Shabab's main base in Buq Aqable village which was being used to prepare explosive devices. Our forces also killed 18 militants," Yusuf told the Somali News Agency. He said offices and other hideouts used by the terror group to stage attacks in Hiran region were destroyed. The group which is fighting to topple the government has been facing enormous pressure and an offensive from government forces being backed by the local militia with an aim to flush out the group from the Hiran region. The extremist group was driven out of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, in 2011 but it is still capable of conducting attacks, targeting government installations, hotels, restaurants, and public places. British monarch Queen Elizabeth II's passing has elicited many polarised responses , in the process allowing the ghosts of the past to resurface. A Nigeria-born US professor, Uju Anya, tweeted a scathing criticism of the British monarchy, recalling her familys traumatic experience of colonialism in Nigeria. US billionaire businessman Jeff Bezos wasted no time in joining others on Twitter to pour scorn upon Anya. Many defended Anya, but soon her university distanced itself from her remarks, demonstrating the influence that the founder of the digital retail company Amazon has. There are a few layers to unpack here here. Amazon finds itself in the middle of controversy in Cape Town, South Africa. The companys South African headquarters is being constructed on the Liesbeek River, a site of historical and sacred significance to indigenous people of southern Africa. Here precolonial hunter-gatherers were subsisting off the environmental commons, likely making little negative impact on the natural environment. The Liesbeek River is also a site of resistance against colonial dispossession. From a heritage perspective, much is at stake here for marginalised people. The case by a local civic organisation along with various indigenous Khoi leaders opposing Amazons development remains tied up in court. Construction is reportedly continuing at the site despite them winning a court interdict against it. For a scholar like me who has written about copyright, piracy and the ownership of ideas, it is interesting that one of the blueprints for what we now know as colonisation was commons enclosure. In essence, commons enclosure is one of the first steps towards what we now call the privatisation of public resources. This was the policy the British empire, along with other Western colonisers, brought to Africa, where common land and resources like the Liesbeek River site today were enclosed and claimed to serve elite interests. A history of commons enclosure shows how this happened and why the passing of Elizabeth II evokes such painful histories in Africa. The first enclosure movement The enclosure of common fields in England between the 1500s and 1700s pushed commoners who lived off the commons communal land or commonly shared natural resources for purposes like subsistence farming into a wage labour system by cutting off one of their means of subsistence. Scottish legal scholar James Boyle talks about this as the first enclosure movement. People were pushed off the commons in order to benefit the elites, the landed gentry. As the country shifted from feudalism to capitalism, commons enclosure helped create a large working class. The first enclosure movement became a blueprint for what we now know as colonialism, which generated vast amounts of wealth for the likes of the British royals. Africans were characterised as uneducated, unsophisticated children. Scientific racism was used to argue that Africans were not fully evolved, allowing colonisers to justify dispossessing Africans of their commons. Africa, seen collectively as a commons, came to be enclosed by colonisers who imposed an individualist model of ownership and wealth accumulation at the expense of indigenous people who were living off the environmental commons like the Liesbeek River. In this way the west denied Black people of their rights. Contract law, property law and intellectual property law were certainly not designed for enslaved and dispossessed Africans. Commons enclosure also kickstarted the shift to industrialisation a move from farming to manufacturing that some scholars call colonial modernity. Industrialisation produced numerous social ills that have led to the environmental crisis that the planet now faces. Commons enclosure not only continues to dispossess indigenous people, but it has set off a climate catastrophe. The environmental commons In the late 1960s an article by conservative US ecologist Garrett Hardin, Tragedy of the Commons, was used to justify commons enclosure. Hardin implied that commoners were not educated enough to be trusted with managing the environmental commons responsibly. The only solution would be to abandon the nightmare of the commons, which he equated with a system of management devoid of clear rules or sensitivity towards finite natural resources. The stakeholders entrusted with managing the commons were effectively elites, the landed gentry. This helped to justify the annexation of large tracts of land and resources for big commercial projects. The commons came to be gentrified. Gentrification happens when wealthier newcomers take over a working-class area, displacing those who once lived there. This often takes the form of revitalising neighbourhoods, effectively pushing up property values and municipal rates and taxes. Working class owners and tenants are driven out of these neighbourhoods. It is ironic that Amazon takes its name from the South American rainforest that plays a crucial role in replenishing Earths oxygen supply. For many generations, indigenous people in the Amazon lived off the environmental commons in relative harmony within and off an ecosystem that sustains the entire planet. Today the Amazon rainforests are at the mercy of environmental degradation due to industrialisation. The second enclosure movement is digital Commons enclosure continues in new ways today. Boyle described the first enclosure movement in order to compare it to what he called the second enclosure movement. This is the enclosure of the digital commons. The earlier versions of what eventually became the internet were actually produced by the logic of the commons, by gift culture. A broad pool of hackers contributed to its development and many of the protocols upon which the world wide web was built were actually open, and not necessarily proprietary. But the digital commons has become enclosed by proprietary software development at the hands of global media and technology monopolies. There are red flags about these monopolies accountability for violating user data privacy. Amazon is one of the monopolies that drives the digital enclosure movement. There are also lingering questions about the companys impact on the environment and its approach to employees who attempt to unionise. History clearly comes into play with a site like the Liesbeek River in Cape Town where Amazon is trying to build its headquarters. The site is a key part of the story of the first enclosure movement. Since the fall of legislated apartheid, it is suburbs near the river like Observatory, Salt River, Woodstock, District Six and BoKaap that have became gentrified. For many people who subsist in South Africas informal economy, homelessness, sleeping rough and informal settlements are the only options. Both national and provincial governments economic policies enable ongoing racialised class inequality. If the colonial occupation of Cape Town and the apartheid states Group Areas Act did not succeed in pushing Black working-class people out of the city, then gentrification surely will succeed. If it goes ahead, the Amazon development is assisting in this regard. Bezoss response to Anyas critique of the British monarchy reminds us how the intersections of power allow the logic of the first and second enclosure movements to reinforce each other. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Cape Town-based startups that want to scale and gain access to mentors and investors and a well-connected peer-to-peer network are urged to sign up for Bootcamp to Boardroom's nine-month-long entrepreneurship programme. EO Bootcamp to Boardroom judges and candidates | image supplied With so many entrepreneurs doing incredible work within their communities right here in Cape Town there is so much potential for them to scale. The journey to becoming Africas next unicorn is fraught with obstacles, especially in the early phases. Statistically 70% - 80% of small businesses fail in the first five years so belonging to a programme and support network is crucial. Bootcamp to Boardroom is designed to guide and support young startups and is run in conjunction with top business owners in Cape Town and supported by the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) and Over The Rainbow Foundation. Bootcamp to Boardroom is the brainchild of EO member and past president, Julia Finnis-Bedford. She wanted to find a way to support young entrepreneurs as they navigate the perilous first three-year phase of their business. To truly achieve transformation and inclusivity in our country, as well as within our EO organisation, we need to connect with business owners at grassroots level. Last year we saw just how valuable the programme was, not only to those entrepreneurs who took part but also to each mentor and advisor that facilitated the process. We ended up learning so much from each other, that we have come back stronger and more motivated this year to make a difference, we are even welcoming back two of our 2021 candidates, says Finnis-Bedford, EO member. Interested entrepreneurs who have a business with a minimum turnover of R500k must please WhatsApp 083 457 0353 or apply online here. The cost to enter is R4,500 (ex VAT) with payment options available. CyborgIntell, an AI platform company from India, has opened an office in South Africa. Headed by Bryan McLachlan as MD, who has over 30 years' experience in financial services, CyborgIntell Africa will work closely with financial institutions and other enterprises. Bryan McLachlan, MD of South Africa and head of Africa for CyborgIntell | image supplied McLachlan says: We are excited to be investing in Africa with a view to democratising AI and helping organisations unleash their full power. Our solution reduces the time required to develop accurate, production-ready models, empowering business users to deploy their own data science projects. "Furthermore, by eliminating much of the manual work that used to go into developing, deploying, and managing algorithms and data models, we can help companies slash time and improve efficiencies in AI and data science programmes." CyborgIntell was founded in 2018 in Bengaluru, India, by Suman Singh, Amit Kumar and Mohammed Nawas. The CyborgIntell platform addresses the key challenges companies face in the data science/machine learning lifecycle from data selection and modelling, operationalising AI, to managing risk and governance. McLachlan: "AI is a powerful and transformative technology, yet many companies across the world find it difficult to unlock its full potential. More than a third (36%) of organisations take more than 90 days to deploy data science machine learning (ML) projects, while the failure rate of such initiatives is estimated to be 85% across industries." Celebrating 21 years of industry news, your industry news. We see you, we celebrate you, we salute you. Thank you for 21 years in Biz! Denmark will bar almost everyone under 50 from receiving more mRNA Covid jabs, the Danish Health Authority said yesterday. Denmark had already ended Covid shots for nearly everyone under 18. The new rules go much further. Danes under 50 will only be allowed to receive the shots if they are higher risk of becoming severely [emphasis added] from Covid-19. The Danish Health Authority has not yet defined those groups, but they will likely include only a handful of people, such as those receiving cancer treatments that suppress their immune systems. Pregnant women are unlikely to be included. Denmark did not explicitly say the risks of mRNA jabs now outweigh their benefits for healthy people under 50. But that view is implicit in the announcement, which does not merely discourage but actually bans shots for those people, even though Denmark expects a large wave of [Covid] infection in the next few months. In other words, the health authority is not stopping shots because Covid has ended. It now believes most people are better off getting the coronavirus than taking more mRNA. KAMPALA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan parliament on Thursday condemned a resolution by the European Union (EU) parliament to halt the development of the country's oil sector, citing environmental concerns and human rights abuses. EU parliament advised Uganda and Tanzania not to go ahead with the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline that will transport the oil from western Uganda to the Tanzania seaport of Tanga. The EU also warned member countries not to render any diplomatic, financial, or other support to Uganda's oil and gas projects. Thomas Tayebwa, deputy Speaker of the Ugandan parliament, said the motion by the EU parliament seeks to curtail the progress of Uganda's oil and gas developments and by extension, the country's socio-economic growth and development. "It also seeks to deny Ugandans and East Africans the benefits and opportunities from the oil and gas sector. This represents the highest form of Economic Racism against developing countries," Tayebwa said. "It is imprudent to say that Uganda's oil projects will exacerbate climate change, yet it is a fact that the EU bloc with only 10 percent of the world's population is responsible for 25 percent of global emissions, and Africa with 20 percent of the world's population is responsible for 3 percent of emissions. The EU and other western countries are historically responsible for climate change. Who then should stop or slow down on development of natural resources? Certainly not Africa or Uganda," he added. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said the revenues accrued from the oil will be critical in strengthening the country's and the region's economic development. Chinese Ambassador to Djibouti Hu Bin delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of a training camp in Djibouti City, Djibouti, Sept. 15, 2022. The first training camp of the Center of Innovation and Maritime Excellence, supported by Chinese companies, was opened Thursday in Djibouti City, the capital of Djibouti, with the theme featuring "Digital innovation and cross-border e-commerce." (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) DJIBOUTI CITY, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The first training camp of the Center of Innovation and Maritime Excellence, supported by Chinese companies, was opened Thursday in Djibouti City, the capital of Djibouti, with the theme featuring "Digital innovation and cross-border e-commerce." Nearly 30 trainees from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda were selected to participate in the eight-day training program in Djibouti City. During this period, these young Africans will learn about company operation through lessons, thematic lectures, and seminars from Chinese and African experts, as well as visit the Doraleh Multi-purpose Port and the Djibouti International Free Trade Zone built by Chinese enterprises. Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh spoke highly of the importance of education and training in the cooperation between Djibouti and China. The establishment of the center "is undoubtedly a new step" in Djibouti-China cooperation, the president said in a video message at the opening ceremony. The country's Minister of Higher Education Mohamed Ahmed Nabil said the project provides Djiboutian youth, and African youth in general, with the opportunity to master innovative tools for e-commerce, which is in progress in Africa. Chinese Ambassador to Djibouti Hu Bin said China highlights the promotion of African youth entrepreneurship and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises as priority targets, adding that the center is part of laudable pragmatic measures to carry out the objectives of capacity building and human exchange envisaged in the nine programs announced during the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in Dakar, capital of Senegal last November. The center is a non-profit capacity-building project aimed at enhancing the leadership and entrepreneurship of Djiboutian and East African youth, contributing to the "Djibouti Vision 2035" to promote private sector innovations and self-employment. Funded by China Merchants Foundation and operated by Djibouti Chinese Enterprise Association, it is planned to be a platform to provide services like training, mentoring, and networking. Photo taken on Sept. 15, 2022 shows the opening ceremony of a training camp in Djibouti City, Djibouti. The first training camp of the Center of Innovation and Maritime Excellence, supported by Chinese companies, was opened Thursday in Djibouti City, the capital of Djibouti, with the theme featuring "Digital innovation and cross-border e-commerce." (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) Trainees and guests of the training camp take a group photo after the opening ceremony of a training camp in Djibouti City, Djibouti, Sept. 15, 2022. The first training camp of the Center of Innovation and Maritime Excellence, supported by Chinese companies, was opened Thursday in Djibouti City, the capital of Djibouti, with the theme featuring "Digital innovation and cross-border e-commerce." (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh speaks in a video message at the opening ceremony of a training camp in Djibouti City, Djibouti, Sept. 15, 2022. The first training camp of the Center of Innovation and Maritime Excellence, supported by Chinese companies, was opened Thursday in Djibouti City, the capital of Djibouti, with the theme featuring "Digital innovation and cross-border e-commerce." (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) Djibouti's Minister of Higher Education Mohamed Ahmed Nabil speaks at the opening ceremony of a training camp in Djibouti City, Djibouti, Sept. 15, 2022. The first training camp of the Center of Innovation and Maritime Excellence, supported by Chinese companies, was opened Thursday in Djibouti City, the capital of Djibouti, with the theme featuring "Digital innovation and cross-border e-commerce." (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) The trust, which will be overseen by members of the family and their closest advisers, is intended to ensure that Patagonia makes good on its commitment to run a socially responsible business and give away its profits. Because the Chouinards donated their shares to a trust, the family will pay about $US17.5 million in taxes on the gift. Loading The Chouinards then donated the other 98 per cent of Patagonia, its common shares, to a newly established non-profit organisation called the Holdfast Collective, which will now be the recipient of all the companys profits and use the funds to combat climate change. The family received no tax benefit for its donation. There was a meaningful cost to them doing it, but it was a cost they were willing to bear to ensure that this company stays true to their principles, said Dan Mosley, a partner at BDT & Co., a merchant bank that works with ultra-wealthy individuals including Warren Buffett, and who helped Patagonia design the new structure. And they didnt get a charitable deduction for it. There is no tax benefit here whatsoever. Barre Seid, a Republican donor, is the only other example in recent memory of a wealthy business owner who gave away his company for philanthropic and political causes. But Seid took a different approach in giving 100 per cent of his electronics company to a non-profit organisation, reaping an enormous personal tax windfall as he made a $US1.6 billion gift to fund conservative causes, including efforts to stop action on climate change. By giving away the bulk of their assets during their lifetime, the Chouinards Yvon, his wife Malinda, and their two children, Fletcher and Claire, who are both in their 40s have established themselves as among the most charitable families in the country. This family is a way outlier when you consider that most billionaires give only a tiny fraction of their net worth away every year, said David Callahan, founder of the website Inside Philanthropy. I was in Forbes magazine listed as a billionaire, which really, really pissed me off. I dont have $US1 billion in the bank. I dont drive Lexuses. Yvon Chouinard Even those who have signed the Giving Pledge dont give away that much, and tend to get richer every year, Callahan added, referring to the commitment by hundreds of billionaires to give away the bulk of their fortunes. Patagonia has already donated $US50 million to the Holdfast Collective and expects to contribute an additional $US100 million this year, making the new organisation a major player in climate philanthropy. Mosley said the story was unlike any other he had seen in his career. In my 30-plus years of estate planning, what the Chouinard family has done is really remarkable, he said. Its irrevocably committed. They cant take it back out again, and they dont want to ever take it back out again. For Chouinard, it was even simpler than that, providing a satisfactory resolution to the matter of succession planning. Loading I didnt know what to do with the company because I didnt ever want a company, he said from his home in Jackson, Wyoming. I didnt want to be a businessman. Now I could die tomorrow and the company is going to continue doing the right thing for the next 50 years, and I dont have to be around. In some ways, the forfeiture of Patagonia is not terribly surprising coming from Chouinard. As a pioneering rock climber in Californias Yosemite Valley in the 1960s, Chouinard lived out of his car and ate damaged cans of cat food that he bought for 5 cents apiece. Even today, he wears raggedy old clothes, drives a beat-up Subaru and splits his time between modest homes in Ventura and Jackson. Chouinard does not own a computer or a mobile phone. Patagonia, which Chouinard founded in 1973, became a company that reflected his own idealistic priorities, as well as those of his wife. The company was an early adopter of everything from organic cotton to on-site child care, and famously discouraged consumers from buying its products, with an advertisement on Black Friday in The New York Times that read, Dont Buy This Jacket. A Patagonia store on the companys campus in Ventura, California. As sales soared, Chouinards net worth climbed. Credit:New York Times The company has given away 1 per cent of its sales for decades, mostly to grassroots environmental activists. And in recent years, the company has become more politically active, going so far as to sue the Trump administration in a bid to protect Bears Ears National Monument. Yet as Patagonias sales soared, Chouinards own net worth continued to climb, creating an uncomfortable conundrum for an outsider who abhors excessive wealth. I was in Forbes magazine listed as a billionaire, which really, really pissed me off, he said. I dont have $US1 billion in the bank. I dont drive Lexuses. The Forbes ranking, and then the COVID-19 pandemic, helped set in motion a process that would unfold over the past two years, and ultimately lead to the Chouinards giving away the company. In mid-2020, Chouinard began telling his closest advisers, including Ryan Gellert, the companys CEO, that if they couldnt find a good alternative, he was prepared to sell the company. One day he said to me, Ryan, I swear to God, if you guys dont start moving on this, Im going to go get the Fortune magazine list of billionaires and start cold-calling people, Gellert said. At that point we realised he was serious. The easiest paths, selling the company or taking it public, would have given Chouinard ample financial resources to fund conservation initiatives. That was the strategy pursued by his best friend, Doug Tompkins, founder of clothing companies Esprit and The North Face. I dont respect the stock market at all. Once youre public, youve lost control over the company, and you have to maximise profits for the shareholder, and then you become one of these irresponsible companies. Yvon Chouinard But Chouinard had no faith that Patagonia would be able to prioritise things like worker well-being and funding climate action as a public company. I dont respect the stock market at all, he said. Once youre public, youve lost control over the company, and you have to maximise profits for the shareholder, and then you become one of these irresponsible companies. They also considered simply leaving the company to Fletcher and Claire. But even that option didnt work, because the children didnt want the company. It was important to them that they were not seen as the financial beneficiaries, Gellert said. They felt very strongly about it. I know it can sound flippant, but they really embody this notion that every billionaire is a policy failure. Loading Now that the future of Patagonias ownership is clear, the company will have to make good on its lofty ambitions to simultaneously run a profitable corporation while tackling climate change. Some experts caution that without the Chouinard family having a financial stake in Patagonia, the company and the related entities could lose their focus. While the children remain on Patagonias payroll and the elder Chouinards have enough to live comfortably on, the company will no longer be distributing any profits to the family. What makes capitalism so successful is that theres motivation to succeed, said Ted Clark, executive director of the Northeastern University Center for Family Business. If you take all the financial incentives away, the family will have essentially no more interest in it except a longing for the good old days. Elon Musk is counting on investors like Spyridon Mentzas to cement his position as the worlds richest person. Mentzas, a former co-head of equities at Mizuho Securities, set out to start his own firm with the sole purpose of buying shares of SpaceX, Musks closely held rocket company. It took his Hijojo Partners three years, but it now owns a stake in the business, which was valued at about $US125 billion ($186 billion) in its latest funding round. As recently as 2019, Elon Musks SpaceX stake exceeded the value of his Tesla shares. Credit:AP Hes hardly alone in vying for a piece of whats now the most valuable US startup. Edoardo Zarghetta, fund manager of Miami-based PreIPO Club, started buying SpaceX shares two years ago in the secondary market, where they still trade at premiums of more than 10 per cent. Investors from Norway to Hong Kong say theyre fans of Musk and are in it for the long haul, though some acknowledge theyre dealing with murky financial information around the Hawthorne, California-based company that quickly burns through cash. For me, its just being able to be a part of it, Olav Trent, who heads Rex Fund, a hedge fund for wealthy Norwegian families, said in an interview from Antwerp. We would be the only Norwegian company involved in the space program. A stable of iconic Australian food brands including FournTwenty pies and Lean Cuisine meals have been sold to the Hong Kong private investment firm that already owns fast food chains Red Rooster and Oporto in a $500 million-plus deal. Pacific Alliance Group (PAG), one of the largest private equity funds in Asia, has acquired Patties Foods (which makes FournTwenty, Nannas, Herbert Adams, Chefs Pride, Boscastle, Leader, and Snowy River brands) and Vesco Foods (which owns Lean Cuisine and other brands). The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but a source familiar with the sale said the price exceeded $500 million. FournTwenty Pies will no longer be Australian after being bought out by a Hong Kong private equity firm. Patties Foods chief Paul Hitchcock said PAGs acquisition was a clear sign that the buyout firm believed in Patties business and growth strategy. Of more concern, however, was the missed opportunity this week. Albanese was ready to unveil the National Anti-Corruption Commission to the Labor caucus on Tuesday and put the bill to parliament soon afterwards. The law was drafted, the speeches ready. In fact, everything was so ready that the bill could have been introduced last week. Now the tacticians can only regret not moving faster. But what else could Albanese do? Every step in the response to the death of the Queen was set out in a secret plan codenamed London Bridge that was drafted over many years. One of those drafts, leaked to one of my colleagues, set out exactly what happened this week. Loading The December 2021 document, called version 09, said parliament would be adjourned without debate if news of the death came during a sitting week. Parliament would not resume until D+15 in the timetable that is, two weeks later. This would follow the precedent of 1952. When King George VI died on February 6 that year, then prime minister Robert Menzies informed the House of Representatives at 9.50pm and the House adjourned. It met the next morning for brief condolences before suspending for 10 days. What if Albanese had broken with this convention? Imagine the consequences if he had modified the plan to remove the suspension of parliament. The draft would have been leaked, his changes would have been revealed and the headlines would have screamed that the Labor leader had cheapened the mourning for the Queen. He had to follow the steps dictated by others. And he was right to show respect for the system. The conventions cannot be avoided. The only way to break with the protocol is to break with the monarchy. Albanese is being cautious for a reason, of course. The central calculation is that the argument for a republic will not be won by making it a divisive issue this week or next. The assistant minister for a republic, Matt Thistlethwaite, is in hiding. When I asked his press secretary for the Labor policy on a republic, I was told to check with the prime ministers office instead. After winning government with just 32.6 per cent of the primary vote, Albanese is making the effort to appeal to those who thought Labor too progressive, even if this means silencing his own ministers. He has made sure this week to talk to commercial broadcasters all the TV networks, plus radio hosts such as Neil Mitchell, Kyle Sandilands, Jackio O, Dave Hughes so more Australians get to know him as the Labor leader who will not rock the boat. The republic policy is this: Labor supports and will work towards establishing an Australian republic with an Australian head of state. At the 2019 election, by contrast, Labor pledged funding for a two-step process: first, a plebiscite on whether to have one; second, a referendum on the model. The current pledge is vague; because it is vague, it is weak. Albanese has put a priority on the Voice and has strong support within his party for a principled decision to put recognition for First Australians, and their welfare, ahead of the republic. Progress is slow, however, and ministers have realised they need more time to build the case for change. A vote by November 2023 looks essential because anything later would drag the issue closer to the next election. The referendum on the Voice is a forbidding mountain to climb. Two of the most prominent Indigenous women in parliament, Lidia Thorpe from the Greens and Jacinta Price from the Liberals, object to the Voice for different reasons. If they cannot agree, why should the rest of Australia? The need for bipartisan support is urgent. What if the Voice fails? The republic would be there on the horizon, too difficult to attempt. Loading Australians who want both achievements, the Voice and a republic, can only hope Labor has chosen the right sequence. The next five years will be a decisive period in the republic debate because the passing of Queen Elizabeth is a natural moment to move on from the past and decide a different future, yet there is no sign of any ambition in Canberra to embark on change. While there is a rational explanation for this timidity, it leads to a rational conclusion. Labor is unready for the moment and may, therefore, miss the moment. The day that everyone knew would arrive has finally come and the party of the republic needs more time to prepare. First cruise ship docks in Melbourne in more than two and a half years Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later. Dismiss The NSW government has warned unions it will pursue them through the courts and stand down staff if rail workers completely shut down Opal ticket readers at Sydney train stations next week as part of industrial action. Transport Minister David Elliott said on Thursday that the government had received legal advice suggesting the new industrial action was illegal, and he issued a strong warning to the rail unions to drop their plans. Transport Minister David Elliott has issued a strong warning to rail unions. Credit:Flavio Brancaleone I dont believe any court in this state would say inciting people to destroy public property is anything but illegal, he said. Im saying to the unions, if your members deliberately break the law, I will pursue through any avenue I can for those staff members to be charged, prosecuted and sacked. NAIROBI, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The International Labour Organization (ILO) on Thursday decried the high child labor rates in Africa amid the rising poverty. ILO Country Director for Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda Wellington Chibebe told journalists in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that Africa accounts for about 92 million out of 160 million child laborers in the world. "Africa stands out as the region with the highest prevalence and the largest number of individuals in child labor," Chibebe said during the National Symposium on Universal Social Protection. He observed that child labor is predominantly a rural and agricultural phenomenon while child domestic workers are more common in urban areas. Chibebe noted that while many regions of the world had managed to tackle the issue of child laborers before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa's incidences continued to grow. According to him, the rates for child laborers have been increasing in Africa since 2012 and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation. The ILO official also said that universal social protection is one of the tools for preventing and ending child labor in the continent. He urged African governments to introspect upon existing programs and initiatives for addressing child labor and re-strategize to ensure effectiveness in their efforts to end child labor. Hamdi Alqudsi has been found guilty of planning a series of attacks as leader of a Sydney terrorist organisation known as the Shura in 2014. The verdict was handed down by a NSW Supreme Court jury on Thursday. Hamdi Alqudsi has been found guilty of planning a series of attacks as leader of a Sydney terrorist organisation known as the Shura in 2014 Credit:Daniel Munoz Alqudsi knowingly directed the activities of the Shura from August to December 2014. His plans included attacks on the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, the Garden Island Naval Base in the Sydney suburb of Woolloomooloo, a courthouse and the Australian Federal Police. In 2019, before the pandemic, Victorias cruise industry contributed $353 million to the states economy, including 1000 local full-time jobs, and lured more than 300,000 visitors to the state, the minister said. Deputy Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece described the ships arrival as a momentous moment for the city. This is a day when we can say we are turning the page and seeing our city and our lives get back to something like what we knew before COVID came along, he said. Reece explained that Station Pier had witnessed people arrived in Victoria for the gold rush, soldiers leave for world wars and waves of post-war immigrants disembark. Standing here today, I feel like we are at a historic moment as well. When Melbourne turns the page, Victoria turns the page. The borders are open again. The port is open again and Melbourne is back in business, he said. Reece also talked of the economic impact of shiploads of tourists arriving in Melbourne again. Thats 2000 people who are going to enjoy the amazing shopping experiences of Melbourne, he said. Two thousand people who might enjoy a show in Melbourne like Hamilton or Harry Potter. Two thousand people who might go to the Picasso exhibition at the NGV or the ACMI Tate show. The cruise ship industry became notorious for major COVID-19 outbreaks during the first year of the pandemic, with many contributing to the rapid spread of the disease before vaccination was available. Governments and ports around the world responded by preventing many cruise ships from docking. The Diamond Princess, also operated by Princess cruises, was quarantined off Japan for two weeks in February 2020 when more than 700 people became infected with the virus. At least a dozen people died as part of the outbreak. The Coral Princess sister ship, the Ruby Princess, hosted a major COVID-19 outbreak in Australia in 2020 which led to more than 650 infections across the country and 28 passenger deaths. The Victorian government earlier this year announced it planned to ease restrictions on cruise ships arriving in the city. Cruise ship passengers are required to be double vaccinated, are tested before embarking and must wear face masks whenever they are not in their cabins or on an open deck. More than 2000 visitors were onboard the Coral Princess maiden voyage into Melbourne. Credit:Darrian Traynor If anyone tests positive onboard they are isolated to their cabin. The Coral Princess was caught up in a COVID outbreak in early 2020, and was docked in Miami, Florida, and as recently as July there were active COVID outbreaks on the Coral Princess as she docked in Brisbane and then Sydney. President of Carnival and P&O Cruises Australia Marguerite Fitzgerald said isolation protocols for any passengers who tested positive while on board were the same as what would happen on land. Onboard it feels almost the same as it would have previously [before the pandemic], she said. Americans Tom and Jan Gurnee, who have taken 130 cruises before, arrived in Melbourne on the Coral Princess on Thursday morning. Credit:Rachael Dexter American tourists on the Coral Princess Tom and Jane Gurnee said the requirement to wear a mask on board made them feel very safe. The die-hard cruise fans have been on about 130 cruises in their lifetime, including the current voyage on Coral Princess around Australia which will last more than 60 days. We were on the very first Princess ship that sailed again in July 2021. That was the first one they did [and it] was just out to Alaska, said Jane, 74. We love it. Loading The arrival of Melbournes first cruise-liner post-pandemic came as United Airlines announced it was increasing direct services to Melbourne, with daily flights from both San Francisco and Los Angeles. Daily flights will resume between Melbourne and San Francisco in late October, while Melbourne flights to and from Los Angeles will resume in December. Thirteen cruise ships will be visiting or home porting in Melbourne during the upcoming summer cruise season. The Coral Princess will stay in Melbourne for two days before heading to Adelaide. New Zealand is seeking the extradition of a woman from South Korea over the murder of two children whose bodies were found in abandoned suitcases last month. New Zealand police announced on Thursday that a 42-year-old woman had been arrested on a Korean warrant issued on request from Auckland. NZ Police have applied to have her extradited back to New Zealand to face the charges and have requested she remain in custody whilst awaiting the completion of the extradition process, Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua said. To have someone in custody overseas within such a short period of time has all been down to the assistance of the Korean authorities and the co-ordination by our NZ Police Interpol staff. London: The Queens coffin will be taken to Westminster Abbey on the same gun carriage that was first used for Queen Victorias funeral and also carried the bodies of her father, George VI, wartime prime minister Winston Churchill and her beloved cousin Earl Mountbatten. Nearly 500 dignitaries from around the world will descend on London to pay their last respects to the long-reigning monarch alongside members of the royal family in one of the largest diplomatic moments of the century. The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it lies in state inside Westminster Hall. Credit:Getty Images They will be joined by UK prime ministers past and present, and key figures from public life at Westminster Abbey the historic church that can hold around 2000 people at 11am on Monday (8pm AEST). Planned in consultation with the late Queens during her final years, the state funeral allows members of the public join royalty, heads of state, and a military presence for an event that Buckingham Palace hopes will unite people across the globe. Latest News More rate hikes to come RBA governor Find out what this means for borrowers Aussie urges mortgage holders to act now The vast majority have not looked at alternatives To address the housing crisis in Queensland, the state government should incentivise the delivery of build to rent housing, according to a property industry advocate. Recent research from the Property Council of Australia, titled A home for every Queenslander, projected that around 220,000 people will move to Queensland over the next five years. This fresh research shows that while Queensland experienced a huge influx of interstate migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are potentially many more to come, said Jen Williams, the councils Queensland executive director. We need a plan to prepare, not only to protect our enviable lifestyle, but also ensure we have the infrastructure and housing supply to support the population growth. The Property Council proposed stimulating the build-to-rent sector to increase the supply of rental accommodation, and at the same time support the construction industry, attract interstate investment, and generate local jobs. The council also wanted the Queensland government to be bold in taking action when it comes to educating the community about growth management, empowering and resourcing Economic Development Queensland and the governments growth areas team, and undertaking systemic changes to planning processes. The time is right to bring together experts across industry, government, and community sectors, to kickstart a bold reform agenda that will turbocharge the delivery of new housing across the state, Williams said. Queensland has a golden decade of opportunity ahead. The Property Council looks forward to working with stakeholders across the housing continuum, to ensure that all Queenslanders have a place to call home. HDC Bulk Terminal Ltd (HBTL), a wholly owned subsidiary of and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ), has signed the concession agreement with Port, Kolkata (SMPK) for mechanisation of berth no. 2 at Haldia Port. was selected as a successful bidder by SMPK earlier in February. The agreement signed today marks APSEZs first project in West Bengal. The mechanization and upgradation of Haldia Bulk Terminal provides us the opportunity to firmly establish APSEZs footprint in Bengal," said Karan Adani, CEO and Whole Time Director of APSEZ, in a statement. We remain committed to further accelerating the ever-growing industry and economy of Bengal. With this fully mechanized facility, we aim to set a higher benchmark in port operations and environmental practices, Adani added. This terminal, alongside our existing world class ports and terminals along the east coast of India, will synergize APSEZs services and enhance customer experience. Our leadership in integrated logistics will significantly enhance HBTLs efficiency and benefit the shipping industry, he further said. Earlier in the year, had emerged as H1 bidder for the Bengal governments proposed greenfield port at Tajpur in Purba (East) Medinipur. But the state is yet to formally announce it. As per the Concession Agreement signed between SMPK and HBTL, the special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed to implement the project will get the rights to design, build, finance, operate, maintain and manage the bulk terminal with a capacity of 3.74 million tons per annum for a concession period of 30 years at Haldia Dock Complex, Haldia. SMPK said in a statement that the project would help increase the cargo handling capacity and also fast evacuation of cargo at Haldia Port. The cargo will be handled in environment friendly manner and shall lower the cost of handling by port users at Haldia, it said. It would lead to direct and indirect employment opportunities with revenue generation of Rs 22.5 crore per annum for Haldia Dock Complex, SMP, Kolkata. As per the signed Concession Agreement, HBTL would undertake the financial closure for the project within six months and commence construction of the terminal. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 298 Crore and it has already received the necessary environment clearance. The plans for (BPCL) are currently off the table as the government has not received a sufficient number of bids, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas has said. We want to disinvest, but we cannot have a situation where theres only one bidder. In the last year or so, weve been facing a bit of turbulence but despite that has done very well. For now, it (the divestment) is not on the table, Puri said on the sidelines of the 25th Energy Technology Meet in Mumbai. The government owns a 52.98 per cent stake in the oil major. But potential buyers who had shown interest, including the Vedanta Group, Apollo Global Management, and private equity major I Squared Capital-backed Think Gas, had struggled to find partners to finance the deal. In May, the government had called off the earlier process for inviting expression of interests (EOIs) for the strategic of . Owing to prevailing conditions in the global energy market, the majority of QIPs (qualified interested parties) have expressed their inability to continue in the current process of of BPCL, the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management had said. However, the government had not fully shut down its plan to offload stake, having stated that it will decide on the divestment process and re-initiate it in due course. Puris latest comments have put to rest reports earlier this month that said the Centre was reviving the disinvestment process for the oil major. Mirroring the ministers statement, an official with the petroleum and natural gas ministry said no further move towards disinvestment is expected in the near term. Story till now Till early 2020, before the pandemic hit India, government officials were confident that BPCL would sell before Air India, as it was a profitable company and an attractive prospect for global energy giants wishing to get access to the Indian retail oil market. That has not come to pass. Officials had earlier told Business Standard that the process had stalled as a result of many bidders not having found partners to form a consortium to finance the deal. This is due in part to the fact that there continues to be considerable global macro-economic uncertainty over the Covid-19 pandemic. The continuing volatility in the energy markets as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine has also not helped the process. Moreover, the due diligence for the sale of BPCL has taken longer than anticipated. Interested bidders had got access to the refiners financial data in April, but have seen delays in completing due diligence on account of disruptions owing to the pandemic. As a political storm brewed over his group shifting a multi-billion dollar semiconductor factory from Maharashtra to Gujarat, mining baron said the site was chosen based on professional and independent advice. Seeking to soothe flared political nerves, he said his mining group Vedanta is committed to investing in Maharashtra as well. Originally, Vedanta and its partner Foxconn were looking at Maharashtra for setting up the chip factory but on September 13 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government for investing Rs 1.52 lakh crore in the unit. "Vedanta-Foxconn has been professionally assessing the site for a multi-billion dollar investment. This is a scientific and financial process which takes several years. We started this about two years ago," Agarwal said in a series of tweets. A third party was engaged to assist in selecting the site for the project. "Our team of internal & external professional agencies shortlisted few states viz., Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, TN etc to help achieve our purpose. For last two years we have been engaging with each of these govts as well as central govt & have received fantastic support," he said. Gujarat, he said, was chosen as it met the company's expectations. While he did not elaborate on the expectations, the group had wanted 1,000 acres of land free of cost, and water and power at concessionary and fixed prices for 20 years. "We decided few months ago as they met our expectations. But in July meeting with Maharashtra leadership, they made a huge effort to outbid other states with competitive offer. We have to start in one place & based on professional & independent advice we chose Gujarat," Agarwal said. This multibillion-dollar long-term investment, he said, will change the course of Indian electronics. "We will create a pan-India ecosystem & are fully committed to investing in Maharashtra as well. Maharashtra will be our key to forward integration in our JV," he added. Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, whose party Shiv Sena has criticised the Maharashtra government for allowing the project to go to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state, said industrialists are being arm twisted to defend the move. "Shame that industrialists are now being asked to defend the centre's arm twisting to get them to invest in an election-going state over the one already finalised and established for setting up the project as well as provide a face saver to the illegitimate government. #FoxconnVedanta," she tweeted. She did not name Agarwal in the tweets but put the hashtag #FoxconnVedanta with her tweet. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who drew opposition fire for letting the project slip out of the state, spoke to the Prime Minister over the issue on Wednesday. Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly Ajit Pawar alleged that the semiconductor project was shifted out of Maharashtra due to "political pressure at the highest levels." Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday said besides the Vedanta-Foxconn project, Maharashtra has lost a proposed bulk drug park project pursued with the Centre by the erstwhile Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The industry is expected to grow to $130 billion by 2030 and become the leading provider of medicines to the world, said Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) Secretary General, Sudarshan Jain on Thursday. The industry is currently valued at $49 billion and is the third largest in the world. supplied medicines to over 200 countries in the world, he said. He was speaking on the sidelines of three-day trade shows on laboratory technology and Pharma - machinery segments, which kicked off here. Sudarshan Jain said that with becoming the fifth largest economy in the world, this is the time for Indian industry to make a difference in the world. He stressed on innovation, self-dependence, diversifying the export market and building capacity for the Indian industry to be future-ready. Dr. Viranchi Shah, National President, Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA) felt that Production Linked Incentive Schemes (PLIs) and cluster manufacturing are contributing to the pharma sector's growth. According to him, is aspiring to be number one in the next 25 years. He opined that PLIs and cluster manufacturing will reduce India's dependence on imports. "When India completes its 100 years of independence, India in 2047 will be a $500 billion industry. PLI 1.0 and 2.0 are vital for India to achieve this goal," he said. The IDMA is working closely with the Government of India on PLI 2.0. Large part of imported medicine and equipment will be manufactured locally, decreasing dependence on imports and giving healthcare security to India. India is moving from being a generic manufacturing giant to value addition. Innovation, technology and entrepreneurship will drive India towards this, he opined. Ravi Uday Bhaskar, Director General, Pharmexcil said that the future for the and allied industries is bright but there are challenges too. Any export will depend on the importing policies of other countries. There is a need to streamline the industry especially in terms of regulations. Different countries have different regulations. Industry-regulator understanding is important for growth. Common regulatory standards like those in the European Union need to be worked out globally so that it is helpful for the pharma industry, he said. Analytica Anacon India, India Lab Expo, and Pharma Pro & Pack Expo 2022, the three concurrent trade shows have brought together decision makers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers, leading manufacturers and buyers of pharma machinery, analytical equipment, and laboratory technology. The trade shows are jointly organised by Indian Pharma Machinery Manufacturers Association (IPMMA), Indian Analytical Instruments Association (IAIA) and Messe Muenchen. Over 400 suppliers are showcasing more than 5,000 products in an exhibition space of nearly 18,000 square meters. The trade show was inaugurated by tree plantation by Madan Mohan Reddy, Director, Aurobindo Pharma and others. --IANS ms/svn/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) PRETORIA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The South African government is committed to implementing new policies to attract investment in various sectors, said a government official on Thursday. The acting deputy director general of inward investment attraction, facilitation and aftercare at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), Yunus Hoosen, made the remarks while commenting about phase two of the Investment Climate Reform Program (ICRP) which the government is seized with. He said the program seeks to improve business environment competitiveness, investment attraction and promotion. "In June this year, we reached a milestone of completing phase one of the Prosperity RSA and Private Sector Competitiveness Program which focused on business regulatory reform, competition policy and market regulation and investment policy promotion. The program yielded quantifiable investments and tangible results such as the flagship development of the bizportal and the City of Johannesburg's online permitting system," said Yunus. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) Director for Southern Africa and Nigeria, Kevin Njiraini, welcomed South Africa for working with various stakeholders to make the environment conducive for investment. "We have worked closely with government partners under phase one of the IFC's investment climate project to advance more than 15 reforms that led to increased investments across multiple sectors of the economy. South Africa's government's request for phase two is testament to the value that the project has created," he said. South Africa is on the investment drive to lure investment into the country to create jobs and grow the economy. Yunus said the government is prioritizing creating an enabling business environment and the removal of red tape. Even as it sets up its fifth Software Lab in the country at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), India on Thursday said that it was intentional about expanding beyond metro cities. "In India, we have always had a distributed location. We have had a multi-city approach where we wish to be closer to where our clients are. Software Labs, System Labs and Research Labs are all in different locations. This will be the fifth Software Lab after Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad and Chennai," said Sandip Patel, managing director of India. The Software Lab by India at GIFT City, Gandhinagar will focus on product engineering, design, and development of new products and solutions in the areas of security, sustainability software, data & artificial intelligence (AI), and automation and collaborate with the technology ecosystem in the region to co-create solutions for the global industry. Commenting on the lab and the talent being attracted for the same, Tom Rosamilia Senior Vice President, IBM Software said, "Investments made in GIFT City and Ahmedabad will make our employees not travel far. At IBM Software Lab we will be focusing on cyber security, sustainability, data, AI and automation." According to Nickle LaMoreaux, senior vice president and chief human resource officer, IBM, even as the global major is "being intentional" about expanding beyond metro cities to non-metro cities such as Gandhinagar, the move will also give the company a first mover advantage in terms of acquiring talent. Talking about opportunities in hybrid cloud and enterprise AI, Rosamilia said that post pandemic digitization had been happening rapidly, leading to increased opportunities, especially in the two domains. " About 10 years of digitisation is happening in two years. We are investing in acquisition and organic growth in two areas, namely hybrid cloud and enterprise AI. We are now much more open to partnerships and co-operate with those we compete with. We are partnering with the likes of AWS and Microsoft for hybrid cloud, wherein AWS makes IBM cloud services available on AWS cloud platform," he added. Meanwhile, Patel stated that the company has been moving to wherever its ecosystem partners were present, whether domestic or global. "The presence of our lab in the GIFT City, is a milestone development that will add to the competitiveness and business attractiveness of the state while also serving as a vital innovation hub globally. We bring our global best practices to Gujarat, especially in product design, engineering, and software development. By drawing on the skills and talent here, we can together build a strong base for developing and delivering next-generation solutions," Patel added. will raise $500 million in offshore borrowings, backed by Bank of America, SMBC of Japan and Bank as the company rolls over debt used to fund several years ago, reported The Economic Times on Thursday, quoting people familiar with the matter. The loan deal, the tenure of which is likely to be five years, is expected to be finalished in the coming weeks. It will likely be priced 110-120 basis points above the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), reported ET. To cut debt at telecom firm Tata Teleservices, in 2018 took three loan tranches and the company had reportedly obtained a one-off dispensation for the usage of money in the past, stated the report. Bharti Airtel acquired the consumer mobile business of Ltd (TTSL) in July 2020. The development comes at a time when Indian firms are increasingly tapping overseas markets for loans. While Piramal Pharma is raising a loan of $225 million from offshore markets, HDFC Bank, India's largest private lender, raised $1.1 billion nearly two months ago. Tata Sons, one of India's best-ranked corporate borrowers, "has decided to roll over the loan so it can use the cash in rupee terms for business expansion," a market dealer told the newspaper. is reportedly seeking to invest in metro rail projects, including in Pune, while the company is focusing on digital forays across verticals, including technology, infrastructure, steel, telecom, and automotive, reported ET. Union Home Minister on Thursday appealed to and governments to resolve their boundary dispute at the earliest in order to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a peaceful and prosperous Northeast. Shah said this here while chairing a meeting of chief ministers of and Himanta Biswa Sarma and Pema Khandu to resolve the boundary issues of the two states. The home minister assured both the chief ministers of maximum possible assistance from the central government in this regard. Shah urged both the chief ministers to resolve the boundary dispute at the earliest in order to fulfil the vision of the prime minister of a peaceful and prosperous Northeast, sources said. As many as 12 panels were formed by the governments of and Arunachal Pradesh, following discussions between the two chief ministers on July 15. The two states, as per the declaration, decided to restrict the number of 'disputed villages' to 86, instead of the previous 123, and agreed to make attempts to resolve all issues by September 15. Assam and share an 804.1-km-long border. Arunachal Pradesh, which was made a Union territory in 1972, had complained that several forested tracts in the plains that traditionally belonged to hill tribal chiefs and communities were unilaterally transferred to Assam. After Arunachal Pradesh achieved statehood in 1987, a tripartite committee was appointed which recommended that certain territories be transferred from Assam to Arunachal. Assam contested this claim and the matter is in the Supreme Court. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Driven by growth in IT, ecommerce, FMCG and other allied sectors, Bangalore has emerged as the top city with the highest intent to hire in the second quarter followed by Chennai and Mumbai, according to a report. In the July to September quarter, according to the TeamLease Employment Outlook Report, 95 per cent of employers expressed the intent to hire more, compared to 91 per cent in the April-June quarter. From a pan-India perspective, 61 per cent of employers surveyed were keen to hire during the period, a 7 percentage point increase over last quarter, it added. In Bangalore, both manufacturing and services have shown positive intent to hire, the report stated. In the manufacturing sector, leading industries were FMCG (48 per cent), healthcare and pharmaceuticals (43 per cent), manufacturing, engineering and infrastructure (38 per cent), power and energy (34 per cent) and agriculture and agrochemicals (30 per cent), it revealed. From the services sector perspective, leading industries included information technology (97 per cent), ecommerce and allied start-ups (85 per cent), education services (70 per cent), telecommunications (60 per cent), retail (64 per cent) and financial services (55 per cent), it added. Over the last decade, Bangalore as a market has seen exponential growth across industries, especially with the emergence of many new age internet based companies providing varied value driven services and products. This positive growth momentum has led to an influx of employment opportunities across roles and sectors. "More employers are keen to increase their resource pool and are also inclined to pay higher remunerations. In fact in the coming quarters, hiring intent is further expected to be 97 per cent," TeamLease Services Chief Business Officer Mahesh Bhatt said. The TeamLease Employment Outlook Report is a comprehensive hiring outlook report reflecting the hiring sentiment over 865 employers across 14 cities and 23 sectors in India. This report carries 'Intent to Hire' statistics for the second quarter, 2022-23 (July-September 2022) on the basis of the survey and analysis carried out during April and May, 2022. Meanwhile, the report revealed that Chennai is the second top city in terms of hiring intent in the second quarter of this financial year, with 87 per cent employers keen to hire compared to 78 per cent during the April-June quarter. Mumbai saw a 7 percentage point increase in intent to hire to 83 per cent during the second quarter from 76 per cent in the previous quarter. Of the 23 sectors reviewed, majority of the sectors exhibited positive intent to hire in Mumbai, the report said. FMCG (59 per cent), manufacturing, engineering and infrastructure (54 per cent), power and energy (54 per cent), healthcare and pharmaceuticals (40 per cent), agriculture and agrochemicals (32 per cent) and FMCD (32 per cent) are leading in the manufacturing segment. In the services sector, IT (81 per cent), financial services (80 per cent), telecommunications (76 per cent) and ecommerce and allied start-ups (69 per cent) were the most promising for candidates seeking out employment, it added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The on Thursday arrested Kalyanmoy Gangully, a former president of the Board of Secondary Education, in connection with the Group-C recruitment scam case in government schools, officials said. Gangully was called for questioning at the agency's Kolkata office and taken into custody after he was found non-cooperative, they said. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered the case on May 20 against five accused, including Gagully, the officials said. It is alleged that the accused extended undue advantage to undeserving and unlisted candidates to the posts of Group-C staff in various schools across in a criminal conspiracy with each other. "The aforesaid persons collected the vacancies of Group-C in an unauthorised manner after the expiry of the panel on May 18, 2019 in violation of provisions of School Service Commission Rules, 2009," the FIR alleged. The officials said the accused issued recommendations of unsuccessful candidates to those vacancies by issuing fictitious memos of regional commissions and using scanned signatures of the chairpersons of such commissions without their knowledge. "On the basis of these recommendations, appointment letters were issued, bypassing the normal chain of hierarchy and without sending those recommendation letters to the appointments section of the Board of Secondary Education, and without notifying the names of the candidates on the website of the Central Commission for verification of testimonials and collection of appointment letters on the notified date," the FIR alleged. The federal probe agency alleged that deserving candidates were debarred from getting regular salaried jobs even after the expiry of the panel. The constitution of the supervisory committee was approved by the then minister in-charge, school education department, Partha Chatterjee to supervise, monitor and guide the Central Commission with regard to the pending recruitment process. The has alleged that the constitution of this committee was a violation of the School Service Commission Act, 1997. The agency has alleged that Gangully gave instructions to a technical officer of the board to prepare appointment letters on the basis of the fake recommendation letters, bypassing the normal chain of hierarchy and without sending those recommendation letters to the appointments section of the board. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Just days after the death of former Tata Group chief in a road accident near Maharashtra's Palghar, Traffic Police has started issuing challans for passengers not wearing a seat belt in the rear seats of cars. On Wednesday, 17 offenders were fined. "A total of 17 court challans were issued during the drive from 11 am to 1 pm under Section 194B (use of safety belts and the seating of children) of the Motor Vehicles Act," a senior police official said. The drive to ensure compliance was conducted on the Barakhamba Road near Connaught Place in central . On September 4, Mistry died in a road accident. He was sitting in the rear seat of his Mercedes and was not wearing a seat belt, according to the police. After Mistry's death, road minister told Business Standard at the 'India@75 - Past, Present and Future' conclave in New that the ministry will soon tighten the noose around the travellers who do not wear a rear seat belt. He acknowledged that containing road accidents has been one area where little success has been achieved. According to the latest data from NCRB's Crime in India 2021 report, 155,000 people died in accidents on Indian roads in 2021. The total number of road accidents in 2021 was 403,000. In India, wearing is a legal compulsion. Under Rule 138 (3) of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, a person "seated in the front seat or the persons occupying front facing rear seats" must wear a seat belt. Failure to do so may result in a fine of Rs 1,000. The has directed the senior superintendent of police (SSP), Jhansi to ensure that the FIR of a petitioner, whose husband was killed in a police encounter in 2019, be lodged with her version that the man was killed in a fake encounter. The court has directed the SSP and the station house officers (SHOs) of the Gursahay and Moth police stations in Jhansi to ensure that the FIR of petitioner Shivangi Yadav be lodged with her version that her husband was killed in a fake police encounter. Passing the order, the court directed that a copy of the FIR be placed before it on September 29, the next date of hearing in the matter. The petitioner had requested the court to order the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct the probe into the killing of her husband, Pushpendra Singh Yadav, on October 5, 2019 in a fake encounter under the Moth police station. In its order passed on Monday, the bench comprising justices Suneet Kumar and Syed Waiz Mian observed: "Having regard to the detailed order of this court on February 19, 2020, it will be in the interest of justice that the version of the petitioner that her husband was brutally killed in a fake encounter needs to be registered." According to the petitioner, she had approached the SSP, Jhansi with an application on October 11, 2019 but an FIR was not registered. The petition alleges that Pushpendra Singh Yadav was killed by police in a fake encounter and his last rites were performed in the absence of his family members to destroy the evidence of the fake encounter and save the officers involved in it. It has also been alleged by the petitioner that documents related to the encounter and the death of her husband were not given to the family members. The petitioner has also urged the court to direct the government to refer the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India's maiden human space-flight mission 'Gaganyaan' is expected to be launched in 2024, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh said. Earlier, the mission was scheduled to be launched in 2022 but that could not be achieved due to Covid-19. "The Covid-19 pandemic took a toll on the training of astronauts in Russia as well as India," Singh added as was quoted by an Indian news agency. The first test-flight will be followed by sending a female-looking spacefaring humanoid robot -- VyomMitra -- in outer likely next year. The Indian Air Force had identified four fighter pilots as the potential crew for the human flight mission. The potential crew had undergone basic training in Russia. The Indian Research Organisation (ISRO) will send at least two astronauts into a low earth orbit (LEO) in 2024 after assessing the outcome of the two orbital test flights. According to ISRO, the Gaganyaan programme envisages undertaking the demonstration of human spaceflight to LEO in the short-term and will lay the foundation for a sustained Indian human space exploration programme in the long run. The objective of this space programme is to demonstrate indigenous capability to undertake human space flight mission to LEO. As part of this programme, two unmanned missions and one manned mission are approved by the Indian government. The total cost of Gaganyaan programme would be to the tune of Rs 9,023 crore. The Human spaceflight programme has both tangible and intangible benefits for India, which includes progress towards a sustained and affordable human and robotic programme to explore the solar system and beyond; advanced technology capability for undertaking human space exploration, sample return missions and scientific exploration and future capability to actively collaborate in global space station development and to carry out scientific experiments of interest to the nation. It will also create a broad framework for wider academia -- industry partnership in taking up development activities for development. It will generate ample scope for employment generation and human resource development in advanced science and R&D activities. The mission will provide unique opportunity to inspire and excite Indian youth and steer many students toward careers in science and technology towards challenging jobs that encourage knowledge, innovation and creativity. The programme will strengthen international partnerships and global security through the sharing of challenging and peaceful goals. Having a vibrant human spaceflight programme can be leveraged as a potent foreign policy tool. According to ISRO, the uncrewed missions are for technology demonstration, safety and reliability verification and will be heavily instrumented to study the performance of systems before crewed flight. The major new technologies required for Gaganyaan programme are -- human rated launch vehicle, crew escape systems, habitable orbital module, life support system and crew selection, and training and associated crew management activities. Officials said during the test mission, the spacecraft will be launched to an altitude of 15 km during which space scientists will simulate an abort scenario to ensure the return crew capsule to the Earth using parachutes. The second orbital test flight will take the Gaganyaan crew capsule to a higher altitude and undergo a similar abort scenario to perfect the system. The Gaganyaan programme is going to be a major effort for India. The overall programme co-ordination, systems engineering and implementation will be carried out by ISRO. Further, the human rated launch vehicle, crew escape system, orbital module and essential infrastructure will be realised by ISRO utilising the in-house expertise and with participation of industry, academia and agencies. The private players in the country have developed significant expertise in niche areas, and this will be effectively utilised in the programme. For the first crewed mission of Gaganyaan programme, astronaut trainees are selected from pool of test pilots, based on selection criterion jointly defined by ISRO and Indian Air Force which comprises of flying experience, fitness, psychological and aeromedical evaluation (including anthropometric parameters). After the successful completion of Gaganyaan programme, the next step will focus towards achieving capability for a sustained human presence in space. The ISRO also plans to launch the Chandrayaan-3 mission to the moon sometime in 2023. Officials said there were two launch windows for the moon mission in February and July 2023. --IANS int/khz/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi, Sep 15: The ancient and historical city of Samarkand, is all set to host the 22nd summit of the heads of members of the (SCO). This summit will be a unique one. It is the first summit since 2019, following the pandemic, which will be held in person. The earlier two had been virtual ones and it comes in the aftermath of major geopolitical shifts and three seminal events: the pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine and the Taiwan Straits conflict, and the beginning of the de-dollarisation of the world economy. The world has effectively been split into pro-NATO and pro-Russia camps, though some like India and Turkey swear that they are neutral. This year's summit is set to be one of the biggest since the organisation's inception: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russia's Vladimir Putin, China's Xi Jinping, the heads of all the Central Asian states, Pakistan's Shehbaz Sharif will be participating in the conclave. Iran's Ibrahim Raisi will also be present as Tehran will be signing the MoU for its accession to the grouping as a full- fledged member. Afghanistan, Belarus, and Mongolia will be attending as Observer Nations with the process of registration of Belarus membership in the SCO. Azerbaijan, Armenian, and Turkey will be attending as dialogue partners, as will Turkmenistan, the only Central Asian Republic not a member of the SCO. A host of other countries will be attending in various capacities. The SCO is set to sign memorandums with Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia designating them as dialogue partners. According to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, 'A decision will also be taken to launch a procedure for granting a similar status to Bahrain, Kuwait, the [United] Arab Emirates, Myanmar and Maldives.' Besides senior members of ASEAN and the UN will also be in attendance. The SCO, often touted as the eastern NATO, was launched in 2001, driven by geopolitical dynamics around Afghanistan, and also to balance Russian and Chinese interests in Central Asia. Its scope was expanded with the inclusion later of India and Pakistan. While Russia facilitated India's inclusion, China facilitated Pakistan's. It is a reflection of the enormous potential the grouping promises that so many other countries have since evinced interest in participating in it in various ways. It marks the beginning of Eurasian integration, as the world's biggest regional organisation, representing 3.2 billion people and nearly a fourth of the world's GDP. Yet, tensions persist. While the grouping was initially launched to balance Russian and Chinese interests in Central Asia, post the Ukraine conflict Russian-Chinese relations and cooperation have deepened with the former far more dependent on the latter in economic and geopolitical terms. The tension over the Taiwan straits has deepened the confrontation between the West/NATO and Russia and China. This summit is also meant to be a show of strength for the two member-states. With their entry India and Pakistan has brought in their tensions. The Ukraine crisis has created a new set of tensions in the region - between Russia and Central Asian states, in particular with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the two most powerful and resource rich states in the region. They have neither endorsed Russia's intervention in Ukraine nor its support for breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, given ramifications for their Russian speaking enclaves. At the meeting of the SCO Security Council Chiefs, the message of Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev to the Central Asian countries to avoid military drills with the US for the 'high costs involved' have not gone down well with them. They do not want the SCO to be perceived as an anti-West bloc. In an Op-ed written on the eve of the Samarkand Summit, outlining Uzbekistan's perception and plans for the SCO, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has underscored this point that the 'basis for the SCOs international attractiveness is its non-bloc status, openness, non-targeting against third countries or the international organisations...' warning against the 'risk of reviving the bloc thinking stereotypes'. China is clearly in the strongest position and it will be a confident Xi Jinping who will be attending the summit, his first foray abroad since the beginning of the pandemic. All the Central Asian member states i Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and have close relations with China to varying degrees, all have signed on to its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), are economically closely coupled with it, and those like Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan dependent on Chinese investments as they also face Chinese debt traps. Xi is also clubbing state visits to and Kazakhstan with the summit. Iran, which is to accede to the group formally also enjoys a cozy relationship with China as does of course iron friend Pakistan. Turkey, which may receive observer nation status also shares significant economic relations with China as does its ally Azerbaijan, while both have strained relations with India. Yet, the geo-political shifts in the region offer up exciting possibilities for India. India offers an alternative to both Russian and Chinese dominance in the region. The Central Asian states together with states that can become members at a later stage like Mongolia and Armenia, would also continue to seek good relations with the US, as part of their 'multi-vectoral' policy. The recent military drills that Tajikistan - a close friend and ally of Russia and China - is holding with the US, is a case in point. India is one of the few members of the group that enjoys good and close relations with the US. On the other hand, there are states like Saudi Arabia and Egypt who would like to move away from the US orbit, without joining an anti-US bloc. The SCO offers them a middle path. Second, Indian investments i both public and private-are coveted in the region. The main player Russia does not have the resources; China is the major economic player. While modest, they do help in eliminating the problem of the Chinese 'debt trap'. For instance, China accounts for 45.3 per cent of Kyrgyzstan's external debt, while the recent establishment of a Chinese military base is widely believed to be an outcome of Tajikistan's enormous debt to China. Loans from China account for 16 per cent-17 per cent of GDP of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan; meanwhile, the external debt of all the CARS has been increasing. Another edge that India has is in the cultural and religious sphere. With Afghanistan being the central (and neutral) topic on the SCO agenda, the threats facing all the member-states remain the same. India's religious pluralism and Sufi heritage is an antidote to the extremism and fundamentalism of Afghanistan and member state Pakistan. Even Iran's religiosity and Turkey's Islamist orientation is a source of discomfort for the Muslim but secular Central Asian states, almost all of whom have battled political Islam, Islamist insurgencies on their territories; and now are battling the ISIS challenge. The Buddhist heritage of the region also forms a special link with India and so the SCO cultural center will be established on Indian soil. The SCO offers a platform for India to interact annually with its Central Asian partners and as the geographical scope of the organization expands, it will offer India the platform to annually interact with many more states. India's participation in the organization will also help keep it non-Western rather than anti-Western and a regional Eurasian organization, shorn of a bloc mentality. (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The has raised concerns over a potential battle for passengers between the Tejas Express and soon to be launched Vande Bharat train on the same route between Mumbai and Ahmedabad with similar timings, sources said. Sources said the IRCTC, in two letters in August and September, said the clash in timings will "defeat" the very purpose of introduction of the Tejas Express which is the Railways' premium corporate train. While no one from the Rail PSU was available to comment on the matter, sources said the has conveyed to the Railway Board that the introduction of the Vande Bharat Express would adversely affect the running of the Tejas Express on the same route. Fearing a potential loss in passenger numbers, the has told the Railways that its with "lots of efforts" and tweaking in both train fare and services that it has build up a clientele for the train. While the Tejas Express departs from Ahmedabad at 6:40 am and arrives at Mumbai at 1:05 pm, on the other direction, it departs Mumbai Central at 3:45 pm and reaches Ahmedabad at 10:10 pm. According to the proposed timings, the new Vande Bharat Express will depart from Ahmedabad at 7:25 am and reach Mumbai at 1:30 pm. In the other direction, it will depart Mumbai Central at 2:40 pm and arrive at Ahmedabad at 9:05 pm. The margin of the two trains will be 45 minutes to 75 minutes in both directions and the run time of the Vande Bharat Express will also be lesser, as compared to the Tejas Express which takes about 6.25 to 6.50 hours both ways, thus further affecting the latter, sources said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) ISLAMABAD, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and one was injured in heavy monsoon rain-triggered flash floods in the last 24 hours in Pakistan, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said. Two children and a woman were among those who lost their lives in separate flood-related incidents, according to an NDMA report released Wednesday evening. The country's southwestern Balochistan province was the worst-hit region with three killed, followed by the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province which reported two deaths, the report said. Moreover, 5,091 houses were destroyed, 10,336 livestock animals perished and 300 km-long roads were damaged in different parts of Pakistan, it added. The total death toll in Pakistan from this season's monsoon rains and floods since mid-June has risen to around 1,486, along with 12,749 injured, the NDMA said. The NDMA further added that 179,281 people have been rescued and 546,288 others are currently living in camps. Rescue and relief operations by the NDMA, other government organizations, volunteers and non-governmental organizations were underway in the flood-hit areas. on Thursday passed the contentious "anti conversion bill", amid objections from the opposition Congress and JD(S). The ' Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill' was passed by the Legislative Assembly in December last. As the Bill was pending for passage in the Legislative Council, where the ruling BJP was short of majority then, the government had subsequently promulgated an ordinance in May this year to give effect to the bill. Home Minister Araga Jnanendra piloted the Bill for the consideration of the Upper House today. Noting that in recent times religious conversions have become widespread, he said there have been mass conversions with allurements and through force, disturbing peace and leading to mistrust among people following different religions. The Bill does not take away anyone's and anyone can practice the religion of his or her choice, but not under pressure and allurements, Jnanendra said. The Minister had moved some amendments to substitute certain clauses in the Bill like- "It (legislation) shall be deemed to have come into force with effect from the 17th day of May 2022"; also that "....the ordinance is hereby repealed"- which has now been accepted with the passage of the bill. Leader of Opposition in the B K Hariprasad even tore the copy of the bill in protest as the pro-tem Chairman Raghunath Rao Malkapure was in the process of putting the bill to vote. Hariprasad termed the bill as "unconstitutional" and will affect the right to religion. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy maintained that the bill was well within the scope of the Constitution of India. The Bill that has been vehemently opposed by some Christian community leaders, provides for protection of right to freedom of religion and prohibition of unlawful conversion from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Six men were arrested on Thursday in connection with the alleged rape and murder of two teenage sisters who were found hanging from a tree in sugarcane field here, police said. The girls' burial took place in a field near their home as their community buries the dead rather than carrying out the cremation if they are children. For several hours their family members had refused to carry out the last rites, demanding compensation and the "death sentence" to the six accused. After several hours of persuasion, they agreed. Police sources said the post-mortem report revealed that the girls, aged 15 and 17, were raped and then strangled. The bodies were found hanging about a kilometre away from their home on Wednesday. The Opposition has slammed the state's BJP-led government over law and order, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday saying, "Women's safety cannot be expected from those facilitating the release of rapists and welcoming them." The former Congress chief was apparently referring to the release of 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gangrape after the BJP-led Gujarat government allowed it under its remission policy. Lakhimpur Kheri Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjiv Suman told reporters that according to the preliminary probe the girls had left their home on Wednesday afternoon with two of the accused, Junaid and Sohail. All the six accused have been sent to jail for 14 days in judicial custody, the SP said. The girl's mother had earlier alleged that they were abducted. "Junaid and Sohail have confessed to strangling the girls after raping them," Suman said. He said both were in a relationship with the two sisters, who insisted on marriage, after which they were strangled. The others arrested were identified as Hafizur Rehman, Karimuddin, Arif and Chottu. Junaid was arrested following an encounter around 8.30 am. A motorcycle, country-made pistol and ammunition were recovered from him. Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar said Junaid was injured in the encounter. SP Suman said clothes of the other accused have been sent for an examination. Suman also dismissed claims that police used force to send the bodies for a post-mortem, which he said was conducted with their family's consent. A videography of the post-mortem examination was also done, the SP added. Though the girls' father, a landless labourer, expressed satisfaction over the police probe, the victims' kin demanded a government job for a family member, adequate compensation and the "death sentence" to the six accused before the victims' last rites are performed. Later, District Magistrate Mahendra Bahadur Singh said necessary action is being taken to provide Rs 8.25 lakh compensation each for the two girls under provisions of the SC/ST. The administration will forward the family's other demands to the state government, the DM said. Earlier, the victims' mother had lodged a complaint with police, alleging that three motorcycle-borne unidentified youths, along with her neighbour Chhotu, stormed into their hutment and abducted her daughters. After the incident came to light, villagers staged a demonstration at Nighasan Crossing. Police took the bodies into custody and sent them to the district headquarters in an ambulance while SP Suman and Assistant Superintendent of Police (APS) Arun Kumar Singh spoke to the villagers. A large number of police personnel were deployed to ensure law and order in the village. ADGP Kumar said senior officials from Lucknow were also sent to the spot. The incident has drawn angry reactions from opposition parties. Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said, "Criminals in UP are fearless because the priorities of the government are wrong." "This incident exposes the claims of the government in the matter of law and order. Criminals are moving without any fear since there has been a cover-up in most of the criminal cases, including the one in Hathras. The government should make necessary reforms in its policy, working and priorities," she said in a Hindi tweet. The Harijan Sevak Sangh, founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1932, has strongly condemned the incident. "This is a heinous crime against humanity. We urge the Government of to take exemplary and expeditious penal action against the culprits," a statement by Sangh's president Sankar Kumar Sanyal said. On the other hand, the state's two deputy chief ministers -- Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak--said the government was with the victims' family and assured action against the accused. Maurya in a Hindi tweet said, "Strictest action will be taken against the criminals who have raped and murdered daughters in Lakhimpur Kheri. An issueless opposition should not do politics in such matters!. The punishment given to the accused will set an example." Pathak tweeted, "The state government stands with the family members of the victims. The government will take such an action that the accused's future generations will shiver." Police have registered a case against the six accused under Sections 302 (murder), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 376 (rape) and 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint) of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. A statement from the Lakhimpur Kheri police said provisions of the SC/ST Act have also been included in the FIR. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India added 6,422 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of Covid-19 cases to 44,516,479, while the active cases increased to 46,389, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday. The death toll climbed to 28,250 with 34 fatalities which includes 20 deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. The active cases comprise 2.04 per cent of the total infections, while the COVID-19 recovery rate increased to 98.71 per cent, the ministry said. An increase of 640 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. Chief Minister on Wednesday said the MLAs have joined the ruling party without any conditions as the state opposition parties alleged that the members sold themselves to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Ever since the eight MLAs joined the BJP, including former CM Digambar Kamat, people are speculating about the induction of two or three MLAs into the state Cabinet. Along with Kamat, Michael Lobo, Delilah Lobo, Kedar Naik, Sankalp Amonkar, Rajesh Faldesai, Aleixo Sequeira and Rudolf Fernandes switched sides on Wednesday. The civic agency has identified several illegal structures that have come up on stormwater drains, which had recently caused severe flooding in parts of the city, particularly information technology (IT) corridors, and arterial roads. Speaking in the House on the same on Wednesday, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai reiterated that there will not be any discrimination in the drive to free illegal occupants of stormwater drains. Bollywood actress Fernandez left the office of the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police after being grilled by the cops for over eight hours on Wednesday in connection with the Rs 200 crore extortion-cum-cheating case involving multimillionaire conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, who is presently lodged in jail. had reached the EOW office at around 11 am. With in power in Maharashtra, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister on Thursday expressed hope of reviving the stalled West Coast Refinery project, which if implemented, will be the largest in the world. The over Rs 3 lakh crore-project, also known as the West Coast Refinery project, was approved when the BJP-Shiv Sena government headed by Devendra Fadnavis was in power in the state. At that time, the government had also acquired some portion of the 15,000 acres of land needed for the 60-million-tonne per annum project. However, with the change of guard in the state after the 2019 polls and an alliance of the Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress coming to power under Uddhav Thackeray, the project was shelved. Addressing an industry event on the energy technologies here, the minister said that though no concrete proposal has come to him yet from the state or from investors, he expects the project to get revived with the new political climate in the state. "I am pained by some political reasons. We have become counter-productive while pursuing our political objectives. In one part of a country, there was a talk of a very major refinery being set up on the West Coast. Investors were also ready but the earlier state government was busy in its own things. "That government first said it will not let the refinery come in one place, then it said it won't let it come in another place. Foreign investors were willing... but now the situation has changed and we are trying to again revive. Overall, the picture is looking very positive now," Puri told reporters. Stressing that he is not saying the project should come up at the earlier identified place -- Nanar in the coastal Ratnagiri district --, Puri said, the project can come up in one or two locations if Maharashtra is willing and committed to the project. "Even I am ready to look at other West Coast states if they are committed or even from the Southern states. But what we need is firm commitments and not just a statement of intent, which was what happened earlier with the project," the minister said. When asked whether he has got back to foreign investors, Saudi Arabia's Aramco and UAE's Adnoc that had earlier agreed to pick up significant minority stakes in the project, Puri replied in the negative. The minister said that he has only sent feelers far and the first response has been positive so far. Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum are the promoters of the mega project. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is falling short in regulating the industry, and more medical device testing laboratories need to be set up, a report presented in the by the Standing Committee on Health stated. The committee was headed by Ram Gopal Yadav, a member of Parliament, as reported by The Hindu. The "Medical Devices: Regulations and Control" report stated that along with more testing labs, the country needs a robust IT-enabled and feedback-driven post-sales surveillance system, The Hindu report added. The surveillance of medical devices, including implants, will help regulators to keep track of their performance. Currently, India has only 18 such regulators approved by . Also Read : Panel approves 32 beneficiaries under PLI for large-scale electronics mfg The committee's report focused on the fact that India lacks the research ecosystem to develop as per global standards. Also, it recommended the government start a Research Linked Incentive (RLI) scheme similar to the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to facilitate the academia-industry partnership. It said that the must allow the regulators to include IISC, CSIR, and to test the to meet the growing demand. Moreover, other institutes should be developed to enable the testing of medical devices. The need to remove the multiple regulations and set up a single window clearance platform for the application of the license for manufacturing as well as trading of these devices was also discussed in the report. "A single window clearance for all the Department/Ministries would significantly boost investment in R&D in the field of medical devices and would also reduce the time required for obtaining approvals from different Departments/Ministries. The Ministry must incorporate such an all-encompassing 'single window clearing/approval system' in the proposed new separate Act for the regulation of Medical Devices," the report added. Prime Minister arrived in Uzbekistan's historic city of Samarkand on Thursday to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, which is set to deliberate on regional security challenges, boosting trade and energy supplies among other issues. The SCO is holding its first in-person summit in Samarkand in after two years. The summit will also see the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. "Landed in Samarkand to take part in the SCO Summit," Modi tweeted. At the airport, he was welcomed by Uzbek counterpart Abdulla Aripov, ministers, Governor of Samarkand region and senior officials. Modi is also expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit, including with Putin, and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev among other leaders. "At the SCO Summit, I look forward to exchanging views on topical, regional and international issues, the expansion of SCO and further deepening of multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation within the Organisation," Modi said in a pre-departure statement. "Under the Uzbek chairship, a number of decisions for mutual cooperation are likely to be adopted in areas of trade, economy, culture and tourism," he said. Modi said he was also looking forward to meeting President Mirziyoyev. "I fondly recall his visit to India in 2018. He also graced the Vibrant Gujarat Summit as Guest of Honour in 2019. In addition, I will hold bilateral meetings with some of the other leaders attending the summit," Modi said. There is no confirmation over his possible bilateral with Xi. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also attending the summit. "We will keep you fully apprised when the PM's schedule of bilateral meetings unfolds," Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra told reporters in New Delhi on Thursday when asked if Modi and Xi will have a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit. Kwatra also said the Prime Minister's participation in the summit was a reflection of the importance that India attaches to the SCO and its goals. The summit of the eight-nation influential grouping is taking place amid the growing geo-political turmoil largely triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and China's aggressive military posturing in the Taiwan Strait. According to reports in Russian and Iranian media, Modi will hold separate bilateral meetings with Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. The in Samarkand will have two sessions -- one restricted session which is only meant for the SCO member states and then there will be an extended session that is likely to see the participation of the observers and the special invitees of the chair country. Launched in Shanghai in June 2001, the SCO has eight full members, including its six founding members, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and . India and Pakistan joined as full members in 2017. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister will on Thursday evening leave for the 22nd (SCO) Summit in Uzbekistans Samarkand city, said a senior official on Thursday. Modi will meet with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyevthe only bilateral meeting the (MEA) had confirmed till Thursday afternoon. The SCO is a political, economic, and security alliance of eight nations, historically led by Russia and China. It is considered the most important conclave in Central Asia, where other nations have interests in trade, connectivity, and resource extraction. "Apart from the summit activities, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral meetings with the President of and some other leaders on the sidelines of the summit. That is all I can share at the moment," said Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra in a briefing in Delhi. Modi will attend two leaders' sessions on September 16. One session will be of SCO members: India, China, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and . The other session will see extended participation of the six SCO dialogue partners. Modi is scheduled to return home on Friday evening. This will be Modi's sixth . During the last two annual summits, he participated in a virtual format. Central Asia focus "We expect the discussions during the summit will cover topical regional and international issues, reform and expansion of the SCO, the security situation in the region, our cooperation perspective in the region including strengthening connectivity and boosting trade and tourism in the region," said Kwatra. The summit is expected to finalise the 'Samarkand declaration' and other documents. The SCO council of heads of governments deals with trade, economy and the cultural agenda of the grouping. During India's chairmanship of the council in 2020, the Modi government shaped the first forums on startups, MSMEs and young scientists. "We remain focused on strengthening our linkages with Central Asia and the extended neighborhood, and this visit will take that vision and that perspective forward," Kwatra said. India became chairman of SCOs executive council of Regional Anti-Terror Structure in October 2021 and it is focusing on promoting practical cooperation in combating terrorism in the region, he added. Economic ties India's engagements with Central Asia focuses on trade and connectivity. India held an India-Central Asia summit earlier this year, preceded by a foreign minister-level meeting. "There is the International North South Transport Corridor. There is a larger emphasis on connectivity with the region through multiple laterals which connect India to the countries. There is focus on B2B cooperation, essentially through the Business Council segment of the India-Central Asia summit," Kwatra said. New Delhi is focused on expanding commercial ties for strategic products. Pharmaceuticals, agricultural commodities, oil and gas and the import of key minerals from the region remain the priority for the government. Prime Minister will meet Russian President during the summit. The PM will reach Uzbekistan's Samarkand on Thursday evening, media reports stated. Putin will discuss Russian-Indian cooperation within the UN and with PM Modi during the SCO meeting, Russian Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said, reported news agency TASS. This would be the first time that PM Modi and Putin will hold face-to-face bilateral talks since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. A conversation on international agenda with Modi will also take place, the sides will discuss issues of strategic stability, the situation in the Asia Pacific Region, and, of course, cooperation within major multilateral formats, such as the UN, the and the SCO, Ushakov said, reported TASS. He added, This is particularly important because India will preside in the UN Security Council in December, and in 2023, India will lead the SCO and also chair the . The in a statement over the two leaders' meeting said, "There are plans to discuss issues of 'saturation' of the Indian market with Russian fertilizers and bilateral food supplies." This comes after the two leaders spoke to each other on July 1 and reviewed the implementation of the decisions taken during President Putins visit to India in December 2021. While has announced that Modi and Putin will meet, reports stated that there are no indications of the PM to have any structured conversation with China and Pakistan. The summit also comes two days after India and China completed disengagement at Ladakh's Gogra-Hotsprings PP15, raising expectations that the two leaders will possibly hold a bilateral. However, if not bilateral, PM Modi and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping will possibly have a short conversation, reported Ndtv. The 22nd Summit of the Council of Heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States (SCO-CoHS) will kick off on Thursday, in Uzbekistan's Samarkand. This will be the first in-person summit since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. The will be attended by the leaders of SCO member states, observer states, secretary general of the SCO, executive director of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), president of Turkmenistan and other invited guests. What is SCO? The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a political, economic, and security alliance of 8 nations, historically led by and China. Formed in 1996 as the Shaghai Five, the group became the SCO in 2001 with the inclusion of . India and entered the group in 2017 and with Iran's entry in 2021, SCO became one of the largest multilateral organisations, accounting for nearly 30 per cent of global GDP and 40 per cent of the worlds population. The SCO is considered one of the most important conclaves in the Central Asian region, where other nations have significant interests in trade, connectivity, and resource extraction. The SCO currently comprises 8 members, including China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and . Meanwhile, the four observer states interested in acceding to full membership of the SCO include Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia. The SCO's six dialogue partners comprise Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey. is the current chair of SCO 2022. India will be the next chair of the organisation. What significance the 2022 hold for India? While it is the first time since the pandemic, when SCO leaders will be meeting in person, the meet is also going to be a first of many others. PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with Putin, the Kremlin announced. This will be the first time that Modi will meet Putin since the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The meet will be a crucial balancing step for India in view of Russia's war with the eyes of the US on the summit. The summit and the Modi-Putin meeting will also coincide with the kicking in of the G7's price cap on Russian oil. While there has been no official announcement of Modi holding bilateral with China's Xi, reports said that the two leaders could hold a brief conversation. This comes a couple of days after Indian and Chinese troops completed disengagement at Ladakh's Gogra-Hotsprings PP15. As India will assume the presidency of the SCO until September 2023, the organisation could also be a vocal platform for New Delhi to push the agenda of regional and cross-regional connectivity. India can also use the summit to push for the Chabahar port project and International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). (With agency inputs) Two terrorists affiliated with the terror outfit Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH) and were involved in the killing of migrants, was killed in an encounter by Police in the Nowgam area of Srinagar late Wednesday night. After getting specific input on the presence of terrorists, a joint operation was launched by Police and Indian Army in Nowgam area on Wednesday evening. According to Police, the neutralised terrorists were affiliated with the terror outfit Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH) and were identified as Aijaz Rasool Nazar of Pulwama and Shahid Ahmad alias Abu Hamza. "The neutralised terrorists were involved in the recent terror attack on an outside labourer namely Muneer ul Islam from West Bengal on September 2 in Pulwama," said Additional Director General of Police, Kashmir Vijay Kumar. Police recovered an AK Rifle, two pistols and other war-like stores from the spot. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha took stock of the security situation during his visit to the forward areas of Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch on Wednesday. The Lt Governor, who is on a two-day visit to Poonch, undertook a first-hand assessment of the situation at the Line of Control (LoC) and forward areas at the border village Degwar Terwan in Poonch.He was accompanied by Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta; Brigadier Rajesh Bisht; ADGP Jammu, Mukesh Singh; DIG and other senior officials of civil administration and the army. Sinha was briefed on the overall security situation prevalent on the Line of Control, development works in the border villages by the army, counter-infiltration grid and operational preparedness. While interacting with the officers and personnel of the Armed Forces, the Lt Governor, commended them for their selfless service in challenging situations. He appreciated the excellent synergy between civil administration, J-K Police, army and other security agencies. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) MANILA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Armed men attacked an army post in the southern Philippines on Thursday, killing at least three soldiers, the military and police said. The military said the attack occurred at around 1:20 p.m. local time in a remote town on the island province of Basilan. The police said the army post was just a few hundred meters from the municipal hall. The military and police said troops fired at the attackers, repulsing the armed attackers. The army has launched an operation to track down the fleeing armed men. An investigation is underway to determine the group behind the deadly assault. The plans for Ltd (BPCL) are not on the table currently, a report by TheEconomic Times (ET) quoted oil and petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri as saying. In May, the centre stopped all the disinvestment-related activities of the public entity. In August, reports stated that the government would soon re-initiate the proceedings. However, the plans seem to be stalled as of now. The government currently owns a 52.98 per cent stake in the oil major. It had sought to sell its entire stake in the process. Minister of state for finance Bhagwat Karad said that investors had expressed their inability to continue with the process owing to geopolitical and energy transition issues. In May, two out of three bidders had walked away from the process due to a lack of clarity on the pricing, ET added. The three bidders were Vedanta Group, Apollo Global Management Inc and I Squared Capital Advisors. The ongoing war in Ukraine has exacerbated the geopolitical complications. Both the countries involved in the war, Ukraine and Russia, are major suppliers of oil and natural gas to countries across the world. prices have shot up from $70 per barrel in November 2021 to $94 per barrel in October 2022. They have stayed above the $100-mark for a considerable part of 2022. However, Russia is providing oil at discounted rates to India. The government has stood by its decision to buy the oil at a discounted price despite several allegations by western countries. Indias non-petroleum exports to the (UAE) grew only 4.5 per cent during the May-July period the first three months since the trade pact with the West Asian nation kicked in even as total outbound shipments to the country increased about 16 per cent to $8.09 billion, commerce and industry ministry data showed. In comparison, Indias overall non-petroleum exports grew 8 per cent during May-July while overall exports grew 15.1 per cent during the same period. Barring an increase in gems and jewellery products, electronic goods such as smartphones and certain petroleum products, exports to the is yet to see any major gains from the free-trade agreement (FTA) that kicked in from May. On the other hand, Indias trade deficit with the witnessed an over threefold jump as compared to May-July 2021 to widen to $6.23 billion, led by a jump in oil imports as global crude oil prices remain elevated due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Government officials and trade experts, however, pointed out that it generally takes at least six months to gauge the initial gains from an FTA and it may be too early to conclude to what extent the trade deal is benefitting India. Currently, exporters are doing buyer-seller meets as well as various outreach programmes to sensitise exporters even from the smaller towns to take advantage of the trade deal. Exports of gold jewellery are also reaping the benefits of the FTA. We have told export promotion councils to sensitise exporters even in the tier II and three cities about the India- trade pact. We expect exports of products from labour-intensive sectors such as leather, footwear to benefit from the trade deal, a senior government official told Business Standard. Jayant Dasgupta, former Ambassador to the WTO exporters, would also need time to assess whether they can export new products which will benefit from trade preferences. For exports against a tariff line eligible for reduced FTA tariffs, only about 20-30 per cent of our exports are using the FTA route because of the time and costs involved in getting the certificate of origin issued. This is especially true of the smaller exporters, Dasgupta said. Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council Chairman Vipul Shah said since India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) came into force on 1 May, there has been a jump in plain gold jewellery exports to UAE which was experiencing a negative trend over the last two years. According to provisional data, gross export of plain gold jewellery grew 21.85 per cent YoY to $1.69 billion. To be sure, 80 per cent of Indias plain gold jewellery is exported to the UAE. GJEPC had also conducted a number of webinars and in-person events to make the exporters aware of the India-UAE CEPA and how one can avail benefits of the same. As a result, for the period of April to August, exports to the UAE grew 13.61 per cent to $2.34 million, Shah said. Narendra Goenka, chairman of Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), said exporters have started getting more inquiries from the UAE now and it would take around five-six months to see the real difference. We expect growth of around 15-20 per cent in the next fiscal year, Goenka said. The trade deal is expected to benefit almost 90 per cent of Indias exports, in terms of value. The UAE has overall duty elimination on over 97 per cent of its tariff lines corresponding to 99 per cent Indias exports in terms of value. Indian exporters got immediate zero duty market access from May 1 in labour intensive sectors such as leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, furniture, among others. States want for public transport but manufacturers doubt if their road transport undertakings (STUs) will make payments, said a senior civil servant on Thursday. STUs are subsidised by state governments. The question is if they are given these services as per the proposed model, will they be able to repay? If the ticket collections are there, will they not go into staff salaries or the general fund of the state government? Will they be used to pay back manufacturers? said Giridhar Aramane, Union Road Transport and Highways Secretary. Aramane spoke at Insight 2022, a conclave by Convergence Energy Services (CESL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services (EESL), a ministry of power undertaking. CESL brought these concerns to the ministry when it was asked to procure additional buses. Manufacturers have repayment liability to banks and they worry that defaults by STUs will lead to financial issues. After more than 5,000 were readied in five states as part of the Grand Challenge scheme, there is a demand from other states for an additional 15,000. There is potential for 50,000 such buses. Manufacturers have to be provided the comfort of payment by STUs, Aramane said. We need to ensure that theyre protected from this risk. He proposed a model similar to Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), where theres a tripartite agreement between state governments, power producers, and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The Centre steps in through RBI if a state government defaults on payment. Another option proposed by international agencies is being examined. Theyll provide concessional finance for a guarantee fund. The Government of India will have to borrow this money and establish the fund so that manufacturers can be reimbursed in case of a default. Cash-strapped STUs dont have the financial capacity to buy . The first phase fleet of the Grand Challenge procurement scheme was tendered out on a gross cost-contracting model, wherein STUs procure service based on the terms and conditions defined in the tender document, followed by market price discovery. (TMB) made a muted market debut on Thursday, with the stock listing at its issue price of Rs 510. It corrected and ended the session at Rs 508.45, a decline of 0.3 per cent, and as its leader spoke about the lenders plans. TMB will continue its focus on the retail, agriculture and MSME (RAM) portfolio as it offers services in the physical and digital (phygital mode), said its new managing director and chief executive officer, Krishnan Sankarasubramaniam. RAM accounts for around 88 per cent of TMBs loan portfolio now. Sankarasubramaniamreferred for brevity as S Krishnansaid the Tuticorin-based bank mobilised around Rs 850 crore through the . Our immediate focus will be on the RAM segment. We will also be looking at making this bank phygital-hybrid model of existing banking relations and digital, he said. The bank will focus on home and vehicle loans in the retail segment. The bank is expected to come out with a strategy paper for network expansion soon. Out of the 509 branches (106 rural, 247 semi-urban, 80 urban and 76 in metropolitan), only nine branches are loss-making for TMB. TMBs was subscribed 2.86 times on the last day of subscription. While retail investors saw 6.48 times subscription, the category for non-institutional investors was subscribed 2.94 times and that of qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) by 1.62 times. It (listing) is good considering the current market conditions. I expect it to further pick up in the coming days, Krishnan said. We have reached pre-Covid level of our business, he said. He said that the bank will be selective on its corporate accounts. Focussing on RAM does not mean that it is shutters on the corporate segment. We will be selective regarding corporate. Post listing, the bank has a market capitalisation of Rs 8,051 crore. TMB is one of the oldest private in India and it offers a range of banking and financial services. (With inputs from Sundar Sethuraman in Thiruvananthapuram) State Bank of India (SBI) is willing to work with Russian not facing sanctions and remain on the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) network to open a special rupee vostro account (SRVA) for invoicing in Indian currency. The countrys largest lender in a statement said it has not been identified as the nodal bank for handling Russia-related transactions. In July, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) allowed in India, including SBI, to open an SRVA to promote invoicing in Indian rupee, subject to certain safeguards. Accordingly, the bank in a statement said it is making necessary arrangements and processing requests received from various banks, including Russian banks, following guidelines laid out by the RBI. The banking regulator had allowed Indian in July to open SRVAs with lenders of other nations to settle overseas trades in the Indian currency. A vostro account is opened by a domestic bank with a foreign correspondent bank to act as an agent for the domestic bank. ALSO READ: SBI clarifies it's not a nodal bank for Russia-related transactions Following the Russia-Ukraine stand-off, many Russian banks are facing sanctions from western countries. They have also been removed from the SWIFT network. This meant loss of access to the normal smooth and instant transactions provided by the network and disruption in payments for Russias valuable energy and agricultural exports. Banks facing sanctions now have to deal directly with other banking entities, causing delays and extra costs. In 2018, public sector lender UCO Bank was chosen to route payments from India for oil imports from Iran to overcome US sanctions. Under the payment mechanism, the money of oil imports from Iran was to be deposited into escrow accounts of five of their banks held with state-run UCO Bank. executives said the RBI has made it very clear that opening of such special accounts is subject to sanctioned entities and any Financial Action Task Force negative list. would not be dealing with many Russian banks and entities facing sanctions since it has a large presence in developed markets that have imposed sanctions on . Some banks from countries that have significant trade with India have evinced an interest in a special vostro account. The talks are still in the preliminary phase, they added. Wildfires continue in France's southwestern department of Gironde, with more than 3,700 hectare of land burnt since Monday, the Prefecture of Gironde announced in a statement. The Prefecture on Wednesday added that the gendarmes evacuated on Wednesday 1,000 more people as a preventive measure, bringing the total number of evacuees to 1,840 since Monday. "More than 1,000 firefighters from Gironde and other departments are being mobilised. Six Canadairs, three Dash (plane) and two water bomber helicopters were deployed today for troublesome zones," the Prefecture said. The Prefecture added that emergency accommodations are being offered to evacuees in Le Porge and other municipalities, Xinhua news agency reported. The Prefecture noted that the wildfires are "controlled" but remain "active" due to the strong winds. It also reminded residents near wildfire zones to wear FFP2 or FFP3 masks to prevent them from inhaling wildfire smoke. More than 30,000 hectare of land had been burned in the department of Gironde this summer due to dry weather and heatwaves, local media reported. --IANS int/khz/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least five people were killed and one was injured in heavy monsoon rain-triggered flash in the last 24 hours in Pakistan, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said. Two children and a woman were among those who lost their lives in separate flood-related incidents, according to an NDMA report released on Wednesday evening. The country's southwestern Balochistan province was the worst-hit region with three killed, followed by the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province which reported two deaths, the report said. Moreover, 5,091 houses were destroyed, 10,336 livestock animals perished and 300 km-long roads were damaged in different parts of Pakistan, it added. The total death toll in from this season's monsoon rains and since mid-June has risen to around 1,486, along with 12,749 injured, the NDMA said. The NDMA further added that 179,281 people have been rescued and 546,288 are currently living in camps, Xinhua news agency reported. Rescue and relief operations by the NDMA, other government organisations, volunteers and non-governmental organisations were underway in the flood-hit areas. --IANS int/khz/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It's not just rocket fuel propelling America's first moonshot after a half-century lull. Rivalry with China's flourishing space program is helping drive NASA's effort to get back into space in a bigger way, as both nations push to put people back on the moon and establish the first lunar bases. American intelligence, military and political leaders make clear they see a host of strategic challenges to the US in China's space program, in an echo of the US-Soviet rivalry that prompted the 1960s' race to the moon. That's as China is quickly matching US civil and military space accomplishments and notching new ones of its own. On the military side, the US and China trade accusations of weaponizing space. Senior US defense officials warn that China and Russia are building capabilities to take out the satellite systems that underpin US intelligence, military communications and early warning networks. There's also a civilian side to the space race. The US is wary of China taking the lead in space exploration and commercial exploitation, and pioneering the technological and scientific advances that would put China ahead in power in space and in prestige down on Earth. In a decade, the United States has gone from the unquestioned leader in space to merely one of two peers in a competition, Sen. Jim Inhofe, an Oklahoma Republican, declared this week at a Senate Armed Services hearing. Everything our military does relies on space. At another hearing last year, NASA administrator Bill Nelson brandished an image transmitted by a Chinese rover that had just plunked down on Mars. The Chinese government ... they're going to be landing humans on the moon soon, he said. "That should tell us something about our need to get off our duff." NASA, the US civilian space agency, is awaiting a new launch date this month or in October for its Artemis 1 uncrewed test moonshot. Technical problems scrubbed the first two launch attempts in recent weeks. China likewise aims to send astronauts to the moon this decade, as well as establish a robotic research station there. Both the US and China intend to establish bases for intermittent crews on the moon's south pole after that. Russia has aligned with China's moon program, while 21 nations have joined a US-initiated effort meant to bring guidelines and order to the civil exploration and development of space. The parallel efforts come 50 years after US astronauts last pulled shut the doors on an Apollo module and blasted away from the moon, in December 1972. Some space policy experts bat down talk of a new space race, seeing big differences from John F. Kennedy's Cold War drive to outdo the Soviet Union's Sputnik and be the first to get people on the moon. This time, both the US and China see moon programs as a stepping stone in phased programs toward exploring, settling and potentially exploiting the resources and other untapped economic and strategic opportunities offered by the moon, Mars and space at large. Beyond the gains in technology, science and jobs that accompany space programs, Artemis promoters point to the potential of mining minerals and frozen water on the moon, or using the moon as a base to go prospecting on asteroids the Trump administration in particular emphasized the mining prospects. There's potential in tourism and other commercial efforts. And for space more broadly, Americans alone have tens of thousands of satellites overhead in what the Space Force says is a half-trillion dollar global space economy. Satellites guide GPS, process credit card purchases, help keep TV, radio and cell phone feeds going, and predict weather. They ensure the military and intelligence community's ability to keep track of perceived threats. And in a world where China and Russia are collaborating to try to surpass the US in space, and where some point to private space efforts led by US billionaires as rendering costly NASA rocket launches unnecessary, the US would regret leaving the glory and strategic advantages from developing the moon and space solely to the likes of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Tesla magnate Elon Musk, Artemis proponents say. The moon programs signal that space is going to be an arena of competition on the prestige front, demonstrating advanced technical expertise and know-how, and then also on the military front as well, said Aaron Bateman, a professor of history and affairs at George Washington University and a member of the Space Policy Institute. People who are supportive of Artemis and people who see it as a tool of competition, they want the United States to be at the table in shaping the future of exploration on other celestial bodies, Bateman said. There's no shortage of such warnings as the Artemis program moves toward lift-off. Beijing is working to match or exceed US capabilities in space to gain the military, economic, and prestige benefits that Washington has accrued from space leadership, the US intelligence community warned this year in its annual threat assessment. A Pentagon-commissioned study group contended last month that China appears to be on track to surpass the US as the dominant space power by 2045. It called that part of a Chinese plan to promote authoritarianism and communism down here on Earth. It's sparked occasional heated words between Chinese and US officials. China's space program was guided by peaceable principles, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in July. Some US officials are constantly smearing China's normal and reasonable outer space undertakings, Zhao said. Flying on the mightiest rocket ever built by NASA, Artemis 1 aims for a five-week demo flight that would put test dummies into lunar orbit. If all goes well with that, US astronauts could fly around the moon in 2024 and land on it in 2025, culminating a program that will have cost USD 93 billion over more than a decade of work. NASA intends that a woman and a person of colour will be on the first US crew touching foot on the moon again. Lessons learned in getting back to the moon will aid in the next step in crewed flights, to Mars, the space agency says. China's ambitious space program, meanwhile, is a generation behind that of the United States. But its secretive, military-linked program is developing fast and creating distinctive missions that could put Beijing on the leading edge of space flight. Already, China has that rover on Mars, joining a US one already there. China carved out a first with its landing on the far side of the moon. Chinese astronauts are overhead now, putting the finishing touches on a permanent orbiting space station. A 1967 UN space treaty meant to start shaping the guardrails for space exploration bans anyone from claiming sovereignty over a celestial body, putting a military base on it, or putting weapons of mass destruction into space. I don't think it's at all by coincidence or happenstance that it is now in this period of what people are claiming is renewed great-power competition that the United States is actually investing the resources to go back, said Bateman, the scholar on space and national security. Time will tell if this turns into a sustained program. Competition isn't necessarily a bad thing, said Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Does rivalry with the Chinese ensure greater sustained interest in our space program? Sure, Coons said. But I don't think that's necessarily a competition that leads to conflict. I think it can be a competition like the Olympics that simply means that each team and each side is going to push higher and faster. And as a result, humanity is likely to benefit, he said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Inc. was sued for failing to deliver on Chief Executive Officer Elon Musks longstanding promise to produce a fully self-driving car. A man claims the electric-car maker has deceptively and misleadingly marketed its driver-assistance systems, while stringing the public along with statements that the company is perpetually on the cusp of perfecting the technology. Although these promises have proven false time and time again, and Musk have continued making them to generate media attention, to deceive consumers into believing it has unrivaled cutting-edge technology, and to establish itself as a leading player in the fast-growing electric-vehicle market, Briggs A. Matsko, a resident of Rancho Murieta, said in the proposed class action, filed Wednesday in San Francisco federal court. Also Read: Jeff Bezos loses $10 billion overnight; Elon Musk takes a $8-billion hit faces increasing scrutiny from US regulators over the safety of its automated driving systems and is set to face its first jury trial in February over a driver fatality blamed on Autopilot. Matsko says that every year since 2016, Musk and Tesla have promised that a fully self-driving car was just around the corner. Musk, the worlds richest person, told a Tesla owners club in June that solving full self-driving technology is really the difference between Tesla being worth a lot of money and being worth basically zero. Musk tweeted in August that as of Sept. 5, Tesla would start charging $15,000 in North America for the driver-assistance system it calls Full Self-Driving, the products second price hike this year. Teslas FSD has stirred controversy because it requires active supervision and doesnt make the companys vehicles autonomous. Matsko said he bought a new Tesla Model X in 2018 and paid the company an extra $5,000 above base price for Enhanced Autopilot. It is now four years later, and Tesla has never provided plaintiff anything remotely approaching the fully self-driving car it promised to provide, Matsko said in the complaint. The suit piggybacks on an administrative complaint filed in August by the Department of Motor Vehicles accusing Tesla of false advertising. The agency claims the companys statements about its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features lead customers to believe they are more advanced than they are. Tesla has asked for a hearing to defend itself. Tesla didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. The case is Matsko v. Tesla Inc., 22-cv-05240, US District Court, Northern District of (San Francisco). India and agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation on maritime security, including expansion of joint drills and institution of a high-level defence dialogue. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met their Japanese counterparts Hamada Yasukazu and Hayashi Yoshimasa during the second India- 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue held in on September 8. They held detailed discussions on all critical challenges to a rules-based global order which increasingly binds the two countries, reinforcing their special strategic and global partnership. India and are members of several influential global platforms. India will be chairing the G20 next year, overlapping with Japan's chairship of the G-7. Their common commitment to reformed multilateralism is reflected in their regular G-4 consultations, the next session of which is to be held later this month. Citing their common interests as active providers of development assistance, especially in South East Asia, South Asia, and Africa, Jaishankar observed that the scope of the special strategic partnership between India and Japan exceeds well beyond the immediate region. Japan was the second country, after the US, to establish two-plus-two talks with India. The SDF and the Indian military, which ran their first joint naval exercise in 2012, have since participated in several joint drills and exercises with other countries. Japan and India inked an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement in 2020. The 2+2 ministerial meet assumes significance against the background of heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait. In August, China reportedly lobbed five ballistic missiles in Japan's exclusive economic zone, during a military exercise, China's largest ever in the Taiwan Strait. Japan's Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi called it "a serious problem that affects our national security and the safety of our citizens". The exercise came two days after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan and hours after China cancelled a scheduled foreign minister-level meeting with Japan expressing displeasure with a G-7 statement urging China to resolve Taiwan tensions peacefully. Japan is currently witnessing a massive domestic debate that will hopefully result in a revision of Tokyo's national security strategy, national defence strategy, and medium-term plans to build new military capabilities. Deepening defence partnerships forms one of the three broad elements in Japan's new strategy to cope with the rising Chinese power. The other two are reorienting Japan's diplomacy and boosting national capabilities. Japan is currently the 9th largest defence spender in the world, but a doubling of the defence allocation over the next few years, could make it the third-largest defence spender after the US and China. Some defence experts in Japan are calling for the acquisition of counterstrike capabilities, meaning the deployment of long-range missiles. is also seeking to strengthen security partnerships with like-minded countries such as Australia and India, promising to strengthen the defence capabilities of the Indo-Pacific countries, unilaterally as well as through the Quad. In a reference presumably to Chinese "expansionism", the four ministers affirmed their opposition to attempts to unilaterally change the status quo in the East China Sea and the South China Sea area. Jaishankar called for stronger bilateral security and diplomatic relations, while Hayashi emphasized the need to cooperate more than ever, given the challenges to the "existing global order". In a joint statement following the meeting, the ministers highlighted their commitment to a common strategic goal of a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific, coercion free and based on the rule of law. Reiterating their strong support for ASEAN's unity and centrality, they reaffirmed their strong support behind the framework of "ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)" which upholds the principles such as the rule of law, openness, freedom, transparency, and inclusiveness. There has been considerable progress in India-Japan bilateral relations since the last meeting in November 2019 in the bilateral security and defence cooperation, which constitutes an important pillar of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Noting with approval the importance of multilayered dialogues between the two countries, the ministers welcomed the deepened cooperation discussed through the Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Dialogue of February 2021, the Maritime Affairs Dialogue of September 2021, the Space Dialogue of November 2021, and the Cyber Dialogue of June 2022. Looking ahead, the two countries geared up to enhance dialogues in economic security. In a statement after the meeting, Jaishankar observed that the two countries were also working together on cyber security, 5G deployment, and critical and strategic minerals, which formed part of the deliberations. Several agreements on defence cooperation were arguably the most significant takeaway from the meeting. The ministers noted with pleasure the progress in the defence cooperation and exchanges, welcoming the participation of Japan for the first time in the multilateral exercise MILAN and the operationalisation of the Agreement Concerning Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services between the Self-Defence Forces of Japan and the Indian Armed Forces. They also appreciated the close cooperation between the air services of the two countries towards the early conduct of the inaugural India-Japan fighter exercise. There were talks also on enhancing cooperation in defence technology. The Ministers noted with satisfaction the cooperation in the areas of Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV)/Robotics, under the auspices of the Sixth India-Japan Joint Working Group on Defence Equipment and Technology Cooperation. Japan and India will "further identify concrete areas for future cooperation in defence equipment and technology," the joint statement said. --IANS scor/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Students take exam at the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination site in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Sept. 15, 2022. Bangladesh's Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent exams, which are the country's largest public exams for school students, began on Thursday. Over 2 million Bangladeshi students have registered for the SSC and equivalent exams this year, which are considered one of the most important events in the lives of the Bangladeshi students. (Xinhua) DHAKA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh's Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent exams, which are the country's largest public exams for school students, began on Thursday. Over 2 million Bangladeshi students have registered for the SSC and equivalent exams this year, which are considered one of the most important events in the lives of the Bangladeshi students. Some 3,790 centers have been set up for the exams. Bangladesh's Ministry of Education said earlier that some 2,021,868 students will attend the examinations this year. Of them, 1,599,711 would participate in SSC, 268,495 in Dakhil (equivalent to the SSC) and 153,662 in vocational examinations. The exams, which are usually held every year in February, began at 10:00 a.m. local time Thursday after months of delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic and massive floods in June this year. This year the examinees are taking their exams with a shortened syllabus. The exams, which will end on Oct. 18, were held for two hours for one subject instead of the usual three hours. Students take exam at the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination site in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Sept. 15, 2022. Bangladesh's Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent exams, which are the country's largest public exams for school students, began on Thursday. Over 2 million Bangladeshi students have registered for the SSC and equivalent exams this year, which are considered one of the most important events in the lives of the Bangladeshi students. (Xinhua) A student takes exam at the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination site in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Sept. 15, 2022. Bangladesh's Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent exams, which are the country's largest public exams for school students, began on Thursday. Over 2 million Bangladeshi students have registered for the SSC and equivalent exams this year, which are considered one of the most important events in the lives of the Bangladeshi students. (Xinhua) Congratulating the Indian American community for celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava at the US Capitol, Prime Minister has said that members of the diaspora are admirable Indian ambassadors of our nation. In a message to the Indian American community as they gathered here to celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava, Modi on Wednesday said that the community have spread the fragrance of Indian values by living them. Members of our diaspora have always been admirable ambassadors for our nation. They have spread the fragrance of Indian values by living them - respecting all cultures, mingling seamlessly and enriching societies with their unique contributions, Modi said. As many as 75 Indian American organisations have come together to observe the historic milestone of India's journey after 1947. Prominent among these organisations include US India Relationship Council, Sewa International, Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, GOPIO Silicon Valley, US India Friendship Council, and Sardar Patel Fund for Sanatan Sanskruti. Among the many values that bind our two great nations, love for freedom and commitment to democratic values are the most important. A celebration of freedom by the world's largest and oldest democracies is a beautiful gesture, Prime Minister Modi said. It is heartening to note that 75 organisations have come together to showcase India's diverse culture and also to strengthen cultural ties between India and the United States of America, Modi said. As India aims high and pursues important goals in its Amrit Kaal over the coming 25 years, the United States of America will be a key partner in this journey. I am positive that this celebration will become an important milestone in the wonderful friendship between our two nations, he said in his message. The word India represents many things simultaneously - a modem democratic republic, a diverse nation, an ancient civilisation and a cultural consciousness not limited by geography or time. The global Indian is an excellent example of how one can connect with India through many of these dimensions at the same time, he said. India is celebrating 75 years of freedom. This freedom was won in a unique way, championing the best of human values. India has, therefore, been a source of inspiration for anyone who loves the ideals of peace and freedom, Modi wrote in his message. Mansukh Laxmanbhai Mandaviya, India's Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemical and Fertilizers of India, in his live web address congratulated Indian Americans for celebrating 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava' at the US Capitol. Indian Americans, he said, have played a great role in the India-US relationship. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and President Joe Biden, the bilateral relationship has touched new heights, Mandaviya said. The US has been a key partner in India's growth story, he said. India's Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said that the India US relationship is as old as India's Independence. I want to tell you that this is a time we are celebrating 75 years of establishment of our diplomatic relations between independent India and the United States of America, he said. It's also indeed a special occasion for me to be celebrating this at the US Capitol. Congress has played a special role in cementing this fantastic relationship, which we are celebrating today. I have seen this for the last 25 years, he said. Senior BJP leader Aman Sinha congratulated Indian Americans for celebrating the event at the US Capitol. Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav embodies the spirit of new India, he said. Let me tell you the spirit of new India is not only restricted to the welfare of Indians or betterment of India, but Indians all across the globe, Sinha said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi [India], September 15 (ANI): The trend of crude oil supply to will continue, and bilateral trade will strike new records, said Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, in an interview with ANI. " being a consumer, quite naturally is looking for the cheapest offers and being deprived of its traditional markets in Europe, for example, is looking for new markets, so this meeting between best available options and best available offers is driving the trade and our relationship in the energy sector, it is natural we think this trend will continue in a structured manner," the Russian envoy said. "No one knows the situation how energy markets look like by the end of the year, we are looking to further expanding our relationship in this area at promoting the ongoing dialogue and cooperation based on long-term arrangements and agreements," he added. According to an estimate, there is a steep jump in Russian oil export to India, as it has increased ten times this year and Russian crude oil is now fulfilling almost ten per cent of India's imported oil consumption. "The volumes (of trade have reached USD 11.5 billion already in half of the year. We will make and strike possibly a new record in our trade by the year, as we did in the previous one when our trade stood at USD 13.6 billion," the Ambassador said. The Russian envoy said that and are looking to further expanding the relationship in the energy sector as the situation in future is unpredictable. Europe and US had expressed reservations about the quantum jump in Russian exports to Asian giants India and China. The envoy also spoke about the position taken by India on oil imports He lauded the recent remarks made by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and slammed West for practising double standards. "I believe that these are the same double standards, hypocrisy and geopolitics. Jaishankar was very clear to articulate the imperative to satisfy the needs of the Indian people, essentially we can put it like that West continues to plausibly ignore India's legitimate national interest just like it did so most of the time at the time of colonialism," he said. Already several sanctions and restrictions have been imposed on Russian oil exports which Moscow has termed illegitimate and against the practices of law, it has warned to stop supply of gas to European countries. The Russian envoy termed the G7's plan to put a cap on the rates of Russian oil prices as narrow-minded and unrealistic, which according to him will definitely affect the global supply chains. "I believe that this ill-intended initiative to put a cap on the price of Russian oil by administrative measures is both narrow-minded and unrealistic and it will definitely affect the global supply chains consequently will increase the energy rates, galloping projection if this whim is implemented. will simply stop selling oil to those countries which decide to join this initiative as simple as that we will stop the supply of gas. It affects Russia substantially but ultimately it will be Europe who will feel the pain," the Russian Ambassador said. Speaking on the war in Ukraine, the Russian envoy said India is aware of the complexity and origin of the conflict. He said "We appreciate India's approach has been very consistent, very well balanced, India is well aware of the origin of crisis, we don't have anything against the Ukrainian people we are brothers with Ukrainian people but the current regime in Kyiv has become a very explicit anti-Russia project, President Zelenskyy let down the Russian-speaking population in the Donbas region labelling the people there as species and launching a military campaign against them, it has now effectively become a western proxy war against Russia and NATO proxy war against Russia." "We on our part exercise long-term approach with our neighbourhood which we wanted to remain peaceful, stable and free of threats, we have been accused of the unjustified, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, the argument which we will not accept. We regard it wrong on both accounts so India is well aware of the complexity of Ukrainian conflict and acts in its own national interest," he said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) has rejected Bangladesh's offer to supply humanitarian aid worth 14 million takas (roughly $145,000) as the country continued to suffer great loss during monsoon flooding, according to local media. On September 1, Bangladesh's Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief reportedly allocated funds for 10 tonnes of biscuits, 10 tonnes of dry cakes, 1,00,000 water purification tablets, 50,000 packets of oral saline, 5,000 mosquito nets, 2,000 blankets, and 2,000 tents to be sent to . However, it remains to be seen whether Islamabad would accept the friendly and humanitarian Bangladeshi gesture, Khaama Press reported. According to Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League government had always been generous towards humanity and that the authorities concerned had been directed to assist in the relief efforts in . "Pakistan Army is reportedly averse to the proposal of aid from as any such relief assistance may undermine Pakistan's global image," she said as per local media. Pakistan fears that might have caused over $40 billion in economic losses and damages as the National Flood Response Coordination Centre (NFRCC) dismissed the initial assessment of $18 billion, Express Tribune reported. The $40 billion losses were flagged in a flood response centre meeting during discussion on an interim report titled "An Early Assessment of Flood Impact on Pakistan's Economy", presented by the Ministry of Finance. --IANS san/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister has presented a bleak picture of the country's dwindling economy, regretting that even friendly countries had started looking at as one that was always begging for money. Today, when we go to any friendly country or make a phone call, they think that we have come [to them] to beg for money, Dawn news quoted the prime minister as saying in an address to a lawyers' convention on Wednesday. Sharif said even small economies have surpassed Pakistan, and we have been wandering for the past 75 years carrying a begging bowl. According to the prime minister, the country's economy was facing a "challenging situation" even before the floods, which had made it more "complicated". The cash-strapped nation has been struggling with the worst floods in the past 30 years, leaving more than 1,400 dead and 33 million people affected since early June. A third of the country is submerged in water and one in every seven persons is badly affected by the floods that have led to an estimated USD 12 billion in losses that have left about 78,000 square kilometres (21 million acres) of crops under water. The UN said that USD 150 million have been pledged so far in response to flash appeals for Pakistan's flood victims but only USD 38 million has been converted into assistance. While several countries have come forward to provide aid to in such a crisis, Pakistan and the UN had launched a flash appeal for USD 160 million in initial funding out of which USD 150 million has been pledged. United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Julien Harneis said the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, Denmark, Australia, Singapore, and were the main donors besides the Central Emergency Response Fund of the United Nations, which raised USD 10 million. Meanwhile, the Nepalese government Wednesday sent humanitarian relief materials to Pakistan to support the flood-affected people. The Nepal Airlines chartered flight carried food items, medicines, and garments apart from other household items. Canada on Wednesday announced an additional USD 25 million of funding in humanitarian assistance to support Pakistan in this difficult time. An official statement said the new allocation was in addition to the USD 5 million announced last month and added that Canada would continue to provide food, clean water, and other essential services through trusted partners. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The state funeral of Britain's Queen Elizabeth will unite people from across the globe, the official in charge of the huge ceremonial event said on Thursday, as mourners from all walks of life queued for hours to file past the late monarch's coffin. World leaders will gather on Monday for the funeral for Elizabeth, queen for 70 years whose global stature was almost without equal. Her body is lying in state in London's ancient Westminster Hall, where tens of thousands are waiting patiently in line to pay their final respects to Britain's longest-reigning monarch. "These events are taking place against the backdrop of an outpouring of grief, affection, and gratitude for people in the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and across the world," said the Earl Marshal, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, the Duke of Norfolk, England's most senior peer who is in charge of state occasions. "The queen held a unique and timeless position in all our lives. It is our aim and belief that the state funeral and events of the next few days will unite people across the globe," he told reporters." As he spoke, the queue to see the queen's coffin stretched more than 4 miles (6.5 km) along the south bank of the River Thames, past such landmarks as Tower Bridge, crossing Lambeth Bridge as it neared Westminster Hall. Officials expect about 750,000 people to view the coffin before the lying in state ends at 6.30 a.m. (0530 GMT) on Monday. King Charles, who has returned to his Highgrove home in southwest England after a hectic schedule of events since Elizabeth's death age 96 last Thursday, and his three siblings, Princess Anne and Princes Andrew and Edward, will themselves hold a silent vigil alongside the catafalque on Friday evening. Some of those queuing to see the coffin had travelled from abroad, dropping off bags at nearby hotels to join those moving slowly through Westminster Hall. There were also former soldiers with military medals and babies being carried by their parents. Many wiped away tears. The mourners included former Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip, who bowed their heads before the coffin as they filed past with members of the public. Amy Tsai, 24, said she had travelled from Taiwan in May and had taken part in celebrations for the queen's jubilee in June in the Scottish capital Edinburgh. "Now I'm waiting in line to see her lying in state. I'm just shocked," she said. Thomas Hughes, 20, who waited nearly 14 hours overnight with his brother, said viewing the coffin was overwhelming. had travelled early in the morning to try to miss the crowds later on. "Late yesterday evening, I made a snap decision to wake up really early and come here. I wanted to be part of history," said Paul Frances, 72. FUNERAL For the first time, palace officials also provided details of the funeral, likely to be one of the grandest ceremonies ever witnessed in the British capital, involving thousands from the military. The funeral will begin at 11 a.m. at Westminster Abbey, the same church where Elizabeth was crowned in 1953, and last for about an hour. At its conclusion the Last Post will sound and there will be a two minute silence to be observed by the nation. The body will then be taken on a gun carriage in a large procession, with Charles and members of the royal family walking behind, from the Abbey to the Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner. Guns will fire and parliament's Big Ben bell will toll every minute. The state hearse will then convey the coffin to Windsor Castle where there will be a further solemn procession before a service at Windsor Castle's St George's Chapel. In a later private ceremony, Elizabeth will be buried with her husband of 73 years Prince Philip, who died last year, at the King George VI Memorial Chapel where her parents and sister, Princess Margaret were also laid to rest. VIGIL Elizabeth's body was brought to London on Tuesday from Edinburgh. Her coffin now lies in the centre of Westminster Hall on a purple catafalque placed on a red platform. It was covered by the Royal Standard flag and topped with the Imperial State Crown placed on a cushion, alongside a wreath of flowers. Soldiers and 'Beefeaters' - the red-coated warders usually found guarding the Tower of London - stood vigil with bowed heads. The casket had been brought to the hall from Buckingham Palace atop a gun carriage and escorted by soldiers in ceremonial uniforms in a solemn procession on Wednesday. Charles, his sons Princes William and Harry and other senior royals walked behind the two princes united in grief despite a rift between them. Harry marks his 38th birthday on Thursday. William and his wife Kate travelled to the royal residence of Sandringham in eastern England on Thursday to view floral tributes left there by members of the public. Buckingham Palace said it would not provide a list of those who will attend the funeral but royalty, presidents and other world leaders are expected to be there, although certain nations, including Russia, Afghanistan, and Syria, were not extended invitations. French President Emmanuel Macron was the latest leader to say he would attend the funeral. U.S. President Joe Biden, who has also said he will be there, spoke to the new king on Wednesday and "conveyed the great admiration of the American people for the Queen," the White House said. Charles will hold an official state event on Sunday to meet the dignitaries who are attending. Asked how the new monarch was bearing up, his spokesman replied: "I think people who've worked with the king know just how resilient and hardworking he is." The Times newspaper also reported that British Prime Minister Liz Truss was expected to hold one-on-one talks with Biden and other leaders on the sidelines of the funeral, but officials have said any such meetings will be informal. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The coffin of Britain's longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, is Lying-in-State at Westminster Hall after its final journey from in on Wednesday. King Charles III and his sons, Princes William and Harry, joined a sombre procession as the coffin of the late monarch left her official residence to be conveyed to the historic hall in the Houses of Parliament complex to lie in state until the state funeral at Westminster Abbey nearby on Monday. Members of the public began filing past at 5pm local time and will have until 6.30am on the day of the funeral, by which time several thousands are expected to have queued for hours to pay their respects to the Queen. At 2.22 pm local time on Wednesday, the coffin placed on a horse-drawn gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery began its ceremonial procession of under two kilometres to the Palace of Westminster. The Queen's heir, Charles, and her grandchildren William and Harry walked side by side behind the coffin, with gun salutes firing from Hyde Park and Big Ben tolling during a sombre journey. The Queen's other children, Princess Anne and Princes Andrew and Edward, were also among the senior royals in the procession behind the carriage. Thousands lined the route of the procession, which went past the Mall towards the Palace of Westminster by the river Thames. The coffin was received at Westminster Hall by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Reverend Justin Welby, to conduct a short service assisted by the Very Revd Dr David Hoyle, the Dean of Westminster. This ceremony was joined by other members of the royal family, including Kate, Princess of Wales, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, as the coffin was placed on a catafalque, or raised platform. As the Lying-in-State stage of the ceremony began, a continuous vigil was mounted by officers of the Household Division, the King's Bodyguards of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, The King's Bodyguard for Scotland, the Royal Company of Archers and the Yeomen of the Guard. Overnight on Tuesday, the coffin spent its final night in the Bow Room at for the most private part of the ongoing state mourning since the Queen passed away in Scotland last Thursday. Earlier on Tuesday, crowds lined the streets of Edinburgh as a cortege took the coffin to the airport after lying in state at St. Giles' Cathedral in the Scottish capital. There was applause as the coffin left the cathedral, where thousands filed past since Monday to pay their respects to the late monarch. The Scottish government said more than 33,000 people had paid their respects in Edinburgh before the coffin was taken by road to Edinburgh Airport. It was flown to London, accompanied by the Queen's daughter Princess Anne, on a Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft that was used to evacuate thousands of people fleeing the Taliban in Kabul last year. The C-17 Globemaster has also been used to take humanitarian aid and weapons to Ukraine following Russia's invasion. The aircraft landed at RAF Northolt before being taken to Buckingham Palace, where it was met by King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla as well as other members of the royal family. It was received by a guard of honour formed by the King's Guard before being taken to the Bow Room inside the palace to be watched overnight by a rota of chaplains. Earlier on Tuesday, King Charles left Scotland for Northern Ireland as part of his Operation Spring Tide tour of state mourning to different parts of the United Kingdom. He visited Belfast for the first time as monarch and met Northern Ireland's political and religious leaders and took part in a prayer service at St. Anne's Cathedral. Now, with that shining example before me, and with God's help, I take up my new duties resolved to seek the welfare of all the inhabitants of Northern Ireland. During the years of my mother's reign, it has been a privilege to bear witness to such a devoted life. May it be granted to us all to fulfil the tasks before us so well, he said in a short statement. The King is scheduled to visit Wales at the end of the week, ahead of ceremonial events and audiences planned as world leaders who begin arriving in the UK for the state funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday morning. died aged 96 peacefully at her Balmoral Castle summer residence in Scotland on Thursday. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The long reign of saw large swaths of the world cast off London's rule, but after her death a handful of British-installed monarchies still endure in the . They have survived decades of war and turmoil and are now seen as bastions of a certain kind of authoritarian stability. When popular uprisings erupted across the region a decade ago in what was known as the Arab Spring, sweeping away regimes with anti-colonial roots, hereditary rulers were largely unscathed. The days of imperial pomp and gunships may be over, but the region's emotional and financial ties to England run deep. Emirs, sultans and kings attend the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. Gulf Arab sovereign wealth has helped reshaped London's skyline. As the son of a British mother, Jordan's King Abdullah II also has familial and cultural ties to Britain. Jordan's ruling Hashemites, who come from the Arabian Peninsula and claim descent from the Prophet Muhammad, launched the revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. They had hoped their wartime alliance with Britain would help secure an independent Arab state across much of the . It didn't work out that way. Britain and France carved up the Ottoman Empire after the war, breaking promises and drawing often arbitrary borders that virtually guaranteed decades of conflict in Iraq, Lebanon and Syria, as well as Israel and the Palestinian territories. There is no question that the two royal families have enjoyed very strong relations, former Jordanian foreign minister Marwan Muasher said of the the British royals and the Hashemites. But the relationship has been marred by major issues and turbulent times. Abdullah I, the current king's great grandfather, was given Jordan, a swath of desert mainly populated by nomadic Bedouin. His brother, Faisal, was placed on the throne of Iraq, another new country, assembled from three distinctive Ottoman provinces and loosely based on ancient Mesopotamia. The British helped establish both kingdoms in an English mold. Jordan got a British-style bureaucracy. In Iraq, a band played God save the King at Faisal's coronation. Both were buffeted by the wave of Arab nationalism that erupted after World War II. Abdullah was assassinated by a Palestinian nationalist in Jerusalem in 1951, and Iraq's King Faisal II was deposed and killed in a bloody 1958 coup. Egyptian military officers deposed that country's British-backed monarchy in 1952, and hereditary rulers were later overthrown in Libya and Yemen. All were eventually replaced by homegrown autocrats many aligned with the West. But not Jordan. King Abdullah II, a native English speaker who would fit in at a British army club, and his glamorous wife of Palestinian descent, Queen Rania, today rule an Arab country that has come to be seen as an island of stability in a volatile region. His father, King Hussein, quashed internal threats and survived dozens of plots to kill and overthrow him. His image as a friendly, Western-style monarch in a restive region compelled foreign patrons first Britain, then the United States to bankroll the kingdom. Its modern-day image of stability masks an economy dependent on foreign aid, a conservative culture and popular discontent that occasionally bubbles to the surface. King Abdullah II often flies to to "seek advice from the British on this or that issue, said Labib Kamhawi, a Jordanian political analyst. When the king's half-sister, Princess Haya, sought legal protection from her ex-husband, the ruler of Dubai, she looked no further than the British capital. Jordan's royal court declared a week of mourning after Queen Elizabeth's death, hailing her as an iconic leader and a beacon of wisdom. The response from ordinary people in Jordan and across the region was more muted. Many trace the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to Britain's 1917 Balfour declaration, in which it supported the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people. Daoud Kuttab, a prominent Palestinian journalist based in Jordan, said he would have expected Elizabeth's passing to create more debate among Jordanians. But she became queen in 1952. It's hard to blame her for the Balfour declaration, he said. Iraqis still bitterly recall the British invasion during World War II and many view the 1958 coup that deposed Faisal II with pride. But it ushered in decades of instability, culminating in Saddam Hussein's brutal rule and wars with his neighbours. The US-led invasion in 2003, in which Britain was a key participant, removed Saddam but plunged Iraq into chaos from which it has yet to fully emerge. Installing a monarchy that wasn't very popular and that was overthrown in 1958 was the ignition for the many problems that the modern Iraqi state has faced, said Lahib Higel, senior Iraq analyst for the Crisis Group. Still, Iraqis of a certain age credit Britain with helping to establish education and health systems that were the envy of the region before Saddam's catastrophic rule. Some Egyptians also look back fondly on their monarchy, whose demise was followed by decades of authoritarian rule and stagnation. Especially older Egyptians have this residual admiration for British culture and institutions, said Egyptian writer Khaled Diab. Further east, across the glittering cities of the Persian Gulf, British influence remains strong decades after independence. Starting in the 18th century, Gulf emirs came under the protection of the British Empire, which brokered truces between loosely organized tribes. The discovery of vast oil riches ensured the survival of hereditary rule even after the British withdrew in 1971. Heirs to the tribal leaders today boast second homes in London's toniest districts and degrees from British universities. Bahrain was convulsed by a 2011 revolt supported by its Shiite majority against its Sunni monarchy, but there was hardly any sign of unrest in any other Gulf country. These Arab monarchies are modern-era creations and they've had to create the monarchical myth in a relatively short space of time, said Christopher Davidson, a fellow at the European Center for Affairs. "The British royal protocols continue to produce these states with a ready-made blueprint on how to behave and operate. After Elizabeth's death, a video clip from 2015 went viral showing Ali Gomaa, the former grand mufti of Egypt, describing the British queen as a descendent of the Prophet Muhammad. Her blood line, he alleged, ran through medieval Muslim Spain. The claim, which has been made by but never proven, drew mockery on social media. But some welcomed it as proof of enduring ties. There's this desire to build bridges, said Diab, the Egyptian writer. Britain has this residual pull on the Arab imagination. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) can supply gas to as necessary infrastructures are already in place, President said on Thursday during his meeting with Prime Minister on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Uzbekistan. The high-level meeting took place shortly after Prime Minister Sharif reached Samarkand in Uzbekistan to attend the annual meeting of the SCO's Council of Heads of State (CHS) during a two-day visit from September 15 to 16. "The issue is about pipeline gas supplies from to Pakistan, which is also possible, which means part of infrastructure has already been created, meaning Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan. We have to solve the Afghan issue," Putin was quoted as saying by Russia's state-run TASS news agency. "Of course, there are problems connected with political stability, but having in mind our mutually good relations with the Afghan people, I hope this problem can also be solved, I mean Pakistan's influence on the situation in the country," he added. Overall, and have other very interesting and ambitious projects, particularly in the energy sector, Putin noted. He also mentioned the Pakistani Stream project, which suggests the creation of infrastructure for supplies of liquified natural gas. Pakistan's ties with Russia have moved past the bitter Cold War hostilities in recent years and the chill in the relations between and the US has further pushed the country towards Russia and China. The two countries are not just exploring options to deepen economic ties, but Russia is also keen to sell arms to Pakistan, something it avoided in the past because of India's opposition. The two countries have already been holding regular joint military exercises since 2016 in another sign of deepening ties between Moscow and Islamabad. Besides, the two countries also share the same view on key regional and issues including Afghanistan. Prime Minister Sharif also held a meeting with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the SCO meeting and discussed issues of mutual interest. The meeting focused on strengthening Pak-Uzbek ties in diverse fields for the benefit of the two brotherly nations. He also held wide-ranging talks with Tajikistan President Emamoli Rahmon, covering all aspects of the mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation including regional and issues. "Both leaders agreed to bolster and expand the scope of mutually beneficial fraternal ties," Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said. The Foreign Office said that President Rahmon extended profound sympathies and condolences over the loss of human lives and devastation caused by the floods in Pakistan and assured of Tajikistan's full support in the efforts for relief and rehabilitation of the affected people. Sharif thanked Tajikistan for its support to the flood victims in Pakistan and shared details of the devastation caused by the massive floods, induced by climate change. Both leaders accorded particular focus on further strengthening of reliable and constructive high-level contacts, inter-parliamentary ties, defence and security relations between the two countries. The Prime Minister underlined the importance of regular meetings of bilateral institutional mechanisms and establishment of mutually beneficial cooperation in the implementation of energy projects. He also reiterated Pakistan's resolve for timely completion of the important "CASA-1000" power transmission project. He emphasised the expansion of cooperation in the field of road transportation and underscored the importance of connectivity. He underlined Pakistan's readiness to facilitate provision of access to Gwadar and Karachi to Tajikistan. The leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest and agreed to work together to strengthen peace, stability and security in the region, particularly in Afghanistan. Prime Minister Sharif also met Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Prior to his departure, Shehbaz took to Twitter to share his views on the SCO summit. "The global economic turbulence has necessitated the need for more cooperation among SCO member countries," he said, adding that the "SCO vision" represented the aspirations of 40 per cent of the world's population. "Pakistan reiterates its commitment to Shanghai Spirit'. Mutual respect and trust can be the bedrock of shared development and prosperity, he said. "The SCO has great potential to chart a way forward at a time of deeply worrying transformation in geo-political & geo-economic fields," he concluded. Prime Minister Sharif is accompanied by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail and Defence Minister Khwaja Asif. Launched in Shanghai in June 2001, the SCO has eight full members, including its six founding members, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan joined as full members in 2017. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said he understood that Xi Jinping had questions and concerns about the situation in Ukraine but praised China's leader for what he said was a "balanced" position on the conflict. Russia's war in Ukraine has killed tens of thousands of people and pushed the global economy into uncharted waters with soaring prices for food and energy amid the biggest confrontation between Moscow and the West since the Cold War. At their first face-to-face meeting since the war, Xi said he was very happy to meet "my old friend" again after Putin said crude attempts by the United States to create a unipolar world would fail. "We highly value the balanced position of our Chinese friends when it comes to the Ukraine crisis," Putin told Xi. "We understand your questions and concern about this. During today's meeting, we will of course explain our position." Putin's first remarks about Chinese concern over the war come just days after a lightning rout of his forces in north-eastern Ukraine. Xi, who the Communist Party is due next month to bestow a historic third leadership term and thus cement his place as the country's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong, did not mention Ukraine in his public remarks. A Chinese readout of the meeting also did not mention Ukraine. It said is willing to give strong support to for matters related to its core interests, state broadcaster CCTV reported. has refrained from condemning Russia's operation against Ukraine or calling it an "invasion" in line with the Kremlin, which casts the war as "a special military operation". The last time Xi and Putin met in person, just weeks before invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, they declared a "no limits" partnership and inked a promise to collaborate more against the West. Still, Beijing is perturbed by the impact on the global economy and has been careful not to give material support to that could trigger Western sanctions on China's own economy. 'MY OLD FRIEND' The Xi-Putin partnership is considered one of the most significant developments in geopolitics after China's own spectacular rise over the past 40 years. Xi, the son of a Communist revolutionary who has praised the jewels of Russian literature in public, and Putin, who grew up in Leningrad, now St Petersburg, and came of age in the Soviet-era KGB, said they would work together. But the Ukraine war has underscored the different trajectories of and Russia: one a rising superpower whose economy is forecast to overtake the United States in a decade; the other, a former superpower struggling with a draining war. Once the leader in the global Communist hierarchy, Russia after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union is now a junior partner to a resurgent China which already leads in some 21st century technologies such as artificial intelligence, regenerative medicine and conductive polymers. "In the face of changes in the world, in our times and of history, China is willing to work with Russia to play a leading role in demonstrating the responsibility of major powers, and to instil stability and positive energy into a world in turmoil," Xi told Putin. While Xi has now met Putin in person 39 times since becoming China's president in 2013, he has yet to meet Joe Biden in person since the latter became U.S. President in 2021. Xi's trip to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan was his first outside China since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. His last trip outside China was a visit to Myanmar in January 2020. TAIWAN, ENERGY Though Russia and China have in the past been rivals and have fought wars, Putin and Xi share a view of the world which sees the West as decadent and in decline just as China challenges the United States' supremacy. Putin explicitly backed China over Taiwan. "We intend to firmly adhere to the principle of 'One China'," Putin said. "We condemn provocations by the United States and their satellites in the Taiwan Strait." China held blockade-style military drills around Taiwan after U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island last month. Taiwan's government strongly rejects China's sovereignty claims. As the West tries to reduce its reliance on Russian energy, Putin is seeking to boost energy exports to China and Asia, possibly with a pipeline through Mongolia. At a meeting with Xi and Putin, Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh said that he supported the construction of oil and gas pipelines from Russia to China via Mongolia. Russia has for years been studying the possibility for a major new gas pipeline - the Power of Siberia 2 - to travel through Mongolia taking Russian gas to China. It will carry 50 billion cubic metres of gas per year, around a third of what Russia usually sells Europe or equivalent to Nord Stream 1 annual volumes. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Plc Chief Executive Officer Ben van Beurden will step down at the end of this year after almost 40 years at the company, to be replaced by the firms head of gas and renewables, Wael Sawan. Van Beurden, 64, has steered the company through some of its most turbulent times. The first big move of his tenure as CEO, which began in 2014, was the takeover of rival BG Group Plc, a deal valued at close to $50 billion that tested the companys finances during an oil price slump, but is now paying off as natural gas prices soar. At the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, van Beurden made the first cut to Shells dividend since the Second World War, a move that upset investors and underscored the seriousness of the global health crisis for the oil and gas industry. He was also the architect of the companys plan to shift from fossil fuels to cleaner sources of energy and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Shares rose as much as 1.1% in London, taking this years gain to more than 45%. Van Beurden has been in the vanguard for the transition of to a net-zero emissions energy business, Chairman Andrew Mackenzie said in a statement on Thursday. Wael Sawan is an exceptional leader, with all the qualities needed to drive Shell safely and profitably through its next phase of transition and growth. Van Beurden joined Shell in 1983 and worked in the Netherlands, Africa, Malaysia, the US and the UK. Prior to becoming CEO in January 2014, he spent 10 years working in Shells liquefied natural gas business and ran the companys chemicals unit. Despite being a Dutch national who studied chemical engineering at Delft University of Technology, van Beurden led Shell to a major overhaul of its legal structure that relocated its headquarters from the Netherlands to London and dropped Royal Dutch from its name. The move was a reflection of strained relations with its home country, where a major pension fund had dropped all fossil fuel producers from its portfolio and a court had ordered the firm to slash emissions harder and faster than planned. Huge Payout While the company faced numerous difficulties during van Beurdens tenure, hes leaving Shell in a strong position, said Biraj Borkhataria, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, who estimates that the firm will be returning almost $30 billion to shareholders this year. Hes dealt with multiple crises: a downturn in the oil price, Covid, and no Shell CEO wants to be the one who cuts the dividend, Borkhataria said. If you look at the last 10 years, theres been a big change in this period in the ability to generate free cash flow and thats all under Ben. The appointment of Sawan as the new CEO reflects the long-term shift in Shells priorities, along with much of the industry. The company has pledged to move away from oil toward natural gas, hydrogen, wind and solar power. That shift presents the company with many challenges, but also opportunities, Sawan said. Im looking forward to channeling the pioneering spirit and passion of our incredible people to rise to the immense challenges, Sawan said in the statement. We will be disciplined and value focused, as we work with our customers and partners to deliver the reliable, affordable and cleaner energy the world needs. Sawan was born in Beirut in 1974 and holds dual Lebanese and Canadian nationality. He grew up in Dubai and holds a masters degree in chemical engineering from McGill University in Montreal and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He has worked at Shell for 25 years in roles around the world, including stints as executive vice president for deepwater, and for the companys operations in Qatar. Van Beurden will continue working as adviser to the board until June 30, 2023. DHAKA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Bangladeshi government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) at a tripartite portfolio review meeting (TPRM) Thursday agreed on actions to further improve the implementation of ADB-assisted projects for accelerating socio-economic recovery. The TPRM reviewed the progress of actions agreed upon in March 2022, and readiness status of 2022 pipeline projects, while emphasizing the occupational health and safety at workplace. During the TPRM, 34 selected projects were discussed with 89 issues and over 120 specific time bound actions were agreed upon, said the Manila-based lender in a statement received here Thursday. It said the ADB's sovereign portfolio in Bangladesh grew to 11.3 billion U.S. dollars as of August 2022, increasing from 6.5 billion dollars in 2015. Projects worth of 2 billion dollars were committed in 2021, and 2,569 million dollars were disbursed, the highest among the ADB's developing member countries. The targeted commitment for 2022 is about 2 billion dollars, said the bank. The ADB operates in Bangladesh in six sectors, including energy, transport, water, urban/municipal infrastructure and services, as well as education, finance, agriculture, natural resources, and rural development. The cumulative lending to Bangladesh stands at over 48 billion dollars in loans and grants, including co-financing. will not take part in any "big power rivalry" in the and it is unfortunate that his country has been made the "punching bag" for Hambantota, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said, weeks after India and China clashed over the docking of a high-tech Chinese ship at the country's southern port. certainly does not want the problems of the Pacific coming to the Indian Ocean, he said while speaking on the crisis-hit country's position on the geo-political stage. "We don't participate in a military alliance, and we certainly do not want the problems of the Pacific coming to the . We don't want this to be an area of conflict and an area of war. will not take part in any big power rivalry," said Wickremesinghe on Wednesday while addressing the graduation ceremony of the National Defense College. His remarks came weeks after the Chinese embassy and the Indian High Commission here clashed verbally over the docking of the Chinese ship 'Yuan Wang 5' at Sri Lanka's southern Hambantota port for replenishment. Wickremesinghe said that the "geopolitics of the has unfortunately made Sri Lanka the punching bag for Hambantota." "It is not a military port. Though ours is a commercial port it shows our strategic importance that many people come to conclusions which are unwarranted," Wickremesinghe said, in his second public comment on the issue in recent weeks. On August 30, President Wickremesinghe appealed to all political parties to join an all-party government to tackle the island nation's worst-ever economic crisis and prevent "strong economies" from using it as a "tool of interference." "We can no longer be a nation dependent on loan assistance. We can also no longer be used as a tool of interference by other countries with strong economies," Wickremesinghe said without naming any country. In his address on Wednesday, Wickremesinghe also said that Sri Lanka would stay out of any big power rivalry, adding that the country must ensure the rivalry does not lead to conflict in the Indian Ocean. "That is one thing we cannot afford," News First, an online portal, quoted Wickremesinghe as saying. Sri Lanka granted the port access to the Chinese vessel from August 16 to 22. There were apprehensions in New Delhi about the possibility of the Chinese vessel's tracking systems attempting to snoop on Indian defence installations while being on its way to the Sri Lankan port. India last month hit back at China for alleging that it was "interfering" in Sri Lanka's internal affairs, firmly telling Beijing that what Colombo needs now was "support, not unwanted pressure or unnecessary controversies" to serve another country's agenda. In his address, Wickremesinghe also said that if we lose a good security system, our future will be destroyed and the world situation and geopolitics will turn very badly. Pointing out that it is not good for the country, the President also said that as a country, 2030 has been focused on security. He explained that Sri Lanka can be used by terrorist groups to launch an attack against a third party and preventing such terrorist attacks will be a major challenge that Sri Lanka will have to face in the future. He also emphasised that plans should be made to open the Indian Ocean region to the world, ensuring its security and creating a powerful Asia. President also pointed out that efforts should be made to make Sri Lanka a center of maritime commerce by affirming freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean region. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announced her resignation on Wednesday after losing the election. Andersson, also leader of the ruling Social Democratic Party, conceded defeat at a press conference following the election on Sunday. She said she would hand in her resignation notice on Thursday after it emerged that the opposition blue bloc consisting of the Moderate Party, the Christian Democrats, the Liberal Party and the Democrats, had won 176 of the 349 seats in parliament. Meanwhile Andersson's red bloc, consisting of her Social Democratic Party, the Left Party, the Green Party, and the Centre Party, won 173 seats, Xinhua news agency reported. "Tomorrow I will, therefore, request my dismissal as Prime Minister, and the responsibility for the continued process will pass to the Speaker and the Parliament," she said. She will now lead a transitional government until the new one has been installed, and thereafter she will lead the Social Democrats in opposition. "We have made the largest increase in voter support in 20 years and we are not only Sweden's largest party -- we are also the largest party in northern Europe. I am proud and grateful that almost two million Swedes chose to vote for us," Andersson added. Despite the blue bloc ending up with three seats more than the red bloc, some analysts consider the blue bloc as fragile, since the Liberal Party has vowed not to tolerate a government that includes the Democrats. There are also fundamental differences between the Democrats and the other parties in the bloc when it comes to issues such as the unemployment insurance and other economic issues. Also, during the election campaign Ulf Kristersson, leader of the Moderate Party -- which after decades lost its position as Sweden's second largest party to the far-right Sweden Democrats -- repeatedly said that the Sweden Democrats would not be included in his government should his bloc be victorious. "It is now clear that the Sweden Democrats is now Sweden's second largest party and I know that this worries many Swedes." the Prime Minister said. In a video posted on Facebook, Kristersson said that political polarisation had "become far too great also in Sweden". Meanwhile, Andersson added that she was prepared to explore another solution should Kristersson's efforts to form a government fail. "If it turns out that Ulf Kristersson's intended basis does not hold together, then of course my door is open," the Prime Minister said. "We Social Democrats are ready to cooperate with anyone who wants to be part of the solution to the problems that Sweden is facing." Andersson took over from Stefan Lofven as both leader of the Social Democrats and the country's Prime Minister in November 2021, following a period of political turbulence. She therefore became Sweden's first female Prime Minister. --IANS int/khz/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government in Afghanistan and the Pakistani military have traded barbs over a clash along the Durand Line, the countries' land border, the media reported. In a statement on Wednesday, deputy spokesman for Afghanistan government Bilal Karimi confirmed that the clashes took place in Dand Patan area in Afghanistan's Paktia province while Pakistani forces were trying to build a post close to the border. "As a matter of principle", construction of military installations or posts was not permissible in close proximity of the Durand Line, Dawn news reported citing Karimi as saying. But the Pakistani troops, he claimed, attempted to build a post close to the border and when some people from the Afghan side approached them to discuss the issue, "unfortunately, they were fired upon as a result of which there were casualties". "Subsequently, there was (an) exchange of fire between the two sides which possibly caused some casualties on the other side as well," he said. The spokesman said the matter was under investigation and that they were in contact with the leadership to pre-empt the construction of posts in the nearby areas in future. Karimi's remarks follow a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media affairs wing of military, soon after the incident on Tuesday. The ISPR said that three Pakistani soldiers were killed in firing by "terrorists from inside Afghanistan" in the general area of Kharlachi, Kurram tribal district. "As per credible intelligence reports, due to fire of (our) own troops, terrorists suffered heavy casualties," it further said. " strongly condemns the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for activities against and expects that Afghan government will not allow conduct of such activities in future," the ISPR had said. --IANS san (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) UN Secretary-General has said that next week's General Debate of the General Assembly must be about hope. "This year's General Debate must be about providing hope and overcoming the divisions that are dramatically impacting the world," he told a press conference on Wednesday ahead of the high-level week of this year's General Assembly session. "That hope can only come through the dialogue and debate that are the beating heart of the UN and that must prevail next week against all divisions," he added. People need to see results in their everyday lives, or they will lose faith in their governments and institutions, and they will lose hope in the future, he warned. Guterres said his opening speech on Tuesday to the General Debate will address the urgent issues with concrete recommendations and a call to action, Xinhua news agency reported. "As fractures deepen and trust evaporates, we need to come together around solutions," he added. The General Assembly is meeting at a time of great peril. Geostrategic divides are the widest they have been since at least the Cold War. They are paralysing the global response to the dramatic challenges the world faces, he said. "Our world is blighted by war, battered by climate chaos, scarred by hate, and shamed by poverty, hunger, and inequality." Conflicts and unrest continue to rage. The conflict in Ukraine is devastating a country and dragging down the global economy. Global hunger began to rise before the Covid-19 pandemic and has never recovered. The cost-of-living crisis is hitting the poorest people and communities hardest, with dramatic effects. The rights of women and girls are going into reverse. Most developing countries have no fiscal space, and no access to the financial resources needed to recover from the pandemic and protect their people from the devastating impact of climate change, he noted. "The solidarity envisioned in the UN Charter is being devoured by the acids of nationalism and self-interest -- by a shocking disregard for the poorest and most vulnerable in our world; by politicians who play to people's worst instincts for partisan gain; by prejudice, discrimination, misinformation and hate speech that pit people against one another; by a global financial system that penalises those with the least; by fossil fuel corporations killing the planet to rake in the most," said the UN chief. Guterres said he was shocked by the destruction caused by floods in Pakistan during his recent trip, and called for climate action. What is happening in Pakistan demonstrates the sheer inadequacy of the global response to the climate crisis, and the betrayal and injustice at the heart of it, he said. "Whether it is Pakistan, the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, small islands or least developed countries, the world's most vulnerable, who did nothing to cause this crisis, are paying a horrific price for decades of intransigence by big emitters." The Group of 20 (G20) countries are responsible for 80 per cent of emissions. They are also suffering the impact of record droughts, fires and floods. But climate action seems to be flatlining. If one-third of G20 countries were under water today -- as it could be tomorrow -- perhaps they would find it easier to agree on drastic cuts to emissions, the UN chief added. All countries -- with the G20 leading the way -- must boost their national emissions reduction and must limit the world's temperature rise to 1.5 degrees. Pakistan and other climate hot spots need flood-resilient infrastructure now. And those most responsible for emissions must step up with the funds for adaptation, he said. At least half of all climate finance and climate resilience should go to adaptation so as to protect people and economies. Unless action is taken now, unless funds are disbursed now, these tragedies will simply multiply, with devastating consequences for years to come, including instability and mass migration around the world, he warned. "So my message to world leaders gathering here (for the General Debate) is clear: Lower the temperature -- now. Don't flood the world today; don't drown it tomorrow," said Guterres. --IANS int/khz/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) UN Secretary General projected a gloomy picture of a world in "great peril" on Wednesday as he demanded immediate action on many fronts, from climate change to raging conflicts. At a news conference ahead of the General Assembly's high-level meeting that starts next week, he said: "Our world is blighted by war, battered by climate chaos, scarred by hate, and shamed by poverty, hunger, and inequality; conflicts and unrest continue to rage." The global response to these "dramatic challenges" have been paralysed by the "geostrategic divides (that)are the widest they have been since at least the Cold War", he said. Guterres said that in his speech to the Assembly's general debate, which will figure a parade of monarchs, heads of state and government and ministers, he "will address these issues with concrete recommendations and a call to action". "This year's general debate must be about providing hope and overcoming the divisions that are dramatically impacting the world," he said. "That hope can only come through the dialogue and debate that are the beating heart of the and that must prevail next week against all divisions," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as key figures like Russian President Vladimir Putin and and Chinese President Xi Jinping, will not be at the UN session but will be meeting at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Uzbekistan this week. Guterres said that the war in Ukraine has devastated that country and ricocheted into a global food and financial crisis, He had spoken to President Putin just before coming to the news conference. They discussed the agreement to allow the export of foodgrains through Black Sea ports reached through is efforts, the safety of the Ukrainian Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant that is under Russian control and is facing attacks in the area, and the prisoners of war, he said. But he was sceptical about an end to the war calling the odds "minimal at the present moment". "It would be naive to think we are close to the possibility of a peace deal," he said. He said attempts will continue to widen the deal on exports to include ammonia, an essential ingredient for agriculture. Guterres's area of focus as Secretary General has been combatting climate change and he highlighted the immediacy of the problem through catastrophic floods in Pakistan. "I have just returned from Pakistan, where I looked through a window into the future: A future of permanent and ubiquitous climate chaos on an unimaginable scale," he said. "What is happening in Pakistan demonstrates the sheer inadequacy of the global response to the climate crisis, and the betrayal and injustice at the heart of it," he said. But he blamed the G20 countries, which includes developing countries like India, Indonesia and South Africa. "G20 countries are responsible for 80 per cent of emissions," he said, adding: "If one-third of G20 countries was under water today, as it could be tomorrow, perhaps they would find it easier to agree on drastic cuts to emissions." However, targeting the G20, which is made up of both major developed and emerging countries, skirts the greater responsibility of the major greenhouse emitters by disregarding the per capita emissions. For example, the per capita carbon dioxide emission in tonnes is 1.8 for India, and 2.3 for Indonesia compared to 6.1 for the Euro area, Portugal for 4.3 and 14.7 for the United States, according to World Bank figures for 2019. Guterres appealed to financial institutions and to nations "not to lose one moment in providing Pakistan with the financial resources that are necessary for the gigantic tasks" ahead for its recovery. (Arul Louis can be contacted at aru.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis) --IANS al/vd (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he spoke to Russian President Wednesday about exporting Russian fertilizer through Ukraine's Black Sea ports to address a growing global food crisis that threatens multiple famines. The UN chief said they also discussed security at Europe's largest nuclear plant, where he said bombing has stopped for the past three days, and prisoners of war which he would like to see exchanged. Guterres told a news conference that Putin said a fact-finding mission he appointed at the request of Russia and Ukraine to investigate killings at the Olenivka prison in a separatist region of eastern Ukraine on July 29 will be able to go there through whatever way we choose, and that is a very important aspect. The warring nations accuse each other of carrying out the attack in which separatist authorities and Russian officials said 53 Ukrainian prisoners of war were killed and 75 were wounded. Guterres said the call to Putin was a follow-up to his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Lviv on Aug. 18, and regular calls to the head of Zelenskyy's office, Andriy Yermak. Putin is not attending next week's annual gathering of world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly which Guterres said is taking place at a time of great peril." Our world is blighted by war, battered by climate chaos, scarred by hate, and shamed by poverty, hunger and inequality, the secretary-general said. The war in Ukraine is not only devastating the country but dragging down the global economy, Guterres said, and hopes for a peace deal are minimal." He added: I would be lying if I would say that I hope that it will happen soon. Despite the July 22 deal to start shipping Ukrainian grain from Black Sea ports and get Russian food and fertilizers to global markets, Guterres said, there is a risk of multiple famines this year. The secretary-general said high prices for fertilizer have already reduced the planting of food crops which is why it is critical to increase Russian exports of ammonia -- a key ingredient of fertilizers -- and why talks are taking place on the possibly of shipping through the Black Sea ports which are currently being used to ship grain from Ukraine. U.N. trade chief Rebeca Grynspan, who leads the team trying to facilitate unimpeded global access to Russian food and fertilizer, told reporters Tuesday that Russia reported a 12% increase in food exports from June to July, but fertilizer exports are still down despite being covered by the agreement, with insurance, financing and shipping still issues. Guterres said he discussed the dramatic situation in fertilizers and the obstacles to shipping ammonia from Russia with Putin. We are risking to have a fertilizer market crunch, the UN chief said. We have news from different parts of the world that the areas cultivated are much smaller than in the previous cycle, which means that we risk in 2022 the real lack of food. So to remove the obstacles that still exist in relation to the export of Russian fertilizers is absolutely essential at the present moment, he said. Grynspan, who heads the UN. Conference on Trade and Development, said fertilizer is needed by October and November, the latest, for the northern hemisphere planting season. On the issue of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine, Europe's largest, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency said Monday that he has started consultations with Ukraine and Russia on his call for a nuclear safety and security protection zone around the facility, and the two sides appear to be interested. Rafael Grossi, the director-general of the Atomic Energy Agency, said the two sides appear to be interested. He made the proposal last week after leading a team of inspectors to the nuclear plant and leaving two of them there to monitor its safety. The plant has been occupied by Russian forces but operated by its Ukrainian employees since early in the war. The Zaporizhzhia plant was reconnected to Ukraine's electricity grid over the weekend, allowing engineers to shut down its last operational reactor in an attempt to avoid disaster as fighting raged in the area. Guterres said according to his latest information, electricity is being provided to guarantee the cooling of the reactors and other needed electricity. We have been now three days without bombing, he said. I hope that these kind of attacks will cease, and I hope that the security of the nuclear power plant will be maintained entirely, at all costs, and fully respected by the parties. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shefali Razdan Duggal, an Indian-American political activist, has been confirmed by US Senate as the country's next envoy to the . Razdan Duggal, 50, was confirmed by the US Senate by a voice vote along with two other confirmations to senior administrative positions. A Kashmiri Pandit, Razdan Duggal was born in Haridwar and moved with her family to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the age of two. Thereafter she moved to Cincinnati, Ohio at the age of five, where she grew up. She graduated from Miami University and earned her master's from New York University. I was born in India, but I was made in the United States, Razdan Duggal told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during her confirmation hearing in July. Razdan Duggal is an experienced political activist, women's rights advocate, and human rights, campaigner. She is a former presidential Appointee to the Holocaust Memorial Museum Council and continues to serve as a Western Regional Advisor. She is a San Francisco Committee member of Human Rights Watch, a member of the Wake Forest University Leadership and Character Council, and served on the National Board of Directors for Emily's List. I have full confidence that kindness, empathy, honesty and sweat equity mean something in our country. It is the reason why people from all over the world see us as a beacon of hope and freedom. While my story is not unique, it is one that represents the infinite possibilities of the American spirit and the American dream, Razdan Duggal said. During her confirmation hearing testimony, Razdan Duggal said as an immigrant, she represents the diverse face of the and the generations of people throughout its history who found an opportunity in the US. I was raised by a single mom in Cincinnati who worked two minimum wage jobs to support us. My father left us when I was very young and that in this profoundly and permanently affected the direction of my life, she told the lawmakers. Rather than dwell upon what I did not have, I embraced the boundless opportunities that we are given here in the . I attended college and graduate school with the help of loans, grants and scholarships. As I faced some of my own challenges of being a minority woman with limited resources, I became attuned to the values of diversity and inclusion that continue to inspire me today, the Indian American said. I also focused on the rights of minorities and the critical importance of being a voice of the oppressed. This motivated me to pursue my years of work with Human Rights Watch and to serve as a member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. While my life was often not easy, I was always saved by the grace of God and the promise of the United States, she said. Razdan Duggal is the recipient of numerous civic awards, including being recognised with the Western Regional Leadership Award by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, as a Community Hero by the California State Assembly, and as one of the Most Powerful Women in California by the National Diversity Council. She served as National Co-Chair of Women for Biden, and as a Deputy National Finance Chair at the Democratic National Committee. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russian President on Thursday praised Chinas for his balanced position on the conflict in Ukraine and scolded the United States for what the Kremlin chief said were provocations over Taiwan. The United States, meanwhile, imposed new sanctions on 22 individuals and two groups that have facilitated Russias war in Ukraine, the Treasury Department said on Thursday. Xi, on his first trip outside since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, met Putin in the ancient Uzbek Silk Road city of Samarkand where they will attend a summit of The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Speaking at their first face-to-face meeting since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began, Putin praised Xi for his position on the war in Ukraine but also said he understood Beijing had questions and concern over the conflict. has refrained from condemning Russias operation against Ukraine or calling it an invasion in line with the Kremlin, which casts the war as a special military operation. Putin explicitly backed over Taiwan. China held blockade-style military drills around Taiwan after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island last month. Taiwans government strongly rejects China's sovereignty claims. We intend to firmly adhere to the principle of One China, Putin said. We condemn provocations by the United States and their satellites in the Taiwan Strait. Xi, who the Communist Party is due next month to bestow a historic third leadership term and thus cement his place as the countrys most powerful leader since Mao Zedong, did not mention Ukraine in his public remarks. Putin survives assassination attempt: Report Russian President has survived an assassination attempt, the Euro Weekly News reported. The left front wheel of Putins limousine was hit by a loud bang, the publication reported. Zelenskyy hurt in Kyiv car crash Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was involved in a car accident. The president was examined by a doctor, and no serious injuries were found, a spokesperson said. World Bank to spend $30 bn on food crunch The World Bank is willing to provide up to $30 billion to combat global food shortages aggravated by Russias invasion of Ukraine. It has so far spent almost $10 billion. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hand on heart, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy watched his country's flag rise Wednesday above the recaptured city of Izium, making a rare foray outside the capital that highlights Moscow's embarrassing retreat from a Ukrainian counteroffensive. Russian forces left the war-scarred city last week as Kyiv's soldiers pressed a stunning advance that has reclaimed large swaths of territory in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region. As Zelenskyy looked on and sang the national anthem, the Ukrainian flag was raised in front of the burned-out city hall. After almost six months under Russian occupation, Izium was left largely devastated, with apartment buildings blackened by fire and pockmarked by artillery strikes. A gaping hole and piles of rubble stood where one building had collapsed. The view is very shocking, but it is not shocking for me," Zelenskyy told journalists, "because we began to see the same pictures from Bucha, from the first de-occupied territories the same destroyed buildings, killed people. Bucha is a small city on Kyiv's outskirts from which Russian forces withdrew in March. In the aftermath, Ukrainian authorities discovered the bodies of hundreds of civilians dumped in streets, yards and mass graves. Many bore signs of torture. Prosecutors said they so far have found six bodies with traces of torture in recently retaken Kharkiv region villages. The head of the Kharkiv prosecutor's office, Oleksandr Filchakov, said bodies were found in Hrakove and Zaliznyche, villages around 60 kilometers (35 miles) southeast of Kharkiv city. We have a terrible picture of what the occupiers did. ... Such cities as Balakliia, Izium, are standing in the same row as Bucha, Borodyanka, Irpin, said Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin, listing places where the Ukrainians have alleged Russian forces committed atrocities. Local authorities have made similar claims in other areas Russia previously held, but it was not immediately possible to verify their information. They have not yet provided evidence of potential atrocities on the scale described in Bucha, where the number and conditions of civilian casualties prompted demands for Russian officials to face war crime charges. Moscow's recent rout in northeast was its largest military defeat since Russian troops withdrew from the Kyiv area months ago. On the northern outskirts of Izium, the remains of Russian tanks and vehicles lay shattered along a road. As Zelenskyy visited, his forces pressed their counteroffensive, de-mined retaken ground and investigated possible war crimes. He said life comes back as Ukrainian soldiers return to previously occupied villages. The Ukrainian governor of the eastern Luhansk region, Serhiy Haidai, said Ukrainian forces were preparing to retake the region, which borders the Kharkiv region and was has been mostly under Russian control since July. Mobile internet service was down, and intense shelling of Ukrainian forces continued, according to Haidai. He told The Associated Press that Ukrainian guerrilla forces were flying Ukrainian flags in the cities of Svatove and Starobilsk. But in Kreminna, another city where Ukrainians raised their flag, Russians returned Wednesday and tore down the (Ukrainian) flags and are demonstrably showing that they're there, Haidai said. A separatist military leader confirmed the Ukrainian advance on the Luhansk region. Andrei Marochko, a local militia officer, said on Russian TV that the situation was really difficult. In some places, the contact line has come very close to the borders of the Luhansk People's Republic, Marochko said, referring to the independent state the separatists declared eight years ago. The counteroffensive has left more weapons in Ukrainian hands. Russian forces likely left behind dozens of tanks, armored personnel carriers and other heavy weaponry as they fled Ukraine's advance in the east, a Ukrainian think tank said Wednesday. The Center for Defense Strategies said one Russian unit fleeing the Izium area left behind more than three dozen T-80 tanks and about as many infantry fighting vehicles. Another unit left 47 tanks and 27 armored vehicles. The center said Russian forces tried to destroy some of the abandoned vehicles through artillery strikes as they fell back. Typically, armed forces ruin equipment left behind so their opponent can't use it. However, the chaos of the Russian withdrawal apparently forced them to abandon untouched ammunition and weapons. With the recent Ukrainian gains, a new front line has emerged along the Oskil River, which largely traces the eastern edge of the Kharkiv region, a Washington-based think tank, the Institute for the Study of War, said Wednesday. Russian troops are unlikely to be strong enough to prevent further Ukrainian advances along the entire Oskil River because they do not appear to be receiving reinforcements, and Ukrainian troops will likely be able to exploit this weakness to resume the counteroffensive across the Oskil if they choose, the institute said. In other areas, Russia continued its attacks, causing more casualties in a war that has dragged on for nearly seven months. Russian shelling of seven Ukrainian regions over the past 24 hours killed at least seven civilians and wounded 22, Ukraine's presidential office reported Wednesday morning. Two people were killed and three wounded after Russia attacked Mykolaiv with S-300 missiles overnight, said regional governor Vitaliy Kim. Settlements near the front line in Mykolaiv region remain under fire. The Nikopol area, across a river from the shut down Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, was shelled three times during the night, with no injuries were immediately reported, regional governor Valentyn Reznichenko said. Fighting also raged in the eastern Donetsk region, where shelling killed five civilians and wounded 16. Together, Luhansk and Donetsk make up the Donbas, an industrial area that Moscow set out to capture following an unsuccessful attempt to invade Kyiv. Russian troops are targeting critical infrastructure. Eight cruise missiles aimed at the water supply system hit Kryvyi Rih, a city 150 kms (93 miles) southeast of Dnipro. Deputy Head of President's office Kyrylo Tymoshenko reported on his Telegram channel. U.S. President Joe Biden observed Wednesday that Ukrainian forces have made significant progress in recent days but said, I think it's going to be a long haul. While criticism of the invasion seems to be increasing in Russia, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said after a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Unfortunately, I cannot tell you that the realization has grown over there by now that this was a mistake to start this war. Western military and economic support has allowed to keep fighting since Russia invaded on Feb. 24, and the Ukrainian government received more assistance Wednesday. An group of creditors, including the U.S., finalized a deal to suspend Ukraine's debt service through the end of 2023, helping the country ease liquidity pressures and increase social, health and economic spending. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shares of edged higher by 10 per cent to over four-year high of Rs 1,516.15 on the BSE in Thursdays intra-day trade, on healthy business outlook. The stock of leading tyre company traded at its highest level since May 2018. Earlier, it had hit a record high of Rs 2,030 in January 2018. At 12:00 pm; traded 8 per cent higher at Rs 1,497, as compared to 0.58 per cent decline in the S&P BSE Sensex. In the past three months, the stock zoomed 60 per cent, as against 14 per cent rise in the benchmark index. However, it had hit a 52-week low of Rs 890 on June 20, 2022. The company expects the overall tyre industry to perform well due to easing of pandemic-led curbs, pent-up demand from OEMs, and replacement segment. The cool off in key raw materials prices from their highs, too, will contribute to improved margins from Q3FY23 onwards. "For the domestic tyre industry, export sales are likely to improve, as the US and Europe continue with high tariffs on imports from China. In the aftermarket segment, the company will continue to strengthen its leadership position in two-wheeler segment. That apart, the company will strive to gain more market share in Passenger Car Radial tyres (PCR) and Truck and Bus Radial (TBR)," said in its FY22 annual report. Meanwhile, in an investor meet on Wednesday, Ceats management remained cautiously optimistic on the demand scenario, as OEM led the charge, which typically accrues lower margin in nature. That said, analysts expect that the decline in key raw material prices like natural rubber and crude will reap benefits for the company from H2FY23. With peak revenues in FY24E, near double digit operating margins and no meaningful debt reduction underway over FY23E-24E, the company is now trading in line with its key peers in the domestic tyre space at ~6x EV/EBITDA on FY24E, ICICI Securities said in a note. Besides, analysts at Motilal Oswal Financial Services remain bullish on the counter, as they expect healthy demand and commodity deflation to drive recovery from H2FY23. The recovery in demand and easing of will drive a strong recovery from H2FY23. Valuations, at 40.3x/13x FY23E/FY24E consolidated EPS, do not fully capture the ramp-up of new capacities and stabilization in raw material cost. We maintain our 'Buy' rating with a target price of Rs 1,630 (based on ~13x Sep24 EPS), the brokerage firm said in a recent note. PHNOM PENH, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The forthcoming 14th Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) Economic Ministers' Meeting aims to promote the post-COVID-19 economic recovery among the four least developed countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Cambodian officials and experts said. The meeting is scheduled for Sept. 16 in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province, on the sidelines of the 54th ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting. Ministry of Commerce's Undersecretary of State and spokesman Penn Sovicheat said the CLMV are the least developed countries in the 10-country ASEAN, which also comprises Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. "The annual meeting will give a good opportunity for the CLMV economic ministers to discuss and explore ways to broaden trade and investment relations in the post-pandemic era," he told Xinhua in a recent interview. He said the meeting would also find ways to reduce the development gap between the four poor and six rich ASEAN countries. "We're looking into possibility to make use of new technology, science, information technology, digital business, and e-commerce to boost trade and investment ties," Sovicheat said. The spokesman said as the CLMV are mostly agrarian countries, the ministers would also discuss agricultural cooperation, aiming at transforming the CLMV countries into a food supply hub for the region and the world. Meanwhile, Sovicheat said China has played a crucial role in supporting the socioeconomic development of the CLMV countries through the existing mechanisms such as the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the ASEAN-China cooperation, among others. Thong Mengdavid, a research fellow at the Mekong Center for Strategic Studies of the Asian Vision Institute, said under the framework of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, CLMV countries and China have always been at the forefront of cooperation. "The two sides have close high-level exchanges and gratifying results in economic and trade cooperation, and a large number of key projects have been implemented such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the East-West Economic Corridor, among others," he told Xinhua. Mengdavid believed that the topics high on the agenda during the meeting will be focused on socio-economic development, cyber-security and cyber infrastructure, which aim to promote poverty alleviation, strengthen rural and agricultural development, water security, and human connectivity. "These discussions will be served as policy inputs for the development and the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Club as part of the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2025," he said. Joseph Matthews, a senior professor at the BELTEI International University in Phnom Penh, said the CLMV economic ministers' meeting will play a very important role in understanding the economic and social issues at the sub-regional level. "The CLMV is not only part of the ASEAN but is also considered the least developed countries in the bloc," he told Xinhua. "The upcoming meeting shows the CLMV's commitment to take collective actions to expedite economic recovery in the post-pandemic era." The CLMV needs to resume all economic and tourism activities across the borders, Matthews said, adding that they also need to exchange digital know-how, improve infrastructure connectivity, develop a digital and green economy, and combat transnational crimes, among others. Shares of two Tata Group companies - and TRF continued at their northbound movement, hitting multi-years high on the BSE in Thursdays intra-day trade. These two stocks have now rallied up to 60 per cent in past one week. hit a fresh record high of Rs 2,849.95, and has surged 9 per cent so far today. In the past one week, the stock has zoomed 60 per cent from a level of Rs 1,786, as compared to 2 per cent rise in the S&P BSE Sensex. is a non-banking financial company (NBFC) promoted by Tata Sons. The company is registered with the Reserve Bank of India under the category of Investment Company. It is engaged in the business of investment in listed and unlisted equity shares debt instruments of companies in a wide range of Industries and in mutual funds. The major sources of income for the company consists of dividend income and profit on sale of investments. The company together with Tata Sons is a promoter of the Tata Mutual Fund. The company is also the principal shareholder of Tata Securities Ltd a company engaged in the distribution of mutual funds and other investment-related securities. Tata Investment recorded an appreciation of 38 per cent in its NAV in FY22 and realized gains of Rs 430.61 crore on equity investments (post-tax) taking advantage of the buoyant . Going forward the performance will be dependent on how global factors, the economy and corporate earnings shape up over the second half of the year, the company said. Tata Investment said the company aims to remain invested in leaders in sectors, which they believe have potential to remain value accretive over the medium and long term. The company further said it continues to invest for the long term while availing opportunities to realize gains to augment the operating income for dividend distribution. The company invests in Tata and Non-Tata companies, both listed and unlisted, though investments in Tata companies constitute a larger portion and may be considered for a longer term and are strategic in nature. The company endeavours to evaluate opportunities and invest considering the macro economic conditions both globally and domestically, Tata Investment said in its FY22 annual report. The company will continue to look for opportunities to invest in companies which have consistent growth prospects with high quality earnings. In new age companies where valuations are a concern and whose earnings will fructify at a later stage in their development, the Company has made a small allocation of capital, the company said. Meanwhile, shares of TRF were locked in upper circuit for the third straight day, up 10 per cent at Rs 267.35 on the BSE. In the past three days, the stock of industrial equipments has surged 58 per cent from Rs 168.80 on September 12, 2022. It now trades at its highest level since April 2018. The exchanges changed circuit limit of the stock to 10 per cent from 20 per cent with effect from today. Tata Steel (TSL), the promoter of the company, held 34.11 per cent stake in the company as on June 30, 2022. TRF undertakes turnkey projects of material handling for the infrastructure sector such as power and ports and industrial sector such as steel plants, cement, fertilisers and mining. The Company is also engaged in production of such material handling equipments at its manufacturing facility at Jamshedpur. Further the Company is engaged in provding services relating to design and engineering, supervision, etc. On outlook, TRF said significant improvements & growth is expected in core sectors (steel, mining and power etc), which will have a cascading effect on all associated sectors like material handling OEMs and demand for project management/construction services. In August 2022, CARE Ratings revised the long-term rating of TRF from Negative to Stable is on account of reduction in outside liability through the support of funds received from the parent TSL. Furthermore, the company has recorded continuous decline in cash losses over the past two years and CARE envisages that the company is likely to turn marginally cash positive in FY23, largely on the back of order-book execution for TSL, the rating agency said in rationale. To develop Berth no. 2 at Haldia Dock Complex HDC Bulk Terminal (HBTL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) has signed the Concession Agreement with Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) for mechanization of Berth no. 2 at Haldia Port. This is in continuation to the selection of APSEZ as a successful bidder by SMPK earlier in February. As per the Concession Agreement signed between SMPK and HBTL, the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) formed to implement the project will get the rights to design, build, finance, operate, maintain and manage the bulk terminal with a capacity of 3.74 million tons per annum for a concession period of 30 years at Haldia Dock Complex, Haldia. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 298 crore. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Union Cabinet on Wednesday (14 September) approved the inclusion of some castes of Chattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh in the list of Scheduled Tribes. Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda told the media that it was a long pending demand of these castes which has been fulfilled. He said the move will help them availing welfare benefits. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the process for the Presidential polls opening with the issue of notification in the next week, there is still suspense over the candidates who are going to file nominations for the party's top post. While sources say that G-23 group is gearing up for fielding a candidate and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor is the top choice, for loyalists, it is Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. However, sources say that Gehlot is reluctant to leave the Chief Ministership, then, in that scenario, former Union Minister Mukul Wasnik could be fielded or may be Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge as both the leaders belong to the Scheduled Caste community. The nominations can be filed between September 24 and 30 and the election is slated for October 17. Former party chief Rahul Gandhi has indicated that he is not going to contest and busy with the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The G-23 have been pushing for publication of the voters list and now the party's Central Election Authority has said that it will be available from September 20, for those who want to contest, while the state PCCs will also have the list of delegates. Gehlot had emerged as front runner, being seen as choice of interim chief Sonia Gandhi, even as some want the return of Rahul Gandhi - with Gehlot too proposing his name. The last time the election was conducted for the President's post was in 2000 when Jitendra Prasada had challenged Sonia Gandhi but lost. --IANS miz/vd (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Krishnamurthy Acharya, Congress leader in Udupi, has been appointed KPCC coordinator for the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' led by Rahul Gandhi. He has been selected on the recommendation of KPCC president D K Shivakumar and chosen by All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary in charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala, a party release here said. The 3,570km 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' led by senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi which commenced in Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7, entered Kerala on September 10 evening and will traverse through the state covering 450 km, touching seven districts over a period of 19 days before entering Karnataka on October 1. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The (SP) will hold its national convention at on September 29 during which its president will be elected, and the party's strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls discussed. The party will hold its state convention a day before where its state president will be elected. Sitting SP chief said in a statement the BJP has "created political and economic crises and has played with the democratic system" of the country. The convention will discuss how to effectively deal with these issues, he said. "There will also be an in-depth discussion on the party's strategy in the Lok Sabha elections to be held in 2024. In these conventions, the election of national and state presidents of the SP will also be held," he said. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said there will be a special discussion on how the "democratic institutions are being weakened" by the BJP. The statement said the "deteriorating" law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, problems confronting the education and health sectors, "increasing corruption", farmer issues and the issue of unemployment would also be discussed. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As the row over the Vedanta Group- project shifts to Gujarat, Nationalist Congress Party MP sharply chided Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for his utterances amid demands for a judicial probe by a retired judge, enquiry into the sequence of events that led to the loss and agitations by various parties, here on Thursday. Participating in a 'lollipop protest' in Pune, Sule castigated the CM for taking the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has reportedly assured that 'even bigger projects' will be given to Maharashtra in future. "Stop this childish behaviour... Get serious now. Stop politicising on this and convene an all-party meeting in the interest of the people of the state to discuss this issue. If needed, take an all-party delegation to the PM to ensure that this project which was won by Maharashtra 'on merits' is restored to us," Sule demanded. Scores of NCP workers were detained at a noisy demonstration in Mumbai, and in Pune, raising slogans against Shinde-Fadnavis for the state losing the prestigious Vedanta- project to Gujarat. Slamming the Maha Vikas Aghadi allies Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress for their aggressive attacks on Shinde-Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Mumbai Bharatiya Janata Party demanded that a probe panel headed by retired judge should be appointed to 'unravel the truth'. The Shiv Sena's Yuva Sena and other groups organised a signature campaign and demonstrations against the government blaming it for the Vedanta- mega-project of Rs 2.06 lakh crore opting for Gujarat after 90 per cent of the deal was finalised with Maharashtra. Congress General Secretary Sachin Sawant warned that if Vedanta-Foxconn moves to the adjoining state, "it will be a loss of not only Maharashtra but also India" as projects don't thrive in Dholera (Gujarat), with many withdrawing from there. Remaining on the backfoot after Maharashtra lost out on the Vedanta-Foxconn project and even a Bulk Drugs Park, worried leaders of Shinde Group and BJP sought to pass the blame onto the erstwhile MVA's former CM Uddhav Thackeray for the debacles. On Wednesday, Shinde and Industry Minister Uday Samant claimed that the PM had reportedly assured that bigger projects would be given to the state, prompting the MVA allies to hit the government with the 'lollipop' tirade. --IANS qn/dpb (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader on Wednesday protested against the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government over the Vedanta Foxconn deal with Gujarat for a semiconductor facility and called political parties to fight with the centre. "It is a huge disappointment as over 3 lakh students are going to be deprived of jobs. All political parties should come together and fight this with the centre," MP said. Launching a scathing attack on Maharashtra CM Shinde, Sule said, "Shinde was an integral part of the earlier government. What was he doing then, why didn't he say anything? He is the current CM for over 2 months now, if he wants to lead, he needs to take responsibility and be accountable." Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray also on Wednesday slammed the Maharashtra government for letting the Vedanta deal slip away from the state and questioned the uninterestedness of the Shinde camp."After Vedanta- Foxconn loss, the Bulk Drug Park that the MVA Government had meritoriously pursued, has been lost to 3 States- Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh, by the current unconstitutional dispensation in our State, due to its lack of interest in development," tweeted Thackeray. He also stressed that Maharashtra was the first to demand it and sought an explanation on why Maharashtra was not considered. Outlining the repercussions of the slipping away of the deal, he said," Eknath Shinde didn't just take away our 40 MLA's but also big projects of Maharashtra to Gujarat. Who is responsible for the loss of 2 lakh crore and 1 lakh job opportunities in our state." Notably, Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Limited and Taiwan's Foxconn on Tuesday signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Gujarat government for setting up a semiconductor and display FAB manufacturing unit in the state with an investment of over Rs 1.54 lakh crore. The agreement was signed in presence of the Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel and the Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw. Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat Jitubhai Vaghani was also present on the occasion. The Vedanta-Foxconn group under the MoU will set up a Display Fab Unit in Gujarat with an investment of Rs 94,500 crore as well as an integrated Semiconductor Fab Unit and OSAT facility in Gujarat with an investment of Rs 60,000 crore. The two MoUs, together, will bring an investment of more than Rs 1.54 lakh crore and generate around 1 lakh new employment opportunities in the state, stated Jitu Vaghani during the event at a Hotel in Gandhinagar. The proposed investment by Vedanta and Foxconn Group for setting up India's first display manufacturing fab unit and an Integrated Semiconductor fab unit with an OSAT facility will further support the development of upstream and downstream electronics manufacturing clusters and the establishment of healthy trade linkages. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The is looking to tap into seafood export opportunities from in a bid to increase the business volume from the region. The port, formally known as the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, held a meeting with the stakeholders of the seafood export sector in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday regarding business prospects and issues faced by them. The officials wanted to get feedback regarding how the port could provide more facilities and improve the services to meet their needs and do better business. "We want to listen to your problems so that we can improve on them," chairperson Vinit Kumar told the exporters at the meet. The port is focusing on how to increase the partnership and develop a very good relationship with the of the region. "We'll try to fulfill your expectations so that both of us can benefit through the valuable partnership, good service and lowering cost," Kumar said. He pointed out that a lot of modernisation and investment in infrastructure was going on, adding that the port was putting efforts to connect with Bangladesh and the northeastern region of India through small barges. "Recently, we've connected Meghalaya and Tripura through the Chittagong port in Bangladesh. So, we can explore the opportunities there for seafood exports," Kumar said. The port includes the Kolkata dock system and the Haldia dock complex. The logistics ecosystem is suited for handling and movement of bulk and containerised cargo. It has an adequate storage area and robust rail network, which enables smooth handling and dispatch of the same. The port urged the stakeholders to use the Kolkata dock's infrastructure for reefer or refrigerated cargo ship, which is typically used to transport perishable cargo like fruits and seafood. The assured the exporters of extending all possible assistance, including suitable rebate on the cost of port charges if required. It is also offering to provide 15 per cent rebate on reefer plug-in charges as well. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AAP governments in Punjab and Delhi have come together to combat stubble burning, for which they will soon be launching a pilot project to manage crop residue. Under the project, a bio decomposer will be sprayed on 5,000 acres in the state, an official statement said on Thursday. Punjab Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said high-level meetings were held in New Delhi over the issue. On Wednesday, Dhaliwal met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal regarding the management of the pollution caused by . Later, he held deliberations with Delhi's Environment Minister Gopal Rai. According to the statement, the pilot project will be launched jointly by governments of both states. The Punjab agriculture minister said under the process, a Pusa bio decomposer will be sprayed on stubble following which the crop residue gets mixed in the soil. He said the Punjab government has made adequate preparations to prevent pollution caused by paddy stubble. Equipment are being provided to farmers on subsidy, awareness and surveillance teams have been formed in all districts. Targeting the Union government for "turning down" cash incentive proposal to farmers for not burning stubble, he said the state government had proposed to give Rs 2,500 per acre to paddy growers suggesting that the Centre should bear Rs 1,500 of the proposed amount. He said a massive awareness drive will be launched in the rural belt of Punjab, comprising officials of the Department of the Rural Development and Panchayat and the Punjab Pollution Control Board to persuade farmers to manage the stubble. Dhaliwal urged farmers to give fulsome support to the government to protect the land, air and water so that the future generations could enjoy a clean environment. Paddy straw burning in Punjab and Haryana is a major reason behind the alarming spike in air pollution levels in the capital in October and November. Farmers set their fields on fire to quickly clear off the crop residue before cultivating wheat and potato. Punjab generates around 20 million tons of paddy straw annually. In 2020, scientists at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute had come up with a Pusa bio decomposer, a microbial solution, which can decompose stubble and turn into manure in 15-20 days. The Delhi government had provided it free to farmers in the capital to manage stubble in non-basmati rice fields in 2020 and 2021. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 9 years on, Belt and Road cooperation builds up connectivity for global prosperity Xinhua) 08:36, September 15, 2022 A Chang'an China-Europe freight train leaves for Kazakhstan from Xi'an International Port in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, July 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) The Belt and Road cooperation, following the guiding principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, has grown into a global platform where countries along the routes work together to promote people's wellbeing and give a further boost to global development amid daunting challenges. BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Nine years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road successively in Kazakhstan and Indonesia. This is how the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aimed at building a trade, investment, and infrastructure network that connects different regions along the ancient trade routes, took shape. Nine years on, the BRI has achieved more than connectivity. The Belt and Road cooperation, following the guiding principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, has grown into a global platform where countries along the routes work together to promote people's wellbeing and give a further boost to global development amid daunting challenges. Aerial photo taken on June 22, 2022 shows a view of Karot Hydropower Plant, the first hydropower investment project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.(CTG/Handout via Xinhua) GREATER CONNECTIVITY After years of Belt and Road cooperation, a general connectivity framework consisting of six corridors, six connectivity routes and multiple countries and ports has been put in place. Landmark accomplishments include the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway in Africa, China-Laos Railway in Asia, the new Haifa port in Israel, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, among others. Besides infrastructure projects, a new logistics channel between Asia and Europe has been established through China-Europe freight train services. With 82 routes, the trains now reach 200 cities in 24 European countries, forming a transport network covering the whole of Europe. Connectivity means fewer barriers, whether in terms of policy coordination, road travels, trade, financial flows or people-to-people exchanges. It also entails more resilience to uncertainties. The China-Europe freight train service has acted as "a passage of life" when sea and air transportation was hit hard during the pandemic. With such connectivity, the Belt and Road cooperation has scored growth despite global economic recessions. From 2013 to 2021, the total volume of trade of goods between China and countries along the BRI routes amounted to nearly 11 trillion U.S. dollars, while two-way investment exceeded 230 billion dollars, according to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. In Central Asia, with the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway and the China-Tajikistan expressway, road transport has been largely improved. And the Central Asian countries are expected to unlock greater transit potential through the upcoming China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project. The BRI gives the Central Asian region an opportunity to fulfill the strategic task of direct access to seaports and turn the region into a transportation hub of transcontinental highways from east to west, and from north to south, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov has commented. A Chinese expert helps locals in mechanized harvesting of rice in the demonstration area of Nariou village in Burkina Faso, Oct. 8, 2021. (Xinhua) POVERTY REDUCTION In the eyes of Lewis M. Ndichu, a researcher at Nairobi-based think tank Africa Policy Institute, one of the BRI's contributions to the African continent is on poverty alleviation and agricultural development. China has set up poverty reduction projects, sent agricultural experts to Africa and facilitated modern agro-technology exchanges between the two sides, which is significant to regional development, he pointed out. Burkina Faso is among the countries that have witnessed the changes brought by the BRI. Chinese experts have helped increase its rice production, which in the past could barely meet the population's needs. With their assistance, rice production in the demonstration area, Nariou village, has doubled or even tripled the output in previous years, and the rice quality has also been significantly improved. This is just a miniature of how the Belt and Road cooperation improves people's wellbeing around the globe. By the end of 2021, China has built 79 zones for economic and trade cooperation in 24 countries along the BRI routes, investing 43 billion dollars and creating 346,000 local jobs, according to China's Ministry of Commerce. More projects focus on basic needs of people in developing countries are prioritized under the BRI framework. In Senegal, a rural well-drilling project, consisting of 251 wells and 1,800 km water pipelines that China had pledged to fund, has brought clean water to one-seventh of Senegal's population. While in Argentina, the photovoltaic plant in the country's northern province of Jujuy powers some 160,000 homes. A World Bank report has predicted that BRI transport projects could, by 2030, help lift 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million people out of moderate poverty globally. Children play beside a China-aided well in a village of Senegal, Sept. 11, 2018. (Xinhua) CLOSING DEVELOPMENT DIVIDE The world today is undergoing a sea change amid a lingering COVID-19 pandemic, sluggish global growth, a changing climate and escalating tensions. Great strides have been made towards global prosperity, but the gap between the richest and the poorest countries continues to widen. Reducing destitution is not enough. To improve equity and social justice, countries need to be equally entitled to development opportunities. Upholding that spirit, the BRI offers an open platform and a win-win mechanism. By the end of July 2022, China had signed more than 200 BRI cooperation agreements with 149 countries and 32 international organizations, according to China's National Development and Reform Commission. "Through the Belt and Road Initiative, it has therefore brought new thinking about development -- from being mere loan recipients to actual projects on the ground that bring development through trade and enterprises," said James M. Njihia, dean of Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, University of Nairobi. "This will have great multiplier effects in future by increasing local, regional and international integration," he said. Echoing that view, Khairy Tourk, professor of economics with the Stuart School of Business at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, has said the China-proposed BRI puts developing nations on the right track to achieving their long-term development goals. Infrastructure has not been the main focus of post-1945 multilateral institutions. "The BRI has drawn world attention to the importance of infrastructure as an essential pillar of economic development," Tourk said. For decades, these countries couldn't modernize their antiquated infrastructure, he said. "Now China is providing them funds, the construction expertise to build modern infrastructure, and this is the basis for sustained development, and bodes well for the economic future of developing nations." (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) MANILA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos on Thursday expressed his administration's "full and unwavering support" for the peace process of a Muslim autonomous region in the southern Philippines. Marcos flew to Cotabato City on Mindanao island to witness the opening session of the 80-member Parliament of the 2022-2025 Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, leads the transition body. Marcos said the transition body "speaks volumes of your answer towards that call for unity, shared responsibility, and the invitation to advocate peace and development in the Bangsamoro region." After decades of conflicts, the Philippine government and the MILF signed in 2014 a peace agreement and ended the insurgency. In 2018, then President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Bangsamoro Organic Law, paving the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in 2019. Marcos said his administration will continue to complete the implementation of all signed Bangsamoro peace agreements and will push for socio-economic development and interventions to promote peace and development in the region, urging the new BTA parliament to pass measures that secure the welfare of its people, particularly in agri-fishery, healthcare, transportation, communication, digital infrastructure and e-governance. The Marcos administration has allocated roughly 1.3 billion U.S. dollars budget for the Bangsamoro region next year. on Thursday rolled out supervision tools in to help parents be more involved in their teenage childrens experience on the image-sharing platform. launched Parental Supervision Controls and Family Centre, where parents and guardians can access resources about social media, in the US in March this year. Meta, the company that owns and Facebook, said it is working with experts, parents, guardians and young people in to understand needs. "The safety of our community is of paramount importance to us at Meta. Our intention is to strike the right balance for young people's desire for some autonomy when using Instagram, but also allows for supervision in a way that supports conversations between parents and young people when it is helpful, said Natasha Jog, head, public policy, Instagram, (Meta). The supervision tools allow parents and guardians to manage the time their young people spend on Instagram, view accounts followed, and the accounts that follow them. The tools will notify parents and guardians when their young people report someone. Meta will work with Kidsstoppress.com, a discovery platform for Indian parents. Having a safe and enriching online experience is one of the top concerns parents continually have. Were glad Instagram is rolling out these supervision tools in India, and were looking forward to partnering with them, so the parenting community in India is aware and equipped with these tools, and can initiate a conversation with their teen on it, said Mansi Zaveri, founder & CEO of Kidsstoppress.com. On Instagram, parents and guardians can send invitations to their young people to initiate Supervision Tools. The Family Centre, which is available in English and Hindi, includes an education hub where parents and guardians can access resources from experts and review helpful articles, videos and tips on topics like how to talk to young people about . Parents can also watch video tutorials on how to use the new Supervision Tools to get the most out of the platform. Meta will work with Yuvaa, a youth media and insights company, to drive awareness about these resources. Young people today want to speak about their online experiences, but have apprehensions while doing so with their parents, because the generation gap for the Gen Zs has unfortunately become a communication gap, said Nikhil Taneja, co-founder and CEO of Yuvaa. The Family Centre includes resources such Dealing with Exam Stress guide; an LGBTQ guide on being safe online; and a guide to Buidling Health Digital Habits. Tech giant has created a sample app for teams that allow people to sign documents during remote meetings. According to Windows Central, the application lets users add a document to a meeting for attendees to sign, such as a purchase agreement, invoice, or NDA. The sample app was made by Teams Ecosystem Engineering as a proof of concept aimed at independent software vendors (ISVs) or other customers implementing it. The entire project is available and documented on GitHub, which should help organisations that would like to use it within meetings, the report said. The app allows users to add a document to a meeting to be reviewed or signed by attendees. It supports Teams single-sign-on (SSO) for authentication. The report mentioned that it also supports sharing content during a meeting stage, adaptive cards, and the Teams people picker. noted that the app could be adapted to work with other scenarios that require signing off, such as reviewing and approving code or working together on a document. The sample app is currently available for desktop clients of Teams. Mobile and web support is on the way, though did not specify when in its Tech Community post announcing the feature, the report said. Currently, the app only works with users from the same organisation or tenant. Guest and anonymous user support are also on the way, it added. --IANS vc/dpb (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi [India], September 15 (ANI/NewsVoir): Grant Thornton Bharat led the recently concluded sale of Cians Analytics to Equistone-backed Acuity Knowledge Partners. The firm was the exclusive transaction advisor to the shareholders of Cians Analytics. Founded in 2009, Cians Analytics provides high-quality, cost-effective research and analytical support for global investment banks, private equity funds, corporations, and portfolio companies allowing them to significantly reduce operating costs. Its' diverse pool of talent, including financial researchers, developers, and data scientists allows the in-house teams of Cians' clients to better focus on strategic initiatives and increase output. Aditya Khanna, Partner, Lead Advisory at Grant Thornton Bharat, who led the transaction said, "With synergistic service/product offerings and market focus, this acquisition significantly expands Acuity Knowledge Partners' client base and significantly bolsters the value proposition the company provides to both customers and employees." Siddhartha Nigam, National Managing Partner, Growth Advisory at Grant Thornton said, "The transaction strongly validates increasing traction for the outsourcing sector on the back of economic uncertainty and increasing emphasis within organisations of focusing on their core value propositions. With successive deals across the technology / Outsourcing stack in the past 12 months, this further reinforces Grant Thornton's position as the advisor of choice for unlocking value in this sector." "The combination of both firms not only increases the capabilities to offer our combined client set but also allows our employees and customers to have a truly global engagement team and experience," said Cians Analytics Co-founder and Co-CEO, Anmol Bhandari. "We often saw each other in engagements and in the marketplace, it ultimately made sense to combine offerings, clients and to give the customers and employees the best both firms can offer." "This is a win-win situation for our most important stakeholders, our clients and our employees," said Cians Analytics Co-founder and Co-CEO, Aman Chowdhury. "Both firms have a history of delivering high-quality services to a discerning and sophisticated client set, spread across the globe. While both firms work with similar types of clients, our services and focus areas are often complementary. This sets the combined firm up as the pre-eminent firm in our industry, going forward." Grant Thornton Bharat was recently conferred with two global M & A awards: 'M & A Firm of the Year Award (mid-market category)' and 'Cross Border Deal of the Year' at the recent M & A Atlas Awards 2021. As one of India's leading transaction advisors, this recognition has further strengthened the efforts of the firm toward shaping a vibrant India and creating gold standards in consulting and advisory. Cians Analytics was founded in 2009 by Anmol Bhandari and Aman Chowdhury, to provide high-quality, cost-effective research and analytical support for global investment banks, private equity funds, corporations, and portfolio companies allowing them to do more with their time and significantly reduce operating costs. Cians supports financial clients across the entire transaction spectrum from initial investment screening, business and financial due diligence, and market entry/market sizing to post- closing portfolio company/market update maintenance work. The Cians Analytics workforce - known for its industry-leading employee retention rate - is composed of individuals who yield the highest calibre expertise in investment banking and research, equity research, and general business research and analytics. Cians' value proposition lies in the flexibility of its engagement model, allowing clients to have total control, adding capability and operating capacity while ultimately lowering costs. Acuity Knowledge Partners is a leading research, analytics, and business intelligence consultant to the financial services sector. The company's network of analysts and industry experts, combined with advanced data and technology, supports over 420 financial institutions and consulting companies worldwide to operate more efficiently, and unlock their human capital, driving revenues higher and transforming operations. It specializes in investment banking, investment research, private equity & consulting and commercial lending. Acuity is headquartered in London and operates from nine locations worldwide. In 2019, the company was established as a separate business from Moody's Corporation through its acquisition by Equistone Partners. Equistone is an independent investment firm wholly owned and managed by its executives. The company is one of Europe's leading investors in mid-market buyouts with a strong, consistent track record spanning over 40 years, with more than 400 transactions completed in this period. Equistone has a strong focus on the change of ownership deals and aims to invest between EUR25m and EUR200m+ of equity in various businesses. The company has a team of over 40 investment professionals operating across France, Germany, Switzerland, and the UK, investing as a strategic partner alongside management teams. Equistone is currently investing its sixth buyout fund, which held a final closing at its EUR2.8bn hard cap in March 2018, and has recently launched the Equistone Reinvestment Fund, with a mandate to make minority re-investments alongside new sponsors following a portfolio company exit from one of its main buyout funds. Equistone is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Grant Thornton Bharat is a member of Grant Thornton International Ltd. The firm is at the forefront of helping reshape the values in our profession. We are helping shape various industry ecosystems through our work across assurance, tax, risk, transactions, technology and consulting, and are going beyond to shape a more vibrant Bharat. This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content in this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jodhpur (Rajasthan) [India], September 15 (ANI/NewsVoir): To commemorate the 20th foundation day of India's leading ed-tech firm Utkarsh classes, the CEO and Co-founder, Dr Nirmal Gehlot inaugurated the new cardiac thoracic wing of Mathuradas Mathur hospital in Jodhpur. The refurbished wing has operation theatres, and outpatient wards and will offer world-class cardiac health facilities to the poorer sections of society. Talking on the occasion, Dr Nirmal Gehlot said, "Heart diseases have been a major health concern in India. The treatment is expensive and often unaffordable to the poorer sections of society. This initiative attempts at bridging the gap and ensuring that everyone has access to world-class healthcare in the cardiac space." According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India accounts for one-fifth of all cardiovascular deaths worldwide. Unfortunately, the majority of these affect younger people. According to the study on the burden of disease, India had 272 cardiovascular deaths for every 100,000 people, which is much higher than the global average of 235.Utkarsh Classes is a pioneer in the industry founded by Dr Nirmal Gehlot in 2002. Starting as a small two-room brick-and-mortar unit, Utkarsh currently has over 1,200 employees, including 170 educators across categories and over 20 million students across its online and offline platforms, learning app, and YouTube channel. Utkarsh provides online and offline learning modes for central and state government exams, all-India competitive exams such as IIT-JEE, NEET, and CLAT, and school education for Classes 6th to 12th, CBSE, and eight state boards. It also specializes in all-India and state-level government tests for IAS, banking, defence services, state Public Service Commission, and teaching exams. This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content in this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A (SC) bench, headed by Chief Justice UU Lalit, is hearing a bunch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the 103rd amendment act, passed on January 12, 2019. The amendment provided a 10 per cent quota in government jobs and educational institutes to people belonging to economically weaker sections (EWS) of the society. Who is eligible Families other than those covered in SC, ST, and OBC with a gross annual income of less than Rs 8 lakh per annum are eligible to be covered as EWS after the Act was passed. The educational institutes run by minority communities were excluded from the ambit of the Act. Why was the amendment challenged in court? On January 10, 2019, even before the amendment was shown a green flag by the President, several petitions were filed in the stating that the amendment violates the basic structure of the Constitution. The basic structure are the most fundamental rules that need to be held at all costs in every legislation. In the Indra Sawhney & Others vs Union of India case, 1992, the stated that no amendment that violates the Constitution's basic structure would be valid. It further stated that the total number of reserved seats and positions could not exceed 50 per cent of the total. Also, economic backwardness cannot be the sole reason for reservation. There are three main points the Supreme Court has to decide: Is the reservation based solely on economic backwardness constitutionally valid? Is the reservation in private institutes based on EWS valid? The Act excludes SCs, STs, and OBCs from the definition of EWS. Is that constitutionally valid? What is the government's stance? The government has said that although the 50 per cent limit was fixed in the 1992 judgement, it can be breached if quantifiable data supports the argument. Also, it added that the Act aims to bring equality to society, and EWS can be uplifted solely on economic grounds. PRAGUE, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Czech Republic's defense spending could reach 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2024, a year earlier than previously planned, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said here on Thursday. According to Fiala, it will not be easy to reach this goal from the point of view of the budget and the Ministry of Defense's capacities. This year, the ministry manages a budget of 89 billion Czech crowns (3.64 billion U.S. dollars). The Czech News Agency said if 2 percent of GDP is to be spent on defense in 2024, the budget would have to be raised "by some 30 billion crowns next year and again in the following year." Fiala said that the ministry has suffered from long-term underfunding, which has posed problems to the army's modernization schedule, but that his government has taken steps in recent months to move the process forward. These include acquisition projects, such as talks with Sweden to acquire CV90 combat vehicles and with the United States on the purchase of F-35 fighter jets. In its policy statement unveiled in January, the government promised to commit 2 percent of GDP to defense spending by 2025. As per a 2006 agreement, members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are obliged to spend 2 percent of their GDP on defense in order to maintain the alliance's military readiness. (1 crown = 0.041 U.S. dollars) ROME, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The head of Eni, Italy's largest oil and gas company said he thought his country would be able to make it through the upcoming winter without major problems despite Russia's decision to cut off gas supplies, Italian media reported on Thursday. Based on increased gas imports from Algeria, nearly full natural gas reserves and energy conservation measures, Italy should be able to get through the winter without Russian gas as long as there were no prolonged spells of unusually cold weather, said Claudio Descalzi, Eni's chief executive officer (CEO), at the Milan-Paris Capitals event. Before the start of the conflict in Ukraine, Italy was the second largest importer of Russian gas in the EU behind only Germany. "If the winter is mild on average, we will be able to make it," he said. "We must be very focused. This winter will be the most difficult. We have to diversify energy sources and, obviously, it is necessary to continue on the path for renewables." Descalzi also outlined Eni's strategy to reduce the company's reliance on Russian gas. Eni, a multinational company, also operates in countries not subject to Russia's decision to cut off gas supplies to the European Union (EU). "Between this year and next, our plan is to reduce by just over 50 percent the amount of gas we import from Russia," the CEO said. "By 2023 and 2024, we will reach an 80-percent reduction and we will be 100 percent free of Russian gas by 2024-2025." WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- A group of undocumented migrants gathered outside of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris' residence in U.S. capital Washington, D.C., Thursday morning. Texas Governor Greg Abbott confirmed in a tweet that "two Texas buses of migrants" have arrived at the U.S. Naval Observatory. Abbott, a Republican, accused Harris of denying acknowledging a crisis at the southern border due to an inflow of migrants. "We're sending migrants to her backyard to call on the Biden administration to do its job & secure the border," the governor wrote. For months, Abbott and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey have bused migrants to states and cities run by Democrats, who responded by denouncing the moves as a political stunt. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, another Republican, made a similar move on Wednesday by sending two planes of migrants to Martha's Vineyard, an island in Massachusetts. Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a public emergency last week in response to the thousands of migrants arriving in the city by bus from Arizona and Texas. Approximately 9,400 migrants have been bused to the U.S. capital, according to Bowser's office. The latest batch of migrants sent to Washington, D.C., on Thursday reportedly included individuals from Venezuela, Uruguay, Colombia, and Mexico. A volunteer from a non-governmental organization told the migrants outside of the Naval Observatory that they would be going to a local church. Bowser previously asked the National Guard to be activated to assist with migrants coming to the city but her requests have been denied by the Pentagon. CAMEROUN :: JEAN BLAISE GWET: " I am in favour of a special status for the former President of the Republic" :: CAMEROON Jean Blaise GWET, the man who aspires to replace President Paul Biya, is a truly atypical man. A being whose octopus-like tentacles extend over all aspects of a nation's life. This multi-faceted businessman, born in Babimbi-Ngambe in the coastline, officiates between Africa and the old continent: notably between Cameroon, his country, and France, his adopted land. He is determined to make Cameroon a truly emerging country. Jean Blaise GWET gives us through this interview some lines of his program on the Anglophone crisis, the economy, youth, women, the state of the opposition, the issue of the status of former heads of state and the Frankist Movement.His words suggest that he is well on his way for assuming the duties of Head of State. The Anglophone crisis promises to be a major issue in the presidential campaign. What do you propose to resolve it? Since 2017, Cameroon has been in the grip of a deadly conflict in the two English-speaking regions of the Northwest and Southwest. This conflict has already caused the death of more than 4,000 civilians; nearly 700,000 people are internally displaced and today, more than 1.5 million are in need of humanitarian assistance. One thing is certain: if nothing is done, other pockets of tension are likely to open up and we will be heading straight for a civil war that could contaminate the entire sub-region. I deplore the fact that to date there is no credible agenda for negotiations that could bring about peace and reconciliation. What do you think of those Cameroonians who believe that there will only be change in Cameroon through arms? The exasperation of Cameroonians in the face of the multiple crises that our country is going through, among others in Noso, can prevent some of our fellow citizens from thinking: they are thus forced to summon even chaos to serve as an escape route. Unfortunately, Cameroonians love their nation and are not ready for chaos. As a proof, during the last presidential elections, only 3 590 681 Cameroonians voted out of a population of 26 514 652. My mission is to reassure our desperate brothers by telling them about the psychology of the Cameroonian, peaceful at heart and inhabited by a secular responsibility to protect the land of our ancestors and his own property. It is the depth of this attachment that imprints in me the firm conviction that the shortcuts privileged by adventurers will have difficulty to prosper in Cameroon. Moreover, I am doing my utmost to ensure that the changeover announces and prefigures the rise of our country to the green heights from which it should never have descended. I therefore invite all my brothers and sisters to join us in this new work of building a new Cameroon, so that we walk together towards the essential: To build together a strong, prosperous and united nation. What would you say about the need for "better decentralization" that could go as far as federalism? The grievances of Anglophones are deep but have not been addressed. Anglophone Cameroonians have long complained about the almost total domination of public life by Francophones, whose elite use their power to marginalize them in the allocation of resources for economic development. They feel that whenever they have protested, they have been severely repressed both under Ahmadou Ahidjo's administration (1960-1982) and under Paul Biya's since 1982. From my point of view, each region should benefit equally from our wealth. Anglophones want to participate equitably in the management, not only of the North-West and South-West regions, but of the whole of Cameroon. We can adopt a stronger regionalism, but not a federation. We must send them a sign of peace: I am ready to engage in the necessary negotiations for peace and reconciliation. But I believe that it is up to Cameroonians to decide on this issue through the National Assembly or by referendum. Paul BIYA has not yet declared his candidacy. Do you think he will? The question is not whether Paul Biya will be a candidate or not. The question is to know what legacy we want to leave to our children? We must have the courage to face reality: Cameroonians are waiting for change. We must put in place the conditions of life that promote peace, social cohesion and the blossoming of each citizen. This requires a strong economy, controlled urbanization, health coverage for every Cameroonian citizen, life insurance for the military and police, dual citizenship and active involvement of the Diaspora in public, economic and social life in Cameroon. Impossible is not Cameroonian. If you are elected, what will become of President Paul BIYA? I am in favour of a special status for the former President of the Republic and his family who will enjoy all the honours and privileges due to their rank. Paul BIYA must be able to retire peacefully in his country. His experience and advice will be useful to me to govern Cameroon tomorrow. I am also in favor of the rehabilitation of President Ahmadou Ahidjo and the return of his remains to his native land. What would you do with the former dignitaries imprisoned under Operation Sparrowhawk? I am in favor of their release. The important thing is not to have them behind bars, but to recover the money diverted, to create industries, to offer jobs to the youth, to put in place justice for all, without any witch-hunt. We will make sure that those who come to office do not come to plunder public property. We must fight nepotism, corruption and put work back at the center of the values of the Republic. I want to make Cameroon a land of prosperity and modernity. We must dispel the fear of change, because it is necessary for the development of our country and our people. At the economic level, what kind of change are you talking about? Private investment should be encouraged and the economy should be boosted. The idea of an African currency is also to be considered. But we should not be afraid of the renationalization of the water, energy, rail and air transport sectors either. The presidential election is a one-round affair. What can the opposition parties do against a party with a majority in both houses of parliament? Wouldn't the lack of a coalition cause the opposition to lose? For my part, Cameroon would gain by organizing a two-round presidential election with a term limit of 5 years for the head of state, renewable once. This is necessary for any democratic country, which presents several candidates to a presidential election. I take advantage of your interview to salute the courage and contribution of our elders in politics. Chairman John FRU NDI, Minister of State Bello BOUBA MAIGARI, Minister Issa TCHIROMA, Me YONDO Black, the late Minister Augustin Frederic KODOK etc. Without forgetting the one who made this democracy possible, President Paul BIYA. Each candidate has certainly some good, but it is our turn. With deep conviction, I know that we will win the next presidential election, for the peace and happiness of our people. Nevertheless, I must acknowledge that the political framework influences the strategies of the opposition political parties in their attempts to gain power at the top of the state. Of course, we know that in Africa, political parties in power use public resources to campaign and often tend to monopolize the public media, leaving little opportunity for the opposition to address the people properly. Coalition agreements between opposition parties are sometimes necessary to facilitate a change of government, as together they have a good chance of defeating the ruling party. But very often, given their often divergent and selfish objectives, they never manage to reach an agreement. It is a question today of looking the truth in the face and understanding that things are getting worse and worse in our country and that the Cameroonian people are demanding that power be handed over to them. My mission and my duty is to restore hope and confidence to our people. I pledge to do so in 2025. I ask all my elders in politics, all the political parties of the majority and the opposition, my brother and elder Maurice KAMTO, to join us in this new work of national reconstruction, so that together we bring to our people the hope and happiness they are waiting for. Mr. President, what program do you have for the youth and women? Youth and Women are central to my Commitments for Cameroon, new generation from 2025. We will put in place youth and women employment programs. These programs will allow each young person and each woman to get a job when they leave school or training. I will have a majority of young people and women at the head of all the positions of the Nation: in the City Councils, Regional Councils, National Assembly, Senates, Ministers, State and Parastatal Companies. With regard to politics in particular, I will give young people and women the taste and desire to engage in politics. Because it is not politics that does not fascinate, but it is the way it is done in our country that does not interest anyone. I encourage them to stand up in their villages, in their cities, in their regions, to run for all elected positions. I will validate all their lists at the next elections. What do you think of Frankism, this movement of succession from father to son? The presidency of a country is far from being a monarchy. Africa has become the continent par excellence where, in some countries when the father is no longer in business, it is the son who takes the reins. Examples of certain countries, which I will not mention, speak volumes about this pattern. But I trust the wisdom and foresight of President Paul BIYA, who certainly knows that leaving his son in this position would be a disservice to the Nation, to himself and especially to his son who may suffer the same fate as the son of a former president in West Africa. I think that he should let his son live his life in Cameroon quietly. If he wants to participate in the affairs of the nation, I will be happy to work with him, as with every Cameroonian. It is said that rumors have spread around the world that President Macron has visited Cameroon to endorse the son. If France wants to stop the spread of anti-French sentiment in Africa, it must let Cameroonians freely choose their candidate in 2025. This time we are ready. Thank you Jean Blaise GWET for this interview. I am the one thanking you Basically, there are two reasons why automakers would design and build a car. Either theyre doing it for the sheer passion of it, or becaus... Hoffmann Green signs exclusive deal with Cemblend ICR Newsroom By 15 September 2022 France-based Hoffmann Green Cement Technologies, a specialist producer of extremely low-carbon cements, has signed its first partnership agreement in the UK with Cemblend, a supplier of customised cement powder mixes to the UK cementitious industry. From the second half of 2022, Hoffmann Green will supply Cemblend with its clinker-free, decarbonised cements - H-IONA, H-UKR and H-EVA - which Cemblend will then distribute to its customers in the UK and Ireland. According to Hoffmann Green, this exclusive deal once again proves the attractiveness of the companys carbon-free solutions and is reportedly the first step towards signing a licence agreement that could see Cemblend, which began operations in 2020, building and operating a production site similar to Hoffmanns H2 production unit, reports businesswire. Matthew Cunningham and Simon Boulter, directors at Cemblend, said, The Hoffmann Green technologies enable us to think outside the box and beyond the traditional boundaries of construction. Hoffmann Green cements are highly decarbonised and offer high technical performance, allowing us to respond to the strong demand for eco-responsible materials in our region. Earlier this month, Hoffmann Green signed a three-year cement supply contract with real estate developer P2i. From 2022-25, Hoffmann Green will supply P2i with its H-UKR and H-IONA cements for the construction of houses, offices and other business premises in the Grand Ouest region of France. Founded in 1994, P2i has already delivered more than 3000 homes and 32,000ft2 of commercial property. Started in 2014 and based in Bournezeau, western France, Hoffmann Green Cement Technologies designs, produces and distributes innovative extremely low-carbon cements with a carbon footprint six times lower than traditional cement that offer, at equivalent dosage and with no alteration to the concrete manufacturing process, superior performances than traditional cement. With one 4.0 industrial site already operational and two new sites on the way, the group has industrialised a technological breakthrough based on alterations to cements composition and the creation of a clean, heating-free and clinker-free manufacturing process. Published under This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler announced Thursday that Georgia's August unemployment rate was 2.8 percent for the second consecutive month while jobs numbers reached another all-time high increasing almost 16,000 from July. Georgia's unemployment rate was nine-tenths of a percent lower than the national August 2022 unemployment rate of 3.7 percent. Many of Georgias newly created jobs will be highlighted at a multi-employer virtual career fair for the Metro Atlanta region on Thursday, September 29 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Currently, 13 employers are participating, with more expected to attend. There are over 1,900 job openings in several fields, including policing, utility service, sales, customer service, transportation, mail sorting, collections and more. We have found that the new normal for jobhunting is less door to door and more virtual connection, said Comm. Butler. Our agency connects jobseekers with open positions quickly and effectively utilizing Employ Georgia and virtual job fairs benefitting employers and employees across the state. For more information about the upcoming virtual job fair, visit https://bit.ly/3cCmUwi to view registration information and additional details, including a list of updated employers. Job numbers increased 15,800 from July to August to an all-time high of 4,824,500. Job gains included opportunities in Educational Services, 3,200, Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, 3,000, Specialty Trade Contractors, 2,200, Local Government, 1,700, Durable Goods Manufacturing, 1,200, Transportation and Warehousing, 1,000, and Health Care, 1,000. Job numbers were at an all-time high in Trade and Transportation, 1,020,000, including the Retail Trade, Wholesale Trade and Transportation and Warehousing sectors, in Professional and Business Services, 790,700, including the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services sector, and in Education and Health Services, 634,300, including the Health Care and Social Assistance sector. The sectors with the most over-the-year job gains included Accommodation and Food Services, 32,700, Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, 23,400, Administrative and Support Services, 23,000, Transportation and Warehousing, 20,200, Retail Trade, 19,800, Health Care and Social Assistance, 19,400 and Wholesale Trade, 15,400. For the first time this year, Georgia saw a drop in the number of employed residents of 6,256 to 5,129,255 in August. The labor force was down 6,784 for the second consecutive month to 5,278,905. The number of unemployed was down 528 to 149,650, the lowest figure since January 2001's number of 147,077. There are over 220,000 jobs listed online at EmployGeorgia.com, resulting in a minimum of over 290,000 unfilled positions. Market salaries for the jobs listed on Employ Georgia range from $23,000 to $98,000, showing a median salary of $41,000. Employers with over 1,000 job postings included Amazon, 2,000, Emory Healthcare, 1,400, Walmart, 1,200, Elevance Health, 1,200, Emory University, 1,000, and Home Depot, 1,000. Industries with over 10,000 job postings included Health Care, 37,000, Retail Trade, 21,000, Accommodation and Food Services, 18,000, Manufacturing, 16,000, Finance and Insurance, 14,000, and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services, 12,000. Initial claims were down 1,795 (6 percent) from July to 26,750 in August. Over the year, initial claims were down 21,122 (44 percent). For personalized assistance, employers can reach Georgia Department of Labor staff at https://dol.georgia.gov/employeremail. Additionally, by visiting Employ Georgia, employers can manage job openings and access the state's talent pool. GDOL's Career Centers are providing in-person employment services for customers across the state. For more information on jobs and current labor force data, visit Georgia LaborMarket Explorer to view a comprehensive report. Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful is seeking volunteers for four cleanups beginning Oct. 1 that will be held in three states during October, which is celebrated as "Keep the Tennessee River Watershed Beautiful Month presented by Oris." Volunteers will be taken out on five 30-foot john boats to clean shorelines identified with large deposits of litter. Each of the four cleanups will take place in Tennessee, Mississippi and Kentucky along the Tennessee River in locations that have been impacted by flooding, tornados or both in recent years. This year, Keep the Tennessee River Watershed Beautiful Month has a $15,000 title sponsorship from the international Swiss watch-making company, Oris. Each volunteer that participates will receive free swag from both KTNRB and Oris. Keep the Tennessee River Watershed Beautiful Month is always a big difference-making campaign, and were proud to have an international, water quality-minded company like Oris demonstrating leadership to others for this important cause, said Kathleen Gibi, KTNRB executive director. Last year, the companys 42 employees from Oris North American office participated in a cleanup with KTNRB, pulling out 4,280 lbs. of trash. Oris recently reached a climate-neutral status after achieving net zero greenhouse emissions, meaning that Oris gas emissions put out are equal to or less than the emissions they save, officials said. Ms. Gibi said that the celebratory month is often the bread and butter of their trash totals and that the group is staged to easily reach their 115,000-pound goal for the year with the upcoming cleanups. The month will also include proclamations from governors and mayors across the Tennessee River watershed. Additionally, those who are unable to participate in a cleanup can still help protect the Tennessee River by making a pledge in KTNRBs #Pledge4Rivers campaign during October. We're thrilled to continue our partnership with KTNRB as part of Oris' Change For The Better Initiative, said V.J. Geronimo, Oris CEO, North America. By partnering for four cleanups in 2022, we want to do our part to help keep the Tennessee River Beautiful!" KTNRB is partnering once again with Living Lands & Waters, a national nonprofit that cleans North American rivers and who will bring three of their 30-foot aluminum boats, adding to KTNRBs two boats, so that even more volunteers can participate. The cleanups during Keep the Tennessee River Watershed Beautiful Month are scheduled as follows: - Saturday, Oct. 1, Knoxville | Fort Loudoun Lake - Sunday, Oct. 2, Chattanooga | Chickamauga Lake - Friday, Oct. 21, Hardin, Tn./Iuka, Ms. | Pickwick Lake - Saturday, Oct. 22, Benton, Ky. | Kentucky Lake Volunteers may register for any cleanup at www.KeepTNRiverBeautiful.org/upcomingcleanups. The Tennessee Department of Transportations Nobody Trashes Tennessee campaign has funded the cost of contracting LL&W to participate for the cleanups in Tennessee and TVA is covering the contracting costs for the cleanups held in Mississippi and Kentucky. Ms. Gibi said that it was the Tennessee Valley Authority, that originally challenged KTNRB to celebrate an awareness month for the Tennessee River. The awareness month was launched in the state of Tennessee in 2018 and has now expanded into a seven-state awareness campaign in 2022. Proclamations from governors and mayors within the Tennessee River watershed are pursued during the month. Last year, four governors and four mayors issued proclamations for Keep the Tennessee River Watershed Beautiful Month. TVA and Keep Tennessee Beautiful (funded by the Tennessee Department of Transportation) were the founding partners who initiated the formation of KTNRB as a nonprofit that would champion support and protection for the 652-mile Tennessee River. Since forming, KTNRB has rallied nearly 2,700 volunteers to remove over 416,000 pounds of trash from the Tennessee River watershed. As KTRWB Month is celebrated in different states, Keep Tennessee Beautiful, Keep Mississippi Beautiful and the Land Between the Lakes are serving as acting co-organizers. Local nonprofits such as other Keep America Beautiful affiliates and the Friends of Land Between the Lakes are also supporting partners. The #Pledge4Rivers campaign offers an opportunity for those who want to help the Tennessee Riverwatershed during Keep the Tennessee River Watershed Beautiful Month, but are unable attend a cleanup. The program allows individuals to pledge to end their consumption of one single-use item for a year, preventing the chance for litter existing in the first place. KTNRB launched this program during the COVID quarantine in 2020, and pledges made in 2021 alone saved 16,432 single-use items from becoming waste, potentially winding up as litter. To make a pledge for the Tennessee River, visit www.KeepTNRiverBeautiful.org/pledge4rivers. We love celebrating this month because it brings individuals, groups, organizations, elected officials, and even international companies together in prioritizing our precious river, said Ms. Gibi. Our slogan is Your River. Your Impact. and its truewhen it comes to our waterways, you get what you give, so its inspiring to see so many taking the right steps. For more information on Keep the Tennessee River Watershed Beautiful Month presented by Oris, visit www.KeepTNRiverBeautiful.org/ktnrwb-month. A new CARTA ride service that was quietly put into place three weeks ago has brought a host of headaches, but officials said they aim to work out the kinks. CARTA GO is a shared ride service that operates within and around the Cromwell, East Brainerd, Eastdale and North Brainerd communities "that also allows easy connection to the #4 Eastgate/Hamilton Place bus route. Book a ride straight from your smartphone and get picked up in minutes." Those using the new app are told, "Let us know where you are and what your destination is within the service zone, and we will take you there!" The test zone includes Bonny Oaks Drive, Shallowford Road, Cromwell Hills, East Brainerd, Eastdale, Enterprise South Industrial Park, Hamilton Place Mall and North Brainerd communities, "making easy connections with the #4 Eastgate/Hamilton Place bus route every 30 minutes at the Brainerd Walmart on Greenway View Drive, and at Hamilton Place Mall beginning at 5 a.m. until 8 p.m." CARTA Executive Director Lisa Maragnano said the agency is working on the project with VIA, an Internet ride service that has contracts with a number of large U.S. cities and has been in Memphis for almost two years. She said Nashville is also considering using VIA. She told CARTA board members, "This has not gone well at all. I have had some sleepless nights. But we're not stopping. We are in this for the long haul." She said CARTA staff members have been at bus stops helping customers navigate the new system, but she said that cannot continue indefinitely. There are also issues involving driver shift changes, it was stated. Ms. Maragnano said the GPS has not always taken drivers to the correct address - especially in the confusing Hamilton Place section. She said the small number of CARTA customers without phones are at a loss, and some customers do not understand that the bus will not show up at their house, but at the corner. She said longtime customers in the test district don't understand why they can't change buses as before, but now are told they should have booked the ride. On the other hand, she said Internet savvy customers love the service - especially the ability to get directly to their destination without going out of the way or riding more than one bus. And she said the numbers have been positive on bus use in the district under the system. Board Chairman John Bilderback said, "I would rather be on the front end of this" despite the glitches. Lakecha Strickland, president of ATU Local 1212, said, "CARTA did not inform the community we serve by having a public hearing. The new app will be great once all the technical issues are taken care of - especially for those who can navigate it. "But our major concern as drivers is the people we serve - the blind, the incompetent with mental and physical disabilities and people who do not have a cellphone due to economic issues. The app has been a challenge for them." Philip Pugliese, transportation system planner, said the system utilizes smaller Care-A-Van type buses. He said he has funding to add small electric buses for the service. Facts about CARTA GO: POPULAR DESTINATIONS: Hamilton Place Mall Walmart (Gunbarrel Road) Chattanooga VA Clinic Volkswagen Chattanooga State of Tennessee Department of Motor Vehicle Services (DMV) Walmart (Greenway View Drive-Brainerd) Social Security Administration Erlanger East Hospital Amazon Fulfillment Center The Health Center at Standifer Place SERVICE HOURS: Monday through Saturday, 5 a.m. until 8 p.m. BUS FARE: $1.50 one way; 75 for senior citizens, people with disabilities or students in grades 6-12. A CARTA issued photo ID card (Special Fare ID or Student Bye Pass) is required for the half fare. CARTAs unlimited ride bus passes are also accepted. HOLIDAY SERVICE: Route not in service on Sundays, New Years Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Memorial Day, buses run on a Saturday schedule. The Concurrent Grand Jury reported that it more than doubled the cases it heard compared to the prior session. Foreman Hugh Moore said the credit was given to prosecutor Kate Lavery for working closely with police departments to efficiently line up the cases. Here is the full report: Concurrent Grand Jury adapts to COVID-19 Several jurors were absent from sessions because of COVID-19 illness or exposure, but because we had six alternate Jurors available this term, we never had a problem obtaining a quorum. The addition of two additional alternates (in addition to the four as selected at previous terms) was a great assistance in finding enough Jurors to provide a full Jury for each session. We recommend that the Clerk continue this practice of the selection of six alternate Jurors for each panel. Cases Presented This Concurrent Grand Jury heard an incredible total of almost 500 cases, more than twice as many cases as were heard during the January April, 2022 term. (There were 389 true bills, 83 presentments, and six no bills, for a total of 478 cases.) This extraordinary amount of accomplishment is almost totally the result of the diligent and creative work of Assistant District Attorney Kate Lavery, who is assigned to the Concurrent Grand Jury. She has contacted and worked with each of the suburban law enforcement jurisdictions to encourage them to designate one representative to handle as many cases as possible, at one time, from each department. (The Chattanooga Police Department is the leader in this respect. Sgt. April Bolton collects as many as 20 cases from various CPD officers to present each week. She and the CPD deserve gold stars.) ADA Lavery has also worked to review the oldest cases on the Grand Jury docket, to determine whether the arresting officer is still available, and to then see that either the arresting officer is encouraged to present her/his cases, or to see that the case is reassigned to a current officer. Whereas in the past the Jury has adjourned very early in the afternoon because of no witnesses being present, this Jury often worked a full day, from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm, hearing and ruling upon cases. ADA Lavery's outstanding work in this regard must be commended. Past juries have often complained about the inefficient use of their time. Not this Jury. They worked hard, and were glad to do so. Inspections of Facilities Because of COVID-19 and security issues, the Concurrent Grand Jury was not able to inspect and report upon conditions at the Silverdale Correctional Facility, or the Hamilton County Juvenile Court Facility. Perhaps these inspections can resume in 2023. Presentations from Judges and others A highlight for each Concurrent Grand Jury is that Judges and other officials take the time out of their schedules to speak with the jury, and answer questions. Very few of the Jurors have any familiarity with the criminal justice system. These presentations allow the Jurors to meet and talk with people in a forum that won't be available to them again. This term Sheriff Jim Hammond, Criminal Court Judges Barry Steelman, Don Poole, and Tom Greenholtz, and General Sessions Judge Alex McVeigh, each made well received and much appreciated appearances before the Concurrent Grand Jury. Law Enforcement The Jurors heard presentations from scores of law enforcement personnel, from almost every agency within Hamilton County. They were impressed with the professionalism of the individuals, and also by the technical expertise and assets available. One Juror specifically commented on a negative political wristband visibly worn by one testifying officer (see below). The same negative phrase was displayed for a time on a magnet prominently positioned in the Grand Jury waiting room. Individual jurisdictions can determine how to handle this, but at least one Juror found this "totally inappropriate." A second Juror noticed and commented on the wristband after a Jury session. Comments from Grand Jurors Each term members of the Concurrent Grand Jury are encouraged to prepare submissions to be included in the Report. Those submissions for this Term are: ** Thank you for the opportunity to be a Grand Juror. It was a pleasure to meet everyone. I have learned a lot in reference to how law enforcement looks at evidence and also the new changes in some of the laws. I pray for safety for our officers as they risk their lives to ensure our safety, again thank you GOD BLESS. ** In my time on the Grand Jury we heard cases from just about every law enforcement agency in the county. I was consistently impressed with the professionalism of all of the officers testifying before us. I was particularly impressed by the painstaking and intricate detective work that went into unraveling several very complex cases. The persistence and attention to detail shown by these officers is remarkable. The overwhelming volume of cases amazed me in our criminal court system. Some days it felt like no matter how many cases we heard, we barely made a dent in the stack of cases waiting to be presented. The general public only sees or hears about the headline cases, but not the hundreds of cases that are just as important, but fly under the radar. One common problem was the long turnaround time for lab results from the TBI crime lab. There is probably no easy solution, but it does seem to delay the final resolution of many cases. We didnt get to do any of the normal tours due to Covid and other safety concerns. A good future tour would be the real time intelligence center (RTIC) since it played a prominent role in several of the cases we heard. Several of the judges gave presentations that really helped us to understand the role and importance of the grand jury system. Since a number of our cases had a gang association, it would be good to have the director of the CPD Gang Unit provide a briefing for the next Grand Jury. At some future point, I hope that our successor Grand Jurors will get an increase in pay. The current $13/day doesnt even cover the cost of driving in and lunch each day. Jurors shouldnt lose money while providing such a critically important service to the community. And last, but certainly not least, we could not possibly have accomplished all that we did without the organization and leadership of Kate Lavery, ADA and Hugh Moore, Grand Jury Foreman. Having an ADA available to us to interpret the applicable laws was invaluable, and Mr. Moore kept us staffed and provided very effective direction. ** Thank you it was a privilege to be a member of the Grand Jury. ADA Kate Lavery was pivotal to our success. Thank you again. ** While I have served on numerous juries in my life, this was my first time on a Grand Jury. And, I have to say this Grand Jury experience was far more interesting and educational. Several of the presenters opened my eyes on just how bad people can be, and the amount and severity of crime these officers see every day and how they work across departments to help each other. The service that the Foreperson and ADA Kate Lavery provided to members of the Grand Jury was / is invaluable to help guide us and understand the process and our responsibilities as a grand Juror. Im sorry to learn that the Grand Jury ADA position has been eliminated. I especially liked hearing from the Judges to get their perspective of what they see in court and gain a little understanding of their beliefs and thought process. While we heard from many presenters, a smaller percentage really came prepared, presented their case, and answered questions from the jury members. A larger percentage of presenters were less prepared and seemed to struggle in their presentations. It might be that theyre uncomfortable presenting, didnt have time to review the case, or that they were there just to check the box. A recommended improvement would be to provide guidance / training on what to do prior to presenting, or teach them how to present. I would like to see more presentations that are special from all the judges and possibility include some from other assistant DAs and maybe even the Current DA. Hearing from Sheriff Hammond was great and hopefully the new sheriff will be able to make an appearance with each Grand Jury. Maybe also include the Chief of Police, or one of their deputies, from each of the smaller communities. The one negative I have is that one presenter was wearing a wristband that said Lets Go Brandon. While I support freedom of speech and support of whatever political party you support, I think wearing that band in a formal setting like the courthouse was totally inappropriate. Again, I would like to thank the Foreperson and ADA Kate Lavery for everything they have done. It has been a pleasure to work with them. ** It has been my honor and privilege to serve my fellow citizens of Hamilton County as a member of the Grand Jury the last four months, (May-August). But, before I get into my thoughts about the term itself, I think there is something about me that I should mention. I have a disability, and because of this, I use a wheelchair. For the most part, I dont let my disability stop me from living the life of a normal 27-year-old. In fact, on the whole it didnt really affect my jury experience. In fact, my jury service made me realize something that because of my disability I wouldnt have realized otherwise. But, I will get into that a little later. There was one aspect of my service where my disability did cause some issues however. That was in the accessibility of certain areas of courthouse. Such as being able to use certain restrooms, and parking arrangements. I am not going to spend time on those concerns at this time because I have already voiced those concerns to Jury Foreperson Hugh Moore, in a separate letter that appears at the conclusion of these comments. I would just ask that there be more consideration on ways in which grand and petit jury service can be made easier for disabled citizens like myself who wish to fulfill their civic duty. Now here are some thoughts on my experience. As I have previously stated overall my experience was great. For the first time in a while I felt like I was making a real difference and impact. There are, however, some things that I think can be, or should be added so that the job for future jurors is easier. First off, I dont think $13 a day is very fair compensation for jurors in the state. Especially for example those of us who live in Hamilton County like myself who are employed in nearby Georgia. Where employers are not required to follow the Tennessee law which requires employers to pay employees their normal rate while they serve as a juror. So if raising juror pay is not possible, might I suggest that the state consider approaching those states, which border our great state with proposals that might suggest that upon bringing in proof that they are indeed serving as a juror that employers would pay those citizens their normal rate. The next thing that I think could be better is a more recent occurrence in the term, and is more of a county issue than one of the state, However it is my opinion that they could learn from this as well. Coming into my service I had no legal background whatsoever. Which I understand is one of the main points of this countrys legal system. That being said I was a little nervous at beginning of my service, because I did not want my lack of knowledge of either the law itself, or the language within it to be the reason that I voted not to send something to criminal court that needed to be there, or vice versa. Therefore, I was relieved to learn upon selection that there was a Grand Jury Prosecutor who was assigned to our jury, and who would be in the room with us. Even if it was only during testimony, we had someone there to help us cut through any legal sludge we might get bogged down in. Where is the problem in that you may ask? That itself is not the problem. For those who might not be familiar, we were told that the Grand Jury prosecutor position would be eliminated. It is my guess that the elimination is taking place in order to try to streamline and speed up the system. I, and my fellow jurors have seen that the system is backed up due Covid, and other things. Now I dont know how the prosecutor position on the Grand Jury will be handled. So please just take this as a citizen voicing concern. In my opinion, eliminating the position is not the way to make the system better. Why do I think that? I think not having the position is a bad idea for the exact reasons I was relieved to have it when my term started. Because what is going to happen if someone cant explain the legal sludge? As I conclude my there are two things I want quickly share. Throughout the process to many aspects of the legal system. Both in Criminal and Sessions court. Including the drug and mental health courts. I wish that I had gotten to spend more time observing in the actual courtrooms. Because those observations and my interactions with staff members in different areas of the courthouse I believe made me a better juror. Lastly, I grew up a military brat so service to country and community were taught as early as I can remember. Which is actually why on selection I volunteered to sit on the jury. But, serving on the jury actually did more for me than I was expecting at the beginning. Like many other little boys at one point, I wanted to grow up, and be a policeman. However, because of my disability I found out quickly that being a police officer was probably not going to happen. Fast-forward to now my time as a juror, and all those interactions and observations have shown me that a career somewhere in Law enforcement or the justice system in general is possible for a disabled guy like me. So, I am going to start making plans to take the plunge. In short, it has be an honor and a privilege to serve my community. Mr. Hugh Moore, Grand Jury Foreperson: Being the only person in a wheelchair during this session of the Grand Jury, I have seen a couple of things that could be improved on to make it easier for a handicap person to get into and around inside the building. One major thing, but something that would be an easy fix, would be to have Handicap Loading/Unloading Zone at the entrance on Cherry Street. My Grandfather brings me and picks me up each day. The way everything is set up outside, he must try to pull into the space at the camp blocking the cross walk coming from the parking deck. If he can't pull in far enough, there is a possibility of blocking traffic on Cherry Street, which is not good. The alternative is to pull down to the entrance to the controlled parking lot and block one of those gated entrances for a few minutes. Problem with that spot is, since it is sloped downhill, I need help getting back up to the entrance. The solution would be to take the last two parking spaces prior to the Cherry Street entrance and make them a Handicap Loading / Unloading Zone. I emphasize prior to because it needs to be on as level a surface as possible. The present curbing would need to be ramped for a wheelchair like the ramp at the crosswalk coming from the parking deck. Stripe it off in blue and add a couple of signs stating "No Parking, Handicap Loading/Unloading Only, 10 Minute Maximum Time." I appreciate you reading this and any consideration that you might give to it. People like me that have to be in a wheelchair still want to work and make their own way, or like I am doing now, take pride in doing their civic duty. However, at times, the hardest part of our day is getting into or out of the place we need to be. This Loading/Unloading Zone would make it so much easier for handicap folks in the future. Thank you, ** I've always wanted to serve on jury duty so when I was summoned, I was very excited. I didn't know what the Grand Jury did. It was very interesting. The officers did excellent research and made great presentations. Hugh Moore, the Foreperson, and Kate Lavery, the ADA, were very organized, professional and helpful. Everyone was very nice and appreciative. The judges were very thorough in explaining everything that was happening when some of us went into their court to see some cases. I found the mental recovery court very interesting. I think the Grand Jury should make more money especially with the inflation of gas prices and food if you needed to go out to get lunch. I have enjoyed my time on the Grand Jury and would be interested in the foreman job when I am able to retire from my full-time job. Thank you! Conclusion The Jury extends its thanks and best wishes to Assistant District Attorneys Kate Lavery and Jerry Sloan. Their experience and their able and skilled assistance is what makes the Grand Jury process run so smoothly. The Jury appreciated the always pleasant and polite assistance provided by Don Klasing, who handles the introduction and presentation of witnesses. As always, Larry Henry and his outstanding staff in the Circuit Court Clerk's Office (Margo McConnell) supported the Jury in every way. The Chattanooga Music Club will host a program of opera favorites featuring Opera Tennessee on Oct. 16, at 3 p.m. Held at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1505 N Moore Road, the program is free and open to the public. Opera Tennessee is dedicated to inspiring and educating the greater Chattanooga community by providing opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience, participate in, and be impacted by opera. Opera Tennessee has performed a number of classic works during the years, more recently including Don Giovanni by Mozart; Menottis The Consul; and Gianni Schicchi by Puccini. Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti is joining a multi-state effort urging President Biden to classify fentanyl as a Weapon of Mass Destruction. The 18 state attorneys general demand the president take decisive action in response to the record increase in overdose deaths related to the lethal substance nationwide and the potential for deliberate misuse. This action would require the Department of Homeland Security and the Drug Enforcement Administration to coordinate a response with other agencies, including the Department of Defenseas opposed to the federal government only treating the substance as a narcotics control problem. Fentanyl has caused too many tragic deaths on an individual level and, as we have seen overseas, it can also be weaponized to cause mass casualties, said General Skrmetti. Our governments at every level must take a broad-spectrum approach to protecting American lives from the harms of fentanyl. The attorney generals are deeply troubled by the threat this substance poses to the nation. Fentanyl is cheap to produce, inherently lethal, and easily available- all factors which make it attractive to those who might seek to use it as a chemical weapon. In the letter, the attorneys general argue: Just two milligrams of fentanyl is needed to kill an adult, and it can easily be placed in other substances. In fact, it already isaccording to reports, at least one-third of illicitly manufactured pills are contaminated with fentanylIn additionfentanyl has already been used as a weaponThe threat of a state enemy using this drug to do harm to the American people cannot be understated. More than 75,000 Americans died from overdose of synthetic opioids, mainly fentanyl, in the 12-month period ending in Feb. 2022. This substance is now the number one cause of death for adults aged 18-45. General Skrmetti joins the attorneys general of the following states and territories: Florida, Connecticut, Arkansas, Guam, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. A strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has sickened a poultry flock in West Tennessee. To protect the health of other domesticated birds, the State Veterinarian is leading the emergency response and ordering an immediate halt to poultry shows, exhibitions, and sales statewide. HPAI is known to be deadly for domesticated fowl. The affected backyard flock in Obion County consists of chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, pheasants, and pigeons. On Sept. 13, the flock owner notified the State Veterinarians office after a sudden unexplained increase in deaths. Testing at the C.E. Kord Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory in Nashville and the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa confirmed the presence of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza in samples from that flock. With HPAI, its critical we move quickly to stop the virus from spreading, Tennessee State Veterinarian Dr. Samantha Beaty said. We appreciate the flock owner for contacting us immediately when unexpected deaths occurred. We have protocols in place for instances like this and we are working closely with our state and federal partners to get this situation under control. For now, any events where poultry can comingle are prohibited. That includes poultry shows, exhibitions, livestock sales, flea markets, and swap meets. Issuing an order like this is never an easy decision, especially during fair season, Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. said. From backyard flock owners to the large commercial companiesthe poultry industry touches a lot of lives in Tennessee. This is an effort to protect all domesticated poultry in our state. The affected farm is under quarantine and the flock is being depopulated to stop potential spread of the illness. Animal health officials have established a 20 kilometer (12.4 mile) surveillance zone surrounding the site. Within the zone, other flocks will be tested and monitored for illness and poultry movement is restricted. That zone includes a portion of Kentucky. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is partnering with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to coordinate response. We are working diligently alongside our Tennessee counterparts to prevent this virus from spreading to other poultry premises, Kentucky State Veterinarian Dr. Katie Flynn said. Because the control area comes into Kentucky, we have initiated our avian influenza response and are in active communication with state, federal, and industry partners. We will begin surveillance of commercial and backyard flocks within that identified area immediately. Although HPAI does not pose a food safety risk, no infected poultry will be allowed to enter the food supply. Poultry and eggs are safe to eat when handled and cooked properly. The risk of human infection with avian influenza during poultry outbreaks is very low. In fact, no transmission to humans was reported during the outbreak that affected commercial poultry farms in Tennessee in 2017. Owners of backyard and commercial poultry flocks are encouraged to: Information about Tennessees response to avian influenza and resources can be found online at www.tn.gov/agriculture/ businesses/animals/animal- health/avian-influenza.html . Information about Kentucky's response can be found online at www.kyagr.com/HPAI. State officials and partners have extensive experience in effectively containing the virus. Control of avian influenza includes coordination of resources and response, and protocols for quarantine, testing, disposal, cleaning, disinfection, and monitoring. In Tennessee, more than 600 family farms contribute to the commercial poultry industry. The state is a global leader for primary breeders, and an estimated 45 percent of the chicken consumed worldwide traces back to Tennessee operations. Broiler chickens are among the state's top agricultural commodities, generating $376.2 million in cash receipts in 2021. Why Kourtney Kardashian Decided to Take Travis Barkers Last Name: It Wasnt a Thought Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker got married in May, and the reality star recently revealed that she decided to take her musician husbands last name. Heres what Kardashian said about taking Barkers last name and whether or not shes dropping the moniker tied to her famous family. Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian | Cindy Ord/MG22/Getty Images Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker got married in May Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian got married on May 22 in an extravagant ceremony in Italy. The famous couple tied the knot at LOlivetta, a villa in Portofino owned by Dolce & Gabbana. Their closest friends and family members watched as Kardashian and Barker exchanged vows on a red-carpeted altar surrounded by red roses and white candles. The reality star wore a custom Dolce & Gabbana corset lace mini dress with tulle gloves, lace heels, and a cathedral-length veil embroidered with the Virgin Mary and the words family loyalty respect (a reference to the tattoo on Barkers head). The Blink-182 drummer wore a black double-breasted suit designed by Dolce & Gabbana. The couple legally married a few days before the lavish celebration in Italy. On May 15, Barker and Kardashian had an intimate ceremony at a Santa Barbara courthouse. Although the wedding took place months ago, Kardashian just recently revealed that she decided to take Barkers last name. For her wedding in Portofino, Italy to Travis Barker, Kourtney Kardashian wore a one-of-a-kind Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda lace and satin corset mini dress inspired by 1960s Italian lingerie, accompanied by a sweeping veil. https://t.co/S10TnNaLAU pic.twitter.com/6YuSL446l2 British Vogue (@BritishVogue) May 22, 2022 Kourtney Kardashian revealed she decided to take Travis Barkers last name The reality star, who has used her famous familys moniker both personally and professionally for years, decided to change her last name. Kourtney Kardashian is now Kourtney Kardashian Barker. The mother of three told Hoda Kotb why she decided to take Travis Barkers last name on TODAY. It was a given. Yeah, it was just a given, Kardashian said. It wasnt a thought. But the reality star isnt eschewing her maiden name entirely. So now my middle name is Kardashian, she explained. When Kotb asked Kardashian what married life was like, the Poosh founder said it was easy, adding, When its right, its right. The reality star and the musician had a practice wedding before their ceremony in Italy Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker technically got married three times (although only their courthouse ceremony in Santa Barbara was legally binding). The famous couple had a practice wedding in Las Vegas after the 2022 Grammy Awards on April 3. Barker performed at the event with Lenny Kravitz and H.E.R. After the show, he and Kardashian had a wedding ceremony at the One Love Wedding Chapel, complete with an Elvis impersonator. On April 6, Kardashian shared an Instagram post with several photos from the Las Vegas wedding. Found these in my camera roll, she captioned the images. Once upon a time in a land far, far away (Las Vegas) at 2am, after an epic night and a little tequila, a queen and her handsome king ventured out to the only open chapel with an Elvis and got married (with no license). Practice makes perfect. RELATED: Fans Are Confused by Kourtney Kardashians New Lemme Line of Vitamin Gummies: Literally So Disappointing The Vampire Diaries saw a lot of plotlines over eight seasons. Vampires resurrecting from secret tombs underneath churches, ghosts coming back to haunt the immortals before dying permanently in the afterlife, and of course, the two spinoffs. With all of the vampires versus werewolves shenanigans, some of it was bound to get old at some point. The CW finally called it quits on TVD in 2017, The Originals ended in 2018, and Legacies followed suit in 2022, laying the 13-year run of vampires versus werewolves (finally) to rest. Paul Wesley | Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images With so many reboots heading to streaming services, are any TVD alums up for donning their fangs again? Probably not. Paul Wesley doesnt want to do a TVD spinoff, but Ian Somerhalder might In a recent interview with US Weekly, Paul Wesley (Stefan Salvatore) said no, he would not do a spinoff or a reboot. He firmly commented that he was vampired out, making it clear hes totally done. Ian Somerhalder (Damon Salvatore) said he would love to do one if he directed and they sent the entire crew to Spain. Somerhalder sounds like he wants a working vacation and most certainly doesnt want to put in those painful contact lenses anymore. RELATED: The Vampire Diaries Season 9: The Cast Weighs in on a Reboot He said back in 2021 that a season nine for Damon and Stefan was not going to happen, according to E! Online. It ran a great course. Can fans blame these guys? The former Brothers Salvatore have a bourbon company, Brothers Bond Bourbon, a sustainable spirits company inspired by their time on the set of TVD. These two arent the only ones who dont want to come back to Mystic Falls. His fairy tale bites back. Stream the first episode of @tellmeastorycw free only on The CW: https://t.co/reI2IaJSJI #TellMeAStory pic.twitter.com/ipdAuNFCZI The Vampire Diaries (@cwtvd) August 1, 2020 What other The Vampire Diaries cast members have said no to returning? In June 2021, Nina Dobrev (Elena Gilbert) and Kat Graham (Bonnie Bennett) were on Instagram together talking about their friendship. Fans, of course, were delighted, but for just a few moments. A little while later, Graham was asked at LAX if the pair were doing a reboot of the series. Graham said, I dont think Nina and I are interested in that. But I think our friendship will be forever. I think thats the dream. Strong enough to send you away for a long time. #TVD pic.twitter.com/rDSTalFq6P The Vampire Diaries (@cwtvd) January 29, 2020 So, thats four main cast members who dont want to go back to Mystic Falls. Maybe fans will accept another spinoff? Never say never. After all, Gossip Girl got a continuation. For Wesley, his career trek continues to the stars. Trekkies everywhere hope he wont get burned out with him being on the bridge of a starship because hes slated to have guest spots as a young Lt. James T. Kirk on the USS Farragut in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, notes Esquire. Warp factor 10, Mr. Wesley! RELATED: How to Watch The Vampire Diaries After It Leaves Netflix No big birthday party for Prince Harry. A royal expert expects the Duke of Sussex to mark turning another year older in a quiet way following Queen Elizabeths death. Prince Harry turns 38 in the U.K. Unlike in recent years, Harry isnt at home in California as he turns 38 on Sept. 15. He and his wife, Meghan Markle, are in the U.K. The pair embarked on a whirlwind four-day visit to the U.K and Germany earlier in the month. However, they canceled their remaining appearances when the queens health declined. Harry, along with other members of the royal family, went to Balmoral Castle in Scotland where the queen died on Sept. 8 at the age of 96. Commentator expects any birthday celebrations for Prince Harry to be muted Harrys birthday comes just a week after his grandmothers death. It falls during the U.Ks national 10-day period of mourning. With that in mind, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK! any celebrations will include an element of sadness. Its going to be another incredibly sad birthday for Harry, which will surely recall memories of 25 years ago when he turned 13 a couple of weeks after his mother died, she said. Princess Diana died on Aug. 31, 1997, following a car accident in Paris, France. Her funeral took place a week later on Sept. 6, 1997, just nine days ahead of Harrys birthday. You have to feel for Harry, though, you really do, Bond continued. Im sure it will be just a very quiet day. But then again, maybe it will give pause for thought, she added before saying, William and Kate might pop round with a pizza or something! Prince Harry remembers Queen Elizabeth in heartfelt statement Queen Elizabeth and Prince Harry in 2019 | Steve Parsons WPA Pool/Getty Images Like his father, King Charles III, and brother, Harry issued a statement about the queens death. On Sept. 12, he took to the Archewell website to remark on the loss of his grandmother. In celebrating the life of my grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen and in mourning her loss we are all reminded of the guiding compass she was to so many in her commitment to service and duty, Harry began. Calling her globally admired and respected, he went on to highlight her unwavering grace and dignity Let us echo the words she spoke after the passing of her husband, Prince Philip, words which can bring comfort to all of us now: Life, of course, consists of final partings as well as first meetings, he continued. Granny, while this final parting brings us great sadness, I am forever grateful for all of our first meetings from my earliest childhood memories with you, to meeting you for the first time as my Commander-in-Chief, to the first moment you met my darling wife and hugged your beloved great-grandchildren, Harry said. I cherish these times shared with you, and the many other special moments in between. You are already sorely missed, not just by us, but by the world over, he continued. And as it comes to first meetings, we now honour [sic] my father in his new role as King Charles III. Thank you for your commitment to service, Harry said before also thanking her for sound advice and an infectious smile. We, too, smile knowing that you and grandpa are reunited now, and both together in peace. Harrys since appeared at a Windsor Castle walkabout with the Prince and Princess of Wales as well as the Duchess of Sussex. He also joined royals at Westminster Hall at a lying in state service on Sept. 14 for the queen. Next is Queen Elizabeths funeral on Sept. 19 at Westminster Abbey before she is buried at Windsor Castles St. Georges Chapel. RELATED: Prince Harry and Queen Elizabeth: Their Relationship in Photos Royal Expert Says Prince Harry Rejected Chance to Visit Queen Elizabeth in the Weeks Before Her Death Prince Harry rejected the chance to visit Queen Elizabeth weeks before her death says a royal expert. The late monarch reportedly invited Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, to travel to Balmoral in Scotland. However, Harry turned down the offer for his family to attend. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Harry | Max Mumby/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had work commitments in the U.K. during the week of Queen Elizabeths death Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had work commitments in the United Kingdom the week of Queen Elizabeth IIs death. The couple, sans children Archie and Lilibet, were scheduled to attend the WellChild Awards in London. They also visited Dusseldorf for an Invictus Games event. However, Harry rushed to Balmoral, Scotland to be by his grandmothers side upon learning the queens health worsened. Meghan, however, stayed back in England for undisclosed reasons as her husband reunited with his family. On Sept. 8, the Royal Family announced that Queen Elizabeth had died at her Scotland home. Harry did not make it in time to see his grandmother before her death. Less than 24 hours later, Harry returned to Meghans side in London. Details about the couples extended stay in the U.K. have not been disclosed. However, they join the royal family for 10 days of mourning until the queen is laid to rest on Monday, Sept. 19. The couple are expected to return to their California home shortly thereafter. A royal expert says Prince Harry turned down offer to visit Queen Elizabeth at Balmoral in the weeks before her death Royal expert Katie Nicholl told GB News Breakfast Prince Harry turned down an offer to visit Queen Elizabeth at Balmoral in the weeks before her death. The Daily Mail featured the complete video on their website. The invitation was reportedly extended at the end of Aug. 2022. Nicholl explained, The Queen always has this wonderful, extended stay for her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. Theres a big sleepover at Balmoral, they were invited to go to that. They were also invited to go to Birkhall with the Prince of Wales, Thus far they havent done it, the expert said of a second invitation Harry and Meghan reportedly declined. The expert also said King Charles III will do anything to get his relationship with Harry back on track King Charles III | Jane Barlow/WPA Pool/Getty Images Nicholl claims Harrys father, King Charles III, is intent on getting his relationship with his youngest son back on track. The King spoke of his son and daughter-in-law during his first address as the ruling monarch of the United Kingdom. I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas, Charles shared. The royal expert revealed sources very close to the king said he will do anything it takes repair his relationship with Harry. I think not least because he wants to as a father. He wants to see his children as a grandfather. I think hes acutely aware this rift that threatens to overshadow his future reign as well. There are other issues at play here. RELATED: Prince Harry Should Rein in Royals-Trashing Wife and Nix Memoir if He Wants to Honor King Charles III Says Piers Morgan Sister Wives: All of the Places the Browns Have Lived in Since the 90s Now that Christine Brown is leaving Kody Brown and moving back to Utah, lets look back at all the places that the Browns have lived since the start of their family. Here are the many places the Sister Wives stars have lived since the 1990s. Robyn, Meri, Kody, Christine, and Janelle Brown, Sister Wives | TLC Before Sister Wives In the days before TLC started filming Sister Wives, the Browns lived in many places before settling down. As documented in the familys memoir, Becoming Sister Wives: The Story of an Unconventional Marriage, Kody and Meri were living in American Fork, Utah, in April 1990. The young couple decided to move back to be near Kodys father in Lovell, Wyoming, where they met Janelle. She spent a lot of time on the ranch because Kodys father added her mother as one of his wives. Kody Brown and Christine Brown, Sister Wives | TLC In 1994, Kody added Janelle as a second wife, and they moved into the cabin they shared in Montana. After Kody and Christine married in Utah in 1994, Christine revealed in the memoir that she and Kody drove home to Montana that night. She ended up living in a neighboring apartment near Meri, Janelle, and Kodys house. For nine years, the family lived like this and spent time working both in Montana and Wyoming. In 2001 the living situation changed; Janelle gave birth to her fifth child, Gabriel, and began struggling with postpartum depression. After that, she moved out of the home with Meri and Kody and moved into a house 30 minutes away. After two years of Kody bouncing between Meris home, Janelles home, and Christines apartment, they found the perfect home for all four of them in Utah. Lehi, Utah Kody found a space that could comfortably fit his three wives and their 10 children a home in Lehi, Utah, built by a polygamist for polygamists. The home was separated into three segments, each with its own living rooms, kitchens, and private entrances. Janelle lived in one wing of the house while Meri and Christine shared the other side. Browns family home in Lehi, Utah, Sister Wives | TLC During this time in this home, Christine and Janelle each had one more daughter. Kody and his three wives and 12 children lived comfortably like this for over seven years. Then in 2010, the family began filming Sister Wives for TLC, and everything changed. And in the first episode of the first season, Kody begins courting Robyn. And after they married, she and her three kids moved into a house near the Brown familys Lehi home, Christine had her sixth child, Truely, and Kody adopted Robyns children from her previous marriage. Las Vegas, Nevada Four months after going public about their polygamous lifestyle, Kody discovers that theres an open investigation happening on his family by not only the city of Lehi, but also the county. Since polygamy was a crime that could include jailtime if prosecuted, they were feeling the pressure mounting. The family decides to move to Las Vegas, Nevada to escape the prying eyes. While many of the three wives and children werent excited about the move, Kody believed it was the only thing they could do. After a month in a vacation home, they found four houses around Las Vegas for each wife to rent. However, with the help of their realtor, they found the perfect way to bring the family back together again. They moved into a cul-de-sac where each wife had their own home. And while theyre not under one roof, they were at least on the same street again. For years the family lived happily in their cul-de-sac. Flagstaff, Arizona With the older children moving away to college, the four large homes in Las Vegas became progressively emptier. With four mortgages, Kody decides its more economical to get a large piece of land where they can build separate homes for each wife. In 2018, the Browns bought 12 acres of land on Coyote Pass in Flagstaff, Arizona, for $880,100. Kodys ultimate dream was to build one mega home on the mountainside property for the family. However, the wives were against living together in one large house. So after many Sister Wives seasons dealing with how to divvy up the Coyote Pass land, the Browns finally decided where each wife would live on the property. When the family moved there, Robyn and Kody bought a million-dollar home together in Flagstaff. Meri lives in a rented house near the Coyote Pass property. Meanwhile, Janelle rents near them and sometimes spends the summers camping in an RV on the familys land. Coyote Pass map from Sister Wives | TLC After Christine announced her divorce from Kody, she moved with her daughter Truely to the Salt Lake City area to be near her grown children. She bought a $1.1 million home in Murray, Utah, where she moved to after her separation in 2021. Christine has since sold her share of the Coyote Pass property to Kody for $10 and has moved on. Meri, Janelle, Robyn, and Kody have yet to break ground on their homes on Coyote pass. New episodes of Sister Wives Season 17 air Sundays at 10 p.m. EST on TLC. RELATED: Sister Wives: Kody Worried About His Reputation and Being Labeled Bad Person After Divorce From Christine Season 17 of Sister Wives will cover Christine Browns decision to move from Flagstaff, Arizona, to the suburbs of Salt Lake City, Utah, following her breakup with Kody Brown. While Kody was against the move, Christine outlined the heartbreaking reason she decided to leave Arizona entirely. The mother of six wanted to give her youngest child the support system she and her older siblings didnt have in Flagstaff. Christine Brown said she moved to Utah to ensure Truely Brown had a support system Christine Brown was unhappy in Flagstaff and felt unsupported in her marriage. That isnt the reason she ultimately moved to Utah, though. She could have just ended the marriage and stayed put. In a teaser for next weeks Sister Wives episode, Christine revealed that she opted to settle outside of Salt Lake City to ensure her youngest child had a support system and was surrounded by people who love her, more than subtly suggesting Truely didnt have that support in Arizona. Christine Brown, Sister Wives Season 17 | TLC Christine had previously said that Kody spent just three full days with her and her children while they lived in Flagstaff. Once coronavirus (COVID-19) became a concern, the Brown family was even more separated. Kody spent nearly zero time with anyone, aside from Robyn Brown and the five children he shares with her. Christines decision to move to Utah allowed her to be close to her older children and grandchild. It also ensured Truely would have access to family and friends who could serve as a support system. According to Christine, that is something she did not have in Arizona. Gwendlyn and Ysabel Brown both felt Kody didnt want to be with them, according to their mother Christines decision to move was partly to ensure her youngest child never felt like her older two daughters. In TLCs latest sneak peek, Christine noted that while Truely didnt seem to sense anything was off or weird about her life in Flagstaff, two of her older children did feel that way. Christine said Gwendlyn and Ysabel Brown could sense that their father wanted to be elsewhere when he rarely spent time with them. Gwen, 20, Ysabel, 19, and Truely, 12, are the only three of Kody and Christines children who moved to Flagstaff with the family in 2018. In a previous interview with People, Christine noted that Ysabel was still struggling to deal with Kodys decision not to travel to New Jersey for Ysabels scoliosis surgery in the summer of 2020. Christine told the publication that Kodys behavior toward the surgery, at one point suggesting Ysabel, then 17, travel alone for it, was the final blow to her marriage. Christine sold her house the following year and moved to Utah. Both Gwen and Ysabel are living elsewhere. Christines oldest three children, Aspyn Thompson, Mykelti Padron, and Paedon Brown, were already living in Utah when Christine decided to move. Christine Brown and Kody Brown on Sister Wives | TLC Christine has not mentioned how often Truely travels back to Arizona to see her father or if Kody has driven to Utah to meet up with his youngest child with Christine. Kody is the father of 18 children, just four of those 18 children are under the age of 18 now. RELATED: Sister Wives Star Christine Brown Revealed How Little Kody Brown Helped Her When They Lived in Lehi, Utah iPhone 14, Apple ile birlikte Samsung'u da zengin ediyor Take this brief science-backed quiz to find out if you might be struggling with anxiety or depression. Take our free, brief emotional distress quiz here to determine if you might be experiencing signs of anxiety and depression, as well as gain access to mental health resources you can use to help yourself (and others). Results will be automatically generated from your anonymous responses, and you will immediately see your confidential score. No one on our team will be able see any of your individual multiple choice quiz answers. Do you ever check in with your own mental health? If you dont, its like ignoring a friend whos asked you for help. Just as you would want to listen to and support your friend, its important to listen to what your own body and mind are saying. If you never pause to identify what youre feeling, it can be difficult to ask for help. According to researchers, we are in the middle of a global mental health crisis caused by compounding factors such as the pandemic and civil discord. Overall, mental health professionals have reported a steep increase in emotional distressespecially anxiety and depressionin the United States. But it's not just the general population who are struggling. Many Christians and churches are reporting similar trends. For example, recent studies show that approximately 70% of church attendees will experience a trauma at some point in their life and more than 30% of pastors are at high or medium risk of burnout. We know we serve a God who moves mountains; however, sometimes we dont realize the mountains are within our minds. We know we serve a God who moves mountains; however, sometimes we dont realize the mountains are within our minds. To further raise awareness about the current mental health crisis facing the church, our team at Spiritual First Aid, in collaboration with both the Rosemead School of Psychology and the Narramore Christian Foundation, has developed an online emotional distress quiz to help you better understand how anxiety and depression may be impacting your life. Online screening is one of the easiest ways to self-reflect and consider if you should seek additional support. This quiz is for anyone wanting to determine to what degree they might be struggling with anxiety and depression. About the Quiz The emotional distress quiz is a scientifically-developed, brief 10-item self-assessment. This free online quiz was adapted from the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), which has been used in hundreds of studies all over the globe and is known to be an accurate screener for identifying individuals who may be experiencing high levels of anxiety and depression. Think of the quiz as a way to get a "pulse" on your mental health. Rather than offering a diagnosis, its been designed to help you gain insight into how your mental health may be impacting your day-to-day life. This quiz is specifically designed to identify distress levels based on recorded symptoms over the last 30 days. The site will categorize your scores and provide your results at the end. Possible quiz results range from coping well emotionally to severe emotional distress. [Please note this quiz is for personal use only; it is not meant to serve as a formal diagnostic tool. For a formal clinical evaluation or services, speak with a licensed mental health or health care professional.] Signs of Emotional and Spiritual Distress Most people experience rhythms of varying emotions and symptoms; however, people in emotional distress tend to report symptoms such as lethargy, anxious thoughts, depression, restlessness, and feeling hopeless. Though the quiz does not inquire about spiritual distress, individuals experiencing emotional distress also commonly report a wide range of spiritual struggles. They may: Feel as if long-held beliefs and life assumptions that help them navigate daily life are being challenged. Experience a lack of meaning, hope, and purpose. View God as judging, wrathful, and punishing. Experience spiritual distress (e.g., feeling abandoned by God). Experience a disconnect between what they believe and what they ve experienced. Keep in mind, even if you score low on the quiz, it doesn't mean you dont feel overwhelmed at times. We all manage life situations differently, and validating your emotional reactions can help you walk through them. If you find that your emotions are debilitating and/or you are having trouble managing your overall well-being, we encourage you to make an appointment with a mental health professional or doctor to receive a formal evaluation regarding your emotional distress. Statistically speaking, its also likely that some people reading this article (and who take the quiz) may need immediate support. For example, recent research has shown the number of people reporting suicidal thoughts has been trending upward since the start of the pandemic. A recent Lifeway Research survey found 77% of Americans believe suicide has become an epidemic in the United States. If youve had recent thoughts of hurting yourself or about suicide, know you arent alone in feeling this way. If this describes your experience, call 988, 911, or your local emergency room right away. We hope that identifying what youre experiencing will be a step towards emotional wellness. Take a moment to pause and reflect on your feelings, whether you use the online quiz as a tool or not. Although the church is facing a mental health crisisand you may be as wellthe more we understand our emotional and spiritual struggles, the more likely we can take action to overcome them. The Better Samaritan blog is produced by the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College, which offers a M.A. in Humanitarian & Disaster Leadership and a Trauma Certificate. To learn more and apply, visit our website Jamie Aten, Ph.D. and Kent Annan, M.Div. co-direct the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College and are also the co-founders of Spiritual First Aid. Esther Kocka is a graduate student at the Humanitarian Disaster Institute. Six months after a Pentecostal pastor won a religious liberty case before the United Nations, Belarusian politicians are trying to strip citizens of the right to appeal to the intergovernmental organization. Human rights organizations warn the legislation under consideration this fall will close one of the last remaining opportunities to seek justice for human rights violations in the Eastern European country, according to Forum 18, which tracks human rights violations in the region. The UN was the last court of appeal for Valentine Borovik. Police raided the Pentecostal pastors Bible study in the western town of Mosty in June 2008 and charged him with illegally starting a religious organization. Prosecutors argued that the group did not meet the requirements to register as a church, since there were only 13 adults. But the Christians also could not meet without registering, since they had all characteristics of a religious community. Borovik, objecting to this Catch-22 and claiming he had the right to meet with other believers without registering with the state, was convicted and fined. He appealed and lost, and appealed and lost again. The case went to the Supreme Court. He lost there too, despite constitutional protections for the performance of acts of worship and religious rituals and rites. This case exemplifies the difficulties faced by Christians in Belarus, Mervyn Thomas, founder of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said at the time. The Belarusian government must be pushed to respect its own laws and international commitments and to allow Belarusians to meet together and practice their faith freely. In 2021, Borovik pushed again. He took his case to the UN Human Rights Committee, and the committee forced the government to answer questions about religious liberty in Belarus and the laws behind the charges against the Pentecostal pastor. In March, the UN committee handed down its ruling: Borovik finally won. The same month, a UN report criticized the Belarusian government, saying it was attempting to crush dissent and repress civil society. More than 1,000 people have been charged in what the report calls politically motivated prosecutions since masses of demonstrators publicly protested the reelection of authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko. The government has also shut down more than 270 nonprofit organizations and 13 media outlets, designating them as extremists. Dozens of journalists have been detained and more than 30 lawyers who have defended dissidents and spoken out against civil rights abuses have lost their licenses. Authorities have also continued to crack downs on minority religious groups, including Pentecostals, Jehovahs Witnesses, and Hare Krishna devotees. Several, like Borovik, have appealed their cases to the UN. Now parliament is considering withdrawing from the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which would mean that Belarusians do not have the right to file appeals with the UN, Forum 18 reported. The legislator overseeing passage of the bill has not given a public justification for the proposal, telling Forum 18 in a statement by her secretary that, We do not give any comments on this issue. The bill is set to be discussed by the lower house of parliament this fall. If it is approved by both houses and signed into law, Belarus could withdraw from the international civil rights agreement early next year. Lukashenko, who has run the country since 1994, has allowed little to no opposition in parliament, according to international observers. Elected representatives largely rubber stamp his agenda. Lukashenko has said that hes no dictator, but admitted to some elements of authoritarianism in his leadership. Our system of power is tougher, he toldAgence France-Presse. I do not rule out the word authoritarian. International observers have said Lukashenkos last five elections were neither free nor fair. The European Union does not recognize Lukashenko as the legitimately elected president and Belarus has been sanctioned by the EU, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Lukashenkos only major international supporter is Russia. According to some observers, the pressure from the West has pushed the authoritarian leader to attempt to exert more control over Belarusian society and crack down on perceived threats. Political isolation has turned him into a delusional, paranoid and petty man, Ivar Dale, a policy adviser with the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, a human rights watchdog, toldAl Jazeera. What you see is an unstable and dangerous man who is desperately clinging on to power, a power that he is convinced can belong only to him personally, Belarus passed a religion law in 2002 that was considered the most restrictive in Europe. This year, an additional law banned organization of or participation in activity by an unregistered political party, foundation, civil or religious organization. The current policy of the Belarusian government, sadly, is to create a kind of mixture of the Soviet Union and the Russian Empire, Pentecostal pastor Antoni Bokun wrote after spending time in jail for leading a worship service. The authorities give the appearance but not the reality of granting privileges to the Orthodox Church, while restricting religious freedom for all. These efforts are being met with opposition, however, particularly from Protestant churches. Boroviks victory at the UN has not forced Belarusian authorities to respect the rights of other evangelical Christians. Since the March ruling, several churches have been treated with reregistration. A Pentecostal church in Minsk has been repeatedly cited for holding meetings in its parking lot. New Life Church was evicted from its buildinga converted cowshedin 2021 but has continued to meet outside, even during the cold winter months. Officials say the unauthorized meetings threaten the churchs legal status, which would allow it, hypothetically, to hold authorized meetings. We have nowhere to go and emotionally we are attached to this place, the pastor told Forum 18. But, he added, our situation is not without God's miracle our church is still functioning. Another church has been fined for holding baptisms at a river and in a pool in 2022. It may also be stripped of its legal status. The pastor could appeal to the UN but told Voice of the Martyrs he probably wont. Theres no point, he said. Each week, in a hulking warehouse in this small, western mountain town, Samaritans Purse employees load semi trailers full of supplies for the people of Ukraine: medicines, food, tarps, blankets, hygiene kits and school bags for kids. The trucks are then driven 80 miles east to the Piedmont Triad International Airport where they are loaded onto the nonprofits DC-8 aircraft specially configured to carry up to 84,000 pounds of cargo. From there the goods are airlifted to Poland and then trucked across the border into Ukraine. This week, Samaritans Purse, headed by evangelical leader Franklin Graham, made its 30th airlift since Russia began its offensive against Ukraine in February. The Christian relief organization estimates it has helped 5.5 million Ukrainians with medicine, food and water. Earlier in the conflict, it also operated an emergency field hospital in Lviv, and outpatient clinics across the country treating an estimated 17,758 patients. It now supports 30 medical facilities across the war-ravaged country. The organizations 160,000-square-foot warehouse and offices in North Wilkesboro employ 385 people who buy, repair, maintain and retrofit millions of dollars worth of medical equipment, generators and water filtration systems, much of them donated. The warehouse has six emergency field hospitals ready to ship, four with tents, hospital beds, anesthesiology equipment, X-ray machines, and surgical suitesall engineered to fold into a planes fuselage. There are also miles of plastic tarps, mountains of clothing and boxes full of small brown teddy bears with the Samaritans Purse logoa cross inside a circle. Samaritans Purse, now in its 52nd year, has become a powerhouse of faith-based international relief. Ukraine is now drawing on much of that relief, but in any given year, the organization aids people in 110120 countries. It sent supplies to Pakistan after unprecedented flooding from monsoon rains this past month. It has a mobile medical team at 11 different sites across civil war-torn Yemen. It is helping farmers in Iraqs Sinjar Mountains plant strawberries. And then there are multiple US-based recovery efforts. Samaritans Purse volunteer teams recently sawed off tree limbs and cleared damaged homes in Kentucky and Missouri where a rash of disastrous floods ruined homes and businesses. The nonprofits mission is based on the parable of the Good Samaritan as told in Lukes Gospel, in which a man is stripped, beaten and left for dead on the side of the road. He is rescued, not by those with power or authority, but by an outsidera Samaritanwho bandages his wounds, takes him to an inn and pays the innkeeper to look after him. To many, Samaritans Purse may be best-known for giving shoeboxes full of toys to needy children around the world. But over the past 10 years, it has grown into one of the largest US faith-based nonprofits, with annual revenues last year of $1 billion. A review of its annual 990 IRS form shows Samaritans Purses revenue has doubled since 2014, and its assets have quadrupled. It now ranks at No. 23 in the Chronicle of Philanthropys 25 largest US charities, a list that includes mostly non-religious charities. Today, Samaritans Purse is in a league with the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, and Lutheran Services in America. In 2020, it surpassed in cash revenue the Christian charity World Vision, with whom it shares a founder: former missionary and evangelist Bob Pierce, Franklin Grahams inspiration and mentor. That growth has come largely on the strength of its frontline work in public health crises and natural disasters around the world. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Samaritans Purse designed and assembled emergency field hospitals. In the past two years it put them to use in Italy; the Bahamas; New York City; Los Angeles; Jackson, Mississippi; and Lenoir, North Carolina. Its quick response to emerging health crises was tested in 2014, when two of its medical personnel contracted the deadly Ebola virus while treating people in Liberia. They were evacuated to Atlantas Emory University Hospital where they were treated and recovered. When we say we run to the fire, thats not idle talk, said Ken Isaacs, vice president of programs and government relations and the logistical and regulatory brain behind the groups sophisticated international enterprise. Samaritans Purse has built up a corps of Christian doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who volunteer on short-term trips to mission hospitals across the world and a cadre of domestic volunteers trained in debris removal, mud-outs, and light construction. The organizations headquarters are in North Carolinas Blue Ridge Mountain town of Boone. It has warehouses in Coppell, Texas, and Fullerton, California, field offices in 17 countries across the world and a lodge in Alaska where it runs marriage seminars for wounded soldiers and law enforcement officers. But unlike many other Christian charities, Samaritans Purse is distinct in a particular way: It has a galvanizing, and sometimes polarizing, leader. I think most people today would be hard-pressed to name the president of Catholic Charities, World Vision, or Compassion (International), said David King, director of the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving. Many organizations are not led by personalities in the same way that Franklin Graham leads Samaritans Purse. As the son and successor to Billy Graham and the president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Graham, 70, has outsize stature in the evangelical fold. With his 10 million Facebook followers and 2.5 million Twitter followers, he inveighs regularly on some of the hottest issues of the day, drawing as many supporters as detractors for his conservative and partisan views. He is a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump; most recently he blasted the FBI for raiding Trumps Mar-a-Lago home, claiming, falsely, that Trump would return the documents, if asked. A culture warrior on the social issues of the day, whether its abortion, same-sex marriage, or sexuality, Graham regularly denounces what he sees as a godless America set adrift by secular culture. He applauded the Canadian Freedom Convoy. He labeled Disney a moral failure for its gay-friendly policies. He pushed a domestic abuse victim to return to her pastor husband. But when it comes to running Samaritans Purse, he has also proven to be an effective leader committed to helping people in crisis in the most nimble and resourceful ways possible. Franklin always liked the challenge of getting on the ground fast and cutting through red tape and bureaucracy, said Mark DeMoss, a now-retired public relations executive who represented Graham. He wants to go where others cant go, get set up quicker than others and show (people) youre on the ground. Graham is unconventional in more ways than one. He doesnt hire outside companies to produce direct mail appeals. He doesnt socialize with charity professionals. Weve never used outside fundraisers, Graham said in a telephone interview. We tell people what were doing, and people decide if they want to help us. Evangelicals have responded. Graham claims hundreds of thousands of people make small donations of $100 of less, and while that may not be entirely accurate, the charity draws from a large net of donors, many in evangelical circles. Only 5.1 percent of Samaritans Purses revenue in 2021 came from federal dollars. In past years, it has partnered with the US Agency for International Development to provide aid in Iraq, Sudan, Congo, Liberia, and Colombia. It also worked with the United Nations World Food Program, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the International Organization for Migration, another UN organization. Despite Grahams social views, Samaritans Purse is committed to providing services to everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation. It will, however, tell them about Jesus. Part of Samaritans Purses growth and financial success may be due to the Graham brand. Graham inherited from his evangelist father a reputation for personal integrity and financial transparency. There was no scandal in Billys life, and I think thats true of Franklin, too, said Grant Wacker, a historian and the author of Americas Pastor: Billy Graham and the Shaping of America. Whatever one thinks of his politics, he has stayed on track in terms of his personal ethics. What that does is it creates a consistency between the message and the public appeal. While some donors may be unaware of Grahams politics, Wacker said, some give precisely because of it. The inclination to contribute is based on trust, he said. For evangelicals, both Black, white, and Latino, personal trust is to a good extent based on a perception of your personal life. Then theres Operation Christmas Child. The longstanding program, begun by Samaritans Purse in 1993, partners with local churches, who in turn enlist members to buy small gifts and pack them in shoeboxes for needy children around the world. (It also helped Samaritans Purse to be reclassified by the IRS as an association of churches.) Churchgoers enthusiasm for the program knows no bounds. Samaritans Purse estimates it has 90,000 volunteers each year. In 2021, those volunteers packed and shipped more than 10.5 million shoeboxes worldwide. Operation Christmas Child remains a signature program, but it is no longer the central focus of the organization. In 2001, more than half of the charitys revenue came from Operation Christmas Child, and about two-thirds of the organizations expenses were spent on that program, according to a 990 report. By 2021, less than a third of Samaritans Purses revenue came from Operation Christmas Child, and the program made up about 44 percent of the organizations expenses. But the relationships formed with churches who either donate shoeboxes or receive them for distribution has given the organization global reach and quick access when disaster strikes. Sergii Syzonekno, pastor of Central Baptist Church in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, had been participating in Operation Christmas Child for eight years. When the war began, he, like other churches already in Samaritans Purses Operation Christmas Child network, immediately received $5,000 in cash. That support has now ramped up with weekly shipments of supplies. The church has opened its building to shelter Ukrainians fleeing the war. Some 430 people slept there one night at the height of the war. Church volunteers use their own cars to go out and evacuate people under siege from the Russians and deliver food and water. We are very thankful to Samaritans Purse for food, medicine and encouragement, said Syzonekno. We are partners. We are doing Gods work together. You are invited to a one-day event featuring Dr. Lisa Bowens, Vivian Mabuni, and me that aims to nurture goodness ("tov") in our churches, ministries, and everyday lives. Based on our (Scot and Laura Barringers) book, A Church Called Tov, TOV for Women 2022 takes the conversation a step further by encouraging and empowering us to create cultures characterized by goodness. What practical steps can we take to nurture tov in our church cultures, and especially tov cultures for women? Join us to hear about Scot and Lauras forthcoming book. We are thrilled to offer a diverse slate of voices from across the country and a variety of backgrounds. Friday, October 21st, 9:00am-3:30pm CDT Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church 149 W Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst, IL Featuring Dr. Lisa Bowens, Vivian Mabuni, and Dr. Scot McKnight In-person $49 Livestream for Individuals (1-2 people) $10 Livestream for Groups (3+ people) $25 Livestream registration includes the main sessions from 9am-12pm. A link to the afternoon breakout sessions will provided after the event. REGISTER HERE Dr. Lisa Bowens is an Associate Professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary. As the first African American woman to receive tenure in Princeton Theological Seminarys Bible department, she teaches a variety of courses including Introduction to New Testament Exegesis, Paul and Apocalyptic Thought, and African American Pauline Hermeneutics. She has written numerous articles and two books, An Apostle in Battle: Paul and Spiritual Warfare in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 and African American Readings of Paul: Reception, Resistance, and Transformation. Among her current projects are two commentaries, one on 2 Corinthians and one on 1-2 Thessalonians. Vivian Mabuni is a national speaker, author, bible teacher and podcast host. Her writing has appeared in Christianity Today, SheReadsTruth, Our Daily Bread, Propel Sophia and her teachings have been featured on the YouVersion Bible Apps Verse of the Day. With over 30 years on staff with Cru, Viv loves teaching about the Bible and its practical application to ministry and life. She has been a keynote speaker at IF:Gathering, QCommons, Cru Winter Conferences, and FamilyLifes Weekend To Remember marriage conferences. Author of Open Hands, Willing Heart, she also serves on the Board of Trustees for Denver Seminary and is the founder & host of Someday Is Here a podcast for AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islanders) leaders. Viv loves drinking coffee with her husband of 31 years, Darrin, and marveling at their three young adult kids and brand new daughter-in-law. ERLC elects new president more than a year after Russell Moore's departure The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention has elected Brent Leatherwood to become its president over a year after the departure of former president Russell Moore. Leatherwood, who began serving as acting ERLC president last September, was unanimously elected on Tuesday by the ERLC Board of Trustees during an annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. The ERLC is the public policy arm of the largest Protestant denomination in the United States. According to an announcement, the 41-year-old has an extensive history with the commission, having previously served as chief of staff and the director of strategic partnerships. He is a member of The Church at Avenue South in Nashville and has served as a deacon since 2014. Leatherwood has much experience in public policy. The former Capitol Hill staffer previously served as the executive director of the Tennessee Republican Party and director of communications and policy strategy in the Tennessee General Assembly. "True leadership begins as service," said Leatherwood. "That has been the heart I have brought each day to the ERLC these past 12 months. And it is that same heart I will continue to bring as this new chapter begins." Leatherwood vowed that ERLC will continue to equip its churches, partner with state conventions and support other SBC entities. "Rooted in Scripture and guided by the Baptist Faith and Message, this team will remain fervently committed to carrying out our ministry assignment faithfully serving our churches and growing our convictional presence in the public square on behalf of our convention," Leatherwood added. "That means speaking with biblical clarity about the issues that matter to Baptists: the inherent value of life, religious liberty at home and abroad, human dignity and the flourishing of families." Todd Howard, who chaired the ERLC trustee presidential search committee, said that Leatherwood was recommended by several sources and "became the top candidate by virtue of his leading well through the various challenges facing the commission during the interim season." "He has intangible leadership qualities that we could not ignore," Howard said. "After a final round of interviews with Leatherwood, the committee, for the first time in this process, voted unanimously in favor of recommending him to the full board of trustees as the next president of the ERLC." His predecessor, Moore, served as ERLC president from 2013 until May 2021, when he announced his departure to join Christianity Today. Earlier this year, Moore was named the publication's editor-in-chief. Under Moore's leadership, ERCL advocated for religious freedom, dignity for the unborn and racial reconciliation, among other issues. The entity also worked to highlight the issue of sexual abuse in the church. Moore also garnered much controversy during his tenure as ERLC president. He was a prominent Evangelical critic of former President Donald Trump and some of his policy positions. Under Moore, the ERLC received backlash from some in the denomination when the body publicly supported a lawsuit against New Jersey county over the government's refusal to allow the building of a mosque. Moore had justified the ERLC's involvement in the case by claiming that allowing a county to ban a mosque would open the door for other counties to ban the building of SBC churches. After Moore's departure, letters he wrote alleging that SBC leaders mishandled a "crisis of sexual abuse" were leaked to the media. Moore also alleged that his family had endured unfair treatment by denominational leaders. Prominent Southern Baptist Pastor Mike Stone, who formerly served as chairman of the SBC Executive Committee, filed a defamation suit against Moore last October. However, he eventually withdrew the complaint that December. ERLC Board of Trustees Chair Lori Bova said that the ERLC staff "has not missed a beat" under Leatherwood's leadership in providing "timely, quality resources for our churches." "He is a tireless servant with a passion to serve Southern Baptists and to steward well the ministry assignment of the ERLC," Bova said. 43-year-old evangelist and missionary stood in line 7 times to pay respects to Queen Elizabeth II Inspired by Queen Elizabeth II's strong Christian faith, a 43-year-old evangelist and missionary stood in long queues seven times to see the monarch's coffin in Edinburgh before it left for London. I am a Christian, a really strong Christian, and she lived her life, faith was central to her life and essential to my life, Elizabeth Sabey, who worked as a missionary in Cambodia, told The Telegraph before departing on her eighth visit. It felt so peaceful and beautiful. I just felt Gods presence, like a unity among people, no divisions. The longest-serving monarch in British history died last Thursday at her holiday home at Balmoral Castle in Scotland at the age of 96. I dont think its a coincidence that she passed away in Scotland, it was all, I feel, divinely orchestrated. ... I just think thats how its meant to be, said the evangelist. Sabey said the queens speeches, especially at Christmas, would bring tears to her eyes. To hear somebody at the pinnacle of our country and yet she has a very vibrant, living, real, genuine faith, it wasnt just something that a monarch needs to do, it was something genuine and deep. Charles III was officially proclaimed king by the Accession Council in a ceremony at St. James Palace in London on Saturday morning. The state funeral for the queen, who was the head of the Church of England during her reign, has been scheduled to take place at Westminster Abbey in London at 11 a.m. local time on Monday. A church leader close to the late Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, revealed in a media interview back last April that he had persuaded the queen, his wife, to talk more about her Christian faith ahead of her Christmas broadcast in 2000. [Prince Philip] was the person really who encouraged the queen to talk about her own faith in her Christmas broadcasts, the Rev. Ian Bradley, the author of God Save the Queen, told Premier Christian News at the time. In a 2016 book ahead of her 90th birthday, the queen reflected on Jesus central role in her life. I have been and remain very grateful to you for your prayers and to God for His steadfast love, the British monarch wrote in the foreword to The Servant Queen and the King She Serves. I have indeed seen His faithfulness. The queens oak coffin, which was placed in the Ballroom of Balmoral Castle in Scotland after her death, departed last Sunday by car on a six-hour journey to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland, the BBC said earlier. It was then transported slowly by hearse through Aberdeen, Dundee and by Perth before it lay in the palaces Throne Room until Monday afternoon. King Charles III and members of the royal family then accompanied the coffin in procession to St Giles Cathedral, where a service was held, and the coffin lay at the cathedral until Tuesday, allowing the public to view her coffin. The coffin was then flown back to London, and the queen will lie in state in Westminster Hall for four days before her funeral, allowing members of the public to file past and pay their respects. Lila Rose debates Dr. Phil on when life begins: 'If it's not a human, why do you have to kill it?' Prominent pro-life activist Lila Rose appeared on the syndicated talk show "Dr. Phil" Tuesday to debate the show's host, Dr. Phil McGraw, about when life begins. They also discussed the morality of abortion when a baby has been diagnosed in-utero with a life-threatening condition. The episode's focus on abortion came in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's June decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 case that legalized abortion nationwide. The ruling returned the issue to the states, once again giving them the authority to decide abortion laws. McGraw, who holds a doctorate in clinical psychology but has not renewed his license to practice since 2006, claimed that there is no agreement in the scientific community regarding when life begins. "There is, Dr. Phil 96 percent of scientists say life begins at fertilization," Rose, the 34-year-old founder and president of Live Action, said. "If you're an in-vitro specialist, you're looking to create a single-cell embryo, and then you know you have a new human life. So it is a scientific fact." McGraw responded by saying, "Actually, it's not." Rose shot back, "When do you think it begins then?" "It doesn't matter what I think," he said. "What I'm saying is the scientific community does not have a consensus about when life begins." Rose responded, "That is simply inaccurate." McGraw argued that the "body of scientific literature" indicates varying degrees of development marking when life begins. He stated that some neuroscientists believe it starts once brain waves become detectable. "But Dr. Phil, in an abortion, if it's not a human life, why do you have to kill it?" Rose asked in response. McGraw accused Rose of trying to talk over him in an attempt to prevent him from finishing his answer. He then challenged viewers to go through the "scientific literature" to find the different positions on when life begins. The episode featured the story of Nancy Davis, a Louisiana woman whose child was diagnosed with acrania. She was denied an abortion by a hospital that feared doing so would violate Louisiana's near-total abortion ban, even though the law's author claims that the hospital could have legally performed the procedure. Davis later traveled to New York at 16 weeks pregnant to undergo the abortion. According to FetalMedicine.org, acrania is a condition where the unborn's skull is absent, distorting the brain. The prognosis is typically fatal, with many infants who have it dying shortly after birth. Appearing alongside Rose, the pro-choice lobbying organization National Organization for Women (NOW) president Christian Nunes stated that she believes a Louisiana doctor who committed an abortion in such circumstances should be protected from prosecution. She argued that a provider's role is to provide the "best care" for their patients. Rose sympathized with Davis, sharing her experience as a mother who lost a child to a miscarriage. Rose said that one of the worst things for a mom to hear is that her baby will die. "Those were some of the darkest days of my life, and they were dark days because it was our child," she said. "We knew this was a baby, and I think that's the fundamental point here is that we're talking about a baby. We're talking about a human life. And the pro-life position is that all humans have human rights, and the first right is life to not be killed." The Live Action leader contends that the doctors should have offered Davis perinatal hospice or palliative care so that her baby could die naturally "instead of at the abortionist's tools." A woman in the audience challenged Rose, accusing her of wanting to "legislate evil." The audience member brought up abortion in the case of rape, arguing that laws forcing women to carry a pregnancy conceived in rape to term induce trauma. Rose acknowledged the trauma rape can cause but stated that the child in such a scenario is an "innocent party" and that "generational sin" should not be taken out on the child. She maintained that the right to life is the "first fundamental human right." "Laws are meant to protect the weak. Who is the weakest in our society? A child. Whether you live 10 minutes, 10 years, or 100 years, you're a human and have the right to not be killed," Rose said. Rose posted the exchange on Twitter, clarifying what McGraw meant when he cited a lack of consensus about when life begins. She seemingly joked that the host might not have been denying the unborn are biologically human but was possibly arguing that they are "assigned" personhood after birth. "But he's wrong there, too. Any time in human history, when we deny personhood, or human rights to humans because of ANY factor race, age, sex, religion we open the door to history's worst human rights abuse," she wrote. "The Holocaust. The Rwandan Genocide. Slavery A human embryo is small & dependent, but so is a human newborn or toddler. Your size, development or level of dependency doesn't dictate your humanity or worth." In an interview with The Christian Post last month, Rose called on state and federal lawmakers to create policies that will make America "a friendlier place for families." Listing legislative proposals designed to achieve that goal, which her organization supports, Rose said these plans include a tax credit for children that makes it "easier to raise a child," "financial support for pregnancy resource centers and non-abortion health centers" and "adoption tax credits." Wesleyan Covenant Association denounces bishops claims it's wrongfully influencing Gods people The Wesleyan Covenant Association has denounced a declaration by African bishops of The United Methodist Church calling for congregations on the continent to cut ties with the theologically conservative group. Last week, a group of African bishops gathered at Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe, for four days and approved a statement denouncing the current direction of the Africa Initiative, a UMC advocacy group. According to the statement, the Initiative was now working with Wesleyan Covenant Association to destroy our United Methodist Church and had lost its original goal of helping The United Methodist Church in Africa. We will dissociate from any activities of the Africa Initiative and will not allow any activities of the Africa Initiative in our areas, stated the bishops. We will not allow or entertain any activities of the Wesleyan Covenant Association who are wrongly influencing Gods people in our areas [and we] will not tolerate anyone giving false information about The United Methodist Church in our areas. WCA President Jay Therrell emailed The Christian Post a statement in response to the African bishops declaration. He said the group is deeply disappointed, but not surprised, by the statement purported to come from all the African Bishops. We believe strong-arm control tactics by some African bishops infringe upon the Christian freedom of their members to speak into the current and future direction of The United Methodist Church and their role in it, the WCA stated. We remain committed to working with theologically conservative Methodists across the continent of Africa to empower their witness to the faith and their right to make informed decisions about their future in the church. WCA Africa Coordinator Simon Mafunda of Harare, Zimbabwe, said that the bishops declaration left me flabbergasted. This militant and combative position by some of these bishops does not proffer the unity and love for which they call. If anything, it opens a massive rift between them and the flock that they are supposed to look after, Mafunda stated, as quoted in the WCA statement. To openly attack your own flock diminishes the essence of being good shepherds that the bishops are supposed to exemplify. In Africa it is generally considered disrespectful to answer back to elders, but we feel pushed into a corner and unfortunately there is no longer any space behind us. In a separate statement provided to CP by Therrell, the Africa Initiative declared that it is shocked, surprised, and ashamed by the bishops statement, which it labeled a declaration of war. The group affirmed its ties to the WCA, seeing this relationship as consistent with the connectional nature of the UMC, which involves advancing common goals with other Christian denominations and Wesleyan groups. Whatever the misunderstandings, we could have settled them around the fire hart or under the palaver hut where African elders and their subjects meet to settle their disputes, the Initiative stated. Instead, some of our leaders decided to go public with unauthenticated allegations. Over the past several years, the UMC has been embroiled in a divisive debate over whether the denomination should change its official position labeling homosexuality incompatible with Christian teaching. Efforts by theological liberals to change the UMC's official stance have often failed in large part because of the influence of UMC Africans, who tend to be more theologically conservative. In 2020, UMC leaders representing diverse theological views agreed to a plan to create a conservative Methodist denomination and allow churches opposed to same-sex marriage and gay ordination to join the new group. Known as the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation, the plan was to have a vote on legislation based on the protocol at that years General Conference. But after repeated postponements of the General Conference, which eventually pushed the churchwide gathering to 2024, many conservative churches have since left the UMC for the newly launched Global Methodist Church. In May, 92 UMC delegates who are members of the Africa Initiative gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, to learn more about the future of the UMC and details about the nascent GMC. The Rev. Jerry Kulah of Liberia, general coordinator of the initiative, told those gathered that the meeting was meant to be primarily for information purposes. We brought you together to provide you with information that you will need to help yourself, your church and your annual conferences find a solution to the uncertainty in The United Methodist Church, said Kulah, as reported by UM News. Phil Wickham opens up about journey from 'lifestyle Christianity' to rediscovering joy in God's presence At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, Phil Wickhams song Battle Belongs became an anthem for Christians worldwide. The tune, released in the fall of 2020, reminds believers that nothing can stand against the power of God, with lyrics including the lines, So when I fight, I'll fight on my knees/ With my hands lifted high/ Oh God, the battle belongs to You. It became such a fight song and a faith-building song for me, the 38-year-old worship leader told The Christian Post. Almost immediately, I started getting all these DMs and messages and emails from people saying, This has given me words to my prayers. I didn't know what to pray when I was in the hospital bed, by the graveside, or when we lost our job, and we just prayed this song. And it was just moving. But as he witnessed the way God was using Battle Belongs to uplift those struggling, Wickham, who attends Light Church in Encinitas, California, began to feel the Holy Spirit challenging him to examine his own beliefs and take a closer look at his walk with God. As I was hearing people say, like, I was going through this, but I just kept crying out to the Lord and it was great, I was just thinking, Man, I'm the one singing the song but is it really true for my life? Is this my go-to playbook when I hit a wall or face a metaphorical mountain? So, he began combing through the Scriptures, writing down stories and praying the lessons over his life, from Moses courage in crossing the Red Sea to Joshua fighting the battle of Jericho against all odds. I just started going to the Scriptures and said, I need more of this in my life. I want to sing Battle Belongs with so much conviction and confidence that this is true for my life, he said. During that process, Wickham was surprised to discover hed accidentally settled into what he described as lifestyle Christianity, missing out on the joy and excitement of being in Gods presence in the process. I felt so I dont know if convicted is the right word but just like, Lord, I'm so sorry that I've missed out on the joy and in the beauty of it just because I haven't been cultivating in my heart this excitement to be in His presence, this real faith that He is listening and wants to do things. My mind is less on, What are the good things to pray? And more like, I wait to ask God for things according to His will in the name of Jesus because He's going to do it if it's according to His will, in the power and name of Jesus, to His glory. A self-described church kid, Wickham is one of todays most prolific worship leaders. With numerous awards and two decades in the industry under his belt, hes the powerhouse voice and lyricist behind church favorites like Living Hope, This is Amazing Grace and House of the Lord. Hes collaborated with countless other artists, from gospel legend CeCe Winans to rising star Anne Wilson. But the events of 2020, he said, were a wake-up call for him, his Christian music community and the American Church in general. A lot of my friends in ministry and pastors were kind of shaken out of the formula, or the things that we just do, he reflected. Because we had to be like, What are we really doing here? What's important? What do we need to strip away? What's the fluff? What's the stuff that lifts my ego up? What's the stuff that really helps, what's really Kingdom here? At least a lot of my friends, and myself, were asking those questions and didn't really even know we had to. But in an exciting way, we're saying, Life is short, it could change any minute. We just want Jesus, and we just want to be about the Kingdom stuff. Now, the 38-year-old father of four is sharing what he learned about the power of prayer and being in the presence of God in his debut devotional,On Our Knees: 40 Days to Living Boldly in Prayer. The 40-day study, releasing Sept. 27, highlights the importance of cultivating a lifelong practice of prayer and how doing so builds a deeper connection with God. Writing this book helped me to remember [the power of prayer], Wickham said. I would hope that this book would help people to understand the beauty of it, the joy of it, the intimacy of it. That it's not this religious act, but it's this communal act with God. There's an urgency; the world needs for people to pray. Though there are countless reasons to pray, Wickham said the greatest and simplest argument for prayer is that Jesus practiced it regularly and with fierce intentionality. Jesus relied on it even when He was at the end of His rope after healing people and people clamoring for Him; He still got alone to pray. Before He went on the cross Jesus knew He was about to get absolutely slaughtered for the next 24 hours and just go through excruciating pain, both emotionally and physically and mentally and even in a spiritual sense; the Father turning His face away from Him. And what does He do? He prays; He prays to his Father, and He wrestles with His Father a little bit. I feel like we learn so much about how to talk to God through Jesus, he added. Jesus showed us that in all things, being communion with the Father there's so much life there. Though Wickhams devotional is the result of a season of serious reflection, hes quick to stress that he doesnt consider himself a theologian: I definitely didn't write this book saying, Hey, I'm professor Phil, he said. I wrote it because I needed it, and I hope it's the same for other people too. In addition to releasing a book, the artist, whose song "House of the Lord" is up for Song of the Year at the 2022 Dove Awards, recently announced his 2023 Singalong Tour along with Matt Maher and Leeland Mooring. He expressed optimism for the future of Christian music, pointing out that like the Church, the industry experienced a shaking the dust off a little bit following COVID-19 and the lockdowns. I think the last couple of years its like, what's important, and what are the simple things that we need to just remember and bring to the surface and proclaim, he said. I think there's a lot of people on that same page. There's a lot of community. And unlike when he first emerged on the music scene, Wickham pointed out that thanks to Spotify and YouTube, you don't have to have a label anymore for a church in North Carolina to hear songs from a church in Oregon. That's all cool, he said. But looking ahead, Wickham said he prays that he and his peers have the courage and strength to stay faithful in the little things like staying faithful to their spouses, being present parents and walking with the Lord because those are the things that bring power to their music. I just pray that they lay aside the things that weigh us down and just keep moving forward because they're the guys that inspire me when I call them and talk to them. They're the guys that I say, Hey, can you pray for me? So that's what I just hope that it's the behind-the-scenes stuff people stay faithful to, he said. I think all the music, it's going to come, and people are going to keep pushing each other to make more and more, better and better and more beautiful, and I love all that. But I just want people I can trust to lead me. I think we all really just want to see God's Kingdom here on earth through the songs, and everybody's rooting for each other. Megachurch Pastor Matt Carter stepping down at 48, citing advancing heart disease Just over two years after becoming the second senior pastor of the 16,000-member Sagemont Church in Houston, Texas, Matt Carter announced his retirement Sunday at the age of 48, citing a rapidly advancing buildup of plaque in the arteries of his heart. I found out that the kind of plaque that I have in my heart is a rapidly growing plaque. I [didnt] know you could have that. There are two kinds. There is the slow-growing kind that develops over years, and then theres the rapidly growing kind which is the kind that I have, Carter told his congregation Sunday. Vascular plaque, which puts people at risk for heart attack and stroke, form and grow when there is a high level of cholesterol in the blood, according to a report from Harvard Medical School. It is particularly dangerous because doctors haven't yet figured out how to remove the buildup. "Making plaque disappear is not possible, but we can shrink and stabilize it," cardiologist Dr. Christopher Cannon, a Harvard Medical School professor, explained in the Harvard Health Publishing piece, "Can we reduce vascular plaque buildup?" In addition to high levels of cholesterol in the blood, stress also increases the rate at which plaque accumulates in the arteries, and causes them to constrict, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Carter said the rapid growth of plaque in his arteries appears to have coincided with his short time as senior pastor of Sagemont Church. When I did a heart scan (also known as a calcium score test) two-and-a-half years ago the score goes from zero to nothing, 400 or above is significant heart disease. When I did the heart scan almost three years ago now, it was a 40. It was in the low range almost nothing when I took it, Carter said. A couple of months ago it was 440. And so, its advanced incredibly rapidly over the last two years. Carter noted that he missed church a week earlier because he had to go to the hospital to attend to his health. For those of you that know about a heart condition, they put in a stent a couple of months ago for a blockage and during my time in the hospital last week, I found out two things I was not aware of before I went there, he said. The first is that, and Ive shared this before, is that I have a 90 percent blockage in one of my arteries. What I found out that I did not know was that that 90 percent blockage was in my widow-maker part of my heart. So that was news to me. Somehow I missed that part, he added. The widow-maker artery refers to the left anterior descending artery which when blocked stops all the blood flow to the left side of the heart, causing the heart to stop beating normally, a Novant Health report notes. And when this happens, according to Dr. Gary Niess, an interventional cardiologist with Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute, death is more likely compared to a blockage in another artery. The widow-maker is a lay term for a particular type of heart attack, Niess said. Any artery closure can cause a heart attack where the heart muscle dies, but the widow-maker has a higher rate of mortality. In addition to the blockage in his widow-maker, Carter said he also discovered that he has another blockage at 50% in another branch of his widow-maker that cannot be stented until it is 70% blocked, he said. Cater said his doctors advised him to make some radical changes in his life and after a ton of prayer and wise counsel, I have decided to retire as the senior pastor at Sagemont Church. He now plans to take on a less stressful role as vice president of church planting and church mobilization at the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention starting on Oct. 1. I talked to several pastors that left the pastorate and came to NAMB and all of them said that its significantly a less stressful situation than pastoring a local church, he said. Bottom line guys, Im 48 years old, Im about to turn 49 in a couple of weeks, I got cancer twice and Ive got rapidly advancing heart disease. Its time for me to make a change. China-built wind farm alleviates power shortage in southern Kazakhstan Xinhua) 08:39, September 15, 2022 A staff member monitors the operation of wind turbines at the control center of the 100-MW Zhanatas wind farm near the city of Zhanatas in the Zhambyl Region, Kazakhstan, Sept. 13, 2022. The wind farm, with 40 wind turbines and a combined capacity of 100 megawatts, is jointly-held by China Power International Holding and Visor Kazakhstan. As central Asia's largest wind farm built by a Chinese firm, the wind farm was put into operation in 2021, capable of generating 350 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. It alleviates the power shortage in southern Kazakhstan and has brought the once quiet industrial city back to life. Compared with a thermal power plant with the same capacity, this wind farm is expected to save about 110,000 tons of standard coal per year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Photo by Dmitry Vasilenko/Xinhua) Photo taken on Sept. 13, 2022 shows some wind turbines at the 100-MW Zhanatas wind farm near the city of Zhanatas in the Zhambyl Region, Kazakhstan. The wind farm, with 40 wind turbines and a combined capacity of 100 megawatts, is jointly-held by China Power International Holding and Visor Kazakhstan. As central Asia's largest wind farm built by a Chinese firm, the wind farm was put into operation in 2021, capable of generating 350 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. It alleviates the power shortage in southern Kazakhstan and has brought the once quiet industrial city back to life. Compared with a thermal power plant with the same capacity, this wind farm is expected to save about 110,000 tons of standard coal per year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Photo by Dmitry Vasilenko/Xinhua) Photo taken on Sept. 13, 2022 shows some wind turbines at the 100-MW Zhanatas wind farm near the city of Zhanatas in the Zhambyl Region, Kazakhstan. The wind farm, with 40 wind turbines and a combined capacity of 100 megawatts, is jointly-held by China Power International Holding and Visor Kazakhstan. As central Asia's largest wind farm built by a Chinese firm, the wind farm was put into operation in 2021, capable of generating 350 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. It alleviates the power shortage in southern Kazakhstan and has brought the once quiet industrial city back to life. Compared with a thermal power plant with the same capacity, this wind farm is expected to save about 110,000 tons of standard coal per year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Photo by Dmitry Vasilenko/Xinhua) Photo taken on Sept. 13, 2022 shows a view of the control center of the 100-MW Zhanatas wind farm near the city of Zhanatas in the Zhambyl Region, Kazakhstan. The wind farm, with 40 wind turbines and a combined capacity of 100 megawatts, is jointly-held by China Power International Holding and Visor Kazakhstan. As central Asia's largest wind farm built by a Chinese firm, the wind farm was put into operation in 2021, capable of generating 350 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. It alleviates the power shortage in southern Kazakhstan and has brought the once quiet industrial city back to life. Compared with a thermal power plant with the same capacity, this wind farm is expected to save about 110,000 tons of standard coal per year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Photo by Dmitry Vasilenko/Xinhua) Photo taken on Sept. 13, 2022 shows the entrance to the 100-MW Zhanatas wind farm near the city of Zhanatas in the Zhambyl Region, Kazakhstan. The wind farm, with 40 wind turbines and a combined capacity of 100 megawatts, is jointly-held by China Power International Holding and Visor Kazakhstan. As central Asia's largest wind farm built by a Chinese firm, the wind farm was put into operation in 2021, capable of generating 350 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. It alleviates the power shortage in southern Kazakhstan and has brought the once quiet industrial city back to life. Compared with a thermal power plant with the same capacity, this wind farm is expected to save about 110,000 tons of standard coal per year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Photo by Dmitry Vasilenko/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Gods Not Dead to return with part 5, asks 'Is God dead in American politics?' Pure Flix and Pinnacle Peak Pictures announced this week that they are working on the next installment of the popular Gods Not Dead movie collection: Gods Not Dead: Rise Up. Actor and film producer David A.R. White, who plays Reverend Dave in the franchise, called the upcoming film a new chapter." Im still humbled, eight years later, that this type of movie and this message resonates with so many people, White said. The legacy and impact of Gods Not Dead is undeniable and Im so proud and honored to be a part of this movement. According to the films press release, Gods Not Dead: Rise Up will tell the story of Reverend Dave Hills run for Congress. His opponent is aiming to remove religion's influence on public policy. Set against a backdrop of unprecedented political, civil and spiritual unrest, Dave struggles to answer an increasingly relevant question of our time: Is God dead in American politics? the synopsis reads. Pure Flix announced the film at a member appreciation red carpet screening at the AMC Century City in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The event was attended by White as well as other stars from prior Gods Not Dead films, including Dean Cain, Isaiah Washington, Cory Oliver and Brad Heller. Ive been drawn to faith and family projects, like Gods Not Dead, since my son was born. I wanted to be able to bring him to work with me and have him walk away with a positive and uplifting message, Cain, who was featured in the first Gods Not Dead, said. Im blessed to come back and be a part of the Gods Not Dead legacy its such a moving message and challenge to audiences to get them thinking about the difference they can make in their communities and country, he said of his return to part five. Production for the film will begin later this year in South Carolina with Harold Cronk, who directed the original Gods Not Dead, and the sequel. Washington, who played Rep. Daryl Smith in Gods Not Dead: We The People and will now reprise the role, added, Its important to me to be involved in projects that will resonate with an audience for a long time after theyve seen it and thats exactly what the Gods Not Dead franchise is about. Its about calling people to use their talents and be of service in their communities in a way that is unique to them. Gods Not Dead began in 2014, with the first film starring Kevin Sorbo. The movie became one of the most profitable faith-based films of all time, grossing over $100 million worldwide. Justin Welby: Queen Elizabeth II gave us the 'most wonderful example' of a Christian life and death The Archbishop of Canterbury used his sermon at Canterbury Cathedral on Sunday to pay a moving tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and the way she lived out her Christian faith in word and deed. Archbishop Justin Welby praised her as someone who was able to transcend cultures, languages and nations because of the example she set. "It has been said very often in the last few days, but it bears repeating that in her life and her example, God graciously gave us the most wonderful example of a Christian life and a Christian death," he said. "Her late majesty taught as much, if not more, about God and grace, both in words and the actions that reinforced them, than any other contemporary figure. We remember her not for what she had, but for what she gave." The archbishop preached from Luke 15 and the parable of the lost sheep to speak about hope beyond death and the God who reaches out to the lost. Speaking again about the queen's Christian faith, he said she lived with this hope because she knew the love of God. Her son, King Charles III, shares this same hope, he said. "Whoever you are, however lost you may be, whatever you think of yourself positive or negative or fear for someone you love, however final death may seem, there is hope," said Welby. "Not hope as in the sense of 'I hope I will win the lottery this week' (which would be moderately unlikely as I've never bought a ticket), but the hope that is certain expectation of the future, the hope of God who knows you, loves you, finds you and rejoices in you. "And her late majesty knew that, his majesty trusts that, and from that trust and knowledge comes the capacity to serve, to commit life to others, however long or short it may be. "The queen said that at her 21st birthday and then at her Coronation day address, and his majesty said it ... in the Accession Council, and also in his address to the nation." During the sermon, the archbishop talked about the shared ability of the queen and King Charles to make people feel special and even bring "healing" to the hurting people they met. "Both her late majesty and his majesty treat others as special because for both their faith is built on the same rock. The rock of Christ," the archbishop said. "It is a rock on which we, too, can stand. There is room on that rock for every human being, however important or unimportant. Our sure hope comes from the fact the monarchy is not in a person, it is in God's loving grace that he poured upon the queen and pours upon the king 'Thy choicest gifts in store, on him be pleased to pour.' "This is the faith that enabled her late majesty to be such a blessing to us, and to people around the world, an example of wisdom and reconciliation." He said this faith was the reason why the Queen was able to shake hands with former IRA leader Martin McGuinness, despite her beloved uncle Lord Mountbatten being killed in a 1979 IRA attack. "She was able to offer her hand because she stood on the rock of Christ," Welby said. "She knew that every person is part of the flock, she saw every one of her subjects and every person she met as part of God's treasured people. "She knew that even in the shadow of the valley of death the Good Shepherd was with her. She knew that throughout this country's darkest days and greatest victories, the hand of the Lord seeks us out and guides us. His majesty knows the same. We have continuity, we have stability through grace. "Her life made sense in the light of Jesus Christ, her Lord and Saviour. So does that of his majesty. "This is a moment of deep grief, indeed. As her majesty said herself 'grief is the price we pay for love.' But that love has in it the reality of hope that can lift heavy hearts, heal wearied spirits, for it is love that originates in God. "All that is lost will be found again, as surely as Christ Jesus was raised from the dead and defeated death. "And He will gather us all together in Heaven on the glorious day of resurrection where, in a different context, as her late majesty once said to us in difficult times, 'we will meet again.'" Originally published at Christian Today Lindsey Graham introduces 15-week abortion ban as pro-lifers seek to put Democrats on defense WASHINGTON A 15-week abortion ban has been introduced in the United States Senate, the first pro-life legislation introduced at the federal level since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., held a press conference alongside pro-life leaders on Capitol Hill Tuesday, unveiling the Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act. The legislation would ban abortion after 15 weeks of gestation and is similar to the Mississippi law that the Supreme Court upheld in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Along with upholding the Mississippi law, the court declared in Dobbs that Roe was egregiously wrong from the start and reversed the 1973 decision. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., has introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. A statement from Smiths office confirms that the bill has secured the support of more than 80 members of Congress, including Reps. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn., and Andy Harris, R-Md. The Dobbs decision does not ban abortion nationwide but gives state and federal lawmakers the authority to set limits on abortion or increase gestational ages for abortion. Several states have moved to ban abortion in the weeks following the Dobbs decision, while abortion remains legal up to the moment of birth in other states. In response to the Dobbs decision, congressional Democrats have restarted their previous efforts to pass the so-called Womens Health Protection Act, which would codify abortion into federal law and limit the ability of states to pass pro-life laws. Graham characterized his legislation as a response to the Womens Health Protection Act, which has passed the House but failed to pass the Senate. At the press conference, Graham compared both the Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act and the Womens Health Protection Act with the abortion laws on the books in other countries. If we adopted our bill, we would be in the mainstream of most everybody else in the world. I think there are 47 of the 50 European countries [that] have a ban on abortion from 12 to 15 weeks, he said. A graphic on display at the press conference highlighted that France, Denmark and Norway ban abortions after 12 weeks gestation, while Belgium, Germany and Spain prohibit the procedure after 14 weeks gestation. A separate graphic noted that the Democrats' so-called Womens Health Protection Act places America in the company of only seven other countries who allow abortion on demand, including North Korea and China. Carol Tobias, president of the pro-life group National Right to Life, was among the pro-life leaders who attended the press conference. There, she spoke about the adverse impact the Womens Health Protection Act would have if passed: Reasonable limits such as parental consent or womens right to know laws, which were possible under Roe v. Wade, would not be allowed under the WHPA. Graham and the pro-life leaders touted the pro-life legislation as reflective of a consensus on abortion, pointing to a Fox News poll showing that 54% of Americans support banning abortion after 15 weeks gestation, with exceptions for medical emergencies, while just 41% opposed. The Womens Health Protection Act is out of touch with mainstream opinion on the issue of abortion, they added, citing a Harvard-Harris poll finding that just 10% of Americans support abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy. Additional polling from CBS News and the Pew Research Center measured support for legal abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy at 17% and 19%, respectively. Emphasizing that Grahams bill is in keeping with a national consensus on abortion, supporters of the bill also see it as consistent with scientific evidence about fetal development. As Concerned Women for America President Penny Nance explained at the press conference, At 15 weeks, a little baby girl can feel pain. She can move her fully formed fingers and her toes. She can suck her thumb and she has a fully developed heart that is pumping 26 quarts of blood per day. This is a human life that deserves our protection. Pro-life activists and Republicans see this legislation as an opportunity to put Democrats on defense with less than two months to go until the midterm elections. Should we look like Iran and North Korea when it comes to national abortion policy or maybe France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Denmark and Norway? Graham asked. If you vote with us, then well look more like these countries. If you vote with the Democrats, well look more like Syria and North Korea and Iran. I want to be a nation as a whole that recognizes at 15 weeks, the baby feels pain, that to save the babys life, you have to provide anesthesia because you dont want to hurt the baby in the process of saving its life, and we are not a better nation by just dismembering that child, Graham added. March for Life President Jeanne Mancini, added, Politicians voting against this bill will stand not only against science, but they will stand against the American public, not to mention standing against basic compassion for women and unborn children. Since Dobbs, Republicans have found themselves on defense about abortion. Special election results that have occurred this summer to fill vacancies in the House have caused concern that the issue of abortion is motivating pro-abortion Democratic voters to turn out in higher numbers and will lead to the party overperforming in special elections compared to their districts voting patterns in the 2020 presidential election. Public opinion polling has shown that while most Americans support legal abortion at some point in pregnancy, most remain opposed to late-term abortions. A handful of Republicans running for office in swing states have amended their rhetoric about abortion in an effort to appeal to swing voters who take a more nuanced position on abortion. Specifically, Blake Masters, the Republican nominee running for the Senate seat in Arizona, removed a statement from his website declaring that he would support a federal personhood law (ideally a constitutional amendment) that recognizes that unborn babies are human beings" and should not be killed. The section of his website devoted to highlighting Masters pro-life platform now outlines his intention to support a law or constitutional amendment that bans late-term (third trimester) abortion and partial-birth abortion at the federal level. Masters also revised his vow to strip funding from Planned Parenthood by removing his initial inclusion of all other abortionists and any organization that promotes abortion as those worthy of defunding. Masters also deleted a section of his website promising to remove funding for any research that uses embryonic stem cell research or aborted fetal remains. Scott Jensen, the Republican nominee running for governor in Minnesota, released an ad last week of him insisting that abortion was a protected, constitutional right in the state. He also stated that no governor can change that and Im not running to do that. When running for the Republican primary in March, before the Dobbs decision, Jensen said in a Minnesota Public Radio interview that he would try to ban abortion if elected. Graham rejected the idea that the Republican Party and the pro-life movement is on the run. The senator vowed that were going nowhere, adding, We welcome the debate, we welcome the vote in the United States Senate as to what America should look like in 2022. I dont think this is going to hurt us. I think it will more likely hurt them when they try to explain to some reasonable person why its OK to be more like Iran and less like France on abortion, he said. Pro-life groups and Republican candidates for office agree that a refusal to condemn late-term abortion presents a vulnerability for Democrats, especially those running for office in swing states. Masters website amended its section on abortion to emphasize the position of his opponent, Democrat Sen. Mark Kelly, on the matter. Mark Kelly believes in nationwide abortion on-demand up until the moment of birth, with zero limits, the website reads. Only China and North Korea support the extreme no-limits policies that Senator Mark Kelly supports. The pro-life group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America noted in an advertisement that Kelly voted against the Kennedy Amendment to the federal governments budget for fiscal year 2022, which would have established penalties for physicians who perform abortions after 20 weeks gestation. Kelly is not the only swing-state Democrat to implicitly express support for abortion to the moment of birth. Another ad from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America highlights the refusal of Rep. Tim Ryan, the Democratic nominee for the open Senate seat in Ohio, Beto ORourke, who is running for governor of Texas, and Stacey Abrams, who is seeking the governorship of Georgia for the second time, declining to explicitly support any restrictions on abortion when asked. A majority of Americans support common sense limits on abortion. (See: https://t.co/xBGvPracxj) But these Democratic Senate candidates seem unable to name a SINGLE limit on abortion that they would support: pic.twitter.com/9rIDSeNl4s SBA Pro-Life America LifeSavingLaws.com (@sbaprolife) August 31, 2022 John Fetterman, the Democratic nominee for the open Senate seat in Pennsylvania, responded with a No when asked if he supported any limits on abortion. "Are there any limits on abortion you would find appropriate?" PA Democrat John Fetterman: No."pic.twitter.com/WaYJke2I2J RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 5, 2022 Graham stressed that the results of the midterm elections will likely determine the fate of his bill: If we take back the House and the Senate, I can assure you well have a vote on our bill. If the Democrats are in charge, I dont know if well ever vote on our bill. The bill is unlikely to be brought up for a vote in either chamber of Congress as long as Democrats remain in charge. The FiveThirtyEight Deluxe model, which predicts the results of elections based on polls, fundraising, past voting patterns as well as the opinions of political experts currently gives Republicans a 72% chance of retaking the House, while giving Democrats a 72% chance of maintaining control of the Senate. Even if the bill were to pass both chambers of Congress, President Joe Biden, an outspoken opponent of the Dobbs decision, would likely veto it. Graham expressed optimism that if we stay on this and keep talking about it, maybe less than a decade from now, this will be law. Mom struggling with mental health, $10K behind in rent suspected of drowning 3 children A Brooklyn mother suspected of drowning her three young children at Coney Island Beach in Brooklyn, New York, on Monday, was struggling with mental health, was locked in a custody dispute with her ex-husband and facing eviction for $10,000 in unpaid rent. Kenneth Corey, chief of department for the New York Police Department, said at a press conference that around 1:40 a.m. Monday, a relative called 911 and said she was worried that the mother, 30-year-old Erin Merdy, was going to harm her children: 3-month-old Oliver, 4-year-old Liliana, and 7-year-old Zachary. "I believe she (the mother) had called them and made statements to that effect," Corey said. Police immediately launched a search of the mothers apartment on Coney Island which they found unlocked. They also searched the surrounding neighborhood, the beach and the boardwalk where they found the mother with other relatives but the children were missing. "She was soaking wet, she was barefoot and she was not communicative to the officers," Corey said, according to an ABC News report. After an intense search using NYPD helicopters and boats, Corey said the children were found lifeless near the sea at W. 35th Street near the boardwalk, about 2 miles from where the mother was found. While Erin Merdy has no prior arrests or history of being emotionally disturbed, she has been involved in previous domestic incidents of harassment and aggravated harassment that did not result in charges, NYPD records show, according to ABC News. Her family members told the New York Post that she had been grappling with her mental health and was facing eviction for unpaid rent for the $1,531-a-month apartment where she lived with the children. In July 2021 she was served with an eviction notice months before New York states COVID-19 eviction moratorium expired in January, court records show. Eddy Stephen told the NY Post that he knew his niece did a little crazy stuff, but nothing that would lead to harming her children or herself. He told the publication he was speechless when relatives told him Erin killed her three children. She used to like to party here and there, do a little drinking, but I didnt see any drug abuse or see that she was really irresponsible. Its just tragic. I dont know. She never gave us the sign that she would hurt her children. She loved her children, he said. Erin Merdys aunt, Dine Stephen, said her family has a history of mental illness and she was aware that she was struggling but didnt know how badly. I knew she was struggling in the sense she was trying to find her way through life. In this family we do have a history of mental illness to varying degrees. A few of us have battled with bipolar disorder, but I didnt know her mental struggles, she said. I just knew she was trying to find a way for her children, a way to get on her feet. It was the mental issues that took over. Levy Stephen, another uncle of the struggling mom told the NY Post that his niece was also locked in a custody battle with 7-year-old Zacharys father when the killings occurred. He had issues with the way she was raising the child, from what I understand, Levy said. She kind of went off the grid after that, changed her numbers. She wasnt on social media at least not to the point that I could find her. Derrick Merdy, a Navy veteran who lives in Norfolk, Virginia, and Zacharys father (he is not related to the younger children), told The New York Times that he had seen signs that his ex-wife was unstable and incapable of caring for his son and thats why he was trying to get custody of the child. He said he met Merdy on Facebook and they married in 2014. Zachary was born in March 2015, but they broke up soon after Zacharys birth. He said he had been fighting for custody of Zachary ever since. I was trying to get my son. Now thats not going to happen, the sobbing father said. He explained that moving between, New York, Virginia and a posting in Japan, his ex-wife was unreliable when it came to handing over Zachary at designated places. He said Zachary would often come to him dirty, without sufficient clothing for a visit, and complained that he didnt have enough to eat where he was staying. Derrick Merdy alleged that his ex-wife kept his son in shelters where a bowl served as his sons bathroom. He also shared a 2019 text where Erin Merdy said she was thinking of giving up her rights to Zachary. I love him enough to let him stay with you or your mom because I want the best for him, Erin Merdy wrote. I want him to excel. In a January 2016 post, Derrick Merdys mother, Basimah Merdy, doted on Zachary in a Facebook post and declared how much she loved her grandson. Derrick Merdy and his mother did not immediately respond to calls from The Christian Post but he told The New York Times that it was not until his son turned 6 and began spending more time with him that he became more fully aware of what was happening. He recorded what his son told him as part of his effort to gain custody. Zachary told his father that his mother makes me starve, and I didnt do nothing bad; she makes me starve. He told The New York Times that when he reached out to child protective services they gave him no help. It didnt matter how much I called child protective services, Derrick Merdy said. They would tell me, Oh, you dont have any real evidence. But they didnt do a real investigation. When CP reached out to New York Citys Administration for Childrens Services on Tuesday, the agency said it's prohibited by law from sharing whether a family has a history with ACS or any case information. Our top priority is protecting the safety and wellbeing of all children in New York City, a spokesperson said. We are investigating this tragedy with the NYPD. Derrick Merdy said his late son would say he didnt want to go back to his mother at the end of their visits but he sent him anyway. I let him go back, the distraught father said, sobbing. I shouldve went with my instincts. Erin Merdy was taken to the NYU Langone Hospital late Monday morning for a psychiatric evaluation. Detectives are now investigating whether postpartum depression played a role in the death of the children. In a CP report last year highlight the growing public health crisis of suicides among new mothers, Jessica Greenhalgh, clinical director at Honey Lake Clinic in Greenville, Florida, agreed with researchers that there is a need for better understanding about the mental health challenges that come with motherhood, even among healthcare providers. I think that there are a lot of expectations that are often put on mothers that we dont always recognize. A lot of times those expectations may be unrealistic, especially if no one knows what that person is going through. But there are not necessarily many places that specify for postpartum, she said. I worked in a former place where they [some staff] attempted to create a partial hospitalization program specifically for postpartum depression and the engagement was lacking. And I think part of it is a lack of understanding of what it means to have postpartum." Greenhalgh said that when there is a "lack of recognition" or understanding, it can "lead to a feeling of being alone or being different, which also can increase the risk of worsening mental illness." There is no evidence suggesting Erin Merdy was receiving any kind of mental health care. The Rev. Adriene Thorne, who serves as senior minister at First Presbyterian Church Brooklyn, and was previously executive minister of a 1,000-member church in the East Village of New York City, recalled how she experienced a brief moment of wanting to harm her child after giving birth, but because she had the right support she overcame that episode. I remember being on the balcony of my apartment holding my child. And I stepped out on the balcony and I thought to myself, Wow, I could just let her go. I was so freaked out that that went through my head that I just backed up into the apartment and I sat on the couch and I called my sister who is a mom of two," she recalled. "And I was just sobbing. And I said, this is what happened, this is what happened. Whats wrong with me? Because again, the culture says, this should be the happiest moment of your life." "I wasnt upset. I wasnt particularly tired. I just thought, 'somethings wrong with me that I thought that'," Thorne continued. "And my sister said, and this was very helpful, Its normal, Adriene. We all go through this. You didnt let her go. So its OK. In June of last year, another young mother, Dejhanay Jarrell, who lived alone with her 1-month-old and a 2-year-old child at a building on Rockaway Parkway in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, threw them out of a second-story window before jumping out of the window herself, ABC 7 reported. All three survived, but Jarrell was charged with attempted murder. Several other stories highlight mothers jumping to their death with young children in New York City or other instances of maternal murder-suicides around the country. I think what works against women is a culture that says this is the best thing that will ever happen to you without also saying, there is a bottom to this. There is a dark side," Thorne said. "There is an underbelly. There are hormones, fatigue. Theres moms not getting the help they need, lack of childcare. The fact is that we live far apart from our support networks my parents are in D.C., Im in New York so my mom had to make an effort to come help me. My sisters had to travel. We dont live in family networks that would provide us with [what] the African proverb [calls] the village to raise a child, she said. We dont have that. And if we dont have financial resources, particularly in a city like New York, where I live, youre very much on your own. Professor sues university over termination threat for not using student's preferred pronouns A theater professor is suing Southern Utah University (SUU) after he was disciplined for not using a student's requested pronouns for her newly chosen identity. Richard Bugg, who chairs the SUU theater department, filed the lawsuit on Aug. 31 along with a request for an injunction that would prohibit SUU from further retaliation, according to the document obtained by Campus Reform. Bugg declined to comment to The Christian Post, but his suit filed on Sept. 9, 2021, states that a student in his class demanded he use they/them pronouns when addressing her. While Bugg declined the students request, the suit states that he offered to refrain from using pronouns and instead use the students chosen name. But after Bugg inadvertently used female pronouns roughly two or three times when referring to the student, she filed a complaint on Sept. 15, 2021, with the universitys Title IX office. An investigation by SUU found that Bugg had violated the university's discrimination and sexual misconduct policy. The university issued a series of sanctions against Bugg in May, including an order to provide Bugg with education about current views and opinions of English language and grammar experts and resources that using Gender-Neutral pronouns when referring to an individual is now considered grammatically correct, according to the suit. Bugg was subsequently threatened with actions "up to and including termination" if he failed to use the preferred pronouns, according to the suit. In the event students stopped registering for his classes due to failure to use those pronouns, SUU will open additional sections of those classes and professor Buggs pay will be reduced to offset the amounts SUU must pay for the additional sections," the suit added. In the complaint which names SUU President Mindy Benson, Assistant Vice President of Human Resources Kevin Price, Provost Jon Anderson, and other university officials as defendants Bugg stated that upon his refusal to use the students requested pronouns, he was expressing a legitimate political position on a matter of public concern and engaging in his First Amendment right against compelled expression. Asking people to use plural pronouns to refer to individuals is one thing. Forcing them to do it is another and contrary to our rights of free speech, the suit added. Bugg did not respond Monday to a request for comment from The Christian Post. In a statement, SUU Public Relations Director David Bishop said while there is no SUU policy that specifically requires the use of gender pronouns, an executive order issued by President Joe Biden prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Bishop added: The university strives to create an environment where meaningful learning is fostered without discrimination or substantial disruption. Southern Utah University is committed to the principles of free speech guaranteed by the U.S. and Utah Constitutions as well as applicable statutory and regulatory law as written in SUU university policy. The legal battle echoes a number of similar battles being fought in American universities and other educational settings nationwide, including in Ohio, where a Christian professor, who said he was threatened with punishment by university officials for refusing to use the preferred pronouns of a trans-identified student, has secured the right to avoid using pronouns that conflict with his beliefs after years of litigation. In April, Shawnee State University philosophy professor Nick Meriwether reached a settlement with school officials in which the university agreed to pay $400,000 in damages and attorneys fees, according to his legal team at the Alliance Defending Freedom. The settlement came after an appellate court reversed a district courts dismissal of Meriwethers lawsuit against university officials. The cancellation of Dr. Nassif For anyone wondering how traditional Christianity is going to fare in the culture in the future, even within many Christian institutions, the disturbing tale of Dr. Bradley Nassif, formerly of North Park University, an institution formally connected to the theologically conservative Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), offers an interesting case in point. Dr. Nassif is a well-known Orthodox theologian, a respected scholar, and a gracious contributor to ecumenical dialogues between Protestantism and Orthodoxy. Such is his standing that the Washington Post consulted him for commentary on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its implications for religious liberty. As a Lebanese American, he is a member of an ethnic minority. And until recently, he was also the only tenured Orthodox faculty member in the Bible department of an American evangelical institution. None of this protected him from dismissal, however. In May 2021, North Park University (NPU) discontinued its Christian Studies Department (CSD) due to low enrollment, and consequently dismissed four tenured faculty, including Dr. Nassif. However, an investigation by a neutral outside organization demonstrated that the CSD was in fact in a strong financial position. Three of the four professors were rehired, but Dr. Nassif was left out in the cold. Now, adjunct faculty teach his courses. The reason is no mystery. Nassif maintains that all this occurred because he expressed his reasoned, orthodox views on marriage and human sexuality. He was the only faculty member in CSD who went on record in support of the ECCs views of marriage and sexuality, and held that they should be included in the curriculum. Certain members of the faculty and administration responded to his perspective with hostility. And this stand on sexuality became a constitutive part of why he was dismissed. Dr. Nassifs lawyer has obtained sworn declarations supporting this claim from NPUs AAUP president, Nancy Arneson, and former provost, Michael Emerson. While North Park is affiliated with a denomination, the ECC, that upholds traditional views of sex, sexuality, and marriage, it appears that North Park does not want these views taught in the classroom even as one option among many, let alone as the binding truth on all people. And Dr. Nassifs objection to this has cost him his career. Dr. Emerson has offered evidence, stating that representatives of the university attempted to shame and silence Dr. Nassif for standing up for the ECC position on human sexuality. This was evidenced in both public and private meetings. Dr. Arneson provides damning documentation that NPU flouted its own governing documents when it dissolved the CSD. And the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), which sets standards for academic freedom and faculty terminations, has charged that the North Park administration did not adhere to those standards when it shuttered the department. Given the denominations own teaching on sexuality, the case is simply astonishing. Further, if Nassif's views really are those of old white men, as one of his colleagues apparently posted on social media (whiteness now being a psychological category, to be used to describe all those who object to progressive ideology, in case you missed that development), why on earth would the university or said colleagues wish to remain associated with a conservative denomination that also upholds these views? Of course, the case is most instructive regarding our wider culture. It is another example of the way in which our politics is predicated on a therapeutic notion of personhood and the rhetoric of a psychologized, ever-expanding definition of violence and victimhood. And it exposes the fact that progressive Christianity is really just another discourse of power. As structures of power have flipped in favor of iconoclasm, discontinuity, and repudiation of the past, one of the ironies is that post-structuralist critiques of power once the weapons of mass cultural destruction favored by the left are now proving a two-edged sword and cutting those who used to wield them. As Giorgio Agamben showed with reference to emerging biopolitics during the COVID pandemic and much to the fury of the left ideas floated by Michel Foucault and company can actually be applied to power everywhere, whichever side happens to be using it. And what Dr. Nassif is finding out is that institutionalized progressivism is, to borrow a phrase from Foucault, part of a regime of truth. Whatever the claims it makes about its much-trumpeted commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, in reality, progressive rhetoric operates to demonize people like Dr. Nassif and delegitimize his beliefs without actually having to address their substance. Under this regime, you can indulge in the lazy and sophomoric practice of dismissing a man from an ethnic minority as being white merely because you do not like his views. You can claim to be a Christian institution while refusing Christian teaching on sexuality a place in the curriculum. And you can do all this with impunity, perhaps even with the applause of the wider culture, because of the logic of the regime of truth within which you operate. The good-faith advocates of pluralism need to take note: This new regime of truth does not respect Enlightenment principles of tolerance and fair play. It considers those to be cynical masks for power and privilege. Yet it is not self-aware enough to realize that its own rhetorical mask of DEI is far more cynical and its own privileges far less transparent and honest than the mask it has replaced. The goalposts are always changing. One's status as an ethnic or religious minority can be either a decisive factor or utterly irrelevant depending on what those in power think on any given day. Its an unpredictable game of gotcha with no stable set of rules, as Dr. Nassif has discovered to his cost. And there is a tragic postscript here: Dr. Nassif has been publicly humiliated and stripped of his position, income, and benefits at the very moment that his wife is struggling with Stage IV lung cancer. Modern educational progressives present themselves as concerned with the excluded, the weak, and the vulnerable. It is hard to imagine anyone more vulnerable in America than an elderly woman with such a medical diagnosis. We need to pray for the Nassifs. In the meantime, perhaps it is time to dust off those old Foucault volumes and revisit his ideas. They might yet prove useful in exposing the regime of truth that the newspeak of progressivism constitutes. And, as an added bonus, nothing will annoy the righteous left more. Originally published at First Things. When masculine Christianity becomes unhealthy, even dangerous There is a great need in the Church today for men to be men, to exhibit courage and conviction, to lead well and to serve well, to provide and to cover. In fact, the Greek verb translated be courageous in modern English versions of 1 Corinthians 16:13 is literally, act like men. Let the Christian men rise up and fulfill their unique calling, even as Christian women rise up and fulfill their unique calling as well. Both will need courage to stand. But that is a far cry from the machismo version of the Gospel, let alone the militarized Gospel. On the contrary, those are striking examples of Christians creating a Jesus in their own image, a Jesus who caters to their flesh rather than calls them to crucify their flesh. Of course, the wimpy Jesus, the always apologizing Jesus, the toothless Jesus, is not the Jesus of the Bible either. And we are certainly not called to follow that man-made version of the Lord. The last thing we need is what missionary C. T. Studd (1860-1931) called chocolate soldiers who melt in the heat when the going gets rough. According to Studd, their song sounds like this: I must be carried to the skies On a flowery bed of ease Let others fight to win the prize, Or sail through bloody seas Mark time, Christian heroes, Never go to war; Stop and mind the babies Playing on the floor. Wash and dress and feed them Forty times a week. Till they're roly poly Puddings so to speak. Round and round the nursery Let us ambulate Sugar and spice and all that's nice Must be on our slate. In contrast, Studd said, Every true Christian is a soldier of Christ a hero par excellence! Braver than the bravest, scorning the soft seductions of peace and her oft-repeated warnings against hardship, disease, danger, and death, whom he counts among his bosom friends. That spirit of courage, that heroic spirit of godly manliness, is under attack today. But there is a difference between the courageous and heroic Church and the hyper-masculinized, even militarized Church. The former overcomes evil with good and vanquishes hatred with love. It refuses to deny Jesus even to the point of death. It is filled with courage and faith and truth. The latter confuses the Gospel with fleshly anger, chest-beating, and sword-rattling, mistaking carnality for Christlikeness. The apostle Paul was one of the most courageous leaders who ever lived, and for him, that meant following the example of Jesus. Speaking of himself and his fellow apostles, Paul wrote, When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. (1 Corinthians 4:12) Todays version sounds like this: When reviled, we respond in kind with a salvo of ugly words; when persecuted, we fight back, armed to the teeth and brandishing our weapons; when slandered, we launch a withering response. As I noted in The Political Seduction of the Church, in many of our church circles, meanness is considered more spiritual than meekness. This especially applies to preachers, and in the eyes of many, the nastier you are the more anointed you are. In fact, in some circles, a sermon is not complete without throwing out some meanspirited political barbs, followed by a line like, No one is going to shut me up and no one is going to take away my guns. In Jesus name! And the people shout, Amen! This is not the Gospel and this is not the overcoming Church. This is a politicized, macho church that could easily become militarized. To be clear, there are many fine Christians in the military and there are many fine Christians who strongly advocate for our Second Amendment right. There are also times that going to war is fully justified, and self-defense is not unscriptural. But this is a far cry from the conflating of worldly, carnal masculinity with Christian courage or, worse still, the call to take up arms in the name of the Gospel. My friend Ron Cantor recently pointed out that Hitler thought that the Jesus of the Bible was effeminate and weak, referring to Dean Strouds Preaching in Hitlers Shadow. Stroud wrote that for Hitler, this was A Faith for Weaklings. Yes, It was not only Jesus Jewishness that provoked Nazi hatred of orthodox Christianity. Along with worshiping a Jewish God, traditional Christianity praises virtues that Nazis found repugnant: love of neighbor, forgiveness, peacemaking, and humility, to name but a few but in Nazi speech these are replaced by hatred, rejection, brutality, final victory, obedience to Hitler, and rejection of the weak, the ill, and the marginal. Many American Christians also despise these values, wanting to emulate the Jesus who overturned the tables of the money changers in the Temple and drove out the cattle with a whip, while rejecting the Jesus who taught us to love our enemies and to turn the other cheek. (For the real meaning of turn the other cheek, which does not forbid self-defense or justifiable military action, see here.) Looking back through Church history, Dr. John Dickson pointed out that, The most remarkable sign of this medieval process of Christian militarisation is a ninth-century Old Saxon poem called the Heliand or Saviour. It is a retelling of the Gospels account of Christ in the style of a pagan heroic saga. Jesus himself is described as a knight, and his apostles are his travelling war band. In fact, Even the Sermon on the Mount usually associated with an ethic of love is transposed in the Heliand to describe the rewards given to the magnanimous warrior. Yes, Words originally intended to inspire mercy, peace, and non-retaliation are retold in the Heliand as a kind of war speech from the head Wielder about the rewards due to his good war-men. The author of the Heliand is obviously attempting to modify the pagan warrior ethic in the direction of justice, but the modifications involve some accommodation to the warrior culture itself. (See John Dickson, Bullies and Saints: An Honest Look at the Good and Evil of Christian History.) So, Jesus is the Wielder of military weapons while His disciples, depicted in the Sermon on the Mount as those who will be persecuted and hated for their faith, are the war-men, in the literal sense of the words. They wield very real swords and march out to fight for the faith. Talk about turning the biblical text upside down and creating a Jesus in our own image. Dickson cites Christopher Tyerman, who wrote, In mediating between the Christian message and Germanic values, the vocabulary of Christianity itself adopted appropriate images accessible to warrior elites. Dickson adds, Within this context, Christian discipleship could, without too much of a stretch, be extended to include real physical violence for Christs cause. To be sure, there is a holy war that we are called to fight as servants of the Lord. But it is not that kind of holy war, fought with physical violence or intimidation. May God help us to learn these lessons from the past. We cannot afford to repeat them again. Indias top court directs government to verify claims of Christian persecution Indian Christian leaders say they welcome the Supreme Court's recent directive to eight states to verify the claims of Christian groups that filed a petition for protection after around 200 attacks were reported within the first five months of 2022. "We are satisfied with the Supreme Court order," one of the petitioners, Archbishop Peter Machado of the Archdiocese of Bengaluru, told UCA News. In an interim order passed earlier this month, Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Hima Kohli directed chief secretaries of eight states to verify the list of attacks mentioned in the petition within four months and send the report to the federal interior ministry. The eight states include Bihar, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, according to The Hindu newspaper. The court said verification was needed because the federal government had maintained that claims of Christian persecution in India are based on "half-baked and self-serving facts and self-serving articles and reports based upon mere conjecture." The order assured that the court "had not formed any opinion on the veracity of the allegations." The states must provide information such as preliminary police reports, status of investigations, arrests made and charges filed, the order states. The order directed the petitioners to provide a detailed breakdown of the incidents of violence to the office of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. Last month, the federal interior ministry said in its response to the petition from Christian groups: "There appears to be some hidden oblique agenda in filing such deceptive petitions, creating unrest throughout the country and perhaps for getting assistance from outside the country to meddle with internal affairs of our nation." The petition was filed by Archbishop Machado, the National Solidarity Forum and the Evangelical Fellowship of India, demanding an investigation into rising attacks on Christians and requesting police protection for places of worship. Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves, who reported about 500 attacks on Christians across the country in 2021 alone, issued a formal response to the claim of the federal government led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While Christians make up only 2.3% of India's population and Hindus comprise about 80%, several states in the country have enacted anti-conversion laws, which presume that Christians "force" or give money to Hindus to persuade them to convert to Christianity. Radical Hindu nationalist groups frequently use anti-conversion laws to make false charges against Christians and launch attacks under the pretext of an alleged forced conversion. "The persecution of Christians in India is intensifying as Hindu extremists aim to cleanse the country of their presence and influence," a fact sheet from watchdog group Open Doors USA states. "The driving force behind this is Hindutva, an ideology that disregards Indian Christians and other religious minorities as true Indians because they have allegiances that lie outside India, and asserts the country should be purified of their presence." "This is leading to a systemic, and often violent and carefully orchestrated, targeting of Christians and other religious minorities, including use of social media to spread disinformation and stir up hatred." The United Christian Forum reported at least 486 violent incidents of Christian persecution in 2021, calling it the "most violent year" in the country's history. UCF attributed the high incidence of Christian persecution to "impunity," enabling mobs to "criminally threaten, physically assault people in prayer, before handing them over to the police on allegations of forcible conversions." Police registered formal complaints in only 34 of the 486 cases, according to the UCF. Talks between OPEC and its allies are zeroing in on a delay to next years planned oil-output increase of three to six months, according to several delegates. Saudi Arabia and Russia, leaders of the 23-nation coalition, have already indicated publicly that they are thinking twice about easing production cuts in January as the resurgent pandemic hits fuel demand. The presidents of both Russia and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries have even mentioned the option of cutting production deeper. This idea hasnt garnered widespread support so far among other members, one delegate said. Less than three weeks before members meet to take a final decision, the alliance is instead increasingly focused on maintaining the current cutbacks into early 2021, the delegates said, asking not to be identified as the talks are private. The alliance is keeping about 7.7 million barrels a day off-line right now, or 8% of global output. Vaccine surprise The vaccine announced this week by Pfizer Inc. could revive fuel demand in mid-2021, allaying the need to pare supply further, one delegate said. Oil prices rallied to a 10-week high above $45 a barrel in London on Wednesday in response to the scientific breakthrough. However, the immense logistical challenges of deploying a vaccine to billions of people mean it wont materially alter oil-market conditions over the next six months, a delegate said. So the development doesnt guarantee that producers can open the taps in January as originally planned. RELATED: Peak oil demand could come as soon as 2028 OPEC is also having to contend with the return of supply from members that are exempt from cutting production. After a truce in its civil war, Libya has revived output to the highest level in almost a year. Traders expect Iran will resume exports in 2021 after President-Elect Joe Biden reactivates an accord on the countrys nuclear program. Deal tweaks Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Monday that OPEC and its partners can tweak this agreement as necessary. It already did so earlier this year, postponing a 2 million barrel-a-day output hike from July to August. The cartel had aimed to restore a similar amount of production in January, in expectation that a rebounding global economy would stimulate fuel use. But a surge of infections is triggering new lockdowns, sapping demand for transport fuels and making those hopes less feasible. The monthly report from OPECs Vienna-based secretariat cut projections for the amount of crude the world will need from the cartel for almost every quarter to the end of 2021. It warned the pandemics effects on consumption will linger next year. Since OPEC+ forged the current production agreement back in April, Riyadh and Moscow have consistently tried to shape expectations. They have, on occasion, opted for more aggressive measures than the market was expecting, keeping the moves under wraps to maximize the impact on prices. RELATED: Can shale survive another bust? Russian President Vladimir Vladimir Putin said on Oct. 22 that if necessary we can take a decision on further cuts, while adding that he saw no immediate need to do so. Algerian Energy Minister Abdelmajid Attar alluded to the possibility again on Wednesday. Saudi Arabias Prince Abdulaziz has warned repeatedly that it would be unwise for short sellers to bet against him. Nothing is certain until ministers hold an online meeting from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1. The United Arab Emirates, which has recently chafed at its OPEC commitments, emphasized on Monday that consensus is necessary for the deal to be amended. We have to be all convinced that tweak is required, Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei said at the online Adipec conference. Movies based on true stories don't typically open with a sequence made with stop-motion animation. But then "The Silent Twins" attempts to tell two stories, only one of them more or less true. The live-action drama is about June and Jennifer Gibbons, British Caribbean twin sisters who rarely spoke to anyone except each other. The funkily animated interludes derive from the sisters' fantastical fictions, many of which they attempted to have published. Director Agnieszka Smoczynska clearly means for the two narrative elements to dovetail, but more often they clash. Among the animated vignettes are some that are eerie and poignant, such as the fable of a couple who ponder sacrificing their loyal dog to save their baby. Equally strange, if in a way less believable, is the depiction of the sisters' psychic symbiosis. Andrea Seigel's script offers little insight into the twins' psychiatric malady - no character suggests even a tentative diagnosis - but regularly supposes that the two can intuit each others' thoughts and imminent actions. When separated, the sisters experience intense pain but also extrasensory communication. This connection is given emotional heft by the performances of "Black Panther" star Letitia Wright as June and Tamara Lawrance as Jennifer. The two are not twins, of course, but the actors' glances, gestures and whispers do effectively simulate an intense intimate bond. That the performers are not identical serves to highlight the sisters' contrasting personalities, which sometimes lead to violent brawls. The actual Gibbons twins were born in 1963 to Barbadian parents at a British military base in Yemen. A decade later, June and Jennifer (played as children by Leah Mondesir-Simmonds and Eva-Arianna Baxter) move with their family to small-town Wales, where they're the only Black children in their school. The girls are subjected to racist bullying by classmates, a source of traumatic stress the film acknowledges only briefly. As teenagers, June and Jennifer (now played by Wright and Lawrance) buy a typewriter and set out to become professional authors. They also discover sex (both with the same guy, a beefy blond American played by Jack Bandeira) and huffing chemicals to get high. According to the movie, the sisters are stoned when they go on a robbery and arson rampage that gets them institutionalized at Broadmoor Hospital, a high-security asylum. Filmed in dismal interiors in the director's native Poland, the psychiatric hospital scenes are suitably grim, if too compressed to convey the anguish and tedium of the twins' 11-year incarceration. Eventually, the sisters find a champion in Sunday Times journalist Marjorie Wallace (Jodhi May), who wrote a book about the sisters, also titled "The Silent Twins" - the source of Seigel's screenplay. The women are released, but only one of them achieves true freedom. The filmmakers establish the period with tunes by T. Rex, the Clash and Soft Cell, as well as images of Charles and Diana's royal wedding. Less evocative are the bland songs written for the movie, which feature lyrics adapted from the sisters' writings, and a few brightly hued scenes that represent liberation, mostly as an unattainable dream. "The Silent Twins" doesn't try to explain its protagonists' affliction, but the movie does express its crushing sadness. - - - Two and one-half stars. Rated R. At theaters. Contains drug use, some sexuality, nudity, strong language and disturbing material. 113 minutes. Rating guide: Four stars masterpiece, three stars very good, two stars OK, one star poor, no stars waste of time. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate CHICAGO (AP) A federal jury in Chicago convicted R. Kelly on Wednesday of producing child pornography and enticing girls for sex after a monthlong trial in his hometown, delivering another legal blow to the Grammy Award winning singer who was once one of the worlds biggest R&B stars. Prosecutors won convictions on six of the 13 counts against him, with many of the convictions carrying long mandatory sentences. But the government lost the marquee count that Kelly and his then-business manager successfully rigged his state child pornography trial in 2008. Both of his co-defendants, including longtime business manager Derrel McDavid who had told jurors that testimony from four Kelly accusers had led him to change his mind about Kelly's believability were acquitted of all charges. The trial was, in ways, a do-over of Kelly's 2008 child pornography trial, with a key video critical to both. Kelly, who shed tears of joy when jurors acquitted him in 2008, gave a thumbs-up sign to spectators after Wednesday's verdict but otherwise showed little emotion. Before Kelly was returned to federal lockup, McDavid hugged Kelly, who rose from poverty on Chicagos South Side to become a superstar. Asked by reporters later outside court how Kelly felt after the verdict, his lead attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, said: Mr. Kelly is used to bad news. Hes still got many fights to fight," she said. "But what he did say is that he had a sense of relief that this particular case was in the past now. The verdict comes months after a federal judge in New York sentenced Kelly to 30 years in prison in June for racketeering and sex trafficking. Based on that sentence, the 55-year-old wont be eligible for release until he is around 80. And two sexual misconduct trials still await Kelly one in Minnesota and one in state court in Chicago. After deliberating for 11 hours over two days, jurors convicted Kelly of three counts each of producing child pornography and enticement, while acquitting him of obstruction of justice, one count of production of child porn and three counts of receiving child porn. Among the charges McDavid was acquitted of was conspiring with Kelly to rig the 2008 trial. Milton Brown, the other co-defendant, was acquitted of receiving child pornography. Chicago-based U.S. Attorney John Lausch expressed satisfaction with the verdict. He told reporters that, when you add up the potential punishments on the six guilty counts, Kelly was staring at at least 10 years and up to 90 in prison. Judge Harry Leinenweber did not set a sentencing date. He could order that Kelly serve whatever sentence he imposes simultaneously with the New York sentence or only after that one is fully served. The latter would, for practical purposes, mean a life sentence. Prosecutors at the federal trial in Illinois portrayed Kelly as a master manipulator who used his fame and wealth to reel in star-struck fans, some of them minors, to sexually abuse then discard them. Kelly, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, was desperate to recover pornographic videos he made and lugged around in a gym bag, witnesses said. They said he offered up to $1 million to recover missing videos before his 2008 trial, knowing they would land him in legal peril. The conspiracy to hide his abuse ran from 2000 to 2020, prosecutors said. Some dozen Kelly fans regularly attended the trial. On at least one occasion during a break, several made hand signs of a heart at Kelly. He smiled back. Bonjean, Kelly's attorney, told jurors in her closings that the government had relied, in some cases, on liars and and blackmailers as witnesses. She earlier implored jurors not to see Kelly as the monster she said prosecutors so badly wanted them to see. In her closing rebuttal Tuesday, prosecutor Jeannice Appenteng cited testimony that Kellys inner circle increasingly focused on doing what Kelly wanted as his fame boomed in the mid-1990s. And ladies and gentlemen, what R. Kelly wanted was to have sex with young girls, she said. All four Kelly accusers who testified went by pseudonyms or their first names: Jane, Nia, Pauline and Tracy. Some cried when describing the abuse but otherwise spoke calmly and with confidence. A fifth accuser, Brittany, didn't testify, and jurors acquitted Kelly of the one charge related to her. Four of his six convictions were tied directly to Jane and relied largely on her testimony. She was the governments star witness and also pivotal to the trial fixing charge, of which he was acquitted, and which accused him of using threats and payoffs to get her to lie to a grand jury before his 2008 trial. A single video, which state prosecutors said was Kelly abusing a girl of around 14, was the focal point of that trial. Three of the child porn charges that Kelly was convicted of Wednesday were related to that video and others depicting Jane. Jane, 37, said publicly for the first time at the just-ended trial that the girl in the video was her at age 14 and that the man was Kelly, who would have been around 30. Some jurors in the 2008 trial said they had to acquit Kelly because the girl in the video didnt testify. Asked on the witness stand how many times Jane and Kelly had sexually abused her before she turned 18, Jane answered quietly: Uncountable times. Hundreds. Jane, who belonged to a teenage singing group, first met Kelly in the late 1990s when she was in junior high school. Soon after that, Jane told her parents Kelly was going to be her godfather. Jane testified that when her parents confronted Kelly in the early 2000s he dropped to his knees and begged them for forgiveness. She said she implored her parents not to take action against Kelly because she loved him. Defense attorneys suggested a desire for money and fame drove some government witnesses to accuse Kelly, and they accused several people of trying to blackmail him. Prosecutors played jurors excerpts from three videos that Jane said featured her. Court officials set up opaque screens around the jurors so spectators couldnt see the videos or the jurors reactions. But the sound was audible. In one video, the girl is heard repeatedly calling the man daddy. At one point she asks: Daddy, do you still love me? The man gives her sexually explicit instructions. Prosecutors have said Kelly recorded the video that was also evidence in the 2008 trial in a log cabin-themed room at his North Side Chicago home around 1998. Another accuser, Pauline, said Jane introduced her to Kelly when they were 14-year-old middle school classmates in 1998. She told jurors she still cares for Kelly. But, as a 37-year-old mom, she said she now has a different perspective. If somebody did something to my kids, she said, Im killing em. Period. ___ Joey Cappelletti is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Michael Tarm on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mtarm and find APs full coverage of the R. Kelly trial at https://apnews.com/hub/r-kelly ___ This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Derrel McDavids first name. WASHINGTON (AP) Two buses of migrants from the U.S.-Mexico border were dropped off near Vice President Kamala Harris' home in residential Washington on Thursday morning in the bitter political battle over the Biden administration's immigration policies. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has been busing migrants out of Texas to cities with Democratic mayors as part of a political strategy this year because he says there are too many arrivals over the border to his state. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey also has adopted this policy, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also got in on the act recently. It was first dreamed up by former President Donald Trump. Abbott tweeted that he'd sent the buses that arrived Thursday: Were sending migrants to her backyard to call on the Biden Administration to do its job & secure the border. About two dozen men and women stood outside the U.S. Naval Observatory at dawn, clutching clear plastic bags of their belongings carried with them over the border, before moving to a nearby church. Harris' office had no immediate comment. The steady flow of migrant buses has caused a scramble in Washington, with Mayor Muriel Bowser calling for federal intervention and a coalition of NGOs forming to handle the new arrivals, backed by a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This coalition has become accustomed to wildly divergent levels of coordination between the Texas and Arizona buses. Tatiana Laborde, managing director of the international relief agency SAMU First Response, said the buses from Arizona come with detailed manifests of passengers and their nationalities, coordination on arrival times and medical personnel aboard each bus. They dont want to just dump people here, Laborde told The Associated Press last month. In contrast, she said, the Texas buses arrived chaotically. They only hear from charitable groups on the Texas end that a bus carrying a certain number of people has departed. At some point about 48 hours later, that bus drops off riders at Washingtons Union Station. Thursday morning's surprise drop-off outside Harris' residence suggests governors like Abbott were looking for creative new ways to make their political point with the District of Columbia as the playing field. Domingo Garcia, president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, called the move inhumane and accused Abbott of using human beings, babies, families, as political pinatas Speaking to reporters outside Harris residence, Garcia said the two busloads of migrants from Texas were dumped like human garbage in Washington on Thursday. He also said many of the migrants were being tricked into signing these releases, something both the Texas and Arizona governments have denied. He also called for both Republican and Democratic politicians to come together around, a bipartisan solution to fixing our broken immigration system. I agree that its broken. After migrants seeking asylum cross the U.S.-Mexico border, they spend time in a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility along the border until they are generally released into the U.S. to wait out their cases. Republicans say Biden's policies encourage migrants to vanish into the U.S.; Democrats argue the Trump-era policy of forcing migrants to wait out their asylum cases in Mexico was inhumane. DeSantis flew two planes of immigrants to Marthas Vineyard on Wednesday. And last week, Abbott sent about 75 migrants to Chicago. Bowser has requested a National Guard deployment but was rejected by the Pentagon; the deployment was opposed by the NGOs, who called it an unnecessary militarization of a humanitarian issue. Last week, Bowser declared a limited state of public emergency over the migrant issue and proposed forming a new Office of Migrant Services with $10 million in funding. The proposal comes before the D.C. Council next week. ___ Follow the AP's coverage on immigration at https://apnews.com/hub/immigration. LUCKNOW, India (AP) Six men were arrested Thursday in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh for allegedly raping and killing two teenage girls whose bodies were found hanging from a tree a day earlier. The 15- and 17-year-old girls belonged to the Dalit community, the lowest rung of India's rigid caste hierarchy, and were found hanging from a tree in a sugarcane field near their house in Lakhimpur Kheri district, police said. Dalits formerly known as untouchables are victims of thousands of attacks each year. According to human rights organizations, Dalit women are particularly vulnerable to caste-based discrimination and sexual violence. According to an initial investigation, the sisters reportedly left their home on Wednesday and met with two of the arrested men with whom they may have had a relationship, police superintendent Sanjiv Suman said. The two men confessed to strangling the sisters after raping them, and then called two others to help get rid of the bodies, he said. They later hung the bodies from a tree in an attempt to pass their deaths off as suicides, Suman said. Two other men were also arrested in connection with the incident, but police did not say what they are suspected of doing. Police brought complaints of suspected murder, assault, rape and rape of a minor. A postmortem examination has been carried out at a hospital and the bodies have been handed over to the family for last rites, senior police officer Prashant Kumar said. On Wednesday night, the victims' mother went to the police station, where she said three unidentified men and a male neighbor abducted her daughters, the Press Trust of India news agency reported. The incident sparked anger in the village, and residents held a demonstration after the bodies were found. Police have been deployed across the village to maintain law and order, local media reports said. The incident also sparked outrage on social media, where opposition politicians attacked the state government and chief minister, who belongs to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bhartiya Janata Party. Reports of rape are hauntingly familiar in India. In 2020, the gang rape and death of a Dalit woman triggered anger across the country with protesters rallying in the streets. It followed a month after a 13-year-old Dalit girl was raped and killed in Uttar Pradesh. Rape and sexual violence has been under the spotlight since the 2012 gang rape and brutal killing of a 23-year-old student on a New Delhi bus. The attack galvanized massive protests and inspired lawmakers to order the creation of fast-track courts dedicated to rape cases and stiffer penalties for those convicted of the crime. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BEIRUT (AP) A Lebanese activist group on Thursday vowed to organize more bank heists to help people retrieve their locked savings as the country's years-long economic crisis continues to worsen. Activists from Depositors' Outcry group accompanied Sali Hafez into a Beirut bank branch on Wednesday, and she was able to retrieve some $13,000 in her savings to fund her sister's cancer treatment. Hafez carried a toy gun when she walked into BLOM Bank on Wednesday, while the activists who accompanied her poured about gasoline, threatening to set the bank on fire if she did not get her money out. The group told The Associated Press that they had also coordinated with a man who tried to take some of his money from a bank in the mountainous town of Aley. Local media said he carried an unloaded shotgun. Lebanons cash-strapped banks have imposed strict limits on withdrawals of foreign currency since 2019, tying up the savings of millions of people. About three-quarters of the population has slipped into poverty as the tiny Middle East countrys economy continues to spiral. Alaa Khorchid, the head of Depositors Outcry, said there is now no other choice for Lebanese bank depositors but to take matters into their own hands. He spoke at a press conference in Beirut. BLOM Bank issues a statement saying that this is a pre-orchestrated operation. Yes it is, what were you thinking? Khorchid told reporters, referring to the banks statement condemning Hafez and the activists. And were organizing more than this, and you have no choice. Peoples rights are sacred, he added, addressing banks in general. The real beginning of the revolution started yesterday, when Sali Hafez entered the bank, and there is no turning back, Ibrahim Abdullah, a member of the Depositors' Outcry group said at the press conference. This revolution is against all the banks." Several groups advocating and protesting for Lebanese depositors have emerged since 2019, with some like the one named the Depositors' Union opting to file lawsuits against banks to help depositors retrieve their money. Wednesdays heist occurred weeks after a food delivery driver broke into another bank branch in Beirut and held 10 people hostage for seven hours, demanding tens of thousands of dollars in his trapped savings. Many Lebanese hailed him as a hero. The standoff and public sympathy for those taking matters into their own hands to get their savings has exposed the depths of people's despair in Lebanons economic crisis, which has pulled over three-quarters of the country's population into poverty, unable to cope with skyrocketing food, electricity, and gasoline prices. Meanwhile, Lebanese officials struggle to implement structural reforms for an economic recovery plan approved by the International Monetary Fund to unlock billions of dollars in loans and aid to make the country viable again. Alex Brandon/AP WASHINGTON (AP) Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff under former President Donald Trump, has complied with a Justice Department subpoena and turned over records as part of a federal investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the Capitol and efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, a person familiar the matter said Thursday. The records produced by Meadows are the same ones he earlier provided to a House committee conducting a similar investigation, according to the person, who spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing Justice Department probe. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) A cease-fire between Armenia and Azerbaijan held Thursday following two days of fighting that killed 176 soldiers from both sides. Armen Grigoryan, the secretary of Armenias Security Council, said the truce brokered thanks to international mediation took effect at 8 p.m. Wednesday. A previous cease-fire that Russia brokered Tuesday had quickly failed. Armenia's Defense Ministry said late Thursday that the situation on the border with Azerbaijan has been quiet since the cease-fire started and no violations were reported. There was no immediate comment from Azerbaijan. In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price welcomed the parties' "continued adherence to the ceasefire." "We continue to engage and encourage the work needed to reach a lasting peace again, there can be no military solution to this, he said. The cease-fire declaration followed two days of heavy fighting that marked the largest outbreak of hostilities in nearly two years. Armenia and Azerbaijan traded blame for the shelling, with Armenian authorities accusing Baku of unprovoked aggression and Azerbaijani officials saying their country was responding to Armenian attacks. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Wednesday that 105 of his countrys soldiers had been killed since fighting erupted early Tuesday, while Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry said Thursday it had lost 71. The ex-Soviet countries have been locked in a decades-old conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, which is part of Azerbaijan but has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since a separatist war there ended in 1994. Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council that Moscow expects Armenia and Azerbaijan to abide by all the agreements of the cease-fire. We are in close contact with both countries so as to arrive at a sustainable cease-fire and the return of Azerbaijani and Armenian military to their positions of origin, the Russian ambassador said. He said that ways of lowering tensions were discussed in Russian President Vladimir Putin's call with Pashinyan and conversations between top diplomats of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the defense ministers of Russia and Armenia. Putin is also scheduled to meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Friday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in the Uzbekistan city of Samarkand. At the council meeting, Armenia and Azerbaijan accused each other of starting the latest fighting. During a six-week war in 2020, Azerbaijan reclaimed broad swaths of Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent territories held by Armenian forces. More than 6,700 people died in the fighting, which ended with a Russia-brokered peace agreement. Moscow deployed about 2,000 troops to the region to serve as peacekeepers under the deal. Pashinyan said his government has asked Russia for military support amid the latest fighting under a friendship treaty and also requested assistance from the Moscow-dominated Collective Security Treaty Organization. Yerevan's plea for help has put the Kremlin in a precarious position as it has sought to maintain close relations with Armenia, which hosts a Russian military base, and also develop warm ties with energy-rich Azerbaijan. On Wednesday, Pashinyan told lawmakers that Armenia is ready to recognize Azerbaijans territorial integrity in a future peace treaty, provided that it relinquishes control of areas in Armenia its forces have seized. We want to sign a document, for which many people will criticize and denounce us and call us traitors, and they may even decide to remove us from office, but we would be grateful if Armenia gets a lasting peace and security as a result of it, Pashinyan said. Some in the opposition saw the statement as a sign of Pashinyans readiness to cave in to Azerbaijani demands and recognize Azerbaijans sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh. Crowds of angry protesters quickly descended on the governments headquarters, accusing Pashinyan of treason. Protests were also held in other Armenian cities. Thousands of opposition supporters rallied again late Thursday in front of the country's parliament, calling for Pashinyan to be impeached. One opposition leader, Karin Tonoyan, urged protesters to start blockading government buildings on Friday and also issued a call for a nationwide strike. ___ Aida Sultanova in London, Matthew Lee in Washington and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report. ROME (AP) Police in Italy and Belgium have arrested five people accused of smuggling migrants carrying fake diplomatic passports into Europe aboard luxury jets, Italian police said Thursday. Migrants paid up to 10,000 euros (dollars) each to be flown from Turkey into European countries aboard jets that the smugglers fraudulently booked for diplomats, said Costantino Scuderi, police chief in the southern Italian city of Bari. NEW HAVEN A local man waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen firearm before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven on Wednesday, according to the Department of Justice. Javon Moorning, 43, also admitted to violating the conditions of his supervised release from prison for an earlier conviction, the DOJ said. In July 2011, Moorning was sentenced to 100 months, or more than eight years, in prison followed by three years of supervised release for distributing crack cocaine, according to the DOJ. His sentenced was later reduced to 84 months, or seven years, in prison, the DOJ said. In June 2018, Moorning was released from prison. He was arrested on July 24, 2018 for selling heroin and crack cocaine while still on supervised release, the DOJ said. Upon his arrest, investigators discovered additional heroin and crack cocaine in his possession, the department reported. Moorning pleaded guilty to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin and crack cocaine and admitted violating the conditions of his supervised release, according to the DOJ. He was sentenced to two years in prison followed by three years of supervised release, the DOJ said. In April 2020, Moorning was again released from prison, according to the DOJ. He and an associate were involved in a car crash in Hamden on May 17, 2022 as they fled from Connecticut probation and Hamden police officers serving probation violation warrants, the DOJ said. Following the crash, Moorning exited the car and threw a loaded 9 mm handgun that had been secured in his waistband to the ground, according to the DOJ. Probation officers who apprehended him found approximately 20 bags of suspected heroin as well as crack cocaine and MDMA pills in his possession, the DOJ said. The handgun was recovered by a Hamden police officer, according to the DOJ. It was found to have been reported stolen from South Carolina in 2020, the DOJ said. Moorning was arrested on June 3 and has been detained since, according to the DOJ. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 7. He faces up to a decade in prison for the firearm offense and up to two years in prison for again violating the conditions of his supervised release, the DOJ said caroline.tien@hearst.com NEW YORK George B. Irish, vice president and Eastern director of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation of California and the Hearst Foundation, Inc. of New York, died of a heart attack Tuesday at his home in New Jersey. He was 78. After retiring from Hearst in 2008, Irish played an important role at the Hearst Foundations, leading its Eastern team along with Paul Dino Dinovitz, executive director and head of its Western operations. Separate from the corporation, the Hearst Foundations are national philanthropic resources for organizations working in the fields of culture, education, health and social services. In addition, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation operates two programs, the United States Senate Youth Program and the Journalism Awards Program. Since its inception, the foundations have made over 22,200 grants to 6,300 organizations, totaling more than $1.4 billion in funds awarded. George was a member of our family, said William Randolph Hearst III, chairman of the board of directors of Hearst, president of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation and a director of the Hearst Foundation, Inc. We are deeply saddened by his passing but filled with gratitude for his many years of stewardship, professional wisdom and, especially, his friendship. Virginia Hearst Randt, president of the Hearst Foundation, said, George made the world a better place in business, in philanthropy and as a friend. In 1998, as Hearst senior vice president and president of Hearst, Irish led the newspaper group as it expanded its investments in print and online operations, along with its journalistic enterprise in the digital era. Before heading Hearst Newspapers, he was a vice president and group executive for the unit for five years. Previously, he was the publisher of several Hearst dailies since he joined the corporation in 1979 when it acquired the Midland (Michigan) Daily News. Besides the Daily News, Irish was subsequently publisher of the Midland (Texas) Reporter-Telegram, the Beaumont (Texas) Enterprise and the San Antonio Light. I had the great fortune to work for and with George for more than 20 years, said Steven R. Swartz, president and chief executive officer of Hearst. He was a wonderful man, a dedicated executive and a much loved member of our Hearst community and of all the communities he served so well. Irish was dedicated to the business of newspapers, serving on industry boards and heading print organizations throughout his career. He lived in eight different cities during his career, ultimately residing in both New York and Texas. Among his career achievements, Irish received the 1992 Texas Newspaper Leader of the Year Award, known as the Pat Taggart Memorial Award, the highest honor given by Texas newspapers. A past president of the Texas Daily Newspaper Association, Irish then served on the boards of the Newspaper Association of America (now known as the News Media Alliance), the International Center for Journalists, the READ Foundation, the Nieman Foundation Board of Advisors and the Columbia Journalism School Board of Visitors. In addition to serving as director of the Associated Press until May 2007, Irish was also a director of Hearst. In 2009, Irish was elected to serve as chairman of the Newspaper Association of America. Irish was especially active in the American Press Institute, serving in many capacities, including as president, chairman and director. In 2006, the group honored Irish with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Besides his career achievements, the award also recognized Irish for significantly supporting and promoting the professional advancement and leadership training of newspaper professionals. At the time, API had bestowed only eight such awards in its 60-year history. In 2006 and 2017, Irish was honored by United Way of New York City, the New York Giants and the New York Jets at their annual Gridiron Gala for his outstanding contributions as a corporate leader to the community and the United Way. He was also a longtime United Way director and volunteer. Irish graduated from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. He maintained a lifelong tie to the college. He was named Millikin's Young Alumnus of the Year in 1976 and received an honorary doctorate from the school in 2000. He also served as chairman of the board of trustees. Irish was predeceased by his first wife, Mary Rettig Irish, who died in 2005. He is survived by daughter Sandra Irish Draper, her husband Kyle Thomas Draper and their son Carson Irish Draper of Denton, Texas; and daughter Christine Irish Sheedy, her husband Malcolm Joseph Sheedy and their sons Samuel Joseph Sheedy and Luke Butler Sheedy of Dallas. A third daughter, Diane Leslie Irish, died in infancy. Irish is also survived by his brothers, Charles Irish of Centerville, Ohio, and John Irish of Toledo, Ohio. He is predeceased by his brother Thomas Patrick Pat Irish. He is survived by his wife Jeannie Wetherill Irish; stepdaughter Jayne Ann Puccio, her husband William J. Puccio and their children Natalie and Charlie of Newtown, Pennsylvania; and stepdaughter Amy Wetherill Cooley, her husband Michael Cooley and their children Alexandra and Anna Cooley of Villanova, Pennsylvania. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. NOTE: This article has been updated to reflect the correct author of "Alice in Wonderland." Books Unite Us, Censorship Divides Us is the 2022 theme for Banned Books Week hosted from Sept. 18-24. The written word has changed the way ideas are exchanged.This includes objections to books containing violence, negativity, racism, sexual orientation, religious affiliations, offensive language or books that are deemed unsuitable for the intended age group. The Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 729 challenges in libraries, schools, and universities, which impacted 1,597 books in 2021. The majority of those titles focused on the Black and LGTBQ+ communities. Join the library in celebrating Banned Book Week 2022 by reading banned books like the following: Did you know: China found fault with author Lewis Carrolls depiction of animals having human characteristics in Alice in Wonderland in 1931. In 2006, a Kansas school district challenged Charlottes Web by E. B. White for the same reason. A Colorado public library banned The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein in 1988 because the story was thought to be sexist. Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh was challenged by parents in Xenia, Ohio in 1983 for encouraging bad behavior in children. Due to profanity and sexual themes,Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison made the ALA 2021 list of challenged books. Young adult books are often challenged in schools because parents feel their children may be negatively influenced by the content. Other titles that made the list are Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez, due to sexuality; and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, because it is anti-police. Classics such as Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens and Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott were banned in Nazi Germany for featuring Jewish characters. Harper Lees beloved book To Kill a Mockingbird is the fourth most challenged or banned classic in the United States for themes of racism and sexuality. Other classic novels that have been frequently banned are A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway in Italy from 1929-1948 because he wrote honestly about the battle of Caporetto, and Ireland, due to sexual content in 1939; The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain was banned in Concord, Massachusetts when first published as racist, inaccurate and mindless; themes of racism and capitalism; and challenges to The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald include language and sexual references. Call of the Wild by Jack London was banned in Italy, Yugoslavia in 1929, and Nazi territories in 1933 because of the authors socialist views. The Lebanese government banned Dan Browns Da Vinci Code because of perceived offensiveness to Christianity. This title was harshly rated or outright forbidden in Manila, India, and the Vatican. Banned in over 15 countries, The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie was perceived as viewing Islam negatively. Banning Maus by Art Spiegelman from a Tennessee school curriculum created a buying frenzy in many parts of the country. Objecting to swear words and nude imagery of a woman, the vote was unanimous. The graphic novel tells the story of the author and his father, who survived the Holocaust. According to the author, Vladimir Putin made the same decision in Russia in 2015, citing the use of swastikas in the book, and got the same result. Manistee County Library supports the freedom to read. A list of banned and challenged books is available on the American Library Association website ala.org. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON (AP) A bay-breasted warbler weighs about the same as four pennies, but twice a year makes an extraordinary journey. The tiny songbird flies nearly 4,000 miles (6,437 kilometers) between Canada's spruce forests and its wintering grounds in northern South America. Migratory birds are these little globetrotters, said Jill Deppe, the senior director of the migratory bird initiative at the National Audubon Society. A new online atlas of bird migration, published on Thursday, draws from an unprecedented number of scientific and community data sources to illustrate the routes of about 450 bird species in the Americas, including the warblers. The Bird Migration Explorer mapping tool, available free to the public, is an ongoing collaboration between 11 groups that collect and analyze data on bird movements, including the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, the U.S. Geological Survey, Georgetown University, Colorado State University, and the National Audubon Society. For the first time, the site will bring together online data from hundreds of scientific studies that use GPS tags to track bird movements, as well as more than 100 years of bird-banding data collected by USGS, community science observations entered into Cornell's eBird platform, genomic analysis of feathers to pinpoint bird origins, and other data. The past twenty years have seen a true renaissance in different technologies to track bird migrations around the world at scales that haven't been possible before, said Peter Marra, a bird migration expert at Georgetown University who collaborated on the project. The site allows a user to enter a species for instance, osprey and watch movements over the course of a year. For example, data from 378 tracked ospreys show up as yellow dots that move between coastal North America and South America as a calendar bar scrolls through the months of the year. Or users can enter the city where they live and click elsewhere on the map for a partial list of birds that migrate between the two locations. For example, ospreys, bobolinks and at least 12 other species migrate between Washington, D.C. and Fonte Boa, Brazil. As new tracking data becomes available, the site will continue to expand. Melanie Smith, program director for the site, said the next phase of expansion will add more data about seabirds. Washington, D.C. resident Michael Herrera started birdwatching about four months ago and was quickly hooked. It's almost like this hidden world that's right in front of your eyes," he said. Once you start paying attention, all these details that were like background noise suddenly have meaning." Herrera said he's eager to learn more about the migratory routes of waterbirds in the mid-Atlantic region, such as great blue herons and great egrets. Georgetown's Marra hopes that engaging the public will help spotlight some of the conservation challenges facing birds, including loss of habitat and climate change. In the past 50 years, the population of birds in the U.S. and Canada has dropped nearly 30%, with migratory species facing some of the steepest declines. ___ Follow Christina Larson on Twitter at @larsonchristina. ___ Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about APs climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. U.S. passenger rail systems dodged a crisis Thursday as the White House announced a tentative agreement to avert a national rail strike that had threatened to disrupt travel for hundreds of thousands of Americans. The agreement, which has yet to be ratified, came a day before a possible strike of freight railroad workers that would have halted much of the nation's passenger rail operations. The developments early Thursday quickly translated to relief among passengers, and intercity and commuter rail systems facing service shutdowns. Amtrak said it is working to resume service that was suspended ahead of a potential work stoppage. The passenger rail began suspending service Tuesday, then all of its long-distance and some state-supported trains were canceled Thursday amid the threat of the strike. "Amtrak is working to quickly restore canceled trains and reaching out to impacted customers to accommodate on first available departures," the passenger railroad said in a statement. It is unclear if any of the day's departures would be restored, but the company said it would provide updates to passengers. Major regional rail systems had also been warning commuters about possible service shutdowns beginning as early as Thursday evening. Officials with those agencies said they were following the negotiations closely to determine the potential effects on their operations - ready to suspend service if a strike occurred. The labor dispute over pay and working conditions between freight railroads and unions representing their workers had dragged for months. Workers this week were demanding greater flexibility to miss work for medical emergencies and other reasons without fear of being disciplined. Negotiators had until 12:01 a.m. Friday to reach a deal to avoid a significant hit to the economy. Most Amtrak routes outside the Northeast Corridor and about half of commuter rail systems in the United States operate at least partially on tracks or rights of way owned by freight railroads. Those freight tracks likely wouldn't have been available to passenger trains in the event of a widespread strike. Davin Peterson, a Woodbridge, Va., resident who takes the Virginia Railway Express commuter rail into the nation's capital, said alerts earlier in the week about a possible VRE shutdown Friday worried him. Peterson had been weighing his options to get to work at the Library of Congress on Friday, considering a commuter bus instead of driving. On Thursday, he said he was relieved a resolution had been reached before a strike brought widespread disruption. "The rail strike would have hurt our economy and halted passenger rail service around the country," he said. DJ Stadtler, executive director of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, which oversees passenger service in the state, called the tentative agreement "welcome news" for the growing number of Virginias who depend on Amtrak and commuter rail routes. Amtrak on Wednesday night had announced plans to shut down service to the state starting Thursday. Transit advocates had warned that failed negotiations would have had grave consequences, essentially leading to the ceasing of intercity passenger trains outside of the Northeast Corridor. On Thursday, Jim Mathews, president and chief executive of the Rail Passengers Association, welcomed news of a deal. "This is a significant win for everyone who depends on trains, whether to get to work or home or to get the stuff they buy," he said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Garnett Querta slips on his work gloves as he shifts the big rig hes driving into park. Within seconds, he unrolls a fire hose and opens a hydrant, sending water flowing into one of the plastic tanks on the trucks flat bed. His timer is set for 5 minutes, 20 seconds when the tank will be full and hell turn to the second one. The water pulled from the ground here will be piped dozens of miles across rugged landscape to serve the roughly 700,000 tourists a year who visit the Grand Canyon on the Hualapai reservation in northwestern Arizona an operation thats the main source of revenue for the tribe. Despite the Colorado River bordering more than 100 miles of Hualapai land in the canyon, the tribe cannot turn to it as a water source. About a dozen tribes across the Colorado River basin similarly have yet to fully secure access to the river. Now that the river is shrinking because of overuse, drought and human-caused climate change, tribes want the federal government to ensure their interests are protected. ___ EDITORS NOTE: This is part of a collaborative series on the Colorado River as the 100th anniversary of the historic Colorado River Compact approaches. The Associated Press, The Colorado Sun, The Albuquerque Journal, The Salt Lake Tribune, The Arizona Daily Star and The Nevada Independent are working together to explore the pressures on the river in 2022. ___ The Hualapai Tribe has a water settlement in Congress that comes with $180 million for infrastructure. Still, it could be years before a pipeline is built and water flows from the river to the main town of Peach Springs or the tribe's tourist center at Grand Canyon West. It was the best of a bad deal, said Phil Wisely, the tribes public services director. And the thing is, I dont think we could get a better deal, especially now. The Colorado River no longer can support the 40 million people in the U.S. West who have relied on it, plus a $15 billion agriculture industry. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation recently mandated deeper cuts to the water supply and asked seven states to find ways to conserve more. Tribes did not get a share of the river when the states agreed to divide it and signed the Colorado River Compact in 1922. Unlike other water users, tribes dont lose access to water when they dont use it. A 1908 U.S. Supreme Court decision known as the Winters Doctrine says tribes have the right to enough water to establish a permanent homeland. Often, tribes give up potentially huge water claims in exchange for an assured supply and federal funding to deliver it. Tribal water rights once they're fully resolved could add up to about one-quarter of the river's historic flows, according to the Water & Tribes Initiative. On the Ute Indian Tribe's reservation east of Salt Lake City, a water settlement has been delayed for decades because not everyone now agrees on the amount the tribe should receive. Tribal leaders say they're tired of pressing the federal government to protect its interests. They maintain the way water has been apportioned in Utah has been unfair, though Utah state officials disagree. Until you start to deal with the inequities or the injustice, you can never really have any momentum going forward, said Shaun Chapoose, chairman of the Ute Business Committee. In a statement to The Associated Press, the Interior Department did not say how tribal water rights, which are federal rights, would be protected as the rivers flow decreases. It said it is working with tribes that are affected by drought. Back on the Hualapai reservation, the tribe has been chasing groundwater for years. Quertas job is a grind, but hes well-suited for it analytical, quick and goal-oriented. The truck takes a beating on the gravel and dirt road on multiple round trips of more than 30 miles most days. The side mirrors and back windows have rattled loose and are held on by red duct tape. Major truck repairs or illness can put him out of commission. COVID-19 sidelined Querta for two weeks last year with no replacement. I didnt mind because I didnt want anybody to mess up my truck or my tanks, said Querta. I take care of this truck like its mine. The water he taps is sent through a pipeline just outside Peach Springs to Grand Canyon West. Revenue from tourism funds programs for the elderly, public works, the cultural center and other services. The main tourist attraction is the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a glass bridge with a view of the Colorado River 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) below. A restaurant overlooking the canyon operates with water conservation in mind waterless urinals, faucets with sensors, bottled water and food served in disposable containers. Those practices will remain even if Hualapai gets water from the Colorado River, said operations manager Alvaro Cobia-Ruesga. The Hualapai Tribe has long planned to expand Grand Canyon West with a store, fire and police station, housing and elementary school to serve tribal members who now ride a shuttle up to five hours round trip daily from Peach Springs and surrounding communities to their jobs there. But without a secure source of water for Grand Canyon West, it wont happen, said tribal Chairman Damon Clarke. One of the biggest things with our settlement is hope for the future and getting this not for us at this time, but for the generations ahead, Clarke said. ___ Fonseca covers Indigenous communities on the APs Race and Ethnicity team. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/FonsecaAP AP DALLAS (AP) A man was sentenced automatically to life in prison without parole after a jury convicted him of capital murder Wednesday in the 2021 shooting death of a Dallas-area police officer. A Dallas County jury deliberated a little over an hour before finding Jaime Jaramillo, 38, guilty in the shooting death last Dec. 3 of Officer Richard Houston outside a Mesquite supermarket. Michael Warren/Getty Images/iStockphoto On the heels of a scorching hot summer, the cooler temperatures are more than welcome while heading out for a day on the water to catch some fish. That said, here are the top five charter services for anglers looking to head out for a fishing trip along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast, according to the Beaumont Visitors Bureau website. The fall season in Texas has some of the best months for fishing, according to Captain Randy Foreman, a local fishing expert who reports weekly updates to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department about angling conditions along the Southeast Gulf Coast. Foreman also has more than 35 years of fishing experience as a Sabine Lake Fishing guide. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) Hundreds of Ugandans attended a memorial service Thursday in honor of Queen Elizabeth II, a somber ceremony that underscored affection for the departed British monarch in this East African country. Speakers in the Anglican cathedral in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, included Foreign Affairs Minister Jeje Odongo, who paid tribute to the queen as an "endearing leader. She wasn't the queen of England alone," she said. "She was the queen of all of us in the Commonwealth. The Rev. Jonathan Kisawuzi, the cathedral's dean, spoke of the queen's faith, courage and direction in her 70-year reign. We will remember her always, he said. Uganda is one of the 56 member states of the Commonwealth, a group of mostly former British colonies that now includes others, such as Rwanda, that were not part of the British Empire. Elizabeth is fondly remembered among Ugandans, who recall her attendance in Kampala of the 2007 Commonwealth summit. It was a great occasion for Uganda, Eunice Okullo, a political activist who was among those attending Thursday's memorial service, said of the queen's visit 15 years ago. She ate Ugandan foods that's what they told us. Others spoke of the queen's ability to connect with the people she had met. Much as we are mourning, we are also celebrating the queen's achievements," said retired prisons commissioner Mary Kaddu. We are celebrating her life. The queen, who died Sept. 8, will get a state funeral Monday at Westminster Abbey in London. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) The West Virginia Department of Education and Board of Education have announced the state Teacher of the Year and Personnel of the Year at a ceremony in Charleston. Amber Nichols was named Teacher of the Year Tuesday night. She is a kindergarten teacher at Eastwood Elementary School in Morgantown and has taught for 21 years. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A former Texas sheriffs deputy has been sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for killing his ex-wife, teenage stepdaughter and the stepdaughters boyfriend. Former Travis County sheriffs deputy Stephen Broderick, 42, was automatically sentenced after pleading guilty to capital murder Tuesday in Austin in the 2021 deaths of ex-wife Amanda Broderick, 35; stepdaughter Alyssa Broderick, 17; and Willie Simmons III, 18. Broderick rammed his vehicle into his ex-wife's house and shot dead all three people inside. Prosecutors set aside a possible death penalty in exchange for the guilty plea. The ex-deputy killed the three during a custody visit with his son, whom he didnt shoot. Stephen Broderick was free on bond at the time of the shooting after being charged the year before with the sexual assault of a child and losing his job as a result. Stephen Broderick was ordered to wear a GPS tracking device, but state District Judge Karen Sage ordered the removal of the device five months after his release, the Austin American-Statesman reported. Prosecutors dropped the sexual assault charge as part of Broderick's plea deal. Amanda and Alyssa Broderick's family said the dismissal denied justice to Alyssa, who was the victim of the sexual assault. But prosecutors said they doubted they could obtain a conviction on the charge because the victim was dead. Sage, who passed the sentence on Broderick, expressed sympathy with their anger. I wish I could bring you justice, Sage said. But the truth is, the loss youre suffering, theres nothing I can do to make that loss go away. Its the best we can do in the system we have, and its never enough. My heart goes out to you. Three beautiful, wonderful people I see their lives shine on through all of you. I hope that at some point you can find some peace. Two busloads of migrants were dropped off near Vice President Kamala Harris' residence in the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. early Thursday morning. Gov. Greg Abbott announced the buses in a tweet Thursday, writing: "This morning, two Texas buses of migrants arrived at the Naval Observatory in DC.VP Harris claims our border is 'secure' & denies the crisis. Were sending migrants to her backyard to call on the Biden Administration to do its job & secure the border." Fox News reports that the group of 75 and 100 peoplewho hail from Venezuela, Uruguay, Colombia and Mexicowere picked up in Eagle Pass. Abbott sent the buses following Harris' interview this week with Meet the Press host Chuck Todd, during which she insisted that the Texas border was secure. "We have a secure border, and that is a priority for any nation, including ours and our administration," Harris told Todd. "But there are still a lot of problems that we are trying to fix, given the deterioration that happened over the last four years." The migrants will reportedly be housed in a local church, according to Fox News. Members of Sanctuary DMV, a local feminist organization that provides safe spaces and resources for immigrants and targeted communities, waited at the scene for the migrants to arrive. "We've already set up a church and a location - a safe location for them to tell us where they need to go next, where they have relatives," member Marla Bustillos told Fox. Bustillos noted that press was at the scene before organization volunteers knew the migrants would arrive. "So the press knew the location before we did, some of the volunteers... it's very frustrating," Bustillos told Fox. "We're gonna make it happen, but it takes a lot of resources, a lot of effort." Over 7,900 migrants have been bussed to Washington, D.C. since April as part of Texas' "Operation Lone Star" border policing initiative, according to data from Abbott's office. Additionally, over 2,200 migrants have been transported to New York City and 300 migrants sent to Chicago. The latest group of migrants from Texas arrived just hours after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed credit for two planes full of migrants that were flown into Martha's Vineyard Wednesday evening. "States like Massachusetts, New York and California will better facilitate the care of these individuals who they have invited into our country by incentivizing illegal immigration," read a statement from a DeSantis spokesperson. In an emailed statement, Abbott's press secretary Renae Eze wrote that his office did not work with DeSantis to fly out migrants but confirmed they have had conversations with the Florida governor about how to support their busing strategy. "Though we were not involved in these initial planes to Marthas Vineyard, we appreciate the support in responding to this national crisis and helping Texans," Eze wrote. "Governor Abbott encourages and welcomes all his fellow governors to engage in this effort to secure the border and focus on the failing and illegal efforts of the Biden-Harris Administration to continue these reckless open border policies." Massachusetts State Rep. Dylan Fernandes claimed that many of the migrants didn't know where they were and were flown in under false pretenses. "They say they were told they would be given housing and jobs," Fernandes tweeted. "Islanders were given no notice but are coming together as a community to support them." Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey also began to send buses filled with migrants to the nation's capital in May. Fernandes strongly condemned the Republicans' actions, writing: "Republicans who call themselves Christians have been plotting for some time to use human lives - men, women, and children - as political pawns. It is evil and inhumane." Harris has yet to comment publicly on Wednesday's bussing. The ballot goes on and on. A voter in Harris County can expect as many as 90 contests in this Novembers general election for federal, state and county offices. If there are any other local elections where a voter lives, theyll have even more. Its just a lot to keep track of, said Jace Whitaker, a 28-year-old voter in Harris County. Its pretty intimidating because you can research online, but theres not really that much info about a lot of the candidates. And its not just on Nov. 8. Before the general election, voters like Whitaker research candidates for primary and runoff elections. Thats not to mention research for any municipal elections or special elections held in between. Theres a lot of judge elections in Harris County. I just have so much trouble digging up info about those small judge roles, said Whitaker. Local elections in general are kind of hard to pick up information about the candidates. Whitaker isnt alone. Several readers asked in our reader survey: Why does Texas have so many elections and so many elected offices? And do the number of contests contribute to the states lower levels of voter turnout? Small government via a lot of government Texas was founded with one of the countrys most restrictive constitutions, imposing strict limits and rules on what the government can do. Its the states original mistrust of government that, ironically, fuels the long list of ballot items voters face. Putting as many offices on the ballot as possible was meant to ensure citizens had a say in their elected officials on every level of the government, said Bob Stein, a political science professor at Rice University. There was once a very progressive movement [in Texas], one that didnt necessarily trust centralized government, Stein said. For example, Texas is one of a handful of states that choose judges through partisan elections, which means every judicial race has a primary election before a general election (and potentially runoff elections in between). Voters elect members of the state Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeals, the Court of Appeals, district courts, county courts and justice of the peace courts. Runoffs in the Republican and Democratic primaries can contribute to election fatigue. Texas is one of just eight states that require primary candidates to win more than 50% of the vote before advancing to the general election. If there is no first-place finisher above 50%, the top two candidates will face off in a runoff election. The rapid-fire timing of gubernatorial and statewide elections happening back-to-back primaries in March, runoffs in May, certain city and school board races also in May and then the general election in November can add to the feeling of an overwhelming amount of elections, said Joshua Blank, the director of research for the Texas Politics Project. Every two years in Texas, we have a high-stakes election, whether for president or for governor. But if you're an ordinary Texan, given that setup, it almost feels like there's always a campaign going on here, Blank said. Plus, theres always the possibility for more elections happening at any time. When positions become vacant from retirement or other unexpected circumstances, the Texas governor schedules a special election. The states status as the second-largest in the country by both area and population only confounds this challenge, as the huge number of elected officials in the state increases the likelihood of vacancies and special elections popping up in between regularly scheduled elections.A large amount of elections isnt a problem for all Texans. Political parties often see it as an advantage. Candidates that win minor league elections in cities or counties develop skills to prepare them for larger elections. Men and women that cut their teeth on these smaller district elections begin to develop a repertoire of campaign and fundraising skills and familiarity with the voters, Stein said. Low voter turnout Voter turnout is typically low in Texas, especially in primary elections. In 2020, 25.3% of registered voters cast a ballot in either Democratic or Republican elections. In 2022, that number decreased to 17.7%. While 60% of eligible voters hit the polls in the presidential election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, the state still ranked near the bottom in the nation for voter turnout. Experts point to a number of reasons for low voter turnout in the state and a high number of elections is just one of them. It has to do with elections. It has to do with low socioeconomic status. It has to do with the history of the dominance of one party in the state, but it also has to do with a state Legislature that doesn't make it easy to participate, said Sean Theriault, a government professor at the University of Texas at Austin. Texas has the 13th highest poverty rate in the United States, with 13% of residents living in poverty. Low socioeconomic status can be linked to low voter turnout, according to Theriault. When you have high incomes, you can start thinking about things other than having a roof over your head, clothing on your body and food on your table. When you have higher-income people, they just have the luxury of starting to think about things other than their basic needs, Theriault said. Uncompetitive elections also make voters feel like their vote matters less, which can discourage them from voting. Republicans have retained control of most of the Texas government since the 1990s. If you don't have competition at the statewide level, then what inducement is there for the marginal voter to still listen and pay attention and cast votes? Theriault asked. Texas has some of the countrys strictest restrictions on voting, including a law passed in 2021 that limited what voting initiatives local counties could undertake. The law targeted several initiatives that Harris County used in 2020 to help voters keep social distance during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic. The legislation made it a felony for local election officials to distribute mail-in ballots to voters that did not specifically ask for them, even if voters qualify. It impacts older voters, it impacts disabled voters and it impacts rural voters, said Joyce LeBombard, president of the League of Women Voters Texas. It just has consequences that I dont think everybody realizes. The law also allows poll watchers to move freely throughout elections and observe every part of the elections process, excluding only what happens in the voting booth. It can create an intimidating environment for voters, especially if youre new to voting and youre already unsure about how to vote, LeBombard said. It could just be very intimidating to ask for the help that you might need.Though authors of the bill have said it is meant to increase the security of elections, there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud in Texas. The offices of Sen. Bryan Hughes and Rep. Andrew Murr, two lead authors on the 2021 legislation, did not respond to a request for comment on this story. What do other states do? States including Georgia, Florida, Arkansas and Arizona have passed laws that restrict access to voting since the 2020 presidential election. But some states have attempted to make voting easier. California has passed a number of voting laws over the past decade, and in the years since the 2020 elections. Voter turnout of eligible voters in the Golden State has increased by about 15% from 2012 to 2020. In the last 10 years, there hasnt been a pro-turnout reform that California has not adopted. said Eric McGhee, a senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California. I honestly cant think of one that theyve left on the table theyve done just about everything. Some of the voter access initiatives in California include: Making mail-in ballots available to everyone, with no reason required Introducing online voter registration Adding automatic voter registration at the DMV Giving 16- and 17-year-olds the ability to pre-register to vote Aligning less popular local elections with federal elections so voters are electing their mayor at the same time as they are voting on the U.S. president Even so, California ranked just 24th in the nation for voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election, with a 68.5% turnout rate of eligible voters. Other states like Washington, Maine, Colorado and Minnesota earned spots in the 75% to 80% range for voter turnout. The discrepancy could be due to the states with high turnout having smaller, more educated and wealthier populations. No matter what the voting laws, those populations tend to have higher rates of voter turnout. Some of these changes could increase turnout in Texas, said Stein, the political scientist at Rice University. But many may not help as much as they do in other states. Combining local elections with federal elections may not actually make a difference. Ballots might become too long for voters, leaving many to turn in incomplete ballots.This consequence could be remedied if the state expanded mail-in voting. With more time, voters could research every candidate on the ballot and actually complete it, Stein said. But increasing access to mail-in voting, too, could have unintended consequences because it exposes voters to a lack of privacy from their immediate household. Stein said that many voters may face pressure from family members, coworkers or other people to vote a certain way that they wouldn't experience if voting in a traditional polling place. It has a downside. Mail-in voting isnt really a secret ballot, Stein said. What can the average voter do? Texas isnt likely to pass any initiatives to decrease barriers to the polls in its next legislative session, which is in 2023 and after the upcoming midterms. But advocates say the average Texan can still make an impact on the states voter turnout. Any Texan who is above the age of 18 and a U.S. citizen can become a deputy registrar. Deputy registrars distribute voter registration forms and can register other residents. These Texans could also become election workers. Election workers are responsible for making sure Election Day runs smoothly they help voters with disabilities, language barriers or confusion for any reason to cast their ballots. If those things arent for you, LeBombard, of the League of Women Voters Texas, says the key to voter turnout is in conversation. We've gotten away from this idea of talking to people about elections because people want to turn it into politics, LeBombard said. But you don't have to talk about politics if you want to talk about voting. Texans can encourage voting with family members, coworkers and anyone in between. Rather than trying to push for a certain candidate, Texans can help each other find a strategy to vote. If a friend says they wont vote because they dont know whats on the ballot, LeBombard says Texans should point them to a voters guide. If they say they cant vote because they have to care for their children, encourage them to bring their children with them or help them find child care. Its having those conversations with the people that you know and finding out if they are voting, not how they're going to vote, LeBombard said. Thats how were going to really increase voter turnout. When you go to the poll, bring a friend. Bring five friends. The Texas Tribune is answering reader questions ahead of the midterms about elections and the issues Texans are voting on. Thanks to readers like Sarah F., Edson S. and Jay J. for asking us why there are so many elections in Texas, and if that contributes to the states low voter turnout. For the latest news and information on elections, sign up for our free daily newsletter. You can also get election updates over text message by texting hello to 512-967-6919. This story is part of a project called Democracy Day, in which newsrooms across the country are shining a light on threats to democracy and what action is needed to protect it. Disclosure: Rice University and the University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. The Texas Tribune Festival is almost here! From Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 22-24, in downtown Austin, TribFest attendees will enjoy three days full of mind-expanding events, conversations and panels featuring more than 350 big names including Chris Bosh, Pete Buttigieg, Liz Cheney, Annette Gordon-Reed and many others. Join us for Texas biggest politics and policy event when you buy your tickets today. This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2022/09/15/texas-elections-2022/. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. WFO MIDLAND/ODESSA Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Wednesday, September 14, 2022 _____ AREAL FLOOD ADVISORY Flood Advisory National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 605 PM CDT Wed Sep 14 2022 ...FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected. * WHERE...A portion of western Texas, including the following county, Midland. * WHEN...Until 800 PM CDT. * IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. Water over roadways. Ponding of water in urban or other areas is occurring or is imminent. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 605 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the advisory area. Between 0.5 and 1 inch of rain has fallen. - Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are expected over the area. This additional rain will result in minor flooding. - Some locations that will experience flooding include... Midland, Odessa, Midland International Air and Space Port, Midland Airpark, Warfield and Cotton Flat. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. The National Weather Service in Midland has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Southwestern Ector County in western Texas... Northeastern Ward County in western Texas... Southeastern Winkler County in western Texas... Northwestern Crane County in western Texas... * Until 700 PM CDT. * At 608 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles east of Monahans, moving northwest at 5 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees. * Locations impacted include... Monahans and Monahans Sandhills State Park. This includes Interstate 20 between mile markers 83 and 93. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather WFO MIDLAND/ODESSA Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Wednesday, September 14, 2022 _____ FLASH FLOOD WARNING Flash Flood Statement National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 610 PM CDT Wed Sep 14 2022 ...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR NORTHWESTERN BREWSTER, SOUTHEASTERN JEFF DAVIS AND WEST CENTRAL PECOS COUNTIES... At 610 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 3.5 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Radar. IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... mainly rural areas of Northwestern Brewster, Southeastern Jeff Davis and West Central Pecos Counties PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded roads. Find an alternate route. The National Weather Service in Midland/Odessa has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... Northwestern Crane County in western Texas... Southwestern Ector County in western Texas... Northeastern Ward County in western Texas... Southeastern Winkler County in western Texas... * Until 915 PM CDT. * At 613 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1.5 and 2.5 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Radar. IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Monahans and Monahans Sandhills State Park. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads. _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather The summers final Live on the Waterfront concert was held Wednesday evening at Prince Arthurs Landing. The popular series in Thunder Bay has completed nine weekly shows that began on July 13. Wednesdays concert was unique as it was held one hour later in the evening to mesh with the 10 p. If you are eligible to be considered a Business Visitor, you do not need a work permit to come to Canada. IT professionals who do not need a Canadian work permit IT professionals who do not need a Canadian work permit If you are eligible to be considered a Business Visitor, you do not need a work permit to come to Canada. IT professionals who do not need a Canadian work permit If you are eligible to be considered a Business Visitor, you do not need a work permit to come to Canada. IT professionals who do not need a Canadian work permit If you are eligible to be considered a Business Visitor, you do not need a work permit to come to Canada. Daniel Levy Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A Some tech professionals may be eligible to come to Canada as Business Visitors, which means they do not need a work permit to enter the country. A Business Visitor is a foreign national who comes to Canada to conduct business activities. Since they do not enter the labour market on their trip, no work permit is required. To be considered a Business Visitor, you must demonstrate the following: you plan to stay for less than six months; you do not plan to enter the Canadian labour market; your main place of business and source of income and profits are outside Canada; you have documents that support your application; and you meet Canadas basic entry requirements including a valid travel document such as a passport, enough money for your stay and return home, a plan to leave Canada at the end of your visit, and you are not a criminal, security, or health risk to Canadians. IT workers may be considered Business Visitors in the following circumstances: Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm After-sales service After-sales service takes place during cross-border transactions. These situations arise when a Canadian company has purchased a product from a foreign company and the foreign company must provide service or do maintenance work on the product. Foreign tech workers may be required to travel to Canada to do this work. Perhaps the product is complex technical equipment or computer systems software. It may be a case where the servicing of the product requires specialized knowledge which is only known to the employees of the foreign company. Therefore, the workers would be rendered eligible to enter as Business Visitors. Guest Speakers/Workshop Participants Another category of Business Visitors applies to those who are entering Canada to speak at a seminar or to participate in a workshop. With the ever-expanding role of technology in todays modern world, there has been a significant increase in the number of such seminars or workshops focusing on a wide array of tech-related subjects. Therefore, non-Canadian experts may be granted entry to Canada as Business Visitors so that Canadians might benefit from their specialized knowledge on a given topic. Training Another category of Business Visitor that is often seen from the tech field are those who enter Canada to receive training at a Canadian branch of a multinational company. The use of certain equipment or software can require proprietary knowledge specific to that company. there is often no substitute in terms of who can provide training on this equipment or software. In such cases, there is no choice but to have the foreign national enter Canada to receive training as a Business Visitor. Do you need a lawyer? Although the hiring of a lawyer is at your discretion, immigration authorities have wide discretion when assessing individuals entering Canada. As a result of this, people who should receive consideration as Business Visitors may be denied entry on the basis of the border officer believing a work permit is required. Therefore, if entering Canada for work, you may wish to check with a qualified immigration attorney to see what can be done to maximize the chances of your successful entry into Canada. Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options. Breaking down Express Entry, including what it is, who it is for, and the steps you need to take throughout the process. Understanding Express Entry as a path toward Canadian immigration Breaking down Express Entry, including what it is, who it is for, and the steps you need to take throughout the process. Understanding Express Entry as a path toward Canadian immigration Breaking down Express Entry, including what it is, who it is for, and the steps you need to take throughout the process. Understanding Express Entry as a path toward Canadian immigration Breaking down Express Entry, including what it is, who it is for, and the steps you need to take throughout the process. Vimal Sivakumar Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A Express Entry is Canadas main method for bringing international skilled workers to this country through permanent residence. One common misconception about Express Entry, however, is that this title denotes the name of a Canadian immigration program itself. In fact, Express Entry is simply the name given to the online system used to cumulatively manage skilled worker applications from three different programs the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Let us now dive a little deeper into the different steps involved with Express Entry. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment Step 1: Determine your eligibility Much like any other immigration process in Canada, you must first determine your eligibility for any of the three skilled worker immigration programs identified above the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, or the Federal Skilled Trades Program. This process can be started by either answering a few questions to see if you meet the minimum requirements for any of the programs or reading through their detailed requirements. Step 2: Submit a profile on IRCC and check your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score Once you determine that you are eligible, it is time to make and submit an online profile through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This step will involve gathering some key documents necessary to complete your IRCC profile, including a language test and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). The Canadian government provides a list of all the documents you may need throughout this process, both for your IRCC profile and your eventual electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR), which we will discuss later. Once your profile is submitted, you will receive an official Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score from IRCC, which is crucial for immigrating to Canada as a skilled worker. Step 3: Wait and see if you receive an invitation to apply (ITA) Once your profile is submitted and you receive an official CRS score, IRCC will decide whether to issue you an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence to Canada. An ITA is the key to permanent residence for foreign skilled workers in Canada, and ITAs are given out through Express Entry draws conducted roughly every two weeks. Through these draws, IRCC invites a group of immigration candidates typically those with the highest CRS scores to apply for permanent residence in Canada. Upon receipt of an ITA, the Canadian government notes that you will have 60 days to submit your application for permanent residence. Step 4: Submit your completed electronic application for permanent residence (eAPR) With 60 days to complete and submit your application for permanent residence, you must ensure that you have any of the documents you may need ready to go. Here are a few examples of documents you may need: a birth certificate, proof of funds and a medical exam. The complete list of required documents can be found on the government of Canadas website. This step in the process will also require that you pay any fees associated with your application, obtain a medical exam, and pass a police background check to finalize your eAPR. Once all the required actions are complete, it is time to finally submit your application for permanent residence to Canada. Step 5: Wait for a final decision from IRCC Now, the waiting game begins as it relates to the processing time for your permanent residence application. The Canadian government says that most complete applications that have all supporting documents will be processed in six months or less. Canadas service standard is to have 80% of Express Entry applications processed in six months. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options. Primeste notificari pe email Nota bene: Adresele email cu extensia .ru nu sunt acceptate. Contractare si Achizitie Bunuri Anunturi de Angajare Granturi - Finantari Burse de studiu Stagii Profesionale Oportunitati de voluntariat Toate Articolele Mental health charity Mind has apologised after publishing a series of statements on social media urging people experiencing racial trauma, following the killing of Chris Kaba, to reach out. The charity has not deleted its original posts, which relate to the killing of Kaba, a Black man who was shot in south London on 5 September by a police officer despite being unarmed. It has published further clarifying statements, apologising for some of the wording in its original posts which may have given the impression that it did not also support or recognise trauma experienced by police officers. Minds statements came after it published a strategy last year that included an ambition to become a truly anti-racist organisation . Meanwhile, campaign group #CharitySoWhite, which reposted Minds original statements, has since criticised the charity for apologising. Racial trauma is real Minds original posts published on 13 September read: We need to talk about Chris Kaba. The killing of an unarmed Black man by a police officer is hard to bear. Especially when young Black men die disproportionately at the hands of the police. The Queen's death is dominating the news right now, but Chris Kaba deserves our attention. Racial trauma is real. And events like Chris Kaba's death can be incredibly triggering. If you're struggling with the news, please reach out. We're here for you. The Twitter thread received more than 1,000 replies, some of which criticised the charity for not appearing to support the work and trauma experienced by police officers. Police Care UK, a charity which works with Mind to offer mental health support for emergency services professionals through the Blue Light programme, published statements that appeared to reference Minds Tweets . We are aware of recent comments made regarding the death of Chris Kaba and are actively engaged with our partners to discuss how this has affected the blue light community, it said. We know the challenges that our police personnel face on a daily basis and continue to support them through our programme of services. Support for police officers mental health Minds chief executive Paul Farmer then published a longer statement clarifying the charitys position. It's important that we talk about difficult issues and, as a charity committed to anti-racism, we understand that sometimes people won't always agree, he said. The post Mind shared yesterday was intended to support anyone affected by the news of Chris Kabas death. Supporting one group does not exclude another. We are here for everyone. We are very proud of the Blue Light programme we deliver in partnership to support our emergency services. Our support for the mental health of police officers is also unwavering. We understand that many police officers feel from the post that we are not there to support them, which was not our intention. Nor is it our intention to comment on an ongoing investigation nor to imply any conclusions about the circumstances of this case. We are sorry that some of our wording has given that impression. We understand this is an extremely difficult time and are very committed to our work supporting the mental health of police officers and other emergency services personnel. Sometimes the focus of our communications will be on one group and sometimes on another. On this occasion, we felt it was important to focus on racial trauma which we know can be triggered by events in the news. Mind is here to make sure that no one faces a mental health problem alone. Campaign group #CharitySoWhite criticised Minds follow-up statements . It said: Charities need to be talking about Chris Kaba and racial trauma. We retweeted Minds post on this yesterday, but are deeply disappointed to see them validate racist bad faith criticisms today. You cant say youre committed to anti-racism when youre gaslighting victims of racism. sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, Thousands of volunteers and charity staff are helping those queueing to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Hall as her coffin lies in state. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is leading on the arrangements, and is being assisted by volunteers and staff from a number of charities. According to the government tracker, the queue was approximately 3.1 miles long this morning, with infrastructure in place along the route to allow for a peak length of up to 10 miles. Volunteers from the Scouts, Samaritans, British Red Cross, First Aid Nursing Yeomanry and the Salvation Army are supporting those in the queue throughout the lying in state period, according to DCMS. This began yesterday and will continue until the morning of the state funeral on 19 September. Up to 2,000 of St John Ambulances volunteers and employees will be on hand throughout the period, with an expected 600 St John Ambulance volunteers on the busiest day. The charity will have 30 bases, from pop-up treatment centres to purpose-built temporary field hospital facilities in Hyde Park, St Jamess Park and by Lancaster House. Some 180 volunteers from Samaritans will be on hand to provide emotional support to people queuing to pay their respects as will around 140 from the British Red Cross. More than a hundred Scouts aged between 18 and 25 from across the UK will also join volunteers. Sarah Vibert, chief executive of NCVO, said: Given The Queens very close ties with so many charities and voluntary organisations throughout her life, it is only right that volunteers are involved in paying our respects as a nation. We send our best wishes to all our members, charities, and volunteers involved in civic events across the country, and in other official acts of tribute. sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, Five doctors pleaded guilty in a pain pill prescription scheme involving clinics in West Virginia and Virginia, federal prosecutors said Monday. The scheme was tied to the Hope Clinic and involved prescribing oxycodone and other controlled substances that werent for legitimate medical purposes from 2010 to 2015. Some prescriptions provided up to seven pills per day, and several Hope locations averaged 65 or more daily customers during a 10-hour workday with only one practitioner working, prosecutors said in a news release. Hope Clinic had offices in Beckley, Beaver, and Charleston, West Virginia, and in Wytheville, Virginia. Four of the physicians each pleaded guilty in federal court in Charleston to a felony count of aiding and abetting obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, the statement said. Those physicians are William Earley, 66, of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Brian Gullett, 45, of Clarksville, Pennsylvania; Roswell Tempest Lowry, 88, of Efland, North Carolina; and Vernon Stanley, 79, of Fayetteville, West Virginia. Mark Clarkson, 64, of Princeton, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor counts of aiding and abetting the misbranding of a drug involved in interstate commerce, the statement said. These pleas show our offices continuing effort to protect lives and prevent future overdoses through all means possible, U.S. Attorney Will Thompson said. A lot of effort has gone into this case. Gullett, Earley and Stanley signed numerous oxycodone prescriptions for a customer at a Charleston Hope Clinic in 2013. They admitted that the customers medical chart did not support the prescriptions, which were not for a legitimate medical purpose, prosecutors said. In August 2014, Lowry signed prescriptions for a Hope customer in Charleston for 180 oxycodone pills. He admitted intentionally not reading the customers chart to determine if those prescriptions were necessary. Instead, Lowry issued the same prescriptions for the customer that were provided by previous physicians, the statement said. Gullett, Earley, Lowry and Stanley admitted the customers reported being addicted to pain medication, had failed or had abnormal drug screenings several times, bought pills on the street and sold pills from their Hope prescriptions to others. The physicians did not discuss the possibility of addiction or the need for addiction treatment with these customers, the statement said. Clarkson admitted to helping Hope Clinic issue prescriptions after major retailers had stopped filling them and smaller pharmacies could not meet the demand of Hope customers. In 2014, Clarkson wrote illegitimate prescriptions for a total of 635 oxycodone pills for five different Hope customers in Virginia that were filled at Adkins Pharmacy in Gilbert, West Virginia, prosecutors said. Adkins Pharmacy agreed in 2020 to pay a $88,000 fine. Sentencing for the physicians is scheduled for Dec. 22. Gullett, Earley, Lowry and Stanley face up to four years in prison and a $250,000 fine apiece. Clarkson faces up to five years in prison and a $500,000 fine. The physicians were indicted in 2018 along with the owners, managers and other physicians associated with Hope Clinic and a group that managed Hopes daily operations. The remaining defendants are awaiting trial. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The U.S. Department of the Interior said Monday that it wants to reverse some Trump administration rollbacks of offshore safety rules to prevent blowouts like the BP catastrophe that killed 11 people and fouled the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. This proposed rulemaking will help ensure that offshore energy development utilizes the latest science and technology to keep people safe, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a news release. As our nation transitions to a clean energy economy, we must commit to strengthening and modernizing offshore energy standards and oversight. The changes are a step in the right direction but not far enough, said Diane Hoskins of the ocean environmental nonprofit Oceana. No operator can promise there wont be another disaster like BPs Deepwater Horizon blowout. The only way to prevent offshore drilling disasters is to permanently protect our coasts and workers from new offshore leasing, she said in an emailed staatement. Under Trump, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement acted in 2019 to change rules put in place three years earlier while Barak Obama was president. The agency is proposing to change seven out of the scores of revisions and additions made in 2019, director Kevin M. Sligh Sr. said during a phone news conference with Haaland. He said one would require the bureau to accredit independent agencies that inspect offshore rigs and equipment. Another would require blowout preventers the equipment that failed in 2010 to always be able to handle the wells maximum gas flow specifications. Others would require operators to send failure data to the federal offshore safety agency rather than to designated third parties, and would cut a month off the time allowed to begin failure analyses and investigations, allowing three months rather than four. The 2019 revisions to the Well Control Rule addressed technical problems and cleared up ambiguity, changing 68 of the original rules 342 provisions, said Erik Milito, president of the National Ocean Industries Association, which represents oil and gas companies. Any further updates should follow a similar tailored approach. Environmental groups sued in 2019, claiming the changes would make oil and gas exploration and development off the Pacific, Atlantic, Alaska, and Gulf coasts significantly more dangerous. We are still reviewing the proposed rule to determine the best way forward with the lawsuit, said Chris Eaton, senior attorney at Earthjustice, which filed the lawsuit. Scientists still worry about effects of the nations worst offshore oil spill on dolphins, whales, sea turtles, small fish vital to the food chain and ancient corals in the cold, dark depths. The proposal opens a 60-day public comment period, which ends Nov. 14. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Rescuers searched for a person missing in a mudslide Tuesday as big yellow tractors plowed through dark, thick sludge and pushed boulders off roads after flash floods swept dirt, rocks and trees down fire-scarred slopes, washed away cars and buried buildings in small mountain communities in Southern California. With thunderstorms forecast and more mudslides possible into Wednesday, evacuation orders remained in place in parts of the San Bernardino Mountains while a wildfire raging 500 miles (805 kilometers) to the north forced residents to abandon their homes. The Mosquito Fire burning 110 miles (177 kilometers) northeast of San Francisco erupted in the afternoon just hours after officials had reported making great strides in the battle. We have all hands on deck, fire spokesperson Chris Valenzuela said as the fire burned near Todd Valley and Foresthill. Its burning very erratic and intensely. The blaze was one of three large fires in the state. East of Los Angeles, crews searched street by street for people who might be trapped by mudflows that washed rocks, trees and other debris with astonishing force the day before into Forest Falls, Oak Glen and Yucaipa and left a muddy mess and untold destruction. Homes and other buildings were damaged, including a commercial building buried so high its roof collapsed, said Eric Sherwin, spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Fire Department. We have boulders that moved through that weigh multiple tons, Sherwin said. It could take days just to find all the cars that are missing because they are completely covered by mud. A video showed a slow-moving black river of sludge rolling past the sign for the Oak Glen Steakhouse and Saloon followed seconds later by a surging wave of deeper mud carrying logs. The mud appeared to be head-high in places the next day. Sherwin said crews were searching for one missing person. Residents who tried to return home found it tough going in the sticky mess. Ive never seen anything like this before, said Perla Halbert, whose feet were caked in mud after trying to walk to her home. If you try and take two steps, you get submerged. You just get stuck. Halbert had been out of town and returned to her Oak Glen home late Monday to find the driveway covered with a few inches of mud. Her family stayed the night with family members and returned after first light to discover several feet of mud and a fence washed away. Her husband went to buy boots and coveralls before trekking through the muck to assess the damage. Theres lots of rocks and so much mud. But hopefully the house itself is OK, she said. Officials lifted some mandatory evacuation and shelter in place orders Tuesday evening. Workers were able to clear most of Valley of the Falls Drive the only road to Forests Falls and teams were assessing damage. Other major roads in the San Bernardino Mountains were reopened. For some homes in Forest Falls, it was too late to evacuate Monday. Residents were told to shelter in place through the night because it was safer than venturing out. The rains were the remnants of a tropical storm that brought high winds and some badly needed rainfall to drought-stricken Southern California last week, helping firefighters largely corral the Fairview Fire that had been burning out of control about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of the mudslides. The mud flows and flash flooding occurred in parts of the San Bernardino Mountains where there are burn scars areas where theres little vegetation to hold the soil from the 2020 wildfires. All of that dirt turns to mud and starts slipping down the mountain, Sherwin said. One of the 2020 blazes, the El Dorado Fire, was sparked by a smoke device used by a couple to reveal their babys gender. A firefighter died, and the couple was charged with involuntary manslaughter. The mudslides occurred about 175 miles (280 kilometers) east of Montecito, where enormous debris flows killed more than 20 people and destroyed hundreds of homes in January 2018, a month after a huge wildfire scorched hillsides. About 40 miles (64 kilometers) west, Cal State San Bernardino reopened Tuesday, a day after the campus was closed when several buildings were flooded during heavy rains. The powerful thunderstorms came after a week that saw California endure a record-long heatwave. Temperatures in many parts of the state rocketed past 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), and pushed the states electrical grid to the breaking point as air conditioners sucked up power. The Fairview Fire in Southern California and the Mosquito Fire burning east of Sacramento broke out and raged out of control. The tropical storm aided crews battling the Fairview Fire about 75 miles (121 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles. The 44-square-mile (114-square-kilometer) blaze was 62 percent contained by Tuesday. Two people died fleeing the fire, which destroyed at least 35 homes and other structures in Riverside County. The Mosquito Fire has grown to nearly 79 square miles (nearly 204 square kilometers), with 25 percent containment, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. More than 11,000 people have been evacuated and nearly 6,000 structures are threatened an increase in both figures as the blaze raged Tuesday near Foresthill and Todd Valley after a spot fire jumped the Middle Fork of the American River, officials said. Increased winds earlier Tuesday pushed out a smoke -inversion layer that had been stifling the blaze and gave fresh oxygen to the flames, Valenzuela said. The area is full of extremely dry fuels that were rapidly igniting, challenging both firefighters on the ground and aircraft. Scientists say climate change has made the West warmer and drier over the last three decades and will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive. In the last five years, California has experienced the largest and most destructive fires in its history. (Weber reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press writer Stefanie Dazio in Los Angeles contributed.) 'Walking the Walk' Toward a Cleaner Planet September 14, 2022 Carnegie Mellon University's commitment to clean energy and sustainability is evident across its beautiful Pittsburgh campus. CMU is "walking the walk," and it's not going unnoticed. Its latest endorsement comes from the U.S. Department of Energy, which has chosen to partner with CMU to host the 2022 Global Clean Energy Action Forum, Sept. 21-23, in Pittsburgh. The forum will bring together energy leaders from around the world to discuss ways to turn ambition into action to accelerate the transition toward a more secure energy future. "CMU's mission to impact society through technology, education and innovation is a perfect match with the forum's goal to take decisive action to recast the future," said CMU President Farnam Jahanian, a co-chair of the forum's host committee. "While CMU researchers, students and faculty have created innovations in sustainability that are being applied globally, our community is also focused on putting these innovations into practice right here on our campus." In 2019, CMU Provost James H. Garrett Jr. announced the creation of a campus-wide Sustainability Initiative to strengthen the university's commitment to sustainability, aligning the university's education, research and practices to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Garrett named Steve Guenther, university engineer and assistant vice president for Facilities Management and Campus Services (FMCS), to head up green operations. The world-famous Kronos Quartet met with students in five Colorado College classes on Aug. 30, 2022, in Packard Performance Hall The Kronos Quartet spoke about the groups new film, A Thousand Thoughts, to students in four critical inquiry seminars: Black and Brown Muslims in White America; Musicals in American Culture; Philosophy as a Way of Life; and Emotion and Meaning in Music, as well as to students in Music Composition. Attendees at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit's Bench & Bar Conference heard directly last week from two members of the nation's highest court, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, during the first such legal gathering since the onset of the pandemic. Offer a personal message of sympathy... By sharing a fond memory or writing a kind tribute, you will be providing a comforting keepsake to those in mourning. If you have an existing account with this site, you may log in with that below. Otherwise, you can create an account by clicking on the Log in button below, and then register to create your account. Chinese envoy calls for advancement of Belt and Road Initiative in support of 2030 Agenda Xinhua) 09:18, September 15, 2022 UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's permanent representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, on Wednesday called for efforts to advance the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. "Our world today faces many challenges. To address both the symptoms and root causes, we must further advance Belt and Road cooperation," he said at the release of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs' progress report on BRI in support of the 2030 Agenda. "The BRI meets the needs of our times, the expectations of peoples, and the shared interests of all countries." Belt and Road cooperation is by no means a solo of China, but a symphony performed by all partners. Active participation, support and contributions by partners are indispensable for the BRI's continued progress. China looks forward to working with all partners to discuss together, build together, and share the benefits together, and strive for high-quality development of the BRI, so as to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and make greater contributions to the common development of all countries, said Zhang. The world is now close to the halfway mark on the timetable for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. But countries, especially developing ones, are still facing multiple crises and challenges. The progress has apparently fallen short of expectations, he said. The BRI offers China's wisdom and solutions to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The BRI is committed to enhancing policy, infrastructure, trade, finance, and people-to-people connectivity among countries. The initiative is highly compatible with the 2030 Agenda in terms of visions, goals and measures, and provides strong support and impetus for its implementation, he said. The BRI offers a path of solidarity for global partnerships. The initiative is a global public good that practices true multilateralism. Over the past nine years, China has signed over 200 Belt and Road cooperation documents with more than 140 countries, and more than 30 international organizations. The BRI offers a path of win-win cooperation on connectivity, said Zhang. Leveraging the pace-setting role of major projects, the BRI continues to make new progress in infrastructure construction. According to World Bank data, BRI infrastructure projects, if fully implemented, could increase trade between countries along the routes by 2.8 percent and boost gross domestic product (GDP) by 3.4 percent. It will lead to a 1.7 percent increase in global trade and a 2.9 percent increase in global GDP, he said. The BRI offers a path of hope for global sustainable development, said Zhang. The initiative has always been development-oriented, and consistent efforts have been made to ensure that it is high-standard, sustainable and people-centered. The World Bank estimates that the infrastructure investment in the BRI could lift 7.6 million people worldwide out of extreme poverty and 32 million people out of moderate poverty, he said. Thanks to the concerted efforts from all parties, the BRI has become the biggest and widest-ranging platform for international cooperation. The 200-plus documents signed on Belt and Road cooperation are the vote of confidence cast by the international community, he said. "However, some individual countries refused to increase their input for development cooperation, but are obsessed with fabricating and spreading lies in an attempt to undermine Belt and Road cooperation. Facts have fully proved that their behaviors are purely politically motivated. They have seriously poisoned the atmosphere of international cooperation, which serves no one's interests," said Zhang. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form The EU General Court's decision Wednesday to largely uphold the ruling of the European Commission that fined Google 4 billion (US$3.9 billion) for antitrust violations could have wide-ranging implications for other tech companies. The case dates back to 2018, when the EUs competition chief, Margrethe Vestager, issued a ruling that Google used its Android mobile operating system to undermine competitors. The ruling dealt with three types of agreements that involved Googles mobile application distribution agreements (MADAs), antifragmentation agreements (AFAs), and revenue sharing agreements (RSAs). According to the case, Googles MADAs required smartphone manufacturers to pre-install Google search and browsers to carry the Play Store, while its AFAs forced smartphone makers not to run alternative versions of Android. Finally, under the companys RSAs, mobile operators and smartphone manufacturers earned revenue if they agreed not to pre-install a competing search engine to Googles, what are known as "exclusivity rebates." The General Court this week upheld the finding that Googles MADAs and AFAs were anticompetitive but struck down the infringement relating to RSAs. As a result, the court cut the fine to be paid by Google from 4.34 billion to 4.125 billion to better reflect the gravity and the duration of the infringement. Google's fine remains a record for antitrust However, even with the reduction, the final sum was still a record fine for an antitrust violation. Google has been fined a total of 8.25 billion by the EU for antitrust violations stretching back more than a decade and across three separate investigations. "This, of course, is really good. Now, we have the second Google judgment and for us, it is really important as it backs our enforcement efforts," said Vestager, according to Reuters. Google is separately appealing a 1.49 billion fine that was handed down in March 2019 for abusing its market dominance by imposing restrictive clauses in contracts with third-party websites to prevent its rivals from placing search adverts on these websites. Zach Meyers, senior research fellow at the Centre for European Reform, said the decision poses significant questions for the wider tech sector as it does not only challenge a particular business practice, but potentially Googles underlying business strategy of offering services, such as Androidwhich make no revenueto drive consumers towards services which Google can monetise, like Google search. Many other large tech firms like Amazon and Meta adopt similar practices, producing an ecosystem of servicesonly some of which are profit-makingbut which mutually reinforce each other, Meyers said, noting that although their situations are not directly comparable, these firms will be keeping a close eye on proceedings in order to not fall foul of the same accusations. Apples App Store rules, Metas marketplace and data use, and Amazons online selling and market practices, are all currently under investigation by Vestager. The impact of the Digital Markets Act Meyers said that with regards to Googles appeal, the wide-ranging implications of the EUs Digital Markets Act are perhaps more significant than the outcome as, even if the Commission had lost this case, the DMA is still set to force behavioral changes for several of the big tech platforms operating within the EU. Passed by the European Parliament in July 2022, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) enables a range of antitrust action while also addressing issues of interoperability. These include the right to uninstall software on devices, greater personal data access controls, enhanced advertising transparency, an end to vendors self-preferencing their own services, and stopping certain restrictive app store requirements for developers. The DMA limits how big tech platforms can integrate their different services together, and it would ensure consumers have 'choice screens' when they first use mobile devices, rather than starting with a single pre-installed default search engine, browser or virtual assistant. That would undermine much of what Google was trying to do with the agreements at issue in this case, Meyers explained. However, he said it is worth noting that the Commissions remedies in previous cases against big tech have rarely achieved significant market changes, at least in the short term. Google is not the first tech company this year to have challenged a fine handed down by the Commission for antitrust violations. In January 2022, Intel successfully appealed against a 1.06 billion fine that was handed down 12 years ago for giving rebates to Dell, HPE and Lenovo for buying their chips instead of those made by AMD. In that case, judges said: "The (European) Commission's analysis is incomplete and does not make it possible to establish to the requisite legal standard that the rebates at issue were capable of having, or likely to have, anticompetitive effects. Chipmaker Qualcomm was also successful in overturning a 997 million fine imposed by European Union regulators in 2019. The fine was originally given after the European Commission ruled that between 2011 and 2016, the chipmaker had paid billions of dollars to Apple to exclusively use its chips in all of its iPhones and iPads, an act that breaks EU antitrust laws. However, in June 2022, the General Court found that a number of procedural irregularities affected Qualcomms rights of defense, ultimately invalidating the Commissions analysis. Meyers said that given this is the third time an exclusivity rebate decision has been overturned, it is clear the court is now closely scrutinizing the Commissions decisions when it alleges that exclusivity rebates are anticompetitive. The court also remains critical of the Commissions processes and procedures, saying in its ruling this week that in some instances the Commission did not afford Google a fair hearing, a charge that was also levied against the Commission during the Qualcomm appeal. Despite this, Meyers said that the Commission has been intensely focused recently on cases where digital services are tied together, and in this part of the case the court upheld the Commissions analysis and found this sufficient to keep the fine at nearly the same level the Commission wanted. As a result, Meyers believes that other big tech firms are unlikely to be calmed by the judgment. Indian-American activist Shefali Razdan Duggal confirmed as US envoy to Netherlands Indian-American political activist Shefali Razdan Duggal was confirmed as the country's next envoy to the Netherlands by the US Senate. An experienced political activist, women's rights advocate, and human rights, campaigner, Razdan Duggal is a former presidential Appointee to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Council. Photo courtesy shefalirazdanduggal.com Razdan Duggal, 50, was confirmed by a voice vote along with two other confirmations to senior administrative positions. A Kashmiri Pandit, Razdan Duggal was born in Haridwar and moved with her family to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the age of two. Thereafter she moved to Cincinnati, Ohio at the age of five, where she grew up. She graduated from Miami University and earned her master's from New York University. "I was born in India, but I was made in the United States," Razdan Duggal told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during her confirmation hearing in July. An experienced political activist, women's rights advocate, and human rights, campaigner, Razdan Duggal is a former presidential Appointee to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Council and continues to serve as a Western Regional Advisor. She is a San Francisco Committee member of Human Rights Watch, a member of the Wake Forest University Leadership and Character Council, and served on the National Board of Directors for Emily's List. "I have full confidence that kindness, empathy, honesty and sweat equity mean something in our country. While my story is not unique, it is one that represents the infinite possibilities of the American spirit and the American dream," Razdan Duggal said. During her confirmation hearing testimony Razdan Duggal said, as an immigrant, she represents the diverse face of the United States and the generations of people throughout its history who found an opportunity in the US. "I was raised by a single mom in Cincinnati who worked two minimum wage jobs to support us. My father left us when I was very young and that in this profoundly and permanently affected the direction of my life," she told the lawmakers. Razdan Duggal is the recipient of numerous civic awards, including being recognised with the Western Regional Leadership Award by the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, as a Community Hero by the California State Assembly, and as one of the Most Powerful Women in California by the National Diversity Council. She served as National Co-Chair of Women for Biden, and as a Deputy National Finance Chair at the Democratic National Committee. Read more USA News and Political News here The New Jersey Judiciary (NJJ), or justice system, encompasses the New Jersey Supreme Court, 21 county courts, and 535 municipal and other courts. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the NJJ transformed court systems to operate virtually while remaining secure. By implementing the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange, which provides a comprehensive security service edge (SSE) platform, the organization enabled its 10,000 employees to work securely from anywhere and increased the number of virtual courtrooms from 40 to 400 in just six days. But that wasnt the only benefit of implementing the cloud security platform. With the Zscaler solution and its zero trust approach, NJJ transformed security and business operations long after the pandemic waned. Implementing the Zero Trust Exchange dramatically boosted the court systems security posture, improved user experience and productivity, and increased agility in multiple ways. As a result, SSE and zero trust have become essential to NJJs strategic roadmap moving forward. Expanding scope from CASB to zero trust Prior to the pandemic, as part of its digital transformation initiative, NJJ was looking for a CASB solution to secure infrastructure and prevent shadow IT as the court system began migrating applications to the cloud, including Microsoft SaaS applications and Zoom. During a call with a Gartner analyst to discuss using a cloud brokerage service, the analyst suggested a zero trust approach. A zero trust model was very new to us, but it made perfect sense because you assign privileges to devices and users and only allow access to the applications they need, said Ron Wildmann, NJJ assistant director of Infrastructure and Technical Services. Zero trust allows us to remove all that implied trust [in legacy architectures] and forces us to architect our security so that we can only explicitly trust the things we want accessing our applications. The zero trust vision, which encompasses more than any single point solution, led NJJ to conduct a proof of concept of the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange and two of its services: Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) and Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA). ZPA provides direct, user-to-application zero trust network access (ZTNA), and ZIA is a secure web gateway (SWG) that includes inline inspection of all internet traffic, including SSL decryption, and a suite of AI-powered cloud security services based on threat intelligence from the worlds largest security cloud. Pandemic drives ZTNA With the onset of the pandemic, NJJ was forced to expand its VPN usage from 2,300 users to 8,000, which dramatically degraded user experience and increased VPN-related security risk. Having just completed a very successful POC of the Zscaler ZTNA solution, the organization decided to pivot from VPNs. Switching from VPNs to the Zero Trust Exchange and ZPA for remote access provided a much better user experience with additional layers of security. The improvement in user experience and security for remote users led NJJ to expand ZPA beyond remote work to every user, even those on-premises. Today, some jury trials are in person while other hearings, such as those held on weekends, remain remote. The NJJ also deployed ZPA Private Service Edge locally to provide consistent, zero trust access across its dynamic, hybrid work environment. Its now quick and easy to switch in-person events to virtual when needed for instance, during weather events such as snowstorms or flooding. Wherever the user connects, whether in a courthouse or elsewhere, ZPA authenticates the user and grants or denies access to virtual courtrooms or other private applications based on security checks that NJJ has set up, such as multi-factor authentication, device posture assessment, and even time of day. (For example, access may only be available during normal business hours.) Agility to meet business and IT needs more easily Alongside ZPA, NJJ also rolled out ZIA for fast, secure internet and SaaS access. After deploying ZPA and ZIA, the ZTNA and SWG services of the Zero Trust Exchange, the organization was sold on the value of an SSE. Going through the Zero Trust Exchange you dont have to employ all the different components [and] dont have to integrate all these little pieces into one solution, noted New Jersey Judiciary CIO Jack McCarthy. With the Zero Trust Exchange, NJJ can deploy unified, consistent security policies across cloud channels and leverage additional services to meet needs as they arise. For instance, to reduce risk by thoroughly analyzing file downloads, the organization activated the Zscaler Advanced Sandbox service within the Zero Trust Exchange. The organization is also considering implementing Zscaler Data Protection cloud DLP services. In addition, after most workers were sent home and the NJJ help desk team found itself spending hours trying to diagnose their connectivity issues difficulty connecting, frequent disconnects, or blurry video conference images the organization took advantage of the Zscaler Digital Experience (ZDX) user experience monitoring service. Activating ZDX took just a click of a button and saved the IT help desk hours each week. With ZDX, we can say the problem is in your home or in our network or our data center, said McCarthy. We can quickly get to the root of the problem instead of trying to troubleshoot for hours and hours and hours. Embracing an unpredictable future with Zscaler SSE "With 75% of our employees working remotely, SSE needs to be part of our strategic roadmap," said McCarthy. "Thanks to Zscaler, we were able to complete six months of work in six days, securing our organization during the pandemic. Zscaler continues to be part of this strategic journey today, and in the future, giving our employees secure access to applications and systems anywhere, anytime, and on any device." Zscaler is allowing us to rewrite how we view security and how we secure our business, continued McCarthy. I think the days of just providing additional layers on a network and hoping you got it right, hoping you've closed the holes, are gone We're going to need to have our security outside of the perimeter instead of inside [And] be ready for the unpredictable. To learn more about the New Jersey Judiciarys zero trust transformation, read this article in Government Technology, or watch this video. For more information, visit Zscaler, which recently received the 2022 Gartner Peer Insights() Customer Customers' Choice distinction in the Voice of the Customer report for Security Service Edge (SSE). The US Department of Justice (DOJ) unsealed an indictment that charged three Iranian cybercriminals with orchestrating a series of attacks from October 2020 to the present, that resulted in the three being able to access the computer networks of multiple US entities. The three, Mansour Ahmadi, a.k.a. Mansur Ahmadi, 34; Ahmad Khatibi Aghda, a.k.a. Ahmad Khatibi, 45; and Amir Hossein Nickaein Ravari, a.k.a. Amir Hossein Nikaeen, a.k.a. Amir Hossein Nickaein, a.k.a. Amir Nikayin, 30, not only attacked hundreds of victims in the United States, but also entities in Israel, the United Kingdom, Russia, and Iran itself. The five-count indictment filed on August 10, 2022, and unsealed on September 14 claims that the trio garnered access to victims networks and denied them access unless they paid a ransom payment. They successfully targeted infrastructure entities including healthcare, transportation, and utilities, in addition, they victimized a broad range of organizations including small businesses, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and educational and religious institutions. The identified goals included: Control of victims systems Theft of victims data Damage victims computers (by encrypting data) Extortion demanding ransom payments in exchange for decrypting or maintaining the confidentiality of the victims stolen data The indictment continued to describe how the criminals would create fictitious entities whose name looked or sounded like legitimate companies, create the requisite domains, and then leverage the similarity to spoof the target and garner access to the network. Once into the network, they would use the resident Bitlocker application to encrypt their victims data. In at least one instance, the cybercriminals used a novel means to deliver their ransom notes: They printed the note on their victims network printer: A. You read this text because your network is accessible to us. B. We can block re-hacking. You are constantly at risk. C. If you want to secure your network against any hacking and get your encryption codes, Contact us. One of the victims that paid the requisite ransom was a domestic violence shelter. The group contacted the victim via email demanding contact by email or a messaging platform that the trio controlled. The shelter paid $13,000 in ransom and was provided the encryption keys to their data. FBI Director Christopher Wray in his statement highlighted another attack, which occurred in the summer of 2021 and targeted Bostons Childrens Hospital: Fortunately, before they could successfully launch their attack, we received a tip from a partner that the hospital had been targeted. And working closely with the hospital, we were able to identify and defeat the threat protecting both the network and the sick children who depend on it. Im very proud of our success in thwarting that attack. This indictment, and the cybersecurity advisory were releasing, show whats possible when federal and international partners work together and place a priority on close collaboration with victims. The cyber threat facing our nation is growing more dangerous and complex every day. Todays announcement makes clear the threat is both local and global. Its one we cant ignore and its one we cant fight on our own, either. Additionally, such is the knowledge obtained by the DOJ of the trios activities, the DOJ obtained emails in which individual timesheets reflecting the hours worked were exchanged with an unidentified (to us) individual. Indicating a chain of command for tasks and funding exists. Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran of the FBIs Cyber Division noted, The FBI remains steadfast in our commitment to work with our US government partners for the purpose of imposing cost on our adversaries. This indictment, when coupled with other disruptive operational activities, demonstrates whats possible when we team up with our domestic and international partners and take a whole-of-government approach. We, along with our partners, remain dedicated to protecting the United States of America and the victims affected by these egregious crimes. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issues alert The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) alert, Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Affiliated Cyber Actors Exploiting Vulnerabilities for Data Extortion and Disk Encryption for Ransom Operations (Alert: AA22-257A), provided the modus operandi of the Iranian actors. Of particular note in the CISA alert is the alphabet soup of law enforcement, intelligence and security agencies from around the world that were involved in the analysis of the Iranian cyber activity and pinning attribution upon the Iranian IRGC. This included collaboration with Australian, UK and Canadian entities. The Alert continues: The IRGC-affiliated actors are actively targeting a broad range of entities, including entities across multiple US critical infrastructure sectors as well as Australian, Canadian, and United Kingdom organizations. These actors often operate under the auspices of Najee Technology Hooshmand Fater LLC, based in Karaj, Iran, and Afkar System Yazd Company, based in Yazd, Iran. The authoring agencies assess the actors are exploiting known vulnerabilities on unprotected networks rather than targeting specific targeted entities or sectors. US Department of Treasury issues sanctions While the indictment is clear on who the miscreants are, and of their nationality, the indictment is also circumspect in not connecting the criminal trio with the Iranian government. The US Treasury, however, connected the dots. Contemporaneously with the unsealing of the indictment, the Department of Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control, as part of the all-of-government response, levied sanctions on the trio, and noted their connection with Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) affiliated entities. Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson said, Ransomware actors and other cybercriminals, regardless of their national origin or base of operations, have targeted businesses and critical infrastructure across the boarddirectly threatening the physical security and economy of the United States and other nations. We will continue to take coordination action with our global partners to combat and deter ransomware threats, including those associated with the IRGC. CISO actions regarding the Iranian threat CISA highlights the most current Alert updates alerts from 2021, which discussed Iranian government advanced persistent threats (APT) exploiting Fortinet and Microsoft Exchange vulnerabilities. CISOs will be well served to take on board the technical analysis provided by Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the suggested actions to lower the odds of being a victim of Iranian activities. In addition, for those unfamiliar with the Iranian cyber threat, CISA provides Iran Cyber Threat Overview and Advisories, which may serve as a useful primer. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BROOKFIELD Town officials are looking at their options after the last remaining member of a cemetery association said the group has for years planned to abandon the two centuries-old burial sites it owns and operates in the town. I have to get on with my life. I have done my job getting it to this point, and I really need to just turn this over to the next group that is going to handle it, said Jeff Nolan, president of the Central Cemetary Association of Brookfield. The association owns Laurel Hill and Central Cemetery in Brookfield. The separate properties cover a combined 12.9 acres of active burial grounds. According to deed filings, the association acquired Central in 1887 and Laurel Hill in 1900. Ownership of burial ground in Connecticut is limited to municipalities, ecclesiastical societies and designated cemetery associations one of many statutes Nolan believes make cemetery ownership not economically viable. Other laws require the associations to be registered as nonprofits, thus they must file specific information each year with the Internal Revenue Service to maintain their tax-exempt status. On March 15, 2021, the IRS added the Center Cemetary Assoc. of Brookfield to a list of nonprofits whose federal tax-exempt status had been automatically revoked after failing to file the notice for a period of three consecutive years. According to Nolan, the revocation was all part of the plan. Nolan spoke to CTInsider on Wednesday, less than a week after he wrote a letter to First Selectwoman Tara Carr noting repeated attempts to find a buyer or entity willing to take over for the association. He also asked for the towns help to facilitate a transition to full-time professionals to run a regional cemetery operation that includes Central and Laurel Hill. Five years ago, Nolan said the association made the decision to slowly wind down; choosing not to spend a lot of time and energy to reconstruct bylaws. He added that he believes the statutes governing associations make it impossible for burial ground ownership to be economically viable and believes the state, regional government or private sector should take over the job. That is the problem that created everything, Nolan said. The Board of Selectmen discussed the matter at its meeting last week after Carr received Nolans letter and directed the towns attorney to collect information on the best possible path forward for the town. According to Brookfield Town Attorney Dennis Kokenos, the town could take over operations of the two cemeteries if they are abandoned. But the law is silent as to what is going to happen to the property itself the property is titled to an association so we are going to have to work with them, they are going to have to work with us in the solution process. To purchase the property, the town must first ascertain as to what funds they have, what funds are still there, and if it was created as a perpetual fund, Kokenos added. State law authorizes the town selectmen to annually maintain neglected burial grounds not under the control or management of any functioning cemetery association. Statutes also allow municipalities to acquire title to abandoned cemeteries, but they must use due diligence to identify any owners of the cemetery or any of its lots or grave sites and must notify them of its intention to acquire the cemetery, a state legislative research report says. First Selectwoman Tara Carr said in an email Wednesday the town is not at this time considering purchasing the cemeteries but, will consider all options regarding the cemetery property. The Association and its representatives are working with the Town to produce documents necessary to move this process forward, she added. Under statutes guiding burial practices in Connecticut, a graveyard association must appoint a sexton to accurately record information related to each burial, including the burial date and location, which is reported to the town clerks office. The association has not appointed a sexton since 2017. A message on its website notes the legal ramifications of incorrectly recording and reporting the burial data: no member (is) willing to assume responsibility for activities that carry Class D felony penalties described in Connecticut cemetery statutes. Speaking at the boards meeting last week, Selectman Harry Shaker described the situation behind the associations decline as very, very, complicated, and said he spoke with Nolan about the decision to abandon the cemeteries. There has been very little paperwork over the last, to my knowledge, over the last few years, and very little communication so that is where it is now, Shaker said. On Tuesday, Nolan said burials have taken place at the cemeteries within the last couple of weeks, but he noted the burial grounds history and said decades of using a paper system and human error draws attention to why state intervention is needed. We cant have a bunch of volunteers try to build a system that is architected for a much, much larger problem, he said. Selectman Steve Dunn told CT Insider this week that the association approached the town when he was first selectman. He recalled agreeing that something needed to be done and said he thought the town should step up. But he said recalled the group did not provide the financial information needed for town officials to make a decision. I told them I thought it was a good idea, but I need to see some financial documents, Dunn said. Nolan said he only reached out to Dunn for help elevating the issue to a regional level, adding that there would be no problem sharing the associations financial information. I am very confident about the financial record-keeping, Nolan said. The burial records are an ongoing issue. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BANGKOK (AP) China's Foreign Ministry accused the United States of violating its commitment to the One China principle and interfering in internal Chinese affairs Thursday, after the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations committee approved a new bill that could significantly increase American defense support for the island of Taiwan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters in Beijing that China had lodged serious complaints with Washington over the legislation, which still needs U.S. House and President Joe Bidens approval to become law. The one-China principle is the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, she said. If the bill continues to be deliberated, pushed forward or even signed into law, it will greatly shake the political foundation of China-U.S. relations and cause extremely serious consequences to China-U.S. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. China claims the self-governing democracy of Taiwan as its own territory, and has not ruled out retaking the island by force if necessary. The sides split after a civil war in 1949 and have no official relations, with China cutting off even informal contacts following the election of independence-leaning Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016. Under its One China policy, the United States recognizes the government in Beijing while allowing for informal relations and defense ties with Taipei. It takes a stance of strategic ambiguity" toward the defense of Taiwan leaving it open whether it would respond militarily were the island attacked. The Taiwan Policy Act of 2022, approved by the committee on Wednesday, sets out to support the security of Taiwan and its right of self determination, providing billions of dollars in defense funding to enhance its counter intervention capabilities. Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, who coauthored the bipartisan bill with Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, stressed that its focus is on deterrence and that China should not see it as a threat. The bill we are approving today makes clear the United States does not seek war or increased tensions with Beijing. Just the opposite, he said in a statement. We are carefully and strategically lowering the existential threats facing Taiwan by raising the cost of taking the island by force so that it becomes too high a risk and unachievable. The committee's approval of the bill comes at a time when tensions between Beijing and Washington were already high over Taiwan following the visit of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taipei last month. That prompted China to fire missiles into the Taiwan Strait and mobilize large numbers of ships and warplanes for exercises around the island. China sees high-level foreign visits to the island as interference in its affairs and de facto recognition of Taiwanese sovereignty, and there has been a steady stream of high-level U.S. visitors since Pelosi's visit. The Biden administration has insisted that the United States' One China policy has not changed. Despite a lack of formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the U.S. is its strongest political backer and source of defensive arms, and during her visit Pelosi said she wants to help the island defend itself. In a statement, Taiwans Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would continue to maintain close communication with the U.S. government on the bill, with the hope it could become law and make further progress in deepening U.S-Taiwans friendly relationship, and ensure the freedom, peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific area. ___ Associated Press writer Huizhong Wu contributed from Taipei. The Place 2 Be, the all-day brunch concept with locations in Hartford County and western Massachusetts, has announced plans for its first restaurant outside of New England. The newest outpost will open in Dallas, across from American Airlines Arena, the home of the Dallas Mavericks NBA team. The restaurant is scheduled to debut in 2023, according to a news release, and will be the largest of the group's locations at nearly 7,000 square feet, with plans for a rooftop patio and bar. WATERBURY On the second day of the Alex Jones defamation trial Wednesday, an attorney for families of Sandy Hook massacre victims grilled a representative of Jones's company, trying to establish that the conspiracy theorist stoked false claims about the school shooting to boost sales from his online store. Brittany Paz, an attorney representing Jones's Free Speech Systems, acknowledged that Jones controlled and continues to control all aspects of a far-right media empire that includes Infowars.com and an online market offering supplements such as Knock Out sleep aid and Brain Force capsules "to supercharge your state of mind." Jurors are to determine how much Alex Jones should pay to eight Sandy Hook families and an FBI agent he defamed. The trial, which could last four to six weeks, began Tuesday with emotional testimony from the FBI agent and the sister of a Sandy Hook teacher killed in the December 2012 massacre. Both testified that the shooting and the victims were "real," countering Jones' false claims that the tragedy was staged, synthetic, manufactured, a giant hoax, and completely fake with actors. This is the second of three similar trials being held in Texas and Connecticut. In the first trial in Texas last month, Jones was ordered to pay $49 million in damages to the parents of a slain Sandy Hook boy. Under questioning by plaintiffs' attorney Christopher Mattei, Paz agreed that Jones early on recognized the power of social media and touted Infowars as "The House of Truth." Although she often balked at specifics on company revenue and website traffic, saying she didn't know or couldn't recall, Paz agreed that Jones had made hundred of millions of dollars from his website and radio show carried by about 150 stations. Jones had regularly labeled himself a journalist, but Paz, who was hired in January to represent the company in court proceedings and paid $37,000, testified that Jones told her this year that he was not a journalist. She said she had even written his words, "I am not a journalist," in capital letters in her notes. Many of Mattei's questions to Paz concerned the exponential growth of Jones' social media engagement after the school shooting. On a screen and a large pad on an easel, Mattei showed reports, charts and figures detailing the rise of Infowars' audience. In 2011, Infowars.com had about 208.7 million page views. That increased to 286 million views in 2012, including 24.9 million in December alone. In 2013, page views totaled 427 million and the number of site users had grown from 49 million in 2012 to 73 million. Mattei repeated a theme from his opening statement that Jones's strategy even before Sandy Hook was to concoct claims about global events to boost product sales. So a story about water pollution would include a deal for Jones's water filters, or a segment about how global elites had cooked up the COVID-19 pandemic would carry a pitch for immunity boosting supplements. The Infowars audience continued to swell over the next few years, according to reports Mattei showed, as Jones declared not only that Sandy Hook was staged, but that other mass killings, including the fatal shooting of 12 people in an Aurora, Colo. movie theater in July 2012, also were hoaxes and part of a government plot to disarm the American people. One of Jones's regular guests starting in 2014 was Wolfgang Halbig, a ringleader of Sandy Hook conspiracists who has sent hundreds of emails to victims' families calling them actors. Halbig has cited the absence of trauma helicopters at the scene as one proof that the shooting never happened, despite the fact that Danbury Hospital is a drive away. Jones broadcast a show within three hours of the shooting under the title, "Connecticut school massacre looks like a false flag, witnesses say." He ran a steady stream of segments focused on Sandy Hook, including one focused on a still shot from the 2012 Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises," that showed a map with "Sandy Hook" clearly written on it. Jones and his acolytes said that somehow, that map forecast the fake shooting, apparently ignoring the fact that Sandy Hook, New Jersey is just south of New York City, the basis for the fictional Gotham. He asked Paz if Jones did anything to actually investigate the shooting and she answered, "I don't think he's done anything." Mattei also showed Infowars materials sent to advertisers that touted social media engagement figures and bragging that Jones' reach was wider than other right wing media stars, including Rush Limbaugh. By 2016, according to an Infowars media kit that Mattei displayed, the site was getting 40 million page views each month. Mattei asked Paz if it was fair to say that Jones was "a very rich man." She answered, "I know he's made some millions." Mattei scoffed, "Some millions, Ms. Paz?" but she said she did not have specific figures on his income. Jones's attorney, Norm Pattis, confirmed on Tuesday that the Infowars host will testify next week. Pattis said did not yet know which day Jones would take the stand. DETROIT (AP) When it came time to showcase its electric Chevrolet Equinox SUV to the public this year, General Motors decided against doing so at the big Detroit auto show, as it typically would have done in the past. Instead, it unveiled the Equinox six days earlier. GMs decision symbolized just how much smaller this years auto show will be, with few new model debuts, less-glitzy displays, fewer journalists and possibly lower attendance. Though the pandemic is partly to blame, larger forces are at play, too: Automakers have figured out that new models can make a bigger splash when theyre unveiled to a digital audience on a day where they dont have to share the spotlight with their rivals. Not to mention that making a debut at an auto show can be hugely expensive. So despite moving the show from January to balmy September and adding outdoor events, the North American International Auto Show wont be the glitzy event it was the last time it was held in chilly January, more than three years ago. The industry has changed the world has changed, said Karl Zimmermann, vice president of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, which runs the show. Do I think its going to be the same as it was before? No. It's a much different format. Were using indoors. Were using outdoors. This year's show will be geared more toward consumers and less toward the industry. General Motors and Volkswagen will offer test drives. There will be ride-alongs in new electric vehicles from Ford and others. I think thats the likely track of the future more consumer-focused than industry-focused, because the consumers dont need all the the fanfare, said Jeff Schuster, president of global forecasting for LMC Automotive, a Detroit-area consulting firm. They can essentially have it look like a showroom. Gone from Detroit's Huntington Place convention center are the elaborate multi-story displays that cost millions and took months to construct. There won't be any attention-grabbing stunts, like driving cars up steps and through the front doors or an ice rink with figure skaters. Though many automakers, including some from Europe and Asia, decided not to attend, area dealers stepped in with displays for their brands. Instead of around 50 new model debuts as in past years, there's only one truly new one: The Ford Mustang, unveiled Wednesday night at a big outdoor event along the Detroit River attended by about 3,000 Mustang enthusiasts and Ford employees. Instead of the usual 5,000 journalists, only about 1,900 received credentials this year. The seventh-generation Mustang, which goes on sale next summer, may well be the last gas-powered version of the muscle car as Ford powers more of its lineup with batteries. The company plans for half of its global production to be electric by 2030. The new Mustang is built on the same underpinnings as generation six. But it gets an all-new look inside and out with a revamped 5-liter V8 in the GT and a new 2.3-liter turbocharged four for lower trim lines. The V8's up to 500 horsepower tops any other Mustang engine, and the four-cylinder will be more efficient than its predecessor. The company wouldnt say whether the next generation would be electric, but Khan said Ford can meet government fuel economy requirements for this generation because of the four-cylinder engine and the Mustang Mach E SUV and other electric vehicles. Last month Stellantis said fuel economy requirements are one reason its canceling its gasoline muscle cars by the end of next year. The company plans an all-electric Dodge Charger in 2024. Where we go next, well see how things will go, said Eddie Khan, engineering manager for the car. The whole industry is changing." The Mustang gets all new sheet metal outside, and Ford says it has lower wind drag than any other generation. You can still get a six-speed manual transmission on the GT; otherwise its an improved 10-speed automatic. Don Andrews of Detroit, who owns a 2018 V8 Mustang, said he hopes this isn't the last gasoline version. I hope they keep it petrol because more people like it, he said. Everybody likes that rev, that noise. Thats what makes it a Mustang. Andrews said he's glad the show was moved to a warmer month so events like the Mustang reveal can take place outdoors. He thinks more people will attend the show than they did when it was in January. Zimmerman said the downsizing of auto shows is part of worldwide trend that started about a decade ago and this year forced the cancellation of the auto show in Geneva, Switzerland. Other auto shows, too, are shifting their focus to letting customers in their region see and even drive new vehicles. Even with the changes, the show still amounts to a major production. So much so that President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg attended. Biden, a gearhead who owns a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, sat in a high-performance Corvette Wednesday, and he drove a Cadillac Lyriq electric SUV slowly down an aisle in the convention hall. The show won't be entirely devoid of glitz. Ford, Jeep and Stellantis' Ram brand have displays that will hold vehicles as they drive over steep slopes. Dirt and trees were trucked in for a natural look. There are tracks where customers can ride in new electric vehicles, including Ford's F-150 Lightning pickup. Outside, there's a 60-foot-tall inflatable rubber duck, paying homage to a Jeep tradition of enthusiasts leaving a small yellow duck on a Jeep they think is cool. Zimmermann agreed that attendance will likely be smaller than the roughly 800,000 the show drew during peak years of the past. He said he would be pleased with 500,000 for the 12-day show. This year, those who attend outdoor activities alone won't be counted, which will hold down the total. One thing is sure: Electric vehicles will be big draws for the public. Many will be on display for the first time to customers even though automakers unveiled them earlier. They want to know how they ride, how they drive and have experience with them, Zimmermann said. Its not just enough to see a car on a carpet or to see just a digital display on a screen, but to really interact with the vehicle. It's the interaction, with vehicles and with other people, that Zimmermann says will enhance the show after the lengthy pandemic pause. We like to think that after 3 1/2 years away, we'll do nothing but grow," he said. ____ AP White House reporter Colleen Long contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate When a water crisis forced schools back online in Jackson, Mississippi, fifth-grade teacher Ryan Johnson saw reminders everywhere of pandemic times. Two and a half years after schools switched to remote learning for COVID-19, he once again logged into online learning to see kids lying in bed at home while tuning in for his classes. This time, Johnson also had to assist his young daughter, who was stuck at home trying to keep up with second grade. She asked repeatedly when she could go back to school. The stint in remote learning was short-lived for the 20,000-student school system in Jackson. But it highlighted an alarming reality: Schools are relying on online classes when communities face their most trying times disasters like wildfires, storms or a lack of water. And experts say its not a sustainable solution. When Jackson's troubled water system left the city with dry taps and unflushable toilets for several days, school went online for a week. Enough water pressure was restored last week for children to go back in person, and the boil-water notice was lifted Thursday after nearly seven weeks. Still, online learning compounded the disruption for children and teachers. Families waited in lines for hours to get water to drink or wash. Back at home, children slogged through internet classes, often with the whole family in the house once again. Johnson said he did his best to juggle it all and keep his students engaged, drawing on his extended experience from the pandemic, but it was far from perfect. You try to look at the glass half full as much as possible, he said. There was a time, early in the pandemic, when hopes were high for remote learning. It made snow days obsolete, and some schools experimented with online learning in place of substitute teachers. The potential seemed endless. But remote learning's shortcomings have become more clear. The shift to remote learning for COVID-19 left many students behind where they should be academically and added to strains on their mental health. At the same time, it led to increased access to technology and skills that make remote instruction doable on a large scale an impossibility just four years ago. In 2018, two hurricanes Florence and Michael struck the same regions in North Carolina, causing schools to close. Some students were out of school for weeks. There were attempts at remote learning, but many lacked access to laptops and other technology. Most schools tried to redistribute students to other in-person facilities, said Gary Henry, dean of the University of Delawares College of Education and Human Development, who has been part of a long-term research effort studying the impact. Now, Henry thinks districts will reach first for remote learning. In the short term a few weeks, perhaps he thinks it could be a way to keep students on track, but the pandemic showed its not a sustainable model. I think it will be an automatic response in most places to short-term disruptions in schooling, he said. Its going to be the first reaction, whereas, back during the hurricanes, it was: Where can we get these students in another physical location where they can resume their school experience? Now I think its going to be: How can we get organized to provide remote learning? Schools in Mora, New Mexico, switched to remote learning last April when the town was evacuated due to a wildfire. It was a rocky start, Superintendent Marvin MacAuley said. Some of the displaced students and teachers were in evacuation centers, without access to their technology. As time went on, people were able to access computers or tablets and the internet. In mid-August, students went back to school, in person, for the first time since the fire. The year started with an emphasis on social-emotional learning, to address the difficulties students have faced. Even with social workers reaching out, MacAuley said it was difficult gauging how students were doing during remote learning. When theres a lot of stuff that has happened, its better to have the kids in person so you can see how they are, take note of their behaviors and provide the support to them, he said. In Cresskill, New Jersey, after Hurricane Ida hit in 2021, the building housing the high school and middle school was left underwater. The school system had no choice but to start the school year virtually. Thats rough, Superintendent Michael Burke said. Thats rough for kids for mental health issues. Its rough for kids for socialization. And its hard for parents who have to arrange for someone to be home. You know, and thats the most frustrating part, is that it came on the heels of COVID. And people were at a breaking point. Eventually, Cresskill offered hybrid learning, working with a local church, utilizing its 14 classrooms. Later, in February, the school moved into a neighboring towns church building, which allowed students to go back every day. Sarah Barrs daughter, who is now a seventh grader, was scheduled to go to orientation the week the storm decimated the school. She said some considered remote learning an adequate solution because they had done it before out of necessity. Its not school, she said. Its a last resort and it shouldnt be a crutch that we rely on for school. In Jackson, Johnson used his experience from the pandemic to help new teachers at his school when the district moved online during the water crisis. For one, he tried to ensure students had their laptop cameras on, in hopes of keeping them focused. Teachers worked hard last year to help students catch up, he said, and he worried about the potential effects of another extended closure. As the water pressure came back, the school system bused some students and teachers to alternate sites to bring them back to in-person instruction as quickly as possible. Its certainly not our first option, said Sherwin Johnson, a spokesman for Jackson Public Schools. Having them not learning at all, which would be the other option, is unacceptable. ___ Associated Press writer Jeff Amy contributed to this report from Atlanta. ___ Brooke Schultz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. WEST HARTFORD Local police are investigating after a person was found dead Tuesday near the town line. West Hartford police received a call about the discovery of a body in the 400-block of Prospect Avenue about 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, Sgt. Amanda Martin said. She wouldn't say whether the person was found inside or outside, how police believe the person died or whether the deceased was a man, woman or child. "I would not want to compromise the investigation by releasing information," Martin said Wednesday. She did say "the identity of the deceased cannot be confirmed so therefore we have not been able to make proper next of kin notifications." She didn't elaborate. Police consider the death to be an "isolated" incident, Martin said, and the general public is not believed to be at risk. The 400-block of Prospect Avenue is near Boulevard in West Hartford and Capitol Avenue in Hartford. Prospect is the dividing line between the two municipalities, with the capital city across the street. The West Hartford Police Department is actively working on the case, Martin said Wednesday morning. Anyone who may have information about the person's death is asked to call the detective division at 860-570-8870, police said. A ShopRite store in Waterbury is closing at a cost of about 200 jobs though with one of the best job markets in memory, giving those workers hope of landing on their feet. Tornaquindici Supermarkets filed notice with the state Department of Labor of the pending store closure, with the company also owning a ShopRite location in Bristol. Grade A Market will take over operation of the Bristol store, according to the Wakefern Food cooperative of which it is a member, pushing the Stamford-based company's total to a dozen in Connecticut under the ShopRite brand. ShopRite of Waterbury is located on Wolcott Street within walking distance of a Stop & Shop supermarket, a few miles north of Interstate 84. The store is set to close at end of September, the company announced in a post to its Facebook page that owner Paul Tornaquindici plans to retire. "We appreciate the support of the community and thank you for the opportunity to be of service to you," the post stated. In the DOL letter, however, the company cited "economic business reasons" for the Waterbury closure. Tornaquindici could not be reached immediately for details and whether the company considered finding a buyer as an alternative to an outright closure. ShopRite is one of the larger supermarket brands in Connecticut, with stores under independent ownership but affiliated to Wakefern based in New Jersey. The closure of ShopRite on Wolcott Street and Paul Tornaquindici's retirement is a great loss for our city," Mayor Neil O'Leary said in a statement, adding that his office is available to help those left without a job and officials will work to fill the space. "There is real concern over the loss of more than 200 jobs as a result of this closing." "Paul's charitable efforts in our community deserve praise," O'Leary continued "His annual Help Bag Hunger Day event, which raises awareness and finances to help feed the hungry, is just one of the numerous causes he has supported over the years as a valued corporate partner. On Facebook, ShopRite indicated Waterbury employees would be given the opportunity to apply for jobs at other ShopRite stores. Adams Hometown Markets, Aldi, Big Y, BJ's Wholesale Club, Stop & Shop and Whole Foods Market are among the retailers listing open positions this month in Waterbury or surrounding towns. Updated from an initial version posted Sept. 14. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Get the latest live updates from the Waterbury courtroom where the Alex Jones Sandy Hook defamation trial continues on Friday. Thursday's live coverage is below. Families of Sandy Hook victims are back in the Waterbury courtroom Thursday for the third day of a trial to determine the amount in monetary damages Infowars host Alex Jones must pay them after being found guilty of defamation. The second day of the trial has been dedicated to testimony from Shelton attorney Brittany Paz. Paz was selected personally by Alex Jones to be a corporate representative for his company during depositions. She is a witness for the plaintiffs in this case. Chris Mattei, the attorney for the plaintiffs, used Pazs testimony to establish that the conspiracy theorist stoked false claims about the school shooting to boost sales from his online store. We'll have live updates here throughout the day. Families' attorney questions Alex Jones' rep about Infowars video Court has adjourned for the day with Paz still on the stand. Mattei concluded the day's questioning by asking Paz about the video hed been discussing. This is four years after the shooting, right? Mattei asked Just about, yes, Paz testified. And hes still telling his audience, lets look into Sandy hook? Thats what he said on the video. And he does it right after he tells his audience that his heart goes out to the people he sees on the news who say theyre parents. The only thing is, hes seen soap operas before. He knows the difference between when hes watching a movie and when hes watching something real, correct? Thats what he said, yes. And thats what needed to be looked into right? Thats what he said. Paz will take the stand again when the trial resumes Friday at 10 a.m. 'Free Speech knew it' Chris Mattei, attorney for the families, shows a video of what Alex Jones called his smoking gun that purported to show internet data displaying no website activity for Sandy Hook Elementary around the time of the shooting, suggesting it was closed. Mattei asks if the website Jones was tracking was the wrong website. It wasnt the right website, correct, Paz testifies. Mattei shows more of the video where Jones falsely claims a nearby firehouse was Sandy Hook Elementary School. Mattei asks if Infowars and Free Speech Systems knew the statement was false before making it. Free Speech knew it, Paz testifies. Mattei shows more of the video where Jones claims the shooting was fake because CNN used a green screen to show the location. He says that should be believed because they faked a missile attack in the 90s and cuts to the video he is referencing. Mattei shows Paz an image that was part of the video Jones claimed proved CNN faked being on location. The image shows the building was in Saudi Arabia as claimed. Mattei asks Paz if she knows that Jones admitted the statement was false in his depositions. She said she doesnt know because she hasnt seen the deposition, despite requesting it to prepare for the trial. Alex Jones' rep continues to deny Infowars used Google Analytics despite emails showing it Attorney Chris Mattei is again showing Brittany Paz, corporate representative, Infowars employee emails featuring Google Analytics data. Yes, it says this is a report email from Google Analytics, Paz testifies. The report in the email shows purchases from an Infowars internet store from June 2016. Has Free Speech Systems testimony changed having seen that, over whether it used Google Analytics, Mattei asks Paz. No, she testifies, referring to her earlier testimony that Infowars didnt not use Google Analytics. Employee urged Infowars to stop spreading Sandy Hook lies Attorney Chris Mattei is now showing more internal emails, including from an Infowars social media manager, requesting videos from strategic Facebook posts, including a video titled Why people think Sandy Hook is a Hoax, nearly three years after the shooting and original airing of the video. He also shows a December 2015 internal email between Infowars employees. One employee, Paul Watson, was opposed to spreading the Sandy Hook lies. This Sandy Hook stuff is killing us. Its promoted by the most (expletive) crazy people like Reese and Fetzer who all hate us anyway. Plus it makes us look really bad to align with people who harass the parents of dead kids, he wrote. Adding, Its gonna hurt us with Drudge and bringing bigger names into the show. Plus the event happened 3 years ago, why even risk our reputation for it? Watson also shared the email with Jones. Paz testifies that she didnt talk to Jones about the email in preparing for the trial because it was too difficult to talk to him about it. Infowars correspondent followed, shouted at Newtown police chief Back from mid-afternoon break, plaintiffs attorney Chris Mattei shows a video from a Freedom of Information Act hearing regarding Sandy Hook denier Wolfgang Halbigs document requests. The video shows Infowars correspondent and professional wrestler Dan Bidondi and a cameraman following the former Newtown chief of police who was in command the day of the shooting as he leaves the hearing. Youre going to jail, criminal, Bidondi yells at the chief as he drives away. Bidondi and the cameraman then follow the chiefs lawyers calling them scumbags. The video was streaming live, according to Bidondis statements in the video. Using expletives, Bidondi also calls the chief a fraud, crooked and corrupt, while live on the air. Mr Bidondi was so valuable to Mr. Jones because he was willing to engage in this type of near violent confrontation with people. Hes used certain terms in connection with Mr. Bidondi. And adjectives describing Mr. Bidondi" Paz testifies Jones referred to Bidondi as a wild man and the kraken, referring to a mythological sea monster known for destroying ships and killing sailors. Corporate rep's testimony: Infowars invited Sandy Hook denier, despite warning signs Wolfgang Halbig, a Sandy Hook denier, sent a photo to Infowars of children from Newtown performing at the Super Bowl after the Sandy Hook shooting. He contended that those were the same children purported to have been killed. Mattei, attorney for the families, is tying all of the false claims Halbig made that Infowars was aware of together. He also brought up a 2015 email from R. Darren Brumfield, who claims to be a law school student and said Halbigs statements on filing lawsuits did not align with actual legal procedure. Paz testifies that Free Speech continued to use Halbig despite warning signs. Mattei also shows an email Halbig sent to another parent of a Sandy Hook student titled How could you as a mother stop and buy your special brand of coffee on DEc [sic] 14, 2012 when you heard as a mom that shots have been fired at the Sandy Hook School? in which he advises her to do some soul searching and telling her the scam referring to the shooting was over. Paz again testifies that Free Speech Systems was the only organization using Halbig as an expert. Court is now in a 15-minute recess. Infowars clips played for jury A video is shown where Alex Jones says Sandy Hook comes off as a bad school play. Mattei continues to show videos of Jones interviewing Halbig. Jones and Halbig discuss a CNN interview between Sandy Hook parent Robbie Parker and Anderson Cooper. The two men accuse Parker of being part of a program to place microchips in children. Parker is a physician assistant in a neonatal intensive care unit. More Halbig videos are shown. Mattei shows an on-scene interview with an Infowars correspondent and Halbig from a Freedom of Information Act hearing in Connecticut over documents Halbig requested. Thats a filthy deplorable looking school. Its a toxic waste dump. They should be ashamed of themselves, Halbig says in the video. In appearances on Infowars discussing their Sandy Hook lies, Halbig also urged viewers to financially support Jones and Infowars. Families' attorney questions Alex Jones' rep about his behavior toward Sandy Hook dad The line of questioning has now gone on to discuss an interaction between Leonard Pozner and Alex Jones. Pozners son, Noah, was killed during the Sandy Hook shooting. Jones showed a photo of Noah that Pozner took on his show, leading to complaints from Pozner. Jones then showed Pozners business address on a following episode. Mattei asks Paz if that was retaliation. She said she wouldnt characterize it as that. After his son was killed, Pozner founded the HONR Network, a nonprofit aiming to help families who are victims of mass casualty events and are then subject to attacks online from conspiracy theorists. Infowars invited Sandy Hook denier who attacked families on show Plaintiffs attorney Chris Mattei has shown an email from Wolfgang Halbig, a Sandy Hook denier. Paz, corporate representative, reads the email which was sent to the mother of a Sandy Hook victim blaming the mother for sending her child to a toxic school, referring to another of Halbigs false claims, on the day of the shooting. Paz acknowledges the email was shared with Infowars before Halbig was referenced on future episodes of the show. Mattei asks if Free Speech Systems talked about disassociating from Halbig after the email. She says she doesnt know. Mattei responds she must know because Halbig continued working with the company for years after. Mattei then shows 2020 emails between Halbig and Infowars news director Rob Dew discussing strategies for depositions in the current trial. Video played at trial shows Alex Jones calling Sandy Hook shooting 'a giant hoax' Its just after 2 p.m. and the trial has resumed. Free Speech Systems representative Brittany Paz is still on the stand. Plaintiffs attorney Chris Mattei is opening his afternoon questioning with a 2014 Infowars video called America the False Democracy. The video shows Alex Jones say of Sandy Hook the whole thing is a giant hoax, while talking to a caller who claims to be a Connecticut resident and says he knows Sandy Hook was faked. Jones also claims Sandy Hook was faked by the White House, along with the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden. He also claims to have researched the shooting extensively. Paz testified Wednesday that Jones did not conduct any research regarding Sandy Hook. Highlights from Thursday morning in the Alex Jones trial Brittany Paz, the representative of Free Speech Systems, is still on the stand as the trial breaks for lunch. Just before the break, attorney for the plaintiffs Chris Mattei continued to question Paz about the profits Infowars made after promoting lies about the Sandy Hook shooting. Free Speech Systems is owned by Alex Jones and oversees his Infowars website. Jones handpicked Paz, an attorney from Shelton, to represent his company at the trial. Paz has, however, maintained she doesnt know exact figures. Mattei asked if her testimony was that Infowars made somewhere between $100 million and $1 billion during the time period in question, to which she agreed. Mattei also continued to ask Paz about using Google Analytics. Just before the lunch break, Mattei again asked Paz if Free Speech Systems uses Google Analytics, she again said no. However, much of the information viewed during the morning came from internal emails between Free Speech Systems employees and each other, as well as between potential advertisers. In the emails, data from Google Analytics is used to display the reach and success of Infowars. Mattei used some of that information to connect a fake story about Sandy Hook to spikes in Infowars visits and impressions. Social media traffic to Infowars following publication of Adan Salazars article went from 213,433 impressions to 1.85 million, according to data shown during testimony. Wolfgang Halbig, a Sandy Hook denier and frequent Infowars guest, was an early topic of discussion. Halbig often appeared on Jones show as a law enforcement expert, but internal emails expected to be used as evidence in the trial suggest even Infowars questioned his integrity. Absent from the morning session was discussion of PQPR, a company owned by Jones and his family. PQPR, is the merchandise supplier owned by Alex Jones and his parents, and the company that holds most of the debt on which Jones Free Speech Systems bankruptcy is based. The company filed for bankruptcy this summer, initially delaying the Connecticut trial. Paz will take the stand again when the trial resumes at 2 p.m. Infowars sales increased after article on Sandy Hook After demonstrating a significant increase in web traffic to Infowars following the publication of an article denying the Sandy Hook massacre, attorney Chris Mattei then pivoted to revenue in his questioning of Brittany Paz. Paz, however, refused to say specifically how much money Infowars made during the period of time after the Sandy Hook massacre, agreeing that the company made more than $100 million, but less than $1 billion. Thats as specific as you can get, Mattei asked Paz. Without seeing documents, yes, she replied. Mattei then showed sales data, from the period of time before and after the publication of an article about Sandy Hook. Sales increased from more than $48,229 on Sept. 24, 2014 to $232,825 on Sept. 25, 2014. Infowars claims about Sandy Hook boosted social media performance Further data, also from Google Analytics, shows social media performance, specifically clicks through Infowars Facebook page. On Sept. 23, 2014, more than 39 percent of all clicks came from direct traffic, meaning people typed in the sites address directly. In addition, 25 percent came to Infowars via search engines, 24 percent clicked through social media and 10 percent were referred from another website, including paid advertisements on other sites. A day later, after a particular article about Sandy Hook, written by Infowars employee Adan Salazar was published, on the Infowars site, social media traffic more than doubled. Social media traffic to Infowars following publication of Salazars article went from 213,433 impressions to 1.85 million, according to data shown during testimony. Infowars article claiming Sandy Hook was hoax led to jump in visitors, page views An email sent to the author of an article that claimed Sandy Hook was fake, shown during testimony, included Google Analytics data on the performance for that article. That data shows a significant increase in both unique visitors and page views to the Infowars website when the article was published. Matteis strategy appears to be two-fold. First, he is demonstrating that Jones and Infowars knowingly published false information about the massacre, and that the website profited from the publication of conspiracy theories. Mattei is simultaneously trying to show that Infowars attempted to conceal that data from plaintiffs, with representative Paz testifying yesterday that while Google Analytics data was available to Infowars, they did not use it. Alex Jones asked for viewers 'help' to send reporters to Sandy Hook Almost two years after the shooting, Alex Jones claimed FBI statistics showed no deaths in Sandy Hook in 2012, and invited Sandy Hook denier Wolfgang Halbig on to his show. In the clip shown during Pazs testimony, Halbig described Sandy Hook as a toxic waste dump, and the school as the worst school he had ever seen as a principal. Jones called it a cutout, meaning that the school was a set. Paz testified that Jones said the school was closed until right before the massacre. I wish it was real instead of fake, Jones said on the air. That would be much more scary. Jones, Mattei asked Paz, claimed there were drills at the school, based on a photo on murdered Principal Dawn Hochsprungs Twitter feed showing a fire drill earlier in the year before the massacre. Jones, after claiming the massacre was not real, said he will send reporters to Sandy Hook but that he needs the help of his audience to make that happen. Alex Jones' rep says Infowars didn't use Google Analytics but company emails contradict that Plaintiffs lawyers showed several clips during Brittany Pazs testimony, including one of Alex Jones mocking parents of victims. Its just the fakest thing since the $3 bill, Jones said. He did cry, or pretend to cry, Paz said of Jones on the stand. After that, Mattei returned to Google Analytics, a metrics analysis platform Paz testified Infowars does not use. Mattei asked Paz repeatedly about the benefit of such a program, in assessing a sites performance and revenue. He then ran down a list of sites on which Infowars sells products. No Google Analytics data was produced by Infowars in response to a discovery request from plaintiffs, and Paz testified Wednesday that Infowars had access to but did not use Google Analytics. Mattei then showed Paz an email with an attachment of Google Analytics. Ive attached a screenshot of our audience analytics from Alexa and Google analytics, the email said. The analytics in the attachment coincided with Halbigs appearances on Infowars. Mattei then asked Paz if she would stand by testimony that Infowars does not use Google Analytics. I hadnt seen this before but like I said I can only convey what has been conveyed to me, she said. I dont know at this point what they do or dont do with it. Infowars falsely connected former NYC Major Mike Bloomberg to Sandy Hook shooting Brittany Paz, a representative for Alex Jones' Free Speech Systems, is back on the stand. A claim was made on Infowars that former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg was somehow involved in staging the Sandy Hook massacre. When asked to provide an email corroborating that claim, Paz instead sent plaintiffs attorneys an article, published on a site called Politicker. Portions of that article were then republished on Infowars. Jones said on the air that Bloomberg had sent an email regarding Sandy Hook days before the massacre, using that email as corroboration though the email was never produced. Reporter kicked out of courtroom for taking photo of witness A reporter who identified himself as working for News8 was ejected from the courtroom around 10:40 a.m. Thursday by marshals after he took a picture of Brittany Paz testifying with his cell phone. At least one other journalist has been ejected under similar circumstances. On the first day of the trial on Tuesday, a journalist was ejected from the overflow press room for video recording the trial. Hearst Connecticut Media received permission from the judge prior to the trial to be the sole photographer in the courtroom. Another outlet was approved to live stream the trial. Sandy Hook conspiracy theorist Wolfgang Halbig at center of debate between attorneys Day three of trial began with a discussion about when Infowars knew Wolfgang Halbigs credentials should be questioned. Halbig was a frequent Infowars guest, touted as a law enforcement expert, who routinely questioned the truth of the Sandy Hook massacre. But an email to Infowars producers raised questions about Halbigs credentials. Before the jury entered the courtroom for day three of testimony, attorneys in the case argued whether or not that email could be brought up in court or if it would count as hearsay. Witnesses are only allowed to discuss what they know, not what they have heard. Judge Barbara Bellis ultimately ruled that the email may only be used to show the impact on the witness. Sandy Hook families arrive Family members whose loved ones were killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting have begun to arrive in the courtroom on Thursday morning. A smaller group of family members is present compared to Wednesday. In addition to Alex Jones' and the families' lawyers, Mark Bankston, the attorney who represented parents Scarlett Lewis and Neil Heslin in a similar trial in Texas this summer, is also in the courtroom. Alex Jones' company's bankruptcy to be discussed Both parties and Judge Barbara Bellis agreed to discuss a Jones-owned entity, PQPR, before testimony resumes. PQPR, is the merchandise supplier owned by Alex Jones and his parents, and the company that holds most of the debt on which Jones Free Speech Systems bankruptcy is based. The company filed for bankruptcy this summer, initially delaying the Connecticut trial. Earlier this month, it was reported that PQPR offered to pay $100,000 for a trustee to review the finances of Free Speech Systems. If that trustee finds that Free Speech Systems is indeed bankrupt, it could make it more difficult for plaintiffs in the current civil case to request a large sum of money. Fewer media at the courthouse so far Thursday morning More than an hour before court is set to resume, it appears that fewer media outlets are at the courthouse. Family members and attorneys do not appear to have arrived yet. Sandy Hook families' attorney to try to connect Jones lies and monetary gain Brittany Paz is representing Infowars parent company, Free Speech Systems, in the trial. On Wednesday, attorney Chris Matteis line of questioning attempted to draw a straight line between Jones Sandy Hook lies and an increase in popularity of his site. Paz testified there was a 48.9 percent increase in users and a 49.3 percent increase in page views year over year, which led to financial gain for Jones. It also led to hardship for victims' families. Paz said she is aware there was some harassment of families, and admitted on the stand that some of that harassment was perpetrated by Infowars fans. H John Voorhees III/AP Who is Brittany Paz? Brittany Paz, who is set to resume her testimony on Thursday morning, was personally selected by Alex Jones to be his corporate representative. She testified that she was hired in January to represent the company in court proceedings and paid $37,000 to take the stand. She is a criminal defense attorney from Shelton who specializes in providing aggressive and effective criminal defense representation to those accused of crimes in Southern Connecticut, according to her website. Her website states that she was named one of National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 for criminal defense for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, and was named by Super Lawyers Rising Stars in Criminal Defense for 2020 and 2021. She has a YouTube channel with seven subscribers where she discusses legal issues. Much of the questioning she faced Wednesday focused on how Alex Jones and Infowars grew their audience in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Court to resume following inflammatory comments from Alex Jones on Infowars On Wednesday, Alex Jones took to his Inforwars show to call the trial a Kangaroo Court '' and claim his due process and civil rights were being violated by the judge instructing jurors he is guilty. The jurors in this case are only required to determine the damages based on the already-litigated guilt. Jones went as far as to accuse the judge of being a woke activist and the entire trial was a part of a government conspiracy to silence him. He also insinuated the federal government had recruited pedophiles as judges to be controlled via blackmail. BRIDGEPORT Andre Baker has experienced firsthand the toll that gun violence has taken on fellow Black residents. As operator of Baker-Isaac Funeral Services in the East End, he has buried many victims. Ive done several families members that have been homicide cases. Cousins. A couple of times I have brothers within three or four years, Baker, who is also a Democratic state representative, recalled. He also mentioned Benjamin Bagley Jr., a 22-year-old that Baker had been trying to mentor since he was 15 and who had been working at his funeral home while on probation from prison. Bagley died from multiple gunshot wounds in March 2021. So when told recently that the Black males made up the highest percentage of murders in Connecticuts largest city during the decade of 2011 through 2021, Baker responded, Im not surprised. According to data provided Hearst Connecticut Media by the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner, of the 196 men and women killed in Bridgeport during that time frame, 121 were Black. And of those, 112 were men, 81 of them residents. In contrast, 50 of the victims were Hispanic, 16 white, two Asian and seven were listed as unknown or other. In terms of ages, 39 of the 86 Black victims including women who lived in the city were in their 20s, while 22 were in their 30s. Seven were in their teens, eight between the ages of 18 and 19, and six in their 40s, while two died in their 50s and one each in their 60s and 70s. Nicole Matthews own personal loss due to gun violence goes back further than 2011. In 2005 her 18-year-old son, Shaahyid, was killed. Matthews has since founded the nonprofit Tears to Triumph to help families cope with similar losses of children. Its very discouraging, Matthews said of the medical examiners statistics. We try to do all we can do all the grass roots organizations. Were out there, doing what we have to do. ... Sometimes it just pushes you back to say to yourself, What are we not doing that this is still happening? This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Christian Abraham / Christian Abraham Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Autumn Driscoll / Autumn Driscoll Show More Show Less 3 of 3 She was hardly the only one grappling with that question. The Rev. D. Stanley Lord is president of the Greater Bridgeport NAACP. Theres no respect anymore or value of life, Lord said. Everyones out there making an effort (to stop the violence). The hard part is we seem to be preaching to the choir. ... Those who are engaged in it, we dont have their ear. Were out there saying what you should do, cant do, need to do better. But the ones that need to do better arent the ones hearing that message. Theyre doing what they feel they need to do to protect themselves or save face or whatever you want to call it. But its destroying too many peoples lives, Lord added. Baker recalled his relationship with Bagley, which began when the latter was around 15 years old and started doing some work at the funeral home. He kind of got in a little trouble, Baker said without elaborating. He got shot, but survived. And then he got in trouble again and went to jail for like two years. Then he got out and he came and started working with me and getting his life back on track. Stuff that was in the past caught up with him, Baker said about Bagleys death. It really devastated me. Baker said more needs to be done to mentor young Black boys and to help them recognize the value in life and in themselves, whatever obstacles they face in their personal or family lives. And that effort should continue as they mature, he emphasized. A lot of them just dont feel like they have a future, Baker said. We need mentoring programs that catch em when theyre in elementary school and stay with them all the way through, tapping into their inner gifts, there inner talents. Autumn Driscoll / Autumn Driscoll In a statement to Hearst Connecticut Media, Bridgeport Generation Now, a civic group, called for more coordination to tackle the problem. This data points to a crisis without a clear plan, the group said. We know that public safety is a public health issue, one that law enforcement cannot solve on its own. What are the underlying issues driving gun violence, particularly among young Black men in Bridgeport? How many of these homicides remain unsolved? A plan has to go beyond the police department and beyond one organization or program. Like our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, if we want to save Black men's lives and protect our communities, we need all hands on deck working together on prevention strategies and we don't see that level of coordination coming out of this administration. Acting Police Chief Rebeca Garcia did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Harold Dimbo helped solve homicides as a Bridgeport detective and, after retiring around 2016 became manager of the citys Project Longevity branch, an initiative to curb violence here and also in New Haven and Hartford. The efforts focus in particular is on trying to transition gang members out of that lifestyle and Dimbo said he works with ages 11 to 30. Dimbo said he too was not surprised by the medical examiners figures because, in his experience, the majority of the violence is occurring in the Black community. He further explained that the structured gangs, which operated by their own sets of rules you cant do anything unless you run it by the president have been replaced by groups of, in some cases, youths still nursing grievances that began with their parents. If you was to walk up to a young kid, ask them, What is this about, nobody really knows, Dimbo said. Groups can be, If you live in my neighborhood, on my side of town, well stick together because the other side of town said this about us or shot my cousin 10 years ago. Groups are just no rules, anything goes. Dimbo said he and his colleagues at Project Longevity and community partners like Tears to Triumph work hard, but are not always successful. He said he knows he has engaged with young men who have subsequently been killed. I have parents come to me saying, I know my sons gonna get killed, can you help me? Dimbo recalled. He said many of the young men are just caught up where theyre at and cant get out. When theyre 17, 18, theyre the one everybodys afraid of. Then they get arrested, they come back out, and around the age of 20, 21, a lot I spoke with talk about leaving the streets, Dimbo said. But, depending on their circumstances, that can be far easier said than done, Dimbo explained. Matthews said the only thing she can do is not give up. Youve just got to continue with the fight and continue to try to curb this gun violence, she said. BRIDGEPORT Police say they have arrested a man suspected of making a bomb threat against the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company, which operates the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson ferry, around noon on Wednesday. The Bridgeport Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call about a threat made against the services ferries at 11:57 a.m. on Wednesday, according to police. They noted a similar threat had been made on Sept. 6. In response to the threat, Bridgeport police and other law enforcement agencies, including the Coast Guard, suspended ferry operations to conduct a search of all three boats in the fleet, according to police. The search determined the boats were safe and the suspension was lifted, police said. Police said similar measures were taken following the Sept. 6 threat. While the Wednesday search did not disrupt the ferry services activities significantly, the Sept. 6 search did, they said. With assistance from the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, the Bridgeport Police Departments Joint Terrorism Task Force on Wednesday identified the person who had made the threats as Trevon Phidd, 31, of West Haven, according to police. Phidd is an employee of the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company, according to police. He works in food services at the Bridgeport ferry terminal at 1 Ferry Road, police said. Phidd was taken into custody at approximately 2:15 p.m. by the Bridgeport Police Departments Patrol Division, police said. He has been charged with two counts each of an act of terrorism, misuse of the 911 system and second-degree breach of the peace. Bond was set at $500,000. caroline.tien@hearst.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) Infowars' revenues and website viewership spiked as Alex Jones alleged on his show in 2014 that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax, according to documents shown to a jury Thursday. Jones and his Free Speech Systems company are on trial in Connecticut in a lawsuit brought by an FBI agent who responded to the shooting and relatives of eight of the 20 first graders and six educators killed in the December 2012 massacre in Newtown. They say Jones inflicted emotional and psychological harm on them, and they have been threatened and harassed by Jones' followers. Jones has already been found liable for spreading the myth that the shooting never happened and the six-member jury in Waterbury will be deciding how much he and his company should pay the plaintiffs in damages. The trial started Tuesday and is expected to last a month. Christopher Mattei, a lawyer for the families, showed internal Infowars documents detailing the revenue and website-visit spikes around the time of an article on Sept. 24, 2014, on the Infowars website that said no one died at Sandy Hook and Jones discussing the article on his show the next day. The families lawsuit claims that Jones trafficked in lies to increase his audience and sales of the nutritional supplements, clothing and other merchandise he sells on the Infowars website and hawks on his web show. Jones and guests on his show said the shooting was staged with crisis actors as part of gun control efforts. The discussion of revenue and web viewership came Thursday as Mattei spent a second day questioning Brittany Paz, a Connecticut lawyer hired by Jones to testify about his companies' operations. Documents showed daily revenues to the Infowars online store increased from $48,000 on Sept. 24 to more than $230,000 on Sept. 25. Total user sessions on the Infowars website, meanwhile, increased from about 543,000 on Sept. 23 to about 1 million on Sept. 24, the documents showed. Paz also was asked about Infowars videos that show Jones and guests using lies and misinformation to claiming the massacre was staged. She acknowledged that much of what was said was not true. In the videos, Jones says the school shooting was a giant hoax" and the fakest thing since the $3 bill. He said there were aerial images of student actors running in circles in and out of the school when the images actually were of a nearby firehouse where people gathered after the shooting. He also claimed CNN was using green screens in fake interviews with people in Sandy Hook. Mattei later showed an email from a company executive showing internal conflict within Infowars about continuing to discuss conspiracy theories about the school shooting. The Sandy Hook stuff is killing us, Infowars editor Paul Watson wrote, asking why the company was risking its reputation and audience by harassing the parents of dead children. Last month, a jury in Texas awarded the parents of one of the slain Sandy Hook children nearly $50 million in a similar lawsuit against Jones and his company. Paz acknowledged that Infowars broadcasted misinformation. She also acknowledged that Jones did not check the qualifications of a guest who appeared numerous times on his show- a conspiracy theorist who claimed to be a school security expert who had investigating the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado even as Jones boasted of his credentials and Infowars received emails questioning the guest's credibility. Paz testified that she believes Jones and his companies have made at least $100 million in the decade since the massacre and Jones is now worth millions of dollars. Website traffic data reports run by Infowars employees and presented at the trial also show that by 2016, his show aired on 150 affiliate radio stations, and the Infowars website got 40 million page views a month. Mattei showed Paz internal Infowars emails between employees sharing Google Analytics data. Paz earlier testified that she was told by Infowars employees that they didnt use Google Analytics regularly to track website viewing data. After showing her the emails, Mattei asked if it was still her testimony that Infowars didnt regularly use Google Analytics. I dont know at this point," she said. Jones now says he believes the shooting happened, but he insists his comments were protected by free speech rights, which he cannot argue at trial because he has already been found liable for damages. The families say the emotional and psychological harm to them was profound and persistent. Relatives say they were subjected to social media harassment, death threats, strangers videotaping them and their children, and the surreal pain of being told that they were faking their loss. Jones' lawyer, Norman Pattis, said in his opening statement Tuesday that any damages should be minimal and claimed the families were exaggerating the harm they say they have suffered. On his Infowars show Thursday, Jones once again called the proceedings in Connecticut a show trial. The judge now has to carry out this fraud, he said. But across the legal community, people are just saying, My God, this is something worthy of Venezuela. This is unbelievable. ___ Find APs full coverage of the Alex Jones trial at: https://apnews.com/hub/alex-jones Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media FAIRFIELD Police say they have arrested a local man in connection with a stabbing reported from a gas station. Sean Rogerson, 56, has been charged with second-degree assault for stabbing a man with a kitchen knife, according to police. Rogerson was held on $50,000 bond. No wonder the Queen called 1992 her 'annus horribilis'. Three of her children's marriages ended and Windsor Castle was damaged by fire. This troubled period reached a peak when the Queen stayed at Balmoral for days after Princess Diana's death in 1997. In the third part of his series on how Elizabeth II shaped modern Britain, historian Dominic Sandbrook describes how she pulled the Crown through one of its most tumultuous decades.... At the beginning of the Thatcher era, one question dominated royal gossip. Elizabeth's eldest son, Charles, had turned 30 in 1978, yet he showed no signs of wanting to settle down. In his twenties, the Prince of Wales had had plenty of girlfriends, including a young woman called Camilla Shand who later married Andrew Parker Bowles. But it was only in the autumn of 1980 that he began to show serious interest in a gawky young aristocratic girl called Diana Spencer, who was just 19. The Queen was delighted. Diana seemed the perfect bride; marriage and children would cement the future of the dynasty. Yet even at this early stage, there were hints of trouble ahead. With her coltish good looks, Diana rapidly became a media favourite, and when reporters besieged the Royal Family at Sandringham, the Queen momentarily lost her famous cool and snapped 'Why don't you go away?' The wedding itself, on July 29, 1981, came as a much-needed tonic after two years of terrible news. The economy was mired in recession, unemployment was heading towards a post-war record of 3 million, the inner cities were ablaze, and the Thatcher government was in desperate trouble. More than any other royal event before, the wedding was pure theatre, with Diana in a fairytale wedding dress and Charles in full naval uniform. The Grand Knockout Tournament, better known as It's A Royal Knockout, was the brainchild of Elizabeth's youngest son Edward, who had walked out of the Royal Marines and fancied himself as a theatrical impresario Across the world, a record 750 million people tuned in to watch. The arrival of Diana marked a subtle shift in the dynamics within the Royal Family. Until 1981, Elizabeth herself had been the undisputed star. Now not only did she have to share the national stage with Margaret Thatcher, but she was not even the most famous woman in the family. To many younger observers, the middle-aged Queen's understated substance simply could not compete with Diana's glittering style. At 55, Elizabeth seemed remarkably unchanged, apart from her greying hair, from the young woman who had risen to the throne in 1952. Yet even as the cheers at St Paul's Cathedral were dying away, there was a sense of the ground slipping from beneath her feet. The Queen had always presented herself as the embodiment of consensus. But public life was becoming increasingly violent: in June 1981, for example, a deranged young man even fired six blank shots at the Monarch during Trooping the Colour. Elizabeth's stoicism and courage she expertly controlled her horse, and continued with the ceremony won the respect of the nation. But worse was to come. In July 1982, another disturbed young man, Michael Fagan, broke into Buckingham Palace in the dead of night. There, he found his way to the Queen's bedroom and woke her up to listen to a diatribe about his family. 'I got out of bed,' Elizabeth later told a friend, 'put on my dressing gown and slippers, drew myself up to my full regal height, pointed to the door, and said 'Get out!' and he didn't.' So she kept him talking while she called the police switchboard, and eventually bodyguards arrived to take Fagan away. Of course, the Queen herself remained tremendously popular, and when her son Andrew served in the Falklands War, where he flew Sea King helicopters, it was a valuable reminder of the monarchy's function as a symbol of national pride and public patriotism. In a sign of the changing climate, though, it was not the Queen but Mrs Thatcher, hailed by the Press as the personification of Britannia, who took the troops' salute at the victory parade in the City of London. Rumours of a rift between the Queen and her Prime Minister now swirled around Westminster, and in 1986 the Sunday Times ran a bombshell front-page story claiming that Elizabeth considered Thatcher 'uncaring, confrontational and socially divisive'. The Palace denied it, of course. But not since the days of Queen Victoria, who had famously failed to get on with Gladstone, had there been such speculation about bad relations between the monarchy and Number 10. For three decades, Elizabeth had gently adapted the monarchy to match the pace of social change, striking the perfect balance between tradition and modernity. But now the image of the monarchy was beginning to deteriorate. The team captains, meanwhile, were Prince Edward, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and his new wife, the brash Sarah Ferguson (above). It was, of course, a disaster Nothing typified this more than the bitter relationship between the Palace and the Press. When the Queen organised a drinks party for national editors at the end of 1981, Barry Askew, the editor of the News of the World, asked belligerently why, if Princess Diana was so keen on privacy, she went to the shops herself, instead of sending a servant. 'That was a pompous remark, Mr Askew,' snapped the Queen. Even 20 years before, such a moment would have been unthinkable. But in a more populist age, less tolerant of inherited privilege, the papers were already full of rumours about Diana's unhappiness, from stories that she had thrown herself down the stairs to gossip that she was suffering from bulimia. Contrary to the caricatures, Elizabeth had always been a relatively indulgent mother. And now, as her children and their spouses openly revelled in their fame and fortune Diana racking up gigantic shopping bills, Andrew dating the actress Koo Stark she seemed incapable of reining them in. It was a common enough situation. But most families do not live in the public limelight, and most families are not expected to be models to the nation. At the end of 1986, Elizabeth's Christmas broadcast still drew an audience of 15 million people. But six months later, 18 million people tuned in for a very different television spectacle, which dealt the monarchy a near-fatal blow. The Grand Knockout Tournament, better known as It's A Royal Knockout, was the brainchild of Elizabeth's youngest son Edward, who had walked out of the Royal Marines and fancied himself as a theatrical impresario. Staged at Alton Towers in June 1987, it pitched four teams of celebrities including John Travolta, George Lazenby, Toyah Willcox, Gary Lineker and Barbara Windsor against each other in a series of bizarre games. The team captains, meanwhile, were Prince Edward, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and his new wife, the brash Sarah Ferguson. It was, of course, a disaster. Never in living memory had the monarchy contrived to make itself look so ridiculous and when Edward stormed off in a huff at the end, angry that the Press failed to share his enthusiasm for the event, it only added to the sense of chaos and humiliation. Elizabeth herself must have watched in horror. Could her own father, George VI, ever have imagined that one day the nation would be watching his grandchildren cheering on Travolta chasing Cliff Richard, who was dressed as a leek? 'It was a terrible mistake,' one of her friends told the historian Ben Pimlott. 'She was against it. But one of her faults is that she can't say no.' For centuries, Britain had always had a small republican minority. But now Elizabeth and her family were confronting something much worse not hatred and opposition, but ridicule and contempt. Staged at Alton Towers in June 1987, it pitched four teams of celebrities including John Travolta, George Lazenby, Toyah Willcox, Gary Lineker and Barbara Windsor against each other in a series of bizarre games None of them could compete with Diana's glamorous good looks, charismatic presence and unerring eye for publicity. But as her marriage to Prince Charles slid towards the rocks, the monarchy's image became dangerously tarnished. One by one, Elizabeth's children's marriages fell apart. Anne separated from her husband, Captain Mark Phillips, in 1989, while Andrew and Sarah separated three years later. The biggest blow, however, was the publication of Andrew Morton's biography of Diana in the summer of 1992. In stark black and white, it laid out Diana's version of the collapse of her marriage and what she claimed was her cold and cruel treatment by the House of Windsor. A few months later, one paper published pictures of the Duchess of York cavorting topless with an American friend, while another published transcripts of Diana's secretly recorded conversations, in which she described life with the Royal Family as 'torture'. Worse was to follow. In November, a fire broke out at Windsor Castle. Several roofs collapsed, while state rooms were gutted. Television cameras caught a poignant glimpse of the stricken Elizabeth looking on, weary and distraught, as firemen battled to control the blaze. Yet when the government announced that it would pay the 40 m cost of repairs, there was an outcry. In response, the Queen agreed that for the first time, she and her family would pay income tax. In a speech at the Guildhall, she frankly admitted her shock and disquiet. 1992, she said memorably, had turned out to be her 'annus horribilis'. And still the bad news continued. The Press published transcripts of a conversation between Charles and his mistress, Camilla Parker Bowles, in which he told her 'Your greatest achievement is to love me', and fantasised about being one of her tampons. The collapse of Charles and Diana's marriage dominated the headlines for years. The most damaging moment came in 1995, when Diana gave a blisteringly frank interview to the BBC's Martin Bashir, explaining that there had been 'three people' in her marriage, and admitting that both parties had had affairs. Elizabeth was quick to react, writing to urge Charles and Diana to get their divorce over with and to stop airing their dirty linen in public. The crowds still loved Elizabeth; wherever she went, people presented her with flowers. But she now seemed an exhausted, even lonely figure a mother wounded by the mistakes, humiliations and public criticism of her children. And then, on the last evening of August 1997, came the turning point. Elizabeth was at Balmoral with her grandchildren, William and Harry, whose mother was in Paris with her new lover, Dodi Fayed. Late that night, the news broke that Diana and Fayed had been injured in a car crash. By morning, the world learned they were dead. After a brief appearance at church, the Queen and her family disappeared from sight. For five days she remained behind closed doors, trying to shield her grief-stricken grandsons from the public eye, while an intense mood of almost hysterical mourning gripped the nation. The public demanded a spectacular show of public anguish, in keeping with the new fashion for emotional incontinence. But Elizabeth, steeped in the old-fashioned values of a more serious age, had been brought up to prize discipline and self-restraint. She was stunned, therefore, when the nation turned against her, the Press demanding that she appear in public and fly the Palace flag at half-mast. Once again, she was overshadowed by her own Prime Minister; this time, it was Britain's new Labour premier, Tony Blair, who caught the mood with his carefully crafted praise for the 'People's Princess'. For a few days, indeed, it seemed as if the tide of emotion might sweep away the monarchy itself. But at this moment of supreme crisis, the Queen showed the political dexterity for which she will be long remembered. Returning to London from Balmoral, she gave a highly charged live address to the nation, talking (perhaps slightly reluctantly), of her admiration for Diana, her grief as a grandmother and her determination to protect William and Harry. No politician could have done a better job. Almost overnight, much of the public animosity evaporated. And in that moment, Elizabeth found a new, lasting and enormously successful role as grandmother not merely to her son's two boys, but to the nation itself. Not much happens these days without former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown stepping forward and telling us what we should be doing. Last weekend, he forecast that during the reign of King Charles, the Royal Family will become 'more like a Scandinavian monarchy'. This is the 'slimmed down' version of monarchy, where Royals get about on bicycles and don't dress up in outlandish uniforms. Mr Brown said that Charles had previously 'indicated that the monarchy is going to be smaller'. He expects the King to perform his duties in a more informal and 'approachable' way than his mother. Not much happens these days without former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown (pictured centre talking to former PM Tony Blair Accession Council ceremony on Saturday) stepping forward and telling us what we should be doing Last weekend, he forecast that during the reign of King Charles (front-left), the Royal Family will become 'more like a Scandinavian monarchy' Gilded It is a superficially attractive idea, which I have supported in the past. A slimmed-down monarchy would get rid of minor royals, who are often tiresome. The new King is said to want the Royal Family to consist of an inner core of the Sovereign and Queen Consort, children and grandchildren. If a new-style monarchy is going to take Scandinavian royals as its model, it will have also to dispense with a good deal of the pomp and pageantry: the gilded carriages, the strange proclamations, the frequent gun salutes, the military parades and the rest of the colourful rigmarole. This is the plan that may have been forming in the King's mind, and is probably backed by much of the political class. But is it what the British people really want? I believe that many, but by no means all, would be happy to see much less of the minor royals. I certainly would. Yet I doubt that the public wants the Royal Family to swap carriages for efficient German automobiles, or plumed horses for bicycles, in a bid to ape its Scandinavian counterparts. If a new-style monarchy is going to take Scandinavian royals as its model, it will have also to dispense with a good deal of the pomp and pageantry: the gilded carriages, the strange proclamations, the frequent gun salutes, the military parades and the rest of the colourful rigmarole This is the plan that may have been forming in the King's mind, and is probably backed by much of the political class. But is it what the British people really want? Pictured: Queen Elizabeth II's coffin, draped in the Royal Standard and bearing the Imperial State Crown, is transported on a gun carriage from Buckingham Palace to The Palace of Westminster ahead of her Lying-in-State As far as getting rid of the royal hangers-on is concerned, I wonder how practicable this would be. I'd be happy never to hear a peep out of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex again (unless they learn how to behave themselves), but unfortunately they can't be banished and forgotten. Even if Meghan and Harry were deprived of the right to call themselves 'their Royal Highnesses', they would still go on being of interest to millions of people, and trading on their former connection with an institution they appear to despise. Nor, having become extremely rich on account of their royal status, do this ambitious couple need more money from the King. They will be able to go on causing trouble, and attracting attention, even if they are expelled from 'The Firm'. By all means let King Charles cast them into outer darkness unless they change for the better. However, it won't make much difference, at any rate for the time being. They will still get a lot of media coverage. The same is true of less obnoxious minor royals. Charles could, for example, try to write Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie (the daughters of Prince Andrew) out of the script. But they are financially self-sufficient. They would continue to put themselves about and be noticed by the media. For as long as there are people who want to hear about the antics of minor royals, and there certainly are, they can't be disassociated from the monarchy. One day, fans may tire of Meghan, Harry and the rest of the gang, but that day is almost certainly a long way off. Perhaps the only member of the Royal Family who could be removed more or less immediately from the public gaze by the King is Prince Andrew. Unless he errs again, few are going to follow his future activities with much interest. Even if Meghan and Harry were deprived of the right to call themselves 'their Royal Highnesses', they would still go on being of interest to millions of people, and trading on their former connection with an institution they appear to despise Perhaps the only member of the Royal Family who could be removed more or less immediately from the public gaze by the King is Prince Andrew. Unless he errs again, few are going to follow his future activities with much interest. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice pay their respects in The Palace of Westminster during the procession for the Lying-in State of Queen Elizabeth II So Charles is at liberty to prune the Royal Family as he attempts to create a pared- down monarchy, and he is right to try. But I'm afraid it is going to be uphill work. I am less sanguine about the prospect that much of the pomp and ceremony which has moved so many hearts in recent days may be treated to a utilitarian makeover. That would be a dangerous step. Yesterday afternoon, the nation witnessed the most affecting scene since Queen Elizabeth's death. Her coffin was drawn on a gun carriage from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, followed by King Charles, his sons and others. The Band of the Scots Guards and the Band of the Grenadier Guards played haunting marches during the procession. Some in the large crowd were in tears as this sombre cavalcade passed, and many watching at home or at work will have cried. It was beautiful and it was dignified. There could have been no better way of honouring our beloved Queen. Regalia The detail of much of the pageantry was probably not understood by some onlookers and I include myself. There was a Sovereign's Piper and an Imperial State Crown. Later, there was an Earl Marshal and a Lord Great Chamberlain. What we did understand, though, was that this occasion was an expression of love and respect. Generations of accumulated knowledge was invested in the meticulous procession, the music, the regalia and, ultimately, in the solemn placing of the coffin on its catafalque unusual word in Westminster Hall. What we saw wouldn't have been possible in a Scandinavian monarchy as envisaged by Gordon Brown, and seemingly the King. This was peculiarly British and no other nation on earth could have done it half as well. Do we really wish to jettison all this in exchange for a charmless, slimmed-down monarchy, the mystical beauties abandoned in favour of what is easily recognised and familiar to the modern world? The Church of England made a similar mistake when it largely got rid of its poetic 1662 Book of Common Prayer, which uses an elevated language to refer to God, and replaced it with bureaucratic prose. The monarchy should not go down the same dismal path. Queen Elizabeth II poses with delegates of the G20 London summit, including then-PM Gordon Brown for a group photograph in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace in April 2009 The detail of much of the pageantry was probably not understood by some onlookers and I include myself. There was a Sovereign's Piper and an Imperial State Crown. Pictured: The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in a Royal Standard and adorned with the Imperial State Crown inside Westminster Hall yesterday What we saw wouldn't have been possible in a Scandinavian monarchy as envisaged by Gordon Brown, and seemingly the King. Picturted: Queen Elizabeth II greeting Gordon Brown at Buckingham Palace for an audience at which he tended his resignation as Prime Minister in May 2010 Admirable Incidentally, I don't at all mind that King Charles should have yesterday worn a Field Marshal's uniform, even though, so far as I am aware, he has never heard a shot fired in war. But I thought it hard to deprive Prince Andrew and Prince Harry of their right to wear uniform, especially as both men have been in the line of fire. Neither of them is admirable, but they have risked their lives for their country. This was the moment for the King to be generous and occupy the moral high ground. Will the Scandinavian bandwagon roll on? Will we end up with royals wearing bicycle clips? I hope not. The lesson of the past few days, and I am sure of the next few, is that most people cherish the pageantry that is fundamental to our national story. Flummery is something else entirely. Beware of those who talk of paring down the monarchy unless they are solely concerned with pensioning off minor royals. Those who yearn to slim it down may be republicans in disguise who want gradually to get rid of it. So we look forward, in dread, to the funeral next Monday. The world will be watching in awe, and perhaps a little enviously, as our ancient country marks the passing of its great Queen with pomp and ceremony. This week in Edinburgh, the queue of those wishing to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II stretched back a mile. Some estimate that the queue in London may take up to 30 hours. Its something of a paradox. Although the Queen took part in any number of activities during her long and varied life, she was never allowed to queue. Yet queuing, along with the Beatles and taking milk in our tea, and, of course, the Royal Family, is something for which we Britons are known throughout the world. The Hungarian humorist George Mikes arrived in Britain in 1938. He immediately noticed our propensity for queuing. An Englishman, even if he is alone, forms an orderly queue of one, he observed. This week in Edinburgh, the queue of those wishing to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II stretched back a mile. Some estimate that the queue in London may take up to 30 hours Food shortages during World War II meant that queuing became less of a pastime than a necessity. Yet people were still happy to queue for items that, in other countries, might well have seemed inessential. During the Blitz in 1940, Winston Churchill was driving through a London slum when he noticed a long queue outside a shop. He stopped the car and sent his detective to find out what the shortage was. The detective came back with the answer: birdseed. Mikes celebrated the English queue in his first and most famous book, How To Be An Alien, published immediately after the war in 1946. At weekends an Englishman queues at the bus stop, travels out to Richmond, queues up for a boat on the Thames, then queues up for tea, then queues up for ice cream, then joins a few more odd queues for the sake of the fun of it, then queues up at the bus stop, and has the time of his life. Some estimate that the queue in London may take up to 30 hours. Its something of a paradox. Although the Queen took part in any number of activities during her long and varied life, she was never allowed to queue There have, of course, been times in the post-war years when some people sensed that our propensity for queuing was on the wane. In 1954, a clergyman from Burnley wrote a strong letter to The Times. Proper queuing, he claimed, had become a thing of the past. There is some order until a bus arrives at a stop, but that little goes then. If two arrive together, the situation is worse. It is true there is no violence, but a lot of people sidle on the buses out of their turn with great skill and an appearance of distinterestedness. A year later a Londoner wrote a similar letter to the Sunday Express. What has happened to the shape of the bus queues? I recall their neat and orderly double-file formation during the war. Today they straggle and lack not only their former parade-ground precision but also bonhomie, he complained. But, for the most part, we remained a nation of obedient even enthusiastic queuers. In April 1960, the writer Christopher Isherwood arrived from Los Angeles to spend a fortnight in London. He was greatly impressed by the utter fantastic patience of everyone when a line has to be formed or a train or bus waited for. You feel the wartime mentality still very strongly. A year letter, a Mr D.L. of Orpington wrote to the Daily Mirror saying that German friends taking a holiday in Britain had been particularly impressed not just by the orderly queues at bus stops but also by people taking newspapers from unattended stands and leaving the correct money. Sixty years on, for all the recent reports of our social fabric coming under stress, I sense there is still something about a queue that acts like a magnet on the British psyche. In London, there is always a queue outside the Hard Rock Cafe in Park Lane, even though their burgers taste exactly the same as everyone elses. When Britons spot any queue, they cant resist the temptation to join it. Queues breed like rabbits. In my seaside town, there are two fish and chip shops, a hundred yards apart. Though they are both under the same ownership, people are naturally attracted to whichever one happens to have the longest queue. You might have thought that modern technology would have done away with queuing. In fact, it has served only to expand it. These days, we can even queue by ourselves, in the comfort of our own homes. If ever a phrase captured the spirit of our times it is: You are being held in a queue. I used to think it a deterrent; but in fact its a lure. For two decades, as controversy swirled around her family, the Queen had been a victim of events. It was as though Fate, which had given her so much, had finally turned against her. But with the death of Diana in August 1997, the mood changed. The public appetite for scandals seemed sated. The monarchy had been wounded, but it remained unbowed. And amid all the gossip and criticism, the Queen herself had simply kept going, a model of duty and dedication, as though convinced that, in the end, her people would remember the value of what she did. And she was right. At the turn of the new millennium, Elizabeth was 73. Her conservative tastes and unchanging habits now were world-famous, from her love of flat racing to her adored corgis. Amid all the gossip and criticism, the Queen herself had simply kept going, a model of duty and dedication, as though convinced that, in the end, her people would remember the value of what she did. And she was right In her Christmas message to the Commonwealth in 2000, she gave a rare insight into the simple, unflinching Christian faith that had kept her going all those years. 'For me,' she explained, 'the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ's words and example.' These were not, of course, fashionable views. But in many ways it was the Queen's studied indifference to fashion her embodiment of the values of duty and service and self-control that most endeared her to her people. Her Prime Minister, Tony Blair, had not even been born when Elizabeth came to the throne. A moderniser who professed to wear his heart on his sleeve, he could hardly have been more different from his monarch. The gulf between them was captured in an infamously excruciating moment at the Millennium Dome on New Year's Eve 1999, when the Prime Minister linked arms with a visibly uncomfortable Queen during Auld Lang Syne. Blair's political honeymoon, however, proved relatively short-lived, and as his star inexorably fell, Elizabeth's began to rise again. As usual, her critics predicted that her Golden Jubilee in 2002 would be a flop and as usual, they were completely wrong. Seventy years earlier, Elizabeth could scarcely have imagined that she would one day have tea with Paddington Bear before tens of millions of viewers. Yet when her little friend said those closing words 'Thank you, for everything' he spoke not just for the nation, but for the entire Commonwealth The year began with an enormously successful tour of Jamaica, New Zealand and Australia, where Elizabeth was greeted by vast and enthusiastic crowds. At the final banquet in Jamaica, a power cut plunged the room into darkness, but the Queen was unperturbed; it had been, she remarked after with dry understatement, a 'memorable' occasion. The Jubilee celebrations in London, meanwhile, were a triumph, the highlight being an unprecedented concert at Buckingham Palace, headlined by Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton and Brian May, who ended the evening by playing his version of God Save The Queen from the palace roof. Of course, nobody seriously thought that Elizabeth herself liked this kind of thing. But it was a reminder of one of her greatest virtues: her ability, honed over decades, to push the monarchy gently along with the times, never ahead of public opinion, but never too far behind, either. Given that she was now distinctly elderly, her stamina was simply extraordinary. Even in her 70s and 80s, she dutifully followed a schedule that would put many world leaders to shame. She was open to new ideas, too. In 2001 she got her first mobile phone, and for years it was reported that she had dispatched one of her aides to buy her an iPod. In 2011, after Princes William and Harry had shown her their tablet computers, she was impressed enough to buy an iPad, too. A greater concession to changing times was the Queen's acceptance of Prince Charles's consort, Camilla Parker Bowles. When the couple were married in a civil ceremony in 2005, Elizabeth and Philip not only attended the blessing afterwards, but hosted a reception for them at Windsor Castle. Indeed, Camilla's acceptance seemed to bring a new mood of domestic tranquillity, the quarrels of the past largely forgotten. The cruellest blow of all fell on April 9, 2021, when her Prince Philip died at the age of 99. For decades he had stood at her side, a model of loyalty, supportiveness, love and comradeship Elizabeth herself had aged gracefully. While politicians rose and fell, their reputations tarnished by such scandals as the cash-for-honours affair and the revelations about MPs' expenses, her own image remained remarkably unblemished. Her transition to the role of nation's grandmother was now complete, and when TV documentaries showed her Balmoral sitting room, complete with family photographs, beds for the corgis, a simple electric heater and an embroidered cushion with the slogan 'It's good to be Queen', many viewers were struck by the sense of reassuring familiarity. By the beginning of the 2010s, in fact, the popularity of the monarchy had undergone a startling renaissance. Elizabeth's emphasis on tradition and stability, leavened by gentle adaptation, had paid off. And if the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011 was a triumph, it was merely the curtain-raiser for an extraordinary royal celebration a year later. Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 the first such event since Victoria's in 1897 proved a sensational success. Not even the Queen herself could have expected that a million people would line the Thames in pouring rain to watch her progress down the river as part of the thousand-strong flotilla, or that a further 17 million people would tune in the next day to watch the Diamond Jubilee Concert in front of Buckingham Palace. At the end, when her son Charles paid an emotional tribute to her in front of a live TV audience, thanking her for 'inspiring us with your selfless duty and service and for making us proud to be British', Elizabeth herself looked faintly embarrassed. She had, after all, been born into a world where public expressions of emotion were frowned upon, and had grown up in an atmosphere of tight self-discipline. Around the country, though, millions of people watched with lumps in their throats. And after six decades of unstinting service, Elizabeth deserved every word of it. The joy of Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018 soon gave way to intense controversy. By the spring of 2020, Harry and Meghan had decamped to California, and they later embarked on a round of lucrative interviews attacking his family for their supposed cruelty and racism What she had understood, almost from the very beginning, is that the key to a successful monarchy was a blend of continuity and adaptation. The Queen must appear dignified, but not inhuman. And if proof were needed she had mellowed over the years, it came a few weeks later at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics. When the television coverage cut to a pre-recorded film showing James Bond walking into Buckingham Palace, none of the 900 million people watching around the world could have imagined that the Queen herself would put in a cameo appearance let alone that she would allow herself to be shown jumping out of a helicopter into the stadium. None of her predecessors would have countenanced such a stunt. What her old governess Crawfie would have made of it, let alone her father and grandfather, can barely be imagined. But in that moment of witty self-deprecation, Elizabeth showed how far she had come since those rigorously disciplined schooldays back in the 1930s. She had become the Queen Britain needed, a lighter, more accessible monarch for a less deferential, more individualistic age. To the fury of the tiny, insignificant band of republicans, she had cemented the place of the monarchy in popular affections. Other institutions, from the police and the NHS to Parliament and the Church of England, had lost their lustre. Yet the Royal Family seemed more popular than ever, with four in five people enthusiastically backing the monarchy. Yet all the time the wheel of fortune continued to turn. The joy of Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018 soon gave way to intense controversy. By the spring of 2020, Harry and Meghan had decamped to California, and they later embarked on a round of lucrative interviews attacking his family for their supposed cruelty and racism. As usual, the Queen said nothing in public. Yet to a grandmother in her 90s, this must have come as a deep and painful blow. But the controversy made virtually no difference to the Queen's popularity. Few blamed her for her grandson's behaviour, and older Britons, in particular, reacted with sorrow and sympathy. The cruellest blow of all fell on April 9, 2021, when her Prince Philip died at the age of 99. For decades he had stood at her side, a model of loyalty, supportiveness, love and comradeship. At his funeral, the cameras caught Elizabeth sitting alone with her grief, isolated by Covid restrictions. Few people were left unmoved. Even in this, perhaps the darkest hour of her reign, Elizabeth always put her country first. In the early weeks of the pandemic, a staggering 24 million people had tuned in to watch her reassuring broadcast to the nation. In an extraordinarily moving address, she recalled her youthful service during World War II, paid tribute to the staff of the NHS and urged her people to recapture the same spirit that had beaten the Nazis. Nobody else could have rallied the nation as she did. But as always, she knew precisely what to say, cementing her place in the hearts of her people. In retrospect, the Platinum Jubilee earlier this year now seems like a magnificent send-off, a last opportunity to thank the monarch for a lifetime of service. Seventy years earlier, Elizabeth could scarcely have imagined that she would one day have tea with Paddington Bear before tens of millions of viewers. Yet when her little friend said those closing words 'Thank you, for everything' he spoke not just for the nation, but for the entire Commonwealth. Indeed, it speaks volumes about Elizabeth's devotion to her country that even in her final days, when she held audiences with Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, she thought only of her duty. How many of us, at the age of 96, would do the same? At the end of her long and eventful life, therefore, she could look back on a job not well done, but magnificently done. In a reign of extraordinary longevity, she had seen tremendous changes. The Empire was gone, the Cold War was over and Britain became a reluctant member of an expanding European Union. Immigration had altered the face and flavour of British life; foreign travel had expanded her people's horizons; and the advent of computers had changed everything, from mass communications to everyday shopping. Elizabeth herself had changed, of course. By the end of her life she was a more relaxed, even more informal person than she had been as a young woman, when she sometimes seemed stiff and self-conscious. Even her accent had changed, with studies of her Christmas broadcasts revealing that her voice had become less clipped and aristocratic over the years although, of course, it was still unmistakably hers. But the key to Elizabeth's success was that in an age of international turbulence and social flux, she had always held fast to the values she had learned as a child. From the moment she took her first steps as a public figure until the end of her life, she almost never slipped up. She became the personification not just of British patriotism, but of old-fashioned British virtues values often mocked as outdated, but ones that millions of ordinary people still admired. To her politicians, duty and self-sacrifice were merely words. But to Elizabeth, they were the points on her moral compass. In many ways she had enjoyed fewer opportunities to shine than most of the men and women who had ruled Britain before her. She never led an army into battle, as Edward III or Henry V had done. She never had to fight off the Spanish Armada, like her Tudor namesake. She never led her country through a world war, like her father and grandfather. And unlike Victoria, who presided over the British Empire at its greatest extent, she ruled a country whose economic and military importance was gradually declining, and which faced a painful reckoning with the realities of the new world order. But that only made Elizabeth's achievement all the greater. More than any of her predecessors, she won the hearts of her subjects through unflagging hard work and quiet, sober simplicity. Hers was the triumph of selflessness, virtue, self-discipline and responsibility. Indeed, it spoke volumes that at the end of her life, almost nobody remembered that she had not actually been born to be Queen the royal line diverted by her uncle's abdication. Above all, she kept her word. On her 21st birthday, in 1947, she told her people that her entire life would be devoted to their service. All these years later, we know how handsomely that promise was kept. Now a new chapter begins under her son, King Charles. But it's yet another tribute to her extraordinary achievement that the popularity of the monarchy has rarely been greater, with enormous crowds queuing this week to pay their respects to their late sovereign and to salute their new King. When historians look back on her years on the throne, they will surely judge that, more than any monarch in our history, she deserved the undying gratitude of her people. Most people remember surprisingly few of our kings and queens. We picture Alfred burning the cakes, or Henry V leading his troops into battle, Henry VIII and his six wives, Elizabeth I rallying her sailors, or Victoria in funereal black, but most of the others have faded into relative obscurity. But as long as people still love everything that Britain is and Britain means, as long as the royal standard flies over London, and as long as we remain a proud and independent people, men and women will remember Elizabeth the Good, and will thank God for one of the greatest monarchs in our history. These mind-bending photos will make you do a double take. These optical illusions were taken by people around the world, with the very best examples collated by Bored Panda. From a cat cloud god captured at just the right moment to two giant pigeons looking for their car, the snaps play with perspective with hilarious results. Some people love them, others find them creepy - but whether they happened by accident or design optical illusions can be pretty mind bending. Here, FEMAIL shares some of the best examples... The dog-human hybrid. This particular beard, sorry breed, of dog can be found in Georgia apparently. Do you mind? This UK Spaniel didn't like being interrupted reading his magazine during a bus ride. A hole lot of explaining needs to be done about this picture, taken in the US. Either someone's adopted a ghost cat or it's just a really good optical illusion. If you're stuck for Halloween ideas for your children, you might want to consider dressing them as the greyhound with a portable head. Taken in the US. Apparently, according to one US coffee lover, Hula Hoops plus coffee = owl. If our coffee looked like this, we might rotate our heads 270 degrees too. Meow mix-up: This US cat owner probably wanted out of the country life and into the modelling industry - this was a hint. This capybara in the US is a little out of his depth on what looks to be a plumbing job - judging by the reflection that makes it look it like he's wearing clothing. This US person's father decided to send him a funny photo of the family dog - we must say he suits the denim and cap look. This optical illusion, taken in the US - makes this cat seem like a side quest monster taken on by Henry Cavill in the Witcher. The Persian God of the Clouds - this Japanese cat owner got the best shot of their Persian cat, reflected from a window, which makes it look like it's rising meow-jestically from the clouds! This floating cat spectacle can be found in Mexico, forget magic flying carpets it's all about magic flying buckets these days. There are certain states of the US where this kind of union is legal, and we hope this is one of them. You would have thought pigeons would use their frequent flier miles but this picture taken in the US looks like they are looking for their cars instead. A Sydney etiquette expert has revealed the possible flaws in the latest Apple iPhone iOS 16 update - including social faux pas and miscommunication. The new software allows users to unsend any message for up to two minutes after sending it and edit a message up to 15 minutes after it's sent. Julie Lamberg-Burnet, founder and CEO of the Sydney School of Protocol, told FEMAIL all iPhone users should be mindful of text messages sent to avoid confusion that could potentially damage relationships. While having the ability to edit text messages will fix grammatical errors, it's important to ensure the message is understood. 'Digital messages can often be misinterpreted and the added functionality for editing and removing opens up further opportunities to create mixed perceptions and impact your reputation,' Julie said. Scroll down for video The Apple iPhone iOS 16 update allows users to unsend any message for up to two minutes after sending it and edit a message up to 15 minutes after it's sent. Julie Lamberg-Burnet said this might lead to social faux pas and miscommunication among relationships (stock image) 'This is an interesting point and in essence the tools are useful to be able to alter potentially damaging or embarrassing comments,' Julie continued. 'However, this only serves to remind us all that we should ensure we are both careful about committing our thoughts to messages and if we do to spend the extra time to review and edit what we have written before we press send. 'With the added tools on iOS iPhones we need to be more mindful of how we are managing messages to avoid confusion, sending mixed signals and potentially impacting relationships, both on a business and personal level.' To avoid any potential embarrassment or confusion, Julie recommends keeping messages brief and calling someone if needed instead of texting. She also highlighted the fact that not everyone has time to scroll through message threads and read if anything has been edited or removed. 'If in doubt about the information you wish to message, call on the phone or speak in person,' she said. 'Also avoid messaging either confidential, embarrassing or private information.' Due to the nature of texting, it's easy for a message to be misinterpreted and can lead to misunderstandings. Tips to improve your digital messaging: When texting someone be sure to: Be aware not everyone has time to scroll through messages to check on a thread of messages Keep messages brief to remove the need to edit or remove media If in doubt about the information you wish to message call on the phone or speak in person Avoid messaging either confidential, embarrassing or private information Promote face to face communications in business and social settings Advertisement A Sydney lawyer also pointed out another potentially fatal flaw in the latest Apple iPhone iOS 16 update. In a TikTok video criminal defence lawyer Jahan Kalantar said he's 'terrified' over the impact this feature could have in the legal system and what it could mean in terms of 'modifying evidence'. The latest update launched in Australia and most countries around the world on September 12. In a TikTok video criminal defence lawyer Jahan Kalantar, from Sydney, (left) pointed out a possible fatal flaw in the new Apple iPhone iOS 16 update. Users can now unsend or edit text messages, which has led Mr Kalantar to question the impact this will have on the legal system 'Apple has just released a feature that terrifies me as a criminal defence lawyer. In my opinion, this feature has the most powerful potential for miscarriages of justice that I've ever seen,' Mr Kalantar said in the clip. He went on to explain the latest feature and the 'potential it gives people to modify evidence'. 'Imagine what it can do in terms of enabling people to make threats and then change them so that they seem innocuous,' Mr Kalantar continued. 'What about chain of evidence issues? Are we going to know that there's been changes or not?' Mr Kalantar said he's already preparing himself to have arguments as to the 'evidential validity of anything that comes from an iPhone'. Jahan's informative video has since been viewed a staggering 412,000 times, receiving more than 22,000 likes. 'Thanks Jahan, I was already tossing up moving away from apple then you go and post this. decision made,' one person wrote. Others pointed out that the edit history should be accessible and screenshots should always be taken. 'There will be full forensic traceability for sent messages/images (as always),' one person wrote. 'You can see the edits you do, Apple thought about it,' another added. A third wrote: 'Screenshots all day! We're going to need more storage on the phones.' Lady Gabriella was seen in the line-up and later missing from the group photos however she was seen leaving There was a commotion as Her Majestys coffin arrived at Westminster Hall where it will stay for four days Lady Gabriella Windsor, 41, appeared to faint during yesterday's service for The Queen as she lies in state Advertisement Lady Gabriella Windsor appeared to collapse as the Queen's coffin arrived at Westminster Hall ahead of the service yesterday. The daughter of Prince Michael of Kent, the Queen's cousin, attended the intimate service with her parents and husband, Thomas Kingston, and was seen standing in line with other members of the Royal Family as Her Majesty's coffin was brought inside. However moments later there was a slight commotion and it appears as though Lady Gabriella Windsor might have fainted, according to Hello. Video shows a member of staff rushing over to assist and Mr Kingston turning around to help his wife. Photos taken later in the service show Lady Gabriella missing from the line-up, although she was able to leave the Hall arm-in-arm with her husband. Lady Gabriella Windsor appeared to collapse as the Queen 's coffin arrived at Westminster Hall ahead of the service yesterday. Pictured top right, a slight commotion seems to happen The daughter of Prince Michael of Kent, the Queen's cousin, attended the intimate service with her parents and husband, Thomas Kingston, who was pictured with his arm around her at one point, while she sat down Lady Gabriella Windsor (second from left), the daughter of Prince Michael of Kent, attended the intimate service with her parents and husband, Thomas Kingston (centre), and was seen standing in line with members of the Royal Family as Her Majesty's coffin was brought inside However moments later there was a slight commotion and it appears as though Lady Gabriella Windsor might have fainted, according to Hello. Photos taken later in the service show Lady Gabriella missing from the line-up (above) Lady Gabriella later left arm in arm with her husband, pictured, suggesting she was able to quickly recover despite her ordeal inside Westminster Hall The Queen is placed in Westminster Hall to lie in state for the nation to pay their respects, her coffin will remain there for four days Camilla, Queen Consort, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at the coffin procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall Peter Phillips, the Duke of Sussex, the Prince of Wales, the Earl of Wessex, the Earl of Snowdon, the Duchess of Sussex, the Princess Royal, King Charles III, the Duke of York, the Princess of Wales and the Countess of Wessex follow the bearer party carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II into Westminster Hall, London As the coffin arrived into the hall yesterday, the extended members of the royal family could be seen standing and watching the procession. However it appeared there was something further down the line catching the attention of certain family members, including Lady Gabriella's brother Lord Frederick and his wife, Sophie Winkleman. The pair could be seen looking down the line in apparent concern, while Thomas could be seen brushing his hair out of his face and apparently bending down. Meanwhile Lady Amelia could also be seen looking backwards from the line-up with some concern, while Columbus George Donald Taylor and Lord George Windsor also appeared to be looking down towards the ground with some concern. It appeared a member of staff rushed to assist Lady Gabriella, and could be seen apparently moving quickly to get a chair for her to sit on. Thomas Kingston, Gabriella Windsor, Lady Sarah Chatto, Lord Frederick Windsor and Sophie Winkleman leave after the service Princess Michael, who is married to Prince Michael of Kent, appeared sombre during the sad event, paying tribute to the monarch, left. Pictured right, The Duchess of Gloucester Lord Frederick Windsor (centre) attends the service with his wife Sophie Winkleman, and his mother Princess Michael of Kent (left) The Queen's extended family came out in force to honour the monarch, including (L-R) the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, and Prince Michael of Kent The Duchess of Gloucester and Lady Rose Gilman. Lady Rose Gilman, 42, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, does not undertake royal duties. However it is expected she will be at the funeral on Monday. She will likely attend with her husband George Despite Lady Gabriella fainting, the service continued without further incident. She wasn't seen again during the service, however she was later photographed leaving hand-in-hand with her husband Thomas. Lady Gabriella was known to have a close relationship with the monarch, who attended her wedding to Thomas in October 2019. At the time, a photograph of the bride leaning down to chat to the Queen, who was beaming with joy, went viral on social media. It is unknown whether Lady Gabriella will attend other events throughout the next week, however it appears likely she will attend the funeral on Monday alongside other members of the royal family. One of the royal guards who were holding vigil around the Queen's coffin overnight also collapsed after hours of standing in place last night, stunning the mourners who had come to pay their respects. The man began swaying on his feet moments before he collapsed. Earlier, he had briefly stepped off the podium before retaking his place as other servicemen joined him for a changeover. A guard collapsed while holding vigil next to the Monarch's coffin at Westminster Hall, stunning the onlookers who had come to pay their respects But seconds later he blacked out and fell forwards, landing sprawled on the stone floor to loud gasps from bystanders queueing to pay their respects. The live stream also cut out for several minutes as police rushed to the mans aid. A beefeater revealed on Twitter that the guard recovered shortly after the fall. Extended members of the royal family have always shown their unwavering support for the late Monarch, and have appeared at several events, including the service of Thanksgiving held in honour of her reign in June during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The Queen's cousins Prince Michael of Kent, the Duke of Kent and the Duchess of Gloucester were all spotted at the event. Meanwhile younger royals including sisters Lady Amelia and Marina Windsor, and Flora Vesterberg, stood in line alongside their relatives at the event. Prince Michael of Kent, who is the younger son of Prince George and the Duke of Kent looked serious, wearing military suit for the occasion. He was joined by his wife, Princess Michael, who is known for her nickname 'Princess Pushy.' The Duke of Kent wore a dark suit for the historical moment. Prince Edward, who was the Queen's first cousin, is involved with over 140 different charities, organisations and professional bodies on behalf of the Royal Family. Prince William, Prince Harry and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, stand in Westminster Hall alongside the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex Prince Harry and his brother Prince William stood together with their wives Meghan and Kate as they put aside their bitter feud to pay their respects to their grandmother Harry put his hand on his face while reading the order of service for the short ceremony in the heart of the Palace of Westminster A peripheral royal happy to lead a life largely under the radar, Lady Helen, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, wore a smart black suit for the a solemn moment. She was accompanied by her son Cassius, whom she shares with art dealer Timothy Taylor. Prince Harry and his brother Prince William stood together with their wives Meghan and Kate as they put aside their bitter feud to pay their respects to their grandmother. While the siblings walked side-by-side for the poignant 38-minute procession from Buckingham Palace, their spouses travelled in separate cars, with Meghan accompanied by the Countess of Wessex and Kate joined by Camilla, the Queen Consort. During the service, the 'Fab Four' stood in formation facing the coffin on its purple-covered catafalque, which was flanked with a tall, yellow flickering candle at each corner of the wide scarlet platform in the heart of Westminster Hall - the backdrop of some of the most famous moments in British history. The Sussexes stood at the back of the group of royals, with Harry directly behind William and Meghan behind Kate. The touching moment is the first time the couples have been seen together since their surprise walkabout together at Windsor Castle on Saturday, and a rare show of togetherness. The Queen's coffin entered Westminster Hall as the choir of Westminster Abbey and the choir of His Majesty's Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, sang Psalm 139. When the Queen arrived, Charles, William and Anne saluted. Harry and Prince Andrew - barred from wearing military uniform - bowed their head instead. Kate and Meghan arrive at Westminster Hall, where the Queen's coffin will lie in state before her funeral at Westminster Abbey Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex pay their respects From 5pm yesterday mourners have been able to file past the coffin to pay their respects to Britain's longest-reigning monarch King Charles has led his family in a public outpouring of grief following the death of the Queen, breaking from the traditional 'stiff upper lip' mentality the royals have previously adopted in the face of personal loss, a body language expert has claimed. The King has been open in sharing the emotion he feels following the death of his mother, setting the tone for the rest of the family who have put on teary displays this week, according to UK body language expert Judi James. But whereas once displaying emotion might have been a sign of weakness, Charles understands it can be a strength. 'The Queen led the country through the war, where stoicism and emotional resilience might have been vital for survival,' Judi told FEMAIL. 'Charles has inherited a country coming out of an epidemic and also a country much more in touch with the subject of mental health, meaning emotional displays might create empathy with his public.' Sophie Wessex, who had a particularly close relationship with Her Majesty, has been visibly 'grief-stricken' throughout the last week, while members of the Royal Family hugged and held hands as they read tributes to the Queen at Balmoral. The Princess of Wales fought back tears yesterday as she joined senior royals for the service at Westminster Hall. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie had to wipe their eyes as they became overcome with emotion. King Charles has led his family in a public outpouring of grief following the death of the Queen, breaking from the traditional 'stiff upper lip' mentality the royals have previously adopted in the face of personal loss, a body language expert has claimed. Above, the King was open in sharing his grief when he met the public at a walkabout outside Buckingham Palace The Countess of Wessex views the messages and floral tributes left by members of the public at Balmoral in Scotland on Saturday. Sophie has looked grief-stricken without, according to Judi Prince Andrew, Duke of York stands with his arm around his daughter Princess Eugenie of York (centre) and Princess Beatrice of York as they look at the flowers placed outside Balmoral Castle. It is an example of the public displays of grief and affection demonstrated by the family Catherine, Princess of Wales, was visibly emotional after the Queen's coffin was conveyed to Westminster Hall. She has joined the family in their public displays of grief this week The Queen cut a stoic figure at the funeral of her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. She had to sit alone because of Covid rules It marks a stark contrast to the unwavering stoicism demonstrated by Her Majesty in public, even in the face of tragedy. The Queen maintained her composure at the funeral of her husband the Duke of Edinburgh. 'For a Queen who lived through a war it was the perfect response to tragedy or drama and a stoic response became seen as a heroic ideal,' Judi explained in an interview with FEMAIL. 'When Diana died though there was a seismic shift in the public's behaviour as they emoted openly and loudly with tears, sobs and even clapping as her coffin took its final journey. 'For the royals, even this tragedy produced the expected stoic response, with Diana's two young sons walking dry-eyed behind her coffin with little more than a brief pat from their grandfather to register sympathy. Pictured: The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince William, Earl Spencer, Prince Harry and Prince Charles walk outside Westminster Abbey during the funeral service for Diana in 1997 King Charles has already began to move away from this tradition, forging a path of more outward emotion. He was visibly upset at the funeral of his father the Duke of Edinburgh last April 'The royals stuck to their guns, with the Queen stoic to the end, sitting bravely upright and terribly alone at her husband's funeral, one of the last images of her reign that received universal praise for her strength of character.' However King Charles has already began to move away from this tradition, forging a path of more outward emotion. 'It was at Philip's funeral and his thanksgiving service that we also began to see the first hint of a change of behaviour from the royals that led to the complete body language reversal that we have been seeing on the Queen's death,' Judi continued. 'Charles was seen shedding tears at his father's funeral, with Kate offering a consoling arm round his shoulders and Beatrice was so overcome with emotion that she had to hide her face with her order of service. Judi continued: 'This is such a dramatic change of culture and behaviour for the royals and it might have needed two different prompts: Firstly it could have required unspoken permission from the top. I would guess that Charless tears at his fathers funeral might have provided this. Princess Eugenie wept as senior royals attended a private church service for the Queen at Balmoral Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, looks on outside Balmoral Castle, following the passing of her mother the Queen Zara Tindall weeps as she and the Princess Royal, Andrew and Edward attended a private church service in Balmoral Sophie, Countess of Wessex, views tributes outside Balmoral Castle on Saturday The tearful King was driven to Buckingham Palace after his proclamation at St James's Palace 'Then it would have needed emotional validation. We could see quite quickly that it worked in terms of helping the royals like Sophie, Beatrice, Eugenie and Zara grieve together and the emotional display clearly resonated with the public, too.' On Saturday the late Queen's close family publicly grieved over the death of the elderly monarch at a private church service in Balmoral. Prince Andrew consoled his weeping daughters Eugenie and Beatrice, before making a touching tribute about his mother and thanking well-wishers who laid floral tributes outside the gates of the Aberdeenshire estate. The tearful family wiped their eyes and embraced each other. Sophie Wessex appeared particularly moved. 'Sophie has become what seems to be an emotional hub of the royal family recently and her open show of grief for her father-in-law could have been something of a template for change in the others,' Judi said. 'Now though, we have seen not just Charles in tears at his mother's death, throwing his arms up and out towards the crowds in a gesture of empathy and open sharing of his state of mourning, but Sophie has looked grief-stricken throughout, crying and dabbing her eyes at the lying in state. 'Then [yesterday] we [had] Eugenie wiping away tears and even Kate appearing to be on the brink of crying.' Harry put his hand on his face while reading the order of service for Wednesday's short ceremony in the heart of the Palace of Westminster Princess Beatrice was seen tearing up as the Queen's coffin passed her during yesterday's ceremony. While Princess Eugenie sought comfort in her husband Jack Brooksbank Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice wiped away tears as they stood in front of the Queen's coffin in Westminster Hall The Princess Royal, who was given the important task of accompanying her mother's coffin on the journey from Scotland. Judi added: 'It seems to have been left to Princess Anne to retain the royal tradition of the stiff upper lip. 'Travelling with her mother's coffin and looking largely solitary and silent in her sadness as she does so, she has so far clung to her parent's ideal of masking emotions in public. It seems to be costing her dear though. 'One glance at her pained features as she walked behind the coffin, barely taking her eyes off it in what looks like an attempt to keep guard and to protect to the end and it's hard not to hope that there are hugs, tears and lots of sympathy waiting for her once she is back home with her family.' Prince Harry is marking his 38th birthday today as he continues to mourn the death of his grandmother, the Queen, one week ago. The Duke of Sussex, who is now based in his $14 million mansion in California having stepped back from royal duty last year, is currently in the UK after what was supposed to be a whistlestop tour of Europe. Instead of returning to the US for his birthday to reunite with his children, Archie and Lilibet, he and Meghan Markle are currently in the UK, where they have been mourning the death of the Queen. Yesterday, the Duke seemed overcome with emotion as he honoured The Queen for her moving lying in state service inside Westminster Hall. While it is currently not known how the Duke and Duchess will spend his big day, it appears unlikely he will spend it will his family - with Kate and William due to travel to Norfolk to view floral tributes to the Queen, and the King spending the day in Gloucestershire. Prince Harry is marking his 38th birthday today as he continues to mourn the death of his grandmother, the Queen, one week ago While it is currently not known what he will do for his special day, and whether he and Meghan will choose to mark the occasion with other members of his family, it will be a far cry from his last two birthdays. The Duke's 36th birthday was his first after Megxit happened and occured during the Covid-19 pandemic. It came weeks after he and Meghan signed a mega production deal with Netflix believed to be worth around $150million, announcing their intention to provide 'hope and inspiration' with their upcoming documentaries, feature films and children's programming. At the time, it was reported he had spent the day feeling 'happier than ever' and 'didn't miss his old life at all'. Instead of returning to the US for his birthday to reunite with his children, Archie and Lilibet, he and Meghan are currently in the UK, where they have been mourning the death of the Queen (pictured, at yesterday's service in Westminster Hall) Meanwhile his 37th birthday was also reported to have been a 'low key' affair, with a small gathering at his mega mansion in Santa Barbara. A source close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said at the time the couple had opted for a small and more relaxed celebration amid recent world events, and were focusing on 'being of service' rather than being socialites. 'Meghan is planning a low-key birthday dinner for Harry. In light of what's happening in the world - from Afghanistan to Covid - they both decided to keep it simple,' the insider told DailyMail.com last year. 'Meghan said they she's making a carrot cake with the help of Archie, and that guests will include Doria and a few close friends.' However today's celebrations will likely be a different kind of affair for the couple, who are believed to be staying at their home of Frogmore Cottage during their extended trip to the UK. vIt is currently unknown if Harry and Meghan have flown their children Archie and Lilibet to join them to mark the occasion, or whether they will attend the Queen's funeral on Monday It is currently unknown if they have flown their children Archie and Lilibet to join them to mark the occasion, or whether they will attend the Queen's funeral on Monday. Meanwhile it is also unclear whether the couple will try to celebrate in some way with the Duke's brother Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton, or his father King Charles. The new Prince and Princess of Wales are due to travel to Norfolk today, to look at floral tributes to the Queen. Meanwhile the King is at his Highgrove home in Gloucestershire for a private day of reflection. He is not expected to attend any public events today. Prince Harry and his brother Prince William stood together with their wives Meghan and Kate as they put aside their bitter feud to pay their respects to their grandmother It appears unclear how relations have been between the family this week, though Prince Harry and Prince William appear to have put their differences aside as they mourn the Queen. Harry is marking his birthday as sources claimed there have been difficult discussions over the past few days over his children will be granted HRH status when they are appointed by prince and princess by King Charles III. Archie, three, and Lilibet, one, are set to be officially made prince and princess in the near future as Charles has agreed to issue a Letters Patent to grant the titles. But a report claims that following tense talks between the new King over recent days, the Sussexes have been left 'furious' that their children will not also get HRH titles. Harry and Meghan are said to have highlighted that Prince Andrew's daughters Beatrice and Eugenie have HRH status despite not being working royals. The touching moment is the first time the couples have been seen together since their surprise walkabout together at Windsor Castle on Saturday, and a rare show of togetherness King Charles III, Anne, Princess Royal, Camilla, Queen Consort, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent pay their respects inside the Palace of Westminster for the Lying-in State of Queen Elizabeth II today A source told The Sun: 'Harry and Meghan were worried about the security issue and being prince and princess brings them the right to have certain levels of royal security. 'There have been a lot of talks over the past week. They have been insistent that Archie and Lilibet are prince and princess. They have been relentless since the Queen died. 'But they have been left furious that Archie and Lilibet cannot take the title HRH. That is the agreement they can be prince and princess but not HRH because they are not working royals.' It comes after Prince Harry seemed overcome with emotion as he honoured Queen Elizabeth II for her moving lying in state service inside Westminster Hall on Wednesday. As the late monarch's coffin was placed in the hall, photos captured a poignant moment for the Duke of Sussex as he held his head in his hand, shielding his eyes, and looked down. Wearing a suit decorated with medals, he is standing next to the Duchess of Sussex, who is looking down with a sombre expression on her face. Prince Harry and his brother Prince William stood together with their wives Meghan and Kate as they put aside their bitter feud to pay their respects to their grandmother. The Sussexes stood at the back of the group of royals, with Harry directly behind William and Meghan behind Kate. The touching moment is the first time the couples have been seen together since their surprise walkabout together at Windsor Castle on Saturday, and a rare show of togetherness. Royal couples left the building side by side, with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex holding hands and the Princess of Wales rubbing her husband's arm reassuringly. The wholesome clip was captured by the BBC as they zoomed in on the crowd Many took to the streets in London to pay respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II A Met Police officer has been praised for his approachable and professional behaviour after he was filmed posing for photos with members of the public who were queuing to see the Queen lying-in-state. PC Kehinde Meshe, from Croydon, was captured on BBC cameras as he interacted with mourners queuing through central London yesterday, ahead of Westminster Hall being opened to the public. The officer passed his hat to passersby so they could pose for a quintessentially 'British' photo and even joined them for a selfie. The small act of kindness was praised by Twitter users after the footage was shared online by former police officer Dave Thomas @DCT_audio, who wrote: 'If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings nor lose the common touch' RK Still the best police service in the world.' PC Kehinde Meshe, from Croydon, lent his hat to the crowds queueing to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth on Wednesday at Buckingham Palace Kehinde passed his police hat to a group of woman and a child so they could take pictures wearing it The wholesome clip was captured by BBC cameras as they zoomed in on the crowd making their way to the palace A few hours later the video was re-shared by the proud officers wife Agatha who wrote: 'My amazing husband doing what he loves best. #leadership #policing #community' In a comment under the clip Agatha gushed: 'This is my husband. Hes not on Twitter but Ill share your messages with him. 'Thanks so much for your kind words. This is a side of policing that is rarely seen or publicised but its the part of the job that he loves.' A few hours later the video was re-shared by the proud officers wife Agatha, who said her 'amazing husband' is 'doing what he loves best' Many people rushed to the comments to thank the officer for his kindness during a day of mourning Her Majesty. One person said: 'Your husband is a credit to his uniform, and his country. An excellent example of public engagement. Others should learn from his example. Another person said: 'Agatha, from an old cop, please let your husband know he is doing the job right. We solved an attempted murder because of good and genuine community relations. Exactly what appears in that video. What your husband is doing is awesome.' While another wrote: 'I loved seeing this. Your husband is a credit to the uniform and should be proud. He made a number of peoples days there too man.' Hundreds of thousands of mourners have been queuing to pay their final respects to the monarch following her death at Balmoral on Thursday. Many people rushed to the comments to thank the officer for his kindness during a day of mourning Her Majesty Crowds lined the streets of central London as she was moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Wednesday afternoon. A short service was held involving the Royal Family at the Palace of Westminster, before members of the public were given access to pay their respects from 5pm. Thousands of well-wishers have passed through the historic hall throughout the evening and into the early hours of this morning. Mourners waiting to pay their respects have been given colour-coded wristbands in order to temporarily leave the queue to buy food and use the toilet. Stewards staffing the route have also been advised to spot people who may be struggling, take them out of the queue for a 'cup of tea'. They may then be allowed closer to the front. The Palace of Westminster will remain open 24 hours a day until 6.30am on Monday - the day of the Queen's funeral. The moment the first members of the public walked inside the Palace of Westminster to see the Queen's coffin as she lies in state until Monday Advertisement Kate Middleton revealed Prince George 'understands the loss' of his great-grandmother - while his younger siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis 'less so - during a walkabout in Sandringham today. The new Princess of Wales was joined by Prince William as they met with wellwishers outside the Norfolk estate as they viewed floral tributes to the Queen. According to royal correspondent Roya Nikkhah, that was there that the royal mother-of-three gave an update on how Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, three, were coping. The new Princess of Wales, 40, spoke to one wellwisher today about how her children have been coping since the loss of their grandmother last week at Balmoral. Speaking to BBC's Jo Black today, the unnamed wellwisher, who was amongst the crowd standing outside the estate today, said: 'My daughter asked her how the children were doing, and Kate thanked her and said yes, they were doing well and they were being looked after at school, so that was a nice exchange.' The Duchess of Cambridge and Cornwall, as she is now known, looked deep in thought as she arrived in Norfolk for the walkabout. The royal couple were seen slowly looking down at a sea of floral tributes in Sandringham today, while the Prince pointed down at individual cards and objects. It has been a busy period for the royal mother-of-three, who only recently moved her family to a new home in Windsor and took her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, to their first day at school last week. Yesterday, she supported her husband and other senior royals as they paid tribute to the Queen at the funeral procession through central London. Kate Middleton revealed Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are 'doing well' and 'being looked after' at their new school during a walkabout in Sandringham today (pictured, with a schoolgirl carrying flowers during the event in Norfolk) The Princess of Wales could be seen receiving bouquets of flowers as she greeted royal fans while taking part in the event today In lighter moments, the royal mother-of-three shared a giggle with one royal fan (left) and greeted a young mother who had brought her baby to the event (right) The royal mother-of-three was dressed in a smart black coat with a black dress for the occasion, carrying a small black handbag to complete her outfit. Meanwhile she paid tribute to her husband's late grandmother by wearing a set of the Queen's pearl earrings for the occasion. Days ago, Kate told royal fans outside Windsor Castle about Prince Louis' emotional reaction to the death of the Queen. Among the crowd on the Long Walk, Banita Ranow, 28, said she heard Kate tell children next to her about what her youngest son Louis had said about the Queen's death. She said Kate told the children: 'Louis said at least Grannie is with great grandpa now.' The new Princess of Wales , 40, has been by her husband's side since it was announced his grandmother had died last Thursday at the age of 96 at Balmoral The Princess of Wales was seen studying the floral tributes which had been left outside the gates of Sandringham this afternoon The Princess stood alongside her husband as he pointed down to various tributes which had been left in a sea of flowers (left and right) Days ago, Kate told royal fans outside Windsor Castle about Prince Louis' emotional reaction to the death of the Queen Freedom for George, Charlotte and Louis at 'magical' school Set in 52 acres of idyllic Berkshire countryside, Lambrook School gives its pupils 'feathers to fly' and a 'delicious sense of freedom'. Its new royal charges, George, Charlotte and Louis, will enjoy a nurturing education at the wholesome, co-educational independent day and boarding school for three to 13-year-olds near Ascot, just a 10-minute drive from their new home in Windsor. The Good Schools Guide describes it as a 'classic prep school' with a 'heart of gold', and tells of how youngsters get to 'run and run' in the vast grounds with 'total freedom to explore, provided you've got your wellies on'. Lambrook boasts of 'first-class teaching and superb facilities' which include a 25-metre swimming pool, a nine-hole golf course, an astroturf, hard courts, a squash court, cricket and other sports pitches. It has a Diamond Jubilee performing arts studio, dance studio and sports hall, and a new 6 million Queen's Building for ICT and academic learning. The prospectus quoted one parent as saying: 'It's the most magical place for our children to spend time, and they can often be seen rosy-cheeked and perfecting handstands, throwing balls or racing to the tree stumps.' There is school on Saturday mornings followed by an afternoon of sports fixtures for pupils in Year 5 and above which includes nine-year-old George. Lambrook offers weekly and flexi-boarding for boys and girls aged seven onwards, with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge having the option to let George and Charlotte stay as little as one night a week on an ad-hoc basis, with the sleepovers booked online. George and Charlotte will be day pupils for now. 'Weeknights sound like a hoot; think Harry Potter evenings and lashings of hot chocolate,' Talk Education said in its review of the school. Fridays are the most popular night for one-off boards, leaving parents free to host dinner parties and nurse hangovers, the Telegraph reported. Fees cost 4,389 a term for Reception to Year 2 pupils such as Louis, 6,448 per term for Years 3-4 like Charlotte, and 6,999 per term for George through Years 5-8, with an additional 1,481 per term for boarding for Y3-8. It means William and Kate will be spending in excess of 50,000 a year on their children's private education. The bill amounts to 53,508's worth of fees in 2021-2022, not factoring in any potential sibling discount if available, fee increases or the cost of uniform or trips. Boarding for the older two Cambridge children would cost an additional 8,886 a year if chosen at a later date. Advertisement Ms Ranow said Kate was 'welling up' as she spoke to the children. The well-wisher from west London also spoke of her surprise at seeing the two brothers and their wives together, adding: 'It was really nice.' It has been an extremely busy period for Kate, who has been supporting her husband Prince William publicly, and no doubt helping her children adjust to life without their Gan-Gan. The death of their great-grandmother the Queen will be a heavy blow to Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and four-year-old Prince Louis, as they and their parents begin a new life at Adelaide Cottage in the grounds of Windsor Castle - where Her Majesty spent most of the year. Last week 'the gang', as they call themselves, chased up the steps of their new prep, prompting beams of delight from William and Kate who held their hands when they arrived. William and Kate had been known to have set their heart on outdoorsy prep school Lambrook, with its 52 acres of grounds, where fees will cost the couple in excess of 50,000 a year in total for their three youngsters. A source said the Cambridge children were particularly excited to all be going to the same school for the first time. 'They're really excited about starting a new school together, and I think mum and dad are too,' they said. In photographs released from the family arriving, the Cambridge siblings looked confident and happy as they arrived ready for a 90-minute settling-in session for new pupils and their families. William called his children 'all the gang' as he ushered them up the steps of the large white 19th-century country mansion, while Prince George, Charlotte and Louis all said they are 'excited' to be starting. A source said the Cambridge children were particularly excited to be going to the same school for the first time. A source close to the couple told the Daily Mail: As they got out of the car, they were just giddy with excitement. It was just so sweet to see. Not a nerve in sight. It was all so relaxed. They are wonderful kids. However, within 48 hours the country was in mourning - but the Duchess decided to stay in Windsor to support the children at school as William flew to Aberdeenshire on a RAF jet. Prince William, now heir to the throne, rushed to Scotland in an attempt to see his grandmother before she died. Since then, Kate has remained a stoic presence by Prince William's side, accompanying him at a royal walkabout in Windsor alongside his brother Prince Harry and sister-in-law Meghan Markle, as well as at the funeral procession yesterday. Meanwhile Prince William paid a deeply personal tribute to his 'Grannie' the Queen earlier this week, saying that she was by his side on the 'happiest and saddest days of my life'. The Prince of Wales said in a statement released on Instagram that while the world was mourning the loss of an 'extraordinary leader', he had lost his 'grandmother'. He referenced the family holidays they spent with his children George, nine, Charlotte, seven, and Louis, four, and thanked the Queen for the support and guidance she gave to him and Kate. William wrote: 'On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute. So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign. 'I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen's wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. 'My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives. 'She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life. 'I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real. 'I thank her for the kindness she showed my family and me. And I thank her on behalf of my generation for providing an example of service and dignity in public life that was from a different age, but always relevant to us all. 'My grandmother famously said that grief was the price we pay for love. All of the sadness we will feel in the coming weeks will be testament to the love we felt for our extraordinary Queen. 'I will honour her memory by supporting my father, The King, in every way I can.' The royal mother-of-three was dressed in a smart black coat with a black dress for the occasion, carrying a small black handbag to complete her outfit The royal couple were seen slowly looking down at a sea of floral tributes in Sandringham today, while the Prince pointed down at individual cards and objects The new Princess of Wales, 40, has been by her husband's side since it was announced his grandmother had died last Thursday at the age of 96 at Balmoral Floral tributes are placed at Norwich Gates at Sandringham Estate by members of the public, in memory of late the Queen The Archbishop of Canterbury has heaped praise on the King for his immense 'courage' in touring the United Kingdom just days after his mother The Queen passed away. Justin Welby said His Majesty's 'courage is extraordinary' as he helped people queuing to see the Queen laying-in-state at Westminster Hall. The cleric was dressed in his dog collar and had a crucifix around his neck but had also donned a fluorescent jacket as he joined the faith team helping people in the queue deal with grief. The Archbishop of Canterbury has heaped praise on the King for his immense 'courage' in touring the United Kingdom just days after his mother The Queen passed away The Christian faith leader spoke to everyone from people in the queue to police officers on site He even posed for a selfie with one fan outside the Palace of Westminster in central London earlier today He told the BBC: 'He lost his mother. There'll be loads of people watching this who've lost someone similar. 'And if you said to them, "You're going to go on a tour of the UK and you're not expected to show public emotion," I think they would say "Don't be ridiculous". 'The courage of him doing that is extraordinary but also it demonstrates his heart of service to the people.' Justin Welby said His Majesty's 'courage is extraordinary' as he helped people queuing to see the Queen laying-in-state at Westminster Hall King Charles III walks behind Queen Elizabeth II's coffin as it is transported on a gun carriage from Buckingham Palace to The Palace of Westminster on Wednesday King Charles III greets Irish President Michael D Higgins during a Service of Reflection for the life of the Queen at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast on September 13 King Charles III waves to the public as he departs St Anne's Cathedral after attending a service of reflection in memory of the Queen He added: 'Most people are in very good shape. I had a couple of conversations yesterday where the process had renewed the sense of grief over their own losses.' People wept, prayed and saluted after queuing for up to 48 hours to pay their respects to Her Majesty. The queue stretches for 3.8 miles along the bank of the River Thames to Tower Bridge. Those in it are now calling it the 'Elizabeth Line' in a nod to the London rail route opened by the Queen in June, one of her final public engagements. Well-wishers have shared cheery camaraderie, egg sandwiches and biscuits during their wait outside, as people queued through the night to pay their final respects to the late monarch inside the Palace of Westminster. Hymns have been played across the Southbank, with many joining in song. By midday today, the queue was four miles long and stretched past Tower Bridge into Bermondsey, as officials expect some 400,000 people to view the coffin over the coming days. It was at 2.6 miles as of 8am today. This morning, more than 1.3 million people logged on to watch the queue-tracker for the line. Advertisement The Princess Royal told well-wishers today that the floral tributes to the late Queen were 'really and truly out of this world' as she comforted grieving children in Glasgow upon her return to Scotland after accompanying her mother's body to London. Princess Anne, 72, the late monarch's only daughter, has been leading the royal family in mourning the late Queen this week, having been by her bedside when she died last Thursday. In an emotional journey through the country, she accompanied her mother's body from Balmoral, through the streets of Edinburgh and down to Buckingham Palace, where she laid in rest for the final time. The mother-of-two then joined her siblings in a funeral procession through the streets of London, before an emotional service in front of the Queen's coffin, yesterday. And today, Princess Anne, who has long been known as the hardest working royal, returned to Scotland where she greeted mourners who were grieving her mother and said the flower tribute outside Glasgows City Chambers was really and truly out of this world as she thanked well-wishers. She appeared to be in good spirits, offering comforting words to weeping royal fans and chatting with young children who were standing in the crowd. She said that she had been made to feel very welcome. The Princess Royal comforted grieving children in Glasgow today as she was greeted by royal fans upon her return to Scotland after accompanying her mother's body to London The Princess Royal told well-wishers today that the floral tributes (pictured) to the late Queen were 'really and truly out of this world' Today, Princess Anne, who has long been known as the hardest working royal, returned to Scotland where she greeted mourners who were grieving her mother. One well wisher, Andrena, 78, from Glassford in South Lanarkshire, spoke to Princess Anne as she admired the flowers on display and told her she had written to the Queen during the diamond Jubilee. Princess Anne told her: 'Glad you got the chance to do that.' Despite the challenging circumstances of the engagement today, the Princess Royal's rapport with the children in the crowd was obviously. It is perhaps a skill she has honed thanks to her close relationship with her grandchildren, Savannah and Isla Philips and Mia, Lena and Lucas Tindall. At one stage, she could be seen leaning in affectionately to chat to one little girl, whose mother was cradling her in her arms. Earlier this week, Princess Anne released an emotional statement telling how she was 'fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest mother's life'. She said the love and respect shown to the Queen on her journey from Balmoral to Edinburgh and onto London had been 'both humbling and uplifting'. Despite the challenging circumstances of the engagement today, the Princess Royal's rapport with the children in the crowd was obviously. It is perhaps a skill she has honed thanks to her close relationship with her grandchildren, Savannah and Isla Philips and Mia, Lena and Lucas Tindall At one stage, she could be seen leaning in affectionately to chat to one little girl, whose mother was cradling her in her arms (pictured) Anne also thanked the nation for the 'support and understanding offered to my dear brother Charles' as he takes on his duties as King. Anne's full statement said: 'I was fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest mother's life. It has been an honour and a privilege to accompany her on her final journeys. 'Witnessing the love and respect shown by so many on these journeys has been both humbling and uplifting. 'We will all share unique memories. I offer my thanks to each and every one who share our sense of loss. 'We may have been reminded how much of her presence and contribution to our national identity we took for granted. Meanwhile the mother-of-two appeared to be studying different tributes shared by the crowd as she made her way through Glasgow's city centre today Dressed in mourning black, the Princess Royal smiled at the crowd as she spoke with members of the public during the visit to Glasgow The Princess Royal appeared in good spirits as she spoke with the crowd of royal fans who had gathered in Glasgow this afternoon 'I am also so grateful for the support and understanding offered to my dear brother Charles as he accepts the added responsibilities of the monarch. To my mother, The Queen, thank you.' She ended her statement with the words: 'To my mother, The Queen, thank you.' Her tribute was shared to the Royal Family's Instagram account along with a photo of Anne and the Queen, which was first released to mark the late monarch's 90th birthday in 2016. The mother and daughter posed on a sofa in the White Drawing Room of Windsor Castle. Born in 1950, Princess Anne was the Queen's second child and only daughter, and even went through a rebellious stage as a teenager, once telling photographers to 'naff off.' There were also flings, including a kiss and tell from her police bodyguard. However the Princess Royal, who was renowned for being Prince Philip's favourite child, became closer to the Queen. The monarch is understood to have come to rely heavily on Anne before her death. Anne, who describes herself as 'fuddy duddy', is regarded by many as the hardest-working member of the royal family, having completed more than 20,000 engagements. The experts believe that the Queen had given her daughter more and more responsibility as she was someone she could trust. She was similar to her father in character, with one biographer previously writing: She gets on with it she never complains.' The Princess Royal, dressed in mourning black, looked through floral tributes for her mother which had been laid outside the city chambers in Glasgow Crowds gathered outside City Chambers in Glasgow ahead of the arrival of Princess Anne this afternoon (pictured) Strong and opinionated, she has a waspish wit and is a staunch believer in The Firm, saying of her mother: She is remarkable. In a rare interview for a BBC1 documentary to mark the jubilee, she said it was 'extraordinary' for anybody to claim her mother has ever not cared about her children. Anne said her mother was never uncaring, although protocol demanded that her children and grandchildren have to bow or curtsey to her and she spent a lot of time apart from them. In the interview, Anne explained: 'I simply don't believe there is any evidence whatsoever to suggest that she wasn't caring. It just beggars belief.' She added: 'I don't believe any of us for a second thought that she didn't care for us in exactly the same way as any other mother did. I just think it extraordinary that anybody could construe that that might not be true.' The princess said she does not understand people who ask her if she sees the Queen as her mother or as a monarch: 'She's my mother and the Queen.' The princess was in Scotland when the Queen was taken ill, and stayed at her bedside at Balmoral Castle, as senior royals rushed to say their final farewells. Elizabeth II - the nation's longest reigning monarch - died peacefully on Thursday September 8. Anne was on the duty of accompanying her mother's body back to London, with the Queen leaving Scotland for the last time bound for RAF Northolt on Tuesday. The Queen's oak coffin, accompanied by Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, travelled to Buckingham Palace where King Charles III, the Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex received it. Also there were the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Duke of York, Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank, Zara and Mike Tindall, Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn, and Princess Margaret's children Lady Sarah Chatto and Earl Snowdon. And earlier this week, Anne made history when she became the first royal woman to take part in the 'Vigil of Princes' - standing vigil by her mother's coffin alongside her brothers King Charles, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward. During the 20-minute vigil at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, Princess Anne, who wore her navy ceremonial uniform, kept her eyes fixed towards the floor. Advertisement Kate Middleton paid tribute to the Queen today as she donned the late monarch's diamond and pearl drop earrings to join Prince William to look at floral tributes in Sandringham. The new Princess of Wales, 40, has been by her husband's side since it was announced his grandmother had died last Thursday at the age of 96 at Balmoral. The Duchess of Cambridge and Cornwall, as she is now known, looked deep in thought as she arrived in Norfolk for the walkabout. The royal mother-of-three was dressed in a smart black coat with a black dress for the occasion, carrying a small black handbag to complete her outfit. Meanwhile she paid tribute to her husband's late grandmother by wearing a set of the Queen's pearl earrings for the occasion. She has worn the jewels on a number of occasions over the years, including at Buckingham Palace earlier this week to receive the Queen's coffin. The royal couple were seen slowly looking down at a sea of floral tributes in Sandringham today, while the Prince pointed down at individual cards and objects. It has been a busy period for the royal mother-of-three, who only recently moved her family to a new home in Windsor and took her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, to their first day at school last week. Yesterday, she supported her husband and other senior royals as they paid tribute to the Queen at the funeral procession through central London. Kate Middleton paid tribute to the Queen today as she donned the late monarch's diamond and pearl drop earrings to join Prince William to look at floral tributes in Sandringham The new Princess of Wales , 40, has been by her husband's side since it was announced his grandmother had died last Thursday at the age of 96 at Balmoral The royal mother-of-three was dressed in a smart black coat with a black dress for the occasion, carrying a small black handbag to complete her outfit It is believed the jewels previously belonged to the Queen with Her Majesty wearing them to a number of events over the years. Pictured, the Queen wearing the earrings in 1977 (left) and in 2017 The earrings are believed to be an elegant pair the Princess has worn on a number of previous occasions, including the day she left hospital after the birth of Prince Louis. Kate also chose them for a day of engagements in The Netherlands in 2016, her first official solo overseas visit without Prince William. The royal mother-of-three also wore the jewels as she joined the royal family to receive the Queen's coffin at Buckingham Palace. It is believed they previously belonged to the Queen with Her Majesty wearing them to a number of events over the years. The Queen was known for being generous with her private jewellery collection and has passed on tiaras, earrings and necklaces to members of her family. It has been an extremely busy period for Kate, who has been supporting her husband Prince William publicly, and no doubt helping her children adjust to life without their Gan-Gan. The Princess of Wales was seen studying the floral tributes which had been left outside the gates of Sandringham this afternoon The Princess stood alongside her husband as he pointed down to various tributes which had been left in a sea of flowers (left and right) The death of their great-grandmother the Queen will be a heavy blow to Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and four-year-old Prince Louis, as they and their parents begin a new life at Adelaide Cottage in the grounds of Windsor Castle - where Her Majesty spent most of the year. Last week 'the gang', as they call themselves, chased up the steps of their new prep, prompting beams of delight from William and Kate who held their hands when they arrived. Within 48 hours the country was in mourning - but the Duchess decided to stay in Windsor to support the children at school as William flew to Aberdeenshire on a RAF jet. Prince William, now heir to the throne, rushed to Scotland in an attempt to see his grandmother before she died. Kate, formerly known as the Duchess of Cambridge, now holds the titles of the Duchess of Cornwall and the Princess of Wales - the first member of the Royal Family to hold the title since Princess Diana. A source earlier this week said the new Princess of Wales 'appreciates the history associated with this role but will understandably want to look to the future as she creates her own path'. The royal couple were seen slowly looking down at a sea of floral tributes in Sandringham today, while the Prince pointed down at individual cards and objects The new Princess of Wales, 40, has been by her husband's side since it was announced his grandmother had died last Thursday at the age of 96 at Balmoral Floral tributes are placed at Norwich Gates at Sandringham Estate by members of the public, in memory of late the Queen The royal source said: 'The couple are focused on deepening the trust and respect of the people of Wales over time. 'The Prince and Princess of Wales will approach their roles in the modest and humble way theyve approached their work previously.' In his first televised address to the nation since the death of the Queen last week, King Charles III confirmed his son Prince William would inherit his title of the Prince of Wales and his wife Kate would become Princess. The King said: 'Today, I am proud to create [William] Prince of Wales, Tywysog Cymru, the country whose title I have been so greatly privileged to bear during so much of my life and duty. With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the centre ground where vital help can be given.' The earrings are believed to be an elegant pair the Princess has worn on a number of previous occasions, including the day she left hospital after the birth of Prince Louis (left). Also pictured: Kate in 2019 (centre) and on Remembrance Day 202 Kate, 40, donned the simple pair of pearl and diamond earrings as she joined her husband Prince William and other senior royals including King Charles, the Queen Consort and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to receive the Queen's coffin at Buckingham Palace earlier this week (pictured) Since the 14th century the title of the Princess of Wales has been used by the wives of the Princes of Wales. However, it is a courtesy title. Since then, Kate has remained a stoic presence by Prince William's side, accompanying him at a royal walkabout in Windsor alongside his brother Prince Harry and sister-in-law Meghan Markle, as well as at the funeral procession yesterday. She was also among the royals who received the Queen's coffin at Buckingham Palace earlier this week. She and her husband Prince William joined Harry and Meghan for dinner at Buckingham Palace after receiving their grandmother's coffin. It is considered to be the latest sign that the brothers have put aside their strained relationship to present a united front as the Royal Family mourns the passing of Her Majesty, Page Six reports. And yesterday, the brothers stood side-by-side to honour the Queen as her body was moved to Westminster Hall. In scenes resembling the funeral of their mother Princess Diana 25 years ago, the William and Harry walked side-by-side for the poignant 38-minute procession from Buckingham Palace. Their spouses travelled in separate cars, with Meghan accompanied by the Countess of Wessex and Kate joined by Camilla, the Queen Consort. Meanwhile Prince William paid a deeply personal tribute to his 'Grannie' the Queen earlier this week, saying that she was by his side on the 'happiest and saddest days of my life'. The Prince of Wales said in a statement released on Instagram that while the world was mourning the loss of an 'extraordinary leader', he had lost his 'grandmother'. He referenced the family holidays they spent with his children George, nine, Charlotte, seven, and Louis, four, and thanked the Queen for the support and guidance she gave to him and Kate. William wrote: 'On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute. So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign. 'I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen's wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. 'My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives. 'She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life. 'I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real. 'I thank her for the kindness she showed my family and me. And I thank her on behalf of my generation for providing an example of service and dignity in public life that was from a different age, but always relevant to us all. 'My grandmother famously said that grief was the price we pay for love. All of the sadness we will feel in the coming weeks will be testament to the love we felt for our extraordinary Queen. 'I will honour her memory by supporting my father, The King, in every way I can.' The Princess of Wales and the Countess of Wessex were both seen wearing crucifixes today, suggesting both women might be drawing on their faith for strength as they mourn the loss of the Queen. The monarch spoke openly about the important role Christianity played in giving her comfort in times of hardship and it might be that her daughter-in-law and grandson's wife are doing the same. The Princess of Wales, 40, wore her diamond cross as she and the Prince of Wales stepped out in Sandringham to meet mourners who had come to pay their respects. Sophie Wessex, 57, has been sporting a similar cross since she first stepped out on Saturday following the announcement of the Queen's death on Thursday in Balmoral. The Princess of Wales, 40, wore her diamond cross as she and the Prince of Wales stepped out in Sandringham to meet mourners who had come to pay their respects Sophie Wessex, 57, has been sporting a similar cross since she first stepped out on Saturday following the announcement of the Queen's death on Thursday in Balmoral. She wore it today to meet mourners in Manchester Following news of her death, the Archbishop of Canterbury released a statement paying tribute to the Queen as a 'faithful Christian disciple' While both women have been seen wearing their crucifixes on previous occasions, it is not typical. Both women attend church and the Countess of Wessex has previously delivered a religious address. On Saturday, Sophie joined her husband Edward and other senior royals for a intimate service paying tribute to the Queen. Kate Middleton wore the necklace and diamond cross over an elegant black dress and coat in Sandringham this afternoon. She has worn the pendant on several occasions before, including in happier times at Trooping the Colour in 2019, which she attend with Prince William and their three children. The pendant features a diamond 'bail' - the part of the necklace that attaches a pendant to the chain. The pendant, pictured, is a sweet nod to the Monarch, who was known to turn to her faith in moments of doubt and grief Sophie Wessex has been drawing strength from her own crucifix pendant this week, having worn it since it was announced the Queen had died last Thursday. She sported the pendant as she stepped out with other members of the royal family in Balmoral on Saturday for a religious service. The cross glinted in the pale Scottish sun as Sophie, her daughter Lady Louise and son James, Viscount Severn took a closer look at the tribute left for the Queen at the gate of the royal estate. The Countess of Wessex was also wearing the crucifix on Monday when the Queen's coffin reached St Giles Cathedral, where she laid in rest for 24h before travelling to London. Sophie wore her cross above the turtleneck of her dress, making sure the jewel was visibly. Prince Edward's kept the crucifix on to receive her mother-in-law's body at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, and during the emotional service of prayer for the Monarch at Westminster Hall yesterday. Sophie wore her crucifix pendant to the emotional prayer service for the Queen at Westminster Hall yesterday Prince Edward's wife also wore the cross when the Queen's body arrived at St Giles Cathedral on Monday Mother-of-two Sophie has been wearing her crucifix everyday since the Queen's death has been announced last Thursday. She wore it on Sunday morning in Balmoral Sophie started wearing her crucifix when members of the royal family stepped out for a religious service (pictured with her daughter Lady Louise Windsor, 18) Throughout her life, Queen Elizabeth II held her Christian faith dear after first attending church with her parents, the Queen Mother and King George VI, as a child - and she once said her religion was 'an inspiration and anchor' during her reign. The Archbishop of Canterbury led tributes from religious leaders to the Monarch, whom he described as a 'faithful Christian disciple'. The Monarch's dedication to her religion no doubt helped her through some of the most difficult times in her life - particularly after the loss of her husband Prince Philip in April last year. During her Christmas Day address to the nation in 2021, Her Majesty paid tribute to her late husband for his devotion to her and dedication to public service throughout his life. Later in the speech, she spoke of how the story of Christ helped her, and many others around the world, appreciate new beginnings. The Queen said: '[Children] teach us all a lesson, just as the Christmas story does, that in the birth of a child, there is a new dawn with endless potential. 'It is this simplicity of the Christmas story that makes it so universally appealing... 'Simple happenings that form the starting point of the life of Jesus, a man whose teachings have been handed down from generation to generation, and have been the bedrock of my faith.' The Queen has met with several religious leaders around the world during her historic 70-year reign (pictured with Pope John Paul II in 1982) During 70 years of her reign, the Queen's Christmas Day speeches invoked Biblical references to the story of the birth of Christ, as well as other stories including the Good Samaritan. When she acceded the throne in 1952 following her father's death, the then 25-year-old Queen vowed to be guided by her Christian faith throughout her reign and asked her subjects to pray for her ahead of her coronation the following summer. In her first Christmas Day address to the nation that same year, which was broadcast on the radio, the Monarch said: 'Pray for me that God may give me wisdom and strength to carry out the solemn promises I shall be making, and that I may faithfully serve Him and you, all the days of my life.' In 1989, she referenced the story and used it to ask people to reflect on how they could help their friends and neighbours who 'need a helping hand'. She said: 'It would be splendid to think that in the last years of the twentieth century Christ's message about loving our neighbours as ourselves might at last be heeded.' As the world prepared to ring in the new Millennium in the year 2000, the Monarch used her Christmas Day address to honour the birth of Christ once more. She said: 'Today we are celebrating the fact that Jesus Christ was born 2,000 years ago; this is the true millennium anniversary.' The monarch added: 'For me, the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. 'I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christs words and example.' Adorable cards sent from children to The Queen to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee have resurfaced online after the beloved monarch's death. The images resurfaced today after they were shared by the Royal Trust to show 'a small selection of the thousands of cards, often homemade, that The Queen received each year'. A nine-year-old called Chris wrote the monarch a letter describing the 'recipe for a perfect Queen' that included 'a dab of jewels and posh gowns' and 'a few drops of a good smile'. At the time that particular card made Her Majesty laugh and she remarked: 'That's quite fun, isn't it?' Adorable cards sent from children to The Queen to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee have resurfaced online after the beloved monarch's death A nine-year-old called Chris wrote the monarch a letter describing the 'recipe for a perfect Queen' that included 'a dab of jewels and posh gowns' and 'a few drops of a good smile' A child sent the monarch a gorgeous painted portrait of Her Majesty as a younger woman The late monarch appeared to be delighted as she perused the memorabilia from her 70-year reign Often cards sent to the Queen were homemade, while others drew on portraits of Her Majesty from her youth One person created card saying 'Ma'am, you're the tops' attached with the tops of a series of bottles and cans The Queen celebrated her Platinum Jubilee this year to make 70 years on the throne, making her Britain's longest-reigning monarch. She passed away peacefully aged 96 at Balmoral Castle, on September 8. The Queen was shown almost every letter she was sent by one of her private secretaries each day. She took a 'keen interest in the letters', the Royal Household said. The Royal Household has kept a selection of letters Her Majesty received. As she viewed memorabilia from her reign earlier this year she was joined by Candy, her pet dorgi a breed invented by the Queen that is a cross between a corgi and a dachshund. As she viewed memorabilia from her reign earlier this year she was joined by Candy, her pet dorgi a breed invented by the Queen that is a cross between a corgi and a dachshund The monarch wore aquamarine and diamond clip brooches, worn separately in a diagonal setting on her turquoise dress. The jewels were an 18th birthday present from her beloved 'Papa', George VI, in April 1944 Since her Accession Day also marked the death of her father George VI she often spent it in private with her family. Her Majesty is currently laying-in-state at Westminster Hall before her funeral on Monday. The King and the Queen's three other children will hold a 15-minute vigil at her coffin on Friday night before her state funeral on Monday, which will end with a two-minute national silence in a 'fitting tribute to an extraordinary reign', Buckingham Palace said today. Members of the Royal Family have been meeting crowds around the country today. Pictured: A small baby looks on with a look of concern as the Princess of Wales chats with people in the crowd at Sandringham Prince William smiles as he speaks to a mother and her infant son who have come to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II Prince William provided a memory these youngsters will treasure for life as he graciously pauses to speak with schoolchildren who had waited to meet the royals at the gates of Sandringham House today The ever-elegant Princess of Wales points off into the distance, alongside a young girl, as she met with members of the public who waited outside the royal residence of Sandringham today In Manchester, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex , met Josh, a young mourner who had gathered in Manchester with his mother, Sue Sophie, Countess of Wessex, embraces young Josh, as she views floral tributes in St Ann's Square, during a visit to Manchester Charles and the Royal Family has said they 'wish to send their sincere gratitude for the messages of condolence received from around the world', adding they have been 'deeply moved by the global response and affection shown for the Queen as people join them in mourning the loss of Her Majesty'. The Queen's state funeral will 'unite people across the globe and resonate with people of all faiths', according to The Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk, the man in charge of the historic occasion. He said that it was 'both humbling and daunting' to have the 'honour and great responsibility' to run an event that will be watched by billions of people around the globe. He said: 'The events of recent days are a reminder of the strength of our Constitution, a system of government, which in so many ways is the envy of the world'. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands was elegant in a pink floral fascinator today as she visited a nature reserve alongside her husband King Willem-Alexander. The royal mother-of-two, 51, was stunning in the pink headband, which perfectly matched her blush coloured dress, as she attended to her royal duties today alongside her husband. The King and Queen paid a visit to the Peel Nature Reserve in Deurne, which is part of their annual tour of the province of North Brabant in the Netherlands. It comes as the couple prepare to travel to the UK with monarchs from across the world for the Queen's funeral next Monday. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands was elegant in a pink floral fascinator today as she visited a nature reserve alongside her husband King Willem-Alexander The royal mother-of-two, 51, was stunning in the pink headband, which perfectly matched her blush coloured dress, as she attended to her royal duties today alongside her husband The regional visit also included a walk through the town, where the royal couple spoke with healthcare workers and farmers at the city hall. The visit focuses on developments in nature conservation, the future of the agricultural sector, new forms of social cooperation and innovative entrepreneurship in Peel. Maxima wore a midi length dusky pink dress with nude heels for the occasion. The dress featured a waterfall frill at the front, as well as a pussybow blouse style neckline. Queen Maxima, who is a distant cousin of The Queen, was in a cheerful mood as she shared a laugh with those at the nature reserve today The 51-year-old was welcomed by children during a regional visit to the Peel in the province of North Brabant in Gemert Queen Maxima received a hug from the local children during the regional visit (pictured) The mother-of-three sported a natural summery makeup, with a dash of bronzer adding definition to her sun-kissed glow, a nude lip and a sculpted brow. King Willem-Alexander wore a sunshine yellow tie and navy suit, as crowds gathered to take pictures with the royals, waving the flag of the Netherlands. Her appearance today comes after she returned from a whirlwind tour of the US earlier this month. The Dutch Royal touched down in San Francisco ahead of a three-day visit which will see her travel from California to Texas. The King and Queen of the Netherlands were greeted by a crowd of schoolchildren waving flags at the nature reserve Maxima shook hands with a museum worker in old traditional dress at the farmers' union museum The mother-of-three was meant to go on the tour with her husband, King Willem-Alexander, however, she has been forced to continue alone after he contracted pneumonia last week. The Dutch royals were among the first to pay tribute to The Queen and will be attending her funeral on Monday September 19 in London. Maxima is a distant cousin of the Queen, and many related European royals will reunite in London at the funeral. The Dutch Queen allowed people to take selfies with her on their phones, gladly posing for pictures with swathes of fans Queen Maxima looks delighted as children reached out to embrace her and she warmly hugged them back King and Queen of The Netherlands and Willem's mother Beatrix posted a statement on Instagram praising the wisdom of the Monarch after her passing last week. The statement read: 'We remember Queen Elizabeth II with deep respect and great affection. 'Steadfast and wise, she dedicated her long life to serving the British people. We feel a strong bond with the United Kingdom and its royal family, and we share their sorrow at this time. 'We are very grateful for our countries close friendship, to which Queen Elizabeth made such an unforgettable contribution.' The 22-year-old told PEOPLE she is focusing on the support she is receiving from children, who have been touched by seeing a princess who looks like them The alteration comes after the official trailer was released and caused YouTube to disable the dislike counter after it reached more than 1.5 million dislikes The tweet claimed he 'fixed' the trailer and added that he would be able to change the entire film once it's released The Twitter user, whose account is now-suspended, shared his work with a side-by-side of Halle as Ariel and the altered mermaid An AI scientist has been slammed by social media users after he edited the trailer for The Little Mermaid and replaced actress Halle with a white woman An AI scientist has been slammed as 'racist' by furious social media users after he edited the Disney trailer for the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid and replaced black actress Halle Bailey with a white woman - after the leading lady was attacked by racist trolls over her casting in the film. Disney is set to release their live-action adaptation of the animated 1989 film, which stars Grown-ish actress Halle, 22, from Los Angeles, California, in the iconic role of Ariel, in 2023; however, despite devoted Disney fans excitement surrounding the film, the trailer received over 1.5 million dislikes in just a matter of days when it was released on YouTube. One Twitter user even escalated the online attacks when he used AI technology to turn Halle into a white, red-headed woman as a way to match her to the original animated Disney princess in the 1989 film. An AI scientist has been slammed by social media users after he edited the trailer for The Little Mermaid and replaced actress Halle with a white woman The Twitter user whose account is now-suspended shared his work with a side-by-side of Halle (right) as Ariel and the altered mermaid (left) The tweet come just one week after The Little Mermaid has garnered over 1.5 million dislikes on YouTube after Halle faced racist backlash over her casting from trolls on Twitter The tweet showed the edited version of the Disney princess and read: 'Credits to our member Artificial Intelligence scientist @TenGazillioinIQ.' Although the Twitter account was suspended, a different user shared a picture of the altered mermaid as a way to promote the artist's work. The promoter's tweet read: 'He fixed The Little Mermaid and turned the woke actor into a ginger white girl. He says he can fix the whole move comes out with 4x A6000 in 24 hours. It's over for wokecels.' In a follow-up tweet the user claimed the alteration was 'purely educational' and asked users and the social media platform to not 'misinterpret this in a racist way.' The user added: 'I am just amazed by high-IQ friend who works with Artificial Intelligence and the stuff he can make, and wanted to show people his field of study.' And fans were quick to hit back at the troll for the 'racist' alteration. One user said: 'I'm not racist, I just "fixed" a kid's movie by changing the main character's race. Totally not racist.' Fans were quick to hit back at the 'racist' troll for his alteration and questioned why he kept the star's voice but changed her skin color Other users questioned why the AI scientists kept Halle's voice, but changed her skin tone and sent fury messages letting the user know to 'not use her voice.' The horrific alteration comes just days after the trailer for Disney's live-action version of The Little Mermaid racked up more than 1.5 million dislikes on YouTube after its star Halle Bailey faced racist backlash from trolls on Twitter after being cast in the leading role. The negative response to the movie's official teaser trailer - the first real glimpse at the movie - was so severe that YouTube disabled the dislike counter, but not before it reached more than 1.5 million. For many, the trailer was an exciting first look at the live-action version of the iconic Disney princess story, with parents all over the world sharing sweet videos of their young children watching in awe as the clip played. But among the excitement and the praise surrounding the movie, there has also been a bitter wave of racist backlash over Disney's decision to cast a black woman in the lead role. The Little Mermaid is the live-action adaptation of the popular animated Disney princess film starring Grown-ish actress Halle Bailey, 22 The official teaser has surprisingly received 1.5 million dislikes on YouTube and even caused the video sharing platform to disable the dislike counter (dislike count from September 11) And despite the hundreds of thousands of fans who have been awaiting the teaser for the film, the clip has been flooded with very mixed reviews. Although YouTube has disabled the dislike counter, many social media geniuses have installed a popular extension that shows them just how many people didn't like a video. Many critics have been slamming Disney for their visuals and noting that it doesn't appear as the princess is under water, while others have taken a swing at Halle and the director Rob Marshall for casting the star. In the wake of Disney's announcement that Halle would be playing the mermaid Ariel in the adaptation, there has been no shortage of backlash. Many of the online attacks have been tinged with racism, with trolls taking aim at Disney and its new leading lady over the decision to cast a black woman as the fictional character, who has largely been portrayed as white in previous pop culture offerings, including Disney's popular 1989 cartoon. Trolls have taken to Twitter to spread racial attacks with the hashtag #NotmyAriel and have called Disney's choice to cast a black woman in the film #woke. One Twitter user said: 'If Disney wants more diversity, they should have create another character Before respecting all the other ethnicities and cultures shouldn't they at least be respectful to the origin ??? #notmyariel.' While others said 'race swapping is not okay' and claimed the movie was 'a waste of money.' In response to the online criticism, Halle told PEOPLE that she has been focusing on the significance of her playing the character, rather than the hate. Since Disney announced Halle would be playing the Disney princess in the adaptation, there has been no shortage of backlash Much of the online attacks have been tinged with racism, as Halle Bailey is a black woman and Ariel, a fictional, animated character, appears to be white in the original 1989 film Despite the backlash from trolls, Halle is focusing on the children whose parents have been sharing their happiness to seeing a Disney princess who looks like them online She said: 'The fact that now it's getting to be played by me, a person who looks like me, woman of color, I'm just like, wow, I'm so grateful for what it will do for all the other little black and brown boys and girls who will see themselves in me.' 'Because I know if I had seen myself when I was younger, I think my whole perspective would've changed.' She added that she put her own stamp on the princess and said: 'Well, I can only be myself when it comes to taking on something this grand and great. 'Sometimes it can be overwhelming to take the character that everybody has loved and known for years and make it your own. 'But I just listened to the little girl that's in me, and I listen to her and make her happy and then I know if I put my all and my passion and everything into it that I'll give it my best. And I feel like I did.' She also opened up to Variety and revealed her grandparents offered her support amidst the trolling by reflecting on their own experiences of racism and discrimination. 'It was an inspiring and beautiful thing to hear their words of encouragement, telling me, ''You don't understand what this is doing for us, for our community, for all the little Black and brown girls who are going to see themselves in you'',' she said. The trailer opened with waves crashing in the sea as soft music played while the cameras followed the mermaid throughout the The trailer then showed an old ship wreckage resting on the ocean floor, paying homage to a scene from the 1989 animation where Ariel explored an abandoned shipwreck. Trolls have taken to Twitter to spread racial attacks with the hashtag #NotmyAriel and have called Disney's choice to cast a black woman in the film #woke Halle, or Ariel, appeared on screen sporting her long, flowy locks as her colorful mermaid tail reflected in the light. Halle is heard beautifully singing the iconic song Part of Your World as she swiftly swam closer to the shoreline. 'Out of the sea, wish I could be, part of that world,' she sings. The trailer concluded with a release date for next year in May 2023. The upcoming live-action remake stars Halle Bailey as Ariel, along with other cast members such as Jonah Hauer-King as Principe Eric, and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula. The plot will remain the same as the original, following Ariel's deal with sea witch Ursula to have human legs in exchange for her voice. Despite the backlash, the teaser previously went viral for a more wholesome reason as a number of parents began posting their children's reaction to seeing a Disney princess who looked like them. In one video shared on TikTok, a little girl with wide eyes and a huge grin can be seen watching the trailer, barley able to contain her excitement. When Ariel is finally revealed, the young child kid asks in a heartwarming moment: 'That is her? That is Ariel?' Other children sat in front of TV and locked in on the Disney princess who looked just like them and cheerfully smiled. Meghan and Sophie Wessex followed together by car at yesterday's procession Meghan Markle and Sophie Wessex will travel by car behind the procession Meghan Markle and Sophie Wessex are set to follow behind senior royals in a car at the Queen's funeral on Monday. The pair, who yesterday were driven together behind Her Majesty's procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, will travel behind members of the royal family walking on foot. Her Majesty's coffin will travel by ceremonial procession along a detailed route through London and then Windsor before she is laid to rest. King Charles III will one again lead his family members - including Princes William and Harry - walking behind the Queen's coffin when it is moved Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey for the funeral service. Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are driven in a car during the procession for the Lying in State of Queen Elizabeth II on September 14, 2022 in London Sophie, Countess of Wessex, greeted members of the public in St Ann's Square in Manchester today After the service the Queen's coffin will be returned to the gun carriage by the bearer party and a procession will travel to Wellington Arch at Hyde Park. The King and the royal party will take up their same places behind the coffin as when they escorted it to the Abbey, while the Queen Consort and Princess of Wales will travel to the site by car as will the Duchess of Sussex and Countess of Wessex. The Queen's state funeral will end with a two-minute national silence in a 'fitting tribute to an extraordinary reign' before she is laid to rest beside her late husband, Buckingham Palace revealed today. The King and the Queen's three other children will also hold a 15-minute vigil at her coffin in Westminster Hall on Friday evening, it was announced today. Charles III and the Royal Family have said they 'wish to send their sincere gratitude for the messages of condolence received from around the world', adding they have been 'deeply moved by the global response and affection shown for the Queen as people join them in mourning the loss of Her Majesty'. King Charles looks tearful as he marches with Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Anne, Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence yesterday. The family will march behind the coffin again after the state funeral on Monday The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II rests in Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster 200 everyday heroes - including NHS staff who excelled during the pandemic and volunteers recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in June - will be part of a 2,000-strong congregation gathered at Westminster Abbey for the final farewell to the long-reigning monarch on Monday. Britain's bravest military heroes awarded the Victoria Cross - the highest and most prestigious award of Britain's honours system introduced in 1856 by Queen Victoria during the Crimean War - or the George Cross, have also been asked to attend. Minute-by-minute guide to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday, September 19 6.30am - Doors will close to the public for the Queen's lying in state in Westminster Hall. 8am - The doors of Westminster Abbey will open to the congregation to take their seats for the state funeral service. Heads of state and overseas government representatives, including foreign royal families, governors-general and realm prime ministers will gather initially at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, and travel under collective arrangements to Westminster Abbey. 10.35am - Just after 10.35am, a bearer party, found by The Queen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, will lift the coffin from the catafalque. It will then carry it in procession from Westminster Hall to the Royal Navy's state gun carriage, which will be positioned outside the building's North Door. 10.44am - The gun carriage, drawn by 142 Royal Navy service personnel, will set off at 10.44am. The King, members of the royal family, members of the King's Household and Household of the Prince of Wales will follow the coffin. 10.52am - The procession arrives at the West Gate of Westminster Abbey where the bearer party will lift the coffin from the state gun carriage and carry it inside for the state funeral service. 11am - The state funeral service begins. 11.55am - The Last Post will sound followed by a national two-minute silence. 12pm - Reveille, the national anthem and a lament, played by the Queen's Piper, will bring the state funeral service to an end at approximately noon. The coffin will be carried to the state gun carriage. 12.15pm - The procession will set off for Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner, following the route of Broad Sanctuary Parliament Square (south and east sides), Parliament Street, Whitehall, Horse Guards including Horse Guards Arch, Horse Guards Road, The Mall, Queen's Gardens (south and west sides), Constitution Hill and Apsley Way. 1pm - The procession will arrive at Wellington Arch. The bearer party will lift the coffin from the state gun carriage and place it in the state hearse. The state hearse will then depart on its journey to Windsor as the parade gives a royal salute and the national anthem is played. The King and the Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales and members of the royal family will depart for Windsor by car. 3.06pm - The state hearse will approach Shaw Farm Gate on Albert Road, Windsor, and join the procession, which will have been formed up and in position. 3.10pm - The procession will step off. The route will be: Albert Road, Long Walk, Cambridge Gate, Cambridge Drive, George IV Gate, Quadrangle (south and west sides), Engine Court, Norman Arch, Chapel Hill, Parade Ground and Horseshoe Cloister Arch. 3.20pm - The door of St George's Chapel will open for the congregation for the committal service. 3.25pm - Members of the royal family who will not join the procession will arrive at St George's Chapel for the service. 3.40pm - The King and other royal family members who are walking in the procession will join it at the quadrangle on the north side as it passes into Engine Court. 3.53pm - The procession will halt at the bottom of the West Steps of St George's Chapel in Horseshoe Cloister. The bearer party will lift the coffin from the state hearse, from where it will be carried in procession up the West Steps. 4pm - The committal service will begin. The length of the service is not yet known but when it ends, the King and members of the royal family will depart from the Galilee Porch for Windsor Castle. It marks the end of public ceremonial arrangements. 7.30pm - A private burial service will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor, attended by the King and members of the royal family. The Queen is to be buried together with the Duke of Edinburgh at the King George VI Memorial Chapel. Advertisement They will join royals, politicians and world leaders in the historic church at 11am. The King will lead his family in marching behind the Queens coffin when it is moved Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey for the funeral service. He will walk with Anne, Andrew and Edward. Behind will be the Queens grandsons Peter Phillips, the Duke of Sussex and the Prince of Wales, and behind them, the late monarchs son-in-law Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the Queens cousin the Duke of Gloucester, and her nephew the Earl of Snowdon. It is not yet clear in which order the family will walk in their lines, though earlier this week Princes William and Harry walked side-by-side as the Queen's coffin was moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. MailOnline has asked for clarification on the order. All guests must arrive from 8am and moving elements of the funeral will include the sounding of the Last Post at 11.55am followed by a two-minute silence in the Abbey and throughout the UK as the service nears its end at midday. Symbolic artifacts, the Sovereigns Orb and the Sovereigns Sceptre With Cross will be placed on top of the Queen's coffin. The orb is presented to British monarchs during their coronation, in a tradition dating back to Charles IIs coronation in 1661. Meanwhile, the sceptre, a three-foot-long staff which represents the monarchs power in the secular world, will also be displayed. The Queen's state funeral will 'unite people across the globe and resonate with people of all faiths', according to The Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk, the man in charge of the historic day that will see Her Majesty buried with Prince Philip and her parents at Windsor on Monday evening. The Duke of Norfolk said today that it was 'both humbling and daunting' to have the 'honour and great responsibility' to run an event that will be watched by billions of people around the globe. He said: 'The events of recent days are a reminder of the strength of our Constitution, a system of government, which in so many ways is the envy of the world'. The Duke has laid out his plans and revealed that the King, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex will mount a 15-minute vigil around the Queen's coffin as it lies in state in the ancient Westminster Hall at 7.30pm on Friday. The siblings did the same thing in Edinburgh earlier this week in a ceremony known as the Vigil of the Princes. Buckingham Palace also revealed a minute-by-minute breakdown of the state funeral - the first that Britain has hosted since Winston Churchill died in 1965. On the morning of the State Funeral, the Lying-in-State will end at 6.30am as the final members of the public are admitted. The doors of Westminster Abbey will open at 8am as the congregation of 2,000 VIPs begin to take their seats, three hours before the service begins at 11am. At 10.35am, Her Majesty will be carried on the the gun carriage that conveyed her mother and father to their funerals from Westminster Hall, arriving at 10.52am. Her son, the new King, will lead the procession behind. Moving elements of the funeral will include the sounding of the Last Post at 11.55am as the service nears its end, followed by a two-minute national silence which will be observed by the abbey congregation and by millions across the UK. 4billion people globally are expected to tune with the BBC and ITV broadcasting all day in the UK. The Reveille - the traditional bugle call that awakens soldiers at dawn - and then the National Anthem will take place, and finally a Lament played by the Queen's Piper which will bring the service to a close at noon, when the coffin will be carried from the Abbey. At 12.15pm the Queen's children and members of the Royal Family will walk behind her coffin to Wellington Arch when it leaves Westminster Abbey and Her Majesty begins her journey to Windsor to be laid to rest next to her beloved husband Prince Philip. The Queen's coffin will be returned to the gun carriage by the bearer party and a procession, including Prince William and Prince Harry side-by-side again, will travel to Wellington Arch at Hyde Park. The King will once again lead his family in marching behind the Queen's coffin when it is moved. He will walk with Anne, Andrew and Edward, and behind the quartet will be the Queen's grandsons Peter Phillips, the Duke of Sussex and the Prince of Wales. Just like yesterday, they will be followed by the late monarch's son-in-law Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Queen's cousin the Duke of Gloucester, and her nephew the Earl of Snowdon. The Queen's coffin will be carried during the procession on a 123-year-old gun carriage, pulled by 98 Royal Navy sailors using ropes in a tradition dating back to the funeral of Queen Victoria. She will be accompanied on her final journey by a massed Pipes & Drums of Scottish and Irish Regiments, the Brigade of Gurkhas, and the Royal Air Force - numbering 200 musicians. The Procession is formed of seven groups, each supported by a service band. Mounties from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will lead, immediately followed by representatives of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, NHS, along with detachments from the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth. Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, at Queen Elizabeth II's coffin procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall this week William and Harry showed solidarity by both walking on foot behind their late grandmother's coffin during her lying in state procession Her Majesty's hearse will arrive at the Long Walk at 3.15pm, where the public will be able to give their final respects. The procession of senior royals, which will have been formed up and in position after being driven to Windsor, will again walk behind the hearse into the grounds of the castle. There will be a televised ceremony at St George's Chapel in Windsor at 4pm on Monday. Some 800 people, including members of the Queen's Household and Windsor estate staff, will attend the committal service. As the coffin is lowered into the royal vault the Sovereign's Piper will play a lament and walk slowly away so the music fades. The Queen is to be buried together with the Duke of Edinburgh at the King George VI Memorial Chapel. The King will scatter earth on his mother's coffin at 7.30pm at a private family service. Her Majesty will be buried next to her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, her father King George VI and mother, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, for eternity. A savvy shopper has shared his handy hack for buying the exact amount of grapes you want at the supermarket. Adrian Widjonarko, from Sydney, said to never 'feel pressure' to buy a whole bag of grapes but instead take as any small bunches as you need in a viral video. The foodie influencer, who goes by Places in Sydney online, revealed you can separately bag a small bunch of grapes out of the big packets, which are priced per kilo, rather than buying the whole thing. Scroll down for video Sydney foodie Adrian Widjonarko has wowed his thousands of social media followers after revealing why you don't have to buy the whole packet of grapes at the supermarket The foodie influencer revealed you can separately bag a small bunch of grapes out of the big packets, which are priced per kilo, rather than buying the whole thing Some red and green grapes at the supermarket are generally sold in bags that contain approximately 800grams of the fruit and are priced by weight. 'Did you know this? You are allowed to buy the amount you need instead of the whole allocated bag,' the foodie influencer captioned a viral video. 'I had to make sure and asks the staff members if I could do this and they told me 100 per cent!' In just a few hours, Adrian's clip has racked up more than 135,000 views and many in the comments were wowed by the money-saving tip. Some red and green grapes at the supermarket are generally sold in bags that contain approximately 800grams of the fruit and priced by weight 'WHAT. How many poor grapes I've wasted cause I live alone,' one viewer wrote. 'I hate how huge the bagged grapes are. I can never eat that much,' a second said. 'What?!?!? I thought you absolutely had to take the whole bag! This is good news cause I too like having a mix of green and red,' a third commented. 'What about the people that scan the bag afterwards to buy it?' one concerned customer asked to which another replied: 'Unless it's in a clear container, these bags are all weighed at the register.' More shoppers have been offering their best advice on how to save money at the supermarket as the price of groceries soars. A mum sparked an online conversation after seeking tips to save money on groceries. Many suggested cutting an entire roast chicken into pieces to dish out into meals, using the bones for soup and buying in bulk (stock image) Mum-of-two Chelsea sparked the conversation in the Aldi Mums Facebook group explaining her family's situation and their goal to save money for their first home. 'We have two small children, two years old and five months old. We are currently trying to save for a house deposit while renting and as most of you know, it's very difficult,' she wrote. 'The only thing we can really cut is the food shop. Meat is probably the biggest thing. Can everyone give me their best tips? I'm assuming rice and spaghetti dishes are the cheapest.' How to save money on groceries Buy a whole roast chicken instead of pre-cut raw chicken Use the carcass of a roast chicken for soups and stock Add legumes and beans to mince dishes Opt for vegetarian dishes each week Shop the best deals at different supermarkets Shop for discounts at 8pm or before the store closes Advertisement The top eight foods to buy in bulk on sale 1. Pasta 2. Tinned tomatoes 3. Rice 4. Coffee pods 5. Tea bags 6. Toilet paper 7. Puff pastry 8. Cheese Advertisement Among the 120 comments, many said they always shop at multiple supermarkets to score the best deals and head to Aldi or Costco first. Others suggested cutting an entire roast chicken into pieces to dish out into meals, using the bones for soup and buying in bulk. One mum wrote: 'We are a family of seven and buy two or three Aldi chickens, cut them down, and it's works out to about 70c per piece. 'Then use your carcass with vegetable scraps to make chicken stock, to save you buying stock. You can freeze it or it lasts in the fridge for a while.' Others said to use red lentils and legumes to make mince dishes go further, or opt for vegetarian meals a few nights a week all together. Another woman who claims her family was in a similar position previously wrote: 'My biggest tip is to make sure a dinner for the family is never more than $10 in total. The $6.99 for 2kg of drumsticks are the best value chicken and can be extremely versatile. 'You could easily turn one bag into three to four nights' worth of meals. You can boil them up to pull off the meat and add to any meal such as a stir fry or they can be used in a casserole or cooked in the oven or on the BBQ! 'Also the bulk sausages for $10.99 can be used as is or you can use the meat from them in mince recipes.' Simple vegetable swaps to save money Instead of broccoli for $12 a kilo Buy cauliflower at $4-$5 each Instead of fresh tomatoes for $10-$14 a kilo Buy canned tomatoes for $1-$2 a tin Instead of lettuce for $6-$12 a head Buy kale for $4-$5 a bunch or $1-$2 frozen Instead of zucchini for $10-$12 a kilo Buy carrots for $1-$2 a kilo Instead of red capsicum for $10-$12 a kilo Buy tinned beetroot for $3 a kilo Source: Susie Burrell Advertisement Buying discounted items in bulk and making use of freezer space were also recommended, though are well known money-saving tricks. Others said they specially bought a miniature second freezer just to store meat and leftovers. With meat, another woman said it's often cheaper to visit a wholesale butcher, buy in bulk, cut the meat into servings and freeze. 'Cook larger meals and freeze half - curried sausages, chicken soups, savoury mince, try using chicken or pork mince its cheaper just depends on your taste,' another person suggested. Australians taking the sky for the first time since the Covid pandemic ended are noticing the tiny 'hole' on their plane windows for the first time - and have questioned what it does. Known as the 'bleed hole' the tiny opening in the window of commercial passenger planes is actually an important safety feature, according to aviation experts. The hole helps to regulate how much pressure from the cabin is exerted onto the window's panes and it makes sure that if the window is going to break, the outer pane goes first. So it's best not to touch the bleed hole or cover it in any way, so it can do its job effectively while you're in the air. Known as the 'bleed hole' the tiny opening in the window of commercial passenger planes is actually an important safety feature, according to aviation experts This information appeared to 'blow the minds' of eager travelers online, with a post on the holes going viral. While hundreds of others revealed they had 'never noticed' the holes. 'The way I've never noticed but I'm gonna look when we fly up,' one woman said. While others wondered what would happen if everyone 'blocked the holes' not realising they are in the centre pane of a three-pane system. The question was posed by Robbie Gonzalez from iO9 to director of technology Marlowe Moncur, from GKN Aerospace. A patent filed by Daimlerchrysler Aerospace Airbus in 1997 explained that this 'air conduit' helps maintain 'external atmospheric pressure inside' the panes. On a plane, the air is pressurised by engines that compress it as it moves through a series of fans. To maintain cabin pressure, even at high altitudes, this incoming air is held within the cabin using a so-called outflow valve. To maintain cabin pressure, even at high altitudes, this incoming air is held within the cabin using a so-called outflow valve It works in a similar way to how a tyre is inflated - high-pressure air is 'pumped' into the cabin and this air comes from the compression stage of the engines. Sensors gauge how much pressure is in the cabin and this valve releases the air at a rate that maintains this pressure. For example, when the plane is stationary, this valve is open. It only starts to close as the plane takes off. The air at sea level is said to be around 14.7 pounds per square inch (PSI). By comparison, a typical flight cruises at between 9,150 metres and 12,200 metres and at this altitude the pressure is approximately 4.3 PSI. Due to a lack of oxygen at high altitudes, the plane has to be pressurised in such a way that makes it comfortable and safe for passengers. Philip Spiers, head of Advanced Structural Testing Centre at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing told MailOnline that at high altitudes 'there are not enough oxygen molecules to sustain life. 'Low pressure lowers the boiling points inside the body and at the edge of space, this can cause blood and tears to boil.' Planes don't go that high, but their flying altitude is usually higher than Mount Everest and they take air for the cabin from the engines. THE ROLE OF THE BLEED HOLE The air at sea level is said to be around 14.7 pounds per square inch (PSI). By comparison, a typical flight cruises at between 9,150 metres and 12,200 metres and at this altitude the pressure is approximately 4.3 PSI. Due to a lack of oxygen at this altitude, the plane has to be pressurised in such a way that makes it comfortable and safe for passengers. Windows on commercial planes typically have three panes - outer, middle and inner - made of acrylic and glass. The plastic pane on the inside of the plane is to prevent passengers from getting access to the glass panes in the middle and on the outside. There is a middle pane of glass with a hole in it, then an air gap, followed by an outside pane of glass. To maintain cabin conditions, it is necessary to manage the pressure between the inner pane and the actual window, so the outer window bears the load of the pressure differential. If the pane was sealed, and didn't have a hole in it, all the pressure in the cabin would act on the inside pane of glass. If this pressure blows that outer plane out, the inside pane is still strong enough to hold pressure and gives pilots time to drop to lower altitudes. Advertisement These engines spend their time compressing air at the front to generate thrust, but Mr Spiers continued that they also bleed off some of that air in the process, dehumidifying it and pumping it into the cabin to provide the pressure. 'Planes have a higher pressure inside than outside,' Mr Spiers said. 'It's like a bottle of Coca Cola - shaking a bottle makes it go stiff and hard but when you undo it, it becomes floppy again. This stretches the skin around the plane.' Typically the air inside the cabin is maintained at around 11PSI, the levels of pressure experienced at around 2,130 metres. And this change in pressure is what causes a person's ears to pop. To maintain this pressure, the plane's structure and its windows need to be able to handle the differential between the cabin pressure and the outside of the plane. As a result, windows on commercial planes typically have three panes - outer, middle and inner - made of acrylic and glass. Mr Spiers continued that the plastic pane on the inside of the plane is to prevent passengers from getting access to the glass panes in the middle and on the outside. There is a middle pane of glass with a hole in it, then an air gap, followed by an outside pane of glass. This hole helps maintain the pressure differential and directs it onto the outer pane rather than the inner pane. This hole helps maintain the pressure differential and directs it onto the outer pane rather than the inner pane (stock image) 'If the pane was sealed [and didn't have a hole in it], all the pressure in the cabin would act on the inside pane of glass,' continued Mr Spiers. 'You want [this pressure] to act on the outside pane because if there is a problem with the outside it would be possible to see it during inspection. 'If this pressure blows that pane out, the inside pane is still strong enough to hold the pressure. You don't want to see the inside pane fail first as the inspectors wouldn't see that.' 'Plus, this gives enough time for the plane to drop to a lower altitude to manage the issue.' Michal Weiszer, research fellow at the School of Engineering at the University of Lincoln added: 'During flight, the cabin is pressurised and therefore it is necessary to equalise the pressure between the inner pane and the actual window, so the outer window holds the load of the pressure difference. 'Furthermore, the hole prevents from moisture building up between the panes.' And Dr Raf Theunissen, lecturer in aerodynamics in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bristol, said: 'You can understand why airplane companies put these additional windows in by just looking at the number of scratches on them. The joint appearance by the two couples came as a surprise to many amid ongoing speculation about a rift between Prince Harry and Prince William Katia Loisal, a body language expert, said there was tension between them The Princess of Wales was seen staring briefly at her sister-in-law on Sunday A body language expert has broken down an 'icy moment' between Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, after the newly-minted Princess of Wales was seen flashing a stern glare at her sister-in-law during the Fab Four's walkabout at Windsor Castle this weekend. Video of the seemingly-tense interaction - which came amid ongoing speculation about the frosty rift between Prince William and his brother Prince Harry - was closely dissected by viewers on the internet, with thousands speculating about the meaning behind it. Now, body language expert Katia Loisal has weighed in on the viral clip, suggesting that the split-second 'look' will no doubt have torn into Meghan's self-confidence and noting that the Duchess of Sussex seemed incredibly uneasy during her public appearance with her Prince Harry, Prince William, and Kate. 'Quite unlike the confident Meghan we know, Meghan appeared ill at ease during this encounter, which is not surprising given the recent criticism that she has faced,' Katia told Seven News. An 'icy moment' between Kate Middleton, the newly-minted Princess of Wales, and Meghan Markle is being dissected online after the pair were reunited on Sunday The tense look melted away as Kate tuned to wave to the crowd One day satan going to deal with Kate Middleton. This woman hates Meghan and had be pulled into being in the same space pic.twitter.com/iooEBItfeg Thando - Ntsikasaunty (@ntsikasaunty) September 10, 2022 She went on to note that Prince William appeared to be making an effort with his sister in-law, but claimed Kate's actions made it look as though she was trying to 'freeze out' Meghan. 'On numerous occasions Meghan looked over at Kate, however, the gaze wasn't reciprocated,' Katia said. The expert noted Kate chose to 'look through' Meghan instead. This, Katia says, appeared to make Meghan feel uncertain and uncomfortable which can be seen in the way she stooped her head, side stepped and faced away from Kate. 'Meghan's hand lifted hesitantly as if to wave, but stopped mid air, rather pausing to adjust her hair, her head and gaze lowered, before looking up and giving a quick wave, her arm coming back to rest in front of her body in a partial arm barrier,' Katia added. Meghan's body language didn't go unnoticed by Harry, according Katia, who touched her arm gently and came to her side to protect her. Katia's comments on the 'icy' moment between Kate and Meghan come after another body language expert, Judi James, spoke to MailOnline about the Fab Four's surprise public appearance. The surprise group outing marked the first time that the two couples have appeared in public together since Commonwealth Day on March 9, 2020, just weeks before the Covid lockdown. And while the foursome attempted to put on a show of unity as they greeted mourners who had turned out to honor the late Queen, Judi stated that there were 'no signs of affection' between the two couples. Prince William is seen offering an arm to Meghan Markle as the 'Fab Four' were reunited to mourn the Queen's death The two couples, who had not been seen together in an official capacity since March 2020, appeared to maintain their distance from each other The royals, once dubbed the 'fab four', were greeted by applause as they walked along the gates of Windsor Castle together. However, all did not appear to be completely well among the feuding couples, who at times appeared uneasy in each other's company. 'This is a phenomenal and unexpected scene that displays some natural caution and awkwardness in the body language, although as a statement of intent it seems choreographed as something of a loving tribute the Queen and in some ways the new King, who took what was maybe the first step in speaking of his love for Harry and Meghan in his recent speech,' she shared. 'The four line up together to suggest some form of unity and it is William, with his puffed chest and air of confidence, who looks like the leader and instigator. Harry performs some clothing touch anxiety rituals but Meghan seems to be on hand to offer comfort, support and encouragement.' As they walked along the gates of Windsor Castle together, temporarily putting aside the differences sparked by the Sussexes' departure, they appeared to maintain a significant distance from each other. The couples only came together briefly at the start and end of the engagement. Throughout the rest of the walkabout, which is believed to have lasted some 30 minutes, Prince William and Kate, and Meghan and Harry, appeared to stick to their two couples - perhaps instructed to by their aides - and barely interacted during the sombre occasion. At times during the walkabout, all four split up, to greet and speak with members of the public individually. As the four emerged from their vehicle, the couples spoke to an unidentified man, thought to be an aide. At one point during the conversation, Harry stepped back towards Meghan, and the pair listened while locked in an embrace, with the Duke's arm around his wife's waist. After speaking to the crowds, the couples made their way to their separate vehicles. At one point, the two Duchesses appeared to be avoiding making eye contact (pictured) During the walkabout, the royals inspected the sea of floral tributes laid outside the gates of the Berkshire estate in tribute to the late Queen As they started walking, with the two men standing next to each other, while their respective wives flanked them on the outside, William and Harry appeared to engage in a brief chat, as Kate and Meghan looked straight ahead. At times, Kate appeared to stand some distance from the group. 'Kate looks slightly distanced although she is close to William when the couples split slightly,' said Judi. As they reached the gates, the two couples stopped to look at some of the floral tributes left by well-wishers. Harry and Meghan stayed close together at the beginning of the event, and often if they were separated, were seen reaching for each other to hold hands. According to Judi: 'When the couple clasp hands it is Harrys fingers wiggling downward while Meghans are curled around his palm, with her thumb gently stroking his hand. She performs touches on his back and small strokes and other tie-signs and there are some moments when she is the one looking across for communication with William and Kate.' As the royals started the long walk to Windsor Castle, the couples split up, each attending to one side of the crowd, which was heard cheering both the couples. The four greeted members of the public within their respective couplings, as well as separately. Once they finished meeting the public, they reconvened in front of their vehicles, where they had a brief chat, before getting into their respective cars. Describing the overall tone of the meeting, Judi said: 'Theres no signs of relaxed engagement or even affection here but the fact they are lining up together and communicating again is impressive in itself. Before the walkabout, the couples spoke to an Paul Sedgwick (left), the deputy ranger of Winsor Park, with William and Kate appearing to do most of the talking, as Meghan hung back As they emerged from their vehicle, the two couples did not appear to be engaging with each other, and looked straight ahead 'Its an adult approach from the new Prince of Wales and it could have broken a lot of ice in terms of their body language at the funeral and beyond.' The appearance by the two couples came after Prince William shared a public statement about the death of his grandmother. In the post, which he shared on Instagram, the royal wrote: 'On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute. So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign. 'I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen's wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. My wife has had 20 years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives. 'She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life. I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real. 'I thank her for the kindness she showed my family and me. And I thank her on behalf of my generation for providing an example of service and dignity in public life that was from a different age, but always relevant to us all. 'My grandmother famously said that grief was the price we pay for love. All of the sadness we will feel in the coming weeks will be testament to the love we felt for our extraordinary Queen. 'I will honour her memory by supporting my father, The King, in every way I can.' The Royal College of Surgeons was accused of homophobia after asking trainees a question that critics say suggested HIV was a 'gay disease'. Medics and sexual health charities have blasted the college for 'stone age' thinking. HIV charity, The Terrence Higgins Trust, argued it perpetuated harmful, decades-old stereotypes towards men who have sex with men. But some doctors defended the question, with one medic stating it was there to test medical professionals 'knowledge not opinions'. The multiple-choice question featured in a exam organised by the Intercollegiate Committee for Basic Surgical Examinations (ICBSE), which admits members to the Surgical Royal Colleges of the UK and Ireland, including the Royal College of Surgeons (pictured, the HQ of the Royal College of Surgeons in England) What WAS the homophobic question? The multiple-choice question featured in a exam organised by the Intercollegiate Committee for Basic Surgical Examinations (ICBSE), which admits members to the Surgical Royal Colleges of the UK and Ireland, including the Royal College of Surgeons. QUESTION: While taking a blood sample from a 27-year-old homosexual man, a junior doctor has a problem with the safety feature on the needle and sustains a needle stick injury. What is the most likely infection transmitted in this situation? ANSWERS: Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, Human T cell virus or Malaria Advertisement The multiple-choice question featured in an exam, held on Tuesday. Exam-goers, made up of doctors wanting to become specialists, must pay 578 to sit the test to become members of the Surgical Royal Colleges of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Tests are organised by the Intercollegiate Committee for Basic Surgical Examinations (ICBSE), which is ran out of the royal colleges. It read: 'While taking a blood sample from a 27-year-old homosexual man, a junior doctor has a problem with the safety feature on the needle and sustains a needle stick injury. What is the most likely infection transmitted in this situation?' Five potential answers listed were: 'Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, Human T cell virus or Malaria'. The correct answer was Hepatitis B. Needlestick injuries are when a surgeon accidently stabs themselves with a needle which has been used on a patient. It potentially puts them at risk of a bloodborne viruses, such as HIV. Prospective surgeons and other doctors immediately took to social media to express their outrage over the exam question. Gemma, a doctor based in Edinburgh, tweeted she was 'concerned' by the question, describing it as 'rooted in homophobic prejudice'. Dr Rhea Chouhan, who also claims to have sat the exam, said she was 'shocked' by the question. 'It distracted me during the exam, it was very unnecessarily and harmfully worded,' she said. Dr Yasmin Walters, a specialist in HIV and sexual health, accused the College of 'stone age thinking' on social media. 'My friend just sat MRCS (Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons) and tells me youre still writing questions that should be left in the Stone Age,' she said. 'Questions about getting a needle stick from a homosexual and what BBV youre most likely to catch is just not appropriate.' The Association of LGBTQ+ Doctors & Dentists also voiced their displeasure over the question's wording. It stated the question was 'built around harmful stereotypes and prejudice towards members of the LGBTQ+ community'. However, some doctors questioned the level of vitriol from their colleagues. Dr Joel Pittaway, from Bromsgrove in Worcestershire, said: 'Im sure Ill be piled on but I would happily answer this question without worrying about its connotations as its a question and ergo not real. 'Why is it a problem and why does it cause offence? Its there to test knowledge not opinions surely?' The Royal Surgical Colleges have now apologised for the question, adding it will undertake a review and ensure questions are more 'inclusive' in the future. A spokesperson for the ICBSE told MailOnline: 'It has understandably caused offence and disquiet among exam candidates, members and fellows of the surgical colleges. Gemma, a doctor from Edinburgh, who sat the most recent exam was 'shocked and concerned' over the question she described as being 'rooted in homophobic prejudice' Another doctor sitting the exam, Rhea Chouhan, said the tone of the question distracted her from the exam and urged the Royal College of Surgeons to remove it from future tests However, some doctors, like Joel Pittaway from Bromsgrove in Worcestershire in defended the tone of the question, stating it was there to test people's 'knowledge' WHY MODERN MEDS MEAN HIV IS NOT A DEATH SENTENCE Prior to 1996, HIV was a death sentence. Then, anti-retroviral therapy (ART) was made to suppress the virus. Now, a person can live as long a life as anyone else, despite having HIV. Drugs were also invented to lower an HIV-negative person's risk of contracting the virus by 99%. In recent years, research has shown that ART can suppress HIV to such an extent that it makes the virus untransmittable to sexual partners. That has spurred a movement to downgrade the crime of infecting a person with HIV: it leaves the victim on life-long, costly medication, but it does not mean certain death. Here is more about the new life-saving and preventative drugs: 1. Drugs for HIV-positive people It suppresses their viral load so the virus is untransmittable In 1996, anti-retroviral therapy (ART) was discovered. The drug, a triple combination, turned HIV from a fatal diagnosis to a manageable chronic condition. It suppresses the virus, preventing it from developing into AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), which makes the body unable to withstand infections. After six months of religiously taking the daily pill, it suppresses the virus to such an extent that it's undetectable. And once a person's viral load is undetectable, they cannot transmit HIV to anyone else, according to scores of studies including a decade-long study by the National Institutes of Health. Public health bodies around the world now acknowledge that U=U (undetectable equals untransmittable). 2. Drugs for HIV-negative people It is 99% effective at preventing HIV PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) became available in 2012. This pill works like 'the pill' - it is taken daily and is 99 percent effective at preventing HIV infection (more effective than the contraceptive pill is at preventing pregnancy). It consists of two medicines (tenofovir dosproxil fumarate and emtricitabine). Those medicines can mount an immediate attack on any trace of HIV that enters the person's bloodstream, before it is able to spread throughout the body. Advertisement 'We will be urgently reviewing how this question was included and we can confirm that it will not be used again.' A follow-up statement from the ICBSE, which includes the Royal College of Surgeons in England, a 220-year-old institution, added: 'This question was designed to test candidates knowledge of the risks. 'HIV, if present, treated or untreated, represents a lower risk than Hep B in this situation. 'With Hep B being the correct answer, any candidate who answered HIV would not receive a mark. 'That being the case, the question was not designed to reinforce outdated perceptions of HIV, indeed quite the contrary. 'The question rewarded those who know that HIV carries less risk than Hepatitis B and controlled HIV carries very little risk. 'Nevertheless, we understand the question was poorly worded and has caused offence. We will not be using it again.' Charities and health authorities have long warned against framing HIV as a 'gay' or 'homosexual' disease. It masks the fact that anyone can catch the virus, sexual health experts say. Michael Brady, medical director of the Terrence Higgins Trust, told MailOnline the exam question was 'distressing' and 'homophobic'. 'People living with HIV report that they are most likely to experience stigma from healthcare professionals,' he said. 'Ill-informed, inaccurate and, frankly, homophobic questions like this will only perpetuate this and will do nothing to address the stigma, discrimination and poor experience that is still all too common an experience for people living with HIV.' He added it was critical to remember that HIV has changed considerably since the early days of the epidemic. During the AIDS crisis of the 80s and 90s, HIV was labelled a 'gay disease' due to it mainly affecting homosexuals men. It led to discrimination and misinformation about how people could catch the virus. 'It is not a "gay disease" and anything that suggests otherwise should have been left back in the dark days of the '80s and '90s,' Dr Brady said. 'Today, effective treatment means people living with HIV can expect and enjoy a long and healthy life and have the confidence they have a zero risk of passing the virus on to their partners.' HIV is a virus that damages cells in the immune system, weakening the body's ability to fight off everyday infections and diseases. If left untreated, it can lead to AIDS, which is the term for plethora of potentially life-threatening infections and illnesses that can occur after the immune system has been severely damaged by the virus itself. HIV is mostly spread through unprotected sex. But it can also be caught through sharing needles when doing drugs or from accidental injuries with needles or other sharp objects in a health setting. The NHS advises, however, that the odds of a healthcare worker contracting HIV by accidently pricking themselves with an infected needle is extremely low. There an estimated 105,200 people living with HIV in the UK, 95 per cent of which diagnosed. In the US the number is much higher with an estimated 1.2million people having HIV, with one in eight unaware they have it. Decades ago, catching HIV used to be effectively be a deaths sentence as people's immune system grew weaker and the succumbed to AIDS. While there is still no cure modern antiviral drugs mean the virus can be suppressed to such an extent that HIV positive people they cannot pass it on to others. Other drugs have been developed which, if taken daily, are 99 per cent effective at preventing HIV infection. India keeps independent diplomacy as Modi to attend SCO summit while New Delhi walks away from US-led IPEF (Global Times) 09:21, September 15, 2022 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has confirmed his attendance at the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit which will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan from Thursday to Friday, just days after India's decision to walk away from part of the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) last week. Analysts said India is sticking to an independent and autonomous diplomacy and they hope India will be more united with other SCO members including China and Russia, and play a more positive role to promote multipolarization of the world together. Modi is likely to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit, said a statement the Indian Ministry of External Affairs released on Sunday. As to whether Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin or Modi, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at Tuesday's routine press conference, "I have no information to offer at the moment. We will release information in a timely manner if there is any." Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times on Wednesday that India has always stressed independence and autonomy in its diplomacy and strategy, so it has always been open to joining different international organizations to maximize its own interests. The latest move to walk away from the US-led IPEF means New Delhi will not be cheated or fooled by Washington easily. India has stayed out of the trade pillar of the IPEF, it announced after the IPEF ministerial meeting held in Los Angeles on September 8-9. India's Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal cited concerns over possible discrimination against developing economies. India was the only one of the 14 IPEF countries, which include Southeast Asian countries, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan, not to join the declaration on trade. The conspicuous absence of India in the trade pillar, one of the four pillars of the IPEF, underlines the dispute between India and the US regarding the mechanism, a US-led geopolitical tool hiding behind economy issues, and implies an uncertain future for the framework, said analysts. Although India wants to gain benefits from US' Indo-Pacific Strategy to serve its competition with China in the region, New Delhi is very clear that where it can get real interests and who will set a trap for it or even use it to contain others, experts said. Lin Minwang, a professor at the Institute of International Studies of Fudan University, told the Global Times on Wednesday that India's diplomatic tradition is to get interests by keeping a balance between different major world powers, so ahead of the SCO Summit, it will release some positive signals to show that India is not teaming up with the US to contain China and Russia. "Joining the SCO serves India's demand to increase cooperation with the Central Asian countries and Russia, to strengthen the connectivity with other countries in the region. For other SCO founding members, to include India, the fifth-biggest economy in the world with a huge population, will also strengthen the influence of the organization. So it's mutually beneficial," Lin said. In recent years, due to the impact of the US Indo-Pacific Strategy, there are some signs that India's strategy is getting more and more pro-US, which is different from other members of the SCO, so the role that New Delhi could play in the SCO is limited. To change the situation, India needs to show more positive signals and become more united with other SCO members, analysts said. They noted that this has changed somewhat after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the latest decision that India made to stay away from the trade pillar of the IPEF. India needs to follow the consensus reached by the SCO members, so it can benefit more from the organization and have a more positive role to play, experts noted. Lin said the SCO is also valuable for India to communicate with Pakistan, which is an SCO member, to avoid miscalculations and conflict and solve disputes through dialogue. Regarding China-India relations, the SCO is an important mechanism for the two sides to ease border tensions and seek more possibilities for cooperation. Compared with the US-led "multilateral mechanism" which in fact serves the unipolar world order dominated by US hegemony, the SCO formed by non-Western key powers like China, Russia, India and Pakistan is much more collaborative and is really promoting the multipolarization of the world that benefits the majority of the international community, which is why countries like Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Belarus are seeking membership or deeper connection with the SCO, analysts said. (Web editor: Liang Jun, Bianji) The Lancet, one of the world's most prestigious medical journals, has sensationally claimed Covid may have leaked out of a US lab. Unveiling the results of a two-year investigation into the origins of the pandemic, the magazine's team tasked with uncovering the truth stated it was 'plausible' the virus could have emerged in America. It echoes the rhetoric of Beijing's disinformation crusade, which attempted to divert attention away from the infamous Wuhan site by pointing the finger at a military base in Maryland. While mentioning the secretive laboratory located just miles away from the 'ground zero' of the pandemic, it said independent teams have also 'not yet investigated' US labs. Authors argued the country's National Institute for Health responsible for carrying out research into some of the world's deadliest pathogens had 'resisted disclosing details' of its work. Even when discussing the possibility the virus emerged naturally from an animal, the Lancet team said this may be in a creature located 'outside of China'. Virologists told how they were 'shocked at how fragrantly' the report ignored crucial evidence regarding the virus's source. It was described as one of the Lancet's 'most shameful moments.' Pictured: The Wuhan Institute of Virology, where crucial data was reportedly wiped by Chinese scientists It is not the first time the 198-year-old journal, under the leadership of editor-in-chief Richard Horton, has been accused of supporting China's narrative that Covid did not emerge within its borders. Just as Covid started to spread, the journal published a letter from 27 experts which praised Beijing's 'rapid, open and transparent sharing of data on this outbreak.' These authors also attacked what they described as 'conspiracy theories suggesting that Covid does not have a natural origin,' in a move some saw as a blatant attempt to silence the lab-leak debate. It has also allegedly reported articles exploring the lab leak hypothesis as 'false information' to social media giants and refused to publish articles criticizing China's persecution of the Uighurs ethnic group. The author of The Lancet's Covid-19 Commission report, Professor Jeffrey Sachs, has previously been nicknamed 'Xi's propagandist' over his pro-Beijing comments. In June, he astonishingly told a conference in Madrid that he was 'pretty convinced' the virus was the result of 'US lab biotechnology.' Professor Jeffrey Sachs reiterated claims that American not Chinese scientists could be responsible for Covid's creation (pictured here at a conference in Madrid earlier this year) The Lancet's editor-in-chief Richard Horton has previously published pieces attacking 'conspiracy theories' that Covid could have been leaked from a Chinese lab His claim was inevitably seized upon by Chinese President Xi Jinping's government, with officials arguing it warranted a 'thorough investigation.' Professor Sachs, who was twice named one of Time magazines 100 most influential people in the world, admitted 'we don't know for sure.' 'But there's enough evidence it should be looked into and it's not being investigated not in the US, not anywhere,' he added. 'I think for real reasons, they [US officials] don't want to look under the rug too much.' Professor Sachs has expressed other controversial pro-Beijing views, dismissing the government's genocide of the Uighur minority in China's Northwest. Last month he appeared on a podcast hosted by Robert F Kennedy Jr, a prominent American anti-vaxxer, to discuss his views. Independent virologists said Professor Sachs's comments and actions had overshadowed the worthy research included in the new 58-page report, which was written by dozens of scientists. Professor Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization in Canada, told The Telegraph Professor Sachs' appearance on anti-vax platforms completely undermined the new report. 'This may be one of the Lancets most shameful moments regarding its role as a steward and leader in communicating crucial findings about science and medicine,' she said. Professor David Robertson, director of the University of Glasgows Centre for Virus Research, said while there were still answers needed on Covid's there was zero basis for US involvement. 'Its true weve details to understand on the side of natural origins, for example, the exact intermediate species involved, but that doesnt mean theres any basis to the wild speculation that US labs were involved,' he added. Professor Sachs said he stood by his previous comments and he personally oversaw the part of the paper dealing with the emergence of Covid. Covid's origins were just one aspect of the report, which warned countries around the world are still unprepared for future pandemics. China itself has faced several accusations of covering up the origins of Covid. Researchers are said to have wiped crucial databases and stifled independent investigations into the Wuhan lab. The virus first began spreading from a wet market in the city of Wuhan, about eight miles from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) which worked with dangerous coronaviruses. Researchers who fell ill with a mysterious flu-like virus months before the official Covid timeline were reportedly silenced or disappeared. The lab was known to be conducting experiments on bat coronavirus strains similar to the one responsible for the pandemic in the months before the pandemic. In public, mainstream media and academics in the West called the lab leak theory an unhinged conspiracy theory. A disinformation campaign launched by the Chinese Government last year claimed Covid originated from an American military base in Maryland. It gained significant traction in China but was widely seen as an outlandish counter-claim by the rest of the world. In June, UK Government sources claimed the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) privately believed Covid started following a leak in China. While the official WHO line on Covid's origins is that all hypotheses remain on the table, the body's director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is reported to be giving a different explanation in private. He was reported to have told a European politician the most likely explanation for the virus's emergence was a catastrophic accident at a laboratory in Wuhan. Unlike the UK where almost all pandemic-era restrictions on life have been removed, China is still keeping millions of people locked down in pursuit of a 'zero-Covid' strategy. Some 30 cities in the country are in full or partial lockdown as of this month. YouTube may be more harmful to the sleep of teenagers than Netflix or traditional TV, a new study finds. Researchers at Flinders University, in Australia, found half an hour spent on the app under the covers led to a 13-minute delay in going to sleep. This was equivalent to every 15 minutes watched cutting the chance of sleeping enough by 24 percent. But in the sample of 700 youngsters aged 12 to 18 years, those who watched TV for the same amount of time before bed went to bed nine minutes earlier on average with scientists suggesting results for Netflix would be similar. YouTube was blasted by the team as a danger to sleep because its short-form videos, autoplay and recommended clips features which lead users to 'lose control' and become glued to their screens long into the night. The study did not include TikTok one of the world's fastest growing social media platforms but some studies are already warning that this, too, makes sleep worse and is more likely to leave users feeling tired during the day. It did not calculate the impact of the other six apps studied including Instagram, Snapchat and Spotify because only YouTube consistently and negatively impacted sleep in teenagers. It comes amid growing concerns too few teenagers are hitting the eight to ten hours of sleep they need each night, leaving them struggling to concentrate and more at risk of mental health problems and obesity. Estimates suggest seven-in-ten American teens get too little sleep. The above graph shows the time that sleep was delayed by devices and apps used in bed. Results were compared against the average bedtime for all 700 participants in the study, and standardized to 30 minutes to allow for comparison. They revealed that YouTube led to the biggest delay in going to sleep once a teenager got into bed This graph shows how apps and devices delayed the time someone went to bed in the hour before going to the bedroom. Data was re-calculated as delay per 30 minutes watching time for each to allow for comparison, and compared to the average bedtime for all 700 participants. It revealed that watching TV which the scientists said was similar to Netflix actually meant people went to bed nine minutes earlier This graph shows the amount of time users spent on the seven apps reported in the hour before going to bed (left) and once in bed before falling alseep (right). They spent about 30 minutes in bed before falling asleep on average. Of these Instagram and Snapchat were the most popular apps, followed by YouTube. Results showed, however, that YouTube was associated with the most use before bed This graph shows device use in the hour before bed (left) and once in bed (right) in minutes. Phones were the most popular devices used across both groups, followed by laptops The study was carried out at eight schools based in Adelaide, south Australia, and published Thursday in the Journal of Sleep Medicine. Researchers recruited 711 teenagers between 12 and 19-years-old whose parents agreed for them to be included in the study. Youngsters reported how long they spent on devices and apps in the hour before bed, while in bed, and how long they slept on school-nights. The children each estimated the amount of time they spent on devices and apps, and did not have to provide evidence. How much sleep should teenagers get? What happens if they aren't sleeping enough? Scientists recommend that all teenagers those aged 12 to 18-years-old should get eight to 10 hours of sleep every night. But statistics suggest that fewer and fewer youngsters are hitting this recommendation. Currently about seven out of ten teenagers are not getting enough sleep, official surveys suggest. Sleeping too little in the teenage years can have a number of ill effects, including: Difficulty concentrating, risking poor grades; Raised risk of mental health problems including depression and suicidal thoughts; More likely to be obese or suffer from diabetes; More likely to suffer drowsiness-induced injuries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says parents can help children get to sleep by setting a regular sleep schedule for them and limiting exposure to light and technology during the evening. They recommend a pre-determined bed time for every evening during the school week. They also say parents can limit time spent on electronic devices using a 'media curfew', and can also move devices out of children's bedrooms. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advertisement Results showed each went to bed about 10 p.m., had turned their lights off by 10:36 p.m. and then took about another 30 minutes to fall asleep. Almost every teenager (98 percent) used at least one device in the hour before bed like a phone, laptop or TV , and three quarters reported using one while in bed. Phones were the most popular (98 percent), followed by nine in ten saying they used a laptop, and nearly seven in ten saying they watched TV. Analysis showed that although YouTube was the third most popular app to use with half of teenagers logging on , it led to users spending the most time on it while in bed at more than 25 minutes. For comparison, the most popular app Instagram used by six in ten respondents in bed was used in bed for 17 minutes by those who logged on. Netflix ranked sixth out of the seven apps included with less than a third clicking on it, and was also used for about 17 minutes before bed. And for those who watched TV the third most popular device with 70 percent using they only spent about five minutes on it while in bed. It was possible for teenagers to use more than one app or device at once, and their results were self-reported and not backed up by any screen-time apps. This leaves room for those concerned about their results to reduce them. Results showed only YouTube was consistently and negatively related to poor sleep time in teenagers. It delayed the time people went to bed by about 11 minutes, and the time someone started trying to go to sleep by 13 minutes on average. For comparison, those who watched TV similar to Netflix before bed actually went to the bedroom nine minutes earlier. No figures were given for when someone was in bed, likely because few teenagers continued watching TV once in bed. Netflix was associated, however, with a higher likelihood of feeling tired during the day. The delay to going to bed and trying to sleep triggered by other apps was not calculated because others were not consistently and negatively related to sleep patterns. But many experts say it is best not to use any devices in the hour before bed, or while in bed, to ensure a good night's sleep. This is because the blue-light emitted by devices can interfere with the body's circadian rhythm or clock, some studies suggest, reducing the chance of falling asleep. Features in apps like autoplay and recommendations can also suck users in for hours on end. Scientists described the results as 'peculiar' because, in theory, YouTube, Netflix and TV all appear to be similar watching activities. Dr Meg Pillion, the psychologist who led the research, and others suggested in the study that this could be due to the nature of the devices. Both Netflix and TV can be thought of as 'structured' media where users have decided to watch a particular program or movie with a clear start and end. But YouTube is 'almost entirely the opposite', they wrote, where content is 'endless' and 'personalized to the individual viewer by an algorithm that has learned what they like to watch'. They concluded: 'It is perhaps unsurprising that an app like YouTube that can be accessed on a portable device in bed displaying endless personalized content is associated with unfavorable sleep outcomes compared to a static device that displays content with a pre-determined beginning and end.' Researchers only found an association between YouTube and later sleep time, and could not prove whether the app was causing it or if it was down to other factors. They did not compare against using no devices or apps before bed because virtually none of the participants avoided either before bed. Scientists said teenagers need from eight to nine hours of sleep every night. But seven in ten American youngsters fail to get this much (file photo) The study was carried out between June and September in 2019, before TikTok was released in Australia and the Covid pandemic hit. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says every teenager should aim to get eight to 10 hours of sleep a night. But at this age as they start to go to bed later and get up later estimates suggest that seven in ten fail to get enough sleep. Health chiefs warn that being tired at this age can lead to them struggling to focus at school, affecting their grades and exam results. It can also raise the risk of them suffering depression or suicidal thoughts, they add, as well as being obese or having type two diabetes. Additionally, failing to sleep enough also makes them more likely to suffer accidents due to drowsiness affecting their focus. Previous research has pointed to TikTok as being one of the worst apps to look at just before going to sleep. In the survey on 2,000 people carried out by sleep science and review platform named Sleep Junkie researchers found 79 percent of those who used TikTok before bed said they felt tired during the day. For comparison, among those who used no apps before bed just 24 percent said they experienced the same feeling. A vast majority of Americans over 50 are suffering from join pain, with many saying the pain prevents them from taking part in some day-to-day activities. Pollsters at the University of Michigan found that 70 percent of Americans over 50 report suffering from joint pain - with eight percent describing their pain as 'severe'. Women and people older than 65 were the most likely to report pain. Joint pain can be debilitating for some sufferers. Half of those who reported feeling symptoms said it limited their physical activity and a third said it interfered with their day-to-day lives. Researchers are worried that many of the sufferers are choosing to manage their condition with over-the-counter pain relievers - which two-thirds reported - not realizing that there are safer more effective options available if they seek medical attention. They also worry that some prescription options are carrying risks that the patient may not be aware of. It can also be an early sign of arthritis, a serious medical condition that required medical attention to manage. The This National Poll on Healthy Aging report, published by the university on Monday, surveyed 2,277 people aged 50 to 80. Of the sample group, 70 percent reported some sort of regular joint pain. When asked about the severity of pain, 31 percent each said it was either mild or moderate pain Eight percent of respondents said that they suffered from severe joint pain. The remaining 30 percent did not report suffering from the condition. Risk of suffering from joint pain increased as age did, with just under three-of-four respondents in the older half of the age cohort, 65 to 80, reporting the condition. Among the younger half, those aged 50 to 64, 68 percent said that they were experiencing joint pain. Women also experienced an increased risk as well, with 75 percent reporting joint pain compared to 65 percent of men. Around half of those that said they do experience joint pain said they felt it every day, with the nearly the same amount also reporting that it limited activities they could take part in. Just over a third of joint pain-sufferers said that the symptoms interfered with their day-to-day lives. Mental and physical health played a role as well, according to the pollsters. 'Those who say their overall health is fair or poor were twice as likely to say they have moderate or severe joint pain as those in better health,' Dr Preeti Malani, a physician at Michigan Medicine, said in a statement. 'The difference was nearly as great between those who say their mental health is fair or poor than those who reported better mental health.' Many elderly Americans that are suffering from joint pain are using drugs to manage their condition, but experts fear they do not know the potential long-term negative side-effects of using them (file photo) Many patients are trying to self-medicate, with 80 percent saying they are confident they could manage it on their own. Two-thirds of sufferers use over-the-counter pain killers like Aleve or Tylenol to manage their pain. A quarter say they take some sort of daily supplement, while around 20 percent use marijuana or a CBD product. A large portion also utilize prescription drugs to manage their pain, usually being unaware of the risks those medications pose. There are sizable risks associated with many of these treatment options, especially when taken long-term or in combination with other drugs,' Dr Beth Wallace, an assistant professor of rheumatology at Michigan, said in a statement. 'Yet 60 percent of those taking two or more substances for their joint pain said their health care provider hadnt talked with them about risks, or they couldnt recall if they had.' 'And 26 percent of those taking oral steroids hadnt talked with a provider about the special risks these drugs bring.' Thousands of cans of Starbucks' Vanilla Espresso Triple shot energy drink are being recalled in seven states over fears shards of metal are inside them. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the warning for 2,600 cans sold at around $3 each labeled with the best before date March 20, 2023. It affects seven states: Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Oklahoma and Texas. It is not clear how metal shards may have got into the drink, but in similar cases this was due to bits of machines breaking off in factories and falling into products. Food safety experts 'strongly recommend' that products are screened for contamination at factories using X-rays, low-power microwaves and specialist metal detectors, Food Safety Magazine reports. Metal fragments pose a serious risk to consumers, with the FDA warning consuming them can lead to damage to teeth, cuts to the mouth and throat and in extreme cases punctured intestines that may lead to death. The above drink is being recalled across seven states. It is sold for about $3 each, normally in supermarkets and other stores. Starbucks and PepsiCo the manufacturer have not said how metal shards got into the drinks, but this may be down to pieces breaking off machines during manufacturing The FDA issued the recall on September 8, saying it was due to 'contamination by foreign material (metal fragments)'. Although the 15-oz cans carry the Starbucks logo, the drinks were manufactured by PepsiCo. Neither company responded to a DailyMail.com request for comment. The drinks are normally sold in supermarkets, convenience stores and other retail outlets, rather than cafes run by Starbucks themselves. The FDA considers any product contaminated if it is ready-to-eat and contains any hard or sharp object longer than 7 millimeters less than a centimeter. Glass is the most common contaminant, the Food Safety Magazine says, although other common types include metals and bits of plastic. They say companies are urged to check their products for contamination before they are dispatched for sale on shelves. This includes regular inspection of manufacturing lines to ensure no parts have broken off and fallen into the products, and the deployment of X-rays and low-power microwaves to look for possible contaminants. Health officials warn that consuming metal fragments in food risks damaging teeth as well as cuts to the throat or mouth. In extreme cases, the shards can also move into the intestine where they may cause perforations or make a hole in its wall. This is very painful and can cause toxins to leak into the rest of the body, which may result in death. Alerts are usually raised over recalls because they involve dangerous diseases such as E.coli, that pose a major risk to people's health. But there are also several recalls over contamination with 'foreign objects' every year which normally happens when a bit of the machine breaks off during manufacturing. Just last month animal cookies from Market Pantry which are shaped like a bear were recalled after it was found they may have been contaminated with metal. One of the most notable recalls this year was for popular brand Skippy peanut butter, where almost 10,000 cases weighing 161,000-lbs were recalled after shards of stainless steel were found inside some jars. BOOK OF THE WEEK The Daughter of Auschwitz by Tova Friedman and Malcolm Brabant (Quercus 20, 352pp) On January 25, 1945, panicky shots rang out across the Nazi extermination camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Six-year-old Tola Grossman a Polish Jew could already identify types of gun by their sounds. She noted chaotic bursts of machine gun fire, pistol pops and rifle cracks as she cowered in her barracks with around 50 other children. Tola heard her German captors shouting and their dogs growling as unbeknownst to the children they prepared to flee the approaching Russian army. In a memoir that bears witness to the full horror of the Holocaust, the 84-year-old widow (now called Tova Friedman, who changed her first name to Tova when she moved to America and her surname when she married) recalls the moment the barracks door burst open. Tola Grossman, aged 6, a Polish Jew, was in a Nazi extermination camp in 1945. Survivors: Children, including Tola (far left), reveal the identification numbers tattooed on their arms We all jumped, she says. In walked a woman I didnt recognise. She looked terrible. Her features were distorted by malnutrition. Her face was little more than a skull covered in parchment-thin skin. Her eyes had retreated into their sockets. But her body was puffy. Starvation did that to a person. It made their flesh swell. Tufts of dark brown hair sprouted from beneath a piece of cloth fashioned into a scarf in a futile attempt to seal in some warmth. Tola, its me. Mama, said the woman, crouching down to take her childs face in her hands. I was incredulous, remembers her daughter. I hadnt seen Mamas face for so long that I had forgotten what she looked like. Tola felt a wave of relief sweep through her. But she was not safe yet. In a memoir that bears witness to the full horror of the Holocaust, the 84-year-old widow (pictured -now called Tova Friedman, who changed her first name to Tova when she moved to America and her surname when she married) recalls the moment the barracks door burst open Her mother pulled her out of the barracks and told her the Nazis were rounding up their prisoners for a long march into Germany, hundreds of miles away. She pointed down at her red raw ankles and her feet, wrapped in sodden rags. I cant walk, she explained. Im going to be shot. Maybe you will make it. You might survive the march. But this is not a world for children. I dont want you to survive alone. So lets try to hide. Theres a chance we can survive together. And if we die, well die here together. Will you come with me? Tolas mother led her to the camp infirmary, where scores of beds were occupied by the dead and dying. She went from bed to bed, until she found the warm corpse of a young woman who had just died. Then she told her daughter to climb into the bed and hide beneath the blanket. I was extraordinarily calm, she says. She cleaved to the cadaver as the Germans searched the room, tipping patients to the floor. She didnt move until the sound of their jackboots had faded and her mother who had hidden somewhere else came back for her. Survivor children in the concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau after the liberation. 1945. Poland Two days later the Russian soldiers arrived and hugged the frail stick people in rags. They handed out rations from their own packs and filled the camp with laughter. One tall Russian lifted the emaciated Tola into the air with a huge grin on his face. Friedman says that from then on she would always regard January 27 as an alternative birthday, because this was the date on which she began to live freely for the first time. Born in September 1938, all of Tolas early childhood was spent in the terrifying shadow of the Nazi regime. Her family were among 15,000 Jews cramped into six four-storey buildings in the ghetto of Tomaszow Mazowiecki. A psychopathic Austrian policeman prowled the streets at night, to hunt and cull Jewish children. Friedman learned that after the war he was hanged as a war criminal: What a pity he only died once, she says. He deserved to be killed a thousand times over. Until Tola was four, she slept and ate under a kitchen table as the Nazis rapidly reduced the communitys access to food. She was so hungry she licked the paint from the walls. The electricity supply was cut along with the sewage system. Disease was rife. When she was three, her maternal grandmother was shot in the street. The Nazis had no use for old people, she reminds us, I never saw a person with white hair until I came to America. In an attempt to protect his family, her father a tailor enlisted as a policeman carrying out Nazi orders which he attempted to mitigate. This role gave him access to the information that would help save her life. But he left records that remind Tova that every day presented him with new insoluble dilemmas. Born in September 1938, all of Tolas early childhood was spent in the terrifying shadow of the Nazi regime. Her family were among 15,000 Jews cramped into six four-storey buildings in the ghetto of Tomaszow Mazowiecki He was ordered to place his own parents on the truck that took them to the extermination camp at Treblinka. I saw the look in their eyes, he said. They knew where they were going. There was nothing I could do. The Grossmans were kept alive to clean up after the Nazi killings and dig graves for his friends and neighbours. Regular Nazi selektions saw the rest of the family (including Tolas four and five-year-old cousins) loaded onto trucks also headed for Treblinka. Once the Tomaszow Mazowiecki community had been obliterated, the Grossmans were sent to Starachowice, where Tolas parents worked at an ammunition factory while the children roamed the streets careful not to get shot by the armed soldiers in the towns surrounding the camp. When she was fiveand-a-half, Tola an only child and her mother were packed off to Auschwitz and her father to Dachau. Friedmans account of her time at Auschwitz makes almost unbearable reading. But she asks that we do read it, because people are forgetting the depths to which superficially civilised humans sank. A 2020 survey revealed that twothirds of young Americans have no idea how many Jews died in the Holocaust and almost half couldnt name a single concentration camp. Twenty-three per cent believed the holocaust to be a myth or exaggerated. A similar survey in Europe in 2018 suggested a third of Europeans knew just as little. Her father survived Dachau and the family moved to America in 1950. But her mother never recovered from her emotional and physical trauma and died probably of a bleed on the brain as a result of being hit on the skull by a Nazi rifle when Tola was 18; her father moved to Israel and remarried. Tola went on to earn a degree in psychology and worked as a therapist. She married Maier Friedman and they had four children; her husband died two years ago. While helping survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, she began talking about her own history. During her first talk at a school near her home in New Jersey, Friedman described how her mother had protected her in Auschwitz. Suddenly I started crying. Me. The girl who couldnt and wouldnt cry in Auschwitz. Today she continues to speak across the U.S. She says audiences often come to her seeking answers to lifes fundamental questions. Theyve asked if I believe in God, if I could trust people or whether I could forgive. She tries to answer as honestly as she can. I do believe in God but not necessarily the biblical one. Trust is essential and I never lost my faith in humanity, despite my experiences. As for forgiveness in Judaism only the living can forgive. I have no authority to forgive on behalf of those who have been slaughtered. Mr. Hornimans Walrus: Legacies of a Remarkable Victorian Family by Clare Paterson (Michael OMara 20, 272pp) In 1886, one of the star attractions of the Colonial and Indian Exhibition in Kensington was a stuffed walrus. Queen Victoria visited the exhibition and admired it. It may have been the first time shed seen a walrus. It was probably also the first one the beasts taxidermists had come across. Unaware that a walruss thick skin is folded in loose layers, theyd ironed out its wrinkles and presented a surprisingly sleek, smooth creature. The tea merchant Frederick Horniman was so impressed that he bought it when the exhibition closed. It can still be seen today at the Horniman Museum in South London. For more than a century, visitors have enjoyed the collections of the Horniman without knowing much about the family after which its named. In this delightful, book, Clare Paterson looks at the lives of three generations of Hornimans. In 1886, one of the star attractions of the Colonial and Indian Exhibition in Kensington was a stuffed walrus, which Queen Victoria admired Born in 1803, John Horniman was the founder of the familys fortunes. His father that rare bird, a drunken Quaker, as one historian described him died aged 41. His mother quickly embarked on a second marriage to a widower with two daughters. Johns business career was initially a chequered one. He was a grocer in Birmingham, a cheese merchant in Somerset, and a draper in Northampton. At one point he was bankrupt, cast out of his Quaker community. However, in middle age, he hit upon the one idea that made him a very wealthy man. He decided to sell tea. Instead of selling loose tea, he would offer it in foil-lined sealed packets to guarantee its purity. This was an immediate success. Hornimans Tea was soon familiar in every household in the country. Adverts appeared showing Gladstone, Florence Nightingale and a then famous preacher named Charles Spurgeon. Johns son, Frederick, the walrus purchaser, inherited the family business and fortune. An enthusiastic collector from youth, his money enabled him to splash out. Mr. Hornimans Walrus: Legacies of a Remarkable Victorian Family by Clare Paterson (Michael OMara 20, 272pp) A list of other items he bought from the Colonial And Indian Exhibition (Bombay prayer mats, carved daggers a life-sized model of a Burmese man and a Burmese girl a bronze Hindu deity, and Queensland moths and butterflies in a case) gives some indication of his range of interests. By 1883, his collection was already so huge it required a full-time curator to look after it. During the year 1890, 40,000 people received an invitation from Horniman to inspect his enormous cabinet of curiosities. His wife gave him an ultimatum. No longer could thousands of visitors traipse through the marital home. A museum was built which Horniman eventually donated to the London County Council in 1901. Fredericks daughter, Annie, was, in Patersons words, a crop-haired, chainsmoking, bloomer-sporting cyclist with an independent mindset. As a young woman, she had ambitions to be an artist. She was drawn to the occult and joined the legendary Order Of The Golden Dawn until she fell out with its increasingly weird founder, MacGregor Mathers. She claimed to make regular astral journeys through time and space. After Fredericks death in 1906, his daughter came into her own, achieving the landmarks in theatre history for which she is best remembered. She used her inheritance to fund the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, until she fell out with its other backers. She established the Gaiety Theatre in Manchester, which played a leading role in the promotion of contemporary drama in the 1910s. Today, Hornimans Tea is largely a name from the past. The brand, which (curiously) remains popular is Spain, has long disappeared from the shelves of British shops. However, as Clare Paterson makes clear, the Horniman family itself should not be forgotten. Axed fund: Star stockpicker Terry Smith has closed his 325m Fundsmith Emerging Equities Trust Terry Smith has shocked the investment industry by announcing plans to close his emerging markets fund. The popular stockpicker, who founded the firm Fundsmith in 2010, is to shut the 325million Fundsmith Emerging Equities Trust (FEET) as its performance was not living up to expectations. The move stunned the City, with one analyst saying Smith had fired himself from a fund still earning him healthy fees. Fundsmith currently runs four funds. Its flagship Fundsmith Equity vehicle looks after 23.5billion of savers money. But while an investor who ploughed their savings into Fundsmith Equity in 2010 would now be sitting on six times their money, those in FEET are not so lucky. Since the stock market-listed trust was founded in 2014, it has made a 22.3 per cent return and underperformed its benchmark, the MSCI Emerging & Frontier Markets Index, which is up 67.9 per cent. Mauritius-based Smith, 69, said: We have always maintained that we would only run funds where we felt we had a particular edge that would allow us to deliver superior risk-adjusted returns. Whilst FEET has made a positive return since launch in 2014 it has fallen below our expectations and, unlike other fund managers who might seek to hold on to the fund for the sake of the fee income, we feel it would be in the best interests of shareholders to receive their investment back in cash through a liquidation of the portfolio and wind-up of the company. Several industry experts said the move was in their memory unprecedented. Fundsmith currently runs four funds. Its flagship Fundsmith Equity vehicle looks after 23.5bn of savers money Some have had to give up funds by investors Nelson Peltz, father-in-law of Brooklyn Beckham, was recently pushed to shut London-based Trian Investors 1. Neil Woodfords empire collapsed after Link, which oversaw his operations, shuttered his fl Woodford Equity Income fund following poor performance. Jason Hollands, of investment platform Bestinvest, said: It is hard to think of a previous example, certainly in recent history, of a fund manager deciding to fire themselves. Dzmitry Lipski, at Interactive Investor, praised Smith, saying it can be far better to wind an investment trust up and return money to shareholders, than to limp on for years. FEET owned few companies exposed to or based in China but as the country is the worlds second-largest economy, avoiding it has weighed on performance. If shareholders back liquidation, all assets will be sold, with the money returned to investors. There are growing calls for a zero-tolerance crackdown on dangerous dogs as a victim recalled how he feared for his life during a terrifying attack. Mubarak Ali was rushed to hospital and required emergency surgery to his arm after a vicious dog mauled him at a park in Sydney's southwest. The savage attack prompted a Canterbury-Bankstown councillor to lead calls for a one-attack kill policy which would see dogs automatically put down if they instigate an attack. New local government data has revealed almost 5,000 dog attacks were reported across NSW in the last 12 months, with American Staffordshire terriers listed as the breed involved in the most incidents. Mr Ali was on his morning run in Lakemba's Parry Park on September 5 when a large dog jumped on and knocked him onto to ground before clamping on his arm and refusing to let go. Mubarak Ali (left) was rushed to hospital last week after he was attacked by a dog on in morning run in a Lakemba Park. His friend Khodr Saleh (right) is calling for tougher laws Covered in blood, he eventually fought off the dog by hitting it with his other hand and pleaded with the dog owner to call an ambulance, who fled the scene without stopping to help him. 'The dog looked at the owner, looked at me, then decided to jump on me,' Mr Ali told the Daily Telegraph. Poll What do you think of a one-attack kill policy on dogs? Yes No Depends on the breed What do you think of a one-attack kill policy on dogs? Yes 116 votes No 57 votes Depends on the breed 27 votes Now share your opinion 'I thought I was going to lose my hand,' 'I'm lucky it was me running, it could have been a woman or a child.' Mr Ali spent 40 minutes waiting for ambulance before he was rushed to hospital. Canterbury-Bankstown councillor Khodr Saleh has since described the dog owner's actions as a coward act and called for the man to hand himself in to police or council. He called for a one-attack kill policy while sharing a photo sitting next to Mr Ali as he recovered in hospital. 'I visited my friend in Concord Hospital who was feared for his life during a 'vicious' dog attack on Monday morning,' Cr Saleh posted. 'The owner of the dog fled and did not stop to help him. The American Staffordshire terrier (pictured) was listed as the breed involved in the most reported dog attacks in NSW in the last 12 months 'The people of our local community deserve to walk through our local parks or street without fearing the risk of a dog attack. 'I call for a zero tolerance towards dangerous dogs in our local area.' Cr Saleh says more needs to be done to due to small number of irresponsible animal owners who fail to properly restrain and train their pets, 'If it is a dangerous dog, we need to put it down one human attack, and thats the line drawn,' he told the Daily Telegraph. It comes after a Sydney vet called for some dangerous dog breeds to be banned in Australia to prevent fatal attacks on their owners or their families. The vet, who wishes to remain anonymous, told Daily Mail Australia in September last year he wanted an immediate ban on selling, breeding, importing or rehoming American Staffordshire terriers. 'Most of the time they won't be killers,' he told Daily Mail Australia at the time. 'But when you're dealing with such a powerful breed that's been bred to fight and kill, when they really want to do this, nobody can do anything to fend them off. 'They should not be allowed to be bred in this country.' He added there were 'literally hundreds of puppies for sale on Gumtree for American Staffordshire Terriers'. 'These type of dogs are unpredictable and should be banned,' one Daily Mail Australia reader said at the time.' At least 4489 dog attacks occurred across NSW in the last year, according new local government data The Central Coast recorded the highest number of incidents with 271 incidents but also has the highest dog ownership rate statewide. The worst incident involved a five-week-old baby boy who was mauled to death by the familys American staffordshire terrier in Kariong in July 2021. Other council areas of concern included Blacktown (235 incidents), Lake Macquarie 226, Shoalhaven, (189), Northern Beaches (183) and Wollongong (149). Almost 5,000 dog incidents were recorded across NSW in the last year, according to new local government date (stock image) A five-week-old baby boy mauled to death by the familys American staffordshire terrier in Kariong on the NSW Central Coast last year. Pictured are tributes at the scene Sutherland, Sydney City, Newcastle and Bayside each all recorded more than 100 incidents. American Staffordshire terriers were involved in the highest number of reported incidents, with 723 attacks, almost double than the breed responsible for the second highest number. Bull terriers were involved 391 incidents while German Shepherds were involved in 261 attacks. It comes after a new report by the Sydney Children's Hospital (SCH) recently revealed a child is being admitted to a NSW hospital every week for treatment for a dog bite. The data took account of 628 patients who presented with dog-related injuries from 2010 to 2020 and found their average age was just five-years-old. The breeds involved in the most reported attacks were Pitbulls (10.3%), followed by Labradors (8.5%) and Rottweilers (6.8%). The top three were followed by Bulldog (6%), Border Collie (6%), Jack Russell (5.1%), Terrier (other) (5.1%), Kelpie (5.1%), German shepherd (4.3%) and others (42.7%). In NSW, from January 1 to March 31 there were 1,027 reported dog bites and which resulted in 69 animals being put down. Advertisement Environmentalists warn that hundreds of thousands of acres of forest are being torn down each year in the U.S. southeast to make wood pellets to fuel European power plants in a deluded bid to fight climate change. The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) and other groups say logging in woodlands stretching from Texas to Virginia is ravaging a biodiversity hotspot, including century-old hardwood trees that will take decades to replace. More than two dozen pellet mills operate across the so-called North American Coastal Plain, which has already lost some 70 percent of its historic vegetation thanks in part to a $11 billion global industry that is set to grow to $20.5 billion by 2030. The European Union this week voted to phase out the multibillion dollar subsidies that make wood pellet fuels economically viable, but environmentalists like Swedish teen Greta Thunberg and others say it is too little, too late. Dr. Treva Gear, who campaigns against the opening of a second Spectrum Energy wood facility in her hometown, Adel, Georgia, says felling, timber trucks and dirty pellet plants are wrecking her community. Environmentalist investigators say Enviva sources pellets from whole hardwood trees in Virginia and North Carolina, while the firm says it uses only tree tops, limbs and other waste More than two dozen pellet mills operate across the cherished woodlands of the North American Coastal Plain, says the Southern Environmental Law Center Climate activist Greta Thunberg has slammed the European subsidies that make wood-pellet burning viable 'When we save the forest, we save the people, and we oftentimes forget about the faces behind the forest,' Dr. Gear told DailyMail.com. 'It's an assault on the people to place an industry that releases such a huge amount of particulate matter, volatile organic compounds and dusts into the air.' Wood pellets are made from compressed sawdust, logging debris and even whole tree trunks and are used to fuel everything from home stoves to power stations. Advocates say they are cleaner than coal and help governments meet near-term carbon emission reduction targets as far-off solutions like wind and solar farms come online. Their green credentials are, however, questioned. A 2017 study by the World Resources Institute found that burning wood emits 2.5 times as much carbon dioxide pollution as does natural gas, and 30 percent more than coal. The supposedly 'green' power station Drax in the north of England burns taxpayer-subsidized wood pellets sourced from the U.S. southeast to provide 12 percent of the Britain's total electric power. Drax spews out 15.6 megatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year, which causes the planet to heat up and leads to extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and storms. The U.S. is the world's top pellet producer, making 8.6 million tons of chips in 2019 or 22 percent of global supply, mostly from the southeast, trailed by Canada (which produced 3.0 million tons), Vietnam (2.5 million) and Russia (1.6 million). David Carr, a Virginia-based lawyer with SELC, said the 7.5 metric tons exported by the U.S. last year required the harvesting of 137,656 acres of forest an area larger than American Samoa. Enviva is the world's top pellet firm. Its 10 plants in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi, produce some 6.2 million metric tons per year, mostly selling to the E.U., Japan and Britain, including Drax. Little remains but stumps and puddles in what was once a hardwood forest along the Roanoke River in northeastern North Carolina. The trees were turned into wood pellets for burning in power plants in Europe Logged hardwood timber being processed by wood pellet maker Enviva in Sampson County, North Carolina, in 2017, according to campaign group The Dogwood Alliance Enviva vice president Jason Eberstein says wood pellets buoy the southeast's economy, creating jobs and incentivizing landowners to maintain their forests and grow more trees. Pellets, he adds, are made from tree tops, limbs and other waste. 'Wood energy is part of the solution which is available today. And one that is backed by science, embraced by climate leaders around the world, and supported by Democrats and Republicans,' Eberstein wrote in Real Clear Energy this month. Clark University researchers disagree. Their study of satellite imagery found that between 2016 and 2018, Enviva pellet mills in North Carolina and Virginia sourced nearly half their wood from nearby hardwood forests. 'The vast majority of material harvested for these wood pellet facilities were tree trunks,' says the report. 'Cutting forests at this scale can degrade water quality for communities downstream and destroy wildlife habitats, further threatening at-risk species.' Another study by University of Maryland geography professor Matthew Hansen in 2013 found the rate of forest loss in the southeast's subtropical forests was four times that of South America's rainforests. A looming shortage of Russian gas in the wake of the Ukraine war has reignited enthusiasm for heating homes with coal and wood pellets in Europe. Pictured: a heating products business in Berlin, Germany Cooling towers stand within the Drax Group Plc.'s power station complex in Yorkshire, Britain, a former coal burning facility that now generates heat from compressed waste Environmentalists campaign against Drax's burning of wood pellets and other so-called biofuels outside Britain's Department for Business, Energy and Industry Strategy in London Worse still, say the campaigners, is that wood pellet production and export is driven by multibillion dollar subsidies by the U.K. and E.U., which treat wood as a renewable energy to fuel power stations and ease the transition away from fossil fuels like coal. The E.U. wants to expand renewable energy as quickly as possible, as it seeks to accelerate the transition to a carbon-neutral economy and end dependence on fossil fuels from Russia, which is under sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine. The European parliament on Wednesday voted in its renewable energy directive to 'phase down' public subsidies for the practice of burning trees and wood pellets for fuel, but dodged setting a target date for ending wood-burning. SELC's Carr said the directive had 'significant loopholes' that allowed many subsidies to continue, and this was only the 'beginning of the end' of the wrongheaded climate policy. Scot Quaranda, a spokesman for the Dogwood Alliance, said the parliament had squandered an 'opportunity to fix the grave policy errors that allowed for the burning of precious forests from the U.S. for electricity in Europe'. 'While they took a small step in that direction, the failure to end subsidies for this false solution to climate change means more forests and communities will continue to suffer in the Southern U.S.,' Quaranda told DailyMail.com. The Queen's funeral will be broadcast in Australia on several different free-to-air channels at 8pm AEST on Monday, September 19. More than 2,000 dignitaries, including those from Australia and the rest of the Commonwealth, will descend on Westminster Abbey to pay tribute to the monarch, after 70 years on the throne and to mark the end of 10 days of mourning. Australians will be able to watch all the pomp and circumstance live on mainstream channels including Channels Seven, Nine and ABC. Here's Daily Mail Australia's guide to where to catch the rolling coverage, which personalities are anchoring each broadcast and why Australia won't get a public holiday until three days after Queen Elizabeth II is laid to rest. Seven News, Nine News and ABC will broadcast the event live on Monday (pictured, left to right, Peter Phillips, the Duke of Sussex, the Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, Duchess of Sussex, the Countess of Wessex and Earl of Wessex follow the bearer party carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II into Westminster Hall on Wednesday) ABC You can catch the procession on ABC TV and ABC iView or listen to the coverage on ABC News Radio. You can also tune in to the ABC Listen app. Channel 7 The Seven Network will start rolling coverage of the event from 7pm after the nightly news. It is expected to continue into the night and the Sunrise team will follow on the next morning, most likely from Buckingham Palace. A Seven spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia the network will have a range of personalities reporting on the funeral, including David Koch, Natalie Barr, Edwina Bartholomew, Michael Usher, Hugh Whitfield and Bianca Stone. An extensive team of expert British royal commentators will also be taking part in the broadcast. The Seven Network will have a range of personalities in London reporting on the funeral, including David Koch and Natalie Barr (pictured) Channel 9 Viewers can tune into the Nine Network from as early as 11.30am, nearly nine hours before the service begins. The coverage will then be hosted by Georgie Gardner and Tom Steinfort until 2.30pm. Afterwards, Tracy Grimshaw, Peter Overton, Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon will host later in the evening and into the morning. Network Nine's Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon (pictured) will host on Monday evening and into the morning The Nine Network will start covering the event from as early as 11.30am on Monday, nearly nine hours before the service begins (pictured, Prince Harry and Meghan walk behind Prince William and Kate at the Palace of Westminster on Wednesday) What you will see The event will start with the Queen's coffin brought to Westminster Abbey in Central London on Monday, where the state funeral will take place at 11am UK time (8pm AEST). After that it will travel in a convoy to Wellington Arch, then on to Windsor before arriving at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle via the Long Walk. A service will be held at 4pm (1am AEST) before the Queen's coffin will be lowered into the Royal Vault on the grounds. This is where her late husband Prince Phillip the Duke of Edinburgh was laid to rest last year and where other family members lie. Prince Phillip's remains are expected to be relocated to alongside the Queen in the King George VI Memorial Chapel on the same grounds. The Queen's coffin will travel in a convoy to Wellington Arch (pictured) from Westminster Abbey in London It will then go on to Windsor before arriving at St. George's Chapel (pictured), Windsor Castle via the Long Walk Why Australia's public holiday comes after the funeral Australia's public holiday will come three days after the Queen's funeral - contrary to what many would expect (pictured, the Queen waves to onlookers in Bourke, NSW in 2000) Australia's public holiday will come three days after the Queen's funeral - contrary to what many would expect. In the UK, the funeral will be held on a public holiday - while Australia's will go ahead on September 22, a Thursday, and the day prior to Melbourne's AFL Grand FInal Public Holiday. This is because the Prime Minister and Governor General need to be back in the country for the public holiday to attend remembrance events in Canberra. During the funeral, they will be in London, so will need a few days to get back home. '(it is) because of the protocols that have been in place for decades indicated that the national remembrance day should be the day after the Governor-General (David Hurley) and myself return from London,' Mr Albanese explained. 'These aren't things that were put into place under my Prime Ministership, this has been worked out over many, many years.' Tracy Grimshaw, Peter Overton, Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon will host from 2.30pm onwards (pictured, Stefanovic and Langdon) Adilabad: When the founding fathers of the Indian republic sat down to write the Constitution, the feature that they gave utmost importance was equality. It was the cornerstone on which the Constitution stands. They wanted to each individual to enjoy equality in opportunity as well as treatment. But even 75 years after independence, successive governments failed to make good this constitutional pledge to several sections of people. Women are one of the sections who are facing the unjust treatment. Equality still eludes them in every sphere of their lives be it at home or workplace. The more the womens field of operations goes farther from the limelight, the more the magnitude of bias increases. Rural India especially agriculture is prime example of such inequality between men and women. Womens contribution is the key to three-quarters of farm-related operations. If one travels to the hinterland, one could invariably spot many women wearing a shirt and a trouser over their traditional attire engaged in farming operations. But the patriarchal structures that run deep in the society make equality a distant dream for them. The disparity is more pronounced in wages. While a woman gets Rs 200-250, a man gets Rs 400 to 500 per day for their work in agriculture. According to land owners, who are most often men, defend the wage differential, and claim that men get more wages because of the kind of work that they do. There is a strong notion among the people that men take up hard work that women cant perform and therefore womens work is quite easy. While men tile land and spray pesticides, women engage in farm operations by bending their bodies hundreds of times while picking cotton, mirchi, among others, planting paddy, cutting crops, and weeding and sowing seeds. All the farm activities that women perform require a unique skill. We do not get equal treatment. Though we work on par with our male counterparts in agriculture, we observed that men face mental pressure as far farming is concerned, unlike women, said Gunnamma Gunjala, 35, of Thantholi village of Adilabad Rural Mandal. While stating that women feel safe and secure when they are with their men, Maddikuntla Sujatha of Thantholi insisted that they are not weak and they could fight for their rights, whenever it was required. We can even question our men. But we always try to be within our limits, she said. Despite the work that women undertake require unique skills, women wont get wages equal to that of their male counterparts in agriculture operations. Narayana Maddikuntla, considered a big farmer of Adilabad, acknowledged this gap in wages. He, however, attributes discrimination towards women in wages because of they are considered to be the weaker gender, especially when it comes to working for longer hours, undertaking labour-intensive work, and lifting heavy objects. While acknowledging that the work done by the women is more important in agriculture and admitting that agricultural activity will not move an inch without the involvement of the women, he dismissed the need to question the status quo. This was the tradition that was handed down from our forefathers, Narayana said. Things may change; he said if the women foray into areas which are traditionally regarded as male bastions. According to The Fifty years of Oxfam in India document under the title of Right to Gender Equality notes that millions of women in India are not only poor but they are also oppressed. It further notes that Individually and collectively, women gain confidence from their improved economic position and take on issues of domestic violence, alcoholism, dowry harassment, equal wages, and harassment by the police or forest department personnel. Women farm workers come from the SC, ST, and BC communities. According to the 68th Round of the National Sample Survey, as many as 64.1 per cent of SC and ST women were engaged as workers in agriculture in 2011-12 in India. The women also are left away from farming operations during the menstruation period. Going by the names of schemes, the government appears to have ignored the contribution of women agriculturalists. The slogans Rythu Bidda, Rythe Raju, Vyavasayanni Panduga Cheddam and Rythunu Rajunu Cheddam often declare the men to be the key part of the schemes. MGNREGS AND ITS ROLE: The central government-sponsored MGNREGS or the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme turned out to be a ray of hope as it pays wages equally to men and women. According to social activist Chakradhar Buddha, the MGNREG scheme is a testimony to what governments can achieve as far as gender equality wages, working conditions, and the nature of work are concerned. He noted that the MNREGS has played a pivotal role with regard to womens participation in rural jobs. LAND OWNERSHIP AND ITS FALLOUT: The womens ownership of agricultural land increased after the distribution of three-acre land under the Dalit Basti scheme by the Y.S Rajasekhar Reddy government in 2004. Apart from this, men have transferred pieces of big land holdings to the womens names to cash in on the governments welfare schemes. The situation, however, continues to remain dismal, especially for those who have lost their husbands. In most cases, the in-laws refuse to transfer the property to their daughter-in-law as they fear that she may remarry which could result in the loss of their property. Citing the impending marriage of their grandchildren, they put off transferring the property to the woman, making her lose out on the governments welfare schemes. MEDIA AND ITS ROLE: B. Kondal Reddy of an agricultural NGO Rythu Swarajya Vedika said the mainstream media plays a key role in creating a perception among the people about the farmers. It generally depicts a farmer as a man with headgear carrying a plough on his shoulder. While reporting on farmer suicides, he said the media typical report only about male farmers. He urged the media to use words and symbols that show both male and female farmers while writing about or discussing the farmer issues. DESIGNING MORE INCLUSIVE TOOLS AND POLICIES: The government should take steps to design agriculture tools that are suitable for women farmers, said S. Ashalatha of Mahila Kisan Adhikaar Manch (MAKAAM). The agricultural tools should be lighter in weight and easy to handle to encourage more women to engage in operations like tilling and spraying pesticides. So far, the tools have been developed keeping men in mind, she explained. Ashalatha further urged the government to relook at the policies and change the criteria to be recognised as farmers to reflect womens role and include them as beneficiaries of the government policies. She underscored the need for effective on-ground implementation gender budget so that women get their due share of recognition, avail the benefit of welfare schemes and also enjoy self-respect. Once their husbands pass away, Ashalatha said women are denied loans and deferred payments for seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides, assuming that women may not be able to repay loans on time. She also claimed that women were worst affected by the governments land acquisition for development projects as the onus of repaying loans often fell on them. The increasing feminisation of agriculture on account of the migration of men further exacerbated their condition as they were side-lined from decision-making in corporate-driven agriculture. Princess Anne's heartfelt dignity in the public mourning of her mother prompts the question: Why hasn't she been appointed a new Counsellor of State and allowed to stand in for her brother, the King? With Charles's elevation to the throne, Princess Beatrice takes his place as counsellor, joining William, Harry and her father Andrew. Anne was a counsellor from 1971 until she was replaced by William in 2003 when he turned 21. With non-working royals Andrew and Harry surely unsuitable to continue as counsellors, shouldn't King Charles send them packing, amend the Regency Act 1937 and restore his sister as a matter of urgency? Princess Anne's heartfelt dignity in the public mourning of her mother prompts the question: Why hasn't she been appointed a new Counsellor of State and allowed to stand in for her brother, the King? The King's brotherly concession to allow Andrew to wear his uniform at one of the ceremonial farewells comes after the disgraced prince pointed out he was the only one of the Queen's four children to have seen active service (the senior medal on his chest is the South Atlantic medal awarded after the Falklands conflict). Charles served but not in a theatre of war, Anne never served and Edward managed four months of training with the Royal Marines. Anne's husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence was expected to be promoted by the Queen to Admiral in 2020 to mark his 65th birthday at the same time as Andrew received the honour for his 60th. When Andrew's promotion was halted, so was Tim's. The King is expected to make amends to his brother-in-law. Following a clash on the airwaves with Lady Victoria Hervey, pictured, Boris's former paramour Petronella Wyatt snaps: 'Was on Piers Morgan [Uncensored] with the most extraordinary woman called Lady Victoria Hervey. Most snobbish person I have ever met.' She adds of model Hervey, daughter of the late 6th Marquess of Bristol: 'Insisted on being called 'Lady Victoria' and described her profession as 'aristocrat'. Enough to make one a Communist.' Following a clash on the airwaves with Lady Victoria Hervey, pictured, Boris's former paramour Petronella Wyatt snaps: 'Was on Piers Morgan [Uncensored] with the most extraordinary woman called Lady Victoria Hervey. Most snobbish person I have ever met' Sir Kenneth Branagh complains that portraying Boris in the Sky Atlantic drama, This England, involved three hours of daily make-up. 'I had to wear various prosthetics, a hairpiece and we had to pull down the eyelids,' he wails. 'It was brilliant but meant I was a soup-consuming person all day. I wasn't allowed to chew.' Eton Mess through a straw anyone? Sir Kenneth Branagh complains that portraying Boris in the Sky Atlantic drama, This England, involved three hours of daily make-up Is pen company founder George S Parker spinning in his grave after the new King's ink malfunction at Hillsborough Castle? The company has two Royal Warrants from the late Queen and her successor, manufacturing pens and pencils for mum and grander sounding writing instruments for Charles. At least he didn't bark: 'I can't bear this bloody writing instrument.' HM's royal tantrum amuses former jewellery boss Gerald Ratner who disastrously joked about selling 'total crap' more than 30 years ago. He tweets: 'I think it was me who sold Charles that pen.' Advertisement Heather Locklear was almost unrecognizable when she was spotted by DailyMail.com cameras earlier this week as she stepped out to run errands in Calabasas. The face of the Melrose Place alum, who turns 61 later this month, appeared noticeably swollen and plump as she made a rare public appearance on Monday afternoon. The sighting comes about five months after the actress was last photographed in public looking happy and healthy as she headed to an Easter Sunday party with fiancee Chris Heisser. But on Monday, Locklear was seen with a face so puffy it appeared that her eyes were closed. DailyMail.com consulted with Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Charles S. Lee to try to determine the reason for her swollen appearance, but he did not believe it to be the result of a cosmetic procedure. Heather Locklear was almost unrecognizable while running errands around LA earlier this week The Melrose Place alum, 60, appeared noticeably puffy in the face as she stepped out in Calabasas on Monday afternoon The actress dressed comfy and casual in ripped army green overalls, a white tank top, and flip flops, and had her beloved Maltese, Mister, tucked under her arm Locklear, who turns 61 on September 25, was last photographed in public in April this year (left) while heading to an Easter Sunday party with fiancee Chris Heisser. Her last red carpet appearance was nearly a year ago (right) during the premiere of her Lifetime TV movie in October 2021 The board-certified doctor has gained a following on TikTok thanks to his popular video series in which he speculates about 'celebrity plastic surgery secrets.' After reviewing the photos, the surgeon told DailyMail.com he did not see any indication of a plastic surgery or Botox treatment on the actress. Locklear, who got engaged to her childhood sweetheart in 2020, otherwise appeared to be in good spirits during the trip and at one point seemed lost in thought as she left a local shop. The Hollywood star looked comfy and casual in ripped army green overalls, a white tank top, and black flip flops, and had her pet Maltese dog, Mister, tucked under her arm. She was not wearing her engagement ring. Locklear has kept a low profile following a very public rough patch that saw her fall into substance abuse that resulted in several brushes with the law and a stint in a mental health facility in recent years. She has since got back on the straight and narrow, and recently celebrated over two and half years of sobriety. The reason for the swelling appearance is unexplained, and it is not believed to be a result of a cosmetic procedure, according to Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Charles S. Lee who spoke to DailyMail.com Locklear otherwise appeared to be in good spirits during the trip and at one point seemed lost in thought as she strolled left a local store after picking something up Locklear made her return to the small screen last October starring in Lifetime TV movie, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff: The Kristine Carlson Story, her first project in almost five years. She is pictured above with the cast at the world premiere of the film She also made her return to the small screen last October starring in Lifetime TV movie, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff: The Kristine Carlson Story, her first project in almost five years. The former Melrose Place star played Kristine Carlson, co-author of the best-selling book Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, which she had written with her husband Dr. Richard Carlson. In June 2020, DailyMail.com broke the exciting news that three years after rekindling her relationship with her high school sweetheart, she accepted Chris's proposal. The duo had graduated high school together in 1979 but parted ways, but were on and off as she struggled with substance abuse. Heather then went on to marry rockers Tommy Lee, 58, from 1986 to 1993 and Richie Sambora, 61, from 1994 to 2007, with whom she has a daughter, Ava, 24. Chris gained success as an AMA motocross racer, and a contractor, he has also been married and divorced, and has four children. An Alabama inmate who authorities say escaped with the help of a jail supervisor who later killed herself in Indiana shared nearly 1,000 phone calls with the woman before the breakout. Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton said Casey White and Vicky White, who were not related, may have planned his escape over the phone but authorities must listen to each of 949 calls before making a determination. Authorities have said the two were in a romantic relationship and Singleton said at least some of the calls were sexual in nature. The phone calls occurred after Casey White was transferred from the Lauderdale County Jail to a state prison where he was held until being returned to Lauderdale County before the escape, the sheriff said. Casey White walked out of the county jail in handcuffs in April accompanied by Vicky White, the assistant corrections director. On the day of the escape, Vicky White, 56, told co-workers she was driving the inmate to a mental health evaluation. But the pair disappeared, prompting authorities to launch a frantic 11-day search. The two were eventually discovered in Evansville, Indiana, where Casey White was captured. Vicky White shot herself in the head moments before the man was arrested, authorities said at the time. This combination of photos provided by the U.S. Marshals Service and Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office in April 2022 shows inmate Casey Cole White, left, and Assistant Director of Corrections Vicky White Escaped inmate Casey White arrives at the Lauderdale County Courthouse in Florence, Ala., after waiving extradition in Indiana on May 10, 2022 Casey White now faces further trials in the wake of the escape, but his defense has filed documents suggesting Vicky White was in charge of the escape and Casey White's mother has said he might not have known what was going on. The pair shared near 1,000 phone calls while Casey White was locked up at the William Donaldson Correctional Facility, serving a 75-year sentence for a string of crimes that included the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend and multiple kidnappings. In July, Casey White was charged with the murder of Vicky White, though authorities said at the time that she shot herself in the head. Casey was immediately arrested after the chase on May 9. Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly announced that Casey had been indicted for murder, but court documents do not state that he shot Vicky in the head. The indictment, seen by DailyMail.com, showed that the 6ft9 prisoner was charged with first-degree escape 'and in the course and furtherance of committing escape in the first degree, caused the death of Vicky White, who died from a gunshot wound to the head.' Casey White was charged with the murder of Vicky White, who helped him plan his escape across the country. Casey is pictured at court in Florence, Alabama, with his hands cuffed and his feet shackled after his arrest The escaped prisoner, standing 6ft 9 tall, towers over the Indiana officers who arrested him after the car he was driving was run off the road An Indiana sheriff said the pair were carrying $29,000 in cash, four handguns and an AR-15 rifle and were prepared for a shootout when they were captured. The end of the manhunt left authorities trying to piece together what happened during the 11 days that elapsed after Vicky escorted Casey from the prison in Alabama. The inmate and Vicky White appeared to have had a 'jailhouse romance,' according to Alabama authorities. As for her role in the escape, the sheriff said: 'He was not forcing her. It was a mutual relationship.' Casey had been awaiting trial at the Florence prison for reportedly stabbing Connie Ridgeway, 58, to death during a 2015 burglary. He has confessed the crime, claiming he was paid to commit the heinous act. If convicted, he could get the death penalty. Sheriffs in Indiana are seen investigating the crumpled wreck of the car, in which Vicky White killed herself These are all of the weapons the couple had in their Cadillac when they were rammed into a ditch by police, before Vicky died Investigators believe the pair spent about six days holed up at a motel in Evansville after arriving on May 3, and discovered a variety of wigs as a way to disguise themselves. Dave Wedding, sheriff of Vandenburgh County, said investigators do not believe the two had relatives or other contacts in the city of 120,000. Authorities closed in on them after the manager of a car wash reported that a man closely resembling the 6-foot-9, 260-pound Casey White had been recorded by a surveillance camera getting out of a pickup truck. Investigators said they located the pickup, then learned that the pair may have switched to a Cadillac, which was then spotted outside a motel nearby. Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, Motel 41 manager Paul Shaw said: 'They stayed in a room not in their name. Somebody else rented the room and checked them in. 'A local man with a local ID checked in and signed the stub. I never saw them I wish I had but they stayed in the room. 'People come and go here, we don't keep track.' The couple had just $29,000 of the $90,000 Vicky had withdrawn when they were caught by officers Rooms at the motel are all accessed independently by exterior doors, meaning guests do not need to walkthrough the small reception area except to use the vending machine or to check in. Shaw, an electrical engineer by trade, said that he works the morning shift and never saw Casey or Vicky. When the couple left the motel, police chased them down, with Casey telling investigators after his capture that 'he was probably going to have a shootout at the stake of both of them losing their lives.' The inmate appeared by video in May in an Indiana courtroom, where he waived extradition, before being sent back to Alabama. Vicky, assistant director of corrections at the Lauderdale County jail, had put in for retirement ahead of the escape, and the day of the breakout, April 29, was her last day of work. Sherry Sylvester had worked alongside Vicky for 16 years, saying: 'I know she did wrong and made a terrible mistake, but she's still your friend.' She said that Vicky often tried to help prisoners, particularly ones without family, but she had never seen her do anything that crossed the line claiming she was 'by the book.' Connie Moore, Casey White's mother, said she last spoke with him by phone the day before the escape. She said: 'Everything was just as normal as it could be. I doubt he even knew he was leaving when she came in there to get him.' The 63-year-old woman who was struck and killed by a train has been identified as a local hero that neighbours loved so much they painted her on a power pole. Becki Townsend Gun was hit by a train near Clarence Park Train Station in the Black Forest, central Adelaide, just before 1 pm on Tuesday. Ms Townsend Gun was known to walk across the track's pedestrian crossing twice a day to take each of her dogs for a separate walk. 63-year-old Becki Townsend Gun (above) was hit and killed by an Adelaide train on Tuesday It's believed she went onto the tracks to try and rescue her dog, an elk hound named Floyd, when they were struck. Both Ms Townsend Gun and her dog died at the scene. The collision was just metres from Ms Townsend Gun's home and some of her beloved neighbours witnessed the tragic crash. Neighbour and friend Annie Wawryk said Ms Townsend Gun was a retiree and much-loved member of the Clarence Park community. The train struck Ms Townsend Gun near Clarence Park Train Station in Black Forest, it is believed she went onto the tracks to rescue her dog 'She was very close to all the neighbours. She was a really lovely person and she really cared about other people,' she told Seven News. 'She was loved on the street. She was really outgoing and gregarious. She would chat to everyone.' One of the ways Ms Townsend Gun would help out was by staying with a neighbour with dementia so his wife could duck out to buy groceries. Neighbours painted Ms Townsend Gun's portrait on a power pole two years ago to thank her for her kindness. She is pictured with one of her two dogs. Locals painted Ms Townsend Gun a power pole mural (above) two years ago to thank her for her kindness, she is pictured with one of her two dogs Ms Wawryk said the community is 'devastated' by Ms Townsend Gun's death. 'It just seemed so unfair that she'd go this way,' she said. Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash. Passengers on the train said they heard the conductor honking as they travelled towards Ms Townsend Gun and her dog, followed by two bumps as the train hit them. Police are still investigating the train collision that killed Ms Townsend Park (pictured, emergency services at the scene) The Seaford and Flinders train lines were closed while emergency services worked at the scene and the people inside the train were required to stay onboard for about an hour. Buses and taxis were then sent to collect the shaken passengers. Premier Peter Malinauskas said an investigation will decide whether Ms Townsend Gun's death was preventable. 'Whenever there is an accident of this nature, the circumstances of it will be closely examined to work out if anything can be done in the future to prevent it, that is reasonable,' he said on Wednesday. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children will not be granted HRH status when they are appointed by prince and princess by King Charles III, a source has claimed. Archie, three, and Lilibet, one, are set to be officially made prince and princess in the near future as Charles has agreed to issue a Letters Patent to grant the titles. But a report claims that following tense talks between the new King over recent days, the Sussexes have been left 'furious' that their children will not also get HRH titles. Harry and Meghan are said to have highlighted that Prince Andrew's daughters Beatrice and Eugenie have HRH status despite not being working royals. A source told The Sun: 'Harry and Meghan were worried about the security issue and being prince and princess brings them the right to have certain levels of royal security. There have been a lot of talks over the past week. The source added: 'But they have been left furious that Archie and Lilibet cannot take the title HRH. That is the agreement they can be prince and princess but not HRH because they are not working royals.' The Duke and Duchess of Sussex pictured with daughter Lilibet and son Archie shortly before Christmas last year King Charles III walks behind Queen Elizabeth II's coffin as it is transported on a gun carriage from Buckingham Palace to The Palace of Westminster on Wednesday The Sussexes are said to have been left 'furious' that their children will not also get HRH titles Archie and Lilibet are entitled to the titles following the death of the Queen as part of rules set out by King George V in 1917 - which limited the number of royals using HRH. Royal expert Phil Dampier told MailOnline today: 'Letting Archie and Lilibet become a Prince and Princess but not have HRH titles would be a classic compromise. 'The same thing happened to Diana and Fergie after they were divorced from Charles and Andrew. And of course Sarah Ferguson is still the Duchess of York today. 'Harry and Meghan should be pleased as using Prince or Princess sounds good in the States. 'But even though their children are still high up in the line of succession they will not be working royals so it's quite right they shouldn't have titles. 'Lots of people think Harry and Meghan themselves should lose their titles, so I think they should just accept this compromise and be grateful as it could be a lot worse for them and their children.' Photos captured a poignant moment for the Duke of Sussex (left with the Duchess of Sussex right) as he held his head in his hand, shielding his eyes, and looked down as the Queen's coffin was moved inside the Palace of Westminster Prince Harry and his brother Prince William stood together with their wives Meghan and Kate as they put aside their bitter feud to pay their respects to their grandmother Meghan has previously claimed the HRH title was earlier denied to Archie because of his race. And when asked if it was 'important' for Meghan that Archie be called a prince, she said she doesn't have any attachment to the 'grandeur' of official titles. Meanwhile, the Sussexes stopped using their own HRH styles after stepping down as senior working royals for a life in Los Angeles, and there were later calls for their duke and duchess titles to be removed. In 1917, King George V issued new letters patent that limited the number of royal family members with an HRH title. The Queens grandfather's rules stated that 'the children of any Sovereign of these Realms and the children of the sons of any such Sovereign and the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales shall have and at all times hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness with their titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their respective Christian names or with their other titles of honour'. When Archie was born seventh in line to the throne in May 2019, he was too far down the line of succession. Although he was a great-grandchild of the monarch, he was not a first-born son of a future king, so was not automatically a prince. William, Kate, Harry and Meghan walk into the Palace of Westminster for a service on Wednesday Harry and Meghan after a service for the reception of Queen Elizabeth II's coffin at Westminster Hall It comes after Prince Harry seemed overcome with emotion as he honoured Queen Elizabeth II for her moving lying in state service inside Westminster Hall on Wednesday. As the late monarch's coffin was placed in the hall, photos captured a poignant moment for the Duke of Sussex as he held his head in his hand, shielding his eyes, and looked down. Wearing a suit decorated with medals, he is standing next to the Duchess of Sussex, who is looking down with a sombre expression on her face. Prince Harry and his brother Prince William stood together with their wives Meghan and Kate as they put aside their bitter feud to pay their respects to their grandmother. The Sussexes stood at the back of the group of royals, with Harry directly behind William and Meghan behind Kate. The touching moment is the first time the couples have been seen together since their surprise walkabout together at Windsor Castle on Saturday, and a rare show of togetherness. Royal couples left the building side by side, with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex holding hands and the Princess of Wales rubbing her husband's arm reassuringly. A 20-year-old man has become a serious contender for Australia's dumbest criminal after allegedly stealing a $250,000 car and then crashing it into a police vehicle. The alleged offender used a stolen Ford Territory to hitch up a trailer with the Nissan Skyline GTR on board. The Skyline had recently been imported to Australia and the owner had fitted it with GPS tracking. The alleged offender used a stolen Ford Territory to hitch up a trailer with the Nissan Skyline GTR on board, then crashed it into a police vehicle. Pictured is the scene after the car later crashed into a fence On Wednesday. he noticed suspicious movement in Nutfield, Victoria and called the police. Using the GPS details, the police followed the Ford Territory carrying the Nissan through Diamond Creek - 23km north-east of Melbourne's CBD - and tried to intercept it. But the Territory then crashed into a police vehicle on Reynolds Road. The collision caused some damage, but no one was injured. A police Air Wing aircraft then followed the Ford through Hurstbridge before it crashed into a fence at a property on Kamarooka Drive. The driver fled on foot, but police arrested the Bundoora man a short time later. He is helping police with their enquiries. A medical student has claimed his neighbourhood he is from and his humble state high school background led to him being 'snobbed' at one of Australia's most prestigious universities. The experience was so humiliating that Fahad Khan, 23, said it almost caused him to give up his dream of becoming a doctor. In a TikTok video, which has almost 500K views, third-year medical student Fahad recalled his experience of attending Sydney University's Open Day as a 17-year-old year 12 student in 2016 from western Sydney. Excited to go and explore the campus, Fahad soon found himself ostracised and alone while other students chatted among their elite friendship groups - who all mostly go to the same private schools. Under the caption 'Getting snobbed @USyd Open Day as a person from Western Sydney', Fahad explained what happened when he attended the medicine information session. 'I saw that there were two medical students, I think, and about 10 Year 12 students with them,' Fahad said. 'When I went close to them I heard them speaking about things like "does Mr X still teach maths and does Mrs X still do that?", which indicated to him both the prospective and current students had all attended the same schools. 'And they were all having a laugh and I went "look they are all mates, that's like pretty nice".' Fahad eventually went to the University of NSW to study neuroscience and is now at the University of Western Sydney doing his medical degree The caption on the TikTok video changes to: 'This is why I believe there's parts of USyd with a toxic selective/private school culture' as Fahad describes trying to join in the conversation. 'I tried to say hello and they ignored me,' he explained. 'And then I say it again... I say "hi, my name's Fahad".' 'And they all turned around and they looked at me and then they looked away and one of the medical students was like "oh, hi". 'And then they all started talking about their high school again and I said "what the hell? They just like kind of ignored me",' Fahad says. 'But I said "you know what? The session is starting in five minutes, maybe this is just a group of mates and fair enough if they want to talk to their mates before they start talking to everyone, that's fine".' However, things did not improve when the session started. 'The first question they asked was "which high school did everyone go to?",' Fahad says. 'Most of them were James Ruse students, there was some Sydney Boys [High] and Sydney Girls. In his TikTok video Fahad says there is a 'toxic selective/private school culture' at Sydney University 'I was the only student from a non-selective non-private school.' A number of people reported that they had similar experiences to Fahad at Sydney University Fahad, who eventually went to University of NSW to gain a neuroscience degree and is now at the University of Western Sydney doing his third year of medical studies, describes what happened next as 'unbelievable'. He said all those from the selective and private schools were taken to one side of the room to talk to the current medical students, while he was left alone on the other side. 'I asked them 'Am I coming? Am I also included in this?' 'And the medical student turned around to me and he was like "oh, there's like this third medical student going to come, you hang out with that person" and I was like "what the hell?".' Those commenting on Fahad's TikTok video showed his experience was far from unique The third medical student never showed up. Fahad decided he was 'going to force' himself into the experience. 'So, I went there and I sat with them, and I forced myself to sit with them and do what they were doing,' Fahad says. 'And I kid you not throughout the entire 100 per cent of the session they were talking about inside jokes from their high school. 'Whenever I asked a question like, "how was first year? How was second year?" they were like, "oh yeah, it's alright". 'Then they looked away and started talking about their high school again and I was like, "what the hell is wrong with these people?".' Fahad said the experience was shattering. One TikTok user, who said they worked at the university, expressed their horror at the story 'I remember leaving that session completely humiliated,' he said. 'Then on the train home I remember thinking about how my peers at school would laugh at me when I said I wanted to be a doctor and they would just say to me "you know some dreams are out of reach". 'That day almost made me believe I couldn't be a doctor.' A spokesperson for the University of Sydney said that Fahad's story was 'dismaying' 'We are deeply committed to diversity and to helping talented students realise their potential, whatever their social, cultural or financial circumstances,' a spokesperon said. 'We are dismayed by the experience Fahad Khan describes. 'We work hard to ensure everyone is accepted and has equal opportunities on our campuses. 'But we also know we need to do more to attract, support and retain students who have traditionally been under-represented and under-served in higher education.' On its website Sydney University says that 'welcoming is part of our culture'. 'We get behind a range of activities to ensure everyone is accepted and has equal opportunities when it comes to education and employment in our university,' the university writes under the heading of 'Diversity'. The comments underneath the video made it clear that Fahad's experience wasn't unique. 'I went through usyd med as one of the only non selective/public schooled/low SES students and it was so isolating being around so much privilege,' one wrote. 'Usyd was so toxic, I transferred there my 2nd uni year and the vast majority of people looked down on me for the area I came from,' another said. 'Definitely a superiority complex held by many students at usyd,' another wrote. 'They won't go too far. I go usyd and I swear med sci kids r always like this!' Fahad's story touched at least one person who said they were associated with the university. 'From someone that works at USYD: Really sorry you had to go through this man. Was heartbreaking to watch,' they wrote. The editor-in-chief of Russian state newspaper Pravda died of a 'stroke' during a business trip, the latest Putin ally to expire in mysterious circumstances. Vladimir Nikolayevich Sungorkin, 68, was reportedly showing signs of 'suffocation' when he died on Wednesday. The 68-year-old, was travelling towards Khabarovsk with colleagues from the paper before they were due to head to Moscow, when he fell unconscious. His colleague Leonid Zakharov explained that three minutes later, Vladimir began to suffocate and the group took him out for fresh air. He said that no one could save him and he sadly passed away, with the doctor who initially examined him concluding that he died of a stroke. Mr Sungorkin fell ill minutes after he said that the group should 'find a beautiful place somewhere... for lunch' according to the media outlet. Vladimir Nikolayevich Sungorkin, 68, pictured with Putin, was reportedly showing signs of 'suffocation' when he died on Wednesday The 68-year-old, pictured with Putin, who worked as editor-in-chief at Komosomolskaya Pravda, was travelling towards Khabarovsk with colleagues before they were due to head into Moscow, when he fell unconscious. His colleague Leonid Zakharov explained that three minutes later, Vladimir began to suffocate and the group took him out for fresh air Putin had praised the staunch pro-Kremlin media outlet Komosomolskaya Pravda in 2020 on the 95th anniversary of its first issue. He wrote in a statement: 'The legendary Komsomolka has traveled a long creative path over these years and has written brilliant unforgettable pages in the history of the Russian media. 'It is crucial that the current staff of the newspaper pass on these traditions from generation to generation and strive to retain the newspaper's flagship position in the Russia media market.' Mr Sungorkin's colleagues wrote in an obituary that the journalist was a 'symbol of new national journalism' and had built the newspaper into a 'mighty empire.' He said that no one could save him and he sadly passed away, with the doctor who initially examined him concluding that he died of a stroke. Pictured: Putin and Sungorkin The 68-year-old is the latest in a long line of Putin allies to die in mysterious circumstances. Local Russian media outlets reported that Ivan Pechorin died most recently, after 'falling from a boat' in Vladivostok. Mr Pechorin was aviation director for Russia's Far East and Arctic Development Corporation. Local Russian media outlets reported that Ivan Pechorin, pictured, died most recently, after 'falling from a boat' in Vladivostok And on February 25, the body of Alexander Tyulakov, a senior Gazprom financial and security official was found by his lover. It came after the death Leonid Shulman, who was head of transport at Gazprom Invest. He was found three weeks earlier with stab wounds on his bathroom floor. Other allies who were found dead included Vladislav Avayev, 51, an ex-vice-president of Gazprombank and former Kremlin official and Sergey Protosenya. Motorists should fill up their cars now with petrol prices set to skyrocket in the coming weeks. Cost-of-living watchdog One Big Switch's Joel Gibson warned petrol prices would jump from an average of $1.65 per litre to more than $2 as the federal government reintroduces the fuel excise tax and price cycles refresh. The fuel excise will see prices jump by about 22c per litre by September 30. Fuel prices are set to jump by at least 60c per litre in coming weeks with motorists urged to fill up now However, normal price cycles are set to increase petrol prices at the same time. The coinciding price factors will bring fuel prices up by at least 60c per litre, with averages expected to be well over $2 per litre. Mr Gibson said retailers have two options when increasing fuel prices, they could choose to bring in both the new cycle and fuel excise at once or spread the cost over a few weeks. One option would allow retailers to pin the blame of the massive increase on the government's tax but the other would allow customers a chance to adjust. Average prices are set to increase to well above $2 per litre with the government's fuel excise set to be reintroduced on September 30 and normal price cycles refreshing On the other hand, some retailers could hold off on hiking prices until cheaper fuel already sitting in their tanks is used up. 'When the tax was removed, we were told to be patient as it would take two to six weeks for the cheaper fuel to start flowing. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, it should also take two to six weeks for the 25 cents per litre price hike to be added back on,' Mr Gibson told Nine News. To help save a bit of money at the pump, Mr Gibson said motorists should regularly use a fuel-map app to monitor when each retailer is rising prices and shop for the best deal. Normal cycles show fuel prices are due to increase at the same time the full fuel excise in reintroduced 'As some stations add 25 centres per litre back on before others, it will be crucial to use fuel price apps in the coming month to avoid the most expensive fuel and save as much as 50 cents per litre in some cases,' he said. Treasurer Jim Chalmers issued a warning to retailers that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will be carefully watching fuel prices to ensure customers aren't getting ripped-off. 'I've instructed the ACCC to step up their surveillance of fuel markets to help make sure Australian motorists get a fair deal at the bowser,' the Treasurer said. Motorists are urged to fill their cars while prices are down and use fuel-map apps to find the best deal available in their area 'Refiners, importers, wholesalers and retailers should consider themselves on notice the ACCC is keeping a very close eye on fuel prices across the country to make sure any increases are justifiable.' The normal 44c fuel excise was halved for six months from March by the Morrison Government. It helped save motorists an average of $15 per tank but came at a cost of $3billion to taxpayers. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ruled out extending the cut excise, noting the 22c cut was only adding to Australia's almost $1trillion debt. Majesty. Pure majesty. No other word does justice to the spellbinding sight which awaits those lucky enough to reach the end of what will be one of the longest queues in living memory. Last night, I watched this silent, sepulchral tide flow, then slow, then come to a dumbstruck halt. For as you turn the corner into the vaulted masterpiece of Westminster Hall, you are confronted by a vision of timeless, incomparable grandeur. You stand at the top of the mighty flagstone staircase leading down into this countrys most ancient and august gathering place the same steps from which the Queen herself would address both Houses of Parliament on her jubilees and other great anniversaries. And it hits you between the eyes like a searchlight. Behold the longest-reigning and many will say greatest monarch in the thousand-year story of these islands lying in state in the very heart of our democracy. Camilla Queen Consort, Catherine Princess of Wales, Sophie Countess of Wessex and Meghan Duchess of Sussex courtesy as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is brought into Westminster Hall Members of the public pay their respects as they pass the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, lying in state at Westminster Hall Members of the public queue on Lambeth Bridge in London today to view the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, lying in state at Westminster Hall Resting on her Royal Standard-draped oak coffin, atop its purple-draped catafalque, is not just the Imperial State Crown but also the Orb and Sceptre. It is their first appearance alongside the late sovereign since her coronation in 1953. No wonder everyone stops in their tracks. In two lines, they then step slowly down the staircase to the main hall and shuffle ponderously either side of this monumental centrepiece. Once level with the coffin, everyone bows. Some curtsey, too. One man performs a double, palm-pressed namaste and drops on to the deep, sand-coloured carpet to touch the floor. A few weep openly. One middle-aged woman tries to hold it together but then her face melts and she buries it in a turquoise pashmina. A few are dressed smartly for a funeral, in suit and tie or black dress and hat. Most are dressed for the five-mile queue which they have just endured uncomplainingly. Here before them is the essence of constitutional monarchy writ glorious in silk, diamonds, silver, velvet, sapphires, pearls, halberds, breastplates, swords, oak, brilliantly-buffed boot leather, Norman stonework and so much else. Yet here, too, are trainers, anoraks, hoodies and jeans in the presence of Her Late Majesty. Why not? This is simply a snapshot of the 21st-century Britain she loved and served every bit as diligently as the cap-doffing Britain which squeezed into its Sunday best before filing past her darling father in 1952. There is no dress code here, merely a rigidly imposed ban on photography (official photographers are there to capture the scenes you see here). Here is a two-way act of recognition our late sovereign paying homage to her people as they in turn pay homage to her. They are all ages, all races, all shapes and sizes. It is incredibly touching that, in the space of half an hour, I count three people with white sticks being guided through. No matter that they cannot see the candle light bouncing off the First Star of Africa the greatest diamond in existence from its setting in the head of the Sceptre. You dont have to see the glint of the Orb to know you are in the presence of authentic greatness. You can feel it, too. Indeed, as you pass alongside the huge wreath of white roses, dahlias, lavender and pine all of them fresh from Windsor or Balmoral you can smell it, too. I see mobility scooters. A few couples have come with children. One has a baby. All life is here. In this great chamber, the Queens father and mother lay in state, too. So did her first (and greatest) prime minister, Sir Winston Churchill. Yet, this is the same hall in which Charles I was tried and sentenced. The equilibrium between Crown and state which underpins our constitutional settlement was forged beneath these soaring hammerbeam arches of ancient oak. This will be the scene around the clock until the crack of dawn on Monday. Guard upon guard stands watch three tiers of them at any one time, rotating their duties around the clock. All those ancient bodies so proud to call themselves the Queens bodyguards her Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, her Yeomen of the Guard, her Royal Company of Archers, her Household Cavalry and her Foot Guards are more than honoured to play their part. This is almost an act of military communion with their late commander-in-chief, for whom they were, historically, the closest line of defence. All stand with head bowed. On each corner, too, stands a bowing Metropolitan Police officer, presumably just in case. Keeping a keen eye on everyone are the doorkeepers of the Palace of Westminster. Smartly dressed they may be in their tailcoats, but they are never to be messed with. Yet in the course of half an hour, I do not see them approach anyone. They are there to give a gentle nudge to any dawdlers, not that anyone outstays their welcome. I time 50 mourners and each spends an average of four seconds stopping and bowing, before moving off again. Then they speed up and move at a steady pace for the great door at the far end. There, many turn back and simply gaze in near-disbelief at what they have just experienced. We will never see anything like this again in our lifetimes, and certainly not with the person who served as a sovereign for so long and did it so well, says Moya OShea, a Londoner who hails from Australia and is here on behalf of friends back home who couldnt be. Penny Purnell, a pensioner from Littlehampton, spent all day getting to the front of the queue. She admits she is struggling to accept the loss of the Queen, even after seeing all this: That was quite hard to take. It was just the thoughts in our head of appreciating her really. I didnt really want to say goodbye, so I didnt. There is a delay to the proceedings every 20 minutes as the commanding officer taps his staff twice on a step. All must pause for three minutes while there is a silent Changing the Guard. The mourners are thrilled by this hold-up. It only adds to the sense of occasion. And so every facet of humanity for the Queen represented them all flocks to experience a few magical minutes which all will take to their grave. Thus, for now at least, Elizabeth II really is our Queen. Thankful, truly, will be those who saw her here. Findings of a study imply that even a single drinking incident might lay the foundation for alcohol addiction. (Photo: ANI) BERLIN: Even a single exposure to alcohol may permanently change the shape of nerve cells and lead to addiction, according to a study conducted in animals. Neurons or nerve cells are the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system responsible for receiving sensory input from the external world. The researchers found that, in particular, alcohol affects the structure of the synapses as well as the dynamics of the mitochondria, the cell's powerhouses. Synapses are the points of contact between neurons where information is passed from one neuron to the next. The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used the genetic model system of the fruit fly. It shows that alterations in the migration of mitochondria in the synapses lessen the rewarding effect of alcohol, the researchers said. These findings imply that even a single drinking incident might lay the foundation for alcohol addiction, they said. Majority of studies have focused on the consequences of chronic alcohol drinking on the hippocampus, our brain's control center. "We set out to discover ethanol-dependent molecular changes. These, in turn, provide the basis for permanent cellular changes following a single acute ethanol intoxication," said Henrike Scholz from University of Cologne in Germany. "The effects of a single alcohol administration were examined at the molecular, cellular, and behavioral levels," Scholz said. The researchers used fruit flies and mouse models to find ethanol-induced alterations in two areas: mitochondrial dynamics and the balance between synapses in neurons. Mitochondria supply energy to cells, particularly nerve cells. The mitochondria move in order to optimally deliver energy to the cells. In the ethanol-treated cells, the mitochondria's movement was disturbed. Certain synapses' chemical balance was also disturbed. These alterations were permanent and were confirmed by behavioral changes in the animals: mice and fruit flies consumed more alcohol and relapsed later in life. The morphological remodelling of neurons is a well-known basis for learning and memory. These mechanisms, which are central to learning and memory, are also thought to be at the core of the formation of associative memories for drug-related rewards, the researchers said. Therefore, some of the observed changes may influence ethanol-related memory formation, they said. The researchers speculate that these ethanol-dependent cellular changes are critical for the development of addictive behaviours. "It is remarkable that the cellular processes contributing to such complex reward behavior are conserved across species, suggesting a similar role in humans," said Scholz. "It could be a possible general cellular process essential for learning and memory," Scholz added. Calls are growing for the Queen's funeral route to be lengthened so that many more people can pay their final respects. Senior MPs yesterday joined the clamour for the late monarch's final journey from Westminster Abbey on Monday to be extended. There are fears that tens of thousands of people will be left disappointed by the current arrangements because they will not all be able to join the lengthy queue to see the lying-in-state in Parliament this week or watch the walking procession to Hyde Park Corner after the service. One option first raised by the Daily Mail's Robert Hardman yesterday would be to extend the last section of the journey to the Queen's final resting place in St George's Chapel, Windsor. Members of the public pay their respects as they pass the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it Lies in State inside Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster yesterday MPs observe a minute's silence in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, in the House of Commons on Friday At the moment the coffin is due to travel directly down the final stretch of the Long Walk to the castle, but it could take in the whole three-mile path, allowing potentially hundreds of thousands of extra mourners to line the route. A last-minute change in the plan in response to the overwhelming public demand would echo the surprise decision to let more people see Princess Diana's funeral cortege in 1997, which saw the starting point moved from St James's Palace to Kensington Palace at the last minute, adding an extra mile and allowing tens of thousands more to pay tribute. Former Cabinet minister David Jones said last night: 'It looks very much as if not everybody who wants to go to the lying in state will be able to do so because there's going to be overwhelming interest in it. We're talking about waits of over 30 hours. 'What's very clear from the last few days is the enormous affection that people have for The Queen and the fact that so many people are going to be missing her now that she's gone. So I think that anything that gives as many people as possible the opportunity to pay their respects is a good idea. I certainly think it's a good idea and I hope that they will consider it.' The queue to see the Queen lying in state at Westminster Hall currently stretches all the way to London Bridge as of 8.30pm yesterday Former cabinet minister David Jones (pictured) said 'we're talking about waits of over 30 hours' to see the Queen lying in state Another senior Conservative agreed: 'I do have sympathy with the argument that the route should be extended. 'There are many people who wish to see the late Queen and this might relieve the pressure on the queues building up to see Her Majesty in Westminster Hall.' And former London Assembly member Peter Whittle said: 'The answer is simple: The funeral route should be extended. 'At the Jubilee, it was frustrating how officials 'closed' the route, saying it was full. 'This is typical modern over-cautiousness and risk aversion. Whether on the route or at lying in state, nobody should be turned away.' The line of people waiting to pay respects to the Queen could extend to 10 miles. Pictured: Members of the public queue on Lambeth Bridge last night However, Downing Street has played down hopes of a late change of plan. The Prime Minister's spokesman said: 'On the procession route, that is obviously agreed with the Palace in advance so there is no plan to change that. There are a number of procession routes that people can use, so we want as many people as possible to have sight of that procession.' And a former Metropolitan Police royal protection officer warned it would be risky for the meticulously planned Operation London Bridge, the long-held arrangements for the Queen's death, to be altered at short notice. Ken Wharfe, who was a bodyguard for Princess Diana, told the Daily Mail: 'The Queen herself has been involved for decades in this it will have been written in stone. 'And the police would not wish to change it at short notice, especially as they are already stretched. When you try to change things to appease the public, that's when the risk increases.' An Australian tourist claims he was locked up in a 'filthy' Singaporean immigration prison for 40 hours after Jetstar gave him wrong entry advice and refused to help. Richard Grant flew from Darwin to Thailand three months ago but was refused entry to the country because he hadn't had a Covid PCR test - something he insists Jetstar told him he didn't need to do. Mr Grant was then returned to Singapore - the country he had transited from. It was the beginning of a horrendous ordeal. Messages between Jetstar staff and Mr Grant (above) show the airline did not think his case was a priority, despite him being locked away for their mistake Mr Grant was locked up in a Singaporean immigration facility and sent messages to Jetstar's Facebook page pleading for them to assist him. 'Your staff told me I didn't need a PCR test,' he said - before the budget airline replied that he would get a response from a human within 15 business days. 'I'm in a cell. 'I need help now'. Darwin man Richard Grant spent 40 hours in a Singaporean detention centre after Jetstar staff told him he did not need a PCR test result to enter Thailand Mr Grant said he tested positive Covid two weeks before visiting Thailand, and contacted Jetstar to find out how he could go ahead with his holiday. Jetstar staff told him he would only need a letter of recovery from his doctor and would not need to undergo a PCR test. 'I was booked in to get the test done and I cancelled it because they told me I didn't need to do it,' he told Sydney radio station 2GB. However, when he arrived in Thailand authorities told him he could not enter the country without a negative PCR result and sent him back to his transit country, Singapore. Visitors to Thailand need to either show proof they're vaccinated against Covid or a negative test. Mandatory tests for those vaccinated against Covid were dropped back on May 1. Mr Grant was sent to an immigration cell at his transit stop in Singapore (above) after he was refused entry to Thailand Mr Grant arrived at Singapore airport at 2am where he was greeted by immigration officers and taken into custody. They said they would not be able to help him get out without confirmation from Jetstar about the precise circumstances of his predicament. Jetstar staff said his matter might not be dealt with for 15 days. Still, officers at the detention centre assured Mr Grant that Jetstar staff would come to work at the airport in the morning and could help him then. 'The way (immigration officers) explained it to me was it's 2am, there were no staff there from Jetstar but staff will be on deck at 6am so unfortunately they have to put me in a room until someone from Jetstar can come help,' he said. Mr Grant said the cell (pictured) was 'filthy' and 'freezing' and that Jetstar staff said it could take 15 days for someone to help with his case Mr Grant instead remained in custody for 40 hours, almost two full days. His time in immigration custody means Mr Grant is now banned from Singapore for life, meaning he won't be able to travel through the transit hub anymore despite living just a four-hour flight away. He says his desperate messages to Jetstar show staff didn't think his case was a priority. In one message exchange, Mr Grant wrote: 'I'm in a cell. I need help now'. A Jetstar staffer responded to his cry for help by saying: 'I wish I could assist you further however the outcome remains the same. 'If there's anything we haven't covered please let me know, otherwise I'll need to end this chat.' Mr Grant said he was stuck in the 'freezing' cell for 40 hours (above) in just shorts and a tee-shirt Mr Grant said the lack of communication from Jetstar was disheartening as he faced the consequences of their wrong advice. 'It was a filthy, two bunk cell that had a washbasin and that was all,' Mr Grant said of his room in immigration detention. 'There was no hot water, it was extremely cold and they wouldn't give me any luggage. All I had was shorts and t-shirt on so I was freezing the whole time. 'It was brutal. There was a guard at my door with a gun, I wasn't going anywhere.' Once he was finally released and allowed into Thailand, Mr Grant tried to reach out to Jetstar to figure out what went wrong. He said he got no response from the airline until he contacted an ombudsman. 'I explained the situation to (Jetstar) and while they were sympathetic they didn't really understand the fact that I was locked up, effectively in jail,' he said. A Jetstar spokesperson told Daily mail Australia the company will reach out to Mr Grant to offer discuss additional support after he was 'locked up' for 40 hours 'They understand they gave me the wrong advice and they've offered to reimburse me for my out-of-pocket expenses, which is all well and good, but that's not really the issue. 'The issue is my ability to travel in the future. What I want them to do is step up, understand they put me in such a terrible situation and try to do something to help me.' In a statement, Jetstar representative said: 'We appreciate this was an incredibly stressful situation for Mr Grant. 'This happened during a period of unprecedented government restrictions on global travel which were changing frequently, which is why we continued to strongly recommend that all passengers regularly check the entry requirements of the country they were travelling to. 'A member of our team visited Mr Grant during his time in Singapore to provide support and options to enable him to continue his journey as quickly as possible. 'Unfortunately, the most immediate option to travel was not taken up by Mr Grant, extending his time in Singapore. 'We sympathise with Mr Grant and sincerely regret any misunderstanding that may have occurred prior to travel. 'We will reach out to him once again to discuss what additional support we can provide.' An Aboriginal artist has demanded the Royal Family return the remains of First Nations Australians from British museums, following the Queen's death at 96. In an impassioned post to Facebook on Wednesday, artist Allan McKenzie, from NSW's Central Coast, noted there were the remains of many Aboriginal Australians are still being held in museums across the UK and Europe. 'If the ''Royal Family of the Commonwealth and England'' were such great humanitarians of this planet and are such generous, kind people,' he wrote. 'Why is it that they and the museums of England still hold the remains of Aboriginal warriors and people's bodies that they refuse to return to the First Nation Aboriginal people of this country?' Mr McKenzie said it was time that Aboriginal Australians were given a chance to give their ancestors a proper burial. Indigenous artist Allan McKenzie said the remains of First Nations Australians needed to be returned to their communities, instead of being held in museums around the UK and Europe In an impassioned post to Facebook on Wednesday, Mr McKenzie, from NSW's Central Coast, noted there were the remains of many Aboriginal Australians still being held in museums across the world While many agreed with the artist, he also copped some backlash on his post with one telling him to 'stop moaning', while another said the artist should be more respectful given the Queen's death was announced less than a week ago. 'Heck her bodies barely cold and controversy is the first thing you say? There's a time and place for everything. This isn't it,' one said. 'I understand your pain ... but the timing is terrible,' said another. 'Didn't realise this was a hate page, thought it was art,' one wrote. Mr McKenzie then made another post hitting back at those who accused him of being 'disrespectful'. Mr McKenzie hit back at those accusing him of being disrespectful following the Queen's death, saying he will always stand for the 'justice of our ancestors' The artist said the Royal Family (pictured) 'claim to be humanitarians', and called for Indigenous remains to be returned 'Just sit back and think of what Aboriginal people have faced during the time frame the Commonwealth has dictated to my people!' he said. 'The way we live!!! The way we learn!!!! The essence of who we are!!! 'My heart has been and always will be for justice of our ancestors that lay in boxes in museums as spectacles, I don't care what people have to say about me I know where my heart is and I will be with my people till the day I die.' He added '#f**kthecommonwealth' underneath his post, but added it was not his intention to criticise Her Majesty. 'Not once did I say anything horrible about the Queen.... I only stated a fact about the Royals .... that claim to be humanitarians of the planet that is all,' he added. 'And that between monarchs and museums that have taken human remains of Aboriginal people to museums.... that they should be returned!!!' The Indigenous Repatriation Program was set up to support the repatriation of ancestral remains and secret sacred objects to their communities. The program has led to more than 1,600 centuries-old remains being returned from overseas, with more than 1,200 coming from the UK. In March, 2019, the Natural History Museum in London gave back 37 sets of Australian Aboriginal ancestral remains. 'We as people of Australia should unite and fight for all of them to be returned to their sacred homelands and not sit on shelves in boxes,' Mr McKenzie wrote. Many agreed with the artist and praised him for speaking out, while others added the Royal Family had no control over what the museums hold, saying it was up to the government instead. There are more members of Congress over the age of 70 in 2022 than any year prior, a new chart shows. According to an analysis by Business Insider, the number of septuagenarians serving in the House of Representatives and Senate more than doubled across two decades. In 2002 just 8 percent were above 70, while today the share is 23 percent. And while nearly half the US population is under 40, just 5 percent of Congress falls under the same age range. The shocking data is a reflection of increasingly frustrated young voters who have been calling for generational change in leadership - all while leaders themselves are serving longer terms and awarding each other senior roles. Senators like Chuck Grassley and Dianne Feinstein have signaled they have no plans to retire yet despite being just shy of 90 years old - an age that's higher than the average life expectancy for most Americans. They're just two of 21 members in their 80s. But the gap hasn't always been so significant. The median age for a Congressional lawmaker grew 10 years across 40 decades. Congress has been getting steadily older over the years. In 2022 nearly a quarter of lawmakers are over age 70 - the most seen in US history Congress had a median age hovering in the early 50s from 1960 through 1990, before the next two decades saw it hit 60.7. The median age ticked up again in just two years to hit 61.5 in 2022. For the most part, the upper echelons of Congressional leadership are even older - with most above the age of 75. That rings especially true for Democrats, despite their traditionally more youthful voter base. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Majority Whip James Clyburn are all over 80. Pelosi and Clyburn were both born in 1940, making them 82, while Hoyer is 83 years old. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is close by at 80, while his Democratic counterpart Chuck Schumer is on the younger end at 71. The top three House Republican leaders, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, are over age 80 Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (left) is 71 while Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (right) is 80 Republican House leaders all fall under the median age of Congress - Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is 57, and House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik is far younger at 38. The Senate, given its longer six-year terms and higher rate of seniority, is older on average than the House, where members fight for re-election every two years. A US citizen must be 30 to run for Senate. The average age of a senator today is 64.3 years old, according to the Library of Congress. House candidates can be slightly younger at 25. The average age of those who serve in the lower chamber is just six years below that of the Senate. George Allen, a former governor and senator from Virginia, told Insider that many at the US Capitol knew - though they wouldn't say it out loud - that 'certain colleagues weren't up to the task.' 88-year-old Senator Chuck Grassley has been criticized for wanting to seek an eighth term in the Senate Former Democratic Hill staffer Ira Shapiro wrote an op-ed in The Gazette speaking out against 88-year-old Grassley's bid for an eighth Senate term, during which he would reach the age of 95. In it, Shapiro excoriated current and former members of Congress who he believed served past their time, such as West Virginia Democrat Robert Byrd - who died in 2010 after five decades in the Senate. 'Robert Byrd, one of the greatest senators, who was a powerful opponent of the Iraq War at the age of 85, became a shadow of himself before dying in office at 92,' he wrote. Strom Thurmond was 'a joke and an embarrassment' by the time he died while in office at 100, according to Shapiro. 'More recently, Dianne Feinstein chose to run at age 85, won another term, and tarnished her storied career; her decision to run is regarded by her friends and admirers as a tragic mistake,' his June 2022 op-ed states. A trail of luxury vehicles could be the key to putting away the alleged killer of notorious Sydney gangster Bilal Hamze - as top cops warn fraudsters are registering vehicles with the identities of law-abiding citizens before using them for crimes. New CCTV vision released by New South Wales Police depicts the black Audi suspected to have been used in the drive-by shooting of Bilal Hamze driving alongside a top-end Mercedes allegedly later used in a botched murder attempt on his brother Ibrahem in Sydney's north. It comes as cops reveal citizens had their identities stolen to register two further vehicles linked to the alleged murder attempt, and appeal for information from anyone who might have been alerted to unknown cars being registered in their name. 'There are people out there who may have information that they're not aware of that could help us and are victims of identity theft,' said police. Police believe information from the public about the cars will bolster their investigations as they close in on the 'circle' of criminals behind the public killing of Hamze. He was brutally gunned down near Sydney's Circular Quay in a brazen 'execution-style' murder on a frigid Thursday night in June, 2021. Bullets rang out from within a stolen black Audi that cops suspect was one they later found burnt out on a residential street not long after the attack. In a separate incident, an attempted highway stop turned pursuit saw police capture a premium Mercedes in North Sydney. This image, showing two cars entering a North Sydney loading dock, holds the key to linking a public shooting to the attempted murder of Ibrahem Hamze Gunshots are seen being fired from a black Audi at Bilal Hamze on Bridge Street, near Sydney's Circular Quay, at about 10.25pm on Thursday, June 17, 2021 Police had warned Bilal there was a target on his back before he was gunned down in Sydney's CBD The occupants of the luxury vehicle, two men aged 31 and 19, allegedly commandeered an elderly man's car at gunpoint before fleeing - but they were apprehended and are currently before the courts. Police now allege that same Mercedes had been used in a shadowy murder attempt on Ibrahem Hamze in his own apartment building. Police now have vision of the Mercedes and black Audi driving around the same property in the weeks leading up to Bilal's death and Ibrahem's attempted murder. The cars were also seen together under Ibrahem's apartment. Both the vehicles have been seized and examined by police, along with a Honda Odyssey van and Mercedes station wagon also spotted driving in the area together. One frame of the CCTV vision shows the Honda van and high-end station wagon entering a loading dock at the same time, an event which occurred on a few occasions. Its this clue that links them to each other and, police believe, the Mercedes sedan and black Audi. It's believed the footage could be the key to establishing connections between the violent events and locking up those responsible for the alleged incidents. An expensive Mercedes sedan descending into a carpark (pictured) is one of a series of vehicles police believe are linked to the brazen execution of Bilal Hamze and alleged attempted murder on Ibrahem Hamze Police say CCTV vision shows five cars circling like sharks around Sydney's north in the weeks leading up to the CBD slaying of Bilal Hamze The cars were all seen entering the same north Sydney loading dock at similar times (pictured), leading police to suspect the fraudulently registered vehicles are connected to the attempted murder of Ibrahem Hamze Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, said police believe those inside the cars had 'intentions to kill' on the day of Ibrahem's near-miss and are exploring links between all the vehicles depicted in the CCTV. 'The images we have released today are taken from an address in North Sydney and show several vehicles of interest visiting the location multiple times between 25 July and 14 August 2021,' Det Supt Doherty said in Parramatta on Thursday. 'On each occasion, we believe the people inside these cars intended to murder their target, who was residing in that building at the time. He has since been charged over his alleged involvement in a separate public place shooting, which we allege is related to the same conflict.' Police said they're not just after Hamze's alleged killer, but those who sourced, registered and drove the cars who Det Supt Doherty said are 'as liable and complicit as if they'd pulled a trigger'. It's also believed the seized vehicles could show how Sydney criminals have started to use unsuspecting members of the public to cover their tracks. Criminal gangs have been fraudulently registering legally bought cars under stolen identities before committing crimes, police fear. Both the Honda van and a fifth vehicle were legally registered but not to the alleged offenders who bought them. The pictures, released by police, include vision of a Mercedes that was dumped when its occupants slipped police in a pursuit by allegedly carjacking an elderly man's Toyota Police found the burnt-out wreckage of an Audi, believed to be the getaway car, on a quiet street in Northwood on the Lower North Shore of Sydney the day after Bilal Hamze was shot dead Police believe the fifth vehicle is also connected to the other cars, after being spotted with the Audi and luxury Mercedes at the apartment building where the alleged attempted murder took place. The silver Ford Territory, AQ 58 ES, is registered under the name of someone who is likely to be completely unrelated to the alleged criminals who used the vehicle. Police have urged members of the public to check if there has been any suspicious behaviour reported to them by the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS). 'The Honda and Ford were fraudulently registered, and we ask anyone who may've received information from the RMS that any vehicle they do not own has been registered in their name, to report it to police,' said Det Supt Doherty. 'Those two vehicles were legitimately purchased, by cash, and then other persons unknowingly had their identity stolen and used (for those cars to be) formally registered.' The Honda van had also been fraudulently registered. The registrations demonstrate an insidious evolution of Sydney's criminal networks, police say. 'This is a shift in the modus operandi used by these types of criminal syndicates, and as the Ford Territory has yet to be located, I would urge anyone with relevant information to come forward,' Det Supt Doherty said. Det Supt Doherty said the strategy could see criminals 'using deceptive criminal enterprise to obtain vehicles and commit murders' and told Australians to be vigilant in reporting fraud. 'One way you find out about whether your details have been stolen is you get an inquiry from the bank or the police to say that there's been some fraud committed. Police are warning Australians to remain vigilant in cases of suspected fraud as they turn their attentions to finding all those involved in the alleged murder and attempted murder of the two Hamze brothers (Pictured: Police in Sydney's CBD the day after Bilal's death) Police are drawing nearer to finding those responsible for the death of Bilal Hamze, Detective Superintendent Doherty of NSW Police said those responsible for sourcing the car used in the shooting were 'as liable and complicit as if they'd pulled a trigger' (Pictured: Police at Bilal Hamze's funeral) Family members and friends of the slain gangster carried his coffin (pictured) in the same month police kicked off their mammoth investigation 'With what could be a minor fraud issue, your identity could later be used on a vehicle for a murder,' he said. 'The people, when we notify them that their identity has been stolen, they've got nothing to fear. 'Unfortunately, with these kinds of fraud anyone could be a victim, there's no fear for any repercussion from the organised crime networks, for them it's just a means to an end.' Det Supt Danny Doherty told Australians to notify the RMS and police if they believe they are the victims of vehicle-related identity theft. Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 A bumbling hitman who tried and failed six times to kill a mob associate and his son would like to work with children when he is released from prison, he told a court in Brooklyn. Ron Cabey, 32, testified on Wednesday that he had been paid $10,000 by a leader of the Bloods gang, Bushawn Shelton, to murder Salvatore Zottola, 45, and his father Sylvester, known as 'Sally Daz'. Sylvester Zottola was shot and killed in October 2018, aged 71, at a McDonald's drive-through in the Bronx. His son survived all attempts to kill him. Prosecutors allege that Shelton was in turn contracted by Sylvester Zottola's son Anthony - brother of Salvatore - who wanted his father and brother dead so he could take over their mafia-connected real estate business. Cabey, who was arrested in June 2018 and is cooperating with prosecutors in the hope of a reduced sentence, spent Tuesday and Wednesday detailing his lengthy criminal career. Ron Cabey, 32, is pictured on Wednesday discussing his career as a robber and then a contract killer Bushawn Shelton (right), a Bloods gang-member, was accused of orchestrating the hit against Sylvester (left) through his associates Cabey earlier angrily denied Macedonio's attempt to discredit him as a 'rat' who would say anything to bring her client down, and reduce his own sentence. He then told Elizabeth Macedonio, representing the accused killers, that he wanted to work with children on his release from prison. 'Do you plan to kidnap those children?' she asked. 'Are you going to help them with their homework, sir? Are you going to teach them what homework is, sir?' Cabey is pictured being cross examined by Elizabeth Macedonio, defense attorney Sylvester Zottola, who paid dues to the infamous Lucchese and Bonanno mob families, was shot multiple times while at a drive-thru at a McDonald's in the Bronx in October 2018 - four months after Cabey was arrested. Another hitman, Himan Ross, allegedly pulled the trigger Pictured: Sylvester Zottola's car riddled with bullet holes while he was ordering a coffee Anthony Zottola been charged with murder-for-hire conspiracy, causing death through the use of a firearm and unlawful use and possession of firearms. Pictured: police at the scene shortly after the older Zottola was gunned down in the Bronx The Bloods and the Mob alliance in the Zottola murder-for-hire case Anthony Zottola hired a Bloods street gang member Bushawn 'Shelz' Shelton to kill his father Sylvester 'Sally Daz' Zottola, 71, an associate of the Bonanno and Lucchese crime families, in the Throgs Neck section of the Bronx. The murder-for-hire plot represent a rare instance of New York City street gangs working with the Mob. Here's what you should know about the criminal enterprises involved in the case. Lucchese crime family - One of the most powerful of the American mafia's five families in New York City. Sometimes referred to as 'Lukes' the Luchese family was originally entrenched in rackets surrounding the garment industry. It gets its name from its second crime boss Tommy Luchese, who served as a generally peaceful boss from 1951 to 1967. That changed, under the leadership of Victor 'Little Vic' Amuso aka 'The Deadly Don' and his underboss Anthony 'Gaspipe' Caso, who ushered in one of the deadliest periods of organized crime from the early 1980s to the early 1990s. They're estimated to be responsible for more than 100 hits and even deployed to NYPD cops to carry out some of their rubouts. The mob organization took a serious hit in 2017 when some 17 members were indicted on charges of racketeering, murder, money laundering, illegal gambling, narcotics and selling bootleg cigarettes. Bonanno crime family - Again named after the criminal enterprise's second leader, Joseph 'Joe Bananas' Bonanno, who earned his title at the age of 26. The family dealt mostly in illegal gambling, loansharking and drugs, but expanded their operations outside of New York into California, Arizona and Canada. The most notorious episodes of the crime family happened in the mid-1970s when FBI agent Joe Pistone, aka Donnie Brasco, infiltrated the organization documenting criminal exploits and landing more than 200 indictments and 100 convictions for his work. The operation became a major motion picture starring Johnnie Depp. The elder Zottola has been connected to the family through former Bonanno boss Vincent 'Vinny Gorgeous' Basciano, who is currently serving life in prison without parole on various murder and racketeering charges. The Bloods - The gang began with a black street crew in Los Angeles, California, but has expanded to a lose network across the United States. Bloods distinguish themselves from other street gangs, like the Crips, by wearing red. Their initiation, referred to as a 'Blood in' ceremony involves the recruit taking a brutal beating at the hands of current gang members. The East Coast Bloods were formed in Rikers Island jail in the early 1990s as a way to protect black inmates from Hispanic gang members in the Latin Kings or the Netas behind bars. The Bloods general deal in narcotics, but in 2007 the New Jersey Attorney general broke up an illegal gambling, drug and loan sharking ring run in coordination with the Lucchese crime family. Advertisement Cabey had been called a rat by another hitman, Himan Ross, who prosecutors say was the one who ultimately killed Sylvester Zottola. 'You are a rat, right?' Cabey replied: 'I'm not a rat. I'm a cooperator.' On Tuesday, Cabey had detailed his six attempts to murder the father and son. The Harlem-based career criminal said he was a member of a robbery gang from 2015 to 2018. 'I became addicted to the actual fast life - females, attention, clout, stuff like that,' he said. He was arrested in January 2018 for a Times Square robbery, and was forced out of his crew. He told his robbery accomplice he wanted to 'get straight to the point'- meaning become a contract killer - and Cabey was then approached by Shelton, who in turn had been contacted by Anthony Zottola. Shelton told Cabey he needed to kill the Salvatore Zottola, and gave him a driver, a gun, 'keys, a pin code, and a detailed itinerary of his schedule.' The plan, Cabey said, was to murder Salvatore Zottola to lure his father Sylvester out of hiding - so he too could then be killed. 'He would have to pay for funeral arrangements,' Cabey said. Then began his farcical attempts to carry out the murders. First, Cabey went to Salvatore Zottola's home in the Locust Point district of the Bronx, beneath Throgs Neck Bridge, but was disturbed by patrolling police. The second time, Cabey's driver, 'Dot', was arrested before they could even get to the Bronx. The third time, Cabey put in the wrong padlock pin code while attempting to break into Salvatore Zottola's home, and was again spotted by police so fled. Shelton then told Cabey the plan had changed, and he would now target the father, Sylvester Zottola, directly. Cabey was scared off when a police van set up a patrol post in a park near the aging mobster's Bronx home. In June 2018, with a new driver, Himen Ross, they tried again - but Salvatore was at his father's home, recognized their van, and called the police. The pair crashed the van and fled. On the sixth attempt, Sylvester Zottola was armed and fired a warning shot. Cabey fled, but was arrested. Ross escaped and allegedly completed the job, murdering the 71-year-old four months later, in October 2018. In her opening statements on Tuesday, Assistant US Attorney Devon Lash told jurors that Sylvester Zottola, who paid dues to the infamous Lucchese and Bonanno mob families, had spent years dodging attempts at his life by goons who stabbed him and beat him. Lash said Sylvester was able to survive each would-be assassin until the 2018 shooting, which she said was masterminded by Anthony to seize his father's assets. 'The defendant wanted that control,' Lash said. Along with his real estate empire, prosecutors said Sylvester ran an illegal poker machine vending operation. Scotland Yards new Commissioner is consulting officers over a proposal to make every constable swear allegiance to King Charles III. Under UK law, all serving police officers must take the oath in which they swear to truly serve the monarch with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality. There is no requirement for existing officers, who swore allegiance to the Queen, to retake the oath because it passes to the heir in the event of death. But Sir Mark Rowley has launched an internal survey to decide whether his 33,843 officers should reswear their oath to the new King. New Met Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, pictured, who started his new job on Monday, said he found the experience of reswearing the oath of allegiance as 'very powerful'. He now wants to know if the 34,500 other officers in the Met would like to do so themselves He asked for officers feedback on the proposal during a staff Q&A a day later The Commissioner, who is embarking on a period of major reform at the Met, told rank and file officers that he had found it very powerful when he was sworn back into office as he took the helm at Britains biggest police force on Monday. He asked for officers feedback on the proposal during a staff Q&A a day later. The former national head of counter terrorism became the first chief officer to swear allegiance to the King after previously retiring from policing to spend four years in the private sector. Police must swear their oath in front of a magistrate. They either attend court for a ceremony, or a magistrate may travel to police premises to swear in large numbers of officers. But the need for the symbolic gesture will be questioned by some at a time when the courts backlog has now reached 60,000 cases. Speaking after his attestation on Monday, Sir Mark said: I join the nation in sorrow at the death of Her late Majesty The Queen and share my condolences with His Majesty The King and The Royal Family. Her late Majestys unstinting public service, stoicism in times of turbulence and dedication to the people she served has shaped our nation immensely. As your new Commissioner, I have sworn an oath to serve with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality. The profile then blatantly lies as Bhasin states how he is 'recently getting back from two years of travel' Prosecutors are asking a judge to add new rules to the court order governing the release of Pankaj Bhasin, 37, who stabbed an Alexandria store manager 50 times A man from Virginia man who stabbed a stranger more than 50 times after allegedly claiming he believed him to be a werewolf, has created a dating profile in which he describes himself as 'an easy-going adventurer' who recently got back from 'two years of travel.' Pankaj Bhasin, 37, known as the 'werewolf' killer, was found not guilty by reason of insanity in 2019. He allegedly stabbed a stranger, Brad Jackson, a 65-year-old store manager more than 50 times in Alexandria, Virginia, in July 2018. Jackson managed a window store in Old Town Alexandria. During the savage attack, his neck was broken and he was stabbed with a box cutter. During the trial, Bhasin's defense argued that he had suffered from a psychotic break. Over the last three years he has been monitored at a mental health facility but since being granted a conditional release in July there are now fresh concerns over his online activity. Bhasin is now back on Facebook and hoping to date again but his profile is causing concern as it describes him as 'an easy going adventurer ' Bhadin's profile then blatantly lies as he tells how he is 'recently getting back from two years of travel' On Bhasin's Facebook profile he wrote how he was 'an easy-going adventurer who believes in universal connection' who is 'recently getting back from two years of travel.' Part of the conditions for his release is that he wear a GPS monitor, take medication and receive home visits from mental health workers. But now prosecutors are requesting that Bhasin be barred from using social media or at least allow them to view what kind of material he is viewing and posting online. 'Because the acquittee may be meeting potential romantic partners while not only concealing but actively lying about his recent history, those individuals may be put at risk during a time when the acquittee is first transitioning to the community,' the motion says, according to WRC-TV. His profile has since been completely erased after a woman sounded the alarm earlier this month. She commented on his profile together with details of the brutal killing flagging it as a 'word of caution for those of us on dating apps.' 'What I noticed was a person that had killed my friend, had been locked up at a mental hospital for several years now, was now online dating on the internet with a profile that basically said, likes to have fun, easygoing,' Sarah Bryen said. Another woman who was a friend of Jackson, told the television station how she had heard from other women who had spotted Bhasin's profile 'on Bumble, on Hinge, on other sites, so even if one gets taken down, there's nothing to say he just won't make another profile.' Bhasin claimed he thought Brad Jackson, 65, pictured, was a werewolf and stabbed him 50 times with a box cutter Bhasin's attorney Peter Greenspun released a statement about his client: 'Pankaj Bhasin is doing extremely well. After his arrest, Mr. Bhasin was incarcerated and then hospitalized for an extended period. He has worked exceedingly hard throughout his treatment. Due to his progress in the hospital setting, Mr. Bhasin was granted court-approved conditional release. 'None of this diminishes in any manner the tragedy of the death of Bradford Jackson and the overwhelming loss to his many family members and friends. Mr. Bhasin has expressed his remorse for Mr. Jackson and those who knew him in every setting possible, including in his treatment. While those expressions may, understandably, not be enough for those who are suffering, it is sincere and constant, and has been an important part of his recovery. Pankaj Bhasin continues to follow the directions of the Circuit Court in granting his conditional release and to work hard with his treatment team. He is following every requirement and remains grateful for his family and all his treatment providers who have and continue to work so hard with him toward the most successful possible outcome.' A decision will be made about the extra conditions during a court hearing in Alexandria on Thursday. Ex-King Juan Carlos's decision to attend the Queen's funeral has sparked left-wing Republican fury in Spain. Unidas Podemos spokesman Pablo Echenique said: 'Inviting an on-the-run criminal to a state funeral shows you just what the monarchy is in the UK and in Spain.' The other party in the coalition, the Socialist Party, said it would not comment on the King's personal decisions but queried if the royal household would be happy. The invite came from the Foreign Office and Spanish Embassy in London. The 84-year-old is a distant cousin of Elizabeth II. El Mundo reported that Juan Carlos chose to leak news of his invitation and decision to go to the funeral to the media before the royal household found out. The decision prompted speculation as to if Juan Carlos and Felipe would both attend. But it was confirmed on Monday that Letizia, Juan Carlos, Felipe and Sofia would be going. The invite came from the Foreign Office and Spanish Embassy in London. The 84-year-old is a distant cousin of Elizabeth II. El Mundo reported that Juan Carlos chose to leak news of his invitation and decision to go to the funeral to the media before the royal household found out Juan Carlos is a scandalous figure in Spain and has chosen to live in exile in Abu Dhabi since August 2020 following several queries over his finances. The former King abdicated in 2014 due to a separate public outcry involving marital infidelities. The 84-year-old has been the subject of investigations in Spain due to reported financial irregularities. But all charges against him were dropped in the last year because of a lack of evidence, immunity he experienced as head of state and the statute of limitations expiring. Elsewhere, harassment accusations by his former lover Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn mean that he faces a trial in London, according to the Times. Spain's foreign minister publicly said that he does not object to Juan Carlos attending. However, El Debate has said that Pedro Sanchez, the prime minster, and his adminstration, want to damage the image of Juan Carlos and distance him further from his son. Juan Carlos is a scandalous figure in Spain and has chosen to live in exile in Abu Dhabi since August 2020 following several scandals over his finances It has not been confirmed by the Spanish government if the cost of Juan Carlos's flight to London will be covered by the state. But it has been reported by Spanish media outlet El Debate that members of the Spanish government have been asking the royal household to stop him from coming. It comes as the current monarch King Felipe, his son, continues to distance himself and the rest of the royal family from Juan Carlos. He has not been seen in public with Juan Carlos for more than two years. Due to his self-imposed exile, Juan Carlos has not returned to Spain since having one brief visit to a sailing regatta in Galicia. The event prompted media interest which frustrated the royal household. Juan Carlos also had a rebuke from Sanchez, who asked for him to explain his business dealings. After the regatta, Juan Carlos has not had any other return to Spain and stayed out of the papers. It comes as the current monarch King Felipe, his son, continues to distance himself and the rest of the royal family from Juan Carlos However, after the Queen died, things changed as it was speculated as to whether he would attend the funeral. It is claimed that Juan Carlos will go to London directly instead of Madrid first, according to El Pais. The former monarch is also said to have organised his flights to and from England. But the newspaper claimed that he has not ruled out doing the journey on a private jet which belongs to the Abu Dhabi royal family. In his self-imposed exile, Juan Carlos is being hosted by the president of the UAE, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It is claimed that Juan Carlos will only spend 24 hours in London but it is not clear if he will be with his son at the event. The royal household has only said that instructions set by the organisers will be followed. But it has been reported that Juan Carlos will not be next to his wife Sofia. The former corporal is facing allegations of historic war crimes Gai and Robert Waterhouse did receive invites for private flight from the PM He instead had to pay for his own commercial flight to London for service Controversial soldier Ben Roberts-Smith has flown commercial to The Queen's funeral in London, rather than accompanying Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his VIP jet. The Victoria Cross recipient left Brisbane for London on Thursday morning after both he and the three other Australian recipients of the country's highest honour were invited to The Queen's funeral. Mr Albanese separately extended invitations to 10 'everyday citizens' who were invited by Buckingham Palace to attend the September 19 service - including horse trainers Gai Waterhouse and Chris Waller, and Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott. That group will also be flying to the UK on Mr Albanese's jet on Thursday. Ben Roberts-Smith checked in to his commercial flight to attend The Queen's funeral in London on Monday Queen Elizabeth greets Victoria Cross recipient Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith in 2011 Mr Roberts-Smith, 43, and three other living Australian Victoria Cross recipients were invited separately by the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association Mr Roberts-Smith, 43, and other Australian Victoria Cross recipients were invited separately by the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association. The Queen was patron of the association since it began in 1956, and asked before her death that all living members be invited to her funeral. Afghanistan veterans Mark Donaldson and Daniel Keighran and Vietnam veteran Keith Payne are the other three Australian war heroes invited. As they were invited separately to Mr Albanese's entourage they must make their own way to London, but the Defence Department said the government would cover the cost of their flights 'upon request'. Mr Donaldson will represent the quartet in an order of chivalry procession on the day of the funeral and sit in the knave of Westminster Abbey for the funeral. The other three, including Mr Roberts-Smith, will sit elsewhere in the church farther away from proceedings. All are invited to see The Queen lying in state. Mr Robert-Smith being invited, as a Victoria Cross recipient, was uncontroversial but some Australian diplomates were reportedly annoyed he accepted it. This is despite him declining being possibly seen as failing to honour The Queen's wishes in extending the invitation. Australian High Commission officials in London expected he would decline to attend while dogged by accusations of war crimes and a high-profile trial, and are concerned that he will be there. His invitation has also been met with outrage from some reporters at Nine, despite it being automatic due to his medal. Mr Roberts-Smith is awaiting judgement on a defamation case against Nine, the Sydney Morning Herald, and The Age after he sued them for a series of reports accusing him of murdering Taliban prisoners in Afghanistan, which he strongly denies. As they were invited separately to Mr Albanese's entourage they must make their own way to London, but the government will cover the cost of their flights 'upon request' Dressed in brown boots, jeans and a grey jacket, the towering ex-corporal walked alone with several bags before checking in and proceeding through security Australian war heroes at Queen's funeral Corporal Mark Donaldson, Special Air Service: Awarded VC in 2009 for heroism during the War in Afghanistan Warrant Officer Class II Keith Payne, Australian Army: Awarded VC in 1969 for heroism in the Vietnam War Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith, SAS: Awarded VC in 2011 for heroism during the War in Afghanistan Corporal Daniel Keighran, Australian Army: Awarded VC in 2012 for heroism during the War in Afghanistan Advertisement Dressed in brown boots, jeans and a grey jacket, the towering retired corporal walked alone with several bags before checking in and proceeding through security. He described the late Monarch as 'magnificent', adding that she was 'stoic leader' and 'a lovely lady'. 'I had an immense respect for her and she was someone I admired greatly. In every interaction I had with The Queen she was warm, insightful and engaging,' he said. 'She was a magnificent monarch, a stoic leader, and importantly just a lovely lady. I feel extremely honoured to be fortunate enough to pay my respects to The Queen and humbled that she saw fit to include the Victoria Cross recipients in her funeral procession.' The decorated digger said it was a 'surreal' experience and that he was 'taken aback' by her 'kindness' and 'intelligence' when he met Her Majesty in 2011 to be awarded his medal. 'She sort of dropped her handbag on the double-seated couch and pointed for me to sit down, and I assumed that she would sit opposite me,' he recalled to the West Australian. 'But she sat right next to me and grabbed my arm and started talking to me about just having just flown back from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at that time.' Australian High Commission officials didn't believe Mr Roberts-Smith was going to attend the funeral and are uneasy about his presence given his court battle Mr Roberts-Smith is awaiting judgement on a defamation case against Nine, the Sydney Morning Herald, and The Age after he sued them for a series of reports accusing him of murdering Taliban prisoners in Afghanistan, which he strongly denies The Age, Sydney Morning Herald and 60 Minutes journalist Nick McKenzie marked the occasion by tweeting that Mr Roberts-Smith has been the 'subject of multiple... alleged war crimes investigations by the Australian Federal Police.' No charges have ever been laid against Roberts-Smith. Proceedings in the Federal Court case ended on July 27 after more than 100 days of hearings. Other Australians invited on Mr Albanese's jet include 2022 and 2021 Senior Australian of the Year Valmai Dempsy and Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann AM, 2022 Australian of the Year Local Hero Shanna Whan, 2022 Queensland Local Hero Saba Abraham, and Tasmanian Local Hero Kim Smith APM. Trudy Lin, Young Australian of the Year, from South Australia, and Western Australia's 2021 Australian of the Year Professor Helen Milroy will also be part of the delegation. Danny Abdallah - who stunned Australia by forgiving a drunk and drug-addled driver who fatally ploughed into his three children and their cousin them 2020 - will also fly with the group on the PM's plane. Mr Roberts-Smith casts a constroversial figure after a series of allegations following his rise to prominence after receiving the Victoria Cross The towering ex-corporal walks through Brisbane International Airport on Thursday morning Mr Albanese also offered a space on his flight to Gai and Robert Waterhouse, champion racing figures who had a personal relationship with The Queen. Mr Waterhouse told the Sydney Morning Herald it was 'very gracious' of the PM to invite them aboard the VIP jet. 'We have known the Queen and the Queen Mother for a long time, since Gai trained Clarence House for the Queen Mother, and we have had a long-standing relationship with them,' he said. 'Gai also trained Carlton House and Bold Sniper for the Queen, and we have had the privilege of taking afternoon tea with the Queen and her mother at Royal Ascot and others on a number of occasions. They were remarkable people. 'It is a very sad occasion, but we were very pleased to be commanded by the Lord Chamberlain to her majesty's committal. It was very gracious of the prime minister to invite us to travel on his plane.' Also on Mr Albanese's plane are leaders of Pacific Islands nations whom the PM said could hitch a ride with him to save their small countries the expense. A tripartite agreement will be signed with the Adivasi miltatn groups in the presence of Union home minister Amit Shah (DC File Image) NEW DELHI: With the aim of bringing peace to Assam and the Northeast, the Centre will be signing a peace agreement with five Adivasi (tribal) militant outfits of Assam in New Delhi on Thursday in the presence of Union home minister Amit Shah, officials said on Wednesday. The officials said the tripartite agreement will be signed with five tribal militant groups which are now under a ceasefire deal with the government. The five rebel outfits are the All Adivasi National Liberation Army, the Adivasi Cobra Militants of Assam, Birsa Commando Force, Santhal Tiger Force and Adivasi Peoples Army. These groups have been in a ceasefire after announcing the suspension of operation years ago and have been holding peace talks thereafter. Over a hundred cadres of these groups are now temporarily living in designated camps under the protection of the Assam police. Sharing this information, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said: Held a meeting with rebel Adivasi groups, currently under ceasefire, regarding final settlement to be signed on 15 September 2022 in New Delhi in presence of Honble Union HM Shri Amit Shah ji. Im sure signing of the agreement will usher in a new era of peace & harmony in Assam. Mr Sarma is also likely to be at the Thursdays ceremony. A total of 1,615 cadres of four NDFB factions had laid down their arms on January 30 last year after the signing of the Bodo peace accord with the Central government on January 27, 2020 in New Delhi in the presence of Mr Amit Shah. The Centre has, meanwhile, been trying to conclude the decades-old Naga peace talks and several rounds of talks have been held with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (I-M) and other factions. An 11-member Naga delegation led by Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio and deputy CM Y. Patton on Monday met the home minister at North Block. During the meeting, Mr Shah reportedly urged the delegation to convince the NSCN-IM to reach a final solution on this issue to resolve the protracted Naga political issues. The talks with the NSCN-IM started in 1997 after the signing of a ceasefire agreement and a subsequent Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015. The persistent demand of the NSCN (IM) for a separate flag and constitution has, however, made the final solution elusive. Advertisement Martha's Vineyard residents are reeling after two planeloads of migrants landed on the wealthy Massachusetts island, in a dramatic escalation of a campaign by Republican governors to shift the impact of the border crisis to Democratic areas. The move by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to send roughly 50 migrants, mostly from Venezuela, to the island came as a surprise in the affluent community - where prominent liberals such as the Obamas, Oprah Winfrey and Larry David all have homes. Following their arrival on Wednesday, the migrants stayed overnight at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Edgartown, which provided emergency shelter by clearing out the parish hall and setting up cots. The small downtown parish is located on a quiet tree-lined street and nestled between multi-million homes, with one five-bedroom house next door currently listed for sale at $3.95 million, and another sold last year for $4.6 million. St. Andrew's is also just over three miles away from the Obama family's $11.75 million vacation compound, which is situated on the coastal outskirts of Edgartown. Martha's Vineyard residents and local officials have been quick to voice outrage at DeSantis and other GOP governors for their migrant transplant programs, with state Rep. Dylan Fernandes calling the move 'evil and inhumane'. 'Republicans who call themselves Christians have been plotting for some time to use human lives - men, women, and children - as a political pawns,' he said in a tweet. 'They look at us as rich, liberal enclaves,' said the Democrat, whose district includes all of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, in remarks to the Boston Globe. The migrants spent Wednesday night at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, which provided cots and food. Rep. Fernandes said of the migrants: 'Some of them were told liesthey were told they would receive housing and jobs immediately upon arrival' Immigrants gather with their belongings outside St. Andrews Episcopal Church, a small parish in Edgartown The church (center) is nestled between multi-million homes, with one house next door (right) sold last year for $4.6 million, and another (not pictured) currently listed for sale at $3.95 million. It is also about three miles from the Obama compound The migrants were first fed in the cafeteria at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School (above) before being transported to the church for shelter School buses were used to get the group of migrants, mostly from Venezuela, to the church that provided shelter 'Our island jumped into action putting together 50 beds, giving everyone a good meal, providing a play area for the children, making sure people have the healthcare and support they need,' Fernandes added in a tweet. 'We are a community that comes together to support immigrants.' It follows similar moves from other GOP governors. Texas Governor Greg Abbott began busing thousands of migrants to Washington in April and recently added New York and Chicago as destinations. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has been busing migrants to Washington since May. The states say that passengers must sign waivers that the free trips are voluntary. In Massachusetts, pictures published by the Martha's Vineyard Gazette and the Martha's Vineyard Times showed the migrants in the affluent community, where they were first fed in the cafeteria at the local high school before being transported to the church for shelter. In a statement, DeSantis' office said: 'Yes, Florida can confirm the two planes with illegal immigrants that arrived in Martha's Vineyard today were part of the state's relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations.' The remarks continued: 'States like Massachusetts, New York, and California will better facilitate the care of these individuals who they have invited into our country by incentivizing illegal immigration through their designation as 'sanctuary states' and support for the Biden Administration's open border policies.' Both of the planes were carrying around 50 Venezuelan migrants Cyr later told the Vineyard Gazette: 'Just like the reverse freedom rides in the 1960s, this endeavor is a cruel ruse that is manipulating families who are seeking a better life' A woman, who is part of a group of immigrants that had just arrived, holds a child as they are fed outside St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Martha's Vineyard The press release went on: 'As you may know, in this past legislative session the Florida Legislature appropriated $12 million to implement a program to facilitate the transport of illegal immigrants from this state consistent with federal law.' The name of the charter that brought the migrants to the millionaires playground was Ultra Air Charters, reports the Martha's Vineyard Times. At least one member of the migrants told the newspaper that he didn't know where he was. Town administrator Jennifer Rand was quoted by the newspaper as saying that she heard 'Texas, Florida and Alabama have begun flying planes with immigrants to Martha's Vineyard and dropping them off and leaving.' On Wednesday evening, Fox News aired footage apparently showing the migrants arriving in the town. The footage was played during a segment on Jesse Watters Primetime where former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was a guest. Pompeo joked about how the town's wealthy liberals might react to the migrants saying: 'These are all sanctuary cities until they're in their sanctuary. I doubt they will embrace them.' Fox news aired video showing the planes arriving on Martha's Vineyard on September 14 Town administrator Jennifer Rand was quoted by the newspaper as saying that she heard 'Texas, Florida and Alabama have begun flying planes with immigrants to Martha's Vineyard and dropping them off and leaving' Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo joked on Fox News about how the town's wealthy liberals might react to the migrants saying: 'These are all sanctuary cities until they're in their sanctuary. I doubt they will embrace them' One immigrant told the Vineyard Gazette: 'We're immigrants. We came here because of the situation in our country, for the economy, for work, for lots of things. I came here walking' Eliase, an immigrant from Venezuela, told the Vineyard Gazette: 'We're immigrants. We came here because of the situation in our country, for the economy, for work, for lots of things. I came here walking. We went through 10 different countries until we got to Texas.' He added: 'There a refugee association put us in a plane and told us there would be work and housing here. I feel good, despite everything. We spent four days in Texas so it's good to be here.' Online flight records show that two planes left San Antonio, Texas, on the morning of September 14, stopped in Florida, before landing in Martha's Vineyard. State Senator Julian Cyr tweeted on Wednesday's night: 'Developing situation on #MarthasVineyard where migrants arrived via charter flight from TX this afternoon. Islanders working hard to provide food + shelter.' Cyr later told the Vineyard Gazette: 'Just like the reverse freedom rides in the 1960s, this endeavor is a cruel ruse that is manipulating families who are seeking a better life.' The state lawmaker was referring to a ploy used in the civil rights era by Southern segregationists, who would falsely promise black families houses and jobs in the north, and drop them off in a wealthy Northern enclave, frequently near the Kennedy compound in Hyannis, Massachusetts. The Democratic Senator also said: 'No one should be capitalizing on the difficult circumstances that these families are in and contorting that for the purposes of a 'gotcha' moment.' At the time of writing, Massachusetts Governor Charles Baker has not commented publicly on the move. According to Cyr, the governor has activated state emergency management resources and Congressman Bill Keating is liaising with the Department of Homeland Security. The legal status of the migrants is not clear. State Senator Julian Cyr tweeted on Wednesday's night: 'Developing situation on #MarthasVineyard where migrants arrived via charter flight from TX this afternoon. Islanders working hard to provide food + shelter' The Democratic Senator also said: 'No one should be capitalizing on the difficult circumstances that these families are in and contorting that for the purposes of a 'gotcha' moment' At the time of writing, Massachusetts Governor Charles Baker has not commented publicly on the move Online flight records show that two planes left San Antonio, Texas, on the morning of September 14, stopped in Florida, before landing in Martha's Vineyard Cyr's statements were echoed by State Rep. Dylan Fernandes who told the Gazette: 'Some of them were told liesthey were told they would receive housing and jobs immediately upon arrival.' The group is made up of mainly adult men and women who are ages 25 to 35. There are some children in the party who was between 10 and 12. In December 2021, when DeSantis asked for millions of dollars in his state's budget to be made available for the removal of illegal immigrants, he said: 'If you sent them to Delaware or Martha's Vineyard or some of these places, that border would be secure the next day.' The budget was ratified with $12 million being released for the purpose of transporting migrants out of the state. That video was confirmed as authentic by Geoff Freeman, the airport director of Martha's Vineyard Airport, according to the MV Times. State Rep. Dylan Fernandes posted a photo showing him with a group of the migrants U.S. President Barack Obama (C) and first lady Michelle Obama shake hands with people before going to lunch at Nancy's Restaurant while vacationing on Martha's Vineyard in 2010 The MV Times went on to report that sources say that the plane originated in Texas and that whoever was behind the flight, gave some of the migrants cell phones equipped with a translator app. Dukes County Sheriff Robert Ogden met the group outside of the town's community services center. He told the migrants: 'We're going to take care of you. Get all your personal belongings together and then we'll move.' The sheriff continued: 'Does everyone have their personal belongings? We're going to start moving you that way... The most important thing is we get you food and shelter and water.' The group was sheltered at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School. They were fed dinner from a local pizza shop and coffee from a coffee shop known as Mocha Motts. WGBH public broadcasting in the Boston-area reported on September 14 that some migrants who had been sent north had showed up in Tufts Medical Center's emergency room. Dr. Brien Barnewolt, Chief of Emergency Medicine, told the broadcaster that none of those who were present had medical issues but simply did not know where to go. Migrants from Venezuela rest near a bus station after being released from U.S. Border Patrol custody in El Paso on Tuesday Without access to basic facilities, migrants have been forced to use open-air toilets, leading to health and sanitation concerns Following a large new surge of migrants, primarily from Venezuela, Border Patrol facilities and shelters in El Paso have been overwhelmed, leading to street encampments Migrants from Venezuela set up tents near a bus station after being released from U.S. Border Patrol custody in El Paso, Texas on Tuesday At the same time as these new arrivals, humanitarian crisis is deepening in the Texas border town of El Paso, where nearly 1,000 migrants have been released to sleep on the streets amid a surge of illegal crossings that is overwhelming Border Patrol facilities. Following a large influx of migrants, primarily from Venezuela, Border Patrol facilities and shelters in the west Texas town have been overwhelmed in recent days, leading to a flood of so-called 'street releases'. Congressman Tony Gonzalez, a GOP US Representative, told the New York Post: 'We've never seen anything like this. It's a scene that you would see in a third-world country, not in the streets of El Paso.' It has led to scenes of misery, with hundreds of migrants sleeping on the streets without access to toilets or showers, and residents say that the 'smell of human waste is overwhelming in the area,' according to KVIA-TV. 'There's nothing safe about having people roaming the streets, it's almost apocalyptic,' Gonzales, who represents part of El Paso, told the ABC affiliate. 'I'd argue that we're very compassionate people, people who want to give the shirt off their back, but when there's no end in sight, it's just not fair,' said Gonzales. The poll shows that more than half of Americans think there is an 'invasion' while another one-third expressed worry over being 'replaced' by illegal immigrants The situation in El Paso comes days after the Biden administration officially extended special protections for Venezuelans, known as Temporary Protected Status, that shield some of them from deportation. News of the grim situation in El Paso comes a day after migrants in Eagle Pass, 450 miles east along the border, were reported to have killed a guard dog and begun eating animals in desperation. Just shy of 200,000 illegal immigrants were intercepted crossing the southern border in July, according to the most recent CBP figures available. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has begun bussing thousands of migrants to so-called sanctuary cities including New York, Washington DC and Chicago, where leaders there have moaned about struggling to cope with them. But El Paso - the sixth largest city in Texas - is one of a number of border areas facing an exponentially worse crisis. It has a population which is 81 percent Hispanic and relies heavily on the petroleum industry for local jobs - but is also home to a large medical center and university. The average house there costs $203,000. House Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas on Wednesday demanded his Democratic colleagues stand united with the GOP in demanding access to the full affidavit used in the FBI's investigation of Donald Trump. He accused Democrats who were opposed to that of being 'against transparency' and 'running cover' for the FBI during a heated House Judiciary hearing. That affidavit was used to obtain a warrant that cleared the way for federal agents to raid the former president's Mar-a-Lago mansion in early August. 'What in the hell are my colleagues afraid of in seeing the full unredacted version?' Roy questioned during the hearing. 'The American people right now are tired of seeing the power of government being used against them.' He continued, 'As a former federal prosecutor in a United States Attorney's Office, I absolutely respect the many men and women I worked with going after bad guys - something I wish my Democratic colleagues would more often like to do, by the way.' 'But the power centralized in the FBI under the Attorney General of the United States being used to target American citizens is something that...the People's House Judiciary Committee should be keenly concerned on a bipartisan basis to try to protect.' Justice Department officials retrieved classified documents from the Florida property that Trump was meant to leave behind at the White House when he left office last January. GOP Rep. Chip Roy of Texas erupted at his colleagues across the aisle on Wednesday over what he says is a lack of 'transparency' from Democrats and the DOJ over the FBI's unannounced search of Mar-a-Lago But Republicans have led calls for more transparency in what led to the raid, citing the extraordinary circumstance of such a law enforcement action occurring against a former commander-in-chief. They have also accused Attorney General Merrick Garland of weaponizing the Justice Department against President Joe Biden's political rival - who he may have to face again in 2024. Trump and his allies have called for the full affidavit to be released as a matter of public interest. But others on the right like Roy, who are familiar with the inner workings of law enforcement, have raised national security concerns and called for members of Congress to at least be briefed on the matter. 'We're sitting here right now simply wanting to see the entirety of an affidavit so that we can do our oversight duty, our job. If there's some concern about that, not being able to be seen by the public, we can march down to the [secure facility] right now and go look at the fully unredacted version,' he offered. Roy also claimed 'the power of the FBI can be used, and is used often, to destroy lives.' The FBI took about 20 boxes worth of files from Mar-a-Lago on August 8, including a set marked as 'Various classified/TS/SCI documents.' Federal agents seized about 20 boxes of documents from Trump's Florida mansion Some documents he kept there, including in his office desk, had among the highest classification markings and should not have been taken from the White House, according to the DOJ That label is reserved for an extremely high level of secrecy that includes information from human intelligence sources which could threaten the lives of those sources if placed in the wrong hands. The unsealed warrant used by the FBI shows Trump is under investigation for possible violations of the Espionage Act and obstruction of justice, among other charges related to his handling of classified documents. New portions of the affidavit were unsealed by a judge on Tuesday, though for the most part its contents remain under seal. New information includes that the Justice Department sought 'any and all surveillance records, videos, images, photographs ... from internal cameras' at Mar-a-Lago between January 10 and June 24. On Sunday, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, said he expects to be briefed on what law enforcement took from Mar-a-Lago. '[L]et's remember what's at stake, and I don't know what's in these documents. But if these documents contain human intelligence, people's lives could be lost, if that's exposed. If it signals intelligence, things that we've invested years on working on can be destroyed,' Warner told CNN's State of the Union. 'If that information that is shared amongst allies was somehow exposed in these documents - that's why getting to the bottom of this and making a damage assessment - the DOJ effort, we don't have purview over that, but the damage assessment to our intelligence capabilities is critical that we have.' Royal household staff face further job losses after Buckingham Palace workers claimed they signed contracts which expire six months after the Queen died. Employees face uncertain futures at the beginning of their six month grace period, The Times reported. During the grace period, staff could be taken on by the new monarch or made redundant. The news comes after around 100 Clarence House staff were made redundant following Charles III's accession to the throne. An anonymous staff member at the palace said it had long been clear that when the Queen died, the situation would change for many household staff members. They said: 'Each household has their own retinue of top advisors and it becomes a duplication of staff when the sovereign has gone.' Employees, some of whom had been with Charles for decades, claimed they were told their jobs were at risk while a church service was held for the Queen on Monday. Pictured: Charles and Camilla at the presentation of Addresses in the Palace of Westminster Clarence House, which has around 102 full-time members of staff, said 'some redundancies will be unavoidable' Following the mass redundancies by the staff of King Charles III when he was Prince of Wales, many who expected to be kept on by the new monarch have been left 'shaken' by the news. During a thanksgiving service for the Queen on Monday, redundancy notices were handed to private secretaries, the finance office and household staff at Clarence House. One source said staff were 'absoutely livid' and 'visibly shaken' by the news, The Guardian reported. The announcement included the news that those who provide 'direct, close, personal support and advice' to the King and Queen Consort will keep their jobs. No final decisions of the staff jobs will be made until a consultation period, which will begin after the Queen's funeral on Monday September 19. Clarence House employees are also expected to be offered jobs at various royal households during the six month grace period and offered an 'enhanced' redundancy package. A spokesperson for Clarence House said: 'Following last week's accession, the operations of the household of the former Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have ceased and, as required by law, a consultation process has begun. 'Our staff have given long and loyal service and, while some redundancies will be unavoidable, we are working urgently to identify alternative roles for the greatest possible number of staff.' Buckingham Palace did not comment, but sources told The Times they did not recognise the claims. Advertisement The on-and-off girlfriend who is alleged to have shot dead her professional bull rider boyfriend has been pictured on her Facebook profile in which she revealed how she was 'trying not to fall apart' just days before a fatal shooting at her home. LaShawn Denise Bagley, 21, allegedly shot dead Demetrius Omar Lateef Allen, 27, known professionally as 'Ouncie Mitchell' after the pair attended the Utah State Fair on Monday, police said. Allen was found with 'at least one gunshot wound' outside the apartment belonging to Bagley. Bagley has been charged with first-degree murder and third-degree felony discharge of a firearm. There were signs of Bagley's precarious mental state in the days leading up to the shooting. 'Missing you more than life honestly. I miss you come talk to me again pls, been trying not to fall apart,' Bagley had written in a Facebook posting aimed at another family member. Allen is survived by a four-year-old daughter that he had with a previous partner named Nyteshea Haywood. Allen had traveled to Salt Lake City from Houston to compete at a rodeo at the Utah State Fair and had arranged to stay with Bagley, whom Salt Lake City Police say Allen had a 'on-and-off relationship' with, during his trip. Allen is assumed to have first met Bagley in Houston, where his residence is currently listed and where Bagley previously lived nearby in the suburb of Pearland. LaShawn Denise Bagley, 21, allegedly shot dead Demetrius Omar Lateef Allen, 27, known professionally as 'Ouncie Mitchell' after the pair attended the Utah State Fair on Monday, police said Facebook postings from Bagley reveal her strained mental state in the days before the killing Facebook postings from Bagley reveal her strained mental state in the days before the killing Demetrius Omar Lateef Allen (pictured), 27, known by his professional name 'Ouncie Mitchell' was found dead outside an apartment belonging to an 'off-and-on' girlfriend Allen had traveled to Salt Lake City to participate in a rodeo at the Utah State Fair. He arranged to stay with Bagley, whom he presumably met while living in Houston, while he competed Bagley was arrested on charges of murder and felony discharge of a firearm after Allen was found with 'at least one gunshot wound' outside her apartment Allen and Bagley attended the fair Monday before leaving for a bar where the pair had an argument The 27-year-old bull-rider is survived by his 4-year-old daughter whom Allen had with Nyteshea Haywood The pair had attended the fair together and later left for a bar. They then had an argument in which Allen said he wanted to return to Bagley's apartment to pack his things, police said. Upon arrival at the scene in the parking lot of the apartment complex, police discovered bullet holes coming from a nearby apartment belonging to Bagley. Blood evidence was investigated outside of the apartment, indicating Allen had not been inside when he was shot, according to court documents. Salt Lake City Police added there was 'no indication of any forced entry or attempted forced entry into the apartment.' Allen was the 23rd ranked bull-rider in the world according to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Allen earned the nickname 'Ouncie' because he was 'born small,' according to Professional Bull Riders commissioner Sean Gleason. 'He grew up to compete with a huge heart' Explaining Allen's death to their daughter was difficult, mother Nyteshea Haywood (pictured) said. 'She loved her daddy. She loved him and loved him and loved him' A witness confirmed that Allen had not attempted to force his way into Bagley's apartment. A report by FOX 13 said Bagley fired multiple rounds through the apartment's glass door, striking Allen once through his torso. Emergency medical care was provided to Allen before he was transported to a local hospital where he later died. Allen was ranked 23rd in the world in bull riding with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Sean Gleason, commissioner and CEO of Professional Bull Riders, expressed his condolences to Mitchell's family on Twitter. 'We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Demetrius Allen, who fans knew as Ouncie Mitchell,' Gleason said. 'Ouncie was a talented cowboy and a familiar face on the Velocity Tour. 'The PBR extends our heartfelt condolences to Ouncie's cousin Ezekiel Mitchell and the entire family.' 'I don't understand and I don't know how long it's going to take me to understand,' Mitchell said. 'The guy that would give the shirt off his back to anybody, why would you take his life away? 'Every time I put my hand on a bull rope from now on it'll be him right there in the back of my mind. He was a once-in-a-lifetime person and a once-in-a-lifetime family member and friend and more so, a brother.' Police say Allen and Bagley had attended the Utah State Fair (pictured) before leaving for a bar. They then had an argument before they left for Bagley's apartment complex Allen was found with 'at least one gunshot wound' outside the 965 Central apartment complex in Salt Lake City. Police investigated blood found at the scene to bullet holes in the walls of Bagley's apartment Allen competed alongside his cousin, Ezekiel Mitchell. 'He was a once-in-a-lifetime person and a once-in-a-lifetime family member and friend and more so, a brother' 'She loved her daddy,' Haywood said. 'She loved him and loved him and loved him. It was always, 'My daddy this, my daddy doing this, my daddy took me fishing.' 'She loves her dad, and so having to break that news to her was a huge distraught.' In extending his message to Allen's family, Gleason also explained the meaning behind 'Ouncie Mitchell.' 'Ouncie got his name because he was born small,' Gleason said. 'He grew up to compete with a huge heart.' Police said the incident was isolated and was related to a domestic dispute between Allen and Bagley with 'no threat to the public at this time.' Bagley is currently being held at Salt Lake County Metro Jail without bond. Detectives at the Salt Lake City Police Department are continuing to investigate. Allen competed alongside his father, Demetrius 'Teaspoon' Mitchell, early into his bull-riding career. Mitchell said Allen first fell in love with the sport at 2 years old Mitchell said he opposed Allen's mother, Laquita, suggesting their son participate in a 'mutton busting' competition: 'Do you know what you just did? You messed up everything, because I don't want him to ride bulls' Before he became known as 'Ouncie Mitchell,' Allen shared his father's 'Teaspoon' nickname Allen fist started bull-riding when he was 2 years old in Fresno, Texas. Before he was known as 'Ouncie,' he shared a nickname with his father, Demetrius 'Teaspoon' Mitchell. His father recalled Allen entering in his first 'mutton busting' competition and said he did not want his son to become a bull rider, according to PBR. 'Are you crazy?' Mitchell remembers asking Allen's mother, Laquita. 'Do you know what you just did? You messed up everything, because I don't want him to ride bulls.' Allen became a professional bull rider at 18 years old and qualified for the 2019 PBR World Finals that same year. He competed alongside his father at the Bill Pickett Invitational, a traditionally all-black rodeo, in 2021. 'It is amazing,' Mitchell said. 'What father wouldn't want to be with their child? 'He has been around it all my career since his mom entered him in the mutton busting. The boy wasn't even walking all the way when he got started.' Allen first rode a steer at 5 years old and he credits his father with teaching him how to ride. 'I try to ride loose and cool and have fun,' Allen said. 'My dad used to always say, 'Forget the form and make the horn.' Whatever I have to do, just make it.' Advertisement A Carnegie Mellon professor who sparked outrage by saying she hoped the Queen died an 'excruciating death' has launched another vile attack on the late monarch for sitting on 'a throne of blood'. Uju Anya, who teaches linguistics, argued Her Majesty, who died last week aged 96, wore a crown made of 'blood diamonds' and claimed her palaces and riches were funded by 'our blood'. She also attacked the monarch for what she claimed was her role in the Nigerian Civil War, bizarrely suggesting she was directly responsible for the death of millions. Later in the show, she admitted her sick tweet was an 'emotional outburst' because she was 'triggered' by news of Her Majesty's passing. But she said 'I said what I f***ing said' and was 'unapologetic' for the vile posts that lead to a huge public backlash - including from her own university. Anya, a Left-wing Nigerian-American lecturer, was among those trying to use the Queen's death for social capital while the royals and millions mourned. She attacked the late Royal as the 'chief monarch of a thieving, raping genocidal empire', adding: 'May her pain be excruciating.' Other obscure writers piled in on her passing aged 96, with little-known journalists from The New York Times, Mew York Magazine and The Atlantic turned into online trolls and also aired vile claims. It comes as Meghan Markle's new favorite magazine The Cut now turned their heads on her father-in-law King Charles, slamming the new British sovereign as 'big, fussy baby and a jerk'. The latest hatchet-job from the New York Magazine offshoot was titled 'King Charles's Reign of Fussiness Has Begun' and viciously went after the royal as he tried to mourn the loss of his mother. Anya said on Wednesday that she was 'triggered' by the death of the queen Hundreds of people slammed the crude professor for her comments about the Queen's final hours Queen Elizabeth, pictured on June 2, died last week aged 96. Anya said she despised her because of Britain's role in fueling Nigeria's civil war in the late 1960s, which killed over a million people The Pennsylvania-based professor, 46, told the podcast This Week In White Supremacy last night: 'This was a ruler. The very crown she had on her head signified the fact that she's a monarch was made from plunder. Diamonds. Blood diamonds. 'The throne that she was sitting on is a throne of blood. So you cannot say that she's just this little old lady or this figurehead that really had nothing to do with anything and it was just the British government without relating it directly to her because she was directly benefiting, her very position as a monarch, the palace she lived in... were all paid for by our blood.' She continued: 'People expected me to be calm or to be... when the person who literally paid money for bombs and guns and military supplies to come and massacre your people is dying, you're not supped to dance.' When asked about her tweet that sparked outrage, she went on: 'In other words, I said what I f****** said.' She continued: 'I had an emotional reaction. And an emotional outburst,' she told the podcast hosts. 'I was triggered by this news. It went deep into pain and trauma for me. Due to my family experience with the rule of this monarch.' Anya, who said she was an 'unapologetic, left-leaning' provocateur used to contentious debate, said her tweet was 'not planned, very spontaneous' and 'extremely real'. 'I heard the chief monarch of a thieving, raping genocidal empire is finally dying. May her pain be excruciating,' she wrote in a tweet to her approximately 70,000 followers. She said she was surprised by how much attention the tweet received, but said it was designed to educate people. 'I like to teach. I am fundamentally a teacher,' she said. 'And I bring evidence and support for the claims that I make.' Uju Anya, a Nigerian-American professor of linguistics at Carnegie Mellon University, told the podcast This Week In White Supremacy that she stood by her controversial remarks about the queen The professor turned activist was landed in hot water for her sick post last Thursday, where she wrote: 'I heard the chief monarch of a thieving, raping genocidal empire is finally dying. May her pain be excruciating.' She later added: 'If anyone expects me to express anything but disdain for the monarch who supervised a government that sponsored the genocide that massacred and displaced half my family and the consequences of which those alive today are still trying to overcome, you can keep wishing upon a star.' Jeff Bezos was among those condemning her, posting on his Twitter: 'This is someone supposedly working to make the world better? 'I don't think so. Wow.' Anya claimed her attacks on the Queen stemmed from her family during their time in Nigeria. In 1967 - seven years after Nigeria became independent of the British Empire, and 15 years after the young queen took the throne - a civil war broke out in the east of the country. Biafra separatists wanted independence for Nigeria's Igbo people, but they were strongly repressed by the Nigerian government, with the support of the British government, which supplied weapons. More than a million people died in the two-year conflict - many of them from starvation. Despite being a largely ceremonial monarch, Anya still chooses to blame the Queen. The death of the queen was also celebrated by some opinion writers, with one promising to dance on her grave and another describing her 70-year reign as 'devastating.' While millions around the world were mourning the death of the 96-year-old monarch, provocateurs were within hours mocking the outpouring of grief - in some of the most esteemed publications in the United States. The ridicule of her reign was led by Tirhakah Love, senior newsletter writer for New York Magazine. 'For 96 years, that colonizer has been sucking up the Earth's resources,' he wrote in his Thursday evening newsletter. He added: 'You can't be a literal oppressor and not expect the people you've oppressed not to rejoice on news of your death.' Love, who was appointed in December, described by magazine editors as 'creative and restless' and 'funny and surprising', said he felt nothing but joy at her death. 'Now I'm supposed to be quiet or, better yet, actually mourn what was a barely breathing Glad ForceFlex trash bag? Please, no,' he wrote. 'I just want to remind you that in the rest of the world, and I mean the actual world, most will be celebrating today. 'We all have our methods of mourning friends; doing the electric slide on a colonizer's grave just happens to be mine.' Love knew his views on the Dinner Party newsletter would be provocative, tweeting: 'lol make sure yall read dinner party'. When someone reacted with mock horror, the Texan replied: 'lmaooo whatchu meaannn???? im about to be as respectful and sweet as always!' In The New York Times, Maya Jasanoff, a history professor at Harvard University, where she focuses on the history of Britain and the British Empire, said it was wrong to 'romanticize' her reign. The coffin bearing the queen's body is carried into the Palace of Westminster on Wednesday Tirhakah Love, senior newsletter writer for New York Magazine, said he was looking forward to dancing on the queen's grave 'The queen helped obscure a bloody history of decolonization whose proportions and legacies have yet to be adequately acknowledged,' she wrote. Jasanoff highlights repression in Malaya, Kenya, Yemen, Cyprus and Ireland. 'We may never learn what the queen did or didn't know about the crimes committed in her name,' she said. 'Those who heralded a second Elizabethan age hoped Elizabeth II would sustain British greatness; instead, it was the era of the empire's implosion.' A writer for The Atlantic magazine, Jemele Hill, also chimed in on her Twitter account, saying journalists had a duty to cover what she called the 'devastating' impacts of Elizabeth's reign. 'Journalists are tasked with putting legacies into full context, so it is entirely appropriate to examine the queen and her role in the devastating impact of continued colonialism,' Hill wrote. That tweet was also met with a comment section full of critics, with one remarking 'Lol ain't no one gonna say a thing tho.' Maya Jasanoff, a Harvard professor specializing in the history of the British Empire, said it was wrong to 'romanticize' the queen's rule Jemele Hill, a writer for The Atlantic, wrote about the 'devastating' reign of the queen Another journalist, Eugene Scott of The Washington Post, also offered his opinions, asking when it would be a good time to talk about colonialism under the queen. 'Real question for the 'now is not the appropriate time to talk about the negative impact of colonialism' crowd: When is the appropriate time to talk about the negative impact of colonialism?' he wrote. Imani Gandy, a legal analyst at Rewire News, tweeted out a video of a group of men tap-dancing outside Buckingham Palace to the song Another One Bites The Dust. 'The queen died and the Irish are already on it lol,' she wrote. Meghan's new favorite magazine The Cut launches vicious attack on father-in-law King Charles for being a 'big, fussy baby and a jerk to his staff' as he mourns loss of beloved mother, Queen Elizabeth II The Cut, the liberal magazine that published an in-depth interview with the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, in August, has targeted King Charles in a new piece that was published online on Wednesday. The latest piece from the New York Magazine offshoot is titled: 'King Charles's Reign of Fussiness Has Begun,' which comes days before the Queen's funeral, which is scheduled for Monday. The article points to reports that Charles went through two 'tantrums' in the days after his mother's death. One was the report that he stormed out of a signing ceremony in Northern Ireland when a pen leaked on him, another was when he 'trussed up in tails and hissing at palace aides who failed to move a pen tray off his table with due haste.' The king apparently gestured to aides to help him to make some room on a cluttered desk. The Cut goes on to mention a report from the Guardian in which it was alleged that Charles chose to tell close to 100 employees that he was letting them go as he prepares to move into Buckingham Palace during a memorial service for his mother. A source told the newspaper: 'Everybody is absolutely livid, including private secretaries and the senior team.' In August, Markle told the Cut that she and Prince Harry were 'happy' to leave Britain and were 'upsetting the dynamic of the hierarchy just by existing' before they stepped down as frontline royals and moved to North America. The latest attack from the magazine Charles III comes less than a week after his mother's death The article accuses him of 'mundane cruelty' to his wife, Princess Diana. Infamously, shortly after the Queen's death, the Cut published an article titled: 'I Won't Cry Over the Death of a Violent Oppressor.' The piece was an interview Carnegie Mellon linguistics professor Uju Anya who tweeted on Thursday: 'I heard the chief monarch of a thieving raping genocidal empire is finally dying. May her pain be excruciating.' Anya told the Cut that the Queen was a 'representative of the cult of white womanhood.' The Cut was launched in 2008 as a section on New York Magazine's website and made into a standalone brand in 2012. It owned by Vox Media, who publish titles such as Thrillist, Eater and The Verge. It has published such controversial removed pieces such as a 2018 article that referred to Priyanka Chopra as a 'global scam artist' with regard to her relationship with Nick Jonas and an open forum for spreading unconfirmed reports of sexual misconduct by men in journalism. Anya, an applied-linguistics professor at the Pittsburgh university, is the daughter of a mother from Trinidad and a father from Nigeria. She told NBC News that she is 'a child of colonization,' and that her perspective was shaped by Britain's role in the Nigerian Civil War. 'My earliest memories were from living in a war-torn area, and rebuilding still hasn't finished even today,' she said. She defended her remarks opposing the monarchy and added that the Queen was not exempt from the decisions made by the British government 'she supervised.' 'Queen Elizabeth was representative of the cult of white womanhood,' Anya said. 'There's this notion that she was this little-old-lady grandma type with her little hats and her purses and little dogs and everything, as if she inhabited this place or this space in the imaginary, this public image, as someone who didn't have a hand in the bloodshed of her Crown.' Uju Anya, a black applied-linguistics professor at the Pittsburgh university, said on Friday: 'Queen Elizabeth was representative of the cult of white womanhood' In August, Markle told the Cut that what the couple asked for when they wanted financial freedom was not 'reinventing the wheel'. The article also heard from Harry who suggested some members of the Royal Family 'aren't able to work and live together', while Meghan revealed that her husband told her that he had 'lost' his father Prince Charles. Meghan also said: 'I'm getting back on Instagram' - with Davies describing 'her eyes alight and devilish'. It comes after she closed all of her social media accounts ahead of her wedding to Harry in 2018. But further down the article, it says: 'Later, Meghan would relay she was no longer sure she would actually return to Instagram.' And Meghan said she spoke to a Lion King cast member from South Africa in London in 2019 who told her: 'When you married into this family, we rejoiced in the streets the same we did when Mandela was freed from prison.' Meghan said that she and Prince Harry were 'happy' to leave Britain and were 'upsetting the dynamic of the hierarchy just by existing' before they stepped down as frontline royals and moved to North America. Prior to the release of their interview, The Cut published an article titled: 'People Will Accuse Meghan Markle of Lying About Anything.' That piece dealt with Markle's claim that there had been a fire in Archie's room prior to the formerly Royal couple attending an event, and cited numerous commentators allegations that the event was exaggerated. Queen Elizabeth II's funeral cortege is pictured making its way along The Royal Mile towards St Giles Cathedral on September 12 Britons gathered in tribute as the carriage carrying the Queen's coffin passed by on Monday The Cut reported today that 41-year-old Meghan listed a 'handful of princes and princesses and dukes who have the very arrangement they wanted', although none of these royals are named in the article. And Meghan, speaking to New York-based features writer Allison P Davis, said: 'That, for whatever reason, is not something that we were allowed to do, even though several other members of the family do that exact thing.' Asked 'Why do you think that is?', she simply replied: 'Why do you think that is?', with the interviewer Davis saying that she said this 'right back with a side-eye that suggests I should understand without having to be told'. The article states that Harry and Meghan suggested to 'The Firm' that they should be allowed to work on behalf of the monarchy but make their own money, with the Duchess saying: 'Then maybe all the noise would stop.' The article says: 'They also thought it best to leave the U.K. (and the U.K. press) to do it. They were willing to go to basically any commonwealth, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, anywhere. ''Anything to just because just by existing, we were upsetting the dynamic of the hierarchy. So we go, 'Okay, fine, let's get out of here. Happy to,' ' she says, putting her hands up in mock defeat. 'Meghan asserts that what they were asking for wasn't 'reinventing the wheel' and lists a handful of princes and princesses and dukes who have the very arrangement they wanted. ''That, for whatever reason, is not something that we were allowed to do, even though several other members of the family do that exact thing.' 'Why do you think that is? I ask. 'Why do you think that is?' she says right back with a side-eye that suggests I should understand without having to be told.' The Duchess was asked during the interview whether forgiveness can exist between her and her own family as well as members of the Royal Family. She told The Cut: 'I think forgiveness is really important. It takes a lot more energy to not forgive. But it takes a lot of effort to forgive. I've really made an active effort, especially knowing that I can say anything.' The article also refers to Meghan's estranged father Thomas Markle, a retired lighting director who now lives in Mexico. The report said that Meghan discussed how two families had been 'torn apart'. And it quotes Meghan as saying: 'Harry said to me, 'I lost my dad in this process.' It doesn't have to be the same for them as it was for me, but that's his decision.' Advertisement Action hero Sylvester Stallone dined out in Rome on a warm fall night accompanied by friends and a mystery woman in a black dress this past Tuesday. As the group left their SUV, surrounded by bodyguards and began walking to their restaurant, the woman grew closer to the Rocky star, 76, and affectionately placed an arm on his back. It's not clear who the mystery woman is or if Stallone has begun dating again since splitting from his wife of 25 years, Jennifer Flavin, 56. Over the last few days Stallone has been hanging around the Italian capital. On Wednesday night, he appeared at the opening of Paramount+'s Italian version of the streaming service. Stallone appeared in high spirits as he hit the red carpet and larked around with the film studio CEO Pamela Kaufman as she jokingly landed a punch on the star's chin. The Rambo star cut a dapper figure for the appearance in a dark blue suit which he layered over a black shirt. He wore his salt and pepper locks slicked back and he sported a neatly trimmed goatee. As the group left their SUV, surrounded by bodyguards and began walking to their restaurant, the woman grew closer to the Rocky star, 76, and affectionately placed an arm on his back It's not clear who the mystery woman is or if Stallone has begun dating again since splitting from his wife of 25 years, Jennifer Flavin, 56 The gentle arm placing came as the group left their SUV en route to dinner in the Italian capital of Rome As they walked towards the restaurant, undistracted by the onlookers, the pair remained in deep conversation The muscle bound star is also in the country to promote his new show Tulsa King which marks his scripted TV debut The muscle bound star is also in the country to promote his new show Tulsa King which marks his scripted TV debut. He plays Dwight 'The General' Manfredi who is sent to Tulsa by his boss after completing a 25-year prison sentence, in order to establish criminal operations there. It comes after the Rambo actor covered up a second tattoo of his wife, after her shock filing of divorce papers that took even her own brother by surprise. Last month DailyMail.com revealed the Sylvester had covered over a tattoo of his wife's face on his right arm with a depiction of a dog indicating all was not well in the Stallones' relationship. News broke days later that Jennifer Stallone, 54, had filed for divorce in Florida after 25 years of marriage. The couple had three daughters together, Sistine, Scarlet and Sophia. Sly has since doubled down, covering up a tattoo of Jennifer's sparkling green eyes on his left tricep with the face of a leopard. As they left the restaurant, surrounded by a group of security guards, diners in the area waved to the Rocky star The Rambo star walked without his new paramour as he waved back at the diners In his latest role, Stallone plays Dwight 'The General' Manfredi who is sent to Tulsa by his boss after completing a 25-year prison sentence, in order to establish criminal operations there Last month DailyMail.com revealed the Sylvester had covered over a tattoo of his wife's face on his right arm with a depiction of a dog indicating all was not well in the Stallones' relationship News broke in August that Jennifer Stallone, 54, had filed for divorce in Florida after 25 years of marriage During his time in Italy, Stallone spent time at the recent Formula One race in Monza Oklahoma City tattoo artist Zach Perez, who did both cover ups for Stallone, posted a video of the ink reveal on his Instagram account on Sunday. 'Round 2!!!' he wrote. 'Here's the other arm I covered up and reworked the existing horse. It's an honor to know he can select anyone but he likes my work enough to come back and do another project! I'll post the 1st session of the dog cover up soon! As always thanks for the trust.' The second coverup threatens to make a mockery of Sly's publicist's explanation for removing his wife's face from his arms. Stallone appeared in high spirits as he hit the red carpet and larked around with the film studio CEO Pamela Kaufman as she jokingly landed a punch on the star's chin Over the last few days Stallone has been hanging around the Italian capital. On Wednesday night, he appeared at the opening of Paramount+'s Italian version Stallone and Jennifer Flavin were married for 25 years. In August a spokesperson for the couple told DailyMail.com: 'Mr. Stallone loves his family. The Stallones are presently filming a reality show together which will debut on Paramount' Before the news of the Stallones' divorce broke, his rep Michelle Bega claimed in a statement to DailyMail.com that the coverup of his wife's face was due to a botched touchup. 'Mr. Stallone intended to refresh the tattoo image of his wife Jennifer however the results were unsatisfactory and, unfortunately, unfixable,' she said. 'As a result, he had to cover the original image with a tattoo of his dog from Rocky, Butkus. 'Mr. Stallone loves his family. The Stallones are presently filming a reality show together which will debut on Paramount+,' Bega added. Before the news of the Stallones' divorce broke, his rep Michelle Bega claimed in a statement to DailyMail.com that the coverup of his wife's face was due to a botched touchup Jennifer filed marriage dissolution papers in Palm Beach County on August 29. The documents claimed Sly 'engaged in the intentional dissipation, depletion and/or waste of marital assets which has had an adverse economic impact on the marital estate.' 'Moreover, the Husband should be enjoined from, selling, transferring, assigning, encumbering, or dissipating any assets during the pendency of proceedings.' Jennifer, who took her husband's last name, is also seeking to restore her maiden name, Flavin. 'I love my family. We are amicably and privately addressing these personal issues,' Sly told DailyMail.com in a statement via his publicist. However Flavin said in divorce docs: 'The marriage between the parties is irretrievably broken.' The former couple married on May 17, 1997 at the posh Dorchester Hotel in London, and with Stallone's reputation as a playboy, few predicted they would last long. 'I'm not naive about what may go on when I'm not around he's a 45-year-old man I can't change the way he is,' Flavin told People at the time. 'Still, he's not a cheating dog every day of the week,' she added. 'We spend five out of seven nights together, so I don't know where he'd find the time.' But last it did and just this May they celebrated their silver wedding anniversary. The marriage produced three daughters, Sophia, now 25, Sistine, 24, and Scarlet, 20. He also had two sons with first wife Sasha Czack, Sage, who died of coronary artery disease in 2012 aged 36, and Seargeoh, 43. Advertisement New York City Mayor Eric Adams has admitted shelters are at the 'breaking point' after Texas bused nearly 11,000 migrants to the 'sanctuary city.' In a statement on Wednesday, Adams expressed frustration over Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's busing policy that has inundated the Big Apple with thousands of migrants and left a group of 60 without access to a shelter on Monday. 'In this new and unforeseen reality, where we expect thousands more to arrive every week going forward, the city's system is nearing its breaking point,' Adams said. 'As a result, the city's prior practices, which never contemplated the bussing of thousands of people into New York City, must be reassessed. 'While some may want to use these extraordinary circumstances as an opportunity to play an unproductive game of gotcha, we remain focused on supporting each of these individuals and families who need our city's help.' Among the latest group of migrants who arrived in New York this month included 44 from El Paso, which has seen such an influx of immigrants that its shelters were forced to reject nearly 1,000 people, who were pictured sleeping on the city streets. New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the city was nearing it's breaking point amid an influx of 11,000 migrants being bussed over from Texas in protest of the country's border policy On Monday, the city reportedly failed to properly shelter a group of 60 migrants that arrived from Texas The group was forced to sleep on chairs and the floor for five hours until beds were finally made available The group fared better than the estimated 1,000 migrants out on the streets of El Paso after the Texas city saw its shelters fill up, forcing the immigrants to sleep on the streets on Wednesday While some migrants were given mattresses, others only had sleeping bags as they rested in the middle of the street While once again rebuking the busing protest policy carried on by officials in the Southwest, Adams said the city has been working to accommodate its newest arrivals since May. 'This administration, on its own, has safely and efficiently provided shelter, health care, education, and a host of other services to more than 11,000 people predominantly from Central and South America who are seeking a better life,' Adams said. 'This is a remarkable achievement that has required - and will continue to require the efforts of our entire team, and has become a reality that no city official, advocate, or court ever could have contemplated.' Adams, however, is being called upon to do more after Legal Aid NY reported that the city has repeatedly failed to properly shelter groups of new migrants. New York city is one of the few municipalities in the country with right-to-shelter laws, which guarantees that anyone who asks for shelter within a deadline must be given a place to stay that same day. Migrant Nelson Pizaarro told NBC4 that he and others slept on the floor of a shelter for five hours before beds finally became available. 'The first shelter I went to, they didn't have a bed, so they sent me to a second place where they didn't have a bed either. Migrant Nelson Pizaarro said that after arriving to New York City this week, he was taken from shelter-to-shelter to try and find housing, but was ultimately left to wait hours sleeping on the floor for a bed to finally open up The city said it needed to reassess its right-to-shelter policy amid the influx of migrants being bused into New York Each of the arriving migrants at New York City's Port Authority last week were provided with a handshake, a blanket and then escorted to a local hotel. The city says the system is in trouble amid the continuing arrivals As Texas deals with a large influx of immigrants, officials began sending over buses full of migrants to so-called sanctuary cities including New York, Washington DC and Chicago Legal Aid claimed that the city has more than enough shelters in place for the latest group of migrants and threatened legal action if the issue is not resolved. 'We are extremely alarmed by the frequency of these violations under this administration,' the group said in a statement. 'Any New Yorker including an individual seeking asylum is legally entitled to placement in a safe and decent shelter.' In response to Adams' statement on Wednesday, the Legal Aid said: 'While we understand and appreciate the demands that the City faces, the law is clear: Anyone in need of shelter, including asylum seekers, is entitled to such in New York City.' The mayor's office disputed claims that city officials previously acknowledged wrongdoing during Monday's incident in failing to house 60 migrants, and did not comment further on the status of the men. Adams Press Secretary Fabien Levy also denied claims that Adams was looking to change or alter the city's right-to-shelter laws to avoid housing the migrants. City records show that the number of people living in shelters has gone up to 57,000 people, a 25 percent increase from May, the New York Post reported. Migrants from Venezuela set up tents near a bus station after being released from U.S. Border Patrol custody in El Paso, Texas on Tuesday Following a large new surge of migrants, primarily from Venezuela, Border Patrol facilities and shelters in El Paso have been overwhelmed, leading to street encampments Without access to basic facilities, migrants have been forced to use open-air toilets, leading to health and sanitation concerns Meanwhile, a humanitarian crisis is deepening in the Texas border town of El Paso, where nearly 1,000 migrants have been released to sleep on the streets amid a surge of illegal crossings that is overwhelming Border Patrol facilities. Following a large influx of migrants, primarily from Venezuela, Border Patrol facilities and shelters in the west Texas town have been overwhelmed in recent days, leading to a flood of so-called 'street releases'. Congressman Tony Gonzalez, a GOP US Representative, told the New York Post: 'Weve never seen anything like this. Its a scene that you would see in a third-world country, not in the streets of El Paso.' 'There's nothing safe about having people roaming the streets, it's almost apocalyptic,' US Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Republican who represents part of El Paso It has led to scenes of misery, with hundreds of migrants sleeping on the streets without access to toilets or showers, and residents say that the 'smell of human waste is overwhelming in the area,' according to KVIA-TV. 'There's nothing safe about having people roaming the streets, it's almost apocalyptic,' Gonzales, who represents part of El Paso, told the ABC affiliate. 'I'd argue that we're very compassionate people, people who want to give the shirt off their back, but when there's no end in sight, it's just not fair,' said Gonzales. US Customs and Border Protection says that in the El Paso sector, encounters with people crossing the border illegally have averaged about 1,300 per day since the start of September, up from the recent May high of 1,000. Since last Wednesday, 932 migrants have been released in what are commonly known as 'street releases' and Border Patrol calls 'provisional releases,' according to NBC News. In these cases, migrants are being released near bus stations in the hopes that they can make their own way to other parts of the United States. 'Generally, after processing, migrants who are not detained for the duration of their removal proceeding are provisionally released in coordination with NGOs [non-governmental organizations],' a Border Patrol spokeswoman told NBC. 'If NGOs are over capacity, U.S. Border Patrol coordinates with local government and cities to identify locations where migrants can conveniently access transportation services or accommodations,' the spokeswoman added. The Border Patrol says that its agents do biometric screenings on migrants prior to 'street releases' and continue to hold those who may pose a threat to public safety. It's not entirely clear what has prompted the surge of Venezuelan migrants at the El Paso crossing specifically, but Venezuela has for years been undergoing an economic crisis and food shortages under its socialist regime. US Customs and Border Protection says that in the El Paso sector, encounters with people crossing the border illegally have averaged about 1,300 per day since the start of September Since last Wednesday, 932 migrants have been released in what are commonly known as 'street releases' and Border Patrol calls 'provisional releases' Migrants are detained by U.S. Border Patrol agents after crossing into the United States from Mexico to turn themselves in to request for asylum, in El Paso on Monday The situation in El Paso comes days after the Biden administration officially extended special protections for Venezuelans, known as Temporary Protected Status, that shield some of them from deportation. However, the protections are only supposed to apply to Venezuelan nationals who have been present in the US since March 8, 2021, and so would not include more recent arrivals. El Paso's mayor declared a state of emergency due to the border situation in May, and the emergency order was extended again on Monday. El Paso's Deputy City Manager, Mario D'Agostino, says his city has contacted the government directly to combat similar issues. 'We've been in communication with the White House directly,' he said. 'We've been talking about some of the needs we're seeing in our community and we need to continue helping in this effort.' Due to the on-going crisi, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has begun bussing thousands of migrants to so-called sanctuary cities including New York, Washington DC and Chicago. Both of the planes were carrying around 50 Venezuelan migrants One immigrant told the Vineyard Gazette: 'Were immigrants. We came here because of the situation in our country, for the economy, for work, for lots of things. I came here walking' State Senator Julian Cyr tweeted on Wednesday's night: 'Developing situation on #MarthasVineyard where migrants arrived via charter flight from TX this afternoon. Islanders working hard to provide food + shelter' Taking a cue from Abbott, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is taking credit for two planeloads of migrants arriving in Martha's Vineyard on Wednesday. Pictures published by the Martha's Vineyard Gazette and the Martha's Vineyard Times showed the migrants in the affluent community where prominent liberals such as the Obamas, Oprah Winfrey and Larry David all have homes. In a statement, DeSantis' office said: 'Yes, Florida can confirm the two planes with illegal immigrants that arrived in Marthas Vineyard today were part of the states relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations.' The remarks continued: 'States like Massachusetts, New York, and California will better facilitate the care of these individuals who they have invited into our country by incentivizing illegal immigration through their designation as sanctuary states and support for the Biden Administrations open border policies.' The press release went on: 'As you may know, in this past legislative session the Florida Legislature appropriated $12 million to implement a program to facilitate the transport of illegal immigrants from this state consistent with federal law.' The latest figure shows there were nearly 200,000 crossing at the border in July So far this year, more than 1.8 million immigrants have crossed the southern border President Joe Biden appointed Vice President Kamala Harris to tackle the 'root causes' of immigration, but so far border agents have made nearly 2 million border apprehensions, an all-time record, this fiscal year, which ends in October. That number surpassed the already-historic 1.7 million encounters in fiscal year 2021. Despite the surge, Harris insisted the border was secure during a Meet the Press interview on Sunday. 'The border is secure, but we also have a broken immigration system, in particular, over the last four years before we came in, and it needs to be fixed,' she said, deferring the blame to the Trump administration. 'We have a secure border in that that is a priority for any nation including ours in our administration,' Harris added. 'But there are still a lot of problems that we are trying to fix,' she said, calling for a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. In July there were nearly 200,000 encounters, a decline for the second consecutive month after four months of increases climaxing in May with a record-breaking 241,116 encounters. August figures should be released soon. With one month still left to go in the fiscal year, almost 750 border crossers have died making the dangerous journey northward to the U.S. Investigators probing Melissa Caddick's disappearance planned to throw dead pigs off a cliff, fitted with running shoes and tracking devices in a bid for answers. Details of the bizarre proposed science experiment - which would track the behaviour of sharks and give clues to what may have happened to the fraudster's body - emerged at a coronial inquest into her suspected death on Thursday. It comes as a police officer said Caddick's husband's behaviour after she went missing raised alarm bells and suggested that he could have assisted the fraudster in hiding. And it came as it was revealed Caddick had a life insurance policy at the time of her disappearance that covered suicide. Aside from hiding, the other dominant theory from the officer-in-charge of the case was that Caddick had self-harmed due to the pending investigation into her multi-million dollar fraud, Detective Inspector Gretchen Atkins told the inquest. Bizarre new details have emerged at the inquest into the suspected death of missing conwoman Melissa Caddick (pictured with husband Anthony Koletti) Anthony Koletti (pictured on Thursday)heard at an inquest how investigators probing his wife's disappearance planned to throw dead pigs off a cliff '(Detective Sergeant Michael Kyneur's) number one theory was she had voluntarily gone missing and was potentially being assisted by (Anthony) Koletti,' she said. 'Does that amount to an offence on Mr Koletti's part?' Jason Downing SC, counsel assisting the coroner, asked Det Insp Atkins on Thursday. '(I) had not turned my mind to that,' she said. But three days after Ms Caddick was reported missing nothing gathered in the police investigation pointed to murder by Mr Koletti. 'There'd been searches at the house, there'd been conversations with Mr Koletti ... there was no evidence of homicide,' Det Insp Atkins said. 'If there had been anything we would have absolutely notified the homicide squad. 'The other real possibility is she had taken her own life.' Det Insp Atkins said alarm bells included the long delay in reporting and no subsequent sighting of Ms Caddick. Mr Downing revealed that Ms Caddick had a life insurance policy covering suicide. Melissa Caddick (pictured) was last seen at her Dover Heights mansion on November 11, 2021 But this discovery did not change the course of the investigation, Detective Sergeant Steven Morgan said. Det Sgt Morgan was brought on as a consultant into the suspicious circumstances surrounding the conwoman's disappearance in March 2021. Caddick's decomposing foot encased in a shoe washed ashore at Bournda Beach on the NSW south coast in February 2021, three months after the last verified sighting of her at her Dover Heights mansion in Sydney's east. Subsequent experiments put forward pig carcasses wearing running shoes on their trotters fitted with trackers tossed into the ocean to ascertain sharks' behaviour. Det Sgt Morgan told the inquest he's unaware whether this was ever conducted but confirmed he did speak with a 'shark expert' from NSW Department of Primary Industries. '(He had) some doubt regarding the length of time that a foot had been in the water,' he said on Wednesday. Det Sgt Morgan was also told of some concerns regarding the initial police search that no CCTV footage had been collected or adequately reviewed promptly, nor had a land search been co-ordinated in the early stages. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission and Australian Federal Police raided Ms Caddick's Dover Heights mansion on November 11, 2021. This is the last verified sighting of her. The inquest before Deputy State Coroner Elizabeth Ryan continues. The 'Baby A' death inquest has heard harrowing accounts from several inmates at a notorious women's prison of the moment a nurse 'refused to touch' an unresponsive newborn - and how guards hung up on them when they pleaded for help. 'Baby A' was just 12 days old when she died in the arms of her mother inside the dedicated 'Mothers and Children Units' at Victoria's Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in 2018. The coronial inquest on Thursday heard how a prison nurse failed to perform CPR on the unresponsive baby and guards did not respond to repeated intercom calls for help. The distressing testimony comes amid claims newborn babies jailed with their mothers at the facility are being forced to wait up to an hour for pain relief. Dame Phyllis Frost Centre can hold 604 inmates and contains a dedicated unit for mothers and their children, from babies up to to pre-schoolers Women live together in large groups inside the women's prison Four new mothers from the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre have laid bare the Dickensian conditions newborn babies are kept. On Thursday, an inmate referred to as 'Alice' told the inquest that prison nurse Georgina Melody refused to assist the newborn after an inmate had been forced to administer CPR. 'The nurse just said "Oh I'm sorry". That was it ... she did not touch the baby,' Alice said. Alice had been the first inmate to hear Baby A's mother scream for help about 5.30am. 'Baby's not breathing,' the desperate mum shouted. While other mother's caged within the unit flew into a panic, Alice tried desperately to get prison guards to open the door and provide help. 'They kept hanging up on me,' Alice said. 'They said they'd called a code and said we'd just have to wait ... we didn't know what to do.' Alice said when prison staff became frustrated with her repeated calls they cut the intercom to the room. The court heard the prison guards stood by and watched as another inmate, referred to as 'Donna', performed CPR on the baby. 'They said they needed permission to open up,' Alice said. When prison staff finally entered the unit, Alice claimed they treated the hysterical mother with cold disregard. 'There was no comforting,' she said. 'Someone asked her where the baby had been sleeping.' Victorian Coroner John Olle heard mothers sharing the unit had been warned to always ensure their babies slept in their cot - never in bed with them. It was a rule often ignored after the mothers were sealed within the unit at 7pm each night, Alice claimed. The inquest was told Baby A was spotted lying alone on her mother's bed just hours before she would die, although her mother maintains she had been sleeping in her cot. The inquest comes almost three years after an investigation by Daily Mail Australia exposed the shocking death of Baby A, who along with her mother cannot be named for legal reasons. Dame Phyllis Frost Centre houses some of the nation's deadliest women, including gangland matriarch Judy Moran and the 'Black Widow' serial killer Robyn Lindholm. Inside Dame Phyllis Frost: Inmates were forced into lockdown for four days after a baby died in the dedicated Mothers and Children Units in August last year The coroner heard while Ms Melody refused to provide CPR to the baby, firefighters who later attended the unit worked frantically to try and revive her. Beth, not her real name, told the inquest inmates pleaded with the guards to 'open the f**king door'. 'Everyone was panicking,' she said. The young mother further claimed their babies were all but abandoned by their jailers after dark. 'At night it is quite difficult for us especially when the baby gets sick or has a temperature,' Beth said. 'We press the intercom, we wait for confirmation and then they need to do something, but at least it's half an hour or one hour they will bring Panadol for the kids and then log book and everything needs to be done - it's quite difficult - but this happens at night time.' Donna told the inquest Baby A had appeared fine on the night she would die. The court heard Baby A's mother had only returned from hospital that afternoon and went on a cleaning frenzy while holding her before going to bed. It was Donna who rushed to the baby's aid to perform CPR upon hearing her mother's cries for help. 'My maternal instincts kicked in,' she said. 'All of the other mums were just standing around.' Donna told the court she feared Baby A might already have been dead. 'There was no life. She felt like a rubber doll ... I could see the baby was gone. It was too late.' A bird's eye view of Melbourne's notorious Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. It houses some of Australia's worst female prisoners Inside a standard prison cell within the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. A coroner is expected to investigate how a baby died within its concrete walls Babies are made to wait for treatment inside Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in Melbourne. TIMELINE TO DISASTER Baby As mother was in custody from late January 2018 and spent nearly the entirety of her pregnancy in custody. She had used ice and heroin prior to her incarceration and was prescribed methadone throughout her pregnancy. Mum made an application to enter the prison mother's program which was considered by a steering committee on May 8 that year. A child protection representative on the committee and her manager both felt the application should be refused. On May 20 the person responsible for the program emailed members of the committee seeking their agreement to support the application. 'For reasons which are unclear' the email did not go to the child protection representative. Other members of the committee supported the application, as did the General Manager of jail after a meeting she had with Baby As mother on May 25. On May 30 her application was ultimately approved. Advertisement The inquest heard Baby A's mum had earlier expressed a desire to return from hospital with her baby despite fears from hospital staff that she was dangerously underweight. Alice claimed Baby A's mum had told her hospital staff had demanded her baby consume a full bottle of baby formula before they would allow her to go back to jail. When Baby A's mother became agitated, she was handcuffed to a bed, Alice claimed. Despite the apparent concerns by hospital staff, Baby A returned to jail after two nights there. The court heard the prison nurse's decision not to assist the baby shocked not only the baby's mother, but prison staff and investigators. In a gut wrenching impact statement, the baby's mother addressed her dismay at the alleged failure of her jailers to help. 'I still cannot understand why none of the staff did CPR or anything for the baby until the firefighters arrived,' she told the court. Multiple prison guards expressed similar concern about the nurse's alleged failure to provide assistance to the baby. 'I did not see the nurse perform any CPR on the child. I found this to be quite distressing to witness,' one guard said. 'I was surprised and distressed by this lack of action,' another said. A prison operation supervisor told the inquest he too was upset about Ms Melody's 'inaction' on the night. 'I was taken aback by the fact that nobody was giving medical treatment to the baby,' he said. Dame Phyllis Frost Centre now contains a room that no other inmate dares sleep inside of. It is the room where a newborn baby died Dr Julia Charlton, a Fellow at Murdoch Children's Research Institute who provided expert opinion to the inquest, condemned the nurse for her failure to act. 'The first responders could have provided earlier CPR , particularly the onsite nurse , who was a trained professional ... the actions of the other first responders cannot be faulted,' she stated to the inquest. Despite the tragedy, counsel assisting the coroner Rachel Ellyard told the court the validity of the prison program itself would not make up any part of the inquest. 'I stress that inquest is not about the validity or appropriateness of the Mothers and Children Program or about whether, as a general rule, children should live in a prison setting. That broader question does not arise on the facts here,' she said in opening the inquest. However, the inquest does hope to provide answers as to how Baby A even found herself locked in jail with her drug addict mum and jailers. 'Baby As case raises important questions about how children in her position are cared for and whether those with the power and responsibility to take action to protect Baby As welfare exercised those powers and responsibilities in a way which best protected her interest,' Ms Ellyard said. Baby A's death was later determined to be from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The inquest continues. HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao on Thursday announced the naming of the new Telangana state Secretariat complex, which is under construction, after Bharat Ratna Dr B.R. Ambedkar. The Chief Minister issued instructions to Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar to take steps in this regard. In a press release issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Rao said, It is a proud moment to all Telangana people that the states main administration headquarters Secretariat is named after Indias social philosopher and highly intellectual Dr B.R. Ambedkar. This decision is exemplary for India. The Telangana state government is moving forward by adhering to the philosophy of Ambedkar that all the people of India should get equal respect in all fields. The aspirations of Ambedkar are embodied behind achieving Telangana a role model status in the country within a short time in the self-governance by promoting all sections of people at high-level in the social, political, economic and cultural fields. Reminding that the formation of Telangana state became a reality in 2014 because of Article 3 incorporated by Ambedkar in the Indian Constitution, The Chief Minister said, The Telangana state government is governing the state with human face for SC, ST, BC, minority and women communities as well as poor upper caste people by implementing B.R. Ambedkars constitutional spirit. Ambedkars dream of India has a unique democratic character of diversity. Ambedkars spirit guides us that only by implementing the federal spirit, equal rights and opportunities will be provided to all communities. The real Indianness is that the people of India are respected equally without discrimination of caste, creed, gender and region, and equal opportunities are provided to all. Then only , the real India will be unveiled. Stating that the efforts of the Telangana state government will continue in achieving the aims and objectives of Ambedkar, Rao said, Moving forward with vision in all fields, Telangana state, which stood as an example for the country in the past, is once again standing as an example for the country by naming the state Secretariat after Dr B.R. Ambedkar. The Chief Minister opined that the demand to name Indias new Parliament building in Delhi after Ambedkars is not just a small issue. The Telangana state Assembly already adopted an unanimous resolution in this regard two days ago as it is only a befitting honour to the architect of Indias Constitution. A letter will also be written to the Prime Minister regarding the same. Considering the Telangana state governments demand to name Parliament building after B.R. Ambedkar, I am reiterating the demand to the Centre to name Parliament building after Ambedkar, Rao added. The new Secretariat was earlier planned to be inaugurated on October 5 on the occasion of Dasara. However, most of the finishing works are yet to be completed. Official sources said the inauguration would be possible only in 2023 either during Sankranti in January or Ugadi in March. Police have arrested two men in connection with a burglary at the Los Angeles home of a California congresswoman last week where two guns were stolen, authorities said. The men were arrested on Tuesday after investigators saw them get into a vehicle that had been parked at the home of Rep. Karen Bass during the break-in which took place on Saturday. LAPD Van Nuys officers arrested, 42-year-old, Patricio Munoz who is currently being held on $500,000 bail. Juan Espinoza, 24, was also arrested and is being held without bail. Bass, who is running for mayor of Los Angeles, previously said two firearms had been stolen during the break-in. 'I feel safe, but I do understand that a lot of people around the city do not feel safe, and I respect that,' Bass told Fox 11. 'I felt safe, until my safety was shattered. 'Angelenos all around the city are not feeling safe,' she continued, pivoting towards a campaign pitch. Bass said that she had met with LAPD Department detectives on Wednesday who informed her of the arrests. Police have arrested two men in connection with a burglary at the Los Angeles home of Karen Bass, a California congresswoman where two guns were stolen LAPD Detectives are seeking the public's assistance in identifying a person who is suspected of breaking into Bass' home Bass said she saw a burglar inside her house when she arrived home at Baldwin Hills prompting her to immediately called police The guns were safely and securely stored when they were stolen, she said in a statement released by her campaign. Cash, electronics and other valuables were left behind. Bass said she saw a burglar inside her Baldwin Home when she arrived home at Baldwin Hills prompting her to immediately called police. 'It's unnerving and, unfortunately, it's something that far too many Angelenos have faced,' Bass, a democratic Congresswoman and Los Angeles mayoral candidate said last week after the burglary occurred. 'It appears that only two firearms, despite being safely and securely stored, were stolen. Cash, electronics and other valuables were not.' Los Angeles police announced the arrests on Wednesday but did not say Bass had been the victim of the crime. Bass is currently projected as the frontrunner against Los Angeles real estate mogul Rick Caruso. KTTV-TV first reported the arrests on Wednesday. Bass said she has guns for personal safety, though she believes gun control is important. 'I don't know if it was random or what,' she told the news station. Bass is currently projected as the frontrunner against Los Angeles real estate mogul Rick Caruso. Benjamin Heels, 33, pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual conduct with a child under 16 A former high school music teacher and his boyfriend have pleaded guilty to possessing child abuse material and a string of separate child sex offences. Benjamin Heels, 33, and his partner Tristan Cullinan-Smayle, appeared together via videolink at the County Court of Victoria on Thursday. Combined, the couple have admitted to more than 60 charges. Heels, a teacher at Melbourne's Fountain Gate Secondary College, pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual conduct with a child under 16. The 33-year-old is also pleading guilty to sexual assault of a minor, sexual activity in the presence of a child and transmitting and possessing child sex abuse material, NCA Newswire reported. His boyfriend admitted to using a carriage service to encourage a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity during an incident in 2017. Cullinan-Smayle, 33, will also plead guilty to transmitting and possessing child abuse material. Heels, 33, and his partner Tristan Cullinan-Smayle (pictured together), appeared together via videolink at the County Court of Victoria on Thursday Heels' offending occurred over a four-and-a-half month period, between January 1 and May 14, 2021. The teacher also worked on multiple musical productions, including Priscilla Queen of the Desert, with some of the performances involving kids. Photos from his social media pages show Heels dressed up as a clown and wearing Harry Potter-themed, Slytherin house pyjamas. Benjamin Heels, 33, (left) and his partner Tristan Cullinan-Smayle (right) have admitted to more than 60 charges between them The pair both appeared from Hopkins Correctional Centre and will face court again in February next year, NCA reported. The couple's vile acts rocked the tight-knit Narre Warren community, in Melbourne's southeast. One mother of a student who attended Fountain Gate Secondary College earlier told Daily Mail Australia that Heels did individual lessons with the kids - including her young son - who he taught for a year and a half. 'I felt utterly sick and extremely stressed,' she said upon learning the teacher was a paedophile. The killing of 11 health wild brumbies, three of whom were pregnant, has been linked to 'control measures' in a national park, with the RSPCA now called in to review the plan. Cooma couple Michelle and Ian Brown made the gruesome discovery on Sunday in Kosciuszko National Park, finding an entire herd they've been photographing for years shot and left to rot. The animals were discovered with bullet holes in their heads and bodies. At least three of the mares were pregnant. It has since emerged the horses were likely shot as part of 'wild horse control' measures to protect the park's fragile ecology, implemented by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), though it is yet to admit responsibility. National Party MP and former Member for Monaro Peter Cochran has lashed out at the killings, telling 2GB's Ray Hadley that no respect was shown to the animals. 'This was a professional ambush,' he said. 'I'm ashamed to be an Australian associated with people who would do it.' The environment minister has called in the RSCPA to review a plan to manage wild horses after 11 healthy brumbies were killed at the Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales Ray himself branded the act 'disgraceful'. 'Finally an admission that the National Parks and Wildlife Service is responsible for the deaths of those 11 brumbies,' he said. The comments came after the state's environment minister James Griffin revealed he had called in the RSCPA to review the management plan. 'Wild horse control is being carried out in line with the requirements of the Wild Horse Management Plan, which was approved in 2021,' he said when asked about the shootings. 'The plan is the result of years of consultation with stakeholders that have a range of opinions, including wild horse supporters, environmentalists and animal welfare groups.' He said the plan aimed to reduce the number of horses in Kosciuszko National Park over time to 'balance the protection of their heritage values', and maintaining the 'exceptional conservation values of the national park'. 'In response to concerns raised by some members of the community, I have asked for an evaluation of the plan's implementation, with the assistance of RSPCA NSW,' he added. The animals were discovered with bullet holes in their heads and bodies. At least three of the mares were pregnant at the time of death The presence of the wild horses in the national park has been an ongoing source of tension between brumby lovers and ecologists for years. But Ms Brown, who discovered the animals, told Daily Mail Australia that a brumby recount must take place as she claimed the estimated total numbers of wild horses in the park are false. 'We want a proper brumby population recount to take place. The whole trapping and removal of our brumbies and wild horse management plan is based on a flawed population count,' she said. 'National Parks and Wildlife Service and those involved with the removal of the brumbies state that there are 14,000 horses up there when in fact there are less than 1,500 now, maybe even less. 'I have been hiking the area for years and years, I honestly don't think that there are more than 1,500 brumbies up there. It's all based on lies and propaganda. Us locals love the brumbies.' A NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the details of the control measures used would not be publicly disclosed but assured animal welfare standards 'are being met' Ms Brown said she and her partner were with the brumby clan last week and she was 'angry' and can't stop thinking about what happened. A NSW NPWS spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the details of the control measures used would not be publicly disclosed but assured 'standards are being met'. 'NPWS is implementing wild horse control in accordance with the Kosciuszko National Park Wild Horse Heritage Management Plan,' a NPWS spokesperson said. 'The Plan balances protection of the heritage value of wild horses and maintaining the exceptional conservation values of the park. 'To protect the safety of NSW NPWS staff, contractors and visitors, and the welfare of wild horses, operational details about control will not be publicly released.' A plan to reduce the brumby population at the park was introduced in November 2021 under the Kosciuszko Wild Heritage Act. The act states it will protect the values of the wild horse population at a number of 3,000 horses in 32 per cent of the park. The act states that it, 'maintains the environmental values of the park by reducing the wild horse population from an estimated 14,380 horses to 3,000 horses by 30 June 2027. Under the plan, there will be no wild horses across 68 per cent of the park.' The Kosciuzsko Wild Heritage Act it 'recognises and protects wild horse heritage values in Kosciuszko National Park and enables active management of the wild horse population to reduce their impact on the park's fragile environment'. A murder investigation has been launched into the death of a teenage girl whose charred remains were found in an abandoned car. Ariki Rigby, 18, was found in a burnt-out vehicle in Havelock North, New Zealand on September 3 - with police now confirming they are treating the death as a homicide. Earlier this week several family members took to social media thanking supporters for their 'love and concern'. In a statement on Thursday, NZ Detective Inspector Dave De Lange said police were making good progress and were following 'strong lines' of inquiry. Ariki Rigby (pictured), 18, was found in a burnt-out car in Havelock North, New Zealand on September 3, with police confirming they are treating the death as a homicide Her body was found in a mid-90s Toyota which is estimated to have been taken to a carpark sometime between 10pm on September 2 and 7am on September 3. The car was so burnt out originally police dismissed the body to be that of a sheep The officer said that detectives continue to work diligently to hold whoever is responsible for her death accountable. 'We are working closely with Ariki's whanau who are devastated by her death,' he said. Police would like to speak to anyone who heard from Rigby on September 2 in order to establish her movements that day. Her body was found in a mid-90s Toyota which is estimated to have been taken to a carpark sometime between 10pm on September 2 and 7am on September 3. The car was so burnt out originally police dismissed the body to be that of a sheep. It was only when police returned to the scene two days later after being alerted to the site by a dog walker that they uncovered what they suspected to be human remains inside the vehicle It was only when police returned to the scene two days later - after being alerted to the site by a dog walker - that they uncovered Ms Rigby's body. Kevin Monrad, the man who discovered her, said he hoped he had given the family some relief. Mr Monrad told stuff.co.nz he thinks about Ms Rigby a couple of times 'every hour' and planned to attend her funeral on Friday to get some closure. Ariki Rigby's cousin Mike Ngahuka (right) said she would be remembered as a 'beautiful young girl' who was 'a free spirit' Rigby's cousin Mike Ngahuka said she would be remembered as a 'beautiful young girl' who was 'a free spirit'. 'She lived life to the full,' he said while speaking to media. Mr Ngahuka said her death was 'ugly' and 'evil'. 'We want to see closure after this. Our main focus is to give our girl a beautiful, honourable send-off,' he said. 'I don't know how anyone involved with this could live with themselves.' Would you like a chokehold to go with those fries? A young Chick-fil-A employee sprang into action to save a woman and her baby from a car-jacking in Fort Walton Beach in Florida's Panhandle. The employee manhandled a would-be perp by forcing him to submit in an MMA style headlock. According to a Facebook post from the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, on September 14 the suspect was attempting to grab the woman's keys from her in the parking lot of the restaurant. At the time, the woman was in the process of removing her baby from the car. The sheriff's office said that the suspect, William Branch, 43, was armed with a stick during the attempted robbery. According to a Facebook post from the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, on September 14 the suspect was attempting to grab the woman's keys from her in the parking lot of the restaurant When the woman called for help, that's when our hero sprang into action and manhandled the suspect The suspect, William Branch, is facing attempted carjacking with a weapon and battery charges According to his Facebook page, hero Mykel Gordon has worked at the Chick-fil-A restaurant since December 2016 As he yelled at the woman, demanding her keys, he grew impatient and grabbed them himself from the waistband of her pants. The suspect then got into the car. That's when the victim yelled for help which prompts our hero springs into action. Mykel Gordon ran over to the car, grabbed Branch and placed him in an aggressive headlock and clung on as he wrestled him to the ground. The sheriff's office said that Gordon was punched in the face by the suspect. Gordon did not suffer any serious injuries as a result of his heroic efforts. When other Chick-fil-A employees tried to intervene, Branch ran away from the scene. He was arrested shortly afterwards and charged with carjacking with a weapon and battery. Gordon was first identified in a Facebook post from his employer, Chick-fil-A Fort Walton Beach. The franchise's owner, Matthew Sexton, shared a photo of Gordon. The post read: 'This is the HERO! At Chick-fil-A, our mission is to and today, Mykel took it furtherto save.' On his Facebook page, Gordon says that he worked at Chick-fil-A since December 2016 as the Speed of Service Director. In the same profile, he lists his favorite quote as: 'Don't make other people do something you can do yourself.' The hero is married with a daughter. The sheriff's office said that Gordon was punched in the face by the suspect during his rescue The hero, pictured here with his wife and daughter, said that his favorite quote is: 'Don't make other people do something you can do yourself' One person commented on the video asking if Branch, pictured here, enjoyed a choke-hold to go with those fries According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, Chick-fil-A is ranked as having the highest satisfaction ratings among the nation's fast food outlets. In the Facebook post, the sheriff's office made reference to Gordon saying: 'A major shout-out to this young man for his courage!' One person commented on the sheriff's video saying: 'I hope my sons grow up to be this brave.' Another said: 'Just when I thought Chick-fil-A couldn't be any better!! Like a boss!' Other comments included a person who wrote: 'Chick-fil-A is about to be even busier than normal as the entire community is gonna want to go shake this heros hand to say thank you for being awesome!' While another comment read: 'That was a very brave young man! Thank to the parents of his raised a great son/young man that lot of us need to follow his awesome quick thinking to help someone in desperate need!! His employer should give him the employee of the year!!!' This is the moment a man and woman were marched out of their Sydney home after being arrested on four charges of online child abuse and bestiality offences. The man, 31, who lives with the unnamed 24-year-old woman, was allegedly identified by Federal police following a tip-off by the US Department of Homeland Security. The pair are set to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on Thursday after they refused bail during a brief appearance on Wednesday. Detective Sergeant Navi Pandher said the Australian Federal Police and its international law enforcement partners were committed to protecting children, wherever they lived. 'Anyone who views or shares this material creates the demand for real children to be sexually abused and exploited,' he said. 'We are working tirelessly to keep children safe and identify and prosecute anyone contributing to their harm.' The man, 31, who lives with the unnamed 24-year-old woman, was allegedly identified by Aussie police after Homeland Security in the US alerted them to someone accessing, soliciting and transmitting child abuse material online The pair are set to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on Thursday after they refused bail during a brief appearance on Wednesday Police allegedly found child abuse material on electronic devices belonging to each of them and have seized the devices for further forensic examination. The pair face up to 15 years behind bars and are facing charges possession or control child abuse material as well as one count of transmit, make available, publish, distribute or promote child abuse material. They both face further one counts of transmit, make available, publish, distribute or promote child abuse material using a carriage service and one count of possess bestiality material. The maximum sentence is 15 years' imprisonment. Advertisement As the Queen lies in state today, early morning rehearsals continue for the state funeral that will see more than 1million people take to the streets of London to mourn Her Majesty. Pallbearers who will convey the late monarch on her final journey carried an empty coffin draped in black fabric in the middle of night, gently processing through Westminster Abbey in the dark. Soldiers and marines marched from Buckingham Palace to Parliament Square at 4am to funeral music as the world prepares to say goodbye to Britain's longest-reigning monarch. The rehearsal took place before sunrise on Thursday morning, and saw the State Gun Carriage, towed by almost 100 naval personnel and bearing a black coffin, travel from Westminster Hall, on to Westminster Abbey, and then through central London. Hundreds of mourners who had waited in line overnight to visit the late monarch lying in state left Westminster Hall to see the thousands of military personnel in ceremonial uniform taking part in the preparations for Monday's event. The sound of bagpipes began at 2.45am, signalling the start of the procession and echoing through the quiet streets of London. The Scots Guards marched away from New Palace Yard and on to the Abbey, and were followed by the sailors pulling the gun carriage using white ropes, and several members of the Household Cavalry on horseback. The solemn scenes come ahead of the first full State Funeral that Britain has hosted since Winston Churchill died in 1965. Her Majesty's passing has touched millions in the UK and around the world - and the globe's most powerful men and women are scrambling for seats on Monday amid limits on who can join the congregation of 2,000 VIPs including the entire British Royal Family. Up to 1million people are expected to queue to see Her Majesty's coffin in a queue snaking more than two miles and affectionately called 'The Elizabeth Line' - a nod to the rail route opened by the Queen for her Platinum Jubilee. An early morning rehearsal for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London The Scots Guards march in the moonlight past Westminster Abbey, where the funeral will be held In the shadow of Big Ben, soldiers and marines line up to prepare for the state funeral in four days time The military was out in huge numbers as they rehearse Monday's procession Marines and soldiers follow the gun carriage that will convey the Queen to her funeral at Westminster Abbey Bands played funeral marches in the middle of the night in Parliament Square Meanwhile people queue for hours to see the Queen lying in state in Westminster Hall The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II rests in Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster From left, Prince William, King Charles III, Prince Harry, Princess Anne and Tim Laurence follow the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, during the ceremonial procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, London, Wednesday Four soldiers stood either side of the coffin as it was taken into Westminster Abbey, where indoor procedures were also rehearsed. What is a state funeral - and who pays? - What is a state funeral? A state funeral is a rare honour and is mostly reserved for the sovereign. The only monarch not to be given a state funeral in the last 295 years was Edward VIII, who abdicated. State funerals have, on rare occasions, been held for distinguished figures including Sir Isaac Newton, Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and wartime prime minister Sir Winston Churchill. The last state funeral in the UK was Churchill's in 1965. The last state funeral for a sovereign was for the Queen's father, George VI, in 1952. - Who pays? State funerals are publicly funded and are the responsibility of the Earl Marshal and the College of Arms. These large-scale events observe strict rules of protocol, held to honour people of national significance. - What is a ceremonial funeral? Ceremonial royal funerals are held for members of the royal family who hold high military rank, for the consort of the sovereign and the heir to the throne. The Duke of Edinburgh was given a ceremonial royal funeral in 2021, as was the Queen Mother in 2002 and Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997. Baroness Thatcher's funeral in April 2013 was a ceremonial funeral with full military honours. To the outsider, there is little difference between a state funeral and a ceremonial one - both can include lying in state and a military procession. But a state funeral may require a motion in Parliament for a non-sovereign, and the gun carriage bearing the coffin is pulled by Royal Navy ratings - sailors - using ropes, rather than horses. - Do the royals have private funerals? Yes. These types of funerals are usually undertaken for all other members of the royal family, their children and spouses. The Duke of Windsor, who abdicated as Edward VIII, was given a private royal funeral in 1972, although the Garter King of Arms proclaimed words during the service usually reserved for a state funeral and declared him "sometime the most high, most mighty and most excellent monarch Edward VIII". He was the only sovereign not to have a royal state funeral since 1727, when George I died and was buried abroad. Advertisement Mournful brass and drums heralded the coffin leaving the Abbey, and the procession began its next journey, along Whitehall on to Wellington Arch. Many of London's streets had been sealed off for the operation, and several police officers marshalled members of the public out of Westminster Hall and away from the closed roads. The drums and trumpets of the procession could be heard from streets away, as the rest of the city remained largely silent. At around 5.20am, the sound of brass playing God Save The Queen rang out from under the arch, before the state hearse departed through the Apsley Gate of Hyde Park between rows of Household Cavalry. The procession continued to play in the half-light, and Beethoven's Funeral March and the hymn Jerusalem could be heard before the sun came up. Given the time of day and the extensive road closures, a far smaller crowd was present for the end of the rehearsal at Wellington Arch. However, a few had managed to rejoin the procession near Hyde Park after seeing the stepping off in Westminster, and stayed out in the cold until its conclusion. Aidan Conway, from Islington, watched the rehearsal and said: 'I was in the West End at the theatre and I went for a little night cycle just down the Mall out of interest, maybe to see the flowers. 'A policeman told me there was going to be a rehearsal at 2.30, helpfully, so I thought I'd stick around.' He added: 'It's peaceful. It's not the real thing, but I think it's almost closer than you're going to get to the real thing unless you're going to queue for a day. 'The city at night is incredible anyway, it's beautiful. The rehearsals are quite remarkable.' The state funeral will take place in Westminster Abbey at 11am on Monday, before the procession makes its way to Wellington Arch and then on to Windsor Castle. A committal service will then be conducted in St George's Chapel in Windsor. King Charles and the Royal Family want there to be minimum disruption for the public on the day of the Queens funeral, it is understood. Decisions to close food banks, postpone funerals and cancel hospital appointments are causing problems across the country. A royal source told the Daily Mail: While we appreciate people wanting to commemorate the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth appropriately and respectfully, it is up to individual organisations to decide how they do that, balancing it with the need to cause minimum disruption to others. There have been no blanket instructions from the Royal Household for cancellations of events, services or transport links'. As the laying in state continues, rehearsals are set to take place for the ceremonial funeral procession involving thousands of soldiers today. They will meticulously practice the grand military parade in which the coffin will be conveyed from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey for the state funeral. Invitations to the Queen's state funeral have not been sent to Syria, Venezuela or Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. While most countries around the world have been invited to send their head of state, those three countries join Russia, Belarus and Myanmar on the list of nations not asked to send a representative. Many of London's streets had been sealed off for the operation, and several police officers marshalled members of the public out of Westminster Hall and away from the closed roads on Thursday morning Pallbearers who will convey the Queen carried an empty coffin draped in black fabric in a rehearsal this morning Sailors raised their hats as the stand-in coffin passed during Thursday morning's rehearsal for the Queen's state funeral The rehearsal saw the State Gun Carriage, towed by almost 100 naval personnel and bearing a black coffin, travel from Westminster Hall, on to Westminster Abbey Sailors marched down the street with the Palace of Westminster in the background as they rehearsed for Monday Mournful brass and drums heralded the coffin leaving the Abbey, and the procession began its next journey, along Whitehall on to Wellington Arch North Korea and Nicaragua have been invited only at ambassadorial level, joining Iran in that category. All holders of the Victoria Cross or George Cross will be able to attend the Queen's funeral, the PA news agency understands. Invitations are being sent to most nations with which the UK has diplomatic ties. The UK does not have diplomatic relations with Syria or Venezuela, while the political situation in Afghanistan since the Taliban swept to power a year ago means no representative has been invited from Kabul. While most nations can send their leader or appointed delegate plus a guest, the Commonwealth realms, which retain the monarch as head of state, are being granted extra representation. The realms can send prime ministers plus a guest, governors general plus a guest and the high commissioner. They are also allowed to bring 10 ordinary citizens - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has already said his country's representatives had been invited by Buckingham Palace for their 'extraordinary contributions to their communities'. The gun carriage processed slowly through London's streets on Thursday morning in a rehearsal for the state funeral The carriage, with a stand-in coffin set on top, was flanked by guards as it made its way down the street Sailors marched down the street as they rehearsed for Monday's state funeral for the late Queen, Elizabeth II In the early hours of the morning, sailors in their crisp white uniforms rehearsed the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II The funeral procession rehearsal made its way through the streets of London in the early hours of Thursday morning The sound of bagpipes began at 2.45am, signalling the start of the procession and echoing through the quiet streets of London The complexity of organising the funeral, with dignitaries from around the world expected, has been compared by Whitehall insiders to organising hundreds of state visits within a matter of days, while normally there might only be two or three a year. It presents a huge logistical, diplomatic and security challenge, with practice runs taking place in the dead of night. The complex seating plan can only be formalised once guests have responded to the invitations - the deadline is on Thursday. Officials will have to consider various factors including the levels of seniority of the mourners and their guests. Overseas dignitaries are also invited to attend the lying in state in Westminster Hall, with representatives of the realms expected to attend on Saturday and other leaders on Sunday. A book of condolence for leaders will be opened at Lancaster House in London, while officials are hand-writing around 1,000 invitations for the King's reception on Sunday and the funeral service itself, which will go to heads of state and government and other VIPs. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is also expected to hold a reception for world leaders at Church House in Westminster on Monday. No guest list has been published yet, but US President Joe Biden was among the first to declare he will be flying in with his wife Jill. King Charles III, Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Camilla, Queen Consort, Sir Timothy Laurence, Mr Peter Phillips, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Beatrice and Prince Edward, Duke of Kent are seen inside the Palace of Westminster for the Lying-in State of Queen Elizabeth II on September 14 From left, Britain's Camilla, the Queen Consort, Kate, Princess of Wales, Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a service for the reception of Queen Elizabeth II's coffin at Westminster Hall, in the Palace of Westminster in London, Wednesday Prince William, Prince of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive as the coffin bearing the body of Her majesty Queen Elizabeth II completes its Journey from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall accompanied by King Charles III and other members of the Royal Family, on September 14 Britain's King Charles III, Camilla, the Queen Consort, Britain's Princess Anne, Britain's Prince Harry, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Britain's Prince Willian, Britain's Prince Andrew, Kate, Princess of Wales, Peter Phillips and Tim Laurence leave after the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II was placed on the catafalque in Westminster Hall, London, Wednesday The leaders of most Commonwealth countries are expected to be at the funeral, with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying she will make the nearly 24-hour journey with a delegation including Maori King Kiingi Tuheitia. Canada's Justin Trudeau has also confirmed his attendance. France's Emmanuel Macron, Germany's Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Italy's Sergio Mattarella, Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro are among the presidents attending, along with the European Commission's Ursula von der Leyen. King Felipe of Spain and his wife, Queen Letizia, are among the European royals who will attend. The Japanese government confirmed Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will travel for the funeral. Traditionally, Japanese emperors stay away from funerals because of a cultural belief based in the Shinto religion that considers death impure, so the decision to attend the Queen's funeral on Monday underscores the importance and the deep bond between the royal families. For the next four days, the Queen will be lying in state as the nation prepares to say its final farewells. Thousands of people will quietly file past the grand oak coffin at Westminster Hall every hour until Monday the day of the monarchs state funeral. The Prince and Princess of Wales will travel to Sandringham today to view the sea of floral tributes left by the public at the gates of the estate in Norfolk. Tributes started to pile up at the Norwich Gates within minutes of news of the Queens death. There are now thousand of bouquets, drawings, balloons and teddy bears at the site. On Wednesday evening, the King returned to his Highgrove home in Gloucestershire. He will have a private day of reflection on Thursday and is not expected to attend any public events. In the detailed planning for the aftermath of the Queen's death - known as 'London Bridge' - a day was set aside at this point for the new monarch to have some time away from public duties. The period will allow the King to pause, but it is understood he will be working in preparation for his new role and will already be receiving his red boxes of state papers. The Prince and Princess of Wales will visit Sandringham to view floral tributes left by members of the public. Thousands of people have visited the Norfolk estate to pay their respects, with tributes having piled up by the Norwich Gates to Sandringham House since news of the Queen's death was announced last Thursday. The Earl and Countess of Wessex will travel to Manchester, where they will light a candle in memory of the Queen at the city's cathedral. They will also view the floral tributes in St Ann's Square and the book of condolence at Manchester's Central Library. The Princess Royal, accompanied by her husband Sir Tim Laurence, will visit Glasgow City Chambers to meet representatives of organisations of which the Queen was patron. Elsewhere, King's Counsel will take part in a wreath-laying. Senior barristers, now known as KCs instead of QCs after the proclamation of the King, have been invited to dress in robes and court mourning attire. They will then gather outside the Old Bailey before walking to Gray's Inn Chapel for the ceremony. The King was then seen driving himself away from the Wiltshire estate accompanied by The Met's Special Escort Group. He is expected to have made the 30-minute drive to his home, Highgrove House, near Tetbury in Gloucestershire on Wednesday King Charles and the Queen Consort land in a helicopter in Wiltshire. The aircraft was seen landing in a field next door to Camilla's Ray Mill House in Reybridge near the village of Lacock at around 4.30pm on Wednesday And while preparations for the funeral are underway, King Charles III will carry out his duties as the new monarch and continue his tour of the nations. Joined by the Queen Consort, he will make his first visit to Wales as King tomorrow. It will be the couples third official engagement after attending ceremonies in Belfast and Edinburgh. They will first visit Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff for a service to remember the life of Queen Elizabeth II. The royals will be greeted at the cathedral by the Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan. Prayers and a time for reflection will also be held in the 12th century cathedral for the King alongside some of Waless most senior clergy. The Archbishop will give an address and the First Minister will be invited to give a reading. After the service, the King and the Queen Consort will undertake a short walkabout on Llandaff Green to meet with school children and members of the local community. The Royal couple will then visit the Senedd the Welsh Parliament in Cardiff Bay where they will be greeted by the First Minister Mark Drakeford and Presiding Officer Elin Jones. The First Minister will stand in the debating chamber to propose the Motion of Condolence before King Charles III will also stand and reply. After the session has taken place, Their Majesties will view condolence messages before meeting Members of the Youth Parliament and then the public. An afternoon reception will then take place at Cardiff Castle where the King will hold a private audience with Mr Drakeford and Mr Jones. Large crowds are expected to line the route to welcome the King and Queen Consort as they approach Cardiff Castle and to wave goodbye as they depart. The Welsh Government says the public are welcome to gather in the grounds of the castle, where the King and Queen Consort are expected to meet with the public after the reception. Long queues are expected as only the first 2,000 people will be able to attend the event with timings yet to be announced. An evening reception will then be held as the King and Queen Consort proceed to the castles Banqueting Hall. They will join guests including representatives of royal patronages and members of different faith communities. It is expected that the Kings visit to the capital city will end with the royal couple again greeting members of the public in the castle grounds before departing. Back in London, as the laying in state continues over the weekend, leaders from around the world will begin to arrive for the funeral. Heads of state, prime ministers and presidents, European royals and key figures from public life will descend on the capital to pay their respects to the long-serving monarch. On Sunday, members of the public will be invited to observe a one-minute silence at 8pm to remember the Queen. In the evening, King Charles will host a reception the visiting funeral guests at Buckingham Palace. The heads of state will be able to attend the lying-in-state of the queens body, and sign the condolence book at Lancaster House immediately afterward. While at Lancaster House, foreign leaders will be able to deliver a tribute to the late queen lasting up to three minutes, which will be recorded for the media. The laying in state will continue overnight until 6.30am on Monday when it will close for preparations for the funeral. The service will be televised, and a national two minutes silence is expected to be held. A woman has been arrested and charged with murdering her two children whose bodies were found stuffed in suitcases in New Zealand after lying hidden for four years. The 42-year-old Korean-born New Zealand woman is suspected of fleeing to South Korea in 2018 after allegedly killing her then 7-year-old and 10-year-old children in Auckland, authorities said. The woman, who denied the murder allegations, was arrested after global police agency Interpol issued a red notice, the Korean National Police Agency said. A woman (centre) has been arrested and charged with murdering her two children whose bodies were found stuffed in suitcases in New Zealand The 42-year-old Korean-born New Zealand woman is suspected of fleeing to South Korea in 2018 New Zealand has to formally seek extradition of the suspect within 45 days for a South Korean court to review whether to send her back, the Ministry of Justice said. New Zealand police launched a homicide inquiry in Auckland after the remains of the children were found by a family going through the contents of a storage locker they had purchased unseen. 'Police arrested the suspect at an apartment in Ulsan on Thursday following a stakeout with tips on her whereabouts and CCTV footage,' South Korea's National Police Agency said in a statement. 'The suspect is accused by the New Zealand police of having murdered her two children - aged seven and 10 at the time - in around 2018 in the Auckland area.' 'She's been found to have arrived in South Korea after the crime and has been in hiding ever since,' it added. The arrest comes a month after the children's remains were discovered in suitcases by a family at a Manurewa storage unit on August 11 (pictured) New Zealand police launched a homicide inquiry in Auckland after the remains of the children were found by a family Images in local media showed the woman, who has not been identified by police in South Korea or New Zealand, being led out of the Ulsan police station by plainclothed investigators, covering her head with a large brown coat. The woman, who was wearing ripped jeans and sandals, was asked by local media whether she would confess to the killings. 'I didn't do it,' the woman said repeatedly, as she was led away and put into a police vehicle. South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said the woman started living in an acquaintance's apartment in Ulsan this year, having earlier stayed in Seoul. 'Police plan to transfer the woman to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office in preparation for an extradition screening by the Seoul High Court,' Yonhap said. The remains of the two children were discovered in August after an unsuspecting family bought a trailer-load of items - including the suitcases - at an auction for abandoned goods near Auckland, New Zealand's biggest city. A family from Manurewa, in south Auckland bid in an auction on August 11 and won the unit's contents before making the shocking discovery human remains were inside New Zealand has to formally seek extradition of the suspect within 45 days for a South Korean court to review whether to send her back New Zealand police have said the bodies were likely to have been in storage for several years, which has complicated the investigation. Authorities have repeatedly stressed that the family who found the bodies were not connected to the homicide, and were being given support to help deal with the trauma. Detective Inspector Tofilau Fa'amanuia Vaaelua in Auckland said Thursday that the case was 'a very challenging investigation'. 'To have someone in custody overseas within such a short period of time has all been down to the assistance of the Korean authorities and the coordination by our New Zealand Police Interpol staff,' the detective said. It was recently revealed the father of the two dead children died from cancer while living in New Zealand in 2017 before his wife left for South Korea. NZ Police confirmed three weeks ago the remains of the two children had been identified, but could not be named due to a suppression order. Local authorities welcomed news of the breakthrough on Thursday morning as they acknowledged to efforts of police in both New Zealand and South Korea. 'This is a matter that needs to be resolved. The story of what happened to those young children needs to be told and I'm hopeful that that will happen soon,' Auckland Councillor Daniel Newman told the New Zealand Herald. 'It was an appalling situation that took place and it was a great slight on the family and the community of Clendon [Park]. So I'm very very hopeful that this matter will be brought to a speedy conclusion because people need closure and our community needs to move on.' The Korean Society of New Zealand vowed to provide any support the woman requires during the court process if she's extradited back to New Zealand It's understood the woman was suffering from depression and received little support following the death of her husband in 2017 before fleeing to South Korea. 'We are so sorry to hear about what happened to the children,' vice president Mijin Kim said. 'I think this highlights the need for greater support for those in need of mental health help, both from the government and also from within our communities.' Evacuations are underway in a major Ukrainian city after Russia hit a dam with eight cruise missiles in its latest 'revenge' attack on civilians as its invasion fails. Kryvyi Rih, President Zelensky's home city, was inundated with water on Wednesday afternoon and overnight after an attack on the Karachun Dam. The strikes badly damaged the dam and a nearby pumping station, releasing huge amounts of water into the Inhulets River and causing it to swell. City streets and homes were flooded overnight as the river burst its banks, while bridges were also swept away. Water spills from the damaged Karachun Dam near the city of Kryvyi Rih after Russia struck it with eight cruise missiles late on Wednesday City streets and homes were flooded overnight as the river burst its banks, while bridges were also swept away Russian shelling of the dam in president Zelensky's home city of Kryvyi Rih is pictured. Ukrainian troops are shown surveying the damage. Ukrainian troops are shown surveying the damage (left) Workers repair a hydraulic structure damaged by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kryvyi Rih Ukrainians are rushing to repair the structure after the strikes badly damaged the dam and a nearby pumping station Kryvyi Rih, President Zelensky 's home city, is shown against a map of Ukraine Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the president's office, said two districts of the city which had a pre-war population of 650,000 were at risk of flooding. Residents of those districts including the city centre have been asked to leave. The water is now making its way downstream to Kherson, where it will likely damage or wash away pontoon bridges that Ukrainian troops are using to attack the city. 'Russian forces likely targeted the Karachun Dam to damage Ukrainian pontoon bridges further downstream,' think-tank Institute for the Study of War reported. The attack comes 'in light of recent reports that Ukrainian troops are attempting to expand their bridgehead over the Inhulets River near Davydiv Brid as part of the ongoing Kherson counteroffensive,' it added. Russia also hit power stations and pipelines in Kharkiv with missiles, cutting power and water to the city after its troops were routed to the east. Zelensky has been involved in car accident, though he has not been seriously harmed Video has revealed what is believed to be the aftermath of the car crash which lightly injured President Zelensky and wounded a second driver late on Wednesday Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was last photographed in Izyum on September 14 during a surprise visit to the city retaken during Ukraine's counter offensive. Analysts say the Russian missile attacks on the Ukrainian president's home town was in revenge for the victory Zelensky addressed the latest Russian strikes in his overnight address, calling Putin's armed forces 'weaklings' and 'terrorists'. 'Your missile attacks today, Russian missiles targeting Kryvyi Rih, the dam of the Karachunivske reservoir, the objects that have no military value at all,' he said. 'Hitting hundreds of thousands of ordinary civilians, is another reason why Russia will lose [the war]. 'You are weaklings waging a war against civilians; scoundrels who, having fled the battlefield, are trying to do harm from somewhere far away.' A third of Ukraine was left without electricity overnight after Russia struck power stations with missiles, in apparent revenge for its latest military humiliation President Zelensky narrowly escaped injury on Wednesday after he was involved in a car crash in Kyiv, with a driver slamming into his motorcade Doctors travelling with him examined the president and said he does not have serious injuries, but the driver was left needing hospital treatment. The crash occurred hours after Zelensky visited troops in Izium, a former Russian-held town. Troops continue to pushback in Ukraine and Zelensky has said that they are 'moving in only one direction- forward and towards victory.' His troops yesterday reached the edge of Donbas, which is Russian-held, as they ploughed on with their fightback. The crash in Kyiv also came after Putin yesterday survived an alleged assassination attempt. The limousine he was in was reportedly hit by a 'loud bang' in a possible attack but the car drove to safety. An elderly father has been killed after falling more than 20metres down a cliff near one of the country's most photographed waterfalls while bushwalking with his two daughters. The incident occurred at Purling Brook Falls in Springbrook National Park in the Gold Coast hinterland around midday on Thursday. The 79-year-old, who was on holidays from Victoria visiting one of his daughters, lost his footing down a narrow part of a track before falling 25metres. One of his daughters attempted to climb down to help her father, however, he could not be saved, 9News Gold Coast reported. She was later winched to safety by the Queensland Ambulance Service helicopter. A spokesperson from Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia: 'Crews located the man at the bottom of the cliff and he was declared deceased a short time later.' The man, who was on holidays from Victoria visiting one of his daughters lost his footing while walking down a narrow part of the track before falling 25metres. Pictured: The scene of the tragedy One of his daughters attempted to climb down to help her father, however, he could not be saved. Pictured: Emergency workers at the scene of the tragedy One witness said: 'It was very sad, we saw one of the family members on the way back up and she looked distraught' Officers will prepare a report for the coroner. One witness told 9News: 'It's a bit shocking cause when you see helicopters, you think someone fell, injured or an ankle injury.' Another said: 'It was very sad, we saw one of the family members on the way back up and she looked distraught.' The Purling Brook Falls circuit is a 4km, grade 3 hike located in the Springbrook National Park and takes around an hour and half to complete. Under the scheme, the TRS had promised Rs 10 lakh to each Dalit family, starting with those in Huzurabad, to start their own business ventures. At that time, opposition parties alleged that Chandrashekar Rao launched this scheme with a view to wooing Dalit voters in Huzurabad, who comprised a majority there. telangana.gov.in Hyderabad: With a view to wooing more Dalits to the party, TRS leaders and its cadre will raise Jai Bhim slogans and praise Constitution founder Dr B.R. Ambedkar at all public meetings henceforth. The party leadership has issued such a directive to all its units. Earlier, TRS leaders used to start and end their speeches with Jai Telangana. Later, they added, Jai Bharat, after Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao announced his plans to make waves in national politics. The present push is seen in this context. In fact, in recent years, the TRS government is taking several measures for the uplift of Dalits, including the much-trumpeted Dalit Bandhu Scheme. State Assembly polls are slated for December next year. Curiously, a press release issued by the CMO on Thursday to announce Chandrashekar Raos decision to name the new Secretariat complex after B.R. Ambedkar ended with a "Jai Bhim, Jai Telangana and Jai Bharat" line. In calculated moves, the Telangana Assembly passed a resolution on September 13 urging the Centre to name the new Parliament building in Delhi after B.R. Ambedkar. Minister K.T. Rama Rao, who moved the resolution, ended his speech with Jai Bhim. The ruling TRS stand towards Dalits witnessed a complete change since the Huzurabad Assembly bypoll last year. After then health minister Etala Rajendars abrupt removal from the state Cabinet in May 2021 and his resignation as MLA to join the BJP, the subsequent bypoll in Huzurabad was held. In this backdrop, the CM announced the Dalit Bandhu Scheme in July 2021, yet the TRS could not win the seat and Etala as BJP nominee won the bypoll. Under the scheme, the TRS had promised Rs 10 lakh to each Dalit family, starting with those in Huzurabad, to start their own business ventures. At that time, opposition parties alleged that Chandrashekar Rao launched this scheme with a view to wooing Dalit voters in Huzurabad, who comprised a majority there. The Opposition also pointed out that the Chief Minister had failed to fulfil his earlier promises to give each Dalit family three acres of agriculture land, make a Dalit the first CM of the new Telangana state and provide them free 2BHK houses. Eventually, he himself, hailing from a forward community, took charge as Chief Minister. While the Chief Minister launched the Dalit Bandhu Scheme in Huzurbad in August 2021, he later extended it to all the remaining 118 Assembly constituencies, but covering only 100 Dalit families in each. Recently, the Cabinet approved to extend this scheme to another 1,500 Dalit families in each of these constituencies. The TRS government is also implementing several schemes such as T-Pride to encourage Dalit entrepreneurs set up industrial units. It has started hundreds of residential schools and colleges for Dalits and extended Rs 20 lakh each as overseas scholarship to enable them pursue masters abroad. With Chandrashekar Rao planning to launch a new national party by Dasara, TRS pro-Dalit stand is a subject of heated discussion in political circles. Dalits and tribals are the most-neglected segments of the society through successive governments after Independence, especially in northern States. Chandrashekar Rao aims to woo them as the TRS central vote bank, opposition leaders feel. A number of iconic Australian brands have been snapped up by an overseas company, including footy favourite Four'n'Twenty pies, in a deal worth $500million. One of the largest private equity firms in Asia, Hong Kong based Pacific Alliance Group (PAG), has bought Patties Foods which owns brands including Four'n'Twenty, Nanna's, Chef's Pride and Herbert Adams. The firm also snapped up Vesco Foods which owns brands including Lean Cuisine and Super Nature. The exact amount of the deal was not disclosed but is reportedly in excess of $500million and will allow PAG to expand their Australian offering after buying Red Rooster, Oporto and the WA-based Chicken Treat for a similar amount in 2019. Patties Foods boss Paul Hitchcock said PAG's purchase would 'unlock further investment and innovation'. 'It is recognition of our reputation as a highly respected food manufacturer in Australia and New Zealand with a long list of loved food brands,' he said. The Aussie meat pie just got a little less Aussie as iconic brand Four'n'Twenty is snapped up by a Hong Kong based investment company Vesco chief Bernie Pummell said the two companies under the one roof at PAG would 'enable new exciting opportunities'. PAG head of private equity and managing director of Australia and New Zealand, Sid Khotkar, said the acquisition would 'enhance the strength of our business in Australia and NZ'. Four'n'Twenty is the latest in a long line of iconic Australian brands to be bought out by overseas conglomerates. Tim Tam maker Arnott's was bought by the US owned Campbells Soup Company in the 1990s and on-sold to US investment fund KKR. The brand became synonymous with the VFL and then AFL after being founded in Bendigo, Victoria 75 years ago Breakfast table favourite Uncle Tobys is owned by Swiss-based Nestle, Fosters beer is owned by Japanese giant Asahi, and Tooheys is owned by its countrymate and rival Kirin. Even country clothing maker RM Williams, about as Australian as there is, was sold to Louis Vuitton owner LVMH based in France in 2013. But in an encouraging move that company was bought back by mining magnate Andrew Forrest and wife Nicola though their company Tattarang in 2020. This makes RM Williams once again wholly Australian owned, and proving it's possible for brands to return home after overseas sales. The PAG acquisition of Patties and Vesco is subject to regulatory approval from Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), its NZ counterpart, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The teenage driver of a ute that smashed into a tree, killing five of his friends, will apply for bail in a bid to be released from jail. Tyrell Edwards, 18, was behind the wheel when his Nissan ute smashed into a tree in Buxton, in Sydney's southwest, just before 8pm on September 6 - killing three girls and two boys from Picton High School aged between 14 and 16. The P-plater was charged with five counts of dangerous driving causing death and was initially refused bail at Picton Local Court on September 8. But Edwards is set to make an application to be freed on bail when he fronts the NSW Supreme Court on Monday. Driver Tyrell Edwards, 18, was the sole survivor of the crash and has been charged with five counts of dangerous driving occasioning death Edwards was behind the wheel when his Nissan ute smashed into a tree in Buxton, in Sydney 's southwest, killing five friends from Picton High School Remnants of a green P-plate could be seen at the site where the five teens died in a car crash During his initial bail application, the court heard that Edwards had prior speeding offences which led to his licence being suspended on two separate occasions Police will allege officers obtained footage of the teens inside the car in the hour before the crash which claimed the lives of Antonio Desisto, 16, Tyrese Bechard and Lily van de Putte, 15, and Summer Williams and Gabriella McLennan, both 14. The court heard Edwards aggressively turned the wheel and swerved at 90km/hour that evening in a Snapchat clip. Court documents claim that during the video, one of the alleged victims can be heard crying out 'we're going to spin out, cuz'. In an interview with officers, Edwards allegedly told police his steering wheel began 'shaking' and that he lost control of the vehicle. Friends of the five students killed on September 6 visited the site of the crash a day after A large crowd of supporters attended Tyrell Edwards' first court appearance in Picton, in Sydney's south-west, on September 8 Edwards appeared expressionless in court via video link last week, and sat with his hands clasped together while wearing a black hoodie. Magistrate Mark Douglass said the decision to deny bail was 'not made easily' but he had taken into account Edwards' driving history. 'Given the egregious breach of trust, given the blatant breach of road rules that police allege occurred, this court has no confidence that this particular person would comply, given the history I've explained, with any bail conditions the court set at this particular point in time,' Mr Douglass said. Edwards, who works as a labourer, has a history of anxiety and was left 'traumatised' by the incident, the court heard. Edwards will return to court on November 16. He has no previous criminal history and will receive mental health support while in custody. Gabriella McLennan is pictured left with her best friend, Lily van de Putte. They died together in the car crash Antonio Desisto (pictured right) and Summer Williams (left) also died in the car accident on September 6 The billionaire founder of outdoor apparel brand Patagonia is giving away the company to a trust that will use its profit to fight the climate crisis. Yvon Chouinard, 83, said on Wednesday that instead of selling the company or taking it public, he would transfer his family's ownership to the trust and a non-profit organization. Chouinard became famous for alpine climbs in Yosemite National Park and has a net worth of $1.2 billion. 'Each year, the money we make after reinvesting in the business will be distributed as a dividend to help fight the crisis,' he wrote in an open letter on the company's website, which bears the words 'Earth is now our only shareholder.' 'Instead of extracting value from nature and transforming it into wealth for investors, we'll use the wealth Patagonia creates to protect the source of all wealth.' The Patagonia founder took a more direct tack in an interview with the New York Times, saying: 'Hopefully this will influence a new form of capitalism that doesn't end up with a few rich people and a bunch of poor people. 'We are going to give away the maximum amount of money to people who are actively working on saving this planet.' Founded in 1973, Chouinard's company is headquartered in Ventura, California, and sells more than $1 billion worth of outdoor wear and equipment worldwide. The company itself is worth around $3 billion, and its garments are popular with hobbyists, professionals and celebrities worldwide. Chouinard and Patagonia are no strangers to giving away huge sums of money to fight climate change and have a history of pioneering environmental activism in business. But they have also been embroiled in controversy, particularly for marketing campaigns that have taken a staunch anti-Trump stance. Patagonia will now be owned by Patagonia Purpose Trust while non-voting stock goes to the Holdfast Collective and all profits invested in environmental causes Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, 83, said on Wednesday that instead of selling the company or taking it public, he would transfer his family's ownership to the trust and a non-profit organization Chouinard (pictured), a pioneering rock climber, established the company in the 1970s in California The brand's website now reads: 'Earth is now our only shareholder.' Patagonia will continue to operate as a private, for-profit corporation but the Chouinard family, which controlled the business until last month, will no longer own the company. The company's voting stock - roughly 2 percent of the overall shares - is being transferred to the Patagonia Purpose Trust, a newly established entity designed to ensure the company delivers on its commitment to give away its profits. The trust will be overseen by members of the family which includes his spouse and two adult children. 'Each year, the money we make after reinvesting in the business will be distributed as a dividend to help fight the crisis,' Chouinard wrote in an open letter on the company's website The business is worth about $3billion and is closely tied to environmentalism From eating damaged 5 cent cans of cat food to a billion-dollar fortune: The mountaineer who built Patagonia Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard was born in 1938 in the northeastern US. He moved with his family from Maine to California aged nine and joined a climbing club as a teenager which further endeared him to the outdoors. He quickly set about making a career for himself in the industry, designing and selling handmade climbing tools to support his mountaineering and other pursuits such as surfing. Living out of his car and eating damaged tins of cat food to keep costs as low as possible, the entrepreneurial American launched a climbing equipment company - Chouinard Equipment - in 1965 which became highly successful. But in 1972 he began selling outdoor clothing under the brand Patagonia, inspired by the thickness and quality of rugby shirts he used for climbing in Scotland, and the company took off. Patagonia quickly began racking up the profits but Chouinard insisted it must retain the core values of environmentalism and social responsibility. In 1985 he decreed that one percent of all profits would be donated to environmental groups and later went on to set up a series of charitable initiatives dedicated to battling climate change. He has famously railed against a culture of excess and previously said he despises being called a billionaire despite his exceptional net worth. 'I was in Forbes magazine listed as a billionaire, which really, really p***ed me off,' he said. 'I don't have $1 billion in the bank. I don't drive Lexuses.' It should perhaps not come as a surprise to discover Chouinard has given away his 50-year-old company in the name of saving the planet. Advertisement While rich individuals often make financial contributions to causes, the New York Times said the structure of the Patagonia founder's action meant he and his family would get no financial benefit - and in fact would face a tax bill from the donation. Meanwhile Patagonia's non-voting stock - the equivalent of roughly 98 percent of all shares - was given to the Holdfast Collective, a non-profit dedicated to fighting the environmental crisis and defending nature. Because the Holdfast Collective is a social welfare, tax-exempt organization, the family received no tax benefit for its donation. A spokesman for merchant bank BDT & Co. which helped Patagonia structure the transfer of shares told the New York Times: 'There was a meaningful cost to them doing it, but it was a cost they were willing to bear to ensure that this company stays true to their principles. 'They didn't get a charitable deduction for it. There is no tax benefit here whatsoever.' Speaking to the New York Times, Chouinard claimed he 'never wanted' a company and said the incredible move would ensure Patagonia would 'do the right thing' for years to come. 'I didn't know what to do with the company because I didn't ever want a company. Now I could die tomorrow and the company is going to continue doing the right thing for the next 50 years,' he said. Commentators on Philanthropy now say the Chouinard family are one of America's most charitable, and unlike many other billionaires who pledge huge sums of money to charitable causes, they do not stand to get richer. The climber-cum-entrepreneur in 2002 founded the '1 percent for the planet' initiative, and Patagonia became the first business to commit one percent of annual sales to the environment. And in 2018, then Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario gave away $10 million the company saved from tax cuts that year to non-profit environmental groups in addition to the 1 percent of sales it gives to environmental groups every year. Corporations received a windfall from the GOP's sweeping overhaul of the U.S. tax code in 2017, which slashed corporate rates to 21 percent, from 35 percent. Marcario at the time called the tax cut 'irresponsible' in a statement, adding: 'Taxes protect the most vulnerable in our society, our public lands and other life-giving resources. 'In spite of this, the Trump administration initiated a corporate tax cut, threatening these services at the expense of our planet.' Patagonia received acclaim for a marketing campaign which encouraged prospective customers not to buy their clothing unless absolutely necessary Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario (above in 2015) said in 2018 that the company would donate its $10 million in tax savings to environmental non-profits Patagonia has also endured its fair share of controversies, most notably in 2020 when labels bearing the words 'vote the a**holes out' were sold in the US A spokeswoman for Patagonia insisted that the message was not directed at President Donald Trump but at 'politicians from any party who deny or disregard the climate crisis' Back in 2011, the brand consolidated its sustainability-focused image when it ran a marketing campaign encouraging prospective customers not to buy clothes they don't need. The 'Don't Buy This Jacket' campaign, which told customers to only buy Patagonia clothing if necessary and positioned the company as a producer of sustainable and high-quality outerwear struck a chord and won plaudits worldwide. But it has endured its fair share of controversies too, most notably in 2020 when a string of Patagonia garments were sold with a label bearing the words 'vote the a**holes out'. Patagonia's director of communications and PR Corley Kenna confirmed to Esquire that the tags were real and said that Chouinard had penned a letter to marketing departments authorizing the campaign and the use of the word 'a**hole'. The spokesperson claimed the tag's call to action referred to 'all those politicians who don't believe we should do anything about climate change', but it is widely believed the message was anti-Trump and the Republican party. 'Hopefully we don't have to keep making a tags like this, because hopefully this November, we will elect some real climate leaders and fewer a**holes, and can do something about what's going on with one of the crises facing our country and our world,' Kenna said. Liz Truss unveiled the huge energy policy on the day the Queen died, with typical household costs limited to 2,500 for the next two years The taxpayer could fund 1.6billion in profits for energy firms under Liz Truss's bills freeze. The PM unveiled the huge policy on the day the Queen died, with typical household costs limited to 2,500 for the next two years. However, the government has given no estimate for the price tag of the plan, with experts saying it could be well over 150billion depending on gas prices. Ofgem currently caps profits on energy supplied to households at 1.9 per cent. The Telegraph suggested costs for the government could be 80billion over the next year, with firms making around 1.6billion in profit. A government source told MailOnline the alternative to the freeze was households being hit with 7,000 annual energy bills in April. They also pointed out that Britons would contribute to the profits for energy firms individually even if the government did not step in. A spokesman for Energy UK told the Daily Telegraph: 'Most suppliers haven't been making any money with existing profit margin and 30 went out of business last autumn.' Ms Truss told the Commons last week that under the 'extraordinary' policy the government will keep average costs for households at 2,500 a year until October 2024 - less than half the level many feared they would hit. Including a previously-announced 400 handout most people should see little change from existing bills this year. The government says households will save 1,150 on average over the next year as a result of the support - which will be implemented using central contracts with suppliers. Ms Truss has dismissed Labour's calls for a fresh windfall tax on energy giants to help fund the freeze. However, she has also declared that there must be change to ensure the country is not in this position again - with the fracking ban set to be ditched immediately and a new era of oil and gas exploration in the North Sea. Parliamentary intervention would be the only way to change the legislation False rumours insinuate King Charles chose the appointments, but he has no say He also held the same title under Queen Elizabeth due to a decades-old law There are mounting calls for Princess Anne to receive a special exemption from parliament to act on behalf of the King and perform royal duties in his absence despite a longstanding law which prevents her from doing so. As it stands, Counsellor of State is automatically bestowed upon the four royals next in the line of succession who are older than 21, in addition to the monarch's spouse. This means Princes Andrew and Harry could be called upon to represent King Charles despite not being working royals, as could Queen Consort Camilla, heir to the throne Prince William and Princess Beatrice. Princess Anne is a glaring omission from this list, but the outdated male royal primogeniture gave her less rights to the throne than her male siblings and, as such, she is currently 16th in the line of succession. Critics have hit out at the appointment of the King's brother, who stepped back from royal duties in 2020 amid sex abuse allegations which he strenuously denies, but the assignment was not Charles' choice. The King is bound by the Regency Act 1937 regarding the appointment of his Counsellors of State and only parliament has the power to change the legislation. Dr Craig Prescott, Lecturer in Law at Bangor University specialising in Parliament and the monarchy, told MailOnline there is precedent for adding additional Counsellors of State. This image shows the three royals next in line for the throne over the age of 21, Princes William, Harry and Andrew - which is the criteria to be a Counsellor of State. Princess Anne (also pictured) is 16th in line to the throne due to male royal primogeniture, which has since been overturned. It means she is not eligible to be a Counsellor of State. Pictured: The Palace of Westminster after a procession from Buckingham Palace, in London on September 14 The obvious omission of Princess Anne also sparked backlash, given she's earned herself the title over the years as the 'hardest working royal', but it is not a decision the new King made Princess Anne pips Charles to the post as the hardest working royal for 2021 Princess Anne was named last year's hardest working royal, followed closely by Charles. The Princess Royal, now 72, took the crown with 387 official engagements in 2021, just two ahead of Charles, who carried out 385. The siblings stepped up to take on greater responsibility as the Queen started to scale back their work. Royal engagements in 2021: Princess Anne: 387 Prince Charles: 385 Prince William: 235 The Earl of Wessex: 204 The Countess of Wessex: 194 The Queen: 184 Advertisement In 1953 after the death of George VI, the Queen Mother lost her status as Counsellor of State because she was no longer the spouse of the monarch once her daughter Queen Elizabeth II acceded the throne. But the title was reinstated for the rest of her life, and she acted in that role in the decades after her daughter's accession. 'It was quite easily approved through parliament, it's a straightforward piece of legislation. In principle, merely adding Counsellors of State is not a huge problem, but the legislative process can be unpredictable,' Dr Prescott said. 'The legislation right now is not ideal. It would make sense to have Prince Edward and Princess Anne acting as Counsellors of the State.' Dr Prescott suggested King Charles may well be considering adding extra sets of hands, rather than necessarily removing Princes Andrew or Harry from the role. 'With more Counsellors of State, and even now as it is, one could avoid Andrew and Harry entirely,' he said, noting neither of the men are working royals and both have stepped back from their duties within the Firm. Dr Prescott also suggested the new King may instead consider overhauling the role entirely. He said: 'I think he might consider changing it as he reconsiders what the monarchy looks like maybe having senior royals who can complete duties in a way that's not dictated by the line of succession that it once was. He might say that if you're going to be a senior working royal, then being a Counsellor of State is part of the package.' Anne was not eligible for a position of Counsellor of State due to a rule known as male royal primogeniture, which gives female royals less succession rights. The late Queen Elizabeth overturned the rule in 2013 under the Succession to the Crown Act, which gave women equal succession rights to men, but it was not implemented retrospectively. Even without the title, Princess Anne has earned the reputation of the 'hardest working royal'. In 2021, she personally took on 387 official engagements. And Dr Prescott said even if King Charles opts against encouraging a legislative change to bring on additional Counsellors of State, he will likely consider his schedule carefully to ensure Prince William and Princess Beatrice are available to step in on his behalf. If a monarch is out of the country or otherwise unable to perform his duties, two Counsellors of State are required to work together to fill the role, as then-Prince Charles and William did earlier this year when they represented the Queen at the State Opening of Parliament. 'The timing of Charles' overseas visits will likely be considered carefully to suit their [William and Beatrice's] schedules,' he said. 'There are ways to manage it, but I do think they've got to look at adding Princess Anne and Prince Edward.' The last time Counsellors of State were required to represent the monarch was in May 2022, at the State Opening of Parliament. There, then-Prince Charles and his son William represented the Queen to read the traditional Queen's Speech (pictured at the event, as the then-Prince read the speech) King Charles II, the Queen Consort and the Princess Royal behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is brought into Westminster Hall Dr Prescott also predicted King Charles would rely on his Counsellors of State more than the late Queen has in recent years. 'Charles will want to travel to places like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Jamaica - because they have a right to see their new head of state as much as we do in the UK, so I think there will be more of a reliance on the counsellors of state,' he said. The new monarch is facing mounting backlash online as disinformation spreads about the appointments and his role in assigning them. Comments such as 'the Queen would not have approved' do not take into consideration that Prince Andrew also remained a Counsellor of State during her reign, even after stepping back from royal duties and having his patronages and military titles stripped. A growing contingent of royal watchers are also calling for Princess Anne to be added to the group. 'Anne deserves the respect she so rightly deserves,' one person said online, as another added: 'Anne is a credit to this country and should be considered first and foremost.' 'Change the rules. The hardest working royal is sidelined.' Harry put his hand on his face while reading the order of service for Wednesday's short ceremony in the heart of the Palace of Westminster. He will remain a Counsellor of State under his father, King Charles III Princess Beatrice is the only new addition to the Counsellors of State who served under Queen Elizabeth II The title also does not necessarily mean Prince Andrew - or Prince Harry - will ever be called upon to act on behalf of the King. As Counsellor of State, the five chosen royals can carry out most official duties of the monarch, but there are key decisions they cannot make. They are not permitted to deal with Commonwealth matters, appoint a prime minister or dissolve parliament - unless they receive express orders from the King. George VI established the limits of the role in the Regency Act of 1937 after acceding to the throne in 1936. Prince William is the most likely to be asked to carry out any such duties as the heir to the throne. The last time Counsellors of State were required to represent the monarch was in May 2022, at the State Opening of Parliament. There, then-Prince Charles and his son William represented the Queen to read the traditional Queen's Speech. The new line of succession to the throne of the United Kingdom following the Queen's death King Charles and his heir the Prince of Wales, who followed his father on yet another emotional day for the royals Both Prince Harry and Prince Andrew will remain Counsellors of State under King Charles III, despite not being working royals Harvey Weinstein has begged a judge to let him see a private dentist rather than have prison medics pull out his rotten teeth and leave gaping holes in his mouth. The disgraced movie producer said his rotten molars had become a dental 'emergency' as he pleaded with a judge at a Los Angeles courtroom. Weinstein, serving 23 years after being convicted of sex charges in New York, said: 'I will pay for the dentist it will be one trip and one trip only.' The 70-year-old is locked up ahead of an October 10 trial on charges he raped and sexually assaulted five women between 2004 and 2013. But in court Wednesday, he argued he should be allowed a bridge or fake teeth to look 'presentable' at the trial. 'I'm in pain every day. I have cavities and I can't eat because I'm missing teeth,' Weinstein told Judge Lench, reports the New York Post. Harvey Weinstein (pictured outside Manhattan courthouse in 2020) has begged a judge to let him see a private dentist rather than have prison medics pull out his rotten teeth and leave gaping holes in his mouth The disgraced movie producer's lawyer, Mark Werksman, said that dentists at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility had told Weinstein he can either have his rotten teeth pulled out without any replacement, or leave them to continue decaying. Werksman claimed that if Weinstein is not allowed to visit a private dentist, it would be a violation of his constitutional rights. The lawyer added that a gaping hole in the front of Weinstein's mouth would make him look 'ridiculous' and 'like a caricature' ahead of his trial. But Judge Lench told Weinstein even though he is able to pay to transport himself to and from the private dentist, the trip would involve a number of staff from the Sheriff's Department - meaning his request is beyond the norm. Weinstein is awaiting his October 10 trial on charges including 11 counts of rape and sexual assault pertaining to five women in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills from 2004 and 2013. During the hearing on Wednesday, prosecutors also asked the judge to let two witnesses who live in Italy to testify via video link rather than travel to the US for the trial. The judge ordered witness Lubov Smirnova, who worked for one of Weinstein's alleged victims and her family, to appear in person, reports the New York Post. But a second witness, Pascal Vicedomini, will appear via video due to medical reasons. Weinstein spokesman Juda S. Engelmeyer said: 'Harvey wants to convey that the judge couldn't have been more elegant and understanding. He said he is in pain and hopes she can help, but wants to make it clear how appreciative he is that he was able to talk and be heard.' Weinstein (pictured in a LA courtroom in 2021), serving 23 years after being convicted of sex charges in New York, said: 'I will pay for the dentist it will be one trip and one trip only' Meanwhile, in a separate case, New York's highest court has agreed to hear an appeal from Weinstein over his 2020 rape conviction. Weinstein was convicted in February 2020 in New York of forcibly performing oral sex on 'Project Runway' TV and film production assistant, Mimi Haley, in 2006 and raping an aspiring actress in 2013. He was acquitted of first-degree rape and two counts of predatory sexual assault stemming from actor Annabella Sciorras allegations of a mid-1990s rape. Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison and is currently in custody in California awaiting his October 10 trial. In June, he was also charged in Britain with the 1996 indecent assault of a woman in London. It's unclear whether that case will ever come to trial, as UK officials would have to decide whether to seek his extradition while he is already serving a lengthy sentence in the US. In total, nearly 90 women including Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow and Salma Hayek have accused Weinstein of harassment or assault. He denies all the allegations. Advertisement The queue to see Queen Elizabeth II's lying-in-state hit nine hours and 4.2 miles in length this afternoon as thousands of Britons continue to flock to pay their respects to the late monarch. More than 1.7million people have gone online to view the Government's live queue tracker on YouTube which shows the end of the line as people wait patiently to enter Westminster Hall to see the Queen's coffin. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) launched a live stream yesterday afternoon as the first mourners were allowed to enter at 5pm. The video features a live map with the queue route marked in purple, alongside information on the length of the queue in miles and the nearest London landmark to the back. Hundreds of thousands are expected to join the queue over the next three days to bid the Queen a final farewell as they file past her coffin. Mourners have already been pictured in tears as they pay their respects, as well as making the sign of the cross and standing in prayer. As of 1pm more than 1.72 million people had viewed the DCMS's original live stream video - but this is thought to be much lower than the true number of those tracking the queue, as the department changed its stream onto a different page at around 9am this morning. Since this occurred more than 12,000 people have been watching the new stream at any one time. Today, those who had seen the Queen at rest reported waiting around nine hours to enter Westminster Hall - but there were warnings that could last for up to 30 hours. Meanwhile MailOnline can reveal that mourners will be prevented from seeing the lying in state if they arrive at the end of the queue in Southwark Park later than 12.30am early on Sunday morning. Organisers have designated the bottom of the 63-acre park as the end of the line to see the coffin. The estimated waiting time for those joining in the park, where snaking airport-style queues have been set up, is 30 hours. That means that people have until 12.30am on Sunday with which to join the line before the time The Queen lays in state officially ends at 6.30am on Monday, the day of the state funeral. And today - the first full day of the Queen's coffin being on public view - the queue had already reached Bermondsey Wall, half a mile from the park, by 3pm today. A source said: 'Southwark Park has been designated as the end of the queue. There have been barriers set up to facilitate a zig-zag queuing system. Anyone at the end of that queue in the park can expect to wait for up to 30-hours to see The Queen in state. We have to have a cut-off point, a time when we'll have to unfortunately start turning people away. 'That time will depend on the volume of the crowd and the flow rate on the route. At the moment around 2,000 people are being let into Westminster Hall an hour. Currently that time will be either very late on Saturday night or extremely early on Sunday morning. 'But the Metropolitan Police will have the final say. We've obviously been preparing for this and anticipated that the crowd would come this far... just not this soon.' Earlier, there were problems after the information stream appeared to crash prior to the new page being set up. Mourners queue on Lambeth Bridge to view the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Hall this afternoon Members of the public stand in the queue in Victoria Tower Gardens as they wait in line to pay their respects this afternoon Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park in London as they wait to view the Queen's lying in state today Members of the public queue on the South Bank as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen this afternoon Members of the public in the queue on Lambeth Bridge in London today to attend the Queen's lying in state The live stream is being viewed by more than 12,000 people at any one time The original live stream appeared to have crashed by 9am this morning Mourners queue outside the Palace of Westminster to view the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II this afternoon Members of the public in the queue at Butlers Wharf in London as they wait to view the Queen's lying in state today They added: '[It] took me about 6.5 hours. Joined the back of the queue near Millenium Bridge at 2.45am and got to see Her Majesty around 9.15am. Pretty easy as queue moving all the time. If you get the chance I urge you to go.' The Department later added a comment underneath the previous livestream with a link to the new page. The DCMS has been contacted for comment. Queen's lying in state: What you need to know The Queen is lying in state in London ahead of her funeral. Here is some of the information mourners need to know. - What exactly is meant by the term 'lying in state'? Lying in state is usually reserved for sovereigns, current or past queen consorts, and sometimes former prime ministers. During the formal occasion, the closed coffin is placed on view, as thousands of people queue to file past and pay their respects. The coffin will be adorned with the Imperial State Crown, the Orb and the Sceptre. - When and where will the Queen lie in state? The late monarch's lying in state in Westminster Hall opened to the public at 5pm yesterday and it will be open 24 hours a day until it closes at 6.30am on Monday, September 19 - the day of the Queen's funeral. - Where is Westminster Hall? Westminster Hall, which dates back to 1099, is in the Palace of Westminster and is the oldest building on the parliamentary estate. It forms part of the Westminster Unesco World Heritage Site and the UK Parliament website refers to its 'great size', the 'magnificence' of its roof, and its central role in British history. The building has been the site of key events, such as the trial of Charles I, coronation banquets, and addresses by world leaders. - Is there a big queue? Yes. Government guidance says there will be a queue which is expected to be very long, predicted to be in the tens of thousands. As it stands the queue is about nine hours long. People will need to stand for 'many hours, possibly overnight', with very little opportunity to sit down as the queue will be continuously moving. People are not allowed to camp and a wristband system is being used to manage the queue, with those waiting in line given a coloured and numbered one, specific to each person, allowing them to leave for a short period. 'Your wristband also allows you to leave the queue for a short period to use a toilet or get refreshments, then return to your place in the queue,' according to the official guidance. - What will the queue route be? Members of the public can join the line on the Albert Embankment, which runs behind the London Eye onto the Southbank before following the river past landmarks such as the National Theatre, the Tate Modern and HMS Belfast, reaching 'maximum capacity' at Southwark Park. - Will there be assistance for people who cannot queue for long periods of time? The main queue has step-free access with a separate accessible route also planned to run from Tate Britain where timed entry slots will be issued for a queue going along Millbank to the Palace of Westminster. Guide dogs will be allowed inside Westminster Hall, with sign language interpreters also on hand. Venues including the Southbank Centre, the National Theatre and Shakespeare's Globe will open for longer hours to accommodate those queuing. The British Film Institute on the Southbank will do the same while providing an outdoor screen with archive footage of the Queen. Advertisement The video also contains a more exact location for the end of the queue using What3words, a piece of technology most commonly used as a mobile app that enables users to pinpoint a location to a three-metre radius. What3words has assigned a fixed three-word combination to ever three-metre square on the world's service. The app uses a geocode system to triangulate a user's location by the use of three coordinates, which have been assigned with permanent unique words from the dictionary. This allows the app to assign a unique combination of words to anyone's location, narrowing it down to the three-metre area on the globe's surface. This enables any other person to locate the original user by typing in the same three word combination. The app is used by all sorts of organisations - from tourist information centres to emergency services. It is particularly useful in the UK for mountain rescue services or other off-road emergencies, when there is no street address for a call handler to use. According to the company, 85 percent of the UK's emergency services use what3words to locate people in urgent situations. For those wishing to see the Queen lying in state, what3words enables them to head to the exact endpoint of the queue in real-time. But on Wednesday evening, civil servants from DCMS admitted that human error was to blame for the live queue tracker promoting inaccurate locations for the line. The DCMS had been relying heavily on location service What3Words.com, which uses geographic coordinates to pinpoint an exact location correct to three square metres. Promoted heavily by the DCMS on the government department's social media feeds, the code was updated every few minutes to show the new end point of the line - which is currently more than three miles long. But out of the first five codes published, four led to the wrong place entirely - with one directing people more almost 5,320 miles away to the city of Fresno, in California. Others sent people to Charlotte, in North Carolina, or to a town near Leeds. It is believed these errors were made when staff copied the codes from the website by typing them out manually. Thousands have already managed to see Her Majesty's coffin, draped in the royal standard, as members of the royal guard stand in vigil around it. The largely black-clad crowd were solemn and pensive as they flowed into the ancient hall where chandeliers and spotlights illuminated the scene beneath the medieval timber roof. As hundreds of ordinary people of all ages filed past the coffin of the long-reigning monarch, many wiped their eyes with tissues. Some bowed, some curtsied and some simply took a moment to look at the extraordinary scene. Former prime minister Theresa May and her husband Philip were among those paying their respects to the Queen at Westminster Hall on Thursday morning. The first member of the public to pay a personal tribute to the Queen told of how she fought back tears after experiencing 'the most memorable and unique moment of my life'. Vanessa Nathakumaran, 56, an admin assistant from Harrow, north west London, said she had to battle to control her emotions as the Queen's coffin came into view. She told MailOnline: 'I was trying not to cry. I wanted to pay my respects in a dignified way but it was so hard. There were such mixed emotions. It was a privilege to be here but it was so sad and solemn. It was a moment that will live with me forever. 'It was the most memorable and unique moment of my life. It was so quiet and peaceful and seeing her coffin it really came home to me that she is really gone. I curtsied when I went past and my eye was drawn to the crown on top of the coffin. I feel down wined and shattered.' Those who braved the chilly evening told this morning how they had been waiting for up to nine hours to catch a glimpse of history. Thousands queue in Victoria Tower Gardens as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II's coffin A man came dressed in traditional Scottish style, complete with a kilt and long socks The procession which took Queen Elizabeth's coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall arrived at 3pm yesterday Mourners early this morning had been waiting in line for around nine hours to see the Queen The line to say farewell to the Queen snakes through Bermondsey in south London With his medals proudly decorating his jacket, Stephen Swallow, 64, who served with the Worcestershire and Sherwood Forresters regiment, joined the queue at 10pm last night. He only reached Westminster Hall to see The Queen lay in state at 7am, having travelled from his home in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire yesterday. He said: 'It was exhausting and I felt my legs about to buckle at one point but I felt it was my duty to come here. 'I bought a small chair when my legs got really heavy and I just about managed to get through it by talking to others about The Queen and the Royals. 'As soon as I got out of Southwark tube station last night I joined the queue and stayed with the same group of people all night. 'When I eventually reached the hall, it was very quick and very sombre. I didn't just come for myself but for my two sons who were also in the military and couldn't make it. 'I bowed my head when I got to the coffin, said thank you for all The Queen's years of service and now I'm heading home. It's been a long, tiring night and I'm exhausted.' A campaign has been launched to give the late Queen the title of 'Elizabeth the Faithful' because 'the Great' is rather common and has been used by despots and conquerors. Senior politicians including Boris Johnson, the former prime minister, have referred to Elizabeth II as the Great since she died last Thursday at the age of 96. But Security Minister Tom Tugendhat referred to her as 'the Faithful' last week and today a former Conservative Party Treasurer insisted that it was the best moniker to use. In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, Lord Farmer said that it reflected 'the fulfilment of the pledge that she made on the cusp of adulthood to serve us her whole life.' He added: 'Superficially she was indeed great, but more than 110 monarchs have been so designated including the Herod who ordered the slaughter of the innocents, Louis XIV (whose rule made the French Revolution all but inevitable) and Genghis Khan. Senior politicians including Boris Johnson, the former prime minister, have referred to Elizabeth II as the Great since she died last Thursday at the age of 96. In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, Lord Farmer said that 'the faithful' reflected 'the fulfilment of the pledge that she made on the cusp of adulthood to serve us her whole life.' He added: 'Superficially she was indeed great, but more than 110 monarchs have been so designated including the Herod who ordered the slaughter of the innocents, Louis XIV (whose rule made the French Revolution all but inevitable) and Genghis Khan' Among the monarchs known as 'the Great' was Catherine, the Russian tsarina played by Helen Mirren in a 2019 miniseries Despots, murderers and heroes: The Great leaders of history Alfred (848/849 899) The only British monarch to ever be called 'the Great', Alfred was an Anglo-Saxon king of Wessex who fought off a Danish invasion. His reconquest of territory was continued by his successors and his grandson Aethelstan is seen by historians as the first king of England. Genghis Khan (1162 1227) Known as the Great Khan, Genghis Khan was a Mongol ruler who started what would become the largest contiguous empire in history. At its peak it stretched from the Far East to eastern Europe. His campaigns and those of his sons were extremely bloody and may have resulted in as many as 60 million deaths. Catherine (1729 - 1796) The last and longest-serving Empress of Russia she came to power after her husband Peter was overthrown. She was born a region of modern-day Poland which at the time was in the Kingdom of Prussia. During her reign Russia conquered the Crimea, part of Poland and Alaska. Sher is famous for her string of lovers, including men 40 years her junior when she was in her 60s. Herod (72 4/1 BCE) King of Judea made notorious by his depiction in the Bible. The Gospel of St Matthew says he was responsible for the Massacre of the Innocents, which saw all male children aged two or under killed in the area around Bethlehem in an unsuccessful bid to get rid of the baby Jesus. Modern historians do not believe any such slaughter took place. Constantine (272 337) The first Christian Roman emperor, Constantine is credited with strengthening and stabilising the empire through military and economic reform. His reign is seen as the point where the Classical age ends and the Middle Ages begin. He founded Constantinople - modern day Istanbul - as the new Roman capital, which was the heart of the successor Byzantine Empire for more than 1,000 years. Advertisement 'As the whole world agrees she was unique, ''the Great'' misses the mark. When her subjects thoughtfully describe her whether they are members of the public, commentators, politicians or others they almost always reach for words that reflect her constancy, service and sense of duty: her faithfulness.' In his first speech from the backbenches last Friday, former prime minister Mr Johnson in a touching personal tribute to 'Elizabeth the Great'. It was a repeat of a line he used at the Plantinum Jubilee in May, where he told MPs: 'For me, she is already Elizabeth The Great'. It was a moniker used by many other MPs in the course of 18 hours of tributes that stretched into the weekend in the House of Commons. Thousands of mourners are continuing to join the miles-long queue to pay their respects to the Queen as she lies in state at Westminster Hall. Many have queued overnight for the chance to file past the monarch's coffin after it was handed to the care of the nation on Wednesday afternoon. By 8am on Thursday, the queue was around 2.6 miles long and stretched to Borough Market. The coffin, which sits on a catafalque and is draped with a Royal Standard, continues to be guarded at all hours by units from the Sovereign's Bodyguard, the Household Division or Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London. One of the guards suddenly collapsed overnight, with nearby officials quickly rushing to his aid after he appeared to faint. The largely black-clad crowd were solemn and pensive as they flowed into the ancient hall where chandeliers and spotlights illuminated the scene beneath the medieval timber roof. As hundreds of ordinary people of all ages filed past the coffin of the long-reigning monarch, many wiped their eyes with tissues. Some bowed, some curtsied and some simply took a moment to look at the extraordinary scene. Former prime minister Theresa May and her husband Philip were among those paying their respects to the Queen at Westminster Hall. Metropolitan Police officers, volunteers and stewards are managing the queue, with people waiting in line given a coloured and numbered wristband. On Wednesday afternoon, the King led the royal family in a public display of homage by walking behind the Queen's coffin during a procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall for the lying in state. Charles then returned to his Highgrove home in Gloucestershire on Wednesday evening. He will have a private day of reflection on Thursday and is not expected to attend any public events. In the detailed planning for the aftermath of the Queen's death - known as "London Bridge" - a day was set aside at this point for the new monarch to have some time away from public duties. The period will allow the King to pause, but it is understood he will be working in preparation for his new role and will already be receiving his red boxes of state papers. The Prince and Princess of Wales will visit Sandringham to view floral tributes left by members of the public. Putin's 'chef' has been filmed offering a pardon to violent criminals and sex offenders locked up in a Russian prison - if they survive fighting in Ukraine for six months. Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, 61, told prisoners they should take their own lives instead of being captured in Ukraine, holding one grenade for the enemy and one for themselves. Video shows Prigozhin telling the criminals they can become war heroes or be shot as deserters, as the Kremlin steps up recruitment of inmates after suffering a humiliating defeat against Ukraine's army in the east. 'This is a hard war, not even close to the likes of [Chechnya] and the others,' he was videoed telling them. 'My ammo consumption is two-and-a-half-times higher than in the battle of Stalingrad,' where there were almost two million casualties, he said. The sales pitch to hundreds of inmates under grey skies at a high security penal colony in Mordovia, a former Gulag prison camp region, comes personally from Prigozhin, nicknamed Vladimir Putins chef, who was recently made a Hero of Russia for his loyalty. Murderers, sex offenders and burglars are offered instant freedom and a pardon from Putin if they survive six months at the frontline in the bloody war. Those who die will be buried 'as heroes', he tells them. Yevgeny Prigozhin, 61, told the inmates they will be pardoned if they survive six months in the war against Ukraine. They should take their own lives instead of being taken prisoner, he said The Wagner boss ordered would-be recruits to hold on to two grenades if they join up - one for their enemies and one to take their own lives rather than be taken prisoner The Wagner chief gave the inmates five minutes to decide if they wanted to join Russia's war in Ukraine. The minimum age is 22, and the maximum is 50, with a six-month commitment Those who face capture by Ukraine are ordered to use grenades to kill themselves rather than fall into enemy hands. Convict soldiers who desert are told they will be instantly executed with a bullet to the head. A secretly filmed video shows Prigozhin, 61, admit that he represents the Wagner private army, deployed by Putin in Ukraine. He has previously denied a link to Wagner which is known to have already recruited thousands of inmates as Russia deploys its most dangerous prisoners as fighters. 'I am a representative of a private war company, perhaps you heard the name - Wagner Group,' he tells the assembled prison inmates. He warns the convicts: 'The first sin is deserting. No-one deserts, no-one gives up, no-one surrenders. Youll be taught what to do regarding surrender.' They should take their own lives, and not be taken prisoner, he said. 'Two grenades which you must have on you,' he went on [One grenade for our foes, and one for yourself]. 'The second sin is alcohol and drugs in the war zone [which are banned] The third sin is marauding - this includes sexual contacts with local women, men, flora, fauna, anyone. Putin's chef Yevgeny Prigozhin (marked) pictured with other Wagner Group fighters at LNR at the beginning of August 2022 Putin's chef Yevgeny Prigozhin (right) pictured at the grave of one of Russian jail inmates, killed in Ukraine 'The minimum age we take is 22, the maximum is 50, and 'good physical shape' is a must.' Multi-millionaire Prigozhin who graduated as a trusted Putin fixer after being his chef at Kremlin banquets also runs so-called troll factories splurging out propaganda inside Russia and abroad. He boasts that in June the first 40 inmates he sent to Putins war from a St Petersburg jail had 'stormed the enemy trenches, [and] killed them with knives'. Three convict fighters died, and seven wounded, he says. 'One of ours who was killed was 52. He had served 30 years in jail, and died a hero.' Prigozhin admits to sending sex and drugs offenders to the war if they pass tests. 'We take great care about those jailed for sex offences [but] we understand people make mistakes,' he says Inmates would be turned into assault troops. 'Sixty percent of my men are assault soldiers, and you will become one of them,' he promises the convicts. Yevgeny Prigozhin, (right) linked to Wagner private military company used to bolster the Russian army in Ukraine, is pictured with Vladimir Putin 'Youll be treated the same, sometimes with even more loyalty than those who fought with my troops for many years, and went through dozens of wars... 'I have several types of aircraft in Wagner, I have MLRS [multiple launch rocket systems]. 'I have tanks, I have everything necessary to attack effectively. Those who go in the front, they are the strongest and they survive better. 'Those who retreat and dont understand what to do, they get into trouble All who are killed will be delivered to the place you nominate in your will, to relatives or get buried wherever you indicate.' If possible, slain prisoner fighters will be buried in Alleys of [Fallen] Heroes which have appeared in many Russian cities as the appalling toll of the war has grown. But those who fled or expressed doubts would be shot dead, he warns. 'Those who dont know where to be buried, we bury by the Wagner Groups church,' he said. '[If you survive] six months, you go home after being pardoned... 'There is no option that you will go back to jail. Those who come to us, and say on the first day "this place doesnt feel right", are marked as deserters, which is followed by execution by shooting.' He told the inmates they had 'five minutes to decide'. 'I am taking you out alive. But I dont always give you back alive...' he said, adding: 'Those who want to go with us, go.' Pro-war and Kremlin-loyal news outlets confirmed that it was Prigozhin in the video. Liz Truss is expected to meet Joe Biden and other world leaders for private talks before the Queen's state funeral next week. The US president and Emmanuel Macron are among the senior figures due to fly into London for the ceremony on Monday. It is understood several leaders have requested meetings with the PM, who only took charge in Downing Street last Tuesday. However, as a mark of respect to the former monarch no details or photographs of their discussions will be released, and there will be no press conferences. Meanwhile, Tories have been voicing anger over China being invited to send a representative to the state funeral. Vice-premier Wang Qishan is expected to attend, despite the country's ambassador being banned from the Houses of Parliament after Beijing sanctioned a group of MPs. US president Joe Biden (left) is among the senior figures due to fly into London for the state funeral on Monday. It is understood several leaders have requested meetings with Liz Truss (right) Chinese vice-premier Wang Qishan (pictured signing a book of condolence in Beijing) is expected to attend the state funeral on Monday Former Cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith told Politico: 'How can they ban Belarus, Russia and Myanmar and not say no to China? 'They have a huge record of human rights abuses, including what we believe to be genocide, smashing churches and persecuting Christians.' Mr Macron said he spoke to the King yesterday to offer his and his country's condolences, and will be at the funeral. The event will see several hundred dignitaries from around the world in London to pay their last respects to the Queen, in what is set to be one of the biggest logistical and diplomatic events in the UK in decades. They will join members of the royal family, British prime ministers past and present, and key figures from public life at Westminster Abbey - which can hold about 2,000 people - at 11am on Monday. No guest list has been released yet, but Mr Biden was among the first to declare he will be attending with his wife, Jill. The leaders of most Commonwealth countries are expected to attend, with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying she will make the nearly 24-hour journey with a delegation of five others. Mr Macron said he spoke to the King yesterday to offer his and his country's condolences, and will be at the funeral Her Canadian and Australian counterparts, Justin Trudeau and Anthony Albanese, have also confirmed their presence. Mr Albanese announced that he will not be travelling alone, tweeting that at Buckingham Palace's invitation, he and Governor-General David Hurley will be accompanied by '10 Australians who have made extraordinary contributions to their communities'. Germany's Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Italy's Sergio Mattarella, Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro are among the presidents attending, along with the European Commission's Ursula von der Leyen. King Felipe of Spain and his wife, Queen Letizia, are among the European royals who will attend. Emperor Naruhito of Japan is also expected to travel to London in what would be his first overseas trip since ascending the throne in 2019. New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday attacked the BJP over the alleged kidnapping and murder of two Dalit girls in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri, saying women's security cannot be expected from those facilitating the release of rapists. The two teenage sisters were found hanging from a tree in a sugarcane field located about a kilometre away from their house in Nighasan police station limits in Lakhimpur Kheri on Wednesday, police said. Six people were arrested on Thursday in connection with the rape and murder of the two girls. "The kidnapping and murder of two minor Dalit sisters in Lakhimpur in broad daylight is a very disturbing incident," Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi. "Women's safety cannot be expected from those facilitating the release of rapists and welcoming them," the former Congress chief said in an apparent reference to 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case being set free last month from the Godhra sub-jail after the BJP-led Gujarat government allowed their release under its remission policy. Gandhi stressed on the need for creating a safe environment in the country for women. As soon as the news about the alleged murder of the Dalit girls broke, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attacked the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government over "increasing" crimes against women in the state. "The killings of two sisters in Lakhimpur (UP) are heart-wrenching. The relatives say that the girls were abducted in broad daylight," Priyanka Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi. "Giving false advertisements in newspapers and television every day does not improve law and order. After all, why are heinous crimes against women increasing in Uttar Pradesh?" the Congress general secretary said. When will the government wake up, she asked. Lakhimpur Kheri Superintendent of Police (SP) told reporters, "We have arrested Junaid, Sohail, Hafizur Rehman, Karimuddin, Arif and Chottu in an overnight operation." "As per preliminary investigation, the two sisters left their home on Wednesday afternoon on the persuasion of Junaid and Sohail. Junaid and Sohail have confessed that they strangulated the girls after raping them," said the SP. Theresa May has joined thousands of Britons paying their respects to the Queen at Her Majesty's lying-in-state in Westminster Hall. The former prime minister, together with her husband Sir Philip May, was spotted joining the queue filing past the Queen's coffin. But, unlike the majority of those in attendance, the Mays did not seem to have queued for many hours for their chance to pay tribute to the late monarch. As an MP, Mrs May is entitled to jump to the front of the queue - which stretches for almost three miles from Westminster to London Bridge - and gain immediate entry to Westminster Hall. They are also entitled to four timed entry tickets, letting friends or family also avoid the long wait. The special treatment for MPs, which also applies to peers, has been condemned by some of the thousands waiting in line for their brief chance to pay their respects. With 650 MPs and about 800 peers in the House of Lords, it means around 7,000 spaces in Westminster Hall could go to parliamentarians and their friends and family over the next few days. Theresa May, together with her husband Sir Philip May, was spotted joining the queue filing past the Queen's coffin As she walked past the Queen's coffin in Westminster Hall just before 8am this morning, the former PM stooped in a deep curtsy while Sir Philip bowed his head Unlike the majority of those in attendance, the Mays did not seem to have queued for many hours for their chance to pay tribute to the late monarch The Queen's lying-in-state, which is open 24 hours a day, ends at 6.30am on Monday - the day of Her Majesty's funeral. Mrs May was one of 15 prime ministers during the Queen's 70-year reign. As she walked past the Queen's coffin in Westminster Hall just before 8am this morning, the former PM stooped in a deep curtsy while Sir Philip bowed his head. Among those in the queue who condemned the special access being granted to MPs and peers was Julie Newman, 56. She said: It is an abuse of privilege. I dont mind queuing, because everybody queues. But there is no excuse for queue-jumping, its not fair. Dexter Bowls, 20, said: For something like this, it is not fair. Theyre not going to work at this time. Another said it was wrong for MPs to be given four free tickets, saying: They shouldnt be allowed any. One woman said: They should be able to queue like everyone else in their own time. It can also be revealed that thousands of police officers taking part in the countrys biggest-ever security operation will not get a chance to visit the lying-in-state. Officers are not being granted special access to Westminster Hall and have been told not to visit while on duty nearby. A police source last night told the Daily Mail: Its disappointing but not surprising that MPs are able to jump the queue while the thousands of police officers working 12-hour days with cancelled holidays wont get any opportunities to say goodbye. There was also anger among MPs staff that they are not being given priority access, unlike their employers and Commons officials. Parliamentary staff can show their passes to enter and can apply for one guest ticket each. According to the Spectator, one group of Conservative staffers wrote in a group chat: As servants in Her Majestys Parliament, we were saddened to hear that the opportunity to pay our final respects to our late sovereign has been limited to only particular groups of pass holders. Sources said 140 MPs and 140 members of the Lords were invited to witness the arrival of the Queens cortege at Parliament yesterday before members of the public were allowed in. Many put photos of the order of service on social media afterwards. The special treatment for MPs, which also applies to peers, has been condemned by some of the thousands waiting in line for their brief chance to pay their respects The queue for the Queen's lying-in-state stretches for almost three miles from Westminster to London Bridge Senior Labour MP Jonathan Reynolds posted his black-edged invitation, writing: It was a privilege to represent my constituents today at this remarkable ceremony and moment of British history. I hope all those who wish to pay their respects at the lying-in-state are able to do so. Conservative MP Laurence Robertson attended with his wife, tweeting: Annie and I have been honoured and privileged to pay our last respects to Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in Westminster Hall today. The Mays spent time with the Royal Family at Balmoral while they were in Downing Street, with Mrs May having recounted one visit during her tribute to the Queen in the House of Commons last week. She began by telling MPs how the Queen was 'quite simply the most remarkable person I have ever met' before sharing a funny anecdote of the time she dropped some cheese on a Balmoral picnic. 'The hampers came from the castle, and we all mucked in to put the food and drink out on the table,' she told the Commons. 'I picked up some cheese, put it on a plate and was transferring it to the table. The cheese fell on the floor. I had a split-second decision to make.' Mrs May paused as MPs burst into laughter, before adding: 'I picked up the cheese, put it on the plate and put it on the table. I turned round to see that my every move had been watched very carefully by Her Majesty the Queen. 'I looked at her. She looked at me and she just smiled. And the cheese remained on the table.' JD Wetherspoon has announced it will keep all of its central London locations, railway station and airport pubs open during the Queen's funeral. While many businesses are closing on Monday as a mark of respect during the sombre occasion, the pub giant has announced it will keep all of its central London locations open. The branches will be open from 8am until midnight to serve food and drink to the millions of mourners expected to descend on the capital. But most of Wetherspoons' 851 pubs around the country will not open until after the state funeral, around 1pm, with regular trading hours after that. Wetherspoon hotels will maintain regular hours and be open for residents only. King Charles III announced Monday as a bank holiday so individuals, businesses and other organisations can 'pay their respects to Her Majesty'. Central London branches of JD Wetherspoon are opening all day on the day of Her Majesty's funeral Crowds gather along the Mall ahead of the coffin of late Queen Elizabeth II departing in procession to Westminster Hall on Wednesday. Millions are expected to descend on the capital in the coming days 'Spoons' is the latest pub chain to have said it will stay open throughout the day, with several saying they would open their doors so that people can watch the funeral and be fed and watered while doing so. Greene King, which runs 2,600 pubs in the UK, said the majority of its venues will stay open so members of the public can share the experience. A spokesperson for the Brewer said: 'Our pubs are a place for communities to come together, so all of our pubs in central London and most of those with televisions across the country will be open throughout Monday showing HM Queen Elizabeth's funeral service. Most of Spoons' 851 pubs around the country will not open until after the state funeral, around 1pm 'For those pubs and restaurants that don't have televisions, such as our casual dining venues, we'll be opening after the service. 'Customers are advised to contact their local pub to confirm opening times as these could be subject to change.' The UK's biggest pub firm, Stonegate, which runs 4,500 pubs and bars, said on Wednesday it plans to keep venues open and show footage of the Queen's funeral. A group spokesperson said: 'The passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is a momentous and sombre occasion. The Slug & Lettuce owner said its managed venues will remain open to allow customers to celebrate the life of the Queen 'We send our deepest condolences to the Royal Family at this sad time. 'Our Managed pubs, bars and venues remain open and, where possible, will show the funeral on Monday 19 September to honour her life and service.' The Slug & Lettuce owner said its managed venues will remain open to allow customers to celebrate the life of the Queen. Those running its leased and tenanted pubs are able to decide independently whether they will open. Greene King, which runs 2,600 pubs in the UK, said the majority of its venues will stay open on Monday Heineken's pub arm, Star Pubs & Bars, said it may keep some venues open for the day as well, allowing independent leaseholders to decide. Meanwhile, restaurants, fast food chains and supermarkets across the country have announced they will be closing 'as a mark of respect to the Queen'. Fast food giant McDonalds said: 'In honour of Her Majesty and to enable everyone at McDonald's to pay their respects, our restaurants across the UK will be closed from midnight until 5pm on Monday, 19th September'. Bakery chain Greggs has also announced it will be closing to give its staff 'the opportunity to pay their respects to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II'. Members of the public queueing to see the Queen's coffin lying in state. Waitrose, which has a royal warrant, is set to close all stores on Monday except for those along the funeral procession route so mourners can buy food Major supermarkets have also announced closures; Sainsbury's, Tesco, Waitrose, Aldi, Morrisons, Iceland and Lidl are shutting their doors for all or part of the Bank Holiday. Waitrose, which has a royal warrant, is set to close all stores except for those along the funeral procession route so mourners can buy food. The late monarch's service will be held at Westminster Abbey on Monday at 11am, before her coffin is interred in Windsor. A prominent human rights lawyer and local politicians have joined a growing chorus of dissenters calling for Vladimir Putin to resign over the war in Ukraine. Daniil Berman, who defended the Russian news anchor who held up a protest sign on live TV, has spoken out to say the 'special military operation' in Ukraine 'is [actually] a hot war with a sovereign state that must be stopped'. He was joined by dozens more politicians from across Russia who have added their names to a petition calling for Putin to go, bringing the total to 67. Daniil Berman, a prominent Russian human rights lawyer, has joined a growing list of politicians and public figures calling on Putin to resign over the Ukraine war Nina Belyaeva from the Voronezh region and Oxana Sergeyeva from Veliky Novgorod have both added their names to a petition calling on Putin to go They include Oleg Egorov from Samara, Ekaterina Vasilyeva from Yakutsk, Oxana Sergeyeva from Veliky Novgorod, Nina Belyaeva from Voronezh, Artyom Kanarev from Tomsk, and Olga Podolskaya from Tula. Lawyer Berman, in a blistering open letter to Putin, he called for the Russian leader, the country's rubber-stamp parliament, and the government to be thrown out. 'I believe that the 'special military operation' is a hot war with the sovereign state of Ukraine which must be stopped,' he said. Russian troops must be withdrawn from Ukraine and the political leadership in Moscow 'dismissed.' Human rights lawyer Berman, 39, warned: 'Further escalation of this military conflict could lead to an acute political crisis within the country. 'Subsequently to Civil War, the collapse of Russia, the loss of its territories, the impoverishment of its population and the loss of their national identity.' The respected lawyer said: 'Any appeals and actions from any person to continue this war, including "attacking strikes on decision-making centres in Ukraine", on "critical infrastructure facilities", the use of nuclear weapons - including low-yield ones - and any similar statements I consider to be anti-people and endangering the existence of humanity as a species.' Oleg Egorov (left) and Artyom Kanarev (right), from the Samara and Tomsk regions respectively, are among 67 politicians now calling for Putin's resignation Olga Podolskaya, Tula region deputy, has also signed the anti-Putin petition He posted his phone number if the authorities wanted to get in touch to arrest him under Russia's draconian laws preventing proper debate about Putin's war. 'For my detention, preparation of administrative material against me and/or arrest, I am ready to voluntarily appear in any investigative institution or court,' he said. He has repeatedly defended clients accused of transgressing laws forbidding any criticism of the army. A local councillor calling for Putin to quit, Olga Shtatskaya, from Moscow, said: 'The irremovability of power is one of the greatest evils in life. 'If a politician has no opponents, everything ends badly. That is what we're seeing right now.' Anti-war allies are hitting their names to an appeal reading: 'We, the municipal deputies of Russia, believe that the actions of President Vladimir Putin harm the future of Russia and its citizens. 'We demand the resignation of Vladimir Putin from the post of President of the Russian Federation.' Among those are deputies from all around Russia, though the bulk are from Moscow and St Petersburg. Marina Ovsyannikova, 43, is the Russian news presenter who displayed an anti-war banner on live TV earlier this year Putin is also facing harsh criticism from pro-war figures for his military failings in Ukraine, which include the recent defeat in Kharkiv In the Lomonosovsky district of capital city Moscow, multiple politicians blamed Putin for aggression, taking his country back to the Cold War, and threatening the world with nuclear weapons. They followed a similar call for Putin to quit by councillors in St Petersburg who demanded he should be charged with high treason over the war in Ukraine. Marina Ovsyannikova famously walked in on Russia's most-watched news show with a poster saying: 'They're lying to you here' and 'Stop the War!' The TV journalist has been repeatedly targeted by Vladimir Putin's officers since her pioneering protest in March. They accuse Ovsyannikova, 44, of discrediting the army under new draconian laws aimed at stifling any criticism of Putin's war in Ukraine. She has been repeatedly fined for her anti-war calls. The Queen's beloved corgis were by her side throughout her 70-year reign and, while the breed became a symbol of British royalty, the reality of living with the dogs wasn't always so pleasant. Far from their cute and cuddly looks, the Pembroke Welsh Corgis often caused trouble in the royal household, reportedly biting a variety of guests, including on many occasions, the Queen - who was once forced to get three stitches. In 1968 there was even a call for the royal staff to put up a 'Beware of the dog' sign at Balmoral after one of the corgis reportedly bit the postman. Over 20 years later, the royal family reportedly hired an 'animal psychologist' to tame the dogs. Pictured: The Queen with one of her corgis at Sandringham, 1970. She owned over 30 during her reign The Queen's beloved corgis were by her side throughout her 70-year reign and, while the breed became a symbol of British royalty, the reality of living with the dogs wasn't always so pleasant The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is now one of the UK's favourite breeds despite being listed as 'vulnerable' in 2014. The trend in its popularity appears to follow milestones in the Queen's (pictured last year) life, as she took to duties with her Corgis in tow The Queen was once bitten by one of her corgis and had to have three stitches. Pictured: Princess Elizabeth, who grew up to become queen, with two corgi dogs at her home at 145 Piccadilly, London, July 1936 Throughout Queen Elizabeth's 70-year reign, she became known around the world for her love for Pembroke Welsh Corgis, turning the dogs into a symbol of British royalty. In 1944, the Queen announced she had been given a Pembroke Corgi puppy, Susan, for her birthday and the breed jumped in popularity by 56 per cent. She now leaves behind four royal canines; two corgis, Candy and Muick, a corgi-dachshund cross - or 'dorgi' - named Sandy, and her most recent addition, Lissy, a cocker spaniel she named after herself. While the future of the pets is unclear, a royal biographer has said that they may be passed on to Prince Andrew, or will be given to members of the royal family's longtime staff, who have looked after the animals for decades. However, according to a royal corgi Wikipedia page, there have been various occasions in the past where the Queen's beloved dogs did not behave up to their royal standard. The Queen, who owned 30 over corgis throughout her reign, was injured on 'several occasions' the website says. In incidents dating back nearly 70 years, among the corgis victims was the palace clock winder, Leonard Hubbard in 1954, who was bitten by Susan upon entering the nursery at the Royal Lodge, Windsor. Later in the same year, one of the Queen Mother's corgis bit a policeman on guard duty in London, the website says. It also says that, in 1968 there was a call for the royal staff to put up a 'Beware of the dog' sign at Balmoral after one of the corgis reportedly bit the postman. The Queen's first involvement with Corgis dates all the way back to her childhood in the early 1930s, when her and sister Margaret first met the Pembroke Corgis of their family friends and wanted to have one too In February 1989, it was reported that the royal family had hired an 'animal psychologist' to tame the dogs after they developed a habit of nipping them and the staff In February 1989, it was reported that the royal family had hired an 'animal psychologist' to tame the dogs after they developed a habit of nipping them and the staff. On more serious incidents, in 1989 the Queen Mother's dog, Ranger, led a pack of corgis that attacked and killed the Queen's beloved corgi, Chipper. The Queen was not exempt from the troublesome behaviour however, as in March 1991 she was bitten by one of the dogs after trying to break up a fight between ten of her corgis. She then had to have three stiches in her left hand. John Collins, the Queen Mother's chauffeur, had to have a tetanus injection after he also tried to intervene. In an on-going chain of incidents, in 2003, Pharos, a tenth-generation offspring of Susan, was put down after being mauled by Princess Anne's English bull terrier, Dottie. Anne arrived at Sandringham to visit her mother for Christmas and the corgis rushed out of the front door as they arrived. It was reported that 'Dottie went for Pharos, savaging the corgi's hind legs and breaking one in three places.' The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is one of the UK's most popular breeds according to The Kennel Club, despite being listed as 'vulnerable' in 2014, which is believed to be thanks to the Queen's passion for the dogs. Corgis took part in the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics, when featured in a James Bond skit with Her Majesty herself and actor Daniel Craig. A few years later, the breed experienced a surge in popularity with UK dog-owners The Queen owned more than 30 dogs, some of whom were directly descendent of Susan, her very first Corgi puppy Corgis have four short legs, a long snout and two huge pointed ears, but are more famous for being the royal breed of choice - the monarch owned over 30 during her reign. HISTORY OF THE CORGI BREED The word 'Corgi' is Welsh for 'Dwarf Dog', and there are two types; the Pembroke, which is the Queen's breed, and the Cardigan Corgi, a descendent Teckel family of dogs, which also produced the Dachshund Pembroke Welsh Corgis originated in Pembrokeshire, Wales from the Spitz family of dogs which are characterised by long, thick fur and pointed ears and muzzle Corgis are a cattle herding breed that can be traced back as far as 1107 AD, thought to have been brought to Wales by Flemish weavers They are the type of herding dog referred to as 'heelers', meaning that they would nip at the heels of cattle to keep them moving The combination of their low height off the ground and the innate agility of Welsh Corgis would allow them to avoid the hooves of the larger animals They were officially recognised as a native British breed by The Kennel Club in 1928, but Cardigans and Pembrokes weren't seen as separate breeds until 1934 Corgis are a herding breed and are referred to as 'heelers', meaning that they would nip at the heels of cattle to keep them moving Advertisement The trend in the breed's popularity appears to follow milestones in Her Majesty's life, as she took to royal duties with her pack closely in tow. Over the years, peaks and troughs in the number of Corgis sold in the UK traced the dogs' airtime, coinciding with advances in broadcasting and the release of popular TV series like 'The Crown'. In June, The Kennel Club - of which the Queen was Patron - announced it received the highest number of Corgi puppy registrations in 30 years in 2021. The Queen's first involvement with Corgis dates all the way back to her childhood in the early 1930s, when her and sister Margaret first met the Pembroke Corgis of their family friends and wanted to have one too. Their parents, then the Duke and Duchess of York, bought Rozavel Golden Eagle, or 'Dookie', from a breeder in Surrey and a press photo of Princess Elizabeth and the puppy published in 1933 sparked an interest in the breed. The family later bought another Corgi from the same breeder called Rozavel Lady Jane, known simply as 'Jane' at home, leading to an illustrated photo book for children, 'Our Princesses and Their Dogs' being published in December 1936. Jane had two puppies, Carol and Crackers, that joined the royal pack before Susan was given to the Princess as a gift for her 18th Birthday when she ascended the throne. A beloved companion, Susan even accompanied the Queen on her honeymoon in 1947, and she was the first in a long line of Windsor Pembroke Corgis that continued for 15 generations. Susan died in 1959, and there is a gravestone for her at Sandringham that reads 'Susan / born 20 February 1944/ died 26 January 1959 / for almost 15 years the faithful companion of the Queen.' She was succeeded in a vast lineage that saw the Queen's Corgi pack continue to, and, in 1981, it was reported that no less than 13 Corgis accompanied her to Balmoral for her summer holiday. Her final litter was born on 9 July 2003, but after that Her Majesty stopped breeding, a decision thought to be influenced by the deaths of her mother and sister. Despite royal duties, the Queen had always been a hands-on pet owner; she attends their meal times of food prepared in the Royal kitchens in the 'Corgi room', where their wicker sleeping baskets are also kept. A leader of Swedish far-right coalition parties has promised 'friends of Sweden' that the new government will 'make Sweden great again' after a narrow election victory upended Swedish politics over the weekend. 'Now the work begins of making Sweden great again,' the party leader, said Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Akesson after negotiating a new government. His comments echoed those of former US president Donald Trumps make America great again proclamation, pivoting the direction of the Swedish government which has never before seen the Sweden Democrats in power. With the vast majority of votes counted, the right-wing party emerged as Sweden's second largest behind the Social Democrats, who have dominated Swedish politics since the 1930s. However, the post of prime minister will in all likelihood go to Ulf Kristersson, the leader of the Moderate party, as Akesson is unable to unite all four parties to head the government. The political earthquake shaking the foundations of Swedish politics led to the resignation of centre-left Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, who stepped down Thursday after the election result became clear. The speaker is now expected to give the Moderate Party a mandate to form a new government after Sunday's general election, which gave the right-wing bloc a majority. Jimmie Akesson Sweden Democrats party's leader remarks has echoed Trumps make America great again proclamation Never before has a Swedish government relied on the support of the anti-immigration and nationalist Sweden Democrats, who became the big winners of the vote The leader of the Sweden Democrats Jimmie Akesson raises his glass during an election party at Elite Hotel Marina Tower Tower in Nacka, near Stockholm, Sweden, late Sunday evening With the vast majority of votes counted, the party emerged as Sweden's second largest behind the Social Democrats Kristersson is working to form a new government in the aftermath of the narrow election win by forming a coalition of right and far-right parties. 'I now begin the work of forming a new and strong government,' Kristersson said on Wednesday as vote tallies were being finalised. 'Now we will restore order in Sweden!' With 176 seats 73 of them going to the far-right Sweden Democrats the four-party coalition will have a slim majority over the left, which won 173, according to a tally by the country's elections authority that includes 99.9 per cent of voting offices. Sunday's election was so close that it took until Wednesday for tens of thousands of votes from abroad and those cast in advance to be counted to validate the results. Acknowledging her camp's defeat, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announced her resignation Thursday. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Andersson, leader of the Social Democrats, noted that the right would enjoy a 'narrow majority, but a majority nonetheless'. 'So tomorrow I will hand in my resignation as prime minister, and the responsibility for the continued process will go to the speaker,' Andersson said. Supporters of the Sweden Democrats react on the results of the exit polls at the Party's election Sunday's election was so close that it took until Wednesday for tens of thousands of votes from abroad and those cast in advance to be counted to validate the results Behind the Sweden Democrats with 73 seats - 11 more than in the last elections in 2018 - the Moderates have 68 (-2), while the Christian Democrats have 19 (-3) and the Liberals 16 (-4) Kristersson, a former gymnast, led a major U-turn for his party when initiating exploratory talks in 2019 with the Sweden Democrats and then deepening their cooperation. The Christian Democrats, and to a lesser extent the Liberals, later followed suit. At the same time the thorny question remains of whether the far-right would be given cabinet posts, which Akesson said on Sunday was their 'goal'. The head of Italy's anti-immigrant League, Matteo Salvini, hailed the party's success. 'Even in beautiful and democratic Sweden, the left is defeated and sent home,' Salvini said in a statement on Wednesday. The Sweden Democrats rose up out of neo-Nazi groups and the 'Keep Sweden Swedish' movement in the early 1990s, entering parliament in 2010 with 5.7 percent of votes. Long shunned as 'pariahs' on the political scene, the party has registered strong growth in each subsequent election as it made efforts to clean up its image. Its hardline stance on soaring gang shootings and integration set the tone in this year's election. The narrow majority means a right-wing government's hold on power would be very fragile, with the four parties fiercely opposed on a number of issues, especially the Liberals and Sweden Democrats. 'This is a difficult parliamentary situation,' Gothenburg University political scientist Mikael Gilljam said. 'And then you have parties that don't like each other, the Sweden Democrats and the Liberals' in the same right-wing bloc, he added. The leader of Sweden's conservatives, Ulf Kristersson, is working to form a new government on Thursday after a narrow election win by a coalition of right and far-right parties Acknowledging her camp's defeat on Wednesday, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announced that she would resign The election of the new head of government cannot take place before September 27 at the earliest, when parliament re-opens Formally, the process of political changeover can only start after Andersson's official resignation on Thursday In such a situation, a few disgruntled MPs could end up flipping the balance of power, and support for the Sweden Democrats has been a divisive issue among parties and voters alike. 'It's scary, it's strange... We're seeing an idiocracy winning more and more ground,' 39-year-old art curator Anna Senno told AFP in Stockholm shortly after Andersson's announcement. Behind the Sweden Democrats with 73 seats 11 more than in the last elections in 2018 the Moderates have 68 (-2), while the Christian Democrats have 19 (-3) and the Liberals 16 (-4). On the left, the Social Democrats climbed to 107 seats (+7) after getting 30.3 percent of the vote, ahead of the Left and Centre parties (24 seats each) and the Green Party (18). Formally, the process of political changeover can only start after Andersson's official resignation on Thursday. Then the speaker of the Riksdag, the Swedish parliament, can give Kristersson the task of forming a majority between the four parties, opening a period of negotiations. The election of the new head of government cannot take place before September 27 at the earliest, when parliament re-opens. Advertisement Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children Archie and Lilibet may not be granted HRH status even though they have now become a prince and princess - because they will not be working royals, an expert said today. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's three-year-old son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor is now Prince Archie, while his one-year-old sister is Princess Lilibet - although it is not clear whether these new titles will actually be used. And a report today has claimed that following 'tense discussions' between the new King and the Sussexes over recent days, Harry and Meghan have been left 'furious' that their children will not also now get HRH titles. When Archie and Lilibet were born they were too far down the line of succession to receive the titles, due to rules from King George V in 1917. But the death of the Queen means they are now the grandchildren of the monarch, rather than the great-grandchildren, and are entitled to be addressed as prince and princess, and to use HRH. Harry and Meghan remain the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and their titles will not change. The couple have stopped using HRH styles since they quit their roles as senior working royals in 2020, but still retain them. However, while Prince Andrew no longer uses the status HRH, his daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie still both have the title - which stands for His or Her Royal Highness - despite not being working royals. While confirmation is awaited on whether Archie and Lilibet will receive HRH titles, royal expert Phil Dampier told MailOnline today that allowing them become a Prince and Princess but not HRH 'would be a classic compromise'. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex pictured with daughter Lilibet and son Archie shortly before Christmas last year Prince William and Prince Harry walk behind King Charles III during the procession from Buckingham Palace yesterday Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice (pictured with their father Prince Andrew in June 2013) are both styled HRH Members of the royal family are seeing a title change following the death of Britain's longest reigning monarch, The Queen He said: 'The same thing happened to Diana and Fergie after they were divorced from Charles and Andrew. And of course Sarah Ferguson is still the Duchess of York today. 'Harry and Meghan should be pleased as using Prince or Princess sounds good in the States. But even though their children are still high up in the line of succession they will not be working royals, so it's quite right they shouldn't have titles. Which Royal Family members are HRH? The following members of the Royal Family are HRH: Princess Anne, Princess Royal Prince William, Prince of Wales Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales Prince George Princess Charlotte Prince Louis Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex Sophie, Countess of Wessex Princess Eugenie Princess Beatrice Duke and Duchess of Gloucester Duke and Duchess of Kent Prince and Princess Michael of Kent Princess Alexandra, the Honourable Lady Ogilvy The following members of the Royal Family are technically entitled to HRH but do not use it: Prince Andrew Prince Harry Meghan Markle James, Viscount Severn Lady Louise Windsor Advertisement 'Lots of people think Harry and Meghan themselves should lose their titles, so I think they should just accept this compromise and be grateful - as it could be a lot worse for them and their children.' It comes after a source told The Sun : 'Harry and Meghan were worried about the security issue and being prince and princess brings them the right to have certain levels of royal security. There have been a lot of talks over the past week.' The source added: 'But they have been left furious that Archie and Lilibet cannot take the title HRH. That is the agreement - they can be prince and princess but not HRH because they are not working royals.' In March 2021, during Harry and Meghan's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, the couple suggested that Archie might be blocked from becoming a prince. Meghan spoke of her shock at being told Archie would not get police protection because he did not have a title, and claimed he might receive different treatment to the other children of the Royal Family. She was asked if she believed that was due to race, and replied: 'In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time, so we [had] the conversation of he won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title. 'And, also, concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born.' Archie was allowed to become Earl of Dumbarton, one of his father's subsidiary titles, when he was born, or could have been Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor. Buckingham Palace said his parents made a personal decision he should be Master Archie instead. In the Oprah interview, Harry and Meghan indicated that they had been told protocols would be changed once Charles became King, so that Archie would be excluded from becoming an HRH and a prince. The interview was given before Lilibet was born. For that to happen, the new King would have to issue a Letters Patent amending Archie's right to be a prince, and Lilibet's right to be a princess. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Prince and Princess of Wales at Westminster Hall in London yesterday The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the Long Walk at Windsor Castle on Saturday Charles is known to favour a slimmed-down monarchy, but there has been no suggestion he will take such a decision. It is not known if Harry and Meghan want Archie and Lili to be addressed as a prince and princess. How rules on HRH date back to Letters Patent by King George V in 1917 The rules on HRH - His or Her Royal Highness - titles in the modern royal family can be traced back to the founder of the House of Windsor, King George V, who issued Letters Patent in 1917 which restricted their use. He declared: 'The grandchildren of the sons of any such Sovereign in the direct male line (save only the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) shall have and enjoy in all occasions the style and title enjoyed by the children of Dukes of these Our Realms.' This means both of King Charles III's children Prince William and Prince Harry - are entitled to be HRH. While William uses this title, Harry has not since he quit as a senior working royal in early 2020, but still retains it. A monarch's grandchildren in the male line are also HRH, which applies to William and Kate Middleton's children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. It technically therefore also applies to Harry and Meghan Markle's children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet but they are not expected to get the title because the family are not working royals. Buckingham Palace said in March 2020 that Harry and Meghan would not use HRH. Once someone is given an HRH title, it remains for the rest of their life even if the line changes - unless the monarch chose to issue Letters Patent to remove it. This means William, Harry, Beatrice and Eugenie are all HRHs because they are the children of sons of Queen Elizabeth II. Prince Edward's children - Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn - are also technically HRH but their parents said they would not use those titles. Princess Anne's children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, are not entitled to be HRHs because they are the children of a daughter not a son of the Queen. Charles no longer has the HRH style because he has become HM, or His Majesty. Similarly, Camilla is now no longer HRH and is instead HM, or Her Majesty. Other members of the Royal Family who have HRH include the Duke of Gloucester, who is the grandchild of King George V through his third son Henry, Duke of Gloucester. The Duke of Kent, his sister Princess Alexandra, and his brother Prince Michael also have the title. This is because their father George, Duke of Kent, was the fourth son of King George V. The HRH style is also passed onto a spouse which means Queen Consort Camilla (who is now HM, not HRH); Kate; Sophie; Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester; Katharine, Duchess of Kent; and Princess Michael of Kent all received the title after their marriages. But the husbands of women HRHs are not entitled to the style such as Eugenie's husband Jack Brooksbank and Beatrice's husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. Sarah, Duchess of York received the title after marrying Prince Andrew but lost it following her divorce in 1996. Advertisement Harry has frequently spoken about the burden of having a title, particularly when it affected his military career. He confessed in 2017 that he had 'wanted out' of the Royal Family - a wish that became a reality in 2020. The former soldier said the time he spent in the Army, when he was 'just Harry', was 'the best escape I've ever had' and he had considered giving up his title. Royal author Penny Junor said: 'He would have dearly liked to have been a normal boy growing up, and found his title very difficult.' The duke is close to his cousins, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, and may have taken their experiences on board. Zara, who grew up as Miss Zara Phillips, was not entitled to be an HRH because she was born in the female line as the offspring of the daughter of a sovereign. She has spoken of how not having a title was a blessing. 'I've been very lucky. My parents didn't give us titles, so we've been able to have a slightly more normal upbringing. As soon as you've got a title, it's very difficult to shed it,' she said. Ms Junor said: 'He [Harry] looked at Zara and Peter and it was so much easier for them than for him. 'He was constantly the centre of attention. His friends were targeted whenever he did anything wrong or misbehaved in any way. 'We knew nothing about Zara or Peter when they were growing up because they were ordinary children going to ordinary schools and were not being treated in any special way.' The Earl and Countess of Wessex's daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, and son, James, Viscount Severn, as the children of the son of a monarch, were allowed to be known as princess and prince. But Edward and Sophie, with the Queen's permission, decided to use the courtesy titles of an earl instead. Speaking about the lack of HRH titles for the children, Sophie told Good Housekeeping magazine in 2020: 'We try to bring them up with the understanding they are very likely to have to work for a living. Hence we made the decision not to use HRH titles. 'They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but I think it's highly unlikely.' Louise turned 18 last November, while James is 14. Meghan said she and Harry wanted Archie to be a prince so he would have security and be protected. But being a prince or princess does not automatically mean royals have police bodyguards paid for by the taxpayer, and the Sussexes have chosen to live in the US. Harry is currently involved in legal action over a decision to strip him and his family of automatic round-the-clock police protection when they are in Britain. Taxpayer-funded police bodyguards are now assigned to the family on a 'case-by-case' basis according to security assessments. Archie is now the first Prince of Sussex, and Lili the first Princess of Sussex. The previous 19th century Duke of Sussex - an eccentric son of King George III - had both his marriages deemed illegal. He had a child with his mistress Lady Augusta Murray, although staff referred to the boy as Prince Augustus. Yesterday, King Charles III led the royal family as they walked behind the Queen's coffin, draped with a Royal Standard, adorned with the Imperial State Crown and pulled on a gun carriage of The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery. Two years have passed since William, Kate, Harry and Meghan were previously together side-by-side in public, during the Commonwealth Day church service at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020 Thousands of mourners flocked to see the moving sight of the Queen departing the official residence of Buckingham Palace where she spent so much of her working life, with viewing areas declared full ahead of the procession starting. The new monarch walked in line with the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex. Behind the King were the Queen's grandsons in a line - Peter Phillips, the Duke of Sussex and the Prince of Wales - who were followed by the late monarch's son-in-law Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of Gloucester, the Queen's cousin, and her nephew the Earl of Snowdown. Harry and Andrew were denied the chance to wear their military uniforms and when they passed the Cenotaph the royals in uniform saluted, but Harry bowed and Andrew performed 'eyes right' and looked at the memorial. MailOnline has contacted both Buckingham Palace and representatives for the Sussexes today for comment on the HRH titles. Marvel has sparked fury in the Arab world by announcing an Israeli Mossad superhero will feature in its forthcoming Captain America film. Sabra, who appeared in the original Marvel comics in the 1980s, will be played by Shira Haas, an Israeli actress whose grandparents are Holocaust survivors, in 2024's Captain America: New World Order. While the news has delighted Israelis, the move has provoked outrage among Palestinians and their supporters who are angered by the hero who has superpowers and flies around in a Star of David suit. Sabra, an Israeli Mossad superhero who appeared in Marvel comics, will feature in an upcoming Captain America film Sabra, who featured in the original Marvel comics in the 1980s, will be played by Shira Haas (pictured) Many have accused Disney, which owns Marvel, of 'Zionist propaganda', adding that her name is associated with the Sabra and Chatila massacre in Beirut in 1982 where thousands of refugees were killed during Israel's invasion of Lebanon. In fact, her name is a slang term for a native-born Israeli Jew and also refers to the prickly pear cactus, which is tough on the outside but soft on the inside, and was coined before the brutal massacre. Others have praised the inclusion of a Jewish hero played by an Israeli Jewish actress. It is not yet known how prominent Sabra will be in the film, having appeared in 50 comic book issues between 1980 and 2019, but she is set to be the first Israeli hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Mossad agent and police officer has superhuman speed and strength and her debut comic book appearance has been slammed as outdated and insensitive. Many have accused Disney, which owns Marvel, of 'Zionist propaganda', adding that her name is associated with the Sabra and Chatila massacre In the scene, the Incredible Hulk ends up in Tel Aviv and befriends a young Arab boy who ends up getting killed in an attack by Arab terrorists. Sabra witnesses the attack and presumes the Hulk is one of the terrorists and attacks him with 'energy quills' until he explains the boy was his friend. The Hulk says: 'Boy died because boy's people and yours want to own land! Boy died because you wouldn't share. Boy died because of two old books that say his people and yours must fight and kill for land.' Sabra replies: 'It has taken the Hulk to make her see this dead Arab boy as a human being. 'It has taken a monster to awaken her own sense of humanity.' Critics say the comics often portrayed Arab characters as terrorists, anti-Semitic or misogynist and fear they will be portrayed similarly in the film. Others have praised the inclusion of a Jewish hero played by an Israeli Jewish actress Yousef Munayyer, a Palestinian-American writer and analyst, said the concept of a Mossad spy becoming a hero is 'insensitive and disgraceful'. He told CNN: 'That comic doesn't suggest anything positive about how this film will play out. 'The glorification of violence against Palestinians specifically and Arabs and Muslims more broadly in mass media has a long and ugly history in the West and it has remarkable staying power.' A Marvel Studios spokesman said: 'Filmmakers are taking a new approach with the character Sabra who was first introduced in the comics over 40 years ago.' Sabra's real name in the comics is Ruth Bat-Seraph, an Israeli police officer who is also a mutant with supernatural powers. She was sent to a government-run kibbutz where she was trained to serve in Mossad as Israel's first superhero. Haas, who will play Sabra, previously starred in Netflix's Unorthodox for which she was nominated for an Emmy. Advertisement Royal fans have been paying tribute to the Queen following her death by heading down to their local tattoo parlour, in one case a tattoo artist inked a portrait of the late monarch on his own leg. Michael Purkiss, 57, was so upset by the death of Queen Elizabeth II that he decided to tattoo a portrait of her just above his left knee in his Southampton-based parlour. Have you got a tattoo dedicated to Queen Elizabeth II? Do you have any royal-themed ink? Let us know, email: matt.powell@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement It took just over two painful hours and it is placed next to an existing tattoo of fictional superhero Batman's nemesis the Joker. He decided to get the tattoo as he has the same birthday as the Queen, and he used to joke with people that every year she would send him a cake. He chose a photo of the Queen, aged 26, when she was on her way to parliament for the first time - in the image, she is smiling and looking away from the camera. Mr Purkiss said: 'I thought that I needed to keep her going somehow so I thought I'm going to tattoo her on my leg. 'I looked on Friday to see what the best picture was, and found a photo of when she was younger and smiling. 'Then I tattooed it on my leg upside down, but when you are doing it yourself it hurts more, and you have to do it upside down. 'I tattoo other people, but this hurts worse.' Mr Purkiss continued: 'I did it because she always had a happy little face and she was never judgmental with anyone, no matter what colour you are or what tattoos you have. 'She just treated you the same as everyone else, she was very none-judgmental about everything.' Tattoo artist Michael Purkiss, 57, decided to ink a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on his own leg after hearing about her death Tattoos dedicated to Queen Elizabeth show her at a variety of different ages, from around the time of her coronation through to her last few years This tattoo depicts a younger Queen Elizabeth wearing her crown in a side portrait position, with artistic streaks across A simple but effective silhouette tattoo in the style of a postage stamp, with the Queen's pearls and crown jewels standing out in white ink Mr Purkiss spent two hours creating the tattoo on his left leg, which sits just above a tattoo of Heath Ledger playing the Joker Mr Purkiss said he was 'really sad' when he found out the Queen had passed away, as he had 'always looked up' to her. He added: 'On Thursday, I was watching the news with my mum and it was sad because she was ill. 'Then later on in the afternoon we obviously heard that she had died. 'Her birthday is on the same birthday as mine, so I felt really sad as I was always happy to tell everyone each year that the Queen sends me a cake. 'I always looked up to the Queen, thinking that she sets how we should act and treat each other - like the old school stuff like opening doors for people.' A tattoo shop in Windsor said that they have had numerous requests from the Coldstream Guards to 'immortalise Her Majesty for their memory' The illustration by Eleanor Tomlinson, which has gone viral since her Majesty's death, has been a popular source of inspiration for tattoo artists and clients In one portrait of her majesty, the artist has incorporated the famous red bolt that was worn across the face of David Bowie's alter ego, Ziggy Stardust One tribute to Her Majesty (left) shows the Queen wearing what appears to be a depiction of the crown worn by the Queen during her coronation. Her Majesty was also depicted across the upper-left side of a man's chest (right) wearing sunglasses, and with a tattoo of a pink-coloured rose across her own neck One tattoo shop in Windsor said that they have had numerous requests from Coldstream Guards, who have a strong presence in the region, to 'immortalise Her Majesty for their memory'. They posted an image online of a tattoo which shows the Queen saluting while dressed in her military uniform, adorned with a medal on her chest. It depicts the late monarch using only black ink, except for the flash of crimson of the feather on her hat. A popular choice for tribute tattoos is the Queen hand-in-hand with the endearing bear from Peru, Paddington. 'Well that's that done, tea?' reads the caption on a tattoo of the Queen on a man's shaven calf, with an illustration of Her Majesty wearing a pea-green coat. The illustration by Eleanor Tomlinson, which has gone viral since her Majesty's death, has been a popular source of inspiration for tattoo artists and clients. Paddington Bear is shown holding her hand as one of her beloved corgis, that seems to have mischievously run off with some bunting, joins them at her side. There is also a marmalade sandwich, that the Queen comically pulled out of her handbag during the Platinum Jubilee as part of sketch with Paddington Bear, that has been left behind One clients chose to wrap his leg with a portrait of the late monarch, from her days of youth, in black ink in front of a vividly coloured union jack. She is illustrated with her tiara, a pair of stud earrings and a dark dress which begins just below her shoulders before being faded out. One clients chose to wrap his leg with a portrait of the late monarch, from her days of youth, in black ink in front of a vividly coloured union jack Paddington Bear is shown holding her hand heading into the abyss as one of her beloved corgis, that seems to have mischievously run off with some bunting, joins them at her side Paddington Bear has become a popular motif for the monarch, particularly after this year's Platinum Jubilee which celebrated 70 years of the Queen's reign. People have been flocking to their local tattoo parlour to pay tribute to our late monarch, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 'I've done my duties Paddington, please take me to my husband,' read a tattoo on the side of one client's shin. In another portrait of her majesty, the tattoo artist had incorporated the famous red bolt that was worn across the face of David Bowie's alter ego, Ziggy Stardust. The Queen had been illustrated as a stencil in black ink with a shock of red and touch of blue across her face in the shape of a lightning bolt. A tattoo which was only done yesterday shows a bust portrait of the Queen in black ink, and her royal cypher, EIIR, placed at the bottom of the illustration of the monarch in large. 'Just done today very read but I'm happy with the outcome,' said tattooist Brandan Roberts. Her Majesty was also depicted across the upper left side of a man's chest wearing sunglasses, and with a tattoo herself. The artist added a tattoo across the late monarch's of a pink-coloured rose that can be seen underneath a simple string pearls. The Queen is shown to be wearing a pastel-pink dress and looking back at us behind a pair of shades. In the background is a Union Jack that appears to have been given a watercolour effect by the artists, with outlines of famous London landmarks like Big Ben and the London Eye. The tribute to Her Majesty by Magpie Tattoo Studio shows the Queen wearing what appears to be a depiction of the crown worn by the Queen during her coronation. She is also surrounded by tall-stemmed fuchsia and blue flowers with a magenta watercolour-effect background, with her sceptre bearing a large gem behind her. A serving police officer accused of a string of offences against three women over a 16-year period who appeared in Channel 4's series Call The Cops will go on trial next year. PC Matthew Tregale, 33, of Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot, is charged with four counts of sexual assault by penetration, one count of sexual assault by intentional touching and one count of attempted rape against a woman between 2005 and 2010. The officer, who appeared in the Channel 4 mini-series Call The Cops in 2019, is further accused of two counts of false imprisonment and one of harassment with the threat of violence against the same woman. The Devon and Cornwall Police officer is also charged with controlling and coercive behaviour of a second woman between December 2015 and July 2020, and against a third between April and August 2021. It is alleged that the suspended officer used police restraint techniques against his alleged victims, including handcuffs, prosecutor Philip Sewell previously said. Mr Tregale, who is currently suspended, allegedly held a knife against one of the women's cheeks and threatened to make allegations about another to her employer so that she would lose her job. A court heard previously that he is alleged to have told at least one of his victims he was a firearms officer, despite this not being the case. He has been released on bail as his plea hearing was suspended after he appeared unrepresented in court today due to the ongoing barristers' strike. He has previously denied all the charges. PC Matthew Tregale (right) was granted bail after being accused of multiple offences against several women over a 16-year period (Pictured at Plymouth Magistrates' Court) Mr Tregale (left), was also a trustee of Devon Super Team - an Exeter based volunteer Superhero Cosplay Group that raises funds to help Children in Devon with disabilities PC Matthew Tregale (pictured), 33, of Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot, previously denied all charges against him at Plymouth Magistrates' Court It is alleged that that the suspended officer (pictured previously in court) used police restraint techniques against his alleged victims, including handcuffs, according to prosecutor Philip Sewell Until recently Mr Tregale was a trustee of Devon Super Team - an Exeter based volunteer Superhero Cosplay Group that raises funds to help Children in Devon with disabilities. Last month, while dressed as Superman, Mr Tregale along with a Super Team colleague dressed as Batman helped arrest a shoplifter on the run from a supermarket. The costumed pair who had just been in the store themselves caught the would-be thief who was legging it down a road and handed him over to chasing security guards. The charity has asked Mr Tredale to step away from further charitable events and visits until the court verdict has been decided. A previous hearing heard that the defendant was first interviewed in May 2020 and was placed on restricted duties but was not suspended by Devon and Cornwall Police until he was charged. 'The charges relate to incidents which occurred whilst the officer was off duty between 2006 and 2021,' a force spokesman previously said. A hearing at Exeter Crown Court on Thursday was adjourned with no pleas being taken because Tregale had no representation due to the barristers' strike. Thousands of criminal barristers are refusing to work on legal aid cases in a walk-out over pay. Members of the Criminal Bar Association are demanding a 25 percent rise in legal aid fees and talks with the government failed after it offered a 15 percent rise. Mr Tregale's plea hearing was re-listed for February 27 at the same court. He was bailed and a two week trial is likely to be held outside the Devon and Cornwall police area next year. Another hearing will be held at the end of February 2023 in Exeter Crown Court or another court in the Avon and Somerset area. PC Edward Welch (pictured outside court today), 34, denies causing the deaths of Rosanne Cooper, 34, and her 10-year-old nephew Makayah McDermott by dangerous driving in Penge, Bromley, in August 2016. A Metropolitan Police officer accused of causing the deaths of a child actor and his aunt while pursuing the son of a millionaire pet food boss as he sped through a south-east London borough will stand trial in November. PC Edward Welch, 34, denies causing the deaths of Rosanne Cooper, 34, and her 10-year-old nephew Makayah McDermott by dangerous driving in Penge, Bromley, in August 2016. Joshua Dobby, then 23, was being chased by police as he drove at three times the speed limit, through red lights, and at more than 50mph the wrong way down a one-way street. Dobby lost control of the stolen Ford Focus, mounted the pavement and hit a bollard, before ploughing into the Cooper family as they walked to the park to get ice cream. He was jailed for 12 years after he was convicted of two counts of manslaughter at the Old Bailey five years ago. Dobby, the estranged son of millionaire pet food wholesaler Mark Dobby, had sobbed: 'I'm truly sorry for what I've done' before he was jailed in March 2017. He had never held a driving licence and had 53 previous convictions, including one for aggravated vehicle taking. Makayah had appeared in an Asda advert and had just landed a leading role in a major new television series when he was killed. He also appeared in a production of Wizard of Oz with his sisters. PC Welch appeared at the Old Bailey in central London on Thursday wearing a grey suit with a blue tie. The Recorder of London, Judge Mark Lucraft said: 'The position that I think everyone was working on the basis that I was to be your trial judge for this case. Tragic Makayah McDermott, 10, was killed when then 23-year-old Joshua Dobby ploughed into him and his family following a police chase in Penge, south-east London in August 2016 Roseanne Cooper, 34, was also killed in the fatal collision, but her twin nieces, aged 13, and daughter Eva, survived Dobby's black car on the pavement following the crash that killed Makayah McDermott and his aunt Rozanne Cooper 'In fact it won't be me as the trial judge, the case is to be tried by a High Court judge.' PC Welch, of Chatham, Kent, denies two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and one of dangerous driving on 31 August 2016. He was bailed ahead of trial on November 21. Ms Cooper had been walking down the busy road in Penge with her daughter Eva, Makayah and his older twin sisters Niyah and Yahla, 13, when Dobby's car ploughed into them. The three girls were taken to hospital for their injuries, but survived the crash. Police abandoned their chase as Dobby drove at 80mph through red lights and through a 30mph zone at 70mph in Penge, the court was told. Joshua Dobby (pictured), then 23, was being chased by police as he drove at three times the speed limit, through red lights, and at more than 50mph the wrong way down a one-way street before he ploughed into family. He was jailed for 12 years after being convicted of two counts of manslaughter Eight months after Dobby was jailed, the police watchdog, the IPCC now called the IOPC, announced an investigation was being launched and that the two officers involved in the chase could face criminal charges. Welch was the driver of a marked police car that pursued the vehicle driven by Dobby which crashed into Makayah and Ms Cooper. A second PC who was with PC Welch has not been charged as the CPS concluded there was no legal basis for prosecution. Makayah had been given leading roles in productions at his south London theatre school while his twin sisters also appeared in a string of national advertising campaigns. The three siblings all attended the Pop School and Stage Academy (PSSA) in Beckenham, south east London. Makayah had also performed at nearby Catfords Broadway Theatre. The charges against PC Welch (pictured outside court today) followed a year-long investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which finished in August 2017 After the accident, around 20 passers-by were said to have rushed to lift the car in order for the twins to crawl free. After pleading guilty, Dobby was jailed for 12 years concurrently after admitting two counts of manslaughter as well as three years and four months in prison for causing serious injury by dangerous driving on August 31, 2016, and 16 months for dangerous driving five days earlier. He was also banned from driving for 15 years. The charges against PC Welch followed a year-long investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which finished in August 2017. In August 2017 the IOPC handed a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service. The file related to both PC Welch and the other officer involved for their actions during and following the pursuit. Then in June 2019 an inquest ruled Makayah and Ms Cooper were unlawfully killed by Dobby. A barrister who said 'I shouldn't laugh' after he raped his Tinder date shouted 'I didn't do it' from the dock as he was convicted of the attack and jailed. Robin Jacobs, 39, was sentenced to four years in prison for carrying out the sexual attack for up to 30 seconds after the woman screamed at him to stop at his London flat in 2017, the Old Bailey heard. The couple had been on two dates before the rape. After meeting for lunch at a date in September, the pair returned to Jacobs' flat and had consensual sex. But Jacobs suddenly forced her to take part in a sex act, ignoring her screams to 'get out'. He then told the woman, in her 30s, to 'come for a cuddle' and offered her paracetamol. The lawyer, from Woodford, east London, has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), meaning he struggles to read social signals. He denied raping the woman and said he would have stopped immediately if she had told him to. As he was convicted for rape, Jacobs yelled 'I didn't do it. I was telling the truth. Oh my God.' from the dock. After gaining his composure, he thanked the judge for imposing the 'lowest possible sentence' and left the dock pinching the bridge of his nose. Barrister Robin Jacobs said 'it's not funny, I shouldn't laugh' after he raped a woman in 2017. The 39-year-old was convicted of rape at the Old Bailey today Judge John Hillen told him: 'It gives the court no pleasure to sentence anyone to terms of imprisonment and in this particular case, with a man of good character, of exemplary character, a high standing in his profession, to have to sentence you as I must, and as you know I must, to a term of imprisonment is a sad event. 'I accept that your laughing was involuntary and that you, in an uncharacteristic selfish state of mind, were bemused by her reaction. 'That bemusement was caused by your belief that she consented. 'I am satisfied on your evidence that you did genuinely believe that your victim would consent. 'That belief was unreasonable, wholly unreasonable in the circumstances.' On the day of the assault the pair went for a pizza then went back to Jacobs' home nearby for sex. At one stage Jacobs told the victim to wait there before attempting a sex act without consent, the court heard. He carried on for 20-30 seconds until she screamed 'get out' at him, at which point he stopped. As the complainant lay on the bed in front of him Jacobs said 'It's not funny, I shouldn't laugh'. He then chuckled to himself. Jacobs denied raping the woman and said he would have stopped immediately if she had told him to, but was convicted of rape after a week-long retrial In her account to police the woman said she told him to stop twice and he didn't, she then screamed 'get off' and he stopped but he didn't move away. She said: 'At that point I was just face down on the bed. I didn't know what to do with myself - I was in quite a lot of pain. 'And then he told himself twice that it wasn't funny, that he shouldn't laugh, not to laugh, and then after the second time he did laugh. 'And then he saw that I hadn't moved and then he sort of moved me across and sat down and said 'come for a cuddle' and I said no. 'I would say that [he used] a huge amount of force. It felt like what you would describe as a stabbing pain. 'It just wasn't stopping. I was still in pain when I went into work on Monday.' Jollyon Robertson, who prosecuted Jacobs in the retrial, summarised an impact statement written by the complainant in which she detailed how the rape has affected her. She felt 'a degree of humiliation' when Jacobs laughed just after the incident, the court heard. Mr Robertson said: 'She mentions that she has had some counselling. She has also been on medication. She was off work for a period of two months. 'She felt that she had no control over her life and how her trust of people has been affected.' Stephen Rose, defending, said Jacobs did not deliberately try to humiliate the complainant but that his laughter was the result of his then undiagnosed ASD. Mr Rose described Jacobs' actions as 'a momentary mistake'. He said: 'This is not a defendant who will trouble the court again. 'He is struggling and I have no doubt will struggle to understand, principally for reasons associated with his disability, the outcome of this case.' Jacobs shouted at the jurors in the Old Bailey today, claiming he 'didn't do it', before collapsing in the dock After the incident Jacobs texted a friend, Stewart Wallis, about the incident, calling the victim's response 'a bit of an overreaction'. Jacobs also texted: 'I just hope there's no trouble as a result. I apologised repeatedly when she was here. A few days later, Jacobs wrote: 'I haven't been nicked yet, so that's good. 'If the police are after you, do they leave a message or raid you at 5am?' Jacobs claimed he was confused about what had happened and that he was trying to 'fit in' with his 'laddish' behaviour, which he uses to 'navigate social interactions'. The prosecution had suggested Jacobs' ASD does not impact his understanding of consent and his reasonable belief of consent in this case. Giving evidence during the first trial the barrister insisted he would have stopped having sex immediately if the woman told him. 'I thought she was absolutely fine,' he said. 'I thought she knew what I was doing.' Stephen Rose, defending, said: 'It is suggested you were not interested in whether she consented.' Jacobs replied: 'It's not true. I am not a cruel, aggressive person. That is not what I'm like. It wasn't something for my own gratification as the phrase goes. No.' Jurors heard how the complainant claimed Jacobs had joked during their first sexual encounter: 'It has been a while since I've forced myself into a girl'. The barrister said he did not remember making that comment. He said he understood 'in the narrow sense' that consent to one sexual act did not mean consent to another. 'Yes it's true to say in a literal way that just because you are consenting to one thing doesn't mean you are consenting to everything,' he said. 'But at the same time you form an impression of someone's character and someone's boundaries based on the sort of things you have done so far and the sort of things you tried. 'Based on everything I considered those boundaries to be wider in this instance.' Jacobs denied that it was 'very unusual' for a woman to agree to such a sex act on the second sexual encounter but said: 'I've done it on first dates.' During the first trial Fiona Ryan, prosecuting, suggested his remark to the complainant to 'hold steady' before he performed the sex act was 'no sort of warning at all'. Jacobs replied: 'It had been perfectly adequate when I had done it on previous occasions with other partners. 'I don't agree that there was no warning. 'I can't tell you five years on exactly what was going through her head...but I think she knew what I was going to do and she was alright with it until she was hurt.' He told the jury in the second trial: 'There was no thrusting. It was over pretty much as soon as it started. Asked by his barrister Stephen Rose, if he raped the woman, Jacobs replied: 'No.' Jacobs said they were having sex and the woman suddenly shrieked at him to 'get out!' In his closing speech to the jury Mr Rose told jurors: 'This is about a short relationship back in 2017, starting on Tinder between two mature adults both, it seems, looking for love. 'I have no doubt that for some, if not all, of you, there have been parts of this trial that you've found distasteful to sit and listen to in the formality of this sort of setting. 'Mr Jacobs, a barrister in the middle of his career, [was] diagnosed with ASD, a discovery with profound implications for his life and important implications for this trial. 'And he discovers that in the contact of being accused of rape. 'To discover that at his stage in life is nothing short of devastating. 'He faces undoubtedly a very serious allegation and...his future is ultimately in your hands.' The barrister specialises in educational law and had continued to practice since the incident, the court heard. However the conviction means that the barrister is likely to 'never' work in his legal profession again. Robin Jacobs was jailed for four years and must register as a sex offender for life. The kilt-wearing hunky Army officer and the equerry for King Charles who has won a legion of admirers has been happily married to a glamorous marketing executive for more than 13 years, MailOnline can reveal. Major Jonathan Thompson, 39, of the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, was once the Queens most senior bodyguard but is now serving His Majesty and has been seen constantly at his side. The dashing soldier is thought of as something of a braw darling hunk in Scottish slang by Royal watchers and has acquired an army of fans for his dashing good looks as he has been at the King's side in the past week. In recent days he has found himself thrust front-and-centre at historic Royal events as the equerry of King Charles III, having served in the role when he was Prince of Wales. Major Thompson, known to friends as 'Johnny', tied the knot with marketing manager Caroline, 44, in 2010 and the couple have a four-year-old son as well as two black labradors called Odin and Piper a nod to his military time in Scotland. Last Saturday he was caught on camera calmly and coolly removing a pen tray which was cluttering the Kings desk, as Charles signed the Proclamation which named him as the new monarch following the death of Queen Elizabeth. Wife Caroline (pictured) was educated at Windsor Girls School and nearby Strodes College where she passed three A levels in media, psychology and photography before obtaining an HND at Southampton Institute in Design Communications Major Thompson, known to friends as 'Johnny', tied the knot with marketing manager and keen equestrian Caroline, 44, (pictured above) in 2010 Major Thompson (pictured left) cracked a smile as he walked with the Queen through the gates of Balmoral Castle earlier this year, before the monarch's death Contrary to most people believing he is Scottish, Major Thompson was actually born in Morpeth, Northumberland, and now lives with his family in Surrey. He joined the Army in 2006 and is a Platoon commander, according to his LinkedIn. He is thought to have been working as an equerry with Charles for the last two years. His profile also reveals how he attended Aberystwyth University where he graduated in 2004 with a degree in Economics and politics with international studies and he gave his hobbies and interests as rugby and mountaineering and he was also a member of the undergraduate officer training corps Wife Caroline was educated at Windsor Girls School and nearby Strodes College where she passed three A levels in media, psychology and photography before obtaining an HND at Southampton Institute in Design Communications. She has worked for Packard Bell, BMW and is also a gym instructor and keen horse rider, and last year with her marketing and design skills helped set up the website for charity Horses4Health. A biography on the site set up last year says: Caroline has been riding for over thirty years and bought her New Forest mare 'Bonnie' as a yearling almost 16 years ago. 'The partnership has done a bit of everything over the years from hacking and showing to showjumping and horse trials but since the birth of Caroline's son in 2018 they are now enjoying a slightly less competitive life. Caroline worked in the marketing industry for 11 years before getting married in 2010 to Jonny - a serving member of the Armed Forces. It was this that spurred her on to take the plunge to change careers to become a Personal Trainer and Exercise Referral specialist. Major Jonathan Thompson of the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, pictured on the left of the frame behind the Queen's coffin, accompanied the procession Major Jonathan Thompson (pictured right) of the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland was once the Queen's most senior bodyguard Major Thompson (pictured right) had previously accompanied Queen Elizabeth II upon her arrival at Balmoral earlier this summer, prior to her death Major Thompson (right) was pictured on Friday with Prime Minister Elizabeth Truss (left) This began her interest in mental health and the benefits that exercise can have on it. 'Her own struggles led her to discover first-hand how both physical exercise and horses can greatly help with mental health and it was this that encouraged her to initially volunteer to help with The Great Horses For Health Relay in January 2021. 'She has since got back into working in the world of marketing / project management due to it fitting in better with her other life commitments. Caroline was responsible for building the first Horses4Health website as well as being on the main organising committee for the event. Caroline currently lives in Surrey with her husband, four year old son and two dogs, Odin and Piper, but has spent a lot of time living in various parts of Scotland, as well as Berkshire and Wiltshire, This is the seventh house she has lived in since she got married 12 years ago... the joys of being an Army family! In May 2021 Major Thompson accompanied Princes Charles and Camilla, as they were known at the time, on their royal visit to Greece. This photo was taken on the Bicentenary Independence Day in Syntagma Square, Athens Major Thompson met the Prime Minister Liz Truss last Friday outside Buckingham Palace ahead of her first audience with the new KIng Major Johnny Thompson was spotted behind Prince Harry and Megan when they attended the National Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June earlier this year Major Thompson was also seen in the procession on Wednesday, when the Queens coffin was escorted from Buckingham palace to Westminster Hall for the four days of lying in state. TV footage caught him to the side as the casket was brought in and he was seen speaking briefly to the Duke of Kent. Last Friday Major Thompson escorted PM Liz Truss to meet the King at Buckingham Palace and as always he wore a tartan kilt and large fur sporran. He was also spotted standing behind Harry and Meghan at the Platinum Jubilee celebration National Service of Thanksgiving at St Pauls Cathedral. Major Thompsons parents Ian and Elizabeth, were once neighbours of Scottish comedian Billy Connolly, with their Grade A listed 300-year-old home in Deeside set next door to his but they have since moved on. Madeleine McCanns parents will find out next week if they have won their rollercoaster legal battle against the former policeman who suggested they were responsible for her disappearance. Kate and Gerry took action against Goncalo Amaral, 62, for slurs in his book The Truth of the Lie and they have been locked in a bitter courtroom fight ever since it was published in 2008 a year after Madeleine went missing. They are appealing to the European Court of Human Rights in the French city of Strasbourg after Portugals highest court threw out their long-running libel claim against Amaral, who suggested they were involved in her disappearance. Initially they had won the first round and an injunction was granted to prevent further sales of the book, which was written by Amaral who was taken off the investigation after a 27-year police career. Madeleine McCanns parents, Gerry McCann (R) and Kate McCann (L), are soon to find out the results of their rollercoaster legal battle against the former policeman who suggested they were responsible for their daughter's disappearance Former Policia Judiciaria detective Goncalo Amaral, pictured holding a copy of his book entitled Maddie: The Truth about the Lie, has been embroiled in a 14-year libel battle against the parents. Kate and Gerry took action against Amaral for his 2008 book He later appealed the decision and after years of litigation which also at one point involved him paying the McCanns 429,000 in compensation won the case in 2017. This was after Portugals highest court ruled he was entitled to freedom of expression but in a last ditch battle the McCanns immediately went to the European Court of Human Rights and have been waiting ever since for a decision. Technically, the case being considered by the court in Strasbourg is against Portugal and Portuguese justice and not Amaral himself but if they lose they could be forced to pay considerable costs. It may even involve them dipping into their Madeleines Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned account which according to the latest accounts has a balance of 931,500. Paperwork lodged at the court shows Kate and Gerry are claiming the allegations in his book and a subsequent documentary infringed their right to respect for their private life and their right to presumption of innocence. They complained that the Portuguese ruling failed to take into account criteria set out in case law and judges at the Strasbourg court sent out detailed questionnaires to the Portuguese state asking the McCann for further observations and if an out of court settlement was possible. A source in Strasbourg said the Portuguese had refused the offer and other documents in the case reveal Amaral made more than 350,000 from the book and DVD, plus another 20,000 from various TV and newspaper interviews. In their argument the couple detail the pain they have been through since then three year old Madeleine disappeared during a family holiday in Praia da Luz on Portugals Algarve coast in May 2007. They go onto describe the anguish they endured after being made suspects or arguidos by the Portuguese police a few months after she disappeared. The former police officer's book hammers out a theory that the McCanns, from Rothley, Leicestershire, were responsible for Madeleine's disappearance Lawyers say Amarals book incriminated innocent citizens, accused of terrible crimes they never committed. It goes on to say they are trying to protect not only their reputation but that of the child as well. They also say Amarals book was extravagant and damaged the good reputation of the McCann family. Amaral argued in his defence that the books allegations came from his and his teams investigation. Last year Amaral wrote a follow up book called Maddie: Enough Lies in which he said prime suspect Christian Brueckner, who was named in 2020 by German police as the man responsible for her kidnap and murder was merely a scapegoat. He says German investigators have turned convicted rapist and paedophile Brueckner, into a man made Frankenstein and he accuses them of a botch job as part of their discredited desire to link Brueckner, 45, to the crime. In the 294 page book he also again repeated his theory the McCanns, from Rothley, Leicestershire, were responsible but they have always steadfastly denied it. In an announcement Thursday, the ECHR said the judgement was among 24 that would be published on Tuesday. The McCann's fought back against the initial ruling on an appeal, complaining that the Portuguese ruling failed to take into account criteria set out in case law It added: 'The case concerns statements made by Mr Goncalo Amaral a former detective inspector in a book, a documentary, adapted from that book and a newspaper interview about the applicants alleged involvement in the disappearance of their daughter, Madeleine McCann, who went missing on May 3 2007 in southern Portugal. Relying on articles 6 and 2 (right to a fair hearing, 8 (right to respect for private and family life) and 10 (freedom of expression) of the Convention, the applicants allege that those statements damaged their reputation, their good name and their right to be presumed innocent, and complain that they were unable to redress before the domestic courts. They also argue that the reasoning in decisions issued by the Supreme Court on 31 January and 21 March 2017, at the close of action for damages brought by them, breached their right to be presumed innocent. A Beefeater who held vigil at the Queen's coffin says the guard who fainted off the podium on Wednesday evening 'recovered shortly afterwards'. Thousands of mourners joined the queue to pay their final respects to the monarch following her death at Balmoral last Thursday. Scottish RAF veteran Tam Reilly was among the team watching over the Her Majesty inside the Palace of Westminster - a role the proud Dundonian described as 'an absolute honour' on social media. But the evening saw one of the royal guards blacking out, leaving dozens of onlookers stunned. The man began swaying on his feet moments before he collapsed. Earlier, he had briefly stepped off the podium before retaking his place as other servicemen joined him for a changeover. The moment the guard fell forward onto the stone floor as police officers quickly rush to his aid yesterday evening, left, with Beefeater Tam Reilly, pictured right as he stood guard. Tam Reilly was made the 414th Beefeater to protect the Tower of London in February. He was among the guards standing watch over the Queen last night in Westminster Hall Two police officers quickly rushed to help the man as the remaining guards continued to hold vigil next to the coffin But seconds later he blacked out and fell forwards, landing sprawled on the stone floor to loud gasps from bystanders queueing to pay their respects. The live stream also cut out for several minutes as police rushed to the mans aid. Asked on Twitter how the guard was doing, veteran Tam - who spent 35 years with the RAF before becoming the Tower of London's 414th Beefeater in February - said: 'As far as I know he recovered shorty afterwards.' Mr Reilly, joined the RAF Regiment aged 23 and has since been stationed across the country, most recently serving as a Training Assurance and Training Support Warrant Officer at RAF Honington. Tam Reilly, an RAF veteran from Scotland, said standing vigil over the Queen last night was an 'absolute honour' and added that the guard who collapsed 'recovered shortly afterwards' At the age of 55 he became swapped uniforms to join the other 32 Yeoman Warders (YW) who live and work within the Tower of London as one of its famous Beefeaters. Yeoman Warders have been guarding the Tower of London since Tudor times, with members of their ranks drawn from all three branches of the military. The Yeomans Warders, alongside personnel from the Sovereign's Bodyguard and Household Division, have been drafted in to defend Her Majesty's coffin around the clock. It comes after crowds lined the streets of central London as she was moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Wednesday afternoon. King Charles, William and Harry reunited to mourn and march behind the coffin it made its final journey out of Buckingham Palace at 2.22pm. A short service was held involving the Royal Family at the Palace of Westminster, before members of the public were given access to pay their respects from 5pm. As the late monarch's coffin was placed in the hall, photos captured a poignant moment for the Duke of Sussex as he held his head in his hand, shielding his eyes, and looked down. Wearing a suit decorated with medals, he is standing next to the Duchess of Sussex, who is looking down with a sombre expression on her face. Prince Harry and his brother Prince William stood together with their wives Meghan and Kate as they put aside their bitter feud to pay their respects to their grandmother. While the siblings walked side-by-side for the poignant 38-minute procession from Buckingham Palace, their spouses travelled in separate cars, with Meghan accompanied by the Countess of Wessex and Kate joined by Camilla, the Queen Consort. During the service, the 'Fab Four' stood in formation facing the coffin on its purple-covered catafalque, which was flanked with a tall, yellow flickering candle at each corner of the wide scarlet platform in the heart of Westminster Hall - the backdrop of some of the most famous moments in British history. The Sussexes stood at the back of the group of royals, with Harry directly behind William and Meghan behind Kate. The touching moment is the first time the couples have been seen together since their surprise walkabout together at Windsor Castle on Saturday, and a rare show of togetherness. The Queen's coffin entered Westminster Hall as the choir of Westminster Abbey and the choir of His Majesty's Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, sang Psalm 139. When the Queen arrived, Charles, William and Anne saluted. Harry and Prince Andrew - barred from wearing military uniform - bowed their head instead. The Sussexes stood at the back of the group of royals, with Harry directly behind William and Meghan behind Kate. The touching moment is the first time the couples have been seen together since their surprise walkabout together at Windsor Castle on Saturday, and a rare show of togetherness. The Queen's coffin entered Westminster Hall as the choir of Westminster Abbey and the choir of His Majesty's Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, sang Psalm 139. When the Queen arrived, Charles, William and Anne saluted. Harry and Prince Andrew - barred from wearing military uniform - bowed their head instead. The moment the first members of the public walked inside the Palace of Westminster to see the Queen's coffin as she lies in state until Monday Members of the public pay their respects as they pass the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II at the Palace of Westminster this evening People queue as the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth arrives at Westminster Hall from Buckingham Palace for her lying in state Thousands of well-wishers have passed through the historic hall throughout the evening and into the early hours of this morning. Mourners waiting to pay their respects have been given colour-coded wristbands in order to temporarily leave the queue to buy food and use the toilet. Stewards staffing the route have also been advised to spot people who may be struggling, take them out of the queue for a 'cup of tea'. They may then be allowed closer to the front. The Palace of Westminster will remain open 24 hours a day until 6.30am on Monday - the day of the Queen's funeral. Firebrand Indigenous politician Lidia Thorpe has unleashed an extraordinary tirade against the Queen and the 'institution she represents' just days out from her funeral. The Greens Senator - who earlier this year labelled the Queen a 'coloniser' in her parliamentary oath of allegiance - took to Twitter on Thursday. 'They buried our kids in the sand and kicked off their heads, and you want me to pay my respects?' Ms Thorpe wrote. 'This isn't about an individual, it's about the institution she represents and the genocide that they're responsible for.' Lidia Thorpe (pictured) has fired up about 'paying respects' to the Queen saying the British Empire declared war on First Nations people Her Majesty (pictured in 2012) passed away aged 96 at Buckingham Palace this month A day earlier Ms Thorpe penned an opinion piece for The Guardian in which she said the 'legacy of the crown' for Indigenous Australians was 'education that erases us and prisons that kill us'. 'The 'British empire' declared a war on these shores, against this country's First Nations peoples. This led to massacres. And you want a minute's silence from me?' Ms Thorpe declared. 'Colonial governments are complicit in continuing the crimes against First Nations people because that is the agenda of the coloniser... around the world. To think that people can stand and celebrate that is ignorant and painful.' The rants come after Ms Thorpe had taken a more subtle approach in a Twitter thread on Monday, saying she knew people had expected her to lash out. 'The Queen is dead. Ive had some days to reflect, and know that people wanted me to come out ranting and raving to confirm their views of me as a crazy Blak woman,' she wrote. 'In the days since, I've seen anger and disbelief from First Nations people at the glorification of our oppressor.' She concluded the thread: 'We could use this moment and momentum to empower people to democratically elect our own leader. Someone who represents all of us, uniting a country that has owned up to its past and chosen its own future.' Ms Thorpe said modern Australia must acknowledge the injustices inflicted upon generations of Aboriginal people to become a 'mature' nation. She has called for official recognition in the form of a treaty. 'Australia is one of the few Commonwealth countries that does not have a treaty with First Nations people.' she said. A seething Ms Thorpe, a Senator for the Greens, took to Twitter on Thursday (pictured) Proponents for a treaty say it is integral to a reconciliation process, would provide practical rights for Indigenous Australians, and that it would bring self-determination to First Nations people that would bridge the social and economic gap. 'Treaty is an end to the war. It's when we come together to negotiate how we can live alongside each other, peacefully. Treaty will create a new national identity, that we can all feel proud of and a part of,' the Senator said. Ms Thorpe's version of a treaty appears tied to a republic, with the senator adding. 'Do we want to be a nation who can't control our own affairs? Where our head of state is whoever was born into the right family? Do we want to champion stolen wealth and privilege, or are we a country that cares about equality and democracy?' In her parliamentary oath of allegiance earlier this year (pictured) she labelled the Queen a coloniser Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in favour of Australia replacing the monarchy with a local head of state but he said this would not happen in his first term as Prime Minister. Mr Albanese said out of 'deep respect and admiration' for the Queen he would not pursue 'questions about our constitution' at least until he was reelected for a second term. He is also a strong supporter of an 'Indigenous Voice to Parliament' to be enshrined in the Constitution that some consider the first step towards a treaty. The voice would include representatives from First Nations who would advise the government of Indigenous issues. There has been an outpouring of grief from across the globe after the Queen passed away at Balmoral Castle this month. 'Regardless of peoples views about other issues - the constitution and our system of government - I think its impossible to not respect the extraordinary job and dedication to service that her majesty showed,' Mr Albanese said. Meanwhile, Princess Royal, accompanied by her husband Sir Tim Laurence, visited well-wishers in Glasgow In Manchester, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, hugged young boy called Josh who had gathered to meet her Kate told a woman she couldn't read all the cards 'or I would cry' while William said he was 'overwhelmed' Senior royals are visiting mourners up and down the country today as King Charles III rests at Highgrove Advertisement The Prince of Wales told a woman at Sandringham today that yesterday's procession was 'very difficult' and 'brought back a few memories' of walking behind his mother Diana's coffin, before - close to tears - saying to her: 'Don't cry now, you'll start me off'. William, 40, was also heard telling a mourner the Queen was 'everyone's grandmother', and saying Prince George, nine, understood that she had died but Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, four, less so. Meanwhile, Kate told a woman she would burst into tears if she read too many sympathy cards. The new Prince and Princess of Wales stepped out of a dark Range Rover near to Sandringham's historic Norwich Gates where they warmly greeted by huge crowds who had waited behind metal barriers to see the couple. William and Kate stayed for almost an hour, chatting to royal fans young and old, and looked deep in thought as they read the messages on the sea of floral tributes that have been left behind at the gates to the royal residence. With King Charles III enjoying a much-deserved rest at his Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire, the rest of his family took up the mantle - with Sophie, Countess of Wessex, hugging mourners in Manchester and Princess Anne visiting Glasgow. Fran Morgan, 62, spoke to Kate as she and William spoke to the vast crowd that had come to see them at Sandringham, the Queen's estate in Norfolk. Recalling their conversation, Mrs Morgan said: 'She said she couldn't believe how many cards and flowers there were. But she also said: ''I can't read them all or I would cry''.' One visitor who missed the entire visit was three-month old Eddie Shakespeare who fell asleep just as the Royal couple arrived. His mother Maisie, 27, from Cambridgeshire, said: 'I was going to wake him up and show him to Kate, but I didn't have the heart. She thanked me for coming and said that all the sympathy meant a lot to her and William. I'm glad I came, but as for Eddie, I'll just have to tell him about it when he's older!' In Manchester, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, met Josh, a young mourner who was waiting to see her with his mother, Sue. Recounting the moment they met, Sue said: 'She just said ''nice to meet you, do you want me to take your flowers?'' Then Josh said ''can I have a hug?''. They hugged, then he asked for a photo. The bouquet is signed from Josh but it's got my name on it as well.' Asked what the moment felt like, Josh - who is non-verbal - replied: 'Happy.' Meanwhile, in Glasgow, the Princess Royal chatted to crowds outside Glasgow City Chambers. Handed a bouquet by a young girl, she said: 'Theyre not for me are they?' to which the girl replied, 'They're for you'. Anne, clearly touched, took the flowers and thanked her. The Prince and Princess of Wales inspecting flowers left by well-wishers outside Sandringham in Norfolk this afternoon The Prince and Princess of Wales thanked well-wishers at Sandringham this afternoon in a post on their Twitter account Kate chats to a member of the crowd who had gathered to meet her and Prince William outside Sandringham in Norfolk A small baby looks on with a look of concern as the Princess of Wales chats with people in the crowd at Sandringham Kate points to something in the distance - as a young girl copies her - during her walkabout in Norfolk this afternoon Prince William smiles as he speaks to a mother and her infant son who have come to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II Prince William gestures as he speaks to a young woman, clutching a baby, as the crowds assemble at Sandringham Royal fans scrambled to take photographs and record the historic moment as the new Princess of Wales greeted members of the public outside Sandringham Estate today Prince William warmly greets members of the public who had patiently waited to catch a glimpse of the new Prince and Princess of Wales Prince William provided a memory these youngsters will treasure for life as he graciously pauses to speak with schoolchildren who had waited to meet the royals at the gates of Sandringham House today Catherine, the Princess of Wales talks to a girl as she views the flowers left in tribute to the Queen The Prince and Princess of Wales point at the floral tributes left at the foot of Norwich Gates by mourners Today, Prince William told a woman at Sandringham today that yesterday's procession had been 'very difficult' and had reminded him of walking behind his mother Diana's coffin, as he said to her: 'Don't cry now, you'll start me off' 1997 -- Prince Philip, William, Earl Spencer, Harry and Charles during Princess Diana's funeral procession in September 1997 There were lots of young children in the crowd at Sandringham, with Kate taking special care to chat to them The ever-elegant Princess of Wales points off into the distance, alongside a young girl, as she met with members of the public who waited outside the royal residence of Sandringham today The Prince and Princess of Wales, clad in black as is tradition during the period of royal mourning, look on at the sea of flowers The royal couple paused for several minutes to take stock of the staggering amount of flowers, cards, gifts and tributes left to the late Queen Elizabeth II after her passing The Princess of Wales cuts a sombre figure as she closely inspects the sea of flowers left by mourners Kate charmed those members of the public waiting in the crowd at Sandringham House Kate laughs with people who had gathered to meet her and William in Norfolk as the royals travelled across the country to meet well-wishers A group of schoolchildren from Howard Junior School, Norfolk excitedly waved flags bearing the Union Jack as they greeted Prince William outside Sandringham today Kate shakes the hand of a starstruck young pupil from Howard Junior School in King's Lynn An elderly woman can't quite believe her luck as she bears a huge grin after meeting the Prince and Princess of Wales today And it's a moment these royal fans won't ever forget as Prince William gently greets this young mother's baby boy The pair cut grief-stricken expressions as they paused to reflect on the legacy of the late Queen Elizabeth II after viewing flowers and tributes at Sandringham today Kate chatting to mourners while carrying several bouquets of flowers. Hundreds have piled up at the estate in recent days The Princess of Wales, carrying a bouquet, guides a young girl over to where she can leave a stuffed corgi toy Kate clutches onto flowers as she and a royal fan share a smile together as she joined her husband to greet members of the public at Sandringham House today Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales, view floral tributes placed outside the Sandringham Estate following the death of Queen Elizabeth II Today, the Princess of Wales told a well-wisher she would burst into tears if she read too many sympathy cards The Prince of Wales told a woman at Sandringham today that yesterday's procession was 'very difficult' and had reminded him of walking behind his mother Diana's coffin The Prince and Princess of Wales delighted those in attendance at Sandringham House as they looked over the assembled tributes and shared their memories of the late Queen Elizabeth II Royal fans of all ages were treated to an appearance by the Prince and Princess of Wales at Sandringham House Kate greets an excited royal superfan who had come to meet the Prince and Princess of Wales with her family today Kate and William warmly grabbed outstretched hands, accepted bouquets of flowers and spoke with those who had patiently waited hours to meet them Prince William gently touches Kate's back as they inspect the sea of flowers left in memory of Queen Elizabeth II Prince William cuts a forlorn figure as he looks over the swathes of bouquets left at the gates of Sandringham House In Manchester, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex , met Josh, a young mourner who had gathered in Manchester with his mother, Sue Recounting the moment they met, Sue said: 'She just said ''nice to meet you, do you want me to take your flowers?'' Then Josh said ''can I have a hug?''. They hugged, then he asked for a photo' Fran Morgan, 62, (right, with her mother, Mary, left) spoke to Kate as she and William inspected the sea of flowers outside Sandringham. Recalling their conversation, Mrs Morgan said: 'She said she couldn't believe how many cards and flowers there were. But she also said ''I can't read them all or I would cry''' One visitor who missed the entire visit was three-month old Eddie Shakespeare who fell asleep just as the Royal couple arrived The Prince and Princess of Wales chatted to the huge crowds who had gathered outside Sandringham House in Norfolk Kate leans in while chatting to a member of the public who had gathered outside the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk today A woman wipes away tears at William speaks to well-wishers outside Sandringham The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive to view floral tributes left by members of the public at the gates of Sandringham House The royal couple spent a few minutes inspecting the vast piles of flowers that had been left outside the royal residence Thousand of flowers, toys and cards have been left outside Sandringham House in recent days Kate reaches out to take another bouquet of flowers to leave by the gates of Sandringham . The couple walked slowly along metal barriers as they received bouquets from the public and chatted to well-wishers Kate gave the update on George, Charlotte and Louis as she greeted wellwishers at the estate in Norfolk, near to the couple's country retreat, Anmer Hall Thousands of well-wishers turned out to see William and Kate look at the sea of flowers left for the late monarch by the Norwich Gates News of the visit was reported on Thursday and a large crowd gathered behind metal barriers. Norfolk Police advised that an 'increasing number' of people were expected and that officers were managing a one-way system around the estate Kate chats to members of the public as she receives several bouquets Thousands of well-wishers turned out to see William and Kate look at the sea of flowers left for the late monarch by the Norwich Gates Kate and William inspect floral tributes at Sandringham today Thousands of well-wishers turned out to see William and Kate look at the sea of flowers left for the late monarch by the Norwich Gates Thousands of flowers have been left at Sandringham in recent days The Countess of Wessex shakes hands with mourners in Manchester today Crowds in the city gave Edward and Sophie a warm welcome today as they also viewed floral tributes in St Ann's Square and a book of condolence at the Central Library The Countess of Wessex hugs a woman in the crowd during her walkabout in Manchester today The Princess Royal greets members of the public during a visit to Glasgow City Chambers Princess Anne received dozens of bouquets of flowers from well-wishers The new Princess of Wales, 40, spoke to one wellwisher today about how her children have been coping since the loss of their grandmother last week at Balmoral. Speaking to BBC's Jo Black today, the unnamed wellwisher, who was amongst the crowd standing outside the estate today, said: 'My daughter asked her how the children were doing, and Kate thanked her and said yes, they were doing well and they were being looked after at school, so that was a nice exchange.' Queen's funeral 'to be a fitting tribute to an extraordinary reign' The Queen's state funeral will "unite people across the globe and resonate with people of all faiths" and pay a "fitting tribute to an extraordinary reign", the man in charge of the historic occasion has said. The Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk, described the task as "both humbling and daunting. An honour and a great responsibility". Two thousand people including world leaders and foreign royals will gather inside Westminster Abbey in London on Monday for the final farewell to the nation's longest reigning monarch. Some 800 people, including members of the Queen's Household and Windsor estate staff, will attend the committal service afterwards at 4pm in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Further details of the ceremony and the next five days were released by Buckingham Palace. The Queen will be interred with the Duke of Edinburgh in King George VI's Memorial Chapel in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in a private service at 7.30pm on Monday. But the burial service conducted by the Dean of Windsor and attended by the King and royals will remain entirely private, as a "deeply personal family occasion". The King, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex will mount a 15-minute vigil around the Queen's coffin as it lies in state at 7.30pm on Friday. After the funeral, the King and members of the royal family will walk behind the Queen's coffin to Wellington Arch when it leaves Westminster Abbey, before it is driven to Windsor on the state hearse. The earl said: "The events of recent days are a reminder of the strength of our Constitution, a system of government, which in so many ways is the envy of the world.' Advertisement It has been a busy period for the royal mother-of-three, who only recently moved her family to a new home in Windsor and took her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, to their first day at school last week. Yesterday, she supported her husband and other senior royals as they paid tribute to the Queen at the funeral procession through central London. The Prince and Princess of Wales today spoke to several of the 1,000 or so people who gathered to greet them outside the Queen's Norfolk estate, with William telling one member of the crowd he was 'overwhelmed' by the outpouring of support. Mourners have been paying their respects outside the estate's ornate Norwich Gates around the clock since the Queen's death last Thursday, and have left thousands of bouquets, cards and gifts. The Victorian mansion is close to the Prince and Princess's country retreat at Anmer Hall. Also among the 20-deep crowd at Sandringham was retired shop owner Jeffery Malzer, 67, and his wife Ruth, 63, who had travelled 4,000 miles from Milwaukee. 'My grandfather served here in the USAF in the war and when we heard of the Queen's death we knew we had to come,' he told MailOnline. 'People in the States love the Queen and it means a lot to us to be here. At least now I'll be able to say I've seen the next King of England.' There was a brief moment of drama as the Royals worked their way along the line of people when an elderly woman collapsed in the crowd behind. Paramaedics and police vehicles had to gently push their way through the throng to track her, but she appeared to recover after treatment. To a final round of applause the couple left shortly after 1.15pm. It comes as thousands of people continue to queue in line to pay their respects to the Queen in Westminster Hall, a sight the Archbishop of Canterbury described as 'one of the most moving parts of the week'. Justin Welby shook hands and posed for selfies with dozens of people who were waiting to view the Queen lying in state, and performed a blessing on a 10-year-old girl. Among those to view the Queen's coffin were Theresa May and Tanni-Grey Thompson. By 10am today, the queue leading up to Westminster Hall was around three miles long and stretched past London Bridge to HMS Belfast. Before greeting those in line at The Victoria Tower Gardens in central London, the Archbishop said he was not at all surprised by the turnout and remembered the Queen as someone whose 'wisdom was remarkable'. He said: 'She was someone you could trust totally, completely and absolutely, whose wisdom was remarkable, whose experience - I was the seventh Archbishop of Canterbury who she would have known - who really understood things and who prayed.' Mr Welby also told reporters that seeing thousands of people flood to pay their respects had been 'one of the most moving parts of this week'. 'In one sense, the people here stand for all those in the country who would like to be here and can't be,' he said. 'I think it shows a sense of deep affection for the stability that the Queen represented and gave us.' Mr Welby added that he was 'not in the least' worried about a period of change under a new monarch and a new Prime Minister. 'I'm very, very relaxed about that,' he said. 'His Majesty the King is deeply committed to sticking with the constitution, and it's very clear that the shift happened seamlessly. 'The strength of the way this country works is seen by the fact we lost both the prime minister and the monarch in a week and government just goes on.' The Archbishop spoke to police officers and stewards who were manning the queue and paused to perform a blessing on 10-year-old Eva Garcia, who was in line with her father. Thousands of well-wishers turned out to see William and Kate look at the sea of flowers left for the late monarch by the Norwich Gates Mourners have been arriving at the site, close to the Prince and Princess's country retreat at Anmer Hall, around the clock since Buckingham Palace announced the Queen's death last Thursday William and Kate chatting with members of the public outside Sandringham today Kate says hello to a baby - who looks slightly worried Thousands of well-wishers turned out to see William and Kate look at the sea of flowers left for the late monarch by the Norwich Gates William, Prince of Wales, holds a floral tribute as he meets people gathered outside Sandringham Estate Prince William waves to well-wishers at Sandringham today Thousands of well-wishers turned out to see William and Kate look at the sea of flowers left for the late monarch by the Norwich Gates Kate shakes hands with a mourner at Sandringham today, where thousands of people turned out to meet them The Prince and Princess of Wales inspecting flowers at Sandringham today after thousands were left behind by well-wishers Princess Anne speaks with members of the public outside City Chambers in Glasgow this morning Today in Glasgow, Princess Anne met representatives of organisations of which the Queen was a patron Prince Edward speaks to huge crowds of well-wishers as he and the Countess of Wessex make a visit to Manchester Eva, whose family are Anglican and moved to London from the US two weeks ago, told PA the moment was 'very special' to her. Her father, Juan Garcia, 41, added: 'Eva is our oldest and it was really amazing. 'To have a leader of the church pray for your child in that way, I was very emotional.' Retired nurse Alex Swinburne, 58, said she had been queuing since 4.20am and meeting the Archbishop had been a 'spiritual moment'. 'It was very special,' she said. 'The Queen represented the church, so I think it's very important that they're being represented here. 'It felt like a spiritual moment before you go in at this stage, when we've all been queueing for so long.' Christina Watson, 67, who used a walking stick and travelled from Sunderland to pay her respects to the Queen, said meeting the Archbishop was something she would remember for the rest of her life. This morning, more than 1.3 million people logged on to watch the queue-tracker for the line. The largely black-clad crowd were solemn and pensive as they flowed into the ancient hall where chandeliers and spotlights illuminated the scene beneath the medieval timber roof. As hundreds of ordinary people of all ages filed past the coffin of the long-reigning monarch, many wiped their eyes with tissues. Some bowed, some curtsied and some simply took a moment to look at the extraordinary scene. Edward and Sophie travelled to Manchester a day after they paid their respects with the rest of the royal family at Westminster Hall, where the Queen is lying in state The royal couple did a walkabout in St Ann's Square which, in May 2017, was filled with bouquets of flowers and heartfelt messages and tributes in the wake of the Manchester Arena bombing in which 22 people were killed Sophie receives sunflowers from a crowd member standing behind a metal barrier draped in a Union flag The earl and countess were invited by the Dean of Manchester, the Very Rev Rogers Govender, and the Bishop of Manchester, David Walker, to each light a candle Members of the public have flocked to Manchester Cathedral since the monarch's death to sign a book of condolence and light a candle They were also shown photographs of the Queen's last visit to the cathedral, to mark the 600th anniversary celebration of the collegiate church in July 2021 Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, and Prince Edward light a candle today in Manchester Cathedral Members of the public have flocked to the cathedral since the monarch's death to sign a book of condolence and light a candle Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the Countess of Wessex shake hands with clerics at Manchester Cathedral Former prime minister Theresa May and her husband Philip were among those paying their respects to the Queen at Westminster Hall. Yvonne Joseph, 57, and Curlette Edwards, 61, from London joined well-wishers at 8am on Thursday morning. 'It didn't take that long, about 45 minutes to an hour,' they said. 'We went through the accessibility queue, it's for people with disabilities that are seen and unseen. It was a totally separate queue. Everything ran in order. 'When we arrived we were fortunate to see the Changing of the Guard so we have an extra moment to pay our respects to the Queen. 'We wanted to come and pay our respects because it's just a historic moment, the Queen is like a mother and a grandmother to all of us.' Neil Miller, 58, from Buckinghamshire, said that he wanted to pay his respects, as he has 'watched the Queen's speech ever year of my life at 3pm on Christmas Day'. 'She has done a great job for the country, and I wanted to come and pay my respects and say thank you,' he said. 'At 6.55am this morning, I joined the back of the queue and it's been fine. Lots of banter and talk. I was told 10 hours I would be in the queue.' Esbil Wong, 70, is from South Africa and was visiting her son in the UK when she heard news of the Queen's death. She said she came to pay her respects because 'I have been following her all my life.' She said: 'We are really honoured, I couldn't miss this opportunity to be part of history. I love her.' Crowds in the city gave Edward and Sophie a warm welcome today as they also viewed floral tributes in St Ann's Square and a book of condolence at the Central Library Sophie, Countess of Wessex, with her husband, Prince Edward, leave Manchester Cathedral this afternoon The couple were warmly received during the visit, which is one of a series of trips senior royals made across the country today Edward and Sophie spoke to onlookers at each of the three stops on their visit. A crowd outside the cathedral clapped and cheered as the royal couple left the city Floral tributes and messages of condolence have been left in the square again in large numbers in memory of the Queen William gestures as a woman holding a baby watches on at Sandringham today There were plenty of young children in the crowd, which William and Kate took special care to say hello to William holds a bouquet of flowers as he speaks to a woman outside Sandringham in Norfolk this afternoon The Prince of Wales looked relaxed as he waved to crowds outside the Queen's estate in Norfolk William laughs as he chats to well-wishers who had gathered to meet him at Sandringham -Ms Wong said she joined the queue at around 7am and had been queuing for about three hours so far. Rosalind Devlin, 59, a Navy wren, said: 'It was one of the greatest moments of my life, we're all ex-forces so to be able to pay our last respects to the Queen was a privilege. 'It was exhausting but ultimately very rewarding. It was well worth waiting eight hours for.' Yesterday the first people in the queue for the Queen's lying-in-state ate pizza brought by the Archbishop of York after camping overnight and waiting hours to be granted access to Westminster Hall, where the fallen monarch will remain until 6.30am on Monday. Their wait totalled 50 hours, after some arrived as early as Monday in order to maintain a place in the queue. They were chatting to their neighbours, making friends, sharing squashed egg sandwiches and cups of tepid tea. The coffin continues to be guarded at all hours by units from the Sovereign's Bodyguard, the Household Division or Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London. Metropolitan Police officers, volunteers and stewards are managing the queue while toilets and water fountains are provided at various points along the route. People waiting in line are also being given a coloured and numbered wristband to manage the queue. One mourner, Alan Davies, has been handing out biscuits to others queuing around him. He said: 'I got here around four and made sure to bring some supplies, I knew some people had been waiting far longer than I have, but it is moving fairly quickly. It's the best example of how much the Queen meant to us all, queuing in the British weather, rain or sun, for days. Just to say one final goodbye.' The queue could reach ten miles by Saturday night, with officials planning to implement three miles of airport-style zigzag lines in parks at the beginning and end of the seven-mile planned route. British Transport Police has been slammed for 'laddish culture from the top down' after two senior officers were sacked for slapping and pinching the bottoms of their junior female colleagues. Special Chief Inspector Andy Whitworth and former Special Sergeant Gary Sims inappropriately touched the women during an off-duty night out in Derby on October 16 last year. The British Transport Police (BTP) officers have now been dismissed from their force after a disciplinary hearing found their actions amounted to gross misconduct. SCI Whitworth pinched the bottom of a Special Constable during the night out socialising, the panel was told. He groped the female officer as she left a nightclub before winking at her and walking away, the panel heard. On the same night, SPS Sims slapped another female colleague on the backside with such force that it 'radiated throughout her body'. The panel found a 'laddish culture from the top down' exists within the Specials Constabulary of the British Transport Police. The force concluded Whitworth and Sims, who were based in the Midlands, had subjected their colleagues to 'unwarranted sexualised behaviour'. They were subject to a misconduct hearing at BTP's Force Headquarters, in Camden, north London, on September 5-8 and both dismissed without notice after the allegations were found to be proven. British Transport Police officers have been sacked for slapping and pinching the bottoms of female cops during an off-duty night out (stock image) A BTP spokesperson said: 'They were both called to answer allegations relating to breaches of the standards of professional behaviour namely authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct. 'The panel concluded that the allegations were proven and amounted to gross misconduct. SCI Andy Whitworth was dismissed without notice. 'SPS Sims resigned from the force following the incident. Had he still been serving, he would have been dismissed without notice.' In evidence given to the tribunal, the first victim told how SCI Whitworth had lifted her up on the dance floor earlier in the evening. The panel heard: 'Later in the evening whilst dancing, SCI Whitworth picked up [the woman] as had occurred between her and another colleague earlier in the evening. 'Whilst [the woman] was in the process of leaving the club together with colleagues, she alleges that SCI Whitworth pinched/grabbed her on the bottom. 'She states that on the way out of the club, she was pinched on the bottom, turned round and saw SCI Whitworth look at her and wink before turning away. The two officers were subject to a misconduct hearing at BTP's Force Headquarters, in Camden, north London, on September 5-8 and both dismissed without notice after the allegations were found to be proven (stock image) 'She indicates that she was shocked by events and that she told various colleagues who were present and on the way home what had occurred. 'SCI Whitworth denied pinching [her] bottom. He claimed that he had not drunk to excess and that he would describe himself more as being tipsy than drunk. 'This however was contradicted by all other witnesses who indicated that SCI Whitworth had glazed eyes and was staring off into the distance, largely uncommunicative and gave the impression of someone who had drunk to excess.' SCI Whitworth was also shown topless pictures of another female colleague before he told her she had 'nice breasts', the tribunal heard. Panel chair LQC Mr Maurice Cohen added: 'He claimed that a female colleague who was present at the weekend and with whom he was friendly, had shown him some of her dating photos earlier. 'She was partially clothed and/or topless in some and that he had said in normal conversation, surrounded by people including the officer concerned, who could potentially hear what he was saying, that she had nice breasts. 'Collectively the Panel finds this to be indicative of the fact that there appears to have been a laddish culture from the top down within the Specials Constabulary. 'SCI Whitworth sexually assaulted a junior female officer. He subsequently sought to 'cover up' his own actions. He has consistently denied his actions. 'He has failed to show any apology, regret or remorse. The officer's actions bring discredit to him and to the police service generally. 'His behaviour would be likely to undermine public trust and confidence in the police service. 'The allegation found proved is of a sexual assault and is the most serious in nature.' The hearing was also told how SPS Sims had 'drunk to excess' after downing double whiskies before 'grinding against' another female cop in 'a sexualised manner' on the dance floor. He then slapped her on the bottom while she was getting a piggyback out of the nightclub with such force it 'radiated throughout her body'. Mr Cohen added: 'Upon leaving the club, [the woman] in high jinks took a piggyback when leaving with others to continue their evening. 'She was shocked when Former Special Sgt Sims came behind her and smacked her with some force on her bottom. 'She indicated that the force of the slap radiated throughout her body. 'The panel considered that there were no excuses for Former Special Sgt Sims' deliberate actions. 'The allegations found proved are of the most serious nature and include actions of violence against women and girls. 'They involve sexual impropriety. They were conducted by a senior officer against more junior colleagues. 'The panel considers the significant emotional/psychological harm that was caused to [the woman]. 'As a result of SPS Sims' actions against her on the night in question she indicated to the panel she called into question her continued role within the police service.' Detective Superintendent Pete Fulton, Head of BTP's Professional Standards Department, said: 'These were two senior officers who abused their positions and subjected two junior colleagues to unwarranted sexualised behaviour on a night out. 'Police officers are expected uphold the law and behave with the utmost integrity whether they are on or off duty, which both Andy Whitworth and Gary Sims failed to do. 'They do not reflect the values of BTP and I wholeheartedly agree with the decision of the panel to dismiss them both.' Angry Tory MPs have hit out at a decision to invite Chinese officials to the Queen's funeral next week when representatives of Russia, Belarus and Myanmar have been banned. Parliamentarians who have been sanctioned by Beijing are furious that China is not being blacklisted from the event like other countries facing claims of human rights abuses. China's Vice-President Wang Qishan is set to attend the Westminster Abbey service on Monday along with other world leaders such as US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron. But MPs have criticised the invite just 18 months after the House of Commons declared that Uighurs and other minorities in China's Xinjiang region are being subjected to genocide. It also comes after China last year sanctioned a string of MPs and peers over their condemnation of the country's actions in Xinjiang. A number of them have written to Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle - as well as his Lords counterpart, Lord McFall of Alcluith - to seek assurances that Chinese officials will not be allowed into the Palace of Westminster during their visit. China's ambassador to the UK, Zheng Zeguang, is already barred from Parliament in retaliatory action for the imposition of sanctions on MPs and peers. Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said it was 'astonishing' that Chinese officials would be welcomed at the Queen's funeral on Monday China's Vice-President Wang Qishan is set to attend the Westminster Abbey service along with other world leaders such as US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron Representatives of Russia, Belarus and Myanmar have not been invited to Monday's funeral, while Syria, Venezuela and Taliban-ruled Afghanistan are also being snubbed Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith told Politico it was 'astonishing' that Chinese officials would be welcomed at the Queen's funeral and described it as 'project kowtow all over again'. 'How can they ban Belarus, Russia and Myanmar and not say no to China?,' the ex-Cabinet minister said. 'They have a huge record of human rights abuses, including what we believe to be genocide, smashing churches and persecuting Christians.' Fellow Tory MP Tim Loughton, who like Sir Iain is among those to have been sanctioned by Beijing, told the website it was 'inconceivable that at such an important and sombre occasion as the state funeral of the Queen, that representatives of the Chinese Communist Party should be invited to attend on the same basis of other nations who have not been condemned for their genocidal acts'. Mr Loughton penned the letter to Sir Lindsay and Lord McFall - co-signed by Sir Iain, crossbench peer Lord Alton, and Labour peer Helena Kennedy - demanding that Chinese officials not be allowed onto the Parliamentary estate during their visit. 'Given that the United Kingdom Parliament has voted to recognize the genocide committed by the Chinese Government against the Uighur people it is extraordinary that the architects of that genocide should be treated in any more favourable way than those countries who have been barred,' the letter said. According to the South China Morning Post, Vice-President Wang is expected to arrive in London on Sunday ahead of the Queen's funeral. On Saturday, China's President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to King Charles on his accession to the throne. He said he was ready to work with the new monarch to improve mutual understanding and friendship between the UK and China. Representatives of Russia, Belarus and Myanmar have not been invited to Monday's funeral, while Syria, Venezuela and Taliban-ruled Afghanistan are also being snubbed. North Korea, Nicaragua and Iran have been invited only at ambassadorial level. Number 10 today said invitations to the Queen's funeral were a matter for Buckingham Palace. 'It is for them to set out their guest list and, as is convention, those we have diplomatic relations with are invited in the main,' the Prime Minister's official spokesman said. She shared an Instagram message expressing regret over her troubled past Sainsbury returned to Australia in August with her new Colombian wife, Tatiana She was sentenced to six years in jail but released early in 2020 due to Covid Cassie Sainsbury, 27, was caught with 5.8kg of cocaine while in Columbia in 2017 'Cocaine Cassie' Sainsbury has opened up about the people she 'hurt' during her drug smuggling ordeal in a rare social media post, before thanking her wife for helping to turn her life around. The convicted drug mule, 27, spent 27 months in jail after she was caught trying to smuggle 5.8kg of cocaine out of Columbia in April, 2017. Sainsbury was sentenced to six years in prison but was released early from the notoriously tough El Buen Pastor prison in Bogota in April, 2020. She flew back to Australia with her wife, computer technician Tatiana, 34, in August and has remained silent on social media since January. But the Adelaidean shared a heartfelt message to Instagram on Thursday describing her struggles, regrets and newfound love. 'Cocaine Cassie' Sainsbury has opened up about the people she 'hurt' during her drug smuggling ordeal in a rare social media post, before thanking her wife for helping to turn her life around (pictured together) 'Words can't ever explain what I feel everyday for the past I lived and for the people I hurt,' she wrote. 'Words won't ever be able to describe the place that I barely managed to crawl out of and what it did to me. 'Many people believe that I deserve everything I got, but wouldn't ever wish it on my worst enemy'. She said the harrowing ordeal in prison 'changes you' and that she's not the same person she was 'all those years ago'. 'I had to move forward because that's all I can do, I acknowledge my past but I can't live in it,' Sainsbury said. 'But living one day at a time became just that little bit easier when I met my wife. 'She's my motor, she's the person that keeps me going and our life together is only just beginning. 'And a special thank you to all the people who have supported me throughout all these years, to those who have stood by me.' Sainsbury (pictured with Tatiana), who was sentenced to six years in a Columbian jail after being caught with 5.8kg of cocaine in 2017 Sainsbury's Instagram is littered with pictures of the happy couple Before her arrest, Sainsbury got in desperate financial trouble and fell into working as a shady 'courier' in Colombia, a nation synonymous with the global cocaine trade, after working as a sex worker in a Sydney brothel. In Colombia, she claimed to have been raped by the mastermind of the failed smuggling plot, a Brazilian man named 'Angelo'. She said he spiked her drink after she went to his Bogota unit. She made international headlines and stood numbly as she was photographed with 18 numbered parcels, all containing cocaine with an estimated street value of $2million. Sainsbury is pictured above at the time of her arrest in Colombia in April 2017 Sainsbury was just 22-years-old when she was arrested with 5.8 kilograms of cocaine hidden in her luggage at Bogota airport (pictured, arriving for a court hearing in Bogota in 2017) Convicted Australian drug dealer 'Cocaine' Cassie Sainsbury (pictured right) married her IT whiz girlfriend Tatiana (left) in Colombia in March In an interview with 7News Spotlight, she said she saw people die by getting stabbed or hanging themselves while in prison. The 'helplessness' in the prison eventually wore Sainsbury down and she attempted to take her life by jumping from the prison's fourth floor. But another inmate grabbed her as she was about the go over the edge and told her not to give up. 'When I went to take the step off, I felt someone pull me back,' Sainsbury said. 'She told me off. She basically said that there's light at the end of the tunnel.' Sainsbury did make it through her time in the prison and eventually met Tatiana who she married in a Columbian nightclub. Advertisement Vice President Kamala Harris ignored questions from reporters about migrants who were bussed to her Washington DC home who claimed they strolled across the border easily - days after she insisted it was secure. Harris declared on Sunday that the border is secure in an interview and has now found herself in the midst of an attack by Gov Greg Abbott against Democrat immigration rules. She was asked her thoughts on the situation by a pool reporter after giving a speech at the United Against Hate Summit, at the White House on Thursday morning. But she chose to ignore the question, and carried on walking to her next meeting in Blair House across from the White House. One unidentified man filmed outside the Naval Observatory on Thursday told Fox News: 'The border is open, not closed. Everybody believes that the border is open. 'It is open because we enter. We come in free, no problem. We came illegally, not legally.' His words come just four days after Harris told NBC News: 'The border is secure, but we also have a broken immigration system, in particular over the last four years before we came in, and it needs to be fixed. 'We have a secure border in that that is a priority for any nation, including ours and our administration.' But the vice president's words were made to seem hollow, thanks to Texas Governor Greg Abbott's decision to dispatch two buses containing 101 illegal immigrants from Eagle Pass in the Lone Star State to the nation's capital. He did so as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sent two planes filled with migrants to ritzy Martha's Vineyard island, off the coast of Massachusetts. Harris appeared caught of guard when she was quizzed by a reporter regarding the situation outside her own home in Washington DC Many migrants who arrived from Venezuela, Uruguay, Colombia and Mexico told Fox News that they thought the border was open The GOP leaders say they're keen for liberals who espouse 'sanctuary cities' to experience the full effects of uncontrolled immigration, which has hit Texas border cities including Del Rio and El Paso very hard. Those who arrived on the bus said that they had travelled from Venezuela, with many women, children and families smiling as they got off the vehicles. Abbott appears to have directly retaliated to Harris' comments about border security, by sending the latest load of migrants close to her home in DC. The Texas governor has sent hundreds of the migrants to Washington, DC, New York City and Chicago in recent weeks, but has yet to publicly comment on this latest escalation. It comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis bragged about sending two planes of migrants to affluent Martha's Vineyard and El Paso is becoming 'overwhelmed' by the number of those crossing the border illegally. Areas targeted by GOP governors all bill themselves as migrant-friendly 'sanctuary cities,' with Abbott saying he's keen to show them the scale of the challenge his border cities are facing from the ongoing influx. In a statement he said: 'The Biden-Harris Administration continues ignoring and denying the historic crisis at our southern border, which has endangered and overwhelmed Texas communities for almost two years. 'Our supposed Border Czar, Vice President Kamala Harris, has yet to even visit the border to see firsthand the impact of the open border policies she has helped implement, even going so far as to claim the border is 'secure.' 'Texas will continue sending migrants to sanctuary cities like Washington, D.C. until President Biden and Border Czar Harris step up and do their jobs to secure the border.' One of the migrants told reporters that the border is 'open' and 'everybody belives that the border is open' in a blow to Harris' comments and President Biden's immigration policy Nearly 100 migrants arrived in Washington DC on Thursday morning from Texas, close to the Vice Presidents home by the Naval Observatory Gov Abbott appears to have directly retaliated to Harris' comments, by sending the latest load of migrants close to her home in DC Abbott argues that the border towns of his state of Texas is overwhelmed, and those in New York and DC should be the ones dealing with the crisis. Eric Adams has slammed the Republican party for their 'inhumane' decision to send migrants with no warning, and branded Abbott as a 'rogue' Governor. He said: 'The Republican party they have created a blueprint that all of them are starting to follow. Its inhumane. 'For the Governor to send immigrants to Martha's Vineyard without any coordination is just creating real crisis and that is the problem that we shared to our lawmakers in Washington this is a blueprint that you are going to see start unfolding.' On Wednesday, Adams admitted that shelters in the Big Apple are at 'breaking point' after the Texas Gov bused nearly 11,000 people into the city. Abbott recently clashed with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot over the decision, with Lightfoot branding him as a 'racist'. She sparked outrage last week after deciding to move migrants from Chicago to a neighboring Republican suburb. The bus reportedly came from Del Rio in Texas, with some of the migrants unaware of where they were heading Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced in the summer that he would be sending buses of hundreds of immigrants, mostly from South America, to northern states due to the southern border crisis Migrants in Eagle Pass, 450 miles east along the border, were also reported to have killed a guard dog and begun eating animals in desperation The Del Rio section of the border, which includes Eagle Pass, has doubled its number of migrant encounters from the previous year to over 376,000 since October 2021 Of the 147 migrants who arrived last Wednesday, Lightfoot ordered 64 of them to be taken to a Hampton Inn hotel in Burr Ridge, where they will be housed for at least the next 30 days. Republican Mayor of Burr Ridge, Gary Grasso, directed his anger at Lightfoot and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker for using the migrants as 'political pawns.' He said: 'We are very unhappy that nobody from the city, from the state called and told me.' Mayor Muriel Bowser, of Washington DC, last week declared a public emergency over the buses continuing to arrive from Texas and Arizona. It will set aside funding to accommodate migrants as well as create the Office of Migrant Services (OMS). The OMS will provide temporary accommodation, urgent medical needs, transportation and other services for those arriving. Bowser has twice asked that the National guard be activated to assist with the thousands of migrants arriving at the capital, but they have both been denied by the Pentagon. Brianne Nadeau, a member of the Council of the District of Columbia, has slammed the governors of Texas and Arizona for the city's public migrant emergency. Republican Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso criticized Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot for using the refugees as 'political pawns' and moving them to the GOP suburb after arriving in her city Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has claimed credit for sending two planes full of migrants to affluent Martha's Vineyard She said: 'So, it's been said, but it's worth reiterating, that the governors of Texas and Arizona have created this crisis. 'And, the federal government has not stepped up to assist the District of Columbia. 'So we, along with our regional partners, we'll do what we've always done. We'll rise to the occasion.' DeSantis has also become embroiled in the ongoing war against the Democrats after sending two planes of migrants to Martha's Vineyard. The affluent area is home to prominent liberals such as the Obamas, Oprah Winfrey and Larry David. DeSantis bragged that he was responsible for the planes, with a spokesman for his office adding that it was 'part of the state's relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations.' They took aim at the Democrat run areas, saying that Massachusetts, New York and California with 'better facilitate' the care of the migrants. In their statement they directly accused those in charge of 'inviting' the illegal migrants to the country by 'incentivizing illegal immigration through their designation as 'sanctuary states'' Each plane is understood to have been carrying around 50 Venezuelan migrants, before they were helped into shelters More than half of Americans think there is an 'invasion' while another one-third expressed worry over being 'replaced' by illegal immigrants His office also took aim at President Bidens open border policies, in a direct echo of Gov Abbott's complaints. They added: 'As you may know, in this past legislative session the Florida Legislature appropriated $12 million to implement a program to facilitate the transport of illegal immigrants from this state consistent with federal law.' At the same time as these new arrivals, humanitarian crisis is deepening in the Texas border town of El Paso. Nearly 1,000 migrants have been released to sleep on the streets amid a surge of illegal crossings that is overwhelming Border Patrol facilities. Border Patrol facilities and shelters in the west Texas town have been overwhelmed in recent days, leading to a flood of so-called 'street releases'. Congressman Tony Gonzalez, a GOP US Representative, said: 'We've never seen anything like this. It's a scene that you would see in a third-world country, not in the streets of El Paso.' It has led to scenes of misery, with hundreds of migrants sleeping on the streets without access to toilets or showers, and residents say that the 'smell of human waste is overwhelming in the area.' The situation in El Paso comes after the Biden administration officially extended special protections for Venezuelans, known as Temporary Protected Status, that shield some of them from deportation. Migrants in Eagle Pass, 450 miles east along the border, were also reported to have killed a guard dog and begun eating animals in desperation. Just shy of 200,000 illegal immigrants were intercepted crossing the southern border in July, according to the most recent CBP figures available. Advertisement The Queen's state funeral will end with a two-minute national silence in a 'fitting tribute to an extraordinary reign' before she is laid to rest beside her late husband, Buckingham Palace revealed today. The King and the Queen's three other children will also hold a 15-minute vigil at her coffin in Westminster Hall on Friday evening, it was announced today. Charles III and the Royal Family have said they 'wish to send their sincere gratitude for the messages of condolence received from around the world', adding they have been 'deeply moved by the global response and affection shown for the Queen as people join them in mourning the loss of Her Majesty'. 200 everyday heroes - including NHS staff who excelled during the pandemic and volunteers recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in June - will be part of a 2,000-strong congregation gathered at Westminster Abbey for the final farewell to the long-reigning monarch on Monday. Britain's bravest military heroes awarded the Victoria Cross - the highest and most prestigious award of Britain's honours system introduced in 1856 by Queen Victoria during the Crimean War - or the George Cross, have also been asked to attend. The procession route for the Queen's final journey on Monday - Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey The Queen's Coffin will be carried from Westminster Hall shortly after 10.35am to the State Gun Carriage, which will be positioned outside the building's North Door. The procession will go from New Palace Yard through Parliament Square, Broad Sanctuary and the Sanctuary before arriving at Westminster Abbey just before 11am. - Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch After the State Funeral Service finishes at around midday, the coffin will be placed on the State Gun Carriage outside the Abbey. At 12.15pm, the procession will set off for Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner. The route will go from the Abbey via Broad Sanctuary, Parliament Square (south and east sides), Parliament Street, Whitehall, Horse Guards including Horse Guards Arch, Horse Guards Road, The Mall, Queen's Gardens (south and west sides), Constitution Hill and Apsley Way. - Wellington Arch to Windsor At Wellington Arch, the Queen's coffin will be transferred from the State Gun Carriage to the State Hearse just after 1pm, ahead of the journey to Windsor. It then will travel from central London to Windsor, on a route that has not been disclosed by the Palace. When the hearse arrives in Windsor, the procession will begin just after 3pm at Shaw Farm Gate on Albert Road. - Shaw Farm Gate to St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle The state hearse will join the procession, which will have been formed up and in position, at Shaw Farm Gate before travelling to St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. The procession will follow the route of Albert Road, Long Walk, Cambridge Gate, Cambridge Drive, George IV Gate, Quadrangle (south and west sides), Engine Court, Norman Arch, Chapel Hill, Parade Ground and Horseshoe Cloister Arch. Just before 4pm, the procession will halt at the bottom of the West Steps of St George's Chapel in Horseshoe Cloister. Here, the bearer party will carry the coffin in procession up the steps into the chapel. The Queen will be interred during a private burial at King George VI Memorial Chapel in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle at 7.30pm. Advertisement They will join royals, politicians and world leaders in the historic church at 11am. The King will lead his family in marching behind the Queens coffin when it is moved Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey for the funeral service. He will walk with Anne, Andrew and Edward. Behind will be the Queens grandsons Peter Phillips, the Duke of Sussex and the Prince of Wales, and behind them, the late monarchs son-in-law Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the Queens cousin the Duke of Gloucester, and her nephew the Earl of Snowdon. It is not yet clear in which order the family will walk in their lines, though earlier this week Princes William and Harry walked side-by-side as the Queen's coffin was moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. MailOnline has asked for clarification on the order. All guests must arrive from 8am and moving elements of the funeral will include the sounding of the Last Post at 11.55am followed by a two-minute silence in the Abbey and throughout the UK as the service nears its end at midday. Symbolic artifacts, the Sovereigns Orb and the Sovereigns Sceptre With Cross will be placed on top of the Queen's coffin. The orb is presented to British monarchs during their coronation, in a tradition dating back to Charles IIs coronation in 1661. Meanwhile, the sceptre, a three-foot-long staff which represents the monarchs power in the secular world, will also be displayed. The Queen's state funeral will 'unite people across the globe and resonate with people of all faiths', according to The Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk, the man in charge of the historic day that will see Her Majesty buried with Prince Philip and her parents at Windsor on Monday evening. The Duke of Norfolk said today that it was 'both humbling and daunting' to have the 'honour and great responsibility' to run an event that will be watched by billions of people around the globe. He said: 'The events of recent days are a reminder of the strength of our Constitution, a system of government, which in so many ways is the envy of the world'. The Duke has laid out his plans and revealed that the King, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex will mount a 15-minute vigil around the Queen's coffin as it lies in state in the ancient Westminster Hall at 7.30pm on Friday. The siblings did the same thing in Edinburgh earlier this week in a ceremony known as the Vigil of the Princes. Buckingham Palace also revealed a minute-by-minute breakdown of the state funeral - the first that Britain has hosted since Winston Churchill died in 1965. On the morning of the State Funeral, the Lying-in-State will end at 6.30am as the final members of the public are admitted. The doors of Westminster Abbey will open at 8am as the congregation of 2,000 VIPs begin to take their seats, three hours before the service begins at 11am. At 10.35am, Her Majesty will be carried on the the gun carriage that conveyed her mother and father to their funerals from Westminster Hall, arriving at 10.52am. Her son, the new King, will lead the procession behind. Moving elements of the funeral will include the sounding of the Last Post at 11.55am as the service nears its end, followed by a two-minute national silence which will be observed by the abbey congregation and by millions across the UK. 4billion people globally are expected to tune with the BBC and ITV broadcasting all day in the UK. The Reveille - the traditional bugle call that awakens soldiers at dawn - and then the National Anthem will take place, and finally a Lament played by the Queen's Piper which will bring the service to a close at noon, when the coffin will be carried from the Abbey. At 12.15pm the Queen's children and members of the Royal Family will walk behind her coffin to Wellington Arch when it leaves Westminster Abbey and Her Majesty begins her journey to Windsor to be laid to rest next to her beloved husband Prince Philip. The Queen's coffin will be returned to the gun carriage by the bearer party and a procession, including Prince William and Prince Harry side-by-side again, will travel to Wellington Arch at Hyde Park. The King will once again lead his family in marching behind the Queen's coffin when it is moved. He will walk with Anne, Andrew and Edward, and behind the quartet will be the Queen's grandsons Peter Phillips, the Duke of Sussex and the Prince of Wales. Just like yesterday, they will be followed by the late monarch's son-in-law Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Queen's cousin the Duke of Gloucester, and her nephew the Earl of Snowdon. The Queen's coffin will be carried during the procession on a 123-year-old gun carriage, pulled by 98 Royal Navy sailors using ropes in a tradition dating back to the funeral of Queen Victoria. She will be accompanied on her final journey by a massed Pipes & Drums of Scottish and Irish Regiments, the Brigade of Gurkhas, and the Royal Air Force - numbering 200 musicians. King Charles looks tearful as he marches with Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Anne, Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence yesterday. The family will march behind the coffin again after the state funeral on Monday Minute-by-minute guide to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday, September 19 6.30am - Doors will close to the public for the Queen's lying in state in Westminster Hall. 8am - The doors of Westminster Abbey will open to the congregation to take their seats for the state funeral service. Heads of state and overseas government representatives, including foreign royal families, governors-general and realm prime ministers will gather initially at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, and travel under collective arrangements to Westminster Abbey. 10.35am - Just after 10.35am, a bearer party, found by The Queen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, will lift the coffin from the catafalque. It will then carry it in procession from Westminster Hall to the Royal Navy's state gun carriage, which will be positioned outside the building's North Door. 10.44am - The gun carriage, drawn by 142 Royal Navy service personnel, will set off at 10.44am. The King, members of the royal family, members of the King's Household and Household of the Prince of Wales will follow the coffin. 10.52am - The procession arrives at the West Gate of Westminster Abbey where the bearer party will lift the coffin from the state gun carriage and carry it inside for the state funeral service. 11am - The state funeral service begins. 11.55am - The Last Post will sound followed by a national two-minute silence. 12pm - Reveille, the national anthem and a lament, played by the Queen's Piper, will bring the state funeral service to an end at approximately noon. The coffin will be carried to the state gun carriage. 12.15pm - The procession will set off for Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner, following the route of Broad Sanctuary Parliament Square (south and east sides), Parliament Street, Whitehall, Horse Guards including Horse Guards Arch, Horse Guards Road, The Mall, Queen's Gardens (south and west sides), Constitution Hill and Apsley Way. 1pm - The procession will arrive at Wellington Arch. The bearer party will lift the coffin from the state gun carriage and place it in the state hearse. The state hearse will then depart on its journey to Windsor as the parade gives a royal salute and the national anthem is played. The King and the Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales and members of the royal family will depart for Windsor by car. 3.06pm - The state hearse will approach Shaw Farm Gate on Albert Road, Windsor, and join the procession, which will have been formed up and in position. 3.10pm - The procession will step off. The route will be: Albert Road, Long Walk, Cambridge Gate, Cambridge Drive, George IV Gate, Quadrangle (south and west sides), Engine Court, Norman Arch, Chapel Hill, Parade Ground and Horseshoe Cloister Arch. 3.20pm - The door of St George's Chapel will open for the congregation for the committal service. 3.25pm - Members of the royal family who will not join the procession will arrive at St George's Chapel for the service. 3.40pm - The King and other royal family members who are walking in the procession will join it at the quadrangle on the north side as it passes into Engine Court. 3.53pm - The procession will halt at the bottom of the West Steps of St George's Chapel in Horseshoe Cloister. The bearer party will lift the coffin from the state hearse, from where it will be carried in procession up the West Steps. 4pm - The committal service will begin. The length of the service is not yet known but when it ends, the King and members of the royal family will depart from the Galilee Porch for Windsor Castle. It marks the end of public ceremonial arrangements. 7.30pm - A private burial service will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor, attended by the King and members of the royal family. The Queen is to be buried together with the Duke of Edinburgh at the King George VI Memorial Chapel. Advertisement The Procession is formed of seven groups, each supported by a service band. Mounties from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will lead, immediately followed by representatives of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, NHS, along with detachments from the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth. Her Majesty's hearse will arrive at the Long Walk at 3.15pm, where the public will be able to give their final respects. The procession of senior royals, which will have been formed up and in position after being driven to Windsor, will again walk behind the hearse into the grounds of the castle. There will be a televised ceremony at St George's Chapel in Windsor at 4pm on Monday. Some 800 people, including members of the Queen's Household and Windsor estate staff, will attend the committal service. As the coffin is lowered into the royal vault the Sovereign's Piper will play a lament and walk slowly away so the music fades. The Queen is to be buried together with the Duke of Edinburgh at the King George VI Memorial Chapel. The King will scatter earth on his mother's coffin at 7.30pm at a private family service. Her Majesty will be buried next to her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, her father King George VI and mother, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, for eternity. Huw Edwards, Kirsty Young and David Dimbleby are among the broadcasters leading BBC coverage of the Queen's funeral, the corporation has announced. The special programming will air from 8am until 5pm on Monday September 19 on BBC One and iPlayer, with BSL signed coverage on BBC Two. Edwards and Fergal Keane will be covering events from London and Young and Dimbleby from Windsor, with other reporters stationed at other key areas throughout the day. ITV will also be broadcasting through the day, with the coverage led by journalist Tom Bradby, a friend of Prince Harry. After the state funeral, attended by some 2,000 guests, including visiting heads of state and other dignitaries, the late queen's coffin will be transported through the historic heart of London on a horse-drawn gun carriage before being driven by the state hearse to Windsor. Other representatives of the Realms and the Commonwealth, the Orders of Chivalry including recipients of the Victoria Cross and George Cross, Government, Parliament, devolved Parliaments and Assemblies, the Church, and Her Majesty's Patronages will form the congregation, along with other public representatives. And almost 200 people who were recognised in The Queen's Birthday Honours earlier this year will also join the congregation, including those who made extraordinary contributions to the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and have volunteered in their local communities. The Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk, said: 'The Queen held a unique and timeless position in all our lives. This has been felt more keenly over the past few days as the world comes to terms with her demise. 'Her Majesty's passing has left many people across many continents with a profound sense of loss. 'The respect, admiration and affection in which the Queen was held, make our task both humbling and daunting. An honour and a great responsibility. 'It is our aim and belief that the state funeral and events of the next few days will unite people across the globe and resonate with people of all faiths, whilst fulfilling Her Majesty and her family's wishes to pay a fitting tribute to an extraordinary reign.' The procession will arrive at the west gate of Westminster Abbey at 10.52am when the bearer party will lift the coffin from the gun carriage and carry it into the Abbey for the state funeral service, the Earl Marshal said. The service will begin at 11am and will be conducted by the Dean of Westminster. The Prime Minister and the Secretary General of the Commonwealth will read Lessons, while the Archbishop of York, the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and the Free Churches Moderator will say prayers. The sermon will be given by the Archbishop of Canterbury who will also give the commendation, while the Dean will pronounce the blessing. At around 11.55am the Last Post will sound, followed by two minutes of silence to be observed in the Abbey and throughout the UK. Reveille, the national anthem and a lament played by the Queen's piper will bring the state funeral service to an end at around 12 noon. The bearer party will then lift the coffin from the catafalque and will move in procession through the Great West Door returning to the State Gun Carriage positioned outside the West Gate. After the service the Queen's coffin will be returned to the gun carriage by the bearer party and a procession will travel to Wellington Arch at Hyde Park. An early morning rehearsal for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London The Scots Guards march in the moonlight past Westminster Abbey, where the funeral will be held Construction workers prepare the platforms in Windsor Castle for the funeral on Monday A member of the Coldstream Guards stands guard at Windsor Castle, the Queen's home until she died Portaloos are delivered and lined up in Windsor Great Park with huge crowds expected next week The Queen's coffin will be lowered into the Royal Vault at St George's Chapel in Windsor (pictured), where she will be buried alongside her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, her beloved parents, and her sister Princess Margaret The King and the royal party will take up their same places behind the coffin as when they escorted it to the Abbey, while the Queen Consort and Princess of Wales will travel to the site by car as will the Duchess of Sussex and Countess of Wessex. The route will be lined by the Armed Forces from Westminster Abbey to the top of Constitution Hill at the Commonwealth Memorial Gates. The Procession is formed of seven groups, each supported by a service band. Mounties from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will lead, immediately followed by representatives of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, NHS, along with detachments from the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth. At Wellington Arch the royal family will watch as the Queen's coffin is transferred to the new state hearse, whose details the Queen approved, before it begins its journey to Windsor Castle. The Earl Marshal said that at 3.06pm, the state hearse will approach Shaw Farm Gate on Albert Road, Windsor, and join the procession which will be in position. At 3.10pm the procession will step off via Albert Road, Long Walk, Cambridge Gate, Cambridge Drive, George IV Gate, Quadrangle (South and West sides), Engine Court, Norman Arch, Chapel Hill, Parade Ground and Horseshoe Cloister Arch. At approximately 3.40 pm the King and other members of the royal family who are walking in the procession join it at the Quadrangle on the North side as it passes into Engine Court. Members of the Queen's, the King's and the Prince of Wales's households will be positioned at the rear of the coffin. The Queen Consort with the Princess of Wales, and the Duchess of Sussex with the Countess of Wessex will again follow by car. Heathrow will shut down for 15 minutes before and after national two minutes of silence Heathrow Airport has announced it will stop all flights for 15 minutes before the two-minute national silence on Monday, until 15 minutes after it has finished. Flights will also be grounded during the arrival of the funeral cortege and procession at Windsor Castle, and diverted around the castle to minimise noise during the private family service on Monday night. Around 15% of Heathrow's schedule for Monday will be disrupted. A Heathrow spokesman said: 'Heathrow, Nats (the air traffic control provider) and airlines are supporting the ceremonial aspects for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral at Westminster Abbey and the committal service at Windsor Castle on Monday September 19 2022. 'As a mark of respect, operations to and from the airport will be subject to appropriate changes in order to avoid noise disruption at certain locations at specific times on Monday.' Advertisement At 3.53pm, the procession will halt at the bottom of the West Steps of St George's Chapel in Horseshoe Cloister. The bearer party will lift the coffin from the state hearse, from where it will be carried in procession up the West Steps. At 4pm a committal service conducted by the Dean of Windsor will then begin, and will also be televised around the world. The Committal Service at St George's Chapel will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor and feature a congregation of the late monarch's family and friends and mourners from her household past and present, including her personal staff from across her private estates. At the end of the final hymn, the King will place the Grenadier Guards' Queen's Company Colour - the royal standard of the regiment - on the coffin. Baron Parker, the Lord Chamberlain and the most senior official in the late Queen's royal household, will 'break' his Wand of Office and place it on the Coffin. In the evening, a private burial service will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor, attended by Charles and members of the royal family. The Queen will be buried together with her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, at the King George VI Memorial Chapel in St George's Chapel. The Prime Minister will meet a small proportion of world leaders attending London for the Queen's funeral. It is understood those meetings will be held between the country mansion of Chevening House and Downing Street over the weekend. The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman said on Thursday that Downing Street could not yet confirm which world leaders Liz Truss will be meeting. Her beloved Prince Philip with her once more: How the Queen will be buried beside her father George VI, mother Elizabeth and sister Princess Margaret in St George's Chapel at Windsor... with her late husband's body moved to be by her side It is after her final journey that Her Majesty the Queen will be laid to rest at Windsor next to her beloved husband Prince Philip. Following her state funeral in Westminster Abbey on Monday, the Queen's funeral procession will make its way to St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Her Majesty's final resting place will be in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, which is an annex to St George's. Her mother and father are buried there, as are the ashes of her sister Princess Margaret. Prince Philip's coffin, which was interred in the Royal Vault following his death last April, will also be moved and put next to the Queen's. The Queen had the memorial annex built line with her father King George VI's wishes, who did not want to be buried in the Royal Vault long-term. The chapel, which is just 18 feet high, 10 feet wide and 14ft deep, was completed in 1969 and was the first addition to St George's Chapel since 1504. It cost around 25,000 and was paid for by the Queen. St George's Chapel itself houses the remains of a total of 45 royals, including ten monarchs and a further seven of their consorts. The burial of the Queen will boost the former number to 11. The Queen has been lying in state at Westminster Hall since yesterday afternoon. Tens of thousands of Britons have queued for hours to pay their respects, with many more hoping to get inside before the solemn period ends on Monday morning. It is after her final journey that Her Majesty the Queen will be laid to rest at Windsor next to her beloved husband Prince Philip. Following her state funeral in Westminster Abbey on Monday, the Queen's funeral procession will make its way to St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Above: The layout of St George's Chapel, and the location of her final resting place Her Majesty's final resting place will be in the King George VI memorial chapel, which is an annex to St George's. Her mother and father are buried there, as are the ashes of her sister Princess Margaret. Prince Philip's coffin, which was interred in the Royal Vault following his death last April, will also be moved and put next to the Queen's St George's Chapel itself was ordered by King Edward IV, with construction beginning in 1475 and finishing in 1528 under the reign of King Henry VIII After Her Majesty's state funeral, the Committal Service at St George's Chapel will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor and feature a congregation of the late monarch's family and friends and mourners from her household past and present, including her personal staff from across her private estates. At the end of the final hymn, the King will place the Grenadier Guards' Queen's Company Colour - the royal standard of the regiment - on the coffin. Plans for the Queen's state funeral The Queen's state funeral will 'unite people across the globe and resonate with people of all faiths' and pay a 'fitting tribute to an extraordinary reign', the man in charge of the historic occasion has said. The Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk, described the task as 'both humbling and daunting. An honour and a great responsibility'. Two thousand people including world leaders and foreign royals will gather inside Westminster Abbey in London on Monday for the final farewell to the nation's longest reigning monarch. After the funeral, the King and members of the royal family will walk behind the Queen's coffin to Wellington Arch when it leaves Westminster Abbey, before it is driven to Windsor on the state hearse. It will move from central London to Windsor, on a route that has not been disclosed by the Palace, but the hearse will travel down the famous Long Walk to the castle. In the quadrangle, it will be joined by the King and members of the royal family who will follow behind on foot as the Queen's coffin approaches the gothic St George's Chapel. Some 800 people, including members of the Queen's Household and Windsor estate staff, will attend the committal service afterwards at 4pm in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Advertisement Baron Parker, the Lord Chamberlain and the most senior official in the late Queen's royal household, will 'break' his Wand of Office and place it on the Coffin. As the coffin is lowered into the royal vault the Garter King of Arms will pronounce the styles and titles of the Queen and the Sovereign's Piper will play a lament and walk slowly away so the music fades. In the evening, a private burial service will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor, attended by Charles and members of the royal family. As the Queen did with her father, Charles will drop a handful of earth onto his mother's coffin. It will then descend a shaft for around 16ft before being sent down a corridor and set down in the vault behind its iron gates. At present, a black stone slab is set into the floor of the King George VI Memorial Chapel. It features the names George VI and his wife Elizabeth - who died in 2002 - in gold lettering, above the dates of their births and deaths. Near there is a slab of black-and-white diamond-shaped stones which is taken away for funerals to gain access to a lift. Royals' coffins are taken down the shaft for about 16ft before going down a corridor and set down in the vault behind iron gates. Princess Margaret died just weeks before her mother and was subsequently cremated. Her ashes were initially kept in the Royal Vault and were then moved to the chapel to be with her parents. The memorial chapel was added to the north side of St George's, behind two of the buttresses holding up the building's north wall. The ceremony to transfer King George's body there was private, as was the dedication of the chapel the following week. St George's Chapel itself was ordered by King Edward IV, with construction beginning in 1475 and finishing in 1528 under the reign of King Henry VIII. Henry is among the monarchs to be buried there. The others include George III, George IV, George V and William IV. Other royals who are buried there include Queen Victoria's father Prince Edward, George III's wife Queen Charlotte and Queen Mary's grandfather Prince Adolphus. As well as burials, successive royal weddings have been held in the chapel, including Queen Victoria's to Prince Albert and Prince Harry's to Meghan Markle in 2018. Last April, moving images showed the Queen having to sit alone due to coronavirus regulations during Prince Philip's funeral inside the chapel. The 17 Victoria and George Cross heroes going to Queen's funeral: Iraq war veteran who saved his platoon in rocket fire, RAF ace who sunk Nazi U-boat and retired cop who protected Princess Anne from kidnap British military heroes who hold the Victoria Cross - including an RAF ace who sunk a German U-boat then landed his damaged plane while wounded during the Second World War and an Iraq War veteran who saved his comrades during an ambush by Islamist militants - will all be invited to the Queen's state funeral at Westminster Abbey next week, it has emerged. All recipients of the VC - the highest and most prestigious award of Britain's honours system introduced in 1856 by Queen Victoria during the Crimean War - or the George Cross will be asked to attend the ceremony in London on Monday, September 19. This means the three living VC holders - World War Two pilot John Alexander Cruickshank, Nepalese Gurkha recipient Rambahadur Limbu and Colour Sergeant Johnson Beharry - along with all living holders of the GC, which was created in 1940 by Elizabeth II's father King George VI during the Blitz. This includes four heroes from Australia who received the VC: Ben Roberts-Smith, Keith Payne, Mark Donaldson and Daniel Keighran. Here, we take a look at the full list of military heroes who have been invited to pay their respects to the late British sovereign. VICTORIA CROSS John Cruickshank VC, Victoria Cross Holder for Air Action in World War II John Alexander Cruickshank Now 102, John Alexander Cruickshank was awarded the VC for sinking a German U-boat during the Second World War then successfully landing his damaged plane. He joined the Territorial Army, enlisting in the Royal Artillery in May 1939, before he was transferred to the RAF Volunteer Reserve in 1941. After training in Canada and the US he earned his wings in July 1942 and was assigned to No 210 Squadron in March 1943, piloting Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boats, flying from RAF Sullom Voe in Shetland. Sullom Voe, a flying-boat base during the Second World War, was used by 210 Squadron of RAF Coastal Command in its battle to keep the North Atlantic and Arctic sea lanes open for supply convoys. At the age of 24, Flying Officer Cruickshank piloted a Consolidated Catalina anti-submarine flying boat from Sullom Voe on July 17, 1944 on a patrol north into the Norwegian Sea to protect the British Home Fleet as it returned from the unsuccessful Operation Mascot raid on the German battleship Tirpitz. Catching a German Type VIIC U-boat on the surface, he sunk the U-boat, killing all 52 crew members on board. However, Cruickshank was seriously wounded in the melee and, together with his colleagues, flew the damaged plane five and a half hours back to base. Captain Rambahadur Limbu VC 10th of Princess Mary's Own Gurkha Rifles Rambahadur Limbu At the age of 26, Rambahadur Limbu - a lance corporal in the 2nd Battalion, 10th Princess Mary's Own Gurkha Rifles - was ambushed during the Borneo Confrontation of 1965. The citation for his VC explains how he was in an advance party of 16 Gurkhas when they encountered about 30 Indonesians holding a position on the top of a jungle-covered hill. The lance-corporal went forward with two men, but when they were only 10 yards from the enemy machine-gun position the sentry opened fire on them. The sheer weight of fire stopped him advancing further, and he realised that only a quick rush would allow him a chance to cover the remaining ground and reach the wounded men. He rushed forward and managed to reach the first wounded man and carried him back to safety. Without hesitation he then returned to rescue the remaining wounded soldier. Through an even heavier hail of fire Limbu again moved out in a series of short bursts, using what little cover was available. Eventually after almost 20 minutes he reached the second man and ran back carrying him through the continuous enemy fire. After re-joining his section, Limbu returned to the attack and, recovering a light machine gun which had previously been abandoned earlier in the combat, gave support for the latter stages of the assault, personally killing four more enemy soldiers as they attempted to escape. His original VC was stolen while he was asleep during a train journey in India to his native Nepal in 1967. He was issued with a replacement. Colour Sergeant Johnson Beharry, VC Johnson Beharry Colour Sergeant Johnson Gideon Beharry saved members of his unit, the 1st Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, from ambushes during the Iraq War. He was driving a Warrior Tracked Armoured Vehicle that had been called to the assistance of a foot patrol caught in a series of ambushes on May 1, 2004. Due to damage to his periscope optics, Beharry was forced to open his hatch to steer his vehicle, exposing his face and head to withering small arms fire. He then drove the disabled Warrior through the ambush, taking his own crew and leading five other Warriors to safety, before extracting his wounded comrades from the vehicle, all the time exposed to further enemy fire. His own vehicle was then attacked on June 11, 2004, during which he received serious shrapnel injuries to his face and brain. However, he retained control of his vehicle and drove it out of the ambush area before losing consciousness. Beharry has worn his actual Victoria Cross on only three occasions; for the Queen, at his wedding and when he met Harry Patch, the last British First World War veteran. He says he is overcome by guilt when wearing it, reminded that so many other brave friends never came home alive. As a result he loaned his medal to the Imperial War Museum but had the image of it tattooed on his back so he could always carry it with him. GEORGE CROSS Left to right: Jim Beaton, 79, a retired police officer who rescued Princess Anne from her would-be kidnapper Ian Ball on The Mall, John Bamford, 85, who at the age of 15 saved the lives of his two younger brothers a house fire at their home in Newthorpe, and Barry Johnson GC Jack Bamford John 'Jack' Bamford is the youngest person to have been directly awarded the George Cross after saving the lives of his two younger brothers during a house fire when he was just 15. His parents had just returned from a night out when barking from their pet greyhound Mick alerted Jack's father that something was wrong. They climbed onto a flat roof and got his mother and what he thought was all of his siblings - his sister and four younger brothers - out through the bedroom window. But he soon noticed two were missing - Roy, four, and Brian, six, who was deaf and dumb. He recalled: 'We could hear Roy shouting from the back bedroom. My dad tried to get through the flames by wrapping a blanket round him but the blanket caught fire. I told him to go round the back [of the house] and I would get into their room and chuck them out the window. But it was hot very hot and I couldn't see anything because of the smoke.' He eventually found Roy, and threw him out to his father who caught him below, but Brian was frightened by the flames and went back into his bed, but Jack bravely grabbed him and they both managed to escape. The fire brigade eventually put out the blaze which had apparently been caused by an electrical fault. Jack and his two brothers were taken to hospital. The younger boys were soon off the danger list but Jack spent weeks in intensive care at Nottingham General Hospital. He was left with such severe burns to his face, neck, chest, stomach, back, arms and hands that he was left fighting for his life. Even now the tips of his ears are missing having melted away in the inferno that so nearly claimed the lives of several family members. He received his GC on December 16, 1952. Jim Beaton, 79, a retired police officer who rescued Princess Anne from her would-be kidnapper Ian Ball on The Mall Jim Beaton Retired police officer Jim Beaton, the Queen's Police Officer from 1983 to 1992, received the George Cross in 1974 for protecting the Princess Royal from the would-be kidnapper Ian Ball during an attack in The Mall. Princess Anne and her husband Captain Mark Phillips were returning to Buckingham Palace from a royal engagement when their car was stopped by another car, driven by Ball, who was later declared to be mentally ill. Ball jumped out of his vehicle and tried to force the Princess from her car. He shot the royal chauffeur, Alex Callender, and a passing journalist, Brian McConnell. Beaton was shot three times, including serious wounds in the chest and abdomen, and a gunshot wound to his hand, sustained when he tried to block Ball's weapon with his own body, after his own gun had jammed. Beaton also sustained injuries to his pelvis while trying to disarm Ball. The assailant was taken into custody and went to Rampton Hospital under the Mental Health Act before later being moved to Broadmoor Prison on Dartmoor. Beaton, when asked about Ball, said: 'I am not surprised about the lack of remorse because he was mentally ill. But in a sense his comments about Royal security were right. 'Nobody expected anything like that to happen, not even with the IRA. We took precautions but nothing like you have today. I was walking past the door at the wrong time and they said, 'We want someone to help with the Royal protection team,' and that was it. There were no interviews or training.' Beaton returned to protecting Princess Anne after recovering from his wounds, and held the post until 1979. Barry Johnson GC at Buckingham Palace Barry Johnson Warrant Officer Class 1 Barry Johnson was awarded the George Cross after he defused a mortar bomb in Derry, Northern Ireland during The Troubles. In October 1989, he was tasked with handling a vehicle rigged with mortars which had been abandoned in the middle of a housing estate and beside a hospital. Due to the danger to civilian lives and to patients in the hospital, Johnson decided not to use the remote-controlled equipment to deal with the bombs, but to remove them from their tubes and dismantle them by hand. With help from Corporal Melia, he removed the tubes from the van and placed them on the ground. He then sent Melia back to cover and placed the tubes facing away from the hospital in case they fired. In the dark and cold drizzle which made handling more difficult, he proceeded to remove the bombs, dismantling them in turn. While he was dealing with the last bomb, it exploded, causing serious injury to his face, eyes and legs. Despite being blinded by bomb fragments, being thrown across the road and in great pain, such was his courage that he refused to be evacuated until he had briefed his assistant on the precise details of the device, so that the operation could be safely completed. Trooper Christopher Finney GC Christopher Finney After completing his training on the day of the 9/11 attacks, Finney went on to serve in Afghanistan in 2003, when his light tank was engaged in friendly fire by a pair of Coalition Forces ground attack aircraft. Two vehicles were hit and caught fire, and ammunition began exploding inside the turrets. Finney managed to get clear of his driving position and was making his way towards cover when he noticed that his tank's gunner, Lance Corporal Alan Tudball, was trapped in the turret. He then climbed on to the burning tank, placing himself at risk of enemy fire, as well as fire from Coalition aircraft should they return. Despite the smoke, flames and exploding ammunition, he managed to pull the wounded gunner out of the turret and get him off the vehicle, moving him to a safer position not far away, where he bandaged his wounds. The troop officer in the other tank had been wounded and there were no senior tanks to take control. Despite his relative inexperience, the shock of the attack and the all-too-obvious risk to himself, he recognised the need to inform his HQ of the situation. He therefore broke cover, returned to his vehicle, which was still burning, and calmly sent a concise report by radio. He then returned to the injured gunner and began helping him towards a Royal Engineers Spartan which had come forward to help. At this point Finney noticed that both Coalition aircraft were lining up another attack. Notwithstanding the imminent danger, he continued to help his wounded colleague towards the safety of the Spartan. Both aircraft fired their cannon and Finney was wounded in the lower back and legs and the gunner in the head. Despite his wounds, he managed to get Tudball into the Spartan. Then, seeing the driver of the second tank was still inside his burning vehicle, he was determined to rescue him too. Despite his injuries and exploding ammunition, he valiantly attempted to climb on to the tank but was beaten back by the intense heat and explosions. He collapsed exhausted a short distance away and was rescued by the crew of the Spartan. Left to right: Trooper Christopher Finney GC, Major Peter Norton GC, Royal Marine Reserve Lance Cpl Matthew Croucher GC Peter Norton Major Peter Norton went to the aid of a US Army patrol that had been attacked by an improvised explosive device (IED) on July 24, 2005. The explosion completely destroyed one vehicle and killed four US soldiers. On arrival Norton quickly took command and ensured the safety of the remaining men. He was informed of a possible secondary wire to another IED and decided to conduct a 'one-man-risk' examination of the area immediately surrounding the scene in order to allow his team to conduct a post-blast investigation. Whilst conducting the examination he trod on a concealed device which exploded. He suffered the loss of his left leg, severe injuries to his right leg, abdomen, back and left arm. His comrades came to administer first aid, but Norton had deduced that further devices were probably present. Before allowing them to help him, he instructed them where was safe to move. A further IED was discovered later 10 yards away. Norton recovered from his severe injuries, though lost his left leg and hand. On March 23, 2006, he was gazetted for the award of the George Cross, and on November 2, 2006, he was presented with his medal by The Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace. Left to right: Trooper Christopher Finney GC, Major Peter Norton GC, Royal Marine Reserve Lance Cpl Matthew Croucher GC Matthew Croucher Matthew Croucher had less than seven seconds to make up his mind whether to risk sacrificing his own life to save his friends when a hand grenade rolled into their path during an operation in Afghanistan. Without hesitation he chose to chance death and save his three fellow Royal Marines. Matt recounts the situation in a manner that epitomises both his bravery and his ability to think clearly under unimaginable pressure, 'it was a case of either having four of us as fatalities or badly wounded or one'. Throwing himself to the ground during a reconnaissance mission near Sangin in Helmand Province, he used his rucksack to pin the grenade to the floor, and tucked his legs up to his body. He was thrown some distance by the explosion, but suffered only a nose-bleed, perforated ear drums and some disorientation - and saved the lives of his comrades. Croucher has kept his backpack as a trophy of the day he beat the grim reaper, a constant reminder of 'how lucky I am'. Corporal Kim Hughes GC Kim Hughes During his deployment in Afghanistan, Hughes risked his own life to save the lives of his comrades, foregoing protective clothing and defusing bombs manually in what has been described as the single most outstanding act of explosive ordnance disposal ever recorded in Afghanistan. Hughes and his men were called into what was effectively an IED minefield, to extract casualties and recover bodies. Speed was essential if further loss of life was to be avoided. Without specialist protective clothing in order to save time, Hughes set about clearing a path to the wounded men, providing constant reassurance that help was on its way. On reaching the first injured man he discovered a further IED within a metre of the casualty; given their proximity, it constituted a grave and immediate threat to all the casualties and himself. Without knowing the location of the power source, but acutely aware of the danger he was facing and the overriding need to get medical aid to the casualties rapidly. He carefully neutralised the device, and then turned his attention to the other wounded men and retrieving the dead. He discovered two more IEDs and again neutralised both. He later had to neutralise four more devices. During his tour, he safely disarmed a total of 120 IEDs. His citation, read to the audience at Buckingham Palace, said: 'Dealing with any form of IED is dangerous. To deal with seven Victim Operated IEDs linked in a single circuit, in a mass casualty scenario, using manual neutralisation techniques once, never mind three times, is the single most outstanding act of explosive ordnance disposal ever recorded in Afghanistan.' Samuel Shephard GC Samuel Shephard Captain Samuel Shephard was awarded the George Cross in 2015 for his heroic efforts to recover fellow Marine, Lieutenant Damien Moran, who suffered an embolism and sank 200ft to the seabed off Egypt in August. Capt Shephard repeatedly dived alone and without oxygen for 25 minutes in a bid to locate his comrade. Hopes were raised when an instructor equipped with oxygen tanks arrived at the scene, but he ruled out a search on safety grounds. Capt Shephard ignored his warnings, strapped on the equipment and dived again. As the medal citation reads: 'At 1700 hours, in fading light and tired after six hours in the water, the pair [Capt Shephard and Lieut Moran] were snorkelling with four others The other diver briefly surfaced with the others, lost consciousness, and sank rapidly. 'A qualified and equipped diving instructor judged it too dark, deep and dangerous to mount a rescue. But without hesitation Shephard disregarded the instructor's advice 'Following a series of dives that day, he knew the risk of decompression sickness, paralysis or even death was significant Disorientated, in almost complete darkness, and with a perforated eardrum, he located the casualty suspended upside-down. His dive watch recorded a depth over 60 metres Placing himself at even greater risk, he removed his mask to give the lifeless diver two rescue breaths.' Capt Shephard carried his friend over a coral bank 'in bloodied feet' to get him to hospital, but Lieut Moran was pronounced dead on arrival. The pair had just completed a four-month tour of Afghanistan before relocating to Egypt for diving training. Left: Corporal Kim Hughes GC. Right: Dominic Troulan GC. Both are pictured at an event for George Cross recipients at Buckingham Palace Dominic Troulan A retired British Army officer and former Royal Marine, Dominic Troulan was awarded the George Cross on June 16, 2017 for his actions during the 2013 Westgate shopping mall attack in Nairobi, Kenya. He was the first civilian recipient of the award in 25 years. On September 21 that year, a group of heavily-armed terrorists entered the mall and started to murder men, women and children indiscriminately. Troulan, a security consultant working in Nairobi, was contacted by a friend who asked him to go to the incident to try and locate the friend's wife and daughter. Troulan was armed with only a pistol while the area was dominated by terrorists armed with grenades and machine guns, but still he managed to bring the two women to safety. Realising that large numbers of civilians remained trapped while the terrorists continued to kill indiscriminately, Troulan re-entered the Mall. Over the course of several hours, he went into the building at least a dozen times and on each occasion managed to bring many innocent civilians to safety. He was fired on twice by the terrorists but managed to force them back. By now, Troulan was exhausted, dehydrated and at the limit of his mental capacity. He was about to stop when a distress call was received from a woman who was trapped, injured and bleeding. Once again, Troulan entered the Mall and brought the woman to safety. Despite the strain of his efforts, Troulan had the presence of mind to realise that the terrorists could be hiding among the survivors. He enlisted help and searched the civilians once he had led them to safety, thus ensuring that no terrorists were hiding in their midst. Kevin Haberfield Former Royal Marine Kevin Haberfield was awarded the GC in 2015. The award was backdated to the date of the action in Afghanistan on November 22, 2005. However, the only details released were that the award was made 'for Services in the Field'. He served in the Marines - where he became a first class swimmer and canoeist, and was an expert in jungle and sea survival skills - for nearly 33 year, finally retiring in 2012. He was a qualified boat and dive trainer as well as holding professional certificates for Yacht Master Ocean 200Gt Power and Sail, RYA Power Boat Level 2, Long Range Radio Operator, PADI Assistant Instructor and PADI Dive Master. He also had extensive experience in the Arctic. Haberfield eventually left the Marines and began to work freelance in the security industry, and now lives in France with his wife. AUSTRALIAN HEROES WHO RECEIVED THE VC Ben Roberts-Smith VC Ben Roberts-Smith In June 2010, on his third deployment to Afghanistan, Corporal Roberts-Smith was part of a helicopter assault into Tizak, Shah Wali Kot in Kandahar Province, aimed at capturing or killing a senior Taliban commander. Immediately upon insertion the troop came under heavy fire. Two soldiers were wounded and the troop was pinned down by fire from multiple machine gun positions situated both on the high ground and the buildings to their front. Corporal Roberts-Smith and his patrol began an assault on an enemy position that contained three machine guns, which were protected behind a high wall and on an elevated position. At times the gunfire was so close and sustained that some patrol members were unable to return fire. Within 40 metres of the enemy position the fire was so heavy the patrol was unable to advance further. At this point Corporal Roberts-Smith identified a small structure that provided some cover. As he approached the structure he engaged an insurgent, killing him instantly. Corporal Roberts-Smith then exposed his own position to draw fire away from his patrol. This allowed the patrol to fire against the enemy and the patrol commander to silence one of the machine guns with a grenade. Seizing the advantage, Corporal Roberts-Smith stormed the enemy position killing the remaining two machine gunners. His actions enabled his patrol to break in to the enemy position thus regaining the initiative for the troop, allowing them to close with the enemy. The troop continued to fight for another six hours, killing further enemy and causing the remainder of the Taliban to retreat from the area. Australia's most decorated living veteran, the former Special Air Service Regiment corporal is suing three newspapers in the Australian federal court for defamation over articles he alleges depicted him as a criminal who broke the moral and legal rules of military engagement in Afghanistan. Keith Payne Keith Payne On 24 May 1969, in Kontum Province, Warrant Officer Payne was commanding 212th Company of 1st Mobile Strike Force Battalion when the Battalion was attacked by a North Vietnamese force of superior strength. The enemy isolated the two leading companies, one of which was Warrant Officer Payne's, and with heavy mortar and rocket support assaulted their position from three directions simultaneously. Under this heavy attack, the indigenous soldiers began to fall back. Directly exposing himself to the enemy's fire, Warrant Officer Payne, through his own efforts, temporarily held off the assaults by alternatively firing his weapon and running from position to position collecting grenades and throwing them at the assaulting enemy. While doing this, he was wounded in the hands and arms. Still under fire, he then ran across exposed ground to head off his own troops who were withdrawing in disorder. He successfully stopped them and organised the remnants of his and the second company into a temporary defensive perimeter by nightfall. Having achieved this, Warrant Officer Payne of his own accord and at great personal risk, moved out of the perimeter into the darkness alone in an attempt to find the wounded and other indigenous soldiers. Some had been left on the position and others were scattered in the area. Although the enemy were still occupying the previous position, Warrant Officer Payne, with complete disregard for his own life, crawled back on to it and extricated several wounded soldiers. He then continued to search the area, in which the enemy were also moving and firing, for some three hours. He finally collected 40 lost soldiers, some of whom had been wounded, and returned with this group to the temporary defensive perimeter he had left, only to find that the remainder of the battalion had moved back. Undeterred by this setback and personally assisting a seriously wounded American adviser, he led the group through the enemy to the safety of his battalion base. Mark Donaldson Mark Donaldson Donaldson was returning to base in the Oruzgan province of Afghanistan on September 2, 2008, in a joint US, Australian, and Afghan convoy when the group was ambushed. The ambush began with sustained machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade fire, causing several casualties. Donaldson deliberately exposed himself to fire from the Taliban fighters in order to draw their attention away from the casualties, allowing them to be moved to cover. When the patrol attempted to withdraw, the number of casualties was such that the unwounded personnel, including Donaldson himself, had to make their way on foot, beside their vehicles, as the casualties filled the vehicles. As they set off, it was realised that an Afghan interpreter attached to the patrol was wounded, and had not been loaded into the vehicles. Donaldson immediately crossed the 80 metres or so of open ground between the convoy and the interpreter, under heavy fire, and then carried him back to the vehicles where Donaldson administered first aid. The patrol eventually broke free of the ambush after two hours. Daniel Keighran Daniel Keighran Corporal Keighran was part of a joint Australian Afghan National Army patrol that came under sustained attack by a strong force on August 24, 2010. The attack was initiated by a high volume of sustained and accurate machine-gun and small arms fire which pinned down the combined Australian and Afghan patrol and caused a loss of momentum. In the early stages of the attack, and upon realising that the forward elements of the patrol needed effective fire support, Corporal Keighran and another patrol member moved under sustained and accurate enemy fire to an exposed ridgeline to identify enemy locations and direct the return fire of both Australian and Afghan machine guns. On reaching this position and with complete disregard for his own wellbeing, Corporal Keighran deliberately drew enemy fire by leaving the limited cover he had and moved over the ridgeline in order to positively identify targets for the machine gunners of the combined patrol. Throughout the long action, his bravery assisted the patrol to return accurate fire and to successfully withdraw without further casualties. Their proudest duty: Royal Navy men and women tell of 'honour and privilege' to be involved in the Queen's funeral procession in London Royal Navy men and women have described their 'honour, privilege and duty' to be involved in the Queen's funeral procession with up to 1,500 sailors set to take part. Personnel from the most junior sailor to the highest-ranked female officer will be involved in the procession which will include representatives from all three armed forces. During rehearsals at HMS Collingwood in Fareham, Hampshire, planners and parade staff spoke of their pride at being chosen to take part. Commander Steve Elliot, a staff weapon engineer officer, described it as a 'sombre honour' to march in front of the gun carriage carrying Her Majesty's body on her final journey. Rear Admiral Jude Terry said everyone would feel 'a great deal of emotion' on the day, adding that they will all have 'been touched by her presence in some way.' The funeral on Monday will be attended by some 2,000 guests, including visiting heads of state and other dignitaries. The doors of Westminster Abbey will open at 8am as the congregation of VIPs begin to take their seats, three hours before the service begins at 11am. Her majesty will be carried on the the gun carriage that conveyed her mother and father to their funerals from Westminster Hall, arriving at 10.52am. The service, which will include a poignant two minute national silence will come to an end at noon, when the Queen's coffin will be carried from the Abbey. Royal Navy personnel taking part in rehearsals for the Queen's funeral at HMS Collingwood in Fareham, Hampshire Those taking part described it as a 'privilege' and said they wanted to do their best for the Queen's 'last moments' 'The royal family is incredibly important to the Royal Navy, our relationship is second to none,' Commander Steve Elliot said A military band marching ahead of the Royal Navy in a rehearsal for the funeral on Monday During rehearsals planners and parade staff spoke of their pride at being chosen to take part Members of the Queen's family, including her children, will walk behind her coffin to Wellington Arch when it leaves Westminster Abbey, before Her Majesty is taken to Windsor to be laid to rest next to her beloved husband. Cdr Elliot, previously commanded the first Navy detachment in 375 years to perform guard duties at St James's Palace, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and Windsor Castle. His immediate predecessor in that role was Sir Walter Raleigh. Cdr Elliot, who will be part of the gun carriage contingent, said: 'I was privileged and fortunate enough to command the detachment that took on public duties in 2017. 'Now I have been privileged to be selected as the second in command for the Royal Navy contingent supporting Her Majesty's funeral. 'I will have the sombre honour of marching in front of the gun carriage carrying Her Majesty's body on her final journey. Royal Navy men and women have described their 'honour, privilege and duty' at being involved A Union flag draped over a coffin on the back of a gun carriage during the rehearsals on Tuesday Personnel from the most junior sailor to the highest-ranked female officer will be involved in the procession Commander Steve Elliot, a staff weapon engineer officer, said it would be a 'sombre honour' to march in front of the gun carriage carrying Her Majesty's body on her final journey 'Something perhaps a little more poignant for me is it will be my last action in uniform after 32 years' service before I actually leave the Royal Navy.' He added: 'The royal family is incredibly important to the Royal Navy, our relationship is second to none. There is a fondness between monarch, whether that be Queen Elizabeth or King Charles, and us which will not change and is fundamental and central to everything we do. 'They were Her Majesty's ships, they are now His Majesty's ships; that connection is strong and powerful from the most junior sailor to the most senior officer.' Rear Admiral Jude Terry, director people and training, who is responsible for the Navy's funeral planning and is the Navy's first female admiral, said: 'I know that for everyone who is a part of it, it is an absolute honour and privilege. The Royal Navy said there is a 'fondness' between them and the Monarch - which will not change Those taking part in the procession also described it as a great responsibility 'For everybody within the parade, they will have their moment of reflection and honour to be able to have served her, as well as a moment of sadness. We will all feel a great deal of emotion; she will have meant so much to us all in very different ways, all of us will have been touched by her presence in some way. 'And then also as a reflection and a look-forward, how do we carry on and serve HM the King as we go forward in our careers, and that too comes with an almost desire to do the best for him as we can.' Captain Catherine Jordan, who is responsible for the state ceremonial team, said: 'She's our Commander-in-Chief, we want to do our best for her in her last moments here, and we want to do our very best for our new Commander-in-Chief, King Charles.' Able Seaman Murray Kerr, 20, from Ayr, said: 'It's a great honour to be a part of Her Majesty's funeral; it's a great responsibility as well. This is going to be the biggest state event this century and I don't think there will be another event like it. 'There is a massive amount of pride, responsibility and duty, a sense of duty - this is one of things I signed on to do and knew I would have to do. Staff said they also wanted to do their best for their new commander in chief, King Charles III Up to 1,500 sailors are set to take part in the state funeral, which will include representatives from all three armed forces Able Seaman Ryan Howarth, 25, said 'I didn't think I would ever get to do something like this in my career' 'I am going to be lining the streets of London to help mark out the route the procession will take to Westminster Abbey. 'It will be eyes on the procession, so we will have our backs to the crowd and it is very much us paying respects to the procession, Her Majesty and the royalty and everyone who follows on in the guard of honour.' Able Seaman Ryan Howarth, 25, whose father was a major in the Army and who met the Queen at a royal garden party, said: 'I feel very honoured. I didn't think I would ever get to do something like this in my career, and to do it after eight months of being in it is very shocking. I wasn't expecting to do something like this but (am) deeply honoured about it. 'My grandma recently passed away this year while I was doing my training so I never got to attend her funeral. I am not saying this is her funeral but I probably have emotions come up on the day.' Grief of Theresa May and Tanni-Grey Thompson as they pay their respects to the Queen: Mourners fly in from as far as Canada and Ireland to wait in a 4 mile-long line while 1.3m log on to watch the online queue-tracker Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson cried as she joined similarly emotional mourners including Theresa May in the affectionately-named 'Elizabeth Line' of tens of thousands of people queuing for more than four miles to see the Queen's coffin. Britain's greatest Paralympian wiped away tears in Westminster Hall as awestruck others from Britain and abroad wept, prayed and saluted after queuing for up to 48 hours to pay their respects. Theresa May and her husband Sir Philip also came to see the Queen's coffin after the former prime minister described the 'tremendous privilege' of knowing the monarch and even barbecuing with Her Majesty. She dipped into a final low curtsey as they reached the casket. The queue now stretches for 4.4 miles along the bank of the River Thames to Tower Bridge. Those in it are now calling it the 'Elizabeth Line' in a nod to the London rail route opened by the Queen in June, one of her final public engagements. But MPs and peers are able to book time slots to avoid the main queue. Well-wishers have shared cheery camaraderie, egg sandwiches and biscuits during their wait outside, as people queued through the night to pay their final respects to the late monarch inside the Palace of Westminster. Hymns played across the Southbank, with many joining in song. By midday today, the queue was four miles long and stretched past Tower Bridge into Bermondsey, as officials expect some 400,000 people to view the coffin over the coming days. It was at 2.6 miles as of 8am this morning. This morning, more than 1.3 million people logged on to watch the queue-tracker for the line. There will likely be a cut-off point for new arrivals in the queue this weekend, as stewards calculate the waiting times and number of people hoping to pay their respects to the late monarch. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport's queue tracker can be viewed via YouTube here. An emotional Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson wipes away tears as she sees the Queen's coffin Theresa May and her husband Sir Philip were in Westminster Hall with mourners. Mrs May curtseyed while Mr May bowed, ducking so low she was briefly out of sight Members of the public file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, lying in state on the catafalque in Westminster Hall, An emotional mourner wipes her tears after leaving Westminster Hall and viewing the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II A woman dries her eyes after leaving Westminster Hall and paying her respects to the late monarch, Queen Elizabeth II A sea of people filled the area close to Tower Bridge as they continue to queue to see the late monarch's coffin People queue to pay their respect to the late Queen Elizabeth II during the lying-in-state at Westminster Hall in London today The queue for members of the public for the Queen's lying-in-state is back to Tower Bridge this morning. More than three miles from Parliament Members of the public in the queue at Butlers Wharf, central London, close to London Bridge People wait in line between London Bridge and Tower Bridge to see the Queen The largely black-clad crowd were solemn and pensive as they flowed into the ancient hall where chandeliers and spotlights illuminated the scene beneath the medieval timber roof. As hundreds of ordinary people of all ages filed past the coffin of the long-reigning monarch, many wiped their eyes with tissues. Some bowed, some curtsied and some simply took a moment to look at the extraordinary scene. Former prime minister Theresa May and her husband Philip were among those paying their respects to the Queen at Westminster Hall. By 1.30pm on Thursday, the queue had passed Tower Bridge, reaching Bermondsey Beach, with stewards estimating that it would take eight and a half hours to reach Westminster Hall with the longest wait times expected at the weekend. By lunchtime, those leaving the Palace of Westminster after paying their respects had queued for approximately five hours, joining at 8am. Yvonne Joseph, 57, and Curlette Edwards, 61, from London People who brought food and drink with them are unable to take it into the building, with sealed packets left behind being donated to a local foodbank. Yvonne Joseph, 57, and Curlette Edwards, 61, from London joined well-wishers at 8am on Thursday morning. 'It didn't take that long, about 45 minutes to an hour,' they said. 'We went through the accessibility queue, it's for people with disabilities that are seen and unseen. It was a totally separate queue. Everything ran in order. 'When we arrived we were fortunate to see the Changing of the Guard so we have an extra moment to pay our respects to the Queen. 'We wanted to come and pay our respects because it's just a historic moment, the Queen is like a mother and a grandmother to all of us.' Neil Miller, 58, from Buckinghamshire, said that he wanted to pay his respects, because he has 'watched the Queen's speech ever year of my life at 3pm on Christmas Day'. 'She has done a great job for the country, and I wanted to come and pay my respects and say thank you,' he said. 'At 6.55am this morning, I joined the back of the queue and it's been fine. Lots of banter and talk. I was told 10 hours I would be in the queue.' Esbil Wong, 70, is from South Africa and was visiting her son in the UK when she heard news of the Queen's death. She said she came to pay her respects because 'I have been following her all my life.' Ms Wong said she joined the queue at around 7am and had been queuing for about three hours so far. She said: 'We are really honoured, I couldn't miss this opportunity to be part of history. I love her.' Ros Cook, 53, from Epsom, came to the lying-in-state for her elderly mother. 'I came here to London with my Mum for the Golden Jubilee, and my Mum is now 84, and to queue today would be too much for her, so I felt I wanted to come today for her,' she explained. 'I grew up as an army child moving a lot and the Queen has been a part of my family I suppose, as my Dad pledged allegiance to her all those years ago I wanted to come and pay my respects to her.' Ms Cook, who joined the queue at 7am had been queuing for about three hours 10am before she reached the Palace of Westminster. On the queue, she said: 'It has been really well organised and hasn't taken too long. I think I just came here with no expectations of how long it's going to take because then you can't be disappointed.' Stewards on the route have advised that from Lambeth Bridge, it could take well-wishers anywhere between two and four hours to reach Westminster Hall. Fraser and Tricia Campbell from St Albans. The couple queued for five hours Fraser and Tricia Campbell from St Albans said that they came because they wanted to 'show their recognition for all that [the Queen has] done.' Mr Campbell, 68, said: 'I have always had a high regard for the Queen, I think increasingly in recent years no less because of the way she has been so open regarding her Christian faith. And I have really admired her for that. 'There's also a personal level as well, I'm conscious that my late mother was a very loyal follower of the Queen and she would have wanted to come here today. It's been very special to be here.' Mrs Campbell, 65, added: 'It was a real privilege to be here and we coincided with the changing of the guard which was very interesting to see. It was just very moving. I just said 'rest in peace' because she has done an amazing job.' The couple queued for five hours from 5.30am. Mother and daughter Clara, 15, and Kate Chetwood, 50, from Sussex queued for around six hours They continued: 'We thought we could come and see how long it was. We got up very early and left St Albans at half past four and said we would see how long the queue was. 'Thinking about it yesterday, we realised that no matter how long it took we really wanted to part of the moment. I'm not sure there was an upper limit on how long we would have queued because it is a small price to pay.' Mother and daughter Kate Chetwood, 50, and Clara, 15, from Sussex queued for around six hours to pay their respects. Clara said: 'I think the Queen was a very special person. I'm not sure there will be another monarch like her. Her Platinum Jubilee celebration was a big part of the beginning of our summer. It's a big occasion that is important to commemorate.' Kate described entering Westminster Hall where the Queen's coffin lies and being 'struck by a huge overwhelming sense of the grandeur and the mystery of it all.' 'I just wanted to say thank you to her for a job incredibly well done,' Ms Chetwood said. The duo said that they made friends during their queuing and shared stories with others. 'Everyone is here for the same reasons,' Clara added. Rupi Chawlia, 45, from Wiltshire started queuing at 5.50am and has visited the Queen's coffin by 10.30am on Thursday. She said: 'I felt it was important being a woman. She was such a role model for all women, not just in this country but across the world. And what I love about her the most was her calmness, she made people feel comfortable. That's a true skill to have.' She said that the queue was 'constantly moving', as people walked the planned route. 'We made some new friends in the queue and we're going for a drink,' she added. 'It's been great, the socialising aspect of it, and that's what really made the time go by. 'You're chatting to people, about your lives, any connections you may have had with the royal family which we found out today some of us have met the Queen. I have, I've been to one of her tea parties. 'It's her legacy, the community coming together. For me, it's one big celebration of her wonderful role'. Advertisement The mother of a young royal fan who was warmly hugged by Sophie as she greeted mourners in Manchester today spoke of how the Queen was 'like a grandmother' to him. The Countess of Wessex, along with her husband Prince Edward, was in the city to view tributes left for the late monarch and speak to well-wishers. Sophie then spotted young Josh, who was wearing a Union Jack cap and clutching a teddy bear, and took the bouquet of flowers he was offering. When he asked for a hug, she gave him a warm embrace, not once, but twice, before departing St Ann's Square. Recounting the moment they met, Josh's mother, Sue, told Sky News: 'She just said ''nice to meet you, do you want me to take your flowers?'' Then Josh said ''can I have a hug?''. 'They hugged, then he asked for a photo. The bouquet is signed from Josh but it's got my name on it as well.' Asked what the moment felt like, Josh - who is non-verbal - replied: 'Happy.' Referencing the Queen, his mother added: 'She's like a grandma isn't she, she's always been there. Were going to tell nanny and aunty Paula [about the experience of meeting Sophie]. Sophie, Countess of Wessex, embraces young Josh, as she views floral tributes in St Ann's Square, during a visit to Manchester Josh and mother Sue spoke of what meeting Sophie meant to them on Sky News this afternoon In Manchester, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex , met Josh, a young mourner who had gathered in Manchester with his mother, Sue Recounting the moment they met, Sue said: 'She just said ''nice to meet you, do you want me to take your flowers?'' Then Josh said ''can I have a hug?''. They hugged, then he asked for a photo' Sophie Countess of Wessex and Prince Edward light candles Prince Edward and Sophie Countess of Wessex visit Manchester Cathedral to light a candle in memory of Her Majesty The Queen The Earl and Countess of Wessex views tributes as they visit Manchester Cathedral where they lit a candle in memory of Queen Elizabeth II Sophie, Countess of Wessex greets members of the public outside Manchester's Central Library following the death of Queen Elizabeth II Sophie, Countess of Wessex views the civic Book of Condolence at Manchester's Central Library following the death of Queen Elizabeth II Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Sophie, Countess of Wessex view cards and floral tributes in Manchester Cathedral following the death of Queen Elizabeth II Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the Countess of Wessex visit Manchester ahead of the Queen's funeral Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Sophie, Countess of Wessex view cards and floral tributes at Manchester's Central Library following the death of Queen Elizabeth II Sophie, Countess of Wessex greets members of the public outside Manchester's Central Library following the death of Queen Elizabeth II The Earl and Countess of Wessex views tributes as they visit Manchester Cathedral where they lit a candle in memory of Queen Elizabeth II, following her death Prince Edward and Sophie Countess of Wessex visit Manchester Cathedral to light a candle in memory of Her Majesty The Queen Prince Edward and Sophie Countess of Wessex visit Manchester Cathedral to light a candle in memory of Her Majesty The Queen Sophie Countess of Wessex view floral tributes to the Queen in St Ann's Square, Manchester this afternoon Prince Edward and Sophie Countess of Wessex view floral tributes in St Ann's Square, Manchester Sophie Countess of Wessex speaks with well-wishers in St Ann's Square, Manchester, this afternoon Britain's Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, is presented a bouquet of flowers as he arrives at the Manchester Central Library to view the civic Book of Condolence for his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II Sophie Countess of Wessex speaks with well-wishers in St Ann's Square, Manchester, this afternoon The Earl of Wessex views the civic Book of Condolence at Manchester's Central Library, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II Sophie, Countess of Wessex, meets the public as she arrives at the Manchester Central Library to view the civic Book of Condolence for late Queen Elizabeth II Sophie Countess of Wessex receives sunflowers from a crowd member outside Manchester's Central Library Sophie Countess of Wessex arrives in Manchester to view the civic Book of Condolence for Her Majesty The Queen The Earl of Wessex meeting members of the public outside Manchester's Central Library during a visit to the city Prince Edward and Sophie Countess of Wessex view cards of Condolence for Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the Countess of Wessex visit Manchester ahead of the Queen's funeral Sophie Countess of Wessex arrives in Manchester to view the civic Book of Condolence for Her Majesty The Queen Senior royals fanned out across the UK today to join a nation mourning their late Queen. With King Charles III enjoying a much-deserved rest at his Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire, the rest of his family took up the mantle. At Sandringham, the Princess of Wales told a well-wisher she would burst into tears if she read too many sympathy cards as she and William met crowds. Fran Morgan, 62, spoke to Kate as she and William inspected the sea of flowers outside Sandringham. Recalling their conservation, Mrs Morgan said: 'She said she couldn't believe how many cards and flowers there were. But she also said ''I can't read them all or I would cry''.' William was also heard telling a mourner he was 'overwhelmed' by the outpouring of support. One visitor who missed the entire visit was three-month old Eddie Shakespeare who fell asleep just as the Royal couple arrived. His mother Maisie, 27, from Cambridgeshire, said: 'I was going to wake him up and show him to Kate, but I didn't have the heart. 'She thanked me for coming and said that all the sympathy meant a lot to her and William. I'm glad I came, but as for Eddie, I'll just have to tell him about it when he's older!' Meanwhile, the Princess Royal, accompanied by her husband Sir Tim Laurence, visited Glasgow City Chambers to meet representatives of organisations of which the Queen was patron. Pictures showed her chatting to crowds outside before reading messages left on colourful bouquets. Two members of Liz Truss's Cabinet stood vigil at the Queen's coffin today as she lay state in Westminster Hall. Scottish Secretary Alister Jack and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace stood solemnly in dark uniforms on Thursday at the raised platform on which the coffin rests. Both men are members of the Royal Company of Archers, which functions as the sovereign's bodyguard in Scotland. The unit also watched over the coffin while it was in St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh earlier in the week. Scottish Secretary Alister Jack and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace stood solemnly in dark uniforms on Thursday at the raised platform on which the coffin rests. Both men are members of the Royal Company of Archers, which functions as the sovereign's bodyguard in Scotland. The unit also watched over the coffin while it was in St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh earlier in the week. An ancient archery club that functions as the sovereign's bodyguard in Scotland The Royal Company of Archers functions as the sovereign's bodyguard in Scotland. It performs duties at the request of the monarch at any state and ceremonial occasion taking place in Scotland. The Company's most regular duty had been to attend Her Majesty's annual garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, in Edinburgh. This is the royal residence where the Queen spent a week at the beginning of each summer. The Company also attended outside the city's St Giles' Cathedral at the service of the installation of the Knights of the Thistle, as well as at investiture ceremonies and the presentation of new colours for Scottish regiments. It still functions as an archery club - the purpose for which is was orginally formed in 1676. Members, who are elected to the Company, must be Scots or have strong Scottish connections. Their distinctive uniform comprises of a dark green tunic with black facings, dark green trousers with black and crimson stripe, and a Balmoral bonnet with the Company's badge and an eagle feather. Advertisement Historic members of the unit have included Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott. The two men have got closer to the monarch's coffin than most politicians, who have been allowed to jump the miles-long queue to visit Westminster Hall. Theresa May and her husband Sir Philip also came to see the Queen's coffin on Thursday after the former prime minister described the 'tremendous privilege' of knowing the monarch and even barbecuing with Her Majesty. The ex-premier dipped into a final low curtsy as they reached the casket, while Sir Philip bowed his head. Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson cried as she joined similarly emotional mourners in the affectionately-named 'Elizabeth Line' of tens of thousands of people queuing for more than four miles to see the Queen's coffin. Britain's greatest Paralympian wiped away tears in Westminster Hall as awestruck others from Britain and abroad wept, prayed and saluted after queuing for up to 48 hours to pay their respects. After the Queen's death at Balmoral in Scotland, Mr Wallace said she had 'dedicated her life to serving her nation'. Speaking about the Queen after her death was announced, Mr Jack said: 'Her long reign was defined by hard work and dedicated public service, earning her the respect and devotion of her citizens.' The Queen's coffin is being guarded in Westminster Hall at all hours by units from the Sovereign's Bodyguard, the Household Division or Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London. Her Majesty's lying-in-state state will continue until 6.30am on Monday - the day of the Queen's funeral. Although fears of a 30-hour queue to see the lying-in-state have not yet come true, the wait for thousands of members of the public is still considerable. For those who joined the queue at Blackfriars Bridge just as dawn broke at 6am on Thursday, it took until 10.30am to travel the two miles to Westminster Hall and the Queens coffin. Members of the public file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, lying in state on the catafalque in Westminster Hall, Theresa May and her husband Sir Philip were in Westminster Hall with mourners. Mrs May curtseyed while Mr May bowed, ducking so low she was briefly out of sight DUP MP Jim Shannon was visibly emotional as he left Westminster Hall He knelt in front of her majesty's coffin as he passed it this afternoon Mrs May was one of 15 prime ministers during the Queen's 70-year reign. As she walked past the Queen's coffin in Westminster Hall just before 8am this morning, the former PM stooped in a deep curtsy while Sir Philip bowed his head. The Mays spent time with the Royal Family at Balmoral while they were in Downing Street, with Mrs May having recounted one visit during her tribute to the Queen in the House of Commons last week. She began by telling MPs how the Queen was 'quite simply the most remarkable person I have ever met' before sharing a funny anecdote of the time she dropped some cheese on a Balmoral picnic. 'The hampers came from the castle, and we all mucked in to put the food and drink out on the table,' she told the Commons. 'I picked up some cheese, put it on a plate and was transferring it to the table. The cheese fell on the floor. I had a split-second decision to make.' Mrs May paused as MPs burst into laughter, before adding: 'I picked up the cheese, put it on the plate and put it on the table. I turned round to see that my every move had been watched very carefully by Her Majesty the Queen. 'I looked at her. She looked at me and she just smiled. And the cheese remained on the table.' The White House is preparing to announce yet another military aid package for Ukraine as its military continues to make territorial gains in its effort to seize back territory from Russia in its northeast and south. The package, the 21st tranche of security assistance, will come 'very, very soon,' White House coordinator for strategic communications for national security John Kirby said Thursday. Although the Pentagon has yet to announce details, he indicated the package would include more of the long-range artillery and rocket systems that have allowed Ukraine to strike Russia behind its own lines, to devastating effect. 'I think you'll see that very, very soon,' Kirby told CNN Thursday. 'I think you'll see that it's very consistent with the kinds of capabilities that we've provided to Ukraine in the past, and the recent past, as they have fought in the Donbas and in the south. Systems, like the advanced rocket systems, howitzers in artillery systems that allow them to establish some range and some distance so that they can actually affect the Russians behind their own defensive lines. And I think you'll see the package forthcoming will be consistent with those same capabilities,' he said. The U.S. is preparing to announce its latest security package for Ukraine 'very, very soon,' the White House said. It is expected to include long rage weapons like the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), which Ukraine has used with success Although the Pentagon is not yet sharing the size of the package, the last one came in at nearly $3 billion, for a total of $13.5 billion since 2021. Kirby spoke on a day Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Uzbekistan. The two last met shortly before Putin launched his brutal invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. has pressed China not to break U.S. and international sanctions on Russia, and Kirby, who sits on the National Security Council, said China had not done anything 'overt' to support Russia. 'We haven't seen the Chinese do anything overtly to support the effort by Mr. Putin in inside Ukraine,' Kirby said. Russia has turned to North Korea and Iran for munitions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the de-occupied city of Izyum, Kharkiv region in Ukraine on Wednesday, September 14, 2022. The U.S. is readying a 21st security package as it seeks to repel Russia from more territory Ukraine has been pleading for more weapons to continue to retake its territory Russian President Vladimir Putin meets praised China for its 'balanced' approach. He met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan Thursday China and Russia have drawn closer in recent years 'They clearly have chosen not to condemn that that war in Ukraine. But we also haven't seen, importantly, we haven't seen them violate the sanctions or in any other way provide direct material assistance to Mr. Putin.' 'Mr. Putin is very much under strain and stress in Ukraine. His army is not doing well, and I think it certainly behooves the Kremlin to want to cozy up to Beijing with respect to what's going on there. But it remains to be seen how much President Xi's going to be committed to actually doing anything that will materially,' he said. Speaking of China, Kirby said: 'They haven't weighed in to violate the sanctions and they haven't needed to materially support Mr. Putin again,' although he said it wasn't the time for anyone to be 'on the sidelines.' Xi left China for the first time since the pandemic hit to meet Putin in Samarkand for a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Putin praised China, which has refused to condemn the war and hasn't even referred to it as cross-border invasion. 'We highly value the balanced position of our Chinese friends when it comes to the Ukraine crisis,' said Putin. He also offered support to China on its position on Taiwan. China undertook a series of military drills and gestures the U.S. called provocative after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan this summer. 'We intend to firmly adhere to the principle of 'One China',' said Putin. 'We condemn provocations by the United States and their satellites in the Taiwan Strait,' he said. 'China is willing to make efforts with Russia to assume the role of great powers, and play a guiding role to inject stability and positive energy into a world rocked by social turmoil,' Xi told his counterpart. A hooded brute who knifed a stranger outside a church in broad daylight is being hunted by police after the stabbing was captured on video. Shocked bystanders gasped 'Oh My God' as the thug plunged the 12-inch blade into a man as the church bells rang out in the background. A young couple walking past turned to stare as the blade found its mark - but then hurriedly looked away and walked off. The victim, who appeared to be standing still, cowered as his attacker, who appears to be wearing a knapsack, lunged at him. Police were called by Huddersfield Royal Infirmary at 6:40pm on Wednesday to find two men being treated for stab wounds. Police said the injuries which are consistent with a stabbing and are non-life threatening. Officers believe the brutal attack happened near the junction of Byram Street and Kirkgate at around 5:45pm. The attacker was holding a 12-inch long knife as he stalked through the Huddersfield street The victim appeared to raise his hands in a plea for mercy but it fell on deaf ears before the attack Video showed the attacker stab him before the victim was taken to hospital with injuries The suspect fled in the direction of Wood Street. Detective Inspector Richard Hulme of Kirklees CID said: 'This is a serious incident that happened on the streets of Huddersfield Town Centre in broad daylight. 'We take knife crime in the district extremely seriously and we are working to identify those responsible. 'We have seen the video footage that has been circulated on social media and we are conducting a number of lines of enquiry. 'Local Neighbourhood Policing Teams will be conducting further patrols in the area to provide public reassurance.' The video shared on social media sites Twitter and Instagram was filmed outside Huddersfield Parish Church. It captures someone attempting to attack another man with a large knife in broad daylight in the middle of the busy street in Huddersfield town centre yesterday. The video shared on social media sites Twitter and Instagram was filmed outside Huddersfield Parish Church West Yorkshire Police have confirmed that two people were taken to hospital with stab wounds. Detectives are now appealing for witnesses to come forward with information. The footage has shocked social media users. One commented: 'This is my once great home town. 'How terribly disappointing ( that putting it mildly ) sadly we don't have anywhere near the police numbers required to secure our streets.' Another posted said: 'How much longer do we have to put up with this on our Streets. We have had enough!' Another outrage comment read: 'Should get 4 years for this. If I started swinging a knife around on the street like this id expect to get 4 years. I hope the police catch him or he'll be doing it again soon and next time he could be serving 15 years.' A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: 'Police are investigating after reports of a stabbing in Huddersfield City Centre yesterday evening. 'Officers were called by Huddersfield Royal Infirmary at 6:40pm to report two males in attendance with injuries which are consistent with a stabbing and are non-life threatening. 'Early enquiries suggest the stabbing took place near the junction of Byram Street and Kirkgate at around 5:45pm. The suspect made off in the direction of Wood Street.' Advertisement It is after her final journey that Her Majesty the Queen will be laid to rest at Windsor next to her beloved husband Prince Philip. Following her state funeral in Westminster Abbey on Monday, the Queen's funeral procession will make its way to St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Her Majesty's final resting place will be in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, which is an annex to St George's. Her mother and father are buried there, as are the ashes of her sister Princess Margaret. Prince Philip's coffin, which was interred in the nearby royal vault following his death last April, will also be moved and put next to the Queen's. The Queen had the memorial annex built line with her father King George VI's wishes, who did not want to be buried in the royal vault long-term. The chapel, which is just 18 feet high, 10 feet wide and 14ft deep, was completed in 1969 and was the first addition to St George's Chapel since 1504. It cost around 25,000 and was paid for by the Queen. St George's Chapel itself houses the remains of a total of 45 royals, including ten monarchs and a further seven of their consorts. The burial of the Queen will boost the former number to 11. The Queen has been lying in state at Westminster Hall since yesterday afternoon. Tens of thousands of Britons have queued for hours to pay their respects, with many more hoping to get inside before the solemn period ends on Monday morning. It is after her final journey that Her Majesty the Queen will be laid to rest at Windsor next to her beloved husband Prince Philip. Following her state funeral in Westminster Abbey on Monday, the Queen's funeral procession will make its way to St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Above: The layout of St George's Chapel, and the location of her final resting place Her Majesty's final resting place will be in the King George VI memorial chapel, which is an annex to St George's. Her mother and father are buried there, as are the ashes of her sister Princess Margaret. Prince Philip's coffin, which was interred in the royal vault following his death last April, will also be moved and put next to the Queen's St George's Chapel itself was ordered by King Edward IV, with construction beginning in 1475 and finishing in 1528 under the reign of King Henry VIII After Her Majesty's state funeral, the Committal Service at St George's Chapel will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor and feature a congregation of the late monarch's family and friends and mourners from her household past and present, including her personal staff from across her private estates. The monarchs and senior royals who are buried in St George's Chapel King Henry VI - died 1471 King Edward IV - died 1483 King Henry VIII - died 1547 King Charles I - died 1649 King George III - died 1820 King George IV - died 1830 King William IV - died 1837 King George V of Hanover - died 1878 *George was not a king of England King Edward VII - died 1910 King George V - died 1936 King George VI - died 1952 Princess Margaret - died 2002 Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother - died 2002 Queen Mary - widow of King George V Advertisement At the end of the final hymn, the King will place the Grenadier Guards' Queen's Company Colour - the royal standard of the regiment - on the coffin. Baron Parker, the Lord Chamberlain and the most senior official in the late Queen's royal household, will 'break' his Wand of Office and place it on the Coffin. As the coffin is lowered into the royal vault the Garter King of Arms will pronounce the styles and titles of the Queen and the Sovereign's Piper will play a lament and walk slowly away so the music fades. In the evening, a private burial service will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor, attended by Charles and members of the royal family. As the Queen did with her father, Charles will drop a handful of earth onto his mother's coffin. It will then descend a shaft for around 16ft before being sent down a corridor and set down in the vault behind its iron gates. At present, a black stone slab is set into the floor of the King George VI Memorial Chapel. It features the names George VI and his wife Elizabeth - who died in 2002 - in gold lettering, above the dates of their births and deaths. Near there is a slab of black-and-white diamond-shaped stones which is taken away for funerals to gain access to a lift. Royals' coffins are taken down the shaft for about 16ft before going down a corridor and set down in the vault behind iron gates. Princess Margaret died just weeks before her mother and was subsequently cremated. Her ashes were initially kept in the royal vault and were then moved to the chapel to be with her parents. The memorial chapel was added to the north side of St George's, behind two of the buttresses holding up the building's north wall. The ceremony to transfer King George's body there was private, as was the dedication of the chapel the following week. St George's Chapel itself was ordered by King Edward IV, with construction beginning in 1475 and finishing in 1528 under the reign of King Henry VIII. Henry is among the monarchs to be buried there. The others include George III, George IV, George V and William IV. Other royals who are buried there include Queen Victoria's father Prince Edward, George III's wife Queen Charlotte and Queen Mary's grandfather Prince Adolphus. As well as burials, successive royal weddings have been held in the chapel, including Queen Victoria's to Prince Albert and Prince Harry's to Meghan Markle in 2018. Last April, moving images showed the Queen having to sit alone due to coronavirus regulations during Prince Philip's funeral inside the chapel. An image from 1910 shows the interior of the royal vault, where Prince Philip will be moved from to join the Queen The Queen had the memorial annex built line with her father King George VI's wishes, who did not want to be buried in the royal vault (pictured) long-term An image from 1910 shows the interior of the royal vault, where Prince Philip will be moved from to join the Queen The King George VI Memorial Chapel was completed in 1969 and was built behind two of the buttresses holding up the building's north wall. It is seen above in 1969 Last April, moving images showed the Queen having to sit alone due to coronavirus regulations during Prince Philip's funeral inside the chapel Queen Elizabeth II watching as the coffin of her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, is placed on the catafalque at St George's Chapel King George VI's funeral was held in St George's Chapel at Windsor on February 15, 1952. Above: The new Queen stands by after her father's coffin has been lowered into the royal vault Plans for the Queen's state funeral The Queen's state funeral will 'unite people across the globe and resonate with people of all faiths' and pay a 'fitting tribute to an extraordinary reign', the man in charge of the historic occasion has said. The Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk, described the task as 'both humbling and daunting. An honour and a great responsibility'. Two thousand people including world leaders and foreign royals will gather inside Westminster Abbey in London on Monday for the final farewell to the nation's longest reigning monarch. After the funeral, the King and members of the royal family will walk behind the Queen's coffin to Wellington Arch when it leaves Westminster Abbey, before it is driven to Windsor on the state hearse. It will move from central London to Windsor, on a route that has not been disclosed by the Palace, but the hearse will travel down the famous Long Walk to the castle. In the quadrangle, it will be joined by the King and members of the royal family who will follow behind on foot as the Queen's coffin approaches the gothic St George's Chapel. Some 800 people, including members of the Queen's Household and Windsor estate staff, will attend the committal service afterwards at 4pm in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Advertisement Earlier monarchs were laid to rest in Westminster Abbey, where they still lie in a royal vault under the Henry VII Chapel. But it quickly filled up and George III was forced to commission a new one under the Albert Memorial Chapel in Windsor in 1810. His daughter Princess Amelia, who died aged 27 that year, was placed in a temporary vault until the new one was ready. She was followed seven years later by Princess Charlotte and her child before George III and his son the Duke of Kent joined them in 1820. By this time there were 12 low tombs in the vault that were around 18 inches high and a few feet across. Monarchs and their wives went in the centre and there was more shelving for others on York stone. Next came George IV in 1830, then William IV in 1937, Queen Adelaide in 1849 and George V of Hanover in 1878. The latter was Queen Victoria's cousin and ended up in the vault because Hanover did not want him. Some royals chose to spend time in the vault to reflect on the life of their loved one. After George III's daughter Princess Augusta Sophia was put there in 1840, it was reported: 'We understand that in the course of yesterday His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and his son Prince George descended into the royal vault, and stayed there some time contemplating the remains of their deceased relatives.' This process was eased when a stone staircase was put in behind the altar in about 1837. Victoria is understood to have frequently gone in after the Duke of Albany died in 1884 - and was followed by others. He stayed there until he was transferred to the Albert Memorial Chapel in the summer of 1885. After he brother prince Francis of Teck died in 1911, Queen Mary said: ''The vault looks very nice now, and is well lighted and arranged. 'The King [Edward VII] lies on the stone in the centre for the present.' But the storage problem reemerged in towards the end of the 1920s, with only about 24 slots left. Advertisement At the dawn of the millennium, the West was facing a new threat far removed from the previous century's enemies of the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. Rather than grand territorial ambitions, these new dangers came from hostile countries wanting only to wreak havoc and instil fear in the US and Europe, through terrorism and nuclear sabre-rattling. A hangover from imperialism and Soviet allegiances, the countries were said to be united by a hatred of the West and being seemingly hellbent on destruction. In 2002, George W. Bush described the trio of North Korea, Iraq and Iran as an 'axis of evil' in a bid to shore up support for his War on Terror and pinpoint a common enemy. But what actually united the countries beyond their common anti-West ideology was in fact their limited scope and their over-inflated capabilities. Iraq, as was later discovered, did not possess any weapons of mass destruction, North Korea's nuclear programme was in its infancy, and Iran would go on to sign the nuclear deal to lift sanctions imposed on the country. But now, a new Axis of Evil is forming which presents a much more terrifying threat to Western security and democracy, and its leaders are meeting today. Xi Jinping, right, Vladimir Putin, centre, and Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh attend today's talks in Uzbekistan Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for a photo on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation today Putin shakes hands with Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi as he looks to forge a new world order with anti-Western leaders Russia, China and Iran are threatening a new 'world order', breaking up the West through cyber attacks, election interference, territorial landgrabs, bare-faced aggression, propaganda and nuclear stockpiling. Unlike the threats two decades on, the current axis is led by a genuine superpower in China, with Russia also capable of unleashing chaos on a global scale, and its leader having shown himself to be a war-mongering despot does little to allay the fears. Iran remains a junior partner, but flanked by the two allies, it presents a triptych of terror that looks to reshape the world as we know it. When Putin travelled to Iran in the summer, Kremlin loyalist Yevgeny Popov said they were forming a new 'Axis of Good' which raised eyebrows in the West. The countries' three respective presidents, Putin, Xi Jinping and Ebrahim Raisi also met in Uzbekistan today for talks aimed at boosting ties between their countries. While they were flanked by other nations at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the West knows that it is the triumvirate represents the real danger. A Russian missile strike destroys a flat in Bakhmut, Donetsk today, as it continues its savage war in Ukraine Bodies of civilians in plastic bags lay in a mass grave in Bucha discovered by Ukrainians in April While they were flanked by other nations at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the West knows that it is the triumvirate represents the real danger Iran is not a full member, but moved a step closer today by signing a memorandum of obligations to join the Asian security pact. In a very thinly-veiled hint of his plans, Putin today blasted what he described as an 'ugly' effort by the US and its allies to maintain their perceived global domination. 'Attempts to create a unipolar world have recently taken an absolutely ugly shape. They are absolutely unacceptable for the vast majority of countries on the globe,' the Russian president said in opening remarks ahead of his meeting with Xi. Xi added that China, together with Russia, will 'set an example of a responsible world power and to play a leading role to take the rapidly changing world on a track of sustainable and positive development.' Raisi said during his meeting with Putin today: 'Iran is determined to boost its ties with Russia, from economic to aerospace and political fields. 'The cooperation between Tehran and Moscow can significantly neutralise the limitations imposed on our countries by the U.S. sanctions,' he said. Earlier this week, a Chinese diplomat said Beijing is willing to shape the international order together with Russia in a 'more just and rational direction', further signalling their intent to form an 'entente terrible'. While the countries had been forging relationships for some years, the fulcrum in global geopolitics came on February 24 when Putin ordered his inhumane invasion which used the West and NATO's expansion eastwards as a pretext. When Putin travelled to Iran in the summer, Kremlin loyalist Yevgeny Popov said they were forming a new 'Axis of Good' which raised eyebrows in the West (pictured today) Iran unveiled the Khaibar-buster missile earlier this year and boasted of how it could reach Israel and US bases in the Middle East The Iranian Army launches a drone carrying a missile during military drills, with Russia expected to receive a shipment For years, Russia was seen as a more benign and outward looking country compared to its totalitarianism of much of the 20th century. Moscow opened its arms to the West and its riches and the West received them in kind, turning much of London into a playground for oligarchs and their billions. But that all changed when troops stepped across the Ukrainian border, bringing the sceptre of World War III closer than it had been in decades. War crimes committed by Putin's forces have seen residential buildings targeted, civilians tortured and raped, children separated from their families and sent to Russia, summary executions and use of banned weapons, it has been claimed. His savagery has united most of the world in a coalition of collective condemnation, as Ukraine flags fly over much of the West. But elsewhere, countries have remained remarkably tight-lipped about the blatant violence, hoping it could secure them a seat at Putin's table and keep relations strong. Putin's aggression not only revealed his desire to restore Russia to the 'glories' of the expansive Soviet Union, but also acted as a signal to the West and its protocols. It showed his intent to act completely in his own interest without regard for how much it would disrupt the global food chain, economy, energy and refugee situations. Russia test launched the Sarmat ICBM in April and has issued constant nuclear threats towards the West His constant threats towards NATO powers and his nuclear sabre-rattling only adds to the potential outbreak of full-scale global conflict. The war has already redrawn the map, with Baltic countries lining up to join NATO, re-erecting the Iron Curtain that was long thought to be torn down for good. On top of his bellicose actions on the ground, Putin is also engaged in a war of information, espionage and politics. Persistent cyber attacks and election interference are deliberately intended to upset democratic norms in the West. It was claimed only this week that Russia has spent 250million since 2014 trying to influence foreign elections in more than two dozen countries. Unlike declared efforts by foreign governments to lobby for preferred initiatives, Russia's covert influence involved using front organisations to funnel money to preferred causes or politicians, the US intelligence cable alleges. Putin was spending huge sums 'in an attempt to manipulate democracies from the inside,' the US official said. Ukrainian soldiers sit atop a tank in Izyum, Kharkiv Region, eastern Ukraine, today State Department spokesman Ned Price called Russia's covert funding an 'assault on sovereignty.' 'It is an effort to chip away at the ability of people around the world to choose the governments that they see best fit to represent them, to represent their interests, and to represent their values,' he said. The coordinated attack on institutions is all part of Putin's plan to undermine the West and shore up his authorities regime, sowing seeds of discord abroad while strengthening his own position at home. Russia's alliance with China has been brought into sharp focus by the war. Once bitter Cold War enemies, Beijing and Moscow have stepped up cooperation in recent years as a counterbalance to what they see as US global dominance. When Putin and Xi met at the Winter Olympics before the invasion, the countries stressed their friendship 'has no limits'. It was reported in March that senior Chinese officials asked Putin to hold off on invading Ukraine until after the 2022 Winter Olympics. But China does still have something to lose from their alliance, with trade with Europe and the United States a major driver of China's economic growth, even as its estrangement with the US and its appetite for energy have led it to deepen ties with Moscow. When Putin and Xi met at the Winter Olympics before the invasion, the countries stressed their friendship 'has no limits' (pictured today) Military vehicles carrying DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missiles travel past Tiananmen Square during a Chinese military parade Beijing has not condemned Moscow's invasion, and provided diplomatic cover by blasting Western sanctions and arms sales to Kyiv. Moscow is also looking for new markets and suppliers to replace the major foreign firms that left Russia following the invasion. Beijing is Moscow's largest trading partner, with trade volumes last year hitting $147 billion, according to Chinese customs data. The Russian military also announced sweeping military drills in the country's east that will involve forces from China last week, another show of increasingly close ties. This summer, they unveiled the first road bridge linking the two countries, connecting the far eastern Russian city of Blagoveshchensk with the northern Chinese city of Heihe. Last week, Beijing's top legislator Li Zhanshu became the highest-ranking Communist Party politician to travel to Russia since the Ukraine invasion. Li on his visit hailed an 'unprecedented level' of trust and cooperation between Moscow and Beijing. Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) vehicles carry out drills off the coast of Zhangzhou, the mainland's closest city to Taiwan It was also feared that Russia's moves in Ukraine would trigger similar action from China in Taiwan. Beijing claims the disputed island as its own territory, to be brought under its control by force if necessary. China says it plans to annex Taiwan under the 'one country, two systems' format applied in Hong Kong, which critics say has been undermined by a sweeping national security law that asserts Beijing's control over speech and political participation. The concept has been thoroughly rejected in Taiwanese public opinion polls in which respondents have overwhelmingly favoured the status-quo of de-facto independence. Tensions rose last month when a visit by US Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan triggered the biggest military activity ever seen around the island in a show of Chinese might. Any provocation from China would likely see US involvement, another very real threat to global order from the superpower. A Chinese armoured rocket launcher pictured practicing live-fire drills near Taiwan last month Jinping's heavy investment in Africa with his Belt and Road Initiative also shows his desire to usurp Western hegemony. The pursuit of a 'new Silk Road' trade route between Asia and Europe is the flagship of President Xi Jinping's plans for Chinese expansion. It is made up of a 'belt' of six overland corridors that direct trade to and from China and a maritime 'road' of shipping routes and seaports from the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean. Pillars of the BRI already built include freight rail links from Wuhan to Lyon and Chengdu to Prague. Author Johnathan E. Hillman, an adviser to the US State Department, wrote: 'By limiting outside scrutiny, the initiative's lack of transparency gives Chinese companies an edge in risky markets, and it allows Beijing to use large projects to exercise political influence.' The multitrillion-dollar initiative involves hundreds of projects, most of them built by Chinese contractors and financed by loans from Chinese state-owned banks, across an arc of 65 countries from the South Pacific through Asia to Africa, Europe and the Middle East. The Chinese government calls the initiative 'a bid to enhance regional connectivity and embrace a brighter future'. Other observes and critics, however, see it as a push for the country's position as a global economic power with a China-centred trading network while burying some countries under massive debt. Meanwhile, Iran's importance to the 'new world order' was underlined by Putin's decision to embark on his first trip beyond the borders of the old Soviet Union since the Ukraine war. Without sanctions relief in sight, Iran's tactical partnership with Russia has become one of survival. Iran has rapidly advanced its nuclear program since former President Donald Trump abandoned the atomic accord and reimposed crushing sanctions. Putin arrived in Iran in June to forge a fearsome new alliance, with both sanction-hit countries united by their hatred for the West Iran has unveiled a new missile that is capable of hitting nearby US bases and targets within its arch-enemy Israel Backed into a corner by the West and its regional rivals, Iran is ramping up uranium enrichment, cracking down on dissent and grabbing headlines with optimistic, hard-line stances intended to keep the Iranian currency from crashing. Fadahossein Maleki, a member of the Iranian parliament's influential committee on national security and foreign policy, described Russia as Iran's 'most strategic partner'. His comments belied decades of animosity stemming from Russia's occupation of Iran during World War II - and its refusal to leave afterward. Putin's foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov called Iran 'an important partner for Russia', saying the countries shared 'a desire to take their relations to a new level of strategic partnership.' During June's meeting, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said of the Ukraine invasion: 'War is a violent and difficult issue, and the Islamic Republic is in no way happy that civilians get caught up in it, but concerning Ukraine, had you not taken the initiative, the other side [NATO] would have taken the initiative and caused the war.' Russia has also obtained hundreds of Iranian drones capable of being used in its war against Ukraine despite US warnings to Tehran not to ship them, according to Western intelligence officials. Facing economic sanctions and limits to its supply chain due to its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has increasingly turned to Iran as a key partner and supplier of weapons. Iran's foreign minister, Hossein-Amir Abdollahian, said Tehran had 'various types of collaboration with Russia, including in the defence sector.' Earlier this year, Raisi also expressed his desire for closer cooperation with China. Raisi told China's Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe that Tehran sees its ties with Beijing as strategic. Closer cooperation would serve to confront what the Iranian president described as US unilateralism as talks to revive Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers have stalled. 'Confronting unilateralism and creating stability and order is possible through cooperation of independent and like-minded powers,' Raisi was quoted as saying. Wei in turn said improving ties between Iran and China would provide security, 'particularly in the current critical and tense situation.' A Russian delegation visited an Iranian airfield on June 8 and July 5 to inspect the drones which could be used to direct artillery fire and destroy Ukrainian military hardware Iran and China have increased their military ties in recent years, with their navies visiting each other's ports and holding joint naval drills in the Indian Ocean. In 2021, Iran and China signed a 25-year strategic cooperation agreement that covered a variety of economic activities from oil and mining to promoting industrial activity in Iran, as well as transportation and agricultural collaborations. Iran is not only relying on Chinese and Russian influence, but is also building its own arsenal of weaponry designed to terrorise the West. Unveiled early this year, the Khaibar-buster, a reference to a Jewish castle overrun by Muslim warriors led by Prophet Mohammed in the early days of Islam, has a range of 900 miles and runs on solid fuel, state media reported. The missile has high accuracy, is manufactured completely domestically, and can defeat missile shield systems, the report said, although this information has not been independently verified. Armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri described it as a strategic, 'long-range' missile. He said during the unveiling: 'The enemies of the Revolution and the Islamic Republic do not understand anything but the language of power and force'. Iran has the largest arsenal of missiles in the Middle East. While we are in an age of information and cyber warfare, the threat of a nuclear apocalypse may seem slim despite the constant warnings. But the combined powers of Russia, China and Iran now possess the capabilities to completely disrupt the West, as we have already seen in the past two years. Covid, whose true origins remain unknown but emerged from China, proved how easy it is to turn the world upside down which enemies of the West will have noted. The unholy trinity are already colluding to reset the world in their favour and the West should not take this for granted as it faces being broken up and overtaken with a new authoritarian order that endangers the values we hold so dearly. Melania Trump told her husband he was 'blowing' the United States COVID-19 response, a new report suggested on Wednesday. The former first lady had been 'rattled by the coronavirus and convinced that [Donald] Trump was screwing up,' the book claims according to CNN. In a phone call with former Trump ally Chris Christie, Melania reportedly recalled telling him that she said to her husband, 'You're blowing this.' She apparently pleaded with Christie to help convince Trump to take the pandemic more seriously. She said she told Trump, 'This is serious. It's going to be really bad, and you need to take it more seriously than you're taking it.' But he did little more than brush her off, according to the book. ''You worry too much,' Trump replied. 'Forget it.' That and other explosive revelations from Trump's presidency are revealed in a forthcoming book from New York Times chief White House correspondent Peter Baker and New Yorker staff writer Susan Glasser, 'The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021.' Among the bombshells were also concerns held by Trump's top general, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Mark Milley, that the ex-president would order an attack on Iran on his way out the White House door. And according to the authors, it was one of Trump's staffers who gave him the idea. 'Milley at the time told his staff it was a "What the f*** are these guys talking about?" moment,' the book claims. Melania Trump reportedly told her husband of the pandemic, 'This is serious. It's going to be really bad, and you need to take it more seriously than you're taking it' Trump reportedly told his wife to 'forget it' in response to her concerns Trump was reportedly so paranoid that Iran would retaliate for the US killing of its top general, Qasem Soleimani, that he told guests at a Mar-a-Lago holiday party that he was leaving early in fear of an assassination attempt by Tehran. But that's not the only time the ex-president has inspired national security fears among his advisers. After Trump publicly sided with Russia's Vladimir Putin over US intelligence agencies that accused the Kremlin of meddling in American elections, the national intelligence director privately wondered to 'associates' about what the two leaders' relationship was. 'I never could come to a conclusion. It raised the question in everybody's mind: What does Putin have on him that causes him to do something that undermines his credibility?' then-DNI Dan Coats allegedly said. In the Middle East, Trump is reported to have given Jordan's King Abdullah II such a shock by offering him the West Bank that the monarch told a friend he believed he was having a heart attack. Trump also invoked his National Security Council after a billionaire friend of his suggested purchasing Greenland from Denmark, a plan which eventually fell apart after public ridicule. The former president himself told the forthcoming book's authors that buying the territory would not have been 'that different' than his high-profile real estate purchases for the Trump Organization. 'I said, "Why don't we have that?'" Trump said of Greenland. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Mark Milley reportedly told his staff that he had 'a "What the f*** are these guys talking about?" moment' when a former Trump staffer advised the president to attack Iran 'You take a look at a map. I'm a real estate developer, I look at a corner, I say, "I've got to get that store for the building that I'm building," etc. It's not that different.' And while Trump's foreign chops were recognized by late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's nomination of him for a Nobel Peace Prize, the book claims that the ex-president had a hand in pushing that, too. A former senior Trump aide told the authors, 'The President asked Abe over dinner to nominate him.' Other revelations include newly-uncovered messages by top Trump officials that depicts the White House in a state of chaos during the 2018 midterm elections. 'Ok for the first time I am actually scared for the country. The insanity has been loosed,' then-Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen wrote to a colleague. She also apparently said that Trump's secretaries of Defense, Education and Labor were all threatening to resign. Looking ahead to his future potential 2024 campaign, the former president did not say if he would run but poured cold water on the chances that he would run with Mike Pence again. The reason was Pence's failure to stop the 2020 election results - Trump's defeat - from being certified by Congress. 'It would be totally inappropriate,' Trump told the authors. 'Mike committed political suicide by not taking votes that he knew were wrong.' The on-and-off girlfriend who is alleged to have shot dead her professional bull rider boyfriend has been pictured on Facebook revealing that she was 'trying not to fall apart' just days before the fatal shooting outside her home. LaShawn Denise Bagley, 21, allegedly killed Demetrius Omar Lateef Allen, 27, known professionally as 'Ouncie Mitchell' after the pair attended the Utah State Fair on Monday, police said. Allen was found with 'at least one gunshot wound' outside the apartment belonging to Bagley. He later died of his injuries at a nearby hospital. Bagley has been charged with first-degree murder and third-degree felony discharge of a firearm. If convicted, Bagley faces at minimum 15 years behind bars, and up to a life sentence. In the days leading up to the shooting, there were signs of Bagley's precarious mental state. 'Missing you more than life honestly. I miss you come talk to me again pls, been trying not to fall apart,' Bagley had written in a Facebook post addressing her recently deceased father. Comments on the post have turned hostile in the wake of the murder as users excoriate Bagley for mourning one life while taking another. 'Wonder how many people miss ouncie the same way,' wrote one user. 'Well, if you get the death penalty youll see him soon enough again. We can always hold out hope that you do,' wrote another. Allen 'Ouncie' is survived by a four-year-old daughter that he had with previous partner Nyteshea Haywood. The professional cowboy had traveled to Salt Lake City from Houston to compete in a rodeo at the Utah State Fair and had arranged to stay with Bagley, whom Salt Lake City Police say Allen had an 'on-and-off relationship' with, during his trip. Allen is assumed to have first met Bagley in Houston, where his residence is currently listed and where Bagley previously lived in the nearby suburb of Pearland. Facebook postings from Bagley reveal her strained mental state in the days before the killing Demetrius Omar Lateef Allen (pictured), 27, known by his professional name 'Ouncie Mitchell' was found dead outside an apartment belonging to an 'off-and-on' girlfriend Bagley shared a post of her late father, Shawn Bagley, days before she fatally shot Allen. Shawn Bagley's health had apparently been ailing for months before his recent death Allen had traveled to Salt Lake City to participate in a rodeo at the Utah State Fair. He arranged to stay with Bagley, whom he presumably met while living in Houston, while he competed Bagley was arrested on charges of murder and felony discharge of a firearm after Allen was found with 'at least one gunshot wound' outside her apartment Allen and Bagley attended the fair Monday before leaving for a bar where the pair had an argument The 27-year-old bull-rider is survived by his 4-year-old daughter whom Allen had with Nyteshea Haywood The pair had attended the fair together earlier that evening and later arrived at a local bar, where they had an argument. Allen said he wanted to retrieve some of his belongings from Bagley's apartment and attempted to do so. Upon arrival at the scene in the parking lot of the apartment complex, police discovered bullet holes that pierced the entry to Bagley's nearby unit. Blood evidence found outside the apartment indicated that Allen had not been inside when he was shot, according to court documents. Salt Lake City Police added there was 'no indication of any forced entry or attempted forced entry into the apartment.' Allen was the 23rd ranked bull-rider in the world according to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Allen earned the nickname 'Ouncie' because he was 'born small,' according to Professional Bull Riders commissioner Sean Gleason. 'He grew up to compete with a huge heart' Explaining Allen's death to their daughter was difficult, mother Nyteshea Haywood (pictured) said. 'She loved her daddy. She loved him and loved him and loved him' A witness confirmed that Allen had not attempted to force his way into Bagley's apartment. A report by FOX 13 said Bagley fired multiple rounds through the apartment's glass door, striking Allen at least once through his torso. Emergency medical care was provided to Allen before he was transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his wounds. Allen was ranked 23rd in the world in bull riding with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Sean Gleason, commissioner and CEO of Professional Bull Riders, expressed his condolences to Mitchell's family on Twitter. 'We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Demetrius Allen, who fans knew as Ouncie Mitchell,' Gleason said. 'Ouncie was a talented cowboy and a familiar face on the Velocity Tour. 'The PBR extends our heartfelt condolences to Ouncie's cousin Ezekiel Mitchell and the entire family.' 'I don't understand and I don't know how long it's going to take me to understand,' Mitchell said. 'The guy that would give the shirt off his back to anybody, why would you take his life away? 'Every time I put my hand on a bull rope from now on it'll be him right there in the back of my mind. He was a once-in-a-lifetime person and a once-in-a-lifetime family member and friend and more so, a brother.' Police say Allen and Bagley had attended the Utah State Fair (pictured) before leaving for a bar. They then had an argument before they left for Bagley's apartment complex Allen was found with 'at least one gunshot wound' outside the 965 Central apartment complex in Salt Lake City. Police investigated blood found at the scene to bullet holes in the walls of Bagley's apartment Allen competed alongside his cousin, Ezekiel Mitchell. 'He was a once-in-a-lifetime person and a once-in-a-lifetime family member and friend and more so, a brother' 'She loved her daddy,' Haywood said. 'She loved him and loved him and loved him. It was always, 'My daddy this, my daddy doing this, my daddy took me fishing.' 'She loves her dad, and so having to break that news to her was a huge distraught.' In extending his message to Allen's family, Gleason also explained the meaning behind 'Ouncie Mitchell.' 'Ouncie got his name because he was born small,' Gleason said. 'He grew up to compete with a huge heart.' Police said the incident was isolated and was related to a domestic dispute between Allen and Bagley with 'no threat to the public at this time.' Bagley is currently being held at Salt Lake County Metro Jail without bond. Detectives at the Salt Lake City Police Department continue to investigate. Allen competed alongside his father, Demetrius 'Teaspoon' Mitchell, early into his bull-riding career. Mitchell said Allen first fell in love with the sport at 2 years old Mitchell said he opposed Allen's mother, Laquita, suggesting their son participate in a 'mutton busting' competition: 'Do you know what you just did? You messed up everything, because I don't want him to ride bulls' Before he became known as 'Ouncie Mitchell,' Allen shared his father's 'Teaspoon' nickname Allen fist started bull-riding when he was 2 years old in Fresno, Texas. Before he was known as 'Ouncie,' he shared a nickname with his father, Demetrius 'Teaspoon' Mitchell. His father recalled Allen entering in his first 'mutton busting' competition and said he did not want his son to become a bull rider, according to PBR. 'Are you crazy?' Mitchell remembers asking Allen's mother, Laquita. 'Do you know what you just did? You messed up everything, because I don't want him to ride bulls.' Allen became a professional bull rider at 18 years old and qualified for the 2019 PBR World Finals that same year. He competed alongside his father at the Bill Pickett Invitational, a traditionally all-black rodeo, in 2021. 'It is amazing,' Mitchell said. 'What father wouldn't want to be with their child? 'He has been around it all my career since his mom entered him in the mutton busting. The boy wasn't even walking all the way when he got started.' Allen first rode a steer at 5 years old and he credits his father with teaching him how to ride. 'I try to ride loose and cool and have fun,' Allen said. 'My dad used to always say, 'Forget the form and make the horn.' Whatever I have to do, just make it.' King Charles III will symbolically lead the ceremony honouring Queen Elizabeth II when he joins his siblings for a 'final vigil' around his late mother's coffin as she lies in state, it was revealed today. The new sovereign will be joined by the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex who will all play central roles in the historic 'Vigil of the Princes' that takes place at 7.30pm on Friday, just days before the Queen's state funeral. The senior royals are expected to replicate the ceremonial act they performed in Edinburgh, where they 'took guard' of their late mother's coffin for 10 minutes. Each stood on one of the four corners of the oak coffin with their heads bowed as part of the royal cortege known as the 'Vigil of the Princes'. It is understood that the ban on Prince Andrew wearing military uniform, which has seen him opt for a morning suit for public appearances this week, will be lifted as an exception for the final vigil held in London. That will likely come as a relief for the Duke, who was heckled during a procession in Edinburgh and had to solemnly bow his head while his siblings saluted as they walked behind their late mother's coffin as it was transported by gun carriage. Meanwhile, Prince Harry - who sacrificed his own HRH style after stepping down as a senior working royal for a life in Los Angeles - will reportedly still be banned from wearing military colours. The Sussexes' official biographer Omid Scoobie tweeted earlier this week: 'I understand that, unlike Prince Andrew, Prince Harry will NOT be allowed to wear uniform at the final vigil in Westminster Hall. 'No doubt a huge blow for the Duke of Sussex, who served for 10 years and this morning spoke of the Queen being his ''commander-in-chief''.' Princess Anne, the Queen's lone daughter, made history at the last 'Vigil of the Princes' at St Giles' Cathedral when she became the first female member of the royal family to 'stand guard' as part of Monday's commemoration. As many as one million mourners are expected to try and cram into the Palace of Westminster to pay their last respects to Queen Elizabeth II before her state funeral. Tens of thousands of people have flocked to the capital in recent days, forming a huge snaking queue that has its own dedicated livestream and was more than four miles long by midday on Thursday. King Charles III, Anne, the Princess Royal, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward each stood on one of the four corners of the coffin in a ceremony known as the 'Vigil of the Princes' as the Queen lay in St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh, earlier this week King Charles III (furthest left) will symbolically lead the final ceremony honouring the late Queen Elizabeth II, and will be joined by his siblings, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex who will all play central roles in the historic 'Vigil of the Princes' It is understood that the ban on Prince Andrew wearing military uniform, which has seen him opt for a morning suit for public appearances this week (above in Buckingham Palace), will be lifted as an exception for the final vigil. He lost that right after the Queen stripped him of his honorary military titles and royal patronages in January Members of the public - who filed past the coffin in their thousands - were briefly held back to allow the royals to take their place. However, they continued to file past once the vigil began, offering them an extraordinary perspective on the historic moment in Edinburgh Monday's 'Vigil of the Princes' marked the first time the tradition has taken place since 2002. There have been two such ceremonies in the past: in 1936, with the death of King George V in 1936, and in 2002, during the Queen Mother's funeral. That vigil was attended by the royal's four grandsons - King Charles, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, and the Earl of Snowdon. Millions of people across the UK are being urged to fall silent for two minutes during the closing moments of the Queen's funeral on Monday - as part of a double moment of nationwide reflection honouring Her Majesty. The plea comes as Buckingham Palace today unveiled new details about the historic commemoration, which broadcasting experts predict will become the most-watched television event in history, viewed by billions around the world. Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral will 'unite people across the globe and resonate with people of all faiths', according to The Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk, the man in charge of the historic occasion on Monday. He said that it was 'both humbling and daunting' to have the 'honour and great responsibility' to run an event that will be watched by billions of people around the globe. The Queen's children stood guard over her coffin at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh. Pictured is King Charles (centre front), Princess Anne (left), Prince Andrew (centre back) and Prince Edward (right) King Charles III's son Prince Harry has been banned from wearing military uniform at the final vigil for the Queen at Westminster Hall - but Prince Andrew will be allowed to 'as a special mark of respect' for his mother, it has been claimed The Queen's children stand by their mother's coffin in a sombre ceremony that has been honoured since the death of King George V in 1936. Pictured left: Princess Anne made history as the first female royal to take part in the 'Vigil of the Princes' King Charles, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex will all play central roles in the historic Vigil of the Princes that takes place at 7.30pm on Friday, just days before the Queen's state funeral The King kept his hands joined and also looked towards the floor as members of the public filed past The procession which took Queen Elizabeth's coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall arrived at 3pm yesterday He added: 'The events of recent days are a reminder of the strength of our Constitution, a system of government, which in so many ways is the envy of the world. 'The Queen held a unique and timeless position in all our lives. This has been felt more keenly over the past few days as the world comes to terms with her demise. 'The respect, admiration and affection in which the Queen was held, make our task both humbling and daunting. An honour and a great responsibility. 'It is our aim and belief that the state funeral and events of the next few days will unite people across the globe and resonate with people of all faiths, whilst fulfilling Her Majesty and her familys wishes to pay a fitting tribute to an extraordinary reign. King Charles looks tearful as he marches with Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Anne, Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence yesterday. The family will march behind the coffin again after the state funeral on Monday A two-minute silence will mark the end of the Queen's funeral on Monday - with a one-minute silence taking place at 8pm the night before. It comes after thousands of people watched Her Majesty's coffin being carried from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster on Wednesday (pictured) More than a million people are expected to pack into London to witness the state funeral, dwarfing the numbers seen during Wednesday's ceremonies in the capital. Members of the public stand on bollards and cling to lampposts in an effort to get a better view as the Queen's procession makes its way along Whitehall from Buckingham Palace On Monday morning, the doors of Westminster Abbey will open at 8am as the congregation of 2,000 VIPs begin to take their seats, three hours before the service begins at 11am. Hour-by-hour guide to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday, September 19 6-8.30am: Last vigil at Queen's coffin in Westminster Hall At dawn on the last day of national mourning, the King's bodyguards will begin their final vigil at the Queen's oak coffin in the Houses of Parliament. It will then close at 8.30am in preparation for the procession. 9am: Big Ben will strike Big Ben will strike, before the bell's hammer is covered with a leather pad to muffle it for the rest of the day, out of respect for the late monarch. 10.30am: Queen's coffin is carried from House of Parliament to Westminster Abbey The Queen's coffin will be moved onto the state gun carriage which will be outside the north door of Westminster Hall. From there, it will be pulled by naval ratings using ropes instead of horses from the Hall to Westminster Abbey. Enormous crowds of mourners are expected to line the streets in Westminster as King Charles and senior members of the Royal Family follow the coffin as they did at the funeral for Princess Diana and for Prince Philip. The military will also join the procession. The coffin arrives at 10.52am before being carried into the Abbey. 11am: The Queen's coffin is carried to the High Altar Around 2,000 guests including members of the Royal Family, Prime Minister Liz Truss, former British premiers, foreign dignitaries including US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and possibly Japanese Emperor Naruhito, and other VIPs, will fill the Abbey and watch as the Queen's coffin is moved down the nave to the High Altar, before the nation falls silent. 11-12pm: The state funeral at the Abbey The state funeral will be led by the Dean of Westminster and the Archbishop of Canterbury. It is being televised and is expected to be beamed to millions around the world - and could well be one of the most watched live events in human history. Royal experts believe that the choice of the Abbey could be both because it is so big - it has a capacity of 2,000 though can hold as many as 8,000 - and more live TV broadcasts have already been held there. It is also believed that it could be a better place for large crowds to gather to pay their respects, since it is in Central London. And the Abbey was the setting for many of the most important events of the Queen's life - from her Coronation to her wedding to Prince Philip. The Princess Royal and the Duke of York, and the Queen's sister Princess Margaret, were also married there. Other royal funerals have been held at the Abbey, including Princess Diana's in 1997 and the Queen Mother's in 2002. The funeral of Earl Mountbatten of Burma, Philip's uncle, was also held there in 1979. At the end of the service, the Last Post and Reveille will be played. There will also be a national two-minute silence. 12-1pm: Queen's coffin is carried to Wellington Arch via The Mall The Queen's coffin will then be placed back on the state gun carriage, before the royal funeral procession will solemnly move through Parliament Square, Whitehall, Constitution Hill and The Mall, past Buckingham Palace, to arrive at Wellington Arch at 1pm. 1-4pm: The coffin is transported to Windsor Then the coffin will be transported to Windsor, where the Queen spent much of the last years of her life, to her final resting place at St George's Chapel via the Long Walk, arriving at 3.15pm. 4pm: Queen will be buried at St George's Chapel by her husband Prince Philip The committal service conducted by the Dean of Windsor will then begin, and will also be televised around the world. Before the last hymn, the Imperial State Crown, sceptre and orb will be removed from the Queen's coffin by the crown jeweller. Then at the end of the service, a lament will be played by a lone piper as the coffin is lowered into the Royal Vault, where she will be buried alongside her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, her beloved parents, and her sister Margaret. 7pm: King Charles attends private family burial service at chapel King Charles and his closest family will return to the chapel for a private family burial service, where - as the late Queen did for her father - the monarch will scatter earth upon the coffin. Advertisement Her majesty will then be carried on the the gun carriage that conveyed her mother and father to their funerals from Westminster Hall, arriving at 10.52am. Moving elements of the funeral will include the sounding of the Last Post at 11.55am as the service nears its end, followed by a two-minute national silence which will be observed by the abbey congregation and by millions across the UK. The Reveille and then the National Anthem will then take place, and finally a Lament played by the Queen's Piper which will bring the service to a close at noon. It has also been confirmed that at 12.15pm the Queen's children and members of the Royal Family will walk behind her coffin to Wellington Arch when it leaves Westminster Abbey before Her Majesty is taken to Windsor to be laid to rest next to her beloved husband Prince Philip. Her Majesty's hearse will arrive at the Long Walk at 3.15pm, where the public will be able to give their final respects. There will be a televised ceremony at St George's Chapel in Windsor at 4pm on Monday. The King will scatter earth on his mother coffin at 7.30pm at a private family service. For eternity Her Majesty will be next to her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, her father King George VI and mother, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. After the state funeral, attended by some 2,000 guests, including visiting heads of state and other dignitaries, the late queen's coffin will be transported through the historic heart of London on a horse-drawn gun carriage before being driven by the state hearse to Windsor. The procession will arrive at the west gate of Westminster Abbey at 10.52am when the bearer party will lift the coffin from the gun carriage and carry it into the Abbey for the state funeral service, the Earl Marshal said. The service will begin at 11am and will be conducted by the Dean of Westminster. The Prime Minister and the Secretary General of the Commonwealth will read Lessons, while the Archbishop of York, the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and the Free Churches Moderator will say prayers. The sermon will be given by the Archbishop of Canterbury who will also give the commendation, while the Dean will pronounce the blessing. At around 11.55am the Last Post will sound, followed by two minutes of silence to be observed in the Abbey and throughout the UK. Reveille, the national anthem and a lament played by the Queen's piper will bring the state funeral service to an end at around 12 noon. The bearer party will then lift the coffin from the catafalque and will move in procession through the Great West Door returning to the State Gun Carriage positioned outside the West Gate. After the service the Queen's coffin will be returned to the gun carriage by the bearer party and a procession will travel to Wellington Arch at Hyde Park. The King and the royal party will take up their same places behind the coffin as when they escorted it to the Abbey, while the Queen Consort and Princess of Wales will travel to the site by car as will the Duchess of Sussex and Countess of Wessex. The route will be lined by the Armed Forces from Westminster Abbey to the top of Constitution Hill at the Commonwealth Memorial Gates. The Procession is formed of seven groups, each supported by a service band. Mounties from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will lead, immediately followed by representatives of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, NHS, along with detachments from the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth. At Wellington Arch the royal family will watch as the Queen's coffin is transferred to the new state hearse, whose details the Queen approved, before it begins its journey to Windsor Castle. The Earl Marshal said that at 3.06pm, the state hearse will approach Shaw Farm Gate on Albert Road, Windsor, and join the procession which will be in position. At 3.10pm the procession will step off via Albert Road, Long Walk, Cambridge Gate, Cambridge Drive, George IV Gate, Quadrangle (South and West sides), Engine Court, Norman Arch, Chapel Hill, Parade Ground and Horseshoe Cloister Arch. At approximately 3.40 pm the King and other members of the royal family who are walking in the procession join it at the Quadrangle on the North side as it passes into Engine Court. Members of the Queen's, the King's and the Prince of Wales's households will be positioned at the rear of the coffin. The Queen Consort with the Princess of Wales, and the Duchess of Sussex with the Countess of Wessex will again follow by car. At 3.53pm, the procession will halt at the bottom of the West Steps of St George's Chapel in Horseshoe Cloister. The bearer party will lift the coffin from the state hearse, from where it will be carried in procession up the West Steps. At 4pm a committal service conducted by the Dean of Windsor will then begin, and will also be televised around the world. King Charles and his closest family will return to the chapel for a private family burial service, where - as the late Queen did for her father - the monarch will scatter earth upon the coffin. This will happen at 4pm. The Prime Minister will meet a small proportion of world leaders attending London for the Queen's funeral. It is understood those meetings will be held between the country mansion of Chevening House and Downing Street over the weekend. The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman said on Thursday that Downing Street could not yet confirm which world leaders Liz Truss will be meeting on the day. The New York attorney general's office rejected Donald Trump's settlement offer and is reportedly considering charging the former president with fraud and also suing one of his children. James, a Democrat who is running for re-election in November, has charged the Trump Organization with inflated the value of its properties to obtain favorable loans and deflating their value for tax purposes. Ivanka, Eric and Donald Jr. all served as senior executives at the family real estate business. The likelihood of a court battle grew after James' office rejected at least one of the Trump lawyers' settlement offers, according to the New York Times, which cited three people familiar with the matter. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and called James' probe a politically motivated witch hunt. He filed an unsuccessful lawsuit to block her probe and accused James, who is black, of being racist. The New York attorney general's office rejected Donald Trump's settlement offer and is reportedly considering charging the former president with fraud and also suing one of his children Ivanka, Eric and Donald Jr. all served as senior executives at the family real estate business Last month, Trump spent four hours at James' office where he pled the Fifth Amendment for four hours. 'At the very plush, beautiful, and expensive A.G.'s office. Nice working conditions, as people are being murdered all over New York - and she spends her time and effort on trying to 'get Trump,'' Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social as he entered the office. If James were to win a civil lawsuit against Trump, a judge could impose financial penalties and limit the former president's business dealings in New York. James' investigation is far from the former president's only legal woes. In August the FBI raided Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence to claw back official documents, including classified information, that Trump was supposed to hand over to the National Archives. The unsealed warrant used by the FBI shows Trump is under investigation for possible violations of the Espionage Act and obstruction of justice, among other charges related to his handling of classified documents. Separately federal authorities have recently seized the phones of two of his close advisors - Boris Epshteyn and Mike Roman - and issued 40 subpoenas seeking information about Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election. In Georgia a district attorney launched a sprawling investigation into potential election interference by Trump and his allies. The Trump Organization is set to go on trial for criminal tax charges in Manhattan next month. Though Trump himself is not accused of wrongdoing in that case, his company could face stiff financial penalties if convicted. His longtime chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg pleaded guilty to participating in a tax scheme and agreed to testify in the trial. A separate criminal investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney's office was also looking into whether the Trump Organization had lied about the value of its properties. It was moving toward indictment earlier this year before prosecutors got cold feet about whether they could prove Trump intentionally fabricated his assets' value. Three Iranian citizens have been charged in the United States with ransomware attacks that targeted power companies, local governments and even a domestic violence shelter, the Justice Department said yesterday. The charges say the hacking suspects - Mansour Ahmadi, Ahmad Khatibi Aghda, and Amir Hossein Nikaeen Ravari - of targeting hundreds of entities in the U.S. and around the world. The trio are accused of encrypting and stealing data from victim networks, and threatening to release it publicly or leave it encrypted unless exorbitant ransom payments were made. In some cases, such as that of the domestic violence shelter, the victims were forced to pay the ransom to recover their data. Authorities said the hackers extorted money 'largely' for their own accounts, and not for the Iranian government. But a separate US Treasury announcement of sanctions said the three were part of a larger hacking group tied to Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and the US State Department has offered a $10 million reward for information on them. The alleged hackers face little chance of being arrested as they are believed to be living freely in Iran, though A Justice Department official said the charges brought would make it 'functionally impossible' for them to leave the country. The charges accuse the hacking suspects - Mansour Ahmadi (L), Ahmad Khatibi Aghda (C), and Amir Hossein Nikaeen Ravari (R) - of targeting hundreds of entities in the U.S. and around the world The three defendants are accused of exploiting known or publicly disclosed vulnerabilities in software applications to break into the victims' computer networks The alleged hacking took place between October 2020 through last month, when the indictment was issued under seal. The case was filed in federal court in New Jersey, where a municipality and an accounting firm were among the victims. The three defendants are accused of exploiting known or publicly disclosed vulnerabilities in software applications to break into the victims' computer networks. Prosecutors say the victims were seen by the defendants as targets of opportunities. They included a domestic violence shelter in Pennsylvania, which the indictment says was extorted out of $13,000 to recover its hacked data; electric utilities in Indiana and Mississippi; a county government in Wyoming; and a construction company in Washington state. In a related action Wednesday, the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned 10 individuals and two entities affiliated with Iran's IRGC who it says have been involved in malicious cyber activities, including ransomware. The Biden administration has tried to go after hackers who have held U.S. targets essentially hostage, often sanctioned or sheltered by adversaries. The threat gained particular prominence in May 2021 when a Russia-based hacker group was accused of conducting a ransomware attack on Georgia-based Colonial Pipeline, which disrupted gas supplies along the East Coast. Iran-based hackers have also been a focus over the last year, with the FBI thwarting a planned cyberattack on a children's hospital in Boston that was to have been carried out by hackers sponsored by the Iranian government. 'The cyber threat facing our nation is growing more dangerous and complex every day,' FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement accompanying the indictment unsealed Wednesday. 'Today's announcement makes clear the threat is both local and global. It's one we can't ignore and it's one we can't fight on our own, either.' FBI Director Christopher Wray yesterday said U.S. defence and intelligence agencies 'cannot afford to ignore' the threat presented by bad actors and hackers US Treasury (pictured) announced sanctions against the hackers and said the three were part of a larger hacking group tied to Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) A Treasury Department official said the activity, even if not directed by the Iranian government, exists because the regime permits hackers to largely operate with impunity. John Hultquist, vice president for threat intelligence at the cybersecurity firm Mandiant, said his team has been tracking the Iranian actors for some time and assessed they are contractors for the Revolutionary Guard who have been moonlighting as criminal hackers. He said they are especially dangerous because 'any access they gain could be served up for espionage or disruptive purposes. The actions come amid an apparent stalemate in talks between the U.S. and Iran over the possible revival of a 2015 nuclear deal. Israel and some U.S. lawmakers of both parties are pushing the Biden administration to get tougher on Iran, calling the negotiations on Iran's nuclear program a failure. Advertisement Dozens of migrants were plucked from the English Channel today after their dinghy 'rapidly deflated', sparking a dramatic rescue operation involving a helicopter, aeroplane and several RNLI boats. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that 38 people were rescued after coming into difficulty while attempting the 21-mile crossing this morning - before a further 40 were intercepted and escorted to a beach in Kent at around 2pm. Some were in the water for almost an hour after their dinghy rapidly deflated in UK waters at around 6.17am. By around 7.07am, all 38 migrants who ended up in the water had been rescued. They were all checked, found to be in a safe and stable condition before being taken into Dover for processing. A spokesperson for the Coastguard said it had been 'co-ordinating a search and rescue response to an incident involving small boats off Kent' and sent a helicopter from Lydd as well as a plane, lifeboats and patrol boats. Pictures show men, women and children being helped down a ladder from a rescue boat on the pebbled shores of Dungeness, before they are seen walking in a single file to safety wrapped in blankets and under the watch of Border Force officials and police. It comes after the number of migrants reaching Britain in small boats this year topped 29,000 yesterday - representing a higher figure than for the whole of 2021. And last month, Government officials said it was remarkable there had not been any drownings or other serious incidents so far this year as the average number of people per boat rose to 44, compared to 28 in 2021. Migrants are helped down from an RLNI boat after being rescued in the English Channel on Thursday - a day after the number to make the perilous crossing this year surpassed a record 29,000 An injured migrant is brought into Dover on wheelchair after being rescued from the English Channel on Thursday morning The record-breaking number of migrants crossing the Channel has shown no sign of slowing Migrants are helped down from an RLNI boat after being rescued in the English Channel on Thursday - a day after the number to make the perilous crossing this year surpassed a record 29,000 An immigration enforcement officer carries a migrant child to safety following a rescue in the Channel on Thursday A man carries a young child as he is brought to shore in Kent on Thursday after coming into trouble while making the crossing on a small boat A young girl wearing a life jacket is carried to safety on the shores of Kent on Thursday after being rescued from the Channel A group of migrants stand in line on stony Dungeness beach in Kent on Thursday after being plucked from the English Channel A migrant grasps a black bin bag containing his possessions as he walks to safety on the pebbled beach of Dungeness in Kent, following a rescue operation in the English Channel A group of male migrants gather on Dungeness beach in Kent as they roll cigarettes and put their hoods up amid the wet weather A migrant wades through the water off Dungeness beach in Kent after he was rescued out at sea on Thursday A group of migrants gaze at the shores of Kent as they approach on an RLNI rescue boat after being pulled from the waters on Thursday Migrants form a single file line after being handed brown and blue blankets upon being brought ashore in Kent on Thursday A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dungeness, Kent, by Border Force officers, after being rescued by the RNLI following a small boat incident in the Channel Up to 50 migrants are believed to have been brought in to Kent on Thursday following a dramatic rescue mission in the English Channel IN NUMBERS: 2022's migrant record The number has increased steadily each year since 299 people were detected making the journey in 2018. There were 1,843 crossings detected in 2019, 8,466 in 2020 and 28,526 in 2021, according to the Home Office The current cumulative total for 2022, 29,099 is nearly double the number at this point last year (14,474). Of the 29,099 people who have been provisionally detected so far this year, 23,831 have crossed since the Government announced on April 14 that it had agreed a deal to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda. The first deportation flight - due to take off on June 14 - was grounded amid a series of legal challenges. In 2021 more than half of the people detected crossing the Channel were of Iranian or Iraqi nationality (30% and 22% of the total respectively). A further 10% were Eritrean, 9% were Syrian and 5% were from Afghanistan. Former home secretary Priti Patel said in the House of Commons on September 5 that Albanian nationals accounted for around 60% of the people arriving in the UK via small boats over the summer. The average has risen steadily since the start of 2021. In 2018 there were fewer than 10 people per boat, while in 2019 and 2020 the figure tended to fluctuate between single figures and the high teens. From 2021 the average started to increase, reaching 20 in March and 30 in August. Advertisement The first two weeks of September alone saw 4,056 people arrive in 96 boats, and more are expected to risk the perilous journey next week amid better weather conditions. The Ministry of Defence said there were no fatalities following the rescue operation. A spokesperson added: 'The Ministry of Defence, Border Force, and the UK Coastguard are currently working on a coordinated response to an incident involving migrants travelling in small boats in the English Channel this morning. 'No fatalities were reported. Further details will be provided in due course.' The coastguard said: 'HM Coastguard has been coordinating a search and rescue response to an incident involving small boats off Kent, working with the Navy, Border Force, police, and other partners. 'We sent the coastguard helicopter from Lydd, a fixed wing aircraft, RNLI lifeboats from Dover and Border Force vessel Ranger.' It comes after some 538 people were intercepted making the treacherous journey across the English Channel in dinghies on Tuesday in 11 separate incidents. A flotilla of Border Force vessels and RNLI lifeboats worked around the clock to intercept and rescue people on the stretch of water. The flimsy inflatable boats have to cross two of the busiest shipping lanes in the world and are extremely difficult to spot from large container ships and tankers. Most were brought into the harbour at Dover while others came in at Ramsgate. The latest arrivals take the total number of migrants brought ashore on the Kent and Sussex coast so far this year to 29,099. In 2021 there were 28,526 migrants detained in what was then a record compared to 8,410 in 2020. But 2022 became an official record year after the MoD confirmed 601 people had arrived in the UK on Monday (September 12) - taking the total to 28,561. Weather conditions in the Channel have deteriorated hampering chances of small boats risking the crossing over the coming days. But with better weather expected next week, the record figure is expected to rise before the end of the year. Natalie Elphicke MP for Dover has said: 'The numbers of arrivals are deeply concerning. It's vital to see the small boats crisis brought to an end as the seas will become colder and rougher as we head into Autumn and Winter. 'Action is needed now to avoid further tragic loss of life on the English Channel.' This mugger will think twice the next time he considers robbing a mixed martial arts expert in broad daylight. Shocking surveillance video captured the 24-year-old mans beating when he was chased by a Jiu Jitsu expert and brutally beaten after he stole a laptop and cellphone at her business in Guadalajara, Mexico. The suspect, identified as Luis, walked into her shop in the neighborhood of Santa Tere on September 8 and threatened her with a knife before he took off running, according to a police report obtained by the Mexican newspaper Informador. A woman who was robbed of her laptop and other personal belongings at her shop in Guadalajara, Mexico, chases after the suspect, identified by the police as Luis, 24, on September 8. The victim, who also practices Jiu Jitsu, was able to restrain the mugger and beat him down before authorities arrived and arrested him. A Guadalajara police officer helps Luis off a sidewalk in the neighborhood of Santa Tere after he was brutally beaten by a woman he had mugged September 8 Footage showed the brave victim, whose name was not released, chasing after Luis who was running toward his accomplices motorcycle. The woman was able to grab Luis by his t-shirt collar just as he was about to hop on the rear seat of his accomplices motorcycle and dragged him to the ground. The accomplice sped off and abandoned Luis, who was at the receiving end of a hail of punches and kicks while a Good Samaritan pinned him to the street pavement. The security camera showed the woman picking up her belongings off the ground. The Mexico-based crime blog twitter account known as INSEGURIDAD_GDL was quick in locating the suspect's photo on social media. The mugger, identified by the police as 24-year old Luis, was appeared before the Guadalajara district attorney's office and was charged with robbing a business The woman, who practices Jiu Jitsu, delivers a quick to the midsection of Luis after he had robbed her laptop and other personal belongings in Guadalajara, Mexico, on September 9 Still image from a security camera video obtained by Mexican television network Telediario shows Luis escaping with the victim's laptops and other belongings The victim walked away with several scratches, including one on her cheek, after she attacked a mugger who stole her laptop and cellphone at knifepoint Luis slowly got back up and tried to get away when a male resident tackled him from behind. He restrained Luis as the woman walked back over, punching him several times in the face and kicking him in the abdomen. A separate video recorded by a bystander showed a bloodied Luis sitting on a sidewalk and struggling to get back on his feet before the police took him away. He appeared before the local district attorney and was charged with robbing a business. King Charles III has today expressed his 'sincere gratitude' to those sending messages of condolence from across the globe as he spends day off alone in Highgrove before the state funeral. After days of public events paying tribute to the Queen, King Charles and the Queen Consort returned to their Gloucestershire and Wiltshire homes shortly after leaving the late Queen's coffin procession from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster yesterday. And upon reflection of the hectic week which saw him rush to his mother's bedside last Thursday before her death was announced later that evening, the new King has sent his thanks to those wishing him well from around the world. In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: 'His Majesty The King and the Royal Family wish to send their sincere gratitude for the messages of condolence received from around the world. 'The Royal Family has been deeply moved by the global response and affection shown for The Queen as people join them in mourning the loss of Her Majesty.' King Charles III has sent his 'sincere gratitude' to those sending messages of condolence across the globe on his one day off mourning alone before his mother's funeral on Monday (pictured yesterday as he walked behind the Queen's coffin) The King was then seen driving himself away from the Wiltshire estate accompanied by The Met's Special Escort Group. He is expected to have made the 30-minute drive to his home, Highgrove House, near Tetbury in Gloucestershire Yesterday marked the sixth official day of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II, and King Charles had vigorous schedule which started just hours after the death of his mother on 8 September. He addressed the nation the following day in a speech where he held back tears while thanking his 'darling Mama', hailing Elizabeth II as an 'inspiration and an example to me and to all my family'. In a moving speech that was screened at a service of prayer and reflection at St Paul's Cathedral, the King spoke of a 'time of change for my family' while praising his 'darling wife Camilla' who becomes Queen Consort 'in recognition of her own loyal public service since our marriage 17 years ago'. On Saturday King Charles was officially proclaimed the monarch in a historic ceremony at St James's Palace alongside Prince William and Queen Consort Camilla. Just this week the new King has been to Edinburgh to walk with mother's coffin to St Giles' Cathedral where it was to lie-in-rest, before heading to Hillsborough Castle in Belfast, then heading back down to London where he formed part of the cortege which returned the Queen to Westminster Hall. The royal couple were seen landing in Camilla's estate in Reybridge near Lacock, Wiltshire at around 4.30pm yesterday afternoon, landing in a field alongside the Queen Consort's home, Ray Mill House. Millions of people across the UK are also being urged to fall silent for two minutes during the closing moments of the Queen's funeral on Monday - as part of a double moment of nationwide reflection honouring Her Majesty. The two-minute silence will be held at 11.55am on Monday, during the closing chapter of Her Majesty's state funeral - echoing a one-minute tribute scheduled for 8pm the night before. Buckingham Palace also confirmed further details of the Queen's funeral which will take place at Westminster Abbey at 11am. After days of public events paying tribute to the Queen, King Charles and the Queen Consort returned to their Gloucestershire and Wiltshire homes respectively shortly after leaving the late Queen's procession from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster yesterday (pictured) In a statement, Buckingham Palace said 'His Majesty The King and the Royal Family wish to send their sincere gratitude for the messages of condolence received from around the world' (pictured at Westminster Hall yesterday) Her Majesty has been handed to Britain by the King to lie in state until Monday for mourners to say their goodbyes (pictured in Westminster Hall) The Queen's coffin is currently lying in state at Westminster Hall in the Palace of Westminster - the queue for which is currently approximately 4.2miles long with an estimated wait time of at least 9 hours. A continuous vigil of Her Majesty's coffin is kept by the King's body guards which will last until 6.30am on the morning of the Queen's funeral. At 7.30pm tomorrow, the King, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex will hold the Vigil of the Princes ceremony like they did in St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh just days ago. The senior royals are expected to replicate the ceremonial act they performed in Edinburgh, where they 'took guard' of their late mother's coffin for 10 minutes. Each stood on one of the four corners of the oak coffin with their heads bowed as part of the royal cortege known as the 'Vigil of the Princes'. It is understood that the ban on Prince Andrew wearing military uniform, which has seen him opt for a morning suit for public appearances this week, will be lifted as an exception for the final vigil held in London. That will likely come as a relief for the Duke, who was heckled during a procession in Edinburgh and had to solemnly bow his head while his siblings saluted as they walked behind their late mother's coffin as it was transported by gun carriage. But ahead of this next official engagement, the King and Queen Consort have returned to their Wiltshire and Gloucestershire estates for the first time since since travelling to Balmoral Castle on Thursday hours before the Queen's death. The King is expected to have a private day of reflection following the the momentous period that saw him become monarch. He is not expected to attend any public events on Thursday. The day away from public duties has always formed part of the London Bridge operation - the detailed plan in the event of the Queen's death. The time away from the spotlight will allow Charles to pause and reflect on the time that has passed since his mother's death at Balmoral on Thursday. Shortly after arriving, His Majesty drove himself away from the Wiltshire estate to make the 30-minute drive to his home, Highgrove House, near Tetbury in Gloucestershire. He was escorted by The Met Police's Special Escort Group. The Queen Consort did not accompany him. Upon arrival to the gates of his estate, a small crowd of people were seen waiting for him. Charles has owned Highgrove House since 1980, having bought it from Maurice Macmillan, a Conservative MP and son of the former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. He has added to the estate over the years and now owns around 1,900 acres of strictly organically-farmed land. The Bahamas has become the latest Commonwealth country to signal its intent to hold a republic referendum, and remove King Charles III as head of state, in the wake of the Queen's death. Prime Minister Phillip Davis admitted a vote on scrapping the country's involvement with the British monarchy was on the table - but it would be for the public to decide. It comes six months after the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Caribbean nations including The Bahamas, and insisted that the Royals' friendship with them will endure, acknowledging that the former colonies' relationship with the monarchy was evolving. As recently as Monday, a spokesman for The Bahamas' PM described a republic referendum as 'not an agenda item of this administration at this time'. However, the premier appears to have swiftly U-turned on this position, according to comments reported by the Independent. Mr Davis told reporters this week: 'For me, it always is [on the table] but again it is our people who will have to decide. 'The only challenge with us moving to a republic is that I can't, as much as I would wish to do it, I cannot do it without your consent. 'I will have to have a referendum and the Bahamian people will have to say to me, 'yes'.' In addition to the UK, Charles III now rules in 14 Commonwealth countries that were former dominions of the British Empire, but experts have warned many of these could 'rush for the door' following the death of the late monarch. Indeed, earlier this week, the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda announced he will call for a referendum on the country becoming a republic within three years. Prime Minister Phillip Davis admitted a vote on scrapping the country's involvement with the British monarchy was on the table - but it would be for the public to decide The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend a departure ceremony at Lynden Pindling International Airport as they depart The Bahamas in March Prime Minister Gaston Browne signed a document confirming Charles' status as the new King, but within minutes of doing so said he would push for a vote, as indicated during a visit by the Earl and Countess of Wessex earlier this year. During his visit to the Caribbean in March, Prince William signalled that any decision by Jamaica, Belize and The Bahamas to break away from the British monarchy and become republics will be supported with 'pride and respect' in a landmark speech alongside his wife Kate at a glittering state reception. On the sixth day of their tour of the Caribbean, the future king said the Royal Family 'respect the decisions' of such countries when it comes to their future in a nod to the critical 'colonialism' commentary and protests that accompanied welcoming crowds. Since beginning their tour to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, the Cambridges were greeted like rock stars by the public - but politicians, including the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, used meetings to make clear in public they will push for the island to be a republic with a referendum this year. Critical royal observers led by Meghan's cheerleader-in-chief Omid Scobie and BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond highlighted claims of a series of 'tone deaf' PR moments that smacked of 'colonialism' - leading to more social media criticism despite the couple's warm welcome on the ground. Speaking at the black-tie reception hosted by the Governor General of The Bahamas, Sir Cornelius Alvin Smith, William said: 'Next year, I know you are all looking forward to celebrating fifty years of independence - your Golden Anniversary. 'And with Jamaica celebrating 60 years of independence this year, and Belize celebrating 40 years of independence last year, I want to say this: We support with pride and respect your decisions about your future. 'Relationships evolve. Friendship endures.' The position of The Bahamas government appears to have changed significantly in just a number of days. In a statement to the PA news agency on Monday, Clint Watson, press secretary at the office of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, said: 'The Bahamas is in a period of mourning. 'Our focus is on the death of the Queen, and her legacy and our gratitude for her service. We also welcome the new sovereign, King Charles III. 'Prime Minister Davis told reporters that any discussion must lead to a referendum of the people deciding as our constitution requires this. 'This is not an agenda item of this administration at this time.' As well as movement in The Bahamans and Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados became a republic last year and Jamaica has indicated its desire to follow suit. Professor Philip Murphy, the former director of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, said on Tuesday that the movement had already started before the Queen died last week. 'A movement had already started before she died,' he told the Times. The expert said it was being driven by 'a combination of things like the Black Lives Matter movement, the Windrush scandal and the growing momentum behind the move for reparations for slavery and colonialism'. He added: 'If you want to write a history of the world of international relations, certainly since the 1990s, you would be hard pressed to find a reason to mention the Commonwealth. 'The Commonwealth is so insubstantial it doesn't have any impact at all, and no one would notice if it disappeared tomorrow, in terms of its practical effects.' As well as the UK, Charles is currently head of state in Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu. An Oregon sheriff's deputy has been caught red handed slapping a disabled man across his face as three other officers pushed his wheelchair into a jail cell. John Malaer, 63, was left partially naked on the floor of the cell wearing a tiny jail smock that didn't cover his body by officers at Jackson County Sheriff's Office. He claims he had no access to a catheter that he needed to relieve himself and ended up in the cell after his wheelchair got stuck in a sidewalk. Malaer was forced to throw stones at a nearby store in an attempt to grab the attention of those inside for help on 11 July 2019, when he was 60, but was instead arrested. The advocate for homeless people with disabilities spent 20 hours in custody on charges of disorderly conduct and harassment before being released and the charges dismissed. Horrific footage shows the disabled man being slapped by Jackson County Deputy Brian Kolkemo before he is dragged from his wheelchair. Kolkemo, who earns $75,875 a year, can be seen forcefully hitting the disabled activist and admitted to investigating officers he slapped him again describing it as a 'distraction blow'. He told state police that Malaer was waving his arms and grabbing at deputies as they tried to put jail scrubs on him, adding that he chose to slap him instead of dumping him out of the chair. Officers from the department, in Oregon, can be seen dragging Malaer out of his wheelchair as they attempt to get him into the cell Jackson County Deputy Brian Kolkemo, pictured, admitted slapping the disabled activist twice in a 'distraction blow' Malaer drags himself onto the mat while shouting for help, with another deputy admitting to slapping him again during an investigation by state police. He was forced to urinate on the jail cell floor multiple times because he didn't have his catheter, and only had access to water via the cell's toilet because he couldn't reach the sink. Malaer filed a complaint with Medford police after his release and Oregon State Police investigated the matter. His lawyer, Alicia LeDuc Montgomery, wrote in a federal civil rights lawsuit: 'The use of force was unnecessary because Plaintiff was already restrained with handcuffs, paralyzed, and being held down in the wheelchair by other deputies.' Malaer is suing the deputy who slapped him, Jackson County Sheriff's Office, other deputies as well as Medford Police. He claims that they conducted a false and malicious arrest, used excessive force, retaliation, discrimination and violation of his rights under the Americans with Disability Act. Malaer filed a complaint with Medford police after his release and Oregon State Police investigated the matter. He was handcuffed while in his wheelchair, which had broken down Four deputies overpowered him as he was taken into the prison, with his charges later being dropped The lawsuit also claims that deputies forced his head between his legs as he was handcuffed in a wheelchair in the jail during processing. Malaer became stranded after his motorized wheelchair broke down, and was forced to throw rocks at the store to get someone's attention to help him. However the store clerk called the police, who found that nothing had been damaged and no one was injured. Malaer managed to get free after passers-by helped, and he attempted to get onto to bus before Medford Officer Omar Esqueda told him to get on. He then yelled at the officer, who replied 'you're being an a*****e, go away', before taunting him saying 'you think just because you're in a wheelchair you can't go to jail.' The officer then allegedly made comments to bystanders about Malaer having 'p****d in his wheelchair' before 'antagonizing, demanding, insulting and inciting' him before his arrest. Officers claim that Malaer was drunk and made threats towards the officers, including putting a bullet in their heads, noting that he wasn't armed. Malaer was forced to urinate on the jail cell floor multiple times because he didn't have his catheter, and only had access to water via the cell's toilet because he couldn't reach the sink The sheriff claims that Malare had access to a toilet and he was asleep for the first two hours in the cell Officer Michael Wulff told Malaer: 'You're talking a lot of trash for being in a wheelchair' then added 'Your mouth's writing checks your body can't cash'. Malaer was then taken to the jail, while an officer went to retrieve a charger for his wheelchair, and officers took huis medical catheter to their property room. His lawsuit claims that he was repeatedly targeted by officers as a retaliation for his public criticism of law enforcement while on the Jackson County Continuum of Care Board. It claims he was subjected to 'cruel and unusual punishment because the sheriff's deputies didn't like the words that were coming out of my mouth.' Malaer says the videos of him in jail show him being 'mouthy', adding 'that's why I was abused an neglected'. Jackson County Sheriff Nathan Sickler, who oversees the jail, has urged a judge to dismiss the case, denying that deputies violated Malaer's civil rights. Sickler claims Malaer was drunk, cursing and 'making threats' toward officers and deputies when he arrived at the jail. In response to the lawsuit the sheriff's lawyer, Johan Pietila, claimed that Malaer was 'uncooperative during pat down and refused to remove clothing or answer questions' while with the custody nurse. His lawsuit claims that he was repeatedly targeted by officers as a retaliation for his public criticism of law enforcement while on the Jackson County Continuum of Care Board However they acknowledge that Malaer asked to be taken to hospital, a request which was denied, with handwritten remarks on his jail form saying he was paralyzed from the waist down. The sheriff also claims that Malare had access to a toilet and he was asleep for the first two hours in the cell. He was allegedly given a jail wheelchair, a cup of water and another safety smock after about five and a half hours in the cell. Pietilla denies the allegations that Malaer was not given 'adequate care' while in the custody of the Sheriff's office. Deputy Chad Miller told state police he heard a slap but hoped it was a clap, adding that he heard another jail deputy laugh at the incident. One deputy interviewed told state police that he had seen other sheriff's deputies slap prisoners before, while another deputy questioned said it's not a normal practice. State police referred their investigation to the Jackson County District Attorney's Office for consideration of fourth-degree assault and harassment charges against Kolkemo, but prosecutors declined to pursue the case. It's unclear if Kolkemo faced any discipline by the sheriff's office, and prosecutors dropped the criminal charges against Malaer last year. Street cleaners in central London received cheers and applause yesterday after cleaning Westminster's streets in preparation for the royal procession which saw the Queen's coffin moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. Cleaners in high-vis clothing were seen walking along the route during a final check and picking up any litter or obstructions which could get in the way of the procession. Video on social media showed the Westminster City Council cleaners being greeted with applause and cheers as they walked down Whitehall yesterday in the early afternoon. Crowds that were four or five deep in some places had already gathered to await the Queen's coffin, which would be pulled past on a gun carriage dating from the Victorian era. It came as the Queen left Buckingham Palace for the last time at 2.22pm on Wednesday and was transported to lie in state for four days in Westminster Hall. Members of the public will have the opportunity to say goodbye to the monarch as they file pass her coffin - but could face a wait of up to 30 hours to do so. Parliamentary worker Sarah Jane-Sewell captured the moment the 17 workers were praised on her phone, MyLondon reports. Sharing the footage online, she wrote: 'Applause from the crowds breaks out for the City of Westminster workers who've been cleaning and prepping the streets this morning.' Applause from the crowds breaks out for the @CityWestminster workers who've been cleaning and prepping the streets this morning. pic.twitter.com/hxvFM7FoAK Sarah-jane Sewell (@sarahjanesewell) September 14, 2022 The cleaners, wearing high-vis jackets, walked along the busy Whitehall street shortly before the procession Crowds which were already four and five deep broke into spontaneous applause and cheers for the council staff Parliamentary worker Sarah Jane-Sewell captured the moment the 17 workers were praised on her phone Others on social media were quick to support the cleaning staff, and praise the crowds for recognising their hard work. One person said: 'Absolutely amazing work they are doing! Unsung heroes!' A second added: 'Behind every successful event there is a team of hard workers. Glad to see them getting the recognition they deserve.' A third said: 'That's lovely. People doing jobs like this rarely get any credit but people soon notice if they aren't there.' Ms Jane-Sewell was also able to watch the Queen's coffin pass during the procession, after which she said: 'I'm not sure I can find the words to describe the emotions I've felt this afternoon. God Save The King.' There was a sombre air throughout central London yesterday as tens of thousands gathered along the procession route to catch a final glimpse of Her Majesty, whose coffin was followed by members of the royal family including the new King Charles and Princes William and Harry. Members of the Royal Family follow the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II through Westminster this afternoon Once the procession reached Westminster Hall, Queen Elizabeth's coffin was placed on a raised plinth, ready for the lying in state (From left) Prince William, King Charles III, Prince Harry, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Lawrence, Princess Anne, Peter Phillips, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward walk behind the coffin during the procession for the Queen in London this afternoon King Charles II is followed by other members of the Royal Family including Prince William and Prince Harry this afternoon The staff will no doubt be kept busy again ahead of the Queen's state funeral on Monday, September 19 Prince William, Prince Harry, Kate Middleton and Meghan Meghan stand alongside each other at Westminster Hall today Queen Consort Camilla and Kate Middleton are driven together behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in London today The Queen's coffin entered Westminster Hall as the choir of Westminster Abbey and the choir of His Majesty's Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, sang Psalm 139 (pictured) 24 hours a day, for the next four days and five nights, the public will be able to view the Queen's casket and her crown A huge operation went into organising and carrying out the parade, which involved around 800 members of the armed forces. Police now have faced an unprecedented challenge in recent days as the capital builds up to Her Majesty's state funeral on Monday. Earlier this week, police snipers, heavily armed officers and members of the security services formed rings of steel outside the Palace of Holyroodhouse and St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh after the late Queen was taken to both venues. Up to 10,000 officers are now preparing to be involved in the biggest single security operation the country has ever seen. As well as officers and members of the forces, cleaning staff, other emergency services and various other key workers are all readying for hundreds of thousands of people to engulf London on the bank holiday. It is not the first time that staff from Westminster City Council have had to clean up before or after a big event. The council is responsible for keeping landmarks including Hyde Park, Leicester Square and the area around Parliament free from rubbish, especially in the aftermath of sporting events such as the Euros. This clean-up came ahead of the widely-anticipated royal procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall for the Queen's coffin to lie in state, allowing the public to bid goodbye to her for four days before her funeral on Monday, September 19. Prince William and Prince Harry walked together behind their father King Charles III in a show of unity as they followed the Queen's coffin from Buckingham Palace ahead of her lying in state. The presence of Charles, William and Harry in the procession through London this afternoon saw the father and sons united in their grief for a mother and grandmother who left the palace for the final time. The Royal Family accompanied their matriarch on foot on the journey to Westminster Hall where hundreds of thousands of people are expected to pay their respects over the next four days after queueing for hours. William's wife Kate Middleton followed behind in a car with Queen Consort Camilla, while Harry's wife Meghan Markle travelled in a vehicle with Sophie, Countess of Wessex. Kate and Meghan then later walked into Westminster Hall together with William and Harry, and they stood side by side during a 20-minute service. Charles, the Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex, along with the Duke of York, the Princess Royal and the Earl of Wessex, also formed part of the procession. Anne's son Peter Phillips and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence also walked behind the procession, as well as the Duke of Gloucester and the Earl of Snowdon. The procession left the palace at precisely 2.22pm and arrived at Westminster Hall at 3pm. Members of the public were allowed to enter Westminster Hall from 5pm on Wednesday, with some queuing up to 48 hours in advance to be among the first to set eyes on the Queen. It is estimated that up to a million people could line up as they hope to see Her Majesty's coffin. On Thursday the queue stood at around 4.2 miles long for the majority of the day, stretching as far east as Bermondsey Beach. The maximum queue length will be 10 miles, and should the queue reach this length, it is thought people could be waiting as long as 30 hours. There is a separate queue for those with accessibility requirements. At least nine people were killed and some 20 were injured during a stampede at a concert in Guatemala early Thursday as revelers celebrated the country's independence. Among the victims dead were two 12-year-old children, according to Maria del Carmen Sajquim, a spokesperson for the Western Regional Hospital. Thousands of concertgoers showed up for the show in the city of Quetzaltenango which was sponsored by a local beer maker and held on a field that is often used to hold such events. A video that circulated on social media platforms shows dozens of people smashing into others. Shouts can be heard as people begged others to stop pushing and to move to one side so those who fell could be rescued. Concertgoers are layered on top of each other during a stampeded at a field in Guatemala on Thursday night. At least nine people have been confirmed dead and 20 suffered injuries Firefighters and police stand next to the bodies of people who died in a stampede during an outdoor concert for Independence Day celebrations in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala on Thursday Guatemala rock band Bohemia Suburbana was closing the concert when some of the concertgoers were crushed as some attempted to leave the field and others were trying to enter at the same time. A young woman who survived the stampede told the Guatemalan newspaper Prensa Libre that she was trying to leave the venue with her mother and 12-year-old sister when members of the crowd started to push them. 'They pushed us all. We were leaving and my mother told us to go before it (the show) ended and be able to exit before the large crowd,' the woman said. As they were near the exit, a massive group of concertgoers rushed forward, causing everybody in front of them to collapse over each other. 'They started to push when we were by the exit,' the woman recalled. 'The ones who were ahead fell and everyone fell forward. I was pulled. My mother and my little sister were down (on the ground).' Guatemalan rock band Bohemia Suburbana were closing out at concert at a park in the city of Quetzaltenango when concertgoers sparked at stampede that left nine people, including two 12-year-old children dead First responders set up a perimeter area at the park in the Guatemalan city of Quetzaltenango on Thursday where at least nine people were killed when concertgoers sparked a stampede There were two 12-year-old children among the nine concertgoers who were killed She spent 15 minutes lying on the ground, which she described as 'an eternity,' while adding that there was no security or police presence to restore order. Nancy Queme, who also attended the concert, said there had been thousands of people there. 'Because of the rain there was a lot of mud,' she said. 'I think because of this the people couldn't move and they fell.' The lineup of bands had started playing Wednesday afternoon. She said that even in the early hours of Thursday there were still families with children there. 'They closed off the whole area and only left two access (points),' Queme said. 'The entrances seemed really small to me. I stayed pretty far back and decided to leave minutes before the end of the concert.' A Public Ministry agent covers the bodies of the victims who were killed during a stampede at a park in the Guatemalan city of Quetzaltenango on Thursday Amilcar Rivas, Quetzaltenango city manager, said that event organizers did not have a grip on security and crowd control. He said the event did have a permit. Quetzaltenango, which holds Guatemala's second largest independence celebration, is about 125 miles west of Guatemala City. Despite the tragic incident, the Quetzaltenango city government proceeded Thursday to hold a parade to commemorate Guatemala's 201 years of independence from Spain. A senior FBI official who investigated Donald Trump's alleged links to Russia is now under the microscope for his own Moscow ties, a bombshell new report revealed on Thursday. Charles McGonigal is the former counterintelligence chief at the FBI's New York City field office. He has not been charged with any crimes, Insider reports. But if McGonigal's work with Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska proves to have violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act, he could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine at most. Deripaska, a close ally of Vladimir Putin's, was also a close contact of Trump 2016 campaign chair Paul Manafort and is thought to have played a leading role in the Kremlin's efforts to interfere in that presidential race. He and business tied to him were sanctioned by the Treasury Department for 'malign activity' and 'attempting to subvert western democracies, and malicious cyber-activities.' McGonigal's links to Deripaska are reportedly at the heart of a grand jury subpoena that was issued in secret in November 2021. It's not clear if the investigation is still ongoing. But the explosive Thursday report suggests McGonigal has had multiple contacts with an aide to Deripaska, including a referral to a law firm that ended up being a lucrative deal for a former Soviet official. Charles McGonigal has been Special Agent in Charge of the Counterintelligence Division for the New York Field Office of the FBI since he was appointed to that position by James Comey in October 2016 That former official is Sergey Shestakov, who now lives in the US but is said to be the ex-chief of staff to the Soviet Union's ambassador. Shestakov reportedly disclosed in a filing that McGonigal was key to helping him 'facilitate' a meeting between Deripaska's aide and a shady consulting company called Spectrum Risk Solutions. McGonigal also introduced the Kremlin-linked billionaire's assistant to a New York law firm that's known for helping clients accused of 'fraud and misconduct' called Kobre & Kim. It's not clear what role Shestakov played in the referral but he claimed to have received $33,000 for it. It's also not clear if McGonigal's work with Deripaska breaks any laws, though longtime intelligence community journalist Tim Weiner told Insider, 'If McGonigal is mixed up in any way shape or form with Deripaska, that strikes me as unseemly, to put it politely.' McGonigal had a hand in the early stages of the Trump-Russia investigation that became Crossfire Hurricane McGonigal is reportedly linked to Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska, who is a close ally of Vladimir Putin (pictured) McGonigal didn't respond to Insider's request for comment, while Kobre & Kim refused to provide a statement. A senior FBI official suggested to the outlet that McGonigal's probing by a grand jury is in itself extraordinary. 'It's very rare that former FBI people at all, and certainly former senior FBI people, wind up as grand-jury targets,' they said. McGonigal's lengthy FBI resume includes investigating Wikileaks and Chelsea Manning, as well as probing a Bill Clinton advisor for improper handling of classified National Archives records. He was reportedly one of the first federal law enforcement officers to find out that a Trump 2016 campaign staffer bragged about Russians having damaging information on Hillary Clinton, which sparked the infamous Trump-Russia probe known as Crossfire Hurricane. At the time, McGonigal headed the cybercrimes division at the FBI's Washington HQ. U.S. schools desperate to find affordable housing for struggling staff: survey Xinhua) 09:28, September 15, 2022 NEW YORK, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The National Education Association found in a survey that 16 percent of U.S. educators are having trouble making rent or mortgage payments, up from 12 percent before the COVID-19 pandemic, reported U.S. news portal Channel3000 on Wednesday. The association stresses the need for greater pay increases, in addition to more affordable housing options and other benefits, according to the report. "The pandemic exacerbated educators' challenging working conditions, leaving school systems across the country struggling to retain teaching talent and forcing some to double as both employers and landlords," said the report. House rents are a common burden felt by teachers and other school employees nationwide, it said, noting that on average, monthly rents in the United States have nearly doubled in the past 10 years, rising from about 700 U.S. dollars a month in 2012 to more than 1,300 dollars in 2022. Meanwhile, "the cost of living has surged to roughly six times the rate it was a decade ago," it added. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) The social media company behind former President Donald Trump's Truth Social is in danger of its $1 billion financing deal crumbling by next week. The New York Times reported Thursday that the deal, which was agreed to by about three dozen hedge funds, along with other wealthy investors, hits a crucial deadline on September 20. On that date, those investors can technically walk away - according to experts the Times spoke with - because a promised merger didn't take place. The $1 billion financing arrangment is known as a PIPE - a private investment in public equity - and would be given to Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social, once it merged with Digital World Acquisition Corp. Digital World is a shell company, a special purpose acquisition company or SPAC. A SPAC is listed on the stock exchange for the purpose of aquiring a private company. The social media company behind former President Donald Trump 's Truth Social is in danger of its $1 billion financing deal crumbling by next week The New York Times reported Thursday that the deal, which was agreed to by about three dozen hedge funds, along with other wealthy investors, hits a crucial deadline on September 20 In this case, Digital World raised about $300 million in an initial public offering last September. Then the $1 billion in PIPE financing would flow into Truth Social 'upon consummation of their business combination' the companies said in a December press release. '$1 billion sends an important message to Big Tech that censorship and political discrimination must end. America is ready for TRUTH Social, a platform that will not discriminate on the basis of political ideology,' Trump said in the release. 'As our balance sheet expands, TMTG will be in a stronger position to fight back against the tyranny of Big Tech.' In the nine months since, the companies caught the attention of federal investigators who are looking at alleged improper communications between Trump Media and Digital World before the SPAC's public offering and unusual trading before the merger was announced. Last week, Digital World came close to having to liquidate the $300 million it raised because 65 percent of shareholders didn't agree to a one-year extension to get the merger worked out. Now that deadline has been pushed back three months - but that's just to get shareholders to agree to the one-year extension. In the meantime, the $1 billion in hedge fund financing could go bust because investors can walk away without penalty if the September 20 deadline passes and no merger is completed. 'Once the PIPE termination date passes, the investors are no longer contractually bound to participate,' Kristi Marvin, the founder of SPACInsider, told The Times. Investors who The Times spoke with, who declined to be identified, expressed ambivalence about remaining in the deal. One individual, the newspaper reported, replied with a shrug emoji. The $1 billion was never going to funnel into Truth Social until the merger was completed, meaning the short-term financial health of the Trump-backed social media company is in question. The Times reported that Truth Social raised $37 million from unnamed investors, including $15 million this year, but it's unclear how much of that money remains. Representatives for Trump Media & Technology Group and Digital World did not immediately repond to requests for comment. Tehran police confirmed she had been detained for 'explanation and instruction' Brother Kiaresh said ambulance left police station as he waited for her release Mahsa Amini was on a visit to Tehran with her family when she was detained A young Iranian woman is in a coma and fighting for her life after being arrested in Tehran by the Islamic republic's so-called morality police, campaigners said today. The woman, named as Mahsa Amini, 22, was on a visit to the Iranian capital with her family when she was detained by the special police unit that enforces the strict dress rules for women, including the compulsory headscarf. Her brother Kiaresh told the IranWire news website that while he was waiting outside the police station for her to be released an ambulance drove out taking her to hospital. He was told that she had had a heart attack and a brain seizure and was now in a coma. 22-year-old Mahsa Amini as identified by IranWire, an online news service run by Iranian expatriates. Ms Amini is in a coma and fighting for her life after being arrested in Tehran by the Islamic republic's so-called morality police, campaigners said today 'There were only two hours between her arrest and being taken to hospital,' he said. Vowing to file a criminal complaint he added: 'I have nothing to lose. I will not let this end without making a noise.' A statement by the Tehran police confirmed she had been detained for 'explanation and instruction' about the dress rules, along with other women. 'She suddenly suffered a heart problem while in the company of other guided people [and]... was immediately taken to the hospital with the cooperation of police and emergency services.' It is not yet clear what happened between her arriving at the police station and her departure for hospital. The 1500tasvir social media channel, which chronicles rights violations by the Iranian police, posted a picture of her in hospital with a tube in her mouth and said she was in a coma. 'Sickening,' the Iranian-British actress and campaigner Nazanin Boniadi wrote on Twitter. 'How many innocent young lives must be brutally robbed before we all rise?' 'Mahsa Amini's situation is an example of an intentional crime,' the Iranian freedom of expression campaigner Hossein Ronaghi wrote on social media. 'The systematic suppression of Iranian women under the pretext of enforcing the hijab by the guidance patrol and the police force is a crime.' The incident comes as controversy grows - both inside and outside Iran - over the conduct of the gasht-e ershad (guidance patrol) who monitor and enforce the dress code in Iran. The Islamic hijab has been compulsory for women in Iran since shortly after the 1979 Islamic revolution that ousted the shah. Some women, encouraged by the US-based campaigner Masih Alinejad, have sought to protest the rule by removing their hijabs in public. In mid-July, a young Iranian woman, Sepideh Rashno, disappeared in mid-July after becoming involved with a dispute on a Tehran bus with another woman who accused her of removing her headscarf. She was held by the Revolutionary Guards and appeared on TV in what activists said was a forced confession. She was released on bail in late August after about one and a half months behind bars. Black Lives Matter are calling for a national day of action this weekend over the death of Chris Kaba. The activists say Mr Kaba's family want protests to be held on Saturday in London and other locations throughout the UK. It came after he was shot dead by police after they tried to stop his car when it triggered an ANPR alert. He was not armed. The London arm of the protests are said to be starting outside New Scotland Yard. It looks sure to cause a headache for officers already stretched by policing events connected to the mourning of the Queen. Metropolitan Police Federation chairman Ken Marsh told MailOnline: 'It would be very challenging for us if it were to take place. Thousands of Black Lives Matter protesters stage a protest in central London last Saturday The protests last Saturday look to be repeated again this weekend over the death of Chris Kaba Chris Kaba, 24, was shot dead by armed police last Monday night following a car chase 'I encourage everyone to strive for stamina. Nobody should be able to go on like this,' rapper Stormzy (pictured) told the crowd. 'They were responsible for the death of someone' 'But we would be able to deal with it if it did. 'We are in a period of mourning for the Queen. The whole country is taking part in it. 'It would be more helpful if a protest wasn't this weekend, but people have the right to demonstrate. 'We will police anything like that without fear or favour' Father-to-be Mr Kaba, 24, was shot dead by armed police last Monday night following a car chase in south London. Mr Kaba's heartbroken mother, Helen Nkama, led last Saturday's peaceful protest that was attended by an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 demonstrators. One demonstrator said she was attending the shooting protest last Saturday because young black people should be able to live their lives without feeling threatened Mr Kaba's heartbroken mother, Helen Nkama, led Saturday's peaceful protest that was attended by an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 demonstrators Mr Kaba was unarmed when he died following a car chase in South London on Monday evening. The rapper was hemmed in by two police cars on a residential street in Streatham Hill - a single round was fired which proved fatal MP Diane Abbott, whose constituency includes Hackney North and Stoke Newington, and rapper Stormzy were also in attendance. The hip-hop star encouraged the crowd to 'strive for stamina' and called for responsibility in Mr Kaba's death. The march came as Mr Kaba's family demanded the officer who fired the shot was 'immediately suspended' from his job while the incident was investigated. He was suspended earlier this week. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the officer for homicide. Crowds marching to Scotland Yard last Saturday paid tribute to Mr Kaba, who was due to become a father in months. Signs reading 'Black Lives Matter', 'Justice for Chris Kaba' and 'Abolish the Met' were held up as speakers using a megaphone led chants of 'no justice, no peace' and 'police are the murderers.' There was a limited police presence as demonstrators assembled on Parliament Square and made their way through Whitehall. Mr Kaba's family were leading the march, Channel 4 reporter Ria Chatterjee reported. The group took regular stops as the family needed breaks. 'We will go at the pace of grief,' one of the announcers reportedly said. Stormzy, addressing the protesters, echoed the Kaba family's call for accountability. 'I encourage everyone to strive for stamina. Nobody should be able to go on like this,' he said. 'They were responsible for the death of someone. 'That is [possibly] murder. It could have been either a brother or a nephew.' Fellow Wretch 32, another British rapper, was also present for the rally. He was part of a small group standing on a raised platform, passing around a microphone and leading chants. He stated: 'Why is our law superior to the law? Without justice, there is no peace.' Florida Gov. DeSantis sent about 50 migrants to the wealthy island enclave aboard a chartered aircraft Advertisement Conservatives have joked that Martha's Vineyard residents will be tearing down woke yard signs proclaiming that refugees and migrants are welcome after Ron DeSantis flew 50 of them to the wealthy island. Right-wing commenters believe many residents of the ritzy enclave will be tearing down the popular signs for fear of being asked to put their money where their mouths are, and take in some of the mainly-Venezuelan incomers. 'Whole lotta Martha's Vineyard residents about to take down the 'all are welcome here' lawn signs sitting in front of their mansions,' joked Andrew Wagner, a GOP operative in Minnesota, in a tweet. He was referring to a poster created by a Jewish community group in the town in 2017. It lists support for black people, the LGBTQ community, migrants, refugees, indigenous people and adds: 'All are welcome here.' Other, more generic, versions of the same sign have also popped-up in backyards across the US in recent years. Many Martha's Vineyard residents have flocked to help relief efforts at a local Episcopalian church, and made donations - but onlookers are keen to see just how far their charity will stretch. The move by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to send the planeload of unauthorized immigrants, mostly from Venezuela, to the island on Wednesday came as a surprise in the affluent community - where prominent liberals such as the Obamas, Oprah Winfrey and Larry David all have homes. But supporters of DeSantis pointed out that for years, many homes and businesses on the island have displayed a sign with various inclusive messages, including 'we stand with immigrants' and 'all are welcome here.' 'I wonder how quickly those 'All are welcome here' signs disappeared from the various Martha's Vineyard properties?' one Twitter user joked. For several years, many businesses and homes in Martha's Vineyard have displayed the above sign with various inclusive messages, including welcoming immigrants The migrant group, mostly from Venezuela, is seen on Thursday morning at St. Andrew's Church in Edgartown, which provided emergency shelter by setting up cots in the parish hall Officials on Martha's Vineyard have slammed the airlift as a 'cruel and inhumane' stunt that uses human beings as 'political pawns' -- but insist that they are welcoming the migrant group with open arms. 'This is a community rallying to support immigrants children and families. It is the best of America,' tweeted state Rep. Dylan Fernandes on Thursday morning. Following their arrival on Wednesday, the migrants stayed overnight at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Edgartown, which provided emergency shelter by clearing out the parish hall and setting up cots. On Thursday morning, they enjoyed a breakfast of cereal and milk on the The small downtown parish is located on a quiet tree-lined street and nestled between multi-million homes, with one five-bedroom house next door currently listed for sale at $3.95 million, and another sold last year for $4.6 million. St. Andrew's is also just over three miles away from the Obama family's $11.75 million vacation compound, which is situated on the coastal outskirts of Edgartown. Martha's Vineyard residents and local officials have been quick to voice outrage at DeSantis and other GOP governors for their migrant transplant programs, with Fernandes calling the move 'evil and inhumane'. 'Republicans who call themselves Christians have been plotting for some time to use human lives - men, women, and children - as a political pawns,' he said in a tweet. 'They look at us as rich, liberal enclaves,' said the Democrat, whose district includes all of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, in remarks to the Boston Globe. Migrants take breakfast at the rectory of St. Andrew's on Thursday. 'This is a community rallying to support immigrants children and families,' tweeted state Rep. Dylan Fernandes Air mattresses were also set up at St. Andrews as the church converted to an emergency shelter. It's unclear how long the migrants will remain on the island The migrants spent Wednesday night at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, which provided cots and food. Rep. Fernandes said of the migrants: 'Some of them were told liesthey were told they would receive housing and jobs immediately upon arrival' Immigrants gather with their belongings outside St. Andrews Episcopal Church, a small parish in Edgartown The church (center) is nestled between multi-million homes, with one house next door (right) sold last year for $4.6 million, and another (not pictured) currently listed for sale at $3.95 million. It is also about three miles from the Obama compound The migrants were first fed in the cafeteria at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School (above) before being transported to the church for shelter School buses were used to get the group of migrants, mostly from Venezuela, to the church that provided shelter 'Our island jumped into action putting together 50 beds, giving everyone a good meal, providing a play area for the children, making sure people have the healthcare and support they need,' Fernandes added in a tweet. 'We are a community that comes together to support immigrants.' It follows similar moves from other GOP governors. Texas Governor Greg Abbott began busing thousands of migrants to Washington in April and recently added New York and Chicago as destinations. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has been busing migrants to Washington since May. The states say that passengers must sign waivers that the free trips are voluntary. In Massachusetts, pictures published by the Martha's Vineyard Gazette and the Martha's Vineyard Times showed the migrants in the affluent community, where they were first fed in the cafeteria at the local high school before being transported to the church for shelter. In a statement, DeSantis' office said: 'Yes, Florida can confirm the two planes with illegal immigrants that arrived in Martha's Vineyard today were part of the state's relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations.' The remarks continued: 'States like Massachusetts, New York, and California will better facilitate the care of these individuals who they have invited into our country by incentivizing illegal immigration through their designation as 'sanctuary states' and support for the Biden Administration's open border policies.' Both of the planes were carrying around 50 Venezuelan migrants Cyr later told the Vineyard Gazette: 'Just like the reverse freedom rides in the 1960s, this endeavor is a cruel ruse that is manipulating families who are seeking a better life' A woman, who is part of a group of immigrants that had just arrived, holds a child as they are fed outside St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Martha's Vineyard The press release went on: 'As you may know, in this past legislative session the Florida Legislature appropriated $12 million to implement a program to facilitate the transport of illegal immigrants from this state consistent with federal law.' The name of the charter that brought the migrants to the millionaires playground was Ultra Air Charters, reports the Martha's Vineyard Times. At least one member of the migrants told the newspaper that he didn't know where he was. Town administrator Jennifer Rand was quoted by the newspaper as saying that she heard 'Texas, Florida and Alabama have begun flying planes with immigrants to Martha's Vineyard and dropping them off and leaving.' On Wednesday evening, Fox News aired footage apparently showing the migrants arriving in the town. The footage was played during a segment on Jesse Watters Primetime where former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was a guest. Pompeo joked about how the town's wealthy liberals might react to the migrants saying: 'These are all sanctuary cities until they're in their sanctuary. I doubt they will embrace them.' Fox news aired video showing the planes arriving on Martha's Vineyard on September 14 Town administrator Jennifer Rand was quoted by the newspaper as saying that she heard 'Texas, Florida and Alabama have begun flying planes with immigrants to Martha's Vineyard and dropping them off and leaving' Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo joked on Fox News about how the town's wealthy liberals might react to the migrants saying: 'These are all sanctuary cities until they're in their sanctuary. I doubt they will embrace them' One immigrant told the Vineyard Gazette: 'We're immigrants. We came here because of the situation in our country, for the economy, for work, for lots of things. I came here walking' Eliase, an immigrant from Venezuela, told the Vineyard Gazette: 'We're immigrants. We came here because of the situation in our country, for the economy, for work, for lots of things. I came here walking. We went through 10 different countries until we got to Texas.' He added: 'There a refugee association put us in a plane and told us there would be work and housing here. I feel good, despite everything. We spent four days in Texas so it's good to be here.' Online flight records show that two planes left San Antonio, Texas, on the morning of September 14, stopped in Florida, before landing in Martha's Vineyard. State Senator Julian Cyr tweeted on Wednesday's night: 'Developing situation on #MarthasVineyard where migrants arrived via charter flight from TX this afternoon. Islanders working hard to provide food + shelter.' Cyr later told the Vineyard Gazette: 'Just like the reverse freedom rides in the 1960s, this endeavor is a cruel ruse that is manipulating families who are seeking a better life.' The state lawmaker was referring to a ploy used in the civil rights era by Southern segregationists, who would falsely promise black families houses and jobs in the north, and drop them off in a wealthy Northern enclave, frequently near the Kennedy compound in Hyannis, Massachusetts. The Democratic Senator also said: 'No one should be capitalizing on the difficult circumstances that these families are in and contorting that for the purposes of a 'gotcha' moment.' At the time of writing, Massachusetts Governor Charles Baker has not commented publicly on the move. According to Cyr, the governor has activated state emergency management resources and Congressman Bill Keating is liaising with the Department of Homeland Security. The legal status of the migrants is not clear. State Senator Julian Cyr tweeted on Wednesday's night: 'Developing situation on #MarthasVineyard where migrants arrived via charter flight from TX this afternoon. Islanders working hard to provide food + shelter' The Democratic Senator also said: 'No one should be capitalizing on the difficult circumstances that these families are in and contorting that for the purposes of a 'gotcha' moment' At the time of writing, Massachusetts Governor Charles Baker has not commented publicly on the move Online flight records show that two planes left San Antonio, Texas, on the morning of September 14, stopped in Florida, before landing in Martha's Vineyard Cyr's statements were echoed by State Rep. Dylan Fernandes who told the Gazette: 'Some of them were told liesthey were told they would receive housing and jobs immediately upon arrival.' The group is made up of mainly adult men and women who are ages 25 to 35. There are some children in the party who was between 10 and 12. In December 2021, when DeSantis asked for millions of dollars in his state's budget to be made available for the removal of illegal immigrants, he said: 'If you sent them to Delaware or Martha's Vineyard or some of these places, that border would be secure the next day.' The budget was ratified with $12 million being released for the purpose of transporting migrants out of the state. That video was confirmed as authentic by Geoff Freeman, the airport director of Martha's Vineyard Airport, according to the MV Times. State Rep. Dylan Fernandes posted a photo showing him with a group of the migrants U.S. President Barack Obama (C) and first lady Michelle Obama shake hands with people before going to lunch at Nancy's Restaurant while vacationing on Martha's Vineyard in 2010 The MV Times went on to report that sources say that the plane originated in Texas and that whoever was behind the flight, gave some of the migrants cell phones equipped with a translator app. Dukes County Sheriff Robert Ogden met the group outside of the town's community services center. He told the migrants: 'We're going to take care of you. Get all your personal belongings together and then we'll move.' The sheriff continued: 'Does everyone have their personal belongings? We're going to start moving you that way... The most important thing is we get you food and shelter and water.' The group was sheltered at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School. They were fed dinner from a local pizza shop and coffee from a coffee shop known as Mocha Motts. Charities, charity shops, support centres and helplines across the UK are closing as a 'mark of respect' to the Queen on the day of her funeral. Many have criticised charities' decisions to close, questioning whether it is what the late monarch would have wanted, while others say that volunteer workers deserve a day off 'with the rest of the country' on Monday, which has been declared a bank holiday. Some hubs run by charities are closing for the day, including a children's centre run by a Cerebral Palsy charity and a resource centre for families of autistic children. The Royal Marines Charity said it will stop its services for the day and directed those who might need help to the Samaritans and Combat Stress helplines. They said those in emergencies should contact 999. Meanwhile, a peer support group for victims of domestic violence in Stockport announced it would close its offices 'as a mark of respect for the Queen' and to allow its volunteer staff to 'pay tribute' to the late monarch. Charities which are pausing their services for the Queen's funeral directed people to 999 The Ongoing Women's Local Support Group (OWLS) said: 'We are a voluntary group and it is only our office that is closed. Our ladies know that they can still ring us, should they need our help.' In another 'mark of respect' Asthma and Lung UK tweeted that it 'chose to pause activity on social'. It added: 'Rest assured, we're still working for everyone with a lung condition and our helpline is here to lend an ear.' Cerebral Palsy Cymru said it will close its charity shops and children's centre on the National Day of Mourning. St Michael's Hospice in Basingstoke also said it would not be opening its charity shops. Like other retailers, many charity shops have also announced they are closing for the funeral Hillingdon Autistic Care and Support also said it was closing its resource centre and tea rooms on the day. It comes after some foodbanks around the country received backlash for announcing closures on Monday. Many highlighted that they would normally close on a bank holiday and often have volunteer teams. Like other retailers, many charity shops have also announced they are closing for the funeral. Some charities' support centres are closing on the day of the Queen's funeral Official guidance leaves it up to businesses whether they stay open on Monday, which is a bank holiday. Many on social media slammed charities' decisions to stop their services for the day. 'I simply cannot get on board with vital mental health charities and initiatives closing down for the day on Monday - sure it's what she would have wanted. Sure,' said one woman on Twitter. Others suggested that it was wrong to say that they were closing for the Queen, but rather for the bank holiday, which is a national holiday that other workers will be taking. One Twitter user said she 'could not get on board' with charities' decisions One charity worker posted a thread about why people should support food banks closing, giving hardworking volunteers a break. 'Food banks shutting for the bank holiday - because really it's for the bank holiday, which happens to be caused by the funeral - gives these workers a day off. I think they deserve one alongside the rest of the country.' One charity worker posted a thread about why people should support food banks closing, giving hardworking volunteers a break Another volunteer said that they would continue to work over the bank holiday. 'We don't get paid anything we're all volunteers and we will be going ahead as we always do on Bank Holiday no disrespect to the Queen at all but people still need to eat,' she said. Another person pointed out that some have no choice but to close as school closures mean staff and volunteers will be unable to get childcare on Monday. Another volunteer said that they would continue to work over the bank holiday Earlier this week a food bank in Wimbledon, south west London, was forced to make a U-turn after its decision to close sparked a backlash. The Trussell Trust, which runs a nationwide network of food banks, had to defend plans by some of its facilities to close. Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said in a statement: 'Food banks in our network run sessions on different days and at different times. Another person pointed out that some have no choice but to close as school closures mean staff and volunteers will be unable to get childcare on Monday 'Food banks are best placed to make the right decision for their communities and will ensure everyone who needs support can access it as they do with every bank holiday.' Charities and businesses are not required to shut their doors, with many remaining open. The charities have been contacted for comment. The manufacturer of a supposedly dairy-free yoghurt used in a Pret a Manger vegan wrap broke down in tears at the inquest into the death of a mother-of-five who died after eating her product. Bethany Eaton, the managing director of Planet Coconut, gave evidence at the inquest in Bristol of mother-of-five Celia Marsh. Mrs Marsh, 42, suffered a fatal allergic reaction on December 27 2017, shortly after eating a super-veg rainbow flatbread. The dental nurse, from Melksham, Wiltshire had a severe dairy allergy and collapsed in the street after eating the sandwich bought from the chain's store in Bath, Somerset. She had been on a post-Christmas shopping trip with her husband and three of her daughters at the time. Avon Coroner's Court has heard the yoghurt was produced by Planet Coconut, which is the UK manufacturer and distributor of products developed by Australia-based yoghurt company CoYo. Mrs Eaton told the hearing she had set up Planet Coconut with her husband in 2011 to manufacture dairy-free products and purchased a licence from CoYo founder Henry Gosling for exclusive UK rights. The inquest heard she admitted not carrying out any testing of the raw product, which was made in a UK Tate and Lyle factory, despite the packaging arriving with a warning it may have been exposed to allergens. Ms Eaton told the inquest she 'rightly or wrongly' relied on assurances from others, specifically Mr Gosling, that her product was dairy free and produced in a dairy free environment. Bethany Eaton told the hearing that she did not test her company Planet Coconut's supposed 'dairy-free' product Mother-of-five Celia Marsh, from Melksham, Wiltshire, suffered from a severe dairy allergy and later died in hospital from the reaction Mrs Marsh's family, including husband Andy, pictured arriving for her inquest earlier this month. Members of the family wept as written statements were read to the court She acknowledged she didn't test the 'raw product' of starch, known as HG1 she acquired as part of the licence from COYO and said her only regret was 'trusting others.' Giving evidence today at the inquest in Bristol, she said: 'I did not for one minute think it contained dairy. 'We never tested the product as I was assured and believed it was made in an allergen free environment. A dairy free yoghurt made in what I believe was a separate facility, area, or line that was entirely allergen free. 'That is what we relied upon. 'I had never been in the food industry. We did everything we believed we needed to do. 'I felt assured from Henry that it was dairy free and being made in a dairy free environment.' The court has heard the Planet Coconut yoghurt contained few ingredients - primarily coconut cream and 'HG1' starch supplied by sugar giant Tate & Lyle. The starch was identified as the possible source of the contamination. Mrs Marsh died after eating a 'super-veg rainbow flatbread' (pictured) which had been contaminated with milk protein Ms Eaton said she 'felt assured' the yogurt was dairy free and being made in a dairy free environment Mrs Eaton said: 'Dairy-free is something I am passionate about which is why we bought the CoYo licence. 'I didn't ever dream it would contain dairy after he (Henry Gosling) sold me a licence. 'He said it was made in an allergen-free environment. He had a very good relationship with Tate & Lyle 'That was the reassurance he gave me and I respected that.' Maria Voisin, the senior coroner for Avon, asked Mrs Eaton whether she considered testing the starch. She replied: 'We never tested the product because I was assured and believed it was being made in an allergen-free environment. 'I was told there was a separate line or facility that was entirely allergen-free and that's what we relied upon.' Mrs Marsh had been enjoying a family meal at the Pret A Manger store (pictured) in Bath, Somerset, in December 2017 Celia Marsh, 42, suffered a fatal anaphylactic reaction after eating a 'super-veg rainbow flatbread' at a Pret store The witness said that since Mrs Marsh's death all products are now tested, irrespective of the source. Mrs Eaton began crying under questioning from barrister Jeremy Hyam KC, representing Mrs Marsh's family. 'I had a dairy-free facility and I had ingredients that I believed were dairy-free from the assurances I was given,' she said. 'I did not believe our product contained dairy. He sold me a licence for a dairy-free yogurt and I had to buy the product from him. 'He was very protective of his product and rightly or wrongly I respected that. I did not believe that Henry and Tate & Lyle would produce a product that contained dairy in it. 'We all believed there was no risk because it was made in an allergy-free environment.' Fighting back tears, she added: 'I am a bit angry and upset about this. 'I didn't just rely on his word, I relied on the fact that I had been sold a licence for a dairy-free product and it has been manufactured by Tate & Lyle with CoYo and created a very popular dairy-free yogurt product in Australia. 'I regret buying a licence and trusting the word of someone else and that's what I regret. 'I regret that the inquiries I made were not with Henry Gosling and I relied upon his assurances and that's my regret.' The inquest also heard from Guy Meakin, interim managing director of Pret a Manger, who expressed his 'extreme sorrow' to the family of Mrs Marsh for their loss. 'If we had known it had contained milk products we would never have used it,' he said. He said all products were now labelled with ingredients and Pret had introduced allergen risk assessments. Mrs Marsh's death came in the wake of that of 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died in 2016 after eating a Pret baguette containing sesame seeds. Ms Ednan-Laperouse had a sesame allergy. The tragedy sparked an overhaul of food labelling laws. Retailers are now required to display full ingredient and allergen labelling on every food item made on the premises and pre-packed for direct sale, including sandwiches, cakes and salads. A streaker who flashed his 'crown jewels' to the Queen on her Golden Jubilee tour has fondly recalled the day she forgave his lude behaviour and paid tribute to her. Former civil servant Brynn Reed, now 47, stripped off when Her Majesty visited Newcastle to unveil a monument to Cardinal Basil Hulme back in May 2002. The then 27-year-old tore his clothes off, vaulted railings and ran past Queen Elizabeth II's Rolls-Royce, while displaying the words 'Rude Britannia' on his bum. Former civil servant Brynn Reed (pictured being being restrained by police on May 7 2002), who streaked in front of the Queen when she visited Newcastle, has paid tribute to the late monarch Queen Elizabeth II on her Golden Jubilee tour in Newcastle on May 7 2002 Mr Reed proudly brandishing his letter (left) from the Queen forgiving him after he apologised for streaking - for which he was tackled by police officers and arrested before being sacked from his job Shocked pensioners and children looked on as he was hurled to the ground by police before being covered up, handcuffed and led away to cells. Mr Read was issued with a 12 month conditional discharge at Newcastle Magistrates after he pleaded guilty to indecent exposure following the incident. The Newcastle-based prankster, who was sacked as a result of the stunt, wrote a letter of apology to the Queen herself afterwards and received a reply in less than two weeks. The letter, signed by Mrs Deborah Bean, Chief Correspondent's Officer, read: 'Dear Mr Read, 'Thank you for your letter to The Queen of 26th May apologising for you behaviour during Her Majesty's visit to Newcastle-upon-Tyne last month. I write to say that your apology is accepted.' Mr Reed was given a 12 month conditional discharge for streaking in front of the Queen Mr Reeds letter from the Queen: 'Dear Mr Reed, Thank you for you letter to The Queen of 26th May apologising for your behaviour during Her Majesty's visit to Newcastle upon Tyne lsat month. I write to say your apology is accepted. Yours Sincerely, Mrs Deborah Bean Chief Correspondence Officer' Now, the former streaker has paid tribute to the Queen describing her as a 'sweet lady'. He said: 'It was a bit of a shock when I found out. I was on the beach and someone told me she was a bit ill. 'I was suspicious at first when some stranger on a beach told me the news. 'It's sad news. There was so much ambiguity about her state of health. 'She was a nice person. A sweet lady has just passed away. I'm sad for the family. 'I completely sympathise with their loss. I've had relatives that have passed away and it's difficult.' Thousands of US government officials have unlimited access to as many as 10,000 devices which are seized from travelers moving across the country. Electronic devices such as cellphones, iPads and laptops taken from those going through airports, seaports and border crossings are being mined for data. The leader of the Customs and Border Protection told congressional staff that the massive database can be accessed by 2,700 CBP officers without a warrant. During a briefing, which took place in the summer, officials also said that the data is maintained for 15 years. It has raised alarms in Congress about what the government is using the information or, with many of the devices taken from people not suspected of any criminal activity. Details of the database were revealed on Thursday in a letter from Senator Ron Wyden to CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus. He criticised the agency for allowing indiscriminate rifling through Americans private records and called for stronger privacy protections. CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus recieved a letter blasting the department after it was revealed that thosuands of officers have access to the database During a briefing, which took place in the summer, officials said the massive database can be accessed by 2,700 CBP officers without a warrant Electronic devices such as cellphones, iPads and laptops taken from those going through airports, seaports and border crossings are being mined for data by the CBP Senator Paul and Wyden introduced a bill last year which required border officials to get a warrant before searching a device. Currently the CBP have the authority to conduct a basic search, which includes looking and scrolling through the device. Anyone who refuses to unlock their phone for the process can have it confiscated for up to five days. The controversial practice has always been defended by the CBP, though many feel that inspecting the phones is a step too far. In their defence of the decision to keep inspecting the electronic devices, the CBP consider it a low impact way to pursues possible security threats. The CBP say that it can determine someones intentions upon entry into the US, even if the devices dont flag up any concerning information. Some lawmakers and privacy advocates are warning that the searchable database with no public oversight could be an infringement against US Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. Federal investigators are increasingly using technology that many Americans do not understand or consent to. Currently the CBP have the authority to conduct a basic search, which includes looking and scrolling through the device which Sen Wyden, pictured, does not agree with Currently the CBP have the authority to conduct a basic search, which includes looking and scrolling through the devices FBI agents and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement staff have previously run facial recognition on searches of millions of Americans drivers licence photos. They are understood to have tapped into private databases of finance and utility records to learn here they live and use license plate reader information to access an up-to-date location. CBP spokesman Lawrence Payne said in a statement to the Washington Post that the agency conducts border searches of electronic devices in accordance with statutory and regulatory authorities. He added that they have imposed rules to ensure the searches are exercised judiciously, responsibly, and consistent with the public trust. The database, called the Automated Targeting System, they claim is used to further review, analyze, and assess information CBP obtained from electronic devices associated with individuals who are of a significant law enforcement, counterterrorism or national security concern. Officials would not confirm how many Americans phone records are currently in the database, how many searches have ben run or how long the practice has been going on for. In 2018 the CBP issued a directive saying that officers should only retain information that related to immigration, customs or other enforcement matters. The only exception is if they have probable cause that could justify saving more of the phones contents. But in the briefing this summer CBP officials revealed that the default setting for some searches had been to download and retain contact lists, call logs and messages. Senator Paul, pictured, and Wyden introduced a bill last year which required border officials to get a warrant before searching a device Senator Ron Wyden has slammed he agency for allowing indiscriminate rifling through Americans private records and called for stronger privacy protections Aaron Bowker, CBPs director of office of field operations claimed that the data is retained in a small fraction of searches and only when absolutely necessary. He also denied that 2,700 DHS officials have access to the data, saying it is around 5 per cent of their operational workforce - meaning 3,000 are given access. Bowker added that those who can access the information are trained, audited and supervised - defending the level of data access as 'appropriate' for the size of the task. No other governmetn agendy has direct access to the data according to the CBP, but they can request the information on a case-by case basis. Data revealed by the CBP shows that they conducted roughly 37,000 searches of travelers devices in the year before October 2021. It is not clear how many of those devices had their contents uploaded to the database for long-term review. Law enforcement agencies must show probably cause and persuade a judge to approve a search warrant before accessing any devices. But border authorities are granted an exception which allows them to search the electronics withoutl a warrant or suspicion of crime. Officials would not confirm how many Americans phone records are currently in the database, how many searches have ben run or how long the practice has been going on for Data is stored in the Automated Targeting System database after a device is subjected to an advanced search. This means that officers have a reasonable suspicion that the traveller is breaking the law or poses a threat to national security and the information can be saved. Officers are also not required to record the purpose of their searches, but the CBP say they are all traced for a later audit. While CBP officials have to give travelers a printed document saying that searches are mandatory it does not state that the information can be retained for 15 years. Some travelers are not handed the document until theyve handed their phones, which means they may not fully understand their rights. It comes after the National Security Agency program, which was first revealed by Edward Snowden in 2013, was shut down in 2019. The NSA once captured millions of Americans phone records as part of a surveillance initiative targeting suspected terrorists, but the system exposed the records of millions of people not suspected of any crime. Hungary is no longer a 'full democracy' and the EU needs to do everything to bring it back into line with European values, members of European Parliament declared today. The country should be considered a 'hybrid regime of electoral autocracy' where elections are regularly held but without respecting democratic norms. 'There is increasing consensus among experts that Hungary is no longer a democracy,' the lawmakers said. Thursday resolution is considered to be a powerful vote against Viktor Orban's government which has been in office since 2010 and held a two-thirds parliamentary majority for much of this time. The country should be considered a 'hybrid regime of electoral autocracy' where elections are regularly held but without respecting democratic norms European lawmakers have also raised concerns about a long list of fundamental rights they believe to be under threat. Including the electoral system, the independence of judiciary, privacy, freedom of expression, media pluralism, academic freedom, LGBTIQ rights and the protection of minorities and asylum seekers. With their vote, the EU lawmakers roundly adopted a parliamentary report that said Hungary has been backsliding on democratic and fundamental rights since 2018 through the 'deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian government'. The report said lack of action by EU institutions, including the commission which is tasked as 'guardian' of the EU treaties enshrining democratic standards, had exacerbated the degradation. This is believed to be the first time an EU institution declares a member state is not a proper democracy. Thursday resolution is considered to be a powerful vote against Viktor Orban's government who has been in office since 2010 and held a two-thirds parliamentary majority for much of this time 'The situation in Hungary has dramatically degraded. Everywhere, we have degradation and it has become now that [the country] is no more a democracy,' Delbos-Corfield a French MEP told Euronews. Citing corruption risks, the European Commission is also expected to recommend later this week suspending billions earmarked for Budapest from the bloc's 1.1 trillion euro (957 Billion) shared budget for 2021-27. That would be the first such EU move under its new financial sanction dubbed 'cash for democracy' and agreed two years ago precisely in response to Orban, as well as his allies in Poland, rowing back on liberal democratic tenets inside the bloc. The European Commission has already blocked some 6 billion euros due for Budapest from the bloc's separate COVID economic stimulus package, citing insufficient anti-graft safeguards in Hungary's public procurement. Funds worth as much as a tenth of Hungary's GDP could be at stake should other EU members approve the expected recommendation by the Commission, a prospect that has weighed on the Hungarian forint, central Europe's worst-performing currency. While EU countries are treading a careful line around Hungary because of the need to win its assent on major decisions, diplomats privately are frustrated with Orban's cosy relationship with the Kremlin and his blocking of further sanctions on Moscow. The commission has likewise been careful to avoid overt criticism, but unease over Hungary's swerve away from rule of law, particularly in failing to curb corruption, is becoming more evident. Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday, in her State of the European Union address to the European Parliament, that the EU 'must fight for our democracies'. She said her EU executive would work to protect the member states 'from the external threats they face, and from the vices that corrode them from within,' notably calling out corruption although not naming Hungary directly. The vote is largely symbolic and does not change the course of EU decision making, which requires unanimity of all 27 member states - including Hungary - to adopt major issues, such as sanctions on Russia. In theory, the mechanism can lead to Hungary losing its right to vote in the Council of the EU, where member states adopt decisions affecting the bloc. In response, Orban's ruling Fidesz party said the EU parliament was more interested in bashing Hungary than tackling an economic crisis caused by surging energy costs aggravated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Western sanctions against Moscow. 'It is astounding that even in the current crisis the leftist majority of the European Parliament keeps busy only with attacking Hungary,' Fidesz said in a statement. 'The left in Brussels wants to punish Hungary over and over again and withhold the funds due for our country.' Orban has been locked for years in acrimonious feuds with the EU, which Hungary joined in 2004, over the rights of migrants, gays and women, as well as the independence of the judiciary, media and academia. The self-styled illiberal crusader denies, however, that Hungary is any more corrupt than other nations in the 27-nation bloc. A police investigation has been launched into historic claims of abuse at a top independent school after BBC presenter Nicky Campbell alleged he was seriously abused there as a schoolboy. The Radio 5 Live Breakfast host claimed he had suffered abuse during his time at Edinburgh Academy in Scotland in the 1970s. Police Scotland have said the investigation is 'live and ongoing' and a dedicated team was looking into the claims. The BBC's Nicky Campbell has claimed he suffered abuse as a schoolboy at Edinburgh Academy in the 1970s The broadcaster, 61, described how, aged 12, his history teacher 'put me - and others - over his knee in mirthful moments where, behind the laughter of the class, he'd tickle, his fingers wandering over my genitals'. Pictured: Nicky Campbell aged 10 A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: 'While the investigation of child abuse, particularly non-recent offences, can be complex and challenging, anyone who reports this type of crime can be assured that we will listen and we will investigate all reports, no matter when those offences occurred or who committed them. 'If you have suffered abuse, or you know anyone who may have been the victim of child abuse, then please call Police Scotland on 101.' Campbell made the claims during an episode of his BBC podcast Different. He said the experience had a 'profound effect on my life'. Later speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, the broadcaster said: 'I was badly beaten up at school by a teacher who was a leading light in the scripture union. 'My mother took it as far as she could and got a grovelling apology from [the alleged abuser], but was essentially stonewalled and it was hushed up by the school. 'Those were different times and that has stayed with me all my life.' A paedophile school teacher allegedly molested dozens of school boys at Edinburgh Academy (pictured) in the 1970s 'My mother took it as far as she could and got a grovelling apology from [the alleged abuser], but was essentially stonewalled and it was hushed up by the school,' said Mr Campbell (pictured as a ten-year-old schoolboy) The school said it 'deeply' regrets the allegations and 'wholeheartedly' apologised to those involved. In a previously released statement, the school said: 'We have worked closely with the relevant authorities including Police Scotland with their inquiries and would like to provide reassurance that things have dramatically changed since the 1970s. 'The Academy has robust measures in place to safeguard children at the school with child protection training now core to the ethos of the Academy.' Liz Truss has continued her reshuffle of Government ranks by sacking Zac Goldsmith from his role as an environment minister. The Tory peer will no longer oversee policy on animal welfare and the international envirnment. But Number 10 sources confirmed the former MP is expected to remain in Government by retaining his position at the Foreign Office, where he is minister for the Pacific. Lord Goldsmith is close to Ms Truss's predecessor Boris Johnson, as well as the ex-prime minister's wife Carrie Johnson. Fears have been expressed that his removal from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs signals a downgrading of animal welfare as a Government priority. During the early part of his premiership, Mr Johnson hailed his Government's record in improving animal welfare. But he later abandoned plans to ban imports of fur and foie gras as he attempted to shore up support among Tory backbenchers. Boris Johnson handed Lord Goldsmith his peerage shortly after the 2019 general election so he could continue to serve as a Government minister despite losing his Commons seat Carrie Johnson, pictured campaigning in 2017, is also a close personal friend of Lord Goldsmith Mr Johnson handed Lord Goldsmith his peerage shortly after the 2019 general election, in which the multi-millionaire environmentalist lost his Richmond Park seat to the Liberal Democrats. This allowed Lord Goldsmith to remain as a Government minister in Mr Johnson's administration. Last year, it was revealed how Mr and Mrs Johnson enjoyed a free holiday when they stayed at a holiday home of Lord Goldsmith's family in southern Spain. Photos emerged of Mr Johnson painting at an easel while enjoying his break at the Goldsmith villa, which was claimed to usually cost as much as 25,000 a week to rent. Mrs Johnson is also a close personal friend of Lord Goldsmith, who she worked for in her first job in politics. The Guardian reported that Lord Goldsmith, as well as losing his job as an environment minister, has also been stripped of his right to attend Cabinet meetings. In a farewell letter to Defra staff, seen by the newspaper, Lord Goldsmith said he was 'very sad' to be leaving after a 'whirlwind' three years. He listed his achievements, including on forestry, plastic pollution and the oceans. One Tory MP expressed fears that Lord Goldsmith's exit from Defra could mean Ms Truss is planning to drop the Kept Animals Bill. The legislation is intended to crack down on puppy smuggling, ban the keeping of primates as pets, and to increase protections for farm animals. The MP said: 'Liz might abandon it. She had no interest in animal welfare while a minister in Defra.' If Vice President Kamala Harris really thinks that the U.S. border is secure, then she should speak to the man standing at the end of her driveway. 'The border is open,' an illegal migrant standing near the vice president's residency told Fox News reporter Griff Jenkins. 'It's open because we enter, we come in free, no problem.' That man and at least other 100 migrants were bused from Eagle Pass, Texas and dropped off near the Naval Observatory in Washington DC on Thursday morning. A similar scene played out in the bougie elite enclave of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Two planeloads of migrants arrived unannounced at the tiny island's tiny airport, where the residents are more accustomed to welcoming the Obamas or Oprah than desperate people from Venezuela. The pictures and video were striking: a woman wrapped in a silver emergency blanket, men carrying all their earthly belongings in tattered bags on their backs. They stood on the manicured lawns of D.C.'s Embassy Row and The Vineyard looking lost and I'm sure that's how they felt. Yes, it is a political stunt. And it is an extremely effective one. If Vice President Kamala Harris really thinks that the U.S. border is secure, then she should speak to the man standing at the end of her driveway. 'The border is open,' an illegal migrant standing near the vice president's residency told Fox News reporter Griff Jenkins. Governors Greg Abbott, Ron DeSantis and Arizona's Doug Ducey are quite literally bringing the border crisis to the homes of willfully blind liberals, who preach open borders and advocate for sanctuary cities without ever coming face to face with the consequences of their actions. 'The border is secure,' insisted Harris on Sunday, after she was confronted by the fact that U.S. Border Patrol is on track to arrest two million illegal immigrants crossing the southern border in 2022. That's a record number, but Harris and her ilk can't be bothered. Until now. Dropping migrants off at Kamala and Barack's doorstep is a gut-punch. Frankly, it's a shocking escalation. But how else would these migrants and this issue get the attention it deserves? Republicans are finally calling the Democrats' bluff on U.S. immigration policy in the most visceral way. Gone are the days when progressives got away with throwing out cheap and easy platitudes on cable news and social media. Gone are days of photo ops and simply lying about the worsening humanitarian crisis at the border. New York City Mayor Eric Adams says his city's shelter system is 'nearing its breaking point,' as migrants bused from Texas get off in the Big Apple. Migrants showing up in the self-declared sanctuary cities of Chicago and Washington D.C. are forcing the sanctimonious liberals there to show their true colors. But instead of welcoming these people with open arms Chicago's Lori Lightfoot is taking a page out of the Republican governors' playbook. She bused some of those migrants unannounced to Republican-controlled suburbs. The pictures and video were striking: a woman wrapped in a silver emergency blanket, men carrying all their earthly belongings in tattered bags on their backs. (Above) Migrants from Central and South America outside Vice President Kamala Harris's residence at the Naval Observatory on September 15, 2022 Governors Greg Abbott, Ron DeSantis and Arizona's Doug Ducey are quite literally bringing the border crisis to the homes of willfully blind liberals, who preach open borders and advocate for sanctuary cities without ever coming face to face with the consequences of their actions. (Above) A plane carrying approximately 48 migrants unexpectedly at Martha's Vineyard Airport on September 15, 2022 D.C. Muriel Bowser is begging for federal help as the number of migrants arriving in her city near 10,000. But no federal help is coming. That sounds familiar. The most elite and insulated areas of the country are now dealing with the issues that border state citizen and politician have faced on a daily basis for years. It was too easy for the left to dismiss warnings from Americans on the border by decrying them as racists and bigots. Lapdog mainstream media was all too happy to go along with that dangerous and disingenuous narrative. Remember when Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez held a teary photo shoot outside a migrant detention center in Texas? Where is she now? The problem has only gotten worse. Of course, this issue was never about racism or bigotry. It is always about soft-hearted, utopian policies that cause more suffering. It takes real courage to do what is right and that's a secure border and controlled immigration. Anyone who has ever lived in a border state, as I have, is acutely aware of how dangerous and inhumane our system is. Pregnant women die in the desert trying to cross the border, immigrants drown trying to swim across the Rio Grande, entire busloads of immigrants bake to death in extreme heat as they're smuggled in trailer trucks. There is drug trafficking, human trafficking, sexual abuse and murder. Two planeloads of migrants arrived unannounced at the tiny island's tiny airport, where the residents are more accustomed to welcoming the Obamas or Oprah than desperate people from Venezuela. They stood on the manicured lawns of D.C.'s embassy Row and The Vineyard (above) looking lost and I'm sure that's how they felt. More power and control is ceded to drug cartels, who profit off the chaos. And innocent Americans living on the border, whose communities are overwhelmed and even threatened, are ignored. It does not make you a racist to say that's wrong. Yes, it's sickening to see human beings used as political pawns, but who is responsible for that? In many ways, Governor DeSantis is taking a page out of President Joe Biden's playbook. Last year, more than 70 flights carrying migrants from the border landed in Jacksonville, Florida without warning. 'On average, there's 36 passengers on each of these flights. And that has been going on over the course of the summer through September,' said Larry Keefe, DeSantis's public safety czar. Why is it any different for DeSantis to send migrants to Massachusetts? Until the left starts living in reality and stops calling anyone who disagrees with them racist and inhumane, Governors DeSantis, Abbott and Ducey should keep sending illegal immigrants to their front doorsteps. Heck do Sag Harbor and The Hamptons next. It's where most liberal media hosts have second homes. And I leave you all with this final warning. There is no issue in America that gets average Americans and Republicans more ginned up than illegal immigration. No issue. President Trump, in no small part, was elected because of his hardline immigration stance. We can talk about this issue and be rational, live in the-world, and be humane to the illegal immigrants caught in the crossfire. But first, we need to agree on the problem. America is still, no matter what the left tells us, that shining city on a hill. That is why millions of people are seeking a better life here. Maybe Vice President Harris will wake up to this reality when she looks out her window. Advertisement A best-selling Nigerian author has slammed a Carnegie Mellon professor for saying the Queen ignited the Nigerian Civil War - branding her comments 'propaganda and pseudo history'. Reno Omokri, who is also a priest and now lives in San Francisco, said he was 'absolutely mortified' by the 'hideous' claims Uju Anya aired last night. He wrote it showed she was ignorant of the country's history that has been 'distorted' and warped into creating bitterness in those who have not studied it properly. Anya, who last week said she hoped the Queen died an 'excruciating death', took to a podcast to sling even more vicious attacks at the late Queen just days after she died in Scotland aged 96. The linguistics professor at the Pittsburgh-based university bizarrely suggested the monarch was directly responsible for the death of millions during the Nigerian Civil War. She also slammed the royal - who is being mourned by millions across the world, including in the African nation - for wearing what she claimed were 'blood diamonds' and said she sat on a 'throne of blood'. Reno Omokri, a Nigerian author and priest, slammed a Carnegie Mellon professor who has attacked Queen Elizabeth II for suggesting she was directly responsible for the death of millions in the Nigerian Civil War Uju Anya, a linguistics professor at the Pittsburgh-based university, wished the Queen an 'excruciating death' last Thursday and has since double down on her claims, arguing that she wore a crown made of 'blood diamonds' Anya has said her tweet last Thursday attacking the late Royal as the 'chief monarch of a thieving, raping genocidal empire,' and wishing that 'her pain be excruciating' was an 'emotional outburst' because she was 'triggered' by the Queen's death How a civil war shook Nigeria and killed more than 1 MILLION people The Nigerian Civil War was fought between the Nigerian government and a group of Christian Igbo who sought independence from a majority Muslim country. It came after Nigerians to the North succeeded in a coup, and murdered military and civilian members of the Igbo people in 1967. The Igbo people then declared their home in the Eastern region independent, calling it the Republic of Biafra, and put 33-year-old military officer Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu at the helm. But the Nigerian federal government did not want the oil-rich state to secede, and declared war. It was backed by the British government, who provided the country with weapons to fight off the separatists. A group of Christian Igbo people sought independence from a majority Muslim country in the Nigerian Civil War But the Nigerian government also had a policy of 'no victor, no vanquished' and was accused of weaponizing hunger and killing civilians in the war. A famine eventually took hold after the Nigerian federal government blockaded Biafra and banned Red Cross aid. After 30 months of fighting, Biafra surrendered, and on January 15, 1970, the conflict officially ended. It is estimated that more than one million people died in battle, as a result of ethnic cleansing, or because of starvation which took the vast majority of lives. Uju Anya's claims the Queen was responsible was misleading as the monarch took no role in British politics despite it being branded as Her Majesty's Government. Advertisement Omokri wrote in an op-ed that Anya must not understand Nigerian history nor the ceremonial role the Queen played in British government if she believes that. 'I was absolutely mortified by the hideous and historically inaccurate things that were said about the Queen and her family by a Nigerian woman living in America, whose name I will not dignify by mentioning,' he wrote. 'Let me tackle what the death of Queen Elizabeth II reveals about Biafra,' he continued, referring to the once-separatist state. 'It shows us as a people, we are not aware of our history, and because we are not aware of our own history, we have distorted it, such that propaganda and pseudo history has been orally passed down from one generation to another, feeding unfounded bitterness that is destroying those who harbor it, and having no effect on those whom they are embittered.' Anya has said her tweet last Thursday attacking the late Royal as the 'chief monarch of a thieving, raping genocidal empire,' and wishing that 'her pain be excruciating' was an 'emotional outburst' because she was 'triggered' by the Queen's death. Before she was born, she told The Guardian, her mother had to flee Nigeria during a civil war in which Biafra separatists sought autonomy for Nigeria's Igbo people an ethnic minority from the country's south who faced persecution and pogroms in the north. The UK government sided with its counterparts in Nigeria, supplying the government with guns to fight off the separatists in a deadly war that ended after more than 30 months. Half of Anya's family members died in the tragedy, she explained. But Queen Elizabeth II did not have anything to do with the arms deal, Omokri pointed out in his op-ed on Thursday, as she only served a ceremonial role in the UK government. 'Please let us stop pretending as if the late Queen Elizabeth II came to Nigeria and ignited a war,' he wrote, saying it was instead 'ignited by a series of unfortunate events that began with the cold blooded murder of 22 people from the Northern, Western and Midwestern region by people of mostly Eastern region origin, which led to a counter-coup by Northern Nigerian military officers on July 29, 1966, and the unfortunate pogrom of'66-'67. 'It is only those who are ignorant about how the British government works that will blame the late Queen for the actions of the British government,' he continued. 'She was a titular and ceremonial head of state, whose actions were limited to appointing the candidate who has won election directly or indirectly as prime minister, and declaring open the government. 'She was a symbol,' Omokri asserted. 'She was not the initiator of the policies of the British government. 'And even the British government is not to blame for the Nigerian Civil War,' he said. 'We must learn to take responsibility for our own actions. That was the result of the ill-advised January 15, 1966 coup. 'These are the facts that we all should address, rather than blaming Queen Elizabeth II for a war she did not cause, not had any way of stopping. 'We have all forgiven and moved on,' Omokri concluded. 'Yet, you want to reopen these old wounds and make them cancerous by blaming Queen Elizabeth II 50 years after the war? Leave the woman and her family to grieve in peace.' He added: 'By celebrating the Queen's death, you are giving Nigeria a very nasty reputation that will affect all of us, not only you. 'We cannot afford to be seen as a nation with anti-British and American sentiments, when we are not able to get a better deal from China and Russia.' Her Majesty died last week at the age of 96 at her home in Balmoral. She is pictured here in November 2017 Anya told the podcast This Week In White Supremacy that she stood by her controversial remarks about the queen Omokri's remarks come just hours after Anya doubled down on her claims about the former British monarch. The Pennsylvania-based professor, 46, told the podcast This Week In White Supremacy Wednesday night: 'This was a ruler. The very crown she had on her head signified the fact that she's a monarch was made from plunder. Diamonds. Blood diamonds. 'The throne that she was sitting on is a throne of blood. So you cannot say that she's just this little old lady or this figurehead that really had nothing to do with anything and it was just the British government without relating it directly to her because she was directly benefiting, her very position as a monarch, the palace she lived in... were all paid for by our blood.' She continued: 'People expected me to be calm or to be... when the person who literally paid money for bombs and guns and military supplies to come and massacre your people is dying, you're not supped to dance.' When asked about her tweet that sparked outrage, she went on: 'In other words, I said what I f****** said.' She continued: 'I had an emotional reaction. And an emotional outburst,' she told the podcast hosts. 'I was triggered by this news. It went deep into pain and trauma for me. Due to my family experience with the rule of this monarch.' Anya, who said she was an 'unapologetic, left-leaning' provocateur used to contentious debate, said her tweet was 'not planned, very spontaneous' and 'extremely real'. 'I heard the chief monarch of a thieving, raping genocidal empire is finally dying. May her pain be excruciating,' she wrote in a tweet to her approximately 70,000 followers. She said she was surprised by how much attention the tweet received, but said it was designed to educate people. 'I like to teach. I am fundamentally a teacher,' she said. 'And I bring evidence and support for the claims that I make.' Other academics and writers also attacked the Queen in the aftermath of her passing, with Tirhakah Love, senior newsletter writer for New York Magazine, left, describing her 70-year reign as 'devastating,' and Jemele Hill, a writer for The Atlantic Magazine, saying journalists had a duty to cover what she called the 'devastating' impacts of Elizabeth's reign Eugene Scott of The Washington Post, also offered his opinions, asking when it would be a good time to talk about colonialism under Queen Elizabeth II But Anya was not the only woke liberal trying to use the Queen's death for social capital while the royals and millions mourned. Other obscure writers piled in on her passing aged 96, with little-known journalists from The New York Times, New York Magazine and The Atlantic turned into online trolls as they also aired vile claims, with one promising to dance on her grave and Tirhakah Love, senior newsletter writer for New York Magazine, describing her 70-year reign as 'devastating.' He added: 'You can't be a literal oppressor and not expect the people you've oppressed not to rejoice on news of your death.' Love, who was appointed in December, described by magazine editors as 'creative and restless' and 'funny and surprising', said he felt nothing but joy at her death. 'Now I'm supposed to be quiet or, better yet, actually mourn what was a barely breathing Glad ForceFlex trash bag? Please, no,' he wrote. 'I just want to remind you that in the rest of the world, and I mean the actual world, most will be celebrating today. 'We all have our methods of mourning friends; doing the electric slide on a colonizer's grave just happens to be mine.' Love knew his views on the Dinner Party newsletter would be provocative, tweeting: 'lol make sure yall read dinner party'. When someone reacted with mock horror, the Texan replied: 'lmaooo whatchu meaannn???? im about to be as respectful and sweet as always!' Meanwhile, in The New York Times, Maya Jasanoff, a history professor at Harvard University, where she focuses on the history of Britain and the British Empire, said it was wrong to 'romanticize' her reign. 'The queen helped obscure a bloody history of decolonization whose proportions and legacies have yet to be adequately acknowledged,' she wrote. Jasanoff highlights repression in Malaya, Kenya, Yemen, Cyprus and Ireland. 'We may never learn what the queen did or didn't know about the crimes committed in her name,' she said. 'Those who heralded a second Elizabethan age hoped Elizabeth II would sustain British greatness; instead, it was the era of the empire's implosion.' And a writer for The Atlantic magazine, Jemele Hill, chimed in on her Twitter account, saying journalists had a duty to cover what she called the 'devastating' impacts of Elizabeth's reign. 'Journalists are tasked with putting legacies into full context, so it is entirely appropriate to examine the queen and her role in the devastating impact of continued colonialism,' Hill wrote. That tweet was also met with a comment section full of critics, with one remarking 'Lol ain't no one gonna say a thing tho.' Another journalist, Eugene Scott of The Washington Post, also offered his opinions, asking when it would be a good time to talk about colonialism under the queen. 'Real question for the 'now is not the appropriate time to talk about the negative impact of colonialism' crowd: When is the appropriate time to talk about the negative impact of colonialism?' he wrote. Imani Gandy, a legal analyst at Rewire News, tweeted out a video of a group of men tap-dancing outside Buckingham Palace to the song Another One Bites The Dust. 'The queen died and the Irish are already on it lol,' she wrote. A Christian campaign group is taking legal action against a Cambridge University college after not being allowed to book 'an event'. Christian Concern says Fitzwilliam College refused to allow a booking for a conference for 'young' Christians on the grounds of the group's 'religious beliefs' and has alleged 'discrimination'. The college is disputing the claim and denies discrimination. A judge oversaw a preliminary hearing at the High Court in London on Thursday and was asked to decide whether, and how, the claim should proceed. Lawyers representing Christian Concern told Sir Ross Cranston that the group had a 'wider concern' about 'free speech on campuses'. Barrister Alasdair Henderson, who led Christian Concern's legal team, gave detail of the claim and said it should proceed in the High Court or be transferred to the county court. Christian Concern says Fitzwilliam College refused to allow a booking for a conference for 'young' Christians on the grounds of the group's 'religious beliefs' and has alleged 'discrimination' He said Christian Concern was challenging a college decision not to allow the group to make a booking for 'an event' on the ground of the group's 'religious beliefs'. Mr Henderson told the judge: 'We were very concerned about the wider issue of freedom of speech on campuses.' Sir Ross concluded there was an 'issue' to be tried but ruled the claim should be heard by a lower-ranking county court judge. He said he hoped that the dispute could be settled. A barrister representing the college outlined the background to the dispute in a written argument. Yaaser Vanderman told Sir Ross how a Christian Concern representative had approached the college in January inquiring about booking conference facilities for about 100 people between September 5 and 10 2022. Christian Concern wanted to host 'what it called the "Wilberforce Academy",' he said. He said college staff had conducted internet research about Christian Concern. 'That gave rise to concerns about the reaction of the college's students if the booking was accepted,' he said. 'The college informed the claimant that it had decided not to accept the booking on the grounds that "the event is not compatible with the values of the college".' He said the college's head of catering and events had, during a telephone conversation, referred to Christian Concern not being 'inclusive' - and mentioned the group's 'concerns over the LGBT community' and its opposition to gay marriage. Mr Vanderman said, during the conversation , the Christian Concern representative had 'rejected the assertion' that the group was not inclusive but 'agreed' that its 'understanding of marriage' is 'as being between a man and a woman'. He said there had 'unarguably' been 'no direct discrimination'. No date or venue has yet been fixed for any county court hearing. Outside court, a Christian Concern spokesman said: 'For over a decade, the Wilberforce Academy has run a one-week conference for university students and young professionals who want to work out how to apply their Christian faith in the current culture and more specifically within their chosen vocations including law, politics, education, media, arts and business. 'Topics covered by expert international speakers include: the role of Christianity in shaping law and culture; understanding today's context; biblical ethics on human identity and sexuality; comparative religion including examining the nature of Islam. 'The conference includes teaching on biblical beliefs that have been recognised by the Christian Church globally for the past 2,000 years.' A Texas toddler who mysteriously vanished in 1971 after being taken by someone claiming to be a babysitter, may have been spotted some 50 years later. Melissa Highsmith was only 21-months-old when she was kidnapped on August 23, 1971 in Fort Worth, Texas by a woman wearing a scarf and long white gloves on a hot summer day. The purported sitter had answered an ad placed by Melissa's mom, who was looking for help watching her child after a separation. The decades-old cold case may have broken open this week after an anonymous tipster called the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children claiming they saw someone matching an age progression photo released by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The person said the area they were spotted was by Daniel Island, north of Charleston proper, (NCMEC) reported. The age-progression photo of Melissa Highsmith, who would be 52 years old today. An anonymous tipster says they saw someone who matched the photo near Charleston, South Carolina Melissa Highsmith was 21 months old when she was abducted by a woman claiming to be her babysitter. The toddler was 2 feet 8 inches tall, 26 pounds with brown hair and brown hazel eyes. A red three-inch mark on her back just below her neck was one distinguishing feature A black and white composite of the babysitter, identified as Ruth Johnson, was produced. The last person to see baby Melissa was the mother's roommate. She said the babysitter was wearing white gloves and appeared 'nice' and was 'dressed to impress' Jeff Highsmith, the missing woman's younger brother, learned of the exciting new development on Facebook and went on NewsNation Prime on Tuesday to share his reaction. He created a Facebook page: Help Find Melissa Highsmith in hopes of gathering any leads. 'We believe she's still alive. And obviously, somebody else does too in South Carolina,' Highsmith said as he wife, Rachel, sat beside him. For decades, Highsmith, who was born nine years after after Melissa's disappearance, told Inside Edition Digital that he has been trying to trying to fin her and bring closure to his parents who are now both in their 70s. Although Jeff never met his older sister, he has been told about her abduction his entire life. He recalled the time his father first told him about his missing sister, but said his mother never spoke about it. 'She feels like its her fault,' Highsmith told the news outlet. He also said that his mother's best friend, who was the last person to see baby Melissa, still feels responsible for handing the toddler off to the stranger. "She has lived with this trauma for 50 years,' he said. 'We believe she's still alive. And obviously, somebody else does too in South Carolina,' Highsmith said as he wife, Rachel, sat beside him, Jeff Highsmith, the missing woman's brother said on NewsNation Prime on Tuesday Baby Melissa was only 2 feet 8 inches tall, 26 pounds with brown hair and brown hazel eyes at the time of her disappearance with a red three-inch birthmark located on her back just below her neck. Highsmith's mother, named Alta, was 22 years old at the time, and was separated from the child's father, at the times she went missing, Inside Edition Digital reported. She was working as a waitress at the time and living with her best friend from high school when she posted an ad for childcare in a local Forth Worth, Texas newspaper. The woman who answered the ad reportedly told Highsmith that she really wanted the job and had a nice big yard and also cared for other children, the brother said, People reported. Alta initially arranged to meet the sitter at the restaurant she worked at, but the woman never showed. She later phoned to apologize for her absence and said she still wanted to help out. According to Melissa's brother, the sitter called his mother when she was working and said, 'I'm sorry, I got into a car accident, and I couldn't make it, but I really do want to watch your daughter.' The mother gave permission for the woman to go to her apartment to retrieve Melissa the next day. When she arrived to get Melissa, the mother's roommate - who was watching her at the time - handed her over. No one saw Melissa ever again. Another age progression photo shows what Melissa may look like today at 52 years old According to the roommate, the woman appeared 'nice' and was 'dressed to impress,' but also noted that her outfit was rather 'odd' for a summer day. 'The babysitter had long white gloves on, they had a scarf around their neck, and a scarf around their head, and was dressed in all white like a nurse's uniform,' Highsmith recalled of the roommate's statement. A composite sketch was later created of the sitter, who identified herself as Ruth Johnson. Highsmith continues to hold out hope that his older sister will be found and their parents will have closure. Until then he relies on his faith and a positive attitude. 'We want to bring Melissa home to my parents before they take their last breath,' Highsmith said. 'I really believe that God's gonna open the door and we're gonna find her soon.' A Russian analyst who was charged with lying to the FBI about the infamous Steele dossier had been a paid informant for the bureau, a court filing claimed on Tuesday. Igor Danchenko was allegedly recruited as an FBI mole in March 2017 - about three months after the bureau began investigating him and the gossip-filled dossier he helped create. It's also more than four years before he was indicted for lying to federal investigators about information he gave to former British spy Christopher Steele. Steele used information from Danchenko, among other sources, to compile a dossier with sordid details that accuse Donald Trump of being in Vladimir Putin's pocket. The dossier was used to launch the FBI's investigation of the Trump 2016 campaign's alleged links to Russia, known as Crossfire Hurricane. Much of the dossier has since been debunked. In late 2021, Danchenko pleaded not guilty to five counts of making false statements to the FBI relating to sources for the material that wound up in the dossier. His charges were announced by Special Counsel John Durham, who former Attorney General Bill Barr had appointed to investigate the origins of the FBI's Russia probe. 'From January 2017 through October 2020, and as part of its efforts to determine the truth or falsity of specific information in the Steele reports, the FBI conducted multiple interviews of the defendant regarding, among other things, the information that he had provided to Steele,' Durham said in his Tuesday court filing. Igor Danchenko was indicted on five counts of lying to the FBI over the information he gave to former British spy Christopher Steele, and pleaded not guilty to each 'In March 2017, the FBI signed the defendant up as a paid confidential human source of the FBI.' Durham claimed the FBI ended the 'source relationship' with Danchenko in October 2020. Steele compiled a now-debunked dossier that helped the FBI launch its investigation of the Trump 2016 campaign's links to Russia 'The defendant lied to FBI agents during several of these interviews,' the filing states. Danchenko's indictment accuses him of knowngly making the false statements. It's not immediately clear if Danchenko was giving the FBI information on Trump or other topics. Among the most salacious claims Danchenko is responsible for in the debunked dossier is Russia's alleged possession of a videotape where Trump was joined in a Moscow hotel room by prostitutes who proceeded to pee on a bed that was once slept on by Barack and Michelle Obama. His indictment states that federal agents were not able to 'confirm or corroborate' most of the allegations Danchenko made that made their way into the dossier. Durham's investigation has been ongoing for three years and produced low-level charges for just three people - Clinton-linked lawyer Michael Sussman, former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith and Danchenko. Clinesmith pleaded guilty to altering an email used to seek a surveillance warrant on a former Trump campaign staffer. He received a light sentence of 12 months of probation and 400 hours of community service. Sussmann was acquitted of lying to the FBI in May of this year. Danchenko's could face up to 25 years in prison if indicted on all five counts. A newly declassified report revealed on Thursday that American intelligence officials warned two years ago that the Islamic State would regain its strength if the U.S. and allies let up their campaign against the terrorist group. The report was written in May 2020, soon after President Donald Trump agreed a deal with the Taliban to withdraw troops, and a year before President Joe Biden announced he would have them out by September 11, an operation ultimately marred by an ISIS attack that killed 13 U.S. service members. Since then, terrorism experts have warned that the absence of troops is handicapping Washington's ability to monitor the growth of ISIS there. 'ISIS almost certainly will continue to inspire attacks globally, albeit at a reduced pace from 2016-17; inspired attacks very likely will remain the primary ISIS threat to the US homeland,' says the report. 'If the United States and our partners pull back or withdraw further from areas where ISIS is active, the group's trajectory will increasingly depend on local governments' will and capability to fill the resulting security voids.' A newly declassified report revealed on Thursday that American intelligence officials warned two years ago that the Islamic State would regain its strength if the U.S. and allies let up their campaign against the terrorist group The 2020 report was declassified and published (in redacted form) on Thursday by the Office of the Nation Director of Intelligence. It set out forecasts for ISIS The report was released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in redact form. It said the group was rebuilding core capabilities in Iraq and Syria. And it said its branches in other parts of the world, 'are likely to increase the group's capability to conduct attacks in many regions of the world, including the West.' Its branch in Afghanistan - Islamic State Khorasan - is at war with Afghanistan, and claimed responsibility for the suicide attack on Kabul airport, killing 13 Americans and at least 170 Afghans. The general who oversaw the U.S. withdrawal was among those who recently warned that America was now less safe as a result. Retired Gen. Frank McKenzie, who retired as the head of U.S. Central Command this year, told the BBC: 'We were in Afghanistan to prevent the development of violent extremist organisations that were flourishing there, particularly al Qaeda and ISIS, and I believe we have less capability now than we did before to monitor and suppress the development of those activities. Biden promised an 'over-the-horizon counterterrorism capability' when troops left. However, U.S. officials struggled to win over the cooperation of neighboring countries needed to allow drones to reach Afghan airspace. That appeared to change with the recent killing of Al Qaeda chief Ayman Al Zawahri, who died in a drone strike on his Kabul home. U.S. special forces also killed the head of the Islamic State group in a February raid in northwest Syria. Members of the Taliban are seen here, outside the former US embassy in Kabul, marking the first anniversary of their takeover of Afghanistan in August Gen. Frank McKenzie has retired since overseeing the Afghanistan withdrawal and has given a string of interviews to mark the anniversary. In an interview broadcast on Tuesday, he said the U.S. was now less safe than it was when U.S. forces were in the country McKenzie said he was pleased a drone strike killed Al Qaeda chief Ayman Al Zawahiri - but he pointed out that a single strike since the U.S. departed illustrated the difficulties of an 'over-the-horizon counterterrorism capability' 'The fact of those operations are, I think, reflective how serious this threat environment remains,' said Christy Abizaid, director of the National Counterterrorism Center. But she added that analysts believe the terrorist threat to the U.S. homeland is 'less acute than we've seen it' at any time since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Analysts have recently seen growth in IS group branches around the world, particularly in Africa, said Abizaid, who spoke at the Intelligence and National Security Summit outside Washington. 'Afghanistan is a really interesting story along those lines about where the ISIS affiliate is and how we continue to be concerned about it,' she said. Some outside analysts say Al Zawahri's apparent presence in downtown Kabul suggests that extremist groups are more comfortable operating in Afghanistan and that it will be tougher to counter the Islamic State group as it grows across the country. Bruce Hoffman, senior fellow for counterterrorism at the Washington-based Council on Foreign Relations, called the May 2020 report 'very clear-eyed and forthright.' 'It's very different operating against ISIS in the isolated mountain redoubts or deep valleys of Afghanistan,' he said. 'The advantages that enabled us to so brilliantly take out Al Zawahri, I would guess, are absent outside of Kabul.' While the White House last month released declassified points from an intelligence assessment saying al-Qaida had not reconstituted in Afghanistan, the points did not address the Islamic State in Khorasan, the local IS group affiliate. IS-K was responsible for killing 13 U.S. troops outside the Kabul airport during the withdrawal and has continued to mount an insurgency against the Taliban now in control of the country. The Taliban celebrate the first anniversary of the US withdrawal in Kabul, Afghanistan, on 31 August 2022. They declared the date to be the country's new national day The National Security Council said in a statement that the U.S. is working to deny 'ISIS-K access to financing, disrupt and deter foreign terrorist fighters from reaching Afghanistan and the region, and counter ISIS-K's violent extremism.' The May 2020 report was declassified this August and published online last week by the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The ODNI periodically declassifies and releases older intelligence assessments. A spokesperson for the ODNI's National Counterterrorism Center declined to answer questions about the assessment or address the intelligence community's current view on the Islamic State group. The report predicts that the Islamic State group's global branches are likely to increase its 'capability to conduct attacks in many regions of the world, including the West.' The U.S. would more likely face attacks from people inspired by the group's ideology than plots directed or supported by the group, the report said. Pressure by local governments where the IS group is active and their international partners 'almost certainly will shape the scale of ISIS' resurgence in Iraq and Syria and its expansion worldwide,' the report said. Experts commonly agree with the report's predictions, said Colin Clarke, an expert on counterterrorism who is director of research for The Soufan Group, an intelligence and security consultancy. But top intelligence analysts would have been involved in drafting and reviewing the assessment, formally known as a national intelligence estimate, he said. Clarke noted several recent IS-linked attacks in Afghanistan, including an apparent suicide bombing outside the Russian embassy in Kabul that killed two diplomats, as well as ongoing fighting between militants and U.S.-backed forces at a sprawling camp in Syria. 'There are some things that have happened in the last few weeks,' he said, 'that make you wonder if the situation is not more dire than is being presented.' This is the awkward moment Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez blasted GOP Rep. Clay Higgins for 'disrespecting' a witness - while shouting at him herself. The Democrat tore into the Republican for calling Raya Salter 'young lady' and 'boo' during the heated exchange at the House Oversight Committee hearing. She claimed in her four years in politics she had never seen a member 'disrespect' someone in the way he had during the row over clean energy. But she was quickly branded a hypocrite for raising her voice to a shout when she was given a chance to speak. Meanwhile her fellow squad member Rashida Tlaib also went on the attack, whipping up fury among her followers on Twitter. 'My good lady. I am trying to give you the floor boo!' Rep. Clay Higgins said to witness Raya Salter during a hearing of the House Oversight Committee 'I'm asking you to search your heart and ask your god what you are doing to the black people in Louisiana,' Salter said Salter, founder of the Energy Justice Law and Policy Center, was speaking at a hearing entitled 'Fueling the Climate Crisis: Examining Big Oil's Prices, Profits, and Pledges.' The debate suddenly grew heated with Salter raising her voice as Higgins tried to speak over her. There followed a tense verbal back-and-forth with the Louisiana Republican but what caught the attention of the Squad members came when Higgins used the word 'boo' during one of his responses. 'My good lady. I am trying to give you the floor boo!' Higgins said as Salter was making her point. 'I just want you to know that in the four years that I have sat on this committee I have never seen members of Congress, Republican or Democrat, disrespect a witness in the way that I have seen them disrespect you today,' Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said The term 'boo' is often used between couples as a term of affection, commonly used as a slang term in the black community - not between male congressman and black female witnesses during a committee hearing. It quickly caught the attention of Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib, 'Did he just call her 'boo' ????' she asked in a tweet together with video of the interaction. Tlaib received plenty of messages of support on Twitter. 'Yes he did because obviously he doesn't take this seriously,' wrote one user. 'These pathetic white men are so threatened by powerful black women,' added another. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also took Higgins to task and suggested he mistreats women following the heated altercation. Ocasio-Cortez apologized to Salter, founder of the Energy Justice Law and Policy Center, after a tense verbal back-and-forth with the Louisiana Republican. AOC said: 'I just want you to know that in the four years that I have sat on this committee I have never seen members of Congress, Republican or Democrat disrespect a witness in the way that I have seen them disrespect you today. 'Frankly, men who treat women like that in public, I fear how they treat them in private. 'I would hope someone would issue an apology but because I don't believe he will, I want to apologize to you... the people do not deserve to see that.' The exchange between Higgins and Salter exploded when he pressed her on her use of petrochemical products. He said: 'Everything you have - your clothes, your glasses, the car you got here on, your phone, the table you're sitting at, the chair, the carpet under your feet - everything you've got is petrochemical products what would you do with that? Tell the world.' Salter fired back, getting progressively louder as Higgins spoke over her: 'If I had that power in the world, actually I don't need that power because what I would do is I would ask you sir from Louisiana to search your heart and understand why the EPA knows that toxic petrochemical facilities are some of the most toxic...' Salter said, as she grew more emotional: 'Toxic polluting facilities in the world and are killing black people throughout Louisiana.' Higgins shouted: 'Okay, so what will you do with the products?' Salter replied: 'I'm asking you to search your heart and ask your God what you are doing to the black people in Louisiana.' Higgins shot back: 'It's our God.' 'Did he just call her 'boo' ????' Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib asked in a tweet together with video of the interaction Tlaib received plenty of messages of support on Twitter Democratic New York Congressman Jamaal Bowman through his support behind the witness and said Rep. Higgins was a 'small man' who was 'rude' and 'demeaning' The hearing was part of a nearly year-long investigation into whether big oil companies - ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, and Shell - have misled the public about their efforts to fight climate change. Higgins then went on to call Salter 'young lady' twice. 'I'm going to give this young lady an opportunity to speak, you may not like it but America needs to hear it,' he said to the rest of the committee. 'You've got no answer, do you, young lady, about what to do with petrochemical products so I'll go on. What do you do with ocean vessels? What do you do with the maritime industry?' Salter replied: 'Of course we do. We need to move away from petrochemicals we need to shut down the petrochemical facilities in your state and move away from plastic.' Higgins said: 'You stand on these grandiose statements, the world won't run, the world won't function, you couldn't be here!' Salter shot back: 'The only thing that would not function is the petrochemical industry in your state, sir. If we're going to talk about the lord I ask that you search your heart and think about repenting.' 'I'll search my heart very quickly I love the planet,' he said. It comes after AOC slammed fellow Democrat Senator Joe Manchin last year for 'patronizing' her by referring to her as a 'young lady' as they sparred over his objections to the party's massive spending bill. Manchin said: 'I don't know that young lady that well, I really don't. I met her one time between sets here, but that's it. We've not had any conversations.' In a series of tweets, Ocasio-Cortez fired back at the moderate West Virginia Democrat whose vote is crucial in the evenly divided Senate. 'In Washington, I usually know my questions of power are getting somewhere when the powerful stop referring to me as 'Congresswoman' and start referring to me as 'young lady' instead,' tweeted the left-wing New York Democrat. 'Imagine if every time someone referred to someone as 'young lady' they were ask [sic] responded to by being addressed with their age and gender? They'd be pretty upset if one responded with 'the old man,' right? Why this kind of weird, patronizing behavior is so accepted is beyond me!' she added. Advertisement Even on a day brimming with historical significance, it was still one of the most striking images to emerge out of that extraordinary procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Wednesday. As, tall and upright as the ceremonial guardsmen all around him, stood the unmistakable figure of the Queen's most loyal, most devoted and longest-serving retainer. Balding and bemedalled in tails, Paul Whybrew, who was with the Queen at the closing of her life, was a picture of iron determination. His hands clenched, he looked neither to left nor right but focused only forwards as he marched in step ahead of the horse-drawn carriage bearing his mistress's coffin. He was one of only three of Her Majesty's male domestic staff invited to join the cortege but his placement in the middle of the throng underlined not just his seniority but his unique position in the Queen's life. As, tall and upright as the ceremonial guardsmen all around him, stood the unmistakable figure of the Queen's most loyal, most devoted and longest-serving retainer. Balding and bemedalled in tails, Paul Whybrew (left) who was with the Queen at the closing of her life, was a picture of iron determination And of course, it was Paul who was pictured escorting the Queen and James Bond star Daniel Craig as part of the magical spoof that opened the London Olympics Quite simply she could manage without anyone apart from the man she knew affectionately as 'Tall Paul' and his decades of unbroken service proved that. At 6 ft 4 in he was, of course, hard to ignore. But it was not his height that made him so indispensable. Rather it was that through all the domestic crises, family storms and petty squabbling between staff and courtiers, he was never drawn in and escaped unscathed. Indeed, he was said to have all friends and no enemies among the Royal Family he had served since the age of 19. And in the backbiting, below-stairs world of royal preference where favourites jostle, that in itself is a remarkable achievement. It was Paul who would hand the Queen the telephone for those anguished calls from Prince Harry, ringing from California. Paul who set out the Radio Times with the times of her favourite TV programmes thoughtfully ringed. And it was Paul who, once she stopped drinking, substituted apple juice for her former tipple of gin and Dubonnet. The bank manager's son had been at the Queen's side for 44 years and, as she had seen the records fall as our longest reigning monarch, so too had Paul. A year ago he became the longest-serving member of the Queen's staff at Buckingham Palace, favoured with the Royal Victorian Order and Medal silver and gold and decorated for his long and faithful service. He also has his own comfortably furnished quarters, for which she personally paid the renovation costs. When in 2006 the Queen turned 80 and decided to spend more time at Windsor Castle, she asked him to move too. He gave up his modest flat above the old stables at Kensington Palace for a house near Albert Lodge in Windsor Great Park. 'The Queen told him to decorate it to his taste and send her the bill. She said she wanted him to be comfortable,' a friend says. Paul Whybrew (second from left) is seen during the procession of the Queen's coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Wednesday The Queen's pages, Paul Whybrew and Barry Mitford with Vice Admiral (Retd) Tony Johnstone-Burt at Westminster at Westminster Hall for the lying in State of The Late HM Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II and her aide, Paul Whybrew, peer around a door to check the limousine awaiting for the then French President Jacques Chirac in 2004 At 6 ft 4 in he was, of course, hard to ignore. But it was not his height that made him so indispensable Balding and bemedalled in tails, Paul Whybrew, who was with the Queen at the closing of her life, was a picture of iron determination during the procession of the Queen's coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall The move was a pivotal moment in his life of royal service. It was the one and only time when he paused to consider his years of dedication. Inevitably he stayed. As Page of the Backstairs and Serjeant at Arms, Whybrew, who will be 64 next year, has committed all his working life to the monarch. Unlike many other servants who move between households, Paul remained steadfast alongside the Queen. Arriving just after the Silver Jubilee, he was there for the Golden Jubilee in 2002, the Diamond Jubilee when the Queen shivered on the rain-soaked Thames in 2012 and, just a few months ago, this year's Platinum jamboree. He was there for some of the darkest moments of her reign, the years of her children's marital discord, and some of the most uplifting. And of course, it was Paul who was pictured escorting the Queen and James Bond star Daniel Craig as part of the magical spoof that opened the London Olympics. He also played a key role in one of the most notorious incidents when an intruder broke into the Palace and made his way undetected into the sleeping Queen's bedroom in 1982. When the alarm was raised it was Whybrew who coolly steered the trespasser into the butler's pantry, poured him a glass of whisky, then detained him until the police arrived. There was often laughter. When the Queen looked out on the heavy rain falling on the day in April 1986 when the Royal Family were burying the Duchess of Windsor, the former American adventuress Wallis Simpson, she worried about the open grave filling with water. Turning to Paul and another aide, she quipped: 'If we don't bail it out, we will be launching her.' All those years of service, however, have not been without sacrifice. He has remained a bachelor, 'married' only, say friends, to his duty. But in return he has occupied one of the most intriguing seats in modern British history. Paul Whybrew is seen in a carriage on the way to Westminster with the ceremonial maces on the day of the State Opening of Parliament in 2013 Paul Whybrew, then 23, (left) is seen riding behind the Queen on the day of the wedding of Prince Charles's wedding to the then Diana Spencer in 1981 When in 2006 the Queen turned 80 and decided to spend more time at Windsor Castle, above, she asked him to move too. He gave up his modest flat above the old stables at Kensington Palace for a house near Albert Lodge in Windsor Great Park Growing up in Essex there was no tradition of working for the Royal Family. A grandfather was manager of a drapery and outfitters, while a brother is a solicitor. Paul, the second oldest of four siblings was born in Braintree in 1959. The family moved to Frinton on the Essex coast and when he left nearby Clacton High School he had already had his heart set on royal employment. His first post was as a junior footman but he was quickly spotted by the Queen because of his way with the corgis. The promotion was to be the source of his nickname and would see him working alongside another royal favourite Paul Burrell, who later became Princess Diana's butler. To differentiate between the two men the Queen christened Burrell 'Small Paul' and Whybrew 'Tall Paul.' The term of endearment stuck. Even this week, his presence in the lying-in-state entourage was being noted on social media. One posted: 'Tall Paul, her trusted page.' Another wrote: 'At the head of the procession, walking behind the band, is this man the Queen's page and sergeant-at-arms Paul Whybrew. He's been by the Queen's side for 44 years of her 70-year reign. Companion as well as servant. Now accompanying her one last time.' Over the years staff came and went but in the Queen's household Whybrew was a constant presence. His position, and the trust the Queen showed him, earned him another nickname 'Keeper of the Queen's secrets'. Whybrew also played a key role in one of the most notorious incidents when an intruder broke into the Palace and made his way undetected into the sleeping Queen's bedroom in 1982. When the alarm was raised it was Whybrew who coolly steered the trespasser into the butler's pantry, poured him a glass of whisky, then detained him until the police arrived Very few doubt that he will ever spill them. It makes the contrast between the servant and another of her circle, her senior dresser and personal assistant Angela Kelly, all the more fascinating. Where the Liverpool crane-driver's daughter is outgoing and boastful of her closeness to the Queen, Whybrew is discreet and modest. It is unlikely he will accept a three-book contract as Miss Kelly has two published already, a third still to come. And while Angela longed to be made a dame, according to friends Whybrew sought no such personal advancement. 'He knew that he could have walked into any job in the private sector and earn far more than he does, but it never crossed his mind,' a friend tells me. 'He felt his place was at the Queen's side as long as she wanted him and the fact is she always wanted him. She trusted him implicitly and he knew everything but would never say.' When the Queen came up with the touching idea to have Prince Philip's insignia set into a stained-glass window as a tribute to her late husband, it was Paul who found the ideal spot an ante-room off one of the main private reception rooms at Sandringham House. In Frinton-on-Sea, the sedate seaside town Princess Margaret used to visit, there is huge pride in the local boy who became the Queen's rock. Paul's mother Jean died almost exactly a year ago aged 88, while his father Derrick, who has written a history of the local Baptist church, is a respected community elder. It is a remarkable commentary on the Queen's long life, that from all the people of power and influence whom she befriended and all the well-born and expensively educated people surrounding the Royal Family, it is the modest bank manager's son from Essex with whom she was often at her most relaxed and happiest. The Georgia prosecutor looking into former President Donald Trump and his allies' efforts to overturn the 2020 election in her state indicated that the probe is unearthing serious crimes. 'The allegations are very serious. If indicted and convicted, people are facing prison sentences,' Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis said in an interview with The Washington Post published Thursday. The interview shed new light on the probe's timeline, with Willis saying it would be paused in the run-up to the November election and interviews with witnesses would be wrapped up by the end of the year. 'I didn't want people to claim that this was some political stunt that we were doing to impact the election,' said Willis, a Democrat, the DA for Georgia's most populous county. Fani T. Willis told The Washington Post Thursday, 'The allegations are very serious. If indicted and convicted, people are facing prison sentences' The investigation will enter a quiet period starting October 7, a month and a day before the midterms. There was a similar quiet period ahead of the state's primaries. A special grand jury has been convened since the spring as part of the investigation. 'We are going to be done calling witnesses by the end of this year. Period,' she told The Post. Yet to be decided is if one of those witnesses will be Trump. 'A decision is going to have to be made,' she told the paper, 'and I imagine it's going to be made late this fall.' After interviews with witnesses are completed the grand jury will submit a report to Willis on whether charges should be brought - a decision Willis will make. At least 17 people have been named as targets in the probe - Trump's former lawyer Rudy Giuliani and the 16 Trump supporters who agreed to be Georgia's fake electors in a scheme that was halted with Vice President Mike Pence's refusal to pick-and-choose slates of electors when he chaired the joint session of Congress to certify the election on January 6. Seventeen individuals - including former President Donald Trump's (pictured) ex-lawyer Rudy Giuliani and the 16 pro-Trump Georgia fake electors - have been named as targets of the probe Lawyers for Giuliani and the 16 electors have denied any wrongdoing. The electors met as part of a contingency plan as a court ruled on the legitimacy of Georgia's vote, lawyers for the faux electors have also said. In the interview, Willis would not discuss any of the targets by name, nor would she say if she's willing to charge the former president. She also indicated she was happy with the probe's progress despite some witnesses, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, refusing to appear before the grand jury. 'I'm pleased with where it is,' she said. 'I think we're moving along at a really good speed.' Willis indicated that she was, at first, reluctant to open the investigation. She was only on the job for several days in January 2021 when The Post broke the story that Trump had called Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and urged him to 'find' the exact number of votes it would have taken for him to have beaten now President Joe Biden. 'I understood that if this occurred in Fulton County, it is serious enough that it needed to be looked at,' she said in the interview, conducted from her office Tuesday. At least five law enforcement officers were injured when an explosive detonated during a bomb squad training exercise in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, on Thursday. The incident occurred around 9:50pm in a field behind the SCI Phoenix Prison in the town of Skippack, as bomb squad officers set up for a later training session for the ATF and FBI. The officers had placed an explosive device inside a vehicle, when it detonated early and injured the five officers. The injured included a Pennsylvania State Trooper, an FBI agent, and three members of the Montgomery County Sherriff's bomb squad. One of the injured - a 14 year bomb squad veteran - was airlifted to a hospital. The ruined car could be seen smoldering in helicopter footage taken at the scene, and the air around it appeared to be wavering with heat The injured included a Pennsylvania State Trooper, an FBI agent, and three members of the Montgomery County Sherriff's bomb squad The other two injured bomb squad officers had been with the team for 12 and 13 years, and were taken to the hospital with 'less significant' injuries, the Montgomery County Sheriff's office told DailyMail.com. The sheriff's office declined to provide the victims' names or comment on the extent of their injuries. According to NBC 10, the injuries included serious head injuries and shrapnel wounds. Photos from the scene showed a four door sedan with its doors blown open, paint stripped from the chassis, the the interior torched, and a black ring of scorched earth surrounding the vehicle. The ruined car could be seen smoldering in helicopter footage taken at the scene, and the air around it appeared to be wavering with heat. The FBI is investigating the cause of the explosion. Photos from the scene showed a four door sedan with its doors blown open, paint stripped from the chassis, the the interior torched, and a black ring of scorched earth surrounding the vehicle Jean-Pierre went after DeSantis sending primarily Venezuelan migrants there, calling it a 'cruel, inhumane way to treat people who are fleeing communism' Meanwhile Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sent migrants to Martha's Vineyard, the Northeastern playground of Democratic elites like Barack Obama President Joe Biden on Thursday denounced Republican governors as 'unAmerican' for the way they were playing political games with migrants, after more than 100 were dumped outside the vice president's official residence and others were flown to Martha's Vineyard. It marked the latest salvo in an increasingly bitter row over the thousands of people crossing the border daily. Republicans have stepped up their attacks on the Biden administration as they try to make immigration the theme of November's midterm elections. Biden hit back as he addressed the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Gala. 'Republicans are playing politics with human beings, using them as props,' he said. 'What they're doing is simply wrong. It's unAmerican. It's reckless. 'And we have a process in place to manage migrants at the border.' 'We're working to make sure it's safe and orderly and humane. Republican officials should not interfere with that process by waging these political stunts.' President Joe Biden stands with Rep. Nanette Barragan, D-Calif., as he speaks at the 45th Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Gala Republican Governors Greg Abbott of Texas and Ron DeSantis of Florida made headlines on Thursday morning after sending migrants to two new high-profile locations. They say their policies are designed to show Democrats in Washington and in Martha's Vineyard, a Massachusetts island popular with wealthy holidaymakers and where Barack Obama has a home, the extent of the problem faced by border states. Two buses of migrants from Texas arrived earlier outside Kamala Harris' residence, carrying more than 100 migrants from Colombia, Cuba, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama and Venezuela. White House Press Secretary said the administration was doing its best at the border, and blamed problems on the Trump administration. 'What I can tell you is the record and the process that we have been using to make sure that we do our best to secure the border,' she said during her daily briefing. 'We do our best to make sure that we fix a broken system that was left behind by the last administration.' And she condemned the actions of Republican governors. 'I'll keep saying that it is inhumane. It is cruel, what they're doing to children and to families,' Jean-Pierre said. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called Governors Abbott and DeSantis' actions sending migrants up north 'cruel' and 'inhumane' Texas Governor Greg Abbott sent two buses full of migrants to Washington, DC outside of the residence of Vice President Kamala Harris 'I'll keep saying that it is inhumane. It is cruel, what they're doing to children and to families,' Jean-Pierre said. DeSantis took credit for sending Venezuelan migrants to Martha's Vineyard on Wednesday night. Jean-Pierre pointed out that many were people fleeing the oppressive Maduro regime. Sending asylum-seekers there, she said, is a 'cruel, inhumane way to treat people who are fleeing communism.' Harris ignored questions from reporters about the migrants who were bussed to her Washington DC residence on Thursday morning. Asylum-seekers claimed they strolled across the border easily - days after she insisted it was 'secure.' Harris made the declaration in a Sunday interview and has now found herself in the midst of an attack by Abbott against Democrat immigration rules. She was asked her thoughts on the situation by a pool reporter after giving a speech at the United Against Hate Summit, at the White House. Harris appeared caught of guard when she was quizzed by a reporter regarding the situation outside her own home in Washington DC But she chose to ignore the question, and carried on walking to her next meeting in Blair House across from the White House. One unidentified man filmed outside the Naval Observatory on Thursday told Fox News: 'The border is open, not closed. Everybody believes that the border is open. 'It is open because we enter. We come in free, no problem. We came illegally, not legally.' His words come just four days after Harris told NBC News: 'The border is secure, but we also have a broken immigration system, in particular over the last four years before we came in, and it needs to be fixed. 'We have a secure border in that that is a priority for any nation, including ours and our administration.' But the vice president's words were made to seem hollow, thanks to Abbott's decision to dispatch two buses containing 101 illegal immigrants from Eagle Pass, Texas to the nation's capital. He did so as DeSantis sent two planes filled with migrants to ritzy Martha's Vineyard island, off the coast of Massachusetts. Many migrants who arrived from Venezuela, Uruguay, Colombia and Mexico told Fox News that they thought the border was open The GOP leaders say they're keen for liberals who espouse 'sanctuary cities' to experience the full effects of uncontrolled immigration, which has hit Texas border cities including Del Rio and El Paso very hard. Those who arrived on the bus said that they had travelled from Venezuela, with many women, children and families smiling as they got off the vehicles. Abbott appears to have directly retaliated to Harris' comments about border security, by sending the latest load of migrants close to her home in DC. The Texas governor has sent hundreds of the migrants to Washington, DC, New York City and Chicago in recent weeks, but has yet to publicly comment on this latest escalation. Gov. DeSantis, meanwhile, bragged about sending two planes of migrants to affluent Martha's Vineyard. Areas targeted by GOP governors all bill themselves as migrant-friendly 'sanctuary cities,' with Abbott saying he's keen to show them the scale of the challenge his border cities are facing from the ongoing influx. In a statement he said: 'The Biden-Harris Administration continues ignoring and denying the historic crisis at our southern border, which has endangered and overwhelmed Texas communities for almost two years. 'Our supposed Border Czar, Vice President Kamala Harris, has yet to even visit the border to see firsthand the impact of the open border policies she has helped implement, even going so far as to claim the border is 'secure.' 'Texas will continue sending migrants to sanctuary cities like Washington, D.C. until President Biden and Border Czar Harris step up and do their jobs to secure the border.' One of the migrants told reporters that the border is 'open' and 'everybody belives that the border is open' in a blow to Harris' comments and President Biden's immigration policy Nearly 100 migrants arrived in Washington DC on Thursday morning from Texas, close to the Vice Presidents home by the Naval Observatory Gov Abbott appears to have directly retaliated to Harris' comments, by sending the latest load of migrants close to her home in DC Abbott argues that the border towns of his state of Texas is overwhelmed, and those in New York and DC should be the ones dealing with the crisis. Eric Adams has slammed the Republican party for their 'inhumane' decision to send migrants to Martha's Vineyard with no warning, and branded Abbott as a 'rogue' Governor. He said: 'The Republican party they have created a blueprint that all of them are starting to follow. It's inhumane. 'For the Governor to send immigrants to Martha's Vineyard without any coordination is just creating real crisis and that is the problem that we shared to our lawmakers in Washington this is a blueprint that you are going to see start unfolding.' On Wednesday, Adams admitted that shelters in the Big Apple are at 'breaking point' after the Texas Gov bused nearly 11,000 people into the city. Abbott recently clashed with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot over the decision, with Lightfoot branding him as a 'racist'. She sparked outrage last week after deciding to move migrants from Chicago to a neighboring Republican suburb. The bus reportedly came from Del Rio in Texas, with some of the migrants unaware of where they were heading Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced in the summer that he would be sending buses of hundreds of immigrants, mostly from South America, to northern states due to the southern border crisis Migrants in Eagle Pass, 450 miles east along the border, were also reported to have killed a guard dog and begun eating animals in desperation The Del Rio section of the border, which includes Eagle Pass, has doubled its number of migrant encounters from the previous year to over 376,000 since October 2021 El Paso, Texas on September 14: The federal government has been releasing hundreds of migrants onto the streets of El Paso, as the NGOs and charities that normally assist them once they are released have been too overwhelmed and unable to take any more people Of the 147 migrants who arrived last Wednesday, Lightfoot ordered 64 of them to be taken to a Hampton Inn hotel in Burr Ridge, where they will be housed for at least the next 30 days. Republican Mayor of Burr Ridge, Gary Grasso, directed his anger at Lightfoot and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker for using the migrants as 'political pawns.' He said: 'We are very unhappy that nobody from the city, from the state called and told me.' Mayor Muriel Bowser, of Washington DC, last week declared a public emergency over the buses continuing to arrive from Texas and Arizona. It will set aside funding to accommodate migrants as well as create the Office of Migrant Services (OMS). The OMS will provide temporary accommodation, urgent medical needs, transportation and other services for those arriving. Bowser has twice asked that the National guard be activated to assist with the thousands of migrants arriving at the capital, but they have both been denied by the Pentagon. Brianne Nadeau, a member of the Council of the District of Columbia, has slammed the governors of Texas and Arizona for the city's public migrant emergency. Republican Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso criticized Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot for using the refugees as 'political pawns' and moving them to the GOP suburb after arriving in her city Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has claimed credit for sending two planes full of migrants to affluent Martha's Vineyard She said: 'So, it's been said, but it's worth reiterating, that the governors of Texas and Arizona have created this crisis. 'And, the federal government has not stepped up to assist the District of Columbia. 'So we, along with our regional partners, we'll do what we've always done. We'll rise to the occasion.' DeSantis has also become embroiled in the ongoing war against the Democrats after sending two planes of migrants to Martha's Vineyard. The affluent area is home to prominent liberals such as the Obamas, Oprah Winfrey and Larry David. DeSantis bragged that he was responsible for the planes, with a spokesman for his office adding that it was 'part of the state's relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations.' They took aim at the Democrat run areas, saying that Massachusetts, New York and California with 'better facilitate' the care of the migrants. In their statement they directly accused those in charge of 'inviting' the illegal migrants to the country by 'incentivizing illegal immigration through their designation as 'sanctuary states'' Each plane is understood to have been carrying around 50 Venezuelan migrants, before they were helped into shelters More than half of Americans think there is an 'invasion' while another one-third expressed worry over being 'replaced' by illegal immigrants His office also took aim at President Bidens open border policies, in a direct echo of Gov Abbott's complaints. They added: 'As you may know, in this past legislative session the Florida Legislature appropriated $12 million to implement a program to facilitate the transport of illegal immigrants from this state consistent with federal law.' At the same time as these new arrivals, humanitarian crisis is deepening in the Texas border town of El Paso. Nearly 1,000 migrants have been released to sleep on the streets amid a surge of illegal crossings that is overwhelming Border Patrol facilities. Border Patrol facilities and shelters in the west Texas town have been overwhelmed in recent days, leading to a flood of so-called 'street releases'. Congressman Tony Gonzalez, a GOP US Representative, said: 'We've never seen anything like this. It's a scene that you would see in a third-world country, not in the streets of El Paso.' The victim of a recent Northeastern University bombing has denied claims that he staged the explosion, noting the event was 'a very traumatic thing.' Jason Duhaime, 45, an employee at the university's virtual reality lab, received skepticism from investigators after they said wounds on his hand were not consistent with an explosion, according to the Boston Globe. Other officials said Duhaime was inconsistent with his story about the event when he relayed it to police. 'I did not stage this, in no way shape or form,' he said. 'They need to catch the guy that did this.' One Boston firefighter who responded to the 'weird' incident told the Globe that there were no reports of 'a loud explosion.' 'It wasn't like a loud explosion,' he said. 'There were kids (still) in the classroom, so they must not have heard it. People did not seem panicked at all. 'You hear (the word) explosion, you think: big noise and people would be nervous.' Jason Duhaime, 45, is an employee at Northeastern University's virtual reality lab. He suffered minor injuries to his hand after an explosion detonated from a package he opened Tuesday Theories that the explosion may have been targeted toward Northeastern University Virtual Reality emerged on social media just hours after the incident Investigation into Duhaime continues after officials say his injuries are not consistent with an explosion and that he has been inconsistent with his story of the event Northeastern University said the package, which exploded at 7.18pm on Tuesday night, had been delivered to campus and detonated after being opened by Duhaime A second package was neutralized by Boston's bomb squad shortly after the incident Tuesday at the Museum of Fine Arts, located close to campus, but was determined to be safe. The staff member claimed he opened a hard plastic package inside Holmes Hall just after 7pm. Officials found a one-paged, 'rambling' letter that had been included with the package which mentioned Mark Zuckerberg, the metaverse and virtual reality while indicating more bombs were coming. As the dust settled, authorities revealed the box which exploded was a Pelican brand box - a plastic carrying case which can be pressurized and sealed shut - which had depressurized when the Duhaime opened it and caused his injuries. Duhaime continued to defend his innocence. 'It's a very traumatic thing that has occurred so (I'm) shaken up, I'm not doing so good,' he said. 'I love the college. I've worked there for eight years and supported faculty and students. This is crazy. I cannot believe people are spreading rumors about this.' Holmes Hall houses the Women's Gender and Sexuality Studies program, the journalism department and the campus Virtual Reality club, according to Twitter users A Pelican case is a hard often waterproof black case with a soft inner lining typically used to transport delicate items Pelican boxes are commonly used to store delicate devices like electronics or cameras, and would be commonplace in a virtual reality lab. On the front page of Northeastern's Experiential Technology Lab's website there is even a photo with a Pelican-style box visible in the background. Authorities later determined the box which exploded had no traces of explosives on it, and had not been sent through the US Post Office. Multiple sources have confirmed that there was some kind of a letter involved in the incident, including CNN's Chief law enforcement and intelligence analyst, John Miller, who said he saw it. 'There was a note, there were pictures, the note was talking about virtual reality, talking about universities, talking about Mark Zuckerberg,' said Miller. 'The note is somewhat rambling, and they're trying to work through the meaning of it.' The bombing left students and school faculty across the city unsettled, with Harvard and MIT both increasing their security after the incident. Martha's Vineyard authorities have described the arrival of 50 migrants on their affluent island as a 'humanitarian crisis' - despite the median household income being significantly higher than the national average. The declaration came as a lawmaker who previously said that he would 'love' to see the wealthy area turn into a 'haven' for immigrants slammed Governor Ron DeSantis for flying in 50 migrants. 'To our Island community, here is an update on current humanitarian crisis on Martha's Vineyard,' the official account of the tourist board tweeted on Thursday. 'We thank people for their continued help.' The community issued a statement, saying that they were working on a 'coordinated regional response', and two emergency shelters had been created. 'All activated local Emergency Management will remain in effect as we learn more and anticipate our State partners coordinated response.' The 50 migrants have since been put on a bus by Gov. Charlie Baker, and given a police escort to Joint Base in Cape Cod 32 miles away from Martha's Vineyard - and will be travelling on the ferry to get to their destination. Martha's Vineyard officials on Thursday updated locals on the 'humanitarian crisis' sparked by the 50 migrant newcomers The exclusive enclave is where Barack and Michelle Obama bought their $12 million vacation home in 2019, and where he celebrated his 60th birthday last year. In 2017, John Kerry bought a historic waterfront property in Chilmark for $11.75 million. Celebrity visitors include Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and members of the Kennedy family. The median house in Martha's Vineyard is worth almost $800,000, according to the census, and the median household is $77,370 - well above the national average of $67,521. Keith Chatinover, a Democrat county commissioner for the area, made the comments in response to Sen Ted Cruz's pushing a bill for Democrat-led areas to become post of entry for processing migrants. But he now appears unhappy at having his wish granted, and has retweeted rants all day of accusing the Florida governor of being a fascist and human trafficker for sending migrants to the billionaires' enclave. He told the MVTimes in October 2021: 'I would love Martha's Vineyard to become a haven for new immigrants to this country, but Senator Cruz has no idea what he's talking about regarding a 'border crisis.' But now he is being called out for the comments, after branding DeSantis a 'fascist' for escalating the immigration war with Democrat-run areas. DeSantis flew two planes of 50 migrants to the liberal town on the island. He also called out the Texas senator for referencing his comments from last year, saying 'I really am living rent free in your head huh Ted Cruz.' Chatinover tweeted that he does 'support refugee resettlement' but has an issue when they are not given 'advance notice' to 'adequately help' the migrants DeSantis flew in the two planes without giving any warning, sparking criticism from Democrats - including New York Mayor Eric Adams Chatinover retweeted someone else who called DeSantis 'fascist scum' who said he should be 'prosecuted for human trafficking' Keith Chatinover, a county commissioner for the area, made the comments in response to Sen Ted Cruz's pushing a bill for Democrat-led areas to become post of entry for processing migrants School buses were used to get the group of migrants, mostly from Venezuela, to the church that provided shelter Cruz tweeted that he was 'confused' over Chatinover slamming DeSantis for flying the illegal immigrants into the area where the Obamas, Oprah Winfrey and Larry David have properties. Chatinover tweeted that he does 'support refugee resettlement' but has an issue when they are not given 'advance notice' to 'adequately help' the migrants. He added that the chaos of the situation for the Republicans to 'prove a point' was a 'blatant disregard' for human rights. State Rep. Dylan Fernandes posted a photo showing him with a group of the migrants after vowing to help Fernandes said that some migrants will likely need to be moved to an 'off-Island location' due to limited housing availability at Martha's Vineyard Chatinover retweeted someone else who called DeSantis 'fascist scum' who said he should be 'prosecuted for human trafficking.' Replying to Ted Cruz's tweet defending DeSantis, he said: 'Notice Ted Cruz how when refugees showed up on our shores, we provided them with food and shelternot cages and family separations.' Assistant Speaker of the U.S. House Katherine Clark has also slammed DeSantis' actions, calling him 'despicable' for ' playing politics with human life.' Democratic State Rep Dylan Fernandes has branded the move as 'inhumane' and accused the Florida governor of using human beings as 'political pawns'. Fernandes said that some migrants will likely need to be moved to an 'off-Island location' due to limited housing availability at Martha's Vineyard. DeSantis press secretary Bryan Griffin criticized the reaction from the left, saying their anger is misplaced. He added: 'The left's outrage not being directed at the border policies incentivizing human smuggling and dangerous treks across Central America but at chartered flights to their own doorstep speaks volume.' Following their arrival on Wednesday, the migrants stayed overnight at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Edgartown, which provided emergency shelter by clearing out the parish hall and setting up cots Dozens of representatives for Martha's Vineyard blasted DESantis and the republican party for the move Immigrants gather with their belongings outside St. Andrews Episcopal Church, a small parish in Edgartown Following their arrival on Wednesday, the migrants stayed overnight at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Edgartown, which provided emergency shelter by clearing out the parish hall and setting up cots. The small downtown parish is located on a quiet tree-lined street and nestled between multi-million homes, with one five-bedroom house next door currently listed for sale at $3.95 million, and another sold last year for $4.6 million. St. Andrew's is also just over three miles away from the Obama family's $11.75 million vacation compound, which is situated on the coastal outskirts of Edgartown. Martha's Vineyard residents and local officials have been quick to voice outrage at DeSantis and other GOP governors for their migrant transplant programs. A stray dog may have to pay a hefty fine in animal court after it was caught stealing a delivery man's lunch bag. The mischievous, yet hilarious act, was captured on camera while Roseilson Melo was delivering an order to a home in the northern Brazilian state of Para on Sunday. The surveillance video showed Melo pulling up to the residence on his bike and the pooch strolling past him. He removed the food delivery backpack and placed it on top of the seat to take out the lunch bag he was dropping off. Melo then walked over to ring the doorbell and was chatting with the customer when the backpack tipped to the side, causing a plastic bag to fall out. A surveillance camera captured the stray dog walking away with a customer's lunch bag after it fell out of the backpack that deliveryman Roseilson Melo (left) had placed on top of his motorcycle Sunday in Para, Brazil Tharles Costa, who owns Delicias de Francisca restaurant in the northeastern Brazilian state of Para, was investigating a complaint over a missing order and requested to see the video which revealed the funny moment the stray dog (pictured) picked up a plastic bag containing a customer's food and walked away with it Subsequently, the four-legged animal passed by the motorcycle and spotted the plastic lunch bag lying on the ground. The dog picked it with its teeth and trotted across to the other side of the dirt-paved street. The camera later showed the dog dropping the bag on the grass and sniffing it for a moment. Apparently, the food smelled good enough that the dog snatched the bag with its teeth and started walking away. Melo had a baffled reaction as he searched for the customer's meal, which had been ordered from Delicias de Francisca restaurant, and informed the customer that his bag was missing from the backpack. The delivery man left his backpack open as he waited for the customer to answer the door bell moments before the plastic bag that contained the order he was dropping off disappeared Tharles Costa, who owns Delicias de Francisca restaurant, made fun of the incident by taking a photo of the stray dog sitting inside a police car after discovering a surveillance camera video that showed how the pooch took off with a customer's order after a lunch bag had fallen out of a delivery man's backpack The owner, Tharles Costa, told Brazilian news outlet G1, that they were able to discover the viral robbery after going over the security camera footage. 'The customer couldn't believe the food was gone. The delivery guy arrived here bewildered, not knowing what to do,' Costa said. 'After all, he didn't see the dog. We decided to go to the place and ask for the video from the security cameras. That's when we saw everything what happened. The story went viral.' Costa shared the video footage on his restaurant's Instagram account as well as a photo of him posing with the dog and another that showed the pooch sitting inside a police car. 'The (dog) has already been released and is ready to rob another delivery person in the neighborhoods of Mocajuba (Para), this is the Brazil we live in,' he quipped. A notorious bikie recently pictured partying with several high-profile Comancheros has been rushed to hospital after he was shot in the face south of Brisbane. Kyle Leofa, 25, is recovering in Mater Hospital in a stable condition following a shooting in a car park in the Logan suburb of Underwood on Monday night. Police were only made aware of the incident hours later when Mr Leofa showed up in hospital on Tuesday afternoon, suffering from a suspected gunshot wound. He showed up in the hospital hours after another man linked to the Comancheros was stabbed to death in a Brisbane street. Daily Mail Australia makes no suggestion the shooting of Mr Leofa is linked in any way to the alleged stabbing murder. Police launched a public appeal for information on Thursday, with Mr Leofa reportedly not cooperating with investigators. Kyle Leofa (left) remains in hospital after he suffered facial injuries in a shooting in a carpark south of Brisbane. He's pictured with Comancheros sergeant-at-arms Tarek Zahed, national president Allan Meehan and long-time Comancheros associate George Lergou (right) Police say Kyle Leofa (pictured) remains in hospital in a stable condition four days after the shooting in a car park The shooting comes weeks after Mr Leofa was spotted mingling with the national president of the Comancheros, Allan Meehan, and club sergeant-at-arms Tarek Zahed in Melbourne last month. Photos posted by Meehan on social media show the trio hamming it up for the camera with long-time Comancheros associate and convicted drug importer George Lergou. Meehan captioned one photo 'welcome back Tarek 'hard2kill' Zahed'. It was the first time Zahed was spotted in public for the first time after he miraculously survived being gunned down outside a western Sydney gym in May, an attack that claimed the life of his brother. Zahed spent weeks in hospital recovering from his serious injuries and was left blind in one eye. The photos emerged on social media a week before Zahed was dramatically arrested in Sydney's east on August 28. Meanwhile, police investigation into the Underwood shooting, which occurred in a Logan Road carpark around 7pm on Monday night, continues. Kyle Leofa (pictured middle) is yet to speak to police about Monday's shooting Kyle Leofa was recently pictured with club sergeant-at-arms Tarek Zahed months after Zahed survived a shooting in Sydney which claimed his brother Omar's life (pictured, paramedics with Omar Zahed at the scene) 'Initial investigations have identified a group of unknown males at the carpark of a business, filming a video, when two vehicles, one containing the victim, approached them and an alleged incident has occurred,' a Queensland police statement read. Police confirmed Leofa has not spoken with detectives attached to Operation Dagobah, a strike force set up to investigate incidents between two rival groups. Police appealed for anyone who may have seen the incident or who has dash cam or CCTV, particularly in the Underwood area of Logan Road and Kingston Road to contact police. Zahed is currently behind bars after he was arrested in a dramatic confrontation with police after returning to Sydney from Melbourne. He was charged with the murder of 29-year-old Youssef Assoum, who was stabbed and shot at Bankstown in December 2014. Kyle Leofa was shot juts six hours after Comancheros associate Levi Johnson, 23, (pictured with his sister) was allegedly stabbed in death in Brisbane. Daily Mail Australia makes no suggestion the shooting is linked in any way to Mr Johnson's death Zahed remains behind bars after his bid for bail to undergo a multifaceted treatment program as he recovers from injuries suffered in May was rejected bya magistrate in a Sydney court this week. Zahed in May miraculously survived an assassination attempt at Bodyfit Gym in Sydney's Auburn when more than 20 bullets were fired inside the health club. The 'Balenciaga Bikie' was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and was taken into surgery with bullet wounds to his head and body, including one that pierced straight through his eyeball. His brother Omar, 39, was killed during the shooting. One of former President Trump's head-scratching antics as president was his suggestion that the U.S. should buy Greenland, and according to a new book he got the bright idea from an old college friend, New York cosmetics heir Ronald Lauder. While late-night TV and the internet poked fun at the idea as a passing Trump whim, in reality the idea had been studied internally and the former president even invoked his National Security Council to discuss the matter. After Lauder, the billionaire heir of Estee-Lauder, planted the idea in Trump's head, he told his national security adviser: 'A friend of mine, a really, really experienced businessman, thinks we can get Greenland.' 'What do you think?' Trump asked. That and other explosive revelations from Trump's presidency are revealed in a forthcoming book from New York Times chief White House correspondent Peter Baker and New Yorker staff writer Susan Glasser, 'The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021.' One of former President Trump's head-scratching antics as president was his suggestion that the U.S. should buy Greenland, and according to a new book he got the bright idea from an old college friend, New York cosmetics heir Ronald Lauder Lauder discussed the plan from the early days of the presidency and even offered himself as a back channel to the Danish government to negotiate. The Danes, however, were not pleased with the idea. A special team was then assigned to evaluate the prospects, while many baffled aides tried to veer Trump off the path and tried to avoid a leak of the prospect out of fear of a diplomatic snafu. The former president himself told the forthcoming book's authors that buying the territory would not have been 'that different' than his high-profile real estate purchases for the Trump Organization. After Lauder, the billionaire heir of Estee-Lauder, planted the idea in Trump's head, he told his national security adviser: 'A friend of mine, a really, really experienced businessman, thinks we can get Greenland' 'I said, "Why don't we have that?'' Trump said of Greenland. 'You take a look at a map. I'm a real estate developer, I look at a corner, I say, 'I've got to get that store for the building that I'm building,' etc. It's not that different.' The idea eventually fell apart after public ridicule, which ended with Trump joining in on the fun on Twitter: 'I promise not to do this to Greenland!' he wrote, along with a meme of rural Greenland with a massive glass Trump tower smacked in the middle. The former president was also reportedly so paranoid that Iran would retaliate for the US killing of its top general, Qasem Soleimani, that he told guests at a Mar-a-Lago holiday party in 2020 that he was leaving early in fear of an assassination attempt by Tehran. 'We stopped him and we stopped him quickly and we stopped him cold,' Trump said at a rally in Toledo, Ohio, that month. 'He was a bad guy. He was a bloodthirsty terrorist, and he's no longer a terrorist. He's dead.' In private, he was more fearful of the consequences, reportedly telling friends he needed to get back to Washington where he would be 'safer.' Rarely restrained in his commentary either in public or in private, Trump also reportedly told people around him that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was an example of why women should be careful with plastic surgery and said he would not pick Nikki Haley, his United Nations ambassador, as a running mate because she had a 'complexion problem.' In other excerpts of the book, Trump belittled his son-in-law Jared Kushner as only being concerned about his 'New York liberal crowd.' Melania Trump also reportedly told her husband he was 'blowing' the United States COVID-19 response, a new report suggested on Wednesday. The former first lady had been 'rattled by the coronavirus and convinced that [Donald] Trump was screwing up,' the book claims. In a phone call with former Trump ally Chris Christie, Melania reportedly recalled telling him that she said to her husband, 'You're blowing this.' She apparently pleaded with Christie to help convince Trump to take the pandemic more seriously. She said she told Trump, 'This is serious. It's going to be really bad, and you need to take it more seriously than you're taking it.' But he did little more than brush her off, according to the book. ''You worry too much,' Trump replied. 'Forget it.' Among the bombshells were also concerns held by Trump's top general, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Mark Milley, that the ex-president would order an attack on Iran on his way out the White House door. And according to the authors, it was one of Trump's staffers who gave him the idea. 'Milley at the time told his staff it was a 'What the f*** are these guys talking about?' moment,' the book claims. Melania Trump reportedly told her husband of the pandemic, 'This is serious. It's going to be really bad, and you need to take it more seriously than you're taking it' Trump reportedly told his wife to 'forget it' in response to her concerns But that's not the only time the ex-president has inspired national security fears among his advisers. After Trump publicly sided with Russia's Vladimir Putin over US intelligence agencies that accused the Kremlin of meddling in American elections, the national intelligence director privately wondered to 'associates' about what the two leaders' relationship was. 'I never could come to a conclusion. It raised the question in everybody's mind: What does Putin have on him that causes him to do something that undermines his credibility?' then-DNI Dan Coats allegedly said. In the Middle East, Trump is reported to have given Jordan's King Abdullah II such a shock by offering him the West Bank that the monarch told a friend he believed he was having a heart attack. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Mark Milley reportedly told his staff that he had 'a 'What the f*** are these guys talking about?' moment' when a former Trump staffer advised the president to attack Iran And while Trump's foreign chops were recognized by late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's nomination of him for a Nobel Peace Prize, the book claims that the ex-president had a hand in pushing that, too. A former senior Trump aide told the authors, 'The President asked Abe over dinner to nominate him.' Other revelations include newly-uncovered messages by top Trump officials that depicts the White House in a state of chaos during the 2018 midterm elections. 'Ok for the first time I am actually scared for the country. The insanity has been loosed,' then-Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen wrote to a colleague. She also apparently said that Trump's secretaries of Defense, Education and Labor were all threatening to resign. Looking ahead to his future potential 2024 campaign, the former president did not say if he would run but poured cold water on the chances that he would run with Mike Pence again. The reason was Pence's failure to stop the 2020 election results - Trump's defeat - from being certified by Congress. 'It would be totally inappropriate,' Trump told the authors. 'Mike committed political suicide by not taking votes that he knew were wrong.' Harry and Meghan gave up using their titles when they left royal duties in 2020 Buckingham Palace has refused to confirm if they will be allowed royal titles Their children, Archie and Lilibet, are now sixth and seventh in line to the throne There will be no announcement on any future titles for Harry and Meghans children during the period of royal mourning. Following the death of their great-grandmother, Archie and Lilibet are sixth and seventh in line to the throne, and are entitled to be called prince and princess. But Buckingham Palace has refused to confirm if this will officially happen. And yesterday a spokesman for King Charles said it was unlikely that any announcement would be made until at least September 26, when the period of royal mourning ends. They told the Daily Mail: The King is focused on the mourning period so it is unlikely [any announcement would be made] on other titles during that period. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex pictured with daughter Lilibet and son Archie shortly before Christmas last year Harry became visibly emotional as he and Meghan paid their respects to the Queen's coffin in Westminster Hall Prince William and Prince Harry walk behind King Charles III during the procession from Buckingham Palace on Wednesday The future is an amazing thing. I am sure that at some point there will be discussion, but not during the royal mourning period. The Sun newspaper claimed that tense discussions had taken place over the issue. Which Royal Family members are HRH? The following members of the Royal Family are HRH: Princess Anne, Princess Royal Prince William, Prince of Wales Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales Prince George Princess Charlotte Prince Louis Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex Sophie, Countess of Wessex Princess Eugenie Princess Beatrice Duke and Duchess of Gloucester Duke and Duchess of Kent Prince and Princess Michael of Kent Princess Alexandra, the Honourable Lady Ogilvy The following members of the Royal Family are technically entitled to HRH but do not use it: Prince Andrew Prince Harry Meghan Markle James, Viscount Severn Lady Louise Windsor Advertisement The Sussexes stopped using their HRH styles in 2020 when they stepped down from royal duties. Archie, three and Lilibet, one, became elgible for the titles on the death of the Queen under rules set out by King George V in 1917 limiting the number of royal family members able to claim a HRH title. His Letters Patent -a written order of the monarchs wishes- restricted royals allowed to use an HRH title to the children of the sovereign, the children of the sovereigns sons, and the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales. In 2012, prior to Georges birth in 2013 and not knowing whether Williams first child would be a boy or a girl, the Queen issued a new Letters Patent giving the HRH title to all children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales - which is why George, Charlotte and Louis are equally styled. The issue was widely discussed after Meghan accused the Royal Family of treating her son differently in her bombshell Oprah interview - intimating she believed it was because of race. When Archie was born, he could have used the title of Earl of Dumbarton as a great-grandson of the Queen, but his parents chose not adopt it - and he could not be a prince. They were saying they didnt want him to be a prince or princess, which would be different from protocol, and that he wasnt going to receive security, Meghan told Oprah. This went on for the last few months of our pregnancy where I was going, hold on for a second. The duchess insisted that no suitable explanation was given for why Archie wasnt going to be a prince, despite the rules being clear. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Prince and Princess of Wales at Westminster Hall in London yesterday Netflix predicts that its new low-cost, ad-supported subscription option could boost revenue and add an additional 40 million viewers to its streaming site by the end of 2023. The Los Gatos California-based company and its advertising partner Microsoft Corporation have met with ad buyers over the last few weeks on its new strategy in hopes of securing some deals ahead of its launch date slated for later this year, The Wall Street Journal reported. Netflix that has a 220 million subscribers and has the streaming industry's largest audience. Thought the company said it would remain ad-free but the move comes as there is more competition in the market space and a maturing US market. The company will join rivals such as HBO Max and Disney+ that have or are planning to launch ad-supported services. Their prediction is that their lower-cost, ad-supported plan could bring in new users and boost earnings. Netflix predicts that its new low-cost, ad-supported subscription option could boost revenue and add an additional 40 million viewers to its streaming site by the end of 2023 The popular South Korean survival television series, 'Squid Games,' is one of the shows Netflix is betting would bring in new viewers as part of its lower-cost, ad-supported plan Claire Foy (pictured) stars in 'The Crown' the historical drama television series about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, is among some of the popular content on the streaming site Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in the American sci-fi horror drama thriller 'Stranger Things' Netflix told ad executives that it expects to have 4.4 million unique viewers worldwide at the end of the year, with 1.1 million coming from the U.S, according to preliminary projections, the news outlet reported. The company estimated that number would grow to over 40 million unique viewers by the third quarter of 2023, with 13.3 million from the US. 'We are still in the early days of deciding how to launch a lower priced, ad supported tier and no decisions have been made,' a Netflix spokeswoman said in a statement. In the June quarter, Netflix lost nearly one million subscribers. In July, a letter was sent out to shareholders that new ad-supported option would begin in early 2023, but some ad buyers were told it would launch November 1. The company plans to charge premium prices to advertise on its service, The Wall Street Journal previously reported. Some ad-buying companies were given the viewership projections, so they can plan accordingly and advise their advertising clients on the projected reach of the new service, which would be a factor in determining the amount of dollars to spend. Launch markets that the company plans to appeal to include advertisers in Japan, Brazil, Mexico, the U.K., France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Korea, Australia and Canada. The popular South Korean survival television series, 'Squid Games,' the historical drama television series, 'The Crown,' and the American sci-fi horror drama series, 'Stranger Things' are some of the shows Netflix is betting on that would bring in new viewers, as part of its lower-cost, ad supported plan. The metric Netflix has shared, 'projected unique viewers,' is expected to be higher than the number of subscribers for the advertising-supported Netflix plan, since the company says more than one person in a subscribing household will likely be able to watch the service, the news outlet reported. In the interim, the company said that it continues to evaluate the potential demand for their new ad-supported plan with some ad buyers already claiming that advertising demand expected to be part of the launch is 'robust.' Race car driver Toni Breidinger is temporarily exchanging her ARCA jumpsuit for some lingerie following an announcement she is the latest Victoria's Secret model. The 23-year-old Venturini Motorsports competitor revealed the career-changing news on social media while sporting a lacy bra. 'Little me is crying,' Breidinger wrote. 'Growing up, I struggled a lot with body confidence. This past year I focused on my mental and physical health over appearance. 'I'm honored to be part of [the] Victoria's Secret family. Thank you for letting me feel confident in my own skin.' Breidinger also appeared in a campaign video on the Victoria's Secret Instagram page on Wednesday. She styled the store's latest drop - a deep green bra that is a part of the company's Body collection. 'Thank you for having me part of this,' Breidinger wrote in response. 'A dream come true.' Victoria's Secret also featured Breidinger in a separate post with the caption, 'Toni Breidinger for VS Fall 2022.' The post suggested there will be more of her to see in their fall collection. Toni Breidinger recently signed on to be a Victoria's Secret model. The race car driver posted her latest career achievement on social media while sporting a lacy bra Victoria Secret featured Breidinger on their social media page with an introduction of the race car driver as their model The 23-year-old Venturini Motorsports competitor said she is 'honored' to join the Victoria's Secret team and feels 'confident' in her own skin Breidinger shares her adventurous life as a race car driver on Instagram with her 274,000 followers. In May, she opened up about wanting to explore fashion in between her busy schedule. My biggest focus is on the ARCA Series, she told The Spun. We have a full schedule, but in between I love to get into the fashion space. Its fun having projects that are unrelated to racing because it allows me to spice things up a bit.' The race car driver is a fashion icon on Instagram and said keeping active on the platform is essential for sponsorships and fans. Social media is a big part of this day and age, she said. You cant expect to get brands and sponsors without a social media following, thats just how it is. In general, I love social media. Even before I was racing professionally I loved it. I enjoy being on different platforms and interacting with fans Despite social media being a vital part in Breidingers life, she admitted staying away can help her mental health. Its important to balance it because there are positive aspects of it. However, there are negative comments on social media from time to time. The best way for me to balance it is by staying off social media during race day. Breidinger shares her adventurous life as a race car driver on Instagram with her 274,000 followers She recently opened up in May about wanting to explore the fashion industry on the side The race car driver is known to post various fashion and work related photos on her Instagram to keep interacted with her fans Breidinger races for Venturini Motorsports in the ARCA Menards Series and drives the #35 Toyota Camry. The model's latest race was a day after her big announcement. She appeared at Bristol Motor Speedway on Thursday. NASCAR welcomed Breidinger in the 2021 ARCA Menards Series season opener. She was the first female Arab-American driver. The race car driver grew up in California's Bay area, but her mother was born in Beirut, according to ArabAmericanNews.com. She discovered racing at age 9 when she was brought to a go-kart track by her racing enthusiast father, who happens to be a mechanical engineer. 'When I was 9, my dad took my sister and I to a go-kart track at Sonoma Raceway, just for fun,' she told ArabAmericanNews.com. 'He never thought anything would come out of it. I did it a few times and just loved it.' Breidinger's father ultimately bought his daughter her own go-kart, sparking her interest in motorsports, as well as her younger sister's. 'As soon as I got into a go-kart for my first time, I was like, 'I want to be a race car driver,'' she told CBS. 'I told my parents that [and] I think they just kind of thought I was just saying that... but I knew in my mind I was going to do that.' Later, when Breidinger began racing competitively, her father became her crew chief as she went on to win 19 United States Auto Club races, which is the most ever by a woman. Im honored and excited to be the first, but dont want to be the last, I hope I can pave the way for future female Arab drivers as well,' she previously told CNN. Breidinger shares her adventurous life as a race car driver on Instagram with her 274,000 followers. She races for Venturini Motorsports in the ARCA Menards Series and drives the #35 Toyota Camry. The model's latest race was a day after her big announcement. She appeared at Bristol Motor Speedway on Thursday. NASCAR welcomed Breidinger in the 2021 ARCA Menards Series season opener. She was the first female Arab-American driver. She races for Venturini Motorsports in the ARCA Menards Series and drives the #35 Toyota Camry Hailey Bieber was spotted earlier this week in a new campaign for Victoria's Secret Swim, wearing a bright blue string bikini Breidinger will join Victoria's Secret alongside famous celebrities, including Hailey Bieber. Bieber is an influencer and model that was recruited to the lingerie company in November 2021. The 25-year-old beauty is known to post her latest Victoria's Secret shots with either swim or sleepwear. Bella Hadid is another one of Victoria's Secret angels that returned in December 2021 after previously revealing her sexual misconduct cases. She has since said the company has drastically changed. President Joe Biden put himself on a collision course with social media giants on Thursday, as he laid out his plans to tackle the 'venom' of white supremacy. He demanded that companies like Twitter and Facebook be held accountable for hatred spread on their platforms, and urged Congress to end legal protections that give them immunity from being prosecuted over users' posts. Biden set out his plans after a one-day summit at the White House that brought together campaigners and survivors of racist violence. He called on Congress to pass his plans for greater spending to protect nonprofits and houses of worship from hate attacks. 'And hold social media platforms accountable for spreading hate and fueling violence,' he said. 'I am calling on Congress to get rid of special immunity for social media companies and impose much stronger transparency requirements on all of them.' President Joe Biden put himself on a collision course with social media giants on Thursday, as he laid out his plans to tackle the 'venom' of white supremacy he again told the story of how it was a white supremacist march in Charlottesville, Virginia, that inspired him to run for president in 2020 His words went further than previous demands for reform of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects publishers of other people's content. Campaigners say social media platforms are less likely to police hate speech if they know they do not face penalties for failing to do so. Biden put it at the heart of his speech on Thursday during a week when allies put the platforms on notice. On Tuesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law requiring social media companies publish their policies on disinformation, hate speech and harassment. And a day later the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee grilled social media executives on their efforts to tackle extremism. 'In America, evil will not win. It will not prevail,' said Biden in the East Room of the White House, watched by campaigners including the Rev. Al Sharpton. 'And white supremacists will not have the last word, and this venom and violence cannot be the story of our time. 'So we convened this summit to make clear what the story of our time must be. 'It has to be a story in which each and every one of us has a vital role to play, a story. with this message from the White House: United united, united, we stand.' The president exchanged words with Rev. Al Sharpton after the speech Biden was introduced at the United We Stand summit by Susan Bro, mother of Heather Heyer, who was killed during protests at the August 2017 white nationalist rally And he again told the story of how it was a white supremacist march in Charlottesville, Virginia, that inspired him to run for president in 2020. When those folks came out of that field carrying torches - in the United States of America, carrying torches, chanting the same anti-Semitic bile that was chanted in Germany in the early 30s, accompanied by white supremacists holding Nazi flags. And I thought to myself: My God, this is the United States of America. How could it happen?' he said. He was introduced by Susan Bro, mother of Heather Heyer, who was killed during protests at the August 2017 white nationalist rally. And he took aim at Republicans such as Sen. Lindsey Graham who have dismissed their opponents as 'wacko.' 'Unless we speak out it's going to continue,' he said. 'We cannot be intimidated by those who are talking about this as some a bunch of wacko liberals who are engaged in this,' he said. 'I mean, think about how it's characterised.' A huge procession will accompany the Queen's coffin from Westminster Abbey to Hyde Park as London bids a final farewell to its longest-serving monarch on Monday. Much of the capital will be brought to a standstill as senior Royals walk behind the coffin, joined by members of the police, Armed Forces and the NHS. Prince William and Prince Harry will walk side-by-side as the procession moves slowly from Westminster Abbey to the Wellington Arch, near the entrance to Hyde Park. The brothers will follow the King, the Princess Royal, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward as they walk behind the coffin, borne on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy. Prince Harry and Prince William to walk together with NHS staff at Queen's funeral procession. File photo: Prince William and Kate meet patient William Taylor, 94, telling him he doesn't need to stand to greet them, as they visit NHS staff and patients at Clitheroe Community Hospital on January 20 this year in Clitheroe, East Lancashire File photo: Prince Harry has blood taken by Specialist Psychotherapist Robert Palmer as he takes an HIV test during a visit to Burrell Street Sexual Health Clinic in July 2016 London will be brought to a standstill as senior Royals walk behind the coffin, joined by members of the police, Armed Forces and the NHS. File photo: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visiting Clitheroe Community Hospital in January The sight will echo the brothers' poignant walk behind the Queen's lead-lined casket earlier this week, but also their procession behind their mother's coffin following Diana's death in 1997. On Monday the Queen Consort, the Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Sussex and the Countess of Wessex will follow by car. The Queen's coffin will be carried on a 123-year-old gun carriage towed by 98 Royal Navy sailors in a tradition dating back to the funeral of Queen Victoria. The procession route will be lined by the Armed Forces in a final salute, and Big Ben will toll at one-minute intervals throughout. Gun salutes will also be fired every minute from Hyde Park for the duration. The procession itself will be led by Mounties from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. They will be followed by members of the George Cross Foundation and detachments from the Armed Forces from around the Commonwealth. Huge detachments from the RAF, the Army, the Navy and the Marines will follow, each accompanied by their own bands. In attendance will be the massed pipes and drums of Scottish and Irish Regiments, the Brigade of Gurkhas, and the Royal Air Force numbering 200 musicians. The gun carriage bearing the coffin will be surrounded by the King's Body Guards of The Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, The Yeomen of the Guard and the Royal Company of Archers. Representatives of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the NHS will follow the Royals, along with mounted officers from the Metropolitan Police. William, Prince of Wales (left) and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (second-left) walk behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, borne on gun carriage, during a ceremonial procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Wednesday The sight will echo the brothers' poignant walk behind the Queen's lead-lined casket earlier this week, but also their procession behind their mother's coffin following Diana's death in 1997. Pictured left-right: Earl Spencer, Prince William, Prince Harry and Prince Charles stand alongside the hearse containing the coffin of Diana after the funeral service at Westminster Abbey A Guard of Honour will remain in position in Parliament Square, and ex-service veterans will flank the Cenotaph on Whitehall as the coffin passes. The King's Life Guard will give a Royal Salute as it reaches Horse Guards, before the procession heads into The Mall towards Buckingham Palace. The King's Guard will turn out in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace and will give a Royal Salute as the coffin passes the Queen Victoria Memorial, opposite the palace. At 1pm the procession will reach Wellington Arch, where the coffin will be lifted from the gun carriage and placed into the State Hearse, to begin its final journey to Windsor Castle. As the hearse leaves Wellington Arch, the parade will give a final Royal Salute and the National Anthem will be played. The hearse will be followed by the late monarch's son-in-law Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, husband of Princess Anne, the Duke of Gloucester, the Queen's cousin, and her nephew, the Earl of Snowdon. New Hampshire's Republican Senate hopeful Donald Bolduc flip-flopped and said President Joe Biden is the 'legitimate president' and the 'election was not stolen' 24 hours after winning his tight GOP primary. Bolduc, a retired United States brigadier general, ran in the Granite State primary as a 2020 election denier aligned with former President Donald Trump, though the ex-president never endorsed him. In Tuesday's primary, he won the Republican primary by less than 2,000 votes over Chuck Morse, the more mainstream candidate who's the president of the New Hampshire state Senate - and will take on Democratic incumbent Sen. Maggie Hassan in the fall. Appearing on Fox News Channel's America's Newsroom with Dana Perino and Bill Hemmer Thursday, Bolduc was asked if he continued to stand by a letter he signed alongside 120 other generals saying that Trump won the 2020 election. New Hampshire's Republican Senate hopeful Donald Bolduc flip-flopped and said President Joe Biden is the 'legitimate president' and the 'election was not stolen' 24 hours after winning his tight GOP primary 'So, we live and we learn right?' he answered. Bolduc said he had 'done a lot of research on this.' 'And I have come to the conclusion - and I want to be definitive on this - the election was not stolen,' he said. 'Was there fraud? Yes. Is that a concern to Granite Staters all over the state? Yes, there is. Is there a responsibility for public servants in elected positions to ensure that our citizens have faith in their voting system? Yes.' 'But elections have consequences,' he continued. 'And, unfortunately, President Biden is the legitimate president of this country,' the Senate hopeful said. Bolduc segued into attack mode, adding, 'And he is ruining it, along with Maggie Hassan.' Hassan's campaign called the about-face laughable. 'Don Bolduc has spent the entire campaign touting the Big Lie, and he can't hide from that record. He has even said that he supports overturning the results of the 2024 election if it doesn't go his way,' Hassan's campaign spokesperson Kevin Donohoe said in a statement. 'A word salad on Fox will not erase his record of election denial,' Donohoe added. Republicans had hoped New Hampshire would be a Senate seat they flipped in November. The GOP needs only one Senate seat turned over to gain control of the upper chamber if they retain all of the current real estate. But with Bolduc's win, that could be more challenging. Bolduc's made a number of eyebrow-raising statements that Democrats can use in attack ads going into the general election - such as coronavirus vaccines include microchips. The state's three-term Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, who comes from a political dynasty in the state, threw his weight behind Morse days before the primary, having criticized Bolduc previously. 'He's not a serious candidate, he's really not, and if he were the GOP nominee I have no doubt we would have a much harder time,' Sununu said in August. 'He's kind of a conspiracy theory-type candidate,' the governor added. The Queens final journey after the funeral will avoid motorways and stick to slower A-roads giving thousands more Britons the chance to pay their last respects as her coffin passes. The Daily Mail understands the hearse carrying her from Westminster to Windsor will not travel on the M4, which would be the quickest route. Sources revealed last night that it will be driven on the A30 and is likely also to go on the A4. The full post-funeral route could be published as early as today so mourners can make plans. One insider said: All the other royals will be going on the M4. Travelling along A-roads west out of London to Berkshire means it will be easier for mourners to line up and pay respects. The choice of route comes after warnings that up to 350,000 mourners are going to miss out on the opportunity to visit her lying-in-state in Westminster due to massive waits in the queue. People watch the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, following her death last Thursday, after leaving RAF Northolt in London on Tuesday. The Queens final journey after the funeral on Monday will avoid motorways and stick to slower A-roads giving thousands more Britons the chance to pay their last respects as her coffin passes The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II leaving RAF Northolt in London and being taken to Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. The Daily Mail understands the hearse carrying the Queen from Westminster to Windsor after her funeral on Monday will not travel on the M4, which would be the quickest route People gather near Marble Arch as the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II drives from RAF Northolt to Buckingham Palace in London on Tuesday. Sources revealed last night that the Queen's coffin will be driven on the A30 and is likely also to go on the A4 after her fneral on Monday Former Tory Cabinet minister David Jones, who called for an extended post-funeral route, said last night: I think its very important that as many people as possible have the opportunity to pay their last respects while in sight of the coffin. So its sensible that its not going all the way along the motorway, as people would not be able to do that there. Its very difficult as there are so many people who want to pay their last respects, so to maximise the amount of people who can is a good thing. Earlier this week, the Mails Robert Hardman outlined the case for extending the post-funeral route so more Britons could say farewell. The funeral at Westminster Abbey will finish around midday next Monday. At 12.15pm the Queens children and other members of the Royal Family will walk behind her coffin to Wellington Arch. It is understood that after the hearse sets off it will travel along roads to Hyde Park to give mourners an additional chance to pay respects. Large screens will be set up in the park for people to watch the service. The hearse will arrive at the Long Walk, Windsor, at 3.15pm, where the public will also be able to say goodbye before the Queen is laid to rest next to her beloved husband Prince Philip. The blueprint for the procession is based on the one used for the Queen Mother who was buried in Windsor in 2002. The route taken from London to Northamptonshire after Princess Dianas funeral in 1997 was lengthened at the 11th hour due to the huge outpouring of grief over her death. The night before the service at Westminster Abbey her coffin was moved from St Jamess Palace to her old home at Kensington Palace, adding an extra mile. It meant thousands more mourners could line the roads of London as the hearse began the trip to her Northamptonshire family home. The Queen will lie in state in Westminster Hall until Mondays funeral, with 400,000 mourners expected to file past her coffin. But 350,000 may miss out as the queue could be closed on Saturday night if there is not enough time for those at the back to reach the front. It will take place amid the gothic splendour of St Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle and will begin at 4pm Advertisement While all eyes will be on the pomp and majesty of events in London on Monday, a simpler and far more personal ceremony will take place in Windsor afterwards. With no more than 800 people present, it will be a chance for the Queens family, friends and staff to say the most intimate of goodbyes amid the gothic splendour of St Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle. The Coffin Procession At 3.06pm the State Hearse will approach Shaw Farm Gate at Windsor at the entrance to the Queens Home Park and join the official procession into the town. Four minutes later it will head off up the Long Walk, the famous tree-lined three-mile avenue leading to Windsor Castle. The procession will wend its way to St Georges Chapel through the Cambridge Gate and up Cambridge Drive, through to George IV Gate and into the South and West side of the Quadrangle. As it enters into the area immediately around St Georges Chapel it will pass through Engine Court, the Norman Arch, Chapel Hill and, finally, Horseshoe Cloister Arch. The procession will wend its way to St Georges Chapel through the Cambridge Gate and up Cambridge Drive, through to George IV Gate and into the South and West side of the Quadrangle. As it enters into the area immediately around St Georges Chapel it will pass through Engine Court, the Norman Arch, Chapel Hill and, finally, Horseshoe Cloister Arch Members of the Royal Family led by the King will join the procession at 3.40pm at the Quadrangle as it passes into Engine Court. The Queen Consort with The Princess of Wales, and The Duchess of Sussex with The Countess of Wessex will again follow by car. Ahead of the coffin will be a dismounted detachment of the Household Cavalry Regiment, followed immediately by a mounted division of the Sovereigns Escort, a Massed Pipes and Drums of Scottish and Irish regiments, the bands of the Coldstream Guards and Household Cavalry, officers of the Household Division, as well as the liveried Kings, Heralds and Pursuivants of Arms and members of the Queens personal staff. In the centre of the procession the state hearse will be flanked by the Pall Bearers and an Escort Party consisting of 2 Officers and 24 Rank and File of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. The Queens Company Colour, the Royal Standard of the regiment of Grenadier Guards, and a Sovereigns Standard of the Household Cavalry, will be positioned in front and rear of the hearse. To the rear of the coffin, members of The Queens, The Kings and The Prince of Wales Households will be positioned. The haunting silence of the Queens final journey to Windsor will be broken by the sound of minute guns fired by The Kings Troop, Royal Horse Artillery as the coffin moves to the West Steps of St Georges Chapel. The Sebastopol Bell and the Curfew Tower Bell will be tolled concurrently. The Entry Into St George's Chapel A guard of honour consisting of three officers and 110 rank and file soldiers, from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, will be mounted in Horseshoe Cloister, while the West Steps to the Chapel will be lined by members of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. The Windsor Castle Guard will be turned out facing the Guardroom and will present arms for the arrival of members of the Royal Family and to the state hearse. At 3.53pm the procession will halt at the bottom of the West Steps and the bearer party will lift the coffin up the West Steps. A guard of honour consisting of three officers and 110 rank and file soldiers, from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, will be mounted in Horseshoe Cloister, while the West Steps to the Chapel will be lined by members of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment The 'intimate' Committal Service Unlike the state funeral at Westminster Abbey where more than 2,000 people will gather fewer than 800 people will be present. The general congregation will be made up of Her Majestys household past and present. The majority of those attending the ceremony at St. Georges Chapel will not have attended the earlier service at Westminster Abbey, emphasising just how inner circle this event will be. At 3.20pm governors general and prime ministers of realms those countries where the Queen was head of state will arrive at the chapel and escorted to their seats in the nave amid the flowering Gothic architecture. Shortly afterwards members of the Royal Family not walking in the outdoor procession will arrive. The majority of those attending the ceremony at St. Georges Chapel will not have attended the earlier service at Westminster Abbey, emphasising just how inner circle this event will be The committal service will begin at 4pm. As the coffin moves through the nave, it will pass the sarcophagus of George V and Queen Mary. He is one of ten British monarchs to be buried in the chapel, namely King George V of Hanover, Henry VI, Edward IV, Henry VIII, Charles I, George III, William IV, Edward VII, George V and George VI. Near the sarcophagus is a statue of King Leopold of the Belgians and memorial to his wife, Princess Charlotte, who died in childbirth in 1870. She was George IVs heir. Her death led to Queen Victoria acceding the throne. The Quire is the resting place of most of the monarchs buried at the chapel. Edward VII and Henry VI are buried to the right of the altar, while Edward IV is on the left. Underneath in the royal vault are George III, George IV and William IV. Mondays service will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor, with prayers said by the Rector of Sandringham, the Minister of Crathie Kirk and the Chaplain of Windsor Great Park. Instruments of state are handed on Prior to the final hymn, the Imperial State Crown, the Orb and the Sceptre will be removed from the Queens coffin by the Crown Jeweller and Bargemaster and Serjeants-at-Arms. They will pass them to the Dean who will place them on the chapel altar. At the end of the final hymn the King will place the Queens Company Camp Colour of the Grenadier Guards on the coffin. At the same time, the Lord Chamberlain, former MI5 director general Lord Parker, will symbolically break his wand of office upon losing his post then place it on the coffin. Prior to the final hymn, the Imperial State Crown, the Orb and the Sceptre will be removed from the Queens coffin by the Crown Jeweller and Bargemaster and Serjeants-at-Arms The final, moving moments The last sight of the Queens coffin will be as it is lowered into the Royal vault. It is hidden under a marble slab, measuring around 7ft by 4ft. The slab actually descends down into the Royal vault below the floor with the help of a recently-installed electric lift, but one that has manual override. As the Queens coffin is lowered into the Royal Vault, the Dean of Windsor will say a Psalm and the Commendation. Hauntingly, The Sovereigns Piper Pipe Major Paul Burns will play a lament from the doorway between the chapel and the Deans Cloister during which he will walk towards the Deanery so that the music fades. The Archbishop of Canterbury will then pronounce the Blessing, which will be followed by the singing of God Save The King. Last moments with their beloved The Queen has long expressed her wishes to be reunited with her adored parents, King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, along with Prince Philip and her sister, Princess Margaret. A deeply personal private burial service will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor at 7.30pm of which no further details will be given. It is anticipated that the chapel will be opened to members of the public the next day to pay their respects free of charge. Homicide squad detectives are investigating the death of a man in Melbourne's southeast. Emergency services were called to Lesley Grove at Noble Park about 1.10am on Monday, following reports of an assault, Victoria Police said. They found a man with critical injuries. Paramedics worked to save him, but he died at the scene. A 30-year-old man of no fixed address and a 24-year-old man from Officer in Melbourne's southeast are assisting police with their inquiries. The man who died is yet to be formally identified, and police urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers. BBC presenter Nick Robinson has apologised after he quoted Vincent Mulchrone's 'two rivers' metaphor without attribution. The late Daily Mail journalist coined the phrase in his famous article in 1965 following the death of Sir Winston Churchill. 'Two rivers run silently through London tonight and one is made of people,' he wrote, describing the former prime minister's lying-in-state at Westminster Hall for three days from January 26. During yesterday's BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Robinson, 58, described the queue to see the late Queen as a 'vast river of people'. 'London has not one but two rivers this morning,' he said. The former BBC political editor later tweeted an apology saying he 'didn't know' the metaphor's origins and 'should have'. BBC presenter Nick Robinson (pictured in the studio for BBC Radio 4's Today Programme) has apologised after he quoted Vincent Mulchrone's 'two rivers' metaphor without attribution The late Daily Mail journalist Vincent Mulchrone (pictured) coined the phrase in his famous article in 1965 following the death of Sir Winston Churchill He said: 'Thanks to those who have pointed out that the metaphor I used on Radio 4 Today about London having two rivers the Thames and a river of humanity waiting to pay their respects was first coined by Vincent Mulchrone in The Mail in 1965. I confess I didn't know that and should have... 'I'm a little teeny bit tired after joining the queue at 3.30. God knows how those who queued all night are feeling.' He also tweeted a photograph of Wednesday's Daily Mail which featured the famous 1965 article by Mulchrone, who died in 1977. Social media users were quick to alert Robinson to the source of the metaphor after the broadcast. Valentine Low, royal correspondent at The Times, tweeted: 'I cannot believe that Nick Robinson on Radio 4 Today has just used the famous 'two rivers' metaphor to describe the mourners in London without attributing it to the journalist who came up with it, Vincent Mulchrone of the Daily Mail RE Churchill's funeral in 1965.' Another tweeted: 'Unfortunate that Nick Robinson didn't acknowledge that he was quoting someone else's comment from 1965 that 'today London has two rivers' on Radio 4 Today. 'No surprise at all that, winding up the programme, Amol Rajan didn't seem aware it was a quote.' A Florida judge on Thursday dismissed a Justice Department appeal, blocking it from resuming its review of classified records seized by the FBI from Donald Trump's Florida estate. Instead federal judge Aileen Cannon sided with the former president by appointing Senior District Judge Raymond Dearie as a 'special master' to review records seized by the FBI. Trump's lawyers last month asked that a third party be put in charge of reviewing the documents to weed out any that were protected by executive privilege or attorney-client privilege. Trump is at the center of a legal battle over thousands of government documents found by FBI agents at his Mar-a-Lago home. Not only were official files supposed to be handed to the national archives when he left office, but many bore 'classified' markings. The Thursday ruling could further complicate the investigation, preventing prosecutors from reviewing some documents as they weight what action to take against the former president. The Justice Department said a third-party review was unnecessary in this case. But when the court ruled that it would appoint a 'special master' government lawyers said they would accept Dearie, the former chief judge of the federal court based in Brooklyn, in the role. A Florida judge appointed Raymond J. Dearie, the former top federal judge in the Eastern District of New York, Thursday as 'special master' to review files seized from Mar-a-Lago The FBI recovered hundreds of documents from Donald Trump's Florida home last month An FBI photograph of the search released revealed how some of the documents were clearly marked classified - but sparked allegations of a smear against Trump However, they lodged an appeal asking that it be allowed to resume reviewing documents and arguing that 100 marked 'classified' be exempted from the review. It argued that if the documents were classified then it was nonsensical to suggest the government had no right to see them. 'Plaintiff does not and could not assert that he owns or has any possessory interest in classified records; that he has any right to have those government records returned to him; or that he can advance any plausible claims of attorney-client privilege as to such records that would bar the government from reviewing or using them,' it said in its appeal. In making her decision, Cannon said it was a matter of dispute whether the files were in fact classified. 'In many respects, the governments position thus presupposes the content, designation, and associated interests in materials under its controlyet, as the parties' competing filings reveal, there are disputes as to the proper designation of the seized materials, the legal implications flowing from those designations, and the intersecting bodies of law permeating those designations,' she wrote. The result is that she pressed ahead with appointing Dearie, who has extensive experience in handling cases involving sensitive intelligence. He was the top prosecutor in Brooklyn, New York, before being appointed to the federal bench by Ronald Reagan in 1986. His docket included high-profile terrorism cases - including some from overseas. He has also served on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, which authorizes Justice Department wiretap applications for investigations into suspected foreign agents. Trump has repeatedly claimed to be the victim of a witch hunt and that he declassified the documents when he took them home. But he still has not explained why he wanted to take official documents out of the White House For his part, Trump has denied any wrongdoing and insists he is the victim of a political conspiracy to knock him out of he 2024 election. He told radio host Hugh Hewitt that the Department of Justice had no justification for its actions. 'There is no reason that they can be other than if they are just sick and deranged, which is always possible, because I did absolutely - you see the legal papers - absolutely nothing wrong,' he said. Hewitt asked Trump whether he could have taken the papers by accident or on purpose. 'Remember this - everything was declassified, number one,' Trump responded. However, legal experts have questioned whether Trump had done that. And even his own legal team has not made that argument in court papers. In fact, when they handed over a tranche of documents to the government in June, Trump's lawyers made no mention of the fact that any were declassified. 'When producing the documents, neither FPOTUS COUNSEL 1 nor INDIVIDUAL 2 asserted that FPOTUS had declassified the documents,' reads a court filing referring to the Former President of the United States. Robots are famously cold, hard and unfeeling, so they may not be the greatest audience for your favourite knock-knock joke. However, scientists in Japan are looking to change their reputation, by teaching them when and how to laugh using artificial intelligence (AI). The researchers created an android, named 'Erica', which they trained to detect laughter in conversation, then decide whether to laugh in response and what kind of laughter would be best. Her conversations and chuckles were then watched by volunteers, who decided that her responses demonstrated empathy and human-likeness. Lead author Dr Koji Inoue, from Kyoto University, said: 'We think that one of the important functions of conversational AI is empathy. 'Conversation is, of course, multimodal, not just responding correctly. 'So we decided that one way a robot can empathise with users is to share their laughter, which you cannot do with a text-based chatbot.' Researchers created 'Erica' - a robot trained to detect laughter in conversation, then decide whether to laugh in response and what kind of laughter would be best (stock image) Her conversations and chuckles were then watched by volunteers, who decided that her responses demonstrated empathy and human-likeness. Pictured: An example of a conversation between Erica and a person The aim of the research, published today in Frontiers in Robotics and AI, was to develop an AI that can understand the human nuances of humour. While it would be possible to train an algorithm to recognise laughter, or read out a joke, these abilities would not enable it to replicate natural conversation. The researchers first developed a 'shared-laughter' model for Erica to run, which would allow her to respond to human laughter as an empathetic response. This model asks three successive questions in order for the robot to appropriately respond to a conversational cue. First is 'Did the user laugh?', then 'Will Erica laugh in response? and finally, if she responds yes to both, 'Which type of laughter is proper?'. The types of laughter Erica would choose from are a 'social laugh', a polite chuckle to fill conversation when humour is not involved, or a 'mirthful laugh' for funny situations. The shared-laughter model asks three successive questions in order for the robot to appropriately respond to a conversational cue. First is 'Did the user laugh?', then 'Will Erica laugh in response? and finally, if she responds yes to both, 'Which type of laughter is proper?' To teach the AI to use the shared-laughter model effectively, the researchers gathered data by sending the robot speed dating. Erica, who was remotely operated by four female amateur actors, had over 80 dialogues with male university students. The laughter that appeared during the conversations was then categorised as solo, social or mirthful. This was then used to train Erica's neural network how to decide when it is appropriate to laugh, and which type of laughter to use. Dr Inoue said: 'Our biggest challenge in this work was identifying the actual cases of shared laughter, which isn't easy, because as you know, most laughter is actually not shared at all. 'We had to carefully categorise exactly which laughs we could use for our analysis and not just assume that any laugh can be responded to.' To teach the AI to use the shared-laughter model effectively, the researchers gathered data by sending the robot speed dating. Erica, who was remotely operated by four female amateur actors, had over 80 dialogues with male university students Next, Erica's newly developed sense of humour was put to the test by sitting her down for some conversations with a human being. Four short dialogues were written up that each inspired a different response from the robot while running her shared-laughter model. For the first she would only utter social laughter, in the second and third only mirthful laughter and in the fourth she would use both types of laughter combined. As well as the shared-laughter model developed while speed dating, the team also created two other baseline models to run as comparison. One where she would never laugh during the conversation, and one where she would utter a social laugh whenever the person laughed, regardless of context. HOW DOES ERICA KNOW WHEN TO LAUGH? The robot, named Erica, runs a specially designed 'shared-laughter' model. The model asks three successive questions in order for the robot to appropriately respond to a conversational cue. First is 'Did the user laugh?', then 'Will Erica laugh in response? and finally, if she responds yes to both, 'Which type of laughter is proper?'. The types of laughter Erica would choose from are a 'social laugh', when humour is not involved, or a 'mirthful laugh' for funny situations. She was trained how to answer the questions using data from speed dating conversations, where the types of laughter were annotated as solo, social or mirthful. Advertisement Erica then took part in each of the four dialogues while running the shared laughter model and both baseline models. These were recorded and listened to by over 130 people, who evaluated the interactions based on empathy, naturalness, human-likeness and understanding. The shared-laughter model, where Erica asked herself the three questions to decide her laughter response, performed better than either baseline. 'The most significant result of this paper is that we have shown how we can combine all three of these tasks into one robot,' Dr Inoue said. 'We believe that this type of combined system is necessary for proper laughing behaviour, not simply just detecting a laugh and responding to it.' Erica is limited to social and mirthful laughter, and there are many other styles she should be trained on before she can hold natural, human-like conversation. Dr Inoue said: 'There are many other laughing functions and types which need to be considered, and this is not an easy task. 'We haven't even attempted to model unshared laughs even though they are the most common. 'Robots should actually have a distinct character, and we think that they can show this through their conversational behaviours, such as laughing, eye gaze, gestures and speaking style. 'We do not think this is an easy problem at all, and it may well take more than 10 to 20 years before we can finally have a casual chat with a robot like we would with a friend.' Advertisement President Joe Biden's $3.8 million vacation home in Delaware has a 98 percent chance of being flooded in the next five years due to climate change increasing sea levels. The six-bedroom house is located in Rehoboth and sits less than a mile from the shore line, which places it within FEMA's Special Flood Hazard Area - the zone that would be overrun with water during a 100-year flood, CNN reports. The Mid-Atlantic state has experienced a sea level rise of more than a foot in the past century, but the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns it will continue to rise over the next century and flowing water will eventually overtake its coastal areas. Although climate change plays a major role, the land Biden's home sits on is naturally sinking and puts this region at an even higher risk of rising sea levels - and levels are increasing faster than anywhere else in the world. President Joe Biden's $3.8 million vacation home in Delaware has a 98 percent chance of being flooded in the next five years due to climate change increasing sea levels Approximately 5.4 percent, or 100 square miles, of Delaware resides in the 100-year floodplain and by 2050, this land mass is predicted to increase to 7.1 percent or 130 square miles due to rising sea levels, according to States at Risk. But Biden's neighborhood sits right in the danger zone where sea levels are expected to rise 1.5 feet by 2040 and then five feet by 2120. The million-dollar vacation home appears to have been to overcome flooding, as the living quarters are 10 feet off ground because they sit above high ceiling garages. And this seems to be the running design for most newer homes around the neighborhood. Rehoboth beach is part of Sussex County, which is the third with the newest homes built in the highest-risk area for future flooding out of all US coastal counties. Biden's vacation home is located in Rehoboth and sits less than a mile from the shore line, which places it within FEMA's Special Flood Hazard Area - the zone that would be overrun with water during a 100-year flood Regardless of the risk, about $500 million worth of new homes have been built in the area since 2010 - Biden's was constructed in 2017, Delaware Online reports. The president purchased the home for $2.47 million, but it has since gone up in value to $3.8 million. The last storm to cause major destruction in 1962 ruined 2,000 homes near the coastline of Rehoboth beach to Fenwick Island. The area where the president's home sits is one of multiple coastal regions that are likely to be underwater and uninhabitable by the middle of this century - putting up to $35 billion worth of real estate at risk, according to maps produced by the research nonprofit Climate Central. Westhampton Beach in New York, where the median home price is $1.8 million and people like Eli Manning and Adam Sandler are residents, would be inundated even if sea levels rise by just five feet. Westhampton Beach in New York, where the median home price is $1.8 million and people like Eli Manning and Adam Sandler are residents, would be inundated even if sea levels rise by just five feet In Los Angeles, a five foot increase would completely flood the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge - which is a 965-acre area that's a key stopover and wintering habitat for thousands of birds that migrate up and down the Pacific Flyway each year Stone Harbor, where pop singer Taylor Swift spent most of her summers up until age 14 when her parents sold their home at the beach community, would also be inundated in this 5-foot flooding scenario In Los Angeles, a five foot increase would completely flood the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge - which is a 965-acre area that's a key stopover and wintering habitat for thousands of birds that migrate up and down the Pacific Flyway each year. The picturesque beach community of Belmont Shore - known for its canals, home-lined boardwalks and shops - would be totally wiped out by about five feet of flooding. The area, which is a part of Long Beach, has an average home price of $1.1 million. Southern shore towns in New Jersey would be uninhabitable if sea levels rose just a few feet. Places like Ocean City, Wildwood, Avalon and Stone Harbor would be under water if nothing is done to mitigate climate change. In Wildwood, the median list price of homes was just under $500,000 in August; in Avalon, the average home price tops out at $2.2 million. Stone Harbor, where pop singer Taylor Swift spent most of her summers up until age 14 when her parents sold their home at the beach community, would also be inundated in this 5-foot flooding scenario. 'Higher flood waters are reaching further inland, flooding properties and buildings that have never flooded before,' Climate Central researchers wrote. The threat of climate change goes beyond just real estate, experts note. Climate Central examined 328 counties in 25 coastal states and found that rising waters would threaten tax revenue that also funds public schools, emergency services and municipal services - leading eventually to a 'potential downward spiral of disinvestment and population decline.' Biden is known for taking action to combat climate change 'If a town has no other income source but property taxes and those property taxes can't be saved, that town is not sustainable,' A.R. Siders, a climate resilience expert at the University of Delaware, told Scientific American. Florida, Texas and Louisiana would also face substantial flooding risk, according to Climate Central's analysis. The climate nonprofit's report ultimately concluded that nearly 9 million acres - an area nearly the size of New Hampshire - will be underwater by 2100. Those 9 million acres include 300,000 buildings and $109 billion worth of real estate. Biden wants to combat climate change with a plan to achieve a 100 percent clean energy economy and net-zero emissions no later than 2050. Biden's climate and environmental justice proposal will make a federal investment of $1.7 trillion over the next ten years, leveraging additional private sector and state and local investments to total more than $5 trillion. However, the plan is not black and white, as it will cost each taxpayer an additional $3,500 each year to fund infrastructure to make it happen. The Biden administration's pledge would require by far the most ambitious U.S. climate effort ever, nearly doubling the reductions that the Obama administration had committed to in the Paris climate accord. But Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell dismissed the administration's plans as costly and ineffective. 'This is quite the one-two punch,' McConnell said in a Senate speech Thursday. 'Toothless requests of our foreign adversaries... and maximum pain for American citizens.' A 'game-changing' new battery for electric vehicles (EVs) that charges in three minutes and lasts for 20 years could soon be coming to new cars. Adden Energy, a start-up based in Waltham, Massachusetts, has been granted a licence and $5.15 million in funding to build the battery design at scale to fit in EVs. The battery, developed by Harvard scientists, is lithium metal, rather than lithium ion found in EVs that are already on the market. Its intricate design, inspired by a BLT sandwich, prevents the growth of troublesome 'dendrites' that grow in lithium-metal batteries and shorten their lifespan. Harvard has granted an exclusive license to Adden Energy to develop the solid-state, lithium-metal battery. The startup aims to scale the battery up to a palm-sized 'pouch cell' - which has components enclosed in an aluminum-coated film (pictured) Long-lasting, quick-charging batteries are essential to the expansion of the EV market, but today's lithium-ion batteries fall short, because they're too heavy and expensive and take too long to charge (file photo) Currently, EVs contain lithium-ion batteries that degrade over time and last up to seven or eight years, depending on how much they're used much like a smartphone battery. LITHIUM-ION VS LITHIUM METAL Lithium metal batteries contain metallic lithium, while lithium ion batteries contain lithium that's only present in an ionic form in the electrolyte. Most lithium metal batteries are not rechargeable while lithium ion batteries are. However, there are rechargeable lithium-metal batteries in development. Lithium-ion are currently powering EVs already on the market from Tesla and other companies, as well as laptops and smartphones. Long-lasting, quick-charging batteries are essential to the expansion of the EV market, but today's lithium-ion batteries fall short, because they're too heavy and expensive and take too long to charge. Source: IATA/Green Batteries Advertisement These lithium-ion batteries can be replaced, but they can cost thousands of pounds, meaning drivers are often better off buying a whole new EV. But this new solid-state, lithium-metal battery can increase the lifetime of EVs to a comparable length to petrol and diesel cars up to 20 years without the need to ever replace the battery during this time. In the lab, the team's battery prototype has achieved battery charge rates as fast as three minutes with over 10,000 cycles in a lifetime. The new technology has been created by Xin Li and colleagues at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS). Adden Energy was co-founded in 2021 by Li, along with William Fitzhugh and Luhan Ye, both of whom contributed to the development of the technology as graduate students in Lis Harvard lab. The startup aims to scale the battery up to a palm-sized 'pouch cell' which has components enclosed in an aluminium-coated film and then toward a full-scale vehicle battery in the next three to five years. 'We have achieved in the lab 5,000 to 10,000 charge cycles in a battery's lifetime, compared with 2,000 to 3,000 charging cycles for even the best in class now, and we dont see any fundamental limit to scaling up our battery technology,' said Li. 'That could be a game changer.' Lithium-metal batteries hold substantially more energy in the same volume and charge in a fraction of the time compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. But they're prone to the formation of 'dendrites' tiny, rigid tree-like structures that speed up battery failure. Researchers have therefore tried to harness the potential of solid-state, lithium-metal batteries, using a unique BLT-inspired design. Think of the battery like a BLT sandwich. First comes the bread (the lithium metal anode) followed by lettuce (a coating of graphite). Next, a layer of tomatoes (the first electrolyte) and a layer of bacon (the second electrolyte). Finish it off with another layer of tomatoes and the last piece of bread (the cathode) WHAT ARE DENDRITES? Dendrites are tiny, rigid tree-like structures that can grow inside a lithium battery. Their needle-like projections are called whiskers. They increase unwanted reactions between the electrolyte and the lithium, speeding up battery failure. Dendrites and whiskers are holding back the widespread use of lithium metal batteries, which have higher energy density than their commonly used lithium-ion counterparts. Source: DOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Advertisement A lithium-metal battery uses lithium in its pure metallic form, rather than lithium compounds used in lithium-ion batteries. Meanwhile, 'solid-state' just refers to the use of solid electrodes and a solid electrolyte, instead of the liquid or polymer gel electrolytes found in lithium-ion. 'If you want to electrify vehicles, a solid-state battery is the way to go,' said Li, who is a scientific adviser to Adden Energy. 'We set out to commercialise this technology because we do see our technology as unique compared to other solid-state batteries.' Batteries have three main components the anode, cathode and electrolyte. The electrolyte (typically a chemical) separates the anode and cathode and moves the flow of electrical charge between the two. Lithium-ion batteries move lithium ions from the cathode to the anode during charging. But when the anode is made of lithium metal, needle-like structures called dendrites form on the surface. These structures grow like roots into the electrolyte and pierce the barrier separating the anode and cathode, causing the battery potentially catch fire. Lithium ion batteries contain two electrodes - one made from lithium (cathode) and one from carbon (anode) - submerged in a liquid or paste called an electrolyte. When the battery is charged, electrons that were attached to the ions flow through a circuit, powering a device To overcome this challenge, Li and his team designed a multi-layer battery that sandwiches different materials of varying stabilities between the anode and cathode. As previously described in Nature, the design prevents the penetration of lithium dendrites by controlling and containing them. The battery is layered like so first comes the bread (the lithium metal anode) followed by lettuce (a coating of graphite). Next, a layer of tomatoes (the first electrolyte) and a layer of bacon (the second electrolyte) and finally another layer of tomatoes and the last piece of bread (the cathode). The first electrolyte is more stable with lithium but prone to dendrite penetration, while the second electrolyte is less stable with lithium but appears immune to dendrites. In this design, dendrites are allowed to grow through the graphite and first electrolyte but are stopped when they reach the second. In other words, the dendrites grow through the lettuce and tomato but stop at the bacon. The bacon barrier stops the dendrites from pushing through and short-circuiting the battery. The battery is also self-healing meaning its chemistry allows it to backfill holes created by dendrites. 'Typically, lithium-metal anodes in other solid-state designs develop dendrites, twig-like growths that can gradually penetrate through the electrolyte to the cathode,' said Ye, who is now CTO of Adden Energy. 'We defeat the growth of dendrites before they can cause damage, by novel structural and material designs. 'As a result, the device can sustain its high performance over a long lifetime. Our recent study shows that this nice feature can also be maintained at scale-up.' Researchers also stress the importance of being able to help speed up the adoption of eco-friendly EVs in light of the climate crisis. EVs are generally seen as more eco-friendly than gasoline-powered vehicles, known for their planet-warming emissions. 'Complete electrification of the vehicle fleet is one of the most meaningful steps we can take to fight climate change,' said Fitzhugh, CEO of Adden Energy. The world's oldest heart has been discovered in a 380-million-year-old 'beautifully preserved' fossil of an ancient jawed fish. Researchers from Curtin University found the heart alongside a separate fossilised stomach, intestine and liver, with the position of the organs similar to modern shark anatomy. The team hopes the discovery will help to shed light on the evolution of the human body. 'Evolution is often thought of as a series of small steps, but these ancient fossils suggest there was a larger leap between jawless and jawed vertebrates,' said Professor Kate Trinajstic, who led the study. 'These fish literally have their hearts in their mouths and under their gills - just like sharks today.' The world's oldest heart has been discovered in a 380-million-year-old 'beautifully preserved' fossil of an ancient jawed fish Do all animals have hearts? While most animals have one heart, some have multiple hearts, and others have none at all. Octopuses and squids have three hearts. Two hearts pump blood to the gills to take up oxygen, and the other pumps blood around the body. Worms are also unusual, with five structures called aortic arches acting as basic hearts. The hagfish has one true heart plus three accessory pumps helping the blood to move. Meanwhile, jellyfish, starfish, and even corals have no hearts at all. Starfish do not even have blood, so this explains why no heart is required. Instead, they use small hair-like structures called cilia to push seawater through their bodies and they extract oxygen from the water. Source: Frontiers Advertisement The researchers found the fossil in the Gogo Formation, in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, which would have been a reef 380 million years ago. While soft tissues of ancient species are rarely preserved, the team was amazed to find the fossilised organs were still intact. 'What's really exceptional about the Gogo fishes is that their soft tissues are preserved in three dimensions,' said co-author Professor Per Ahlberg, from Uppsala University. 'Most cases of soft-tissue preservation are found in flattened fossils, where the soft anatomy is little more than a stain on the rock.' The researchers used neutron beams and synchrotron x-rays to scan the specimens, which were still embedded in limestone. This allowed them to construct 3D images of the soft tissues inside them. 'We are also very fortunate in that modern scanning techniques allow us to study these fragile soft tissues without destroying them. A couple of decades ago, the project would have been impossible,' Professor Ahlberg added. The 3D images revealed that the fish had a complex S-shaped heart made up of two chambers, with the smaller of the two sitting on top. According to Professor Trinajstic, this was advanced for such an early vertebrate. 'For the first time, we can see all the organs together in a primitive jawed fish, and we were especially surprised to learn that they were not so different from us,' she said. The researchers found the fossil in the Gogo Formation, in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, which would have been a reef 380 million years ago While soft tissues of ancient species are rarely preserved, the team was amazed to find the fossilised organs were still intact 'However, there was one critical difference the liver was large and enabled the fish to remain buoyant, just like sharks today. 'Some of today's bony fish such as lungfish and birchers have lungs that evolved from swim bladders but it was significant that we found no evidence of lungs in any of the extinct armoured fishes we examined, which suggests that they evolved independently in the bony fishes at a later date.' The researchers hope the finding will help to shed light on the evolution of the human body. The researchers hope the finding will help to shed light on the evolution of the human body. Pictured: a Gogo fish diorama at WA Museum Boola Bardip Professor John Long, from Flinders University, who was a co-author of the study, said: 'These new discoveries of soft organs in these ancient fishes are truly the stuff of palaeontologists' dreams, for without doubt these fossils are the best preserved in the world for this age. 'They show the value of the Gogo fossils for understanding the big steps in our distant evolution. 'Gogo has given us world firsts, from the origins of sex to the oldest vertebrate heart, and is now one of the most significant fossil sites in the world. 'It's time the site was seriously considered for world heritage status.' Apple's pre-orders for the iPhone 14 Plus have dropped, which shows its strategy of offering base models in standard and larger 'plus' sizes, as opposed to last year's 'mini' - is not working. Ming-Chi Kuo, a famous Apple analyst with a good track record of predicting the tech firm's launches and new features, examined some early indicators of pre-orders to determine what demand is looking like so far among the four new models released earlier this month. Kuo looked at availability and shipping estimates to observe that the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are showing 'good' or 'neutral' results thus far. But the pre-orders for the standard models, iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, are 'bad.' 'This new product's pre-order result is significantly lower than expected, meaning Apple's product segmentation strategy for standard models fails this year,' Kuo said about the larger iPhone 14 Plus, which is a 6.7-inch phone, in a blog post. Apple's pre-orders for the iPhone 14 Plus have dropped, which shows its strategy of offering base models in standard and larger 'plus' sizes, as opposed to last year's 'mini' - is not working. Above: an Apple employee holds a new iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known Apple analyst with a track record of predicting the tech firm's launches and new features, examined some early indicators of pre-orders to determine what demand is looking like so far. Above: the iPhone 13 Mini, foreground, and the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max, from left to right, background Apple has not released its own pre-order figures. The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus both launch in October, whereas the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max launch tomorrow. The Cupertino, California-based company this year offered its base model iPhone only in standard and larger sizes, unlike the iPhone 13, which was available in standard and mini sizes. The iPhone 13 Mini has a 5.4-inch display and the iPhone 13 is 6.1 inches. Apple's iPhone SE, which is one the firm's few budget offerings, has a 4.7-inch display. According to Kuo, stock of both iPhone 14 and 14 Plus being available in retail stores when they launch is 'reflecting lackluster demand.' 'This new product's pre-order result is significantly lower than expected, meaning Apple's product segmentation strategy for standard models fails this year,' Kuo said about the larger iPhone 14 Plus, which is a 6.7-inch phone, in a blog post. The new iPhone 14 Plus is seen at an Apple event at their headquarters in Cupertino, California Both of those smartphones are showing weaker demand than the iPhone SE3 and iPhone 13 mini, the analyst says. Kuo explained that the company would likely have to cut shipment forecasts for the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus in November if the numbers don't improve. That in turn could negatively impact Apple's revenue growth for this year. Apple did not respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com. All the iPhone 14 models have a new Emergency SOS service that launches in November, enabling people in remote areas to get help via satellite connectivity. the feature will be free for two years - but Apple is yet to announce how much it will cost after that. The company states on its website that once the iPhone is connected to a satellite, it automatically sends a message, your location, Medical ID (if set up) and the amount battery left on your device to the nearest 911 dispatcher. Kuo explained that the company would likely have to cut shipment forecasts for the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus in November if the numbers don't improve. A view of the new iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are displayed during an Apple special event on September 07, 2022 The new Apple Watch Ultra features a wraparound titanium casing to protect the front crystal and is capable of withstanding temperatures extremes, allowing users to take the watch with them as they explore different parts of the world. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus come in five colors: midnight, starlight, blue, purple and red. The iPhone 14 starts at $1,399 and will go up to $1,899, which is much lower than rumors had predicted. The tech giant said the smartphone has an 'amazing new camera system' with an upgraded 12 megapixel main camera that features a sensor larger than the smartphone's predecessor. The smartphones feature a sleek aerospace-grad aluminum design in five finishes, along with updated internal designs for better thermal performance, and the pair have a Ceramic Shield on the front cover that protects the inner workers from spills, water and dust. Saturn's famous rings could be the result of an ancient moon smashing into the planet around 160 million years ago, a new study suggests. Named Chrysalis, the moon would have orbited the gas giant for several billion years before colliding with it and breaking apart. Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) performed calculations that mapped changes in Saturn's axis of rotation over time. Their results suggest that it was once orbited by another body, but when it got too close to the gas giant it was torn to pieces and formed the rings. The loss of this moon would also explain why Saturn tilts at an angle of 26.7 degrees in its spin, which is indicated by its jaunty rings. Lead author Professor Jack Wisdom said: 'Just like a butterfly's chrysalis, this satellite was long dormant and suddenly became active and the rings emerged.' Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) performed calculations that mapped changes in Saturn's axis of rotation over time. Their results suggest that it was once orbited by another body, but when it got too close to the gas giant it was torn to pieces and formed the rings (stock image) Astronomers have thought Saturn's tilt comes from the fact it is in 'orbital resonance' with its neighbour Neptune since the early 2000s. Pictured: Saturn when it made its closest approach to Earth this year SATURN: THE BASICS Distance from Sun: 1.434 billion km Orbital period: 29 years Surface area: 42.7 billion km Radius: 58,232 km Mass: 5.683 10^26 kg (95.16 M) Length of day: 0d 10h 42m Moons: 83 with formal designations; innumerable additional moonlets Advertisement Since the early 2000s, astronomers have believed Saturn's tilt comes from the planet's 'orbital resonance' with its neighbour Neptune. Two planets have resonance if their orbital periods are synchronised and they exert regular gravitational influence on each other. The resonance theory came about because Saturn 'precesses' - or wobbles - as it spins at nearly the same rate as the orbit of Neptune. But observations taken by NASA's Cassini spacecraft, which orbited Saturn from 2004 to 2017, suggested that its largest moon Titan could actually be responsible the wobble. This is because Titan is migrating away from Saturn faster than expected, at a rate of about 11 centimetres per year, and so it was thought the moon's gravitational pull could be causing the planet to tilt. However, this theory relies on Saturn's moment of inertia - or how mass is distributed in the planet's interior - which is still unknown. Its tilt could behave differently, depending on whether matter is more concentrated at its core or toward the surface. Observations taken by NASA's Cassini spacecraft, which orbited Saturn from 2004 to 2017, suggested that its largest moon Titan caused the planet to tilt as it migrated away Saturn's hypothetical moon Chrysalis collided with Saturn and was ripped to pieces, allowing Saturn and Neptune to lose resonance as the moon's gravitational influence was gone The continuous outward migration of Titan and its effect on the Saturn-Neptune resonance meant Saturn's tilt then decreased, but remained at its current value of 26.7 degrees In their study, published today in Science, the scientists used some of the last observations taken by Cassini to map Saturn's gravitational field. They then used that data to model the distribution of mass within the planet and calculate its moment of inertia. They were surprised to find that this newly identified moment of inertia placed Saturn close to, but just outside the resonance with Neptune. This suggests that the planets may once have been in sync but are no longer. Professor Wisdom said: 'Then we went hunting for ways of getting Saturn out of Neptune's resonance.' Pictured: Titan, in ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths, taken by the Cassini spacecraft HOW DID CHRYSALIS AFFECT SATURN? Chrysalis is Saturn's hypothetical 84th moon, that may have orbited the planet up until 160 years ago. It would have been about the size of Saturn's third-largest moon, Iapetus. Its gravitational pull kept Saturn and Neptune in resonance - where their orbital periods were synchronised. However, sometime between 200 and 100 million years ago, it entered a chaotic orbital zone and then collided with Saturn and was ripped to pieces. The loss of Chrysalis and its gravity resulted in Saturn's 26.7 degree tilt, and it moving slightly out of resonance with Neptune. Debris left by the collision formed its icy rings. Advertisement The researchers re-examined the mathematical equations that describe how Saturn's axis of rotation changes over time. They hypothesised that the tilt of Saturn's axis could be affected by the loss of a moon, as this would have knocked it out of its resonance with Neptune. To result in these phenomena, the hypothetical 84th moon - Chrysalis - would have to have been about size of the planet's third-largest moon, Iapetus. The team concluded that, when in orbit, Chrysalis pulled and tugged at Saturn in a way that kept its tilt in resonance with Neptune. However, the moon likely entered a chaotic orbital zone sometime between 200 and 100 million years ago. This meant the satellite experienced a number of close encounters with Iapetus and Titan, and eventually came too close to Saturn around 160 million years ago. The collision ripped Chrysalis to pieces, allowing Saturn and Neptune to lose resonance as the moon's gravitational influence was gone. The continuous outward migration of Titan and its effect on the Saturn-Neptune resonance meant Saturn's tilt then decreased, but remained at its current value of 26.7 degrees. A small fraction of Chrysalis' mass remained suspended in orbit, breaking down into icy chunks and forming rings of debris. Professor Wisdom added: 'It's a pretty good story, but like any other result, it will have to be examined by others. 'But it seems that this lost satellite was just a chrysalis, waiting to have its instability.' Space technology funded by NASA may help menopausal women experiencing discomfort from hot flashes. Material that was originally meant for gloves to be worn in outer space is now being used by a company that aims to help those suffering from the sweaty, overheated episodes that are commonplace at the end of menstruation. About 1.3 million people enter menopause each year, the space agency estimates, and the condition can last for several years and sometimes causes 'debilitating' symptoms. Textile maker Louise Nicholson was seeking a way to provide relief to anyone experiencing these symptoms, but she found most options lacking until she came across a material made possible by NASA funding. Space technology funded by NASA may help menopausal women experiencing discomfort from hot flashes. These materials can maintain a consistent temperature as they change from solid to liquid or vice versa 'I did some initial research to find out what was on the market, and there was absolutely nothing apart from nightwear,' Nicholson, who founded London-based Fifty One Apparel, said in a statement. In the midst of her searches, she came across a technology called Outlast. NASA's Johnson Space Center was looking to improve insulation in spacesuit gloves in the 1980s and entered into a contract with Triangle Research and Development Corporation to probe the use of so-called phase change materials. These materials can maintain a consistent temperature as they change from solid to liquid or vice versa. Material that was originally meant for gloves to be worn in outer space is now being used by a company that aims to help those suffering from the sweaty, overheated episodes that are commonplace at the end of menstruation Triangle was able to embed the phase-changing materials into microcapsules that could then be used as a fabric insert for a spacesuit glove. 'I did some initial research to find out what was on the market,' Louise Nicholson (above), who founded London-based Fifty One Apparel, said in a statement. The gloves never made it to outer space, but another firm known as Outlast Technologies acquired the patent for the material and marketed it under the name Outlast. By bonding Outlast to cellulosic yarn, Fifty One Apparel's clothing maintains the temperature-regulating properties of phase-change materials but retains the look and feel of high-end fabrics. The initial products included a line of shirts in four styles that were sold to consumers in the London area at events - and now the firm has jumped into e-commerce to sell tops, bottoms and nightwear. The company - named for the age when most women begin to experience menopausal symptoms - has grown its range of products using the Outlast technology, including accessories like scarves, facemasks and turbans. As of 2021, the United States is Fifty Ones second-largest market after the United Kingdom, and the company is looking to obtain a local distributor for the product. Advertisement The Ffestiniog Railway, which cuts through the countryside in Wales, is Europe's No.1 scenic train line. It tops a new ranking by Which? of Europe's '10 best scenic railways', generated from a survey of more than 1,400 travellers, who were asked to rate their favourite scenic journeys across the continent, scoring them in seven categories - scenery, comfort, onboard facilities, cleanliness, food and drink on board, customer service, and value for money. Second place in the list is shared jointly by Norway's Bergen Railway and the Bernina Express, which weaves from Switzerland to Italy, with Switzerland's Glacier Express taking the bronze medal. Commenting on the study's findings, Which? says: '[The] top 10 unique train rides all [have] one thing in common the magic of the scenery outside.' Scroll down for stunning pictures of the 10 railways that make the cut. No1. Ffestiniog Railway - Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog, Wales The Ffestiniog Railway in Wales is Europe's best scenic railway, a new survey by Which? declares. Above, the Blanche and Prince train crosses The Cob, a causeway that leads to the coastal town of Porthmadog Pictured is the Blanche and Prince train leaving the village of Tanygrisiau and heading for the slate mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog A First Class Pullman carriage on the Ffestiniog Railway Reigning supreme with an overall score of 91 per cent, the Ffestiniog Railway - the worlds oldest narrow-gauge railway - spans 13 and a half miles (21km) between the coastal town of Porthmadog and the slate mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. 'With the option to travel in first-class Pullman carriages, you can push down windows, breathe in the sweet air and whizz through the Welsh countryside in just three hours pulled by a whistling steam engine,' Which? reveals. It continues: 'On a summers day, youll pass glistening lakes speckled with little egrets, before rattling along the precipice of bridges, often within arms reach of wild grass and the backs of stone houses.' The watchdog adds that the train 'offers a peek into the depths of dense forests' before trundling over hamlets 'where residents wave up from their farmhouses and chickens cluck in the yard'. Tickets for a trip on the Ffestiniog Railway are priced from 40 return. Joint No2. Bergen Railway - Oslo to Bergen, Norway Take a trip on the Bergen Railway (pictured) in the wintertime and you can expect to see 'armies of sugar-dusted spruce' and cabins submerged in snow. The railway is joint second in the ranking The joint silver medal winner, a railway that takes passengers from Oslo to Bergen in seven hours, earns an impressive five stars for comfort and cleanliness and has an overall score of 90 per cent. Which? reveals: 'Built between 1875 and 1909, the railway includes 308 miles (495km) of track that transport passengers past mirror-clear lakes with armies of sugar-dusted spruce circling their banks.' It explains that the Bergen Railway 'runs along the Drammenselva river a popular spot for salmon fishing and on to the pretty little town of Honefoss', after which 'buildings begin to thin out, with miles of empty landscape galloping in between each village'. The campaign group notes that, come wintertime, cabins along the route are submerged in the snow with 'single spirals of smoke betraying their hiding places'. Tickets for the Bergen Railway are priced from 20 one way. Joint No2. Bernina Express - Chur, Switzerland, to Tirano, Italy Which? says that the Bernina Express, which is joint second, offers a 'four-hour Alpine adventure'. Above, a Bernina Express train glides over the Landwasser Viaduct The Bernina Express, which is one of the highest railways in Europe, is the only railway in the ranking to score a remarkable five stars for scenery. Scooping up more five-star gongs for comfort, onboard facilities and cleanliness, the railway ties for second place with a score of 90 per cent. Which? says that the 90-mile- (144km) long railway whisks passengers on a 'four-hour Alpine adventure from within the cosy confines of a shiny, red, panoramic dome car'. 'During winter, expect to curl around frozen lakes and monstrous snowdrifts, while in summer, youll see bell-wearing cows picking their way through meadows of lilac asters overlooked by snow-capped peaks,' it says. The watchdog notes that there are 'hair-raising' moments en route, such as when the 'train squeezes on to bridges anchored in rock faces, while green rivers churn and swirl below'. Hoping to make the journey? Which? recommends keeping your camera to hand and bringing a packed lunch, as theres currently only a minibar service on board. Tickets on the Bernina Express are priced from 54 one way. No3. Glacier Express - Zermatt to St Moritz, Switzerland A trip on the third-place Glacier Express (above) 'allows passengers to look inside clusters of chalets, their balconies bright with flowers' Which? says: '[The] top 10 unique train rides all [have] one thing in common the magic of the scenery outside' According to Which?, a trip on the Glacier Express is 'the most luxurious way to see the Swiss Alps', as the trains boast 'wide leather seats and a new Excellence Class that offers a seven-course menu with wine pairing'. It says: 'Soon after departure, the majestic, ice-slicked Matterhorn looms into view with wisps of cloud-like steam around its head and its reflection in the lake below. Meandering through the three cantons of Valais, Uri and Graubunden, the train allows passengers to look inside clusters of chalets, their balconies bright with flowers.' Which? notes that a highlight of the journey, which takes seven and a half hours and spans 180 miles (290km), is when passengers get a glimpse of the 'apple-green waters' of the Rhine Gorge from the train's vantage point on 'vertiginous viaducts'. The railway, which earns the bronze medal in the ranking with a score of 89 per cent, bags five stars for comfort, onboard facilities, cleanliness and customer service. Tickets on the Glacier Express are priced from 130 one way. Joint No4. Brocken Railway - Wernigerode to Brocken summit, Germany Pictured is the Brocken Railway, which ranks joint fourth, heading towards the top of the Brocken peak in Germany 'One of the few remaining steam railways used by both commuters and tourists, the Brocken Railway is a branch of Germanys Harz Narrow Gauge Railway network, carrying passengers to the summit of the Brocken mountain [1,142m/3,746ft] once a major Soviet-era spy station,' Which? says of this railway. The 11-mile- (19km) long railway, which scores 86 per cent overall, 'rolls out of the town of Wernigerode, running parallel to little streets lined with yellow half-timbered houses with steep red roofs' before trundling uphill through a 'dense woody landscape'. The trip to the top of Brocken takes just 50 minutes, with Which? noting: 'If theres no mist swirling at the summit, expect a spectacular panoramic view of [Harz National Park] in all its glory.' Tickets on the Brocken Railway are priced from 40 return. Joint No4. Talyllyn Railway - Tywyn to Abergynolwyn, Wales The Talyllyn Railway, shown above near the Welsh village of Hendy, is the first preserved railway in the world. Picture courtesy of Creative Commons The Talyllyn Railway earns five stars for customer service, and four stars for comfort, cleanliness and value for money, Which? reveals. Overall, it scores 86 per cent. On the 55-minute-long railway journey travellers are ferried from the town of Tywyn, on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park, to Nant Gwernol railway station, which is nestled in the mountains above the village of Abergynolwyn. The railway, which covers more than seven miles (11km), has a claim to fame as the first preserved railway in the world - it originally opened in 1865 and was reopened as a heritage railway in 1951. Tickets for a trip on the Talyllyn Railway are priced from 22 for a return trip. Joint No4. Welsh Highland Railway - Porthmadog to Caernarfon Pictured above is the 'No 87' train on the Welsh Highland Railway, which ties for fourth place in the Which? ranking The Welsh Highland Railway, the UK's longest heritage railway, ties for fourth place in the Which? ranking. Over around six hours (return, with breaks), the railway's steam locomotives carry passengers 25 miles (40km) from the royal town of Caernarfon, known for the magnificent Caernarfon Castle, to the pretty coastal town of Porthmadog. Along the way, the train rolls up to the foothills of Snowdon, down to the quaint village of Beddgelert, and then through the awe-inspiring Aberglaslyn Pass. Treat yourself and splash out on a ticket for the Pullman First Class Carriage. Tickets for The Welsh Highland Railway are available from www.festrail.co.uk. Joint No4. West Highland Line - Fort William to Mallaig, Scotland The West Highland Line arriving at tiny Corrour station on the route between Glasgow and Mallaig. The railway ties for fourth place in the ranking Passengers board the West Highland Line in Glasgow and set off on a voyage to the west, all the way to the port town of Mallaig in the Highlands. The 164-mile- (264km) long railway ranks joint fourth with a score of 86 per cent, bagging four stars for scenery. It famously crosses over the Glenfinnan Viaduct over the waters of Loch Shiel, the same route taken by the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films. Other scenic highlights on the five-and-a-half-hour journey include the hills and woodlands of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, the peaty moorland of Rannoch Moor and a view of Ben Nevis, Britains highest peak. Tickets on the West Highland Line are priced from 38. 5. Flam Railway - Myrdal to Flam, Norway Norway's Flam Railway (above) - which is joint fifth in the ranking - takes passengers on a scenic two-hour journey through Flam Valley, from the fjord of Aurlandsfjord up to Myrdal station With a score of 85 per cent, Norway's Flam Railway glides into joint fifth place in the Which? ranking. The 12-mile- (20km) long railway weaves through a grand total of 20 tunnels on its route from the fjord of Aurlandsfjord up to Myrdal mountain station in Aurland. Travellers take a seat in a vintage train compartment before heading on a scenic two-hour journey through Flam Valley, trundling past the old Flam village centre. Make sure to bring your camera - it stops briefly along the way at the stunning Kjosfossen waterfall so passengers can take a holiday snapshot, Which? reveals. Tickets for a trip on the Flam Railway are priced from 55 (NOK 650). 5. GoldenPass Line - Lucerne to Montreux, Switzerland A GoldenPass Line train sitting at the station in the village of Montbovon. The Swiss railway finishes joint fifth in the list This 118-mile- (191km) long railway, which ties for fifth place, earns a commendable score of 85 per cent, with five stars for comfort, onboard facilities and cleanliness, Which? reveals. It carries passengers from the city of Lucerne to the resort town of Montreux on Lake Geneva, with two changes along the way at Interlaken and the quaint village of Zweisimmen. During the five-and-a-half-hour journey, passengers can expect to see spectacular sights such as the 3,307ft- (1,008m) high Brunig Pass, the sparkling lakes of the Bernese Oberland, the picturesque Simmen valley and the swish ski resort of Gstaad. For tickets for the GoldenPass Line, visit www.goldenpassline.ch. For more on the ranking, go to www.which.co.uk. She signed a 1million deal with Oh Polly last month making it the biggest partnership in Love Island history. And Ekin-Su Culculoglu told MailOnline she is 'living the dream' after departing the Majorcan Villa to a flurry of exciting opportunities whilst she posed in her latest photoshoot for the brand. The Turkish beauty, 28, who recently made her catwalk debut during New York Fashion Week, also gushed about her relationship with boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti after he flew out to America to show his support. Radiant: Ekin-Su Culculoglu, 28, has revealed she is 'living the dream' as she posed in her latest photoshoot for Oh Polly Speaking to about her most recent work, Ekin-Su told MailOnline: 'I've lived the American dream since coming out of the villa being in New York for Fashion Week has truly been a dream come true. 'If you'd have told me six months ago I'd be walking down a runway I'd have never believed you! I can't wait to come back and show people what I've been working on. 'It's been a really special trip for our relationship too as we're finally getting to do real boyfriend and girlfriend things exploring the city and having time to ourselves. Davide makes me so happy!' Amazing: She told MailOnline: 'I've lived the American dream since coming out of the villa being in New York for Fashion Week has truly been a dream come true' The Love Island winner exuded glamour in the stunning shots as she donned an olive green mini dress. The garment highlighted the star's jaw-dropping figure while she added height to her frame with a pair of clear heels. Ekin-Su styled her honey blonde locks into voluminous curls in the photoshoot along with a light palette of makeup. She continued: 'If you'd have told me six months ago I'd be walking down a runway I'd have never believed you! I can't wait to come back and show people what I've been working on' It comes after Ekin-Su's dreams came true on Tuesday as she witnessed her very own advert with the fashion brand being shown on a Times Square digital billboard in New York City. The star took to her Instagram account showing a video of herself leaping into her boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti's arms as the ad played in the background while they locked lips. The couple packed on the PDA as they stood in the centre of the square, with Davide lifting up his actress girlfriend as they beamed at one another. Proud: The beauty, who made her catwalk debut during New York Fashion Week, also gushed about her relationship with boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti Ekin-Su chose John Legend's hit All Of Me to accompany the video which saw the pair dressed down in casual wear during the outing. Reflecting on her achievement, Ekin-Su captioned the clip: 'Since I was a little girl I would always dream about New York and how much I wanted to be on Times Square.. I truly believe in faith and being a good person in life. 'Having dreams and working hard. Never giving up. What ever happened in life I never gave up. Never complained even when things weren't going well Overjoyed: It comes as Ekin-Su's dreams came true on Tuesday as she witnessed her very own advert with the fashion brand being shown on a Times Square digital billboard in New York City I'm extremely grateful for everyone around me. All the love all the beautiful support and of course the @ohpolly team. 'My biggest supporter is you @davidesancli I love you so much.' Davide swiftly replied beneath her post writing: 'My baby I'm soo proud of you. You're beautiful person inside and out , and this is only the beginning, I'll be always there to support you. Love u.' The Ekin-Su x Oh Polly collection is available at www.ohpolly.com. Jo Wood looked incredible as she hit the catwalk during London Fashion week on Wednesday ahead of it's official launch later this week. The television personality, 67, flaunted her figure in a sheer babydoll dress as she strutted her stuff at the VIN + OMI show at the city's Congress Centre. The oversized frock was made from reusable materials and boasted large billowing sleeves and sweet ruffle detailing. Strut: Jo Wood, 67, looked incredible as she hit the catwalk during London Fashion week on Wednesday ahead of it's official launch later this week The brand, who claim 'We are not just a fashion label, we are an ideology', consider themselves eco innovators and have also worked with the likes of Blondie's Debbie Harry, 77. Jo, who was once married to Rolling Stones rocker Ronnie Wood, 75, layered the dress over black lingerie which she teamed with a pair of long socks. The blonde beauty opted for a stunning palette of make-up as her luscious blonde tresses cascaded to her shoulders. The outfit was accessorised with paper origami jewellery in the form of a necklace and two matching bracelets. Fashion: Jo, who was once married to Rolling Stones rocker Ronnie Wood, 75, layered the dress over black lingerie which she teamed with a pair of long socks Blondie: The blonde beauty opted for a stunning palette of make-up as her luscious blonde tresses cascaded to her shoulders Jo appeared in her element as she sauntered down the catwalk and posed up a storm for cameras. Also at the event was Tigerlily Taylor, 27, who sat front row in a chic leather dress which clung to her incredible figure. Slipping her feet into slate ankle boots the stunner, who is the daughter of Queen drummer Roger Taylor, completed the look with a splash of gold jewellery. Pose: Also at the event was Tigerlily Taylor, 27, who sat front row in a chic leather dress which clung to her incredible figure London Fashion Week is set to kick off on Friday, yet it's been scaled back while the country is in an official period of mourning. Fashion houses Burberry and Raf Simons have cancelled their shows as a mark of respect following the death of the Queen. The British and Belgian designers each issued statements announcing they would pull out of the event as the country enters a period of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away at the age of 96. The British Fashion Council has said London Fashion Week will still go ahead - but celebrations would be muted. Chic: Slipping her feet into slate ankle boots the stunner, who is the daughter of Queen drummer Roger Taylor, completed the look with a splash of gold jewellery A statement from the BFC said: 'London Fashion Week is a business-to-business event, and an important moment for designers to show their collections at a specific moment in the fashion calendar, we recognise the work that goes into this moment. 'Therefore, shows and presentations of collections can continue, but we are asking that designers respect the mood of the nation and period of national mourning by considering the timing of their image release.' In 2018 the Queen made a surprise appearance at London Fashion Week where she sat in the front row next to editor-in-chief of Vogue US, Anna Wintour. Respect: It comes after fashion houses Burberry and Raf Simons cancelled their shows at London Fashion Week as a mark of respect following the death of the Queen The then-91-year-old was pictured sharing a joke with the long-standing editor as the pair watched Richard Quinn's show. Her Majesty then presented him with the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design. Queen Elizabeth II passed away at the age of 96 at Balmoral on Thursday afternoon. Buckingham Palace issued a statement confirming the death of Her Majesty at around 6.30pm. It read: 'The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. 'The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.' Sunrise host David Koch has taken a cheeky dig at Today's Karl Stefanovic as they face off in the media scrum outside Buckingham Palace. Seven and Nine's rival breakfast teams have been forced to operate in close quarters this week while broadcasting live in London following the death of Queen Elizabeth. Yet Koch, 66, saw humour in their less-than-ideal situation on Thursday, posting a tongue-in-cheek Instagram post referring to Stefanovic as 'rif-raf'. Sunrise host David Koch, 66, (left) took a cheeky dig at Today's Karl Stefanovic, 48, (right) as the rival breakfast anchors faced off in the media scrum outside Buckingham Palace on Thursday Posting to Instagram Stories, Koch uploaded a photo of Stefanovic locked outside the gates of the Royal Palace looking anguished while resting his head between the metal bars. 'Gotta keep the rif-raf out @KarlStefanovic [laughing-crying emoji],' Koch quipped in the caption. Karl, who is known for his larrikin sense of humour, promptly re-shared the post to his own Instagram Stories. Posting to Instagram Stories, Koch uploaded this photo of Stefanovic locked outside the Palace gates looking anguished while resting his head between the metal bars. 'Gotta keep the rif-raf out @KarlStefanovic [laughing-crying emoji],' Koch quipped in the caption It comes as the Aussie breakfast war heats up in the UK ahead of Her Majesty's funeral on Monday. A 100-strong media contingent from Australia is currently reporting on the ground in London, with daily royal programming stretching from breakfast through to the evening news. Joining the Sunrise and Today presenters is Sky News talent Laura Jayes, Peta Credlin and Paul Murray. It comes as the Aussie breakfast war heats up in the UK ahead of Her Majesty's funeral on Monday. (Pictured: Sunrise co-hosts Natalie Barr and Koch reporting outside Buckingham Palace this week) A 100-strong media contingent from Australia is currently reporting on the ground in London, with daily royal programming stretching from breakfast through to the evening news. (Pictured: Today co-hosts Stefanovic and Alison Langdon reporting outside Buckingham Palace this week) Channel 10 reporters Lisa Wilkinson, Sandra Sully, Angela Bishop, Ursula Heger and Jennifer Keyte have also flown to London following the Queen's death. Meanwhile, a sprawling media village has been set up around the Palace periphery, housing over 12,000 media workers from across the world. The Queen's funeral, and the surrounding events, are set to become one of the biggest events in Britain since the Olympics, with an estimated two million people flooding to central London every day. Australia has joined much of the world in mourning Queen Elizabeth II, as her death prompts the first change in head of state in more than seven decades. (Pictured: The Queen in the drawing room at Balmoral, Scotland, last Tuesday. She died at her estate on Thursday) Australia has joined much of the world in mourning Queen Elizabeth II, as her death prompts the first change in head of state in more than seven decades. A statement from Buckingham Palace early on Friday (AEST) confirmed the 96-year-old's death. 'The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,' Buckingham Palace said. A statement from Buckingham Palace early on Friday (AEST) confirmed the 96-year-old's death. She is pictured in Salisbury, England, on October 15 2020 'The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to the Queen, who is succeeded by her son King Charles III in a move that is expected to renew Australia's republican debate. 'An historic reign and a long life devoted to duty, family, faith and service has come to an end,' Mr Albanese said in a statement. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) offered his condolences to the Royal Family, the British people, and all his own citizens who held Her Majesty in the highest regard 'The government and the people of Australia offer our deepest condolences to the royal family, who are grieving for a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother - the person whom for so long was their greatest inner strength.' Mr Albanese said that 'from her famous first trip to Australia, the only reigning sovereign to ever visit, it was clear Her Majesty held a special place in her heart for Australia. 'Fifteen more tours before cheering crowds in every part of our country confirmed the special place she held in ours.' Gordon Ramsay has been welcomed back to Channel Nine 13 years after his feud with retiring A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw turned into a public slanging match. The notoriously hot-tempered celebrity chef, 55, will appear next year in a new show for the network, Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars. Boost Juice founder Janine Allis will also star in the Apprentice-style cooking competition. Gordon Ramsay (pictured) is back on Channel Nine with a new cooking show, 13 years after he was declared persona non grata for comparing ACA host Tracy Grimshaw to Miss Piggy Based on a successful format in Britain and the U.S., the show puts a group of aspiring food entrepreneurs through a series of challenges. The 14 contestants will have to prove their business skills in branding, service, marketing and event management. The winning team scores a cash prize designed to kickstart their business. Ramsay's own Fox company, Studio Ramsay Global, is producing the show in partnership with Endemol Shine Australia. The notoriously hot-tempered celebrity chef, 55, will appear next year in a new show for the network, Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars It comes 13 years after Ramsay was made persona non grata at Channel Nine. He had made a snarky remark about Tracy Grimshaw's appearance after she interviewed him on A Current Affair in June 2009. The incident later escalated into a feud when Ramsay allegedly called the ACA anchor a 'fat pig'. Boost Juice founder Janine Allis (pictured) will also star in Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars Ramsay, whose publicist had asked ACA to refrain from asking questions about his turbulent personal life at the time, teased Grimshaw with a comment about a mole on her face. He compared it to 'f**king Mount Etna' and asked if it was a 'wart' as Grimshaw, who was clearly embarrassed, laughed awkwardly. Ramsay made the remark after their chat but while the cameras were still rolling, and was later unhappy to see his 'throwaway line' broadcast on the show. Ramsay had made a snarky remark about Tracy Grimshaw's (pictured) appearance after she interviewed him on A Current Affair in June 2009, leading to a high-profile feud between them The foul-mouthed Kitchen Nightmares host retaliated by attacking Grimshaw in front of an audience of thousands at the Melbourne Good Food and Wine Show. He allegedly suggested the veteran journalist was a 'fat pig' by showing a photo of a naked woman on her hands and knees with a pig's face, as well as an image of The Muppets character Miss Piggy, and saying: 'That's Tracy Grimshaw.' Ramsay later apologised and tried to pass off his remarks as a joke, explaining via his publicist that he had a great relationship with Grimshaw and Channel Nine. Ramsay, whose publicist had asked the show to refrain from asking questions about his turbulent personal life at the time, teased Grimshaw with a comment about a mole on her face Ramsay was allegedly unhappy after the remark was later broadcast on A Current Affair He also denied reports he'd called her a 'lesbian', telling 7News: 'I've got all the tapes; I didn't mention the word "lesbian" once.' The restaurateur said his remarks had been 'blown out of context'. Grimshaw issued a blistering response on A Current Affair, telling viewers: 'This is not a business for wimps and I am not one. Ramsay later apologised and tried to pass off his remarks as a joke, but Grimshaw (pictured) wasn't having any of it, and delivered a blistering on-air takedown 'Despite what his publicist said, we do not have a great relationship. We do not have a relationship at all. 'I've played along with him in interviews because it's entertaining and it's my job.' Grimshaw went on to describe Ramsay's attack as hurtful and unfunny, and called him a bully and a narcissist. She also clarified she was not a lesbian, although Ramsay denied ever saying this. Allison Langdon was scolded by her Today show co-host Karl Stefanovic on Thursday after she flirted with a royal protection officer outside Buckingham Palace. The 43-year-old, who was still wearing all-black in accordance with network policy, burst into fits of giggles when Stefanovic urged her to 'be more respectful' after she described the royal official, named Simon, as 'handsome'. The Channel Nine breakfast show has been reporting live from London all week following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The tone of the program has become less sombre in recent days as the mood of the nation shifts from sadness over the Queen's passing to celebrating her incredible 70-year reign and the future of the Royal Family under King Charles III. Allison Langdon (centre) was scolded by her Today show co-host Karl Stefanovic (left) on Thursday after she flirted with a royal protection officer (right) outside Buckingham Palace Stefanovic, 48, had jokingly asked the bodyguard during their interview how many ways he could 'kill' him and if 'torture' would be involved. When Simon said he could take Stefanovic out quickly, Langdon laughed at her co-anchor's fearful expression then turned to the official to remark on his looks. 'Simon, we're good friends. Lovely to meet you. Did I tell you, you are very handsome?' she said. The 43-year-old, who was wearing all-black, burst into fits of giggles when Stefanovic urged her to 'be more respectful' after she described the royal official as 'handsome' Stefanovic lightly scolded Langdon for her flirty behaviour in front of Buckingham Palace while Britain continues to mourn the Queen. 'It's torture watching you guys flirt, that's what is torture - in front of the nation! Be more respectful, please. It's disgusting,' he joked. Langdon and Simon began giggling as the show, which was being broadcast live from the palace on Wednesday night GMT, cut to an ad break. Stefanovic lightly scolded Langdon for her flirty behaviour in front of Buckingham Palace while Britain continues to mourn the Queen. 'It's torture watching you guys flirt, that's what is torture - in front of the nation! Be more respectful, please. It's disgusting,' he joked It wasn't the first time that morning Langdon felt a little playful. As her colleague Tim Davies finished his weather update back in the Sydney studio, she couldn't help but remark how 'handsome' he was as well. 'I'd forgotten how handsome Tim is. It's nice to be reminded,' she said. Following the Queen's death, the Today hosts anchored seven-and-a-half hours of live coverage last Friday, which began with them breaking the news at 4.30am Stefanovic could barely contain his laughter as he asked how she could possibly forget - before asking if she'd forgotten her husband as well. Following the Queen's death, the Today hosts anchored seven-and-a-half hours of live coverage last Friday, which began with them breaking the news at 4.30am. They didn't hand over to Today Extra presenters Sylvia Jeffreys and David Campbell until midday. Jeffreys and Campbell usually start broadcasting at 9am. Poppy Delevingne looked deep in thought as she stepped out for a pilates class in Los Angeles on Wednesday after her sister Cara admitted she didn't think she'd be 'alive' at the age of 30. The model, 36, kept it casual in sportswear during her latest outing amid claims that her family are planning an intervention for her younger sister Cara, 30. The concerned sister donned black leggings and a cropped T-shirt, yet kept her head down on the outing and maintained a tense expression. Family support: Poppy Delevingne stepped out for a pilates class in Los Angeles on Wednesday after her sister Cara admitted she didn't think she'd be 'alive' at the age of 30 She styled her golden locks in two loose plaits and accessorised her ensemble with a pair of large gold hoop earrings. Poppy, who is said to be rallying around to support her sister Cara, shielded her eyes from the bright sunshine with a pair of black cat-eye sunglasses. She flaunted her natural good looks with a light dusting of make-up and slung a brown handbag over one shoulder. Her outing comes as Cara admitted that she is surprised that she reached the age of 30, after celebrating her birthday in Ibiza last month. Concern: Cara's friends and family are said to have become 'worried' about her after a string of erratic public appearances in recent weeks (pictured on September 6) 'Honestly, I didn't think I'd be alive at this age,' the model admitted to Stylist. 'I literally couldn't wait to turn 30, because the 20s are f****** hard. 'You're basically still a teenager but you're meant to be an adult and everyone's telling you this is the best time of your life.' Cara's friends and family are said to have become 'worried' about her after a string of erratic public appearances in recent weeks. Earlier on Wednesday, Margot Robbie appeared upset just hours after leaving the home of her close friend Cara. Outing: The concerned sister donned black leggings and a cropped T-shirt, yet kept her head down on the outing and maintained a tense expression The Oscar-nominated star was seen struggling to contain her emotions after leaving a rented home in West Hollywood to travel to Los Angeles International airport around 5pm. Earlier, Robbie, 32, had been spotted leaving Delevingne's $7m West Hollywood house on Monday around 1pm - two hours after Delevingne's socialite sister Poppy had also been seen exiting in a black SUV. It's not clear if Cara was at home when Margot was there. Elsewhere this week, Cara failed to show for the launch of her fashion collection honouring late designer Karl Lagerfeld held at chic restaurant Saga in the Big Apple's Financial District. Keeping it casual: The concerned sister looked effortlessly stylish in black leggings and a cropped T-shirt, which she styled with a pair of beige sandals Nor was she present at the Emmy Awards, alongside her fellow Only Murders in the Building stars. The model, who recently lauded Lagerfeld as one of the major influences on her career, was nowhere in sight as the sustainable collection of inclusive clothing and accessories was celebrated by a guest list of stars. However, she was still present on social media, where she paid tribute to the legendary designer on Monday evening while guests filed into the New York venue. Reposting the collection's promotional video, she wrote: 'Happy belated birthday @karllagerfeld. What an honor that the #CaraLovesKarl collection is now available! Im so proud of it.' Lagerfeld, who passed away in 2019 aged 85 from complications related to pancreatic cancer, would have celebrated his birthday on September 10, two days before the official launch. Cara's fans have voiced their worries after she was recently seen sitting alone in a parked car in Los Angeles, where she took drops of liquid from a pipette and smoked from what appeared to be a pipe. Her legs appeared to be bruised. She was then seen looking erratic and out of sorts at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles earlier in September. It has been claimed that her family and friends are searching for ways to help the troubled former 'it girl'. 'We are all incredibly concerned. The situation has been building for a few weeks now, and Cara's family is involved,' a close friend told The Sun. 'There is talk of staging some kind of intervention and making sure Cara gets the help she may well need,' the person added. Worries: Cara's fans have voiced their worries after she was seen looking erratic in recent weeks, and failed to show for the launch of her fashion collection honouring Karl Lagerfeld 'She has been burning the candle at both ends of late, and it's clearly taking its toll.' Cara made her latest worrying appearance last Monday in Los Angeles, appearing disheveled and jittery prior to boarding Jay-Z's private jet. According to DailyMail.com sources, the cover girl appeared unable to control her body movements at certain points as she was seen on the phone, bending over, dropping her phone, and walking around looking very jittery and as if she was unable to stop moving. Recently, Cara also spent a few days at the Burning Man festival at Black Rock desert in Nevada. Sources told MailOnline that she didn't eat or shower while at the event, which doesn't feature shower facilities or any food stalls. Sisterly help: Cara'a friends and family are searching for ways to help the troubled former 'it girl' amid claims her family is considering an intervention (Poppy and Cara pictured in 2019) The source added that her sister Poppy 'has her back' and her friends and family are rallying around Cara after becoming 'worried' about her. They said: 'She had just spent days in the desert, not eating all that much and she looked disheveled because she hadn't had time to scrub up yet.' He went on: 'Her friends are worried about her generally after some erratic behaviour, but she has a good group around her. 'Her sister was at the festival with her. She wasn't alone and she has her back.' The source continued: 'Burning Man isn't lined with burger vans like other festivals. You chuck everything you need in an RV and that's what you have to live on while you're there. Everything works on a swapping system.' Motsi Mabuse has revealed she has 10 Ukranian refugees currently living in her house amid the ongoing Russian invasion. The Strictly Come Dancing star, 41, lives in Frankfurt, Germany with her husband Evgenij Vozynuk who is from Ukraine. In an extract from her book My Own Rhythm, seen by The Mirror, Motsi told how Evgenij's parents are living with them along with several other people. Helping hand: Motsi Mabuse has revealed she has 10 Ukranian refugees currently living in her house amid the ongoing Russian invasion She wrote: 'We were asleep when Evgenij's mum called us on FaceTime at five o'clock in the morning and said: ''There are bombs dropping." It was so shocking. 'His parents couldn't get out of the country for a week, but eventually they crossed the border, and at this moment we have about 10 people living with us our family and refugees. We're trying to relocate everyone. 'It's a very different life now that my parents-in-law have come to live with us, possibly forever.' Motsi admitted the new set up is taking a while for her to get used to, particularly with the language barrier as she doesn't speak Russian. Couple: The Strictly Come Dancing star, 41, lives in Frankfurt, Germany with her husband Evgenij Vozynuk who is from Ukraine (pictured in 2018) The dancer confirmed she was in a relationship with Evjenij in 2015 and they tied the knot two years later. Ukranian refugees can be granted war status throughout the EU. Germany is one of the leaders in accepting Ukranian refugees in the EU, second only to Poland. According to VisitUkraine, more than 900,000 Ukranians have found refuge in Germany so far. Ukranians with a biometric passport don't need a visa to enter Germany and can stay for up to 90 days. They must then apply for a residence permit. After they are granted a residence permit, they are permitted to work and are entitled to all rights and duties under German labour law. Purely professional: It comes after Motsi claimed there are no strong blonds between the Strictly Come Dancing judges, insisting the panel gets the job done but is not friendly outside of work It comes after Motsi admitted there are no strong blonds between the Strictly Come Dancing judges, insisting the panel gets the job done but is not friendly outside of work. The starm who has been a judge on the BBC ballroom dance contest since 2019, says she and Anton Du Beke, 56, Craig Revel Horwood, 57, and head judge Shirley Ballas, 62, may wish each other well on special occasions but otherwise they all prefer spending time apart at home. When asked if they are 'pals' and spend time together outside of work, she told The Telegraph: 'No. None of that. There are some moments where you write 'Happy birthday' or something like that.' Describing their relationship as 'professional', she added: 'In Germany, we've had the same judges for 10 years and there's a basis of friendship. In the UK, it's different.' 'There's so much pressure it's prime time, so you get in, you do the job and everybody just wants to go home.' Strictly Come Dancing begins on Saturday 17 September at 6.10pm on BBC One. Former foreign minister Julie Bishop paid a subtle but touching tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II this week. During an appearance on the Today show, the 66-year-old donned an all-black ensemble to signal she was in mourning. She also accessorised with a pearl necklace, as the late monarch was known for her love of pearls. Former foreign minister Julie Bishop paid a subtle but touching tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II this week by wearing a pearl necklace on the Today show Queen Elizabeth II died last Thursday at the age of 96. Bishop had some kind words for King Charles III during her Today show interview. She has met the royal 'about 16 times' over the years during his trips to Australia, as she serves as the Australian chair of his charity The Prince's Trust. Bishop described Charles as having a 'self-deprecating' sense of humour, before sharing an experience they had together in Vanuatu in 2018. Queen Elizabeth II was known for her love of pearls. (Pictured in April 2002) 'I was holding a little boy who put his hand up to Prince Charles, who was holding a cup of tea at the time, and Prince Charles scooped up a little bit of tea as if he were going to feed it to the middle boy,' she explained. 'And I looked at Prince Charles like, what are you doing? And he said, "Come now, Julie, a silver spoon never hurt anyone".' Bishop said she had come to know Charles well, especially in her role with The Prince's Trust. Bishop had some kind words for King Charles III during the interview. (Pictured: Today hosts Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon with Ms Bishop) 'He is extraordinarily intelligent, has a very inquiring mind and asks lots of questions, is incredibly well briefed,' she said. She also remarked on the King's 'keen and deep interest in all things Australian', as evidenced by his schooling years in Geelong and many visits Down Under. Bishop said the Trust, which the then Prince of Wales established with his 7,400 ($8,600) severance pay from the Royal Navy in 1976, had helped establish 100 business ventures made by veterans. The charity, which has branches in Canada and New Zealand as well, also helps young people and those involved with creating a sustainable future. She always manages to look effortlessly chic. And Tigerlily Taylor put it on display as she attended the VIN + OMI Opinions catwalk show ahead of London Fashion Week at the city's Congress Centre on Wednesday. The model, 27, showed off her fashion credentials wearing a leather look button through mini shirt dress with belt in black. Pose: Tigerlily Taylor put her style on display as she attended the VIN + OMI Opinions catwalk show ahead of London Fashion Week at the city's Congress Centre on Wednesday The daughter of Queen drummer Roger Taylor sat in the front row, looking chic in the ensemble which clung to her incredible figure. Tigerlily slipped her feet into a pair of slate ankle boots and completed the look with a splash of gold jewellery. Her blonde locks were parted in the centre and she opted for a full face of glamorous makeup with a glossy lip. Gorgeous: Her blonde locks were parted in the center and she opted for a full face of glamorous makeup with a glossy lip London Fashion Week is set to kick off on Friday, yet it's been scaled back while the country is in an official period of mourning. Fashion houses Burberry and Raf Simons have cancelled their shows as a mark of respect following the death of the Queen. The British and Belgian designers each issued statements announcing they would pull out of the event as the country enters a period of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away at the age of 96. The British Fashion Council has said London Fashion Week will still go ahead - but celebrations would be muted. A statement from the BFC said: 'London Fashion Week is a business-to-business event, and an important moment for designers to show their collections at a specific moment in the fashion calendar, we recognise the work that goes into this moment. 'Therefore, shows and presentations of collections can continue, but we are asking that designers respect the mood of the nation and period of national mourning by considering the timing of their image release.' In 2018 the Queen made a surprise appearance at London Fashion Week where she sat in the front row next to editor-in-chief of Vogue US, Anna Wintour. Respect: It comes after fashion houses Burberry and Raf Simons cancelled their shows at London Fashion Week as a mark of respect following the death of the Queen The then-91-year-old was pictured sharing a joke with the long-standing editor as the pair watched Richard Quinn's show. Her Majesty then presented him with the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design. Queen Elizabeth II passed away at the age of 96 at Balmoral on Thursday afternoon. Buckingham Palace issued a statement confirming the death of Her Majesty at around 6.30pm. It read: 'The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. 'The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.' Rachel Riley was as stylish as ever as she left Media City in Salford on Wednesday after filming Countdown. The television presenter, 36, looked typically chic in a V-neck floral print shirt dress while carrying a bouquet of flowers with her. The host looked in high sprits as she made her way from the compound smiling from ear to ear. Stunner: Rachel Riley was as stylish as ever in a floral print shirt dress she left Media City in Salford on Wednesday after filming Countdown She wore her blonde locks in a low-pony tail and swept her face-framing tendrils to one side while opting for some glamorous make-up and a red lip. She stepped out in a pair of trendy orange Veja's which completed her stunning work attire. Rachel had her hands full on the afternoon as she carried a large front pocket puffer bag. Essentials: Rachel had her hands full on the afternoon as she carried a large front pocket puffer bag which contained her belongings It comes after Rachel fondly reminisced on the moment she was paired with her now-husband Pasha Kovalev on Strictly Come Dancing, as she took to Instagram earlier this month. The screen star, who competed on the 2013 series, gushed about how 'bonkers' it was that time had flown so quickly, adding how she'll 'have to show the kids' the clip. However, it was only in November last year that Rachel revealed she 'avoids watching' the BBC show after her stint in the competition left her with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and terrible anxiety attacks. Confusing: It comes after Rachel shared a clip from her 2013 Strictly stint and reminisced on being paired with her husband Pasha Kovalev... after claiming the show gave her PTSD Looking back: In a social media upload, she wrote in her caption: 'Exactly 9 years ago today according to my phone. Bonkers! Will have to show the kids tomorrow' In her social media upload, she wrote in her caption: 'Exactly 9 years ago today according to my phone. Bonkers! Will have to show the kids tomorrow [laughing and dancing emojis] @PashaKovalev #Strictly.' The video saw Rachel being swept off her feet by the Russian dancer after she had been eagerly awaiting on the announcement with the late Sir Bruce Forsyth. But just 10 months ago, the TV personality said she was left needing cognitive behavioural therapy after her stint in the competition left her suffering terrible anxiety attacks. Rachel ended her 16-month marriage to James Gilbert weeks after she was eliminated from series - they had met while studying at the University of Oxford. Despite meeting the love of her life, Rachel doesn't look back at Strictly fondly. Speaking in an interview with OK! Magazine, she said: 'No [I'm not watching Strictly], I needed cognitive behavioural therapy after competing in 2013 and developed post-traumatic stress disorder. 'If I heard the theme music, I'd start reliving the experience. It was scary and unnerving, so my way of dealing with it is to avoid watching. Family: Rachel and Pasha married at a Las Vegas ceremony in 2019, and they share daughters Noa, two, and Maven, 10 months 'Mind you, if I hadn't competed, I wouldn't have met Pasha.. he's brilliant, when you need a bit a support, that's when you know you're with the right person.' For the first five weeks, Rachel suffered from stage fright. She previously said: 'As soon as the music would start, I would have a fuzzy brain and it was like an out-of-body experience'. After seeing a therapist the TV star was able to learn how to control her breathing for her week six, which coincidentally turned out to be her final show. Weeks after being partnered with Pasha, Rachel ended her marriage to Jamie, and the couple finally went public with their romance the following year. Rachel and Pasha married at a Las Vegas ceremony in 2019, and they share daughters Noa, two, and Maven, 10 months. Today host Allison Langdon paid a moving tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth on Thursday after witnessing the moment the monarch left her home for the last time. The 43-year-old shared photos of the historic event on Instagram, and wrote: 'A privilege to watch the late Queen's final departure from Buckingham Palace. 'A woman who meant so many things to so many people. What a farewell.' Today host Allison Langdon paid a moving tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth on Thursday after witnessing the moment the monarch left her home for the last time (pictured) The 43-year-old has been reporting live from London all week for Channel Nine's Today show, following the death of Australia's longest-serving head of state. Langdon shared several pictures of the procession, including one poignant photo of the gun carriage carrying the late Queen as it made its way to Westminster Abbey, where the sovereign will lie in state for five nights. Another image showed the Channel Nine star, dressed in a sleeveless black top and matching skirt, interviewing a young girl outside the palace for the Today show. The 43-year-old has been reporting live from London all week for Channel Nine's Today show, following the death of Australia's longest-serving head of state Langdon shared several pictures of the procession, including this one of herself interviewing a young girl outside the palace for the Today show Langdon had told Today viewers that morning how watching the Queen depart Buckingham Palace in front of thousands of public mourners had been a 'privilege'. The tone of the Today show, and other Australian breakfast programs, has become less sombre in recent days as the mood of the nation shifts from sadness over the Queen's passing to celebrating her incredible 70-year reign. Following the Queen's death, the Nine hosts anchored seven-and-a-half hours of live coverage last Friday, which began with them breaking the news at 4.30am. They didn't hand over to Today Extra presenters Sylvia Jeffreys and David Campbell until midday. Jeffreys and Campbell usually start broadcasting at 9am. Lottie Moss took to Instagram on Monday to record a sexy video shoot, after revealing that she's moved into her parents' Cotswolds home to concentrate on her mental health. The model, 24, went braless and donned a barely there sheer mini dress as she writhed around on a bed while gazing seductively into the camera. Lottie posed on her knees before moving onto all fours during the raunchy shoot, while the lights continued to flick on and off. Sexy: Lottie Moss, 24, took to Instagram on Monday to recored a sexy video shoot, a week after moving into her parents' leafy Cotswolds home to concentrate on her mental health The stunner, who is the half-sister of supermodel Kate Moss, accentuated her beauty with a hint of make-up as her blonde tresses cascaded to her shoulders. Lottie accessorised the look with a selection of gold jewellery while flaunting her incredible figure for the camera. She moved back in with her parents earlier this month while treating an undisclosed mental health issue - shortly after entering a rehab facility in the United States. Saucy: The model, went braless and donned a barely there sheer mini dress as she writhed around on a bed while gazing seductively into the camera Blonde babe: The stunner, who is the half-sister of supermodel Kate Moss, accentuated her beauty with a hint of make-up as her blonde tresses cascaded to her shoulders The half-sister of catwalk veteran Kate Moss had been living in Los Angeles, but returned to the United Kingdom in August after her visa expired. Lottie has since taken residence with parents Inger Solnordal and Peter Moss, Kate's father through his first marriage to Linda Shepherd, at their Cotswolds home while she focuses on her mental wellbeing. Taking to Twitter earlier this month she wrote: 'I have been staying at my parents house having a time out from life - it turns out I really needed it! Posing: Lottie accessorised the look with a selection of gold jewellery while flaunting her incredible figure for the camera Rolling: The model rolled around on the bed as she sent her 500K followers pulses racing 'I started modelling when I was around 16 and it had really negative effects on my mental health and the amount of parties with free drinks I was attending also did not help!' The model, who earns an income through subscription only site OnlyFans, also claimed she's already started to benefit from being closer to her loved ones. She added: '[But] I really do think I am on the path to a much happier more fulfilled life as I am now doing things for myself and having been told being me was not good enough for years its honestly so refreshing to see how many people really do support me.' Troubled: She moved back in with her parents earlier this month while treating an undisclosed mental health issue - shortly after entering a rehab facility in the United States In February Lottie sought treatment for mental health and substance abuse issues at an undisclosed facility in the United States - but was still able to share content on social media. Referencing HBO's new series Euphoria - which focuses on a group of drug addicted high school students - Lottie told fans: 'I think I took euphoria too literally u guys.' The flippant post was one of several shared by the model during her time in rehab, prompting a mixed response from followers. Lottie recently claimed she was given alcohol and drugs to get through modelling shoots. She said she was led to believe that taking drugs was 'normal' in the industry and claimed to have been given substances to use whenever she was 'exhausted' at events. Speaking about drug use in the industry, Lottie told the Call Her Daddy podcast: 'I think I just thought it was normal and I was going to these events and parties and I was exhausted, that was the only way I was getting through it. 'A lot of the time I would be showing up to set and I would not be happy and I didn't want to do it, I'd be crying my eyes out and they said, "we'll just get you some drugs, you can have a drink and then you'll be fine" 'It was very much like that, 'oh you'll do this shoot, whether you're sober or not. It's going to happen'.' Shetland Rating: Changing Rooms Rating: It was a far, far better thing that Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez did last night than he has ever done before. The hero of Shetland (BBC1) quit his job on a matter of principle after freeing a murder suspect, wanted in the U.S., whom he believed to be innocent. And suspect Lloyd Anderson, played by Patrick Robinson, seemed remarkably grateful considering that Perez had just arrested his lover for murder. It was a busy last day at work as Perez (Douglas Henshall) prevented a bomb attack by an eco-terrorist, wrapped up three murders and at last declared his love for adorable Nurse Meg (Lucianne McEvoy). About time, too. The main killer accounting for two of the bodies turned out to be environmental campaigner Jamie Narey (Grant O'Rourke), who had a grudge against the oil industry after the death of his activist girlfriend. It was a far, far better thing that Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez (pictured) did last night than he has ever done before He drove a car packed with explosives into the centre of Lerwick, but didn't connect the fuse. Instead he set off in a stolen car with a backpack bomb, intending to blow himself up at the scene of a large oil spill. Perez hit the road in hot pursuit in a dramatic car chase through picturesque moorland scenery. Well, I say hot pursuit but here is a tip for first-time bombers: if you are going to steal a car, make it a fast one. Narey pinched a Kia saloon: the sort of model Top Gear might rate as 'reasonably priced' but no match for Perez and his Audi. The inspector cornered the bomber on a cliff edge, with only a black pea coat for protective clothing. Was this the moment that Perez was to be written out of the series? Not when a police marksman is on hand with a clear shot. Not long after, Perez was standing over Narey's hospital bed, wearing that expression teachers use when they're particularly disappointed in you. Actor Henshall is leaving the series, but there was a hint that Shetland will carry on with Sergeant 'Tosh' McIntosh (Alison O'Donnell) as anointed heir. 'You're ready,' Perez told her. 'Trust me.' She wouldn't be the first reliable sergeant with a Scottish island connection who has stepped into the boss's shoes. Yes, Tosh could now be Shetland's Lewis. A recent edition of The Radio Times asked: 'Has Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen gone too far?' What an odd question. Isn't going too far the whole point of Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen? Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen (pictured) and his design team swept into Wokingham in last night's episode of Changing Rooms (C4) The magazine was referring to last night's episode of Changing Rooms (C4) in which Laurence and his design team swept into Wokingham to add a bit of colour to two 1960s properties. He was, as always, overdressed: a frock coat and a polka-dotted cravat, plus an elaborate umbrella with what appeared to be a silver head as the handle. If the design work ever dries up, he'd be perfect as the next Time Lord. Changing Rooms first bounced onto our screens in 1996, and has lost none of its energy. This is partly because of Laurence's approach to design and indeed life: go big or go home. Faced with the small grey bedroom of this week's doughty guinea pigs, who else would immediately decide to combine Salvador Dali and mid-20th century Hollywood? 'I walked into the room,' Laurence said as his eye-straining vision of reds and oranges began to take shape, 'and you know what the room said to me? Thank you!' The room might have been grateful, but owners Mark and Jackie weren't quite so delighted by Dali. Enthusiastic at first, they have now 'toned down' the look. Can't win them all, Laurence. CHRISTOPHER STEVENS is away. Naomi Watts has never been afraid to take risks with her fashion or her acting career. So it was no surprise to see her turning heads in a bright purple dress on her way to a screening of her disturbing new horror film Goodnight Mommy in New York City on Wednesday. The 53-year-old was hard to miss in the frock, which featured ruffled sleeves and an embroidered floral pattern in black. Naomi Watts was pretty in purple as she headed to a screening of her new horror film Goodnight Mommy in New York City on Wednesday She paired it with black heels and styled her blonde hair in a chic bob. Once she arrived, the British-Australian actress posed for photos in front of the media wall with some of her co-stars. Goodnight Mommy is a remake of the terrifying 2014 Austrian film of the same name. The plot features young twin actors Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti, who become increasingly convinced their mother is an imposter after noticing her disturbing behaviour when she returns home following facial reconstructive surgery. The 53-year-old was hard to miss in the frock, which featured ruffled sleeves and an embroidered floral pattern in black The original Goodnight Mommy film made its world premiere at the 2014 Venice Film Festival, where it was critically acclaimed for its suspenseful and sinister plot. The film was later selected as Austria's official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards. The remake is directed by Matt Sobel with a screenplay by Kyle Warren. The film will be available for streaming September 16, exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. Peter Hermann also stars in the film, which Sobel tried to make more psychological than horror despite the original being less than a decade old. Naomi poses with Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti, who play her sons in Goodnight Mommy The Australian actress posed for photos in front of the media wall with some of her co-stars and the film's director Matt Sobel 'I saw an opportunity to preserve this unique mixture while injecting a completely new set of themes we wanted to explore,' Sobel told People. 'If I had to point to a key difference between the films, I'd say the original is more interested in tone and aesthetic, while our reimagining favours character and psychology.' Goodnight Mommy isn't the first Austrian horror remake that Naomi has starred in. In 2007, she fronted Michael Haneke's psychological home invasion thriller Michael Haneke. The film received a mixed reception from critics, with one dubbing it 'arthouse torture porn'. With classrooms opening all across the country, George Clooney opened a brand new school in Los Angeles on Wednesday, aimed at helping future filmmakers. The 61-year-old actor and filmmaker helped open the Roybal School of Film and Television Production Magnet in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday. He was joined by fellow actors and Roybal Advisory Board Members Don Cheadle and Mindy Kaling for the school's launch. Future: With classrooms opening all across the country, George Clooney opened a brand new school in Los Angeles on Wednesday, aimed at helping future filmmakers Don and Mindy: He was joined by fellow actors and Roybal Advisory Board Members Don Cheadle and Mindy Kaling for the school's launch Clooney stepped out with a navy blue polo shirt and light blue jeans for the event on Wednesday. He rocked his typical salt-and-pepper beard while completing his look with grey shoes. Clooney joked during the ceremony, 'When you think of actors, you don't think of education, in general. I mean, you look at me, you just think, "Oh, he's just the best Batman of all-time.' And George Clooney knows his audience so he even throws in a Batman reference. When you think of me, you think hes just the best Batman, to which Don Cheadle quips, best available. Then Clooney brings up Ben Affleck as Batman Hes got nothing on me. Crowd loved it. pic.twitter.com/ntO4gLxc8X Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) September 14, 2022 George's look: Clooney stepped out with a navy blue polo shirt and light blue jeans for the event on Wednesday He also spoke with ET at the launch about why he thought creating this school in Los Angeles was so important. 'We're excited about this. We feel like theres a real opportunity here, and its something that I think we missed in our industry, and I think its something that its pretty obvious what the solution is and its starting earlier,' he said. 'I just felt like, if you see a hole, you try to fill it, and this is one that it just seemed like I was in London, and we were staffing up, and because its been a very busy time in the industry, its hard to find crew, and we need to do a lot better about inclusivity,' he mentioned. When asked if he would actually teach a class at the magnet school, Clooney said he would most certainly be stopping by. Excited: 'We're excited about this. We feel like theres a real opportunity here, and its something that I think we missed in our industry, and I think its something that its pretty obvious what the solution is and its starting earlier,' he said 'Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm gonna come in. And listen, this is below-the-line guys, right? So, I'm not really gonna come in and talk about directing or acting, but I can come in and sit down with the kids when they're editing and stuff like that, so, something like that,' Clooney explained. When asked about how he'd feel about his own children - 5-year-old twins Alexander and Ella - pursuing a showbiz career, Clooney joked they're already smarter than him. 'They can do whatever they want. My guess is that they're a little smarter than me, so, they'll probably do something -- they already speak three languages, so, I'm still working on English,' Clooney quipped. Chat: George Clooney and Mindy Kaling chat with Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer at the opening of the Roybal Film and Television Magnet The Roybal School of Film and Television Production Magnet was first announced in June in conjunction with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Clooney and his production partner Grant Heslov teamed up with Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner, Cheadle, Kaling and others like Kerry Washington, Nicole Avant, Eva Longoria, Working Title Films founders Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner and Creative Artists Agency (CAA) Co-Chairman Bryan Lourd to form the school The school is described as, 'a specialized academy housed within the Edward R. Roybal Learning Center,' which will provide, 'Los Angeles Unified teachers with access to renowned storytellers, along with industry professionals and experts, and support students with a robust academic education and practical training, establishing a clear pathway to good-paying jobs.' Launch: Alberto M. Carvalho, Superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District, and George Clooney, Founder of Roybal Film and Television Advisory Board, and Bryan Lourd, Partner & Managing Director of Creative Artists Agency, attend Roybal Film and Television Magnet Open House All smiles: CAA's Bryan Lourd shakes hands with Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer as George Clooney and Mindy Kaling lookon Mindy and Don: Mindy Kaling and Don Cheadle attend the launch of the Roybal Film and Television Magnet Mindy and Don: Mindy Kaling and Don Cheadle take the stage at the Roybal Film and Television Magnet Open House Channel Nine has announced a new crime drama series for 2023 which will be sold internationally by the UK.'s ITV Studios. Human Error centres on a female detective who uncovers a criminal conspiracy that threatens to destroy her entire life. The behind-the-scenes talent on the show includes the producers of the Underbelly franchise. Channel Nine has announced a new crime drama series for 2023 which will also be sold internationally by the UK.'s ITV Studios. The show could be the ideal follow-up to Nine's successful Underbelly series, which has been running since 2008. Pictured: Underbelly star Vince Colosimo Inspired by true events, the series will follow Detective Holly O'Rourke, who investigates what appears at first to be a routine murder case. Things get complicated as O'Rourke steers her homicide team into a web of intrigue. The cast for the show is yet to be announced. Human Error could be the ideal follow-up to Nine's successful Underbelly series, which has been running since 2008. Human Error centres on a female detective who uncovers a criminal conspiracy that threatens to destroy her entire life The franchise scored high ratings earlier this year for the controversial two-part drama Underbelly: Vanishing Act about fraudster Melissa Caddick. Channel Nine's Head of Drama Andy Ryan said Human Error will be the 'must-watch' crime drama of 2023. 'The Nine network has always been the home of Australian crime drama,' he said. The show, which is supported by VicScreen and Screen Australia, is being made by Underbelly producer Greg Haddrick and Dan and John Edwards (Bump). Writer Samantha Winston (Les Norton) is also on board as producer, while Underbelly author John Sylvester is a consultant on the series. Ned Kelly (2003) director Gregor Jordan will write the series with Haddrick and Winston. Human Error is produced by local company Roadshow Rough Diamond with Channel Nine. Fans will get to see Human Error on Nine and 9Now in 2023. Jason Momoa on Wednesday showed off a new tattoo he got on the side of his head. The Aquaman leading man, 43, took to Instagram with a clip as he prepared to board an aircraft from while clad in a bowler hat with a tank top and gray pants. The 6ft4 screen star pointed toward the aircraft and said, 'Hawaiian Airlines - proud to be Hawaiian, proud to ride Hawaiian Airlines, the best part is, it goes to New Zealand finally, again; it's been like two years since they were able to go because of COVID.' The latest: Jason Momoa, 43, showed off a new tattoo he got on the side of his head in an Instagram clip on Wednesday The Honolulu, Hawaii native added, 'Hawaiian Airlines, I love you for this and I got something special for ya,' at which point he removed his hat to show off a tribal pattern he had tattooed on the left side of his head. 'Chief of war coming, baby!' Momoa said, after showing off the new ink. 'He got his head and neck tattooed,' a rep for the actor told Just Jared. 'It's a huge piece, it's related to his Hawaiian roots and culture.' The A-list action star captioned the image: 'Here we go @hawaiianairlines is back were going to New Zealand HAWAII TO AOTEROA Mahalo to my OHANA for being there for me yesterday @suluape_keone it was a true honor 20 years in the making. The Aquaman leading man turned his head to show off the new ink he received A rep for the actor said, 'He got his head and neck tattooed. It's a huge piece, it's related to his Hawaiian roots and culture' The actor was in a cheery mood as he prepared to board a New Zealand-bound flight 'So stoked @mananalu.water is on the flight mahalo again @hawaiianairlines help stop single use plastic. Always on the roam @soill Aloha j.' The Dune actor earlier this month shaved off a considerable amount of hair to raise awareness against the use of single-use plastic. The See star said in a clip: 'Doing it for single-use plastics, I'm tired of using plastic bottles, we gotta stop, plastic forks, all that s***, goes into our land, goes into our ocean.' Momoa said that 'just seeing things in our ocean, it's just so sad,' urging his fans to do anything they can 'to eliminate single-use plastics' in their lives, saying that 'plastic bottles are ridiculous.' The Dune actor earlier this month shaved off a considerable amount of hair to raise awareness against the use of single-use plastic Phil O'Neil has expressed his frustration about being known as the 'ex-husband' of radio superstar Jackie 'O' Henderson. The WSFM presenter, 49, better known as 'Ugly Phil', was one of Australia's top broadcasters when he secretly married up-and-coming announcer Henderson two decades ago. Their marriage only lasted a few years. Yet these days Henderson's fame has far eclipsed his, thanks to the success of her 20-year partnership with Kyle Sandilands. WSFM presenter 'Ugly Phil' O'Neil (pictured) has expressed his frustration about being known as the 'ex-husband' of radio superstar Jackie 'O' Henderson 'That's my claim to fame, my pub quiz answer: "Who's the ex-husband of Jackie O?"' O'Neil told The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show. 'I was at a pub in Glebe, and that question was asked, phrased "What ex-famous person used to be married to Jackie O?" The worst thing was, nobody knew the answer!' O'Neil also lifted the lid on his 'rocky' split from Henderson in 1999, and how difficult it was to continue hosting their radio show together after their break-up. O'Neil (pictured in the '90s with ex-wife Jackie 'O' Henderson, left) was one of Australia's top broadcasters when he secretly married the up-and-coming radio announcer two decades ago 'That's my claim to fame, my pub quiz answer: "Who's the ex-husband of Jackie O?"' O'Neil told The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show. He now works for WSFM - in the same building as his ex-wife 'It was difficult whenever two people part who were married, there's a rocky period,' he told podcast host Jessica Rowe. 'To continue doing a radio show in the middle of that, especially when people didn't know we were married, was difficult but we worked our way through it,' he said. Henderson was just 18 when she met O'Neil in 1993 after calling into his Gold Coast radio show to try to win concert tickets. O'Neil also lifted the lid on his 'rocky' split from Henderson in 1999, and how difficult it was to continue hosting their radio show together after their break-up An 18-year-old Henderson (left) first met O'Neil (right) after calling into his Gold Coast radio show to try to win concert tickets in 1993 The pair married a year later, and by 1996 Henderson was his co-host on the Hot30 Countdown - one of the hottest radio programs in the country. But three years later, Phil abruptly quit his job and ended their marriage before moving to London for another job. O'Neil was replaced by Kyle Sandilands, with whom Henderson would achieve notoriety on the top-rating Kyle and Jackie O Show. When O'Neil abruptly quit the Hot30 Countdown in 1999, he was replaced by Kyle Sandilands (left), with whom Henderson would achieve notoriety on the top-rating Kyle and Jackie O Show. (Sandilands and Henderson are pictured in Sydney on April 8, 2001) Now back in Australia, O'Neil and Henderson have found themselves working for the same company, ARN. The British-born DJ said the former couple often pass each other in the hallway at ARN headquarters in Sydney, and regularly catch up. 'She's been very, very successful at what she does,' he said of Henderson, who is one of Australia's highest-paid TV and radio personalities. In February 2022, more than 20 years after he and Henderson divorced, O'Neil married iHeartRadio producer Samantha Clarke. (Pictured: O'Neil and Clarke on their wedding day) 'She has a great show and she's worked very hard to get where she is. But our on-air period was a long time ago,' he added. It comes after O'Neil revealed he'd married iHeartRadio producer Samantha Clarke. He announced the news on Instagram with a photo of the newlyweds holding their certificate of marriage, and captioned it: 'Officially Mrs Ugly.' O'Neil announced the news on Instagram with a photo of the newlyweds Meanwhile, Henderson is currently single. She has not publicly dated anyone since her separation from British photographer Lee Henderson in 2018. The former couple, who are now legally divorced and share custody of daughter Kitty, 10, met in the year 2000 and married in 2003. Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara exuded elegance as they were snapped walking the red carpet in Pasadena, California on Wednesday for the America's Got Talent finale. The 49-year-old model was clad in a mesh green gown with vertical black stripes with straps, and black sandal heels. The German supermodel wore her blonde locks down and with bangs and earrings as she smiled for photographers at the show business gathering. The latest: Heidi Klum, 49, and Sofia Vergara, 50, exuded elegance as they were snapped walking the red carpet in Pasadena, California on Wednesday for the America's Got Talent finale Vergara, 50, wore a shoulderless black dress with blue and white floral patterns as she made her entrance at the show. The Barranquilla, Colombia native had her light brown locks down and parted and wore silver studded strap heels ahead of the broadcast of the NBC talent competition. Wednesday evening's broadcast saw the Lebanese female dance troupe The Mayyas capture the show's season 17 title, claiming a $1 million prize and a gig heading at the Las Vegas-based Luxor Hotel and Casino. In their audition for the show, Vergara pushed the Golden Buzzer to further the ensemble in the competition. The German supermodel wore her blonde locks down and with bangs and earrings as she smiled for photographers at the show business gathering Klum took a twirl with her blonde mane shimmering on the evening She posed with show business icon Henry Winkler at the taping in Southern California Klum told People of their acumen: 'They're Vegas ready - I would go and watch them. I think they're incredible. It's the costumes. It's like, wow moments. It's like memorizing, it's haunting. They hypnotize you in a way.' Judge Howie Mandel told the publication that he felts The Mayyas were 'the most impressive, wonderful act I have seen in my years on this show.' He added: 'It's not like anything you can describe. It was amazing. It was just beautiful and mesmerizing and hypnotizing and powerful. 'Then take into account where they're from and what the culture is, and what they're up against and what women are up against anyhow, all over the world. They need to be the poster people for female empowerment.' The Barranquilla, Colombia native had her light brown locks down and parted and wore silver studded strap heels Vergara wore a shoulderless black dress with blue and white floral patterns as she made her entrance at the show The show's Simon Cowell kept things simple with a white button-up shirt with grey slacks and black dress shoes Cowell posed with the Lebanese female dance troupe The Mayyas, who won the competition The dance group was seen celebrating after the winner of the competition was announced The founder of the ensemble, Nadim Cherfan, said that the group couldn't have felt more 'proud of ourselves' for their performance on the series. 'Every moment of this experience was really memorable, from the Golden Buzzer to the semifinals to now the finals,' he said. 'It's not about the title anymore. It's about a huge bigger message for our people to make them believe in themselves and to give hope to our country who is going into a dark time.' Lara Worthington is starring in a new campaign for high-end jewellers Tiffany & Co. The Aussie beauty, 35, modelled not one, but two Tiffany Lock diamond bracelets worth a whopping $47,000 as she posed for an impromptu photo shoot in New York City this week. She also showed off her very slender frame in a pair of billowing royal blue trousers teamed with a matching strapless top. Lara Worthington is starring in a new campaign for high-end jewellers Tiffany & Co. Lara took an up-close selfie before squatting low on the footpath for the photos. She wore barely any makeup on her flawless visage and paired her outfit with a pair of black leather boots. 'Tiffany Lock, designed to be worn by men and women,' she captioned the photos. The Aussie beauty, 35, modelled not one but two Tiffany Lock diamond bracelets, worth a whopping $47,000 as she posed for an impromptu photo shoot in New York City this week Tiffany & Co.'s new Lock collection features an 18k gold bangle fitted with a padlock-inspired clasp that lifts and locks into place. The pieces range in price from US$6,800 to US$32,000, (approx. AU$10,070 to AU$47,380) depending on make and model 'No rules. All welcome. Shot by me in NY.' Tiffany & Co.'s new Lock collection features an 18k gold bangle fitted with a padlock-inspired clasp that lifts and locks into place. The pieces range in price from US$6,800 to US$32,000, (approx. AU$10,070 to AU$47,380) depending on make and model. The collection was released last month in the United States but are currently not available in Australia. Lara and her husband of eight years, Sam Worthington, 46, share three young sons, Rocket, six, Racer, four, and River, one. They recently moved back to the USA after spending much of 2021 in Australia. The fiercely private couple tied the knot in December 2014 in a low-key ceremony, saying 'I do' in front of just 10 people at a private house in Melbourne. At the time Lara was six months pregnant with their son Rocket. 'It was very intimate, we just popped in to Melbourne where Sam's family is from. It was just our families, less than 10 people,' she said. In 2018, Lara reflected on how getting married and having children had completely changed her life. 'Five years ago I felt like a different person to what I am now, and it's nice to be able to grow,' she told Popsugar. 'When you get married and have children it's not all about you anymore, you have a responsibility to make your family proud and I really cherish that,' she continued. 'That's probably the most important thing to me.' Body modification model Amber Luke, better known as 'Dragon Girl', has shared more throwback photos from before her shocking transformation. In the images, Amber has a fresh, youthful face and far less piercings and tattoos than she has now. These days, the 29-year-old is covered in tattoos from head to toe, and even has her tongue split in half to resemble a lizard. Before and after: Body modification model Amber Luke, better known as 'Dragon Girl', has shared more throwback photos from before her shocking transformation She now has more than 600 tattoos and has undergone a breast augmentation, cheek and lip fillers, pointed implants placed in her ears and a Brazilian butt lift. An operation to dye her eyeballs blue left her blind for three weeks, after the tattooist pushed the needle too deep into her eyeball. 'They literally inject your eye with a syringe,' she explained to Studio 10. 'It's done four times in each eye. Someone holds your eye open and someone injects,' she continued. 'It wasn't done correctly. He actually went too deep into my eyeball. It was very, very, very painful.' In the old images, Amber has a fresh, youthful face and far less piercings and tattoos than she has now A young Amber frolics on the beach shortly after getting her first few tattoos Amber worked as a topless waitress before finding fame, but now makes a lucrative living on OnlyFans. Despite her stunning natural beauty in her pre-surgery photos, Amber described herself as a 'plain Jane' before her transformation. In the throwback photos shared to Instagram on Thursday, Amber hinted that she may miss her old appearance. She now has more than 600 tattoos and has undergone a breast augmentation, cheek and lip fillers, pointed implants placed in her ears and a Brazilian butt lift 'When I look back at photos I remember it all - but I always forget how amazing some of the memories are until then,' she wrote. Many of Amber's fans fully support her makeover, with one commenting: 'I love seeing how far youve come!' Another wrote: 'I admire you for having the courage to be who you wanna be and just doing your own thing and you dont give a flying f**k what others think about that.' Amber spoke to Studio 10 about her extreme modifications and tattoos earlier this year. An operation to dye her eyeballs blue left her blind for three weeks, after the tattooist pushed the needle too deep into her eyeball The influencer says the hefty price is 'all worth it' because she's 'seen how resilient she is' by putting her body through extreme stress. She also revealed that she has gone into shock and had fits from procedures, despite not being epileptic. 'I was 16 when I got my first tattoo, it was a negative energy release, it was a milestone for me,' she said. 'It felt like I'd gone through something so euphoric, it felt peaceful and homely. I still feel it, its pride and joy, its amazing.' Crystal Kung Minkoff had it out with Erika Jayne on Wednesday's episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on Bravo. 'Why can't I ask for you to show compassion,' Crystal, 39, said as she confronted Erika, 51, during the group trip to Aspen, Colorado. 'Why do you call me an a******.' 'Because you are,' Erika, 51, said. 'I've been nothing but nice to you.' Group trip: Crystal Kung Minkoff had it out with Erika Jayne on Wednesday's episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on Bravo Crystal told Dorit Kemsley, 46, earlier in the night that she was put off by Erika's lack of empathy toward the victims involved in her estranged husband Tom Girardi's embezzlement scandal. 'I don't know all the information and neither do you,' Dorit said. 'I live with a moral compass,' Crystal said. 'And I'd like to know that people I surround myself with share that.' Before confronting Erika about her behavior, Crystal discussed Erika's outrage about being questioned over her $1.3 million diamond earrings that were given to her by disgraced lawyer Tom allegedly from funds due to his clients. Heated conversation: 'Why can't I ask for you to show compassion,' Crystal, 39, said as she confronted Erika, 51, during the group trip to Aspen, Colorado. 'Why do you call me an a******' 'What happened last night is not okay,' Sutton Stracke, 50, said to Crystal. 'She will always think it's okay,' Crystal said after she was previously berated by Erika. Crystal stormed over to confront Erika. Information gap: 'I don't know all the information and neither do you,' Dorit Kemsley told Crystal Moral compass: 'She will always think it's okay,' Crystal said after she was previously berated by Erika 'Erika, I don't like the way you spoke to me,' Crystal said. 'I feel like you talk down to me.' 'Okay,' Erika said. 'This is the law we're talking about. We're not talking about personal relationships. ' 'Why does it have to be always in a legal way?' Crystal said. Talking down: 'Erika, I don't like the way you spoke to me,' Crystal said. 'I feel like you talk down to me' 'Because I'm being f***ing sued,' Erika said. 'I've done nothing but be nice to you, supportive of you, honest to you.' 'You haven't been nothing but nice to me,' Crystal said. 'All of a sudden I don't do enough because I'm in a legal f*** up mess for you and your ego?' Erika said. 'You are making it about you!' Ego issue: 'All of a sudden I don't do enough because I'm in a legal f*** up mess for you and your ego?' Erika said. 'You are making it about you!' Lisa Rinna, 59, asked Crystal why she chose to bring it up with Erika and Crystal said she was triggered by the earrings. 'This was a concrete thing when I saw the receipt it came out of Girardi Keese,' Crystal said. Erika said that story was a year and half old. Got triggered: 'This was a concrete thing when I saw the receipt it came out of Girardi Keese,' Crystal said 'I don't owe you an explanation about what's going on,' Erika said. 'As a matter of fact, today was a great day. Erika Girardi was dismissed.' In a confessional, Crystal said that the case being dismissed was not considered a win for Erika. 'We should not be here celebrating, especially when there are still victims out there,' Crystal said. Victims remain: 'We should not be here celebrating, especially when there are still victims out there,' Crystal said 'Maybe I shouldn't have been nice to you,' Erika said. 'Maybe you can just work it out from here.' Kyle Richards, 53, told them to put a pin in it. She then asked the women to go to one more bar together, the Caribou Club in Aspen. Later that night, Lisa sent a text about being in a Sprinter van with Kathy Hilton, 63. 'She had an absolute meltdown,' Lisa wrote. 'I've never heard or seen anything like it in my life. Anger screaming throwing things crying. I'm locked in my roomThe hatred that just came out of her towards her sisterI'm speechless.' Concerning text: 'She had an absolute meltdown,' Lisa Rinna texted to Erika. 'I've never heard or seen anything like it in my life. Anger screaming throwing things crying. I'm locked in my roomThe hatred that just came out of her towards her sisterI'm speechless' 'The world thinks she's somebody that she's not,' Lisa said in a voice-over The episode titled Rocky Mountain Bye opened with Lisa and Kyle rehashing how Erika had faced fierce questioning the night before over the diamond earrings. Erika also spoke to Dorit about it in the morning. Dorit said she just wanted her to express compassion for the victims. Last bar: Kathy, Lisa and Kyle Richards headed to one more bar before things went awry 'You want me to do things legally, I cannot,' Erika said. 'Everyone wants me to curl up and be nice.' Kyle, Lisa and Kathy met with Crystal, Sutton and Garcelle Beauvais, 55, at a coffee shop in town. Kyle told them she was upset that Erika packed up her room in the middle of the night and went to the rental where Diana Jenkins was staying. Kyle took the women to hat shopping at Kemo Sabe. 'I'm hoping that all the girls are going to get their act together and make nice for me,' Kyle said in a confessional. Make nice: 'I'm hoping that all the girls are going to get their act together and make nice for me,' Kyle said in a confessional Diana, Dorit and Erika went shopping. Erika told them she didn't want to go to the hat store because she didn't want to be around anyone that had treated her badly. 'Would it be a lot easier for the group if Erika just expressed some sympathy?' Dorit said in a confessional. 'Yes, but Erika has her own reasons. Whatever she says, it's going to be scrutinized, it's going to be picked apart, and it's going to be thrown in her face.' 'I don't care whether this is Kyle's favorite store in the whole wide world,' Erika said in a confessional. 'F*** these people and f*** this place.' No cares: 'I don't care whether this is Kyle's favorite store in the whole wide world,' Erika said in a confessional. 'F*** these people and f*** this place' Erika said if she didn't fight for herself she would get railroaded. Erika told Diana that she got good news that a case was dismissed in Chicago. The show then showed the DailyMail.com headline that read 'Erika Jayne is 'dismissed' from fraud and embezzlement court case against estranged husband Tom Girardi.' Crystal pointed out later that the case could potentially be refiled in California. Legal victory: The show then showed the DailyMail.com headline that read 'Erika Jayne is 'dismissed' from fraud and embezzlement court case against estranged husband Tom Girardi' 'It means that it's dismissed and now it's being moved to California and being refiled,' Crystal said in a confessional. 'So that lawsuit still exists.' Garcelle and the other women walked by the store and saw Erika inside. Kathy knocked on the locked door, but Dorit and Erika told the clerk not to unlock it. Kyle took Lisa, Sutton, Crystal, Garcelle, Kathy, and Sheree Zampino to her favorite hat store Kemo Sabe. Kathy pointed out that her tequila was in the store. Lisa instead asked for a taste of Kendall Jenner's 818 tequila instead. Favorite store: Kyle took Lisa, Sutton, Crystal, Garcelle, Kathy, and Sheree Zampino to her favorite hat store Kemo Sabe 'I cannot f***ing believe what she just said,' Kathy said. 'Don't let this ruin your whole mood though,' Kyle said to her. Kathy told Kyle that she was mad and leaving. Got angry: Kathy was outraged after Lisa tried another celebrity brand of tequila instead of hers Meanwhile, Diana, Erika and Dorit walked around Aspen. Erika spoke about the diamond earrings, which she was wearing. 'They were $790,000 and now they are $1.3 (million),' Erika said. 'Does it take a certain kind of person to put on the earrings that are the subject of such controversial conversation?' Dorit said in a confessional. 'Yes.' Earrings on: Erika spoke about the controversial diamond earrings, which she was wearing 'Why wouldn't I wear my earrings?' Erika said in a confessional. 'They've been my earrings for 15 years, and until the day that they are not my earrings, I will wear them.' Diana, Erika and Dorit stopped for lunch. Dorit called Kyle who said she would be really hurt if Dorit didn't come to the hat store. Kyle hung up on her. 'It's f***ing selfish of Erika,' Kyle said. 'She could have come here, been polite like we all f***ing do in these situations.' Feelings hurt: Dorit called Kyle who said she would be really hurt if Dorit didn't come to the hat store 'F*** you,' Kyle added. Lisa found Dorit and told her Kyle was very upset that she stuck with Erika instead of her. When Dorit went to Kyle's house to talk, Kyle was crying. 'F*** off!' Kyle yelled. 'I don't careI was hurt by you, and I was hurt by Erika.' Mauricio stepped in and helped them make up. Later, everyone met up at a cowboy bar. Kyle gave Erika a hug. Stepped in: Mauricio stepped in and helped them make up 'I never said you were guilty,' Kyle said. 'I want you to show a little empathy.' 'To who?' Erika said. 'The victims and the situation,' Kyle said. 'If you show empathy that doesn't mean you are to blame.' Showing empathy: 'The victims and the situation,' Kyle said. 'If you show empathy that doesn't mean you are to blame' Erika said she did feel very bad for the people. 'Those who have been legitimately wronged need to be taken care of, but that's not going to happen for a while,' Erika said. The show ended with a To Be Continued message after Lisa's bombshell texts about Kathy. The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills will return next Wednesday on Bravo. Cindy Crawford has been spending some quality family time with her look-a-like daughter Kaia Gerber in recent weeks. But on Wednesday the legendary catwalk queen, who helped put the 'super' in the 'supermodel' branding slogan starting in the mid-1980s, took her fun time down a few notches and headed out of an errand run all by her lonesome self. For the afternoon excursion, Crawford cut a casual-cool fashion figure in a plunging black and white top that she tucked into faded blue jeans, and wore with classic flip flops Errand run: Cindy Crawford, 56, stepped out to take care of some errands near her home in the upscale Beverly Hills neighborhood in Los Angeles on Wednesday Crawford, 56, was first spotted getting out of her black SUV during one of her stops in the upscale Beverly Hills Neighborhood of Los Angeles looking like a woman in a mission. Along with her comfy ensemble, she also carried a perfectly matched tan purse, and her long dark brown locks styled long and flowing to about the middle of her back, with the exception of some strands on each side that she pulled back with a hair clip. The Illinois native also blocked some of the glare from the sun with cool sunglasses on a day that saw the temperatures top out at nearly 80 degrees Fahrenheit in Beverly Hills. Comfy and cool: Crawford cut a casual-cool fashion figure in a plunging black and white top that she tucked into faded blue jeans, and wore with classic flip flops On more than one occasion, the actress and entrepreneur appeared to be distracted by her phone while going to and from her vehicle, in-between errand stops. The previous day, Crawford took to her Instagram page to share photos from her recent night out with her top model daughter that included making an appearance at the launch party for Edward Enninful's new memoir, A Visible Man. 'Girls night out with @kaiagerber in LA to celebrate @edward_enninful and his brilliant book, #AVisibleMan, Congrats Edward!' she gushed in the caption, along with a red heart emoji. She also shared a photo of herself on her Insta-Story dressed in a white bathrobe and her long brown locks in large rollers, which helped to give her some soft waves. Glamour preps: Crawford gave her 6.8 million Instagram fans and followers a glimpse at her glamour preparations ahead of her night out with her daughter Mother-daughter time: Crawford's recent step up in precious time with her look-a-like daughter, top model Kaia Gerber, also included making an appearance at the launch party for Edward Enninful's new memoir, A Visible Man Youthful: The legendary supermodel made 56 look like the new 36 in her social media images during her night out for the Enninful launch party Enninful, a 50-year-old native of Ghana, has the honor of being the first Black Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue. Over the course of the last couple of weeks, he's been working hard while in promo mode for the release of his autobiography, according to Metro. Mother and daughter also spent time together celebrating Gerber's 21st birthday at the Burning Man festival at Black Rock City in northwestern Nevada. With a focus on community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance, Burning Man originated back in 1986 as a small function on Baker Beach in San Francisco, but has since moved to the Nevada desert since 1991 and draws tens-of-thousands of burners. Brooke Blurton has revealed she's been fudging the truth with her beloved fans. The Bachelorette star, 27, confessed on her Not So PG podcast on Thursday she's been 'faking' she's been in Australia to keep her exciting new project under wraps. She told her co-host Matty Mills she had actually been in Argentina participating as a celebrity contestant on Channel 10's new competitive reality show The Challenge. Brooke Blurton (pictured) admitted on Thursday she has been fudging the truth to her fans about her whereabouts over the past month 'I've had someone taking care of my socials and making out like I'm in Oz, but Brooke's a fraud,' she joked. Matty then told Brooke he understood why she was so excited about appearing as a contestant alongside such an all-star cast. Brooke apologised to her 288,000 Instagram fans for 'deceiving' them and fortunately they were understanding. Brooke told her Not So PG co-host Matty Mills (pictured) she had been in Argentina to film her role in Channel Ten's celebrity reality series The Challenge One fan told her 'we've missed you' while others asked what it was like working with her former Bachelorette flame Konrad Bien-Stephen. The youth worker did not dish on any behind-the-scenes details and simply told her fans it was 'so good to be back with you all'. Brooke rose to fame on The Bachelor in 2018 and went on to star in Bachelor in Paradise and The Bachelorette. Celebrity contestants will compete against each other while living under one roof, with a male winner and a female winner scoring $100,000 apiece. Brooke is pictured second row, right Earlier this month, Channel 10 announced the full list of celebrities who will be competing alongside athletes on the upcoming series. Konrad Bien-Stephen and Megan Marx have both been confirmed after their steamy affair followed his secret break-up with Abbie Chatfield. MAFS bride Cyrell Paule has also signed on, as has David Subritzky from I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!, Olympic swimmer Emily Seebohm and Jack Vidgen. The series, which has been described as a cross between Survivor and Ninja Warrior, was filmed in August and is set to air on Channel 10 in November. Kate Ritchie has been spotted for the first time since she was busted for drink driving by police in Sydney's Eastern suburbs last month. The Home and Away star, 44, attempted to go incognito during an outing in Double Bay on Thursday, after losing her license. Kate was dressed in an all-black ensemble which included a sweater and a pair of tights. Kate Ritchie attempted to go incognito in Sydney's Double Bay on Thursday when she was spotted for the first time since her DUI and three month driving ban. Kate is pictured The radio star teamed her look with a black cap, which she wore at an angle in an attempt to shield her face, and a pair of black sneakers. Kate carried a chic carry-all for the outing, along with a white shopping bag and her mobile phone. Ritchie blew over the limit after she was stopped by police in her blue Subaru station wagon for a random breath test on August 22. She was immediately arrested and taken to Maroubra Police Station, where she underwent a secondary breath analysis which returned a positive reading of 0.06, just a shade over the legal limit of 0.05. The Home and Away star, 44, attempted to go incognito during an outing in Double Bay on Thursday, after losing her license Kate was dressed in an all-black ensemble which included a sweater and a pair of tights Ritchie was fined $600 on the spot and suspended from driving for three months. Kate has since apologised for her actions and said she made a 'poor decision'. 'Recently I undertook a random breath test. Although it was low level, the test came back positive,' the post read. The radio star teamed her look with a black cap, which she wore at an angle in an attempt to shield her face, and a pair of black sneakers Kate carried a chic carry-all for the outing, along with a white shopping bag and her mobile phone Ritchie blew over the limit after she was stopped by police in her blue Subaru station wagon for a random breath test on August 22 'I made a poor decision and there is no doubt I understand the seriousness of my actions. I am truly sorry.' The former child star on Home and Away was stopped by police for a random breath test in her blue Subaru station wagon at 2.45pm on Heffron Rd in Pagewood on Monday. A police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia: 'She was issued with an infringement notice for the offence of Drive with Low Range Prescribed Concentration of Alcohol and issued a Licence Suspension Notice.' 'Recently I undertook a random breath test. Although it was low level, the test came back positive,' the post read Ritchie's driving ban comes just as she is about to make her television comeback as a judge on Australia's Got Talent. She will appear on the show alongside David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and Shane Jacobson Her former husband - ex-rugby league star Stuart Webb - was caught drunk-driving five times between 2012 and 2019 when the couple split. Ritchie's driving ban comes just as she is about to make her television comeback as a judge on Australia's Got Talent. She will appear on the show alongside David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and Shane Jacobson. The TV talent competition, which is returning to screens after a three-year hiatus, will air on Channel Seven later this year. Karl Stefanovic has been reporting live from London all week following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. But on Thursday, the 48-year-old Today show host made the most of his downtime by enjoying breakfast with the 'King of England'. Taking to Instagram, Karl shared a photo alongside British commentator Piers Morgan and Daily Mail's Sean Walsh dining at Cafe Phillies in upmarket Kensington. Australian TV presenter Karl Stefanovic (right) took a break from reporting live from London to have breakfast with British commentator Piers Morgan (left) and Daily Mail's Sean Walsh (middle) 'Early brekky with the King of England,' he captioned the happy snap of the trio smiling at a table. It comes as the Aussie breakfast TV war heats up in the UK ahead of Her Majesty's funeral on Monday. A 100-strong media contingent from Australia is currently reporting on the ground in London, with daily royal programming stretching from breakfast through to the evening news. Sunrise hosts Natalie Barr and David Koch are also reporting live from London, along with Sky News talent Laura Jayes, Peta Credlin and Paul Murray. It comes as the Aussie breakfast TV war heats up in the UK ahead of Her Majesty's funeral on Monday. Pictured: Today co-hosts Stefanovic and Alison Langdon reporting outside Buckingham Palace A 100-strong media contingent from Australia is currently reporting on the ground in London, with daily royal programming stretching from breakfast through to the evening news. Pictured: Sunrise's Natalie Barr and Koch reporting outside Buckingham Palace this week Channel 10 reporters Lisa Wilkinson, Sandra Sully, Angela Bishop, Ursula Heger and Jennifer Keyte have also flown to London following the Queen's death. Meanwhile, a sprawling media village has been set up around the Palace periphery, housing over 12,000 media workers from across the world. The Queen's funeral, and the surrounding events, are set to become one of the biggest events in Britain since the Olympics, with an estimated two million people flooding to central London every day. Australia has joined much of the world in mourning Queen Elizabeth II, as her death prompts the first change in head of state in more than seven decades. Pictured: The Queen in the drawing room at Balmoral, Scotland, last Tuesday. She died at her estate on Thursday Australia has joined much of the world in mourning Queen Elizabeth II, as her death prompts the first change in head of state in more than seven decades. A statement from Buckingham Palace early on Friday (AEST) confirmed the 96-year-old's death. 'The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,' Buckingham Palace said. A statement from Buckingham Palace early on Friday (AEST) confirmed the 96-year-old's death. She is pictured in Salisbury, England, on October 15 2020 'The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to the Queen, who is succeeded by her son King Charles III in a move that is expected to renew Australia's republican debate. 'An historic reign and a long life devoted to duty, family, faith and service has come to an end,' Mr Albanese said in a statement. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) offered his condolences to the Royal Family, the British people, and all his own citizens who held Her Majesty in the highest regard 'The government and the people of Australia offer our deepest condolences to the royal family, who are grieving for a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother - the person whom for so long was their greatest inner strength.' Mr Albanese said that 'from her famous first trip to Australia, the only reigning sovereign to ever visit, it was clear Her Majesty held a special place in her heart for Australia. 'Fifteen more tours before cheering crowds in every part of our country confirmed the special place she held in ours.' Ashley Greene cradled her bump while heading out for a spot of high-end shopping in Beverly Hills on Wednesday as her due date fast approaches. The actress, 35, looked as radiant as ever in a chic sleeveless jumpsuit as she joined her husband Paul Khoury at jewellery store, Tiffany & Co. She was glowing in her all-black ensemble that featured comfortable wide leg trousers and an elegant high neck. Glowing: Ashley Greene, 35, displayed her blossoming bump as she headed out for a spot of shopping in Beverly Hills on Wednesday Ashley completed her outfit with a practical pair of sandals and a long beaded necklace as she toted a quilted Louis Vuitton bag. She wore her long brunette locks in a sleek straightened style and shielded her eyes with an oversized pair of sunglasses. Paul opted for a casual striped T-shirt with a pair of Nike joggers and charcoal sliders. Out and about: She was glowing in her all-black ensemble that featured comfortable wide leg trousers and an elegant high neck Ashley and Paul announced on Instagram that they were expecting their first child, a daughter, earlier this year in March. In the post, the actress wrote out a heartfelt caption, typing, 'I love you more than I've ever loved anything and somehow my heart just keeps expanding to love you EVEN more.' 'I cannot wait to watch you share your light, love, and passion with our baby,' she concluded. Shopping trip: The actress joined her husband Paul Khoury at jewellery store, Tiffany's & Co At the time of the exciting news, a representative close to the two lovebirds told People, 'The couple is over-the-moon with excitement about expecting their first child together.' Ashley and Paul tied the knot a few years back in 2018 during an intimate ceremony in San Jose, California. The two recently celebrated a baby shower earlier this month in August at their home in Los Angeles before welcoming their baby girl. Love: The One Shot star and her husband of three years, Paul Khoury (L, pictured February 14), jointly announced on March 25 that they were expecting their first child At the time of party, Ashley expressed to People how thrilled she is to become a mother. 'I am most looking forward to watching this combination of Paul and I blossom into their own unique and beautiful human,' she explained. 'It's so exciting to think about the ways this person is going to impact our world. There are so many things I want to teach her, but I know there are so many things she's going to teach us as well.' She never misses the mark when it comes to her fashion choices. And Naomi Watts was on fine form on Wednesday as she caught the eye in a bold purple look as she attended the premiere of her new film Goodnight Mommy in New York. The actress, 53, wowed in a bright magenta dress with a floral pattern as she graced the green carpet at the glitzy event. Turning heads: Naomi Watts was on fine form on Wednesday as she caught the eye in a bold purple look as she attended the premiere of her new film Goodnight Mommy in New York Naomi's head-turning gown featured ruched quarter-length sleeves and a modest hem line, with the star teaming it with pointed black court shoes and delicate gold jewellery. The King Kong star styled her cropped blonde locks into soft waves, while she enhanced her featured with a glam palette of make-up included a bold red lip. Naomi was in good company as she was joined by her co-stars Peter Hermann, Cameron Crovetti and Nicholas Crovett. Purple reign: The actress, 53, wowed in a bright magenta dress with a floral pattern as she graced the green carpet at the glitzy event Goodnight Mommy is a remake of the terrifying 2014 Austrian film of the same name. The plot features young twin actors Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti, who become increasingly convinced their mother is an imposter after noticing her disturbing behaviour when she returns home following facial reconstructive surgery. The original Goodnight Mommy film made its world premiere at the 2014 Venice Film Festival, where it was critically acclaimed for its suspenseful and sinister plot. Glam: Naomi's head-turning gown featured ruched quarter-length sleeves and a modest hem line, with the star teaming it with pointed black court shoes and delicate gold jewellery Film stars: Naomi was in good company as she was joined by her co-stars Peter Hermann, Cameron Crovetti and Nicholas Crovett (L-R) Her boys: Naomi happily posed with Cameron Crovetti and Nicholas Crovett, who plays her twin sons in the film The plot features two twin boys, who become convinced their mother is an imposter after noticing her disturbing behaviour when she returns home after facial reconstructive surgery Unrecognisable: Naomi sheds the glamour in her new movie as her face is completely bandaged The film was later selected as Austria's official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards. The remake is directed by Matt Sobel with a screenplay by Kyle Warren. The film will be available for streaming September 16, exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. Peter Hermann also stars in the film, which Sobel tried to make more psychological than horror despite the original being less than a decade old. 'I saw an opportunity to preserve this unique mixture while injecting a completely new set of themes we wanted to explore,' Sobel told People. All together now: Naomi and her co-stars posed alongside the film's director Matt Sobel Group shot: The cast and crew of the film donned their finest ensembles at the premiere Dressed to impress: Jesse James Keitel (L) and Peter Hermann looked stylish as they graced the green carpet What a look: Kat Irlin courted attention in a very racy white vest top and printed jeans All smiles: (L-R) Ivy George, Cameron Crovetti, Nicholas Crovetti and Isabella Crovetti posed for a glam snap 'If I had to point to a key difference between the films, I'd say the original is more interested in tone and aesthetic, while our reimagining favours character and psychology.' Naomi's dazzling appearance comes after she revealed why she and her boyfriend - The Morning Show star Billy Crudup - skipped the red carpet while attending Monday's 74th Primetime Emmy Awards. During an appearance on LIVE with Kelly and Ryan, Naomi explained: 'It was a bit of a kerfuffle because there was horrible traffic. Reason: It comes after Naomi revealed why she and her boyfriend - The Morning Show star Billy Crudup - skipped the red carpet while attending Monday's 74th Primetime Emmy Awards Naomi explained: 'It was a bit of a kerfuffle because there was horrible traffic...It took an hour and 45 minutes to get there and we literally... the red carpet was closed' 'And that picture you just showed was the only one that surfaced at about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. It took an hour and 45 minutes to get there and we literally... the red carpet was closed. 'And so my publicist was kind enough to find a photographer and we just snapped it. Only one picture. I did not want to disappoint people.' Watts - who looked gorgeous in a black strapless Prada gown - has been dating the 54-year-old actor since they met on the set of Netflix series Gypsy in 2016. Claire Foy has paid a heartfelt tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, following her death last week at age 96 in Balmoral, Scotland. The actress, 38, who portrayed a young version of Her Majesty in the first two seasons of Netflix drama The Crown, described the opportunity to act out her life as 'an honour'. Giving a gushing tribute during the Toronto Film Festival this week, the star also noted how she thinks of the Queen as 'a mother and grandmother'. 'Heartfelt: Claire Foy has paid a heartfelt tribute to Queen Elizabeth II as she detailed the 'honour' to have portrayed her in The Crown (Claire pictured on the show in 2016) Describing the Queen as 'incredible', Claire told the BBC: 'I think that she was an incredible monarch. She united people and she was a massive symbol of continuity and dignity and grace. 'My main feeling is just thinking about her as a mother and a grandmother and a great-grandmother, really, and I'm very honoured to have been a teeny tiny, small part of her story,' continued the actress. The Crown follows the reign of Her Majesty over a number of decades, beginning from the late 1940s - with a fictional twist. And Claire portrayed the Queen during her early years as monarch in the first two seasons of the show, chronicling her life from her wedding in 1947 to Philip, Duke of Edinburgh until 1964. Tragedy: Her Majesty passed away 'peacefully' at the age of 96 last week in Balmoral, Edinburgh (Queen Elizabeth pictured in 2019) On-screen: Claire portrayed the Queen during her early years as monarch in the first two seasons of The Crown, chronicling her life from her wedding in 1947 to Philip, Duke of Edinburgh until 1964 (pictured during season 2 of the show) The actress then left the show as the role was taken over by Oliva Colman - to display a more accurate version of the Queen as the timeline jumped to the 1970s. And her portrayal was not overlooked, as she won best actress awards at both the Emmys and Golden Globes for playing the role. But as The Crown continues to film further into Her Majesty's reign, Claire could have made a reappearance on many screens over the last week - as the show shot back up to Netflix's 'most watched' list this week. Viewers appeared keen to relive the long rein of the Queen following her death, with the Netflix show heading to number three in the Top Ten UK list just days after the tragedy. Popular: Viewers appeared keen to relive the long rein of the Queen following her death, with the Netflix show heading to number three in the Top Ten UK list just days after the tragedy (Left) Claire on-screen (right) The Queen in 1966 The Crown is currently filming for their sixth season, and has now resumed their production after halting it for one day due to the Queen's death. Next: Series five of the drama is set to air this autumn with scenes involving the late Princess of Wales (pictured in 1995) Filming was suspended for just one day as a 'mark of respect to the late monarch', after scenes covering Princess Diana's tragic death in Paris in August 1997 were scheduled to be filmed on Friday. And now, the potentially controversial scenes will be filmed while the nation comes to grips with the loss of their late Queen during a 10 day mourning period which will end with a state funeral. The decision not to film comes as the Netflix show also announced that it will suspend filming on the day of Her Majesty's funeral - which will take place on Monday 19 September. A Netflix spokesperson said: 'As a mark of respect, filming on The Crown was suspended today. Filming will also be suspended on the day of Her Majesty The Queen's funeral.' Netflix reportedly devised a plan, named Operation London Bridge - the same name as the official funeral plan for the Queen - to outline what the production company would do in the event of her passing. Statement: King Charles III released a poignant statement reacting to the death of his 'beloved mother' as he took the throne on Thursday One of the show's creators Stephen Daldry said when the show first premiered in 2016 the cast would likely stop production, he said: 'It would be a simple tribute and a mark of respect. She's a global figure and it's what we should do.' After The Queen's death was announced, Peter Morgan, writer of the drama, said: 'The Crown is a love letter to her and I've nothing to add for now, just silence and respect. I expect we will stop filming out of respect too.' The UK is currently in a ten-day period of mourning, with the monarch's funeral set to be held on Monday September 19. Her Majesty's coffin was transported from Balmoral to St. Giles cathedral earlier this week, and now sits in Westminster Hall - where members of the public can visit to pay their respects. Michael Caine cut a dapper figure as he enjoyed a night out at Harry's bar with his wife Shakira in London on Tuesday. The actor, 89, sported a navy blazer and a black pair of trousers as he was seen departing the venue alongside his partner, 75. The film star added to his look with a light blue shirt as he was taken to a waiting car by a member of staff and with the aid of a walking stick. Suave: Michael Caine cut a dapper figure as he enjoyed a night out at Harry's bar with his wife Shakira in London on Tuesday Shakira cut a glamorous figure in a black dress, that flashed a glimpse of her toned legs. She kept the cold at bay by wrapping up in a silver lacy jacket, and accessorised with a pearl necklace and matching pearl earrings. Michael and Shakira have been married since 1973 and are parents to daughter Natasha Haleema, 49. Dapper: The actor, 89, sported a navy blazer and a black pair of trousers as he was seen departing the venue alongside his partner, 75 Helping hand: The film star added to his look with a light blue shirt as he was taken to a waiting car by a member of staff and with the aid of a walking stick Leggy look: Shakira cut a glamorous figure in a black dress, that flashed a glimpse of her toned legs Fashionable: She kept the cold at bay by wrapping up in a silver lacy jacket, and accessorised with a pearl necklace and matching pearl earrings The couple met after Michael saw her in a coffee commercial and a friend then gave him her number. It comes after Michael finally sold his sprawling Surrey mansion after putting it up for sale because he and Shakira wanted to downsize. The Hollywood star managed to get 3.5 million for the seven-bedroom house, near Leatherhead, after he cut the price by 250,000 last year. The double Oscar-winner bought the property with an indoor swimming pool, hot tub, gym and cinema for 1 million 22 years ago. Long love: Michael and Shakira have been married since 1973 and are parents to daughter Natasha Haleema, 49 Smooth: The couple met after Michael saw her in a coffee commercial and a friend then gave him her number Sir Michael first put the 12,000 sq ft home, which comes with a barn conversion with a bar and a two-bedroom cottage, on the market in 2019 for 3.75million. The actor previously sold his apartment in South beach, Miami, in 2018 for a reported 5.9million ($7.45 million). In the mid-1990s, he also sold his mansion in Beverly Hills, California but still owns a flat in Chelsea Harbour in west London. Leah Bracknell's widower Jez Hughes has shared a moving tribute to the late Emmerdale star three years after her death on Thursday. Jez, was married to the actress best known for playing Zoe Tate until her death from lung cancer at aged 55 in September 2019. Taking to Facebook, he shared a throwback photo of them both as he reflected on their time together and his grief. Heartbreaking: Leah Bracknell's widower Jez Hughes has shared a moving tribute to the late Emmerdale star three years after her death on Thursday Jez penned: 'Three years tomorrow. Ill be in the woods teaching and holding a sweat which seems fitting. I found this old, blurred photo from way back when and it brought back good, if painful memories. 'Grief is like an eagle, it soars so high and close to the sun you thinks its gone, then suddenly its down upon you, talons tearing you to shreds til youre bloody and bruised all over again, raw flesh exposed to the wind. But as we know grief is the price for love and even in this world of late stage capitalism theres no discounts on offer, no deals to be made, its as non negotiable as death itself.' Remembrance: Jez, was married to the actress best known for playing Zoe Tate until her death from lung cancer at aged 55 in September 2019 (Leah pictured in 2017) He continued: 'Time changes everything, yet nothing at the same time, for grief knows no time, it operates to its own inner workings, dances to its own mysterious tune. 'And it is both awe inspiring and awful, sensitising the already over sensitised, ripping away the paper thin protections that laughingly you thought were grafting over. Until you feel it all again. 'Yet, despite all this, I pay the ferryman, the gatekeeper of all love and all loss, and will pay over and over again through this, and many lifetimes.' Memories: Taking to Facebook, he shared a throwback photo of them both as he reflected on their time together and his grief Jez concluded: 'Grudgingly and gratefully all at once. For it is always a price worth paying, as the rain turns again to sunshine and the world is renewed. 'Ali, you died on the same full moon as the queen, which I know will make you smile. That Piscean ocean transitioning you to another world where I know, deep in my heart, you are soaring and tearing up another adventure anew. And this makes my heart sing, a balm to all these earthly sorrows.' Leah, who also had roles in A Touch of Frost, The Royal Today and DCI Banks, was diagnosed in September 2016 after rapid weight gain around her abdomen and breathlessness prompted her to seek medical help. While undergoing treatment, the media personality married her long-term partner Jez in a quiet ceremony at a grade II listed Georgian building in Horsham, West Sussex. Star: Leah, who also had roles in A Touch of Frost, The Royal Today and DCI Banks, was diagnosed in September 2016 (pictured on Emmerdale in 2005) Before her death, Leah described how she had an 'attitude of gratitude' during her cancer battle. She was often vocal about her cancer treatment, sharing her experiences in a blog and through interviews. In the months leading up to her death she wrote 'The Cancer Rebel's Manifesto for Life' to 'reject the notion of being a victim'. In it, she said: 'I rebel against the fear of cancer, against pity from others and myself, against being defined by cancer, and against being bullied by cancer.' In her final interview in August 2019, she said that she wouldn't 'let herself live in fear' adding that she was 'just going to have a good life.' Brian Dowling took to Instagram on Wednesday to hit back at a homophobic troll who sent 'ignorant' messages regarding his new daughter Blake Maria Rose Dowling Gourounlian. The Big Brother winner, 44, was hit with a wave of abuse via the social media platform as he shared updates on fatherhood - with one follower penning that Blake 'wants her mother'. He welcomed the new bundle of joy on Thursday September 1 with husband Arthur Gourounlian - with the aid of his sister Aoife, who acted as a surrogate for the couple. 'm so sad but also so very angry': Brian Dowling, 44, has hit back at trolls sending 'homophobic and vile' messages about his new baby daughter Blake Brian shared an update to his Stories earlier this week as he struggled to get Blake to settle - but was met with an inconsiderate message from one follower. The reality star shared a screen-grab of the direct message from the troll, which read: 'She wants her mother'. Posting the evidence, the TV personality wrote: 'Messages like this make me sad but also so very angry. @gourounlian and I get messages like this rather often. I'm not sure if the people sending them are IGNORANT or just plain VILE.' He welcomed new daughter Blake Maria Rose Dowling Gourounlian on Thursday September 1 with husband Arthur Gourounlian - with the aid of his sister Aoife, who acted as a surrogate for the couple. Ignorant: was hit with a wave of abuse via the social media platform as he shared updates on fatherhood - with one follower penning that Blake 'wants her mother' And discussing the ordeal more in a slew of videos, Brian thanked his followers who have been supportive, sharing: 'I want to say a big heartfelt thank you to everyone who sent heartfelt messages from the post I put up. 'I was having fun with Blake because she wouldnt settle and I was wondering if she was overtired. Then someone messaged me saying that she misses her mother offensive, rude, and I just thought no need for that. 'That is just a taste of some of the messages Arthur and I have been receiving from people when we announced our surrogacy journey regarding their views. Not that I have to explain myself, but its obvious to our friends and people who follow us on Instagram that our daughter Blake will have two fathers.' Detailing how the process worked, he continued: 'We were very lucky enough to be able to get pregnant with the help of two women, our donor and surrogate my amazing sister Aoife. Without those women NONE of this would have been possible, out daughter wont have a mother, our daughter will have two fathers. She had a donor.' Offensive: 'I was having fun with Blake because she wouldnt settle and I was wondering if she was overtired. Then someone messaged me saying that she misses her mother offensive, rude, and I just thought no need for that,' explained Brian Hitting back at the awful messages, Brian explained that 'love will always win': 'That person was obviously trying to rile and upset me, and it did. But f*** em, It is what it is love will always win. 'Ive never really gone through homophobic abuse until we announced we were pregnant, people find that offensive to say. The amount of homophobic abuse we received was absolutely shocking. It all stems from homophobia, and again, f*** em,' as Arthur chimed in with 'language!' Adding details of their upcoming documentary, which will follow the couple's journey through surrogacy, Brian concluded: 'Our documentary is about educating people on our journey not in a patronising way, and using the correct language. A lot of things people have said on the journey have been offensive.' Despite the trolling they have recieved, it has been a joyous time for Arthur and Brian as they settle in to being new fathers - with Brian's sister and surrogate Aoife being reunited with baby Blake last week. Heartwarming: Brian Dowling's sister Aoife was reunited with the baby she carried for him and his husband Arthur Gourounlian Sharing a snap of Aoife and Blake, Brian wrote: 'Today was REUNION TIME in the Dowling Gourounlian household. We had a little visitor in the form of @effidy_dowling_ 'It was an emotional reunion as the tears flowed. Times like this are so special. I still find it hard to believe that Aoife, Arthur & I created this BEAUTIFUL LITTLE BABY. 'Blake LOVES her Aunty Aoife so much & was so content in her arms. How SENSATIONAL does Aoife look especially only 5 days after giving birth.' Brian also shared a shot from inside the delivery room, with the couple grabbing on to Aoife's arm just moments after she had given birth. Congrats: The Big Brother winner, 44, announced he had welcomed a baby daughter named Blake on Saturday as his husband gushed they had 'been waiting our entire lives' for the arrival He wrote: 'Today was REUNION TIME in the Dowling Gourounlian household. We had a little visitor in the form of @effidy_dowling_' Taking to the caption, Brian dubbed his daughter their 'little princess', writing: 'Please be upstanding for the arrival of our BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER Blake Maria Rose Dowling Gourounlian. Yes people another BDG. Blake was delivered safely on Thursday September 1st at 14:52pm weighting 7lb 4ozs. We are ABSOLUTELY TOTALLY IN LOVE with her & cant believe shes here & is ours,' he explained. Continuing to thank the women who contributed to the process, Brian wrote: 'None of this would have been possible without our donor, a woman we have never met or even seen a picture of but has given us the GIFT OF LIFE. 'Now, where do we even start with you @effidy_dowling_ you are a SAINT to us & we will FOREVER be GRATEFUL to you for the REST OF OUR LIVES. Baby Blake cant wait for her Aunty Aoife to spoil her. #babyishere #fatherhood #littleprincess.' Special moment: The reality star shared a shot from inside the delivery room, with the couple grabbing on to Brian's sister Aoife, who was their surrogate, moments after she had given birth 'Absolutely in love': Taking to the caption, Brian dubbed his daughter their 'little princess: 'Please be upstanding for the arrival of our BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER Blake Maria Rose Dowling Gourounlian' Brian and Arthur, who tied the knot back in 2015, are also set to hit TV screens in their new RTE documentary Brian & Arthur's Very Modern Family - which will air later this year. The show will focus on their surrogacy journey, focusing on the highs of baby preparation and the lows of giving birth via surrogate in Ireland - where there is no legislation on the matter. While the birth was also filmed for the show, as Brian previously jested: 'Aoife has insisted where the cameras can & cant go.' And back in June, Brian revealed details about the couple's journey to parenthood during an appearance on Made by Mammas: The podcast - sharing that he had always wanted to be a father and his sister graciously offered to make his dreams come true by carrying a donor egg. Settling in: Brian, who won Big Brother back in 2001, also took to his Stories as Blake slept on his chest - sharing that life has been 'crazy' since welcoming the tot Doting dad: While professional dancer Arthur shared a sweet video with Blake, as he admitted to being 'obsessed' with her' However the television host revealed that the journey to fatherhood had been a difficult one after he and his husband found out 'things along the way' that meant it would only be possible for one to be the baby's biological father. While not revealing who will be the biological father of their child, Brian told host Zoe Hardman: 'For me and Arthur it doesn't make a difference'. Recalling the moment that his sister offered to be their surrogate, he continued: 'In 2020 at Christmas, Aoife was like, "I'm definitely interested in doing this for you," and we kind of thought: "Oh my god, maybe this is something we really need to think about," I said to Arthur, "I'm 44 this year and I said by the age of 45 I just feel I'm going to be too old" Arthur's two years younger than me'. Documenting it: Brian and Arthur, who tied the knot back in 2015, are also set to hit TV screens in their new RTE documentary Brian & Arthur's Very Modern Family - which will air later this year (pictured with Aoife while she was pregnant) Karlie Kloss looked incredible as she attended the Tom Ford spring 2023 fashion show for New York Fashion Week on Wednesday. The model, 30, went braless in a plunging blazer that was fastened with a singular button as she arrived at the event. She was glowing in her chic all-black ensemble as her sequinned wide leg trousers caught the light. Glowing: Karlie Kloss, 30, looked incredible as she attended the Tom Ford spring 2023 fashion show for New York Fashion Week on Wednesday Karlie opted for a bronzed makeup palette with a nude lipstick and styled her brunette locks into beachy waves. She topped her outfit off with a pair of strappy black sandals and toted a miniature silver leather handbag. The Victoria's Secret Angel flashed a huge smile outside the venue as she waved at the photographers. Stunning: The model went braless in a plunging blazer that was fastened with a singular button as she arrived at the event Karlie's outing comes as she rang in her 30th birthday with pals Irina Shayk, Kate Hudson, Christy Turlington, and more at Torrisi restaurant in New York last week. While preparing to celebrate with her A-list group of friends, all eyes were on the supermodel as she arrived to her fabulous party in a shimmery, figure-hugging frock with a plunging V-neck and pair of black high heels. Karlie looked every bit the birthday girl as she was placed at the centre while her friends gathered closely around her. Bronzed: She was glowing in her chic all-black ensemble as her sequinned wide leg trousers caught the light Chic: Karlie opted for a bronzed makeup palette with a nude lipstick and styled her brunette locks into beachy waves Along with playfully sticking out her tongue, Karlie also offered a beaming smile for the photobooth's camera. When her delicious birthday cake was brought out with candles lit, Karlie was captured sharing a tender hug with her husband Joshua Kushner, 37. The business man previously commemorated the occasion last month with a candid snap of his wife sticking her tongue out and a caption that simply read '30' and a heart-eye emoji. The pair welcomed their first child, son Levi, on March 11, 2021. Karlie and Joshua were first linked in 2012, getting engaged in 2018. Model mayhem: Karlie's outing comes as she rang in her 30th birthday with pals Irina Shayk , Kate Hudson , Christy Turlington, and more at Torrisi restaurant in New York last week She's the Love Island Australia star who is never afraid to flash the flesh when it comes to good Instagram content. And Margarita Smith sported one of her most daring looks to date on Thursday when she posed for a night photoshoot on a Gold Coast beach. In the images, the 27-year-old ensured all eyes were on her as she donned an itsy-bitsy brown bikini that barely contained her ample assets. Margarita Smith (pictured) sported one of her most daring looks to date on Thursday, as she donned an itsy-bitsy brown bikini that barely contained her ample assets The busty brunette teamed her skimpy ensemble with what appeared to be a chainmail skirt and she added a pendant necklace, several bracelets and a pair of earrings for a touch of class. Margarita was fully made up for the nighttime frolic for clothing line MNX The Label to make sure her striking features popped as she cavorted on the sand. Fans were quick to comment underneath the gallery of photos, praising the OnlyFans star. The busty brunette teamed her skimpy ensemble with what appeared to be a chainmail skirt and she added a pendant necklace, several bracelets and a pair of earrings for a touch of class Margarita was fully made up for the nighttime frolic to make sure her striking features popped as she cavorted on the sand Fans were quick to comment underneath the gallery of photos, praising the OnlyFans star 'I can't deal with you. Who is this hot?' wrote MAFS bride Natasha Spencer. Meanwhile, former Big Brother star Skye Wheatley wrote: 'Wowowow!' Margarita is no wallflower when it comes to her cosmetically enhanced physique, and regularly gives her 200,000 followers updates on her procedures. Margarita, who has had a breast enlargement and nose job among various other procedures, previously said she has never had an issue with body confidence. 'I can't deal with you. Who is this hot?' wrote MAFS bride Natasha Spencer In an interview with Daily Mail Australia, she spoke candidly about being happy with her appearance both pre-and post-surgery. 'I've always been a really confident person, my whole life. I've never actually sat there and thought, "Oh, I don't like this,"' she explained. 'I liked my boobs before. I thought they were fantastic! But to be honest, I've always liked that dolled-up, fake look.' 'Initially I thought, "Do I want it? Do I not?" and then I thought, "S**t, yeah, I want it!" I love it. It's just how I want to portray myself, but I'm confident in who I am, 100 per cent.' Timothee Chalamet has opened up about 'transitioning to an adult mindset' as his career skyrockets, admitting that he's an old soul. The actor, 26, posed up a storm for British Vogue as he became their first ever solo male cover star, fronting the magazine's October issue. And during the accompanying interview, the star also detailed how he has used his own experience to portray his cannibal leading character in new horror film Bones and All. Cover boy: Timothee Chalamet, 26, spoke on emotional growth and playing a cannibal in his new horror film Bones And All... as he becomes British Vogue's first ever male cover star for their October issue Becoming the first man in British Vogues 106-year history to brace the magazine cover alone, Timothee certainly looked the part. Flaunting his typically quirky sense of style, the Call Me By Your Name actor was clad in leather trousers and a matching waist coast for one set of shots. Gazing into the camera for his cover shot, his tousled brunette locks were in an exaggerated curl - as he accessorised with a pearl choker. Editor-in-chief Edward Enninful described Timothee as 'the modern man incarnate, as an actor and as a person,' - admitting he was waiting for the right man to break the mould. Model looks: Gazing into the camera for his cover shot, his tousled brunette locks were in an exaggerated curl - as he accessorised with a pearl choker And chatting to Vogue for the monumental interview, Timothee explained how the Covid-19 pandemic shifted his mindset, sharing: 'I should have been trying to get my adult feet under myself a little bit earlier than I did. 'I found myself having to really, you know, be honest with myself that where Ive been able to get myself to in life was balls to the wall, like throwing everything at [it] at a young age that, by some miracle, got me to where I am. But to then transition to an adulting mindset,' he explained. Continuing that he feels as though his mindset is that of an 'old man', the actor explained: 'The ways I feel older than 26 I have always felt. Its not like I feel like Ive had some mental breakthrough that has given me perspective. The perspective that feels old man, I feel like I was born with it.' His newest film, Luca Guadagnino's Bones and All, premiered earlier this month during Venice Film Festival - which Timothee looked ultra chic for. Newst flick: His newest film, Luca Guadagnino's Bones and All, premiered earlier this month during Venice Film Festival - which Timothee looked ultra chic for (picture at the premiere with Luca) He stars alongside Taylor Russell, as the pair play couple Lee and Maren - cannibals who embark on a twisted love story. And drawing on his own experience to play the character, the actor shared: 'With Lee, the illusion of control is based on feeling for no one and not even interacting with anyone - with Lee's affliction being cannibalism.' And describing his performance as 'pristinely heartbreaking' as they shared the piece via Twitter, Vogue penned: '@RealChalamet stars as cannibal drifter Lee in Luca Guadagnino's #BonesandAll. 'It's a performance so pristinely heartbreaking, so tenderly horrific, so violent and vulnerable, it feels - as his work so often does - he's carved out a new generation of man.' See the full feature in the October issue of British Vogue available via digital download and on newsstands from Tuesday 20th September. Heartbreaking: And describing his performance as 'pristinely heartbreaking' as they shared the piece via Twitter, Vogue penned: '@RealChalamet stars as cannibal drifter Lee in Luca Guadagnino's #BonesandAll She's preparing to welcome her first child, a baby girl, with boyfriend Jake Ankers in the next month. And Charlotte Crosby, 32, displayed her eight-month baby bump on Thursday as she posed in a zebra-print bikini. The snap was taken as she enjoyed a spa day with her beau to celebrate their one-year anniversary, with the reality star gushing 'thank you for changing my life'. 'Thank you for changing my life': Pregnant Charlotte Crosby, 32, displayed her baby bump in a zebra print bikini as she shared a gushing anniversary post for her boyfriend Jake Ankers Enjoying the day at London's NYX Hotel, the Geordie Shore alum lazed by the spa pool as she enjoyed a day of pampering. Charlotte sported a zebra printed bikini with a long-sleeved mesh bikini top from brand Murci - showing off her bump in the swimwear shot. Her balayaged blonde locks were left down as they fell naturally to her torso, as she gave a glimpse at her hip tattoo in the shot. Taking to the caption, the beauty detailed her anniversary celebrations with Jake as she jested they 'move fast'. '365 days ago I kissed my soulmate for the first time.NOW WE HERE #wemovefast,' wrote the star. Now we here@ Taking to the caption, the beauty detailed her anniversary celebrations with Jake as she jested they 'move fast' Confused: Taking to her stories, Charlotte asked her 9.1M fans for some advice as she and Jake struggled to come to a conclusion on the exact date of their anniversary Sweet: She also shared a snap of their romantic anniversary setup, complete with balloons and rose petals Taking to her stories, Charlotte asked her 9.1M fans for some advice as she and Jake struggled to come to a conclusion on the exact date of their anniversary - questioning whether it should be the day they began dating or the day they became an official couple. Discussing the results, the reality star wrote: 'Well that poll didn't really go my way LMAO. So I THINK the anniversary is the first time my eye pupils laid upon his face, the night we snogged all over and drank jagerbombs (basically in my eyes we were bf and gf from that minute (BUNNYBOILER). 'BUT Jake thinks it's when he officially asked me out. So we have came to the conclusion we will now have to celebrate 2 separate occasions which I'm not complaining about.' Sharing a snap of their romantic anniversary setup, complete with balloons and rose petals - Charlotte also wrote: ' So this is my anniversary day for you my love. Exactly 365 days ago you asked for my number 7896 times over insta and I played hard to get (for 4 hours) and that night we met again for the second time in our life and the rest is history. 'THANKYOU for changing my life. Thank you for showing me that the fairytale I strongly believed existed actually did!!! Thank you for showing me a love I've never experienced. Thank you for every single thing you do for me and my family. Thank you for being the most amazing person to walk this earth.' Romance: The pair spent the day at London's NYX Hotel Congrats! She's expecting her first child in the next month with beau Jake It comes after the star recently revealed she's planning to welcome her baby by C-section over a natural birth, since her ectopic pregnancy in 2016 has left her with PTSD. The reality star told new! magazine: 'I've never really been keen to push a baby out of my vagina. I'm too scared to have a natural birth. 'There's always been something scary about it for me and when I had the ectopic pregnancy [in 2016] it scared me even more. In 2016, while the television personality was going through the traumatic experience, Gary, now 34, was out in Thailand filming the reality show where he slept with Jemma Lucy and also had a threesome. As a result of the ectopic pregnancy, Charlotte's fallopian tube had ruptured and was releasing toxins into her body. Happy couple: The pair found out they were expecting after a whirlwind romance (pictured with boyfriend Jake Ankers) Jake and Charlotte decided to start trying to get pregnant in December last year, not long after they started dating. Speaking on her Charlotte Crosby Always On podcast, she said: 'At this age there's not really wasting any time. January came around and I got my period and it was a really sad day. I just cried, I cried and cried on the toilet. I told Jake and he was really gutted about it.' The couple then decided to stop trying, realising it was quite soon into their romance to welcome a child, and bought ovulation sticks to refrain from having sex on her fertile days. But then in February on Valentine's Day, Charlotte found it strange when she wasn't in the mood to drink or have sex during a surprise romantic getaway to a swanky London hotel. And then her period was late. Presley Walker Gerber passionately kissed his new girlfriend Gaia before heading to lunch in Malibu on Wednesday. It was the second public sighting of the 23-year-old self-described 'entrepreneur' canoodling with the brunette beauty in a week. Presley - sporting a T-shirt emblazoned with 'Cali sober, high & dry, f***ed up friends club' - completed his three-year probation in July stemming from a 2019 misdemeanor DUI arrest. Packing on the PDA: Presley Walker Gerber passionately kissed his new girlfriend Gaia before heading to lunch in Malibu on Wednesday Gerber proceeded to go Instagram official with Gaia, who describes herself as a 'blogger' despite having no public blog. According to her Instagram account - Gaia is a Scorpio who speaks fluent Hebrew, shares countless bikini pics, and she posted about her battle with anorexia and suicidal thoughts on November 8. 'One day it wasn't a game anymore, I couldn't sleep due to chest pain, my body fighting to keep me alive. And me? I didn't want to anymore,' Gaia confessed. 'I was willing to walk in the world like a ghost just to feel a little perfect, one step closer to perfect. I put my parents through hell and back wanting to fit into some "perfect" frame that was stuck in my head. Young love! It was the second public sighting of the 23-year-old self-described 'entrepreneur' canoodling with the brunette beauty in a week Paid his debt to society: Presley - sporting a T-shirt emblazoned with 'Cali sober, high & dry, f***ed up friends club' - completed his three-year probation in July stemming from a 2019 misdemeanor DUI arrest Instastory: Gerber proceeded to go Instagram official with Gaia, who describes herself as a 'blogger' despite having no public blog Background: According to her Instagram account - Gaia is a Scorpio who speaks fluent Hebrew, shares countless bikini pics, and she posted about her battle with anorexia and suicidal thoughts on November 8 'I'm not perfect. I'm far from it. And I won't be either. But I love myself now enough to understand that I want to be here. I know I am strong. And I'm here to tell everyone reading this, you are enough and you are much more than your weight.' On September 7, Harper's BAZAAR published an interview with the Brentwood-born blond's 21-year-old sister Kaia Gerber and Celine artistic director Hedi Slimane, which also featured photos of him. Presley - who boasts 144K social media followers - captioned the b&w spread: 'Shoots with my lil sis at home feeling blessed. Thank you @hedislimane @celine.' Back in November, Gerber and Jamison D. Ernest - collectively known as WE23 - co-designed a $280 unisex hooded '1Z' onesie in collaboration with Malibu clothing company, Bleusalt. Modeling gig! On September 7, Harper's BAZAAR published an interview with the Brentwood-born blond's 21-year-old sister Kaia Gerber and Celine artistic director Hedi Slimane, which also featured photos of him Presley - who boasts 144K social media followers - captioned the b&w spread: 'Shoots with my lil sis at home feeling blessed. Thank you @hedislimane @celine' 'You'll never take it off': Back in November, Gerber and Jamison D. Ernest - collectively known as WE23 - co-designed a $280 unisex hooded '1Z' onesie in collaboration with Malibu clothing company, Bleusalt In 2020, Us Weekly reported that the DNA Model lived in the guest house of the $1.8M Malibu home owned by his parents, nineties supermodel Cindy Crawford and Casamigos co-founder Rande Gerber. At the time, Presley - who lasered off his 'misunderstood' face tattoo last year - was also working in the kitchen of his 60-year-old father's Malibu restaurant Cafe Habana. Back in 2016, Gerber told French Vogue he wanted to study business in college and that he sees himself in 10 years: 'Living in NY, owning my own bar/club, and following in my dad's footsteps.' 2018 family portrait: In 2020, Us Weekly reported that the DNA Model lived in the guest house of the $1.8M Malibu home owned by his parents, nineties supermodel Cindy Crawford (2-L) and Casamigos co-founder Rande Gerber (L) The team behind Chicago Fire was forced to stop filming after a shooting occurred not far from the show's production area on Wednesday. According to CWBChicago, the cast and crew of the drama series were working at A.A. Rayner and Son's Funeral Home on the city's West Side when a gunman began firing from a corner opposite the set. The assailant 'fired several shots at people' before jumping into a black SUV and escaping through an alleyway. The media outlet reported that it was not immediately clear who the shooter was firing towards. A fire also broke out nearby which caused confusion as the real firefighters were in the same uniforms as the actors playing firefighters on Chicago Fire. Incident: The team behind Chicago Fire was forced to stop filming after a shooting occurred not far from the show's production area on Wednesday; a stock photo from the series showing (l-r) Miranda Rae Mayo as Stella Kidd, Christian Stolte as Mouch, Alberto Rosende as Blake Gallo A spokesperson for the Chicago Police Department later confirmed that an armed gunman 'shot at a group of people standing in the 5900 block of West Madison.' A source described as being from the film industry spoke to the media outlet and recalled that the shooting 'happened mid-take.' They added that 'no one was injured on set, but a bullet did ricochet off some equipment.' In the middle of it all: A source described as being from the film industry spoke to the media outlet and recalled that the shooting 'happened mid-take' The cast and crew of the program entered into security protocol immediately following the incident. Although the Chicago Police Department had provided at least six marked cars to the production team in an effort to strengthen their security, the source expressed that the shooting 'happened right in front of them all.' The media outlet revealed that the incident is actively being investigated by police. Although People reported that the program would resume shooting on Thursday, Variety reported that there was no set date as to when the show's cast and crew would return to set. The shooting was not the only incident that occurred near the show's set on Wednesday, as a fire broke out not far from where the program had been filming. Looking into it: The media outlet revealed that the incident is actively being investigated by police According to Fox News, the series' cast had been practicing how to extinguish a fire when another broke out just down the street from the show's production area. One of A.A. Rayner and Son's Funeral Home's funeral directors, Charles Childs Jr, spoke to the media outlet and expressed that there was much confusion regarding the costumed actors working on real fires. He stated: 'While Chicago Fire Department responded, Chicago Fire television stars and crew were just one block away so people saw the actors and wanted to know why they weren't responding to the real fire.' Childs added that 'while all of this was going on, some idiot used a firearm and shoots at people. We don't know who was being targeted. We don't know who the assailant was.' The funeral director, who stated that there were around 70 people in the set's vicinity, went on to remark that the events of the day were completely unprecedented in scale. More problems: According to Fox News, the series' cast had been practicing how to extinguish a fire when another broke out just down the street from the show's production area 'It was chaotic because all these activities were going on at the same time...it was one of those days. You couldn't have written this in a novel,' he said. Childs concluded by stating: 'We're all thankful that nobody got hurt here.' Chicago Fire was created by Dick Wolf and made its debut on NBC in 2012. The program follows the personal and professional lives of several firefighters living and working in the Windy City. The show stars performers such as Jesse Spencer, Monica Raymund and Kara Killmer, among others. The series' forthcoming eleventh season is currently set to premiere on September 21. James Bond fans could be in for a treat as Ian Fleming's Instagram account has teased a special announcement coming up for the franchise. Sharing a cryptic post of a retro typewriter, the account - under the late writer's name [he died in 1964], teased the announcement for October 5, which has officially been dubbed 'James Bond day'. It comes as rumours continue to circulate over who will take over the 007 agent role - with stars such as Tom Hardy and Henry Cavill looking to be the front runners. News: James Bond fans have been sent wild as the franchise's writers tease a new announcement 'See you on James Bond Day! #007,' penned the account- adding eyeball emojis. And the post left fans full of excitement, taking to the comments as one wrote that they were 'eagerly anticipating' the news. October 5 is also known as James Bond Day for fans of the long-running franchise - as it is the date of the 1962 World Premiere of the first James Bond film. This day of celebrations first began in 2012 when the Bond films celebrated their golden anniversary - holding events all around the globe. Coming soon: Sharing a cryptic post of a retro typewriter, the account teased the announcement for October 5, which has officially been dubbed 'James Bond day' No Time To Die marked Daniel Craig's fifth and final film, raising questions of who will be taking on the role. Tom Hardy seemingly confirmed that he wants to be the next 007 - by refusing to talk about the part in fear it will get him blacklisted. Speaking to the Daily Beast in 2017, he admitted: 'If I mention it, its gone.' He explained: 'You know, theres a saying amongst us in the fraternity of acting, and in the fellowship of my peer group, that if you talk about it youre automatically out of the race. So I cant possibly comment on that one!' Excitement brewing: And the post left fans full of excitement, taking to the comments as one wrote that they were 'eagerly anticipating' the news Could it be? No Time To Die marked Daniel Craig's fifth and final film, raising questions of who will be taking on the role - including Henry Cavill (left) and Tom Hardy (right) While Henry has been on record for years indicating he's still interested in the coveted role should an opportunity arise. He told The Sunday Times in 2021 that 'time will tell' if he becomes the latest actor to portray the iconic role, with Daniel Craig exiting the action franchise. 'You don't know which direction they want to take Bond in and so I like to say that everything's always on the table,' he said. The Superman star, who was up for the role in 2005 when Daniel was cast, speculated on who could be eyed for the role. He told GQ in 2020 that he 'would absolutely jump at the opportunity' if it arose, as he 'would love to play Bond' and that 'it would be very, very exciting.' Calendars ready: The account also shared the post to their story as they teased the announcement Talented: Bookmakers placed Henry at the forefront with 5/2, as Rege Jean-Page (pictured in July 2022) has odds of 4/1 Another favourite is Rege Jean-Page, who admitted last year that he's 'flattered' to be included among a host of British stars tipped for the iconic role. He told The Mirror: 'Ah, the B word. I think that if you are British and you do anything of note, that other people take notice of, then people will start talking about that.' However despite being the bookies favourite, the Bridgerton star said he was bemused by the idea of making any plans at 'this moment in history' and has 'given up' doing so. Fans have been reliving the famous James Bond sketch between Daniel Craig and Queen Elizabeth II, following her death last week at age 96. The world saw a more spirited side to Her Majesty when she made a cameo appearance in director Danny Boyle's opening ceremony for the Olympic Games. Old times: Fans have been reliving the famous James Bond sketch between Daniel Craig and Queen Elizabeth II, following her death last week at age 96 (pictured in the sketch) In the comedy sketch, Craig, 54, called at Buckingham Palace to summon the Queen to the event. Looking back on the time with fond memories, the actor described filming a scene with the Queen for London 2012 as "an incredible thing" while admitting the country will never again see the likes of the late monarch. The Queen, who was sitting at her writing desk, made him wait before greeting him with the words: 'Good evening, Mr. Bond.' They walked together, along with some of her corgis, towards a helicopter and set off, flying over London to the Olympic Stadium, concluding with a stunt double of the Queen parachuting into the arena. Seconds later, the real Queen, wearing the same peach dress as the stunt double, entered the stadium to rapturous applause. Reflecting on the scene, Craig told the BBC at the Toronto International Film Festival: 'What an incredible thing. We will not see the likes of her ever again. 'To be alive during her reign is something else. (I'm) very saddened, so I suppose good luck to Charles, really.' Victoria Hervey looked effortlessly chic in a colourful striped one shoulder top and grey jeans as she ran errands in London on Thursday. The socialite, 45, strutted her stuff in a pair of lace up black shoes and wore a pair of orange framed sunglasses. She kept warm under a black leather jacket with sparkle detailing and wore a large eye catching Gucci belt. Out and about: Victoria Hervey looked effortlessly chic in a colourful striped one shoulder top and grey jeans as she ran errands in London on Thursday The model styled her blonde tresses poker straight from a side parting and accessorised with several bracelets. The aristocrat - who is the daughter of the late Victor Hervey, 6th Marquess of Bristol, and sister of the 8th Marquess Lady Isabella Hervey - was seen on a phone call as she walked around the streets. Lady Victoria is making the most of relaxed COVID restrictions across the US after previously admitting she rarely wears protective face coverings. Chic: The socialite, 45, strutted her stuff in a pair of lace up black shoes and wore a pair of orange framed sunglasses Last year the Miami resident told the Daily Mail: 'I'm not going to lie, I never wear a mask, adding that she 'storms out' of any shops that ask her to put one on. Even so, she went into business supplying PPE at the start of the pandemic, but insisted that she isn't a hypocrite. 'I did a little bit of a pivot,' she said. 'But no, it doesn't! I was selling it to hospitals, not to people out walking their dogs or shopping.' Asked if she would ever take the Covid vaccine, added: 'No way! It's a personal thing, and my mother's had hers, but at my age I really believe in natural immunity.' Casual: The model styled her blonde tresses poker straight from a side parting and accessorised with several bracelets Amazing: Victoria kept refreshed with a smoothie as she walked around the streets of the city She admitted that pregnancy magazine Project Baby had also influenced her thinking as she has a prospective sperm donor/father lined up, should she decide to start a family. Six of her eggs were frozen and stored three years ago, at a cost of 11,000, and she spent the time afterwards looking for a donor. 'I had a friend who was going to be my sperm donor. He was going to be involved in my child's life, but as a friend, not a partner,' she explained. 'And I was supposed to be pregnant now. But then Covid happened, which was a big blow, but looking back I'm really grateful I didn't do it with that person. He just wasn't right.' Winnie Harlow looked like she borrowed an outfit from Barbie as she headed to The Sherri Show. The 28-year-old Canadian supermodel wore a pink mini dress, paired with a matching pink jean jacket. She teamed the layered look with a pair of high-heel shoes and a gold necklace as she carried along a bag. Her brunette hair was worn down for the occasion as she showcased her natural looks with minimal make-up. Hot like Barbie: Winnie Harlow looked like Barbie as she headed to the Sherri Show. The 28-year-old Canadian supermodel wore a pink mini dress, paired with a matching pink jean jacket The model showed off her modeling skills while she walked the runway at the Puma fashion show during New York Fashion Week, alongside Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt. She also walked at the Tommy Hilfiger runway show, as she continued to showcase her stunning beauty and fashion trends during NYFW. The world-renowned model candidly expressed her irritation with the Instagram algorithm, especially as an entrepreneur and avid user of social media. In the midst of drafting her Instagram post, Harlow said, 'just thinking about the Instagram algorithms and all the changes and how Instagram doesnt want to be itself but wants to tell us that we need to be creating unique content, but it doesnt want to be uniquely itself.' NYFW fun: The model showed off her modeling skills while she walked the runway at the Puma fashion show during New York Fashion Week, alongside Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt her own social media trend: Harlow said, 'Just thinking about the Instagram algorithms and all the changes and how Instagram doesnt want to be itself but wants to tell us that we need to be creating unique content, but it doesnt want to be uniquely itself Apparently, Harlow has been 'doing a study on it' for the past few months and became deeply invested in exploring the effects of the social media algorithm and how it impacts content creators. In comparison to the content that she produced last year, her engagement numbers have significantly decreased. For example, Harlow noted that her event recap of the CAY Skin x Tao Beach pool party average numbers for a post, but the trending 'Kitana wins' audio from the Mortal Kombat games received the highest amount of views, likes, and comments shes ever gotten. The problem? This wasnt original content made by Harlow herself and is not a direct reflection of neither her personal nor professional brand. 'I understand it. It conflicts with who I am, because I dont want to conform to doing what Instagram is saying I have to do, in order to be seen. I want to do things that are authentic to me. So its like a rock and a hard place,' she said. 'I do get it and I know what I can do, but its the same content that everyone is making. Theres nothing new. Theres nothing fresh.' Her pal: Harlow and Kim Kardashian attend the FENDI 25th Anniversary of the Baguette at Hammerstein Ballroom on September 9 in New York City While advocating for diversity through her personal platform, Harlow is consistently learning how to stay authentic to her own brand in an ever-evolving beauty, fashion, and style industry. 'I think were all learning how to do it even better every single day. I think over my career, I was a little bit scared of representing, especially people who quote-unquote are different.' And she said her whole thing has been breaking down that idea of different because were all different. If were all different, then were technically all normal, Harlow said. 'Why cant someone in a wheelchair be in a campaign with Bella Hadid instead of me? Im not going to allow you to fit any of us into a box that Im working to break down barriers for. I want all of those people to have the same opportunities that Im working for and Im not going to create that by allowing you to smoosh us all together in one box.' Kylie Jenner looked incredible as she sported a halter neck top made of lipsticks to promote her new cosmetics collection for a quirky shoot on Thursday. The cosmetics mogul, 25, playfully showed a bit of side-boob in the racy snaps with as she pulled down her leather skirt to reveal her taught tummy for CR Fashion Book. The shoot comes just seven months after welcoming her second child - a son who was previously named Wolf - in February with Travis Scott. Bundled in chains: Kylie Jenner looked incredible as she sported a halter neck top made of lipsticks to promote her new cosmetics collection for a quirky shoot on Thursday Kylie, who is also mother to daughter Stormi, four, spoke to the fashion bible about how she is planning to save clothing for her. She said: 'I save everything for my daughterI have the most amazing pieces, and I cannot wait to share my entire archive with her when she is older. 'Im so excited to see how she is going to wear and style them! And hopefully she wears one of my Met dresses to prom.' She also said she loved being at this year's Met Gala with sister Kendall. 'It was very special to be there with my family at such an iconic event! We have talked about this moment for so many years, so it was amazing to have it finally happen,' she shared. Cosmetic queen: The cosmetics mogul, 25, playfully showed a bit of side-boob in the racy snaps with as she pulled down her leather skirt to reveal her taught tummy for CR Fashion Book Mother and daughter duo: Kylie, who is also mother to daughter Stormi, four, spoke to the fashion bible about how she is planning to save clothing for her And she touched on what season two of The Kardashians will be like. 'It definitely shows an exciting time in my lifethe second season focuses on me getting back to my life and work after having a baby. Im excited to share that journey with viewers,' said Jenner. On Tuesday, Kylie and her mother, Kris Jenner, celebrated the arrival of their new Kylie Cosmetics collaboration, Kris, inspired by the 66-year-old momagers love for martinis. To promote their range of products, they shared a short video on Instagram in which they held martinis in all-black ensembles while dancing. The clip portrays the mother-daughter duo in glamorous close-ups bathed in blackness, contrasted with Kylies bright red pouty lips. Bottoms up: The mother-daughter duo posed in glam photos and sipped martinis to introduce the Martini Kris collection Seasoned: CR Fashion Book has established itself as fashion's foremost bible of inspiration Sultry sibling: The entrepreneur has also created products for her sister, Kendall, 26, and her half-siblings Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe Kardashian Martini girl: On Tuesday, Kylie and her mother, Kris Jenner, celebrated the arrival of their new Kylie Cosmetics collaboration, inspired by the 66-year-old momagers love for martinis The 25-year-old entrepreneur and her mother teamed up using social media to get fans excited for the collections release last week when they applied several of the products. Kylie captioned, I love collaborating with you, mommy. The products worn around her neck are available for sale On Kyliecosmetics.com, where the star wrote, 'My Lip Shine Lacquer Bundle contains eight shades of this lightweight, 2-in-1 formula that delivers the color payoff of a lipstick and luminous shine of a gloss. Featuring a non-sticky, comfortable texture, these lacquers work to nourish the lips while leaving you with an ultra-soft pout. It's the perfect bundle for multiple lip looks.' Kylie, previously credited as the most influential celebrity in the fashion industry by the New York Post, is a well-seasoned collaborator. Having fun: The 25-year-old entrepreneur captioned an Instagram post last week, I love collaborating with you, mommy. Dream come true: In her own handwriting, on one of the images, Kylie wrote, 'It was my dream to land a cover' Artsy: The fashionista created a palette of colors mixing objects In 2018, the duo collaborated on a Momager lip collection. The entrepreneur has also created products for her sister, Kendall, 26, and her half-siblings Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe Kardashian. The Kardashians star and her siblings are very supportive of each other, often engaging in cross-promotion. Season two of The Kardashians premieres on Hulu on September 22. Kylie's right foot: Kylie's peek-a-boo toed sandal revealed glittering polish and a toe-ring She won Love Island 2022 alongside her beau Davide Sanclimenti and has since become a global success. And Ekin-Su Culculoglu has revealed that several famous faces have slid into her DMs since her stint on the ITV2 dating show, including comedian Amy Schumer. The Turkish beauty, 28, who recently made her catwalk debut during New York Fashion Week, said she has now become friends with the I Feel Pretty actress. Celebrity friends! Ekin-Su Culculoglu revealed that several famous faces have slid into her DMs since she won Love Island, including a few Hollywood stars Speaking about which celebrities have slid into her DMs, the actress also teased that a number of other mystery stars had messaged her, describing the chats as 'fun'. She told Metro.co.uk: 'Noah from Stranger Things and Amy Schumer, we're actually friends now! There have been a few other people who have been fun.' Hollywood star Amy, who is a self-confessed Love Island fan and even pre-recorded a video for its spin-off show Aftersun, and Ekin-Su both follow each other on Instagram. Stranger Things' Noah, 17, has previously spoken about chatting with Ekin-Su, as he revealed to his co-star Millie Bobby Brown on an Instagram Live that he had DMed her, and they then shared a video call. New pals: The Turkish beauty, 28, who recently made her catwalk debut during New York Fashion Week, said she has become pals with comedian and actress Amy Schumer (pictured) Although she has been DMing the stars, Ekin-Su revealed she has been so busy with work that she hasn't had the chance to catch up with her fellow Islanders, but insisted she has nothing but love for them all. Ekin-Su will surely become even more popular after she heads off to Italy and Turkey with her boyfriend Davide to film a new spin-off show, which will air in November. Speaking of her new project, Ekin-Su said: 'We've got our show coming out, we're flying out next week, actually, to film, on Monday, we're doing a week in Italy and a week in Turkey. Ekin-Su recently told MailOnline that she is 'living the dream' after departing the Majorcan Villa to a flurry of exciting opportunities. Wow: Speaking about who has DMed her, Ekin-Su said: 'Noah from Stranger Things and Amy Schumer, we're actually friends now! There have been a few other people who have been fun' The star signed a 1million deal with Oh Polly last month making it the biggest partnership in Love Island history. Earlier this week, the TV personality strutted her stuff during New York Fashion week where her beau Davide flew out to America to show his support. Speaking to about her most recent work, Ekin-Su told MailOnline: 'I've lived the American dream since coming out of the villa being in New York for Fashion Week has truly been a dream come true. 'If you'd have told me six months ago I'd be walking down a runway I'd have never believed you! I can't wait to come back and show people what I've been working on. 'We're flying out next week': Ekin-Su will surely become even more popular after she heads off to Italy and Turkey with her boyfriend to film a new spin-off show which will air in November Incredible: Ekin-Su recently told MailOnline she is 'living the dream' after departing the Majorcan Villa to a flurry of exciting opportunities 'It's been a really special trip for our relationship too as we're finally getting to do real boyfriend and girlfriend things exploring the city and having time to ourselves. Davide makes me so happy!' It comes after Ekin-Su's dreams came true on Tuesday as she witnessed her very own advert with the fashion brand being shown on a Times Square digital billboard in New York City. The star took to her Instagram account with a video of herself leaping into her boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti's arms as the ad played in the background while they locked lips. Proud: The star signed a 1million deal with Oh Polly last month making it the biggest partnership in Love Island history and made her catwalk debut during New York Fashion Week The couple packed on the PDA as they stood in the centre of the square, with Italian hunk Davide lifting up his actress girlfriend as they beamed at one another. Ekin-Su chose John Legend's hit All Of Me to accompany the video which saw the pair dressed down in casual wear during the outing. Reflecting on her achievement, Ekin-Su captioned the clip: 'Since I was a little girl I would always dream about New York and how much I wanted to be on Times Square.. I truly believe in faith and being a good person in life. Overjoyed: It comes as Ekin-Su's dreams came true on Tuesday as she witnessed her very own advert with the fashion brand being shown on a Times Square digital billboard in New York City 'Having dreams and working hard. Never giving up. What ever happened in life I never gave up. Never complained even when things weren't going well I'm extremely grateful for everyone around me. All the love all the beautiful support and of course the @ohpolly team. 'My biggest supporter is you @davidesancli I love you so much.' Davide swiftly replied beneath her post, writing: 'My baby I'm soo proud of you. You're beautiful person inside and out, and this is only the beginning, I'll be always there to support you. Love u.' Trisha Paytas has given birth to their first child with their husband Moses Hacmon - following a bizarre online theory involving their baby daughter and the Queen. The YouTuber, 34, who identifies as non-binary and uses the pronouns they/them/she/her, took to social media on Thursday to announce their jovial news. Trisha revealed that they have named their daughter Malibu Barbie Paytas-Hacmon, who they welcomed on Wednesday. Congratulations! Trisha Paytas has given birth to their first child with their husband Moses Hacmon - following a bizarre online theory involving their baby daughter and the Queen It comes after Trisha's fans started a bizarre online theory that her baby would be the Queen's reincarnation, following Her Majesty's death last Thursday. Announcing their baby news, the vlogger also shared an array of adorable snaps of their baby girl as they lay in their hospital bed after giving birth. In one picture, Trisha flashed a huge smile as they cuddled up to baby Malibu Barbie, while the mother and daughter wore matching pink strawberry print outfits. The pair were joined by Trisha's husband Moses in another picture, while a third black-and-white snap showed Trisha laughing while gazing at their newborn baby. Sweet: The YouTuber, 34, who identifies as non-binary and uses the pronouns they/them/she/her, took to social media on Thursday to announce their jovial news Overjoyed: Trisha revealed that they have named their daughter Malibu Barbie Paytas-Hacmon, who they welcomed on Wednesday Alongside the sweet snaps, Trisha penned: 'She has arrived. Meet our daughter, Malibu Barbie Paytas-Hacmon, born 09.14.22.' The social media star's jovial news comes after they were forced to deny they were in labour last week and had to apologise to the Royal Family after the Queen's death. Taking to Instagram on Friday, Trisha shared a photo of their visible baby bump to confirm that they are still 'very much pregnant'. The update came following a tweet where they announced they were 1cm dilated, it was met by responses from fans that claimed their baby would be the Queen's reincarnation. Family: Announcing their baby news, the vlogger also shared an array of adorable snaps of their baby girl as they lay in their hospital bed after giving birth Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest reigning monarch who was on the throne for 70 years, died at the age of 96, Buckingham Palace announced at 6.30pm on Thursday. Trisha, whose career has often been surrounded by controversy, slammed the internet a 'weird place' as they addressed the rumours. They penned: 'Well this is awkward to have to announce that I'm still VERY much pregnant and have NOT given birth. 'I almost felt sad yesterday to tell people this. The internet is a weird place. I don't know how any of those rumours started or why?' Awkward: The social media star's jovial news comes after they were forced to deny they were in labour last week and had to apologise to the Royal Family after the Queen's death Addressing rumours: Taking to Instagram, the vlogger shared a photo of their visible baby bump to confirm that they were still 'very much pregnant' They continued: 'Sorry to the royal family and my baby. Felt weird to say anything at all. But so many people IRL that we know, had been texting and calling about this. 'Including my dad who felt out of the loop as if I wouldn't text him when I was going into labor. Still don't know what to say. Other than - I'm still pregnant. And when I do give birth, we will announce it. Condolences to the royal family. It's very disheartening to hear of the Queen's passing. 'For people genuinely excited for us, can we keep that same energy for the next week? It was very kind and nice to hear but will be even more fun when baby is here with us.' Bizarre: The update came following a tweet where they announced they were 1cm dilated, it was met by responses from fans that claimed their baby would be the Queen's reincarnation It comes as Trisha appeared to confirm that they were in labour as they took to Twitter on Thursday to share an update on their pregnancy. Trisha revealed they were '1 cm dilated' in a post shared one day after their due date and penned: '1 cm dilated! Woo hoo!' Hours later, Buckingham Palace announced the sad news that Queen Elizabeth II had passed away 'peacefully' at Balmoral on Thursday aged 96. Fans of Trisha's then took to Twitter to begin a bizarre theory that their baby would be the Queen's reincarnation. Congratulations! The TV personality had documented their pregnancy journey on social media, sharing regular snaps of their blossoming baby bump to Instagram Expecting: Trisha appeared to confirm that they were in labour as they took to Twitter last Thursday to share an update on their pregnancy Reincarnation, also known as rebirth, is the concept that a non-physical part of a living being can begin a new life, in a different body, after death. The Celebrity Big Brother star has documented their pregnancy journey on social media, sharing regular snaps of their blossoming baby bump to Instagram. They did not reveal their baby name ahead of their daughter's birth, but teased that they had already chosen a name in a YouTube video last month. Wild: Fans of Trisha's then took to Twitter to begin a bizarre theory that their baby would be the Queen's reincarnation Trisha revealed that they were expecting a baby girl in a gender reveal party in April, sharing a picture of herself and husband Moses surrounded by pink confetti. Trisha and Moses became pregnant shortly after getting married, but Trisha had previously believed that they couldn't get pregnant naturally. In 2016, Trisha detailed their infertility journey in a YouTube video, explaining that they had been told by doctors that they couldn't have children due to scar tissue from undiagnosed chlamydia. Exciting: Trisha revealed that they were expecting a baby girl in a gender reveal party in April, sharing a picture of herself and husband Moses surrounded by pink confetti They explained: 'The first time I ever went to a doctor about this at 25 told me I was never going to have kids. Another doctor was like 'IVF is going to be your best route because your tubes are just too, too scarred up'.' In February, they took to Instagram to announce that they were pregnant and expecting their first child with husband Moses Hacmon. Trisha shared the exciting news via Instagram in honour of Valentine's Day, posting a snapshot of their sonogram. They wrote: 'Love at first [heart] beat. #HappyValentinesDay.' Baby on board: In February, they took to Instagram to announce that they were pregnant and expecting their first child with husband Moses Hacmon Trisha, who has more than a million YouTube subscribers, is prolific on social media, which has led to numerous scandals and many feuds with other influencers over the years. In 2017, they received a lot of media attention after they uploaded a video called 'I'm no longer a person' - which showed them walking around in their underwear with a bag over their head. 'Because I no longer have an identity, I don't want to be made fun of or compared to my videos because they are no longer me,' they said in the video. Romance: Trisha and Moses first met in 2020 after they were set up by fellow YouTubers Ethan and Hila Klein on their dating show. Moses, an Israeli artist and architect, is Hila's brother 'I am stepping back from a persona, from a person that is Trish.' In another YouTube video posted a few months later, Trisha said that they now identified as a 'chicken nugget.' 'I don't think I should be considered crazy for identifying as such,' they stated at the time. They have also released 11 books and stepped into the music world - dropping nine albums throughout their career. This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices. On Thursday, Sony Pictures unveiled the first trailer for its fully-authorized Whitney Houston biopic - I Wanna Dance with Somebody - but fans were concerned that Naomi Ackie didn't resemble her enough. The British 30-year-old (The Score, Master of None) 'put in a year of rigorous preparation' to embody the late R&B belter and also executive produced Kasi Lemmons' film hitting US theaters December 21. And while Whitney fans praised Naomi's speaking voice - they took to Twitter to say she looked more like Houston's Cinderella castmate Brandy, Heather Headley, or Alfre Woodard. What do you think? On Thursday, Sony Pictures unveiled the first trailer for its fully-authorized Whitney Houston biopic - I Wanna Dance with Somebody - but fans were concerned that Naomi Ackie didn't resemble her enough The preview begins in 1983 with Cissy Houston (Tamara Tunie) telling her 20-year-old daughter nicknamed 'Nippy' to sing for her at her New York nightclub, Sweetwaters, because she had lost her voice. Whitney is then seen singing the first line of How Will I Know in front of RCA Music Group CEO Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci), which is historically inaccurate. It was Arista Records A&R rep Gerry Griffith who was at Sweetwaters - not Clive - and Houston reportedly sang Diana Ross' 1978 Wiz song Home - not her 1985 global hit. Regardless, Davis - who's an executive producer on the biopic - did go on to sign Whitney to a worldwide record deal launching her career into the stratosphere. Side-by-side comparison: The British 30-year-old (The Score, Master of None) 'put in a year of rigorous preparation' to embody the late R&B belter and also executive produced Kasi Lemmons' film hitting US theaters December 21 'Looks nothing like Whitney': And while Whitney fans praised Naomi's speaking voice - they took to Twitter to say she looked more like Houston's Cinderella castmate Brandy, Heather Headley, or Alfre Woodard A radio DJ is seen confronting Houston over the 'common criticism' that her 'music isn't black enough.' The six-time Grammy winner - who was famously booed at the Soul Train Awards in 1989 - clapped back: 'Look, I don't know how to sing black, and I don't know how to sing white either. I know how to sing.' There's shots of Whitney acting in The Bodyguard, her 1998 music video It's Not Right but It's Okay, as well as her Super Bowl rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner (which was technically lip-synced). 'My dream? Sing what I want to sing, be how I want to be,' Houston says in the trailer. 'My voice is gone. You start the show tonight': The preview begins in 1983 with Cissy Houston (R, Tamara Tunie) telling her 20-year-old daughter nicknamed 'Nippy' to sing for her at her New York nightclub, Sweetwaters Historically inaccurate: Whitney is then seen singing the first line of How Will I Know in front of RCA Music Group CEO Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci) 'That don't even make sense in her timeline!' It was Arista Records A&R rep Gerry Griffith who was at Sweetwaters - not Clive - and Houston reportedly sang Diana Ross' 1978 Wiz song Home - not her 1985 global hit Success: Regardless, Davis - who's an executive producer on the biopic - did go on to sign Whitney to a worldwide record deal launching her career into the stratosphere Challenges: A radio DJ is seen confronting Houston over the 'common criticism' that her 'music isn't black enough' The six-time Grammy winner - who was famously booed at the Soul Train Awards in 1989 - clapped back: 'Look, I don't know how to sing black, and I don't know how to sing white either. I know how to sing' 'Reach as big an audience as I can.' Some fans were relieved the preview did not include Whitney's substantial drug problems, which worsened during her 14-year marriage to Bobby Brown (Ashton Sanders). There was also no sign of the musical couple's late daughter Bobbi Kristina (Bria Danielle Singleton), but there were two scenes featuring her roommate-turned-executive assistant Robyn Crawford (Nafessa Williams). Crawford detailed their lesbian love in her 2019 memoir A Song for You: 'She said we shouldn't be physical any more, because it would make our journey even more difficult. She said if people find out about us, they would use this against us, and back in the 80s that's how it felt.' Memorable moments: There's shots of Whitney acting in The Bodyguard, her 1998 music video It's Not Right but It's Okay, as well as her Super Bowl rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner (which was technically lip-synced) Houston says in the trailer: 'My dream? Sing what I want to sing, be how I want to be. Reach as big an audience as I can' 1992 wedding: Some fans were relieved the preview did not include Whitney's substantial drug problems, which worsened during her 14-year marriage to Bobby Brown (Ashton Sanders) Sapphic pair: There was also no sign of the musical couple's late daughter Bobbi Kristina (Bria Danielle Singleton), but there were two scenes featuring her roommate-turned-executive assistant Robyn Crawford (R, Nafessa Williams) Crawford detailed their lesbian love in her 2019 memoir A Song for You: 'She said we shouldn't be physical any more, because it would make our journey even more difficult. She said if people find out about us, they would use this against us, and back in the 80s that's how it felt' 'Whitney deserves better': I Wanna Dance with Somebody was also executive produced by Denis O'Sullivan and written by Anthony McCarten - the men behind the forgettable 2018 Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody I Wanna Dance with Somebody was also executive produced by Denis O'Sullivan and written by Anthony McCarten - the men behind the forgettable 2018 Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. Houston tragically died, age 48, in 2012 from an accidental drowning as well as atherosclerotic heart disease, and she had five drugs in her system including cocaine. During her nearly three-decade career, Whitney released seven albums, acted in five movies, and sold over 200M records worldwide. RIP: Houston tragically died, age 48, in 2012 from an accidental drowning as well as atherosclerotic heart disease, and she had five drugs in her system including cocaine (pictured in 1988) Sombre scenes of Britons paying their respects to the Queen while she lies in state were interrupted by two excitable children who were caught smiling and waving during a live Australian news broadcast. The children, possibly brother and sister, realised they were on camera just before 10pm local time during Sunrise reporter Edwina Bartholomew's live cross from London. The young girl noticed the camera crew first, smiling and waving a few metres behind Bartholomew as she spoke to co-anchors Natalie Barr and David Koch, who were broadcasting from outside Buckingham Palace. Sombre scenes of Britons paying their respects to the Queen while she lies in state were interrupted by two children who were caught smiling and waving during a live Australian news broadcast. (Pictured: a girl waving behind Sunrise reporter Edwina Bartholomew) The boy then started waving his arms in the air before sheepishly walking away. Thousands of mourners waited for hours on Thursday in a line that stretched for nearly seven kilometres across London for the chance to spend a few minutes filing past Queen Elizabeth II's coffin while she lies in state. King Charles III spent the day in private to reflect on his first week on the throne. The queue to pay respects to the late queen at Westminster Hall was at least a nine-hour wait, snaking across a bridge and along the south bank of the River Thames beyond Tower Bridge. But people said they didn't mind the wait, and authorities brought in portable toilets and other facilities to make the slog bearable. The young girl noticed the camera crew first, smiling and waving a few metres behind Bartholomew. The boy then waved his arms in the air before sheepishly walking away 'I'm glad there was a queue, because that gave us time to see what was ahead of us, prepared us and absorbed the whole atmosphere,' healthcare professional Nimisha Maroo said. 'I wouldn't have liked it if I'd had to just rush through.' A week after the Queen died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland after 70 years on the throne, the focus of commemorations was in Westminster - the heart of political power in London. Her coffin will lie in state at Westminster Hall until Monday, when it will be taken across the street to Westminster Abbey for the Queen's funeral. Bartholomew was speaking to Sunrise co-anchors Natalie Barr and David Koch Buckingham Palace on Thursday released details about the service, the first state funeral held in Britain since the death of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1965. Royalty and heads of state from around the world are expected to be among the 2,000 people attending, with a smaller burial service planned for later Monday at Windsor Castle. Late Monday, the Queen will be buried in a private family service at Windsor alongside her late husband Prince Philip, who died last year. Thousands of mourners waited for hours on Thursday in a line that stretched for nearly seven kilometres across London for the chance to spend a few minutes filing past Queen Elizabeth II's coffin while she lies in state The guest list for the state funeral is a roll-call of global power and pomp, from Japan's Emperor Naruhito and King Felipe VI of Spain to U.S. President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and the prime ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau, who first met the monarch when he was a child and his father Pierre Trudeau was Canada's leader, said the Queen was 'one of my favourite people in the world'. 'Her conversations with me were always candid, we talked about anything and everything, she gave her best advice on a range of issues, she was always curious, engaged and thoughtful,' he said at a special session of the Canadian parliament in Ottawa. After a day of high ceremony and high emotions on Wednesday as the Queen's coffin was carried in sombre procession from Buckingham Palace, the King was spending Thursday working and in 'private reflection' at his Highgrove residence in western England. Charles has had calls with Biden and Macron and has been speaking to a host of world leaders. Britons said they didn't mind the wait, and authorities brought in portable toilets and other facilities to make the slog bearable Prince William, the heir to the throne, and his wife Catherine, the Princess of Wales, visited the Royal Family's Sandringham estate in eastern England on Thursday to admire some of the tributes left by well-wishers. The couple walked slowly along metal barriers as they received bouquets from the public and chatted to everyday Britons. Other royals fanned out across the UK to thank people for their support, with the queen's youngest son, Prince Edward, and his wife Sophie visiting Manchester and the Queen's daughter Princess Anne in Glasgow. On Wednesday, the Queen left Buckingham Palace for the last time, borne on a horse-drawn carriage and saluted by cannons and the tolling of Big Ben, in a solemn procession through the flag-draped, crowd-lined streets of London to Westminster Hall. Charles, his siblings and sons marched behind the coffin, which was topped by a wreath of white roses and the queen's diamond-studded crown on a purple velvet pillow. The military procession underscored Elizabeth's seven decades as head of state. Prince William, the heir to the throne, and his wife Catherine, the Princess of Wales, visited the Royal Family's Sandringham estate in eastern England on Thursday to admire some of the tributes left by well-wishers Her lying-in-state, meanwhile, allowed many Britons to say a personal goodbye to the only monarch most have ever known. It's also a huge logistical operation, with a designated 16-kilometre queuing route lined with first aid points and more than 500 portable toilets. There are 1,000 stewards and marshals working at any given time, and 30 religious leaders from a range of faiths to talk to those in line. Monica Thorpe said she had walked for two hours to get to the back of the line and join the queue. 'People were just walking and walking and the policemen were like, "Keep going, keep going." It was like the yellow-brick road,' she said. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the spiritual leader of the Church of England, wore a high-visibility vest emblazoned with the words 'Faith Team' as he spoke to mourners. Welby, who will deliver a sermon at Elizabeth's funeral on Monday, paid tribute to the Queen as 'someone you could trust totally, completely and absolutely, whose wisdom was remarkable'. The Princess of Wales met children from Howard Junior School in King's Lynn, just six miles away from the Queen's country retreat at Sandringham People old and young, dressed in dark suits or jeans and sneakers, walked in a steady stream Thursday through the historic hall, where Guy Fawkes and Charles I were tried, where kings and queens hosted magnificent medieval banquets, and where previous monarchs have lain in state. After passing the coffin, most mourners paused to look back before going out through the hall's great oak doors. Some were in tears; others bowed their heads or curtseyed. One sank onto a knee and blew a farewell kiss. Keith Smart, an engineer and British Army veteran, wiped away tears as he left the hall. He had waited more than 10 hours for the chance to say goodbye. 'Everybody in the crowd was impeccably behaved. There was no malice, everybody was friends. It was fantastic,' he said. 'And then, to come into that room and see that, I just broke down inside. I didn't bow; I knelt to the floor, on my knees, bowed my head to the Queen.' Julia Fox and Kanye West split just before Valentine's Day 2022 after a whirlwind two month romance. And the star opened up about their very brief romance for ES Magazine, revealing that she was the one who initiated the split due to 'red flags.' 'It just seems like he had a lot to work on, and I just don't have time for it, or energy,' the 32-year-old said about Kanye, 45. Candid: Julia Fox and Kanye West split just before Valentine's Day 2022 after a whirlwind two month romance. And the star opened up about their very brief romance for ES Magazine , revealing that she was the one who initiated the split due to 'red flags;' seen September 13, 2022 during the Jonathan Simkhai New York Fashion Week Show 'The unresolved issues that he was dealing with,' she said when asked what the red flags she saw were. 'It just seems like he had a lot to work on, and I just don't have time for it, or energy. I don't have the bandwidth or emotional capacity for it. I'm proud of myself for that,' she added. 'Pre-Valentino Julia would have definitely stuck it out and been there for longer,' she said. Valentino is her 18-month-old son with ex-husband Peter Artemiev. Real talk: 'It just seems like he had a lot to work on, and I just don't have time for it, or energy,' the 32-year-old said about Kanye, 45; seen together on January 23, 2022 during Paris Fashion Week at the Kenzo Fall/Winter 2022/2023 show Julia gave more insight on their relationship and how they linked up: 'He got my number through a mutual friend, period.' The mother of one said they had 'a good amount' of romantic sparks, with the star revealing that she just wanted to see where it would go. 'I was just going day by day and seeing where it went. It was just like, he still wants to hang out with me today, let's do it. And then real life set in and the lifestyle wasn't suitable. I couldn't fly away once a week. And I tapped out at the first sign of a red flag,' Julia said. Happier times: Julia gave more insight on their relationship and how they linked up: 'He got my number through a mutual friend, period'; January 24, 2022 Julia and Kanye met over New Year's in Miami before they split just before Valentine's Day. Kanye West and Julia Fox were first spotted together over New Year's weekend. In February, the mother of one admitted she was never 'in love' with the rapper, and confirmed their split. Rather than be upset, rising star Julia referred to herself as a '#1 hustler' and hinted that she now plans to write a tell-all book about the short-lived romance. Made In Chelsea's James Taylor and Maeva D'Ascanio have sparked wedding rivalry with fellow show stars Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo ahead of both couple's upcoming nuptials. James, 27, and Maeve, 26, who have been together for three years and are expecting a baby together, got engaged in April while visiting the Trevi Fountain in Rome, while Jamie, 33, and Sophie, 28, announced in December that they too are soon set to say 'I do'. And James has jokingly claimed his and Maeva's wedding is going to be in a 'different league' from Jamie and Sophie's, with Maeva insisting: 'A race horse doesn't compete with a pony.' Happy days? Made In Chelsea's James Taylor and Maeva D'Ascanio (pictured) have sparked wedding rivalry with fellow show stars Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo Revealing their plans to get married in 2023, Maeva told Johnny Seifert on the Secure The Insecure podcast: 'The plans are for a Christmas wedding next year but that's it for now. It's going be here in England. We're just waiting to actually start the process of organising the wedding. 'Right now we're trying to be focused on the baby. Otherwise, it's too much to think about.' When asked if the guest list would have many of the same names as Jamie and Sophie's big day, James added: 'There will be similar guests, but there's no competition, right? Fighting talk: James has jokingly claimed his and Maeva's wedding is going to be in a 'different league' from Jamie and Sophie's (pictured) 'When you're in a different league, there's a different competition. I'm saying it's Premier League stuff. We're at the top race.' Maeva chimed in: 'A race horse doesn't compete with a pony.' James laughed: 'I think we like we like to throw a bit of shade here and there. Honestly, we're really happy for them. We're not close enough to be in competition. 'Were happy for them, but we're happier for us. So we will enjoy our day and our winter wedding.' Loved up: James, 27, and Maeve, 26, who have been together for three years and are expecting a baby together, got engaged in April and are planning to wed next Christmas in the UK Big news: Jamie, 33, and Sophie, 28, announced their engagement on social media in December and they are planning to marry in May next year Meanwhile James and Maeva spoke of their plans to remain a part of the Made In Chelsea cast. 'We definitely are very much two people that go with the flow,' James said. 'I do have more of a sideline business. So it's a family company that I'm very involved with. That's where my foot out the door from the reality TV world is going. 'Maeve, on the other hand, goes into these other shows and cleans up and really enjoys it. 'And I think it's something so fresh for an English TV audience to see maybe, in all of her Frenchness, because I see it day in and day out. 'We'll both do it until we think the time is up.' Bling! James and Maeva got engaged in April this year while visiting the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy A dream come true: French reality TV personality Maeva recently shared a picture of one of the couple's baby scans as they await the arrival of their first child this November Maeva and James are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their baby in November after announcing the fiery French beauty was pregnant in May. James proposed in April with a 2.5-carat pear-shaped diamond engagement ring which he designed - and had already asked Maeva's father for permission to marry her last year. The engagement may have come as a surprise to some Made In Chelsea viewers after James admitted to kissing another girl behind Maeva's back on the show earlier this year, in what he described as a 'drunken night' at a London club. James' romantic gesture also came weeks after he rejected Maeva when she got down on one knee in scenes filmed for the E4 series. The reality star confessed to drunkenly kissing another woman behind Maeva's back, saying he 'hated' himself for betraying her. Wedding bells! Jamie and Sophie took to their respective Instagram accounts in December to share the happy news of their engagement with their followers Meanwhile, Jamie and Sophie took to their respective Instagram accounts in December to share the happy news of their engagement with their followers, as Jamie announced he 'can't wait to spend the rest of his life' with her. Candy Kittens founder Jamie and his reality star partner, 28, shared loved-up pictures on their social media accounts as they celebrated their engagement with espresso martini cocktails. Delighted Sophie told fans: 'WE ARE GETTING MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with you.' Jamie shared a video of his new fiancee wearing a white 'Mrs Laing To Be' cap by Gigi & Olive as she held her hands up to her face, while appearing to hold back tears. They are set to tie the knot in May next year. Love Island's Davide Sanclimenti proved his girlfriend Ekin-Su Culculoglu was totally irresistible as he tucked into a cake baked to resemble her on Thursday. Taking to Tik Tok the Italian hunk, 27, nibbled on the breast of the lavishly baked treat, which had been presented to his love to celebrate her new range with fashion brand Oh Polly. In the fun clip David cheekily smiled at the camera before leaning in and taking an enormous bite of the impressive cake. Cheeky: Love Island's Davide Sanclimenti , 27, proved his girlfriend Ekin-Su Culculoglu, 28, was totally irresistible as he tucked into a cake baked to resemble her on Thursday The dessert was baked into the curvaceous shape of budding actress Ekin-Su, 28, dressed in a bright orange co-ord from her new range. Davide cut a casual figure in the footage donning a dark hoodie and jeans as well as a pair of circular specs. Beaming for the camera he wrote: 'When you have good taste'. Dessert: Taking to Tik Tok the Italian hunk nibbled on the breast of the lavishly baked treat, which had been presented to his love to celebrate her new range with fashion brand Oh Polly Mouthful: In the fun clip David cheekily smiled at the camera before leaning in and taking an enormous bite of the impressive cake Taking to her own social media Ekin-Su posed next to her doppelganger before playfully telling off her beau as he fondled the cake's ample assets. The stunner looked chic in an all black ensemble and shielded her eyes behind oversized shades. Ekin-Su showed fans the moment she was first surprised with the cake leaving her speechless and overcome with emotion. Twins: The dessert (left) was baked into the curvaceous shape of budding actress Ekin-Su dressed in a bright orange co-ord from her new range (right) Stuffed: Davide cut a casual figure in the footage donning a dark hoodie and jeans as well as a pair of circular specs Ekin-Su signed a 1million deal with Oh Polly last month making it the biggest partnership in Love Island history. And she told MailOnline she is 'living the dream' after departing the Majorcan Villa to a flurry of exciting opportunities whilst she posed in her latest photoshoot for the brand. The Turkish beauty who recently made her catwalk debut during New York Fashion Week, also gushed about her relationship with boyfriend Davide after he flew out to America to show his support. Shock! Ekin-Su showed fans the moment she was surprised with the cake Kiss: She was overcome with emotion and looked at the dessert close-up before planting it with a kiss Speaking to about her most recent work, Ekin-Su told MailOnline: 'I've lived the American dream since coming out of the villa being in New York for Fashion Week has truly been a dream come true. 'If you'd have told me six months ago I'd be walking down a runway I'd have never believed you! I can't wait to come back and show people what I've been working on. 'It's been a really special trip for our relationship too as we're finally getting to do real boyfriend and girlfriend things exploring the city and having time to ourselves. Davide makes me so happy!' Proud: Ekin-Su signed a 1million deal with Oh Polly last month making it the biggest partnership in Love Island history and walked on their runway in NYC It comes after Ekin-Su's dreams came true on Tuesday as she witnessed her very own advert with the fashion brand being shown on a Times Square digital billboard in New York City. The star took to her Instagram account showing a video of herself leaping into her boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti's arms as the ad played in the background while they locked lips. The couple packed on the PDA as they stood in the centre of the square, with Davide lifting up his actress girlfriend as they beamed at one another. Overjoyed: It comes as Ekin-Su's dreams came true on Tuesday as she witnessed her very own advert with the fashion brand being shown on a Times Square digital billboard in New York City Ekin-Su chose John Legend's hit All Of Me to accompany the video which saw the pair dressed down in casual wear during the outing. Reflecting on her achievement, Ekin-Su captioned the clip: 'Since I was a little girl I would always dream about New York and how much I wanted to be on Times Square.. I truly believe in faith and being a good person in life. 'Having dreams and working hard. Never giving up. What ever happened in life I never gave up. Never complained even when things weren't going well I'm extremely grateful for everyone around me. All the love all the beautiful support and of course the @ohpolly team. 'My biggest supporter is you @davidesancli I love you so much.' Davide swiftly replied beneath her post writing: 'My baby I'm soo proud of you. You're beautiful person inside and out , and this is only the beginning, I'll be always there to support you. Love u.' Kathy Hilton blasted co-star Lisa Rinna as 'f***ing disgusting' during Wednesday night's episode of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills. The 63-year-old star's rage was fueled by Rinna's decision to drink Kendall Jenner's 818 tequila over her and daughter Nicky Hilton's Casa Del Sol brand. Hilton, Rinna and their castmates were vacationing together in swanky Aspen, Colorado when the drama unfolded. Drama! Kathy Hilton blasted co-star Lisa Rinna as 'f***ing disgusting' during Wednesday night's episode of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills They were visiting a local hat shop with a full bar setup, which had both 818 and Casa Del Sol stocked and ready to serve. Speaking to the bartender, Rinna asked for 'a little shot of that 818 Tequila' because she wanted 'to see what that tastes like,' as transcribed by Page Six. 'I just want to try it because it's my friend Kendall Jenner's tequila. I just haven't tried it,' she explained. Kendall, 26, launched 818 in May 2021. Meanwhile, Hilton and daughter Nicky are investors in Eva Longoria's brand Casa Del Sol, which also launched in 2021. Vacation gone wrong: Hilton, Rinna and their castmates were vacationing together in swanky Aspen, Colorado when the drama unfolded. They were visiting a local hat shop with a full bar setup, which had both 818 and Casa Del Sol stocked and ready to serve Speaking to the bartender, Rinna asked for 'a little shot of that 818 Tequila' because she wanted 'to see what that tastes like In a confessional, Rinna admitted that she'd seen Hilton's tequila on the shelf but suspected that the mother-of-three had supplied it. 'Of course they have Kathy's tequila and I have a sneaking suspicion that Kathy put it there herself,' she told the camera. 'Kathy made sure that tequila was there and good for her.' After trying Kendall's tequila for herself, Rinna raved about its 'sweet' taste in front of a visibly irked Hilton. 'I cannot fking believe what she just said,' Hilton muttered. 'I just want to try it because it's my friend Kendall Jenner's tequila. I just haven't tried it,' she explained Rubbing it in? After trying Kendall's tequila for herself, Rinna raved about its 'sweet' taste in front of a visibly irked Hilton 'I cannot fking believe what she just said,' Hilton muttered Rinna later revealed to Hilton that she'd only chosen 818 because she was 'curious' about it. This prompted Hilton to sarcastically 'thank' Rinna for her unprovoked explanation. Although the wife of Harry Hamlin insisted to her pal that she also '[loves]' Casa Del Sol, that did little to comfort an enraged Hilton. Turning to her sister Kyle Richards, Hilton declared that she was 'ready to just go home.' Suspicious: In a confessional, Rinna admitted that she'd seen Hilton's tequila on the shelf and suspected that the mother-of-three had made sure it was stocked 'Of course they have Kathy's tequila and I have a sneaking suspicion that Kathy put it there herself,' she told the camera. 'Kathy made sure that tequila was there and good for her' Explanation: Rinna later revealed to Hilton that she'd only chosen 818 because she was 'curious' about it. This prompted Hilton to sarcastically 'thank' Rinna for her unprovoked explanation 'I know. Your whole mood, you have to shake it. Don't let this ruin your whole mood,' said Richards, attempting to calm her older sister. Filling castmates Sutton Stracke and Garcelle Beauvais in on the drama, Hilton reiterated that she was 'leaving' Aspen and didn't want them to 'say anything' to Rinna. 'Because if she brings that up, that's too f***ing disgusting.' She later told Stracke and Beauvais that despite being upset with Rinna, she didn't 'want to make it an issue or anything. You know?' Business venture: Kendall, 26, launched 818 in May 2021 Investors: . Meanwhile, Hilton and daughter Nicky are investors in Eva Longoria's brand Casa Del Sol, which also launched in 2021; Eva seen in 2021 She was also annoyed by Richards' response to Rinna gushing over 818 tequila in front of her. 'Kyle doesn't do a f***ing thing. C'mon, she doesn't say anything and I'm pissed off.' Hilton also had bone to pick the hat shop's bartender for not serving up Casa Del Sol to her friends. 'That is my tequila, so I would really appreciate it if you'd, like, pour it here so people can see,' expressed a frustrated Hilton. 'I don't like to have to do that myself, but I guess if I don't, nobody else does.' Venting: Turning to her sister Kyle Richards, Hilton declared that she was 'ready to just go home' 'I know. Your whole mood, you have to shake it. Don't let this ruin your whole mood,' said Richards This is not the first time that Hilton's tequila has sparked drama on the hit Bravo series. In last week's episode, Hilton was brushed off by her RHOBH co-stars after she suggested they all 'bottoms up' a shot of Casa Del Sol. Hilton's sister Richards shutdown the notion by sounding off a buzzing noise before resuming her conversation with Rinna and castmate Erika Jayne at their Aspen cabin. Hilton's daughter Paris Hilton called her aunt 'so unkind' after getting wind of her antics in the episode. The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills will return next Wednesday on Bravo. Ready to go: Filling castmates Sutton Stracke and Garcelle Beauvais in on the drama, Hilton reiterated that she was 'leaving' Aspen and didn't want them to 'say anything' to Rinna The US Supreme Court turned sharply to the right under the presidency of Donald Trump The US Supreme Court did an about-face Wednesday on a ruling in which it had granted temporary permission for an Orthodox Jewish university in New York to deny official recognition to an LGBTQ student group. Yeshiva University had turned to the court for an urgent ruling after a New York state judge said the school had to let the so-called Pride Alliance register as a student association, which would give it access to certain facilities and services. On Friday, the Supreme Court sided with the university. But now it has vacated that ruling, saying the university has not exhausted all of its legal options at the New York state level. If the university does not succeed in those proceedings, the court said, it "may return to this court." The comment suggests the tug of war is not over. Four of the court's nine judges dissented. "The First Amendment guarantees the right to the free exercise of religion, and if that provision means anything, it prohibits a State from enforcing its own preferred interpretation of Holy Scripture," these judges argued. "It is our duty to stand up for the Constitution even when doing so is controversial," they said. Yeshiva University was founded more than 100 years ago to promote the study of Judaism and has a student body of about 5,000. But it also gives degrees in a variety of non-religious areas such as biology or accounting. In 2018, a group of LGBTQ students formed YU Pride Alliance and sought formal recognition as a student association so they could organize lectures and hold meetings, among other activities. When the university administration said no, the association sued, and a New York state judge sided with it, citing a law banning discrimination. The university then went to the Supreme Court. "As a deeply religious Jewish university, Yeshiva cannot comply with that order because doing so would violate its sincere religious beliefs about how to form its undergraduate students in Torah values," the university stated in its appeal. This clash is part of a broader debate in the United States on striking a balance between religious rights and the principles of non-discrimination. The Supreme Court, which turned sharply to the right under the presidency of Donald Trump, has in recent months issued several rulings in favor of religious rights. In June, it struck down the 50-year old national right to abortion. Country Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Canada Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cuba, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Dominican Republic Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Haiti, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Jamaica Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Mexico, United Mexican States Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu US Virgin Islands Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland United States Minor Outlying Islands United States of America Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Lebanese university signs deal with Chinese institute on nuclear energy research Xinhua) 09:29, September 15, 2022 BEIRUT, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- A Lebanese university and a Chinese institute signed here on Wednesday a cooperation agreement regarding the scientific research on the peaceful development and use of nuclear energy. The agreement was signed by the American University of Beirut (AUB) and the Institute of Plasma Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP), one of the most important laboratories in China on plasma physics. The signature ceremony, which took place at AUB, was attended by AUB Provost Zaher Dawy, the Chinese ambassador to Lebanon Qian Minjian, the Director General of the Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission Bilal Nsouli, and a number of officials and scholars from the two countries. "This cooperation marks a breakthrough in the cooperation between China and Arab states in the field of peaceful development and use of nuclear energy," the Chinese ambassador said. China firmly supports the inalienable right of all countries, particularly developing countries, to use nuclear energy peacefully, he added. "With the steady development of the global nuclear energy industry, promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy and nuclear technology is of great significance to ensuring energy security, coping with climate change, and promoting economic and social development," he said. Lu Kun, ASIPP's vice director who could not attend the signing ceremony, said via video that the collaboration agreement would be an essential step for ASIPP's future strategy. "Through this agreement, AUB and ASIPP will carry out more detailed collaborating activities, from fusion and plasma research to students training and scientists' exchange," he said. For his part, Nsouli said this initiative opens new doors for future regional leaders to receive a high-quality education in science and technology. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Russian Navy units will be fitted with an electronic warfare system (EW) to defend against drone and missile assaults. Sources say the new EW system will be mounted on standard 40-foot sea containers, and it can be placed on the decks of ships, noted Izvestia. Russia's Advanced Electronic Countermeasures With UAVs According to Russian military sources, the Project 22160 series patrol boats will be the initial platforms in the Russian Navy to get the new electronic warfare system, reported EurAsian Times. The vessels are sizable ships intended for guard duty, surveillance, and security on open and closed seas. In the case of a dispute, the ships will be utilized to safeguard the coast and coastal bases. They can also be employed to accompany ship groups and single ships in addition to search and rescue and anti-piracy activities. It has a modular architecture, which means it can accept a variety of weapon equipment and systems for different purposes. Admiral Valentin Selivanov, former head of the Russian Navy's Main Staff, informed Izvestia that its presence of powerful electronic warfare is substantial for the modern naval fleet against drone and missile assault. Electronic warfare is now used to counter drones, tactical aircraft, and cruise missiles by the Russian Navy. As the name implies, Selivanov states that it will patrol this same coastal zone and protect the coast precisely from air strikes. Sea threats can be rebuffed, and the EW system can monitor vessels. He remarked that air strikes could be unexpected. However, if potent means of electronic warfare were accessible, they would be capable of competing with drones, aircraft, and missiles. Read Also: Mark Zuckerberg Net Worth 2022: How Did Facebook Founder Lose $30 Billion in 1 Day? Furthermore, it is a type of electronic warfare that compels the drone to lose its munitions or land wherever it is needed while hindering its attack. As stated by the retired Russian admiral, the Russian military services have already employed electronic warfare hardware in battle conditions in Ukraine. Electronic Warfare System To Thwart Drone Attacks Media coverage of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict mainly focuses on deploying projectiles, heavy weapons, and planes. A hidden battle between the two sides inside that electromagnetic sphere has strongly affected the war. These EW systems used in Ukraine include one supported by Orlan-10 drones, another sophisticated electronic suppression system, and two more which are examples of Russian EWS options for the battlefield or other uses. Orlan-10 drones can block satellite communications, and other blocked signals include 3G and 4G communications, as well as text messages. Another EW system will impede Ukrainian military ground and airborne High Frequency (HF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio channels, and one will jam radio signals. An R-934B "Sinitsa" jamming facility could also distort and, if required, damage low-Earth orbit communication systems and navigation systems. Other systems here include "Krasukha-C4" and the R-330Zh "Zhitel" automatic jamming stations for reconnaissance and electronic attack (EA); the R-330Zh "Zhitel" jammer is capable of interfering with the radar of US AWACS while in operation, blinding them. This comprehensive array of Russian EW systems faltered in the early months of the war, puzzling many military experts who have been monitoring Russian EW possibilities and ideas for years. Russian Navy units will deploy an EW system that can negate drone and missile assaults by blocking electronic signals guiding them. Related Article: IRST Technology Makes the F-35 and F-22 Stealth Feature Vulnerable @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In 2017, BBC 1Xtra offered the spotlight to the Portmore artist Runkus with a freestyle session hosted by the English producer Toddla T. On the day of filming at Tuff Gong International studio, the deejay arrived unbound. Atop the Bam Bam riddim, Runkus began his toast with a brief nod to Yellowman before dashing through his own rapid-fire flows, belting out lines that slipped freely between wit and wisdom. Toddla T, often grinning, popped in and out of the performance while his remix of the world-famous riddim provided a springboard for Runkuss maze-like rhymes. Though short, the video managed to capture the delight of two dutiful students of Jamaican music as they united to honor Dancehalls past and rethink its future. Now, five years on, the two artists have spread that passion across ten tracks on their joint project, Out:Side. The LP closes out Runkuss conceptual trilogy, led by 2016s Move In and 2021s In:Side, and presents the most polished soundtrack yet for Runkuss widescreen imagination. Toddla Ts production, threaded with samples and skits, is rich with texture and constantly blooming. Songs like Big Chune and Nature Calling : In Out feature Runkuss carefully-curated words bounding across the pulse of heavy bass. At the heart of the record is the memory of France Nooks, an artist and a friend of Runkus who was stabbed to death by a taxi driver in 2018. In the wake of this tragedy, Runkuss faith served as both a balm and a guide. Hope you spare me Jah / Hope you hear me now, he sings on the opener Still Alive : Carry Through. Throughout the LP, he unspools the language of grief, confronting pain through aphorisms (A hurt people hurt people,) sharp wordplay (Dem stab you inna taxi / Dat mean smaddy head a buss,) and plainspoken thoughts (Miss me brudda daily bad.) And even when hes grown world-weary, Runkus continues to lift his voice to Zion. Read on as Runkus discusses the stories behind Out:Side, Jamaican concept records, and how Tarrus Riley and Freddie McGregor contributed to his sample-heavy song, Id Like to Know. How did this collaboration with Toddla T come about? I met him in 2016 after an email introduction with Winta James for Toddlas Freshman Freestyle. After that, it was history. When I did the freestyle, people got to see that there are really lyrical, conscious youths out of Jamaica. I really appreciate Toddla for that because he even supported my records from a genuine space while at BBC. We tried to do a mixtape, but it turned into another thing I was doing at the time. In these modern times, I wanted to complete the trilogy that I started with Move In and In:Side. For Out:Side, I already had an idea of what the premise should be. I owed it to my bredren, France Nooks live on forever. When I linked Toddla and asked if he wanted to do the record, he said yeah lets go. It was supposed to be an EP of four or five songs, but then it turned into an LP with ten. It was just pure energy. Do you feel like your approach to crafting a longer project changed while working with him? No sah. Toddla trusts me, thats one. And were both similar in terms of what we want for music and the dopeness that we want to achieve. Were both about the message in the music and about delivering it in a fly way. Delivering it in a way that people can get with. What was some of the music you guys were sharing with each other while you were working on Out:Side? Bare old chune from the 90s. Some Kanye West, some Tyler, the Creator. Tyler actually dropped Call Me If You Get Lost while we were working and I was preeing him like why Tyler? The reason I say that is because I was doing a lot of beat switches on Out:Side, and had already done that heavily on In:Side. Tyler used them a lot on his album but its a signature that I like for myself. I even brought over the idea of using the colon in my track titles to put two songs in one, hence Still Alive : Carry Through as the opening track on this LP. Whats the story behind Id Like To Know? How do samples of Rock the Boat and Big Ship end up on the same song? When Toddla showed me the samples that we had access to through Trojan Records, I started digging and I began setting aside songs that I wanted to use. I found Rock the Boat by Inner Circle in the collection and I cut up the chorus, I did the chords and after that, I was like, alright the song is done, its a girl chune, its a whining chune. Also, even without drums on the song, I kept on singing the big ship sailing on the ocean line from Freddie McGregors song. Tarrus Riley actually heard me working on the song in the studio and he helped me come up with the rest of the chorus for it. After that, Id been asking Uncle Freddie to send us the Big Ship part for a while. Literally, the day that the mix for Id Like to Know came in, we finally got his part. It never made it into the mix so we had to insert it in the master, meaning the song was already done by the time we added Freddies part. When it came in though, I was like yeah man, this record is golden. Concept projects seem to be overlooked by a lot of Jamaican artists, but you thrive on them. Whats the thought process behind making a cohesive concept project for you? It really revolves around two questions: how am I feeling and how do I want people to feel? I always start off with how am I feeling because if I dont know the answer then I cant dictate other peoples feelings or connect with them. A lot of people throw a bunch of songs on their projects without giving thought to how those feelings connect to one another. Theyd rather randomise their feelings, throw it on the records and thats it. But then it doesnt feel cohesive. That intentionality shines through a lot of your work. I dont think there are many concept projects coming out of Jamaica. I dont think we lack the talent because Mavados The Symphony of David Brooks is one of the most conceptual Dancehall records of all time. There are others like Chronixxs Roots and Chalice. Jr. Gongs discography is beautiful to me in terms of how he explores the concept of place, too. Same with Protojes. All of his records centre around time and Ive studied them all. Are there non-Jamaican concept albums that you look to for inspiration? Kanye Wests discography from College Dropout until about Yeezus. You can skip out everything else and just go to Donda. Also, Jay Zs The Black Album and The Blueprint, Eminems The Marshall Mathers LP, and every Kendrick Lamar album. Personally, Im trying to outdo Kendrick. If I was to express myself on a really deep and lyrical level, many people would miss the point though. And Im not trying to do that. Im trying to make sure listeners get what Im saying. Im trying to relate to the people of my culture. When it comes down to concepts, I always want to give people more than they ask for, more than they think they need, and even more than they thought could occur. Its like a disrespect to the universe and to the Almighty if my mind is blessed in these regards and Im not expressing myself. How did making such a personal project affect you? The technicality that went into the project, from a thought process, is not regular. Trust me. I learned a lot about my skillset, a lot about my spirit, and my personality. I learned a lot doing this record. It wasnt just a record for me. Listen, at the end of the day, mi nuh business bout nuh million views, nuh million plays. None a dat. Because this was for France Nooks. Thats all, you know. And my bredrin a smile from Zion right now a say, Yeah, respect my bro. Thank you for immortalising me in the form of a physical thing. When the Egyptian pharaohs dem a leff earth, you know wah dem do? All of dem try build the biggest monuments and the biggest obelisks and leave back something inna earth. You know why? To be remembered. Because the more people say your name, the more power you have inna the spirit realm. Where do you want to take your music from here? Ive already begun conceptualising my next record. I have a bunch of album ideas that I want to make and that I want to produce for people. Ive made a vow to myself to give people more bodies of work that can stand the test of time. I might go on a single-based run after Out:Side for a little bit before I do my next record. What do you want for yourself? At the end of the day, I just want to see greatness from Jamaica. If not by myself, then from others. I hope Out:Side can inspire others. Ive met nuff of my peers, and they tell me Ive inspired them and Im like whoa, but youve inspired me. I always want to make the people know seh dem great and that they can do some great things. Its the least we can do for Jamaica and for the culture and for Rastafari, you know? Hearing loss doctors such as the ones in HearCanada clinics are experts at diagnosing and treating different types of hearing issues. There are different kinds of doctors that work to help people with hearing troubles based on their expertise and training. While some help patients pick the right hearing aid, others work towards easing symptoms like imbalance, dizziness, and fluid discharge. It is necessary to contact a professional if you or a loved one is showing symptoms of hearing loss, but what type of doctor should you contact and when? When to Reach Out to a Hearing Loss Doctor Hearing loss can be both temporary and permanent. Often older adults and newborns are the most affected. If you or a loved one is experiencing difficulty in hearing or pain in the ear canal, it is a must to consult an ear doctor immediately. A few reasons for hearing issues can be: Excessive earwax buildup Ear infections Frequent exposure to loud noises Earwax hardening Eardrum rupture Underlying diseases Head trauma Ringing or tinnitus Tumors Types of Hearing Loss Doctors There are a few kinds of doctors that cater to hearing loss patients. Let us look at these below: Hearing Instrument Specialists HIS (Hearing Instrument Specialist) are trained to perform tests and assessments to determine the right hearing aid for different patients. These professionals acquire a license after two years of study. They are also trained to provide information regarding an array of hearing loss tech and devices. Helps repair damaged ears and hearing Helps maintain hearing Responsible for taking ear impressions Makes ear molds Audiologists Audiologists are certified doctors that have a clinical doctorate, a master's degree, or a research-based doctorate in audiology. They have a license to verify hearing loss and other similar conditions like imbalance and tinnitus. Audiologists are trained to deal with patients experiencing any kind of hearing loss. The following fall under their main area of work: Patients who experience difficulty in properly understanding what others are saying are the hardest to diagnose. This type of hearing loss is often referred to as hidden. Hearing loss due to ototoxic medicines that causes imbalance and hearing issues. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs due to a damaged cochlea/inner ear and hair follicles. Often occurs due to exposure to loud noises, ear infections, a congenital anomaly or ear infections. Audiologists also work with newborns to detect birth defects and head trauma. A patient should visit an audiologist if they want to know more about suitable implants and hearing aids. These professionals also help fit the device in your ear, ensure its compatibility, and fine-tune it for maximum comfort. Neurotologists or Otologists Neurotologists or otologists are specialized doctors of otolaryngology. Otologists specialize in hearing and ear anatomy while neurologists are experts at nerves present inside the ears. Neurotologists also treat inner ear problems like tumors and imbalance. They may suggest bone conduction hearing aids and cochlear implants for these conditions. Otolaryngologist (ENT) An otolaryngologist, also known as an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor has vast knowledge of ear diseases, disorders, and ENT tubes. These doctors treat imbalance issues, skull defects, and ear conditions. A few conditions that call for a visit to the ENT include: Hearing loss due to exposure to loud noises Acute otitis media which is a bacterial/viral infection of the middle ear or eardrum Hearing issues due to head trauma, tumors, or skull injury Chronic sinusitis that blocks nasal pathways causing swelling, inflammation, and difficulty in breathing Fluid discharge from the ears Ear infections Any issues that affect the head, neck, and throat How Is Hearing Loss Treated? Once the diagnosis is made, hearing doctors may suggest a variety of treatment options based on an individual's condition: Sign language may often be recommended to patients with moderate to extreme hearing loss. This way patients can communicate better with others and their doctor. Even children may be taught sign language so that they can communicate with parents that have hearing loss and vice versa. Hearing aids and other assistive devices are quite popular as they can help people with slight to moderate hearing loss in hearing properly. A hearing aid amplifies sound and different types may be recommended to patients with different kinds of hearing loss. Cochlear implants are hearing tech that is implanted inside the ear in case of inner ear damage. It is placed by a surgeon such as an audiologist to help stimulate the auditory nerve. Surgery may be performed to fix head defects and remove tumors if they are causing hearing loss in a patient. Endnote Hearing doctors acquire training through different programs to cater to patients with hearing loss. Some are trained to fit hearing aids while others are experts at diagnosing and treating various ear conditions. It is a good idea to consult a hearing doctor if you have a genetic history, are experiencing hearing loss symptoms, ear pain, or imbalance. Treatment at the right time can prevent the condition from worsening. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. KHAMMAM: Registration of as many as 532 votes on a single house number in the 20th ward of Khammam Municipal Corporation has come as a surprise. The house belongs to state transport minister Ajay Kumar. Activist Koyinni Venkanna collected details from the Khammam collectorate under RTI Act. The house numbered 5-7-200 is located at Gollagudem Area on Mamata Hospital Road. It is suspected that electoral malpractice was aimed at by the minister. The votes of Puvvada Ajay Kumar, his wife Puvvada Vasantalaxmi and Puvvada Nayanraj were listed in the same house number. The RTI activist explained how the voters number changed year to year. There were 453 votes on the same house number in 2014, 657 votes in 2018, 561 votes in 2019 and 532 votes in 2021. The figures used to be changed before the elections to parliament, state assembly and municipal corporation. Many are wondering how election commission officials kept a blind eye to such malpractices and did no scrutiny. Many of the names were found in the voters list without their surnames. The names like G Ramakrishna, M Mohan, P Sankar, D Sarath and N Murali and the like were all fakes. The names should be complete with surnames, the activist said. He also pointed out there are 6000 voters on the house numbers linked to Puvvadas medical college. The election commission should hold an inquiry into these, he suggested. Large numbers of voter names were registered on the house numbers like 5-7-200/1, 5-7-200/2, 5-7-200/3, 5-7-200/4, 5-7-200/6, 5-7-200/7, 5-7-200/8, 5-7-200/9 and 5-7-200/10. There were 698 voters on the house number of 5-7-200/1 and 1119 votes on house number 5-7-200/10 as per the list of 2021. There were 1119 votes on the house number of 5-7-200/10 in 2021 against 890 votes in 2019. All these voters have been registered in two to three polling booths to suspectedly cast bogus votes. Many guest houses attached to the Mamata Medical College and camouflaged as hostels have large numbers of voters. The guest house numbering 5-7-200/10 has names including Kinnerasani, Krishna, Godavari etc. There were names of boys in the voter list of girls' hostels when only girls are accommodated. Likewise, names of girls were in the voters list for the boys hostels. Clearly, they are all bogus votes. The vote scam will be exposed if the Election Commission conducted an independent inquiry, the activist said. A glaring example of misuse of the election department is Nama Shilpa, my cousin studying in Mamata Medical College. She is residing in an independent house and yet, her name was shown in the voters list of one hostel, Venkanna said. A minor girl was allegedly raped by two youth here who were known to her, police said on Thursday. (Representational image: DC) HYDERABAD: A 13-year-old minor was allegedly dragged into a car, sedated and then gangraped at an OYO lodge in Nampally. The victim, a Dabeerpura resident, was walking in Bagh-e-Jahara when she was forced into a car by two known persons two days ago. The accused Syed Naymath, 26, and Ravish Mehdi, 21, are believed to have pushed her into the car on the night of September 12 after convincing her that they needed to talk about her career. They took her to the OYO lodge after sedating her and repeatedly raped her for two days, the police said. At 8 pm on September 14, the accused let the girl off near her home on the Nalgonda-Chaderghat route before fleeing. On September 13 at around 3 am, the victims mother had lodged a complaint with the Dabeerpura police stating that her daughter was missing. The same day the victims parents also filed a formal report with the Dabeerpura police in a sealed envelope stating her daughter had been raped. Based on the victims statement, the police picked up Nayamath and Ravish from their residences in Rein Bazaar and Saidabad in the early hours of Thursday, police sources. The accused were charged with rape in accordance with Sections 376 IPC and 5 and 6 of the Pocso Act. After medical evaluation, the FSL team discovered injection syringe traces on the girl's arms, proving that she had been raped. She was subsequently taken to a test to determine her age, according to police. I gave my daughter Rs 20 to get medicines for me at 8 pm on September 12. I asked her to get medicine since I had significant pain in my chest, the victim's mother stated. After the victim failed to show up, her parents and brother began to worry. They called the medical shop and were informed that her daughter had not visited. Later, they checked with the victim's relatives in Chanchalguda, who also confirmed that her daughter had not arrived. The victim's mother stated that she reported the incident to the Dabeerpura police at 3 am the next morning. The accused allegedly abandoned the victim near a junction in Nalgonda and fled. When the police identified the girl and brought her, she could barely walk, the victims mother stated. The victim was brought by the police to the Bharosa centre, where she is receiving counselling. The victim's mother stated, "I demand that the state government punish the accused who destroyed my daughter's life." On Tuesday at 8 pm, we received a call from dial 100. We immediately rushed to the scene and discovered the victim standing on the corner of Chaderghat and Nalgonda roads. During counselling, the victim revealed the details of the case. The accused have confessed to the crime. We are visiting the scene of the offence along with the CLUES team to collect forensic evidence, a police officer of Dabeerpura police station said. Disgrace and shame September 12: Victim's mother gives money to her minor daughter to buy medicines. The same day the accused Nayamath and Ravish allegedly forced the victim into a car and sedated her. After the victim failed to show up, the victim's family called the medical shop and were informed that her daughter had not visited. September 13: Victim's mother lodged a complaint with Dabeerpura police stating that her daughter was missing. September 14: At 8 pm, the accused let the girl off near her home on the Nalgonda-Chaderghat route before fleeing the scene. When the police identified the victim, she could barely walk, the victims mother stated. Accused were charged with rape in accordance with Sections 376 IPC and 5 and 6 of the POCSO Act. The United States Justice Department on Wednesday said that three Iranian citizens have been charged with ransomware attacks that allegedly targeted power companies, local governments, and small businesses and nonprofits, including a domestic violence shelter. The suspects are allegedly responsible for more than 100 cyberattacks in the United States and around the world. The individuals reportedly encrypted and stole data from victim networks while threatening to release them publicly or leave them encrypted unless exorbitant ransom payments were made. Iranian Hackers Indicted The Biden administration has made efforts to target hackers who have held U.S. targets essentially hostage, often sanctioned or sheltered by adversaries. The threat gained particular prominence in May 2021 after a Russia-based hacker group was believed to have conducted a ransomware attack on Georgia-based Colonial Pipeline. Over the last year, Iran-based hackers have also been a focus for the U.S., with the FBI thwarting a planned cyberattack on a children's hospital in Boston. The incident would have been carried out by hackers sponsored by the Iranian government, as per the Associated Press. In a statement on Wednesday, FBI Director Christopher Wray said, "The cyber threat facing our nation is growing more dangerous and complex every day. Today's announcement makes clear the threat is both local and global. It's one we can't ignore and it's one we can't fight on our own, either." The Iranian hackers were identified in Wednesday's indictment but are not believed to have been working on behalf of their country's government. Instead, they had their own financial gain, and some of their victims were even located in Iran. Read Also: US Strategic Petroleum Reserve Might Be Refilled If Oil Prices Fall Below $80 per Barrel According to Politico, the hackers were Mansur Ahmadi, Ahmad Khatibi, and Amir Hossein Nickaein. Groups impacted by the suspects include health care, transportation, and utility companies. Cyberattacks on American Infrastructures The District of New Jersey U.S. Attorney's Office was the one that unveiled the charges during a press conference. The victims listed in the indictment include an unnamed township and accounting firm in New Jersey, along with unnamed power companies in Mississippi and Indiana. Furthermore, the suspects also allegedly targeted a county government in Wyoming, a construction company in Washington, and the Bar Association for a U.S. state. The Justice Department said that several of the victims paid ransoms to Ahmadi, Khatibi, and Nickaein, following the ransomware attacks. A Justice Department official added that Iranian individuals were still at-large and believed to be in Iran. He also stressed that while the suspect did not carry out the attacks on behalf of the Iranian government, the government allowed the attacks to take place. The suspects were indicted on four counts, including intentionally damaging protected computers and transmitting ransom demands. At the time that they hacked the New Jersey accounting firm, they taunted the company with ransom demands. At one point, they demanded a payment of $50,000. Iran's Permanent Mission to the United Nations did not respond immediately for comments regarding the indictment of the three individuals. The attacks are the latest examples of Iran tolerating or conducting reckless behavior in cyberspace that has cost U.S. businesses, government agencies, and NATO allies alike, CNN reported. Related Article: Southern Border Crisis: Illegal Immigrants Dress in Camouflage, Climb in Naco Wall To Run Into US Soil @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Security personnel outside a mortuary during post-mortem of one of two minor Dalit sisters allegedly raped and murdered in Lakhimpur Kheri, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. (PTI Photo) Lakhimpur Kheri: Six men were arrested on Thursday in connection with the alleged rape and murder of two Dalit teenage sisters here, police said. The girls, aged 15 and 17, were found hanging from a tree in a sugarcane field about a kilometre from their house in the Nighasan police station area on Wednesday. "We have arrested Junaid, Sohail, Hafizur Rehman, Karimuddin, Arif and Chottu in an overnight operation," Lakhimpur Kheri Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjiv Suman told reporters. Junaid and Sohail were allegedly in a relationship with the two sisters, he said. "According to preliminary investigation, the two sisters left their home on Wednesday afternoon after they were persuaded by Junaid and Sohail. Junaid and Sohail have confessed that they strangulated the girls after raping them," the SP said. The duo then called Karimuddin and Arif to dispose of their bodies. They later hanged the bodies from a tree to make it look like suicide, Suman said. An FIR has been registered under sections 302 (murder), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint), 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, he said. A post-mortem examination is underway at the district hospital. Everything is being done with the consent of the girls' family members, he said. The girls' mother had on Wednesday claimed that they were murdered. Bengaluru: The Basavaraj Bommai government is likely to table the anti-conversion Bill in the Karnataka Legislative Council today. "Even Congress and JDS must support this bill introduced. Everything should go smoothly. It was passed in the lower house, doing it in the upper house now. We're all enthusiastic it will be passed and it is one of the most awaited bills," said BJP MLC DS Arun. Last year in December, amid the ruckus by the Opposition, the Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021 or anti-conversion Bill was passed in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly but due to the lack of majority, the Prohibition of Conversion Bill was not presented in the Council. The Government has decided to present the proposal in the Karnataka Legislative Council today and Congress is likely to oppose the bill but since BJP has a majority, the possibility of passing the bill has increased. The Bill will provide for the protection of the right to freedom of religion and prohibition of unlawful conversion from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means. The bill introduced by the BJP government gives the right to any person to file a complaint against religious conversion, protecting the right to freedom of religion in the state. It proposes imprisonment of up to 10 years for forced religious conversion and the offense is made to be a non-bailable and cognizable. According to the new law, any converted person, his parents, brother, sister, or any other person who is related to him by blood, marriage, adoption, or in any form associated, or colleague may file a complaint of such conversion. The bill has the purpose of prohibiting unlawful conversion of religion, providing protection to those who were forced to convert from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement, the promise of marriage, or by any fraudulent means and for the matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. "No person shall convert or attempt to convert, either directly or otherwise, any other person from one religion to another by use or practice of force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means or by any other means or promise of marriage, nor shall any person abet or conspire such conversion," the Bill stated. Notably, the bill was introduced by the BJP government in the Karnataka Assembly last year after which it sparked controversy and was opposed by Opposition parties in the state. New Delhi: The trend of crude oil supply to India will continue, and bilateral trade will strike new records, said Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, in an interview with ANI. "India being a consumer, quite naturally is looking for the cheapest offers and Russia being deprived of its traditional markets in Europe, for example, is looking for new markets, so this meeting between best available options and best available offers is driving the trade and our relationship in the energy sector, it is natural we think this trend will continue in a structured manner," the Russian envoy said. "No one knows the situation how energy markets look like by the end of the year, we are looking to further expanding our relationship in this area at promoting the ongoing dialogue and cooperation based on long-term arrangements and agreements," he added. According to an estimate, there is a steep jump in Russian oil export to India, as it has increased ten times this year and Russian crude oil is now fulfilling almost ten per cent of India's imported oil consumption. "The volumes (of trade have reached USD 11.5 billion already in half of the year. We will make and strike possibly a new record in our trade by the year, as we did in the previous one when our trade stood at USD 13.6 billion," the Ambassador said. The Russian envoy said that India and Russia are looking to further expanding the relationship in the energy sector as the situation in future is unpredictable. Europe and US had expressed reservations about the quantum jump in Russian exports to Asian giants India and China. The envoy also spoke about the position taken by India on oil imports He lauded the recent remarks made by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and slammed West for practising double standards. "I believe that these are the same double standards, hypocrisy and geopolitics. Jaishankar was very clear to articulate the imperative to satisfy the needs of the Indian people, essentially we can put it like that West continues to plausibly ignore India's legitimate national interest just like it did so most of the time at the time of colonialism," he said. Already several sanctions and restrictions have been imposed on Russian oil exports which Moscow has termed illegitimate and against the practices of international law, it has warned to stop supply of gas to European countries. The Russian envoy termed the G7's plan to put a cap on the rates of Russian oil prices as narrow-minded and unrealistic, which according to him will definitely affect the global supply chains. "I believe that this ill-intended initiative to put a cap on the price of Russian oil by administrative measures is both narrow-minded and unrealistic and it will definitely affect the global supply chains consequently will increase the energy rates, galloping projection if this whim is implemented. Russia will simply stop selling oil to those countries which decide to join this initiative as simple as that we will stop the supply of gas. It affects Russia substantially but ultimately it will be Europe who will feel the pain," the Russian Ambassador said. Speaking on the war in Ukraine, the Russian envoy said India is aware of the complexity and origin of the conflict. He said "We appreciate India's approach has been very consistent, very well balanced, India is well aware of the origin of crisis, we don't have anything against the Ukrainian people we are brothers with Ukrainian people but the current regime in Kyiv has become a very explicit anti-Russia project, President Zelenskyy let down the Russian-speaking population in the Donbas region labelling the people there as species and launching a military campaign against them, it has now effectively become a western proxy war against Russia and NATO proxy war against Russia." "We on our part exercise long-term approach with our neighbourhood which we wanted to remain peaceful, stable and free of threats, we have been accused of the unjustified, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, the argument which we will not accept. We regard it wrong on both accounts so India is well aware of the complexity of Ukrainian conflict and acts in its own national interest," he said. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Samarkand, Uzbekistan late on Thursday evening (IST) to attend the first in-person Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit after a gap of two years. The summit of the eight-nation influential grouping is taking place amid the growing geo-political turmoil largely triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and China's aggressive military posturing in the Taiwan Strait. "Landed in Samarkand to take part in the SCO summit," Mr Modi tweeted. At the airport, Mr Modi was welcomed by Uzbek counterpart Abdulla Aripov, ministers, the governor of the Samarkand region and senior officials. Ahead of the SCO summit that will take place in the historic Uzbek city of Samarkand on Friday, Mr Modi on Thursday afternoon, just before leaving for Samarkand, said he would hold a bilateral meeting with (the host) Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and also with "some of the other leaders attending the summit". In a pre-departure statement, Mr Modi said he looked forward to exchanging views on topical, regional and international issues, the expansion of SCO and on further deepening of multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation within the organisation (and that) under Uzbek chairmanship, a number of decisions for mutual cooperation are likely to be adopted in areas of trade, economy, culture and tourism. According to sources there will be no scheduled and structured meeting between Mr Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday at Samarkand and added that the PM is set to have scheduled bilateral meetings only with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Uzbek President and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in that order in a series of bilateral meetings that will begin on Friday late afternoon till evening. The PMs scheduled bilateral meetings will start after the conclusion of the Restricted and Extended sessions of the SCO Summit that will begin on Friday morning. Consequently, any bilateral meeting between the PM and the Chinese President, if at all, on the sidelines, will only be informal and brief. Mr Modi and Mr Xi will come face-to-face at the multilateral summit for the first time since their Mahabalipuram summit near Chennai in October 2019, which was followed by a deadly clash between troops of both sides in the Galwan valley of the Ladakh sector eight months later, in June 2020. In response to media queries on whether the SCO has become a China-dominated forum, foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said at a special briefing here on Thursday that the entire region (SCO member-nations) was the centre of focus, not any single member nation. The SCO has eight member nations so far -- namely Russia, China, four Central Asian nations of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic, besides India and Pakistan, with Iran too approved for full membership last year. The SCO summit will have two sessions -- a restricted session only for the SCO member states, and an extended session that will also include participation by observers (Iran, Mongolia, Belarus), special guests of the chair (Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan) and regional organizations (CIS, CSTO, CICA, EaEU, UN and Asean). The heads of the two permanent bodies of SCO -- secretary-general of the SCO secretariat and director of SCO RATS -- will be present in both sessions. Afghanistan, though an observer, has apparently not been invited perhaps because the Taliban regime there is yet to be officially recognised. A Samarkand Declaration and numerous other documents are expected to be finalised during the summit (and) are currently under consideration of the member-states. Mr Modi said: I will be visiting Samarkand at the invitation of President of Uzbekistan H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev to attend the meeting of the council of heads of state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation I also look forward to meeting President Mirziyoyev in Samarkand. I fondly recall his visit to India in 2018. He also graced the Vibrant Gujarat Summit as its guest of honour in 2019. In addition, I will hold bilateral meetings with some of the other leaders attending the summit. Foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said: The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) of SCO is another important mechanism of the organisation. India assumed the chairmanship of the executive council of RATS in October 2021 for a year, and has been focusing on promoting practical cooperation in combating terrorism. In response to media queries on how there can be cooperation against terrorism within the SCO when Pakistan actively practices cross-border terrorism against India, the foreign secretary said: You mentioned Pakistan and its link with the challenge of terrorism in the region. Irrespective of what a particular country does on this problem of terrorism, there is this deeply-held understanding, deep appreciation within SCO countries of what the nature of this terrorism is, where this problem comes from . He further said: The PMs participation in this summit is a reflection of the importance that India attaches to the SCO and its goals. This is also tied to our approach and engagement with that region as a whole. As you aware, we hosted the first India-Central Asia summit earlier this year, preceded by a foreign minister-level meeting. We remain focused on strengthening our linkages with Central Asia and the extended neighbourhood, and this visit will take this vision forward. Amaravati farmers march against the Three Capitals plan of the AP government. (DC) VIJAYAWADA: Farmers have started the Maha Padayatra - 2.0 after offering special prayers at a temple in Venkatapalem in Guntur district on Monday. They would cover nearly 900 km in 60 days and end the journey in Arasavilli in Srikakulam district. Their main aim is to press for developing Amaravati as APs capital city. The AP high court has directed the state DGP to allow the Maha Padayatra with certain conditions. This, after the police refused to give permission, citing law and order problems. The farmers started the padayatra by keeping a chariot of Lord Venkateswara in the front. This has become a centre of attraction as the padayatra passed through Venkatapalem, Krishnayapalem, Yerrabalem, and reached Mangalagiri. NEW DELHI: The Indian Army has no plan to suspend or shift recruitment rallies out of Punjab under the Agnipath scheme, said senior officials on Wednesday. In a statement, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann said Wednesday that he has asked the civil administration to provide all support to the Army to conduct recruitment rallies in the state. The clarification comes in wake of media reports that the local Army unit had written to the state administration threatening to transfer recruitment rallies out of the state due to non-cooperation by civil administration. All deputy commissioners were directed to provide complete support to the Army authorities for recruitment of Agniveers in Punjab. Any laxity shall be viewed seriously, the Punjab CM said. Mr Mann said every effort will be made to recruit the maximum number of candidates into the Army from the state. Indian Army officials said the recruitment of Agniveers as per the Agnipath scheme was progressing as per schedule for recruiting year 2022-23. It is clarified that, specifically in the state of Punjab, recruitment rallies in Ludhiana and Gurdaspur have been successfully conducted with the full support of the civil administration. The registration and footfall of candidates were encouraging as per the trends of previous years, Indian Army sources said. They said that further rallies in Patiala (17-30 September), Ferozepur (1-16 November) and Jalandhar (21 November to 10 December), including women Agniveers, will also be held as scheduled in close coordination with the administration. It is reiterated there is no plan to shift recruitment rallies from Punjab to any other state(s), the Army sources said. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had opposed the Agnipath scheme brought by the Central government and the Punjab Assembly had in June passed a resolution urging the Union government to immediately roll it back. The Centre had on June 14 had unveiled a new radical recruitment policy for the armed forces dubbed Agnipath under which now all soldiers, sailors and airmen for the Army, Navy and Air Force will be hired on a short-term contract for four years to cut down pension bills. After the completion of a four-year term, up to 25 per cent from a batch would be selected to serve as regular troops in the armed forces through a transparent process and the rest will be released from service after a lump-sum payment. Several parts of the country saw violent protests against the scheme. A number of Opposition parties had criticised the scheme, contending it will adversely impact the operational capabilities of the armed forces. Hyderabad: Welcoming the resolution passed in the Legislative Assembly against the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi wanted to know why the Centre was against the poor and the farming community. He hailed the resolution to name the new Parliament after B.R. Ambedkar and hoped that even the new Secretariat building in the State be named after the architect of the constitution. Speaking to the media, Owaisi wondered why the Centre was challenging the state governments authority over matters of power enshrined by the 2003 Electricity Act. This will escalate prices and add to the cost of living. Why is Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the poor and trying to benefit the big companies, he asked. Meanwhile, MIM will celebrate the integration day, by taking out a bike rally from Tadbun near Zoo park. The Tiranga rally will start at Masjid Abubakr and conclude at Teegalkunta, which will be followed by a public meeting. On the second day we shall be taking part in the State governments official function, he explained. On whether he would be attending the celebrations being organized by the Union government, he said he was yet to get an invite. Regarding his visit to Rajasthan on Wednesday and Thursday, he said that it was aimed at strengthening the party base. After holding meetings with core group members in Jalupura, he will address a public meeting at Sikar. Another public meeting is scheduled for Thursday in Ladnun. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh conveyed to US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin India's concerns on providing sustenance package for Pakistan's F-16 fighter jet fleet (Photo: SANSAD TV/PTI) NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday conveyed to US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin India's concerns over Washington's decision to provide sustenance package for Pakistan's F-16 fighter jet fleet. Singh apprised Austin about India's concerns on the issue during a telephonic conversation. "I conveyed India's concern at the recent US decision to provide sustenance package for Pakistan's F-16 fleet," the defence minister said on Twitter. The US has planned to provide Foreign Military Sales (FMS) worth USD 450 million for hardware, software and spares for the F-16 fighter fleet of Pakistan. "Had a warm and productive telephonic conversation with the US Secretary of Defence, Mr Lloyd Austin. We discussed growing convergence of strategic interests and enhanced defence & security cooperation," Singh said. "We also discussed ways to strengthen technological and industrial collaboration and also explore cooperation in emerging and critical technologies," he said. Singh said he was looking forward to continuing dialogue with Secretary Austin to further consolidating the India-US partnership. VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said in the AP Assembly on Thursday that he has nothing against Amaravati as his wish is that every region should develop. Hence, the three capitals plan, he explained. Addressing the house on decentralised development, the chief minister said dramas were staged in the name of a movement about the Amaravati area that was undeveloped and unbuilt during the five years of the Telugu Desam term. A sum of Rs 1,10,000 crore is needed for the development of infrastructure in Amaravati and nearly Rs 3 to Rs 4 lakh crore to establish Amaravati as the full-fledged capital as per the graphic designs. By contrast, Visakhapatnam is a developed city and it can be developed as the executive capital with much less money. Jagan said Chandrababu Naidu as chief minister spent only Rs 5,500 crore for Amaravati development in five years. Naidu left a debt of Rs 2297 crore which showed the reality of Amaravati. Affirming that decentralization was the only way for all-round development, the CM said he treated all regions equally and Vizag could be the natural choice as it was the biggest city in the state with a ready-made infrastructure. He dubbed the Opposition hue and cry over this proposed shift as a sham. Jagan said, With a little boost, Visakhapatnam would be the natural capital with an investment of Rs 10,000 crore, less than 10 per cent of the estimated sum for Amaravati as a full-fledged capital. Taking a dig at the present agitation from Amaravati, he said such an offensive was not for the development of SCs, STs, BCs or the minorities but to safeguard the vested interests of the wealthy class The chief minister said there was not much of a difference between the state budget of the previous and present governments. It is about 2.50 lakh crore. He said Then why didnt the previous government take up programmes like Amma Vodi, YSR Asara, Cheyutha, Rythu Bharosa and give Rs 1.65 lakh crore in direct benefit transfer to the poor under various schemes? Now, how it could be possible for us? This is a matter of commitment and priority. While welfare of the weaker sections is our priority, the welfare of only a section of the society was the priority for Chandrababu. The state, in our view, is the entire stretch of 1.62 lakh sq.km radius, not the 8 km radius of which there has been an agitation now. The state consists of 3.96 crore acres and not just 50,000 acres. The farmers of these lands along with all those who are benefiting through the Rythu Bharosa are the farmers. But the gang of four has been spreading false stories and wants us to concentrate on the development of one region. They are writing highly biased and opinionated stories. CM Jagan added, I have been talking about decentralization time and again. From the setting up of village and ward secretariats to doubling the districts to 26, we have shown what decentralization could be. This has been doing wonders. During the calamities, the welfare delivery mechanism has been working well and effectively. Hitting hard at the ongoing Yatra by farmers, sponsored by Naidu and the Big Four with funny slogans, he said this was only to provoke the people of other regions. Decentralization, he stressed, is the policy of the government. I am not against any region. Two more capitals will be added to the present Amaravati, taking the number to three, and I never said Amaravati should be taken away from the present scheme. Four bills were introduced in the assembly on the opening day of the monsoon session. Panchayat Raj minister Mutyalanaidu introduced the AP Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill 2022, while roads minister Ramalingadeswara tabled the Road Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill 2022. Agriculture minister Kakani Govardhan on behalf of the chief minister introduced the AP Services Disciplinary Proceedings Tribunal Repeal Bill 2022 and he also tabled AP Agriculture Produce and Livestock Markets (Amendment) Bill 2022 Bill. The assembly condoled the death of leaders who passed away recently. The deceased were former MLA Shatrucharla Chandrasekhar, Bojjala Gopalakrishna, Pulaparthi Narayanamurthy, J.R. Pushparaj and Nallamilli Moolareddy. Former minister Kodali Venkateswara Rao alias Nani (in picture) said decentralisation policy of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has been welcomed by people of all regions. By Arrangement VIJAYAWADA: State Legislative Assembly on Thursday witnessed a short discussion on decentralised development, with ruling YSRC members speaking in favour of the three capitals and opposition TD legislators maintaining that Amaravati must remain the sole capital of AP. Finance minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy claimed that majority of the lands in Amaravati have come into possession of Telugu Desam leaders because of insider trading prior to the announcement that it will be the state capital. Rajendranath Reddy went on to name several opposition leaders in this regard, which led to a ruckus in the house. Participating in the short discussion, ruling party member Bhumana Karunakar Reddy backed decentralisation of administration while tracing historical aspects of the state and how Rayalaseema has been getting a raw deal. He recalled that Kurnool and Visakhapatnam have been cited as capitals on previous occasions too. The YSRC legislator maintained that formation of new districts in itself is decentralisation, which have been named after prominent figures including NTR, Annamayya, Alluri and Satyasai. Former minister Kodali Venkateswara Rao alias Nani said decentralisation policy of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has been welcomed by people of all regions. The support to three capitals has been expressed by people by electing YSRC in elections to local bodies after assembly and Lok Sabha elections of 2019. Nani went on to allege that (TD chief N. Chandrababu) Naidu has turned Amaravati into Kammaravati by benefitting one social group. He created Bhramaravati (illusion) by showing development of Amaravati only by way of graphics. TD MLAs Payyavula Keshav and Nimmala Rama Naidu severely objected to criticism of TDP with regard to Amaravati. They pointed out that Jagan Mohan Reddy himself supported Amaravati as capital while campaigning during assembly elections. The TD legislators claimed that as per AP High Courts verdict, the states capital cannot be shifted from Amaravati. Prosecutors want Sherri Papini, the California woman who admitted to falsifying her own kidnapping in 2016, to receive an eight-month sentence. In an updated sentencing letter submitted on Wednesday to the US District Court for the Eastern District of California, federal prosecutors recommended Papini serve one month in jail and seven months in home detention, CBS News reported. Despite being on the lighter end of the sentencing guidelines, prosecutors said an eight-month sentence is appropriate for Papini because it "fully and fairly accounts for the totality of Papini's conduct and the relevant sentencing factors, and is sufficient but not greater than necessary to satisfy the sentencing purposes." The one month of jail suggested by probation or home detention as an alternative to incarceration "is not sufficient to achieve the purposes of sentencing," per the prosecution. According to US Attorney Phillip A. Talbert, Papini admitted in April to "making materially false statements to FBI investigators about the circumstances of her disappearance and committing mail fraud predicated on her being a kidnapping victim." The California Victim Compensation Board, the Social Security Administration, the Shasta County Sheriff's Office, and the FBI were awarded more than $300,000 in reparations from the 39-year-old. Papini Extended Deception To Obtain Benefits Early in November 2016, Papini vanished, sparking a three-week search. She was found on Thanksgiving Day with several wounds, including a bruised right shoulder and swollen nose. However, investigators claim that she had been residing with a previous boyfriend around 600 miles from her Orange County, California, home. Read Also: Sen. Joe Manchin Slams VP Kamala Harris for Guaranteeing Southern Border Situation Is "Secure" They assert that Papini intentionally hurt herself to support her bogus kidnapping narrative. Even after she was discovered, according to the prosecution, she extended her deception even further by seeking disability and victims' compensation up to the time of her detention. Prosecutors noted: "These additional fraudulent acts suggest that Papini was not, as her therapist opines, merely coping with past abuse, but calculating to create additional benefits from her crimes." Kidnapping Hoax's Serious Impact on the Community The community and other victims suffered grave consequences as a result of Papini's activities. Thus, appropriate "punishment" is required for her actions, the prosecutors said, per NBC News. Prosecutors stated that an "entire community believed the hoax and lived in fear that Hispanic women were roving the streets to abduct and sell women." Additionally, after serving her sentence, the prosecution suggested a three-year supervised release. The Sacramento Bee reported that Papini continued to mislead authorities while they searched for the "kidnappers," according to the prosecution's written case, and even after she told Judge Shubb that she had not been abducted, she continued to tell people that she had. "(It) is concerning that she has continued to tell multiple people, contrary to her plea and sworn statement before the court, that she was in fact kidnapped," the prosecutors noted. Only a jail sentence can stop Papini from committing more crimes, such as making false claims that she was abducted in the future, prosecutors claimed. For lying to the FBI, Papini could have had up to five years in jail and a $250,000 punishment; for mail fraud, he could have received a 20-year term and a $250,000 fine. Related Article: Nearly Half of US Governors 'Fundamentally Oppose' Biden's Student Law Forgiveness Plan; Here's Why @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. KARIMNAGAR: Panchayat Raj minister Errabelli Dayakar Rao said on Wednesday that BJP state chief Bandi Sanjay is a political joker and behaving like a Tupaki Ramudu. The people are laughing at him by hearing the statements during his Padayatra, Rao said during his visit to the Karimnagar district. The minister participated in several developmental initiatives in Velichala village and in an awareness programme of the Village Child Protection Committee at the Collectorate. After distributing pensions to around 780 beneficiaries at a programme held in Velichala village in the presence of Choppadandi MLA Sunke Ravishankar, the minister sharply attacked the BJP chief. When Narendra Modi is sanctioning `500 as pension to the poor in his Gujarat state, Telangana is giving `2,000 as pension to the needy. Telangana state is supplying 24 hours of free power to the farming sector while the BJP-ruled states are supplying only six hours of free power. Apart from this, they are fixing meters to the farm motors and collecting lakhs of rupees from the farmers, he alleged. If Bandi Sanjay has guts, he must do a Padayatra in Karnataka and UP. Being the MP from Karimnagar, he is unable to get a medical college for the district. Earlier, the minister participated in the VCPC awareness meeting organised by district collector Karnan and released the poster. Dayakar Rao said 12,769 committees will be formed across the state for protection of children and these committees should follow the guidelines issued by the Child Rights Commission. The sarpanches of various villages attending the meeting requested the minister to sanction the bills pending for the past three months like the one on the Palle Pragathi programme. The minister expressed his anger when the sarpanchs tried to raise their voice by saying that he too will raise his voice louder. Meanwhile, BSP leaders tried to block the convoy of the minister demanding that the state government strengthen the social welfare hostels and resolve the issues pertaining to welfare hostels across the state. Police intervened and arranged passage to the minister. The meltdown of the Congress Legislature Party in Goa has triggered less concern within the leadership of the grand old party of India than it ought to. The new acolytes of the Sangh Parivar had taken oath on the Constitution and religious texts before they were made candidates that they will not switch their loyalties post-election. The Congress owes the electorate which picked those very same people an explanation, even if it takes the losses in its stride. The Congress has been adrift politically ever since it lost the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and the situation has worsened after its dismal showing in 2019. The party lost its governments in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh when the BJP with its deep pockets chose to throw all democratic norms to the winds and have its own governments in those states. Its coalition government in Maharashtra also collapsed. Still, the party has no plans to protect itself or the other Opposition from the relentless onslaughts the NDA has made a part of its politics. In fact, the Congress sided with the BJP when the Central agencies went hunting the AAP government in Delhi and the LDF government in Kerala. Though it runs governments in only two states, the Congress is the main Opposition force in many others, including Gujarat which is going to polls soon. It had given the BJP a tough fight in the last Assembly election. The party leadership seems to have taken no note of the political significance of the key state even as the AAP has been actively seeking to occupy the Opposition space there. The long march the Congress has undertaken now will have little resonance among its own supporters unless the party takes itself seriously. Security personnel use water canons to disperse BJP supporters from the Howrah Bridge during their 'Nabanna Abhijan' (March to Secretariat) to protest against alleged corrupt practices of TMC government, in Kolkata, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. (Photo: PTI) The violent protest march on the state secretariat in Kolkata mounted by the BJP from multiple locations simultaneously is of a kind not seen in a long time in West Bengals capital, which is no stranger to street-level militancy displayed by political outfits of different stripes. In light of the visuals seen on television, the newspaper reporting and the eyewitness accounts of journalists that couldnt find their way into print due to space constraints, it seems a stretch to sustain the claim that the police had without provocation cracked down harshly on a peaceful demonstration held by the states leading Opposition party to protest against corruption in the running of the states affairs by the ruling Trinamul Congress led by chief minister Mamata Banerjee. A photo in a prominent daily shows a peaceful protester violently kicking a helmeted police officer sprawled helplessly on the pavement. It turns out he is an assistant commissioner of police who has been very seriously injured. Demonstrators set fire to a police vehicle, displaying hooliganism with a sense of abandon. Bricks and other missiles were hurled freely. It would have been dereliction of duty on the part of the law and order authorities if they had not stopped the violent protesters from reaching the secretariat. Regrettably, some leading BJP figures have also been injured, besides the police on duty. Instead of letting loose retaliatory violence by TMC cadres in keeping with the unfortunate culture of political violence in West Bengal, the chief minister would do well to appoint a commission of inquiry by a sitting judge of the Calcutta high court to focus on the violence aspect that was so conspicuous. In such a case, the commission would need to turn in its report in a matter of weeks rather than months in order to be meaningful. The commission should also be asked to look into what is commonly Alleged -- that the Opposition party imported large numbers of cadres and hooligans from neighbouring states for the so-called peaceful march. This is needed all the more in light of dire warnings issued by senior BJP members in Odisha that a Kolkata-style march would also be held in that state to oust the Naveen Patnaik government and to fulfil the partys aspiration to double its tally from the state in the next Lok Sabha polls. Such a threat can hardly be brushed aside. For a variety of local reasons, the BJP did strikingly well in the last Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal, bagging 18 of the states 42 seats. This led it to believe it could win the 2021 Assembly election, whose result was an anti-climax for the BJP. Evidently, the saffron party is smarting under the crushing defeat a year ago. It had thrown its most powerful leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah, into the campaign but the outcome was disappointing. After the walloping, the ruling party at the Centre is evidently seeking to keep the morale of its rank and file in the state boosted through high-profile actions even if these stretch law enforcement to the limit. This is a pity. A problem with the West Bengal BJP is a paucity of credible local leaders who keep political standards high. Desperate actions are a recipe for lawlessness. China's President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose during their meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders' summit in Samarkand on Thursday. (Photo: AFP) SAMARKAND: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin met for talks on boosting ties between their countries on Thursday, an encounter that follows a major setback for Moscow on the battlefield in Ukraine. The two leaders met in Uzbekistan on the sidelines of the eight-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a security alliance created as a counterweight to US influence that also includes India, Pakistan and four ex-Soviet nations in Central Asia. Along with Russian's attack on Ukraine, backdropping the summit are the brief eruption not far from the event site of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as strains in China's relations with Washington, Europe, Japan and India due to disputes over technology, security and territory. Speaking at the start of his one-on-one talks with Xi, Putin blasted what he described as an "ugly" effort by the United States and its allies to maintain their perceived global domination. "Attempts to create a unipolar world have recently taken an absolutely ugly shape. They are absolutely unacceptable for the vast majority of countries on the globe, the Russian president said in opening remarks. Xi was more careful, saying that together with Russia, China was ready to "set an example of a responsible world power and to play a leading role to take the rapidly changing world on a track of sustainable and positive development." The SCO summit in the ancient city of Samarkand is part of Xi's first foreign trip since the start of the coronavirus pandemic 2 1/2 years ago, underscoring Beijing's desire to assert itself as a regional power. The presidents' meeting came after Russia was forced to pull back its forces from large swaths of northeastern Ukraine last week amid a swift Ukrainian counteroffensive. Ukraine regaining control of several Russian-occupied villages and cities represented Moscow's largest setback since its forces had to retreat from areas near the Ukrainian capital early in the war. Xi's government, which said it had a no limits friendship with Moscow before the invasion of Ukraine in late February, has refused to criticize Russia's military actions. Beijing and India are buying more Russian oil and gas, which helps Moscow offset the impact of Western sanctions imposed over the invasion. "We highly appreciate the well-balanced position of our Chinese friends in connection with the Ukrainian crisis, Putin said at the start of his talks with Xi. Russia, in turn, has strongly backed China amid tensions with the US that followed a recent visit to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "We condemn the provocations of the US and its satellites in the Taiwan Strait, Putin told Xi. Putin also met Thursday with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, whose country is on track to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Raisi said Moscow and Tehran were finalizing a major treaty that would bring their relations to a "strategic level." He and Putin both criticised the US at the start of their meeting. Raisi accused the US of breaching its obligations under Iran's nuclear deal with world powers. Putin gibed American officials, saying "They are masters of their word - they give it and then take it back whenever they want." The Russian leader also held meetings with Central Asian leaders and planned to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. Putin is also scheduled to meet one-on-one with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan. Turkey and Azerbaijan have the status of dialogue partners with the SCO. Earlier this week, Azerbaijan and Armenia engaged in cross-border shelling that killed 176 troops on both sides, marking the most serious hostilities in nearly two years between the decades-long adversaries. The fighting has put Moscow, which has tried to maintain close ties with both countries, in a precarious position. Putin's meeting with Erdogan will be closely watched for their statements on Ukraine and a July deal brokered by Turkey and the UN to clear the way for exports of grain and other agricultural products that were stuck at Ukraine's Black Sea ports after the Russian invasion. The Chinese leader is promoting a Global Security Initiative announced in April following the formation of the Quad by Washington, Japan, Australia and India in response to Beijing's more assertive foreign policy. Xi has given few details, but US officials complain it echoes Russian arguments in support of Moscow's attack on Ukraine. The region is part of China's multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative to expand trade by building ports, railways and other infrastructure across an arc of dozens of countries from the South Pacific through Asia to the Middle East, Europe and Africa. On Thursday, Xi met with President Sadyr Zhaparov of Kyrgyzstan and said Beijing supports the early operation of a planned railway linking China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, the Chinese foreign ministry said. China's economic inroads into Central Asia have fuelled unease in Russia, which sees the region as its sphere of influence. Xi made a one-day visit Wednesday to Kazakhstan en route to Uzbekistan. Pope Francis was in Kazakhstan, but they didn't meet. The SCO -- established in 2001 as a political, economic and security organisation to rival Western institutions -- will bring together Xi and Putin, as well as leaders from India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan and other ex-Soviet Central Asian countries. Track the latest news and updates from the summit on DH! Afghanistan's Taliban government on Wednesday firmly rejected media reports about the presence of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar in the war-torn country, saying such terrorist organisations can operate on Pakistan's soil - and even under official patronage. The Taliban-led interim Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid made the strongly-worded remarks after a section of Pakistani media reported about Azhar's alleged presence in Afghanistan. They claimed that Pakistan has also sent a letter with demand to hand him over to Islamabad. Also Read | Taliban 'looking into' video showing executions "We have written a one-page letter to the Afghan foreign ministry, asking them to locate, report and arrest Masood Azhar, as we believe that he is hiding somewhere in (eastern Nangarhar province) Afghanistan, The News reported on Tuesday, quoting a top Pakistani foreign ministry official. Mujahid in an interview with Afghanistan's ToloNews said that he has seen the news in the media. "But this is not true. Nobody has made such a demand from us, Mujahid said. "Jaish-e-Mohammad chief is not in Afghanistan. Such organisations can operate on Pakistan's soil and even under official patronage," Mujahid said. "Well not allow anyone to use Afghanistans soil against any other country." Azhar is a fugitive released by India in exchange for passengers of the hijacked Indian Airlines plane IC-814 in 1999. He was serving a prison term in India for kidnappings of Western tourists in the country. After his release in 1999, Azhar formed the JeM and scripted many audacious terror strikes in India. Pakistan has banned the JeM which is accused by India of several terrorist attacks, including the Pulwama attack in February 2019, which brought Pakistan and India to the brink of a nuclear exchange. In May 2019, the United Nations designated Azhar a "global terrorist" after China lifted its hold on a proposal to blacklist the Pakistan-based JeM chief, a decade after New Delhi approached the world body for the first time on the issue. The UN committee listed Azhar on May 1, 2019 as being associated with Al-Qaeda for "participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing, or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf of, or in support of", "supplying, selling or transferring arms and related material to", "recruiting for", "otherwise supporting acts or activities of", and "other acts or activities indicating association with" the JeM. India-Bhutan border gates at Samdrup Jhongkhar and Gelephu along the Assam frontier will reopen for tourists on September 23 for the first time since the Covid-19 outbreak. A Bhutanese delegation, led by Tashi Penjore, the Himalayan kingdom's Director (law and order) of the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs, held a meeting with Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) officials here on Wednesday and announced that the gates will be reopened after a two-and-half-year hiatus. As the Covid-19 scenario has improved, the Bhutan government has announced the reopening of its borders for trade, commerce and official transit from September 23, provided the pandemic situation does not worsen, Penjore said. Also Read | Eight Adivasi insurgent groups in Assam to sign final peace pact after promise of ST status "Over the last two-and-half years, many officials on both sides have changed and we were not able to meet and establish friendship and person-to-person contacts which are essential for people residing along the border areas of the two countries. We look forward to more such visits," he said. He urged Indian tourists to visit different places in Bhutan after entering the country through the Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar gates. "Earlier, we only issued entry permits through Phuentsholing and Paro but now we have added three additional entry gates for tourists," he said. A Substantial Development Fund (SDF) will be charged for improving services and infrastructure, besides environmental conservation, he said. The Bhutan government has planned eco-tourism, bird-watching and other packages for visitors. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been chalked out to facilitate seamless movement of travelers. Also Read | Assam govt to demarcate Army firing range: Himanta Biswa Sarma He said visitors who intend to halt the night and travel beyond the designated points will be charged Rs 1,200. The official appealed to the tourists to bring their voter ID cards and other relevant documents while visiting the Himalayan country. Besides BTC officials, the deputy commissioners and superintendents of police of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri district were also present at the meeting held at the BTC Secretariat here. President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said climate change and sustainable development are issues of prime importance today and countries across the board should come together to work out solutions for them. Addressing the faculty and course members of 62nd National Defence College course who had called on her at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, Murmu said we need to prepare ourselves to face not just the traditional threats but even the unseen ones which also include the vagaries of nature. The president said we are in a dynamic world where even a small change can have a wide impact, according to a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Also Read President Droupadi Murmu to attend Queen Elizabeth II's funeral Sometimes, it can have safety and security connotations. The pace and tide of the Covid pandemic is just an example of the threat which humanity faces today. It makes us realise the vulnerability of humankind, she said. Murmu said, every threat makes us think about the need to fight it and prevent its recurrence. We need to prepare ourselves to face not just the traditional threats but even the unseen ones which also include the vagaries of nature. Climate change and sustainable development are issues which are of prime importance today. It is the need of the hour that countries across the board should come together and work out solutions for them, she said. It is at this point that the strategic policies coincide with the foreign policies of the countries, the president said. It is a multi-discipline and multi-dimensional approach for which we need to equip ourselves, Murmu said. Addressing the gathering, the president said security is a term which we often use in our conversations but it has wide ramifications. Its interpretation has expanded drastically in the past decades. What was limited to mere territorial integrity has now come to be seen in political and economic contexts also. Thus, the aim of the NDC course to study 'strategic, economic, scientific, political and industrial aspects of national defence' is even more relevant today, Murmu said. She was happy to note that the NDC course has over the years lived up to its aim of educating its participants to have a deep understanding of these issues. Noting that the 62nd NDC course has 62 participants from the armed forces, 20 from civil services, 35 from friendly foreign countries and one from corporate sector, Murmu said it is this unique feature of this course which has made it win immense appreciation. She said it gives the course members an opportunity to know different perspectives, thereby widening the horizons of their thoughts and understanding. The president said India as a nation is taking strides to become 'Atmanirbhar'. Various policy initiatives are being implemented to make this vision possible. It is this vision which brings India on the path of development and progress, Murmu said. She said it was a proud moment for each Indian when recently the first indigenously built aircraft carrier, Vikrant, was inducted in the Indian Navy. "Such steps bring a fresh hope and inspiration in the people of India. She expressed confidence that we would continue to tread this path of progress in a steadfast manner, the statement said A day after eight Goa Congress MLAs split from the legislative unit of the party, and merged with the ruling BJP, All India Congress Committees Goa desk in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao claimed that the rebel legislators were offered Rs 30-40 crore for the switch. The local Bharatiya Janata Party unit, however, distanced itself from the development. State President Sadanand Shet Tanavade claimed that eight MLAs, which included former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and ex-Leader of Opposition Michael Lobo, were inducted exclusively on the directions of the party high command. Also Read | Goa Speaker says he has accepted merger of CLP into BJP They (rebels) have not gone for development of constituencies or for Goa. They have gone for power, money and amid threats from (government) agencies over whatever wrong they have done. Rs 30 to 40 crores have been given to each of them. Some of them will become ministers now, Rao told reporters, after meeting the remaining three legislators who did not join the rebel group. One of our members who refused to join the BJP was even offered Rs 50 crore per person and a ministry, but he did not quit, Rao claimed. The Congress had 11 MLAs in the 40-member state assembly; Wednesdays departures reduced the partys legislative strength in the state to three. This is the third time that a Congress MLA and a Leader of Opposition split from the parent party to join the BJP, beginning with Ravi Naik in the early 2000s and Chandrakant Kavlekar in 2019. Tanavade, however, tried to distance the state BJP leadership from the decision to induct the Congress rebels. I remember in July we were told that these eight Congress MLAs would join. Our central leader Bhupender Yadav had also come to Goa then. But it could not happen that day. After they formed a group of eight MLAs, it happened yesterday, Tanavade said. We follow decisions taken by the Centre. If you ask me personally, perhaps I would have said no to their entry, had they come to me. But these eight MLAs had met our central leaders and this decision has been taken by them, the state BJP chief said, adding that since his party was pan-India, the local unit could not take decisions unilaterally on such issues. "We have to follow and execute decisions taken by central leadership, he said. Facing widespread criticism, with Maha Vikas Aghadi leading the attack, for losing the multi-crore Vedanta-Foxconn project to Gujarat, the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government lashed back at the Oppositionwhich was in governance till a few months backdrudging up the lost super refinery project at Nanar. Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis, who was in Russia, tweeted about Nanar: It is disappointing that negative, false and baseless claims are being spread to gain political mileage. This is only to hide their own incompetence. I want to ask the opposition leaders, who sent back the Rs 3.5 lakh crore refinery from Maharashtra? my advice to these leaders is to focus on becoming competent & efficient and not negative and desperate. Shiv Sena president, and erstwhile Maharashtra chief minister, Uddhav Thackeray had opposed the super refinery project at Nanar in Ratnagiri district; the project was scrapped at the proposed site, and new location was scouted. Also read | Vedanta-Foxconn plant going to Gujarat is attack on Maharashtra's prestige: Shiv Sena The super refinery project involved a memorandum of understanding signed by Saudi Arabian Oil Co. (Saudi Aramco) and an Indian consortium of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL). The MoU was to set up Indias largest refinery and petroleum complex. The Rs lakh crore project would have become the largest single location refinery complex in the world with a capacity of 60 million tonnes. Nationalist Congress Party MP from Baramati, Supriya Sule, however, asked the government to address the issue seriously. Stop this childish behaviour get serious nowstop politicising and please convene an all-party meeting in the interest of the people of the state to discuss this issue, she said. Saying that if needed an all-party delegation could be taken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the project is restored in the state. Meanwhile, state industry minister Uday Samant claimed that no formal MoU was signed between the government and Vedanta-Foxconn. Yes, discussions were held but the (previous) government did not sign the MoU and a package deal was not offered, he said. A Lebanese woman, along with her associates, held up and robbed Beirut banks on Wednesday for $13,000 worth of their own money in trapped savings for her sister's cancer treatment. The incident comes as the country was forced into a national financial meltdown that resulted in restrictive withdrawal policies. One of the suspects was armed with what she said was a toy gun that she used to hold hostages at a branch of BLOM Bank. Stealing Trapped Savings Shortly after the incident, in the mountain city of Aley, an armed man entered a Bankmed branch and retrieved some of his trapped savings, before handing himself in to authorities. Lebanon's banks have locked most depositors out of their accounts since the economic crisis started three years ago. In another example of how bad the situation has become, the robbery comes after last month when a man held up another Beirut bank to withdraw funds for his sick father's treatment. BLOM Bank said that a customer and accomplices arrived armed with a gun, threatened to set people on fire, and forced the branch manager and treasurer to bring money from a safe, as per Reuters. Before she went into hiding, the suspect, identified as Sali Hafiz, said that the weapon she brandished was just a toy. She argued that she was in desperate need of the money to pay for her sister's cancer treatment. Read Also: North Korea's Nuclear Tests May Lead To Self-Destruction After Pyongyang Legalized Using Nukes Preemptively, South Claims Hafiz said, "I have nothing more to lose, I got to the end of the road. I got to a point where I was going to sell my kidney so that my sister could receive treatment," adding that she paid a visit to the bank manager two days prior and was not given an adequate solution. According to ABC News, the suspect said that the only solution she was provided was that the bank would give her $200 a month in Lebanese pounds. Hafiz argued that she begged the bank manager, and told him that her sister was dying and did not have much time left. Lebanon's Financial Crisis Lebanon's cash-strapped banks have imposed strict limits on withdrawals of foreign currency that have tied up the savings of millions of people. Roughly three-quarters of the country's population has slipped into poverty as the Mediterranean nation's economy continues to spiral downward. The suspect said that she had a total of $20,000 in savings trapped in her bank account, adding that she was already forced to sell off many of her personal belongings. A bank customer, Nadine Nakhal, said that the intruders "doused gasoline everywhere inside, and took out a lighter and threatened to light it." Hafiz live-streamed the incident and posted it to her Facebook account, saying that she did not intend to harm anyone. "I did not break into the bank to kill anyone or set the place on fire. I am here to get my rights," the suspect said. Across various social media platforms, Hafiz was celebrated as a hero as she encouraged others to take similar action to gain their rights. Some of the activists that were with Hafiz staged a protest at the entrance of the bank, The Guardian reported. Related Article: UN Claims 'Modern Slavery' Increased Significantly in Last 5 Years, Affecting 50 Million People @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A day after public properties were damaged in Kolkata and Howrah during the BJPs mega protest march, TMC MP Mahua Moitra on Wednesday asked whether the West Bengal government should follow its Uttar Pradesh counterpart and bulldoze houses of saffron camp leaders. Attacking the BJP in Twitter posts, Moitra also asked if the first chapter of the central governments National Education Policy is on how to set police vehicles afire. Also Read | Police could have opened fire on violent BJP protesters, but govt exercised restraint: Mamata She tweeted: What if Bengal used Bhogiji Ajay Bishts model & sent bulldozers to homes of BJP workers who destroyed public property yesterday? Will BJP stand by own policy or get their chadds in a twist? What if Bengal used Bhogiji Ajay Bishts model & sent bulldozers to homes of BJP workers who destroyed public property yesterday? Will BJP stand by own policy or get their chadds in a twist? Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) September 14, 2022 Ajay Bisht is the birth name of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The administration of that state has razed alleged illegal properties of people accused of committing crimes with bulldozers. Chapter 1 in BJPs New Education Policy: how to methodically torch police vehicle, Moitra said in another tweet. Chapter 1 in BJPs New Education Policy : how to methodically torch police vehicle. BJP simians in Kolkata yesterday. pic.twitter.com/VrRSIsPBku Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) September 14, 2022 The Krishnagar MP shared a photograph of a group of people torching a car belonging to the police during the rally on Tuesday to protest against the alleged corrupt practices of the Trinamool Congress government. Reacting to Moitras statement, senior BJP leader Rahul Sinha said she should first explain if the same yardstick can be applied in the case of vandalising of properties of the West Bengal Assembly by TMC members. Also Read | Calcutta HC seeks govt report on clash between BJP & cops in Nabanna march; calls for protection of BJP state HQ He was referring to the incident of November 30, 2006, when TMC MLAs, who were in the opposition then, went on the rampage after Mamata Banerjee came to the Assembly after she was stopped from proceeding to Singur by the police. "Moitra should explain if the same rules can be applied for those who took part in the rampage of Assembly properties against her party colleagues," Sinha said. Some stray retaliations could have taken place as the peaceful protesters were facing brutal police action, he said. However, it is also to be found out whether the arson was carried out by supporters of the BJP or the TMC, Sinha said. During the BJPs march to the state secretariat on Tuesday, BJP supporters fought pitched battles with the police, threw stones at them, torched a vehicle and damaged a kiosk while the cops used batons and water cannons to disperse the protesters. Several persons from both sides were injured in the melee. The Centre has told the Supreme Court that medical students who returned from Ukraine cannot be accommodated in Indian universities in view of absence of any statutory provision as well as possible damage to standards of medical education in the country. "The plea seeking transfer of these returnee students to medical colleges in India would not only be dehors the provisions of Indian Medical Council Act 1956, and the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, as well as the regulations made thereunder, but would also seriously hamper the standards of medical education in the country, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said. In an affidavit, the Centre said the aggrieved petitioners had gone to foreign countries for two reasons, firstly, due to poor merit in the NEET Exam, secondly, affordability of medical education in such foreign countries. In case, these students with poor merit are allowed admission in premier medical colleges in India by default, there may be several litigations from those desirous candidates who could not get seats in these colleges and have taken admission in either lesser-known colleges or have been deprived of a seat in medical colleges, it said. Further, in case of affordability, if these candidates are allocated private medical colleges in India, they once again may not be able to afford the fees structure of the concerned institution," it added. The affidavit added that the Centre in consultation with the NMC, the apex medical education regulatory body in the country, has taken proactive measures to assist returnee students from Ukraine, while balancing the need to maintain the requisite standard of medical education in the country. A bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia is likely to take up on Friday a batch of matters filed by the students from Ukraine seeking permission to complete their medical education here. About 20,000 students had reportedly returned after the attack by Russian forces in February-March. The government, for its part said, in so far as such students are concerned, there are no such provisions either under the Indian Medical Council Act 1956 or the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 as well as the Regulations to accommodate or transfer medical students from any foreign medical institutes/colleges to Indian medical colleges. "Till now, no permission has been given by the NMC to trade or accommodate any foreign medical students in any Indian medical institute/university," the Centre said. With regard to allegation of refusal of Ukrainian universities to entertain the applications of students for the academic mobility in their first semester of the academic years 2022-23, the government said it is completely vague, and devoid of any details of such students or the concerned universities. The provision of academic mobility programme was permitted only for those students who are already undergoing medical education in medical universities of Ukraine and are unable to finish such education because of disruption caused by the undergoing war, it pointed out. The Centre said the public notice issued by NMC on September 6 is a no-objection for academic mobility between foreign universities for students who could not complete studies due to the war. The phrase "global mobility" cannot be interpreted to mean accommodation of these students in Indian colleges/universities, as the extant regulations in India do not permit migration of students from foreign universities to India, it added. A special court for cases pertaining to the elected representatives on Wednesday directed the Lokayukta police to conduct investigation under section 156 (3) of CrPC in a case of bribery against former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and others. The court directed the Lokayukta police to register FIR against Yediyurappa, his son Vijayendra, minister S T Somashekar, former Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) Commissioner G C Prakash, Yediyurappa's grandson Shashidhar Maradi, son-in-law Virupakshappa Yamakanmaradi, Sanjay Sree, son-in-law of Yediyurappas daughter Padmavathi, businessman Chandrakanth Ramalingam of Ramalingam Construction Company Pvt. Ltd and one K Ravi. The complainant T J Abraham alleged that Ramalingam Construction Company Pvt. Ltd had paid Rs 12.50 crore bribe money through various persons to influence then Chief Minister Yediyurappa to release funds from the departments and to speed up the file clearances/movements in various departments where the company has dealings with. The complaint also stated that Rs 5.01 crore was transferred from seven shell companies located in Kolkata to the bank accounts of Belgravia Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., V S S Estates Pvt. Ltd., V S S Works Pvt. Ltd., of which BSYs family members Shashidar Maradi and Sanjay Shree are the directors. On July 8, 2021, the special court had dismissed the private complaint stating that investigation cannot be made without valid sanction under section 19 (1) of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act. The Special Court also recorded that the request for sanction made by the complainant against Yediyurappa was turned down by the then Governor Vajubhai Vala on June 23, 2021. The complainant Abraham had challenged the order of the Special Court. Restoring the private complaint, the High Court had said that request for sanction was not made either by the police/Investigation Agency or other law enforcement Authorities, nor pursuant to the order of the court as contemplated under First Proviso to section 19 of the P.C. Act. The court had also said that the rejection of sanction for prosecution against Yediyurappa would not come in the way of continuance of proceedings. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said the State has signed memoranda of understanding worth Rs 1.3 lakh crore in the renewable energy space and soon work will start in the area of hydrogen fuel. The Chief Minister said his government wants to set up industries all along the Karnataka stretch of the Mumbai-Chennai corridor and renewable energy all along the seashore. "We are doing extensive work in the field of renewable energy. We will soon start producing hydrogen fuel. We have signed Rs 1.3 lakh crore worth MoUs in renewable energy," Bommai said. Also Read | Bengaluru tops in intent to hire in Q2 2022: Employment Outlook Report He was speaking at the inaugural function of the Indian Manufacturing Show-2022, organised by the 'Laghu Udyog Bharati' at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre. "There will be production of biofuel, solar, and hydrogen. We are going to produce ammonia from sea (water). It's an essential part of our agenda," the Chief Minister said. "Karnataka takes steps, which others will follow", Bommai said, adding that the state recognises the entrepreneurship, research and development, skills and capital of the industrialists and helps them in whichever way it can. In this regard, he said the state has taken steps to offer the PLI (production-linked incentives) to the industries. Speaking about the progress made in the defence sector, Bommai said earlier 90 per cent of the defence equipment were imported right from raincoat, daily use materials for the soldiers and also coffins. ' "Now 60 per cent of the defence requirement is produced in India by the Indians. To make this possible, a strong R&D is required, which we have started achieving. We will achieve 90 per cent manufacturing of defence equipment in the coming days," the Chief Minister said. He also said that India has switched from defence equipment importing country to an exporting country. "This is the change that is happening. It shows India has got the potential. It has to be explored, supported and harnessed. We need (to ensure) that talent gets recognised," Bommai said. According to him, this was an era of change and the "curve of change is going upward". "We are lucky to be living in this time. Make the best use of this time," the chief minister in his appeal to the industrial leaders. He said the state has the best industrial, electric vehicle, employment and R&D policies. "The more you employ our local youth, we will give you more incentives," Bommai told the gathering. He also appealed to leaders of industry to participate in the Global Investors' Meet (GIM) from November 2 to 4, organised by Karnataka Government, and make the event successful. Thousand crore boost for Mahabharata? You might be wondering about this latest rumour that Bollywood is abuzz with Washington, Sep 15 (IANS) The US space agency has announced to fund three studies to understand the growing problem of space junk to analyse the economic, social and policy issues associated with space sustainability. Bhavya Lal, the associate administrator for the Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy (OTPS) at NASA, said that orbital debris is one of the great challenges of our era. "Maintaining our ability to use space is critical to our economy, our national security, and our nation's science and technology enterprise," Lal said in a statement. "These awards will fund research to help us understand the dynamics of the orbital environment and show how we can develop policies to limit debris creation and mitigate the impact of existing debris," she added. Orbital debris consists of human-made objects orbiting Earth that no longer serve a purpose, including mission-related and fragmentation debris, nonfunctional spacecraft, and abandoned rocket stages. NASA takes the threat of orbital debris seriously as these objects can endanger spacecraft, jeopardize access to space, and impede the development of a low-Earth orbit economy, including commercial participation. These new awards will fund research that supports the agency's commitment to addressing the problem. Last month, Digantara, a Bengaluru-based startup, said it is on a mission to compile data on space debris. The startup is set to send 40 satellites that are going to study data on space junk in low-earth orbit (LEO). The satellites are scheduled to be launched early next year. (Except for the headline, the rest of this IANS article is un-edited) For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in Subscriber content preview By HALELUYA HADERO AP Business Writer NEW YORK California is suing Amazon, accusing the company of violating the state's antitrust laws by stifling competition and engaging in practices that push sellers to maintain higher prices on products on other sites. The 84-page lawsuit filed Wednesday in San Francisco Superior Court mirrors another complaint filed last year by the District of Columbia, which was dismissed by a district judge earlier this year and is now going through an appeals process. . . . An Iowa teen was given five years of probation after fatally stabbing the man she claimed to have been her rapist. In connection with Zachary Brooks' killing in 2020 in Des Moines, Pieper Lewis, 17, was also ordered to pay a $150,000 to his family. Lewis admitted to willful injury and involuntary manslaughter last year. Both offenses carry a maximum 10-year prison sentence. If she breaks the terms of her probation, she might spend 20 years in prison. Judge David M. Porter of the Polk County District Court condemned Lewis on Tuesday. Iowa Teen Who Killed Her Accused Rapist Sentenced The judge ordered that she remain in a residential facility where she must wear a tracking device as part of the conditions of her probation. He acknowledged that forcing Lewis to give Brooks' family money was controversial, but added that under Iowa law, "this court is presented with no other option." Per BBC, a 1997 statute mandates that those found guilty of homicide must pay $150,000. By Wednesday afternoon, a GoFundMe established by one of Lewis' former instructors had topped $234,000. Lewis read aloud from a prepared speech on Tuesday, "Hear me roar, see me glow, and see me grow." Lewis' spirit has been scorched, yet still shines through the flames. I am a survivor," she continued. The Iowa teen was sleeping in a doorway in 2020 after escaping an abusive home when a man took her in and sold her to other people for prostitution. She told the court that one of them, Brooks, age 37, had repeatedly raped her. In a knife attack in June 2020, the teenager stabbed him more than 30 times. Polk County District Judge David Porter said Lewis would be taken to a halfway house in Des Moines and would wear a GPS tracking device to make sure she didn't revert to "the lifestyle you thus far left." Lewis' assertion that she is a survivor has drawn criticism from the prosecution, who contend that she did not accept responsibility for Brooks' passing and left his children without a father. The court questioned Lewis about the bad decisions she made that resulted in the stabbing and voiced his concerns about the fact that she occasionally disregarded restrictions while being held as a juvenile. In Iowa, there is a provision known as the affirmative defense that gives victims of crimes some protection if they committed the offense "under duress from the prospect of significant injury from another, provided that the defendant reasonably believed that such injury was impending." Prosecutors countered that when Lewis pleaded guilty to manslaughter and malicious injury, she forfeited that affirmative defense. Lewis completed her GED when she was incarcerated for juvenile offenses and unable to contact her friends and family, Fox News reported. Read Also: Southern Border Crisis: Illegal Immigrants Dress in Camouflage, Climb in Naco Wall To Run Into US Soil What's Next For Lewis' Case? So-called safe harbor laws, which provide victims of trafficking with at least some degree of criminal immunity, are present in dozens of jurisdictions. Not one of them is Iowa. However, if an Iowan can demonstrate that they were in danger of "imminent" significant injury, they can avoid conviction for violent offenses. No one questioned that Lewis had been sexually molested and trafficked, but prosecutors were successful in their claim that Brooks did not pose a threat to Lewis at the time of the stabbing because Lewis was asleep. Bringing charges against Lewis, according to the prosecution, served two purposes: first, to protect the public from someone who could fatally stab someone else; and second, to make sure Lewis gets the rehabilitation support she needs. Per The Independent, Lewis will spend the five years of his supervised probation in the Fresh Start Women's Center in Des Moines, Iowa, a low-security jail where inmates have some flexibility to work and travel. With the aid of a GPS-enabled ankle band, Lewis' whereabouts will be tracked. Additionally, she was required to perform 600 hours of community service, which she was to complete by educating other young people about the risks they confront and the value of making wise decisions. Related Article: Oklahoma Inmate Found Dead in His Cell After Filing a Lawsuit Alleging Him, Other Prisoners Were Tortured with 'Baby Shark' Song by Jail Employees @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Subscriber content preview SEATTLE The B&E Meats & Seafood corner, at 2401 Queen Anne Ave. N., sold for $3 million, according to King County records. The seller was 2401 Queen Anne Leasing LLC, a family group that had owned the property for decades. . . . Subscriber content preview RENTON A Walgreens at 275 Rainier Ave. S. in Renton sold for nearly $6.8 million, according to King County records. The seller was Walgreens entity Waltrust Properties, which acquired the property in 2000 for $2.8 million, not long after the store opened. . . . Albert Einstein's Theory of General Relativity has passed its most stringent test yet after scientists observed their experiment on the weak-equivalence principle. Scientists announced that Einstein's theory of general relativity has proven itself to be a fundamental truth of our universe. The team conducted what it calls the "most precise test" of one of the theory's key aspects using a mission dubbed Microscope. Weak Equivalence Principle A scientist at French aerospace lab ONERA, Manuel Rodrigues, the author of a new study published in the journal Physical Review Letters, said, "I have been working on this subject for more than 20 years, and I realize the luck I had to be the project manager of the science instrument and the co-investigator of this mission." The project sent a satellite into Earth's orbit that contained two objects: a platinum alloy and titanium alloy. Rodrigues said that the selection of the objects was based on technology considerations, including whether or not the materials were easy and feasible to make inside a laboratory, as per CNET. The alloys were blasted into Earth's orbit because stuff up there exists in our planet's gravitational field without any other forces acting on them. Once the satellite was in space, the researchers then began their tests, which lasted for years, on whether the platinum bit and titanium bit fell in the same way as they orbited Earth. Read Also: China Plans 3 More Moon Missions After Discovery of New Mineral With Potential To Be New Energy Source The researchers found their answer to that question, and they did, to an extremely precise degree. Rodrigues argued that the most thrilling part of the project was to develop an instrument and a mission that nobody else has done before at such a level of accuracy. According to Science Alert, the weak equivalence principle is relatively simple to observe in action. It states that all objects accelerate identically in the same gravitational field when no other influences act upon them, regardless of their mass or composition. Theory of General Relativity It was most famously demonstrated to dramatic effect in 1971 when astronaut Dave Scott dropped a hammer and a feather simultaneously from the same height while standing on the Moon. With air resistance to slow down the feather, the two objects, of widely different weights and composition, dropped to the lunar surface at the same speed. During the project, the team ran multiple experiments using masses suspended in free-fall, providing a total of five months worth of data. Roughly two-thirds of that data involved pairs of test masses of different masses of different compositions, alloys of titanium and platinum. While the remaining one-third involved a reference pair of masses of the same platinum composition. The Microscope team's results, which are the culmination of 20 years of research, revealed that acceleration in pairs of objects in free fall differed by no more than 1 part in 10^15. This means that they found no violations in the weak equivalence principle larger than that. On top of placing constraints on deviations in the weak equivalence principle, the team's findings also disfavor any deviations in Einstein's 1915 theory of gravity, general relativity, as a whole, Space reported. Related Article: Research Suggests Shift in Jupiter's Orbit Could Allow More of Earth's Surface To Nurture Life @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. EU General Court upholds charges against Google, but lowers fine to 4.1 bn The General Court of the European Union upheld the EU Competition Commissions 2018 ruling that Google was abusing its dominant position as an Android provider and ordered it to pay a fine of 4.1 billion. The court, however, paired the original fine of 4.3 billion imposed by the Commission on the California-based company to 4.1 billion. The EU Competition Commission had fined Google for bundling Android OS with Google services, ie, for making phone makers pre-install the Chrome browser and Search app as a part of a revenue-sharing scheme. The court while agreeing with most of the original charges, disagreed that sharing revenue is part of the original abuse, thereby also lowering the fine by 0.2 billion. This is the second-highest court in the European Union, which means that Google can appeal again to the highest court of the bloc - the Court of Justice in Luxembourg. A statement from the company read that Android has created more choices for everyone, not less, and supports thousands of successful businesses in Europe and around the world. The long-awaited Penneys store in Tallaght has opened to customers, taking the companys total number of outlets in Ireland to 37. A huge crowd gathered early on Thursday morning, with the queue stretching outside the doors of the Square Shopping Centre, to await the opening of the popular retailer. The new store was officially opened by Taoiseach Micheal Martin. It follows a 10 million euro investment that has created 300 jobs for the area and is part of Primarks commitment to invest 250 million euro in Ireland over the next 10 years. OPENING TIME UPDATE The wait is almost over! THURSDAY (15th September) 10.30am Penneys long awaited opening happens this Thursday, Level 1, The Square! Save the date and well see you there!! pic.twitter.com/6MSJMMXqML The Square Tallaght (@TheSqTallaght) September 11, 2022 It is the first new Penneys store in Dublin in six years the branch in the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre opened in December 2016. Located on the ground floor of The Square, it is one of the largest fashion stores at the shopping centre with 43,500 square feet of retail space and a Nails beauty salon. On Wednesday, Primark opened its second store in the Czech Republic in the city of Brno and on Friday it will launch its 56th store in Spain in San Sebastian. This will take the total number of Primark stores worldwide to 408. Speaking at the opening, Mr Martin said: I am delighted to be in Tallaght for the opening of this store, which represents a further significant investment by Penneys and overall in terms of Ireland, particularly this location which will be of benefit to many families. I am conscious that its on a site that was closed by the previous companies, so there is an opportunity for employment for people in the retail sector, and that is important. It reflects continuing investment in Ireland of very significant scale. In the last two weeks alone, I have been at very significant announcements. Penneys is at the centre of Irish and international retail, and its success continues to prove how valued the brand is in our lives in Ireland. The jobs announced today is testament to Primarks strength and continued growth. Penneys is a significant employer in Ireland and internationally, and its growth brings footfall back to our towns and cities in Ireland. I congratulate all at Primark on todays opening in Tallaght and wish this beloved retailer continued success. Primark chief executive Paul Marchant said: Today is a proud day for everyone at Penneys as we open our brand new store in Tallaght and continue to expand in our home market. We are thrilled to welcome our colleagues and customers into this new store to experience the best of fashion retail. We know our customers have been waiting for Penneys at The Square for a long time and we are delighted to finally open our doors to this great community. We know now, more than ever, how much it matters to our customers that we stay true to our mission of offering something for everyone at prices that are affordable to as many as possible. Our continued growth demonstrates the confidence and commitment we have in our Irish business, and we are proud to continue to play our part in supporting Irish cities, towns and communities. Penneys treated customers to a warm welcome, including a performance from local dance troupe Phoenix Dance Academy, branded Penneys treats, a live DJ in store, and a bespoke photo wall to capture their first visit. The UK has risked further antagonising the European Union by responding to legal threats over the Northern Ireland Protocol by refusing to fully implement the post-Brexit agreement. Ministers are understood to have responded to Brussels seven infringement proceedings by saying they will continue with the grace periods on checks currently in place. Britains mission to the EU formally replied by the end-of-Thursday deadline, despite politics as normal being paused during the mourning period for the Queen. The PA news agency was told that the response said the UK would continue with the current approach of not forcing retailers and exporters to adhere to all the agreed checks. The unilateral action is liable to anger the bloc, which has stressed the need to find joint solutions to the trade barrier created in the Irish Sea by the protocol. But Britain hopes that delaying the checks will help create the space for solutions to be found. Four infringement procedures were triggered by the European Commission in July, adding to three already launched a month earlier. The EU has been further angered by the UKs threat to override parts of the protocol with new legislation, which the bloc argues would break international law. Britain also requested a meeting next week of the specialised Committee on EU Programmes amid a row over the UKs association with the Horizon scientific research initiative. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen will be in Westminster for the Queens funeral on Monday. It is unclear if she will be meeting Prime Minister Liz Truss while in London, although Ms Truss is expected to hold some talks with political leaders during their visits. There have been unconfirmed suggestions that Ms Truss will speak to Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin on the margins of the funeral amid tensions over the protocol. The European Commission declined to discuss the contents of the UK letter, as did the UK Government during the mourning period. Neither side was planning to publish the document. Commission spokesman Daniel Ferrie told reporters in Brussels: I can confirm we have received a reply from the UK. We will now analyse the reply before deciding on the next steps. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. After his older brother, Charles was crowned King, Prince Andrew was allowed to preserve a major position in the Royal Family. The Duke of York, 62, served as a Counsellor of State throughout Queen Elizabeth II's reign and will continue to play an important role during King Charles' reign. Prince Andrew Keeps Important Royal Role As a Counsellor of State, Prince Andrew can temporarily execute responsibilities on behalf of the king if he is unable to do so due to illness or absence abroad. Prince Andrew, a father of two, will keep the job despite being stripped of his titles and stepping aside from Royal responsibilities in recent years owing to his connections with Jeffrey Epstein. Before Her Majesty's death on September 8, Prince Andrew, Prince Harry, Prince William, and Prince Charles held the role. Prince Andrew, Prince Harry, 37, Prince William, 40, and Princess Beatrice, 34, will all be Counsellors of State during King Charles III's reign. The top four persons in the line of succession over the age of 21 determine who gets the job. In King Charles' absence, Queen Consort Camilla, 75, can also act. According to the Royal Family website, Princess Beatrice will now be permitted to carry out the majority of the sovereign's official tasks, such as attending Privy Council meetings, signing routine paperwork, and receiving the credentials of new ambassadors to the UK. She will not, however, be delegated Commonwealth concerns, establish peers, designate Prime Ministers, or dissolve parliament unless instructed to do so by His Majesty. The announcement comes as Prince Andrew attends Queen Elizabeth II's service on September 14th, after following the royal procession at Westminster. Prince Andrew walked alongside King Charles III as they carried their mother's coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, where she will now lay in state for four days. Many members of the Firm marched with the Royal Family into Westminster Hall, but Andrew walked alone as the Queen's coffin was carried to lie-in-state, as per OK. A body language specialist argues that Prince Andrew demonstrated his uncomfortably during the Queen's service with one telling act. The Duke of York appeared particularly out of place during the sorrowful service in Westminster Hall, according to expert Adrianne Carter, often known as The Face Whisperer. The service came after a solemn 38-minute procession from the Palace, in which King Charles escorted the Queen's children and grandchildren through thousands of mourners. Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton, Sophie Wessex, and the Queen Consort rode in a vehicle behind. Following their restriction on wearing military uniforms, Prince Andrew and Prince Harry dressed in morning suits for the Queen's burial procession. While the Prince may have appeared out of place in the procession, Adrianne says he also appeared uncomfortable throughout the liturgy. As they witnessed the Queen's coffin being placed on the catafalque of the huge hall, the royals were united in their grief. Some of the bereaved family members shed tears and expressed deep emotion as they joined in prayers for Her Majesty. The doors of Westminster Hall were then opened at 5 p.m., allowing multitudes to pay their respects to the Queen's coffin while it lay in state. Millions of people are expected to queue for hours to honor Her Majesty's seven decades of service. In a moment of genuine emotion, Prince Harry, who had earlier walked beside his brother in the cortege, wiped his face while holding hands with his wife Meghan Markle in support, The Sun reported. Read Also: King Charles III: Nearly 100 Royal Palace Staff Face Layoffs as Part of Plan To Slim Down Monarchy UK Authorities Protected Prince Andrew Meanwhile, the former head of the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein has accused British authorities of shielding Prince Andrew by allowing him to dodge a formal interrogation about his acquaintance with the deceased sex trafficker. Geoffrey Berman served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) until June 2020, over a year after Epstein died in jail. Holding the Line: Inside the Nation's Preeminent US Attorney's Office and Its Battle with the Trump Justice Department is his new book. The title isn't the most appealing. Geoffrey Berman was the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) until June 2020, more than a year after Epstein died in custody. His new book is Holding the Line: Inside the Nation's Preeminent US Attorney's Office and Its Battle with the Trump Justice Department. The title isn't really enticing, according to News. Related Article: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Spotted Somber as Couple Joins Royal Family To Receive Queen Elizabeth II's Coffin @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Irelands data protection watchdog has defended its stance and the pace of its investigations into breaches by social media giants. Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon said the long-running criticisms are becoming old news. Irelands regulator of big tech companies has long faced criticism from civil liberties groups in Ireland and across Europe, accusing it of being too soft and too slow. It comes after the Data Protection Commission (DPC) issued a fine to Instagram of 405 million euro over the way in which it handled teenagers personal data, making it the largest fine the authority has ever issued. Instagrams parent company, Meta, said in a statement that it plans to appeal against the decision. The DPC was criticised for proposing a fine of 50 million euros against WhatsApp for breaches of privacy laws. However, the fine was increased to 225 million euros after it consulted with its European partners. Ms Dixon told RTE: To a large extent I think the criticisms are becoming old news, at least for those with regards to the facts, and let me address, for example, the WhatsApp (case). If you look at the decision that was made by the European Data Protection Board in relation to WhatsApp, the reason the fine ended up larger is actually because of a technical interpretation of one of the articles of the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). We had proposed fines in relation to all the infringements we found; however, we read a particular article of the GDPR as saying that only the gravest of the infringements counted for the purposes of the fine if the processing operations were linked. The EDPB in the event took a different technical interpretation. They said no, they should effectively all be cumulated together. Its an arithmetic issue as a result of the interpretation that arose in that case. So its not an example of any difference in approach in terms of how these types of infringement should be identified and ultimately punished for punitive effect. The DPC began an inquiry in September 2020 in relation to how Instagram processed the details of teenage minors. The inquiry looked at a process by which users aged between 13 and 17 were allowed to operate business accounts on Instagram, which in some cases allowed, or required, childrens phone numbers and/or email addresses to be made public. Ms Dixon added: With a case like this, its somewhat more tangible what the harms could be because we know that the phenomenon of technology-facilitated grooming is real. The contact details posted potentially without users being aware of the risks, the significance of the risks could be considerable. So we opened an investigation in 2020. We looked at issues of the design in relation to the automatic posting of content of children publicly in relation to the contact details being made public and in relation then to how Instagram itself had assessed the risks and designed its measures accordingly. We made findings of infringement across a number of areas. We assess the severity and the nature of those, and we proposed fines, a fining range for each of the infringements that we found, and those finding ranges when totalled added up to 405 million. Meta is expected to pay the fine once it is confirmed by the courts in Dublin. The money then goes to the Exchequer. A suspected Kinahan cartel associate, described as one of Europes biggest money launderers by European authorities, has been arrested in Spain as part of a multi-agency investigation. It is understood that the man arrested is John Morrissey, who was among those named and sanctioned by US authorities earlier this year in an attempt to dismantle the Irish Kinahan crime gang. Photos released by authorities show a topless man, whose face is blurred, being arrested in Malaga on Monday while surrounded by members of Irelands An Garda Siochana, the UKs National Crime Agency (NCA), and Spains Guardia Civil. The EUs law enforcement agency Europol said on Thursday that the arrested man is considered a high-value target for his alleged involvement in a number of high-profile criminal cases across Europe. In a statement, Europol said that the arrested man and his associates are suspected to have been in charge of moving large amounts of cash between criminal organisations in different countries. The money was transferred using an informal method that doesnt involve money being physically moved. Over a year and a half it is believed that more than 200 million euro was laundered using this method. The Guardia Civil said that the organisation in Spain had the capacity to launder up to 350,000 euro a day. Three of Mr Morrisseys associates were also arrested, two in Spain and one in the UK, with 11 property searches being carried out in both countries as part of the year-and-a-half long investigation. Europol has said that the main members of the organisation in Spain had created a brand of vodka promoted in nightclubs and restaurants in Costa del Sol to disguise the source of their earnings. It is also alleged that they founded a company in the UK, dependent on another company based in Gibraltar, in order to hide the identity of the administrators of the companies that were being used to launder the illegal profits. One of the suspects arrested ran a car dealership, and is suspected by Europol of providing vehicles to the criminal organisation in which he had built concealed compartments to transport the large amounts of cash undetected. The Guardia Civil led what was called a complex investigation, and worked with Gardai, the NCA, and the Dutch National Police (Politie), with international activity coordinated by Europols European Financial and Economic Crime Centre. It comes months after US authorities offered a five million dollar reward for information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of the Kinahan cartel leaders. The US Treasury department imposed sanctions against senior members of the Kinahan crime gang, including Christy Kinahan Snr and his sons Daniel and Christopher Jnr. Also named and sanctioned by the US department were Sean McGovern, Ian Dixon, and Bernard Clancy as well as Mr Morrissey. By Ron Paul A Swiss billboard is making the rounds on social media depicting a young woman on the telephone. The caption reads, "Does the neighbor heat the apartment to over 19 degrees (66F)? Please inform us." While the Swiss government has dismissed the poster as a fake, the penalties Swiss citizens face for daring to warm their homes are very real. According to the Swiss newspaper Blick, those who violate the 66 degree heating limit could face as many as three years in prison! Prison time for heating your home? In the free world? How is it possible in 2022, when Switzerland and the rest of the political west have achieved the greatest economic success in history, that the European continent faces a winter like something out of the dark ages? Sanctions. While long promoted often by those opposed to war as a less destructive alternative to war, sanctions are in reality acts of war. And as we know with interventionism and war, the result is often unintended consequences and even blowback. European sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine earlier this year will likely go down in history as a prime example of how sanctions can result in unintended consequences. While seeking to punish Russia by cutting off gas and oil imports, European Union politicians forgot that Europe is completely dependent on Russian energy supplies and that the only people to suffer if those imports are shut down are the Europeans themselves. The Russians simply pivoted to the south and east and found plenty of new buyers in China, India, and elsewhere. In fact, Russias state-run Gazprom energy company has reported that its profits have increased by 100 percent in the first half of this year. Russia is getting rich while Europeans are facing a freezing winter and economic collapse. All because of the false belief that sanctions are a cost-free way to force other countries to do what you want them to do. What happens when the people see dumb government policies making energy bills skyrocket as the economy grounds to a halt? They become desperate and take to the streets in protest. This weekend thousands of Austrians took to the streets in a Freedom Rally to demand an end to sanctions and the opening of Nord Stream II, the gas pipeline on the verge of opening earlier this year. Last week an estimated 100,000 Czechs took to the streets of Prague to protest NATO and EU policy. In France, the Yellow Vests are back in the streets protesting the destruction of their economy in the name of defeating Russia in Ukraine. In Germany, Serbia, and elsewhere, protests are gearing up. Even the Washington Post was forced to admit that sanctions on Russia are not having the intended effect. In an article yesterday, the paper worries that sanctions are inflicting collateral damage in Russia and beyond, potentially even hurting the very countries that impose them. Some even worried that the sanctions intended to deter and weaken Putin could end up emboldening and strengthening him. This is all predictable. Sanctions kill. Sometimes they kill innocents in the country targeted for destruction and sometimes they kill innocents in the country imposing them. The solution, as always, is non-intervention. No sanctions, no "color revolutions," no meddling. It's really that simple. Copyright 2022 by RonPaul Institute. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is gladly granted, http://ronpaulinstitute.org/ US$ 20 million EBRD loan to Bank of Georgia for on-lending to local MSMEs EU grants for modernisation investments Boost for greener, more competitive and export-ready businesses The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union (EU) are stepping up their support for Georgian micro, small and medium-sized (MSMEs) enterprises via Bank of Georgia. A new US$ 20 million EBRD loan to the leading Georgian bank will help local firms across the country increase competitiveness and invest in upgrades, including green technologies. The loan agreement was signed today by EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso on her official visit to Georgia. This funding comes under the EU4Business-EBRD Credit Line a flagship programme that enables borrowers to enhance production and trade more successfully on the international market, as well as advance environmental practices; at least 70 per cent of the loan is expected to fund investments in accordance with the EBRD Green Economy Transition (GET) approach. MSMEs can access funds in local currency and benefit from incentive grant funding, as well as technical assistance from international advisers, funded by the EU under the EU4Business initiative. Georgian companies will be able to improve their productivity, competitiveness and working environment for their employees. Bank of Georgia was the first financial institutions to join the EU4Business-EBRD credit line in Georgia. Since 2016 it has financed more than 100 landmark projects in almost all the sectors of the economy: manufacturing, agriculture, construction, medical services and hospitality. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, the bank is one of the largest and systemic banks in Georgia with a record of strong and stable returns that has been financing businesses for almost 30 years. Since 2009 the EU has been supporting companies in Georgia through the EU4Business programme. With almost 50 different projects active with a total budget of over 320 million, the EU is proud to be the largest foreign supporter of private sector development in Georgia. These efforts are bringing results in 2021 alone, more than 34,000 SMEs in Georgia were supported, resulting in an estimated 15,000 new jobs and generating an estimated 120 million of extra income. To date, the EBRD has invested more than 5 billion in 270 projects in the financial, corporate, infrastructure and energy sectors, with 81 per cent of those investments in the private sector. This year the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) marks the 30th anniversary of the launch of its operations in Kazakhstan. What began as a small representative office in Almaty, the countrys largest city, has become the biggest continuous banking operation for the EBRD in Central Asia, with almost US$ 10 billion invested through nearly 300 projects to date. Currently, Kazakhstan is one of the Banks most important markets. The EBRD has two main offices in Nur-Sultan and Almaty and a network of smaller offices in Aktobe, Karaganda, Kostanay, Shymkent and Ust-Kamenogorsk. The Banks recently approved country strategy for Kazakhstan aims to boost private-sector competitiveness and connectivity and to strengthen economic governance. The EBRD is also supporting Kazakhstans green pathway to carbon neutrality and climate resilience, as well as promoting economic inclusion and gender equality through greater private-sector engagement. The strategy rests on the Enhanced Partnership Framework Arrangement signed between the Bank and Kazakhstan in 2021. It is helping to boost the resilience, modernisation, digitalisation and regional integration of the national economy. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance of Kazakhstan and the EBRD Governor Yerulan Zhamaubayev said: The EBRD has been a trusted partner of Kazakhstan for three decades delivering finance, expertise and helping attract foreign direct investment. We are grateful for the excellent level cooperation and want it continue for many years to come. Huseyin Ozhan, EBRD Head of Kazakhstan, said: The EBRD is very proud to have supported so many important initiatives In Kazakhstan. Thirty years on, this is a very different operation and, working with the authorities, we are helping to making this country greener, more inclusive and more digital. There are many more challenges ahead and we look forward to addressing them together. Initially, the EBRDs activity in Kazakhstan supported the countrys mining and extractive industries, which still play an important role in the national economy. Various projects with the Kazakhstan Electricity Grid Operating Company (KEGOC) improved the reliability and efficiency of electricity transmitted from traditional coal-fired power plants in the north to the rest of the country. The Bank also supported important initiatives such as the Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership, designed to help local oil-producing companies reduce energy wastage and combat damage to the environment. As Kazakhstan declared an intention to move towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy by cutting the use of coal-fired power stations and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2030, the EBRD intensified its cooperation with the national gas firm QazaqGaz. Various financial facilities with QazaqGaz were designed to promote energy efficiency, reduce carbon intensity in the gas sector and increase the use of domestically produced natural gas in order to replace the use of coal across Kazakhstan. More recently, the EBRD has worked with companies such as ShalkiyaZinc to promote sustainable mining and create new inclusive job opportunities. The Banks award-winning project with the Atyrau oil refinery helped upgrade the companys wastewater treatment facilities, giving the region a major environmental boost. In line with the ambition to ensure that green financing accounts for more than 50 per cent of EBRD annual business volume by 2025, the Bank has actively supported renewable power generation in Kazakhstan. In fact, half of the countrys installed renewable capacity has been financially supported by the EBRD. Since 2014, the EBRD, the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) have jointly committed substantial resources to renewable energy generation projects across Kazakhstan. These have included solar plants in Chulakkurgan, Baikonur and Zhangiz-tobe. The Bank also financed the construction of Chinas Risen Energy solar plant in the Karaganda region, Nomad Solar in the Kyzylorda region and the Zadarya solar power plant near the city of Shymkent. The Burnoye solar plants, financed by the EBRD, were the first utility-scale renewable energy projects in Kazakhstan under legislation enabling private investment in the sector. In parallel, in 2016, the Bank launched an ambitious programme with the CTF and GCF, targeting further advancement of the countrys green agenda by supporting private renewable energy projects through the Kazakhstan Renewables Framework. The Framework aims to finance 500 million of renewable-energy and grid-integration projects, supporting the countrys commitments to cutting emissions under the Paris climate agreement. The facility promotes solar, wind, hydro, biogas, distribution and transmission projects and is helping reduce CO 2 emissions by at least 500,000 tonnes per year. A properly working financial sector is the lifeblood of any economy. The EBRD has therefore been improving institutional capacity and regularly providing funds to partner financial institutions such as Bank CenterCredit and the microfinance organisation KMF. The funds are on-lent to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), especially in rural areas. These loans, typically provided in local currency, help MSMEs access much-needed working capital, finance energy-efficiency improvements and invest in climate mitigation and adaptation technologies and services. The EBRD also launched its Women in Business programme, in partnership with the government of Kazakhstan. The programme provides credit lines, risk-management support and technical assistance to local financial institutions that work with women-led SMEs. In addition, it offers business advisory services, training and mentoring directly to these SMEs. The Bank pays special attention to the development of local capital markets and to improving the institutional capacity of key stakeholders. For instance, the EBRD was a trusted partner of the government in the establishment of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). It supported the introduction of green financing under the AIFC and helped review the exchange rules for the Astana International Exchange. The EBRD helped the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) to improve liquidity provision systems and increase transparency. These measures helped channel domestic and foreign investment to Kazakhstan, stimulate growth, set new standards of corporate governance and promote green innovation. Other important initiatives in the countrys financial sector have included: the introduction of the Regional Small Business Programme (RSBP), which has offered specialist training on MSME lending to more than 1,400 professionals so far the Green Economy Financing Facility in Kazakhstan (KazGEFF), which provides funding and technical support for financial institutions promoting green lending to companies and residents legal support for the regulator in order to boost the secondary market for non-performing loans and distressed assets. Reliable transport and regional connectivity are vital for the ninth-largest country in the world. The EBRD has been supporting the national road operator, KazAvtoZhol, by financing the rehabilitation and upgrade of key roads between various regions of the country and by connecting Kazakhstan with neighbouring countries. The EBRD has played a major role in organising financing for the construction of the 66-kilometre BAKAD ring road around the city of Almaty and brought the deal to a financial close, making this the largest public-private partnership (PPP) project in both Kazakhstan and Central Asia. It is also the first PPP project in the region to have been structured with the involvement of international advisers and through an open, international competitive process. In 2021, the EBRD facilitated better regional and international connectivity for air travellers by arranging a loan to develop key infrastructure at Almaty International Airport. The biggest-ever private investment in airport infrastructure in Kazakhstan and the region will help boost operations of the busiest airport in Central Asia. The Bank has helped the national airline, Air Astana, construct the first aircraft maintenance facility in the country and in the whole of Central Asia. It has also provided the national carrier with liquidity support to boost its resilience, which was affected by the pandemic. Various financing facilities provided by the EBRD to Kazakhstans national railway company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), helped it improve operational efficiency and introduce energy-saving measures across the railway network. The Bank participated both in Eurobond and local currency bond issues by KTZ. This latest EBRD investment will help Kazakhstans state-owned railway operator restructure its balance sheet and implement a range of crisis-response measures, including the reorganisation of its transit freight operations, to cope with the after-effects of the pandemic and ongoing geopolitical turmoil. No other financial institution has done more than the EBRD to support the replacement of municipal public transport and street lighting and the reconstruction of services for water, wastewater and heating in Kazakhstan. These projects, together worth more than 530 million, have been implemented in 11 cities, including Aktobe, Kostanay, Kyzylorda, Nur-Sultan, Pavlodar, Shymkent, Taraz and Ust-Kamenogorsk. Four local municipalities (Almaty, Semey, Shymkent and Ust-Kamenogorsk) have joined the EBRD Green Cities programme - a crucial tool for helping cities set out their sustainable development vision and strategic objectives, in addition to the actions and investments required to address high-priority environmental issues. To date, the Bank has implemented more than 3,000 advisory projects in the country with local and international experts, helping SMEs improve their performance and find new growth and export opportunities. It has also supported the establishment of the professional business consulting market in Kazakhstan. The EBRD would like to pay tribute to Gabriel Al-Salem, who made a significant contribution to the development of the consulting industry in Kazakhstan and throughout Central Asia. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. Fruit leather is generally considered a healthy snack to grab on your way to the cash register or toss in your childs lunchbox. But a new report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) released Thursday revealed that these dried-fruit pancakes have a secret ingredient: pesticides. The environmental and public-health watchdog tested 37 organic and conventional fruit leathers from 10 brands including 365 Whole Foods Market, Bear, Bob Snail, Good & Gather, Stretch Island, Thats It and Trader Joes and found that all 26 conventional leathers tested positive for pesticide residues. The results affirm what weve said for a long time: Whenever possible, given your budget and other considerations, choose fruit that is both organic and fresh not dried, the report authors advised. The Problem with Fruit Leathers The EWG testing was based on samples collected around the Washington, D.C., area in 2021 and 2022. The group tested for two different markers of pesticide exposure: The number of different pesticides detected The overall concentration of pesticides. In general, the organic samples had fewer pesticides at lower concentrations than the conventional samples. The product with the highest number of different pesticides was the Stretch Island Raspberry Fruit Leather with 17 different pesticides. This also had the highest concentration of pesticides at 7,891 parts per billion (ppb). Other leathers with high pesticide concentrations were the Cherry and Strawberry Fruit Leathers; Thats It Mango, Apple Mango, and Blueberry Fruit Bars; Good & Gather Fruit Strips Strawberry, and Trader Joes Apple Strawberry Fruit Bar, which had more than 20 times the concentrations of other products. In general, though, EWG science analyst and report co-author Sydney Evans told EcoWatch that the reason conventional fruit leathers contain so much pesticide residue is because of the limited number of fruits used to make them. When she was collecting samples, she noticed that, no matter the flavor on the package, the most common ingredient was apple. Another popular ingredient was strawberry. Both of these fruits are very high on EWGs Dirty Dozen list of conventional fruits and vegetables to avoid because they contain higher concentrations of pesticides. In fact, strawberries have consistently claimed the No. 1 spot. Even if you cant afford or find organic fruits, it is much easier to avoid pesticide exposure with fresh or dried produce. EWGs Clean Fifteen list recommends conventional fruits like pineapple, papaya and mango that tested low or zero for pesticide residue. Further, in 2021 EWG tested 30 dried fruits and found that conventional cranberries, dates, figs, mangoes and prunes did not have any detectable pesticides. EWG is all about empowering consumer choice and knowledge, Evans told EcoWatch. And so I think what I took away from this after completing the study was how confined the options for fruit leathers really are if youre trying to protect yourself from pesticide exposures. For kids' snacks, fresh, organic fruit is healthiest. Check out our survey results to see what's in fruit leather and dried fruit snacks. (Hint: #pesticides and lots of sugar.) #ToxicChemicals https://t.co/BCbqPV5Jcp EWG (@ewg) September 15, 2022 The Problem with Pesticides But why should a shopper go out of their way to avoid pesticides, especially since most of the residues EWG finds are below the legal limit for pesticide exposure set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)? Each pesticide is designed to be toxic, Evans said. They are designed to ward off or kill pests of different varieties. Pesticide exposure has been linked to a variety of serious health problems including cancer, impacts on the neurological or reproductive systems, liver and kidney damage and hormone disruption, according to the study. And even if each pesticide is present at legal levels, scientists are concerned that exposure to a cocktail of pesticides could have an impact greater than the sum of its parts. Legal doesnt necessarily mean safe, Evans said. And children face even greater risk. Theyre smaller, so theyre eating more food and drinking more water per pound of body weight than adults are, Evans told EcoWatch. So theyre getting more exposure based on their size. Theyre of course developing. So they are particularly vulnerable to the effects of a lot of these things. Early exposure to pesticides has been linked to childhood cancers and developmental and behavioral problems, the American Academy of Pediatrics has said. Finally, even if youre willing to take the risk with your own health, conventionally-grown produce also exposes agricultural workers to pesticides. People of color in the U.S. are more likely to be exposed to pesticides, partly because 83 percent of farmworkers identify as Hispanic. When we buy organic, Evans said, not only are we then protecting [] the person buying it, but also anyone thats working in the agricultural sector growing those things. How to Snack Dry fruits are also an option because it is easier to choose fruits that test lower for pesticides and because they are less likely to have extra ingredients like preservatives or additives. Daniel Kaesler / EyeEm / Getty Images So what should you do if youve been feeding yourself or your child a steady diet of conventional fruit leathers? The first thing, Evan said, was not to panic or feel guilty. The whole purpose of publishing tests like this is to help people make informed, healthy choices going forward. [W]ere talking about lower-level, long-term exposure, so anything that you do to change today to lower those exposures is only going to help further on down the road, she said. Organic fruit leathers are an option if you really enjoy the snack. While only one organic leather testedGood & Gather (Target) Organic Fruit Strips Strawberryhad zero pesticides, the concentrations were generally lower than conventional options. Pesticides can still end up on the organic products because they drift over from conventional fields or contaminate the product during processing, but the product was not grown under a steady spray of toxins. Dry fruits are also an option because it is easier to choose fruits that test lower for pesticides and because they are less likely to have extra ingredients like preservatives or additives. However, ultimately EWG said that fresh fruits were the healthiest choice for another reason: They have a lower concentration of sugars. EWG really supports fresh fruit and vegetable consumption where possible, Evans said. Consumer advice dispensed, its important to note that protecting yourself from pesticides shouldnt only be your responsibility. The report observed that many pesticides used in the U.S. are either regulated more carefully or outright banned in other countries. Evans said that existing regulations also dont take into account the potential risk of being exposed to multiple pesticides at once. EWG is really for strengthening these regulations and protections for people around pesticides, because its just not sufficient when youre being exposed to five ,10, 15 pesticides each time you have one of these fruit leathers, for example, she told EcoWatch. Muslims in U.S. still living under Islamophobia decades after 9/11: U.S. experts Xinhua) 09:41, September 15, 2022 CAIRO, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- As 21 years have passed after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Muslim community in the United States is still suffering from continuous hate, bullying, discrimination and violence against them, U.S. experts said. The 9/11 attacks ushered in a new era of hate crimes, racism, and xenophobia against Muslims, reported the Al-Jazeera English-language news channel on the 21st anniversary of the attacks, adding that hate crimes against Muslims in the United States skyrocketed immediately after September 11, 2001, and are still on an upward trend. "Muslims continue to be the target of hate, bullying, and discrimination as a result of the stereotypes that were perpetuated by Islamophobes and the media in the years following the 9/11 attacks," said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Los Angeles chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. He attributed the Islamophobia problem to the reason that the U.S. government needs a common "enemy" to blame. A total of 62 percent of Muslims report feeling religion-based hostility and 65 percent felt disrespected by others, said Zahra Jamal, associate director of Rice University's Boniuk Institute for Religious Tolerance in Houston. Meanwhile, the U.S. has a long history of "dehumanizing and marginalizing" ethnic and religious groups, including Native Americans, African Americans, Jews, and Asian Americans, the expert noted, urging the superpower to address the problem head-on. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Never Let A Good Crisis Go to Waste Relentless Ukraine reporting helps conceal other conflicts By Philip Giraldi September 14, 2022: Information Clearing House -- It is astonishing how many observers of war in Ukraine who should know better have been inclined to take at face value the assertions of sources that clearly originate among the various governments that are involved in the conflict. Those leaders who are engaged in the inexorable march by the US and its allies to turn the Ukraine crisis into World War 3 surely have learned the lesson that managing the narrative of what is taking place is the greatest weapon that the war hawks have in their possession. One recalls how post-9/11 and leading up to the Iraq War the George W. Bush White House and the neocons in the Pentagon lied about nearly everything to convince the public that Saddam Hussein was a terrorist supporting megalomaniac armed with weapons of mass destruction, inevitably describing him as a man in some ways comparable to Adolf Hitler. Nevertheless, many observers of what was occurring were not fooled and there were large scale demonstrations in a number of cities prior to the invasion in March 2003, which, of course, were rarely reported in the mainstream media in order to control the message. Iraq in some ways was a learning experience for those in government and also for those in the media who did the heavy lifting by propagating the deception to a largely unsuspecting public. What we are seeing now relating to Ukraine and Russia, however, makes the Iraq experience look like childs play in terms of the sheer audacity of the alleged information that makes it, or does not make it, into the news. I note particularly the recent terrorist car bombing of Russian activist journalist Dalya Dugina by a Ukrainian assassin made the news for roughly forty-eight hours before disappearing, but not before the lie that Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was responsible was firmly planted in a number of places in the mainstream media. Now that Joe Biden is about to designate a two or three star general to head the Ukraine campaign and has pledged billions of dollars more in aid, Ukraine will be all the news all the time. The US involvement will also feature a catchy name. I would suggest Operation Empty Wallets, which is what Americans will soon be experiencing due to government bailouts and other profligate spending, or maybe Operation Give Me a Break. And it will also create a new dimension to the narrative-shaping in that Ukraine reportings domination of what comes out of the newsrooms already is effectively killing much of what else might otherwise be appearing on TV or in the newspapers. That selective management of information provides cover for neglecting stories that might prove embarrassing for those in power. It in effect means that there has been plenty of room for the usual players to engage in business as usual with hardly any scrutiny by the public over what is going on outside Ukraine in secondary theaters like the Middle East and Africa. All of which leads one to examine what the two countries that have unilaterally declared themselves to be rules makers and enforcers have been up to. Those two countries are perhaps not surprisingly the United States and Israel. The US is, in fact, increasing its combat role in Africa featuring airstrikes in Somalia, all of which have taken place since US President Joe Biden approved the redeployment of hundreds of special forces troops to that country in May, reversing a decision by former President Donald Trump to reduce troop levels in AFRICOM. The two latest attacks killed at least twenty Somalis, all of whom were of course described as terrorists by the US command. Independent sources state that US forces have bombed Somalia at least 16 times under Biden, killing between 465 and 545 alleged al-Shabaab militants, including no less than 200 individuals in a single drone plus ground forces strike on March 13th. Describing the paucity of reporting on the issue, Kelley Beaucar Vlahos, a senior adviser at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, observed If you were unaware that we were bombing Somalia, dont feel bad, this is a completely under-the-radar news story, one that was curiously absent from the headlines in all of the major newspapers And then there is Syria, where a paucity of information in the media reflects White House policy. The United States, which has possibly as many as a dozen illegal bases in Syria, has a major airbase located in the al-Omar oil field in Syrias northeastern Deir Ezzor province. Several weeks ago, three US soldiers were reportedly slightly wounded in rocket attacks directed at the base by alleged Iranian-backed militants. The US responded to the claimed attacks by launching strikes from Apache helicopters against three vehicles belonging to an Afghan Shia militia, killing between six and ten militants, and there are reports that more tit-for-tat exchanges of fire are likely. CENTCOM afterwards claimed that President Joe Biden personally ordered the strikes in self-defense and justified them by citing Article II of the US Constitution. But the Constitution was never intended to cover illegal activity in a foreign land where US forces are occupying a country with which it is not at war and which has a functioning government that opposes the American presence. The US reportedly has its illegal bases mostly located in the oil producing and agricultural bread basket of the country. Both the grain and oil are routinely stolen by the US and much of the oil winds up in Israel. So, one inevitably comes to Israel, which has used the cover provided by Ukraine not only to bomb Syria frequently but also to kill Palestinians both in Gaza and on the occupied West Bank. Recently the pace has accelerated with the Israeli Army and police killing on average several Palestinians every day, very little of which is reported in the US media, a fatality rate five times higher than that which prevailed in 2021. It is clearly a deliberate policy to step up the pressure on the Palestinians and a vital part of the process is to let it happen with minimal scrutiny by the media and public, so Israel is widely publicizing the support it is giving to Ukraine to draw attention away from what it does locally. In short, Israel is increasing efforts to make the historic Palestine Palestinian-free by rendering life so miserable that many Arabs will decide to leave. The use of selective violence and constant harassment is all part of that effort and Palestinians have found that describing Israel as an apartheid state does not accurately describe the intensity of the indiscriminate punishments and killings by soldiers which have become all too common. Israel meanwhile is also doing its best to delegitimize Palestinian national identity by labeling Arab human rights groups as terrorists. Israeli police recently raided the offices of seven such groups, confiscated their office equipment and communications, and ordered the premises to be shut down completely. Ironically, a CIA assessment of the groups determined that they were not in any way terrorist linked. The Joe Biden administration characteristically responded to the development by indicating that it was concerned but did not condemn the Israeli action. So, if you open a newspaper or turn on the television and watch or read the international news, you will be told what to think about what is going on in Ukraine. And it will be from the Ukrainian/US government point of view. If you are interested in what the US and Israel are up to in the Middle East, you will most often be out of luck as defending democracy in Ukraine while also demonizing Russia is providing cover for Washington and Jerusalem to get into all kinds of mischief. It is a reality derived from how the media and government work collectively to shape policies that in no way benefit the American public. Instead, powerful interest groups with plenty of cash drive the process and are the ones who gain still more power and money through it. It is the sad reality of what has happened to our land of the free and home of the brave. Philip M. Giraldi, Ph.D., is Executive Director of the Council for the National Interest, a 501(c)3 tax deductible educational foundation (Federal ID Number #52-1739023) that seeks a more interests-based U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Website is councilforthenationalinterest.org, address is P.O. Box 2157, Purcellville VA 20134 and its email is inform@cnionline.org. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. In a move that sets a new precedent for corporate leadership in the age of climate change, billionaire founder of sportswear brand Patagonia Yvon Chouinard has announced that he is giving away his entire company to fight the climate crisis and safeguard nature. Earth is now our only shareholder, a message from Chouinard on the companys website says, If we have any hope of a thriving planet much less a business it is going to take all of us doing what we can with the resources we have. Before founding Patagonia in 1973, Chouinard was a rock climber in California who slept in his vehicle and ate damaged cans of cat food that he bought for five cents apiece, according to The New York Times. He still doesnt own a cellphone or a computer. In his message on Patagonias website, Chouinard wrote that he began crafting climbing gear for himself and his friends before expanding to apparel. Eventually, in the face of planet warming and environmental devastation, the company began to shift their business model. We needed to find a way to put more money into fighting the crisis while keeping the companys values intact, Chouinard said on the website. Truth be told, there were no good options available. So, we created our own Instead of extracting value from nature and transforming it into wealth for investors, well use the wealth Patagonia creates to protect the source of all wealth. All of Patagonias voting stock which represents two percent of the total as well as all of the decision-making power for the company, moves into a trust to preserve the companys purpose and values. Chouinard has donated all of the remainder of the companys nonvoting stock to nonprofit the Holdfast Collective, dedicated to protecting nature and combating the ecological crisis. The Holdfast Collective will use every dollar received to fight the environmental crisis, protect nature and biodiversity, and support thriving communities, as quickly as possible, Chouinard said in a statement, as The Guardian reported. Eighty-three-year-old Chouinard, along with his wife, children and lawyers for Patagonia, have come up with a way to organize the company so that it remains for-profit, with all of its earnings going toward endeavors to help the environment. Instead of going public, you could say were going purpose. Instead of extracting value from nature and transforming Posted by Patagonia on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 Another possible option would have been to sell the company and donate the proceeds, but that might have meant the loss of the values of the company and Patagonias employees potentially losing their jobs, Chouinards message said. Another path was to take the company public. What a disaster that would have been. Even public companies with good intentions are under too much pressure to create short-term gain at the expense of long-term vitality and responsibility, the message went on to say. The companys new structure is intended to show that the traditional belief that investors wont understand any objectives of a corporation other than profits is not the only way, board chair of Patagonia Charles Conn wrote in Fortune. Instead of exploiting natural resources to make shareholder returns, we are turning shareholder capitalism on its head by making the Earth our only shareholder, Conn wrote. Investors already look to many company attributes when allocating capital. Over time, the market will continue to work and responsible purpose-led companies will attract more investment, better employees, and deeper customer loyalty. This is not woke capitalism. Its the future of business if we want to build a better world for our children and all other creatures. When Chouinard was listed by Forbes as a billionaire, it upset him. I was in Forbes magazine listed as a billionaire, which really, really pissed me off, Chouinard said, according to The New York Times. I dont have $1 billion in the bank. I dont drive Lexuses. Patagonia started giving one percent of its profits to environmental organizations in the 1980s, The Guardian said, and was one of the first B Corporations, which requires a company to [d]emonstrate high social and environmental performance, according to the website of nonprofit B Lab. Hopefully this will influence a new form of capitalism that doesnt end up with a few rich people and a bunch of poor people, Chouinard told The New York Times. We are going to give away the maximum amount of money to people who are actively working on saving this planet. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. When it comes to the climate crisis, Russia is a study in contradictions. It is the fourth most climate-polluting country in the world, but it is also warming twice as fast as the international average, The Guardian pointed out. Melting permafrost has already been linked to a devastating oil spill in the Russian Arctic, high temperatures are fueling wildfires in Siberia and polar bears are wandering into human settlements in search of food as sea ice melts. Now, a group of activists has taken the risk of filing the countrys first-ever climate lawsuit against their government. The Russian governments approach to climate change is irresponsible and contrary to its international law obligations, legal team spokesperson Grigory Vaypan said, as The Guardian reported. The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday in Russias Supreme Court, Reuters reported. The plaintiffs are demanding that Russia reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris agreement goal of limiting global warming to well below two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. To date, Russia has made two climate promises. A presidential decree promised to cut emissions by 30 percent of their 1990 levels by 2030 and a government decree to reduce them by 80 percent of 1990 levels by 2050. The activists behind the lawsuit are instead calling for a 31 percent decrease by 2030 and a 95 percent decrease by 2050. Only by following these targets can Russia meet its obligations under the Paris Climate Agreement, the plaintiffs said. Russia has also been criticized in the past for using 1990 levels as its benchmark year for emissions reductions, The Moscow Times noted. Thats because the date coincides with the fall of the Soviet Union and a consequent pause in most of the countrys heavy industry, so it was not emitting very much to begin with. The lawsuit is being brought by a coalition of both young and veteran activists. One of the groups behind the lawsuit is the Moscow Helsinki Group, which was started by Soviet dissidents and is the oldest human rights group in the country, Reuters noted. Also joining the suit is Ekozashita (Eco-defence) and 18 individuals. They included young people from the Fridays for Future movement and members of Indigenous communities, according to The Guardian. The activists acknowledged that they were taking considerable risks by challenging a government that has become even more authoritarian since Russias invasion of Ukraine on February 24. This is a case against the government, activist Arshak Makichyan, who now lives in Germany, said, as The Guardian reported. Russia after 24 February [the date of the Ukraine invasion] became a dictatorship, and I can no longer live my life there. I dont understand how Russia will negotiate any climate deals they have been lying to people about the climate crisis. Russia has emerged as an example of the connection between oil-and-gas dependence and authoritarian regimes. In a recent article for The Guardian, writer and activist Bill McKibben pointed out that people who head governments in fossil-fuel-rich states tend to accrue lots of power because of the rarity and desirability of the resource. The most striking example of this phenomenon, it hardly need be said, is Vladimir Putin, a man whose power rests almost entirely on the production of stuff that you can burn, McKibben wrote. []Sixty per cent of the export earnings that equipped his army came from oil and gas, and all the political clout that has cowed western Europe for decades came from his fingers on the gas spigot. He and his hideous war are the product of fossil fuel, and his fossil fuel interests have done much to corrupt the rest of the world. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has just released its Issue With Tissue report for 2022, and while it does show some progress in regards to sustainable bathroom tissue, the findings also show that many major toilet paper companies are destroying Canadas boreal forests. Boreal forests are crucial to our planet, as they store 30% to 40% of land-based carbon. In the new scorecard, the NRDC notes that major companies, including P&G, Kimberly-Clark and Georgia-Pacific have received F scores for top brands such as Angel Soft, Charmin, Cottonelle and Quilted Northern. These companies are sourcing virgin forest fibers from primary boreal forests for their toilet tissue products. Other retailers, including Aldi, Lowes, Home Depot and Walmart, also received F scores for their toilet paper. Scores were based on factors including percentage of recycled content, percentage of virgin fibers, FSC certification, the bleaching process, and for products made with virgin fibers or non-FSC bamboo, the judges determined whether or not the fibers were sourced from primary forests. While many of the 60 toilet paper products surveyed received Fs, there were an increasing number of products earning higher markings with more sustainable options for consumers. Twelve products received A or A+ scores. Some of the top marks went to Trader Joes, Green Forest and Natural Value. H-E-Bs Field and Future toilet paper, Krogers Simple Truth toilet paper, Targets Everspring toilet paper and Seventh Generation Extra Soft & Strong toilet paper were among those earning A scores. In total, the report evaluated 142 products, including toilet paper, paper towels and facial tissues. Seventeen products in total received A+ marks, and another 17 received As. Industry laggards like P&G are fueling a tree-to-toilet pipeline that is flushing away some of the most environmentally important and threatened forests in the world, said Jennifer Skene, NRDCs Natural Climate Solutions policy manager, as reported by CleanTechnica. The primary forests of the boreal those areas that have never before been industrially disturbed must be protected if were going to have a chance of avoiding catastrophic climate change. Turning them into toilet paper is a climate crime, especially when done by the very companies that most need to step up to protect our future. While some major companies, including Kimberly-Clark and Georgia-Pacific, have recently released toilet paper products made with recycled materials that have earned B+ ratings, there is more work to be done. P&G is testing a bamboo toilet paper for its Charmin brand, but it has yet to commit to scaling up the product for more sales or sharing a long-term strategy for more sustainable forest fiber sourcing. P&Gs Charmin brand has become a relic thats completely misaligned with the urgency of the climate crisis we face, Ashley Jordan, NRDCs boreal corporate Campaign Coordinator, said. Newer toilet paper companies are investing in products that provide healthy options for consumers and the planet. P&G, a $350 billion corporation, has the potential to show real leadership by making Charmin planet-safe. Our forests and our future depends on it. Victoria, Australia set compensation concerning animals hit by FMD Victoria, Australia has addressed concerns about the livestock compensation process if a foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak and stock standstill occurs. Agriculture Victoria determined that compensation for animals will be set at pre-FMD outbreak values as if they were disease-free and for products, fodder and equipment, it will be based on value immediately prior to destruction. At the recent annual Rural Marketing Agents annual conference, independent analyst Simon Quilty drew attention to the Australian Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement and AUSVETPLAN compensation methodology. In a herd or flock where the disease was found, under the agreement, the value of animals would be determined by the prices at the two most recent sales that had taken place at the closest saleyards to the affected property. But under an FMD crisis, the impact is a rolling problem, according to Quilty. "In a week's time, the livestock sales continue, but the market is shut off, and prices plummet," he added. "In a herd that contracts FMD a week later, their compensation is determined by the local saleyards prices that week. "If in three weeks' time the market has crashed 50%, the same happens again it's a rolling compensation. "Effectively, producers are going to wear the cost of market closures, so you do not want to be the last to contract FMD in your herd you'd better be the first, because only the first will get pre-FMD prices for compensation. "At the other end, the last guy whose suffers a herd infection gets the worst prices ever In my opinion, compensation should be based on a set time period prior to any FMD outbreak not some rolling average' of prices once the disease strikes." Quilty was recently notified by Agriculture Victoria of changes that would base compensation on pre-FMD outbreak prices. "Prior to this, it seems my interpretation of AUSVET PLAN was the accepted compensation process for most states," he said. "This sets now an important precedent for other states." According to an updated page on the Agriculture Victoria website, for livestock, compensation is set at the market value of stock on the date of detection or reporting of disease on the property, or on the date restrictions on the movement of livestock are imposed, whichever is the earlier. If FMD is detected anywhere in Australia, authorities will immediately implement a nation-wide livestock standstill prohibiting the movement of any susceptible livestock for at least 72 hours. For property (such as livestock products, fittings, fodder, equipment or vehicles), compensation is assessed as the value of the property immediately prior to destruction. The value of animals is determined as if they were disease-free. It will take into account the animals' age, sex, breed, body condition, live-weight, production records and other factors relevant to their class. Consistent, standard, valuations will generally be used for non-stud and non-elite classes of stock. If agreement cannot be reached between the owner of the livestock and the authorities, then the value of the animals will be determined by a person who has experience in the arbitration of disputes who is nominated by the government. With official approval, an additional amount of compensation may be payable if the market value of the livestock has increased by the time movement restrictions are lifted. An owner of livestock does not need to have a pre-determined inventory, or an existing valuation of livestock to be eligible for compensation. A pre-determined inventory and valuation of livestock and product may assist authorities in the valuation process but will not necessarily be a determinant of final values and does not determine eligibility for compensation. Quilty said the hope is that the other states will follow Victoria's lead on FMD compensation. "I really welcome the decision by the Victorian Government and believe and hope that all other states should follow suit, keeping in mind that the AUSVETPLAN is a guide only and that ultimately it is the states that decide on compensation," he said. "We look to Victoria as a lead or guide and hope the other states will follow." A Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries spokesperson said compensation provisions are already in place under the EADRA in relation to direct costs arising from a nationally agreed eradication effort. - Sheep Central UK hit by biggest bird flu outbreak, 2.8 million birds killed The UK government said it is coping with its biggest outbreak of bird flu, with 2.8 million poultry and captive birds killed in 2022 so far, The Independent reported. In commercial buildings across the nation, there have been 144 outbreaks as of this writing, with 120 outbreaks in England, 11 in Scotland, 7 in Wales, and 6 in Northern Ireland. Despite the millions of birds that were killed because of infection, the UK government said that these numbers only make up a small portion of the total poultry production, which entails the weekly slaughter of about 20 million birds. The risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza infestation in wild birds is currently rated as "medium" by the government, which denotes that it occurs frequently. According to the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), a total of more than 1,600 wild birds have tested positive, but the true scope of the issue is much greater. to James Mottershead, chairman of the National Farmers' Union poultry council, said UKTN poultry farmers don't want to see another year like this. He implored those who keep birds to implement stringent biosecurity measures to protect livestock. He said the poultry industry has had a very challenging year due to the threat of bird flu, and in order to prevent another year like this, they want to collaborate with the government to reduce the impact of future bird flu outbreaks. Peter Stevenson, the chief policy advisor at the animal welfare advocacy group Compassion in World Farming, said the new figures are "shocking" and may jeopardise the switch from caged chickens to free-range hens for the production of eggs. He said this causes the birds great suffering, both while they are sick and when they are killed, or what Defra calls "cleared." According to UK regulations, farmers can only designate their eggs as "free range" if the birds spend less than 40 weeks per year outside. Dr Gavin Watkins, Wales' deputy chief veterinary officer, said the statistics for the nation are worrying, calling it evidence of the ongoing risk that there is. The RSPB is requesting that the government create a special task force to create a national response strategy. - The Independent The Kharkov Game-Changer By Pepe Escobar September 15, 2022: Information Clearing House -- " Strategic Culture -- Foundation " -- Wars are not won by psyops. Ask Nazi Germany. Still, its been a howler to watch NATOstan media on Kharkov, gloating in unison about the hammer blow that knocks out Putin, the Russians are in trouble, and assorted inanities. Facts: Russian forces withdrew from the territory of Kharkov to the left bank of the Oskol river, where they are now entrenched. A Kharkov-Donetsk-Lugansk line seems to be stable. Krasny Liman is threatened, besieged by superior Ukrainian forces, but not lethally. No one not even Maria Zakharova, the contemporary female equivalent of Hermes, the messenger of the Gods knows what the Russian General Staff (RGS) plans, in this case and all others. If they say they do, they are lying. As it stands, what may be inferred with a reasonable degree of certainty is that a line Svyatogorsk-Krasny Liman-Yampol-Belogorovka can hold out long enough with their current garrisons until fresh Russian forces are able to swoop in and force the Ukrainians back beyond the Seversky Donets line. All hell broke loose virtually on why Kharkov happened. The peoples republics and Russia never had enough men to defend a 1,000 km-long frontline. NATOs entire intel capabilities noticed and profited from it. There were no Russian Armed Forces in those settlements: only Rosgvardia, and these are not trained to fight military forces. Kiev attacked with an advantage of around 5 to 1. The allied forces retreated to avoid encirclement. There are no Russian troop losses because there were no Russian troops in the region. Arguably this may have been a one-off. The NATO-run Kiev forces simply cant do a replay anywhere in Donbass, or in Kherson, or in Mariupol. These are all protected by strong, regular Russian Army units. Its practically a given that if the Ukrainians remain around Kharkov and Izyum they will be pulverized by massive Russian artillery. Military analyst Konstantin Sivkov maintains that, most combat-ready formations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are now being grounded () we managed to lure them into the open and are now systematically destroying them. The NATO-run Ukrainian forces, crammed with NATO mercenaries, had spent 6 months hoarding equipment and reserving trained assets exactly for this Kharkov moment while dispatching disposables into a massive meat grinder. It will be very hard to sustain an assembly line of substantial prime assets to pull off something similar again. The next days will show whether Kharkov and Izyum are connected to a much larger NATO push. The mood in NATO-controlled EU is approaching Desperation Row. Theres a strong possibility this counter-offensive signifies NATO entering the war for good, while displaying quite tenuous plausible deniability: their veil of fake secrecy cannot disguise the presence of advisers and mercenaries all across the spectrum. Decommunization as de-energization The Special Military Operation (SMO), conceptually, is not about conquering territory per se: it is, or it was, so far, about protection of Russophone citizens in occupied territories, thus demilitarization cum denazification. That concept may be about to be tweaked. And thats where the tortuous, tricky debate on Russia mobilization fits in. Yet even a partial mobilization may not be necessary: whats needed are reserves to properly allow allied forces to cover rear/defensive lines. Hardcore fighters of the Kadyrov contingent kind would continue to play offense. Its undeniable that Russian troops lost a strategically important node in Izyum. Without it, the complete liberation of Donbass becomes significantly harder. Yet for the collective West, whose carcass slouches inside a vast simulacra bubble, its the pysops that matters much more than a minor military advance: thus all that gloating on Ukraine being able to drive the Russians out of the whole of Kharkov in only four days while they had 6 months to liberate Donbass, and didnt. So, across the West, the reigning perception frantically fomented by psyops experts is that the Russian military were hit by that hammer blow and will hardly recover. Kharkov was preciously timed as General Winter is around the corner; the Ukraine issue was already suffering from public opinion fatigue; and the propaganda machine needed a boost to turbo-lubricate the multi-billion dollar weaponizing rat line. Yet Kharkov may have forced Moscows hand to increase the pain dial. That came via a few well-placed Mr. Kinzhals leaving the Black Sea and the Caspian to present their business cards to the largest thermal power plants in northeast and central Ukraine (most of the energy infrastructure is in the southeast). Half of Ukraine suddenly lost power and water. Trains came to a halt. If Moscow decides to take out all major Ukraine substations at once, all it takes is a few missiles to totally smash the Ukrainian energy grid adding a new meaning to decommunization: de-energization. According to an expert analysis, if transformers of 110-330 kV are damaged, then it will almost never be possible to put it into operation () And if this happens at least at 5 substations at the same time, then everything is kaput. Stone age forever. Russian government official Marat Bashirov was way more colorful: Ukraine is being plunged into the 19th century. If there is no energy system, there will be no Ukrainian army. The matter of fact is that General Volt came to the war, followed by General Moroz (frost). And thats how we might be finally entering real war territory as in Putins notorious quip that we havent even started anything yet. A definitive response will come from the RSG in the next few days. Once again, a fiery debate rages on what Russia will do next (the RGS, after all, is inscrutable, except for Yoda Patrushev). The RGS may opt for a serious strategic strike of the decapitating kind elsewhere as in changing the subject for the worse (for NATO). It may opt for sending more troops to protect the front line (without partial mobilization). And most of all it may enlarge the SMO mandate going to total destruction of Ukrainian transport/energy infrastructure, from gas fields to thermal power plants, substations, and shutting down nuclear power plants. Well, it could always be a mix of all of the above: a Russian version of Shock and Awe generating an unprecedented socio-economic catastrophe. That has already been telegraphed by Moscow: we can revert you to the Stone Age at any time and in a matter of hours (italics mine). Your cities will greet General Winter with zero heating, freezing water, power outages and no connectivity. A counter-terrorist operation All eyes are on whether centers of decision as in Kiev may soon get a Kinzhal visit. This would signify Moscow has had enough. The siloviki certainly did. But were not there yet. Because for an eminently diplomatic Putin the real game revolves around those gas supplies to the EU, that puny plaything of American foreign policy. Putin is certainly aware that the internal front is under some pressure. He refuses even partial mobilization. A perfect indicator of what may happen in winter is the referenda in liberated territories. The limit date is November 4 the Day of National Unity, a commemoration introduced in 2004 to replace the celebration of the October revolution. With the accession of these territories to Russia, any Ukrainian counter-offensive would qualify as an act of war against regions incorporated into the Russian Federation. Everyone knows what that means. It may now be painfully obvious that when the collective West is waging war hybrid and kinetic, with everything from massive intel to satellite data and hordes of mercenaries against you, and you insist on conducting a hazily-defined Special Military Operation (SMO), you may be up for some nasty surprises. So the SMO status may be about to change: its bound to become a counter-terrorist operation. This is an existential war. A do or die affair. The American geopolitical /geoeconomic goal, to put it bluntly, is to destroy Russian unity, impose regime change and plunder all those immense natural resources. Ukrainians are nothing but cannon fodder: in a sort of twisted History remake, the modern equivalents of the pyramid of skulls Timur cemented into 120 towers when he razed Baghdad in 1401. If may take a hammer blow for the RSG to wake up. Sooner rather than later, gloves velvet and otherwise will be off. Exit SMO. Enter War. Apple is preparing new ads in the App Store. The tech company plans to open up new search ad placements in the App Store. The holiday season is fast approaching, and the company expects a large number of online orders for its product offerings. Placing the ads on the App Store will definitely give advertisers the exposure they would like to target due to the looming increase in demand. Apple has previously been public about its intention of expanding its advertising. Apple's New Search Ad Placements Apple informed the developers affiliated with the company that they would be allowing more placements for advertisements. The company notified them through an invitation to a webinar called the Apple Search Ads virtual event. The invitation states that the new placements for promotion will be available soon during the holiday season. Eric Seufert, the founder of Mobile Dev Memo, posted a screenshot of the invite on Twitter, confirming that the new ad placements will be coming later this year. Im unsure if a timeline for Apples new ad placements in the App Store had previously been announced, but it appears that theyll be live for the holiday season pic.twitter.com/drcgIAYlTo Eric Seufert (@eric_seufert) September 13, 2022 Apple's invitation stated, "With new opportunities coming to Apple Search Ads, you can promote your apps across the App Store to engage even more customers this holiday season." The new spots represent a significant expansion in Apple's advertising inventory, which is focused on its App Store. In recent years, Apple's advertising inventory has been limited to one unit in the Search tab on the App Store and one on the search results page. According to CNBC, the initiatives and efforts of expanding their ad placements coincide at the same time with growing scrutiny of Apple's advertising business. Apple reported that in 2021, the company was able to reach more than $68 billion in revenue from the services they offer. These services include sales on the App Store, warranties, search engine licensing, online subscriptions, and more. In July, an analyst at Bank of America named Wamsi Mohan predicted that Apple might make $5 billion in advertising revenue in 2022 from Apple Search Ads alone. Read Also: Apple's iOS 16: Here are 5 New Features You Need To Try Apple's Search Ad Placements on Maps Apple has been reported in the past month to be expanding its advertising efforts. As iTechPost previously reported, the company's search ads are also coming to Apple Maps. The tech company first rolled out search ads on the App Store. Afterward, news got out that it is also planning to implement search ads for Apple Maps in the future. With today's report, this will most likely be during the holiday season. The engineering team at Apple is reportedly in the process of preparing the software to be able to support these search ads. They have also been conducting tests in the internal version of Maps for the addition of search ads. In the invitation that Apple sent to the developer, there's been no word as to where the new ad placements will be posted. According to CNBC, the new Apple search ad placements will give opportunities to developers of all sizes to expand the reach of their business with the offering. The tech company assures its clients that the new search ad placements will continue to follow the strict privacy guidelines and are built on the same foundation, just like their other advertising offerings. Related Articles: Apple Releases Patch for CVE-2022-32917 Exploit Affecting iPhones, Macs Meghan Markle did not wholly experience a warm welcome when she visited the UK to mourn Queen Elizabeth II's death. Years after Megxit, Meghan officially marked her reunion with the royal family following Her Majesty's passing. She also faced royal fans who have been expressing their heartbreak and sadness in the past days. However, the Duchess of Sussex suffered continuous blows for causing several issues in the country. One allegation involved Prince Harry's wife reportedly wearing a microphone secretly to record the events for her Netflix program. Photos of the "mysterious device" have since gone viral, as the public ask what was the thing bulging from Meghan's left hip. They also accused her of wearing a mic for her Netflix reality show. WHY WHY are the two Vile couple Harry and Meghan Markle going to where the queen is WHY NOW WITH NETFLIX AND MEGHAN HAS HIDDEN MICs pic.twitter.com/URbXSB3tFy Princess Michelle (@Michell48565324) September 8, 2022 It was not the first time she did it, if she truly did, though. Earlier this year, a royal fan also spotted her wearing a wireless microphone while paying respect to the victims of the fatal Texas shooting. Meanwhile, others defended the duchess and said that it might be a medical device or a security device to ensure her safety. In response to these, a close friend of her already dismissed the claims through a statement to Page Six. "This is insane and actually damaging to her. Of course she was not wearing a mic," the source said. Meghan Markle Snubbed by Royal Fans Aside from the alleged microphone, Markle also suffered a slap to the face when she was snubbed by royal fans when she tried shaking hands with them. The 41-year-old former actress appeared outside Windsor Castle on Saturday alongside Prince Harry, Prince William, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge. A viral video shows the Duchess of Sussex offering her hand to the one young woman in the trio but offers her nothing but a smirk. Meanwhile, the second woman adjusts her sunglasses to avoid her. READ ALSO: Prince Harry's Father Is NOT King Charles? Theory Emerges After Queen Elizabeth II's Death Meanwhile, the third woman refuses, as well, by keeping her head down. More people snubbed her while trying to greet her, but not everyone offered her cold shoulders. She managed to exchange talks with other royal fans and kept on a smile throughout the day. She also talked to two royal aides while receiving flowers from the fans. The snubbed happened amid the 10-day mourning period dedicated to Queen Elizabeth II after she passed away last week at the age of 96. READ MORE: King Charles, Camilla Had Child Together? Royals' Alleged Secret Son Reacts to Queen Elizabeth II's Death An international team led by Curtin University (Australia) has discovered a 380-million-year-old heart of a vertebrate the oldest ever found alongside a separate fossilised stomach, intestine and liver in an ancient jawed fish, partly using the ESRFs X-rays. The results shed new light on the early evolution of living jawed vertebrates, which includes the mammals and humans. The new research, published today in Science, found that the position of the organs in the body of placoderms - extinct armoured fishes that flourished through the Devonian period from 419.2 million years ago to 358.9 million years ago - is similar to modern shark anatomy, offering vital new evolutionary clues. Lead researcher John Curtin Distinguished Professor Kate Trinajstic, from Curtins School of Molecular and Life Sciences and the Western Australian Museum, said the discovery was remarkable given that soft tissues of ancient species were rarely preserved and it was even rarer to find 3D preservation. As a palaeontologist who has studied fossils for more than 20 years, I was truly amazed to find a 3D and beautifully preserved heart in a 380-million-year-old ancestor, Trinajstic says. Evolution is often thought of as a series of small steps, but these ancient fossils suggest there was a larger leap between jawless and jawed vertebrates. These fish literally have their hearts in their mouths and under their gills - just like sharks today. This research presents for the first time the 3D model of a complex S-shaped heart in a placoderm that is made up of two chambers with the smaller chamber sitting on top. Trinajstic said these features were advanced in such early vertebrates, offering a unique window into how the head and neck region began to change to accommodate jaws, a critical stage in the evolution of our own bodies. For the first time, we can see all the organs together in a primitive jawed fish, and we were especially surprised to learn that they were not so different from us, Trinajstic explains. However, there was one critical difference the liver was large and enabled the fish to remain buoyant, just like sharks today. Some of todays bony fish such as lungfish and bichirs have lungs that evolved from swim bladders but it was significant that we found no evidence of lungs in any of the extinct armoured fishes we examined, which suggests that they evolved independently in the bony fishes at a later date. The Gogo Formation, in the Kimberley region of Western Australia where the fossils were collected, was originally a large reef. This is what Gogo fish looked like. Credits: Bruce Currie, Paleozoo. With the help of scientists at the European Synchrotron in France and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation in Sydney, researchers used synchrotron X-rays and neutron beams to scan the specimens, still embedded in the limestone concretions. Researcher and co-author Sophie Sanchez, from Uppsala University and visiting scientist at the ESRF, explains the role of the facility in the research: Fossilised soft tissues are remnants of organic matter. It is extremely challenging to reveal fossilised organic matter with X-rays, as they barely absorb light particles. To counter this, we used a protocol we had newly developed at that time, at the ESRF. This protocol enabled the enhancement of the contrast between the fossilised organs and the revelation of their three-dimensional organisation. Scientists then constructed 3D images of the soft tissues inside the concretions, based on the different densities of minerals deposited by the bacteria and the surrounding rock matrix. This new discovery of mineralised organs, in addition to previous finds of muscles and embryos, makes the Gogo arthrodires the most fully understood of all jawed stem vertebrates and clarifies an evolutionary transition on the line to living jawed vertebrates, which includes the mammals and humans. Co-author Professor John Long, from Flinders University, says: These new discoveries of soft organs in these ancient fishes are truly the stuff of palaeontologists dreams, for without doubt these fossils are the best preserved in the world for this age. They show the value of the Gogo fossils for understanding the big steps in our distant evolution. Gogo has given us world firsts, from the origins of sex to the oldest vertebrate heart, and is now one of the most significant fossil sites in the world. Its time the site was seriously considered for world heritage status. Co-author Professor Per Ahlberg, from Uppsala University, adds: What's really exceptional about the Gogo fishes is that their soft tissues are preserved in three dimensions. Most cases of soft-tissue preservation are found in flattened fossils, where the soft anatomy is little more than a stain on the rock. We are also very fortunate in that modern scanning techniques allow us to study these fragile soft tissues without destroying them. A couple of decades ago, the project would have been impossible. Reference: Exceptional preservation of organs in Devonian placoderms from the Gogo lagerstatte, Science, 15th September 2022. DOI 10.1126/science.abf3289 Ocean freight companies are adding air cargo to their businesses as shippers look for a one-stop shop to move goods around the world. We are finding out more and more that our customers really need an end-to-end logistics solution, said Michel Pozas Lucic, Moller Maersks global head of air freight, in a phone call with CNBC. Theyre looking for this one-stop-shop that takes away not only the complexity of the logistics, but also makes it an optimized, efficient and effective solution, he added. Maersk, the worlds largest container shipping firm, launched an air cargo division in April and now has a fleet of 15 aircraft, while competitor CMA CGM started its air division last year and will have 12 airplanes in operation by 2026. Supply chain disruptions created a need for goods to be flown, Pozas Lucic said. For most of our customers, air is part of what they need, either because of the speed that they need for their specific products, or because of a disruption [and] ocean freight would be not ideal because it takes too long, so we realized that its important to have air as part of the puzzle, he told CNBC. Demand for air cargo is higher than before the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the International Air Transport Association, up 2.2% for the first half of the year compared with 2019 levels. Nobody really cared about supply chains The pandemic raised the profile of supply chains, according to Marc Zeck, an analyst at wealth management firm Stifel. The last three years have shown quite a lot of companies that their logistics divisions are not up to the task, Zeck told CNBC by phone. Nobody cared really about supply chains before the pandemic started. Now, its an issue or a topic for executive boards, he added. In pre-pandemic times [if companies] needed to ship some stuff by ocean, then you go to the ocean carrier and book the shipping it arrives, and the job is done. Now, thats not the case, Zeck said. Chinese factories shut down in 2020. Then, demand for goods rocketed in 2021 when lockdowns started to be lifted, causing widespread supply chain disruptions. That disruption continued this year, with sailings canceled recently because of congestion at North American ports and strikes at European ports causing delays. Awash with cash Airplanes are an attractive purchase for ocean shippers, according to Michael Field, a senior equity analyst at Morningstar. A lot of these ocean freight companies are awash with cash at the moment, having had a bumper couple of years, and theyre looking for ways to spend it and buying up air capacity is definitely one of those ways, he told CNBC by phone. Airlines, meanwhile, had a tough pandemic and needed the money, Field added. Maersk said it expects free cash flow of more than $19 billion this year in its latest guidance, and it is set for delivery of seven Boeing 767s (three of which it is buying, and four leasing) around the start of November. The aircraft will fly Asia-U.S. and Asia-Europe routes. Maersk will also purchase two Boeing 777s, set for delivery in 2024, according to a company spokesperson in an email to CNBC. Maersk also bought the freight-forwarding company Senator International last year. CMA CGM, the worlds third-largest ocean shipper, signed a deal with Air France-KLM in May to share cargo space, and said it would buy a 9% stake in the airline. But is now a good time for an ocean shipper to buy airplanes? Air capacity has been added to anyway over the course of the pandemic. Now ocean freight demand is decreasing over the last few months, as weve seen. So, the pressures coming off, so its probably not the best time to go and buy airlines now, Field said. Can they make money in the longer term on it? Yeah. Is a good idea in terms of upselling [to customers]? Yes, he added. Whats ahead Companies shipping goods are also planning further ahead, Field said. The carriers have told them, if you want the capacity, you have to lock yourself in for a year or two with us and they will guarantee that capacity ... I think we will see a continuation of that, he said. Customers ... are looking at these shippers as more partners rather than someone you just call up when you need something. That will definitely benefit the shippers in the long run in terms of their actual planning process too, and maybe making sure that supply-demand imbalance doesnt get out of whack like weve seen in the last decade or so, Field added. Lucy Handley : cnbc.com In 2011, Cruzan Rum hired me to create an e-book and micro-website to celebrate National Rum Day. The downloadable document provides a brief history of Cruzan and the liquor-inspired holiday. The primary content includes seasonal rum cocktail recipes. You may want to try a "Cruzan Pina Colada Martini" for summer celebrations. As autumn leaves drop, you may want to add a "St. Croix Zen Tea" to your drink menu. Nothing will brighten a chilly winter evening like a "Spiced Holly Highball." With the advent of spring, you may be in line for an "Irish Cherry Soda" or a champagne-infused "Cruzan Kiss." A GOOGLE search confirms that National Rum Day is still on the books and celebratory plans are in the works for August 16, 2023. If you wish to jump on the celebration, drop me an email, and I will send you a collector's PDF of the original e-book. For the immediate future, let's all set our sites on International Talk Like a Pirate Day, which is right around the corner! Argh! Doug Jacob Rahimi, a junior computer science major at the University of Texas at San Antonio, is sitting at a lab table trying to hack into an Amazon Fire Stick. Having stripped the device of its plastic casing and plugged it into his laptops USB port, he inserts tweezers into its circuit board, rerouting the electrical current to bypass a capacitor where much of its software is located. He is conducting an exploit a method to get past the Fire Sticks security. Lines of code flash on the laptop screen. Hes in. But why hack into a Fire Stick? The thumb-sized device, which sells for $19.99 to $39.99, streams movies and shows on your smart TV. Whats the worst thing a hacker could do, blackmail you with evidence that you binge-watched Bridgerton all weekend? The threat, it turns out, is much more existential than that. Rahimi, the owner of this particular Fire Stick, types commands to find a file that contains his email address and Amazon ID. He goes to another file, and bingo: a list of each WiFi network the Fire Stick has connected to and their passwords. The federal government wants to know about vulnerabilities like this. Three years ago, UTSA signed a contract with a certain federal law enforcement agency to create a course that would teach its agents how to hack into and extract forensic evidence from what has become known as the internet of things the web of smart devices, ranging from TVs to doorbells, that have proliferated in American homes, businesses and public buildings over the last decade. Thats why the space where Rahimi is working, known as the Internet of Things Security and Forensics Laboratory, has tables full of surveillance cameras, smart lights and Amazon Echo Dots. Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer These devices have blessed us with great convenience, but they pose unprecedented security threats. What if a hacker pulled those WiFi passwords off the Fire Stick and tried them on the owners email and bank accounts? Or what if someone found a way to control the smart lights in a facility the president was about to visit? I dont think people should live in abject fear, but it is important to know that many of these devices are very vulnerable, said Oren Upton, a research scientist at UTSA who manages the lab. For device manufacturers, getting a product to market is often a higher priority than protecting the data in it, he said. They want it to be as easy to set up as possible, he said. That means that they often have default user IDs and passwords. Well, hackers have figured that out. As Americans increasingly rely on digital devices and cloud storage systems, their lives have grown increasingly vulnerable to digital attacks. Meanwhile, hackers are getting smarter. Its a cat-and-mouse game, said Nicole Beebe, chair of UTSAs Department of Information and Cyber Security. On ExpressNews.com: Geekdom-gener8tor program begins recruiting cybersecurity startups for new San Antonio push The university is evolving its cybersecurity degree programs with a goal of preparing students to protect this larger and more sophisticated digital world. This semester, it launched a new major leading to a bachelor of science in applied cyber analytics. Its curriculum is designed to teach students to use machine algorithms or artificial intelligence to spot security threats that otherwise would be lost amid the billions of data packets continuously flowing between devices. Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer Were smart enough to deal with the sophistication of the bad guys. The problem is the rate of the attacks, the automation of the attacks, the volume of the attacks, Beebe said. The amount of attack surface area that were trying to protect its just too much too fast for the human to keep up with. The new major could become the flagship of UTSAs cybersecurity program, she said. Since UTSA launched its cybersecurity program in 2001, it has emerged as a national leader in the field; Beebes hope is that the cyber analytics program will help keep it a leader over the next 20 years. No other school in the U.S. offers such a program at this scope, she said. To me, this is the wave of the future, she said. I used to work for a gal who said, Are you resting on your reputation, or are you building your reputation? Our mindset is there are cybersecurity programs popping up everywhere. Theres kind of a mainstream Cybersecurity 101 kind of offering. Im not going to say were not going to do that anymore, but thats not where were trying to stay. Needle in a haystack The cyber side of the cyber analytics degree track teaches students to protect against attacks from hackers and to design systems to keep them safe from such attacks. The analytics side teaches them to use computing power through artificial intelligence programs or other methods to analyze vast amounts of data. By combining those skills, students will be able to design and operate computer programs that can sift through data to identify anomalies, which people can then look at to decide whether they present threats. When youre working in a security operation center, youre responding to so many alerts that you cant cull through the hay to find the needle. There just isnt time, Beebe said. You need these these advanced scientific algorithms to alert you to the non-signature-based attacks that you wouldnt see otherwise. Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer In practice, these concepts can help detect nefarious activity like a phishing attack. In such a scenario, an algorithm written to detect anomalies in a large companys computer system, through which gigabytes or terabytes of data move back and forth every hour, raises a red flag when it sees that two computers that dont normally communicate with each other have just exchanged a packet of data. A security engineer examines it and realizes that an employee has clicked on a link in an email that opened a back door for hackers to roam through the companys database. On ExpressNews.com: Bridgehead IT riding wave of population growth and cybersecurity needs to expansion in San Antonio Many companies and governmental entities havent done enough to keep up with the massive amounts of data that must be scanned for threats, Beebe said. A lot of us in the department spent many years in industry, in the government, and what we see is they just keep throwing more people at it. The more data you get, the bigger the security operation centers get, the more computers, the more people. But its really just more people chugging away, not doing things smart, she said. So we here on the research side are working on AI algorithms and machine learning algorithms to let people work smarter, not harder. Before this year, UTSA offered degrees in cybersecurity and analytics; the new program brings them together in one course of study. The degree track includes courses in calculus, statistics, programming and machine learning. There is a course that teaches them to present information about security threats in a visual way, such as a graph or heat map, to better communicate it to people who dont have a background in the field. As UTSA developed the degree, it sought input from stakeholders in the public and private sectors, and such visualization was important to them, Beebe said. S.A. VOTES Voter Guide: What to know for the Texas runoff election A breakdown of key state and local races and candidates in the May 24 primary runoff. As of now, the program only has an undergraduate track, but it will likely expand to include a graduate degree program, she said. Learning from experience One of the labs at UTSA simulates an industrial facility, featuring a long table packed with two rows of laptops and a wall at the end of the room with a network of metal pipes and a small tank split into two sections. Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer Teams of students use it to conduct attacks that could take down such a system and to observe their effects. The tanks sections can be filled with different-colored liquids; when the system is breached, the liquids mix, and its all over. Beebe emphasizes the importance of students learning from doing, whether in this lab, the Internet of Things lab or the Secure AI and Autonomy Laboratory, where graduate students are working on several projects, including a tool to detect deepfakes a method of fabricating a persons presence in a video by laying his or her face over that of another person. It does the world no good if we colleges and universities pump out people who only have book knowledge. They need to learn how to do things, she said. To me, thats one of our secret sauces. Beebe learned that way. After earning a bachelors degree in electrical engineering, she joined the U.S. Air Force, where she spent nine years as a computer crime investigator before becoming an assistant professor at UTSA in 2007. She estimates that a quarter to a third of the instructors in the cybersecurity program are ex-military. The Air Force deserves much of the credit for growing San Antonios cybersecurity sector into what it is today, starting in the late 1940s, when it established operations in the city to perform aerial intelligence. Its Cyber Command, based at Port San Antonio, acts as a hub for the industry, with many defense contractors having offices nearby. In the 1990s, the Air Force asked UTSA whether it could train service members in cybersecurity, which was then referred to as information assurance. Thus, the universitys cybersecurity program was born. The Air Force really was the earliest and strongest player, in my opinion, in the federal government for cybercrime and emergency response for cyber-related things back in the late 80s and 90s, Beebe said. We had this ecosystem of talent in San Antonio that was a secret for the longest time, and those people really started our program. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonios IT worker total has been undercounted until now, report finds Today, San Antonio boasts the highest concentration of cybersecurity professionals outside the Washington, D.C., region, according to a report on San Antonios tech industry published this year by Tech Bloc, a local organization that advocates for growing the tech industry here. The FBI, the Secret Service and the National Security Agency have major cybersecurity operations in the area. The cybersecurity program in UTSAs Carlos Alvarez College of Business, where Beebes department is located, has exploded in size over the last decade, with enrollment rising from about 400 to roughly 2,000 today, she said. The university also offers cybersecurity courses in its Department of Computer Science and its College of Engineering and Integrated Design. Meanwhile, several other local schools have developed well-regarded cybersecurity programs, including St. Marys University, San Antonio College, Our Lady of the Lake University, St. Philip's College and Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Even with all those programs available, the industry cant find nearly enough workers. There are 83,126 cybersecurity job openings in Texas, according to Cyber Seek, a tech job-tracking database from the U.S. Commerce Department. Beebe emphasizes the industrys growth while pitching the cybersecurity program to students and their parents. You tell a parent that if their kid is at all analytics-oriented and at all cyber-oriented and you get this degree, you immediately qualify for two of the fastest-growing, most in-demand job areas known to man, she said. They start talking to junior and saying, Well, lets talk about this. The Skopje weekend starts on Friday morning. No work today as I took a day off work, so I can enjoy a 4-day-long weekend, which also includes the next Monday a bank holiday. Although still in Warsaw, I am already set on Skopje time. Yugoslav summer part 2 - Skopje I visited Skopje in 2017 for the first time, when the official name of the country was FYROM - Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Back then, Adria Airways was still alive, I flew with the carrier from Munich to Skopje and vice versa via Ljubljana. Later, I planned to re-visit Skopje in 2020, but due to COVID-19 pandemic, my flight was cancelled. I booked a new flight for early April 2022 but due to the overhaul of the runway at Skopje airport, all flights were diverted to Ohrid airport. As I was not keen on travelling to Ohrid, I rebooked my flight for August 2022, when I could finally to re-visit the capital of North Macedonia. LO593: Warsaw - Skopje Today is a working day, so I can take bus#317, which stops almost at my front door. After 4 stops, I get off at the crossroads of two avenues: Komitetu Obrony Robotnkow and Zwirki and Wigury. The latter one links the Warsaw city centre with Frederic Chopin Airport. Then I take another bus #175 and, after 2 stops, I get off at the departure terminal. The door-to-door journey takes me approximately 25 minutes. Check-in, security, and passport control take less than 20 minutes, and I proceed to my assigned gate, 13N. Later on, the gate is changed to 8N. According to the display screens, boarding should commence at 14:05. A few minutes after this time, the gate agents announce the start of boarding. Boarding via the airbridge goes by smoothly. Todays "jetset" is inclusive of Macedonians returning to Skopje from Canada (I saw some tags with the Canadian flag attached to the bags at the baggage reclaim area) and Polish tourists travelling for holiday. Flight LO593 is operated by the 11.2-year old aircraft Embraer 195 LR with the registration number SP-LNB painted in "Grzeski" special colours since June 2019. The machine already completed 2 segments: Warsaw - Paris CDG, Paris CDG - Warsaw and the flight to Skopje is the third one. Inside the aircraft, I take my assigned seat - 8A and to my luck, the next seat is free. There is one person in business class and in front of me is a nuclear Polish family heading for their holidays. At 14:29 boarding is completed, and the aircraft doors are closed. 4 minutes later, push-back procedures commence in parallel with the safety demo presented by the cabin crew (2 females and 1 male) in Polish and in English. Taxi to runway 33 takes 7 minutes. During taxing, we pass the VIP terminal with 3 parked government aircraft and later a remote parking stand, where a mixture of LOT, Enter Air and Wizz aircraft are kept. At 14:40 we take off, leaving partially cloudy Warsaw behind. The beginning of the flight is quite bumpy due to turbulence, but then all settles down and the reminder of the flight is smooth and quiet. For the majority of the flight, clouds obscure the view, so I cannot guess the flight path. At some point, the clouds disperse, and I can see a meandering river. Maybe it is Sava or Danube - I contemplate. Later I check on flight24.com, is it was Danube between Romania and Bulgaria. The in-flight service includes a savoury or sweet bun, a glass of still or sparkling water, and a cup of tea or coffee. In addition, passengers can also purchase items from the buy-on-board menu. I chose a complimentary blueberry bun, a glass of sparkling water and a cup of tea with lemon. Attentive readers of my previous reports have probably noted, that an apple bun has now been replaced by a blueberry one. I noted this change during my flight to Stockholm in mid-July, and I even enquired with a cabin crew member about this change. I was told that a variety of sweet snacks will now change every 2 months. I was also informed that the blueberry bun has been offered since the beginning of July, and the savoury (spinach) bun remains unchanged. Apart from enjoying in-flight service, during the flight, I study a tourist guide to see what else I can see in Skopje. Todays flight path crosses over Krakow, west of the Slovak city of Kosice, then over Hungarian cities: Miskolc and Debrecen, Romanian Oradea, and the Bulgarian town of Lom, entering North Macedonian airspace around the village of Sasa. At 16:11, the seat belt sign is turned on and the cabin crew announce preparation for landing, then the aircraft makes a U-turn over Bashino Selo and the nearby lake of Mladost. After passing the lake, the plane approaches a rainy Skopje airport, where it lands at 16:31. After a short taxi, the aircraft parks in front of the terminal building, and an aircraft bridge is attached to it. Following passport control, I collect my luggage and catch the 17:30 shuttle bus to the city centre. The aircraft then returns to Warsaw, which is its last segment for today. Flight statistics LF: 75 % Distance: 1135 kms (613 nm) Departure time (scheduled/actual): 14:25/14:40 Arrival time (scheduled/actual): 16:30/16:31 Flight duration (scheduled/actual): 2h 05 min/1 h 51 min Skopje. Inspiration for my maiden visit was an article about the Skopje 2014 Project, which was intended to re-shape the capital into a glorious and proud city and establish Skopje as a tourist destination. And I still remember my first impression after seeing the new center of Skopje, a mixture of surprise, disbelief, and astonishment. In intention of its authors, the Skopje 2014 project was intended to give more classicist appeal and transform the modernistic city into monumental and visually appealing place. Since its inception, the project was controversial and many people criticized the proposed new aesthetics. In contrast, its supporters claimed it would make Skopje more glamorous and put it on the tourist map, attracting many tourists. And I think they were right, as the new city center attracted me twice in 2017 and 2022. While the first visit was focused on exploring new developments of the Project 2014, this visit was focused on tracking the brutalist roots of the city. With little help of the book Modernism in-between which describes the phenomenon of post-war Yugoslav architecture, I walked approx. 70 km on foot in search of signs of Yugoslav modernism. To better understand, the soul of brutalist Skopje, I headed to the Skopje Fortress to admire the view from its ramparts. There are many iconic buildings across the river like the Main Post Office and Telecommunication centre which still represents its original shape. All except the building of the Telephone Exchange, which received a new facade in ancient Athens-like style. Similar to the Telephone Exchange, the North Macedonia Government building received a new-look in rather eclectic style. Leaving the Skopje Fortress, I take the Goce Delcev bridge, with both of its ends guarded by 4 lion statues. Then I view the residential blocks of different height. The next stop is the Nicola Karev High School. Then I head to the Skopje Train station - the innovative building, raised above the ground on columns, designed by Kenzo Tange and completed in 1981. In 2022 the station is a picture of misery and despair. Infested by pigeons, abandoned by people and not maintained for a long time. It seems to be left to decay and perhaps in long term to disintegrate. But there are still many brutalist buildings, which are in much better shape than the train station or were saved from being converted into ancient-Athens-like temples. One of them is the structure of the Museum of Contemporary Art designed by Polish architects Wacaw Kyszewski, Jerzy Mokrzynski and Eugeniusz Wierzbicki. The project of the museum was donated by the Polish government as a gift for Skopje, hit by the devastating earthquake of year 1963. Other examples are buildings of Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, the Macedonia National Bank and National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia. And there is GTC Shopping Centre, whose cubic structure seems to be integrated with tall residential tower blocks. Plentiful restaurants which occupy the riverside section of the GCT was my destiny after intense sightseeing. And each evening I walked across the Vardar river passing the building of the Opera, one of the recently constructed bridges with zillions of sculptures, fake-boats moored at the river embankment and oversized new buildings, I was astonished by them. In my opinion, they are simply neither tasteful, nor respectful for the historical and architectural heritage of Skopje. LO594: Skopje - Warsaw Legendary US rancher Lee Leachman has said Stabiliser cattle should become the standard suckler cow in the UK to help farmers with future challenges. Mr Leachman, who is CEO of Leachman Cattle of Colorado, one of the five largest seedstock breeders in the US, made the remarks this week while on a tour of farms in Scotland and Northern England. He described Stabiliser as the best kept secret in temperate regions, adding that hybrid genetics suited the UK extremely well. Britain has particular requirements, he said. Running cows on grass, over wintering them inside, feeding them low quality forage and still trying to produce shapely cattle. "The best way to do that is by producing hybrid cows. Stabilisers thrive here. They produce well over a 95% calving rate so anything that does that must thrive. The shoe fits. Everyone breeds cows for different reasons, but if youre looking at data and trying to make money, then hybrid genetics are the way forward. We dont have many people stop using them once they start. Mr Leacham added that for the first time, society was demanding that cattle are productive, while at the same time delivering for sustainability and the environment. Generally, cattle change slowly, but we are seeing rapid, managed change, he said. Hybrid genetics are a game-changer and our breeders are continually moving to optimise production. "This means moderately sized cows, better fertility, longevity, and better calves, which feed into everything, from lower carbon emissions to ease of care, eating quality and dollar profit. Hybrid production is normal in crop production, swine, and poultry. Were using systems aligned with that in beef and I dont think UK cattle farmers have any other source of feed efficiency tested, genomically evaluated composite genetics. Stabiliser cattle were created in the 1970s at the USDA Meat Animal Research Centre in Nebraska when investigating the benefits of composite breeding on cattle efficiencies, particularly in relation to heterosis, or hybrid vigour. Three hybrids were created in the initial breeding programme and one that proved most profitable in both cow/calf and feed yard performance was a 25% composition of Hereford, Angus, Simmental, and Gelbvieh, which became the basis for the modern Stabiliser. The breed was refined and improved by Mr Leachman, first as part of the Leachman Cattle Company in Billings, Montana, and latterly as part of Leachman Cattle of Colorado, which now markets more than 2,000 bulls each year. Stabiliser cattle were first introduced to the UK in the late 1990s when a group of Yorkshire beef farmers, led by industry innovator Richard Fuller, started searching for a more efficient alternative to the dairy crosses they were producing at the time. A total of 52 embryos were imported from the Leachman Cattle Company in 1999 which formed the basis of the UK herd. Mr Leachman sits on the board of the Stabiliser Cattle Company, based in Southburn, East Yorkshire, which is responsible for improving and promoting the breed in the UK. He said his visit to the country had been focussed on helping the Stabiliser Cattle Company direct their genetic improvements programme, as well as assessing the quality of the UK herd. He said: These visits are a great opportunity to see how cattle here are progressing and ask what UK breeders want to focus on for improvement. It is also fantastic to see people enjoying Stabiliser. Theyre the UK's ultimate suckler cow with highly fertile, docility, calving ease, and efficiency. "Raising beef is hard work, but raising Stabilisers is more fun and more profitable. Only subscribers with PAID Print or E-Edition subscriptions enter here to gain access. If you are not a Current Paid subscriber do not go through this portal. Please return to the subscription page to purchase one of our offers. Thank you! Google and Meta can't seem to catch a break from legal battles. The South Korean government has recently fined the two tech giants a combined fine of approximately $71.8 million after finding they violated the country's data privacy law. You may remember that Meta is currently facing an antitrust lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission in 2020, while Google is handling an antitrust lawsuit of its own in Texas over ad dominance, per CNET. Google, Meta South Korean Fine Details The South Korean government, through its Personal Information Commission, mentioned in an announcement that it is imposing Google and Meta with a fine of about 100 billion or around $71.8 million in total for violating the country's Personal Information Protection Act. According to the Personal Information Protection Committee (PIPC), the two tech giants were found to have been collecting personal information from users who have been visiting their websites without their consent, per Tech Crunch. Google was specifically named in the South Korean watchdog due to it not informing users of its collection and use of other companies' behavioral information when they signed up for its service. The search giant also set the default choice of users permitting Google to collect their information to "agree" while covering up other options available through the setting screen. The PIPC also added that the two companies collected information from users who use their apps for customized advertisements. Read More: God of War: Ragnarok Story Trailer, Limited Edition PS5 Controller Revealed During Sony's State of Play As a result, Google will need to pay the South Korean government 69.2 billion ($49.7 million), while Meta will need to pay 30.8 billion ($22.1 million). The PIPC added that the fine it imposed on Google and Meta is the largest penalty the South Korean government imposed on any company that violated its personal information protection laws. It is also the first sanction on the collection and use of behavioral information on online customized advertising platforms. The South Korean government is not the only one imposing fines on the two tech giants for violating data privacy laws. The French data protection watchdog, the National Commission on Informatics and Liberty (CNIL), issued its first General Data Protection Regulation fine of $57 million on Google for violating it, per CNBC. Google And Meta's Reaction A Google Spokesperson mentioned that the search giant disagrees with the PIPC's findings and that it will be reviewing the "full written decision" once it receives it, per Reuters. "We 've always demonstrated our commitment to making ongoing updates that give users control and transparency, while providing the most helpful products possible," the Google spokesperson said. "We remain committed to engaging with the PIPC to protect the privacy of South Korean users." Meta is also of the same mind, with its spokesperson saying that it does not agree with the South Korean data privacy watchdog's decision. They also mentioned that Meta is confident that it is working with its clients in a "legally compliant way" that adheres to local regulations. Related Article: Meta Subpoenas Rivals to Ask for Their Secrets to Win 2020 Antitrust Lawsuit The future of Fauquier Times now depends on community support. Your donation will help us continue to improve our journalism through in-depth local news coverage and expanded reader engagement. Support Thehas given the green light to three new investment projects that require a total funding of $16.5 million in the countrys capital city Phnom Penh and Kampong Speu province. Cambodia-based firms Sky Clothing Co Ltd, YTI Garment Co Ltd, and China Ting Fashion Co Ltd will invest in the setting up of garments factories in Khan Meanchey of Phnom Penh, and the Samrong Torng and Oudong districts of the Kampong Speu province, respectively, as per a press release by the CDC. The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) has given the green light to three new investment projects that require a total funding of $16.5 million in the country's capital city Phnom Penh and the Samrong Torng and Oudong districts of Kampong Speu province. Around 6,690 new jobs are anticipated to be created as a result of the approved projects. Around 6,690 jobs for the locals are anticipated to be created as a result of the approved projects. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB) continues to grow at high rate and it rose by 29.83 per cent to $78.402 billion in the first seven months of 2022, compared to $60.388 billion in the same period of 2021. With 26.90 per cent share China continues to be the largest supplier of textiles and clothing to the US, followed by Vietnam with 14 per cent. Apparel constituted the bulk of textiles and garments imported by the US in January-July 2022, and were valued at $58.911 billion, while non-apparel imports accounted for $19.490 billion, according to the latest Major Shippers Report, released by the US department of commerce. Segment-wise, among the top ten apparel suppliers to the US, imports from Indonesia and India shot up by 59.69 per cent and 59.39 per cent year-on-year respectively. Imports from Cambodia and Bangladesh too grew 55.90 per cent and 54.43 per cent respectively. Additionally, imports from Pakistan, which is among the top 10 suppliers, registered a growth of 46.84 per cent compared to the same period of the previous year. The import of textiles and apparel by the US continues to grow at high rate and it rose by 29.83 per cent to $78.402 billion in the first seven months of 2022, compared to $60.388 billion in the same period of 2021. With 26.90 per cent share China continues to be the largest supplier of textiles and clothing to the US, followed by Vietnam with 14 per cent. In the non-apparel category, among the top ten suppliers, imports from Cambodia soared by 70.93 per cent year-on-year. Imports from Vietnam and Italy too climbed 27.95 per cent and 23.20 per cent respectively. On the other hand, imports from Turkey dipped by 11.20 per cent. Of the total US textile and apparel imports of $78.402 billion during the period under review, cotton products were worth $34.707 billion, while man-made fibre products accounted for $39.637 billion, followed by $2.156 billion of wool products, and $1.900 billion of products from silk and vegetable fibres. In 2020, the US textile and apparel imports had decreased sharply, mainly on account of the COVID-19 pandemic induced disruption, to $89.596 billion compared to imports of $111.033 billion in 2019. But imports rebounded again in 2021 to surpass pre-pandemic level and ended at $113.938 billion. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet is now available on all seven of the world's continents. The National Science Foundation (NSF) has recently announced that SpaceX is testing its satellite internet service in its station in Antarctica, allowing Starlink to expand to the world's seventh continent. The National Science Foundation is an independent US federal agency created by congress in 1950 that supports all fields of fundamental research and education in non-medical science and engineering, per the Foundation's About Us page. Starlink Antarctica Expansion Details NSF-supported USAP scientists in #Antarctica are over the moon! Starlink is testing polar service with a newly deployed user terminal at McMurdo Station, increasing bandwidth and connectivity for science support. pic.twitter.com/c3kLGk8XBV National Science Foundation (@NSF) September 14, 2022 The NSF mentioned on its official Twitter page that SpaceX's Starlink is testing its satellite internet service with a newly deployed Starlink dish at its McMurdo Station. The station, according to PCMag, is an American research facility established on an island off Antarctica's coast. As you should know, Antarctica is the most remote continent in the world. It is also a major hub for climate science and geology. Thanks to Starlink's capabilities, the Foundation now experiences a larger bandwidth and improved connectivity for science support. Previously, the foundation relied on satellite internet from other providers, which had a broadband quality connection. Read More: NASA's Thomas Zuburchen Announces His Resignation as Science Chief This internet connection is then needed to be shared over a 17mbnps connection for the entire research facility, which plays host to over 1,000 people, meaning that competition for the limited bandwidth is fierce, per Tech Crunch. Thanks to Starlink's space laser network, people at the NSF's McMurdo station can now experience download speeds that can range from 50 to 200 Mbps if they're residential or 100 to 350 Mbps for business customers. How Did Starlink Reach Antarctica? SpaceX also celebrated the fact that its satellite internet service is now available on all seven continents on its official Twitter page, with the company crediting Starlink's space laser network, making it capable of reaching remote locations like Antarctica. Starlink satellites previously relied on ground stations on Earth to fetch internet data, which can affect internet speeds. Thankfully, SpaceX began outfitting its new Starlink satellites with "laser links" that allow them to send and receive data with each other in Earth's low orbit. In addition to SpaceX improving its satellites with better instruments, it also launched Starlink satellites to orbit the Earth's polar regions to provide satellite internet service to users in the region, such as those in Alaska, northern Canada, and more recently, Antarctica. SpaceX is not done with its improvements to its Starlink satellite constellation yet. The company is drawing up plans to launch the larger and more capable Starlink Version 2 satellites in Earth's low orbit next year, per Space.com. Thanks to their improved capabilities, the new satellites can provide users with faster and adaptable internet connections and beam satellite internet service directly to smartphones. This new capability is also the focus of SpaceX's joint venture with T-Mobile called "Coverage Above and Beyond," which was announced in late August, per T-Mobile's announcement. Related Article: Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships Will Soon Have SpaceX's Starlink Internet Service Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Cambodia in 2021 was flat at $3.5 billion but remained high compared with the 2015-2019 annual average of $2.8 billion. Inflows into the countrys manufacturing sector, though, rose by 28 per cent to $710 million. FDI in the garment industry, traditionally the largest manufacturing recipient, held steady at $272 million. FDI inflows into the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) surged by 42 per cent in 2021 to $174 billion, according to the ASEAN Investment Report (AIR) 2022: Pandemic Recovery and Investment Facilitation launched at the ASEAN Economic Ministers 25th ASEAN Investment Area Council meeting in Siem Reap. Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Cambodia in 2021 was flat at $3.5 billion but remained high compared with the 2015-2019 annual average of $2.8 billion. Inflows into the country's manufacturing sector, though, rose by 28 per cent to $710 million. FDI in the garment industry, traditionally the largest manufacturing recipient, held steady at $272 million. This increase reached the pre-pandemic record level and reversed the decline in 2020 caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. FDI in Cambodia from the two largest sources, i.e., China ($1.2 billion) and intra-ASEAN ($630 million), which accounted for more than 50 per cent of flows, was also flat. The robust recovery underscores ASEANs resilience and attractiveness as a major investment destination in the world and as an engine of growth for FDI, an official release said. ASEAN member states have undertaken significant investment facilitation efforts to attract and retain FDI over the years. They are stepping up this endeavour by adopting the ASEAN Investment Facilitation Framework (AIFF) in 2021. While AMS have put in place most of the AIFF measures, and although investment facilitation measures have become increasingly more effective and efficient, some gaps remain to be filled. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha are two of Bollywood's most loved couples and they're all set to tie the knot - and we've got some exclusive news! Date: Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha are getting married on the 4th of October this year, less than a month away. The Location: Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha will host one of their pre-wedding celebrations at one of India's most exclusive and oldest clubs - the Delhi Gymkhana Club. The iconic venue is 110 years old! The Delhi Gymkhana Club will host one of Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha's wedding ceremonies. It has been reported that the club is said to have a wait list of almost 37 years for those gunning for a membership. Richa Chadha's Wedding Trousseau: Both Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha have a packed schedule where work is concerned and it is said that the actress is working tirelessly amidst her hectic work schedule to plan an interesting wedding with her long-time partner Ali Fazal. Richa is holding meetings and planning with her team for her wedding while she is in-between takes for Heeramandi which is a Sanjay Leela Bhansali feature. For her wedding outfit, we hear that Richa will be having five different designers designing for her including an international label. It is also being said that Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha will have five functions for their wedding. Regulatory News: Pierre et Vacances (Paris:VAC) (the "Company") announces today the success of its capital transactions provided for by its accelerated safeguard plan approved by the Commercial Court of Paris on 29 July 2022 (the "Accelerated Safeguard Plan") allowing a massive debt reduction and strengthening of the equity of the Pierre Vacances Center Parcs Group (the "Restructuring Transactions"), namely: a capital increase with shareholders' preferential subscription rights (the "Subscription Rights") for an amount of EUR 50,085,641.25, issue premium included, subscribed exclusively in cash (the "Rights Issue a capital increase without preferential subscription rights for the benefit of: Alcentra; Fidera; Atream; Schelcher Prince Gestion and holders of Ornane1 excluding Steerco who entered into the agreement on 10 March 2022 (the "Agreement") between 28 March and 28 April 2022, for an amount of EUR 149,914,343.25, issue premium included, subscribed exclusively in cash (the "Reserved Capital Increase a capital increase without preferential subscription right for the benefit of unsecured financial creditors of the Company and its subsidiary Pierre et Vacances FI2 for an amount of EUR 554,820,400, issue premium included, subscribed exclusively by offsetting receivables (the "Conversion Capital Increase the issue and free allocation of 42,321,972 Company's stock warrants (the "Shareholders' Warrants") for the benefit of all of its shareholders3 the issue of 41,934,100 subscription warrants for Company's shares (the "Creditors' Warrants") upon their detachment from the new shares issued in the context of the Conversion Capital Increase; and the issue and free allocation of 39,107,134 Company stock warrants (the "Guarantors' Warrants") to Alcentra and Fidera. Results of the Rights Issue The gross proceeds of the Rights Issue, which subscription period lasted from 9 August to 9 September 2022, amount to 50,085,641.25 (including issue premium), corresponding to the issuance of 66,780,855 new shares at a unit subscription price of 0.75. Following the subscription period, total subscription orders amounted to approximately EUR 78.2 million, representing a subscription rate of 156.05%: 59,191,128 New Shares were subscribed on a non-reducible basis (a titre irreductible), representing 88.63% of the New Shares; orders submitted on a reducible basis (a titre reductible) represented 45,019,062 New Shares and will therefore be partly fulfilled. 7,589,727 New Shares (representing 11.37% of the New Shares) will be allocated according to a coefficient of 1.19522304 calculated based on the number of rights exercised on a non-reducible basis, provided that there is no allocation of a fraction of a New Share and that no allocation may exceed the number of New Shares subscribed on a reducible basis. The allocation table, established pursuant to Article L225-133 of the French Code de commerce, is annexed to this press release. Alcentra and Fidera acquired off-market from S.I.T.I. a total of 4,883,720 Subscription Rights at a unit price of EUR 0.20. Furthermore, Alcentra and Fidera did not acquire any Subscription Rights in the context of the liquidity offering. Results of the Reserved Capital Increase The gross proceeds of the Reserved Capital Increase, which subscription period only took place today, amount to 149,914,343.25 (including issue premium), corresponding to the issuance of 199,885,791 new shares at a unit subscription price of 0.75. Results of the Conversion Capital Increase and issuance of Creditors' Warrants The gross amount of the Conversion Capital Increase, which subscription period only took place today, amounts to EUR 554,820,400 (including interest), corresponding to the issuance of 138,705,100 new shares at a unit subscription price of 4, to which are attached a total of 41,934,100 Creditors' Warrants (43 new shares being accompanied by 13 Creditors' Warrants) which will be subject to a detachment from settlement-delivery of the new shares scheduled for 16 September 2022. Issuance and free allocation of Shareholders' Warrants for the benefit of the Company's shareholders The Company proceeded to the issue and the free allocation of a total of 42,321,972 Shareholders' Warrants4 for the benefit of the shareholders of the Company justifying an entry in account of their shares on 5 August 2022, on the basis of 77 Shareholders' Warrants for 18 existing shares. Each Shareholder's Warrant will give the right to subscribe for 1 new share at a unit price of EUR 2.75, which will be carried out exclusively in cash. Holders of Shareholders' Warrants may exercise them at any time during a period of five years from their settlement-delivery scheduled for 16 September 2022, i.e. until 15 September 2027. Issuance and free allocation of Guarantors' Warrants for the benefit of Alcentra and Fidera The Company issued and allocated free of charge a total of 39,107,134 Guarantors' Warrants to Alcentra and Fidera as follows: Fidera received 19,553,567 Guarantors' Warrants and Alcentra received 19,553,567 Guarantors' Warrants. Each Guarantor's Warrant will give the right to subscribe for 1 new share at a unit price of EUR 0.01, which will be carried out exclusively in cash. Alcentra and Fidera irrevocably undertook to exercise their Guarantors' Warrants no later than 15 October 2022. Settlement-delivery The settlement-delivery and admission to trading on the regulated market of Euronext in Paris ("Euronext Paris") of the 405,371,747 new ordinary shares resulting from (i) the Rights Issue, (ii) the Reserved Capital Increase, (iii) the Conversion Capital Increase (together, the "New Shares") is scheduled for 16 September 2022. The New Shares will carry current dividend rights and will be immediately assimilated to the existing shares of the Company and will be traded on the same quotation line under the same ISIN code FR0000073041. The settlement-delivery and admission to trading on the regulated market of Euronext Paris of the (i) Shareholders' Warrants, (ii) Creditors' Warrants and (iii) Guarantors' Warrants, which have been the subject of a prospectus approved by the Autorite des marches financiers (the "AMF") on 16 June 2022 under number 22-217, is also scheduled for 16 September 2022. The Shareholders' Warrants will be traded on Euronext Paris under the ISIN code FR001400B4H9. The Creditors' Warrants will be traded on Euronext Paris under the ISIN code FR001400B4G1. The Guarantors' Warrants will be traded on Euronext Paris under the ISIN code FR001400B4F3. In order to preserve the rights of their holders, the Shareholders' Warrants, Creditors' Warrants and Guarantors' Warrants will be adjusted in accordance with legal and regulatory provisions. They will also be adjusted in the event of distribution by the Company of the proceeds of any sale of assets. The Company will publish a new press release following the completion of the aforementioned settlement-delivery operations. Reminder of the use of proceeds of the Restructuring Transactions The gross proceeds in cash from the Restructuring Transactions, i.e. EUR 200 million euros, including EUR 50,085,641.25 from the Rights Issue and EUR 149,914,343.25 from the Reserved Capital Increase (the Conversion Capital Increase not generating a cash payment for the benefit of the Company), will reimburse the entire share of the Group's debt, in the amount of EUR 160 million, called to be extinguished as a result of the Restructuring Transactions. The balance of this gross proceeds, i.e. EUR 40 million, will be allocated in the amount of EUR 39.5 million to the payment of expenses related to the Restructuring Transactions (commission due to certain creditors of the Company having accepted or adhered to the Restructuring Transactions for an amount of EUR 2.7 million, expenses related to related agreements for an amount of EUR 2 million, and financial intermediary, legal and administrative expenses for an amount of EUR 34.8 million). The surplus, i.e. EUR 0.5 million, will contribute to the financing of general corporate purposes of the Group. Impact on the shareholding structure of the Company After the issue of the New Shares, the breakdown of share capital and voting rights would be as follows: Shareholders Non diluted basis 1 Non diluted basis following full exercise of the Guarantors' Warrants 2 Diluted basis 3 Number of shares and voting rights % of the share capital and voting rights 4 Number of shares and voting rights % of the share capital and voting rights 4 Number of shares and voting rights % of the share capital and voting rights 4 Alcentra 95,302,701 23.0 114,856,268 25.3 117,389,456 21.8 Fidera 90,076,527 21.7 109,630,094 24.1 110,583,268 20.6 Creanciers PGE 5 53,867,903 13.0 53,867,903 11.9 70,153,544 13.0 Pastel Holding (affilie d'Atream)6 40,000,000 9.6 40,000,000 8.8 40,000,000 7.4 Free float 135,919,811 32.7 135,919,811 29.9 199,983,462 37.2 Treasury shares 7 8 98,267 0.0 98,267 0.0 98,267 0.0 Total 415,265,209 9 100 454,372,343 9 100 538,207,997 100 1 The transition from the non-diluted basis to the diluted basis results from the full exercise of the Shareholders' Warrants, Creditors' Warrants and the Guarantors' Warrants. 2 The Guarantor's Warrants will be delivered on 16 September 2022. 3 Calculations not taking into account the issue of a maximum number of 43,415,988 shares which will be allocated free of charge under the free share allocation plans to be implemented as part of the Restructuring Transactions, including the preference shares to be allocated free of charge to Mr. Gerard Bremond. 4 This table takes into account the cancellation of double voting rights approved on 8 July 2022 by the special meeting of shareholders holding double voting rights and the combined general meeting of shareholders of the Company subject to the condition precedent of the completion of the Restructuring Transactions. 5 Holding of the Group's lending institutions as a result of the conversion of an amount of EUR 215 million of the loan guaranteed by the State of EUR 240 million obtained by the Company on 10 June 2020. As announced in the press release of the Company dated 10 March 2022, the State benefits under its guarantee from a repayment obligation in accordance with the decree of 23 March 2020. This repayment obligation is structured under the terms of a contract of trust whose settlors are the lending institutions and the beneficiaries are, on the one hand, the State and, on the other hand, the lending institutions, after deduction of the expenses of the trustee. The lending institutions have informed the Company that they are not acting in concert, within the meaning of Article L. 233-10 II, 5 of the Commercial Code, either among themselves or with the fiduciary. 6 The breakdown of the capital and voting rights of Pastel Holding is as follows: (i) Pastel Performance (another AIF controlled by Atream) holds 25.1% of the capital and 50.1% of the voting rights of Pastel Holding, (ii) France Investissement Tourisme 2 (Specialized Professional Investment Fund (Articles L. 214-154 and following of the Monetary and Financial Code) managed by its management company Bpifrance Investissement) holds 47.1% of the capital and 31.3% of the rights of Pastel Holding, and (iii) NOV Tourisme Actions Non Cotees Assureurs Caisse Des Depots Relance Durable France (Specialized Professional Fund (AIF not approved by the AMF) managed by Montefiore Investment) holds 27.9% of the capital and 18 .6% of the voting rights of Pastel Holding. 7 Excluding treatment of fractions. 8 Treasury shares are deprived of voting rights. 9 The number of theoretical voting rights amounts to on a non-diluted basis. Lock-up commitments The Company has agreed to a lock-up period of 180 days following the completion of the Rights Issue, subject to certain exceptions. As part of the Accelerated Safeguard Plan, it is provided that a plan for the free allocation of preferred shares to Mr. Gerard Bremond will be authorized by the General Meeting called to meet on 30 September 2022. In this context, each investor party to the Agreement (including Alcentra, Fidera and Atream) has individually undertaken to keep its shares, to be receive as part of the Restructuring Operations, until the date of this General Meeting. Mr. Gerard Bremond will, for his part, be bound by an obligation to retain his free preferred shares for one year from the end of the acquisition period, which will itself be one year from their allocation by the Board of Directors. To the knowledge of the Company, there is no other lock-up commitment from other existing shareholders of the Company or of investors that are not parties to the Agreement intending to become shareholders of the Company in the context of the Restructuring Transactions. New governance In accordance with the Accelerated Safeguard Plan, the Board of Directors of the Company will be fully renewed on the final completion date of the Restructuring Operations scheduled for 16 September 2022 and composed as follows: Name Date of beginning of term Date of the end of term (following the general meeting convened to approve the financial statements for:) M. Franck Gervais, Chief Executive Officer 16 September 2022* (decision of the general meeting held on 8 July 2022) 30 September 2024 Alcentra Flandre Limited 16 September 2022* (decision of the general meeting held on 8 July 2022) 30 September 2024 Fidera Limited 16 September 2022* (decision of the general meeting held on 8 July 2022) 30 September 2024 M. Pascal Savary 16 September 2022* (decision of the general meeting held on 8 July 2022) 30 September 2024 M. Georges Sampeur 16 September 2022* (by cooptation***) 30 September 2024 Mme Christine Declercq 16 September 2022* (by cooptation***) 30 September 2024 Mme Delphine Grison 16 September 2022* (by cooptation***) 30 September 2024 Mme [] 16 September 2022* (by cooptation***) 30 September 2024 M. Emmanuel de Pinel de la Taule 30 October 2020 (elected by the employees) 30 October 2023***** Mme Claire Linssen 9 November 2020 (appointed the European Works Council) 9 November 2023***** I.e. the scheduled date of final completion of the Restructuring Transactions. Independent director within the meaning of the Afep-Medef Code. Approval to intervene during the General Meeting of 30 September 2022. Director representing the employees of the Company. The term of office of Directors representing employees is set at three years from the date of their election or appointment. Information on the four new directors whose cooptation will be subject to the ratification of the shareholders at the general meeting of 30 September 2022 pursuant to article L. 225-24 of the French Commercial Code, provided for by article R. 225-83 of the said Code, are available on the Pierre et Vacances website, at the following address: www.groupepvcp.com (Finance General Meeting General Meeting section 30 September 2022). Available Information The first Prospectus relating to the Reserved Capital Increase, the Conversion Capital Increase and the Shareholders' Warrants, the Guarantors' Warrants and the Creditors' Warrants, approved by the AMF on 16 June 2022 under number 22-217 and composed of (i) the Company's Universal Registration Document filed with the AMF on 17 March 2022 under number D.22-0119 (the "Universal Registration Document"), (ii) the first amendment to the Universal Registration Document filed with the AMF on 16 July 2022 under number D.22-0119-A01 (the "First Amendment")and (iii) a securities note (including the summary of the Prospectus) and; the second Prospectus relating to the Rights Issue and approved by the AMF on 1st August 2022 under number 22-332 and composed of (i) Universal Registration Document, (ii) First Amendment, (iii) the second amendment to the Universal Registration Document filed with the AMF on 1st August 2022 under number D.22-0119-A02 (the "Second Amendment") and (iv) a securities note (including the summary of the Prospectus) dated 1st August 2022 (the "Securities Note"), are available free of charge at the registered office of Pierre et Vacances, L'Artois Espace Pont de Flandre, 11 rue de Cambrai, 75947 Paris Cedex 19, on the Company's website (http://www.groupepvcp.com/fr) as well as on the AMF website (www.amf-france.org). Appendix REDUCIBLE SUBSCRIPTION BREAKDOWN SCALE COEFFICIENT PARITY NB OF RIGHTS PRESENTED NB OF SHARES GRANTED ON A REDUCIBLE BASIS 1.19522304 4 4 DS 4 shares 8 DS 9 shares 12 DS 14 shares 16 DS 19 shares 20 DS 23 shares 24 DS 28 shares 28 DS 33 shares 32 DS 38 shares 36 DS 43 shares 40 DS 47 shares Disclaimer This press release and the information it contains do not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe, or a solicitation of an order to buy or subscribe, Pierre et Vacances S.A. securities in Australia, Canada, Japan or the United States of America or in any other country in which such an offer or solicitation would be prohibited. The dissemination, publication or distribution of this press release in certain countries may constitute a violation of the legal and regulatory provisions in force. Accordingly, persons physically present in such countries and in which this press release is disseminated, distributed or published should inform themselves of and observe any such local restrictions. This press release must not be disseminated, published or distributed, directly or indirectly, in Australia, Canada, Japan or the United States of America. This press release is a promotional communication and does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of Regulation 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 14, 2017 on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading on a regulated market and repealing the Prospectus Directive 2003/71/EC (the "Prospectus Regulation"). No communication or information relating to the transactions described in this press release may be disseminated to the public in any jurisdiction in which registration or approval is required. No action has been taken (nor will be taken) in any jurisdiction (other than France) in which such action would be required. The subscription to or purchase of Pierre et Vacances S.A. securities may be subject to specific legal or regulatory restrictions in certain countries. Pierre et Vacances S.A. assumes no liability for any violation by any person of these restrictions. With regard to the Member States of the European Economic Area other than France, no action has been nor will be taken to allow a public offering of securities requiring the publication of a prospectus in any of the Member States concerned. Consequently, any offer of securities of Pierre et Vacances S.A. may only be made in one or other of the Member States (i) to qualified investors within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation; or (ii) in any other case exempting Pierre et Vacances S.A. from publishing a prospectus in accordance with Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation. This press release and the information it contains are being distributed to and are only intended for persons who are (x) outside the United Kingdom or (y) in the United Kingdom who are qualified investors (as defined in the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018) and are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), (ii) high net worth entities and other such persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order ("high net worth companies", "unincorporated associations", etc.) or (iii) other persons to whom an invitation or inducement to participate in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial 4 Services and Market Act 2000) may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons in (y)(i), (y)(ii) and (y)(iii) together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). Any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire securities to which this press release relates will only be engaged with Relevant Persons. Any person who is not a Relevant Person should not act or rely on this press release or any of its contents. This press release does not constitute or form a part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for securities nor of any offer or solicitation to sell securities in the United States. The securities mentioned herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United States except pursuant to an exemption from or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Pierre et Vacances S.A. does not intend to register any portion of the proposed offerings in the United States nor to conduct a public offering of securities in the United States. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain statements that constitute "forward-looking statements", including, without limitation, statements that are predictions of or indicate future events, trends, plans or objectives, based on certain assumptions and all statements that do not directly relate to a historical fact. These forward-looking statements are based on the management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, as a result of which actual results could differ materially from the forecast results explicitly or implicitly mentioned in the forward-looking statements; for more information on these risks and uncertainties, please refer to the documents filed by Pierre et Vacances S.A. with the Autorite des marches financiers. 1 Refers to bonds redeemable in cash and/or in new and/or existing shares issued by the Company on 30 November 2017 for a nominal amount of approximately 100 million and whose initial maturity is 1 April 2023. 2 The receivables held on Pierre et Vacances Fi subject to compensation are subject to prior delegation and are held on the Company at the time of the Conversion Capital Increase. 3 The Shareholders' Warrants are allocated to the Company on the basis of its treasury shares which will be automatically cancelled, in accordance with the provisions of Article L. 225-149-2 of the French Commercial Code. Taking into account the 98,267 treasury shares, 420,343 Shareholders Warrants will be allocated to the Company then automatically canceled thus increasing the number of Shareholders Warrants in circulation as a result of the settlement-delivery operations from 42,321,972 to 41,901,629. 4 The Shareholders' Warrants are allocated to the Company on the basis of its treasury shares which will be automatically cancelled, in accordance with the provisions of Article L. 225-149-2 of the French Commercial Code. Taking into account the 98,267 treasury shares, 420,343 Shareholders Warrants will be allocated to the Company then automatically canceled thus increasing the number of Shareholders Warrants in circulation as a result of the settlement-delivery operations from 42,321,972 to 41,901,629. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220914006000/en/ Contacts: Pierre et Vacances NEO: SHWZ OTCQX: SHWZ Continues to Go Deep, Adding to Retail Footprint in Colorado DENVER, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Schwazze, (OTCQX: SHWZ) (NEO:SHWZ) ("Schwazze" or the "Company"), announced that it has signed definitive documents to acquire certain assets of Lightshade Labs LLC ("Lightshade"). The proposed transaction includes the adult use Lightshade dispensaries located at 503 Havana St. in Aurora, as well as 2215 E. Mississippi Ave. in Denver's vibrant Washington Park neighborhood. This acquisition continues Schwazze's aggressive expansion in Colorado and upon close will bring the Company's total number of Colorado dispensaries to 25. The consideration for the proposed acquisition is US$2.75 million and will be paid as all cash. The acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of 2023 after Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division and local licensing approval. "Schwazze is excited to add to our retail footprint in the greater Denver area, providing two additional retail locations to our existing 23 throughout Colorado. We look forward to extending our exceptional customer service and wide product selection to both new and existing customers in these new locations," said Collin Lodge, Division President of Colorado. Since April 2020, Schwazze has acquired or announced the planned acquisition of 35 cannabis dispensaries as well as seven cultivation facilities and two manufacturing assets in Colorado and New Mexico. In May 2021, Schwazze announced its BioSciences division and in August 2021 it commenced home delivery services in Colorado. About Schwazze Schwazze (OTCQX: SHWZ NEO: SHWZ) is building a premier vertically integrated regional cannabis company with assets in Colorado and New Mexico and will continue to take its operating system to other states where it can develop a differentiated regional leadership position. Schwazze is the parent company of a portfolio of leading cannabis businesses and brands spanning seed to sale. The Company is committed to unlocking the full potential of the cannabis plant to improve the human condition. Schwazze is anchored by a high- performance culture that combines customer-centric thinking and data science to test, measure, and drive decisions and outcomes. The Company's leadership team has deep expertise in retailing, wholesaling, and building consumer brands at Fortune 500 companies as well as in the cannabis sector. Schwazze is passionate about making a difference in our communities, promoting diversity and inclusion, and doing our part to incorporate climate-conscious best practices. Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. was Schwazze's former operating trade name. The corporate entity continues to be named Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. Schwazze derives its name from the pruning technique of a cannabis plant to enhance plant structure and promote healthy growth. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Such statements may be preceded by the words "plan," "will," "may," "continue," "predicts," or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future events or performance, are based on certain assumptions, and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control and cannot be predicted or quantified. Consequently, actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with (i) our inability to manufacture our products and product candidates on a commercial scale on our own or in collaboration with third parties; (ii) difficulties in obtaining financing on commercially reasonable terms; (iii) changes in the size and nature of our competition; (iv) loss of one or more key executives or scientists; (v) difficulties in securing regulatory approval to market our products and product candidates; (vi) our ability to successfully execute our growth strategy in Colorado and outside the state, (vii) our ability to consummate the acquisition described in this press release or to identify and consummate future acquisitions that meet our criteria, (viii) our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses, including the acquisition described in this press release, and realize synergies therefrom, (ix) the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, (x) the timing and extent of governmental stimulus programs, and (xi) the uncertainty in the application of federal, state and local laws to our business, and any changes in such laws. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by law. Investors, Joanne Jobin, Investor Relations, Joanne.jobin@schwazze.com, 647 964 0292; Media, Julie Suntrup, Schwazze, Vice President, Marketing & Merchandising, julie.suntrup@schwazze.com, 303 371 0387 New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - September 14, 2022) - Restaurant chain Champion Pizza is pleased to announce its plans to expand its retail footprint beyond the New York City area by opening new locations in Nassau County, New York, and in College Station, Texas. A spokesperson for the company said, "We have begun executing the first phase of our retail expansion plan. We are in the process of opening additional stores in New York and Texas, and are looking into markets in Florida, Virginia, DC, and New Jersey." The company is known for its classic New York style thin-crust pizza, utilizing in-demand ingredients such as organic tomato sauces from Naples, Italy, and unbleached and unbromated flour. Champion Pizza puts an emphasis on offering customers healthier pizza options and providing memorable customer service. Founder and CEO Hakki Akdeniz states that the company is ready for significant expansion due to increased demand for product. "We are always trying hard to make our business operations more efficient to deliver the best prices to our customers and want to make environmentally conscious choices with every business decision we make," he says. "We will not stop working on improving our pizza and our friendly service and continue to focus on being a good member of the communities that we serve." The customer base for Champion Pizza has expanded significantly since the first location opened in 2019. The company's Instagram account has over 26 million followers, and CEO Hakki Akdeniz is frequently invited to appear on various television programs to talk about his personal story as well as the success of Champion Pizza. A major cable television network has recently finished filming a documentary about his life, and a motion picture of the Champion Pizza story is also underway. While the entire team at Champion Pizza is excited about these developments, the focus continues to be on the brand - constantly improving in every area - and focusing on the new locations opening this year. The company believes that the new locations will help enhance brand recognition and draw in a new customer base. A larger operation with a more significant retail footprint will allow the company to expand the scope of its products and service, as well as offer special events, unique customer experiences, and community service opportunities. While the pizza industry is huge, with a current global market value of $160 billion, Champion Pizza has found throughout its history as a company that healthy competition makes all related businesses improve. The company plans to use the opportunity of the new locations to research and improve its recipes and offer new options to customers. Along with preparing to open new locations, Champion Pizza is working on schedule several community-focused events in the New York City area, including events designed for local children, such as pizza cooking classes. The company routinely supports charities that help the homeless, and plans to continue their charitable work by donating pizzas from the new locations to those in need. CEO Hakki had this to say about the growth of Champion Pizza: "We welcome all our customers and industry colleagues to join us in celebrating life by donating their time and effort to serve those in need around us. Our impact may be small and local today, but with everyone's help we can make a meaningful difference." He finishes up with this: "Have fun with pizza and be kind for no reason today." Website: http://championpizzanyc.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hakkiakdenizz/?hl=en Hakki Akdeniz Phone: (212) 226-3777 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137110 LONDON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fundsquire, a global fintech and alternative lender, today announced they have reached an SME lending milestone, delivering over $110 million AUD (64.7 million) in funding to Australian, UK and Canadian SMEs and startups. "This is a landmark achievement for Fundsquire, and it's proof that our tech-enabled, relationship-driven business adds value to early stage founders and companies", said Damien Petty, Founder and CEO at Fundsquire. While Fundsquire continues to focus on R&D financing, its new products, including Grant Advance funding & Revenue Based Financing, have seen stellar growth. Fundsquire has now funded over 250 businesses across their operating countries through its multi-product portfolio. "Grant Advance is a completely new funding solution in Australia, and we're one of only a handful of companies to do it in Canada and the UK", said Damien. "We offer companies up to 90% of their future grant payments up front, and we're seeing founders and CEOs jump at the opportunity to fund their grant projects without impacting their operating cash flow." Fundsquire clients are already seeing the value a long term partnership with a multi-product capital lender can provide as they grow. Tim Demetriou, CEO of the Australia-based Pencil said, "Fundsquire was a great way for us to continue funding ourselves and a super easy process away from slower, clunkier banks and lenders. We have had a great experience with the guys at Fundsquire and have just applied for their new product which supports fast growth recurring revenue businesses with marketing costs." For Damien, the combination of new products and technology has Fundsquire primed for scale in 2022/23. Fundsquire continues to build its core technology, partnering with Railz and Xero, and will soon roll out a new version of its customer platform. "Our technology allows us to scale multiple products, regardless of geographic region, and really put the power into our clients' hands", said Damien. "As one of the few global fintechs with a multi-product funding offer, we can truly fulfill our goal of being long-term partners for innovative businesses rather than a short-term lender only." About Fundsquire Fundsquire is a global source of capital that invests in innovative businesses in Australia, the UK and Canada. We work closely with our clients to provide straightforward non-dilutive capital to grow, accelerate and strengthen the value of their business. Visit fundsquire.com.au for more information. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1896470/Fundsquire_Fundsquire_reaches__110_million_AUD___64_7_million__i.jpg Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 14, 2022) - McLaren Resources Inc. (CSE: MCL) (FSE: 3ML) ("McLaren" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed a phase one exploration diamond drilling program on its 100%-owned McCool gold property which is located in the prolific Timmins Gold Region of Northeastern Ontario, Canada where well over 70 million ounces of gold have been produced to date. The first phase diamond drill program consisted of 2,392 metres ("m") of core drilling in 6 holes. The primary purpose of this drill program was to further evaluate and trace the significant gold mineralization known to exist on the property along the Centre Hill Fault from the work of previous owners undertaken during the period 1982-1987 (see August 31, 2022 news release, Table 1, containing selected historical drill results from the McCool property - Placer Development Limited). This drill program also tested induced polarization ("IP") and ground magnetic ("GM") geophysical anomalies that were outlined from ground geophysical surveys completed on a portion of the property in February 2022 (see news release dated February 23, 2022). These types of ground geophysical signatures discovered on the property are known to be closely associated with gold occurrences elsewhere in the general area. The six holes were drilled on approximately 50 m centers along the favorable target area. All core from the current drill program has been logged and 699 samples have been selected, sawn in half with half being sent to an assay laboratory for gold analysis. Assay results will be released once all assays have been received, complied and interpreted. It is anticipated that this process will take approximately 5 to 6 weeks to complete. The favorable exploration target area occurs on the eastern portion of the 1,650 hectare ("ha") McCool gold property (see Map 1 below showing the favorable target area for gold in relation to the Centre Hill Fault, the sub-parallel Camrose Fault, and the McCool Anticline). The first phase exploration drill program focused on a select portion of the Centre Hill Fault, a northwest trending fault structure which runs along the south side of the McCool Anticline and which is known to host significant gold mineralization on the McCool property. The Centre Hill Fault is interpreted to be a splay off of the major Destor-Porcupine Deformation Zone which is host to many gold deposits in the general area (see Map 2 below showing the location of the major gold-bearing faults, gold deposits and the property ownership of the various companies actively working in the area). Map 1 - The favorable target area for gold in relation to the Centre Hill Fault, the sub-parallel Camrose Fault and the McCool Anticline. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/932/137232_aa037e09841099c4_002full.jpg Map 2 - The location of the major gold-bearing faults, gold deposits and the property ownership of the various companies actively working in the area. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/932/137232_aa037e09841099c4_003full.jpg Mr. Radovan Danilovsky, President of McLaren Resources Inc., stated, "We are excited to have completed a first phase diamond drill program on the prospective McCool gold property where significant gold mineralization is known to exist along the Center Hill Fault. Our diamond drill program was designed to re-evaluate the gold mineralization intersected in the area approximately 35 years ago and to trace this mineralization to depth and along strike. We look forward to continuing our drilling efforts on the McCool property in the Fall of 2022." As announced on October 4, 2021, McLaren acquired an additional 50 full mineral claims and 10 partial mineral claims, together comprising approximately 1,375 ha, from two independent prospectors from the Timmins area. The new claims are contiguous with the original McCool gold property and bring the total size of the property to approximately 1,650 ha. The majority of the new claims cover the northwest strike extension of the Centre Hill Fault. The expanded McCool gold property now covers an approximate five kilometer ("km") strike length of the gold-bearing Centre Hill Fault. McLaren's expanded McCool gold property is ideally located immediately north of Highway 101 and abuts the Golden Highway Gold Project of Moneta Gold Inc. ("Moneta") to the south. Moneta continues to intersect good grade gold mineralization on their property and continues to expand their gold resource in several areas of the property The expanded McCool gold property also lies immediately east of the Fenn-Gib gold deposit where operator Mayfair Gold Corp. ("Mayfair") has announced significant gold intersections from recent infill and step-out drilling on their property. HighGold Mining Inc. ("HighGold") continues to aggressively explore significant gold mineralization on their CroesusMonroe Project located west of the McCool property and McEwen Mining Inc. continues to mine gold from its Black Fox Mine and further explore for gold on its significant landholdings along the Destor-Porcupine fault west of McLaren's McCool gold property and southeast of McLaren's Blue Quartz gold property. The original 275 ha McCool gold property, along with McLaren's 775 ha Kerrs gold property, were acquired from Newmont Corporation ("Newmont") in mid-2020 in exchange for a four-year option on McLaren's Augdome gold property which lies immediately east of Newmont's past-producing Dome Gold Mine in Timmins (see news release dated May 14, 2020). Qualified Person The information presented in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Kenneth Guy, P.Geo, a consultant to McLaren and the Qualified Person for McLaren, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects". About McLaren McLaren has been focussed on exploration work on its gold properties in the Timmins Gold Region of Northeastern Ontario. McLaren now owns a 100% interest in the past-producing, 640 ha, Blue Quartz Gold Mine property as well as the 1,650 ha McCool and 775 ha Kerrs gold properties, all located within the Abitibi Greenstone Belt along the Destor-Porcupine Deformation Zone, which is host to many of the gold deposits in the area, approximately 85 km east of Timmins city centre. McLaren also owns a 100% interest in the 408 ha Augdome gold property which is located in Tisdale and Whitney Townships immediately east of the Dome Mine owned by Newmont. The Augdome property is currently under a four-year option to Newmont. For more information, please contact: Radovan Danilovsky, President Phone: 416-203-6784 McLAREN RESOURCES INC. 44 Victoria Street, Suite 1616 Toronto, Ontario M5C 1Y2 www.McLarenResources.com This news release is not for distribution in the United States. The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of the press release. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements". When used in this document, the words "anticipated", "expect", "estimated", "forecast", "planned", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. These statements are based on current expectations of management; however, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this news release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. McLaren Resources Inc. does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof, except as required by securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137232 DEARBORN (dpa-AFX) - Ford Motor Co (F) unveiled the seventh-generation of its Mustang. The automaker updated the interior with large digital screens, but it has maintained a gas-powered engine. The all-new Mustang goes on sale in the U.S. starting in the summer of 2023 and is assembled at Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, the company said in a statement. According to the company, the New Mustang has two new engines - a 2.3-liter EcoBoost and the Mustang GT's most powerful 5.0-liter Coyote V8 ever - a new Remote Rev feature that provides the ability to rev the car's engine remotely using the key fob, and an available new Electronic Drift Brake that can quickly turn a novice into a drifting pro, like Vaughn Gittin Jr. The engines have been improved for the 2024 model year Mustang. The company noted that the available B&O Sound System is optimized for the car's interior, contributing to the visceral experience of Mustang ownership. Customers can share the ultimate driving playlist through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both of which are fully compatible with SYNC 4. Amazon Alexa Built-In with Ford Streaming allows music and podcasts to be played with simple voice commands. Like the all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV, the all-new Mustang features Ford Power-Up software update capability, the company said. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Aeson implants expected to resume in October 2022 Strong demand from hospitals Cash position of 47 million, providing cash runway until March 2023 Regulatory News: CARMAT (FR0010907956, ALCAR) (Paris:ALCAR), the designer and developer of the world's most advanced total artificial heart, aiming to provide a therapeutic alternative for people suffering from end-stage biventricular heart failure, today reports its results for the first half of the year to June 30, 20221 and issues an update on its latest progress and main strategic objectives. Stephane Piat, Chief Executive Officer of CARMAT, commented: "In the first half of 2022, we focused our efforts on our primary goal of resuming implants of Aeson hearts in October. Thanks to the work undertaken by our teams and our suppliers, who I would like to thank, we were able to restart production at the end of March following the implementation of the necessary changes in our supply chain. At the same time, we have made good progress in our discussions with the various regulatory stakeholders in Europe (DEKRA), France (ANSM) and the United States (FDA), whose approvals are required for us to resume implants commercially and as part of clinical trials. In order to meet the strong demand from physicians and prepare for the resumption in implants, our teams have also intensified the training provided to European medical centers, taking the number of hospitals ready to perform Aeson implants in Germany, France and Italy to 17. Finally, I would like to thank our longstanding and new shareholders for their vital support as we raised 40.5 million back in April. Given our progress, we are in a good position to resume Aeson implants during the final quarter of this year, as planned, and are more confident than ever in our ability to make Aeson a benchmark treatment in end-stage heart failure over the coming years 2022 half-year results Simplified income statement ( millions) 30/06/2022 (6 months) 30/06/2021 (6 months) Sales 0.0 0.0 Net operating income (expense) -25.1 -25.5 Net financial income (expense) -1.9 -1.5 Net non-recurring income (expense) 0.0 0.0 Research and innovation tax credit +0.9 +0.7 Net profit (loss) -26.0 -26.4 CARMAT did not record any sales during the first half of 2022, as a result of its decision to suspend implants voluntarily and temporarily on December 2, 2021. The Company is building up inventories of implantable prostheses with the objective to resume implants in October 2022, provided that regulatory approvals are granted by relevant authorities. During the first half of this year, CARMAT's efforts and resources were predominantly focused on: defining and implementing preventive and corrective actions to address quality issues that occurred in late 2021; resuming production following the implementation of these actions both at its Bois-d'Arcy plant and with its suppliers; working with regulatory bodies and preparing the regulatory filings necessary to resume implants; working with suppliers to increase production volumes; and supporting hospitals and physicians with training, education and reimbursement support so they are ready to resume implants. The Company kept operating expenses under control even as extensive resources were deployed to make the prosthesis more reliable and secure the supply chain, leading to an operating loss of 25.1 million for the first half of 2022 (compared to a loss of 25.5 million for the first half of 2021). Taking into account the net financial loss (-1.9 million) and the Tax Credit (+0.9 million), the net loss amounted to 26.0 million in the first half of 2022 (compared to a loss of 26.4 million for the first half of 2021). Cash position and financial structure The Company had a cash position of 47.4 million as of June 30, 2022, compared to 39.2 million as of December 31, 2021. The 8.2 million increase in cash in the first half of 2022 was a result of the following cash flows: ( millions) 30/06/2022 (6 months) 30/06/2021 (6 months) Cash flow from operating activities -30.5 -29.4 Cash flow from investment activities -1.1 -1.0 Cash flow from financing activities +39.8 +52.3 Change in cash position +8.2 +21.9 In terms of financing, in the first half of 2022 the Company: raised 40.5 million, of which 36.5 million via a private placement for strategic and specialized investors and 4.1 million from individuals via the PrimaryBid platform; obtained 0.7 million by drawing on the equity financing line put in place with Kepler-Cheuvreux, which expired on March 27, 2022. CARMAT's financial resources2 should allow the Company to finance its operations, according to its current business plan, until March 2023. The Company is confident that it is well positioned to raise additional funding needed for future development and commercialization. H1 2022 highlights and recent events Preparations for the resumption of Aeson implants planned in October 2022 On December 2, 2021, following the occurrence of quality issues affecting certain components of its prosthesis, CARMAT decided to voluntarily and temporarily suspend all implants of its Aeson artificial heart, both commercially and in clinical trials. Based on ongoing interactions with regulatory bodies, the Company expects to resume implants in October 2022 following approvals by regulators. The Company is actively manufacturing new prostheses that incorporate improvements to avoid past quality issues from recurring. Implementation of corrective and preventive actions and resumption in production From December 2021, the Company focused on characterizing identified quality issues. Corrective and preventive actions were defined and implemented at Bois-d'Arcy plant and by relevant suppliers and subcontractors with oversight from CARMAT. Production with implementation of all corrective and preventive actions resumed by the end of the first quarter of 2022. Each of these actions is the subject of an assessment that is continuing. Progress with regard to regulatory processes CARMAT submitted in early August 2022 a 'notification of change' to its notified body (DEKRA). Based on usual review timeframes and current interactions, the Company is reasonably confident that regulatory approval will enable the Company to resume commercial implants of Aeson in October in the European Union and countries that recognize CE marking. Regarding the EFICAS clinical study in France, CARMAT submitted in early September 2022 a request to the ANSM (French National Agency for Medicine and Health Product Safety) to resume this clinical trial. Given usual review timeframes, the Company expects to receive the ANSM's approval by October, which would pave the way for the first Aeson implants in this study of 52 patients, the aim of which is to collect medico-economic data to support Aeson's value proposition and reimbursement in France. Lastly, CARMAT is working with the FDA to resume implants in the US Early Feasibility Study. CARMAT submitted two regulatory submissions to the FDA in July 2022, and plans to submit the last one in September. After their review, the Company expects to file an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) Supplement request to the FDA, that would enable enrollment of the second cohort (7 patients) of this study involving 10 patients. Training, education and reimbursement support for hospitals In response to the substantial hospital interest in Aeson, and in order to allow for strong momentum in implants in the months following their resumption, the Company has continued and accelerated training provided to medical centers since the beginning of the year, in particular in Germany, Italy and France. At the end of June 2022, 17 centers had been trained (10 in Germany, 1 in Italy and 6 in France in preparation for the EFICAS study), and more will be trained during the second half of this year. At the same time, CARMAT also continued to support the various medical centers in their attempts to secure reimbursement for therapy from the various paying agents. Changes in governance Board of Directors management The Annual General Meeting of May 11, 2022 approved the reduction of the term of office of the Company's directors from 6 to 3 years. The Board of Directors chaired by Jean-Pierre Garnier currently has 11 members, including 7 independents directors. Their terms of office will expire in 2025 at the end of the Annual General Meeting called to approve the Company's accounts for the year ending December 31, 2024. On July 1, 2022, Mr. Francesco Arecchi, previously Director of Global Market Development, expanded his responsibilities to include all of the Company's marketing, sales and training activities. This development follows the scheduled departure of Eric Richez, Sales Director, at the end of the first half of this year. Severance payments and non-competition commitment During its session of September 13, 2022, the Board of Directors, on the recommendation of the Appointments and Compensation Committee, decided that Mr. Stephane Piat, Board member and Chief Executive Officer of CARMAT, would benefit from a severance payment representing up to 18 months of pay (fixed and variable)3 should he be forced to stand down from his duties4. An agreement has been signed to this effect by the Company and Mr. Stephane Piat. This contract also imposes various exclusivity, non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality, and intellectual property commitments on Mr. Piat. Mr Piat could be paid a monthly compensation representing 40% of his fixed monthly remuneration with respect to the non-competition commitment for a period of 12 months following his departure from the Company5. The Company believes that the amount and terms of these payments are appropriate given the highly sensitive and risky nature of its activities. Strategy and outlook The Company's primary objective for the second half of 2022 is the effective resumption in implants from October 2022, in line with its action plan that aims to: ramp up production following the resumption process initiated in the first half of 2022; obtain the regulatory approvals required to resume implants; train hospitals and support them to seek reimbursement, which will generate demand and allow strong momentum in implants once resumed. Given the improvement in the COVID-19 situation, CARMAT is not anticipating any major adverse impact in the second half of 2022, but it is closely monitoring the situation both in France and in other countries where the Company, its suppliers and customers operate. CARMAT could have to adjust its outlook should the situation deteriorate. About CARMAT CARMAT is a French MedTech that designs, manufactures and markets the Aeson artificial heart. The Company's ambition is to make Aeson the first alternative to a heart transplant, and thus provide a therapeutic solution to people suffering from end-stage biventricular heart failure, who are facing a well-known shortfall in available human grafts. The world's first physiological artificial heart that is highly hemocompatible, pulsatile and self-regulated, Aeson could save, every year, the lives of thousands of patients waiting for a heart transplant. The device offers patients quality of life and mobility thanks to its ergonomic and portable external power supply system that is continuously connected to the implanted prosthesis. Aeson is commercially available as a bridge to transplant in the European Union and other countries that recognize CE marking. Aeson is also currently being assessed within the framework of an Early Feasibility Study (EFS) in the United States. Founded in 2008, CARMAT is based in the Paris region, with its head offices located in Velizy-Villacoublay and its production site in Bois-d'Arcy. The Company can rely on the talent and expertise of a multidisciplinary team of more than 200 highly specialized people. CARMAT is listed on the Euronext Growth market in Paris (Ticker: ALCAR ISIN code: FR0010907956). For more information, please go to www.carmatsa.com and follow us on LinkedIn. Name: CARMAT ISIN code: FR0010907956 Ticker: ALCAR Disclaimer This press release and the information contained herein do not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe to, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe to, shares in CARMAT (the "Company") in any country. This press release may contain forward-looking statements that relate to the Company's objectives and prospects. Such forward-looking statements are based solely on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company's management and involve risk and uncertainties including, without limitation, the Company's ability to successfully implement its strategy, the rate of development of CARMAT's production and sales, the pace and results of ongoing and future clinical trials, new products or technological developments introduced by competitors, changes in regulations and risks associated with growth management. The Company's objectives as mentioned in this press release may not be achieved for any of these reasons or due to other risks and uncertainties. The significant and specific risks pertaining to the Company are those described in the Universal Registration Document ("Document d'Enregistrement Universel") filed with the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF, the French stock market authorities) under number D.22-0332. Readers and investors' attention is, however, drawn to the fact that other risks, unknown or not deemed to be significant or specific, may or could exist. Aeson is an active implantable medical device commercially available in the European Union and other countries that recognize CE marking. The Aeson total artificial heart is intended to replace the ventricles of the native heart and is indicated as a bridge to transplant in patients suffering from end-stage biventricular heart failure (INTERMACS classes 1-4) who are not amenable to maximal medical therapy or a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and are likely to undergo a heart transplant within 180 days of the device being implanted. The decision to implant and the surgical procedure must be carried out by healthcare professionals trained by the manufacturer. The documentation (clinician manual, patient manual and alarm booklet) should be read carefully to understand the characteristics of Aeson and information necessary for patient selection and the proper use of Aeson (contraindications, precautions, side effects). In the United States, Aeson is currently exclusively available within the framework of an Early Feasibility Study authorized by the Food Drug Administration (FDA). 1 First-half results were approved by the Board on September 13, 2022 and have been the subject of a limited review by the statutory auditor. The 2022 half-year report was published today and is available on the Company's website. 2 Primarily including the cash position at June 30, 2022 (47.4 million), the Research Tax Credit relative to 2021 that will be received by the end of 2022 (1.9 million) and the 13 million in financing obtained from the French State to partially fund the EFICAS study (this sum will be gradually received as patients are enrolled in this trial, which is due to begin in the final quarter of 2022). 3 The maximum compensation that could be paid corresponds to 75% of the remuneration (fixed and variable) due to or received by Mr. Stephane Piat for the two financial years preceding the termination of his duties. Of this maximum amount, two thirds are unconditional. The remaining third could be fully or partly paid to Mr. Stephane Piat, at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, on the basis of its appraisal of the Company's performance over the previous two years, as well as of Mr. Piat's personal contribution to this performance. It is specified that the maximum termination compensation includes any legal and statutory allowances that may be due, and the amount of this severance pay plus any non-competition compensation due with respect to Mr. Stephane Piat's non-competition commitment, will be capped at two years of remuneration (fixed and variable). 4 Except if Mr. Stephane Piat is dismissed as a result of serious misconduct or gross negligence. 5 The Board of Directors could, when the time comes, decide to waive this non-competition commitment, in which case no non-competition compensation would be due. No compensation will be due if Mr. Stephane Piat retires, nor once he reaches 65. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220914005648/en/ Contacts: CARMAT Stephane Piat Chief Executive Officer Pascale d'Arbonneau Chief Financial Officer Tel.: +33 1 39 45 64 50 contact@carmatsas.com Alize RP Press Relations Caroline Carmagnol Tel.: +33 6 64 18 99 59 carmat@alizerp.com NewCap Financial Communication & Investor Relations Dusan Oresansky Quentin Masse Tel.: +33 1 44 71 94 92 carmat@newcap.eu Highlights for the first half of 2022: Profit of 1,550,218 after tax Net assets of 14,567,050 as at June 30, 2022 Completion of a second round of private placement financing in January 2022 Investment in Gauzy Ltd, a world leader in smart glass and ADAS technologies Follow on investment in Miami International Holdings Post-closing events: Follow on investment in Gauzy Ltd Regulatory News: Hamilton Global Opportunities plc (Paris:ALHGO) provides 2022 half-year financial statements and operation report. The 2022 half-year financial report is available on the company's website, in the Investor section (hamiltongo.eu). PERFORMANCE Assets as at 30 June 2022 (in ) June 30, 2022 December 31, 2021 Tangible assets 3,754 2,297 Investments 11,666,323 5,592,071 Fixed Assets 11,727,177 5,651,468 Debtors: amounts falling due within one year 228,085 143,041 Cash at bank and in hand 3,403,594 3,429,902 Current assets 3,631,679 3,572,943 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 274,806 (362,830) Net current assets/(liabilities) 15,358,856 9,224,411 Net assets 14,567,050 8,861,581 Profit/Loss Statement as at 30 June 2022 (in ) June 30, 2022 December 31, 2021 Revenue 142,368 65,031 Other operating expenses 2,625 6,818 Administrative expenses (238,751) (383,214) Revaluation gains on investments 1,638,086 49,715 Foreign exchange gains on investments 550,390 Amounts written off investments (22,175) Tax expense (544,000) (210) Profit/Loss for the period 1,550,218 (284,023) Details of evolution in the financials since 31 December 2021 As at 30 June 2022 profit after tax of 1,550,218 compared to a loss of 284,023 for the financial year 2021. The profit was generated by an increase in foreign exchange revenues and the revaluation of assets after application of HGO's valuation policy. Net Assets stood at 14.56m (vs 8.86m as of 31 December 2021). The change in Net Assets during the first half resulted mainly from the capital increase carried out during the period for an amount of 4.5m. Hamilton's net cash position as of 30 June 2022 was 3.4m. Highlights of the first half of 2022 and post-closing events Completion of a second capital raise by private placement in January 2022 In January 2022 Hamilton Global Opportunities plc raised a further 4.5m of capital from institutional investors via a private placement. Investment in Gauzy Ltd, a world leader in smart glass and ADAS technologies On April 11, 2022 Hamilton Global Opportunities plc announced a USD $2m investment in Gauzy Ltd Gauzy is a true pioneer of nanotechnology for light and vision control, is the only material science company in the world developing, manufacturing, and marketing two of the three active smart glass technologies: SPD and Liquid Crystal, and advanced ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) including CMS (camera monitoring systems) for long body on road vehicles. Gauzy has significant development potential given the numerous high value-added applications in everyday life for its diverse product range, such as the possibility of instantly modulating the transparency or translucency of glass used in windows across the automotive and architectural industries for shading, privacy, and thermal regulation, and making vehicle operation safer with blind spot reduction through its high performance ADAS products. Follow on investment in Miami International Holdings, the leading private US multi-platform exchange operator On May 25, 2023, Hamilton Global Opportunities plc announced a USD $2.155 million follow on investment in Miami International Holdings, Inc. one of the leading exchange players in the U.S. options market. Miami International Holdings, Inc. (MIH) is the parent company of multiple securities exchanges, based on the MIAX platform, developed in-house and designed for derivatives trading. In addition to three licensed U.S. securities exchanges Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC (MIAX), MIAX Pearl, LLC (MIAX Pearl) and MIAX Emerald, LLC (MIAX Emerald and together with MIAX and MIAX Pearl, the MIAX Exchange Group) MIH is also the parent company of the Minneapolis Grain Exchange, LLC, a Designated Contract Market (DCM) and Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO) licensed by the U.S. Gustavo Perrotta, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hamilton Global Opportunities plc declares: "We are very pleased with the 2022 half year results which, despite the extremely challenging market conditions, confirm the benefits of our focus on our investment principles after a foundation year in 2021 where we established the operational framework for HGO. We successfully completed a second capital raise in January and have completed two important investments in the first half of 2022: a first investment in Gauzy Ltd and a follow on investment in Miami International Holdings which confirms our continued support for the management teams and strategies of the those businesses." The Half-Year financial report as of June 30, 2022 has been made available to the public and published on the website of the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF). About Hamilton Global Opportunities Hamilton Global Opportunities PLC ("HGO") is an investment company listed on the Euronext Growth Market in Paris (ALHGO) focusing on investments in Tech, Fintech and MedTech principally in the United States and Israel. The HGO management team has significant relevant experience in structuring direct investments in the areas above mentioned. For more information, please visit: hamiltongo.eu View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220914005824/en/ Contacts: Hamilton Global Opportunities Gustavo Perrotta Founder CEO gp@hamiltongo.eu Gavin Alexander Director ga@hamiltongo.eu Andrew Wynn Member of the Investment Committee aw@hamiltongo.eu NewCap Louis-Victor Delouvrier Investor Relations hamilton@newcap.eu +33 (0)1 44 71 98 53 NewCap Nicolas Merigeau Media Relations hamilton@newcap.eu +33 (0)1 44 71 94 98 Hackers are now using the death of Queen Elizabeth II as a phishing lure. The longest reigning monarch of the UK, Queen Elizabeth II, has recently died. It was a devastating loss for the monarchy of England and for its allies around the world. Great leaders from different countries sympathize, as do ordinary citizens. However, malicious threat actors saw this as an opportunity to let people fall into a trap of their own making. It has been detected that the actors are sending out phishing email campaigns to random victims, using their sympathy for the English monarch against them. Hackers are Using the Death of Queen Elizabeth II Hackers have been detected using the national morning of the UK to launch phishing attacks and scams. According to BleepingComputer, malicious threat actors are using the death of Queen Elizabeth II to steal Microsoft credentials and multi-factor authentication (MFA) codes from their victims. The hackers are using the current emotional state of the people of England to convert more people to become their phishing victims. The new phishing strategy now involves carefully crafting messages and tactics around the death of the Queen. Proofpoint, a cybersecurity company, went to Twitter and posted an example of this phishing scam using the name of Queen Elizabeth II to lure victims into clicking the link they provided. Proofpoint identified a credential #phish campaign using lures related to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Messages purported to be from Microsoft and invited recipients to an artificial technology hub in her honor. pic.twitter.com/RCcqpgfFfX Threat Insight (@threatinsight) September 14, 2022 As seen in the tweet, hackers are pretending to be part of the Microsoft team. The hackers are sending out messages in which they claim to be compiling a collection of letters and messages that they have received honoring the Queen. The recipients of the emails are highly encouraged to post their messages on a virtual memory board that has been created in her honor. The email banner of the phishing scam says, "In memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II." As seen in the email page, it is designed in a way that their victims will be tempted to click since they have provided numerous links and buttons available to press anytime. However, just like how scams and phishing campaigns are structured, if users click on the links, the hackers will be able to take advantage of the device and steal their Microsoft credentials. Read Also: Apple Releases Patch for CVE-2022-32917 Exploit Affecting iPhones, Macs Hackers Might Be Limited Hackers may not be able to use this tactic for long. The National Cyber Security Centre of the UK has been made aware of the reports regarding the phishing attacks using the name of the Queen. The NCSC then issued a warning to its citizens, saying that cybercriminals often use emotions and use high profile current events to lure victims to get them to click on a malicious link. NCSC stated, "During this period following the death of Her Majesty the Queen, including her Lying-in-State and State Funeral, there may be an increase in phishing emails and other scams." In the same way that they do with other significant events, hackers might try to benefit financially from Her Majesty the Queen's passing. NCSC would like to remind its constituents that they do not require a ticket in order to attend the Lying-in-State, nor are they required to make a payment in order to do so. The security center of the country also stated that they are aware of these types of reports but have not seen extensive evidence of this just yet. However, the NCSC still advises its constituents to be vigilant and discerning in their emails, text messages, calls, or any form of communication relating to the death of Queen Elizabeth II and her funeral arrangements. Related Article: Microsoft's Patch Tuesday September 2022 Release Fixes for 63 Vulnerabilities Company confident to clarify legitimacy of its position and fully cooperating with authorities Basel, September 15, 2022 - Novartis today confirms that it has been contacted by the Swiss Competition Commission (COMCO) which has initiated an investigation, in collaboration with the European Commission, into the assertion of a patent in the broader field of dermatology treatments. In connection with this investigation, COMCO representatives visited the company headquarters in Basel. The opening of an investigation does not imply any finding of wrongdoing or any financial impact. Novartis is fully cooperating with the authorities and is confident to clarify the legitimacy of its position. As this is an ongoing investigation in its early stages, we will not comment further at this point in time. Disclaimer This media update contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "plan," "may," "could," "would," "expect," "anticipate," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this media update, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this media update will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases such as COVID-19; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this media update as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this media update as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Novartis Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people's lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world's top companies investing in research and development. Novartis products reach nearly 800 million people globally and we are finding innovative ways to expand access to our latest treatments. About 108,000 people of more than 140 nationalities work at Novartis around the world. Find out more at https://www.novartis.com (https://www.novartis.com). Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at https://twitter.com/novartisnews (https://twitter.com/novartisnews) For Novartis multimedia content, please visit https://www.novartis.com/news/media-library (https://www.novartis.com/news/media-library) For questions about the site or required registration, please contact media.relations@novartis.com (mailto:media.relations@novartis.com) # # # Novartis Media Relations E-mail: media.relations@novartis.com (mailto:media.relations@novartis.com) Richard Jarvis Strategy & Financial Communications + 41 79 584 2326 (mobile) richard.jarvis@novartis.com (mailto:richard.jarvis@novartis.com) Julie Masow Novartis US External Communications +1 862 579 8456 julie.masow@novartis.com (mailto:julie.masow@novartis.com) Satoshi Sugimoto Communications Switzerland +41 79 619 2035 (mobile) satoshi_jean.sugimoto@novartis.com (mailto:satoshi_jean.sugimoto@novartis.com) Novartis Investor Relations Central investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944 E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com (mailto:investor.relations@novartis.com) DUISBURG (dpa-AFX) - thyssenkrupp Access Corp., now known as TK Access Solutions Corp., has settled an administrative lawsuit with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission or CPSC. As part of the settlement, the manufacturer of home or residential elevator also agreed to recall to inspect the elevators following the death of a child due to entrapment. According to the agency, children can become entrapped in the space between the exterior hoistway door and the elevator car door or gate. They may suffer serious injury or death if the elevator is called to another floor. The Grandview, Missouri-based company's recall involves about 16,800 residential elevators, which were sold for between $15,000 and $25,000 for a two-landing installation. These were manufactured and distributed by ThyssenKrupp Access Manufacturing, LLC, thyssenkrupp Access Corp., Access Industries, or National Wheel-O-Vator through 2012. The lawsuit, filed in July 2021, involves home or residential elevators under a variety of TKA-owned model names. These include Chaparral, Destiny, LEV, LEV II, LEV II Builder, Rise, Volant, Windsor, Independence, and Flexi-Lift. TKA manufactured and sold these elevators to dealers for installation in homes between approximately 1996 and 2012. The lawsuit was filed after reports of three incidents involving these elevators, including a 2-year old child who died in 2017 and a 2010 incident that left a 3-year old child permanently disabled. The consent agreement resolves charges that the elevators present a hazard because children can become entrapped in the space between the exterior hoistway door and the elevator car door or gate and suffer serious injury or death if the elevator is called to another floor. Under the settlement deal, TKA will also provide free inspections, and, if necessary, free installation of safety devices, known as space guards, at no charge to consumers. Homeowners are urged to contact TKA for a free inspection and free installation of the free space guard, if necessary. Until then, they are asked to prevent children living in or visiting their homes from accessing a residential elevator. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX THYSSENKRUPP-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de AIM and Media Release 15 September 2022 BASE RESOURCES LIMITED 2022 Annual General Meeting details African mineral sands producer, Base Resources Limited (ASX & AIM: BSE) (Base Resources) advises that the company's 2022 Annual General Meeting will be held at 11.00 am (Perth time) on Friday, 25 November 2022 (2022 AGM) as a hybrid meeting: in the Subiaco Room at the Vibe Hotel, 9 Alvan Street, Subiaco , Western Australia ; and , ; and online via the Lumi software platform accessible at https://web.lumiagm.com using the Meeting ID 347-783-111. The closing date for receipt of nominations to be considered for election as a director at the 2022 AGM is 5.00 pm (Perth time) on Friday, 23 September 2022, being the date that is 45 business days (as that term is defined in Base Resources' constitution) before the date of the 2022 AGM. Further information relating to the 2022 AGM, including the resolutions proposed and explanatory information in respect of such resolutions, will be set out in the Notice of 2022 AGM to be made available on Base Resources' website (www.baseresources.com.au) by Wednesday, 26 October 2022. ENDS. For further information contact: James Fuller, Manager Communications and Investor Relations UK Media Relations Base Resources Tavistock Communications Tel: +61 (8) 9413 7426 Jos Simson and Gareth Tredway Mobile: +61 (0) 488 093 763 Tel: +44 (0) 207 920 3150 Email: jfuller@baseresources.com.au About Base Resources Base Resources is an Australian based, African focused, mineral sands producer and developer with a track record of project delivery and operational performance. The company operates the established Kwale Operations in Kenya and is developing the Toliara Project in Madagascar. Base Resources is an ASX and AIM listed company. Further details about Base Resources are available at www.baseresources.com.au PRINCIPAL & REGISTERED OFFICE Level 3, 46 Colin Street West Perth, Western Australia, 6005 Email: info@baseresources.com.au Phone: +61 (0)8 9413 7400 Fax: +61 (0)8 9322 8912 NOMINATED ADVISOR RFC Ambrian Limited Stephen Allen Phone: +61 (0)8 9480 2500 JOINT BROKER Berenberg Matthew Armitt / Detlir Elezi Phone: +44 20 3207 7800 JOINT BROKER Canaccord Genuity Raj Khatri / James Asensio / Patrick Dolaghan Phone: +44 20 7523 8000 Pyramid Analytics Short-Listed in Emerging Vendor of the Year Category Pyramid Analytics (Pyramid), a pioneering decision intelligence platform provider, is a CRN Channel Awards 2022 finalist in the Emerging Vendor of the Year category. The Emerging Vendor of the Year category recognises new and emerging organisations which have successfully supported the growth of their channel partners in the UK. CRN reported a record number of award entries. Expanding channel partnerships with complementary technology companies, independent software vendors (ISV), consulting firms, value-added resellers (VAR) and systems integrators (SI) is a strategic priority. Pyramid has expanded its Alliances team and partner recruitment capabilities, invested in partner training and development, and launched joint go to market programs. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005045/en/ Bill Clayton, Vice President, Global Alliances for Pyramid Analytics (Photo: Business Wire) Key Points: Pyramid Analytics is a finalist in the Emerging Vendor of the Year category of the CRN Channel Awards 2022. The channel partner programme is the backbone of Pyramid's UK operations, accounting for a significant segment of UK revenue. Pyramid partners in the UK include Amplifi, AND Grow International Ltd, Ascot London Consulting Limited, AWS, Delaware, Snap Analytics. The winners of the CRN Channel Awards 2022 will be announced at an award ceremony on November 10 at Evolution London in the heart of London's iconic Battersea Park. To learn more about becoming a Pyramid partner in the UK Ireland, contact bill.clayton@pyramidanalytics.com. Pyramid Analytics Demonstrates its Commitment to and Value for Channel Partners The CRN Channel Awards is one of the highest accolades in the UK channel. It recognises excellence across the UK channel landscape, with categories covering Vendors, Distributors and Resellers. All entries face a rigorous judging process from industry leaders. The judges this year recognised the particularly "strong competition" with several of the categories receiving a record number of entries. Being shortlisted for the award is a culmination of Pyramid's four and a half years of commitment to the UK economy, with the growth of its channel partnerships at the core of its business strategy and success. 2022 has been the most momentous year for Pyramid in the UK with the hiring of Tom Warren as Managing Director for UKI and the announcement of a $120 million Series E funding round announcement at a special event at Tower Bridge. Channel partners are critical for Pyramid's ability to continue to grow in a scalable manner, in turn offering them access to pioneering innovative technology that can transform their business. Pyramid understands that for outstanding growth to be achieved for the company and for its channel partners, its partners should be thoroughly supported with training to develop in-depth knowledge and insights. Pyramid's partner portal is vital in delivering learning, development and growth value for Pyramid and its partners. Decision Intelligence is the Next Big Data Analytics Innovation The next major innovation in analytics is Artificial Intelligence (AI). Applying AI across Data Prep, Business Analytics, and Data Science is what separates Decision Intelligence from traditional business intelligence tools such as Microsoft Power BI, Qlik, and Tableau. AI lowers the skills barrier by automating the highly technical work needed to prepare and analyze data and create and share reports and dashboards. The Pyramid Decision Intelligence Platform delivers data-driven insights for anyone to make faster, more intelligent decisions. The Pyramid Platform provides instant access to any data, enables automated governed self-service for any person, and serves any analytics need, from the simple to the sophisticated. By uniquely combining Data Prep, Business Analytics, and Data Science with AI guidance in a single environment, the Pyramid Platform reduces cost and complexity while accelerating growth and innovation. This enables a strategic, organization-wide approach to Business Intelligence and Analytics Quotes Tom Warren, Vice President of UKI, Pyramid Analytics: "The entire Pyramid team is delighted and proud to have been shortlisted for the CRN Channel Awards. To be shortlisted as an Emerging Vendor of the Year really is the icing on the cake for what has been a brilliant year for the company and for our channel partners. The fact the Series E funding round was announced in the UK was a strong signal of our intent and commitment to the UK and we're only getting started. I would like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to CRN for this recognition, to the Pyramid team and our amazing channel partners who believe in us and stand by us." Bill Clayton, Vice President of Global Partner Sales, Pyramid Analytics: "The CRN Channel Awards are closely watched by everyone in the UK channel ecosystem, and it's a momentous occasion for the whole Pyramid family to be nominated. For Pyramid, our channel partnerships have become an essential cornerstone of our business. Our highly productive and effective work with channel partners has forged a host of mutually beneficial relationships that have driven growth for all involved across the UK. Channel partners are now the core of Pyramid's business. The upcoming growth and expansion of the company is firmly embedded with our channel partners, and I look forward to making that future a reality." About Pyramid Analytics Pyramid is what's next in analytics. Our unified decision intelligence platform delivers insights for anyone to make faster, more informed decisions. It provides direct access to any data, enables governed self-service for any person, and serves any analytics need in a no-code environment. The Pyramid Decision Intelligence Platform uniquely combines Data Prep, Business Analytics, and Data Science in a single environment with AI guidance, reducing cost and complexity while accelerating growth and innovation. The Pyramid Platform enables a strategic, organization-wide approach to Business Intelligence and Analytics, from the simple to the sophisticated. Schedule a demo. Pyramid Analytics is incorporated in Amsterdam and has regional headquarters in global innovation and business centers, including London, New York City, and Tel-Aviv. Our team lives worldwide because geography should not be a barrier to talent and opportunity. Investors include H.I.G. Growth Partners, Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP), Sequoia Capital, and Viola Growth. Learn more at Pyramid Analytics. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005045/en/ Contacts: UK Alex Izza Resonance 07591899654 pyramidanalytics@resonancecrowd.com US Heather Racicot Resonance +1 360-632-5616 pyramidanalytics@resonancecrowd.com Chas Kielt Vice President of Global Corporate Communications, Pyramid Analytics 617.687.3371 chas.kielt@pyramidanalytics.com As announced in our previous press release on 12 September last, "Artmarket.com adds Ethereum and Bitcoin to its multi-currency Artprice databases to respond to its customers and its near future in Web 3.0" https://www.actusnews.com/en/artmarket/pr/2022/09/12/artmarket_com-adds-ethereum-and-bitcoin-to-its-multi-currency-artprice-databases-to-meet-the-needs-of-its-customers-and-prepare Ethereum 2.0, The Merge. Artprice by Artmarket.com [ https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2022/09/image1-ethereum_themerge-artprice-by-artmarket-com.jpg ] In the context of a serious global energy crisis (probably only just beginning), Artmarket.com has been closely watching the transition to a totally carbon-free blockchain. This is now a reality with Ethereum 2.0 after its "The Merge" operation. Indeed, according to its founder, Vitalik Buterin, after 7 years of development and successful beta tests, "The Merge" - a switch from "Proof of Work" (PoW) to "Proof of Stake" (PoS) - will reduce the energy consumption of the ETH Blockchain by over 99.95%, (source: https://ethereum.foundation/ ) Before the transition had even been rolled out, Ethereum (ETH) managed to capture the interest of web 2 giant, Google, whose web 3 team, motivated by Ethereum's initiative, rushed to post a doodle displaying a countdown to the "The Merge" transition. Google's move represents a superb victory for the cryptocurrency and an extremely advantageous consecration for Ethereum 2.0. In a global context where concerns about what may be called "the energy war" and about global warming are reaching paroxysmal levels, this news is absolutely vital. As a result of this initiative, the Central Bank of Norway - a country where ecological issues are given top priority - has announced it will build its MNBC (central bank digital currency) on Ethereum. Meanwhile, the Bank of America now sees Ethereum as a virtuous investment by referring to it as "green giant". The art market can only benefit from "The Merge". The French newspaper Le Parisien reports Joe Lubin, Ethereum's co-creator, as saying "many digital artists and art collectors were reluctant to acquire digital works that involved burning so much fossil fuel to produce them With this transition, these concerns are receding and interesting projects are going to start right from the production of the very first chain blocks after "the merge". It's going to liberate a tremendous amount of creative energy." Lubin adds, "It won't directly affect Russian gas or gasoline prices, but it will be a powerful message sent to the world when we replace highly energy-consuming mining by a structure that consumes the electricity needed to produce a cup of coffee. It's a profound change that will happen just like an automatic smartphone update." Artmarket.com therefore expects to see an exponential growth in artistic creation, and that of the art-NFT market in particular. A number of famous artists have already turned towards art-NFTs, as have a number of major art museums. Over the past year, Artmarket.com has expressed its preference for the Ethereum 2.0 blockchain, particularly during its AGM and in its various financial press releases, and it has put all its IT and human resources into confirming its success with NFTs and the metaverse which represents the backbone of web 3. The world famous Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is considering an upcoming sale for around 70 million dollars of works of art via Sotheby's, with the possibility of investing the proceeds from these sales in the purchase of NFTs, on the advice of a team of experts in charge of following the NFT markets and finding the most promising artists there. According to Artprice by Artmarket's CEO and founder thierry Ehrmann, "in the history of cryptocurrencies, The Merge operation, this 15 september 2022, represents a founding and irrevocable date for Web 3.0 and for art-NFTs, and it could well generate a 'flippening' with Ethereum overtaking Bitcoin in terms of market capitalization in the coming months." Image: [ https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2022/09/image1-ethereum_themerge-artprice-by-artmarket-com.jpg ] Copyright 1987-2022 thierry Ehrmann www.artprice.com - www.artmarket.com Don't hesitate to c ontact our E conometrics Department for your requirements regarding statistics and personalized studies: econometrics@artprice.com Try our services (free demo): https://www.artprice.com/demo Subscribe to our services: https://www.artprice.com/subscription About Artmarket: Artmarket.com is listed on Eurolist by Euronext Paris, SRD long only and Euroclear: 7478 - Bloomberg: PRC - Reuters: ARTF. Discover Artmarket and its Artprice department on video: www.artprice.com/video Artmarket and its Artprice department was founded in 1997 by its CEO, thierry Ehrmann. Artmarket and its Artprice department is controlled by Groupe Serveur, created in 1987. See certified biography in Who's who : Biographie_thierry_Ehrmann_2022_WhosWhoInFrance.pdf Artmarket is a global player in the Art Market with, among other structures, its Artprice department, world leader in the accumulation, management and exploitation of historical and current art market information in databanks containing over 30 million indices and auction results, covering more than 787,000 artists. Artprice by Artmarket, the world leader in information on the art market, has set itself the ambition through its Global Standardized Marketplace to be the world's leading Fine Art NFT platform. Artprice Images allows unlimited access to the largest Art Market image bank in the world: no less than 180 million digital images of photographs or engraved reproductions of artworks from 1700 to the present day, commented by our art historians. Artmarket with its Artprice department accumulates data on a permanent basis from 6300 Auction Houses and produces key Art Market information for the main press and media agencies (7,200 publications). Its 5.4 million ('members log in'+social media) users have access to ads posted by other members, a network that today represents the leading Global Standardized Marketplace to buy and sell artworks at a fixed or bid price (auctions regulated by paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article L 321.3 of France's Commercial Code). Artmarket with its Artprice department, has been awarded the State label "Innovative Company" by the Public Investment Bank (BPI) (for the second time in November 2018 for a new period of 3 years) which is supporting the company in its project to consolidate its position as a global player in the market art. The Artprice 2022 half-year report: the art market returns to strong growth in the West: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/global-art-market-in-h1-2022-by-artprice-com Artprice by Artmarket's 2020 Global Art Market Report published in March 2022: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-art-market-in-2021 Artprice's 2020/21 Contemporary Art Market Report by Artmarket.com: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-contemporary-art-market-report-2021 Index of press releases posted by Artmarket with its Artprice department: serveur.serveur.com/Press_Release/pressreleaseEN.htm Follow all the Art Market news in real time with Artmarket and its Artprice department on Facebook and Twitter: www.facebook.com/artpricedotcom/ (over 5.9 million followers) twitter.com/artmarketdotcom twitter.com/artpricedotcom Discover the alchemy and universe of Artmarket and its artprice department https://www.artprice.com/video headquartered at the famous Organe Contemporary Art Museum "The Abode of Chaos" (dixit The New York Times): https://issuu.com/demeureduchaos/docs/demeureduchaos-abodeofchaos-opus-ix-1999-2013 L'Obs - The Museum of the Future: https://youtu.be/29LXBPJrs-o www.facebook.com/la.demeure.du.chaos.theabodeofchaos999 (4.3 million followers) https://vimeo.com/124643720 Contact Artmarket.com and its Artprice department - Contact: ir@artmarket.com ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: xWlrYpprZWiXm25qYpeabJJpaGaUxWCaZWGYlmdua8eXbJxol2uUnJbGZnBnl2dq - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-76224-en-artmarket-com-the-merge-ethereum-historic-success-reference-cryptocurrency-for-artprice-and-nft-market.pdf DUBAI, UAE, Sept 15, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - The inaugural edition of the World Metaverse Show, organized by the team behind the World Blockchain Summit, the largest global series of blockchain, crypto and web3 events, is bringing digital builders, entrepreneurs, investors, governments, enterprises, technology providers and experts from gaming, 3D, VFX, XR, and Web3 in Dubai on October 5-6, 2022.The show will be attended by top officials from across the globe including those from The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum.The Dubai Metaverse Strategy is set to shape the future of metaverse spearheaded by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktroum, Crown Prince of Dubai, which aims to turn Dubai into one of the world's top 10 metaverse economies as well as a global hub for the metaverse community.The objective is twofold; five times the number of blockchain and metaverse companies in five years and help the country establish 40,000 virtual jobs and add $4 billion to Dubai's economy in five years.The show will also be defined by 3 pillars:- Foster Metaverse Innovation and Economic Contribution- Cultivate Metaverse Talent Through Education and Training- Develop Metaverse Use-cases and Applications in Dubai GovernmentSpeakers include:- DR. RAMADAN ALBLOOSHIAdvisor & Acting Director of Public Health Protection Dept, Dubai Health Authority (DHA)- NICK VINCKIERHead of Corporate Innovation, Chalhoub Group- ELLIS WANGBoard of The Executive & Advisory team, The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum- AHMAD ALTARAWNEHSenior Strategic Consultant, Dubai Police General HQ- MOHAMMED ALSUWAIDIHead of Al Nuaimiya Comprehensive Police Station, Ajman Police General Headquarters- PABLO OLIVERA BRIZZIODirector- Corporate Innovation, Abu Dhabi Ports Group- CRAIG HUGHESVice President of Architecture, Emirates NBDMohammed Saleem, Founder and CEO of WBS noted, "The Dubai Metaverse Strategy is the latest example of why the region is the perfect destination for companies in the web3 space to grow and re-shape the future of technology. We are honoured to be working with some of the region's leading enterprises, Government entities and global innovators to help drive the adoption of web3 technologies like the Metaverse and blockchain."Sponsors and partners include:- Kiss Kiss Meta, After Party Sponsor- Gamein, Pitch Partner and Exhibiting Sponsor- Bizverse, Novac, Sapizon as Exhibitors- Luna PR, Official PR Partner- VR/AR Association, Official Knowledge PartnerMedia Partners:- ACN Newswire (www.acnnewswire.com)- Bitcoin World- Bitcosar- beInCrypto- Coinnewsextra- Cointelegraph- Crypto Academy- CryptoNewz- MidEast Information- The TechMag- Security Middle East- SiliconMedia- The Jordan Times- Tyn Magazine- Women in BlockchainAbout World Blockchain Summit (WBS) EventsWBS is a global series of blockchain, crypto, web3 and metaverse focused events that has brought together over 20,000 industry influencers, investors, enterprise decision makers and Government stakeholders through physical events hosted in over 16 countries.WBS is dedicated to fostering the growth of the decentralised economy through community development, boosting technological innovation with access to capital, and enabling enterprise and Government adoption of web3 technologies through deal facilitation. Each summit features enterprise and government use-cases, inspirational keynotes, panel discussions, tech-talks, a blockchain exhibition, startup pitch competitions, and a host of networking opportunities.Other upcoming platforms organised by WBS Events in 2022 include the World Blockchain Summit - Dubai taking place on October 17-19 in Dubai, the World Blockchain Summit Toronto, taking place in November, and the World Blockchain Summit Bangkok in December.For more information and tickets, visit www.worldmetaverseshow.comMedia Contact:Elisha Patelelisha@lunapr.ioSource: World Blockchain SummitCopyright 2022 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - September 15, 2022) - Larimelle, a high-end fashion label, has just revealed its unique line sold exclusively inside Burj Al Arab, the iconic 7 star hotel in Dubai that epitomizes Arabian luxury and culture. This unique line was developed to increase public awareness of and exposure to the high-end products made locally in the United Arab Emirates. Larimelle was founded on passion and love for traveling in style while strutting across the globe. Its mission is to create classy, feminine, and timeless pieces for affluent world travelers. Burj Al Arab, the 7 star hotel To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8404/137083_2b26560234fab8a8_001full.jpg Inspired by luxury vacationing and leisure, the exclusive Larimelle' collection is a true expression of luxury travel and fashion. This meticulously planned collection focuses on beachwear, swimsuits, and accessories made with the luxury of the Burj in mind. The materials utilized blend the Burj Al Arab's style with elegant Larimelle designs while utilizing the hotel's signature colors, making it the ideal representation of both companies. Every product manufactured by Larimelle is guaranteed to be handcrafted from the finest materials with the utmost attention to detail. All items are locally produced in Dubai, helping the city's economy while promoting the world's top two Dubai brands. This collection demonstrates Dubai's leadership in the newest global trend, which combines fashion with luxury travel. Now available for purchase only inside of Burj Al Arab boutique. Larimelle Contact name: Rebecca Nguyen https://larimelle.com/ office@larimelle.eu To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137083 LONDON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- HICX, the leading Supplier Experience Management provider, is announcing a $30 million investment led by Boston, US-based growth equity firm Wavecrest Growth Partners and Toronto-based venture debt provider Espresso Capital. HICX's low-code/no-code SaaS platform and applications enable large companies full visibility into their supplier ecosystems and interactions, building resilient and competitive supply chains. Unilever, Mondelez, BAE Systems, Baker Hughes, and Lenovo, among other mega-brands, use HICX as a single source of truth for supplier data and the focal point for supplier interactions. CEO and Co-founder of HICX, Costas Xyloyiannis, said, "At the most basic level, companies deliver value to customers through the combined effort of their internal teams and suppliers. Companies often under-invest in the supplier experience - in making it easy for suppliers to deliver their best work. However, we've seen a significant shift recently and many of the world's leading brands are investing in technology to address this and to become 'customer of choice' for as many of their suppliers as possible." Vaibhav Nalwaya, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Wavecrest, said, "The last three years of global turmoil have highlighted the importance of the mutually beneficial customer-supplier relationship and yet the incumbent procurement and supply chain tech stacks often actually add friction and complexity. We have been super-impressed by the combination of HICX's vision and the team's ability to deliver large-scale solutions to the biggest and best global brands. HICX's customers speak very highly of the company's domain expertise and its solutions." "We believe HICX can play a pivotal enabling role for companies as they digitize their buy-side technology landscape and we're excited to support their future growth," added Shane Jayaprakash, Director at Espresso Capital, London. The HICX platform serves the most complex tech landscapes in Fortune-1000 accounts. It uses proprietary low-code/no-code technology for rapid configuration to each unique customer requirement and is designed to integrate with, and operate alongside, the customer's existing investments in procurement, supply chain and financial tech. Dr Elouise Epstein, partner at global management consulting firm Kearney commented, "The way we work with suppliers has to change. Traditional technology is wholly inadequate to support the digital revolution. There is an overwhelming amount of evidence to say that the way we've done it in the past doesn't work. It's abundantly clear that we have to do something different and I'm excited to see investment in a company like HICX as it seeks to be part of the solution." "Spend Matters Q2 2022 SolutionMap Insider report suggests HICX excels at a range of supplier management requirements which are particularly needed in today's world," said Jason Busch, Spend Matters Founder and CEO. "The ability to manage both internal supplier master data and multi-tier information is becoming imperative for procurement and supply chain risk as companies face continued uncertainty on multiple fronts, and HICX is well positioned to support market requirements." ABOUT HICX HICX helps Global 5000 companies to take control of their supplier data and to deliver a great supplier experience. The HICX Supplier Experience Platform enables businesses with thousands of suppliers to efficiently on-board and manage the end-to-end lifecycle of all suppliers, to achieve a single version of truth for all supplier data, and to remove the friction from supplier relationships. Some of the world's largest companies trust HICX for the management of their supplier data, these include Unilever, Mars, Mondelez, Lenovo, Baker Hughes and BAE Systems. ABOUT WAVECREST GROWTH PARTNERS Wavecrest Growth Partners is a growth equity firm focused on investing in and partnering with leading B2B software and technology-enabled services companies based in both North America and Western Europe. Wavecrest targets investments in high-growth companies with proven products and business models and brings to bear a differentiated combination of investing and operating experience and networks to help accelerate growth and profitability. Wavecrest's team has over five decades of collective investing and operating experience in growth-stage B2B technology companies, including numerous successful outcomes. For more information, visit www.wavecrestgrowth.com ABOUT ESPRESSO CAPITAL Espresso empowers companies with innovative venture debt solutions. Since 2009, we've helped more than 300 technology companies and their investors accelerate growth, extend runway, and increase strategic flexibility with non-dilutive capital. Learn more at espressocapital.com. R8 is the world's only fanless 8" fully rugged tablet with 12th Gen Intel Coreprocessors, offering a unique combination of outstanding performance and ultimate portability for the modern mobile worker. TAIPEI, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Durabook , the global rugged mobile solutions brand owned by Twinhead International Corporation, announced today the launch of its new R8, the world's first fanless 8" fully rugged tablet featuring 12th generation Intel Core processors for exceptionally powerful performance. "Durabook devices are designed to meet the increasing demands of field service workers operating across some of the most challenging sectors, including manufacturing, transportation, logistics, field services and utility industries, as well as law enforcement departments and government agencies," said Twinhead CEO Fred Kao. "These operatives often require both high performance and portability, which are two conflicting needs - now, there is R8. The R8 meets all of these requirements head-on, allowing workforces to boost efficiency and performance in even the harshest environments." Revolutionary computing performance The only 8" rugged tablet on the market equipped with 12th generation Intel Core processors, the R8 provides an unrivalled combination of power and portability, weighing just 0.86 kg (1.9 lbs). Its Pentium Gold CPU offers a performance that's up to 450% faster than competitor devices running on Intel Atom processors and up to 800% for devices using Intel Core processors. In addition, the tablet's Intel Iris Xe Graphics boost computing power to process large amounts of data, images and video feeds in real-time, providing a reliable mobile solution to support digital and remote operations for diverse professional applications. Fanless design for the most challenging environments The R8's fanless design offers boundless customisation capability and is purpose-built to manage the heaviest workloads while meeting the demands of the harshest environments, including oil and gas, and mining. Designed to fit in the palm of the hand for ultimate mobility, the R8 is made with durability in mind. Certified with MIL-STD-810H to withstand drops of up to 6 feet, the device also boasts IP66 and ANSI/UL C1D2 certification. This makes it the perfect tool for field service professionals in a wide range of industries who require remote support to capture and access critical information while accurately and efficiently running diagnostics in all conditions, including potentially explosive atmospheres. Unparalleled clarity and ultimate functionality Featuring an 8" LCD (1280x800) display with Durabook's proprietary DynaVue technology and up to 800 nits brightness, the R8 boasts exceptional viewing in every condition, including direct sunlight. Optimized for use in every challenging work environment, it also offers capacitive multi-touch performance with four user-selectable modes, whether using a stylus, finger, glove or in the rain for ultimate versatility. This latest rugged tablet also boasts supreme functionality. Expansion options include a barcode reader, ethernet RJ-45, serial port RS-232, RFID/NFC reader, smart card and magnet stripe reader to increase usability for workers operating outside the traditional office environment. Exceptional connectivity with long-life capability Durabook knows that field workers need reliable, resistant and highly versatile devices with continuous connectivity, so the R8 is built to meet these demands. Thunderbolt 4 technology offers more powerful, flexible connectivity with the modern workplace, while advanced wireless capability, including Intel WI-FI 6E AX211, Bluetooth V5.2, LTE and GPS improve communication and productivity in the field. In addition, the tablet's ultra-long battery life of up to 16 hours enables continuous performance, minimising downtime for maximum productivity, while its swappable battery means operatives can use the device across several shifts without having to stop and charge. Availability The new R8 starts at USD 1,249 and is available for purchase now. For more information, please visit: https://www.durabook.com/en/products/r8-tablet Follow Durabook's social media channels to stay updated: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. About DURABOOK Durabook is the core brand of Twinhead International Corporation in Taiwan, a world-renowned manufacturer of rugged mobile solutions for more than 30 years. All Durabook devices are designed, manufactured and tested to the highest standards to ensure maximum quality and reliability. Committed to engineering and service excellence, Durabook products have been widely adopted by government and enterprise customers including oil and gas, utilities, field service, military, and public safety for more than a decade. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1893295/Press_release_R8_B.jpg Leader in Warehouse Robotics First to Attain this Industry Milestone WILMINGTON, Mass., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Locus Robotics ( www.locusrobotics.com ), the market leader in autonomous mobile robots (AMR) for fulfillment warehouses, today announced they have surpassed the One Billion units picked milestone. This new achievement was attained just 59 days after Locus registered 900 million units picked. "Reaching our One Billion pick milestone underscores the critical business value that Locus's proven technology brings to our customers around the world, every day," said Rick Faulk, CEO, Locus Robotics. "The need for cost-efficient robotics automation is a must-have as e-commerce volumes continue to increase and the labor shortages persist. Locus is proud to help our customers efficiently meet this challenge with robust, enterprise-scale automation solutions that position them for success today and in the future." It took Locus 1,542 days to pick its first 100 million units and just 59 days for the last 100 million picks. LocusBots have traveled more than 17 million miles in customers' warehouses, the equivalent of more than 670 times around the Earth or 35 round trips to the Moon. The Locus solution has been deployed at more than 200 sites around the world, with as many as 500 LocusBots per site. Locus deployments include large-scale greenfield and brownfield sites, and multi-level mezzanine installations. The billionth pick was made at a major home improvement retailer warehouse in Florida, and the item picked was a cordless rotary tool kit. The milestone pick was made just milliseconds ahead of two other picks: a scented candle from a homegoods warehouse in Ohio, and a running jacket from a major global fitness and shoe brand in Pennsylvania. The rapid succession of the three picks underscores the high order processing volume taking place at Locus-deployed locations around the world. "This latest milestone demonstrates both the incredible growth that Locus Robotics and the AMR industry have achieved, and also proves the feasibility of retailers and logistics companies' relying on robotic picking technology" said Ash Sharma, Senior Research Director at Interact Analysis. "One billion picks is an incredible milestone and is testament to Locus Robotics' innovation and vision over the past few years." As more shoppers continue to buy online, and as businesses prepare for what is expected to be another record-breaking holiday season, retailers and fulfillment warehouse operators are increasingly turning to AMRs to meet growing demand and mitigate labor shortages to avoid the risk of losing valuable customers. Locus Robotics' industry-leading robotics fulfillment solution enables brands, retailers, and third-party logistics (3PL) operators to easily meet higher order volumes and increasing consumer demand for e-commerce, retail, omnichannel, and manufacturing order fulfillment. Locus helps global customers, including CEVA, DHL, Boots UK, GEODIS, Whiplash, Saddle Creek, Quiet 3PF, Radial, and others, to double and triple their fulfillment productivity, lowering labor recruitment, training, and retention costs and improving workplace ergonomics. About Locus Robotics Locus Robotics' revolutionary, multi-bot solution incorporates powerful and intelligent autonomous mobile robots that operate collaboratively with human workers to dramatically improve piece-handling productivity 2X-3X, with less labor than traditional picking systems. This award-winning solution helps retailers, 3PLs, and specialty warehouses efficiently meet and exceed the increasingly complex and demanding requirements of fulfillment environments. LocusBots may be easily integrated into existing warehouse infrastructures and new warehouses without disrupting workflows to instantly transform productivity without transforming the warehouse. For more information, visit www.locusrobotics.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1440363/Locus_Robotics_Logo.jpg The Northeastern University has found itself a target of a bomber that was said to have a grudge against Meta, Mark Zuckerberg, and virtual reality (VR), according to Engadget. The Boston Police Department is investigating the attack on Holmes Hall, the university's virtual reality center. The attack left an employee injured after opening a package. Attack on Northeastern University Leaves One Employee Injured Law enforcement officials are still conducting an investigation into a bomb attack on the virtual reality center of Northeastern University in Boston. Reports said that the attack injured one staff member after opening a package containing the "plastic case." Although not seriously injured, the staff member, who is working at the VR center, obtained lacerations on his hands. According to CNN, the package "depressurized with the force of an explosion" when the employee opened it. The explosion of the "hard plastic case" happened on Tuesday evening. The package, however, do not have "explosives or any detonation mechanism, as per The Verge. The authorities are still investigating how did the package arrive at the virtual reality center, as it was not delivered through the US postal service. According to CNN, the surveillance video is currently being reviewed by the authorities to identify how the package got into the building. Law enforcement is also trying to determine who brought the package to the virtual reality center. Law enforcement officials said that the package comes with a "rambling note" that attacks Meta CEO. The note also attacked the "broader academic research on augmented reality devices." Read Also: Meta Won't Be Hiring Anyone Anytime Soon - Here's Why and When It Will Start Authorities Are Still Looking for the Suspect of the Attack The virtual reality center has a student-run virtual reality club. It is called NUVR. Every week, the group gathers at the Immersive Media Lab in Holmes Hall. The virtual reality center housed the Immersive Media Labs Suite, which "includes technologies for design, development, and exploration of virtual worlds, AR/VR/XR, and 360 video." The said attack on the virtual reality center can be considered an "unusual technology-related bomb attack," according to Engadget. According to reports from the authorities, alarms at Northeastern University were triggered shortly after 7PM ET because of the package. Fortunately, before 10 PM the scene is "contained." However, law enforcement officials are still looking for the suspect. The bombing incident is considered a politically motivated attack. According to the lab manager, a note comes with the package, which is addressed to "the lab manager." Based on CNN report, the note accuses the lab of "secretly working for Facebook and Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg in a US government plot to take over society through virtual reality." To represent its increasing interest in virtual reality, Facebook rebranded to Meta about a year ago. Now, the former Facebook company is being referred to by Zuckerberg as a "metaverse company." However, despite its interest in virtual reality, Meta's investments in the said industry have not been profitable in the past years, as per TechCrunch. Critics said that Meta's VR products remain "relatively rudimentary" despite the company spending $2.8 billion on Reality Labs. Related Article: Meta Plans to Create Customer Support Division to Help Users Who Lost Their Accounts Kando's partnership with Scottish Water will utilize its innovative wastewater intelligence solution as a means of improving community health TSUR YIGAL, Israel, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kando, a data intelligence solution provider specializing in wastewater analysis, today announced a new partnership with a water utility in the UK. Scottish Water has joined forces with Kando to implement its wastewater intelligence solution and bolster its ability to harness wastewater for the benefit of community and public health. Kando is also announcing that Dr. Andrew Engeli has joined the company as VP Community Health Strategy and Services to facilitate the company's growing outreach efforts. The UK government increasingly sees wastewater treatment as a priority area. Raw sewage from storm overflows and constant emission of wastewater containing harmful pathogens is an escalating problem, and often water utilities are insufficiently equipped to respond to the public health challenges posed by these issues. Additionally, effective wastewater analysis can have a game-changing impact on community health, with modern technology capable of leveraging wastewater analysis to monitor the spread of viral diseases, or measure the impact of particular community health initiatives. Kando's partnership with Scottish Water will see the company implement its cutting-edge wastewater management technology across hundreds of assets, equipping the water utility with a real-time alert system capable of unlocking a wide range of actionable insights. "We were impressed by the offering, experience, and professionalism from Kando which should enable us to bring this wastewater treatment works back into compliance," said Steven Boon, Wastewater Treatment Area Manager for Scottish Water. In addition to announcing its new partnership with Scottish Water, Kando is also welcoming experienced public health professional Dr. Andrew Engeli, who joins the company as VP Community Health Strategy and Services. Dr. Engeli was previously Deputy Director for Innovation at the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) and Deputy Director for EMHP at the UK Health Security Agency, and his onboarding cements Kando's reputation as a leading player in the UK market. "I am very excited to be working together," said Dr. Andrew Engeli, VP Community Health Strategy and Services for Kando. "Digital water - and digital wastewater - is the future, and Kando is leading the way, turning the vision of a smart, networked wastewater system into a reality that can improve communities and impact lives." Kando has a proven track record of market leadership in the field of wastewater intelligence, having spearheaded Israel's efforts to track COVID-19 and its variants in collaboration with Israel's Ministry of Health, as well as partnering with numerous municipalities in the US, Europe, and beyond to implement its innovative technology. About Kando Kando is a smart wastewater big data solutions provider using IoT, original algorithms and artificial intelligence to enable utilities and municipalities to gain insight and control over their wastewater networks by detecting anomalies and public health threats and communicating their impact in real-time. Keeping the world's sewage systems hygienic and high-functioning, Kando helps save economic and environmental resources while bolstering public health. Kando operates in North America, Europe, Australia, Asia and Israel. The company was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Israel. https://www.kando.eco/ About Scottish Water Scottish Water provides drinking water to 2.46 million households and 150,000 business customers in Scotland. The Scottish Government declared a climate emergency in 2019, and its Programme for Government announced an ambitious plan to become carbon neutral by 2045. Scottish Water responded to this target by committing to net zero emissions by 2040, a full five years earlier. The company recognizes acknowledge that they will need to undergo a sweeping transformation over the next 25 years to achieve this and have worked with a panel of experts and their stakeholders, to develop a trailblazing route map, which sets out how they will lead their industry to net zero emissions by 2040 and beyond and make a greater contribution to Scotland's overall emissions ambition. Media Contact: Ben Crome Headline Media IL:+972 53 714 4102 US: +1 914 336 4922 UK: +44 203 769 6463 ben@headline.media HELSINKI, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nordic-based data-center company Hyperco has announced a key appointment: Joachim Kauppi will join the team as chief commercial officer, developing commercial relationships and strengthening the region's profile as a burgeoning location for sustainable data-center operations. Based in Stockholm, Kauppi will begin his new role immediately. Kauppi, already one of the area's most noted talents, joins Hyperco from STACK Infrastructure (formerly DigiPlex), where he headed international sales and helped to showcase the Nordics as a sustainable and economically viable data-center location. He has previously held positions at Equinix and TelecityGroup, and has been repeatedly recognized in recent years as one of the young professionals most capably leading the industry in innovative directions. "I've been fortunate enough to work as an advocate for Nordic and European data infrastructure solutions," said Kauppi, "paying special attention to hyperscale customer needs and helping them to understand and engage more meaningfully with these markets. I'm looking forward to playing an important role in Hyperco's journey, highlighting new possibilities and supporting the leading technology companies wherever they need capacity." Hyperco aims to build, develop and own the data centers of the future. The company is committed to leading the industry in terms of sustainability, ensuring that vital data infrastructure is developed responsibly for the long term. Kauppi's appointment sees the company further demonstrating its strong execution capabilities in the Nordics and beyond. "We believe Joachim represents the best talent in the industry today," said Aleksi Taipale, Hyperco co-founder and partner. "His consultative approach is a refreshing and very welcome perspective in the data-center field, and dovetails well with Hyperco's own point of view as an organization. We're excited to demonstrate the value of a new, more dynamic take on the industry." Hyperco is a Nordic real-estate development company focused on building, developing and owning the data centers of the future. The company aims to lead the industry in sustainable design, development and operation, ensuring that the infrastructure society increasingly depends upon is developed responsibly in the long term. For further information, please contact: Aleksi Taipale Co-founder & partner aleksi.taipale@hyperco.com +358 40 506 5239 Joachim Kauppi Chief commercial officer joachim.kauppi@hyperco.com +46 733 75 12 38 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/hyperco-oy/r/hyperco-appoints-joachim-kauppi-as-chief-commercial-officer,c3631003 The following files are available for download: AMSTERDAM and AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sophie's Bionutrients and NewFish, two pioneers in the field of microalgae protein fermentation, with the support of New Zealand-based marine research powerhouse, Cawthron Institute, and Netherlands-based leading food university, Wageningen University & Research, have decided to collaborate internationally to unlock microalgae's future in food nutrition. Global food challenges require alternative solutions. Fueling the growing world population requires ensuring the supply of climate-friendly and ethically-produced proteins, new protein sources, and novel food production technologies. While many are starting to enter the plant-based food category globally, few companies are driving R&D efforts to offer GMO-free dairy alternatives and specialized ingredients. Since 2022, a new wave of modern food companies are joining forces to accelerate innovation in microalgae and share upstream and downstream resources. Collectively, they have a shared global mission to develop microalgae as the base for sustainable nutrition and novel food products that eliminate animal suffering and promise an ecological footprint far superior to that of intensive industrial farming. One leading company is Sophie's Bionutrients , a B2B food technology company on a mission to create plant-based, protein-rich alternatives to meat and seafood using microalgae. The Temasek Foundation-backed startup, operating between Singapore and the Netherlands, in 2021 announced to be the world's first foodtech company to use microalgae to develop 100% plant-based and sustainable alternative proteins for use in dairy and other novel foods. Another high growth startup, NewFish , is a leading New Zealand biotech and novel ingredients company specializing in fermentation, production, R&D, commercialisation and manufacturing of novel seafoods and proteins derived from microalgae. The company is headquartered in Auckland and works closely with the Cawthron Institute, a leading world-leading marine science park headquartered in Nelson, New Zealand along with other New Zealand institutes and engineering partners. Both companies are at the forefront of advancing microalgae protein research and product development in their respective regions. Their collaboration spans their global value chains, including shared research and development, co-development of microalgae strains, ingredients supply for manufacturing, and commercializing new food and alternative dairy solutions. The starting point for deeper collaboration "We are pleased to form this strategic partnership with Sophie's Bionutrients, already an industry leader in microalgae fermentation and proteins. NewFish, Cawthron Institute, and New Zealand have a complementary focus regarding novel ingredients, whereas we also have our endemic microalgae strains and species. This partnership will serve as a starting point for deeper global collaboration between the parties and will accelerate the microalgae foods and nutrition industry. We are solving a global issue, which requires a collective solution," said Hamish Howard, General Manager of NewFish. "Together with NewFish and Cawthron Institute, we are working to overcome the challenges of obtaining sufficient microalgae strains, scaling production capacity, and bringing online sufficient global supply to make available affordable, taste and consistent foods made from microalgae. We are delighted about this Singapore-New Zealand-Netherlands-Taiwan partnership in which we are working together on the future of food," emphasized Kirin Tsuei, co-founder and CCO of Sophie's Bionutrients. About Sophie's Bionutrients Sophie's Bionutrients, a B2B food technology company operating between Singapore and the Netherlands, is on a mission to unleash the limitless possibilities of nature, restore our planet and eliminate food allergies. It aims to achieve this by creating plant-based, protein-rich alternatives to meat and seafood using microalgae. About NewFish NewFish is a fast-growing New Zealand biotech and commercialization venture fermenting New Zealand microalgae and underutilized seafood to re-imagine new sustainable foods and ingredients to help feed our world. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1899535/Sophie_s_Bionutrients_Microalgae_Milk_alternative.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1899536/Microalgae_derived_NewFish__Bytes_launched_New_Zealand_s_leading_food_festival.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1672795/SophiesBioNutrients_Logo.jpg Anima Research Center participating in a trial for an investigational RSV vaccine Belgium's largest clinical trial center encourages continued participation in trials to evaluate investigational vaccines Center currently recruiting for participants in its clinical trial for Moderna's investigational RSV vaccine Alken, Belgium - September 15, 2022: One of Europe's leading clinical trial centers, Anima Research Center, based in Alken, Belgium, is calling on the Belgian public to continue its support of investigational studies, especially those focused on investigational vaccines that may potentially combat winter viruses. Anima, which has grown since 2018 to become one of the most successful clinical trial centres in Europe, wants to ensure that the outstanding support for investigational drug and vaccine research continues, especially as winter closes in and seasonal flu and viruses start spreading. Viruses that can cause issues in winter include Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV, a highly infectious illness that can cause serious respiratory issues such as pneumonia and even death in the elderly and very young. Over 160,000 people globally die of RSV annually and in Belgium alone, around 7,000 people are diagnosed with it each year. There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for RSV, and Anima recently partnered with US biotech company Moderna to evaluate an investigational RSV vaccine, aimed at the over 60s. Anima Research Center is the largest clinical trial center in Belgium. CEO and Principal Investigator, Dr Erik Buntinx, founded the centre with his wife, Dr Hilde Bollen, and his daughter, Linde Buntinx, PhD. Since 2018, Erik and his family, along with a highly experienced team, have built Anima into a leading European site for clinical trials, specializing in trials for CNS disorders and vaccines. Dr Erik Buntinx, CEO of Anima Research Center and Principal Investigator, says: "RSV in most people will present as nothing more than a mild cold, however RSV in the elderly and very young can be very dangerous indeed. Despite huge amounts of research a vaccine has so far eluded developers, but we're pleased to be supporting Moderna to recruit for their trial to evaluate an investigational vaccine. I would like to urge people to sign up if they are eligible - your contribution will help towards advancing research of an investigational vaccine to see if it is effective at preventing RSV." To read more about the trial and check your eligibility, visit the Anima Research website: https://www.animaresearch.com/en/study/respiratoir-syncytieel-virus-rsv/ - END - For more information, please contact: Anima Research Center Dr Erik Buntinx, CEO and Principal Investigator Tel: + 32 11 94 91 15 Consilium Strategic Communications Amber Fennell, Tracy Cheung, Maya Bennison Email: Anima@consilium-comms.com Tel: +44 (0)20 3709 5813 About RSV RSV is a highly contagious virus that can affect anyone and in mild cases resembles the common cold. But RSV can also cause more serious respiratory illness, mainly in older adults and young babies. RSV, like influenza (flu), is seasonal and in temperate climates often occurs during the winter months. RSV and influenza are different viruses; therefore, even if you have been vaccinated against the flu, you may get an RSV infection. About Anima Research Center ANIMA Research Center Azri Azerai, Executive Director of Bintai Kinden PETALING JAYA, Malaysia, Sept 15, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - Bintai Kinden Corporation Berhad (Bursa: BINTAI, 6998), a mechanical and electrical (M&E) engineering services specialist, is pleased to announce that shareholders have approved all resolutions at the 28th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Company held today on a virtual platform.Shareholders passed the resolution to receive the audited financial statements for the financial year ended 31 March 2022 (FY2022) as well as to re-elect Ooi Jit Huat and Mohd Shakir Shahimi, the directors who were retiring in accordance with Clause 8 of the Company's constitution. Directors retiring in accordance with Clause 113 of the Company's constitution, Mohd Idzwan Izuddin Datuk Ab Rahman and Ku Chong Hong, who, being eligible, had offered themselves for re-election, were also re-elected.The resolution to allow the board of directors the authority to allot and issue shares that does not exceed 10% of the total issued shares of the Company at the time of the issue to be in force up to the conclusion of the next AGM was also approved by shareholders. In addition, shareholders also waived statutory pre-emptive rights to be offered Bintai Kinden shares ranking equally to existing issued shares in accordance with Section 85 of the Companies Act, 2016 and with Clause 52 of the Company's constitution.Messrs. HLB Ler Lum Chew PLT was also appointed as the auditors of Bintai Kinden and shareholders authorised the directors to fix their remuneration. Other resolutions passed included the payment of directors' fee amounting to RM108,000 for FY2022 and approving directors' other benefits payable up to an amount of RM10,000 from 16 September 2022 to the next AGM of the Company.Azri Azerai, Executive Director of Bintai Kinden said, "We would like to thank shareholders for their continued support and confidence in us. We will endeavour to ensure that their interests as well as the interest of other stakeholders are safeguarded as we work to grow the business.""While the global economic outlook is increasingly challenging, we will continue to leverage on our core M&E engineering expertise to seek opportunities in Malaysia and around the region. We have in recent months also explored the Middle East market, a region with a lot of potential given the growing population and expanding economic activities."At the AGM, shareholders also voiced their concerns over arrears totalling RM42.0 million owed by Kolej Teknologi Islam Melaka Berhad (KTIMB) to Bintai Kinden's wholly-owned subsidiary, Optimal Property Management Sdn Bhd (OPM) for the construction and operation of the student accommodation at Kolej Universiti Islam Melaka (KUIM), now known as Universiti Melaka (UNIMEL).OPM completed the construction of the UNIMEL student accommodation in 2019. KTIMB had awarded a 25-year concession in 2016 to OPM to construct and operate the student accommodation at the then KUIM but to-date, OPM has received only a portion of the concession fees for operating the student accommodation and has been forced to use its own funds.Bintai Kinden's orderbook covering M&E and oil and gas (O&G) projects currently total RM120.43 million. The Company was recently granted approval for a license by Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) under the Standardised Work and Equipment Categories Code, to bid for O&G projects that come under Petronas.About Bintai Kinden Corporation BerhadBintai Kinden Corporation Berhad is a multidisciplinary building and industrial service engineering outfit founded in 1973. The Company has designed, installed and commissioned systems that include the full range of engineering services for commercial buildings to industrial complexes. Headquartered in Malaysia, Bintai Kinden has worked on projects in Southeast Asia, China and the Gulf region of the Middle East. For more information, visit bintai.com.my.Bintai Kinden Corporation Berhad: 6998 [BURSA: BKC], http://bintai.com.my/Source: Bintai Kinden Corporation BerhadCopyright 2022 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 15, 2022) - Origen Resources Inc. (CSE: ORGN) (FSE: 4VXA) (the "Company" or "Origen") is pleased to announce that it has applied to increase its lithium land package in La Rioja Province, Argentina by over 28,000 hectares. If approved, the Los Sapitos Lithium Project would be over 75,000 hectares in size. The new claim applications were the result of a comprehensive regional review of satellite imagery to identify signatures similar to those where the Company obtained favourable exploration results that were recently reported (see news release dated September 9, 2022). The new claim areas exhibit both clay and evaporite mineral signatures that may indicate the presence of near surface brine and hot spring activity. "We are looking forward to returning to the field on this project. We are confident that the methods our team is utilising are a potential game changer for identifying new prospective lithium targets," states Gary Schellenberg, Company CEO. The Company is in the final stages of planning for its upcoming exploration program on its existing claims that is expected to commence this fall. Upcoming Program The next phase of work will have the exploration team continue ground based mapping and systematic sampling of not only brines, but also investigate the extent and characteristics of lithium-bearing clays prior to focussing on a regional geophysical gravity survey. The gravity survey will be used to identify controlling structures, basement shape and potential brine traps under cover within the basins. This program will also provide ground truthing for planned remote sensing and/or a hyperspectral airborne surveys of the claims to apply mapping and prospectivity recognition across the project area. About the Los Sapitos Lithium Belt The Company's claim package currently totals 48,325 hectares (ha) and is centered on known salars (dry salt lakes). The belts tectonic setting, geothermal activity and observed brine chemistry are similar to that of the Lithium Triangle to the north and give rise to the potential for discovering structural traps for lithium-bearing aquifers at depth. The area is also host to vast alluvial sand and clay deposits that have never been investigated for their lithium content. Very limited exploration for lithium has occurred within the project area. Ulexite (a boron evaporite mineral) has also been identified throughout the belt and indicates that concentrated boron-bearing brines have been present, which is an indicator of lithium prospectivity. John Harrop, P. Geo., a Qualified Person as that term is defined in NI 43-101, has supervised the preparation, or approved the scientific and technical disclosure in the news release. Mr. Harrop is employed by Coast Mountain Geological Ltd. He is not independent of the Company as defined in NI 43-101. About Origen Origen is an exploration company engaged in generating, acquiring and advancing base, precious metal, and lithium properties. The Company currently holds a property portfolio of four 100% owned precious and base metal projects in southern British Columbia, a 100% interest in the 26,771 ha LGM project in the mineral rich Golden Triangle of British Columbia, a 100% interest in the Middle Ridge gold project and a 100% interest in 20 lithium prospects in Newfoundland. On behalf of Origen, Blake Morgan President For further information, please contact Blake Morgan, President at 236-878-4938 or Gary Schellenberg, CEO at 604-681-0221. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Certain of the statements made and information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information." In particular references to the private placement and future work programs or expectations on the quality or results of such work programs are subject to risks associated with operations on the property, exploration activity generally, equipment limitations and availability, as well as other risks that we may not be currently aware of. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137252 Recent judgment confirmed UK court's decision in July 2022 to certify legal claim, paving the way for a full trial The Competition Appeal Tribunal has now issued a Collective Proceedings Order, determining that class members and potential class members have until 28 November 2022 to consider their rights in relation to the claim Legal action is brought by consumer champion Liz Coll on behalf of millions of UK Android smartphone and tablet users, alleging they paid excessive fees to Google when buying apps and making in-app purchases Google is alleged to have infringed competition laws by imposing technical and contractual restrictions on app developers in the Google Play Store, according to the claim Google allegedly abused its powerful position, charging many developers an unlawfully high 30% commission on app and in-app purchases in the Google Play Store and harming UK users of the Google Play Store UK users of the Google Play Store may collectively be entitled to damages up to 920 million for certain Google Play Store app purchases since October 2015 Following the Competition Appeal Tribunal judgment on 31 August 2022, which confirmed that consumer champion Liz Coll is authorised to bring an opt-out collective claim against Google for alleged infringements relating to Google's Play Store, the Tribunal has now determined that class members and potential class members have until 28 November 2022 to either opt-out of the claim, if they do not wish to be part of the class represented by Liz Coll; or, for those who meet the class definition but were not living or domiciled in the UK on 12 July 2022, to opt-in to the claim. For more details about the claim, to check if you or your business are potentially included in the claim and to understand your rights and how to opt-out or, if you or your business were not living or domiciled in the UK on 18 July 2022, to opt-in to, the claim, please visit: https://www.appstoreclaims.co.uk/Google. The claim alleges Google has breached competition law by excluding competition and/or charging an unlawfully high level of commission on purchases in their Play Store (including purchases of apps and in-app purchases), causing around 19.5 million users of the UK Google Play Store to be overcharged. Liz Coll a consumer tech policy expert with over thirteen years' experience campaigning for consumers' rights online seeks compensation on a collective basis for affected Google Play Store users in the UK. Following the Tribunal's earlier determination, she now represents all those who were living in the UK on 18 July 2022 and fall within the class definition, unless they choose to opt-out of her claim by 28 November 2022. The legal claim against Google, and the judgment released on 31 August 2022 Most Android users download their apps through Google's Play Store. The claim alleges users have been overcharged when buying apps in the Google Play Store, and when making certain in-app purchases, including those in chart-topping apps such as popular games. When users spend money in the Google Play Store, often only a portion goes to the actual app developers. A significant share typically, around 30% goes to Google. Developers who release their apps on the Google Play Store are required (with some exceptions, such as purchases of physical services) to use Google's own Play Store Payment Processing System, and cannot avoid Google's 30% charge when they do so, which the claim alleges is unnecessarily high and thus unlawful. Google also discourages app developers from distributing Android apps through alternatives to the Google Play Store, by imposing a series of contractual and technical restrictions on their ability to do so. This curtails the app developers' ability to offer lower prices. In turn users of Google's Play Store, who would otherwise have paid lower prices absent Google's conduct, are harmed. Liz Coll representing the class of harmed users in the UK maintains that Google's conduct is unlawful. Google can impose its high fee on Google Play Store users because of its powerful position as the licensor of the Android operating system and its control of the Google Play Store, where Google sets the rules. Shortly before the hearing of Liz Coll's application to represent affected Google Play Store users in July 2022, Google chose to no longer oppose the application. Google was therefore not represented at the court hearing, at which the Tribunal granted the application on the spot. The Tribunal's full reasoning as to why the claim can proceed was provided in a judgment dated 31 August 2022. The Tribunal has now also made the collective proceedings order, which confirms its decision in July and the judgment in August, to certify the claim, which sets out the full scope of the class of claimants she represents, and important rights for those claimants. Class members: Who is eligible Any UK user of an Android smartphone or tablet who purchased paid apps, paid subscriptions or made other in-app purchases within the UK version of the Google Play Store at any point since October 1, 2015 is potentially entitled to compensation from Google for its anti-competitive practices. The purchases must have been made on an Android smartphone or tablet on which the Google Play Store was pre-installed. If a user did not have to download the Google Play Store, it is likely it was pre-installed. All such purchasers who were living in the UK on 18 July 2022 are automatically included within the claimant class. Device users can check their eligibility for compensation by logging into their Play Store or Google account and checking their "Payments and subscriptions" or "Order history" and the country listed under "Account and device preferences Individuals or businesses who are included in the class and would like to be excluded can do so by notifying Liz Coll of that decision by 28 November 2022. Individuals or businesses who meet the criteria of the class but were not living in or domiciled in the UK on 18 July 2022 may join the claim by likewise informing Liz Coll of that decision by 28 November 2022. For any updates and for further information, including how to opt-out or opt-in to the claim, please visit: https://www.appstoreclaims.co.uk/Google/Faq. Further information for claimants The legal claim applies to purchases of popular apps on Android smartphones and tablets, which require payment at point of download, subscription payments, or allow for in-app purchases of digital goods or services. It does not apply to apps providing physical goods or services that will be consumed outside of the app. These include Deliveroo and Uber, which are not required to use Google's payments system or pay Google the disputed 30% commission. Affected app purchasers, on whose behalf the class action is brought, will not pay costs or fees to participate in this legal action, which is being funded by Vannin Capital, a global litigation funder. The action is insured, which means that class members have no financial risk in relation to the claim. Liz Coll is represented by Lesley Hannah, Luke Streatfeild, Sofie Edwards, Kio Gwilliam, Anna Stellardi and Antonio Delussu at law firm Hausfeld Co. LLP, with barristers Ronit Kreisberger KC and Michael Armitage from Monckton Chambers, Mark Hoskins KC, Jennifer MacLeod and Matthew Kennedy from Brick Court Chambers, Tristan Jones from Blackstone Chambers, and George McDonald from 4 New Square. She has also instructed expert economist Derek Holt from AlixPartners UK LLP. Liz Coll is also advised on the claim by a consultative group with expertise and experience in competition and consumer law and payments regulation. This group consists of Sir Gerald Barling, former President of the Competition Appeal Tribunal; Dr Christine Riefa, an academic specialising in consumer law; and Aidene Walsh, an Executive Director at Banking Competition Remedies and a Non-Executive Director of the Payment Systems Regulator. Notes for Editors About Hausfeld Co. LLP Hausfeld is a leading international law firm specialising in competition law, with significant expertise in all aspects of collective redress and group claims. ENDS View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005155/en/ Contacts: Media enquiries: Conal Walsh Amy Murphy Andreas Grueter Richard Seed, Palatine Communications GoogleClaim@palatine-media.com TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / September 15, 2022 / GreenBank Capital ("GreenBank or the "Company") (CSE:GBC) is pleased to report that Ubique Zinc Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ubique Minerals Limited ("Ubique") (CSE: UBQ) has signed a Share and Asset Purchase Agreement (the "SPA") to acquire 90% of the shares in Namib Lead and Zinc Mining (Proprietary) Limited ("NLZM"). Summary Ubique Minerals Limited has acquired 90% of Namibian Mining company NZLM. Full details and terms of the deal can be found via the link below: https://www.ubiqueminerals.com/transition-from-mineral-exploration-to-production-to-acquire-90-of-a-mining-company-in-namibia/ https://www.ubiqueminerals.com/transition-from-mineral-exploration-to-production-to-acquire-90-of-a-mining-company-in-namibia/ At the time of writing, the total number of Ubique Minerals shares held by GBC is 14,311,039 (approximately 19% of UBQ). The total value of the holding is C$2,146,655.85 (1,413,680.21) at the share price (C$0.15) as at the close of trading on September 14, 2022. GBC invested C$200,000 for 4m additional shares in the Ubique fundraising in July 2021 and as a result has 4m warrants available to exercise at C$0.075. If the warrants were to be exercised and the resulting shares disposed of at the September 14 th share price, that would yield a 100% return on the aggregate exercise cost of C$300,000 (198,000). share price, that would yield a 100% return on the aggregate exercise cost of C$300,000 (198,000). The warrants are exercisable at any time up to July 5th, 2023. About the Ubique Namibia Project The Project consists of a lead-zinc mine located near Swakopmund, Namibia that was built in 2018-2019 and operated until April 2020. The Project was put into care and maintenance due to health and safety concerns related to the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the closure of the border with South Africa, from where the Project sourced key supplies. Since April 2020, the Project has been maintained in a ready-to-restart status, including maintaining access to the mine and intermittent functional checks of process plant components. Since June, Ubique has undertaken extensive due-diligence work including site visits, obtained third-party opinion reports, and conducted workshops with the management team, to validate NLZM's business plan. The parties have now executed the binding document and are in the process of notifying the relevant authorities. Pursuant to the SPA, the closing of the transaction is subject to the parties obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals, as well as the approval of the shareholders of Ubique, as well as certain other customary closing conditions. Terry Pullen, CEO of Greenbank said "This announcement from Ubique Minerals highlights the growth opportunity of the business, and we feel that this is just the beginning of their expansion into the wider mining sector. It has been a personal privilege to develop a strong working relationship with Ubique's CEO, Villi, and we are increasingly excited at Greenbank at the prospect of seeing developments like this come to fruition, which we hope will have a positive effect on shareholder value." Vilhjalmur Vilhjalmsson, CEO of Ubique Minerals said "Ubique is the Latin word for 'everywhere.' The completion of this acquisition indicates a positive move towards a future with Ubique Minerals as a global mining presence. I have enjoyed working with Terry and the team at Greenbank so far and look forward to the coming months at Ubique, with the Namibia project at the forefront of our mission." A recent interview surrounding the relationship, opportunity, and future of the two companies hosted by Proactive Investors with both Terry and Vilhjalmur can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpCl9sMO8ZA&t=2s About GreenBank GreenBank is a publicly traded next generation investment company that has a flexible low-cost overhead structure designed to maximize profitability. Our management are based in Toronto and London and are used to working across borders remotely. GreenBank invests in multi-sector undervalued public and private growth companies focused on building consistent capital appreciation for its shareholders. Our model of remote working, dynamic space, and flexible contracts -rather than large, fixed costs - establishes GreenBank as a global investment company for the future. GreenBank is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE:GBC), the Frankfurt Boerse (FRA:2TL) and on the OTC Markets in the USA (OTC PINK:GRNB). For further information, please contact: Terry Pullen, CEO GreenBank Capital Email: Terry@GreenBankCapitalInc.com Tel: +44 (0)7831 402 388 Forward-Looking Information: This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business and trading in the common stock of GreenBank Capital Inc., the raising of additional capital and the future development of the business. The forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the company's management. Although the company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because GreenBank can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and GreenBank disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: GreenBank Capital Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/716109/GreenBank-Portfolio-Company-Ubique-Minerals-acquires-90-of-Namibian-Mining-Company-in-Latest-Expansion-Move SYDNEY, AU, Sept 15, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - Novotech, the leading Asia Pacific biotech specialist CRO, has been awarded the Cell & Gene Therapy Clinical Trials award at the 6th Cell & Gene Therapy World Asia 2022 conference.Novotech has extensive experience in cell & gene therapy clinical trials across Asia Pacific. The Asia Pacific accounts for over a third of cell & gene therapy trial activity with China being the leading location in APAC. In addition, APAC has nearly a 50% faster growth rate in cell & gene therapy trials than ROW. Blood cancers (ALL, NHL, DLBCL, lymphomas), solid tumors, viral infections, liver and gastrointestinal tract cancers are the top indications in China-based cell & gene therapy trials between 2016 and 2021.Watch our recent Endpoints News webinar for more information:EVOLUTION OF CELL & GENE THERAPY IN CHINA: THE CASE FOR UNIVERSAL CAR-Thttps://novotech-cro.com/webinars/evolution-cell-gene-therapy-china-case-universal-car-tThe award was presented to Novotech during the 6th Cell & Gene Therapy World Asia 2022 conference (14th - 15th September) at the Sheraton Towers, Singapore.Novotech CEO Dr. John Moller said we are extremely pleased our team has been recognized with this prestigious award at the 6th Cell & Gene Therapy World Asia 2022 conference. "Cell & gene therapy is driving recent innovations in biotech and it is an honour to be recognized as the CRO at the forefront in Asia-Pacific supporting this vital clinical research. Cell & gene therapy research typically presents another level of complexity and regulatory processes which means an experienced CRO partner is vital. Our deep experience, exceptional site and investigator relationships - which also translates to patent access - our project management approach focused on problem-solving, ownership and flexibility, and our investments in data and technology combine to deliver the service biotechs need in this specialist sector for success."Novotech has recently also been benchmarked as a top 10 CRO among the world's leading CROs, and has signed 45 Leading Site Partnership agreements over the last 3 years.Download our latest data reports here:EVOLUTION OF CLINICAL TRIALS IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION COMPARED TO THE US AND THE EU5https://novotech-cro.com/whitepapers/evolution-clinical-trials-asia-pacific-region-compared-us-and-eu5About NovotechNovotech is the leading Asia-Pacific centered, globally capable, biotech specialist CRO. Novotech has integrated labs and phase I facilities and provides drug development consulting and clinical development services across all phases. It has been instrumental in the success of approximately 4,000 clinical trials across a broad range of therapeutic areas. Novotech is well-positioned to serve biopharma clients conducting clinical trials in Asia-Pacific and the US. For more information visit https://novotech-cro.com/contactMedia ContactDavid JamesE: communications@novotech-cro.comAU: +61 2 8218 2144USA: +1 415 951 3228Asia: +65 3159 3427Source: Novotech Health Holdings Pte LtdCopyright 2022 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Part of Wirex's Women in Crypto campaign aiming to recognise women in the crypto industry Returns for third year in partnership with The Cryptonomist To recognise women with unique achievements, Wirex introduced three additional awards Launching the same day as live event with six highly respected females from the crypto sector presenting LONDON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Wirex, the leading payments platform, has announced the launch of the 2022 Rising Women in Crypto Power List initiative following last year's success. In partnership with major crypto publication, The Cryptonomist, Wirex has opened nominations to find the 13 most prominent female leaders working in the crypto sphere. The Power List was launched in 2020 as a part of Wirex's Women in Crypto campaign. It aims to recognise females working in the space, celebrate their achievements, and demonstrate to others the opportunities that lie in the crypto sector for males and female alike. The campaign aligns with Wirex's core mission to make crypto more inclusive. They've brought crypto into everyday life for over 5 million customers, having been the world's first company to develop a crypto-enabled debit card and crypto rewards scheme, Cryptoback. Since launch, the Power List has received nearly 600 nominations from more than 50 countries. With the crypto and blockchain sectors evolving at an astronomical rate, it's vital for Wirex to develop the Power List each year to reflect these changes. For 2022's Power List, Wirex introduced three additional awards to recognise women in a specific way: Social media influencer of the year - for those using the power of social media to influence others - for those using the power of social media to influence others Newcomer of the year - for someone that's been in the crypto sector for less than three years for someone that's been in the crypto sector for less than three years Young Ukrainian of the year - showing the company's support and solidarity following the Russian government's invasion of Ukraine Lottie Wells, Senior PR & Events Manager, who has been involved in the campaign since inception, commented: "Our core goal is to empower everyone to benefit from crypto, and it's clear that female employees play a vital role in this. Now in its third year, the Women in Crypto campaign has had an overwhelmingly positive response from the industry for celebrating females working in the sector." She explained how the campaign has grown: "In 2021, we launched our first live event, and this year, we've added three more awards to Power List. The company is proud to have an above industry average gender split, many of whom are from Kyiv, and so we've introduced a new award to recognise a Ukrainian woman achieving incredible things in the crypto space." Entries this year are open from 15th September until the 18th October. A renowned panel of judges will decide the 13 finalists who will be announced on the 8th November. Individuals can nominate themselves or someone they know, with judging criteria based on their achievements, potential, influence, ambition, leadership skills and innovation, and prizes awarded in crypto. The Power List will launch on the same day as Wirex's event, 'Women in Crypto: How will Web 3 and the Metaverse affect you?' which will be livestreamed from tech accelerator, Level39 on 15th September, 5pm BST. It will feature quick-fire presentations from 6 female crypto leaders, who will demystify the idea of the metaverse and Web 3 and give unique insights into how it affects everyday users. Throughout the campaign, Wirex will release a series of new, exciting content to educate women about the opportunities within the crypto sector. This includes an article about what it's like to work in crypto amidst war, the inside scoop on working in Wirex's various departments, and educational content about getting started in the crypto and DeFi space. To nominate yourself or someone you know for the Power List, visit: https://wirexapp.com/women-in-crypto To register for a free ticket to the livestream, sign up at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/women-in-crypto-how-will-web-3-and-the-metaverse-affect-you-livestream-tickets-391543606467 To view the new and unique content on the Women in Crypto blog, visit: https://wirexapp.com/blog/category/women-in-crypto-0009 T&Cs can be found here: https://community.wirexapp.com/t/join-our-2022-women-in-crypto-event/38919 Notes to editors: About Wirex Wirex is a worldwide digital payment platform and regulated institution that has forged new rules in the digital payments space. In 2015, the firm developed the world's first crypto-enabled payment card that gives users the ability to seamlessly spend crypto and traditional currencies in real life. Wirex was created in 2014 by CEOs and co-founders Pavel Matveev and Dmitry Lazarichev, who identified the need to open up the esoteric world of cryptocurrencies and make digital money accessible for everyone. With the core aim of making it as easy as possible to use digital assets in everyday life, Wirex provides a trusted and cost-effective service for crypto and traditional currency transactions by incorporating the next generation of payments infrastructure integrated with cryptocurrency blockchains. With over 5 million customers across 130 countries, the company offers secure accounts that allow customers to easily store, buy and exchange multiple currencies instantly at the best live rates on one centralised mobile app. Quick and simple crypto transfer options are available, as well as the freedom to spend 150+ traditional and cryptocurrencies in more than 80 million locations around the world using the Wirex card. Wirex continues to develop the product in line with market developments, whilst adhering to regional regulations and securing appropriate licensing where it exists. A proven industry pioneer, Wirex launched their own native utility token, WXT, and introduced the world's first crypto reward programme, Cryptoback, which earns cardholders up to 8% back in WXT for every transaction they make. To reflect the growth of the metaverse, throughout 2021, the company has expanded their product to enable mainstream access to DeFi. Starting with the launch of their popular X-Accounts feature, offering unprecedented levels of interest, Wirex has continued to add to their DeFi arsenal with the release of the non-custodial Wirex Wallet and a partnership with Nereus, a decentralised liquidity market provider. Wirex is based in London, with offices in Singapore, Kyiv, Dallas, Dublin and Atlanta. With over $5bn worth of transactions processed already and rapid expansion into new territories, including the US, Wirex is uniquely placed to support and promote the mass adoption of a cashless society through creative solutions. Starting from February 2022, Wirex donates all the revenue earned from in-app transactions to Ukraine humanitarian efforts. The company's largest office is based in Kyiv and Wirex stands with everyone affected by the war. As a long supporter of democratising access to crypto, Wirex's 'Women in Crypto' campaign was created in 2020 and endeavoured to recognise talented female leaders working in the sphere. With the core aim of celebrating women in the crypto sector and encouraging others to get involved, they launched the 'Rising Women in Crypto Power List', asking for nominations of women that had done incredible things in the crypto sector. Having a large percentage of female employees at the company, this initiative is close to their hearts and they hope to continue for years to come. | wirexapp.com | About The Cryptonomist We are happy to announce a media partnership with The Cryptonomist for this year's Women in Crypto campaign. The Cryptonomist is a punctual and rigorous information site to offer news and updates to its readers, but also authoritative in having opinions and making a disclosure on the most innovative aspects of the crypto economy. It aims to become the most authoritative online newspaper in Italian and English and narrate an economic and technological revolution that conquers more and more spaces and consents compared to traditional models of production and exchange. Written in a simple and captivating way, The Cryptonomist also provides videos and insights on the most current topics made by leading experts in the field. The Cryptonomist is also a marketing agency, helping crypto and fintech companies and start-ups to advertise their projects. With more than 1 million readers per month, the publication is leading the Italian and Swiss media market. | https://en.cryptonomist.ch/ | By Yi Whan-woo Chung Tae-young, vice chairman and CEO of Hyundai Card and Hyundai Commercial, has expressed concerns over the recent departures of the second-in-command executives of each of the two companies. Chung Tae-young, vice chairman and CEO of Hyundai Card and Hyundai Commercial / Korea Times file WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Oil prices were moving lower on Thursday as investors weighed demand concerns against potential supply disruptions. Benchmark Brent crude futures fell 0.7 percent to $93.45 a barrel, while WTI crude futures were down 0.7 percent at $87.86. Data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed that crude inventories in the U.S., the largest consumer in the world, increased by 2.4 million barrels in the week ended September 9th, suggesting weaker fuel demand. On Tuesday, a report from the American Petroleum Institute showed crude inventories rose by 6 million barrels last week. On the positive side, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said Wednesday it expects widespread switching from gas to oil for heating purposes following Russia's decision to halt flows through the Nord Stream pipeline. The IEA estimates that the switching will occur at a rate of 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) in October 2022 to March 2023 - double the level of a year ago. The downside also remained capped by speculation the Biden administration may consider refilling U.S. oil reserves at $80 a barrel. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. COMMERZBANK AG (London Branch) - Pre Stabilisation - Wolters Kluwer EUR500mil 4yr Pre-Stabilisation Notice September 15, 2022 Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. Wolters Kluwer NV EUR 500mil Fixed Rate Notes due 23 September 2026 Standalone documentation Commerzbank AG (contact: Ian Turner; telephone: +44-207-7475-1817) hereby announces, as Stabilisation Coordinator, that the Stabilising Managers named below may stabilise the offer of the following securities in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU Regulation 596/2014). The security to be stabilised: Issuer: Wolters Kluwer NV Guarantor (if any): none Aggregate nominal amount: EUR 500mil Description: EUR 500mil Fixed Rate Notes due 23 September 2026 Offer price: tbc Other offer terms: Standalone documentation, denoms 100k/1k, listing Luxembourg Stock Exchange Stabilisation: Stabilisation Coordinator: Stabilising Managers: Commerzbank AG Deutsche Bank AG IMI-Intesa Sanpaolo SMBC Stabilisation period expected to start on: September 14, 2022 Stabilisation period expected to end on: no later than 30 days after the proposed issue date of the securities Existence, maximum size and conditions of use of over-allotment facility. The Stabilising Managers may over-allot the securities to the extent permitted in accordance with applicable law. Stabilisation trading venue: Luxembourg Stock Exchange In connection with the offer of the above securities, the Stabilising Manager(s) may over-allot the securities or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the securities during the stabilisation period at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail. However, stabilisation may not necessarily occur and any stabilisation action, if begun, may cease at any time Any stabilisation action or over-allotment shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and rules. This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction. This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. END SHANGHAI, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On 7 September 2022, the British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai held its second Sustainability and ESG Business Summit, themed "New Horizons: The Era of ESG" in Shanghai. The University of Manchester China Centre was invited to be the academic supporter at the summit for the second time. Managing Director of China Centre, the University of Manchester, Ms. Sherry Fu attended the Summit and delivered a keynote speech "Net Zero Energy Future: Global Challenges, Manchester Solutions". Fu said in her keynote: "The University of Manchester is a world-leading research institution. It is the first UK university to have social responsibility as its strategic core goal. We were ranked No. 1 in the world last year and 9th this year, by the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings." "At Manchester, we believe that universities exist for public benefit." Fu shared some examples that the University undertaken against United Nations' 17 SDGs. "We've contributed over 21,000 research publications across all 17 SDGs in the past 5 years - representing 4% of the UK's research on the goals. And we are also committed to be a zero-carbon university by 2038. We're a living wage accredited employer, a top-ranking institution for LGBT+ inclusivity, and we also hold quality marks for gender, disability and racial equality." Fu addressed that energy is one of the five research beacons for the University of Manchester and the University has more than 600 academics addressing sustainable energy challenges. She emphasized: "The breadth of expertise at Manchester means we can push research boundaries and shape energy innovation. We are exploring alternative energy strategies and pioneering work in emerging renewable technologies and bridging fuels." "Global challenges, Manchester solutions. As the top ten in the world for sustainable development, our research has a real-world impact. Our commitment to social responsibility drives us to improve lives across the planet." Speaking on the scale of the energy projects, Fu said: "We have more than 80 million of ongoing energy projects, covering the entire energy journey - from generation and storage through to systems and use. With such scale and scope, there is a wide range of opportunities to work together with partners and collaborators across varied disciplines to help deliver a brighter and more sustainable world for future generations." Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1898620/Managing_Director_China_The_University_Manchester.jpg Moissanite Engagement Rings has launched custom engagement ring design services through their online store. Domestic customers in Australia and international customers can design their ideal engagement ring with a rare and durable moissanite stone. Fitzroy, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 15, 2022) - As the jewellery industry shifts towards more ethical and eco-friendly practices, Moissanite Engagement Rings announces its custom design service which includes lab grown moissanite stone in lieu of an earth mined diamond. Customers can choose each element, from band design to stone size, to create a one-of-a-kind engagement ring. For more details, visit https://moissaniteengagementrings.com.au/pages/custom-ring-design Melbourne's Moissanite Engagement Rings Launches Custom Jewellery Design Service To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/137258_6852cd7eb4162877_001full.jpg The latest launch offers customers a more affordable and conflict-free alternative to traditional diamond engagement rings. Lab grown Moissanite stones share many properties of earth mined diamonds, such as high durability, brilliance, and colour, making them a popular alternative to diamonds in engagement rings. The new service by Moissanite Engagement Rings allows customers to choose the different elements of their rings, working with the jewellers to create the perfect piece for their engagement. The lab-created stones used in the rings are high-quality, expertly cut, and reflect more colour than diamonds. Lab grown Moissanite is known for having fewer impurities than diamonds, allowing customers to choose a larger, higher-quality stone at a more affordable price. As part of the newly launched service, customers can choose the band metal, setting style, stone shape, and stone size. Moissanite stones are available in sizes ranging from 0.8 carats to 7.0 carats. The company works with each customer to fine-tune all elements of the ring to ensure a unique, one-of-a-kind jewellery piece that suits the wearer's style. With this launch, the company maintains its commitment to ethics and sustainability in their jewellery designs. Lab-created moissanite preserves the environment and eliminates exploitative mining practices, making it a conscious diamond substitute for those concerned with the ethics of diamond mining. Where possible, the company's precious metals are made from recycled materials. To learn more about the company's ethical jewellery-making process, visit https://moissaniteengagementrings.com.au The latest service provides customers with highly skilled jewellers and gem setters with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Their expertise and commitment to excellence ensure each customer is satisfied with the quality of their ring. As part of the new service, each ring comes with a lifetime warranty as well as a GRA certificate verifying the moissanite stone's properties. The warranty includes ring-sizing and future repairs, guaranteeing lasting quality for each ring. Interested parties can find more information at https://moissaniteengagementrings.com.au/pages/why-moissanite Contact Info: Name: Jarod Guthrie Email: customers@moissaniteengagementrings.com.au Organization: Moissanite Engagement Rings Address: 425 Smith St, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065, Australia Website: https://moissaniteengagementrings.com.au/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137258 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Thursday, President Joe Biden will host the 'United We Stand Summit' at the White House to address the corrosive effects of hate crimes and white supremacist violence on U.S. democracy and public safety. Biden is scheduled to delivers a keynote speech at the Summit at 3:30 PM ET. It will be followed by bipartisan panels and conversations on countering hate-fueled violence, preventing radicalization and mobilization to violence, and fostering unity, the White House said. The Summit will give officials from all levels of government, faith leaders, civil society groups, and directly impacted communities across the country the opportunity to formulate a strategy to fill longstanding gaps in the federal government's response to one of the worst menaces that the United States continues to suffer from. The United We Stand Summit will also bring together survivors of hate-fueled violence, technology and business leaders, law enforcement officials, former members of violent extremist groups who now work to prevent violence, gun violence prevention leaders, media representatives, and cultural figures. The Summit will highlight the response of the Biden Administration and communities nationwide to these dangers, and put forward a shared, bipartisan vision for a more united America, according to the White House. The event falls on the anniversary of the hate-fueled murder of Balbir Singh Sodhi in 2001 and the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in 1963. The Summit is convened at a time the threat of hate-fueled violence and extremism is growing at a rapid pace in the United States, with incidents such as the murderous attack in Buffalo, NY by a white supremacist, the Synagogue shooting in Pennsylvania, bomb threats against Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the heinous attack against Asian women in Atlanta haunt the nation as stark reminders. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BVI, a diversified global ophthalmic device company, today announced certification for its intraocular lens (IOL) portfolio under the European Medical Device Regulation (MDR, (EU) 2017/745) from its Notified Body, the British Standards Institution (BSI). The new regulatory criteria came into effect in May 2021, replacing the prior Medical Device Directive (MDD). The MDR, representing the most significant change to European regulatory framework in decades, ensures a consistently high level of health and safety for medical devices. The new provisions focus on: Strict requirements with the intention to prove the safety of medical devices for both users and patients; Increased transparency of clinical evaluation, post market surveillance, and clinical investigation that needs to be up to date, clear, convincing, and publicly available; Greater emphasis on detailed requirements for technical documentation; Increased control and monitoring by national competent authorities and the EC; Reclassification of devices, wider scope of devices; and New Unique Device Identification system with enhanced traceability and post-market surveillance. "Achieving and maintaining MDR certification is a major effort that requires a tremendous amount of investment, capabilities, and hard work," said Shervin Korangy, BVI President and CEO. "This important milestone ensures continued supply of our innovative and clinically differentiated IOLS to our surgeons and patients worldwide." BVI Senior Vice President, Business Operations and Quality Assurance, Devang Shah, Ph.D. added, "We are proud to have obtained this certification, in partnership with our Notified Body BSI, which confirms BVI's commitment to quality and compliance to the highest of regulatory standards. A recent MedTech report highlighted that Notified Bodies have yet to issue MDR certificates for more than 85% of the products certified under the prior directives - so being at the forefront of this is a testament to our team's expertise and dedication to our customers." About BVI BVI is a diversified global ophthalmic device company with a mission to deliver high quality solutions and innovation for advancing eye surgery and improving the vision of patients. With nine decades of developing leading products and solutions, BVI partners with ophthalmic surgeons to improve the vision of millions of patients across the globe. Our organization supports surgical teams in more than 115 countries worldwide, either directly or through our network of trusted distributors. Our trusted brands include: Beaver (Knives and Blades), Visitec (Cannulas), Malosa (Single-Use Instruments), Vitreq (Vitreoretinal Surgical Products) and PhysIOL (Premium IOLs). BSI Client Directory Profile: https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/validate-bsi-issued-certificates/client-directory-profile/PHYSIO-0047610705-000 (https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/validate-bsi-issued-certificates/client-directory-profile/PHYSIO-0047610705-000) https://www.medtechdive.com/news/legacy-devices-lack-mdr-certificates-medtech-europe/627439/ (https://www.medtechdive.com/news/legacy-devices-lack-mdr-certificates-medtech-europe/627439/) Contacts BVI Andrew Dawson Corporate Communications adawson@bvimedical.com TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / September 15, 2022 / Li-Metal Corp. (CSE:LIM)(OTCQB:LIMFF)(FSE:5ZO) ("Li-Metal" or "the Company"), a leading developer of lithium metal anode and lithium metal technologies critical for next-generation batteries, today announced it has been selected by the Government of Canada to participate in the upcoming Autotech Business Mission to California 2022 taking place September 18 to September 23. The mission will provide participating companies access to potential U.S. investors, customers and strategic partners, in addition to brokering introductions to sector experts and the auto-tech ecosystem in San Francisco-Bay Area and Los Angeles. "We are delighted to be selected by the Government of Canada to participate in a key industry event," said Mr. Jastrzebski. "We look forward to exchanging ideas for ramping up production of cost-efficient, safe and sustainable batteries as we continue to advance our lithium metal and lithium metal anode production technologies and explore strategic partnerships to further the build-out of a North American next-generation battery supply chain." The Autotech Business Mission to California 2022 features Canada's most innovative technology companies in the automotive industry. The event provides a unique opportunity for Canadian companies with proven technology and continued market traction to connect with key industry participants. For more information, please visit https://www.ontario.ca/tradecalendar/autotech-business-mission-california-2022. About Li-Metal Corp. Li-Metal is a Canadian-based company developing lithium metal anodes and lithium metal production technologies for use in next-generation batteries. Our production methods are significantly more sustainable than existing products and offer lighter, more energy-dense and safer batteries that are critical to tomorrow's electric vehicles. For more information, visit: www.li-metal.com. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the Company. Any such forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "projects", "plans" and similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Statements about, among other things, the Company's strategic plans are forward-looking information. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that the development of the business of the Company will be completed as described above. The Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by applicable law. Li-Metal Investor Contact: Salisha Ilyas ir@li-metal.com Tel: +1 647 795 1653 Li-Metal Media Contact: Harry Nicholas Li-MetalPR@icrinc.com SOURCE: Li-Metal View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/716081/Li-Metal-Selected-to-Participate-in-Autotech-Business-Mission-to-California-2022 Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Some of the major players operating in the carbon nanotubes industry are Arkema S.A, Nanocyl SA, Continental Carbon Company, Hyperion Catalysis International, Klean Commodities, Future Carbon Gmbh, Raymor Industries Inc., Hanwha Chemical Corporation, Kumho Petrochemical, Showa Denko K.K., Beijing Cnano Technology Limited, Carbon Solutions Inc., Nanoshel LLC. SELBYVILLE, Del., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new research report by Global Market Insights Inc., the Carbon Nanotubes Market will register a valuation of around USD 15 billion by 2030. The report predicts carbon nanotubes industry to experience a positive business outlook in the ensuing years as several industries across the globe are benefiting from the advancements in nanotechnology. CNTs are widely adopted in pharmacy and medicine because of their high surface area which is capable of conjugating or adsorbing a broad range of medicinal and diagnostic agents (genes, drugs, vaccines, biosensors, antibodies, etc.). They are known to be an excellent vehicle for drug supply directly to the cells because they can penetrate the cells to boost the uptake of drug molecules and can keep them intact during transportation within the body. Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/744 Hazardous results of using carbon nanotubes to hamper the market growth Carbon nanotubes have superior material properties which are mostly advantageous, but under certain circumstances, these nanomaterials can cause health hazards. The findings of a recent study suggest that carbon nanotubes may lead to cancer, lesions, and inflammation when they interact with the mesothelial tissues which surround body organs. This factor may likely act as a major restraining factor for the industry demand. Surging aircraft production to boost the demand for single-wall carbon nanotubes Based on products, the carbon nanotubes market is fragmented into single-wall carbon nanotubes and multi-wall carbon nanotubes. Of these, the SWCNTs segment is anticipated to capture a substantial market share by 2030, recording a CAGR of more than 20.5% during 2022-2030. The aircraft manufacturing companies require lightweight and strong materials exhibiting improved physical properties. SWCNTs are light in weight and can significantly reduce the overall aircraft weight when used in the production of airplane parts. The growing demand from the aerospace industry is anticipated to amplify the revenues of the single-wall carbon nanotubes in the approaching years. Browse key industry insights spread across 350 pages with 381 market data tables & 29 figures & charts from the report, "Carbon Nanotubes Market Size By Product (Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes, Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes), Application (Polymers, Energy, Electrical & Electronics, Others), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Landscape & Forecast, 2022 - 2030" in detail along with the table of contents: https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/carbon-nanotubes-market Growing usage in power storage systems to boost the industry share from the energy segment Based on application, the market is segmented as polymers, electrical & electronics, energy, and others. Of these, the energy segment is projected to be valued at more than USD 1.5 billion by 2030. This can be credited to the rapid innovation in the energy industry and the surging adoption of carbon nanotubes in power storage systems. The rising usage of the product in the manufacturing of long wind turbines will also push the industry share from the energy segment through 2030. Flourishing electronics industry to bolster Europe carbon nanotubes market revenue European market is anticipated to register considerable gains, depicting a CAGR of over 19% over 2022-2030. The proliferating sales of high-end consumer electronics in the region, along with the increasing inclination of electronic component makers to use CNTs in their final products are favoring the industry outlook. In addition to this, the European automotive industry is also well established which makes it a promising region for the carbon nanotubes industry. APAC carbon nanotubes market is projected to be worth more than USD 6.5 Billion by 2030, driven by the surging deployment of CNT polymers across various industries along with the emerging electronics sector in the region. Request for customization of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/roc/744 Product innovations to remain a prominent growth strategy among carbon nanotubes market players The strategic landscape of the carbon nanotubes industry is inclusive of Hanwha Chemical Corporation, Arkema S.A, Showa Denko K.K., Beijing Cnano Technology Limited, Continental Carbon Company, Hyperion Catalysis International, Klean Commodities, Future Carbon Gmbh, Raymor Industries Inc., Nanocyl SA, Kumho Petrochemical, Carbon Solutions Inc., Nanoshel LLC, among other companies. They are majorly focusing on innovation strategies to develop eco-friendly and sustainable products to reinforce their position in the industry. About Global Market Insights Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider, offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy, and biotechnology. Contact Us: Aashit Tiwari Corporate Sales, USA Global Market Insights Inc. Toll Free: +1-888-689-0688 USA: +1-302-846-7766 Europe: +44-742-759-8484 APAC: +65-3129-7718 Email: sales@gminsights.com Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1899578/carbon_Nanotubes_Market.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661916/GMI.jpg Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) Governor Lee Bok-hyun speaks to reporters during a press conference held at the FSS' headquarters in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of the FSS By Anna J. Park Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) Governor Lee Bok-hyun reiterated his vows to respond preemptively to the economy's internal and external uncertainties, aiming to maintain financial stability amid the increasingly complex situation. During a press conference on Thursday, which was held to mark the 100th day since his taking the chief position in early June, Governor Lee said the FSS will focus on assessing and managing the potential risk factors of each financial sector. "The FSS will strengthen its checkups by closely cooperating with related agencies and companies, so that risks of short-term liquidity and real estate finances won't translate into threats to the financial system," Governor Lee said during the press conference. "The FSS is currently working with the Bank of Korea to conduct stress tests on financial companies, based on contingency plans jointly drawn up with the central bank, planning to come up with more effective measures to stabilize the market," he added. He also stressed the financial regulator will prioritize consumer protections by inducing more responsible management of financial companies. At the same time, the FSS chief stressed that it will seek to support voluntary creativity in the financial industry and ventures that will ultimately yield innovative paradigm shifts of the industry. Lee explained that the FSS is also actively participating in both domestic and international cooperation to come up with a reasonable regulative framework on digital assets, aiming to strike a balance between consumer protection and cryptocurrency industry growth. Under Lee's leadership, who used to be a star prosecutor with expertise in large-scale financial crimes and scandals, the FSS is estimated to have strengthened its legal and punitive sides. In the past three months, the FSS enlarged its team on investigating short-selling practices, while investigating suspicious international wires of trillions of won at various local banks during the past year. The financial authority has also strengthened its inspections of financial companies over various counts of suspicious activities. Updated engagement letters signed with Societe Generale and Nedbank for expanded $150 million Platreef senior debt facility Johannesburg, South Africa--(Newsfile Corp. - September 15, 2022) - Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) Executive Co-Chair Robert Friedland and President Marna Cloete announce today that the company's South African subsidiary, Ivanplats, has received the second and final prepayment of the $300 million Platreef streaming agreement. In addition, the company has signed updated engagement letters with its mandated lead arrangers, Societe Generale and Nedbank, to increase the Platreef project senior debt facility from $120 million to $150 million. The expanded facility will provide further optionality in terms of project financing, and limit potential equity contributions for Platreef's Phase 1 development. All figures are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated. As announced on December 8, 2021, Ivanplats concluded $300 million in stream-financing agreements with Orion Mine Finance and Nomad Royalty Company (which was subsequently acquired by Sandstorm Gold Royalties) for its world-scale Platreef palladium-rhodium-nickel-platinum-copper-gold project in Limpopo Province, South Africa. This included a $200 million gold-streaming facility and a $100 million palladium and platinum streaming facility. The first prepayment of $75 million was received upon the closing of the transaction in December 2021. The fully realized stream agreements allow Ivanplats to advance Platreef's ongoing Phase 1 construction activities, with an initial capital cost of $488 million as set out in the Platreef feasibility study announced in February 2022. Discussions are underway to finalize a senior debt facility of up to $150 million with mandated lead arrangers Societe Generale and Nedbank, which remains subject to due diligence. The stream facilities are subordinated to any future senior secured financing. Ivanplats remains flexible to raise additional debt or equity, and has pre-agreed intercreditor arrangements with the stream purchasers for future senior debt. The stream facilities are guaranteed by Ivanplats and secured over its assets, as well as Ivanhoe and the Japanese consortium's shares of Platreef. Ivanhoe Mines' Executive Co-Chairman, Robert Friedland commented: "The enhanced senior debt facility speaks to the robust economics of the Platreef project, and will allow Ivanplats to fund the Phase 1 initial capital with limited further equity funding required from Ivanhoe's own balance sheet. "Platreef is the world's greatest precious metals deposit under development, with a peerless endowment of palladium, rhodium, platinum, and gold; as well as highly significant quantities of strategic 'electric' metals in nickel and copper. The Phase 1 mine marks the beginning of a multi-stage, multi-generational mining complex underpinned by vast, high-grade resources and immense, untapped exploration upside. Future expansions to 12 million tonnes of ore per annum and beyond, as demonstrated in previous studies, would position Platreef among the world's largest and lowest-cost nickel and PGM mines: producing more than 24,000 tonnes of nickel and 1.1 million ounces of palladium, rhodium, platinum and gold per year." About Platreef The Platreef Project is owned by Ivanplats (Pty) Ltd (Ivanplats), which is 64%-owned by Ivanhoe Mines. A 26% interest is held by Ivanplats' historically-disadvantaged, broad-based, black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) partners, which include 20 local host communities with approximately 150,000 people, project employees and local entrepreneurs. A Japanese consortium of ITOCHU Corporation, Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, and Japan Gas Corporation, owns a 10% interest in Ivanplats, which it acquired in two tranches for a total investment of $290 million. The Platreef Project hosts an underground deposit of thick, platinum-group metals, nickel, copper and gold mineralization on the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex in Limpopo Province - approximately 280 kilometres northeast of Johannesburg and eight kilometres from the town of Mokopane. On the Northern Limb, platinum-group metals mineralization is primarily hosted within the Platreef, a mineralized sequence that is traced more than 30 kilometres along strike. Ivanhoe's Platreef Project, within the Platreef's southern sector, is comprised of two contiguous properties: Turfspruit and Macalacaskop. Turfspruit, the northernmost property, is contiguous with, and along strike from, Anglo Platinum's Mogalakwena group of mining operations and properties. Since 2007, Ivanhoe has focused its exploration and development activities on defining and advancing the down-dip extension of its original discovery at Platreef, now known as the Flatreef Deposit, which is amenable to highly-mechanized, underground mining methods. The Flatreef area lies entirely on the Turfspruit and Macalacaskop properties that form part of the company's mining right. About Ivanhoe Mines Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal projects in Southern Africa: the major new, mechanized, underground mines at the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the development of the Platreef palladium-rhodium-platinum-nickel-copper-gold discovery in South Africa; and the restart of the historic Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex is one of the highest-grade and fastest growing major copper mining operations in the world. Copper concentrates were first produced in May 2021 and, through on-going phased expansions, it is positioned to become one of the world's largest copper producing operations. Kamoa-Kakula's 2022 production guidance is between 310,000 to 340,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate Ivanhoe Mines is also exploring for new copper discoveries across its circa 2,400km2 of wholly-owned exploration licences in the Western Foreland, which are located adjacent to the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Information contact Investors Vancouver: Matthew Keevil +1.604.558.1034 London: Tommy Horton +44 7866 913 207 Media Vancouver: Tanya Todd +1.604.331.9834 Website www.ivanhoemines.com Forward-looking statements Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the company, the Platreef Project, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results, and speak only as of the date of this news release. The forward-looking statements and forward-looking information in this news release include without limitation, (i) statements regarding finalizing a senior debt facility of up to $150 million with mandated lead arrangers Societe Generale and Nedbank; (ii) statements regarding scheduling and advancement of Phase 1 construction activities; (iii) statements regarding Ivanplats raising additional debt or equity; (iv) statements regarding future expansions at Platreef to 12 million tonnes of ore per annum and beyond; (v) statements regarding expansions positioning Platreef among the world's largest and lowest-cost nickel and PGM mines; (vi) statements regarding Platreef producing more than 24,000 tonnes of nickel and 1.1 million ounces of palladium, rhodium, platinum and gold per year; (vii) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula, through on-going phased expansions, being positioned to become one of the world's largest copper producing operations. In addition, all of the results of the Platreef 2022 Feasibility Study constitute forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements include metal price assumptions, cash flow forecasts, projected capital and operating costs, metal recoveries, mine life and production rates, and the financial results of the Platreef 2022 Feasibility Study. Readers are cautioned that actual results may vary from those presented. Forward-looking statements and information involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed below and under "Risk Factors", and elsewhere in this release, as well as unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this release are based upon what management of the company believes are reasonable assumptions, the company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release. The company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors set forth below in the "Risk Factors" section in the company's 2022 Q2 MD&A and its current annual information form. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137230 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Wabtec Corp. (WAB) has won an order to supply 300 half-height platform screen doors across Metro de Panama's L3 monorail stations being built by Hitachi Rail, as part of the Grupo de Empresas Sunrise Monorail. The company will supply the platform screen doors, as well as provide the training and support for the installation, testing, and commissioning. Wabtec installed the world's first doors in Hong Kong in 2002 and was recently selected to supply platform screen doors for the Marseille metro as part of plans to upgrade its local transport network. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Health insurer Humana Inc. (HUM) Thursday raised its outlook for fiscal 2022 above market estimates, and also introduced mid-term adjusted earnings per share target of $37 in 2025. In pre-market activity on the NYSE, Humana shares were gaining around 5 percent to trade at $481. For fiscal 2022, the company now expects earnings per share on a reported basis of approximately $23.08, compared to previous estimate of approximately $20.30. Adjusted earnings per share is now expected to be approximately $25, up from the previous guidance of approximately $24.75. On average, 22 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect earnings of $24.83 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. The updated adjusted guidance reflects 21 percent growth compared to last year, driven by the continued lower-than-expected medical cost trends in Medicare Advantage and Medicaid businesses. Humana will host a virtual Investor Day today. The company's mid-term adjusted earnings per share target for fiscal 2025 of $37 per share represents a compelling 14 percent compounded annual growth rate over its updated fiscal 2022 outlook for adjusted earnings. Humana said it expects to grow enterprise earnings around 10 percent per year, before factoring in an additional 1 to 2 percent of anticipated earnings growth. The company also projects continued earnings growth in 2026 and beyond at or above the earnings per share growth trends reflected in its new mid-term target. The company's third quarter 2022 earnings release is scheduled on November 2. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX HUMANA-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de Seasoned executive tapped to lead global marketing and product-led growth strategy AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NinjaOne , the first unified IT management platform for MSPs and IT departments, today announced that Shay Mowlem has joined as the company's first-ever Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer. Mowlem will oversee global marketing functions and lead the company's product-led growth strategy and strategic partnerships. Mowlem brings over 25 years of experience at high-growth enterprise technology companies such as Rubrik, MuleSoft, and Splunk. "NinjaOne is focused on helping businesses worldwide modernize their IT capabilities and drive efficiencies through automation and exceptional user experiences. As we continue to expand our product roadmap and global footprint, Shay's proven leadership for guiding SaaS companies through accelerated growth will be an invaluable asset," said NinjaOne CEO Sal Sferlazza. "I'm thrilled to bring Shay on board. His unique blend of marketing and product leadership experience makes him well suited to lead NinjaOne's next phase of growth." Mowlem joins NinjaOne from Illumio, where he served as Chief Marketing Officer. He led the company through a global go-to-market transformation that included innovative strategies to increase demand creation programs, build brand awareness, and create the company's Zero Trust Segmentation category. Previously, Mowlem served in executive marketing and product roles at Rubrik, MuleSoft, and Splunk, where he led each of the companies through significant growth. "NinjaOne is the largest independent company focused on helping MSPs and internal IT professionals to monitor, manage, and support their devices. As flexible working environments become permanent and the number of devices and applications continues to grow, NinjaOne's mission to help unify IT operations is timely and critical," said Shay Mowlem, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer, NinjaOne. "I'm excited to be part of the NinjaOne team, and I look forward to supporting our customers on their journey towards IT modernization." About NinjaOne NinjaOne is a leading unified IT management solution that simplifies the way IT teams work. With NinjaOne, MSPs and IT departments can automate, manage, and remediate all their endpoint management tasks within one fast, modern, intuitive platform, improving technician efficiency and user satisfaction. NinjaOne supports over 9,000 customers around the world, and is consistently ranked #1 for its world-class customer support. NinjaOne has been recognized as the best rated software in its category on G2 and Gartner Digital Markets for the past three years. Media Contact Rachel Spatz, VP of Marketing Rachel.Spatz@NinjaRMM.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1668287/NinjaOne_Logo.jpg SURREY, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 15, 2022 / Gungnir Resources Inc. (TSXV:GUG)(OTC PINK:ASWRF) ("Gungnir" or the "Company") is pleased to announce an impressive drill intercept of massive sulphides in drill hole LAP22-19 from continuing drilling at the Lappvattnet nickel deposit in northern Sweden. Please click link for core photos ( see drill core ). Notable massive sulphide intersection previously reported at Lappvattnet by the Company, include hole LAP21-02 which assayed 3.19% Ni over 4.25 metres within a 10.4-metre interval grading 1.51% Ni, and hole LAP21-05 which graded 2.62% Ni over 5.65 metres within a 14.0-metre interval grading 1.40% Ni. Hole LAP21-02 and LAP21-05 are located 320 and 280 metres west of hole LAP22-19, respectively. Visually the best mineralization in drill hole LAP22-19 occurs in Box 9 consisting of massive, semi-massive, net-textured, veined, and disseminated sulphides. The mineralized zone extends from about 64 to 75 metres. Assays pending. Hole LAP22-19 was drilled on Section 16E in the sparsely drilled central part of the Lappvattnet resource. It is part of the continuing, systematic drilling of the Lappvattnet nickel deposit with the goal of upgrading and expanding the existing resource with a focus on defining further high-grade nickel shoots. Hole LAP22-19 was drilled at an azimuth of 335 degrees at location 1,741,809mE and 7,165,274mN (RT90-2.5 co-ordinates). The 195-metre-long hole was drilled at a dip of -75 degrees. See earlier news releases regarding above referenced high-grade nickel intersection in drill hole LAP21-02; August 31, 2021 (Gungnir Drills 7.38% Nickel Within 4.25 Metres Grading 3.19% Nickel) and drill hole LAP21-05; September 21, 2021 (Gungnir Drills 6.67% Nickel Within 5.65 Metres Grading 2.62% Nickel). Hole LAP21-02 was drilled on Section 8E and LAP21-05 was drilled on Section 9E. Please also refer to the Company's most recent news release dated September 7, 2022 for Lappvattnet long section which includes reference section lines. Nickel Resources Gungnir's nickel sulphide resources in Sweden include Lappvattnet and Rormyrberget. In 2020, the Company updated both resources which collectively total 177 million pounds of nickel. The properties are accessible year-round with good transportation and industrial infrastructure including shipping facilities and are located about an hour drive from Boliden's mill complex. Lappvattnet: Inferred Resource of 780,000 tonnes grading 1.35% nickel for 23.1 million lbs (10.5 million kg) of nickel. Rormyrberget: Inferred Resource of 36,800,000 tonnes grading 0.19% nickel for 154 million lbs (70 million kg) of nickel. The NI 43-101 Technical Report entitled "TECHNICAL REPORT on the LAPPVATTNET and RORMYRBERGET DEPOSITS, NORTHERN SWEDEN" was prepared by Reddick Consulting Inc. Qualified Persons are John Reddick, M.Sc., P.Geo., and Thomas Lindholm, M.Sc., Fellow AusIMM. The Effective Date is November 17, 2020. The technical information in this news release has been prepared, verified and approved by Jari Paakki, P.Geo., CEO, and a director of the Company. Mr. Paakki is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. About Gungnir Resources Gungnir Resources Inc. is a Canadian-based TSX-V listed mineral exploration company (GUG: TSX-V, ASWRF: OTCPK) with gold and base metal projects in northern Sweden. Gungnir's assets include two nickel-copper-cobalt deposits, Lappvattnet and Rormyrberget, both with updated nickel resources, and the Knaften project which hosts a developing intrusion-hosted gold system, and VMS (zinc-copper) and copper-nickel targets, all of which are open for expansion and further discovery. The Company has also recently added the Hemberget property to its Swedish Property Portfolio which covers an 11 km long gabbro-ultramafic intrusion, a greenfield copper-nickel target. Further information about the Company and its properties may be found at www.gungnirresources.com or at www.sedar.com. On behalf of the Board, Jari Paakki, CEO and Director For further information contact: Head Office/Investor Relations Phone: +1-604-683-0484 Jari Paakki, CEO Email: jpaakki@eastlink.ca Chris Robbins, CFO Email: robbinscr@shaw.ca Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this news release may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws (also known as forward-looking statements). Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, and may cause actual results, performance or achievements or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements or industry results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information generally can be identified by the use of terms and phrases such as "anticipate", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "feel", "intend", "may", "plan", "predict", "project", "subject to", "will", "would", and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. Some of the specific forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: expectations of upgrading and expanding the existing resource; expectations of additional high-grade nickel shoots; expectations of future resource upgrades and that new drilling and assays will be incorporated into any resource upgrade; the expected timing for receipt of assay results; planned drilling locations and expected targets; extent of drilling and quantity of drilling holes; planned exploration program including anticipated drilling and the timing thereof; and Gungnir's plan for development of its properties and the timing thereof. Forward-looking information is based on a number of key expectations and assumptions made by Gungnir, including, without limitation: expectations of upgrading, thickening and expanding the existing resource are reasonable; access to the resources will remain available year-round; transportation and infrastructure will remain available as anticipated; the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the Canadian and global economy and Gungnir's business, and the extent and duration of such impact; no change to laws or regulations that negatively affect Gungnir's business; there will be a demand for Gungnir's services and products in the future; Gungnir will be able to operate its business as planned; Gungnir will be able to access capital markets on and successfully complete financings on terms it determines to be reasonable; and Gungnir's plans for future exploration and development of its properties is reasonable and will be possible within the anticipated timelines. Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon what Gungnir believes to be reasonable assumptions, it cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such information. Forward-looking information is provided for the purpose of presenting information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking information involves significant risks and uncertainties and should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results as actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking information. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, risks related to: expectations related to upgrading, thickening and expanding existing resources may not be accurate in part or at all; no certainty that any economically viable mineral deposit will be located on Gungnir's properties; that Gungnir may not be able to complete its planned drilling as anticipated; the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; the impacts of war and/or other international conflicts; ability to access capital markets and complete successful financings on terms Gungnir determines to be reasonable; environmental matters; changes in legislation or regulations; receipt of required licenses, permits and approvals; and resource estimates may not be accurate and may differ significantly from actual mineral resources. Management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information contained herein are based upon reasonable assumptions and information currently available; however, management can give no assurance that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained this news release is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Gungnir. The forward-looking information is stated as of the date of this news release and Gungnir assumes no obligation to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by applicable law. SOURCE: Gungnir Resources Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/715838/Gungnir-Drills-More-Massive-Sulphides-at-Lappvattnet VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 15, 2022 / Atomic Minerals Corporation ("ATOMIC MINERALS" or the "Company") (TSXV:ATOM) is pleased to report the completion of the KBM Resources Group ("KBM") high-resolution Airborne Magnetic Survey ("Airborne Survey") completed at its 6,556 Ha Lloyd Lake uranium project ("Lloyd Lake Project"), located in the prolific Athabasca Basin, near the village of La Loche, Saskatchewan, Canada. Clive Massey Atomic Minerals CEO and President commented "We are pleased with the results from the 2022 airborne survey over Lloyd Lake. Integration of this magnetic data with the historic data sets has assisted in defining drill targets within the conductors for an initial drilling program." KBM flew a total of 798 fixed wing line km of high-resolution airborne magnetics at 100 m line spacings over the Lloyd Lake Project. A distinct, consistent northeast-southwest trending magnetic high that becomes more fragmented to the southwest was highlighted on the eastern side of the claim block and appears to be surrounded on the eastern, western, and southern edges by a consistent magnetic low, suggesting a possible southwest plunging fold. See Figure 1. Figure 1. Lloyd Lake 2022 Total Magnetic Field Intensity with Lineaments. https://www.atomicminerals.ca/images/gallery/ATOM_News_19.jpg Earlier, wider spaced airborne magnetics and VTEM surveys and lake sediment and radon gas surveys were integrated with the 2022 airborne magnetic survey. Northeast-southwest linear conductors with associated radon-in-water and/or uranium lake sediment values have been identified as Lloyd Lake exploration targets for uranium. About the Lloyd Lake Project The Lloyd Lake Project lies immediately south of the western Athabasca basin approximately 90 km SE of Fission Uranium's Patterson Lake project. Lloyd Lake was extensively explored by Western Athabasca Syndicate in 2013 as part of the Preston property, generating a significant dataset, which includes: airborne EM-magnetic and radiometric surveys, follow-up prospecting, systematic lake-bottom sediment sampling and lake-bottom water sampling for radon gas analysis, and broad soil, biogeochemical and radon-in-soil surveys, generally at 100 m to 200 m sample spacing and 200 m to 400 m line spacing. Radon gas is a decay product of uranium with anomalous concentrations indicative of potential uranium occurrences. Subsequent exploration concentrated on anomalous areas identified by the earlier surveys, and included phases of mapping and prospecting, a versatile time-domain electromagnetic (VTEM plus) and aeromagnetic survey and an airborne radiometric-VLF-EM and magnetic survey. Atomics' technical team is in the process of compiling and reviewing the various datasets to generate targets for upcoming exploration. About the Company Atomic Minerals is a Vancouver based publicly listed uranium exploration company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company is led by a highly skilled management and technical team with numerous previous successes in the junior mining sector. For additional information, please visit the Company's website at www.atomicminerals.ca Qualified Persons Mr. R. Tim Henneberry, P.Geo. (BC), is the "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and is responsible for the technical contents of this news release and has approved the disclosure of the technical information contained herein. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Clive Massey" Clive H. Massey President & CEO For further information, please contact: Investor Relations (604) 644-6794; Office (604) 341-6870 Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor their Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking" statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Atomic Minerals Corporation believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Atomic Minerals Corporation management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Atomic Minerals Corporation undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. SOURCE: Atomic Minerals Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/716049/Atomic-Minerals-Corp-Completes-Airborne-Magnetic-Survey-at-Lloyd-Lake NEW YORK CITY (dpa-AFX) - Fortanix Inc. announced $90 million in series C financing bringing the total amount the company has raised to over $122 million. The round was led by the Growth Equity business within Goldman Sachs with participation from GiantLeap Capital as well as the existing investors. Soumya Rajamani, Vice President at Goldman Sachs, will join Fortanix's board. Headquartered in Mountain View, CA, Fortanix secures data, wherever it is. Enterprises, especially in privacy-sensitive industries like healthcare, fintech, financial services, government, and retail, trust Fortanix for data security, privacy and compliance. Soumya Rajamani, Vice President at Goldman Sachs, said: 'Many businesses can relate to the challenge of data security and privacy, and we are proud to support the Fortanix team in their mission to solve security and privacy.' Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Company Plans to Submit Clinical Trial Application in Canada Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 15, 2022) - Nova Mentis Life Science Corp. (CSE: NOVA) (FSE: HN3Q) (OTCQB: NMLSF) ("NOVA" or the "Company"), a biotechnology company and global leader in first-in-class psilocybin-based therapeutics and complementary diagnostics for neuroinflammatory disorders is pleased to announce that it has completed production of psilocybin microdose capsules in collaboration with the Toronto Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology (TIPT) . TIPT and NOVA have recently completed the manufacturing of an engineering quantity of the psilocybin microdose capsules that was used to confirm product specifications for the capsule. Production of the first stability lot followed and capsules are currently undergoing release testing this week to generate data required for a clinical trial application. NOVA is currently preparing to submit a clinical trial application to Health Canada for a Phase 2A study evaluating psilocybin microdose therapy for fragile X syndrome (FXS), the leading genetic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). NOVA's recent research results showed that a very low microdose formulation of the Company's psilocybin drug (NM-1001) significantly modulated behavioural and cognitive defects in a genetic model of FXS. "A major success for NOVA to achieve this critical drug development accomplishment! Our team is incredibly dedicated and focused on achieving our planned milestones as we work towards meeting our mission of diagnosing and treating chronic conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and fragile X syndrome," said Jacqueline McConnell, NOVA's Chief Operating Officer. The Company has formed a tactical partnership with KGK Science Inc. to develop its psilocybin drug portfolio in Canada. KGK is a leading North American contract research organization based in London, Ontario that primarily provides high-quality clinical research trials with a focus on the nutraceutical, cannabis and emerging psychedelic industries. Both Companies plan to jointly submit the Health Canada clinical trial application. NOVA is the first biotech company to achieve orphan drug designation in both the United States and European Union for the use of psilocybin in the treatment of FXS. Furthermore, NOVA has manufactured a large supply of >98% pure psilocybin for clinical studies and commercialization following drug approval. About Nova Mentis Life Science Corp. Nova Mentis Life Science Corp. is a Canadian-based biotechnology company and global leader in developing diagnostics and psilocybin-based therapeutics for neuroinflammatory disorders. Nova is the first biotech company to achieve orphan drug designation in both the United States and European Union for the use of psilocybin in the treatment of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). Our goal is to diagnose and treat debilitating chronic conditions that have unmet medical needs, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and FXS. For further information on the Company, please visit www.novamentis.ca or email info@novamentis.ca. About TIPT The Toronto Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology (TIPT) is North America's premier pharmaceutical institute of education, technology and research. We operate a fully compliant Health Canada-licensed GMP manufacturing and testing facility for solid dosage forms and liquid preparations. Since our inception in 1992, we have successfully established corporate partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies worldwide and have provided innovative product development solutions uniquely supported by pragmatic institutional experts. For more information, please visit: www.tipt.com. About KGK Science Founded in 1997, KGK is a leading North American contract research organization based in London, Ontario that primarily provides high-quality clinical research trials with a focus on the nutraceutical, cannabis and emerging psychedelic industries. The business has successfully helped hundreds of companies with custom-designed clinical trials and claim substantiation strategies to move products into global markets. KGK's other existing service lines include expert regulatory support and compliance solutions, participant recruitment, research support services and consulting services. On an approximate basis, the business to date has produced 150 publications, executed over 400 clinical trials across more than 40 indications, amassed 25,000 participants in its database and collected 10 million data points. For more information, please visit: www.kgkscience.com/. On Behalf of the Board Will Rascan, President & CEO Nova Mentis Life Science Corp. Phone: 778-819-0244 Toll Free: 1-833-542-5323 Twitter: @novamentislsc Instagram: @novamentislsc Facebook: @novamentislsc Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Nova Mentis Life Science's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137175 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 15, 2022 / New America Energy Corp. (OTC PINK:NECA), and its operating subsidiary, Third Bench Holdings, LLC ("Third Bench" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce increased efficiency and consolidation at the Company's Las Cruces Cabinets subsidiary ("LCC") subsidiary in Las Cruces, New Mexico. LCC focuses on residential projects, focusing on selling and installing kitchen and bath cabinets in Southern New Mexico and El Paso, Texas. LCC has historically been focused on delivering a turnkey solution for builders and remodelers in the region. LCC has recently consolidated the Showroom and the Warehouse into one location. Previously the two were housed in separate buildings. According to David Fair, CEO of the Company, "It was becoming increasingly apparent that we could operate much more efficiently with everyone under one roof. We are very excited about the increased synergies of having our entire Las Cruces team in the same location every day, sharing ideas, and growing the business." This consolidation should result in total savings of at least $300,000 per year. As Southern New Mexico continues to grow and the economy remains very robust, LCC is positioned to grow along with the region, as well as being poised to capture additional market share with an increased focus on the builder and professional remodeler network in the area. About Third Bench Holdings, LLC Third Bench, subsidiary of New America Energy Corp., operates five subsidiary companies operating as architectural millwork and dealers in the cabinetry, kitchen and bath areas. Third Bench, through its subsidiary companies, offers products in these categories: residential cabinets and countertops and commercial millwork throughout the Western U.S. for customers from California to Texas. Third Bench also provides installation services as a part of its vertical offering. Third Bench employs over 130 people and had revenue of about $24 million in 2021. These projections have been provided by management and do not include the additional acquisitions that are currently under review. Third Bench Holdings, LLC 175 S. Main Street #1410 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 https://thirdbench.com/ NECA Contact: Investor Relations info@thirdbench.com https:/twitter.com/necaholdings Safe Harbor This release may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding our prospective performance and strategies within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies, and expectations of our company, are generally identified by use of words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "seek," "strive," "try," or future or conditional verbs such as "could," "may," "should," "will," "would," or similar expressions. Our ability to predict results or the actual effects of our plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from anticipated results. Some of the factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our expectations or beliefs include, without limitation, the risks discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, we undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which such statements were made. SOURCE: New America Energy Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/716084/Third-Bench-Consolidates-Operations-and-Reduces-Expenses Tel Aviv, Israel--(Newsfile Corp. - September 15, 2022) - Nubs Group Technologies Ltd. or "the Company", is pleased to announce its participation in the International Cyber Security Days (ICSD) 2022 conference hosted by Prosol, a pioneering cyber security firm based in Baku, Azerbaijan. The conference will be held on September 21-22 at the Fairmont Hotel in Baku, and will focus on the theme of "Cyberly Secure Economies: Reforms, Innovative Approaches, and Solutions." CEO Itzik Moshe and Head of Analysis Jacob Zucker will be representing Nubs Group Technologies at the conference. Mr. Itzik Moshe, a serial tech entrepreneur and cyber security expert/lecturer, will be presenting on two panels dedicated to cyber security development and innovation in the private sector. Mr. Jacob Zucker will be moderating a panel discussing big data and AI technologies as well as presenting on the topic of social media manipulation in the modern business environment. He will be moderating and presenting in cooperation with ProData, a recently launched venture based in Baku that provides data analysis and business intelligence services to an Azerbaijani and international corporate clientele. Also presenting at the conference are an esteemed line-up of cyber security and big data entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and representatives from the Azerbaijani public sector. Testifying to the two country's robust economic and political ties, H.E. Mr. Moshe Ya'alon, former Israel Minister of Defense and former military Chief of Staff, will be leading a special session on the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Israel directly following the conference's opening ceremonies. Commenting on Nubs Group's attendance at the ICSD 2022 Conference, Mr. Moshe stated: "We are excited to be returning to Baku to participate at this year's cybersecurity and big data conclave. The conference is a testament to Azerbaijan's fast-growing tech ecosystem, and showcases the tight collaboration between the Israeli and Azerbaijani private sectors of which we are proud to be a part." About Nubs Group Technologies Nubs Group Technologies brings 15+ years of cyber security and intelligence experience to the table in delivering custom-tailored solutions for digital strategy to a diverse global clientele. The Company's proprietary ByteEye web intelligence platform harnesses military-grade technology to provide unparalleled insights into the digital landscape for actionable results in real-time. Nubs Group's areas of expertise include web intelligence, social media monitoring/analytics, narrative management, and market exposure for emerging technologies, private companies, and publicly-listed corporations. For more information please visit: www.nubsgroup.com. About Prosol Prosol is an Azerbaijani company committed to creating a secure cyber environment in the country and beyond. It serves the cybersecurity and information technology (IT) needs of governments, critical infrastructure entities, and enterprise corporations in building a safe and secure digital ecosystem. Towards this end, Prosol is proud to host the second annual ICSD 2022 conference in Baku. For more information about Prosol/ICSD 2022 please visit: www.icsd.az/. Contact: Itzik Moshe itzik@nubsgroup.com SOURCE: Nubs Group Technologies Ltd. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137283 Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup speaks during an interview with Yonhap News Agency at his office in Seoul, Sept. 14. Yonhap South Korea and the United States will formulate concrete contingency plans for various nuclear crisis scenarios in their joint deterrence strategy to be revised in order to counter North Korea's evolving military threats, Seoul's defense chief said. Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup unveiled the scheme in an exclusive interview with Yonhap News Agency following the North's recent codification of an assertive nuclear policy that leaves the door open for launching a preemptive strike in case of a regime security threat. "In the tailored deterrence strategy set to be revised, the South and the U.S. will make the sharing of intelligence and contingency consultation procedures more systematic, and further flesh out responses to each nuclear crisis situation," Lee told Yonhap at his office in Seoul on Wednesday. Among the crisis scenarios is the North's verbal threat of a nuclear attack, the minister said. He did not elaborate on other scenarios, but they could include a phase when signs emerge of an impending nuclear strike or the North's actual recourse to nuclear options. Adopted in 2013, the allies' tailored deterrence strategy (TDS) is designed to cope with growing threats from the North's nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. It is the first such bilateral deterrence document that Washington has crafted with a single treaty ally. The need for the revision has arisen, as Pyongyang has been doubling down on its nuclear program despite years of peace efforts under the former liberal Moon Jae-in administration. The regime is thought to have completed key preparations for what would be its seventh nuclear test. "At present, the North's nuclear threats are far more advanced compared with what they were in 2013, while the capabilities of our military and the U.S. military have also developed considerably," Lee said. "In a comprehensive consideration of such changes, we are working on revising the TDS." Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup speaks during an interview with Yonhap News Agency at his office in Seoul, Sept. 14. Yonhap Fostering Collaborations to Build a North American Supply Chain PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / September 15, 2022 / American Rare Earths Limited (ASX:ARR)(OTCQB:ARRNF)(FSE:1BHA) (ARR or 'the Company') is honored to announce they have joined the Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) , which was recently founded for education, collaboration, and to provide professional opportunities to meet the critical minerals supply chain challenges. As noted in the announcement by CMI, the organization will have its inaugural Critical Minerals Summit (CMS 2022) on November 9, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. "We are pleased to engage with other members of this organization as we advance the North American supply of critical minerals," said Marty Weems, President North America, of American Rare Earths. "The Company has been fortunate to work with the founders and Board Members of CMI in other capacities. Thus, we are confident with their sphere of influence, capabilities and connections. The formation of CMI marks a leap forward in collaborative opportunities with major stakeholders in the critical minerals industry. The core pillars of success for the Company are world-class mineral assets, talent and partnerships. CMI broadens our opportunity on all fronts. CMI's mission includes two very important components of 1) education; much needed to raise awareness of stakeholders, communities, and policy makers and 2) talent acquisition; finding great talent will differentiate the winners in this industry. We go farther together." Chris Gibbs, CEO and Managing Director of American Rare Earths, adds "The new Critical Minerals Institute, led by the esteemed Chair, Mr. Jack Lifton, will make the industry stronger and more collaborative. We applaud the selection of Melissa "Mel" Sanderson, to the CMI Board of Directors. Mel is a key member of the ARR Board as well. We extend our congratulations to Mel and all the team at CMI. We are excited to get to work as we all seek to bring control of critical minerals supply chains to the USA and its allies." ARR is already in alliance with several major universities and National Laboratories of the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the DOE's Innovation Hub, the Critical Materials Institute. The company previously announced three US Government funded R&D projects. These include participation in the DOD funded DARPA EMBER project, a DOE Advanced Manufacturing Office funded project and a DOE Critical Materials Institute funded project. About the Critical Minerals Institute: The Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) is an international organization for companies and professionals focused on battery materials, technology metals, defense metals, ESG technologies and practices, the general EV market, and the use of critical minerals for energy and alternative energy production. Offering an online site that features job opportunities that range from consulting roles to Advisory Board positions, the CMI offers a wide range of B2B service solutions. Accompanied by online and in-person events, the CMI is designed for education, collaboration, and to provide professional opportunities to meet the critical minerals supply chain challenges. About American Rare Earths American Rare Earths Limited (ASX:ARR, OTCQB:ARRNF, FSE:1BHA) is an Australian company listed on the ASX with assets in the growing rare earth metals sector of the United States of America, emerging as an alternative international supply chain to China's market dominance of a global rare earth market expected to expand to US$20 billion by the mid-2020s. The Company's mission is to supply Critical Materials for Renewable Energy, Green Tech, Electric Vehicles, National Security, and a Carbon-Reduced Future. Western Rare Earths (WRE) is the wholly owned US subsidiary of the Company. ARR owns 100% of the world-class La Paz Rare Earth Project, located 170km northwest of Phoenix, Arizona. As a large tonnage, bulk deposit, La Paz is potentially the largest, rare-earth deposit in the USA and benefits from containing exceptionally low penalty elements such as radioactive thorium and uranium. In the first half of 2021, ARR acquired the USA REE asset, the Halleck Creek Project in Wyoming. Since acquiring the asset, the company has increased the land holding to over 6,000+ acres. Approximately 1,015 to 1,268 million tonnes of rare earths mineralized rocks were identified as an Exploration Target for the Halleck Creek project area with an average Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO) grade of 2,245 - 2,807 ppm. La Paz and Halleck Creek's mineral profiles are well incorporated into emerging US advanced rare earth processing technologies. Media Contact Susan Assadi susan@americanrareearths.com.au 347 977 7125 SOURCE: American Rare Earths Limited View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/716037/Critical-Minerals-Institute-Welcomes-American-Rare-Earths-Ltd MOSTLY AI, who pioneered the creation of AI-generated synthetic data, will simultaneously participate in InsureTech Connect in Vegas and TestBash UK in Manchester, both taking place the week commencing 19 September, to ensure their industry-leading synthetic data generation platform is further promoted to prospects in both the enterprise segment, in this case insurance, and mid-market businesses who run software testing. "Driving a synthetic data driven future requires a sense of urgency and being in the right place at the right time, talking to the right people. Next week, we'll have one team in Vegas, for the largest InsureTech event where I'll be proudly demoing our synthetic data generator and what's to come, and another team in Manchester to talk to software testers about how they can create healthier test data habits by switching to synthetic data," says Tobias Hann, MOSTLY AI CEO. "These are two very different offerings, but equal in benefit when it comes to getting tangible business value out of synthetic data. For insurers, our pioneering synthetic data platform can boost their machine learning performance by up to 15%, while for mid-market businesses it can speed up test data automation by up to 50%," adds Hann. Gartner predicts that by 2024, 60% of the data used for the development of AI and analytics projects will be synthetically generated, and that by 2025 20% of test data will be synthetically generated. Market signals like this are helping to accelerate the adoption of synthetic data, but it's still the responsibility of businesses like MOSTLY AI to help decision makers and potential users across sectors to understand what AI-generated synthetic data is and why it's so important. At the same time, they need to enable them to create, use, and share synthetic data of their own to experiment and see for themselves the value when it comes to privacy security, innovation, and efficiency. "This is why in July we made our state-of-the-art synthetic data platform available for free, primarily aimed at mid-market businesses wanting to improve the quality, velocity, productivity and security of their software testing. We've had some keen interest, and we're engaged with our new users to ensure our platform is easy to use and does what they need it to do," says Hann. At TestBash UK, Mario Scriminaci, Chief Product Officer at MOSTLY AI, will be hosting the post-TestBash Meetup and taking the audience through the world's first guided meditation on test data automation. "Yes, you heard that right! We're a dynamic team who like to have fun, and we know the importance of getting creative when it comes to unpacking what's still considered a relatively abstract topic for now at least and helping people to make the much-needed shift to synthetic data," says Scriminaci. To learn more, visit mostly.ai About MOSTLY AI MOSTLY AI pioneered the creation of synthetic data for AI model development and software testing. MOSTLY AI's synthetic datasets look just as real as a company's original customer data with just as many details, but without the original personal data points helping companies comply with privacy protection regulations such as CCPA and GDPR, and ensuring models are fair and unbiased. The fast-growing company currently works with multiple Fortune 100 insurers and banks in North America and Europe, and has the deepest expertise in helping companies get business value out of synthetic data. Learn more at mostly.ai. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005637/en/ Contacts: Leanne Jory Brand and Communications Manager MOSTLY AI leanne.jory@mostly.ai Community Advocacy Event in support of Ukraine to take place on Capitol Hill Starting September 18, Razom for Ukraine along with 33 partner organizations will convene to host the Ukraine Action Summit, a week-long event to take place on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. focused on supporting Ukraine in its fight for freedom. The Ukraine Action Summit is a community advocacy event comprised of individuals and organizations within and beyond the Ukrainian community, who are invested in advocating elected officials to continue helping Ukraine prevail against the Russian invasion. With nearly 300 advocates in attendance, 51 confirmed meetings with representatives across both the House and the Senate with representation across 32 states, and 33 partner organizations, the Summit will convene humanitarian, medical, ethnic, civic engagement, human rights, community, diaspora, ethnic and religious organizations. The schedule of events is as follows: September 18, 2PM-5:30PM: Advocacy Workshop, Georgetown University (3761 Old N Way) 6:00PM: Meet Greet, Ukraine House (2134 Kalorama Rd NW) September 19, 9:30AM: Ukraine Action Summit Kick-Off, Capitol Building Steps (Capitol Hill) 10AM-4PM: Meeting with Congressional Offices, House Senate Office Buildings (Capitol Hill) 7PM-9PM: Coalition Roundtable (Capitol Hill Hilton, 525 New Jersey Ave NW) September 20, 10AM-4PM: Meeting with Congressional Offices, House Senate Office Buildings (Capitol Hill) 5:30PM: Concluding Reception, Rayburn House Office Building, Central Courtyard (Capitol Hill) "The American Coalition for Ukraine organized the Summit to bring new voices to the offices of representatives in Congress and amplify the understanding that helping Ukraine defend itself is a moral imperative and in the national interest of the United States," said Dora Chomiak, President of Razom. "We are excited to spend three days working collaboratively with the diverse group of people that make up the Coalition, who all understand the importance of supporting Ukraine right now for the benefit of the global community of nations." Participants and advocates of the Ukraine Action Summit will be advocating for legislation and resolutions to help Ukraine continue to prevail against Russian aggression, expedited military aid to Ukraine, more sanctions against Russia, accelerating legal proceedings for the confiscation of frozen Russian assets, designating Russia a State Sponsor of Terrorism, and prioritizing funding to local Ukrainian NGOs through USAID. For more information on how to join and a list of additional activities and events: https://www.americancoalitionforukraine.org/summit ABOUT RAZOM Razom means "together" in Ukrainian. The organization believes deeply in the enormous potential of dedicated volunteers around the world united by a single mission: to building and maintaining a democratic and prosperous Ukraine. Established in the United States, the non-profit organization works towards that mission by creating spaces where people meet, partner and do. In this time of need, they have created the Razom Emergency Response which is focused on purchasing medical supplies for critical situations like blood loss and other tactical medicine items, hospital supplies, and tech enabled emergency response supplies that facilitate the delivery of this aid. Razom's procurement and logistics teams are made up of a trusted volunteer network they've nurtured since 2014 and partner organizations worldwide. Razom is also working with governments and embassies on helping to establish humanitarian corridors. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005231/en/ Contacts: Reporters may contact Nonna Tsiganok 240-899-3717 nonna@razomforukraine.org Annual awards from Signifyd recognize ecommerce's most innovative, inspiring and indefatigable leaders Signifyd, the leading provider of digital commerce protection, today opened global nominations for the 2023 Most Influential in Ecommerce awards. The awards will celebrate the 30 most influential leaders in ecommerce who successfully pivoted from innovating during the pandemic to driving their companies forward in the face of considerable economic headwinds. Signifyd's annual award recognizes those ecommerce heroes who have shown exceptional creativity, savvy, compassion and grit in the midst of one of the most tumultuous stretches for an industry that touches the lives of every online consumer. The nominees must be at the manager level or above working in ecommerce at a brand, retailer, ecommerce agency or ecommerce-related technology company anywhere in the world. The nominating process will remain open through Oct. 15, allowing nominators to submit their choices on the 30 Most Influential in Ecommerce nomination page. Each nominee will be evaluated by a jury composed of merchants, industry experts and Signifyd executives. Their focus will be on the nominees' records as innovators and change-makers when it comes to leadership, strategy, creativity or operational excellence. "I'm honestly inspired by the tenacity ecommerce professionals have demonstrated, particularly in the last three years," Signifyd CEO Raj Ramanand said. "The stories of retail leaders overcoming challenges brought on by the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, economic headwinds and the need to constantly innovate and improve are epic. We look forward again this year to honoring the people behind the success stories and expanding our Most Influential in Ecommerce community." The awards, which will be announced at an online ceremony in February, will be live streamed. Read about last year's winners and their tales of retail heroism. About Signifyd Signifyd provides an end-to-end Commerce Protection Platform that leverages its Commerce Network to maximize conversion, automate customer experience and eliminate fraud and consumer abuse risk for retailers. Its solutions provide the transparency and control that brands need to succeed in the rapidly changing world of commerce. Signifyd, the leading provider of payment security and fraud prevention for the Top 1000 Retailers for 2022, is headquartered in San Jose, CA, with locations in Denver, New York, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Belfast and London. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005344/en/ Contacts: Mike Cassidy Signifyd head of PR storytelling mike.cassidy@signifyd.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE), an electric services firm, said on Thursday that it has agreed to sell $2 billion of equity units to Citigroup, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, and Mizuho. The transaction is expected to close on September 19. The net proceeds from the sale are estimated to be at around $1.94 billion. The company intends to use the fund towards investments in energy and power projects, and for other general corporate purposes. An equity unit will be provided for a sum of $50. Each equity unit will consist of a contract to buy NextEra stock in the future, and a 5 percent undivided beneficial ownership interest in a NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc. The debenture is due September 1, 2027, to be issued in the principal amount of $1,000, which will be guaranteed by NextEra Energy Capital Holdings' parent company, NextEra Energy, Inc. The yearly distributions on the equity units will be at the rate of 6.926 percent. Each stock purchase contract will require the holder to purchase NextEra Energy common stock for cash, based on a per-share price range of $88.88 to $111.10. The higher end of this price range shows a premium of 25 percent over the NYSE closing price of NextEra Energy common stock on September 14. The holders are required to complete the stock purchase before September 1, 2025. NEE is trading down by 3.92 percent at $85.40 per share in pre-market on the New York Stock Exchange. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX NEXTERA ENERGY-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de Public-Private Partnership Will Showcase the Breadth of its Programming Supporting the Massachusetts Fintech Ecosystem Including Angel Investing Education, Partnerships to Improve the Consumer's Experience and Supporting MA's Students to Join the Industry BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 15, 2022 / At this month's Boston Fintech Week presented by FinTech Sandbox , a community-led global fintech event taking place at the Boston Public Library and various locations across Boston, Mass Fintech Hub will host three new in-person events including an Angel Investing Mini-Workshop, a Fintech Career Fair and a Fintech Forum on User Experience. The events will serve to educate new angel investors and fintech startup founders, attract new talent to the ecosystem and discuss the path forward for the advancement of the industry in the state. "Mass Fintech Hub's programming this year is essential as our community keeps pace with fintech's rapid expansion into literally every aspect of our daily lives - we need to stay engaged and discover the ideas of today that will shape the future," said Sarah Biller, co-founder of FinTech Sandbox and founding member of Mass Fintech Hub. "Boston Fintech Week challenges its speakers and attendees to think bigger about the problems and opportunities that we have and how we can make the greatest impact on our industry and the world." Boston Fintech Week returns in-person for its fifth edition. This year's theme is "Fintech& - Building Today for an Uncharted Tomorrow" and will highlight the various ways fintech is having an impact across industries and sectors via new technologies and services. It will bring together the global fintech community with luminary keynotes, panel discussions, networking receptions, community-led events and discussions on the latest advancements in financial technology. As part of Mass Fintech Hub's commitment to supporting the growth of early stage startups in Massachusetts and increasing the pool of early stage investment capital, the Mass Fintech Hub will launch an Angel Investor Education Series and will bring together a community of leading and new angel investors and startups to share knowledge about founding a business, attracting capital and the decision making necessary along the way. A key part of that programming is sponsoring prospective angel investors from the regional fintech community to go through an external education course. The first cohort will take the course in October and cohorts will continue into 2023. This initiative is sponsored by a grant from the Mass Tech Collaborative, also a founding member. Additional details about the Mass Fintech Hub programming during Boston Fintech Week include: Angel Investing Mini-Workshop (September 28, 2022; 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. at MassMutual) : Class Rebel CEO Brooke Harley will give an interactive teaser showcasing the external course that the Mass Fintech Hub will sponsor for qualified potential angel investors. Following the mini workshop, leaders from the MA angel investing community will share more about the Mass Fintech Hub Angel Investor Series and be on hand to answer questions and share stories of how they got started, how they source and vet deals and lessons they learned along the way. To attend this session, register for Boston Fintech Week here. : Class Rebel CEO Brooke Harley will give an interactive teaser showcasing the external course that the Mass Fintech Hub will sponsor for qualified potential angel investors. Following the mini workshop, leaders from the MA angel investing community will share more about the Mass Fintech Hub Angel Investor Series and be on hand to answer questions and share stories of how they got started, how they source and vet deals and lessons they learned along the way. To attend this session, register for Boston Fintech Week here. Mass Fintech Hub Career Fair (September 26, 2022; 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. at District Hall): The Mass Fintech Hub Career Fair series is back with the largest anticipated Career Fair yet. Several leading industry partners and startups, and 300+ students from Massachusetts academic institutions across the state will meet, learn and network with the aim to help Massachusetts students jumpstart their fintech careers. Students can register for this session directly via the registration page here. The Mass Fintech Hub Career Fair series is back with the largest anticipated Career Fair yet. Several leading industry partners and startups, and 300+ students from Massachusetts academic institutions across the state will meet, learn and network with the aim to help Massachusetts students jumpstart their fintech careers. Students can register for this session directly via the registration page here. Mass Fintech Hub Fintech Forum: Collaborating to Improve the User Experience (September 28, 2022; 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at MassChallenge): A panel of leaders from Citizens, Reading Cooperative Bank and leading MA startups will share successes, challenges and the significance of partnerships and collaboration between enterprises and fintech companies as the Mass financial industry strives to improve the User Experience across the industry. To attend this session, register for Boston Fintech Week here. Leaders of the Mass Fintech Hub will hold office hours from 3:00 -4:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, September 29th, at Babson College's Boston campus for interested parties to learn more about membership and how to get involved. Mass Fintech Hub will also be participating in Connect @ BFTW: Drop-In Networking & Sponsor Table Top Fair on Wednesday midday. Additionally, many member organizations will host their own sessions as part of the events across Boston. Boston Fintech Week is presented by FinTech Sandbox, a nonprofit enabling innovation in the financial sector, with strong support and involvement from the Mass Fintech Hub (an initiative under FinTech Sandbox). It will host dozens of speakers from prominent financial organizations and fintech companies including FT Partners and MassMutual, among many others, for thousands of attendees, spanning entrepreneurs, senior financial services executives, data providers, venture capitalists, academics, students, regulators and media members from across the country and globe. The Massachusetts Fintech Working Group, co-chaired by Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy and Head of MassMutual U.S. Mike Fanning, is a Massachusetts-based initiative formed to strengthen the Commonwealth's fintech ecosystem and drive continued success and growth for the industry. Mass Fintech Hub stemmed from this group and has also grown in size and stature since its founding in mid-2021. "Mass Fintech Hub's programming taps into the deep talent pool and thriving fintech community that exists in our region to provide educational and business opportunities, helping these startups to succeed," said Mike Fanning. "Even in the face of recent economic challenges, fintech is resilient and continues to grow in influence and application across industries. This event serves to open our eyes to the great opportunities that exist in the space and how we can tackle common challenges together." Register for Boston Fintech Week here. For more information on the Mass Fintech Hub, please visit: www.massfintechhub.com; stay up to date on recent developments and relevant content on Twitter at @MassFintechHub, and LinkedIn. About the Mass Fintech Hub The Mass Fintech Hub is a public-private partnership based in Massachusetts comprising a network of Fintech leaders, financial experts, academics, public sector leaders and venture capitalists who empower fintech startups to achieve success around the world. The initiative supports the Fintech ecosystem through programs that attract investment, talent, collaboration and encourage regulatory innovation. The Mass Fintech Hub stimulates activity and connections, creates opportunities and aligns key stakeholders for a better entrepreneurial environment that supports Fintech startups in all development stages. Learn more here: www.massfintechhub.com/contact-us/. # # # Media Contact: Stephen Sumner Caliber Corporate Advisers stephen@calibercorporate.com press@massfintechhub.com 845-489-0612 (m) SOURCE: FinTech Sandbox View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/715990/Mass-Fintech-Hub-Unveils-Boston-Fintech-Week-Programming-and-Launch-of-New-Angel-Investor-Sponsorship-Program WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday unexpectedly showed another modest decrease in first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits in the week ended September 10th. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims slipped to 213,000, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week's revised level of 218,000. The dip surprised economists, who had expected jobless claims to inch up to 226,000 from the 222,000 originally reported for the previous week. Jobless claims edged lower for the fifth consecutive week, falling to their lowest level since hitting 202,000 in the week ended May 28, 2022. The report also showed the less volatile four-week moving average edged down to a three-month low of 224,000, a decrease of 8,000 from the previous week's revised average of 232,000. 'While overall economic activity is expected to slow, leading to a mild recession in H1 2023, labor markets for now remain quite tight,' said Nancy Vanden Houten, Lead U.S. Economist at Oxford Economics. 'We expect employers to slow the pace of hiring before conducting any major layoffs and don't see any actual aggregate job losses until mid-2023,' she added. 'As a result, claims are likely to remain relatively low, at least in the near term.' Meanwhile, the Labor Department said continuing claims, a reading on the number of people receiving ongoing unemployment assistance, inched up by 2,000 to 1.403 million in the week ended September 3rd. The four-week moving average of continuing claims still dipped 1,413,250, a decrease of 7,750 from the previous week's revised average of 1,421,000. 'As with initial claims, we expect continued claims to remain relatively low until labor market conditions ease more significantly in 2023,' Vanden Houten said. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SCIB, Encik Rosland bin Othman Mr. Ku Chong Hong En. Mohd. Shakir bin Shahimi En. Nuraiman Shaiful bin Annuar KUCHING, MALAYSIA, Sept 15, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - Civil engineering specialist Sarawak Consolidated Industries Berhad (SCIB) is pleased to announce the redesignation of Mr. Ku Chong Hong as Executive Director and the appointments of En. Mohd. Shakir bin Shahimi and En. Nuraiman Shaiful bin Annuar as Independent Non-Executive Directors (INED), effective today.Mr. Ku, who was appointed to the board of directors on 17 March 2022 as an INED, has experience in audit and assurance, and business advisory-related fields through various local and international companies involved in a range of industries from property and construction to software.En. Mohd. Shakir will replace Ku as chairman and member of the audit committee. A chartered accountant, he graduated with a degree in accountancy from Universiti Utara Malaysia and is a member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants. He was an auditor with Arthur Andersen & Co and has experience auditing public-listed and privately-held companies. He is currently an audit manager with Khairuddin Hasyudeen & Razi. He is also an INED with Bintai Kinden Corporation Berhad, where he is chairman of the nomination, remuneration and risk management committees as well as member of the audit committee.En. Nuraiman has attended the International Bachelor of Business Administration Programme from Hult International Business School, London United Kingdom in year 2017. He has experience in the oil and gas as well as construction fields. He holds directorships in Hipro Technologies Ltd and Petro Flanges and Fittings Sdn Bhd.Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SCIB, Encik Rosland bin Othman, said, "We welcome En. Mohd Shakir and En. Nuraiman aboard and look forward to their guidance and advice. Their experience and knowledge will be a good addition to the board while enhancing our governance decision-making structure. We would also like to congratulate Mr. Ku in his redesignation as Executive Director. His insights and knowledge will be invaluable in helping us grow the Company."About Sarawak Consolidated Industries BerhadSarawak Consolidated Industries Berhad (SCIB) was founded in 1975 and has evolved from a small enterprise into a reputable Group of companies listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. Currently, SCIB is operating three factories in Kuching, Sarawak, one factory in the Pending Industrial Estate and two factories in the Demak Laut industrial park.SCIB is well known for professional management and has long history of innovative ideas and technological advances. Coupled with its wealth of experience and research acquired in more than three decades, SCIB offers its clients in-depth expertise through a combination of technology, efficiency and speed. For more information, visit scib.com.my.Sarawak Consolidated Industries Bhd: 9237 [BURSA: SCIB], http://scib.com.mySource: Sarawak Consolidated Industries BerhadCopyright 2022 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Incident Command System to Assist DFW Airport Law Enforcement In A Myriad of Situations LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / September 15, 2022 / Cytta Corp (OTCQB:"CYCA", the "Company") is proud to announce the sale and deployment to the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Department of Public Safety (DFW DPS), of its newly released IGAN 2.0 (Incident Global Area Network) Situational Awareness (SA) and Incident Command system (ICS) ecosystem. The DFW DPS is the law enforcement agency responsible for the protection and security of one of the most frequently visited superhub airports in the world, Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport, Texas. The DFW DPS selected IGAN 2.0 to provide integrated ICS and situational awareness capabilities to ensure the safety for the more than 73 million customers who pass through the airport every year. It is the mission of the DFW DPS to ensure the protection of life and property through the effective and efficient delivery of professional police, fire rescue, security, and emergency medical services to the airport community. Gary Campbell CEO of Cytta stated, "We are excited that the DFW DPS has chosen the IGAN 2.0 to be one of the cornerstones of their advanced safety and security network. Going forward we will be implementing all the myriad functionalities our new and revolutionary IGAN 2.0 software ecosystem provides. Because of the robust nature of our upgraded technology, we are confident that the technology will find as many use cases, within DFW DPS's multiple divisions as it has with the Dallas Police Department itself." Mr. Campbell further stated, "We look forward to working closely with DFW DPS and showing how the IGAN 2.0 functionality can significantly improve safety and security in every area. Additionally, DFW DPS will become a reference and a template for expansion into all other similar organizations worldwide." The new IGAN 2.0 software ecosystem features unified communications, for real-time shared situational awareness, integrated 2-way & voice comms and livestream a wide variety of video, all with a high level of encryption. IGAN seamlessly streams all relevant video and audio into a single web (or mobile app) interface. It is designed to work as a common integrated interface for daily operations or it can scale up to support hundreds of participants from separate organizations during an emergency. The IGAN 2.0 will ultimately be utilized by all three of the operational divisions of DPS DFW Airport Police, DFW Special Services, and DFW Airport Fire Dept. About Cytta Corp. Cytta Corp (OTCQB: CYCA) develops and distributes proprietary software technology designed to shift how video/audio data is integrated, streamed, consumed, transferred, and stored. Cytta's proprietary IGAN 2.0 Situational Awareness (SA) and Incident Command System (ICS) integrates, in real-time, any available video and audio streams during emergencies, enabling improved virtual policing while providing relevant, actionable intelligence on an ongoing basis. The IGAN 2.0 ecosystem introduces real-time video and audio situational awareness while simultaneously serving as a real-time intelligence collection and integration tool. The IGAN 2.0 ecosystem is a practical, valuable and irreplaceable tool for police, firefighters, first responders, emergency medical workers, industry, environmental and emergencies, security, military, and their command centers in a crisis. IGAN 2.0 ecosystem also allows connected venues such as schools, malls, event venues, religious locations to be connected and monitor their situation as well as immediately make their data directly available to law enforcement during emergencies or among their members. Cytta's proprietary SUPR ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) system delivers real-time compression of video streams for surface, airborne, and underwater ISR applications, including environments where video streams are transmitted beyond line-of-sight. A SUPR-enabled encoder onboard an unmanned system can securely stream video in high definition through extremely low bandwidth with ultra-low latency. Our proprietary Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) technology is built around SUPR, a potent software codec, which is the technology at the core of our real-time video compression products. SUPR is explicitly designed for streaming HD, 4K, and higher resolution video in bandwidth-constrained environments while reducing required technical resources. Cytta has created video/audio integration software with intelligence gathering capability, advanced video compression, and portable/SaaS hardware/software systems that solve real-world problems in large markets. Cytta wants its products to enable and empower the world to consume higher quality video/audio/information anywhere and anytime. Cytta's ultimate goal is to create/deliver a high-quality video/audio/information real-time platform that is not readily discernible from reality, making a virtual 'Reality Delivered.' For more information, please visit Cytta.com and the Cytta Video Channel on YouTube to view Cytta's vision, products, competitive advantages, marketplace, new product utilization, and markets. Cytta Corp Phone: 855.511.IGAN (4265) http://www.cytta.com info@cytta.com Gary Campbell, CEO Direct (702) 900-7022 Gary@cytta.com Michael Chermak, Chief Administrative Officer Cell: (619) 977-7203 Chermak@Cytta.com Forward-Looking Statement: This document contains forward-looking statements. In addition, our representatives or we may make forward-looking statements orally or in writing from time to time. We base these forward-looking statements on our expectations and projections about future events, which we derive from the available information. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future performance, including our financial performance and projections, our growth in revenue and earnings, and our business prospects and opportunities. You can identify forward-looking statements by those that are not historical in nature, particularly those that use terminology such as "may," "should," "expects," "anticipates," "contemplates," "estimates," "believes," "plans," "projected," "predicts," "potential," or "hopes" or the negative of these or similar terms. In evaluating these forward-looking statements, you should consider various factors, including our ability to change the direction of the Company, our ability to keep pace with new technology and evolving market needs, and the competitive environment of our business. These and other factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are only predictions. The forward-looking events discussed in this document and other statements made from time to time by our representatives may not occur, and actual events and results may differ materially and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about us. We are not obligated to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this document, and other statements made from time to time by our representatives or us might not occur. SOURCE: Cytta Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/716136/Cytta-Corp-Completes-Sale-And-Deployment-Of-Newly-Released-Igan-20-To-The-DFW-Airport-Department-Of-Public-Safety More martyrs' remains to be returned to China from ROK Xinhua) 09:47, September 15, 2022 SHENYANG, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The remains of more Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs killed in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea will be returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) from September 14 to 17. On Wednesday morning, a Y-20 military transport aircraft took off from an airport in north China on a mission to bring back the remains of the soldiers to the Chinese soil. It will be the ninth repatriation of the remains of CPV martyrs following the signing of a handover agreement between the two countries. Between 2014 and 2021, the remains of 825 soldiers were returned to China from the ROK, according to official figures. A J-20 stealth fighter jet will escort the Y-20 aircraft on Sept. 16 when the remains of martyrs return to China, said Shen Jinke, a spokesperson for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Ambulances are parked at an entrance to the ER of Seoul Medical Center in Jungnang District, Seoul, March 11. Newsis Assaults by patients, guardians leave physicians traumatized By Lee Hyo-jin Doctors are urging the government to step up efforts to stem workplace violence as assault cases against emergency room staff by patients and their guardians are increasing to an alarming level. Unlike other hospital departments where patients need to schedule an appointment to see a doctor, ER workers have to see everyone who walks through the door, which leaves them more prone to violent outbursts. In June of this year, an ER doctor working at a hospital Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, was attacked by a 74-year-old man with a sickle and suffered injuries to the back of his neck. The man later told the police that he acted out of anger after his wife passed away while undergoing treatment there a few days earlier. Later that month, a 60-something man, who was disgruntled by a delay in treatment for his wife, set fire to an emergency room at Pusan ??National University Hospital in Busan, causing 46 patients and staffers to evacuate. Firefighters put out a fire in the ER of Pusan National University Hospital in Busan, June 25. Courtesy of National Fire Agency's Busan office The Korean Medical Association (KMA) surveyed 1,206 ER physicians in June and found that 78 percent of them had experienced verbal or physical assaults by a patient or guardian within the last couple of years. When asked how they reacted to the violence, 45 percent replied that they just tolerated it, while 29 percent called the police and another 20 percent reported it to hospital management. Park Soo-hyun, a spokesperson of the KMA and an ER doctor at CHA Bundang Women's Medical Center, says the survey results are troubling, yet not surprising. "There are so many violent incidents in ERs that aren't reported in the news. Violence involving pushing, grabbing the staff or throwing things at them occurs literally every day," she said, sharing an incident at her hospital in which a nurse was pulled by her hair by an intoxicated patient. "Not only do these cases leave medical workers with physical injuries, but also with long-lasting psychological trauma, which is often overlooked. Being threatened and attacked by a person you are caring for decreases morale and could affect how they treat patients." "Violence against doctors harms patient care, too. For instance, in the event of an arson attack, patients receiving dialysis treatment or on ventilators cannot be evacuated swiftly, putting their lives at risk," she explained, calling for zero tolerance against such attacks. But Park went on to say that loopholes in the current legal system discourage medial workers from actively filing police reports. Under current laws, assaults against medical workers are unpunishable upon the victim's objection. "In many cases, police who come to the site encourage victims to make settlements with the attackers instead of filing an official complaint. As many crimes go unpunished, people don't seem to be aware of the seriousness of the matter," she said. The KMA survey showed that 81 percent of the doctors supported toughening penalties against attackers, and 87 percent agreed that they should face criminal punishment regardless of the victims' objections. In response to such calls, Rep. Shin Hyun-young of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) proposed a revision bill to the Medical Law, Sept. 8, aimed at strengthening punishment, as well as protection measures. The doctor-turned-lawmaker said harsher punishment, coupled with a robust reporting system and enhancement of security protocols at hospitals, is necessary in order to create a safer working environment for doctors, and ultimately protect patients' lives and health. People walk past the entrance of the ER at Asan Medical Center in Songpa District, Seoul, July 19, 2020. Newsis Engineering company serving the life science and advanced technologies industry grows office to better serve clients BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 15, 2022 / DPS Group, a privately-owned, global engineering, procurement, construction management and validation (EPCMV) firm serving high-tech process industries, today announced it has expanded its U.S. headquarters at 959 Concord Street in Framingham, Mass. to accommodate and serve the needs of its clients in an expanding market. Founded in 1974 in Dublin, Ireland, to service the country's burgeoning pharmaceutical sector, DPS Group opened its first office in the U.S. in 2011 with a staff of less than 10 based in Framingham, Massachusetts (outside of Boston). The company has since grown its U.S. presence to over 900 employees across eight offices in Albany, New York; Cary, North Carolina; Framingham, Massachusetts; Portland, Oregon; Kansas City, Kansas; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Phoenix, Arizona; and Wall Township, New Jersey. "Over the past 10 years, our Boston client roster has grown year over year, and we continue to recruit talented staff to address the need for highly specialized design in the life science and biotech industries," said Paul DePriest, senior vice president and head of Boston operations. "DPS has evolved from its process engineering roots to deliver services across the engineering and construction value chain, including feasibility studies, architecture, procurement, construction management, CQV, and client-side technical services. With demand at an all-time high, our timely office expansion and addition of new top talent will allow us to better support our clients in the Greater Boston area and beyond. The DPS Boston office is the largest project center serving this industry in the Northeast and that offers unique benefits to our clients they cannot find with other service providers. This recent expansion saw added real estate to accommodate significant growth with the Construction Management & CQV teams as well as continued expansion of design and technical services personnel." The Boston office has designed three facilities for clients which have been named category winners of the prestigious Facility of the Year Award (FOYA) from the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE). The CRISPR Therapeutics manufacturing facility in Framingham, Massachusetts was recognized as the category winner for innovation in 2022; ElevateBio's BaseCamp, a state-of-the art cGMP development and manufacturing facility for novel therapeutic technologies, for operational excellence in 2021; and a new clinical development manufacturing facility for Moderna for facility of the future in 2019. Additional recent projects include a new, 118,000 SF late-phase clinical and commercial manufacturing facility at 1414 Massachusetts Avenue in Boxborough, Mass. for Vibalogics, a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) and a 88,000 SF Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) viral immunotherapy clinical manufacturing facility for Oncorus on the Innovation Park campus located at 4 Corporate Drive in Andover, Mass. Serving high-tech industries around the world, DPS Group delivers full-service engineering across a range of disciplines, including project management, procurement, design, construction management, health and safety management, commissioning, qualification, and validation (CQV), and facility start-up. About DPS Group DPS Group is a global engineering, consulting and project management company, serving high-tech industries around the world. DPS delivers services for clients across the complete engineering and construction value chain including feasibility studies, concepts, consulting, architecture, engineering, procurement, construction management, commissioning, qualification, and validation as well as client-side technical services. DPS applies its extensive process engineering expertise built over 47 years, as well as significant Lean construction experience to assist clients in high-end process sectors such as pharmaceuticals, biotech, and semiconductors to deliver manufacturing facilities speedily, safely, and cost effectively. What sets the firm apart is the partnerships it builds with clients through a fundamental understanding of their businesses and its own agility, flexibility, original thinking, and high-caliber people. DPS has grown substantially in recent years and now employs more than 2,700 people in 18 offices and on client sites in Ireland, U.K., Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, Israel, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. For more information, visit www.dpsgroupglobal.com. Media Contact Susan Shelby, FSMPS, CPSM Rhino PR 978.985.4541 dps@rhinopr.com SOURCE: DPS Group - Boston View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/716042/DPS-Group-Expands-US-Headquarters-in-Boston ShangRao, China--(Newsfile Corp. - September 15, 2022) - Under the guidance of China Tourist Attractions Association, with the sponsorship of Wuyuan County People's Government (Wuyuan National Rural Tourism Resort Experimental Zone Management Committee) and Shangrao City Cultural, Radio and Tourism Bureau, and organized by Wuyuan County Cultural, Radio and Tourism Bureau and Wuyuan Huangling Cultural Tourism Co. LTD, the Second International Village Chiefs Summit kicked off in Huangling on September 7th. Figure 1 On the theme of "Tourism Recover Famous Villages First", both online and on-site participants engaged in discussions about the development of rural tourism with special features, and the measures to re-boost tourism in the context of the pandemic. At the summit, a friendly village relationship is forged between Huangling village, Yuanjia village, Xiaogan village, Lujia village, Chongdugou village, Mazhuang village, Daji village, Pinglin village, Yashan village and Jianyantou village (Zhou Family Courtyard). Meanwhile, China's Huangling Village signed friendship village agreements with Barbizon and Auvers-sur-Oise in France, and awarded Mr. Edo Anceaux a certificate of honor who is the representative of the UNESCO Werelderfgoed Kinderdijk in the Netherlands. Figure 2 Special guest of the summit, Hans Doets, former director of tourism in the Hague, Netherlands, said in the meeting, "following the trend of enhancing exchanges between China and the west, I hope more renowned European villages can join in our solid collaboration and work more closely through this summit. I also look forward to visiting China again!" Figure 3 Figure 4 Edo Anceaux from Kinderdijk introduced how this windmill village in Netherlands navigates through the COVID-19 outbreak. As more tourists now select villages as their destinations instead of cities, a new opportunity has emerged. It is high time to set up basic principles to guide the recovery of village tourism, develop action guides to cope with the influence of the pandemic, and explore international cooperation and favorable policies. This will promote the innovation in products, services and business modes in the tourism industry. Figure 5 Through this successful summit, renowned tourist villages shared individual experiences that are valuable to villages around the world. It was a platform that enhanced cooperation and exchange. Insights from these village chiefs are incomparable assets contributing to the development of rural economy in the post-pandemic era, as well as the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Media Contact Contact: Jinzhong Cao Company Name: Wuyuan Huangling Cultural Tourism Co., Ltd Website: http://www.wyhl.cc/site/wyhl_sj/index.shtml Email: caojz888666@163.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137307 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Import prices in the U.S. saw further downside in the month of August, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Thursday. The Labor Department said import prices slid by 1.0 percent in August after tumbling by a revised 1.5 percent in July. Economists had expected import prices to decrease by 1.2 percent compared to the 1.4 percent slump originally reported for the previous month. The continued decline in import prices largely reflected another steep drop in prices for fuel imports, which plunged by 6.8 percent in August after plummeting by 7.5 percent in July. Excluding fuel imports, however, non-fuel import prices still edged down by 0.2 percent in August after falling by 0.5 percent in July. Lower prices for foods, feeds, and beverages, non-fuel industrial supplies and materials and automotive vehicles more than offset higher prices for consumer goods. Compared to the same month a year ago, import prices were up by 7.8 percent in August, reflecting the smallest annual increase since March 2021. 'While yesterday's PPI report and today's import prices are encouraging, they are not enough to offset the broad-based CPI report earlier in the week, which keeps the Fed on track to raise rates 75bps next week and at least another 75bps by year end,' said Matthew Martin, U.S. Economist at Oxford Economics. 'Higher rates and slowing of domestic demand should help support the easing of import prices for the remainder of the year,' he added. 'However, the potential energy crisis in Europe will lend upside risk as we enter the winter months.' Meanwhile, the report showed export prices dove by 1.6 percent in August after plummeting by a revised 3.7 percent in July. Export prices were expected to decline by 1.1 percent compared to the 3.3 percent plunge originally reported for the previous month. Prices for non-agricultural exports tumbled by 1.8 percent amid lower prices for non-agricultural industrial supplies and materials and non-agricultural foods. Lower prices for corn, fruit, meat, and wheat also contributed to a 0.4 percent dip in prices for agricultural exports. The Labor Department also said the annual rate of growth in export prices slowed to 10.8 percent in August from 13.1 percent in July. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de The Tokenized Venture Capital Fund Is Distributing Another Sizable Payout After Exiting Portions of Two High-Performing Portfolio Companies SPiCE VC, the leading venture capital (VC) fund in the Blockchain Tokenization ecosystem, announced today its second investor payout in 2022 after exiting portions of its position in Blockdaemon and Securitize two of SPiCE VC's most successful portfolio companies. In a letter informing investors, the VC fund also touted the milestone of achieving 70% Distribution to Paid-In Capital (DPI) for its investors in just a just a four-year period. With the average time for a VC to exit a position reaching more than eight years, SPiCE's substantial payout to its investors are a notable but rare achievement in the VC market. The payout is expected to be executed early Q4 2022. "We are excited to announce that we will be making our second distribution to SPiCE VC investors this year, with additional payouts expected in 2023," said Tal Elyashiv, founder managing partner of SPiCE VC. "It gives our team at SPiCE incredible satisfaction to achieve these kinds of successful returns for our investors who believed in our mission and vision from the very beginning. We look forward to adding significantly to those returns as we continue to make strategic moves to benefit our investors." After completing the first-ever investor payout by a fully tokenized VC firm in Q2 of this year, SPiCE is distributing another multi-million-dollar payout to its more than 400 long-term investors. The combined distribution is providing them with nearly two thirds of their total investment into the fund. SPiCE VC completed its first closing in 2018. SPiCE expanded its portfolio to 15 high-growth companies that are defining the future of the blockchain and tokenization ecosystem. Tal added, "Our investment approach of focusing on portfolio companies aiming to change the business landscape using blockchain and tokenization has proven a success time and time again as it has enabled our investors wide exposure to the massive growth of the blockchain and tokenization ecosystem. This exposure has translated to significant appreciation in portfolio value and incredible performance of 54% IRR (Internal Rate of Return) and 4.9 MoIC (Multiple on Invested Capital) for our investors to date." As one of the early pioneers of the blockchain and tokenization industry, the VC fund attributes its early and ongoing success to a number of factors, including explosive growth and persistent headwinds in the Digital Finance sector. With a 350% increase in security token price in 2021, SPiCE was named the top performing fund in the tokenization and blockchain market by Security Token Market, the largest security token financial data and media firm. To learn more about SPiCE VC and its SPICE digital security, visit https://spicevc.com/ ABOUT SPiCE VC: SPiCE VC is a Venture Capital fund providing investors exposure to the massive growth of the blockchain/tokenization ecosystem. SPiCE invests globally in platforms and ecosystem providers enabling access to capital markets, banking, real estate, and other industries enhanced through Blockchain technologies. The fund focuses on companies who stand to benefit the most from the massive growth of the industry. Combining institutional know-how, hands-on management, entrepreneurial innovation and professional investment experience SPiCE's management team has been involved in hundreds of tech funding rounds totaling billions of dollars; as entrepreneurs, investors, and executives. SPiCE is located in the US, Switzerland, Singapore and Israel. To learn more about SPiCE VC visit www.spicevc.com or email Tal Elyashiv, Founder and Managing Partner, at tal@spicevc.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005872/en/ Contacts: Liz Whelan liz@lwprconsulting.com (312) 315-0160 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Known coronavirus positive cases in the United States have fallen significantly in the last two weeks, by 30 percent, according to the New York Times' latest data. A 6 percent fall was recorded in Covid casualties in the country during the same period. With 937 additional deaths reporting on Wednesday, the total number of people losing their lives due to coronavirus infection in the country has risen to 1,052,233, as per Johns Hopkins University's latest data. 103473 new infections on the same day took the total U.S. Covid cases to 95,492,534. Georgia reported the most number of deaths - 150 - while Pennsylvania recorded most cases - 17,506. 2459 additional deaths were reported globally on Tuesday, taking the total number of people who lost their lives due to the pandemic so far to 6,520,681. 93,570,146 people have so far recovered from the disease, the Worldometer tally shows. U.S. hospitals reported a 11 percent decrease in the number of Covid patients in the last two weeks. The number of I.C.U. admissions due to the worse stage of the viral disease has fallen by 8 percent. U.S. Covid hospitalizations fell to 33,552. 4,079 of these patients are admitted in intensive care units. The nation's current test positivity rate is 13 percent. Meanwhile, World Health Organization said the end of the pandemic is in sight. 'We are not there yet. But the end is in sight,' WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de BANGALORE, India, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Industrial Display Market is Segmented by Type (Rugged Displays, Open Frame Displays, Panel-mount Displays, Marine Displays, Video Walls), by Application (HMI, Remote Monitoring, Interactive Display (Kiosk), Imaging, Digital Signage): Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2028. It is published in Valuates Reports under the Retail Equipment & Technology Category. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global Industrial Display market size is estimated to be worth USD 4322.5 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 5313.5 Million by 2028 with a CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period 2022-2028. Major factors driving the growth of the Industrial Display market are: Industrial monitors' benefits, including their affordability, durability, system reliability, extreme adaptability, speed, system efficiency, lightweight technology, and low-power usage, are anticipated to propel the Industrial Display market. Get Your Sample Today: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-39U4525/Global_Industrial_Display TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE INDUSTRIAL DISPLAY MARKET: The internet's reach throughout the globe and the capability to directly handle factory operations, infrastructure, and machinery are both anticipated to be integrated by the technological revolution. The need for HMI devices has increased due to the rapid expansion of IIoT applications, which is expected to continue over the projection period. Throughout the anticipated period, this aspect is anticipated to fuel the Industrial Display market For a better visibility, industrial touchscreen monitors have multiple layers of infrared lighting. Additionally, they have sturdy, restricted glass enclosures to shield the device's internal mechanical components from misuse, bad weather, spilled liquids and food, severe falls, and intense vibrations. These gadgets can withstand any type of working environment thanks to protective measures against these risks, including the frantic pace of retail and the gaming industry as well as tough construction sites and military cargo units. These factors are expected to drive the growth of the industrial display market. Regardless of the business, one of the most significant benefits of employing high-tech industrial displays is that they consume extremely little power regardless of how many open and running programs are concurrent without sacrificing optimal performance levels. This indicates that these devices don't need to be charged frequently and can operate for incredibly extended periods. Additionally, they have longer battery life and provide early warnings when the battery is critically low and the gadget has to be charged. This in turn is expected to drive the industrial display market. Industrial display enclosures are a valuable addition to any production line because they let the company scale up its touch screen systems as per needs. Long-term benefits of purchasing touch screen industrial enclosures include safeguarding capital assets as well as ensuring that the manufacturing line is prepared for the future. This is expected to further fuel the industrial display market growth. Browse The Table Of Contents And List Of Figures At: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-39U4525/global-industrial-display-sales INDUSTRIAL DISPLAY MARKET SHARE In 2017, the industrial display market was dominated by LCD technology. LCD technology is used in items including flat-panel displays, desktop monitors, industrial PCs, and some video walls. This is the factor driving this market. Over the projection period, the panel-mount segment is anticipated to rule the market and provide a significant portion of revenue. Its expansion can be ascribed to the device's cost, accessibility, and variety of applications. Operational process control in manufacturing plants is a key use for panel-mount industrial displays. The HMI applications segment is expected to be the most lucrative. In the oil and gas business, where understanding abrasive environmental conditions, severe temperatures, high levels of pollutants, and operation is crucial for safety but also increasing profitability, HMIs are particularly important. Based on region, The North American region is expected to be the most lucrative. Over the course of the projection period, the use of digital signs and HMIs in North America is projected to open up new business opportunities. Get Regional Data: https://reports.valuates.com/request/regional/QYRE-Auto-39U4525/Global_Industrial_Display Key Companies: GE (Now Under Haier) National Instrument Pepperl + Fuchs Advantech Siemens Kontron Axiomtek Aaeon Allen-Bradley Red Lion Yuda Sparton HIS Inquire for Chapter Cost: https://reports.valuates.com/request/chaptercost/QYRE-Auto-39U4525/Global_Industrial_Display Buy Now for Single User + Covid-19 Impact : https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-39U4525&lic=single-user SUBSCRIPTION We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans. SIMILAR REPORTS: Global Industrial Capacitive Touchscreen Display Market Insights, Forecast to 2028 Global Monochrome LCD Display Market Research Report 2022 Global Large Industrial Displays Market Insights, Forecast to 2028 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global Industrial Display System market size is estimated to be worth USD 5285.6 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 6730.6 Million by 2028 with a CAGR of 4.1% during the review period. size is estimated to be worth in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of by 2028 with a CAGR of 4.1% during the review period. The global screenless display market was valued at USD 1.9 Billion in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 14.9 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 23% from 2021 to 2030. was valued at in 2020 and is projected to reach by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 23% from 2021 to 2030. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global Interactive Touch Screen Display market size is estimated to be worth USD 1081 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 1546.5 Million by 2028 with a CAGR of 6.2% during the review period. market size is estimated to be worth in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of by 2028 with a CAGR of 6.2% during the review period. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global Outdoor LED Displays market size is estimated to be worth USD 12290 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 19290 Million by 2028 with a CAGR of 7.8% during the review period. size is estimated to be worth in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of by 2028 with a CAGR of 7.8% during the review period. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global Flat Panel Display market size is estimated to be worth USD 105.7 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 129.6 Million by 2028 with a CAGR of 3.5% during the review period. size is estimated to be worth in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of by 2028 with a CAGR of 3.5% during the review period. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global Industrial Monitor market size is estimated to be worth USD 828.5 Million in 2021 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 828.5 Million by 2028 with a CAGR of 2.8% during the review period. size is estimated to be worth in 2021 and is forecast to a readjusted size of by 2028 with a CAGR of 2.8% during the review period. Fine Pixel Pitch LED Displays market size is estimated to be worth USD 2928.1 million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 4106.7 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 5.8% during the review period. size is estimated to be worth in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of by 2028 with a CAGR of 5.8% during the review period. Global Industrial Touch Screen Monitor Market Insights, Forecast to 2028 The global Microdisplay market was valued at USD 734.6 Million in 2020 and it is expected to reach USD 4631.2 Million by the end of 2027, growing at a CAGR of 28.3% during 2021-2027. was valued at in 2020 and it is expected to reach by the end of 2027, growing at a CAGR of 28.3% during 2021-2027. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global Holographic Display market size is estimated to be worth USD 847.5 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 3045.3 Million by 2028 with a CAGR of 23.8% during the review period. size is estimated to be worth in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of by 2028 with a CAGR of 23.8% during the review period. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global Automotive Smart Display market size is estimated to be worth USD 869.6 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 2504.4 Million by 2028 with a CAGR of 19.3% during the review period. size is estimated to be worth in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of by 2028 with a CAGR of 19.3% during the review period. The global Electronic Paper Display (EPD) market was valued at USD 728.3 Million in 2020 and it is expected to reach USD 1240.2 Million by the end of 2027, growing at a CAGR of 7.9% during 2021-2027. was valued at in 2020 and it is expected to reach by the end of 2027, growing at a CAGR of 7.9% during 2021-2027. Automotive Holographic Display market size is estimated to be worth USD 2042.7 million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 5329.2 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 17.3% during the review period. size is estimated to be worth in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of by 2028 with a CAGR of 17.3% during the review period. Global Industrial Marine Displays Market Insights, Forecast to 2028 Global Automotive Display Market Insights, Forecast to 2028 Global Flat Panel Display Photomask Market Insights, Forecast to 2028 Global Digital Holographic Display Market Insights, Forecast to 2028 Global Portable Holographic Display Market Insights, Forecast to 2028 Global and China Installed and Rental Outdoor LED Displays Market Insights, Forecast to 2027 The global Head-Up Display market size is projected to reach USD 3291.9 Million by 2027, from USD 1286.4 Million in 2020 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.0% during 2021-2027. size is projected to reach by 2027, from in 2020 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.0% during 2021-2027. The global Human Machine Interface (HMI) market size is projected to reach USD 5674.8 Million by 2027, from USD 3369.8 Million in 2020, at a CAGR of 7.6% during 2021-2027. size is projected to reach by 2027, from in 2020, at a CAGR of 7.6% during 2021-2027. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global Digital Signage market size is estimated to be worth USD 11080 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 14510 Million by 2028 with a CAGR of 4.6% during the review period. Click here to see related reports on Industrial Display Market ABOUT US: Valuates offers in-depth market insights into various industries. Our extensive report repository is constantly updated to meet your changing industry analysis needs. Our team of market analysts can help you select the best report covering your industry. We understand your niche region-specific requirements and that's why we offer customization of reports. With our customization in place, you can request for any particular information from a report that meets your market analysis needs. To achieve a consistent view of the market, data is gathered from various primary and secondary sources, at each step, data triangulation methodologies are applied to reduce deviance and find a consistent view of the market. Each sample we share contains a detailed research methodology employed to generate the report. Please also reach our sales team to get the complete list of our data sources. CONTACT US: Valuates Reports sales@valuates.com For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 For IST Call +91-8040957137 WhatsApp: +91-9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/valuatesreports LinkedIn - https://in.linkedin.com/company/valuatesreports Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg MONTVALE, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / September 15, 2022 / IMA (Institute of Management Accountants), one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on the management accounting profession, has engaged executive search firm Korn Ferry to recruit for IMA's next President and CEO. Korn Ferry will work with IMA's President and CEO Search Committee to identify highly qualified candidates for the association's lead staff role. This executive search comes following Jeff Thomson's decision to retire in early 2023 after admirably serving as IMA's President and CEO for nearly 15 years. During Thomson's tenure, IMA more than doubled its membership and the number of professionals holding the CMA (Certified Management Accountant) certification, while expanding globally in reach, reputation, and relevance. Today, IMA serves about 140,000 members in 150 countries through 12 global offices, 350 chapters, and more than 200 staff. "The search committee followed a thorough process to select a suitable executive search firm to take on this important assignment. We're confident that Korn Ferry will identify IMA's next leader to ensure that the association continues to advance the management accounting profession for years to come," said J. Stephen McNally, CMA, CPA, IMA Chair-Emeritus who leads the Committee. Based at IMA's global headquarters in Montvale, N.J., the President and CEO is responsible for the global operations and overall delivery of IMA's Strategic Plan. The position reports to IMA's Global Chair on behalf of the IMA Global Board of Directors. A detailed profile of IMA's President and CEO position is available at Korn Ferry's website: https://bit.ly/3diWRv2. Interested candidates can contact Lorraine Lavet at Lorraine.Lavet@KornFerry.com. About IMA (Institute of Management Accountants) IMA is one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession. Globally, IMA supports the profession through research, the CMA (Certified Management Accountant) and CSCA (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis) programs, continuing education, networking, and advocacy of the highest ethical business practices. Twice named Professional Body of the Year by The Accountant/International Accounting Bulletin, IMA has a global network of about 140,000 members in 150 countries and 350 professional and student chapters. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., USA, IMA provides localized services through its four global regions: The Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Middle East/India. For more information about IMA, please visit www.imanet.org. CONTACT: Giuseppe Barone IMA (201) 474-1681 giuseppe.barone@imanet.org Brian Sherry Stern Strategy Group (908) 325-3860 ima@sternstrategy.com SOURCE: IMA (Institute of Management Accountants) View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/716144/IMA-Engages-Korn-Ferry-to-Conduct-President-and-CEO-Executive-Search WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The Federal Reserve released a report on Thursday unexpectedly showing a modest decrease in U.S. industrial production in the month of August. The report said industrial production edged down by 0.2 percent in August after climbing by a downwardly revised 0.5 percent in July. Economists had expected industrial production to inch up by 0.2 percent compared to the 0.6 percent increase originally reported for the previous month. The unexpected dip in industrial production largely reflected a continued weather-related slump in utilities output, which plunged by 2.3 percent in August after tumbling by 1.2 percent in July. However, Paul Ashworth, Chief North America Economist at Capital Economics, said utilities output is expected to rebound in September due to the spike in West Coast temperatures. The report also showed mining output was unchanged in August after jumping by 1.0 percent in July, while manufacturing output crept up by 0.1 percent in August after rising by 0.6 percent in July. 'Manufacturing output edged up by 0.1% m/m in August, as notable gains in petroleum & coal, machinery and electronics were partly offset by a drop back in motor vehicles and parts,' said Ashworth. He added, 'With global manufacturing slumping due to the double whammy of zero-covid lockdowns in China and rocketing energy prices in Europe, we expect any further gains in U.S. manufacturing output over the coming months to be similarly muted.' The report also showed capacity utilization in the industrial sector dipped to 80.0 percent in August from a revised 80.2 percent in July. Economists had expected capacity utilization to come in changed compared to the 80.3 percent originally reported for the previous month. Capacity utilization in the utilities sector fell 72.8 percent, while capacity utilization in the mining sector edged down to 88.1 percent and capacity utilization in the manufacturing sector was unchanged at 79.6 percent. 'Overall, this report is consistent with our view that US economic growth will be weak, but still few signs of a recession in the hard activity data,' said Ashworth. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - A report released by the Commerce Department on Thursday showed U.S. business inventories increased by less than expected in the month of July. The Commerce Department said business inventories rose by 0.6 percent in July after surging by 1.4 percent in June. Economists had expected business inventories to climb by 0.8 percent. Retail inventories jumped by 1.2 percent, while wholesale inventories increased by 0.6 percent and manufacturing inventories crept up by 0.1 percent. Meanwhile, the report showed business sales slid by 0.9 percent in July after shooting up by 1.2 percent in June. Wholesale sales tumbled by 1.4 percent, while manufacturing sales slumped by 0.9 percent and retail sales dipped by 0.3 percent. With inventories climbing and sales falling, the total business inventories/sales ratio rose to 1.32 in July from 1.30 in June. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will visit Japan later this month to attend a state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister's Office said Thursday. Han and Chung Jin-suk, interim leader of the ruling People Power Party who doubles as the deputy speaker of the National Assembly, will lead the Korean delegation for Abe's funeral on Sept. 27, the office said. During the visit, Han plans to meet Japan's political and business leaders, as well as Korean residents in Japan, it said. Abe was assassinated in the Japanese city of Nara in July during a campaign speech. (Yonhap) Global Bioenergiesupdatesits situation and outlook Evry, 15September 2022- Global Bioenergiesprovides a review of its situation and outlook based on four horizons, each corresponding to (i) a volume and a production cost and (ii) one or more target markets. The first horizon involved the conversion of renewable resources into isobutene and derivatives on the scale of a few tonnes per year. Production was carried out at the demo plant in Leuna, Germany, which has now been dismantled. While these volumes enabled a number of process validations, the production cost was too high to allow the marketing of isobutene or its derivatives on this basis. However, a marketing approach was identified: isododecane, a derivative obtained by combining three isobutene molecules, is the basis for the formulation of all longwear eyes and lips make-up. It is systematically used as the No. 1 ingredient in terms of proportion and cannot currently be replaced by any other compound. The Company moved up the value chain as far as the end customer and has produced the first make-up range combining longwear properties and naturalness of over 90%. This led to the creation of the LAST brand. Florence Hebert, Head of the LAST Business Unit, said: "The LAST product range was designed to combine performance with naturalness: it breaks the mould for natural-origin make-up. Besides being marketed via our website www.colors-that-last.com, the brand is now available at several physical and digital sales outlets. The brand should soon be distributed by a major retail chain, and we expect new points of sale to open in 2023, both in France and abroad." The second horizon is just beginning and involves producing isobutene in tens of tonnes per year. A fully French value chain has been set up comprising five stages, four of which are carried out at toller facilities. Only the second stage, involving the production of isobutene itself, takes place in a unit owned by Global Bioenergies. This unit has been built over the last few months at the Pomacle site near Reims. The construction phase is now complete, and commissioning is underway. The unit is expected to reach maximum capacity of nearly two tonnes of isobutene per week by the end of 2022. Part of this isobutene will be converted into isododecane and sold as a make-up ingredient to major cosmetics industry players under the Isonaturane 12 brand. Daphne Galvez, Global Bioenergies Commercial Director, said: "The first batch comprising several tonnes of Isonaturane 12 will be delivered in the first quarter of 2023. A large portion of this batch has been purchased by L'Oreal. We then plan to produce a further batch by summer 2023 and another towards the end of the year. Global Bioenergies is currently being listed with around ten manufacturers, some of whom have already purchased volumes for testing, in particular as formulation pilots. In total, we plan to deliver around 15 tonnes of Isonaturane 12 in 2023. The debottlenecking of the downstream part of the value chain by our tollers would enable us to produce and deliver greater volumes from 2024 onwards." The isobutene not converted into Isonaturane 12 will be sold directly or converted into other compounds of the isobutene product tree in order to trigger the start of commercial operations for the third horizon. The third horizon will consist of constructing and commissioning in 2025 a plant capable of producing 2,000 tonnes of isobutene and derivatives per year. This operation will be headed by an SPV, which is currently being set up and will initially be a wholly owned subsidiary of Global Bioenergies. The production cost of isobutene and its derivatives will be significantly reduced due to major economies of scale and the fuller integration of production stages. Isonaturane 12 sales will target not only the make-up market, but also the much larger skincare and haircare markets. The plant may also be able to serve other markets, including materials and fuels. Ronan Euzen, Global Bioenergies Head of Business Development, explained: "Numerous discussions have recently taken place with manufacturers in areas as diverse as rubber, gas and industrial solvents. Times are changing and the entire industry is now actively searching for ways of limiting its consumption of petroleum products. The road fuel sector in particular is undergoing a radical change: European announcements on the possible phase-out of combustion vehicles have tied their destiny to that of biofuels. Niche markets will be exploitable as of the third horizon." The fourth horizon, which is expected to take shape within five years, will consist of setting up a unit to produce tens of thousands of tonnes of isobutene per year at a reduced cost, enabling the aviation fuel market to be targeted. Many Western countries are strongly committed to reducing CO 2 emissions in this sector with its high environmental impact. Bernard Chaud, Head of Industrial Strategy at Global Bioenergies, said: "The certification of our technology for air transport is on track. Achieving the performance improvement targets set by our R&D division will enable our process for converting residual sugars into sustainable aviation fuel to reach competitive costs. As such, we are looking to significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of air transport on a global scale." Marc Delcourt, co-founder and CEO of Global Bioenergies, concluded: "The creation of a new industry always relies on niche markets initially. The multiple niche markets for isobutene and its derivatives have prompted us to draw up a roadmap with four horizons, and will enable our Company, despite its small size, to realistically tackle a challenge as broad as environmental transition." About GLOBAL BIOENERGIES Global Bioenergies converts plant-derived resources into compounds used in the cosmetics industry, as well as the energy and materials sectors. After launching the first long-lasting and natural make-up brand LAST in 2021, Global Bioenergies is now marketing Isonaturane12, its key ingredient, to major cosmetics companies to improve the naturalness of their formulas whilst improving their carbon footprint. Its process has numerous applications in specialty chemicals and polymers. In the long run, Global Bioenergies is also aiming at cutting CO 2 emissions in the aviation sector and thereby curb global warming. Global Bioenergies is listed on Euronext Growth Paris (FR0011052257 - ALGBE). Receive information about Global Bioenergies directly by subscribing to our news feed on www.global-bioenergies.com Follow us on LinkedIn: Global Bioenergies Contacts GLOBAL BIOENERGIES invest@global-bioenergies.com (mailto:invest@global-bioenergies.com) PRESS RELATIONS Iva Baytcheva ibaytcheva@ulysse-communication.com (mailto:ibaytcheva@ulysse-communication.com) Nicolas Daniels ndaniels@ulysse-communication.com (mailto:ndaniels@ulysse-communication.com) Attachment This group of infectious diseases experts will contribute to the design and implementation of the Company's clinical development strategy in phage therapy Regulatory News: Pherecydes Pharma (FR0011651694 ALPHE) (Paris:ALPHE), a biotechnology company specializing in precision phage therapy to treat resistant and/or complicated bacterial infections, today announces the setting up of a Medical Advisory Board comprising prominent international scientific and clinical experts in infectious diseases. "We are delighted and honored to be able to collaborate with this group of internationally recognized scientists", said Didier Hoch, Chairman and CEO of Pherecydes Pharma. "Our unique approach to phage therapy has been deemed to be particularly promising by these experts, all of whom are enthusiastic about the idea of joining us in our fight against antibiotic resistance. With their support, we will be able to efficiently implement our ambitious development plan. This Board will support Pherecydes Pharma consolidate its clinical development strategy in phage therapy. It will meet twice a year, with its first meeting on September 28, 2022. The members of the Medical Advisory Board are: Dr. Saima Aslam, Professor of Medicine at UC San Diego, California, USA. Doctor Saima Aslam is the Director of the Solid Organ Transplant Infectious Diseases service and is a founding member and Clinical Lead for the Center for Innovative Phage Applications and Therapeutics (IPATH) at UC San Diego. She received her medical degree from the Aga Khan University, Pakistan in 1999, and then completed her Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases training at Baylor College of Medicine, Texas, USA. Dr. Aslam also holds a Master of Science in clinical investigation from Baylor College of Medicine. She currently holds several leadership positions in the American Society of Transplantation and the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation. Dr. Aslam is the PI of several NIH and industry funded clinical trials and a leader in clinical applications of phage therapy in the US. She also has funding from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to develop a registry and associated phage library for people with Cystic Fibrosis infected with Burkholderia species. Prof. Marc Bonten, Chairman of the Infection Immunity strategic research program at UMC Utrecht, the Netherlands. Professor Marc Bonten earned his Doctor of Medicine at the Maastricht University Medical School in the Netherlands. From 2008 to March 2021, he was Head of the Department of Medical Microbiology at the Utrecht University Medical Center (UMC Utrecht). Since 2003, he has been Head of the Infectious Disease Epidemiology research group at the Julius Center of Health Sciences and Primary Care and Professor of Molecular Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases. He has been principal investigator in numerous extensive epidemiological studies and investigator-initiated randomized trials relating to the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. He is currently Chairman of the Infection Immunity strategic research program at UMC Utrecht. Prof. Tristan Ferry, Deputy Head of the Infectious and Tropical Diseases department, Hospices Civils de Lyon, and Head of the CRIOAc national Scientific Committee, France. Tristan Ferry graduated from the Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Lyon, France and has trained in Internal Medicine and Infectious and Tropical Diseases in Hospices Civils de Lyon, France. He is head of the regional reference center for the management of complex BJI (also called CRIOAc Lyon), and of the Lyon BJI group (a multidisciplinary group with colleagues specialized in infectious diseases, surgery, microbiology, imaging, nuclear medicine and drug's pharmacokinetic). His main topic of research is the promotion of innovative treatments, by systemic and/or local administrations in patients with bone and joint infection. He is particularly involved in the promotion and evaluation of bacteriophage/phage therapy and combination of local antibiotics in patients with bone and joint infection. He is one of the inauguration committee members of the new ESCMID Study Group for Non-traditional Antibacterial Therapy (ESGNAT) and has been elected in April 2022 as member of the executive committee as Clinical Officer. By being involved in the national CRIOAc scientific committee and the European Society of Bone and Joint Infections (EBJIS), he would like to facilitate the performance of multicentric clinical trials in France and Europe, to evaluate new academic and industrial treatment options. Prof. Yok-Ai Que, Associate Professor in Intensive Care Medicine at Bern University Hospital, Switzerland. Professor Yok-Ai Que is Associate Professor in Intensive Care Medicine and Head of Department at Bern Inselspital in Switzerland. He has a PhD and a Master of Advanced Studies. Professor Yok-Ai Que obtained his Doctorate in Medicine at the University of Lausanne CHUV in 1999 and pursued his career there, becoming Attending Physician in Intensive Care in 2007 and Senior Physician in 2013. During his career, he has put innovative translational research in place and is considered to be a pioneer in phage therapy. He notably filed 2 patent applications and supervised 5 theses in this field. He is a reviewer for a number of major scientific journals and has developed AI-based solutions to study phage bacteria behavior. Prof. Martin Witzenrath, Head of Department of Respiratory Diseases and Intensive Care at the Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. Martin Witzenrath is Medical Director of Charite Center for Internal Medicine and Dermatology at Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin, where he is also Chair of pneumology, and Head of the Department of Respiratory Diseases and Intensive Care. His clinical specialties are pulmonary infections, intensive care medicine, transplantation, interventional bronchology and pulmonary hypertension. His scientific work includes preclinical, translational and clinical studies on pneumonia, acute respiratory failure and pulmonary hypertension. He is a Fellow of the European Respiratory Society (FERS). Next financial publication: 2022 half-year results: Thursday, October 27, 2022, after market About Pherecydes Pharma Founded in 2006, Pherecydes Pharma is a biotechnology company that develops treatments against resistant bacterial infections, responsible for many serious infections. The Company has developed an innovative approach, precision phage therapy, based on the use of phages, natural bacteria-killing viruses. Pherecydes Pharma is developing a portfolio of phages targeting 3 of the most resistant and dangerous bacteria, which alone account for more than two thirds of hospital-acquired resistant infections: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The concept of precision phage therapy has been successfully applied in several dozen patients in the context of compassionate use, under the supervision of the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM). Headquartered in Nantes, Pherecydes Pharma has a team of around twenty experts from the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology sector and academic research. For more information, www.pherecydes-pharma.com Disclaimer This press release contains non-factual elements, including, but not limited to, certain statements regarding future results and other future events. These statements are based on the current vision and assumptions of the management of the Company. They incorporate known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could result in significant differences in results, profitability and expected events. In addition, Pherecydes Pharma, its shareholders and its affiliates, directors, officers, counsels and employees have not verified the accuracy of, and make no representations or warranties about, statistical information or forecast information contained within this news release and that originates or is derived from third party sources or industry publications; these statistical data and forecast information are only used in this press release for information purposes. Finally, this press release may be drafted in French and in English. In the event of differences between the two texts, the French version will prevail. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005895/en/ Contacts: Pherecydes Pharma Thibaut du Fayet Deputy CEO investors@pherecydes-pharma.com NewCap Dusan Oresansky/Nicolas Fossiez Investor Relations pherecydes@newcap.eu T.: +33 1 44 71 94 92 NewCap Arthur Rouille Media Relations pherecydes@newcap.eu T.: +33 1 44 71 00 15 ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mongolia's Prime Minister, L. Oyun-Erdene, has met today with major Hollywood studios and film companies to discuss how they can work together to further develop and promote the Mongolian film industry internationally. Attendees at the meeting included senior representatives from HBO, Netflix, Paramount Pictures and Warner Brothers, who are all in Ulaanbaatar at the invitation of Mongolia's Culture Minister, Nomin Chinbat. Opening the meeting, the Prime Minister outlined the Government's efforts to develop Mongolia's creative industries as part of strengthening and diversifying the country's economy. Developing the creative industries is a key part of Mongolia's New Recovery Policy and provides opportunities to create a new, independent source of growth away from mining. The Prime Minister stressed the Government's commitment to create a favourable filming environment in Mongolia to take its film industry to the next level. Mongolia's Law on the Support of Cinematography was approved in 2021 and started to be implemented in early 2022. The law introduced competitive incentives, including a reimbursement program for film production costs, to help major global productions and studios create jobs and build capacity, attracting more investment into Mongolia, increasing tourism and creating greater awareness of the country's unique heritage. The visit by the leading film executives coincides with "FAM TOUR-2022", an initiative jointly organised by Mongolia's Ministry of Culture and the Mongolian National Film Council to promote the incentives available for filming in Mongolia, as well as the activities of the Council and Mongolia's beautiful natural environment. It is running from 14-19 September. During the rest of their visit to Mongolia, which lasts until 19 September, the film executives will meet with Mongolian filmmakers, directors, producers and artists, including Nomadia Pictures and the world-class recording studio B Production. They will also visit the Mongol Nomadic Tourist Camp and see an equestrian stunt show at Terelj National Park. Speaking following the meeting, Mongolian Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene said: "Mongolia's creative industries have the potential to become a major pillar of our economy, and strengthening our partnership with these leading film companies is key to making progress in this area as part of our New Recovery Policy. "I look forward to our work together in future and to seeing an increasing number of studios choosing to work in Mongolia in the years ahead, helping to put our film industry firmly on the map." Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1900050/The_Government_of_Mongolia.jpg The real-time AI assistant is touted to help sales teams save time on busywork and win more deals. Israeli sales tech start-up, Winn.AI announced that it had raised $17 million in seed funding from global software investor Insight Partners and Israeli venture capital firm S-Capital. TEL AVIV, ISRAEL / ACCESSWIRE / September 15, 2022 / Founded in November 2021 by sales tech entrepreneur Eldad Postan Koren and cybersecurity expert Bar Haleva , Winn.AI offers a real-time AI assistant that helps sales teams win more deals with less hassle through its innovative real-time tracking, capturing, and CRM updating features. The Winn.AI real-time assistant acts as an extra pair of hands during meetings, giving salespeople the freedom to focus their attention entirely on the customer. Conventionally, salespeople are responsible for juggling a multitude of tasks during sales calls: following a precise playbook, capturing responses, building rapport, and updating the CRM. For the account executives making the calls, some of these bureaucratic requirements quickly become tedious and overwhelming. Invariably, "data & CRM hygiene" begins to degrade, playbooks get disregarded, and brand voices become muddled. Winn.AI relieves salespeople of this administrative busywork so that they can focus on their customers - not their keyboards. Its magic lies in its unique ability to monitor, interpret, and document sales calls. The Winn.AI assistant unobtrusively monitors sales calls and captures key data, so salespeople can easily stay on track without needing to take notes or manually update the CRM. For account executives, this means a stronger, more authentic conversation with their prospects with less administrative hassle. For sales leaders, it means more passionate AEs, stronger brand voices, faster onboarding, and, most importantly - increased sales. "In just nine months, we recruited a world-class team and exceptional investors to solve one of the most recognized problems in the world of sales," said CEO and Co-founder of Winn.AI, Postan-Koren. "This seed round will allow us to continue improving our deep technology while accelerating our sales and marketing efforts. We are grateful for the investment support from Insight Partners and S-Capital." When asked about the motivation for creating a real-time AI assistant targeted at sales teams, Postan-Koren explained: "I have learned first-hand the challenges of leading a sales team. I'd write a playbook but then be forced to chase my team to use it. I wanted to build a tool to cut out the hassle and help salespeople and their leaders win more." "Winn.AI's innovative and intuitive technology has identified a solution that addresses the pain points of Busy work. By allowing salespeople to focus on making the sale, Winn.AI enables organizations to Improve performance and increase the quota," said Hagi Schwartz, Managing Director at Insight Partners, "We look forward to partnering with the Winn.AI team as they continue to grow and scale up." "From an early stage, we realized Winn.AI brings a unique and innovative approach, together with a very strong team, to address core issues in global sales organizations. At a time when companies need to do more with less, Winn.AI makes it possible by reshaping the way sales teams work," said Ayala Peterburg, Founder & Managing Partner at S Capital. The Winn.AI team is already working on additional features to streamline sales calls with rich, real-time insights that predict - and answer - customers' questions. The recent investment will be used to develop, market, and launch the product. Winn.AI is based in Tel Aviv and has 25 employees. The Winn.AI real-time assistant is available for early access and is slated to launch in early 2023. For further information, visit https://winn.ai. Contact info: omri@omrihurwitz.com SOURCE: Winn.AI View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/716139/WinnAI-Goes-Out-Of-Stealth-and-secures-17-Million-Seed-Funding-for-Real-Time-AI-Sales-Assistant Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares For immediate release 15 September 2022 FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC (the "Company") MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES The Company announces that it has today purchased 125,000 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 822.68 pence per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company. The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 9 February 2022. Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 8,100,442; the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company has in issue, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury following such purchase, and therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 216,890,861. The figure of 216,890,861 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. For and on behalf of Frostrow Capital LLP Company Secretary For further information, please contact: Victoria Hale Frostrow Capital LLP Tel: 020 3 170 8732 Regulatory News: Adocia (Euronext Paris: FR0011184241 ADOC), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of innovative therapeutic solutions for the treatment of diabetes and other metabolic diseases, will release its first-half 2022 results on September 19th, 2022, post-market close. ADOCIA's management team will host a webinar on Tuesday, September 20th at 6:00 p.m. CEST to present its financial results and an update of its major programs. Discussions will be held in French. Speakers during the call will be: Gerard Soula, Chairman, CEO and co-founder of Adocia Olivier Soula, Deputy-CEO, Director of R&D and co-founder of Adocia Valerie Danaguezian, Chief Financial Officer Registration for the video conference is available at the following link https://zoom.us/j/92077518485 Meeting ID: 920 7751 8485 Participants will be able to submit their questions via the chat available during the event. It is also possible to ask questions in advance, by sending them to: adocia@ulysse-communication.com A replay of the webinar will be available on Adocia's website in the Investors section: https://www.adocia.com/fr/investisseurs/ About Adocia Adocia is a biotechnology company specializing in the discovery and development of therapeutic solutions in the field of metabolic diseases, primarily diabetes and obesity. The company has a broad portfolio of drug candidates based on three proprietary technology platforms: 1) The BioChaperone technology for the development of new generation insulins and products combining insulins with other classes of hormones; 2) AdOral, an oral peptide delivery technology; 3) AdoShellan immunoprotective biomaterial for cell transplantation with a first application in pancreatic cells transplantation for patients with "brittle" diabetes. Adocia holds more than 25 patent families. Based in Lyon, the company has approximately 115 employees. Adocia is listed on the EuronextTM Paris market (Euronext: ADOC; ISIN: FR0011184241). Disclaimer This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Adocia and its business. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that Adocia considers as being reasonable. However, there can be no guarantee that the estimates contained in such forward-looking statements will be achieved, as such estimates are subject to numerous risks including those which are set forth in the "Risk Factors" section of the universal registration document that was filed with the French Autorite des marches financiers on April 21, 2022 (a copy of which is available at www.adocia.com, in particular uncertainties that are linked to research and development, future clinical data, analyses, and the evolution of the economic context, the financial markets and the markets in which Adocia operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Adocia or not considered as material by Adocia as of this day. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause that actual results, financial conditions, performances, or achievements of Adocia be materially different from those mentioned in the forward-looking statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005886/en/ Contacts: Adocia Gerard Soula CEO contactinvestisseurs@adocia.com Tel: +33 (0)4 72 610 610 www.adocia.com Ulysse Communication Adocia Press and Investors Relations Pierre-Louis Germain Margaux Puech Pays d'Alissac Bruno Arabian adocia@ulysse-communication.com + 33 (0)6 64 79 97 51 After joining forces with PEN Partnership in August, Wavestone announces the acquisition of Coeus Consulting, a London based management consulting firm specialising in CIO Advisory. The three companies all share strong growth ambitions to build together a leading player in the UK consulting market. Coeus Consulting: a management consulting firm specializing in strategic IT advisory Founded in 2013, Coeus Consulting is an independent, award-winning IT advisory firm, that empowers technology, business and procurement leaders to deliver more. Coeus Consulting serves leading Global 500 companies and organizations from the private and public sectors across the UK and Europe in industries including Manufacturing and Construction, Energy & Utilities, and Retail & Consumer Products. Its value proposition is built on four main service offerings: IT Strategy, IT Sourcing, Change and Architecture. Coeus Consulting is headquartered in London, with a headcount of circa 45 permanent employees. Coeus Consulting relies on a small number of trusted subcontractors when additional capacity is needed to deliver projects. Since inception, Coeus Consulting has successfully grown, with revenue targets projected to reach circa 9m for the current fiscal year ending in September 2022, with a profitability significantly higher than Wavestone's. A new step in building a significative footprint in the UK, as part of Wavestone's Impact strategic plan The merger of the three teams immediately and significantly widens the playing field of Wavestone in the UK and creates new development opportunities. The addition of Coeus Consulting's leading IT expertise to Wavestone's will allow the firm to provide its clients with a genuine unbiased world-class value proposition. The presence of Coeus Consulting in the Energy, Utilities, Manufacturing and Retail sectors, combined with PEN Partnership's deep expertise in the Financial Services and Life Science sectors and Wavestone's historic Financial Services footprint creates a solid foundation to partner with blue-chip companies on their major transformation challenges. Ben Barry, James Cockroft and Rob Walker, Directors and co-founders of Coeus Consulting, comment: "Wavestone and Coeus Consulting's combination perfectly addresses the CIO agenda. We both have a complementary value proposition and client portfolio, as well as close corporate values. In addition, the business consulting expertise of PEN Partnership in the Financial Services and Life Science industries creates an exciting opportunity for us to address the transformation challenges of our clients in these sectors with a holistic value proposition. We were amazed by the strong cultural fit and we believe that the project will provide our teams with numerous opportunities." Chris Gibson, PEN Partnership's CEO, adds "We are very enthusiastic to have Coeus Consulting join our project. It strengthens and expands the expertise of our UK practice, particularly in the technology area, one of the most important levers for our Financial Services and Life Science clients to develop new services and offers as well as enhance their business and operational performance. Together, we are accelerating our growth agenda in order to position Wavestone as a preferred consulting firm for large enterprises." Reza Maghsoudnia, Strategic Development Director of Wavestone, concludes "We were impressed by Coeus Consulting's ability to engage with very large enterprises at a very senior level. That says a lot about the expertise and value of the team. This project is a game changer and creates the conditions for a step change of dimension in the UK and, accelerates our globalisation." Terms of the operation Wavestone has acquired 100% of Coeus Consulting's share capital. The purchase price is 17.5m in enterprise value, plus an additional consideration of up to 3.5m conditioned by Coeus Consulting's performance over the next 12 months. The acquisition has been financed by Wavestone's own funds. Coeus Consulting will be integrated in Wavestone's accounts as of October 1st, 2022. Next events: H1 2022/23 revenue: Thursday, October 27, 2022, after Euronext market closing. About Wavestone In a world where knowing how to drive transformation is the key to success, Wavestone's mission is to inform and guide large companies and organisations in their most critical transformations, with the ambition of a positive outcome for all stakeholders. It's an ambition anchored in the firm's DNA and embodied in the signature "The Positive Way." Wavestone draws on about 4,000 employees across Europe - where it is a leading independent player in consulting, the United States and Asia. Wavestone is listed on Euronext Paris and recognised as a Great Place to Work. Wavestone Pascal Imbert CEO Tel.: +33 (0)1 49 03 20 00 Benjamin Clement Financial Communication Tel.: +33 (0)1 49 03 20 00 Actus Mathieu Omnes Investor and Analyst Relations Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 92 Deborah Schwartz Press relations Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 35 ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: xWxylZZnaZubnGlxlp5saWGUaGtilmbHa5KbnGppZMjJbWpixWuWbpnLZnBnl2du - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-76228-pr-bowen-en.pdf BRUSSELS, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The cities shortlisted for the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2023 award were announced today by the European Commission. Presented in alphabetical order, Aarhus (Denmark), Gijon (Spain), Pafos (Cyprus), Porto (Portugal), San Sebastian (Spain), Seville (Spain), Zagreb (Croatia) are the finalists selected from 29 candidates from 13 countries. A short profile of each shortlisted city can be found here The competition was open to cities across the EU and the non-EU countries that take part in the COSME programme[1]. The applications were evaluated by a rigorous panel of independent experts. Applicants with the highest overall score across all categories made the cut. As a next step, the shortlisted cities will be invited to present their candidatures in front of a European Jury, who will select the 2023 European Capitals of Smart Tourism. Coming with the title of 2023 European Capital of Smart Tourism, communication and branding support throughout 2023 will be provided to the winners. This includes a promotional video, a specially designed hashtag sculpture for the city to display, and tailored promotional actions designed to increase visibility at EU and global level and increase the number of visitors. Since 2018, the competition has provided a platform to showcase outstanding practices and success stories. The victors from previous editions Helsinki and Lyon (2019), Malaga and Gothenburg (2020), Valencia and Bordeaux (2022) are role models for smart tourism in Europe and top international rankings of sustainability, innovation, livability, and integration of smart practices. About the initiative The European Capital of Smart Tourism is an EU initiative, currently financed under the COSME Programme, that aims to promote smart tourism in the EU by rewarding cities for their pioneering smart tourism approaches in accessibility, digitalisation, sustainability, and cultural heritage and creativity. Built on the successful experience of a preparatory action proposed by the European Parliament, the initiative seeks to foster innovative, sustainable, and inclusive tourism development, as well as spread and facilitate the exchange of best practices. Smart tourism practices in Europe implemented by the applicants of the 2022 competition can be found in the 'Leading Examples of Smart Tourism Practices in Europe' report. Likewise, delegates from the European Capitals of Smart Tourism competition winners, shortlisted cities, and EU Commission's representatives discuss in the EU Smart Tourism Podcast series the role of the European Capital of Smart Tourism competition in driving the smart tourism innovation and examine smart tourism practices that are shaping the future in Europe. For the latest updates on the European Capital of Smart Tourism, follow us on our website, Facebook, or Twitter, and subscribe to our Podcast series in Spotify and Amazon Music. For further press information, contact: European Capital of Smart Tourism Secretariat:Sandra Bumbar-Malchow Antigoni Avgeropoulou, info@SmartTourismCapital.eu, +49 (0) 30 70 01 86 390 Notes to Editors 1. The 2023 European Capital of Smart Tourism competition was open to submissions from 31 March 2022 to 1 June 2022. Terms and conditions are available at https://smarttourismcapital.eu/. 2. Smart tourism responds to new challenges and demands in a fast-changing sector, including the expectation of digital information, products, and services; equal opportunities and access for all visitors; sustainable development of the local area; and support to creative industries and local talent. 3. In 2021, from amongst 30 EU cities which applied, Bordeaux and Valencia were selected as the European Capitals of Smart Tourism 2022. In 2019, amongst 35 EU cities which applied, Malaga and Gothenburg stood out and were selected as the European Capitals of Smart Tourism 2020. In 2018, amongst 38 EU cities, Helsinki and Lyon stood out and were selected the European Capitals of Smart Tourism 2019. Watch the Smart Tourism Capitals video for Bordeaux and Valencia . -------- [1] Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, and United Kingdom (https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/49405). The EU stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Ukrainian cities retain the right to apply to the opportunities offered by the COSME programme. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 15, 2022) - I-Minerals Inc. (TSXV: IMA) (OTC Pink: IMAHF) ("the Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement dated September 14, 2022 with BV Lending, LLC, an Idaho limited liability company ("BV Lending") and the Company's subsidiary, i-minerals USA, Inc. ("i-minerals USA"), an Idaho company that owns the leases that comprise the Helmer-Bovill Property, (the "Stock Purchase Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company has agreed to sell all of the issued and outstanding common shares of i-minerals USA to BV Lending (the "Transaction"). BV Lending is a non-arm's length party to the Company. Key Terms of the Transaction Immediately prior to closing of the Transaction, the Company will contribute an intercompany debt owed by i-minerals USA to the Company in the amount of approximately US$25.7 million, resulting in the cancellation of the outstanding indebtedness. At the closing of the Transaction, the Company will sell all of the shares of i-minerals USA to BV Lending for an amount equal to $3,000,000 (the "Share Value"). The Share Value will be satisfied by BV Lending on a non-cash basis by the set off of an equal amount of debt owed by the Company to BV Lending (the "Set Off"). Immediately following the Set Off, BV Lending will transfer to the Company the balance of the debt owed by the Company owed by BV Lending (which debt was approximately US$35.4 million before the Set Off). Previously entered into loan agreements dated June 1, 2016, September 11, 2018 and October 25, 2019 among the Company, BV Lending and i-minerals USA, including all security granted thereunder, will be terminated and/or discharged. The Company will be subject to non-competition and non-solicitation covenants in favour of BV Lending for a period of five years commencing on closing of the Transaction. The Transaction is subject to the approval of the Transaction by shareholders of the Company (the "Shareholders") and the TSX Venture Exchange. As part of the Transaction, BV Lending has agreed to pay taxes that will become payable by the Company as a result of the Transaction (approximately US$450,000). In consideration for such payment by BV Lending, the Company will issue a promissory note in favor of BV Lending for the amount of the taxes so paid. The promissory note will be repaid out of any refund received by the Company from the applicable government agency. Following the completion of the Transaction, the Company will have a stronger balance sheet as virtually of its debt will be eliminated. Nevertheless, the Company will not have any mineral properties due to the sale of i-minerals USA, which owns the Helmer-Bovill Property. Accordingly, the Company will need to identify and, if successful, acquire a new business, which it will be positioned to do with a balance sheet free of the existing indebtedness that it is currently unable to service. Additional Details of the Transaction Disposition of All or Substantially All the Property of the Company The Transaction involves the disposition of i-minerals USA, which is substantially all of the Company's property. As such, the Company is required to obtain the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes cast by the Shareholders present at a special meeting of the shareholders (the "Meeting") in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting, pursuant to section 189(3) of the Canada Business Corporations Act ("CBCA"). Pursuant to the CBCA, any registered holders of the Company' shares have a right to dissent ("Dissenting Right"). Each dissenting shareholder is entitled to be paid the fair value of all, but not less than all, of the holder's Shares, provided that the holder duly dissents to the Transaction and the Transaction is approved by the required shareholders approval. Related Party Transaction BV Lending, a party to the Transaction, is a company founded by Mr. Allen L. Ball, who is a former director and a significant shareholder holding approximately 39.4% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company. As such, the Company is also required to obtain the affirmative vote of majority of the Shareholders present at the Meeting in person or represented by proxy, excluding any votes attached to shares of the Company beneficially owned by Mr. Ball or over which Mr. Ball exercises control or direction and any other person who has a material interest in the Transaction, pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions . After the closing of the Transaction, Mr. Ball will continue to hold, directly and indirectly, 39.4% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company. Special Committee and Fairness Opinion In order to ensure that the interests of the Company are fairly considered in the negotiation and review of the Transaction and to manage the conflicts of interest that may arise in the context of the Transaction, the Company established a Special Committee consisting of independent directors who does not have a financial interest in the Transaction that is different from that of the Shareholders (the "Special Committee") to oversee the evaluation and negotiation of the Transaction. The Special Committee retained RwE Growth Partners, Inc. ("RwE") as its own independent financial advisor. RwE has provided an opinion (the "Fairness Opinion") to the Company that, subject to the assumptions and limitations set forth therein, the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Shareholders. Exchange Approval The Transaction is also subject to approval from the TSX Venture Exchange due to the fact that it involves the disposition of all or substantially all of the property of the Company and a transaction with a party related to the Company. Closing Conditions Closing of the Transaction is subject to a number of key conditions including shareholder approval, TSX Venture Exchange approval, no more than 5% of the shareholders exercising their dissenting rights and other such other conditions that are customary for this type of Transaction. Resignation of Mr. Ball The Company also announces that in advance of the board of directors meeting to consider and approve the Transaction, Mr. Ball resigned as a director of the Company on September 12, 2022 and resigned as a director of i-minerals USA on September 13, 2022. About BV Lending BV Lending is an Idaho limited liability company, founded by Mr. Ball, a former director and a Shareholder holding over 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company. The Company is indebted to BV Lending in the amount of approximately US$35.4 pursuant to the terms of certain loan agreements previously entered into among the Company, BV Lending and i-minerals USA. About the Company The Company was incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, Canada in 1984. In 2004, the Company changed its corporate jurisdiction from a British Columbia company to a Canadian corporation. In December 2011, the Company amended its articles to change its name from "i-minerals inc." to "I-Minerals Inc." The Company is engaged in the exploration, evaluation and development of mineral assets including the aforementioned Helmer-Bovill Property. Following the completion of the Transaction, the Company will not have any mineral properties due to the sale of i-minerals USA, which owns the Helmer-Bovill Property. Accordingly, the Company will need to identify and, if successful, acquire a new business, which it will be positioned to do with a balance sheet free of the existing indebtedness that it is currently unable to service. The Company's principal executive office is located at Suite 1100, 1199 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and the Company's telephone number is (877) 303-6573 or (208) 953-7372. The Company's operations office is located at 13403 N. Government Way, #102, Hayden, Idaho. I-Minerals Inc. per: "John Theobald" John Theobald, President & CEO Contact: I-Minerals Inc. Barry Girling 877-303-6573 or 604-303-6573 Email: info@imineralsinc.com Or visit our website at www.imineralsinc.com NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. This News Release includes certain forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: ability to complete the Transaction (including obtaining all necessary shareholder and regulatory approvals), the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations, changes in the worldwide price of mineral market conditions, risks inherent in mineral exploration, risk associated with development, construction and mining operations, the uncertainty of future profitability and uncertainty of access to additional capital. Accordingly, actual and further events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137327 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 15, 2022) - Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. (CSE: API) (OTCQX: APAAF) (FSE: A0I.F) (FSE: A0I.MU) (FSE: A0I.BE) (the "Company" or "Appia") is pleased to announce that Dr. John Belhumeur has been appointed Senior Advisor regarding First Nations, Metis, and Government relations, effective September 15, 2022, as the Company advances its exploration program on its 100%-owned Alces Lake high-grade rare earth elements and gallium property, Athabasca Basin area, northern Saskatchewan. Dr. Belhumeur has served as an advisor and consultant to the Company since March 2021. Dr. Belhumeur has spent over 30 years as a consultant for Aboriginal affairs with regard to project development in the resource industry, coordinating between Aboriginal citizens, resource companies, and various levels of government. Dr. Belhumeur has worked on many projects, from the EIA process through to the construction and operation phases of a mine. Coming from St. Lazare and Pine Creek, Manitoba, Dr. Belhumeur's Cree /Ojibwa ancestry gives him first-hand knowledge of the Indigenous experience, lending a deeper understanding of issues facing Aboriginal people today, in society and in the workplace. Dr. Belhumeur believes in protecting the environment first and foremost, using Traditional, Ecological Knowledge and sustainable mineral development. Dr. Belhumeur is the Founder and publisher of The Aboriginal Miner, in partnership with The Prospector Resource Investment News. He is an accomplished publisher, miner, and adviser to First Nations, Industry and Government and is well-known throughout the mining, forestry, and petroleum industries, and in resource development communities. Dr. Belhumeur was one of the first publishers to endorse mining, hydro, oil & gas, alternative energy, and other resource development projects in Canada, believing that it would bring employment, training, and prosperity to Indigenous communities. "Appia welcomes Dr. Belhumeur to the Appia Rare Earths team to assist the Company in presenting a respectful dialogue with First Nations, local governments, and stakeholders on a wide array of reciprocal interests," stated Tom Drivas, CEO, Interim President, and Director. About Appia Appia is a Canadian publicly listed company in the rare earth element and uranium sectors. The Company is currently focusing on delineating high-grade critical rare earth elements and gallium on the Alces Lake property, as well as exploring for high-grade uranium in the prolific Athabasca Basin on its "Other Side, Loranger, North Wollaston, and Eastside" properties. The Company holds the surface rights to exploration for 105,026 hectares (259,525 acres) in Saskatchewan. The Company also has a 100% interest in 12,545 hectares (31,000 acres), with rare earth elements and uranium deposits over five mineralized zones in Elliot Lake Camp, Ontario. Appia has 123.1 million common shares outstanding, 141.3 million shares fully diluted. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This News Release contains forward-looking statements which are typically preceded by, followed by, or including the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance as they involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements and shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such statements Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information, please contact: Tom Drivas, CEO, Interim President, and Director: (cell) 416-876-3957, (fax) 416-218-9772 or (email) appia@appiareu.com Frank van de Water, Chief Financial Officer, and Director, (Tel) 416-546-2707, (fax) 416-218-9772 or (email) fvandewater@rogers.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137330 Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun, right / Yonhap Korea's Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun plans to visit Cambodia this week to attend the inaugural ministerial meeting of a regional mega trade pact, as well as three ASEAN-related economic talks, his office said Thursday. During the three-day visit to Siem Reap starting Friday, Ahn will meet his counterparts from 14 member nations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to discuss ways to better ensure stable supply chains and to check detailed rules of their trade deal, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. RCEP has 15 members 10 member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Korea signed the deal with the partners in 2020, and it took effect for Korea in February 2022. RCEP is one of the world's biggest free trade agreements (FTA), as the member nations account for around 30 percent of global gross domestic product, population and trade volume, government data showed. While in Cambodia, Ahn will also take part in the 19th Korea-ASEAN economic ministers' meeting for talks on how to advance their bilateral FTA, particularly in terms of digital trade norms. The minister also plans to discuss how to invigorate regional trade and investment in the post-pandemic era during the 25th session of the ASEAN plus three economic ministers' meeting, a dialogue that involves Korea, China and Japan, according to the ministry. He will also attend the 10th East Asia Summit, which brings together ASEAN and eight other nations, including the United States, Russia and India, as it is expected to serve as a venue for discussions on such challenges as the restoration of the global multilateral trade system and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, it added. "Korea seeks to strengthen economic ties with ASEAN, as well as other partners, by working closely together on supply chain resilience, digital economy and responses to climate changes," the ministry said in a release. (Yonhap) Participants with an optics or photonics technology or application as the basis for a viable business are encouraged to apply Applications are now open for the 2023 SPIE Startup Challenge. The annual entrepreneurial pitch competition is held by SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, as part of SPIE Photonics West. In 2023, Photonics West will be held 28 January to 2 Februaryin San Francisco's Moscone Center, with the SPIE Startup Challenge finals held 31 January. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005944/en/ VitreaLab's Jonas Zeuner pitching his way to the top prize at the SPIE Startup Challenge in 2022. (Photo: Business Wire) The SPIE Startup Challenge is a competitive platform for new businesses that utilize optics and photonics for innovative products or applications. Participating teams compete for sponsored prizes, in addition to gaining increased visibility with potential investors. Light-based technologies enable developments in a proliferating number of areas, from healthcare and high-speed communications to quantum computing, AR/VR/MR, and self-driving vehicles. The annual SPIE Startup Challenge now celebrating its 13th year provides a distinctive and vibrant platform for optics and photonics startups that are creating innovative products, applications, and technologies. Startup Challenge winners that have gone on to wider commercial success include Cellino Biotech, Double Helix Optics, PhotoniCare, C. Light Technologies, Circle Optics, and In A Blink. The industry-judged competition will hear from teams pitching new products in photonics-enabled healthcare and deep tech, culling the original applicants down to 10 finalists. Competition judges include venture capitalists and business-development experts from the photonics industry who will vet applicants for their business case, financial case, and competitive advantages. Teams applying for the Startup Challenge will get feedback on their business and pitch from business-development experts and investors. The SPIE Startup Challenge application deadline is 20 October. Learn more about the competition, and apply here. About SPIE SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, brings engineers, scientists, students, and business professionals together to advance light-based science and technology. The Society, founded in 1955, connects and engages with our global constituency through industry-leading conferences and exhibitions; publications of conference proceedings, books, and journals in the SPIE Digital Library; and career-building opportunities. Over the past five years, SPIE has contributed more than $22 million to the international optics community through our advocacy and support, including scholarships, educational resources, travel grants, endowed gifts, and public-policy development. www.spie.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005944/en/ Contacts: Daneet Steffens Public Relations Manager daneets@spie.org +1 360 685 5478 @SPIEtweets OSLO, Norway, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nordic Nanovector ASA (OSE: NANOV) ("Nordic Nanovector" or the "Company") today announces that following the decisions to discontinue the PARADIGME study for its lead asset Betalutin, restructure the company and appoint Carnegie Investment Bank to explore strategic options three members of the Company's Board have decided to step down. Solveig Hellebust, Jean Pierre Bizzari and Thomas Ramdahl will step down from the Board with immediate effect. As previously announced in the press release of 18 August 2022 a strategic exercise led by Carnegie has been initiated with the aim of optimising shareholder value, following the slow recruitment and subsequent disappointing data from the PARADIGME clinical trial. The decision by these Board members to relinquish their Board positions following the downsizing of the Company will support the preservation of financial resources during this strategic process while retaining the necessary personnel needed to maximise the chances of a successful conclusion. No assurances can be given as to the outcome or timing of the review process being conducted by Carnegie, but as stated in the Company's recent Q2 results presentation the review is expected to run into Q4 2022. Nordic Nanovector does not intend to make any further public comment regarding the review until it has been completed or the Company determines that disclosure is required or appropriate. For further information, please contact: IR enquiries Jan H. Egberts, Chairman of Nordic Nanovector Tel: +31 614672518 Email: janegberts@aol.com Media Enquiries Mark Swallow/Frazer Hall (MEDiSTRAVA Consulting) Tel: +44 203 928 6900 Email: nordicnanovector@medistrava.com About Nordic Nanovector: Nordic Nanovector is committed to develop and deliver innovative therapies to patients to address major unmet medical needs and advance cancer care. The Company aspires to become a leader in radionuclide therapy of cancer. In addition to Betalutin,for which Nordic Nanovector retains global marketing rights, the Company's novel pipeline includes Humalutin, a radioimmunotherapy candidate based on a chimeric anti-CD37 antibody and the beta emitter lutetium-177 for NHL; Alpha37, a based on a chimeric anti-CD37 antibody and the alpha emitting radionuclide lead-212, currently being explored with partner Oranomed for relapsed refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia; a portfolio of fully humanized anti-CD37 antibodies with potential in haematological cancers and autoimmune diseases; and a CD37 DOTA CAR-T cell opportunity in haematological cancers, which is the subject of a research collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania. Further information can be found at www.nordicnanovector.com. Forward-looking statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to inter alia to the business and strategies, financial performance and results of the Company. Forward-looking statements concern future circumstances and results and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are based on Nordic Nanovector's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Any forward-looking statements contained in this release, including assumptions, opinions and views of Nordic Nanovector or cited from third party sources, are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and events to be materially different from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Nordic Nanovector cannot provide any assurance that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements are free from errors nor accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of opinions expressed in this release or the actual occurrence of any forecasted developments. Nordic Nanovector disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The terms "anticipates", "assumes", "believes", "can", "could", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "intends", "may", "might", "plans", "should", "projects", "targets", "will", "would" or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology are used to identify forward-looking statements. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to, risks associated with implementation of Nordic Nanovector's strategy, risks and uncertainties associated with the development and/or approval of Nordic Nanovector's product candidates, ongoing and future clinical trials and expected trial results technology changes and new products in Nordic Nanovector's potential market and industry, Nordic Nanovector's freedom to operate (competitors patents) in respect of the products it develops, the ability to develop new products and enhance existing products, the impact of competition, changes in general economy and industry conditions, and legislative, regulatory and political factors. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/nordic-nanovector/r/nordic-nanovector-consolidates-board-to-conserve-resources-while-it-explores-strategic-options,c3631852 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 15, 2022 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of a new interview with Westhaven Gold discussing their latest news. The Power Play by The Market Herald provides investors with a quick snapshot of what they need to know about the company's latest press release through exclusive insights and interviews with company executives. Westhaven (TSXV:WHN) arranges financing package with Franco-Nevada Corporation (TSX:FNV) Westhaven Gold Corp. (WHN) has signed a financing arrangement with Franco-Nevada Corporation (FNV), a leading gold-focused royalty and streaming company. Shaun Pollard, CFO & Director of Westhaven Gold, sat down with Sabrina Cuthbert to discuss the financing. For the full interview with Shaun Pollard and to learn about Westhaven Gold, click here. Interviews for The Power Play by The Market Herald are released daily. To learn more about the companies featured in The Power Play or to explore our other interviews visit The Power Play by The Market Herald. About The Market Herald The Market Herald Canada is the leading source of authoritative breaking stock market news for self-directed investors. Our team of Canadian markets reporters, editors and technologists covers the entire listed company universe in Canada. We cover over 3,985 businesses, their people, their investors, and their customers. We write the stories that move the Canadian capital markets. DISCLAIMER: Report Card Canada Media Ltd. ("Report Card") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market Herald Limited, an Australian company ("Market Herald"). Report Card is not an advisory service, and does not offer, buy, sell, or provide any other rating, analysis or opinion on the securities we discuss. We are retained and compensated by the companies that we provide information on to assist them with making information available to the public. All information available on themarketherald.ca and/or this press release should be considered as commercial advertisement and not an endorsement, offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities. Report Card is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority in any province or territory of Canada, will not be performing any registerable activity as defined by the applicable regulatory bodies and do not provide nor claim to provide investment advice or recommendations to any visitor of this site or readers of any content on or originating from themarketherald.ca. Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees may from time to time acquire, hold or sell securities and/or commodities and/or commodity futures contracts in certain underlying companies mentioned in this site and which may also be clients of Market Herald's affiliates. In such instances, Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees will use all reasonable efforts to avoid engaging in activities that would lead to conflicts of interest and Market Herald and/or its affiliates will use all reasonable efforts to comply with conflicts of interest disclosures and regulations to minimize any conflict. All the information on this document and/or the website - themarketherald.ca - is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. Report Card does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this document and/or website (themarketherald.ca) is strictly at your own risk. Report Card will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone 'bad'. Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their "Terms of Service" before engaging in any business or uploading any information. CONTACT: The Market Herald marketing@themarketherald.ca themarketherald.ca SOURCE: The Market Herald View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/716199/The-Power-Play-by-The-Market-Herald-Releases-a-New-Interview-with-Westhaven-Gold-Discussing-Their-Latest-News Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 15, 2022) - Oculus VisionTech Inc. (TSXV: OVT) (OTCQB: OVTZ) (FSE: USF1) is pleased to announce the results of its 2022 Annual General Meeting ("AGM"). The AGM was held on September 15, 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia. All resolutions put forward at the meeting were approved by shareholders. A total of 60,059,026 common shares (65.69% of the 91,422,569 issued and outstanding shares of the Company entitled to vote as of the July 19, 2022 record date for the AGM) were present in person or by proxy, constituted a quorum for the transaction of business and were voted at the AGM. The agenda items submitted at the AGM were passed as described below. Percentages indicated below reflect the percentage of the total number of shares voted at the AGM with respect to that agenda item. Agenda Item 1 The detailed results of voting by ballot in respect of the election of directors were as follows: Nominee Votes For Votes Withheld Anton J. Drescher 52,854,781 (99.41%) 313,774 (0.59%) Fabrice Helliker 52,862,225 (99.42%) 306,330 (0.58%) Maurice Loverso 52,853,095 (99.41%) 315,460 (0.59%) Rowland Perkins 52,855,999 (99.41%) 312,556 (0.59%) Tom Perovic 52,943,471 (99.58%) 225,084 (0.42%) Ron Wages 52,840,713 (99.38%) 327,842 (0.62%) There were 6,890,471 broker non-votes with respect to the election of directors. Votes that were withheld and broker non-votes were counted for the purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum but had not other effect on the election of directors. Agenda Item 2 To ratify the appointment of Davidson & Company LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as the Company's independent public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. The votes cast for or against this agenda item, and the numbers of abstentions, were as follows: For Against Abstain 59,902,003 (99.74%) 102,109 (0.17%) 54,914 (0.09%) There were no broker non-votes with respect to this agenda item. Abstentions were counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum, and abstentions were deemed to be "votes cast" and had the same effect as a vote against this agenda item. Agenda Item 3 To approve the adoption of the Company's Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan. The votes cast for or against this agenda item, and the number of abstentions, were as follows: For Against Abstain 52,069,682 (97.93%) 367,182 (0.69%) 731,691 (1.38%) There were 6,890,471 broker non-votes with respect to this agenda item. Broker non-votes and abstentions were counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum. Abstentions were deemed to be "votes cast" and had the same effect as a vote against this agenda item. Broker non-votes were not deemed to be "votes cast", and therefore had no effect on the vote with respect to this proposal. Agenda Item 4 To approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of the Company's named executive officers. The votes cast for or against this agenda item, and the number of abstentions, were as follows: For Against Abstain 52,295,899 (98.36%) 137,447 (0.26%) 735,209 (1.38%) There were 6,890,471 broker non-votes with respect to this agenda item. Broker non-votes and abstentions were counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum. Abstentions were deemed to be "votes cast" and had the same effect as a vote against this agenda item. Broker non-votes were not deemed to be "votes cast", and therefore had no effect on the vote with respect to this proposal. The detailed "Report of Voting Results" on all resolutions for the Company's AGM is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR, on the Company's website, in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission available under the Company's profile on EDGAR or upon request by contacting the Company's Corporate Secretary at (604) 685-1017. About Oculus VisionTech Oculus VisionTech Inc. (OVT), www.ovtz.com, is a cloud-native development-stage technology company focused on data compliance and digital privacy solutions for business customers worldwide. With offices in San Diego, California and Vancouver, British Columbia, the Company is currently expanding its' new ComplyTrust www.complytrust.com, product suite which includes the ComplyScan cloud data protection and compliance tool and Forget-Me-Yes B2B data privacy Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform, optimizing CCPA, GDPR, LGPD and other regulatory compliance legislation for Salesforce organizations worldwide that provide businesses with secure data privacy tools enabling sustained and continuous global regulatory compliance of data subject rights. OVTZ's legacy Cloud-DPS digital content protection solution implements invisible forensic watermarking technology that seamlessly embeds imperceptible tracking components into documents and video-frame content that enables tamper-proof legal auditability for intellectual property protection. Learn more about Oculus at www.ovtz.com or follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/OculusVT) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Oculus VisionTech/ ) About ComplyTrust ComplyTrust Inc. https://complytrust.com/, a 100% wholly-owned subsidiary of Oculus VisionTech, is specifically focused on providing enterprise organizations and individuals with secure data privacy tools that provide sustained and continuous global regulatory compliance of data subject rights. Headquartered in San Diego, California, ComplyTrust was founded by industry veteran storage technology experts and is operated by an experienced management team. Learn more about ComplyTrust at https://complytrust.com/. For further information, contact: Anton Drescher Telephone: (604) 685-1017 Fax: (604) 685-5777 Website: http://ovtz.com/ TSXV: https://money.tmx.com/en/quote/OVT/companyprofile-section-company-spoke US OTC Markets (OTCQB): https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/OVTZ/security Berlin Borse: https://www.boerse-berlin.com/index.php/Shares?isin=US67575Y1091 Frankfurt Borse: https://www.boerse-frankfurt.de/equity/oculus-visiontech Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this news release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among others, statements as to the intended uses of the proceeds received from the Offering. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "may", "should", "budget", "schedules", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including risks and uncertainties relating to, among others, the change of business focus of the management of Oculus, the inability of Oculus to pursue its current business objectives, the ability of the Company to obtain any required governmental, regulatory or stock exchange approvals, permits, consents or authorizations required, including TSXV final acceptance of the Offering and any planned future activities, and obtain the financing required to carry out its planned future activities. Other factors such as general economic, market or business conditions or changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting the Company's industry, may also adversely affect the future results or performance of the Company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and Oculus assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Although Oculus believes that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance those beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consider all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosed in Oculus' periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the United States Securities Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulators. These reports and Oculus' public filings are available at www.sec.gov in the United States and www.sedar.com in Canada. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137336 CHICAGO, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- p-Chip Corporation, a company that is revolutionizing the tracking of physical products and materials with its cutting-edge microtransponder technology, today introduced its newest breakthrough, the p-Chip Code secure tracking tag. The p-Chip Code tracker combines a silicon-based p-Chip microtransponder with a standard 2D matrix code to create hyper-secure QR codes, bar codes and other matrix codes. "The pandemic brought widespread QR code use into the center of the consumer mainstream," said Joe Wagner, CEO of p-Chip Corporation. "But for many businesses, including food brands, pharmaceutical companies, automobile manufacturers and others, QR codes pose a host of potential security risks, since they are incredibly easy to create and replicate. The new p-Chip Code technology provides an additional layer of security for QR codes or other matrix codes, delivering a breakthrough in reliable traceability at an affordable price." The p-Chip Code tracker functions like a tiny digital anchor for physical items. The nearly invisible p-Chip microtransponder is embedded directly into a 2D matrix code label, which is then placed onto virtually anything, including food and agriculture products, medicine bottles, automobile parts and more. Any standard 2D matrix code, like a QR code, can then be validated via its embedded p-Chip microtransponder, and businesses can manage tracking data with web, cloud or blockchain applications. This provides added security-as well as an opportunity to associate additional, internal data with the physical product. Companies can digitally trace ingredients, components and materials to enhance product security, safety compliance and quality control. Additionally, in certain cases, consumers can scan a QR code to determine if they are part of a product recall, and companies can then validate those claims via the more secure p-Chip Code microtransponder. The p-Chip Code tracking tag allows for the serialization of physical materials; counterfeit-resistant security at a scalable price; visibility into secure, granular data across the supply chain; and minimization of the risks and vulnerabilities associated with QR codes alone. About p-Chip Corporation Since 2017, p-Chip Corporation has revolutionized the tracking of physical products and materials with its breakthrough microtransponder technology. Its p-Chip tracker, a highly durable technology as small as a grain of salt, functions like a digital anchor for physical items, delivering breakthrough visibility and index-ability at a scalable price point. From pharmaceuticals to electronics, automotive components to agricultural ingredients, companies worldwide rely on patented p-Chip tracking technology to unlock business intelligence, deepen brand loyalty and enhance revenue. To learn more, visit www.p-chip.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1900013/p_Chip_Corporation_Launches_Secure_QR_Code_Technology_for_Tracing_and_Security.jpg PORT HUENEME, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 15, 2022 / Opening day of the 2022 FATHOMWERX Summit today was a success with hundreds of people representing partner organizations gathered to explore the intersection between technology and the Department of the Navy. The two-day event was held at the FATHOMWERX Lab located at the Port of Hueneme. Day one opening remarks by Capt. Scott Raymond, Commanding Officer, NAVFAC, EWC; Bruce Stenslie, President & CEO of the Economic Development Collaborative; Bryan Went, CEO of Matter Labs; Christina Bridsey, Chief Operations Officer at the Port of Hueneme; Capt. Andrew Hoffman, Commanding Officer of NSWC, PHD; and Alan Jaeger, Director of the NavalX Ventura Tech Bridge kicked off the 2022 FATHOMWERX Summit held at the Port of Hueneme. The FATHOMWERX Summit is open to people working in the tech industry, academia, and government as well as active duty and retired personnel. Alan Jaeger, NavalX Ventura Tech Bridge Director at the Office of Research and Technology/Applications Manager at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, said the tech bridge is a meaningful collaborative space to identify and solve problems. "We support the men and women in uniform through our collaboration," said Jaeger. "The partnerships with small businesses could not happen without economic support." Attendees at the FATHOMWERX Summit held at the Port of Hueneme gathered to explore the intersection between the Navy and technology industries. The day's agenda was packed with speakers and exhibitors as well technology demonstrations, tours of the Port and FATHOMWERX Lab, and interactive panel discussions focused on emerging and existing technologies. "Creating an environment for economic success and doing everything to facilitate communications to create job opportunities while contributing to the nation's defense is important," said Bruce Stenslie, President & CEO of the Economic Development Collaborative. The FATHOMWERX Summit provides an opportunity for technical and operational stakeholders to discuss gaps in capabilities and work together on new technological solutions. Bryan Went, CEO of Matter Labs, said FATHOMWERX is not just a physical space, but a community for tech creators. "If you have a solution, come show us," Went said. "If you have a need, come tell us." The event was created to accelerate information exchange and reduce risk for implementation via testing of technology in the field as conducted by the Navy, the Port, and other partners in the public and private sector. "Each year, we are excited to support our maritime partners through this annual summit partnership," said Kristin Decas, CEO & Port Director. "This inclusive event leverages the unique resources and infrastructure available at the Port of Hueneme as well as highlight the advancements in tech industry and its usage by the Navy. The Port of Hueneme is one of the most productive and efficient commercial trade gateways for niche cargo and the 6th largest container port on the West Coast. The Port is governed by five locally elected Port Commissioners. The Port moves $10.85 billion in goods each year and consistently ranks among the top ten U.S. ports for automobiles and fresh produce. Port operations support the community by bringing $1.7 billion in economic activity and creating 15,834 trade-related jobs. Trade through the Port of Hueneme generates more than $119 million in direct and related state and local taxes, which fund vital community services. In 2017, the Port of Hueneme became the first port in California to become Green Marine certified and was voted the Greenest Port in the U.S. at the Green Shipping Summit. Visit www.portofh.org PRESS CONTACT Letitia Austin Public & Government Relations Manager laustin@portofh.org (805) 271-2205 SOURCE: Port of Hueneme View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/716197/An-Event-Exploring-the-Intersection-Between-Tech-and-Defense-Industries-Held-at-the-Port-of-Hueneme Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 15, 2022) - Buffalo Coal Corp (TSXV: BUF) ("Buffalo Coal Corp." or "the Group" or "the Company" or "the Issuer") advises its shareholders that Belvedere Resources DMCC ("Belvedere") has received written consent from Investec Bank Ltd to assign the convertible debt ("the Loan") of USD 27,000,000 (twenty-seven million United States dollars) purchased from Resource Capital Fund V L.P. ("RCF") for a consideration of USD 2,000,000 (two million United States dollars) ("the Transaction") in Belvedere's favour. This transaction was first announced on June 15, 2022 and the Company is now in the process of transferring the Loan from RCF to Belvedere. About Buffalo Coal Buffalo is a coal producer in South Africa. It holds a majority interest in two operating mines through its 100% interest in Buffalo Coal Dundee Proprietary Limited, a South African company which has a 70% interest in Zinoju Coal Proprietary Limited ("Zinoju"). Zinoju holds a 100% interest in the Magdalena bituminous mine, the Aviemore East anthracite mine and the Balgray and North Adit anthracite projects in South Africa. Buffalo Coal has an experienced coal-focused Board and Management team. The Company has its primary listing on the TSX Venture Exchange and has a secondary listing on the Alternative Exchange, operated by the JSE Limited. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects the Company's current expectations regarding future events. Forward looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward looking information. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Ms Emma Oosthuizen Chief Executive Officer Email: emma.oosthuizen@buffalocoal.co.za Registered office: Greytown Road Industrial Area, Dundee KwaZulu-Natal, 3000 September 15, 2022 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137322 Wellington, New Zealand--(Newsfile Corp. - September 15, 2022) - New Zealand Energy Corp. (TSXV: NZ) ("NZEC" or the "Company") announced today the results of its Annual General Meeting of shareholders held in Wellington, New Zealand on Friday 16 September 2022 (NZT). A total of 7,236,020 common shares representing just over 31.17% of the total issued and outstanding common shares were voted at the meeting. Each of the current directors, James Willis, Mark Dunphy and Dr David Llewellyn were re-elected as Directors of the Company to hold office until the next annual general meeting, or until successors are elected or appointed. Shareholders passed all other items of business put forward at the meeting. On behalf of the Board of Directors "James Willis" Chairman New Zealand Energy Contacts Email: info@newzealandenergy.com Website: www.newzealandenergy.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137357 Avance Investment Management, a Miami, FL- and NYC-based private equity firm that invests in founder-owned, middle market businesses in the Services, Technology and Consumer sectors, closed its inaugural fund, Avance Investment Partners, L.P., and affiliated vehicles, with aggregate capital commitments of approximately $1.1 billion. The fund received support from a diverse range of high-quality institutional investors, including pension plans, insurance companies, foundations and fund of funds, as well as industry executives and the general partner. Founded in 2020 and led by David Perez and Luis Zaldivar, Avance leverages its teams deep functional expertise and the firms proprietary STAGE framework to capitalize on business expansion opportunities and accelerate revenue growth for the companies it partners with. To date, the firm has completed four platform investments: RIA Advisory, a revenue management solutions provider; Synergy Infrastructure Holdings, an equipment rental provider; UniVista Insurance, a provider of insurance services; and Indimade, an e-commerce provider of ingredients and supplies to commercial artisans and hobbyists. FinSMEs 15/09/2022 Excision Medical, Inc., a Malvern, PA-based medical device company addressing the need for lifetime management of aortic stenosis through leaflet modification technology, raised $2.5M in financing. The round was led by the internal team, with addition of Drs. James McCabe, MD (UW Medicine, Seattle, WA) and Adam Greenbaum, MD (Emory, Atlanta, GA) as Scientific Advisory Board members. The company intends to use the funds to advance its catheter systems. Excision is advancing The Excision Medical Leaflet Excision System, which is designed to allow physicians to target and excise one or more aortic valve leaflets while also considering the hemodynamic needs of patients. The company was founded in 2020 by Greg Walters, former CEO of Essential Medical, Inc. (Teleflex, Inc.), Dr. Gary Roubin, MD, PhD, a coronary and carotid stenting pioneer, Dr. David Wood, MD, Head of Cardiology and Director of the Centre for Cardiovascular Innovation in Vancouver, British Columbia and Dr. Janarthanan Sathananthan, MD, MPH, Director of the Centre for Heart Valve Innovation Bench Testing Laboratory. FinSMEs 15/09/2022 China's top legislator, Li Zhanshu, was set to arrive in Seoul on Thursday for meetings with President Yoon Suk-yeol and National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo amid speculation he could discuss the possibility of President Xi Jinping visiting Korea. Li, China's third-highest-ranking official and chief of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, will lead a large delegation to Seoul for the three-day trip at the invitation of Kim. After arrival in the afternoon, no official event is set for the rest of the day. On Friday, he is expected to pay a visit to Yoon and hold talks with Kim. The possibility of Xi's visit to Korea could come up during the meeting with Yoon, while the talks with Kim are expected to focus on strengthening parliamentary cooperation between the two countries as Seoul and Beijing mark 30 years since establishing diplomatic ties this year. Their meeting will be followed by a joint press briefing and a banquet. Li's visit marks the first one by China's top legislator to the country since former legislator Zhang Dejiang's trip in 2015. National Assembly Secretary-General Lee Kwang-jae plans to greet Li at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, south of Seoul, after criticism arose last month that no South Korean official was at the airport when U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Seoul. (Yonhap) groundcover, a Tel Aviv, Israel-based provider of a K8s application monitoring solution, raised $24.5M in Seed funding. The round was led by Zeev Ventures, Angular Ventures, Heavybit and Jibe Ventures. The company intends to use the funds to further product development. Founded in 2021 by Shahar Azulay (previously ML Manager, Apple) and Yechezkel Rabonivich (previously Chief Architect, CyberMDX), groundcover is a K8s application monitoring solution built for modern production environments, which covers everything, stores only what matters, allowing teams to scale away without worries. The system utilizes eBPF* to provide deep Kubernetes observability, using it to trace any type of event from network and infrastructure, all the way to services and applications running in the user space. By using eBPF to collect observability data straight from the Linux kernel, the company requires no R&D efforts in the process. *eBPF was first introduced in 2014 and allows programs to run directly in an isolated virtual machine inside the Linux kernel. In the last 24 months, eBPF has evolved to solve new use cases, in fields like network infrastructure, security and observability. FinSMEs 15/09/2022 Businesses that dont actively seek improvement are on the way to an inevitable decline. Therefore, whether your company is only starting or is already well-established, you should constantly find ways to enhance business performance. Not only will this increase your market share, but it can also help to boost return on investment and revenue. So, here are some ways to enhance business performance. Set Goals Top management should define clear goals and strategies and then communicate company expectations to employees, which is essential for having an ideal workforce and an effective way to improve business performance. The organisations lack of understanding of the companys goals and strategies could negatively affect the business. Company leaders should set coherent goals to boost performance, along with a means to track the goals progress. When setting goals and strategies, list the objectives and get the employees involved in the goal-setting process. Avoid far-reaching and unrealistic goals that are hard to achieve. Render specific goals that are measurable, realistic, achievable, and timely. Set monthly or weekly milestones, which helps motivate employees to score the big-picture goals. Goals are essential in every organisation. Imagine running a race with no finish line. Thats also how it feels if your company doesnt have clear objectives. You should have something to work toward, keeping your employees more engaged. Also, research shows that goal setting encourages employees to connect better with their organisation. Aside from the increased optimism in the office, it can also boost employee performance. Implement Training There are various reasons why employers should provide training for employees. One of the biggest reasons is that it helps with professional development, which benefits the employees and the organisation. It helps to develop the skills employees need to perform their jobs more effectively, which helps enhance business performance. Employers should not hesitate to invest in training schemes for employees. Some organisations even bring in a training consultant from third-party companies to conduct a training session, which adds to the cost. However, training can quickly deliver a return on investment. Alternatively, there are also several great free online and e-learning courses, this ensures that they can do it on the job or in their spare time. It helps workers operate more effectively and efficiently, boosting their productivity. It also allows them to take on new roles and responsibilities. The more skilled an employee is, the greater the potential value they can provide to the organisation. Training also allows employers to retain talented staff longer. If employees feel that their employers give them every opportunity to develop and grow, they will be more than happy to stay longer in the company. As a result, the company receives an even greater return on investment for every individual hire. Enhance Communication Effective communication improves the connection within the organisation, which benefits the business in many ways. It can lead to better decision-making, faster problem solving, increased productivity, improved business relationships, better financial results, higher employee satisfaction, and many more. So, if you want to enhance your business performance, you should encourage effective communication within the workplace. Considering the significant amount of time people spend communicating within the workplace, the need for effective communication is clear. One study found that workers send and receive about 2,000 messages every day through email, telephone, and face-to-face interactions. Thus, the need for sufficient communication skills is essential for everyone. In addition, those who can communicate well have better chances of promotion. The Harvard Business Review stated that one of the most significant factors in promoting someone to an executive position is the ability to communicate effectively. Its more important than education, ambition, hard work, etc. Whether you aim to attract the best talents or win customers to your company, your success will largely depend on your communication skills. If you can write and speak well, you will gain a better advantage that can benefit you throughout your career. Moreover, since your ability to communicate is crucial in improving efficiency, quality, and responsiveness, your communication skills will affect your business performance positively. Hire Specialist Roles Specialists are employees who are experts in a specific field. Its a broad term to describe a professional responsible for performing specific tasks within their niche. For instance, instead of having your HR team take care of payroll, you can hire agencies that specialise in payroll services, a great way to minimise business expenses and boost productivity. Payroll is a critical component of business, which employers should not overlook. No matter how you manage your business well, if youre not efficient on accounting and payroll, you cannot expect your business performance to improve. But things will get easier if you bring in payroll services. Hiring specialists who can handle complex, financial-related tasks will give you peace of mind, allowing you to focus on the more essential aspects of your business. Outsourcing payroll services might seem like an expensive venture. However, its a fantastic investment. You will reap many rewards, such as saving time. As you know, bookkeeping takes significant time to process, and even small mistakes could cost you a lot. Payroll services are there to make things so much easier for you. Be Consistent Consistency in business builds trust and improves efficiency. Its essential in various aspects of the company, especially during challenging times when employees want reassurance and certainty. There are many ways you can practice consistency in your business. First, make sure to follow your business plan consistently. It defines your goals, visions, and strategies to achieve these goals. Changing circumstances could make you rethink some aspects, but your direction and niche must remain consistent. Define your brand and promise, and ensure you stick to it. Your brand defines everything you do in your business, including how you interact with your customers. While its good to be creative, you must resist the urge to change your branding unnecessarily, or it could affect your ability to move forward. Consistency is what makes your customers happy. It demonstrates professionalism and generates trust. Delivering late and inconsistencies in product quality could affect your business reputation. Two-day conference, "Panama and its Indigenous People," coming to Flagler in October This fall, Flagler College is proud to host a two-day conference, Panama and its Indigenous People, as a part of National Hispanic Heritage month on Oct. 14 and 15 across various campus locations. The conference is coordinated by Dr. Eugenia Charoni, associate professor of romance languages at Flagler. Florida Humanities Logo This conference will host leaders travelling from the Embera and Kuna Yala indigenous groups of the Central American country, Panama. Their travel here and this conference is made possible by a $5,000 grant awarded by Florida Humanities in conjunction with The National Endowment for the Humanities. Last semester, Dr. Charoni led a spring break study abroad trip to Panama taking students across the Emebra Drua, Embera Maje and Kuna Yala indigenous territories. On this trip, students were able to experience and learn about these groups culture, history and language. Three of the indigenous leaders Dr. Charoni cultivated relationships with through her research and on this trip will be the featured speakers of this conference. As representatives of the Embera and Kuna Yala indigenous groups, they will share their culture, history, artifacts, dance, music and language with guests of the conference. In addition to presentations by these leaders, five of the students who joined Dr. Charoni on her Panama trip will give presentations on what they learned through their interactions with and research related to the indigenous groups. To close out the conference, the Panamanian folklore group Viva Panama will perform live to showcase the diversity of Panama, a blend of colonial and western times with the strong indigenous presence. The conference is free and open to the public. All events are located in the Ringhaver Student Center, with specific rooms noted in the event schedule. Schedule of Events Day 1 - Friday, October 14, 2022 9:00 am - 3:50 pm | Photography Exhibition | Embera and Kuna Yala craftwork exposition | Jay's Place 9:00 am - 9:30 am | Opening remarks | Dr. Charoni and Chair of the Humanities Department |Presentation of the speakers | Virginia Room 9:30 am - 9:50 am | Educacion Bilingue Intercultural EBI | Dr. Charoni | Virginia Room 10:00 am - 10:50 am | Flagler students presentations | Virginia Room 11:00 am - 12:30 pm | Kuna Yala History and Culture | Kuna Yala Art: Mola and its significance in the Kuna cosmovision and revolution (1925) | Virginia Room 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm | Lunch break 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm | Kuna language workshop | Virginia Room 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm | Traditional Kuna Dances (recorded) and music instrument presentation | Virginia Room Day 2 - Saturday, October 15, 2022 10:00 - 5:00 pm | Photography Exhibition | Embera and Kuna Yala craftwork exposition |Jays Place 10:00 am - 10:50 am | Embera History and Culture | Virginia Room 11:00 am - 11:50 am | Traditional Embera Dances (recorded) and outfits presentation | Virginia Room 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Lunch break 1:00 pm - 1:50 pm | Embera language workshop | Virginia Room 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm | Embera art and its significance | Virginia Room 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm | Live performance of folklore dances from the Panamanian Dance Group Viva Panama | Gamache-Koger Theater 4:30 pm - 5:00 pm | Closing remarks | Dr. Charoni and invited speakers | Gamache-Koger Theater Register Online Tagged As A scene from Netflix series "Narco-Saints" / Courtesy of Netflix Korean Embassy in Venezuela issues safety warning to Korean residents of Suriname By Lee Hae-rin The hit Netflix series, "Narco-Saints," has become a point of contention for Korea's diplomatic relations with the South American country of Suriname. The government of Suriname has threatened to take legal action against the series producers for what it has called a misleading portrayal of the country. It has also said it will send a letter of protest to the U.S. ambassador in Suriname over Netflix's support of the series. The 6-part Netflix original series released on Sept. 9 resolves around a civilian informant who collaborates with Korea's National Intelligence Service to capture a Korean drug lord operating in the South American country. It is based on a true story of Korean drug dealer Cho Bong-haeng, who operated a massive trafficking organization there two decades ago and was arrested in 2011. Suriname complained that the series' negative portrayal of the country as a drug trafficking hub is unfair and puts the country at a disadvantage. "Suriname no longer has the image that emerges in the series or no longer participates in these kinds of practices," Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation (BIBIS) Albert Ramdin said in a statement released on the government's website, Monday. A woman believed to be the mother of two children whose bodies were found in suitcases in New Zealand last month was apprehended in Korea on Thursday, police said. The woman, known as a Korean-born New Zealand citizen in her 40s, was arrested at an apartment in Ulsan, 307 kilometers southeast of Seoul, the National Police Agency said. Local police had tracked down the woman at the request of New Zealand police after the remains of the two children believed to have been killed in 2018 at ages 7 and 10, respectively, were found on Aug. 11 in suitcases bought by a resident of Auckland, New Zealand, at an auction. New Zealand police then launched a manhunt after presuming the woman as the mother of the two children and their murder suspect. The woman born in Korea is said to have acquired New Zealand nationality after her immigration and her husband previously died of a disease there. Police plan to transfer the woman to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office in preparation for an extradition screening by the Seoul High Court. The woman, while en route to Seoul, was asked by reporters whether she would confess to the crimes, but she flatly denied the murder allegations. "I didn't do it," the woman, who was covering her head with her clothes, said repeatedly. She reportedly fled to South Korea after her alleged crimes in New Zealand and stayed in Seoul and other places before moving into an acquaintance's apartment in Ulsan early this year. (Yonhap) Entrepreneur Ryan Lindsay Launches Seersucker Stud Seersucker Stud embodies the modern southern gentleman: smart, progressive, witty and sexy. The brand is the brainchild of Houston attorney Ryan Lindsay and he will grow it across various platforms: Instagram, a blog, a weekly Stud Talk Zoom event and an extremely humorous YouTube series that will launch on Friday, April 23, 2021. View as PDF Print View April 20, 2021 (FPRC) -- On this date Ryan Lindsay of Houston, Texas officially unveiled his brand, Seersucker Stud, with the launch of the dynamic website SeersuckerStud.com. Born from his wildly popular Instagram Thirst Trap Page, @Seersucker.Stud, the new brand embodies the modern southern gentleman: smart, progressive, witty and sexy. SeersuckerStud.com shows the dichotomy within the Houston businessman via a photo gallery full of spicy photos from Lindsays international modeling portfolio as well as a blog where he reveals his authentic self: funny, flawed, passionate and motivated for success. With the conclusion of his seventeen-year relationship with internationally-acclaimed artist John Ross Palmer, as 2020 wrapped Lindsay found himself divorced, unemployed and living alone with his three cats. After four years of practicing complex family law litigation, twelve years of owning and operating an exclusive art gallery, and five years of leading an artist mentoring nonprofit, Lindsay put together an attractive resume and dove headfirst into interviewing. He came close to securing executive positions in both statewide and national nonprofit organizations, but he could not suppress his own unquenchable entrepreneurial spirit and eventually terminated all efforts towards traditional employment. When asked bluntly just what the hell are you doing, Lindsay responds, Look. Im basically living my best life. Im working like a dog. Im taking huge risks. And Im thriving with the freedom that exists when you own your own business. Followed up with the next logical question, just how exactly he planned to make money, Lindsay replies, Now that is the million dollar question. Im not exactly sure. And, Im just going to have to figure it out. Currently the most potential comes from monetizing my YouTube series, sales of merchandise, hosting a live Zoom talk show and consulting with others on innovative marketing and the growth of their business. After a dozen years of elevating the career and name recognition of his ex-spouse, Lindsay considers himself to be an expert in the field. Seersucker Stud represents a number of things for which Lindsay takes tremendous pride. Hes given birth to a safe, creative business venture during the global coronavirus pandemic. The entire operation, including the production of his soon-to-be-released YouTube series, is run from his one-bedroom apartment in the Houston Heights. At 43 years old, Lindsay is not a traditional model by any means. This new brand is a celebration of both body positivity and the beauty that comes with maturity. It also reveals great courage. After more than a decade of being the man behind the scenes, hes now taken center stage. From the onset, the business will have a commitment to philanthropic giving. Lindsay will first-announce the companys inaugural charitable donation during tonights private launch party. If you have questions about Seersucker Stud, please contact our team of studs at SeersuckerStud@gmail.com. The Seersucker Stud YouTube series will drop this Friday, April 23, 2021. Send an email to Ryan Lindsay of r 2812240968 Recent Press Releases By The Same User Seersucker Stud Releases a Thirst Trap Tutorial on YouTube (Fri 23rd Apr 21) Stucco Repair Orlando is Now Serving a Larger Area, and Offering EIFS Repair One of Orlando's most well known stucco contractors is now offering EIFS repair, and serving a larger area. View as PDF Print View June 29, 2021 (FPRC) -- As of June 27, 2021, Stucco Repair Orlando has big news! Due to increased demand and need for EIFS repair, SRO has added that to their current list of services. For over two decades, they have provided realiable and affordable stucco contracting services to the central Florida area, focusing on providing stucco repair and stucco installation to the Orlando area. Several decades ago, EIFS was a very popular exterior substrate for homes and businesses in Orlando, and now, unfortunately, a lot of the EIFS is starting to fail. EIFS repair now joins stucco repair, stucco installation, stucco remediation, and stucco inspections. If your home or business has EIFS as part of its facade, give Stucco Repair Orlando a call to check it for moisture damage and more! We are one of the few EIFS certified stucco contractors in Florida and we are happy to answer your questions. To better serve our customers, we have now expanded our service area beyond Orlando.We now proudly offer stucco and stucco repair in Celebration, Holden Heights, South Orange, and Pine Hills. If you do not see your community listed, give us a call! We have combined with Stucco Orlando to offer a more streamlined service for our customers, both residential and commercial. We can now provide stucco services to our clients from a central location in Orlando and this greatly speeds up our response time for delivering estimates and quotes. Stucco Repair Orlando will still offer free quotes upon request, and we look forward to earning your business! Send an email to Mitch Bratton of r 4075670554 Recent Press Releases By The Same User Air Duct Cleaning Los Angeles is Helping Fight the Spread of COVID 19 (Thu 19th Aug 21) Tow Services Metairie's Expansion into the New Orleans Market is Beneficial to the Driving Community (Fri 25th Jun 21) Universal Solar Direct Joins Hands With GivePower in Their Flagship Charities Universal Solar Direct has decided to associate with GivePower for the betterment of everyone around them and the ecological system that we live in. View as PDF Print View October 29, 2021 (FPRC) -- The biggest purpose is that of strengthening the fabric of humanity that we all are tied to. Universal Solar Direct feels that it has a critical responsibility to fulfill towards society. It is also their moral duty to support others who are in need. This sentiment has enabled them to give back to the community with all their heart and soul. 'The goal of this partnership is to change the world for the better. Just talking about working for others is not going to help. Universal Solar Direct realized that and this was the reason that we have associated with GivePower in several of their endeavors aimed at making the world a better place for generations across continents.' - Universal Solar Direct Team Universal Solar Direct is proud to be a part of a platform that is internationally recognized and well known for being a source of support for millions of people across the globe. Universal Solar Direct believes in giving back to society as much as you take from it by supporting the charity that you believe in. It is your sense of obligation and the will to bring about a positive change in the lives of people around you that drive you towards these efforts. Universal Solar Direct has chosen to donate to various projects in GivePower 's portfolio. Having the power to give someone the quality of life they have always dreamt of is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Working towards improving the lives of others fills you with a sense of accomplishment. Universal Solar Direct found its calling in the very successful project of GivePower that it had carried out in Nepal. By providing solar energy to local fishermen, the organization had taken a giant leap towards the betterment of its citizens. Another project that spoke directly to Universal Solar Direct was the Virunga National Park project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was an exemplary initiative in 2016 where GivePower installed 3 micro-grids to enable communication across the region. It also facilitated electric cooking and reduced the citizens' dependence on wood and charcoal. Spread the word! Universal Solar Direct and GivePower believe in spreading the word and inspiring others to do as much as they can for people in need. We all are the children of mother earth and the sooner we realize it the better it is for all of us. Contact: https://www.universalsolardirect.com/nevada-solar-installer/ Call: (702) 978-7338 Send an email to Universal Solar Direct of r (702) 978-7338 Recent Press Releases By The Same User This photo shows the ladies' toilet signs in Sindang Station in central Seoul, Sept. 15. Yonhap Police have arrested a 31-year-old subway station worker for killing a female colleague in the public restroom of a subway station in Seoul, one day before a court was set to sentence him on charges of stalking her. The Seoul Metro employee, surnamed Jeon, allegedly stabbed the victim in her 20s to death in the ladies' restroom at Sindang Station on Line No. 2 on Wednesday evening. He was apprehended at the scene by other subway workers and ordinary citizens, and then handed over to police around 9 p.m. After the stabbing, the victim called for help via an emergency bell in the restroom. She was taken to a hospital in a state of cardiac arrest but was pronounced dead 2 1/2 hours later. Police said the suspect, wearing a disposable hair cap, lurked in the station for about 70 minutes before spotting, following and killing the victim. Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. A police officer looks at the scene through a caller's cell-phone camera and tracks its location. Courtesy of the Korean National Police Agency By Lee Yeon-woo A phone rings. "How can I help you?" asks a police officer. The woman on the line answers awkwardly as if she doesn't understand what she was told, "I am at a motel near the overpass. Can you deliver two orders of Chinese noodles here?" Her voice is shaky. Recognizing instantly that something is wrong and that she is actually asking for help, the police officer clears his throat and asks her again in a calm voice. "Are you with someone who is endangering you? If so, please tell me where you are now." This reconstructed conversation is based on a real story. In 2018, a police officer working in a police station located in the southern part of Gyeonggi Province received a phone call from a woman who was asking for help. Her abusive boyfriend was with her, so she couldn't speak to the police about what was happening over the phone. Instead, she pretended as if she was ordering a food delivery. The police officer sensed that she was in danger and encouraged her to provide her address. Then the police went to the motel and arrested the offender. This true story inspired the police to release new guidelines for victims of crimes on how they can ask for help when they are in the presence of their abuser without saying a word. What they can do while calling is press the numbers according to the police officer's instructions. The poster for the "Knock Knock" campaign. Courtesy of the Korean National Police Agency The police call it the "Knock Knock" campaign. "You've dialed 112 to report a crime but for some reason, you find it difficult to speak. If you are in a situation like this, please press the numbers according to the police officer's instructions to let them know that you are in danger," the campaign poster reads. Once the police officer makes sure that the person on the phone is reporting a crime in mute mode, he will send the victim a URL link that can trace their location and enable them to chat. "When the victim doesn't say anything after making a call, we will ask them to press the number buttons on their phone if they are not available to talk. Any numbers on a phone will do," an official from the Korean National Police Agency told The Korea Times. "They don't even have to turn on the camera app. There's also no need to install other programs or apps. The police can see what's going on through the victim's camera lens as if they are on a video call." This new system was launched this January as many victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and dating abuse find it hard to report crimes to the police, as they are often in the same space with the abuser. The number of domestic violence reports has decreased during the pandemic as people have been spending more time at home. According to the statistics of the Korean National Police Agency, 240,439 reports were made in 2019, but the figure gradually decreased to 221,824 in 2020, and 218,680 in 2021. The police hope this campaign enables the public easily to "knock" on the door of the police. "We expect this campaign to be a solution for both the public and the police. It will not only help people who are in a tough situation to step up but also the police to respond promptly," the Korean National Police Agency said. VENICE, Italy, Sept. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Known as the most influential artist in Mexico, Gilda Garza is an internationally recognized painter constantly pushing the boundaries between emotion and art. As America approaches Septembers Hispanic Heritage Month, this award-winning Mexico native prepares to make history with a moving collaborative collection by sculptural artist Mario Furlan in a live exhibition at New Murano, Atelier Muranese. On Wednesday, September 28th, the legendary Venetian glassmaker will create the Glass Kings series - a commemorative limited edition of the artists best-known pieces from her Kings and Queens collection. I have always put my entire heart and soul into my work, shares Garza. Im extremely grateful to create real world impact through art - the thing I love most. It is a true honor to see my influence and efforts reflected in a once-in-a-lifetime glass rendition by the historic New Murano gallery in Venice. Widely regarded as the master of Murano Sculptural Art, Mario Furlan will transform Garzas epic pieces into three-dimensional glass structures before a live audience of exhibition attendees. The finished works will then display at the more than 1,500-year old Atelier Muranese studio. Through the presentation of glass masters, fine art, conceptual art, and collectible design, the Venetian gallery supports the creative vision of Murano/Venetian artisan culture. The Gilda Garza Glass Queen exhibition serves their ongoing mission to expose the creative art process, from interpretation to object, using centuries-old skills of muranese high manufacturing. In the US, Garzas work can also be seen in an exclusive jewelry collection at Jason of Beverly Hills, Roberto Cavalli Haute Couture, and the House of Bijan on Rodeo Drive. Garza has been officially recognized for her cultural contributions by the Senate of the Republic constitutionally Chamber of Senators of the Honorable Congress of the Union in Mexico City. She is also acclaimed for donating $80,000 from the sale of a Vice President Kamala Harris-inspired painting to the World Woman Foundation, committed to empowering one million women artists by 2030. Learn more at GildaGarza.com . About Gilda Garza: A chapel named after Saint Peter is being used as a tourist rest area along the "Miracle Pilgrimage" trail, Sinan County. Courtesy of Sinan County Sinan County's tourism promotion strategy criticized as biased religiously By Lee Yeon-woo In the southwestern fishing and salt farm county of Sinan, in South Jeolla Province, consisting of a total of 1,025 islands, there's a long trail named "Miracle Pilgrimage" that is only revealed when the tide goes out. Stretching over 12 kilometers, tourists can walk on the trail during low tide and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Sinan County's islands by crossing the mudflats. Created in 2019, the trail has become a reason tourists from outside the county visit the rural islands in the Yellow Sea. The trail attracted 54,000 tourists in 2021 alone. Some call it "Seomtiago," a portmanteau of "Santiago" from the Camino de Santiago in Spain, and "seom," Korean for island. But the beautiful trail has also become a source of religious dispute between Buddhists and Christians due to its name. The nation's largest Buddhist sect, the Jogye Order, criticized Sinan County's tourist promotion campaign, alleging that the naming of some of its tourist sites favors Christians and thus constitutes religious bias. The Jogye Order raised questions about whether Sinan County deliberately used Christian terms in the area's branding in an attempt to remake them as sacred Christian sites. Since 2012, Sinan County has promoted itself under the name, the "Angel Islands." The name originates from the geographical character of the county, which consists of over 1,000 islands and islets. As part of its branding campaign, Sinan identified itself as the county of 1,004 islands. The pronunciation of "1,004" in Korean is the same as of "angel;" thus, the county branded itself as the "Angel Islands." The branding drew criticism from some Buddhist leaders, as they believe terms like "angels" or "pilgrimage" are biblical derivations. They were suspicious of the county's new name, as the actual number of islands and islets is 1,025, not 1,004 as the name claims. After organizing a task force on the issue in February, the Jogye Order has actively taken measures to rename the tourist site and eliminate sculptures and symbols that evoke Christianity. This April, the Jogye Order accused the site of promoting religious bias to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. The order also asked for a public apology from the governor of Sinan County. A chapel named after Saint Jude, part of the "Miracle Pilgrimage." Courtesy of Sinan County In response, Christians organized a public presentation Wednesday where they fired back. They said that Sinan County's branding has nothing to do with the proselytizing of Christianity. "Sinan County calling itself 'Angel Island' has no relation to missionary work. It refers to the number of islands by excluding several submerged islands during high tide. Angels mean good people nowadays in society and their meaning goes beyond Christianity. I would instead think it's a creative branding tactic to indicate that Sinan County is a place where kind and benevolent people live," Rev. Kim Cheol-young, the secretary-general of the Korea Christian Public Policy Council said. "The chapels named after the twelve disciples weren't built for worship services. They are just some of the tourist buildings making up 'Seomtiago.' You should draw a line between religious facilities and tourist places," Hwang Jong-whan, the chairman of the Knowledge Sharing Coexistence Network added. A sculpture of Saint James located along the "Miracle Pilgrimage." Courtesy of Sinan County LAGOS, Nigeria, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- An innovative teaching methodology delivering learning gains among the largest ever measured is being taken-up by more and more African and Indian governments - ahead of the global education summit to tackle whats being called the greatest learning crisis for 100 years. Rwandas Government is the latest to launch a national education transformation program - RwandaEQUIP - with the aim of making the countrys entire basic education system globally competitive. Global leaders are gathering in New York for the UN Transforming Education Summit - convened in response to the crisis in global education. A Solutions Day will focus on the few replicable programs - like RwandaEQUIP - already delivering transformation at scale. Educational transformation is a core priority for the Government of Rwanda and bold investments have been made to this effect, said Gaspard Twagirayezu, Minister of State in Charge of Primary and Secondary Education. RwandaEQUIP is supported by NewGlobes innovative methodology, confirmed in a landmark study to deliver learning gains easily in the top 1% of those ever rigorously studied at scale in emerging markets. The study, led by Professor Michael Kremer, 2019 Nobel Prize winner, suggests children living in underserved communities receive over 53% more learning in NewGlobe supported schools compared to students in other schools. The results are an affirmation of NewGlobes integrated learning system, used by the Government of Rwanda and others across Africa and India to support a million students today and growing year-on-year. The study is based on a randomized control trial of more than 10,000 students from low socioeconomic backgrounds in Kenya. After two years, primary students taught using NewGlobes methods are nearly a whole additional year of learning ahead of students in other schools. For pre-primary students, two years teaching using NewGlobes methods puts them a year-and-a-half of additional learning ahead of other students. NewGlobes Africa Director Clement Uwajenza said: Despite enormous global investment, the 2030 SDG4 education targets will be missed, failing another generation of children. Now, is the time to identify and scale effective local solutions already being implemented by governments in the Global South. We all know the scale of the crisis, now we need practical action to solve it. The international community must unite and commit to implementing solutions already proven to work if were to have any prospect of delivering on the promise of quality education for all. We must all hope that this Summit seizes the chance for change. The groundbreaking education study also finds children taught using New Globes methods are three times more likely to be able to read at age seven. The World Bank estimates 90% of 10 year olds in Africa cant read a single sentence. World Bank Education Director Jaime Saavedra says the level of learning poverty in low and middle income countries is the most serious education crisis of the last 100 years. The latest UNESCO estimates suggest that SDG4 - the target to ensure quality education for all by 2030 - will be missed, with 300 million children still not reaching basic standards in literacy and numeracy. More details: marek.pruszewicz@newglobe.education Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c9d01433-18ba-4690-b2ae-cd561c3b4f10 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2210e4a1-6f26-4353-878a-a68ec7d2ed81 Chicago, Sept. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to Ariztons latest research report, Kuwait construction equipment market to grow at a CAGR of over 5.5% during 2022-2028. The growth in the construction equipment market is majorly driven by the increase in government investment in infrastructure & renovation projects, the boost given by the demand by the oil sector, and Kuwait's construction plans to expand its power generation capacity in wind and solar parks. Kuwait has permitted funding for development of a residential project with an investment of $6.8 billion. South Saad Al Abdullah Town, along with renovation of the historic marketplace, Souq Al Mubarakiya, is the major residential project in the Kuwait construction market. Kuwait Construction Equipment Market Report Scope Report Attributes Details MARKET SIZE (2028) $450 Million MARKET SIZE (2021) $306 Million CAGR (2022-2028) Over 5.5% BASE YEAR 2021 HISTORIC YEAR 2019-2020 FORECAST YEAR 2022-2028 TYPE Earthmoving Equipment, Road Construction Equipment, and Material Handling Equipment END-USERS Construction, Manufacturing, Mining, and Others KEY VENDORS Hitachi Construction Machinery, Liebherr, Caterpillar, Zoomlion, XCMG, SANY, Hyundai Construction Equipment, Volvo, JCB, and Kobelco Click Here to Download the Free Sample Report The Kuwait government is investing in construction projects in 2022, which expect to drive the demand for excavators during the forecast period. The government had allocated over $100 billion on infrastructure projects, hospitals, power stations and more than 100,000 residential housing units. This also includes major hydrocarbon projects such as the first phase of the Lower Fars heavy-oil project with an investment of $4.2 billion Key Highlights The growth in infrastructure investment under Kuwait national development plan 2035, surge in civil engineering & housing projects in 2021, is expected to support the demand for excavators in Kuwait market. In 2021, Kuwait's Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) planned to work on 43 projects worth over $3.26 billion ranging from plot projects, public buildings, and road projects for residential cities. The government has permitted funding for the development of a residential project with an investment of $6.8 billion. South Saad Al Abdullah Town, along with the renovation of the historic marketplace, Souq Al Mubarakiya are the major residential projects in the Kuwait market. Kuwait Oil Company had allocated $2.8 billion investments to implement 3 projects, taking advantage of the recent recovery in oil prices in the oil and gas sector in 2021. The oil company allocated $831.7 million to construct oil pipelines, Wastewater injection station, phase two, in the north of Kuwait. In addition to it, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) planned to increase oil production capacity to 4.75 million barrels per day by 2040. In 2021, Kuwait Renewable Energy Prediction System (KREPS) set the goal of 15% renewable energy generation by 2030. The government invested $20 million for solar & wind projects in Shagaya renewable energy park in Al Jahra region of Kuwait. Growth in oil & gas industry, rising for infrastructure development & renewable energy projects across the country is expected to have positive impact on the demand for construction equipment in Kuwait market. Labor shortage is the major challenge for the country, the construction industry has more than 20% of shortage of labors in 2022. The rising prices of building material, along with increasing of steel price in construction industry can hamper infrastructure development projects planned under Kuwait National Development Plan 2035. Zoomlion, Hyundai Construction Machinery, Caterpillar & Liebherr held combined market share of ~ 24.7% market share in Kuwait in 2021. Key Vendors Hitachi Construction Machinery Liebherr Caterpillar Zoomlion Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co. Ltd. (XCMG) SANY Hyundai Construction Equipment Volvo JCB Kobelco Other Prominent Vendors Terex corporation Tadano Liu Gong CASE Construction Distributors Profiles Mohamed Abdulrahman Al-Bahars Machinery Arab Group for Equipment and Construction (AGECO) Alghanim Equipment EMDAD Equipment EQUIP Masaha Heavy Equipment Market Segmentation Type Earthmoving Equipment: Excavator Backhoe Loaders Motor Graders Other Earthmoving Equipment (Other loaders, Bulldozers, Trenchers) Material Handling Equipment Crane Forklift & Telescopic Handlers Aerial Platforms (Articulated Boom Lifts, Telescopic Boom lifts, Scissor lifts) Road Construction Equipment Road Rollers Asphalt Pavers End Users Construction Manufacturing Mining Others Explore our industrial machinery profile to know more about the industry. Click Here to Download the Free Sample Report Read some of the top-selling reports: About Arizton: Arizton Advisory and Intelligence is an innovation and quality-driven firm, which offers cutting-edge research solutions to clients across the world. We excel in providing comprehensive market intelligence reports and advisory and consulting services. We offer comprehensive market research reports on industries such as consumer goods & retail technology, automotive and mobility, smart tech, healthcare, and life sciences, industrial machinery, chemicals, and materials, IT and media, logistics and packaging. These reports contain detailed industry analysis, market size, share, growth drivers, and trend forecasts. Arizton comprises a team of exuberant and well-experienced analysts who have mastered in generating incisive reports. Our specialist analysts possess exemplary skills in market research. We train our team in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics to outperform in fabricating impregnable research reports. Click Here to Contact Us Call: +1-312-235-2040 +1 302 469 0707 Singapore, Singapore, Sept. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What is Bunzz? Bunzz is a DApp Development platform that provides blockchain developers with easier tools to save development time through a GUI and also their own SDK for advanced blockchain developers and an open source Smart Contract Hub to allow smart contracts combinations and build complex DApps. Among the web3 industry players, Bunzz is Asia's largest smart contract development infrastructure startup and keeps increasing its visibility and acknowledgment every month. A web3 version of the Docker Hub ecosystem As a Web3 development platform, Bunzz allows blockchain developers to easily deploy a DApp by combining modularized smart contracts like Legos and deploy them in 5 minutes with a few clicks, reducing development costs and time to many web3 startups and open source blockchain developers. Not only native modules provided by Bunzz are available, but also a handful of modules developed by smart contract experts are going to be available, just like Docker Hubs repository service, in which developers can easily use modules developed by other users. On top of this, Bunzz will contribute to start compensating web3 open source developers by rewarding their contribution to the ecosystem and incentivizing them to keep up on the long term, benefiting the whole web3 industry. Progress since launch Since launch on 14th January 2022, Bunzz has reached some milestones, such as: Exceeding 6000+ users 1500+ DAppss deployed using Bunzz Successfully launched their Smart Contract Hub (Repository service, currently on Beta and being upgraded) Successfully launched their Functions Monitoring service feature. Joint hackathon organized by Bunzz and Blockchain Hub Africa, where 10 out of 13 teams successfully developed a DApp using Bunzz. The participants were web3 newbies and the event lasted only two weeks. This shows that Bunzz can perfectly support web2 developers in their entry into web3. At the moment, wrapping up all the services offered by Bunzz to blockchain developers as end user, we can find the following: 1) To blockchain developers (Both Modules Creators and DAppss Creators): Smart Contracts Deployment Dashboard via GUI Connection of Smart Contracts deployed to any UI/Frontend via SDK DApps's smart contract's functions Management via Bunzz Dashboard DApps's functions usage Monitoring Smart Contract's code edit/customization before deployment via own Console IDE (coming soon) Smart Contracts Marketplace to choose new Modules/functionalities for their DApp projects 2) Rewards in future Bunzz tokens go to: Module Creators (create new Smart Contracts use cases for Marketplace) Smart Contracts Auditors Significant increase in users September began with the surplus of a steady user's monthly growth consolidation for Bunzz. Its been announced they hit 6000+ registered users. Bunzz Listed on Coinbases chaos map Recently Bunzz has been included as part of Coinbases chaos map of web3 development infrastructure startups and web3 tools for developers. This mention meant a great recognition that confirms Bunzz as one of the key and leading services for blockchain engineers in the DApp development space; not only as a no-code/low-code platform, but also as a web3 framework and soon IDE ideal to meet web3 developers needs. You can find and read the full Coinbase post here: https://blog.coinbase.com/a-simple-guide-to-the-web3-developer-stack-8364b612d69c Selected finalist of the biggest web3 accelerator in Singapore Bunzz has been selected as a finalist in ILAP (Icetea Labs Accelerator Program), Singapores largest Web3 Accelerator Program; in which only 6 teams will win, allowing them to receive funding opportunities and mentoring from top tier networks such as Polygon and venture capital such as Hashed. (Out of the 250 teams that participated, we are currently ranked 5th) To keep up to date with their latest achievements and most recent news the best is to follow Bunzz on Twitter, Discord and their Website. They offer continuous support to blockchain developers throughout the process of creating DApps in Bunzz platform. For the original news story, please visit https://www.prdistribution.com/news/bunzz-asia-s-largest-smart-contract-development-infrastructure-exceeded-6-000-users-and-is-listed-on-coinbase-s-chaos-map/9292710 NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Azure Power Global Limited (Azure or the Company) (NYSE: AZRE). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Azure and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On August 29, 2022, Azure issued a press release disclosing, among other items, that [t]he Company received a whistleblower complaint in May 2022 alleging potential procedural irregularities and misconduct by certain employees at a plant belonging to one of its subsidiaries. Azure further reported that [a]s part of the Companys review of these allegations, it discovered deviations from safety and quality norms, and it has implemented mechanisms to remediate them and in so doing strengthen safety and quality protocols. Azures Audit Committee, with the assistance of legal counsel and forensic accounting support, also identified evidence of manipulation of project data and information by certain employees. The Company is implementing immediate remedial measures, and Azure is initiating disclosure of the findings to the appropriate authorities. On this news, Azures stock price fell $4.61 per share or 44.07% percent, to close at $5.85 per share on August 29, 2022. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com English Lithuanian September 15, 2022. NRD Companies, a global group of information technology companies, specializing in the creation of GovTech and FinTech solutions and the provisioning of subject matter consultancy services, has recently released its H1 2022 report. The groups revenue in the first half of 2022 decreased by 6 percent, compared to the same period in 2021 - from 3.3 million to 3.1 million EUR. EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) decreased from 204 thousand to -359 thousand EUR. That said, revenue from the retail sector grew by 119%, while the E-Government sector decreased by 15% compared to 2021 H1. The ongoing long-term effects of the Pandemic in Southeast Asia and Caribbean regions have manifested themselves in the cancellation or postponement of a number of projects. Despite that, NRD Companies have pursued a strategy of ensuring sustainable business growth for 2022 and beyond. We continued to invest heavily in expanding the Consultancy department by proceeding to recruit subject matter experts in Digitalization of public services; Development of Business, Civil and other registers; Digital ID and Digital Signature; Digital Inclusion and other areas. This strategy worked, as during the reported period the companys consultants have started or continued developing long-term projects, ranging from periods of 5 months to 4 years. These include ICT strategies and the provision of business registry assessments in several countries including Sint Maarten, Commonwealth of Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago, Palestine, Guyana, and Somalia, says Mindaugas Glodas, CEO of NRD Companies. NRD Companies also managed to retain its most valuable asset personnel. Even more, the group hired new technical and business development experts, increased salaries and invested in employees skill building and improved methodologies in order to increase productivity. Significant investments have also been made in the development of URP (Unified Registry Platform), an internationally proven platform for building advanced registry solutions under various jurisdictions, aimed at reducing implementation costs and increasing value for customers. NRD Companies has begun to implement a series of consultancy projects in various countries, including the development in Lithuania of the smart electronic cash register system (iEKA project) for the Lithuanian State Tax Inspectorate. In addition, NRD Companies is continuing to implement the Business e-Register platform in Belize, is pursuing many other projects, and is already in the negotiation phase for new projects in its core domains: E-Registers; E-Governance; E-Services; Tax Collection; Smart Retail; Digital Banking. Our teams are well poised to perform development, implementation and consultancy projects in our target markets i.e. Africa, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. In the first half of 2022, the group implemented projects in 29 countries. We will continue to adhere to our objective to remain a leading E-Registries solutions provider alongside providing accompanying advisory solutions needed to transform developing countries, concludes Glodas. ABOUT NRD COMPANIES NRD Companies is a global IT and consulting group of companies, specializing in governance and economic digital infrastructure development. Headquartered in Norway, the group unites companies operating in Fintech, GovTech, and practice-based consulting areas in aiding countries to reach UN sustainable development goals. NRD Companies have a successful track record of implementing projects, such as e-registers, e-service delivery platforms, national post digitalization, tax administration platforms, and other digital solutions, in all 5 continents. The group is a recognized leader in the industry and is controlled by the INVL Technology UTIB. NRD Companies is a parent company for the following subsidiary corporations: Norway Registers Development AS, NRD Systems, NRD Rwanda, ETRONIKA, Infobank Uganda. More information: www.nrdcompanies.com Attachment Oversubscribed financing round with top-tier life science investors, led by Wellington Partners Spin-off from Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin developing sophisticated AI models to improve understanding, diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases Funds to expand US market presence and further advance AI platform BERLIN, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aignostics, a spin-off from Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, developing novel digital pathology solutions with Explainable AI for pharmaceutical research and diagnostics, today announced the closing of an oversubscribed 14m Series A financing round. Wellington Partners led the round, joined by existing investors Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund (BIVF), VC Fonds Technologie managed by IBB Ventures and High-Tech Grunderfonds (HTGF). CARMA Fund, initiated by Ascenion, also participated as a new investor. While pathologists are outstanding at interpreting individual tissue samples qualitatively, deep analysis of large data sets is a challenge better suited for AI. Recognizing that, Aignostics focuses on building leading AI models for the detailed analysis of tissue samples and associated metadata for its blue-chip pharma and biotech clients. Aignostics AI models go well beyond current off-the-shelf solutions and established approaches. Their models cover key tissue staining technologies including hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF). They enable the acceleration of pre-clinical and translational research to improve understanding of disease biology, mode of action, or novel biomarkers and drug response characteristics, which are difficult to assess with traditional approaches under a microscope. With this new round of funding, we want to continue building our presence and team. In particular, we will put a stronger focus on the US market, in which we have been active since the beginning of this year, explained Viktor Matyas, CEO and co-founder of Aignostics. By accelerating our investments into our platform and regulatory excellence, we will be able to offer a Good Clinical Practice (GCP) compliant development and analysis process starting early 2023, and we plan to have first AI models in use in early-stage clinical trials soon thereafter. Eventually, we aim to become a credible choice for global Companion Diagnostic (CDx) developments too. In addition, we will continue driving innovation in machine learning research. For instance, our patented Explainable AI technology reverse engineers traditional black-box AI models and reveals features that its decisions and predictions are based on. This helps discover novel biomarkers or drug response characteristics. Moreover, we have developed a proprietary approach for the automated training of cell-level AI that does not rely on manual annotations by pathologists. Both approaches have successfully been deployed in client studies, and there are several more areas of research that we have identified as highly promising and impactful, said Dr. Maximilian Alber, CTO and co-founder. What makes Aignostics unique is not just its technology, but also its comprehensive access to key data modalities and pathologists, who are closely involved in the development process at all times. This combination allows Aignostics to rapidly build bespoke pre-trained AI models that are highly impactful when used by its clients on their own research and clinical trial data, said Dr. Johannes Fischer, Principal at Wellington Partners. The offering is tissue centric, meaning there is always a stained tissue sample at the core of the analysis, but often involving metadata and additional data modalities, such as molecular data or clinical data. Dr. Alexander Ehlgen from Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund added: We have been very pleased with the development of Aignostics over the last two years and believe the team has demonstrated the value it can add to its pharma and biotech clients. BIVF is therefore excited to continue supporting Aignostics growth and development, and in particular its research activities, as the Company builds out its market-leading technology and IP. Dr. Rainer Strohmenger, Managing Partner at Wellington Partners commented: We are deeply impressed by the Aignostics team and technology. Wellington is excited to join the group of existing investors and to support a leading German AI player during its expansion phase. Even more than our previous portfolio company Definiens, Aignostics has the potential to transform how the pharmaceutical industry and CROs use pathology in their drug development process, with the goal to significantly advance treatments for patients with hard-to-treat diseases, including cancer. ABOUT AIGNOSTICS Aignostics specializes in AI-powered pathology, uniquely combining proprietary technology, its pathologist network, and comprehensive access to key data modalities to build bespoke AI models for its global pharma and biotech client base. These AI models can deliver valuable insights into disease biology from tissue samples, such as novel biomarkers and drug response characteristics. Aignostics formally started in 2018 in the Digital Health Accelerator program of the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), based on joint research by Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, one of Europes largest university hospitals, led by Prof. Frederick Klauschen, and TU Berlin, led by Prof. Klaus-Robert Muller. In early 2020, Aignostics was spun-out of Charite. To date, Aignostics has raised close to 20m in funding from leading VC investors and has offices in Berlin, Germany, and Boston, U.S. www.aignostics.com Contact Media contact Aignostics GmbH MC Services AG Viktor Matyas, CEO Kaja Skorka, Dr. Regina Lutz Phone: +49 89-210 2280 Email: info@aignostics.com Email: aignostics@mc-services.eu ABOUT WELLINGTON PARTNERS Wellington Partners is a leading European venture capital firm investing in the most promising early- and growth stage life science companies in the fields of biotechnology, therapeutics, medical technology, diagnostics and digital health. With funds totalling more than 1.2 billion, thereof 590 million committed to life sciences, Wellington Partners has been actively supporting world class private companies translating true innovation into successful businesses with exceptional growth. To date, Wellington Partners has invested in 56 innovative life science companies, including Actelion (acquired by J&J), Definiens (acquired by AZ), immatics. invendo (acquired by Ambu), MTM Laboratories (acquired by Roche/Ventana), Oxford Immunotec (acquired by PerkinElmer), Rigontec (acquired by MSD), Symetis (acquired by Boston Scientific), and Themis (acquired by MSD). www.wellington-partners.com ABOUT BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM VENTURE FUND GMBH Created in 2010, the Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund GmbH (BIVF) invests in ground-breaking companies to drive innovation in biomedical research. BIVF is searching for significant enhancements in patient care through pioneering science and its clinical translation by building long-term relationships with scientists and entrepreneurs. BIVFs focus is to target unprecedented concepts addressing high medical needs in immuno-oncology, regenerative medicine, infectious diseases and digital health. For more information, please visit: www.boehringer-ingelheim-venture.com ABOUT IBB VENTURES IBB Ventures (www.ibbventures.de) has been providing venture capital to innovative Berlin-based companies since 1997 and has established itself as the market leader in early stage financing. The funds are primarily used for development and market launch of innovative products or services as well as for business concepts from creative industries. Two funds with a total volume of EUR 122 million are currently in the investment phase. Both VC funds are financed by the Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), managed by the State of Berlin. IBB Ventures has already invested in more than 260 creative and technology companies in Berlin; in syndicates with partners, the start-ups received approx. EUR 1.7 billion, of which IBB Ventures has invested EUR 250 million as lead, co-lead or co-investor. www.ibbventures.de ABOUT HIGH-TECH GRUNDERFONDS High-Tech Grunderfonds (HTGF) is a seed investor that finances high-potential, tech-driven start-ups. With around EUR 900 million in total investment volume across three funds and an international network of partners, HTGF has already helped forge more than 670 start-ups since 2005. With the start of HTGF IV, more than EUR 400 million in fund volume will be added in the fall of 2022. Driven by their expertise, entrepreneurial spirit and passion, its team of experienced investment managers and startup experts help guide the development of young companies. HTGFs focus is on high-tech start-ups in the fields of digital tech, industrial technology, life sciences, chemistry and related business areas. To date, external investors have injected more than EUR 4 billion into the HTGF portfolio via more than 1,900 follow-on financing rounds. HTGF has also successfully sold interests in more than 160 companies. Fund Investors in the public-private partnership include the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, KfW Capital, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and many companies from a wide range of industries. www.htgf.de ABOUT CARMA FUND CARMA FUND is an investment fund for the advancement of early-stage Life Science and Healthcare assets and companies. The fund is uniquely suited for young projects from the medical space with their extended development timelines due to its extra-long term and flexible investment modes. It started off with a First Closing of 47M in June 2022 and is based in Munich and Frankfurt. ABOUT ASCENION GMBH Ascenion is an independent technology transfer company focussing on the life sciences. It is partner to 30 research organizations, universities and university hospitals in Germany and Europe. Particular strengths are spin-off support and project development. In 2022 Ascenion initiated the CARMA FUND which invests in early-stage projects and start-ups in the life-science and healthcare sector. As technology transfer partner of the BIH and Charite Ascenion supported the founders and researchers in successfully implementing the spin-off from the BIH Digital Health Accelerator programme. In close cooperation with BIH, Ascenion also supported the negotiation of key agreements throughout the process and the series seed financing round. www.ascenion.de/ SOUTH JORDAN, UT; ROCHESTER, NY; USA, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CallTower, an international leader in delivering cloud-based enterprise-class unified communications, contact center and collaboration solutions announced today, they have joined Ciscos Webex Wholesale Route-to-Market (RTM) program to meet the needs of small to mid-sized businesses with flexibility and scalability. The Wholesale Route-to-Market (RTM) is a strategic channel solution designed to bring Webex to the SMB segment by leveraging the market power of Service Providers around the world. It is backed by Cisco's innovative technology and deep collaboration expertise. It is comprised of a new operations model and new partner programs. Joining the Webex Wholesale RTM program is a huge win for CallTower and our customers, championed CallTower Chief Revenue Officer William Rubio. We now have access to all-new resources to deliver Webex to an entire new market and empower customers with connectivity and collaboration of that solution across the globe. Enabling our sales forces with the Webex Wholesale RTM program is a big and necessary leap forward, stated CallTower VP of Global Sales Andy Ramos. It translates to new revenue and market segment opportunities to provide geo-redundant Webex services to more organizations worldwide at truly competitive prices. As a Cisco Certified Calling Provider, CallTower completed a rigorous certification process to ensure end-to-end compatibility with Webex Calling. This in-depth process ensures that customers receive consistently high-quality and reliable services from Cisco Certified Calling Providers. Customers can be confident that CallTower supports a wide range of Webex deployments, including basic calling scenarios, enterprise-scale Webex Calling, Webex Dedicated Instance migrations, and demanding high-volume Webex Contact Center deployments. About CallTower Since its inception in 2002, CallTower has evolved into a global cloud-based, enterprise-class Unified Communications, Contact Center and Collaboration solutions provider for growing organizations worldwide. CallTower provides, integrates and supports industry-leading solutions, including Microsoft Teams Direct Routing, Operator Connect, Office 365, GCC High Teams Audio Conferencing and PSTN, Cisco Webex Calling / UCM, Cisco CCPP, CT Cloud UCaaS, CT Cloud Meeting powered by Zoom and four contact center options, including Five9 for business customers. For more information, contact marketing@calltower.com TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JOURDAN RESOURCES INC. (TSXV: JOR; OTCQB: JORFF; FRA:2JR1) (Jourdan or the Company) is pleased to announce that an additional drill rig has arrived on site at the Companys Vallee property to accelerate completion of its phase 3 summer drill campaign. We expect that the new drill program will result in an extension of the known deposit at the property eastwards (see Fig. 1 below). The second diamond drill is intended to help complete drilling 28 newly permitted drill holes east of the Chemin du Lac Legendre, the results of which we anticipate will extend the known Vallee lithium deposit eastwards. The additional 5,600m diamond drilling program is intended to follow up on the results of the fence line drilled in 2011, 2021 and 2022 along the western side of the Companys Vallee property, which borders with the North American Lithium mine. This new drilling campaign aims at drilling fence lines further east across the lithium-bearing pegmatite swarm, which has been mined in the immediate vicinity to the west. 28 holes of approximately 200m depth each are scheduled to be drilled, aiming at the pegmatite swarm identified by the trenching of the bulk sample collected on the Vallee property in 2018 and initially intersected by the 2011 fence line drilling campaign along the western boundary of Vallee. The assay results from the bulk sample revealed high Li 2 O grades (see press release of the Company dated April 29, 2021, which is available under the Companys SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com), which have encouraged the Company to continue exploration and drilling along the strike and depth extent on its Vallee property. Jourdans Executive Chairman, Dr. Andreas Rompel, stated, We are greatly encouraged by the drilling results received to date as well as having successfully secured the permits for more diamond drilling. This latest drilling phase will now be facilitated by a second rig to speed up the process and, hopefully, prove up the known pegmatite swarm even further to the east. The drill program will be conducted by Forage Lamontagne Fortier from Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, under the supervision of Alexandr Beloborodov, Geologue Inc. (ABG Exploration) of Laval, Quebec and GeoTasks Inc. from Sudbury. All samples from the new drill program will be sent to Impact Global Solutions Inc.s laboratory in Delson, Quebec (IGS) for analysis by sodium peroxide fusion and ICP finish. This laboratory is recognized by the industry and accredited ISO/MEC 17025 by the Standards Council of Canada. In addition to the quality assurance and quality controls (QA/QC) employed by IGS, Jourdan developed a rigorous QA/QC protocol for its operators, including the insertion of analytical standard samples, duplicates and coarse silica blanks on a systematic basis. Figure 1: The Vallee property is approximately 35km north of Val-dOr and immediately east of the North American Lithium mine. This figure depicts the 2011, 2021 and 2022 completed drillholes and the next phases of drilling planned for the 2022 campaign. All 26 drillholes completed since 2021 have intersected the Li-bearing, spodumene-rich pegmatite swarm. https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2fa9324b-fb74-472f-8069-b91996a39817 Soil Sampling Program: The soil sampling program on the Vallee claims is being conducted on a 200m x 100m and 50m x 50m grid following the spodumene swarm east of the road. We intend to use the results from the program to identify new drill targets. A field crew consisting of geological and exploration technicians has been mobilized to the area and has begun collecting soil samples. Soil samples are being collected using two-person teams equipped with picks and shovels. Samples are being collected from the B-horizon at a depth ranging from 10cm to 110cm. Samples from approximately 550 sites are scheduled to be collected to add to the approximately 1,200 samples already collected since July 2022. All samples are being analyzed daily for rubidium (Rb) and tantalum (Ta) by a portable XRF gun from SciAps. Samples are then sent to IGS for pathfinder element analysis. The soil sampling program is aimed at finding new lithium anomalies and showings in areas of known lithium mineralization at Baillarge, Preissac-La Corne, Duval Lithium in La Motte, and especially in Vallee Lithium. We also expect to continue our geological mapping and prospecting program that has been running in parallel with the soil sampling program. Sample data collected includes UTM location, depth of sample, color, moisture content, texture (sand, silt, and clay), and percentage, angularity and lithology of pebbles and or cobbles. Each sample collected amounts to approximately 1kg of material and is placed in a plastic sample bag. Wet samples are additionally placed into 5ml plastic Ziploc bags to prevent contamination. At the end of the day, all samples are placed inside the Company's shop facility on a rack and allowed to dry for at least one week before shipping to IGS. The geochemical soil sampling program was designed and is being sampled by GeoTasks Inc.s technical team from Sudbury, Ontario. Their technical team is supervised by OGQ compliant senior geologists. Figure 2: Soil sampling location on the Jourdan properties which are approximately 35km north of Val-dOr. Red outline is the planned 50m x 50m grid soil survey and blue outline is the 200m x 100m grid survey. https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4f4f4af7-a915-42e4-a0eb-81694fbcc4a3 Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained herein has been reviewed and approved by Alexandr Beloborodov, P.Geo., an independent consultant that is a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Jourdan Resources Inc. Jourdan is a Canadian junior mining exploration company trading under the symbol JOR on the TSX Venture Exchange and 2JR1 on the Stuttgart Stock Exchange. The Company is focused on the acquisition, exploration, production, and development of mining properties. The Companys properties are in Quebec, Canada, primarily in the spodumene-bearing pegmatites of the La Corne Batholith, around North American Lithiums producing Quebec Lithium Mine. For more information: Rene Bharti, Chief Executive Officer and President Email: info@jourdaninc.com Phone: (416) 861-5800 www.jourdaninc.com Cautionary statements The content and grades of any mineral deposits at the Companys properties are conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource on the property and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in any target being delineated as a mineral resource. This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Companys Q3 2022 drill program, including its scope and the Companys expectation that the second drill will accelerate its completion and that it will extend the known deposit at its Vallee property eastwards, and the ability of the Company to establish an initial mineral resource estimate at its properties, to collect additional samples for the soil sampling program, to identify new drill targets, lithium anomalies and showings, to continue its geological mapping and prospecting program, and to execute its business plan. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Jourdan to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: receipt of necessary approvals; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; future mineral prices and market demand; accidents, labour disputes and shortages and other risks of the mining industry. Although Jourdan has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Jourdan does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Dublin, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Consulting Engineering Activities in South Africa 2022" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Consulting Engineering Activities in South Africa Conditions in the consulting engineering industry are challenging, largely due to weak economic growth and the slow rollout of infrastructure projects, as reflected by a sharp decline in total fee income in 2020, followed by a slight recovery. However, mining companies' demand for consulting engineering services is expected to grow due to the commodities boom and, over the longer term, as a result of large volumes of metals and minerals needed for the global clean energy transition. Another growth area is renewable energy projects, especially locally, due to the electricity crisis. Africa is a key long-term growth market for infrastructure development and mining, providing opportunities for local consulting engineering firms to contribute to these projects on the continent. Trends Civil and structural engineering are the largest disciplines in terms of fees earned, while the share of mining and chemical engineering has been growing over the past five years. Mining, transportation and water accounted for the largest share of fee income recorded. In the design and implementation of projects, factors such as environmental and social impacts, governance, health and safety and sustainability are becoming increasingly important. Renewable energy projects are a growth area in engineering aspects and in social and environmental impact assessments. Mining companies are increasingly using consulting engineers, especially in the areas of health and safety, and environment, social and governance and the engineers are also becoming more involved at operational level at mining clients. Consulting engineers, architects and sustainability consultants are constantly incorporating new ideas into building designs to minimise a building's impact on its environment. Report Coverage This report focuses on the consulting engineering industry in South Africa, covering the effects of the mining and commodity boom and reduced spending on infrastructure and development. It includes information on the state of the industry, trends in terms of projects and fee income and various influencing factors. Key Topics Covered: 1. INTRODUCTION 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY 2.1. Industry Value Chain 2.2. Geographic Position 2.3. Size of the Industry 2.4. Key Success Factors and Pain Points 3. LOCAL 3.1. State of the Industry 3.2. Key Trends 3.3. Notable Players 3.4. Corporate Actions 3.5. Regulations 3.6. Enterprise Development and Social Economic Development 4. AFRICA 5. INTERNATIONAL 6. INFLUENCING FACTORS 6.1. COVID-19 6.2. Economic Environment 6.3. Performance of Key Clients 6.4. Labour 6.5. Technology, Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation 6.6. Environmental Issues 6.7. Input Costs 7. COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT 7.1. Competition 7.2. Ownership Structure of the Industry 7.3. Barriers to Entry 8. SWOT ANALYSIS 9. OUTLOOK 10. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS 11. REFERENCES 11.1. Publications 11.2. Websites Companies Mentioned AECOM SA (Pty) Ltd Arup (Pty) Ltd Betts Townsend (Pty) Ltd Bigen Africa Group Holdings (Pty) Ltd Bosch Holdings (Pty) Ltd BVI Border (Pty) Ltd BVI Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd BVI Consulting Engineers Central (Pty) Ltd BVI Consulting Engineers Eastern Cape (Pty) Ltd BVI Consulting Engineers Gauteng (Pty) Ltd (Pty) Ltd BVI Consulting Engineers KwaZulu-Natal (Pty) Ltd BVI Consulting Engineers Northern Cape (Pty) Ltd BVI Consulting Engineers Western Cape (Pty) Ltd City Industrial Solar One (Pty) Ltd City Industrial Solar Solutions (Pty) Ltd CKR Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd Delta Built Environment Consultants (Pty) Ltd DRA Agriculture (Pty) Ltd DRA Projects SA (Pty) Ltd Elevate Project Management (Pty) Ltd GIBB (Pty) Ltd HaskoningDHV Botswana (Pty) Ltd Hatch Africa (Pty) Ltd Ilifa Africa Engineers (Pty) Ltd Iliso Consulting (Pty) Ltd Independent Development Trust JG Afrika (Pty) Ltd Knight Piesold (Pty) Ltd ManCon Projects (Pty) Ltd Mariswe (Pty) Ltd Mitchell du Plessis Projects (Pty) Ltd Mott MacDonald Contracting (Pty) Ltd MPAMOT Africa (Pty) Ltd Msingi Construction Project Management (Pty) Ltd Multi-Pro Cost Engineering (Pty) Ltd Nova Energy Holdings (Pty) Ltd Nova Energy One Solutions (Pty) Ltd Origin Africa Project Management (Pty) Ltd Prentec Isibonelo (Pty) Ltd Profica Management (Pty) Ltd Royal HaskoningDHV (Pty) Ltd S I P Project Managers (Pty) Ltd SeCo Project Managers (Pty) Ltd SRK Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd Synergy Property Solutions CC Terra Firma Solutions Namibia (Pty) Ltd Terradew Four (Pty) Ltd Terradew One (Pty) Ltd Terradew Three (Pty) Ltd Terradew Two (Pty) Ltd Terragrow (Pty) Ltd Terragrow Ghana Ltd Turner and Townsend (Pty) Ltd TWP Zambia (Pty) Ltd Virtual Consulting Engineers VCE (Pty) Ltd WAH Engineering (Pty) Ltd Worley RSA (Pty) Ltd WorleyParsons Services Namibia (Pty) Ltd WSP Group Africa (Pty) Ltd Zutari (Pty) Ltd For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/p4al4a Dublin, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Quartz Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global quartz market reached a value of US$ 6.78 Billion in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach a value of US$ 9.91 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.53% during 2021-2027. Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, we are continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic on different end use industries. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor. Quartz refers to a solid, natural crystalline mineral, which is composed of silicon dioxide (SiO2) and is abundantly discovered in various metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary rocks. It possesses piezoelectric properties that assist in generating positive and negative charges on alternate prism edges, due to which it is used as a pressure gauge in depth-sounding apparatus. Apart from this, quartz is durable, corrosion-resistant, and highly tolerant to chemical and mineral weathering, on account of which it is extensively employed for manufacturing several electronic products. At present, quartz is commercially available in crystals, stones, pebbles, engineered, high-purity and crucible types. Quartz Market Trends: The widespread adoption of quartz in various industrial verticals, especially the electronics and semiconductor sectors, can be attributed to the increasing requirement of stable, high-performance resonators. They are used as a key component in filters and oscillators, which represents the prime factor currently driving the market toward growth. This is further supported by the rising sales of various electronic gadgets, including tablets, phones, desktops, and laptops, which, in turn, has intensified the demand for semiconductors. In line with this, rapid technological advancements, along with the extensive utilization of quartz crystals in the production of frequency filters, controllers, and timers in the electronic circuits is acting as another growth-inducing factor. Additionally, the increasing ongoing construction activities have prompted manufacturers and interior designers to employ quartz as a highly preferred engineering stone for the indoor flooring application in commercial spaces, which is propelling the market growth. Other factors, such as the growing product usage to produce different gemstones, such as amethyst and citrine, for healing and spiritual purposes, along with continuous investments in research and development (R&D) activities for launching high purity quartz, are creating a positive outlook for the market. Competitive Landscape: The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being Asahi Glass Co. Ltd., Caesarstone Ltd., Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A., Heraeus Holding, Jiangsu Pacific Quartz Co. Ltd., Kyocera Corporation, Momentive Technologies, Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co. Ltd., Quality Quartz Engineering Inc. (Conax Technologies LLC), Sibelco and The Quartz Corporation. Key Questions Answered in This Report: How has the global quartz market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years? What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global quartz market? What are the key regional markets? What is the breakup of the market based on the product? What is the breakup of the market based on the end user? What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry? What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry? What is the structure of the global quartz market and who are the key players? What is the degree of competition in the industry? Key Topics Covered: 1 Preface 2 Scope and Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Introduction 4.1 Overview 4.2 Key Industry Trends 5 Global Quartz Market 5.1 Market Overview 5.2 Market Performance 5.3 Impact of COVID-19 5.4 Market Forecast 6 Market Breakup by Product 6.1 Quartz Surface and Tile 6.1.1 Market Trends 6.1.2 Market Forecast 6.2 High-Purity Quartz 6.2.1 Market Trends 6.2.2 Market Forecast 6.3 Quartz Glass 6.3.1 Market Trends 6.3.2 Market Forecast 6.4 Quartz Crystal 6.4.1 Market Trends 6.4.2 Market Forecast 6.5 Quartz Sand 6.5.1 Market Trends 6.5.2 Market Forecast 6.6 Others 6.6.1 Market Trends 6.6.2 Market Forecast 7 Market Breakup by End User 7.1 Electronics and Semiconductor 7.1.1 Market Trends 7.1.2 Market Forecast 7.2 Solar 7.2.1 Market Trends 7.2.2 Market Forecast 7.3 Buildings and Construction 7.3.1 Market Trends 7.3.2 Market Forecast 7.4 Optical Fiber and Telecommunication 7.4.1 Market Trends 7.4.2 Market Forecast 7.5 Automotive 7.5.1 Market Trends 7.5.2 Market Forecast 7.6 Others 7.6.1 Market Trends 7.6.2 Market Forecast 8 Market Breakup by Region 9 SWOT Analysis 10 Value Chain Analysis 11 Porters Five Forces Analysis 12 Price Analysis 13 Competitive Landscape 13.1 Market Structure 13.2 Key Players 13.3 Profiles of Key Players 13.3.1 Asahi Glass Co. Ltd. 13.3.1.1 Company Overview 13.3.1.2 Product Portfolio 13.3.1.3 Financials 13.3.1.4 SWOT Analysis 13.3.2 Caesarstone Ltd. 13.3.2.1 Company Overview 13.3.2.2 Product Portfolio 13.3.2.3 Financials 13.3.3 Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A. 13.3.3.1 Company Overview 13.3.3.2 Product Portfolio 13.3.3.3 Financials 13.3.3.4 SWOT Analysis 13.3.4 Heraeus Holding 13.3.4.1 Company Overview 13.3.4.2 Product Portfolio 13.3.4.3 SWOT Analysis 13.3.5 Jiangsu Pacific Quartz Co. Ltd. 13.3.5.1 Company Overview 13.3.5.2 Product Portfolio 13.3.5.3 Financials 13.3.6 Kyocera Corporation 13.3.6.1 Company Overview 13.3.6.2 Product Portfolio 13.3.6.3 Financials 13.3.6.4 SWOT Analysis 13.3.7 Momentive Technologies 13.3.7.1 Company Overview 13.3.7.2 Product Portfolio 13.3.8 Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co. Ltd. 13.3.8.1 Company Overview 13.3.8.2 Product Portfolio 13.3.8.3 Financials 13.3.9 Quality Quartz Engineering Inc. (Conax Technologies LLC) 13.3.9.1 Company Overview 13.3.9.2 Product Portfolio 13.3.10 Sibelco 13.3.10.1 Company Overview 13.3.10.2 Product Portfolio 13.3.11 The Quartz Corporation 13.3.11.1 Company Overview 13.3.11.2 Product Portfolio For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/6uy518 Attachment China's President Xi Jinping visited Uzbekistan on Wednesday, state media said, ahead of a meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. "Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here (in Samarkand) Wednesday evening to pay a state visit to Uzbekistan and attend the 22nd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)," the official Xinhua news agency said. The SCO established in 2001 as a political, economic and security organization to rival Western institutions will bring together Xi and Putin, as well as leaders from India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan and other ex-Soviet Central Asian countries. Xi was met at the airport by officials including Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Xinhua said. The Chinese leader was to hold talks with Mirziyoyev on "deepening bilateral cooperation, and on regional and international issues of shared interest," it said, adding that Xi "looks forward to attending the SCO Samarkand Summit, and working with all parties to carry forward the Shanghai Spirit." Xi flew to Samarkand from Nur-Sultan in Kazakhstan, where he met with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his first trip overseas since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. There, the Chinese president vowed full support for the Central Asian country, which has been spooked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Kazakhstan is part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a trillion-dollar push to improve trade links across the globe by building landmark infrastructure. (AFP) BERLIN, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Forever Healthy Foundation is pleased to announce the Rejuvenation Startup Summit 2022 program and full speaker list. The summit will take place October 14 -15, 2022 at the Radialsystem V in Berlin, Germany. In addition to an exciting range of presentations from CEOs of startups in the field of rejuvenation/longevity, the summit features an all-day startup forum for networking, panel discussions and keynote presentations. Starting midday on Friday and finishing off on Saturday night with a party for all attendees, the summit offers ample opportunity to connect with some of the most promising leaders in the field, including: Dobri Kiprov, Co-founder and CSO of Lyfspn - conducting a pilot study on Plasmapheresis - conducting a pilot study on Plasmapheresis Chris Rinsch, CEO and Co-founder of Amazentis improving the activity of mitochondria to optimize muscle function improving the activity of mitochondria to optimize muscle function Matthias Breugelmans, CEO of Elastrin leveraging a platform to develop therapeutics that render calcified tissue and organs supple again leveraging a platform to develop therapeutics that render calcified tissue and organs supple again Alex Blyth, CEO of LIfT BioSciences developing the world's first 'off-the-shelf' cell therapy to destroy solid tumors irrespective of their origin developing the world's first 'off-the-shelf' cell therapy to destroy solid tumors irrespective of their origin James McCully, co-founder, and Alex Schueller, CEO of cellvie pioneering therapeutic mitochondria transplantation pioneering therapeutic mitochondria transplantation Yuri Deigin, CEO of Youth Bio developing gene therapies aimed at restoring more youthful epigenetic profiles with the help of partial reprogramming developing gene therapies aimed at restoring more youthful epigenetic profiles with the help of partial reprogramming Mark Allen, CEO of Elevian restoring youthful regenerative capacity with the potential to treat and prevent many age-related diseases restoring youthful regenerative capacity with the potential to treat and prevent many age-related diseases Mike Kope, CEO of Cyclarity prevents age-related conditions such as atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke by addressing the root cause prevents age-related conditions such as atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke by addressing the root cause Aaron Cravens, CEO of REVEL opens up an entirely new field in the treatment of age-related molecular damage by breaking cross-linked collagen fibers opens up an entirely new field in the treatment of age-related molecular damage by breaking cross-linked collagen fibers Robin Mansukhani, CEO of Deciduous Therapeutics developing multiple activation approaches to clearing senescent cells via novel immunotherapies developing multiple activation approaches to clearing senescent cells via novel immunotherapies Rob Konrad Maciejewski, Co-founder and CEO of Biolytica combining state-of-the-art health data analytics and personalized longevity programs combining state-of-the-art health data analytics and personalized longevity programs Chris Shepard, CEO of Thymofox regenerating the thymus to enhance human health-span regenerating the thymus to enhance human health-span Pankaj Kapahi, Founder and CEO of Juvify expanding lifespan by reducing advanced glycation end products (AGEs) expanding lifespan by reducing advanced glycation end products (AGEs) Vlad Vitoc, CEO of MAIA Biotechnology dedicated to developing targeted cancer therapies dedicated to developing targeted cancer therapies Felix Frueh, CEO of PAGE Therapeutics developing platform-based oncology drugs to prevent metastasis and prolong the life of patients living with cancer developing platform-based oncology drugs to prevent metastasis and prolong the life of patients living with cancer Joshua McClure, Founder and CEO of Maxwell Bioscience developing next generation anti-infectives developing next generation anti-infectives Lou Hawthorne, Founder and CEO of NaNotics developing a new class of medicine developing a new class of medicine Phil Newman, Founder and CEO Longevity.Technology Tobias Reichmuth, Founding Partner at Maximon The Longevity Company Builder The Longevity Company Builder Michael Sidler, Co-Founding Partner at Redalpine Venture Partners Patrick Burgermeister, Partner at Kizoo Technology Capital Christian Angermayer, Founder of the Apeiron Investment Group , Co-founder and chairman of Rejuveron and Cambrian Bio , Co-founder and chairman of and Brian Kennedy, Professor at the National University of Singapore Eric Verdin, CEO and president of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging Please find the full conference program featuring over 40 speakers leading the industry here. Join us for the largest gathering of longevity CEOs in-person at this vibrant networking event. The summit brings together startups and members of the longevity venture capital/investor ecosystem. All share an aim to create therapies to vastly extend the healthy human lifespan. About the Rejuvenation Startup Summit 2022 The Rejuvenation Startup Summit (Berlin, Oct. 14-15, 2022) hosted by the Forever Healthy Foundation, is a vibrant networking event that aims to accelerate the development of the rejuvenation biotech industry. Rejuvenation/Longevity biotech is a new, emerging field of medicine. It aims to prevent and reverse diseases of aging by addressing their common root cause, the aging process itself. Rejuvenation therapies aim to reverse or repair age-related cellular changes such as molecular waste, calcification, tissue stiffening, loss of stem cell function, genetic alterations, and impaired energy production. The Rejuvenation Summit brings together startups, members of the longevity venture capital / investor ecosystem, and researchers interested in founding or joining a startup all aiming to create therapies to vastly extend the healthy human lifespan. Further information can be found at www.forever-healthy.org/summit/ For free media passes, please contact: Frank Schueler, COO Forever Healthy Foundation fs@forever-healthy.org About Forever Healthy Forever Healthy is Michael Greve's humanitarian initiative with the mission of enabling people to vastly extend their healthy lifespan. Forever Healthy's projects include evaluation of new rejuvenation therapies, evidenced-based curation of the world's cutting-edge medical knowledge, funding translational research on the root causes of aging, and hosting the annual Undoing Aging Conference and the Rejuvenation Startup Summit. Greves venture capital firm, Kizoo, which provides mentoring, seed and follow-on financing for rejuvenation biotech startups, is also part of the initiative. To date, Kizoo has funded fourteen startups turning research on the root causes of aging into therapies for human application. New York, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Laser Cutting Machine Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06318536/?utm_source=GNW The global laser cutting machines market is expected to grow from $4.34 billion in 2021 to $4.52 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.16%. The laser cutting machines market is expected to reach $6.44 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.27%. The laser cutting machine market consists of sales of laser cutting machines by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that is used for precision cutting and designing projects in a wide range of industries. Laser cutting machines emit a high-powered laser beam to either cleanly cut or carve a specific design on materials such as steel, plastic, or wood and are mostly used for industrial manufacturing applications. The main types of technologies used in laser cutting machines market are solid-state, gas and semiconductor.The solid-state technology machine utilizes a gain medium (usually ion-doped crystals or glasses) that is a solid, rather than a liquid. The solid-state laser cutting machines produce light at a much higher frequency.The different processes used in laser cutting machines includes fusion cutting, flame-cutting, sublimation cutting, laser processing configuration, laser cutting and engraving configuration. These machines are mostly used in industries such as automotive, consumer electronics, defense and aerospace, industrial and other end-user industries. North America was the largest region in the laser cutting machines market in 2021.Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the laser cutting machines market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The laser cutting machines market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides laser cutting machines market statistics, including laser cutting machines industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a laser cutting machines market share, detailed laser cutting machines market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the laser cutting machines industry. This laser cutting machines market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry. The increasing demand for automobiles is expected to drive the laser cutting machine market.The demand for automobiles is increasing due to growing need for transportation, increasing income levels, rapid urbanization, and others. This increasing demand for automobiles will elevate the demand for laser cutting machines as these machines help in creating precisive designs and fastening the process of manufacturing auto parts relating to automobiles.Laser cutting machines are effective and efficient tools for precision cutting and designing projects related to automobiles to achieve modern designs. For instance, according to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), in India, all automotive segment sales increased from 17.47 million units in January-December 2020 to 18.49 million units in the calendar year 2021, showing an increase of 5.8%. In addition, The Indian automotive industry (including component manufacturing) is predicted to reach $251.4-282.8 billion by 2026. It indicates the demand is growing for automobiles. Therefore, the growing demand for automobiles will drive the laser cutting machine market. The introduction of new technologies for improving machines is a key trend gaining popularity in the laser cutting machine market.The incorporation of technologies such as self-centering clamping technology is playing important role in machine improvements and resulted in smarter and more efficient machines. Key players are focusing on offering technologically advanced laser cutting machines to enable significant efficiency and maximum output to strengthen their market position.For instance, in April 2020, TrumpF Group, a German industrial machine maker introduced a new laser cutting machine, the TruLaser Tube 3000 fiber, a cost-effective and reliable laser machine. The new machine finds a broad range of applications such as profiles, round tubes, and flat steel bars manufacturing.The machine incorporates the self-centering clamping technology to hold the tube in the correct place and position during machining and adjusts automatically to the tube dimensions eliminating the need for manual setup. The two-kilowatt solid-state laser can cut mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and nonferrous metals like copper and brass at fast speeds. In May 2022, INDUS Holding AG, a German-based holding company acquired HELD Industries GmbH, for an undisclosed amount.With this acquisition, INDUS acquired 70% of shares in HELD and added another portfolio to its business and expands in laser welding systems for hydrogen electrodes. HELD Industries GmbH is a German firm that offers laser cutting and laser welding machines and systems. The countries covered in the laser cutting machines market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK and USA. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06318536/?utm_source=GNW About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Dublin, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "CBRN Defense - Global Market Trajectory & Analytics" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. With Market Size Valued at $20.8 Billion by 2026, it`s a Healthy Outlook for the Global CBRN Defense Market Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for CBRN Defense estimated at US$16.7 Billion in the year 2022, is projected to reach a revised size of US$20.8 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% over the analysis period. Chemical, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 6.7% CAGR, while growth in the Radiological segment is readjusted to a revised 6.1% CAGR. Biological warfare is real and a perplexing threat for the world as various countries, including the US, Russia and China, have been perceived to be silently working on biological weapons and even maintaining an inventory. Depending on the causative pathogen, route of inoculation, size and immune system of affected person, these microorganisms hold an incubation period of few days to few weeks. Biological weapons can result in catastrophic, large-scale epidemics and serious medical complications or deaths. Biological warfare holds serious concerns as the technology linked with production of these weapons is comparatively affordable and is easy to access. In addition, microorganisms required for development of majority of biological warfare means are easily available. The acquisition along with dissemination of some of the restricted organisms such as Variola major is possible. It is extremely challenging to keep a tab on development of biological weapons across countries as production units associated with the approach require little space as well as are difficult to identify. Biological weapons have attracted various countries, entities, groups and individuals over the last several decades. Various countries have reported a number of acts associated with biological terrorism over the past decades, including a sarin nerve gas attack in Japan in 1995 along with failed attempts intended to kill thousands of people. Countries like the US and Russia are expected to hold frozen stocks of highly contagious biological warfare agents known to cause incurable diseases, such as anthrax. An intentional or accidental access to these biological weapons by terrorists or rogue politicians can result in disastrous consequences. There are serious concerns pertaining to specific inventories of traditional biological agents such as Ebola, anthrax and typhus. On the other hand, various countries have dedicated research and other resources towards development of genetically-engineered organisms. While several countries like Iraq are perceived to possess bioweapons, there is a serious threat from terrorist organizations that can misuse these weapons for unleashing an uncontrollable epidemic. Anthrax remains the most popular choice for majority of programs targeting biological warfare as the bacteria is capable of generating lethal spores. Inhalation of these spores in specific quantities can result in a medical condition that is fatal in nature and requires urgent treatment with significant doses of a certain penicillin-type antibiotic. While traditional biological agents such as smallpox and anthrax hold serious threats, various countries are looking beyond these options and exploiting black biology. The concept of black biology revolves around development of genetically-engineered microorganisms that can be used as biological weapons. The technology focuses on inserting specific genes into the DNA for good or malicious purposes. The concept holds serious implications as genetic maps of various deadly microorganisms like bacteria and viruses are available within the public domain and can be exploited for development of biological weapons. Researchers have recently published the whole genetic code related to cholera pathogen. In addition, the researcher community is making efforts to map genomes of a large number of microbes such as the bacteria associated with plague, anthrax and typhoid. The information can be exploited for developing clones of highly virulent species of viruses and bacteria. Moreover, misguided microbiologists can be exploited by unscrupulous clients for development of incurable designer options like penicillin-resistant anthrax and viruses capable of causing infection while remaining silent. Russia has alleged that Ukraine and the US are working with pathogens known to cause serious infections in various laboratories. Ukraine has several public health labs engaged in R&D to find solutions for dealing with dangerous infections. A number of these laboratories receive financial and other assistance from the EU and the US. Russia`s claims are partly based on the Biological Threat Reduction Program set by the US during the 1990s for mitigating the risk associated with biological weapons left in various countries such as Ukraine. The program offers financial assistance from the US towards equipment and modernization. In addition, the US Department of Defense has been collaboratively working with Ukraine for improving public health labs since 2005. The US also offers technical assistance to Ukraine and other countries for dealing with outbreaks of several infectious diseases. The US claims that these efforts are intended to mitigate the serious threat of proliferation of biological weapons, rather than development of such weapons. On the other side, Russian officials are claiming that Ukraine is trying to conceal the evidence regarding prohibited activities while making efforts to destroy bio-agents in various laboratories. Despite questions pertaining to authenticity of these claims, such allegations are perplexing and have brought back focus towards chemical and biological warfare. The presence of biological weapons could escalate the conflict further and pose serious concerns regarding misuse of such weapons. The scenario is presenting lucrative opportunities for growth of CBRN Defense which is defined as defensive equipment and technologies used against chemical weapons or biological pathogens. CBRN surveillance and countermeasures include the advancement of sensing technologies to cover airborne agents and deposited contaminants. CBRN draws expertise from information and computing systems, engineering, physics, and chemistry allowing end-to-end technology advancements. What`s New for 2022? Global competitiveness and key competitor percentage market shares Market presence across multiple geographies - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial Online interactive peer-to-peer collaborative bespoke updates Access to the digital archives Complimentary updates for one year Key Topics Covered: I. METHODOLOGY II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. MARKET OVERVIEW As the Threat of Biological and Chemical Warfare Becomes Real, CBRN Defense Spirals Into the Spotlight on the Back of Increased Focus on Preparedness and Response Russian Allegations of Biological Weapons Activities in Ukraine Brings this Hidden Yet Ever-Present Threat Back Into the Spotlight Worries Over Geopolitical Conflicts & Galloping Inflation Overtakes Concerns About the Now Receding COVID-19 Pandemic Competition Competitive Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial for 83 Players Worldwide in 2022 (E) What Are Biological, Chemical & Radiation Weapons? How Do We Prepare to Protect Against Them & What's the Role of CBRN Defense? Pandemic Fails to Deter Global Military Spending, Which Spirals to All Time High in 2021, a Sign of Good Times to Prevail for CBRN Defense Recent Market Activity Innovations 2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS (Total 83 Featured) AirBoss of America Corp. Argon Electronics Ltd. Avon Protection Systems, Inc. Blucher GmbH Bruker Corporation Chemring Group PLC Cristanini Spa Environics Oy FLIR Systems, Inc. Karcher Futuretech GmbH MSA Safety, Inc. Smiths Group PLC Thales Group 3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS As the World Steps Up Military Spending in the Wake of the Russia Ukraine War, CBRN Defense Solutions are Poised to Benefit from the Unfortunate State of Global Geo-Political Affairs Accusations Over Alleged Use of Chemical & Biological Weapons in the Russia Ukraine War Brings This Dirty Battle Strategy Back Into the Spotlight Rising Conflicts in the South China Sea to Spur Growth in the Asian Market Increased Activity on the Nuclear Decommissioning Front Drives the Need for Radiation Protection & Emergency Response Training During Decommissioning of Nuclear Installations Limited Success of Global Efforts in Curbing the Proliferation of Biological, Chemical, Radiation Weapons Drives the Need for CBRN Defense for Preparedness & Response A Review of the Many Reasons Why the Military is Stepping Up Focus on Equipping the Infantry With CBRN Training Tools Radiation Safety Training Storms Into the Spotlight Special Focus on CBRN and HazMat Training COVID-19 Steps up Focus on Using Simulators for CBRN Training Emphasis on Safety in CBRNE Training Grows Stronger 4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE III. REGIOINAL MARKET ANALYSIS IV. COMPETITION For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2wo2ks Attachment New York, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Electronic Design Automation Software Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06318521/?utm_source=GNW , Dolphin Design SAS, EasyEDA, Zuken, ElectroMagneticWorks Inc., Eremex Ltd, Intercept Technology, Labcenter Electronics and Polyteda Cloud. The global electronic design automation software market is expected to grow from $9.16 billion in 2021 to $9.74 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.23%. The electronic design automation software market is expected to reach $13.34 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.18%. The electronic design automation software market consists of the sales of electronic design automation software solutions by entities (organizations, partnerships, and sole proprietors) that refers to software tools used in a workflow to design electronic systems such as semiconductors, integrated circuits, printed circuit boards, processors and other types of complex electronics.The purpose of electronic design automation software (EDAS) is to help engineers create and modify diagrams and layouts, including 2D and 3D models. These EDAS assists with stimulation, design, and verification to address the development of secure and high-quality products. The main types of electronic design automation software are computer-aided engineering (CAE), IC physical design and verification, printed circuit board and multi-chip module (PCB and MCM) and semiconductor intellectual property (SIP).The computer-aided engineering (CAE) is a computer software that improve products and resolve engineering problems. It enables physical property tests and simulations to be performed without the need for a physical prototype. Electronic design automation software are used in microprocessors and controllers and memory management units and have application in communication, consumer electronics, automotive, industrial, aerospace and defense and medical. North America was the largest region in the electronic design automation software market in 2021. The regions covered in the electronic design automation software market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The electronic design automation software market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides electronic design automation software market statistics, including electronic design automation software industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an electronic design automation software market share, detailed electronic design automation software market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the electronic design automation software industry. This electronic design automation software market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry. The growth of the internet of things (IoT) coupled with connected devices is expected to propel the growth of the electronic device automation software market.The IoT brings automation to the processes, which reduces labor and operational cost, ultimately increasing the speed of the businesss function. The objective of IoT is to build an ecosystem that connects everything through embedded sensors, software, and other technologies.The IoT devices collect data and send it to the cloud gateway to get analyzed for future improvements and developments. For Instance, in July 2019, an article published by McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm, underlines the increase in IoT use to about 25%.Additionally, the global number of IoT-connected devices is expected to increase to 43 billion by 2023, nearly threefold from 2018. Therefore, the growth of the internet of things (IoT) and connected devices is driving the EDAS market. Technological advancement is a key trend gaining popularity in the electronic design automation software market.Major companies operating in the EDA software market are focused on providing technologically-advanced solutions to strengthen their market position. These companies are implementing technologies such as FinFet, AI, VR, IoT, and SoC to present new growth opportunities for EDA tools. For instance, in April 2021, Defacto Technologies, a France-based chip design software company, introduced SoC Compiler v9 tools in their EDA software offering, which automates the process of building IP, front-end SoC creation & integration, and getting RTL design collaterals ready for logic synthesis much quicker than before. In May 2021, Ansys, a US-based engineering simulation software, acquired Phoenix Integration for an undisclosed amount.With this acquisition, Ansys will expand its solution offering, assisting customers in connecting with various engineering tools in multi-tool workflows for broad and model-based solid engineering. Phoenix Integration Inc. is a US-based software company that provides software that enables model-based engineering (MBE) and model-based systems engineering (MBSE). The countries covered in the electronic design automation software market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK and USA. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06318521/?utm_source=GNW About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Watertown, NY, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 1812 BREWING COMPANY, INC. (OTC Pink: KEGS) (the "Company" or KEGS) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a non-binding Letter of Intent to acquire the assets and business of a New York State regional brewery and brew pub. The terms, including the final purchase price and the release of the targets name, are subject to mutually agreed upon non-disclosure agreements. Tom Scozzafava, Chairman and CEO of KEGS, stated, What I can say is both parties are excited about this potential transaction. Each would give the other new retail outlets to showcase the others products outside their own, respective market. Furthermore, Mr. Scozzafava continued, on the hospitality side the combined companies would be far less seasonal, and 1812 Brewing Company would leverage its new brewing, bottling, and soon-to-be canning infrastructure to unlock growth and value with the targets brands. If we can close this deal, it would be a win-win. The Company recently announced that it had both finalized an equipment purchase agreement as well as secured private equipment financing to acquire a five-head can filling and labeling line from industry partners Wild Goose Filling ( https://wildgoosefilling.com ) and Ska Fabricating ( https://skafabricating.com ). The Company also recently announced that it has been awarded the Gold Medal in the Amber Ale category for the United States in the prestigious World Beer Awards. The World Beer Awards are global awards selecting the very best in all the international recognized styles and to award and promote the worlds best beers to consumers and trade partners across the globe. About 1812 Brewing Company (KEGS or the Company) : KEGS is an operator of and investor in companies in the craft beer industry. The Company seeks to build a nationwide network of craft breweries to develop and foster respective brand growth at the local, regional, and national level. KEGS looks to build a network wherein certain economies of scale can be shared across it such as production, distribution footprint expansion, inter-member contract brewing, new product development, sharing of best brewery practices and scale logistics and transportation. The network is to be built through investment by 1812 Brewing Company while maintaining the members respective local and regional uniqueness, brand autonomy and direct involvement with its consumers. The Company seeks to be an incubator of growth for its holdings in the industry. The Companys current holding, 1812 Brewing Co., produces award-winning beers such as War of 1812 Amber Ale (1812 Amber Ale), 1812 Light, Hazy Oasis Pale Ale, Thousand Islands IPA, Malicious Intent XX IPA, Route 11 Lager, Railroad Red Ale, Helles Bells Pilsner, St. Stephens Stout, Third Rail Porter, Featherhammer Maibock. For more updates follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. https://www.facebook.com/1812BrewingCompany/ https://www.instagram.com/1812brewingco/ https://twitter.com/1812Brewing Safe Harbor: This release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 27E of the Securities Act of 1934. Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Actual performance and results may differ materially from that projected or suggested herein due to certain risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, ability to obtain financing and regulatory and shareholder approval for anticipated actions. Attachments Toronto, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Restaurants Canada, the voice of foodservice, released the 2022 edition of Foodservice Facts, presenting the latest foodservice statistics, trends, forecasts, detailed analysis and invaluable insights for industry leaders. The theme, Reset. Revive. Redefine tells a story of a bumpy road to recovery due to rising expenses, low customer counts, high debt, and low profitability. While nominal sales are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels before the end of the year, traffic still remains below what it was before, said Christian Buhagiar, President and CEO of Restaurants Canada. Restaurant operators are struggling financially, with half of our operators operating at a loss or just breaking even. There are some positive signs. Public opinion surveys tell us that restaurant consumers are generally happy: 90 per cent of Canadian consumers said they still receive good value for their dollars from restaurants 89 per cent feel comfortable eating indoors at a full-service restaurant 74 per cent have a positive view of foodservice workers, the highest of any private sector industry Despite the long list of setbacks and challenges, the foodservice industry remains resilient and focused on the light at the end of the tunnel. Throughout the past two and a half years, the foodservice industry has developed operational calluses, said Chris Elliott, Senior Economist, Restaurants Canada. These calluses have made us better able to withstand any future hardship or challenge that may come our way. Lessons learned from the pandemic have made foodservice operators more resilient and innovative than ever. Foodservice Facts overview: Labour vacancies continue to be problematic Though foodservice remains one of Canadas top employers, challenges filling labour vacancies leave the industry lagging behind other national industries when it comes to job recovery. In June 2022, there were 171,715 job vacancies in the foodservice industry, a threefold increase from pre-pandemic levels. Restaurant operators are shifting business models to navigate the labour shortage: 72 per cent increasing hours worked by ownership and management-level staff 64 per cent reducing hours of operation 77 per cent raising wages Pandemic incurred debt continues to wipe out profit margins Based on a survey of independent full-service restaurants: 85 per cent of independent full-service restaurants took on new debt due to COVID-19 23 per cent had debt of less than $50,000 44 per cent had taken on debt between $50,000 and $100,000 35 per cent had debt greater than $100,000 Given the accumulated debt and low profitability, it has become difficult for businesses to pay back loans. Food costs soar bringing menu prices to an all-time high Rising food costs are among the top challenges currently facing foodservice operators across the country and these rising food costs are being reflected on menus. The average quick-service restaurant menu prices are up 6.7 per cent, and full-service restaurant menus are up 6.5 per cent. Alcohol prices at licensed establishments rose by 3.8 per cent. The full report is available to all Restaurants Canada members through the Member Portal or for purchase online. Members of media interested in the full report can reach out to media@restaurantscanada.org. -30- About Restaurants Canada Restaurants Canada is a national, not-for-profit association advancing the potential of Canadas diverse and dynamic foodservice industry through member programs, research, advocacy, resources and events. Before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadas foodservice sector was a $95 billion industry, directly employing 1.2 million people, providing Canadas number one source of first jobs and serving 22 million customers across the country every day. The industry has since lost hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in sales due to the impacts of COVID-19. www.restaurantscanada.org About Foodservice Facts For over 30 years, Foodservice Facts has annually presented the latest foodservice statistics, trends and forecasts along with a detailed analysis of how foodservice operators will be affected. The report has served as an invaluable tool, providing insights to help the industry invest and forecast its activities for the year ahead. Dublin, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Aviation Lubricants Market, By Type (Engine Oil, Hydraulic Fluid, Grease, Special Lubricants & Additives), By Aircraft Type, By Technology, By End User, By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2017- 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Aviation Lubricants Market stood at USD4.95 billion in 2021 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.68% in the forecast period. The booming tourism industry and the high demand for aviation lubricants from the aviation industry to optimize fuel efficiency and fuel economy are driving the Global Aviation Lubricants Market demand. The rise in air traffic and the lowered airfare rates are increasing the number of aircraft, which is expected to boost the demand for aviation lubricants in the forecast period. There is a massive rise in the fleet size of commercial and military aircraft, including narrow body aircraft, wide body aircraft, regional aircraft, business aircraft, rotorcrafts, fighter aircraft, due to the rise in air travel activities. Also, spacecraft or rockets use aviation lubricants to reduce the necessary maintenance requirements during long missions. The market players focus on research and development activities to find innovative solutions to provide better quality products with reduced cost to achieve high fuel efficiency and economy. The advent of technologically advanced aviation lubricants, such as perfluoropolyether-based oil and greases, is expected to create lucrative growth opportunities for the Global Aviation Lubricants Market in the next five years. Key Target Audience: Aviation lubricants manufacturers/ suppliers/ distributors Government bodies such as regulating authorities and policy makers Organizations, forums, and alliances related to aviation lubricants Market research and consulting firms The study is useful in providing answers to several critical questions that are important for the industry stakeholders such as aviation lubricant manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and other stakeholders. The report would enable the stakeholders in strategizing investments and capitalizing on emerging market opportunities. Report Scope: In this report, the Global Aviation Lubricants Market has been segmented into following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below: Aviation Lubricants Market, Type: Engine Oil Hydraulic Fluid Grease Special Lubricants & Additives Aviation Lubricants Market, By Aircraft Type: Narrow Body Aircrafts Rotorcraft Business Aircrafts Regional Aircrafts Wide Body Aircrafts Fighter Aircrafts Aviation Lubricants Market, By Technology: Synthetic Mineral Based Aviation Lubricants Market, By End-User: Aftermarket OEM Aviation Lubricants Market, By Region: North America United States Canada Mexico Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea Australia Europe United Kingdom France Germany Russia Spain Italy Middle East and Africa Qatar South Africa Israel Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates South America Brazil Argentina Colombia Key Topics Covered: 1. Product Overview 2. Research Methodology 3. Executive Summary 4. Impact of COVID-19 on Global Aviation Lubricants Market 5. Voice of Customer 6. Global Aviation Lubricants Market Outlook 7. North America Aviation Lubricants Market Outlook 8. Asia Pacific Aviation Lubricants Market Outlook 9. Europe Aviation Lubricants Market Outlook 10. Middle East and Africa Aviation Lubricants Market Outlook 11. South America Aviation Lubricants Market Outlook 12. Market Dynamics 13. Market Trends and Developments 14. Competitive Landscape 15. Strategic Recommendations Companies Mentioned BP plc Royal Dutch Shell plc Exxon Mobil Corporation Total Energies The Phillips 66 Company The Chemours Company Whitmore Manufacturing LLC NYE Lubricants, INC. Eastman Chemical Company Aerospace Lubricants, INC. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/zfy75i Attachment English French OTTAWA, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Museum of Nature is pleased to announce the finalists and the Lifetime Achievement recipient for its 2022 Nature Inspiration Awards. These national honours, presented annually since 2014, recognize individuals, groups and organizations whose leadership and innovation connect Canadians with the natural worlda link that is increasingly important with mounting environmental challenges facing the planet. The 25 finalists for 2022 will be celebrated on November 14, when winners will be announced at a ceremony hosted by the museum, which is Canadas national museum of natural history and natural sciences. The 2022 awards cover six categories: Youth (aged 17 and younger), Adult, Not-for-Profits (small to medium), Not-for-Profits (large), Sustainable Businesses and Community Action. Among the 2022 finalists are youth who lead by example as environmental ambassadors and as innovators through science-based projects, while adults help educate about the diversity of nature, galvanize others to protect ecosystems, and initiate programs to conserve species. Not-for-profits and community groups show leadership in taking action to protect wildlife and habitats, or in developing new educational programs, often incorporating Indigenous knowledge about nature. The businesses being recognized show innovation with the development of green products, sustainable practices, and alternative energy programs. This years finalists remind us of the many innovative ways through which Canadians are making a difference in supporting a sustainable future, says Dr. Danika Goosney, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Nature, and member of the selection jury. We are pleased to recognize their efforts and look forward to celebrating them through our national awards. In addition to the category finalists, naturalist Larry Halverson is this years recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Throughout his life, including 38 years with Parks Canada, the Invermere, British Columbia resident has been dedicated to engaging people and creating initiatives that help protect nature. He co-founded the Wings Over the Rockies festival in 1997, which has inspired numerous other bird and nature-based events across Canada and the United States. While never a formal fundraiser, Larry has helped raise millions of dollars for outreach programs through his kindness, humour and "just do it" attitude. The museum is grateful for the support of media partners The Globe and Mail and the Walrus, as well as category award sponsorsthe Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (Youth); Ontario Power Generation (Not-for-Profit, small to medium); NASCO Building Cleaning Inc. (Community Action) and Meta (Sustainable Business). The jury included Shelley Ambrose, former Executive Director/Co-Publisher, The Walrus; Carolynn Beaty, Director of Granting, The Sitka Foundation; Christine Beevis Trickett, Director, Editorial Services & Internal Communications, Nature Conservancy of Canada; Kevin Chan, Global Policy Campaign Strategies, Meta Inc.; Phillip Crawley, Publisher, The Globe and Mail; Dolf DeJong, CEO, Toronto Zoo; John Geiger, CEO, Royal Canadian Geographical Society; Geoff Green, Founder and Executive Director, Students on Ice Foundation; Danika Goosney, (in her former role as Vice President, Scholarships and Fellowships, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada); and John Swettenham, ex-officio, Interim Co-President & CEO, Canadian Museum of Nature. Winners for each category receive $5,000 that they can pay forward and designate to a nature-related program of their choice. The Nature Inspiration Awards are produced by the Canadian Museum of Nature. Details, including profiles of the finalists and the Lifetime Achievement recipient, can be found at nature.ca/awards. Here is the list of finalists: Youth category (aged 17 and under as of Dec. 31, 2021) Caio Krause Condradt, Coquitlam, British Columbia: ambassador for ocean conservation through the YouthtoSea program; Coquitlam, British Columbia: ambassador for ocean conservation through the YouthtoSea program; Naia Moloo, Ottawa, Ontario: youth scientist, environmental leader, and podcaster; Ottawa, Ontario: youth scientist, environmental leader, and podcaster; Artash Nath, Toronto, Ontario : innovator and creator of a website to monitor underwater sound pollution; Toronto, Ontario innovator and creator of a website to monitor underwater sound pollution; Avery Parkinson, Ottawa, Ontario : champion for cellular agriculture and alternative food sources; Ottawa, Ontario champion for cellular agriculture and alternative food sources; Annabelle Rayson, Sarnia, Ontario: award-winning science-fair participant, focusing on environmental projects. Adult category (aged 18 and up) Adam Oliver Brown, Ottawa, Ontario: educator, broadcaster, and science communicator; Ottawa, Ontario: educator, broadcaster, and science communicator; Dr. Melissa Lem, Vancouver, British Columbia: environmental physician and leader for development of prescriptions-for-nature programs; Vancouver, British Columbia: environmental physician and leader for development of prescriptions-for-nature programs; Michael Runtz, Arnprior, Ontario: naturalist and educator about wildlife and natural history; Arnprior, Ontario: naturalist and educator about wildlife and natural history; Arlene Slocombe, Eden Mills, Ontario: community activist for the protection of aquatic ecosystems; Eden Mills, Ontario: community activist for the protection of aquatic ecosystems; Bridget Stutchbury, Ph.D., Vaughn, Ontario: protection of species at risk through leadership of the Wildlife Preservation Society. Not-For-Profit category (small/medium organization) Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association, Parry Sound, Ontario, coordination of Canadas 19 UNESCO biosphere regions; Parry Sound, Ontario, coordination of Canadas 19 UNESCO biosphere regions; Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources: collaborative leadership program for the health of Lake Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba; collaborative leadership program for the health of Lake Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba; Meriscope, Portneuf-sur-Mer, Quebec; conservation and outreach for the protection of marine mammals; Portneuf-sur-Mer, Quebec; conservation and outreach for the protection of marine mammals; Nikanese Wahtzee Stewardship Society, Moberly Lake, British Columbia, conservation and recovery programs for regional caribou populations; Moberly Lake, British Columbia, conservation and recovery programs for regional caribou populations; Youth Climate Lab, Ottawa, Ontario: empowerment of youth under 30 to become effective climate leaders. Not-For-Profit category (large organization) Birds Canada, Port Rowan, Ontario: production of Canadian podcast about bird conservation; Port Rowan, Ontario: production of Canadian podcast about bird conservation; Humber College Early Childhood Education Program, Etobicoke, Ontario: creation of course for nature-based play that incorporates Indigenous knowledge; Etobicoke, Ontario: creation of course for nature-based play that incorporates Indigenous knowledge; Ocean School, National Film Board, Montreal, Quebec and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia: development of free learning resources about the interconnected relationship between the Haizaqv people in British Columbia and their keystone species (herring and salmon); National Film Board, Montreal, Quebec and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia: development of free learning resources about the interconnected relationship between the Haizaqv people in British Columbia and their keystone species (herring and salmon); The Land Conservancy of British Columbia, Victoria, BC: creation of the Deertrails education program. Community Action category Fishing for Success , Petty Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador: hands-on programs about traditional fishing practices, including Girls who Fish; , Petty Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador: hands-on programs about traditional fishing practices, including Girls who Fish; Green Hope Foundation , Toronto, Ontario: protection of endangered Wood Turtles through community stewardship; , Toronto, Ontario: protection of endangered Wood Turtles through community stewardship; St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences, Cornwall, Ontario: development of a science-based, community-led program promoting health of the St. Lawrence River. Sustainable Business category Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics, Inc. St. Catharines, Ontario: development and manufacturing of sustainable cosmetic products; St. Catharines, Ontario: development and manufacturing of sustainable cosmetic products; Cowbell Brewing , Blyth, Ontario: leadership in sustainable practices and carbon-positive brewing operations; , Blyth, Ontario: leadership in sustainable practices and carbon-positive brewing operations; Montana First Nation Solar Farm, Maskwasis, Alberta: development of the largest on-reserve solar project in Canada. About the Canadian Museum of Nature Saving the world through evidence, knowledge and inspiration! The Canadian Museum of Nature provides evidence-based insights, inspiring experiences and meaningful engagement with nature's past, present and future. It achieves this through scientific research, a collection of 14.6 million specimens and artifacts, education programs, signature and travelling exhibitions, and a dynamic website, nature.ca. Information for media: Dan Smythe Head, Media Relations Canadian Museum of Nature 613.698.9253 (cell) dsmythe@nature.ca Dublin, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Global Market Report 2022" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global non-invasive aesthetic treatment market is expected to grow from $43.87 billion in 2021 to $49.32 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.43%. The non-invasive aesthetic treatment market is expected to reach $85.64 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 14.79%. North America was the largest region in the non-invasive aesthetic treatment market in 2021. The Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the non-invasive aesthetic treatment market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The increasing focus on physical appearance among adults will propel the growth of the non-invasive aesthetic treatment market. Physical appearance refers to the external appearance of any individual irrespective of their gender, weight, height, or other aspects of the body. With the rapid increase in self-consciousness among individuals, the individuals are focusing on investing in products and medical treatments to increase their external appearance. According to a survey published in 2020 by RealSelf, a US-based healthcare marketplace where customers can research aesthetic treatments and connect with doctors, 62% of Americans use anti-ageing products as part of their day-to-day skincare routine. Therefore, increasing focus on physical appearance is expected to boost demand for non-invasive aesthetic treatment during the forecast period. Technological advancement is a key trend gaining popularity in the non-invasive aesthetic treatment market. The companies operating in the non-invasive aesthetic treatment are increasingly focusing on developing innovative products with advanced technology and greater product efficiency. For instance, in July 2019, Hologic, Inc., a USA-based medical technology company, launched TempSure Firm handpiece, which delivers radiofrequency through massage heads to heat tissue and reduce the appearance of cellulite. In January 2022, Galderma, a Switzerland-based company specializing in dermatological treatments and skincare products, acquired ALASTIN Skincare Inc for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition by Galderma is focused on enhancing its product portfolio in the premium segment and research & development activities in the dermatology sector. ALASTIN Skincare Inc is a USA-based provider of clinically-tested skincare products. Scope Markets Covered: 1) By Product: Injectable; Skin Rejuvenation 2) By End Use: Hospitals & Surgery Centers; Medical Spa; Clinics; Traditional Spa; HCP Owned Clinic Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market Characteristics 3. Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market Trends And Strategies 4. Impact Of COVID-19 On Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment 5. Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market Size And Growth 6. Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market Segmentation 7. Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market Regional And Country Analysis 8. Asia-Pacific Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market 9. China Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market 10. India Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market 11. Japan Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market 12. Australia Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market 13. Indonesia Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market 14. South Korea Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market 15. Western Europe Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market 16. UK Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market 17. Germany Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market 18. France Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market 19. Eastern Europe Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market 20. Russia Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market 21. North America Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market 22. USA Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market 23. South America Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market 24. Brazil Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market 25. Middle East Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market 26. Africa Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market 27. Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market Competitive Landscape And Company Profiles 28. Key Mergers And Acquisitions In The Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market 29. Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market Future Outlook and Potential Analysis 30. Appendix Companies Mentioned Galderma S.A. Allergen Cutera Inc. Alma Lasers Cynosure For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/yvrrv1 Toronto, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Habitat for Humanity GTA (Habitat GTA) is proud to announce The Daniels Corporation (Daniels) as the recipient of its first-ever Developer for Humanity Lifetime Achievement Award. Representatives from Habitat GTA presented Daniels with the Award last night at the 2022 Building Industry and Land Development Association Chairs Dinner. The Developer for Humanity Award was created to recognize developers who go above and beyond in partnering with Habitat GTA to deliver affordable homeownership opportunities, while also demonstrating parallel commitments to the economic and social wellbeing of the communities in which they build. The Developer for Humanity Award Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes Daniels for their exceptional track record in both areas. Since 1996, Daniels has set an industry-leading example for how builders can partner with Habitat GTA, supporting its mission to help local families to build strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable homeownership. Daniels has shown extraordinary generosity and goodwill making contributions of land and completed homes with a combined value of over $6 million, resulting in Habitat homes for more than 90 families in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Pickering and Aurora, including: Donating land in south Etobicoke for the construction of 10 Habitat Homes the largest donation of land from a private company in Habitat GTAs history. Leading the development of a 54-unit affordable homeownership community on former faith lands in Scarborough, including full construction of 38 of these homes and support of Habitat volunteer construction of 16 of these homes. Providing Habitat GTA with numerous completed townhomes and condominium units at well below market cost, which in turn, become Habitat homes. Beyond direct provision of land and housing units, Daniels has played an invaluable role supporting Habitat GTAs expansion from a grassroots charity building a handful of homes a year to a sophisticated affordable housing developer building multiple stacked townhome developments and brokering an ever-expanding number of housing partnerships with local governments and for-profit developers. Over the years, members of the Daniels team have routinely shared advice and guidance to Habitat GTA on every aspect of their work from long-term strategy to due diligence on land purchase, to reviews of project plans, to advice on construction site safety programs. Along the way, Daniels has tapped its own network, calling to action other developers, builders and suppliers to follow their lead and support Habitat GTA. While Habitat GTA has been a prominent partner, Daniels has provided support to many other organizations creating opportunities for inclusive housing, such as: A signatory with the BlackNorth Initiative and a commitment of 5 homes to BlackNorths Homeownership Bridge Program, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity GTA; Friends of Ruby Home, Canadas first residence providing transitional housing and in-house counselling for homeless LGBTQI2S youth in Toronto; Covenant House Toronto, Canadas largest homeless youth agency. Daniels has provided deeply subsidized rental apartments for a transitional housing program integrated into a Daniels condominium building; Daniels and Sun Life have created a public-private partnership with WoodGreen Community Services and the City of Toronto to integrate long-term, affordable, rental living for single mothers at Evolv Rental Residences in Regent Park Daniels has partnered with LArche Toronto to custom build an eight-bedroom condominium within the Artworks Tower in Regent Park. Designed to meet the assisted-living needs of LArche clients, this new home will provide a fully-accessible, barrier-free and inclusive environment for people with intellectual disabilities; The Region of Peel partnered with Daniels and the governments of Ontario and Canada to deliver 174 units within a mixed rental building of affordable and fair market value apartments at Mississauga City Centre; Daniels Accessibility Designed Program (ADP) a barrier-breaking initiative dedicated to providing a higher standard of accessibility, far exceeding the requirements of the Ontario Building Code. ADP homes are now integrated into all Daniels vertical communities. Quotes What truly speaks to the incredible character of The Daniels Corporation is the simple fact that they have supported Habitat for Humanity GTA to help empower dozens of local families - not because they had to, but because they chose to do so. Daniels is a trailblazer in the development industry. Their mantra, Love where you live, is not just a slogan, it is a way of being. They take a systemic approach to every build project, constantly looking for ways not just to contribute to the community but to build inclusive communities where everyone can thrive. Their partnership with Habitat for Humanity GTA can be seen through the lives of multiple generations of families who were given the opportunity to be their best selves and are today living a better quality of life. They are a shining example of the powerful role the development community can play in the addressing the affordable housing crisis while also building vibrant sustainable communities for the benefit of everyone. Ene Underwood, CEO for Habitat for Humanity GTA. A commitment to affordable homeownership has been central to our work for close to 40 years. For over two decades, our partnership with Habitat for Humanity has demonstrated the power of collaboration. By partnering with Habitat, every developer can truly change lives, building communities that are inclusive. We are deeply touched with this recognition and look forward to further collaboration with Habitat for Humanity for decades to come. Mitchell Cohen, President & CEO of The Daniels Corporation. Our lives have improved so much now that our family has a place to call our own. The kids have more space to run around and play. We can wake up to see a sunrise and see and hear the birds outside our window. Owning a home means that its ours, and we are invested in a life-changing decision for the better. We are grateful to the Daniels team for partnering with Habitat for Humanity GTA to build our home so we can feel safe and comfortable. Vidia Mohammed, Habitat for Humanity GTA Homeowner. -30- About Habitat for Humanity GTA Habitat for Humanity GTA is a local organization with a global vision of a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. We mobilize communities to help working families build strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable homeownership. With the help of volunteers, donors, and community partners we provide a solid foundation for better, healthier lives for families in the GTA. Since 1988, Habitat GTA has built 23 new communities, providing a hand-up to hundreds of families so parents and children can have a safe, decent and affordable place to call home. To learn more visit habitatgta.ca. About The Daniels Corporation The Daniels Corporation (www.danielshomes.ca) is one of Canada's pre-eminent builders/developers, building more than 35,000 new homes across the Greater Toronto Area for over 38 years. Daniels is the developer of TIFF Bell Lightbox and the City of the Arts community on Torontos East Waterfront. Among its many initiatives, Daniels was chosen to partner with Toronto Community Housing to revitalize 53 of the 69 acres in Toronto's Regent Park. Today, Regent Park is the global hub of urban Sustainable Development Goals and home to the World Urban Pavilion in Regent Park Powered by Daniels, a collaborative initiative between the Urban Economy Forum, UN-Habitat and supported by CMHC and Daniels. Understanding that quality of life is created by much more than physical buildings, Daniels goes above and beyond to integrate building excellence with opportunities for social, cultural and economic well-being. As part of this effort, Daniels is committed to integrating affordable homes into its communities across the GTA through innovative programs and partnerships with non-profit organizations to help address significant affordable homeownership and rental needs in todays market. South Africa: Mpumalanga Hawks, RTMC swoop on licence disk fraudsters A further three suspects have been arrested in relation to a R60 million fraudulent traffic licensing swindle at the Mbombela and White River Traffic Departments. The arrests were confirmed by the Hawks on Wednesday. Hawks spokesperson, Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, said the trio, aged between 36 and 42, are from the Mbombela Municipality and the two traffic departments. They are expected to appear before the Nelspruit Magistrate Court today. They were arrest during a joint operation by the Hawks Nelspruit-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation and Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) in Mbombela and White River for fraud, theft and money laundering amounting to R60 million. Their arrest followed an investigation carried over from the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) during December 2018. It was reported that information was received about employees who were extending expired vehicle discs to the owners of the vehicles. During the investigation by the Hawks, it was established that the cashiers colluded with motorists after they saw an opportunity with trucks owing large amounts... [The] officials would manipulate the system and extend the expiration dates of the vehicle licence discs and re-issue a new disc that showed zero balance. It is said that truck owners would pay the money meant for the department to the officials for their own benefit, an act described as money dumping. The other six accused are former Department of Community Safety, under the Section Help Desk, Thembi Millicent Motlohi (43); Allman Thabani Masuku (35); Xoliswa Celia Ngcelwane (52); Nompulelo Winnie Nxumalo (44); Agnes Nosipho Ndzinisa (54) and Mbombela Registry authority, Nkosinathi Samuel Gumede (37). This group was arrested by the Hawks Nelspruit-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in a joint operation with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit (NTACU) and Special Investigation Unit (SIU) on 18 July 2022 for fraud, theft and money laundering. The accused were released on R15 000 bail each. The case was postponed to 29 September for further investigation. The latest arrests bring to nine the number of suspects in the case. More arrests are imminent, said Sekgotodi. The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Zodwa Mokoena, applauded the collaboration of the investigators from different law enforcement agencies, including those who ensured that the investigation was finalised and placed before court. She further warned those who are still busy with corruption will be dealt with. The General further said that as the Hawks, they will leave no stone unturned. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-09-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. China deliberates on updating cybersecurity law Xinhua) 10:11, September 15, 2022 BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's cyberspace regulator on Wednesday revealed a set of draft revisions to the country's cybersecurity law to solicit public opinion. China's cybersecurity law entered into force in 2017. It amended the Administrative Penalty Law and adopted the Data Security Law and the Law on Protection of Personal Information in 2021. The draft revisions were formulated to coordinate the cybersecurity law with relevant legislation and improve the legal liability system, according to the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC). The highlights of the proposed revisions include adjusting the types and ranges of administrative penalties for violations endangering network operation security and strengthening the responsibility of key information infrastructure operators. The draft also seeks to improve the legal liability systems of network information security and personal information protection. The deadline for submitting feedback is Sept. 29. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) By Lee Nan-hee It was almost a few decades ago when I first heard of the name of Julia Kristeva. She is a female philosopher, psychoanalyst and writer in France. She emigrated from the former socialist country of Bulgaria in Eastern Europe. I was quite suspicious how much this female French philosopher's theory would have anything to do with me and other women in South Korea and in Asia. I was surprised to find out how creative and sophisticated her theory and concepts were. Nonetheless, I still doubted how they could be applied to my daily life and our society in Korea. Some of the reasons why I had an interest in Kristeva originated from even earlier figures than her. They were Sigmund Freud and Jacques Lacan. I wanted to know about their theories and explanations partly due to my personal experiences and characteristics. I had gone through some difficulties in getting along and becoming friendly with various people during my doctoral studies and job performance after by studies. Thus, I wanted to figure out what had gone wrong in my life and what had led to who I was at that time. I tried to read some books and articles on psychoanalysis, and in particular, those on object relations theory. I found them to be very interesting and intriguing. I wanted to delve into them even deeper. Although I did not become an expert on such themes, I felt that I could get much help and insight into understanding my personality from such theories. In addition, I thought that such theories could be useful and helpful in understanding and reinterpreting human beings in theology. Understanding human beings in theology can be summarized as follows: created by God, modeled in God's image, became a sinner by corruption, saved and justified by believing in Jesus Christ, and further, being in the process of sanctifying with the Holy Spirit. In particular, with respect to the concept of sin, traditional theology has argued that the strong desire or concupiscence of humans is to blame. For example, John Calvin, the theologian and founder of the Protestant and Presbyterian churches, asserted that human pride and concupiscence are sin, and that the core of Christian life is self-denial. This term, concupiscence, was derived from the term, concupiscentia, in Latin. This term means strong desire, physical or sensual desire or greed. The term is one of three English terms for "epitumia" which appears as many as 38 times in the New Testament. However, I felt that such understandings of sin obviously lack a meticulous, sophisticated description of the complicated process of how human egos, subjects, psychology and sexual subjects are formed. Thus, that existing, narrow and simple understanding of sin as a strong desire cannot clarify too many things. It is necessary to explain how humans come to constitute the ego and subject in mutual relationships with caregivers (mostly, their mothers), and how humans are supposed to commit sins, which mean nothing but sexual desire. Dr. Lee Nan-hee (godorchid@gmail.com) studied English and theology at Hanshin University. AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gotransverse ( http://gotransverse.com ), a leading provider of enterprise order-to-cash solutions, will join with its Catalyst project partners to show Phase II of the B2B2X marketplace for 5G services at TM Forums Digital Transformation World in Copenhagen September 20-22. The Catalyst project, Supercharged Edge-Aware Marketplaces, is a joint initiative with Verizon, Vodafone Group, Blue Planet, MATRIXX Software, and Salesforce. The project demonstrates how a marketplace for communications service providers (CSPs) can support new business models selling value-based 5G services. Traditionally, CSP services have been measured and charged based on network-centric metrics such as data consumed or minutes of use. The edge-aware marketplace incorporates knowledge of resources available at a service location, along with dynamic pricing based on value delivered, usage, and network orchestration activities. Automated revenue sharing across multiple partners is built-in for CSPs, application developers, device vendors and other service providers, and edge network operators. The TM Forum Catalyst project will show how third party device and service providers can transform their commercial models can use guaranteed service level insights to deliver an innovative and improved customer experience through 5G network slicing and multi-access edge computing (MEC). The Catalyst ecosystem provides end-to-end awareness of real-time performance to adapt as needed for customer-facing business processes. As a result, the 5G infrastructure makes more efficient use of resources and fixed costs and creates new business opportunities for CSPs and their partners. Building on the success of last years TM Forum Catalyst demonstration, this year we will show the next phase of 5G marketplace monetization and the potential of offers for telecommunications companies, said James Messer, Founder & CEO of Gotransverse. We aim to automate an end-to-end, catalog-driven business model that provides revenue sharing for multi-party 5G services using real-time charges, revenue sharing, and settlement. Among other advantages, the 5G edge-aware marketplace enables real-time insight and artificial intelligence forecasts for dynamic pricing. For example, CSPs can offer discounted services during low-load periods to improve customer engagement and increase CSP revenue. Using predictive analytics with real-time network data means customers can activate more features with more bandwidth and MEC available and save money. The TM Forum catalysts are a unique opportunity for innovation and experimentation, said Marc Price, CTO of MATRIXX Software. We are pleased to be joining forces with our industry-leading partners to showcase the next wave of monetization for new B2B2X business models and multiparty ecosystems essential to the future of 5G evolution. Salesforce is excited about its continued participation in the TM Forum catalyst program, said David Fan, VP & GM of Communications Products at Salesforce. We see it as a vital part of our innovation process to help test and refine new concepts in collaboration with service providers and our ecosystem partners before taking them to market commercially. 5G brings about the promise of futuristic immersive experiences and monetizing these experiences powered by network slicing and intelligent automation. Together with our partners, Blue Planet will showcase through this Catalyst demonstration how end-to-end network slicing can help service providers tailor their network resources to deliver these new dynamic experiences, said Kailem Anderson, Vice President of Portfolio and Engineering, Blue Planet, a division of Ciena. The TM Forum Catalyst program develops collaborative, proof-of-concept projects that offer solutions to everyday business problems using best practices that ensure scalability with reduced costs and low risk. About Gotransverse Gotransverse provides cloud-based software that enables companies to operate as a subscription business model, including the often-challenging aspects of usage-based pricing and monetization at scale. Founded by globally recognized billing experts, the company offers an intelligent billing and subscription management platform that automates the subscription order-to-cash process, including billing, rating, collections, mediation, analytics, and revenue recognition. Gotransverse was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas. For more information, visit http://gotransverse.com. About TM Forum Catalyst Program The TM Forum Catalyst Program was devised in October 1997 at the first Management World event and was designed to facilitate a different way of creating standards, rather than just pure documentation. The program "catalyzed" teams to develop solutions, with a combination of pragmatism and hard deadlines helping them to arrive at solutions that really work in a short timeframe. About TM Forum TM Forum is an association of over 850 member companies, which include 10 of the world's top 10 network and communications providers and stretch across 180 countries. Our members tap into each other's collective experiences and abilities to collaboratively solve complex industry-wide challenges, deploy new services, and create technology breakthroughs to accelerate change. We help communications service providers (CSPs) and their suppliers to digitally transform and thrive in the digital era. We do this by providing an open, collaborative environment and practical support which enables CSPs and suppliers to rapidly transform their business operations, IT systems and ecosystems to capitalize on the opportunities presented in a rapidly evolving digital world. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Learn more at www.tmforum.org. Press Contact: Tom Woolf Gotransverse 415.842.7398 twoolf@gotransverse.com Westford, USA, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Due to the growing demand for Computed Tomography (CT) Scanner, manufacturers in the Global Computed Tomography (CT) Scanner Market are working on creating new models to meet the high demand. CT scans are now used for a wide variety of medical procedures, including cross-sectional imaging of the body and brain. Recently, CT scans have also begun being used for pediatric diagnostic imaging. There are a number of reasons why the demand for Computed Tomography (CT) scanner market is growing. First, as the population continues to grow, there is an increasing need for diagnostic imaging services. Second, as the technology continues to improve, CT scanners are becoming increasingly accurate and able to provide more detailed images. Third, as the cost of CT scanners decreases, more hospitals and clinics are able to afford them. Fourth, CT scanners are becoming more widely available in many countries around the world. Fifth, as awareness of the benefits of CT scanning increases, more people are seeking out these services. Get sample copy of this report: https://skyquestt.com/sample-request/computed-tomography-scanner-market In addition, a large number of hospitals in the Computed Tomography (CT) scanner market around the globe are buying CT scanner because of their versatility. They can be used to image virtually any part of the body. This makes them particularly valuable for cross-sectional imaging. Cross-sectional imaging is a type of medical imaging that is used to gather detailed information about the structure and function of a particular area of the body. SkyQuest has published a report on the global computed tomography (CT) scanner market. The report provides an in-depth analysis of the market trends, drivers, challenges, and opportunities. It also offers a detailed competitive landscape of the market. High Prevalence of Cancer, Cardiovascular disorders and Brain Disease is Behind Strong Growth of Computed Tomography (CT) Scanner Market CT scanners are becoming increasingly popular as epidemics of cancer, cardiovascular diseases and brain disorders continue to increase. For example, each year, cancer takes lives of over 10.6 million people around the globe and more than 16 million people diagnosed each year. It has been found that most of the deaths occurred due to late diagnosis of the cancer. However, the scenario has started changing with the rapid adoption of advanced imaging technologies such as CT scanners for early diagnosis of cancer in the Computed Tomography (CT) scanner market. On the other hand, CVD are the largest cause of death around the globe and accounts for over 32% of the total death. This, in turn, have altered the patients and healthcare institutes alike to go for advanced imaging technology to detect any abnormalities in heart. And, as the population ages, the incidence of Alzheimer's disease is also on the rise. CT scanners can help doctors diagnose these illnesses quickly and accurately. In addition, CT scans are often used to help determine whether a patient has a tumor or not. The prevalence of cancer, cardiovascular and brain diseases is increasing globally. This trend is projected to continue in the future as the population ages and exposure to risk factors such as tobacco use, obesity and sedentary lifestyle increases. The number of people diagnosed with these conditions is expected to rise sharply, resulting in a growing demand for CT scanners. CT scanners are an essential tool for diagnosing and treating these conditions. They provide detailed images of the inside of the body, which helps doctors to identify tumors, blockages and other abnormalities. Computed Tomography (CT) scanner market is also witnessing a sharp rise in the demand to guide treatment, such as surgery or radiation therapy. The increased demand for CT scanner services is putting strain on healthcare systems around the world. In many countries, there is already a shortage of CT scanners and trained staff to operate them. The situation is expected to worsen in the coming years as the number of cases continues to rise. This could lead to long wait times for patients requiring scans and ultimately result in poorer health outcomes. Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC): https://skyquestt.com/report/computed-tomography-scanner-market Growing Demand for AI-based CT Scanner CT scanning technology is quickly evolving, with new AI-based scanners hitting the market each year. These scanners are becoming more affordable, accurate, and reliable, making them a favored choice for medical professionals and patients alike. The popularity of AI-based CT scanners is likely due to their accuracy and ousting of radiation exposure. This technology has countless applications in medicine, including detecting tumors and other medical conditions. In addition to its numerous medical uses, AI-based CT scanning is also being used to create 3D images of objects. Some of the newer AI-based CT scanners in the global Computed Tomography (CT) scanner market are able to automatically identify abnormalities in scans and recommend treatments. This capability is especially helpful for younger patients who may not be familiar with medical terminology. In addition to being faster and more accurate, AI-based CT scanners are also coming at same cost as traditional scanners. Top Recent Developments in Global Computed Tomography (CT) Scanner Market In September 2022, Lumafield succeed in bagging $35 million through Series B funding. The funding would help the company to build affordable desktop CT scanners. In September 2022, Sempre Group announced the launch of CT systems as well as industrial CT scanning and data analysis services from Ireland office In September 2022, Auckland Radiology Group announced to build a new radiology clinic in Whangarei and Northland. The Facility will be equipped with PET CT scanner by mid-2023 In June 2022, Siemens Healthcare, a leading players in Computed Tomography (CT) scanner market, received FDA approval for its new SPECT/CT Scanner. The product would offer numerous advantages such as intuitive workflow guides and low-dose CT up to 64 slices In September 2022, Austrailia launched new mobile cancer scan unit equipped with CT scanner for rural population In August 2022, Phillips launched its Dual Energy Spectral CT 7500 in China. SkyQuests report highlights the key players in the global CT scanner market and their respective market share. It also profiles some of the leading players and analyzes their strengths and weaknesses. The report also provides an overview of the competitive landscape in the market. Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements: https://skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/computed-tomography-scanner-market Key Players in Global Computed Tomography (CT) Scanner Market GE Healthcare (US) Hitachi, Ltd. (Japan) Siemens Healthineers AG (Germany) Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands) Neusoft Medical Systems (China) Canon Medical Systems Corporation (Japan) Carestream Health (US) Planmeca Oy (Finland) Fujifilm Corporation (Japan) Neusoft Corporation (China) Related Reports in SkyQuests Library: Global Influenza Vaccine Market Global Silicone Foley Catheter Market Global Urinary Catheter Market Global Central Nervous System Treatment Market Global Medical Clothing Market About Us: SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally. Address: 1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 Phone: USA (+1) 617-230-0741 Email: sales@skyquestt.com BOGOTA, Colombia, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arity, a luxury conglomerate led by veterans of the jewelry industry auctioned the first high-end jewelry collection backed by NFT legacy certificates, at prestigious Colombian auction house Lefebre. The collection was designed in collaboration with renowned jewelry designer and royal family member of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikha Fatima Al-Qassimi. Lefebre Subastas became the first auction house in Latin America to sell NFT-backed jewelry. This comes shortly after major luxury brands like Sothebys, Tiffany, Gucci, and more have started to explore the potential of NFTs and phygital assets to meet the demand for innovative digital experiences. Aritys auction at Lefebre Subastas featured the Matrix Ring and Singularity Earrings which include emeralds originally extracted from Colombia through Aritys sustainable mining operations. Both pieces were sold on September 7, with the Matrix Ring marking the highest bid on the jewelry section of Lefebre, alongside individual NFT assets. The collection showcases the next evolution of jewelry design, merging the physical and the digital worlds. This is only the beginning of my collaboration with the Arity team. I look forward to exploring innovative implementations of NFTs and blockchain technology in the high-end jewelry sector. Additionally, the work that Arity is doing to increase traceability and ensure sustainability in the supply chain of precious minerals is very important for the industry, said Sheikha Fatima Al-Qassimi. A member of the Ras al-Khaimah royal family, Sheikha Fatima is a well-respected jewelry designer and owner of Sough Goldsmith, whose collections have been featured in Vogue. Colombia has a long-standing legacy as a top provider of the worlds finest quality emeralds, with the Chivor mine being one of the largest deposits in the country. The most expensive emerald, per carat, ever sold at auction, was The Rockefeller Emerald Ring, which originated from the Chivor mines, it has the intense color and distinct saturation that typifies Colombian emeralds and was auctioned by Christies for over $5.5M. Arity founders have the most extensive mining license in the region, and were the first ones to implement blockchain technology in 2018 to ensure traceability; its executives have over 80 years of combined experience in the mining, gem-cutting and high-end jewelry industry. The director of Lefebre Auctions, Catalina Martinez, said: With blockchain, it is possible to create a direct bridge between art and technology, highlighting the artistic level that is evident in each jewel. These pieces are made with emeralds extracted from the well-known mine of Chivor with totally clean and sustainable processes and all this is traceable via the NFT. The winning bidder will receive the physical piece along with an NFT representation of the Singularity Earrings and Matrix Ring. These NFTs will be integrated into Metaverse applications in future iterations of Aritys offerings as the company continues to pave the way to Web3 for the luxury industry. About Arity Arity is a Web3 company using blockchain to innovate the market of luxury goods. Arity brings forward generations of experiences in emerald sourcing, mining, and jewelry design and deep crypto and NFT knowledge. Aritys technology builds flawless chains of custody for precious possessions and immortalizes human craftsmanship in high-end jewelry and exotic experiences. Learn more about Arity at Arity. club About Lefebre Subastas LeFebre auction house located in Bogota Colombia has among its collection international artists such as Mondrian, Albers, Szyszlo, Dali, Nierman, Soto, Rembrand, and a selection of Latin American religious paintings from different schools, Cuzquena, Neogranadina, Virreinal. And great masters of Colombian art; with works by Omar Rayo, Ana Mercedes Hoyos, Olga de Amaral, Carlos Rojas, Roberto Pizano, Miguel Angel Rojas, Luis Caballero, Manuel Hernandez, Hugo Zapata, Edgar Negret, Eduardo Ramirez Villamizar, among others. Learn more about Lefebre at https://lefebresubastas.com/ For media inquiries, please contact Karla Vilhelem at karla@multiplied.io Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/464475f7-c2e5-40da-9be9-0f1a1edc0ff8 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7b2d9a9b-3c02-4d97-ad63-2f56407d6155 PORT SAINT LUCIE, Fla., Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As children head back into the classroom for the new school year, the top concern for parents remains that of school shootings, as revealed in the 2022 Back-to-School Study from Qualtrics. The study, which was fielded between July 19-29, 2022, from more than 1,000 respondents, revealed just how much the ongoing threat of gun violence continues to weigh heavy on parents' minds: The top school safety concern for parents is school shootings, topping bullying and COVID. Only 31% of K-12 parents say they feel their children are "very safe." More than one-tenth (13%) of parents have moved their kids to new schools due to safety concerns, with an additional third (33%) considering doing so. Even though the school year has only just begun, the May 24 attack on Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, has the possibility of a worst-case scenario weighing heavy on parents' minds. In turn, educational institutions continue their quests to find better ways to prepare for the possibility that such an event could take place on their grounds. In response to the 2018 Parkland school shooting, the Final Report of the Federal Commission on School Safety, released Dec. 18, 2018, recommends that schools should "seek to create secure spaces within classrooms where students and teachers can shelter in the case of an active shooter." National Safety Shelters developed a way to fulfill the above recommendation - classroom safety pods. Not only do the pods give students and teachers immediate protection from an active shooter, but parents can now be confident that their kids have an impenetrable place to shelter during an attack. "Although the pods were originally manufactured as tornado shelters, the design was modified after the Sandy Hook tragedy in December 2012 with the intent of offering them to schools as a dual-purpose safety measure: to protect from tornadoes and active shooters," said Dennis Corrado, President of National Safety Shelters. "With parents sending their children back to school following the Uvalde tragedy, there is a growing need for them to know that their children are as safe as possible." National Safety Shelters pods are made using quarter-inch American-made NIJ Ballistic Level III steel. This military-grade steel is specially heat-treated to resist not only handguns and shotguns, but also semi-automatic weapons commonly used in mass shootings, like AK-47 and AR-15 rifles. The steel used in the NIJ Ballistic Level III shelters has been tested by the U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center. It has met or surpassed the minimum required V50 ballistic limit protection criteria for Class 1 armor. School systems nationwide are taking note, such as the Quitman School District in Quitman, Arkansas, investing in National Safety Shelters pods to protect its students. The district attributes its 20% increase in enrollment to parents seeking a district with a commitment to safety and said the additional government revenue from the increased enrollment covered the cost of the pods. Visit www.nationalsafetyshelters.com for more information on how National Safety Shelters safety pods can protect your school or business. About National Safety Shelters National Safety Shelters safety pods provide instant protection from violence-related incidents, including armed intruders and severe weather, including EF5 tornadoes. Their modular design can be formatted to fit any particular need. Please visit http://nationalsafetyshelters.com to learn more about how National Safety Shelters' safety pods can protect your school or business. Media Contact Dan Johnson dan.johnson@newswire.com Related Images Image 1 This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment BERWYN, Pa., Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Positive Physicians Insurance Company, ("Positive"), a leading medical professional liability insurer serving healthcare providers across 10 states, and Medical Interactive Community ("MI"), a Comprehensive Risk Management & Patient Safety Education Company, today announced a partnership to provide Positive insured physicians and healthcare providers access to MI's e-learning platform. This e-learning platform will equip Positive's insureds with a comprehensive library of educational and training resources that target key areas of clinical risk, as well as the ability to earn CME, CNE, and MOC-approved credits at no additional cost. The platform also allows insureds to automatically report completed credits to appropriate state boards via CE Broker. "MI is a nationally recognized risk management organization using an innovative platform to enhance the customer experience and improve how healthcare professionals manage risk going forward. MI's progressive e-learning platform will help Positive insureds improve clinical outcomes, promote patient safety, and earn valuable CME credits," said Positive CEO Michael Roque. "This partnership furthers our commitment to risk management and to using technology-driven solutions to improve company performance and transform the way we do business in the MPL Industry." Founded in 2002, Positive provides medical malpractice insurance coverage for physicians, medical staff, and medical groups. "Effective risk management has been a cornerstone of Positive since inception. The partnership with MI will help achieve strategic objectives tied to enhanced risk management and provide our insureds with market-leading tools to better manage risk," Roque said. Medical Interactive Community was established in 2011 to provide risk management and patient safety education to healthcare professionals. Today, over 62,000 clinicians utilize MI's education to reduce the risk of adverse events, improve patient safety outcomes, and meet regulatory requirements. About Positive Physicians Insurance Company Positive Physicians Insurance Company, a Pennsylvania-domiciled company, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Positive Physicians Holdings, Inc. The Company underwrites medical professional liability coverage for physicians, corporations, medical groups, clinics, and allied healthcare providers. Positive Physicians Insurance Company offers claims-made coverage, claims-made plus, occurrence-based policies as well as tail coverage in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Delaware, Maryland, South Carolina, Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Georgia. For more information, please visit www.positivephysicians.com. About Medical Interactive Medical Interactive Community is a wholly owned subsidiary of LAMMICO, currently celebrating 40 years in the MPL insurance industry. MI has brought together a diverse group of national medical experts, certified risk managers, professional liability attorneys, and adult learning masters to create the most informed and measurably effective online clinical risk management solution. MI's e-Learning platform delivers patient safety and risk management education to medical professionals across the entire healthcare spectrum. MI offers solutions for hospitals and health systems, medical group practices, MPL insurers, and long-term care facilities. The education aligns with evidence-based care patterns and guidelines to reduce risk. Contacts Shaun S. Fisher SVP Marketing & Business Development (610) 644-5262 Related Images Image 1 This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment Pune, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Healthcare IT Consulting Market includes a global opportunity analysis and industry forecasts for the period 2023-2032. The global market was valued at USD 38.35 billion in 2022, registering a CAGR of 21.56 % from 2023 to 2032. The base year considered for the study is 2021, and the forecast has been provided for the period, 2023 to 2032. Health businesses receive expert advice from healthcare consulting firms on a variety of services, such as manufactured goods, mobile devices, information systems, and retail. Countries' healthcare systems are heavily reliant on internet services, such as telemedicine, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Video calls between patients and physicians assist in treating and monitoring ailments, which in turn is fueling the healthcare IT business. For example, the Niti Aayog and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India collaborated to release telemedicine guidelines in 2020. The ministry also offers paramedics, nurses, and primary healthcare workers regular online practise sessions about the protocols to be followed for the diagnosis, isolation, and communication of potential infections. Additionally, the rising use of technology will enhance access to healthcare even in remote areas of geographically diverse nations like India when combined with telemedicine through clear rules. Get Sample Copy of This Report @ https://www.quincemarketinsights.com/request-sample-87704 The combination of IT consulting services and medicine will have positive effects, including the identification of people who could benefit from preventative care or lifestyle changes; the classification of broad-scale disease profiling to identify predictive events and support prevention initiatives; the analysis of patient characteristics; and the identification of cost-effective treatments by cost and outcome analysis. For instance, according to the International Diabetes Federation, the cost of treating diabetes worldwide is predicted to increase from USD 760 billion to USD 845 billion between 2019 and 2045. Impact of Covid-19 On The Healthcare IT Consulting Market: Different sectors around the world have been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. To stop the pandemic's rapid spread, governments all across the world enacted stringent lockdown regulations and social segregation standards. During the early epidemic stages, manufacturing plants all around the world were shut down. In addition, the pandemic's economic aftermath could cause a large delay in the industry's commercial launch. The foundation of the technological sector, small and medium-sized businesses, has seen a sharp decline in sales since the epidemic began in 2020. Thus, as supply chain interruptions were noted, market participants faced a number of difficulties. The second part of 2022, though, will see an improvement as new supplies become available. The healthcare industry is still experiencing a downturn as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and the mandated lockout. Aside from affecting communities, COVID-19 had devastating effects on the major world economies, particularly the healthcare industry. The situation is evolving quickly, and prominent stakeholders are still adjusting their tactics. In the healthcare sector, COVID-19 is expected to have significant long-term effects. Until the problem is resolved, significant players and nations will need to make important healthcare adjustments. Future healthcare improvements will be heavily reliant on technological development, cost control, and expanded access. Telehealth and digital health have assumed a prominent role in the ongoing outbreak. Remote diagnosis, care, and consultation were once again highlighted by COVID-19. Healthcare IT Consulting Market, By Type: It contains: Strategy, Project Management, Integration, Migration, Security, Risk Assessment, Analytic, BPM, Regulatory Healthcare IT Consulting Market, By End User: It contains Provider, Hospital, IDN, ACC, Home Care, Payer, Public, Private. Other end user clients (third party administrators, research centers, academic medical centers, and government bodies) Global Healthcare IT Consulting Market, Based On Regional Analysis: Enquiry Before Buying This Report @ https://www.quincemarketinsights.com/enquiry-before-buying/enquiry-before-buying-87704 The global market for HCIT consulting services is dominated by North America The Global HCIT Consulting Services Market was dominated by North America in 2021, and this trend is anticipated to hold during the forecast period. This is due to the fact that clinics are now profiting from healthcare IT consulting services in the area, including Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and payment cycle management, among others. Additionally, encouraging government initiatives and the provision of research budgets are anticipated to aid in the market's regional expansion. The HCIT Consulting Services market is anticipated to develop at the quickest rate during the forecast period in Asia Pacific. This can be attributed to cutting-edge methodologies like analytics, data security, systems, and others. Recent Developments In The Global Healthcare IT Consulting Market: In 2021- Damo Consulting released DigiMTM, an online assessment tool for health organisations wishing to evaluate their digital transformation initiatives. In 2020 - the US-based Providence merged nine of its investments in health technology into one thorough digital health portfolio known as Tegria. In 2020 - Genesis HealthCare, a provider of post-acute care in the United States, signed a $79 million agreement with the consulting firm New Generation Health. Some Key Points Of The Healthcare IT Consulting Market Report Are: An in-depth global Healthcare IT Consulting Market analysis by the segments, along with an analysis of trend-based insights and factors. Major companies operating in the global Healthcare IT Consulting market, which include Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (U.S.), Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (U.S.), Cerner Corporation (U.S.), Siemens Healthineers (Germany), McKesson Corporation (U.S.), Epic Systems Corporation (U.S.), IBM Corporation (U.S.), General Electric Company (U.S.), Tata Consultancy Services Limited (India), Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands), NTT DATA Corporation (Japan), Infor Inc. (U.S.), Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc. (U.S.), and Oracle Corporation (U.S.). Key impact factor analysis across regions that includes analysis, along with the drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges that are prevailing in the global Healthcare IT Consulting Market. Impact of COVID-19 on the global Healthcare IT Consulting Market. Find more insights on this topic from this report, Healthcare IT Consulting Market, by Type (Strategy, Project Management, Integration, Migration, Security, Risk Assessment, Analytics, BPM, Regulatory), End User (Provider, Hospital, IDN, ACC, Home Care, Payer, Public, Private), By Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, And South America) Market Size and Forecasting to 2032 Buy Now Full Report @ https://www.quincemarketinsights.com/insight/buy-now/healthcare-it-consulting-market/single_user_license Contact Us: Ajay D Quince Market Insights Pune India Phone: US +1 208 405 2835 UK +44 1444 39 0986 APAC +91 706 672 4848 Email: sales@quincemarketinsights.com Web: www.quincemarketinsights.com Browse Related Reports: Global Healthcare IT Market by Product and Service (Healthcare Provider Solution, Healthcare Payers Solution, and Healthcare Outsourcing Services), Component (Service, Software, and Hardware), End-User (Healthcare Provider and Healthcare Payers), and Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America) Market Size and Forecasting (20182029) https://www.quincemarketinsights.com/industry-analysis/healthcare-it-market Healthcare IT Solutions Market, by Product (EHR, PACS, Interoperability, Healthcare Analytics, Telemedicine, CRM), Market Size, Adoption Trends, Competitive landscape (Market Share Analysis, Product Portfolio Assessment), By Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, And South America) Market Size and Forecasting to 2030 https://www.quincemarketinsights.com/industry-analysis/healthcare-it-solutions-market Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market, by Application [Provider (EHR, RCM, LIMS) Payer (CRM, Claims Management, Fraud Detection, Billing) Life Science (ERP, CTMS, CDMS) Operational (SCM, BPM) & Infrastructure (IMS, Cloud Computing)], By Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, And South America) Market Size and Forecasting to 2030 Washington, DC, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) will host the 39th annual National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Conference from September 18-23, 2022. The 2022 National MED Week theme, Power in Capital. Strength in Equity, will highlight MBDA and the Biden-Harris Administrations mission to empower minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs by expanding Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) access to capital, contracts, and networks to create a more equitable and stronger economy for all Americans. MBDA will host and in-person conference and livestreamed events. This years MED Week Conference will be the first since President Joe Biden signed the Minority Business Development Act of 2021, mandating MBDAs elevation into a pivotal government agency leader and prioritizing the success of Americas MBEs like never before. The act expands the reach and scope of the organization, including the recent Senate confirmation of MBDAs first-ever Under Secretary, Donald R. Cravins, Jr. This years MED Week is a signal to the nation that we are prioritizing the success of the minority business community like never before, said Don Cravins Jr., Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development. MBEs will receive cutting edge insight into opportunities to grow their businesses, as well as a deeper understanding of the Biden-Harris Administrations historic investments in building a stronger, more equitable economy. This years MED Week theme is Power in Capital. Strength in Equity. We are empowering minority-owned businesses by opening doors closed to them for far too long. By creating a more equitable business ecosystem, we become stronger as a nation. National MED Week features dynamic speakers across trending business industry topics and an awards ceremony, where individuals and organizations are honored for exceptional commitments and contributions to minority business growth. The MED Week Awards are the highest national recognition a minority-owned firm can receive from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The conference culminates with the 2022 Buy MBE Daythe Agencys initiative to directly support minority business enterprises (MBEs)on Saturday, September 24. MBDAs Buy MBE Day is a nationwide movement to encourage commercial support for the millions of MBEs helping fuel Americas economy. All are encouraged to support their local minority-owned business community by shopping and purchasing goods and services from them in person and online. TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Middlefield is proud to announce Chris Lutes will be taking on the role of Executive Director, Sales. In his new position, Lutes will focus on expanding Middlefields ETF and mutual fund business by partnering with investment advisors across Canada. "We are thrilled to have Chris on our growing sales team," says Dean Orrico, President and CEO of Middlefield. "His vast experience in the wealth management sector as well as his deep knowledge of income-oriented investments are an excellent complement to Middlefields expertise and proven track record as a specialist equity income manager in the Canadian market." Lutes is a perennial first quartile wholesaler with a true love and passion for wealth management and the advisory business. He is a 20+ year industry veteran, successfully partnering with advisors across Ontario through multiple market cycles and has been wholesaling for over 15 years. Before joining Middlefield, Lutes served as District Vice-President of Sales at Mackenzie Investments. Building relationships and helping advisors solve problems are among my passions, Lutes said. Ive been a successful partner to investment advisors for over a decade and Im thankful for this sales leadership opportunity and the recognition from my new firm. Lutes graduated from University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing Management. In 2001, he completed the Canadian Securities Course and in 2019 he completed Alternative Strategies: Hedge Funds & Liquid Alts, both through the Canadian Securities Institute. About: Middlefield is an asset management company founded in 1979 with the goal of creating innovative investment solutions. We are independently owned, answering only to our clients. Our team is not burdened by the distractions faced by public companies, allowing us to focus on what matters most -- the satisfaction of financial advisors and investors. Our specialized suite of innovative investment solutions for individual and institutional investors includes Exchange-Traded Funds, Mutual Funds, Split Share Corporations, Closed-End Funds listed on both the Toronto and London Stock Exchanges, as well as Flow-Through Limited Partnerships. Behind each of these investment solutions stands a team of professionals dedicated to generating superior investment returns. Moreover, our sales and marketing team works closely with our portfolio managers and analysts to ensure our clients have access to current market information as well as the rationale supporting our investment decisions. To learn more, visit www.middlefield.com. Media Contact Joshua Wiggins, Brand Strategist, 647-288-6206, jwiggins@middlefield.com FOREST CITY, N.C., Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Efforts to assist non-profits in the western part of North Carolina continue with SECU Foundation awarding a $40,000 grant to Grahamtown Team in Rutherford County. The non-profit provides programs and services that support the revitalization of the Grahamtown neighborhood in Forest City. Grahamtown Team has been supporting the community since 2005 through various programs including housing, youth outreach, community beautification, and recreation and emergency food programs. The grant will help the organization plan for future growth by supporting program expansion, board and staff development, and succession planning. This wonderful non-profit demonstrates great care and concern for the Grahamtown community through its mission and ongoing efforts to foster positive and healthy change, said Kim Hollifield, SECU regional senior vice president. Its inspiring to see what they have accomplished through the efforts of those who have come together to help one another. We are so pleased to support and highlight the good work being done in this area by the Grahamtown Team. It is our goal to help the Grahamtown Team have great programs that will serve people in need, said Kisha McDowell, Grahamtown Team executive director. The Healthy Homes Community Revitalization Project is our opportunity to show our community that we are with them and that there are people concerned about the way the residents of Grahamtown live, the place that they raise their children and the safety of their families and homes. SECU Foundation may not ever truly learn the impact, but I pray they will see the results of every dollar put into the Grahamtown Community, because these dollars will change lives for generations to come." Steve Holland, Town of Forest City mayor, shared his sentiments and support for the Grahamtown Team. It is more than amazing to see the accomplishments that the Grahamtown Team has made. I've been with them since 2006 and over the 16 years that they have been a part of our community they have made significant changes that have impacted the lives of so many families. Through their Community Revitalization Project, healthy living programs, and their youth programs, they have impacted the entire Grahamtown community and Rutherford County in some aspect. To see the growth and the programs that they produce with a budget of less than $30,000 up until 2019 is impressive they have made major changes to Grahamtown. As a representative of the town, I am glad to have been a part of their accomplishments. About SECU and SECU Foundation A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, SECU has been providing employees of the state of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for 85 years. SECU is the second largest credit union in the United States with $53 billion in assets and serves over 2.6 million members through 273 branch offices, over 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Member Services via phone, www.ncsecu.org and a Mobile App. The SECU Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization funded by the contributions of SECU members, promotes local community development in North Carolina primarily through high impact projects in the areas of housing, education, healthcare, and human services. Since 2004, SECU Foundation has made a collective financial commitment of over $235 million for initiatives to benefit North Carolinians statewide. Contact: Jama Campbell, Executive Director Office: 919-839-5562 | secufoundation@ncsecu.org A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/96e7718a-f37f-4c07-998f-8a14b6ff77c9 QUEBEC CITY, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Theobroma Chocolat, recognized for its organic chocolate products, is innovating once again through the global launch of Yummy Zero Sugar, a new plant-based, zero sugar, organic chocolate. Social manufacturing has been a key cornerstone of innovation efforts since this Canadian company, which was founded in Quebec, began operations. Two years ago, Theobroma Chocolat challenged its R&D team to create a Zero sugar, nutritious, and delicious-tasting chocolate, and a line of complementary protein chocolate snacks. It took lots of hard work: but mission accomplished! Yummy Zero Sugar is an indulgent healthy alternative which provides consumers with low to zero sugar options. Our delicious alternatives complement our current collections and align with our quest to be a delicious force for change. We dont say no to sugar. But we focus our energy on creating healthier indulgence that are fun, care about you, the planet and your eating habits, says Jean-Rene Lemire Theobroma Chocolats co-president, and co-founder. Theobroma Chocolat is targeting a growing demand. According to research conducted by Sugarwise, an international certification authority that assesses sugar content in foods and beverages, and Strategy, a consultancy, in 2010, 39% of Canadian consumers said that sugar content was an important criterion that they took into account when selecting foods. By 2017, that number had jumped to 69%. In 2020, fully 72% of Canadians said that low sugar content was a priority and nearly 80% of those surveyed said they wanted to reduce their sugar intake. Experts say that consumers are now taking in 10 times the amount of sugar recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Our Yummy Zero Sugar products won't fix everything. But they will help consumers meet World Health Organization recommendations! The ingredients have been carefully chosen, are certified organic, and deliver on the same promise as all Theobroma products: pleasure first, enjoy! Yummy Zero Sugar has a rare flavor profile that matches that of dark chocolate with sugar while surpassing the traditional no sugar added chocolate experience. Theobroma Chocolat has achieved this goal with its range of premium certified organic products, says Josee Vigneault, the companys co-president and co-founder. The products Minis with flavours Coconut and Special Dark. A Canadian and a world premiere Yummy Zero Sugar is made with an organic and natural sweetener that is rich in vegetable fibers. This fiber derives its content from cassava fibers. These fibers differ from the current sugar-free or sugar-controlled confectionery products that are available on the Canadian market, which use synthetic sweeteners that are hard on the digestive system, and which mask the creamy taste of chocolate. Theobroma Chocolat will introduce its Yummy Zero Sugar product line to major industry players at the upcoming Canadian Health Food Association Natural Organic Wellness (CHFA NOW) exposition which will take place in Toronto on September 17th and 18th, 2022. The Quebec company also made the short list of confectionery innovations, with its organic plant-based sugar-free chocolate, which were highlighted at the 2022 Sweet Snack Expo in Chicago. CHFA NOW is a great venue that Canada's natural, organic and wellness products developers can leverage to introduce new offerings. We look forward to meeting innovators who are breaking boundaries at this important event, said Aaron Skelton, CHFA NOWs President and CEO. Theobroma Chocolat's new Yummy Zero Sugar line is available online at https://theobromachocolat.com/ . The new collection will be launched in October in Chicago, a city which bills itself as the candy capital of the world. Shortly after that the products will be available throughout the United States. About Theobroma Chocolat Theobroma Chocolat was founded in 2008 in Quebec by Josee Vigneault and Jean-Rene Lemire. The plant was built around our vision of Getting Smarter Together. Each product that we make must respect the five commandments in our Chocolate Charter. These include: Pleasure first, enjoy it! We care about our planet! We care about you and future generations! We say no to artificial flavors! We say no to GMOs! Theobroma Chocolat is a recognized leader in the North American organic and fair-trade gourmet chocolate industry. We are constantly on the lookout for innovations that promote sustainable development and a taste for happiness. The products of our Quebec based company are available throughout Canada Source: THEOBROMA Chocolat | theobromachocolat.com | Facebook | Media contact: Alexandra McDonald | alexandra@fernandezcom.ca C. 418-271-7600 Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5a13d4f7-deaa-405d-b844-d4d850d4fd95 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/14ec5271-1029-4b44-83c0-a8f15b092520 A strawberry farm that employs smart technologies in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province. Korea Times file Covington, KY, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gravity Diagnostics, a clinical laboratory based in Covington, Kentucky has a mission to serve its communities in times of need. The company recently donated $50,000 to the Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund to help their efforts in assisting those in need who were impacted by the devastating floods. Kentucky state officials have said at least 35 people died and hundreds of people were forced from their homes due to the floods. The company offered an employee match donation program through the EKY fundraiser which helped raise over $4,000. The employees were also able to gather several physical donations to be dropped off in the region. We have always had a passion to help Team Kentucky. We hope this donation will help assist those affected by these tragic floods and support them while they rebuild their homes, said Tony Remington, CEO and Co-founder of Gravity Diagnostics. Gravitys dedication to Kentucky was also showcased last year when Western Kentucky was hit by devastating tornados that affected the lives of so many. Gravity, with many employees of its own being affected by the disaster, responded by making a $100,000 donation to the Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund. Along with the donation, they were able to deploy several large generators to Dawson Springs Kentucky, where 75% of the houses in the town were destroyed. They also worked with a local vendor who provided several boxes of new clothing. As families and communities continue to reel from the effects of these disasters and the impact it has had on loved ones, this company is always looking for additional ways to give back to Kentucky and its community and continues to serve Team Kentucky in any way it can. If you are looking to donate to the Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund, you can do so here. About Gravity Diagnostics Gravity Diagnostics is a state-of-the-art CAP-accredited and CLIA-certified laboratory licensed in all 50 states. We provide innovative diagnostic testing in the areas of toxicology, pharmacogenetics, infectious and upper respiratory diseases, hematology, and COVID-19. We serve customers from universities and public health organizations to small, private practices, Fortune 500 companies, and more. Visit gravitydiagnostics.com for additional information. Attachments BOSTON, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spoiler Alert, the CPG industry's leading digital platform for managing excess and short-dated inventory, today released its latest report, Technological maturity in the secondary CPG market. Published in collaboration with WBR Insights, the report surveyed 100 senior CPG leaders managing liquidations and donations at their companies to find key insights for improving excess inventory sales. The report is available today on Spoiler Alert's website. Technological maturity in the secondary CPG market explores how different CPG manufacturers are currently handling their discounting processes and seeks to identify the most common struggles organizations face when trying to increase their buyer network, reach new markets, secure better deals for their excess inventory, and increase inventory turnover. As manufacturers are constantly launching new products and dealing with supply chain disruptions, technological innovation can help reduce financial losses incurred through inefficient and outdated excess inventory management systems. However, the report revealed an overall lack of maturity and use of technology in discounting programs, especially among smaller companies. One of the key insights found through Spoiler Alert's report is that only 18% of companies rate their liquidation program as "very mature or best-in-class." "We've seen the full spectrum of maturity when it comes to inventory liquidation. In our experience, 'best in class' embraces technology to digitize manual workflows, introduces greater intelligence into pricing and allocation, and deepens their relationships with a more robust and engaged buyer base," said Spoiler Alert CEO and Co-Founder Ricky Ashenfelter. With only 18% of respondents rating their program as very mature, the percentage represents a disparity between how companies are handling liquidations today and how they could be performing better with digital tools. Additionally, many companies struggle with finding enough outlets for their secondary sales. In fact, only 9% of CPG companies sell excess inventory to 10+ buyers. The report looks at other key findings, such as which aspects of companies' liquidation programs are the most time-consuming, how companies are communicating with their buyers, what KPIs are being tracked, and the cadence on which they execute secondary sales. The survey also asked respondents to describe what features they'd consider most important in a new liquidation technology platform, revealing that scalability, speed to market, visibility, and reporting capabilities are needed to help improve their program. This also revealed a consensus that the existing, traditional methods of discounting must change. With most CPG companies recovering only 50% or less of their costs in their liquidation program, the report offers both technological solutions - like adopting a discounting management program and leveraging automation - and strategic solutions, like incorporating liquidation programs into ESG strategies. "This new report empowers CPG brands with first-of-its-kind industry-wide numbers about excess inventory and waste. Our core focus at Spoiler Alert is to help the CPG industry go waste-free. Understanding industry benchmarking is a valuable tool for data-driven organizations to improve," said Co-Founder and President, Emily Malina. About Spoiler Alert: Spoiler Alert is a Boston-based B2B software company helping CPG companies manage excess and slow-moving inventory. Spoiler Alert's platform enables CPG customers, including Campbell Soup Company, Danone North America, Mondelez International, Nestle, Kraft Heinz, HelloFresh, KeHE Distributors, Johnsonville, and Bimbo, to manage their liquidation processes across a private network of discount retailers and nonprofit channels - with a heavy focus on maximizing value recovery, strengthening customer relationships, and increasing the effectiveness of supply chain managers. Related Images Image 1 only 18% of companies say their liquidation programs are very mature This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment WESTPORT, Conn., Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HMG Strategy, the Worlds #1 digital platform for enabling technology executives to reimagine the enterprise and reshape the business world and recently recognized as a Top 10 Producer of Tech Events by Business Chief, is excited to be hosting its 2022 Boston CIO Executive Leadership Summit on September 22 at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. HMG Strategys highly interactive events bring together the worlds most distinguished and innovative business technology and security leaders to discuss the most pressing leadership, innovation, strategic, cultural, technology and career challenges and opportunities that they face today and into the future. This dynamic, in-person CIO summit will bring together the top CIOs, technology executives and industry experts who will share their insights on the bold and authentic leadership that CIOs and technology executive must demonstrate to galvanize the team around a shared mission and stimulate a collaborative and inclusive culture. Theres no better time to be a technology executive to drive the transformational change thats needed for companies to succeed in these extremely turbulent times, said Hunter Muller, President and CEO of HMG Strategy. In order to successfully drive transformation across the enterprise, bold and authentic leadership is needed to inspire employees and foster an environment of trust. World-class technology leaders and industry executives speaking at the 2022 Boston CIO Executive Leadership Summit will include: Puru Amradkar , Chief Product Officer, Aisera , Chief Product Officer, Aisera Snehal Antani , Co-Founder & CEO, Horizon3.ai , Co-Founder & CEO, Horizon3.ai Wolfgang Bauriedel , Practice Lead, Technology Sector, Russell Reynolds Associates , Practice Lead, Technology Sector, Russell Reynolds Associates Michael Cato , SVP & CIO, Bowdoin College , SVP & CIO, Bowdoin College Jim Chilton , EVP & CIO, Cengage Group , EVP & CIO, Cengage Group Tim Crawford , CIO Strategic Advisor, AVOA , CIO Strategic Advisor, AVOA John Ferguson , Senior Director, Solution Architecture, Americas, OutSystems , Senior Director, Solution Architecture, Americas, OutSystems Shannon Gath , CIO, Teradyne , CIO, Teradyne Pete Gibson , Former CIO , Former CIO Tyler Gilbreath , VP, CISO, Bain & Company , VP, CISO, Bain & Company Ken Grady , SVP & CIO, IDEXX , SVP & CIO, IDEXX Anjana Harve , Global CIO, Fresenius Medical Care North America , Global CIO, Fresenius Medical Care North America Jamie Head , Chief Digital & Technology Officer, Ocean Spray , Chief Digital & Technology Officer, Ocean Spray Todd Mazza , VP, Head of Enterprise Technical Capabilities, FM Global , VP, Head of Enterprise Technical Capabilities, FM Global David Morris , Founder, Chairman & CEO, HiPER Solutions , Founder, Chairman & CEO, HiPER Solutions Shamla Naidoo , Head of Cloud Strategy, Netskope; Board Director, QBE, SAC and Reference Point , Head of Cloud Strategy, Netskope; Board Director, QBE, SAC and Reference Point Hanna Pickering , Director of IT, City of Portland, Maine , Director of IT, City of Portland, Maine Mark Polansky , Senior Partner, Technology & Digital Officers Practice, Korn Ferry , Senior Partner, Technology & Digital Officers Practice, Korn Ferry Kevin Powers , J.D., Director, MS in Cybersecurity Policy & Governance, Assistant Professor of the Practice, Business Law and Society Department, Boston College , J.D., Director, MS in Cybersecurity Policy & Governance, Assistant Professor of the Practice, Business Law and Society Department, Boston College Ramesh Razdan , Global CIO, Bain & Company , Global CIO, Bain & Company Brian Shield , SVP, CTO, Boston Red Sox , SVP, CTO, Boston Red Sox Niren Sirohi , Head of Clinical, Operations, and Business Analytics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute , Head of Clinical, Operations, and Business Analytics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Mike Towers, Chief Digital Trust Officer, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Valued Partners for the 2022 Boston CIO Executive Leadership Summit include 8x8, Aisera, Akamai, Aryaka, BetterCloud, Citrix, Darktrace, Delphix, Fortinet, Gigamon, Intelliswift, LastPass, Moveworks, Netskope, Nutanix, Okta, OutSystems, Palo Alto Networks, Ping Identity, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, Tonkean, Upwork, Zoom, and Zscaler. To learn more about the 2022 Boston CIO Executive Leadership Summit and to register for the event, click here. HMG Strategy will also be hosting its 2022 Chicago CIO Executive Leadership Summit on September 20 at the Ivy Room at Tree Studios in Chicago. At this highly regarded in-person event, top-tier CIOs, CISOs and senior-level technology executives will discuss the need to lead boldly and authentically in a time of extreme turbulence. Prominent technology leaders speaking at the 2022 Chicago CIO Executive Leadership Summit will include: Puru Amradkar , Chief Product Officer, Aisera , Chief Product Officer, Aisera Wayne Bulmahn , Chief Information/Security Officer, UNITE HERE HEALTH , Chief Information/Security Officer, UNITE HERE HEALTH Michael Chahino , EdD, CIO, Elgin Community College , EdD, CIO, Elgin Community College Stephen M.R. Covey , Global Authority on Trust, Leadership and Culture, The FranklinCovey Global Speed of Trust Practice , Global Authority on Trust, Leadership and Culture, The FranklinCovey Global Speed of Trust Practice Jamey Cummings , Partner Cybersecurity and Technology, JM Search , Partner Cybersecurity and Technology, JM Search Paul Fipps , Senior Vice President, Customer and Partner Excellence, ServiceNow , Senior Vice President, Customer and Partner Excellence, ServiceNow Scott Glenn , Partner, BearingPoint , Partner, BearingPoint Sumit Johar , CIO, Automation Anywhere , CIO, Automation Anywhere Glenn Kapetansky , Chief Security Officer and Technology Capability Lead, Trexin , Chief Security Officer and Technology Capability Lead, Trexin Vladimir Klasnja , Competitive Intelligence Director, Netskope , Competitive Intelligence Director, Netskope Kristy Lapidus , Director of Digital Strategy, Gagen MacDonald , Director of Digital Strategy, Gagen MacDonald Tony Leng , Managing Director, Practice Lead and OMP, Diversified Search , Managing Director, Practice Lead and OMP, Diversified Search Susan Malisch , VP & CIO, Loyola University Chicago , VP & CIO, Loyola University Chicago Paul Martin , Former SVP & CIO (Retired), Baxter International; Board of Directors Unisys Corp., Owens Corning and Ping Identity , Former SVP & CIO (Retired), Baxter International; Board of Directors Unisys Corp., Owens Corning and Ping Identity Rick Merrick , CIO, TCS Education System; President, SIM Chicago , CIO, TCS Education System; President, SIM Chicago Mark Polansky , Senior Partner, Technology & Digital Officers Practice, Korn Ferry , Senior Partner, Technology & Digital Officers Practice, Korn Ferry Atif Rafiq , Director of Information Security, BRYTER , Director of Information Security, BRYTER Madhu Reddy , EVP & CIO, Republic Bank of Chicago , EVP & CIO, Republic Bank of Chicago Evin Safdia , Director of Product Marketing for the Americas, Cato Networks , Director of Product Marketing for the Americas, Cato Networks Bruce Schinelli , VP IT & CIO, TTX Company , VP IT & CIO, TTX Company Julia Vander Ploeg , Director, Extra Space Storage , Director, Extra Space Storage Jim Wisnionski , SVP of Operations and CIO, Kingsbridge Holdings , SVP of Operations and CIO, Kingsbridge Holdings Frank Yanan, SVP, GIS Business Information Security Officer (BISO), Bank of America Valued Partners for the 2022 Chicago CIO Executive Leadership Summit include 8x8, Aisera, Akamai, Aryaka, Automation Anywhere, BearingPoint, BetterCloud, Cato Networks, Darktrace, Delphix, Fortinet, LastPass, Moveworks, Netskope, Nutanix, PagerDuty, Palo Alto Networks, Persistent, Ping Identity, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, SentinelOne, ServiceNow, Tonkean, Upwork, Zoom, and Zscaler. To learn more about the 2022 Chicago CIO Executive Leadership Summit and to register for the event, click here. HMG Strategy will host its 2022 Philadelphia CIO Executive Leadership Summit on September 29 at the Philadelphia Country Club. Top-tier CIOs and technology executives attending this event will share best practices for acting as a talent magnet to attract the best and the brightest. Distinguished CIOs, CISOs and industry leaders speaking at the 2022 Philadelphia CIO Executive Leadership Summit will include: Brian Anderson , President, The Judge Group , President, The Judge Group Arvin Bansal , Senior Director, Data and Cloud Security, AmerisourceBergen Corporation , Senior Director, Data and Cloud Security, AmerisourceBergen Corporation Lawrence Bilker , EVP & CIO, Pyramid Healthcare , EVP & CIO, Pyramid Healthcare Kimberly Bombeck , Deputy CIO, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) , Deputy CIO, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Ted Bredikin , CIO, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Solutions , CIO, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Solutions Stephen M.R. Covey , Global Authority on Trust, Leadership and Culture, The FranklinCovey Global Speed of Trust Practice , Global Authority on Trust, Leadership and Culture, The FranklinCovey Global Speed of Trust Practice Hugo Fueglein , Managing Director, CIO/IT Practice, Diversified Search , Managing Director, CIO/IT Practice, Diversified Search Michael Golz , CIO, Americas, SAP , CIO, Americas, SAP Rocco Grillo , Managing Director Global Cyber Risk Services & Incident Response Investigation, Alvarez & Marsal , Managing Director Global Cyber Risk Services & Incident Response Investigation, Alvarez & Marsal Srini Gudipati , VP of IT and Digital, United States Cold Storage , VP of IT and Digital, United States Cold Storage RJ Juliano , SVP, Chief Information & Marketing Officer, Parkway Corporation , SVP, Chief Information & Marketing Officer, Parkway Corporation Akash Khurana , EVP, Chief Information & Digital Officer , EVP, Chief Information & Digital Officer Kevin Kilgore , Business Information Security Officer, Ascensus , Business Information Security Officer, Ascensus Kelly Kleinfelder , CIO/SVP IT, SDI , CIO/SVP IT, SDI John McDonough , Cloud Architect/Cloud DevOps Engineer, Fortinet , Cloud Architect/Cloud DevOps Engineer, Fortinet Andy Pemberton , VP of Customer Success & Solution Architecture, OutSystems , VP of Customer Success & Solution Architecture, OutSystems Raju Sankuratri , VP & CIO, Facilities Services, Aramark , VP & CIO, Facilities Services, Aramark Andrew Santacroce , VP & Deputy CIO, TMNA Services, LLC , VP & Deputy CIO, TMNA Services, LLC Nate Smolenski , Cloud Architecture Services Director, Netskope , Cloud Architecture Services Director, Netskope Angelo Valletta, President and CEO, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania Valued Partners for the 2022 Philadelphia CIO Executive Leadership Summit include 8x8, Aisera, Akamai, Apptio, BetterCloud, Darktrace, Delphix, Fortinet, The Judge Group, LastPass, Netskope, Nutanix, Okta, OutSystems, Palo Alto Networks, Ping Identity, Prelude Solutions, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, SentinelOne, Sigma, Tonkean, Upwork, Wesco, Zoom, and Zscaler. To learn more about the 2022 Philadelphia CIO Executive Leadership Summit and to register for the event, click here. To learn more about HMG Strategys upcoming CIO and CISO Summits, click here. About HMG Strategy HMG Strategy is the world's leading digital platform for connecting technology executives to reimagine the enterprise and reshape the business world. The HMG Strategy global network consists of more than 400,000 CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, CDOs, senior business technology executives, search industry executives, venture capitalists, industry experts and world-class thought leaders. HMG Strategys global media model generates more than one million impressions per week, providing vast opportunities for business technology leaders and sponsor partners to promote themselves and their brands. HMG Strategy was founded in 2008 by Hunter Muller, a leadership expert who has worked side-by-side with Fortune 2000 executives with strategic planning and career ascent for the past 30+ years. HMG Strategys regional and virtual CIO and CISO Executive Leadership Series, authored books and Digital Resource Center deliver unique, peer-driven guidance from CIOs, CISOs, CTOs, CDOs and technology executives on leadership, innovation, transformation and career ascent. HMG Strategy offers a range of peer-led research services such as its CIO & CISO Executive Leadership Alliance (CELA) program which bring together the worlds top CIOs, CISOs and technology executives to brainstorm on the top opportunities and challenges facing them in their roles. HMG Strategys Global Peer Actionable Insights Services Stack is a unique set of research services that are designed to keep business technology executives up to speed on the latest leadership, business, technology and global geo-economic trends that are impacting businesses and industries. HMG Ventures is a venture capital unit thats designed to connect CIOs, CTOs, CISOs and other technology executives with innovative early-stage technology companies from Silicon Valley to Tel Aviv. HMG Ventures provides technology executives with a window into hot emerging technology companies that can help move the needle for their businesses while also offering these executives unparalleled personal investment opportunities. One early-stage investment in an enterprise-level AI-powered service management provider has generated a 100X return. HMG Strategy also produces the HMG Security Innovation Accelerator Panel, a new webinar series thats designed to connect enterprise technology and security leaders with the most innovative technology and cybersecurity companies from across the world. To learn more about the 7 Pillars of Trust for HMG Strategy's unique business model, click here . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5c9df0c8-e90f-46bb-92e3-400c97ad2a26 SAN DIEGO, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MegaFans, the world's first mobile esports community, announces the final week before the minting of its first-generation NFTs (non-fungible tokens). MegaFans NFTs come with novel and valuable ownership perks and benefits for the platform's mobile esports community, collectors and developer partners, which enhance the esports tournament experience and benefits the players and holders of the unique NFT collection. More information can be found at the MegaFans website (https://megafans.io). Since announcing the new NFT collection last week, MegaFans experienced early interest with over 1,000 sign-ups and pre-sale orders. Colin Bracey, co-founder and CTO, states, "We built a unique offering for holders to stake our NFTs and earn a percentage of the revenue from esports tournaments. We think the players and NFT collectors get it." Besides the primary utility offering, the MegaFans NFTs come with several other membership perks and benefits that include private and high-stakes tournaments, VIP services online and at special events, special appearances, and access to partner programs, with more to be announced in the future. In addition to the release of its first-generation NFTs, for every 10 Ethereum of NFTs sold, MegaFans will be donating one NFT to Code To Inspire (CIT), an all-girls coding school in Afghanistan. CIT uses technology, education, and outreach to provide Afghan women with leverage in their fight for social, political, and economic equality. MegaFans is an infrastructure platform for game developers, offering software as a service (SaaS) with its esports software development kit that spawns live tournaments inside games to generate revenue, increase retention, and player lifetime value (LTV) - the ultimate key performance indicator of gaming. MegaFans (Mobile Esports Gaming Fanatics) is building the world's first mobile esports community using blockchain, cryptocurrency and NFTs in a play-to-earn environment for gamers, collectors, and developers where three billion daily active users can play, compete, and win prizes. MegaFans offers turnkey solutions for game publishers that increase monetization and retention by enriching the players' experience and their communities. MegaFans' mantra is "Esports for All!", which focuses on underserved markets around the world. MegaFans uses a leaderboard format that features multiple tournaments simultaneously, to an infinite number of players globally, no matter what skill level or geo-location. Links to MegaFans' social media and company channels can be found at https://linktr.ee/megafans_esports. PR Contact: Stephanie Burns The Wyld Agency stephanie@thewyldagency.com Related Images Image 1: MegaFans This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kaskela Law LLC announces that it is investigating Chegg, Inc. (Chegg or the Company) (NYSE: CHGG) on behalf of the Companys long-term stockholders. Recently a securities fraud complaint was filed against Chegg on behalf of investors who purchased shares of the Companys common stock between May 5, 2020 and November 1, 2021. According to the complaint, during that time period Chegg and certain of the Companys senior executive officers made a series of false and/or misleading statements to investors concerning the primary drivers of the Companys success dramatically increasing subscribers, growth, and revenues. Specifically, the defendants are alleged to have falsely touted that the Company was in a unique position to impact the future of the higher education ecosystem and that the primary cause of the Companys success was [o]ur strong brand and momentum, which would allow Chegg to continue to grow and take advantage of the ever-expanding opportunities in the learner economy. However, the complaint also alleges how at the same time defendants knew: (i) that Cheggs increase in subscribers, growth, and revenue was a temporary effect of the COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in remote education for the vast majority of U.S. students; and (ii) that the Companys platform was helping students cheat on their exams. In sum, the complaint details how Chegg had no basis to believe that the extraordinary, but temporary, growth trends would continue, but failed to adequately inform investors of that reality. On November 1, 2021, Chegg reported its financial and operational results for the first quarter in which students returned to campus across the United States. As detailed in the complaint, at that time Chegg stunned investors with fewer-than-expected enrollments and declined to provide 2022 guidance. Following this disclosure, shares of Cheggs common stock fell $30.64 per share, or nearly 50% in value, to close at $32.12 per share on November 2, 2021, on unusually heavy trading volume. The investigation seeks to determine whether the members of Cheggs board of directors have breached their fiduciary duties to the Company and its stockholders in connection with the above alleged misconduct. Current Chegg stockholders who purchased or acquired shares of the Companys common stock prior to May 5, 2020 are encouraged to contact Kaskela Law LLC (D. Seamus Kaskela, Esq. or Adrienne Bell, Esq.) at (484) 229 0750, or by email (skaskela@kaskelalaw.com / abell@kaskelalaw.com) or online at https://kaskelalaw.com/cases/chegg-inc/ , for additional information about this investigation and their legal rights and options. Kaskela Law LLC exclusively represents investors in securities fraud, corporate governance, and merger & acquisition litigation, and has helped recover in excess of $100 million on behalf of victimized investors. For additional information about Kaskela Law LLC please visit www.kaskelalaw.com. CONTACT: KASKELA LAW LLC D. Seamus Kaskela, Esq. skaskela@kaskelalaw.com Adrienne Bell, Esq. abell@kaskelalaw.com 18 Campus Blvd., Suite 100 Newtown Square, PA 19073 (888) 715 1740 (484) 229 0750 www.kaskelalaw.com This notice may constitute attorney advertising in certain jurisdictions. New York, United States, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Facts and Factors has published a new research report titled Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market By Level of Charging (Level 1, Level 2 & Level 3) By Charging Infrastructure (Normal Charge, Type-2, CCS, CHAdeMO and Tesla Supercharger), By Application (Commercial, and Residential) and by Region: Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis, and Forecast, 2021 2028 in its research database. According to the most recent research study, the demand of global Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market size & share was valued at approximately USD 18.22 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach a value of around USD 115 billion by 2028, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 35% during the forecast period 2021 to 2028. The development of the Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market was largely driven by the increasing R&D globally. However, the COVID circumstances and the economic downturn have changed the market statistics for the whole world. This is a dedicated and very detailed report about the primary and secondary drivers of the electric vehicle charging station market, as well as production, market share, leading segments, and geographic analysis (such as North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East & Africa.) Market Overview: The adoption rate and interest in EVs (Electric Vehicles) are increasing among consumers across the world. Increasing investment in battery systems and high stakes in environment-friendly technology is driving the interest of automakers in electric vehicles. Moreover, governments of the countries are devising policies to increase the adoption rate of the EV. However, if we forecast the expected EV growth rate with corresponding units of electricity and average run time of vehicles, it is observed that high investments in EV charging stations are essential. This charging infrastructure can be built at home, offices, and in public spaces. Get a Free Sample PDF of this Research Report for more Insights with Table of Content, Research Methodology, and Graphs - https://www.fnfresearch.com/sample/electrical-vehicle-charging-station-market (Before making a purchase, you may evaluate the quality of our in-depth research and studies with the help of sample reports) Key Insights from Primary Research As per the analysis, the Electric Vehicle Charging Station market is likely to grow above a CAGR of around 35% between 2021 and 2028. The Electric Vehicle Charging Station market size was worth around US$ 18.22 billion in 2021 and is estimated to hit approximately US$ 115 billion by 2028. Due to a variety of driving factors, the market is predicted to rise at a significant rate. The important driving factor for the growth of the market is the potential market of providing charging services to EV fleet operators. The commercial segment is likely to grow by higher CAGR as a result of government funding to create robust charging infrastructure and automobile companies investing in charging stations. During the forecast period, the Asia Pacific market is expected to be driven the global market. Industry Dynamics High Demand from EV Fleet Operators for Charging Infrastructure The important driving factor for the growth of the market is the potential market of providing charging services to EV fleet operators. It assists in reducing the managing and procuring cost of charging services. Assuming widespread EV adoption and increased growth opportunities for the fleet operators will converge and increase the demand for charging infrastructure in the forecast period. However, one of the major challenges for the charging station operator is the reduction in the time of charging the vehicle. Directly Purchase a copy of the report with TOC @ https://www.fnfresearch.com/buynow/su/electrical-vehicle-charging-station-market Competitive Players The report contains qualitative and quantitative research on the global electric vehicle charging station Market, as well as detailed insights and development strategies employed by the leading competitors. The report also provides an in-depth analysis of the market's main competitors, as well as information on their competitiveness. The research also identifies and analyses important business strategies used by these main market players, such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A), affiliations, collaborations, and contracts. The study examines, among other things, each company's global presence, competitors, service offers, and standards. Some of the main players in the global Electric Vehicle Charging Station market include; ChargePoint Inc. ABB Webasto Thermo & Comfort Shell International B.V. Schneider Electric Blink Charging Co. Groupe Renault Phihong USA Corp. EV Safe Charge Inc. Eaton. Tata Power. Tesla SemaConnect Inc. Daimler AG. Siemens EVgo Services LLC. ENGIE EV Solutions Browse the full Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market By Level of Charging (Level 1, Level 2 & Level 3) By Charging Infrastructure (Normal Charge, Type-2, CCS, CHAdeMO and Tesla Supercharger), By Application (Commercial, and Residential) and by Region: Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis, and Forecast, 2021 2028 Report at https://www.fnfresearch.com/electrical-vehicle-charging-station-market Segmentation Analysis The global electric vehicle charging station market is segregated based on the charging level as level 1, Level 2 & Level 3. By charging infrastructure the market is divided as normal charge, type-2, ccs, chademo, and tesla supercharger. By application, the market is bifurcated as commercial, and residential. The commercial segment is likely to grow by higher CAGR as a result of government funding to create robust charging infrastructure and automobile companies investing in charging stations. Regional Insights: APAC Region Projected To Dominate Global Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market Growth The largest market is expected to be the Asia Pacific. During the forecast period, the Asia Pacific market is expected to be driven by the large-scale growth of EV charging networks in China, increasing demand for affordable electric vehicles for everyday use, and governments supporting electric vehicles. China's rapidly expanding economy is propelling the country's electrification. The governments of Japan and Korea have both announced plans to significantly increase the number of electric vehicle charging stations in their respective countries in the coming years. The Indian government has also announced plans to build 69,000 electric vehicle charging stations across the country as part of its first phase of EV infrastructure expansion, with a demand of 4 to 6 lakh charging stations anticipated by 2028. Report Scope: Report Attribute Details Market Size in 2021 USD 18.22 billion Projected Market Size in 2028 USD 115 billion CAGR Growth Rate 35% CAGR Base Year 2020 Forecast Years 2021-2028 Key Market Players ChargePoint, Inc., ABB, bpChargemaster, Webasto Thermo & Comfort, Shell International B.V., Schneider Electric, Blink Charging Co., Groupe Renault, Phihong USA Corp., EV Safe Charge Inc., Eaton., Tata Power., Tesla, SemaConnect, Inc., Daimler AG., Siemens, EVgo Services LLC., ENGIE EV Solutions Key Segment By Level of Charging, Charging Infrastructure, Application, and By Region Major Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa Purchase Options Request customized purchase options to meet your research needs. Request for Customization on this Report as per your requirements - https://www.fnfresearch.com/customization/electrical-vehicle-charging-station-market (We customize your report according to your research need. Ask our sales team for report customization.) The global electric vehicle charging station market is segmented into: By Level of Charging Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 By Charging Infrastructure Normal Charge Type-2 CCS CHAdeMO Tesla Supercharger By Application Commercial Residential By Region North America The U.S. Canada Europe France The UK Spain Germany Italy Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India Southeast Asia Rest of Southeast Asia The Middle East & Africa GCC South Africa Rest of the Middle East & Africa Latin America Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.fnfresearch.com/inquiry/electrical-vehicle-charging-station-market Key Offerings: Market Size & Forecast by Revenue | 20212028 Market Dynamics Key Trends, Growth Drivers, Restraints, and Investment Opportunities Market Segmentation A comprehensive analysis by Level of Charging, Charging Infrastructure, Application, and Region Competitive Landscape Major Key Players and Other Prominent Vendors Browse Other Related Research Reports from Facts & Factors: Online On-Demand Laundry Market: https://www.fnfresearch.com/online-on-demand-laundry-market-by-type-laundry-978 HADOOP-AS-A-SERVICE (HAAS) Market: https://www.fnfresearch.com/hadoop-as-a-service-market Video KYC Market: https://www.fnfresearch.com/video-kyc-market Artificial Intelligence in Retail Market: https://www.fnfresearch.com/artificial-intelligence-in-retail-market Smart Kitchen Appliances Market: https://www.fnfresearch.com/smart-kitchen-appliances-market E-Tourism Market: https://www.fnfresearch.com/e-tourism-market About Facts & Factors: Facts & Factors is a leading market research organization offering industry expertise and scrupulous consulting services to clients for their business development. The reports and services offered by Facts and Factors are used by prestigious academic institutions, start-ups, and companies globally to measure and understand the changing international and regional business backgrounds. Our clients/customers conviction on our solutions and services has pushed us in delivering always the best. Our advanced research solutions have helped them in appropriate decision-making and guidance for strategies to expand their business. Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fnfresearch Follow Us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/fnfresearch Follow Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/factsandfactors/ Contact Us: Rushikesh Dorge USA: +1 347 690-0211 United Kingdom: +44 2032 894158 Japan: +81 50 5806 9039 India: +91 73877 19999 Email: sales@fnfresearch.com Web: https://www.fnfresearch.com JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IQ Fiber, Northeast Floridas only local residential fiber-optic internet service provider, announces it is bringing its 100% fiber-optic network to Jacksonville Beach, Beauclerc, and Mandarin along with its first projects in Clay County the Town of Orange Park and Fleming Island. We are excited to bring a modern internet choice to tens of thousands of additional Jacksonville area residents said Ted Schremp, CEO of IQ Fiber. IQ Fiber is Northeast Floridas only local residential fiber-optic internet service provider and were proud to make this significant investment right here in our own community. IQ Fiber recently activated the first portion of its fiber-to-the-home network in San Jose Forest and its San Marco and Atlantic Beach networks will be coming online in multiple phases over the next several months. To support this rapid growth, the company has expanded its team to 50 local employees and recently opened a new Engineering and Technical Operations Center at 4502 Lenox Ave. Design and engineering work for this expansion is already complete, and construction will begin over the next several weeks. Residents will be informed when network construction begins in their area, and they can also sign up for email updates at www.iqfiber.com. IQ Fibers network is capable of symmetrical speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second. The network consists of underground conduit and fiber-optic cables extending from the core internet backbone directly into individual homes, allowing for the fastest internet speeds available while supporting the explosive growth in internet usage and demand. With average broadband usage increasing over 25% per year in the U.S., demand has increased for symmetrical speeds, reduced lag time and massive network capacity only fiber offers. IQ Fiber offers simple month-to-month rates with no hidden fees, surcharges or surprise price increases. IQ Fibers three service plans deliver symmetrical internet speeds between 250 and 1,000 Mbps, and whole-home Wi-Fi service with a simple app to manage connections and settings. IQ Fiber, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida and is bringing high-speed, state-of-the-art 100% fiber-optic internet to areas of Northeast Florida that do not currently have access to modern, symmetrical broadband services. IQ Fiber is privately funded and launched in August 2021. Residents across Northeast Florida can check for IQ Fiber availability by visiting www.iqfiber.com and clicking on Get Connected. About IQ Fiber IQ Fiber is Northeast Florida's only local fiber-optic internet service provider. Headquartered in Jacksonville, IQ Fiber is transforming the residential broadband market by offering a 100% fiber-optic network with a stress-free guarantee: no contracts, hidden fees, or data caps. Its network is supported by live, local customer service. IQ Fiber is backed by strong capital funding partners focused on rapidly expanding its residential fiber network across Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns Counties. For more information, visit www.iqfiber.com. ### NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ExGen Resources Inc. (TSX.V: EXG; OTC: BXXRF) (ExGen, the Company) is pleased to provide an update in respect of Phoenix Copper Ltd.s (Phoenix) exploration and development activities at the Empire Mine Project in Custer County, Idaho, USA. Further to previous ExGen news releases, ExGen owns 20% and Phoenix owns 80% of Konnex Resources, Inc. (Konnex), which holds the leases and claims to the Empire Mine Project. ExGen further owns 1,330,000 common shares of Phoenix. The following program highlights were provided by Phoenix: Highlights: Drilling at the Empire open pit copper mine (Empire) commenced in June 2022 to further Konnexs understanding of metallurgical recovery using Ammonium Thiosulfate (ATS) reagent; Trade-off, optimization, and engineering studies are progressing on Empire; Exploratory drilling in the North Pit/Red Star area to commence on 15 September 2022; Navarre Creek drilling plan approved by US Forest Service (USFS); Phoenix noted the following: (1) Empire open pit Phoenix initiated its 2022 drilling program in June to provide samples for ATS metallurgical test work. ATS is the non-toxic, environmentally friendly reagent that Konnex plans to use for the recovery of base and precious metals from Empires open pit resource. With the results of these studies, Konnex will determine whether the production of precious metals can be moved from the secondary phase of the operation to the primary phase. If feasible, this would potentially enhance Empires projected economics in the early years of production. (2) Red Star A second drill rig is scheduled to arrive on site in the middle of September 2022 and will report to the North Pit/Red Star area upon its arrival. The month-long drilling program is anticipated to improve the Konnexs understanding of mineralization in the area. (3) Navarre Creek (Gold) Phoenix Copper submitted a Plan of Operations for drilling activities at Navarre Creek to the USFS on 15 April 2021 (the Navarre Creek Plan). The USFS posted a public scoping notice of the Navarre Creek Plan on 18 November 2021, and the Navarre Creek Plan was approved on 30 August 2022, clearing the way for an initial drilling program comprised of up to 60 reverse-circulation (RC) drill holes from 30 drill pads located on various targets on the Navarre Creek claim block. The Navarre Creek Plan was approved under a Categorical Exclusion, meaning that it is categorically excluded from documentation in an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement, for the following reasons: 1) the initial drilling program will be completed in one year or less, 2) the Navarre Creek Plan proposes less than one mile of new road construction (existing roadways will be utilized for access), and 3) the Navarre Creek Plan proposes use of overland equipment travel (low ground pressure equipment). Konnex has reserved an RC drilling rig from Alford Drilling that is scheduled to arrive in June 2023. Jason Riley, CEO of ExGen commented: ExGen is encouraged by the continued progress on the open pit project at Empire. We are also excited to see the exploration drilling begin at the North Pit/Red Star and the first drilling at Navarre next year! We should have an excellent last quarter this year with assay results and progress on the Empire Pit. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL PROTOCOLS Rock, drill core and reverse circulation samples were analyzed by ALS Global, Reno, an ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accredited facility. Copper, zinc, silver, lead, molybdenum, and tungsten were determined by ICP method. Copper, zinc, and lead >1% ICP are assayed using four-acid digestion and silver >100ppm by four acid digestion, whereas gold was determined by a 30gm fire assay followed by atomic absorption. Standards, duplicates and blanks were inserted into the sample stream for QA/QC purposes. Blanks and duplicates were inserted roughly every 50ft and standards were inserted roughly every 100ft. Core samples are saw cut in half and stored in a secure facility. RC chips and channel samples are stored in the same secure facility. All samples are delivered to the laboratory under chain of custody protocol and submitted using sub-form sample numbers. QUALIFIED PERSON Kieran Downes, Ph.D., P. Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and verified the technical information provided in this release. ABOUT EXGEN RESOURCES INC. ExGen, formerly Boxxer Gold Corp, is a project accelerator that seeks to fund exploration and development of our projects through joint ventures and partnership agreements. This approach significantly reduces the technical and financial risks for ExGen, while maintaining the upside exposure to new discoveries and potential cash flow. The Company intends to build a diverse portfolio of projects across exploration stages and various commodity groups. ExGen currently has 5 projects in Canada and the US. For more information on ExGen please contact ExGen Resources Inc. Jason Tong Chief Financial Officer Email: jason@catapultgroup.ca Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains certain forward-looking information. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and such information involves various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information in relation to: the potential of the diamond drilling program on the Empire Mine Project and specifically at the Navarre and Red Star areas; the further exploration and development of the Empire Mine Project; the exploration and development strategy of the Empire Mine Project, including the exploration program, drilling, mine development, and permitting. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. There can be no assurance that the development of the Empire Mine Project will be completed, and if development is completed, that such development will result in a producing mine. In the forward looking information contained in this news release, ExGen has made numerous assumptions, based upon practices and methodologies which are consistent with the mineral industry. In addition, ExGen has assumed: the continued market acceptance of its joint venture partnership model; the ability of ExGen and its partners to raise future equity financing, if needed, at prices acceptable to ExGen or its partners; ExGen's current and initial understanding and analysis of the Empire Mine Project; the ability of ExGen or third parties to discover viable exploration targets and the results of exploration on the Empire Mine Project; the ability of Phoenix to explore and develop the Empire Mine Project; the cost of exploration, including sampling, drilling and assaying, on the Empire Mine Project, the costs of developing the Empire Mine Project and the costs and the ability of Phoenix to produce a feasibility study in compliance with NI 43-101; and ExGen's general and administrative costs remaining sustainable. While, ExGen considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause ExGen's observations, actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. Known risk factors include, among others: the possibility that the analytical results from future core sampling does not return significant grades of copper, gold, silver, zinc, lead or any other molybdenum by-products; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology; continuity and grade of mineralization; there is no certainty that the ongoing work programs will result in significant or successful exploration of the Empire Mine Project or development of the Empire Mine Project into a producing mine; uncertainty as to the actual results of exploration and development or operational activities; uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; ExGen may not be able to comply with its ongoing obligations regarding its properties; the early stage development of ExGen and its projects, and in particular, the Empire Mine Project; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; capital market conditions and market prices for securities, junior market securities and mining exploration company securities; commodity prices, in particular copper, gold, silver, and zinc prices; competition; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; accidents and other risks inherent in the mining industry; lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting ExGen; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals. A description of additional assumptions and risk factors used to develop such forward-looking information that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in ExGen's disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Although ExGen has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. ExGen does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. American Riviera Bancorp invites individual and institutional investors, as well as advisors and analysts, to attend real-time, interactive presentations on VirtualInvestorConferences.com SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Riviera Bancorp (OTCQX: ARBV), the holding company of American Riviera Bank, a full service community bank focused on serving the lending and deposit needs of businesses and consumers on the Central Coast of California, today announced that Jeff DeVine, President & Chief Executive Officer and Michelle Martinich, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, will present at VirtualInvestorConferences.com on September 22, 2022. DATE: September 22, 2022 TIME: 11:30 AM ET LINK: https://bit.ly/3oTs1LK Management is available for 1x1 meetings: September 23, 26 and 27. This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event. It is recommended that investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates. Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com. About American Riviera Bancorp American Riviera Bancorp (OTCQX: ARBV) is a registered bank holding company headquartered in Santa Barbara, California. American Riviera Bank, the 100% owned subsidiary of American Riviera Bancorp, is a full-service community bank focused on serving the lending and deposit needs of businesses and consumers on the Central Coast of California. The state-chartered bank opened for business on July 18, 2006, with the support of local shareholders. Full-service branches are located in Santa Barbara, Montecito, Goleta, San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles. The Bank provides commercial business, commercial real estate, residential mortgage, construction and Small Business Administration lending services as well as convenient online and mobile technology. For twelve consecutive years, the Bank has been recognized for strong financial performance by the Findley Reports, and has received the highest Super Premier rating from Findley every year since 2016. The Bank was rated Outstanding by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in 2020 for its performance under the Community Reinvestment Act. About Virtual Investor Conferences Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors. Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors. CONTACTS: American Riviera Bancorp Michelle Martinich EVP, Chief Financial Officer (805) 730-4992 mmartinich@arb.bank Virtual Investor Conferences John M. Viglotti SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access OTC Markets Group (212) 220-2221 johnv@otcmarkets.com HONOLULU, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Associa Hawaii, a leading provider of high-quality community management services throughout the State of Hawaii, recently teamed up with the management team and board of directors at Capitol Place Condominiums for a back-to-school fundraising event to benefit disadvantaged children attending Oahus Keelikolani Middle School. The Capitol Place and Associa Hawaii team packed and distributed 90 back-to-school kits to kids who might otherwise be forced to go without needed supplies. At the same time, company employees, vendors, and Capital Place owners raised an additional $1,200 that was donated to the school. Children represent our future and Associa Hawaii firmly believes in helping them succeed at every opportunity, said Associa Hawaii President Pauli Wong, CMCA, RS. I am grateful for all our team members, vendors, and homeowners who generously donated their time, money, and resources to make this event a success. About Associa With more than 225 branch offices across North America, Associa is building the future of community for nearly five million residents worldwide. Our 11,000+ team members lead the industry with unrivaled education, expertise, and trailblazing innovation. For more than 43 years, Associa has brought positive impact and meaningful value to communities. To learn more, visit www.associaonline.com. Stay Connected Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/associa Subscribe to the Blog: https://hub.associaonline.com/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/associa Join us on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/associa The royal family King Charles III and the Queen Consort, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence , and the Duke of York pay their respect to the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, Wednesday, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday. Reuters-Yonhap The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II left Buckingham Palace for the last time Wednesday, borne on a horse-drawn carriage and saluted by cannons and the tolling of Big Ben, in a solemn procession through the flag-draped, crowd-lined streets of London to Westminster Hall. There, a steady stream of mourners paid their respects to Britain's longest-reigning monarch. As the cortege left the palace, her son, King Charles III, and his siblings and sons marched behind the coffin, which was topped by a wreath of white roses and her crown resting on a purple velvet pillow. The military procession underscored Elizabeth's seven decades as head of state as the national mourning process shifted to the grand boulevards and historic landmarks of the U.K. capital. At 900-year-old Westminster Hall, where the queen will lie in state until her funeral Monday, crowds shuffled past her coffin well into the night. They moved silently down the steps of the hall under a great stained glass window, then past the coffin that was covered with the Royal Standard and had been placed on a raised platform known as a catafalque by eight pallbearers. There were couples and parents with children, veterans with medals clinking on navy blue blazers, lawmakers and members of the House of Lords. Some wore black or suits and ties, others jeans and sneakers, and all had waited hours to stand in front of the coffin for a few moments Many bowed or curtseyed and some were in tears. Thousands who had waited for the procession for hours along The Mall outside the palace and other locations along the route held up phones and cameras, and some wiped away tears, as the casket rolled by. Applause broke out as it passed through Horse Guards Parade. Thousands more in nearby Hyde Park watched on large screens. The coffin was topped with the Imperial State Crown _ encrusted with almost 3,000 diamonds _ and a bouquet of flowers and plants, including pine from the Balmoral Estate, where Elizabeth died on Sept. 8 at the age of 96. Two officers and 32 troops from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards in red uniforms and bearskin hats walked on either side of the gun carriage. The 38-minute procession ended at Westminster Hall, where Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby led a service attended by Charles and other royals. ''Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you,'' Welby read from the Book of John. After a short service, the captain of The Queen's Company 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, assisted by a senior sergeant, laid the royal standard of the regiment on the steps of the catafalque. Four officers from the Household Cavalry two from the Life Guards and two from the Blues Royals began the vigil, taking their places at each corner and bowing their heads. Thousands had queued up along the banks of the River Thames, waiting to enter the hall and pay their respects to the only monarch most Britons have ever known after her 70 years on the throne. The Guards are changed as members of the public pay their respects at the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster, in London, Wednesday, where it Lies in State on a Catafalque. Queen Elizabeth II will lie in state in Westminster Hall from Wednesday until a few hours before her funeral on Monday, with huge queues expected to file past her coffin to pay their respects. AP-Yonhap Esther Ravenor, a Kenyan who lives in the U.K. said she was humbled as she watched the procession. ''I love the queen, I love the royal family, and you know, I had to be here,'' she said. ''She is a true role model. She loved us all, all of us. Especially someone like me, a migrant woman coming to the U.K. 30 years ago, I was allowed to be here and to be free and safe, so I really honor her. She was a big part of my life.'' Maj. Gen. Christopher Ghika, of the Household division, who organized the ceremonial aspects of the queen's funeral, said it was ''our last opportunity to do our duty for the queen, and it's our first opportunity to do it for the king, and that makes us all very proud.'' Troops involved in the procession had been preparing since the queen died. So had the horses of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery. Sgt. Tom Jenks said the horses were specially trained, including how to handle weeping mourners, as well as flowers and flags being tossed in front of the procession. Heathrow Airport temporarily halted flights, saying it would ''ensure silence over central London as the ceremonial procession moves from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall.'' President Joe Biden spoke Wednesday with Charles to offer his condolences, the White House said. Biden recalled ''the Queen's kindness and hospitality'' she hosted them and the first lady at Windsor Castle in June, the statement said. ''He also conveyed the great admiration of the American people for the Queen, whose dignity and constancy deepened the enduring friendship and special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.'' Crowds have lined the route of the queen's coffin whenever it has been moved in its long journey from Scotland to London. On Tuesday night, thousands braved a typical London drizzle as the hearse, with interior lights illuminating the casket, drove slowly from an air base to Buckingham Palace. Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex leaves Westminster Hall, London, Wednesday after the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II was brought to the hall to lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday. Reuters-Yonhap Ottawa, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global 5G IoT market size was reached at USD 2.5 billion in 2021. 5G IoT is a new generation of wireless technology with a powerful combination of high speed, low latency, expanded bandwidth, and augmented power efficiency. As the role of 5G IoT grows in importance across automotive to smart manufacturing and utilities among other applications. Get the Free Sample Copy of Report@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/sample/2109 The technologies including 2G, 3G and 4G were mainly developed for mobile broadband and personal communication services. In past few years, these communication technologies have proven extremely proficient to meet demands of IoT. However, an emergence of 5G has encouraged dedicated capabilities tailored for numerous IoT applications. Hence, flourishing manufacturing sector and increasing investment in 5G infrastructure across developed and developing countries is also anticipated to offer attractive potential for market expansion. Regional Snapshots North America held dominant position and predicted to be in the dominating state during forecast period due to presence of leading market players; strong industrial, logistics, and transportation sectors; and technological innovations in the energy and telecommunication sectors. On the other hand, rapid and large-scale deployment of 5G in the region is opportunistic for growth of the market. For instance, according to the CTIA, a trade association representative of wireless communications industry in the U.S., the telecom companies in the country are expected to invest $275 billion in 5G technology, including small cells, fiber-optic cables, and other 5G network infrastructure. Key Takeaways: By component, the solution segment has reached market share of around 63% in 2021. By network, the 5G non-standalone segment has contributed 59% market share in 2021. In 2021, the large enterprises segment accounted 70% revenue share. Asia-Pacific region has generated market share of over 35.5% in 2021. Report Highlights On the basis of component , the hardware segment dominated the 5G IoT market. Upsurge in demand for 5G IoT module due to proliferation of industrial IoT has driven growth of this segment. However, services segment is expected to witness highest growth rate during the forecast period owing to the need for enhanced productivity, regulatory compliances, and monitoring and security requirements associated with 5G IoT. , the hardware segment dominated the 5G IoT market. Upsurge in demand for 5G IoT module due to proliferation of industrial IoT has driven growth of this segment. However, services segment is expected to witness highest growth rate during the forecast period owing to the need for enhanced productivity, regulatory compliances, and monitoring and security requirements associated with 5G IoT. On the basis of end user, the manufacturing segment is the dominant player and is anticipated to have the biggest impact on 5G IoT market. However, healthcare segment is anticipated to witness considerable growth rate in upcoming years due to rising need for faster and efficient device connections along with minimize delays. Also, ongoing healthcare infrastructure development trend is opportunistic for growth of this segment. Ask here for more customization study@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/customization/2109 Scope of the Report Report Attributes Details Market Size in 2021 USD 2.5 Billion Revenue Forecast by 2030 USD 297.1 Billion CAGR 70.04% from 2022 to 2030 Asia Pacific Market Share 35.5% in 2021 Europe Market Share 23% in 2021 Base Year 2021 Forecast Year 2022 to 2030 Key Players China Mobile, AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. T-Mobile, Vodafone, Ericsson, Huawei, Deutsche Telekom, Nokia, and SK Telecom Market dynamics Drivers 5G enables stable, faster, and secured connectivity that is helping in advancing IoT applications from self-driving vehicles to AI-enabled robots on factory floors and smart grids for renewable energy. According to the Qualcomm, an American multinational corporation, the global 5G value chain is anticipated to be $3.5 trillion by 2035, which is greater than entire mobile value chain as of 2021. This growth of the 5G value chain is major contributor to the global 5G IoT market. On the other hand, ongoing trend of massive 5G IoT ecosystem and growth of the critical communication services industry is further boosting growth of the global market. Massive IoT is the applications with a number of endpoints that constantly serve bits of data. Currently, most of these applications are supported by 4G technology. However, integration of 5G is projected to enable seamless and reliable connection of billions of IoT devices, boosting growth of the massive 5G IoT ecosystem. A favorable outlook for the industry is being produced by growing 5G infrastructure investment around the globe. For instance, Deutsche Telekom, one of the leading integrated telecommunications companies planned to cover 99% of the population in Germany with advanced 5G technology by the end of 2025, with an annual investment of $6.4 billion. While, in Japan, SoftBank Corp., a Japanese multinational conglomerate holding company planned to raise $282.5 million to expand its 5G network. Such investments are anticipated to boost global 5G IoT market. Restraints IoT standardization helps in reducing overall cost of data generation, minimizing the gaps among protocols, and securing the system by detecting security loopholes. However, issues of standardization in global IoT evolution have become one of the major difficulties. Due to lack of standardization, the complication associated with machines that need to interact and connect to one another increases rapidly. This factor has mainly hampered growth of the 5G IoT market. However, a number of multinational and domestic corporations have established alliances to settle on shared IoT technologies and standards. Opportunities Ongoing trend of smart infrastructure development is anticipated to create lucrative growth opportunities for the market. Smart infrastructure is one of the major applications of emergent technologies including 5G and IoT. These technologies are helping to provide connected solutions for well-being of a community. Such technologies are seeing rapid demand across applications such as energy management, air quality management, traffic monitoring & management, connected public transport, connected streetlights, weather monitoring, and waste management. Also, there is a significant trend of government investment in smart infrastructure. For instance, South Koreas National Strategic Smart Cities Program, an emerging smart city program promised to serve 70 cities by 2030 and to cover about 60% of population of the country by 2040. Such programs are further creating opportunities for 5G IoT Market. Challenges Upsurge in data privacy and security concerns associated with 5G IoT is one of the major challenges in global market. The IoT devices are significantly insecure as such devices do not have built-in security by design. Hence, there is a risk of more sophisticated botnets, faster data extraction, and privacy violations with an integration of 5G and IoT. Related Reports Recent Developments In August 2021, AT&T collaborated with Cisco Systems Inc. to introduce a 5G service to support IoT applications across the U.S. This service is projected to use sub-6 GHz 5G network of AT&T to support millions of connected devices managed by both of the companies in the manufacturing, public sector, retail, utilities, transportation, and healthcare among other industries. Market Segmentation By Components Solution Hardware Platform Connectivity Services By Enterprise Size Large Enterprises Small & Medium Enterprises By Network Type 5G Standalone (SA) 5G Non-standalone (NSA) By End User Manufacturing Healthcare Energy and Utilities Automotive and Transportation Supply Chain and Logistics Government and Public Safety Agriculture Others By Geography North America Europe Asia-Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa (MEA) Immediate Delivery Available | Buy this Premium Research Report@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/checkout/2109 You can place an order or ask any questions, please feel free to contact at sales@precedenceresearch.com | +1 9197 992 333 About Us Precedence Research is a worldwide market research and consulting organization. We give unmatched nature of offering to our customers present all around the globe across industry verticals. Precedence Research has expertise in giving deep-dive market insight along with market intelligence to our customers spread crosswise over various undertakings. We are obliged to serve our different client base present over the enterprises of medicinal services, healthcare, innovation, next-gen technologies, semi-conductors, chemicals, automotive, and aerospace & defense, among different ventures present globally. For Latest Update Follow Us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/precedence-research/ https://www.facebook.com/precedenceresearch/ https://twitter.com/Precedence_R DALLAS, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Data Bridge Market research has a newly released an expansive study titled Global Ready to Eat Food Market which guarantees you will remain better informed than your competition. This study provides a broader perspective of the marketplace with its comprehensive market insights and analysis which eases survival and succeeding in the market. The Ready to Eat Food report provides an explanation of market trends, prospects, market restraints, leading market drivers, market segments, key developments, key players in the market, and competitor strategies. Ready to Eat Food report is very consistent as all the data and information regarding this industry is derived via authentic sources such as websites, journals, annual reports of the companies, and magazines. CAGR values mentioned in the report give evaluations about the rise or fall of the product demand in the forecasted period. Data and information included in this report aid businesses take superior decisions and improving return on investment (ROI). Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the ready to eat food market was growing at a value of USD 163.1 million in 2021 and is expected to reach a value of USD 250.31 million and register a CAGR of 5.50% from 2022 to 2029. In addition to the market insights such as market value, growth rate, market segments, geographical coverage, market players, and market scenario, the market report curated by the Data Bridge Market Research team includes in-depth expert analysis, import/export analysis, pricing analysis, production consumption analysis, patent analysis and consumer behavior. Download Exclusive Sample of Ready to Eat Food Market Report in PDF Version @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-ready-to-eat-food-market REPORT METRIC Forecast Period - 2022 to 2029 Base Year 2021 Historic Years - 2020 (Customizable to 2014 - 2019) Market Synopsis:- In recent years, ready-to-eat food has emerged as one of the most versatile segments of the global ready to eat food market. A rise in convenience trends and a parallel increase in demand for specific meal solutions has resulted in strong demand for frozen ready-to-eat food. The food and beverage industry is viewed as a one-stop shop for customers on the go, offering everything from frozen sweets to appetisers and meals. Ready-to-eat food is a type of packaged cooked food that does not require additional processing to ensure quality. It can be frozen, shelf-stable with minimal heating, or served hot. Some foods must be refrigerated until used, while others require special handling to ensure food quality. Opportunity Online grocery shopping and the introduction of new apps that make it easier for consumers to select their preferred products are two of the most recent market trends. Customers prefer online shopping because it is more convenient and diverse. According to Eurostat, nearly a quarter of the population bought food and groceries from online retailers. As the Internet and smartphone penetration increase, retail ready meal shopping is emerging as one of the platforms for companies to showcase and sell their food products. Some of the major players operating in the Ready to Eat Food market are The Hain Celestial Company (U.S.) AGRARFROST GMBH & CO. K.G. (Germany)Agristo (Belgium) Barts Potato Company bvba (Belgium) Royal Cosun (Netherlands) Farm Frites (Netherlands) Greenyard (Belgium) Himalaya Food International Ltd. (India) J.R. Simplot Company (U.S.) McCain Foods Ltd. (U.K.) Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (U.K.) General Mills, Inc. (U.S.) Mondelez International, Inc. (U.S.) THE KRAFT HEINZ COMPANY (U.S.) Access In-depth 350 Pages Research Report @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/checkout/buy/enterprise/global-ready-to-eat-food-market Recent Development In 2021, Nomad Foods announced an agreement with Fortenova Grupa d. d. to acquire Fortenova's Frozen Food Business Group (FFBG) in cash for USD 724 million to expand its product portfolio, as FFBG offers a wide range of frozen meals and has a large distribution channel in Eastern Europe. Conagra Brands Inc. launched its extensive summer line products in 2021 to provide manufacturers inside single-serve frozen meals and collect brands with new Banquet, Marie Callender's, Wholesome Alternative, and Hungry Man dishes. Conagra's mission is to please customers by providing nutritious frozen foods. and collect brands with new Banquet, Marie Callender's, Wholesome Alternative, and Hungry Man dishes. Conagra's mission is to please customers by providing nutritious frozen foods. In 2020, the Dutch start-up Lazy Vegan released its latest frozen ready meal, "Thai Green Curry," which is gluten-free and soy-free. It also launched vegan frozen meals with plant-based chicken and Ready to Eat Food in order to establish a strong presence in the European market. Key Market Segments: Product type Instant Breakfast/Cereals Instant Soups and Snacks Ready Meals Baked Goods Meat Products Others Distribution channel Supermarket & Hypermarket Online Retail Packaging Type Canned Frozen or Chilled Retort Others Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-ready-to-eat-food-market Ready to Eat Food Market Regional Analysis/Insights The countries covered in the ready to eat food market report are U.S., Canada and Mexico in North America, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Russia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Rest of Europe in Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific (APAC) in the Asia-Pacific (APAC), Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa (MEA) as a part of Middle East and Africa (MEA), Brazil, Argentina and Rest of South America as part of South America. Europe dominates the ready to eat food market as a result of an increase in demand for frozen Ready to Eat Food caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected several countries. Furthermore, the region's population growth, rapid urbanisation, and increased customer awareness of the benefits of frozen food will drive the growth of the ready to eat food market during the forecast period. Asia-Pacific is expected to see significant growth in the ready to eat food market because of the rise in the trend of ready-to-eat food among the working-class population. Furthermore, the substantial increase in demand for frozen food due to the decrease in time for preparing and cooking is expected to further propel the market growth in the region. How the Report Aids Your Business Discretion? This section of this Market report highlights some of the most relevant factors and growth enablers that collectively ensure a high-end growth spurt The report unravels details on pronounced share assessments across both country-wise as well as region-based segments A leading synopsis of market share analysis of dynamic players inclusive of high-end industry veterans New player entry analysis and their scope of new business models The report includes strategic recommendations for new business veterans as well as established players seeking novel growth avenues A detailed consultation services based on historical as well as current timelines to ensure feasible forecast predictions A thorough evaluation and detailed study of various segments as well as sub-segments across regional and country-specific developments Details on market estimations, market size, dimensions A review of market competitors, their high-end product and service portfolios, dynamic trends, as well as technological advances that portray high end growth in this Market TABLE OF CONTENTS Part 01: Executive Summary Part 02: Scope Of The Report Part 03: Research Methodology Part 04: Market Landscape Part 05: Pipeline Analysis Part 06: Market Sizing Part 07: Five Forces Analysis Part 08: Market Segmentation Part 09: Customer Landscape Part 10: Regional Landscape Part 11: Decision Framework Part 12: Drivers And Challenges Part 13: Market Trends Part 14: Vendor Landscape Part 15: Vendor Analysis Part 16: Appendix For More Insights Grab TOC @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-ready-to-eat-food-market Browse Related Reports: Ready to Eat Soup Market , By Product Type (Tomato Ready to Eat Soup, Beans Ready to Eat Soup, Chicken Ready to Eat Soup, Beef Ready to Eat Soup, Mixed Vegetables Ready to Eat Soup, Others), Form (Dry Soup, Wet Soup), Nature (Conventional, Organic), Packaging Type (Bottles, Cans, Packets), Application (Retail, Catering and Industrial, Others), Distribution Channel (HoReCa, B2C), Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Italy, U.K., France, Spain, Netherland, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, New Zealand, Vietnam, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-ready-to-eat-soup-market Ready to Drink Tea and Ready to Drink Coffee Market , By Additives (Flavours, Artificial Sweeteners, Acidulates, Nutraceuticals, Preservatives and Others), Type (Black Tea, Green Tea, Oolong Tea, Fruit & Herbal Based Tea, Taurine, Guarana, Vitamin B, Ginseng, Yerba Mate, Acai Berry), Packaging (Glass Bottle, Canned, Pet Bottle, Sachets, Fountain/Aseptic/Cartons, and Others), Price (Premium, Regular and Super Premium), Distribution Channel (Off-Trade and On-Trade), Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Italy, U.K., France, Spain, Netherland, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, New Zealand, Vietnam, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-ready-drink-tea-ready-drink-coffee-market Frozen Ready Meals Market , By Type (Frozen Rice Mixes, Frozen Quinoa Food Mixes, Frozen Pizza, Frozen Pasta, Frozen Wraps & Rolls, Frozen Snacks, Frozen Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt, Frozen Cakes, Frozen Sorbet And Sherbet, Frozen Custard, Frozen Drinks, Frozen Savory Products And Frozen Soup, Frozen Dairy Products, Frozen Chicken Products, Frozen Seafood Products, And Others), Category (Organic And Conventional) Technology (Flash-Freezing/ Individual Quick Freezing (IQF), Belt Freezing, High Pressure-Assisted Freezing, And Others), End User (Food Service Sector And Households), Packaging Technique (Freezing Technique And Equipment And Freezing Ready Meals Packaging And Distribution Channel (Store-Based And Non-Store Retailers) - Industry Trends and Forecast https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-frozen-ready-meals-market Ready to Drink Premixes Market , By Type (Ready to Drinks and High Strength Premixes), Distribution Channel (Specialty Stores, Modern Trade, Duty-Free Stores, Online Stores and Other), Product Type (Alcoholic Beverages and Non-Alcoholic Beverages) and Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Italy, U.K., France, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, New Zealand, Vietnam, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, South Africa, Rest of the Middle East and Africa) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-ready-to-drink-premixes-market Ready to Drink Coffee Market , By Nature (Natural, Conventional, Organic), Product Type (Iced Coffee, Coffee Latte, Black Coffee, Others), Price Range (Economical, Mid-Range, Premium), Packaging (Bottles, Cans, Carton Packaging, Tubs, Others), Flavour (Vanilla, Mocha, Caramel, Others Flavours), Sales Channel (Store-Based Retailing, E-Commerce) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-ready-to-drink-coffee-market Ready to Drink/High Strength Premixes Market By Type (Malt Based RTDs, Spirit Based RTDs, Wine Based RTDs, Others), Processing Type (Single Compound and Blended), Gender (Male and Female), Packaging Type (Bottle, Cans and Others), Trade (Off- Trade, On-Trade) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-ready-to-drink-high-strength-premixes-market Asia-Pacific Ready to Drink/ High Strength Premixes Market By Type (Malt-Based RTDs, Spirit-Based RTDs, Wine-Based RTDs, Others), Processing Type (Single Compound, Blended), Gender (Male, Female), Packaging Type (Bottle, Can, Others ), Trade (Off-Trade, On-Trade), Country (China, Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam and Rest of Asia-Pacific) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/asia-pacific-ready-to-drink-high-strength-premixes-market About Data Bridge Market Research: An absolute way to forecast what future holds is to comprehend the trend today! Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavours to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process. Data Bridge is an aftermath of sheer wisdom and experience which was formulated and framed in the year 2015 in Pune. Data Bridge Market Research has over 500 analysts working in different industries. We have catered more than 40% of the fortune 500 companies globally and have a network of more than 5000+ clientele around the globe. Data Bridge adepts in creating satisfied clients who reckon upon our services and rely on our hard work with certitude. We are content with our glorious 99.9 % client satisfying rate. Contact Us:- English French Aircraft delivery is the first as part of an order from the USAF, announced in June 2021, to modify up to six Global 6000 business jets . The 2021 contract, representing a potential total value of close to $465 million U.S., included an immediate firm order for one Global 6000 aircraft with subsequent additional firm orders announced in April 2022 Bombardier Global business jets have become a go-to platform for special missions around the world, thanks to their speed, payload capacity, built-in power redundancy, reliability and endurance WICHITA, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier today announced that its Defense division, along with its U.S. subsidiary Learjet Inc., delivered a Global aircraft in special mission configuration to the U.S. Air Force Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) program based at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts. The defense sector is a key pillar of Bombardiers future as our ultra-reliable and high-performing platforms are best suited to house and operate complex mission equipment, said Eric Martel, President and CEO of Bombardier. We are proud that our jets and know-how are being increasingly recognized around the world in this sphere, and this delivery is a milestone, first of its kind since appointing Wichita as the home base for Bombardier Defense. The latest delivery, a Global 6000 aircraft, is the first mission-configured aircraft to be supplied under a contract for up to six modified Global 6000 aircraft, announced in June 2021 and which represents a potential total value of up to $464.8-million USD (the 2021 contract). Bombardier has already delivered four Global aircraft to the BACN program under previous agreements. Under the 2021 contract, the USAF has confirmed firm orders for three Global 6000 aircraft, with the next two deliveries expected in 2022 and 2023. The USAF has announced its potential to purchase an additional aircraft each year through 2025 under the 2021 contract. The BACN program reduces communication issues associated with incompatible systems, adverse terrain, and distance. BACN increases interoperability which results in forces that execute faster, more reliably, and with less risk to the warfighter. The delivery of 21-9045 is the pivotal first step to advancing the mission this program provides. Lt Col Eric Inkenbrandt As part of the critical BACN program, Bombardiers Global aircraft serve as high-altitude communications gateways, relaying or bridging voice and data between air and surface forces and handily surmounting traditional obstacles such as mountains, rough terrain or distance. Dubbed Wi-Fi in the sky by the USAF, BACN-equipped Global aircraft are referred to as the E-11A fleet. We are proud to be able to showcase the versatility of our Global business jets and our expertise here in the U.S. to support the type of high-altitude, endurance missions required by the elite BACN program, said Steve Patrick, Vice President, Bombardier Defense. Our best-in-class Global aircraft platform offers the complete package--proven reliability, significant payload capacity, ample available power, and the highest degree of stability to support sensitive equipment. This, along with top notch design, manufacturing and certification expertise required to carry out modifications makes Bombardier Global aircraft the optimal choice for conversion to specialized assets. In April 2022, Bombardier designated its Wichita site as its new U.S. Headquarters and launched Bombardier Defense as strategic expansion of its existing Specialized Aircraft division. Engineers and technicians at Bombardier Defense in Wichita, Kansas perform the complex engineering and modification work on green Global 6000 aircraft to support the BACN installation, while teams at the Bombardier site in Tucson, Arizona complete the interiors and perform the exterior painting work. More than 550 Bombardier Global, Challenger and Learjet business aircraft are currently performing specialized missions worldwide, from securing airspace, borders and infrastructure to head-of-state transport and humanitarian assistance including long-range medical evacuations. Forward-looking Statements Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements based on current expectations, including, without limitation, statements relating to future deliveries and orders of aircraft and total realizable contract value. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to important known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to our note on Forward-Looking Statements contained in our latest published quarterly report. About Bombardier Bombardier is a global leader in aviation, focused on designing, manufacturing, and servicing the world's most exceptional business jets. Bombardiers Challenger and Global aircraft families are renowned for their cutting-edge innovation, cabin design, performance, and reliability. Bombardier has a worldwide fleet of approximately 5,000 aircraft in service with a wide variety of multinational corporations, charter and fractional ownership providers, governments, and private individuals. Bombardier aircraft are also trusted around the world in special-mission roles. Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Bombardier operates aerostructure, assembly and completion facilities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. The companys robust customer support network includes facilities in strategic locations in the United States and Canada, as well as in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, the UAE, Singapore, China, and an Australian facility opening in 2022. For corporate news and information, including Bombardiers Environmental, Social and Governance report, visit bombardier.com. Learn more about Bombardiers industry-leading products and customer service network at businessaircraft.bombardier.com. Follow us on Twitter @Bombardier. Bombardier, Global, Global 6000, Challenger and Learjet are registered or unregistered trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries. For Information Francis Richer de La Fleche Mark Masluch Vice President, Financial Planning and Investor Relations Senior Director, Communications Bombardier Bombardier +1 514 855 5001 x13228 +1 514 855 7167 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aece222b-6352-4181-bc53-73fd681289f1 RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- State Employees Credit Union (SECU) announces its continued commitment to Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU), the engagement and charitable arm of the World Council of Credit Unions, by committing $300,000 to the organizations Global Bridges program. Aimed at engaging credit unions across the globe to learn, share, and solve pressing global issues, Global Bridges will use the funds to specifically address gaps in inclusion, safety, gender, and leadership in its member credit unions. Since first collaborating with WFCU in 2006, SECU has contributed $895,000 in support of global efforts for credit union development. The funds have helped grow credit unions to more than 375 million members, an increase of 118 percent since 2006. SECUs latest pledge of an additional $300,000 will be over the next three years, bringing the collective total to $1.2 million. The Global Bridges program is expected to impact one billion people around the world. We are inspired by the work that has been accomplished by WFCU since SECUs funding first began, and we are pleased to continue our support through Global Bridges, said Jim Hayes, SECU president and CEO. Their mission to support credit unions worldwide is invaluable. It complements SECUs ongoing transformational work in communities across North Carolina, and it furthers our philosophy of People Helping People. Through funding and support from SECU, Worldwide Foundation also hopes to galvanize U.S. credit union support for its work toward its upcoming International Credit Union Day (ICU) EMPOWER Campaign. The campaign runs from October 1-20, with a goal of raising $500,000 from credit unions across the country toward expanding credit unions worldwide in conjunction with the ICU holiday on October 20. We are honored to have the nations second largest credit union by our side as a global champion as we together fight to bridge the gap of financial inequality at home and abroad using credit unions, said Mike Reuter, WFCU executive director. Our work will bring financial inclusion to many people worldwide who wake up every day without fair and affordable access to financial services. About SECU and SECU Foundation A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, SECU has been providing employees of the state of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for 85 years. SECU is the second largest credit union in the United States with $53 billion in assets and serves over 2.6 million members through 273 branch offices, over 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Member Services via phone, www.ncsecu.org and a Mobile App. The SECU Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization funded by the contributions of SECU members, promotes local community development in North Carolina primarily through high impact projects in the areas of housing, education, healthcare, and human services. Since 2004, SECU Foundation has made a collective financial commitment of over $235 million for initiatives to benefit North Carolinians statewide. About WFCU and WOCCU The Worldwide Foundation is the fundraising and engagement arm of the World Council. Join us on a global journey to transform a billion lives worldwide using credit unions. Visit www.doglobalgood.org to start your journey today. World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development platform for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions financial performance and increase their outreach. World Council has implemented 300+ technical assistance programs in 90 countries. Worldwide, 86,451 credit unions in 118 countries serve 375 million people. Learn more about World Councils impact around the world at www.woccu.org. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2e55cd09-268a-46c6-bd00-f0ce27f593ec MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis., Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MTE Corporation, a leader in power quality solutions, held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, to commemorate the grand opening of its new headquarters in Menomonee Falls. The event was attended by members of the Menomonee Falls Chamber of Commerce, and leadership from MTE's owners at Steel Partners. Ahsan Javed, President of MTE, spoke about the positive impact the new office space has had on the company's culture and productivity, while providing ample space for expansion. "Our new headquarters exemplifies the investments we are making in our business, employees, and community for today and for years to come," he stated. The ribbon cutting ceremony was conducted by Javed and the Director of the Menomonee Falls Chamber of Commerce, Jess Goniu. The new facility was designed with an open floor plan, lots of natural light, and many collaboration areas, all to enable teamwork and communication. The office includes four large conference rooms, three small open offices for one-on-one meetings, and five wings of open concept cubicle desks that foster greater discussion amongst peers. An innovative lab incorporates state-of-the-art technology which allows the company to accelerate new product development. Todd Shudarek, Director of Engineering, said the lab provides new equipment and capabilities. "Our new power quality lab allows us to rapidly prototype and test products for our customers around the world. We can be more responsive and have more space to support the growing needs of our business." MTE made a concerted effort to patronize local contractors and vendors for work on the new facility. Nearly all of the equipment and services were from companies in Menomonee Falls or the greater Milwaukee area - HVAC, plumbing, electricians, carpet, windows, kitchen design and countertops, storage racks, lab equipment and security system. Javed summarized by saying, "The Milwaukee area is a hub for leaders in the manufacturing automation space, and has been MTE's home for the last 40 years. Our new headquarters represents our commitment to the area, and gives us a firm foundation for growth. We're poised to do great things globally, from right here in this corner of Wisconsin." About MTE Corporation MTE Corporation is a global supplier of power quality products designed to improve the reliability of power electronic systems. MTE designs, manufactures, and distributes passive harmonic filters, line/load reactors, link chokes, dV/dt and sinewave motor protection filters, TEAL Power Conditioning and Distribution Units, and custom magnetic products for the most demanding industries. MTE Corporation is an operating company within the Diversified Industrial Segment of Steel Partners Holding L.P. For more information, please visit www.mtecorp.com. MTE Contact Marketing Communications Manager (262) 946-2867 john.gregor@mtecorp.com www.mtecorp.com About Steel Partners Steel Partners Holdings L.P. is a diversified global holding company that owns and operates businesses, including diversified industrial products, energy, defense, supply chain management and logistics, banking, and youth sports. For more information about Steel Partners, please visit www.steelpartners.com. Photo Credit Photo provided by Mel Anne Designs. https://www.melannedesigns.com Related Files MTE-CAP-E 2019.05.14.pdf Related Images Image 1: MTE Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Sept. 14th, 2022 MTE's President, Ahsan Javed, is surrounded by MTE executive leadership, staff, and representatives from the Menomonee Falls Chamber of Commerce as he cuts a red ribbon to commemorate the company's grand opening of its new flagship headquarters. This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment ATLANTA, GA, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To help historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) undergo fundamental changes to dramatically increase success for all students, UNCF (United Negro College Fund) has received a catalytic investment to accelerate institutional transformation efforts from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The first of its kindat this scalein American higher education, this systemic transformation will provide UNCF, along with five other intermediaries, $100 million over five years to power higher education as a racial and socioeconomic equity engine. These investments were awarded based on each organizations demonstrated expertise and potential to disrupt generational poverty. Advancing Black higher education through institutional transformation is in UNCFs DNA, said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF. This grant will further the proven strategies of UNCFs Institute for Capacity Building in ushering the next phase of Black colleges and universities. Through its transformation work via its Institute for Capacity Building (ICB), UNCF counts 41 institutional partners, a network purposely designed to represent a diversity of HBCUs and predominantly Black institutions (PBIs) that vary in size, type and transformation focus. As UNCF plans to expand to more than 50 institutions in 2023, the impact of the intermediary efforts is already apparent with partners reporting increased rates in enrollment, retention, graduation, internship and post-graduation placement in career-related jobs or graduate studies. Research shows our schools have historically done and continue to do a lot more with a lot less. They graduate more Black students who go on to lift, not only their families, but entire communities, said Ed Smith-Lewis, vice president, strategic partnerships and institutional programs, UNCF. He also leads UNCFs ICB. Now, were about to show the world just how much Black colleges and universities can teach the rest of higher education to support the success of all their students in institutionalizing educational equity, Smith-Lewis added. According to a recent survey, nearly three-fourths of college presidents say that to thrive in an increasingly complex, tech-driven world, they must rethink their business models and campus cultures for greater inclusivity and mobilityand they seek intermediary partners to guide that change. UNCF was selected for its leadership in bolstering HBCUs as student-success engines, community lifelines and poverty disruptors. In doing so, they are also helping Gates to redefine institutional transformation. This new phase of Gates investments is designed to accelerate and expand institutional transformation by building on a decade of work and learning with intermediaries and their higher-education partners. Our six-year partnership with UNCF could not have been more opportune for Benedict College. They were the force multiplier for realizing our business plan sooner and with greater impact, ensuring our students are not just career-ready at graduation, but career-engaged, said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, Benedict College president and CEO. Benedicts participation in the development of HBCUv, the shared online platform for HBCUs, and new collaborations like the South Carolina Cluster is sparking other systemic changesall to the benefit of its students, most of whom represent first-time college goers from disenfranchised neighborhoods. This award recognizes on a national scale the tremendous effort and vision of Dr. Lomax to re-energize UNCFs founding purpose of championing Black colleges and universities and their higher-education innovations. said Milton H. Jones, Jr., board chair, UNCF, and founding member of Peachtree Providence Partners. He added, Along with The Gates Foundation, other major funders are seeing the wisdom in investing in UNCFs Institute for Capacity Building and its next phase of transformation efforts. About UNCF UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nations largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. While totaling only 3% of all colleges and universities, UNCF institutions and other historically Black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 13% of bachelors degrees, 5% of masters degrees, 10% of doctoral degrees and 24% of all STEM degrees earned by Black students in higher education. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark, A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF. About UNCF INSTITUTE FOR CAPACITY BUILDING (ICB) ICB partners with Black colleges and universities to propel student success, community advancement and the fight for racial-justice equity. Each year, ICB organizes the UNCF UNITE summit, the premier platform and largest gathering of Black higher education. ### SURREY, British Columbia, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As work ramps up on BCs first rapid transit project south of the Fraser River in 30 years, PCI Developments officially opened King George Hub, Metro Vancouvers latest and Surreys first comprehensive transit-oriented development. An isolated terminus station for 28 years in BCs fastest growing city, King George is now surrounded by a vibrant complete community of homes, offices, and retail amenities. It is also now the gateway to the Fraser Valley as the connecting station to Surrey-Langley SkyTrain Extension. Already a multi-award-winning development, King George Hub highlights the opportunities to build healthier communities at the eight upcoming stations, as well as on underutilized land around stations across the region. PCI Developments purchased the land adjacent to the King George Station 10 years ago when it was a single oversized block consisting of a parking lot and two small obsolete buildings. With a private investment of upwards of $1 billion, the land has been transformed into a mixed-use, compact urban centre in downtown Surrey that will be home to more than 4,000 residents and over 2,700 jobs. By all measures, this land was underutilized, even though the Expo Line started service in the area in 1994, said Tim Grant, President of PCI Developments , Metro Vancouvers preeminent transit-oriented developer, including Marine Gateway. Now and into the future, King George Hub will be an active, desirable community that exemplifies how progressive land-use planning and stakeholder collaboration can utilize scarce rapid transit infrastructure to catalyze vibrant, complete, and connected communities that encourage sustainable lifestyles and transportation choices with significant opportunities for housing and job space. King George Hub is the recipient of multiple awards from NAIOP (Commercial Real Estate Development Association) and Urban Development Institute. PCI - TransLink announce joint pilot program PCI and TransLink will launch a unique joint pilot program to encourage and understand transit usage. PCI will purchase and distribute 250 fare cards to people who live and work at King George Hub. The cards will be preloaded with $150, and TransLink will study whether this program incentivized increased transit use among participants. This data will help TransLink and municipalities draw conclusions about the benefits of subsidizing transit use for transit-oriented communities across the region. TransLink is always looking for creative opportunities to promote transit use and build more sustainable, transit-oriented communities, said Kevin Quinn, TransLink CEO. This innovative pilot will give us vital data that can be applied to potential future partnerships throughout Metro Vancouver. PCI is leading developer of transit-oriented communities PCI Developments is the leading builder of transit-oriented developments in the region. The company has won awards for Marine Gateway , Crossroads and 565 Great Northern Way, and has several communities at existing & future stations in planning and development, including in Surrey, Port Moody and on Vancouvers Broadway Subway and Canada Lines. For more than 20 years and taking cues from cities around the world we have focused on unique opportunities for lively, sustainable, and inclusive communities at rapid transit stations, said Grant. Our company remains focused on realizing the potential of the regions scarce transit infrastructure and collaborating with community stakeholders, municipalities, the provincial government, and TransLink in creating such communities. King George Hub King George Hub has 738 condo units and 371 rental homes that are completed, plus 350,000 square feet of office space and 130,000 square feet of retail space, including Save-On Foods, Rexall and a wide range of food & beverage and service businesses. Offices include headquarters for Coast Capital Savings and Westland Insurance. Currently under construction and completing in 2025, King George Hubs fourth phase will bring an additional 886 condos and 30,000 square feet of office and retail space. In early 2023, construction will start on the fifth phase that will deliver an additional 400 rental homes. Upon full completion, King George Hub will comprise 370,000 square feet of office, 140,000 square feet of retail, 1,624 condo homes, and 771 rental homes all within steps of rapid transit. Media Inquiries: PCI Developments: Renu Bakshi 604 787 1873 or renu@renubakshi.com TransLink: media@translink.ca Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ee4c77a0-0264-4297-afbd-5203e2e03cb8 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b9a9113c-7ceb-4c4c-82b1-96d43fab2e0c https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/53ea74a7-b4dd-43ef-9559-d77604c3b1e6 TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ford government has released its regulations under the euphemistically titled More Beds, Better Care Act (formerly Bill 7) today. The regulations are the details under the legislation to provide new powers to push elderly patients and people with chronic care needs out of hospitals, overriding their right to consent. The hammer that the government intends to use to coerce patients to leave hospital is a charge of $400 per day, or $2,800 per week. According to the Ministers statement yesterday, hospitals will be required to charge patients waiting not only for long-term care, but also for home and community care, the exorbitant fees. Patients can be sent up to 70 km away from the hospital in southern Ontario. In the North, the limit is 150 km, however, if there are no beds available within 150 km, they will be allowed to move patients further away than that*, according to government documents. Ontario Health Coalition executive director Natalie Mehra expressed total outrage at these plans in a press conference today livestreamed and available here: https://www.facebook.com/ontariohealth/videos/1262453651238649 Key Facts: The chief function of the new law is to give new powers to: Assess a patient without their consent Share that patients personal information with an array of health provider companies (for and non-profit) without their consent Fill in the applications for the patient without their consent Admit a patient into a long-term care home without their consent, including a long-term care home that is far away, has a bad record for care, is not of the patients choice, does not meet their language needs, etc. In the documents describing the changes by the government, they have expanded the scope of the new law to also cover patients waiting for home and community care as well as long-term care. They did not shrink it despite widespread public opposition. They expanded it. This may result in patients being pushed out of hospital into retirement homes, home waiting for home care that may not materialize, or other facilities or places. The government documents also make it clear that in the North the 150 km limit is no really a limit, as if there are not beds available, they can push the patient out to a community further away. Since there are no beds available (there are 38,000 people on the LTC wait list ) this will happen. ) this will happen. If a patient refuses, they will be charged $400 per day or $2,800 per week. Fact checker: Ontario has the fewest hospital beds left of any province in Canada. The downsizing of Ontarios hospitals is not normal. It is extreme, in fact the most extreme in the country. Now, patients and specifically the frail elderly and those with chronic care needs are being treated as though they are taking up resources wrongly. This is ageist and immoral. Those patients have the same human rights as all patients. They are not taking up resources, they need care. They have nowhere appropriate to go, not of their choice, but as a result of policy choices, continued by the Ford government, not to rebuild our public hospital capacity. left of any province in Canada. The downsizing of Ontarios hospitals is not normal. It is extreme, in fact the most extreme in the country. Now, patients and specifically the frail elderly and those with chronic care needs are being treated as though they are taking up resources wrongly. This is ageist and immoral. Those patients have the same human rights as all patients. They are not taking up resources, they need care. They have nowhere appropriate to go, not of their choice, but as a result of policy choices, continued by the Ford government, not to rebuild our public hospital capacity. Hospitals are not only acute care facilities. They have always provided a range of care including chronic care (complex continuing care), palliative care, rehabilitation beds and more. Those services are of equal importance to acute care and it is not in the public interest to allow them to be cut and routinely discounted. Ontario has funded its hospitals at the lowest rate in Canada for years in a bid to force downsizing. (Virtually every service cut from public hospitals is privatized.) Here is hospital funding by provinces as a proportion of provincial GDP and per person . The Ford government continued this when it got into office. Nothing has been done to restore hospital capacity to something approaching reason. and . The Ford government continued this when it got into office. Nothing has been done to restore hospital capacity to something approaching reason. There is a staffing crisis, commensurate to the hospital staffing crisis, in long-term care and in home care , where these patients are likely to be forced. Despite repeated demands with concrete recommendations to get the Ford government to take real action on the staffing crisis the government has downplayed the situation, refusing to call it a crisis, tried to distract, and ultimately held a lot of PR announcements with very little real action. There are a significant number of actions the government could take to deal with the crisis but it has chosen not to spend the money and is now, instead, violating the rights of mostly elderly patients to deal with the crisis that they still are not addressing. and in , where these patients are likely to be forced. Despite repeated demands to get the Ford government to take real action on the staffing crisis the government has downplayed the situation, refusing to call it a crisis, tried to distract, and ultimately held a lot of PR announcements with very little real action. There are a significant number of actions the government could take to deal with the crisis but it has chosen not to spend the money and is now, instead, violating the rights of mostly elderly patients to deal with the crisis that they still are not addressing. Not all so-called Alternate Level of Care (ALC) are waiting for long-term care. In fact, the minority of ALC patients are waiting for long-term care. A significant block of ALC patients are waiting for hospital beds complex continuing care (chronic care), rehab, mental health beds and others. A small number are waiting for home care. (Most patients waiting for home care are discharged home, where that care may or may not ever happen.) Hospitals also provide long-term care beds and have done so for decades. There are significant numbers of closed hospitals and closed hospital beds all across the province that still exist and could be opened if they were funded and staffed. In fact, last year public hospitals built four fast-track long-term care facilities on hospital land. The choice not to address the problems by expanding services are policy choices -- not necessities -- and they reflect the values and priorities of the government and those who lobbied behind the scenes to create the new law and its regulations. Those values and priorities do not accord with the values and priorities of the majority of Ontarians. Any claim that cultural needs etc. will be taken into account is nonsense. Generally, cultural homes have longer waits than those that do not offer those services. Patients will be forced into the only available beds, which are the ones that are far away or to which people do not want to go, often for good reason. than those that do not offer those services. Patients will be forced into the only available beds, which are the ones that are far away or to which people do not want to go, often for good reason. The claim that the forced moves are temporary and patients will find their way to a LTC home of their preference is also extremely manipulative. Crisis admissions from hospitals always take precedence. The forced move is very likely the last move of the patients life. Across Canada and internationally we have just seen the devastating effects of isolation from families and loved ones for residents in long-term care during the pandemic. Countless elderly residents failed; they lost health status permanently; they suffered enormously from depression, loneliness, desperation and inadequate care, and many died. This is, we fear, the consequence of this policy for the hundreds, and ultimately thousands of elderly people who will be subjected to this abhorrent coercion. * The specific language used by the government in their Field Guidance to Home and Community Care Support Services Placement Co-ordinators is: However, if in these regions there is no suitable LTC home in the applicable radius, or if there are extremely limited vacancies in the available homes within the geographic boundary, the next closest home or homes to the patients preferred location(s) can be selected. [I.e. Beyond the 150 km radius.] For more information: Natalie Mehra, executive director (416) 230-6402. NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Palantir Technologies Inc. (Palantir or the Company) (NYSE: PLTR) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, and docketed under 22-cv-02384, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Palantir securities between November 9, 2021 and May 6, 2022, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials. If you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Palantir securities during the Class Period, you have until November 14, 2022 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com . To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. [Click here for information about joining the class action] Palantir builds and deploys software platforms to assist the U.S. intelligence community in counterterrorism investigations and operations. The Company has two operating segments, commercial and government, with the latter primarily serving agencies in the U.S. federal government and non-U.S. governments. Palantir also invests in so-called marketable securities consisting of equity securities in publicly-traded companies. Palantir has consistently described sources of geopolitical instability and other disruptionse.g., armed conflicts, economic crises, and the COVID-19 pandemicas tailwinds for its business, given that the Companys products and services are purportedly built to aid its customers in assessing and responding to such disruptions. The Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Companys business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Palantirs investments in marketable securities were having a significant negative impact on the Companys earnings per share (EPS) results; (ii) Palantir overstated the sustainability of its government segments growth and revenues; (iii) Palantir was experiencing a significant slowdown in revenue growth, particularly among its government customers, despite ongoing global conflicts and market disruptions; (iv) as a result of all the foregoing, the Company was likely to miss consensus estimates for its first quarter 2022 (Q1) EPS and second quarter 2022 (Q2) sales outlook; and (v) as a result, the Companys public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. On May 9, 2022, Palantir issued a press release announcing its Q1 financial results and guidance for Q2. For Q1, Palantir announced adjusted EPS of $0.02, compared to analyst estimates of $0.04 per share, noting on a conference call that the [f]irst quarter adjusted [EPS of] $0.02 . . . includes a negative $0.02 impact driven primarily by unrealized losses on marketable securities. The Company also disclosed that government revenue grew by only 16% year-over-year for Q1, representing a significant slowdown in revenue growth compared to prior quarters, and that, for Q2, the Company expected $470 million in sales, compared to estimates of $483.76 million. On this news, Palantirs stock price fell $2.02 per share, or 21.31%, to close at $7.46 per share on May 9, 2022. As multiple news outlets reported that day, Palantirs significant decline in revenue growth, particularly from its government customers, surprised investors, especially given the ongoing geopolitical instability and other disruptions caused by, inter alia, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and Russo-Ukrainian Warthat is, precisely the type of destabilizing conditions that the Company had previously touted as tailwinds for its business. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com South Korea, Seoul, Sept. 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Worldwide sales of bio decontamination systems are predicted to increase at a CAGR of 4.5% and reach a market valuation of US$ 208.1 million by 2027, reveals Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider. Bio decontamination is a technique for getting rid of or at least lowering various microbiological pathogens so they don't harm the environment. Bio decontamination can be done through physical, chemical, and biological means. Physical bio decontamination uses techniques such as high pressure, heat, and other methods. To guarantee product sterility and scientific validity, contamination management is essential in laboratories for pharmaceuticals and life sciences. As a result, many companies and organisations that value routine vaporous bio decontamination have added room and infrastructure bio decontamination to their standard operating procedures. Get Sample PDF of This Research Report with Detailed Table of Content: https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=7700 Due to its low cost and ability to address both, the harmful by-products of microorganisms and the viral decontamination of items by bacteria or fungi, bio decontamination is progressively making headway over other techniques. The industry will branch out as a result of increasing advancements in the biopharma sector. Increasing surgical procedures is one of the key factors predicted to fuel bio decontamination market growth over the coming years. The market is also predicted to increase as a result of the rising demand for bio decontamination equipment caused by the growing need for minimal physical labour. Key Takeaways from Market Study Global sales of bio decontamination equipment are currently valued at US$ 167 million. The services segment is expected to rise at a CAGR of 5% through 2027. The market for bio decontamination in China is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4% and reach a market valuation of US$ 37 million by 2027. The presence of manual bio decontamination methods may impede the sales of bio decontamination services to some extent. Bio Decontamination Industry Research Segments By Product & Service : Equipment Services Consumables By End User : Pharma & Medical Device Companies Life Sciences & Biotech Research Organizations Hospitals & Healthcare Facilities By Region : North America Latin America Europe East Asia South Asia & Oceania MEA Speak to Analyst: https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=7700 Winning Strategy Manufacturing firms that make medical and pharmaceutical devices as well as research institutions are predicted to generate the most revenue for the bio decontamination industry. The market's vendor environment is characterised by fierce rivalry, which is fueled by product development that takes shifting consumer preferences into account. To maintain their market position, leading industries are concentrating on the introduction of new products. A new technological centre by Bioquell has just opened in Horsham, Pennsylvania. This facility will act as an incubator for the development of new products and demonstrate a variety of bio decontamination techniques. In June 2022, Ecolab and Eco Plant teamed up to sell Eco plant 360, a digital solution that uses dynamic monitoring and control to assist customers in considerably reducing the amount of electricity used in compressed air systems. Quick Buy: Bio Decontamination Market Research Report https://www.factmr.com/checkout/7700 Competitive Landscape The report discusses key developments in the bio decontamination industry as well as the inorganic and organic growth tactics resorted to by market players. With the growing demand for bio decontamination products and services in the worldwide market, market players can anticipate lucrative opportunities in the bio decontamination market over the coming years. The Ecolab Global Intelligence Center was developed in June 2022 by Ecolab so that professionals could analyse data from IoT-connected technologies to give real-time monitoring and quantifiable outcomes. The SteraMist Amazon Store, which offers the SteraPak Leading Disinfection System for various industries, was introduced by TOMI in December 2021. Expanding the sales channels will improve and streamline the customer's purchasing process. SteraPak, which employs iHP technology and provides a superior and reasonably priced substitute to electrostatic sprayers that have been recalled owing to safety concerns, was introduced in August 2021 by TOMI Environmental Solutions, Inc. More Valuable Insights on Offer Fact.MR, in its new offering, presents an unbiased analysis of the global bio decontamination market, presenting historical demand data (2017-2021) and forecast statistics for the period of 2022-2027. The study divulges essential insights on the market on the basis of product & service (equipment, services, consumables) and end user (pharma & medical device companies, life sciences & biotech research organizations, hospitals & healthcare facilities, others), across five major regions of the world (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and MEA). Check out more related studies published by Fact.MR Research: Biotechnology Instruments Market: The global biotechnology Instrument market is likely to be valued at US$ 53.3 Billion in FY 2022, up from US$ 46.4 Billion in 2021. During the past year, the industry reistered a Y-o-Y increase worth 14.9%. From 2022 to 2032, biotechnology instruments sales are poised to flourish at a CAGR of 16.4% to reach a value of US$ 244 Billion by the end of 2032. Lifesciences Data Mining and Visualization Market: According to a new research report published by Fact.MR, the global lifesciences data mining & visualization market is set to register a splendid growth at a double-digit CAGR between the period 2017 and 2026. Revenues from the market are likely to close in roughly US$ 6,400 Mn by 2026-end. Americas Hospital Acquired Infection Testing Market: Fact.MR's Americas hospital acquired infection testing industry analysis predicts the market to attain a valuation of US$ 2.7 Bn by the end of the decade, which is more than 4X more than its worth at present. This research survey forecasts the market to expand at a significant CAGR of around 13% through 2031, with the U.S. slated to account for over 55% market share. Home Diagnostics Market: The United States of America accounted for the maximum market share of home diagnostics in North America, contributing around 40% share of market revenue, and is expected to maintain its lead throughout the forecast period. In Europe, the United Kingdom and France, as well as Germany, are among the leading regions with high penetration of home diagnostics. About Us: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a speech during a debate on "The State of the European Union" as part of a plenary session in Strasbourg, eastern France, on Sept. 14. AFP-Yonhap The European Union presented plans on Wednesday to tap into the windfall profits of energy firms as part of measures to tame gas and electricity prices that have soared following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen outlined a "deep and comprehensive" reform of the electricity market during her annual State of the European Union address in front of the bloc's parliament in Strasbourg, France. A cap on electricity producers' profits would raise 140 billion euros ($140 billion) and "cushion" consumers from high prices, she said. "These companies are making revenues they never accounted for, they never even dreamt of," von der Leyen said, dressed in Ukraine's blue and gold colors. "In these times it is wrong to receive extraordinary record profits benefiting from war and on the back of consumers," she said, adding that major oil, gas and coal companies would also "have to give a crisis contribution". The idea to tax profits by non-gas electricity providers is to divert the money to households and businesses to weather the situation. Other steps laid out by von der Leyen include rationing energy, temporary state aid and decoupling the prices of gas and electricity. She also announced the creation of a new bank designed to spur investment of up to three billion euros in hydrogen as a green alternative to fossil fuels. The measures were in response to soaring energy costs as Europe painfully unhitches its decades-long dependency on Russian fossil fuels. Sanctions on Russia and retaliation by Moscow by cutting off gas supplies have sent prices skyrocketing, leaving Europe to confront a difficult coming winter. "Russia keeps on actively manipulating our energy market. They prefer to flare the gas than to deliver it," von der Leyen said. "This market is not functioning anymore." Electricity poles are seen in the countryside outside Lyon, central France, Sept. 12. AP-Yonhap Subscribe to The Daily News today! DIGITAL: JUST $10 PER MONTH PRINT+DIGITAL: AS LOW AS $19 PER MONTH A trusted news source since 1855 Delivered Tuesday-Saturday SUBSCRIBE TODAY From left, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner, Israel's Minister for Social Equality Meirav Cohen and President of the Jewish Claims Conference (JCC) Gideon Taylor attend a commemorative event on the occasion of '70 years of the Luxembourg Agreement' in Berlin, Sept. 15. The content of the Reparations Agreement between Israel and the Federal Republic of Germany was payments, export goods and services totaling 3.5 billion Deutsche Marks to support the integration of destitute Jewish refugees, as well as the Federal Republic's voluntary commitment to restitute assets. EPA-Yonhap The organization that handles claims on behalf of Jews who suffered under the Nazis said Thursday that Germany had agreed to pay approximately $1.2 billion (euros) for home care and compensation for Holocaust survivors living around the world in 2023, bringing the overall amount of compensation Germany has paid to more than 80 billion euros. The announcement came as Germany marked the 70th anniversary of the signing of the compensation agreement that made it possible for Holocaust survivors to receive a measure of justice the so-called Luxembourg Agreements. More than six million European Jews were murdered by Germany's Nazis and their henchmen during the Third Reich. ''The extermination of European Jews by the Nazis left a horrific chasm, not only in global Jewry, but in global humanity,'' said Gideon Taylor, the president of the New York-based Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, also referred to as the Claims Conference. ''These agreements laid the groundwork for compensation and restitution for those survivors who had lost everything and continue to serve as the foundation for the ongoing negotiations on behalf of the estimated 280,000 Holocaust survivors living around the world,'' Taylor added. West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer signs agreements providing compensation for Jews who suffered under Nazi Germany in a ceremony in Luxembourg on Sept. 10, 1952. The organization that handles claims on behalf of Jews who suffered under the Nazis said Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, that Germany had agreed to pay approximately $1.2 billion (1.18 billion euros) for homecare and compensation for Holocaust survivors living around the world in 2023, bringing the overall amount of compensation Germany has paid to more than 80 billion euros. The announcement came 70 years after the signing of the compensation agreement that made it possible for Holocaust survivors to receive a measure of justice the so-called Luxembourg Agreements. AP-Yonhap Antonio Giovinazzi is also now said to be in the picture to succeed Fernando Alonso at Alpine. According to Autosport.com, the Italian will be in action during a test of the French racing stable at the Hungaroring. Article continues under ad Gasly's situation Alpine is busy searching for a second driver for 2023. Esteban Ocon is already under contract, but Alonso and Oscar Piastri are both leaving the French team. Plan A and B have thus disappeared, leaving Alpine to look for a Plan C. There are already many candidates and there are only more to come. For Alpine, Pierre Gasly seems to be the top candidate, but he is still signed to Red Bull. AlphaTauri does want to let the Frenchman go, but only if Colton Herta gets a super licence from the FIA. Indeed, the American should then become Gasly's replacement. Should Herta not come, the deal with Gasly will not go through either. Read more Watch Verstappen's spectacular first lap at Monza here List of names from Alpine Alpine has therefore already moved on and is looking at possible alternatives. Nico Hulkenberg and Mick Schumacher were already mentioned, but after his performance in Italy, Nyck de Vries has also become a serious candidate. He will therefore test on behalf of Alpine at the Hungaroring, as will Herta. Herta will get the chance from Alpine mainly to help him get a super licence and thus free Gasly. Jack Doohan is also testing at the Hungaroring. Alpine's junior is also in the running for Alonso's seat, but is a risk for Alpine as a young F2 driver. Therefore, more options are being looked at, and Autosport.com reported on Thursday that Giovinazzi has also been added to the test schedule. The Italian can prove at the Hungaroring that he has the level to help Alpine gain points. Read more Verstappen zooms ahead after summer break and puts Perez to shame From left, China's President Xi Jinping, Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Mongolia's President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh pose during a meeting on the sidelines of the 22nd Summit of the SCO Council of Heads of State at the Samarkand Regency Hotel, Thursday. TASS-Yonhap Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin met for talks on boosting ties between their countries Thursday, an encounter that follows a major setback for Moscow on the battlefield in Ukraine. The two leaders met in Uzbekistan on the sidelines of the eight-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a security alliance created as a counterweight to U.S. influence that also includes India, Pakistan and four ex-Soviet nations in Central Asia. Along with Russian's attack on Ukraine, backdropping the summit are the brief eruption not far from the event site of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as strains in China's relations with Washington, Europe, Japan and India due to disputes over technology, security and territory. Speaking at the start of his one-on-one talks with Xi, Putin blasted what he described as an ''ugly'' effort by the United States and its allies to maintain their perceived global domination. ''Attempts to create a unipolar world have recently taken an absolutely ugly shape. They are absolutely unacceptable for the vast majority of countries on the globe,'' the Russian president said in opening remarks. Xi was more careful, saying that together with Russia, China was ready to ''set an example of a responsible world power and to play a leading role to take the rapidly changing world on a track of sustainable and positive development.'' The SCO summit in the ancient city of Samarkand is part of Xi's first foreign trip since the start of the coronavirus pandemic 2 1/2 years ago, underscoring Beijing's desire to assert itself as a regional power. The presidents' meeting came after Russia was forced to pull back its forces from large swaths of northeastern Ukraine last week amid a swift Ukrainian counteroffensive. Ukraine regaining control of several Russian-occupied villages and cities represented Moscow's largest setback since its forces had to retreat from areas near the Ukrainian capital early in the war. Xi's government, which said it had a ''no limits'' friendship with Moscow before the invasion of Ukraine in late February, has refused to criticize Russia's military actions. Beijing and India are buying more Russian oil and gas, which helps Moscow offset the impact of Western sanctions imposed over the invasion. ''We highly appreciate the well-balanced position of our Chinese friends in connection with the Ukrainian crisis,'' Putin said at the start of his talks with Xi. Russia, in turn, has strongly backed China amid tensions with the U.S. that followed a recent visit to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. ''We condemn the provocations of the U.S. and its satellites in the Taiwan Strait,'' Putin told Xi. Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, talk during their meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Thursday. AP-Yonhap Hyundai Motor has secured $3.5 million in 2021 Targeted Airshed Grant (TAG) funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deploy five XCIENT Fuel Cell electric trucks in California. The XCIENT Fuel Cell 6x4 tractor model participating in the demonstration is equipped with a 180 kW fuel cell system and e-motor with a maximum output of 350 kW. The tractors hydrogen tank can hold 67 kg of hydrogen with the battery providing 72 kWh for a gross combined weight of 37,200 kg to deliver an average range of more than 450 miles per tank. First Element Fuel (FEF), the largest hydrogen-refueling station operator in the US, will deploy the Class-8 heavy-duty trucks to deliver liquified hydrogen to their refueling stations for the next five years, including one year of demonstration with reporting duties to US EPA and four years of commercial operation. This project is led by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD), which applied for the TAG funding. EPAs TAG program aims to reduce air pollution in areas of the nation with the highest levels of ambient ozone and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) pollution. The focus of the TAG program is to provide funding assistance to projects that: 1) directly reduce emissions from priority emission sources; 2) generate measurable reductions of ozone, PM 2.5 , and/or precursor emissions; and 3) support National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) attainment in one or more of the nations most impacted airsheds. Under the TAG program, eligible state and local air pollution control agencies must directly apply to EPA, but can select partners for a project consortium. For the 2021 TAG program, Hyundai Motor partnered with South Coast AQMD and FEF to develop a TAG application to support the replacement of FEFs diesel-powered hydrogen transport trucks with fuel cell electric vehicles. Having been selected as the truck supplier for this TAG project, Hyundai Motor expects to demonstrate its fuel cell electric heavy-duty truck technology in a long-haul transport operation. Last year, Hyundai Motor also announced its NorCal Zero project, also known as Zero-Emission Regional Truck Operations with Fuel Cell Electric Trucks. (Earlier post.) Hyundai Motor will begin operating 30 Class 8 XCIENT Fuel Cell electric trucks in California starting in the second quarter of 2023. This will be the largest commercial deployment of Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks in the US. Launched in 2020 by Hyundai Motor, XCIENT Fuel Cell is the worlds first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell electric heavy-duty truck. The company has already deployed 47 units in Switzerland where they have accumulated more than four million kilometers in driving as of July 2022. The Department of Transportations Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced the approvalahead of schedule under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program (earlier post)of 35 Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Deployment Plans from States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. With this early approval, these states can now unlock more than $900 million in NEVI formula funding from FY22 and FY23 to help build EV chargers across approximately 53,000 miles of highway across the country. The NEVI formula funding, which makes $5 billion available over five years, is expected to help build a convenient, reliable, and affordable EV charging network across the country. Approved Plans are available on the FHWA web site. Prior to approval, State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) were able to begin staffing and activities directly related to the development of their plans. After plan approval, states can be reimbursed for those costs and now have a wide range of options to use their NEVI Formula funding for projects directly related to the charging of a vehicle, which could include upgrade of existing and construction of new EV charging infrastructure, operation and maintenance costs of these charging stations, installation of on-site electrical service equipment, community and stakeholder engagement, workforce development activities, EV charging station signage, data sharing activities, and related mapping analysis and activities. Proposed standards for EV charging require electricians working on EV charging infrastructure installation to be certified through the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program, a non-profit, industry-recognized training program. The US National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $5.0 million to the University of Michigan to enable academic researchers and students nationwide to access the worlds first cloud-based, augmented-reality testbed for connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technologies. The award will expand the universitys original CAV proving ground, known as Mcity (earlier post), by integrating the physical test track with a software simulation environment. Today, academic researchers developing connected and automated vehicle technologies have few opportunities to access physical test facilities or large-scale, real-world data, which hinders their progress. Yueyue Fan, the NSF program officer overseeing the project NSFs investment in Mcity 2.0 will provide easier and broader access to top-tier research infrastructure and accelerate the collaborative development of new vehicle technologies involving communication, sensing, control, human dimensions, and more. Robert Stone, division director of the NSF Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation The Mcity 2.0 augmented reality testbed will integrate three components: a physical test facility including infrastructure and CAV fleet; a mobility data center that collects and shares near-real-time traffic information from 21 intersections; and an augmented naturalistic diving simulator that blends real and virtual vehicles. This testbed will be automated so researchers can configure and control the test facility infrastructure (e.g., traffic lights, crosswalk buttons, rail-crossing arms, etc.) and build test scenarios using a web-based graphical user interface. The Mobility Data Center will make available sensor data sharing messages (SDSMs) broadcast by roadside units (RSUs) in the Ann Arbor Living Laboratory publicly to the research community. Such data will be used to develop a naturalistic driving environment (NDE) simulator that users can test their algorithms before deployment at the physical Mcity Test Facility, with a blend of real and virtual fellow road users. All test data will be archived in a cloud database to enable secure access and data/method sharing for research and education purposes. A Technical Advisory Committee, composed of members of government, academia, and industry, will be established to ensure equitable and effective usage of this research infrastructure. Education and outreach activities are planned annually to strengthen academic-industry partnerships and workforce development for the emerging CAV industry. Students in Sweetwater County School District No. 2 continue to do better on Wyomings standardized tests than the average Wyoming student, according to the latest batch of data released Tuesday by the Wyoming Department of Education. Under the state testing system, WY-TOPP, students are tested in English, science and math. In each of the three subjects, their test scores are labeled as either below basic, basic, proficient or advanced. Grades 3-10 are tested in English and math, while only fourth-, eighth- and 10th-graders are tested in science. Among almost every grade level and in almost every subject, students in SCSD No. 2 scored proficient or advanced at rates above the statewide average during the 2021-22 school year. Only eighth-graders test scores in science and English were below the state average. Compared to previous years, Green River high schoolers made significant gains on the science test last year. While 46.5% of 10th-graders in Wyoming were either proficient or advanced in science during the 2021-22 school year, 66.9% of Green River 10th-graders including those at Expedition Academy scored either proficient or advanced on the science test. In the previous year, exactly 50% of Green River 10th-graders had scored proficient or advanced on the science test. In the last two years, teachers at Green River High School have been working on science curriculum with officials from the University of Wyoming, which might account for the dramatic improvement in test scores, Superintendent Craig Barringer said. (Our teachers) have had ongoing professional development that has led to some great things with our science, he told the Star. The biggest drop in the districts test scores in 2021-22 came among that years cohort of third-graders. In 2020-21, 75.6% of third-graders in SCSD No. 2 scored either proficient or advanced on the math test. Last year, however, the number of third-graders scoring proficient or advanced on the math test dropped 22.1 percentage points down to 53.5%. On the English test, 51.6% of third-graders tested proficient or advanced on the English test, down from 62.8% the previous year. Still, the districts third-graders performed better than the state average. Barringer credited the COVID-19 pandemic with the major drop in proficiency among third-graders last year. He believes those students were disproportionately impacted by virtual classes because, at the time the pandemic hit, they were at such a fundamental point in their educational process: the period in which they were learning to read. They were first-graders when the pandemic hit and they didnt go to school for the last 9-10 weeks of the school year, he said. Missing school really showed up (on the test scores). You will never be able to replace the teacher in the classroom and I think the pandemic has shown that. Overall, SCSD No. 2s test scores in 2021-22 improved from the year before in about half of its grade levels, which Barringer said is impressive considering the number of absences due to quarantine. The fact that we went up anywhere last year is a surprise, he said. It was a harder year than the year before. The fact that our test scores have improved the last two years is a credit to the teachers. Since the WY-TOPP system was introduced in the 2017-2018 school year, SCSD No. 2s math scores gradually improved until last year. In the 2020-21 school year, the average of all grades in SCSD No. 2 was 62.3% proficient or advanced on the math test. That average dropped to 58.9% last year, when the statewide average was 48.6% either advanced or proficient. English scores in SCSD No. 2 have stayed fairly flat since the 2018-2019 school year, and dropped about 1 percentage point last year, down to 60.4% proficient or advanced. The statewide average for the English test was 53.1% proficient or advanced. As is the case across the state, students proficiency against the statewide benchmarks tends to drop as they near high school particularly on the math test. Barringer said elementary students tend to be more motivated to perform well on standardized tests than high-schoolers, and the drop in test scores doesnt necessarily mean that students are falling behind in later grades. Theres a lot more to school than success on WY-TOPP tests, he said. Statewide, WY-TOPP scores continue to slightly lag behind where they were before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Although there are areas where results decreased slightly for a second year, overall they were less than three percent compared to the state results prior to the pandemic, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Brian Schroeder said in a Tuesday press release. Wyomings commitment to keeping students in the classroom continues to be reflected in these assessments results. The communities of Green River and Rock Springs, led by the firefighting forces in each city, are working to ensure Sweetwater County never forgets the horrors of 9/11 or stops honoring those who lost their lives and those who survived. This year, both cities held memorial walks and ceremonies on Sunday, the 21st anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City. Green River's event was the first annual memorial walk for the city, while Rock Springs hosted a walk and a memorial ceremony with special speaker Lizzie Medici, retired New York firefighter and 9/11 survivor. A new tradition In Green River, over two dozen people gathered at Fire Station Two on Shoshone Avenue Sunday morning at 6:46 a.m., commemorating the time of the initial call to the World Trade Centers. Following behind an American flag, civilians walked alongside Green River firefighters in full gear for 1.35 miles in a loop that led up to Uinta Drive and back to the fire station. The walk was completed with the ringing of the bell at the fire station and comments from Assistant Fire Chief Larry Erdmann and Green River Mayor Pete Rust. GRFD Captain J.P. Apostolope was one of the main forces behind putting together the memorial walk in Green River. He had help from other GRFD members, including Erdmann and Captain Austin Rider. "I kind of threw the idea out there and those guys all helped, so it was a team effort," Apostolope explained. The last time Green River held a 9/11 memorial event was on the 10-year anniversary in 2011, according to Apostolope. With this year marking the 21st anniversary, Apostolope commented it's "hard to believe it's been that long." The anniversary of 9/11 is especially important and impactful for Apostolope, who began serving as a Green River firefighter in 1990 and is one of only a handful of firefighters currently serving at GRFD who was serving back in 2001 when the attack happened. "It's a big thing in the fire service," Apostolope explained. "I never want to forget it." While the crowd that came out for the memorial walk was relatively small this year, Apostolope still thought it was a good turnout. He's looking forward to even more people coming in the future, since it's something he hopes will become a yearly tradition that will continue to grow and improve. Since the 9/11 anniversary will be on a Monday next year, the GRFD members who worked on planning the memorial are considering having the walk at 6:46 p.m. so people can participate after work. Holding a yearly memorial event is important, according to Apostolope, "so that we are able to remember and never forget, but also so it may not repeat itself." It's also an important way to remember and honor those who died, especially the firefighters and first responders who risked or sacrificed their lives. "Look how many lives they saved by giving their lives," Apostolope said. He pointed out the firefighters who responded on 9/11 didn't doubt or hesitate, and called them "heroic." A hero remembers Lizzie Medici is one of the heroes from 9/11, although she doesn't necessarily consider herself one. "I'm proud to know the heroes of that historic day," Medici said. "The real heroes of 9/11 are the men and women who didn't make it back." While Medici did make it back, she almost lost her life responding to the World Trade Center as a New York firefighter on September 11, and she knew many of the men and women who paid the ultimate price. Medici is a former New York Fire Department (FDNY) firefighter who moved to Rock Springs a little over a year ago. She shared about her experiences on September 11 when she spoke during the 9/11 Memorial and Flag Ceremony hosted by the City of Rock Springs Fire Department. The ceremony took place at 10:30 a.m. Sunday after the Walk the Rock memorial climb on Grant Street. "The proudest achievement of my life was earning my position as a member of FDNY," Medici said, explaining she is a second generation firefighter who followed in the footsteps of her father, who has always been and will always been her personal hero. Both Medici and her father responded to Ground Zero on 9/11. Her father was one of the 343 FDNY firefighters killed that day, along 14 other members of his crew - the only firehouse in New York to lose an entire shift. "Most Americans today are reminded of those numbers, but to those of us who survived, and to the family and friends of those who did not, we see the faces, and we feel the pain of these numbers," Medici said. Medici recalled responding to the World Trade Centers the morning of September 11, thinking it was a beautiful day, wondering what kind of call they were responding to. One of the firefighters in her crew, Louis Tessio, was told by a firefighter friend who had already responded to the scene that "some idiot had flown a plane into one of the twin towers." Medici and her crew thought this mistake was odd, but when they got to the scene and watched another jet crash into the second tower, they knew it wasn't a mistake. Medici and Tessio went into the North Tower, but their radios weren't working well and the stairway they were trying to get through was filling with debris. Hearing the order to evacuate the shaking tower, Medici and Tessio got out, forced to leave their captain and other crew members behind. The South Tower had already collapsed, and Medici realized the North Tower was coming down. The smoke and debris from the South Tower made it hard to see, and the sound of the North Tower collapsing was like bombs going off. "It sounded as if hell itself had been unleashed," Medici said. Medici and Tessio took shelter in an alley. She felt a blast as chunks of debris flew through the air and hot smoke surrounded them. Then, for a moment, there was silence and darkness. Medici couldn't tell if they were buried under rubble or not. As Medici and Tessio tried to make their way back toward the buildings, people around them screamed and clawed for a way out. A New York Police Department officer used his gun to shoot out a window, and Medici and the people around her fell into the lobby of a building on West Broadway. An NYPD officer, which may or may not have been the same one who shot the window, took charge and helped everyone evacuate out another window in the lobby. Medici and Tessio grabbed water bottles from a nearby Starbucks, washed out their noses and mouths, and handed out water as they made their way back to Ground Zero. They found their fire engine, but it was out of commission, so they joined a fire crew from Hell's Kitchen. Medici, who was good at getting in and out of small spaces because of her stature, started helping the fire crew by pulling the firehose over and between pieces of debris. Suddenly the ground under Medici disappeared and she fell into a sinkhole. Debris and rubble caved in above her, trapping her 13 feet underground. "While entombed in the rubble for three hours and nine minutes I drifted in and out of consciousness because of the serious injuries I'd sustained during the fall," Medici explained. "I couldn't think clearly. It was really hot. And it was extremely difficult to take in oxygen because my breathing apparatus had been partially separated from my face, and I subsequently breathed in a lot of dust. It was terrifying and challenging, but I just focused on the fact that at least I was breathing. I found myself hoping - a deep, tangible hope. In a situation like this, you draw on training and add the faith that you know the fire department is out there. I knew they were aware of my location and nothing was going to stop my brothers from coming to get me, whatever it took. I don't recall much of the extrication except for the cold wet nose of a rescue dog and a lick on my right cheek, and someone saying 'she's alive! She's alive!'" While her sustained injuries prevented her from returning to her firefighting career, Medici is grateful to have made it out alive. She, and all the other firefighters and first responders who survived that day, will always carry the grief of the day and the guilt of making it out when their brothers and sisters didn't. Star photo by Hannah Romero RSFD Battalion Chief Scott Paulson gives retired FDNY firefighter Lizzie Medici a hug after her speech at the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony. "Know that I have not disclosed everything I saw that day," Medici said. "Those killed deserve their dignity. The wounded deserve their privacy. And all of their loved ones deserve as much peace as possible." While the events of 9/11 will be a scar that always stays with survivors, Medici knows they need to move forward, which they can't do if they dwell on the vivid details and the inhumanity of the attack. "Perseverance is impossible if we don't permit ourselves to hope," she said. Medici and the other survivors find hope in their bond of brotherhood as firefighters, and in remembering those they lost and finding chances to laugh at the memories more than they cry. Medici is also thankful for her new home in Rock Springs, where she has found open hearts, open arms, and hope. Carla Mowell works in her recording space at her home in Shell. She is the podcast host of Wyoming My 307, which explores the people, culture, wildlife, geology and history of Wyoming. GREYBULL - Podcast host Carla Mowell first got into podcasting when "This American Life" started posting show episodes online in the mid-2000s. "I had an office job, so when I was doing things that were more tedious I would put on an episode of 'This American Life,'" she recalled. "Ever since then, when I got really into podcasting, I realized I wanted more." Mowell was disappointed early on by the lack of Wyoming podcast content. "When I searched, I didn't find anything that scratched the itch I had," she said. Her podcast "Wyoming My 307" seeks to correct that absence, setting out to explore "the people, culture, wildlife, geology and history of the least populated, and most wonderful, state in the U.S." She released her 10th episode at the end of August. "My goal is to highlight a diversity of voices from Wyoming. We have such a stereotype in Wyoming of what a Wyomingite looks like. And I love Western culture. We don't have a lot of diversity, but we have a lot more than we highlight." Taking a page from "This American Life," "Wyoming My 307" is a thematic podcast-each episode consists of three segments linked by a common theme. Those segments include a guest interview bookended by"WyomingWildlife," where Mowell shares information on Wyoming species, and "Dot on the Map," which highlights a town in Wyoming. "My commitment is to have at least one episode for every town in Wyoming, every 'Dot on the Map,'" Mowell said. So far, her episodes have tackled subjects like World War II in Wyoming, Wyoming's history of flight, the life of a game warden and growing up gay in Wyoming. "I spent quite a bit of time even before I started the podcast just thinking through topics," Mowell explained. She finds inspiration and possible guest speakers from a variety of sources including newspapers, magazines, books and accounts she follows on social media. "Then I start building out the idea as a whole." The collection of Wyoming books and publications in her home speaks to Mowell's prolific research habits. "I'm continuously researching, always. Borrowing, buying, or reading books at the library. That part is forever. I go down these rabbit holes that are fascinating." Mowell writes up her podcast's show notes in a companion blog where she provides a summary of each episode and pictures of the places she references. Mowell noted the blog has been a better access point for an older generation and those with special needs. "Explaining podcasting to people has been part of what I've had to do, especially the older generation who might not be as attached to their dang phone as the rest of us," she said. Mowell set some unofficial rules for her podcast early on. One is to never feature a town she hasn't visited. She wants to immerse her listeners in the "vibe" of an area she's personally explored rather than list information they can find online. She also aims to interview Wyomingites, though she allows more leniency on that front. Her fourth episode "Words of Wyoming" explores Western language with linguist Grant Barrett, co-host of NPR's "A Way with Words" and one of Mowell's podcasting heroes. "I can't believe I scored this interview. I was like, so fangirling," Mowell laughed. She emailed the show asking for book recommendations on Western language for her own podcast "and within half an hour, Grant Barrett himself was emailing my butt!" Barrett offered to come on as a guest. "He was so gracious. He spent extra time, because I was still new to podcasting, and he helped me," she said. "Wyoming My 307" has amassed a "steadily growing" audience. As of this article, the show has over 5,500 downloads. Most of Mowell's audience is in the U.S., but she's collected a smattering of international listeners as well. One show element she's working to improve is regularly releasing episodes, a key to maintaining an audience's attention. Two new grandchildren have kept Mowell busy, so much so that eager listeners have messaged her about when to expect more episodes. "I do love and appreciate that energy of eagerness, of people wanting to hear the next one, and that does give me a boost too. But it's my passion project; it's not my job," Mowell said. Unlike bigger productions, she doesn't have a team behind her. "I'm a solo podcaster...directing, producing, editing, fact checking, I'm doing all of that. I'm okay giving myself a little grace on how often it comes out." Future episodes will feature Wyoming bars, architecture, the Pony Express and how to read a cemetery. Mowell is currently at work on an episode about cryptocurrency, and she's excited about an upcoming interview with Jordan Dresser, Chairman of the Northern Arapaho Business Council. "I do feel like an ambassador for Wyoming," Mowell said. "I hope my podcast helps both people from Wyoming and outside of the state learn more about Wyoming and our diversity. Those of us who live here, for us to appreciate it, and those of us who are just zipping through, to slow down a little bit. There's a lot more to Wyoming." "Wyoming My 307" is available on multiple podcast platforms such as Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Podbean. The show can also be accessed from Mowell's blog at wyomingmy307.blogspot.com. Before Vincent Johnsons ride, Jay Weisgerber, a biker from Alliance, Nebraska, presents him with an autographed helmet donated by Flaming Gorge Harley Davidson. ROCK SPRINGS The biker community made a young mans dream come true Sunday morning. Motorcyclists from all over joined together to give Rock Springs resident Vincent Johnson, an 18-year-old with cerebral palsy, a ride that he will never forget. For several years, it was Johnsons dream to go on a motorcycle ride. In order to make that dream happen, though, he needed to ride in a sidecar. His grandmother Susan Nay began reaching out, making calls and posting on Facebook in search of one so her grandson can fulfill his dream. In May, she got in touch with Jay Weisgerber, a man from Alliance, Nebraska, who just so happened to have a sidecar. Weisgerber was living in Rapid City, South Dakota, at the time and was ready to make the trip. Johnsons health was not good then, however, so the ride had to be postponed. Weisgerber created a Facebook page called Vincents Ride and began posting on the Sweetwater Classifieds page to recruit local bikers to join him in making Johnsons dream come true. On Saturday, Sept. 3, Weisgerber, along with his dog and girlfriend, traveled 405 miles to give Johnson a quick ride around town. I didnt even care if anybody else showed up. I was on a mission. I was dead set on giving this young man Vincent a ride, Weisgerber said. People who want to donate ask, Do you have a 501c3? and I say, No. This has nothing to do with money, he said. Ive had people offer me money, pay my way, offer to pay for my motel and I had three different people who I have never met offer to let me stay at their house last night with my dog and my girlfriend. Thats how these people are coming together. Ive been a biker my whole life and it doesnt surprise me a bit because thats the way the biker community is. Nearly 60 bikers and members of the Sweetwater County community showed up to Johnsons house Sunday morning, gifting him with an autographed helmet and t-shirt that was donated by Flaming Gorge Harley Davidson. Motorcycle clubs such as Bad Lands Bandits and Fallen Saints Red Desert, as well as the American Legion Riders, joined in on the ride. When people think of the bikers in our community, people have a negative thought of what being a biker is. This is the turnout you can get on a three-day weekend. All the organizational stuff goes away when it comes to this because we have a purpose and a focus, said Grant Yaklich, vice director and chaplain of the American Legion Riders. The man who brought his sidecar here, Jay, he came here from Alliance, Nebraska. Hes a school bus driver and he has taken his three-day weekend to come to Rock Springs to do this for this young man because this is what his wish is. This is what his dream is. It doesnt matter who you ride with, what you ride or how you ride, this is about the community and this is a great representation of what the biker community in this area stand for. Upon the bikers arrival, Nay was nearly brought to tears by the love and support her grandson had received. I am just overwhelmed, said Nay after seeing the amount of people who showed up for her grandsons wish. I am very excited for Vincent and I think this is a fantastic thing these people are doing. He likes to try different things and hes been talking about this one for several years now. Im going to cry. When seeing the look on Johnsons face when the bikers showed up to his house, Rep. Marshall Burt of House District 39, who is also a member of the Fallen Saints Red Desert Motorcycle Club, said, This is what its all about. What a lot of people dont realize, as bikers, we might have a bad perception because we wear a lot of leather and we may look a little standoffish, but bikers, in their nature, are very charitable individuals and as a group, Burt said. There are a lot of events that happen throughout the year that bikers will show up to, donate a lot of their money. Being able to get together with fellow riders and enjoy the beautiful day to give back to the community is really what we focus on, he said. Thats our goal. We always want to give back to the community. Wyoming doesnt need another warning that we can no longer rely on the fossil fuel industry to propel our economy and pay the lions share of our government services. Weve seen for years growth in renewables like wind and solar. Coal plants are retiring in favor of cleaner sources of energy. The market is responding to climate change with innovation that will reduce our countrys dependence on carbon-based fuels to power our cars, our homes and our industries. Earlier this month, we saw yet another sign of the change that is coming, regardless of whether our state is ready to acknowledge it. A federal judge in Wyoming ruled the Biden administration could postpone new oil and gas leasing until it completes an evaluation of the sales impact on the environment, including on the climate. That decision follows two separate court rulings that restricted new federal coal leasing pending further environmental review. There will be an impulse now among some in Wyoming to respond with new pledges to fight the federal government, environmental groups and others. Cynical voices will suggest that simply defeating President Joe Biden at the ballot box in two years and restoring Republican control in Congress will solve our problems. But while a political change might provide a short-term boost to the fossil fuel industry, the reality is the market has already spoken. And its words arent likely to change anytime soon. Thats not to say we should dismiss oil and gas or even coal. The latter will continue to supply power for years, the former, for decades. But the long-term trends are real. Viewing this as a fight we can win through recalcitrance will rob Wyoming of an opportunity to transition to a more stable future. Resistance is not a substantive response. Fear is not a strategy. And climate change is real. The same politicians that told you that it didnt exist 15 years back told you 10 years ago that it wasnt human-caused. Now they are telling you that it does exist and is human caused, but we shouldnt move too fast in addressing it. But the reality is Wyoming, as the nations least populated state, doesnt have the power to dictate the speed at which our nation and the world respond to a warming planet. We can simply adapt and innovate or be left behind. So, what does that look like in practice? It means focusing on real innovation rather than a rear-guard struggle. That means being open to Wyoming as a place for wind and solar to flourish, as well as nuclear projects like the one being proposed in Kemmerer. Yes, Wyoming is working on innovation in energy, but usually in the context of fossil fuels like coal. We can continue in those efforts, but must be willing to listen to ideas that occur outside that paradigm. That includes innovation outside the energy sector. Forward thinking should be a byproduct of every division of the University of Wyoming and the states system of community colleges. What we cant keep doing is looking back. Former Gov. Matt Mead was noted for saying that it didnt matter what he thought of climate change. What mattered was what the market thought. The market and the courts are speaking loudly and clearly. The question now is: Will anyone here listen? Green River High School hosts new culinary arts room ribbon cutting Steve Core speaks during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new culinary arts facility at Green River High School. Others who joined for the ribbon cutting include, from left, GRHS Principal Darren Heslep, Groathouse Construction Superintendent Troy Kelly, Board Member Daniel Flom, Culinary Arts Teacher Marisa DeClercq, and Board Member Tom Wilson. As Green River High School students get cooking this semester, they are doing so in a brand new culinary arts room. The high school hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the new facility last week. "It's amazing and I'm happy that it got done," Marisa DeClercq, the Culinary Arts teacher at GRHS, said about the new room. She added it's shocking to remember what the room was and see what it is now. The discussion about updating the culinary facilities at the high school began early last fall, according to Sweetwater County School District No. 2 superintendent Craig Barringer. At that time, GRHS's principal Darren Heslep and DeClercq went to Rawlins together and toured the new culinary arts facilities there. Seeing the updated facilities gave them an idea of what they would like to do at GRHS, DeClercq explained. They put together a blueprint, and DeClercq drew what she wanted - a dream plan that ended up being very close to the room that eventually became a reality. After discussions, meetings with engineers and contractors, budget meetings, and more planning, the idea was brought to the Facilities Committee and the school district's Board of Trustees. "We jumped on it," Steve Core, who is on both the Facilities Committee and the Board of Trustees, said about the project. "We thought it was a good idea and a good program." The plans changed slightly over time as the board haggled over the price, unwilling to pay for the initial, more expensive cost estimate, Core explained. Thankfully the funding came from major maintenance funds the school receives from the state of Wyoming each year. The Board of Trustees thought the culinary arts room was a good use of funds and an important investment for the students, Core said. Eventually the cost was cut down and agreed upon, Groathouse Construction was selected for the project, and the work began. "They had a really tight timeframe," Barringer said about the contractors who did the construction. "They had from May to the start of school to get this whole project done." Despite the limited time, the project did get done. Core noted most of the work that needed to be done can't even be seen now, since it's under the floor or inside the ceiling. The room itself holds shiny new stoves, counters, sinks, refrigerators, food racks and more. "As most of you older people remember we used to have Home Ec back in high school and Home Ec wasn't anything like this," Core said during the ribbon cutting. "It's come a long way." "We had been talking about transitioning our program from home cooking to more of a commercial cooking," Barringer explained after the ceremony. He said the high school has been shifting its focus to helping kids prepare for both college and career paths. A future goal is to work with Western Wyoming Community College to be able to offer credit for classes like culinary arts. DeClercq explained another reason for the shift to commercial culinary arts classes is because of the funding the school receives. Much of the funding, including the yearly Perkins grant, is designated for CTE (career, tech, and education) classes, which focus on developing kids for going into the workforce. "Hopefully we'll find kids that find their passion in this, and if they do, we'll help get them ready for their next steps," Barringer said. "There's a lot of jobs in the hospitality world and this just gives them a small taste of it in a pretty controlled environment." The culinary arts classes DeClercq is currently teaching and plans to teach in the future include not only culinary classes but also classes in things like hospitality and restaurant management, focusing on all aspects of working in the hospitality industry, not just cooking. Core and DeClercq both expressed the hope the new culinary arts facilities will help prepare students who can go into hospitality positions locally and help keep Green River's restaurants running. "There's discussion that some restaurants in Green River are going to close because they don't have cooks," Core pointed out. "And gosh, we don't want that." "We are lacking [hospitality] industry jobs in this community," DeClercq agreed after the ribbon cutting, adding the culinary arts program can help bring local kids into the industry. "It gives them a step up. They've been in a kitchen before, they've done safety and sanitation, they've done things that restaurant owners are looking for." Roughly 145 GRHS students have already started to get this step up this semester alone, with DeClercq teaching six classes with about 24 students each. These students have already been taking advantage of the new facility to start learning and cooking. The hope is that the program will only continue to grow. "We know there's a need and we have a lot of interest," Barringer said. A recent tip from Chinese leakster Digital Chat Station suggests that Google is working on a compact Pixel smartphone codenamed Neila. The device which could end up being the Pixel 7a is said to feature a flat-screen with punch-hole selfie camera cutout and a rear visor just like on the Pixel 6 series phones. No further details were shared about the device but we can assume it may end up being the Pixel 7a. Google is already on track to unveil the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro on October 6 alongside its first ever smartwatch the Pixel Watch. This means we could realistically see the Pixel 7a sometime in Q3 2023. Apple recently announced its iPhone 14 series which omits a mini model in favor of the larger 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus. Source (in Chinese) Lei Jun, the co-founder and CEO of Xiaomi Technology has vacated a chairman position in a subsidiary company, according to Chinese platforms that keep track of such changes. He will step down from Xiaomi Electronic Software Company, a division within Airstar Digital Technology, which is an affiliated company that takes care of the consumer finance operations like digital payments and wallets. This is the second major move for the executive in the past six months. He stepped down in April from Xiaomi Youpin - the e-commerce platform for lifestyle products. Lin Bin, who was a director of the same entity will also step down but both of them will keep their shares in the company. Xiaomis PR department stated this is normal business for Xiaomis subsidiaries and is done to streamline their internal management and process. The Xiaomi CEO is reportedly shifting his interest from mobile technology to electric vehicles. A week ago Jun himself declared Xiaomis ambitious plans for road cars. There are now over 1,000 people working in the R&D department and expectations are the first Xiaomi EV to arrive in two years. Source (in Chinese) | Via These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Norm Analista is the founder of Analista & Co., a Guam-based brand specializing in stand-out bespoke apparel. For more fashion content, follow @analista_co on Instagram and TikTok, and Analista & Co. on Facebook. For unpublished and behind the scenes content related to this columns topic, visit @tastemaker671 on Instagram. Find out where and how you can get vaccines and testing for COVID-19 and mAb treatment this week, based on information provided by Joint Information Center. Traffic passes through the gates of Naval Base Guam in this file photo. The Leon Guerrero-Tenorio Administration has approved $1.3 million in waivers for overpayment of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, according to a news release from Adelup. In total, about $9.8 million in PUA overpayment waivers have been approved since the U.S. Department of Labor eased the guidelines for waiver of overpayments. The Guam Department of Labor has also successfully processed checks for PUA recipients who have already made payments on their outstanding balances. Approximately $700,000 has been processed for 335 people. All payments will be issued via check and not through direct deposit, according to the release. Recipients will be contacted individually to schedule check pickup at the Department of Labors main office. We are working diligently to review all overpayment waiver applications so that each applicant can leverage these funds to meet the high cost of living, said Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero. The governor said that as the island recovers economically from the pandemic, officials have made waivers a priority, in addition to the distribution of direct assistance. Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio said the waivers, along with the $500 power credit, Prugraman Salappe, housing assistance and Prugraman Pinilan are designed to help maximize federal money to ensure that everyone gets back on their feet. The Guam Department of Labor is continuing to review applications for waivers. For more information, contact 671-735-0510-12 or pua.waivers@dol.guam.gov. Sahuma Minagahet Bevacqua: Political status should be prominent issue for Guam as we choose leaders in election China to double down on stabilizing foreign trade, foreign investment to consolidate foundation of economic recovery Xinhua) 10:12, September 15, 2022 BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- China will take further measures to stabilize foreign trade and foreign investment, with a view to consolidating the foundation of economic recovery, according to the decision made at the State Council's Executive Meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday. Noting opening-up as China's basic national policy and foreign trade a strong underpinning for stable growth and employment, the meeting underscored the imperative for redoubled efforts to stabilize foreign trade and foreign investment. "We are facing big pressure in keeping foreign trade and foreign investment stable, with a notable slowdown of imports and exports. The first and foremost issue is to help businesses secure orders, by using all policy measures available to the full extent, such as the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), the China International Import Expo, overseas warehouses and cross-border e-commerce," Li said. The meeting stressed the need to support enterprises in retaining orders and expanding market presence. Stronger efforts will be made to ensure energy and labor supply and logistics for foreign trade companies. Full support will be given when necessary, to ensure the delivery of contracts. The special funds for international economic cooperation and foreign trade will be used fully at a faster pace. Services for companies to participate in overseas exhibitions and conduct business negotiations will be improved. New forms of foreign trade will be promoted. A number of new integrated pilot zones for cross-border e-commerce will be established without delay. Greater support will be given to building overseas warehouses. Goods transport between inland localities and coastal ports as well as domestic land transport will be made more efficient, to speed up trans-shipment, inbound and outbound transport of goods. Industrial and supply chains will be kept secure. Unwarranted charges for port services will be continuously abolished. "We must roll out signature projects of critical importance without delay, to galvanize foreign investment, and bolster confidence and expectations," Li said. Supply of production factors will be ensured to speed up the launch of key foreign-funded projects. Further measures will be taken to facilitate the border entry and exit of business personnel and technicians employed by foreign companies, as well as their families. Leading provincial regions in foreign trade and foreign investment need to step up to their responsibilities, and better play their backbone roles. Related departments need to enhance coordination and services. "The eastern coastal provinces take up nearly 70 percent of our country's foreign trade. Their leading role must be fully brought to bear, to contribute their part to stable performance of foreign trade and foreign investment," Li said. The meeting decided that micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and self-employed households in the manufacturing sector could defer the payment of five taxes and two fees (namely, corporate income tax, personal income tax, domestic value-added tax, domestic consumption tax and urban maintenance and construction tax as well as education surcharge and local education surcharge). Deferrals that have expired will be extended for another four months starting from September 1. Such arrangement shall enable 440 billion yuan (63.66 billion U.S. dollars) of tax relief. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) In Defence of Marxism is committed to safeguarding your privacy. At all times we aim to respect any personal data you share with us, or that we receive from other organisations, and keep it safe. This Privacy Policy (Policy) sets out our data collection and processing practices and your options regarding the ways in which your personal information is used. This Policy contains important information about your personal rights to privacy. Please read it carefully to understand how we use your personal data. We may update this Policy from time to time without notice to you, so please check it regularly. The provision of your personal data to us is voluntary. However, without providing us with your personal data, you will be unable to (as appropriate): contact us; subscribe to our mailing list; subscribe to any of our publications; or receive information about In Defence of Marxism. We collect information about you: (1) When you give it to us DIRECTLY You may give us your personal data in order to subscribe to a newsletter or publication, when you contact us by phone, email or post, when you sign a petition / statement, and/or when you donate money to us. (2) When you give it to us INDIRECTLY Your information will also be provided to us when you follow us or otherwise interact with on or via Twitter, when you like and/or join our page on Facebook or interact with us in other ways on or via Facebook. (3) When you give permission to OTHER ORGANISATIONS to share it or it is AVAILABLE PUBLICLY We may combine information you provide to us with information available from external publicly available sources. Depending on your privacy settings for social media services, we may also access information from those accounts or services. We use this information to gain a better understanding of you and to improve our communications and fundraising activities. (4) When you visit our WEBSITE We use cookies to identify you when you visit our website. Please refer to our Cookies Policy for details on the way our use of cookies affects your personal data. What information do we collect? We may collect, store and use the following kinds of personal data: (1) We will typically hold your name and contact details, including telephone number, location, and e-mail address. However, we may request other information where it is appropriate and relevant, for example: Your bank details or debit/credit card details (if making a donation). (2) any communication preferences you give; (3) information about your computer and about your visits to and use of this website including your IP address, geographical location, browser type, referral source, length of visit and number of page views; and/or (4) any other information shared with us as per clause 1. Do we process sensitive personal information? Applicable law recognises certain categories of personal information as sensitive and therefore requiring more protection, including political opinions and trade union membership. In limited cases, we may collect sensitive personal data about you. We would only collect sensitive personal data if there is a clear reason for doing so; and will only do so with your explicit consent. How and why will we use your personal data? Personal data, however provided to us, will be used for the purposes specified in this Policy or in relevant parts of the website. We may use your personal information to: (1) Enable you to subscribe to our hard copy publications; (2) Send you information about our work, campaigns, organisations and any other information, products or services that we provide (this will not be done without your consent); (3) Provide you with the services, products or information you have requested; (4) If you request, put you in touch with other supporters in your area (who have also provided such consent); (5) Handle the administration of any donation or other payment you make via credit/debit card, cheque, standing order or BACS transfer; (6) Collect payments from you and send statements and/or receipts to you; (7) Conduct research into the impact of our activity / campaigns; (8) Deal with enquiries and complaints made by you relating to the website or us in general; (9) Make petition submissions to third parties, where you have signed a petition and the third party is a target of the campaign to which the petition relates; and/or (10) Audit and/or administer our accounts. Supporter Analysis Google Analytics We may use some of your personal information to analyse our digital performance, for example to see how our website can be improved to help us achieve the purposes set out in section 9 below, to record how you are using our website or to assess the popularity of different articles / campaigns. For more information on how we use your personal information in relation to Google Analytics, please view our cookie policy by clicking this link cookies policy You can opt-out of the collection of information for such purposes here: http://www.aboutads.info/choices Communications, updates, fundraising Where you have provided appropriate consent, we will contact you by telephone and e-mail, with targeted communications to let you know about our events and/or activities that we consider may be of particular interest; about the work of In Defence of Marxism; and to ask for donations or other support. Donations and other payments All financial transactions carried out on our website are handled through either: PayPal (Europe) S.a r.l. (PayPal), a third party payment services provider. We recommend that you read PayPals privacy policy (available at https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/ua/privacy-full?locale.x=en_GB ) prior to effecting any transactions with us through PayPal; or GoCardless Ltd (GoCardless), a third party payment services provider. We recommend that you read GoCardlesss privacy policy (available at https://www.gocardless.com/legal/privacy) prior to effecting any transactions with us through GoCardless. We will provide your personal data to PayPal / GoCardless only to the extent necessary for the purposes of processing payments for transactions you enter into with us. We do not store your financial details. Childrens data We do not knowingly process data of any person under the age of 16. If we come to discover, or have reason to believe, that you are 15 and under and we are holding your personal information, we will delete that information within a reasonable period and withhold our services accordingly. Security of and access to your personal data We endeavour to ensure that there are appropriate and proportionate technical and organisational measures to prevent the loss, destruction, misuse, alteration, unauthorised disclosure or of access to your personal information. Your information is only accessible by appropriately trained staff and volunteers. We may also use agencies and/or suppliers to process data on our behalf. We may also merge or partner with other organisations and in so doing transfer and/or acquire personal data. Please note that some countries outside of the EEA have a lower standard of protection for personal data, including lower security requirements and fewer rights for individuals. We may transfer and/or store personal data collected from you to and/or at a destination outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Such personal data may be processed by agencies and/or suppliers operating outside the EEA. If we transfer and/or store your personal data outside the EEA we will take reasonable steps to ensure that the recipient implements appropriate measures to protect your personal data. Otherwise than as set out in this Privacy Policy, we will only ever share your data with your informed consent. Your rights Where we rely on your consent to use your personal information, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. This includes the right to ask us to stop using your personal information for direct marketing purposes or to be unsubscribed from our email list at any time. You also have the following rights: (1) Right to be informed you have the right to be told how your personal information will be used. This Policy and any other policies and statements used on our website and in our communications are intended to provide you with a clear and transparent description of how your personal information may be used. (2) Right of access you can write to us to ask for confirmation of what information we hold on you and to request a copy of that information. Provided we are satisfied that you are entitled to see the information requested and we have successfully confirmed your identity, we have 30 days to comply. (3) Right of erasure as from 25 May 2018, you can ask us for your personal information to be deleted from our records. (4) Right of rectification if you believe our records of your personal information are inaccurate, you have the right to ask for those records to be updated. (5) Right to restrict processing you have the right to ask for processing of your personal data to be restricted if there is disagreement about its accuracy or legitimate usage. (6) Right to data portability to the extent required by the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) where we are processing your personal information (i) under your consent, (ii) because such processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which you are party or to take steps at your request prior to entering into a contact or (iii) by automated means, you may ask us to provide it to you or another service provider in a machine-readable format. To exercise these rights, please send a description of the personal information in question using the contact details in section 15 below. You can also unsubscribe from our email list by sending a blank email to news-unsubscribe@marxist.com Where we consider that the information with which you have provided us does not enable us to identify the personal information in question, we reserve the right to ask for (i) personal identification and/or (ii) further information. Lawful processing We are required to have one or more lawful grounds to process your personal information. Only 4 of these are relevant to us: Personal information is processed on the basis of a persons consent Personal information is processed on the basis of a contractual relationship Personal information is processed on the basis of legal obligations Personal information is processed on the basis of legitimate interests (1) Consent We will ask for your consent to use your information to send you electronic communications such as newsletters and and fundraising emails, and if you ever share sensitive personal information with us. (2) Contractual relationships Most of our interactions with supporters are voluntary and not contractual. However, sometimes it will be necessary to process personal information so that we can enter contractual relationships with people. For example, if you subscribe to one of our publications, or purchase merchandise online. (3) Legal obligations Sometimes we will be obliged to process your personal information due to legal obligations which are binding on us. We will only ever do so when strictly necessary. (4) Legitimate interests Applicable law allows personal information to be collected and used if it is reasonably necessary for our legitimate activities (as long as its use is fair, balanced and does not unduly impact individuals rights). We will rely on this ground to process your personal data when it is not practical or appropriate to ask for consent. Achieving our purposes These include (but are not limited to) promoting socialist policies Governance Internal and external audit for financial or regulatory compliance purposes Statutory reporting Publicity and income generation Conventional direct marketing and other forms of marketing, publicity or advertisement Unsolicited messages, including campaigns, newsletters, and fundraising appeals Analysis, targeting and segmentation to develop and promote or strategy and improve communication efficiency Personalisation used to tailor and enhance your experience of our communications Operational Management Maintenance of suppression files Processing for historical, scientific or statistical purpose Purely administrative purposes Responding to enquiries Delivery of requested products or information Communications designed to administer existing services including subscriptions, administration of petitions and financial transactions Thank you communications and receipts Maintaining a supporter database and suppression lists Financial Management and control Processing financial transactions and maintaining financial controls Prevention of fraud, misuse of services, or money laundering Enforcement of legal claims Reporting criminal acts and compliance with law enforcement agencies When we use your personal information, we will consider if it is fair and balanced to do so and if it is within your reasonable expectations. We will balance your rights and our legitimate interests to ensure that we use your personal information in ways that are not unduly intrusive or unfair in other ways. Data retention The length of time each category of data will be retained will vary depending on how long we need to process it for, the reason it was collected, and in line with any statutory requirements. After this point the data will either be deleted, or we may retain a secure anonymised record for research and analytical purposes. In the event that you ask us to stop sending you direct marketing/fundraising/other electronic communications, we will keep your name on our internal suppression list to ensure that you are not contacted again. Policy amendments We keep this Privacy Policy under regular review and reserve the right to update from time-to-time by posting an updated version on our website, not least because of changes in applicable law. We recommend that you check this Privacy Policy occasionally to ensure you remain happy with it. We may also notify you of changes to our privacy policy by email. Third party websites We link our website directly to other sites. This Privacy Policy does not cover external websites and we are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any external websites you visit via links on our website. Updating information You can check the personal data we hold about you, and ask us to update it where necessary, by emailing us at webmaster@marxist.com Contact We are not required by law to have a Data Protection Officer however we have a Data Protection Manager. Please let us know if you have any queries or concerns whatsoever about the way in which your data is being processed by emailing the Data Protection Manager at webmaster@marxist.com Login or sign up to follow actresses, movies & dramas and get specific updates and news Login Sign Up New Ad-free Subscriber Login Email Password Password Username Your E-mail will only be used to retrieve a lost password. Stay logged in Help The Nordic countries have a unique opportunity to act as pioneers in the green transition. By making significant investments in Finland, 200,000 jobs could be created, and GDP could increase by 24 billion euros, according to a recent study " Playing offense to create Nordic Sustainability champions " by McKinsey. We are pioneers in sustainability research, while at the same time we have good access to investment capital and have effective cooperation between the private and public sectors. This gives us an edge over other markets when the global economy adapts to meet the climate goals," says Anna Granskog, a partner at McKinsey's Helsinki office and a leader of McKinsey's European "Green Business Building" practice. McKinsey has identified eleven high-potential green industries that collectively could be worth nearly 12 trillion euros of yearly revenues by 2030. By taking a leading role in the green transition, Finland is estimated to have the opportunity to create approximately 200,000 jobs and increase GDP by approximately 24 billion euros. Looking at all the Nordic countries, a little over a million jobs could be created. The Nordic countries have particularly good conditions to become leaders in six of the eleven industries: carbon management, hydrogen, power and energy storage, buildings, transport, consumer, and waste. There are already several promising players in Finland, such as Ren-Gas, Paptic or Infinited Fiber. Success requires making bold moves Despite the promising opportunities, the Nordic countries must make bold moves to not fall behind competing markets such as Italy, Germany, and France. According to the study by McKinsey, the Nordics should set bold targets to be pioneers in the green transition: Develop four to five world-leading industry clusters in high-potential industries linked to net zero transition, including carbon management, hydrogen, and green transport Scale a minimum of 125 todays promising start-ups into global green "unicorns" (corresponding to 25-35 start-ups for each Nordic country or five to six start-ups within each new industry cluster for each Nordic country) Accelerate the green transition of existing corporates to be front-runners in bringing new sustainable technologies to global markets "There are two things that are required for us to succeed in creating a Sustainability Valley in the Nordics. Firstly, established companies must dare to invest more in green growth, similarly as Neste has created its renewable fuel business, for example. Secondly, green technology start-ups need to start building their business globally from day one, so that they can scale fast enough and get the attention and support from international investors", says Anna Granskog. McKinsey is a global management consulting firm committed to helping organizations accelerate sustainable and inclusive growth. We work with clients across the private, public, and social sectors to solve complex problems and create positive change for all their stakeholders. We combine bold strategies and transformative technologies to help organizations innovate more sustainably, achieve lasting gains in performance, and build workforces that will thrive for this generation and the next. More information: www.mckinsey.com/fi HT Source: McKinsey & Company The poll was carried out during extensive media reports and spirited public debate about the pastime activities of Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP), between August and September. The debate, however, appears not to have a major impact on the popularity of the ruling party. POPULAR SUPPORT for the Social Democratic Party has decreased by 0.9 percentage points to 19.2 per cent, according to the latest opinion poll commissioned by Helsingin Sanomat . The poll did coincide with the publicity received by Marin, but the data doesnt prove directly that theres a connection. You can draw the conclusion, though, that the decrease has been moderate and that the impact hasnt been terribly big, analysed Sakari Nurmela, the research director at Kantar Public. Nurmela also stated that it remains premature to say whether the drop in support is attributable to natural fluctuation or a longer-term phenomenon. Although the Social Democratic Party saw its popularity decline, it held on to its status as the second largest party in the country sandwiched between two right-wing opposition parties, the National Coalition (23.6%) and the Finns Party (16.1%). The National Coalition and the Centre Party (11.8%) consolidated their standing in the poll, the former registering gains of 0.6 points and the latter gains of 0.8 points. The National Coalition has sat at the top of the poll since last summer and widened its advantage over other parties particularly after Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February. While the opposition party is poised to fare well in the parliamentary elections, duplicating the results of the poll in the elections would be all but unprecedented, reminded Nurmela. Its good to keep in mind that realising the current poll results in the elections would signify a historically good result for the National Coalition, he said to the newspaper, reminding that the only time the party won more than 23 per cent of the vote in a parliamentary elections was in 1987. Support for the Finns Party crept up by 0.1 points to 16.1 per cent, a level that, on the one hand, is about a point below its vote haul in the previous parliamentary elections and, on the other, about two points above the nadir it hit at the beginning of this year. The Green League and Swedish Peoples Party saw their popularity fall marginally to 9.6 and 4.4 per cent, respectively. The Left Alliance contrastively registered a 0.4-point jump in support and is presently polling at 8.0 per cent. The most interesting aspect of this poll is that the Left Alliances support seems to have recovered from the readings of last summer, when its ranks were split over Finlands Nato membership process, told Nurmela. Kantar Public interviewed 2,460 people for the poll between 15 August and 11 September. All the changes fall within the polls margin of error of +/-2.1 points. Aleksi Teivainen HT Some constituents say they're hurt by Andreotta's Facebook on public aid Some Henderson County residents said Thursday they were hurt and outraged this week when they learned a Henderson County commissioner shared a Facebook post they say insulted both black and poor people. The post shared by Commissioner Daniel Andreotta shows two photographs. The first black and white photograph shows black people standing on the porch of an old home and the words two ways to make a slave at the top and the words work him without pay at the bottom. The second photograph shown below the first is in color and includes homes that appear in disrepair with the words or pay him without work. The post was first reported by WLOS Ch. 13 news on Wednesday. Hendersonville resident Crystal Cauley, who is a descendant of slaves, said she learned about the post from someone who sent it to her and asked what she thought. I was hurt, Cauley said. But my reaction besides being hurt, I was thinking, What was he thinking? Is he thinking low-income people are lazy? That is a stereotype that is put on low-income people. Cauley said she thought Andreotta and the remainder of the all-white Board of Commissioners would benefit from diversity training. This is coming from a white man who does not come from ancestors who were enslaved. He cant relate to the perspective at the top or bottom, she said referring to the two photographs in the post. Fletcher resident Gayle Kemp, a Democratic activist and candidate for the state House in 2018, described Andreottas post as disturbing and called for his resignation from the board. She said she plans to address the issue during the next meeting of the Board of Commissioners on Wednesday. I think any time anybody makes any remarks that are positive toward slavery or enslaved persons that is disturbing, she said. It is outrageous to me. Im calling for his resignation. Im going to demand it when I go to the meeting. She said she also thinks the meme Andreotta shared implies that black people are lazy. Im not going to let this go, she said. Andreotta responded to a call from the Lightning requesting comment on the issue Thursday with a text message. In the text, Andreotta said he did not mean to offend anyone with the post and only wanted to address a culture of dependency in America. The message of opportunity and accomplishment for anyone is something I believe in very strongly, he said. However, it seems more and more people are becoming financially burdened and no doubt for a variety of reasons. It is clear to me that one of those reasons is the fruit of very bad government policies that contribute to a climate and culture of dependence. Evidence of this is displayed when companies are struggling to hire workers at unprecedented starting pay rates. In this country anyone can become anything they aspire to be, and they can accomplish anything they set their mind to. But bad policies will dilute initiative, weaken motivation, and rob good people of their full potential. Andreotta apologized that his method of delivering his message about government dependency offended some people. I recently used a method to communicate that message that has offended some in our community. And for that, I do apologize. I am very sorry. I have never set out to offend anyone in any manner. Anyone who knows me at all knows that for a fact. Again, I believe strongly in the message, and I apologize that the method with which I delivered that message on one occasion offended some of my fellow citizens, Andreotta said in the text message. He went on to say he would never intentionally hurt anyone. Humanity at its best is at its best human. Again, those who know me know I would never intentionally offend anyone. Even in marriages there are times of missteps, apologies, and especially forgiveness. So, it should only seem logical those would apply in the public sector as well, according to the text. Andreotta also sent Cauley and email in response to her concerns. His message to Cauley also said he did not intend to offend anyone and only wanted to address the culture of dependency. I dont want to see people of any age, but especially those generations coming behind me imprisoned to a mindset of dependence. This has nothing to do with people who credibly need help and/or are struggling in life. This has to do with people who could and should do better for themselves and their community, but they choose not to, Andreotta said in the email to Cauley Cauley said she felt Andreottas email was also judgmental toward poor people. She said she was concerned about his mindset toward low-income people. Maybe one day we can have a conversation, she said. Lets change his mindset. The Facebook post triggering negative reaction from some constituents was not the first time Andreotta provoked a response with his remarks or actions. His effort to defund the Flat Rock Playhouse in June triggered a flurry of emails from Playhouse supporters and criticism from his fellow commissioners. His effort to delate the $30,000 economic development grant from the 2022-23 budget failed in a 3-2 vote. A TEENAGER with dyslexia who left school at 16 to join the army took part in a ceremonial gun salute for the Queen in Hyde Park. Millie Cooke, 19, from Caversham, is a gunner in the Kings Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, and was part of a regiment which fired 96 rounds, one for each year of Elizabeth IIs life, on Friday. Six regiments fired one round every 10 seconds using six First World War-era 13-pounder field guns. Now Millie has been selected to help fire the guns again for the late monarchs funeral procession as it passes through London on Monday. Her mother Zoe Bowen, 49, said: She is taking part in a moment of history. Millie grew up with her mother, brother Sam, now 25, and was a scout. She attended Checkendon Primary School, Chiltern Edge School in Sonning Common and then Langtree School in Woodcote but her dyslexia meant she struggled in lessons. Mrs Bowen said her daughter was a quiet girl. She said: Millie was never one to be in your face. She was always just a polite, smiley, hard-working girl. When she was 13, her school offered Millie the chance to have 10 horse riding lessons at Checkendon Equestrian Centre to help her cope with her dyslexia. Mrs Bowen said: She took to it like a duck to water it gave her a real sense of achievement. I think she liked it because horses are non-judgmental. It was a really healing time for her away from school. It calmed her down and she felt safe with them. I also think it helped with her reading as she always had her nose in horse manuals. When she was 14, Millie began riding Charlie, an eight-year-old heavy cob she had loaned from RKD, a pony loan company based in Checkendon. Mrs Bowen said: She really took to him. If she could, she would have slept in the stables. You could effectively say Charlie was her first love. Charlie went back after a year and Millie began riding Casper, a 16-hand horse Mrs Bowen bought her for Christmas. We had always told Millie we could never buy her horse, so it was a complete surprise, said Mrs Bowen. She was over the moon when she found out. She cried tears of joy. A year later, she switched to a horse named Vegas but had to sell the Belgian warmblood while she attended an army foundation college in Harrogate. Her passion for horses continued when she joined the Kings Troop, where her daily duties included caring for the horses and maintaining the stables. The troop is a ceremonial unit formed in 1946 and based at Woolwich Barracks in London. During her two years with the troop, Millie has fired guns for occasions such as the Queens birthday and her platinum jubilee in June. She met and spoke briefly with the Queen while participating in a musical drive at the Royal Windsor Horse Show last year. Last week, she took her first holiday of the year to compete in a horse show near Coventry on her horse Lola, which she bought last Christmas. She was joined by her mother, who looks after Lola at Hardwick Stud in Whitchurch. Millie finished fourth in the discovery class and was preparing to go back home on Thursday last week, the day the Queen died, when she received a text. Mrs Bowen, who still lives in Caversham with Millies stepfather Ross Bowen, said: I dont know what it said but after Millie read it, she told me she had to go and would see me again at Christmas. Millie travelled back to her barracks, where she packed her military uniform and a bag and then went to Wellington Barracks, near Buckingham Palace. She worked until 3am helping to prepare the horses and was up again at 6am to prepare for the lunchtime gun salute. Afterwards she returned to Wellington Barracks, where she called her mother. Mrs Bowen said: She was absolutely hanging and completely running on empty. She was falling asleep while I was talking to her and I had to eventually tell her to just go have a nap. Before that, I told her what an amazing job she had done and how proud a mother I was. Millie was up at 6am again on Saturday for another gun salute in Hyde Park to mark King Charles IIIs accession to the throne. Her regiment, F sub, has been chosen to do the same for the Queens funeral as it is the only one that has all black horses. Mrs Bowen said: I never expected her to end up doing something like this. I thought she would have worked in a shop or become a teacher. It is a testament to her love of horses but also to her inner steel. Shes awesome. It has been quite a journey from when she had that first lesson to where she is now. The month leading up to Rosh Hashanah is the month of Elul. In Hebrew, the letters that spell Elul are Alef, Lamed, Vav and Lamed. Those same letters are the first letters of the binding of a couple on their wedding day. Ani Ledodi V'dodi Li I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine. This mystical reading is more than a mere coincidence as it also sums up the relationship that Jews around the world will be reviewing as we enter the High Holidays. As the "Jewish New Year," Rosh Hashanah is a time when Jews review not only their relationships with one another, but most importantly with G... Jewish Academy of Orlando welcomed 34 new students into the 2022-2023 school year. Our motto this year is "Every Child Counts," and we have prepared a rich curriculum in both Hebrew/Judaic and Secular education that will help each child succeed in their own way. We will also be rolling out our Mini Mensch program that will help preschoolers transition into our kindergarten classes and JAO Connections which will help previous students of JAO connect with each other, be a welcoming face at their new schools or even connect them to alumni who can help mentor high school and/ or college student... (JNS) - The Israel Antiquities Authority has successfully repatriated a rare First Temple-period document from the United States, the IAA announced on Wednesday. The papyrus document is written in ancient Hebrew script and is believed to have been found in a cave in the Judean Desert, according to the IAA. The item consists of four torn lines that begin with the words, "To Ishmael send," suggesting the fragment is part of a letter containing instructions to the recipient. It therefore likely dates back to the sixth or seventh centuries BCE, joining only two other documents from this period... As we approach Rosh Hashanah and the Jewish High Holy Days, the staff and board members at the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida wish you and your family a healthy 5783. We also want to extend our deep thanks for the warm welcome this community has shown to our new CEO Talli Dippold. Dippold, who recently relocated from Charlotte, North Carolina, is the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors and is dedicated to keeping alive the legacy of survivors by telling their powerful stories of resilience and resistance, lessons that are more important today than ever. One... As we enter this special time of reflection and renewal, we at Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando would like to thank all who have supported us this past year as we continue to grow in our commitment to our community. JFS Orlando delivers hope to our community through our FAMILY of services, not just during the holidays but EVERY day. One in seven people, among them one in five children, in Central Florida cannot afford basic food staples. To keep up with the increasing demand for food assistance, JFS Orlando has nearly completed the expansion of the Pearlman Food Pantry started ea... Why didnt the United States do more to help Europes Jews during the Holocaust? This question haunts the history of the United States and the Holocaust, and lurks behind practically every storyline in the new film on the subject from Ken Burns, Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein, to be aired for three consecutive nights on PBS beginning Sept. 18. The question, of course, isnt just about the Holocaust, but about the years before the war, when the Nazi vise tightened around the Jews of Germany and more than half of them sought to obtain visas to immigrate to the United States. The vast ma... (JTA) Israels government advanced a plan to build as many as 700 new apartment units in a suburb of Jerusalem that opponents say encroaches on a Palestinian village that straddles the countrys pre-1967 lines. The Jerusalem planning and building committee on Monday approved a plan for a new neighborhood called Givat Shaked, which would include high-rise buildings that come right up to the edge of Beit Safafa a village that was split from 1948 until 1967, when Israel captured eastern Jerusalem in the Six-Day War. Haaretz quoted residents of the village as saying that the intenti... (JTA) An Israeli soldier very likely fired the gunshot that killed Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in May, an analysis released by the Israel Defense Forces Monday concluded. But no one present during the killing, including the soldier considered likely to have fired the fatal shot, will be punished, military officials said, and the army released a statement saying it was still possible that Abu Akleh had been killed by Palestinian gunfire. The official conclusion marked a shift from the Israeli governments previous positions about what happened during the incident,... (JNS) Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid took to Twitter to express condolences upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II, calling her an extraordinary figure, a unique leader who symbolized devotion and love for her homeland. On behalf of the Government of Israel and the citizens of Israel, I send my condolences to the Royal Family and the citizens of the United Kingdom on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, he wrote. Israels President Isaac Herzog called the Queens death the end of an era. On behalf of the people of Israel, I mourn her passing and... (JNS) - Queen Elizabeth II concluded her 70-year reign on Thursday with her passing at the age of 96. The longest ruling monarch in British history's death comes after years of deteriorating health. She was surrounded by the royal family, including her children at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow," said Buckingham Palace in a statement. The Queen has been succeeded by her son Charles, Prince of Wales, who is married to Camilla, Duchess of... Liz Truss arrives at Balmoral Castle to be sworn in as the new prime minister. (JNS) - Liz Truss won the vote on Monday to become the leader of Britain's Conservative Party, a contest that also decided who will replace Boris Johnson as prime minister. Truss, who served in Johnson's Cabinet as foreign secretary, was the odds-on favorite. She received 57.4 percent of the vote among party members, while her opponent, former chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak, garnered 42.6 percent. In a brief acceptance speech, Truss said that she would cut taxes, tackle the energy crisis and improve national health care. The first woman from her party to serve as foreign secretary,... (JNS) For four months, no one could explain the Biden administrations seeming obsession with forcing Israel to accept responsibility for the death of Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh on May 11. Abu Akleh was killed in Jenin during a gun battle between Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists, with whom she was embedded, and IDF forces. The battle occurred in the aftermath of a spate of murderous terror attacks in Israeli cities that took the lives of 17 Israelis. The U.S. demand that Israel accept the blame for Abu Aklehs death was strange for several reasons. First, since the... (JTA) Hey Allies: Please dont schedule meetings or events on the Jewish holidays! So says a meme that has circulated widely before about the dates for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah. Seems like a pretty harmless and potentially helpful message to post on social media in the run-up to the High Holidays, right? Im not so sure. I, too, have often had to seek special consideration from employers and colleagues for my religious observance. Indeed, being able to live my life by the rhythms of the Hebrew calendar without having to explain myself constantly or... News this week in Israel included the death of two Arab journalists, in different locations, under different circumstances, and unrelated. But the circumstances, accusations, and double standards are glaring and need to be discussed. This week, months after Palestinian Arab-American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu-Akleh was killed in Jenin, following a lengthy investigation, Israel has affirmed that she was likely killed by an Israeli bullet. Other than her unfortunate death, the problem with this is that before the blood had dried, before she had been buried, and before any facts other... (JTA) The death 0f Queen Elizabeth II after 70 years on the throne is a devastating loss for Britain, the Commonwealth and the free world. It is hard to overstate the sense of grief that will be felt at her passing, including from within the Anglo-Jewish community. I was brought up in a typical liberal Jewish family that showed a healthy respect for the queen, and the royal family more widely. I recall marching down the Mall in London for the 60th anniversary of VE Day and catching a sight of our monarch on the steps of Buckingham Palace. Like other British Jews, I also remember hearing... (JTA) When a local Orthodox synagogue asked me to lead Yom Kippur prayers six years ago, one aspect of the request stood out: Was I comfortable using the High Holyday Prayer Book translated and edited by Philip Birnbaum? The archaic spelling of Holyday is a tipoff to the books longevity. First published in 1951 by the Hebrew Publishing Company, this Hebrew-English prayer book, or machzor, has been used by multiple generations of worshippers in Orthodox and, to a lesser extent, Conservative synagogues. It is the prayer book I used as a child; my earliest High Holidays memo... Interview: Experts commend China-Africa linkage in solar energy technologies Xinhua) 10:47, September 15, 2022 ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Experts and policymakers have commended the existing linkage between China and Africa in the use of solar energy technologies. Speaking to Xinhua recently, Ajay Mathur, director general of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), underscored China's involvement and huge potential in terms of realizing Africa's quest for solar energy development. "There is the greatest linkage that exists between the Chinese manufacturers of solar energy technology and the African users of that technology," Mathur said. Highlighting that the global experience in the development of solar mini-grids is limited, Mathur called on international companies to focus on off-grid photovoltaic power station projects in Africa so that people living in rural and remote areas of the continent would get light. "China is the largest supplier of solar energy equipment across the world and in Africa in particular," said the director general, noting that many solar panels and batteries being used in Africa are of Chinese origin. According to the director general, the African region is blessed with unlimited potential for renewable energy, including abundant solar energy. Mathur, however, said despite high technological potential in Africa and the pressing need for accelerated adoption of solar systems, there has not been a uniform deployment due to financial constraints and inappropriateness of technologies being used in the continent. "We are working towards mobilizing 1 trillion U.S. dollars of investment for a massive deployment of solar energy technologies and expanding solar markets in the continent," said Mathur. According to the director general, the ISA is facilitating diverse solutions including solar water pumps and solar parks, and creating mechanisms for blended finance. The ISA held its 4th Regional Committee Meeting in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, in late August, bringing together African energy ministers to discuss ways of bringing long-term solutions to energy shortages in Africa using solar energy resources. Ethiopian State Minister of Energy Sultan Wali said there are 25 solar energy projects being undertaken by China Electric Power Equipment &Technology Co., Ltd. in different parts of Ethiopia with funding obtained from the World Bank. According to the Ethiopian Ministry of Energy, Chinese companies have undertaken off-grid photovoltaic (PV) power station projects in the country's Somali and Gambella regional states, eventually helping thousands of people get access to electricity. "The involvement of China in renewable energy development in Ethiopia is very large. Ethiopia is making use of Chinese technology and manpower to develop its renewable energy resources" Wali told Xinhua. The 4th Regional Committee Meeting featured a discussion with the private sector focusing on manufacturing, electric mobility based on solar, mini-grids, solar pumps, and other productive use applications. The meeting highlighted that with the right interventions, planned approach, and support of the leadership, Africa can move toward providing electricity to 600 million people while supporting economic growth, jobs, and a safe and healthy environment in the region. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Christina Valentine is the hotel's director of operations. In this capacity, she will oversee numerous departments with managerial role in day-to-day operations. Much like her GM, Valentine has travelled across states and countries thanks to Hyatt. Starting out in Chicago, she worked in the front office of the Hyatt Place in the city, before working for the group across the US. In 2013, she became VIP manager at the Hyatt Regency Denver, followed by assistant executive housekeeper in the same hotel. Returning to the front office, she worked as front office manager of the Grand Hyatt Denver before becoming executive housekeeper at the Grand Hyatt San Diego next. Working with Andaz, she became assistant director of operations at the 5th Avenue property in New York, going on to stick with Andaz, relocating to its Napa location as F&B manager and then director of operations. Ashwani Vyas is director of F&B. This puts Vyas in charge of The Salt Road, Mr. and Mrs. Hawker and Mumble Jungle in addition to overlooking the in-room dining and banqueting facilities. Vyas has had a long career as a chef. In 2003, he was a chef de partie in the UK before heading to Russia in what would become an 18-year stint in the country. During that time, he held executive chef positions with the likes of Novotel, Pullman and Marriott Hotels, followed by director of F&B roles. Today, Amsterdam-based Eden Hotels announced capital investment plans and the creation of a new parent corporate company, Zien Group. Zien Group will be the home of Eden Hotels and all future brands and businesses. Current Eden Hotels CEO, Billy Skelli-Cohen will lead Zien Group, which will be based in Amsterdam with offices in London. Skelli-Cohen has set out plans for Ziens first two businesses, including a commitment of over 50 million Euros of capital investment into the existing portfolio of hotels alongside significant capital to grow the business. Zien will prioritise a refinement of the Eden brand with refurbishments of some properties; as well as create a new brand of individual hotels, initially by re-imagining some of its own assets. Skelli-Cohen explains: The support and investment from KSL and the Dijkstra family allows us to unlock potential by elevating the hotels in our portfolio, and enabling our plans to grow across Europe and the UK. This marks the start of a transformational moment for our group and our team its incredibly exciting and I am thrilled to be part of it. KSL Capital Partners, a leading private equity firm in travel and leisure, acquired a majority stake in Eden Hotels in Dec 2021. Eden Hotels was created by the Dijkstra family exactly 75 years ago, and currently has a portfolio of 14 hotels across the Netherlands. Skelli-Cohen was appointed as CEO of Eden Hotels in May 2022, with a mandate to build a robust platform for growth and development. Zien Group is looking to expand both Eden Hotels and the new brands beyond the Netherlands, and is actively looking at new opportunities in Europe and the UK. For further information on Zien Group please visit theziengroup.com. About Eden Hotels Eden Hotels is a 75 year old Dutch family business consisting of 14 city centre hotels offering local experience and lasting memories since 1947. KSL acquired a majority stake in December 2021. Eden currently consists of 14 hotels including the Hard Rock Hotel Amsterdam American, The Lancaster Hotel Amsterdam, Eden Hotel Amsterdam, Jan Luyken Hotel, The Manor Amsterdam, The ED Amsterdam, City Hotel Hengelo, Crown Hotel Eindhoven, Holiday Inn Eindhoven, Babylon Hotel Den Haag, Designhotel Maastricht, City Hotel Groningen, Oranje Hotel Leeuwarden and the Savoy Hotel in Rotterdam. For more information, please see www.edenhotels.nl or visit the individual hotel websites. About KSL Capital Partners KSL Capital Partners, LLC is a private equity firm specialising in travel and leisure enterprises in five primary sectors: hospitality, recreation, clubs, real estate and travel services. KSL has offices in Denver, Colorado; New York City; Stamford, Connecticut; London, England and Singapore. Since 2005, KSL has raised appoximately $18 billion of capital across both equity, credit and tactical opportunities funds. KSL's current portfolio includes some of the premier properties in travel and leisure. In addition, KSLs European Capital Solutions (ECS) platform focuses on non-controlling equity and credit investments throughout the capital structure across the European travel and leisure space. For more information, please visit www.kslcapital.com. About Zien Group Zien Group was created in September 2022, as a platform to hold owned and operated hospitality businesses. The name Zien is derived from the Dutch word to see or have vision, reflecting the groups heritage and mission to unlock potential in real estate through hospitality. Zien Group will start with its Netherlands based existing portfolio of hotels, refining Eden and creating a new brand of independent hotels. The ambition is to grow further across Europe and the UK. Zien Group CEO, Skelli-Cohen is a seasoned hospitality operator with a proven track record in investment, development, and operations. While CEO of Lore Group, Skelli-Cohen led the acquisitions, repositioning, and operations of iconic hotels such as Pulitzer Amsterdam, Sea Containers London, and Riggs Washington DC. Most recently, Billy co-founded the hospitality brand Aterre. For more information about Zien Group please visit theziengroup.com or Zien Group on LinkedIn. PARSIPPANY, N.J. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the worlds largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,000 hotels across more than 95 countries, today unveiled a new, portfolio-wide, mobile tipping solution for its U.S. and Canadian franchisees, making it one of the first major hotel companies to do so. Developed and managed by Bene, a leader in cashless tipping, the platform enables guests to easily tip hotel team members digitally via their preferred mobile device and is now available for adoption by Wyndham franchisees across all brands. It comes as a growing number of consumers adopt and show preference for digital payments, which according to consulting firm McKinsey, 82% of Americans are now using. The pandemic dramatically accelerated guest demand for digital payment solutions and that trend will only continue in the coming years, said Scott Strickland, chief information officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. Having previously empowered our franchisees to accept digital, contactless payment for stays at their hotels, the next logical step was to find a solution that allows guests to recognize housekeepers, wait staff and other frontline team members in a similar fashion. This platform does exactly that and at virtually no cost to franchisees. Once a hotel opts-in and is setup on the Bene platform, guests can easily recognize the team member of their choice by scanning a QR code during their stay and choosing how much they would like to tip. QR codes are unique to each team member and tips are deposited daily either directly into their individual bank accounts or into the propertys account to be distributed with regular payroll. The platform accepts multiple forms of payment, including credit card, Apple Pay and Google Paytm. Similar to other digital payment services, platform costs are covered by guests via a small transaction fee, leaving franchisees responsible only for basic marketing materials, which they can either order directly from Bene at a minimal cost or create themselves. Added Strickland, The beauty of this solution is its simplicity and how easy it is for our franchisees to allow their guests to make the switch from cash to digital. Theres no app to download and no software to install. Its entirely web-based, which means so long as guests have a phone and an internet connection, theyre able to tip and show their appreciation. Wyndhams push for mobile tipping comes amid the Companys broader celebrations supporting International Housekeepers & Environmental Services Week, a global initiative sponsored by The Indoor Environmental Healthcare and Hospitality Association (IHEA), dedicated to recognizing the efforts of housekeepers and custodial staff members. Held every year during the second full week of September, Wyndham leadership, along with its franchisees, are spending the week celebrating housekeepers at hotels around globe, making in-person visits while giving away an array of awards and prizes, including millions of Wyndham Rewards points. At the heart of every great hotel is a great team of housekeepers, said Scott LePage, president, Americas, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. This week is all about celebrating them and all that they do for both guests as well as our industry. While we invite everyone to join us in showing their thanks this week, our greater hope is that through initiatives like mobile tipping, we can empower guests by making it easier for them to show their appreciation with every stay, no matter the time of year. Mobile tipping is the latest initiative as part of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts ongoing, multi-year, digital transformation. Over the past three years, the Company has significantly invested in new technology to enhance the guest experience while delivering best-in-class resources and enhanced operational efficiencies for its franchisees. Earlier this year, it launched Road Trip Planner, an innovative new tool allowing travelers to seamlessly plot, plan and book their ideal road trip via Wyndhams award-winning mobile app and more recently, debuted RevIQ, a next-generation, cloud-based, mobile-first revenue management system designed to help franchisees optimize their revenue strategies and grow market share. About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world's largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with over 8,900 hotels across over 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of over 813,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 22 hotel brands, including Super 8, Days Inn, Ramada, Microtel, La Quinta, Baymont, Wingate, AmericInn, Hawthorn Suites, Trademark Collection and Wyndham. The Company's award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers approximately 94 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com. Experience the hospitality industry firsthand with training from seasoned experts, in fully equipped facilities. Dusit has been Thailands leading five-star hospitality group for over 40 years and, supported by that legacy, Dusit Thani College prepares you for a successful career in the industry. Learn from the best and develop key skills including communication, entrepreneurship and team work so you enter the job market employment-ready. The fireball that billowed from Freeport LNG looked cartoon-like next to Quintana and Surfside beaches, where hundreds of people were spending a hot Wednesday morning in early June. Hannah Charles, 18, was in her lifeguard stand watching over Surfside when she heard her radio crackle. Then, she said, the ground shook so forcefully it knocked her from her chair and toppled a nearby toddler onto a rock, slicing his face from forehead to nose. There was blood all over his little face and he was so upset, she said. We had just started our lifeguard jobs, too, so it was extremely memorable. On HoustonChronicle.com: LNG companies are in a race to the Gulf Coast, where industry sees opportunity during Ukraine war The June 8 explosion is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by residents living in the shadows of facilities that produce and export liquefied natural gas. The number of LNG plants and export terminals in coastal communities is expected to grow exponentially amid soaring sales to Asia, where nations seek cleaner energy sources, and to Europe, which is reeling from shortages caused by the war in Ukraine. The global demand is expected to lead energy companies, particularly those along the U.S. Gulf Coast, to spend $42 billion a year by 2024 building liquefaction plants and export terminals, according to Norwegian research firm Rystad Energy. Proponents of natural gas say its a cleaner-burning fossil fuel that can facilitate the energy transition. The industry, meanwhile has steadfastly maintained its facilities, even those in the eyes of hurricanes, are safe. For its part, Freeport LNG said in a statement that the safety of our workforce and the community in which we operate is Freeport LNGs top priority. But many of those living around LNG facilities say the plants flares burn just like those at nearby refineries and petrochemical plants that spew fumes such as methane, one of the major contributors to global warming. It lights up the sky when the flares going. I can read a book outside at night, said John Allaire, a retired environmental manager for BP who lives in Holly Beach, La., less than a mile from Venture Globals new Calcasieu Pass LNG facility in Cameron Parish. And when the winds going in the other direction, you can hear the roar. Like a burner on a crawfish pot, it sounds like that. In recent years, hurricanes have repeatedly ripped through that area of southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas. Yet its where many of the proposed LNG projects could be built. Houston-based Commonwealth LNG aims to construct a facility that Allaire said would be about 750 feet from his property, where hurricanes have destroyed his house and two motor homes. On HoustonChronicle.com: An offshore oil terminal would put a pipeline under Surfside Beach. Thousands of people want to stop it. Hurricane Rita pushed 22 feet of water over his land, he said a storm surge he said could overcome an LNG facility. Its really dangerous to put em there, said Allaire, who oversaw the cleanup of contaminated superfund sites for big oil companies. Its going to happen. Its just a matter of timing, when we get the next big storm like Rita. Fred Hutchison, president and CEO of the trade group LNG Allies, said the facilities would not be awarded federal permits if they hadnt been designed to withstand major storms and hurricanes. Every U.S. LNG export facility, whether its approved by (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) or the Maritime Administration is subjected to rigorous safety analyses that take into consideration hurricanes, he said. Hurricanes and explosions already make life challenging for predominantly Black communities along the Texas and Louisiana border, advocates said. Now, they are bracing for an invasion of new LNG facilities. A roughly 55-mile stretch of coast connecting Texas and Louisiana has three operating LNG facilities and five more are in various stages of planning and development. John Beard, a Port Arthur resident and CEO of the Port Arthur Community Action Network, said an overnight explosion three years ago at the TPC chemical plant in Port Neches cracked his walls and struck fear in him. The blast sent three workers to the hospital, sprayed five others with shattered glass and created a smoke plume that could be seen for miles. He said the growing LNG industry in the area doubles down on the dangers. Would you like this near where you live? Or in close proximity to where you fish and recreate? he asked. We have a saying: This areas the sacrifice zone. On HoustonChronicle.com: Cheniere says an EPA rule hurts Ukraine response. EPA says Cheniere made a risky bet and lost. When Westlake Corp.s chemical facility exploded this year outside Lake Charles, La., Roishetta Ozane said she was living in a FEMA trailer with her six children two miles away. They sheltered in place there in case more blasts came. I always worry about a chain reaction after one explodes. Ozane, who now lives in Sulphur, La., said plant explosions are a common, nerve-wracking occurrence in an area also ravaged by hurricanes. Ozane, an organizer with New Orleans climate justice nonprofit Healthy Gulf, said she lost two homes to hurricanes Rita and Laura. She said she believes that emissions from nearby energy companies are making the storms worse. Were disappearing because of climate change, she said, and these facilities are contributing to our warming climate. Ozane said she is organizing against the LNG industry in the hope of saving the Louisiana coast that has long been the home of her family. She worries that if she doesnt fight, there will be nothing left for her six children. Her boys like to go crabbing and fishing, she said, but lately theyre catching less and they have to be careful that what they catch isnt contaminated. Regulations have not kept pace with rapid industrial growth in energy hubs along the Gulf Coast, said Elida Castillo, a Corpus Christi based program director of Chispa Texas, an advocacy group fighting for environmental justice in Latino neighborhoods. Its sad that we cant turn on the water and just drink it, because we dont know whats in it, Castillo said. And thats a normal practice in our communities. Air pollution in the area goes undetected, she said, because only two state air monitors are stationed in the Corpus Christi region and that neither is near Corpus Christi LNG, owned by Houston-based Cheniere Energy. Cheniere, which began exporting LNG at Corpus Christi in 2016, was one of the first companies to forgo building on Refinery Row on the south side of Nueces Bay, known for higher rates of cancer and asthma. Instead, the company built its facility on the bays north side in an area relatively free of industry. It was joined by a $7 billion chemical plant launched this year and owned jointly by Houston-based Exxon Mobil and Saudi Arabia-based SABIC. Errol Summerlin is a nearby resident and an organizer with the Coastal Alliance to Protect Our Environment, a coalition of nonprofits and community groups in South Texas. He says dueling flares at the Exxon and Cheniere facilities make life less pleasant in the Portland home where he and his wife have lived for nearly 40 years. He fears he may have to choose between living with Dantes inferno on one side of us and the eye of Sauron on the other or making a life in a more peaceful area. We dont want to go, and we dont feel we should be forced to go, he said. But everyday they are making it more and more difficult. On HoustonChronicle.com: The reason why gas prices are so high was decades in the making. Cheniere, which is in the process of expanding the Corpus Christi facility, said in a statement that it has made adjustments in response to the community, including changes to onsite lighting and traffic patterns and making its own air-quality data publicly available. Cheniere is proud of our record of safety and community engagement, the company said, and we actively seek feedback from community members on where we can make changes, including creating community advisory panels to have a direct dialogue with community members and creating multiple ways for neighbors to engage with us directly. Harold Doty, too, had plans for a peaceful retirement in the small beach community of Quintana, plans that were upended when Freeport LNG decided to build near his allotted beachfront. Before his partner, Dee, died of cancer in 2015, she told him: "Make sure you build that house." He began building the next year, knowing Freeport LNG wasnt far behind. While he suspects the recent explosion at the plant loosened some pipes in his home, it has temporarily halted the parade of noisy tankers in and out of the channel when the plant is operating. It keeps me awake all night, he said. Lifeguard Thomas Brannon, 21, said he was working on Quintana Pier just around the corner from Freeport LNG when the explosion in June lifted him from his seat and threw him to the ground. Fumes unleashed by the explosion smelled so foul that the lifeguards who had bandanas covered their noses and mouths with them as they evacuated people from the beaches. With nothing to cover his face, Brannon inhaled unfiltered fumes. Later, as he drove from the scene, blood began pouring from his nose so aggressively, he said, that his colleagues persuaded him to go to the emergency room. For her part, Charles, the 18-year-old lifeguard, avoids working any shifts at Quintana after the explosion. She said the sound of screaming and the wall of fire in the sky was enough to leave a lasting impression. When she does work Quintana Beach, she said, she finds herself looking over her shoulder at Freeport LNG. amanda.drane@chron.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Every year, the James Tull Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution find ways to expound the importance of Constitution Week and the virtues of knowing why the short document is one of the most historic in the world. Constitution Week, started by DAR as a week dedicated to celebrating the Constitution, runs from Sept. 17-23 each year. Libby Sievertson, historian for the chapter and co-chair for Constitution Week for the James Tull Chapter, together with the club, will host several special events over the next week. HISTORIC PRESERVATION: First round of restoration work at Humble cemetery done; more to come We like to bring awareness to the importance of the Constitution and how it impacts us all, she said. To that end, Sievertson said the club recognizes young people as the future of the country and they like to get them involved in the celebration. On Wednesday, Sept. 14, the club descended on First United Methodist Church in Humble and presented a program to upper preschoolers. We had a little parade, read a book, and celebrated the Constitution, she said. The ladies will take a short trip over to Rosemont Assisted Living and play constitutional bingo with them. For those who cant make it to the programs, there are a few other fun ways to celebrate. Heres how: Bells Across America Inside the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, led by James Madison who played a pivotal role in penning the document, 39 delegates signed. The room has now been renamed as Independence Hall, the same location of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Every year, the signing is remembered on Sept. 17 at 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time and 3 p.m. here in the Lake Houston area by the ringing of bells. Back in colonial days, the early days of the country, whenever there was important news or an important event, the church bells would ring; firehouse bells, town and city hall bells would ring. That would signal to people, there's important news: it's happening, Sievertson said. According to the National Archives website, the Constitutional Convention adjourned at 4 p.m. EST on Sept. 17, 1787. The bells have been tolling on the same day at the same time every year to herald the signing of the Constitution. Sievertson invites the public to step outside and ring their bells, toll the bells at the church, fire and police departments, town and city halls, and all others for one minute beginning at 3 p.m. CST this Saturday. Visit the Library The DAR club has set up a display of books, memorabilia, and other items to pique the interest of little ones and their parents at the Octavia Fields Branch Library in Humble. The historic library, which began in 1921, has many selections to choose from and can offer help in other digital sites for Constitution research and study. CELEBRATE FREEDOM WEEK: Houston-area residents invited to learn about democracy, win prizes at treasure hunt in Cy-Fair Pocketbook copies of the Constitution To help inform the younger generation and a few older ones who may need a refresher the Bill of Rights Institute provides free pocketbook copies of the Constitution which also includes the Declaration of Independence to students in classrooms. The beginning of the year is the crazy time of the year for us with tons of requests, said Kevin Hart, senior director, communications for the organization. Teachers may request up to 100 pocket constitutions for their classrooms by submitting the form found at billofrightsinstitute.org/request-pocket-constitutions. BRI is able to provide the copies for free with the help of donations which may also be made through their website. Our mission is to teach civics and we do so to empower students to live out the ideals of a free and just society. That means that by helping teachers in their important mission, we help students learn the principles of our country and theyre worthy of their support. Before they can support them, they have to examine them, understand them, and become familiar with those ideas which at times can seem as outdated as a tri-cornered hat, said David Bobb, president and CEO of Bill of Rights Institute. BRI has been giving out the pocketbook copies for the last seven years. Bobb said its important to have even in a digital world. We found that the analog throwback becomes something they pull out several times throughout the school year. Its kind of a great touchstone. Young and old alike enjoy them, he said. The BRI also offers a Constitution Day playlist with essays, lessons and videos at billofrightsinstitute.org/playlists/constitution-day. Read with your children Many civics or social studies teachers are working through units on the Constitution about this time. Home schoolers arent left out of the mix. Beth Philley of Crosby said her eldest son is in the middle of a civics lesson this week. Shes making sure that both Kyle, 12, and Keith, 6, are involved. It is important for them to know and understand their rights as American citizens. I hope as adults, they will read the Constitution to their children as well, she said. Her husband Adam also explained the significance of their two sons hearing and understanding the Constitution. Because its the backbone of what our country is founded on, and its in place to ensure all their rights and freedoms as a U.S. citizen are protected no matter who they are, he said. The Texas Education Agency also offers resources to teachers and parents for their children at tea.texas.gov/academics/subject-areas/social-studies/celebrate-freedom-week. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a judge needs to decide whether the state attorney general had the right to give $75 million of a $600 million settlement with the federal government over nuclear material storage to private attorneys who helped broker the deal. Government watchdog John Crangle sued over the fees paid as pat of the 2020 settlement of South Carolina's lawsuit because the federal government repeatedly failed to meet deadlines to remove plutonium at the Savannah River Site near Aiken. His South Carolina Public Interest Foundation said they were excessive. FARGO, N.D. (AP) The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation is accusing North Dakota officials of tampering with the tribes' efforts to collect royalties from oil and gas production underneath a riverbed on the Fort Berthold Reservation. The state says the tribes have no legal claim. The latest grievance is part of an ongoing dispute that has seen the rights for minerals exchange hands four times in the last five years, the last time in February when the Biden administration ruled that the royalties belonged to the Three Affiliated Tribes. The money has been held in a trust fund. The U.S. Department of Interior, which is overseeing the trust, gave the energy companies until the middle of August to provide a detailed account of royalties and bonuses from mineral production. The state responded with a letter to oil companies dismissing the ruling and title. Please be advised, however, that North Dakota owns and asserts its title to the historical bed of the river, and to the revenues from mineral production therefrom, and no authority to date defeats that title, North Dakota Solicitor General Matthew Sagsveen wrote to an oil company in an Aug. 24 letter obtained by The Associated Press. Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation Chairman Mark Fox said the state is attempting to undermine the lawful rights of the tribes. The State of North Dakota continues to show their lack of respect for the legal precedents and people who have paid with their lives to preserve these fragments of our ancestral lands and water, Fox said in a statement. At stake is an estimated $100 million in unpaid royalties held in trust and future payments certain to come from oil drilling beneath the river, which was dammed by the federal government in the 1950s. That flooded more than a 10th of the 1,500-square-mile (3,885-square-kilometer) Fort Berthold Reservation to create Lake Sakakawea. It's unclear how many of the oil companies have responded to the Department of Interior's request. Timothy LaPointe, regional director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Great Plains Region, did not immediately respond to an email request seeking comment. Sagsveen's letter to the oil companies notes that North Dakota has filed court documents asking that the state be allowed to intervene in an unresolved part of the suit regarding the payout of royalties from the federal government to the tribes. No court to date has ruled that the MHA Nation owns the riverbed mineral interests at issue, the letter states. North Dakota has argued it assumed ownership of the riverbed when it became a state in 1889, citing cases in which the U.S. Supreme Court has held that submerged lands were not reserved by the federal government. The Three Affiliated Tribes bases its premise on three previous federal opinions dating back to the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie that confirms the tribes' ownership of the riverbed. The February memo marked the fourth time the Interior Department had addressed the issue since January 2017, including reversals by both the Barack Obama and Donald Trump administrations. The Trump ruling favored the state over the tribes. Houston Chronicle file A strange, yearslong mystery was playing out in southwest Houston, according to this Chronicle front page from 1933. It seems someone was breaking into the home of Dr. L.B. Corbett and his wife, Bonita, and tearing out pages from their personal library. Their home was located at 2230 North MacGregor. A man was shot and killed outside a west Houston Comfort Suites hotel Wednesday night, police said. People staying at the hotel on Wilcrest Drive heard gunfire around 9 p.m. and looked outside to see a 35-year-old man shot numerous times in the torso, Houston Police told On Scene TV reporters. Another man was standing above the shot man, patting his pants possibly checking what was in his pockets, police said. On Scene TV HOUSTON CRIME: Florida family sues Jack in the Box for $1M saying Houston employee shot at them over curly fries The man who was shot, died in the hospital. The suspect took off from the hotels location on foot. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A Houston woman accused of killing five, plus an unborn baby, was driving 130 miles per hour when she slammed into multiple vehicles, court records state. The initial report claiming the car was traveling 90 miles per hour in the Aug. 4 crash appears to be a 40-mile-per-hour underestimate. The Los Angeles Superior Court judge of the case ruled Monday the driver who caused the crash, Nicole Linton, will not be permitted to be placed in a psychiatric hospital instead of jail, as requested by the defense. Mental illness looks to be a contributing factor in the crash, according to the defense. MORE ON LINTON: Houston nurse arrested for 'one of the most horrific crashes that weve seen' near LA Here's what we know about the case so far: What happened during the crash? Nicole Linton is accused of driving her Mercedes-Benz through a red light Aug. 4 and into an intersection in the Windsor Hills Los Angeles neighborhood. The Mercedes- was traveling at 130 mph before hitting other cars, catching fire and crashing into a pole. Among those killed were 23-year-old Asherey Ryan; her 11-month-old son, Alonzo Quintero; and fiance Reynold Lester. Ryan was 8 months pregnant and on her way to a prenatal appointment. Friends Nathesia Lewis, 43, and Lynette Noble, 38, were also killed in the crash. Others suffered minor injuries. Who is the driver? Linton, a 37-year-old nurse from Houston, has a history of bipolar disorder. In 2018, Linton got a citation for disorderly conduct when she jumped into a police squad car during a panic attack, Los Angeles Times reported. She was committed to a psychiatric unit and prescribed medication for her bipolar disorder. That was the year her family became aware of her mental health issues, the LA Times reported. Frederick M. Brown/AP Linton studied nursing at the University of Texas in Houston and was working at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center as a traveling nurse. According to her attorneys, when the COVID-19 pandemic began, Linton began refusing to take her medication, causing her mental health to worsen. 'UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES': 1 in 3 Houstonians saw anxiety and stress increase during COVID-19 On the day of the crash, Linton was allegedly FaceTiming her family, naked, during a lunch break. She had been stressed by work and family problems and hadnt slept for days leading up to the crash, Linton shared with prosecutors. Prosecutors said Linton has been in at least 13 car crashes. Two of the crashes occurred in Texas and were minor fender benders, according to Texas Department of Transportation accident reports. Prosecutors said they also have records of three prior speeding violations. Who are the LA crash victims? All of the deceased crash victims have respective GoFundMe pages created for them. As of Sept. 14, the total donations on all of the pages reached $211,670. According to the GoFundMe post for Ryan and her family, the unborn child was named Armani. GoFundMe Ryan was the oldest of her two sisters, and went by Rey-Rey, LA Times reported. She was born in Los Angeles and raised in Inglewood. Lesters brother created a GoFundMe. GoFundMe According to the post, Lester was excited to become a dad to the baby Ryan was carrying. NEW DETAILS: GPS ankle monitors link men out on bond to Houston-area deputy's killing in suspected road rage clash Growing up Reynold (Lester) was the most intelligent person I knew, always getting good grades, always tucked away under his covers reading all of the latest Percy Jackson books, the post read. Lester had grown up in foster care with his brother. Lewiss sister created a GoFundMe after the crash to benefit Lewiss children. GoFundMe She had six children ranging in age from 2 to twenty-three. She also had one 1-year-old grandchild. She has brothers and sisters, aunts, childhood friends that loved her, the GoFundMe page read. Lewiss boyfriend, a graffiti artist, painted a mural honoring her on the side of her sisters hair salon, LA Times reported. A friend created a GoFundMe page for Noble. The page refers to her as Lady Red, a nickname. GoFundMe According to the page, Noble had no known family in California. Nobles family is Belizean and was planning to visit Belize soon. She has one sister, who she was close to. Lynette (Noble) was a nice girl and enjoyed crocheting. She was loved by her many friends, the post read. Both GoFundMe pages for Lewis and Noble mentioned their bodies were severely burned in the crash, making them difficult to identify. They had been in the same car when the crash occurred. What charges is Nicole Linton facing? Linton has been charged with the murder of six people including Ryans unborn baby. She is also charged with five counts of vehicular manslaughter. If convicted, she faces up to 90 years in prison or a life sentence. Prosecutors from the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office filed a motion opposing bail reduction. Linton has been denied bail and has been in jail since the crash. Her lawyers argued she lost consciousness at the wheel. The prosecution said Lintons emergency room doctors did not note signs of impairment that would have signaled a loss of consciousness while driving. A Florida family is suing Jack in the Box and its owner company after an employee at a Houston location shot at their car after they asked for the curly fries they ordered. Ive never had an experience like that happen to me before, Anthony Ramos, who was driving the car, said during a Wednesday news conference. I really couldnt believe it was happening. HOUSTON SHOOTING: A man shot a Jack in the Box worker because he didn't want to pay extra for ranch, deputies say The family is suing Jack in the Box and A3H Foods General Partner, LLC. in Harris County District Court for $1 million in damages and distress after the March 3, 2021, shooting. Jack in the Box needs to do better when it comes to finding the people to represent their companies, Ramos said in the Zoom news conference. They need to hire better quality people. Thats really what Im after; to make sure that this kind of situation that happened to me and my family never happens again. The Houston Chronicle reached out to Jack in the Box Corporate Headquarters for comment, but had not heard back as of press time. Anthony Ramos picked up his wife and 6-year-old daughter from the George Bush Intercontinental Airport on March 3, court documents state. They arrived at 11:30 p.m. at a Jack in the Box near the airport. After ordering the food in the drive-thru, Ramos checked the bag and saw it was missing the curly fries they ordered. He asked the employee, Alonniea Fantasia Ford, if they could have the curly fries they paid for. MORE FAST FOOD CRIME: Man stabbed Jack in the Box employee after refusing to wear mask. Ford reportedly began to yell at the family, telling them to Get the f--- outta here! and threw ice, ketchup and other items into their car. They asked to speak to the manager, but the manager never came. As words were exchanged, Ford pulled out a gun, court documents state. Ramos quickly drove off and Ford started shooting at the car. No one was seriously injured in the incident. Apparently, and its our information, the manager was aware of this while this happened and did not choose to step in and de-escalate the problem as it was happening, said the family's lawyer Mark Underwood of Underwood Law Office, Inc. That quickly escalated to Ms. Ford pulling out a gun and opening fire through the drive-thru window at our clients. MORE ON CRIME: Woman tells Houston police she shot and killed 73-year-old ex after physical altercation After the police arrived at the scene, Ford contacted her boyfriend, Kevin Theriot, so he could take the gun. Police arrested them both. Ford was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and Theriot was charged with carrying a weapon. Ford pleaded guilty to a charge of deadly conduct and received one year supervised probation through deferred adjudication, court documents state. Ramos was working in Houston and his wife and daughter came to visit him. After the incident, he left his job and moved back to Florida with his family. We are here today to ask Jack in the Box to get better policies where potentially dangerous employees are not allowed to interact with the public where they could be in grave danger, said the familys lawyer, Randall Kallinen. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A lawsuit contesting the Clear Creek ISD board May election results filed by a conservative candidate who ran on a platform of fighting indoctrination has been dismissed, court records show. Misty Dawson, 41, originally filed the petition contesting the results of her narrow loss in the District 1 race to Jessica Cejka in June. Dawson alleged that illegal votes were cast in the election. Following an examination of cast ballots, attorneys representing Dawson conceded any alleged errors could not be proven to change the outcome of the election. The complaint was dismissed with prejudice Aug. 18. This matter is closed, said Elaina Polsen, spokesperson for the district. Jessica Cejka continues to serve in her elected position as a Clear Creek ISD Board of Trustee. Dawson on Tuesday said she still believes errors were made in the handling of the election. I had no choice but to withdraw the case, she said. Our case was strongIt came down to CCISD and Jessica Cejka having unlimited funds at their disposal On HoustonChronicle.com: Most efforts to ban books in Texas schools came from 1 politician and GOP pressure, not parents The petition, filed under Title 14 of the Texas Election Code, which allows candidates of any election to contest results, claimed discrepancies in mail-in ballots may have changed the outcome of the tight race, which was won by 43 votes. Dawson had a lead in early voting, however Cejka won the election after mail-in ballots were counted. In the lawsuit, Dawson alleged the District 1 position appeared on at least 19 early voting ballots for mail-in voters who did not live within the district boundaries. The petition also claimed the number of voter registrations counted by Galveston County and the number compiled by the district to set the voting roll did not match, meaning others who live in District 1 may have been given the incorrect ballot. In a court filing, Cejka said she rejected every claim made by Dawson. The court found an examination of the ballots was necessary in July, records show. The court ordered an election custodian make all records available for examination by both parties on July 26 at the CCISD Education Support Center. The judge also ordered both parties to count the number of overvotes and undervotes in the ballots that were counted in the election. On HoustonChronicle.com: See every book Texas schools banned and challenged in our interactive database Dawsons attorneys filed a notice of nonsuit of her election contest Aug. 15, court filings show. Dawson still maintains district election officials made a significant error. Her attorneys wrote in court records that the alleged error cannot be proven to exceed the margin between the candidates. hannah.dellinger@chron.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Jessica Dunegan watched her high school students fly drones through a maze of hula-hoops, cardboard and chairs last year for an end-of-year assignment in robotics class. The San Antonio-area teacher was amazed by the teamwork, engagement and drone-flying skills the teens developed during the project. "I had other students that I had never seen look at the drones and be like, 'Oh, this is so cool,' " she said. "So then that got my thoughts spinning ... How can I open this up for even more people?" DOOR TO DOOR: Amid a sharp enrollment decline, Houston ISD volunteers knock on doors to find missing students She is now petitioning the University Interscholastic League to add drone racing as an academic competition for any Texas high school students who wish to participate. Sanctioning the activity would make it more uniform and help schools get funding, she said. The Somerset High School STEM teacher was invited to give a presentation in mid-October at the organization's annual legislative council meeting, where members consider proposals from the public about new activities or rule changes. The league oversees extracurricular contests for schools in Texas, including sports, robotics and marching band. The most recent sport sanctioned by the UIL was water polo, which kicked off its inaugural season in August after getting approved in 2019. In October, the council will vote on proposals from the public, including Dunegan's request, and then send them to the education secretary for final approval, according to the league. If approved, a pilot drone competition would be added to the state's academic programs beginning next August, according to Dunegan's proposal. The first contest would be held in spring 2023 for high school students in any district that wishes to participate. THE FUTURE OF DRONES: Houston company leads businesses into drone-assisted future Drone racing involves participants navigating through obstacle courses with drones. Dunegan said it helps kids learn about mechanical engineering, software engineering, physics and algebra as well as teamwork, innovation and critical thinking. Although it remains a fledgling sport, some people compete at a professional level. The Drone Racing League holds international competitions in which pilots control drones equipped with cameras to navigate a complex race course. For now, Dunegan is working to drum up interest around Texas to back up her proposal to the UIL. She has spoken with teachers, administrators and drone enthusiasts in districts near San Antonio and Austin, she said, so far garnering interest from roughly 150 schools. She is holding a meet-and-greet on Sept. 24 at Somerset High School. Many of the schools already use drones for science or multimedia classes and clubs, she said, but they lack direction, uniformity and organized competition. "That's why I want to petition UIL they will make it more standardized, more defined, more uniform," she said. Sanctioning would also lend the activity credibility and make it easier for schools to purchase drones and fund the activity, Dunegan said. The drones that Dunegan introduced to her class last year, for example, were purchased by her husband. TOO CLOSE TO HOME: Parents face anxiety, confusion after false report about Heights High School shooting Houston is home to a number of drone clubs for students, though programs are not yet widespread. The drone concept is still in its infancy, said Sulaimon Haulcy, Sr., a middle school STEM teacher in Houston. Were working on something totally new right here. Haulcy runs an after-school STEM program that allows low-income students to participate in robotics and drone activities. His students have participated in drone competitions hosted by the Harris County Department of Education and Booker T. Washington High School in which they tackled real-world missions like surveying a disaster area or assessing crops. The kids actually love to fly drones because it reminds them of a video game, Haulcy said. The Holland Middle School STEM teacher said he thinks it would be a great idea to incorporate drones into the UIL activity roster because it would expand the opportunity to more students. They actually get to get hands on, he said. How many students actually get to fly a drone? anna.bauman@chron.com When Tomaro Bell moved to Houston in the early 80s on a scholarship at the University of Houston, she heard rumors of a predominantly Black neighborhood just south of the university where lawyers, architects and other wealthy professionals lived in stately brick mansions. Phylicia Rashad, famous for her role as Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show, and Debbie Allen, an award-winning choreographer who played the dance instructor in Fame, grew up in the neighborhood, as did Beyonce, though it was another decade before she became a household name. Bell and her roommate decided to drive to Riverside Terrace to see it, and she remembers to this day feeling blown away by the communitys very existence. To Bell, Riverside Terrace was more than a neighborhood it was a cultural touchstone, an inspiration to those like her looking for examples of the Black American dream. She promised her roommate shed one day live in the neighborhood, and moved there in 1989. Now, she serves as the president of the Super Neighborhood, driven in part by the motivation to preserve that dream for future generations. HISTORIC DISTRICT SPAT: Turner withdraws plans for Riverside Terrace historic district, citing lack of neighborhood support So when she received a call that one of the communitys expansive lots had been subdivided into 17 townhomes, her response was visceral. She leapt into action, mobilizing neighbors to look into the subdivisions rules, known as deed restrictions, to see whether the townhomes would be allowed. This controversy erupted just weeks after the neighborhood had fought off a historic designation neighbors had also thought might threaten the community. Its a national treasure that needs to be protected, Bell said. And it literally feels like we are an area under siege. Yi-Chin Lee / Staff photographer Yi-Chin Lee / Staff photographer A Riverside Terrace lot where new townhomes are planned is shown on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, in Houston. (Yi-Chin Lee / Staff photographer) A Riverside Terrace lot where new townhomes are planned is shown on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, in Houston. (Yi-Chin Lee / Staff photographer) The West MacGregor Homeowners Association is readying for a legal battle over the townhomes. Already, the association has hired Locke Lord, an international law firm based in Dallas, to represent homeowners in a lawsuit. The association held an emergency meeting Wednesday evening at the local Justice of the Peace courthouse on Cullen Boulevard to discuss legal action. Any suit would likely center around whether the communitys deed restrictions protect against the townhomes and whether the developer was legally required to give neighbors notice before subdividing the lot through a process known as replatting. OFFICIAL STATUS: Historic district in Riverside Terrace shouldnt be rushed into official recognition Kranthi Pushpala, president of the limited liability company developing the Riverside Terrace lot, said she would pass on a request for comment to her lawyer. The attorney did not respond to the inquiry. The Houston Planning Department said its legal departments review showed the lot, at 5326 Calhoun Rd., was not covered by the subdivisions deed restrictions, and therefore the city did not require neighbors be given notice. But neighbors pointed to specific mention in deed restrictions of the tract where the townhomes are planned. A deed restriction document from 1938 states that only one residence could be erected on a stretch of land including where the westernmost three townhomes are planned, though it was unclear if that restriction had been renewed through the present day. Some residents contend that language banning duplexes and apartments in the subdivision showed that the deed restrictions intended for the entire section of the neighborhood to be restricted to one residence per lot. If use of a lot is restricted to single family homes, then adjacent homeowners would need to be notified of a public hearing before the land could be subdivided into smaller lots. Its clear that in the deed restrictions, they intended single family housing on each one of those plots, said James Douglas, who lives in Riverside Terrace and is a professor at Texas Southern Universitys Thurgood Marshall School of Law. I think the city dropped the ball on this. Yi-Chin Lee / Staff photographer Riverside Terraces choice location with substantial lots just south of downtown on a quiet stretch between Hermann Park, Texas Southern University and the University of Houston has captured the imagination of Houstonians for over a century. Before it became known as Riverside Terrace, the area had been settled by Black Houstonians, according to a 1925 newspaper article that historian Stephen Fox came across in his research of the area. As he invited the public to visit the new subdivision, touting its proximity to Rice University and other good schools, developer Clarence M. Malone told the Houston Chronicle in the mid-1920s that, after several months negotiation we purchased this Negro property and moved them into Negro additions where the surroundings were better suited to them. The new neighborhood, built and marketed in direct competition with the tony River Oaks, banned in its deed restrictions the sale or lease of any of its homes to any person... other than of the Caucasian race. ITS SO DAMN OFFENSIVE: More Houston neighborhoods push to remove racist deed language But unlike River Oaks, Riverside Terrace did allow Jewish families to purchase homes, and the neighborhood for a time became famous as a bastion of wealthy Jewish families. In the 50s, after racist language in the deed restrictions lost its teeth, affluent Black families began moving into Riverside Terrace, braving violence. The first family to move into the neighborhood had a bomb detonated on their front porch. In the 60s and 70s, a combination of white flight and increasing interest in the neighborhood from Black professors and other professionals transformed the neighborhood into the place Bell and others pride themselves on today. Their strong emotions surrounding the identity of the neighborhood flared up this summer as the city prepared to vote on bestowing a historic designation on 18 homes in the area. Mayor Sylvester Turner ultimately withdrew the plan in June after many in the neighborhood passionately voiced concerns that the historic designation could make it difficult for longtime residents to remain in the neighborhood if it made routine repairs more costly. Now, many of the same neighbors have turned their focus to the proposed townhomes on Calhoun Road. Many residents had long derived peace of mind that their neighborhood was protected by deed restrictions a rare protection for minority neighborhoods. Nearly all communities protected by deed restrictions in the early 20th century excluded minorities, meaning Black and Hispanic Houstonians at the time were instead pushed into neighborhoods without restrictions places where many of the property types banned in a deed-restricted community such as industrial sites, liquor stores, and multifamily homes could pop up at any time. But Riverside Terrace's shift in demographics after its race restriction became unenforceable meant a minority neighborhood enjoyed protections originally reserved for white people. LOOPED IN PODCAST: Neighborhoods want to erase racist deed language. A bill could make it easier But while the deed restrictions from 1938 mention the land, Jennifer Ostlind from the Planning and Development Department said that the lot where the townhomes are being built is not technically covered. A map of the subdivision at the time identifies the land as acreage what she called out-tracts which had not yet been divided into individual lots. She said that signatures show that people who lived in those areas have participated in drives to renew the restrictions, indicating that for decades they believed their homes were deed restricted. However, the city disagreed. So theyre understandably upset because they were under the impression that these out-tracts had the same restrictions. But our legal departments thorough review shows that they do not, Ostlind said. When asked about language in the deed restrictions that specified only one residence could be erected on a stretch of the acreage including where the westernmost three townhomes are planned, Ostlind referred the question to the legal department, which did not immediately respond. Douglas, who was one of the homeowners who believed he was covered by the disputed deed restrictions, worried that if the townhomes were allowed to be developed, the rest of the subdivision would also be vulnerable to townhome development. If this goes through... every lot in that neighborhood is now in trouble, he said. rebecca.schuetz@chron.com; twitter.com/raschuetz This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate In the months since a Houston bail bondsman shamed a handful of bad actors in his industry to Commissioners Court, two of those individuals have lost their ability to write bonds for Harris County defendants. The bondsman in February identified the Muharib siblings Sheba, Anthony and Wisam of doing things that they shouldnt be doing. Since that accusation, Sheba Muharibs business, Aable Bail Bonds, has become the subject of a federal inquiry, and insurance companies tied to her two licenses have since cut ties. Her attorney brother, Anthony Muharib, was rejected for a new bail license after members of the Harris County Bail Bond Board found a pattern of unpaid judgments for bond forfeitures. Wisam Muharib, whose application for a new license was approved, is the only sibling who can continue writing bonds. Crime victim advocates, disgruntled bail employees and curious bondsmen packed the hourslong meeting on Wednesday. Paul Castro, whose son was shot and killed in 2021 following an Astros game, encouraged the board to reject any license for a member of the Muharib family. He and others objected to the granting of a new license for Wisam Muharib because of his role in securing the release of the defendant, who went on to garner a second murder charge in the death of Precinct 3 Deputy Omar Ursin. The board members found little reason to reject his new license with a different insurance company. Michael Butera, representative for the Harris County District Attorneys Office, and Kathryn Kase, legal counsel for County Judge Lina Hidalgo, opposed the license. The discussion into Anthony Muharib's license continued for more than a hour and reduced the bondsman to tears as he answered Buteras questions and discussed the reason behind more than 200 late payments dating back to 2017 and his lack of knowledge in how his employees conduct business. His 5-year-old son was diagnosed in December 2019 with a terminal illness. He later died. Ive been dealing with the fact that my son died eight months later, Anthony Muharib said. His other child, also a boy, is receiving a bone marrow transplant for the same illness in Minneapolis, he continued. A transplant for his other son failed. The emotional disclosure prompted April Aguirre, aunt to slain 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez, to interrupt the meeting. You bail out murderers. Our kids are dead, too, Aguirre said, prompting a Harris County Sheriffs Office deputy to usher her out of the courtroom. The tearful bondsman said he wanted her to keep talking, understanding that she, too, is mourning. Troy McKinney, board chairman, expressed sympathy for the bondsman but worried that he may have perjured himself in signing a document in his application for a new license that pledged he had no outstanding payments. His signing of the document is dated prior to when he paid off the judgments, officials said. Seven of the payments that Butera listed to the board were more than 100 days late and amounted to more than $81,100 by the time they were paid off. Payments that Muharib owed an insurance company following a 2018 lawsuit were also late until the day before the bail bond board meeting. At face value, McKinney noted that Muharibs license appeared to be compliant and moved for a vote. It failed. Bail bondsman and board member Mario Garza, who identified the Muharibs as questionable business owners, voted to approve the license. The remaining Muharib sibling, Sheba, can no longer write bonds in Harris County. Financial Casualty & Surety Inc. and U.S. Fire Insurance Co. recently terminated their agreements with her as the federal probe into her business continues. Financial Casualty & Surety found signs of suspected fraud during a review of large bond amounts prior to the execution in June of a federal search warrant at her 1620 Austin office in downtown Houston. Authorities seized computers and boxes of records. Without the support of her insurance companies, another bondsman who is not affiliated with Muharibs family is expected to help remind defendants who received a surety bond from her company to return to court. Ken Good, a lawyer for Financial Casualty & Surety, said Muharib will not be involved in handling the remaining bonds. Quite frankly, when youre visited by government agents, nobody wants to do business with you, Good said. nicole.hensley@chron.com Harris County will spend $1.1 million to hold eight gun buyback events, distributing up to 4,000 gift cards to gun owners who voluntarily surrender their firearms. A city-hosted July buyback event in Houstons Third Ward had a massive turnout with a line of cars stretching two miles. Commissioners Court approved the plan Tuesday, using an allocation from the county's FLEX fund, which is made up of taxpayer money from the general fund made available by the use of federal American Rescue Plan Act funding for other expenses. While crime experts say there is little to no evidence gun buyback programs actually reduce violence, some county officials say taking guns out of the community is worthwhile. "If you're measuring it by did the crime rate go down, then no, there's no empirical evidence that a gun buyback program will drive down the crime rate," said Jason Spencer, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalezs chief of staff. "It's an opportunity to highlight a crisis in our community of gun violence. And we believe it does have the potential to save someone from becoming another victim of gun violence and that makes it worth it to us." LATEST BUYBACK: Massive turnout for gun buyback event in Third Ward surprises city officials Kevin Lawrence, executive director of the Texas Municipal Police Association, said he agrees with research demonstrating gun buyback events are unlikely to help reduce crime. "If your objective is to take crime guns off the streets, they're not effective at all," Lawrence said. "Criminals don't tend to sell the tools of their trade for a couple hundred bucks. If your objective is to take cheap, broken guns off the streets, then they're probably pretty effective. People will do that all day long." Researchers who published a National Bureau of Economic Research working paper, "Have U.S. Gun Buyback Programs Misfired?" in May found such events are not effective when they are voluntary and offer low rewards for guns that may be worth more. Harris Countys upcoming events will use the same incentives as the city-run buyback in July: a $50 gift card will be exchanged for a non-functioning firearm, a $100 gift card for rifles or shotguns, a $150 gift card for a handgun, and a $200 gift card for an assault-style rifle. The city collected 845 firearms. The event also drew some ridicule when it was reported that one man turned in more than 60 3D-printed guns, referred to as ghost guns and received $50 for each. He told reporters it only cost him $3 each to make the weapons. City officials later said ghost guns would not be accepted in future buybacks. The county will exclude ghost guns from its buyback, as well. County officials did not specify when the buyback events would be scheduled. According to the sheriffs department, the buyback events will be focused on underserved communities and those most affected by gun violence, with each event being held within ZIP codes that have experienced the most gun fatalities. BY THE NUMBERS: Gun buybacks make little impact, crime experts say, but Houston officials say any change is worth it Even if officials offered more money in exchange for firearms, criminals are unlikely to participate because they do not trust law enforcement agencies, Lawrence said. "I'm not sure how you do an anonymous gun buyback when you're a governmental entity and you're supposed to be trying to trace the source of these guns, he said. But let's assume that they're telling the truth that they're anonymous. Criminals don't trust that." While it was billed as no-questions-asked, authorities planned to investigate whether any of the guns turned in to the city were connected to a crime or stolen. Lawrence pointed to a different strategy that he says did have a meaningful impact on gun violence requiring a permit for gun owners. That policy ended last year when Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law allowing Texans to carry handguns without a license. We (law enforcement officers) are specifically prohibited from even asking (to see a license), Lawrence said. So, now cops are back to the point that we have to walk into every given situation assuming that person very likely is armed and is armed illegally. But theres nothing we can do about it. North Richland Hills Police Chief Jimmy Perdue, president of the Texas Police Chiefs Association, said in a statement that gun buyback programs should be carefully managed and part of a multifaceted strategy to reduce gun violence while maintaining Second Amendment rights. CHILD GUN DEATHS: As Texas reels from Uvalde, these 19 Houston-area kids are a reminder gun violence happens every day There are measures that could be put into place that limit access, whether that be raising the age, more thorough background checks, or waiting periods, Perdue said. While no one thing is going to prevent gun violence from happening, we should do all we can and put in place various steps to prevent even just one incident from happening; its better than doing nothing. We're at a point where we've got to look at it from a total complexity perspective. Houstons July buyback was the first held in the city since 2009. County officials said they plan to destroy collected firearms after they are processed at the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences crime lab. jen.rice@chron.com MARIANA SUAREZ/AFP via Getty Images Those mysterious lights that traveled over San Antonio on Monday are linked to billionaire Elon Musk's company, SpaceX. San Antonians expressed their confusion on social media after the lights streaked across the night sky. SpaceX officials said the lights were from its Starlink satellites, which provide satellite internet to 500,000 subscribers in 40 countries. The company said the satellites are expected to pass over the city again on Thursday morning. Chicago, IL (60637) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%. NBUW Makes Interim Executive Director Permanent PITTSFIELD, Mass. The Board of Directors of the Northern Berkshire United Way (NBUW) has announced the appointment of Duffy Judge as new Executive Director. Judge has filled the role of Interim Executive Director since March of this year, following the vacancy created by Christa Collier when she departed for a position with the Massachusetts Children's Alliance. He has taken the lead on a number of important community initiatives and is committed to following the mission, vision, and values of the agency. Judge comes to NBUW from Berkshire United Way in Pittsfield where he served as Development Manager since July 2017. He has made a commitment to the agency's board of directors and staff, allowing NBUW to continue serving the Northern Berkshire Community. "It has been a wonderful experience at Berkshire United Way, but I yearn to serve the community in which I have raised a family, Northern Berkshire. This opportunity would allow me to have a direct impact on people I interact with every day and that would be the absolute ideal for me, Judge said. Since 1936, the Northern Berkshire United Way has provided funding to member agencies in North Berkshires that provide health, education, financial stability, and safety net programs. Great Barrington Rally Seeks to 'Smash the Stigma' of Addiction The last Smash the Stigma attracted more than 300 participants. GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. Rural Recovery Resources will be hosting a rally and event this Saturday to "Smash The Stigma" surrounding addiction and to shine a light on the services available to people. "The spirit of 'Smash the Stigma' is exactly what the title is, to address the stigma that's attached to substance use disorder, and to normalize, having conversations about that," said project manager Gary Pratt said. "So stigma, perhaps the hardest thing that anybody that's dealing with a substance use disorder can overcome. It's pervasive in the society and forever. It's just something that's not talked about." When hard topics like addiction are ignored, it's harder to get the services needed for recovery, he said. Rural Recovery Resources says there have been 374 people in Berkshire County who died from an overdose between 2010 and 2021. "It's just to lower that temperature and get people more comfortable and having that conversation, whether they're using, whether family members using, or a family member or friend has passed away, but from the disease," Pratt said. He said it is important to have that conversation to remove that stigma so people can get better and stop dying. Pratt himself has been in recovery for 14 years and is also a licensed alcohol and drug counselor so he has seen the struggle through both perspectives. "I've seen it from both ends. I've seen it as a person with a substance-use disorder. I've seen it as a person treating a substance use disorder and quite frankly, [I'm] tired of friends and acquaintances dying from this disease," he said Pratt said he has watched people die because they were too ashamed to seek help. "I think it's very important to stress that people who use substances are just that. They are people, and they're not bad people. They're sick people that desperately want to get help sometimes," he said. "Because of the stigma, especially in Berkshire County, we haven't seen the same services that are offered in other parts of Massachusetts." He hopes to see more services in the area including an acute treatment center and detoxification that's publicly funded in South Berkshire County, a clinical stabilization services unit, a transitional support services unit, and multiple halfway houses. "Halfway houses, basically, are almost non-existent in Berkshire County, there's one in Pittsfield, and there's one in North Adams, they're state funded, there is not one in South Berkshire County," Pratt said. "I would love to see more services like that I would love to see a proliferation of recovery centers and in South Berkshire County and Berkshire County as a whole. Right now there's two of them, the one that we started here Great Barrington, and there's Living in Recovery in Pittsfield. ... "My dreams is that when people seek treatment, when they seek recovery in whatever form they're looking for, they don't have to leave their home town." During the event, there will be live music by the local band Fire Pit, a Biggins Diggins food truck, ice cream from SoCal Creamery, and a coffee stand with coffee donated by Fuel. There will also be lawn games and family activities. During the event, there will be a resource fair to demonstrate the options available to addicts in Berkshire County. At noon, participants can march down Main Street to Town Hall, where they will hold a standout until 1:30. The event held in 2019 attracted about 300 people; Saturday's is the first since the pandemic. The South County Recovery Center established Rural Recovery Resources through a grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration that will end this year. The center plans to reapply for the grant but also is working on other funding sources, including local fundraisers and accepts donations. It has six funded partners and also a broad consortium of partners across Southern Berkshire including the Great Barrington Police Department, the Brien Center, and Spectrum Health Services. "That's one of the things that we've been doing for years, we've been working on building warm handoffs with agencies so we have those personal relationships with people at different agencies," Pratt said. "So we don't just hand somebody a pamphlet and be like, 'you need a counselor here, call the Brien Center, see what they can do.' We call the Brien Center with people, we speak to people that we know, and we walk people through the process." Weekend Outlook: Art Festivals, Comedy Nights, and More! Berkshire County is hosting a variety of events this weekend including Art Festivals, Comedy Nights, and Jazz Performances. Lenox Jazz Stroll Lilac Park, Lenox The third annual Lenox Jazz Stroll will be taking place this weekend throughout Lenox providing free jazz programming for through Sept. 17. The programming starts this Thursday, Sept. 15, at Lenox Library with the documentary "The Modern Jazz Quartet: From Residency to Legacy by George Schuller. The rest of the week will feature a variety of jazz performances including the Ted Rosenthal Trio, Don Mikkelsen Quartet, Wanda Houston Band, and many more. A full schedule can be found here Live Comedy at in Adams Bounti-Fare Restaurant, Adams The Bounti-Fare will be hosting a standup comedy night this Friday with performances by Dan Altano and Cody Montanye at 7:30 p.m. Altano has performed in New York's Comedy Fest and "Breakout Artist" at Caroline's. Montanye has performed in clubs all over the United Sates. Drinks will be available at the restaurant bar before and during the show but a reservation is required earlier in the night for dinner. More information here ArtWeek Berkshires Throughout the Berkshires 1Berkshire and the five Cultural Districts of Berkshire County are in collaboration for a 10-day art festival starting Thursday. There will be more than 100 events including live performances, poetry readings, online crafting classes, and more throughout Great Barrington, Lenox, North Adams, Pittsfield and Williamstown. The event calendar can be found here Lee Founders Weekend 2022 Town of Lee Lee will be having its 245th birthday party celebration this Founders Weekend featuring events all across the town. The event will feature fireworks, parades, vendors, dance parties, and more from Friday until Sunday. A full lineup of events can be found here Curiosity Day at the Berkshire Athenaeum Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield The library is hosting a Curiosity Day this Saturday, Sept. 17, at 10:30 a.m. The event will be themed on the book "Dragons Love Tacos" by Adam Rubin. Families will get a free book, make salsa, meet a dragon and a taco, and more. More information here The Literacy Network of South Berkshire (LitNet) Sip, Salsa, & Samba Crissey Farm, Great Barrington The Literacy Network of South Berkshire will be hosting a "Sip, Salsa, & Samba" event this Saturday, Sept. 17, at Crissey Farm, located at 426 Stockbridge Road. The event will feature Latin food, music, and dance in and effort to raise funds that support the organization's free tutoring programs. More information here Benigna Chilla: From West to East to West Berkshire Community College, Pittsfield BCC is hosting a new gallery exhibit, "From West to East to West," featuring recent mixed media works by Benigna Chilla. The free exhibit is in the Koussevitzky Gallery on the campus and runs through Oct. 30. Gallery hours are weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information here Kent Mikalsen Open Studio North Adams, Mass. Mikalsen, a local artist, is hosting an open studio this weekend, presenting his original sculptures in an effort to start the next phase of his artistic journey. He hopes to find a new home for his artwork where they can be viewed by a majority of individuals and enhances the viability of the community or business. The works have been in storage 15 years after Mikalsen turned to painting after his studio closed. "I will be pleased to show you finished works, works in progress, or discuss potential commissions," he said. Contact him at 413-652-4801 or www.kentmikalsen@gmail.com Keep a look out for our upcoming article on Mikalsen and his work. The Moscow City Court dissolved on 14th September the Journalists and Media Workers Union (JMWU), the independent representative organisation of journalists and media workers in Russia. The International and European Federation of Journalists (IFJ-EFJ) strongly condemn this illegitimate political trial, based on false accusations. The IFJ and EFJ will continue to support their affiliate JMWU. Unsurprisingly, the Moscow City Court on Wednesday followed the request of the prosecutors office to liquidate the independent journalists union JMWU, affiliated to the IFJ and EFJ. The prosecutor claimed that the trade unions members did not pay membership fees and that its representatives took part in unauthorised actions, including support for Russian journalist Ivan Safronov, recently sentenced to 22 years in jail for alleged treason. JMWUs lawyer contested all the charges, demonstrating that the prosecution was illegal and unfounded. But the judge only took into account the prosecutors unfounded assertions. This court decision will have no effect on our affiliates, who will continue to carry out their mission as journalists by continuing to tell the truth about the situation in Russia. The Russian judiciary is mistaken if it thinks it is putting an end to our professional commitment to serving the public, said JMWU office secretary Andrei Jvirblis. This is clearly a political trial with the sole aim of intimidating independent journalists and preventing them from uniting to expose the multiple and increasing violations of press freedom in Russia, said IFJ and EFJ General Secretaries Anthony Bellanger and Ricardo Gutierrez. This conviction is a travesty of justice and we therefore continue to consider the JMWU as a representative and credible trade union in Russia. The JMWU remains a member of the IFJ and EFJ and we will provide all the necessary support for the continuation of its activities. Since HONORs independence and official comeback to the Philippines, the consumer global technology brand revealed their future product line ups and their own Research and Development facility. The separation led the brand to invest more on its technology without losing the learnings they gained as a former sub-brand. HONOR was formerly owned by Huawei except for the smartphone business. With Huaweis standards and the support of Google, HONOR is expected to seamlessly deliver feature-packed consumer devices. Ecosystem with Google Mobile Services Consumers are significantly questioning the presence of Google Mobile Services given the remarkable similarities of Huawei and HONOR products. Googles absence has made HONOR and Huawei phones less recommendable to countries who use Google Apps the most. The Philippines is no exception to that, with almost 90% of smartphone users in the country using Android devices according to a Statista measurement. Last October 2021, HONOR launched globally the first smartphone with GMS, the HONOR 50, which helped the brand to be strongly placed as the third-biggest smartphone seller in China. All smartphone line ups of HONOR from its low to mid-range up to its flagship foldables are equipped with Google Apps and services. Turning to the devices, HONOR X series, HONOR 70, and HONOR Magic Series are the smartphone line ups that the Filipino market is eyeing to grab in Q4 2022. HONORs rise to the top An IDC report in Q2 2022 showed that HONOR is now the top mobile smartphone brand in China with a 19.5% market share, up 88.6% from the same period last year, and 8.8% from the previous quarter. The brands overall positioning in many categories helped achieve its dominance with the new HONOR 70 series, according to IDC, helped to sustain its high growth. The budget-friendly Changwan 30 series and Play 6 series also met the needs of the entry-level segment, while the Magic 4 series also allowed Honor to strengthen its share in the >US$600 high-end segment. On building a fresh and separate identity HONOR recently revealed its first self-funded factory demonstrating excellence to manufacture high-quality premium products. Automated Arm at the HONOR Intelligent Manufacturing Industrial Park The opening of the HONOR Intelligent Manufacturing Industrial Park was a significant milestone of our success in integrating our R&D capabilities into our manufacturing processes. The consolidation allows us to better harness our expertise across both fields, said George Zhao, CEO of HONOR Device Co, Ltd. In addition to bolstering our manufacturing capacities, the smart manufacturing facility houses world-class production, testing and quality control equipment that ensures our premium products live up to our customers high expectations. Automation, digitalization, and intelligent technology serve as the cornerstones underpinning the Parks core manufacturing capabilities. The Park operates with 75 percent of its production line automated, minimizing the risk of human error. Additionally, more than 40 percent of the automated production equipment is developed in-house, which serves as further evidence of the tight integration between R&D and manufacturing capabilities at the Park. All key equipment in the production facility supports digital control systems, allowing HONOR to better manage the entire production line and reap better efficiency as well as improve product quality. An Introduction to Doing Business in India 2020 will provide readers with an overview of the fundamentals of i... As employers in India confront trends like quiet quitting, we examine changes to recruiting in the post-COVID era and discuss smart strategies for enterprises to benefit from the shifts in work attitudes and employment priorities. Flexible hiring practices, customized work assessment policies, and effective employer branding will allow enterprises to attract the best talents and achieve staff loyalty. Companies may also need to opt for a more distributed workforce and adopt telecommuting. While retaining their traditional workforce, this new flexibility in recruitment policies will help enterprises cast a wider net for skilled and compound talents, who may have previously been unavailable due to mobility and location challenges or time constraints. The COVID-19 pandemic had a serious impact on every part of the world. As the crisis unfolded, it brought unprecedented challenges to the production and operation of enterprises and the management of human resources. However, as we transition into a post-pandemic era, companies in India are being presented with a host of new opportunities in the field of recruitment. If your HR team can overcome some of the newfound challenges, you can successfully craft teams made up of an excellent and diverse group of people. In this article, we discuss talent acquisition in the post-pandemic era, and what the future of recruitment might look like. The impact of the pandemic on recruitment and employment Change in hiring priorities The biggest change in hiring since the 2008 recession has been the shift to a largely virtual recruitment process. But the hiring priorities of many companies have also changed. Now, hiring managers no longer only pay attention to candidates with the requisite skills. The talent that enterprises really need are compound talent with skills and professional knowledge that is adaptable to market development and economic progress. Compound talent refers to a type of person that has one main professional skill as well as expertise in another field that is in short supply in the talent pool and which the enterprise is in urgent need of. Employer branding becoming more important Company culture is playing a bigger role in recruitment, so the importance of employer branding is growing. Currently, many companies do not have their own employer branding strategies, a concept some people may even be unfamiliar with. Employer branding is composed of external and internal branding. External branding establishes the company among potential employees. It includes messaging on why the company is a good place to work and explains the reasons why employees choose to work at the company and why existing employees choose to stay at the company. Internal branding, meanwhile, establishes the companys value among existing staff, and can act as a kind of commitment by the company to its employees. It represents not only a means of establishing a relationship between the company and its employees, but also a way to communicate the unique work experience that the company provides for both existing and potential employees. Growing demand for more flexible work arrangements The development trajectory of work will naturally be accompanied by some tension between employees judgment of future employment trends and the current available options. We may not know exactly how work habits will continue to develop in the next few years, but the shift to more flexible work arrangements is already well underway. Although the current challenges that HR departments face such as demand for more flexible work hours and better work-life balance have been many years in the making, they were considerably exacerbated by the pandemic. This has a lot to do with the psychological changes of workers in the post-pandemic era. First, the diversification of current social employment forms has impacted the traditional eight-hour working day. Under the same salary benchmark, personal free time has become increasingly important for workers. Secondly, psychological adjustment during the pandemic has intensified workers reflection upon planning their lives. In the face of a global public health emergency, people have become more cognizant of the shortness and fragility of life, and this has forced them to take stock of the things that matter the most to them and how to live a more fulfilling life. Distributed workforce becoming more common One of the most exciting changes to the hiring process because of the pandemic is more and more employers are adopting telecommuting. Through telecommuting, a companys workforce is distributed across a country or region and do not work in traditional offices. The distributed employees may telecommute for long periods of time or may choose to telecommute only temporarily. Even before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, globalization trends and advances in office technology were driving the steady growth of telecommuting. The pandemic sped up this trend, which in turn, benefited hiring capacity. Thanks to telecommuting, the talent pool has greatly expanded irrespective of the location of the enterprise. Recruiters can adapt their hiring practices and expand their search far beyond the traditional geographic boundaries they might once have adhered to. This strategy also provides job opportunities for people with disabilities and mobility problems. The model also has appeal to people who need to work flexibly, such as parents with young children. Strategies for talent acquisition in the post-pandemic period With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, it is becoming increasingly important for HR professionals to understand how to improve the employer branding of the company to cater to the trends discussed above. Below we provide some strategies. Building employer branding and cultivating company culture Employer brand value is increasingly gaining widespread attention and recognition and has become one of the best indicators of a workplace culture for job seekers. Establishing a strong employer brand will therefore help your company stand out in the job seeker market and ultimately help you attract and retain better talent. Company culture is an indispensable part of any company. It can create a positive workplace environment, improve the staffs cultural exposure and ethical standards, and allow internal employees to naturally form a cohesive and tightly knit team. Company culture is an indispensable spiritual force for the development of enterprises it can help enterprises play a positive role in the work lives of their staff as well as assist in rationally allocating enterprise resources to improve competitiveness. To effectively build a good company culture and a positive employer brand image, we suggest adopting the 4P strategies, namely: People, Product, Position, and Promotion. These concepts can be understood as follows: People: Identifying the type of people and desired skills and expertise your company wants to attract to inform the development of your brand image. Identifying the type of people and desired skills and expertise your company wants to attract to inform the development of your brand image. Product: Regarding the company as a product and identifying your companys unique selling proposition, such as what experiences and benefits your company can offer employees and prospective employees. Regarding the company as a product and identifying your companys unique selling proposition, such as what experiences and benefits your company can offer employees and prospective employees. Position: Identifying your companys brand positioning in the employment landscape and refining your brand message using concise and effective language. Identifying your companys brand positioning in the employment landscape and refining your brand message using concise and effective language. Promotion: Promoting your employer brand remember, your current employees are your most effective advocates and the best resource for promoting your company as an employer. Adopting strategies to retain talent Retaining talent, especially excellent talent, is a top priority for any enterprise. Keeping employees loyal, productive, and employable is an important skill for every leader and HR department to have today. The first tactic to improve employee retention is to increase flexibility and set boundaries. Flexibility is one of the things most employees will focus on. Younger workers prefer to be measured by performance rather than time. A flexible schedule that includes the option to work from home, flexible start and finish times, paid vacations, company support for upskilling, career breaks, choice of location, and shorter weekly working hours are among attractive perks that companies can offer to seek and retain top talent. The second tactic is to make work fun and give good feedback. Whether they are at the office or at home, the company management can have a big impact on their employees work. People who are happy at work will stay longer. Managers should provide good, actionable feedback and motivation in a timely manner. Feedback is crucial for employees to learn and grow and helps to foster loyalty and retain employees. People also need to receive respect and approval for their work, which can come from constructive feedback. Employee incentives and a positive work environment can stimulate the enthusiasm for work, so that staff are able to fully explore their potential. This will not only improve the efficiency of the company itself, but also empower its employees to achieve professional progress and achievements. The best employee retention techniques, after all, include a mixture of both external benefits like salary and bonuses and internal benefits like work-life balance, training and mentorship, and career growth prospects. Developing a talent retention strategy According to a study by the Saratoga Institute and published by the American Management Association on average, the loss to a company of an employee leaving is around the employees annual salary. Other visible costs include higher compensation and benefits for replacement, recruitment costs, and training costs. Invisible costs pertain to things like severance pay, low efficiency, and loss during the vacancy period. Therefore, investing in employee retention strategies is not only a huge value-add for the company, but is often a financially prudent decision as well. Tips for HR managers Retaining talent can pose challenges for firms in highly competitive markets like India, where the labor pool may be large but specialized workers and skilled talent are relatively concentrated. It is thus important to consider both the internal and external motivators for an employee in a workplace when determining any HR strategy. Here we discuss four actions that can assist employers in creating an effective HR retention strategy. I. Conduct an internal HR audit First, HR managers should review their existing policies, procedures, and documents to ensure that they comply with industry best practices and labor regulations and re-align with their broader HR strategy and enterprise culture, if required. A questionnaire or townhall meeting can often be a useful way to gather information that is not available and can be vital in gaining insights that inform key decisions. This can assist in finding the root causes of employee discontent, gaps in the operation of a company, and improvements that can be made within. II. Identify your competitive edge Next, it is important to consider where your business sits among your industry competitors. HR managers are advised to conduct a salary benchmark of similar roles in the industry and ensure that they are competitive. In addition to this, it is important to recognize the strengths of your company in the market and utilize this in attracting talented employees whether by offering a flexible and independent work style, competitive salary, company benefits, career advancement, and/or training. III. Optimize individual roles Once you have evaluated the companys overall HR strategy, it is important to analyze individual roles and positions. Conducting a position evaluation is a good way to improve position descriptions, which can help optimize the search for quality employees and will clearly pinpoint the expectations, rewards, and benefits distribution of the role. A thorough evaluation will consider the ways to effectively measure the positions value, how to provide equitable internal pay to employees, and ways it can optimize an employees impact, communication, innovation, and knowledge in the performance of the role. IV. Active recognition Finally, it is important to ensure there is a system in place where there is active recognition of employees. Given the volatility of the job market, an agile goal setting is an important variation on traditional performance criteria as it ensures that key priorities are always kept at the forefront and goals and adjustable at any given time. Some reliable and proven methods that employers can adopt to establish practical goals, include KPI (Key Performance Indicators), OKR (Objectives and Key Results), and the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely) principle. These should be complimented by a clear job progression ladder and salary variation for each level which can form an important motivator for employees and is an invaluable way for management to communicate expectations. Such a system will also improve the working relationship and experience for both high and lower-level staff. According to The Economic Times on Thursday, which cited persons familiar with the situation, Tata Sons will seek $500 million in offshore borrowings backed by Bank of America, SMBC of Japan, and Standard Chartered Bank as the business rolls over debt used to pay Tata Teleservices some years ago. In the upcoming weeks, it is anticipated that the loan agreement, whose term will probably be five years, will be finalized. According to ET, the price will probably be 110120 basis points more than the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR). In order to reduce debt at telecom business Tata Teleservices, Tata Sons took out three loan tranches in 2018. The company also apparently previously received a one-time exemption for the use of money, according to the report. In July 2020, Bharti Airtel purchased Tata Teleservices Ltd.'s (TTSL) consumer mobile division. The change occurs at a time when Indian businesses are increasingly looking for financing in foreign markets. While HDFC Bank, India's largest private lender, raised $1.1 billion over two months ago, Piramal Pharma is now raising a loan of $225 million from international markets. David Atkinson was appointed Senior Vice President and Head of the UK and Ireland Business by Tata Consumer Products (TCP), the FMCG division of the Tata Group, on Thursday. Atkinson will be in charge of managing the company and teams throughout the UK and Ireland in his new position as country head, according to a statement from TCP. The announcement is in line with TCP's aim to bolster operations in significant international markets, the company said, adding that he will be located in London and report to President of International Business Gharry Eccles. "The company's growth roadmap must be created and put into action, and operational excellence must be improved. TCP will concentrate on improving and expanding its three major beverage brands Tetley, Good Earth, and tea pigs in international markets by combining its assets in tea and ready-to-drink products "It was added. Atkinson, who has more than 20 years of experience, left the Hain Daniels Group, where he held the position of Managing Director, Grocery, to join TCP. TCP is the second-largest branded tea firm globally with operations in India and other markets, with a combined yearly turnover of Rs12,425 crore. Tata Tea, Tetley, Eight O'Clock Coffee, Tata Coffee Grand, Himalayan Natural Mineral Water, Tata Water Plus, and Tata Gluco Plus are some of its most well-known beverage brands. For feedback and suggestions, write to us at editorial@iifl.com Prevent Unauthorized Transactions in your demat / trading account Update your Mobile Number/ email Id with your stock broker / Depository Participant. Receive information of your transactions directly from Exchanges on your mobile / email at the end of day and alerts on your registered mobile for all debits and other important transactions in your demat account directly from NSDL/ CDSL on the same day." - Issued in the interest of investors. KYC is one time exercise while dealing in securities markets - once KYC is done through a SEBI registered intermediary (broker, DP, Mutual Fund etc.), you need not undergo the same process again when you approach another intermediary. No need to issue cheques by investors while subscribing to IPO. Just write the bank account number and sign in the application form to authorise your bank to make payment in case of allotment. No worries for refund as the money remains in investor's account." www.indiainfoline.com is part of the IIFL Group, a leading financial services player and a diversified NBFC. The site provides comprehensive and real time information on Indian corporates, sectors, financial markets and economy. On the site we feature industry and political leaders, entrepreneurs, and trend setters. The research, personal finance and market tutorial sections are widely followed by students, academia, corporates and investors among others. India continues to work closely with the Central Asian countries in a bid to list its counter-terrorism priorities and concerns, particularly in the South Asia region. Earlier this week, India and Tajikistan held an important meeting in the field of combating terrorism and extremism with a special focus on countering radicalization. At the fourth meeting of the Joint Working Group of India and Tajikistan on Counter-Terrorism held on Tuesday, the delegations from both sides discussed in detail the ways to counter contemporary challenges and threats. Organised at the level of heads of structural divisions of both external/foreign affairs ministries, the virtual meeting saw representatives of the two countries discuss measures to prevent the financing of terrorism; ensure cyber security; suppression of drug trafficking; information sharing, and capacity building in this area. Both sides also welcomed the holding of the high-level international conference on International and Regional Border Security and Management Cooperation to Counter Terrorism and Prevent the Movement of Terrorists in Dushanbe on October 18-19 and intensification of the Dushanbe Process in this context. The India-Tajikistan meeting was held just before Prime Ministers visit to Samarkand to attend the 22nd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). India currently chairs the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) and has been focusing on promoting practical cooperation in combating the problem of terrorism in the region. Ahead of the PMs visit, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Thursday that the substance of the discussion on countering terrorism within the framework of SCO and the handling of the issue has now evolved over a period of years. Now, irrespective of what a particular country does on this problem of terrorism, there is deeply held, I would say, understanding and a deep appreciation within the SCO countries of what the nature of this terrorism is, where this problem comes from and most importantly, the need for the SCO countries on their own as also for the SCO structures including in particular RATS to come together and form ways for practical cooperation, said the Foreign Secretary. India joined SCO in 2005 as an Observer and became a full fledged member in 2017. India has made important contributions for deepening regional cooperation across political, economic and cultural spheres. pic.twitter.com/DAx01w1aeJ Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 15, 2022 Over the past few years, New Delhi has been at the forefront to emphasise that the threat of terrorism is not only growing and expanding at a rapid pace into new areas, particularly in Asia and Africa but is also exacerbated by the exploitation of new and emerging technologies by terrorist groups to achieve their vicious goals. India has maintained that it has been at the receiving end of state-sponsored, cross-border terrorism for the past several decades with UN-designated terrorist groups such as Lashkar-E-Taiba, Harkat-Ul-Mujahidin, Jaish-I-Mohammad, as well as their aliases and proxies, continue to operate from across the border targeting civilians, security forces, places of worship and critical infrastructure in India. Several leaders from Central Asia, particularly Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon, have also been voicing their concern over the terror sleeper cells getting active in the region after the return of the Taliban in Afghanistan. The military contingents of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) are also being equipped with modern weapons and equipment to tackle the armed groups on the territory of Afghanistan which continue to threaten the security and stability of the entire Central Asian region. Also Read: On a whirlwind visit to Samarkand, PM Modi to hold key bilateral meetings with world leaders Recently, a woman in Bhilwara district of Rajasthan had alleged that she was beaten and tortured by her in-laws after she failed the forced "virginity test". According to the police report, a panchayat had then asked the 24-year-old woman's family to pay Rs 10 lakh to the groom's family. The woman who belonged to the Sansi tribe was allegedly raped by her neighbour before her marriage. What is even more shocking is the fact that the woman has claimed that she informed her in-laws about the rape before marriage. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Surrendra Kumar, a case for the same was lodged by her at Subhash Nagar police station. Kumar also said the womans father-in-law is a head constable and was aware of the rape case, according to a report by the Hindustan Times. Representational Image/Shutterstock Despite knowing about the situation of the woman, she was forced to take the test, then harassed, tortured, and beaten up by her husband and mother-in-law after learning about the rape. Yes, you read that right. This happened on May 11, 2022, in this time and century. The report was extensively covered by various news publications. Let's understand more about the test and the "so-called" ritual. What is a virginity test? The "virginity test" involves looking at the female genitalia to determine if a woman or girl has had vaginal intercourse. Also called the Kukadi pratha ritual, the women are made to undertake the test on the first night of marriage with the sole aim of ascertaining whether or not they are virtuous. The test is seen as a fundamental part of any wedding that takes place within the community and is obligated by the highly influential caste panchayat. These tests are still prevalent in parts of India and somehow are an integral essence of certain communities of our country, such as Kanjarbhat community in Maharashtra and the Sansi tribe in Rajasthan. india-brideindia-bride How are women tested? The couple are given a white sheet and taken to a hotel room rented by the village council or one the families. While the family members wait outside, the couples are sent inside the room to consummate their marriage. If the bride bleeds during intercourse, she is seen as a virgin and labelled khara maal, and if she doesnt, consequences are harsh. The woman is often beaten up, her family is ostracised and asked to pay a hefty fine to settle the matter. The humiliating tradition entails a white sheet being placed at the newlyweds bed and blood from the broken hymen -- their requirement for purity, which has so many things wrong with it. If anyone refuses to undertake the test, they have to face social boycott in their community. bride All that's wrong with it To start, a broken hymen is not exactly a great indicator of pre-marital sex. However, it indeed can break during day-to-day activities, at a pretty young age. Further, it's being like a bandwagon to the patriarchal ideologies that forces a newlywed bride give proof of virginity while the groom gets a free pass. It adds to the toxic idea that sex is something a man takes and a woman gives. We will never truly respect womens choices until we accept that a woman does not lose as soon as she has sex. What is the worth of a womans purity? It poses an interesting question because of its absolute absurdity. It wants to quantify an abstract concept in monetary terms only to use it as a weapon against a newlywed bride. Not to forget, families can also use it as a money-making scheme. Unsplash/Representational Image It unpacks several stigmas in society against sexual liberation and freedom of choice for women. But, at the same time, the question is inherently demeaning. It is reducing an entire being to a wad of cash. Is it legal? In Feb 2019, prohibited the practice of requiring newly-married women to prove their virginity following months of protest. The state announced that the tests will be considered a form of sexual assault moving forward. According to The Indian Express, a group of young activists from Maharashtra's once-nomadic Kanjarbhat community have maintained a Whatsapp group called "Stop the V-Ritual" in their efforts to protest their community's allegedly mandated virginity tests. Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) too has declared it regressive, misogynistic, and violates women's fundamental human rights and dignity. Unsplash An arbitrary concept riddled with misogynistic agenda It not only is an arbitrary concept to decide the morality and prudence of a person, but is also a highly misogynistic agenda that should not be a parameter to earn basic respect. However, the first step is to make sure the privileged communities are aware that such issues persist. In most cases, that strata of people are blinded towards such social injustices they haven't witnessed in their vicinity. To spread the word and make it an inter-class and caste issue should pave the way for change. For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News. The State of Karnataka is planning to launch an all-electric fleet in the state by the end of 2030, reveals state Transport Minister B Sriramulu, in the legislative assembly on Wednesday, reveals a PTI report. via PTI The revelation was in response to a query made during the question hour. The government hasnt bought any electric buses as of now, however, some are being operated on a contract -- around 90 to be exact, since December 2021. The minister assured that they plan on converting all of the 35,000 buses in the state of Karnataka to electric buses by the end of this decade. The minister also revealed increasing diesel prices to be one of the many reasons behind this switch. He revealed that a diesel bus runs at a cost of Rs 68.53 per kilometre whereas contractual electric buses are running at a cost of Rs 64.67 per kilometre. The 90 electric buses are running as a part of the Smart City Project and are going to be running for 12 years. Sriramulu has also revealed that the state has also ordered 300 electric buses under the central governments Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid and) Electric Vehicles -- FAME II scheme. PTI These buses function at an even lower per kilometre cost -- Rs 62.90.75 and they've begun operations on August 15, 2022. Moreover, an order for 921 electric buses has been placed through Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) which will run at a cost of Rs 54 per km, Sriramulu added. Delhi and Mumbai have already jumped on the electric bus bandwagon for some time now. In fact, in May 2022, the Delhi government approved the inclusion of 1,500 low-floor electric buses in Delhi Transport Corporation fleet. On the other hand, Mumbais BEST also has included new electric buses in its fleet. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com The founder of outdoor apparel maker Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard is giving away the ownership of his company. The reason is quite noble indeed. He is giving away his company to dedicate all profits from the company to projects and organizations that will protect wild land and biodiversity and fight the climate crisis. Patagonia company founder gives away ownership to fight climate change According to the New York Times, the company's worth is about $3 billion. Instead of going public, you could say were going purpose. Instead of extracting value from nature and transforming it into wealth for investors, well use the wealth Patagonia creates to protect the source of all wealth. Read Yvon's letter at https://t.co/TolGLfHEGG Patagonia (@patagonia) September 14, 2022 Chouinard wrote a letter to the official website of Patagonia stating his reasons. He wrote: While were doing our best to address the environmental crisis, its not enough. We needed to find a way to put more money into fighting the crisis while keeping the companys values intact. One option was to sell Patagonia and donate all the money. But we couldnt be sure a new owner would maintain our values or keep our team of people around the world employed. Another path was to take the company public. What a disaster that would have been. Even public companies with good intentions are under too much pressure to create short-term gain at the expense of long-term vitality and responsibility. Truth be told, there were no good options available. So, we created our own. The Economic Times He then wrote how things will work from here on and what are his plans. He added, "100% of the companys voting stock transfers to the Patagonia Purpose Trust, created to protect the companys values; and 100% of the nonvoting stock had been given to the Holdfast Collective, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting the environmental crisis and defending nature. The funding will come from Patagonia: Each year, the money we make after reinvesting in the business will be distributed as a dividend to help fight the crisis." Plastics are essential to building durable, high-performance clothing. But theyre also accelerating the environmental crisis. Watch The Monster in Our Closet to learn more and find out how you can advocate for change. Watch the full video here: https://t.co/9R8askJuWl pic.twitter.com/LPLsnvdeom Patagonia (@patagonia) June 7, 2022 The outdoor apparel company is a certified B-Corp business The company is already a certified California Benefit Corporation. The company was already donating one percent of its sales each year to grassroots activists, and it intends to keep doing so. Fewer than 6,000 companies around the world are certified as B-Corp businesses. The Chouinard family will remain on Patagonias board and Ryan Gellert will continue to serve as Patagonias CEO. After informing its employees on Wednesday about this move, the company updated its website to state that Earth is now our only shareholder. What a noble cause. For the latest trending stories, follow us on Telegram. What would you gift a newborn baby? A toy? Some clothes or even a new crib. But imagine a newborn baby getting a yacht. Well, one lucky baby sure is getting much more than a full-grown adult can get in a lifetime. Dads buy newborn son his own yacht A dad of seven who is also a multimillionaire shared what gifts he gave his newborn son. This included his own personalised yacht worth $2.8M and a designer wardrobe worth $34.6K. 51-year-old Barrie Drewitt-Barlow and his fiance Scott Hutchinson, 27 welcomed their newborn baby Romeo Tarquin via surrogate recently. "We have literally bought every designer that you can imagine already. Burberry, Versace, Dior, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, if a designer sells baby clothes we have snapped them up," Barrie told Fabulous. The first outfit that the new baby got was from Gucci which was brought by Scott. He said, "But it isnt just Scott and me who are spoiling Romeo. Before he was born our eldest daughter Saffron spent over 10k on clothes, the moment he was born, another 20k. She has totally gone over the top." "We just spent 2.5m on a yacht for Romeo and named it after him. It is currently in Miami where Saffron is boarding, with her new boyfriend and heading over to Cuba and the surrounding islands for two weeks. We want to give him the same start in life as the other kids so we have set up a trust fund for him," Barrie said. His birth certificate of Romeo has Scott and Barrie's names on it. They had originally planned to apply to also have their ex, Tony, named on Romeos birth certificate, becoming Britains first 'throuple' parents. But now Tony and his new partner Brent will be godparents instead. Their two-year-old daughter has her own personal chef Before Romeo, the two-year-old daughter Valentina was the baby of the family but there is no reason for her to be jealous because she still gets the lavish treatment she used to get. Barrie said, "In Valentinas bubble, it is Christmas day every day. She gets what she wants when she wants it. She has a personal chef, a whole playroom full of the latest gadgets and toys, full-time live-in nanny and a team of house staff that take care of her every need, including a full-time hair stylist who styles her hair every day. She is the ultimate daddies girl, a total Princess!" Partners Barrie and Scott are getting a 6 million mansion built in Essex. Barrie was Britain's first gay dad. For the latest trending stories, follow us on Telegram. Twitter is not only a social media platform but also a platform where one can reach officials of different industries and address their concerns and much more. In recent light of events, a man complained about unfair pricing of an item on an online shopping platform, and tagged the official account of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Ministry came back with a savage reply We intend to help, but we are busy providing affordable air travel to India.#SabUdenSabJuden https://t.co/ogDImlINJe MoCA_GoI (@MoCA_GoI) September 14, 2022 It doesnt completely make sense to tag MoCA for this complaint, but however, the ministry didnt hold back and gave a savage response to the complaining tweet. The tweet with the complaint read, @amazonIN iPad Pro 11 inch was never of Rs 1,76,900. @MoCA_GoI pl take action for unfair trade practices. To this the ministry responded, We intend to help, but we are busy providing affordable air travel to India #SabUdenSabJuden The tweet soon went viral with over 8k likes and 800 retweets. The tweet invited a plethora of complaints As soon as Twitter users saw the tweet, all they could think about was getting their concerns addressed and so they did. A user wrote, In that case can you check why seats are also charged nowadays. I book a ticket and have to pay additional charges for almost all seats other than the middle row. In that case can you check why seats are also charged nowadays.I book a ticket and have to pay additional charges for almost all seats other than the middle row. Krishna (@Krshnmoo) September 14, 2022 Another user wrote, You guys have increased the fair so much! Even very less flights. What are you even taking about affordable flights? You guys have increased the fair so much! Even very less flights. What are you even taking about affordable flights? Jayeon kun | (@naisarggamit) September 14, 2022 A user shared a personal story and tweeted, My nephew (a student) wanted to travel from Bangalore to Bareilly for Diwali holidays, cancelled as tickets above 40,000. Any action on that? It was cheaper to go to Bombay or Delhi then take another flight to Bareilly. My nephew (a student) wanted to travel from Bangalore to Bareilly for Diwali holidays, cancelled as tickets above 40,000. Any action on that? It was cheaper to go to Bombay or Delhi then take another flight to Bareilly. AnimalLivesMatter (@twihemant) September 15, 2022 Providing Affordable air travel to whom? The flight tickets from Mangalore IXE to Bangalore BLR jumped about 4,000 in a day.... Providing affordable or tickets can be the last thing you can brag about, wrote another. Providing Affordable air travel to whom? The flight tickets from Mangalore IXE to Bangalore BLR jumped about 4,000 in a day.... Providing affordable or tickets can be the last thing you can brag about. Hans Ferdinand D'Souza (@dsouza_hans) September 14, 2022 The original complaint tweet was taken care of soon after by the shopping platform, but the sassy reply by the ministry sure backfired on them. What do you think about this? Do tell us in the comments below. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram The market is getting better. Stability to premiums moving downward is what were seeing in real-time, said Timothy Fletcher, CEO, Aon Financial Services Group US. Between insurers competing more aggressively (particularly in excess portions of programs) and with a lack of a pipeline from a new buyers perspective (specific to IPOs, newly public companies, and de-SPACS), theres more competition in the marketplace. For buyers, the environment is better from an appetite and a supply of capacity perspective, because youve got a whole influx of new insurers that have entered the market. Read next: SPACs are "an interesting animal" for D&O insurers New capacity started to move into the public D&O market back in 2018, when the market started to harden and carriers were increasing rates. This trend picked up towards mid- to late-2019, and is contributing to some of the stability that the market is experiencing today. A lot of new capacity, a lot of new syndicates, and a lot of new MGAs with capacity came into the market, and they were unencumbered by this big backlog or overhang of claims, said Peter Trunfio, chief data and analytics officer, Financial Services Group US. They didnt have this big cloud hanging over their heads, and could therefore be a little more aggressive with pricing. This new capacity was not competing for primary layers. They left that tricky portion of the marketplace for the established public D&O insurers like AIG, Chubb, Travelers, The Hartford, and AXA XL. Rather, they focused on the excess layers and there are a few reasons for that, according to Fletcher. Being a primary carrier takes a lot of time and effort, he told Insurance Business. You have to write the forms, you have to have significant capital, and youve got to have the staff. From a market entry perspective, getting an excess policy written and approved is a bit easier than manuscripting a bespoke primary policy. When new markets enter, theyll often start with the excess because they can take smaller pieces of a program and its less risky. Its a bit easier for a new carrier to come in and join the excess layers, build a book, and then work their way down programs. Trunfio also highlighted the differences from a claims handling standpoint. He said: The established primary carriers have large claims handling functions, and have been handling these very complex securities class action claims for years. If an MGA enters the market, hands out a shingle, and says: Were going to start placing public D&O insurance tomorrow, but they dont even have a legal staff, theyre not really in a strong position to succeed in the market. Read more: Navigating the volatile management liability space Often, the new players in the market start out with very limited reinsurance capacity, which is another potential shortfall, according to Trunfio. But where he really sees the different is on the relationship side of things. He said: A lot of our clients have been with the same primary carrier for years. They have established relationships with the underwriters, with the senior management at the company, and they probably have other lines of business with that insurance carrier. We try to dissuade people from [the option] thats unproven. Fletcher reiterated: Primary policies are sticky. They are heavily-relationship driven, theres a lot of claims history for large buyers, and its just hard for a new market to really shake that. Whereas in excess, it can be a bit easier to break yourself into the market and establish yourself because theres a little bit less of that dynamic from a relationship, bespoke coverage, and claims history perspective. As industries begin to grasp the true extent of cyber risks, businesses are increasingly turning their focus towards beefing up their cybersecurity capabilities. However, technological solutions have their limits, and many experts say that humans are the weakest point in cybersecurity, with social engineering and human error as major causes of breaches. Theo Zafirakos (pictured above), chief information security officer at Terranova Security, spoke with Corporate Risk and Insurance about the threat of phishing, which is one of the most popular vectors of cyber attacks. Phishing is a type of social engineering attack where the perpetrators pretend to be a legitimate entity, such as a reputable business or someone the victim personally knows, to convince the victim to click on a link and enter information on a fraudulent website. This will allow attackers to steal money, personal information or gain access to a target network. It is a corruption of the word fishing, as attackers are fishing for information by trying to get victims to take the bait. Regardless of its size, organizations continue to face cyber threats that can potentially cost millions of dollars, Zafirakos said. In 2021, 39% of Canadian businesses were victims of a ransomware attack the prior year. In addition, 65% anticipated being subject to a ransomware attack in the future. According to Zafirakos, the complexity and sophistication of cyber attacks continues to grow, so businesses realize the need to properly invest in cybersecurity on all fronts, including security awareness training. With over 3 billion fraudulent emails sent daily, Zafirakos said each employee is at risk of being the target of a scam and leaving sensitive information vulnerable in the process. According to our 2021 Global Phishing Benchmark Report, nearly one in five employees will click on a phishing link when presented with one during a phishing simulation, he said. These results showcase the urgent need for security awareness education initiatives and the importance of changing end user behaviors through cybersecurity best practices. Its not only young or inexperienced employees that are at risk of clicking a phishing email. Even veterans and C-suite officers can be tricked by cyber criminals using phishing scams. Many people, especially C-suite employees, often do not have the time to look closely at the email address to recognize fraud, Zafirakos said. Cyber criminals take advantage of this to spoof and compromise email accounts. These and other tactics are referred to as social engineering. Some other social engineering tactics are phishing, spear phishing, trap phishing, and smishing (SMS phishing). AI and machine learning are also becoming increasingly popular. Cyber criminals can use AI to evade detections and can also be used to identify vulnerable connections that can be an easy target. Ramping up protection against phishing attacks According to Zafirakos, managing cyber risk across businesses and enterprises has become more challenging due to the rise of remote and hybrid workforces. Risk managers and their organizations are now exposed to more complex threats, making cyber attacks much harder to detect, he said. As a result, educating all employees on security awareness fundamentals is crucial to spotting and reporting incoming cyber threats. Cyber security training should be at the top of any organizations priority list. It is the first line of defense, and adequately preparing employees to recognize and combat potential threats can help any business from falling victim. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, as every organization has different vulnerabilities. Still, the secret of any good security awareness training program is teaching your employees how to mitigate the threats they are most likely to encounter in the workplace. Due to cyber crime being very profitable for nefarious actors, Zafirakos said that it will only continue to grow. Phishing attacks will continue and use every possible digital vector, including email, phone, text message, social networks and other public cloud services. With an estimated 15% growth per year and the cost of cyber crime potentially reaching upwards of US$10.5 trillion by 2025, the next few years will be vital to how organizations prioritize cybersecurity, he said. As organizations continue to enable a remote workforce and cloud adoption, cyber criminals will adjust their social engineering and phishing tactics accordingly. They will imitate popular and frequently used brands and service providers to deliver attacks that may be more difficult to detect. National insurance agency Relation Insurance Services has acquired Mobeck-Guandalini Insurance, a multi-line brokerage headquartered in Branford, Connecticut. Christopher Guandalini will continue to lead Mobeck-Guandalini Insurance under Relation going forward. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Mobeck-Guandalini Insurance transaction adds to Relations presence in Connecticut. In April, Relation acquired Guilford-based Yerkes-Stephens Insurance, which was previously part of Nationwide Mutuals exclusive distribution network. In 2021, Relation acquired The SIG Insurance Agencies in Middletown. It also owns Gary Blaustein Associates in Stamford and Southeast Agency in Jewett City California-headquartered Relation is ranked by Insurance Journal within the top 25 largest agencies in the country by revenue and has approximately 1,200 employees across more than 125 locations nationwide. Relation is a privately held corporation backed by Aquiline Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in New York and London. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Connecticut The New Hampshire Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee approved a request from the Sununu Administration to use $252,000 in federal pandemic aid to offset the cost of premium increases for birthing centers and home birth midwives. The state Department of Health and Human Services said premium increases are putting the continued operation of the centers at risk because the facilities are required to have malpractice insurance in order to receive Medicaid reimbursement or enter into commercial provider contracts. State officials said the rising malpractice insurance cost presents significant hardship to the centers and to at-home midwives at the same time that current Medicaid reimbursement rates are significantly below actual facility costs. The department cited one center that reported a 250% increase in its premium, or more than $40,000. It said this increase and others are related to increased utilization throughout the COVID-19 health crisis, as more families are choosing not to have births in a hospital setting. Under the proposal, providers would be eligible for up to 60% of the increase in their premium. The funds used would come from the states share of monies from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). No state funds would be used. The funding, which would be available through June of next year, must still be approved by the Executive Council. In August, Gov. Chris Sununu signed a separate measure increasing the Medicaid reimbursement rate for birthing centers and midwives for the first time in several years. Topics New Hampshire ire that started at an electric scooter showroom in India killed at least eight people and injured 11, police said on Tuesday, in what is the deadliest such incident involving electric vehicles in the country. A spate of electric scooter fires this year has alarmed the government, which is keen to promote use of such two-wheelers in its fight against pollution. Early investigations have identified faulty battery cells and battery modules among the main causes. The latest fire broke out late on Monday in a hotel basement housing the showroom with some two dozen electric scooters in the southern city of Secunderabad, police said. It had been brought under control and an investigation had been launched, they said. Most of the dead were occupants of the hotel, which was engulfed by smoke. There were electric scooters parked where the fire started, city police official Chandana Deepti told Reuters. We dont know if it started because of overcharging and then spread or whether it started elsewhere. That is still being established. The identity of the dealer and the make of scooters being sold was not immediately clear. Police and firefighters used cranes and other equipment to pluck stranded hotel guests from upper floors of the four-story building as smoke billowed out of its windows, media images showed. Those staying on the first and second floors were overpowered by smoke and the maximum casualties are from those floors, C.V. Anand, the police chief of the neighboring city of Hyderabad, told Reuters partner ANI. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened by the deaths and promised compensation for the casualties in the fire. In March, India launched an investigation over safety concerns after a string of e-scooter fires, including one in which a man and his daughter died when their e-bike went up in flames. India wants e-scooters and e-bikes to make up 80% of total two-wheeler sales by 2030, from about 2% now. (Reporting by Shilpa Jamkhandikar, Jatindra Dash and Krishna N. Das; editing by Bradley Perrett and Clarence Fernandez) Topics India IQUW Taps Lancashires Warburg as Head of Reinsurance, London Property and specialty re/insurer IQUW has named Dan Warburg as its new head of Reinsurance, London. Based in London, he will report to Steven Tebbutt, active underwriter, IQUW Syndicate 1856 and Stephen Young, group head of IQUW Reinsurance. Warburg will be responsible for leading and building the specialty and property reinsurance book in London, cementing the UK-based team alongside Property Lead Underwriters Ciaran Waters and Sarah Smith. Warburg has more than 20 years reinsurance market experience, and he joins from Lancashires Syndicate 2010, where he was a reinsurance underwriter. Prior to Lancashire, he was a reinsurance underwriter with Cathedral Underwriting. Its an exciting time at IQUW as we continue to build our Reinsurance division as part of our overall IQUW Group growth strategy, and Im delighted that we have someone of Dans calibre in this position, said Young. Dan is a respected reinsurance underwriter within the Lloyds community and he will be a tremendous asset to IQUW as we construct our global Reinsurance portfolio and intelligently use insights to improve our decision making. Warburg has been a member of the Lloyds Market Associations Aviation Committee since 2019, and he has chaired the committee since June 2020. In addition to Dans promotion, Rene Lamer has also been appointed as head of Reinsurance, Bermuda. Rene has been an integral part of the IQUW Bermuda team since November 2021. About IQUW A new property and specialty insurance and reinsurance business, IQUWs products are distributed through Lloyds Syndicate 1856 and IQUW Agency in Bermuda. IQUW is able to write business in Bermuda through a new coverholder agreement, IQUW Agency Bermuda Ltd., which further expands IQUWs global platform and increases its business remit in Bermuda. IQUW provides insurance cover for aviation, crisis management, cyber, cargo, marine, political risk, energy, property, D&O, financial institutions, political violence and terror and war risks, plus reinsurance for property and specialty treaty. *** Gallagher Re Names Swiss Res Choniski as Head of Embedded Insurance Alexander Choniski has joined global reinsurance broker Gallagher Re in the newly created role of head of Embedded Insurance, in North America, within its Alternative Distribution vertical. Choniski will be responsible for creating an embedded insurance solution for clients in North America and will work in partnership across all parts of the global Gallagher organization. Choniski brings more than 18 years of diverse capital markets and insurance experience to Gallagher Re. He joins from his most recent role at Swiss Re, where he built and co-ran the Strategic Partnerships mandate Swiss Res largest insurtech and embedded reinsurance portfolio. Jim Bradshaw, CEO for North America at Gallagher Re, said: It is a pleasure welcoming Alexander to the Gallagher Re team. He has one of the most unique experience sets within this new arena, which will allow Gallagher Re to offer its clients the most sophisticated embedded solution. Commenting on his role and the new business venture, Alexander Choniski said: At Gallagher, we are focused on building a solution that will be significantly more expansive than whats currently found in the market. For instance, embedded solutions only win when you bring as much and more than the traditional channel. Many of the embedded solutions in the market struggle with this. Gallagher, as a diverse global group, already possesses many of the tools across the entire value chain to be successful at embedded. And for what we lack internally, our insurance partners will help deliver, with us, the preeminent solution. Topics Reinsurance A.J. Gallagher London Swiss Re The city of Evansville, Indiana has agreed to pay $1.75 million to settle a womans lawsuit stemming from a 2017 police chase crash that killed her two children and her husband and left her seriously injured. The Evansville City Council approved the appropriation Monday from the citys insurance carrier _ a step that allows the southwestern Indiana city to make the payout to the childrens mother, Janae Carter, the Evansville Courier & Press reported. Princess Carter, 2, and 7-month-old Prince Carter were killed in November 2017 when a man being pursued by Evansville police crashed into the familys car. Their father, Terence Barker, 26, died from head injuries about a month after the crash. Janae Carter was seriously injured and became the only person in her familys car to survive the crash in Evansville, about 170 miles (270 kilometers) southwest of Indianapolis. She was pregnant at the time of the crash and gave birth to a girl months later. Carter sued the city in 2018 in Vanderburgh Superior Court, seeking damages and claiming her two children were wrongfully killed and she was seriously injured as a direct result of negligence from the driver, Frederick McFarland, and the city, acting through Evansville Police Department. Police officers believed McFarland was driving a car with a false license plate and tried to stop him. He fled, starting the pursuit that ended when his car slammed into the car Janae Carter was driving. McFarland was sentenced to 15 years in prison in March 2020 after pleading guilty to four counts of resisting law enforcement. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Law Enforcement Indiana Risk Strategies, a national specialty insurance brokerage and risk management firm, announced it has acquired Beattie & Associates, a retail agency in Missouri specializing in employee benefits for both individuals and employers. Terms of the deal were not announced. Headquartered in the St. Louis suburb of Chesterfield, Missouri, Beattie & Associates is led by its principal, Tom Beattie. Beattie offers business clients a full range of employee benefit coverages, including group health, disability, life, dental, and vision, as well as associated support services. Beatties client base is highly loyal and largely concentrated in the Midwest Region. In addition to its base in the St. Louis region, Beattie has presence across Big Sky and Bozeman, Montana, as well as Chicago. The Montana presence represents an expansion for Risk Strategies. Beatties Chicago presence will complement existing, long-standing Risk Strategies operations. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Missouri New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! Many reinsurers across the globe increasingly have been doing business with certain select managing general agents (MGAs), seen as market innovators, by reinsuring the fronting insurers that provide the paper for MGAs to underwrite. In recent years, it is a trend that has continued from the soft market into the current hard marketas long as the interests of MGAs and their capacity providers are aligned. Reinsurers have been increasingly attracted to MGAs and have found an easy means to provide support through a dramatic expansion of the fronting market, said Conning in a recent study titled Managing General AgentsFiring on All Cylinders. Total direct premiums written by the top 17 fronting companies [in the U.S.] rose by 45.3 percent to almost $9 billion in 2021, said the report. Owned by Markel, State National is the largest and oldest fronting company, which saw gross premiums written rise by 31 percent to $2.7 billion and fee income rise 21 percent. While insurers were chasing those classes that were seeing rate increases, reinsurers decided it would be more beneficial for them to allocate their capital. Danny Maleary, Pro MGA Global Solutions The fronting market has expanded in recent years because reinsurers want to get closer to the customers and to innovators, according to Danny Maleary, chief executive officer of Pro MGA Global Solutions, a London-based MGA incubator, which is currently supporting 41 MGAs. A lot of the MGAs are very data driven, and, obviously, reinsurance is extremely data driven, so theres an alignment in terms of proposition. The appeal of MGAs has been particularly strong for reinsurers seeking to get closer to the end client, agreed Conning in its report. To take one among many examples, RenaissanceRe supports a management liability offering for startups offered through Boost, an InsurTech firm specializing in embedded insurance products that trades as an MGA. Included in the category of delegated underwriting authority enterprises (DUAEs) are MGAs, managing general underwriters (MGUs) and program managers. Conning said that Munich Re leads the pack of reinsurers backing MGAs through fronting companies, including supporting one of the fastest-growing tech-enabled cyber MGAs, At-Bay, through its subsidiary HSB Specialty Insurance Company. From a handful of companies led five years ago by State National, Conning said, there are now more than 20 fronting insurers operating in the U.S. MGA market. Most of these are so-called hybrid fronts, retaining a share of risk (often as much as 20 percent), which serves as a further source of comfort to reinsurers, said the report. A fronting insurer typically only retains a very small proportion of the riskabout 20 percent or lesswhich makes it essential that the MGA develop a close relationship with its reinsurers, Maleary said. (The reinsurer would assume the remaining balance of the delegated authority portfolio.) On the other hand, a traditional insurer would retain anything up to 80 percent of the MGAs risk and then make a 20 percent quota share arrangement with its reinsurance partners, he added. However, because of the growing appetite from reinsurers who want to reinsure delegated authority business, some traditional insurers are deciding to reduce their MGA retention level to 40 percent and reinsure 60 percent out the back. When reinsurers provide capacity for fronting companies, it enables them to get access to a portfolio of MGAs where theres perhaps a greater level of diversification, which supports longer-term involvement from that reinsurer or a group of reinsurers, said Myles Gould, director, Analytics, AM Best. Abundant Capacity In recent years, MGAs havent had much difficulty accessing capacityin both soft and hard markets. Industry practitioners say this is a change from five-plus years ago when insurers sometimes pulled capacity during hard markets because they had plenty of options for their capital deployment. And there have been other times when capacity exited markets when rates were too low. While we were in a soft market, there was a desire to support a broad number of MGAs in specific territories, across specific classes, and as the market started to harden, I did not see that change from a reinsurance perspective, said Maleary. If anything, I saw [MGAs] becoming more sought after. While insurers were chasing those classes that were seeing rate increases, reinsurers decided it would be more beneficial for them to allocate their capital. I was also seeing insurers still supporting MGAs, but they were quota sharing a bigger proportion of the portfolio, out the back to the reinsurance market. MGAs were historically most active in soft markets, when insurers were hungry for premium and turned to MGAs to develop niches that they could not readily access themselves, the Conning report said. MGAs now serve as an all-weather distribution channel, as valuable to insurers in hard markets (such as we are now seeing) as in soft markets, the report noted. In terms of technology adoption and exploitationparticularly in rating hard-to-price risksthey have some advantages over the insurers themselves. They are not normally burdened by legacy systems and the inefficient and duplicative processes (sometimes known as tech debt) that go with these systems. Historically, during soft markets, insurers and reinsurers increasingly reached out to the MGAs to drum up business, to make up for those soft market conditions, commented Greg Williams, senior director at the ratings agency AM Best. However, that has changed over the past five years or so, and capacity now seeks to develop relationships with MGAs because they underwrite in specialty niches, he explained. If MGAs are able to stay ahead of the curve and provide competitive advantage with innovation, they can keep that value-add in the chain, in all market cycles, said AM Bests Gould. Capacity has pulled back in some areas at some points in time for MGAs, Maleary said, but for most classes of business, if the MGA has delivered good quality results, is entrepreneurial and innovative, then irrespective of whether its a soft or hard market, the MGA should be okay. Why would the capacity provider want to change that? he questioned. Better Underwriting Performance MGAs across the globe generally have better combined ratios than insurers, right across the board, according to David Howden, CEO of Howden Group, which comprises the broker Howden and DUAL, the international MGA. Howden spoke at the June conference of the Managing General Agents Association (MGAA) in London. MGAs across the globe generally have better combined ratios than insurers, right across the board, according to David Howden, CEO of Howden Group. Over the past five years, the emergence of InsurTech MGAs, which are driven by some form of technology, such as algorithms and artificial intelligence, have started to look at and analyze data in such a way that it is actually giving them a bit of a deeper insight into the risk they should be acceptingi.e., whats good risk and whats bad risk, said Maleary. Such models are helping to drive the better combined ratios for MGAs because theyve got data thats helping them to slice and dice whats good or bad, he noted. Attracting Talent Howden discussed a number of key traits that are seen in successful MGAs: underwriting credibility (outperforming the market), being nimble, employing strong data and analytics, having alignment with their capacity providers, and talent. MGAs have an enormous ability to attract talented underwriters who are seeking a slightly more entrepreneurial and empowered business model, Howden said. Indeed, the Conning report suggested, the ability of the MGA model to attract talent in a post-pandemic world could have played a significant role in MGA formation in 2021, although this is hard to quantify. [T]he more flexible business model of MGAs and, crucially, the greater sense of agency felt by people working at smaller and more nimble organizations may have contributed significantly to the allure of MGAs in competing for talent, the report noted. (Related online article: Are MGAs Winning the Insurance Talent War?) Culturally, MGAs are often attractive to the talent that traditional insurers are finding hardest to attractincluding data scientists and software developers. MGAs are much more nimble than traditional insurers, akin to a speedboat versus an oil tanker trying to change course, said Maleary. MGAs provide a great mechanism for the industrys entrepreneurial underwriters, who, after the pandemic, are less interested in working for the man, said Simon Burton, chief executive officer and chief underwriting officer for Greenlight Capital Re, in an interview. Theyre very good at what they do. Theyre super competent; theyve got great relationships. Theyve got long track records, but theyd like to have a bit more autonomy, and, frankly, have greater participation in the profit of the business that they generate. Most of MGA talent, from an underwriting perspective, is coming from large named insurers where maybe theyre No. 1 or No. 2 in line, but they want to work in a more entrepreneurial environment, said Williams at AM Best. Alignment of Interests All the executives interviewed or quoted in this article mentioned alignment of interests as being crucial to strong, long-term relationships between MGAs and their capacity providers. Maleary defined alignment as sharing the same vision, work ethic and approach (in terms of acquisition costs, in particular)all helping to structure a strong commercial relationship that benefits all partners. One example, he said, would be to reward underwriters by the profitability of the portfolio. Howden was dismissive of old preconceptions about MGAs and those insurers that are concerned about giving away their pens to MGAs. He called this type of talk old hat, old thinking, and we need to change that. If MGA owners lose their capacity, they lose their business and they have no value, said Howden during his speech. That is alignment. On the other hand, when a line underwriter gets told off by a CUO for having written a crap riskthats not alignment, said Howden. And I think that message really needs to come across. MGAs are absolutely aligned to their capacity advisers and really care. The MGA market has become much more professional. The talent pool is deeper; its more experienced. And then the insurers and the reinsurers enterprise risk management practices around audits have increased as well, Williams explained. The rating agency has introduced a performance assessment for DUAEs to distinguish the best performing MGAs. (See related article from AM Best). Misalignment of Interests Burton recalled a period from a few years ago when risk capital was being undercompensated in MGA relationshipswhen there was a serious misalignment of interests. He cited one example when Greenlight Re was offered three points of margin for an MGAs business. Frankly, three points of margin, after we overlayed our own expenses, would not even be breakeven. My response was that it simply wouldnt work for us. But some of these deals were getting done, which wasnt very healthy or sustainable for reinsurers or the market. The market was soft, and too much reinsurance capacity was chasing too little demand, Burton said, noting that ultimately, the situation caused a backlash and capacity withdrawal, including from MGAs. We only enter into relationships with MGAs where theres a good alignment of interests. Put plainly, we cant be in a situation where the reinsurance contract is a significant loser over a several year period while the MGA remains highly profitable. Now its a matter of selecting the very best MGAsthe MGAs that are truly delivering the best value to their customers and for everybody in the value chain, Burton said. Nowadays, when reinsurers go into a discussion with MGAs, theres an appreciation for the risk capital that reinsurers are bringing to the table and an understanding that theres a fair amount of compensation that comes with that deployment of capital. This article first was published in Insurance Journals sister publication, Carrier Management. Topics Insurance Wholesale ProNavigator, provider of the only purpose-built SaaS knowledge management platform made for insurance, has closed $10 million of growth financing to accelerate U.S. and Canadian sales and product development and grow the team. ProNavigator founder and CEO, Joseph DSouza, will lead the U.S. expansion strategy and additional team from the new, second headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina. We are excited about the U.S. expansion opportunity, which will play a key role in growing existing and new customers, says DSouza. The commitment from our investors and customer stickiness reinforces that were on the right track particularly as it relates to providing a valuable solution for the insurance industry at large. Referred to by its users as Google Search for Insurance, ProNavigators proprietary machine learning and AI are trained on specific insurance knowledge, so it understands the types of queries insurance professionals use and retrieves the right information within seconds. ProNavigators solution has been implemented by leading industry players, including insurance industry heavyweights such as TD Insurance, Wawanesa, HUB International, and NFP. The financing was co-led by Graphite Ventures and previous investor, Luge Capital. Additional financing partners include EDC, Tactico, and CIBC Innovation Banking. The companys vision and solutions are providing value and efficiencies for insurance companies, positioning ProNavigator as an insurtech changemaker. We look forward to supporting their ongoing mission of improving the insurance industry for insurers and their customers, said Aaron Bast, managing director and general partner at Graphite Ventures. David Nault, general partner at Luge Capital, added: ProNavigators solution has proven to significantly accelerate response times to customer and advisor inquiries saving time and money. They are accelerating as the category winner in knowledge management for the insurance industry, and this funding round helps further grow their Canadian and U.S. leadership position. SOURCE: ProNavigator Topics Funding PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has been invited to attend the burial of Queen Elizabeth II in the United Kingdom on Monday, the UK embassy confirmed. President Mnangagwa has been invited to attend the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on Monday, the embassy said on a social media post. The UK embassy dismissed a fake letter doing rounds on social media that claims that Buckingham Palace rejected a request by Zimbabwe to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, died on September 8. The letter claims baselessly that President Mnangagwa is under travel restrictions from the UK when that is not the case. Herald Dental Health Products, Inc. (DHP), a nationwide provider of supplies and equipment to dental practices, violated federal law by firing a sales representative based in McAllen, Texas because she made a complaint to human resources alleging sex-based discrimination and harassment, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit. According to the EEOCs lawsuit, the sales representative made a written complaint to DHPs human resources department alleging that her manager was discriminating against her because of her sex after he reassigned her clients to a male salesperson. She also said the employer was creating a very hostile work environment for her. DHP fired the sales representative less than one day later, the EEOC said, in retaliation for opposing what she believed to be unlawful discrimination. Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC filed suit after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process. The case, EEOC v. Dental Health Products, Inc., Civil Action No. 5:22-cv-00994, was filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division. The EEOC is seeking back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, and appropriate injunctive relief to prevent similar discriminatory practices in the future. A manager may not fire, demote, harass or otherwise retaliate against an individual for filing a complaint of discrimination, participating in a discrimination proceeding, or otherwise opposing discrimination based on sex, said Philip Moss, a trial attorney with the EEOCs San Antonio Field Office. Topics Lawsuits Texas If the past two years have taught us anything, its that anything can happen. There are dozens of unforeseen possibilities that could leave your business financially liable or could otherwise discourage guests from returning. And in the restaurant industry, that lesson is especially clear. For restaurant owners and operators, having a full understanding of all coverage options is critical. General Liability Coverage is the First Step In environments like restaurants and bars, risk is elevated. Theres a higher chance that employees or customers might slip and fall, become sick from foodborne illness or that property damage might occur, and when those things happen, the restaurant is usually found liable. General liability coverage is a great jumping-off point for restaurants to have in their arsenal for covering a guests injury or illness brought on by the restaurants food or property. Most restaurant owners and operators think general liability coverage is a stopping point, since their policy has them covered for things like bodily injury, property damage and personal injury. But these are just a handful of claims that could be wielded against a restaurant, and often a wider net needs to be cast to fully insulate a restaurant from these threats and the lasting impact they can have on business operations. The Benefits of Broader Coverage: Trade Name Restoration Think of the threats that could negatively impact your restaurant if they become a reality. A loyal customer could contract a nasty foodborne illness and swear to never eat at your restaurant again. A disgruntled employee could become enraged and damage your property, or even spread false rumors about your establishment that negatively impact your reputation. A global pandemic could halt in-restaurant dining and put the brakes on your restaurants cashflow. All of these scenarios can damage a restaurants business operations, and the damage is often too great for a general liability policy to be very effective. The best way to be fully prepared with the right coverage for a situation like this is to be fully educated on what coverage options are available. Business interruption policies generally exclude losses resulting from anything other than direct, physical damage, although courts have recently offered different rulings on that. Another option is to acquire a trade name restoration insurance program which goes beyond the boundaries of a traditional general liability policy to address the unique costs associated with things like foodborne illness outbreaks, property damage and more. In one instance, a restaurant client of ours with a multi-state presence and hundreds of locations suffered a big-time foodborne illness loss that might have significantly impacted the business, had it not been for trade name restoration. News of their customers illness reached the news station and made the story viral, and that rapid escalation of damaging news can sink a restaurants brand. We had advised a trade name restoration policy and educated our client on how to weigh the benefits against the risks. Our client was able to save millions of dollars in lost revenue and unexpected expenses like vaccinations. Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst: Protection Against Workplace Violence Unfortunately, foodborne illness and reputational threats are not the worst that a restaurant could face. Millions of workers across industries become victims of workplace violence every year, and in 2020 alone, assaults resulted in more than 20,000 injuries and almost 400 fatalities. Certain factors specific to the nature of the restaurant industry make restaurants a high-risk environment for workplace violence, including long hours and ease of access. The fact that every place of business needs to address workplace violence becomes more apparent each year and this year is no exception. One of our hospitality clients recently underwent a traumatic active shooter situation that might have left them at a loss if they hadnt been educated on active shooter and violent act coverage. While developing employee training programs and creating action plans is a great first step, restaurant owners need to consider how they can get more out of their insurance coverage to protect their business from the detrimental consequences of workplace violence. Active shooter and violent act coverage surpasses the boundaries of general liability insurance to address things like bodily injury, response expenses and revenue loss. Beyond that, it connects counselors with employees to provide extra support and give them a sense of community to recover from the trauma of experiencing an active shooter situation. Employees, guests and patrons want to feel safe in their favorite restaurantssafety is an unspoken expectation that they have, after all. The Value of Equipment Breakdown Coverage Any time the power goes out or a refrigeration unit stops working, a restaurants revenues and expenses are threatened. Having equipment breakdown coverage when these unfortunate situations arise is well worth the time and investment for restaurants, because the things they need to operate successfully can be threatened at any moment by events outside of their control. For example, earlier this year a restaurant client suffered a cooler breakdown. Without an equipment breakdown policy in place, our client would have had to shore up the funds to repair the cooler, rent a mobile walk-in box and replace spoiled food with fresh ingredients. Because we advised the client to secure equipment breakdown coverage, the clients only out-of-pocket expense was his property deductible, and his restaurant operations never skipped a beat. Matt Mallory is CEO of the Mallory Agency, based in LaGrange, Georgia. Cannabis tourism, or more colloquially, cannatourism, is a billion-dollar and counting industry that includes everything from cannabis lounges to posh winery-tour style getaways with 4-star meals and messages. Its a novel and unique industry with promise, and of a fair share of developing and yet to be fully understood risks and perils. We covered the industry and where its going and the associated risks in the latest episode of our Insuring Cannabis podcast For that podcast we spoke with Georgi Bohrod Gordon, a principal with GBG & Associates, and membership chair of the Cannabis Travel Association, and Lee Woodruff, vice president of business development for Jencap, who is a specialized cannabis insurance broker. Following are takeaways from that conversation. Gordon describe the cannatourism universe as board and unique. For those interested in more details on this emerging industry, the Cannabis Travel Association puts out an annual State of Cannabis Travel report with data on who partakes in this kind of travel, what the travel entails, and an array of data on these businesses and their practices. It turns out that cannabis tourists are not much different from other mainstream tourists. They skew a little bit more to experiential travel and experiencing new cuisines. Of course, food is always important when it comes to cannabis. And theyre motivated to travel by wellness programs, lifestyle programs, Gordon said. Theyre also very environmentally conscious and they enjoy outdoor adventure, love music, of course, and they skew much higher in pet friendly. Their demographics are also like other travelers. There are a few more women than men, but its probably based on the number of whos booking what, because women do make travel decisions. Millennials, of course, are the leading generation interested in this type of travel. Gordon was asked what motivates people to try this type of travel. Cannabis enhances any travel experience or any experience for that matter. And as the acceptance of cannabis grows, cannabis travel will grow, she said. But whats interesting is that many people come into the cannabis consumer way of life through cannabis tourism because its the first time they experience enjoying cannabis on a trip or visiting an art museum or going out for kayaking. So, they learn about cannabis when theyre not in their day-to-day life. And because of this, were seeing a growth in cannabis consumption and at the same time, cannabis tourism. So, there is big money in it and there will be bigger and bigger money in it. Woodruff has been specializing in helping to insure these cannatourism undertakings. He expects this to be a bigger and bigger part of their business over there at Jencap, with events and consumption lounges starting off quicker. And, for the more cultured affairs like stays at inns and winery-style experiences, Woodruff says he expects those to start becoming huge opportunities for insurers soon after. Right now, in the Midwest where Im located, were seeing a lot of events, Woodruff said, adding that the businesses of bed-and-breakfasts and hands-on tours of outdoor cultivation facilities are areas that are going to start to explode over the next one to five years. These businesses are getting insurance primarily from the surplus lines industry, and the majority of the policies theyre buying are the same policies that any other business operation would have, according to Woodruff. Theres nothing really unique as far as the lines of business or anything, he said. Its still your property, your GL, your product liability, your auto liability, those really common coverages. He added: Whats unique about it is that theres a limited number of carriers that are actually writing in that space. Were a little bit at the mercy of their forms and their required exclusions on this industry. This has brokers doing the extra work of figuring out where there may be gaps and exclusions, and explaining them to the clients, or looking for ways to help those clients mitigate some of those risks. Woodruff believes the business for them will eventually be huge. Its hard to quantify exactly how many of these consumption lounges are going to be out there. If you look around in areas that have legalized marijuana both medically and adult use, youll see dispensaries all over the place, he said. I think its only natural that the next phase is that theres public places where people can go and enjoy the products that theyre purchasing at the dispensary. I think that theres also a big opportunity because a lot of the people that are purchasing and consuming marijuana products for maybe the first time, they maybe dont feel great and comfortable to go out into a public setting and consume. As cannabis becomes more normalized and socially accepted, more people will want to go out and enjoy these products with friends in a public setting. More like going out to the bar and having a couple drinks, and then going home, he added. Related: Rescuers searched for a person missing this week in a mudslide as big yellow tractors plowed through dark, thick sludge and pushed boulders off roads after flash floods swept dirt, rocks and trees down fire-scarred slopes, washed away cars and buried buildings in small mountain communities in Southern California. With thunderstorms forecast and more mudslides possible into Wednesday, evacuation orders remained in place in parts of the San Bernardino Mountains while a wildfire raging 500 miles to the north forced residents to abandon their homes. The Mosquito Fire burning 110 miles northeast of San Francisco erupted in the afternoon just hours after officials had reported making great strides in the battle. We have all hands on deck, fire spokesperson Chris Valenzuela said as the fire burned in Foresthill. Its burning very erratic and intensely. The blaze was one of three large fires in the state. East of Los Angeles, crews searched street by street for people who might be trapped by mudflows that washed rocks, trees and other debris with astonishing force the day before into Forest Falls, Oak Glen and Yucaipa and left a muddy mess and untold destruction. Homes and other buildings were damaged, including a commercial building buried so high its roof collapsed, said Eric Sherwin, spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Fire Department. We have boulders that moved through that weigh multiple tons, Sherwin said. It could take days just to find all the cars that are missing because they are completely covered by mud. A video showed a slow-moving black river of sludge rolling past the sign for the Oak Glen Steakhouse and Saloon followed seconds later by a surging wave of deeper mud carrying logs. The mud appeared to be head-high in places the next day. Sherwin said crews were searching for one missing person. Residents who tried to return home found it tough going in the sticky mess. Ive never seen anything like this before,said Perla Halbert, whose feet were caked in mud after trying to walk to her home. If you try and take two steps, you get submerged. You just get stuck. Halbert had been out of town and returned to her Oak Glen home late Monday to find the driveway covered with a few inches of mud. Her family stayed the night with family members and returned after first light to discover several feet of mud and a fence washed away. Her husband went to buy boots and coveralls before trekking through the muck to assess the damage. Theres lots of rocks and so much mud. But hopefully the house itself is OK,she said. Officials lifted some mandatory evacuation and shelter in place orders Tuesday evening. Workers were able to clear most of Valley of the Falls Drive, the only road to Forests Falls, and teams were assessing damage. Other major roads in the San Bernardino Mountains were reopened. For some homes in Forest Falls, it was too late to evacuate Monday. Residents were told to shelter in place through the night because it was safer than venturing out. The rains were the remnants of a tropical storm that brought high winds and some badly needed rainfall to drought-stricken Southern California last week, helping firefighters largely corral the Fairview Fire that had been burning out of control about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of the mudslides. The mud flows and flash flooding occurred in parts of the San Bernardino Mountains where there are burn scars, areas where theres little vegetation to hold the soil, from the 2020 wildfires. All of that dirt turns to mud and starts slipping down the mountain,Sherwin said. One of the 2020 blazes, the El Dorado Fire, was sparked by a smoke device used by a couple to reveal their babys gender. A firefighter died, and the couple was charged with involuntary manslaughter. The mudslides occurred about 175 miles east of Montecito, where enormous debris flows killed more than 20 people and destroyed hundreds of homes in January 2018, a month after a huge wildfire scorched hillsides. About 40 miles west, Cal State San Bernardino reopened Tuesday, a day after the campus was closed when several buildings were flooded during heavy rains. The powerful thunderstorms came after a week that saw California endure a record-long heatwave. Temperatures in many parts of the state rocketed past 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), and pushed the states electrical grid to the breaking point as air conditioners sucked up power. The Fairview Fire in Southern California and the Mosquito Fire burning east of Sacramento broke out and raged out of control. The tropical storm aided crews battling the Fairview Fire about 75 miles southeast of Los Angeles. The 44-square-mile blaze was 62% contained by Tuesday. Two people died fleeing the fire, which destroyed at least 35 homes and other structures in Riverside County. The Mosquito Fire has grown to 78 square miles, with 18% containment, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. But those numbers were expected to change late Tuesday as the fire flared up. Increased winds earlier Tuesday pushed out a smoke -inversion layer that had been stifling the blaze and gave fresh oxygen to the flames, Valenzuela said. The Foresthill area is full of extremely dry fuels that were rapidly igniting, challenging both firefighters on the ground and aircraft. Scientists say climate change has made the West warmer and drier over the last three decades and will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive. In the last five years, California has experienced the largest and most destructive fires in its history. Weber reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press writer Stefanie Dazio in Los Angeles contributed. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics California John Morrissey, a 62-year-old man who has been identified as a key member of the Kinahan crime cartel, has appeared in a Spanish court over money laundering claims. Gardai, the Spanish Guardia Civil, US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other law enforcement agencies collaborated in an operation to arrest Mr Morrissey in Costa del Sol on Monday after being identified earlier this year by US authorities as a Kinahan enforcer with money laundering offences. Mr Morrissey, along with two others, appeared in court yesterday after being remanded in custody for two nights with another man. A woman was also arrested and has been released on bail after appearing before the Marbella court. Former assistant garda commissioner John ODriscoll, who had responsibility for organised and serious crime, has said the arrest of Kinahan gang associate John Morrissey in Spain highlights the importance of cooperation between international law enforcement agencies. The success provided a template for tackling criminal organisations, he told RTE radios News at One and the necessity for collaboration. Mr ODriscolls successor, Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary, said that the international investigation into the Kinahan organised crime group was live and ongoing. The arrest of Morrissey in Spain was significant and the latest stage in moves to dismantle organised crime groups all over the world, he said. Mr ODriscoll said the involvement of members of An Garda Siochana in the arrest of Morrissey was important. While international agencies had announced their intention to join forces to target organised crime last April, authorities in Spain had not been ready at that stage to move which was why the arrest did not take place until this week, explained Mr ODriscoll. Morrissey had been an enforcer for the Kinahan organised crime gang and had facilitated drug shipments from South America. He was involved in money laundering through his position as director of a UK based alcoholic beverage company, said Mr O'Driscoll. The quantity of funds going through that company had given rise to the suspicion of money laundering, he added. He explained that the US Department of Treasury had become involved with the aim of protecting the US from the threat of international terrorism. Organised crime groups were reckless in how they laundered their money and did not care who they used or how they used their profits which could be used in other crimes such as international terrorism, he said. Speaking today about the Spanish authorities operation, Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary, Organised and Serious Crime (acting) in An Garda Siochana said: "The actions that have taken place over the past few days in Spain, highlight the resilience and determination of international law enforcement to combine our resources to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks. "An Garda Siochana will continue to work closely with all our international partners, targeting transnational organised crime gangs who profit from drug trafficking and impact so negatively on our society and in particular those networks that cause the most harm to our communities here in Ireland. US ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin, speaking at Dublin City Hall, after it was announced that the US government is offering five million dollars for information on the Irish Kinahan crime gang or for the arrest and conviction of its leaders in April. In April, the UAE government confirmed that it had been investigating the activities of the Kinahan organised crime gang, together with the US, Ireland, the UK, and Spain. The assets frozen by the gulf state included all personal and corporate bank accounts belonging to members of the gang. The relevant authorities co-operate closely on cases involving foreign elements, in line with the UAEs international commitments and national legal framework for combating illicit activity, a UAE government official said. It followed the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) a branch of the US Treasury Department sanctioning several senior members of the organised crime group, referred to in its report and here as the KOCG. In a statement on the matter, OFAC named seven individuals and three businesses. Mr Morrissey was mentioned in the OFAC report, stating he had worked for the KOCG "for several years" including as "an enforcer". It says he "facilitates international drug shipments for the organization from South America" and is also involved in money laundering activities. Fianna Fail should allow former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern back into the party, a private meeting of TDs and senators has heard. During a contribution at the weekly parliamentary party meeting on Wednesday night, a discussion was heard about planning for the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement next year and how the party needs to own it. Donegal senator Niall Blaney called on the party to act in a spirit of inclusivity in terms of Mr Aherns contribution in achieving peace in 1998 along with then British Prime Minister Tony Blair in the context of the anniversary. Backing Mr Blaney up, Offaly TD and former Minister for Agriculture Barry Cowen said the time has come to re-admit Mr Ahern to the party. In 2012, Mr Ahern resigned from Fianna Fail in the wake of the Mahon Tribunal ahead of current Taoiseach Micheal Martin expelling him from the party. The tribunal stopped short of accusing Ahern of corruption but said he failed to truthfully account for sources of money he lodged in his bank account when he was finance minister in the 1990s. Mr Ahern said the donations he received from wealthy party supporters into his account were not backhanders but dig-outs from friends to help him cover legal bills after his divorce. At the meeting, Mr Martin outlined the ongoing work on a cost of living package saying the Government is determined to alleviate the pressures on people and protect jobs. Mr Cowen also requested that Energy Minister Eamon Ryan demand the ESB to either turn now obsolete power plants into renewable generation plants or allow companies bid to compete to do so. He said he has been asking the same question for 18 months without any progress. Mr Martin agreed to raise the matter with Mr Ryan. At the Fine Gael meeting, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said such unpredictability in the energy market may necessitate further intervention by Government again next year so we need to keep something in reserve. Mr Varadkar told party colleagues that helping families and businesses with energy costs in this month's budget is a priority. The Tanaiste said it was the biggest budget package in several years. The budget will consist of universal measures to help everyone including hard pressed middle income earners and targeted assistance, carers, and the disabled, he said. He also told his party collegues that he would be in favour of increasing the threshold at which people pay inheritance tax on family homes. This is at odds with the recommendations of the commission on taxation which recommended that the threshold be decreased in order to increase the amount of inheritance tax taken in. The Education Minister Norma Foley has been accused in the Dail of being "in hiding" while the school transport system is an "utter mess". Sinn Fein's Defence spokesperson Sorca Clarke made the charge during Leaders' Questions on Thursday. In July, Ms Foley announced that families that receive a school transport ticket for the upcoming school year will not be charged a fee, given the current cost-of-living crisis. That led to a deluge of applications and a number of children across the country have been left without seats. In the Seanad on Wednesday, Fine Gael senator Tim Lombard told Ms Foley that 170 children in Cork South-West had lost their places on buses. Ms Clarke echoed that sentiment in the Dail, saying additional capacity is not being sought for pupils who did not secure a ticket for this school year. "Meanwhile, other parents who applied and paid on time had their children lose out due to the unfair lottery nature of the scheme," she said. "Families that expected to realise savings of 500 will now instead have additional costs heaped on them as they try to find alternatives. We have a crazy situation where parents are being forced to give up work to get their children to school. This is an utter mess." Scheme defended In response the Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said that there may be a "nominal fee" introduced for the scheme next year. He said it was not fair to say that Ms Foley had not provided extra capacity and that 124,000 tickets have been issued as of September, an increase of 21,000 on last year. "The decision was made to waive all fees, saving families up to 650, relative to last year. There may be a nominal fee next year, perhaps, but that is a matter for next year. I accept that the issue this year is one of capacity." Mr Varadkar later told the Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy that reform of the energy sector was needed. However, he said that EU proposals on how capping prices would work "aren't entirely clear, quite frankly". He said wind energy generators were given the same prices as gas generators to encourage investments in green energy but now wind generators and solar generators "are making profits and booking revenues they never in their wildest dreams thought they would be able to get". Meanwhile, the Taoiseach said that it remains to be seen just how much of a 140 billion windfall tax on energy companies Ireland stands to receive. "It very much depends on the ultimate formula that the EU Council of Energy Ministers will arrive at but there will be a stream of revenue from it," Micheal Martin said. "We were never going to be dependent on that revenue stream as the key to the package that we will be introducing in the next two weeks." The Taoiseach added that the revenue from Europe would be separate from that being held for the one-off cost of living package and Budget measures. "The revenue from that measure that Europe will introduce can be helpful in the medium term," he said. A volunteer medic captured by Russian forces during their siege of Mariupol in Ukraine has told US politicians Russians routinely tortured her and others killing many detainees. In her most detailed public account of her months in captivity, Ukrainian Yuliia Paievska, detained in March and held by Russian and pro-Russian forces for three months, spoke to politicians with the Helsinki Commission, a government agency created in part to promote compliance with human rights internationally. Known to Ukrainians by the nickname Taira, Ms Paievska became a popular figure in her home country. Her care of the wounded during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war received global attention after her bodycam footage was provided to the Associated Press. Ukrainian medic Yuliia Paievska, known to Ukrainians by the nickname Taira, speaks during an appearance before US politicians on the Helsinki Commission (Mariam Zuhaib/AP) Do you know why we do this to you? a Russian asked Ms Paievska as he tortured her, she recounted to the commission. She told the panel her answer to him was: Because you can. A seven-year-old boy died in her lap because she had none of the medical gear needed to treat him, she said. Russian captors made Ukrainian prisoners remove their clothes before the Russians set to bloodying and tormenting them, she said. Prisoners lingered in pain, screaming, for weeks before dying. Then in this torment of hell, the only things they feel before death is abuse and additional pain, she said. Ms Paievska had been one of thousands of Ukrainians believed to have been taken prisoner by Russian forces. Mariupols mayor said 10,000 people from his city alone disappeared during what was the months-long Russian siege of that city. It fell to Russians in April, with the city all but destroyed by Russian bombardment and with countless dead. The Geneva Conventions single out medics, both military and civilian, for protection in all circumstance. Senator Ben Cardin, a Maryland Democrat and co-chairman of the Helsinki Commission, underscored that the conditions she described for civilian and military detainees violated international law. Republican Joe Wilson called Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal. Before she was captured, Ms Paievska recorded more than 256 gigabytes of harrowing bodycam footage showing her teams efforts to save the wounded in the besieged city. She got the footage to Associated Press journalists, the last international team in Mariupol, on a tiny data card. The journalists fled the city on March 15 with the card embedded inside a tampon, carrying it through 15 Russian checkpoints. The next day, Ms Paievska was taken by pro-Russia forces. Three months passed before she emerged on June 17, thin and haggard, her athletes body more than 22 pounds lighter from lack of nourishment and activity. She said the AP report that showed her caring for Russian and Ukrainian soldiers alike, along with civilians of Mariupol, was critical to her release. Ms Paievska had previously declined to speak to journalists about conditions in detention, only describing it broadly as hell. She swallowed heavily at times on Thursday while giving evidence slowly in a mix of Ukrainian and halting English. Its very unpleasant to say what happened there, she said. Burma Bangladesh PM Opts to Avoid War With Neighbors Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Unesco headquarters in Paris on November 12, 2021. / AFP DHAKA Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that her government does not want war with its neighbors amid repeated violations of the international border and airspace by Myanmars junta in recent weeks. People became refugees after the Russia-Ukraine war broke out. Many became refugees after the Arab Spring. Many Palestinians cannot get access to study and meals. See the situation in Afghanistan. Thats why our call is, we do not want war, we want peace, she told the media at her Gonobhaban residence in Dhaka on Wednesday. Bangladeshs Foreign Affairs Ministry summoned Myanmars envoy in Dhaka three times and expressed deep concern over mortar shells falling on its territory, indiscriminate aerial firing and airspace violations. Hasina was asked what assurances she received from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during her September 5-8 visit to India. She said the Indian government stressed that the ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis had to be addressed. Its true we have sheltered them on humanitarian grounds but, the way it is going, it is becoming a burden. They are humans and we cannot throw them out, Hasina told the press conference. Rohingyas refugees deplete natural resources and forests and organize drug and weapons trafficking, she said. We are trying to maintain law and order as much as possible. Abduction, killing, rape, shootings, drug dealing and other crimes are rife at the Rohingya camps in Coxs Bazar district where over 1 million refugees are sheltered. Coxs Bazar police reported that 2,363 cases were filed against 4,979 Rohingyas between August 2017 and July 2022. Of the cases, 1,601 were filed against 2,207 people for drug possession while 95 murder cases were filed against 431 suspects, 84 rape or attempted rape allegations against 124 people and there were 39 cases filed against 191 people on charges of abduction. The police said by August they had arrested 1,846 people for 1,470 cases involving the seizure of at least 14 million yaba or methamphetamine tablets. In five years, at least 386 people were arrested in 190 arms-related cases while 239 firearms, 996 bullets and 12 magazines were seized. India always thinks that the Rohingya crisis should be resolved We sought their assistance and got a positive response. But the problem is with the Myanmar government. It does not care about any pressure. And it is also having its internal fighting. Thats a big problem. Burma How Influential Monk Supports Myanmar Nationalism and Bloodshed Ashin Chekinda sprinkles scented water on a pennant-shaped vane for the Shwezigon Pagoda replica on July 12 in Moscow. / Venerable Ashin Nyanissara Facebook The brutality of Myanmars junta has unmasked the generals in command but also influential Buddhist monks who were previously revered as significant religious figures. Ashin Chekinda was known for his Buddhist programs for teenagers during the holidays, attracting hundreds of youngsters annually. He has failed to criticize the juntas brutal crackdowns on peaceful protesters, some of whom are the same age as his students. His relationship with National League for Democracy (NLD) leaders, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, was poor while the party was in power. In July 2020, an embankment broke on the Ayeyarwady River in Amarapura Township, Mandalay. Then monk Ashin Chekinda attended as Mandalay City Development Committee officials were fixing the embankment at night. The monk castigated the NLDs Mandalay mayor Dr. Ye Lwin, who was watching the work. The monk said he had come for the sake of the people, in contrast with the mayor. The monk now heads the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University in Yangon and publicly supports the junta, failing to condemn its many atrocities. He was silent when the regime set fire to houses and killed civilians in Sagaing, his hometown, and he often attends the juntas religious ceremonies. He also accompanied regime leader Min Aung Hlaing to Moscow in July to consecrate a replica pagoda. Sitagu Sayadaw Ashin Nyanissara and Ashin Chekinda reportedly called on Min Aung Hlaing ahead of the 2020 general election for a coup. He wrote to Min Aung Hlaing, urging him to stage a coup, according to a respected monk who has followers in the military and the ousted NLD government. Ties with Min Aung Hlaing have deepened since the coup. Ashin Chekinda was known for his Buddhist programs for teenagers during the holidays, attracting hundreds of youngsters annually. He has failed to criticize the junta since the coup. He has close ties to military officers and told them to treat the former president U Thein Sein, an ex-general, as a father figure. In July 2015 he told officers to keep the former presidents footprints as your fathers during a ceremony to unveil a statue of Athinkaya Saw Yun, the founder of the Sagaing kingdom. A monk who attended the ceremony said: Ashin Chekinda told generals to keep their fathers footsteps. Some officers said their fathers had passed away. So he asked if U Thein Sein, who was a former general, had been like a father to them and the officers agreed. He told them to keep the footprints of U Thein Sein. Bamar custom says the footprints of mothers should be kept in appreciation of maternal love but it is rare to keep a fathers footprints and Ashin Chekindas comments surprised many. The pair were close and U Thein Seins grandchild attended Ashin Chekindas holiday school. U Thein Sein and Ashin Chekinda discussed the formation of a religious organization, which resulted in the nationalist, extremist Patriotic Association of Myanmar, also known by its Burmese acronym Ma Ba Tha. Ashin Chekinda invited monks who took part in the 2007 Saffron Revolution against the previous military regime and several scholars to his monastery in Hmawbi, Yangon. U Thein Sein offered to fund monasteries that joined the association and pay for building repairs. A monk from the Saffron Revolution Network said: He didnt say what he discussed with U Thein Sein but Ma Ba Tha was a political organization to win votes for the [military-proxy] Union Solidarity and Development Party. So we didnt join. After failing to win over many of the monks who had protested against the regime, Ashin Chekinda widened the invitation to monks from across Myanmar. While the Ma Ba Tha won global notoriety for its anti-Muslim hate speech, Ashin Chekinda, who was responsible for its creation, remained behind the curtain. And he even managed to bolster his image through charity work. His ties with the military have grown stronger since the coup. Soldiers from the Fourth Military Operations Command in Yangon clean his monastery in Hmawbi every weekend on the orders of their commanders. Few soldiers were happy with the forced labor, said former captain Htet Myat, who defected after the 2021 coup. Officers took temporary monkhood at Ashin Chekindas monastery and made donations. Generals and tycoons often met each other at the monastery. In return business owners donated cash and cars to the monk. Ashin Chekinda arranged a government meeting for a businessman in Myeik Township, Tanintharyi Region, over a power supply contract. In return, the businessman paid for a foreign trip for the monk. Born in Sagaing, Ashin Chekinda is not a nge phyu who has been in a religious order since the age of 18, when a teenager can choose to become a monk. He received a diploma in civil engineering from the Mandalay Institute of Technology before becoming a monk at 25 in 1983. Ashin Chekinda reportedly owns the Taw Win Nan guesthouse beside the Ayeyarwady River in Sagaing and a gold shop. The businesses are managed by his nieces and a nephew. A former student said Ashin Chekinda often told his teenage students and temporarily ordained monks that Myanmars democracy is a monarchy that the military had to take over because of the civil war under the parliamentary democracy of the early 1960s. But he has been tight-lipped when the regime set fire to houses and killed civilians in Sagaing, his hometown. And he has often attended the religious ceremonies held by the junta leader. He accompanied Min Aung Hlaing to Moscow in July to consecrate a pagoda replica. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Frederick Shava will represent President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London next week, a senior government official said today. An invitation to the funeral of the longest serving British monarch, who died last week, was extended to President Mnangagwa, but he will not be able to attend due to other commitments. Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet George Charamba, told New Ziana that; The Foreign Minister (Shava) is attending for the President, who is scheduled to leave for United Nations General Assembly on the day. Earlier, the British embassy in Zimbabwe had dismissed as fake a letter purportedly written by the British government denying President Mnangagwa an invitation to the funeral. The fake letter had insinuated that President Mnangagwa, through Shava, had solicited an invitation to the funeral, which was denied on grounds including travel restrictions against the President. President Mnangagwa is, however, not under any travel restrictions to the United Kingdom. President Mnangagwa has been invited to attend the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on Monday. The letter below is fake, the embassy tweeted. The funeral is expected to be attended by some 500 Heads of State, including leaders from across the Commonwealth which the Queen served as head, and other foreign dignitaries. The majority of leaders have been asked to arrive on commercial flights and told they will be bussed en masse from a site in west London. Analysts contend that President Mnangagwas invitation to the funeral points to improved relations between the two countries, as a direct result of the countrys engagement and re-engagement agenda. According to the BBC, several other countries, including Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Belarus and Myanmar have not been invited to the funeral while others including North Korea and Nicaragua have been invited to send only ambassadors. It was only last week that President Mnangagwa met former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Kigali, Rwanda, an interaction which he said yielded positive outcomes. President Mnangagwa said Blair was now striking a conciliatory tone and was more inclined to seeing relations between the two countries further improve. During the interaction, Blair also applauded President Mnangagwas efforts in ensuring food security in Zimbabwe and the continent at large. It was the first time a Zimbabwean leader met Blair, since Harare and London fell out at the turn of the millennium when the former PM orchestrated sanctions against Zimbabwe. New Ziana. Editorial Mass Exodus: Successive Military Regimes in Myanmar Drive Out Millions of People Ending military rule forever is the only way to break a pattern dating to 1962 that has seen 10% of the countrys 54 mn people flee in search of a more secure future. Repeated military coups and consecutive military regimes in Myanmar dating back more than half a century to the first military takeover in 1962 have prompted a series of mass exoduses of people from the country, with millions of citizens from all walks of life including intellectuals, political dissidents, professionals, business owners, students, workers and farmers leaving their motherland to escape repression. The latest coup in 2021 has already caused massive displacement on an unprecedented scale, and things are expected to get worse. There is a pattern of Myanmar people being forced out of the country; after the first coup staged by Ne Win in 1962; after the military takeover following the suppression of the pro-democracy movement in 1988; and again when military chief Min Aung Hlaing seized power in a coup from the democratically elected government last year. The direct consequences of the 1962 couppolitical repression, nationalization of private businesses, racial and religious discrimination, unemployment, economic crisis, a failed education system, and the decades-long civil warwere the major contributing factors forcing people out of the country in the years that followed. But the Feb. 1, 2021 military coup has already produced more devastating consequences than the previous ones. People are going through a period of great uncertainty the likes of which the country has never seen. Extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests are rampant. Unemployment is high, and educational opportunities are scarce. An overwhelming feeling of hopelessness is driving people to leave their motherland. Compelled by political persecution The first group that were forced to leave the country soon after the coup last year were the politically oppressed including elected lawmakers, politicians (especially from the National League for Democracy, which won a landslide victory in the 2020 election) and opponents of military rule, activists, members of civil society organizations and charities. In terms of their professions, they included lawyers, journalists, artists and striking doctors, nurses, teachers, government employees and more. Many had to flee along with their families as the regime took their relatives hostage. There might be tens of thousands of them. Many have been granted political asylum in foreign countries and thousands are waiting for approval. Those who dont plan to go to a third country are taking shelter in territories held by ethnic armed groups and some are taking temporary shelter along the border. As the regime is hunting for them, they remain in hiding, and more are planning to leave the country. Political dissidents faced persecution right after General Ne Wins coup on March 2, 1962, forcing dissidents and students to flee the country. And the regimes nationalization of the economy also forced businessowners to leave the country for good. After the next military regime killed about 3,000 protesters during the nationwide pro-democracy movement in 1988, tens of thousands of protesters and students fled the country to join ethnic armed groups and to form a student rebel army to fight the regime. The military ruled with an iron fist under Senior General Than Shwe in the following decades, driving out many more dissidents, journalists, writers and other professionals. Under Than Shwes rule, when a minister told the military dictator that the regime was at its wits end as to how to stop people from leaving the country, Than Shwe replied: If you cant stop them, then dont. The fewer people, the easier it is for us to rule. So, millions of people including intellectuals and students left the country under Than Shwes rule. The passport office, then located in downtown Yangon, was busiest under his rule. Driven out by civil war, unemployment After the Min Aung Hlaing regime brutally cracked down on nationwide anti-coup protests in March 2021, the second group that had to flee their homes and the country comprised people displaced by the regimes arson, artillery, and air assaults as anti-regime armed resistance erupted across the country. In many villages and towns in the anti-regime strongholds of Chin, Karen and Kayah states and Sagaing and Magwe regions, junta air strikes and arson attacks drove out tens of thousands of people at least. UNOCHA said that as of early September, 974,000 people had been internally displaced since the coup. In addition, the UN agency said that between the takeover and June this year over 40,000 people crossed the borders into neighboring countries, including many from communities close to the borders that came under regime attack. Meanwhile, nearly 919,000 Rohingya people who have fled Myanmar military atrocities are in Bangladeshfar surpassing the 140,000 refugees who, according to a 2012 estimate, have been living in Thailand for more than two decades. Meanwhile, the number of people forced to leave the country because of the economic downturn is growing. The junta-controlled Labor Ministry said that between the coup and June 30 this year it had issued overseas workers identification cards to 36,365 people leaving for 57 countries including Thailand, Singapore, Korea, Japan and Malaysia. The pace of people leaving picked up this year; ministry statistics indicate that it arranged for nearly 40,000 migrant workers to sign employment agreements within four months from March to June, meaning nearly 10,000 Myanmar people are leaving the country officially every month. This number does not include the people who have illegally crossed the border, mostly into Thailand, or those who have left or are planning to leave with other types of visas. Counting them, the number of people that have left their motherland because of financial worries in the 18 months since the military coup could total in the hundreds of thousands. Their number will contribute to a rise in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)s 2020 figure of 3.7 million Myanmar migrants worldwide. Brain drain Since Ne Wins military rule in 1962, Myanmar has seen a brain drain, as the countrys intellectuals have left the country, unable to put up with the restrictions and mismanagement of the regime. London University-educated Yangon University rector Dr. Tha Hla left for France after he had an argument with Ne Win. Yale-educated history professor Dr. Maung Maung Gyi left for the US after he was fired for criticizing the Burmese Way to Socialism, a failed economic policy of Ne Wins socialist regime. Under the Than Shwe regime, one of Myanmars greatest poets, Tin Moe, went into exile after he was imprisoned, and renowned versatile artist Win Pe sought refuge in the US. Students also joined the trend, seeking a better education and future. Hope flared up again between 2016 and 2020 under the elected Daw Aung San Suu Kyi government. But more than one year after Min Aung Hlaings coup, the passport office is exceptionally busy again, even busier than it was under Than Shwes rule, as well-off families send their children abroad for study. They are moving along with their children, citing day-to-day insecurity and fewer business opportunities under Min Aung Hlaings rule. The trend is unprecedented and their numbers will only increase. Thanks to Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar is experiencing the biggest exodus in its history, affecting the country with a serious brain drain and loss of younger workers. The social fabric of Myanmar is disintegrating. But it appears that Min Aung Hlaing and his generals have been too busy protecting their self-interests and retaining their grip on power to salvage the country. All military dictators are much the same in this regard, and Min Aung Hlaing is no different from his predecessors, Ne Win and Than Shwe. All three military regimes have spurred people to leave the country, especially to avoid political persecution and look for better life opportunities, which their country failed to provide them under military rule. An estimate of the total number might be nearly 10 percent if we roughly count Myanmars population today at 50 million. Myanmars exodus is not just a domestic problem, but will affect the neighboring countries to which migrant workers and war refugees have fled, as well as Western countries that grant political asylum for dissidents. The exodus will only worsen due to the regimes oppression, increasing raids on towns and villages, and economic mismanagement. It is important to bear in mind that the root cause of all the problems in Myanmar, including this exodus, is the self-serving behavior of military generals who seize power at the cost of democracy. To draw a conclusion from the experiences of the previous military regimes, Myanmars exodus problem has no end in sight as long as the military, or besuited military generals in disguise, rule the country. It will only increase the burden on neighboring countries and the international community, while taking a toll on the lives of those who remain in the country. Ending military rule is the only way to end the cycle of mass exodus from the country. Guest Column On Leadership and Power in Myanmar Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing during the Armed Forces Day parade in Naypyitaw in March 2022. / Cincds Some observers, of whom this writer is one, have long considered General Ne Win as the most destructive personal force in Myanmars modern history. In his various pivotal but detrimental roles as minister, deputy prime minister, prime minister, political party chairman, and commander of the Tatmadaw (Myanmars armed forces), he led the state in a mercurial and essentially whimsical mannerever downward at his discretion. Once he obtained power, he developed an entourage and a set of classical patron-client relationships that magnified his authority, self-importance, and the arbitrariness of his rule. He was never seriously challenged until he finally resigned in 1988 as chairman of the party he created in 1962. Yet I have been forced to reconsider this evaluation with the rise of General Min Aung Hlaing, for he has begun to demonstrate the very traits of General Ne Win. True, Ne Win had a unique advantage: almost since independence he had been able to control the Tatmadaw leadership, which was utterly dependent on his whims for promotions and access to power. Min Aung Hlaing is not in that position, but he has used his power to promote a coup unnecessary for the effective role of the Tatmadaw, which it already had, but essential for the personal future of Min Aung Hlaing. He has reinstituted restrictions on the society that had been gradually lifted in the previous decade and had given people hope. The destructive forces unleashed by the coup on the part of the Tatmadaw, the civilian Bamah ethnic majority, and minority peoples has been unprecedented in Myanmars history. Tragically, the Vietnam War analogy of destroying the country to save it comes to mind. But perhaps our natural concentration on the personalities of the individual leaders obscures a more fundamental aspect of the concept of power in Myanmars political culture. By no means unique to any society, many traditional cultures, and all cultures to some degree, regard power as a personal trait and characteristic. It is evident, from pre-colonial Burma and from independence, that power in Burma/Myanmar has been exercised as a personal prerogative of leadership, whether military or civilian. The whims of kings or prime ministers become policy, and policy supersedes law and custom. As personal power predominates, institutions become weaker, and it is evident that since independence the only institution that has been strengthened has been the Tatmadaw. Law has become a means of policy administration, not a method to encourage or enforce abstracted concepts of cultural appropriateness. These weakened legal and administrative institutions allow, even strengthen, the personalization of power. Until recently, religion and religious leaders, like the senior members of the sangha, have been able to mitigate the abhorrent actions of an unbridled laity. That has disappeared, and Buddhism has been coopted into the political maelstrom and used for overt political power purposes. None of these tendencies, of course, are absolute. The widespread, unprecedented popular demand for participation in government, as evidenced by the opposition to the Feb. 1, 2021 coup, shows that an erosion of this personalization of power is in process, but one that is likely to be slow, painful, and episodic. There are still no signs of present or potential leadership of any group prepared to release effective authority to the people. Popular representation is no guarantee of democracy, as evidenced from several current worldwide examples. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remarked that she was above the presidentlaw becoming irrelevant to administration of personal power. U Nu, prime minister in the late 1950s and early 1960s, used his authority to pursue his own agenda. Because we are witnessing a singular moment in Myanmar affairs, there is no road map ahead. And no element wants a simple return to the military-scripted constitution and conditions of the pre-November 2020 elections. The Tatmadaw is engaged in actions destructive of the state and its own historical reputation. Its continued unity is a subject of speculation. The National Unity Government (NUG) is neither national nor unified, and prevails in only certain areas. The varied ethnic minority leadership, none of which have illustrated democratic authority, calculate for openings that would enhance their individual roles, status and autonomy. Whatever the outcomea military-authorized and influenced election in August 2023 that divides political power and continues its prominence; some (unlikely) compromise with fragmented civilian opposition forces; some status quo ante relationships with some but not all of the ethnic minorities; or continuing chaos with limited central authoritythe result will be an enfeebled state of questionable legitimacy and effectiveness incapable of supplying the basic needs of its peoples and fulfilling the aspirations that a more liberalized and internationally cognizant younger population now demand. The various and opposite political or armed groups seem bound in webs of self-deception or propaganda, preventing adequate consideration of policy alternatives. Whatever the importance of external, foreign economic influences for the necessary growth of the society, peripheral or other states will have little direct influence, and certainly cannot control the internal distribution of power. Foreign frustration over internal mismanagement will likely grow, but its influence will likely be ineffectual. UN and ASEAN influence have been marginalized. Nationalistic concern over foreign interventions has been an important theme since the colonial eraxenophobia is widespread. Overt foreign arming of any of the multitude of disparate forces could provoke even greater regional instability and questionable political liberalization. Covert activities would quickly be revealed. Any such foreign intervention would create alien scapegoats of responsibility. Yet humanitarian assistance is necessary, but the means to deliver it are difficult and complex. And so it is with great frustration that those of us concerned with the future wellbeing of the diverse peoples of Myanmar sense a destructive, meandering, clouded path ahead for the state. We, alas, must await a new generation of aspirants to power, those who dreamed of progress, and who will consider the people as a whole, and not simply their leaders own parochial interests. David I. Steinberg is distinguished professor of Asian studies emeritus, Georgetown University. September 15, 2022 Standing in front of 28 high school students in Mrs. Calls 11A English class at Pocatello High School, Student Teacher and Idaho State student Shelby Killian introduced her college professor and mentor Dr. Marie Stango to the class. Stango spoke to the class through Idaho State Universitys Liberal Art High program, adding a colorful historical lesson to the class unit on The Crucible. Liberal Arts High gives students in high school a taste of higher education, with visiting professors from departments of the College of Arts and Letters programs. Courses range from Forensic Anthropology: As Not Seen on TV, and How Can I Help? Strategies for Helping Someone Experiencing a Mental Health Problem, to Getting Your Ensembles to Groove. Liberal Arts High is a fantastic way to bring what we do on campus into our community, Stango said. It is really a fun experience to open up an interesting topic to students. I think it also provides a chance for them to see the variety of subjects we cover in our classrooms at ISU, and get excited about the prospect of taking one of these courses for a full semester after they finish high school. Stango said that Killian started planning the Liberal Arts High visit over the summer. They emailed and discussed what might work for the classes Killian would be student teaching, and how she saw Stangos lecture fitting into The Crucible unit. Through Stangos lecture, The Salem/Essex County Witch Trials of 1692, the students are getting a mini history lesson to contextualize the play theyre about to read and study. Stango taught some myths regarding the trials, English law at the time, and some of the historical figures the students will soon be reading about such as Abigail Williams, Tituba, Sarah Osborne, and Reverend Samuel Parris. She pointed out the differences between history and the events of the novel, such as the fact that most of the accusers at the time were adult members of the community, not young girls. She also ensured that students experience a historical document from the period, Titubas testimony from March 1, 1692. The original document is difficult to read and written in cursive. Thankfully, Killian handed out copies of an accompanying typed transcription. Fun fact, Killian told the class, I transcribed a bunch of documents like this for Dr. Stango for two years. We will use these later when we start reading The Crucible. Not only is Stango helping students gain a historical background on the novel, but helping to grow their interest in the subject. Students asked numerous questions and actively participated in the discussion. Liberal Arts High allows us to build relationships with the teachers in our community, Stango said. The issues that our high school teachers are facing are ones that we absolutely need to be paying attention to, so it's important to keep the dialogue with them open. So many of our local teachers are graduates of ISU, and many of our current ISU students will become educators. There is a massive teacher shortage in Idaho, and we need to be doing everything we can to help educate future teachers and support current teachers. For more information about Liberal Arts High please contact cal@isu.edu, 208-282-3204, or visit isu.edu/cal/liberal-arts-high. Canteen in Hangzhou provides healthy, cost-effective food to elderly citizens without increasing food prices for 15 years People's Daily Online) 11:03, September 15, 2022 A canteen in Hangzhou city, east China's Zhejiang Province has remained devoted to providing healthy and cost-effective food to elderly residents and all without increasing its food prices for the past 15 years. At the canteen, vegetable dishes are priced at 3 yuan ($0.4), and meat dishes are priced at between 6 and 10 yuan. Elderly residents take their meals at the dining hall of a canteen in Lingyin neighborhood, Xihu district, Hangzhou city, east China's Zhejiang Province. (People's Daily Online/Fang Pengyimeng) "There are more than 6,200 elderly residents above the age of 70 years old in our neighborhood, accounting for 14.7 percent of the total population in the neighborhood, and 3,130 elderly residents above the age of 80, accounting for 7.5 percent of the total population in the neighborhood," said Liu Ying, a staff member at a local elderly care service office in Lingyin neighborhood, Xihu district, Hangzhou, where the canteen is located. Liu added that the canteen can solve the challenges local elderly residents have encountered when looking for a place to eat. Wang Jintu, 84 years old, is a loyal customer of the canteen. Wang has dined at the canteen almost every day since the canteen opened in 2007. Wang Jintu and his friend eat at the canteen for elderly citizens in Lingyin neighborhood, Xihu district, Hangzhou city, east China's Zhejiang Province. (People's Daily Online/Fang Pengyimeng) "The sanitation conditions of the canteen are good, and the dishes are cooked in accordance with elderly people's food preferences," said Wang. "The canteen also provides food delivery services for elderly customers who have health issues for free," Wang added. At least half of the canteen's customers are regular customers who started to frequent here around five years ago, and at least 100 people are die-hard fans of the canteens like Wang. "We've stayed true to our original aspiration of making elderly citizens eat well here at our canteen," said Tang Zhaolun, manager of the canteen. The canteen opens at 6 a.m. and closes at about 8 p.m. "We do not take a single day off throughout the year except during the Spring Festival," said Tang. In 2012, the dining area of the canteen was expanded in order to accommodate more people. Photo shows nutritious food offered by the canteen located in Lingyin neighborhood, Xihu district, Hangzhou city, east China's Zhejiang Province. (People's Daily Online/Fang Pengyimeng) Some elderly customers have sent banners to the canteen to express their recognition of the considerate services provided by the canteen. The banners can be seen on a wall inside the canteen. "One day, we realized that we hadn't seen an elderly customer around at the canteen for a long time and found that he had been hospitalized. Days later, his son called us, saying that his father wanted to eat our food, and then we cooked dishes for the old man and delivered the food to the hospital. Another elderly customer asked us whether we could provide food for his wife before he was going to the hospital to undergo surgery, and we said 'no problem' to him," Tang recalled. Photo shows the exterior of the canteen located in Lingyin neighborhood, Xihu district, Hangzhou city, east China's Zhejiang Province. (People's Daily Online/Fang Pengyimeng) The canteen also sells food to non-elderly customers in order to earn enough profits to sustain its operations. The two groups of customers are accommodated in different dining areas inside the canteen, and in this way, a comfortable and quiet environment has been created for elderly diners. The seventh population census in Zhejiang Province showed that in 2020, the population of people at the age of 60 and above in the province was nearly 12.1 million, accounting for 18.7 percent of the total population of the province. Non-elderly customers pay for meals inside the dining hall of the canteen located in Lingyin neighborhood, Xihu district, Hangzhou city, east China's Zhejiang Province. (People's Daily Online/Fang Pengyimeng) To make sure elderly citizens live a happy and healthy life at an old age, the first step that should be taken is to guarantee that the elderly people eat well. Therefore, it is crucial that canteens dedicated to elderly citizens should be established to better satisfy elderly citizens' needs. Photo shows the banners that some elderly customers presented to the canteen to express their grateful recognition of its considerate services. (People's Daily Online/Fang Pengyimeng) Elderly people dine inside the canteen located in Lingyin neighborhood, Xihu district, Hangzhou city, east China's Zhejiang Province. (People's Daily Online/Fang Pengyimeng) (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) THE Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), a subsidiary of Zesa Holdings, says Zimbabwe may endure rolling power cuts due to depressed generation capacity. The country is already facing a power deficit, while Zesa is owed billions in unpaid debts by citizens, State-owned parastatals and enterprises, government departments as well as local authorities. In a statement ZETDC notified the country that load shedding will be rampant due to depressed generation on the grid. Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company would like to advise its valued customers countrywide that there will be increased load curtailment from September 12 to 16 2022. This is due to depressed generation on the grid coupled with increased electricity demand as a result of increased economic activities, ZETDC said Energy minister Zhemu Soda refused to comment on the matter. I will invite you on Friday for a rural electrification programme, he said. Zimbabwe has been grappling with power outages for a long time due to dwindling generation capacity attributed to obsolete equipment, while the availability of foreign currency to import electricity has proven to be an albatross around Zesas neck. Hwange Power Station, which has six units has only been operating three to four units, while the other two units are out due to breakdown. Newsday Steve McIntyre: "This *is* a thorny problem, as we're re-examining how to deal with distributing non-free content in Debian." The Debian GNU/Linux Project is set to start voting on a general resolution which outlines a way to solve the issues it faces in providing proprietary firmware on its install media. The issue was initially raised by former DPL leader Steve McIntyre in April and discussions about a solution have been continuing on the project's mailing lists. McIntyre told iTWire that he had given a talk on the subject during the annual conference in July and had started the GR process in August. As with every such resolution, there are a number of solutions proposed, in this case five. "This *is* a thorny problem, as we're re-examining how to deal with distributing non-free content in Debian," McIntyre said. "There's some healthy debate ongoing while we work out a set of choices for developers to vote on, and we're due to start the vote itself in the next few days. "The current state of the ballot is online; it may change yet before the vote starts." The Debian distribution, which is noted for the number of platforms it supports, includes thousands of packages, and these can be downloaded by users. Given the volume, the project issues official CD images for installation purposes, with the smallest image having the basic set of packages to get a system going. Only free software has been so far included on these images by default. This is what the GR is seeking to change. McIntyre is the leader of the team that creates the CD images after a new release; he is also leader of Debian's EFI team and a member of the Community Team. The remainder of the installation can then be done by downloading packages from repositories on the Internet. Users have to create a list of sources for download, and they can include the repositories for both non-free and contributed software if they so wish. Debian has fairly strict guidelines about the licences that govern packages in its main repositories. The Linux kernel, for example, is distributed under the General Public Licence version 2 and this licence has its own stipulations about non-free code. The five proposals for fixing the issue have been advanced by McIntyre, Gunnar Wolf, Bart Martens, Simon Josefsson and Russ Allbery. While four of the proposals include changes in the CD images, the one from Josefsson contemplates sticking to the existing practice, "reinforcing the interpretation that any installer or image with non-free software on it is not part of the Debian system, but that we support their use and welcome others to distribute such work". The Debian project, which has more than 1000 developers, tallies votes using the Condorcet system where every option is evaluated against all others. A GR changing a foundation document requires a 3:1 majority for any option to pass. McIntyre said it "isn't the easiest of systems to follow, but it's good for ensuring a fair selection from among a number of possible options". As per the official Debian constitution, "votes are cast by email in a manner suitable to the secretary. The secretary determines for each poll whether voters can change their votes. "Q [or the quorum needed for a valid vote] is half of the square root of the number of current developers." Any resolution needs to be sponsored by at least 2K developers, where "K is Q or 5, whichever is the smaller. Q and K need not be integers and are not rounded". This all sounds a trifle complicated, but then shepherding this many developers into a decision is probably not the easiest thing to do. McIntyre said: "3*Q [a threefold majority] is the *minimum* number of votes needed for any given choice to be considered a valid option in the voting system (currently roughly 48). "The majority criterion is slightly harder to judge. Each of the valid options (after 3Q is reached) must meet majority in direct comparison to the "NOTA" option, in terms of the votes cast for each. For a normal vote, the majority is a simple 1:1 comparison. For a 3:1 majority, the option must beat NOTA by at least a 3:1 ratio." NOTA means none of the above and is always offered as an option when votes are taken. In the event that it gets a majority, then the status quo is maintained. "A large majority requirement is applied to GR votes that change the fundamentals of the project, to make sure that we don't make major changes without significant support in the project," McIntyre added. "Once we have a list of valid options (3Q is satisfied, and majority is satisfied), *then* we compare those remaining options in direct head-to-head comparisons and work out the winner. "Yes, this is complicated. We have a program called devotee to do the calculations for us!" Google has gained very little from a bid to try and get a 4.34 billion (US$4.33 billion, A$6.42 billion) fine imposed by the EU withdrawn, with judges at a tribunal largely confirming the bloc's decision to impose the fine. The fine was imposed in July 2018, with the EU accusing Google of breaching anti-trust rules relevant to Android. The company appealed the imposition of the penalty to the EU General Court. The Luxembourg-based tribunal said on Wednesday: "The General Court largely confirms the commissions decision that Google imposed unlawful restrictions on manufacturers of Android mobile devices and mobile network operators in order to consolidate the dominant position of its search engine. It cut the penalty to 4.1 billion on the grounds that there were some faults in the EU regulator's analysis and because it agreed that Google's right to fair trial had been infringed to some extent. Details of the court's arguments are here. EU anti-trust chief Margrethe Vestager was quoted by Reuters as saying: "This, of course, is really good. Now, we have the second Google judgment and for us, it is really important as it backs our enforcement efforts." If Google wishes, it can now appeal this decision to the EUs Court of Justice. In a detailed statement at the time the fine was imposed, the European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, said Google: had required manufacturers to pre-install the Google Search app and browser app (Chrome), as a condition for licensing Google's app store (the Play Store); made payments to certain large manufacturers and mobile network operators on condition that they exclusively pre-installed the Google Search app on their devices; and had prevented manufacturers wishing to pre-install Google apps from selling even a single smart mobile device running on alternative versions of Android that were not approved by Google (so-called "Android forks"). A graphic issued by the EU at the time the fine was imposed to explain why it was done. Contacted for its take on the tribunal's decision, a Google spokesperson said: "We are disappointed that the Court did not annul the decision in full. Android has created more choice for everyone, not less, and supports thousands of successful businesses in Europe and around the world. Apart from this fine, Google faces a 2.4 billion penalty levied by the EU in 2017 for allegedly abusing its search engine dominance to give illegal advantage to its own comparison shopping service. The company has appealed the decision. It also faces a third fine of 1.49 billion for alleged abusive practices in online advertising. Get unlimited access to all content and features at ivpressonline.com with our Full Online Access Subscription. Read our E-Edition, the digital replica of the print newspaper online, access content in exclusive sections including Family, Teen, Business, Databases, Farm and more. This option does not include daily home delivery of the Imperial Valley Press newspaper. For home delivery service, please select Premium or Premium Plus. This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. The Israeli military says an army officer has been killed in a shootout in the occupied West Bank, while Palestinian officials say two gunmen were killed in the same clash ZIMABWE Power Company (ZPC)s renewable projects manager Cleophas Fambi told the High Court on Wednesday that businessman Wicknell Chivayos US$25 million lawsuit was overstated. Fambi was testifying in the matterwhere Chivayo and his company Intratrek Zimbabwe are suing ZPC for US$25 million for terminating a contract for the US$173 million Gwanda solar power project. Chivayo was awarded the tender, and he also received US$5,6 million pre-commencement fees without a bank guarantee and without any work done, resulting in ZPC cancelling the contract. Leading evidence, Fambi stated that there were no major works done at the site despite Chivayos claims. US$2 million claimed for pre-commencement work is overstated because major work was not done. A lot is still yet to be done, Fambi said. Chivayo had told court that major works had been done as he appealed for a further two-week extension to complete the project. ZPC, from my understanding, had all intentions of carrying out this project and thats why it entered into a contract with Intratrek Zimbabwe after a long time of consultations, Fambi said. ZPC put its money and it paid. Paying is an indicator that one is interested in a project. We wanted it done and finished. ZPC also paid at the adendum level. I don't think anyone not interested would pay money. But Chivayo said 90% of the project work had been done. The businessman also claimed that he cleared 200 hectares of land from own coffers as no funds were availed by ZPC for the exercise. The court heard that part of the work that was supposed to be done included the septic tank soakaway installation, but nothing was done. Intratrek was also supposed to put in place water storage and ablution and radio facilities, but this was not done too. In his defence, Chivayo said: Important things that consume huge amounts were completed, water provision costs less than US$5 000, septic and soakaway is also cheap and radio system installation only costs about US$600. These are minor things and will not take me more than a fortnight to complete. Chivayo said ground site clearing was expensive, costing him US$2 million. Fambi, however, counter argued that land clearing was not expensive. Vegetation clearing was done 100%, civil work 0%. From my point of view, the majority of work is what remains. Civil work not yet done, this required more effort than vegetation clearing, Fambi said. High Court judge Justice Siyabona Musithu reserved judgment on the matter. Newsday Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated one Zimbabwe individual and removed eleven others from the Specially Designated Nationals List (SDN List) under the Zimbabwe sanctions program. The Zimbabwe sanctions program targets human rights abusers and those who undermine democratic processes or facilitate corruption. U.S. sanctions do not target the Zimbabwean people, the country of Zimbabwe, or Zimbabwes banking sector. The 11 individuals being removed from the SDN list are either deceased or have been deemed to no longer undermine Zimbabwes democratic processes and institutions. Each year, the U.S. Government removes hundreds of individuals and entities from the SDN List. Each removal is based on a thorough review. OFAC also designated Stephen Mutamba, the Zimbabwe Republic Polices Deputy Commissioner for Administration, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13469 for his role in undermining Zimbabwes democratic processes and institutions. Over the past two years, Mutamba has taken actions that threaten and undermine legitimate political parties who oppose the policies of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party. In 2020, Mutamba supported Zimbabwe security services use of pressure and intimidation on prominent opposition figures. Also in 2020, Mutamba supported the uneven enforcement of a COVID-related curfew, encouraging security forces to limit opposition activities and did not allow for foreign national officials located in Zimbabwe to meet with Zimbabwean opposition parties or civil society groups. In 2021, Mutamba advocated that vote tallies not be displayed outside polling locations and that international observers should not be allowed to monitor the 2023 elections. It is imperative that ZANU-PF allow full participation across the political spectrum in next years elections, said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. The United States continues to stand with the Zimbabwean people against unjust actions against political opponents or assaults on Zimbabwes democracy by the ZANU-PF. China wrapped up a two-day offensive at the UN on Wednesday against a report listing violations in its Xinjiang region, as Western countries remain uncertain on how to respond. Beijing has made no secret of its displeasure with the long-delayed UN report, which warns of possible crimes against humanity in Xinjiang. At the UN Human Rights Council this week it has strived to show it has broad backing for its criticism, presenting a joint statement by nearly two dozen countries and with multiple pro-Beijing groups taking the floor in its defence. The report, which was published on August 31, was "based on disinformation and draws erroneous conclusions", Chinese ambassador Chen Xu said Tuesday, presenting the joint statement. "We are deeply worried that it will undermine dialogue and cooperation in the field of human rights, and exaggerate the existing trend of politicisation and polarisation at the Human Rights Council," he added. The report brought UN endorsement to long-running allegations by campaigners and others, who accuse Beijing of a litany of abuses in Xinjiang, including detaining more than one million Uyghurs and other Muslims, and forcibly sterilising women. - 'Sinister intention' - Beijing has rejected such charges, insisting it is running vocational training centres in the region to counter extremism. Western countries and their allies appear to agree action in the UN rights council is warranted, and face pressure from rights groups to present a resolution condemning the alleged violations or even ordering an investigation. A "council priority should be the urgent establishment of an independent, international investigation on the situation in Xinjiang", Amnesty International chief Agnes Callamard told the council via video link. But fears abound that a failed resolution would signal a shifting power balance and weaken the council. During the two days of general debate at the council that ended Wednesday, dozens of countries raised concerns about Xinjiang, but there was no sign yet they were moving towards joint action. Chinese diplomat Mao Yizong insisted to the council Wednesday that the joint statement a day earlier proved that "any attempt to smear and discredit China through human rights issues is doomed to fail". And he charged that the United States, Britain and other Western countries had "manipulated and pressured (the UN rights office) in the issue of the so-called assessment of Xinjiang to attack China". They had, he said, "betrayed their sinister intention to contain China through lies about Xinjiang". At least four separate pro-China non-governmental organisations -- sometimes referred to as Gongos, or governmental non-governmental organisations -- came to Beijing's defence. The China NGO Network for International Exchanges for instance decried that the UN rights office had published "a groundless report on Xinjiang, which maliciously discredited the human rights condition" in the region. And a representative of the Chinese Association for International Understanding said she herself was a happy graduate of a vocational training centre in Xinjiang, insisting that allegations of sexual abuse and forced sterilisation were "totally nonsense". A former Argentine police officer went on trial Wednesday for the alleged torture and disappearance of a young activist 46 years ago, during the South American country's last dictatorship. Mario Sandoval, who was extradited in 2019 after a long exile in France, is suspected of taking part in the kidnapping, torture and disappearance of hundreds of people during the 1976-83 military dictatorship. This particular case centers on such crimes apparently committed against then-24-year-old architecture student and leftwing activist Hernan Abriata in 1976. "I am a prisoner of exception judged by a special court in a political trial," said Sandoval, 69, who proclaimed his innocence in an opening statement that lasted nearly two hours. "All the accusations against me have the sole aim of judging me for what I was: a young federal state agent in the 1970s." Sandoval is a former Buenos Aires police inspector who was accused of atrocities by survivors from the notorious Navy Mechanics School (ESMA), which served as the country's largest detention and torture facility. Some 5,000 people were sent there and most disappeared, taken by airplane in "death flights" and dumped into the River Plate. Only around 100 people detained in ESMA survived. Survivors say Sandoval, apparently given the nickname "grilled steak" for torturing prisoners tied to a metal bed frame with electricity, was particularly active in ESMA. "It is a very long search for justice, 46 years," lawyer Sol Hourcade told AFP. "The family identified those responsible for the kidnapping. We hope for a conviction." Abriata's family hopes Sandoval is sentenced to the maximum 25 years in jail. "I was with Hernan when they knocked at the door," Monica Dittmar, Abriata's former partner, told AFP. She said Sandoval was the first state security agent to enter the room. When they took Abriata away, "he showed me his credentials," Dittmar said, referring to the police officer. Dittmar said Abriata's mother, who is 95, "is in poor health, she's losing her memory but still asks the questions: where is Hernan? What happened to Hernan? What did they do with him?" - Found by a student - Sandoval arrived at the court handcuffed and with his face partially hidden by a medical mask. The first part of the proceedings was dedicated to the reading out of the charges against Sandoval, who cut a defiant figure at his trial, bringing up several points of law, insisting his rights were being infringed on and arguing against the legitimacy of the trial. Although he was present, the judges appeared by video link, while Abriata's family members, ESMA survivors and representatives of human rights organizations followed proceedings from an adjacent room separated by a glass wall. Carlos Loza, an ESMA survivor who shared a cell with Abriata, will testify in the trial. Sandoval fled to France in 1985, two years after the military junta fell, and built a new life there as a defense and security consultant. He taught at several institutions including the Sorbonne and the Institute of Higher Latin American Studies in Paris. He was found by a student at the Sorbonne after some ex-ESMA prisoners recognized him from photos. Sandoval was arrested at his home in the Paris suburbs. Although he gained French nationality in 1997, Argentina successfully obtained his extradition as he was not French at the time of the alleged crimes. Sandoval had unsuccessfully petitioned France's Council of State in a bid to prevent his extradition. Since the prosecution of dictatorship figures resumed in 2006 after a decade of controversial amnesties, more than 1,000 people have been convicted of crimes against humanity. Cases and investigations are ongoing against another 500 people. A Senate committee on Wednesday took the first step toward the United States by providing billions of dollars in military aid directly to Taiwan and making ties more official by boosting support following rising tensions with Beijing. The United States has sold arms to Taiwan for decades, but the new legislation will go further by providing $4.5 billion in US security aid over four years, a move sure to infuriate Beijing. It also envisages sanctions against China if it attempts to seize the island by force. With bipartisan support, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed the Taiwan Policy Act, touted as the biggest improvement in relations since the United States shifted recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979. Lawmakers pushed the law ahead amid heightened concerns about Taiwan following Russias invasion of Ukraine and after a visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taipei that prompted China to hold major military exercises seen as a dry run for an invasion became. Senator Bob Menendez, a member of Bidens Democratic Party who chairs the committee, said the United States needs not to seek war or heightened tensions with Beijing but to be clear-eyed. We are cautiously and strategically reducing the existential threats Taiwan faces by increasing the cost of taking the island by force so that the risk becomes too high and unattainable, Menendez said. Senator Jim Risch, the top Republican on the committee, said it was imperative that we take action now to strengthen Taiwans self-defense before its too late. The bill still has to be approved by the full Senate and House of Representatives. The White House hasnt said whether President Joe Biden will sign the bill into law, although the strong support it has could mean Congress could override any possible veto. Less ambiguous relationship Under the law, the United States will still not recognize Taiwan. China regards the island where the defeated mainland nationalists fled in 1949 as a province awaiting reunification and staunchly defies any international legitimacy for Taipei, which has transformed itself into a vibrant democracy and major economic power. But the new law would drop many of the previous evasions and code words so as not to anger China with the implicit recognition. The de facto embassy now officially the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office would be renamed the Taiwan Representative Office, and the US government would be directed to interact with Taiwan as it would any other government. The top US envoy in Taipei, now called the director of the American Institute in Taiwan, would be renamed the bureaus representative and would have to be confirmed by the Senate, as would a US ambassador. The law would also designate Taiwan as a key non-NATO ally, a status for the closest US military partners outside the transatlantic alliance. And considering the changing dynamic since the landmark Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, the bill says the United States will provide weapons that help deter acts of aggression by China, not just defensive weapons. In addition to the $4.5 billion in funding for Taiwan, the law would authorize $2 billion in loan guarantees for Taiwan to purchase US weapons. Biden appeared to end decades of US ambiguity earlier this year, saying the United States would directly aid Taiwan if it was attacked. His staff refuted his remarks, and the White House later quietly advised Pelosi not to go ahead with her visit, fearing it would provoke President Xi Jinping ahead of a key Communist Party meeting. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said only that the Biden administration is in contact with lawmakers about the legislation. Left-wing Venezuela has agreed to be a guarantor of future peace talks between Colombia and its last guerrilla group, both countries said Tuesday night. This is the latest move toward strong new ties that were severed until Gustavo Petro became the first leftist leader in Colombia to take power this month. Colombia has asked the Venezuelan government of President Nicolas Maduro to guarantee talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN), the last active rebel group in a country torn by decades of conflict. In a speech, Maduro said: Of course we agree! It joins Chile and Cuba as guarantors of talks the Bogota government hopes to hold with the ELN. Colombia and its main rebel group, the FARC, signed a historic peace deal in 2016 after decades of war. Venezuela participated in this peace process, with Maduro first as foreign minister in the government of the late socialist icon Hugo Chavez, then as his successor from 2013. Peace in Colombia is peace in South America, Maduro said on Tuesday. Petro wants to resume talks with the ELN started by his conservative predecessor Ivan Duque. They broke up after a rebel attack in 2019 that left 22 dead. Representatives of the Petro government and the ELN have already met in Havana. Petro said there will soon be a meeting with the ELN in Venezuela, which Colombias military intelligence has said is home to senior ELN leaders. Chinas President Xi Jinping arrived in former Soviet Kazakhstan on Wednesday as part of the Chinese leaders first foreign tour since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Xi is scheduled to attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Uzbekistan during his three-day visit to Central Asia, where a meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin is expected. Their much-anticipated meeting comes as Russia suffers major setbacks in Ukraine, but China remains firm in its support of President Vladimir Putin and a boundless friendship. The Chinese leaders plane landed in the Kazakh capital Nur-Sultan around 08:30 GMT and he was greeted on the red-carpeted runway by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Both leaders and their respective delegations as well as the honor guard, whom Xi met upon arrival wore masks. Xi, in an article for Chinese state media ahead of the trip, said Beijing is ready to work with Kazakhstan to deepen law enforcement, security and defense cooperation. He also said China wants to work with Kazakhstan on drug trafficking and transnational organized crime and what China calls the three evils. The Chinese government has previously used the term three evils defined as terrorism, separatism and religious extremism to refer to its actions in its far western region of Xinjiang, which borders Kazakhstan. Mutual respect, fairness Beijing is accused of arresting over a million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang including some Kazakhs as part of a year-long security campaign that the United States and some lawmakers in other Western countries have dubbed genocide. China has loudly denied the allegations and says its actions are aimed at fighting terrorism. However, the culmination of Xis trip was later expected in Uzbekistan, where he will meet with Putin, Tokayev and leaders from India, Pakistan and three other Central Asian countries of the former Soviet Union. The SCO was founded in 2001 as a political, economic and security organization in competition with western institutions. Prior to the visit, Xi wrote that the group set a good example of a new type of international relations, characterized by mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation, and proved to be an important and constructive force. These comments were echoed by Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov, who told reporters in Moscow that SCO members stand for a just world order. The SCO offers a real alternative to Western-oriented organizations, he added. Ushakov said alongside Putins meetings in Samarkand this week are of particular importance his talks with Xi, which would focus on the conflict in Ukraine and Russias growing economic ties with China. In a separate article for Uzbek media, Xi vowed to strengthen security cooperation and resolve risks and challenges, saying Uzbekistan has a unique role to play in resolving the Afghanistan problem, CCTV reported. Both sides must take a clear stance against any forces undermining the regional security situation, CCTV reported in writing from Xi. Stolen during the colonial era, dozens of Benin bronzes that once adorned the Kingdom of Benins royal palace will be put on display for the last time in Berlin from Saturday before being returned to Nigeria. The famous African works of art and their turbulent path to the exhibition in the Humboldt Museum speak of Germanys gradual coming to terms with the colonial era and the injustices of the past. The move to return some bronzes is the latest in a series of steps Germany has taken to take responsibility for colonial-era crimes, including officially recognizing a genocide committed by Germany in Namibia in May 2021. Items on display include a pair of thrones and a commemorative bust of the monarch that once adorned the walls of the royal palace in the city of Benin, modern-day Nigeria. Two rooms of the extensive museum are dedicated to the art and history of the Kingdom of Benin, an exhibition that, according to the German side, is being realized in close cooperation with partners in Nigeria. The removal of the treasures is explained in the gallery, and educational workshops are also planned around the exhibition. Thousands of Benin bronzes, metal plaques and sculptures are now scattered in European museums after being looted by the British in the late 19th century. The recognition of colonial injustice and the subsequent return of the objects will continue to define our work in the future, Hermann Parzinger, president of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, which oversees state museums in the German capital, said in a statement. Lucid Vision Just like the Netherlands and Belgium, Germany has established a museum policy that has a clear view of the colonial past, French historian Pascal Blanchard, a specialist in the era, told AFP. The Africa Museum in Tervuren near Brussels, Belgium, which reopened at the end of 2018, says it takes a critical look at the past and the history of the Congo, owned by Belgian King Leopold II as his private property in the 19th century. Likewise, the Tropenmuseum in Amsterdam takes a long look at the colonial past of the Netherlands. Unlike some countries like France, Germany lost its empire after its defeat in World War I and as such does not have a significant community of people repatriated from Africa. Its not political, which makes it easier to come to terms with the past, Blanchard said. Benin City Nonetheless, Germany has come under criticism in recent years for increasing public confrontation with racism over the provenance of many objects in its museums. The outrage grew louder with the opening in December 2020 of the first part of the new Humboldt Museum, housed in a partially rebuilt Prussian palace. The iconic site the former residence of the Hohenzollern dynasty who oversaw Germanys colonial adventures was to display objects from the period. The Ethnological Museum Berlin currently houses 530 objects originating from the Kingdom of Benin, including around 440 bronzes, and is considered the largest collection behind the British Museum in London. According to Berlin museum director Lars-Christian Koch, some of the objects will soon be returned, another third will be kept on loan and the rest, not on display, will be examined by researchers. Germany isnt the only country starting to return stolen artifacts. In November 2021, France returned 26 artifacts from the Abomey Royal Treasures to the country of Benin alongside Nigeria. Pressure is also mounting on the British Museum, which owns around 700 bronzes. It has long argued that its vast trove of foreign artifacts, such as the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon in Athens, are best housed there. According to historian Benedicte Savoy, the return of the objects was a long time coming. Return requests date back to independence in the 1960s. They have been silenced, rejected, forgotten for years, she told AFP. Jordanian mother Israa Raed said she was indescribably happy on Thursday after rescue workers rescued her four-month-old daughter Malak from the rubble of a collapsed building in the capital Amman. I knew it was her by her pink pajamas, Israa Raed, 26, told AFP after waiting more than 24 hours for news of her only daughter. Words cannot describe how happy I am, she said. I thank God shes safe. Hundreds of rescuers have searched the site of the four-story apartment building in Jabal al-Weibdeh, one of Ammans oldest neighborhoods, since it toppled on Tuesday. At least 10 people were killed, authorities said, but the survival of Malak Angel in English heralded some relief for many Jordanians watching the disaster. Video footage shared by the civil defense service shows rescue workers rescuing the little girl from a narrow gap in the rubble on Wednesday. She suffered only minor bruises. The doctor said it was a miracle for my daughter to get out safely from under the ruins of a four-story building, said the mother, who was standing in front of the Luzmila hospital where Malak was under surveillance. I had a gut feeling that she was alive and my husband had assured me that she was waiting for us. Raed, who sells perfume and makeup, said she left her only daughter with a friend who lived in the buildings basement so she could deliver an order. I dont live there. My girlfriend lives there and I left my little girl with her. A scream from the rubble After about an hour, I got a call saying my daughter had fallen, she recalls. I started running like crazy. I thought she might have fallen out of her bed, but when I got there I saw the whole building collapse on my daughter. I started screaming, Wheres my girl? Wheres my girl?' A little over 24 hours later, emergency workers told me they heard a little girl scream, she said. Hussam Abboud, a 50-year-old rescue worker, said that it was a divine miracle that Malak got out alive. She wasnt seriously injured in the collapse itself, and a small hole in the concrete allowed her to continue breathing, Raed said. But she said that alongside her joy at baby Malaks survival, she also felt sadness because her friend and that friends own infant daughter did not make it out alive. Another mother who was grocery shopping when the building collapsed lost her three children, ages 17, 12 and 9. A 45-year-old man was rescued from under the rubble on Wednesday, and defense sources initially said others may have been trapped there. I was hoping we would get the rest out safely, said Wissam Ziyadin, a 42-year-old rescue worker, as prospects of getting more people out alive faded. Jordans prosecutor Hassan al-Abdallat ordered the arrest of three people, the state news agency Petra reported. SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) Hagens Berman urges Polished.com Inc. POLE investors with significant losses Submit your losses now. The firm is investigating possible violations of the Securities Act Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/POL Contact a lawyer now: [email protected] 844-916-0895 Polished.com Inc. (POL) Investigation: Polished.com (f/k/a 1847 Goedeker Inc. (GOED)) has historically assured investors that it has adequate internal controls over financial reporting and that its financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The companys claims may have been questioned as of February 2, 2022, when it announced the resignation of its chief accounting officer (Robert D. Barry). That news drove Polished.com shares down about 6.5% the next day. Then, on August 15, 2022, Polished.com announced that it would not be filing its quarterly report for the period ended June 30, 2022. The company announced that its audit committee recently opened an independent investigation into certain allegations by some former employees associated with the companys operations. The news drove Polished.coms share price on Aug. 16 Down over 35% in 2022 and wiped out more than $55 million in shareholder value. We are focused on investor losses and whether Polished.com may have trimmed its books, said Reed Kathrein, Hagens Bermans partner leading the investigation. If you have invested in Polished.com and are experiencing significant losses or have knowledge that may assist the Companys investigations, Click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman. Whistleblower: Those with nonpublic information about Polished.com should consider their options to assist in the investigation or use the SECs whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information can Kim Jae Young's comeback drama "Love in Contract" hasn't aired yet but fans are already swooning for him, thanks to his gorgeous visuals. With this, the public grows curious about his current romantic status. Did she date "A Business Proposal" actress Seol In Ah? Read on to know more! Truth Behind Kim Jae Young & Seol In Ah's Dating Rumors In 2019, Kim Jae Young and "Business Proposal" star Seol In Ah met for the first time as lead stars in the romantic comedy series "Beautiful Love, Wonderful Life." In the series, the two portrayed the role of two strangers who found love amid their own battles in life. Kim Jae Young and Seol In Ah showcased a swoon worthy chemistry, gaining loyal fans from all over the world, even after the drama concluded. They grew closer as they filmed the drama together, and soon became friends in spite of their large age gap. Seol In Ah confessed that she was enamored by Kim Jae Young's beauty during the show, stirring buzz and making hearts flutter with the compliment. Because of this, many viewers speculated that the two were getting to know one another on a more personal level. However, nothing has been addressed by either of the parties. It is believed that the actors have built a great friendship thanks to the drama project and their closeness on set. Kim Jae Young Relationship Status in 2022 The 34-year-old star has been in various relationships since his debut, but he has never been seen in public with his significant others. When asked about his plans in life, and whether he has plans to marry soon, Kim Jae Young stated that he's mostly focused on his career rather than his dating life. This 2022, he will portray the role of a single man who seeks a fake girlfriend with the help of Park Min Young in the forthcoming romantic comedy series "Love in Contract." He is expected to showcase his charismatic personality through his new acting role in the series. Catch Kim Jae Young in "Love in Contract" every Wednesday and Thursday starting from September 21 at 10:30 p.m. KST on tvN! YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN THIS: 5 Trendy Fashion Pieces You Can Cop From 'The Law Cafe' Star Lee Se Young KDramaStars owns this article. Written by Elijah Mully. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes! There are two valuable reasons why all physicians, especially medical students, should obtain or demand from their medical school academic business education. About 98 percent of physicians and medical students have never had an academic business education. About 30 to 50 percent of graduating medical students prefer private medical practicewhich requires business and marketing knowledge to reach their optimal potential in private medical practice. Curtis G. Graham is a physician. He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, Financial survival for physicians in private medical practice. Did you enjoy todays episode? Rate and review the show so more audiences can find The Podcast by KevinMD. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app to get notified when a new episode comes out. Click here to earn 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CME for this episode. Also available in Category 1 CME bundles. Powered by CMEfy a seamless way for busy clinician learners to discover Internet Point-of-Care Learning opportunities that reward AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s). Learn more at about.cmefy.com/cme-info Do you know someone who might enjoy this episode? Share this episode with anyone who wants to hear health care stories filled with information, insight, and inspiration. Hosted by Kevin Pho, MD, The Podcast by KevinMD shares the stories of the many who intersect with our health care system but are rarely heard from. Mikey Pender might come from Castledermot, Co. Kildare, but Kilkenny claims him as one of our own. The 22-year-old rides for Hughes Horse Stud (HHS) in Cuffesgrange, Co. Kilkenny and what a season they have had. After his successful pony career, Mikey started working with Marion Hughes and Miguel Bravo of Hughes Horse Stud, where he has remained since. Mikey is our new Master Champion, winning an array of firsts at this years Dublin Horse Show. Michael Pender & Hearton du Bois Halleux soar to top in the Land Rover Puissane CSIO 5* at this year's Dublin Horse Show Then he headed straight to The Netherlands where he won his first Five Star Longines Global Champion Tour Grand Prix in Valkenswaard, riding HHS Calais. This gives young Pender the golden ticket to Pragues Super Grand Prix and ranks him in the top 50 riders in the world. I met up with Mikey at the Irish Breeders Classic and here is what the young man had to say about his success to date. Mikey Pender wins his first 5* Grand Prix at the Longines Global Champion Tour Grand Prix in Valkenswaard, riding HHS Calais. Mikey you must be still on cloud nine after your return from the Netherlands? "I am feeling brilliant, the horses have been in such fantastic form, and I am very lucky to be riding such brilliant horses. "Hopefully well have a good day here at the Irish Breeders Classic." You said when you won in the Netherlands, Its what dreams are made of. Did you ever dream as a kid that you would rank in the top 50 in the world at the age of 22? "For it to actually happen, to win a Five Star Grand Prix is something dreams are made of. "I was close a few times but to actually win it is something I always wanted to do, and I am looking forward to Prague now." Mikey Pender on the winner's podium at the Longines Global Champion Tour Grand Prix. Marion and Miguel obviously recognised a good rider when they saw you. How many years have you been with HHS in Cuffesgrange, Co. Kilkenny? "Ive been with them for six years and it's fantastic, especially with HHS Calais. "I rode him since he was a five-year-old and then for him to win his first Five Star Grand Prix is something very special." Pender and HHS Calais Training with an ex-Olympian showjumper like Marion Hughes must be special too? "Marion is a massive help; she was with me in Valkenswaard in the Netherlands and Miguel is a massive help with me from day to day." Winning on your mother Annemarie Penders 4 YO Final at the Irish Breeders Classic on Saturday must have been some thrill? Mikey Pender's 4yo Stallion Madgeslane Luidan WINS the O'Reilly Hyland Real Esate 4yo Final at the Irish Breeders Classic. Photo: Sharon Fitzpatrick, Irish Breeders Classic, Mikey Pender with his grandfather Michael Pender and mother Annemarie Pender "Definitely, its a horse that we bred at home, and we think a lot of Madgeslane Luidan. "It bred quite a lot this year, maybe about 14 or 15 mares, so he looks an exciting horse for the future." Every young rider wants to be the next Mikey Pender. What piece of advice do you have for them? "Keep trying and work hard every day." A heros welcome home Working hard certainly did pay off for Mikey Pender and earlier this month the Hughes Bravo family threw their young hero a welcome home party as he returned from the Netherlands. A close family friend, the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Martin Heydon TD, who was also in attendance, had this to say about Mikeys wonderful achievements. The Penders are long-time family friends, and we are so proud in South Kildare of Mikey Penders achievements as a young, accomplished rider in the years up to this," he said. "What he has achieved at the Dublin Horse Show and more recently in The Netherlands is incredible. To be here in Kilkenny at Hughes Farm, it's so wonderful to see so many people employed in this sector, you just realise the value of the equine industry to rural Ireland and to rural communities the length and breadth of the country. You can watch interviews with Mikey Pender, his mother Annemarie Pender and Minister of Agriculture Martin Heydon TD on KilkennyLive.ie. On September 8, Minister Michael McGrath met with Deputy John McGuinness, Joe Reidy, and Councillors Pat Fitzpatrick and Mick Delaney to discuss their concerns about the cost of living crisis and suggestions regarding the budget. As outlined by Deputy McGuiness: "The main points made were as follows: Business in rural Ireland needs on- going support particularly small pubs and shops. Direct financial support without too much red tape must be provided. "More funding and power is needed by local authorities to solve local issues such as housing, roads etc. "There should be a very strong package of financial supports aimed at the domestic and commercial markets relative to the energy and cost of living crisis. "The elderly and marginalised must be prioritised and assisted in every way. "Cost of insurance and doing business must be reduced." Budget 2023 will be unveiled on September 27. The Taoiseach has indicated he would be open to allowing former party colleague Bertie Ahern back into the party. Micheal Martin said that he has been engaging with the former taoiseach in recent times, particularly about issues around the Northern Ireland Protocol. On Wednesday evening, it was proposed during the Fianna Fail parliamentary party that Mr Ahern should be allowed to make a return to the party as part of its plans to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Speaking in Tallaght on Thursday, Mr Martin said: In terms of Bertie Ahern, I have been engaging with Bertie Ahern actually over the last year and a bit, since the rows on the protocol, and hes very involved in Northern Ireland issues, he maintains contacts with different groups. From my perspective, like that level of consultation will continue because I think he has invaluable insights to all of that. Mr Ahern resigned from Fianna Fail in 2012 after the Mahon Tribunal. The tribunal, which looked at allegations of planning corruption, did not find Mr Ahern to be corrupt but said he did not truthfully account for money he lodged to his bank account. Mr Ahern then resigned from the party before Mr Martin sought to expel him. Mr Martin said that his former colleague has experience with a range of groups in Northern Ireland. He has reached out to communities in the north and is sort of picking up perspectives in different communities and thats been valuable in terms of engaging and discussions on that, the Fianna Fail leader added. No one can take from the contribution he made to peace in Ireland and to the peace process, so the fullness of time certainly we will give him that consideration. Its very relaxed when we meet. When remined that he sought to expel his predecessor from the party, Mr Martin said there was context to his resignation, which happened in the wake of the tribunal. As far as I am concerned, its ten years on, Im conscious of the contribution he has made to peace in the country. He made a very significant contribution, Mr Martin added. Theres no immediate decisions yet. He has his views on these things as well. Weve had good conversations, we meet at informal occasions, at matches and that. His is commitment to making sure that we can try and resolve the current issues around the protocol are very sincere and heartfelt, and thats something we can take value from. Mr Martin also defended his relationship with politicians and groupings Northern Ireland. Im experienced in Northern Ireland as well. Ive been a Minister of Foreign Affairs, he continued. People in Northern Ireland know I am very familiar with the issues on all sides of all parties and the fact that would have been a member of the government as part of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement at the time. Ive invested a lot of my political life in the north, but I do think its always important, no one has total expertise in any subject matter, but Im conscious he has been working community groups and working with people in terms of understanding current threads as well. Thats useful to get that. Fianna Fail TD for Dublin South West John Lahart also said he was open to the idea of seeing Mr Ahern return. Well, we dont live in a cancel culture, he added. I look around at the correspondents and the journalists here and I dont think theres one of you that at some stage of your career in the last decade has not sought out Bertie Ahern specifically. Theres no reason why Fianna Fail should be any different and a lot of this happens under the radar. I think the discussion last night was specifically in the context of the value of experience that he brings, particularly in the context of the 25th year of the Good Friday Agreement next year. I think thats the story element of this. Remains of 88 Chinese soldiers killed in Korean War casketed in S.Korea Xinhua) 13:54, September 15, 2022 INCHEON, South Korea, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The remains of 88 Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War were casketed in South Korea on Thursday to be sent back to their homeland. The ceremony to lay the 88 remains in coffins was held in Incheon, west of the capital Seoul. The Chinese delegation led by Vice Minister of Veterans Affairs Chang Zhengguo, officials with the Chinese embassy in South Korea, officials with the South Korean defense ministry as well as personnel responsible for the excavation and identification of the remains attended the ceremony. A flower basket was laid at a temporary settlement for the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs. All members of the Chinese delegation bowed three times to the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs and presented flowers before the South Korean side placed the remains in coffins. This year's repatriation ceremony, the ninth of its kind, is scheduled to be held at the Incheon International Airport on Friday. China and South Korea have successfully carried out the handover of the remains of 825 Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs in South Korea for eight consecutive years from 2014 to 2021, following humanitarian principles and in the spirit of friendship and practical cooperation. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) The Childrens Minister has unveiled a new funding model aimed at bringing transformative change to the childcare sector. Roderic OGorman said that Together for Better will provide a sound framework to improve the quality and affordability of childcare, and pay and conditions for workers. It will incorporate the Governments 221 million euro core funding scheme, as well as the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme and the National Childcare Scheme (NCS). Mr OGorman said the model will bring about transformative change to this vital sector. Together for Better supports improved affordability for parents; better pay and conditions for staff; improved availability for families through increased capacity; and greater financial stability for service providers, he said. The Green Party TD added that it is the first step towards significant further developments in the sector which will be introduced in the coming years. The Government plans to invest at least 1 billion euro in the new funding model by 2028. Mr OGorman launched Together for Better on Thursday as the core funding scheme came into operation. He said almost 4,000 childcare operators have signed up to the core funding model. It means nine out of 10 Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) providers have agreed to take part in the programme. I am delighted that 90% of services have chosen to come into partnership with the State by signing up, he said. More than 90% of services have chosen to come into partnership, to deliver early education and care to children, for the public good. I want to thank each of those providers, ahead of this new journey of working together to deliver world-class service to children and families. Roderic OGorman TD (@rodericogorman) September 15, 2022 It means childcare fees at those services will be frozen at 2021 rates. Mr OGorman added: This gives significant certainty to parents, and ensures that parents can enjoy the full benefit of future investments in the National Childcare Scheme, including the extension of the universal subsidy to children of all ages which came into effect in August, without the risk of increased State subsidies being absorbed by increased parental fees. The core funding model, which was first announced in the Budget last year, came into operation on Thursday in tandem with the start of Employment Regulation Orders (EROs) for the sector. The EROs will mean improved pay for over 70% of workers in the sector, with specific recognition for different roles and qualifications, establishing a wage structure for staff. This historic achievement has been enabled by the investment in core funding, Mr OGorman added. The minister said there was significant evidence of capacity increasing within the sector. Record numbers of services have requested a change in circumstance on the Tusla register, primarily to increase the operating hours or number of child places being offered, he said. Up to mid-August, there has been a 31% increase in change in circumstance applications from Early Learning and Care services and a 261% increase in change in circumstances for School-Age Childcare services compared to 2021. Already all the indications are that it is achieving significant and welcome change in the sector in relation to affordability, quality and accessibility, Mr OGorman added. The Government is to introduce a windfall tax on the soaring profits of energy firms, which will be backdated to before the energy crisis, the Dail has been told. Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said that a tax on profits will be for the full year. However, the Taoiseach said it remains unclear how much money the levy will raise. Micheal Martin said it is difficult to be precise on the exact amount that the Government will get under the European Commission proposals to cap energy prices and tax profits. It very much depends on the ultimate formula that the EU Council of energy ministers will arrive at. There will be a stream of revenue from it, Mr Martin said on Thursday. But the real firepower is in the surplus that we have right now to enable us to get through the first phase of this crisis. Then the revenue from that measure that Europe will introduce can be helpful in the medium term. I just did point out yesterday that we have been conscious that no one is certain about the longevity of this crisis, no one is certain about the longevity of the war (in Ukraine) and the impact of that on energy. Therefore we have to be mindful of that as we allocate the cost-of-living package within the budget, and to do so in a way thats intelligent but also trying to genuinely get people through these crucial moments in the winter period, where prices are much higher, and dependency on energy obviously is much higher. Speaking in Tallaght, Mr Martin added: The funding for the package will become a surplus. The European money comes later and will come later. The mechanism has to be worked out. It depends on the decision and I wouldnt be as definitive about the amount. Its for wind generation companies and also for fossil fuel extraction. It very much depends on the nature of the decision and the precise formula. Its difficult to be precise. We were never going to be dependent on that revenue stream as the key to the package that we will be introducing in two weeks. In the Dail, Mr Varadkar said: We need to work out the details of that but certainly, in principle, the Government has agreed that that is something that we will pursue and it will form part of the budget. What we have to work out is how it will apply and how it will work, and that is not straightforward. However, as it would apply to profits made this year it would be backdated to the beginning of the energy crisis earlier this year, because profits are taxed on an annual basis. It would, of course, apply to profits made this year hitherto. He said he cannot explain the EU proposals as they are not the Governments. They are not yet agreed and, quite frankly, they are not entirely clear, he added. Speaking during leaders questions, Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy said 70% of households could be in energy poverty, describing it as a catastrophe. This is not sustainable for either families or businesses, and the immense uncertainty about how bad the crisis could get and how high prices could go is causing a huge degree of stress and anxiety, Ms Murphy added. Clearly, the energy market is broken. When markets are broken, it is the job of the state to intervene. Given the scale of this crisis, that intervention will have to be huge. One of those interventions must be a windfall tax. It is grotesque to see the level of obscene profiteering by energy companies which is accompanying an energy crisis caused by Russias barbaric invasion of Ukraine which is causing so much death, destruction and suffering. She welcomed the move by the European Commission, but said it was regrettable that it took so long. Ms Murphy said energy firms have been making lavish profits all year, adding: In fact, profits surged last year when energy prices soared as economies came out of lockdown and demand increased. MEXICO Employees from Platinum Health Systems, the company that bought Noble Health earlier this year, received an email last Thursday telling them that the company terminated their positions at the Audrain and Callaway Community Hospital, former employees told KOMU 8. "This is to inform you that your current position with Noble pursuant to which you provided services at Noble Health Audrain [Callaway] Community Hospital, is being severed effective Friday, September 9th, 2022," Platinum Health Systems said in the email. "Your termination was not foreseeable, we are providing this notification with as much advanced notice as has proved practicable. This termination is permanent with no recourse. The medical facility will be shuttered." This comes after Noble Health suspended services at the Audrain and Callaway Community Hospitals in March. Noble Health then laid off 175 of their employees at the two hospitals. Platinum Health, a Texas-based company, then assumed control of both hospitals and nine of its clinics in April. But after a promise to reopen, months went by and signs were still covered, doors remained locked and employees left unpaid. A former Audrain Community Hospital employee, who wished to remain anonymous, said she's frustrated and disappointed that this is the final outcome. "We need a hospital, we were trying our hardest and then Platinum just came in close to the deadline of getting our license back and told us we were all terminated and the hospitals were gonna shut down and clinics were gonna shut down," the employee said. "And they were leading us on like they were going to reopen and reopen, and then nothing. They closed us completely down." The employee said the staff hasn't received paychecks for 12 weeks. After Platinum bought Noble, they promised to pay back the three checks Noble owed its employees, but they never did, the employee said. They also owe employees what they took out of their checks for insurance. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Under Missouri law, a company has seven days to give severance pay to their employees once they are terminated. It's been six days, and Audrain Community Hospital employees have not received pay. For the last 12 weeks, employees have dug into their savings. "We hate to see the hospital go. But I mean, we had to do what we had to do," the employee said. "Some people had to stop working to go get another job so they could survive. And then the ones that hung in there, we were just pulling out of our savings accounts and managing from that." MU Health Care opened an urgent care and family medicine clinic in Audrain County earlier this week. The employee said it's more important now than ever for rural communities to have access to immediate health care. "We lost two hospitals, one in Fulton and one Audrain," the employee said. "Now depending on where you live, Columbia or Moberly, or Jeff City may be the closest one, and we're talking hour 45 minutes to an hour away. That can matter if you're really, really sick." The employee said besides the letter from Platinum last week, they haven't heard anything when they reached out to them. The staff said if they do not receive pay within the seven days, they will begin to take legal action. KOMU 8 reached out to the director of Platinum Health but has not heard back at the time of publishing. MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell greets the crowd during a "Save America" rally at Alaska Airlines Center on July 9 in Anchorage, Alaska. By Ken Burns, Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein Today, in America, we stand at a peculiar and frightening crossroads. We are witnessing the rising appeal of authoritarianism abroad and at home, we are bombarded by social media outlets that spread divisive falsehoods and hatred, and, a mere two months before the midterm elections, we find our democracy itself under attack. We have spent our careers as filmmakers looking at our nation's past to deepen our understanding of who we are as Americans and trying to build a stronger version of what we hope to become. This endeavor now seems in peril. As a country, we seem unwilling, even uninterested, in nurturing from the tangled roots of our past a better future. How else can we describe a time when many Americans cling to blind and unexamined notions of the nation's "greatness," yet lash out at schools and teachers, fearing what a thoughtful look at our country's history might uncover? The battles we are fighting today are battles about whether, as a society, we choose honest understanding of the past over willful blindness. "Part of our national mythology is that we are a good people, we are a democracy," historian Nell Irvin Painter told us in an interview. "But that's not all there is to this story, and I think if we are going to congratulate ourselves on our democracy, which I think we should, we also need to face up to the other side." In six years of research for a documentary about the U.S. and the Holocaust, we were not looking for parallels to the present, though we knew they were there, even before Donald Trump got into office. But now these dark moments in our history echo all too clearly. Our country faced a similar crisis of belief in the lead-up to World War II, a period marked by a swell of homegrown, right-wing extremism, isolationism, xenophobia and racism. These impulses reflected fundamental challenges within a society that had not yet resolved the contradictions of its own self-image. In the 1920s, desperate to restrict immigration to preserve the "racial" makeup of the country, Americans justified their intolerance by championing the burgeoning field of eugenics, which provided a rationale for limiting the ability of certain "races," including Jews, to move to the U.S. The result was a series of restrictive quota laws that immediately slammed the door on waves of immigrants, even though previous waves had built America's greatness in prior decades. This same intolerance later established insurmountable obstacles for thousands of refugees seeking to flee to America from the Reich. In the 1930s, as the Nazis were trying to force German Jews to emigrate through a program of physical terror and legal subjugation, Germans could look to the U.S. not as a counter-model, but as a societal prototype that embraced racism and exclusion. When Nazi jurists sought statutes on which to base their own antisemitic laws, they turned to the Jim Crow South. Race laws in the U.S. revealed the hypocrisy of any American outrage against Germany and undermined our credibility against Nazism on the international stage. Likewise, some Americans, including mainstream and powerful figures, found kinship in belief with Nazi Germany. Henry Ford's widely read weekly newspaper, The Dearborn Independent, regularly printed antisemitic bile including a tract known as "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" that espoused a false conspiracy theory. Father Charles Coughlin, a Catholic priest with a radio show reaching millions, advocated for fascist dictatorships. And the world-renowned aviator, Charles Lindbergh, who lent his fame to the isolationist America First Committee, openly declared, "It is the European race we must preserve; political progress will follow." Many American businesses including Ford Motor, General Motors and Woolworths continued to operate in Nazi Germany until the war, even when doing so meant firing Jewish workers and aiding German militarization. And while some members of the American press bravely challenged Nazi falsehoods Dorothy Thompson and Edgar Mowrer stand out too often American reporters seemed enamored of Nazi society, accepting of Nazi propaganda and no doubt sympathetic to the common tropes that Jews constituted a "problem" that needed to be solved. From 1933 to 1945, the United States admitted some 225,000 refugees from Nazi terror more than any other sovereign nation took in but that was just a fraction of the people who were trying to escape. Despite our ultimate victory on the battlefield, our response to Nazism was hindered by our own fears and prejudices, an indictment that points blame at no single group or individual but should give all of us reason to reflect on our collective responsibility and what we might do differently in the future. Examining uncomfortable truths about American complicity in the Holocaust doesn't settle a grand question like whether Americans of the last century were good or evil. Instead, the doubt that can be resolved is: do Americans today have the courage to look at the mistakes of our past for the sake of our improvement? Courage, in this case, includes our willingness to teach our entire history, to confront the difficult along with celebrating the positive. Courage would mean recognizing that those less fortunate, at home and abroad, are not a threat to our existence but people in search of something better for their families, whether that is security or economic opportunity. "If we're going to be a country in the future, then we have to have a view of our own history which allows us to see what we were," historian Timothy Snyder told us. "And then we have to become something different if we're going to make it." Ken Burns, Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein are documentary filmmakers. Their film, "The U.S. and the Holocaust," will premiere Sept. 18. This article was published in the Los Angeles Times and distributed by Tribune Content Agency. Pyongyang to return to talks with Washington only after advancing nuclear capabilities By Kim Yoo-chul The chief North Korea analyst at a New York-based nonpartisan think tank believes Pyongyang is set to conduct a nuclear test within this year at the earliest. The projection by Scott A. Snyder, a senior fellow for Korea studies and director of the program on U.S.-Korea policy at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), comes just a few days after North Korea passed a law authorizing preemptive nuclear attacks with its leader Kim Jong-un saying the decision is "irreversible." The recently-passed North Korean law is interpreted as Pyongyang's intention of not returning denuclearization talks and voices its intention of executing a preemptive nuclear strike, if necessary, to protect the regime. North Korea conducted six nuclear tests between 2006 and 2017, according to intelligence officials in South Korea. "I believe North Korea is likely to conduct its seventh nuclear test at some point in the coming months. As Kim Jong-un appears to have suggested, the purpose is to make nuclear weapons possession indivisible from North Korea's regime security by attaining an undeniable and irreversible nuclear capability," Snyder said in a recent interview. Reiterating that North Korea has always been a "security first" state, its recent decision should be viewed as the North Korean leader's affirmation of nuclear weapons being the main means to guarantee the security of his regime, according to Snyder. "The move to codify the North's nuclear weapons status is consistent with efforts to include it in the preamble to the North Korean constitution a decade ago," he added. Scott A. Snyder President Yoon Suk-yeol's foreign policy team still hopes to bring North Korea back to talks with the presidential office saying the South Korean leader will elaborate on his "audacious initiative" at next week's United Nations General Assembly in New York that may help improve North Korea's moribund economy and the living conditions of North Korean citizens depending the progress of Pyongyang's denuclearization efforts. But Snyder expects the chances are low that North Korea will accept South Korea's offer. "What is absent from inter-Korean dialogue is an immediate and overarching need on either side to rely on dialogue to achieve essential national security objectives. As a result, dialogue may not be forthcoming until both sides have a felt need and sense of urgency around the necessity to engage in diplomacy with each other," the chief Korea analyst at CFR responded. Talks between the two Koreas and North Korea and the United States have been stalled since a summit in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2019 ended without a deal when then U.S. President Donald Trump refused to accept the North Korean leader's demand for a partial lifting of sanctions and offer security guarantees in exchange for a phased nuclear disarmament. The U.S. said it is willing to resume dialogue with North Korea, but only after certain conditions are met. Washington said its position in pursuing a verifiable and complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula hasn't changed since the former Trump administration. Citing North Korea's failed approach in Hanoi of requesting partial sanctions relief for phased (partial) denuclearization, Snyder said the North has moved on from that position after securing partial sanctions relief through China and Russia's non-enforcement of sanctions. "If we consider the lessons learned from Hanoi, one possible lesson Kim Jong-un may have taken from the experience is that from his perspective, the United States did not take sufficiently seriously the idea that the North was negotiating from a position of strength. North Korea is asserting that its laws make denuclearization negotiations a non-starter. As a result, it is hard to imagine how the United States and North Korea will be able to frame a diplomatic negotiation process around a set of commonly held objectives," he said. Political analysts say Pyongyang's continued missile tests underscore its dual purpose _ to sharpen its nuclear arsenal, and to force the United States to view it as a nuclear state. Therefore, the prevailing view among North Korea experts in Seoul is that the North believes it can obtain security guarantees and more economic concessions from a "position of strength." People watch a TV screen showing a file footage of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, at Seoul Station in Seoul, Sept. 9. Kim stressed his country will never abandon its nuclear weapons to counter the United States, which he accused of attempting to weaken the North's defenses and eventually topple the leadership, state media said. AP-Yonhap "A logical course of action would be to further strengthen the North's military program so that its nuclear capabilities would be regarded as undeniable and irreversible. Once North Korea's Kim believes he has adequately achieved those objectives, he might in principle then be ready to return to diplomatic negotiations with the United States, but from an even stronger position than the North's Kim was in when he met with Trump in Hanoi in February of 2019," he added. Quad: a tool for improved Seoul-Tokyo relations As long as talks aimed at denuclearizing North Korea are stalled, South Korea remains highly dependent on China's leverage over the North. Washington wants to expand the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), an informal strategic architecture comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, to include South Korea, New Zealand and Vietnam. But South Korea's decision to join the expanded Quad will face diplomatic challenges. The Yoon Suk-yeol administration is shifting closer to the United States and hopes to continue discussions on Seoul's participation in the Quad Plus. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, right, meets India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, left, and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in Tokyo, Sept. 9. AP-Yonhap US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi answers questions during her weekly news conference at the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, DC, Sept. 14. AFP-Yonhap A Senate committee took the first step Wednesday toward the United States directly providing billions of dollars in military aid to Taiwan and making ties more official, ramping up support following soaring tensions with Beijing. The United States for decades has sold weapons to Taiwan but the new legislation will go further by providing U.S. security assistance of $4.5 billion over four years, a step sure to infuriate Beijing. It also lays out sanctions on China if it uses force to try to seize the island. With support from both parties, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the Taiwan Policy Act, billed as the most sweeping upgrade of the relationship since the United States switched recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979. Lawmakers moved ahead on the act amid heightened worries for Taiwan after Russia invaded Ukraine and following a visit to Taipei by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, which prompted China to stage major military exercises seen as a trial run for an invasion. Senator Bob Menendez, a member of Biden's Democratic Party who leads the committee, said that the United States "does not seek war or heightened tensions with Beijing" but needed to be "clear-eyed." Bob Menendez, chair of the U.S. Senate foreign relations committee / AP-Yonhap No Yes, a light case Yes, two or more light cases One serious case Two or more serious bouts Vote View Results Monsta X Hyungwon or DJ H.ONE is an actor, model, DJ ,and an idol. He is MONSTA X's main visual and was modeling before their debut. Chae Hyungwon net worth this year is definitely in the millions as MONSTA X has released many albums and have been touring the world non-stop. But just how rich is the idol DJ? Want to know if he is a multimillionaire? Keep on reading! Monsta X Hyungwon Net Worth 2022:How Much Does He Earns? MONSTA X debuted in 2015 after MNET's "No Mercy" finished. The original seven-member line up was chosen through the survival reality program and Hyungwon was one of the winners. Combining the album sales, concerts, the group and his individual cfs, plus his other activities like DJing and acting, the MONSTA X member has a net worth of $2.5 million. Most of that his hard earned money are from his group activities. MONSTA X debuted with a mini album "Trespass" immediately after the MNET show. Their very first full album was the finale of a trilogy "The Clan Pt. 2.5: The Final Chapter". It sold over 200,000 copies including its repackaged version "Shine Forever" "The Clan Pt. 2: Guilty" was released in 2017 and is their fourth EP. the album sold over 100,000 copies in Korea and charted in different music sites. They released another mini album "The Code" in 2017 and it sold almost 200,000 album copies. Their albums after that all sold more than 200,000 copies. Their "Take.1 Are You There?" mini album was certified platinum in Korea after selling more than 250,000 copies. MONSTA X's "Take.2 We Are Here" here album also got a platinum certification. Their 2019 and 2020 album were also certified and even got into Billboard top 200. In 2021, MONSTA X's "No Limit" album sold almost 450,000 copies in Korea and Japan. It is the same with their latest album, "Shape of Love" that sold more than 450,000 album copies in Korea and Japan. MONSTA X Hyungwon Non-Idol Activities He made his acting debut in the supporting role of "High-End Crush," a Chinese-Korean web drama that premiered on Sohu TV in China from November 2014 to January 2015. It was followed with a guest appearance in "Hello Mr. Right" in 2016. Then, MONSTA X Hyungwon costarred with Lee Hyun Jae and Kim Ji Hoon in the KBS2 drama "Please Find Her". Since MONSTA X is busy with their schedules, Hyungwon was unable to get lead roles that require more time taping scenes. That is why he does not decline cameo parts. He had a small appearance in the Japanese Netflix series "Followers" in 2020 and the Korean drama series "Bad Papa," which aired at MBC in 2018. He got his first major lead role in a musical web-drama by KakaoTV, "Fly Again" in which he also participated in the OST. Announced this month, Hyungwon became part of the main cast in a new JTBC drama with EXO Xiumin title "President Idol Mart". Meanwhile, Hyungwon as a DJ debuted with a single titled "BAM!BAM!BAM!". He collaborated with another DJ, Justin Oh and his co-member Joohoney. They went on to shared a stage that year at KCON Japan 2017 and the "Ultra Music Festival Korea". He also released an album "1(One)" with DJ Justin as his producer. The MONSTA X also had many other more activities like becoming the model of Evian water and another French brand, Avene. With all of the projects he has done, you would think his net worth would be more. If the MONSTA X member was paid every time his infamous meme was used, then his net worth would have probably doubled. KpopStarz owns this article. Written by Jaswin Singh slide 2 of 6 TWICE Momo arrives at Incheon International Airport after a vacation in Japan on the 13th. TWICE released a new song "Talk that Talk" on the 26th of last month. Meanwhile, the possibility of Momo forming the first TWICE unit with Mina and Sana under the name of MiSaMo is being raised. New Delhi [India], September 15 (ANI): Growth in global crude oil demand continues to decelerate, weighed down by renewed Chinese lockdowns and an ongoing slowdown in the OECD region, global energy body International Energy Agency said in its latest report. "Persistent demand weakness in China considerably slowed the pace of a summer ramp-up in refining activity. After reaching a post-Covid peak in August of 81.4 million barrel per day, refinery throughputs are expected to fall in September-October on seasonal maintenance," it said. Also Read | E-Commerce Entities May Face Heavy Penalty for Posting Fake Reviews of Products: Report. With lower runs (the volume of crude oil consumed by refineries), refined product inventories are now unlikely to see any substantial builds for the remainder of the year. Brent crude oil futures prices slipped below USD 90 per barrel in early September, the lowest level since January and more than USD 34 barrel below a June peak. This is the largest 90-day decline since March-April 2020 and is only exceeded prior to 2020 by market routs in 2014-15 and 2008-09. Also Read | International Day of Democracy 2022 Quotes & Powerful Words for This Annual UN Observance. For now, a deteriorating economic environment and recurring Covid lockdowns in China continue to weigh on market sentiment, it said. However, the deceleration in crude oil intake is partly offset by large-scale switching from gas to crude oil, estimated to average 700 kb/d during October-December 2022 and January-March 2023, double the level of a year ago, the agency said in the report. Coming to global demand for crude oil in 2022, it is expected to rise by 2 million barrel per day and 2.1 million barrel per day in 2023, marginally lower than its last month's forecast. "World oil production rose 790 kb/d in August to 101.3 mb/d, with a strong recovery in Libya and smaller gains from Saudi Arabia and the UAE offset by losses in Nigeria, Kazakhstan and Russia. From August through December, growth is forecast to slow, edging up by just 280 kb/d to 101.6 mb/d. In 2022, global production is forecast to rise by 4.8 mb/d, to 100.1 mb/d, and by 1.7 mb/d in 2023 to 101.8 mb/d," it said. However, the EU embargo on Russian crude oil and product imports that comes into effect in December 2022 and February 2023, respectively, is expected to result in deeper declines, it added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], September 15 (ANI/NewsVoir): India is a global leader in rice exports - both Basmati and non-Basmati. In the last 10 years from 2012-13, India's Basmati rice export (in volume terms) has grown 46 per cent at a CAGR of 4 per cent. The Basmati rice export steadily grew from 346 lakh tons to 463 lakh tons between 2012-13 and 2020-21. The slight decline witnessed in the last financial year (2021-22) came mainly on account of reduced purchase by Saudi Arab. Data from the WTO show that during 2021 when the COVID was epidemic, Saudi Arab's import of rice from all sources drastically declined by nearly 6 lakh tons. Purchase from India declined too. However, the current FY (2022-23) year, the trend shows a significant increase in import of Indian Basmati rice by Saudi Arab. Also Read | India Women vs England Women 3rd T20I 2022 Free Live Streaming Online: Get Free Live Telecast of IND W vs ENG W Cricket Match on TV With Time in IST. While asserting these facts, Deepak Shah, Chairman of Crop Care Federation of India (CCFI) said, "The recent move by the Punjab and Haryana governments to suspend use of 10 generic pesticides was ill-conceived, unwarranted and would in no way help increasing Basmati rice export. Instead, it would only increase the cost of cultivation as the farmers would be forced to use expensive alternatives." Deepak Shah further observed that the decision to suspend the use of 10 pesticides was taken by the Punjab and Haryana governments without any material evidence under Section 27 of the Insecticides Act. CCFI has made a detailed analysis and submitted to the Punjab Government. The report prepared by CCFI has several interesting facts Also Read | Oppo F21s Pro Series Launched in India; Prices, Features & Specifications. As regards the rice trade with European union (EU), the data show that Pakistan received more notifications of rejections from EU than India for reasons of sanitary and phytosanitary noncompliance. However, Pakistan managed increase its share in the EU rice market from 5 per cent to as high as 25 per cent in the last ten years mainly on account of lower price and aggressive promotion, whereas India's share in the EU rice market has fallen from 31 per cent to 11 per cent during the same period. Hence, there is an urgent need for India to work on both the price and promotion front. Analysis Report by CCFI cropcarefed.in/wp-content/uploads/India-Rice-Trade-and-SPS-Barriers-from-EU.-Final-Rev_19-Aug-2022.pdf Data from the European Commission show that the Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for pesticides frequently get revised. For instance, in the last month (July 2022) alone the EU notified as many as 33 revisions in the MRLs. Monitoring such volatile changes in the MRLs and their compliance is a costly affair with no guarantee of sustaining the export. The EU has set 507 MRLs for paddy. Out of this 304 (i.e., 60 per cent) are set at 0.01 ppm (0.01 mg/kg). The MRL. 0.01 mg/kg equals 1 gm of residue for every 100 tons of rice. At this trace level, a pesticide residue would not be biologically, toxicologically, and environmentally relevant. It merely acts as a powerful non-tariff barrier. Many countries including the USA and China have voiced their opposition to the EU's unscientific and arbitrary trade barriers. Banning rice pesticides in India to meet the EU MRLs would amount to trimming the feet to fit the shoes! CCFI's urges the food safety authority in India (FSSAI) to create a level playing field under the WTO-SPS Agreement. India must subject food imports from the EU to 0.01 ppm MRL analysis. The EU uses 6 times more pesticides than India. Therefore, food imports from the EU would be carrying residues of pesticides not approved in India. India must reject such imports from the EU. Quid pro quo pays in the international trade. It would make the other party to act rationally and reasonably. In brief about CCFI: Crop Care Federation of India (CCFI) is a non-profit, non-commercial organization with its Mission to build a responsible image for the Agrochemical Industry. It is one of the oldest and foremost associations of the Agrochemical Companies in India with a member base of over 50 leading companies. These member companies comprise Basic Technical Producers and major formulators, thus representing the complete gamut of the Agrochemical business. For further information contact S.Ganesan +91 99595 52725 Or write to ganesanicc@gmail.com. To know more about CCFI visit: www.cropcarefed.in. This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content in this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jodhpur (Rajasthan) [India], September 15 (ANI/NewsVoir): To commemorate the 20th foundation day of India's leading ed-tech firm Utkarsh classes, the CEO and Co-founder, Dr Nirmal Gehlot inaugurated the new cardiac thoracic wing of Mathuradas Mathur hospital in Jodhpur. The refurbished wing has operation theatres, and outpatient wards and will offer world-class cardiac health facilities to the poorer sections of society. Talking on the occasion, Dr Nirmal Gehlot said, "Heart diseases have been a major health concern in India. The treatment is expensive and often unaffordable to the poorer sections of society. This initiative attempts at bridging the gap and ensuring that everyone has access to world-class healthcare in the cardiac space." Also Read | Mumbai Shocker: Man Reaches Hospital With Intestine in Hand After Getting Stabbed in Dombivli. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India accounts for one-fifth of all cardiovascular deaths worldwide. Unfortunately, the majority of these affect younger people. According to the study on the burden of disease, India had 272 cardiovascular deaths for every 100,000 people, which is much higher than the global average of 235.Utkarsh Classes is a pioneer in the industry founded by Dr Nirmal Gehlot in 2002. Starting as a small two-room brick-and-mortar unit, Utkarsh currently has over 1,200 employees, including 170 educators across categories and over 20 million students across its online and offline platforms, learning app, and YouTube channel. Utkarsh provides online and offline learning modes for central and state government exams, all-India competitive exams such as IIT-JEE, NEET, and CLAT, and school education for Classes 6th to 12th, CBSE, and eight state boards. It also specializes in all-India and state-level government tests for IAS, banking, defence services, state Public Service Commission, and teaching exams. Also Read | NEET SS Result 2022: National Board of Examinations Declares NEET SS Exam Result at nbe.edu.in; Know Steps To Check Score. This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content in this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ayan Mukerji dropped a picture featuring Ranbir Kapoor from their visit to Somnath Temple on Thursday, on social media. Taking to his Instagram handle, the Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani director treated fans with a new picture. In the picture, he was seen posing with the Shamshera actor dressed in ethnic attire. Ranbir was seen wearing a white kurta-pyjama that he paired with a navy-blue Nehru jacket. On the other hand, Ayan opted for a yellow-white kurta set. Brahmastra: Not Deepika Padukone, But Alia Bhatt Is Jal Astra in the Film? Leaked Pics Predict New Theory. View Post Here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ayan Mukerji (@ayan_mukerji) Sharing the picture, he wrote, "Somnath Temple. Shri Someshwaray Jyotirlidaay Maharudray Namah // My Third Jyotirling Visit this year. Had told myself I would come here after Brahmastra releases, and am so happy and energised that we made it here! #gratitude." 'Brahmastra' team including Alia Bhatt, the trio recently headed to Ahmedabad for the film promotion. Recently, Ayan announced that Brahmastra unreleased songs would be out on Dussehra. He shared the video with a glimpse of songs including "Kesariya", "Deva Deva" and "Dance Ka Bhoot." Along with the caption, "Some News on The Music Album Of Brahmastra. There is a lot of Music in the movie which we haven't released, yet." "Like... Rasiya... our Shiva Theme... other versions of our Main Songs... other Themes...The main reason is that we needed to focus on finishing the movie properly pre-release, and couldn't do justice to launching these tracks properly." He added, "This is just a general shout-out to say that we are resuming this Journey with focus and excitement now... that we plan to launch Rasiya and other tracks starting early next week..." "And we plan to have our entire Brahmastra Music Album complete and released - by DUSSEHRA, Oct. 5th ! #musicofbrahmastra." Brahmastra' is helmed by Ayan, along with Ranbir and Alia. The film also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Mouni Roy and south actor Nagarjuna in the lead roles. Brahmastra Part 1 - Shiva Ending Explained: Decoding the Finale of Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt Starrer, the Secret Cameo and How They Expand the Astraverse. Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh), Sep 15 (PTI) Sixteen legislators of the opposition Telugu Desam Party were suspended from the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly for a day on Thursday as they protested near the Speaker's podium. Also Read | Gurugram: Woman Falls Out of Auto-Rickshaw Resisting Mobile Snatcher, Suffers Injuries. The TDP members were on their feet protesting the remarks of Social Welfare Minister M Nagarjuna against their colleague Dalit MLA D B V Swamy and demanding that the Minister apologise to the member. The Minister claimed he spoke nothing wrong against a fellow Dalit. Also Read | Canara Bank Fraud Case: CBI Raids Several Locations in Mumbai, Gujarat in Connection With Rs 428 Crore Fraud. As the House took up a short discussion on decentralisation of administration, the opposition members stormed into the Well of the House and continued their protest. Speaker T Seetaram asked the TDP legislators to return to their seats but to no avail. Legislative Affairs Minister Buggana Rajendranath then moved a motion for suspension of 16 TDP MLAs from the House for a day. It was carried by voice-vote. As the suspended members were led away, the House continued the discussion without the opposition. Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Kona Raghupati tendered his resignation from the post. The Speaker accepted the resignation. Notification would be issued on Monday for the election of a new deputy Speaker. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, September 15 (ANI) Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday greeted all hardworking engineers on Engineer's Day and saluted them for their innovations and paramount role in the development of the country. Engineer's Day is observed to mark the birth anniversary of engineer statesman Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, a diwan of the erstwhile Mysore kingdom, who is credited with pioneering engineering works. Also Read | Hyderabad Shocker: 13-Year-Old Girl Kidnapped, Drugged and Gang Raped for Two Days in Hotel in Chanchalguda; Accused Arrested. "Engineers Day, my greetings to all our hardworking engineers and salute them for their innovations and paramount role in the development of our nation. I pay homage to the most outstanding Engineer of all times, Bharat Ratna Sir M Visvesvaraya Ji on his birth anniversary," Shah tweeted. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also greeted engineers on the occasion, and remembered the pathbreaking contribution of Sir M. Visvesvaraya, saying India is blessed to have a skilled and talented pool of engineers contributing to nation-building. Also Read | Google Play Store To Show Reviews Based on Your Device: Report. Every year India celebrates National Engineer's day on September 15 to recognise and honour the achievements of the great engineer Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya. Along with India, Visvesvaraya's great works are also celebrated in Sri Lanka and Tanzania on September 15 as Engineer's day. Born on September 15, 1861, in the Muddenahalli village of Karnataka, Visvesvaraya completed his school education in his hometown and later on went to study Bachelor of Arts (BA) at the University of Madras. He then switched to a different career path and pursued a diploma in civil engineering at the College of Science in Pune. Popularly known as Sir MV, he undertook several complex projects and delivered remarkable infrastructural results during his engineering career. He patented and installed an irrigation system with water floodgates at the Khadakvasla reservoir near Pune to raise the food supply level and storage to the highest levels known as the 'block system' in 1903. The irrigation system was later installed at Gwalior's Tigra Dam and Mysuru's Krishnaraja Sagara (KRS) dam, the latter of which created one of the largest reservoirs in Asia at the time. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Sep 15 (PTI) Bar bodies led by the Bar Council of India (BCI) have unanimously favoured amending the Constitution to enhance the retirement age of judges of the high court and the Supreme Court to 65 and 67 years respectively. At present trial court judicial officers, HC and SC judges superannuate at the age of 60, 62 and 65 years respectively and especially the bar leaders have been demanding enhancement of retirement age of judges of the higher judiciary. Also Read | Tesla & Elon Musk Sued for Misleading Costumers Over Autopilot & FSD Claims. The Joint Meeting of all the State Bar Councils, the office-bearers of High Court Bar Associations and Bar Council of India held last week had discussed the issue with regard to enhancement of age of superannuation of Judges of high courts and Supreme Court. The same was thoroughly considered; and after consideration, the meeting unanimously came to a conclusion that there should be immediate amendment in the Constitution and the retirement age of Judges of high court should be enhanced from 62 to 65 years and the age of superannuation of the Judges of Supreme Court should be enhanced to 67 years, the BCI said in a statement. Also Read | Lakhimpur Kheri: Dalit Sisters Killed As They Wanted Accused To Marry Them, Says UP Police. It said the joint meeting has also resolved to propose to Parliament to consider amending various statutes so that even experienced advocates could be appointed as Chairpersons of various commissions and other Forums. The copy of the resolution was decided to be communicated to the Prime Minister of India and Union Minister for Law and Justice for immediate action on the resolution, said the statement issued on Wednesday by Srimaanto Sen, the BCI Secretary. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Sep 15 (PTI) BJP MLA Vijender Gupta on Thursday met Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and requested him to speed up a case in connection with alleged scam in recruitment of marshals for public transport buses in the city. Gupta also handed over documents related to his allegations to the L-G, said a statement from his office. Also Read | Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Inaugurates and Lays Foundation Stone of 7 National Highway Projects Worth Rs 1128 Crore in Madhya Pradesh. "The BJP MLA demanded an inquiry into the corruption in the recruitment of marshals by the Arvind Kejriwal government and strictest punishment to the culprits of the scam," the statement said. Gupta had on September 3, 2019 filed a complaint with the anti corruption branch (ACB) to investigate the recruitment process of 10,000 marshals in DTC and cluster buses. An FIR was registered by the ACB on January 24, 2020, it said. Also Read | Make India Number One Mission: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal To Visit Rajasthan on October 7-8. Gupta, in his complaint, had alleged that fake Aadhaar cards were made in Shahdara district on August 11-12, using which training certificates were issued to 460 people from Rajasthan. He also alleged that no advertisement was published for the recruitments. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Guwahati, September 15: The Centre and Assam government will sign a tripartite peace accord with eight Adivasi militant outfits of Assam in New Delhi today, 10 years after the peace process started. The peace agreements will be signed in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The eight rebel groups are Birsa Commando Force (BCF), Adivasi People's Army (APA), All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA), Adivasi Cobra Military of Assam (ACMA) and Santhali Tiger Force (STF) and the remaining three outfits are splinter groups of BCF, AANLA and ACMA. Birsa Commando Force (BCF), Adivasi People's Army (APA), All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA), Adivasi Cobra Military of Assam (ACMA) and Santhali Tiger Force (STF) have been in a ceasefire with the government since 2012 and since then the cadres of the militant outfits are staying in designated camps. "I am sure signing of the agreement will usher in a new era of peace & harmony in Assam," Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. On January 27 this year, a total of 246 insurgents of two militant groups of the state laid down their arms and returned to the mainstream. Achieving Target of 20 Pc Ethanol Blending in Petrol by 2025 to Save Rs 1 Lakh Crore Forex: Amit Shah. In an arms laying ceremonial function held at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati, 169 insurgents of United Gorkha People's Organisation (UGPO) and 77 insurgents of Tiwa Liberation Army (TLA) laid down their arms before Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, Chief Executive Member of BTR Pramod Boro, CEM TAC Jibon Chandra Konwar. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Sep 15 (PTI) The Union environment ministry may allow compensatory afforestation (CA) for all developmental projects undertaken in Delhi in neighbouring states in view of the scarcity of land in the capital, sources have said. A source in the Environment Ministry said they have taken cognizance of the Delhi Development Authority's (DDA) letter which said all green areas in the city have saturated and there is a severe shortage of land to raise compensatory afforestation for the upcoming developmental projects. Also Read | Apple iOS 16 Adoption Slightly Higher Than iOS 15 in 48 Hours. "This is a policy issue. We have taken note of it. There is indeed a shortage of land in Delhi. We are going to take up the matter in a meeting of the Forest Appraisal Committee of the ministry. The request is likely to be accepted," the source said. A senior DDA official said it has denied several requests by user agencies, including the the National Highway Authority of India and Railways, to provide land for compensatory afforestation considering the shortage. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: 16-Year-Old Girl Foils Kidnapping Attempt By E-Rickshaw Driver and Two Others in Bahraich. In March, the DDA wrote to the Union environment ministry, requesting it to allow compensatory afforestation (CA) for all projects undertaken in Delhi in neighbouring states in view of the scarcity of land in the capital. In its letter, the DDA cited para 2.3 (v) of the chapter 2 of the Handbook of Forest Conservation Act which says: "In exceptional cases where non-forest land/degraded forest land, as the case may be, for CA is not available in the same state/Union territory in which the diversion of forest land is proposed, land for CA can be identified in any other state/UT, preferably in a neighbouring state/UT." "It is proposed that para 2.3(v) of the guidelines issued by the ministry may in general be relaxed for Delhi and CA may be allowed in neighbouring states, the DDA's letter read. According to the guidelines issued under the Forest Conservation Act, compensatory afforestation is to be raised on suitable non-forest land, equivalent to the area proposed for diversion, at the cost of the user agency. Compensatory afforestation can also be raised on degraded land, twice in extent of the forest area diverted, in case of the projects implemented by the central government or public sector undertakings. The DDA had requested the ministry to at least consider allowing CA for central government/PSU projects on degraded forest land in the neighbouring states of Delhi. It said that under the Master Plan of Delhi, it had been decided to set aside 15 per cent of the area for recreational land use under which all parks, greenbelts and forests are maintained. Against the 15 per cent area identified for recreational green use, the total forest and tree cover in the capital is now over 23 per cent according to the latest State of Forest Report published by the Forest Survey of India, Dehradun. "Most of the recreational green areas identified under the master plan are already saturated with plantations. Other vacant land parcels available in small patches are required for basic developmental needs of the citizens of Delhi," a DDA official said. However, according to a survey conducted by the Delhi forest department, there is around 9,000 hectares of land available in the Yamuna floodplains which could be used for raising plantations suitable to the river ecology and compensatory afforestation for projects of national importance. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kollam (Kerala) [India], September 15 (ANI): Congress' Bharat Jodo Yatra will now resume from Kerala's Kollam on Friday after a one-day break on September 15. Taking Twitter on Wednesday, Congress leader Jairam said that the Padyatra will resume on Friday. Also Read | Congress Leader P Chidambaram Takes Dig at BJP, Says 'Wholesale Buyer Will Buy Nearly All MLAs in India One Day'. The yatra completed its seventh day on Wednesday which was started from Navayikkulam in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram. On the seventh day, Rahul Gandhi interacted with students at Chathannur in the Kollam district. Also Read | EWS Quota: Economic Condition Can't Be Sole Basis of Reservation, Says Supreme Court. "As we conclude the first week of #BharatJodoYatra today, with the distance covered and souls we connected with, our commitment grew stronger, our goal became clearer, and our family grew larger. This is the power of truth; the power of oneness," the Congress said. Before starting the march from Navayikkulam, Rahul Gandhi paid his respects to social reformer Sree Narayana Guru at Sivagiri mutt in Kerala. The Yatra is in its Kerala leg and would traverse through the state for the next 17 days.The 3,500-km march from Kanyakumari to Kashmir will be completed in 150 days and cover as many as 12 states. From Kerala, the Yatra will traverse through the state for the next 18 days, reaching Karnataka on September 30. It will be in Karnataka for 21 days before moving north. The Padyatra (march) will cover a distance of 25 km every day. Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said that the spirit of the Bharat Jodo Yatra is to bring Indians together irrespective of religion, community and remind them that this is one country and it will be successful if we stand together and are respectful towards each other. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jaipur, September 15: A two-year-old girl was rescued from a 200-ft-deep borewell in Dausa district after a more than seven hours of rescue operation on Thursday, officials said. The girl was trapped at the depth of 60 to 70 feet, they said. The rescue operation was assisted by four earth-moving machines, four tractors, and was led by the teams of the National Disaster Response Force, the State Disaster Response Force, and police. Indian Army Rescues 18-Month-Old Boy From 300-Feet Borewell in Gujarats Surendranagar (Watch Video). The incident took place in Jassa Pada village near Abhaneri, when the girl, Ankita, fell into a borewell while playing outside her house. "The girl has been rescued safely and has been sent for primary examination," Dausa district collector Qummer Ul Zaman Choudhary told reporters. Dausa district SP Sanjeev Nain said that the girl was rescued with the efforts of police and NDRF and SDRF. The incident also drew the attention of state Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot who asked the authorities to update him about the rescue efforts. "Relief and rescue operations are going on a war footing to rescue the girl Ankita who fell in the borewell in Bandikui. Teams of NDRF, SDRF and administration are on the spot. "The rescue team is also in talks with the girl. Have taken an update of the incident after talking to the District Collector, Dausa," Gehlot tweeted earlier in the day. The area around the borewell was excavated with the help of earth-moving machines and her movement was monitored through a CCTV camera. She was supplied with oxygen through pipes. The incident is one of the many such involving borewells that have endangered the lives of several children in the past. On July 29, a 12-year-old girl fell into a borewell in a village in Gujarat's Surendranagar district and got stuck at a depth of 60 feet, but was rescued nearly five hours later. This was the second such incident in the tehsil after a two-year-old boy was rescued from a borewell in June. On June 29, another five-year-old boy who had fallen into an open borewell was rescued safely after an eight hour-long operation in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur district. The same month, an 11-year-old boy had fallen into a borewell in Janjgir-Champa district and was rescued safely. In 2009, the Supreme Court had issued guidelines to prevent incidents of children falling into abandoned borewells. The revised guidelines issued by the court in 2010 included setting up a barbed wire fencing around the well during construction, using a steel plate cover fixed with bolts over the well assembly, and filling up of borewells from the bottom to the ground level. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Sep 15 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday greeted people on Engineer's Day and said India is blessed to have a skilled and talented pool of engineers contributing to nation building. Engineer's Day is observed to mark the birth anniversary of engineer statesman M Visvesvaraya, a diwan of erstwhile Mysore kingdom, who is credited with pioneering engineering works. Also Read | Bengaluru Shocker: Woman, Allergic to Dogs, Her Daughter Die by Suicide After Family Refuse To Give Away Their Pet Dog. Modi tweeted, "Greetings to all engineers on Engineers Day. Our nation is blessed to have a skilled and talented pool of engineers who are contributing to nation building. Our Government is working to enhance infrastructure for studying engineering including building more engineering colleges." "On Engineers Day, we remember the pathbreaking contribution of Sir M. Visvesvaraya. May he keep inspiring generations of future engineers to distinguish themselves," he added. Also Read | GoPro Launches HERO11 Black, HERO11 Black Creator Edition and HERO11 Black Mini Models in India. Modi also posted a snippet from one of his Mann Ki Baat broadcasts where he talked about the subject. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, September 15: While a commercial civil plane will bring Cheetahs from Namibia, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is ready to deploy its Chinook heavy lift helicopters which will ferry the felines from the Jaipur airport to the Kuno national park. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the "Reintroduction of the Cheetah" project at the Kuno National Park in the Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh on September 17. Cheetah Is Coming Back! Here's Everything About India's Plan to Translocate Extinct Cheetahs From Africa. "The plan at present is that the civilian plane will bring the Cheetahs to Jaipur from where the Indian Air Force's Chinook helicopters will fly them to the Kuno national park," government officials said here. The officials, however, also said they were still considering some airfields which are closer to the national park where they can be brought directly from Namibia. PM Modi will also release cheetahs being brought from Africa into the dense Madhya Pradesh forests. The big cat species will be reintroduced in India after 70 years since being declared extinct in 1952. A customised jet arrived in Namibia on Thursday to bring cheetahs to India's Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh where they will be re-introduced. The High Commission of India in Windhoek, Namibia had tweeted the visual of the Indian aircraft. "A special bird touches down in the Land of the Brave to carry goodwill ambassadors to the Land of the Tiger," the High Commission of India in Windhoek said on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Indian Oil Corporation Limited has decided to contribute Rs 50.22 crore over five years for the transcontinental relocation of Cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa to the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Earlier, IndianOil on August 2, 2022, signed an MoU with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for the transcontinental relocation of Cheetah in its historical range in India. Under the ambitious project of the Indian government - Project Cheetah - the reintroduction of wild species, particularly cheetah is being undertaken as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines. Project Cheetah is an ambitious project undertaken by the government which aims to re-establish the species in its historical range in the country. India has a long history of wildlife conservation. One of the most successful wildlife conservation ventures 'Project Tiger' which was initiated way back in 1972, has not only contributed to the conservation of tigers but also to the entire ecosystem. The release of wild cheetahs by the Prime Minister in Kuno National Park is part of his efforts to revitalise and diversify India's wildlife and its habitat. The cheetahs were declared extinct from India in 1952. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], September 15 (ANI): The Basavaraj Bommai government is likely to table the anti-conversion Bill in the Karnataka Legislative Council today. "Even Congress and JDS must support this bill introduced. Everything should go smoothly. It was passed in the lower house, doing it in the upper house now. We're all enthusiastic it will be passed and it is one of the most awaited bills," said BJP MLC DS Arun. Also Read | Twilio, Cloud Communication Firm, Lays Off Over 850 Employees. Last year in December, amid the ruckus by the Opposition, the Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021 or anti-conversion Bill was passed in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly but due to the lack of majority, the Prohibition of Conversion Bill was not presented in the Council. The Government has decided to present the proposal in the Karnataka Legislative Council today and Congress is likely to oppose the bill but since BJP has a majority, the possibility of passing the bill has increased. Also Read | Meta, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter Executives Grilled Over Privacy, Moderation Failures. The Bill will provide for the protection of the right to freedom of religion and prohibition of unlawful conversion from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means. The bill introduced by the BJP government gives the right to any person to file a complaint against religious conversion, protecting the right to freedom of religion in the state. It proposes imprisonment of up to 10 years for forced religious conversion and the offense is made to be a non-bailable and cognizable. According to the new law, any converted person, his parents, brother, sister, or any other person who is related to him by blood, marriage, adoption, or in any form associated, or colleague may file a complaint of such conversion. The bill has the purpose of prohibiting unlawful conversion of religion, providing protection to those who were forced to convert from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement, the promise of marriage, or by any fraudulent means and for the matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. "No person shall convert or attempt to convert, either directly or otherwise, any other person from one religion to another by use or practice of force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means or by any other means or promise of marriage, nor shall any person abet or conspire such conversion," the Bill stated. Notably, the bill was introduced by the BJP government in the Karnataka Assembly last year after which it sparked controversy and was opposed by Opposition parties in the state.(ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai, Sep 15 (PTI) A 65-year-cleric was arrested for allegedly outraging the modesty of three minor girls in Karjat in Maharashtra's Raigad district, a police official said on Thursday. Also Read | SCO Summit: PM Narendra Modi Says Looking Forward to Discussing Issues of Regional Cooperation at Summit in Uzbekistan. The incident came to light on Monday after a woman saw the accused cleric touching her 12-year-old daughter inappropriately, the official said. Also Read | Supreme Court Directs State of Haryana To Reinstate 1300 Primary School Teachers. "The incident took place in an office of the Bohra Muslim community in Karjat, where children had assembled to read holy books. On the complaint of the 12-year-old girl, we have arrested the cleric, who was remanded in police custody till Friday. He has allegedly targeted three girls," he said. A case was registered on Tuesday against the cleric under Indian Penal Code section 354 (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, he added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Cuttack, Sep 15 (PTI) The state government informed the high court on Thursday that Rs 135 crore would be deposited within 30 days with the official liquidator, who is overseeing the winding up of the Orissa Textiles Mill. The Handlooms department is seeking to set up a textile park on over 500 acres of land of the now-defunct mill at Choudwar in Cuttack district. Also Read | Video: Former Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat Climbs Hill To Save His Life After Elephant Blocks Convoy. The Odisha government has expressed its interest to take over the OTM for Rs 150 crore. It has already deposited Rs 35 crore with the liquidator. During the hearing in the court of Justice Arindam Sinha, advocate general Ashok Parija submitted that the remaining Rs 115 crore would be submitted within 30 days. Also Read | Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Inaugurates and Lays Foundation Stone of 7 National Highway Projects Worth Rs 1128 Crore in Madhya Pradesh. In its report on August 29, the office of the liquidator had appealed to the court that the government should be directed to deposit the balance amount within 30 days to enable the official to declare the dividend as per the provisions. The OTM was incorporated by former chief minister Biju Patnaik during the pre-independence era and started commercial production in 1950. But after three decades of successful operation, the state government took over the mill in 1981. Its production and businesses started declining since then, forcing the dispensation to wind it up in June 2001. The liquidation process began in the company court of the Orissa HC in March 2002. The exercise met repeated obstacles as several private parties backed out from their commitments. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) In pics: Festival of the Winds returns to Sydney Bondi Beach 14:07, September 15, 2022 By Hanyue Li ( People's Daily Online Photo shows a scene from the Festival of the Winds, a major annual event that has attracted many visitors to stop by Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, to partake in all the festivities. (Photo/Hanyue Li) Australias largest kite flying festival, Festival of the Winds, returned to Bondi Beach on Sept. 11, 2022, with an array of professional kite-flying displays, concerts in Bondi Park, and food offerings with a global flavor. Festival of the Winds is in its 44th year and is co-presented by the Waverley Council and the Australian Kite Flyers Society. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Bhubaneswar, Sep 15 (PTI) With rise in cybercrime in the state, Odisha Police on Thursday advised people not to charge their mobile phone sets in public charging stations. The advisory was issued as police apprehend possibility of data theft from mobile sets by using modern gadgets at public charging stations. Also Read | MHT CET Result 2022: PCM, PCB Results Declared at cetcell.mahacet.org; Here's How To Check Scorecard. "Don't charge your mobiles at public places like mobile charging station, USB power station etc. Cyber fraudsters are trying to steal your personal information from mobile and installing the malware inside your phone," Odisha Police said in a Twitter post. Cyber experts opined that the data theft from mobile sets is possible through 'juice jacking'. They said fraudsters can load malware onto public USB charging stations to access electronic devices while they are being charged. Also Read | IRCTC Red Flags Timing Clash of Tejas Express with Soon to Be Launched Vande Bharat Train: Sources. The police said though it is found that some people carry their own chargers or power banks, many depend on public charging stations like bus stands, railway stations, malls and other places. Earlier on September 4, the Odisha Police had also cautioned public through a tweet to remain cautious as fraudsters always attempt to access your SIM card or duplicate it. "Fraudsters often call you pretending to be a mobile operator staff and try to convince you with SIM upgrades or benefits. So be aware & stay cyber_safe," the police had tweeted. About 146 cyber crimes were reported under Bhubaneswar Urban Police District in 2021 as compared to 108 in 2020. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) By Shalini Bhardwaj New Delhi [India], September 15 (ANI): The Nikshay Mitra initiative of the government aims to encourage the adoption of Tuberculosis (TB) patients and take care of their nutritional and medical requirements. Also Read | Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Inaugurates and Lays Foundation Stone of 7 National Highway Projects Worth Rs 1128 Crore in Madhya Pradesh. In just a few days after the launch, the number of supported TB patients has reached 2,77,793, according to government figures. According to Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia, "India's 'Adopt a TB patient' is an innovative initiative and a step in the right direction to realise the goal of ending TB, which requires more than a biomedical approach." Also Read | Make India Number One Mission: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal To Visit Rajasthan on October 7-8. "This initiative is expected to help more patients complete TB treatment, and mitigate associated catastrophic costs experienced by a high proportion of TB patients and their families, despite free diagnosis and treatment," she said. Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya informed through a tweet on Thursday that, 9.24 lakh TB patients will be supported by the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative, and 9.25 lakh TB patients have consented to receive the community support. On the Nikshay Mitra portal dashboard also, the number of TB patients to supported by Ni-Kshay Mitra reached 9,24,089. Other than this 2,77,793 adoptions were officially confirmed by the District TB Officer as well. President of India Draupadi Murmu virtually launched the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan on September 9. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that "It is the duty of all citizens to give high priority to 'Pradhan Mantri TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan' and to make this campaign a mass movement. It is because TB causes the largest number of deaths among all other infectious diseases in our country." Recently in an Exclusive Interview with ANI Dr. Raghuram S Rao, additional DDG, TB division, Directorate General of Health Services said, "It is about getting the community to participate and play a proactive role in the fight against tuberculosis. So, what we are asking from the community to come forward and adopt a TB patient for a facility and all TB patients within that geography." "So, that they are able to provide them with additional nutritional support or social support or any other, additional support that the patient or the family may need," he further added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], September 15 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday lauded the tripartite peace accord signed between the Centre and Assam governments with eight tribal outfits of state and said more than 1100 persons of the Adivasi outfits are surrendering arms and joining the mainstream today. Speaking after the accord was signed, the Home Minister said the Centre is working towards ending all border disputes in the northeast by 2024. Also Read | #Kohima: #BJP President @JPNadda on Thursday Said That 2015 Works Are Going on to Resolve Latest Tweet by IANS India. He said that the Narendra Modi government has taken several initiatives for peace and prosperity of the North East Region (NER). "The biggest programme was to establish peace. In this, we are today crossing a big milestone and moving ahead. Around 1100 persons of Adivasi outfits of Assam are surrendering arms and joining the mainstream today," he said. The minister said that the government is working for the conservation and development of culture of Assam and the northeast, ending disputes, signing agreements with armed groups and rehabilitating them and boosting development in the northeast as in other parts of the country. "We have signed several agreements in the past three years. We have decided that before 2024, be it the inter-state border disputes, be it rebel groups, we want to end all the disputes," he said. Also Read | Canara Bank Fraud Case: CBI Raids Several Locations in Mumbai, Gujarat in Connection With Rs 428 Crore Fraud. "We want Assam and the North East region should be drug-free, terrorism-free, dispute-free and fully developed. Modi government is working towards this," he added. The eight rebel groups which are part of the tripartite peace accord include Birsa Commando Force (BCF), Adivasi People's Army (APA), All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA), Adivasi Cobra Military of Assam (ACMA) and Santhali Tiger Force (STF) and the remaining three outfits are splinter groups of BCF, AANLA and ACMA. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was also present during the signing of the agreement. He had earlier held a meeting with rebel Adivasi groups regarding the final settlement which is currently under a ceasefire. The accord was signed 10 years after the peace process started. Birsa Commando Force (BCF), Adivasi People's Army (APA), All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA), Adivasi Cobra Military of Assam (ACMA) and Santhali Tiger Force (STF) have been in a ceasefire with the government since 2012 and since then the cadres of the militant outfits are staying in designated camps. On January 27 this year, a total of 246 insurgents of two militant groups of the state laid down their arms and returned to the mainstream. In an arms-laying ceremonial function held at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati, 169 insurgents of the United Gorkha People's Organisation (UGPO) and 77 insurgents of the Tiwa Liberation Army (TLA) laid down their arms before Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, Chief Executive Member of BTR Pramod Boro, CEM TAC Jibon Chandra Konwar. Amit Shah had in January 2020 also presided over the signing of a historic agreement between the Government of India, the Government of Assam and Bodo representatives in New Delhi to end the over 50-year-old Bodo crisis that has cost the region over 4,000 lives. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Sep 15 (PTI) The Centre on Thursday signed an agreement with eight tribal militant organisations based in Assam to bring a lasting peace in some areas of the state. The tripartite agreement among the central and state governments and the eight groups, including All Adivasi National Liberation Army, Adivasi Cobra Militant of Assam, Birsa Commando Force, Santhal Tiger Force, and Adivasi People's Army, was signed here in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma among others. Also Read | Oppo F21s Pro Series Launched in India; Prices, Features & Specifications. The groups are in ceasefire since 2012 and living in designated camps. "I am sure signing of the agreement will usher in a new era of peace and harmony in Assam," Sarma said. Also Read | Marathwada Liberation Day 2022: Flag Hoisting Time Changed To Allow Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde To Attend Telangana Event, Says Shiv Sena Leader Ambadas Danve. Except the hardline faction of the banned ULFA, led by Paresh Baruah, and the Kamatapur Liberation Organisation, all other rebel groups active in the state have entered into peace agreements with the government. In January, all cadres belonging to the Tiwa Liberation Army and the United Gorkha People's Organisations surrendered with arms and ammunition. In August, the Kuki Tribal Union militants laid down their arms. In December 2020, around 4,100 cadres belonging to all factions of the Bodo militant group NDFB had surrendered their arms before the authorities. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Attari (Punjab) [India], September 15 (ANI): As many as forty-eight Sikh pilgrims from Pakistan arrived at the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar to further commence their 25-day pilgrimage to different parts of India. Sikh pilgrims from different parts of Pakistan arrived at the Attari-Wagah border on Wednesday. Also Read | Tesla & Elon Musk Sued for Misleading Costumers Over Autopilot & FSD Claims. During their 25-day visit, they will be visiting Amritsar's Golden Temple, Delhi, Uttarakhand and Hemkund Sahib. "48 Sikh pilgrims from Peshawar and other parts of Pakistan arrived at the Attari-Wagah border. They will be visiting Amritsar's Golden Temple, Delhi, Uttarakhand and Hemkund Sahib. They will stay for 25 days post which they will return," said Arun Pal, Protocol officer. Also Read | Lakhimpur Kheri: Dalit Sisters Killed As They Wanted Accused To Marry Them, Says UP Police. Jatha leader Satinderpal Singh said they will first visit Golden Temple in Amritsar and then they will go to Delhi and Uttarakhand. "First we will go to Golden Temple in Amritsar and then will go to Delhi and Uttarakhand. Mainly, we are here to visit Hemkund Sahib. We have 25 days Visa," said Singh. Visas to the Sikh pilgrims have been issued under the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, which provides visas to pilgrims for the visit of Sikh pilgrims from both the countries The 1974 Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines between India and Pakistan is a set of principles that was implemented while keeping in view the sentiments and devotion of the various communities in the two countries. The protocol states that such visits from one country to the other shall be allowed without discrimination as to religion or sect; up to 20 parties may be allowed to visit from one country to the other every year, while the number could be revised from time to time; Every effort should continue to be made to ensure that places of religious worship mentioned in the agreed list are properly maintained and their sanctity preserved, the Ministry of External Affairs had said in a statement. Indian Sikh pilgrims also visited Pakistan to pay obeisance at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, also known as the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, is located in Pakistan's Narowal district across river Ravi. It is one of the most significant historical and spiritual places for Sikhs. According to historians, the first Sikh Guru (Guru Nanak Dev) arrived in Kartarpur between 1520 and 1522 and spent the last 18 years of his life there. In Kartarpur, he laid the foundation of the Sikh religion. The Kartarpur corridor connects the Darbar Sahib Gurdwara in the Narowal district of Pakistan with the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district Punjab, India. Thus, many Sikh pilgrims could not visit the Darbar Sahib Gurdwara without a visa, even though it was merely 4 kilometres from Indian borders. In 1999, then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif proposed this corridor under the Delhi-Lahore bus diplomacy. In 2018, the Government of Pakistan approved the construction of the corridor. On November 26, 2018, Indian Vice President, Venkaiah Naidu laid the foundation stone of the corridor from the Indian side, and two days after, on November 28, 2018, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the fountain from the other side of the border. On the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the Kartarpur Corridor was completed and the first batch of Indian pilgrims was sent to visit their holy pilgrim place.The Kartarpur Corridor was thrown open in 2019. The corridor was built to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, founder of Sikhism. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Shimla, September 15: Ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a youth rally in the Mandi district on September 24. The Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh are likely to be held later this year. PM Modi will address the youth at Paddal Maidan in Mandi on September 24, said Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while addressing a public meeting in Mandi on Wednesday. He called upon the youth of the Seraj region to participate in this rally in large numbers. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi would address the huge youth rally at Paddal Maidan in Mandi on September 24," said the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister was addressing the public meeting after inaugurating the Government Senior Secondary School Dharbar Thach building constructed at a cost of Rs 2.43 crore at Dharbar Thach in Seraj assembly constituency. He said that the new initiatives had been taken to ensure basic facilities in the education sector in the Seraj area. Himachal: Congress Says It Will Implement Old Pension Scheme in 10 Days, if Voted to Power. "Strong infrastructure had been developed to provide higher and vocational education to the students. Government Degree College Lambathach building had been constructed at a cost of Rs 8.27 crore and Horticulture & Forestry College had been established at Thunag. The construction work of ITI at Chhatri at a cost of Rs.18.84 crore was in progress," he added. Thakur further said, "The building of Government High School, Sarachi had been constructed at a cost of Rs 2.75 crore, Government Senior Secondary School Shikavari at a cost of Rs 3.84 crore and GSSS Bagsiad at a cost of Rs 4.24 crore." He said that the construction work of the Academic and Administrative Block of Pharmacy College Seraj at Bagsiad was in progress at a cost of Rs 48.65. The Chief Minister added that the Pharmacy College staff residential complex and hostel would be constructed at a cost of Rs 14 crore. He also announced to sanction of the post of Horticulture Extension Officer at Dharbar Thach and the opening of the Veterinary Dispensary at Balidhar, Bagachanogi. Earlier, Local Panchayat Pradhan Meera Devi welcomed the Chief Minister. Former MLA of Delhi Manoj Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Arindam Chaudhary, Superintendent of Police Shalini Agnihotri, representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions, office bearers of BJP Mandal and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], September 15 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur on Thursday indicated that there are chances for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the Kullu Dussehra fair which will commence on October 15 this year. Speaking to ANI about the meeting of the International Kullu Dussehra Festival Committee, Thakur said, "Kullu Dussehra is an international-level fair. It is very historical and a very big gathering of our culture is seen in one way. The meeting which is held at the state level regarding that meeting has been held today." Also Read | Maharashtra Shocker: Differently-Abled Minor Girl Raped Multiple Times in Baramati, Gets Pregnant. He said he received a message from Prime Minister's Office that PM Modi is likely to attend the festival. "And I have also received a message in this way from the PMO that maybe this time the Prime Minister may also be present in Kullu's Dussehra," he added. Also Read | Rajasthan: 2-Year-Old Girl Ankita Falls Into Borewell in Dausa, Rescued After 7 Hours (Watch Video). When asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 72nd birthday, Thakur said, "On the birthday of the Prime Minister, I give my best wishes." He said that many programs have been organised across the country on the occasion. "In Himachal Pradesh also programs have been organised," he said. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Sep 15 (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday appealed to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh governments to resolve their boundary dispute at the earliest in order to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a peaceful and prosperous Northeast. Shah said this here while chairing a meeting of chief ministers of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh Himanta Biswa Sarma and Pema Khandu to resolve the boundary issues of the two states. Also Read | Mumbai Shocker: Man Reaches Hospital With Intestine in Hand After Getting Stabbed in Dombivli. The home minister assured both the chief ministers of maximum possible assistance from the central government in this regard. Shah urged both the chief ministers to resolve the boundary dispute at the earliest in order to fulfil the vision of the prime minister of a peaceful and prosperous Northeast, sources said. Also Read | NEET SS Result 2022: National Board of Examinations Declares NEET SS Exam Result at nbe.edu.in; Know Steps To Check Score. As many as 12 panels were formed by the governments of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, following discussions between the two chief ministers on July 15. The two states, as per the declaration, decided to restrict the number of 'disputed villages' to 86, instead of the previous 123, and agreed to make attempts to resolve all issues by September 15. Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share an 804.1-km-long border. Arunachal Pradesh, which was made a Union territory in 1972, had complained that several forested tracts in the plains that traditionally belonged to hill tribal chiefs and communities were unilaterally transferred to Assam. After Arunachal Pradesh achieved statehood in 1987, a tripartite committee was appointed which recommended that certain territories be transferred from Assam to Arunachal. Assam contested this claim and the matter is in the Supreme Court. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], September 15 (ANI): Pinky Irani, who had apparently introduced Bollywood actors Jacqueline Fernandez and Nora Fatehi to conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, appeared before the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police on Thursday in connection with the Rs 200 crore money laundering case. Irani, who is believed to be a close aide of Sukesh, appeared before EOW officials for the second day in a row after she was questioned for around 8 hours on Wednesday. Notably, actor Jacqueline Fernandez also joined the questioning by the EOW of Delhi Police in the alleged 200 crore scam on Wednesday. Also Read | Rajasthan Horror: Dalit Man Beaten Up with Iron Rods and Sticks for Drinking Water From Pot for Upper Castes in Jaisalmer. According to sources, Jacqueline and Pinki Irani engaged in a war of words during the Delhi Police interrogation on Wednesday. The EOW sources said, while the two were being interrogated face to face, they kept arguing and accusing each other of lying for around two hours. Also Read | Hyderabad Shocker: 13-Year-Old Girl Kidnapped, Drugged and Gang Raped for Two Days in Hotel in Chanchalguda; Accused Arrested. Pinki accused Jacqueline of accepting gifts from Sukesh, despite knowing that he is behind bars on charges of cheating people of 200 crores. On the other hand, Jacqueline accused Pinki of lying. She said she had no idea about Sukesh's background. Both of them reportedly also abused each other, after which police had to intervene. The questioning ended after 8 hours. Jacqueline has not been called for questioning on Thursday and will be called by EOW when the need arises, the sources said. Delhi Police prepared a questionnaire of 100 odd questions to ask Jaqueline. Meanwhile, Actor Nora Fatehi on Thursday also appeared before the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police in connection with the Rs 200 crore money laundering case involving jailed conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar. Nora arrived at the Delhi Police EOW office at Mandir Marg earlier today. The questioning of Nora is being done a day after the Delhi Police EOW officials summoned actor Jacqueline Fernandez in the same case. Earlier on September 2, Nora Fatehi was grilled by the EOW officials for over nine hours and was asked roughly around 50 questions. Police officials said that questioning so far has surfaced that Nora and Jacqueline Fernandez who has also been linked with Sukesh Chandrashekhar, were both unaware of each other receiving gifts. Sukesh Chandrashekhar has been accused of running an extortion racket worth Rs 200 crore when he was lodged in Rohini jail, from Aditi Singh, the wife of jailed former Ranbaxy owner Shivinder Singh, posing as officials from the union law ministry and the PMO, on the pretext of getting her husband out on bail. Sukesh Chandrashekhar, a native of Bengaluru in Karnataka, is currently lodged in a Delhi jail and faces over 10 criminal cases registered against him. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], September 15 (ANI): The K Chandrasekhar Rao-led TRS government on Thursday said it has decided to name the new state secretariat complex here after Dr B R Ambedkar. According to an official statement by the Chief Minister's Office, CM Rao has directed the state chief secretary to take action in this regard. Also Read | Canara Bank Fraud Case: CBI Raids Several Locations in Mumbai, Gujarat in Connection With Rs 428 Crore Fraud. "Naming of the (secretariat) complex in the name of Dr BR Ambedkar is a source of pride for all the people of Telangana. This decision is ideal for India. The Telangana government is moving forward with the philosophy of Ambedkar that all the people of India should get equal respect in all fields. In the social, political, economic and cultural fields, the self-governing state, which continues to maintain the status quo, is ideal for the country," Chief Minister Rao said in a statement released by his office. As per the statement, Telangana has become a separate state by incorporating Article 3 of the Constitution with the vision of Dr Ambedkar. Telangana state government is providing humane rule to SC, ST, BC, minority and women communities as well as the poor upper caste people by implementing BR Ambedkar's constitutional spirit, he said. Also Read | Operation Lotus: AAP Slams Congress for 'Silence' on Poaching of MLAs by BJP in Goa. "Ambedkar's dream of India has a unique democratic character of diversity. Ambedkar's spirit guides us that only by implementing the federal spirit, equal rights and opportunities can be provided to all communities. The true Indianness is that the people of India are respected equally without discrimination of caste, creed, gender and region and equal opportunities are provided to all. Then the real India will be formed. Our efforts will continue for that," the chief minister said according to the release. It said that the state is once again making an exemplary position by naming the state secretariat after that of Ambedkar as it moves forward with his vision in all the fields. "Moving forward with vision in all fields, Telangana State, which has stood as an example for the country in the past, is once again standing as an example for the country by naming the state secretariat after Ambedkar," it said. The statement further stated that in order to enhance the honour of the country, there can be no name greater than that of the BR Ambedkar who framed our Constitution. Demanding to rename the Central Vista complex after Ambedkar's name, the statement also said that KCR will write to PM Modi . "The Telangana State Assembly unanimously passed the resolution for that. I will also write a letter to the Prime Minister of India regarding the same. The Telangana Government demands the central government to name the newly constructed parliament building after Ambedkar," it said. Meanwhile, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi thanked Telangana CM for passing the resolution for the same in Assembly and appealed to KCR for naming new secretariat building being built in Ambedkar's name. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Sep 15 (PTI) With the SCO summit set to discuss various regional security challenges including terrorism, India on Thursday said there is a "deeply held" understanding in the grouping about the nature of menace and the source of the problem, in an oblique reference to Pakistan. At a media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has been focused on practical cooperation to deal with terrorism. Also Read | Modis Tactics to Derail Bharat Jodo Yatra: Cong on ED Summons to Karnataka Party Unit Latest Tweet by PTI News. His response came when asked how SCO envisages to carry forward its counter-terror cooperation when Pakistan actively harbours anti-India terror groups and China blocking efforts at the UN Security Council to designate terrorists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday left for the Uzbek city of Samarkand to attend the annual summit of the SCO which is set to discuss a range of key challenges facing the region including threat of terrorism and extremism. Also Read | Canara Bank Fraud Case: CBI Raids Several Locations in Mumbai, Gujarat in Connection With Rs 428 Crore Fraud. "You know, there are multiple ways to look at how different countries assess and look at the challenge of terrorism in the region. You mentioned about Pakistan and it's linked with the challenge of terrorism in the region," Kwatra said. "I can tell you that if you look at the history of discussions on countering terrorism, within the framework of Shanghai Cooperation Organization you will find that both the substance of the discussion and the various structures of the SCO, their handling of this issue has evolved over a period of years," he said. Kwatra added that "now, irrespective of what a particular country does on this problem of terrorism, there is deeply held, I would say, understanding and a deep appreciation within the SCO countries of what the nature of this terrorism is, where this problem comes from and most importantly, the need for the SCO countries on their own as also for the SCO structures including in particular RATS to come together and form ways for practical cooperation," he said. The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of SCO (RATS SCO) is focused on addressing key security challenges in the region including that of terrorism and extremism. India is the current chair of the SCO-RATS. Kwatra said India has been focusing very strongly on cooperation to combat terrorism. "I'm sure you would've followed that the SCO RATS structure has also decided to work towards creating a unified register of terrorist and extremist organisations whose activities are prohibited on the territories of the SCO member countries within SCO RATS," he said. Last month, China blocked a move at the UN Security Council to designate Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) deputy chief Abdul Rauf Azhar as a global terrorist. China put a technical hold on the joint proposal by India and the US to designate the JeM leader, who is the younger brother of the outfit's chief Masood Azhar. All other 14 member states of the top UN body supported the proposal. The Chinese action came less than a month after Beijing blocked a similar joint proposal by India and the US to blacklist Pakistan-based deputy leader of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba Abdul Rehman Makki. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Madurai, Sep 15 (PTI) The Madras High Court on Thursday convicted a well-known Youtuber, A Sankar alias 'Savukku' Sankar, for criminal contempt and sentenced him to six months' imprisonment. Also Read | Mumbai Shocker: Man Reaches Hospital With Intestine in Hand After Getting Stabbed in Dombivli. The case was taken on its own against Sankar by the court. The bench of Judges GR Swaminathan and B Pugalendhi had called upon Sankar to explain as to why he should not be held guilty of "scandalizing the judiciary" by levelling corruption charges against it. Also Read | NEET SS Result 2022: National Board of Examinations Declares NEET SS Exam Result at nbe.edu.in; Know Steps To Check Score. In the previous hearing he had not expressed regret or remorse and had admitted to making such statements, the court pointed out. "It is to be noted that the contemnor admitted having made all the charged statements. It does not require a forensic mind to conclude that they are ex-facie scandalous. They denigrate and deride the institution of judiciary. The legal maxim "res ipsa loquitor" (the thing speaks for itself) can be analogically applied," the bench said. Sankar's statement that the entire higher judiciary is riddled with corruption was the subject matter of the show cause notice. "The contemnor would be well within his rights to highlight specific instances of corruption. Of course, they must be backed by materials. He cannot tar the entire institution with a single brush. That would be crossing the lakshman rekha by a long shot." It is criminal contempt of the highest degree to portray the entire institution of higher judiciary as corrupt. The contemnor by proclaiming in the public domain that all Judges are corrupt and dishonest is clearly guilty of criminal contempt, the judges said. They also rejected his defence of "over-representation" of Brahmins in judiciary while talking about three judges and said the Supreme Court is the ultimate judicial institution of the country. Its judgments constitute the law of the land. The contribution of the Apex Court is unparalleled. All its Judges are entitled to the highest respect, the court noted. "The conduct of the contemnor (Sankar) deserves to be noted. Nowhere he expressed his regret or remorse. He did not offer any apology at all. On the other hand, he asserted that he was justified in making the charged statements. A reading of the charged statements would lead anyone to the conclusion that they are likely to lower the prestige and dignity of courts and judges. We, therefore, hold that the contemnor is guilty of criminal contempt," the bench said. On the sentencing, the court said it would have closed the proceedings if Sankar had realised his mistake and sincerely apologised. "Far from doing so, the contemnor stuck to his position...the contemnor is a suspended employee of the State Government. He is receiving subsistence allowance for the last thirteen years. He is governed by the Conduct Rules. Yet, he has been attacking all the three organs of the State in a vicious manner. He is already facing criminal contempt proceedings. Yet, he has made the offending statements. The contemnor has reiterated his resolve to continue his attack on judiciary. He has gone to the extent of stating that he can be sentenced only to a maximum of six months..", it said. The court said Justice V R Krishna Iyer stated that "Justice fails when Judges quail." "We do not propose to quail. There are occasions when Judges have to be firm and stern. Shrugging off such provocations by stating that we possess broad shoulders would be seen as a sign of weakness." "The contemnor has shown himself to be an unrepentant character. Bearing in mind the principles set out by the Hon'ble Division Bench in the decision reported in (2016) 2 CTC 113 (W.Peter Ramesh Kumar), we sentence the contemnor to six months simple imprisonment. He shall be taken to custody forthwith and lodged in Central Prison, Madurai," the bench ordered. The respondents were social media giants Twitter and Facebook, Google and Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chennai, Sep 15 (PTI) Private sector Karur Vysya Bank on Thursday handed over eight-seater battery-operated vehicles to the Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, near Tirupati, under its corporate social responsibility initiative. Also Read | Amazon Alexa Will Soon Allow Advertisers To Answer Common Customer Questions. The vehicles, each costing Rs 29.27 lakh, would be used to carry devotees on the premises of Tirumala complex and also fulfil the environmental, social and governance initiatives of the bank, a press release said. Also Read | WhatsApp To Soon Let Users Create Polls in Group Chat: Report. Managing director and CEO of the bank B Ramesh Babu gave the vehicles to executive director of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams A V Dharma Reddy at a function, the release said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Sep 15 (PTI) State-owned SJVN on Thursday said it has awarded the contract for the construction of a 100 MW solar project at Raghanesda in Gujarat to Tata Power Solar Systems. SJVN Chairman and Managing Director Nand Lal Sharma in a statement said the company has entered into an engineering procurement & construction contract with Tata Power Solar Systems Ltd the 100 MW project worth Rs 612.71 crore. Also Read | Oppo F21s Pro Series Launched in India; Prices, Features & Specifications. The contract includes end to end delivery of the commissioned solar plant to SJVN including comprehensive operation and maintenance of the plant for three years. Sharma further informed that SJVN had secured this project at a tariff of Rs 2.64 per unit through tariff-based competitive bidding conducted by Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL). Also Read | Amazon Alexa Will Soon Allow Advertisers To Answer Common Customer Questions. The project is scheduled to be commissioned in 2023 and will generate 252 MU energy annually with Capacity Utilization Factor of 28.8 per cent. Power generated from this project will be procured by GUVNL for 25 years for which the PPA has been signed on 3rd January 2022. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Beijing [China], September 15 (ANI): China is in the midst of a massive menace of online scammers who lure people into investing in seemingly legitimate products which apparently results in victims losing their identity and life savings, media reports said. In just 15 months through July 2022, China tackled 594,000 cases of telecom and internet fraud, reported Nikkei Asia citing the Ministry of Public Security. Moreover, the report said that in 2021, authorities stopped 1.5 million people from transferring 329.1 billion yuan (USD 47.5 billion) to scammers. Also Read | COVID-19 End 'In Sight', Deaths at Lowest Since March 2020, Says WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Basically, scammers develop a rapport with targets through various means of communication such as online chats. The victim of the fraud starts to trust these complete strangers, transfers life savings only to find out later that it is a cellphone or computer scammer. The scammers usually work in groups and follow carefully designed scripts and lure people into investing in seemingly legitimate products, often cryptocurrencies. The crimes have caused hundreds of billions of dollars in losses and led to some suicides as well. Also Read | Poland Wants Russia To Return Paintings Looted by Soviet Red Army During World War II. It is worth noting that the lack of laws to prevent private information leaks and an earlier loophole that allowed telecom operators to sell subscriptions without checking any identification documents created a safe haven for scammers, reported Nikkei Asia. Earlier this month, Chinese lawmakers passed a law to combat rampant telecom and online fraud in an urgent response to the problem. The new law taking effect December 1 gives enforcement agencies the power to pursue suspects abroad and orders telecom companies and banks to help hunt down scammers. The scams involve not only fooling gullible people into transferring money but also include the reselling of personal information, human smuggling, forging of official documents and other criminal behaviors. A thriving underground information market collects all sorts of personal data such as ID numbers and addresses from businesses and even government agencies, and then sells the information to advertisers and even scammers. Scammers use equipment that can interrupt and tamper with telecom signals, enabling them to alter their caller IDs so that victims believe they are receiving calls from official numbers. They also use bulk messaging software to send text messages masked as notices from telecom operators, banks and other institutions to thousands of users. These technologies and equipment make it much harder to track scammers, said Fu Liang, an independent telecom industry analyst. In recent years, scam groups also used custom-made fraudulent apps to make people believe they are logging on to legitimate investment platforms. The introduction of the law provides legal support for the fight against telecom and internet fraud but the activities will not die out immediately, anti-fraud experts said. As with any other crime, they will continue to evolve with the environment and technology, the experts said. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad [Pakistan], September 15 (ANI): Amid rising cases of enforced disappearances in Pakistan, police officials presented a "missing person" before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday. The court ordered the police to conduct a strict investigation regarding Haseeb Hamza's disappearance and sought a report from the police within 10 days and Petitioner Zulifqar Ali informed the court that his son, who had reportedly gone missing on August 23, had returned home, the News International reported. Also Read | Russian Forces Tortured Ukrainian Detainees, Often to Death, Captured Medic Tells US Lawmakers. Chief Justice of Pakistan, Athar Minallah asked the police whether it had investigated where Haseeb had remained during the time of his disappearance. As per News International, a complaint about Haseeb''s disappearance was filed on August 23, but no first information report was registered by the police, the chief justice said. Also Read | Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton May Wear Veils to Queen Elizabeths Funeral, Heres Why!. Notably, the chief justice instructed the IGP Islamabad to personally monitor the inquiry process about Haseeb's disappearance and submit the report within 10 days, the News International reported. Despite efforts by civil society, there is no end to the issue of enforced disappearances in Pakistan, as the State continues to use it with impunity. Former senator and ex-chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Afrasiab Khattak, told DW that in his term in the Senate, he formed a special committee to investigate the enforced disappearances. The committee found the country's intelligence agencies, notably the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), were involved in the enforced disappearances. The irony is that successive Pakistan governments have pledged to end the practice of enforced disappearances, however, there is no end to it, reported Canada-based think tank, International Forum for Rights and Security (IFFRAS). (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Asmara [Eritrea], September 15 (ANI): Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan arrived in Asmara, Eritrea on Thursday to call on President Isaias Afwerki and hold talks with Foreign Minister Osman Saleh Mohammed on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. Upon his arrival, Osman Ibrahim, the Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Eritrea, received him. MoS also interacted with the Indian community in Eritrea during the visit. Also Read | COVID-19 End 'In Sight', Deaths at Lowest Since March 2020, Says WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Indian Community in Eritrea welcomed him. In his address to the diaspora, the MoS underlined the age-old relations between India and Eritrea and lauded their contributions. He also highlighted the phenomenal transformations happening in India. India enjoys warm and cordial relations with Eritrea. Since its independence in 1993, India has offered a range of capacity-building assistance in diverse fields to the youth of Eritrea. A sizeable Indian community is living in Eritrea, mostly Professors and Teachers and those working for companies. The visit is likely to give new momentum to India's relations with Eritrea. Also Read | Poland Wants Russia To Return Paintings Looted by Soviet Red Army During World War II. MoS Muraleedharan Tuesday visited the Republic of Kenya where he attended the swearing-in ceremony of Kenyan President Dr William Ruto in Nairobi and expressed optimism that the relationship between the two countries would strengthen under his leadership. MoS handed over the letter of greetings and a congratulatory message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kenyan President Ruto. Muraleedharan arrived in Nairobi on Tuesday. Notably, Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga visited India in February this year and met PM Modi. The two leaders share friendly personal relations going back decades. PM Modi expressed his happiness at being able to meet Odinga after almost three and half years. He recollected his multiple interactions with Odinga since 2008 in both India and Kenya, as well as the latter's support of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in 2009 and 2012. Kenya has a significant minority of Indians and Persons of Indian Origin living there who are descendants of labourers brought in by the British to construct the Uganda Railway. Kenya and India are members of international fora like the United Nations, Non-Aligned Movement, Commonwealth of Nations, G-77 and G-15, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation and often cooperate with each other on these fora. India and Kenya are maritime neighbours with robust and multi-faceted partnerships, marked by regular high-level visits, increasing trade and investment and extensive people-to-people contacts. According to the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest), India is the second largest investor in Kenya. Apart from trade and political relations Cultural ties, development, and people to contact India shares good relations with Kenya. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad [Pakistan], September 15 (ANI): Amid the reeling crisis in Pakistan due to floods, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Julien Harneis on Wednesday said that out of USD 150 million in foreign assistance received by the South-Asian country, only USD 38.35 million amount has been converted into assistance, local media reported. The humanitarian relief demands for Pakistan are huge, however, the gap in usage of funds sent by foreign countries has not been put to use in a correct manner, highlighting the underlying corruption in the country. Also Read | Russian Forces Tortured Ukrainian Detainees, Often to Death, Captured Medic Tells US Lawmakers. Meanwhile, the UN coordinator said that the health situation across several provinces of Pakistan is worrisome despite huge funding as the needs across the country are fast-changing, Dawn reported. "Across the board, we can say this $160 million flash appeal is not going to be sufficient. We are in discussion with the government and other partners, and based on evaluations and assessments, revision of the flash appeal is required," the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator said. Also Read | Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton May Wear Veils to Queen Elizabeths Funeral, Heres Why!. The jointly initiated flash appeal by the Pakistan government and the UN is currently for six months (September 2022 to February 2023), and it is targeted at only six million most affected people from floods, Haneis added. Meanwhile, amid countries that sent relief aid to Pakistan, the Nepalese government, too, came forward to provide relief aid to Pakistan for flood-affected people on a chartered flight of Nepal Airlines on Wednesday. The material contains food items, medicines, garments and other household items, according to Dawn. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia's King Salman Centre for Relief and Humanitarian Action on Wednesday launched a national campaign to provide relief to flood-affected people in Pakistan through its "Sahem" platform. Notably, the Pakistan government's portal to keep track of flood-related damages and relief efforts went online on Wednesday. The latest stats show that five people were killed and 4,000 houses and 300 kilometres of road were damaged over the 24 hours besides the "livestock damage" of over 10,000, Dawn reported. Three victims were from Balochistan and two from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, whereas all the road damages were recorded from Balochistan. In contrast, the entire house and livestock damage was noted in Sindh. Monsoon rains have submerged a third of Pakistan, claiming more than a thousand lives since June and unleashing powerful floods that have washed away swathes of vital crops and damaged or destroyed more than a million homes. Officials have blamed climate change, which is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather around the world. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], September 15 (ANI): Russian President Vladimir Putin will have a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 22nd Summit of the Council of Heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States (SCO-CoHS) in Samarkand in Uzbekistan, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov said on Thursday. "Russian President Putin is going to participate in the forthcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. PM Modi is also going. We've already announced that there will be a number of meetings in Samarkand, including with PM Modi," Alipov said in an interview with ANI. Also Read | Tropical Storm Fiona, 6th Named Storm, Forms in Atlantic Ocean; US National Hurricane Center Issues Warning for Several Islands. The 22nd Summit of the Council of Heads of the SCO Member States (SCO-CoHS) is set to commence on Thursday in Samarkand in Uzbekistan after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. "SCO has been very succesful. It is an established organisation with various mechanisms and extensive cooperation on various tracks. Hundreds of mechanisms operate under the SCO organisation, not only on political matters and matters related to security, but primarily in economic area, in trade, and in creating opportunities, jobs for the people of the member countries," the Russian envoy said. Also Read | Canada: Swaminarayan Mandir Painted with Khalistani Slogans by Unknown Miscreants, India Raises Issue (Watch Video). "This is an organisation that has been a factor of stability in the region. Its influence increasing reflected in the intentions and desire of many countries to join the organisation," Alipov added. This SCO summit would be the first in-person SCO-CoHS Summit, after the last one held in June 2019 in Bishkek, before the Covid pandemic hit the world as the subsequent two summits under the chairmanship of Russia and Tajikistan were held in virtual format. Leaders of SCO Member States, Observer States, Secretary General of the SCO, Executive Director of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), President of Turkmenistan and other invited guests would attend the meeting. The leaders of the SCO member countries will hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit, as they are meeting after two years due to the COVID pandemic. The leaders are expected to review the organization's activities over the past two decades and discuss the state and prospects of multilateral cooperation. Topical issues of regional and global importance are also expected to be discussed at the meeting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the summit for two days, today and on Friday, where he would hold bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He would also have other bilateral meetings during the summit which begins on September 14 at Samarkand Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi are also expected to attend the summit. Uzbekistan is the current chair of SCO 2022. India will be the next chair of the SCO. The SCO currently comprises eight Member States (China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan), four Observer States interested in acceding to full membership (Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia) and six "Dialogue Partners" (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey). SCO has potential in various new sectors, wherein all the member-states could find converging interests. India has already pushed hard for cooperation in Startups and Innovation, Science and Technology and Traditional Medicine. India, from the time of its full membership, made sincere efforts to encourage peace, prosperity, and stability of the whole Eurasian region in general and SCO member countries in particular. The SCO provides India with an opportunity to initiate multilateral and regional initiatives on counter-terrorism and deal with the illicit drug trade, which is now being used by its neighbours to inflict social wounds and target India's youth. Uzbekistan is the current chair of SCO 2022. India will be the next chair of the SCO. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Seoul, Sep 15 (AP) The leaders of South Korea and Japan will meet next week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Seoul officials said Thursday, in what would be the countries' first summit in nearly three years amid tensions over history. But in an indication of the continuing delicate nature of bilateral ties, Japan denied later Thursday that any agreement on talks had been reached. Also Read | Governor: Russia Launches Missiles at Kirovohrad Oblast. According to Kirovohrad Latest Tweet by The Kyiv Independent. An official in South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's office said the two sides had agreed on a meeting between Yoon and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and were discussing the exact timing. Kim Tae-hyo, a deputy national security director for Yoon, told reporters that the meeting is one of a series that Yoon is pushing to hold with world leaders attending the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday and Wednesday. He said South Korea and the U.S. have also agreed on a meeting between Yoon and President Joe Biden. Also Read | Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton May Wear Veils to Queen Elizabeths Funeral, Heres Why!. However, in response to a question from The Associated Press about the South Korean announcement, the Japanese Prime Minister's Office said there is no such fact. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said details of Kishida's schedule in New York have not been determined. He added, however, that Japan wants to cooperate closely with South Korea to restore healthy relations. South Korea's presidential office said it needed to study the Japanese comments before responding. Japanese officials may have been unhappy over South Korea's unilateral announcement of a meeting, with details likely still under discussion. It remained unclear whether Yoon and Kishida would meet next week. Ties between South Korea and Japan, both key U.S. allies, are at their lowest point in decades after South Korean courts ruled in 2018 that two Japanese companies Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries must compensate former Korean employees for forced labor during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. The companies and the Japanese government have refused to comply with the rulings, arguing that all compensation issues were resolved under a 1965 treaty that normalized ties between the countries and included a payment of $500 million from Japan to South Korea. The history disputes have spilled over to other areas, with the two countries downgrading each other's trade status and Seoul threatening to scrap an intelligence-sharing agreement. The wrangling has complicated a U.S.-led attempt to solidify its alliances with its regional partners amid growing Chinese influence and North Korean nuclear threats. Seoul and Tokyo have been looking to mend their strained ties since the May inauguration of Yoon, a conservative who wants to improve relations with Japan and bolster trilateral Seoul-Tokyo-Washington security cooperation to better cope with the increasing North Korean threats. It's unclear if the Yoon-Kishida meeting would produce any immediate breakthrough because it's unlikely that some former Korean forced laborers and their support groups will accept a deal to settle their legal battles unless the Japanese companies consent to the court decisions. Given that the Japanese companies are dismissing the 2018 court rulings, I think it would be too unrealistic and naive to think there are some other resolutions that can win the consent of the victims, said Lee Kook Un, head of a support group for some former laborers involved in lawsuits with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The last talks between the leaders of South Korea and Japan occurred in December 2019, when then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met in China. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Beijing [China], September 15 (ANI): China has unleashed its cyber warfare on Taiwan which has forced Taipei to have its guard up especially in the wake of heightened tensions after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit, media reports said. In a bid to become resilient amid the Chinese aggression, Taiwan has raised its defence spending by 15 PC next year, reported Nikkei Asia. However, in the contemporary world, there are other methodologies which China is eyeing to exploit including cyber warfare against Taiwan. Also Read | COVID-19 End 'In Sight', Deaths at Lowest Since March 2020, Says WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. After Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, the island nation's government and companies were targets of such attacks. Customers in 7-Eleven stores saw bulletin messages reading "Warmonger Pelosi, get out of Taiwan." And electronic billboards were hijacked across Taiwan -- one calling her an "old witch" whose visit is a "serious provocation to the sovereignty of the motherland," reported Nikkei Asia. Even the websites of the presidential office and foreign affairs and defence ministries were not spared by the Chinese. They were shut down by hackers for a short while. What transpired has instilled worry and concerns in Taiwan. Also Read | Poland Wants Russia To Return Paintings Looted by Soviet Red Army During World War II. Taiwan is now thinking aloud over whether its key infrastructure and essential services have strong enough firewalls and the ability to withstand determined cyberattacks. The cyber attack is an added agression amid China's biggest-ever military drills which encircled the democratic island. "If power plants, hospitals, and transportation are hacked, the damage would be significant," Wang Ming-hung, an assistant professor of computer studies at National Chung Cheng University, told Nikkei Asia. "Everyone is exposed to the risks of cyberattacks," he said, "from sensitive data leakage to online service suspension and disinformation or misinformation to critical infrastructure." Moreover, Kuo Szu-Wei, a cybersecurity analyst at the Taipei-based Institute for Information Industry (III), shares Wang's concern when he noted that, "all of the key infrastructures," Kuo told Nikkei, "hospitals, water and electricity stations as well as leading companies could be targets. "In the age of digital transformation, linking devices and systems to the internet is almost inevitable. That leads to regular software and firmware updates, which create vulnerabilities for attacks." Taiwan is not sitting idle as China continues to flex its muscles. Taiwan's government has been stepping up efforts to combat cyberattacks. President Tsai Ing-wen has repeatedly declared "cybersecurity is national security." Another key area in which Taiwan has started to lay the foundation of a cybersecurity agency inside the newly established Ministry of Digital Affairs, which is headed by hacker-turned-cabinet member Audrey Tang. The agency will hire an initial 150 cybersecurity specialists, a sharp increase from the 20 staff it had at a cabinet-affiliated cybersecurity center. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Gurugram, September 15: A 14-year-old girl was allegedly raped repeatedly and pushed into prostitution by a spa operator and her three aides in Gurugram, police said on Thursday. In connection with the case, the police have booked four persons, including King Spa operator Jhuma and her three aides identified as Pooja, Rubel Iqbal and Saddam Hussein. The matter came to the fore after the victim narrated the ordeal to her parents who rescued her and later approached the Women police station at Gurugram's Sector-51 and registered a case against the accused on Wednesday. The victim told the police that she had met Pooja at a Gurugram mall a month ago. Pooja had offered her a job at a doctor's clinic. Delhi: Prostitution Racket Busted in Rohini; 4, Including 3 Women, Arrested. "As I was looking for a job I accepted her offer and I joined a doctor's clinic but within two days I was expelled from the job. Thereafter, she offered me a receptionist job at her relative's King Spa located in Omex mall, Gurugram, which was run by Jhuma," she told the police. "The same day Jhuma called a man and informed me to go with him in a room and when I resisted, all the four accused surrounded me. Then Jhuma told me just to stay one day with the man and then left the job. I accepted her proposal but I was raped by that man," the victim said. The girl alleged that the accused recorded objectionable videos of her and blackmailed and threatened her that the video will be uploaded on social media if she left the job. She was reportedly sexually assaulted by 10-15 men every day. The victim was also sent to a hotel located in Sector-38 and another spa located in Raheja mall for prostitution but somehow she was rescued by her parents. She revealed the matter to her parents, who took her to the police. Station House Officer (SHO), Women police station, Sector-51, said they had booked the four accused under Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), 376D (gang rape), 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code and 13,14,17 and Section 6 of the POCSO Act. Efforts are on to arrest the accused. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 16, 2022 12:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, September 15: The IRCTC has raised concerns over a potential battle for passengers between the Tejas Express and soon to be launched Vande Bharat train on the same route between Mumbai and Ahmedabad with similar timings, sources said. Sources said the IRCTC, in two letters in August and September, said the clash in timings will "defeat" the very purpose of introduction of the Tejas Express which is the Railways' premium corporate train. While no one from the Rail PSU was available to comment on the matter, sources said the IRCTC has conveyed to the Railway Board that the introduction of the Vande Bharat Express would adversely affect the running of the Tejas Express on the same route. IRCTC: Navratri Special Tourist Train for Katra's Mata Vaishno Devi With Bharat Gaurav Rake To Be Launched From September 30. Fearing a potential loss in passenger numbers, the IRCTC has told the Railways that its with "lots of efforts" and tweaking in both train fare and services that it has build up a clientele for the train. While the Tejas Express departs from Ahmedabad at 6:40 am and arrives at Mumbai at 1:05 pm, on the other direction, it departs Mumbai Central at 3:45 pm and reaches Ahmedabad at 10:10 pm. Navratri 2022: IRCTC to Run 'Navratri Special Tourist Train' for Mata Vaishno Devi Katra. According to the proposed timings, the new Vande Bharat Express will depart from Ahmedabad at 7:25 am and reach Mumbai at 1:30 pm. In the other direction, it will depart Mumbai Central at 2:40 pm and arrive at Ahmedabad at 9:05 pm. The margin of the two trains will be 45 minutes to 75 minutes in both directions and the run time of the Vande Bharat Express will also be lesser, as compared to the Tejas Express which takes about 6.25 to 6.50 hours both ways, thus further affecting the latter, sources said. Chandigarh, September 15: AAP governments in Punjab and Delhi have come together to combat stubble burning, for which they will soon be launching a pilot project to manage crop residue. Under the project, a bio decomposer will be sprayed on 5,000 acres in the state, an official statement said on Thursday. Punjab Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said high-level meetings were held in New Delhi over the issue. On Wednesday, Dhaliwal met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal regarding the management of the pollution caused by stubble burning. Later, he held deliberations with Delhi's Environment Minister Gopal Rai. According to the statement, the pilot project will be launched jointly by governments of both states. The Punjab agriculture minister said under the process, a Pusa bio decomposer will be sprayed on stubble following which the crop residue gets mixed in the soil. He said the Punjab government has made adequate preparations to prevent pollution caused by paddy stubble. Equipment are being provided to farmers on subsidy, awareness and surveillance teams have been formed in all districts. Delhi Schools Recorded 16% Increase in Pass Percentage in CBSE Class 10 Compartment Exam, Says Govt. Targeting the Union government for "turning down" cash incentive proposal to farmers for not burning stubble, he said the state government had proposed to give Rs 2,500 per acre to paddy growers suggesting that the Centre should bear Rs 1,500 of the proposed amount. He said a massive awareness drive will be launched in the rural belt of Punjab, comprising officials of the Department of the Rural Development and Panchayat and the Punjab Pollution Control Board to persuade farmers to manage the stubble. Stubble Burning: 56,000 Machines to Be Distributed, Massive Awareness Prog, Says Punjab Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal. Dhaliwal urged farmers to give fulsome support to the government to protect the land, air and water so that the future generations could enjoy a clean environment. Paddy straw burning in Punjab and Haryana is a major reason behind the alarming spike in air pollution levels in the national capital in October and November. Delhi Govt Introduces Student Advisory Board in Its Schools. Farmers set their fields on fire to quickly clear off the crop residue before cultivating wheat and potato. Punjab generates around 20 million tons of paddy straw annually. In 2020, scientists at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute had come up with a Pusa bio decomposer, a microbial solution, which can decompose stubble and turn into manure in 15-20 days. The Delhi government had provided it free to farmers in the capital to manage stubble in non-basmati rice fields in 2020 and 2021. Do you have the wanderlust spirit? If yes, then have you ever travelled to any Southasian countries? If you are wondering where you can experience the true magnificence of the historical marvels, or if you are not interested in tracing the ancient culture, what about fabulous golden beaches, national parks and city lights? Well, one can witness all these gems in Malaysia that offer a gazillion tourist attractions that will give you the experience of a lifetime. The country is known for its diverse landscapes, 130-million-year-old jungles, scuba diving hubs, colonial destinations, extravagant malls, flea markets, holy shrines, delectable food and places that reflect the country's multicultural flair and rich past. From Gulmarg to Tawang, 5 Places to Experience the Magical Snowfall! Each year, people in Malaysia celebrate a special event on September 16 to commemorate the establishment of the Malaysian federation on that date in 1963. The occasion of Malaysia Day 2022 falls on Friday. Let's learn more about the lovely nation and all the major sightseeing hotspots. 1. Batu Caves, Selangor The Batu Caves consist of three small caves apart from many smaller ones with statues and old Hindu deities' shrines. The primary Cathedral Cave is located at the top of 272 colourful steps with a giant statue of Lord Murugan in between to welcome visitors. 2. Sipadan Island The famous Sipadan Island is Malaysia's best tourist spot that will give you a chance to see things from extraordinary flora to strange fauna! The place is known as the worlds richest marine habitat. 3. Gunung Mulu National Park The Gunung Mulu National Park is a well-known UNESCO World Heritage Site with thick rainforests and a large underground chamber. Deer Cave is particularly captivating, with ceilings that are over 122 metres tall, waterfalls cascading through the rocks, and a beautiful opening in the sinkhole. 4. Ipoh, Perak Ipoh is Malaysia's historical epicentre with colonial buildings, traditional shops and many Buddhist and Hindu cave temples. 5. Penang Hill The mesmerising Penang Hill offers green views, a rain forest, canopy walk, zip lines and a skyway that gives a 360-degree view of the bay and islands. Bookmark this article before you pack your bags to fly to Malaysia. We have covered almost all the top favourites of people looking for some leisure time with family and friends. Happy Malaysia Day 2022! (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 15, 2022 10:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Tech giant Google is said to be working on a new Pixel mini smartphone that might come with a small screen. According to GizmoChina, the leaker said this device is codenamed 'neila'. A Home Guard deployed as a traffic police personnel in Uttarakhand is winning the hearts of netizens after a video of him managing vehicular traffic with his unique dance moves went viral on social media. Jogendra Kumar's unique style of controlling vehicular movement near City Heart Hospital in Dehradun is going viral. In the viral video, Kumar can be seen hopping and dancing around with a wide smile on his face as he ensures a smooth traffic flow. Scroll down to watch the video. Check it Out: #WATCH | Uttarakhand: Jogendra Kumar, a Home Guard deployed as a Traffic Police personnel near City Heart Hospital in Dehradun, controls the vehicular movement of traffic in a unique way. pic.twitter.com/zy2yyrhMio ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) September 15, 2022 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) Reuters: IAEA board resolution calls on Russia to leave Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. The International Atomic Energy Agencys 35-nation Board of Governors passed a resolution on Sept. 15, demanding that Russia end its occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant." The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) September 15, 2022 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) San Francisco: Tech giant Microsoft has created a sample app for teams that allow people to sign documents during remote meetings. According to Windows Central, the application lets users add a document to a meeting for attendees to sign, such as a purchase agreement, invoice, or NDA. Microsoft Introduces Viva Engage App in Teams for Organisations. The sample app was made by Teams Ecosystem Engineering as a proof of concept aimed at independent software vendors (ISVs) or other customers implementing it. The entire project is available and documented on GitHub, which should help organisations that would like to use it within meetings, the report said. The sample app is currently available for desktop clients of Teams. Mobile and web support is on the way, though Microsoft did not specify when in its Tech Community post announcing the feature, the report said. The app allows users to add a document to a meeting to be reviewed or signed by attendees. It supports Teams single-sign-on (SSO) for authentication. The report mentioned that it also supports sharing content during a meeting stage, adaptive cards, and the Teams people picker. Microsoft noted that the app could be adapted to work with other scenarios that require signing off, such as reviewing and approving code or working together on a document. Currently, the app only works with users from the same organisation or tenant. Guest and anonymous user support are also on the way, it added. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 15, 2022 10:22 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Mumbai, September 15: After NASA said that Asteroid 22 RQ is headed toward earth, the US Space agency has once again claimed that five asteroids are rushing towards Earth this week. According to reports, the five asteroids, which are at least a hundred feet in diametre can easily destroy an entire city if they crash on the earth. The details of the five giant asteroids were revealed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. As per reports, one of the five asteroids dubbed 2005 RX3, is said to be bigger than the Statue of Unity. The Near Earth Object which is about 210 meters in size is bigger than the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, which also happens to be the tallest statue in the world. Asteroid 22 RQ Headed Towards Earth With Incredible Speed of 49,536; Know If It Will Strike or Miss Our Planet. NASA also said that the asteroid 2005 RX3 is hurtling towards the earth at a speed of 62,820 kilometers per hour and is most likely to come close to the earth on Sunday, September 18. Heres Everything You Need To Know About the Five Giant Asteroids: Asteroid 2020 PT4: According to NASA, asteroid 2020 PT4 is racing towards the earth at a speed of 39,024 kilometers per hour. The asteroid is likely to come as close as 71,89,673 kilometers to the earth. The 120-foot wide giant asteroid will head towards the earth this week. According to NASA, asteroid 2020 PT4 is racing towards the earth at a speed of 39,024 kilometers per hour. The asteroid is likely to come as close as 71,89,673 kilometers to the earth. The 120-foot wide giant asteroid will head towards the earth this week. Asteroid 2022 QD1: The 2022 QD1 asteroid is 130 meters in size and heading towards the earth at an astonishing speed of 34,200 kilometers per hour. Asteroid 2022 QD1 will approach the earth on September 16. If reports are to be believed, the asteroid will come as close as 7.4 million kilometres to the earth. However, it is expected to hurl past the earth. The 2022 QD1 asteroid is 130 meters in size and heading towards the earth at an astonishing speed of 34,200 kilometers per hour. Asteroid 2022 QD1 will approach the earth on September 16. If reports are to be believed, the asteroid will come as close as 7.4 million kilometres to the earth. However, it is expected to hurl past the earth. Asteroid QB37: Along with asteroid 2005 RX3, asteroid QB37 will also head towards the earth on September 18 at a speed of 33,192 kmph. The 180-foot wide asteroid is expected to come as close as 6.5 million kilometers to the earth. Along with asteroid 2005 RX3, asteroid QB37 will also head towards the earth on September 18 at a speed of 33,192 kmph. The 180-foot wide asteroid is expected to come as close as 6.5 million kilometers to the earth. Asteroid 2022 QJ50: The last asteroid to that will come close to the earth this week is 2022 QJ50. It will pass the earth at a speed of 36,720 kmph. According to NASA's Joint Propulsion Laboratory, an asteroid is identified as a near-Earth object when its distance from the earth is less than 1.3 times the distance from Earth to the Sun. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 15, 2022 02:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Moscow, September 15: Russian President Vladimir Putin's limousine was attacked in an alleged "assassination attempt" amid Moscow's raging war against Ukraine, a report said. According to the report by General SVR, a Russian Telegram channel, Putin's limousine was allegedly hit by a "loud bang from the left front wheel followed by heavy smoke", but he was unharmed as the vehicle drove to safety, Mirror.co.uk reported. The channel said that the President was returning to his official residence in a decoy or "backup" motorcade amid deep security fears. The motorcade comprised five armoured cars, with Putin in the third, it said, without mentioning the date of the incident. The Russian leader's car "despite the problems with control" made its way out of the attack scene to reach the safety of the residence, the channel added. Russian President Vladimir Putin Compares Himself to Peter the Great To Justify Russias Invasion of Ukraine. Without providing details, General SVR said more information on the supposed attack were "classified", reports Mirror.co.uk. "The head of the President's bodyguard (service) and several other people have been suspended and are in custody," the channel further claimed. "A narrow circle of people knew about the movement of the president in this cortege, and all of them were from the presidential security service." "After the incident, three of them disappeared. These were exactly the people who were in the first car of the motorcade. "Their fate is currently unknown. The car on which they were traveling was found empty a few kilometres from the incident," General SVR added. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 15, 2022 04:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). As a child, Kimi Sibal got his first lesson on the significance and the stigma of the facial tattoo when he asked his grandmother about the strange markings on her face. Facial tattoos had been banned in Taiwan by Japanese colonists decades earlier and his grandmother hushed him, worried that if the wrong person saw the black vertical lines across her forehead she might be beaten or tossed in prison. Although the long-ago colonists saw the tattoos as a form of mutilation, Sibal and others came to recognize them as vivid reminders of Taiwans aboriginal culture, something to preserve if only in photographs. Now, as part of a larger movement to save the customs, languages and artifacts of Taiwans past, Sibal has collected hundreds of photographs of older Taiwanese who bear the tattoos. Advertisement I really just want everyone to understand our culture, why we had tattoos, Sibal said. And I dont want them to think were savages. Preservation suddenly matters in Taiwan as residents here try to reach into their past to distinguish themselves from China, a political rival that cites ethnic bonds as a reason to unify the island and the massive country. Polls show Taiwanese strongly favor autonomy from China. Sibal, 66, is an indigenous Taiwanese man who lives in the islands steep mountains that his Truku tribe has always called home. The Truku people and those in at least two other tribes on the island of Taiwan once tattooed their faces, withstanding pain so intense they couldnt open their mouths for days, to prove themselves worthy hunters or weavers who deserved to join other tribe members in the afterlife. Those not tattooed risked being expelled from the villages. Compared with the intricate designs of the modern-day tattoo, the artwork of the facial tattoos in Taiwan was simple, though impossible to miss a black stripe across the forehead to indicate an achievement or a profession, a thicker band extending from the mouth to each ear, a sign of beauty, Government officials believe there are now only two people left on the island who have the original facial tattoos. Through the years, though, Sibal has photographed about 300 people with the markings and collected around 100 stories to go with the images. Portraits of elderly tattooed women cover every wall of his home-based exhibition hall, where he lectures to tourists and students. Its vital work, says Tony Coolidge, an American national who is half indigenous and runs the Taiwan-based advocacy group Atayal Organization, which works to preserve indigenous culture. Thats something thats unique for all of Taiwan, he said. Its iconic. You can say the indigenous culture is all the Taiwanese have to set themselves apart from the Chinese culture. Most Taiwanese trace their lineage to China, and Beijing cites that heritage as part of its claim that China and Taiwan, ruled separately since the 1940s, belong under one flag. The relationship between the two has so grown so fractious that China has even asked international airlines to stop referring to Taiwan as a country. Indigenous people have populated Taiwan for about 3,500 years, but they now number just half a million people, or 2% of Taiwans population. Still, interest in the islands past has grown. Taiwans central government has allocated money since 2012 to preserve native languages and aboriginal culture. The budget was tripled this year to about $20 million, and last year, parliament ordered the government to establish a foundation to develop writing systems and dictionaries for indigenous languages. The effort is focused on saving nine languages that are disappearing, said Luo Mei-chin, a specialist in the governments Council of Indigenous Peoples education and culture office. While elders still use the old languages, their children generally speak Chinese, especially those who move from tribal villages to the cities. The government is now paying instructors to teach the languages to their students in one-on-one or two-on-one sessions. Striped and multicolored ceremonial clothing, dances, and wood carvings of totem-like shapes have returned to public view over the last decade, and there are now 29 small-scale museums in Taiwan that display indigenous artifacts such a tools and early-day canoes. Tourism has helped fuel interest in the items. The surge in preserving Taiwans past has helped restore the lost pride of the facial tattoo. The tattoos date back more than 1,000 years, but the Japanese banned them during their colonization of Taiwan from 1895 to 1945, people in China viewed them as the markings of a criminal. In dynastic China, ex-convicts would be given facial tattoos to brand them for life. And even modern-day Taiwanese have long associated the tattoos with the islands organized crime gangs. But the government council now recognizes the tattoos as artifacts, said Luo Mei-chin. Recently, Taiwans culture minister praised the two remaining people with facial tattoos for maintaining the unique cultural tradition, according to the ministrys website. One of those is 95-year-old Ke Ju-lan, who recalled the social pressure to get tattooed when she turned 15. If you dont get a tattoo, people cant tell whether youre from the Atayal tribe or a plains person, said Ke, an Atayal tribe member in the northwestern county of Miaoli. Before the ban, indigenous people would get face tattoos as early as 5. Women would display a striped black line from a soot-based solution etched into the skin from their ears to their mouths as a sign of beauty. I did not look forward to the day because I was young at the time, said Ke, whose tattoo is on her forehead and cheeks. It was so painful that my whole face was swollen. I was supposed to get tattooed twice, but the man who tattooed me left and the Japanese confiscated the tools. Sibal began to photograph the tattoos when he was a young father, usually squeezing in photo shoots after long hours at the factory where he worked and using his own money for equipment and film. Sometimes, he said, he would get resistance when he went to neighboring villages, asking to take picture of the tattoos. Theyd even sic their dogs on me, he said. To get access and photo opportunities, he would bribe neighboring villagers with fruit, money and alcohol. A collection of his photographs along with the stories of many of those who were tattooed was published last year. You need to remember your traditions and not let people scold you, said Sibal. Thats the essence. Jennings is a special correspondent A petition has been issued calling for an annual bank holiday in commemoration of Queen Elizabeth II's 70 years on the throne, with more than 120,000 people signing it. GB News reported that King Charles III confirmed over the weekend that the day of Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral will be marked as a public holiday. In addition to that public holiday, the public wants a bank holiday every year on September 8 to mark the Queen's life of service. September 8 was the reported day the Queen died. John Harris created the petition on change.org, wherein he wrote that the Queen is "our longest reigning monarch, and arguably the Nations." Harris claimed that Queen Elizabeth was also the World's "most popular ever Monarch." He added that the Queen was the "most constant symbol of Great Britain," and that she was an "inspirational woman." READ NEXT: Prince Harry, Prince Andrew Banned From Wearing Military Uniform at Queen Elizabeth II's Funeral Queen Elizabeth II Petition The petition creator noted that Britain has fewer bank holidays as compared to other European countries such as France and Spain. The two countries have 11 and 14 ban holidays, respectively. The Independent also noted that England and Wales have eight bank holidays while Scotland has nine and Northern Ireland has 10. One person who signed the petition noted that Queen Elizabeth II was "a vision of comfort and resolution" in times of distress. Another person said that the Queen should be remembered and honored by generations to come. Her funeral will be a national bank holiday, which will be on Monday, September 19. Queen Elizabeth II Death The Queen died at age 96 on Thursday, which ended an era for the United Kingdom and started the reign of her son and successor, King Charles III. Westminster Abbey said on Wednesday that its bells are ringing fully muffled, with the church saying that the muffles are only used after the death of a monarch, according to an Insider live updates. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russian President Vladimir Putin had sent his condolences through a telegram but had "no other plans to participate in memorial or other events." A senior British government source noted that Russian officials would not be welcome at the Queen's funeral due to the ongoing war between Russia with Ukraine, going nearly seven months now. The same source said that Belarus and Myanmar representatives were not invited either. Prince William and Prince Harry were once again seen together publicly with the procession of their grandmother's coffin. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stood directly behind Prince William and Kate Middleton during the ceremony. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were also photographed with King Charles III on Tuesday as they were waiting to receive the Queen's coffin at Buckingham Palace. It was the first time that the Sussex couple was publicly pictured with the King since Queen Elizabeth died at Balmoral Castle. It was earlier reported that people waiting to see the monarch's coffin may line up for 30 hours to do so. READ MORE: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Opt Not to Hold Daughter Lilibet's Christening in the U.K. As It's Likely Be in California: Royal Sources This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: King Charles III approves Bank Holiday for Queen's state funeral - from Daily Mail President Joe Biden is resolving the immigration crisis in the United States behind closed doors, urging the Mexican government to take in migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. However, the appeal seemed to have garnered pushback from Mexico, citing various problems and concerns on why they would not and could not take in migrants from the said countries. Meanwhile, Democrats, under Biden's leadership, are also facing the consequences of their welcoming stance on immigration and border crossing. President Joe Biden Enacting Title 42 Despite Publicly Claiming to Overturn It An exclusive report from Reuters says that the United States, through President Joe Biden, is enacting Title 42, the same COVID-19 expulsion order he promised to end from the Trump administration. Title 42 was issued in 2020 by the now-embattled former President Donald Trump, allowing the country's border authorities to "rapidly expel" migrants to Mexico or other countries without being given a chance to seek asylum in the county. However, Biden's move to overturn Title 42 has been unsuccessful, with a Louisiana judge blocking it despite U.S. health officials' insistence otherwise last May. Democrats have been expressing their strong opposition to the said COVID-19 expulsion order, pointing out the danger that the move would pose to the migrants. However, it seemed like Biden, who has publicly advocated for its removal before, is actually making use of it now to resolve the immigration crisis in the country. READ NEXT: White House Slams Senate GOP for Demanding to Reinstate Title 42 Before Backing $10 Billion COVID Funding Biden Urges Mexico to Accept More Migrants Sources close to the Biden administration have revealed that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has visited Mexico City to escalate the concerns about the influx of border crossings in the country. However, the state visit was not that successful, as the country did not promise any definite actions to help the United States, even describing the deal to be an "uphill battle." The refusal of the Mexican government to take in immigrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela was substantiated. Mexico noted that they do not want to take in migrants from the said countries because those countries have refused to take in deportation flights as well. Comparatively, Mexico is more lenient in accepting back returnee migrants who are Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador nationals, accounting for almost 300,000. This is way higher than the 9,000 Cubans, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. On the other hand, Biden and his administration are still exploring alternative ways to mitigate the immigration crisis by asking other neighboring nations to accept more returnee migrants. For instance, Biden wants Panama to accept Venezuelans back to their country if the said migrants pass en route to them to travel to the U.S. Data shows that around 70,000 Venezuelans crossed Panama through its Colombian border just this August alone. Meanwhile, a number of Venezuelans were flown to the Dominican Republic earlier this year but were halted indefinitely because of pushback from Democrats. READ MORE: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Migrant Busing Program: Here's How Much It Has Cost the State This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Ivan Korrs WATCH: Biden vowed to fix America's immigration system. Here's what he achieved in his first year - From PBS NewsHour Mexico's lower house of Congress has voted to keep army presence in its streets for five more years. Yahoo News reported that the new decision raised fears about the Mexican president's efforts to militarize public security. Last week, the National Guard was favored to be under the control of the military. The new motion to keep the army's presence until 2029 was approved with 335 votes in favor and 152 against. Mexican Army's deployment was supposed to end in 2024, but with the new development, it will now be carried through to 2029. Cartel violence continues to grow across the country. The recent combat with the crime organizations left at least 20 convenience stores burned in a night of unrest in Guanajuato and Jalisco. READ NEXT: Mexico: Senate Handing Control of National Guard to the Military Sparks Opposition From Rights Groups, Lawyers President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Army Presence Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the continued army presence in Mexico's streets is needed to "guarantee peace." AMLO stated in a Mexico News Daily report that the lawmakers were acting "responsible." He also congratulated the lawmakers who favored the bill that he claimed is about "guaranteeing peace and tranquility in the country." Lopez Obrador added that the government needs more time to "consolidate" the National Guard. He said they want to "professionalize, institutionalize, and moralize the National Guard." Some also opposed the political move of extending military presence in the streets of Mexico, such as opposition member Jorge Romero, who said that it is not "in this government's interest to have civilian police." Lopez Obrador earlier promised to return the military to their headquarters when he was campaigning in 2018. However, he later changed his mind, saying there is a need to fight organized crime. AMLO claimed that the government extending the use of armed forces for public security is "not just a duty" for lawmakers but also something that brings "great joy." Mexico Extending Army Presence Mexico researcher at Human Rights Watch, Tyler Mattiace, said AMLO should leave the "failed and abusive militarized security strategy" of those who went before him and instead focus on strengthening Mexico's civilian justice institutions. The president's proposed plans would allow the military to indefinitely continue conducting a wide range of law enforcement tasks, including detaining and interrogating civilians. The military would also be taking charge of crime scenes, preserving evidence, and detaining undocumented migrants. The proposed security plan of Lopez Obrador would also allow the military to obtain court orders to track mobile phone activity and location. HRW has noted that soldiers have executed unarmed civilians, sometimes intentionally. The law enforcement group had also been involved in forced disappearances. In addition, the Mexican Army has been reported to conduct extrajudicial killings under the current administration, while those responsible for the abuses are almost never brought to justice. Out of 640 confrontations with armed civilians, the army killed 515 people, detained 381, and wounded 89. Twenty-one soldiers were also killed in the first three years of Lopez Obrador's administration. READ MORE: El Chapo's Sinaloa Cartel Continues to Thrive Despite the DrugLLord's Absence: Report This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Mexico Sends Troops To Tijuana After String Of Cartel Violence - from NBC News California will now require social media platforms to publicize their hate speech, disinformation, extremism, and harassment policies on their respective platforms. These big social media companies will also be required to file quarterly terms of service (TOS) with the state. California Governor Gavin Newsom said Tuesday that he had signed the bill into law requiring transparency of social media firms, like Facebook and Twitter. A.B. 587 is widely considered a landmark law but also draws criticism from tech firms and industry groups, all concerned that it may affect Americans' rights to free speech and the First Amendment. What Does the California Social Media Transparency Law Want to Do? Reuters reported that the new law signed by Democratic governor Gavin Newsom seeks to protect Californians from disinformation and hate online. The law requires "social media platforms" to post their policies about disinformation, harassment, extremism, and hate speech. Specifically, the law wants social media firms to publicize what activities are allowed on their platforms and those that can result in actions against the user. Companies should define what actions could constitute removing a certain post and suspending a user's account. According to Gizmodo, social media giants like Facebook and Twitter will also have to file semiannual reports on "complete and detailed" changes to their TOS to the state's attorney general's office. Changes must specifically be marked to a specific list of issues, including "harassment," "hate speech or racism," "extremism or radicalization," "disinformation or misinformation," and "foreign political interference." It must also include a list of necessary disclosures, like "how automated content moderation systems enforce terms of service of the social media platform and when these systems involve human review," and "how the social media company responds to user reports of violations of the terms of service." Companies should also have their contact information published for users who may want to file complaints about their policies. "California will not stand by as social media is weaponized to spread hate and disinformation that threaten our communities and foundational values as a country," Newsom said in a statement. He added that Californians deserve to know "how these platforms are impacting our public discourse, and this action brings much-needed transparency and accountability to the policies that shape the social media content we consume every day." The move to sign the law comes after heavy support from state Democratic lawmakers, including California State Assemblymaker Jesse Gabriel. READ NEXT: TikTok Spreading Misinformation? New Report Says Their Search Engine Shows Fake News Legal Experts, Tech Companies Raise Concern on New Social Media Transparency Law in California According to Santa Clara University School of Law professor Eric Goldman, the new California social media transparency law might be challenged because of its "unconstitutionality," which could infringe on Americans' rights to the First Amendment and free speech. "The bill is likely to be struck down as unconstitutional at substantial taxpayer expense. The censorial consequences should trigger the highest level of constitutional scrutiny, but the undue burdens and lack of consumer benefit ensure it won't survive even lower levels of scrutiny," Goldman wrote on his blog. Meanwhile, the Washington Post reported that some Big Tech firms and tech industry trade groups had filed lawsuits in Texas and Florida in an attempt to block similar social media censorship laws enacted in those states. READ MORE: Immigration: Smugglers Feed Misinformation to Migrants via Facebook, WhatsApp This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Ivan Korrs WATCH: New Social Media Laws to Affect California Residents - From KHAS 11 Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had sent two planes full of migrants to Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts as part of his promise to drop off illegal immigrants in progressive states. Migrants deboarding the planes on Wednesday at Martha's Vineyard Airport were seen in a video provided to Fox News. DeSantis' communications director Taryn Fenske confirmed to the outlet that two planes with illegal migrants arrived in Martha's Vineyard, adding that it was part of the state's relocation program to transport migrants to sanctuary destinations. Fenske noted that states like Massachusetts, New York, and California will better "facilitate the care of these individuals who they have invited into our country by incentivizing illegal immigration through their designation as 'sanctuary states' and support for the Biden administration's open border policies." She said the Florida legislature had allotted $12 million to impose the program to facilitate the transport of migrants from the state. READ NEXT: Texas, Arizona Keep Sending Buses of Migrants to Washington; DC Mayor Devotes $10 Million to Help Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Sends Migrants to Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts Spokesperson for Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, Terry MacCormack, told Axios that the governor's office was in touch with local officials in connection with the arrival of migrants in Martha's Vineyard. MacCormack noted that short-term shelter services were being provided to migrants by the administration and local officials at this time. Martha's Vineyard has been a known destination for summer vacations and is only accessible by plane or ferry. According to multiple reports, about 50 migrants arrived in two chartered planes, some of whom had come from Texas. The Martha's Vineyard Times reported that some of the migrants were Venezuelans. Julian Cyr, a Massachusetts Senator representing Cape Cod, told The Vineyard Gazette that he knew that one plane left from San Antonio, Texas as he clarified conflicting reports about where the planes originated. He added that this appeared to be part of a bigger campaign to divert illegal immigrants from border states such as Texas and Florida. Ron DeSantis' office previously said that migrants could be transported to "'progressive' states whose governors endorse blatant violations of federal immigration law." The governor's office added that Florida residents should not be held responsible for subsidizing illegal immigrants' costs of living. Massachusetts officials were reportedly discussing plans for potential Texas migrants prior to the Florida governor's' move on Wednesday. Migrants Sent to the Other States Texas has also been sending migrants to other states such as New York City, Washington D.C., and Chicago in an effort to alleviate its migrant crisis. New York City Mayor Eric Adams said on Wednesday that the city was at a "breaking point" after thousands of migrants were bussed from Texas. Adams told Fox News that they have experienced "an unprecedented surge of asylum seekers arriving from the southern border." Texas has sent more than 2,200 migrants to New York City since early August, while Washington D.C. received 7,900 and Chicago got about 300 migrants. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said these city mayors complained "about a few dozen or few hundred migrants" coming to their towns. However, he noted that it was only a fraction of what Texas faces on a daily basis. To respond to the migrants' crisis and help with the busloads of migrants arriving, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser had asked twice for the National Guard troops to be deployed to the city. However, Pentagon has denied those requests. READ MORE: Texas Police Shoot, Kill Gunman at Youth Summer Camp After He Opened Fire This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: DeSantis Administration Takes Credit for Sending 'Illegal Immigrants' to Martha's Vineyard - From CBS Miami An Iowa teen, who pleaded guilty to killing the man sexually abusing her when she was 15, was ordered by an Iowa judge to pay restitution to her alleged rapist's family. Pieper Lewis must now pay $150,000 to the family of the man who allegedly raped her. Polk County District Judge David Porter executed a deferred judgment on the case after Lewis pleaded guilty to killing 37-year-old Zachary Brooks. Lewis accused Brooks of repeatedly rapi ng her in 2020. She must now serve five years' worth of probation, as well as serve 200 hours of community service, in addition to her paying his family $150,000 in restitution. CNN pointed out that Iowa law requires her to pay that amount in restitution. The law stated that anybody who kills another person must pay $150,000 in restitution. Iowa Teen Talks About Her Sentence and Why She Killed Zachary Brooks In her testimony, Lewis stated that Brooks repeatedly raped her multiple times. However, in the final one, she had enough and said that she was "overcome with rage." She said that without thinking, she grabbed a knife from his nightstand and began stabbing him. In her plea agreement, Lewis acknowledged that the multiple stab wounds she inflicted upon her rapist resulted in his death. While in court, Lewis read a statement saying "My story can change things. My story has changed me.: She admitted that while she cannot undo the events that happened on that day, she wishes she could. She added that she feels for the victim's family, and wished she never did what she did. Because of her guilty plea, she was only given a relatively light sentence apart from the mandatory restitution payment. The BBC reported that police and prosecutors did not dispute her claims that she was sexually assaulted and trafficked when she was 15. However, the prosecution argued that Brooks was not an immediate threat at the time of his killing, as he was asleep. READ MORE: R. Kelly Convicted on Child Pornography Charges, But His Legal Troubles Are Far from Over GoFundMe Raises Money for Iowa Teen To Pay Restitution After Judge Porter handed her punishment, Lewis's former teacher, Leland Schipper, organized the GoFundMe page in order to pay for the required restitution. According to The Guardian, the GoFundMe page has raised more than enough money for Lewis, as it surpassed the required $150,000 by Wednesday. Schipper stated that he is overjoyed as this would remove the burden from his former student. He added, "A child who was raped, under no circumstances, should owe the rapist's family money." The teacher also stated that the money would be used first to pay off the $150,000 restitution. It will also be used to pay the additional $4,000 owed to the state. As for the rest, Schipper said it would be used to "remove financial barriers for Pieper in pursuing college/university or starting her own business [and] give Pieper the financial capacity to explore ways to help other young victims of sex crimes." READ NEXT: California Prison Warden Charged With Sexually Abusing 2 More Female Inmates as New Cases Surface This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Iowa teen who killed her rapist ordered to pay $150,000 to man's family - PBS NewsHour Brazil's flavor and cuisine have been a fusion of Portuguese, African, German, and Japanese influences. Various flavors also influenced Brazilian desserts, mostly from the nation's fruits, such as guava, coconut, and papaya. Brazil: 5 Popular Brazilian Desserts Brazilian desserts like the bolo de rolo pay homage to the use of guava when making desserts. According to Nomad Paradise, it is a sweet spongy cake covered in layers of goiabada. Goiabada is a sweet paste made of guava and sugar, which gives the dessert a bright color. Let's look at the other Brazilian desserts in which the Latin American nation also takes pride in. Maria-mole Maria-mole is a famous Brazilian dessert that originated in Sao Paolo, Brazil. It has a similar appearance to a marshmallow but has a softer texture. According to Taste Atlas, it is usually made of sugar, gelatin, coconut, and egg whites. Antonio Bergamo, a candy producer, created the dessert after he wanted to use all of the egg white leftovers from making other types of candies. Maria-mole is traditionally served during Catholic festivals in June called Festas Juninas. READ NEXT: Brazil: Get to Know the Brazilian Cuisine With These 5 Famous Dishes Rabanada Rabanada is known to be a Portuguese-style French toast and is specifically popular during Christmastime. The dessert originated in Portugal and was brought to Brazil from there. The sweet treat is popular in Brazil and has become a staple in many cafes. Rabanada is made with crusty bread, deep fried in butter. Condensed milk is added to give a custard-like texture inside. After being deep-fried, Rabanada is rolled in cinnamon sugar before serving, with some sprinkling cocoa powder to the mix. Quindim Quindim is a Brazilian dessert that features custard on top with a chewy coconut crust on the bottom. The taste and texture are not the only things that are interesting in this dish, but also its process of creating the Brazilian coconut egg custards. According to Food & Wine, Quindim's crust and custard come from a single batter. The crust forms as the shredded coconut floats and browns while baking. After it was cooled, the desserts were inverted, which revealed the shiny custard layer. The theory of its origin suggests that it was invented during the 17th century in northeast Brazil by African slaves. But the excessive use of eggs in this Brazilian dessert suggests possible Portuguese roots of the dish. Beijinhos Another famous Brazilian sweet made from condensed milk is Beijinhos, which literally translates into little kisses. It is made of sweetened condensed milk, butter, and coconut. Once the mixture is combined, it is turned into tiny balls, sprinkled with some shredded coconut and clove on top. The traditional Brazilian dessert is usually served at children's parties. The delightful Brazilian treat is considered to be the coconut version of the popular brigadeiro. Acai na Tigela Acai na tigela is a Brazilian dessert made with mashed acai berries and usually served in a bowl. It is typically found along the country's northeastern coast, where it is sold in most kiosks and juice bars. It was first made popular in 1980 by Brazilian jiu-jitsu pioneer Carlos Gracie. Since then, this treat has spread outside Brazil, such as in California and Hawaii. READ MORE: Chile Travel Guide: Tourist Attractions and Safety Tips to Know Before Your Trip to the 'Country of Poets' This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: 6 Brazilian Desserts From Tasty Demais - From Tasty Mexico's Guanajuato state, plagued by Mexican drug cartels, has continued to face more acts of violence, with 10 women killed in the past 72 hours. Local media reported that four women were murdered in Celaya city, two in Leon, and one each in San Miguel de Allende, Uriangato, Irapuato, and Yuriria municipalities. On Monday, a woman was shot dead on the stretch of highway between San Miguel de Allende and Dolores Hidalgo. Another woman was murdered on the same day in a house in Joyas del Pedregal neighborhood in Uriangato. Five women were shot dead on Tuesday. Two of these incidents happened in Leon, two in Celaya, and one in Irapuato. One of the women in Leon was shot in San Jose Obrero neighborhood earlier that day. The other woman was killed in Leon's Lomas del Mirador community by armed men riding motorcycles that afternoon. In Celaya, two women, who were selling knives in the Rancho Seco community, were killed. Another woman in Irapuato was killed in an armed attack that night, along with her male partner. On Wednesday before dawn, a young woman was kidnapped from her apartment in the central part of Yuriria and after being murdered, the perpetrators hung her from the bridge at the Cuatro Caminos community. Two more women were killed that day in the community of Juan Martin in Celaya. No one has been detained yet for these crimes. READ NEXT: Mexico: Senate Handing Control of National Guard to the Military Sparks Opposition From Rights Groups, Lawyers Another Murder in Mexico's Guanajuato State Earlier this week, a man was shot dead while standing at the entrance of his home at San Francisco del Rincon in Guanajuato. According to local reports, some armed men riding on motorcycles approached him and suddenly shot him several times. The man tried to get inside the house to avoid the bullets. However, he was still shot on different parts of his body. The man was already dead when the police arrived. Authorities said the victim was between 30 and 35 years old. Mexican Drug Cartels in the Guanajuato State of Mexico Guanajuato is currently the most violent state in Mexico by murder count due to disputes between Mexican drug cartels. The state has recorded more than 1,560 homicide cases so far this year. Mexican drug cartels like the Jalisco cartel and the home-grown Santa Rosa de Lima gang are reportedly fighting for control of trafficking routes for drugs and stolen fuel. The bloodbath in Guanajuato reportedly started in 2018 when the Jalisco New Generation Cartel or Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) moved into the state. The Jalisco cartel is infamous for its public displays of violence and military power. According to the U.S. State Department, the Jalisco cartel is one of the most violent drug trafficking organizations currently operating in Mexico, with "the highest cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine trafficking capacity." Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera is currently leading the Jalisco cartel. The U.S. government has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest as he continues to evade capture. The Jalisco cartel leader remains to be the most elusive criminal and is reportedly hiding in Mexico. READ MORE: El Chapo's Sinaloa Cartel Continues to Thrive Despite the DrugLLord's Absence: Report This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: No Longer Just Cartels: Criminal Groups Increasingly Seek Control of Mexican Territory - From Washington Post The number of prisoners at Laois jails complaining to the prisons watchdog has jumped with the biggest rise coming at the Midlands Prison. A new report has also revealed that the two prisons in Portlaoise represent the largest number of complaint letters written to the Inspector of Prisons. Over half the letters sent from inmates in 11 Irish jails were sent from the two Laois prisons last year. Prison Rules give prisoners the right to send and receive an unopened letter to/from the Inspector of Prison.# The Inspector of Prisons Annual Report for 2021 shows that the watchdog received a total of 168 letters from 84 prisoners. It said this number represented a significant increase on previous years which is attributable, primarily, to increased prisoner awareness of the of the Inspector's office. A total of 69 letters came from the Midlands Prison in 2021 which was up from 12 in the previous two years. There was also a steep rise in complaints from Portlaoise Prison with 25 letters written by prisoners. Just six were written in 2020 and eight sent in 2019. The Inspector's report says a wide variety of issues were raised in the letters received. The five most common being: Health issues (mental and physical), including access to healthcare; Complaints procedures; Behaviour of prison staff and prisoners; Delays in receiving letters and in having letters posted, including legal correspondence; COVID-19 related issues, such as isolation, lack of visits, difficulties in contacting family, and accessing a shower. The letters were received from prisoners in eleven prisons; none were received from Loughan House Open Centre. August 31 was a bittersweet day for St Fergals College as they bid farewell to Mr Sean Conroy following his decision to retire as Deputy Principal, the role he has held for the last 15 years. Sean replaced Deputy Principal, Tom Daly, in 2007 and since joining St. Fergals College, his contribution to the school has been of great significance. The impact Sean had on the school has been incredible, not only in the geography classroom but also in many other areas of school life. From a teaching perspective, Sean, as chair of the ICT committee, embraced the progression into 21st Century teaching and learning, as he oversaw the various changes to ICT that the Education system has encountered over the last number of years - most notably the schools approach to Digital Teaching and Learning which was so central during the school closures due to COVID-19 and allowed the school to provide the best Education possible to the students during a very difficult time. One cannot reminisce on Seans time in St. Fergals without mentioning his contribution to extra-curricular activities, namely the Junior And Senior Hurling Teams. Sean was so willing to give up his time at lunches and after school to train numerous teams, many of which saw great success at both Leinster and All-Ireland Level, the most recent being the Junior Leinster Team who emerged victorious at the end of last year. Theres no doubt that this success will remain close to Seans heart, as it ensured that he ended his 40 years of teaching on a high. Sean will be genuinely missed in St. Fergals College as will his presence on the Durrow to Rathdowney road as he endured many weather conditions to cycle to school. Sean, we say thank you so much for everything you have done for our school and we wish you a long and happy retirement with your family, much of which we are sure will be spent enjoying the great outdoors. Go raibh mile maith agat agus go n-eiri leat! Dog owners rejoice, the first dog park in Laois is planned to open next year. Laois County Council has announced that they intend to open a dog park in Portlaoise by next June 2023. They are hiring a new staff member who will be given the job to find the right site. "The Executive Parks & Landscape Officer will be starting in Laois County Council in early September and will examine possible locations for a dog park in Q4 (winter) with a view to putting in place by end of Q2 2023," senior engineer Wes Wilkinson announced this week. His news was in answer to a motion tabled to the September meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District, by Cllr Noel Tuohy, asking for progress on his request first made in 2017. "500 people signed a petition in 2017. A dog park is a safe place to bring a pet. Mullingar opened one in July. They have two areas, one for smaller and one for larger dogs. Dogs are a vital companion for people, particularly older people," he said. Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley seconded his motion. "Dogs are now part of the family. It would be a great opportunity to see this happen," she said. Cllr John Joe Fennelly agrees. "When it is installed in Portlaoise, I hope that we can look at other areas as well. I would love to have a dog park in every town in Laois," he said. The War at Home, a brand new TV documentary which captures the Irish response to the crisis in Ukraine is set to air on RTE One and RTE Player, Monday 19th September at 9.35pm. This moving, inspiring and engaging documentary offers a human insight into the first-hand experiences of those who have been displaced, the continuing generosity of the Irish people and the challenges that lie ahead. It also follows the experiences of Ukrainians forced to travel to Ireland, as they and the already established Ukrainian community here watch the destruction of their motherland unfold from a distance of 3,000km. The documentary charts this period of turmoil from the invasion back in February to the continuing crisis which has seen over 40,000 refugees enter the country, and follows nine Ukrainian and Irish individuals who each share their remarkable stories and experiences. Some of the interviewees include Grace Kennedy, a law tutor at the University of Galway, who left her job at the beginning of the war and has since raised over 70,000 and organised aid, transport and support. To date, she has brought over 5,000 Ukrainians to Ireland safely and into homes with the help of bus driver Aidan Geraghty from Roscommon. A number of the refugees who Grace and Aidan helped to bring home also share their experiences of arriving and settling into new homes in Ireland. Luba Healy, a Ukrainian woman living in Trim who drove over 3,000km from Meath to Ukraine after finally persuading her 99-year-old grandmother and 70-year-old mother to leave the war-torn country for safety shares their emotional story. Anatoliy Prymakov, a Ukrainian-Irish man describes putting his life on hold to run the Ukrainian Crisis Centre in Dublin, while Kildare-based volunteer Rosemarie Hayden gave up her job as a solicitor to volunteer with the Irish Red Cross in Maynooth university, where Ukrainian refugees are being housed. Anton Krasun, a Ukrainian living in Dublin, talks about his role in the development of the Call Russia' initiative, an international campaign that urges Russian speakers to help change Putins narrative by cold calling 40 million Russians with information about the war in Ukraine. The War at Home will air on Monday 19th September at 9.35pm on RTE One and RTE Player. No construction of the proposed modular homes at the Beechgrove Estate in Rathangan will take place until further inspections are carried out. That is what Minister Roderic O' Gorman and the Office of Public Works (OPW) told local residents on Monday, September 12 last. It follows after a public meeting on the issue was held in Rathangan Community Centre on August 31 last, and one week after his Department (The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth) told the LHD Action Group that the construction of modular homes at Lakeside Park in Newbridge would be put on hold for similar reasons. Speaking to the Leinster Leader, resident Aine Donegan explained that they told the residents that the Green Party has wanted to implement modular homes (initially planned for Irish people) for some time. However, the party was previously told by the government that this proposal wouldn't be cost effective. The Minister's Dept and the OPW also emphasised to residents that the modular homes, which are being proposed to house displaced Ukrainians, are part of a pilot scheme to see if the construction of such homes would be cost effective. Ms Donegan said that the residents outlined their main objections to Minister O' Gorman, which included: lack of integration, a disproportionate population increase, and lack of facilities and transport links. In response, Minister O' Gorman acknowledged that the group's issues 'were valid' and said that his Dept would look into the issues, as well as the exact cost of the the units, and report back at a future meeting. He said that until there was clarification on the matters, no construction of modular homes would take place at the estate. The residents were also told that Minister O' Gorman's Dept and the OPW picked the Rathangan site from a shortlist of potential sites for proposed modular homes, without having actually visited them in advance. Green Party Minister for Children, Roderic OGorman, has today (September 15) launched the new funding model for Early Learning Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC), Together for Better. Minister OGorman stated; I am delighted to launch Together for Better, a new funding model for Early Learning and School Age Childcare which will prioritise reductions to childcare fees for parents; better pay and conditions for staff; more childcare places; and more stability for service providers. Nine out of ten childcare providers have already signed up to the 221m Core Funding scheme, which rolls out today. Thats almost 4,000 childcare providers across the country. This sees a freeze in childcare fees for 200,000 families around the country and improved pay and conditions for 25,000 childcare workers. Together for Better brings together three key childcare initiatives including the Early Childhood Care and Education programme, the National Childcare Scheme and Core Funding. Minister OGorman added; We are in a cost of living crisis and we need to make sure children and young families are cushioned from the effects, not just now but into the future. This is a major first step but Together for Better will bring further improvements. We will see an increase of investment in childcare of at least 1 billion in the next five years and in this years budget I hope to announce the first set of reductions to childcare fees in the history of the State. Senator Pauline OReilly, Green Party Spokesperson for Education said; Todays roll out of Core Funding and the launch of Together for Better, spearheaded by Minister OGorman, will be truly transformative for parents, workers and providers. Early childhood education is a vital period in childrens learning and development yet everyone knows that the childcare sector has been chronically underfunded for decades. Parents are struggling to find childcare places and facing soaring costs. The majority of early years educators have been earning below the living wage and the sector sees an annual staff turnover of 19%. This changes today. More than two in three childcare workers will receive a pay increase this month and parents will be protected against further increases in childcare costs, with reductions in fees expected to be introduced in the budget. By transforming childcare and significantly increasing parental leave along with other measures, the Green Party are working hard to make Ireland the best place in Europe to raise children. The patron of the seventh Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions , which opened for two days on Wednesday, September 14, in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, is not a religious person. It is the country's president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The successor of Nursultan Nazarbayev the first president of independent Kazakhstan, who invented this triennial congress chose the participants, gave the first speech, distributed medals and received congratulations from the participants for his contribution to a better understanding between different traditions and cultures. Around the huge round table of the Palace of Independence, reminiscent of the United Nations Security Council, 80 representatives of the main religions, including Pope Francis and half a dozen women, were invited to discuss their role after the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more Subscribers only Pope Francis caught between Russia and China in Kazakhstan test of diplomacy As announced at the end of August, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, was missing. Pope Francis had hoped to talk with him about the war in Ukraine, which the patriarch supports. But Kazakhstan belongs to Kirill's Orthodox jurisdiction and ethnic Russians make up a quarter of its population. So he could not be completely absent and was represented by the new president of the department of external relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Archbishop Anthony. His predecessor, Hilarion, was ousted before the summer due to his reluctance to support the Russian offensive. Even though the word "Ukraine" was not said during this gathering, it was clear that the war unleashed by Russia was the subtext of certain events. Metropolitan Anthony read the brief text that his leader had given him. In it, he attributed the current food, energy and economic problems to "attempts to build a world without relying on moral values." These "attempts" have, according to him, "led not only to the loss of the concept of justice in international relations but also to brutal confrontations, military conflicts [and] the spread of terrorism and extremism in different parts of the world." We are interested in your experience using the site. Send feedback Read more Subscribers only The Russian Orthodox Church closes ranks behind Putin over Ukraine war In fact, the patriarch has said from the outset that the war in Ukraine has the metaphysical dimension of a fight against "the forces of evil" that led, for example, Western countries to accept homosexuality. "The path of dictatorship, rivalry and confrontation chosen by some of the leaders of this world leads humanity to ruin," he said in the speech read by Anthony, obviously not aimed at Vladimir Putin. "In such circumstances, only faith is capable of [bringing] people back to the path of dialogue and cooperation, because in traditional religions the fundamental moral principles of human existence remain unshakeable." You have 52.22% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only. AMERICAN TV presenter Samantha Brown will showcase Limerick and Clare in her award-winning travel programme, Places to Love. The episode, which will be filmed on location in the two counties, will air in the United States on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) channel. The popular show has been airing in the USA since 2018 and showcases some of the greatest little-known spots and haunts where innovators are creating a brand new travel experience. Samantha was invited to film at a number of locations around Limerick and Clare by Tourism Ireland, the organisation responsible for promoting the island of Ireland overseas as a leading holiday destination.Tourism Irelands Head of North America Alison Metcalfe commented: We were delighted to invite Samantha Brown to come and film an episode of Places to Love in Limerick and Clare.The episode will be seen by millions of people across the United States, shining a spotlight on some of the many things to see and do here, Ms Metcalfe said.In 2019, Tourism Ireland welcomed 11.3 million overseas visitors to the island of Ireland, delivering revenue of over 5.9 billion. Tourism Ireland is rolling out a new twinning initiative in 2022, which involves each overseas tourism market twinning with a specific region or area in Ireland.The United States is twinned with Limerick and Clare so Samanthas visit is a great opportunity to secure excellent positive coverage about these twinned areas, a statement from Tourism Ireland said.Ms Metcalfe continued: We look forward to encouraging American holidaymakers to put Limerick and Clare on their vacation wish-list for 2023. THE GOVERNMENT has announced it will advance plans for Limerick's first directly elected mayor in the next Dail term. Yesterday, chief whip Jack Chambers published the legislative programme which contains 38 bills for publication and priority by Ministers for the forthcoming autumn Oireachtas session. Among these are a new local government bill, which contains details of the new functions associated with the executive mayor, overarching details of which were approved back in April 2021. Oireachtas members have already scrutinised the bill and provided feedback on it. The news that it is advancing will come as a boost to the campaign to put in place a new five-year elected mayor in Limerick, who will have huge powers and budgetary responsibilities. It was back in May 2019 that the Limerick public decided by a majority in a plebiscite to bring in this new role. The Minister of State who has spearheaded this legislation Peter Burke has previously said he hopes to have an election for the role next year, with the first ever directly elected mayor for Limerick staying in office until 2029. After this stage, elections will take place once every five years. The new directly elected Mayor of Limerick will have far-reaching budgetary powers, will be able to set policies around grants, will be a statutory consultee in policing and Slaintecare - Ireland's health care plan. They would also have the right to meet with government ministers under plans for the role. Also on the government's planned legislation for the autumn is a proposal to create a management body with responsibilities and functions to identify, co-ordinate, monitor and communicate flood risk management actions and activities for the River Shannon catchment. A YOUNG couple who should have been in the clouds were two of thousands grounded due to Aer Lingus issues with its cloud-based reservation and operational system on Saturday. Katie Glavin, from Anglesboro, and Ben Hurley, Mitchelstown, both aged 26, flew out to Malaga for their first sun holiday together on Saturday, September 3. They were due to return home on Saturday, leaving Malaga Airport at 4.30pm for the three hour flight to Cork. It was a two hour delay announced at first, and after seeing the news stories, we were worried," said Katie, a news reporter with the Avondhu newspaper. But it said Spain and Portugal were not affected so we were hopeful. Then another two hour delay was announced and we started checking Twitter and Flight Radar for anything. After being contacted by Limerick Live on Sunday morning, she said that they were given 15 flight vouchers but the people handing them out had no information at all. No reps came up to speak to us when it was cancelled. There was a huge group of people all waiting on the flight and no one to tell us what to do or where to go We had to go to the luggage belt and collect our bags off a belt for an incoming Ryanair flight then go back to the departures desk for a bus to a hotel for the night with no information on when we can go home, said Katie. She said they were put up in a hotel on Saturday night, arriving around 11pm. We got 'picnic bags' with a sandwich, water and some other things, she said. Katie and Ben, a care assistant, were then put on a flight on Monday with a long stopover in Heathrow. For a time Katie said they had nowhere to stay on Sunday night. They got a letter in Spanish saying they couldn't stay in the hotel another night. It's awful. Still stuck in Malaga with no communication from Aer Lingus, said Katie, who was over an hour on the phone trying to get through to Aer Lingus. I'm onto my travel agent at the minute and she's not meant to be working weekends but she's contacting me and trying to get something sorted. I know it's not her or the companies fault, but the absolute disregard from Aer Lingus is horrible, she added. On Monday, Katie told Limerick Live that late on Sunday they were informed about a flight to Dublin that might have spare seats and to go straight to the airport. It was about an hour or two before take off so there was a mad rush to the airport to see if there was any available seats after everyone else boarded. So relieved to be at home again. I know it wasnt an end of the world situation, but when you're going through it and there is so little communication or support, it is pretty awful, said Katie. She concluded by saying: We still have had no direct communication from Aer Lingus. Some people got texts and emails from Aer Lingus, but we didnt. In a statement on their website, Aer Lingus said they sincerely apologise to customers for the severe disruption caused on Saturday, September 10 by the unavailability of key systems for check-in, boarding and our website. A system outage was caused by a break in connectivity in services from a UK network provider. Aer Lingus had to cancel 51 flights on Saturday, mainly to and from Dublin / European and UK destinations. Transatlantic services from Shannon operated as normal on Saturday. Any customer impacted by Saturday's disruptions will be able apply for a refund or change their travel plans, free of charge through aerlingus.com, our call centres and our social media channels. As systems have now been restored we are contacting customers directly in order to re-accommodate them as efficiently as possible. We will also share information regarding customers' rights and the airlines' obligations under Regulation (EC) 261/2004. NOT everyone can say they have taught the new British monarch to dance but a Limerick principal and Irish music enthusiast now can! Liam Guiney, who is principal of Oola National School and lives in Annacotty, put King Charles III and his wife Camilla, the new queen consort, through their paces during the then Prince of Wales visit to Ireland in March. Im a teacher and a principal, and its the first time in my career I can say Ive taught a king and queen, smiled Liam, who is the vice-chair of Limerick Comhaltas and the chair of Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan. Recalling his meeting with the pair, he said: Charles was really engaged in the dancing, as was Camilla. They were both very personable and keen to learn. They had great timing, and great musicality. Liam taught them a jig, saying: They were keen to get it right. It wasnt just a case of lets do this. They were very engaged. He met Charles and Camilla at the Bru Boru centre in Cashel where he teamed up with fellow dancers Ciara Horan, Leona Bowe and Cliodhna Treacy among other people. Liam described teaching the pair as "an honour", and being so keen on Irish music, he was delighted to share it with them. "I love Irish culture, I love music, and I love dance. Dance is my main thing. I'm delighted to be able to share it with anyone who'd show an interest. And they did show an interest - they were so nice on the day they came in," he said, "It was a lovely event, and they were very interested in Irish dancing, in dance in general." Liam reveals he had to keep his meeting with the now King and Queen Consort under wraps ahead of their meeting. "I had known this was happening. I hadn't been able to say anything, even though I'd known for a little while. There was a super atmosphere, and they were just up for the fun and to learn about Irish culture. They were asking questions about the jig and what it was all about - they were just genuinely interested," he said. The principal believes Charles, who succeeded his mother, Queen Elizabeth II on the throne, following her death last week, will make a good king. And he paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II, saying: "For any of us to have that work ethic is amazing. To work into your 90s is something to behold. Also, at the end of the day, she is a mother, a grandmother and a great grandmother, and our sympathies go out to the royal family." AN POST is being urged to take urgent action to ensure the post office in Shanagolden is retained after it was confirmed the current operator intends to close the premises. Dozens of local people gathered in the west Limerick village on Monday morning to voice their concern and frustration over the closure. There was a serious show of support for the retention of services. It would give me a clear indication that there is a strong case for an interested party to come forward as there is business to be done in Shanagolden, said Cllr Adam Teskey. Customers first learned of the impending closure of Shanagolden post office late last week and An Post has confirmed to the Limerick Leader that it is due to close next Wednesday. "Our Postmaster in Shanagolden wishes to exit the business and plans to close the office on September 21. Customers will be transferred, in the first instance, to Foynes post office which is just over 5km away," said a spokesperson for An Post. The spokesperson added that it is willing to engage with any interested party who might want to operate a post office in Shanagolden. Local woman, Mary Lenehan, says the closure is a disgrace. It is a very sad day for Shanagolden and the surrounding areas because its not just Shanagolden its hitting Kilcolman, its hitting Creeves and as far away as Carrigkerry, she said. The post office is the only outlet for the elderly people drawing benefits to meet people, added the healthcare assistant. While noting An Posts willingness to engage with a potential new operaor, Cllr Teskey says actions are strong than words. Speaking and engaging is one thing committement and action is another and thats what we want from An Post, he said GARDAI are investigating an incident at a Limerick hospital during which a patient stole from a nurse who was caring for him. According to gardai, the culprit - a young man in his mid-twenties - was being treated in hospital when he saw his chance to steal a phone, cash and cigarettes from a nurses handbag. "The nurse had stored her bag in a storeroom but, obviously, the young man saw this and took the opportunity to steal from her," said Sergeant Ber Leetch. "This is very shocking, the nurses work so hard and are so decent to their patients and yet this happened," she added. Gardai were called and they attended the hospital a short time later. Some of the nurse's property was recovered from the man. The woman's phone, which contained very precious photos was located some time later. The divisional crime prevention officer says the incident shows how quickly thieves can act and how important it is to protect personal property. "We must keep our property either on us or locked away at all times and do not give anybody a chance to steal from us," advised Sgt Leetch. RUSSELL Crowe said on the Late Late Show on Friday night that he was looking forward to a trip to Charlie St Georges in the city and he is a man of his word. Plus, he said he got a much nicer pint in Limerick than he received in RTE on Friday night! At 9.20pm on Wednesday night the Oscar winner dropped into the pub on Parnell Street. He was accompanied by over 40 cast and crew from the film The Popes Exorcist. Scenes in the upcoming movie are being shot at Dromore Castle in Pallaskenry. Tom Dore, manager, said it wasnt his normal Wednesday night behind the bar. "Russell Crowe and three others just walked in and then a short time later the entourage came along. He bought a couple of rounds. He was extremely generous. It was his tab," said Tom, who invited Russell behind the bar but the Hollywood great preferred to let the experts pull the pints. "He was happy to stand by the tap for a photo. He was drinking Guinness. He said it was a lovely pint. He said that the one he got on the Late Late Show wasnt a great pint. He was extremely quiet and very nice. One of the regulars got his autograph and he was over the moon," said Tom. It wasnt the first time the New-Zealand born actor has frequented the watering hole. He struck up a deep friendship with one of Limericks most famous sons Richard Harris on the set of Gladiator. Following Richard Harris death in 2002, Russell fulfilled a promise to his great friend to watch a rugby match in Ireland and visit some of the his favourite pubs. Former Limerick Leader editor Eugene Phelan got an interview with Russell back in 2002 - click here to read. The owner of Charlie St Georges and the Parnell Plaza, Murrough OByrne was also there that famous night 20 years ago. "When Richard Harris sadly passed away to the great movie screen in the sky, Russell Crowe made a special effort to pay his respects to his friend and their great friendship by revisiting Charlie St Georges pub, Limerick city and Kilkee. It was a remarkable display of friendship and solidarity, said Murrough. Russell is almost a regular at this stage! "Hes just a grand fella, a very down to earth chap. He seems to like Limerick. He did have a nice night - he wasnt intruded upon. He was very generous - he bought a couple of rounds and was generous to the staff too, said Murrough. Russell knew exactly where he wanted to sit and he will always be welcomed back in Charlie St Georges. His last words to the bar manager as he left were, "Ill see you again, Tom". Irish troops preparing to tour overseas as peacekeepers have been reviewed by the Minister for Defence ahead of their deployment. Minister Simon Coveney, who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs, reviewed members of the 66th Infantry Group today (September 15) as they prepare for service in the coming weeks with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on the Golan Heights. Speaking during the Review, Minister Coveney said, For over a half a century now, our Defence Forces have played a vital role as peacekeepers throughout the world. We have an honourable tradition of supporting the United Nations in the cause of peace and security. You, the men and women of the 66th Infantry Group, are the latest to continue this long and proud tradition." Soldiers from 22 counties across Ireland are represented in the 130-strong contingent deploying to UNDOF, with more than a third about to deploy on their first tour of duty overseas. The minister continued: "As peacekeepers, you play an important part in improving the lives of citizens on the ground and of vulnerable communities. In many instances, conflict can have devastating consequences, leading to increased numbers of migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons as we have seen with the conflict in Ukraine. "Ireland's continuing participation in UNDOF and other peacekeeping operations, promotes a positive image of Ireland and its Defence Forces. This is true also both within the international community at the United Nations, and with the local communities you are called on to serve. All of you leaving for Syria are keepers of a proud flame of service and loyalty. The minister concluded by congratulating the members of the 66th Infantry Group, led by Lieutenant Colonel David McNamara, on their achievements to date and wished them a safe and successful mission. A contingent of the Permanent Defence Force has deployed to UNDOF at the request of the United Nations since 2013. The 66th Infantry Group will replace personnel of the 65th at Camp Faouar on the Syrian side of the area of separation when they deploy in the coming weeks. New Delhi: Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated Ramakrishna Missions Awakening programme for students of classes 1 to 5, the ministry said in a statement on Thursday. This Awakening programme is an initiative towards ensuring overall personality development of a child in line with the philosophy of National Education Policy (NEP), 2020. Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan said that the NEP 2020 is deeply inspired by the philosophy of Swami Vivekananda, adding that Indias greats such as Sri Aurobindo, Mahatma Gandhi, Vivekananda envisioned an education system that is progressive and rooted in civilizational values to take the country forward. According to the ministry, Pradhan said that social transformation is one of the key goals of education. Values and wisdom are more important than material wealth. Value-based education is important for building a future-ready and socially conscious generation, he added. While implementing NEP 2020, there must be an emphasis on creating value-based educational programmes for classes 9 to 12, in addition to those in classes 1-8. Pradhan said the initiative was a step towards ensuring holistic personality development of a child aligned with the philosophy of NEP 2020. The minister called upon CBSE to institute an advisory framework for encouraging value-based education in all schools from Balvatika to Class XII for creating a talent pool ready for challenges of life and committed to national progress and global welfare. KOZHIKODE (KERALA) : The Customs at the Calicut international airport said here on Thursday that they have seized around 5 kg of gold from a passenger who had arrived from Dubai. They said the smuggling of the gold mixed with other metals, worth over 2.5 crore, was done in connivance with two officials of a private airliner in which the accused flew to Kerala. Apart from the accused, the Customs said they have arrested the two employees of the airline, too. The Customs said the modus operandi was such that the airline staff replaced the international tag of the luggage of the smuggler with a domestic flight tag to evade Customs check. There have been several incidents of gold-smuggling in various forms and different modus operandi mostly by expatriates from the Middle-East. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday promised "victory" on a visit to the strategic city of Izyum that was recently recaptured from Russia by Kyiv's army in a lightning counter-offensive. The visit came at a decisive moment in Russia's six-month-old invasion, with Ukraine expelling Moscow's forces from swathes of the east and seriously challenging the Kremlin's ambition to capture the entire Donbas region. "Our blue-yellow flag is already flying in de-occupied Izyum. And it will be so in every Ukrainian city and village," Zelensky said in a statement on social media. "We are moving in only one direction -- forward and towards victory." Pictures distributed by his office showed the Ukrainian leader wearing dark green and flanked by guards as he took selfies with soldiers and thanked troops at a flag-hoisting ceremony. Back in Kyiv, a motorist collided with a vehicle carrying Zelensky, though the president was not seriously injured in the accident, his spokesman said Thursday. "The law enforcement officers will investigate all the circumstances of the accident," the spokesman added. In his nightly address, a video of which was posted shortly after the accident, Zelensky said that "almost the entire region (of Kharkiv) is de-occupied". "It was an unprecedented movement of our soldiers -- the Ukrainians once again managed to do what many thought was impossible." Ukraine has recently claimed sweeping successes in the northeastern Kharkiv region that borders Russia, and has said it has clawed back territory along a southern front near the Kherson region on the Black Sea. Zelensky said Wednesday that Russia's occupation of Crimea -- annexed by Moscow in 2014 -- was a "tragedy" and promised that his forces would eventually recapture the peninsula. Ukrainian forces in Kharkiv have since September 6 recaptured around 8,500 square kilometres (3,200 square miles) and areas home to some 150,000 people, said deputy foreign affairs minister Ganna Maliar. 'They killed my son' In the reclaimed eastern Ukrainian village of Bogorodychne, 58-year-old Mykola told AFP he "barely survived" the Russian occupation during which his brother was killed. "How can I describe it in words? It was difficult. I was afraid," he said. Wiping tears from her eyes with a veil, Mykola's mother Nina said: "I cry every day. They killed my son." Moscow said its forces were hitting back on areas recaptured in Kharkiv with "massive strikes", and also claimed to have captured dozens of Ukrainian servicemen in the southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. Ukraine's presidency warned Wednesday that floods could hit the city of Kryvyi Rih -- Zelensky's hometown -- after a Russian strike damaged infrastructure, causing the Inhulets River to flood. The centre and another district of the city of 600,000 people were at risk of flooding, said Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the president's office. The head of the Kryvyi Rih military administration, Oleksandr Vilkul, said in a statement: "In order to avoid unnecessary risks, I kindly ask the residents of certain streets to evacuate." German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, meanwhile, disclosed Wednesday the contents of a 90-minute telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin, saying the Russian leader did not feel he had made a mistake in invading Ukraine. "There was no indication that new attitudes are emerging," he said of Tuesday's conversation. The Kremlin said Putin himself had discussed getting Ukrainian grain to those most in need in a telephone conversation with UN chief Antonio Guterres. "Both sides emphasised the importance of meeting the needs, as a priority, of those in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America who need food," said a statement from his office Wednesday. The Kremlin, which has made little mention of the setbacks in recent days, vowed to continue fighting, claiming that the perceived threat Kyiv posed to Russia remained. 'Life and death' The Ukrainian official in charge of the eastern Donetsk region, partially controlled by pro-Moscow separatists since 2014, said Russian forces had attacked the entire frontline region over the past 24 hours. Pavlo Kyrylenko, the Donetsk governor, said one civilian had been killed and again urged all others to leave, describing the order as a "matter of life and death". Military observers have credited the success of Ukraine's pushback into the east to Western-supplied arms, particularly long-range precision artillery, and on the training of Ukrainian forces by Western allies. The Ukrainian military announced on social media Wednesday that some 5,000 Ukrainian military personnel had been trained as part of a joint programme with the United Kingdom. Western countries have also hit back against Russia with waves of economic sanctions. EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday said the successive packages of EU measures against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine were "here to stay", while calling on Europeans to maintain their resolve. She also told MEPs that she would travel Wednesday to Kyiv to meet Zelensky. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit (SCO) in the ancient Uzbek Silk Road city of Samarkand, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin began their first in-person talks since the war in Ukraine on Thursday. Russia and China are striking a similar chord as they both have their axes to grind, since both are facing growing pressure from the US and its allies over the war in Ukraine and Beijings increased military activity around Taiwan. Xi has resisted Washingtons call to condemn Russias invasion, while Moscow has pledged its solidarity" for Beijing over Taiwan, a self-ruled island that China claims as its territory. Russia's President also said that Moscow backs Beijing's "One China" policy, opposes "provocations" by the United States in the Taiwan Strait, and acknowledged China's "balanced position" on Ukraine. "China is willing to make efforts with Russia to assume the role of great powers, and play a guiding role to inject stability and positive energy into a world rocked by social turmoil," Xi told Putin. He further added, "Recently, we have been overcoming the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, spoken many times via phone, and kept up effective strategic communications." "We are extremely willing to use this meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to exchange views with you on international and regional issues of common concern," he said. Last meeting before the war When Xi and Putin last met in February at the Beijing Winter Olympics they declared a no limits" friendship. The Russian leader ordered an attack on Ukraine weeks later, a move that initially seemed to surprise Beijing. China has since provided verbal backing for Moscow. The Asian nations No. 3 official, Li Zhanshu, recently told Russian lawmakers that leaders in Beijing fully understand the necessity" of Putins actions. Although China supports Moscow's actions in Ukraine verbally, at the same time China has avoided sending military supplies or providing financial support, to avoid Beijing becoming a target of economic sanctions that Washington and others have applied to Russia. Xis presence in Central Asia marks his return to the world stage after nearly 1,000 days at home, after he became the only Group of 20 leader to avoid leaving his country since the first Covid lockdown began in January 2020. In the light of US attempts of putting sanctions over Russia and subduing China's claim over Taiwan, Putin condemned 'attempts to create unipolar world' in talks with Xi. What is Xi expecting from SCO summit? Originally Xi was expected to make his inaugural international trip in November for the G-20 summit in Bali, which will be attended by President Joe Biden as well as Putin. Instead, he decided to visit Central Asia first focusing on meetings with leaders from Russia, India, Pakistan and Iran -- countries more aligned with Beijings efforts to push back on the US and its allies. The Chinese leader is expected to use the SCO summit as a platform to promote his vision of a world where Beijing can expand its interests without US economic or military pressure. This summit is also significant for Xi as he is a month away from a twice-in-a-decade Communist Party congress where hes expected to clinch a precedent-busting third term. His aim is to push his agenda for a multipolar world. Chinas ties with the US have worsened recently over Taiwan, after Nancy Pelosi became the first House Speaker in 25 years to visit the democratic island to which Beijing responded with unprecedented military drills around the island nation. The situation is escalating further as on Wednesday, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a bill to boost ties with Taipei and give it more military hardware to deter a Chinese invasion. This development is likely to further strain ties between China and US. Xi strengthening ties with Central Asian nations Prior to his meeting with Putin, Xi also sat down with leaders from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan on Thursday, pledging closer ties with the Central Asian nations. The Chinese leader told Kyrgyzstans President Sadyr Japarov construction should start soon on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, according to state broadcaster China Central Television. The route will reduce Beijing dependence on Russia and Kazakhstan to transit goods. In a separate meeting with his Turkmenistan counterpart, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Xi said the two countries should scale up cooperation on natural gas, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. Xi also held talks with Tajikistans President Emomali Rahmon, pledging to import more agricultural goods from the central Asian nation and deepen cooperation in areas including transit and anti-terrorism, CCTV reported. (With inputs from agencies) 5 min read . Updated: 14 Sep 2022, 05:14 PM IST Sam Schechner, The Wall Street Journal An EU court largely sides with regulators decision that Google abused the dominance of Android Click here to read the full article. For Shoba Narayan, the Indian American lead of Aditya Chopras Come Fall In Love The DDLJ Musical, the Broadway-bound production is a dream come true. Chopras U.S. stage musical reimagining of his immensely popular 1995 Bollywood film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, commonly abbreviated to DDLJ, addresses the need for cultural unification in a divided world. Narayan plays Simran, a young Indian-American woman whose future is set via an arranged marriage back in India to a family friend. But when she convinces her strict father that she should spend a summer of freedom and fun in Europe, she falls for the charming Rog (Austin Colby), and her plans go out the window. Produced by leading Indian studio Yash Raj Films, Come Fall In Love The DDLJ Musical is currently on at the Old Globe theater in San Diego until Oct. 16 and will move to Broadway after that. The musical is notable in many respects with Bollywood filmmaker Chopra, composers Vishal and Sheykhar and associate choreographer Shruti Merchant debuting in U.S. theater. In addition, there are 16 South Asian actors set to debut on Broadway. Narayan said: I am thrilled to be bringing Come Fall in Love to Broadway and to be playing the iconic lead role of Simran in this adaptation of the classic love story, DDLJ. The fact that we have an Indian musical headed to Broadway feels incredibly personal and monumental to me as an Indian American actor who was raised by Indian immigrant parents, and who loves Bollywood films, Broadway, and Indian fine arts. Its a great moment of pride to see our Indian culture celebrated and represented so authentically on the worlds biggest stage, Narayan added. This is something Ive spent my life and career fighting for. Hopefully, this will be the first of many. I feel so much pride for this big moment for India, with a Broadway debut for Aditya Chopra, Vishal and Sheykhar, [projection designer] Akhila Krishnan, Shruti Merchant as well as Indian cinema and Yash Raj Films, Narayan said. We are here. We are seen. I couldnt be happier. It was only a matter of time before Broadway and Bollywood found each other and I am honored to be at the helm of this moment. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. George Stephanopoulos has been many things over the years. A political operative. A TV anchor. In his next project, hes taking on a decidedly different role. In Power Trip Those Who Seek Power and Those Who Chase Them, a new eight-part series set to stream on Hulu starting September 25, Stephanopoulos will serve as an analyst and adviser to a group of seven ambitious young embed reporters covering the 2022 midterm elections for ABC News. The show mixes on-the-ground reportage with the sort of mentor-student relationship that plays a central part in popular reality programs that range from The Voice to Restaurant: Impossible. The conceit offers a fresh way of covering politics, says Stephanopoulos, in an interview. This is a different way of doing it, through the lens of these young reporters on the ground. All the nations big TV-news outlets have built new massive streaming-video hubs, the better to capture attention from younger viewers more inclined to seek out the latest headlines from social media or on-demand video. What they havent done quite yet is develop programming tailored for that audience. While there are some exceptions, the bulk of streaming news shows launched so far rely on the usual presentation of an anchor sitting behind a desk. Journalists recognized they can tell their stories more directly and more genuinely without having the intermediary of a conventional newscast, says Tim Hanlon, who advises media and advertising companies as CEO of Vertere Group. The question is how does it all get paid for? Models are in process. Power Trip has few of the trappings of the evening news or Sunday public-affairs program. The seven embeds will fan out across the nation, potentially covering closely-watched Senate races in Pennsylvania or Georgia; examining voter trends in Texas or hot issues in California. As they set about to find stories and headlines for ABC, they will check in with Stephanopoulos, who will have to be poised to advise at a moments notice, depending on how stories develop. These are young reporters in their 20s. Lots of ambition. Lots of drive. Not so much experience, says Stephanopoulos, who notes that audiences may well see storylines that involve the embeds work as much as they do the news they cover. ABC News and other networks have for decades relied on young embeds to serve as their eyes and ears across the country as various candidates campaign for higher office. ABC typically doesnt send out embeds for midterms, says Stephanopoulos, but the issues Americans are voting on are so important and the polling margins for a Democratic or Republican victory are so thin that executives felt the effort would be warranted. We always remembered in these campaigns hearing great stories from our embeds, the anchor says. Many of the biggest backers of TV news are turning to streaming to court viewers who may no longer watch broadcast or cable TV as often as news aficionados did in the past. They have good reason. Approximately 84% of U.S. adults said they often or sometimes get news from a smartphone, computer, or tablet, according to a 2021 study by Pew Research Center, including 51% who say they do so often. The portion that gets news from digital devices continues to outpace those who get news from television, Pew found. There have been some early efforts to shake up how news works in the streaming era. ABC News venerable 20/20, for example, has retooled itself as a two-hour true-crime mystery for Hulu, as executives found subscribers were eager to watch that sort of storytelling. One early effort at the now-scuttled CNN+ featured anchor Kate Bolduan giving subscribers a quick rundown of 5 Things they needed to know before their day kicked into high gear. The show typically lasted 20 minutes or less. Fox Nation has tapped various personnel at Fox News Channel to talk about hobbies and passions, like cooking or taking part in a book club. Still, many of the broadband-news efforts, which include services such as NBC News Now and ABC News Live, rely heavily on anchor-desk formats and documentary-style programming. Theres a growing sense streaming viewers are eager to see something else. Giving viewers a look behind the scenes could prove important, says Chris Wells, an associate professor of emerging media studies at Boston University. In an era when politicians have cast aspersions on newsgathering and the fragmentation of media has led to news outlets that cater to partisan interests, he says, some consumers crave a deeper view on how journalists work. A lot of citizens dont really understand what journalists are doing, he says, and they want to see not only the final story, but a little bit of the process behind it. People have long turned to CNN and CBS News and their brethren for a definitive account of whats happening in the world. They may continue to do so even as they consume more information via social media, says Devan Rosen, professor of emerging media at Ithaca Colleges Roy H. Park School of Communications. Younger people have grown more media literate, he says and understand that algorithmically fed news passed along via Twitter or Instagram is not necessarily the right news or even the good news or what you should be reading, he adds. There is a real opportunity for any one of the networks to think about what kind of format would reach the younger generation. ABC News has a decided interest in figuring it out. The Disney-backed unit recently launched a studio aimed at devising concepts for Hulu, Disney+ and other parts of its parent companys media portfolio, which is tilting more heavily toward streaming. Stephanopoulos, who launched his own production company in October of last year, is expected to create projects suited for all parts of the Disney empire. Recent work has included an interview with former M16 spy Christopher Steele and a behind-the-scenes examination of the takedown of a terrorist threat that could have rivaled the Oklahoma City bombing. George Stephanopoulos Productions has enlisted a group of savvy producers to help launch Power Trip. Ted Bourne, who has worked on the Showtime political documentary series The Circus and A&Es documentary series The First 48, serves as an executive producer, along with Heather Riley, a longtime Stephanopoulos associate who earlier this year was named executive editorial producer of political programming and affairs at ABC News. Jonathan Greenberger, ABC News vice president and Washington bureau chief, will work as an executive contributor to the program, and his team manages the embedded reporters. Among the group of young journalists are Libby Cathey, a reporter for ABCNews.com who covers the White House, Capitol Hill and breaking political news who has experience working for The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Snapchat. Abby Cruz is a producer/reporter for ABC News race and culture unit who fluent in Spanish and has worked for Washington City Paper. Paulina Tam is a segment producer for Nightline who once embedded with the Newark Police Department. One weeks episode could center on whats happening in a particular state, says Stephanopoulos, or on one reporters efforts to make headway with a source or story. But the team will also keep an eye on issues like how President Biden or former President Trump influence campaigns; the effects of the recent Supreme Court decision on abortion have on voters; and voting security. The hope, says Stephanopoulos, is that Power Trip is worth taking more than once. If the initial series works well, the anchor says, he hopes ABC News will use it for the presidential elections in 2024. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Tory Lanezs criminal trial on charges he opened fire on Megan Thee Stallion and wounded her in both feet while yelling dance, bitch two years ago was delayed again Wednesday. Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, appeared for the hearing, agreed to the continuance and left the courtroom shortly before key eyewitness Kelsey Harris was brought in so the judge could order her to return Dec. 9 under a subpoena from prosecutors. Harris was riding in the SUV with Megan and Peterson the night of the alleged firearm assault but has been mysteriously mum about disputed details in the high-profile case. The judge said she must remain on stand-by as a possible prosecution witness following jury selection now due to begin Dec. 5. The long-awaited trial had been set to start as early as Wednesday, or within 10 days, but Judge David Herriford granted Petersons request for delay over the objections of prosecutors because his defense lawyer Shawn Holley is tied up with the confidential arbitration of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer. (Holley is also representing Danny Masterson in his serial rape trial set to begin Oct. 11.) The fact that prosecutors subpoenaed Harris signals they believe that either her testimony, or statements she made to investigators in the direct aftermath of the shooting, would support a conviction. Harris has been a bit of a wildcard in the closely watched case because she and Megan were self-proclaimed best friends before the alleged July 2020 assault but have since become estranged. Theyre keeping their options open, Lou Shapiro, a defense lawyer not affiliated with the case, tells Rolling Stone, referring to the prosecution subpoena. One way or another, they believe she could be beneficial to their case. In a recent Rolling Stone cover story, Megan, born Megan Pete, said she believes Harris accepted money from Peterson shortly after the assault. The Body rapper claimed Harris met Peterson at a hotel just two days later, while Megan was still in the hospital. Im like, Kelsey, as my best friend, why would you meet up with the person you saw shoot your best friend? Megan told Rolling Stones Mankaprr Conteh. Harris purportedly told Megan she felt her back was against the wall, and she didnt know what to do. What the fuck do you mean your back is against the wall? Youre the only person in this situation that would clear this up for me, Megan said. According to Megan, Peterson purportedly told Harris, Oh, thank you for not saying nothing. Now let me invest in your business. Let me do this. Let me do that. From then on, Harris has not given a public account of her version of what happened, Megan said. Kelsey Harris leaving courthouse after she was ordered to return Dec. 9 as witness called by prosecutors in Tory Lanez felony assault case. She was in SUV with Tory and Megan Thee Stallion. Prosecutor estimates jury selection will start Dec. 5. pic.twitter.com/u7bVdrCseb Nancy Dillon (@Nancy__Dillon) September 14, 2022 Beyond the alleged assault, prosecutors likely would question Harris about the recorded jail call that Peterson made to her just hours after the shooting. The rough contents of the call were revealed at Petersons probable cause hearing last December. The defendant continued to apologize for the incident that occurred. He told Kelsey basically that he was drunk, and he was sorry for what he had done, LAPD Det. Ryan Stogner testified at the hearing, saying he personally reviewed the jail call. Under cross-examination, Stogner said he was aware that Megan and Harris had been close friends for about seven years but apparently stopped their friendship shortly after the shooting. Petersons lawyer, Shawn Holley, grilled Stogner in a way that spun an alternative narrative involving the verbal dispute that led up to the shooting. Holley claimed the argument in the car escalated because Peterson said he and Megan had been in some type of intimate relationship. Holley said Harris had a romantic interest in Tory and became upset, claiming that Megan back-doored her. Speaking to Rolling Stone, Megan said Peterson was never her boyfriend. Instead, she said they were close friends who bonded over the losses of their mothers. She was adamant Peterson shot her and deserved consequences. I feel like youve already tried to break me enough. Youve already shot me. So, why are you dragging it out like this? Like, what else? Have you hated me this much the whole time and I didnt see it? Megan said, addressing Peterson directly. I want him to go to jail, Megan told Rolling Stone in the series of revealing interviews leading up to the cover story published online in June. I want him to go under the jail. Los Angeles County prosecutors clearly believe Megan is telling the truth about the incident that unfolded in the predawn hours of July 12, 2020, following a night of partying at Kylie Jenners house. At the probable cause hearing, Deputy District Attorney Kathy Ta carefully walked Det. Stogner through his interviews with Megan to explain why the rapper initially told police she had stepped on glass. Stogner said Megan lied at first because she was scared. (He said medical records from Cedars-Sinai Hospital confirmed doctors found bullet fragments in both of Megans feet.) She said that at the time she was extremely scared and embarrassed, and due to the fact that she was friends with the defendant, she was scared that he was going to get in trouble, and she also expressed some concerns regarding the political climate regarding police and shootings, Stogner testified. She was afraid that there had been recent police shootings, and she described her concern about the police possibly shooting the defendant since he had just committed a shooting. Peterson was arrested near the scene of the shooting on suspicion of possessing a concealed firearm in a vehicle. He was released hours later after posting his $35,000 bail. Megan was initially vague about what happened but finally named Peterson as her assailant more than a month later in an Instagram post. Tory shot me. You shot me, and you got your publicist and your people going to these blogs, lying and shit, she said in a video posted Aug. 20, 2020. Stop lying. Why lie? I dont understand. I tried to keep the situation off the internet, but youre dragging it. She said, Even though he shot me, I tried to spare him. And yall motherfuckers is not sparing me. Thats crazy. Peterson, 30, was formally charged on Oct. 8, 2020, with felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm, personal use of a firearm, carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle and inflicting great bodily harm. He pleaded not guilty on Nov. 18, 2020 with his bail set at $190,000. At the time, prosecutors said he was facing a maximum sentence of 22 years and eight months in prison if convicted as charged. Petersons bail was hiked to $250,000 in September 2021 after a judge found he violated the stay-away order prohibiting him from coming within 100 yards of Megan or harassing her in any way. Prosecutors said he attended the Rolling Loud Festival in Miami in July 2021 and attempted to rush the stage while Megan was performing. Disguised in a costume, he also hopped onstage with DaBaby while Megan was still in the venue and her song Cry Baby was playing, prosecutors said in their bail motion obtained by Rolling Stone. Petersons bail was increased again in April, to $350,000, after a judge found the SKAT rapper violated protective orders prohibiting him from harassing Megan or discussing discovery in the case with outside parties. During an emotional sit-down interview with CBS News Gayle King that aired April 25, Megan described the incident on camera for the first time. So I get out of the car, and its like everything happens so fast. And all I hear is this man screaming. And he said, Dance, bitch. And he started shooting. And Im just like, Oh, my God. Like, he shot a couple of times. And I was so scared, she told King. He is standing up over the window shooting. And I didnt even want to move. I didnt want to move too quick If I take the wrong step, I dont know if hes gonna shoot something thats, like, super important. I dont know if he could shoot me and kill me I was really scared cause I had never been shot at before, she said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BERLIN (AP) The organization that handles claims on behalf of Jews who suffered under the Nazis said Thursday that Germany agreed to pay approximately $1.2 billion (euros) to Holocaust survivors living around the world in 2023, bringing its total compensation to more than 80 billion euros. The announcement came as Germany marked the 70th anniversary of the signing of the so-called Luxembourg Agreements, a reparations pact that made it possible for Holocaust survivors to receive a measure of justice for the Nazi persecution of Jews during World War II. More than 6 million European Jews were murdered by Germany's Nazis and their henchmen during the Third Reich. The extermination of European Jews by the Nazis left a horrific chasm, not only in global Jewry, but in global humanity, said Gideon Taylor, the president of the New York-based Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, also referred to as the Claims Conference. "These agreements laid the groundwork for compensation and restitution for those survivors who had lost everything and continue to serve as the foundation for the ongoing negotiations on behalf of the estimated 280,00 Holocaust survivors living around the world, Taylor added. On Thursday, the German government invited hundreds of guests to a ceremony at Berlin's Jewish Museum to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the agreement and to underline the responsibility the country bears for the past, the present, and for the future. The Luxembourg Agreements were fundamental and led to financial compensation in the amount of more than 80 billion euros Germany has paid by the end of 2021," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said. At the same time, it was clear to all concerned that this agreement could not pay off the heavy guilt that Germans had brought upon themselves," Scholz added. "The Luxembourg Agreements were rather an attempt to assume moral responsibility for the failure of morality - the attempt to ensure that it was not inhumanity that had the last word, but humanity. The reparation agreements, signed in 1952, created the basis for all subsequent compensation for Nazi persecution. The negotiations were very contentious at the time and even led to violent protests in Israel, where some argued that accepting payments critics called the compensation blood money would be like forgiving the Nazis for their crimes. The agreements eventually reached were the first time a defeated power paid compensation to civilians for wartime losses and suffering. As visionary as those original negotiators were, they could not have possibly imagined the long-term and deep consequences of the Holocaust on survivors," Greg Schneider, executive vice president of the Claims Conference, told The Associated Press. No one possibly imagined that 70 years later there would still be elderly Holocaust survivors who were so impoverished, who were so needy, who were still suffering the dire consequences, Schneider said, adding that that was the reason why the funding for next year includes a 130 million-euro increase in the amount designated for home care. The money Germany agreed to pay next year also includes 12 million euros in emergency humanitarian payments to 8,500 Ukrainian Holocaust survivors and 170 million-euro hardship fund designated for approximately 143,000 Holocaust survivors worldwide. Germany also agreed for the first time to specifically fund Holocaust education with 10 million euros allotted for 2022, 25 million euros for 2023, 30 million euros for 2024 and 35 million euros for 2025. As the number of living Holocaust survivors dwindles and memories of the genocide fade, scholars and educators want to ensure future generations know about the Nazi atrocities inflicted on Jewish people. IRONWOOD FOREST NATIONAL MONUMENT, Arizona (AP) After strapping on knee-high snake guards and bowing his head to invoke Gods protection, Oscar Andrade marched off into a remote desert at dawn on a recent Sunday to look for a Honduran migrant. His family said he had gone missing in late July between the two hills where the backpacks are. The Tucson-based Pentecostal pastor bushwhacked for three hours in heat that rose above 100 degrees (38 Celsius), detouring around a mountain lion, two rattlesnakes and at least one scorpion before taking a short break to call the aunt of another missing man. Andrade believed he found the young mans skull the previous day. Much strength, my dear sister, Andrade told her, while she repeated incredulously that the guide had assured her he left the young man with injured feet but alive. Sometimes we dont understand, but there is a reason that God allowed this. And if you need anything, were here. On the fourth search for that 25-year-old man from the Mexican state of Guerrero, the pastor and his Capellanes del Desierto (Desert Chaplains) rescue and recovery group had found his ID card in a wallet 40 feet (12 meters) away from a skull and other bones, picked clean by animals and the relentless sun in the Tohono Oodham Reservation. Since March, Andrade has received more than 400 calls from families in Mexico and Central America whose relatives sick, injured or exhausted were left behind by smugglers in the borderlands. Forensic experts estimate 80% of bodies in the desert are never found, identified or recovered. But those that are, added to massive casualties like 53 migrants trapped in an abandoned trailer in San Antonio, Texas, in June and nine migrants swept away in the Rio Grande this month, point to one of the deadliest seasons on record on the always dangerous southwest border. Fragile economies pummeled by the pandemic in Latin America, ruthless trafficking networks that control virtually all illegal crossings, and shifting U.S. asylum policies that affect migrants of different nationality and family status in drastically different ways all contribute to the toll as does the Southwests extreme heat. Andrade, his group, and an Associated Press journalist accompanying them among towering saguaro cacti quickly came across evidence of distress on this popular smuggling route abandoned backpacks, still full of clothes, coins and even deodorant, and half-full water jugs, several days walk from the closest towns. To be out in the desert is more difficult than to be in a church, said the 44-year-old pastor and father of three teens, who sometimes join him and his wife, Lupita, on these missions. Our commitment is firstly with God, and with the families. The group didnt find the missing 45-year-old Honduran, but planned to look again; it usually takes several trips to locate remains in this desert. Its one of the deadliest corridors, according to aid groups and the U.S. Border Patrol, for migrants who, fearing being rejected under a pandemic provision called Title 42, try to evade authorities instead of turning themselves in right after crossing or applying for protection legally. From staging camps guarded by cartel scouts in areas where the border has no fencing or bollard barriers, the migrants usually men from Mexico and Central America walk north for more than a week. They have to cross dozens of miles of desert mountains and dry washes before reaching major highways where smugglers vehicles will take them to destinations across the United States. Once a person told me, How can I believe, look where my brother is, who always did praise and worship, Andrade recalled during the recent search. For God, there are no mistakes. Yes, there are painful things, like the young man from yesterday, who died because of some blisters. Faith often motivates volunteer organizations providing aid along the border. The Capellanes, who search for the missing at least once a week in this rough desert, pray with the grieving families as they share updates and somber news. Being a Christian ministry also reassures families, many of whom are targeted by fake ransom requests after they turn to social media looking for their missing relative. The aunt of the young man from Guerrero, who asked the AP not to use their names because his parents havent been told yet of Andrades discovery, said she had been targeted repeatedly. To bring the comfort of Gods word is what motivated Elda Hawkins to be one of the first volunteers to join Andrades group, she said at a recent church meeting. A dozen members gathered in a small Tucson church to pray for the young man, receive CPR credentials, and discuss a fundraising food drive. We can be a light of hope, for those about to die or for their families, Hawkins said. Andrades group doesnt charge families for the searches, though some contribute to the cost of gas for his truck ferrying the group down rough dirt roads to where they set out on foot. It also works closely with law enforcement, notifying the Border Patrol of every search and then local authorities if it finds human remains, as it has nearly 50 times. Even then, the migrant's body still has a long journey home. It takes time for authorities to retrieve the remains, which are then subject to forensic analysis to determine the cause of death. Often, that's never established; in other cases, the cause is listed as environmental, especially heat stroke and dehydration, said Dr. Greg Hess, chief medical examiner for Pima County. His office, covering migrant deaths also in two adjacent border counties in southern Arizona, received 30 migrant bodies found in July alone, about half of them dead less than three weeks, said Mike Kreyche of Humane Borders, an aid group that maps border deaths. That puts 2022 on track to match the last two years, when cases were almost double other years in the last decade recorded by the office. Along the entire US-Mexican border, since last fall Customs and Border Protection agents stopped migrants for crossing the border illegally more than 1.8 million times, historically an extraordinarily high number. The agency recorded 557 Southwest border deaths the previous year, the highest since it began tracking them in 1998. Given how quickly a body decomposes in the desert, unless its found within a day of dying, identification might require expensive and time-consuming DNA analysis, Hess said. The desert does a good job covering up crimes, said Mirza Monterroso, a forensic scientist and missing migrant program director for the Colibri Center, a Tucson-based group that works with the examiners office. Her database has 4,000 missing migrants 1,300 in Pima County alone from reports from 14 countries and 43 U.S. states. She helps coordinate DNA analysis, costing more than $1,100 per body with a bulk discount. Consulates help cover some of those expenses, as well as the nearly $4,000 it takes to repatriate the remains, which is what most families want, said Azhar Dabdoub, who manages a Tucson funeral home. It was arranging for flights of five migrants bodies to Guatemala and one to El Salvador last week. This is what forced migration looks like at the end, he said, standing next to dozens of just-delivered caskets. They were customized with a small viewing window so families can see something of their relative, even if just a small belonging Dabdoub tapes to the glass. As soon as the remains Andrade just found are recovered, Monterroso will start working on confirming if they are indeed the young Mexican mans. That might take up to a year unless theres a lucky break, like dental records. The young man's aunt, whos lived in the United States since she was 14, told the AP from her home in New York that she still hopes for a miracle. But if the remains are his, we fought to the end to recover what little is left. My nephews dream died at the border, but a person shouldnt end up like this," she said, her voice breaking. They left him in the desert because he had injured his feet. A 38-year-old father of two from Mexico City nearly died the same way last week after he developed debilitating foot blisters near the Baboquivari Peak, just 14 miles (23 kilometers) north of the border in Pima County. Without food for two days and now out of water, he called 911 and was helped down the mountain by Daniel Bolin, an agent with the Border Patrols search, trauma and rescue team who said this was his fifth rescue this year in the same spot. Bolin brought him Gatorade and water before walking him down the precipitous mountain ridge for an hour to an area reachable by all-terrain vehicle. The agency performed 3,000 rescues in the Tucson sector alone over the last 12 months, and another 911 call came from the same mountain that afternoon. About then, sitting in the back of a Border Patrol truck and facing almost certain expulsion to Mexico, the rescued man, who gave his name as Leonardo, said he lost his business during the pandemic and came to the United States to find the work hes been unable to get for two years. But now I dont think Ill come back here. Im too old to walk, he said. Asked about his future, he murmured I dont know and burst into sobs, tears rolling down his sunburned face. - Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan (AP) Pope Francis reaffirmed the critical value Thursday of interfaith dialogue to contrast the folly of war, even as one of his own bishops warned that Francis participation in a big interfaith peace conference in Kazakhstan could imply papal endorsement of a supermarket of religions. Francis delivered the closing speech to the Kazakh governments triennial conference of traditional religions, which gathered some 80 Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist and Taoist faith leaders who called for greater interfaith efforts to combat war, poverty, climate change and other ills facing the world. Francis praised the summit and underlined its conclusion that religion can never be used to justify war -- a call that came against the backdrop of the Russian Orthodox Churchs support of Moscows invasion of Ukraine. The final document says extremism, radicalism, terrorism and all other forms of violence and wars, whatever their goals, have nothing to do with true religion and must be rejected in the strongest possible terms. Without mentioning Russia or any other warring country by name, the final document calls on world leaders to abandon all aggressive and destructive rhetoric which leads to destabilization of the world, and to cease from conflict and bloodshed in all corners of our world. Francis told the gathering that interfaith encounters such as the Kazakh summit are more valuable than ever in challenging times like our own, when the problems of the pandemic have been compounded by the utter folly of war. With a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church at the table, Francis said peace was urgently needed. We plead with you, in the name of God and for the good of humanity: Work for peace, not weapons! Only by serving the cause of peace, will you make a name for yourselves in the annals of history, he said. A note of caution, however, came from Bishop Athenasius Schneider, the auxiliary bishop of Astana and one of Francis most vocal critics. Schneider has joined other traditionalist and conservative cardinals and bishops in criticizing several of Francis signature gestures and what they say are his doctrinal ambiguities on issues such as divorce and remarriage, homosexuality and interfaith outreach. As an auxiliary bishop of Kazakhstans capital, Schneider had to help play host to Francis during his three-day visit and had a prominent role in the pontiffs Thursday morning visit to the capitals cathedral. He accompanied Francis wheelchair down the aisle at the start of the meeting and introduced a line of dignitaries who met the pontiff afterward, serving as translator. But Schneider has also joined American Cardinal Raymond Burke in criticizing a landmark 2019 document Francis signed with the grand imam of al-Azhar university in Cairo which, among other things, said that all religions are willed by God. Some Catholic critics have said the idea that God actively wanted a plurality of religions could lead to relativism that would accept that all religions are equally valid paths to God, when the Vatican holds that Catholicism provides the only true path to salvation. The so-called Human Fraternity document was held up as an example of great historical significance by Kazakhstans president at the start of the interfaith conference, and the final communique recognized its importance and value in calling for peace, dialogue, mutual understanding and mutual respect among believers for the common good. Speaking to reporters at the cathedral, Schneider defended his occasional criticism of the pontiff as respectful, fraternal advice to the pope, borne out of love and providing true help for the church. This is normal because we (bishops) are not employees of the pope, he said. We are brothers. We have to say with respect when we recognize something is a danger for the entire church. This is a help. He welcomed the pope's visit to Kazakhstan, but he warned that Francis participation in such a big international interreligious event could call into question what he said was the Catholic Churchs unique role in providing the sole path to salvation. The congress as such has a good aim to promote mutual respect and understanding in the world today. But it has also a danger because it could give the impression of a supermarket of religions and this is not correct because there is only one true religion, which is the Catholic Church, founded by God himself, Schneider said. He urged the Vatican to reconsider participation in such international events in the future and instead focus on building relationships at a more local level. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Gov. Greg Abbott leads his Democratic challenger Beto ORourke by 5 percentage points, according to a new poll from the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin. The survey found that Abbott received 45% of support among registered voters, while 40% supported ORourke and 4% supported third-party candidates. Three percent of respondents named Someone else as their choice, and 8% said they have not thought about the race enough to have an opinion. The result is almost identical to the margin from when the pollsters last surveyed the race in June, finding Abbott ahead of ORourke 45% to 39%. The latest survey also gave Republican incumbents single-digit leads in two other statewide races. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick led Democrat Mike Collier by 7 points, and Attorney General Ken Paxton registered a 5-point advantage over Democrat Rochelle Garza. More voters remain undecided in those contests than in the gubernatorial election 20% in the lieutenant governors race and 21% in the attorney general one. Abbott is seeking a third term against ORourke, the former El Paso congressman who had a near-miss loss to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018. Forty-six percent of respondents approve of the job Abbott is doing while 44% disapprove, according to the poll. It marks an improvement over the June poll, when Abbotts approval rating was upside down, with 43% approving and 46% disapproving. When it comes to issues, the poll showed voters continue to prioritize the border. Immigration/border security led the list of issues that voters said were most most important to their vote in the election, with 26% choosing it. It was followed by the state economy (13%), abortion (12%) and gun violence (11%). Voters said they trusted Abbott more on the border and economy and ORourke more on abortion. They were equally divided on who had the advantage on gun violence. ORourke has campaigned heavily against Abbott on abortion, highlighting that Abbott signed the trigger law that has banned almost all abortions in Texas following the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Voters registered clear disapproval with the post-Roe landscape in Texas, with 50% saying they support expand[ing] legal access to abortion services in the state now versus 31% who disapproved of that idea. And by a nearly 2-to-1 margin, voters said the state should not dedicate more resources to enforcing its abortion ban. ORourke has also been highly critical of Abbotts refusal to support any new gun restrictions following the Uvalde school shooting. The poll found voters continue to want stricter gun laws, with 54% saying they should be more strict and 23% saying they should be left as is. Abbotts biggest advantage remains the border. By a 12-point margin, voters said they trusted him to do a better job on immigration/border security than ORourke. And 51% said they support Abbotts program to bus migrants to other parts of the country that has captured headlines recently. Thirty-five percent opposed the initiative. President Joe Biden remains unpopular in Texas, though not as much as he was earlier in the summer. The latest poll found Biden has a net approval rating of negative 12 points in Texas, a figure that was negative 20 in June. The poll of 1,200 registered voters was conducted online from Aug. 28 to Sept. 6. The margin of error was +/- 2.83 points. Disclosure: The University of Texas at Austin has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here. The full program is now LIVE for the 2022 Texas Tribune Festival, happening Sept. 22-24 in Austin. Explore the schedule of 100+ mind-expanding conversations coming to TribFest, including the inside track on the 2022 elections and the 2023 legislative session, the state of public and higher ed at this stage in the pandemic, why Texas suburbs are booming, why broadband access matters, the legacy of slavery, what really happened in Uvalde and so much more. See the program. This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2022/09/14/greg-abbott-beto-orourke-texas-gubernatorial-poll/. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. On Wednesday the parents of Robb Elementary shooting victim Alexandria "Lexi" Rubio met with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) in his Washington, D.C. office to plead for his support for a federal ban on assault weapons. Joined by members of Newtown Action Alliance, Felix and Kimberly Rubio hoped to appeal to the conscience of the junior senator, who has resisted calls for new gun control laws in the months since the May 24 mass shooting that took their daughter and the lives of 18 of her classmates as well as two teachers in a shared classroom in Uvalde, Texas. During their meeting with Cruz, Felix produced his phone and offered it to the senator. According to Kimberly, displayed on the device an image the parents say was the last photo they had taken of Lexian image showing the 10-year-old at rest in her child-sized casket. After the meeting Kimberly tweeted a photo she says was taken during this exchange, claiming Cruz took a look at the photo of their daughter and then declined the couple's requests to support new gun reform measures, saying he instead supports increasing law enforcement presence on school campuses. The tweeted image quickly began garnering retweets, many users reacting angrily to what they saw as a non-plussed reaction by the senator in the face of tragedy. Among those upbraiding Cruz was Fred Guttenberg, whose 14-year-old daughter Jaime was killed in the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. "So sorry you had to have this experience with him. Unfortunately, I have had my experience with Ted as well. He is a fraud and I look forward to working with you to fire him." Another who responded to the tweet was Brett Cross, whose 10-year-old son Uziyah Garcia was killed in the Uvalde shooting. "Its time to vote this motherf--ker out as well. Heartless piece of sh-t! His solution? More cops? 376 waiting 77 minutes wasnt enough? F--k you!" One commenter wrote: "Look at that body language. That man couldnt care less and Im so sorry for you all all the other families. We all need to vote him (and Abbott) out." Cruz's support of increased law enforcement on school campuses in lieu of gun control is not new, though his stance on the matter is somewhat dappled by criticisms he's levied against officers for their response to the shooting in Uvalde. In July, the Republican senator called videos that surfaced of officers waiting to breach the classroom where the gunman went on his rampage "deeply concerning." "We need hard answers to understand just what the hell went wrong," Cruz said. "We must have accountability and transparency to understand how these failures could have happened, and to ensure they never happen again. The families of those we lost, and the community of Uvalde deserve answers and they deserve accountability." A Cruz spokesperson gave an emailed statement confirming the senator's meeting with the Rubios but did not mention the phone or image the family claims he was presented with. "[Senator Cruz] saw firsthand the pain and the grief that the unspeakable violence at Robb Elementary School caused," the statement read. It then reiterated Cruz's support of legislation in Congress that would allocate billions of dollars for the purpose of beefing up security and providing mental health resources for students. Billed as the Securing Our Schools Act of 2022, Cruz's proposed bill would allocate $15 billion to double the number of school resource officers, $10 billion to hire 15,000 school-based mental health professionals and provide physical security improvements on school campuses through grants. "Unfortunately, Senate Democrats blocked it with no explanation of why they dont support doubling the number of police officers in schools, hiring 15,000 school-based mental health professionals, and increasing the physical security for children in schools," Cruz's spokesperson wrote. Parents to five children, Felix and Kimberly Rubio have been pushing for gun reform in the months following the tragedy. During Congress' House Oversight and Reform Committee about gun violence in June, the two said they are advocating for a ban on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines, raising the age to purchase such weapons from 18 to 21 years of age, and the passage of red flag laws, among other measures they believe will help prevent future shootings like the one that took their daughter. In early August, Kimberly and Felix met with Gov. Greg Abbott, who told them he was not going to address raising the age to purchase firearms because it was unlikely to pass, adding he said he preferred to instead focus on mental health, according to the Associated Press. A journalist for the Uvalde Leader-News, Kimberly opened up about the suffering and the guilt she feels following Lexi's tragic death in a Sept. 11 column titled "Physical pain never erases emotional ache." In the piece she wrote that on the morning of the shooting, Kimberly and Felix attended an award ceremony at Robb Elementary where Lexi was recognized for achieving all As. "I'm angry with myself," Kimberly wrote. "Thirty-nine minutes. I was with her 39 minutes before the shooting, snapping a photo of her and Mr. Reyes at exactly 10:54 a.m. Why didn't I take her home after her award ceremony? Certainly, she earned an early release after receiving the All-A honor roll and Good Citizen award. Instead, I promised her an after-school frozen treat from Dairy Queen, before telling her I loved her and would pick her up after school." On Wednesday evening Kimberly struck a determined tone with a tweet reiterating her belief in the urgent need for gun reform as a black-and-white matter of public safety. "Regarding a federal ban on assault weapons: you either support saving lives or you care more about aiding the individuals who commit mass shootings," she wrote. "Its a black and white issue. Too many Americans have died to consider any gray areas." Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, WTVC-TV. After a nine year gap the St Joseph's Care Centre Fashion Show is set to make a fabulous return of glitz and glamour and all in the name of a very good cause. This is the fourth run down the catwalk for the charity event: We haven't had one since 2013, Trish McKeon a clerical officer at St Joseph's and one of the co-ordinators of the show tells the Leader, Way back in 2009 we had a meeting. Our Director of Nursing, Brid McGoldrick, was on of the team that suggested we raise funds for the patient comfort fund. After some serious brain racking the plans for the Fashion Show started to hatch: I remembered my mother going to Fashion Shows in the Annally Hotel years ago, it was a real girlie night out. I mention it to a few of the here in St Joseph's and everyone was so up for it. It was an auspicious start for the Fashion Show as it raised 11,000. Fashion and socialising was a heady combination very appealing to the target audience. Add the worthy cause that connects with so many people and that appeal is magnified. The popularity of the event was confirmed in a recent Leader trip Down Memory Lane. It featuring photographs from a 2011 show where crowds flocked to the Longford Arms Hotel for the fashion extravaganza. It was crazy. The first one was in the Annaly Hotel, Trish recalls, before it started, at around 8pm, people were queueing out Grafton Court, past Supermac's, down to the Ulster Bank. We were overwhelmed with the support. We knew it could go either way, there could have been just two people, or two hundred. We didn't anticipate the response. It's no surprise people want to support St Josephs Care Centre. Longfords principle health care facility stands on the site of Longford Workhouse, that later became the county home. The pall that hung over the institution from its 1842 origins have been transformed to an establishment now synonymous with caring. The Patient Comfort Fund at St Joseph's is the beneficiary of the show, a cause people like to support: It's all about local. Everyone chips in together; from models to those donating spot prizes. Even now we are having people giving 50 and 100 sponsorship from businesses and councillors. Before it even starts people are getting behind it. There isn't a person in Longford who doesn't know someone in it, or had relative or friend avail of St Joseph's Care Centre. The fund is so important for patients. They get days away, even something as simple as going to the Mall or Glendeer Pet farm, or a visit of the ice cream cone van on a hot day, Trish says. The show is very much a show. Stalls, raffles and general fun are all part of the evening: One of the highlight of the last show was when, just before the interval, some of our residents came out and strutted their stuff. Everyone started clapping and cheering. Trish dismisses the notion this is just a girlie night: We have a number of male models on the night. Eddie Valentine, David Donnelly, Paul Trueick, our on site GP, and Barry Gilleran will all take to the catwalk. We have fashion for both men and women and it's very much a mixed crowd. MC on the night will be Benny O'Brien. Trish thanked many people for supporting the organisation of the event, including Orlagh Reynolds in the Longford Arms, Fenelon Engineering, Frank Kiernan, councillors, local doctors, dentists and opticians: It's amazing how much people like to support us, Trish concluded. Participating retailers supporting the event include: Spirit Clothing, Miss Spirit, Fabiani, Pia Boutique, Kennys Fashions, Unique Boutique, Matt OBrien Fashions, Durkins, Cherche La Femme, Wendy Louise Designs, Catriona Hanly Atelier, and Venezuela Boutique. The St Joseph's Care Centre Fashion Show takes place on Friday, September 16 in Longford Arms Hotel at 8pm A Longford man before the courts on a series of public order charges has been arrested by UK police while attending a funeral in Liverpool, a court has heard. Robbie Delaney (34) 3 Cuirt An Oir, Killashee Street, Longford, had been scheduled to appear at a sitting of Longford District Court last week to face charges relating to an incident in Longford town on May 19 this year. The Longford man, who has a string of previous theft convictions to his name, was arrested and charged with section 4 and 6 public order as well as allegedly stealing a mobile phone worth 200 from a man in the Fee Court area of town along with 50 in cash. Mr Delaney was further charged with allegedly impeding gardai John Fitzmaurice and Glenn Horan and the theft of a set of handcuffs. When Mr Delaney, who was also before the court last week accused of breaching a community safety order, was called before Judge Bernadette Owens last Tuesday it was revealed he was currently behind bars in England. I am told he is in prison in Liverpool, said defence solicitor Brid Mimnagh. A relative (of Mr Delaneys) said he went back to attend a funeral in Liverpool last week and was arrested on foot of outstanding charges, she said. The accused had initially appeared in court the day after the alleged incident in May along with three other co-accused, a male and two females. In November 2020, Mr Delaney had a six month suspended prison sentence revoked after being found guilty of four shoplifting offences at various outlets in Longford town over the course of a two week period. He had previously been sentenced the previous September after he was convicted of 17 theft charges in total. The case was ultimately adjourned to a sitting of Longford District Court on October 4, to allow the State to liaise with law enforcement agencies in the UK to determine whether those claims were true. The High Court in Dublin has rejected an application by an Irish schoolteacher for an injunction to prevent his school from continuing his paid suspension from work. Enoch Burke, who is an evangelical Christian, was suspended from work on full pay last month pending the outcome of a disciplinary process after a number of incidents stemming from a transgender row in school. Burke voiced on several occasions his opposition to a request from the secondary schools principal to address a transgender child by their name and refer to them by the pronoun they. Subsequent events led to his suspension from his job at Wilsons Hospital School in Co Westmeath. Burke was committed to Mountjoy Prison in Dublin earlier this month by a High Court judge after he breached a temporary court order to stay away from his workplace. The teacher returned to prison on Wednesday after the orders he sought were rejected by Ms Justice Eileen Roberts. Ms Justice Roberts said she was not convinced Burke had a strong chance of succeeding at a full trial between him and his employers. The school accused him of confronting the principal at a school event in June, which led the principal to raise concerns about his future behaviour. The principal then compiled a report last August which led to the disciplinary process. Burke made an application seeking an injunction against the process. He told the court on Wednesday that the process was unlawful and in breach of his constitutional rights. He also claimed that any conclusion reached as a result of the disciplinary process would be legally unsustainable. He told the court there is no lawful basis for his paid administrative leave and he should be allowed to resume his teaching at the school. He claimed the entire process had been invalid. He also said the report went far beyond mere gathering of evidence and the statement of the principal was entirely false. Ms Justice Roberts told Burke he could have challenged the decision to suspend him at an earlier stage, and that he was now seeking to re-run arguments he made at previous hearings. She said the application was procedurally misconceived, but that as he was a lay litigant, she would consider it. Ms Justice Roberts said that while Burke was entitled to his religious beliefs, which were genuinely held, they were not attacked by the decision of the school to put him on paid administrative leave. She gave Burke an opportunity to purge his contempt but he said he could not do that. He said: The court is asking me to purge my contempt but the court has robbed me of my constitutional rights. I do think it is a gross injustice that the plaintiff and the court is seeking to deny me my religious beliefs and take away something that ultimately guaranteed. I go back to jail as a law-abiding subject of this state always but a subject of God first. The judge said the two issues should not be conflated, and that Burke was in jail because he had violated court orders. Rosemary Mallon, barrister for the school, said the applications were not about transgenderism but about his failure to follow lawful directions of the schools board of management and to comply with court orders. She said Burkes application sought to render moot the courts previous orders. The defendant in previous hearings has indicated he does not intend to purge contempt. He is, by this application, seeking to be released from prison without purging contempt, Ms Mallon added. A Longford salon is celebrating this week after it captured the prestigious 'Team of the Year' accolade at The Irish Hair and Beauty Awards 2022. Zara Exclusive Hair Design, located in the Hazelwood Shopping Centre, Athlone Road, Longford town, was thrilled to win the 'Team of the Year' award. Staff members thoroughly enjoyed the glittering awards ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport on Sunday, September 4. The host was Andrea Hayes and she presented the winners as voted for by the public and congratulated them for being at the forefront of the industry. Zara Exclusive Hair Design posted on their Facebook page: "We want to thank all our customers for their continued support and of course to our outstanding team!" The Irish Hair and Beauty Awards showcase those who promote excellence, set the trends and take care of our hair, nails, lashes and make-up needs in the best possible way. The event also recognises the most distinguished, the most stylish and comfortable salons in Ireland, whose lovely atmosphere and talented team, make them stand out amongst the rest. A Spokesperson for The Irish Hair and Beauty Awards 2022 said, The winners lead the way in providing innovative treatments and are role models for the rest of the beauty world. We would like to congratulate all finalists and winners for their amazing achievements. Granard is poised to become the beating heart of literature in Ireland. Granard Booktown Festival will take place from April 21-23, 2023 and will feature some of the finest international, national and local writers showcasing a wealth of storytelling from climate change to international politics to the place of history and farming in rural Ireland. Formed as Irelands first Booktown and part of the international Booktown community, Granard Booktown Festival is run by a committee of local writers, artists and academics and thanks to our accessibility board member James Cawley, will be a fully accessible festival. The festival has already attracted significant literary figures from Ireland and abroad as patrons, notably Man Booker prize winner Richard Flanagan, Emmy nominated journalist and Longford native Shaunagh Connaire, former Longford County librarian Mary Carleton Reynolds and RTE radio host and founder of Ireland's largest book club Rick O'Shea. Rick OShea enthused: "I couldn't have been more thrilled when I was asked to be one of the Patrons for a brand-new festival and the inauguration of Granard as a Book Town. "It's a place that's perfect for a new project like this and, in the heartland of what is already a thriving arts scene in Longford, I'm certain it's going to become one of the annual highlights of the calendar. "There are already some amazing local, national, and international guests lined up. See you there on the weekend!" Who are the Granard Booktown organisers? Lead by Still Voices Film Festival co-founder Ronan OToole and best-selling author John Connell, Granard Booktown is run by a diverse group of people from across County Longford. Other members include, Viv Huynh, James Cawley, Cllr Remu Adejinmi, Belinda McKeon and Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Turlough McGovern. It is the aim of the board is to see the festival firmly established as one of Irelands premiere literary festivals and a destination for tourists from across the country and beyond. What are Booktowns? Booktowns are found throughout the world from Wigtown in Scotland (who have been helping and guiding us on our journey to establish Irelands first Booktown) to South Africa, Spain and the USA. Booktowns use the arts to bring cultural events to rural communities and house bookstores with the aim of attracting cultural tourists to the area, where writers and the public can meet, discuss books and share in the enjoyment of reading and all things cultural. Who will come to the Booktown festival? The festival will have a wide-ranging programme covering the latest literary books, cultural magazines, political issues, childrens talks and home grown talent. Those who love books, and the arts will find a homely welcome from this picturesque town of Granard nestled within the hidden heartlands of Ireland. All roads lead to Granard, Co Longford, April 21-23, 2023 for the inaugural Booktown festival. For more information visit their website www.granardbooktownfestival.ie or follow us on social media. The Full Moon Melodies: Mid-Autumn Festival Chinese Chamber Music Concert held in Sydney 14:23, September 15, 2022 By Jiaqi Dai ( People's Daily Online SYDNEY, Sept. 12 (Peoples Daily Online) The Mid-Autumn Festival Chinese Chamber Music Concert, performed jointly by Chinese and Australian artists showcasing a traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn cultural atmosphere, was held at the China Cultural Center in Sydney on Sept. 9 and Sept. 10. Musical Director John Huie delivers a short speech. (Photo/Hanyue Li) The concert was choreographed and directed by the well-known Australian musical director John Huie. The concerts featured a unique selection of repertoires, conductors and performers, ranging from classical Chinese folk music and Western classical music to new works that have been rearranged with a blend of Chinese and Western musical elements, reflecting the extensive links between Australia and China in the field of music. Piano solo by Alexander Yau. (Photo/Hanyue Li) Chinese traditional music instruments such as the Zheng, Sheng, Pipa and Erhu and Western musical instruments such as the piano, violin, viola and cello were matched perfectly by the Chinese and Australian musicians, delivering a spectacular audio-visual feast. Eleven Chinese and Australian musicians performed Chinese pieces such as Picking Tea and Fluttering Butterflies, Crescent Moon Over Ancient China, Love Song of Kangding, Morning Song and Chengdu, including a video presentation Mount Viewed by Monkey Meihu Opera by the Sichuan Opera Theater of Chengdu, as well as Western masterpieces such as Air from Suite No.3, BWV 1068, Moonlight Serenade and Variations on Awariguli. These 14 carefully arranged pieces brought the audience a unique kind of musical enjoyment, fully appreciating the beauty of the interplay and harmony between Chinese and Western music. Musicians perform Crescent Moon Over Ancient China. (Photo/Hanyue Li) The event was jointly organized by the China Cultural Centre in Sydney and Australia China Economic, Trade and Culture Association. Xiao Xiayong, Director of the China Cultural Centre in Sydney and the China Tourism Office in Sydney, said that the Mid-Autumn Festival is an important traditional festival in China, and there is no better way to express the emotions of the Mid-Autumn Festival than through beautiful music. This joint performance by Chinese and Australian artists conveys true feelings through music and communicates with the heart through art. He hopes that such events can bring more opportunities for deepening cultural exchanges and tourism cooperation between the two countries. Violinist Marrianne Liu and Cellist Paul Stender. (Photo/Hanyue Li) (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Contraception is now available for free to women aged 17-25 who live in Ireland a move welcomed by a healthcare provider after what it called a long wait. The policy marks the first free contraceptive scheme in Irelands history. Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly launched the scheme on Wednesday, saying it was just the first step in the phased introduction of free contraception for the general public. From their 17th birthday until the day before their 26th birthday, women will be able to access contraceptives for free from GPs, pharmacists and primary care centres who sign contracts with the HSE to provide services as part of the scheme. These include the cost of a consultation which can go as high as 80 euro, and the insertion or removal of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), such as the coil. The insertion of the coil costs around 195 euro, according to one provider, with its removal costing 60 euro. Mr Donnelly said: Womens health is a top priority for myself and this Government and was strongly supported in Budget 2022, with 31 million euro additional funding for new developments in womens health, including the nine million euro for this contraception scheme. Access to free contraception was a key recommendation accompanying the Repeal of the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution and is a key element of the Womens Health Action Plan. We are removing any financial barriers to the age cohort for whom such barriers are most likely to be an issue. In 1935, the Irish state banned the sale or importation of contraceptives. There was a partial lifting of this in 1979 when pharmacists were allowed to provide them if presented with a prescription. By 1992, contraceptives could be sold to people aged over 17 at any location, and without the need for a prescription. In our history, contraception the idea that women should have the power to control their own fertility it has long been a controversial subject. It has, at various times even threatened to bring down governments, Mr Donnelly said on Wednesday. He added that it was always his intention to launch the scheme in September, despite the funding being allocated for the scheme in the Budget unveiled last year. The Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA), a sexual and reproductive healthcare provider, welcomed the announcement, saying that it would enable women to choose a contraceptive method based on their personal needs rather than affordability. Speaking to the PA news agency, IFPA chief executive Niall Behan said: Its been a long time coming but were delighted none-the-less. This is something that we have been continuously raising with the department, with the HSE, with other parliamentarians the need for this. Weve been campaigning on this for many years because we see contraception as essential healthcare. Thats why we were founded in the first place. The IFPA was established in 1969 by seven volunteers in response to the Irish states blanket ban on contraception. Mr Behan said that the IFPA plans to offer the free contraception services from Wednesday the same day the policy was officially announced. What we have to focus on now is getting the scheme rolled out to the other age cohorts, he said, adding that young adults aged below 17 as well as older adults should be included. The decision to start with this age cohort was a political decision, but Mr Behan added that it makes sense to start with this age cohort. They are the group that present with unintended pregnancies. They are the group that find it difficult to get the money together for the long-acting contraception, he said. Access to #FreeContraception has been an IFPA priority since 1969. We commend @DonnellyStephen for progressing this scheme which will have a hugely positive impact on the health & well-being of 17 25 year old women. We look forward to its rapid expansion to under 17s & over 25s pic.twitter.com/EcBYlpAkub IFPA (@IrishFPA) September 14, 2022 When asked about when the next age cohort would be added to the scheme, Mr Donnelly said: Id like to see progress being made year-on-year. I think we have to keep up momentum on this. He added that there are legislative complexities with providing free contraception to 16-year-olds. Mr Behan added: In a broader sense we know that this type of scheme is the only way to guarantee equal access to contraception. That is, to have no cost involved. Removing cost, even though its for a limited age group initially, is a real step forward. We really see this as a social good. Contraception is really integral to good health and wellbeing. AfriTin Mining Ltd - technology metals mining company focused on Namibia - Negotiates funding package of USD48.3 million comprising debt, a convertible bond, equity and royalty funding. Package consists of a placing and subscription of around USD17.5 million, through the issue of shares at a price of 5.0 pence each. Hannam & Partners Advisory Ltd and Stifel Nicolaus Europe Ltd will act as joint bookrunners. There is also a conditional USD25 million investment from a fund managed by Orion Resource Partners, including a royalty, convertible note and equity subscription. The Orion financing comprises USD12.5 million for a gross royalty over tin production, entitling Orion to receive 4.5% of gross revenue of all tin products produced at the Uis mine in Namibia. There is also providing USD10.0 million through a convertible note with a four-year term and 12% coupon, and USD2.5 million through a subscription of shares. Finally, there is a proposed USD5.8 million lending facility with the Development Bank of Namibia Proceeds from the package will go towards financing AfriTin's existing operations, including expansion plans for the lithium and tantalum by-product development at the mine. "We are delighted to announce today's proposed funding package which, together with our cash resources, would significantly accelerate our operations in Namibia and fully fund the development of our exciting lithium and tantalum by-product opportunities. In addition, the proposed funding package would help us accelerate the regional drilling programme in what has become an exciting new tech-metals province as well as commence the Feasibility Study for the larger Phase 2 production phase at Uis," said Chief Executive Officer Anthony Viljoen. Current stock price: 5.40 pence 12-month change: up 2.9% By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Alliance News) - Malvern International PLC on Thursday reported a widened interim loss due to growing investment in Asia and higher costs. The London-based global learning and skills development company said its pretax loss widened to GBP676,000 in the six months to June 30, compared to GBP345,000 in the same period the year before. This deterioration was primarily the result of an increase in investment in Malvern's new and targeted revenue streams, such as in India, Nepal and China. The company's cost of services sold & operating expenses widened to GBP2.7 million this year from GBP1.6 million last year. Revenue increased 62% to GBP2.3 million from GBP1.4 million last year. Malvern's English language training centre revenue was ahead of its pre-pandemic peak, while the company's junior summer camps generated GBP1.4 million following two years of no activity. The company proposed no interim dividend. Looking forward, Malvern drew attention to its work with "the biggest agencies in Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Italy" for its English language training. The company said "the pipeline of bookings is strong." Chief Executive Officer Richard Mace stated: "The company is seeing the benefits of its strategic investment over the last two years in its brand, sales and marketing, management team, processes, partnerships, products and student offering. The board believes this investment puts Malvern in a strong position to grow its market share for the remainder of 2022 and beyond. "Pre-booked and delivered revenues for the second half of 2022 are showing a three-fold increase on the second half of 2021 and are ahead of like-for-like pre-pandemic levels of the second half of 2019. Pre-bookings indicate that the group can expect further growth in revenues in 2023." Shares in Malvern International were at 0.095 pence each on Wednesday. By Chris Dorrell; chrisdorrell@alliancenews.com Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Alliance News) - Tertiary Minerals PLC surged on Thursday after it said it has signed a technical cooperation agreement with First Quantum Minerals Ltd to "turbo-charge" two of its copper exploration projects in Zambia. Shares in the Macclesfield, England-based mineral exploration and development company surged 68% to 0.18 pence each in London on Thursday morning. The agreements covers Tertiary's Mukai and Mushima North projects. The Mukai project exploration licence is located in Zambia's north-western province. It is directly adjacent to First Quantum's Trident project which includes its sentinel copper mine and the recently opened nickel mine, Tertiary noted. The Mushima North exploration licence, in the Kasempa district, is also in an active exploration area for First Quantum. Together, Tertiary and First Quantum will set up a technical committee. Tertiary said the objective of the committee is to work collaboratively to advance and develop the two projects. It will also advise and assist Tertiary on the project's technical matters, it added. Further, under the agreement, First Quantum will provide Tertiary with all of its historical exploration data for the two licence areas and Tertiary will submit its exploration results to the technical committee on an ongoing basis. However, Tertiary noted that the contract does not bind either company to any further agreement or give First Quantum any first rights of refusal. Chair Patrick Cheetham said: "This agreement will turbo-charge Tertiary's Zambian exploration in these two key licence areas. We are set to benefit from FQM's extensive and in-depth country experience, gained over many years of exploration and mine development in Zambia and, importantly, its site-specific historical exploration in and around these two exciting projects. "For Tertiary, the agreement will effectively harness the expertise of one of the world's largest copper producers without the associated cost, and in return FQM will gain first-hand knowledge of any new discoveries that we make, and will be in pole position, should we seek an exploration or development partner in future." By Sophie Rose; sophierose@alliancenews.com Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. The delay in a new deal being reached between the British and Spanish government over the validity of UK driving licences in Spain appears to have tested the patience of tens of thousands of British residents who have failed to have exchanged their UK licence for a Spanish one. In early July the British Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott, said that a deal was due to have been reached by the end of July - it did not happen. He said that negotiations were due to have continued during August with a deal on the table, but still nothing has been achieved and now British residents are planning on taking protest action. A Facebook site called Invasion of the British embassy in Madrid for the DL exchange lssue has been set up it states that the aim of the group is to organise a demonstration at the British Embassy in Madrid regarding the problem of the exchange of British licences in Spain. The primary aim of this event will be for a delegation to have a discussion with the Ambassador and his staff. Any violence or calls for violence will not be tolerated. The latest update from the embassy was on August 26: The negotiations remain a top priority and teams are working hard to conclude them as quickly as possible. In the last two weeks, we have made further progress on the annexes and we and DfT are currently waiting for the Spanish to come back to us on some outstanding points. As soon as we have anything further to update on, we will let you know. "We are very aware of the difficulties and frustration this is causing many of you particularly in the heat of the summer. We read all your messages and continue to share examples of the difficulties being faced with the negotiating teams. A reminder that if you find yourself in a really vulnerable position, please do call our consular team on 0034 917 146 300 who will do their best to advise on any support that may be available. One of the most recent difficulties has been for Britons wishing to sign the books of condolence to the Queen, many have been unable to do so because they are currently unable to drive and they vented their anger and frustration on the Brits in Spain government Facebook site plus in Twitter. In the meantime, the only solution is to take a Spanish driving test or hire a car. A hire car can be driven by a British resident using a UK licence. Greg Sukiennik has worked at all three Vermont News & Media newspapers and was their managing editor from 2017-19. He previously worked for ESPN.com, for the AP in Boston, and at The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Mass. Despite being frustrated for much of their Champions League clash with RB Leipzig, Real Madrid still managed to pull out a 2-0 victory on Wednesday night. Los Blancos entered the match on the back of an impressive victory over Celtic last time out, however things weren't quite as straightforward against the Germans. Leipzig put in a brave and committed performance, but failed to convert their chances, with late strikes from Federico Valverde and Marco Asensio deciding the contest. Leipzig managed three attempts in the opening 10 minutes compared to Real Madrid's zero, with Emil Forsberg missing a good chance in the 21st minute after sending his first-time shot wide of the mark. Antonio Rudiger Rodrigo Jimenez EFE Although the Germans looked the better side for much of the half, the two teams entered the break level. Luka Modric was seen arguing with officials as the players left the field, a sign that Real Madrid were left frustrated by their performance. The trend continued after the break as Leipzig's players continued to take on Real Madrid defenders one-on-one in hopes of a breakthrough, while Real Madrid struggled to carve out much of anything in attack as their full-backs were much more interested in defending than surging forward. Federico Valverde celebrates Rodrigo Jimenez EFE With all signs pointing towards a goalless draw, Real Madrid, as they seem to always do, found their breakthrough. Valverde needed one touch to control the ball and a touch to set himself before curling a left-footed strike into the back of the net. The goal seemed to deflate Leipzig, who had played so well up to that point, with Real Madrid wrapping up proceedings in injury time. Marco Asensio, who hasn't seen the field all that much this season, fired a Toni Kroos ball first time in off the post, with Real Madrid making it two wins from two in the Champions League. BRUSSELS (AP) European Union lawmakers on Thursday declared that Hungary has become a hybrid regime of electoral autocracy under the leadership of its nationalist government, and that its undermining of the blocs democratic values had taken Hungary out of the community of democracies. In a resolution that passed 433-to-123 with 28 abstentions, the parliamentarians raised concerns about Hungarys constitutional and electoral systems, judicial independence, possible corruption, public procurement irregularities, LGBTQ+ rights, as well as media, academic and religious freedoms. The lawmakers said that Hungary which its populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban characterizes as an illiberal democracy has left behind many of the democratic values of the bloc. In part, they blamed the other 26 EU member countries for turning a blind eye to possible abuses during Orban's 12 years in office. The vote is the latest in a series of showdowns between the EU's institutions and Orban's government in Budapest. The bloc's executive arm, the European Commission, is expected to announce Sunday that it is prepared to suspend payments of some EU money to Hungary over its alleged violations. The French Greens parliamentarian who chaperoned the resolution through the assembly, Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield, said for the first time, an EU institution is stating the sad truth, that Hungary is no longer a democracy. In the text, the lawmakers condemned the deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian government to undermine the founding values of the Union. The vote is highly symbolic in that it sets Hungary apart from other EU countries in its alleged failure to uphold values enshrined in the EU treaty like respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. But the vote, which came during a plenary session in Strasbourg, France, doesn't impose any penalty on Orbans government, nor does it bind other EU countries into taking any particular actions. Delbos-Corfield said Orban and the ruling Fidesz party have put their time and effort into tearing apart the fabric of democracy and ripping up the rule of law instead of supporting their citizens. The costs for Hungarian citizens are clear: They are having their rights removed and opportunities undermined, all while their state is stripped apart by autocrats and oligarchs, she said. Lawmakers opposing a report on the resolution said it contains subjective opinions and politically biased statements, and reflects vague concerns, value judgements and double standards. Hungary's foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, said Thursday during a news conference in Budapest that Hungarian voters had decided in four parliamentary elections in a row what kind of future they want for the country by electing Orban and his party. We resent that some people in Strasbourg and Brussels think that the Hungarian people are not mature enough to decide their own future, Szijjarto said. Hungary has long been on a collision course with its European partners. It has routinely blocked joint statements, decisions and events, ranging from high-level NATO meetings with Ukraine to an EU vote on corporate tax and a common EU position on an Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire. The government in Budapest has opposed some EU sanctions against Russia, notably a freeze on the assets of Russias Orthodox Church patriarch, as well as energy-related sanctions against Moscow. Members of the European Commission are meeting Sunday, when they are expected to announce a cut in Hungary's EU funding unless it takes action to end its democratic backsliding. Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn said says suspending around 70% of the funding to Hungary in some EU programs, notably related to public contract procurement, can be considered proportionate. It's unclear how much money that would involve. A full suspension of EU funds is unlikely. Any action must be approved by the member countries, and this requires a qualified majority, which amounts to 55% of the 27 members representing at least 65% of the total EU population. Some EU lawmakers have expressed concerns that if Italy's far right wins the country's Sept. 25 election it could be difficult to establish that majority. Q and A with USA's Riley Werschky The Tribune interviews USA volleyball player Riley Werschky. Read on to find out more about her. Know your facts before putting someone on blast on Facebook A trend has emerged in the last few years where as soon as someone is upset about something, they... Trips down memory lane well received Over the last few months, Ive written columns from some of my childhood memories and/or pearls... This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MEXICO CITY (AP) This week the objective was to insert mention of Julian Assange into a meeting between Mexicos president and the United States top diplomat. Next week, it will be to have Australias prime minister bring it up with the U.S. president at Queen Elizabeth IIs funeral. The efforts are part of the campaign by John Shipton, father of the WikiLeaks founder, to find allies and convince the U.S. to drop espionage charges against Assange, who remains in a British prison awaiting extradition to the U.S. The journey by the septuagenarian Australian architect together with another son, Gabriel, brought them this week to Mexico. The country has become the familys main ally in Latin America since President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador offered Assange political asylum and called for the U.S. to allow him to seek refuge there. We call President Lopez Obrador an ice-breaker, because afterward the leaders of Chile, Colombia and Bolivia called for his release too, Gabriel Shipton said during the visit to Mexico. Among a packed scheduled of events, John Shipton received the key to the capital Wednesday on behalf of Assange, a ceremonial honor the city bestows on distinguished guests. The day before, he addressed Mexicos Senate. American prosecutors say Assange helped U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning steal classified diplomatic cables and military files that WikiLeaks later published, putting lives at risk. He faces 17 charges of espionage and one charge of computer misuse. His defenders consider Assange a symbol of a free press and a fight for justice who exposed U.S. military wrongdoing in Iraq and Afghanistan. Assange was arrested in London in 2010 at the request of Sweden pending a preliminary investigation into allegations of sexual assault, which he has denied. In 2012, he broke the conditions of his bail and sought refuge in Ecuadors embassy where he stayed until being asked to leave in 2019. He was immediately arrested again. When his father visited him in jail that year, Assange asked for help. That led Shipton to launch his globetrotting campaign with Gabriel, trying to reach average people, because politicians want those peoples votes, he said. They went from Australia to Europe, the United States and Mexico. Each politicians statement in favor of Assanges release, every headline, is oxygen for Assange, who has been held in a maximum security prison. The effort has been all consuming, Shipton said in a Mexico City hotel, as he and Gabriel listed the days events, which included a protest at the U.S. embassy, a meeting with a government official, press interviews and phone calls, including one with Assange. Those calls from prison cut after 10 minutes, said Shipton, who declined to say how often they speak or what they discuss. I cant report on conversations between father and son. This is not public, he said. Shipton was estranged from Assange until his 20s, according to a documentary called Ithaka, produced by Gabriel Shipton, which suggests a complicated relationship. John Shipton smiled remembering Assanges wedding in March to his lawyer Stella Moris, a day Shipton described as like a flower in the desert. Uncomfortable with media, but conscious that he needs then, Shipton questions them constantly, telling them Assanges case directly affects their ability to continue reporting freely. His visit to Mexico will finish with his participation in Independence Day activities Thursday night and Friday. Lopez Obrador invited Shipton to events with relatives of Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and Che Guevara, in what appeared to be an attempt to evoke emblematic figures of the 20th century. The Shiptons plan to continue their efforts in Latin America next year, hoping that Brazils Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva returns to the presidency. You just take each moment as it comes and you do your very best you can, you dont depend upon optimism, hope, you just do your work, Shipton said, noting its a work that never ends. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) In a state with the second-most federally recognized Indigenous tribes in the country, California officials and tribal leaders announced an initiative Wednesday to drive up tourism in native communities. The initiative, Visit Native California, and its accompanying website are funded by a $1 million grant from the American Rescue Plan Act, which targets public health and economic impacts of the pandemic and was signed into law by President Joe Biden last year. Tribes announced it in partnership with Visit California, the state's main tourism marketing agency. It's one of the latest efforts to revitalize tourism nationwide after the early stage of the pandemic halted travel and the spending that comes with it. California lost a projected $72.8 billion in tourism spending in 2020, according to research by Tourism Economics, a data and consulting firm. The goal is to inform tourists about the music, art, nature, and history that have shaped tribal communities for generations. The website will promote locations around the state, including through podcasts, and provide itineraries for travelers. This project, this site, it gives my tribe the opportunity, the ability to share our culture, said Reid D. Milanovich, chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, at a press conference at the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza in Palm Springs. The plaza, which will open next year, hosts the 48,000-square-foot Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, a trail and a spa at the sacred Agua Caliente mineral hot spring. Other tribal sites promoted by the campaign include the Barona Cultural Center and Museum in Lakeside, California, and a cultural center in the Santa Monica Mountains near Los Angeles. Milanovich, whose ancestral lands see 200,000 annual visitors, said he hopes the initiative leads to similar ones in other states. I am optimistic and hope that other states across the country see what we are doing here in California, Milanovich said. The state and tribes partnering on tourism is a win-win." Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California, estimates that the organization has been in contact with more than a dozen of Californias 109 tribes ahead of the initiatives rollout, set for March 2023. Leaders involved in the initiative hope it offers a chance for visitors to become more informed about the history of tribal lands. Cultural tourism to us is so important for many, many reason, said Sherry Rupert, American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association President and CEO. ___ Sophie Austin is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Sophie Austin on Twitter. A portion of Interstate 95 was closed for hours Wednesday as state police investigated an overnight shooting that left one person dead and two injured. I-95 southbound was closed around midday Wednesday between exits 18 in Westport and 16 in Norwalk, Connecticut State Police Trooper First Class Pedro A. Muniz said. The police investigation stems from a shooting that occurred on the highway early Wednesday morning. State police said Earl Gayle, 31, and Rashawn McCalla, 28, were wounded and transported to Stamford Hospital. Gayle, who was sitting in the front passenger seat at the time the shootings were reported, was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to state police. McCalla, who was sitting in the left rear passenger seat, was reported to be in stable condition following surgery, state police said. The driver was identified by state police as Jovel McKenzie, 29. They reported McKenzie had sustained a superficial wound to the right shoulder, but declined medical attention. State police said they recovered 10 shell casings south of the Exit 16 on-ramp and also seized what they described as "numerous items of evidentiary value," including the vehicle in which Gayle, McCalla and McKenzie were found. It was identified as a 2013 Infiniti G37 registered to New York. Muniz said Darien police contacted state police to report a vehicle containing three wounded people was found just off of Exit 10. "Upon further investigation, it was found that the vehicle was traveling on I-95 southbound between Bridgeport and Darien when another vehicle came alongside and began to fire gunshots," Muniz said. Muniz said the shooting is believed to have been an "isolated incident" and there was no threat to the public. Darien police said it first came to light when a sergeant noticed a vehicle slowly traveling southbound on Noroton Avenue near Maple Street around 3:40 a.m. The operator then drove toward the sergeant to report that multiple people in the vehicle had sustained gunshot wounds, according to Darien police. The incident startled Darien residents who awoke to flashing emergency lights and police vehicles on Maple Street Wednesday morning. Darien Flower Shop owner Paula Glenges, 65, had assumed the car blocking the road had broken down when she arrived to open her nearby store Wednesday morning. She said she hadn't heard any sirens from her home, which is above the flower shop. Her parking lot is often a dumping site for cars that break down considering its close proximity to the highway, she said. She suspected there was something more unusual than a broken down vehicle when she saw gloved officers inspecting the sedan. Officers did not alert her to the reason for the investigation and only asked for any potential camera footage, which she did not have. Im so used to seeing cops because a car has flipped, she said. Ive never heard of a shooting, to be honest, and Ive been here 18 years. The Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crimes Unit has assumed the investigation, he said. STAMFORD A 36-year-old woman was fatally shot Tuesday night in a Woodside Green apartment, police said. According to a press release from Stamford Police, they received a call at roughly 9:45 p.m. Tuesday from a man who said his girlfriend tried to stab him and he shot her. Police said they located the man, 40-year-old Anthony Vines, outside of the apartment complex once they arrived. There was no resistance from Vines or attempt being made to flee from the area, police said. Police discovered Stephanie Guirand in the bedroom. She was pronounced dead as a result of a single gunshot wound to the head, according to police. Officers searched the premises and allegedly found a knife and firearm. Vines has previously been convicted for felony assaults and inciting a riot, according to the state Judicial Branch website. As a felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm, according to a police press release. He was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a firearm and was held on a $500,000 bond. Police confiscated Vines clothes and provided him with a prisoners smock, which he is wearing in the booking photo provided by police. The investigation is ongoing, said Stamford Assistant Police Chief Richard Conklin. We want to inform the public that this was an isolated situation and residents in that area are not in danger, Conklin said. Staff writer Robert Marchant contributed to this report. ignacio.laguarda@stamfordadvocate.com The Department of the Air Force is now offering more reenlistment bonuses to troops in cyber-related careers at a time when the service is preparing to cut incentive pay for some of its toughest non-tech jobs. A list of careers eligible for selective retention bonuses, called SRBs, was updated earlier this month to include cyber careers in the Air Force and Space Force. Those bonuses serve as incentive for highly skilled service members to reenlist. Department of the Air Force spokeswoman Laurel Falls told Military.com that the new specialties added to the reenlistment bonus group are due to an "extreme demand for the advanced skills and talent within the targeted cyber specialties" and added that, while "retention remains high, there are areas, such as some cyber specialties, that signal retention concerns." Read Next: Widow of F-16 Pilot Alleges Possible Counterfeit Ejection Seat Parts in Lawsuit Against Defense Contractors For example, senior airmen with five years of experience in cyber warfare could see upward of an $80,000 bonus if they stay in the ranks for another six years, and it could be as high as $100,000 for some, according to the new list. Overall, the list added two cyber career fields for bonuses and increased the amounts for five other jobs. But those cyber-related reenlistment bonuses come as thousands of airmen, many in some of the most physically demanding and difficult jobs, will see cuts ranging from $900 to $5,400 a year to their Special Duty Assignment Pay, known as SDAP, in fiscal 2023 -- which starts Oct. 1. Some of the more physically taxing and stressful careers expecting special duty assignment cuts include recruiters, basic military training instructors, special reconnaissance operators and pararescue operators. While dozens of enlisted jobs are expecting cuts to special duty assignment pay, no cyber-related careers are at risk of having those funds cut, according to budget documents. The Department of the Air Force has defended the new reenlistment bonuses for cyber-related jobs, saying the cost of retraining those specialty careers can be nearly seven figures. "For some cyber specialties, cumulative individual training costs reach close to one million dollars and the unique National Defense experiences that further develop these member's cyber proficiency are nearly incalculable," Falls told Military.com. "Thus, a proactive approach to reduce retention pressure and demonstrate DAF commitment to talent management of advanced skills is warranted." One of the causes of the Department of the Air Force's retention woes was a push in the private sector to offer increased benefits and larger salaries to attract talent during the start of the pandemic's labor shortage, according to officials. "If you want to work at Buc-ee's along I-35 in Texas, you can do it for [a] $25-an-hour starting salary," Maj. Gen. Ed Thomas, the Air Force Recruiting Service commander, told Military.com in April."You can start at Target for $29 an hour with educational benefits. So you start looking at the competition: Starbucks, Google, Amazon. The battle for talent amidst this current labor shortage is intense." The high bonuses and salaries also hit technical jobs, like private-sector cyber careers. While an $80,000 bonus for an enlisted service member to stay in the ranks is a tempting offer, it's a drop in the bucket compared to some yearly tech salaries. The median pay for civilian information security analysts was around $102,600 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It's also a job sector that is expected to grow by 35% over the next decade. The Air Force is facing a $3 million shortfall to the Special Duty Assignment Budget for 2023, according to the service. Air Force Headquarters held a meeting this past November to address the problem prior to crafting the 2023 budget, Falls told Military.com. To avoid the cuts, lawmakers would have to reinstate the Special Duty Assignment Pay difference in the 2023 budget proposal before it's approved by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden. -- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly. Related: Air Force Pay Cuts Looming Next Month for Airmen in the Service's Toughest Jobs Marine leaders are laying out a more detailed and concrete vision for the use of unmanned platforms and drones that includes things like robot-driven supply lines and robot combat in the wake of the huge maritime exercise in the Pacific. Speaking to reporters from Defense One during a panel Thursday, Brig. Gen. Joseph Clearfield, the Corps' deputy commander for its Pacific forces, explained that leaders are "looking at ... a future where we're able to use robots in the lethal mission." "I think we're looking at being able to use them for missions to hold them much more at risk and then use robots to destroy other robots," Clearfield said. "That is where our experimentation has taken us." Read Next: Women Still Unable to Break Glass Ceiling of Navy SEAL Qualifications The Marine Corps' top officer, Gen. David Berger, went even further and explained that he sees a future where unmanned and robotic vehicles make up part of the logistics chain that would keep Marine units supplied while they fight on remote islands. Berger explained that, in his view, unmanned platforms will soon allow Marines "to conduct tactical and operational logistics because if you have the data, you know where the units are, it's tracking, it's going to know where certain things are needed at a certain point in time and geography in the future." "The fuel, the munitions can be moved to them to meet them there at the right place and time, all autonomously," Berger explained. Ever since the Marine Corps began to pivot from its War on Terror orientation as an "elite counterinsurgency force" to one that places greater emphasis on its amphinbious roots and island-hopping tactics, there has also been a greater focus on how Marines on those islands would be supplied. Drones now appear to be taking a greater role in those plans. "Our commandant has talked about using them to move logistics ... petroleum, oil and lubricants, freshwater, munitions," Clearfield said. Berger also talked about plans to utilize unmanned and autonomous vehicles to transport wounded troops. He put forward a scenario that involved a "helicopter that flies in to pick you up." "There may be medics, corpsmen in the back of that vehicle or in the back of that aircraft, but nobody's flying," he added. Despite the grand plans that leaders are laying out, many of the capabilities that are currently being suggested have not been developed or tested. During the recent Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise -- a biennial, multi-country event held in Hawaii and San Diego that is billed as the largest in the world -- there were only four prototype unmanned surface vessels among the 38 ships. According to a Navy press release, the four drones were "carrying payloads, providing intelligence, and most significantly, gathering data in a real-world environment." The Marine Corps has continued to grow its arsenal of MQ-9 Reaper drones, but even Berger admits "it's not a new platform." He sees it as paving the way for bigger capabilities down the road. Yet, even if the technology develops as leaders hope, there are other issues to iron out. For example, the recent attempted theft of three of the Navy's drone ships by Iran has raised questions about the efficacy and security of the platforms. Plus, Congress hasn't signed up to pay for the new technology yet. Last year, lawmakers nixed the Navy's plan to buy more drone ships over concerns the platforms were unproven and the service had not laid out enough of a strategy. A committee aide told reporters last year, "If you look at [the Navy's] acquisition strategy, there's really no gap between what they're calling these prototype ships and when they go into actual serial production. "We don't believe that's a sound strategy," the aide said, adding that lawmakers were worried about a repeat of the now-controversial littoral combat ship program. -- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin. Related: After a Barrage of Editorials and Critiques, Marine Leaders Defend Restructuring Plan A Nellis Air Force Base officer allegedly groomed a girl for sex, was accused of raping her and committed lewd acts in front of her, police said. Lt. Col. Kevin DiFalco, 40, faces a charge of child abuse and seven counts of lewdness in the presence of a minor. The girl reported to a school counselor last week that she was raped and abused by DiFalco, a person she knew, between December and June. In an interview with police she said DiFalco began grooming her prior to December by sending her underwear and bikinis in the mail with notes saying he wanted to see her wear them, according to a Metropolitan Police Department arrest report. DiFalco and the girl started communicating on Snapchat in November. DiFalco allegedly asked the victim inappropriate questions and they used a code system to let the other know it was safe to talk freely. He also reminded the victim to delete her Snapchat history after each conversation, according to the report. The girl described to police several occasions when she was raped by DiFalco. The victim also said she attempted to overdose in February because of the abuse and was hospitalized. She said she also developed a eating disorder because of the abuse, according to the report. DiFalco was the 57th operations support squadron commander but was relieved of his position on Thursday due to his alleged personal misconduct, a Nellis spokesman said Saturday. The base confirmed that DiFalco was under investigation by Las Vegas police, in coordination with the Air Force. DiFalco was arrested on Thursday and has since posted bail. He is due in court on Oct. 11. 2022 Las Vegas Review-Journal. Visit reviewjournal.com.. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Republicans in Congress are working on "sanctions" against the Department of Veterans Affairs following the agency's decision to provide abortions in limited circumstances, the ranking member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee said Thursday. "I am working with my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee and in the Senate to consider sanctions against VA for violating the Antideficiency Act," Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., said at a committee hearing on reproductive health care at the VA. The Antideficiency Act, or ADA, prohibits federal agencies from spending money that has not been approved by Congress. Violations of the law are subject to administrative and criminal penalties, but it's unclear what type of sanctions Congress could impose, or if providing access to abortions would violate the law as Bost claimed. Read Next: As Air Force Cuts Pay for Thousands, Those with Cyber Skills Now Eligible for Big Reenlistment Bonuses "By ignoring the law, VA is violating the wishes and values of millions of Americans who don't want their tax dollars used to pay for abortion, at VA or anywhere else," Bost added. A spokesperson for Bost told Military.com lawmakers were "still examining what the process for ADA violations would be and how VA would be held accountable for that." Thursday's hearing on reproductive health care at the VA came after the department, for the first time, said it would offer abortions when a pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or when the mother's life is endangered by the pregnancy. The department will also offer abortion counseling to any veteran who requests it. The VA moved forward with its plans Friday, publishing an interim final rule in the Federal Register that allows it to develop and implement the benefit as soon as possible, prompted by the Supreme Court's June decision that overturned the 50-year-old precedent of Roe v. Wade, which guaranteed abortion rights nationwide. The Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization set off waves of anti-abortion legislation in Republican-run states. At least 14 states have banned or nearly banned abortion since the Supreme Court's decision, while another nine have moved to restrict abortion but have been blocked by courts from enforcing the restrictions amid pending legal challenges. The VA maintains that there is no legal impediment to the department offering abortion services despite the so-called Hyde Amendment that restricts federal funding for abortion in most circumstances and that the only reason it didn't before is because abortion care was not included in the department's medical benefits package published in 1999. Democrats in Congress also maintain the VA has authority to cover abortions under the Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996, which says the VA secretary "shall furnish hospital care and medical services ... which the secretary determines to be needed." But Republicans argue that, in addition to the Hyde Amendment, the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 bars the VA from covering abortions. That law directed the VA to provide reproductive health care except for "infertility services, abortions or pregnancy care" unless that care is needed because of a service-connected condition. In addition to Bost's threatened sanctions, Republicans on Thursday also alluded to the potential for a lawsuit against the new policy. "I look forward to it being overturned by the courts, and I plan to do whatever I can to support that effort," said Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont. An estimated 96,200 female VA patients live in states that have banned or severely restrict abortion, according to written testimony to the committee from Kayla Williams, a researcher at Rand Corp. Annually, the VA has had to send an average of 10 to 20 veterans to outside doctors for "life saving" abortion care, Shereef Elnahal, the VA's undersecretary for health, said Thursday. The VA estimates it could provide about 1,000 abortions annually under the new policy, the majority of which would be medication abortions, added Amanda Johnson, the departments director of womens reproductive health. "We could not contend with the safety environment after the Dobbs decision," Elnahal said. Democrats on the House Veterans Affairs Committee have also been soliciting feedback from veterans on abortion and reproductive health care at the VA, including by launching an online survey. As of this week, the survey has received more than 450 responses, committee Chairman Mark Takano, D-Calif., said at the hearing. Of the responses, about 90% said the VA should provide abortion counseling, and 73% said it should "always" or "sometimes" provide abortion care, Takano added. "Women veterans have worn the uniform of our country with pride, and that is why it is an insult to their service that they would be denied from making the most personal choices about their bodies and their lives," Takano said. "Fortunately, President Biden and [VA Secretary Denis] McDonough are taking bold action to avert imminent and future harm to veterans by restoring certain reproductive health care freedoms that were eliminated in the wake of the Supreme Court's recent decision." -- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at Rebecca.Kheel@Military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel. Related: VA Moves Ahead with Abortion Care as Lawsuits and Republican Opposition Loom The Department of Veterans Affairs will extend benefits through 2025 for veterans who joined its family caregiver program under the original eligibility criteria, it announced Thursday. The extension for the veterans and their caregivers, known as "legacy" participants, will run through Sept. 30, 2025, while the VA continues to review the program, including eligibility criteria that were changed in 2020 as the department prepared to expand the program to veterans from all eras -- a requirement of the 2018 Mission Act. The announcement comes six months after the VA paused discharges from the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers -- dismissals that resulted from a change in eligibility that was expected to make one-third of the 19,000 participants ineligible. Officials realized, after the removals began, that the new criteria actually would have eliminated about 90% of participating families. Read Next: As Air Force Cuts Pay for Thousands, Those with Cyber Skills Now Eligible for Big Reenlistment Bonuses Following the criteria change, caregivers of post-9/11 veterans said they were being unfairly dismissed from the program, explaining assessments under the new rules did not account for veterans who require supervision and protection and focused only on severe physical disabilities. The family caregiver program provides benefits to eligible veterans and caregivers that include support; respite care; health care; and stipends, ranging from roughly $1,000 to $3,000, that were meant to reimburse a family member or friend for the care they provide to a veteran in lieu of a home health aide. VA Caregiver Support Program Executive Director Colleen Richardson said the extension would provide support to caregivers as the department works to improve the program. "This extension allows us to continue supporting this cohort of veterans and caregivers, while VA separately conducts program improvement initiatives aimed at ensuring the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers addresses the unique needs of veterans of all eras and their caregivers," Richardson said in a press release. The extension applies to legacy participants who were enrolled as of Sept. 30, 2020, as well as those who applied before Oct. 1, 2020, and were accepted into the program after that date, according to a VA release. "We will stop at nothing to make sure veterans and their caregivers get the support they need and deserve, and this extension is a key part of that effort," VA Deputy Secretary Donald Remy said in a statement. VA officials had said the revised eligibility rules were meant to help the agency abide by a 2018 law that expanded the program. Severely injured veterans of previous wars were made eligible, while the more narrow eligibility rules overall were intended to allow the program to cover more veterans from all conflicts without radically increasing its costs. Those rules limited program eligibility to veterans with a 70% or higher disability rating and those who are unable to perform a number of self-care activities each day. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., who chairs the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, praised the move following the VA's announcement, calling it "great news" for veterans and caregivers who can now "breathe easy knowing they will keep receiving" support. "While there's still work to be done, the Biden administration's swift action will ensure legacy veterans and their caregivers are not discharged from a program that has made a difference for so many," Tester said. The program, which originally was established for post-9/11 combat veterans and expanded last year to include those who served before May 1975, is expected to broaden again this October to include veterans who served between the end of the Vietnam War and Sept. 10, 2001. Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime. Related: They Spent Years Caring for Their Veterans. Now They Are Losing a Lifeline Inside the Pentagon is a special room dedicated to preserving the memories and actions of America's bravest troops. The Hall of Heroes is dedicated to the more than 3,400 U.S. troops who have received the Medal of Honor, and features all of their names. The room, dedicated in 1968, also has a few special features, including one photo of a foreign national, Chaicharn Harnavee. A world away, Chaicharn was locked in North Vietnam's infamous "Hanoi Hilton prison that year. He wasn't the first resident, but he would be the last. Along the way, he would save the lives of countless American prisoners there. That's how his photo ended up in the Hall of Heroes. In May 1965, then-Sgt. Chaicharn Harnavee accompanied an American civilian pilot on a resupply mission to help construct a hospital in Laos. Chaicharn was a member of the Thai Special Forces in Laos, and it was his day off, but Ernest Brace needed a spotter and the construction crew needed supplies. Along for the ride were a Laotian Special Forces soldier, a Lao woman and her baby. They arrived at the airfield in Sayaboury Province, Laos, and offloaded their cargo. As they prepared to return home, they started taking heavy small arms fire. When the shots killed their human passengers, Brace and Chaicharn darted for the treeline, but found themselves face to face with 300 communist soldiers. The two were taken prisoner and forced to march for about two weeks toward Dien Bien Phu, with little food and no medical treatment. They spent three years at the camp in North Vietnam in ankle stocks, hands bound and unable to communicate with each other. They also underwent routine beatings. In 1968, they were moved to Hua Lo Prison in Hanoi, known to the Americans as the Hanoi Hilton. There were already American prisoners of war incarcerated there, but Chaicharn didn't know that right away. He was immediately placed in solitary confinement, where he spent two years. When he was released from solitary, he would be allowed out of his cell for two hours a day to clean in the water purification plant. After a year of cleaning the plant, he would make contact with another prisoner, his first in nearly six years. A South Vietnamese Air Force pilot he knew as "Maz" taught him the prisoners' "tap code" so he could communicate with others. Through the tap code and a series of hand signals he picked up from Maz, Chaicharn began to learn English and could better communicate with other prisoners. Eventually, Chaicharn used the access he had to the facility during his cleaning; he began to steal for himself and the other prisoners. Small items like pencils and paper were used to help prisoners signal to one another. As his English improved, he got prisoners items they needed. He even smuggled his own food to the Americans who were slowly starving to death. Chaicharn is the reason many of the downed U.S. pilots who were repatriated after the Vietnam War made it home at all. Sgt. Chaicharn Harnavee was not released in 1973 with the Americans, however. After one month of being alone in the prison, Chaicharn was taken to a prison camp along North Vietnam's border with China, where he was placed in charge of 216 other Thai POWs. This camp was different from Hua Lo; it was a "re-education" camp. The North Vietnamese instructed Chaicharn to ensure the Thai prisoners completed their re-education work and became loyal communists. He refused and was placed in a three-foot-by-six-foot box, with just one hole in the top, for six months. At the end of the punishment, he was asked whether he would help re-educate the prisoners; he again refused. Chaicharn had no idea that the freed Americans had begun to ask questions about him and were pressuring the U.S. to find out. He was finally released on Sept. 29, 1974, after nine years, four months and eight days held captive. After he returned to Thailand, King Bhumibol promoted Chaicharn to captain. Capt. Chaicharn was soon invited to the U.S. by the former POWs he helped during their captivity. He visited the Pentagon, where he was presented with the Silver Star and the Legion of Merit. Today, a photo of Chaicharn Harnavee hangs in the Hall of Heroes because of his service to those prisoners at Hua Lo. He retired from the Thai armed forces as a colonel in 1992 and continued serving as a public official until his death in 2018. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook. Want to Learn More About Military Life? Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for post-military careers or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Higher Committee of the Youth Housing Initiative of the Government of National Unity, announced here Wednesday that the first phase of the Youth Housing Initiative will include 18,000 loans, and nearly 21,000 plots of land whose legal procedures had already been completed Utilityman Matt Beaty has elected free agency after being outrighted by the Padres, the team announced. As a player with more than three years of major league service time, he had the right to refuse a minor league assignment. Beaty, 29, heads out onto the open market in search of a new opportunity. His time in San Diego didnt go well, as a left shoulder impingement cost him roughly three months. He only made 20 big league appearances as a Friar, tallying 47 plate appearances and hitting .093/.170/.163 with two extra-base hits. He spent more time on optional assignment to Triple-A El Paso, where he compiled a .270/.366/.349 line through 145 trips to the plate. Beaty showed solid strike zone awareness in the minors but only connected on two home runs in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. Tough 2022 season aside, the left-handed hitting Beaty should find some interest on the open market. Before his lone season in San Diego, he spent a couple years as a productive utility bat for the division-rival Dodgers. Beaty posted an above-average .270/.363/.402 line in 234 MLB plate appearances last season, connecting on seven homers while striking out in just 18.8% of his trips to the plate. In addition to his strong contact skills, Beaty is capable of playing all four corner positions and looks like a viable bat-first platoon option off the bench. For his career, he carries a useful .252/.324/.412 line against right-handed pitching. Beaty is free to explore opportunities with other clubs, but its possible he waits until the offseason at this point. There are only three weeks remaining on the regular season schedule, and hes now ineligible for postseason play this year. Only players on a roster by August 31 can partake in the playoffs. Beaty would be arbitration-eligible for next season (and two additional years) if another team wanted to devote him an offseason 40-man roster spot, but that he recently cleared waivers suggests he could be looking at minor league offers with Spring Training invitations. The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus in Parliament says it will file a parliamentary motion for an independent probe into the Aisha Huang saga if President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo fails to act before the House resumes. This was disclosed by Ranking Member on Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. One woman has made a mess out of our entire security apparatus. Made foolishness of the billions of cedis we have approved in Parliament over the years to enhance security, he said. Describing the circumstances surrounding Aisha Huang's re-entry into the country as a national embarrassment, the North Tongu legislator said President Akufo-Addo must act now or face the action of NDC caucus upon the resumption of the House. The only way forward is to have a full scale independent inquiry into this matter and we have served notice that if the president will not take the step because they are all complicit and neck-deep and protect collaborators and conspirators who are in clearly in cahoots with Aisha Huang, when the house resumes, the NDC caucus in parliament will promptly file a motion to look into this international, monumental disgrace and embarrassment, Mr. Ablakwa told Citi News. ---citinewsroom The desperate attempt by government and NPP communicators to mislead Ghanaians about the emoluments and privileges of former President John Dramani Mahama is shameful, to say the least. For the records, the former President, in his recent interview with TV3's Alfred Ocansey, was very clear about the specific bills and expenditures he has personally borne since he left office. Rather than rebut or respond to the specific issues raised by the former President, some NPP and government communicators have shamelessly, albeit in vain, resorted to the circulation of some official documents that have no bearing whatsoever on the issues at stake. It is therefore important to situate the discussion within the proper context. In the said interview, H.E John Mahama made ten (10) important points that are worth highlighting: 1. He stated that the claim by the Bono Regional Chairman of the ruling NPP that an ex gratia amount of GHS14 million was paid into his ADB account in the year 2013 is an absolute lie. And that the only payment that was made to him by the Controller and Accountant General in 2013 was his salary arrears an amount of GHS230,000. 2. He also stated, that the claim by the Bono Regional Chairman of the ruling NPP that he has received privileges and perks worth GHS15 million since he left office in 2017 is absolutely untrue. And that he receives only his monthly pension as former President. The former President went on to say that: 3. He pays the electricity bills for his household and office; 4. He pays the water bills for his household and office; 5. He lives in his own accommodation so the State does not pay him anything for accommodation. 6. The State has not given him an office. And that he rents an office space in East Cantonments, Accra, which he personally pays for. 7. He pays for his own fuel. 8. He pays his own domestic staff. 9. He pays for his medical bills. 10. He pays for his own air tickets and that of his assistants whenever he travels. Can our friends in the NPP and government stop shifting the goal post and tell the nation whether these statements made by H.E John Mahama are true or false? Given the fact that the emoluments and privileges of former Presidents are matters of public record, can government rebut any of these statements with evidence? When is government releasing official documents that confirm the payment of ex gratia of GHS14 million and GHS15 million to former President Mahama, as alleged by the irresponsible Bono regional chairman of the ruling NPP? The point has to be made, that at no point in the said TV3 interview did former President Mahama say that he pays the salaries of his own office staff. Therefore, the official documents on payment of salaries of office staff of former President Mahama by the State as required by law, being circulated on social media by some NPP communicators are complete red herrings being introduced into the discussion just to obfuscate the issues and confuse Ghanaians. Additionally, at no point in the said interview did H.E John Mahama say that the State has not allocated him any official vehicle. Our friends in government and the NPP cannot set their own questions and proceed to answer same. Thus, the memos on the allocation of official vehicles to former President Mahama being circulated on social media by some of their communicators are of no relevance to this discussion. For the records, former President Mahama was allocated four (4) used State vehicles when he left office in 2017 two SUVs and two saloon cars. The two SUVs (Land Cruiser GXRs) are for the use of the National Security detail attached to the former President's residence and office for his protection. These two SUV vehicles broke down in the year 2018 and the Presidency was duly informed. Interestingly, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government refused to replace them until 2021, after the determination of the 2020 election petition. The former President had to personally buy two (2) vehicles for the National Security detail assigned to him, which they used from 2018 until they were replaced in the year 2021 by the State. Few weeks ago, government contacted the logistics officer at the office of former President John Mahama to come for two (2) new saloon vehicles to replace the two (2) used saloon vehicles he was allocated in the year 2017. H.E John Dramani Mahama rejected this offer on grounds that the vehicles are still operational and serviceable, hence did not need to be replaced. Government subsequently called the logistics officer at the Office of the former President to come for an additional saloon vehicle to beef up the mobility of his accompanying National Security detail. This saloon vehicle was delivered to the office of the former President only last week. These are the vehicles that are the subject of the memos being circulated by NPP apparatchiks on social media. It is important to note, that all the five (5) State vehicles allocated to the former President are fueled, serviced and maintained by him and at his own expense. It is also worthy of note, that the former First Lady, H.E Lordina Mahama was not allocated any official vehicle almost five (5) years after she left office in 2017. It was only in the year 2021, after the Supreme Court decision on the 2020 election petition, that she was allocated one SUV and one pickup. In conclusion, let it be placed on record that Former President Mahama since leaving office in 2017, has never complained about the provision, adequacy or otherwise of emoluments and privileges due him as a former President of the Republic, even though these are his entitlements under the law. But for the yet again strenuous attempt by the Bono Regional Chairman of the NPP, who has a knack for heaping all manner of lies and vitriol on the former President, he has never for once contemplated making a fuss out of these issues. Having been compelled to set the records straight, I can appreciate how the truth has inadvertently and inescapably exposed the continuous mistreatment, yet unguarded calumny against H.E John Dramani Mahama and his dear wife, H.E Lordina Mahama by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government and their assigns. This notwithstanding, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia-NPP government must approach this conversation with a sense of candour. They will not be allowed to create their own distortions and proceed to defend same. Source: Sammy Gyamfi | National Communications Officer | NDC The National Democratic Congress (NDC) constituency branch in Ketu South of the Volta region in a statement released on Thursday, September 14, 2022 has taken a swipe at President Akufo-Addo for commissioning a project without giving credit to the previous Mahama administration. The party expressed dismay that during President Akufo-Addo's recent visit to Volta Region, he commissioned a Community Day Senior High Technical School at Aflao which they said was started under former President John Dramani Mahamas administration. According to the statement signed by Mr Bright Dzila, the Ketu South NDC communication officer, the Aflao Community Day Senior High School was lobbied by Hon Fifi Kwetey the then Member of Parliament for Ketu South. They added that construction started in 2015. "As usual and typical of President Akufo-Addo who is good at taking credit for President Mahama's projects, the government deliberately delayed the completion of the project after taking power in 2017. "Even though we congratulate the president for coming to finally Commission and operationalized the school after insulting our Paramount Chief who merely appealed to the Government through the Parliamentary Committee on Education and the current Member of Parliament, Hon Abla Dzifa Gomashie," the statement noted. The party however listed areas President Akufo-Addo failed in his presentation during the commissioning of the community Day school at Aflao on Wednesday September 13. President Nana Addo failed to: 1. Acknowledge the immense contributions of his predecessor, President Mahama and the NDC government for starting the construction of the school. 2. Publicly apologizing unreservedly to the chiefs and people of Aflao for his unguarded attacks on the Paramount Chief Togbuigah Adzonugaga Amenya Fiti IV for calling on him to operationalize the same school for the benefit of our children. 3. Speak to the deplorable nature of our roads, most especially the Komla Dumor road which he plied to the Chief's palace and subsequently to the school yesterday and at least touch on other important roads such as the Diamond cement road, Agbozume and Klikor township roads, the unmotorable Tokor to Ho road, and the Denu to Keta road. 4. Use the opportunity to at least visit and sympathize with the victims of the tidal wave devastation in Adina, Amutsinu, Salakope and Agavedzi. Mr Dzila stressed, "But we are not surprised that President Akufo-Addo failed to do all of the above because even his own party members who are his executives on the ground here in Ketu South were completely ignored yesterday just as he ignored and failed to address the invited Chiefs and the gathering." According to him, students who were bused from other schools to grace the occasion were starved of food and water. He added that the NPP decorate the school with their colours, violating the very laws they are expected to respect and uphold. Mr. Dzila indicated that the NDC vehemently condemn the public humiliation suffered again by their Chiefs and the students due to the conduct of President Akufo-Addo and his entourage. A general who became a graft buster and turned on his political patron, Angolan President Joao Lourenco will be sworn in for a second term on Thursday but faces dwindling popularity in a country struggling with problems. Nicknamed JLo, the 68-year-old secured a new five-year tenure in the tightest-ever vote held in the oil-rich country. Lourenco leads the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) party, which has ruled since independence from Portugal in 1975. In the August 24 ballot, the MPLA suffered its worst performance while its long-term rival, UNITA, surged. Lourenco's victory was declared just 24 hours after he buried his predecessor, long-time ruler Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who died in Spain in July. Handpicked by dos Santos, Lourenco took the helm in 2017. That year his party won with a comfortable 61 percent of the vote. This time he notched up just 51 percent. Lourenco has struggled to live up to the promise of his first term. By Michele Spatari (AFP) He had promised sweeping economic reforms and a drive against graft. But the election outcome reflected fading support for the historic ruling party, especially among young people clamouring for jobs and a better life. Political purgatory Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco was born in Lobito in western Angola. As a young man, he fought the colonial power Portugal and then after independence took part in the civil war that erupted between the MPLA government and UNITA rebels. He fought as part of the MPLA in the post-independence civil war. By - (AFP) Lourenco studied in the former Soviet Union, which trained many rising young African nationalists during decolonisation. He became political chief of the armed wing of the MPLA in the civil war -- a Cold War proxy conflict that drew in Cuban forces to fight alongside the MPLA, while CIA-backed militias did battle against them. The ex-artillery general ascended through the MPLA hierarchy, leading the party in parliament before becoming deputy speaker. Yet his ambition almost ended his career. Unable to hide his angling for the top job, he was sidelined by dos Santos around the turn of the century. In 2014, he was brought back from the cold -- he was appointed defence minister and three years later eased himself into the top job. Anti-graft drive After winning the 2017 elections, Lourenco quickly turned on his predecessor, starting an anti-corruption drive to recoup the billions allegedly embezzled by dos Santos' family. Inheriting an economy deep in recession, he launched ambitious reforms to diversify government revenue and privatise state-owned firms. After winning the 2017 elections, Lourenco quickly turned on his predecessor dos Santos. By MARCO LONGARI (AFP) Lourenco has trumpeted his successes, but many of Angola's 33 million people still wallow in poverty. His anti-graft push has also been criticised as selective and politically motivated, fuelling divisions within the MPLA. Dos Santos's death worsened his woes, triggering a public spat with the veteran revolutionary leader's children -- several of whom face graft investigations. Even so, Lourenco's change in tack from the previous regime has won praise abroad. He has become the go-to mediator in Africa -- dealing with the crisis in the Central Africa Republic or brokering talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. He is married to Ana Dias, a former planning minister who also represented Angola at the World Bank. They have six children. It's one of the 20th century's most iconic photos: British archaeologist Howard Carter inspecting the sarcophagus of Tutankhamun in 1922 as an Egyptian member of his team crouches nearby shrouded in shadow. It is also an apt metaphor for two centuries of Egyptology, flush with tales of brilliant foreign explorers uncovering the secrets of the Pharaohs, with Egyptians relegated to the background. "Egyptians have been written out of the historical narrative," leading archaeologist Monica Hanna told AFP. Now with the 100th anniversary of Carter's earth-shattering discovery -- and the 200th of the deciphering of the Rosetta Stone which unlocked the ancient hieroglyphs -- they are demanding that their contributions be recognised. Egyptians "did all the work" but "were forgotten", said chief excavator Abdel Hamid Daramalli, who was born "on top" of the tombs at Qurna near Luxor that he is now in charge of digging. Ahmed Abdel Rady, 73, was born in a house built into a tomb in Qurna near Luxor, where many Egyptian excavators lived. By Khaled DESOUKI (AFP) Even Egyptology's colonial-era birth -- set neatly at Frenchman Jean-FranAois Champollion cracking the Rosetta Stone's code in 1822 -- "whitewashes history", according to specialist researcher Heba Abdel Gawad, "as if there were no attempts to understand Ancient Egypt until the Europeans came." The "unnamed Egyptian" in the famous picture of Carter is "perhaps Hussein Abu Awad or Hussein Ahmed Said," according to art historian Christina Riggs, a Middle East specialist at Britain's Durham University. The two men were the pillars, alongside Ahmed Gerigar and Gad Hassan, of Carter's digging team for nine seasons. But unlike foreign team members, experts cannot put names to the faces in the photos. 'Unnoticed and unnamed' "Egyptians remain unnoticed, unnamed, and virtually unseen in their history," Riggs insisted, arguing that Egyptology's "structural inequities" reverberate to this day. Far from home: The sister obelisk of this one in Luxor, Egypt (left) stands in Paris (right) after being given to France. By Amir MAKAR, JACQUES DEMARTHON (AFP/File) But one Egyptian name did gain fame as the tomb's supposed accidental discoverer: Hussein Abdel Rasoul. Despite not appearing in Carter's diaries and journals, the tale of the water boy is presented as "historical fact", said Riggs. On November 4, 1922, a 12-year-old -- commonly believed to be Hussein -- found the top step down to the tomb, supposedly because he either tripped, his donkey stumbled or because his water jug washed away the sand. The next day, Carter's team exposed the whole staircase and on November 26 he peered into a room filled with golden treasures through a small breach in the tomb door. According to an oft-repeated story, a half century earlier two of Hussein's ancestors, brothers Ahmed and Mohamed Abdel Rasoul, found the Deir el-Bahari cache of more than 50 mummies, including Ramesses the Great, when their goat fell down a crevasse. Lost treasure: Egypt wants the ancient bust of Nefertiti back from Berlin. By Michael SOHN (POOL/AFP/File) But Hussein's great-nephew Sayed Abdel Rasoul laughed at the idea that a goat or boy with a water jug were behind the breakthroughs. Riggs echoed his scepticism, arguing that on the rare occasions that Egyptology credits Egyptians with great discoveries they are disproportionately either children, tomb robbers or "quadrupeds". The problem is that others "kept a record, we didn't", Abdel Rasoul told AFP. 'They were wronged' Local farmers who knew the contours of the land could "tell from the layers of sediment whether there was something there," said Egyptologist Abdel Gawad, adding that "archaeology is mostly about geography". A caretaker sits outside the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamunin in the Valley of the Kings at Luxor. By Amir MAKAR (AFP) Profound knowledge and skill at excavating had been passed down for generations in Qurna -- where the Abdel Rasouls remain -- and at Qift, a small town north of Luxor where English archaeologist William Flinders Petrie first trained locals in the 1880s. Mostafa Abdo Sadek, a chief excavator of the Saqqara tombs near Giza, whose discoveries have been celebrated in the Netflix documentary series "Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb", is a descendant of those diggers at Qift. His family moved 600 kilometres (370 miles) north at the turn of the 20th century to excavate the vast necropolis south of the Giza pyramids. But his grandfathers and great-uncles "were wronged", he declared, holding up their photos. Their contributions to a century of discoveries at Saqqara have gone largely undocumented. 'Children of Tutankhamun' Barred for decades from even studying Egyptology while the French controlled the country's antiquities service, Egyptians "were always serving foreigners", archaeologist and former antiquities minister Zahi Hawass told AFP. Questioning the myths: Sayed Abdel Rasoul, a descendant of the young boy who reportedly found Tutankhamun's tomb. By Khaled DESOUKI (AFP) Another Egyptologist, Fatma Keshk, said we have to remember "the historical and social context of the time, with Egypt under British occupation." The struggle over the country's cultural heritage became increasingly political in the early 20th century as Egyptians demanded their freedom. "We are the children of Tutankhamun," the diva Mounira al-Mahdiyya sang in 1922, the year the boy pharaoh's intact tomb was found. The same year Britain was forced to grant Egypt independence, and the hated partage system that gave foreign missions half the finds in exchange for funding excavations was ended. But just as Egyptians' "sense of ownership" of their heritage grew, ancient Egypt was appropriated as "world civilisation" with little to do with the modern country, argued Abdel Gawad. Excavator Mostafa Abdo Sadek shows pictures of family members who helped uncover the treasures of the tombs of Saqqara, southwest of Cairo. By Ahmed HASAN (AFP) "Unfortunately that world seems to be the West. It's their civilisation, not ours." While the contents of Tutankhamun's tomb stayed in Cairo, Egypt lost Carter's archives, which were considered his private property. The records, key to academic research, were donated by his niece to the Griffith Institute for Egyptology at Britain's Oxford University. "They were still colonising us. They left the objects, but they took our ability to produce research," Hanna added. This year, the institute and Oxford's Bodleian Library are staging an exhibition, "Tutankhamun: Excavating the Archive", which they say sheds light on the "often overlooked Egyptian members of the archaeological team." - Excavators' village razed - In Qurna, 73-year-old Ahmed Abdel Rady still remembers finding a mummy's head in a cavern of his family's mud-brick house that was built into a tomb. The linen-wrapped mummy of Tutankhamun displayed in a climate-controlled glass case in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor in 2015. By Khaled DESOUKI, Khaled DESOUKI (AFP/File) His mother stored her onions and garlic in a red granite sarcophagus, but she burst into tears at the sight of the head, berating him that "this was a queen" who deserved respect. For centuries, the people of Qurna lived among and excavated the ancient necropolis of Thebes, one of the pharaohs' former capitals that dates back to 3100 BC. Today, Abdel Rady's village is no more than rubble between the tombs and temples, the twin Colossi of Memnon -- built nearly 3,400 years ago -- standing vigil over the living and the dead. Four Qurnawis were shot dead in 1998 trying to stop the authorities bulldozing their homes in a relocation scheme. Visitors tour the tomb of Ramses III (1186-1155 BC) in Valley of the Kings at of Luxor. By Amir MAKAR (AFP) Some 10,000 people were eventually moved when almost an entire hillside of mud-brick homes was demolished despite protests from UNESCO. In the now deserted moonscape, Ragab Tolba, 55, one of the last remaining residents, told AFP how his relatives and neighbours were moved to "inadequate" homes "in the desert". The Qurnawis' dogged resistance was fired by their deep connection to the place and their ancestors, said the Qurna-born excavator Daramalli. But the controversial celebrity archaeologist Hawass, then head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, said "it had to be done" to preserve the tombs. What remains of the mud-brick village of Qurna near Luxor where excavators and their families lived for centuries. By Amir MAKAR (AFP) Egyptologist Hanna, however, said the authorities were bent on turning Luxor into a sanitised "open-air museum... a Disneyfication of heritage", and used old tropes about the Qurnawis being tomb raiders against them. Sayed Abdel Rasoul's nephew, Ahmed, hit back at what he called a double standard. "The French and the English were all stealing," he told AFP. "Who told the people of Qurna they could make money off of artefacts in the first place?" - 'Spoils of war' - Over the centuries, countless antiquities made their way out of Egypt. Ahmed Abdel Rady, 73, was born in a house built into a tomb in Qurna near Luxor, where many Egyptian excavators lived. By Khaled DESOUKI (AFP) Some, like the Luxor Obelisk in Paris and the Temple of Debod in Madrid, were gifts from the Egyptian government. Others were lost to European museums through the colonial-era partage system. But hundreds of thousands more were smuggled out of the country into "private collections all over the world," according to Abdel Gawad. Former antiquities minister Hawass is now spearheading a crusade to repatriate three of the great "stolen" treasures -- the Rosetta Stone, the bust of queen Nefertiti and the Dendera Zodiac. He told AFP he plans to file a petition in October demanding their return. The Rosetta Stone has been housed in the British Museum since 1802, "handed over to the British as a diplomatic gift", the museum told AFP. But for Abdel Gawad, "it's a spoil of war". Ahmed Abdel Rady, 73, was born in a house built into a tomb in Qurna near Luxor, where many Egyptian excavators lived. By Khaled DESOUKI (AFP) Nefertiti's 3,340-year-old bust went to Berlin's Neues Museum a century later through the partage system, but Hawass insisted it "was illegally taken, as I have proved time and again." The Frenchman Sebastien Louis Saulnier meanwhile had the Dendera Zodiac blasted out of the Hathor Temple in Qena in 1820. The celestial map has hung from a ceiling in the Louvre in Paris since 1922, with a plaster cast left in its place in the southern Egyptian temple. "That's a crime the French committed in Egypt," Hanna said, behaviour no longer "compatible with 21st century ethics." For decades, Egyptians have dreamed of bringing back some of the glories of their ancient civilisation scattered across museums and private collections across the world. Now as Cairo gears up to open "the largest archaeological museum in the world" at the foot of the pyramids of Giza in November, Egypt's former antiquities minister Zahi Hawass told AFP that he will soon demand the return of three of its greatest lost treasures: Rosetta Stone The basalt slab dating from 196 BC was the key that helped French linguist Jean-Francois Champollion crack the code of Egypt's ancient hieroglyphs. The stone was discovered by Napoleon Bonaparte's invading French army in 1799 while troops were repairing a fort near the Nile Delta port of Rashid (or Rosetta), close to the Mediterranean. It bore extracts of a decree written in Ancient Greek, an ancient Egyptian vernacular script called Demotic and hieroglyphics. Comparing the three scripts finally helped resolve a mystery which had bedevilled historians for centuries. Spoils of war? The Rosetta Stone is held in the British Museum in London. By Amir MAKAR (AFP) Champollion announced his discovery on September 27, 1822. The stele has been housed in the British Museum since 1802, inscribed with the legend "Captured in Egypt by the British Army in 1801" on one side and "presented by King George III" to the museum on the other. Egypt has been demanding its return for decades, with Egyptologist Heba Abdel Gawad saying the inscriptions alone were "an act of violence that no one talks about, and which the British Museum denies is destruction of an artefact." The museum told AFP that the stone was "handed over to the British as a diplomatic gift." Nefertiti bust The bust of the wife of the Pharaoh Akhenaten, whose name meant "the beautiful one has come", was sculpted around 1340 BC but was carted off to Germany in controversial circumstances by a Prussian archaeologist after it was found at Amarna in 1912. Egypt says Hitler overruled his officials who agreed to give the Nefertiti bust back. By Michael SOHN (POOL/AFP/File) The depiction of one of the most famous women of the ancient world was later given to the Neues Museum in Berlin. Cairo demanded its restitution as early as the 1930s, but Germany has long held that it was handed over in a colonial-era partage agreement, under which countries that funded archaeological digs could keep half of the finds. But for Hawass it "was illegally taken". Egyptologist Monica Hanna told AFP that Germany once agreed to give the bust back only for Adolf Hitler to block it after the Nazi leader fell under its spell. No official requests for the treasures' return have been received "from the Egyptian government", according to the three European museums. Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities did not respond to AFP's request for comment. Dendera Zodiac The celestial map was blasted out of the Hathor Temple in Qena in southern Egypt on the orders of French official Sebastien Louis Saulnier in 1820. Egypt's former antiquities minister Zahi Hawass wants 'stolen' treasures returned to Cairo. By Khaled DESOUKI (AFP) It has been suspended on a ceiling in the Louvre museum in Paris since 1922, while a plaster cast stands in its place in the temple. The chart, regarded as "the only complete map that we have of an ancient sky", is thought to date from around 50 BC. Russian President Vladimir Putin is to meet China's Xi Jinping Thursday for the first time since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Russia and China share a strong, facing off against the West, but the friendship is threatened by the unresolved issue of 600,000 square kilometres of Chinese territory near Vladivostok, occupied by Russia since 1860. The Putin-Xi meeting will take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, under the auspices of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a security alliance created by Beijing in 1996, made up of core members China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Iran were later added as full members. This is Xi's first trip abroad since the start the Covid-19 pandemic, and he is meeting with the SCO and Putin at a time when Putin's war is going badly in Ukraine," Steve Tsang, Director of the School of Oriental and African Studies China Institute, told RFI. It shows the level of support that Xi Jinping is committed to give to Putin. "Far from being a Chinese NATO, the SCO member states are regarded as partners," Tsang added. "The get-together signals Xi's desire to show that his first priority is not to engage with Europe or America, but with the friendly countries of the SCO and with Russia." 'Limitless' friendship The Xi-Putin meeting is the first since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February. Two weeks earlier, Putin had travelled to Beijing, officially to attend the Olympic Winter Games, though he likely also informed Beijing of his invasion plans. The meeting resulted in a joint communique, which stated that friendship between the two states has no limits. Since the start of the invasion China has paid lip service to Russia's propaganda, while never endorsing it, and calling for respect of sovereignty. Beijing has also refused overt military support of Russia's war efforts. Doing so might trigger secondary sanctions against China, according to Tsang, something Beijing is not willing to contemplate. The result is an almost absurd situation in which both Russia and China talk about a strategic partnership. But Russia, while short of weapons, cannot get resupplies from China and is buying them from North Korea". Friendship turned sour An article on the website of the official Chinese paper Nanfang Daily discussing the upcoming summit refers to the first foreign trip Xi made when he became China's supreme leader in 2013. Destination: Moscow. Xi chose the Russian capital, according to the newspaper, to show the great importance that China attaches to the development of Sino-Russian relations. As a gift, Putin offered Xi a copy of the USSR's Communist mouthpiece Pravda of 14 February 1950, when then Chinese leader Mao Zedong and the Soviet Union's Joseph Stalin signed their ill-fated Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship. But after Stalin's death, relations between China and Russia deteriorated quickly. Mao hated Moscow's de-Stalinisation - which he saw as a direct attack on his own personality cult - and the Soviets did not understand why China focused on the peasantry instead of the urban proletariat to advance socialism. The result was a massive ideological rift that led to deadly border skirmishes which were resolved only after the fall of the Berlin Wall, lengthy border negotiations and a series of demarcation treaties. The relationship improved after the start of China's Open-Door policy in 1978 and the visit of Soviet leader Michael Gorbachev in 1989. But in that same year, the ultimate demise of European communism started, leading to the fall of the Soviet Union itself, something for which Beijing blamed Gorbachev. Today, the two countries find common ground in their shared regret of the fall of the USSR, their dislike of the US, and the eastward expansion of NATO. But the current love affair between China and Russia has all the elements of a marriage of convenience. 'Vladivostok' or 'Haishenwai'? There are structural problems in the relationship between Russia and China, says Tsang. Probably the largest elephant in the room is a swathe of some 600,000 square kilometres north of China's Heilongjiang province, an area currently called Primorsky Krai, which has the port town of Vladivostok as its administrative center. Vladivostok was once a Chinese city known as Haishenwai and was part of China's Qing dynasty. It was annexed by Russia in 1860 after China's defeat by the British and French forces in the Second Opium War. The area has been administered by Russia ever since. Today, in spite of the numerous treaties that have defined the border between China and Russia, the idea that the vast area surrounding Vladivostok is Chinese is still strongly present among Chinese commentators. The issue flared up in 2020, when the Russian embassy to China published a tweet celebrating Vladivostok's 160th anniversary. The Tweet "isn't so welcome on Weibo", China's Twitter, wrote commentator Shen Shirwei. According to the Russian embassy, the history of Vladivostok - which means Ruler of the East - is from 1860 when Russia built a military harbour. But Shen says "the city was Haishenwai as Chinese land before Russia annexed it via [the] unequal Treaty of Beijing". The stretch of land became part of the Qing empire in 1689, under the Treaty of Nerchinsk, the first ever treaty between Tzarist Russia and the Qing. The 1860 Peking Treaty reversed the Nerchinsk document and granted the area to Russia. "It provides a basic limit to how closely Russia and China will work together," according to Tsang. For now, Beijing does not seem inclined to criticise Russia in the way it has been relentlessly attacking the UK for imposing "150 years of shame" on China - the period covering Britain's colonisation of Hong Kong. But, according to Tsang, Moscow knows and the issue will continue to hang dangerously over relations between the two countries. North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has said the call for an independent probe into the Aisha Huang saga is not an attempt to score political points. Speaking on The Point of View on Citi TV, Mr. Ablakwa said, when I call for a probe, I am not hoping that only my political opponents will be caught. If there are NDC elements who even are still serving as Members of Parliament with us and theres proof to expose them so that we will be safe so that we can live, why not. Mr. Ablakwa added that I am not going to waste my time trying to defend anybody. This matter for me goes beyond cheap partisan points scoring, said the MP. Aisha Huang and three others were denied bail after the court hearing on Wednesday. She is standing trial with three other Chinese nationals; Jong Li Hua, Huang Jei and Huaid Hai Hun. They have all been charged with mining without a valid license and engaging in the sale and purchase of minerals without a permit. Since Aisha Huang was arrested earlier in September, there has been controversy about how she left Ghana and how she ended back in the country. She was said to have been repatriated in 2018, but Mr. Ablakwa claimed Aisha Huang was not escorted as was required. President Akufo-Addo later said he was unsure whether Aisha Huang was deported from Ghana in 2018 or fled . This prompted the government to subsequently share documents indicating she was given a notice of repatriation in December 2018. The Information Minister also said definitely that Aisha Huang had been repatriated . But in court on Wednesday, police officials prosecuting the case said she sneaked out of the country and sneaked back. citinewsroom Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Government of Libya have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to officially launch the first-ever Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) in Libya to assess progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) As part of the initiatives to improve service delivery, the Public Sector Reform Secretariat has presented information technology and video conferencing equipment to three public sector institutions in Accra. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), the Public Services Commission (PSC), and the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization, and Rural Development (MLGDRD) were the three public institutions that benefited from the modern IT equipment to provide efficient and accountable services to citizens and the private sector. The Senior Presidential Advisor, Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, who presented the items, said improving efficiency in the delivery of public services through modernization was essential to the growth of the public sector and the country at large. The private sector can only function properly when the public sector delivery is efficient. We want the public service to be oriented along these lines that they would provide service to the private sector to make money for the economy to grow, he emphasized. The Chief Executive Officer of the Public Sector Reform Secretariat, Mr Thomas Kusi Boafo, disclosed that the Public Sector Reform for Results Project (PSRRP) implementation covered 13 selected entities constituting Ministries, Departments, and Agencies with a US$32million credit facility from the World Bank. He urged the project's beneficiaries to make the most of the equipment to make a strong case for additional funding. The Deputy Minister for Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development, Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah, said the equipment would enhance the collation of data from the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs). Every analysis, financial statements from all the MMDAs are supposed to come to the Ministry and the process has been quite tedious because of its manual nature, he said, adding that the equipment would help improve the process faster and easier in a more digitized system. The DVLA received items worth GHC 8,312,121, including a desktop card printer, signature pads, fingerprint scanners, and cleaning swab kits. The Public Services Commission also received video conferencing equipment, including 75 smart television, laptops, colour printers, digital camera and server wracks among other items valued at GHC 552,635. The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development received laptops, colour printers, a projector and a wireless router valued at GHC104,312. Angolan President Joao Lourenco is to be sworn in for a second term on Thursday amid tight security after a disputed electoral win last month. The inauguration will be held on the historic palm tree-lined Praca da Republica square in the centre of the capital, Luanda. Security forces set up a heavy cordon around the venue ahead of the ceremony, AFP correspondents saw, which the main opposition party said was aimed at stifling dissent. Around 20 military tanks were stationed at a large traffic circle, around a kilometre from the square. Large numbers of police and military forces had started patrolling the streets on the eve of the ceremony. "This set up aims to intimidate citizens who want to demonstrate against the election results on the day of the inauguration of a president without legitimacy," the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) said in a statement. The guest list for the ceremony is strictly by invitation and limited to some 15,000 selected Angolans and 50 foreign heads of state and government, State Minister Adao de Almeida told reporters. Lourenco, 68, returned to power after the August 24 vote gave his Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) a thin majority, winning just 51.17 percent of the votes. Angola's election results. By (AFP) The vote was to choose members of parliament, where the leader of largest party automatically ascends to the presidency. It was the MPLA's poorest showing in the oil-rich African country it has controlled since independence from Portugal in 1975. UNITA -- a former rebel movement which fought a bitter 27-year civil war against the MPLA government -- made significant gains, earning 43.95 percent of the vote, up from 26.67 percent in 2017. Opposition parties and civic groups say the vote was marred by irregularities. UNITA disputed the results in court but its appeal was tossed out. "Tomorrow I will stay at home. There are too many police forces around town," Joao, a high school student who only gave his first name, said Wednesday at a bus stop on the outskirts of Luanda. 'President of all' Under its charismatic leader Costa Junior, 60, UNITA has proved popular in urban areas and among young voters eager for economic change. It did particularly well in the capital, where it won a majority for the first time. The MPLA instead lost its two-thirds parliamentary majority with its seats dropping to 124 from 150. Lourenco struck a conciliatory tone after the vote, pledging to promote "dialogue" and be the "president of all Angolans". But Costa Junior has said he will skip the inauguration and promised protests against the result of the vote, but has said his party will join the new parliament. Foreign observers from other parts of Africa praised the peaceful conduct of the polls but raised concerns over press freedom and the accuracy of the electoral roll. Many Angolans live in poverty despite the country's oil wealth. By RODGER BOSCH (AFP/File) The former general first came to power in 2017 when he took over from long-time ruler Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who bequeathed a country deep in recession and riddled by corruption and nepotism. Lourenco swiftly turned on his predecessor, launching an anti-graft campaign targeting his family and friends, which critics say was a political stunt. He also embarked on an ambitious reform programme to lure foreign investors and diversify the economy. But that has so far failed to brighten the prospects of many of Angola's 33 million people who are mired in poverty. Dos Santos died in Spain in July. State funerals for the late strongman were held in August in the same square where Lourenco is to be sworn in. Analysts see little change between Lourenco and his predecessor. "There is not much difference between two... in terms of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms," said Borges Nhamirre, a researcher at the Pretoria-based think-tank Institute for Security Studies. Counsel for Aisha Huang, Lawyer Nkrabeah Effah Dartey says he is concerned that there are a lot of public discussions about the trial of his client. Aisha Huang, age 47, popularly known as galamsey queen is facing court after her recent arrest for allegedly engaging in illegal mining and sale of minerals without a license, activities that got her deported from the country in 2018. On Wednesday, September 14, she was arraigned before the Accra Circuit Court where she was denied bail. Speaking to the media on the matter, Lawyer Nkrabeah Effah Dartey shared that he is shocked the media has overhyped what was supposed to be a small case. The media has overhyped this small matter of mining without a license and doing mineral sales without a license. It is a small matter. It happens every day. I dont see why the media should write an editorial on this. It is that which is creating a problem and all manner of issues, the Lawyer for Aisha Huang said. According to Lawyer Nkrabeah Effah Dartey, the fact that there is huge public opinion and interest makes him worried. The public opinion against my client is too much. That I must confess. I am disturbed by it but Im trained as a lawyer to take up cases at all cost and do the best I can, the renowned Lawyer told Citi News. Aisha Huang and the three other suspects who appeared in Court on Wednesday have been remanded to Police custody again for two weeks. They will face court on September 27. Aggrieved beneficiaries of the Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) programme have issued a release indicating that they will embark on a demonstration next week. In a release by the NABCO Trainees Association of Ghana, it accuses government of showing no concern for the hardships members are going through. Last month, the trainees hit the street to push government to settle unpaid salaries of their members. With the arrears not paid after several weeks of the protest, the NABCO Trainees Association of Ghana has announced that there will be a march to the Jubilee House again on Tuesday, September 20. We wish to bring to the attention of all NABCO beneficiaries and the media stations that after exhausting all possible avenues, including the recently held picketing followed by the time window given government to getting our arrears paid, the same issue lingers. It is clear that our welfare is not of a concern to the government, thus, we will be staging another picketing at Jubilee House on the 20th of September, 2022, all things being equal, a statement signed by NABCO Trainees Association of Ghana National Chairman Dennis Opoku Katakyie has said. The trainees say the level of insensitivity suffered in the hands of the current administration is condemnable to the highest degree. Find more on the upcoming demonstration in the statement below: 15.09.2022 LISTEN Captain (retired) Nkrabea Effah Dartey, lawyer for galamsey queen, Aisha Huang, has told Citi News that the controversial illegal miner did not sneak out of the country as presented in court by police prosecutors. This contradicts facts presented by the prosecutors in court on Wednesday, which accused Aisha Huang of sneaking in and out of Ghana upon her first arrest in 2017. But in a counter-narrative, the lawyer told Citi News that, Aisha Huang was actually state-facilitated out of the jurisdiction. This cannot be true. Aisha was never declared a persona non-grata. Why is officialdom trying to shy away from what really happened? Why are different impressions being created? She [Aisha] told me that, they put her on a flight back to China, Nkrabea Effah Dartey said. Despite the government providing evidence of a repatriation notice and the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, saying she was repatriated, the prosecutors in court on Wednesday gave a contrary narrative. She again sneaked back into Ghana early in 2022, according to facts presented by the prosecutors in court on Wednesday, September 14, 2022. Aisha Huang and three others were denied bail after the court hearing on Wednesday. She is standing trial with three other Chinese nationals; Jong Li Hua, Huang Jei and Huaid Hai Hun. They have all been charged with mining without a valid license and engaging in the sale and purchase of minerals without a permit. Since Aisha Huang was arrested earlier in September, there has been controversy about how she left Ghana and how she ended back in the country. The initial reporting on the case was that she had been deported in 2018 after filing a nolle prosequi to discontinue an earlier case against her. But North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, claimed Aisha Huang was not escorted during her supposed deportation as was required. In the days after Mr. Ablakwas comments, President Akufo-Addo also said he was unsure whether Aisha Huang was deported from Ghana in 2018 or fled . This prompted the government to share documents indicating she was given a notice of repatriation in December 2018. The Information Minister also said definitely that Aisha Huang had been repatriated . citinewsroom King Charles III has blocked Zimbabwe Presidents request to attend the funeral of his late mother Queen Elizabeth II. President Mnangagwa in a letter expressing his condolence to the King for the passing of his mother requested to attend the funeral to be held in England on September 17, 2022. The King in a letter responding to the request written on his behalf by the Deputy to the Senior Correspondence Officer, Miss Jennie Vine said: The King has asked me to tell you that president Mnangagwa's resquest cannot be granted as it would go against the restrictions including those of travel that the United Kingdom has in place with regards to many of the Zimbabwean Government leadership and those connected to them. Read the letter denying president Mnangagwa's request to attend the funeral below: Source: Classfmonline.com The President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa has said his predecessor John Dramani Mahama is having sleepless nights because he succeeded in unseating him. According to the President, Mahama is yet to get over the fact that he gave him a good whipping twice in 2016 and 2020 general elections. Mr. Mahama still has not been able to assimilate his defeat twice to the man who he had said could never come to power in Ghana and I think every night when he goes to bed, he is confused about the man who has not just come back but given him a good whipping on two separate occasions. We won the landslide in 2016 and again decisive margin in 2020. He has never gotten the figures that I have gotten in elections in Ghana, he knows, President Akufo-Addo said during an interview with a Ho-based radio station to wrap up his two-day tour of the Volta Region. President Akufo-Addo further indicated that ex-President John Dramani Mahama feels threatened by the progress government has made and that is why he is always attacking his administration. He knows that significant progress and achievements have been made and that it is necessary for him and his supporters to denigrate that exercise, to go out of their way and to poo-poo everything that we have done, H.E Akufo-Addo noted. This comes after the former President criticised President Akufo-Addos government on the fight against corruption. While addressing a gathering of chiefs and people at the 2022 edition of the Asogli Yam Festival in the Volta Region over the past weekend, Mahama said the current administration led by President Akufo-Addo has lost the fight. This government, the NPP government has completely lost control of the fight against corruption. President Akufo-Addo in his inaugural address promised to protect the public purse. Today even that public purse cannot be found. The revelations in the Auditor-Generals report for 2021 is simply a microcosm of the real extent of the seeming institutionalisation of corruption under this administration, ex-president John Dramani Mahama remarked. Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor is not convinced the state has a strong case against the accused Chinese illegal miner, Aisha Huang. In his view, it will be difficult to prosecute the Chinese national especially when she was arrested at her home and not at a galamsey site. According to the lawmaker, the case against Aisha Huang is dead on arrival since her lawyers can easily get her out. How are they going to prove that she is engaged in galamsey when she wasnt arrested on site? Lawyer of Aisha Huang and the Chinese Nationals, Effah Dartey has an easy task, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor told TV3 in an interview on Thursday, September 15. The South Dayi MP continued, She wasnt arrested while mining but rather in her home so if I was a defense in this issue, I can get out easily. This matter is dead on arrival thats why Effah Dartey says this is small. The NDC MP stressed that the odds may have been different if the case was being handled by a State Attorney. Why is this matter prosecuted at the High Court? And a State Attorney must handle this issue. They would have been diligent and professional to handle this, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor opined. Aisha Huang, age 47, was in Court with three other suspected illegal miners. They have been charged with engaging in illegal mining and trading minerals without a valid license. Despite the plea for bail by her lawyers, the court remanded her and the other suspects into police custody for two weeks. They will reappear in court on September 27. Mining giant Anglogold Ashanti Ghana, Obuasi Mine has refurbished and revamped its Engineering Training school. The company has thus partnered Mac Partners, a Ghanaian-owned company to transform the school into a modern, sophisticated and highly practical training environment where trainees go through hands-on practical training. Speaking at a development partnership symposium organised by the mining company to discuss partnership opportunities for implementing the 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan of the company, Emmanuel Baidoo, the Senior Manager of Sustainability said the company in its resolve to contribute to building a resilient socio-economically self-sustaining communities, intends to invest in human capital development. "We can't build the human capital without revisiting the Engineering Training school which was the hub of training in Engineering related disciplines," he stated. Driven by the need to address the skill deficiency level in Obuasis Engineering department, the centre was set up in 1987 to provide on-the-job training for the workers. The Sustainability Manager revealed that as part of the SEDP, the company will train 1000 youth in mining related disciplines at the Training Institute. "This year, the company will train 100 youth, all from Obuasi at the institute to equip them with practical training to prepare them for the job market. While we train them, we will also equip them with entrepreneurial skills to enable them establish their own businesses," he noted. Issues of illegal mining has been a major headache for AngloGold Ashanti as the company has over the years struggled to deal with the activities of illegal miners in its Obuasi Mine. Most of the youth who are engaged in galamsey have attributed their involvement to their inability to access jobs at AGA due to lack of skill in mining related areas. This, AGA believes would be resolved when more of the youth from Obuasi are enrolled on the Mac Partners Training Institute, to have hands-on skills in mining or engineering disciplines. Mr Baidoo said the 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan was birthed out of lessons learnt from the erstwhile 3-year Social Management Plan which expired in 2021. He mentioned that the consultative processes to arrive at the SEDP was extensive spanning over a year. He however said the company will continue engaging all stakeholders to drum home the impact of the 10year Socio-Economic Development Plan. OBUASI ECO INDUSTRIAL PARK The Sustainability Manager of AGAG also made known that Anglogold Ashanti is facilitating the establishment of an Eco industrial park in Obuasi which will serve as a one-stop shop for businesses in Obuasi. He said currently the company has reclaimed the land for the park, planted trees and grasses, developing a land use plan for the project. "The Eco industrial park is about leveraging the strategic location and resource worth of Obuasi to invite investors to come and invest here. The industrial park will have banks, hotels, hostels and light industries," he stated. He stressed that AGAG will construct roads at the project site, fix power and internet access and support the Traditional Authorities to set up an all-purpose vehicle or business entity to market and manage the facility. The Obuasi Municipal Director of Education George Alfred Koomson was upbeat about the impact of the SEDP on education in the Municipality. He said the several interventions lined up by AngloGold Ashanti will complement what the Government is already doing in the sector. Anglogold Ashanti in the SEDP seeks to organise a bi-annual instructional leadership training for basic school teachers, distribute 500,000 copies of learning materials to basic schools, organise yearly mock exams for BECE candidates, establish a robotic training center at Obuasi Senior High Technical school among others. The event was attended by a wide range of stakeholders including the private sector, foundations and development NGOs, Heads of public institutions and development partners. The Western Regional Minister, Hon Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah has said Ghana must take a decision on seized excavators used in illegal mining popularly known as galamsey. Speaking on Radio 360 ' Y3nsom morning talk show monitored by ModernGhana in Takoradi on the galamsey fight and a recent arrest of the Ellembelle DCE Kwasi Bonzoh, he wondered what really must be done if excavators are discovered to be involved in galamsey. "...basically, sometimes our lawyers can be funny as they make a defense that the excavator was not in action at the site, so it is not part of the illegality...if you also impound and burn those (excavators) which are found involved too they say the excavator is too expensive. So we do not have to burn them. We need to take a decision as a country on what to do. I believe if the Kwasi Bonzoh team had burnt all the excavators they found all this hullabaloo would not have emanated. However, the media will jump to their defense if they are being burnt and you get some people coming to their defense will make us be deceiving ourselves as a country. I believe we need to move forward as a country and take a decisive step on what to do with the excavators involved in galamsey," he stressed. On the arrest of the Ellembelle DCE in his bid to fight galamsey, he said it was a mix up. "REGSEC has been involved in all this fight and it was just a misunderstanding, and I am not sure anyone made a mistake. Both parties were doing their work but apparently, the Police had been detailed from the Regional Headquarters and the DCE needed to be debriefed on the operation, so he thought it wise to take some videos and report to me as the Regional Minister but unfortunately, he (DCE) was caught in the crossfire. It has however been resolved and we need not to belabour it as we are all still working as a team to ensure the galamsey menace is tackled in unison." The Regional Minister added, "The DCE has had similar challenges with the Ellembelle Community due to his fight against galamsey. The Amansuri River has regained its former state because the DCE acted in tandem with the REGSEC and so the natural state of the Amansuri river now is a testimony of a good job by the Ellembelle DCE, Kwasi Bonzoh." Meanwhile in a related interview with Hon Kwasi Bonzoh on Empire Community News monitored in Takoradi by ModernGhana News he stated that he had always remained convinced that the missing excavators can be traced to their owners. "...I am convicted that the excavators can be found I am happy one has been found and will give us the needed leads to find the other excavator to bring the matter to its logical conclusion. I have worked with Hon Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah since 2019 when he became a Regional minister and he knows the fight that is on our hands as I have briefed him on every single activity, I undertake in this galamsey fight. I was convinced I was on the side of the truth, and it is not surprising that the whole truth is coming out," he said. Young mural artist from China's Yunnan strives to bring positive changes to hometown with vivid paintings People's Daily Online) 14:52, September 15, 2022 Liu Zhicheng, a wall painter who was born after 1995 in Xingyi village, Lijiang city of southwest China's Yunnan Province, has been trying to bring changes to his hometown using his paint brushes. Liu Zhicheng poses for photos in front of a wall painting. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee) Liu, better known as Liu Xiaobei on Chinese social media platforms, returned to the village more than a year ago and planned to create 100 paintings on the walls of farmhouses in his hometown within two years as a kind of public service. At present, Liu and his partner have created more than 30 wall paintings in the village with different themes, including vivid animals, cute cartoon characters, and picturesque landscapes. The short videos recording their painting process have been played tens of millions of times. Initially, many villagers didn't understand the artform of wall painting, so Liu learned how to communicate with his fellow villagers. Eventually, he persuaded some of them to allow him to create paintings on their walls. A painting featuring Chang'e, the goddess of the moon in Chinese legend. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee) Gradually, villagers accepted the wall paintings, especially those with traditional cultural elements such as Chang'e, the goddess of the moon in Chinese legend, as well as Chinese Valentines Day. "I tried to express my thoughts in my wall paintings and make these paintings well-received by most villagers," Liu said. Liu has also managed to ensure that his wall paintings could blend into the surroundings. According to him, some senior villagers have a passion for giant pandas, so he created several wall paintings featuring giant pandas. During the process of painting one such painting, a villager tried to cut a small tree in the front of the wall selected for the painting, but Liu stopped him and painted a bigger tree on the wall, making the small tree and the wall painting blend together perfectly. Photo shows a wall painting featuring cranes and lotus flowers. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee) On this year's International Children's Day, Liu painted popular Chinese animated characters, including the Monkey King and Ne Zha, on the walls of a kindergarten in the village. "Some children want to learn painting after seeing my wall paintings, which makes me feel that I am doing something meaningful. I encourage them and hope to sow the seeds of art and dreams deep inside their hearts," Liu said. Photo shows a wall painting featuring a female character in Peking Opera. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee) It usually takes Liu about three to five days to complete a simple wall painting and seven to 10 days to finish a complex one. Liu's artworks have attracted many tourists to the small village thanks to the short videos recording the painting process as well as its rural flavor, landscapes and local customs that have also gone viral on the Internet. "Wall paintings are no longer a niche thanks to the short video platforms. Shooting short videos featuring the painting process and real scenarios of rural life enables more people to know what is behind our artworks," said Liu. Photo shows a wall painting featuring cartoon characters. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee) As the Internet develops rapidly in China and the country advances its rural vitalization strategy, an increasing number of young people like Liu are returning home to do their part to promote rural development by making use of new technologies and methods, such as short videos and live-streaming sessions. Villagers pose for photos in front of a wall painting. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee) (Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji) Rabat, Morocco (PANA) - The Sixth session of Directors General and Directors of Civil Protection of African countries opened here Tuesday with the aim of strengthening cooperation and pooling of resources among members of the International Civil Protection Organization (ICPO) On September 3, 2022, police beat Aristide Djimalde, a reporter with the news website Alwihda Info, and confiscated her press card and phone as she covered an opposition political demonstration in N'Djamena, Chads capital. (Photo: Djimalde) 15.09.2022 LISTEN Dakar, September 14, 2022Chadian authorities should thoroughly investigate the attack on Aristide Djimalde by police, hold the responsible officers accountable, and ensure the safety of journalists covering protests in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On September 3, police beat with whips Djimalde, a reporter with the privately owned news website Alwihda Info, and confiscated her press card and phone as she covered an opposition political demonstration in NDjamena, Chads capital, according to news reports and the journalist, who spoke to CPJ over the phone. The beating caused body aches, Djimaldetold CPJ. Authorities arrested several other journalists covering the protest and released them shortly afterward, the reports said, citing a union that represents journalists. Djimalde told CPJ that she was on assignment for Alwihda Info when a uniformed police officer wearing a hood that showed only the officers eyes approached her as she used her phone to film a group of officers beating young demonstrators. The police officer saw Djimalde, walked toward her, snatched her phone, and erased everything, including her contacts, messages, and recorded content, the journalist said. Then, a group of uniformed police officers joined and began hitting her with whips on her back and arms for several minutes, before women from a nearby house intervened and she managed to escape, Djimalde said. Chadian authorities should investigate the whipping of journalist Aristide Djimalde by police and ensure the safety of journalists as they work to report the news, said Muthoki Mumo, CPJs sub-Saharan Africa representative, in Nairobi. Attacks on journalists by security forces send a chilling message, which will only be amplified if there is no accountability. Djimalde told CPJ that the officers asked her if she was a journalist, she told them yes and she showed her press card, but they confiscated the card and ordered her to get into their car. Djimalde said she refused to be taken in the car, and managed to snatch her phone and press card from the officers hands; then, she received more beatings with whips. Because the neighborhood was cordoned off by the security forces and no one could leave the area, the journalist said she received medical treatment at the home of a nurse who is a member of Les Transformateurs, the opposition party that had called for the demonstration. Djimalde told CPJ on Friday, September 9, that she has not yet returned to work and still felt pain in her arms from the attack. Nathan Tah Leubnoudji, secretary-general of Reseau des Journalistes et Reporters Tchadiens, a network of Chadian reporters and journalists known as the RJRT, told CPJ over the phone that police targeted Djimalde for her proximity to Les Transformateurs, a political party that opposes an ongoing dialogue on national inclusivity. Djimaldes personal Facebook page and WhatsApp profile in early September included, among other images, a photo of the leader of Les Transformateurs draped with the national flag of Chad and surrounded by a large crowd of supporters, CPJ found in a review. According to Leubnoudji, authorities arrested three other journalists who covered the protest, did not beat them, and released them. CPJ sent questions via a messaging app on Friday, September 9, to the Chadian directorate of the National Police via a contact number publicly available online but received no response. Accra, Ghana, September 14, 2022: Madam Jeanine Milly Cooper, Liberia's Minister of Agriculture, has emphasized the potential benefits of climate-smart agriculture, but stressed that it must be applied in a way that complements existing local agricultural practices. The minister also expressed concern about the uncritical application of international practices in a project-based approach to development, where much time and resources are spent on problem definition and program design, with recommended actions usually not comprehensive. The Liberian Minister of Agriculture made these statements on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at the official opening of the "Science and Partnerships for Agriculture" conference, where she was the keynote speaker at the Alisa Hotel in Accra, Ghana. The conference is organized under the auspices of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the technical arm of the African Union Commission and the continental umbrella organization for the coordination and promotion of agricultural science, technology and innovation and agricultural research for development (AR4D). In her keynote address, Ms. Cooper explained that most of what is called smart climate agriculture in Western countries, such as regenerative agriculture or the expansion of family or small farms, is not necessarily foreign to Africa, but rather the norm in countries like Liberia. She also addressed the thorny issue of how commercial agriculture and "big farming" have grown using chemicals and fertilizers that are harmful to the planet and its inhabitants, while frowning on the use the same chemicals and fertilizers in developing countries, especially when agriculture is barely mechanized. The Liberian Minister of Agriculture also highlighted the issue of little action being taken to advance the position of women in agriculture, despite the fact that they constitute the majority of the agricultural workforce in sub-Saharan countries. The minister also specifically recommended the adoption of climate-smart agriculture which would encourage more youths to work in agriculture. From September 14-16, 2022, stakeholders in the field of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) are meeting in Accra, Ghana, to discuss creative and sustainable solutions to the problems caused by climate change in African agriculture. Academics, researchers, politicians and other stakeholders from the African continent and the European Union are attending the conference. Over 250 participants are attending, in person and some virtually using a special Zoom platform. The theme of the conference is "Insight into climate-smart agriculture initiatives to increase accountability, resource use and impact in Africa". My critique and analysis of the report into alleged commission of corruption and corruption- related offences involving the Labianca Group of Companies Limited published on 19 August 2022 invoked insults and the casting of aspersions on my person instead of a reasoned response to the detailed critique and analysis presented to the public for informed debate. I have crusaded against corruption since 1982 when I chaired the three-man National Investigation Committee, Sub-committee into the Cotton Development Board. I am not one of those whose crusade has ever had an eye on foreign and local donations and grants to fund or pay for my constitutional advocacy activities against corruption. That is the work of entrepreneurs whose salaries and emoluments are derived from fundings, donations or grants from foreign governments and/or their agents. I expect the CDDs Corruption Watch Ghana and those associates and lawyers attacking my person instead of the article I wrote to be bold to inform Ghanaians of how from June to October 2018, I refused to compromise the independence of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) when they tried on numerous occasions to let me violate Section 22 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) on funding the OSP, and ceding the OSP to their management and control. As a result of the unreasoned attack on my person instead of the article I wrote, I petitioned the Public Services Commission on 31st August 2022 on the unlawful appointment of permanent staff to the OSP contrary to Article 195 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 21 of Act 959. I followed this up on 2nd September 2022 with letters to the Minister for Finance, the Accountant-General, the Auditor-General, and the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament to protect the public purse. A PROUD NORTHERNER TO BEAR THE PEJORATIVE NAME KONONGOKAYA A member of parliament who is the chairperson of the Constitutional and Legal Committee of Parliament, Mr. Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, within hours of the publication of the twenty-page article stooped so low to call me by the pejorative Gold Coast Colony and Ashanti name assigned my forebearers, northerners, from the Northern Territories of the British Protectorate in Konongo, as Konongokaya. No amount of attempting to clean the pejorative origins of the word Konongokaya can hide the insult to Northerners in the colony or to me as one of their descendants. Like the Kayayei of today, we are proud northerners and proud of our identities. It is however a shame that such a person calls himself a lawyer, and Chairman of the Constitutional and Legal Committee of the Parliament of the modern-day Ghana founded on 6 March 1957 and passing laws for citizens under the 1992 Constitution. If simply reading a 20-page article was problematic for such a member of parliament to help him argue in a civilized manner without casting invectives at the author, then, one wanders how seriously the bills and regulations are scrutinized under such a lazy chairperson before Parliament passes them. Surely, Ghana deserves better representation in Parliament. CDD-GHANAS CORRUPTION WATCH GHANA The next day, 20 August 2022, after the publication of my article, the supposed doyen of the NGOs, CDD-Ghana, in a statement signed by its Co-Founder, Dr Gyimah-Boadu, raised questions about Ms. Asomah-Hinnehs appointment by the president as a Board Member of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA). Unfortunately, the President did not appoint Ms. Asomah-Hanneh to the Council of State. She is an elected member of the Council of State as stated in my article and the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority is not the same entity as the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to generate any conflict of interest in her dealings with the GRA. And clearly, the OSP was acting ultra vires its statutory and constitutional mandate and the question of the propriety or otherwise of any appointment by the President to the Board of GPHA did not arise. The impression subtly created that the OSP Labianca Report was constitutional and lawful was the issue at stake to be addressed by all adherents of the rule of law and the due process of law and not evading those issues through the side door. The proper context of appreciating the CDDs stance after my article is to remember the position it took in support of the OSP Labianca Report as reported by Modern Ghana on 11 August 2022. Modern Ghana reported that: Advocacy group, Corruption Watch Ghana has commended the Office of the Special Prosecutor for recovering over GHS1 million in unpaid import duty charges from Labianca Company LimitedIn a press release, Corruption Watch Ghana is pushing for the owner of Labianca Company Limited, Ms. Buah Asomah-Hinneh to be removed from her position as Council of State memberIn addition, it also wants the Deputy Commissioner for Customs in charge of operations Mr. Joseph Adu Kyei sanctioned. In the words of the statement issued by Corruption Watch Ghana: Ms. Buah Asomah-Hinneh must be asked to resign or be removed from her membership of the Council of State and the Board of Directors of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority. Corruption Watch Ghana welcomes the directive for the opening of a wider investigation in respect of the issuance of customs advance rulings and markdown of benchmark values between July 2017 and December 2021.We further welcome the directive to the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to submit an Integrity Plan designed with the aim of preventing the corruption of the exercise of discretion by officials of the Customs Division by December 31, 2022. We believe that these directives are forward- looking. After welcoming whole heartedly an unlawful and unconstitutional report by their accredited partner in the fight against corruption my article which raised issues on the ultra vires of the OSP Labianca Report threatened to expose the collective who were participating in the mob lynching of witnesses who were being condemned without a hearing in accordance with Act 959 and the 1992 Constitution. As reported in the Modern Ghana article, Corruption Watch Ghana is an initiative by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and a coalition of anti-corruption civil society organizations including, Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Ghana Anti- Corruption Coalition (GACC), and Africa Center for International Law and Accountability (ACILA) I do not consider the media acting pursuant to Chapter Twelve of the 1992 Constitution as partners of Corruption Watch Ghana. They are named as media partners just for the same purposes of influence peddling or trading of influence as Corruption Watch Ghana criticizes others for practicing. The same influence peddling or trading of influence can be seen on the website of the OSP where two of the leading foreign influenced NGOs have become integral partners of an independent OSP: Afrobarometre-Center for Democracy and Development (CDD), and Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) - without the slightest shame of any conflict of interest in rigging the elections to Chairpersonship of the governing council of the OSP and violating Section 22 of Act 959 which forbids the OSP from accepting any funds directly or indirectly from anybody except from or through the Ministry of Finance. This partnership clearly negates the independence of the OSP and now enhances the ability of the NGOs to use influence peddling or trading of influence to source funds, grants and donations from foreign sources first to meet their administrative expenses and salaries, and secondly to interfere in the independent operations of the OSP. This is precisely what Section 22 of Act 959 sought to prevent. They failed to persuade me to violate this law during my tenure. The records are available on their illegal efforts should they wish to contest this claim. The unanswered question which the CDDs Corruption Watch Ghana does not want Ghanaians to think about is the fact that some of their members serve as public officers on governing councils of the executive branch of government as Chairpersons or members of state institutions and take the allowances and other perquisites of public office that come with such appointments. Those Ghanaians who do not see these entrepreneurial NGOs as suffering from the same conflict of interest, or influence peddling or trading of influence they pontificate against should visit the definition of the expression public officer under Section 3 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). I refrain from naming them, but they know themselves. This is a typical lynching mob modus operandi that hides their own iniquities while lynching others who like themselves, have not been found guilty through the due process of law for the commission of any offence(s). Walk your talks and resign from those executive branch positions, if you truly have integrity and believe in what you preach. THE INTEGRITY OF NOT READING ARTICLES WE CRITICISE Mr. Martin Kpebu, a lawyer, who makes it his stock in trade to regularly appear as a guest in the electronic media as part of his private law practice, without reading my article, said that: Mr Amidu shot over the bar. Thats what he did in Agyapa [case], so I dont know why Mr Amidu suddenly has come to this 180 turn to stand on the other end. We have so much respect for him but in this particular thing we dont agree with him. This lawyer did not apparently, as simple legal ethics demanded, even read my article, or understand it, because if he had he would not have missed the last paragraph on page 4, (after I had stated the investigatory and prosecutorial powers of the OSP under which the OSP Labianca Report was written, including the publication of reports under Section 3(3) of Act 959) in which I stated that: The report of the OSP on Labianca under discussion makes no reference to it as having been undertaken in pursuance of its objects under Section 2(c) of Act 959 and Regulation 31 of L. I. 2374. It is not stated in the Labianca report to be a prevention of corruption report, in the nature of, an analysis of the risk of corruption conducted by the OSP but conducted as a full investigation by a panel. The Agyapa Royalties analysis of the risk of corruption and anti- corruption risk assessment report of the OSP made it clear that it was written pursuant to the prevention of corruption mandate. A simple reading of pages 63 and 64 of the Agyapa Royalty Transaction Report dated 15 October 2020 clearly showed its difference from the OSP Labianca Report: This assessment does not constitute an investigation even though a formal investigation for the suspected commission of offences may arise from this corruption risk assessment. It is not the work of a Commission or Committee of EnquiryIt partakes of a compliance audit But this is a gentleman and a lawyer who had taken a position on the OSP Labianca Report when it was published in the media on 8 August 2022 without even considering the fact that the whole report by his friend, the Special Prosecutor, was written without any jurisdiction or mandate under the law establishing the OSP. In a report by Joy Multimedia dated 11 August 2022 this lawyer who knows it all, was reported to have thrown his support behind the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in the Labianca Company saga. He is also quoted to have told the television station that: Col. Damoah (Rtd) cant take himself out of this case. It is just too late in the day so the ad hominem argument that the Special Prosecutor is a small boy is neither here nor there. So he should accept because I dont see the grounds for the attack. And this is one of the human rights lawyers who had crucified persons accused of corruption by means of adverse findings for which they had no right of appeal to the High Court as guaranteed to commissions of enquiry under the 1992 Constitution. My critique and analysis of his friends OSP Labianca Report was therefore difficult for him to swallow as it contradicted his previous ill-considered position to Multimedia on the issue. What integrity do we exhibit to the listening and reading public when we appear on television, urge our host to visit the OSP to see its abysmal state of affairs for himself because we had followed up our petition to the Special Prosecutor on the Northern Development Authority (NDA) alleged corruption case, and in the same breath accusing the President for not interfering in the independence guaranteed to the OSP by usurping that independence to fight corruption as President? There was no way the President could win the argument. If he dealt with the NDA case when it was pending before the OSP upon our man of integritys petition, the President would be interfering in its independence. If he awaited the results of the independent OSP he was part of criminal syndicate of corruption. Perfect logic of integrity! Then two days later the OSP which had held on to the NDA petition without acting on our man of integrity and human rights petition, announced the commencement of investigation into the NDA case. Was there a collusion to set-up the President for damnation? It should be everybodys guess. IMANIS CHARGE OF OBSTRUCTION OF THE CURRENT SPECIAL PROSECUTOR The Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, is reported on 25 August 2022 on Joy News PM Express to have cautioned against the hailing of the former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, as an authority to be running commentary on the actions of the present Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng. According to the reportage: Mr. Amidu should not be sniping at him, making such commentary. We all make commentary, we all criticize, we all say what we have to say. But you and I and everybody else should be careful not to make Martin into somebody who will be running commentary and then we will sit back and then be analyzing what Mr. Agyebeng is doing because of what Martin Amidu is saying. I absolutely will not join that bandwagon. Pathetically, Kofi Bentil of IMANI Africa accuses me of obstructing the work of the present Special Prosecutor with long epistles. The exercise of my constitutional right as a citizen to critique an unlawful and unconstitutional conduct did not matter to validity of the arguments contained in my considered article to this lawyer and Vice President of IMANI Africa. This is a person who did not even appear to have read the prologue to my critique and analysis which explained why I broke one year of silence to write on a patently unconstitutional and unlawful report of their friend. The distinguished Vice President of IMANI Africa refused or failed to address the reasons for my article as I stated in the prologue even if he was lazy to read the entire 20-page article: The report seriously violates the statutory mandate of the OSP under the 1992 Constitution. It is, therefore, imperative that the public appreciates through cogent and credible critique and analysis of the issues involved in the published Labianca report in which three investigation witnesses who appeared before an unauthorized investigation panel are being lynched in the court of public opinion as though they had been cautioned and/or charged with any corruption and/or corruption-related offences before the OSP. his explains my first critique and analysis of the work of the OSP since the assumption of office of the Special Prosecutor on 9 August 2021. But so are they all, all distinguished Vice Presidents of NGOs, who when they cannot engage the argument, engage a personality of their perceived adversary with disparaging trash in their defensive interactions. Let me say this for the first and the last time: I had to resign from the OSP after crossing swords with the President and his Family and Friends on 1 November 2020 on the Agyapa Royalties Transactions. Any experienced public officer would tell anyone that strategically, staying on in that office opened me up for trumped-up impeachment at the time of the Governments own choosing. Resigning was the most strategic and tactical thing to do to both avoid the Charlotte Osei situation and to scuttle the Agyapa Royalties Transaction which has been more beneficial to Ghana than the GHC1million extorted from Labianca Company Limited. I had to make that decision based on decades of experience in public office and not cede it to any civil society organization or Mr. Kwame Anyimadu- Antwi who did not even know how I was persuaded to accept the appointment in the first place. INVITATION TO ANTI-CORRUPTION NGOs FOR A REASONED DEBATE I humbly invite the non-governmental organizations who chose to attack and cancel me from exercising my constitutional right to engage in critical and analytical discourse on the lawfulness of the OSP report to respond to my article in a civilized manner by demonstrating that pursuant to section 2(a), 3 and 79 of Act 959 and Regulations 5, 6, and 7 of L. I. 2374 under which the OSP purported to have written and published the OSP Labianca Report any specified corruption and corruption-related offences were committed. The factual context is that the interpretation section, Section 79 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) defines corruption and corruption-related offences to mean offences under (a) Section 146, 151, 179C, 239, 252, 253, 254, 256, 258 and 260 of the Criminal Offence Act, 1960 (Act 29); (b) Section 92 (2) of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663); and (c) Existent offences under enactments arising out of or consequent to offences referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b); The following is a summation of the corruption and corruption-related offences created under Act 959: Section 146 deals with dishonestly receiving property that a person knows to has been obtained or appropriated by a criminal offence punishable under the chapter; Section 151 deals with a person who extorts property from any other person by means of threat; (c) Section 179C dealing with using public office for profit; (d) Section 239 deals with corruption of and by public officers; (e) Section 252 deals with accepting or giving bribe to influence public officer or juror, (g) Section 253 deals with corrupt promise by judicial officer or juror; (h) Section 254 deals with corrupt selection of juror, (i) Section 256 deals with corruption, intimidation, and personation in respect of election, (j) Section 258 deals with falsification of returns at election; (k) Section 260 deals with withholding public money by public officer; and (l) Section 92(2) of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) deals with offences constituted under the Act for which jurisdiction is given to the Office. Surprisingly, it fails to mention Section 93 dealing with corrupt practices. I challenge Corruption Watch Ghana, its associated friends and lawyers to point to the offences indicated above the offences of conflict of interest, or influence peddling or trading of influence by Ms. Asomah-Hinneh by employing her position as a member of the Council of state and a member of the Board of Directors of Ghana Ports and Habours Authority or .an institutional culture of ligthearted (sic) unconcern regarding impropriety of action at the Customs division of the Ghana Revenue Authority which indicated a high propensity to engender corruption and corruption-related activities as corruption and corruption-related offences. Should they be able to show these to fall within Section 79 of Act 959, I would gladly accept the charges of obstructing, meddling, and shooting over the bar against me, and apologize for my transgression into the domain of the almighty Corruption Watch Ghana under the equally omnipotent CDD Ghana. CONCLUSIONS The efforts and attempts by the group of non-governmental organizations called Corruption Watch Ghana, their associated friends, and lawyers to silence, intimidate, and cancel my voice from defending the 1992 Constitution in the fight against corruption within the narrow laudable objectives of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, Act, 2017 (Act 959) and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Operations) Regulations, 2018 (L. I. 2374) to investigate and prosecute specified cases of alleged or suspected corruption and corruption-related offences will, and has failed. The more my person is attacked and intimidated, the more I shall use all available legal and constitutional means at my disposal to ensure that the Office of the Special Prosecutor does not become a rogue institution of CDD-Ghanas Corruption Watch Ghana and their associates who are pushing it into illegal acts to enhance their entrepreneurial influence peddling or trading of influence at the expense of the security and laws of Ghana. Martin A. B. K. Amidu Former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, has said he would not stop his anti-corruption crusade. He said attempts made by certain persons to silence, intimidate, and bar him from defending the 1992 Constitution in the fight against corruption have failed. Mr Amidu in an epistle rejected claims against him by Corruption Watch Ghana and co suggesting that he shot over the bar with his stance on the Labianca case. Mr Amidu had shared his opinion on the Labianca case where he said the Office of the Special Prosecutors (OSP) investigations into the case was hollow. In his latest epistle, Mr Awudu said he was attacked for sharing his opinion but he would not budge in his fight against corruption. Below is his full statement: THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION REQUIRES A HIGH DECREE OF CRUSADING INTEGRITY AND NOT ENTERPRENEURSHIP: BY MARTIN A. B. K. AMIDU INTRODUCTION My critique and analysis of the report into alleged commission of corruption and corruption related offences involving the Labianca Group of Companies Limited published on 19 August 2022 invoked insults and the casting of aspersions on my person instead of a reasoned response to the detailed critique and analysis presented to the public for informed debate. I have crusaded against corruption since 1982 when I chaired the three-man National Investigation Committee, Sub-committee into the Cotton Development Board. I am not one of those whose crusade has ever had an eye on foreign and local donations and grants to fund or pay for my constitutional advocacy activities against corruption. That is the work of entrepreneurs whose salaries and emoluments are derived from fundings, donations or grants from foreign governments and/or their agents. I expect the CDDs Corruption Watch Ghana and those associates and lawyers attacking my person instead of the article I wrote to be bold to inform Ghanaians of how from June to October 2018, I refused to compromise the independence of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) when they tried on numerous occasions to let me violate Section 22 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) on funding the OSP, and ceding the OSP to their management and control. As a result of the unreasoned attack on my person instead of the article I wrote, I petitioned the Public Services Commission on 31st August 2022 on the unlawful appointment of permanent staff to the OSP contrary to Article 195 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 21 of Act 959. I followed this up on 2nd September 2022 with letters to the Minister for Finance, the Accountant-General, the Auditor-General, and the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament to protect the public purse. A PROUD NORTHERNER TO BEAR THE PEJORATIVE NAME KONONGOKAYA A member of parliament who is the chairperson of the Constitutional and Legal Committee of Parliament, Mr. Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, within hours of the publication of the twenty-page article stooped so low to call me by the pejorative Gold Coast Colony and Ashanti name assigned my forebearers, northerners, from the Northern Territories of the British Protectorate in Konongo, as Konongokaya. No amount of attempting to clean the pejorative origins of the word Konongokaya can hide the insult to Northerners in the colony or to me as one of their descendants. Like the Kayayei of today, we are proud northerners and proud of our identities. It is however a shame that such a person calls himself a lawyer, and Chairman of the Constitutional and Legal Committee of the Parliament of the modern day Ghana founded on 6 March 1957 and passing laws for citizens under the 1992 Constitution. If simply reading a 20-page article was problematic for such a member of parliament to help him argue in a civilized manner without casting invectives at the author, then, one wanders how seriously the bills and regulations are scrutinized under such a lazy chairperson before Parliament passes them. Surely, Ghana deserves better representation in Parliament. CDD-GHANAS CORRUPTION WATCH GHANA The next day, 20 August 2022, after the publication of my article, the supposed doyen of the NGOs, CDD-Ghana, in a statement signed by its Co-Founder, Dr Gyimah-Boadu, raised questions about Ms. Asomah-Hinnehs appointment by the president as a Board Member of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA). Unfortunately, the President did not appoint Ms. Asomah-Hanneh to the Council of State. She is an elected member of the Council of State as stated in my article and the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority is not the same entity as the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to generate any conflict of interest in her dealings with the GRA. And clearly, the OSP was acting ultra vires its statutory and constitutional mandate and the question of the propriety or otherwise of any appointment by the President to the Board of GPHA did not arise. The impression subtly created that the OSP Labianca Report was constitutional and lawful was the issue at stake to be addressed by all adherents of the rule of law and the due process of law and not evading those issues through the side door. The proper context of appreciating the CDDs stance after my article is to remember the position it took in support of the OSP Labianca Report as reported by Modern Ghana on 11 August 2022. Modern Ghana reported that: Advocacy group, Corruption Watch Ghana has commended the Office of the Special Prosecutor for recovering over GHS1 million in unpaid import duty charges from Labianca Company LimitedIn a press release, Corruption Watch Ghana is pushing for the owner of Labianca Company Limited, Ms. Buah Asomah-Hinneh to be removed from her position as Council of State memberIn addition, it also wants the Deputy Commissioner for Customs in charge of operations Mr. Joseph Adu Kyei sanctioned. In the words of the statement issued by Corruption Watch Ghana: Ms. Buah Asomah-Hinneh must be asked to resign or be removed from her membership of the Council of State and the Board of Directors of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority. Corruption Watch Ghana welcomes the directive for the opening of a wider investigation in respect of the issuance of customs advance rulings and markdown of benchmark values between July 2017 and December 2021.We further welcome the directive to the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to submit an Integrity Plan designed with the aim of preventing the corruption of the exercise of discretion by officials of the Customs Division by December 31, 2022. We believe that these directives are forwardlooking. After welcoming whole heartedly an unlawful and unconstitutional report by their accredited partner in the fight against corruption my article which raised issues on the ultra vires of the OSP Labianca Report threatened to expose the collective who were participating in the mob lynching of witnesses who were being condemned without a hearing in accordance with Act 959 and the 1992 Constitution. As reported in the Modern Ghana article, Corruption Watch Ghana is an initiative by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and a coalition of anti-corruption civil society organizations including, Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Ghana Anti- Corruption Coalition (GACC), and Africa Center for International Law and Accountability (ACILA) I do not consider the media acting pursuant to Chapter Twelve of the 1992 Constitution as partners of Corruption Watch Ghana. They are named as media partners just for the same 3 purposes of influence peddling or trading of influence as Corruption Watch Ghana criticizes others for practicing. The same influence peddling or trading of influence can be seen on the website of the OSP where two of the leading foreign influenced NGOs have become integral partners of an independent OSP: Afrobarometre-Center for Democracy and Development (CDD), and Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) - without the slightest shame of any conflict of interest in rigging the elections to Chairpersonship of the governing council of the OSP and violating Section 22 of Act 959 which forbids the OSP from accepting any funds directly or indirectly from anybody except from or through the Ministry of Finance. This partnership clearly negates the independence of the OSP and now enhances the ability of the NGOs to use influence peddling or trading of influence to source funds, grants and donations from foreign sources first to meet their administrative expenses and salaries, and secondly to interfere in the independent operations of the OSP. This is precisely what Section 22 of Act 959 sought to prevent. They failed to persuade me to violate this law during my tenure. The records are available on their illegal efforts should they wish to contest this claim. The unanswered question which the CDDs Corruption Watch Ghana does not want Ghanaians to think about is the fact that some of their members serve as public officers on governing councils of the executive branch of government as Chairpersons or members of state institutions and take the allowances and other perquisites of public office that come with such appointments. Those Ghanaians who do not see these entrepreneurial NGOs as suffering from the same conflict of interest, or influence peddling or trading of influence they pontificate against should visit the definition of the expression public officer under Section 3 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). I refrain from naming them, but they know themselves. This is a typical lynching mob modus operandi that hides their own iniquities while lynching others who like themselves, have not been found guilty through the due process of law for the commission of any offence(s). Walk your talks and resign from those executive branch positions, if you truly have integrity and believe in what you preach. THE INTEGRITY OF NOT READING ARTICLES WE CRITICISE Mr. Martin Kpebu, a lawyer, who makes it his stock in trade to regularly appear as a guest in the electronic media as part of his private law practice, without reading my article, said that: Mr Amidu shot over the bar. Thats what he did in Agyapa [case], so I dont know why Mr Amidu suddenly has come to this 180 turn to stand on the other end. We have so much respect for him but in this particular thing we dont agree with him. This lawyer did not apparently, as simple legal ethics demanded, even read my article, or understand it, because if he had he would not have missed the last paragraph on page 4, (after I had stated the investigatory and prosecutorial powers of the OSP under which the OSP Labianca Report was written, including the publication of reports under Section 3(3) of Act 959) in which I stated that: The report of the OSP on Labianca under discussion makes no reference to it as having been undertaken in pursuance of its objects under Section 2(c) of Act 959 and Regulation 31 of L. I. 2374. It is not stated in the Labianca report to be a prevention of corruption report, in the nature of, an analysis of the risk of corruption conducted by the OSP but conducted as a full investigation by a panel. The Agyapa Royalties analysis of the risk of corruption and anticorruption risk assessment report of the OSP made it clear that it was written pursuant to the prevention of corruption mandate. A simple reading of pages 63 and 64 of the Agyapa Royalty Transaction Report dated 15 October 2020 clearly showed its difference from the OSP Labianca Report: This assessment does not constitute an investigation even though a formal investigation for the suspected commission of offences may arise from this corruption risk assessment. It is not the work of a Commission or Committee of EnquiryIt partakes of a compliance audit But this is a gentleman and a lawyer who had taken a position on the OSP Labianca Report when it was published in the media on 8 August 2022 without even considering the fact that the whole report by his friend, the Special Prosecutor, was written without any jurisdiction or mandate under the law establishing the OSP. In a report by Joy Multimedia dated 11 August 2022 this lawyer who knows it all, was reported to have thrown his support behind the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in the Labianca Company saga. He is also quoted to have told the television station that: Col. Damoah (Rtd) cant take himself out of this case. It is just too late in the day so the ad hominem argument that the Special Prosecutor is a small boy is neither here nor there. So he should accept because I dont see the grounds for the attack. And this is one of the human rights lawyers who had crucified persons accused of corruption by means of adverse findings for which they had no right of appeal to the High Court as guaranteed to commissions of enquiry under the 1992 Constitution. My critique and analysis of his friends OSP Labianca Report was therefore difficult for him to swallow as it contradicted his previous ill-considered position to Multimedia on the issue. What integrity do we exhibit to the listening and reading public when we appear on television, urge our host to visit the OSP to see its abysmal state of affairs for himself because we had followed up our petition to the Special Prosecutor on the Northern Development Authority (NDA) alleged corruption case, and in the same breath accusing the President for not interfering in the independence guaranteed to the OSP by usurping that independence to fight corruption as President? There was no way the President could win the argument. If he dealt with the NDA case when it was pending before the OSP upon our man of integritys petition, the President would be interfering in its independence. If he awaited the results of the independent OSP he was part of criminal syndicate of corruption. Perfect logic of integrity! Then two days later the OSP which had held on to the NDA petition without acting on our man of integrity and human rights petition, announced the commencement of investigation into the NDA case. Was there a collusion to set-up the President for damnation? It should be everybodys guess. IMANIS CHARGE OF OBSTRUCTION OF THE CURRENT SPECIAL PROSECUTOR The Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, is reported on 25 August 2022 on Joy News PM Express to have cautioned against the hailing of the former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, as an authority to be running commentary on the actions of the present Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng. According to the reportage: Mr. Amidu should not be sniping at him, making such commentary. We all make commentary, we all criticize, we all say what we have to say. But you and I and everybody else should be careful not to make Martin into somebody who will be running commentary and then we will sit back and then be analyzing what Mr. Agyebeng is doing because of what Martin Amidu is saying. I absolutely will not join that bandwagon. Pathetically, Kofi Bentil of IMANI Africa accuses me of obstructing the work of the present Special Prosecutor with long epistles. The exercise of my constitutional right as a citizen to critique an unlawful and unconstitutional conduct did not matter to validity of the arguments contained in my considered article to this lawyer and Vice President of IMANI Africa. This is a person who did not even appear to have read the prologue to my critique and analysis which explained why I broke one year of silence to write on a patently unconstitutional and unlawful report of their friend. The distinguished Vice President of IMANI Africa refused or failed to address the reasons for my article as I stated in the prologue even if he was lazy to read the entire 20-page article: The report seriously violates the statutory mandate of the OSP under the 1992 Constitution. It is, therefore, imperative that the public appreciates through cogent and credible critique and analysis of the issues involved in the published Labianca report in which three investigation witnesses who appeared before an unauthorized investigation panel are being lynched in the court of public opinion as though they had been cautioned and/or charged with any corruption and/or corruption-related offences before the OSP. his explains my first critique and analysis of the work of the OSP since the assumption of office of the Special Prosecutor on 9 August 2021. But so are they all, all distinguished Vice Presidents of NGOs, who when they cannot engage the argument, engage a personality of their perceived adversary with disparaging trash in their defensive interactions. Let me say this for the first and the last time: I had to resign from the OSP after crossing swords with the President and his Family and Friends on 1 November 2020 on the Agyapa Royalties Transactions. Any experienced public officer would tell anyone that strategically, staying on in that office opened me up for trumped-up impeachment at the time of the Governments own choosing. Resigning was the most strategic and tactical thing to do to both avoid the Charlotte Osei situation and to scuttle the Agyapa Royalties Transaction which has been more beneficial to Ghana than the GHC1million extorted from Labianca Company Limited. I had to make that decision based on decades of experience in public office and not cede it to any civil society organization or Mr. Kwame Anyimadu Antwi who did not even know how I was persuaded to accept the appointment in the first place. INVITATION TO ANTI-CORRUPTION NGOs FOR A REASONED DEBATE I humbly invite the non-governmental organizations who chose to attack and cancel me from exercising my constitutional right to engage in critical and analytical discourse on the lawfulness of the OSP report to respond to my article in a civilized manner by demonstrating that pursuant to section 2(a), 3 and 79 of Act 959 and Regulations 5, 6, and 7 of L. I. 2374 under which the OSP purported to have written and published the OSP Labianca Report any specified corruption and corruption-related offences were committed. The factual context is that the interpretation section, Section 79 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) defines corruption and corruption-related offences to mean offences under (a) Section 146, 151, 179C, 239, 252, 253, 254, 256, 258 and 260 of the Criminal Offence Act, 1960 (Act 29); (b) Section 92 (2) of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663); and (c) Existent offences under enactments arising out of or consequent to offences referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b); The following is a summation of the corruption and corruption-related offences created under Act 959: (a) Section 146 deals with dishonestly receiving property that a person knows to has been obtained or appropriated by a criminal offence punishable under the chapter; (b) Section 151 deals with a person who extorts property from any other person by means of threat; (c) Section 179C dealing with using public office for profit; (d) Section 239 deals with corruption of and by public officers; (e) Section 252 deals with accepting or giving bribe to influence public officer or juror, (g) Section 253 deals with corrupt promise by judicial officer or juror; (h) Section 254 deals with corrupt selection of juror, (i) Section 256 deals with corruption, intimidation, and personation in respect of election, (j) Section 258 deals with falsification of returns at election; (k) Section 260 deals with withholding public money by public officer; and (l) Section 92(2) of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) deals with offences constituted under the Act for which jurisdiction is given to the Office. Surprisingly, it fails to mention Section 93 dealing with corrupt practices I challenge Corruption Watch Ghana, its associated friends and lawyers to point to the offences indicated above the offences of conflict of interest, or influence peddling or trading of influence by Ms. Asomah-Hinneh by employing her position as a member of the Council of state and a member of the Board of Directors of Ghana Ports and Habours Authority or .an institutional culture of ligthearted (sic) unconcern regarding impropriety of action at the Customs division of the Ghana Revenue Authority which indicated a high propensity to engender corruption and corruption-related activities as corruption and corruption-related offences. Should they be able to show these to fall within Section 79 of Act 959, I would gladly accept the charges of obstructing, meddling, and shooting over the bar against me, and apologize for my transgression into the domain of the almighty Corruption Watch Ghana under the equally omnipotent CDD Ghana. CONCLUSIONS The efforts and attempts by the group of non-governmental organizations called Corruption Watch Ghana, their associated friends, and lawyers to silence, intimidate, and cancel my voice from defending the 1992 Constitution in the fight against corruption within the narrow laudable objectives of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, Act, 2017 (Act 959) and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Operations) Regulations, 2018 (L. I. 2374) to investigate and prosecute specified cases of alleged or suspected corruption and corruption-related offences will, and has failed. The more my person is attacked and intimidated, the more I shall use all available legal and constitutional means at my disposal to ensure that the Office of the Special Prosecutor does not become a rogue institution of CDD-Ghanas Corruption Watch Ghana and their associates who are pushing it into illegal acts to enhance their entrepreneurial influence peddling or trading of influence at the expense of the security and laws of Ghana. Martin A. B. K. Amidu Ghanaian politicians are enthusiastic about running for president but there are several constraints and very rigorous standards for candidates for president in serious countries that must be met by a person before admittance to the national vote, though I'm not sure the current legislation allows everyone to run for the position of head of state in Ghana. As Ghanaians, we must never take our beloved country for granted or allow behaviors that disqualify someone from holding political office, let alone the presidency. Respect must be earned, thus to ensure effective political leadership in Ghana, the people must act like human beings and reject behaviors that the majority of successful nations neither accept nor encourage in politics. Though history suggests that Africa is where civilization first emerged, are Africans glad that the rest of the world is aware of their continent's lack of advancement? Are Africans pleased when Europeans bring up the issue of fraudulent diplomas being distributed around the continent? Are Africans happy that the Whiteman is aware that they may simply lie about their ages on documents, which is illegal? Great Ghana: If we don't work hard to make our country great, foreign governments will never manage it successfully. One of the best and most powerful methods to run a successful government is to remove dishonest and criminal politicians from office. Photo credit: Ghana media Things like these should alarm you as an intelligent African or Ghanaian so that you may change them because these are some of the significant problems that have diminished respect for Africans. Extreme tribalism and pervasive corruption have already diminished Ghana's once-proud status as a nation. We can turn things around by sticking to stringent regulations and excluding criminals from holding elective office. There are many politicians in Ghana who have either been involved in or implicated in significant crimes and corruption scandals that several developing nations would never consider in politics, let alone developed nations that would never tolerate corrupt politicians in office. Therefore, if Ghana is to be acknowledged as a country, its citizens and the judiciary must treat political crimes seriously. It doesn't speak highly of Ghana at all if people, even members of the international community, believe that corrupt politicians, judges, and journalists are openly included in the government to serve a nation. It is comparable to an African leader, demanding compensation from the developed world over their role in slavery, while many Ghanaians are lamenting the passing of the queen, who shared in Africa's tragedy. How smart are we Africans or people of color? You are completely deluding yourself if you believe that just because you are a wealthy politician, regardless of the crime you have committed in the past, you can still be president. If you were foolish enough to ignore your crimes because you are being supported by wealthy individuals and members of a tribe, you are presenting Ghanaians as gullible individuals who are willing to elect someone who has committed a crime as president. What qualifications are necessary for this position and how does one become president? You must possess a strong inner core since people only follow powerful spirits and deserving individuals. Those who wish to hold the office of president must possess exceptional intelligence and decision-making skills, be knowledgeable about a wide range of topics, and have a working knowledge of how the economy, industry, and other sectors operate. Since "we need to raise incomes, pensions, and lower taxes" is a pretty straightforward argument, understanding how this can be done is a completely different thing. Let's see who qualifies for the position of president in Ghana while keeping in mind the standards for presidential candidates in developed nations. The belief that because Ghana is an African nation, anything is conceivable is not something interesting or noteworthy to entertain. The absence of criminal history and participation in prominent political and diplomatic controversies in Ghanaian politics should be welcomed by any sensible Ghanaian. Our objective should be to set high standards for presidential candidates in Ghana 1. A candidate for president shouldn't have a criminal record for committing significant crimes that are punishable by law or crimes that are connected to more serious ones. 2. No one serving a prison sentence is allowed to run for president. Many politicians would have been behind bars if Ghana's judicial system weren't inefficient and corrupt. 3. A person may not be nominated as a candidate for president by a court ruling. However, dishonest judges may prevent an opposition politician from holding office in favor of the current administration. People who are citizens of another country or have residency permits there are ineligible to be elected president unless they renounce their citizenship in that country and all other nationalities besides Ghanaians. Regardless of the cause of their lack of legal ability, people who are incapacitated and have been denied it in court are not eligible to run for president. Nobody will ever come to manage our country successfully unless we work hard to make it a great one. Removing corrupt and criminal politicians from office is one of the greatest and most effective ways to run a successful government. The Vice President of the Republic, H.E Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has signed a Book of Condolence in honour of British monarch Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch, died at Balmoral at age 96. She reigned for 70 years. She died peacefully on Thursday, September 8, at her Scottish estate, where she had spent much of the summer. While the world continues to mourn the late Queen Elizabeth II, a Book of Condolence has been opened in her name by the British High Commission in Ghana. Today, Vice President Dr. Bawumia has signed the book, wishing the late British Monarch a peaceful rest. This morning, I signed the Book of Condolence in memory of Queen Elizabeth II at the British High Commission in Accra. Through to the very end, Her Majesty personified the true meaning of selfless and dedicated service. May Her Majesty's soul rest in peace, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has said in a post this afternoon. A group calling itself Joint Contractors Association is threatening legal action against government should it refuse to pay monies owed its members for works they have executed successfully. This comes on the back of a two-week ultimatum the association, made up of building and road contractors, issued to government to pay its members or be on the lookout for series of actions. In a Citi News interview, spokesperson for the Joint Contractors Association, Richard Nyarko, said his outfit is ready to negotiate with government on a payment plan. We are willing and ready to negotiate. Even if government cannot pay all the money they owe us, at least, we should sit down and talk. But we have given government two weeks to get back to us for a favourable response. If they dont engage with us, we will explore other options including legal because our money has lost value. The Roads and Highways Ministry has admitted that the start of the COVID-19 pandemic played a major role in the inability of the ministry to settle outstanding payments to road contractors . Sector Minister, Kwesi Amoako-Atta said, the pandemic put a strain on the country and a large portion of Ghana's revenue went into trying to manage it. In the past, the Association of Road Contractors Ghana asked the government to release enough funds to pay its members for the continuation of road projects nationwide. The association believes the country will have a number of good roads when road contractors are paid. citinewsroom The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has cautioned the media and Ghanaians that freedom of expression as guaranteed and protected under the 1992 Constitution is not absolute. Thus, the constitution attaches a corresponding and even a greater deal of responsibility and circumspection to freedom of expression, hence the media and for that matter Ghanaians should not hide behind such a right to violate the legal interests and rights of other citizens and of society or the national interest or public order. Article 12 (2) of the 1992 Constitution states that; Every person in Ghana, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinion, colour, religion, creed or gender shall be entitled to the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the individual contained in this Chapter but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest. The President of the GBA, Yaw Acheampong Boafo said Justice Sophia Akuffo in a case between CLOSSAG and the Attorney-General and Others further explained Article 12 (2); as follows; Prima facie, constitutional rights and freedoms are to be enjoyed fully but subject to the limits which Constitution itself places thereon, in the terms of Article 12(2). Mr. Acheampong Boafo reiterated this point when he addressed the 2022 Bar Conference in Ho. The conference which has over a thousand participants commenced on Monday, September 12 is expected to end on Friday, September 16, 2022. It is on the theme; Ghana's Democracy under the Fourth Republic Gains, Challenges and Prospects. He explained that freedom of expression is not protected and guaranteed when without justifiable grounds or good faith or honest belief- a person denigrates or casts slurs on the reputations of other persons (defamation); or when words are said in the public or media space to incite people to violence. Polarized Media Landscape To this end, the GBA condemned incessant use of some media platforms as outlets for ventilation of divisions, intemperate language and confusions; adding that Media houses cannot hide behind dishonest click baits to tarnish the reputation of others who hold positions they disagree with. Lawyer Yaw Acheampong Boafo reiterated the call for more responsibility, decency, restraint and circumspection on the various airwaves. Thus, instead of the polarization, programmes the media churn out should be healthy and promote peaceful co-existence, and be a real talk-shop and marketplace of ideas where opinions and superior alternatives are discussed and exchanged within an atmosphere of civility. He further suggested that management of media houses and hosts of political programs may consider reviewing the kind of persons or panelists they invite unto their shows. Hosts of shows must be proactive and take charge of the discussions to prevent utterances that could unfairly denigrate the reputation of others and even breach the peace and security of this country. Attack on Media Despite the excesses of the media the GBA also condemned the reported incidents of violence and threats visited on some media personnel in the discharge of their duties. The GBA recounted that reports have indicated that some of these attacks had come from none other than persons belonging to the two dominant political parties in the country- as well as some security personnel. Unfortunately the posture towards arrest, investigations and prosecution of such offenders by the relevant state agencies; Police and Office of the Attorney-General has left much to be desired. Convictions turnout to be lenient or slap-on-the-wrist, thus, failing to deter others from repeating the same offences. Ranking The GBA President believes these fallen standards and media attacks may have contributed to Ghana's ranking in the 2022 edition of the World Press Freedom Index, thus being ranked 30 places lower than its more recent position in the 2021 ranking. Be that as it may, the GBA is of the belief that swift and unbiased arrests and prosecutions of persons who physically attack and abuse journalists by the State, irrespective of the political party of the perpetrators involved- and deterrent sentences imposed by our Courts would bring confidence and restore or even improve Ghana's position as a shining example of press freedom and democratic governance in Africa. ---DGN online Togbe Patamia Dzekley VII, Paramount Chief of Battor Traditional Area and Vice President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs has expressed gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for his continuous support to the development of his area. We the people of Battor wish to express our gratitude and appreciation to the NPP government for other completed projects such as the Rural Enterprise Project, Electoral Commission Offices, the Ambulance Bay project, as well as the other ongoing projects in the Battor Traditional Area within the North Tongu District of the Volta Region, he said. Togbe Patamia said these during the commissioning of a new District court building at Battor by President Akufo- Addo as part of his working visit to the Region. He said the people of the area would remain grateful for the project, which would bring justice delivery close to the doorsteps of the people in the area who hitherto, had to travel to Adidome and Sogakope and elsewhere to seek justice. Togbe Patamia appreciated the impact of the Free SHS policy on education in the Traditional Area. He said as a result of the Free SHS programme, enrolment of students in the two Senior High Schools in the area has increased beyond their wildest imagination. Togbe Patamia however appealed to the Akufo-Addo government for the provision of additional infrastructure such as Administration Blocks, Science Laboratories, Staff Bungalows for the Battor SHS and Aveyime SHS to improve on teaching and learning in the schools. On other requests, Togbe Patamia mentioned among other needs, the completion of the town roads in Battor, Aveyime, and Mepe, the upgrading of the Sege-Battor -Mepe Highway, a Divisional Police Command at Battor -Dugame, and the reconstruction of the Battor to Asituare road with the construction of Volivo Bridge. President Akufo-Addo, who was ending his two- day tour to some parts of the Volta Region at Battor, maintained that his government was a listening one and all the issues would be given attention in due course. He said his visit was part of his aim to meet and interact with the people, listen to concerns and to assess the state of ongoing projects in the entire country. Justice Victor Jones Dotse, Justice of the Supreme Court who represented the Chief Justice, said the new court would bring sanity to all disturbing issues in the area. Among the team were Mr Dan Botwe, Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, Mr Kwasi Amoako-Attah, Minister for Roads and Highways, Judicial Service officials, NPP Regional and Constituency executives, chiefs and queen mothers. This brings to Seven, the number of regions visited by the President and his team. GNA The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has presented 900 dual desks to the AMA education directorate for onward distribution to 74 schools in the Metropolis. The presentation forms part of the governments efforts to enhance quality education and promote effective learning in the country. The Chief Executive of the AMA, Elizabeth Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey, who presented the desks on Wednesday at the City Hall, reiterated the governments commitment to bridging the infrastructure deficit whilst providing a conducive environment for teaching and learning in the Metropolis. She assured that the Assembly would continue to create the necessary environment for schools within the Metropolis. He also called on stakeholders to support the Assembly to raise education standards. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Following the message of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to the new President of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto, the Republic of Kenya has declared its support for the UN framework as the exclusive mechanism to find a lasting and sustainable political solution to the Sahara conflict and supports the serious and credible autonomy plan proposed by the Kingdom of Morocco as the only solution based on Morocco's territorial integrity to resolve the Sahara conflict. A joint statement, excerpts of which were made public by the website of the State House of the Republic of Kenya following the delivery of a message from HM the King to the Kenyan Head of State, said that "In deference to the principle of territorial integrity and non-interference, The Republic of Kenya extends total support to the serious and credible autonomy plan proposed by the Kingdom of Morocco, as the unique solution based on Morocco's territorial integrity" to solve the Sahara issue, the joint statement said. "The Republic of Kenya supports the United Nations framework as the exclusive mechanism to find a lasting and durable political solution of the dispute over Sahara issue," the same source added. In His message, HM King Mohammed VI congratulated William Samoei Ruto for His election as the fifth President of the Republic of Kenya and commended the successful conclusion of Kenyas democratic election in August 2022, which cements the countrys position as a democratic beacon on the continent. The Sovereign further lauded the Promise by Kenya's President to bolster and deepen the current bilateral relationship between his country and various states in Africa and elsewhere. For his part, Mr. William Ruto expressed his commitment to work with His Majesty towards enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries, lauding the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI in promoting tolerance and accommodative policies in the Maghreb Region and His contribution to global peace and security. The two countries have committed to upscale their bilateral diplomatic relationship to a strategic partnership within 6 months, said the statement, adding that the Republic of Kenya is committed to open its Embassy in Rabat. It was also agreed to immediately accelerate economic, trade and social relations in the areas of fisheries, agriculture & food security (fertilizer importation), health, tourism, renewable energy, security collaboration, and cultural, religious and people to people exchange among other sectors. The Royal message was delivered by a delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad, Mr. Nasser Bourita. A delegation from the United States of Americas Congressional Committee on Natural Resources has paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mrs Mavis Hawa Koomson, in Accra on Monday. They discussed joint efforts in combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing (IUU) and promoting sustainable conservation of natural resources. The minister highlighted the long-standing ties between Ghana and the US and lauded Virginia E. Palmer, the US ambassador to Ghana, for her efforts to strengthen such ties. Madam Koomson outlined some measures undertaken by the government to tackle the challenges in the sector as the implementation of a closed fishing season for all fleets including artisanal canoes, the implementation of a vessel monitoring system (VMS) for all industrial trawlers and tuna vessels, the recruitment of observers on all industrial trawlers and tuna vessels for sea trips and inspection of vessels at sea and in port. She also mentioned preparing a new fisheries and aquaculture policy, drafting a new fishery act and regulation and the procurement of a research vessel and four patrol boats to strengthen law enforcement at sea as some of the measures put in place to combat IUU. She asked for a unified stance at international gatherings, as well as improvements to ocean governance and combined patrols to fight piracy and IUU. The head of the delegation, Chairman Raul Grijalva, in response commended the Minister for the various strategies being implemented to replenish Ghana's fisheries resources, adding, "The United States stands with the Fisheries Ministry in the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing. Angolan President Joao Lourenco vowed to push ahead with economic reform on Thursday as he was sworn in for a second term after a divisive electoral win. Amid tight security, Lourenco pledged to be "president for all Angolans" at a colourful ceremony on historic Praca da Republica square in the capital Luanda. He pointed to further economic liberalisation in a country ruled since independence by a historically socialist party. He promised to push ahead with reforms to encourage the private sector, expand the offer of goods and services and fight youth unemployment. "Angolans show the world that at crucial moments they can make the better choice," Lourenco declared. "We as a country have a clear option for democracy and a market economy." Security forces set up a heavy cordon around the venue, which the main opposition party, UNITA, said aimed at stifling dissent. The 68-year-old former general returned to power after elections on August 24 gave his Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) a thin majority, winning just 51.17 percent of the vote. It was the MPLA's poorest showing in the oil-rich country it has controlled since independence from Portugal in 1975. In his inauguration speech, Lourenco also promised to increase wages, including for the armed forces -- receiving cheers from the crowd. His new deputy, Esperanca Maria da Costa, 61, a college professor and biologist, was also sworn in, becoming Angola's first female vice president. The guest list was limited to some 15,000 selected Angolans. Around 50 foreign leaders or their representatives were invited, State Minister Adao de Almeida told reporters. Many Angolans stayed at home, with less traffic on the streets and fewer vendors hawking their wares. UNITA protests Opposition parties and civic groups say the vote was marred by irregularities, but a legal challenge by UNITA to overturn the result was tossed out. Observers from other parts of Africa praised the peaceful conduct of the polls but raised concerns over press freedom and the accuracy of the electoral roll. UNITA -- a former rebel movement which fought a bitter 27-year civil war against the MPLA government -- notched up 43.95 percent of the vote, up from 26.67 percent in 2017. Under its charismatic leader Costa Junior, 60, the party proved popular in urban areas and among young voters eager for economic change. It did particularly well in the capital, where it won a majority for the first time. Costa Junior did not attend the inauguration and has called for protests. Many Angolans live in poverty despite the country's oil wealth. By RODGER BOSCH (AFP/File) Lourenco first came to power in 2017 when, as defence minister, he took over from long-time ruler Jose Eduardo dos Santos. He was bequeathed a country deep in recession and riddled by corruption and nepotism. He swiftly turned on his predecessor, launching an anti-graft campaign targeting dos Santos's family and friends, which some critics say was a political stunt. He also embarked on an ambitious reform programme to lure foreign investors and diversify the economy. But that has so far failed to brighten the prospects of many of Angola's 33 million people who are mired in poverty. "The president speaks well but always makes a lot of promises. We only want our lives to improve, better wages, food on the table, access to schools and hospitals, more jobs," said Luiza Basic, a school teacher in Luanda. Dos Santos died in Spain in July. State funerals for the late strongman were held in August in the same square where the inauguration took place. Analysts see little change between Lourenco and his predecessor. "There is not much difference between (the) two... in terms of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms," said Borges Nhamirre, a researcher at the Pretoria-based think-tank Institute for Security Studies. Ghana has been recognized as one of the countries that have made tremendous strides in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dr Kodjo Esseim Mensah-Abrampa, Director General of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), disclosed this at a dissemination workshop to deepen the awareness and ownership of the SDGs. The workshop was to share what has been accomplished in implementing the SDGs, discuss, identified challenges and areas that can be improved. He said several heads of state and development partners commended Ghana during the presentation of the Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council in July 2022. Dr Mensah-Abrampa said the country made a special attempt to mainstream the SDGs and also to ensure that the process is localized to make sure no one is left behind. The review, he said, showed that Ghana recorded improvement but faced challenges in certain areas. We made a lot of strides in the area of education but have a lot of problems with respect to polluting the ocean, the sea and also the water bodies. These are the areas that require collaborative efforts by all stakeholders especially the districts that are the implementation hands of the SDGs as well as the national development plan at the sub-national level." He called on MMDAs to localize the implementation and reporting of SDGs, citing the Accra Metropolitan Assembly as having conducted its Voluntary Local Review with support from the Economic Commission for Africa. Stakeholders at the workshop included Development Planning Officers, Youth and Children Group, Women Group, Persons with Disabilities, Civil Society Organisations and the Media. The Upper West Regional Security Council says it is on high alert following the growing number of murders and disappearances of people in the region. The Regional Security Council at its meeting on Wednesday, September 14, has come out with some measures and strategies to curb the current issues which are mostly being recorded in the Wa Municipality. Among other things, the Regional Security Council is calling on all inhabitants within the municipality and the region to volunteer information on people within their areas with suspicious characteristics to the security agencies to stop the current trend of issues in the region. In addition, the Regional Security Council is encouraging the formation of Community or Neighbourhood Watchdog Committees with the aid of Assembly Members within their respective jurisdictions and under the supervision of the Ghana Police Service. While the Upper West REGSEC has agreed that the police command must intensify police patrols and visibility in the municipality, it has warned that all unregistered motorcycles within the Wa Municipality shall be arrested and prosecuted. Meanwhile, all institutions and workplaces are encouraged to install CCTV cameras within their compounds and improve their lighting. Below is a copy of the release from the Upper West REGSEC: PRESS RELEASE The Regional Security Council has put its issues in the region on high alert by coming up with pragmatic strategies and measures following the growing number of murders and disappearances of people in the region. 2. While investigations on these worrying incidents are ongoing, the Upper West Regional Security Council has authorized increased cooperation and collaboration among the intelligence agencies and seeks to deepen engagement with inhabitants within the municipality in line with contemporary security practices. Hence, we are calling on all people to be more observant and vigilant and to draw the attention of the police, other security agencies and local community leaders immediately they observe anything out of the ordinary. 3. Therefore, the Regional Security Council calls on all inhabitants within the municipality and the region to volunteer information on people within their areas with suspicious characteristics to the security agencies to stop the current trend of issues in the region. 4. In light of all these, the Regional Security Council at its meeting on Wednesday 14th September 2022 has come out with some measures or strategies to curb current issues in the Wa Municipality, The meassures are: i. Unregistered motorcycles within the Wa Municipality shall be arrested and prosecuted. ii. The Regional Security Council encourages the formation of Community or Neighbourhood Watchdog Committees with the aid of Assembly Members within their respective jurisdiction and under the supervision of the Ghana Police Service. The members of these watchdog committees shall be profiled, trained, and licensed by the Ghana Police Service to avoid abuse of the system. iii. Landlords within the municipality must inspect resident permits of tenants not of Ghanaian origin. The municipal assembly must invite all landlords to a meeting. It is unacceptable for any landlord to rent accommodation to a tenant without knowing the tenant's background. It is against the law to allow as many as five people in a single room. iv. The Ghana Immigration Service and The Wa Municipal Assembly must take an inventory of all hotels and guest houses within the municipality. v. The police command must intensify police patrols and visibility in the municipality. vi. All tricycles must halt movement or operations within the municipality at 9 pm and resume operations at 5 am. vii. All institutions and workplaces are encouraged to install CCTV cameras within their compounds and improve their lighting. viii. The Ghana Immigration Service should furnish the Wa Municipal Assembly with updated information on all registered foreigners residing and doing business in the municipality. ix. The public is encouraged to provide security agencies with vital information to help unravel these unfortunate incidents. 5. Meanwhile, anyone with information on recent murders and disappearances should contact the nearest police station or security agency. 6. Thank you. HON. DR. HAFIZ BIN SALIH REGIONAL MINISTER TO ALL MEDIA HOUSES UPPER WEST REGION For how long will Ghanaians allow a Chinese lady to take them hostage on their own soil? Ghana is indeed becoming a country overflowing with jokers, I must admit. Some of those entrusted with higher positions to help manage the affairs of Ghana for the collective interests of the citizens are sorry to say, a bunch of nincompoops unworthy for the positions they hold. How on earth should they allow, or encourage that squinted-eyed young Chinese lady going by the name Aisha Huang to audaciously abuse the laws of Ghana with impunity? For the sake of enjoying a Chinese vagina which is erroneously presumed to be small and sweet, excuse my vulgarism, but actually not different from that of any Ghanaian woman who knows how to maintain themselves, some absolutely stupid Ghanaian men in positions of power have allowed Aisha Huang to do as she wants when she likes, in Ghana. She was once heavily involved in the illegal and destructive surface and alluvial mining (galamsey) activities in Ghana. She had the shameless bravado to flout presidential directive banning illegal surface and alluvial mining, all with the support and encouragement by some so-called powerful men in Ghana. She has been able to build a strong network of protective security personnel and top government functionaries around her hence her flagrant disobedience of the ban placed on illegal galamsey activities by His Excellency the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Having been deported to her home country China for the offence of disrespectfully continuing to engage in galamsey as though, no ban had been placed on it, she has still found a way around it to sneak back into Ghana to pursue same illegal activities. What does she take Ghanaians for? Does she not take us for complete fools which of course, is yes? This reminds me of my late cousin, Akosua Saah, who in those days in France used to say, Tu prends ma con con which is actually, Tu me prends pour un con, to wit, You take me for a fool. Aisha Huang is indeed taking all Ghanaians for fools all because of some irresponsible government officials and security operatives that are captivated by the alleged sweetness of the Chinese vagina to allow her to get away with blue murder and to always wriggle herself out when the noose of the law is closes on her neck. Now, I hear her defence lawyer Effa Detteh say she is married to a Ghanaian man and that the charges preferred against her are minor. She is charged with engaging in illegal mining without licence and buying minerals without licence. If the charges are minor to end in her freedom, why not add entering the country illegally while banned, and again, using false documents to obtain Ghana papers and residency? If in the end it turns out that the offences are still not strong enough, but misdemeanour, I will advise the judges to order for the withdrawal of her Ghana card and residence, deport and ban her from re-entering Ghana. Her alleged Ghanaian husband can go and live with her in China. In the advanced western countries, repeat offenders or criminals who are not native but naturalised citizens are deported to their countries of origin after serving their prison terms. Therefore, Aisha Huang, now faking her identity as Huang En, should be deported to her native country China after serving any prison sentence to be given to her. We should not continue to allow this criminal to terrorise Ghanaians, behaving as though she is a native citizen of Ghana. If any Ghanaian were to commit the crimes being committed by Aisha Huang, in China, that person will have become a ghost long time ago. If the soft loans China is giving to Ghana is the reason for Chinese nationals behaving criminally in Ghana with impunity, spoiling our water bodies, virgin forests and arable/fertile lands, then we should cease taking those loans for water is worth more than the loans being taken. Water is life so also are fertile lands and forests. Why should we allow the Chinese to destroy them in the name of the soft loans we get from them? Are we that stupid and myopic as human beings to allow foreigners to come and destroy Ghana for us? All those that are until now facilitating Aisha Huangs crimes against Ghana are to be arrested and prosecuted. They are nation-wreckers. Finally, there must be a timeline for the prosecution of criminal Aisha Huang aka Huang En. Her prosecution should not unnecessarily delay to last for years. It must be done and dusted within two months or less. All those Ghanaians facilitating her crimes against mother Ghana are fools, to say the least. They no go die better, as a Nigerian will say in their pidgin English. Rockson Adofo Thursday, 15 September 2022 Former Attorney General, Martin Amidu has issued another epistle to reply organisations and people who attacked him following his reaction to the corruption report by the Special Prosecutor on the Labianca case. In his latest 12-page release, Ghanas first-ever Special Prosecutor has taken a swipe at Corruption Watch Ghana, Lawyer Martin Kpebu, and Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil for attacking and calling him name for sharing his thoughts on the OSP report. While insisting that the owner of Labianca Group of Companies, Ms. Asomah-Hinneh is not guilty of conflict of interest and influence peddling, Martin Amidu has challenged organisations and people who chose to attack and call him names to come and debate him over the matter. I humbly invite the non-governmental organizations who chose to attack and cancel me from exercising my constitutional right to engage in critical and analytical discourse on the lawfulness of the OSP report to respond to my article in a civilized manner by demonstrating that pursuant to section 2(a), 3 and 79 of Act 959 and Regulations 5, 6, and 7 of L. I. 2374 under which the OSP purported to have written and published the OSP Labianca Report any specified corruption and corruption-related offences were committed, Martin Amidu has shared in his latest release. He adds, I challenge Corruption Watch Ghana, its associated friends and lawyers to point to the offences indicated above the offences of conflict of interest, or influence peddling or trading of influence by Ms. Asomah-Hinneh by employing her position as a member of the Council of state and a member of the Board of Directors of Ghana Ports and Habours Authority or .an institutional culture of ligthearted (sic) unconcern regarding impropriety of action at the Customs division of the Ghana Revenue Authority which indicated a high propensity to engender corruption and corruption-related activities as corruption and corruption-related offences. According to the former Attorney General, he will accept the charges of obstructing, meddling, and shooting over the bar, and apologise if he loses the debate. Below is the full release from Martin Amidu; THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION REQUIRES A HIGH DECREE OF CRUSADING INTEGRITY AND NOT ENTERPRENEURSHIP: BY MARTIN A. B. K. AMIDU INTRODUCTION My critique and analysis of the report into alleged commission of corruption and corruption related offences involving the Labianca Group of Companies Limited published on 19 August 2022 invoked insults and the casting of aspersions on my person instead of a reasoned response to the detailed critique and analysis presented to the public for informed debate. I have crusaded against corruption since 1982 when I chaired the three-man National Investigation Committee, Sub-committee into the Cotton Development Board. I am not one of those whose crusade has ever had an eye on foreign and local donations and grants to fund or pay for my constitutional advocacy activities against corruption. That is the work of entrepreneurs whose salaries and emoluments are derived from fundings, donations or grants from foreign governments and/or their agents. I expect the CDDs Corruption Watch Ghana and those associates and lawyers attacking my person instead of the article I wrote to be bold to inform Ghanaians of how from June to October 2018, I refused to compromise the independence of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) when they tried on numerous occasions to let me violate Section 22 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) on funding the OSP, and ceding the OSP to their management and control. As a result of the unreasoned attack on my person instead of the article I wrote, I petitioned the Public Services Commission on 31st August 2022 on the unlawful appointment of permanent staff to the OSP contrary to Article 195 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 21 of Act 959. I followed this up on 2nd September 2022 with letters to the Minister for Finance, the Accountant-General, the Auditor-General, and the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament to protect the public purse. A PROUD NORTHERNER TO BEAR THE PEJORATIVE NAME KONONGOKAYA A member of parliament who is the chairperson of the Constitutional and Legal Committee of Parliament, Mr. Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, within hours of the publication of the twenty-page article stooped so low to call me by the pejorative Gold Coast Colony and Ashanti name assigned my forebearers, northerners, from the Northern Territories of the British Protectorate in Konongo, as Konongokaya. No amount of attempting to clean the pejorative origins of the word Konongokaya can hide the insult to Northerners in the colony or to me as one of their descendants. Like the Kayayei of today, we are proud northerners and proud of our identities. It is however a shame that such a person calls himself a lawyer, and Chairman of the Constitutional and Legal Committee of the Parliament of the modern day Ghana founded on 6 March 1957 and passing laws for citizens under the 1992 Constitution. If simply reading a 20-page article was problematic for such a member of parliament to help him argue in a civilized manner without casting invectives at the author, then, one wanders how seriously the bills and regulations are scrutinized under such a lazy chairperson before Parliament passes them. Surely, Ghana deserves better representation in Parliament. CDD-GHANAS CORRUPTION WATCH GHANA The next day, 20 August 2022, after the publication of my article, the supposed doyen of the NGOs, CDD-Ghana, in a statement signed by its Co-Founder, Dr Gyimah-Boadu, raised questions about Ms. Asomah-Hinnehs appointment by the president as a Board Member of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA). Unfortunately, the President did not appoint Ms. Asomah-Hanneh to the Council of State. She is an elected member of the Council of State as stated in my article and the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority is not the same entity as the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to generate any conflict of interest in her dealings with the GRA. And clearly, the OSP was acting ultra vires its statutory and constitutional mandate and the question of the propriety or otherwise of any appointment by the President to the Board of GPHA did not arise. The impression subtly created that the OSP Labianca Report was constitutional and lawful was the issue at stake to be addressed by all adherents of the rule of law and the due process of law and not evading those issues through the side door. The proper context of appreciating the CDDs stance after my article is to remember the position it took in support of the OSP Labianca Report as reported by Modern Ghana on 11 August 2022. Modern Ghana reported that: Advocacy group, Corruption Watch Ghana has commended the Office of the Special Prosecutor for recovering over GHS1 million in unpaid import duty charges from Labianca Company LimitedIn a press release, Corruption Watch Ghana is pushing for the owner of Labianca Company Limited, Ms. Buah Asomah-Hinneh to be removed from her position as Council of State memberIn addition, it also wants the Deputy Commissioner for Customs in charge of operations Mr. Joseph Adu Kyei sanctioned. In the words of the statement issued by Corruption Watch Ghana: Ms. Buah Asomah-Hinneh must be asked to resign or be removed from her membership of the Council of State and the Board of Directors of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority. Corruption Watch Ghana welcomes the directive for the opening of a wider investigation in respect of the issuance of customs advance rulings and markdown of benchmark values between July 2017 and December 2021.We further welcome the directive to the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to submit an Integrity Plan designed with the aim of preventing the corruption of the exercise of discretion by officials of the Customs Division by December 31, 2022. We believe that these directives are forwardlooking. After welcoming whole heartedly an unlawful and unconstitutional report by their accredited partner in the fight against corruption my article which raised issues on the ultra vires of the OSP Labianca Report threatened to expose the collective who were participating in the mob lynching of witnesses who were being condemned without a hearing in accordance with Act 959 and the 1992 Constitution. As reported in the Modern Ghana article, Corruption Watch Ghana is an initiative by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and a coalition of anti-corruption civil society organizations including, Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Ghana Anti- Corruption Coalition (GACC), and Africa Center for International Law and Accountability (ACILA) I do not consider the media acting pursuant to Chapter Twelve of the 1992 Constitution as partners of Corruption Watch Ghana. They are named as media partners just for the same 3 purposes of influence peddling or trading of influence as Corruption Watch Ghana criticizes others for practicing. The same influence peddling or trading of influence can be seen on the website of the OSP where two of the leading foreign influenced NGOs have become integral partners of an independent OSP: Afrobarometre-Center for Democracy and Development (CDD), and Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) - without the slightest shame of any conflict of interest in rigging the elections to Chairpersonship of the governing council of the OSP and violating Section 22 of Act 959 which forbids the OSP from accepting any funds directly or indirectly from anybody except from or through the Ministry of Finance. This partnership clearly negates the independence of the OSP and now enhances the ability of the NGOs to use influence peddling or trading of influence to source funds, grants and donations from foreign sources first to meet their administrative expenses and salaries, and secondly to interfere in the independent operations of the OSP. This is precisely what Section 22 of Act 959 sought to prevent. They failed to persuade me to violate this law during my tenure. The records are available on their illegal efforts should they wish to contest this claim. The unanswered question which the CDDs Corruption Watch Ghana does not want Ghanaians to think about is the fact that some of their members serve as public officers on governing councils of the executive branch of government as Chairpersons or members of state institutions and take the allowances and other perquisites of public office that come with such appointments. Those Ghanaians who do not see these entrepreneurial NGOs as suffering from the same conflict of interest, or influence peddling or trading of influence they pontificate against should visit the definition of the expression public officer under Section 3 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). I refrain from naming them, but they know themselves. This is a typical lynching mob modus operandi that hides their own iniquities while lynching others who like themselves, have not been found guilty through the due process of law for the commission of any offence(s). Walk your talks and resign from those executive branch positions, if you truly have integrity and believe in what you preach. THE INTEGRITY OF NOT READING ARTICLES WE CRITICISE Mr. Martin Kpebu, a lawyer, who makes it his stock in trade to regularly appear as a guest in the electronic media as part of his private law practice, without reading my article, said that: Mr Amidu shot over the bar. Thats what he did in Agyapa [case], so I dont know why Mr Amidu suddenly has come to this 180 turn to stand on the other end. We have so much respect for him but in this particular thing we dont agree with him. This lawyer did not apparently, as simple legal ethics demanded, even read my article, or understand it, because if he had he would not have missed the last paragraph on page 4, (after I had stated the investigatory and prosecutorial powers of the OSP under which the OSP Labianca Report was written, including the publication of reports under Section 3(3) of Act 959) in which I stated that: The report of the OSP on Labianca under discussion makes no reference to it as having been undertaken in pursuance of its objects under Section 2(c) of Act 959 and Regulation 31 of L. I. 2374. It is not stated in the Labianca report to be a prevention of corruption report, in the nature of, an analysis of the risk of corruption conducted by the OSP but conducted as a full investigation by a panel. The Agyapa Royalties analysis of the risk of corruption and anticorruption risk assessment report of the OSP made it clear that it was written pursuant to the prevention of corruption mandate. A simple reading of pages 63 and 64 of the Agyapa Royalty Transaction Report dated 15 October 2020 clearly showed its difference from the OSP Labianca Report: This assessment does not constitute an investigation even though a formal investigation for the suspected commission of offences may arise from this corruption risk assessment. It is not the work of a Commission or Committee of EnquiryIt partakes of a compliance audit But this is a gentleman and a lawyer who had taken a position on the OSP Labianca Report when it was published in the media on 8 August 2022 without even considering the fact that the whole report by his friend, the Special Prosecutor, was written without any jurisdiction or mandate under the law establishing the OSP. In a report by Joy Multimedia dated 11 August 2022 this lawyer who knows it all, was reported to have thrown his support behind the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in the Labianca Company saga. He is also quoted to have told the television station that: Col. Damoah (Rtd) cant take himself out of this case. It is just too late in the day so the ad hominem argument that the Special Prosecutor is a small boy is neither here nor there. So he should accept because I dont see the grounds for the attack. And this is one of the human rights lawyers who had crucified persons accused of corruption by means of adverse findings for which they had no right of appeal to the High Court as guaranteed to commissions of enquiry under the 1992 Constitution. My critique and analysis of his friends OSP Labianca Report was therefore difficult for him to swallow as it contradicted his previous ill-considered position to Multimedia on the issue. What integrity do we exhibit to the listening and reading public when we appear on television, urge our host to visit the OSP to see its abysmal state of affairs for himself because we had followed up our petition to the Special Prosecutor on the Northern Development Authority (NDA) alleged corruption case, and in the same breath accusing the President for not interfering in the independence guaranteed to the OSP by usurping that independence to fight corruption as President? There was no way the President could win the argument. If he dealt with the NDA case when it was pending before the OSP upon our man of integritys petition, the President would be interfering in its independence. If he awaited the results of the independent OSP he was part of criminal syndicate of corruption. Perfect logic of integrity! Then two days later the OSP which had held on to the NDA petition without acting on our man of integrity and human rights petition, announced the commencement of investigation into the NDA case. Was there a collusion to set-up the President for damnation? It should be everybodys guess. IMANIS CHARGE OF OBSTRUCTION OF THE CURRENT SPECIAL PROSECUTOR The Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, is reported on 25 August 2022 on Joy News PM Express to have cautioned against the hailing of the former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, as an authority to be running commentary on the actions of the present Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng. According to the reportage: Mr. Amidu should not be sniping at him, making such commentary. We all make commentary, we all criticize, we all say what we have to say. But you and I and everybody else should be careful not to make Martin into somebody who will be running commentary and then we will sit back and then be analyzing what Mr. Agyebeng is doing because of what Martin Amidu is saying. I absolutely will not join that bandwagon. Pathetically, Kofi Bentil of IMANI Africa accuses me of obstructing the work of the present Special Prosecutor with long epistles. The exercise of my constitutional right as a citizen to critique an unlawful and unconstitutional conduct did not matter to validity of the arguments contained in my considered article to this lawyer and Vice President of IMANI Africa. This is a person who did not even appear to have read the prologue to my critique and analysis which explained why I broke one year of silence to write on a patently unconstitutional and unlawful report of their friend. The distinguished Vice President of IMANI Africa refused or failed to address the reasons for my article as I stated in the prologue even if he was lazy to read the entire 20-page article: The report seriously violates the statutory mandate of the OSP under the 1992 Constitution. It is, therefore, imperative that the public appreciates through cogent and credible critique and analysis of the issues involved in the published Labianca report in which three investigation witnesses who appeared before an unauthorized investigation panel are being lynched in the court of public opinion as though they had been cautioned and/or charged with any corruption and/or corruption-related offences before the OSP. his explains my first critique and analysis of the work of the OSP since the assumption of office of the Special Prosecutor on 9 August 2021. But so are they all, all distinguished Vice Presidents of NGOs, who when they cannot engage the argument, engage a personality of their perceived adversary with disparaging trash in their defensive interactions. Let me say this for the first and the last time: I had to resign from the OSP after crossing swords with the President and his Family and Friends on 1 November 2020 on the Agyapa Royalties Transactions. Any experienced public officer would tell anyone that strategically, staying on in that office opened me up for trumped-up impeachment at the time of the Governments own choosing. Resigning was the most strategic and tactical thing to do to both avoid the Charlotte Osei situation and to scuttle the Agyapa Royalties Transaction which has been more beneficial to Ghana than the GHC1million extorted from Labianca Company Limited. I had to make that decision based on decades of experience in public office and not cede it to any civil society organization or Mr. Kwame Anyimadu Antwi who did not even know how I was persuaded to accept the appointment in the first place. INVITATION TO ANTI-CORRUPTION NGOs FOR A REASONED DEBATE I humbly invite the non-governmental organizations who chose to attack and cancel me from exercising my constitutional right to engage in critical and analytical discourse on the lawfulness of the OSP report to respond to my article in a civilized manner by demonstrating that pursuant to section 2(a), 3 and 79 of Act 959 and Regulations 5, 6, and 7 of L. I. 2374 under which the OSP purported to have written and published the OSP Labianca Report any specified corruption and corruption-related offences were committed. The factual context is that the interpretation section, Section 79 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) defines corruption and corruption-related offences to mean offences under (a) Section 146, 151, 179C, 239, 252, 253, 254, 256, 258 and 260 of the Criminal Offence Act, 1960 (Act 29); (b) Section 92 (2) of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663); and (c) Existent offences under enactments arising out of or consequent to offences referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b); The following is a summation of the corruption and corruption-related offences created under Act 959: (a) Section 146 deals with dishonestly receiving property that a person knows to has been obtained or appropriated by a criminal offence punishable under the chapter; (b) Section 151 deals with a person who extorts property from any other person by means of threat; (c) Section 179C dealing with using public office for profit; (d) Section 239 deals with corruption of and by public officers; (e) Section 252 deals with accepting or giving bribe to influence public officer or juror, (g) Section 253 deals with corrupt promise by judicial officer or juror; (h) Section 254 deals with corrupt selection of juror, (i) Section 256 deals with corruption, intimidation, and personation in respect of election, (j) Section 258 deals with falsification of returns at election; (k) Section 260 deals with withholding public money by public officer; and (l) Section 92(2) of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) deals with offences constituted under the Act for which jurisdiction is given to the Office. Surprisingly, it fails to mention Section 93 dealing with corrupt practices I challenge Corruption Watch Ghana, its associated friends and lawyers to point to the offences indicated above the offences of conflict of interest, or influence peddling or trading of influence by Ms. Asomah-Hinneh by employing her position as a member of the Council of state and a member of the Board of Directors of Ghana Ports and Habours Authority or .an institutional culture of ligthearted (sic) unconcern regarding impropriety of action at the Customs division of the Ghana Revenue Authority which indicated a high propensity to engender corruption and corruption-related activities as corruption and corruption-related offences. Should they be able to show these to fall within Section 79 of Act 959, I would gladly accept the charges of obstructing, meddling, and shooting over the bar against me, and apologize for my transgression into the domain of the almighty Corruption Watch Ghana under the equally omnipotent CDD Ghana. CONCLUSIONS The efforts and attempts by the group of non-governmental organizations called Corruption Watch Ghana, their associated friends, and lawyers to silence, intimidate, and cancel my voice from defending the 1992 Constitution in the fight against corruption within the narrow laudable objectives of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, Act, 2017 (Act 959) and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Operations) Regulations, 2018 (L. I. 2374) to investigate and prosecute specified cases of alleged or suspected corruption and corruption-related offences will, and has failed. The more my person is attacked and intimidated, the more I shall use all available legal and constitutional means at my disposal to ensure that the Office of the Special Prosecutor does not become a rogue institution of CDD-Ghanas Corruption Watch Ghana and their associates who are pushing it into illegal acts to enhance their entrepreneurial influence peddling or trading of influence at the expense of the security and laws of Ghana. Martin A. B. K. Amidu 15.09.2022 LISTEN There has been a ghastly accident at the Oyoko stretch of the Koforidua to Bunso highway in the Eastern Region. The crash which occurred on Wednesday night has left several passengers hospitalised in critical condition. The accident involved a Toyota Hiace Minibus and Hyundai minibus. From the information gathered from sources, the Hyundai minibus with registration number GR 6546-21 onboard with passengers from Koforidua heading to Anyinam made a wrong overtaking at a curve. In the process, it crashed head-on with the speeding Toyota Hiace bus with registration number ER 685-17 bus. The swift intervention of officers of the Ghana Police Service and the National Fire Service helped save lives. Unfortunately, several passengers sustained various degrees of injuries and had to be rushed to St. Joseph Hospital for treatment. Some were also taken to the Eastern regional hospital for medical care. The Ghana Water Company Ltd (GWCL) has warned that it will be forced to shut down operations in areas affected by galamsey if the cost of treating water becomes economically unsustainable. The company has been complaining for years about the adverse effects of galamsey on the raw materials and cost of production, but illegal mining continues to thrive. Speaking to Citi News, the Communications Director for Ghana Water Company, Stanley Martey, said if nothing is done to curb the menace, the company will revise its operational procedure. Beyond a certain level of turbidity, the water is rendered untreatable. At that point, we will shut down, Mr. Martey said. The pollution of the river bodies is affecting the entire country and is affecting us as individuals and is also affecting us as a company, Mr. Martey added. Mr. Martey has thus called on the nation to intensify the fight against Galamsey It is for us collectively to fight the menace or else it will have an impact not only on the Ghana Water Company Limited but on the entire nation. By Citi Newsroom The National Communications Director for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Richard Ahiagbah in his latest comment suggests that there is truth in the claims by John Dramani Mahama that he is not receiving benefits due him as a former President. Speaking to TV3 in an interview on the Ghana Tonight Show, the 2020 presidential candidate of the NDC disclosed that he has been denied several benefits he is supposed to enjoy including an office and payment of his bills. I receive only my monthly pension like [former] President Kufuor, and [late former] President Rawlings was receiving [it] before he died. That is all I get. I pay the electricity bill for my house and my office, I pay the water bill for my house and my office. I live in my own accommodation so the State does not pay me anything for accommodation. They havent given me an office, I rent an office in East Cantonments, I pay the rent myself, I pay my own fuel, the State doesnt give me fuel, I pay my own domestic staff, I pay my own medical bills, I pay my own air tickets when I travel, former President John Dramani Mahama said. At a press conference on Wednesday, Richard Ahiagbah accused the former President of peddling falsehood, while insisting that he is enjoying himself as enshrined in the Constitution under Article 71. Today, the NPP Communications Director appears to be taking a different turn. Speaking to Citi News' Umaru Sanda Amadu, he said there were conversations to get an office for ex-President John Dramani. But when asked by the host whether the office including other entitlements has been executed, Mr Ahiagbah could not answer 'Yes or No' leaving many to believe the claim of the former President. The government of Ghana is working to give him an office. There is a conversation to get him an office. If the office has not been given to him the letter I have here has not confirmed it but what it tells me is that there is a conversation to give him an office and his office is aware, the NPP Communications Director said. On the non-payment of the former Presidents utility bills, Mr. Richard Ahiagbah stressed that if that is the case, John Dramani Mahama should know the steps to take for the challenge to be addressed. He is supposed to get that benefit. If he is not getting it what is stopping him [from getting]. Thats a conversation we need to have, the NPP Communications Director added. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Troops from Southern Command, a Formation of the Ghana Army (GA), on anti-illegal Operations under OPERATION HALT II, have arrested a total of 167 suspected illegal miners, the majority of whom are suspected to be West African nationals, with Ghanaians. The ongoing operations led by Lieutenant Colonel Harrison Dadzie which commenced in the Atiwa, Tumfa, Bonsa, Anyinam, Asaman-Mampong and Asaman-Tamfoi areas, in the Eastern Region of Ghana, have led to the arrested persons being sent to Accra, on Thursday 15, September, 2022, where they were temporarily screened at the El-Wak Stadium, and thence to the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) Headquarters, North Ridge, Accra. The 167 illegal-mining suspects were apprehended and shovels, head-pans and heavy-duty batteries seized, in areas they have illegally created as make-shift residences, from whence they commute to the reserves and fields, where they are provided with metal detectors by influential persons, to undertake their activities, after which the detectors are retrieved by the resource persons till the next working time. Among those arrested were five (5) females who claimed they were Nigerians who were not illegal-miners but providing needed sex services to the squatters upon request, after they retire from their nefarious activities. Inhabitants of the areas where the operations were undertaken, complained to the military personnel that they feel threatened by the presence and activities of the squatters, as they destroy their farms and desecrate sacred places, to the extent that they feel uncomfortable living in their own villages, pointing accusing fingers at some chiefs and other powerful persons from outside their communities, as being sponsors of the illegalities. An uncomfortable circumstance, however occurred in Accra where when the suspects were sent to the GIS Headquarters in Accra, the authorities temporarily rejected custody of the suspects, with the reason that proper prior arrangements had not been made. The situation changed when the Deputy Minister, Lands and Natural Resources in-charge of Mining George Mireku Duker, made arrangements and all the suspects were accepted to be properly screened and other legal procedures to follow. Present at a temporary screening procedure at the Elwak Stadium, Accra were Officers from the Ghana Armed Forces, GIS, Lands Ministry and the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission Martin Ayisi. Source: ghanapeacejournal ASX debt collection provider Credit Clear [ASX:CCR] has reported record revenue in August, reaching $3.28 million. CCRs revenue run rate has climbed to $39.4 million. Credit Clear also said August marked its fourth consecutive month of operational profitability, which excludes non-operational items. CCR shares are up 12% year-to-date but flat over the past 12 months: www.TradingView.com CCR highlights record monthly revenue On Thursday, Credit Clear updated the market on its sales and operational highlights for the month of August. CCR said August was a record month for revenue, with CCR reporting revenue growing at a consistent rate by hitting a new record of $3.28 million. The result was attributable to some strong contributions from new large-scale clients joining the platform. There has also been an increase in debt referrals which the company says continue to grow with existing clients. CCR also saw further growth in its legal recovery business, adding to the higher revenue total for the month. Here is a snapshot of the companys monthly highlights: Credit Clear has achieved a monthly revenue record of $3.28m in August posting four consecutive months of operational profitability The revenue run rate climbs to $39.4m 38 new clients have been signed in August adding $418,000 in expected revenue over the next 12 months Cumulative expected revenue of $10.77m from new clients signed in 2022 CYTD Credit Clear won Best use of AI at the 7th Annual Australian Fintech Awards, this is the second year Credit Clear has won the award Credit Clear was also named as an Insurtech Start-up of the Year finalist at the 2022 Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) industry awards for its automation of third-party motor claims with potential Insurance clients building strongly in the pipeline Overall business pipeline continues to strengthen, with several blue-chip logo opportunities PSC Insurance founder and Deputy Chairman Paul Dwyer appointed as director. A strong contributor to the companys revenue over the month has largely been attributed to five top clients in financial services, education, a sizeable energy utility company, water utility company, and toll road operator. A record of payments collected on its digital platform came to $5.64 million, after four consecutive months of operational profitability. Source: CCR A pipeline of opportunities for CCR CCR says that in onboarding new clients means there is also a significant pool of new work in the pipeline from each client, backing its digital-first hybrid model. The company said that there will be many opportunities surfacing with blue-chip companies, with possibilities to progress to either final or contract negotiation phase. These include talks with market-leading users, commercial customers, finance providers, the government, utility services, and even a Big Four bank. The company is expecting to announce significant new insurance clients over the next few months. Central Bank Digital Currencies are coming: should you be worried? Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are much closer to becoming a reality than many realise. What was once the reserve of arcane financial speculation could soon become embedded in our daily lives. The digital yuan or the e-CNY is already live. Earlier this year, the e-CNY was being used to make more than two million yuan of payments daily at the Beijing Winter Olympics. But while China is the biggest exponent of the CBDC, its not the only one. And just last month, our own Reserve Bank of Australia updated anyone who cared to listen that its actively researching central bank digital currency as a complement to existing forms of money. CBDCs are no faraway gimmick. We must come to terms with the possible implications of its potential adoption. CBDCs are definitely a development you should learn more about. If you do want to learn more about CBDCs, weve just laid down our thoughts on the matter in a lively presentation. I highly recommend you watch the briefing, as it offers a nice breakdown of all things central bank digital currencies. Access the presentation here. Regards, Kiryll Prakapenka September 15, 2022 Ukraine SitRep - Hit On Dam Endangers Ukrainian Troops - Russians Defeat More Counterattacks The BBC continues to misinterpret war news from Ukraine:Ukraine Ukraine war: Houses flooded after missiles hit major dam Russian missiles have hit a reservoir dam near the southern Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, officials say. Residents in some areas were told to evacuate, city head Oleksandr Vilkul said, but he added the situation was under control. Ukraine said the strike was revenge by Russia for its recent counter-attack. President Volodymyr Zelensky - who was born in the city - described Russia as a "terrorist state" after the attack on the Karachunivske reservoir. "You are weaklings who fight civilians," Mr Zelensky said in his late night address on Wednesday. "Scoundrels who, having escaped from the battlefield, are trying to do harm from somewhere far away." This was an apparent reference to Ukraine's recent military successes in a swift counter-offensive in the country's north-eastern Kharkiv region. It has seen Ukraine's army reclaim swathes of occupied territory, forcing Russian troops to retreat. In his speech, Mr Zelensky said the reservoir had "no military value at all". Zelenski is an idiot. The Ingulet river, which the dam restrained, flows mainly north to south through Kryvyi Rih (Russian spelling: Krivoi Rog, ) to then turn southwest before it ends in the Dnieper. bigger bigger On its southwest flowing part it demarcated the border between the Ukrainian and Russian held territory. During the Kherson 'counteroffensive' Ukrainian troops had used pontoon bridges to cross the river and to attack on the southern side. The hopeless attack across bare steppe continued throughout the last days despite huge losses on the Ukrainian side. The hit on the dam was not in 'revenge' but will raise the Ingulet river and speed it up. It will wash away those pontoon bridges. The Ukrainian troops south of the river will be without resupplies and more easy to defeat. Or so the Russian's hope ... Moon of Alabama @MoonofA - 17:58 UTC Sep 14, 2022 Replying to @chinahand The Ingulets river that dam was on has demarcated the border between Russian troops in Kherson and the Ukrainians. The Ukrainian's crossed it for the Kherson 'counterattack' which is still proceeding. With the river now flooding they will be cut off from the northern side. Here is a larger overview of the area. The Ukrainian position beyond the Ingulet is on the bottom left. bigger LiveUAmap puts the dam strike (yellow circled red bomb at the top) at a dam on a smaller reservoir northeast of Kryvyi Rih. After comparing pictures in the BBC report with aerial pictures I believe that dam hit is on the larger reservoir west of Kryvyi Rih. This is also consistent with reports of damages to water supplies in the city. That water comes from the larger reservoir. This attack had a clear military value. It is not a 'terrorist' act. Water diversions for military purposes are a standard tactic in larger military operations. In April the Ukrainian side flooded large areas north of Kiev to stop Russian troops from moving towards the city. As the New York Times reported at that time: All around Demydiv, a village north of Kyiv, residents have been grappling with the aftermath of a severe flood, which under ordinary circumstances would have been yet another misfortune for a people under attack by Russia. This time, though, it was a tactical victory. The Ukrainians flooded the village intentionally, along with a vast expanse of fields and bogs around it, creating a quagmire that thwarted a Russian tank assault on Kyiv and bought the army precious time to prepare defenses. The residents of Demydiv paid the price in the rivers of dank green floodwater that engulfed many of their homes. And they couldnt be more pleased. After their large move into the Kharkov region, from which the Russian's had withdrawn with only minor losses, the Ukrainian military has become a bit cocky. North of Kharkov it attacked Russian villages and positions across the border. Such attacks could help Russia to mobilize more troops. While the Russian military, aside from a big war, is not allowed to use conscripts in military operations abroad it can use those on the Russian side of the border. This significantly increases the pool of soldiers the Russian military can now use to counter Ukrainian moves. Ukrainian troops also attempted to attack Lyman which is protecting the southern side of the remaining Russian positions in the Kharkov oblast. Professional Russian troops have now been moved there to replace Luhansk Peoples Republic's militia which had held the city. They will remove the Ukrainian troops hiding in the forests north of the Siverski Donets river. bigger The Ukrainians also attempted several smaller counterattacks on Russian positions in the Donbas region. All of those failed. An expected large Ukrainian attack in the south of the Donbas region towards Mariupol has not yet happened but the Ukrainian side has increased its reconnaissance activities in the area east of Zaporizhzhia. Posted by b on September 15, 2022 at 9:21 UTC | Permalink Comments next page next page This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate IZIUM, Ukraine (AP) Hand on heart, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy watched his countrys flag rise Wednesday above the recaptured city of Izium, making a rare foray outside the capital that highlights Moscows embarrassing retreat from a Ukrainian counteroffensive. Russian forces left the war-scarred city last week as Kyiv's soldiers pressed a stunning advance that has reclaimed large swaths of territory in Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv region. As Zelenskyy looked on and sang the national anthem, the Ukrainian flag was raised in front of the burned-out city hall. After almost six months under Russian occupation, Izium was left largely devastated, with apartment buildings blackened by fire and pockmarked by artillery strikes. A gaping hole and piles of rubble stood where one building had collapsed. The view is very shocking, but it is not shocking for me," Zelenskyy told journalists, "because we began to see the same pictures from Bucha, from the first de-occupied territories the same destroyed buildings, killed people. Bucha is a small city on Kyiv's outskirts from which Russian troops withdrew in March. In the aftermath, Ukrainian authorities discovered the bodies of hundreds of civilians dumped in streets, yards and mass graves. Many bore signs of torture. Prosecutors said they so far have found six bodies with traces of torture in recently retaken Kharkiv region villages. The head of the Kharkiv prosecutors office, Oleksandr Filchakov, said bodies were found in Hrakove and Zaliznyche, villages around 60 kilometers (35 miles) southeast of Kharkiv city. We have a terrible picture of what the occupiers did. ... Such cities as Balakliia, Izium, are standing in the same row as Bucha, Borodyanka, Irpin, said Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin, listing places where the Ukrainians have alleged Russian forces committed atrocities. Local authorities have made similar claims in other areas Russia previously held, but it was not immediately possible to verify their information. They have not yet provided evidence of potential atrocities on the scale described in Bucha, where the number and conditions of civilian casualties prompted international demands to press war crimes charges against Russian officials. As he was returning from the front early Thursday, a passenger car collided with Zelenskyy's vehicle in a motorcade in Kyiv, but he wasn't seriously hurt, his spokesman said on Facebook. Spokesman Sergii Nikiforov said the driver of the other vehicle received first aid from Zelenskyys medical team and was taken by ambulance. Medics examined the president, who suffered no serious injuries in the accident, Nikiforov wrote. He did not specify what injuries Zelenskyy, 44, might have suffered. Moscows recent rout in northeastern Ukraine was its largest military defeat since Russian troops withdrew from the Kyiv area months ago. On the northern outskirts of Izium, the remains of Russian tanks and vehicles lay shattered along a road. As Zelenskyy visited, his forces pressed their counteroffensive, de-mined retaken ground and investigated possible war crimes. He said that life comes back as Ukrainian soldiers return to previously occupied villages. The Ukrainian governor of the eastern Luhansk region, Serhiy Haidai, said Ukrainian soldiers were preparing to retake the area, which borders the Kharkiv region and was has been mostly under Russian control since July. Intense shelling of Ukrainian forces continued, he said. Haidai told The Associated Press that Ukrainian troops were flying Ukrainian flags in the cities of Svatove and Starobilsk. But in Kreminna, another city where Ukrainians raised their flag, Russians returned Wednesday and tore down the (Ukrainian) flags and are demonstrably showing that theyre there, Haidai said. A Russia-allied separatist military leader confirmed the Ukrainian advance on the Luhansk region. Andrei Marochko, a local militia officer, said on Russian TV that the situation was really difficult. In some places, the contact line has come very close to the borders of the Luhansk Peoples Republic, Marochko said, referring to the independent state the separatists declared eight years ago. The counteroffensive has left more weapons in Ukrainian hands. Russian forces likely left behind dozens of tanks, armored personnel carriers and other heavy weaponry as they fled Ukraines advance in the east, a Ukrainian think tank said Wednesday. The Center for Defense Strategies said one Russian unit fleeing the Izium area left behind more than three dozen T-80 tanks and about as many infantry fighting vehicles. Another unit left 47 tanks and 27 armored vehicles, it said. The center said Russian forces tried to destroy some of the abandoned vehicles through artillery strikes as they fell back. Typically, armed forces ruin equipment left behind so their opponent cant use it. However, the chaos of the Russian withdrawal apparently forced them to abandon untouched ammunition and weapons. With the recent Ukrainian gains, a new front line has emerged along the Oskil River, which largely traces the Kharkiv region's eastern edge, a Washington-based think tank, the Institute for the Study of War, said Wednesday. Russian troops are unlikely to be strong enough to prevent further Ukrainian advances along the entire Oskil River because they do not appear to be receiving reinforcements, and Ukrainian troops will likely be able to exploit this weakness to resume the counteroffensive across the Oskil if they choose, the institute said. In other areas, Russia continued its attacks, causing more casualties in a war that has dragged on for nearly seven months. Two people were killed and three wounded after Russia attacked Mykolaiv with S-300 missiles overnight, regional governor Vitaliy Kim said. The Nikopol area, across a river from the shutdown Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, was shelled three times during the night, with no injuries immediately reported, regional governor Valentyn Reznichenko said. Fighting also raged in the eastern Donetsk region, where shelling killed five civilians and wounded 16. Together, Luhansk and Donetsk make up the Donbas, an industrial area that Moscow set out to capture following an unsuccessful attempt to invade Kyiv. Russian troops are targeting critical infrastructure. Eight cruise missiles aimed at water equipment hit Zelenskyy's hometown of Kryvyi Rih, a city on the Inhulets River 150 kms (93 miles) southwest of Dnipro, the deputy head of the presidents office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, reported on his Telegram channel. Zelenskyy said the strikes appeared to be an attempt to flood the city and that a dam on a reservoir was hit. Video posted online showed elevated water levels on the Inhulets and flooded city streets, and evacuations of residents were suggested. U.S. President Joe Biden observed Wednesday that Ukrainian forces have made significant progress in recent days but added, I think its going to be a long haul. While criticism of the invasion seems to be increasing in Russia, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said after a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Unfortunately, I cannot tell you that the realization has grown over there by now that this was a mistake to start this war. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday that he had spoken with Putin about exporting Russian fertilizer through Ukraines Black Sea ports to address a famine threat. The U.N. chief said at a news conference in New York that high prices for fertilizer have reduced the planting of crops, making it critical to increase Russian exports of ammonia a key fertilizer ingredient by shipping it through Black Sea ports now used to transport grain from Ukraine. Western military and economic support has allowed Ukraine to keep fighting since Russia invaded on Feb. 24, and the Ukrainian government received more assistance Wednesday. An international group of creditors, including the U.S., finalized a deal to suspend Ukraines debt service through the end of 2023, helping the country ease liquidity pressures and increase social, health and economic spending. ___ Arhirova reported from Kyiv. Associated Press journalist Jon Gambrell in Kyiv contributed. ___ Follow AP war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine ECISD A fifth-grade student at Ross Elementary was arrested after making threats against the school, according to a press release from Ector County ISD. ECISD police arrested the student after he shaped his hand into the form of a fun and "told classmates that he was going to shoot up the school." He did not have a weapon, according to the press release. George B. Irish, vice president and Eastern director of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation of California and the Hearst Foundation, Inc. of New York, died of a heart attack Tuesday at his home in New Jersey. He was 78. Irishs work with Hearst included serving as the publisher at the Midland Reporter-Telegram (1982-84). Former Reporter-Telegram Publisher Charlie Spence told the Reporter-Telegram this week that Irish provided great leadership for the newspapers he led and for Hearst as well. Spence followed Irish as the publisher in Midland and said that Irish was recognized as one of the top guys in the industry and that he had a great appreciation for the Midland market and the people who worked here. The Hearst Foundations philanthropy over the years included donations to the new Opportunity Park in northwest Midland. He loved Midland, Texas, Spence said. When they offered another job in Beaumont, it hurt him that he had to leave. He loved it here. He loved the people and the community. Irish was dedicated to the business of newspapers, serving on industry boards and heading print organizations throughout his career. He lived in eight different cities during his career, ultimately residing in both New York and Texas. In 1998, as Hearst senior vice president and president of Hearst Newspapers, Irish led the newspaper group as it expanded its investments in print and online operations, along with its journalistic enterprise in the digital era. Before heading Hearst Newspapers, he was a vice president and group executive for the unit for five years. Previously, he was the publisher of several Hearst dailies since he joined the corporation in 1979 when it acquired the Midland (Michigan) Daily News. Besides the Daily News, Irish was subsequently publisher of the Reporter-Telegram, the Beaumont Enterprise and the San Antonio Light. I had the great fortune to work for and with George for more than 20 years, said Steven R. Swartz, president and chief executive officer of Hearst. He was a wonderful man, a dedicated executive and a much loved member of our Hearst community and of all the communities he served so well. After retiring from Hearst in 2008, Irish played an important role at the Hearst Foundations, leading its Eastern team along with Paul Dino Dinovitz, executive director and head of its Western operations. Separate from the corporation, the Hearst Foundations are national philanthropic resources for organizations working in the fields of culture, education, health and social services. In addition, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation operates two programs, the United States Senate Youth Program and the Journalism Awards Program. Since its inception, the Foundations have made over 22,200 grants to 6,300 organizations, totaling more than $1.4 billion in funds awarded. George was a member of our family, said William Randolph Hearst III, chairman of the board of directors of Hearst, president of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation and a director of the Hearst Foundation, Inc. We are deeply saddened by his passing but filled with gratitude for his many years of stewardship, professional wisdom and, especially, his friendship. Virginia Hearst Randt, president of the Hearst Foundation, said: George made the world a better place in business, in philanthropy and as a friend. Among his career achievements, Irish received the 1992 Texas Newspaper Leader of the Year Award, known as the Pat Taggart Memorial Award, the highest honor given by Texas newspapers. A past president of the Texas Daily Newspaper Association, Irish then served on the boards of the Newspaper Association of America (now known as the News Media Alliance), the International Center for Journalists, the READ Foundation, the Nieman Foundation Board of Advisors and the Columbia Journalism School Board of Visitors. In addition to serving as director of the Associated Press until May 2007, Irish was also a director of Hearst. In 2009, Irish was elected to serve as chairman of the Newspaper Association of America. Irish was especially active in the American Press Institute, serving in many capacities, including as president, chairman and director. In 2006, the group honored Irish with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Besides his career achievements, the award also recognized Irish for significantly supporting and promoting the professional advancement and leadership training of newspaper professionals. At the time, API had bestowed only eight such awards in its 60-year history. In 2006 and 2017, Irish was honored by United Way of New York City, the New York Giants and the New York Jets at their annual Gridiron Gala for his outstanding contributions as a corporate leader to the community and the United Way. He was also a longtime United Way director and volunteer. Irish graduated from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. He maintained a lifelong tie to the college. He was named Millikin's Young Alumnus of the Year in 1976 and received an honorary doctorate from the school in 2000. He also served as chairman of the board of trustees. Irish was predeceased by his first wife, Mary Rettig Irish, who died in 2005. He is survived by daughter Sandra Irish Draper, her husband Kyle Thomas Draper and their son Carson Irish Draper of Denton, Texas; and daughter Christine Irish Sheedy, her husband Malcolm Joseph Sheedy and their sons Samuel Joseph Sheedy and Luke Butler Sheedy of Dallas. A third daughter, Diane Leslie Irish, died in infancy. Irish is also survived by his brothers, Charles Irish of Centerville, Ohio, and John Irish of Toledo, Ohio. He is predeceased by his brother Thomas Patrick Pat Irish. He is survived by his wife Jeannie Wetherill Irish; stepdaughter Jayne Ann Puccio, her husband William J. Puccio and their children Natalie and Charlie of Newtown, Pennsylvania; and stepdaughter Amy Wetherill Cooley, her husband Michael Cooley and their children Alexandra and Anna Cooley of Villanova, Pennsylvania. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows speaks to reporters following a television interview, outside the White House in Washington, D.C., Oct. 21, 2020. President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. delivers his first State of the Nation Address in Quezon City, Metro Manila on July 25, 2022. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. The U.S. Supreme Court building is seen in Washington, D.C., June 26, 2022. Editor Zaldy Dandan is the recipient of the Best Editorial Writer Award of the Society of Professional Journalists, and the CNMI Humanities Award for Outstanding Contributions to Journalism. His four books are available on amazon.com Stacker compiled a list of the countries New York exports the most goods to using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Time capsules originally intended to capture the history of South Jacksonville residents now will be used by students at South Jacksonville Elementary School. The board voted earlier this month to donate the time capsules to the school in hopes they will be used. The capsules were purchased last year but never used, President Dick Samples said. "We gave a bunch of time capsules to the school," he said. "We decided to let the kids use them as time capsules." The capsules were purchased while Tyson Manker was mayor; they were expected to be a part of a larger project to capture the village's history. The plan was for the village to have a large time capsule that would be buried for 100 years and smaller time capsules that individual residents or households could purchase and add to the project. The capsules were going to be buried during the Sept. 11, 2021, Freedom Fest, but that event was canceled and no one purchased the individual time capsules. "A previous administration bought them and they were never used, so they were just sitting around," Samples said. "We thought we could see some use out of them by giving them to the school." Students at South Jacksonville Elementary School now will have the opportunity to do something with the capsules. Principal Tim Chipman said the school is thankful for the time capsules, although a project involving them has not yet been started. "We received the contribution from the village and will continue to be thoughtful about how best to utilize the capsules," Chipman said. Chipman said he is working with teachers to develop a project using the time capsules, although a project may not be completed until the spring semester. CARROLLTON The Greene County Almshouse is still standing, but it is only a matter of time until the structure is history. The historic building had fallen into disrepair and its end was hastened by a fire the night of Aug. 17 that burned virtually everything except some brick-framed walls. "It's just a skeleton of the building," Greene County Sheriff Rob McMillen said. Carrollton Fire Chief Tim Thaxton said while he has not heard anything from the Illinois State Fire Marshal, it was his understanding it was an arson. "I turned everything I had on the fire over to the sheriff's department," Thaxton said. Greene County Board Chairman Mark Strang confirmed Thaxton's account. "Sheriff McMillen told the county board that a gas can was found at the scene," he said. Strang said the building will be razed, but there are a couple of factors that will determine when and how that will be done. "We're in the middle of hiring a new county engineer," Strang said. "He will be on board around the first of October. He has experience doing environmental engineer work and we want to wait until he gets on board before deciding what to do." Strang said the highway department is currently busy oiling and chipping roads, so demolition of the structure will be a winter project. "We have the equipment to do the demolition, but the engineer will be able to better guide the process." Strang said. In August, Strang said the building had been a longstanding concern and demolition of the building was on the county's radar. However, because of concerns about asbestos, they wanted to go slowly so they did things correctly. The Aug. 17 fire was the second blaze in 10 days at the building that once provided shelter for the county's poor, elderly and incapacitated. A fire Aug. 7, an apparent arson, heavily damaged the second story of the building. "The roof, windows and doors were in poor condition. It was unsafe to be inside," McMillen said in August. "With the Aug. 7 fire, the structure was still some somewhat stable and the floor was keeping the walls from falling in. Even before the first fire, it needed to come down for safety reasons." The property is secure, Strang said. About 250 acres of farmland surrounding the property are rented by the county and even with the renter having access, he said it's kind of a problem to get back in there, anyway. The almshouse gradually became a home for the elderly rather than a general poorhouse. By 1910, the majority of the almshouse's residents were 60 years or older, and the proportion increased to 90% by 1928. In 1932, Illinois formally shifted to a statewide direct welfare program which removed the need for the county almshouse program. The almshouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 17, 1991. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate President Biden has announced his plan to have taxpayers cover $300 billion of outstanding college debt for millions of borrowers. Under the proposal, the administration would pay $10,000 to people earning $125,000 or couples earning $250,000. Borrowers who qualified for Pell Grants from households earning less than $125,000 will get $20,000. And thanks to a provision in the Democrats American Rescue Plan last year, this income is tax-free. Here are some basics about the Biden proposal. Forgiving college debt will cost taxpayers According to a new analysis by the Penn Wharton Budget Model, a nonpartisan group at the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School, absorbing student loan debt could cost as much as $900 billion. Penn Wharton estimated that a one-time forgiveness of $10,000 per borrower would cost about $300 billion if the policy is limited to individuals with incomes less than $125,000. The total outstanding federal college loan debt is around $1.7 billion. Forgiveness dollars go largely to wealthiest Penn Wharton also reports that between 69 and 73 percent of any debt forgiven would accrue to households that are in the top 60% of income distribution in the U.S. Part of the reason is that fewer than four in 10 Americans have a college degree. Another reason is that more affluent families are more likely to send their kids to college. And a recent report from the University of Chicagos Becker Friedman Institute for Economics shows that canceling student loan debt would send nearly $6 in relief to the top 20% income earners for everyone $1 that went to the bottom 20%. The burden will return According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, pouring hundreds of billions of tax dollars into the college borrowing debt fire wont tamp down the flamers. We estimate that absent other reforms in federal financial aid, outstanding federal student loan debt would return to the current $1.6 trillion level relatively soon after cancellation, the group writes. With conservative assumptions, we find debt would return to (current levels) four years after $10,000 per borrower was canceled. And as liberal Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, said, colleges and universities can be expected to raise their prices to absorb the billions in new federal dollars pouring into the system. It may be illegal There is no Presidential Student Debt Forgiveness Act, and any legislation is unlikely to get 60 votes in the Senate (even a majority in the House is in question). So where did Biden get the authority for a presidential college loan pardon? According to most knowledgeable sources, he doesnt have it. People think that the president of the United States has the power for debt forgiveness, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said last year. He does not. He can postpone, he can delay, but he does not have that power. Pelosi argued that student loan forgiveness can only be accomplished through an act of Congress. The Department of Education explored the question and it also found that the Executive Branch lacks the power to absorb these debts from borrowers. If Biden declared a one-time debt wipeout, it will almost certainly be blocked by courts. That leads many observers to suggest this is a political stunt ahead of the midterms, not an education policy. There is another plan Its called the Fresh Start initiative, and it would give 7.5 million people who took out loans but havent been making their payments to have another year, after the COVID-19 emergency ends, to work out some payment arrangement without any payments or penalties due. Their credit record would be scrubbed and, as the Washington Post reports: Defaulted borrowers also will regain access to federal student aid. The department typically bars such borrowers from taking out new student loans, but the administration is easing the restriction to help people complete their education. Ive been called a lot of things in my life, some of them endearing, most of them not. When Barack Obama referred to conservatives like me as people who cling to our guns and religion, I was offended. Later, when Hillary Clinton called conservatives who werent going to vote for her a basket of deplorables, it looked as if another Democrat was employing crude, awkward rhetoric to gin up her base. It had the opposite effect, which helped put another guy in office who wasnt shy about insulting people. Muslim ban and rapists and murderers are some of Donald Trumps greatest hits. They repelled many Americans while having the exact opposite effect on his fans. And then we have the current president, who thinks its fine to call people like me semi-fascists, which is his attempt to tar those of us who pay our college debt and dont support killing babies as totalitarian brutes. I cant really blame President Joe Biden for words that someone else wrote for him, since we know that he even needs assistance to insult people these days. My point is that insults, whether they come from the left or the right, usually just fill up one revolution of the news cycle, inspire social media outrage, and then, pfft, we move on to the next crisis. Sadly, though, thats not always the case. This summer, Salman Rushdie was brutally assaulted by a knife-wielding zealot from New Jersey. This was a Muslim who had been radicalized into believing that Rushdie deserved to die for having dared write a satirical novel about the Prophet Mohammed decades ago. Rushdie has carried an actual fatwa over his head since The Satanic Verses was published in 1989, and until recently managed to live his life in relative, guarded peace. But this year, the words hed written came back against him like bullets. Words can be powerful, when used in the right way and the right context. Censoring them leads to chaos, and a loss of the most important attribute of humanity: the independent mind. Words were so powerful that they lit the dark corners of a Siberian gulag in the 1970s. They were so powerful that they triggered a human rights movement in the 19th century American South. They were so powerful that they provided the framework for the Judeo-Christian society. They were so powerful that they ignited a revolution in 18th century France. They have been used for good, and they have been manipulated into weapons, as we saw with Rushdie. But words themselves are pure, and access to them is essential. Thats why I support librarians who fight against censorship, even when the books they champion violate my morals and my fundamental principles. Thats why I reject those who want to erase the sort of language they dont like, and the political right and left are equally guilty of this great sin. We should all gravitate toward ideas, and the people who preserve them. Words cant kill. But silencing them, and the people who use them, most certainly can. Chinese, Turkmen presidents meet to advance bilateral ties Xinhua) 15:53, September 15, 2022 SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to constantly push forward the development of relations with Turkmenistan for the benefit of the two peoples, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a meeting with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov here Thursday morning. Xi said that since China and Turkmenistan established diplomatic relations 30 years ago, the two countries have enjoyed sustained, sound and steady growth of bilateral relations, and the strategic partnership has reached a high level. China always views China-Turkmenistan relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, respects Turkmenistan's independently chosen development path that suits its own national conditions, and opposes any external interference in Turkmenistan's internal affairs and process of stability and development, Xi said, adding that China will continue to work with Turkmenistan to firmly support each other. Xi emphasized the need for the two sides to increase the size and scale of natural gas cooperation and inject new impetus into the development and revitalization of the two countries. He noted the need to accelerate cooperation in non-resource fields and to synergize the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Turkmenistan's strategy to revive the Great Silk Road. The two sides need to deliver on mutually setting up cultural centers as soon as possible to provide a new platform for people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries, Xi said. The Chinese side is ready to set up a Luban workshop in Turkmenistan at an early date and continue to strengthen COVID-19 response cooperation with Turkmenistan, he said. The Chinese side is ready to strengthen cooperation with the Turkmen side within the China+Central Asia (C+C5) Meeting mechanism, implement the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative, enhance international coordination, uphold the converging interests of the developing countries, and contribute to world peace and development, said the Chinese president. Berdimuhamedov wished the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) a full success and expressed his conviction that under the wise leadership of President Xi, the 20th CPC National Congress will draw a blueprint for China's future development and guide China toward more great achievements. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and China 30 years ago, bilateral relations have developed smoothly and cooperation in various fields has been expanding, said the president. Turkmenistan, Berdimuhamedov said, highly values its strategic partnership with China, and is ready to further deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with China in various fields including economy and trade, natural gas, cross-border transportation, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Turkmenistan firmly supports the one-China principle and firmly supports China in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the president said. Turkmenistan supports a series of major initiatives put forward by China, which are conducive to maintaining international peace and security and achieving the sustainable development goals of the United Nations, he said. Turkmenistan is ready to work with China to build stronger synergy between the BRI and Turkmenistan's strategy to revive the Great Silk Road, and closely cooperate with China within multilateral frameworks of the United Nations, the C+C5 Meeting mechanism and so on. Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and other officials attended the event. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Horacio Villalobos/Corbis via Getty Images Employees for one of the most popular coffee chains around the world are gradually unionizing and the movement recently expanded in the Texas Hill Country. On Monday, September 12, a New Braunfels Starbucks voted 10-4 to be represented by the Starbucks Workers United union, according to a news release. "Starbucks' missions and values are not up to par with our own," said New Braunfels Starbucks employee and lead organizer Zachary Hecker in the release. "By our confirmation with this union vote, we now have the opportunity for our voices to be heard and to make real change. We hope by unionizing a store in New Braunfels, this will encourage other stores in rural areas who feel underrepresented to speak for themselves." (Bloomberg) -- Biden administration-led talks between freight-rail companies and unions to avert a US rail system shutdown extended into early Thursday morning with no word on whether progress had been made. The negotiations in Washington, led by Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, continued through lunch and dinner, a Labor Department spokesperson said. President Joe Biden, who traveled to Detroit on Wednesday, has been kept apprised of the ongoing negotiations and is following them closely, according to a White House official. But even as both sides remained at the bargaining table, contingency plans were being drawn in the event of a strike Friday by about 125,000 freight-rail workers that estimates indicate could cost the worlds biggest economy more than $2 billion a day. Amtrak has canceled all long-distance trains starting Thursday. The company has already begun phased adjustments as a work stoppage could hurt passenger-rail services on the routes on which it operates on tracks owned and maintained by freight railroads, Amtrak said in a statement Wednesday. The Northeast Corridor route linking Washington, New York and Boston isnt part of the planned shutdown, because Amtrak runs its own lines. Weve been engaging with the parties and our message continues to be that the labor unions and the railroads need to find the deal space to avoid any kind of disruption, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told reporters in Detroit. Of course, were preparing for any contingency should a strike happen, but the administrations goal is to prevent a stoppage, he said. The shutdown would be the largest of its kind since 1992, and snarl a wide range of goods transported by rail -- from food to metal and auto parts -- in addition to causing travel chaos. The White House is considering an emergency decree to keep key goods flowing. Any cancellations in passenger services are a disruption for Americans and underscore why the dispute must be resolved as soon as possible, a White House official said in response to Amtraks announcement. The unions and railroads are continuing to negotiate in good faith to avert a shutdown of freight-rail lines, the official added. A Biden-appointed board last month issued a set of recommendations to resolve the dispute, including wage increases and better health coverage. But the proposal did not include terms on scheduling, attendance and other issues important to the two unions holding out for a deal, affiliates of the Teamsters Union and of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers. Together, they represent about 60,000 employees. They have complained that under rail companies punitive attendance policies, employees can be, and have been fired for getting sick or going to the doctor. The companies have said they provide paid time off that employees can use for medical appointments. Senate Republicans failed Wednesday in a bid to force labor unions and railroads to resolve a clash over the contract negotiations after Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, objected, arguing freight rail workers should have better sick leave. A growing number of industry groups are urging Congress to act to avoid a strike with the National Retail Federation saying Wednesday that lawmakers should implement the emergency boards recommendation to avoid a catastrophic shutdown of the freight-rail system. A rail strike would be potentially disastrous, with dire consequences that will cascade throughout the economy if a strike actually occurs, Business Roundtable Chief Executive Officer Joshua Bolten told reporters. Supply-chain issues would be geometrically magnified by the rail strike, and thats not just the occasional Amazon box showing up two days later than it should -- these are critical materials such as chlorine to keep water clean that would be delayed, Bolten said. If all 7,000 long-distance freight trains available in the US stopped running, the country would need an extra 460,000 long-haul trucks daily to make up for the lost capacity, which isnt possible because of equipment availability and driver shortages, American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear said in a letter to Congress. The trucking industry -- dealing with labor issues of its own -- faces a deficit of 80,000 drivers nationwide, he wrote. A majority of the 12 unions involved has either reached or finalized tentative agreements with employers, according to the National Carriers Conference Committee, which represents companies including BNSF Railway, CSX Corp., Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern Corp. and Union Pacific Corp. in collective bargaining. However, members of those unions would refuse to work unless a deal was reached with the whole group. Earlier, almost 5,000 workers represented by the International Association of Machinists rejected the contract, complicating efforts to avoid a nationwide strike. The union members gave leadership the green light to strike if necessary. IAM District 19 said it also agreed to an extension until Sept. 29 to allow negotiations to continue. 2022 Bloomberg L.P. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Joseph Frederick/AP Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Joseph Frederick/AP Show More Show Less 3 of 3 NEW YORK (AP) New York City's medical examiner confirmed Tuesday that the deaths of three children found on the shoreline near Brooklyns famed Coney Island boardwalk were homicides by drowning. Their mother, identified by family members as 30-year-old Erin Merdy, remained in police custody. No charges had been filed as of late Tuesday. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) General Motors' self-driving car company on Monday announced plans to expand a robotaxi service that recently launched in California into new markets in Arizona and Texas before the end of this year. Cruise, a San Francisco startup that General Motors bought six years ago, told an audience at an investor conference that an autonomous ride-hailing service that began charging San Francisco passengers in June will make its debut in Phoenix and Austin, Texas, within the next 90 days. As it already has been doing in parts of San Francisco during night-time hours, Cruise's ride-hailing service will transport passengers in vehicles that won't have a safety driver in them to take control if the robotic technology malfunctions. Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt didn't provide additional details about the ride-hailing services in Phoenix and Austin. When its ride-hailing service enters Phoenix, Cruise will be competing with another robotaxi service run by Waymo, a Google spin-off, that already has been charging passengers there. Waymo is also testing a robotaxi service in San Francisco that hasn't yet been cleared to charge passengers. Although Vogt told investors that the driverless ride-hailing service in San Francisco is winning over many loyal customers, Cruise ran into problems the day after receiving its permit from California regulators to begin collecting fares. In a regulatory disclosure made earlier this month, Cruise revealed that it recalled 80 of its driverless vehicles for a software update after one of the cars was involved in an accident that resulted in minor injuries. Cruise told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, that one of its vehicles was making an unprotected left turn at an intersection when it was hit by an oncoming vehicle. The Cruise vehicle had to be towed away from the scene, according to the regulatory filing. Warren Faidley/Getty Images MIAMI (AP) Tropical Storm Fiona is on a path to threaten the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend. The Atlantic Hurricane Season's sixth named storm formed Wednesday evening, and the U.S. National Hurricane Center issued tropical storm watches for the Caribbean's easternmost islands. As King Charles III ascends to the top of the English empire in the wake of the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, he is met with much formalities, grief, and anti-monarchical protests. But thirty-six years ago, he was received with mariachi music and "mi casa es su casa" sentiments in San Antonio. In February 1986, the eldest son of Elizabeth and Prince Phillip visited Texas cities. His stop in San Antonio landed on February 22, 1986, and lasted about five hours with then-Mayor Henry Cisneros guiding him around. According to San Antonio Express-News and San Antonio Light archives, the senior royal wanted to meet with U.S. leaders who would be in power when he became king. The mayor, who would later become Secretary of Housing and Urban Development during the Clinton administration, was 37 during the royal visit. The king-to-be was 38. At that time no one knew his mother would become Britain's longest-reigning monarch, or that at 73 he'd be the oldest person in British history to assume the throne. Scott Sines/San Antonio Express-News Still, the future was in sight. Cisneros recognized Charles' place in line as the eldest heir to his mother's throne. "I think he feels, as I feel, that family problems are at the root of many problems that eventually become social issues," the former mayor said. "I came away impressed that if there exists a monarchy somewhere in the world, it should be as concerned and caring as he seemed. I think he'll make a wonderful king." Joe Barrera Jr./San Antonio Express-News Of course, the visit came years before the cloak of fascination with wealth and power was pulled back to reveal social justice issues in Commonwealth countries. Before calls were made for slavery reparations and the return of jewels to India and Africa. Before Charles' public image was hit by his divorce to Princess Diana following his affair with now Queen Consort Camilla. His Royal Highness certainly was welcomed like a king on his second visit to San Antonio, his first being in 1977. There were regal events, like a luncheon, but Cisneros said the king wanted to see how a predominantly minority city functioned "in harmony." He wanted to see home and work environments. "He wanted to see the real things, not the fluff," the mayor told the papers. J.B. Hazlett/San Antonio Express-News Joe Barrera Jr./San Antonio Express-News Charles visited the downtown-adjacent Vista Verde South Neighborhood, specifically two homes on Colima. Cisneros showed how a once-blighted community was revitalized through the work of Communities Organized for Public Service (COPS) and the city to provide low-cost housing. For 30 minutes, neighbors Antonia Fernandez and Lorenzo and Elvira Amesquita welcomed royalty into their respective Westside homes to meet with their families and take photos. "Mi casa es su casa," Elvira Amesquita said she told the royal, according to San Antonio Express-News archives. He also visited AVANCE, a program which helps low-income families, and Texas Mil-Tronics, where an employee who shook his hand said he'd never wash it again. Joe Barrera Jr./San Antonio Express-News Charles also made a speech at a luncheon hosted at the convention center where he said maybe one of his descendants would help San Antonio celebrate its 300th anniversary. San Antonio's Tricentennial passed in 2018, and while Spanish royalty attended, the English empire was not on hand. However, Elizabeth did pay a trip to the Alamo City a few years after her son. More for you Nighttime closures around I-10 and Loop 1604 through Monday Elizabeth visited San Antonio in 1991 as part of a national tour. The San Antonio visit, years after Charles "real" tour of the city, may have influenced his mother to drop in, Abelrado Valdez, chief of protocol during the Carter administration, told the San Antonio Express-News in a previous report. "I understand that one reason the queen wanted to visit San Antonio is that Charles recommended it so highly," Valdez said. TikTok: officiallytrippin A viral TikTok recently showed someone illegally swimming in the San Antonio River along the River Walk. TikToker @officiallytrippin posted the video of a person in the water on Monday, September 12. He captioned it, "San Antonio, y'all wild." The video received more than 517,000 views and over 40,000 likes as of Wednesday, September 14. In the comments, many people couldn't believe someone was actually in the river. My Nashville Post role has evolved since 2000 when I joined the now-defunct The City Paper. TCP became a Post sister publication in 2008 (when I began doing some Post work) and folded in 2013. I have been managing editor of the Post since late 2011. Follow William Williams Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Why spend the upcoming spooky season being entertained by manufactured spirits when you can learn about and maybe even experience one who once lived in Middle Tennessee? Its autumn, and that means its time to revisit the legend of the Bell Witch. In the early 1800s, legend goes, a woman named Kate Batts lived in Adams, Tenn., and she believed her neighbor, John Bell, cheated her in a land deal. She vowed to haunt him and his descendants from then on. According to lore, her ghost did just that, haunting the Bell family even after they moved away. Some believe the ghost, called the Bell Witch, even killed John Bell. She was never seen, but stories abound about her throwing objects, pulling hair and more. She was so feared that Andrew Jackson reportedly refused to stay with his troops on the Bell Farm. The town of Adams has kept the lore of the Bell Witch alive. This autumn, Adams will host its Bell Witch Fall Festival after a two-year pandemic hiatus. Between Sept. 25 and Oct. 22, Adams which is 40 miles northwest of downtown Nashville will mount three separate productions commemorating the Bell Witch and other important events that took place in the area. The monthlong festival kicks off with Red River Tales, a one-day free event with live music, storytelling about Robertson County and more. Red River Tales starts at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25. Next up is the acclaimed bluegrass musical Smoke, which focuses on the tobacco wars of the early 1900s. That will run Sept. 29 through Oct. 8. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the mounting of the play Spirit: The Authentic History of the Bell Witch, which will run Oct. 13 through 22. The show, written by playwright (and Adams native) David Alford, is based on the journal of Richard Williams Bell, which is believed to be the only eyewitness account of the 19th-century hauntings. Festival producer Katie Veglio didnt grow up in Adams, but shes been working on the festival for eight years. While she admits she was initially cynical about the veracity of the Bell Witch story, she was captivated by the people of Adams. After she had her first experience with the Bell Witch (which, she says, included lights going off to prevent furniture from being moved), she says, I felt like I was part of this community. The Bell Witch Fall Festival a festival of theater, not one with rides and games is performed on the grounds of the former Bell property. Doing a show on Bell family property means you are really immersed in creepiness, Veglio says. You learn so much history, and being there and hearing this true story really makes you feel like you are part of it. Also on the property but unaffiliated with the festival are the Historic Bell Witch Cave and John Bell Cabin tours, which are offered year-round. (Note that during or after heavy rains the cave may flood, and therefore tours may not take place.) In honor of the spooky season, for the whole month of October the site offers expanded hours (an 11 p.m. Saturday lantern cave tour for the brave, for example) and additional programming, such as hayrides, both regular and haunted. The tours cover the history of the Bell family. Hayrides go by a Native American burial ground and recount some of the history of the Indigenous communities of the area. You can also book special evening tours for your group. Veglio encourages festivalgoers to come early and take a cave tour and then stay for the show, buying tickets in advance for each event separately. The festival performances are in an open-air setting, so dress appropriately, with layers for weather or in case you get a chill down your spine. (Alcohol is not permitted at the festival.) The drive to Adams from Nashville is one of the regions loveliest, as you wind through hills and past weathered tobacco barns. Leave enough time to skip the interstate and take the scenic route. Buy festival tickets online at bellwitchfallfestival.com for $25-$30 each. Find cave tour times and other information at bellwitchcave.com. Prices for daytime hayrides are $8, and $20 for nighttime haunted rides. Cave tours cost $15-$23. (Natural News) Russian exports of ferrous metals to the United States dropped in July to nearly zero $0.6 million. The massive nosedive in American metals imports comes after Washington, D.C. released its latest list of Russian goods targeted by massive import tariffs in late June. These are part of Americas economic sanctions against Russia for the special military operation in Ukraine. The list of items with steep tariffs includes steel and several types of steel products. (Related: America has imported over $6 billion worth of goods from Russia since the start of Ukraine invasion.) The tariffs were passed following the Group of Seven nations revocation of Russias trade status as a most favored nation in response to the conflict in Ukraine. The status guaranteed low tariffs on Russian goods sold globally since 2012, when the country gained the status. Earlier reports even suggested that America didnt want to just place tariffs on Russian steel but to outright ban its export to the United States. Last year, U.S. imports of Russian ferrous metals which include cast iron, iron, steel and rolled metal amounted to $2.77 billion, for an average of $230 million per month. The U.S. at the time was the destination for nearly nine percent of all Russian exports of ferrous metals. Since then, ferrous metals exports from Russia have been on the decline. During the first half of 2022, Russia exported more than $1 billion worth of ferrous metals to the United States. In June alone, America received around $201 million worth of exports, around half of which $112.5 million was in ferroalloys. Loss of American market beneficial to Europe and Asia The prohibitive cost of continuing to export steel to the U.S. prompted Russian manufacturers to reorient themselves toward alternative markets in Europe and Asia. In June, Turkey purchased $546 million worth of ferrous metals from Russia a significant increase from previous months. China has also ramped up its purchases of Russian iron and steel. In June, the communist nation purchased $163.5 million worth of metals and in July, China more than doubled that to $337.4 million. This is nearly four times the amount of ferrous metals China imported from Russia in July 2021, when it bought $84.5 million worth of iron and steel. According to Fastmarkets pricing agency, Mexico and Taiwan are becoming major sales markets for Russian steel following the disappearance of most Western trade. More Russian iron, steel semi-finished products and rolled steel are heading to India and the Middle East. According to Indian customs, imports of Russian ferrous metals in July surged to nearly 30,000 tons more than five times Indias previous ferrous metals imports from Russia. The Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation (MITRF) reported that the share of the Asian states that received metals exports topped 50 percent in August compared to just 10 to 20 percent in earlier records. Russian companies are also selling metals at significant discounts of 25 percent or more to attract new buyers. At the current rate of new exports, the MITRF predicted that it will only take around eight years to restore metals export levels to those seen in 2019 and 2020. The volume of sales of goods both to foreign countries and to domestic markets will also be able to grow to the values seen before 2020 within around eight years. To restore previous export levels quicker, the MITRF noted that companies will need to redirect their attention to the burgeoning markets in East Asia and the Middle East. Learn more about the collapse in the steel trade at MarketCrash.news. Watch this episode of the Health Ranger Report as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses the massive global shutdown of metals smelting operations, including steel. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Consumer demand collapses as global economy IMPLODES, factories closing doors, freight demand plummets. Return to the Dark Ages: European steel, metals industries plead with EU to stop de-industrializing the continent with its sanctions against Russia. FORCE MAJEURE: Massive global shutdowns are now under way for METALS SMELTING operations covering iron, copper, nickel, aluminum, zinc and STEEL. Europes top steel plants CLOSE due to exorbitant rise in energy prices. DARK TIMES: Industry and infrastructure collapsing by the day across Europe and the USA. Sources include: RT.com GamingDeputy.com Oreanda.ru TrendingNewsBuzzer.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) On September 12, the Biden White House signed off on a new Executive Order called: Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy. The order calls for the rapid development of a bioeconomy to address societal goals like PROGRAMMING HUMAN BIOLOGY. The order refers to a bioeconomy as an economic activity derived from the life sciences, particularly in the areas of biotechnology and biomanufacturing, including industries, products, services, and the workforce. Most shocking, the order directs multiple federal agencies to work with the private sector to develop genetic engineering technologies to write circuitry for cells and to predictably program biology. Taken directly from the executive order: For biotechnology and biomanufacturing to help us achieve our societal goals, the United States needs to invest in foundational scientific capabilities. We need to develop genetic engineering technologies and techniques to be able to write circuitry for cells and predictably program biology in the same way in which we write software and program computers. All the conspiracy theories about hacking human cells and human DNA are coming to light, as the federal government pushes a sadistic, transhumanism agenda on the American population and the rest of the world. Executive Order seeks biological data collection to advance transhumanism technologies that hack the individual Programming human cells is something that Moderna referred to when they unleashed their mRNA covid-19 vaccine program. Moderna stated that these mRNA platforms are an operating system designed to program human beings and turn their cells into efficient drug delivery systems. The Biden executive order even praised the covid-19 vaccine and diagnostics for playing a vital role in advancing biotechnology and bioeconomy. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the vital role of biotechnology and biomanufacturing in developing and producing life-saving diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines that protect Americans and the world, the order states. The EO emphasizes the need to use emerging biotechnology in an equitable manner, to reach people in under-served communities, as well as the broader global community. This means that biotechnologies will be targeted toward African American communities and Latino communities first. For example, in California March 2021, Gavin Newsom announced that the state would stay locked down until 2 million Latinos were fully vaccinated with covid vaccines. The order also calls for the collection of multiomic information which includes data and analysis collected from biomolecules (including nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites) that make up a cell or cellular system. This data is measured and interpreted to analyze roles, relationships and functions of the biomolecules to essentially hack the innate biology of the individual and to predict and control the behavior of biological systems. The executive order sets up a Data for the Bioeconomy Initiative (Data Initiative) that will secure biological data sets to drive breakthroughs for the US bioeconomy. This executive order sounds like it came directly from the World Economic Forum, which has already referred to humans as useless eaters hack-able creatures who no longer have purpose or free will. One of the advisors for the WEF self-proclaimed prophet, Yuval Noah Harari believes that the population should be controlled at the bio-metric level by a global government. He asserts that the challenge now is to try to gain control of the world inside us, to learn how to engineer and produce bodies and brains and minds. He says these are likely to be the main products of the 21st century economy. This human-hacking enterprise is no longer a dark plot, no longer a malicious conspiracy theory. The transhumanism agenda is being promoted and deployed through the United States federal government. Merging human biological systems with AI is the next step The federal government will also expand training and education to push more Americans into the fields of biotechnology and biomanufacturing. Within 200 days, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Education will implement education and training into colleges and universities to advance these new frontiers in biotechnology. In fact, multiple agencies, from the Department of Commerce to the Department of Defense are called upon to implement emerging bio-technologies, including biomanufacturing supply chains and related biotechnology development infrastructure. Federal agencies are mandated to direct their resources to implementing a domestic biomanufacturing ecosystem. Emerging biotech will be pushed out in the health, energy, agriculture, and industrial sectors first. This new executive order basically declares an end to data privacy, setting forth a plan to make new and existing public data findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. The plan will also fill in any data gaps, most likely using AI. After all, the order specifies that this data will be integrated with platforms that enable the use of advanced computing tools. The order seeks to unlock the power of biological data, including through computing tools and artificial intelligence to advance the science of scale up production while reducing the obstacles for commercialization so that innovative technologies and products can reach markets faster. This order seeks to merge humans with AI and calls for the rapid development of trans-humanist biohacking systems and gene-altering programs that have already been deployed through mRNA vaccination campaigns, 5G wireless technology, and graphene mandates which are needed to develop quantum computing systems. Sources include: FreedomFirstNetwork.com WhiteHouse.gov NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com ExposeNews.com (Natural News) An assistant U.S. attorney found to have sexually assaulted his or her date will not be held accountable by prosecutors. (Article by Tim Pearce republished from DailyWire.com) The Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Inspector General reported on Monday that an investigation of a sitting assistant U.S. attorney found that they exposed themself in public and forced their date to touch their genitals. The OIG investigation found that the AUSAs genitals were exposed in public, and that the AUSA forced the civilians hand to touch the AUSAs genitals, in violation of state law and federal regulations governing off-duty conduct. The OIG also found that the AUSA lacked candor in discussing this incident with the OIG, the inspector general said in a summary of the investigation. Criminal prosecution of the AUSA was declined, the summary said. The summary noted that its finding is based on a preponderance of the evidence standard. The DOJ inspector generals office launched the investigation into the unnamed assistant U.S. attorney after receiving information from the Executive Office for the United States Attorneys (EOUSA). The EOUSA alleged that the assistant U.S. attorney had exposed the AUSAs genitals while in a public place and had sexually assaulted a civilian while on a date. In another investigative summary released on Monday, the DOJ inspector general said that an unnamed assistant U.S. attorney abused their position after being stopped by police while driving under the influence of alcohol. The OIG investigation found that the AUSA had engaged in misuse of position when referring to the AUSAs title in an attempt to influence local police officers during a traffic stop. The OIG investigation also found that the AUSA engaged in conduct that was prejudicial to the government, including ignoring instructions, cursing at officers, and kicking the door of the patrol vehicle, in violation of federal ethics regulations, the summary said. The OIG investigation also determined that the AUSA had been driving a personal vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, it added. Read more at: DailyWire.com (Natural News) The biggest permanent lagoon in Spains Andalucia region has completely dried up because of the ongoing drought ravaging Europe. In a Sept. 3 statement, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) announced that the Santa Olalla lagoon, located at the Donana Natural Park in Andalucia, has completely dried up. The last time it reportedly contained water was in August. Now, only a small puddle remains in the middle of the lagoon that used to see waterfowl and other animals congregate. According to the CSIC, this was the third instance that the lagoon completely dried up since the Donana-CSIC Biological Station began recording data on the nature reserve in the 1970s. It emphasized that the natural park, with its significant system of lagoons, has normally been a haven for fauna. This is the third time the Santa Olalla lagoon has dried up completely since we have data. It also happened in 1983 and 1995, in both cases coinciding with periods of intense drought, said Eloy Revilla, director of the station. While the Donana reserve has many lagoons, only a few of them hold water in summer with Santa Olalla being the most stable. The lagoons, borne from the discharge of water from the regions Donana aquifer, is home to several strictly aquatic species of flora and fauna. They also serve as a sanctuary for the first wading birds to migrate south after breeding in northern Europe. Revilla said Donana no longer has enduring lagoons, while the section of rice fields planted this year is a third of normal because of the lack of water. The CSIC stated that the drought in Europe, which is specifically intense on the Iberian Peninsula, is causing chaos on the nature reserve, but warned that the most disturbing matter is that this has been happening for a long time. (Related: Europe struggles amid WORST DROUGHT in 500 years) Intensive water demand to blame for lagoons exhaustion According to Revilla, rainfall in Donana has been below normal for 10 consecutive years. Wetlands and the species that rely on them, such as waterfowl, are specifically affected and forced to move in search of areas where water remains accessible during the most challenging times of the dry season. The station director pointed his finger at ongoing exploitation through exhaustive agriculture and fixation for human consumption as the culprit for Santa Olallas exhaustion. This demand, even in the dry years, has also undermined both the temporary and stable lagoons at the natural park. Moreover, Revilla pointed to the water demand of the Matalascanas resort as another factor. The resorts water consumption increases in the summer as tourists arrive. This increases the population from just a few thousand to about 100,000 greatly impacting the lagoons. Given the severe condition facing the Santa Olalla lagoon, Revilla has called for quick action to stop the withdrawal of groundwater from Matalascanas. It cannot be that while the lawns of Matalascanas continue to be irrigated, the lagoons of Donana dry up completely, he said. Biologists and hydrogeologists have been warning about Matalascanas effects on the lagoons since 1988, but it appears their warnings fell on deaf ears. The huge empty areas around the 2,409-square kilometers aquifer, however, may serve as a more serious warning. Follow Climate.news for more news about the drought in Spain and other parts of Europe. Watch the video below to know how the Yangtze River in China has dried up because of a drought. This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: China turns to weather modification to combat record drought, deploys drones for cloud seeding. Ruins of ancient Roman camp resurface in Spain as Europe drought dries up river. Texas drought could eclipse drought of 2011, the states worst on record. Drought causes large parts of Yangtze River to dry up, reducing hydropower generation and causing shipping delays. Sources include: StrangeSounds.org English.ElPais.com (Natural News) Florida police have busted a massive pedophile ring involving Disney workers, according to a statement released on Friday. (Article by Sean Adl-Tabatabai republished from NewsPunch.com) 160 people were arrested in the seven-day undercover human trafficking operation named Operation Fall Haul 2. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd told reporters that Disney workers were arrested in the sting: During the press conference, Sheriff Judd cracked a smile when he reported that Disney also had two employees arrested during the sting. The Sheriff said: Where would we be with an undercover operation and no Disney employees? Oh yes, we always have Disney employees. SHERIFF: Disney worker, teachers among 160 arrested in Florida human trafficking investigation https://t.co/tFgZvwmXu5 pic.twitter.com/JvuXv4dFNt Breaking911 (@Breaking911) September 11, 2022 Thegatewaypundit.com reports: The Polk County Sheriffs Office released this statement. 160 people were arrested by the Polk County Sheriffs Office Vice Unit during a seven-day undercover human trafficking operation, Fall Haul 2, which began on Tuesday, August 30, 2022. PCSO was assisted in the effort by police departments from Winter Haven, Haines City, Lake Wales, Davenport, and Bartow, as well as the Office of the State Attorney 10th Judicial Circuit, State Attorney Brian Haas, members from the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), and social services organizations: One More Child, Heartland for Children, My Name My Voice, Selah Freedom, and the Childrens Home Society of Florida who provide on-site services to identified or potential trafficking victims. Those who travelled to provide prostitution services were screened by detectives and the social services organizations to determine if they were being trafficked or exploited by others. Two trafficking victims, and another five possible victims, were identified. All prostitutes taken into custody were offered services by the social services organizations at the operation. Follow up will be conducted with those who are suspected to be sex-trafficked or exploited. The online prostitution industry enables traffickers and allows for the continued victimization of those who are being trafficked. Our goal is to identify victims, offer them help, and arrest those who are fueling the exploitation of human beings (Johns) and those profiting from the exploitation of human beings. Prostitution is not a victimless crime it results in exploitation, disease, dysfunction, drug and alcohol addiction, violence, and broken families. Grady Judd, Sheriff Some interesting notes from the operation: 26 of those arrested told detectives that they are married. Detectives charged those arrested with a total of 52 felonies and 216 misdemeanors. Criminal histories of everyone arrested included 419 previous felonies and 619 previous misdemeanors. Some of the prior histories include charges for kidnapping, robbery, aggravated battery, and sex offenses. 15 of the arrested were from other states and one was from Puerto Rico (Georgia, Michigan, New York, California, Mississippi, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Arizona). 16 suspects live in Polk County. 12 suspects told detectives they receive government assistance. Detectives seized cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, MDMA (Ecstasy), and marijuana, from those arrested during the operation. Read more at: NewsPunch.com (Natural News) A lawyer warned that the end of days is approaching as the state of Illinois removes cash bail for violent offenses. The Prairie States SAFE-T Act will allow individuals charged with 12 non-detainable offenses to freely roam the streets without the need to post bail starting Jan. 1, 2023. These crimes include second-degree murder, aggravated battery, arson, drug-induced homicide, kidnapping, burglary, robbery, intimidation, aggravated DUI, aggravated fleeing and eluding, drug offenses and threatening a public official. James Glasgow, Will Countys state attorney, warned that the end of days will begin as the bill takes effect. The SAFE-T Act will destroy the city and the state of Illinois. I dont even understand how the people who support it cant realize that, he said. (Related: No policy is too extreme for radical progressives if it serves their agenda.) According to Glasgow, all 640 people currently being held in the Will County Jail including 60 people charged with murder would have their bonds extinguished as soon as this law took effect. He added he wont be able to hold anyone in jail for longer than 90 days if they demand a trial, and after the 90th day, they will get out no matter what crime they committed. The said law also limits those who can be arrested. For example, someone trespassing on private property can be fined by police but not removed. This will undoubtedly transform the county into a criminal paradise, Glasgow warned. Violent crime and chaos seen in the metro area would swallow the county alive. What you see in Chicago, well have here, Legislators may have not fully understood the bill because they only had two days to digest its 800 pages. Given this, the state attorney called on candidates for the midterm elections in November to repeal the bill. Youve got legislators who arent lawyers. Youve got legislators who werent criminal lawyers, he said. Trying to read all that in two days, it was impossible. Powerless cops, dangerous perps roaming freely under the SAFE-T Act In August, Glasgow appeared on the WIND 560 AM radio program Chicagos Morning Answer. Program host Dan Proft asked the state attorney how things could have turned out if he was assassinated with the SAFE-T Act in place. A man named Drew Peterson tried and failed to assassinate Glasgow back in December 2014. Peterson was plotting to assassinate you. Under this law, if he hadnt been in prison, he wouldnt be in prison, Proft said. Glasgow said if his assailant was not behind bars, things would have been both difficult and deadly. Theres no way in the world that I would have weathered that storm had he been out of jail. [And] theres a real danger at all levels when violent offenders cannot be held, he said. The state attorneys would-be assassin was charged with two felonies solicitation of murder and solicitation of murder for hire in February 2015. DuPage County States Attorney Bob Berlin also joined Profts program. He said under the SAFE-T Act, officers have to evaluate the entire situation before acting. When a police officer can use deadly force under the new law, they now have to evaluate each situation in light of the totality of the circumstances. So in any emergency situation, a split second decision, an officer has to be thinking: Am I able to reasonably apprehend this person at a later date?' Mike Koolidge, a spokesman for the political action committee People Who Play By The Rules, warned that mayhem will ensue if nothing is done in January as alleged perpetrators held in pre-trial confinement for crimes ranging from petty theft all the way up to murder will be let out of jail. Any respectable legislator and states attorneys who dont do something about this will have blood on their hands, the least of which being the man who signed this catastrophic bill into law, Democrat Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Koolidge said. Watch the below video that talks about the purging threat of the new Illinois law. This video is from the SecureLife channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Illinois man charged with attempting to INCITE RIOTING; Antifa hijacking peaceful protests to start riots and cause violence. Police group confirms left-wing cities, DAs failing to enforce the rule of law, leading to crime spikes, officer deaths. Left-wing billionaire George Soros installs Marxist District Attorneys who openly permit felonies, leading to historic crime waves. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com TheCounterSignal.com PrairieStateWire.com ChicagoTribune.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) The Queen has been taken off the world stage and everyone whos well educated on the New World Order knows this is the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. Things are about to get very crazy very quick. (Article by Baxter Dmitry republished from NewsPunch.com) Queen Elizabeths corpse is still warm and her son and successor, the man formerly known as Prince Charles, has already vowed to usher in the Great Reset in line with the World Economic Forums evil agenda. According to Charles, we need a vast military style campaign to usher in the agenda of the WEF. This should not come as a surprise because Charles is a direct descendant of Dracula who has been working towards the implementation of the globalist agenda his entire life. According to NPR, Prince Charles said during a 2011 interview, Transylvania is in my blood. The genealogy shows that Im descended from Vlad the Impaler, you see. In case you need a quick history refresh: During the 1400s, Vlad III commonly known as Vlad the Impaler or Vlad Dracula was the Prince of Wallachia (modern day Romania). According to NBC, his father adopted the last name of Dracul (meaning dragon), which meant Vlads last name became Dracula (son of the dragon). By all accounts, he was an EXTREMELY violent ruler. Britain and the Commonwealth now have a sovereign who is descended from the tyrant who dipped his bread in the blood of his impaled victims. So perhaps its not surprising Charles is close friends with Klaus Schwab, who might even be an upgrade on the company Charles is used to keeping. Prince Charles was best friends with Britains most notorious pedovore Jimmy Savile, regularly hosting him at royal estates and using him as a sounding board for advice. Charles even asked Savile, who raped hundreds of children over the course of decades in the public eye, to write an etiquette guide to be followed the Queen. Now that Savile is dead, and Charles brother Andrew isnt allowed to keep company with Jeffrey Epstein any longer, Charles is spending his time rubbing shoulders with Young Global Leaders in the corridors of the World Economic Forum. 2022 is the year of change, with world leaders across the globe being removed, or facing assassination, with even the Pope suggesting his is about to stand down, while ordering all money to be returned to the Vatican Bank. World leaders who are still standing are firmly under the control of the World Economic Forum. Prince Charles can be added to their number. In the video below they are making the occult pyramid symbol they are so fond of flashing. The sign is the Central Banks control symbol. It is the same as the pyramid on the back of the one dollar bill. Here that same symbol now, at the IRS headquarters in Maryland: This is a universal symbol appearing all over the globe and denotes a religion that believes in and worships a god, but not THE God. Here it is again, a part of Israels Supreme Court: The reason those world leaders are flashing that sign and the reason it appears so often across the world is that all governments are controlled by their Central Bank . All Central Banks are controlled by the BIS the Central Bank of Central Banks which is opening calling for a CBDC to enslave the world by allowing the BIS to determine in real time how, when, if, and what you can spend their money on. We are getting close to the top of the pyramid now. Who controls the BIS? Many people say it is the Rothschilds. Meyer Amschel Rothschild, the patriarch of the notorious banking clan and founding father of international finance, famously said Permit me to issue and control the money of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws. And Meyer Amschel Rothschilds descendants appear to be reveling in that power. Who gets to poke a prince in the chest? Evelyn de Rothschild, direct descendant of Meyer Amschel Rothschild, thats who. With their printed imaginary fiat, the Central Banks control the minds of men and thus, all nations. This has been true since their inception, and is their raison detre. The love of money really is the root of all evil. But it gets worse. Those at top of the pyramid cannot leave anything up to chance, and so instead of relying on just money to corrupt and control politicians, leaders, musicians, pundits, and anyone with a big audience (and thus a wide reach), they turn to horrific methods of control like the following to get those influencers under their thumb. Every world leader and most entertainers and news broadcasters are compromised in this way, meaning they are ALL doing the bidding of their masters at the top of that pyramid. This bidding equates to corrupting all minds, sexualizing children, transhumanism, depopulation, and global tyranny and slavery for the survivors. This is why they are all singing the same songs and enacting the same destructive policies. They want to induce a mental health crisis along with war, famine, pestilence, and death. The entire system is attacking us with the end goal to kill most of us and corrupt and enslave the rest. Below is a video of Bill Gates getting a good laugh from a Ted Talk audience on the subject of climate change, when he tells them that one of these numbers is going to have to come down pretty near to zero, while the Population variable from the C02 causal equation is on the screen. He was also caught trying to contain his laughter that the next virus will get our attention this time. What is occurring could not be more in our faces. You can either accept the fate that they have in store for us which is coming fast and furious or resist and respond appropriately. The choice is yours. Watch: Read more at: NewsPunch.com (Natural News) New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who previously mandated Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines and face masks, is now calling for everyone to respect everyones individual choices. The medical tyrant made the remark on Sept. 12 as Wellington dropped its COVID-19 mandates pertaining to masks and vaccines. According to Ardern, it was time to safely turn the page on New Zealands stringent COVID-19 policies. According to a report by RNZ, mask mandates will be rescinded except for hospitals and elderly care facilities. It added that all government vaccine mandates, alongside vaccination requirements for incoming travelers and air crew, will be lifted on Sept. 26. (Related: The Science is collapsing in New Zealand as covid-19 mandates are rolled back.) We do not want to ask more of you than that evidence tells us we should, said Ardern. That does not mean you shouldnt wear a mask or judge others who do, so please do respect those who choose to wear masks. People will use masks for their own individual reasons. They may personally be vulnerable; they may have events they may not want to be unwell for; they may not have had COVID-19. We all just need to respect everyones individual decisions. Despite this, Ardern added that the government could bring back mask mandates if the circumstances demand it. Meanwhile, the New Zealand Ministry of Health said it would continue to provide guidance for mask use encouraging it on public transport and when around vulnerable people. The prime minister added that the guidance on mask use would be regularly reviewed. For her part, Ardern said she would still personally wear face masks while on board a plane and in some other circumstances. Moreover, the prime minister said COVID-19 vaccination requirements would now be in the hands of employers. The only current [vaccine] mandates were for health and disability workers, she said. But with high [vaccination] rates, now coupled with high numbers of people having had the virus, its now safe for them to conclude. Arderns about-face blasted across the internet The prime ministers sudden about-face did not sit well with many. Prior to this, Ardern had been a staunch supporter of draconian COVID-19 protocols in New Zealand. Luke Rudkowski of We Are Change tweeted: After discriminating and terrorizing her nation, the prime minister of New Zealand finally drops all health mandates. This is the point where everyone should be asking themselves: What was the point of all of this? Avi Yemini of Rebel News Australia replied to Rudkowskis tweet: And just like that, Ardern declares, we all just need to respect peoples individual decisions. Never forget or forgive what she did. The strongest rebuke came from Paul Joseph Watson of Summit News. He remarked in a video: Respect? Now you ask for respect? Shut up woman; you dont know the first thing about respect. Where was the respect when countless people lost their jobs because of your totalitarian vaccine mandates? When you openly announced a two-tier society, the jabbed and the unjabbed? When you threatened people that the vaccination program wouldnt end ever until every single person got one? Where was the respect when you threatened to put people who refuse to get tested and all their family members in quarantine camps? When you ordered Kiwis not to talk to their own neighbors? When you locked down entire areas of the country after one single COVID infection? Where was the respect when your government told schools to phone the police if unvaccinated staff showed up for work? Where was the respect when your storm troopers violently brutalized protesters? Head over to MedicalTyranny.com for more stories about New Zealands COVID-19 mandates. Watch New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern insist that adverse reactions from the COVID-19 vaccines were a sign that they work. This video is from the In Search Of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Jacinda Ardern admits New Zealand is struggling to deal with COVID-19 pandemic despite high vaccination rate. New Zealand walks back on reopening, imposes stringent measures for travelers. Australia and New Zealand are targets of COVID psychological experimentation. New Zealand transforms into a tyrannical regime in pursuit of COVID Zero. New Zealand lifts majority of COVID-19 restrictions amid skyrocketing cases. Sources include: InfoWars.com RNZ.co.nz Twitter.com 1 Twitter.com 2 YouTube.com Brighteon.com File photo Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh on September 17, which is his birthday, where he will release cheetahs translocated from Namibia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh on September 17, which is his birthday, where he will release cheetahs translocated from Namibia. The release of wild cheetahs is part of the Government's efforts to revitalise and diversify India's wildlife and its habitat. Cheetah was declared extinct from India in 1952. The cheetahs have been brought under an MoU signed earlier this year. The introduction of cheetah in India is being done under Project Cheetah, which is the world's first inter-continental large wild carnivore translocation project. "This will help in the restoration of open forest and grassland ecosystems in India and also conserve biodiversity and enhance the ecosystem services like water security, carbon sequestration and soil moisture conservation, benefiting the society at large," an official statement said. Later, the Prime Minister will participate in Self Help Group Sammelan with women SHG members and community resource persons at Karahal, Sheopur. (Natural News) Texas-based chiropractor Dr. Bryan Ardis revealed that the drug baricitinib, which is used to treat Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, kills people as proven by research studies. Its actually baricitinib thats the generic name, but it has a brand name: Olumiant, he said during the Sept. 7 episode of The Dr. Ardis Show on Brighteon.TV. This drug Olumiant the reason why it came to my attention was the hospital pharmacist. The first one said that it has four black box warnings of how its proven, in research studies, to kill people. The truth is, it actually has five. According to Ardis, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved baricitinib as a COVID-19 treatment for adults in May 2022. However, it remained under emergency use authorization (EUA) for treating COVID-19 in children aged two to 18. Ardis pointed to a document from the FDA itself admitting there is no pediatric data to support baricitinib as a COVID-19 treatment for younger patients. (Related: FDA grants full approval to untested Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents.) Baricitinib, which is manufactured by Eli Lilly, was originally granted an EUA in November 2020 in combination with remdesivir. This EUA was later revised in July 2021 to reflect its approval as a standalone COVID-19 treatment. There is no data to show it is safe and effective or not dangerous, explained Ardis. Its on the document so they have not researched this. He continued that one of the five black box warnings advised against prescribing the drug to someone with a serious infection, especially a localized one. Ardis guest Priscilla Romans, the founder and CEO of patient advocacy company Graith Care, agreed with him. She added that the warning was one of the reasons why they inform their patients about the drug. According to Romans, the medication has been listed on one of the informed documents that they provide people since last year. Even though the fact sheet clearly warned against giving baricitinib to a patient with a localized or serious infection, the FDA still approved it. Ardis: Baricitinib increases the possibility of developing blood clots Ardis, a chiropractor, mentioned that baricitinib is known to increase the risk of a person dying from blood clots called thrombosis, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Romans added that some of these blood clots are so deadly that the patient usually does not survive. Aside from increasing the severity of a serious infection that can be lethal, Ardis said baricitinib increases the fatality of a heart attack. It also increases the chance of developing blood clots in the lungs, veins and arteries, alongside cardiovascular events such as strokes, aneurysms, myocarditis and myocardial infarction. Moreover, baricitnib increases metastatic cancers and lymphadenopathy in the body. He recounted a conference in St. Louis where he served as a guest speaker. When he made the revelation about baricitinib, the medical doctors who attended were all shocked to learn about its authorization for children aged two to 18 despite its fatal side effects. Romans stressed that patients need to understand that they have the right to refuse a drug. She also remarked that when people take a medication, they need to make sure that the prescription is correct and they are following the recommended guidelines for the medicine. Follow DangerousMedicine.com for more news about the deadly drugs approved and used for COVID treatment. Watch the Sept. 7 episode of The Dr. Ardis Show with Priscilla Romans below. The Dr. Ardis Show airs every Wednesday at 10-11 a.m. and every Saturday at 11 a.m.-12 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. More related articles: Drug maker Eli Lilly strikes $375 million deal with US government for COVID-19 antibody treatment. Project Veritas reveals hospitals use non-approved, DANGEROUS drug on COVID-19 patients Brighteon.TV. Hospital covid treatments were so brutal and murderous that some nurses quit the profession. Dr. Bryan Ardis: Theres a cheap, effective and APPROVED drug for COVID-19 Brighteon.TV. Biden still promoting Paxlovid despite the drug causing his rebound COVID-19 infection. Sources include: Brighteon.com ContagionLive.com (Natural News) To hear virtually anyone in the U.S. military and intelligence services, Americas biggest enemy is China, and yet, for reasons that are obvious to open-minded Americans, the Biden regime continues to defer to Beijing. Guess the Chinese communists own more of Joe and Hunter Biden than we previously thought. That would explain why Bidens administration is failing to stop China from buying up billions of dollars worth of American farmland, much of it near U.S. military bases, a phenomenon that would never be allowed if the current regime was serious about countering Beijing. On Tuesday, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, a retired U.S. Navy admiral, punted on the question after being asked repeatedly why the Biden regime was allowing China access to land in proximity to military bases, as well as why China would be allowed to purchase American farmland so that the communists can produce food here to ship back home to store in preparation for military conflict. I think the question of home ownership is a little bit out of my swim lane, Kirby said in response to the question, with a completely inappropriate answer. What I will tell you is that the president has been, uh, nothing but clear about our concerns about Chinese unfair trade practices and economic practices. This isnt about home ownership. And its not about unfair trade and economic practices. Its about national security. Pressed again, Kirby issued a similar response: Im probably not the right person to ask about home ownership here in the United States, he said. The reporter pushed once more, clarifying, This isnt about home ownership. This is about buying up land around military installations At that, Kirby gave the signal to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre to come over and completely dismiss the question. We can get back to you after. Were going to move on, Jean-Pierre told the reporter. WATCH: REPORTER: China, foreign buyers, are buying up U.S. real estate, in some cases farms, around military installations. Is this on the administrations radar? KIRBY: Im probably not the right person to ask about home ownership REPORTER: This isnt about home ownership pic.twitter.com/Xv4EXiksdR Breaking911 (@Breaking911) September 13, 2022 Thankfully, some Republicans are beginning to make noises about this issue and are pushing for legislation to not only protect American farmland from being exploited by a potential enemy, but also to address the obvious national security issues. Protecting American farmland is critical to maintaining our national security, said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) last month regarding legislation he has introduced that blacklists China along with Russia, Iran, and North Korea from buying up U.S. farms. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I was alarmed when a Chinese company recently purchased farmland near an Air Force base in North Dakota. This acquisition could threaten our national security by allowing the Chinese Communist Party to closely monitor the operations and communications at a very important military facility. In my travels around South Dakota, Ive heard from many farmers and ranchers who are concerned about foreign adversaries owning American farmland. Its time to put a stop to this and take action. This legislation makes certain American interests are protected by blacklisting foreign adversaries from purchasing land or businesses involved in agriculture, he added. In July, the Houses No. 3 Republican, Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, introduced a similar bill for the lower chamber. Democrats have refused to entertain either one. The problem is real. According to AgWeb, the U.S. Department of Agricultures latest data shows China owns over 191,000 acres of U.S. lands, but that was before a North Dakota land sale this Spring. A Chinese company, Fufeng Group, recently acquired 300 acres in North Dakota for $2.6 million. According to the company, it intends to establish a milling plant, the outlet reported. China is literally using American farmland to bolster its emergency food stocks ahead of a conflict, and the Biden regime and Democrats are letting it happen. Sources include: AGWeb.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) British astrophysicist Piers Corbyn stunned a TV interviewer when he declared that climate cultists are scamming the public for money. He explained that the climate has always been changing, but this has nothing to do with humans. According to Corbyn, the changes in the planets climate and weather are dictated primarily by cyclical activity on the surface of the sun, and have nothing to do with man-made carbon emissions. Surely man has something to with this, said the anchor, to which Corbyn replied: No, the only connection is that man is here at the same time as the sun and the moon are doing things. He also said the scientists who promote the climate change narrative are only trying to make money. Theyre on a gravy train for heavens sake, he told the interviewer. Corbyn does not believe in man-made global warming. Using his forecasting business called WeatherAction, he predicts weather events using solar-based activity. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson previously described Piers as someone who puts the taxpayer-funded Met Office to shame. (Related: Globalists are pushing climate change narrative to force mass starvation and depopulate the world, the Health Ranger warns.) Corbyn arrested multiple times for criticizing government propaganda Before Christmas 2021, Corbyn was arrested on suspicion of encouraging people to burn down the offices of MPs who voted for new pandemic restrictions. The London Metropolitan Police confirmed on Twitter that a man in his 70s was arrested on suspicion of encouraging people to commit arson. This was after a video circulating on social media showed Corbyn lashing out at politicians who voted in favor of COVID-19 restrictions. In February, he was arrested over the distribution of leaflets comparing the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine rollout to Auschwitz. The flyers he distributed showed a drawing of the gates of the Nazi concentration camp. Corbyn was also fined 10,000 ($11,512.6) in August 2020 for organizing an anti-lockdown rally. The rallys stated aim was to call for the repeal of the Coronavirus Act, which was passed in March and gave the government sweeping new powers. He was arrested at the stage set up in Trafalgar Square at the end of the event, while protesters marched off down Whitehall. Corbyn said he was only saying goodbye to people and was just looking around when the police grabbed him from behind. I was not expecting it at all. They frog-marched me they didnt handcuff me and told me they were arresting me for contravening the coronavirus regulations for organizing a gathering of more than 30 people, he said of the arrest. He was held by the police for 10 hours. The multiple arrests did not deter Corbyn from telling the truth and exposing the climate change hoax. Visit ClimateAlarmism.news for more news related to the so-called climate change. Watch the video below and listen to Piers Corbyns take on climate change. This video is from the LifeSiteNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Top public health figures accused of GENOCIDE in historic complaint sent to the International Criminal Court. Beware the coming round up as the demonization of free thinkers is launched into full swing after more than 100 million Americans fell for one of the most fatal delusions of all time. Tucker Carlson: World Health Organization using COVID to push climate change agenda. Cosmic crash 12,800 years ago caused climatic changes, proving climate change can happen at any moment, far beyond our control. Climate change activist movement nothing more than rebranded 1970s myth. Sources include: NewsPunch.com NewStatesman.com Twitter.com DW.com BBC.com TheGuardian.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has voted to reject a tentative agreement with the nations railroads, with a strike authorized for later in the month. As the cooling off period comes to an end, IAMs roughly 4,900 members decided to vote no deal on the proposals. They also voted to strike, though that has been delayed until September 29 as negotiations continue between many other labor unions and the railroads. IAM freight rail members are skilled professionals who have worked in difficult conditions through a pandemic to make sure essential products get to their destinations, the union said in a statement. We look forward to continuing that vital work with a fair contract that ensures our members and their families are treated with the respect they deserve for keeping Americas goods and resources moving through the pandemic. IAM is one of nine unions that reached tentative agreements with the National Carriers Conference Committee, which represents all Class I freight railroads and many small United States railroads. Contract negotiations between railroads and labor unions representing some 115,000 workers began back in 2020 during the covid plandemic. Since that time, very little progress has been made, which prompted the Biden regime to intervene. Back in August, the board that was convened recommended increasing pay by 24 percent over five years, as well as immediately hiking worker pay by 14 percent. It also recommended issuing five annual lump sum $1,000 payments, among other proposals. It was initially believed that all nine unions came to tentative agreements. However, IAM just pulled out, and two other unions, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers Transportation Division, have reportedly not come to any agreements. The latter union issued a statement explaining that it is abundantly clear from our negotiations over the past few days that the railroads show no intentions of reaching an agreement with our Unions. White House begs rail workers to stay at the table and make this work The official end of the cooling off period is Friday, September 16. As soon as Monday though it is now looking like workers will walk off the job more towards the end of September rail movement could slow or even stop in some areas. Even though some of the unions have agreed to accept the new terms, others have not. And unless all workers remain at the railroads, there are sure to be delays and other problems that further disrupt supply chains. Already even before the walk-off, some railroads have begun scaling back operations and even implementing embargoes on hazardous materials so they do not get left in certain places for too long. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh was tasked by Joe Biden to lead the efforts to carve out a deal that workers for everyone. He hosted a meeting in Washington this week to discuss the matter further. All parties need to stay at the table, bargain in good faith to resolve outstanding issues, and come to an agreement, added White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in a statement to reporters during a flight to Michigan. A shutdown of our freight rail system is an unacceptable outcome for our economy and the American people, and all parties must work to avoid just that. In the comment section, someone wrote: The National Railway Labor Union (blue collar workers) facing off against the Elite Globalists who control BlackRock through Vanguard, who want the USA to grind to a halt and collapse into ruin. This is not a matter of IF the railroad supply chain will be shut down, but WHEN. More of the latest news about the ongoing labor disputes can be found at Chaos.news. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Every single lawmaker and political insider in Washington, D.C., knows that the FBI has become little more than a slightly tamer version of the Gestapo, serving not the American people but the left-wing counterrevolutionary deep state. That doesnt mean everyone in D.C. agrees with the bureaus politicization, but anyone who doesnt is afraid to say so publicly because they are aware of what will happen to them and their careers if they speak out. But one former National Security Council member under then-President Donald Trump is not afraid to say out loud what scores of people inside the D.C. beltway are thinking: The FBI, in its current version, has to go. Speaking to the National Conservatism Conference in Miami, Fla., this week, Michael Anton said that the 17 U.S. national security and intelligence agencies are essentially worthless on the international front and instead have been weaponized against the American public, making it way past time to get rid of many of them, or at least severely limit their power. As reported by The Daily Caller: Conservatives are critical of federal agencies, particularly those focused on domestic affairs such as the Environmental Protection Agency, but tend to have a more positive view of agencies involved in national security and defense, according to Anton. He said this needed to change and advocated for an overhaul of agencies including breaking up the CIA and possibly abolishing the FBI. I think we need to have a serious national debate: Do we need a federal law enforcement agency? Its not clear to me that we do, he said. State law enforcement agencies can do most of the legitimate functions of the FBI. If we conclude that we do need an FBI, then it has to be purged the people who are responsible for so much of the nastiness of the last five or six years have got to be punished, and then the FBI needs to be refocused on law enforcement only, specifically those things that states cant handle very well. Anton went on to tell conservatives that they ought to be more skeptical of, and concerned about, the security state federal agencies that have a direct or indirect role in the countrys national security because they routinely fail to keep Americans safe, go all-in to intervene in as many foreign countries as possible, and operate against American citizens. The FBI is the only agency in the national security bureaucracy thats allowed to do counter intel operations on U.S. soil. It does it very badly and it tends to use those powers against Americans, so lets just get rid of it, Anton said. After noting that the FBI and CIA have been politicized and weaponized against the citizens they are supposed to serve and protect, Anton added that in some cases in the past, the agencies have performed as they were designed to do. But top officials in both have adopted a pro-interventionist foreign policy for decades, resulting in the loss of American lives overseas and trillions of dollars in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, spending 2o years in the latter and more than a dozen years in the former following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. And now, the agencies are advocating spending billions to defend Ukraine. We spent 20 years in the Middle East essentially, and we have nothing to show for it. We lost trillions of dollars and something like 7,000 American lives. Nobody can count the number of lives lost by Iraqi civilians, Afghan civilians, and so on. The national security state wanted this, Anton continued. When pressured on this, they will try to explain to you that this is all very important the entire world is a vital national interest; we have to be involved everywhere, and if we arent the world will collapse and the United States will collapse with it, he said, adding that while presidents are supposed to be in charge of the intelligence agencies, they essentially operate on their own. On a flow chart, it looks like the president is their boss. In real life, the president has limited power to tell them what to do. In real life, theyre run on a kind of consensus, he said. Sources include: DailyCaller.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) For the past two years, a 14-minute video available at Brighteon.com has been telling a little-known story about the dangers and ineffectiveness of covid vaccines. The messenger RNA (mRNA) shots from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna do not have 100 percent integrity, the video explains, which is necessary in order for the shots to work. Unless all RNA is fully intact, mRNA chemicals tend to go awry inside the body, often resulting in serious health problems. (Related: mRNA jabs are also polluting peoples bodies with metal-like objects and other poisons.) It turns out that not all mRNA vials are the same, either. One person gets one concoction while another gets something different. This explains why some people who got shot are becoming seriously ill or dying while others appear to be the same as usual. Fragmented RNA could potentially also be hazardous to health by generating incomplete spike proteins, says Dr. Joseph Mercola. While we do not know if incomplete spike proteins are dangerous, its possible they might contribute to cellular stress. Watch the video below: Are Big Pharma and the government intentionally depopulating with hot lots of deadly vaccine? The discoveries made in the above video and reiterated by Dr. Mercola paint a picture of mystery surrounding mRNA injections, which are almost like playing Russian Roulette. While there are certainly quality problems to also consider, it would seem as though the mRNA solutions from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are poorly made and highly inconsistent. The bad batch phenomenon may also be indicative of quality problems, Dr. Mercola writes. Independent investigations have revealed that some lots of the shots are associated with very severe side effects and death, whereas other lots have very few or no adverse events associated with their use. The fact that so-called hot lots of vaccine appear to be getting released in coordinated fashion suggests that intentional lethal-dose testing on the public is taking place right before our very eyes. The bad batches may not just be accidental, in other words. Someone somewhere seems to want some people to die from the shots while others receive a less-lethal or even placebo dose. We do know, based on the findings of a British Medical Journal (BMJ) study published back in March 2021, that quality control issues abound. If Mercola is right, these quality control issues could be intentional for the purpose of harming people. Hacked data presented in the study revealed that anywhere from 55 to 78 percent of commercially available shots have a significant difference in % RNA integrity / truncated species, meaning composition and quality are all over the place. The hacked data was subsequently sent to journalists and academics worldwide. It was also published on the dark web, Mercola explains. Some of the documents show European regulators had significant concerns over the lack of intact mRNA in the commercial batches sampled. Right before Operation Warp Speed was officially launched in December 2020, a high-ranking official from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) sent an email revealing that commercial batches of mRNA vaccine failed to meet safety standards. Pfizer was notified about these concerns, but it is unclear how the drug agency responded or if it did at all because less than a month later, Operation Warp Speed was in full swing. Curiously, when The BMJ asked Pfizer, Moderna, CureVac and several regulators to specify the percentage of mRNA integrity considered acceptable, none replied with specifics, Mercola further writes. According to the British Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, the FDA and Health Canada, the specification limit on RNA integrity is commercially confidential.' The latest news about Chinese Virus shots can be found at Vaccines.news. Sources for this article include: Brighteon.com LifeSiteNews.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Despite the fact that the deep state stole Donald Trumps reelection and replaced him with a dementia patient whose regime is being run by Barack Obama behind the scenes, the left-wing media still cant move on from the former president. That was evident again last week far away from Washington, D.C., and Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. In a press conference Thursday, Las Vegas Sheriff Joe Lombardo and another police official were providing details on the murder of a Las Vegas Review-Journal journalist, Jeff German, 69, who had been writing stories exposing Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles, a local Democratic politician, for inappropriate behavior while in office literally performing the role the press was envisioned to perform by our founders: Serving as watchdogs on the powerful, regardless of party or political affiliation. After being peppered with various questions about the case, one reporter veered into the insane by suggesting that a Democratic politician was motivated to violence by Trump. The female reporter first noted that it was probably not an appropriate time to talk about politics, leading Lombardo to respond: So why are we talking politics then? Undaunted, the report asked: Do you condemn former President Trumps normalization of violence against journalists? First and foremost, Trump never normalized violence against journalists nor did he ever call on Americans to do journalists harm, let alone kill them. So her premise is worse than simply being out of line, its slanderous. The sheriff responded: No, I think this is probably an inappropriate venue to speculate on that or opine on that. I think it needs to be stated and noted that it is troublesome because it is a journalist, and we expect journalism to be open and transparent and a watchdog for government. And when people take it upon themselves to create harm associated with that profession, I think its very important that we put all eyes on and address the case appropriately, such as we did in this case. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported on the death of its journalist: The stunning development came a day after Las Vegas police asked for the publics help in identifying a suspect in the case. An early morning search of Telles home on Wednesday provided the first indication that the Friday killing might be related to Germans work exposing public wrongdoing. The investigative reporter was pursuing a potential follow-up story about Telles in the weeks before he was killed. The arrest of Robert Telles is at once an enormous relief and an outrage for the Review-Journal newsroom, Executive Editor Glenn Cook said. We are relieved Telles is in custody and outraged that a colleague appears to have been killed for reporting on an elected official. Journalists cant do the important work our communities require if they are afraid a presentation of facts could lead to violent retribution. We thank Las Vegas police for their urgency and hard work and for immediately recognizing the terrible significance of Jeffs killing. Now, hopefully, the Review-Journal, the German family and Jeffs many friends can begin the process of mourning and honoring a great man and a brave reporter, he added. As for Trump, if anyone is responsible for ginning up violence, its the media. Several journalism types, on cable news and in print, called him every name in the book like Nazi, Hitler, and authoritarian in an attempt to dehumanize him and rile up the left. They lied about him incessantly, made up stories about his administration, and published every sort of deep-state tripe concocted to bring him down. They supported his two impeachments. They looked the other way as riots rocked our country, calling them mostly peaceful. Trump doesnt incite violence, he incites anger on the left, and they turn it into violence. Sources include: ReviewJournal.com Mediate.com (Natural News) The Miami-Dade County Public School, one of Floridas biggest public education systems, has voted against recognizing October as LGBTQ History Month. The school board, which recognized October as LGBTQ History Month last year, voted 8-1 against the measure. Some members of the board cited Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Parental Rights in Education law in voting to spike the event. LGBTQ Month was founded by Rodney Wilson in 1994. Wilson was a Missouri high school teacher who chose October to celebrate and teach gay and lesbian history because schools are in session and it encompasses Coming Out Day celebrated on Oct. 11. The month-long observance seeks to provide role models, build community and make civil rights statements about extraordinary national and international contributions of LGBTQ populations. The LGBTQ community also celebrates 31 lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender icons over the course of October, including fairy tale author Hans Christian Andersen and former WNBA player Sue Bird. The school board had parents, teachers and students speak for more than three hours, with one group citing indoctrination of students and another speaking about how the Nazis ostracized gays and lesbians. A Trojan horse measure to influence children on homosexuality Pastor Max Tover, who is a parent in the public school district, described the attempt to enshrine LGBTQ History Month as a Trojan horse measure to influence children on homosexuality. He was no doubt happy that the school board overwhelmingly voted against the measure. It was clear here today that we were going to follow the law, and the Parental Rights bill is very clear that this type of imposition should not be imposed on our children, especially in our elementary schools, and an endorsement district-wide was in direct violation of the Parental Rights bill, board member Christi Fraga said about the vote. Steve Gallon III voted in a similar vein, saying that his obligation as an elected school board member is one that has to comply with the law that has now changed. Some, including the school boards attorney, argue that approving history month would not violate Floridas new law because it does not include mandatory instruction. DeSantis landmark parental rights bill, which was signed into effect in March, forbids classroom instruction on topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity for students in the third grade or under. The Florida governor also urged public educators to focus on reading, writing and arithmetic rather than endorse endless indoctrination in critical race theory and sexualized gender ideology. (Related: The empire of child grooming, Disney, pushing more junk biology brainwashing of our youth with Baymax animated features.) Lucia Baez-Geller, the one who sponsored the measure, was the only board member to vote in favor of recognizing a system-wide LGBTQ history month. She noted that while it is not mandatory, the move would have introduced a curriculum for high schoolers on court decisions that enshrined new legal privileges for homosexuals. These landmark decisions include the Obergefell v. Hodges case, which recognizes same-sex marriage, and the Bostock v. Clayton County case, which prohibits an employer from firing someone for being gay or transgender. Visit Gender.news for more stories about gender issues. Watch the video below to know more about the LGBTQ youth in America. This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Illinois school district teaching gender and sexuality starting with PRESCHOOL age kids. LGBTQ pride parade with drag queen & trans animals featured in kids cartoon. Pro-LGBT businesses increasingly push transgender propaganda in pride month ads. Another Childrens LGBTQ drag queen advocate charged with child pornography. Woke transgender culture is reshaping Americas values with governments support. Sources include: WesternJournal.com NPR.org NBCNews.com WSVN.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) This wasnt supposed to happen. For months, I have been writing article after article about the rapidly growing global food crisis, but even though drought is devastating so many other crops all over the planet I thought that there would be plenty of rice in 2023. Unfortunately, I was wrong. As you will see below, some of the biggest rice producers in the entire world are being hit really hard, and rice production is going to be way below expectations this year. Of course rice is one of the primary staples that poor nations depend upon, and so this is a really big deal. If there is a serious shortage of rice in 2023, that is going to have enormous implications for all of us. (Article by Michael Snyder republished from TheEconomicCollapseBlog.com) An announcement that India just made should be front page news all over the globe right now. India usually accounts for over 40 percent of all worldwide rice shipments, but now they have placed severe restrictions on all future exports this year India banned exports of broken rice and imposed a 20% duty on exports of various grades of rice on Thursday as the worlds biggest exporter of the grain tries to augment supplies and calm local prices after below-average monsoon rainfall curtailed planting. India exports rice to more than 150 countries, and any reduction in its shipments would increase upward pressure on food prices, which are already rising because of drought, heat-waves and Russias invasion of Ukraine. Did you catch that last sentence? 150 different nations depend on rice from India. So where are they going to get their rice? Normally, India exports more rice than the next four largest exporters combined Indias rice exports touched a record 21.5 million tons in 2021, more than the combined shipments of the worlds next four biggest exporters of the grain: Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan and the United States. Europe certainly isnt going to make up the difference. Italy is the biggest rice producer in the European Union, and it is being projected that rice production in that nation will be down about 30 percent this year due to the endless drought that Europe is currently experiencing The unfavorable weather has already taken a serious toll on the rice industry. Estimates say farmers are expecting to lose around 30 percent of their yields this year, and the industry has already hemorrhaged around $3 billion as a result of the drought. Many of the most stricken fields are in the regions of Lombardy and Piedmont, which together produce around 90 percent of Italys rice. Rice production is going to be way down in the United States as well. California usually produces about 20 percent of all U.S. rice, but this year a severe lack of water for agricultural purposes is making things exceedingly difficult for rice growers in the state Rice farmers in Colusa County, 60 miles north of Sacramento, received 18% of the federal water shipments to which they are entitled, far less than normal and too little for many to grow the crop at all. Even in a drought, rice farmers have been able to get a fairly high percentage of the water they had rights to, said Tim Johnson, chief executive of the California Rice Commission. Now they are experiencing drought at a level theyve never seen before. What we are witnessing is truly unprecedented. I know that this may be hard to believe, but it is being reported that about 300,000 out of the 550,000 acres committed to rice growing in California will go without harvest in 2022. The following comes from Zero Hedge New satellite imagery shows a large swath of Californias rice fields has been left barren without harvest as fears of a mini dust bowl emerge due to diminishing water supplies. Kurt Richter, a third-generation rice farmer in Colusa, the rice capital of California, told San Francisco Chronicle that fields upon fields of the grain have already transformed into a wasteland. A report via the US Department of Agriculture shows about 300,000 out of the 550,000 acres committed to rice growing in California will go without harvest. This could potentially drive up sushi prices nationwide because most of the rice produced in the state is for just that. Of course many other crops are being hit extremely hard as well. California normally produces approximately a third of our vegetables and about two-thirds of our fruits and nuts, and the lack of production this year is already starting to show up on our store shelves High temperatures in the Western U.S. are hitting the produce industry, damaging crops, shrinking shipments, and leaving fewer leafy greens and fruits on supermarket shelves. A California grower said some of his lettuce leaves are turning brown and melting in the fields because of crop diseases intensified by the high temperatures. In Pennsylvania, a retailer said its stores went a week without having strawberries to sell. A New York distributor has substituted honeydew melons for watermelons, which have become scarce. Supermarkets say they are giving less shelf space to products with weather-induced discolorations, bruises or burns. Stores are cutting prices on poor-quality items to avoid getting stuck with them, and increasingly receiving products from Canada, Florida, New Jersey and Ohio instead of California, long the go-to source for U.S. grocers. This crisis is only going to get worse in the months ahead. I have been encouraging my readers to get prepared for a very long time, and I hope that you have taken that advice. All over the planet, agricultural production is going to be way below original projections this year. For example, just check out what is happening to olive oil production in Spain In July, temperatures broke records to top 40 degrees Celsius (104.5 degrees Fahrenheit) across parts of France, Spain, Italy and Portugal. By early August, sweltering heat and a lack of rainfall had pushed almost two-thirds of land in the European Union into drought conditions, according to the European Drought Observatory. Olive oil producers have been hit hard. Kyle Holland, a pricing analyst for oilseeds and grains at Mintec, a commodities data company, expects a dramatic reduction of between 33% and 38% in Spains olive oil harvest that begins in October. Spain is the worlds biggest producer of olive oil, accounting for more than two-fifths of global supply last year, according to the International Olive Council. Greece, Italy and Portugal are also major producers. For a lot more data points on the rapidly growing global food crisis, please see my previous article entitled A List Of 33 Things We Know About The Coming Food Shortages. None of us have ever faced anything like this. The food that will not be harvested in the months ahead will not be on our store shelves in 2023. Food prices are going to rise to absolutely ridiculous levels, and the head of the UN is already warning of multiple famines next year. This is not a drill. Food shortages really are coming, and our world will be changing in wild and unpredictable ways. Read more at: TheEconomicCollapseBlog.com (Natural News) The Democrat left has found another way to infringe on the constitutional rights of Americans, this time attacking two amendments with the same initiative, and they are using their woke international and corporate allies to do it. Specifically, leftists associated with the International Organization for Standardizations Registration and Maintenance Management Group met last week to discuss a proposal already adopted by the countrys largest payment processor, Visa, to attach a special code to the sale of firearms so they can be tracked under the lie of public safety. So, with one proposal, these international leftists have convinced American payment processors to infringe on Americans Second Amendment rights and their Fourth Amendment right to privacy. The company claims that the new classification will allow for easier tracking of firearms sales as a means of helping to prevent mass shootings, according to The Associated Press. But of course, gun rights advocates see the move as a huge encroachment on the legal sale of firearms by left-wing activists who, 10 minutes ago, were complaining about a womans right to privacy having been taken away by the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. The (industrys) decision to create a firearm-specific code is nothing more than a capitulation to anti-gun politicians and activists bent on eroding the rights of law-abiding Americans one transaction at a time, said National Rifle Association spokesman Lars Dalseide. The Daily Wire noted further: Visas decision will allow banks to make decisions with enhanced information on whether they will allow purchases at gun shops on their cards. The move could also cause other corporations like Mastercard and American Express to adopt a similar policy, the AP reported. The payment processing company, however, claimed that it will continue to protect the legal selling and purchasing of goods on its network. Following ISOs decision to establish a new merchant category code, Visa will proceed with next steps, while ensuring we protect all legal commerce on the Visa network in accordance with our long-standing rules, Visa said in a statement. Amalgamated Bank was the entity to formally propose the code to the ISO. Considering the application met all the criteria from ISO 18245 and no material arguments pertaining to the approval criteria outlined in the ISO 18245 standard to reject the code were made, SC9 leadership has approved this MCC application in order to comply with the standard, the ISO noted per Maria Lazarte, the groups team leader for media and engagement, in a statement to The Center Square. The decision comes after left-wing Democrats sent letters to the group urging it to adopt the new code, which will create a de facto gun registry another violation of Americans basic rights. Labeling gun and ammunition sales is a responsible, common-sense way to help protect Americans, and I thank Amalgamated Bank for their bold leadership on this critical issue, New York Attorney General Letitia James said. I urge credit card companies to take the next step and flag suspicious transactions on gun and ammunition sales, like they do for fraud and money laundering. What constitutes suspicious, however, is simply a matter of interpretation. To a far-left Democrat, every gun sale could be labeled suspicious. Whats next a political test for gun ownership? Citizenship? Mark Oliva, the National Rifle Associations managing director for public affairs, blasted the move in a statement to the news outlet, adding that the code is flawed on its premise. Those who believe it will help law enforcement do not provide details on what should be considered suspicious purchases, he noted. This decision chills the free exercise of Constitutionally-protected rights and does nothing to assist law enforcement with crime prevention or holding criminals accountable, he added. The Department of Justices Bureau of Justice Statistics consistently shows in their own reporting that 90% of felons convicted of their crimes involving a firearm admit they illegally obtain those guns through theft or trading on the black market. Attaching codes specific to firearm and ammunition purchases casts a dark pall by gun control advocates who are only interested in disarming lawful gun owners, Oliva noted further. This is unconstitutional on its face and should be challenged in court. Sources include: TheCenterSquare.com DailyWire.com By Peggy Kelly Santa Paula News The former Blanchard Community Library bookkeeper was arrested Thursday for allegedly embezzling more than $200,000 of library funds over at least a decade according to a statement by District Attorney Greg Totten. Tammy Jean Ferguson, 55, of Santa Paula, was arrested in Camarillo Thursday on eight felony counts of embezzlement, misappropriation of public funds and falsifying accounts. The charges include a special allegation that Ferguson stole more than $200,000. Tottens statement noted that Ferguson was hired by BCL in 1993 and from 2003 to 2013 was the librarys sole financial officer. According to Totten, The library is funded primarily by taxes on citizens living within its district. It is alleged that starting in 2006 Ferguson embezzled money using the library-issued credit card for personal purchases by transferring funds to her personal credit cards, and withdrawing cash using an ATM and debit card on a library account. There have been tumultuous times for the independent library: in April 2013 the BCL Board, fired Librarian Dan Robles following a year of public criticism and contentious meetings. The rising controversy had contributed to two new members being elected to the five-trustee panel in November 2012. Robles had been employed by BCL for more than 30 years, starting as a teenage volunteer. Sometime in May 2013, the library no longer employed bookkeeper Ferguson. Robles, who was making more than $70,000 annually plus benefits, later filed a lawsuit against the board for breach of contract and wrongful termination. Among the responses listed by the board against Robles was mismanagement; the board later settled with Robles who received a $35,000 payment. In August 2013 the library board announced they were launching an investigation into approximately $750,000 of missing money. Just less than a year ago the librarys insurer paid $450,000 on the BCL claim that funds had been embezzled. Bail for Ferguson was set at $40,000; if convicted she could face up to 12 years 4 months, the maximum term. (Natural News) The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has passed a resolution claiming that abortion is a human right. Titled International Cooperation for Access to Justice, Remedies and Assistance for Survivors of Sexual Violence, the resolution passed during the 99th plenary meeting of the UNGA on Sept. 2 includes language that promotes reproductive rights and abortion. The resolution was co-sponsored by the ambassadors from Sierra Leone and Japan, and was adopted by consensus after votes were held on four amendments that attempted to water down the language of the non-binding resolution. (Related: More states outlaw abortion following overturning of Roe v. Wade.) Some UN ambassadors attempted to remove from the resolution the language calling on states to urgently ensure the promotion and protection of safe abortion. They criticized the language treating abortion as a human right. The ambassadors pointed out that there is no international consensus on abortion and there is no other internationally binding document recognizing abortion as a human right. Furthermore, ambassadors who criticized the language of the resolution noted how it disregarded the findings of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development held in Cairo, which stated that abortion should not be promoted as a method of family planning, and that states should help women find ways to avoid abortions. Over 30 countries tried and failed to get rid of language supporting abortion Nigeria introduced an amendment that would have eliminated language from the resolution and from a previous UNGA resolution urging countries to protect the sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights of women. The countrys main complaint centered on the language supporting emergency contraception and prevention programs for adolescent pregnancy. The Nigerian ambassador to the UN noted that abortion is not a human right, but a political issue that needs to be addressed. Nigerias amendment was supported by over 30 countries, including Russia, China, Malaysia, Nicaragua and many nations from the Middle East. Malaysia, one of its supporters, criticized how negotiations on the resolution were conducted in the least transparent way possible and that there was no genuine interest in finding a common denominator to address the issue of sexual violence. The Malaysian ambassador to the UN concluded that it is irresponsible to claim that such terminology, adopted without a vote, constitutes consensus language. The amendments attempting to prevent abortion from being recognized as a human right were defeated by a margin of more than two-to-one. Following the defeat of the amendments, the resolution was adopted by consensus despite clear opposition to it. Most Western nations and their allies supported the resolution without any changes. The sponsors of the resolution claim that it is only about preventing women from experiencing sexual violence and providing them with avenues for redress if they become victims of it. Sierra Leonean Foreign Minister David Francis, who introduced the resolution, noted how the World Health Organization estimates that 35 percent of women in the world are survivors of sexual violence. Francis also called the resolution a significant first step to address the scourge of sexual violence. Our focus is to increase cooperation to eliminate sexual violence and step up the international response to support victims and survivors, added Francis. Learn the truth about abortions at Abortions.news. Watch this video from InfoWars about how California is moving to legalize killing of one-month old babies. This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: BOMBSHELL: Investigative journalist says Planned Parenthood is selling aborted baby tissue to communist China to develop bioweapons. Chilean voters reject proposed new Constitution that would have legalized abortion. Federal court: Biden administration CANNOT force Catholic hospitals to perform abortions or provide transgender services. Faith and Freedom Coalition exec Timothy Head: Pro-abortion states will overplay their hand in expanding legality of abortion. Doctor proposes opening ocean-borne abortion clinic in Gulf of Mexico to keep baby killing afloat. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com en.OrdoIuris.pl ABCNews.go.com Brighteon.com Cats. Cats are well-loved pets and companions. Who doesn't like such lovely creatures? No one could think there would be any cats on the vast planet on Mars with rugged terrain. But one day, space experts found something unusual: a rock resembling a cat chilling on the surface in a comfortable loaf position. The Science Times reported that the image of kooky cat loaf rock found on Mars became the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) week photo. NASA reports said that the Perseverance Rover took the cat-rock-looking photo in Jezero Crater on September 8, 2022. The space agency had a closer view of the image with NASA's advanced and mast-mounted cameras. Moreover, the cat loaf rock image became trending on the internet for space, mars fans, and animal lovers. The photo of the rock shows a cuteness of a real cat. The loaf is the cats' favorite position to relax or sleep. The position is the legs tucked under it while its tail is hidden. The Science Times reported that the phenomenon is called pareidolia. It means people seem to spot familiar objects from different random shapes, which is popular with Martian rocks with seemingly similar formations Also Read: Solar Flare Alerts Raised After a Powerful Eruption on Sun's Farside Sunspot NASA Rover According to NASA's Quick Facts about Mars 2020 Mission, the rover name is Perseverance, launched on July 30, 2020. The responsibility of the rover is to investigate signs of ancient life on Mars and collect samples from the planet. On the other hand, NASA said that Curiosity landed on Mars in August 2012. Notable achievements by Curiosity are: Captured 494,540 images 102 gigabytes of data to Earth Curiosity's landing on Mars led to 883 science papers Drilled safely 35 samples Climbed more than 2,000 feet or 612 meters Beyond the cat-looking rock, NASA's Perseverance captured a dramatic image of Mars' potato-shaped moon (called Phobos) crossing the Sun's face. The space agency said the eclipse didn't even last 40 seconds, with durations shorter than a typical solar eclipse. The image is the latest for NASA to capture eclipses on Mars. Such observations are crucial for scientists to understand Mars, its moon's orbit, and the role of gravity. Mars The NASA Science Solar System Exploration explained that Mars is a small planet and one of the most explored in the solar system. Space agencies have sent rovers to discover more about Mars. The report added that Mars has a thin atmosphere on its dusty and rocky rugged terrain surface. NASA said it is a planet with polar ice caps and extinct volcanoes. Moreover, missions or explorations have continued to unveil new information on Mars. Signs of ancient floods and salty water in the ground on Mars are also being investigated. However, water is present in icy dirt or thin clouds. You can visit here to read about NASA programs and missions on other planets. Related Article: NASA Spots Breaks on Mars Curiosity Rover Wheels -- Will This Impede Data Gathering and Mission to Mars? For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News. The mother of a 4-year-old boy who was being cornered by a mountain lion at the family's California home described the ordeal as "horrific." According to Nidah Barber-Raymond, the incident happened on Tuesday, September 6 at the residence in the Beverly Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. Barber-Raymond, an actress, says that if she had not arrived in time, what might have happened terrified her. Barber-Raymond is also an entrepreneur with her skin clinic called Peel Connection. Mountain Lions The Yukon Territory of Canada in the north to the Strait of Magellan in the south is where you can find mountain lions, a large cat species that are native to the Americas. They are primarily found in 14 western states in the United States, where they live in wetlands, mountains, forests, and deserts. Although mountain lion attacks are extremely unlikely and human encounters with the cats are uncommon, wildlife authorities advise people to exercise caution when traveling through mountain lion territory. Maternal Instinct Barber-Raymond said that Tuesday night, when her son was crying on the home's back deck, she first realized something was not right. The mother became aware of what was happening while she was in the kitchen, which was about 25 feet away. She said that His son was being observed by the mountain lion. The wild animal was staring at the child as if he were dinner from about 4 feet away. The mountain lion appeared to be starving and frail. Barber-Raymond was in disbelief at what was happening. She even did a double take because she was convinced she was seeing things. Her son was sobbing while burying his face in his hands and clenching his fists. Read also: Pregnant Mountain Lion Exposed To Various Rat Poisons Before Being Hit By Car The mountain lion, which, according to Barber-Raymond, was about the size of a fairly large dog like a Dalmatian, charged at the cat as she ran outside onto the deck screaming at it. She shared that The cat just stood there and regarded her child. She screamed as loud and high as she could for the animal to leave and took a step in the direction of it as if it were about to lunge at her in an attempt to intimidate it. The mountain lion responded by bounding up the retaining wall and running away. The mother claimed that a mountain lion had previously visited the house; a few years prior, a neighbor had noticed one on the retaining wall while the whole family was out of town. Shortly after the incident, Barber-Raymond informed wildlife control of what had occurred and declared that the family would now "stay alert," Newsweek reports Mountain Lion Attacks in California As per the Department of Fish and Wildlife, mountain lion attacks in California have resulted in three fatalities since 1986 and about 17 non-fatal attacks on other people. Given that 39 million people live in California alongside thousands of mountain lions, such attacks on humans are incredibly rare. Numerous studies have shown that cougars are widespread throughout the state and that most people are unaware of the presence of these enormous feline neighbors, who typically prowl at night. Although they will eat anything from skunks to domestic dogs and cats, deer are their preferred prey. Related article: 2 California Mountain Lion Kittens Died from Rat Poison During a hunting trip in Africa, a US hunter shot a 15-foot, 1,000-pound crocodile dead known as a "Man-Eating Dinosaur." When Garrett Wales of Texas and his team of trackers learned that some villagers had noticed a crocodile in an irrigation pond located nearby, they were already several days into their expedition in Zimbabwe's Save Valley. After several days of looking, Wales and his team discovered the sizable reptile they later referred to as a "man-eating dinosaur"-a Nile crocodile. Nile Crocodiles Nile crocodiles can be found in Madagascar, tropical and southern Africa, and they live in swamps, marshes, rivers, and estuaries. While alligators and crocodiles share some characteristics, there are some significant differences between the two species of large reptiles. One difference is that crocodiles have more effective salt glands, enabling them to live in environments that gators might not be capable to withstand, which are salty marine environments. As a result, alligators are primarily found in North and South America, whereas crocodile species can be found all over the world, including in the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Australia. According to SeaWorld, crocodiles can grow to be enormous animals, easily weighing more than 500 pounds and reaching lengths of 20 feet. The Legend of the Crocodile He said that Although it was said that a crocodile lived there, nobody they knew had ever actually seen it. Wales claimed that because locals used the pond to wash their clothes and collect water, the crocodile posed a threat to them. Wales's initial encounter was fleeting. The animal was nearby the pond when he noticed it, but it slid further into the water before he got the chance to take a picture of it. He didn't get the kill he wanted until the fifth day, right before he and his team were just about to take a lunch break. They decided to complete another lap of the pond first. Read also: Woman Recovered from 19-foot Crocodile's Stomach Shortly After Swallowing Her Whole Body in Indonesia The crocodile was on their side of the bank, just five to seven yards away from them, when they came around the corner as they had anticipated seeing it possibly in the reeds. Wales fired his rifle after aiming it. Wales claimed that nine people were required to transport the animal later. Wales stated that catching the crocodile was an experience he will always remember in a Facebook post on September 8. He later described his trophy as a man-eating dinosaur of a crocodile. He provided several images of the enormous creature, one of which shows it hanging from a ceiling fan and dwarfing two nearby onlookers. Users opposed to hunting have expressed their opinions on his Facebook post, with one commenter calling the killing "disgusting," Newsweek reports. Crocodiles Large aquatic reptiles known as crocodiles, or true crocodiles, are found throughout the tropics. The size, morphology, behavior, and ecology of different species of crocodiles vary somewhat. They also share a lot of similarities in these other areas, though. All crocodiles are semiaquatic. They tend to gather in freshwater habitats like rivers, lakes, and wetlands, though occasionally they can also be found in brackish and saltwater. They are carnivorous creatures that primarily consume vertebrates like fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Depending on the species and age, they also occasionally consume invertebrates like mollusks and crustaceans. Since they are all tropical species, crocodiles are much more sensitive to cold than alligators. Related article: 14-Foot Crocodile Captured Alone by Indonesian Man Using Only a Rope The northern Plains, Midwest, and maybe the Northeast could be affected this week by smoke from dozens of big wildfires burning in the West that are hundreds or thousands of miles away, according to AccuWeather meteorologists. Raging Wildfires As of September 13, 93 sizable wildfires and fire complexes were burning throughout the West, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. More than 800,000 acres had been burned by the fires, most of which were concentrated in Idaho, Montana, and the Northwest. According to AccuWeather Meteorologist Adam Sadvary, smoke from several wildfires in the Northwest is expected to move into the Great Lakes area on Wednesday and maybe even reach the Northeast and mid-Atlantic by Thursday. Chicago, Minneapolis, Des Moines, Iowa, and Bismarck, North Dakota are just a few places where a haze may be present Wednesday. Polluting the Sky According to Plume Labs, a company AccuWeather acquired earlier this year, the air quality is expected to be "fair" on Wednesday around Chicago and Minneapolis, which denotes that it is "generally acceptable for most people, but sensitive groups may experience minor to moderate symptoms from long-term exposure" to pollutants in the atmosphere. In addition to the haze, the sun may appear differently than usual. According to Sadvary, a specialist in sunrises and sunsets, "Colors throughout the sky will be more vibrant when the sun is closer to the horizon in the morning and the evening." Also Read: Amidst Potential Blackouts, Wildfire Threats Worsens Situation in California Rayleigh Scattering According to Sadvary, this phenomenon is referred to as Rayleigh scattering. "The smoke particles can scatter more of the sun's energy, bouncing blue-wavelength light back into space and permitting more red-wavelength light through the atmosphere," he added. However, not all sites will see better sunrises and sunsets due to the high levels of smoke in the atmosphere. According to Sadvary, "when smoke is hefty, the sun may be largely blotted out." On Thursday, it's expected to rain and thunderstorm in a few places in the Dakotas and Minnesota. Any high-level smoke will be hidden by the clouds brought on by the rain. Rising Smokes Although smoke typically rises quite far above the ground as one moves away from a wildfire, this is not always the case. In particular, for people with pre-existing medical issues, smoke particles might occasionally mix with surface air and result in poor air quality, according to Sadvary. Residents of the Midwest and East would recognize the hazy skies and vibrant sunsets brought on by the West's wildfires. A similar situation occurred only one year ago, in July and August of 2021. The smoke in such a situation traveled thousands of kilometers. The Dixie Fire, which consumed more than 963,000 acres in California and other fires in the West, was to blame for this. A chunk of western Europe was reached by the smoke plume from the Dixie Fire, which burned an area greater than the state of Rhode Island, according to Sadvary. Uncommon Occurence Although it is doubtful that the smoke will go that far this year, certain people of the Central and Eastern states may get the opportunity to witness something that only occurs once or fewer frequently. Related Article: UN Report Shows that Heat Waves and Wildfires are Worsening Air Pollution For similar news, don't forget to follow Nature World News! According to a PR published by Piriou on September 15, 2022, the launch of the Niani, the second offshore patrol vessel destined for the Senegalese Navy, took place in Concarneau (29). This stage marks a significant step in the progress of the program for the supply of three offshore patrol vessels. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link French built Offshore Patrol Vessel Niani for the Senegalese Navy (Picture source: Piriou) In parallel, the first unit is in the outfitting phase before the start of its sea trials, and outfitting is also ongoing on the third vessel in preparation for launch. This contract was signed in November 2019 by Senegals Ministry of Armed Forces and PIRIOU group. The OPV 58 S (Offshore Patrol Vessel) is a 62 m patrol vessel of remarkable versatility. versatility. Robust and durable, it is dedicated to surveillance, identification and intervention missions. In addition to its projection capabilities (commando boats), it has a first-rate deterrence capability thanks to its anti-surface and anti-air weapons systems. anti-surface and anti-aircraft weapons systems. Among the major innovations and capabilities of the ship are - A highly versatile design to configure the ship to different missions - A large 360 panoramic bridge - A fast launch/recovery system with a 2 boat ramp. - A C-Sharp hull: optimized autonomy and sea keeping - A high-performance combat and surveillance system These OPVs will be equipped with MARTE MK2/N anti-ship missiles with a range of over 30 range of more than 30 kilometers and the fire-and-forget capability will enable the Senegalese Navy to ensure its maritime superiority. The immediate protection of the patrol boats will be ensured by the SIMBAD-RC system, which allows the deployment of two MISTRAL missiles, the whole guaranteeing an protection against anti-ship missiles, combat aircraft, drones, helicopters and fast boats such as and fast boats such as FIACs. All these missiles are produced by MBDA. New Zealand Oil & Gas signs a new Gas Supply Agreement with Shell Energy Australia for supply of gas from the Mereenie field. One year term from 1 January 2025 for delivery of 0.64 Petajoules (PJ) of gas from New Zealand Oil & Gas into the East Coast domestic market. Fixed price, take-or-pay contract reflects strong market conditions. New Zealand Oil & Gas Limited (ASX:NZO, NZX: NZO ) is pleased to announce that it has executed a new Gas Supply Agreement (GSA) with Shell Energy Australia (Shell) to supply 0.64 PJ of gas over one year, commencing 1 January 2025. The GSA is for firm gas supply, with take-or-pay provisions and a fixed price. Gas supplied under the GSA will be aggregated with gas from the Mereenie Joint Venture (Macquarie Mereenie (50%), Central Petroleum (25%), New Zealand Oil & Gas (17.5%) and Cue (7.5%)) to deliver up to a total of 3.65 PJs to Shell over the one-year term, commercialising a portion of existing Mereenie uncontracted gas production for the year. Gas will be supplied into the East Coast domestic market, with pricing under the GSA reflecting strong market conditions. The parties will enter into required gas transportation agreements as a condition precedent to the GSA, to enable delivery of this gas. NEW ZEALAND OIL & GAS SIGNS NEW EAST COAST GAS SUPPLY AGREEMENT Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Downer awarded South Australian Housing Authority contract Turners and Tina win NZ Marketing Supreme Award My Food Bag - CEO Resignation VHP - Director Nomination Process September 16th Morning Report Amendments to the NZMDT Rules and Procedures PCT - Investment partnership now unconditional TradeWindow Issues Share Options to Independent Directors TWL - Results of the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders September 15th Morning Report Vitals Annual Meeting is expected to be held on Thursday, 1 December 2022 at 10am at Tuhono Room, Ground Lobby, HSBC Tower, 188 Quay Street, Auckland CBD. Unitholders will be able to attend the Annual Meeting either in person or on a virtual basis. Further details will be provided separately as part of the notice of meeting. Under Vitals Trust Deed, unitholders may appoint two Independent Directors. The Trust Deed provides that the Board of the Manager may appoint a person as Independent Director in certain circumstances. Any person so appointed by the Board of the Manager shall hold office only until the next annual meeting, but shall be eligible for re-election at that meeting. Since the 2021 annual meeting, the Board of the Manager resolved to appoint Angela Bull as an Independent Director to hold office until the next annual meeting in 2022. Angela Bull is standing for re-election as an Independent Director at the Annual Meeting to be held on 1 December 2022. If nominations are received for other candidates, only one of those standing (including Ms Bull) will be appointed to the Board. The period for nomination of Independent Directors to the Board of the Manager opens today and closes at 5.00pm on Monday 3 October 2022. The process for nominating an Independent Director is included in Appendix 1. ENDS Director Nominations Process Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Downer awarded South Australian Housing Authority contract Turners and Tina win NZ Marketing Supreme Award My Food Bag - CEO Resignation September 16th Morning Report Amendments to the NZMDT Rules and Procedures NEW ZEALAND OIL & GAS SIGNS NEW EAST COAST GAS SUPPLY AGREE PCT - Investment partnership now unconditional TradeWindow Issues Share Options to Independent Directors TWL - Results of the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders September 15th Morning Report Page Content Fire Chief and National Disaster Coordinator of the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) Clive Richardson, is calling on residents and the business community to remain vigilant and prepared for the hurricane season, as Tropical Depression #7 (TD#7) has formed several hundred miles east of the Leeward Islands. TD#7 is forecast to become a tropical storm on Wednesday night or Thursday. The system is forecast to move through the Leeward Islands on Friday or Friday night. Tropical Storm Watches (tropical storm conditions of sustained winds of 39 to 73 miles per hour are possible within the specified area within 48 hours) may be required for portions of the Leeward Islands. Residents and the business community are advised to continue to pay keen attention to weather reports in the coming days and weeks in order to be able to take the appropriate action when called upon to do so by the ODM/Emergency Operations Center (EOC). In the meantime, residents and business owners are requested to review their hurricane season preparations, and to make sure their property is storm/hurricane ready. Additional information will be forthcoming from the ODM as the weather system approaches the Leeward Islands. The community is urged to learn more about hurricane hazards and how to prepare for a storm/hurricane strike by visiting the Government website: www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane where you will be able to download your Hurricane Season Readiness Guide and Hurricane Tracking Chart. Listen to the Government Radio station SXMGOV 107.9FM - for official information and news before, during and after a hurricane. For official weather-related information, check out the website of the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS): www.meteosxm.com or visit their social media page Facebook.com/sxmweather/ Remember, it only takes one hurricane to make it a bad season. Remain vigilant and prepared! The hurricane season runs through November 30. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Sunny along with a few clouds. High near 85F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear skies. Low around 65F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. AP President Joe Biden says a deal has been reached to avert a looming freight rail strike that could have disrupted numerous commuter rail services across the country The COVID-19 booster shots are well tolerated by both pregnant and nursing women, a new study published Sept.8 in JAMA Network Open concluded. The UW Medicine-led study with over 17,000 participants showed that "there were very few obstetric concerns after patients received the boosters," noted lead author and UW Medicine OB-GYN Dr. Alisa Kachikis. In addition, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued a practice advisory today encouraging pregnant or lactating individuals to receive the latest COVID-19 booster, which has been modified to protect against the BA.4 and BA.5 variants. That booster became available last week. This shot is going to be recommended for all individuals who have two months since their last booster. And if you're pregnant, that includes you. If you're postpartum, that includes you." Dr. Linda Eckert, OB-GYN, UW Medicine Eckert said that this study backs up the importance of pregnant and lactatimg women getting their boosters. Eckert, who is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington School of Medicine, was the senior author on the study. "The majority of pregnant and lactating participants did really well with the COVID-19 booster. In fact, most participants reported that symptoms with the booster or 3rd dose were less severe than symptoms with their initial COVID-19 vaccine series," Kachikis added. As such, it's important that primary-care providers continue to recommend both the initial vaccine series and the boosters to pregnant and lactating women, she said. Findings from this study are especially pertinent now with the new COVID-19 booster becoming more widely available this month, she added. Kachikis and her team collected data from a follow up survey which was sent out to just over 17,500 participants last October. These participants were part of an ongoing cohort survey to monitor the reaction of pregnant and lactating individuals to both the initial vaccine, and to, in this study, the booster shots. Just over 97 percent of the cohort completed the follow-up survey on boosters. In this cohort group, 11 percent were pregnant; 60 percent were lactating and 27 percent were neither pregnant or lactating at the time of the survey. Most (82 percent) reported soreness at the injection site; with 68 percent reporting another symptom such as fatigue or fever Importantly, when it came to a COVID-19 booster or third dose, pregnant participants were significantly more likely to list their health-care professional as an important source for information and to have received a recommendation to receive the booster. This suggests that clinicians may play a significant role in vaccine acceptance and as a source for vaccine information. The original study, launched in January 2021, was designed to monitor the reaction of pregnant and lactating individuals to the initial COVID-19 vaccinations. The mean age of the group was 33 years, with 92 percent of the group identifying as white and 99 percent identifying as female. When Kachikis designed this online cohort study of women, it included those who were pregnant or lactating and those who were neither pregnant nor lactating. This follow up study of the online cohort, as they receive booster doses, continues to support the finding that pregnant and lactating individuals tolerate the COVID booster vaccines well, and that they should be included in clinical trials for other relevant vaccines, Eckert said. Aside from the CDC vsafe registry, this is the largest U.S. study of this issue. Canada has created a registry based on Kachikis' model. According to the CDC, 71.3 percent of pregnant women in the United States have received at least the primary COVID-19 vaccine series either before or during pregnancy. ACOG estimates 55% have received a booster. This study offers importance reassurance to pregnant and lactating individuals who are due for a booster dose. Kachikis hopes this study, as well as other reassuring studies, will encourage pregnant and lactating women to get boosted, and vaccinated, if they have not done so already. This research was supported by the National Center For Advancing Translational Sciences (UL1 TR002319) and by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Women's Reproductive Health Research Award (2 K12HD001264-21) for the purposes of design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data. The UW Institute of Translational Health Science provided administrative Research Electronic Data Capture support for this project and was supported by grants UL1 TR002319, KL2 TR002317, and TL1 TR002318 from NCATS. The content of the study report is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. The scoring results of widely used depression-screening tools should be carefully adjusted to better detect the condition in teenagers with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), according to a new study published in the American Diabetes Association journal Diabetes Care. The study is the first to widely assess the accuracy of such screeners, compared against diagnostic interviews, for this population. The study was led by investigators from Nemours Children's Health, Jacksonville and Primary Children's Hospital. Data was collected while both investigators were at the University of Kansas Medical Center, which funded the project, and in collaboration with Children's Mercy Kansas City. Previous studies show that adolescents with T1D are more likely to experience depression than their peers without diabetes. Moreover, researchers said, depression can inhibit proper diabetes self-management and lead to inadequate blood glucose monitoring, impaired glycemic levels, and more frequent hospitalizations. For these reasons, national and international guidelines recommend ongoing depression screening for all teens with diabetes. Depression screening is crucial for youth with Type 1 diabetes, since depression treatment is likely to keep them healthier now and in the long run. We need to know which screening tools perform best and how best to use them in this population, so we do not fail to identify depressed kids and get them the support they need." Arwen M. Marker, PhD, paper's lead author, pediatric psychology fellow at Primary Children's Hospital of Salt Lake City The research team recruited 100 adolescents (ages 12 to 17) with T1D and met with each for a clinical interview, considered the gold standard for diagnosing depression. Participants were also asked to complete five commonly used depression screening tools, each of which took one to three minutes to complete. Researchers then compared each screening tool's results against the interview findings. They said they were surprised to find that in most of the screeners, they needed to decrease the standard diagnostic cut-off scores in order to optimize their sensitivity for adolescents with T1D. "We thought we might need to increase the cut-off scores for accuracy with this population, thinking that symptoms common to diabetes and depression would inflate the number of depression diagnoses, suggesting more were depressed when actually diabetes symptoms were the cause," said Marker. "However, we generally found the opposite we needed to lower cut-off scores to most accurately identify youth with depressive symptoms." Most of the screening tools assessed in the study were designed for adults. None were created specifically for individuals with T1D, and none had been previously confirmed to accurately detect depression in adolescents. Researchers recommended that diabetes care providers use tools shown to have the greatest accuracy in this population, which they identified as the CDI-2 Short, PHQ-9A, and SMFQ. "Without the right sensitivity cut-offs, even great screening tools will miss some teens with depression, meaning they will not receive mental health services and could continue to experience depression," said co-author Susana Patton, PhD, ABPP, CDE, principal research scientist at Nemours Children's Health, Jacksonville. "For teens with T1D, that also means some will have more trouble managing their diabetes." Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, in which the body's immune system mistakenly destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Its causes are not fully understood, and currently no cure exists. An estimated 244,000 children and adolescents in the U.S. have this condition, which can cause serious health problems at an early age or later in life. For future research, the authors note that the adjusted cut-off scores identified in this study must be confirmed by other studies before they can be applied broadly. In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers at the University of Tuebingen and Imperial College London assessed humoral and cellular immune responses elicited by the recombinant adenoviral vector (rAdVV)- and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. Studies have reported that COVID-19 vaccines confer immune protection against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections by inducing antibody (Ab)-based humoral and T lymphocyte-based cellular immune responses. However, there has not yet been an extensive examination of the mechanisms that underlie COVID-19 vaccines. Study: Comparative multi-OMICS single-cell atlas of five COVID-19 (rAdVV and mRNA) vaccines describe unique and distinct mechanisms of action. Image Credit: Orpheus FX / Shutterstock About the study In the present longitudinal study, researchers investigated the immunogenicity and mechanisms of action of five different COVID-19 vaccines based on the rAdVV [Ad26.CoV2.S by Johnson & Johnson or Janssen (JJ), ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 by AstraZeneca (AZ)] and mRNA Pfizer/BioNTechs (PB) BNT162b1 (PB), Moderna (MD)s mRNA-1273; CureVac (CV)s CVnCV] vaccination platforms. Multi-OMICS transcriptomic analysis was performed, and humoral Ab titers and cellular immune response markers were assessed. AZ or mixed AZ and PB, JJ, PB, MD, and CV were administered to four, three, fifteen, three, and three participants, respectively. JJ-vaccinated participants received only single vaccination. Serum samples were obtained pre-vaccination (PrV1, n=23), after seven to 10 days of the first vaccination (PoV1), and after the second, third, and fourth vaccinations. Individuals were administered second vaccination (PoV2) one to three months after PoV1. The third vaccination (PoV3) was administered six months after PoV2, and the fourth vaccination (PoV4) four to six months after PoV3. The study cohort was divided into two groups. The first group comprised 28 unvaccinated and vaccinated persons. Peripheral blood mononuclear lymphocytes (PBMCs) were isolated from the serum samples and subjected to scRNA-seq (single-cell RNA-sequencing) and FC (flow cytometry) analysis. In addition, CITE-seq (cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing) analysis was performed for surface protein detection. The second group comprised 82 individuals who had received two vaccinations with mRNA or rAdVV or both (rAdVV/mRNA) vaccines, and their samples were obtained after three months to 12 months of PoV2. Thirty-four, eight, three, two, and 34 persons received PB, MD, CV, JJ, or combined AZ and PB/MD vaccines, respectively. Forty-nine and 11 individuals were administered PB and MD mRNA vaccines as PoV3, respectively. The team excluded individuals with previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure determined by the presence of serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) Abs. Ab/cytokine assessments and immunophenotyping analysis were performed on the second group samples. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers against SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein subunit 1 (S1), N, and receptor binding domain (RBD) were determined. Results In total, the sample population comprised 110 individuals, of which 36 and 74 individuals were male and female, respectively. The vaccine platforms (rAdVV and mRNA) had distinct and unique immune mechanisms of T lymphocyte activation and antigen presentation by monocytes and dendritic lymphocytes (DCs) that could alter vaccine efficacy outcomes. In particular, rAdVV vaccines negatively regulated the activation of the cluster of differentiation four positive (CD4+) T lymphocytes, leukocyte chemotaxis, interleukin 18 (IL-18) signaling, and monocyte mediated-antigen presentation. On the contrary, mRNA vaccines positively regulated the activation of natural killer T (NKT) lymphocytes, chemokine-mediated immune pathways, and platelet activation. In addition, antigen-specific cellular immune responses were elicited after PoV1 but were not augmented by the second homologous vaccination and depended on the vaccine type used. The uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) analysis of samples from PrV1 and PoV1 persons showed mainly cell clusters of CD4+ and CD8+ T, NKT, monocytes, CD4+ FOXP3+ (forkhead box P3 positive) regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs), and B lymphocytes. Major changes were observed in CD8+, CD4+, and NK cell compartments. High Ab titers (5-500ug/ml) were observed between three to six months after PoV2 in vaccinated persons, irrespective of the vaccine platform (AZ, PB, and MD) in comparison to compared to PrvV1 and PoV1 but waned beyond six months. The sc-RNA-seq analysis showed 27 clusters of 329,920 PMBC lymphocytes, most of which were CD4+ T naive, central memory (TCM), and effector memory (TEM) CD4+ T lymphocytes. Differential cell abundance testing analysis findings indicated that monocytes, T, and NK lymphocytes could be important markers for vaccine-induced immune signature detection. PrV1 and PoV2 comparisons showed that most genes in p-monocytes (promonocytes) for rAdVV and mRNA vaccines were downregulated. Further, downregulation of major histocompatibility complex II (MHC II) genes, CD83, and C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) were observed post-rAdVV (but not mRNA) vaccinations. T cell receptor (TCR) genes were upregulated after rAdVV vaccination, whereas recombinant human perforin-1 (PRF1), T-box transcription factor (TBX21), CD69, CX3C chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1), KLRG1 (co-inhibitory receptor killer-cell lectin-like receptor G1) genes were upregulated by mRNA vaccination. Platelets were activated after rAdVV (but not mRNA) vaccinations. PoV3 enhanced humoral responses, with increased Tregs and CD4+ T lymphocytes and lower CD8+ T lymphocytes. After PB and MD vaccinations, SARS-CoV-2 S-specific T lymphocyte counts increased. After PoV4, CD8+ T lymphocytes increased, and TEMRA (terminally differentiated effector memory T cells) lymphocytes decreased. MCP1(monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), IL-10RA, and CXCL-10 cytokines were found to be essential markers for vaccine efficacy. Overall, the study findings showed that SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations induce robust but divergent immunological responses at the cellular, protein, and RNA levels. *Important notice bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. The first monkeypox (MPX) infection that initiated the current global outbreak was identified in Europe in early May 2022. To date, over 59,000 MPX cases have been reported worldwide. Study: Early Estimates of Monkeypox Incubation Period, Generation Time, and Reproduction Number, Italy, MayJune 2022. Image Credit: Cryptographer / Shutterstock.com Background Soon after the initial MPX case was identified in Europe, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organization (WHO) requested their member states to accurately report both suspected and confirmed MPX cases. Throughout this outbreak, most of the MPX cases have been diagnosed among men who have sex with men (MSM). Following initial outbreak reports in Italy, several protective measures were recommended by the Ministry of Health of Italy to control the spread of the MPX virus. These included implementing quarantine measures, limiting contact and exposure for healthcare workers, monitoring symptom onset, and contact tracing. A new Emerging Infectious Diseases journal study discusses the characteristics of the first 255 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-confirmed MPX cases in Italy in 2022. About the study The current study only included MPX cases that were confirmed through RT-PCR. In addition to their MPX infection status, the researchers also obtained information on various patient characteristics such as sex, age, presence of rash or other symptoms, the earliest date of symptom onset, travel abroad, and exposure modality. The incubation period was determined for 30 cases with known dates and periods of symptom exposure. The generation time was determined using 16 infector-infectee pairs identified through contact tracing efforts. The net reproduction number was calculated using the generation time. Study findings Only two of the 255 MPX cases in the current study were not identified in men, with 95% of the MPX cases being identified in MSM. The median age of the study participants was 37 years. Out of 184 cases where additional information was available, 139 cases reported rashes in the perianal or genital area. Moreover, 151 of 222 cases reported fever. Of the 228 cases whose travel information was available, 37% reported previous travel abroad. Among these individuals, 25 reported recent travel to the Canary Islands, while one traveled to West Africa. The mean incubation period was 9.1 days, while the generation time was 12.5 days. Moreover, the net reproduction number was 2.43 during the first week of June and subsequently decreased after June 12, 2022. The results of the current study provide important information regarding the early stages of the current MPX outbreak in Italy. These observations also elucidate the duration for which symptoms must be monitored, infected people must be isolated, and contact tracing is necessitated. In addition, the net reproduction number is also a valid parameter to monitor the gradual spread of the disease. Limitations The relatively small size of the current study limits the generalizability of these findings. Furthermore, selection bias regarding infector-infectee pairs and recall bias concerning exposure dates were also evident. An additional limitation of the current study is that 'superspreading' events might have inflated the observed reproduction number. In a recent study published in the journal Radiology, researchers in Taiwan developed a deep learning (DL)based computer-aided detection (CAD) tool to detect pancreatic cancer on contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans. Study: Pancreatic Cancer Detection on CT Scans with Deep Learning: A Nationwide Population-based Study. Image Credit: Suttha Burawonk / Shutterstock Background Pancreatic cancer patients have the lowest five-year survival rate; projections show it will emerge as the second foremost cause of cancer death in the United States by 2030. In addition, pancreatic cancer prognosis worsens quickly once the tumor grows more prominent than 2 cm, thus, necessitating early detection. Currently, pancreatic cancer diagnosis via CT misses nearly 40% of tumors less than 2 cm and is also hampered by disparities in radiologist expertise. Indeed, there is an urgent unmet medical need for tools that could empower radiologists manually analyze the segmentation of the pancreas to improve the sensitivity of pancreatic cancer detection. Moreover, in pancreatic cancer patients, segmentation or identification of the pancreas is challenging as it varies in size and shape and borders multiple other organs and structures. In one of their previous works, the researchers demonstrated that a DL-based convolutional neural network (CNN) could accurately distinguish pancreatic cancer from the non-cancerous pancreas. About the study In the present study, researchers tested and validated a similar computer-aided detection (CAD) tool that harbored CNN for segmenting the pancreas on CT images. Additionally, this tool had an ensemble classifier with five independent classification CNNs to predict the presence of pancreatic cancer. They obtained all the CT scans analyzed in the portal venous phase, 7080 seconds after intravenous administration of the contrast medium. Training and validation datasets and local and nationwide test datasets were used in the study. The team randomly divided pancreatic cancer patients in an 8:2 ratio into the training and validation set and the local test set, respectively. They prospectively collected CT studies of 546 patients with pancreatic cancer diagnosed between January 2006 and July 2018 from clinical practices in Taiwan, which formed their local dataset. These patients were 18 years or older with confirmed pancreatic adenocarcinoma with findings registered in the national cancer registry. The control group for the local dataset comprised CT studies of 1,465 individuals with normal pancreas collected between January 2004 and December 2019. The researchers searched the registry of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Major Illness Certificate to retrieve CT studies of 669 patients with newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer between January 2018 and July 2019. Likewise, they extracted CT studies of 72 kidney and liver donors during the same time from the NHI database, which formed the control group. They further combined these two with CT studies of 732 control subjects from the tertiary referral center imaging archive of the NHI database to create the nationwide test dataset of the current study. Lastly, the team trained the five classification CNNs on other subsets of the training and validation sets retrieved from the tertiary referral center of the NIH database, which had CT studies of 437 pancreatic cancer patients and 586 controls. Only when the number of positive-predicting CNNs was equal to or greater than the smallest number yielding a positive likelihood ratio (LR) greater than one in the validation, set the researchers considered that CT showed pancreatic cancer. The researchers evaluated the performance of the segmentation CNN with Dice score per patient. Likewise, they assessed the performance of classification CNNs based on their respective sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. The team calculated the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and LR. Finally, they used the McNemar test to compare the sensitivities of the CAD tool and radiologist interpretation. Study findings In the internal test set, the CAD tool sensitivity and specificity to distinguish between CT malignancies and control studies were 89.7% and 92.8%, respectively, with nearly 75% sensitivity for pancreatic cancers smaller than 2 cm. Overall, it demonstrated high robustness and generalizability. Intriguingly, the CAD tool sensitivity was comparable to attending radiologists of a tertiary academic institution with a large volume of pancreatic cancer patients (90.2% vs. 96.1%), indicating that this tool might have higher sensitivity than less experienced radiologists. It might help reduce the miss rate attributed to disparities in radiologist expertise. Furthermore, the tool appeared feasible for clinical deployment because it provides ample information to assist clinicians. It determined whether the images showed pancreatic cancer. Also, it indicated the possible location of the tumor to help radiologists quickly interpret the results. Notably, in ~90% of pancreatic cancers accurately identified by the CAD tool, the segmentation CNNs correctly pinpoint the tumor location. Furthermore, the CAD tool provided the positive LR, a measure of the confidence of pancreatic cancer vs. non- pancreatic cancer classification to better inform the subsequent diagnostic-therapeutic process than a simple binary classification. Secondary signs in the non-tumorous portion of the pancreas, including pancreatic duct dilatation, upstream pancreatic parenchymal atrophy, and abrupt cutoff of the pancreatic duct, are clues to occult pancreatic cancers. A good diagnostic tool should be able to leverage these signs in the detection process. In the current study, the classification CNNs correctly classified two pancreatic cancer cases by analyzing the non-tumorous portion of the pancreas only by learning the secondary signs of pancreatic cancer spontaneously from examples. Conclusions The novel CAD tool used in the current study showed the potential to supplement radiologists for early and accurate detection of pancreatic cancers on CT scans. However, the finding that the classification CNNs might have learned the secondary signs of pancreatic cancer requires further investigation. Likewise, future studies should test the performance of this CAD tool in populations other than Asians (and Taiwanese) to gather data supporting its generalizability. Doctors experiencing burnout are twice as likely to be involved in patient safety incidents and four times more likely to be dissatisfied with their job, suggests research published today by The BMJ. The scale of burnout amongst clinicians and the serious impact it can have on patient safety and staff turnover has been revealed in the largest and most comprehensive systematic review and analysis of studies on the subject to date. Previous studies have highlighted concerns that burnout defined as emotional exhaustion, cynicism and detachment from the job, and a feeling of reduced personal accomplishment is reaching global epidemic levels among physicians. Their representatives have warned that spare capacity in the field of medicine is nearing what they call crisis point. In the UK, a third of trainee doctors report that they experience burnout to a high or very high degree, while in the US, four in 10 physicians report at least one symptom of burnout. And in a recent review of low and middle income countries the overall single-point prevalence of burnout ranged from 2.5% to 87.9% among 43 studies. Yet there is a lack of evidence about the association of burnout with how engaged a physician is with their job (career engagement) and how that potentially impacts on the quality of patient care. To address this, a team of researchers based in the UK and Greece set out to examine the association of burnout with the career engagement of physicians and the quality of patient care globally. To do this, they selected and analyzed the results of 170 observational studies on the subject involving 239,246 physicians. Their analysis showed that physicians with burnout were up to four times more likely to be dissatisfied with their job and more than three times as likely to have thoughts or intentions to leave their job (turnover) or to regret their career choice. Equally worrying was the finding that physicians with burnout were twice as likely to be involved in patient safety incidents and show low professionalism, and over twice as likely to receive low satisfaction ratings from patients. The analysis also found that burnout and poorer job satisfaction was greatest in hospital settings, physicians aged 31-50 years, and those working in emergency medicine and intensive care, while burnout was lowest in general practitioners. The association between burnout and patient safety incidents was greatest in physicians aged 20-30 years, and people working in emergency medicine. The study authors acknowledge some limitations in their research including the fact that precise definitions of terms, such as patient safety, professionalism, and job satisfaction, varied between the studies analyzed so may have led to some overestimation of their association with burnout. Also, the tools or questionnaires used to assess outcomes varied considerably between the 170 studies, and the design of the original studies imposed limits on their ability to establish causal links between physician burnout and patient care or career engagement. Nevertheless, the authors conclude: "Burnout is a strong predictor for career disengagement in physicians as well as for patient care. Moving forward, investment strategies to monitor and improve physician burnout are needed as a means of retaining the healthcare workforce and improving the quality of patient care." "Healthcare organizations should invest more time and effort in implementing evidence-based strategies to mitigate physician burnout across specialties, and particularly in emergency medicine and for physicians in training or residency," they add. This research adds to growing evidence that the poor mental health of healthcare providers jeopardizes the quality and the safety of patient care, says Matthias Weigl, Professor of Patient Safety at Bonn University, in a linked editorial. "The pervasive nature of physician burnout indicates a defective work system caused by deep societal problems and structural problems across the sector," he warns. "Urgent action is imperative for the safety of physicians, patients, and health systems, including interventions that are evidence-based and system-oriented, to design working environments that promote staff engagement and prevent burnout," he concludes. Claes H. Dohlman, MD, PhD, whose pioneering research at Mass Eye and Ear and in the Department of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School (HMS) has forever changed the way conditions of the cornea are understood and treated, has been presented with the 2022 Antonio Champalimaud Vision Award for his vast contributions to vision research. Dr. Dohlman, who was born in Uppsala, Sweden in 1922 and trained at the University of Lund and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, received the award along with fellow 2022 Champalimaud Laureate, Gerrit R. J. Melles, MD, PhD, founder of the Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery (NIIOS) and the Melles Cornea Clinic in Rotterdam. The award recipients were honored Sept. 15, 2022, during a ceremony held at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown in Lisbon, Portugal. The award carries a 1,000,000 ($1,000,000) prize that is shared among the winners to be used for furthering their research. First established in 2006, the Champalimaud Vision Award, presented by the Portugal-based Champalimaud Foundation, is the highest distinction bestowed in ophthalmology and vision science, carrying one of the largest prizes in scientific research. The award, which is considered the "Nobel Prize of Vision," is given once a year, alternating between research contributions to the field of vision (even numbered years) and contributions to the relief of vision problems, primarily in developing countries (odd numbered years). This is the second time Harvard Ophthalmology researchers have received this prestigious honor; the institution is the only ophthalmology department to win the award twice and boasts the most Champalimaud Laureates to date. In 2014, six HMS researchers won the Antonio Champalimaud Vision Award for their contributions to identify vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as the major trigger for angiogenesis in the eye, which underlies the pathology of various blinding retinal disorders, including age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, leading to the development of novel anti-VEGF treatments for these diseases. "It is an incredible honor for our researchers to be recognized once again with the Champalimaud Vision Award. Dr. Dohlman's work in particular has not only transformed the course of cornea science over the last century, but has also directly affected countless individuals through his innovations and discoveries," said Joan W. Miller, MD, a recipient of the 2014 Champalimaud Vision Award, and Chief of Ophthalmology at Mass Eye and Ear and Massachusetts General Hospital, Ophthalmologist-in-chief at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Chair of Ophthalmology and the David Glendenning Cogan Professor of Ophthalmology at HMS. "The hundreds of cornea specialists who have been fortunate to be trained by Dr. Dohlman carry on his lasting legacy through working towards a mission shared with the Champalimaud Foundation, to develop therapies that will benefit billions of people and to one day eradicate corneal blindness. Father of modern corneal science feted for seminal contributions Dr. Dohlman, a Professor of Ophthalmology, Emeritus, and former Chair of the HMS Ophthalmology Department, is internationally recognized as the founder of modern corneal science. Over the course of his seven-decade career at Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Ophthalmology, Dr. Dohlman has spearheaded investigations of corneal physiology that have laid the groundwork for clinical practice in dry eye disease, corneal burns, wound healing, corneal transplantation and keratoprosthesis. As a result, his work has helped improve vision and the lives of millions of people around the world. Dr. Dohlman, who turned 100 on September 11, is the inventor of the Boston Keratoprosthesis (Boston KPro, or Boston Cornea), an artificial cornea that benefits patients who are unable to receive a standard corneal transplant. It has since become the most widely used artificial cornea, restoring the sight of more than 15,000 patients in the United States and in 52 countries worldwide. A prolific researcher, Dr. Dohlman has published nearly 400 scientific articles, and presented more than 40 named lectures globally. His educational contributions are boundless. He was the first to create a formal structured cornea fellowship program and has trained over 200 cornea specialists more than any ophthalmologist in the world many of whom have gone on to become professors and ophthalmology department chairs and continue to train future generations of cornea specialists. As part of the award, Dr. Dohlman will present a special lecture at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), being held April 23-27 in New Orleans, La. Our sincerest congratulations to Dr. Dohlman for being recognized with this prestigious award. Dr. Dohlman has been a valued member of ARVO for over 40 years with a body of work that is beyond impressive. We look forward to his lecture next year as his contributions continue to influence us and guide the new generation of researchers." Hans E. Grossniklaus, MD, MBA, ARVO President Founder of Mass Eye and Ear Cornea Service Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today In 1964, Dr. Dohlman established the Cornea Service at Mass Eye and Ear-; the first cornea subspecialty clinic in the world. Under the leadership of Dr. Dohlman and his successor and former mentee Reza Dana, MD, MSc, MPH, the Claes H. Dohlman Professor of Ophthalmology at HMS, the service has grown to become one of the largest and most renowned in the world. Members of the service continue to be at the forefront of major medical and surgical advances in the field. Their translational research and clinical innovations have led to new treatments for corneal disorders, including stem cell transplantation ocular surface reconstruction, and lamellar keratoplasty. "Dr. Dohlman's indelible contributions to the field of cornea science are evident in his foundational research, which is still highly utilized today in scientific discovery and patient care," said Dr. Dana, the Vice Chair for Academic Programs for Harvard Ophthalmology, and Director of the Cornea and Refractive Surgery Service at Mass Eye and Ear, and Co-Director of the Harvard Ophthalmology Cornea Center of Excellence. Dr. Dana is an internationally recognized clinician scientist and leader in the field of ocular immunology. "This award is a well-deserved recognition of his many accomplishments in advancing the field, and his trainees and inventions that continue to make a major impact on patient care today." Cornea Center of Excellence a hub for research advances and innovation Corneal blindness is one of the leading causes of vision loss, according to the World Health Organization. Conditions affecting the cornea are complex in their epidemiology and include an array of inflammatory, infectious and genetic eye diseases that cause scarring to the cornea, the transparent layer at the front of the eye that is the primary structure for focusing light and serves as a protective barrier from injuries and microbial pathogens. The Harvard Ophthalmology Cornea Center of Excellence, directed by Dr. Dana and Ula Jurkunas, MD, brings together one of the world's largest group of scientists and physicians to advance the understanding of corneal biology, develop treatments for corneal conditions and improve access to sight-saving treatments. Over the past two decades, these researchers have spearheaded advances including: Identifying molecular clues, including the role of oxidative stress, in the pathogenesis of Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy; identifying the molecular and cellular immune basis of dry eye disease, including the role of interleukin-17; developing and optimizing drug-eluting contact lenses which are entering clinical trials; receiving Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for novel method of cultivating corneal stem cells for ocular surface reconstruction, and performing the first surgery of its kind to take healthy stem cells from one eye and transfer them to an eye damaged with corneal burns. Additionally, researchers continue to refine the Boston KPro. James Chodosh, MD, MPH, who spent 14 years at Mass Eye and Ear and HMS, most recently as Vice Chair for Education for Harvard Ophthalmology, and Associate Director of the Cornea and Refractive Surgery Service, before joining the University of New Mexico Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences as its inaugural Chair of Ophthalmology this month, invented and patented a newer low-cost keratoprosthesis the "Lucia" to address corneal blindness in low-resource countries. Researchers are also studying and testing newer formulations of the Boston KPro, including a titanium modification to enhance it cosmetically, and they are actively learning how to better prevent postoperative glaucoma following corneal injury treatment with the device. Montana health officials are asking state lawmakers to eliminate a board that hears appeals from people who believe they were wrongly denied public assistance benefits. Since 2016, the Board of Public Assistance has heard fewer than 20 cases a year, and very few of those are overturned, but preparing for those appeals and board meetings takes time from state Department of Public Health and Human Services' staff members and attorneys, according to the department's proposal. Getting rid of the appellate board also would help public assistance applicants who are rejected appeal their cases directly to district court, health department Director Charlie Brereton recently told lawmakers. Currently, rejected applicants can take their cases to court only after the board hears their appeals, though very few do so, according to a board member. "I want to be very clear, with this proposal we are not seeking to eliminate an appeals pathway; rather, we're streamlining the process and eliminating what we see as an unnecessary and underutilized step," Brereton said. The plan to get rid of the Board of Public Assistance is one of 14 bills that the state Department of Public Health and Human Services has asked legislators to draft for the session that begins in January. The proposal comes from a review of the state agencies under Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte's Red Tape Relief Task Force, which seeks to improve efficiency and eliminate outdated or unnecessary regulations. The three-person Board of Public Assistance presides over appeals of denials made by the health department's Office of Administrative Hearings in nine programs: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, which provides cash to low-income households with children; the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps; Medicaid, the federal-state program that pays for health care for low-income people; developmental disabilities services; the Low Income Energy Assistance Program; the Weatherization Assistance Program; refugee assistance; mental health services; and Healthy Montana Kids, which is the state's Children's Health Insurance Program. The proposal to eliminate the board came as a surprise to at least one of its members, who learned about it from KHN. "I haven't heard anything from the department," said Sharon Bonogofsky-Parker, a Billings resident appointed by Gianforte in March 2021. The board meets every other month, Bonogofsky-Parker said. She recalled one "really good case" during her tenure in which the board restored benefits to a disabled military veteran who had lost them because of documents forged by someone else. But Bonogofsky-Parker estimated that the board sides with the department's decisions about 90% of the time because most cases involve applicants who didn't understand or follow the programs' rules, whose income level changed, or who have some other clear disqualifying factor. The board provides a service by hearing appeals that would otherwise clog the court system, she said. "By and large, these cases are pretty frivolous," Bonogofsky-Parker said. "The board is useful in keeping a lot of these cases out of court." The view contrasts with Brereton's, who described the ability of applicants to file court grievances expediently as a benefit of the proposed change. District courts charge a $120 fee to start a proceeding of this type, according to the Lewis and Clark County District Court clerk's office. That would create a potential obstacle for people trying to prove they qualify for public assistance. By contrast, Board of Public Assistance appeals are free. State health department spokesperson Jon Ebelt said people with low incomes can fill out a form to request a court fee waiver. "This issue was considered during conceptual stages of the bill," he said. Bonogofsky-Parker said she doesn't plan to oppose the department's proposal, despite her view that the board acts as a bulwark against frivolous court cases. The other two board members, Gianforte appointee Danielle Shyne and Carolyn Pease-Lopez, a holdover from former Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock, did not respond to phone or email messages. The Children, Families, Health, and Human Services Interim Committee will draft the bill for consideration by the full legislature in the 2023 session. For the more than 1 million children attending New York City public schools, the likelihood of receiving COVID-19 vaccines depended on their race and ethnicity, and the borough in which they live. In the first published analysis of school-level vaccination data, schools with majority Asian students had the highest vaccination rate for COVID-19 at 66.2 percent, followed by majority Hispanic schools at 53.5 percent, according to new research from NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Syracuse University, the University of Delaware, and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Lagging furthest behind in COVID-19 vaccination rates were schools attended by majority White and Black students, at 44 percent, while schools in Staten Island had lower vaccination rates, on average, than in any other borough. The research, published online September 15 in JAMA Network Open, examined data from more than 1,500 New York City schools with an average of 980 students. The research team found that vaccination rates varied significantly by borough, ranging from the highest in Manhattan (59.7 percent) and lowest in Staten Island (38.6 percent). Additionally, the researchers found that middle-high schools were more highly vaccinated (64.9 percent) than elementary schools (38.8 percent). When broken down further, the data showed that while majority Asian schools had the highest vaccination rates regardless of borough, majority White schools in Manhattan (61.9 percent) and Brooklyn (49.1 percent) were more highly vaccinated than majority White schools in the Bronx (34.1 percent), Queens (28.5 percent), or Staten Island (25.4 percent). While similar data have been examined for adults, we do not yet have a firm sense of how race and ethnicity influence vaccination for children. Our new work finds that while some of the patterns seen in adults are present in children (high vaccination rates among Asian populations), there are large differences across various geographies of even a single city. Understanding these differences, including how policy and programmatic activities can address them, is important future work." Brian D. Elbel, PhD, MPH, study lead investigator, professor, Departments of Population Health and Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine According to the investigators, the study has a number of limitations. These include a school-level approach to collecting vaccine data, as well as the possibility that data on students receiving vaccinations outside of New York City may be missing. Another limitation, acknowledged by Dr. Elbel, relates to the broad categorization of schools by majority race and ethnic group. Further disaggregation by smaller ethnic subgroups was not possible given the analytic approach and data sources. For example, while Asians and Pacific Islanders make up 14 percent of New York City's population, there is a high degree of heterogeneity across ethnic groups combined under the umbrella of Asian. This lack of data disaggregation for Asian or Hispanic ethnic subgroups may mask vaccination disparities within those communities. According to the researchers, future analysis must examine the above trends using individual-level data that includes personal attitudes about vaccines, as well as the social, structural, and political factors that influence vaccination rates among children to determine what policies or programs can better address gaps in vaccine uptake. Over the last few months, poliovirus 2 derived from the strain used in the Sabin vaccine (oral polio vaccine) has been repeatedly detected in environmental samples in the USA as well as in the UK. What does this signify? The World Health Organization (WHO) discusses the importance of this situation in a brief report. Introduction Polio is an infectious disease with high transmissibility. It is mostly caught by young children below five years, and in 0.5% of cases, it results in permanent paralysis. In up to a tenth of those who become paralyzed, death occurs. Polio spreads via the feco-oral route but uncommonly via contaminated food or water. Notably, over 90% of infections are asymptomatic or very mild. In symptomatic cases, the virus replicates in the gut and then enters the nerves. After an incubation period of 7-10 days (though this may stretch up to 35 days), it presents initially with fever, tiredness, vomiting, neck stiffness, and limb pain due to gut infection and, later, aseptic meningitis. Polio is a preventable disease, and polio immunization is almost universal. Both injectable and oral polio vaccines are available. The latter contains the Sabin strain of poliovirus, a live attenuated virus that can replicate in the gut of the immunized child to cause infection and thus elicit an immune response against the wildtype poliovirus when it is encountered. However, reversion to the wildtype strain has been reported with the Sabin strain, causing vaccine-derived poliovirus to emerge. This may spread in settings with low polio vaccination rates, encouraged by poor sanitary facilities, overcrowding, or lack of adequate hygiene. With the spread of the virus, more mutations occur. In a small proportion of such cases, the vaccine-derived virus becomes a paralytic poliovirus VDPV. The first time the Sabin-like type 2 poliovirus (SL2) was detected in sewage samples in the UK was in February 2022, when it was picked up by the WHO Global Polio Laboratory Network (GPLN) at the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) in London. Further samples were collected in the last week of May this year. These showed mutations in the virus that led to its being identified as vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2). Again, on August 8, 2022, the virus was detected in a new sample, leading to its being considered circulating VDPV2, though no human polio cases have been reported in this country. Conversely, in the USA, SL2 has been detected in several environmental samples from April 21 to August 26, 2022, from Rockland County in New York, as well as adjacent counties. Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today During this period, one paralytic polio case was also reported in Rockland County, an unvaccinated individual who had not traveled abroad recently. Importantly, no polio has been reported in the USA since 2013. Viral sequences from the first half of August showed five or more mutations and were, in both samples, linked to this clinical case. This led to their being classified as circulating VDPV2 as well. Currently, these two instances are linked genetically to virus detected in sewage samples collected in Jerusalem, Israel, over the six months from January to June 2022. The detection of VDPV in at least two different sources and at least two months apart, that are genetically linked, showing evidence of transmission in the community, should be classified as circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). Over 92% and 93% of children have received three doses of the polio vaccine by one year of life in the USA and the UK, respectively. What is to be done? Careful monitoring of the situation by genetic and epidemiologic tools is being continued to find out how the virus may spread and what degree of danger is posed to the worlds people at large by the spread of these isolates detected in different parts of the world. In June 2022, the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee decided that this posed a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). All those involved in the evaluation of patients and laboratory samples were given instructions to watch out for VDPV2 in London, and all samples positive for the virus are now being sent to the UKSHA. Sewage sampling areas are also being expanded across the UK and the USA. Besides this, catch-up immunization for children below the age of 5 years was carried out in London in June 2022. Children in London from 1-9 years are encouraged to have one dose of inactivated polio vaccine as a booster. Children who might be under-immunized, such as immigrants or refugees who have recently entered the country, should be checked for routine immunization status. In the USA, an immunization campaign is also being planned for Rockland County residents who might have been exposed to the virus. Surveillance for polio across the country, especially where the virus has been identified in sewage, is being strengthened and coordinated. Continuing health education on this disease and the vaccine is being imparted via health advisories across the state. On September 9, New York State declared a state disaster emergency. This means that polio vaccine can be given by pharmacists and related health workers in addition to medical professionals, as well as permitting standing orders for polio vaccination to be issued by the latter. The importance of global surveillance to detect the emergence of VDPV or its importation, cannot be emphasized enough. This includes maintaining figures for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), the proportion of cases evaluated within 48 hours, and the proportion for which a good sample was achieved. Moreover, in each district, polio immunization must be achieved and kept at high rates (>95%) worldwide. In addition, national polio response plans must be kept current to ensure that the presence of VDPV is rapidly detected and transmission foiled as soon as possible. The emergence of cVDPV2 in the United Kingdom and in the United States of America is a reminder that until polio is eradicated, polio-free countries will remain at risk of polio re-infection or re-emergence. A recent study published in BMC Infectious Diseases evaluated the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in newborns. The severity of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) varies across age groups, with older adults and comorbid individuals experiencing a much more severe illness and children developing a milder, less severe disease. Nevertheless, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on neonates in the first month after birth remains unknown. Neonates might contract the infection during pregnancy or at birth through vertical transmission. The immune system of newborns is not fully developed, which could make them susceptible to infectious diseases. Early inconsistent data suggest that infants and newborns might experience more severe COVID-19 than older children. In China, infected mothers are separated from their newborns and prevented from breastfeeding. Nonetheless, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 initiate and continue breastfeeding. About the study In the present study, researchers assessed the prevalence of COVID-19 in neonates with infected mothers or close contacts. Nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected from the newborns, and viral RNA was extracted using QIAamp DSP Virus Kit. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests were performed, and the conserved regions of the envelope (E) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) genes were amplified. Samples from 10 SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals and ten healthy individuals served as positive and negative controls, respectively. The normality of data was evaluated using Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test. A chi-squared or Fishers exact test was used to examine the statistical differences between categorical variables. A P-value less than 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Findings Between January and August 2020, more than 25,000 Iranian people were consecutively evaluated. Among these were 98 neonates born to infected mothers or who lived near those with COVID-19. Forty-nine (50%) newborns were males; their mean age at sampling was 4.7 days. The mean age of their mothers was 30.6 years. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in samples from six male neonates (6.1%); five of these were mature newborns. Three newborns were born to infected mothers, two had both parents infected, and one neonate had a grandparent with COVID-19. Four neonates had a fever, and two had dyspnea. One neonatal COVID-19 case had tachycardia, and two developed a dry cough. SARS-CoV-2 infection was also documented in 25 mothers. Fever, chills, general weakness, reduced sense of smell/taste, and dry cough were the most common symptoms among infected mothers. Eight mothers developed the asymptomatic disease. Some infected mothers also developed symptoms such as skeletal pain, dyspnea, hypertension, acute respiratory disease, and tachycardia. There was a significant association between RT-PCR results and neonatal gender. The association between neonatal PCR results and infant maturity was insignificant. Conclusions In summary, the authors observed that the rate of COVID-19 in neonates in the Iranian population was 6.1% in the first year of the pandemic. They could not ascertain if SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred due to vertical transmission from the mother. Further, because the investigation was based on samples collected in 2020, the rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection among neonates might likely be different with newer SARS-CoV-2 variants. AMES, Iowa Aug 22, 2022 All Iowa Department of Transportation business locations will be closed Monday, Sept. 5, in honor of Labor Day. Iowa DOT driver's license service centers All Iowa DOT drivers license service centers will be closed Monday, Sept 5. The service centers will resume operations Tuesday, Sept. 6, at 8 a.m. Many people, including commercial drivers license holders, may be able to complete drivers license business online at www.iowadot.gov. If you need to come to see us, the quickest way to get your drivers license business done is to schedule an appointment https://iowadot.gov/mvd/driverslicense/service-selector. Walk-in customers will be served as time allows. Special note to motor carriers The Iowa DOT recommends that commercial vehicle operators plan ahead if they will need services from the Iowa DOT immediately following the Labor Day weekend. Commercial vehicle operators who need oversize/overweight permits for travel in Iowa Tuesday, Sept. 6, should obtain them prior to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2. No movements of oversize/overweight loads will be permitted in Iowa from noon Friday, Sept. 2 until 30 minutes prior to sunrise on Tuesday, Sept. 6. Because the permit center typically experiences a heavy workload on the day following the holiday, customers are urged to submit applications for oversize/overweight permits, especially those more than 156,000 pounds, several days before needing the permit. # For questions, please go to the Iowa DOTs contact page. China will always be trustworthy, reliable friend and partner of Kyrgyzstan: Xi Xinhua) 15:55, September 15, 2022 SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- China has been, is now and will always be a trustworthy and reliable friend and partner of Kyrgyzstan, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov here Thursday morning. Xi recalled that in February, he and Zhaparov held friendly, indepth and practical communication in Beijing, reaching many important consensuses. China firmly supports Kyrgyzstan in independently choosing its own development path and safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and security, Xi said, adding that China opposes any external forces interfering in Kyrgyzstan's internal affairs under any pretext. Xi stressed that under new circumstances, the two sides should increase firm support for each other and comprehensively deepen mutually beneficial cooperation. He urged the two sides to continue to synergize development strategies and well implement the plan for medium- and long-term economic and trade cooperation between China and Kyrgyzstan. China supports the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project and is ready to push for an early start of the construction of the project, said the Chinese president. China supports more outstanding Chinese enterprises to invest in Kyrgyzstan and will facilitate the exchange of personnel and customs clearance of goods between the two countries, said Xi. China is willing to enhance coordination with Kyrgyzstan, build up the China + Central Asia (C+C5) meeting mechanism, well implement the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and Global Security Initiative (GSI), resolutely uphold international fairness and justice, and protect the common interests of developing countries, he said. Zhaparov recalled the successful meeting with President Xi in February during the Beijing Winter Olympics, saying that it has played an important role in leading cooperation in various fields between the two countries. The Kyrgyz side, Zhaparov said, firmly adheres to the one-China principle, firmly believes that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, firmly supports China's positions on affairs concerning its core interests, including those related to Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong, and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in such fields as economy and trade, railway, pandemic fight and security, and deepen the Kyrgyzstan-China comprehensive strategic partnership. The Kyrgyz side endorses the GSI and GDI proposed by China, which are of great significance to promoting peace and development of the whole world, said the president. Kyrgyzstan stands ready to work closely with China to make the Shanghai Cooperation Organization an anchor of security and stability in Central Asia and jointly safeguard regional security and stability, Zhaparov said. Wishing the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) a full success, Zhaparov said he believes that the CPC will lead the Chinese people to greater success on the path of realizing national rejuvenation. Relevant departments of the two countries signed cooperation documents on such fields as agriculture, medical care, firefighting and plant quarantine. Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi and He Lifeng, among others, attended the meeting. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) From the Alaska Post Lt. Col. Frank Rubio came from humble beginnings, raised by a single teenage mother in southwest Miami. More than 30 years after he joined the Army, the UH-60 Black Hawk pilot will be making his first venture into space Sept. 21 when he launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome to the International Space Station as a NASA astronaut. Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today Showers early with some clearing overnight. Low around 45F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Showers early with some clearing overnight. Low around 45F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Agencies | Tokyo The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Bahrain and Japan highlighted the tangible progress in bilateral cooperation in conjunction with the golden jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries. Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs Undersecretary, Dr Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, and the Assistant Foreign Minister and Director-General for Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Nagaoka Kansuke, held the sixth round of political consultations at the Ministrys headquarters in Tokyo. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Dr Shaikh Abdullah. They highlighted the success of activating more than 17 signed agreements and memoranda of understanding in various fields, in addition to coordinating diplomatic positions to support regional and global peace and security efforts. During the meeting, the Undersecretary commended the longstanding relations between Bahrain and Japan, and the progress they are witnessing in various fields, in order to activate the memorandum of understanding on political consultations signed on the sidelines of the visit of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to Tokyo on April 11, 2012. They also discussed means to enhance economic cooperation and encourage bilateral trade. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Bahrain has made remarkable achievements in promoting sound democractic practices and the preservation of human rights. It is within the Kingdoms commitment and adherence to the principles, values and vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who laid the foundations for the practice of open democracy and honest elections solemnly enshrined in the National Action Charter and the Constitution. As Bahrain joins the global community today in celebrating the International Day of Democracy, which falls on September 15 of each year, it will keep moving confidently ahead to consolidate the foundations of the civil state built on justice and equality for all. Freedoms Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani lauded the democratic approach of His Majesty, which is based on justice, the rule of law, respect for human rights and press and media freedoms. He congratulated His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on the occasion, and will focus this year on the importance of media freedom to democracy. Dr Al Zayani noted the efforts of the government in protecting freedom of press and media and supporting outlets to promote the values of tolerance, coexistence and democracy. Vision Shura Council Chairman Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh said that the vision of HM King Hamad consolidated and strengthened the democratic approach of the legislative branch since 2002, and supported its role in serving the country. He praised the interest and follow-up of HM the King to the legislative branch, which enabled it to actively contribute to building a state of institutions and law in accordance with civilised and modern concepts. The Chairman expressed his appreciation for the attention, follow-up and support of HRH Salman in urging for more initiatives and projects to enhance the democratic values in Bahrain. Cohesion Council of Representatives Speaker Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal said that Bahrain is living its most democratic era in light of the comprehensive development process of HM the King. She stressed that the Kingdom is witnessing cohesion between the people and their leadership and consolidating the principles of democracy, especially human rights, justice and equality. Zainal said that the National Action Charter and the Constitution affirmed the consolidation of democracy and the exercise of responsible freedom. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Staff Reporter As Bahrain is all set to celebrate its greatest democratic festival on November 12, the electoral committee has reiterated that transparency will remain the top priority throughout the process. This came as the committee highlighted the transparency procedures in the website vote. bh, which is exclusively dedicated to the upcoming Parliament and Municipal Councils Elections. For a period of seven days, voter lists will be displayed at electoral districts, headquarters, and public places designated by the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs, a statement on transparency procedures by the committee says. Voters can file complaints with the electoral authorities in cases of objections arising after verifying the voter data over various electoral issues including the listing of vote names. The final voter lists are revised in accordance with the committees decisions and final rulings, and these lists are used as the voting data when people reach the polling booths to exercise their political rights. Ample avenues are offered for the voters to check the presence of their names in the voters list. They can browse through the election website, visit the governorates supervisory centre apart from contacting the call centres. Even the candidates are welcomed to explore the transparency of electoral procedures. A candidate receives a host of democratic powers once his candidacy is accepted by the committee. Every candidate will receive one official copy of the list of voters from the constituency, from which he is contesting the polls. The Kingdom will head to the polls to elect new members of the House of Representatives and municipal councils on November 12 as His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued a Royal order setting the date of elections. The order also said a second round of elections, termed as the run-offs, will take place on November 19 if required. Bahraini citizens who want to run in the upcoming elections for parliamentary seats must submit their applications between October 5 and October 9. Meanwhile, the head of the election process, Nawaf Abdulla Hamza, announced that the voters list will be displayed between September 15 and September 21. The procedure is in line with the commitment to the provisions of Decree-Law No. (14) of 2002 regarding the exercise of political rights, stipulating the presentation of voters lists for a period of one week and at least 45 days before the date set for holding the elections. Technical, logistic and administrative preparations have all been undertaken to receive voters at the four supervisory committees Capital Governorate (Khawla Secondary Girls School), Muharraq Governorate (Al Hedaya Al Khalifiya Scondary Boys School), Northern Governorate (Yathrib Intermediate Girls School) and the Southern Governorate (Al Moustaqbel Primary Girls School), during the aforementioned period from 05:00 pm until 09:00 pm. The lists will also be available electronically on the official election website, vote.bh, in order to enable voters to inquire about their constituencies and submit requests to change. There is no doubt that Japan is one of the most well-known countries in the world and for good reason! Aside from the fact that millions around the world support anime, Japans claim to fame is its culture, food, and of course, all of the natural tourist destinations the country could offer. As a tourist, Japan or Nihon can offer you a lot of unique experiences that you can only experience in the Land of the Rising Sun. So, if youre interested in this country, let me show you some of the most interesting and unique things it has to offer. Trying Japans Longest Distance Limited Express in the Only Private Compartment Solo Travel Japan - Sep 18 I'm going to take the longest distance limited express in Japan from Hakata (Fukuoka) to Miyazaki-kuko and try the only private compartment. It will take 5 hrs 49 min. I'm going to take the longest distance limited express in Japan from Hakata (Fukuoka) to Miyazaki-kuko and try the only private compartment. It will take 5 hrs 49 min. JR Kyushu unveils new sightseeing train NHK - Sep 16 A railway operator on Japan's southwestern island of Kyushu has unveiled a new sightseeing train. A railway operator on Japan's southwestern island of Kyushu has unveiled a new sightseeing train. Japan set to announce restart of visa-free tourist travel Nikkei - Sep 15 Japan will drop a ban on individual tourist visits and remove a cap on daily arrivals, Nikkei has learned, moving closer to pre-pandemic rules as the country looks to ride a global travel rebound. Japan will drop a ban on individual tourist visits and remove a cap on daily arrivals, Nikkei has learned, moving closer to pre-pandemic rules as the country looks to ride a global travel rebound. 15 Things That Can't Be Seen Anywhere But In Japan Top Generality - Sep 15 There is no doubt that Japan is one of the most well-known countries in the world and for good reason! Aside from the fact that millions around the world support anime, Japans claim to fame is its culture, food, and of course, all of the natural tourist destinations the country could offer. There is no doubt that Japan is one of the most well-known countries in the world and for good reason! Aside from the fact that millions around the world support anime, Japans claim to fame is its culture, food, and of course, all of the natural tourist destinations the country could offer. Typhoon Muifa moving north of Ishigaki Island NHK - Sep 13 Typhoon Muifa is moving away from the Sakishima Islands in Japan's southwestern prefecture of Okinawa, but weather officials say stormy conditions are expected to continue in the area around Ishigaki Island on Tuesday. Typhoon Muifa is moving away from the Sakishima Islands in Japan's southwestern prefecture of Okinawa, but weather officials say stormy conditions are expected to continue in the area around Ishigaki Island on Tuesday. How Japans mirror beach became an Instagram sensation independent.co.uk - Sep 13 A beach in Japan has become an Instagram hit thanks to its tide pools, which create a mirror-like effect whilst reflecting the sky. A beach in Japan has become an Instagram hit thanks to its tide pools, which create a mirror-like effect whilst reflecting the sky. Tourists Will Love the Yen. Will Japan Love Them Back? washingtonpost.com - Sep 13 Japan looks like it may finally open its borders and end its splendid isolation. The key question is: Can it learn to love foreign tourists again? Japan looks like it may finally open its borders and end its splendid isolation. The key question is: Can it learn to love foreign tourists again? Japan to remove entry cap in 'not-so-distant future,' official says Japan Today - Sep 11 Japan is reviewing its border control policy of keeping daily entries below 50,000 and will remove it in the "not so distant future," a government spokesman said Sunday. Japan is reviewing its border control policy of keeping daily entries below 50,000 and will remove it in the "not so distant future," a government spokesman said Sunday. Typhoon Muifa approaching Japan's Okinawa region NHK - Sep 11 Japanese weather officials say a powerful typhoon is approaching the country's southern prefecture of Okinawa. They say Typhoon Muifa could bring strong winds and rough seas to some areas. Japanese weather officials say a powerful typhoon is approaching the country's southern prefecture of Okinawa. They say Typhoon Muifa could bring strong winds and rough seas to some areas. 'Passengers who dont want to be groped, please use the rear train cars' announcement angers many Japan Today - Sep 11 Japan is very proud of its trains, and in many ways rightfully so. The country has one of the cleanest, most reliable, and most convenient rail networks to be found anywhere on the planet. Japan is very proud of its trains, and in many ways rightfully so. The country has one of the cleanest, most reliable, and most convenient rail networks to be found anywhere on the planet. 9 of the Best Extreme Adventures in Japan newsonjapan.com - Sep 10 Japan is a country of many wonders, from its ancient temples to modern cities. But there are other parts of this beautiful nation that will take your breath away. Japan is a country of many wonders, from its ancient temples to modern cities. But there are other parts of this beautiful nation that will take your breath away. Japan's licensed tour guides prepare for return of visitors NHK - Sep 08 Licensed tour guides in Japan are getting ready to resume work as more foreign tourists are expected to visit the country now that border controls have been relaxed. Licensed tour guides in Japan are getting ready to resume work as more foreign tourists are expected to visit the country now that border controls have been relaxed. ANA, JAL see reservations jump as Japan eases COVID entry curbs Nikkei - Sep 08 Japanese travelers are flocking to international flights now that the government has eased its once-tough COVID restrictions on reentering the country from abroad. Japanese travelers are flocking to international flights now that the government has eased its once-tough COVID restrictions on reentering the country from abroad. Traveling on Japan's Incredible Pod Seat Train with Vending Machines travelgeek - Sep 07 This time, I did try Hinotori Express which travels from Nagoya to Osaka. This time, I did try Hinotori Express which travels from Nagoya to Osaka. Western Japan may have fierce winds, heavy rain as typhoon approaches NHK - Sep 05 Large and strong Typhoon Hinnamnor may bring fierce winds and torrential rain to some areas of western Japan. Large and strong Typhoon Hinnamnor may bring fierce winds and torrential rain to some areas of western Japan. Around 40 percent of the 169 people who fled to Japan from Afghanistan following the Taliban's return to power in August last year have left their new home due to what they say was pressure and a lack of support from the Japanese Foreign Ministry. Although Japan has granted refugee status to 98 people, 58 returned to Afghanistan despite the risk of persecution by the Taliban, while seven left for the United States and Britain, according to the evacuees. The 98 were newly recognized as refugees in August by the Japanese government, in a rare move for a country known for its strict refugee screening policy and poor record of accepting asylum seekers. They comprised staff members who were working at the Japanese Embassy in Kabul and their family members. Between October and December of last year, the ministry provided the embassy staff and their families with lodgings in Tokyo, meals and salaries. But several of the staff told Kyodo News that they were pressured to leave Japan, having been told that their work contracts would end in late August. They said ministry staff visited their homes and told them that living in Japan would be difficult and that a decision on whether to stay or leave the country would have to be discussed with their families. They also said the ministry told them that should they return to Afghanistan, their travel expenses would be shouldered and they would receive a 20 percent salary raise. ...continue reading Have an opinion on a recent story or event around the University of Cincinnati? Let us know what you think! If you're interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click the button below to email Emma Balcom, editor-in-chief. For news tips or story ideas, contact one of our editors. Email the editor This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate IRONWOOD FOREST NATIONAL MONUMENT, Arizona (AP) After strapping on knee-high snake guards and bowing his head to invoke Gods protection, Oscar Andrade marched off into a remote desert at dawn on a recent Sunday to look for a Honduran migrant missing since late July. The Tucson-based Pentecostal pastor bushwhacked for three hours in heat that rose above 100 degrees (38 Celsius), detouring around a mountain lion, two rattlesnakes and at least one scorpion, before taking a break to call the aunt of another missing man. Andrade believed he found the young mans skull the previous day. Much strength, my dear sister, Andrade told her. Sometimes we dont understand, but there is a reason that God allowed this. On the fourth search for that 25-year-old man from the Mexican state of Guerrero, the pastor and his Capellanes del Desierto (Desert Chaplains) rescue and recovery group had found his ID card in a wallet 40 feet (12 meters) away from a skull and other bones, picked clean by animals and the relentless sun. Since March, Andrade has received more than 400 calls from families in Mexico and Central America whose relatives sick, injured or exhausted were left behind by smugglers in the borderlands. Forensic experts estimate 80% of bodies in the desert are never found, identified or recovered. But those that are, added to massive casualties like 53 migrants trapped in an abandoned trailer in San Antonio, Texas, in June and nine migrants swept away in the Rio Grande this month, point to one of the deadliest seasons on record on the always dangerous Southwest border. Fragile economies pummeled by the pandemic in Latin America, ruthless trafficking networks that control virtually all illegal crossings, and shifting U.S. asylum policies that affect migrants of different nationality and family status in drastically different ways all contribute to the toll as does the Southwests extreme heat. Andrade, his group, and an Associated Press journalist accompanying them on the six-hour search quickly came across evidence of distress on this popular smuggling route abandoned backpacks and half-full water jugs, several days walk from the closest towns. To be out in the desert is more difficult than to be in a church, said the 44-year-old pastor and father of three teens. Our commitment is firstly with God, and with the families. The group didnt find the missing 45-year-old Honduran, but planned to look again; it usually takes several trips to locate remains in this desert. Its one of the deadliest corridors, according to aid groups and the U.S. Border Patrol, for migrants who, fearing being rejected under a pandemic provision called Title 42, try to evade authorities instead of turning themselves in right after crossing or applying for protection legally. From staging camps guarded by cartel scouts in areas where the border has no fencing or bollard barriers, the migrants walk north for more than a week. They have to cross dozens of miles of desert mountains and dry washes before reaching major highways where smugglers vehicles will take them to destinations across the United States. Once a person told me, How can I believe, look where my brother is, who always did praise and worship, Andrade recalled during the recent search. For God, there are no mistakes. Yes, there are painful things, like the young man from yesterday, who died because of some blisters. Faith often motivates volunteer organizations providing aid along the border. The Capellanes, who search for the missing at least once a week, pray with the grieving families and dont charge them for the searches. They work closely with law enforcement, notifying the Border Patrol of every search and then local authorities if they find human remains, as they have nearly 50 times. Even then, the migrants body still has a long journey home. It takes time for authorities to retrieve the remains, which are then subject to forensic analysis to determine the cause of death and identification. The medical examiner office for Pima County, covering migrant deaths also in two adjacent border counties in southern Arizona, received 30 migrant bodies found in July alone, about half of them dead less than three weeks, said Mike Kreyche of Humane Borders, an aid group that maps border deaths. That puts 2022 on track to match the last two years, when cases were almost double other years in the last decade recorded by the office. Along the entire US-Mexican border, since last fall Customs and Border Protection agents stopped migrants for crossing the border illegally more than 1.8 million times, historically an extraordinarily high number. The agency recorded 557 Southwest border deaths the previous year, the highest since it began tracking them in 1998. Given how quickly a body decomposes in the desert, unless its found within a day of dying, identification might require expensive DNA analysis, said Dr. Greg Hess, chief medical examiner for Pima County. The desert does a good job covering up crimes, said Mirza Monterroso, the missing migrant program director for the Colibri Center, a Tucson-based group that has recorded 4,000 missing migrants 1,300 in Pima County alone from reports from 14 countries and 43 U.S. states. Unless there's a lucky break, like dental records, it might take up to a year to confirm if the remains Andrade found are indeed the young Mexican mans, Monterroso said. His aunt, who asked the AP not to use their names because his parents havent been told yet of Andrades discovery, said she still hopes for a miracle. But otherwise, we fought to the end to recover what little is left. My nephews dream died at the border, but a person shouldnt end up like this, she said. They left him in the desert because he had injured his feet. A 38-year-old father of two from Mexico City nearly died the same way last week after he developed debilitating foot blisters near the Baboquivari Peak, just 14 miles (23 kilometers) north of the border in Pima County. Without food or water, he called 911 and was helped down the mountain by Daniel Bolin, an agent with the Border Patrols search, trauma and rescue team who said this was his fifth rescue this year in the same spot. Facing almost certain expulsion to Mexico, the man, who gave his name as Leonardo, said he came to the United States after losing his business during the pandemic. But now I dont think Ill come back here. Im too old to walk, he said. Asked about his future, he murmured I dont know and burst into sobs. Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 15, 2022 /CNW/ - Group Eleven Resources Corp. ( TSXV: ZNG) (OTC: GRLVF) (FRA: 3GE) ("Group Eleven" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the re-commencement of drilling at its 76.56%-interest Stonepark zinc prospect ("Stonepark"), Ireland. Highlights: Drilling continues with two rigs on Group Eleven's zinc prospects in Ireland , as part of a previously announced and fully-funded drill program totalling over 6,000m in 2022 , as part of a previously announced and fully-funded drill program totalling over in 2022 At Stonepark, three holes of the previously announced six-hole program (totalling 2,300m ) have been completed and were announced (see news release dated June 16, 2022 ) ) have been completed and were announced (see news release dated ) The next hole, started earlier this week, is located on the southwest portion of the Stonepark Project area Following completion of the above hole, drilling will resume on Group Eleven's 100% owned PG West Project, after which the remaining two holes of the Stonepark program will be completed before year-end "We are on-track to complete at least 6,000m of drilling this year as per plan," stated Bart Jaworski, CEO and Director. "The above work does not include follow-up drilling at our recent discovery at 100%-owned Ballywire prospect announced last Tuesday or the deeper target identified at 76.56%-owned Carrickittle West prospect announced on June 16th. We look forward to updating the market on next steps at Ballywire and Carrickittle West in the near term." Options and Deferred Share Units Issuance The Company also announces that it has granted incentive stock options to directors, officers and employees of the Company, on September 13, 2022, to purchase up to 1,585,000 common shares in the capital stock of the Company. These options vest over a period of two years from the date of grant, at an exercise price of $0.10 per share. All options granted are subject to the policies of the TSX.V. The Company has also granted 600,000 deferred share units to three independent directors as an annual award for services provided, in accordance with the provisions of the Company's deferred share unit plan. About Group Eleven Resources Group Eleven Resources Corp. (TSX.V: ZNG) (OTC: GRLVF) and (FRA: 3GE) is a mineral exploration company focused on advanced stage zinc exploration in Ireland. Additional information about the Company is available at www.groupelevenresources.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bart Jaworski, P.Geo. Chief Executive Officer Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future results of operations, performance and achievements of the Company, including the timing, content, cost and results of proposed work programs, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/ reserves and geological interpretations. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located. All of the Company's public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties. SOURCE Group Eleven Resources Corp. For further information: E: [email protected] | T: +353-85-833-2463, E: [email protected] | T: 604-644-9514 MONTREAL, Sept. 15, 2022 /CNW/ - Quadbridge Inc. (Quadbridge), a leading North American provider of hardware and software IT solutions, headquartered in Montreal, is pleased to announce it has added to its customer offering the capabilities of Able-One Systems Inc. (Able One), a prominent end-to-end IT solutions provider, based in Ontario, through a recently concluded acquisition. Customers of the newly expanded company can now count on 130+ employees, in four offices across North American time zones, to provide them with expert technology consulting and acquisition services, Professional Services for IT projects, and Managed Services for IT operations. The additional technology expertise and deep experience brought by Able One's seasoned staff also broaden the options available to their customers. "The Able One team and portfolio are a perfect complement to our existing business, giving our growing company a deep-rooted presence in Ontario, as well as in Quebec and British Columbia. With our office in Arizona, we are now better able to meet all the IT needs of companies the length and breadth of Canada and the USA," said Nelson Pacheco, President of Quadbridge. Since its inception in 2007, Quadbridge has built a strong reputation in the IT industry and has grown quickly, repeatedly ranking on the Canadian Business Growth 500 list. In April 2021, it acquired Vancouver-based DTM Systems Corp., to expand its reach in Canada, and bolster solutions delivery and managed services capabilities. Today's acquisition of Able One builds on that momentum. "Just as with DTM, we're looking at this acquisition as a union," said PJ Emam, Quadbridge Founder and CEO. "There's great synergy and tremendous opportunity here. We're thrilled to join the executive leadership and teams together and bring the combined power of both organizations to solve our customers' IT challenges and drive success through technology," he added. Founded in 1988, Able One began as a technology reseller, and is now known for its end-to-end, cross-platform IT solutions. Its broad range of expertise and outstanding client satisfaction have ensured its continuity for the past 34 years. "We're excited to begin this new chapter in our story, contributing our experience and know-how to the further development of Quadbridge, and gaining from the recognition they enjoy with a number of additional partners to benefit our existing and future customers," said Mark Ciprietti, President of Able One. As a combined entity, Quadbridge and Able One will be able to offer more access to a wider and deeper range of expertise, expanded and enhanced solution offerings, cross-border, cross-platform capability, and even stronger account management and client experience. Both the Quadbridge and Able One portfolios will be available to all customers immediately. The two organizations will integrate over the coming months. ABOUT QUADBRIDGE Expanding fast through organic growth and acquisition since 2007, Quadbridge is a single-source provider of IT solutions tailored to simplify and facilitate the technology journey of a wide range of medium and large companies in both Canada and the United States. From offices in Montreal, Quebec; Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario; Phoenix, Arizona; and Vancouver, British Columbia; Quadbridge's 130+ employees expertly advise, engineer, implement, and manage the perfect mix of technology to fit each customer's business needs and constraints. Learn more at quadbridge.com SOURCE Quadbridge For further information: Sonia Gasparini, Director, Marketing, [email protected], +1.514.998.2020 CHAMBORD, QC, Sept. 15, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - Parks Canada Agency Created in 1901 around a pulp and paper mill, this site is a fine example of a company village built to retain its workforce. It is set apart by the diversity of its houses and by a wide range of institutional and commercial buildings for an industrial complex of the time. On September 13, Yolande Cohen, representative of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, highlighted the national historic significance of the Historical Village of Val-Jalbert. A special ceremony was held in Chambord, in the heart of the Historical Village of Val-Jalbert, to unveil a commemorative plaque. The closure of the factory in 1927 caused the gradual abandonment of the site, which became a "ghost village." The conservation and presentation of this site since the 1960s is part of a movement to save the country's built heritage. Today, the preservation and authenticity of the place attracts thousands of visitors who discover its rich history and relive its heyday. Through the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, the Government of Canada commemorates the significant places, people and events that shaped our country to help Canadians and youth connect with their past. The commemoration process relies heavily on public nominations. To date, over 2,200 subjects have been designated. National historic designations reflect turning points in Canada's history. Together they tell the story of who we are and bring us closer to our past, enriching our understanding of ourselves, each other and our country. Heritage sites provide a wide range of cultural, social, economic and environmental benefits to their communities. Quotes "The Government of Canada recognizes the national historic significance of the Historical Village of Val-Jalbert. Thanks to the authenticity and preservation of the built environment, we have the chance to better understand a part of our country's industrial past. Places like the Historical Village of Val-Jalbert tell the story of who we are and bring us closer to our past. I encourage all Canadians to learn more about our country's history." The Honourable Steven Guilbeault Minister of the Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada "The Board of Directors and the entire staff of the Historical Village of Val-Jalbert are honoured to have their site recognized as a National Historic Site. This recognition underlines the work and perseverance of the founding pioneers (Damase Jalbert and J.E.A. Dubuc) and of all the following managers who contributed to the restoration and conservation of the heritage of this world-renowned open-air museum." Jacques Girard Chair of the Board of Directors of the Corporation du parc regional de Val-Jalbert Quick Facts The Historical Village of Val-Jalbert, with an area of approximately 1.7 square kilometres, is located in the Regional County Municipality (RCM) of Domaine-du-Roy, southwest of Lac Saint-Jean, or Pekuakami in Ilnu. Since 2009, the RCM of Domaine-du-Roy has managed the site. The village and its facilities are located on the banks of the Ouiatchouan River ("much-travelled place" in Ilnu). The river's waterfall fed the mill to make wood pulp. The Historical Village of Val-Jalbert is a fine example of a company village built to retain its workforce. Created in 1901 around a pulp and paper mill, this village is set apart by the diversity of its houses and by a wide range of institutional and commercial buildings for an industrial complex of the time. In the early 1920s, comfort characterized life in Val-Jalbert. The vast majority of nominations brought forward for the consideration of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada originate from members of the public. For more information on the Board and how to submit a nomination, please visit Parks Canada's website: www.pc.gc.ca/hsmbc. Related document Backgrounder: The Historic Village of Val-Jalbert Associated links Historical Village of Val-Jalbert Parks Canada Agency Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada SOURCE Parks Canada For further information: Marie-Sophie Giroux, Partnering, engagement and communications officer, Saguenay-St. Lawrence Field Unit, Parks Canada, [email protected], 418-514-8429; Media Relations, Parks Canada Agency, 855-862-1812, [email protected] - Advertisement - Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia issued a challenge in response to the BJPs publishing of what it dubbed a sting operation alleging that the AAP administration in Delhi designed its alcohol policy to benefit a small group of people. The CBI should get this alleged sting from the BJP because it already functions as the partys external agency. If there is any evidence of corruption in this sting, the CBI should arrest me within the next four days, or till Monday To questioning from reporters, Mr. Sisodia said. If they dont, it would be evidence that the BJP is trying to topple our administration. Just an effort to discredit us. CBI , CBI/ED , CBI/ED PM . Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) September 15, 2022 After the Delhi Lieutenant Governor ordered an investigation into the New Excise Policy in July, Manish Sisodias home was raided and he was listed as an accused by the CBI. The strategy, which brought in private companies to the booze industry and went into effect in November of last year, was reversed by Arvind Kejriwals administration in the same month. The AAP claimed that the policy was scuttled by the BJPs federal government via the Lieutenant Governor and was intended to increase income. Manish Sisodia, the deputy chief minister of Delhi, has been the subject of a CBI investigation. In the most recent back-and-forth, the BJP displayed a covertly recorded video in which a person, who is also accused in the FIR, asserts that the Delhi government purposefully excluded smaller players from their tailored excise policy in order to aid a select few people. It also tweeted about the footage. 10 10 150 , pic.twitter.com/5SmFgoI1lm BJP (@BJP4India) September 15, 2022 According to BJP spokesman Sudhanshu Trivedi, Bribes from the contractors were utilised for the AAPs election campaigns in Goa and Punjab. He emphasised how Arvind Kejriwal would advise people to conduct a sting on individuals who were unlawfully seeking out money and promised he would act. The sting film, he said, was already widely available and was not shot by the BJP. About an hour later, during a news conference, Manish Sisodia answered: Raids on my home and the locker at the bank turned up nothing. I beg the CBI to conduct a comprehensive investigation. He started off talking about the alleged inefficiencies of BJP-run municipal organisations in Delhi before taking questions. Addressing an important Press Conference | LIVE https://t.co/zSCaRsu194 Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) September 15, 2022 He reiterated the claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to intimidate opposition parties by deploying central agencies. We dont have anything to conceal. Read more: Indias upcoming G20 presidency offers chance to shape global policy contours in accordance with emerging market interests - Advertisement - DK Shivakumar, the president of the Karnataka Congress, announced on Thursday that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued him a new summons to appear before the organisation. Shivakumar stated that he was prepared to work with the agency, but the summons timing prevents him from carrying out his constitutional and political obligations. The senior Congressman said that the announcement coincided with both the existing Assembly session and the partys Bharat Jodo Yatra, which is scheduled to hit Karnataka in a few days. They have once again issued me an ED summons to attend when the #BharatJodoYatra and the assembly session are taking place. The timing of this summons and the abuse I am subjected to are getting in the way of me carrying out my constitutional and political obligations, Shivakumar stated on Twitter. However, I am willing to cooperate. In the midst of the #BharatJodoYatra and the assembly session, they have again issued me an ED summon to appear. I am ready to cooperate but the timing of this summon and the harassment I am put through, is coming in the way of discharging my constitutional and political duties. DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) September 15, 2022 The Karnataka Congress began a campaign earlier this week called 40% Sarkara, BJP means Bhrashtachara to denounce what it claims to be widespread corruption in the southern state. Siddaramaiah, a former chief minister and the head of the opposition in the Assembly, claimed that CM Basavaraj Bommai is fully aware of the corruption and looting that his cabinet members are engaged in. Shivakumar afterward issued a political song on the 40% commission government. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, a senior Congressman, is leading the 3,570-kilometer Bharat Jodo Yatra, which is now travelling through Kerala and will reach Karnataka on October 1. Read more: Arrest me: Manish Sisodias 4-Day Dare After BJP Sting On Liquor Policy - Advertisement - In the monsoon session of Parliament, Indias finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasised the importance of global collaboration on crypto-asset regulation. This follows a turbulent year for the cryptocurrency sector that saw several margin calls and defaults. Because crypto assets have not yet been fully integrated into the financial markets, these negative occurrences have not translated into systemic dangers. To avert any catastrophes in the future, banking authorities would be wise to build up a framework for the supervision of crypto assets. Just in time for Indias chairmanship of the G20, which starts later this year, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) has stated that it will present a plan to regulate specific crypto assets to G20 member countries in October. The G20s policymakers, central bankers, regulators, financial hubs including Hong Kong, Singapore, Spain, and Switzerland, as well as global standard-setting organisations, are all represented on the FSB. It serves as a lynchpin for global cooperation in financial market governance as a result. While the regulation of digital assets is still in its infancy in many emerging and developing economies (EMDEs), such as India, in part due to a lack of state capacity, it is crucial to have a risk-based and context-specific knowledge of new markets. The FSB divides the cryptocurrency sector into three categories: decentralised finance, stablecoins, and unbacked crypto assets. The dangers associated with each of these should be compared to the specific EMDEs in the area. First off, the value of unbacked crypto assets is derived from a variety of sources, including production costs, network effects, user sentiment, and speculation. Centralized service providers that function as middlemen and are subject to stringent regulation in developed countries list a number of these assets. For instance, the proposed Markets in Crypto Assets law from the EU lays out compliance requirements for such intermediaries, including ones related to the investor and consumer protection. The EU has successfully created a model that other countries may now broadly imitate. However, it is crucial that EMDEs participate in the G20 process to offer their input and aid in creating a flexible, context-appropriate global template. EMDE people are more inclined to invest for the first time in unbacked crypto assets to access the financial markets. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain their faith in both government regulation and financial institutions. This can result in intermediaries listing crypto assets under more stringent criteria on such marketplaces. The EU mandates that these intermediaries produce a white paper that bears some resemblance to prospectuses that are now issued in accordance with financial legislation. To safeguard investors, EMDEs may take into account extra standards for the verification of cryptocurrency assets. Customer due diligence for anti-money laundering is another area where EMDEs may take additional precautions (AML). The current benchmark for AML regulations for cryptocurrency marketplaces is the Financial Action Task Forces (FATF) advice. It specifies tasks including identifying clients using dependable data sources, identifying beneficial owners, and identifying the objective of transactions. For high-risk transactions connected to notified states, the worldwide watchdog against money laundering and terrorist funding also recommends more due diligence. These steps entail gathering additional data about the client and the transaction as well as stepping up the frequency of discretionary monitoring of similar transactions. Based on their own security goals, EMDEs can think about broadening their search for circumstances needing extra due diligence, for example by establishing criteria for additional pertinent information that intermediaries must gather. Second, stablecoins are frequently utilised to convert cryptocurrency holdings into fiat money since they are generally backed by specific assets (typically US dollars) or a basket of assets. Stablecoins might provide an issue with currency replacement for EMDEs like India, though, as dollar-backed coins might provide a superior store of value than their native currencies. Stablecoins should follow the established Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures, according to international standard-setting organisations like the Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures and the International Organization of Securities Commissions. These guidelines provide the global norms for crucial infrastructure, including payment, securities depositories, and settlement systems. The same activity, same risk, same regulation approach, which India currently upholds in its fintech regulations, would effectively have to be applied to stablecoins. Third, financial services and goods are allegedly offered without the usage of centralised middlemen thanks to decentralised finance. Given that the visibility and identity verification of counterparties is often not necessary to complete transactions, this segment might be the riskiest for EMDEs. Money laundering is becoming more prevalent overall, even through conventional banking channels, in EMDEs like India. News agency records show that between July 2005 and November 2021, the Enforcement Directorate reported a total of 4,637 money laundering cases, of which 769 included money laundering through bank frauds. The nature of financial fraud will get more complicated as a result of decentralised finance, and the FSB is not likely to propose a regulatory boundary for this new market any time soon. Therefore, EMDEs should use extreme caution and only let decentralised finance to function in sandboxed settings. Through fintech, as it is now known, technology has played a significant role in promoting financial inclusion during the past ten years. The future of fintech may be represented by crypto markets, or at least glimpses of it may be seen there. Indias next G20 presidency would therefore be a stepping stone for it to influence crucial financial policy from the perspective of EMDEs. Read more: SC in Hijab Case: Ktaka govt has power to mandate school uniforms - Advertisement - An Indian Coast Guard and Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad operation on Wednesday resulted in the seizure of 40 kilogrammes of heroin worth Rs 200 crore from a Pakistani fishing boat off the Gujarat coast, according to a senior ATS official. An official reported that six Pakistani boat crew members had also been taken into custody. The Coast Guard and ATS collaborated to intercept the drug-carrying fishing boat in the middle of the ocean close to Jakhau Harbour in the Kutch area, the official reported. After being discharged on the Gujarat shore, the heroin was intended to be transferred to Punjab via road. We stopped the boat that was sailing out of Pakistan after receiving a particular tip, and we detained six Pakistani citizens together with 40 kilos of heroin, the spokesman continued. Later on in the day, it is anticipated that the ATS and Coast Guard representatives and the impounded boat will arrive at the Jakhau coast. The state ATS and the Coast Guard had previously stopped similar drug smuggling operations and apprehended foreign persons in possession of massive amounts of drugs that they intended to transport into India via the Gujarat coast. Read more: Pakistan asks Taliban to arrest JeM chief Masood Azhar - Advertisement - The Indian High Commission on Thursday in Namibia published a photo of an airplane that had landed there to transport eight cheetahs to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, where they will establish a new home. The creatures, which were extinct in India for more than seven decades, will be reintroduced on Saturday, September 17. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will turn 72 this year, celebrates his birthday on this day. The Indian aircrafts front has been painted to resemble a cheetahs face, as shown in the high commissions tweet. The tweet from the Indian high commission stated, A unique bird lands down in the Land of the Brave to bring goodwill emissaries to the Land of the Tiger. A special bird touches down in the Land of the Brave to carry goodwill ambassadors to the Land of the Tiger.#AmritMahotsav #IndiaNamibia pic.twitter.com/vmV0ffBncO India In Namibia (@IndiainNamibia) September 14, 2022 Eight cheetahs, five female, and three male will be kept in the main cabin of the airplane, and veterinarians will have complete access to the large cats for the whole flight. In order to save the animals from getting motion sickness throughout the lengthy intercontinental travel, they wont be fed. In order to go to Kuno-Palpur National Park in Bhopal, the plane would first land in Jaipur, Rajasthan, according to the principal chief conservator of forests for Madhya Pradesh JS Chauhan. On Saturday between six and seven in the morning, the cheetahs will arrive in Rajasthan, where they will be transferred to a helicopter and flown to Kuno. To greet the big cats, Modi will be present at the national park. The cheetahs will spend their first month in India in small cages before being moved to larger ones for a few months to help them acclimate to their environment, according to Chauhan. He stated that they will later be released into the wild. The two cheetahs that are best friends and stay together at all times have received vaccinations and satellite collars. Their arrival in India will mark the conclusion of a 12-year cooperation effort between the Indian government and experts and Namibias Cheetah Conservation Foundation (CCF) to rescue cheetahs in the wild. In May, the agreement between Namibia and India was completed. CCF founder Laurie Maker expressed her thrill and extraordinary pride in the translocation endeavour. This effort would not have been possible without thorough study and commitment to cheetah conservation, she continued. After the last one died in 1947, the cheetah was formally declared extinct in India in 1952. Cheetahs, one of the oldest large cat species, had a once-vast distribution over Asia and Africa and had ancestors that date back around 8.5 million years. Less than 9% of the big cats historical habitat is already occupied, and there are just around 7,500 left in the wild. 2009 saw the beginning of the African Cheetah Introduction Project in India. Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, big cats at Kuno were not reintroduced by November of last year, according to officials. Read more: Reintroduction of Cheetas will boost tourism in Chambal region: MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan - Advertisement - M.K. Stalin, the chief minister and president of the DMK, criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday for saying that we must study Hindi to comprehend the essence of our culture and history. Mr. Stalin noted in a statement that Mr. Shah had made the comment during a celebration honouring Hindi Diwas. Talking about a languages magnificence is natural. However, the explicit statement that one must learn Hindi in order to comprehend our culture goes against the idea of unity in variety. According to the law, Hindi is not the only official language or the nations primary tongue. The financing disparity between Hindi and Sanskrit and other Indian languages, such as Tamil, should be addressed if the Union government is truly interested in regional languages. Instead, he said that the National Education strategy was being used by the Union government to impose Hindi and Sanskrit. India is now one country. Avoid attempting to make it Hindi, Mr. Stalin said. He also demanded that Tamil and other regional tongues be made official by the Union government. Read more: Jaishankar takes dig at China, says countries blocking UNSC listings of terrorists threat to Intl community - Advertisement - A group of 12 AAP MLAs were led by Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema to file a complaint with Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav about the efforts being made by BJP to topple the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab on the same day that eight Congress MLAs in Goa switched parties to the BJP. A day after claiming that AAP MLAs in the state were being given between Rs 20 and Rs 25 crore to join the BJP, Cheema moved to file a complaint and provide evidence on Wednesday. AAP MLAs in the state put up a united front for the media, but Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann urged them not to betray their motherland in a video from Germany. They attempted Operation Lotus in Delhi as well, but it was unsuccessful. Mann stated in a video message from Germany, where he is taking part in a trade fair, that no MLA was sold. Punjabis are devoted to the motherland, Mann claimed he wanted to convey to the BJP. I want to inform them (BJP) that when Alexander set out to conquer the world, Punjabis stopped him. Our legislators will be devoted to their country, I have no doubt. They paused, resisted being sold, and buckled. The BJP believes that they can seize power through corruption if they are unable to win a democratic election. There is no question in my mind that my coworkers would demonstrate their commitment to the homeland. We have all shared dreams of bringing Punjab back to life. Well make that fantasy a reality. The good deeds of AAP escape the comprehension of the BJP. They are doing all of this as a result, according to Mann. At a news conference in Punjab, Cheema declared that Operation Lotus had failed there. If anyone is opposing the BJP, its AAP. BJP wont be successful in this. Legislators support Arvind Kejriwal and AAP. Even if they were handed Rs 2,500 crore, they wouldnt leave the AAP, he claimed. Before filing a complaint with the DGP, Cheema spoke to the media alongside the deputy speaker of the Vidhan Sabha, Jai Krishan Singh Rori, and the following members of the legislature: Budh Ram, Manjit Singh Bilaspur, Kulwant Singh Pandori, Dinesh Chadha, Narinder Kaur Bharaaj, Taranpreet Singh Sond, Raman Arora, Pushpinder Singh Happy, Rajnish Dahiya were also a part. Cheema claimed that all of the MLAs present had evidence that they had received calls (from BJP). Im not telling you that. First, we want to include it in our complaint. Then well make it known to the public, he said. Sheetal Angural, a Jalandhar MLA, allegedly received a threatening call on Tuesday, urging him not to make the proof of BJP calls to him public, according to Cheema. He was under threat of being killed. We will present the DGP with all available proof, Cheema stated. After Congress MLAs from Goa defected and joined the BJP, Cheema claimed that the BJPs accusations that he was lying had been refuted. The events in Goa on Wednesday were evidence that the BJP was making progress by launching Operation Lotus in states that were not BJP, he noted. Later, Aman Arora, a cabinet member, spoke to the media and declared that all MLAs supported Mann and Kejriwal and would not permit the BJPs plans to succeed. The state BJP unit praised AAP on Wednesday for taking the initiative to file a complaint, stating that the guilty must be exposed, but questioned why Cheema withheld the identities of the MLAs who received these calls and why they had not yet filed a FIR. We applaud AAPs decision to file a formal complaint with the DGP Let the matter be thoroughly investigated, and let the guilty be made known to the public. The identity of the callers will only become clear at that point, according to BJP Punjab chief spokesperson Anil Sarin. Go, file a FIR Police and Sarkar are yours. Allow people to be seen. Ashwani Kumar Sharma, the state BJP president, declared that the BJP will not flee. Sharma responded to the AAPs claims that the BJPs Operation Lotus had failed in Delhi by saying, Even in Delhi, they did the same drama. They were only diverted and unable to demonstrate anything. The identical plot is being used right now. Tarun Chugh, national general secretary of the BJP, has called for a CBI investigation into the claims made by the AAP leaders. - Advertisement - India has asked the UN Human Rights Council to push Islamabad to take serious steps to eliminate its state-sponsored terrorism and demolish the terrorist infrastructure in the areas it controls. India has slammed Pakistan for again exploiting the UNHRC platform to spread its malicious propaganda. First Secretary of Indias Permanent Mission in Geneva Pawan Kumar Badhe rejected Pakistans comments, saying, They dont deserve our answer. India also disagreed with the factually wrong and unjustified statements made against it in the OICs statement (OIC). In exercising its right to reply to Pakistans declaration, India said that Islamabad had a dismal track record of advancing and defending the human rights of its citizens. Its horrific history of genocide in what was then East Pakistan and is now Bangladesh, almost 50 years ago, is well known and does not require reiteration. In its blunt reaction, Badhe said that Pakistans boldness in acting as a self-described torchbearer for the human rights of the Indian people is revolting. He said that the majority of terrorists who are outlawed globally had been operating freely in Pakistan. Thus, Pakistan is accountable for infringing on the most fundamental human rightthe right to lifeof their innocent victims, endangering the peace and security of not only my nation but also the whole region. We implore the Council and its procedures to demand that Pakistan take action to cease state-sponsored terrorism and destroy terrorist infrastructure in the areas it controls added Badhe. He claimed that when it comes to protecting minorities right to freedom of religion or belief, Pakistan has one of the poorest records. The tragic reality for Pakistans Hazara, Shia, Ahmadiya, Hindu, Sikh, and Christian minorities includes extrajudicial executions, rape, kidnapping, forced conversion to Islam, forced marriage of young girls, and attacks on sites of worship. Religious intolerance has been fostered by discriminatory laws and the law enforcement communitys willful indifference, which has resulted in unending victimisation of minorities he said. According to Badhe, it is past time for the Council and its institutions to hold Pakistan accountable for the institutionalised discrimination and systematic oppression of its religious and racial minorities. Pakistan has utilised extrajudicial kidnappings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and torture as instruments of state policy to persecute dissent and target human rights advocates, political activists, students, and journalists. People in places like Balochistan have been persecuted and subjected to political and other forms of repression for decades he said. Therefore, Pakistan would be wise to take care of its own affairs before criticising others. If Pakistan had addressed Pakistans deteriorating human rights situation in its remarks, the Council would have benefited he added. According to Badhe, OIC has not managed to stop Pakistan from abusing its forums. We disagree with the OICs statements inaccurate and inappropriate allusions to India. We regret that the OIC nations, with whom we have strong connections, have not been able to stop Pakistan from abusing OIC venues to spread false information against India he added. In its remarks during the general session of the UN Human Rights Council, Pakistan mentioned Jammu & Kashmir. In addition, it sent an envoy to speak on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to the Council. Read more: Vedanta-Foxconn chooses Gujarat to set up semiconductor plant worth Rs 1.54 lakh cr - Advertisement - As part of a massive drive for infrastructure development, senior military officials said on Friday that almost all advanced stations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh will have one sizable helipad each for fast mobilisation of troops and military equipment. According to them, the forward posts and Army units are all being connected to an optical fibre network and will each have its own satellite terminal to improve overall communication and monitoring. Switch remotely piloted aircraft, which the Army has already deployed in huge numbers to forward stations to monitor Chinese activity around the LAC. Brigadier TM Sinha, commander of a Mountain Brigade in eastern Arunachal Pradesh, told a group of visiting journalists, We are now giving a significant push to the infrastructure development in the forward areas in the eastern sector. According to the officials, the Army has equipped its units in Arunachal Pradesh with a sizable number of US-made all-terrain vehicles, 7.62mm Israeli Negev Light Machine Guns, and several other deadly weaponry as part of the capability building project. According to them, the helipads are being constructed at the advanced posts to make it easier for the Chinook 47 (F) helicopters, which were purchased from the US as part of a 2015 agreement, to land and take off. The Chinook is a multi-purpose vertical-lift platform that can carry people, artillery, equipment, and fuel. The choppers are heavily employed to improve Indias military readiness in the eastern part of the country. According to Brigadier Sinha, the helipad construction would ease Chinook operation in forward regions and will ensure speedy transportation of equipment and soldiers. Following the conflict in eastern Ladakh that started in 2020, the government has been heavily promoting infrastructure development along the approximately 3,500 km long LAC. In mountainous areas near the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh, the Army has stationed a sizable number of easily transportable M-777 ultra light howitzers. The Army now has the ability to swiftly move the M-777 from one location to another according on operational requirements since it can be transported in Chinook helicopters. Following a violent altercation in the Pangong lake regions on May 5, 2020, the Indian and Chinese forces engaged in a stalemate along the eastern Ladakh border. Both sides steadily increased their deployment by bringing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy equipment. Following a fatal altercation in Galwan Valley, the tense situation worsened. The two parties concluded the disengagement process in the Gogra region and on the north and south banks of the Pangong lake last year as a result of numerous military and diplomatic discussions. Both sides declared on Thursday that disengagement has started at Patrolling Point 15 in the Gogra-Hotsprings region. Currently, each side has between 50,000 and 60,000 soldiers deployed along the LAC in the sensitive area. Read more: Indian and Chinese troops syphoning from western Himalayas - Advertisement - Lakhimpur Keri : On Wednesday night, the remains of two young sisters from the Scheduled Caste community were discovered hanging from a tree in Tamoli Purva hamlet, which is within the jurisdiction of the Nighasan police station in the Lakhimpur Kheri district. Villagers from the area and the relatives of the girls protested and blocked the road to seek justice for the victims. Three men have been accused of rape and murder by the deceaseds relatives, who also mounted a protest near the village at the Nighasan crossing. SP for Lakhimpur Kheri Sanjiv Suman and the police arrived at the scene of the demonstration quickly and gave the locals assurances that the accused would face harsh punishment. Laxmi Singh, the inspector general (IG) of police for the Lucknow region, stated to ANI that two dead girls bodies had been discovered hanging from a tree in a field outside of a village in Lakhimpur Kheri. The bodies had no visible wounds. Reports from the post-mortem on the bodies are pending. Other matters to be determined following post-mortem. Well work to move the investigation along, the IG added. The police representatives who were there pleaded with the people to stop their blockage and assist with the autopsy. Congress has raised concerns about the states law and order as a result of the incident. Laxmi Singh, the inspector general (IG) of police for the Lucknow region, stated to ANI that two dead girls bodies had been discovered hanging from a tree in a field outside of a village in Lakhimpur Kheri. The bodies had no visible wounds. Reports from the post-mortem on the bodies are pending. Other matters to be determined following post-mortem. Well work to move the investigation along, the IG added. The police representatives who were there pleaded with the people to stop their blockage and assist with the autopsy. Congress has raised concerns about the states law and order as a result of the incident. Congresswoman Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lashed out at the state administration while expressing her sorrow over the occurrence, saying, The incident of the death of two sisters in Lakhimpur (UP) is heart-wrenching. According to the relatives, the girls were taken in broad daylight. Giving bogus adverts every day on television and in newspapers does not enhance law and order. After all, why is UP experiencing an increase in terrible crimes against women? However, the investigation in the matter is still underway. Read Also: Ashok Gehlot questions BJP for their remarks on the Bharat Jodo Yatra STUDY EXPLORES WHY THINKING HARD MAKES YOU FEEL TIRED NEW YORK (AP) In a memoir Anne Heche worked on over the past year, the actor shared candid thoughts on her relationship with Ellen DeGeneres in the late 1990s, when they were among Hollywood's first openly gay couples. "I was labeled outrageous because I fell in love with a woman. I had never been with a woman before I dated Ellen," Heche wrote in Call Me Anne, which Start Publishing has scheduled for January. Heche, whose films included Donnie Brasco and Wag the Dog, died Aug. 14 at age 53 after a car crash in Los Angeles. In her lifetime, Heche said that Hollywood effectively blacklisted her because of her being with DeGeneres, who around the same time made television history by having her character in the sitcom Ellen come out as gay. I did not, personally, identify as a lesbian. I simply fell in love! It was, to be clear, as odd to me as anyone else. There were no words to describe how I felt," Heche wrote in her book, a sequel to the memoir Call Me Crazy, published in 2001. "Gay didnt feel right, and neither did straight. Alien might be the best fit, I sometimes thought. What, why, and how I fell in love with a person instead of their gender, I would have loved to have answered if anyone had asked, but as I said earlier, no one ever did. I am happy that I was able to tell you in this book once and for all. Start, an independent publisher based in Hoboken, New Jersey, shared the excerpt this week with The Associated Press. The book's publisher, Jarred Weisfeld, says that he signed a deal with Heche in May and that she had turned in a manuscript shortly before she died. She will also write about having Harrison Ford as a mentor, along with stories about Alec Baldwin, Ivan Reitman and Oliver Stone, among others. The book's release was first announced by Publishers Weekly. Heche had mentioned writing a memoir during a podcast earlier this year, in which she promised that some of the truths about her and DeGeneres would be included. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WATERBURY Attorney clashes during the first day of the Alex Jones Sandy Hook trial to determine defamation damages Jones must pay an FBI agent and eight families who lost loved ones in the school shooting indicated how far both sides will go to win the jurys confidence. More than that, the frequent opening day battles between Jones high-profile New Haven attorney Norm Pattis and lawyers for the families which had to be refereed by an increasingly upset state Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis foreshadowed confrontations to come in a trial expected to last five weeks. Each of these parents and family members here transformed their grief and rage over the death of a loved one into promoting school safety and an end to gun violence, Pattis told the jury of six and a packed courtroom gallery during opening statements Tuesday. Do they overstate the harm Alex caused them because they want to silence him because they disagree with his political views? I would say yes. After the families lead attorney Chris Mattei objected to the judge that Pattis argument was beyond the agreed-upon scope of helping a jury decide what damages Jones should pay families he defamed, Pattis responded to the judge that we believe their damage claims are exaggeratedand they have transformed their grief into political weapons. Objection, Mattei protested, prompting the judge to order Pattis to discontinue his line of argument and move on with his opening statement. Once Pattis finished his opening statement the judge dismissed the jury to discuss again with the attorneys the limited parameters of the trial in short that Jones could not argue his innocence because he had already been found liable for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, breach of privacy, and violation of Connecticuts Unfair Trade Practice Act. Jones was found liable after the judge defaulted Jones for abuse of the pretrial process in 2021. The jury should be instructed that Alex Jones intended to make these statements knowing they were wrong, Mattei pleaded with the judge, insinuating that Pattis had crossed the line on purpose. I hadnt intended to go as far as I did until I heard (Matteis) opening statement, Pattis objected. (Mattei) said Alex Jones must be stopped. Pattis was referring to Matteis opening comments to the jury Tuesday morning when Mattei said, We are never going to put these lies back in the bottle. But there are other families out there and the question is going to be where is Alex Jones when that happens? Mattei said, looking into the eyes of the jurors. Will you stop him? Jones is on trial for a second time in as many months where its up to a jury to award defamation damages after Jones called the 2012 massacre of 20 first-graders and six educators staged, synthetic, manufactured, a giant hoax, and completely fake with actors. In the beginning of August, a Texas jury awarded $49 million in defamation damages to the parents of a slain Sandy Hook boy who Jones defamed. A third trial to award defamation damages to the parents of another slain Sandy Hook boy is planned in Texas for the first two weeks of December. If last months Texas trial is an indication of what Connecticut should watch for over the next five weeks in Waterbury, its to expect the unexpected. The Texas case was as notable for its surprises and dramatic encounters as it was for its verdict. Perhaps the biggest surprise moment was when a lawyer for the parents revealed in open court that Jones attorneys had mistakenly sent the other side years of Jones cellphone records. Jones is expected to testify in Waterbury next week, his attorney said. Clashes between Pattis and Mattei over the boundaries of the trial reached a peak Tuesday afternoon as Pattis was cross-examining William Aldenberg, an FBI agent who responded to the school shooting scene. Aldenberg is one of the 15 people who Jones defamed in the Connecticut lawsuit. During questioning Pattis brought up Hillary Clinton a reference to an argument that the Sandy Hook defamation lawsuits were instigated by Clinton to get political revenge against Jones. Bellis has stricken Pattis from using that argument because its outside the scope of damages that the jury is considering. When Pattis mentioned Clinton, the judge excused the jury so it would not see the fight that followed. We believe this issue started with Hillary Clinton, Pattis said. I already ruled on the Clinton issue, and we are moved on from that, Bellis said. (Pattis) is trying to argue the idea somehow that Mr. Jones has been silenced by all of these lawsuits which are designed to introduce politics to the jury, Mattei protested. We believe this is step in a trial strategy to politicize this casewhich has no bearing in this default. Pattis and Mattei began to talk at the same time with elevated voices. Counsel! Bellis shouted in the loudest voice of the trial so far. Sidebar. As the three conferred quietly at the judges bench, the only whispered words that could be heard from the courtroom gallery was the judges warning to the attorneys, Im not going to have it rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342 HAMDEN Police say a man was robbed at gunpoint by two people midday Tuesday. Hamden police said they responded to the intersection of Sebec Street and Leo Road around noon for a report of a street robbery. Officers determined that the victim, a male, had been robbed after he arranged to meet with a person to buy a vehicle he found on social media, police said. Two people wearing masks and wielding guns robbed the victim before fleeing toward Leo Road in a suspected black sedan with tinted windows, according to police. The victim was not injured during the encounter, police said. Anyone with information regarding the robbery, including surveillance footage, can contact Det. Shawn Nutcher of the Hamden Police Departments Major Crimes Unit at 203-287-4812 or snutcher@hamdenpd.com. caroline.tien@hearst.com NEW YORK (AP) Kanye West is breaking up with the Gap. An attorney for Kanye West, who goes by Ye, told The Associated Press that a letter has been sent to the clothing chain Thursday seeking to terminate the contract between Gap and West's company, Yeezy. The clash comes a little over a year after Yeezys first item a blue puffer jacket appeared in Gap stores. The deal was announced in June 2020 to much fanfare. In the letter that West's lawyer shared with The AP on Thursday, it said that Gap failed to meet obligations in the pact, including distributing merchandise to Gap store locations and creating dedicated YZY Gap stores. Gap left Ye no choice but to terminate their collaboration agreement because of Gaps substantial noncompliance," said Nicholas Gravante, West's attorney with Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft, in an emailed statement to the AP. Ye had diligently tried to work through these issues with Gap both directly and through counsel. He has gotten nowhere. Gravante said that Gap's failure to comply with the terms of the contract has been costly. He said West plans to begin opening Yeezy retail stores. Gap confirmed that the pact was ending in a memo to its employees. Simply put ... while we share a vision of bringing high-quality, trend-forward, utilitarian design to all people through unique omni experiences with Yeezy Gap, how we work together to deliver this vision is not aligned," Mark Breitbard, president and CEO of Gap Brand told employees in the memo. And we are deciding to wind down the partnership. The company plans to continue to sell the Yeezy Gap products that were in the pipeline. West has unleashed criticism on social media against Gap as well as Adidas AG where he has a similar deal. Adidas declined to comment. The San Francisco retailer had been hoping the partnership with West would resonate with customers in a period of declining sales. For Yeezy, being in more than 1,100 Gap stores worldwide would have put his brand in front of more people. West has had a history with Gap. He worked at one of its stores in Chicago as a teenager. And he told Vanity Fair magazine back in 2015 that he wanted to be creative director for the brand. ___ Follow Anne DInnocenzio on Twitter. NEW HAVEN Board of Alders President Tyisha Walker-Myers, D-23, will set up a working group to review the way the board interacts with the Board of Education after a school board member raised concerns about bidding before the alders Finance Committee. School board member Darnell Goldson alleged, among other things, that the BOE structured its bus contract and other contracts to avoid alders scrutiny and minimize competition and that when it put some contracts, including its $27 million bus contract, out to bid, it didnt allow enough time for other companies looking to bid to properly prepare bid packages. This contributes to a lack of competition, Goldson said, and this lack of competition contributes to higher costs. He asked the alders to change the procedures to eliminate the work-around so they cannot have five-year contracts that look like one-year contracts. Walker-Myers said near the end of the meeting that she already was looking at what changes alders might want to make in the way it works with the Board of Education. Its been a very long time since weve taken a look at these, she said. People can expect to see a communication from me with regard to forming a small working group to begin reviewing procedures, she said. Finance Committee Chairman Adam Marchand, D-25, said the rules that govern how the city and school board deal with each other are very important and discussion of how they might be improved are overdue. Board of Education spokesman Justin Harmon said the school system follows all the citys purchasing procedures, Goldson has some of his facts wrong and the bus contract was in fact a multi-year contract that did receive alders approval. Goldson, a seven-year Board of Education member, said that with a budget of $397.1 million, its the Board of Educations responsibility both to educate our children and make the most of taxpayer dollars. Since hes been in office, We did much to move the financial reporting forward and increase transparency and oversight, he said. Goldson said in a letter to Walker-Myers that during my time on the BOE I have witnessed a contract awarding process that seems to morph and change over time, mainly based on who is in charge. Ive also seen policies that creatively skirt city ordinances as well as Board of Education policies. In addition, I have observed a contracting process which ignored ordinances designed to protect New Haven based contractors, Goldson wrote. Harmon denied that the school system skirts city purchasing policies and procedures. In putting contracts out to bid or developing RFPs, the New Haven Public Schools strictly follows the City of New Havens purchasing policies and procedures, Harmon said. In fact, the citys purchasing platform incorporates procedural checks to ensure that city procedures are being followed as a precondition for completing a contract. The school district decides whether to set up a contract as a multiyear contract or a single-year renewable contract based entirely on what services are being purchased and on market circumstances, Harmon wrote. Oversight is a given in either case, whether by the Board of Alders or the Board of Education. To suggest that the school district opts for one form of contract over another in order to avoid scrutiny is a serious disservice, he wrote. Such an attempt would be futile in any case. The transportation contract cited by Mr. Goldson in his testimony to the Alders was, in fact, a multiyear contract, Harmon wrote. It is attached. Please note that it stipulates approval by both the Board of Education and the Board of Alders. Goldson said its true that the most recent bus contract was a multi-year contract approved by the Alders. He said that was only because he insisted on it, and that some past contracts were not done that way and the bus contract was not the only one that has been structured that way. He also pointed out that he also raised questions about the short terms allowed between when bids are advertised and when they are due, and said, The reason why we are in that bus contract right now is because no one else was able to bid. A recently-awarded cleaning contract for which the school system is now being sued by the former cleaning contractor, former Beaver Hills Alder Shafiq Abdussaburs Eco-Urban Pioneers was awarded to a Massachusetts-based contractor as a one-year contract with options for four additional one-year renewals. Abdussabur read a written statement to the Finance Committee but Marchand would not allow questions about the cleaning contract because its part of an active court case. School district Chief Operating Officer Thomas Lamb said in an email that the practice of utilizing an annual contract with multiple renewals is not a new practice and is in compliance with the City of New Haven purchasing primer. ... This has been a practice of the city Purchasing Department, NHPS and all departments for many years. Walker-Myers and Alders Jeanette Morrison, D-22, Ernie Santiago, D-15, Steven Winter, D-21, and Anna Festa, D-10, all asked questions about BOE procurement procedures. Walker-Myers asked, among other things, how far in advance Goldson thought the board should initiate bid solictations. Goldson said it should be at least six months. In addition to Goldson and Abdussabur, speakers addressing the Finance Committee on the issue included Rod Williams, co-owner of a local landscaping company that has tried and failed to land the schools snow removal contract; the Rev. Boise Kimber, who criticized the lack of contracts going to Black city residents; and four representatives of We Transport Inc., a Bridgeport-based bus company that has tried to land the bus contract. Company past-president Bart Marksohn said We Transport, now owned by a Massachusetts company, wanted to bid the last time New Havens bus contract came up but we just couldnt put together a package in that amount of time. He also pointed out that in Bridgeport, whether its a one-year or a five-year contract, the city has to approve it. Marksohn also said the city could save money and have better coverage should any one company have problems by splitting the $27 million contract into smaller contracts. If you put a 350-vehicle contract out, youre only going to have a few people who are interested and were one of them, Marksohn said. But if you split it up to 150 buses, you might have real competition. mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com . : Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives, says President Muhammadu Buhari may present the 2023 budget to the national asse... Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives, says President Muhammadu Buhari may present the 2023 budget to the national assembly in October. Gbajabiamila disclosed this on Wednesday during the inspection of the ongoing renovation work on the green chamber, as well as the construction of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) office. According to NAN, he said the president will present and lay before the two chambers of the national assembly, the proposed N19.76 trillion budget for the 2023 financial year next month. I am hoping that the budget will be presented latest by the first week of October, he said. On the ongoing national assembly renovation, the speaker said the temporary chamber will be ready for use when the house resumes from its two-month recess next week Tuesday, September 20, 2022. He said the 10th assembly would most likely be inaugurated in the temporary chamber, except the project managers would be able to complete the renovation of the main chamber months before the scheduled deadline. You see that the old chamber has been ripped apart. The innovations are going to be state-of-the-art. We will at the end of the day be proud to have a chamber that matches the best standard all over the world. I am quite impressed with the work so far, he said. I will encourage them to double the pace. Because as it is, unfortunately, or fortunately, this is not for the benefit of the 9th assembly, it is for the benefit of the 10th assembly. The old chamber is not going to be ready until sometime in August 2023 so we are talking about close to a year. But so far so good, we are happy and this temporary site is where we will be sitting for the next nine or 10 months. It is honestly a far cry from where we used to be but they have done well in adapting. The 10th assembly is most likely (taking off here) unless work can be accelerated but we dont want to accelerate work and compromise the quality of work. So it is better late but done well, everything worth doing is worth doing well. Speaking also at the construction site, Bassey Etuk, NASC commissioner, said the 400-capacity building was pegged at the cost of N11.6 billion. This project is the permanent site of the NASC and the reasons we are moving here are various: security, proximity to the service targeted functions, he said. Here we have enough space, we are presently at an occupied rented apartment and here we cater for all our needs. Controversial Nollywood actress, Nkechi Blessing Sunday has disclosed that she dated Opeyemi Falegan to make her US-based ex-lover jealous... Controversial Nollywood actress, Nkechi Blessing Sunday has disclosed that she dated Opeyemi Falegan to make her US-based ex-lover jealous. Adding that she never expected that their relationship would get serious. The actress who was a guest on the popular morning show, Your View with TV host Morayo Afolabi aired on TVC, said she was revealing this for people not to make the kind of mistake she made in the heat of break up because she just wanted to get back at her ex. She said, He was the one that loved me more. I recently broke off a relationship with my ex who lives in America and then in the heat of the break-up, he started posting a girl covering her face, and I realised that there was this man asking me out. So that was me trying to use him to get back at my ex, then I landed in a relationship. Speaking further, Nkechi Blessing confirmed that she is in a new relationship with a 27-year-old man. Reacting to Nkechi Blessings latest revelation, Falegan said the actress was out of content which is why she has never stopped mentioning his name. Once I have a reason to go, I will never find an excuse to come back. Nkechi and Falegan fell apart in April after they stormed social media to throw accusations at each other as they announced their breakup. Opeyemi Falegan, the estranged lover of Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing, alleged that the actress dated him only for his money and s_x. The lawmaker representing Osun Central senatorial district and the Senate spokesperson, Ajibola Basiru has said the stand of the 19 Northe... The lawmaker representing Osun Central senatorial district and the Senate spokesperson, Ajibola Basiru has said the stand of the 19 Northern States Governors for the immediate establishment of State Police will trigger the revisit of the bill in the National Assembly. The Northern Governors under the aegis of the Northern Governors Forum, NGF and Northern Traditional Rulers Council, had, in a meeting in Abuja called for the immediate establishment of State Police to address the continued security challenges in the country. Basiru who had sponsored the bill in the Senate said he will re-introduce the bill with the new knowledge and reality. He noted this during his two hall meeting with constituents at Irepodun, Orolu, Olorunda and Osogbo Federal constituency held in Osogbo on Thursday. In his words, I sponsored a bill on State Police but unfortunately, the bill was not allowed to see the light of day at the constitutional review committee. But happily enough, northern governors and stakeholders have said they are for state police. I believe we are going to re-introduce the bill and then with the new knowledge and reality that we need state police. The Senate spokesman explained that the town hall meeting is to sensitize people on the senates responsibility in terms of law-making, attracting meaningful projects and making a distinction between legislators work and that of the executive arm of the government. He said other bills he has sponsored are a bill for an act to alter the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for the establishment of the political parties registration and regulation commission and related matters, 2019. A bill for an act to provide for the regulation and jurisdiction of the supreme court and court of appeal and related matters, 2020 (SB. 247). A bill for an act to alter the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for conferment of jurisdiction on magistrate courts to hear matters on enforcement of fundamental rights and matters connected thereto 2021, among others. The national security council (NSC) says the National Taskforce on Prohibition of Illegal, Importation/Smuggling of Arms, Ammunition, Ligh... The national security council (NSC) says the National Taskforce on Prohibition of Illegal, Importation/Smuggling of Arms, Ammunition, Light Weapons, Chemical Weapons and Pipeline Vandalism (NATFORCE) is illegal. Speaking with journalists after the NSC meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, Rauf Aregbesola, minister of interior, said the council agreed that the organisation is illegal and that it should disband itself. A bill passed by the senate in July seeks to establish a national commission for the coordination and control of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country. The legislation is a consolidation of three bills one proposed by the executive, and the other two sponsored by senators. The house of representatives is yet to pass the bill. Buhari had blamed the influx of small arms into the country on the crisis in Libya, which he said fuelled insecurity in Nigeria. Libya has not been stable since the Arab Spring of 2011 and this has led to a humanitarian crisis in the oil-rich country. In 2021, Buhari approved the establishment of a national centre for the control of small arms and light weapons (NCCSALW). Aregbesola also said the investigation into the Kuje correctional facility attack by gunmen is still work in progress. Militant leaders of the Niger-Delta region are currently at war over the N4.5 billion monthly pipeline surveillance contract awarded to fo... Militant leaders of the Niger-Delta region are currently at war over the N4.5 billion monthly pipeline surveillance contract awarded to former leader of Movement for the Emancipation of Niger-Delta, MEND, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, by the Federal Government, with Alhaji Asari Dokubo, yesterday, alleging that he (Tompolo) bluntly refused to involve him and other ex-militant leaders in a $144 million coastal protection contract ex-President Goodluck Jonathan gave to all of them during his tenure. Dokubo, leader of Niger-Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, NDPVF, has launched series of verbal attacks on Tompolo since the Federal Government, through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, awarded the pipeline surveillance contract to Tompolo and other contractors in the Niger-Delta. It will be recalled that Commander of defunct MEND, Victor-Ben Ebikabowei, aka Boyloaf, and other ex-militant leaders and stakeholders of the Niger Delta, had on Monday, lashed out at Dokubo over his recent outburst against Tompolo over the pipeline surveillance contract. The Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, the South-South regional group, and Ijaw National Congress, INC, the umbrella socio-cultural body of Ijaw ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta, had also intervened in the simmering feud. This came as Niger Delta activist and Itsekiri leader, Chief Rita-Lori Ogbebor, yesterday warned the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, withdraw the pipeline contract awarded to Tompolo, describing it as invitation to anarchy. Reacting, yesterday, Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, IPDI, a rights group in Niger-Delta, yesterday, urged FG to disregard the call by Lori-Ogbebor to revoke the pipeline surveillance contract awarded Tompolo. Defunct MEND commander, Boyloaf, who spoke for other ex-militant leaders had said on Tuesday: I condemn the attack on Tompolo by Dokubo-Asari. This is unacceptable and unexpected of a leader of his calibre. He is qualified for the contract and Dokubo-Asari did not oppose when somebody else from Edo State, the late Capt Hosa Okunbo did a similar contract in Rivers. His company still operates in Rivers. Tompolo just a technical partner Source We could not reach Tompolo for comments on Dokubos allegations yesterday, but a source familiar with the matter said: Maybe he is talking about the Global West Vessel Specialist Nigeria Limiteds $103 million security contract with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA. Besides, the job was not a contract, it was a PPP arrangement which Global West provided platforms to shore up NIMASAs revenue base above 50 per cent, and only shares from the remaining 50 per cent in the ratio of 60 per cent to Federal Government and Global West 40 per cent. It is common knowledge that President Muhammadu Buhari ended this very contract shortly after he assumed office. Tompolo, as a technical partner, was affected and could not have been involved as Dokubo thought. Jonathan confirmed job is for us Dokubo However, Dokubo, who did not hide his anger over the Tompolo contract, in a Facebook video, said the Amanyanabo of Okirika, King Ateke Tom, Victor- Ben Ebikabowei, a.k.a. Boyloaf, he, and other ex-militant leaders visited former President Jonathan while he was in office, and confirmed that the contract was for all of them, adding that Tompolo stuck to his guns. Though Dokubo admitted executing and receiving payment for a pipeline surveillance contract under Jonathan, he said this in a conversation with Tompolo after he sealed the current contract. In addition, he spoke about why he (Dokubo) will not go to Oporoza to meet Tompolo. He said: Many people have called me about Tompolo getting a contract. I do not have a problem with Tompolo having a contract, never, and I will never have a problem with Tompolo or any other person. Tompolo had been doing contracts, I never complained. Now, during the time of Goodluck (former President), he awarded through NIMASA a coastal protection contract to Tompolo, Amanyanabo Ateke Tom, myself, Boyloaf, Egberipapa, Farah and everybody went to meet with the former President and he said the contract was for all of us. And we left that place. We tried to communicate with Tompolo. He said the contract was exclusively his. We did not want to raise an eyebrow over the $144 million that they gave him per year. He did that contract for two years. He did not give anybody a dime. Today, they lied that the Trans-Nembe line contract was the Olu of Warris, who has Rivers State; it is a lie. I am talking of Kalabari, I am not talking of Rivers State. 83 kilometers of pipeline pass through Kalabari, through my native Kula, my native Ilama to Cawthorne Channel. They gave it to him. People said he is not a greedy man. If a man can take $144 million that the former President gave us, Goodluck is alive, let them meet him. Boyloaf was there, Ateke was there, ask them. I will not try to please anybody; he vehemently refused that the contract is his, that he will involve nobody and did not involve any of us. I do not need anybodys respect, you do not have to respect me, I will say the truth. You cannot take what is Gbaramatus, after taking Gbaramatu, you want to take Kalabaris own (portion). I do not want to talk about these things but when you make comments, I will talk about it, and I will clarify issues. So, if the Olu of Warri has taken Rivers State, he took this, he took that, what was the approach of Olu of Warri to the people from where they gave them and the approach of Tompolo? Did Tompolo reach out to anybody when he got the contract? He assembled small boys at Oporoza and people started complaining, and he said we should come to Oporoza. Why I will not go to Oporoza I spoke to him on the phone; I am older than him; that I should take my two legs, enter a boat, and go to Oporoza. Amanyanabo Ateke should take his two legs, enter a boat, and come to Oporoza. All the others should come, they went because they want the money, I cannot condescend to that level because of money and go to Oporoza. What is the approach of the Olu of Warri to the people within the area that he operates, how has the Olu of Warri been reaching out to the people? Did he sit somewhere and be sending people or even if he sent people, did he ask all of them to come to Ode-Itsekiri or to Warri to meet him in his palace? Reacting to the contract awarded Tompolo yesterday, Chief Lori-Ogbebor lambasted the Federal Government for failing in its responsibility to manage oil resources in the Niger Delta and maintaining peace in the country. Addressing newsmen in Abuja, she said: I have called you because of the anarchy in our land. There is anarchy in Niger Delta. Some weeks ago, I was a guest at national television and they sought my position on insecurity in the country. What they asked was connected to the train tragedy. But I told him then that the instability in the country, which is in the Northern areas of the country is little compared to what was coming in Niger Delta. I said there will be anarchy and it will be very serious. I told the anchor people should be worried about what is happening in the Niger Delta for two reasons. One, the Niger Delta is where the food is produced, the food basket of the nation and is also what gives us foreign exchange. Till today, people have been crying about foreign exchange and it keeps worsening every day. It is not only that our food basket will stop, our food production, even the foreign exchange of Nigeria will keep going down the drains. I told them, kidnapping is one thing but killing, bloodshed and kidnapping, alongside lack of foreign exchange will be double tragedy. At the time I said it, they said I did not understand the question posed to me. But I am sure now that they understand. It is not more than four weeks and everyone is running amok, with revelations coming out. When I talked about small and big thieves, they did not understand me. When I talked about vessels being used to take our oil to the high seas and oil bunkering, they did not understand me. I warned then that it is not the small thieves that they should worry about but the big thieves and since then, they have pursued vessels out of our waters. Mallam Kyari, GMD of NNPC agreed that everybody is involved in the stealing, that they even found pipelines in churches and mosques. That is how bad it is. I said then that the problem we have is FG, all they do, instead of tackling this problem, is to give few people money to go and give few boys in the communities. She noted that the award of the humongous contract sum to one individual in the Niger Delta is a clear demonstration of government abdicating its responsibilities to the people. Chief Lori-Egbebor cautioned that both state and federal governments must demonstrate the needed political will to implement the NDDC Master Plan and avoid enriching few individuals to the detriment of the common good of the people of Niger Delta, insisting that failure to heed the advice could spell doom for the country. In fact, it is unable to manage oil in Niger Delta, take control of the country. They now went back to what we cried against some years ago, dumping money in the hands of some people, abdicating their responsibility to the people to take care of Niger Delta. This was why a week ago, they handed over pipeline surveillance to Tompolo and another man who is part of them, Dokubo has come out to say no, that Tompolo is nobody, and that he dared not come to his area. I am not to say who is right or who is wrong but the truth is that you dare not go to another mans land to take care of what he laboured to plant. So, Dokubo has said it, that when they were fighting the Itsekiris, they knew that the oil in Delta State belong to Itsekiris but they all converged to fight the Itsekiris, that the main oil is in Ijaw land Bayelsa, Rivers, Kalabari and other areas. Now, Dokubo has said Tompolo should not come to his area, whose area will Tompolo go with money being paid to him to look after? Because it is clear now that Itsekiri people have more oil in Delta State than anybody else? What is the Federal Government going to do? Now the house is divided against itself? The Federal Government is busy creating NNPC Limited to come and carry oil in the Niger Delta, and they want to do that very quickly, and talk unequivocally as if all is well but all is not well. Recently, Dokubo was brandishing assorted weapons and the Federal Government kept quiet. If this is allowed to continue, anarchy will consume the nation. The Federal Government must stand up to its responsibility against any form of lawlessness and do the needful, so that peace will return to Niger Delta and Nigeria in general. To achieve a lasting peace in the region, FG must withdraw the Tompolo pipeline contract award, constitute NDDC board properly and ensure a holistic implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) project will create wealth and improve... The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) project will create wealth and improve the standard of living. Mele Kyari, group chief executive officer (GCEO), NNPC, said this on Thursday in Morocco during the signing ceremony of the projects memoranda of understanding (MoU). The NNPC, National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines of Morocco (ONHYM) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) signed the agreement. Other agreements were between NNPC, ONHYM and Mauritanian Hydrocarbons Company (SMH) of Mauritania, as well as NNPC, ONHYM and Petrosen of Senegal. Kyari described the signing as an important milestone in the NMGP project as it reaffirms the commitment of stakeholders to deliver on the project. He said concerted efforts by the Nigerian government and the Kingdom of Morocco led to commendable achievements. The NNPC GMD expressed appreciation to King Mohammed VI of Morocco and President Muhammadu Buhari for entrusting NNPC Limited with the strategic project. As you are aware, our countries stand to benefit immeasurably from the execution of the project, which extends beyond the supply of gas to energise the countries along the route, he said. Some of the benefits include the creation of wealth and improvement in the standard of living, integration of the economies within the region, mitigation against desertification and other benefits that will accrue as a result of a reduction in carbon emission. I am glad to say that NNPC is well positioned to progress the project by leveraging our experience and technical capabilities ranging from gas production, processing, transmission and marketing as well as our vast experience in executing major gas infrastructure projects in Nigeria. On our part, NNPC Limited will facilitate the continuous supply of gas and provide other enablers such as the required land for the first compressor station for the pipeline to be deployed in Nigeria, which is among the thirteen stations earmarked along the pipeline route. On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, I would like to thank you all as we continue to strengthen our partnership for the benefit of our countries. The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) project is an initiative of the federal government and the Kingdom of Morocco, conceived during the visit of King Mohammed VI of Morocco to Nigeria in December 2016. It is aimed at monetising Nigerias natural gas resources, thereby generating additional revenue for the country, diversifying gas export routes and eliminating gas flaring. Once completed, the project is expected to supply about 3 billion standard cubic feet per day of gas along the West African coast from Nigeria to Morroco, 13 ECOWAS countries and Europe. The pipeline will originate from Brass island, Bayelsa and terminate in the north of Morocco, where it will be connected to the existing Maghreb European Pipeline (MEP) that originates from Algeria via Morocco to Spain. MBABANE A lack of response to a dismissal letter and alleged misconduct have compelled EFF Swaziland to make public the termination of membership of former Secretary General Ncamiso Ngcamphalala. However, Ngcamphalala has denied knowledge of a dismissal letter prior to the publishing of the statement on his membership termination. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Swaziland Executive released a statement on the formal dismissal and termination of membership of Ngcamphalala in the wee hours of yesterday. According to EFF Swaziland President Nombulelo Motsa, the dismissal of Ngcamphalala was long overdue as she disclosed that the organisation had been encountering problems with the now former SG since February 10, 2022. In the statement, his dismissal is attributed to misconduct and tarnishing the image of the organisation in public, both locally and internationally. Misinformation This all started when Ngcamphalala took a singular decision to dissolve the executive of the political party on February 10 and further spread misinformation about the party, alleged Motsa. She said they decided to send him a formal dismissal letter in the past couple of days, however, he had not responded to it, hence the decision to publish the statement of termination of his membership. After suspending him in February, we called him in for a disciplinary hearing. However, he said he did not recognise that hearing. He then later contacted us, wanting to attend the DC but he had already started bringing the organisation to disrepute, alleged the political partys president. She further said his inability to respond to the dismissal letter prompted them to publish a statement announcing his formal dismissal from the organisation. In the statement, published on their official media pages, they accuse Ngcamphalala of being a sell-out, stating that his utterances on being the founder of the organisation were fallacy and that the party was formed by a collective concerned emaSwati. In short, it was a collective input, not this fallacy by Ngcamphalala, read in part the statement. Other allegations, which cannot be repeated due to their defamatory nature, were also included in the statement. When reached for comment, the former EFF Swaziland secretary general said he had seen the statement, however, he learnt from an online media publication that his membership had been formally terminated. He further claimed that he had not been formally engaged on his dismissal. I received this news in the middle of the night on Tuesday that I had been formally dismissed and this was also through a questionnaire sent to me by a reporter from an online publication. I ignored the questionnaire because I did not understand the question, said the former SG. He said he found out on social media that this had been made official after receiving the questionnaire as this coincided with the time the political party published the dismissal statement. However, Ngcamphalala admitted that this was a decision EFF Swaziland took a while ago because of some of the members behaviour towards him. I knew they wanted nothing to do with me and they had been hinting this for a while now. The reason they want me out is because I attempted to expel the party presidents husband, Thulani Motsa, who is also the Treasurer of the organisation, said Ngcamphalala. He further alleged that his reason for attempting to dissolve the executive stemmed from the ambiguity on who was the president of the organisation. The former SG made claims that the president and treasurer received the funds meant for the party, stating that this was when his issue with the executive started. Election I then tried to dissolve the executive in order for the election process to start afresh as the organisations constitution demands that if there is an issue, this was the way to fix things, he said. Ngcamphalala said he was already operating as someone who did not belong to a particular organisation as he could tell that he was no longer welcome to EFF Swaziland, although he had not received a formal correspondence on same. All views that I expressed in public platforms or on social media previously were my own, in my personal capacity and not attributed to any organisation. I had only been expressing my opinion as a political activist, not a member of EFF Swaziland, he said. He said he did not appreciate that his dismissal was tainted with allegations that he had sold information to certain people because this was completely false. I only interact with police officers when I am attending to an ongoing case in which I am implicated in. This is because I have a sedition case pending after being charged for speaking ill against authorities when EFF Swaziland was established, he said. The former SG claimed that EFF Swaziland was founded by him and other former members of Swaziland Democratic Party (SWADEPA), which he was previously a member of. Ngcamphalala said what prevailed now at EFF Swaziland was not a political party but instead a gentlemens club. When you express differing views, they oppose you and this is how the division came about in the party, he said. He further emphasised that allegations to the effect that he was an informant for the police were a lie. I am not spying on anyone and those who are talking to me from the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM) are doing so on their own accord, he said. Ngcamphalala said he was familiar with quite a number of people and that was the reason he communicated with most of them, but he did not at any point compel people to discuss or question their political affiliations. In previously published news in this newspaper, EFF Swaziland President, Motsa, denied allegations that her husband was taking over the party and running it as his own. This was after news of the former SG dissolving the executive of the political party made rounds. Meanwhile, Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO) recently expelled SWALIMO Lubombo District Chairperson Mzwakhe Myeni. Dr. Gustavo Alameda is heading up a clinical trial for a new ALS drug at Holy Cross Health Phil Smith Neuroscience Institute. The experimental ALS drug was funded by proceeds from the Ice Bucket Challenge and is likely to gain FDA approval by the end of the month. People in South Florida already have access to it through clinical trials, and local doctors participating in the trials are encouraged that it could be a good tool to slow the progression of the deadly disease with few treatment options. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel/TNS) LOBAMBA A move to get government to waive the accumulated E230 electricity basic charge for small and medium businesses failed in Parliament yesterday. The attempt to have the electricity charge waived came in the form of a motion which was raised by Lobamba Lomdzala Member of Parliament (MP), Marwick Khumalo, during a sitting in the House of Assembly yesterday. The motion was requesting the Acting Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, Jabulani Mabuza, to inform the House why he was not calling upon the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) to waive the accumulated E230 basic charge for small and medium businesses during the two-year hiatus of COVID-19. The minister told MPs that EEC was inviting all affected businesses to negotiate with the company in terms of agreeing on a staggered payment or in a worse case, pay for three months only as that was part of the mitigating options. However, he said businesses should provide proof that would convince the entity that they were indeed greatly affected by COVID-19 to the point of closure, because as much as there were business disruptions, the company still needed the money for maintenance. This sparked a debate as MPs were anticipating that the E230 charge would be waived as a cushion to the small businesses that got the hardest blow during the COVID-19 era. Ndzingeni MP Lutfo Dlamini said the businesses were closed by government at the height of COVID-19 and it was an executive decision. He asked the minister why government was failing to employ the same executive decision on the matter at hand than advising businesses to go to EEC for mitigation. Siphocosini MP Mduduzi Matsebula wondered why the businessespeople were made to provide proof when it was government who shut down businesses in the first place. What more proof should they have if they were ordered by government to shut down their businesses? he asked. Schools Matsebula also asked why schools and water schemes were not exempted from the E230 electricity charge because schools, in particular, were also closed at the height of COVID-19. Khumalo, who moved the motion, also put it to the minister to give clarity on when the entity actually issued a statement inviting businessespeople to mitigate the charge as earlier revealed by the minister, stating that to his knowledge, there was never a statement on same. He also submitted that some of these businesses were not even making the E230 as profit and he made an example of barbers, who form part of the businesses whose operations were disrupted. Is it fair to pay E230 while one was doing nothing and generating no income? We should be mindful that this is the same government that waived corporate tax, Khumalo said. Nkilongo MP Timothy Myeni spoke on behalf of churches, who are also in the same bracket as the businesses expected to pay the E230 electricity charge, and he requested the minister to substantiate how a church was a business. However, before the minister could respond to that, Kwaluseni MP Mabhanisi Dlamini reminded Myeni that some churches were registered as businesses and the latter was fully aware of that. Mahlangatsha MP Musa Ngcobo wondered why EEC wanted maintenance funds knowing well that businesses were not operational. In his response, Mabuza said businesses had engaged in an agreement with the service provider and that agreement was between the two parties, hence government could not interfere in that agreement nor negotiations between the two parties. Sympathising He said EEC was sympathising with businesses, especially on the disruptions of its operations at the height of COVID-19, but the closure of the businesses did not mean EEC should not get the maintenance money. Take for example your tractor, if it is parked for a long time, you still need to service it, see to it that it is fully functional before it operates again and that comes with costs, he said. When asked why he was failing to call for the waiver as the minister of the responsible ministry, Mabuza said he could not waive because he respected laws of Parliament and he had to check if there was any law that gave him the powers to make a call of this fashion. On churches, the minister said they too got in an agreement with EEC and whether they were businesses or not, they should respect that agreement. This was inclusive of schools and water schemes as asked by Siphocosini MP Mduduzi Matsebula. A photo taken by Vinny Schiraldi, a youth justice expert, during a tour of the proposed youth unit at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola shows the interior of a cell in the unit. Schiraldi testified as an expert witness on behalf of plaintiffs in a lawsuit seeking to halt the plan. Climate change is at the root of an increasing number of blackouts affecting large areas of the country over the past decade, with Louisiana near the top of the list, according to a new report. An analysis published Wednesday by the research nonprofit Climate Central ranks Louisiana sixth among U.S. states with the most power outages caused by hurricanes and other severe weather. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of the extreme weather that wreaks havoc on our power grid - from wildfire to heat waves and hurricanes, the report said. Between 2000 and 2021, more than 80% of all reported power outages were attributed to a weather-related event. The number of blackouts spiked over the past decade, with about 64% more outages than occurred between 2000 and 2010. Louisiana suffered 79 major outages over the past 20 years. The states outage rate followed national trends, growing to an average of about six outages per year over the past 10 years. The state with the most blackouts was Texas, followed by Michigan and then California. Regionally, the Southeast ranked the highest with 474 weather-related outages. The Midwest came in second with 363, and the Northeast was third with 346. Climate Centrals report was based on U.S. Department of Energy data for outages that affected at least 50,000 power customers. While hurricanes, floods and rainstorms have grown in severity, the nations power grid has been slow to adapt. The majority of the nations electrical infrastructure was established decades ago and wasnt built to function in our present-day climate, the report says. Much of the electricity in the U.S. is transmitted above ground via wires, transformers and utility poles - all of which are vulnerable to severe weather. A prime local example was the massive Avondale transmission tower that crumpled onto the Mississippi Rivers banks when Hurricane Ida ripped through Louisiana last year. Outages after Ida left more than a million households and businesses in the dark for days and were a factor in at least a dozen deaths in the New Orleans area. Billions of dollars have been poured into repairing the regions storm-damaged transmission system over the past two years, but much of it relies on just eight lines to get electricity to the area. Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans say the improvements theyve undertaken in recent months will allow faster recoveries than in the past. With stronger poles and towers, wed be able to rebuild transmission more quickly, Deanna Rodriguez, CEO of Entergy New Orleans, said in May. But Entergys focus has been on fixing whats broken, not replacing whats old and likely to fail. Aging power infrastructure is a national problem. According to 2015 Department of Energy analysis, about two-thirds of transformers and a quarter of all transmission lines are 25 years of age or older, and about 60% of all circuit breakers were installed before 1986. While hurricanes are the obvious threat to Louisianas power grid, Climate Central warned that cold waves are a growing concern in the South. The report highlighted how plummeting temperatures in February 2021 caused power outages throughout the southern region, especially Texas. According to federal estimates, almost 10 million people were without power and about 210 people died due to cold exposure, ice accidents and carbon monoxide poisoning, usually from gas-powered generators. Much of Texas energy infrastructure had not been winterized, leaving components to freeze. About 60% of the generators that went offline in Texas were fueled by natural gas, an energy source thats especially vulnerable to freeze-offs, when wellheads and pipelines seize up from cold temperatures. Climate Central offered several recommendations for building a more weather-resilient power system: Establish self-sufficient microgrids that serve small areas, such as college campuses, hospital complexes and neighborhoods. Microgrids are more easily powered by renewable energy sources, including solar and wind. Replace existing infrastructure with stronger materials. This could include swapping wood power poles with steel or concrete ones. Explore more biodirectional charging, a feature that allows electric vehicles to power homes during blackouts. Offer incentives that encourage power customers to cut back on usage during peak hours. But the biggest impact would be a substantial reduction in the fossil fuel emissions that are rapidly altering the climate and helping trigger the recent spike in weather calamities. Ultimately, cutting emissions is the most meaningful action that can be taken to slow the rate of warming and the mounting stress on our power grid, and to allow more time to plan and adapt to our changing climate, the report said. Could Louisiana open its power market to competition? Utilities hope not. Louisiana is considering whether to overhaul its electric market to break up the monopolies that have controlled power generation and distribution in the state for decades, a possibility that has created battle lines between massive petrochemical plants and Cleco and Entergy, the dominant utilities. Gov. John Bel Edwards gets one of the latest COVID-19 booster shots, this one from Pfizer-BioNTech, administered by LSU Health registered nurse Julie Robicheaux just after getting his yearly flu shot at Our Lady of the Lake North Clinic on Airline Highway in Baton Rouge. MBABANE Murder accused Ntuthuko Dlamini says it is not true that he pursued the other members of the gathering with two guns after the three men had been shot at Mhlabubovu. Ntuthukos uncle, Bhekwako Mkhabela, gave evidence that he stopped the former minister of Public Works and Transport when he allegedly chased those who ran away after the trio of Simon Dlamini, Andreas Tsabedze and Sikhulu Shongwe had been shot on September 7, 2020. The deceased were part of a gathering at Mhlabubovu to allocate a piece of land to one Mbongiseni Dlamini. Sihle Dlamini told the court on Tuesday that after the shooting incident, the others who were part of the gathering ran in different directions and Ntuthuko pursued them. Sihle said had Mkhabela not stopped the accused, he (Sihle) would have been killed that day. Firearms Mkhabela yesterday told the court that he approached the former minister, who had two firearms in his possession, with his hands raised, and told him that a lot of people had been killed and he should stop. However, Ntuthuko denied that he chased the fleeing men. The accused persons attorney, Noncedo Ndlangamandla of Mabila Attorneys, said Ntuthuko approached Mkhabela to speak to him instead. This was during Mkhabelas cross-examination by Ndlangamandla yesterday. Mkhabela told the court that he stopped his nephew when the others were running away. If there was no fence (Dlamini homestead), something could have happened. I came to him and raised my hands and said stop it Nkhosi, said Mkhabela. Ndlangamandla asked Mkhabela where he was at that time and he said he was next to his car. Where were these people who were running away? Ndlangamandla enquired. Mkhabela said they were from the scene of the incident. Were they running towards your car or in another direction? Ndlangamandla further asked. Mkhabela told the court that they were running away from where he was. Car The witness was also asked if he was next to his car when he spoke to the accused person. He said he was but moved towards Ntuthuko to stop him from allegedly chasing after the others. Ndlangamandla said if Ntuthuko was pursuing the other members of the group, he would have run in the opposite direction but you met him coming towards your car to talk to you. According to Mkhabela, the members of the gathering were running away because of the danger and he approached his nephew to stop him from what he was doing. If he wanted to pursue them, he would have just shot them while they were running, but he had no intention to shoot them, said Ndlangamandla. Mkhabela told the court: Maybe the one who is talking (attorney) is talking in terms of what she is thinking. Im talking about what I witnessed. You said the people were running because of the danger, why didnt you run? Ndlangamandla asked. In response, Mkhabela stated that he did not know about Indvuna Dumisa Ginindza, who also did not run away, but Ntuthuko would not have shot him because he was his uncle. Ndlangamandla said there was no danger, but the people were shocked and traumatised because of what had just happened. My Lady, I saw them running and the problem was that my nephew was chasing after them with two guns, added Mkhabela. Ndlangamandla said the evidence adduced suggested that Ntuthuko was moving towards Mkhabela and away from the fleeing people. Mkhabela disputed this. On another note, Ndlangamandla said the piece of land the Luyengweni Inner Council was allocating at Mhlabubovu on the fateful day neither belonged to the Motsa family, which gave a portion of its land to Mbongiseni Dlamini, nor the Luyengweni Royal Kraal. She said she had been instructed that the land belonged to LaMgabhi according to rulings of Their Majesties. Thats news to me, said Mkhabela. Ndlangamandla stated that there was evidence suggesting that Ntuthuko went to the gathering to speak to the Luyengweni libandla about the Liqoqo rulings. Rulings The attorney told Mkhabela that evidence had been led to the effect that Chief Lembelele of Luyengweni was reminded about the Liqoqo rulings after the shooting incident. Mkhabela said he was not aware of the rulings since leto tindzaba talabadzala, asitingeni. Ndlangamandla went on to say Mkhabela, according to her instructions, was present during a meeting at Mhlabubovu Primary School where the Liqoqo rulings, regarding Mhlabubovu, were communicated to the residents. Mkhabela informed the court that he was in hospital in the Republic of South Africa when the meeting was held and he heard about it upon his return. So you are aware of the rulings? asked Ndlangamandla. Document He pointed out that he would believe it if he saw a written document. Ndlangamandla further asked Mkhabela: You said before Simon Dlamini was shot, the accused said to him, you are trying to hit me with a knobkerrie, am I a snake? Mkhabela said he recalled that being said. I put it to you that the accused would not have uttered those words if Simon did not attempt to hit him with the knobkerrie, said Ndlangamandla. According to Mkhabela, Simon always carried the knobkerrie since he was a herdsman and angati kutsi nase ashaya, ushaya kanjani. Judge Maxine Langwenya enquired from Mkhabela about his and Ntuthukos relationship after the incident. He said he was the same Mkhabela, Ntuthukos uncle, and the accused was still his nephew. The judge also asked about the situation between the two communities, Luyengweni and Mhlabubovu. Mkhabela said he did not know about Mhlabubovu because people died on the day and he was sure they were not okay. MBABANE Despite tendering resignation letters from their unions, some civil servants were disappointed to learn that their subscriptions have been deducted and they would not get the three per cent CoLA this month. It was reliably gathered that since the salaries for civil servants had already been processed as they were often run from the 12th of every month, there was no addition of the three per cent cost-of-living-adjustment (CoLA) but union subscriptions were deducted. Resigned This includes civil servants who tendered resignations from their unions, which are the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) and National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU). This publication reported that about 300 unionised civil servants had tendered their resignation from NAPSAWU. The Chairperson of the Mbabane Branch of NAPSAWU, Johannes Simelane, told this publication that most of the resignation letters came from Cabinet and few from other departments, including the Judiciary. Simelane said the civil servants who had tendered their resignation letters were hoping that if they ceased being union members, they would be paid the three per cent CoLA, come month end. When sought for comment on the matter yesterday, SNAT Secretary General (SG) Sikelela Dlamini stated that their members, who tendered resignations were asked to get clearance letters from the organisations co-operatives to see if they did not owe anything. He said they were also asked to go to SNAT Burial to check if they did not owe anything from there as well. Dlamini said unfortunately, only one resigned member came back with the clearance. He said this was a high ranking official whose name will not be mentioned as efforts to reach him were unsuccessful. He said they took the politicians clearance to the relevant offices within government in order to stop the monthly subscriptions from the resigned members salary. Dlamini said coming to the disappointed workers, they should individually approach government for answers. He said as a union, they had nothing to say because they had resigned from the organisation. Efforts to get a comment from the Ministry of Public Service to respond to these concerns were unsuccessful. The Minister of Public Service, Mabulala Maseko, referred questions to the PS. South Africa: 24 W Cape police officers nabbed for criminality A total of 24 police officers have been arrested in the Western Cape for breaking the law in the past six months. This was revealed by Police Minister Bheki Cele during a media briefing on Thursday. Cele said the ministry and South African Police Service (SAPS) management are alive to the fact that there are some police officers who are breaking the law while hiding behind the blue uniform. Between 1 April and September 2022 (to date), 24 police officers were arrested for various crimes in the Western Cape. This includes 11 officials arrested for corruption, four for fraud, another four for extortion and another four for defeating the ends of justice. During this period, one officer was arrested and charged after he was found in possession of drugs. Said Cele: We have agreed that restoring the trust deficit between communities and the SAPS will need the police service [to have a] clean house. "I believe these arrests, while painful, send a strong message that police inaptness, and police corruption will never be tolerated and wont go unpunished. While SAPS is arresting its own, the judiciary is also intensifying the fight against corruption within its ranks, including magistrates courts that have turned into bail wholesales in some court precincts in the country. Furthermore, he said The Correctional Services Department has also made strides in the fight against alleged corruption at its correctional facilities. This includes allegations of prison warders, who are colluding with criminals while behind bars. Stabilising transport sector With the Western Cape transport sector having been marred by violence, intimidation and acts of sabotage placing commuters and drivers lives at risk, 38 cases were registered in this regard. This included attacks on Intercape, Golden Arrow, Mavumisa buses, as well as taxis in August. As a result, 16 people were arrested and charged with public violence and malicious damage to property. Interventions to stop the attacks and violence in this sector have included investigative task teams reliant on early warnings from Crime Intelligence to make arrests and prevent further attacks. The transport priority committee has been meeting with affected stakeholders, including the bilateral task team consisting of officials from the Eastern and Western Cape, Cele said. Increased police deployment on bus routes has also yielded encouraging results, said the Minister. He said the ministry is comfortable with the measures in place to curtail violence, intimidation, threats and disruptions in the transport sector. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-09-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Winners of Xplorer Prize for young Chinese scientists announced Xinhua) 16:00, September 15, 2022 BEIJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- A cohort of 50 winners of the 2022 Xplorer Prize, which honors young scientists working full-time in China, was unveiled Thursday, with the youngest awardee born in the 1990s. This year the field of medical sciences has been newly included in the award category, and five clinical researchers were honored. Each winner will be awarded a total of 3 million yuan (about 430,000 U.S. dollars) over the next five years by the Tencent Foundation, according to the organizers. The Xplorer Prize was jointly initiated in 2018 by Tencent Chairman and CEO Pony Ma and 14 scientists to support full-time science professionals under the age of 45, based in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, in 10 areas of fundamental science and cutting-edge technologies, including mathematics and physics, advanced manufacturing, and energy and environmental sciences. Wang Guangyu, an awardee in the category of Information and Electronics Technologies, is the first prize winner born in the 1990s. Her research work focused on translating Artificial Intelligence tech into medical treatment. Mai Peiran (Pui In Mak), a semiconductor scientist, is the first awardee from Macao. Material scientists Yin Xiaobo and Fan Zhiyong from Hong Kong were awarded for their contributions to advanced interdisciplinary studies. As of 2022, the Xplorer Prize has funded 200 promising young scientists, according to the organizers. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) MANZINI Negotiations on the cost-of-living adjustment (CoLA) for unionised civil servants were postponed at the 11th hour. Yesterday, civil servants representatives under the banner of the Public Sector Unions (PSUs) of Swaziland could not sit in the Joint Negotiation Forum (JNF) as it was postponed to a date yet to be determined. The JNF comprises of the Government Negotiation Team (GNT) and PSUs, which are: National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU), Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) and Swaziland National Association of Government Accounting Personnel (SNAGAP). There are 42 686 civil servants according to the Establishment Register for the financial year 2022/23, and the PSUs represent about 21 535 based on their four unions membership updates. It is worth noting that not all civil servants are eligible to be part of unions as there are those classified as un-unionisable workers in the civil service. These are public workers in management, members of the security forces and politicians. Collectively, civil servants (unionised and un-unionised) draw their salary from a wage bill which was projected to be around E7.3 billion at the end of the past financial year (March 31, 2022). Agreement On June 27, the GNT and the Eswatini Principals Association (EPA) had a collective agreement, which saw un-unionisable civil servants being awarded three per cent CoLA of the monthly basic salary across the board which was backdated to April 1, 2022. In addition to this, they received a once-off payment of one per cent of their annual basic salary across the board. This resulted in those who are under the banner of PSUs being left out as at the time, the GNT and the unions were failing to agree on their agenda for the year. The act of awarding a certain faction of personnel seemingly brought panic among those paying subscriptions to unions and some have reportedly tendered resignation letters to their various unions. However, as the PSUs have been allaying fears among their members by saying that they were yet to negotiate for CoLA, their hopes were dashed again as negotiations did not ensue yesterday, despite that last week they could not sit as there were only three working days following the Umhlanga National Holiday, which was followed by the Independence Day. After receiving the communique that there would be no JNF, the union leaders went to the Ministry of Public Service where they sought to establish the motive behind the postponement. Demand President of NAPSAWU Oscar Nkambule, when updating unionised civil servants through the official page of SNAT The SNAT Platform said they went to the Ministry of Public Service to demand a sitting and upon arrival, they were informed that some principal secretaries (PSs) were attending to Parliament business being conducted by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). However, Nkambule said upon further enquiry, they were informed that PSs and under secretaries (USs) were at a retreat. He said this, to them (unions), depicted that they were not taken seriously as the date had been availed to them by the PS in the Ministry of Public Service, Sipho Tsabedze, was also the Chairman of the JNF. Nkambule, in the update, said what baffled them was that the retreat was organised by the same PS who had also invited them to the JNF. He said subsequent to establishing that the GNT was committed, they had requested that the negotiations be held today with the latest date being tomorrow (Friday). We were advised to write to the PS, who said he would reply on Friday (tomorrow). So now we demand that we meet on Monday so that the negotiations can be completed then and if not, they can be concluded on Wednesday, Nkambule said. In the same breath, he advised members of the PSUs not to give up as this did not mean that they would not get their CoLA. He said they were to table their demand and expected a counter offer from the employer. Furthermore, the NAPSAWU president appealed to PSU members to reconsider their resignations. It is worth noting that this publication yesterday reported that 365 members were said to have tendered their resignations as members of the PSUs, with the hopes of benefitting from the three per cent CoLA and one per cent once-off which was awarded to un-unionised civil servants; however, these resignations were held in abeyance. It is worth noting that the Minister of Public Service, Mabulala Maseko, when issuing a statement on the awarding of CoLA to un-unionised civil servants, said there was E220 million for the item and that government had also set aside E55 million for the 2016 Salary Review Appeals and E15 million for the engagement of a consultant to undertake a salary review of the entire public service. Concern Meanwhile, following that PSUs had expressed concern that the JNF was not taken seriously, the PS in the Ministry of Public Service, Tsabedze, said; It was unfortunate that the GNT was not available for the JNF today (yesterday) as a majority of the members were engaged in other responsibilities of government. However, Tsabedze said they issued an apology to the PSUs to that effect on Tuesday. He said it was not true that the GNT was not taking them seriously. In fact, they also send apologies when they are held up elsewhere, but we have never said they were not taking us seriously. This publication also saw a letter seeking the postponement of the JNF to a proposed date of September 21, 2022. The letter from Tsabedze was posted on The SNAT Platform. Meanwhile, the agenda of the JNF for this financial year between the GNT and PSUs in its order of priority is as follows; finalisation of the negotiations framework, salary review/allowances and then CoLA. The other items have been discussed in the past sittings, starting from August 10, 2022. MBABANE It has been gathered that the two emaSwati who died in Durban, South Africa, had a long-standing feud and a mediator had been approached to assist in mending the relationship. On Tuesday, a SWALIMO member was shot dead in Durban by another liSwati. The Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO) member was allegedly shot dead by his fellow countryman, who later shot himself. The 29-year-old man is said to have died on the spot. The name of the SWALIMO member is known to this publication but will not be revealed as efforts to reach his family were unsuccessful by the time of compiling this report. It could only be established that he was from Mpolonjeni in the Lubombo Region. Information Sidney Maseko, the Coordinator of the SWALIMO KwaZulu-Natal Branch, South Africa, stated that as of yesterday, they were still gathering more information on the matter. He said so far, the reason for the argument was still unknown. When asked about the rumours that the two might have had an argument over political issues, Maseko said he did not know of such, and further stated that it was unlikely that the two could have had that kind of argument and both ended up dying. Maseko said according to other emaSwati, who were close to the deceased individuals, the fight between the two was as a result of a long-standing dispute, which he did not know about as well. He, however, said this seemed to be a very serious dispute such that even a mediator had been involved in a bid to resolve it. The two emaSwati men were residing in Durban, though it could not be established if they stayed in the same compound. Maseko said on the day of the shooting, the two were due to meet the mediator at a certain place. Mediator He said while waiting for the mediator, the duo had an argument and later, the other man stood up and went outside the house where they were meeting and later returned wielding a gun and shot the SWALIMO member. It was established that there were other people in the house, who were left shocked by the whole incident. Maseko said information he obtained was that upon realising that he had shot the SWALIMO member, the other man left and a few minutes later, those who were around heard another gunshot. He said when they went to investigate, they realised that the man had shot himself as well. The KZN Branch coordinator said as a movement, they were still trying to track down the next of kin of their member. He said so far, they only knew that the member was originally from Mpolonjeni in Siteki, in the Lubombo Region. He said so far, it was difficult to get more details about their deceased member as in the movement they did not ask personal details of members when they registered. He said they respected their members privacy. Maseko further said they were devastated by the loss of this particular member as he was active in the struggle. On the other hand, SWALIMO Spokesperson Thantaza Silolo said they were also trying to locate the deceaseds family at Mpolonjeni as they would like to go and pass their condolences to his family as a movement. Difficult He said it was quite difficult to locate his family as he was staying in South Africa. He said sometimes they were not privy to personal details of their members as they often did not ask for such when they registered. Other SWALIMO members lamented that they had lost a great member who was very active. They said he was always available when needed. The Durban branch met with their President Mduduzi Gawuzela Simelane in April 2022, for the first time since the formation of the movement. This was during the movements long strategic retreat defined as a game changer in the liberation struggle. Confirmed Meanwhile, the South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed the incident yesterday. In an interview with this publication, Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo of the SAPS Corporate Communications Department, confirmed the matter. Ngcobo stated that it was reported to them that the two men had an argument before the shooting. She said they got a report that the two were friends. The constable said the man who shot the other was rushed to hospital after he shot himself in the head, a few minutes after realising that his friend had died. Yesterday at 9am, Sydenham police were called to a local hospital. On arrival, they were shown a body of an unknown man with a gunshot wound on the head. He was declared dead on arrival. Later the man was identified as *Leon from Kennedy Road informal settlement. A case of inquest was opened at Sydenham SAPS for investigation, she said. UAE developer Damac Properties is showcasing its latest premium property launches at the 86th annual Thessaloniki International Fair, which kicked off last week in Greece. These include the Cavalli Tower, a 70-storey ultra-luxurious building in Dubai Marina overlooking Palm Jumeirah branded by Italian fashion icon Roberto Cavalli, as well as its third master development, Damac Lagoons, a water-inspired community themed on eight popular tourist destinations on the Mediterranean Sea. Thessaloniki International Fair is renowned global event which hosts over 1,500 exhibitors from Greece and foreign countries. The week-long expo concludes on September 18. Each year it chooses one of the most interesting markets in the global economy to be the honoured country. This year, UAE bagged the prestigious slot, said a statement from Damac. Since its establishment in 2002, Damac has been an integral part of the UAE development story, as its unique towers have shaped Dubais skyline. The developer success in Dubai, bolstered by Dubais economic performance this year, has propelled it to expand regionally and globally and now has projects across the Middle East, Europe and North America, with more than 42,000 completed homes and 28,000 in development, it stated. "We are thrilled to be participating in this global and prestigious fair and standing side by side the most successful enterprises of the UAE," remarked Niall McLoughlin, the Senior Vice President at Damac. "The story of Damacs success runs in tandem with the UAEs success story and we continue to be inspired and guided by our visionary leaders who have set such a great example for us to follow," he stated. "The UAE is leaving its mark on this years week-long event with a significant number of enterprises and entities, including Damac Properties," he added. The Dubai developer is also exhibiting its Safa One and Safa Two tower projects branded by luxury Swiss Jeweller de Grisogono. These towers will offer residents stunning views of the Dubai Canal, Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeirah. The United Steelworkers union has been distributing new stop-work cards at Region steel mills in a push for worker safety. Steelworkers at Northwest Indiana mills can use the cards to stop-work assignments they deem unsafe. "Our jobs are dangerous. We've seen too many workplace injuries, accidents and fatalities," USW said in an update to members. "That's why our union negotiated contract language with USS to give an employee the right to refuse to work in any unsafe condition. In addition, USW bargained a stop-work card for the employee to use when a supervisor tries to make an employee work in any unsafe work condition. Don't hesitate to insist that every assignment you're given is made safe first and that you fully understand and have been provided and reviewed the processes and procedures necessary to make the work safe." The USW negotiated the stop work cards in a past bargaining session but is again distributing them widely across steel mills and mines to ensure workers know they have a right to refuse unsafe work. The steelmakers continued to provide them to new hires at worker orientations. But the stop-work cards have otherwise gone by the wayside, according to the union. "They had been largely forgotten and overlooked as we went about our everyday duties," the USW said in its update to members. "They are a crucial tool that provide and explain to you a right and protection guaranteed to you as part of your collective bargaining agreement as a union member. The importance of being able to insist that a particular job be made safe and fully explained to you before you start that work is a critical and fundamental part of ensuring every member returns home safely at the end of their shift." Though not as deadly as in the past, working as a steelworker remains one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. The Department of Labor's Occupational Health and Safety Administration estimates that steel mills had 7.3 recordable illnesses or injuries per 100 qualifying hours in 2020, the most recent year for which data was available. "Taking any risk to squeeze out that extra ton of steel or one more degree of heat out of the furnace that could cause you or your coworkers injury or worse just isn't worth the pain or suffering it can cause," USW said to members. "Don't hesitate to insist that every assignment you're given is made safe first and that you fully understand and have been provided and reviewed the processes and procedures necessary to make the work safe. This card and the labor agreement rights that back it up gives you the means to do that should you believe it necessary. Let's watch out for each other and make sure we have each other's back while we're working in the plants." Jann S. Wenner takes us on a long, strange trip with his accessible and entertaining rock n roll memoir. As the founder, co-editor and publisher of Rolling Stone magazine, Wenner had an unusual back stage pass to the rock n roll revolution as he chronicled how the Baby Boomer generation reshaped postwar America. Now 76, Wenner was just in his 20s when he helped found the magazine in 1967. Rolling Stone went on to chronicle not only the music of those times, but also politics and cultural change, from Woodstock and Vietnam to Altamont and Watergate. The magazine soon became popular for its 20,000-word profiles and essays and bold photography and graphics. Among the major figures profiled on its pages over the years were musicians John Lennon, Jerry Garcia, Bob Dylan and Bono, and politicians Bill Clinton, John Kerry and Barack Obama. Wenner started writing about rock music for The Daily Californian student newspaper at the University of California, Berkeley. While still in college, he plunged into the rock scene, traveling to London where he saw performances by a 17-year-old Steve Winwood, as well as the Yardbirds featuring a young Eric Clapton. After launching Rolling Stone with music critic Ralph J. Gleason, Wenner was soon befriending top rock stars like Mick Jagger, when they were both still in their 20s. A young Pete Townshend told him about his early idea for a rock opera about a deaf, dumb and blind boy that went on to become The Who's Tommy. Wenner also befriended Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson, serializing his book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas in the magazine, then assigning him to cover Richard Nixon's reelection campaign. He helped launch the career of photographer Annie Leibovitz. The memoir allows Wenner to tell his story in his own words after being disappointed with the 2017 biography he commissioned journalist Joe Hagan to write for the magazine's 50th anniversary. Wenner later said Hagan's Sticky Fingers: The Life and Times of Jann Wenner and Rolling Stone Magazine," was deeply flawed and tawdry as it detailed his complicated sexual life, drug use and feuds with musicians and others. In his own memoir, Wenner does touch on the personal, including his life as a closeted man during a long marriage to Jane, who remained an important part of his life after he started a relationship with partner Matt Nye. But his narrative could leave the reader feeling like some interesting details have been left out. Wenner mentions his past drug use while recalling famous popular icons who died from overdoses such as close friend and comedian John Belushi. He also details Rolling Stone's 2014 story by a freelance writer about a gang assault at a fraternity at the University of Virginia and the discovery that the alleged victim made it all up. Wenner acknowledged errors, including a lack of corroborating sources and reluctance to challenge the alleged victim. We had been humiliated, humbled and shamed, he recalled. Then, amid discussions five years ago to sell the magazine, Wenner broke his femur and suffered a heart attack. During an operation for a triple coronary bypass and valve replacement, the surgeons listened to a playlist personally assembled by Bruce Springsteen. Eventually, Wenner reluctantly did sell. And just as he had for more than a half-century, Wenner wrote passionately about a key issue of the times in his last letter from the editor in March 2020. With young Swedish activist Greta Thunberg on the cover, Wenner invited his readers to contemplate the dangers of climate change: We will answer for what we did to protect our children and the miracle of nature and her diversity of species on this planet, when we still had the time. Oprah Winfrey was discussing her profound affection for trailblazing actor Sidney Poitier a longtime friend and mentor to her when she was overcome by emotion during an interview on the upcoming documentary Sidney, a life-spanning portrait. She plunged her head into her hands and cried, I just love him so much. Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Morgan Freeman, George Nelson, Robert Redford and Halle Berry were all interviewed in Sidney, and their reflections on the iconic performer and civil-rights activist are often illuminating. But Sidney" means something intensely personal for Winfrey, a producer on the film. I was trying not to lose it, actually, because my love for him is as deep and as strong as for any human being I know," Winfrey said in an interview at the Toronto International Film Festival, where Sidney premiered Saturday. He was my adviser, my counselor, my friend, my comfort, my balm, my joy. Sidney, which Apple TV+ will premiere Sept. 23, arrives eight months after the death of Poitier, the groundbreaking actor who paved the way for countless Black actors in Hollywood and single-handedly revolutionized how they were portrayed on screen. Directed by Reginald Hudlin, Sidney was made with the cooperation of Poitier's family. Much of it had been completed before he died in January at the age of 94, including his interview with Winfrey. But the loss of Poitier whom Winfrey at the time of his death called the greatest of the Great Trees has made Sidney only more poignant. The film is an act of love for me for him, Winfrey said as tears again welled up. I dont know why Im breaking down. My opportunity to do this was my offering to him. Winfrey has said her life was irrevocably altered when she saw Poitier become the first Black performer to win best actor at the Academy Awards (for 1963s Lilies in the Field). A life in show business suddenly became attainable to her. They later met for the first time when Winfrey's talk show was taking off. Poitier was one of the few who could understand what she was going through as a Black entertainer. During the early days of navigating fame and all that comes with fame, being assaulted on all sides by Black people, white people, people saying youre not this or you should be doing that, he was the person I turned to, said Winfrey. He said, Its always a struggle and a challenge when you're carrying other people's dreams.'" It was the first of many conversations over the years. Remember Tuesdays with Morrie? I could have done Sundays with Sidney,' says Winfrey. He was my person. He was my guy. He was my friend and my brother. Hudlin, the director of House Party and the Thurgood Marshall drama Marshall," estimates he had completed about 90% of the interviews on the film when Poitier died. Whatever pressure I was putting on myself basically doubled, Hudlin said. There was a disappointment to know that he would never see it, but I was glad at a time when everyone wanted to touch him and connect with him, we would have this movie. Interviews with Poitier were conducted earlier, separate of the film, before the stars health deteriorated. But the footage of Poitier speaking directly to camera, and hearing that voice narrate his life story, makes for one last chance to be in his regal presence. Poitier, born in the Bahamas, talks about how his young identity was forged without racisms influence. It wasnt until he left for Miami at 15 that he encountered it. I left the Bahamas with this sense of myself, Poitier says in the film. And from the time I got off the boat, America began to say to me, Youre not who you think you are." Sidney, which draws on Poitiers memoir, The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography, touches on some of his seminal films, including The Defiant Ones (1958), A Raisin in the Sun (1961), In the Heat of the Night (1967) and Guess Whos Coming to Dinner. It also delves into how he connected to Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights movement with Hollywood; his friendship with Harry Belafonte; and his move into directing with Buck and Preacher (1972). Above all, it captures how racism, or anything else, was never a match for Poitiers unshakable integrity. For me, personally, I look and go: How did he do it, with no role model? marveled Hudlin. Hes looking at a wooded forest and he just carves a path, always making the right choice. How did he always know the right thing to do without a road map? To single-handedly take on decades of racist imagery in cinema, right from its inception, and shatter all of that misbegotten imagery with the truth of who he was. CEDAR LAKE Police arrested a man Tuesday in connection with a burglary after he entered a homeowner's garage and stole multiple items from inside their vehicles. Officers were dispatched at 9 a.m. Monday to the 13900 block of Lakeview Point Road in Cedar Lake when the homeowner reported a burglary. The suspect was reported to have stolen a purse and wallet from the vehicles. Shawn Hunter Fullgraf, 20, was arrested at his home Tuesday and charged with a level four felony. Home surveillance cameras showed the burglary occurred at approximately 3 a.m. Fullgraf appeared to wear a sweatshirt with a hood covering his face. He entered the attached garage through a malfunctioning door, Cedar Lake police said. Officers used the footage to identify Fullgraf. They contacted a detective at the Jasper County Sheriff's Office who is working on a similar case involving Fullgraf and obtained a search warrant for the subject through Jasper County. Police said they continue to work on other cases in which Fullgraf is the suspect. Additional charges will be forthcoming. CROWN POINT A Lake Criminal Court judge told an East Chicago couple Wednesday that he was considering rejecting their plea agreements in a child neglect case because they appeared to be too lenient. Freddie L. Bonner, 29, and Shajuana Winters, 26, each pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent, a level 6 felony. If Judge Samuel Cappas accepts their plea agreements, he would sentence each to 18 months in jail or prison, suspended in favor of probation. They each agreed to complete parenting classes. In exchange for the couple's pleas, Lake County prosecutors agreed to dismiss three counts of neglect as a level 3 felony against each defendant. Bonner and Winters each admitted in their plea agreements that they took their then-1-year-old child to St. Catherine Hospital in April 2020 and that medical staff determined the boy had a broken femur. During the course of the child's medical treatment, doctors discovered the boy also had six rib fractures and red marks and scabs on his back and buttocks. The rib fractures were determined to be at least 10 days to a few months old, records state. Bonner and Winters each admitted that the child's injuries occurred between December 2019 and April 2020 but that they had not previously sought medical treatment for their son. Attorneys for the state and defense typically waive a presentence investigation and proceed immediately to sentencing when a defendant admits to a level 6 felony, but Cappas didn't give Bonner and Winters that option. "I'm so disgusted with what I just read, I'm not going to make up my mind today about whether to accept this plea," the judge told Bonner. Cappas set a hearing for Oct. 27 for possible acceptance of pleas and sentencing. "Somebody better prove something to me," the judge said. Defense attorney Steve Mullins, who represented both defendants, said his clients had gone through all the requirements set in a separate case involving the Indiana Department of Child Services. "They were not the perpetrators," he said. Cappas replied, "It looks like it to me from here, so..." According to charging documents, medical staff determined the boy's two siblings also had been injured. The couple's infant had two to three broken ribs and another child was severely malnourished, records state. HAMMOND The Lake County Sheriffs Department released additional details Wednesday on the shooting of a man who was killed Friday while driving up Cline Avenue. An officer was dispatched just before 11 p.m. to northbound Cline Avenue between the 165th Avenue and 15th Avenue exits after hearing reports of a traffic accident. Upon arrival, the officer discovered a Silver Ford Fusion off the roadway resting against a wooded embankment, police said. The officer observed the car had several bullet holes. The male in the front seat was unresponsive. Police said the subject has been identified as Jevontee Austin, 27, of Indianapolis. He was previously said to be a 25-year-old male. Hammond paramedics and firefighters arrived and removed Austin from the vehicle. He was taken to St. Catherines Hospital in East Chicago where he was pronounced dead. The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Lake County Sheriffs Department Detective Bureau at 219-744-3346. MICHIGAN CITY A 28-year-old Michigan City man, who is listed as being homeless, has been charged with attempted murder in the wake of a stabbing over the weekend in the city's downtown business area, according to police and court records. Tylor Snyder also faces charges of aggravated battery, battery by means of a deadly weapon and criminal recklessness, court records show. Records say Snyder stabbed a 51-year-old man shortly before 3 p.m. Saturday at the Royale With Cheese restaurant at 827 Franklin St. He allegedly stabbed the man in the stomach and back, and the victim was taken to a local hospital, police said. Bond was set at $100,000 cash only, and Snyder is being held at LaPorte County Jail. CROWN POINT A father made an initial court appearance on battery and neglect charges Wednesday, the same day his 18-month-old child died at a Chicago hospital after suffering injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome, police said. Casey L. Burnett, 22, of Gary, is accused of causing his daughter's injuries late Thursday night while her mother was away at work. Kylee Burnett, 18 months, was pronounced dead Wednesday afternoon at University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital, according to court records and Gary police Cmdr. Jack Hamady. A magistrate entered not guilty pleas on Burnett's behalf to aggravated battery and neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, both level 3 felonies. Burnett's initial hearing occurred several hours before Kylee died. The Lake County prosecutor's office could file upgraded charges at a later date. Burnett's bail was set at $60,000 surety or $6,000 cash. The magistrate granted Burnett's request for a public defender. According to court records, the children's mother went to work about 8:45 p.m. Thursday, leaving Kylee and her older brother at home with Burnett. Burnett's relative, who visited the home that night and helped care for the children at times, told police Burnett was alone with both children for about 20 minutes at one point, court records state. When the children's mother arrived home early from work, she and Burnett went into the girl's bedroom and found the child unresponsive, records state. The mother told police the baby was lying facedown in her crib, with her head on a pillow and blankets completely covering her body. The mother called 911, attempted to drive her daughter to a local hospital and flagged down a Gary Fire Department medic while en route, records state. Medics took the child to Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus, and she was later transferred to Comer Children's Hospital. Doctors in Chicago determined the girl had suffered severe hypoxic injury to the brain and herniation, extensive retinal hemorrhages and lacerations to her liver and spleen, records state. Burnett agreed to speak with detectives, according to court records. He told them he gave the children melatonin about 11 p.m. to help them sleep. He claimed he put his daughter down on her stomach and covered her halfway with a blanket and allowed his son to play with a cell phone. Burnett said he went downstairs but returned about five minutes later to check on the children after hearing movement. He discovered his daughter was out of bed, so he put her back in bed by placing her flat on her stomach, covering her halfway on her back, turning out the light and closing the door, he told police. Burnett said when he and Kylee's mother found Kylee unresponsive, he thought Kylee must have moved the blanket because it wasn't how he left it, records state. Burnett repeatedly denied causing his daughter's injuries. He declined to submit to compute voice stress analysis, telling police he was in shock and "wasn't in the right state of mind to participate." APM Terminals Bahrain has joined other operating ports across 76 locations to commemorate the annual Global Safety Day programme under the theme, We Learn and Adapt. The event focused on bringing together all APM Terminals Bahrain employees during the course of the 5-day event at Khalifa Bin Salman Port and engaging them to listen, learn and respond to what people need to do to work safely and effectively. APM Terminals Bahrain hosted exercises and demonstrations which were carried out throughout the 5-day event, in attendance of Managing Director, Maureen Bannerman. The Regional Managing Director, Asia & Middle East, at APM Terminals, Jonathan Goldner, was also in attendance as part of his visit to ports across the region. The activities were coordinated by our Health, Safety and Environment Team under the leadership of Karl Gnonlonfin, the Head of Department. All activities throughout the program highlighted the value and importance of safety at Khalifa Bin Salman Port and ensuring the safety of the employees. Safety Gemba walks The programme hosted safety Gemba walks physical visits to the frontline- where leaders were invited to participate in engaging and learning from the frontliners by walking in their shoes. The event spread across the week, covering major health and safety topics such as traffic management, truck blind spot activities, interactive games and presentation of new Safety Initiatives that encourage safety across the port. The purpose of those activities is to create awareness about some of the risks across the port, in addition to manage risks in daily work and the kind of support that is needed to make work safer. APM Terminals Bahrain works towards improving their safety performance on a continuous basis, following a Lean approach, with regular employees engagement sessions and training, with leader-led safety Gemba walks, by systematically identifying and addressing safety gaps and by continually implementing best practices and industry standards to improve the Health, Safety, and Environment performance of the terminal.-- TradeArabia News Service VALPARAISO A 38-year-old Portage man was found guilty Wednesday evening on one count of child molesting five years after the girl came forward with the accusations, according to the staff of Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer. The jury deliberated for about three and a half hours before returning with the verdict against Tyron Pearson, and Clymer reportedly scheduled sentencing for Oct. 28. Portage police say they were notified Aug. 24, 2017, that the alleged victim in the case, who was younger than 14, had told a friend that Pearson touched her inappropriately several times between May and August of that year at her home. The child knew Pearson, police said. "(The alleged victim) later told us that she told her friend because she knew she could trust her," according to a charging document. The friend reportedly took the alleged victim to a school counselor and police were notified of the allegations. The girl claims Pearson first touched her after sending the younger children in the home to bed and then again some time later while she slept on a couch. The third incident allegedly occurred Aug. 22, 2017, after the girl fell asleep in her bedroom and involved Pearson forcing the girl to touch him inappropriately, police said. The girl said her mother was not home during any of the incidents, charges say. The Level 4 felony count carries a potential sentence of two to 12 years behind bars. CROWN POINT In what is projected to be one in a number of developments in the Beacon Hill Business District, McDonald's broke ground Thursday for a restaurant at the southeast corner of 109th Avenue and Delaware Parkway. The 4,700-square-foot eatery, scheduled for completion by the end of this year, joins a number of businesses already there or planned for that area. Owner-operator Jack Lubeznik explained that this is his companys 23rd restaurant in Northwest Indiana and Chicago. This latest eatery will feature the most current technology and amenities. Well be using the newest and best equipment McDonald's has to offer, Lubeznik said. Dave Furman, president of the McDonald's Restaurant Management Corp., cited the locations proximity to the Borman Expressway and I-65, adding, Theres already a lot of development on Broadway. This is an excellent site for continued development. Just east of the McDonald's, there are plans for TownePlace Suites, a hotel owned by Marriott, and a Texas Roadhouse. Also coming to that area is a University of Chicago micro-hospital. That 130,000-square-foot facility will be located at 10855 Virginia St. Crown Point Mayor Pete Land described the area as being in prime development mode. He noted, Theres a lot of development, and much more to come. The mayor cited a large residential development coming to the area, with the city installing sidewalks and other infrastructure to connect people to these nearby businesses. Were doing our part as well, Land said. Mark Lopez, chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, cited the spirit of cooperation between the city administration and Mrvans office in the development of the 109th Avenue intersection. The whole idea of this project, Lopez said, was to attract this very type of investment. Furman said the new McDonald's will feature drive-thru service, delivery, kiosk, table service, curbside and the traditional counter service. Patrons may also use the McDonald's app to order food. State Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point, who travels I-65, said she appreciates the easy off, easy on aspect of having a McDonald's near the interstate. She thanked Lubeznik and Furman for investing in the region and creating jobs. Furman estimated the restaurant will create 80 jobs. That, Lubeznik said, includes entry-level and managerial positions. Lubeznik, whose company has operated for more than 60 years, said hes wanted to come to Crown Point for a long time. We cant wait to grow and develop together and offer job opportunities in the area, the owner-operator said. Powers & Sons Construction Company, of Gary, is general contractor on the project. Claude Powers, the companys chief operating officer, called this project very exciting. The family company has been operating for more than 55 years, Powers said, and 35 years ago the company worked on its first Lubeznik McDonald's in Gary. Lubeznik owns McDonald's restaurants in Hammond, East Chicago, Gary, Portage, Chesterton, Burns Harbor, Valparaiso and Chicago. Former Mayor David Uran, now president and CEO of the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority, praised the project as good for both the city and Northwest Indiana. Its another site for people in Northwest Indiana to stop and have a great meal, Uran said. In an age of many eateries, Lubeznik said, the key to success is having good employees. Were a people business serving hamburgers, he said. You have to find great people, train and develop great people and then retain those great people. PHOTOS: Crown Point hosts Chesterton in boys soccer Uploaded-images 091522-spt-bso-che-cp_7 Chestertons Matteo Guerrero (5) moves the ball against Crown Points Harris Proudman (16) in the first half at Crown Point High School Wednes Uploaded-images 091522-spt-bso-che-cp_3 Chestertons Michael Shumate (6) tries to stop Crown Points Harris Proudman (16) in the first half at Crown Point High School Wednesday night. Uploaded-images 091522-spt-bso-che-cp_5 Crown Points Brayden Kurtz (8) takes the header over Chestertons Michael Shumate (6) in the first half at Crown Point High School Wednesday night. Uploaded-images 091522-spt-bso-che-cp_2 Chestertons Cal Stuckert (25), Michael Shumate (6), Zarek Sferzai (14) and John Kovalan (16) go up to stop Crown Points Carter Beckman (3) i Uploaded-images 091522-spt-bso-che-cp_4 Crown Points Carter Beckman (3) throws the ball in against Chesterton late in the first half at Crown Point High School Wednesday night. Uploaded-images 091522-spt-bso-che-cp_9 Crown Points Conner Stone (6) passes the ball off against Chestertons Will Auricchio (23) and Sebastian Kogl (9) in the first half at Crown Uploaded-images 091522-spt-bso-che-cp_8 Crown Points Joey Hase (22) and Trevor Peal (2) pressure Chestertons Cal Stuckert (25) at Crown Point High School Wednesday night. Uploaded-images 091522-spt-bso-che-cp_6 Crown Points Carter Beckman (3) tries to stop Chestertons Gage Torres (13) in the first half at Crown Point High School Wednesday night. Uploaded-images 091522-spt-bso-che-cp_1 Chestertons John Kovalan (16) takes the header over Crown Points Conner Stone (6) in the first half at Crown Point High School Wednesday night. web-galleryhtmlcode MICHIGAN CITY A federal court judge is signing off on an agreement to clean up contaminated soil and drinking water in the Town of Pines. U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon in Hammond signed off this week on plans to resolve two decades of controversy over coal ash left behind by the Northern Indiana Public Service Co.s power plant. NIPSCO will pay out $11.8 million for decontamination of Pines ground and groundwater as well as future groundwater monitoring around this lakefront community of 800 residents. The judge gave his approval over objections by a Michigan City-based environmental group arguing that the 52-page consent decree doesnt do enough to protect dozens of homeowners whose well water may still be endangered. Who oversees and enforces NIPSCOs covenants with property owners once remediation is complete? Susan Thomas, legislative and policy director of Just Transition Northwest Indiana, asked in her comments to the court. Why has there been no opportunity for municipal water hookups to the remaining homes that want to be connected? It is inconceivable that the towns residents are not afforded a universal right to municipal water to avoid any potential for contamination of their water supply from the (coal ash) plume? Thomas complained. Nevertheless, the judge said these and other concerns raised during a lengthy public review period shouldnt block the deal struck by NIPSCO and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Indiana Attorney Generals office. The two regulatory agencies will receive $619,632 as reimbursement for their years of work on the environmental crisis that began 23 years ago with complaints by town residents about the unpalatable taste and smell of drinking water from their residential wells. The problem was traced to tons of coal ash NIPSCO stockpiled for decades in a landfill south of U.S. 20 and distributed as clean yard fill to homeowners over the years. The coal ash is the residue of fuel NIPSCOs coal-burning electric generators it has used in Michigan City and elsewhere. EPA states in court papers that the coal ash contains dangerous levels of thallium, arsenic, lead, boron and molybdenum and other hazardous chemicals that have leached into the groundwater beneath homes in Pines, west of Michigan City. James Bud Prast, a longtime resident and president of the Pines Town Council, told The Times in March when the proposed consent decree was made public that NIPSCO and authorities initially downplayed those complaints. He credits the perseverance of a group of residents who lobbied federal and state authorities until the government declared the coal ash dump in their town a Superfund site. Authorities mandated that Michigan City municipal drinking water be extended to 270 homes with contaminated wells. However, this excludes some homes outside the town, as well as town residents whose well water was tested and deemed safe, Prast said. NIPSCO and other commercial firms who shared responsibility in the coal ash problem have installed more than a dozen wells in and around a landfill containing coal ash to monitor the quality of groundwater that drains into Lake Michigan. The judges ruling this week states that the new consent decree requires coal ash-contaminated soil must be excavated to a depth of 3 feet and removed. The ruling also states that if groundwater monitoring finds contamination threatening private wells in the future, EPA can consider adjusting the remedy required of NIPSCO to address that. The judge concluded that although the agreement contains compromises that do not address all concerns, I will approve the parties proposed consent decree, finding it to be fair, reasonable, adequate ... and in the public interest. VALPARAISO After retiring a few years ago as Porter Circuit Court judge after 35 years in office only be to diagnosed with cancer, Mary Harper remained true to her love of the law and public service by continuing on as special judge and taking on several complicated cases. She approached the challenges of cancer treatment with a positive outlook and even pushed herself, despite her frail condition, to be on hand in July to make a few comments as a local courtroom was named in her honor. Harper succumbed to her illness Wednesday night at her Valparaiso home, just four days before her 72nd birthday, according to family. "The Indiana legal community and the citizens of Porter County lost a giant with the passing of Judge Mary Harper," Porter County Chief Public Defender Ken Elwood said. "She cared more than anybody I have ever met about the needs of children and particularly the children of Porter County," he said. "One of best stories I ever heard was Judge Harper was offered a spot on the Indiana Supreme Court and her response was, 'Thank you, but I have too much work to still do here in Porter County." "Her influence was, however, across the state of Indiana," Elwood said. "She was a mentor and friend and will be sorely missed." Career of many firsts At the time of her retirement in 2019, Harper had the distinction of being the longest-serving female judge in the state. This was on top of her many firsts in Porter County, which include being the first female deputy prosecutor, the first female chief deputy prosecutor, the first female county judge, the first female superior court judge and the first female circuit court judge. In July, she added to that long list by becoming the first Porter County judge to have a courtroom named in her honor, located at the county's juvenile services center. Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush, who took part in the dedication ceremony, called Harper "an absolute icon" and said she belongs in the pantheon of great judges. "She broke so many barriers for all of us," Rush said. Harper told The Times in 2017 that the trajectory of her professional life was set during her final semester of law school, when her grandfather was murdered while walking to church in South Bend. Those believed responsible for the killing were released when witnesses refused to testify, she said. "I thought that was so wrong," Harper said. "I decided to work in social justice." "I've got a little grandfather on my shoulder," she said, who reminded her to "be fair, be just." "I felt guided through my whole career," Harper said. Impact lives on Mary DeBoer, who was sworn in by Harper as her replacement in 2020 as Porter County Circuit Court judge, said her appointment by the governor "is in itself an honor that constantly motivates me to strive for excellence. Mary Harper has been one of the most significant mentors I've had throughout my almost 30-year legal career." "Everyone knew that her heart was devoted to the juveniles in Porter County," DeBoer said. "She constantly sought out and implemented new cutting-edge programs that not only helped the youths in our community, but also worked with their families to strengthen the family unit." "To say that Mary Harper will be missed is a huge understatement," DeBoer said. "I am saddened that our time to continue to work together was cut short as she had so much more in her to give to our community as a senior judge." "I am so blessed and honored that I had the opportunity to work in front of her as a lawyer, alongside her as a judicial officer, and with her as a friend. Rest in peace, Mary Harper." Porter County Prosecutor Gary Germann said he was part of the prosecutor's office when Harper joined, and it did not take long for the two to become good friends. "That was in 1975 and we have remained good friends ever since," he said. "As a judge she was an innovator and a visionary with all of the work she did in the juvenile justice system not only here but throughout the entire state of Indiana," Germann said. "As a trial judge she was one of the best. The rules in her courtroom were clear and they were to be followed." "She had a great understanding of the law and was not afraid of hard work to find out an answer to a complicated legal issue," he said. "What I will remember most about her is not so much what a great judge she was and a great lawyer, but through it all she was an even better person. This is a sad, sad day for me." Attorney Mitch Peters, who had served as public defender in Harper's court, said Thursday morning, "We lost one of the greatest jurists in the history of Porter County. I have only love and respect for her." "Contrary to her reputation, Mary was one of the most compassionate and caring persons I knew," he said. Working her way up the ladder Harper, who believed women have it much easier these days in the area of law, was a graduate of Valparaiso University School of Law, which she completed in an accelerated two and a half years. The South Bend native decided to remain in Porter County and said she went to work in 1975 at the local prosecutor's office. She worked her way up to the chief deputy post before leaving in 1981 to pursue a private legal practice where she found herself on the opposite side of the courtroom, defending those she had been seeking to lock up. She took another big leap in 1984 by running against and defeating incumbent judge and fellow Republican Terry Johnston. After winning a general election challenge against Democrat Thomas Webber, who later made it to the bench himself, Harper spent the next 12 years handling small claims and misdemeanor cases before running for her circuit court seat that was left open by the retirement of Raymond Kickbush. "When he was announcing, I was down filing (as a candidate) in Indianapolis," she said. Breaking ground for juveniles The leap to circuit court, which she held on to through three additional elections, put more serious, felony-level cases before her. But what drew her to seek out the post was its role in running the county's juvenile system. The move followed years of watching one generation of a family after another wind up in legal trouble. "They were 18, and now they were getting charged with the same things," Harper said. "I said, 'There's got to be another way.'" Harper and her team led the way with one of the state's first family courts, the creation of a juvenile drug court and other progressive programs. Harper said she believes children are like blank blackboards. "I'm a product of what my parents showed me," she said. She named her son, Jim Harper, as the greatest pride in her life. Her son followed in the footsteps of both her and his father, Bob Harper, in becoming a lawyer and running for public office. She was married to former Porter Superior Court Judge Dave Chidester, who is a Democrat like her son. Being a judge and attending as many as 400 meetings a year can be isolating and takes its toll on friendships, Harper had said. "I want to be Mary again at the end of this," she said ahead of her retirement. "I want to be able to walk my dog and not worry about jumping in my car to get to the courthouse." Harper said time has a way of moving forward quickly. "It sneaks up on you, big time," she said. Late Edition: Crime Beat Chronicles is a show that shares true crime stories through readings of newspaper articles and interviews with the journalists who reported on the stories. What you're about to hear is the third episode in a four part series, so if you're new here jump back to the first two parts so you're up to speed. For this set of episodes we'll be traveling to Wilber, Nebraska, where, in November of 2017, 24-year-old Sydney Loofe left work to go on a second date with someone she met on a dating app, and she never came home. The events that followed centered around Aubrey Trail and Bailey Boswell, who were eventually convicted in the case, and were bizarre in the way they unfolded on social media and in the courtroom. The Lincoln Journal Star and Omaha World-Herald covered the story as it broke and navigated the circus-like atmosphere that developed in the courtroom and in conversations with Aubrey Trail. The articles, which you'll hear read by Matt McGrath and are linked below in full, have been lightly edited to avoid redundancies, are linked below and if you appreciate what we're doing with this program, we encourage you to invest in local journalism and support whichever newspaper serves your community. Late Edition: Crime Beat Chronicles, a product of Lee Enterprises, is produced, recorded, edited and hosted by Chris Lay with articles read and recorded by Matt McGrath. Pizza Fine Dining Rises (Again) Manhattan has one distinction: Many of its new pizza happenings are occurring in fine-dining settings. Pete called the pizza at Mels, from the former Del Posto chef Melissa Rodriguez, not quite like anybody elses, with a crust thats crisper underneath, chewier and more flavorful. Emmetts on Grove and the more casual Aces are bravely repping regional pizza styles whose names I dare not utter here. And the chef Justin Smillie is running a pizza kitchen called Smillie Pizza out of Il Buco on Uber Eats. Say that three times fast. Then theres the second return of Una Pizza Napoletana, which has remained closed for the bulk of the pandemic. The owner and chef Anthony Mangieri has added a new pizza, the Cosacca, with San Marzano tomatoes, Pecorino Romano, basil and Sicilian sea salt, and switched out his tiramisu for sorbetto. All this is contained in a redone space that might be worth considering for any pizza-based holiday gatherings. I hope youll let this State of Pizza guide you in the year ahead, just as the president lays out his or her agenda for the next legislative session. My agenda for today, tomorrow and forever is pizza. In Other News A very quick thank you to Becky Hughes and Tanya Sichynsky for covering for me. I have a vacation coming up this fall, so let me know if theres a particular member of the Food staff youd like to hear from by emailing me at wheretoeat@nytimes.com. Thanks for reading Where to Eat, and see you next week! Out of the ashes of Racines NY , a haven for wine nerds, rises Chambers , which Pete Wells writes is still a great place for wine but also for seasonal fine dining. Openings: The Porch , a new restaurant in Harlems Sugar Hill neighborhood, has live jazz and a mix of barbecue and Cajun cooking; Koloman , an Austrian-influenced restaurant from the chef Markus Glocker opens in the old Breslin space this Thursday; and the much-buzzed-about Pecking House is now slinging salted egg yolk fried chicken on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. The third-generation owner of the storied butcher shop Schaller & Weber will open Jeremys , a Vienna-inspired cocktail bar, near the corner of 86th Street and Second Avenue on the Upper East Side, Robert Simonson reports. The chef behind Cafe Sabarsky will choose the food. Still hoping to attend The New York Times Food Festival? Add your name to the wait-list and be among the first to know when more tickets are released. Email us at wheretoeat@nytimes.com. Newsletters will be archived here. Follow NYT Food on TikTok and NYT Cooking on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest. Ricardo Cruciani killed himself in jail last month after what victims said was years of sexual abuse and rape, crimes for which he was convicted in July. On Wednesday, six of those victims pleaded with a judge in a Manhattan courtroom not to erase his conviction. Mr. Crucianis sentencing was supposed to take place at the Manhattan Criminal Court hearing, but his death on Aug. 15 upended the case. Instead, the six women read victim impact statements that they had written to a crowded courtroom and an empty chair where their attacker would have sat. And they urged the judge, Justice Michele S. Rodney, not to dismiss Mr. Crucianis conviction, as is standard under New York State law when a person dies before they have exhausted their appeal. The judge declined to rule on Wednesday and did not say when she would do so. Facing a population explosion in New York Citys shelter system driven largely by a monthslong flood of migrant asylum seekers, Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday seemed to call into question the citys unique right to shelter, which has been guaranteed by court order for over 35 years. New York is the only place in the country where every person who seeks a bed must be given one. And Mr. Adams, citing a new and unforeseen reality that no city official, advocate or court ever could have contemplated in which 11,000 migrants have entered the shelter system since May, said that the system was nearing its breaking point. As a result, he said, the citys prior practices, which never contemplated the busing of thousands of people into New York City, must be reassessed. The Republican governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, has been sending buses of migrants, mostly from South and Central America, up from the border to New York as part of a campaign to push Democrats to tighten immigration. Why a population slowdown is causing concern For many futurists, the primary challenge posed by declining population growth is economic: When people live longer and have fewer babies, the population ages, leaving fewer working-age adults to support a countrys swelling number of retirees. Older people are more prone to illness, and many rely on publicly funded pensions and eventually require caregiving, Stephanie H. Murray wrote in The Atlantic in February. Many countries, including the U.S., are already struggling to meet the needs of the rapidly growing elderly population. This can create a kind of national languishing, as the Times columnist Ross Douthat argued last year: If you assume that dynamism and growth are desirable things (not everyone does, but thats a separate debate), then for the developed world to be something more than just a rich museum, at some point it needs to stop growing ever-older, with a dwindling younger generation struggling in the shadow of societal old age. Aging may take a particularly heavy toll on middle-income countries. Historically, as industrialized countries have become richer, their labor force grew more rapidly than their nonworking population, providing a demographic dividend. But in some developing countries, including Brazil and China, fertility rates have fallen to around or below replacement level much more quickly than they did for their higher-income counterparts, and their populations now face the risk of getting old before getting rich. A population slowdown can be a symptom of other national problems. For example, as Derek Thompson has noted in The Atlantic, while declining fertility is often a sign of female empowerment, it can also be a sign of its opposite, as suggested by the growing gap between how many children Americans say they want and how many they have. There are many potential explanations for this gap, Thompson wrote, but one is that the U.S. has made caring for multiple children too expensive and cumbersome for even wealthy parents, due to a shortage of housing, the rising cost of child care, and the paucity of long-term federal support for children. Petrofac, a leading provider of services to the global energy industry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Oman Hydrogen Centre (OHC) to collaborate in building capabilities for Omans renewable energy sector, particularly in green hydrogen. Located at German University of Technology (GUtech), OHC is the first research facility of its kind in the Sultanate, supporting the country in accelerating its transition to renewable energy. The centre provides an international hub for research, technology, education, industry applications and economy, aligned with Oman Vision 2040. Petrofac has a growing track record in supporting new energy projects across a wide range of technologies and has recently completed front-end engineering design (FEED) for large-scale green hydrogen productions facilities, as well as numerous studies for small-scale industrial users across the world. The Company will provide technical expertise, leveraging their extensive experience in designing, managing and executing complex projects, and building capacity through knowledge transfer. The Petrofac OHC partnership will bring considerable benefits to the efficient implementation of green hydrogen projects and help accelerate the Sultanates energy transition. As well as providing expertise and supporting growth of the hydrogen sector, the collaboration is structured around the development of Omani talent. The Takatuf Petrofac Oman (TPO) training centre will also provide access to educational resources, technical training and hands-on learning to skill up students from its base in Knowledge Oasis, Muscat. Dr Khalid Al Jahwari, Petrofacs Country Manager Oman, said: To meet the global energy demand, while achieving energy efficiency targets, industry is looking at every potential technology. Green hydrogen provides an opportunity to help accelerate the energy transition in Oman through the decarbonisation of many parts of our industries. Our partnership with OHC is designed to meet the needs of new complex energy assets, with the focus on engineering excellence and an ever-more skilled workforce. With our combined knowledge, experience and capabilities, we are here to support this transition. Dr Sausan Al Riyami, Director of Oman Hydrogen Centre, said: Remarkable efforts from governmental units, industries, and scientists take place towards accelerating the energy transition and green economy. Our cooperation with Petrofac is aiming to develop certain studies regarding renewable energies and green hydrogen economy by focusing on technical training that includes a hands-on operation session. This will enable the building of our Omani talents in energy sector. -OGN We do not dwell on Mays regime much, but it did include a campaign against illegal immigrants with ads warning them to go home or face arrest and an image of handcuffs. She also once wore a T-shirt that read, This is what a feminist looks like. Hmmm. Of course, nobody wants to see just any woman running the United States. But there are plenty of female politicians with just as much leadership potential as any man. And the fight for equality has to go on until they have an equal shot at the presidency. Breathe deep and lets see whats happened in our history so far. And ignore the fact that there are chapters in even the most stirring story that arent inspiring. Ma Ferguson of Texas was one of the first American women to be elected governor in 1924 after her husband was impeached. She went on to make her mark by pardoning an average of 100 criminals a month during her first term, in what appeared to be a freedom-for-a-fee system. OK, back to the plus side: How about Margaret Chase Smith, who valiantly stood up to the crazed red-baiting of Joe McCarthy in the Senate when all her colleagues were quivering under their desks? In 1964 Smith held the very reasonable opinion that shed make a better president than the likely Republican nominee, Barry Goldwater. She also thought it was time to break the barrier against women being seriously considered for the presidency. Yeah, that was 58 years ago. Still waiting. Smiths battle wasnt a real test of how well a woman candidate could do, unless you presume said candidate could overcome minimal campaign funds, along with an unfortunate tendency to stress her recipe for blueberry muffins. But shes definitely someone youd like to think of as leading the way. And Hillary Clinton, who got the most votes in 2016, but was thwarted by our, um, unique Electoral College system, which presumes that every 193,000 people in Wyoming deserve the same clout as around 715,000 people in California. In response to the questions, ByteDance has raced to build a lobbying operation that can counter its critics. It spent roughly $5.1 million on federal lobbying last year, according to OpenSecrets, a research group that tracks money in politics. It sends congressional staffs positive news articles about the app, and has pushed back aggressively on the recent media reports. Some of that same pushback was apparent on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. Lawmakers also questioned executives from YouTube, Twitter and Facebooks parent company, Meta, about issues including extremists on their platforms. But many of the most pointed exchanges were between Ms. Pappas and the senators. In what ways does the government of the Peoples Republic of China, if at all, exercise influence over TikToks corporate behavior or corporate policies? asked Senator Jon Ossoff, Democrat of Georgia. In no way, shape or form period, Ms. Pappas said. The app previously faced pressure from former President Donald J. Trump, who tried to get ByteDance to sell the app to an American company. That didnt come to pass, and skeptics of the app say President Biden has not done enough to address their concerns. TikTok has been negotiating in private with the Biden administration over steps that could mitigate the governments concerns. It has begun to route new traffic through servers controlled by Oracle, the American cloud computing company, although some data is still backed up on ByteDance servers in Singapore and Virginia. The company says it will eventually delete all the data from its own servers. Ms. Pappas tried to distance the app from China further by saying ByteDance is a distributed company without headquarters. Taryn M. Fenske, the communications director for Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, said the two flights were part of a state program to transport undocumented immigrants to so-called sanctuary destinations. This year the Florida Legislature set aside $12 million for the transportation program. States like Massachusetts, New York and California will better facilitate the care of these individuals who they have invited into our country by incentivizing illegal immigration through their designation as sanctuary states and support for the Biden administrations open border policies, Ms. Fenske said in a statement. One of the migrants, who asked to be identified only as Leonel, said in Spanish that the people of Marthas Vineyard were generous and that he had never seen anything like it. They gave him a pair of shoes. I havent slept well in three months, said Leonel, who does not have any relatives or friends in the United States. Its been three months since I put on a new pair of pants. Or shoes. An Ohio judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked the states ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, saying that the right to abortion is protected under the states Constitution. The decision restores broad abortion access at least for the next 14 days in Ohio and widens access in a block of states where abortion has been banned or unavailable since the U.S. Supreme Courts June decision ended the constitutional right to abortion. Across the region, the bans have required women who sought or needed abortions to travel great distances. In one widely publicized case, a 10-year-old Ohio girl who had become pregnant through rape was denied an abortion in Ohio and traveled instead to Indiana. As of Thursday, abortion becomes largely illegal in Indiana, which passed a ban after the Supreme Court ruling, though that states law is also the subject of a lawsuit. GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba A federal prosecutor in the U.S.S. Cole bombing trial who advocated the use of evidence derived from torture, despite a Biden administration policy, has left the case. Defense lawyers said they were notified on Wednesday, hours before a conference with the trial judge, that the new chief prosecutor for military commissions had replaced the long-serving lead case prosecutor, Mark A. Miller. Mr. Miller, an assistant U.S. attorney from Louisiana, had been assigned to the death-penalty prosecution of Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri since 2015. Mr. Nashiri is accused of being the mastermind of the bombing of the Cole off Yemen in October 2000, which killed 17 U.S. sailors. He sometimes denigrated his own son-in-law, Jared Kushner, telling other aides that all he cares about is his New York liberal crowd. Some aides interpreted those and other comments by Mr. Trump to mean that he wanted Mr. Kushner and Ivanka Trump to leave the White House and return to New York, but he never forced the issue. So many cabinet secretaries were disenchanted with the president that at one point they discussed a plan to resign en masse. There were other mutual suicide pacts during the Trump administration as well. Kirstjen Nielsen, the homeland security secretary, agreed with Alex Azar, the health and human services secretary, that they would both resign in protest if Mr. Trump resumed separating the children of migrants at the border from their parents. Mr. Trump regularly sought to use government power to punish his enemies, ordering aides to block a merger in retaliation against CNN and to ensure that a government contract did not go to Jeff Bezos Amazon actions aides considered illegal or unethical. He was so intent on targeting the former intelligence officials James R. Clapper Jr. and John O. Brennan that he demanded some 50 to 75 times that aides strip them of their security clearance. When the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked one of his policies, Mr. Trump ordered aides to cancel or eliminate the court altogether, another demand they ignored. While advisers sometimes were able to slow-walk or avoid acting on some of Mr. Trumps desires, he often ignored their counsel. At one point, it fell to Melania Trump to push her husband to take the Covid-19 pandemic more seriously. Youre blowing it, she told him aboard Air Force One flying back from India, according to an account she gave former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey when she called him to implore him to talk sense into the president. Greenland was one issue that absorbed the National Security Council staff for months. Mr. Trump later claimed the idea was his personal inspiration. I said, Why dont we have that? he recalled in an interview last year for the book. You take a look at a map. Im a real estate developer. I look at a corner, I say, Ive got to get that store for the building that Im building, etc. Its not that different. He added: I love maps. And I always said: Look at the size of this. Its massive. That should be part of the United States. Republican voters on Tuesday rendered their latest judgment on the tussle between Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell for control of the party: Theyre with Trump. In this weeks primary elections in New Hampshire, G.O.P. voters picked three hard-right candidates who have floated baseless theories about problems with the 2020 results a sign that the election-fraud fever inside the Republican Party has not yet abated, if it ever will. First, in the Senate race against Maggie Hassan, the Democratic incumbent, Granite State Republicans chose Don Bolduc over Chuck Morse, a state lawmaker who had the financial and political backing of the local establishment as well as that of Senator McConnell, the minority leader, and his well-heeled allies. Mr. Aftergood agreed that agency records keep that status even when brought into the White House. Pointing to this and other apparent flaws, Ms. Kwoka suggested that Mr. Trumps lawyers may be raising their claims about the act to create a bunch of confusion around something that doesnt have to be that confusing in order to win over a portion of public opinion or delay the legal proceedings. Why do Mr. Trumps lawyers say he might own the files marked as classified? Based on their premise that the Presidential Records Act is the only relevant law, they have asserted that all of the records at issue in the governments motion meaning those marked as classified can only be presidential records or personal records, the determination of which was in President Trumps discretion. And they have cited a 2012 ruling, by Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia, in arguing that the Presidential Records Act gives extraordinary discretion to departing presidents to decide whether materials should be designated as presidential records for the National Archives or personal records to keep. Notably, Mr. Trumps legal team has not argued that he actually deemed any of the disputed documents as his personal property. Instead, the lawyers have coyly insinuated that he might have done so in an apparent effort to persuade the government to back off. To the extent President Trump may have categorized certain of the seized materials as personal during his presidency, any disagreement as to that categorization is to be resolved under the P.R.A. and cannot possibly form the basis for any criminal prosecution, they wrote. What are some of the problems with this idea? First, there may be a timing problem. In some instances, the Trump legal team hints that Mr. Trump might have designated the records as personal before leaving office. But in one place in their filing on Monday, the lawyers implied that despite being out of office, he may still wield that purported power: Critically, the former president has sole discretion to classify a record as personal or presidential. Justice Lynn R. Kotler, of the State Supreme Court in Manhattan which is, despite its name, a trial court ruled for the students on a technical ground. The university had been incorporated as an educational institution rather than a religious one, she said, meaning that it must abide by the New York City law. Justice Kotler rejected the universitys argument that requiring it to recognize the club violated the Constitutions protections of the free exercise of religion. She entered an injunction requiring the university to immediately grant the club the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities and privileges afforded to all other student groups at Yeshiva University. The university appealed, and a state appeals court is likely to hear arguments in the case in the coming months. The university also asked two appeals courts to stay Justice Kotlers injunction while the appeal moved forward, a request the courts denied. In Wednesdays order, the majority said it appeared that the university had not followed the right procedure for seeking a stay from the states highest court. The university, represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, sought emergency relief from the U.S. Supreme Court. Its application said the injunction violated its constitutional rights to religious autonomy and to free exercise. Without an immediate stay of the permanent injunction issued below, the application said, the nations leading Jewish university will be forced to give official recognition to a student organization in violation of its sincere religious beliefs and Torah values. Lawyers for the students responded that intervention from the Supreme Court was unnecessary and premature. All this case is about, they wrote, is whether Y.U. has to allow the student club access to campus classrooms for meetings or bulletin boards. IZIUM, Ukraine Standing in a cold drizzle among wreckage left behind by Russias chaotic retreat, President Volodymyr Zelensky looked to the sky on Wednesday toward Ukraines flag flying over the main square of a city reclaimed just days ago in a stunning counterattack. Today, when we look up, we are looking for only one thing the flag of Ukraine, Mr. Zelensky told soldiers in front of the citys bombed-out municipal building. Our blue and yellow flag is already flying in de-occupied Izium. And it will be so in every Ukrainian city and village. The presidents unannounced appearance in Izium, about nine miles from the front in Ukraines northeast, was a tangible sign of Ukraines soaring morale and its growing boldness a demonstration that the military could ensure Mr. Zelenskys safety even near the front and that it would staunchly defend what it had reclaimed. KCA Deutag, the global drilling, engineering and technology provider, has secured contract awards, extensions and options worth around $112 million. The contracts are primarily related to land rigs in Saudi Arabia and Oman, and are announced as work continues to close out the acquisition of Saipems land rig business, reflecting the companys focus on growth in key markets in the Middle East. In Saudi Arabia, the company has been awarded multiple one-year extensions worth a combined total of $35 million. In Oman, a one-year contract with a new client, which includes a further one-year option, in addition to contract extensions and options with existing clients on multiple rigs have delivered an additional $70.5 million. In Europe, KCA Deutag has been awarded almost $6 million in new contracts in Germany and the Netherlands. KCA Deutag President Land Simon Drew said: We are pleased to have secured multiple new contracts and extensions, building on our successful record of safe, efficient delivery for our valued clients in key markets. These contract wins and extensions reflect our strategic focus on growth, particularly in the Middle East, powered by Well of Innovation technologies and energy efficient operations.-OGN Everything has its own unique identity, Garland said, and when they come together, it creates something thats more beautiful. With Garland, Dance Theater of Harlem will remain in the hands of someone with deep roots in the organization: He was mentored early on by Mitchell, becoming a principal dancer in the company and then its first resident choreographer. In that role, Garland has created celebrated works, including New Bach, a homage to Balanchine with touches of African American vernacular dances, and Higher Ground, a ballet set to a selection of socially and politically minded songs by Stevie Wonder. He has got a breadth of knowledge about classical art and contemporary art and Black culture, Johnson said of Garland. And he expresses a need and an expectation of being appreciated for the fact of ourselves not as exceptions but for the fact of ourselves as individuals in the world who bring value to it. Johnson was a founding member of Dance Theater of Harlem, which Mitchell formed, with Karel Shook, after the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to provide an entrance into classical ballet for the children in the community where he had grown up. Probably the first thing to know about the project conceived in consultation with Sheena Wagstaff, former chair of the Mets department of modern and contemporary art, and Kelly Baum, curator in the department and its acting chair is that many of its images refer to specific objects in the museums collection, which the artist reviewed through the museums online catalog during the Covid lockdown. Most of the objects he pulled out are antique in date and came to the museum after being found to use a term that can cover a fair amount of archaeological larceny by modern-day diggers, dealers and institutional hoarders. Enough to say that Lockes homophonic title, Gilt, alludes both to the gold paint with which his sculptures are covered and to the politically instrumental uses and misuses of art over centuries. Several items depicted, whole or in part, on Lockes trophies, were once active or passive players in power games, as diplomatic persuaders, ideological enforcers, or in the case of an eighth-century B.C. Assyrian ivory carving of a man leading an antelope by the horns, as booty to enrich a treasury. Four years after being charged with felony assault stemming from a pair of strip club brawls, Cardi B, the Bronx rapper and pop star born Belcalis Almanzar, pleaded guilty on Thursday in a Queens court to two misdemeanors. Ms. Almanzar, 29, admitted to orchestrating and participating in the attacks on two employees of Angels in Flushing after offering $5,000 to an associate over Instagram to help her and others confront the pair. The authorities said at the time that the victims, who are sisters, were romantic rivals possibly involved with Ms. Almanzars husband, the rapper Offset. With the trial set to begin on Thursday, prosecutors said in court that they had reached a deal with the musician and two co-defendants. Ms. Almanzar agreed to a discharge conditional on 15 days of community service, as well as a three-year order of protection for the victims. Peter Davison, an indefatigable literary sleuth who, beginning in his mid-50s, devoted 35 years to revealing the unvarnished George Orwell, including curating, editing and annotating 20 volumes of the authors complete works, died on Aug. 16 in Swindon, England. He was 95. His death, in a hospital, was announced by the Orwell Society. In 1999, he was appointed to the Order of the British Empire for services to English literature. Professor Davisons belletristic debut was as improbable as his academic baptism. He had been a high school dropout whose early higher education consisted of correspondence courses, and when he took his first teaching job, at the University of Sydney in Australia, he acknowledged, I had never given a lecture before, and, indeed, never even heard a university lecture. Every story begins with a family story, observes the Tahitian writer Titaua Peu. Some families, though, their fates go every which way. Which means mishaps, missed chances, misunderstandings. Peus newly translated novel, PINA (Restless Books, 313 pp., paper, $18), like Where Dogs Bark With Their Tales, is the story of a nation told in the guise of family tales. Yet mishaps is an understatement of the tragedy in this novel. Pina, the 9-year-old protagonist, is doomed from the start: Shes the next-to-last child of nine and her mothers least favorite; her father is an abusive boozer. They live in a hovel in the rundown quarter of Tenaho, near Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia. Pina, like the girls of Dogs of Summer, is desperate to escape her surroundings: So Pina dreamed up a world shed survive in, dreamed up voices she could listen to, so as not to have to think about the world she was in. But things only get darker when her father has a drunk-driving accident, setting off a chain of events that draws the whole family into a vortex of violence. Clearly, Pinas Tahiti is not the paradise of brochures. Its a land still haunted by colonization and crippled by poverty and crime. But even as things bottom out, a groundswell of Tahitian self-awareness builds toward the 2016 referendum on independence from France. The question is: Can the country, and Pina, ever truly break free? This is a clamorous, at times unwieldy take on modern Tahiti, yet Peus rough-hewn, oral, humane prose (in the words of the translator, Jeffrey Zuckerman) rings fiercely true. The side effect, however, was to gradually eliminate any cushion in staffing levels. Unlike many workers, the conductors and engineers who operate trains dont get weekends or other consistent days off. Instead, said Mr. Pierce, the president of the locomotive engineers union, workers go to the bottom of a list of available crews when they return home from a trip that can last days. The fewer the workers, the shorter the list, and the less time it takes for them to be summoned into action again. It can go on indefinitely, till they interrupt the cycle by taking paid time off, which the companies routinely reject, Mr. Pierce said. Major U.S. freight rail carriers began to accelerate the staffing cuts in recent years as they switched to a system known as precision scheduled railroading, or P.S.R., which focuses on scaling back excess equipment and employees and streamlining the shipping process. The industry has said P.S.R. enables carriers to run more efficiently and provide more reliable service, while also improving profits. Freight rail customers and employees say it has resulted in deteriorating working conditions and customer service and little resilience in dealing with unforeseen circumstances, like weather emergencies. The Surface Transportation Board, a federal regulatory agency, estimates that the carriers have 30 percent fewer employees today than six years ago. Reducing labor to match this operating model may have been sound in principle, said Mr. Paterson, the industry analyst. But he said the carriers appeared to have cut back too much to allow them to handle potential disruptions, of which the pandemic was an epic example. The Justice Department is announcing a major update to its criminal enforcement policy on Thursday that will take into account a big question when it considers charging a corporate executive or business: Is the company a good actor that cooperates with the authorities and turns in wrongdoers? I wanted very much to arm and empower chief compliance officers and general counsel to be able to go into the boardrooms and say to the C.E.O., to the chair of the board, We need to make these investments in compliance, Lisa Monaco, the deputy attorney general, told the DealBook newsletter in an exclusive preview of the changes that she will announce in a speech at New York University this afternoon. In October, Ms. Monaco announced a coming crackdown on companies, with a key plank: trying to motivate more people, whether through the promise of leniency or other benefits, to come forward. She reasoned that securing more voluntary disclosures would ultimately improve the departments record in corporate criminal enforcement. The experiment in corporate disruption that was the partnership between Kanye West and Gap is officially over. Ye, as Mr. West is now known, formally notified Gap via a letter on Thursday that he was terminating their agreement involving the Yeezy Gap apparel line, citing breach of contract. Instead, Ye is moving ahead with plans to open his own stores. The partnership, announced with a drumroll of publicity in June 2020, had the possibility of lasting 10 years and, Gap hoped, generating more than $1 billion in annual sales. Yeezy Gap would encompass mens, womens and childrens wear and benefit both sides, turning around the fortunes of the Gap by giving it the veneer of cool and giving Ye access to the mass market. California will adopt a broad new approach to protecting children online after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill on Thursday that could transform how many social networks, games and other services treat minors. Despite opposition from the tech industry, the State Legislature unanimously approved the bill at the end of August. It is the first state statute in the nation requiring online services likely to be used by youngsters to install wide-ranging safeguards for users under 18. Among other things, the measure will require sites and apps to curb the risks that certain popular features like allowing strangers to message one another may pose to younger users. It will also require online services to turn on the highest privacy settings by default for children. Our rail system is integral to our supply chain, he said in a follow-up tweet, and a disruption would have had catastrophic impacts on industries, travelers and families across the country. Unions and the freight rail industry were negotiating ahead of a Friday deadline, when a federally imposed cooling-off period was set to end and workers would have been free to strike if no deal had been reached. That possibility had already shaken both freight and passenger rail companies. Nearly a third of U.S. freight moves by rail, second only to trucking. The Association of American Railroads estimated that a nationwide rail service interruption would have idled more than 7,000 trains daily and cost the economy more than $2 billion a day. Retailers and other business groups welcomed news of the deal, saying that, if ratified, it would avoid potentially devastating shipping delays for the holiday season. The Retail Industry Leaders Association said in a release that its members had endured enormous supply chain challenges over the last few years, and we are relieved that rail carriers and labor unions were able to reach a tentative agreement to avoid any further disruption. Congressional leaders who were under increased pressure to step in to block a strike if the negotiations had not produced a deal by Friday also lauded the agreement and, in particular, labor unions that represent a critical voting bloc. The agreement spared Democratic leaders in particular from what could have been a politically treacherous set of votes, pitting the partys deep support for organized labor against its need for economic stability ahead of the midterm elections. Qatar Airways has unveiled a new Frequent Flyer Lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 4, the first of its kind outside of its home, exclusively for Privilege Club members and oneworld alliance partners. Situated in Terminal 4, located just a floor below the Premium Lounge, the Frequent Flyer lounge is open to Qatar Airways Privilege Club members, with access extending to Joint Business Partners like British Airways Executive Club members, and other oneworld Alliance loyalty members. The lounge boasts modern interiors overlooking the tarmac. Eligible customers can indulge in a menu comprising of a hot and cold buffet selection and a range of beverages. Qatar Airways Premium Lounge in Terminal 4, the very first in the airlines global network, has also recently reopened its doors to Qatar Airways First and Business Class passengers. The premium lounge boasts of elegant seating areas, tarmac views, a martini bar, a dedicated family area, prayer room and diverse dining options including a full buffet and an a la carte menu served to fine dining standards at the brasserie and casual dining at the Global Deli. Further elevating the customer experience in London Heathrow, Qatar Airways has dedicated a new enclosed Premium Check-in Area exclusively for its First and Business Class customers. Within the check-in lobby area, customers are invited to lounge in a haven of tranquillity with refreshing beverages while check-in formalities are completed. With Boarding card and fast track invitation in hand, customers can arrive at our lounge with ample time to spare before boarding their flight. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker, said: We are proud to be opening our first Frequent Flyer lounge outside of Doha, offering passengers across the oneworld Alliance network an oasis of calm and comfort in one of the worlds busiest airports. Qatar Airways is committed to serving passengers travelling from Heathrow with world-class facilities, and we hope that they will enjoy the warm Qatari hospitality offered at the Premium Lounge, FFP Lounge and the dedicated Premium Check-in area. Qatar Airways service provides UK passengers with greater access to travel to a wide range of destinations on the airlines global network, including Australia, Thailand, India, the Maldives and the Philippines. Qatar Airways currently operates from four UK airports, which includes five daily flights from London Heathrow increasing to six daily flights from London Gatwick, up to three daily flights from Manchester, and a daily service from Edinburgh. In addition to the UK frequencies, the airline operates to Dublin with 11 weekly flights. TradeArabia News Service Shell, Europes largest oil company, said on Thursday that Ben van Beurden, who has served as chief executive since 2014, would step down at the end of the year. He will be succeeded by Wael Sawan, who currently heads a unit that includes the companys lucrative liquefied natural gas business and its investments in clean energy, including wind and solar power. Mr. van Beurden, 64, whose departure was not a surprise, has steered Shell through a turbulent time and is leaving on a high note at least for investors in oil and gas, who are seeing record profits and payouts. Consumers, on the other hand, are fuming about paying high prices at the pump and to heat their homes as energy costs have soared in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine. Mr. van Beurden has also been in the forefront among oil industry chief executives in acknowledging the role that burning fossil fuels plays in climate change. He has been criticized, though, for not moving fast enough to invest in clean energy. Robert Newman had already sifted, sorted and sweated through untold mounds of paper which to keep, which to sell, which to give away? when he came to a closet door he hadnt opened in 20 years. Inside, crammed floor to ceiling, were still more piles. Oh, Dad, he muttered to himself. What the hell did you do to me? His brother, Harry, has had a similar thought. My father was the biggest pack rat there ever was, he said. And were dealing with that. To be fair, its not all Dads fault; Granddad and the brothers themselves had a hand in creating the clutter. This is what happens when you spend three generations building a family business out of buying and selling history, most of it on paper beautiful, valuable, hard-to-part-with paper. The Webb telescope can look near as well as far. During its first year, about 7 percent of its time will be spent observing our own solar system, according to Heidi B. Hammel, an interdisciplinary scientist who worked on the telescopes development. Webb can analyze the atmospheres of nearby planets like Jupiter and Mars using its infrared sensors. These capabilities can also be directed at some of the closest Earth-size exoplanets, like those surrounding the small Trappist-1 star, 40 light-years away. One goal of that focus is to discern a biosignature that is, an indication that life exists (or has existed) on those worlds. On Earth, a biosignature might be the discarded shell of a clam, the fallen feather of a bird, a fossilized fern embedded in sedimentary rock. On an exoplanet, it might be a certain ratio of gases oxygen, methane, HO and CO, say that suggest the presence of microbes or plants. Nikole Lewis, an associate professor of astronomy at Cornell University whose team has been approved for 22.5 hours of Webb observation time this year to look at Trappist-1e, one of seven planets circling the Trappist-1 star, told me that well before declaring the discovery of a biosignature, she would have to carefully determine the planets atmosphere and potential habitability. First, we have to find out if theres air, she says, and then we can ask, OK, whats in the air? She estimates that it would take three or more years of observing a system to be able to say theres a biosignature. Biosignatures and technosignatures point the same way: toward life. But for now, they are being pursued by two separate scientific communities. One reason is historical: The study of biosignatures which began in the 1960s, within the new discipline of exobiology has been receiving support from NASA and academic institutions for decades. But technosignature was coined only recently, in 2007, by Jill Tarter, a pioneering figure in astronomy who has spent her career conducting searches for alien transmissions. Jason Wright, a professor of astronomy and astrophysics at Penn State who is a member of Franks CATS group, says he thinks of Tarters idea as a rebranding of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, which has long been relegated to the scientific fringe. When Jill coined the phrase, Wright told me, she was trying to emphasize that NASA was looking for microbes and slime and atmospheric biosignatures, but technosignatures were really under the same umbrella. Any search for biosignatures on a distant planet, Wright contends, would logically overlap the search for technosignatures, once it became time to explain unusual observations. Does a telescopic reading suggest a life-sustaining atmosphere? Or is it possibly a sign of technology, too? Scientists looking for biosignatures, in other words, may encounter marks of technology as well. Wright, Frank and the rest of the CATS team are thus interested in atmospheric markers that would probably never occur naturally. One recent group paper, for example, written primarily by Jacob Haqq-Misra, a CATS member who works at the nonprofit Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, considers how the presence of chlorofluorocarbons, an industrial byproduct, would give a distinct spectral signal and could be picked up by Webb. Haqq-Misra was also the first author on a recent paper suggesting that an exoplanet with agriculture exofarms might emit telltale atmospheric emissions. Another paper, one written mainly by Ravi Kopparapu, a CATS member who works at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center, makes the case that the emission of nitrogen dioxide, an industrial byproduct, could signal the existence of alien technology. Those emissions might be observable by a NASA space telescope, known as LUVOIR (Large Ultraviolet Optical Infrared Surveyor), that is slated to be deployed after 2040. These scenarios aliens running factories, say, or aliens riding tractors at harvest time might seem unlikely, but the scientists working on technosignatures are comfortable with the low odds. If we focus on whats detectable, based on these instruments that were building, thats really the fundamental question, Haqq-Misra told me. When I visited Wright at his office at Penn State in the spring, he made the case that technosignatures are not only more detectable than biosignatures, possibly, but also more abundant and longer lived. Consider Earth as an example, he said. Its technology already extends all over the solar system. We have junk on the moon; we have Rovers driving around Mars; we have satellites orbiting other planets. Whats more, several spacecraft including two Pioneers, two Voyagers and the Pluto-probe New Horizons, all launched by NASA are venturing beyond the edge of the solar system into interstellar space. Such technosignatures could last billions of years. And were only 65 years into the age of space exploration. An older civilization could have seeded the galaxy with thousands of technosignatures, which could make them easier to detect. Look, Im truly agnostic about whether theres even anything to find, Wright said. In 1961, he pointed out, the astronomer Frank Drake presented whats now known as the Drake Equation, which is made up of many variables and attempts to help calculate the number of intelligent civilizations elsewhere in the galaxy. But with so little data to plug in to the variables, there has yet to be any solution to the equation. It is also, as his troubled teenage students are all too aware, a place that has historically produced suicide bombers. Hemmed in by joblessness, religious conservatism and captious expectations, the students are seduced by the devils music. Anas teaches class by day, sleeps in his car at night. Of his past, we know little. But when he tells his students that hip-hop is about speaking truth to power, not bling and petty beefs, its clear that he walks his own talk. Well forgive him and his students, flush with the joys and indignations of youth, for the occasional maudlin speech and Ayouch for the attendant schmaltz. Hip-hop isnt dead, the film energetically insists; its just been hiding in a Moroccan slum. Casablanca Beats Not rated. In Arabic, with subtitles. Running time: 1 hour 41 minutes. In theaters. The Jews in World War II who formed resistance groups include one steely-nerved survivor in Julia Mintzs story-filled documentary Four Winters who says it best: If Im not for me, whos for me? The men and women in this harrowing but spirited film took up arms in the forests of Eastern Europe to fight Nazis and their collaborators, living to tell tales that could be fodder for movie plots. Mintz cycles through eight interviewees who recall missions to kill Nazis, as well the day-to-day struggle for survival. After the horror of seeing family members murdered often the end point for many Holocaust stories these civilians fortunately escaped, and took the leap of learning to become soldiers. Far be it from me to quibble over punctuation, but the absence of the vocative comma in the title of Goodnight Mommy an American remake of the Austrian chiller of the same name should be read as a warning of other, more problematic omissions. Like the prickling atmosphere of dread that blanketed the original and is only pallidly reproduced here. The plot, though, remains roughly the same: Twin boys, Elias and Lucas (Cameron Crovetti and Nicholas Crovetti), arrive at their mothers isolated country home after an unspecified absence to find her head swathed in gauze and her behavior apparently altered. Telling the boys she has undergone a little procedure, Mommy (Naomi Watts) bars them from her darkened quarters, and also uh-oh! from the barn. Is she an impostor? The whodunit comedy See How They Run is set backstage in a 1950s London production of the long-running Agatha Christie play The Mousetrap. With a sprightly wit and an all-star cast to bring it to life, the movie manages to be a loving parody of theater gossips, postwar London and Christies murder mysteries all at once. The story is an investigation of the murder of a Hollywood film director, Leo Kopernick (Adrien Brody). Leo had been hired to adapt the play, and he was killed in cold blood at the theater, making all the shows players potential suspects and, they fear, potential future victims. Theres the disgruntled screenwriter, Mervyn (David Oyelowo), the sensitive actor Dickie (Harris Dickinson), and the hard-nosed theater owner (Ruth Wilson). Each has their motives, and an odd couple of detectives are assigned to untangle them. Inspector Stoppard (Sam Rockwell) is a jaded veteran, and his apprentice is a movie-loving rookie, Constable Stalker (Saoirse Ronan). To a large extent, the proposals fate will depend on the willingness of local elected officials to accept a casino in Manhattan. What we consider before using anonymous sources. Do the sources know the information? Whats their motivation for telling us? Have they proved reliable in the past? Can we corroborate the information? Even with these questions satisfied, The Times uses anonymous sources as a last resort. The reporter and at least one editor know the identity of the source. Learn more about our process. In order for the Related-Wynn proposal to proceed, it would have to win approval from a yet-to-be-formed, six-person community advisory committee. Mayor Eric Adams will have a representative on the committee, as will the governor, the local City Council member, the borough president, the local Assembly member and the local state senator. Both Jeff T. Blau, the chief executive of Related Companies, and Stephen M. Ross, its billionaire chairman who also owns the Miami Dolphins, have been generous donors to Gov. Kathy Hochuls campaign. Mr. Adams has close ties to Mr. Cohen, who helped bankroll a super PAC that supported his candidacy during the 2021 Democratic primary. The gaming commission will decide on where these casinos will be located, but we are hoping two of the three downstate casinos will be placed in New York City, said Fabien Levy, a spokesman for the mayor. For decades, New York City officials and developers have debated what to build in Hudson Yards, a formerly industrial neighborhood in Midtown that was dominated by the uncovered tracks. In the early 2000s, the site became the centerpiece to the citys bid for the Olympics, with plans to build a football stadium that would also be used by the New York Jets. If a casino were built, it would likely open at a time of even more transformation in the neighborhood. Ms. Hochul has proposed a large real estate project around the nearby Pennsylvania Station that would include 10 high-rise buildings constructed by 2044, and would form a nearly contiguous corridor of towers from there to Hudson Yards. Mr. McGuire cited the citys failure on Monday to offer beds to 60 migrants who arrived at the mens intake facility on East 30th Street in Manhattan, where homeless men are assessed when they first enter the shelter system the first major such lapse in over a decade. The city blamed that failure on the fact that several busloads of migrants had arrived that day, overburdening the system. This is very different than when you have a much smaller number of homegrown New Yorkers who were unhoused coming in at the usual rate, Mr. McGuire said. The Legal Aid Society, which filed the lawsuit more than 40 years ago that led to the right to shelter and continues to ensure the citys compliance, acknowledged that the influx of migrants has caused problems. The citys shelter population has grown by more than 5,000, to nearly 56,000 since Aug. 9, an increase of nearly 10 percent in one month. In addition to the spike in numbers, advocates say the city is struggling with staffing problems, including a lack of Spanish-speaking workers to help process the migrants. The migrants who arrive in New York typically have no awareness of the citys obligation to house them. Marbeliz del Carmen Gutierrez Hernandez, 32, arrived at the Port Authority bus terminal with her 12-year-old son on Thursday and was met by volunteers, who have been on the front lines in the response to the migrant influx. She said she hadnt known that New York City is a sanctuary city for immigrants or that she has a right to shelter here. She began her trip to the United States on Aug. 1 from Necocli, Colombia, traveling by foot and by speedboat, and drinking water purified with tablets. During the trip she was separated from her partner, and a family that they were traveling with drowned, she said. Many European countries and Canada, for example, did a better job of making sure more of their population got boosters. Their cumulative death and illness tolls from the Omicron wave are sharply lower than those of the United States, where only about a third of eligible adults had gotten boosters, compared with two-thirds of adults in many European countries. The United States has had a death rate 80 percent greater than Canadas from the Omicron wave a similar pattern holds globally. Countries like Japan, South Korea and Taiwan have about 80 percent or more of their adult population boosted, and their death tolls are even lower. Many might also be wondering why bother with one more shot since 68 percent of Americans have had two initial vaccination shots, some of those have had booster shots already, and most likely about 60 percent of the country got some level of immunity from an Omicron infection. Deepta Bhattacharya, an immunologist, told me that variants evolved to evade the first line of antibody protection generated by earlier vaccines or past infections, even though protections against severe disease remained fairly strong. But the new boosters can greatly decrease that evasion. When the initial vaccines were trialed, matching the strain that was then in circulation, they reported 90 percent to 95 percent protection against any symptomatic infection, which then declined against variants and with time. While exact numbers remain to be seen, all the immunologists I spoke with told me the updated boosters should again increase such protections. Vaccines (and boosters) have already been shown to greatly reduce rates of long Covid among the infected, but obviously, if infection is avoided completely, that would directly sidestep the risk of long Covid. Shane Crotty, an immunologist, also noted that these boosters will probably further reduce the chances of more severe disease complications, which include long Covid, and says the higher your level of immunity, the less viral replication youre going to have, the less viral damage, the less likelihood of long Covid. And these new boosters can be expected to do even more going forward including providing better protection against future variants, by better training both antibodies and memory cells, which are different parts of the immune system. As Bhattacharya told me, being exposed to different versions of the virus (as will happen with these updated boosters) further deepens and broadens the kind of antibodies that get generated, including ones that can work against future variants. Marion Pepper, an immunologist, told me a new variant vaccine can also create new, more diverse memory cells that will help protect from Omicron variants and new variants that we have yet to encounter. Unfortunately we may face another problem we have witnessed throughout the pandemic: public health officials or prominent media doctors casting doubt on the boosters by focusing on their imperfections rather than their immense benefits and worrying about public reaction like concerns about vaccine fatigue. Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the leading travel and tourism event in the Middle East, has signed an agreement with international hospitality group IHG Hotels & Resorts, to become its Official Hotel Partner for ATM 2023. The event takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre on May 1-4, 2023. IHG will officially accommodate almost 200 leading international media and key industry buyers from the UK, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Israel, Turkey, India, the GCC, the US, Egypt and South Africa. The agreement will enable IHG to showcase their InterContinental branded properties in Dubai, as well as voco Hotels, Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts and Hotel Indigo to top industry professionals representing luxury, leisure, MICE and business travel. In addition, IHG will also host the coveted Official ATM Party. The theme of next years ATM showcase is Working Towards Net Zero and RX (Reed Exhibitions) the organiser of ATM, will celebrate its 30th annual event by unveiling a dedicated sustainability pledge, not only to make the ATM 2023 event more sustainable, but to announce 30 long term goals, as ATM works towards Net Zero in line with the RX Global pledge. Haitham Mattar, IHGs MD for IMEA said: We are pleased to extend our long-term relationship with RX as their hotel partner for Arabian Travel Market 2023. We are especially keen on the shows theme Working towards Net Zero as it is well aligned with IHGs Journey to Tomorrow our ten-year responsible business agenda focused on our people, planet and communities. The partnership presents a great opportunity for IHG to showcase the work that we are doing on a series of far-reaching commitments to drive environmental and social change to meet the demand for sustainable stays from millions of our guests around the world. As a regular global exhibitor with RX, we have experienced great footfall and interest at several of their shows across the world and especially at ATM. The shows success was especially evident in 2022 as the world returned to meeting face to face, building strong personal networks and long-term business relationships. The show offered a great backdrop for the launch of our new IHG One Rewards program and in 2023 we look forward to delving further into our loyalty offering for the Middle East, Mattar added. ATM 2022 attracted over 24,000 visitors and hosted over 31,000 participants including 1,600 exhibitors and attendees from 151 countries, across 10 halls at Dubai World Trade Centre. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director, Arabian Travel Market, said: Arabian Travel Market is committed to the Middle East, which has some of the most ambitious and exciting development plans anywhere in the world. This partnership with IHG presents an ideal opportunity to align one of the regions leading hospitality groups with our unrivalled event platform. The Official Hotel Partnership is pivotal to the ongoing success of Arabian Travel Market, and the correlation between attracting quality buyers and delivering a quality host hotel experience has been a major factor in driving interest and guaranteeing the attendance of key travel industry professionals. TradeArabia News Service Part of the deal lawmakers struck when they agreed to preserve a central role for private insurance and employee benefits in the Obamacare era is that private companies are now an integral part of our public health system. Health care isnt just a personal good. We all benefit from living in a society where our neighbors and co-workers, our kids classmates and teachers and others have access to screening and preventive care. This is particularly the case for conditions that are infectious (like Covid and having H.I.V.) and those whose shared burdens grow significantly if they arent caught and treated early (like diabetes, cancer, heart disease and depression). The Affordable Care Act recognizes the public benefits of private health coverage by requiring most health plans to cover certain immunizations and preventive services without imposing any out-of-pocket payments that could discourage people from getting the care they need. This is the regulation the Biden administration refers to when it says most people will still be able to get Covid vaccinations free of charge even after the pandemic response is fully delegated to the private market. We depend on highly regulated and taxpayer-subsidized private companies to secure access to vaccinations, viral testing, disease screening, smoking cessation services, contraceptives, counseling and a whole host of other things vital for the publics health. But the compromise at the heart of the Affordable Care Act isnt working for the publics health. Our dependence on private health care financing leaves us vulnerable to poor health outcomes and shocking inequities. Regulation of what private insurance plans must cover provides a crucial stopgap. But now, under the banner of individual rights including the rights of for-profit employers, insurers, pharmacies and hospitals to exercise moral judgment condemning the use of health care services that medical and public health experts deem essential the courts are eroding the legal foundations for privately financed public health. The opt-outs some judges believe are constitutionally required for anyone who asserts a religious reason for not abiding by generally applicable rules or contributing to collective financing mechanisms are ever expanding. They are also increasingly rooted in animus toward people who exercise their personal autonomy in ways the religious right deems immoral, which the ruling last week underscored. I started walking around my neighborhood more. Compared with those wild places, this was unremarkable: pacing down a sidewalk of 10-year-old maples, across cracked squares of pavement, alongside a ditch bursting with spring runoff. But I turned it into a practice of sensation. I listened. I felt. And in a remarkable way, the neighborhood came alive alive in a way that those mountaintops or the wildflower-strewn rivulet in the valley below never had. My senses, once atrophied, came to life, and with them, so did the world around me. My experience, which took me from the rugged wild to a tamer, humbler landscape outside my front door, went against the grain of a few hundred years of traditional nature writing, but so be it. My strolls taught me that walking truly is a discipline and an art. The discipline of removing assumption thinking that something is going to be beautiful does as much damage to a place as thinking it will be ugly. It is an art of attention. There was no satori, or breakthrough moment. I had the kind of experience young lovers do when, after hanging out every day for two months, it finally occurs to them theyre in love. They smile, but they cant remember the precise moment their love began. I realized the main thing preventing a more intimate connection to the natural world was concept the mysterious filters our mind lodges between us and the world, at every turn, at every second, in just about every interaction. Concepts can be good: We get the concept of mortal danger when a car is hurtling toward us. But concepts, also a form of assumption, can neuter experience because pure sensations become impure when we judge them. Concepts are what we deploy when we ask what we can get out of a walk, rather than the opposite. Researchers who study our brain activity while we walk use the term automaticity to describe how our body behaves on a stroll. Automaticity is defined as the ability of the nervous system to successfully coordinate movement with minimal use of attention-demanding executive control resources. We should leverage the gift of walking to stop thinking and start doing, apparently, what walking is asking us to do pay attention to the stuff of place, the place itself. To arrive at that point takes time, and discipline, but when it does, delight bubbles up, a praising of the mysterious and tender touching we are so often in the midst of, according to Ross Gay, poet and author of The Book of Delights. Place comes to life, any place, from the life we gave it, from attentiveness. Kenneth A. Farley, a professor of geochemistry at the California Institute of Technology who serves as the project scientist for the Perseverance mission, said the carbon molecules, even though described as organic, could have also formed in chemical reactions that did not involve life. A key point about a potential biosignature is it compels further investigation to draw a conclusion, he said. We dont yet know the significance of these findings. These rocks are exactly the kind of rocks we came to investigate. The sophisticated but limited scientific instruments on Perseverance are unlikely to provide definitive, convincing answers. The burden of proof for establishing life on another planet is very, very high, Dr. Farley said. And it seems unlikely to most of us that the evidence will be so compelling that we will be able to do that. That is why the rover is drilling samples of intriguing rocks that eventually will be brought back to Earth, where scientists will be able to use state-of-the-art techniques. Dramatic and absurd were the words Natasha Hunt Lee, a 25-year-old musician in Los Angeles, had in mind while booking three D.J.s, a tattoo artist and a Disney princess bouncy castle for her album-release party this month. Also integral to her planning process was one not-quite-a-word: Partiful. Its the name of a new event-invitation service that allows hosts to create mobile-friendly event pages and guests to receive reminders via text. In the year since it became available for use, it has already become ubiquitous in Ms. Hunt Lees social circle. Its definitely the primary party platform right now, she said. Shortly after the interview, she left to go to a friends birthday party, which had also been organized using Partiful. New York Woman three small words that tell a big story. A story I hoped to embody, but might never get the chance. The words were embroidered on a T-shirt I saw at Out of the Closet, the secondhand store in the Boerum Hill neighborhood in Brooklyn, last week but opted not to buy simply because I ran out of steam, and now, I regret everything. Retracing my steps, I rummage through the rack. Someone else beat me to it. Probably another local mother. Maybe Maggie Gyllenhaal. And so it goes, as I schlep up and down Atlantic Avenue in early September ahead of my kids Sept. 8 return date, looking for little gems to enhance what I like to call my drop-off outfits. You know, the clothes one wears when we take our kids to school. A tradition that is distinctly though certainly not exclusively New York. When Daniel Patrick Giles, whose long career in beauty and fashion has included stints at Holt Renfrew, Benefit Cosmetics and Perricone MD, began working on his own fragrance brand three years ago, his aim was to get people to explore what he calls the osmocosm (osmo is Latin for smell) with, he says, intention and curiosity, much like they might consume film, music or poetry. To do so, hes debuted seven unisex fragrances that were partly inspired by Los Angeles, his home of 10 years and a place he considers full of olfactory complexity, from the waves at Venice Beach to the jacaranda trees of West Hollywood. With Alone Together, a standout from the line, which hes named Perfumehead, he wanted to evoke the feeling of lounging in a loved ones slightly dirty shirt and ended up presenting the perfumer Celine Perdriel with an entire scrapbook filled with images of art and places, including the lush Flamingo Estate in the Los Angeles hills, that he associates with just that. Perdriel also drew from her own experience of keeping a jacket of her fathers as a memento during the early days of Covid when they had to be apart. She ultimately came up with the soft citrus scent, which has notes of lime, pink pepper and basil and is grounded by those of vetiver and patchouli. Each fragrance is accompanied by a poem (Ethereal and ephemeral like a scent caught/ On a momentary breeze) that, Giles hopes, will let buyers escape into the rhythm of the words and help them interpret the smell in a personal way. Its scent as cinema, he adds. Its my moment, its your moment, its anyones moment. $425 each, violetgrey.com. THERES A COMIC by Robert Crumb from 1979 called A Short History of America. Its 12 panels, all portraying a single spot of land. In the first, we see a bucolic field abutting a forest, birds flying overhead. In the second, there are fewer trees and a train rolling down a track, ejecting plumes of black smoke. Soon, theres a log cabin, then telephone poles, then asphalt and cars. Then the trees disappear entirely and the house becomes a general store, the general store becomes a gas station, the gas station becomes a used-car lot and the sky, once so big, is almost completely obscured by crisscrossing electric wires. A small box in the final panel, containing the only text apart from the title, asks, What next?!! This is the work of Crumbs I keep thinking about on the summer afternoon I arrive in a medieval village in the Cevennes region of southern France. Crumb moved here in 1991 with his wife, the comics artist Aline Kominsky-Crumb, and their daughter, Sophie, who was 10 at the time. They found a place that feels like its almost protected from the march of progress. Cars arent allowed in town; to get to the Crumbs house, I have to walk across a weathered bridge that traverses a murky canal. Affixed to the front door are what appear to be Catholic prayer cards though, on closer inspection, they depict Elvis Presley in a state of religious ecstasy. Inside, we go upstairs to a dimly lit office, with shelves of 78 r.p.m. records, mostly from the 1920s and 30s (Crumb owns 8,000 of them; hes been collecting old music of all kinds from all over the world since he was 16), a bulky metal drawing board, various instruments (hes an accomplished musician), stacks of faded newspapers and books with titles like Because Our Fathers Lied, UFOs and Nukes and Grey Aliens and the Harvesting of Souls. (Im very interested in fringe things like that, Crumb says.) I ask the couple, who have been together since 1971 and married in 1978, how they ended up here. Ask her, Crumb tells me, gesturing to his wife. It was all her doing. She comes from a long line of salespeople, and she just sold me on the idea of moving to France. There are other benefits to the merge its expected to make Ethereum faster and more efficient in the long run but the environmental footprint is the big, immediate improvement. According to crypto researchers, the new Ethereum blockchain will consume 99.95 percent less energy than the old one. Thats a huge change comparable to the entire nation of Portugal going off the grid, according to Digiconomist, a website that tracks crypto's energy consumption. And it should help industry advocates make the case that crypto can be green. Third, many crypto fans are optimistic that the merge will be good for the value of Ether, Ethereums native cryptocurrency. For reasons that are too complicated to get into here, running the Ethereum blockchain requires destroying (or burning) billions of dollars worth of Ether every year. The new Ethereum blockchain will still burn Ether, but it wont need to create as much new Ether to pay out rewards to participants. That means that the overall supply of Ether could shrink, increasing the value of existing coins. In addition, miners the people who ran those giant, energy-guzzling server farms under the old proof-of-work system will no longer be forced to sell some of their Ether to pay their electricity bills, which could result in more stable prices. Ive talked to a number of crypto industry leaders about the merge, and the general feeling they express is one of cautious optimism. Its been a brutal year in crypto, but now that Ethereum has neutralized one of the most common objections to crypto the enormous environmental toll they hope that at least some skeptics will come around. Regulators wont object as strenuously to Ethereum 2.0, they believe, and companies that experiment with NFTs and other Ethereum-based technologies wont face as much backlash. But Im doubtful that the merge will solve cryptos problems overnight and it may introduce some even thornier ones. Like many festive occasions, A Perfect Party for Trees involves giving and receiving presents: a pine cone, a jar of found objects, a song, even a badger and a bird (both are inventively portrayed by puppets). But perhaps the greatest gift this new play offers its audience is intangible: the freedom to be themselves. The shows producer, the Trusty Sidekick Theater Company, has created an interactive woodland adventure for children ages 5 and older who are on the autism spectrum. In the show, which is filled with music, young spectators become part of the cast and can participate or not while happily defying the constraining conventions of traditional theater. Sit still? This production is a promenade. Be quiet? Please sing along. Dont get your hands dirty? The plot of A Perfect Party includes treasure boxes, filled with trinkets and real dirt, that children can dig into. It feels like a celebration of this audience instead of a segregation of this audience, Leigh Walter, Trusty Sidekicks executive creative producer and the plays director, said in a recent interview with the shows creative team. Its us, like, going into a public space and throwing a party like were throwing a party. Echelon found what? (Wonkiness rating: 7/10) Echelon Insights, a Republican polling firm, released some of the most eye-popping numbers of the campaign season on Tuesday. Democratic Senate candidates led by jaw-dropping margins, including 15 points in Arizona, 21 points (!) in Pennsylvania, 10 points in Georgia and six points in Ohio. You can see the full results here. The wildly favorable figures for Democrats are strange enough, but whats really perplexing is that the numbers often seem eminently reasonable in the context of the last presidential race in the very same states. Take Ohio: In the Echelon poll, Donald J. Trump led Mr. Biden, in a projected 2024 rematch, by a very 2020-like eight-point margin. Echelons Patrick Ruffini told me that the poll did a lot to control for super engaged Democrats who might ordinarily be cited as the reason for left-leaning poll results. The poll did this by weighting on partisanship from the voter file and by adjusting the survey to have the right number of voters who said they voted for Mr. Trump or Mr. Biden in the last election. So what could be going on here? How do you find so many Trump voters who back Democratic Senate candidates? This is a bit of a wonky explanation, but one thing that caught my eye was in the methodology: Its an online panel that has been matched to a voter registration file. Online panel surveys are pretty common you might have seen some, whether by YouGov or Morning Consult. But online data matched to the voter file is somewhat rarer in public polling, even though its common in private surveys. Voter-file-matched data is coveted by campaigns, which rely on voter registration files for basically everything, from door-to-door voter contact to modeling and polling. Is it possible that this kind of data has some idiosyncratic biases? Maybe. Over the last few years, pollsters have been taking note of a variety of biases in typical online panels, like certain people who take surveys over and over and dominate the sample. (Yes, these people do exist.) The Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) and the Mauritian government recently lead a team to Saudi Arabia as part of a week-long business development mission and a mission to entice KSA residents to travel to Mauritius. A delegation led by officials from the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) and the Mauritian government recently visited Saudi Arabia as part of a week-long business development mission and a mission to entice KSA residents to travel to Mauritius. The mission aimed at positioning the Mauritius islands as a destination and partner of choice for the KSAs travel agents and local industry partners. The delegation accompanied by Mauritian travel experts found success and explored strategic partnerships and investment opportunities with national Saudi Airliners and Saudi tourism players across the Kingdom. The campaign educated more than 100 agents and tour operators from each of the visited cities and aimed to work towards creating tailored holiday packages for Saudi travellers. With the number of arrivals steadily increasing it is expected to reach pre-pandemic numbers by the end of the year. Thanks to three weekly flights operated by SAUDIA Airlines which have been resumed and the continued marketing promotions led by MTPA to promote the destination in the Kingdom. For three consecutive days the Mauritian delegation met with key representatives from the travel and tourism industry to raise awareness on the destination and grow the destinations presence among travel and tourism industry partners in Saudi Arabia and the wider region. Led by Arvind Bundhun, Director, MTPA and supported by Showkutally Soodhun, Ambassador of the Republic of Mauritius to the GCC, the delegation met with tour operators and hospitality representatives to connect with KSAs leading travel agents and grow visitation from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region. Arvind Bundhun said: The gulf region is one of the key inbound tourism markets for Mauritius and is topped by Saudi Arabia which is the number one ranked Arab country for tourists arrivals and the tenth biggest market to Mauritius. We are extremely excited to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reconnect with our industry partners. The number of Mauritius partners and the calibre of the guests weve had in this mission is indicative of the commitment and level of importance this market holds for us. The KSA and Gulf region are strategic markets for Mauritius, as we diversify our visitor mix and attract new segments of travellers. Mauritius is considered by many as one of the top premier luxury holiday destinations with one of the highest rates of return visitors. The Island is also a business and investment-friendly destination and has been an established centre for international banking and finance. TradeArabia News Service And then he saw the alligator, parallel to him in the water less than two feet away. He said he tried to swim away, but the animal was faster. It latched onto his right forearm, and the two fought. The animal pulled him under three times, then bent his forearm backward. It snapped away at the elbow and the alligator swam away with his forearm and hand in its mouth. Mr. Merda struggled to shore, in pain and undoubtedly in shock. He battled the disorientation and tried to keep going, sleeping as best he could when he could, but heading back to the shoreline to keep from further losing his way. I kept getting lost in the grasses, he said. I was scared to death to go back to that water but I had to. I didnt know how the heck else Im going to get out of there. At some point, he said, the bleeding from his arm stopped, but he knew he was in bad shape. I got bone poking out of me, muscles twitching, he said. And in a scene worthy of a horror movie, he said, he looked back and the alligator just keeps popping up here and there. For a period, Mr. Merda said he pulled himself on top of a stump, hoping someone would find him, but eventually decided to press on. He rested when his body would not allow him to move further. There was a lot of times I couldnt keep going a lot, he said. As the days got longer, of course it got worse and worse. That last day, if I had to guess, I bet that last day I didnt move but 100 yards. In Los Angeles, a pilot program funded primarily by the city has already begun giving $1,000 a month to 3,200 low-income families. The pilot is slated to run for a year. Oakland and San Diego have also recently moved ahead with programs, which are funded primarily with private money. Oaklands will give 600 low-income families $500 for 18 months; San Diegos will provide $500 a month for two years to several families with young children. But questions remain about whether these programs can be expanded effectively. An analysis from the Jain Family Institute, a nonprofit group that has studied several pilot programs, argues that the best path toward a national guaranteed income isnt through scaling up pilots, but in reforming and expanding existing federal programs, such as the earned-income tax credit and the child tax credit. It does not make sense to take a municipal program and build it when there are already programs in place that can be reformed, Stephen Nunez, lead researcher on guaranteed income at the Jain Family Institute, told me. Even so, the programs are pushing ahead at the local level. Tubbs, who lost his re-election bid in 2020 and is now an adviser to Gov. Gavin Newsom, a proponent of guaranteed income, says the approach is a critical tool in achieving racial and economic justice for Black people and Latinos. The ways in which racism and capitalism have intersected to steal wealth from some communities, he said, creates the disparities we see today. Authorities in Colorado said this week that they were investigating a fatal shooting in June by a sheriffs deputy of a disturbed 22-year-old Boulder man who had called 911 when his S.U.V. became stuck on a mountain road at night. In a statement on Tuesday, Heidi McCollum, the Clear Creek County district attorney, said that her office and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation were reviewing the events surrounding the death of the man, Christian Glass, to decide whether to present the case to a grand jury for possible indictment. While we understand that public sentiment may desire this process to move at a more rapid pace, it is not in the interests of justice and fairness to the family of the victim for this matter to be rushed to a conclusion, she said. Ms. Harris claims our border is secure & denies the crisis, Mr. Abbott wrote on Twitter. Were sending migrants to her backyard to call on the Biden Administration to do its job & secure the border. The two governors, who could someday face off as presidential primary rivals, do not appear to have coordinated their transports, though both were clearly intended to draw the attention they received. The Texas governors office had previously talked with Mr. DeSantis and his aides about supporting Mr. Abbotts existing effort to bus migrants out of Texas, said Mr. Abbotts press secretary, Renae Eze. But Mr. DeSantis appears to have opted instead to create his own spectacle. (Ms. Eze said in a statement that the Texas governors office was not involved in these initial planes to Marthas Vineyard, though she added that we appreciate the support in responding to this national crisis and helping Texans.) In Washington, a Fox News camera was positioned near the vice presidents residence to film the drop-off, officials said; volunteers eventually took the migrants to a church. Members of the White House were particularly frustrated that Fox News had apparently been alerted, but not the city government or nonprofit organizers waiting for any potential migrants at Union Station. The Biden administration portrayed Republicans as determined to harness anti-immigrant sentiment ahead of the congressional midterm elections. But it is unclear what action, if any, the White House can take to stop the drop-offs of migrants, many of whom plan to seek asylum in the United States and are guaranteed that right. Once migrants have been released by border officials and served documents to appear in court, they are no longer in federal custody and are free to travel across the country as they please. The Mosquito fire, which has been tearing through the Sierra Nevada foothills since last week, became Californias largest blaze of the year on Wednesday. The fire formed on Sept. 6 and has been moving east through dry, hilly terrain northeast of Sacramento, the state capital. It made an unexpected surge on Tuesday, damaging or destroying some buildings. By Wednesday evening it had grown to more than 63,000 acres, making it Californias largest of the 2022 season, said Kevin Tidwell, the public information officer on the Mosquito fire. The case, in Mr. Silberts view, was limited to the seven defendants. He did not see it as a forum to go after higher-ups like John N. Mitchell, the former attorney general who headed Nixons re-election campaign, or John Ehrlichman, Nixons domestic policy chief. Both men ended up going to prison for their roles in the scandal. Mr. Silberts strategy was criticized by members of Congress and by Judge John J. Sirica, who, overseeing the trial in U.S. District Court, questioned witnesses from the bench and urged prosecutors to be more aggressive. Judge Sirica, in his 1979 memoir, To Set the Record Straight: The Break-in, the Tapes, the Conspirators, the Pardon, described Mr. Silbert as naive and somewhat inexperienced. In his book Watergate: A New History (2022), the journalist Garrett M. Graff wrote that in confining his attention to the burglary, Mr. Silbert brought the narrowest case possible. That decision, Mr. Graff said, was a near total strategic victory for the White House. But Leslie Silbert, who collaborated with her father on the book, Watergate: The Missing Story, to be published this winter, said in a phone interview that he had been focused on the job at hand, prosecuting a burglary, and that he felt that once he had those convictions, he would have leverage over higher-level actors. Should he win, Mr. Fetterman, 53, would be far younger than many leaders in Washington, including President Biden (79), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (82) and a number of octogenarian U.S. senators, some of whom have faced scrutiny over their mental acuity. The goal posts for John keep moving. John is already healthier and more articulate than about 80 percent of the Senate, and hes getting better every day, said Rebecca Katz, a senior adviser to the Fetterman campaign. Senator Ben Ray Lujan, a New Mexico Democrat who suffered a stroke earlier this year, has been in touch with Mr. Fetterman since his illness and said he had no doubt that Mr. Fetterman could handle the demands of the office. If anyone wants to see what a stroke survivor looks like, they can just take a look at me, the senator said, noting his participation in an all-night voting session. Hes strong. Hes working. Hes connecting with constituents. Hes going to keep doing that. Mr. Fetterman, for his part, suggested the health scare had given him a new perspective. I had to be faced with the idea that this could have ended my life when I have three young children, he said. Thats 10 times harder than anything that Im having, dealing with, right now. The bipartisan legislation, led by Representatives Gerald E. Connolly, Democrat of Virginia, and Brian Fitzpatrick, Republican of Pennsylvania, would prevent a president from placing federal employees under a new classification what the Trump administration had termed Schedule F without the approval of Congress. All but six Republicans opposed it. Blind loyalty and ideological purity tests must never determine who we trust with securing our nations orders, fortifying federal IT systems, caring for seniors and veterans, Mr. Connolly said. Do we really think a government of political hacks and sycophants is in the best interest of the American people? Democrats in the Senate have introduced a parallel bill, but the measures most straightforward path into law may be the annual defense policy measure. The House passed its version of the legislation in July, containing Mr. Connollys civil service measure; the Senate has yet to pass its bill. Mr. Trump has threatened to resurrect the policy should he return to the White House, and he has turned the issue on its face an arcane matter of labor classification into a touchstone of the far-right culture wars. At rallies, he has promised to renew his fight to weaken the job protections, telling a rally crowd in March that the deep state must and will be brought to heel. In the most competitive high schools, the college rankings have reached the level of obsession. I think its more of a FOMO, fear of missing out, said Neil Daniel, a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, a top public high school in Alexandria, Va. Going to TJ, a lot of people, their parents and the communities around them, theyre expected to get into an Ivy League school. Theres a lot of pressure Harvard, Stanford, Yale, M.I.T. Neil said he looked at rankings but also independently analyzed the average SAT and ACT scores at each school. He is interested in Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, a techie school ranked No. 22, but he sees some local options as possibilities, including the University of Virginia (No. 25), as well as his fathers alma mater, Virginia Tech (No. 62). To be honest, the schools in our area theyre really great, he said. Top 10 schools tend to be more expensive, but in terms of cost-effectiveness, you get a little more out of local schools. His mother, Divya Singh, said the rankings were not the most important thing to her. I do want it to be a good school, dont get me wrong, she said. There are things that are more important to us than the name of the school he gets into or the ranking of that school. MEXICO CITY Mexican authorities arrested a general for his alleged involvement in the disappearance of 43 students in 2014, the authorities said on Thursday, the latest in a recent string of developments in a high-profile case that has become a deep wound in the national psyche. Gen. Jose Rodriguez Perez, who was a colonel in the city of Iguala on the night the students were abducted in 2014, was arrested along with two other members of the military, the deputy security minister, Ricardo Mejia Berdeja, said in a news conference. Four arrest warrants have been issued against members of the Mexican Army, Mr. Mejia said. There are three people arrested, among them the commander of the 27th infantry battalion when the events took place in Iguala in September 2014. Zamzam.com, the online platform facilitating Umrah booking services in the region, has entered a strategic partnership with Merit Incentives to deliver on its brand promise Umrah Simplified. As part of this collaboration, Merit Incentives clients in the banking sector and its marketplace will equip their customers to redeem their loyalty points for Zamzam gift cards, providing all customers with the opportunity to gift their loved ones an Umrah experience, said a statement. Registered users can redeem their loyalty points for a Zamzam gift card to plan their travel to Umrah and Hajj effortlessly and conveniently. In addition, customers can redeem their loyalty points on Zamzam.com to plan their pilgrimage to Makkah or visit Madinah. Zamzam.com CEO Omar Seraj Akbar said: Delivering a seamless Umrah experience is paramount to our business. Our platform acts as a gateway to effective Umrah planning and is designed to help customers enjoy a seamless booking experience. Our alliance with Merit Incentives fulfils our strategic goal of expanding our network and providing a religious tourism experience to a wider audience. Through this partnership, we aim to make Umrah travel accessible and more shareable than ever for everyone in the region and beyond. At Merit Incentives, we are focused on providing the best customer and employee engagement technologies & strategies with new innovative ideas, said Julie Barbier-Leblan, CEO of Merit Incentives. Our main objective is to offer complete freedom of choice to our millions of programs end-users and personalise redemption options that match their personal, cultural or even religious preferences. Partnering with ZamZam.com to offer the Muslim community - in the MENA region and globally - an opportunity to redeem their points for Umrah packages was an essential part of our innovation roadmap. Merit Incentives operates its own rewards network of 5,000 partner brands across 100+ countries, with 8,500+ retailers and merchants in the GCC alone, making it a firm that delivers on its promise of thinking globally, acting locally. In addition to its global headquarters, the company is established in Saudi Arabia since 2019, and has offices in the United Kingdom, Kuwait, Egypt, Singapore, Pakistan and other GCC countries. Through this partnership, leading banks and other Merit programmes in Saudi Arabia utilising Merit Incentives B2B Marketplace service will enable its customers to exchange their loyalty points for Zamzam gift cards of their choice of denomination and rewards its valued customers loyalty. said Thamer Bamieh, GM of Merit Incentives Saudi Arabia Zamzam.com allows travellers to complete the entire process of Umrah booking, including Umrah packages, hotels, flight transfers, visa assistance, accommodation, ground arrangements and other services. Through its exclusive services, Zamzam is dedicated to creating end-to-end pilgrimage experiences for religious travellers to make their Umrah pilgrimage a worthwhile experience. TradeArabia News Service Video Footage from Russian state media shows President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia meeting with Xi Jinping, Chinas top leader, in Uzbekistan at a summit meant to show the strength of the relationship between the two authoritarian leaders. Credit Credit... Pool photo by Alexandr Demyanchuk/Sputnik President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia said on Thursday that Moscow understood that China had questions and concerns about the war in Ukraine a notable, if cryptic, admission from Mr. Putin that Beijing may not fully approve of Russias invasion of Ukraine. And his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping in his first face-to-face meeting with Mr. Putin since the invasion began struck a far more subdued tone than the Russian president, and steered clear in his public comments of any mention of Ukraine at all. Taken together, the remarks were a stark sign that Russia lacks the full backing of its most powerful international partner as it tries to recover from a humiliating rout in northeastern Ukraine last week. The two authoritarian leaders met during a summit in Uzbekistan that was meant to signal the strength of the relationship between the countries at a time of increasing animosity with the West and challenges to their agendas. The meeting was particularly important to Mr. Putin, who has become more isolated by the United States and its allies over his invasion of Ukraine. We highly appreciate the balanced position of our Chinese friends in connection with the Ukrainian crisis, Mr. Putin said in televised remarks at the start of the meeting. We understand your questions and concerns in this regard. During todays meeting, of course, we will explain in detail our position on this issue, although we have spoken about this before. While Chinese officials have offered some lip service in recent months to Russias message that the war in Ukraine was the Wests fault, Mr. Xi did not repeat any of those lines in his televised comments. He carefully avoided offering any endorsement of specific Russian policies, instead offering generalities about Chinas and Russias view of the world. After the meeting, China released a statement saying that it was ready to work with Russia in extending strong support to each other on issues concerning their respective core interests. It was a strikingly different tone from Mr. Xi than in early February, before the invasion. The two countries issued a joint statement before the start of the Winter Olympics in Beijing describing their partnership as having no limits. The lukewarm Chinese support leaves Mr. Putin in an increasingly difficult spot as the invasion approaches the seven-month mark and he faces increasing criticism inside Russia about how he is conducting the war. Sergey Radchenko, a professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, said Mr. Putin has severely undercut his leverage with China by cutting himself off from the West. He has nowhere else to turn but to China, Mr. Radchenko said. And the Chinese are best at looking after their own interests. In contrast with Mr. Xis circumspect remarks, Mr. Putin railed against the unipolar, American-led world order that he sees Beijing and Moscow aligned against. We jointly stand for the formation of a just, democratic and multipolar world order based on international law and the central role of the U.N., and not on some rules that someone has come up with and is trying to impose on others, without even explaining what its about, Mr. Putin told Mr. Xi. Asked about the summit meeting at a news conference on Thursday, a State Department spokesman, Ned Price, said it was not surprising that China had concerns about the war. It is somewhat curious, Mr. Price added, that President Putin would be the one to admit it. China has been a crucial trade partner for Russia in the months since the invasion began and Western nations turned their backs. China has increased its exports of some goods to Russia, and it bought record levels of Russian oil in May, June and July. But China has done little to help circumvent Western sanctions that prevent Russia from importing advanced Western technology. It also appears to have refrained so far this year from shipping weapons to Russia, forcing Moscow to ask Iran and North Korea for military equipment. Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi met on the sidelines of a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a multilateral, security-focused organization that includes China, Russia, India, Pakistan and four Central Asian nations. For Mr. Xi, the gathering was a chance to resume his role as a global statesman. It was his first trip abroad since he went to Myanmar in January 2020. Edward Wong contributed reporting. Stay in shelters, Oleksandr Vilkul, the head of the Kryvyi Rih Military Administration, said in a post on the Telegram messaging app warning residents about the second attack. Do not film or post anything on social media. The area of hydraulic structures were hit twice again. Officials said the city had narrowly avoided a catastrophe after the initial attack on Wednesday, which damaged the dam but did not leave a major hole. Officials said the flooding had slowed, and many people who had fled their homes were returning. A bigger worry remained, however. As the Ukrainian military presses on with its offensive to drive Russians out of its territory, the Russians have responded with withering attacks on vital infrastructure. This week, the Russians blasted power plants in Kharkiv, knocking out power to large swaths of Ukraines second biggest city. And overnight, Ukrainian authorities reported more strikes on infrastructure in the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro regions. European lawmakers voted this week to phase out some wood-energy subsidies, a recognition that more than a decade of government incentives has contributed to deforestation without curbing greenhouse gas emissions. But Wednesdays vote in the European Parliament leaves key details unsettled and no changes will take place for at least a year. Governments are under tremendous pressure to ease soaring energy prices this winter as Russia cuts its gas supply to Europe. European governments began subsidizing wood energy more than a decade ago as a way to encourage power plants and homeowners to move away from oil and natural gas. A booming market for wood pellets sprung up. Wood is now Europes largest renewable energy source, far ahead of wind and solar. Stuart Eizenstat, a former United States ambassador to the European Union and the lead reparations negotiator, described speaking in Berlin with nonagenarian Ukrainian women in May, a day before he began talks with German officials. The women had been brought to Germany on the day before the latest rounds of compensation talks began. They had endured a 42-hour ambulance ride to reach Germany, he said, and one feared that she was too frail to ever return to her country. The lady next to her said, I would love to go back, but I dont have a family to go to. They were all killed in the Holocaust, and now my village has been destroyed by the Russians, he recalled. Thats why these funds are so important, he added. These are people who suffered the greatest indignities as youth, and we have to do everything we can to make sure they live with as much dignity as possible. The claims conference has over the years also pushed Germany to actually increase its reparations, arguing that although fewer survivors remain, their medical needs are greater. Mr. Eizenstat said the yearly amount that has gone to care of seniors has risen to 626 million euros this year, from 34 million euros in 2009, the year he began leading negotiations. Germanys reparations agreement, he added, was the first ever by a defeated nation to individual victims. Yet the original deal was fraught, with many Holocaust survivors in Israel refusing the money and insisting that amends could not be made. President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia met Xi Jinping of China on Wednesday, displaying a united front against what the two autocratic leaders consider to be American hegemony. Mr. Putin was also looking to China as a lifeline at a time of weakness: Russian forces have suffered significant losses on the battlefield in Ukraine, and as Western sanctions continue to inflict damage on the Russian economy, Beijing has emerged as a major buyer of Russian products. But Mr. Xi expressed caution in his public remarks, and avoided even mentioning Ukraine. China released a statement saying the two countries would support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests. Francis spoke to reporters onboard a plane returning from a three-day trip to Kazakhstan, where he participated in an interfaith conference attended by faith leaders from 60 countries. The meeting promoted interfaith dialogue as a means to help heal the worlds ills, including war. Asked whether it was right for countries to supply weapons to Ukraine, Francis said that was a political decision, which can be moral morally acceptable if it is done according to the conditions of morality. It would be immoral, he said, if it is done with the intention of provoking more war or selling weapons or discarding those weapons that are no longer needed. The pope made a reference to just war, a set of ethical principles regarding the proportional response to aggression, usually traced to the writings of St. Augustine. The interfaith conference was supposed to provide an opportunity for Francis to meet with Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, who has justified the war in Ukraine. But Kirill decided last month not to attend and the Russian delegation was headed instead by Metropolitan Anthony, who is in charge of the churchs foreign relations. LONDON The day after she walked behind the coffin of her mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in London, Princess Anne flew to Glasgow in Scotland on Thursday to meet with city officials, accept condolences from Glaswegians and inspect wreaths left in honor of the sovereign, who died last week. It was the kind of yeomans duty that Anne, now 72, has carried out, uncomplainingly, for decades. The only daughter of Elizabeth and the younger sister of King Charles III, Anne has famously been one of the hardest workers in the royal family, often logging more than 400 public events a year. Owing to the laws of primogeniture, she is 16th in the line of succession to the throne. But that understates her influence in the royal family, where she is a trusted adviser to Charles, and her stature with the public, where her approval ratings have been higher than any of the surviving senior royals, save Prince William and his wife, Princess Catherine. Of course, members of the British royal family will attend. And members of other royal families from across Europe have confirmed their presence, including King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, and the kings mother, Princess Beatrix. King Felipe VI of Spain will represent the country at the funeral as the head of state, the Spanish government said. But reports of a private invitation received by his father, the former king, Juan Carlos, have raised eyebrows in Spain. King Juan Carlos abdicated in 2014 and left his country in the wake of fraud investigations, which have since been dropped. He now lives in the United Arab Emirates. Westminster Abbey has more than 2,000 seats, and Buckingham Palace said in a statement that 200 people who were recognized in the queens honors list this year would also join the congregation, including those who made extraordinary contributions to the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and have volunteered in their local communities. KRYVYI RIH, Ukraine A salvo of cruise missiles slammed into the industrial Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih on Wednesday, damaging a dam and sending water gushing downstream. Videos on social media showed pedestrian bridges being washed away and foamy white water rising along the river banks in the city, in southern Ukraine, where Kyivs forces are carrying out a counteroffensive. Residents said that a large dam was hit on the Inhulets River, a strategic waterway, and many were worried about flooding. As the water level of the river rose on Wednesday night, local officials urged people who live nearby to evacuate. Residents would be taken by bus to shelter at local schools, said Oleksandr Vilkul, the military governor of Kryvyi Rih. Hezhe people enjoy colorful life in Heilongjiang, NE China Xinhua) 16:06, September 15, 2022 Shang Meihan spends time with local children at a flower field in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Town of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Shang Meihan sings a Hezhe song at a folk exhibition hall in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Town of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) Shang Meihan displays a fish-skin handicraft to children in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Township of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) Shang Meihan (2nd R) rehearses a dance with other performers in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Township of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei) Shang Meihan (1st R) performs a dance with other performers at a folk exhibition hall in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Township of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Shang Meihan (1st L) performs a Hezhe dance at a folk exhibition hall in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Town of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) Shang Meihan, dressed in folk costume, poses for photos in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Township of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Shang Meihan (R) performs a Hezhe dance at a folk exhibition hall in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Town of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Shang Meihan (1st L) performs a Hezhe dance in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Town of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei) Shang Meihan (2nd L) spends time with local children at a flower field in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Town of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) Shang Meihan (1st R) performs a dance with other performers at a folk exhibition hall in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Township of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Shang Meihan (R) takes a rest during a rehearsal in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Township of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Shang Meihan (L) learns to make a traditional fish-skin handicraft from an experienced artisan in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Town of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) Shang Meihan (L) makes a handicraft together with an experienced artisan in Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei) Shang Meihan instructs children to make handicrafts in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Township of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei) Shang Meihan (R) does figure exercises at a folk exhibition hall in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Township of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Shang Meihan (2nd R) rehearses a dance with other performers in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Township of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Shang Meihan (4th L) does figure exercises with other performers at a folk exhibition hall in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Township of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Although it is associated with the English city of Oxford, the Oxford comma is not actually considered standard in British English. It is much more widespread in the United States, although American news organizations tend to leave the second comma out (that includes The New York Times, whose style guide advises that it should not be used unless a sentence is otherwise confusing without it). This Oxford comma has found itself in the British political spotlight before. When the government released a commemorative 50 pence coin (worth about 58 cents) to mark Brexit day two years ago, it was marked with the phrase peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations. That drew widespread criticism from Oxford comma enthusiasts, but it was met with fierce support for the one-comma approach that was rooted in national pride a second comma was seen by many as an Americanism. Defenders of the comma will point to the value in its precision. In 2018, a dairy in Maine resolved an overtime dispute with its drivers by agreeing to pay $5 million in a case that hinged on the absence of an Oxford comma in state law. Officials in Britain routinely circulate guidance on a new ministers preferred ways of working, and such memos have raised eyebrows before. Jacob Rees-Mogg, recently appointed as Britains business secretary, was also quick to outline his grammatical grievances when he became leader of the House of Commons in 2019. He was mocked at the time for banning the use of phrases such as equal, very and I am pleased to learn. He also ordered that non-titled males should be addressed as Esq, and, as an avid supporter of Brexit, insisted on imperial rather than metric measurements. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine was involved in a car accident in the capital, Kyiv, on Wednesday evening but was not seriously hurt, his spokesman said on Facebook. Mr. Zelensky made no mention of the incident in his nightly address, which was released after his return to the capital. The president had earlier traveled to Izium in the northeast of the country to honor Ukrainian soldiers who recaptured the city from Russian forces just days ago. The president was examined by a doctor, said the spokesman, Serhiy Nikiforov. No serious damage was detected. A 65-year-old man from Saudi Arabia recently became the talk of the town after it was revealed that he married no less than 53 different women in his search for emotional stability. Abu Abdullah married his first wife when he was only 20 years old. She was six years his senior, and for a time, she was all he needed. They had children together and everything was going well, but then problems started appearing in his life and he decided to marry again. At the age of 23, he informed his wife that he planned to take a second wife and became a polygamist. Then, as problems started arising before his two spouses, he took on a third wife, and then a fourth. However, things only got worse, so he divorced his first and second wives, and then did the same with the third and fourth, as they had also started arguing. But his quest for stability continued Photo: Levi Meir Clancy/Unsplash The 65-year-old told Arabic daily Sabq that he has so far married a total of 53 women, with his shortest marriage only one night. However, he insisted that none of them was a joke; they were all traditional weddings. Apparently, all he was trying to do was find a woman who would make him happy in his life, but his marriages kept failing. Although he didnt reveal whether he finally found the one, Abu Abdullah said that he is now married to one woman and does not plan to remarry ever again. Most of his wives have been Saudi, but he did marry one foreign woman on a work trip that lasted a few months. Abu Abdullahs story recently went viral in South Arabia, sparking a heated debate among those who praised him for his adventurous lifestyle, and those who consider what he did wrong and refer to him as the polygamist of the century. The U.S. House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations today held a hearing titled The Role of Public Relations Firms in Preventing Action on Climate Change. The oversight hearing, which focused on how PR firms work to improve the images of oil, gas and coal companies and trade groups and what effects that work has on our current climate-change debate, included testimony from witnesses such as Climate One founder/CEO Christine Arena and Melissa Aronczyk, a Rutgers University associate professor whose work specializes in corporate political advocacy and branding. Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Katie Porter (D-Calif.) opened the session, claiming that oil and gas companies today are waging information warfare by hiring PR firms to support their position in the debate surrounding Americas energy crisis, a practice she called breathtaking in its shamelessness. Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Katie Porter (D-Calif.) speaks at today's Congressional hearing on PR agencies' role in preventing climate action. Porter said that energy companies have moved from discounting climate change to convincing Americans that big oil is part of the solution, effectively turning the climate crisis into crass marketing opportunities. PR firms play a critical role in this effort, she said. Climate One founder Arena, a former Edelman executive with two decades of experience in the PR world, stated that the link between misleading communications and climate policy obstruction is well-documented, and claimed that disinformation surrounding the subject of climate action has become more detailed and more nuanced in recent years. Likening PRs work for energy companies to the tactics used by big tobacco in the past, Arena detailed some of the recent strategies and techniques used by the PR industry to mislead the public, and said that until now, the PR firms responsible for this work have escaped scrutiny and have flatly denied responsibility. Like the tobacco industry, the fossil fuel industry has always relied on public relations to advocate for its interest, but whats new is the intensity of its pursuits, Arena said. Speaking on the role of PR firms in preventing action on climate change, media studies scholar Aronczyk said a central finding of her research is that the public relations industry has, for several decades, been a major actor in the strategic planning and execution of campaigns for the fossil fuel industry to influence what we know and how we act on environmental issues." The work PR companies perform for the fossil fuel industry is about more than mere messaging or marketing, Aronczyk said. While PR firms often say theyre simply facilitating or amplifying their clients' messaging, in actuality, they're actively coming up with new ideas and information and targeting multiple stakeholders to distort our understanding of climate change while actively downplaying their role in this process. The lone dissenting witness was Amy O. Cooke, CEO of Raleigh-based free-market think tank the John Locke Foundation and an expert in energy policy. Cooke said she studied journalism in college due to her love for the First Amendment, but her fear of losing it is what ultimately drove her to public policy. Cooke said factors like efficiency, cost and land use also need to be added to the energy conversation and said she trusts Americans to put good policy ahead of partisan ideology. Americans deserve access to the facts so they can decide for themselves, she said, and public policy groups like hers provide information so the public and lawmakers can make sound, informed public-policy decisions. I dont think anytime you hear another voice, even if you disagree with it, its disinformation, Cooke said. Its public debate. Its not disinformation just because you disagree with it. Its another perspective that needs to be heard. Thats how we come up with solutions. Pushback on the witnesses from the subcommittees conservative flank was considerable. It must be election season, said Rep. Blake Moore (R-Utah). Moore called it a disservice to the American people that committee hearings are now focused on going after energy companies and public relations professionals doing their job to score political points. Moore pointed to the hypocrisy of environmental groups that add spin to their side of the debate while suggesting energy companies arent allowed to tell their side of the story on the energy issue, saying you cannot have it both ways. Rep. Jody Hice (R-Ga.) concurred, claiming that its incredibly hypocritical and totally bogus that one side has free speech on the issue of climate change but the other does not. Hice also detailed what he characterized as some of the dark money and foreign money that often funds environmental groups in the U.S. today. Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.) discussed how the Biden Administration's inefficient and misleading energy policies are causing the American public to spend more money in energy costs while emissions have gone up at the same time. Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) said environmental groups are often engaged in an attempt to silence the voice on one side of the climate-change debate, while simultaneously suppressing the technology created by energy companies that have given us the ability to utilize our resources in more environmentally sound ways. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) said that socialist environmental groups like Colorado Rising harass private companies and threaten hundreds of thousands of jobs that are vital to her states economy. Boebert noted that if such an anti-energy agenda was passed into law, the residents of Colorado would be rubbing their hands together to stay warm during the winter months. A September study from London-based think tank Influence Map, which examined how oil and gas companies use marketing to improve their public image, found that while more than 60 percent of energy companies advertisements contain green messaging of some kind, only about 12 percent of industry expenditures end up allocated toward climate solutions. Researchers at Brown University similarly found in a study last year that most advertising for oil and gas companies contains misleading information or factual distortions, and cited PR and marketing as one of the greatest barriers to climate action. Porter in August threatened the possibility of a subpoena against consulting firm FTI Consulting for failing to respond to the Natural Resources Committees previous request to produce documents relating to its communications work for fossil fuel companies. A man from the Midlands before the courts on a series of public order charges has been arrested by UK police while attending a funeral in Liverpool, a court has heard. Robbie Delaney (34) 3 Cuirt An Oir, Killashee Street, Longford, had been scheduled to appear at a sitting of Longford District Court last week to face charges relating to an incident in Longford town on May 19 this year. The Longford man, who has a string of previous theft convictions to his name, was arrested and charged with section 4 and 6 public order as well as allegedly stealing a mobile phone worth 200 from a man in the Fee Court area of town along with 50 in cash. Mr Delaney was further charged with allegedly impeding gardai John Fitzmaurice and Glenn Horan and the theft of a set of handcuffs. When Mr Delaney, who was also before the court last week accused of breaching a community safety order, was called before Judge Bernadette Owens last Tuesday it was revealed he was currently behind bars in England. I am told he is in prison in Liverpool, said defence solicitor Brid Mimnagh. A relative (of Mr Delaneys) said he went back to attend a funeral in Liverpool last week and was arrested on foot of outstanding charges, she said. The accused had initially appeared in court the day after the alleged incident in May along with three other co-accused, a male and two females. In November 2020, Mr Delaney had a six month suspended prison sentence revoked after being found guilty of four shoplifting offences at various outlets in Longford town over the course of a two week period. He had previously been sentenced the previous September after he was convicted of 17 theft charges in total. The case was ultimately adjourned to a sitting of Longford District Court on October 4, to allow the State to liaise with law enforcement agencies in the UK to determine whether those claims were true. A Melbourne teenager has broken a national record after battling for four hours off Victorias coast to reel in a decades-old southern bluefin tuna that weighed as much as a refrigerator. The European Union is considering new laws that could ban imports of beef from land that has been deforested, angering Australian farmers. New Zealand Herald 17 Sep 2022 China has announced its Vice President, Wang Qishan, will attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II as the special representative of.. 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. The European Commission president is in Kyiv to discuss Ukraine's integration into the EU's single market. Meanwhile, Repairs have already begun on the dam hit by Russian missiles in Kryvyi Rih. DW rounds up the latest. The current Russian military retreat from some areas of Ukraine is sparking discussion in Russia. Calls for a nationwide mobilization to bolster the armed forces are becoming louder, though that's likely very unpopular. The European Commission president said the EU will support Ukraine for 'as long as it takes'. Meanwhile, Germany said it will send 50 armored vehicles and 2 multiple rocket launchers to Ukraine. DW rounds up the latest. Sky News 15 Sep 2022 A woman has been arrested in South Korea over the deaths of two children whose bodies were found in suitcases bought by a family in.. Anthony Albanese said that right now the priority was not to remove the monarch as head of state. He is traveling to London on Thursday for the Queen's funeral. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was not seriously injured when his car collided with another vehicle following a battlefield.. Belfast Telegraph 15 Sep 2022 Zee News 15 Sep 2022 Erling Haalands winner four minutes later was even better. Joao Cancelo sent in a cross from the left with the outside of his.. Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng is reportedly considering a plan to scrap caps on bankers' bonuses as part of a post-Brexit bid to boost the City's competitiveness and the UK economy. The planet is now Patagonia's "only shareholder" as the company's billionaire founder announced he would channel its profit to environmental concerns. The Canadian Transportation Agency has issued another decision where an airline must compensate a passenger for a flight delay involving a crew shortage. But questions remain if the case will carry much weight due to a looming court battle. Jerusalem Post 15 Sep 2022 "We highly value the balanced position of our Chinese friends when it comes to the Ukraine crisis," Putin told Xi. Here is our daily round-up of developments from the war in Ukraine. Russia's most prominent independent newspaper was accused of violating the country's "foreign agents" law. The paper ceased printing in March following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, now it is no longer available online. Where goes Queen Elizabeth II, there inevitably go each of us and all those we love. Because she reigned and lived for so long, seemingly immutable and immortal, the death of the British monarch after 70 years on the throne and 96 years of extraordinary life was a reminder, in Britain and beyond, that mortality and the march of time are inexorable, waiting for neither man nor woman, even a royal. That kernel of wisdom from Elizabeth's passing, the last of many she dispensed during her lifetime, is uncomfortable, even difficult, for the living. The reality of death the queen's being, by extension, a glimpse at the eventuality of their own is part of the reason why some Britons mourning the only monarch most have known are feeling a complex soup of emotions. Some have called bereavement counselors for solace and said her departure has rekindled grief for others they loved and lost. And Britons acknowledge that they sometimes struggle with the emotions of loss. We dont necessarily do grief and bereavement that well, says Lucy Selman, a professor of palliative and end-of-life care at Bristol University. British bereavement experts are hoping, however, that the queen's death and its manner at home, with family, in her beloved Balmoral Castle might also spur a national conversation about the sometimes awkward relationship that Britons have with dying. In the process, the experts hope, it might prompt them to better prepare for the inevitable. If we are going to die in a way that we hope is peaceful, comfortable, and satisfying for us, we have got to do what the queen did: Recognize that it is going to happen at some point and put some plans in place for what we want and what we dont want to happen," says Kathryn Mannix, author of With the End in Mind: How... BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) A Montana judge blocked health officials on Thursday from enforcing a state rule that would prevent transgender people from changing the gender on their birth certificate. District Court Judge Michael Moses chided attorneys for the state during a hearing in Billings for circumventing his April order that temporarily blocked a 2021 Montana law that made it harder to change birth certificates. Moses said there was no question that the new rule recently adopted by the Montana Department of Health and Human Services violated his earlier order. The courts action reinstates a 2017 Department of Public Health and Human Services rule that eased the process of changing ones birth certificate. The legal dispute comes as conservative lawmakers in numerous states have sought to restrict transgender rights, including with bans on transgender girls competing in girls school sports. The Montana law said people had to have a surgical procedure before they could change the sex listed on their birth certificate. Gov. Greg Gianfortes administration then went further and blocked changes to birth certificates even after surgery. Moses said his April ruling had been clear as a bell and compared the states subsequent actions to a person twice convicted of assault who tries to change their name following a third offense to avoid prosecution. Isnt that exactly what happened here? Moses asked. Im a bit offended the department thinks they can do anything they want. Only Tennessee, Oklahoma and West Virginia have sweeping prohibitions against birth certificate changes similar to what Montana has pursued, advocates for transgender rights say. Bans in Idaho and Ohio were struck down in 2020. The ACLU of Montana had asked Moses to intervene after the state... The top court had earlier asked the Centre to place on record what is its policy or stand on the accommodation of these medical.. DNA 16 Sep 2022 Congressional Republicans slammed President Biden for using taxpayer resources to fly to Delaware to vote this week, despite long advocating for vote-by-mail. 307 Startup Challenge Deadline Is Sept. 19 for UW Event The application deadline for new blockchain businesses to compete in the 307 Startup Challenge is Monday, Sept. 19, at 8 a.m. The challenge is Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 1 p.m. as part of the Wyoming Blockchain Stampede. The Wyoming Blockchain Stampede is presented by the University of Wyoming Center for Blockchain and Digital Innovation (CBDI) Sept. 19-23. It will be held at the UW Conference Center in Laramie. Registration for the event is free at www.fbcinc.com/e/wyblockchainstampede/. Rules and the entry form for the 307 Startup Challenge can be found at https://uwyo.startuptree.co. We have several startups already registered to participate, says Fred Schmechel, IMPACT 307 interim director. This is a great opportunity for those interested in starting a business involved in digital assets. Sponsored by Blue Ocean, the 307 Startup Challenge is for new, independent blockchain businesses in the seed, startup or early-growth stages that are focused on technology and/or innovation. Generally excluded are the following: buyouts; expansions of existing companies; real estate syndications; franchises; online retail; brick-and-mortar retail; licensing agreements for distribution in a different geographical area; and spinouts from existing corporations. Schmechel says all teams must use a Lean Launchpad-based pitch deck and present this information in a seven-minute presentation, followed by a brief question period, to the judging panel Sept. 21. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the IMPACT 307 business model guidance document, which outlines the Lean Launchpad process, in addition to the competition rules document. Judges for the 307 Startup Challenge will be Kerri Faber, general partner, Echelon; David Pope, founder and CEO, DAPCPA Pope & Jackson Inc.; Anthony Apollo, founder, Rensa Games; and Chance Price, business recruitment manager, Wyoming Business Council. UWs IMPACT 307 is a statewide network of Wyoming innovation-driven business incubators committed to growing and strengthening Wyomings entrepreneurial community by providing resources and support for founders to thrive. UWs CBDI is an interdisciplinary center focused on emerging technologies to foster innovation, economic development and education. For more information about the 307 Startup Challenge, email fschmech@uwyo.edu. Vice President Kamala Harris has renewed calls by the Biden administration for a pathway to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrant already in the U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris delivered remarks Thursday in the White House's East Room, where the Biden administration is hosting the 'United We Stand Summit.' The Government spent more than $16 million on the services of contractors and consults for its Three Waters reform programme last financial year.It's a price tag that's being questioned by the Opposition.But the Department of... Meadows handed over the same information to DOJ that he provided to the House select committee, including a huge cache of text.. Business Insider 15 Sep 2022 Taiwan will send a three-person delegation to attend the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe this month, including a former parliament speaker and a former He is now the 25th Duke of Cornwall after his father became King following the death of the Queen. Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reflected on the Queens sense of humour as he spoke about a relationship with her which had began when he was just a child. The display of affection is also a way to express unhappiness at the situation in the former colony. By Mohamed Chebaro* Many years ago, I used to brag to friends that I would have gladly paid money to be given the chance to have what has turned out to be a colorful career in broadcast journalism. I even used to say that a reporters luck plays a big role in their career. In my case, all this came together in 1999, when I... Anonymous Gift of $1 Million Creates UW International Wildlife Conservation Chair John Koprowski The University of Wyomings Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources received a $1 million planned gift from an anonymous donor that will establish the International Wildlife Conservation Chair. The chair supports John Koprowski, dean of the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources. I am humbled to be honored by this legacy gift from a friend of the Haub School that has guaranteed, in perpetuity, a role for UW faculty to expand our impact on global conservation issues, Koprowski says. This endowed chair is being established to honor the work and accomplishments of Koprowski, this years recipient of the prestigious Aldo Leopold Memorial Award -- the highest honor bestowed by The Wildlife Society. Following his retirement, the chair will be renamed as the John L. Koprowski International Wildlife Conservation Chair. The purpose of this gift is to inspire and create opportunities for future UW scholars in their pursuit of careers in international wildlife conservation. To better support these future scholars, the gift will be used to recruit and retain faculty members in the Haub School who have expertise in wildlife conservation. The gift also prompted a legacy match. These are additional funds -- created by the UW Foundation Board and a private gift -- that are immediately made available when a donor documents a planned gift. In this case, an additional $10,000 has been allocated to the Haub School for direct support of its current programs. This anonymous gift was structured so that other donors might join in honoring Koprowskis accomplishments by making additional contributions. While this gift will be funded in the future, a series of current gifts to the Haub School recently have been made. These directed gifts are to the John Koprowski Excellence Fund, the John Koprowski Research Fellowship Fund, the John Koprowski Mongolia Research Fellowship Fund and the Graduate Research Scholarship in Sustainable Landscapes and Livelihoods. Koprowskis achievements have been recognized both nationally and internationally. He was named a Fellow of The Wildlife Society in 2014 and the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2018; was selected as a member of the Linnean Society of London as of 2019; and will receive the Leopold Award this November. He has written more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and books and has worked with more than 50 graduate students to provide data-informed solutions to worldwide conservation challenges. Before coming to UW, Koprowski taught wildlife conservation at the University of Arizonas School of Natural Resources and the Environment. His focus always has been to empower students through interdisciplinary and experiential learning. Koprowski also has taught international courses in countries such as Ecuador, Mongolia, China and Italy. He has created long-standing partnerships with universities and research institutes across the globe, including the University of Insubria (Italy), Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (Japan), Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University (China), National Institute of Biological Resources (South Korea) and Transfrontier Africa (South Africa). Koprowskis research philosophy always has been collaborative. It emphasizes community-based research aimed to increase in-country capacity for the conservation and management of biodiversity. His research has not only included many projects within the United States, but it has extended to China, Colombia, India, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal and South Africa. Koprowski is strongly committed to the Haub Schools efforts to advance the understanding and resolution of complex environmental and natural resource challenges in Wyoming, the West and the world through its educational, research, outreach and collaborative problem-solving programs. Such a generous gift not only celebrates our tradition of excellence in wildlife research at the University of Wyoming, Koprowski says, but further creates opportunity for the Haub School and UW to be viewed as leaders in biodiversity management and ecological connectivity for decades to come. The world is coming to Samarkand has been the theme for the preparations for the annual meeting to be hosted by Groups chairman, Uzbek president Shavkat Mirziyoyev. But the biggest challenge to the summit lies to the west in Russias action in Ukraine as some member states like Kazakhstan have publicly signaled... Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he understood China's Xi Jinping had concerns about the situation in Ukraine, a surprise acknowledgement of friction with Beijing over the war after a week of stunning Russian losses on the ground. A mass burial site containing around 440 graves has been found in the Ukrainian city of Izyum after it was liberated from Russian control, a top police officer has told Sky News. President Joe Biden plans to meet at the White House on Friday with family members of WNBA star Brittney Griner and Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, both of whom remain jailed in Russia, senior administration officials told The Associated Press. The aftermath of Russia's occupation described - while its prison inmates are wooed by mercenaries. The leaders of China and Russia have joined other foreign leaders in Central Asia. Top concerns include Russia's war in Ukraine. Laxman Pai, Opalesque Asia: Northzone, the European VC firm, has raised a new 1bn ($1bn) fund - its largest to date, and one of the biggest raised in Europe this year. The tenth fund is double the size of its previous fund of $500 million in 2019, said a media release from the London-based VC firm. With the new funds, Northzone will invest in global consumer and enterprise companies across Europe and the US. This will reflect the international VC firm's long-term investment philosophy, focusing on global opportunities at all funding stages from seed through to IPO, said the release. "The fund will be used to back innovators and entrepreneurs across Europe who are building the most ambitious, category-defining tech companies of the next decade," it said. "We're grateful to our entrepreneurs and LPs from around the globe for doubling down on this journey with us. Reflecting on the scale of the opportunity ahead, we will continue to be long-term partners to founders, focusing on opportunities across Europe and the US, from Seed through to IPO. We will continue to invest in existing verticals such as fintech, health tech, SaaS, and consumer. Many of the entrepreneurs we have yet to meet will build their own business category through this fund cycle," the company said. Northzone team of 36 operates across 6 countries and represents 16 nationalities. "Many of the most successful companies Northzone invested in - such as Spotify, iZettle, Klarna, Trustpilo...................... To view our full article Click here Among the most serious repercussions of the pandemic, apart from the health risks, were the interruptions in community life. Ordered to stay home for safety, people ceased meeting face to face and instead turned to online platforms for support amid the crisis. Now that the number of coronavirus cases is stabilizing and people are returning to pre-pandemic activities, there seems to be a movement to re-establish and strengthen community ties. This Results from an extensive research study commissioned and published by Verbatim Telephone Answering Service has uncovered staggering statistics on accountants' digital customer service. With one in three accountancy companies in the UK virtually invisible in search engine results and over 75% failing to use social media to promote their business, Verbatim's research highlights a stark picture for the industry. However, the report also highlights some bright spots and identifies some This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) Its less than ten minutes walk from the Falls Road to the Shankill Road in Northern Ireland's capital, where Catholics and Protestants still live in segregated enclaves. But to hear people in these adjoining neighborhoods explain their almost diametrically opposite views of the British monarchy, it might as well be 1,000 miles. And so as King Charles III arrived in Northern Ireland for the first visit since his mothers death elevated him to the throne, the voices of Belfast offered a sharp reminder of the countrys persistent, complicated and, at times, bloody political realities. On the street residents call The Shankill -- center of a Protestant neighborhood with a long history of loyalty to the crown -- British flags fluttered over shops and from light poles. At the foot of a giant mural of a young Elizabeth II proclaiming her the peoples monarch, many proud to be her subjects came bearing flowers and notes of emotional farewell. We swore our allegiance to the queen and she stuck by us, said Jacqueline Humphries, 58, once a soldier in the Ulster Defence Regiment, established by the British Army to police Northern Ireland during the decades of sectarian violence known as The Troubles. I think Charles will do just as good a job. She trained him well. Not half a mile away on the Falls Road -- the nationalist stronghold that served as base for the Irish Republican Army and its decades-long guerrilla campaign against British rule -- those heading to work Tuesday brushed off any suggestion that Charles visit could validate the crowns claim to Northern Ireland. They can believe that, but we still believe we will get a united Ireland, said Paul Walker, 55, walking past a 3-story-high mural of Bobby Sands, an IRA militant who died while on a hunger strike in prison in 1981. Charles is not our king. Bobby Sands was our king here, said 52-year-old Bobby Jones. Queen never done nothing for us. Never did. None of the royals do. Walker and others said Queen Elizabeth II had earned a measure of respect, if never affection, for her decision in 2012 to shake hands with Martin McGuinness, the former IRA commander who went on to serve as Northern Irelands deputy first minister. But Charles is unwelcome. He wont be up here much. We dont have a place for Charles, said a man named Christy, 61, who like others declined to provide his full name, pointing to Belfasts fading, but brutally memorable, record of retribution on both sides. The new king walked a delicate line Tuesday, thanking Northern Ireland officials for their condolences and praise of his mother for her efforts to foster reconciliation. The queen, he said, felt deeply, I know, the significance of the role she herself played in bringing together those whom history had separated, and in extending a hand to make possible the healing of long-held hurts. It's not clear, though, if Charles will benefit from goodwill earned by his mother. She had decades to build a reputation as a steadfast leader even in the most difficult of times; not so, her son, who some see as aloof. And nowhere else in the lands that make up this less than United Kingdom is the divide over the crown so fierce. Most of Ireland gained independence from Britain in 1921 after a guerrilla war. But Northern Ireland, where a Protestant majority favored Britain, remained a part of the United Kingdom. The shaky peace exploded in August 1969 with sectarian violence after protests by the Catholic minority for civil rights. The British Army sent in forces, ostensibly to contain the violence and protect Catholics. Army in Control Here For At Least Four Months, warned the front page of The Irish News, now displayed in a museum of IRA history just off the Falls Road. Instead, The Troubles lasted nearly 30 years, resulting in the deaths of more than 3,000 people. A few minutes in either neighborhood is all it takes to unearth memories of the violence and the gaping divide over the role of the British government. Once you saw the Brits, once you saw the police, you went running the other way because you were guilty before you innocent, said Damian Burns, a postal worker, walking to work past the offices of Sinn Fein, the political party long affiliated with the IRA that is now the largest in Northern Ireland's power-sharing government. The Sinn Fein bookstore onsite sells posters with a portrait of Sands over the slogan: England Get Out of Ireland. Over on the Shankill, Humphries, now a housing assistance counselor, recalled that when The Troubles started she was living in an area mixed with both Protestants and Catholics. After joining the British-allied military she received death threats from the Irish National Liberation Army, forcing a move to the loyalist neighborhood where she has lived ever since. Others on both sides also moved to be near those like them, and the city became even more divided. The royal family was not immune to the violence. In 1979, the IRA assassinated Lord Louis Mountbatten, a cousin of the queen and mentor to Charles , detonating a bomb planted aboard his fishing boat. Three others also died. The Troubles finally ended with the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. But all these years later, the Falls Road and the Shankill remain divided from one another by a Peace Line -- high walls with steel gates that are still closed each evening. Charles, unwanted by some here and unproven to others, will have to thread his way carefully through the volatility. But it could offer valuable lessons - at least in what not to do - for the new monarch. In Scotland, where a referendum on independence from Britain was narrowly defeated in 2014, rhetoric remains heated and officials are pushing for a follow-up vote. In Wales, too, some people bridle at being kept under London's control. Residents of Belfast will be watching closely, regardless of their allegiances. On the Falls Road of 25 or 30 years ago, the queen was vilified as a symbol of British oppression, said Walker, who is confident the two Irelands will eventually be united. He wont change his mind about that, he said, but even with a bitter past, hes become more willing to see the queen, who was 96, as more than a foe. She was, after all, someones grandmother. Its always in the back of your mind who these people are, he said, "and not just that theyre the head of military forces. ___ AP National Writer Adam Geller is on assignment in the United Kingdom covering the queens death. Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/adgeller This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SEOUL, South Korea (AP) The leaders of South Korea and Japan will meet next week on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Seoul officials said Thursday, in what would be the countries first summit in nearly three years amid tensions over history. But in an indication of the continuing delicate nature of bilateral ties, Japan denied later Thursday that any agreement on talks had been reached. An official in South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's office said the two sides had agreed on a meeting between Yoon and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and were discussing the exact timing. Kim Tae-hyo, a deputy national security director for Yoon, told reporters that the meeting is one of a series that Yoon is pushing to hold with world leaders attending the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday and Wednesday. He said South Korea and the U.S. have also agreed on a meeting between Yoon and President Joe Biden. However, in response to a question from The Associated Press about the South Korean announcement, the Japanese Prime Ministers Office said there is no such fact. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said details of Kishidas schedule in New York have not been determined. He added, however, that Japan wants to cooperate closely with South Korea to restore healthy relations. South Koreas presidential office said it needed to study the Japanese comments before responding. Japanese officials may have been unhappy over South Korea's unilateral announcement of a meeting, with details likely still under discussion. It remained unclear whether Yoon and Kishida would meet next week. Ties between South Korea and Japan, both key U.S. allies, are at their lowest point in decades after South Korean courts ruled in 2018 that two Japanese companies Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries must compensate former Korean employees for forced labor during Japans 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. The companies and the Japanese government have refused to comply with the rulings, arguing that all compensation issues were resolved under a 1965 treaty that normalized ties between the countries and included a payment of $500 million from Japan to South Korea. The history disputes have spilled over to other areas, with the two countries downgrading each other's trade status and Seoul threatening to scrap an intelligence-sharing agreement. The wrangling has complicated a U.S.-led attempt to solidify its alliances with its regional partners amid growing Chinese influence and North Korean nuclear threats. Seoul and Tokyo have been looking to mend their strained ties since the May inauguration of Yoon, a conservative who wants to improve relations with Japan and bolster trilateral Seoul-Tokyo-Washington security cooperation to better cope with the increasing North Korean threats. It's unclear if the Yoon-Kishida meeting would produce any immediate breakthrough because its unlikely that some former Korean forced laborers and their support groups will accept a deal to settle their legal battles unless the Japanese companies consent to the court decisions. Given that the Japanese companies are dismissing the 2018 court rulings, I think it would be too unrealistic and naive to think there are some other resolutions that can win the consent of the victims, said Lee Kook Un, head of a support group for some former laborers involved in lawsuits with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The last talks between the leaders of South Korea and Japan occurred in December 2019, when then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met in China. ___ Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report. JUNCTION CITY, Ky. (AP) A 2019 pipeline explosion that resulted in one death and the destruction of five homes in Kentucky happened when the pipeline ruptured and released natural gas caught fire, the National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday. Fourteen other homes were damaged as the fire burned about 30 acres (12 hectares) in Lincoln County, the NTSB said. The 30-inch pipeline, owned and operated by Enbridge Inc., had a preexisting manufacturing defect known as a hard spot, the agency said. That combined with a degraded pipeline coating and ineffective cathodic protection led to cracking induced by hydrogen at the outer surface, the NTSB said. Cathodic protection prevents corrosion where the coating has been damaged, according to the agency. The NTSB said Enbridge's integrity management program did not accurately assess the pipeline condition or estimate risk, contributing to the accident. In an emailed statement, Enbridge spokesman Michael Barnes said the company was deeply sorry for the impact to the community and to the family who lost a loved one." He called the findings a stark reminder" of the importance of safely maintaining and operating the company's pipelines. The NTSB issued safety recommendations to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and Enbridge Inc. The safety recommendations address topics including incomplete evaluation of risks, incomplete assessment of threats and missed training opportunities. Barnes said in the statement that the company takes the NTSB recommendations very seriously" and has worked diligently to understand the contributing factors to this incident and (has) made tremendous strides to change our procedures, processes and conducted extensive inspections in an effort to make our pipes safer than ever." Enbridge pipelines carry about one-quarter of the crude oil produced in North America and one-fifth of the natural gas used in the U.S. Several of its pipelines have been the subjects of lengthy legal and political fights and two of the largest inland oil spills in U.S. history. Cameron Pierson/Courtesy photo A woman described as "an upset parent" was arrested outside of the K-8 entrance of Harbor Beach Community Schools on Wednesday afternoon. In a social media post made by Harbor Beach Community Schools Superintendent Shawn Bishop on Wednesday evening, the school's top administrator said the woman was near the K-8 office "moments before dismissal" when she became "upset." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) The U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo on Thursday described claims by the Bosnian Serb leader that his security services are eavesdropping on the American ambassador to Sarajevo as blustering" and added that his separatist policies are gambling with the future of the Serb entity in the Balkan state. Milorad Dodik, a member of Bosnias tripartite presidency, claimed at a pre-election rally Wednesday that the Bosnian Serb spying agency is now capable of listening to the conversations by U.S. Ambassador Michael Murphy and his staff. We also listening in on to them now, its not only them listening in on us, Dodik told his supporters. I know what they are talking about. He said this was not possible to do this just a few years ago. What we say in private is the same as what we say in public -- the United States remains committed to Bosnia and Herzegovinas sovereignty, territorial integrity, and multiethnic character and we will respond to any destabilizing, anti-Dayton activity, the U.S. Embassy tweeted, referring to a 1995 peace deal reached in Dayton, Ohio, between Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats that ended a war that left at least 100,000 people dead and millions homeless. Although the peace deal ended the bloodshed, it left Bosnia deeply divided between the Bosniak-Croat federation and the Serb entity called Republika Srpska. Dodik has openly been striving to split the Serb entity from Bosnia and join it with neighboring Serbia. All of Mr. Dodiks blustering cannot change the fundamental fact that the RS is not a state. It is one of BiHs two entities, the embassy tweet said. His pursuit of an Independent Srpska in BIH isnt protecting the RS or its residents, it is gambling with their future. Dodik, known for his staunchly pro-Russian stance, has been under U.S. financial and travel sanctions since January after the Biden administration accused him of corrupt activities that threaten to destabilize the region. Media in Bosnia say Dodik is among politicians in more than two dozen countries who since 2014 were paid by Russia in exchange for exerting pro-Kremlin influence. According to a newly declassified review by U.S. intelligence agencies Russia has spent at least $300 million to sway both politics and policy in those states. There are fears in the West that Russia is through the Bosnian Serbs and its Balkan ally Serbia working on destabilizing Bosnia to shift at least part of world attention from its war on Ukraine. Celebrating a recently established holiday that promotes Serb unity in the Balkans, Dodik said joining Serbia remains the main goal for Bosnian Serbs. Today Serbs have two states, Republika Srpska and Serbia, but we will always strive to fight for unity, he said. Serbia's populist President Aleksandar Vucic attended the celebrations in northern Bosnia on Thursday, saying the historical moment demands that we unite and together defeat the madness that can turn these regions into a slaughterhouse again. TO THE EDITOR: The Midland County Emergency Food Pantry Network held its 10th mobile food pantry of this year on Wednesday, Aug. 31 at Trinity Lutheran Church, located on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and East St. Andrews Road in Midland. The food giveaway was funded by this generous congregation as it has done in many previous years. Twenty-nine volunteers served 130 families with 9,804 pounds of food purchased from the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan in Flint and with non-perishable food and frozen venison from the EFPN warehouse. The free drive-thru distribution included milk, beverages, cabbage, potatoes, frozen diced zucchini squash and carrots, corn on the cob, cantaloupe, diced tomatoes, ranch dressing, dried beans, canned vegetables and cookie mix. The next mobile food pantry is planned for Saturday, Sept. 24 at Sunrise Baptist Church on Jefferson Avenue in Midland. Those coming for food will remain in their vehicles for registration and food delivery. As a reminder, in addition to food assistance from the mobile events, Midland County residents in (financial) need of food, personal care items and cleaning supplies during the year also may call the Network at 989-486-9393 to leave their name and phone number. They will receive a call to set up an appointment at one of our eight food pantries in Midland County to receive a week's supply of food. Please visit us at midlandcountyefpn.org or on Facebook for additional information. The network is very grateful to the many donors of food, money and time throughout the year to the network's mission of "Always food in every home." SALLY ANN SUTTON Midland County Emergency Food Pantry Network Photo: (Photo : JUAN BARRETO/AFP via Getty Images) Grieving mom Misty Gossett said in an interview on September 14 that she remembered the exact time when she received the call that her son Joshua Jones had died in the war in Ukraine. Gossett said the call came at 3:15 p.m. on August 23. The closure is still hard to come by for Gossett, who, after 22 days, is still waiting for her son's remains to be returned to the United States. She is the first member of her family to break her silence about her son's death. She spoke to NBC News about the emotional toll of waiting for Jones' body to be repatriated back to the U.S. From her home in Memphis, Tennessee, Gossett said that bringing Jones' remains back to his home country would be a step toward closure. She added that a Ukrainian memorial done for Jones by his comrades was touching, but the United States was his son's home. Jones traveled to Ukraine in March to join the fight against Russia Jones traveled on March 30 to Ukraine, more than a month after Russian forces invaded the country. He told his mom the day before his 24th birthday that he would travel to Ukraine, saying that he was not trying to hurt her but had to go. Gossett said her family has no connection to the war-torn country, but her son was a born soldier. Jones served three years in the U.S. Army, and he decided to join the fight in Ukraine with a group of friends he made in the military, according to Newsweek. Gossett said she thinks they had just built this passion for going and helping people that needed help. She explained that they personally have no ties to Ukraine in their family whatsoever, and it was just their son who wanted to go somewhere to help people. Read Also: Cannabis Use During Pregnancy May Cause Mental Health Problems in Kids Many non-Ukrainians have joined the 'Foreign Legion' Jones was not alone in that line of thinking, as many non-Ukrainians have traveled to Ukraine in hopes of helping its defenders fight off the invading Russian army. The Armed Forces of Ukraine had even set up a dedicated Foreign Legion to organize the influx of former soldiers from across the globe who have joined the fight in their country. Jones was not the only American combatant to have died there, as the Department of State has previously confirmed the deaths of Luke Lucyszyn and Bryan Young in Ukraine in July. Two other American veterans, Andy Tai Ngoc Huynh and Alexander John-Robert Drueke, were captured by Russian troops, according to CNN. Marine veteran Grady Kurpasi had also been missing since June. Gossett said she knows they are not the only family trying to get the same resolution. She noted that is all they want, adding they don't have a dog in this fight other than to get their baby home. Related Article: Mom Goes to the ER for Postpartum Depression but Was Told She Had Nothing To Be Depressed About Photo: (Photo : Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Police in New York City announced on September 14 that a woman had been arrested on murder charges, days after her three kids were found unconscious on a Coney Island beach and died later. Cops said that among the charges filed against Erin Merdy were murder with depraved indifference, murder of a victim under the age of 11, and intentional murder. The murder charges were announced after the New York City medical examiner ruled that the three kids' deaths were homicides, per NBC News. According to officials, three-month-old Oliver Bondarev, four-year-old Lilana Merdy, and seven-year-old Zachary Merdy all drowned. Cops found the children's mom soaking wet and barefoot on the boardwalk after a relative called 911 early on September 12. Officers found kids unconscious on Coney Island beach The family member was concerned that the mother might have hurt her children. New York Police Chief of Department Kenneth Corey said she was with other family members but not her kids when cops found her. Police officers canvassed streets, beaches, and a local hospital when searching for Merdy. Another 911 call came in directing the cops to a specific location, Brighton 6th Street and Riegelmann Boardwalk in nearby Brighton Beach, according to ABC 7. The police spokesperson said the caller reported about a despondent woman. The search for the children continued via air, ground, and harbor units. New York City Police eventually found her kids along the shoreline, about 2 miles from where the mother was spotted and just a half-mile south of the woman's apartment. Corey said that officers found the children unconscious on the shoreline at West 35th Street in Coney Island around 4:42 a.m. However, their efforts to revive the children proved unsuccessful, as they were all pronounced dead at a hospital. Read Also: Criminal Hackers Escalating Attacks on K-12 Schools and Institutions Dad mourns the death of his children New York City's Administration for Children's Services would not confirm whether the Merdy family had any history with child protective services. A spokesperson for the agency said in an email that their top priority is protecting the safety and wellbeing of all children in New York City, and they are investigating this tragedy with the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Records revealed that Merdy was served an eviction notice for her apartment in Coney Island just before the COVID-19 eviction moratorium expired in January. Those who knew the Merdys said the mother appeared overwhelmed with the responsibilities of having young children plus a newborn baby. Grieving dad Derrick Merdy told CNN that his 7-year-old son was a kind, generous person with a special humility about him. He said that anybody who met his son knew that he was special. Zachary loved the video game character Sonic the Hedgehog, and Derrick thinks he spent so much money buying him every last one of them. Related Article: Students in Turmoil as Jackson, Mississippi Water Crisis Worsens Photo: (Photo : David McNew/Getty Images) San Bernardino police officers rescued a mom and her kids who were nearly swept away during a raging flash flood in California on September 12, according to FOX Weather. According to the SoCal News Outlet, the mother had called police about an unrelated problem on Monday afternoon as torrential rains hammered down in southern California from the remnants of Tropical Storm Kay. An impromptu river roared down the street as the family headed back to their vehicle, nearly washing them away. Dashcam footage from San Bernardino Police showed three officers rescuing the mom who had lost her balance while trying to cross the rapids. Officers then assisted her two kids and other stranded people on the other side of the water. No reported injuries in San Bernardino flash flood Fortunately, tragedy was avoided as there were no reported injuries in the flash flood. San Bernardino's Police Chief Darren L. Goodman posted a message on the social media platform Twitter that their officers do not encounter swift-water floods often. However, that did not stop them from jumping into action and saving lives. Flash flooding caused several issues this week across the Desert Southwest. One struck farther out in San Bernardino County, rolling through the Forest Falls area and causing severe damage. One person went missing because of the flood, with over 120 search-and-rescue personnel combing the area to look for the resident. Dozens were also trapped in nearby Los Angeles County after a mudslide, and debris flow struck Lake Hughes. According to Los Angeles County Fire Department officials, they have rescued approximately 50 people there. They were taken to a nearby county fire station to meet with the American Red Cross. According to ABC 7, massive mud flows also overwhelmed the Yucaipa area. Residents there are now on a long road to recovery after flash flooding sent lots of mud into their homes, destroying structures and businesses. Read Also: First-time Fathers May Experience Brain Shrinkage, Scientists Reveal Oak Glen residents reeling after mudflows hit their area Tropical Storm Kay pushed heavy bands of moisture into the area, with desert and mountain communities, in particular, seeing the heaviest rainfall amounts. Residents in Oak Glen, located east of Yucaipa, spent the entire Tuesday cleaning up the massive mess left behind by the storm. Many roads remain blocked with mud in Oak Glen while electricity is still out for many homes in the area. Roger Seheult said in an interview that he was on his way to pick up his daughters from school when a massive pool of mud came rushing toward not only him but also the Oak Glen Steakhouse and Saloon. Seheult said that it was wave after wave of mud and debris coming down from the flash flood. The owner of Oak Glen Steakhouse said the business is now closed indefinitely as it has been badly damaged. A GoFundMe page has been created to help the steakhouse. Related Article: New Dad Reveals His Postpartum Depression Left Him Crying on the Floor in Baby Shame This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has so far committed a total of XOF 294 billion (equivalent of about USD450 million) into the economy of the Republic of Cote DIvoire to finance projects in various areas such as infrastructure, health, industry, and agriculture. The President of EBID, Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, disclosed this at a signing ceremony for two loan agreements totaling XOF 67.128 billion in Abidjan on August 30, 2022. During the ceremony, the President of EBID expressed that the two loans are for financing of a project to upgrade operating theatres, neonatal units and imaging services in referral hospitals and to fund the industrial component of the agro-industrial pole project in the north region of the country (2PAI-NORD). He also added that these facilities reaffirmed EBIDs commitment to support the Republic of Cote D'Ivoire in the implementation of its National Development Plan 2021-2025. The President of EBID conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to the President of the Republic, His Excellency Alassane Ouattara, and his government, for their cooperation and continuous support to the realization of EBIDs strategic goals intended to foster advancement for the ECOWAS states. Quoting relevant macroeconomic figures, he commended the Government of Cote DIvoire for putting pragmatic policies in place to ensure prosperity for the people of Cote dIvoire despite the global economic downturn triggered by COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine crisis. The Minister for Economy and Finance, Honorable Adama Coulibaly, who signed on behalf of the Government of Cote DIvoire indicated that the two projects aimed at enhancing the quality of mother-child health care services and improving food and nutritional security. He stated that the agro-industrial project would have the twofold impact of reducing the countrys dependence on food imports while increasing exports of processed agricultural products to generate revenue. He applauded such interventions from EBID which would accelerate and strengthen subregional integration for a stronger ECOWAS to the benefit of its population. Alongside the loan signing agreement, the EBID delegation paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Planning and Development for Cote DIvoire, Mrs. Niale Kaba, who is also a Governor of the Bank. At the meeting, issues relating the operations of EBID, its recent achievements and challenges were discussed. While commending the leadership for the performance of the Bank, the Minister encouraged EBID to do more to help the subregion. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Mastercard Foundation celebrates the decennial anniversary of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Launched in 2012, the Program began as a $500 million initiative to develop the next generation of leaders who would drive social and economic transformation. The Program identifies talented young people from economically disadvantaged and hard-to-reach communities, primarily in Africa, and supports their secondary and higher education as well as leadership development. Initially, the Program aimed to support 15,000 young people. Over the last decade, the Mastercard Foundation has deployed $1.7 billion through the initiative to benefit nearly 40,000 young people, over 72 percent of whom are young women. To date, 18,544 young people have graduated from secondary and higher education. Through a network of extraordinary partners, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is enabling thousands of bright and deserving young people to access quality education and develop as leaders who give back to their communities and help to improve the lives of others. Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni are leaders and innovators; activists and entrepreneurs; tackling everything from climate change to health inequity. Their collective impact will be felt for generations to come, says Reeta Roy, President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation. According to a 2020/2021 survey of a sample of Alumni from the Program, 87 percent of secondary-school graduates and 71 percent of university graduates are employed. Where Alumni have become entrepreneurs, they have collectively created over 16,000 jobs. In addition, 40 percent of university graduates say they are now supporting the education of their siblings. Importantly, Mastercard Foundation Scholars unanimously express a strong commitment to giving back to their communities, which is a core principle of the Program. During their education, each person creates or participates in a project, which address a specific challenge in their communities. Throughout my journey as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, it has always been about being a better version of yourself so that you can go back to your community and help others, says Joanna Gunab, who is now a medical doctor practicing in Northern Ghana. Joanna, a young woman living with a disability, also runs an initiative to support students with basic school necessities. Another Alumni of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Faith Kipkemboi, is driving transformation in her native Kenya. She founded a community-based organization, Cactus Mama, to deliver evidence-based, high-quality, and affordable mental health services in remote areas, especially for women. We hope to create a better Kenya; a healthier Kenya, she says. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program began with a strong focus on secondary education, working with partners such as CAMFED, BRAC, Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), the African Leadership Academy (ALA), and the Equity Group Foundation (Wings to Fly) to provide young people with access to high school and improve completion rates particularly for girls. As more African countries adopt free secondary education policies, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program has focused its attention on higher education, where tertiary enrollment rates across the continent remain low. At the same time, the Mastercard Foundation is continuing to improve quality, relevance, and inclusion in secondary education to prepare young people for the world of work. Our partnership with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is exceptional and has enabled us to fulfill our vision for the post-secondary school years, says Ann Cotton, Founder and Trustee of CAMFED International. Every child matters and the Foundation looks at justice in the broadest possible sense, from the most impoverished [and] marginalized child to the most powerful institution with whom they work. And there is authenticity at every point on that trajectory. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program has grown into a network of over 40 pan-African and global partners working together to drive inclusion in education. African organizations represent more than 45 percent of this network. Over the next decade, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will double its reach to support a total of 100,000 young people, 70 percent of whom will be young women. It will also dedicate more attention to the inclusion of disabled and forcibly displaced young people. Moving forward, the Mastercard Foundation will also continue to support the network of higher education partners to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in ways that enable dignified work for young people in Africa. This is in line with the Foundations Young Africa Works strategy, which aims to enable 30 million young people across the continent to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo Markin has delivered a newly constructed Health Centre to the Woarabeba community in his Constituency. The construction was fully funded by the Member of Parliament. The fully furnished facility, named after Nii Ephraim (a former MCE), was handed over to the Ghana Health Service on Tuesday September 13, 2022, upon commissioning. Woarabeba is a drag net fishing community located at the east coast of Winneba in the Effutu Constituency. It is linked by a 3km road constructed through the industry of the Member of Parliament a couple of years ago. Social life and education are also expected to receive a boost when a library and a social/recreational Center under construction are completed. The Central Regional Police Band used the opportunity to appreciate Hon. Afenyo Markin for continuing support. In a citation presented to him, the Police, while applauding his high sense of leadership, says we appreciate your enormous contribution which dare not go unnoticed Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has indicated his government through the Common Fund Administrator was committed to building over 100 new courts to promote rule of law "which governs the affairs of the nation." He revealed government has already completed 60 per cent of the new courts, adding, "the rest 40 per cent will be completed in the first quarter of 2023 to help solve the issue where people find it difficult to have access to the courts." Nana Akufo-Addo made this known during the commissioning of a new District Court at Battor in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region on Tuesday as part of his two-day working visit to the Volta Region. He commended Mr Osborn Divine Fenu, the District Chief Executive for the area, as well as the chiefs and people of Battor for their hard work towards the realisation of the project. President Akuffo Addo further assured the chiefs and people of the area among other things, the provision of a new Divisional Police Command at Battor, school infrastructure, and others. The project, which was initiated by the North Tongu District assembly in 2020 with a total contract sum of GHC 480,770.00 funding from the Assembly, through the District Assembly Common Fund- Responsiveness Factor Grant (DACF-RFG), and executed within six months, was aimed at enhancing effective justice delivery in the area. GNA observed that access to justice delivery in the area had brought some form of discomfort to many who travelled to other adjoining Districts such as Sogakope and Adidome before having access to the courts. Mr Justice Victor Jones Dotse, Justice of the Supreme Court, who represented the Chief Justice, said the presence of the court would help to settle disputes peacefully in the district. He however appealed to traditional authorities to adopt the ADR method to have their family issues and other differences settled in instances where going to court would not be necessary. The new edifice comprises offices such as courtroom, Magistrate's office, Accountant office, Administrators office, Registrar's office, Ballif's office, the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), with other ancillary facilities. In attendance were some government and judicial service officials. Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Eastern Regional Branch of the Ghana Journalists Association has co-opted the Omanhene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, His Royal Majesty Daasebre Nana Kwaku Boateng lll as a member and a Patron of the Eastern Regional GJA. The 2017 GJA code of ethics was presented to His Royal Majesty as a symbol of his admission into the Ghana Journalists Association as a patron and also to guide him on ethical issues relating to the media practice and journalism. The Association conferred the member and Patron status on him when they paid a courtesy call on Daasebre Kwaku Boateng lll at the Yiadom and Hwedie Palace. The visit was to welcome the Chief and reaffirm the GJAs commitment in supporting the development agenda of New Juaben. Eastern Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association, Mr. Maxwell Kudekor indicated that, the conferment of GJA membership and Patron status on His Royal Majesty Daasebre Nana Kwaku Boateng lll is in pursuant to Article 16 (d) (v) of the GJA constitution 2004. He said, the provision mandate the Regional Executives to co-opt members and resource persons to the association. He called on the Traditional Council to help depeen their media relations in order to continue a very cordial working relationship with the media. Mr. Maxwell Kudekor mentioned that, Article 11 of the 1992 constitution of Ghana recognise customs relative to communities as part of Ghanaian laws and that, our Traditional Authority and local democracy was well established before the introduction of the Western democracy. He underscore the need for journalists to use their medium in upholding the sanctity and dignity of the traditional authority and promote development. Maxwell Kudekor was optimistic the Omanhene will support journalism and promote independence and freedom of the press. On His Part the Omanheneof New Juaben, Daasebre Nana Kwaku Boateng lll accepted the Patron status and pledged his support for the GJA and the media. He said, his doors are wide open to all and sundry who wish to come to him. Adding that, the development of New Juaben should be a priority to all. He advised the media to be professional and ensure decency in their content whiles promoting peace. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Mr Osep Borrell, Vice President and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, says Africa and Europe need to deepen their ties and cooperation for mutual benefit. He said both continents must work with multiple partners based on mutual respect and international law in accordance with the rules of the 21st century. Africa and Europe should continue to prepare the future instead of falling back into the past, Mr Borrell said in an op-ed he authored ahead of his visit to Mozambique and Kenya. Describing Africa as a vibrant continent preparing its future, Mr Borrell said the continent had grown to become the EUs most reliable partner. He said a quarter of African trade was with the EU, adding that African exports entered the EU duty-free. The EU works with African partners on building the continents first manufacturing sites for vaccines and we approved at the AU-EU summit a Global Gateway 150 billion investment package. With the European Peace Facility and our training missions, we help strengthen peace and security, he said. Mr Borrell expressed concern about the Russia-Ukraine War, which he said, had had devastating impact on food security, energy prices, debt and security issues. He said Africa was one of the main collateral victims of the war, and rallied the continent to act to ease the current food crisis. Mr Borrell said the EU supported a call by President MackySall of Senegal for a G20 seat for the African Union. We must uphold and reinvigorate the multilateral order, to defend the rule of law as we decided jointly at the recent EU-Africa Summit, he said. Touching on security, Mr Borrell said Africa and the EU must step up their joint work to preserve Africas security and safety. He said the EU had been a reliable partner, supporting African peace efforts in 11 missions across the continent. Last April, we supported the African Union with a further 600 million to improve conflict prevention, crisis management and counter-terrorism, Mr Borrell said. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumias tireless digitisation efforts received an external mark of approval after The Standard, Kenyas finest and largest daily, described it as worthy of emulation. Dr Bawumia held a sit down interview with the publication during his recent trip to the East African country to witness the inauguration of new Kenyan President, Dr William Ruto. Following the interview, editors of the publication praised Ghanas digital revolution and called on Kenya and the rest of the continent to follow in Ghanas footsteps, writing that Ghanas indefatigable Veep is leading a digitization footprint that Kenya and Africa can emulate During the interview, the Vice President succinctly stated the need for a digitized economy in the modern world. In Ghana, we have really focused on pursuing digitization as an economic strategy. When you look at the world, we are now in the fourth industrial revolution globally which is a digital revolution. It is a revolution that is based on data, and systems. If you are an economy in this world and you dont digitize you are going to be left behind. Africa has been left behind for too many of these periods, and I believe that digitization is a key to leapfrogging. We digitalize not for its own sake but to solve problems, formalize and build a more inclusive economy, deal with corruption and to provide services to our people more efficiently from the government side, Dr Bawumia said. Elaborating further, Dr Bawumia outlined the steps taken by the ruling NPP administration to usher Ghana into the digital world as part of the 4th Industrial Revolution. A lot of people were excluded from the economy so we did digital IDs for our people, so we have unique identities for everybody. Once you have unique identities for everyone you will not have ghost workers on the payroll and also sort the voter registry. We had an issue with the address system in Ghana, and through digitization, we solved the problem. Every part of the country, land or water, mansion or shark you have a unique digital address that we have rolled out in the country. This has solved a big problem as now deliveries can easily be made through e-commerce, and in the instance you are applying for a job you can easily state your address, Dr Bawumia said. On financial inclusion, we have implemented mobile money interoperability. It is not just operability between the mobile companies, but interoperability between the mobile wallet and a bank account which means that every mobile money account practicably has a bank account. We were the first country in Africa to do so. Today it is very easy for someone to open a bank account in Ghana, you have your national ID card, you get onto your mobile phone and then dial a USSD Code and you chose one of the banks and there you go, you have a bank account. We have integrated all our databases which enables us to get value out of our digitization process. Digitization is the way to go for other African countries and with it, we can leapfrog other advanced countries. Today in Ghana, we are the largest medical drone delivery service in the world. We have drones flying all over the country, today we have 100 flights a day delivering medicine. he emphasized. The wide ranging interview touched on many other topics including Bawumias thoughts on The Africa Free Continental Trade Area (AFCTA). People like Kwame Nkurumah were a bit ahead of their time with their vision as they held a view that Africa needed to be cooperative and united which is today being manifested. AFCTA is the biggest free trade area in the world. It is important that Africa trades by itself as we have largely traded with our colonial masters. AFCTA is an idea whose time has come and Ghana is the secretariat hence we are very passionate about it. There are a lot of opportunities and potential to realize. He began. The bottlenecks to be experienced is logistics and transportation. Another challenge will be payments, but recently I launched the Pan African Payment and Settlement Systems (PAPS) in collaboration with the Central Bank which allows someone from Kenya to buy something in Ghana in Kenya Shillings without the need to worry about a third-party currency like the US dollar to trade. This is a major innovation that will help us bridge the gap that we have in the payment and settlement area. It is important that we open up the skies. It should be an open sky policy and build up the infrastructure links across the countries. I believe we have the opportunity and the ability to make it happen to realize the dreams that our Nkurumahs and Kenyattas had. Bawumia said. Touching on President Rutos inauguration, the former deputy Bank of Ghana governor said the peaceful transition of power was an important success story not only for Kenya but for the entire continent of Africa. It was a very successful event not just from my perspective but also from that of Ghana. It is just not a Kenyan success story but an African success story to have a peaceful transition of power. We remember the old days of difficult transitions and since we have embarked on the democratic journey, every step and milestone is important. I congratulate him (President Ruto) on his victory and inauguration. I want to wish him very well, this is a major task and a major burden but God will see him through. He is a very smart man, he has been a deputy president for a while and he knows what to do. We are praying for him and wishing him the very best and we are looking forward to what he does for Kenya. Bawumia said. Enable this content? This content is served by a third party, www.youtube.com. If enabled, www.youtube.com may collect information about your activity. Manage preferences to always allow this content. Dr Bawumia and second lady Samira Bawumia visited Kenya on Monday, September 12th 2022 to witness the inauguration of Kenyas new leader, Dr William Ruto, on Tuesday September 13th. Following the inauguration, Bawumia held a meeting with Dr Ruto Wedesnday, September 13th 2022 aimed at deepening economic ties between the two African giants. In a related meeting, Second lady Samria Bawumia also met with the newly inaugurated Kenyan first lady, Rachel Ruto. Source: theGhanaianVoice.Com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former President John Mahama has stated that subjecting Chinese suspects to nations laws will not compromise diplomatic ties. He downplayed the effect of the deportation of Chinese nationals on the diplomatic relationship between Ghana and China. According to the former president, he deported almost 5,000 Chinese nationals who were engaged in illegal mining activities popularly called galamsey however, the action did not have any effect on the relationship between the two countries. It will be recalled that Aisha Huang gained notoriety as an illegal mining kingpin in 2017 and was arrested for the same conduct but later deported with the state discontinuing the trial against her. Commenting on the recent re-arrest of Chinese galamsey kingpin, Aisha Huang, Former President Mahama pointed out that I took the decision to deport the Chinese nationals not considering the relationship between the two countries since Ghanaians living in China will equally face the law in China when they breach it. When I was president, we value the relationship with China but if you are Ghanaian and you go to China and you engage in illegality, they do not say because of the good relations they have with Ghana they are going to let you go scot-free, you will face the full rigors of the law in China. I do not doubt that there are some of our citizens in jail in China, when I became president, I was faced with this same illegal gold mining, I deported almost 5,000 illegal Chinese miners and I did not say because of the good relations we have with China, we should allow them to continue to engage in illicit activity, former President Mahama affirmed. He noted that they collaborated with the Chinese embassy, they got Boeing 747which took their nationals away and did not destroy their relationships. Aisha Huang was recently arrested for engaging in galamsey-related activities and reported to have entered the country via the Togo border after her deportation in 2018 and has since been remanded and made a court appearance with three others yesterday. The president has given his full backing to Godfred Dame, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, to prosecute Aisha Huang to the letter. Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr. Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, has commiserated with the family of the late Opanyin Samuel Kwame Agyepong, the father of the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC). Sheikh Sharubutus visit came off last Sunday at the Teshie Nungua Estates residence of the late Opanyin Agyepong. He extended a warm gesture of support and prayed for the grieving Agyepong family. On his part, Dr. Siaw Agyepong, on behalf of his family, expressed gratitude to the National Chief Imam for the warm gesture. Early on, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo joined the family and friends of Dr. Siaw Agyepong at the Service of Thanksgiving for Opanyin Agyepong at the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC) Graceland, at Teshie Nungua. Accra. The service was in two parts. The first climaxed with the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Childrens Ministry in the Church of Pentecost (COP), which event was marked nationwide in all COPs across the country, while the second part was the thanksgiving service for the life of Opanyin Agyepong. In a short address, President Akufo-Addo prayed to God to grant the Agyepong family the fortitude to withstand their loss. Opanyin Agyepong passed away in June this year, aged 98, after a short illness. He was buried on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at Obo Kwahu in the Eastern Region. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Another shocking revelation coming in indicates that Aisha Huang alias EN Huang, the Chinese galamsey queen accused of engaging in illegal mining is married to a Ghanaian business tycoon based in Kumasi. The husband is said to be a Ghanaian who schooled in China but currently domicile in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region. Counsel engaged by the husband of the embattled Chinese miner Kwame Nkrabeah Effah Dartey, revealed this in an interview with Citi Fm. He said I know she is married to a Ghanaian. I know this because of her Ghanaian husband, a businessman in Kumasi and a masters degree holder from a Chinese University. He came to my office to engage me as a lawyer. Aisha Huang has been remanded by an Accra Circuit Court together with three other Chinese nationals; Jong Li Hua, Huang Jei and Huaid Hai Hun. They have all been charged with mining without a valid license and engaging in the sale and purchase of minerals without a permit. Aisha Huang arrest has sparked a lot of controversy with several about how she left Ghana and how she returned to the country. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video President Akufo-Addo is receiving backlash for reportedly saying he's not sure whether or not 'galamsey queen' Aisha Haung was deported. Speaking in an interview on a Ho-based radio station on Monday, as part of his tour of the Volta Region, President Akufo-Addo said: Im not still sure whether she was in fact deported. Or whether she fled the country the first time and has now come back. There still seems to be some uncertainty about it. But whichever way it is, shes become the sort of nickname for all that galamsey represents. We have concerted to work at it. We need to have the cooperation of the courts. Until recently when I came, the punishment for people caught was relatively light. [But] weve changed the law to stiffen the punishment for people caught, he added. Responding to the critics, Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah says the President was misrepresented. In a tweet, he wrote: Prez @NAkufoAddo has never said he isn't sure if Aisha Huang left Ghana. Please quote him well. He said he wasn't sure whether she was deported or she fled. The reason for the President's comment is that there is a difference between deportation and repatriation. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah (@konkrumah) September 13, 2022 In an interview on Newsnight on Joy FM, Tuesday, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah who doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ofoase-Ayirebi said the President "was not speaking in a vacuum. There was a question about deportation and the President proceeded to respond that he is not too sure whether it is about deportation or whether she fled but then the substantive thing is this and then he proceeded to provide the substantive answer." "I have heard several commentators suggest that there should have been more clarity in the Presidents words etc. I mean in a democracy I am sure that we can always raise questions about the choice of words, he clarified on Tuesday. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Charles Nii Teiko Tagoe, an executive assistant to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has challenged two aides of former President John Dramani Mahama to deny receipt of August 2022 salaries. His challenge stems from recent comments by the former president to the effect that he has been taking care of his own expenses including those covered under his emoluments as an ex-Head of State. I receive only my monthly pension, like President Kufuor or President Rawlings was receiving until he died. That is all I get. I pay the electricity bill for my house, for my office. I pay the water bill for my house and my office. I live in my own accommodation so the state does not pay me anything for accommodation. They havent given me an office, I rent an office in East Cantonments, I pay the rent myself, I pay for my own fuel, the state doesnt give me fuel. I pay my own domestic staff, I pay my own medical bills. I pay for my own air tickets when I travel, he added in a September 12 interview on Accra-based TV3. Reacting to Mahama's claims, Teiko Tagoe posted on his Facebook page (September 13) a Ghana government payment voucher for August 2022 which outlined the salary payment details of 12 people believed to be staff of a former president. Among those listed are Felix Kwakye Ofosu and Joyce Bawah Mogtari, senior aides to John Dramani Mahama. "And where is that Felix Kwakye Ofosu? I thought your boss, Former President John Dramani Mahama said hes been paying you and Joyce Bawah Mogtari or this is a case of another double salary?" the presidential staffer captioned his post. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has urged the media to hold the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), to hard facts on issues concerning the current state of the economy and governments decision to seek an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout. Mr Ahiagbah made the call while reacting to a Facebook post on comments made by the Managing Director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, where she said the countrys current economic challenges were not locally generated but were as a result of external shocks. The inability of the NDC to communicate the causes of the economic challenges facing Ghana is evidence that Ghana would have been worse off if they were in charge of the economy because they would have misdiagnosed the problem. The IMF has spoken now NDC must speak to the facts Richard Ahiagbah wrote on his Facebook wall. IMF boss comments At a meeting last week Monday with President Akufo-Addo on the sidelines of the Africa Adaptation Summit, a conference on climate change in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, the Ms Georgieva described Ghana as a superb country adding that countrys current economic were due to external shocks. That, Ms Georgieva, said was in sharp contrast to some narratives that the country found itself in the current situation due to bad policies of the Akufo-Addo administration. Like everybody on this planet, you have been hurt by exigenous shocks. First the pandemic, then Russias war in Ukraine. We need to realise that it is not because of bad policies in the country but because of these combination of shocks and, therefore, we have to support Ghana, the IMF boss said. Mahamas stand However, following her comments, former President Mahama on his Facebook wall has asked Ms Georgieva to be truthful when commenting on Ghanas economic woes. Mr Mahama insisted that the reasons for the mess the country found itself currently were clear for all to see. He said even though he appreciated that comments from IMF officials should be guarded due to international diplomacy, facts must not be ignored. While the norm in international diplomacy of being guarded in what one says is appreciated, comments by high-ranking officials must be grounded on facts that take into consideration local realities and opinions, he said. Mr Mahama said the incontrovertible fact was that Ghana is in a mess due to the bad policies of this government which have contributed massively to the dire state of affairs. International diplomats must consider these facts and not just ignore them; lest they make a wrong diagnosis and prescribe inappropriate remedies, former President Mahama said. Reaction Reacting to the comments by former President Mahama, Mr Ahiagbah said the IMF had laid bare the facts about the economy and therefore the NDC must speak to those facts. He urged the media to hold the NDC to hard facts on issues of the economy and the IMF bailout instead of propaganda which had been the style of the NDC to sway the electorates. The IMF says a deal with Ghana should be reached and finalised before the end of the year. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former Central Regional Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Bernard Allotey Jacobs, has prayed God not to allow his former party to return to power. Allotey Jacobs, tackling illegal mining issues during a panel discussion on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' Wednesday morning, expressed disappointment in the politics in Ghana. He described Ghana's politics as "dirty" and exposed some leading members of the NDC including former President and 2020 NDC Presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, for making statements that sought to project the illegal mining business in a good light. Illegal mining, popularly called 'galamsey', is a menace to Ghana's development. The galamseyers destroy water bodies and environment where they undertake their activities. As a result, the current government has mounted a concerted action to end this illicit trade. However, according to Allotey Jacobs, there are some NDC members who have given assurances to Ghanaians involved in the illegal mining that they will support them to continue their activities but in exchange for votes in the next elections. Allotey expressed uncertainty that the NDC will fight against galamsey should they return to power but believed the illegal miners may rather be emboldened which won't help in ending the canker. To him, Mr. Mahama and his party are part of the reasons why Ghana is seemingly losing the galamsey fight. " . . God forbid that they will return to power, but assuming in the near future they come into power, won't the NPP also attack them? If it happens this way, are we doing this country good?", he queried. Ghanaians must know the "wrongdoers", he said while rebuking the opposition party, "those who don't want Ghana to succeed and place them aside for Ghana's water bodies to become better". Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Kimberly Murray speaks after being appointed as Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential Schools, at a news conference in Ottawa June 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Mary Peltola has made history as the first Alaska Native to serve in Congress and as the winner of Alaskas first ranked choice election. She is stepping into a giants shoes and is doing so with grace. Peltola has expressed her determination to carry on the work of the late Don Young as she finishes out his term. During her swearing in on Tuesday she expressed her commitment to securing [Youngs] legacy of bipartisanship. There is reason to believe that her talk of bipartisanship is not just talk. For eight of Peltolas ten years in the Alaska State Legislature she chaired... Foreign trade of east China's Jiangsu up 10.6 pct Xinhua) 16:07, September 15, 2022 NANJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- East China's Jiangsu Province reported a 10.6 percent increase in foreign trade in the first eight months of the year to 3.63 trillion yuan (525 billion U.S. dollars), official data showed. Exports rose 13.6 percent year on year to 2.31 trillion yuan, while imports went up 5.7 percent to 1.32 trillion yuan, according to Nanjing customs. During the period, Jiangsu's major trading partners were the European Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the United States. The province's trade with countries and regions along the Belt and Road increased 14.8 percent to over 954 billion yuan. In the January-August period, Jiangsu's exports of mechanical and electrical products reached 1.51 trillion yuan, up 13 percent year on year, customs data showed. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print At a hearing on the federal monkeypox response, Sen. Rand Paul played an edited clip to accuse Dr. Fauci of rejecting fundamental immunology, but Fauci was ready for the Kentucky senator. Video: Complete exchange between Sen. @RandPaul and Dr. Anthony Fauci at Monkeypox hearing. Sen. Paul plays @cspanwj clip of Dr. Fauci. Fauci: "That film that you showed was really taken out of contextReuters fact-checked, looked at that" Paul: "Actually, words don't lie." pic.twitter.com/d9tvNtli87 CSPAN (@cspan) September 14, 2022 Sen. Paul used an edited clip of Fauci from 2004 to spread more misinformation about COVID-19 immunity. Dr. Fauci responded: That film that you showed is really taken out of context. I believe that was when someone called in who had a reaction to a vaccine, and asked me through a telephone in an interview who asked me if they should get vaccinated again, so it was in the context of someone who had a reaction. As a matter of fact, Reuters fact-checked, looked at that, and said Faucis 2004 comments do not contradict his pandemic statements. Paul went on to smear Fauci and suggest that he was taking kickbacks from vaccine manufacturers. Dr. Fauci will soon be riding off into the private sector, and even though Rand Paul suggested that he will expose the truth when Republicans take back the Senate, Fauci was able to deliver one last public trouncing to one of the nations foremost spreaders of COVID misinformation. Fauci got an early going away present by getting to own Rand Paul one last time. Whiskey Road traffic could be getting lighter in a few years. The City of Aiken and S.C. Sen. Tom Young, R-Aiken, held a news conference Thursday morning to announce the city will receive $21.3 million from the State Infrastructure Bank for the Powderhouse Road Connector project. The Powderhouse Road Connector project involves the construction of a limited access road to replace Oak Grove Lane (the road between National Tire and Cracker Barrel across from East Gate Drive) to connect with Powderhouse Road at a Y-interchange south of Affordable Quality Marble and Granite. South Centennial Drive would be extended to connect with the new road at a traffic circle. Limited access roads are roads that only allow access at specific points and not haphazardly like on Whiskey Road. Aiken Mayor Rick Osbon said the funding from the infrastructure bank provides all of the funding to complete the project, which is expected to relieve 18% to 24% of the traffic on Whiskey Road when it is completed in five or six years. He said the city received $8 million from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act thanks to the efforts of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. The city received $7.6 million for the project when Aiken County voters approved a county-wide capital project sales tax in 2018. Also, the County Transportation Committee committed $621,000 to the project and the city provided an additional $525,000. "It's going to be a gamechanger for us," Osbon said. "What we did learn from Whiskey Road is that we don't want to create another one so it's limited access. It also opens up 400 acres for development that can be planned and that will help Aiken grow in a manner that we all want to see and without adding to that congestion." He said the project has been a long-term goal of the city. Osbon said the project was first identified in a 2006 study. "The study was right on track but like a lot of studies it ended up probably on a shelf for a little bit," Osbon said. "But, it didn't gather dust for too long. When I first came in [in 2015], I remember having conversations with Councilwoman [Lessie] Price and others about the issue and the study kept coming up in conversation." He said the city pulled the study off the shelf and determined that its proposal was still a viable solution to the issue of crowding on Whiskey Road. In 2020, the city submitted an application for funding to the State Infrastructure Bank. Osbon said the request was continued to allow the city to work with the South Carolina Department of Transportation and the Augusta Regional Transportation Study to provide additional information for the project. Finally, last week, the request for funding was granted. Osbon credited Young for working with the city every step of the way to make sure the project got funded. "Senator, we wouldn't be standing here today without you," he said. Young credited the entire county legislative delegation. "You can't get anything done in Columbia without teamwork and a lot of persistence," Young said. "Our Aiken County legislative delegation has worked tirelessly together on this and we're so happy with the final product, to see that this road will finally be funded and alleviate traffic on Whiskey Road." The first phase of the project, the extension of Centennial and the construction of the new road to the traffic circle, is expected to take 18-24 months to complete after ground is broken in the first quarter of 2023. The second phase, the connection of the traffic circle to Powderhouse Road, is expected to take five or six years. The plaintiffs challenging South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson's payment of a total of $75 million to two law firms for their work in litigating the state's plutonium storage lawsuit can move forward with their claims. The S.C. Supreme Court issued an opinion Wednesday morning reversing the circuit court's dismissal of the case due to a lack of standing and remanding the case back to the circuit court to litigate the claims of plaintiffs John Crangle and the South Carolina Public Interest Foundation. The suit originated when South Carolina received $600 million from the federal government after the federal government failed to meet an agreed timeline to remove plutonium from the Savannah River Site. Wilson paid a total of $75 million from the settlement funds to Willoughby and Hoefer, and Davidson Wren and DeMasters as part of a contingency fee agreement to litigate the state's claims against the federal government. Contingency fee agreements are agreements between plaintiffs and law firms where the plaintiff agrees to pay a certain amount of any favorable monetary result obtained to the law firm in exchange for representation. Such agreements are commonly used in personal injury cases. The foundation and Crangle then sued in state court asking for the court to declare that Wilson did not have the authority to make the payments. Wilson and the law firms then asked the court to dismiss the suit because Crangle and the foundation did not have standing to file the suit. Standing is a legal term meaning that the plaintiff, the person suing, has enough of an interest to bring the lawsuit. Judge Kirk Griffin granted the motion to dismiss in a March 5, 2021 order, saying that the plaintiffs lacked standing to bring the suit. That order was appealed by the plaintiffs to the S.C. Supreme Court leading to oral arguments in early April. Justice George James wrote in the opinion that the motion to dismiss should not have been granted. He said even though the plaintiffs could not allege a particularized injury, standing for the plaintiffs could be conveyed because the issue of whether Wilson can enter into contingency fee agreements with private law firms is of such public importance to require resolution for the future. "By claiming Wilson improperly disbursed state settlement funds, Appellants [Crangle and the public interest foundation] indisputably allege an issue of public importance," James wrote. He added the issue is sure to arise in the future because the attorney general's office has seven other litigation retention agreements with private law firms. "For example, Wilson recently announced a $300 million settlement with opioid distributors," James continued. "The litigation retention agreement in that case contains a contingency fee agreement identical to the one here. There is a need for further guidance as to whether subsection 1-7-250(B) authorizes the attorney general to enter into contingency fee agreements." You are the owner of this article. A new 150-room hotel proposed for the third phase of a still-developing marshfront property on the Charleston peninsula will be the first of its brand in South Carolina. The next stage of development also includes three new apartment buildings, with two of them up to 12 stories tall. The city's Board of Architectural Review gave the hotel project initial approval Sept. 14 but wanted architectural features of the multifamily venture revisited before signing off on it. Developers plan to bring Kimpton, a division of the United Kingdom-based InterContinental Hotels Group, along with the proposed multifamily structures to 860 Morrison Drive at Morrison Yard, according to Zach Bearden with Origin Development Partners. Origin and Roswell, Ga.-based DSM Real Estate Partners will work together on the planned nine-story Kimpton Hotel south of the Ravenel Bridge. Plans show the lobby, kitchen and cafe on the first floor, with a fitness center and administrative functions on the second level. The top floor will include a pool, conference center and indoor and outdoor dining. Twenty-five hotel rooms will occupy each floor from three through eight. The nearest Kimpton Hotels are in Savannah, Charlotte and Asheville. On the multifamily project, Origin is partnering with Woodfield Development, which is developing the nearby 10-story Morrison Yard apartment complex. Bearden said the number of apartment units will range from 162 to 169, depending on the final unit mix in the proposed three buildings beside and behind the planned hotel. The two taller apartment buildings are projected to be behind the hotel. A shorter, tiered multifamily structure is planned between the lodging and the parking deck for the Morrison Yard office building. Board of Architectural Review members liked the hotel concept, but they believed the multifamily project needs a bit more work. The board voted to defer approval of the three apartment buildings, saying the developer needs to restudy architectural direction, particularly the middle and top of the structures. Board members also noted they liked the breakup of the project into different structures as opposed to one massive building. Sign up for our real estate newsletter! Get the best of the Post and Courier's Real Estate news, handpicked and delivered to your inbox each Saturday. Email Sign Up! The Preservation Society of Charleston supported the hotel design while the Historic Charleston Foundation did not, saying it opposed the building's height, scale and mass. Both groups wanted developers to reconsider the proposed multifamily development. "While we appreciate efforts made by the applicant to reduce the scale of the project by breaking up the buildings into distinct masses, there is no getting around the incredible impact the development will have on our skyline," said Erin Minnigan of the Preservation Society. "Unfortunately, we dont feel the quality of architecture proposed for the multifamily building has met the standard Charleston deserves and requires significant restudy and refinement," she said. "Top-quality materials and design, compatibility with Charlestons unique character, a pedestrian-friendly experience and retention of views to the bridge and river are our priorities for this project," said Minnigan. A peninsula resident also spoke out against the proposed development in a written response and urged city leaders to review standards for taller buildings. "Like the rising waters that often threaten to engulf the borders of the city, the rising tide of large mid- and high-rise buildings, especially north of Calhoun, is engulfing the spirit and soul of Charleston," Jane Atkins said. "Growth is healthy for any city, but Charleston is unique," she said. "Growth should consistently and cohesively respect all that makes Charleston a coveted destination, for residents and tourists alike. The Morrison project is a behemoth at an important gateway to the city. It mars views of the bridge and its incompatibility with the character of the city is undeniable." The proposed new buildings are the next phase of development in the Morrison Yard project where a 12-story office structure and 379-unit apartment project are nearing completion. Other planned improvements for the entire Morrison Yard development include a new waterfront park to be built on the former Seaboard railway spur adjacent to Johnson Street, a quiet zone and an improved rail crossing at Johnson. Also in the plans are sidewalks along both sides of Morrison Drive that do not currently exist, new crosswalks and a direct public bike and pedestrian connection to the Ravenel Bridge. Developers also plan to raze two small office structures where the hotel and apartments are proposed after the Board of Architectural Review gave final approval to the demolition request Wednesday. COLUMBIA It continues to be a challenge to find a home to rent for many in the Midlands, even as new student housing projects dot the landscape. Whether tenants seek an apartment or single-family home, demand is high and supply scarce in the Midlands, according to both a recent survey and property managers. The occupancy rate for multifamily housing in the Columbia market was just over 93 percent this spring, according to research from Colliers International South Carolina. That's actually down a bit from 95 percent in the second quarter of 2021. Average rents had increased to $1,135 per month, about $100 more than the same period the year before, according to the report. Rental homes, too, have been heavily sought-after, especially this summer as students made their plans for the new school year. "We could hardly get them listed," said Joy Lewis, property manager in charge for Soda City Rentals, which principally handles homes and duplexes for rent. During the summer rush, the company regularly was being contacted 30 to 40 times per day about properties for rent, Lewis said. Now that college is in session in September, that number has dropped to 10 to 15 contacts, she said. The summer continues to be a peak season even as numerous new student housing structures with hundreds of rooms have come to market in Columbia. Reign Living at the Stadium added 504 rooms close to Williams-Brice Stadium in fall 2020, while Nine at Columbia opened in fall 2021 offering about 380 rooms. The Standard, the 17-story private student housing complex on Assembly Street, is expected to welcome more than 650 students in fall 2023. Yet student demand still rules the rental market, especially downtown. In part, that is because enrollment at the University of South Carolina has grown so much. In August, USC announced its largest freshman class ever of more than 6,500 students. It was a 6.5 percent increase over the year before, continuing the trend of the past decade that has pushed enrollment at the Columbia campus above 35,000. That has created enough demand to fill both the student housing towers and to keep filling nearby rentals, property managers say. Columbia still needs to develop more apartments for students and the general population, said Chris Twitty, owner of The Shandon Group rental agency. Even as rents go up, demand to live in neighborhoods close to campus such as Shandon and Rosewood remains strong, Twitty said. Many students don't want to be in a large student tower or a bus ride away at private student housing that is further from campus, he said. The rapid increase of prices for homebuyers has been matched with a steady increase in rents because demand is so high, Lewis said. That increase finally has cooled off a bit in the wake of the students getting their accommodations this summer. More properties may move onto the rental market as the frenzy in homes sales slows down a bit, she said. Affordability of rental property continues to be a challenge in the Midlands, according to a report from a housing advocacy group. In Richland County, 29 percent of renters were projected to have a severe rent burden, according to a 2019 report from SC Housing, a nonprofit that seeks to help with home financing. A severe burden means renters either spent more than one-half of their income on rent or had no income at all. In Lexington County, the severe rent burden was estimated at 21.9 percent. Statewide, the figure was 24 percent. COLUMBIA The South Carolina Ethics Commission denied a request Sept. 15 to expedite its final hearing on ethics charges against a Columbia-area school district vice chairman. Ken Loveless, the board vice chairman for Lexington-Richland School District Five, had sought to have his final hearing bumped up from February to October. Loveless is charged with violating the South Carolina Ethics Act by failing to recuse himself from school board discussions about the construction of Piney Woods Elementary School, because Loveless' own company was connected to Contract Construction, which built the school. Because Loveless is seeking reelection, his attorney, Desa Ballard, asked the commission to move the final hearing up so the proceedings can end before Election Day. The commission denied the request in a written order on Sept. 15 after voting to consider it during a public meeting earlier the same day. "(Loveless') concern is that it will do him far more harm to have this hanging over his head at the time of the election than it would to go ahead and proceed with the hearing in October and get the matter over with," the attorney said. Ethics Commission hearings for public officials are typically not conducted within 50 days of an election, but public officials have a right to waive this rule, Ballard said. Loveless declined to comment on the proceedings. Columbia resident Kim Benson filed a formal complaint with the Ethics Commission in February 2021, accusing Loveless of taking part in two board discussions on the Piney Woods project, visiting the school's construction site and asking Contract Construction about the project in a letter, all in 2020. As a subcontractor for Contract Construction, Loveless Commercial Contracting signed on to a State Law Enforcement Division lab project for $1 million. Loveless did recuse himself from school board discussions on the Piney Woods project in early 2021, after the Ethics Commission advised him to do so. Subpoenas were issued to Loveless' critics and associates more recently, including Benson and former Lexington-Richland Five board chairman Michael Cates, who are now asking that their subpoenas be quashed. On Sept. 12, the Ethics Commission did quash a subpoena to former Lex-Rich Five attorney Michael Montgomery, citing attorney-client privilege. However, subpoenas to former school board member Ed White and Contract Construction President Greg Hughes are moving forward, despite both claiming Sept. 8 that they would not know any details about Loveless' school board discussions on Piney Woods. The commission declined to quash the subpoenas to White and Hughes, but did impose limits on their depositions. Loveless' final Ethics Commission hearing is scheduled for February, with the commission's findings expected to come soon after. If the commission finds that Loveless violated state ethics codes, he could be fined, but could continue in office and stand for re-election. The situation has a local recent precedent in the district. This year, Lexington-Richland Five board chairwoman Jan Hammond settled ethics charges with a $2,000 fine after she was accused of using her district email to sway voters' decisions. Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect that the South Carolina Ethics Commission denied the request to expedite its final hearing on Ken Loveless. COLUMBIA Richland County has been quiet about firing its jail director last week, but questions remain in the air, even as his attorney promises to file a grievance. Richland County fired Tyrell Cato from the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center on Sept. 9, more than a month after learning he lost his last job in Kershaw County in May for alleged sexual misconduct. But the county did not announce this decision until asked about it five days later, on Sept. 14, after the state Criminal Justice Academy released an updated version of Cato's record that showed the termination in Richland. Candidates for council seats are calling for the county to take a closer look at its policy on background checks and be more transparent with the public on these decisions. When hiring Cato, Richland County Administrator Leonardo Brown was unaware of the allegations that Cato made inappropriate comments to female employees and asked them for sex. Brown also did not know Cato had been fired from Kershaw County because Richland County failed to complete a background check during the hiring process. Cato's attorney, Elizabeth Bowen of Cromer Babb Porter & Hicks, said in a Sept. 15 email that Richland County wrongfully terminated Cato and he will file a grievance. "We look forward to the actual evidence surrounding his wrongful termination coming to light," Bowen said in the email. She declined to say what reason the county gave Cato for terminating him or why he thought it was unfair. Cato has denied the claims against him at his last job and filed a grievance request there as well. However, a Kershaw County Grievance Committee upheld his firing. Richland County did not say it had fired Cato until Sept. 14, when the state Criminal Justice Academy updated its record. County Spokeswoman Susan O'Cain confirmed Cato's termination in an email, adding that it followed an internal review by the county administrator. Previously, Richland County was slow to announce it had hired Cato. He began working during the payroll period that began July 2, but the county administrator brought his employment to the public eye for the first time during a July 19 County Council meeting. When asked whether Cato was offered severance pay, who would serve as interim director of the jail, what the hiring process would be to fill the opening, the reason Brown fired Cato and why the county did not disclose Cato's firing to the public, O'Cain did not respond but instead told The Post & Courier to file formal requests under the Freedom of Information Act. Once the issues in Kershaw became public knowledge, Brown said in an emailed statement July 28 that the county would investigate Cato's work history and update the public with its findings. "Upon the conclusion of that investigation, we will consider the appropriate action to take and share the information that we have gathered with the public," the statement read. Six days after firing Cato, the county has not shared that information. After announcing the investigation in July, Brown did not respond to repeated emails and phone calls asking about Cato's employment status. A county spokesperson said in an Aug. 16 email that Brown told the public information office not to give updates on employment status for county staff. County Council members have either not responded to phone calls or declined to comment, saying they do not comment on personnel matters because the council does not have purview over county employees. "The role of council is to set policy, not chime in on or influence decisions pertaining to county workers," Council Chairman Overture Walker said in a statement. "The administrator is tasked with administering county government, and the council respects his right to exercise discretion in carrying out that obligation." Walker said he couldn't comment on whether the council might consider any policy changes to prevent employees from being hired without a background check. Don Weaver, the Republican candidate for Richland County Council's District 6 seat in November's election, said the whole situation raised questions about the county's transparency. "I don't understand what the harm is in telling the public this," Weaver said. "I don't get why that's a negative for the county." Weaver and Bryan Boroughs, the Democratic candidate for the seat, said Richland County needs to take a hard look at its policy on background-checking new hires and make any necessary changes to ensure this does not happen again. "The standard policy needs to be that positions of heightened public trust get a background check," Boroughs said. "To the extent that wasn't done in any situation is baffling, and if it's not already that policy, then I want to make sure that it is." O'Cain also declined to provide the county's current policy on background-checking new hires, instead demanding a formal request under the Freedom of Information Act. The Post and Courier paid $3.50 for its FOIA of this information on Sept. 14 but did not receive a response prior to publication of this article. Regardless of the county's general policy on background checks, its failure to background check Cato for a top law enforcement position before hiring him prompted the Criminal Justice Academy to launch an investigation of Richland County. The state's Law Enforcement Training Council requires any agency hiring someone who has worked in law enforcement to contact a representative of that person's last employer. A Richland County representative did not request Cato's work history from the Criminal Justice Academy until July 26, weeks after hiring him to run the jail. No one from Richland County reached out to Kershaw County until Aug. 23, said Kershaw County Administrator Danny Templar. By that point, Cato had been working in Richland for more than a month, and Brown had been aware of his previous firing for weeks. Richland County did not successfully complete a background check on Cato with the Criminal Justice Academy until Aug. 31. If the academy finds the county violated the training council's order, the county could have to pay a fine of $1,500. "Frankly, it's disappointing," Weaver said. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is also investigating why a Kershaw County employee submitted documents saying Cato had resigned voluntarily despite being fired. There were no updates in either investigation Sept. 14. Cato was hired to run a jail already steeped in issues. The jail has been chronically understaffed and overcrowded, an inspection last year found. The county has since frozen 50 positions and raised its base pay to $40,000. Cato's predecessor, Ronaldo Myers, left his longtime position as jail administrator last September after emails showed he was on unapproved leave during a riot that injured two officers and resulted in charges for a dozen inmates. A federal lawsuit filed in April alleges inmates with mental illnesses are mistreated and subject to filthy conditions. An inmate, Lason Butler, died in the jail in February after staff failed to ensure he was given adequate food and water. Another federal lawsuit alleges jail staff also denied him medical treatment. Click here for more news from Columbia, S.C. COLUMBIA Richland County fired its jail director Sept. 9, more than a month after learning he was fired from his previous job for sexual misconduct, documents from a state agency reveal. Tyrell Cato was hired to run the troubled Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center at the beginning of July. Since then, Richland County learned he was fired from his last job, and two different state agencies launched investigations because of the circumstances surrounding his hiring. Richland County fired Cato on Sept. 9 for "failure to complete the probation period successful(ly)," according to a document the county filed with the Criminal Justice Academy. A county spokesperson confirmed Cato's termination in an email Sept. 14 and said it followed an internal review by Richland County Administrator Leonardo Brown. Richland County Council Chairman Overture Walker said in a statement that hiring and firing are under Brown's purview, not the council's. "The role of council is to set policy, not chime in on or influence decisions pertaining to county workers," Walker said in the statement. "The administrator is tasked with administering county government, and the council respects his right to exercise discretion in carrying out that obligation." Cato was previously terminated from Kershaw County in May for making repeated inappropriate comments about female officers and asking them for sex, according to complaints two women filed during an investigation into his behavior. Cato denied these allegations in a written statement during the investigation. A Kershaw County Grievance Committee upheld his firing. Brown did not learn about the circumstances of Cato's departure from Kershaw until weeks after hiring Cato. A county representative did not request Catos work history from the state agency that tracks it until Cato had been working in Richland for nearly three weeks. No one from Richland called Kershaw County to ask about Catos work there until Aug. 23 nearly two months after his hiring. The state Criminal Justice Academy finished processing the countys background check on Cato on Aug. 31, after rejecting two previous attempts for including wrong or incomplete information. The Criminal Justice Academy is investigating Richland County for this belated background check process. The states Law Enforcement Training Council requires all agencies hiring a law enforcement officer to speak to the officers previous employer. The penalty for failing to do so is a $1,500 fine. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating Kershaw County after an employee submitted documents to the Criminal Justice Academy erroneously saying Cato had resigned voluntarily. Kershaw County Administrator Danny Templar previously said he thought this was an honest mistake. Kershaw County Lieutenant Ervin Whack, who submitted the report, also filed a statement supporting Cato during the investigation following Catos firing. Spokespeople for both agencies said they could not provide updates in the investigations Sept. 12. Brown previously said he hired Cato with hopes that he could help fix the troubled jail. Catos predecessor, longtime jail administrator Ronaldo Myers, left in September 2021 after emails showed he was on unapproved leave during a jail riot that injured two officers and led to charges for 12 inmates. This prompted the county to introduce more security measures, including body cameras, body scanners and more security in its parking lot. Also in 2021, an inspection found the jail to be overcrowded and understaffed, prompting the county to freeze 50 positions and up its base pay to $40,000 a year. Two federal lawsuits have alleged brutal conditions for inmates. One, filed in April, claimed mentally ill inmates in particular were subject to mistreatment. The other claimed the jail refused medical care to inmate Lason Butler before he died in the jail in February. The county coroner ruled his death a homicide, saying jail staff did not give him appropriate food or liquids. Click here for more news from Columbia, S.C. COLUMBIA The governor and state prison director filed a notice Sept. 14 to appeal a Richland County judge's recent decision that halted executions to the S.C. Supreme Court. Circuit Judge Jocelyn Newman issued an order earlier this month stating that the two execution methods the state allowed, firing squad and electric chair, were cruel and unusual punishments, in violation of the state constitution. An appeal was expected, regardless of Newmans decision. Following the judges ruling, Gov. Henry McMaster and Department of Corrections director Bryan Stirling said they planned to appeal. I think that our South Carolina law is constitutional, McMaster told reporters Sept. 7, adding that he thinks the higher court will uphold the law. The nonprofit Justice 360 initially filed the case on behalf of four death-row inmates, claiming that with lethal injection no longer an option, condemned inmates were forced to choose between two cruel and unusual forms of punishment the electric chair and the newly legalized firing squad. The states supply of the drugs needed for the fatal three-drug lethal-injection cocktail expired nearly a decade ago. Pharmaceutical companies have been unwilling to supply more due to opposition to the death penalty. To allow an alternative method for condemned inmates, McMaster signed a bill in May 2021 to allow execution by firing squad. CHAPIN Residents voted in Vicky Shealy as their new Town Council member in a special election on Sept. 13 in which no one filed to appear on the ballot. Shealy, a longtime Chapin resident who works part-time at a local church, received 54 percent of the 71 votes cast, all of which were written in, according to the Lexington County Election Commission. "When there's nobody on the ballot, it's just a word of mouth," said Carla Price, a representative for the election commission. The special election comes after former council member Kay Hollis resigned early in the summer, leaving her at-large seat vacant for three months. "I'm extremely happy today that we had the election, (and the seat is filled)," said Al Koon, the mayor of Chapin, a Lexington County town northwest of Columbia with a population of about 1,700. "I'm extremely thankful that three people came forward and put their name out there (as write-in candidates). We have a newly elected council member, which we really needed." Turnout was low in this election, with just 5.8 percent of the 1,234 registered voters in Chapin casting a ballot, according to the election commission. "We should have way more public involvement," Koon said. "We have so many citizens (who) want to tell us what to do. But when it comes time to, you know, in this case fill in an open council position, nobody files." Shealy said she didn't think about running for the empty council seat initially, but that changed when she realized no one had filed. "There's so many other people (who I thought) would want it," she said. "But when I saw nobody filed, I went ahead." Like Shealy, other write-in candidates Sam Bolton and Dan Lambert organized campaigns as write-in candidates, Koon said. In her campaign, Shealy posted on social media, handed out fliers and marched in the Chapin Labor Day parade, she said. "I have been a resident of Chapin for over 40 years," Shealy said. "And I think I am a good person to support the town and the community in a positive way." In some towns, it is common for candidates not to file, said Chris Whitmire, the deputy executive director at the South Carolina Election Commission. In these cases, it is helpful for candidates to announce their run, even if they are not officially registered, as Shealy did in Chapin, he said. Having no one file might be the norm in some other municipalities, but is uncommon in Chapin, Koon said. Residents' lack of political engagement might come from their misunderstanding of Chapin's government, Koon said. Ten years ago, Chapin's government only included a mayor, a clerk and one staff member, he said. Now, the town has grown substantially, and the government has expanded with it, with a mayor and four council members, 26 employees, and soon will include a town administrator. Chapin's residents might not realize that this growth requires more engagement, he said. "We rapidly went from a very small town to where we are today," Koon said. "And our government has got to move in the same direction." This explanation was echoed by Whitmire. In small municipalities, elections with nobody listed on the ballot are more typical. The more established a town's government, the more likely it is that candidates file to run, Whitmire said. Shealy will serve on council until the seat comes up for election again in November 2023. Click here for more news from Columbia, S.C. Charleston County School District's board of trustees Chairman Eric Mack has withdrawn from the school board election, according to the South Carolina Election Commission website. He dropped out of the race Sept. 14, according to a letter Mack sent to the commission that is also circulating on social media. More coverage To read more in-depth stories from The Post and Couriers Education Lab, go to postandcourier.com/education-lab. "Please accept this letter as my official withdrawal from my candidacy as a school board district 8 trustee," he wrote in the letter. "This withdrawal is for the November 8, 2022 election. Thank you! Mack did not immediately respond to requests for comment. He has served on the school board since 2014. His exit is further confirmation the incoming school board will be very different from the one currently leading the district. Under a bill signed two years ago by Gov. Henry McMaster, all of the board seats in this years election are up for grabs. Candidates are running in single-member districts instead of at large, which means only constituents who live within a district can vote for candidates within that district this year. Districts have also been redrawn to align with the Charleston County Councils constituent districts, so some incumbents have found themselves redrawn into districts with their colleagues. Sign up for our Education Lab newsletter. Email Sign Up! Only three of the nine current school board members are running for election: Erica Cokley, Courtney Waters and Helen Frazier. Mack was facing Frazier in the District 8 election that includes parts of Johns Island, Hollywood, Ravenel and other regions. Frazier is still running against three other candidates. More Information The Post and Courier Education Lab is a multi-year project, employing four reporters, focused on the need for public education reform in South Carolina. The Coastal Community Foundation and Spartanburg Foundation serve as fiscal sponsors for the Education Lab, which is supported by grants from the Jolley Foundation, Intertech, anonymous donors, and generous donations on behalf of donors to The Post and Courier Public Service and Investigative Fund who designate to the Education Lab. The new school board will be entrusted with making decisions for one of the largest school districts in South Carolina. In addition to trying to narrow achievement gaps between students of color and their White peers, CCSD is searching for a new superintendent and recovering from pandemic learning loss. When Mack ran for school board in 2018, he was backed by the Charleston Coalition for Kids. The coalition, which recently announced new leadership, has not publicly released its slate for the upcoming election. There are currently 32 people running for the school board. Volunteers will span out across the South Carolina coast in boats and on foot Sept. 17 to clean up litter left by beachgoers, items dumped in marshes and all sorts of toss-away or floating trash that becomes waterway eyesores. The Beach Sweep/River Sweep has been an annual effort for the past three decades, and organizers have noticed improvement among certain types of rubbish thanks to crackdowns on specific items, including cigarette butts. Last year, 2,255 volunteers cleared over 20,000 pounds of debris statewide. Data from 2018 and 2019 showed about a 50 percent decrease in plastic restaurant takeout containers and plastic grocery bags left on the beach, said Susan Ferris Hill, coastal coordinator for the upcoming beach and river sweep. Plastic straws decreased by about two-thirds, she said. "I think there is this increased awareness that people know the right thing to do is to just recycle that stuff," Hill said. That could be because some area beaches in recent years have prohibited single-use plastics like straws, grocery bags and foam plastic. Some municipalities in Charleston County have also banned businesses from distributing single-use plastic bags and certain food containers. Folly Beach passed a smoking ban last year to help eliminate cigarette butt litter. The rule prohibits smoking, holding and carrying a lighted or activated smoking product on the sand and at beach-access points only. But litter is still a problem across the coast. Volunteers who clean the beach and river areas have noticed a slight increase in litter from restaurant takeout containers, especially in green spaces near highways. Hill said some of these items may fly out of vehicles without the owners realizing it. "When (tropical storms) happen, and especially if we get a lot of flooding inland, I think a lot of that stuff (trash) travels through the waterways from some inland areas and makes it down the coast," Hill said. That is one reason why the beach and river sweep is a statewide effort. The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium is organizing cleanup events on the coast, and the state Department of Natural Resources is leading the inland sweeps. The event is held in conjunction with the Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup. Volunteers will clean about 20 sites in the greater Charleston area, including downtown and on all of the barrier islands. Edward Evans is leading the cleanup at the marsh in front of downtown Charleston's Waterfront Park. He's volunteered for the last 22 years and said people would be amazed at the amount of trashed pulled out annually. "It's a really good feeling to come there in the morning, (with) a bunch of people out there picking up trash ... and at the end of the term to have this substantial pile of trash," Evans said. But it is not an easy feat. Volunteers have to push through marsh grass, sometimes while sinking in pluff mud. Evans often tells his crew to wear clothes and shoes they don't mind getting dirty because "nobody's clean after this thing." He often gets the same group of people year after year. "There's something about it," Evans said. "And I think for them (the volunteers), it's the same things as it is for me, that it's just a rewarding thing to do." People who clean the area near Waterfront Park collect a lot of fishing-related items and plastics. On Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, crews have tended to collect more bottles, cans, and even COVID-related safety masks in recent years. Elizabeth Anderegg is the site captain there. Youth scouts and local schools have signed up to clean that area this year. The children will take kayaks and paddle into the marsh area near Shem Creek, out toward Bayview Creek and along the marsh headed toward Crab Bank. People who sign up will be provided with the needed supplies to make the collections. Hill recommends people reach out to the individual site captains to participate Sept. 17. That information can be found on the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium or DNR websites. The effort runs from 9 a.m. to noon. Tropical Storm Fiona was not expected to become a hurricane after forming in the Atlantic Ocean. The storm, which strengthened from a depression late Sept. 14, is moving west toward the British and U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico at 14 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center's latest update. Fiona recorded maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. Cyclones must reach at least 74 mph before becoming hurricanes. The most recent update put Fiona 385 miles east of the Leeward Islands, which are more than 1,600 miles southeast of Charleston. A tropical storm watch or warning was in effect for several Caribbean islands, including St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Kitts and Anguilla. Tropical storm watches or warnings would likely be required Sept. 15 for portions of the northern Leeward Islands, including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The storm could dump between 4 and 6 inches of rain on those areas, according to the Hurricane Center. Flash and urban flooding, along with isolated mudslides in higher terrain, was possible. Forecasters expected Fiona's westward motion to continue for several days. Its center would move near the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by Sept. 17. Forecasters predicted slow strengthening over the next few days. A U.S. Air Force Hurricane Hunter plane was enroute to investigate Fiona during the afternoon of Sept. 15. CAROLINA FOREST As many Horry County school buildings reach their limit, the district has released more information on its plan to build a new elementary school in the Carolina Forest area. The district's new elementary school will be split between two building locations in Carolina Forest a 20-acre site along Carolina Forest Boulevard and a 35-acre site in the River Oaks area, according to District Planning Coordinator Joe Burch. This comes as many of Horry Countys school buildings are overcrowded and have exceeded efficient functional capacity levels, including seven of the nine Carolina Forest schools, per county documents. "Based on our current attendance area, our schools and capacity within the Carolina Forest area, we need these schools," said Neil James, who represents District 10, which borders Carolina Forest, on the Horry County Board of Education. Though the project is still in early stages, construction will likely be completed in 2024, and both sites will be constructed simultaneously. There are no available numbers yet on the anticipated capacity of these new buildings, Burch said. There are currently nine schools serving the Carolina Forest area five elementary schools, three middle schools and one high school. After this new elementary school is built, the district may consider building additional middle schools and high schools in the Carolina Forest area, Burch said. However, no decisions have been made on that yet. This new project comes as many schools in the Horry County School District have exceeded their functional capacity for the 2022-23 school year, according to Horry County Planning Commission documents. Functional capacity reflects a schools space constraints, and helps districts plan for individual facility needs. It is based on the use of rooms and current pupil-teacher ratio, and measured as a percentage. Per county documents, 85 percent is considered to be "efficient" functional capacity. However, at least 24 schools across the district have exceeded that 85 percent, with 12 of them exceeding 100 percent. These 24 schools include all five schools in North Myrtle Beach, two schools in Aynor, seven schools in Carolina Forest, three schools in Conway, three schools in Myrtle Beach, two schools in Socastee and two St. James schools. These critical levels of functional capacity point to a district-wide issue of overcrowding, which has become more pressing as the county's population continues to grow. Horry County is the third-largest county in the state, and its population and housing stock have more than doubled over the past 30 years. By 2040, its year-round population is estimated to nearly double again, reaching up to more than 584,000 permanent residents, per county documents. Since the 2000 Census, more Horry residents have moved away from the beaches, settling in areas like Burgess, Socastee, Forestbrook, Carolina Forest, Conway, Little River and the S.C. Highway 90 corridor. Lisa Bourcier, the district's communications director, said the district knows it needs to expand its services and facilities to meet the growing student populations. Since 2011, the county has built nine school buildings at the total cost of $297.2 million, with one currently under construction, budgeted for $58 million. Also, 11 schools have received additions or been renovated, at a total cost of $98.5 million. The district has also used modular classrooms to help alleviate overcrowding. Modular classrooms are portable classroom buildings placed on school property. They can often include up to eight classrooms, with each fitting up to about 30 students. The Horry County School District is utilizing 124 total modular classrooms throughout the district. That total includes 36 additional modular classrooms that were added this school year at an estimated cost of $6.6 million. District officials said they anticipate more modular classrooms being needed next year. District leaders hope the two new Carolina Forest school buildings will help alleviate some of the district's overcrowding in the coming years. The Horry County Board of Education plans to vote Sept. 26 on the approval of Mount Pleasant-based SMHa Architects as the new architectural firm for the project. SMHa Architects is a commercial architecture firm originally founded in 1990. The school district has no prior history with the firm. If approved by the board, the district will pay SMHa Architects $4.4 million for the design of both sites. Burch said the $4.4 million includes a set design fee, reimbursable expenses and additional consultant fees. The district has not provided information on the total cost of construction, beyond this $4.4 million for the contractor. The districts evaluation committee recommended SMHa Architects to the board for approval after conducting interviews with 10 interested firms. Specifically, the firms responsibilities would include designing the school, providing full-site plans and off-site improvements and completing permitting activities in preparation for construction, among others, according to school officials. We're not terribly familiar with S.C. Rep. Krystle Matthews, although what weve learned since she became the Democratic nominee to challenge U.S. Sen. Tim Scott this fall causes us to question her judgment, if not her character. We know more about the shady political organization that calls itself Project Veritas, whose M.O. is to meet with political targets under false pretenses, record them and edit the recordings to show the subjects in an unflattering, often misleading, light. So to the degree that we pay any attention to the group that holds itself out as a news organization, we always greet its audio releases with skepticism. But even if we accept Rep. Matthews explanation of the groups latest recording of her that it followed its standard practice of editing its targets words to make it sound like she was saying something she didnt theres once again no way to defend her comments. In the most recent audio, as The Post and Couriers Schuyler Kropf reports, Rep. Matthews seems to be disparaging her white constituents, telling a Veritas agent: You gotta treat them like s---. I mean, thats the only way theyll respect you. I keep them right here like under my thumbs. Thats where I keep like, you have to. Otherwise, they get out of control like kids. In a statement to the media after the audio was released last week, Ms. Matthews said she wasnt talking about white voters in general but only MAGA Republicans. As if that would make it OK. The problem isnt that an elected official would brag about treating white voters like excrement and needing to keep them under my thumbs so they dont get out of control like kids. Its that an elected official would say that about any voters, black or white, conservative or liberal, rational or delusional. At a news conference the next day, she said she had been talking not about voters but about Republican legislators which if true suggests shes even more delusional than the people who are convinced the 2020 presidential election was stolen, because she believes she has been keeping the majority party in the Legislature under my thumbs. Rep. Matthews tried to explain away the first Veritas recording in which she encouraged violating campaign finance laws and funding her campaign with drug money by saying she was joking. Thats when we first realized that, at best, she has bad judgment, since the recording was of a phone conversation with an inmate in a S.C. prison, which records all conversations. We remain baffled as to why Project Veritas would devote its time to exposing a S.C. House member who isnt even well-known to close legislative followers, and who is challenging the most popular elected official in South Carolina, a reliably red state where even a well-financed and well-known Democratic candidate challenging an unpopular Republican couldn't hope to win unless the sun and moon and stars aligned perfectly. Wed like to believe its because Democratic candidates who have a chance to win arent gullible enough or arrogant enough to get suckered into saying unacceptable things, or even things that can easily be manipulated into sounding unacceptable, to strangers who might be recording them. Wed like to believe that, but we dont. Because we know that there are plenty of Democrats and Republicans in our state and elsewhere who are so arrogant that it never occurs to them that anybody could possibly look at the world differently than they do. And because we know that there are plenty of Democrats and Republicans who dont share the common values that unite us across the political spectrum: foremost among them decency and respect for other human beings. Fortunately, there also are Democrats and Republicans who do share those common values, and its encouraging to see Democrats joining with Republicans to say so. In calling on Ms. Matthews to drop out of her race for the U.S. Senate and resign from the House, S.C. Rep. Justin Bamberg said in a guest column in Columbias State newspaper that her actions and words do not represent the values of the Democratic Party nor do they meet the moral standards by which many of us hold ourselves to and strive to live by. Of course the conversation we ought to be having, whenever an entrenched incumbent is being challenged for reelection, is whether that incumbent deserves to continue in office. It's a conversation that should include a critical look at what he has been doing and how he has been voting what causes he has championed and how successful he has been. One of the problems with living in a state that is so completely controlled by one political party is that responsible people are reluctant to challenge such popular incumbents as Sen. Scott. The result is candidates such as Rep. Matthews, who are an embarrassment to their party and our state. More significantly, it deprives voters of the conversation we need to be having. Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations. COLUMBIA Reported income earnings by Gov. Henry McMaster and his wife have steadily declined by more than $200,000 since they moved into the Governor's Mansion, according to a review of their tax filings. For 2020, which is their latest filing, South Carolina's first couple reported a total income of nearly $352,000, of which they paid $63,229 in combined state and federal taxes. The couple's earnings were almost $557,500 in 2017 McMaster's first year as governor. That marked a 21-year high for the couple. They paid a combined $176,410 in taxes that year. The McMasters' income The following lists the total income for Gov. Henry McMaster and his wife, Peggy, since 2015, when he became lieutenant governor: 2020: $351,765 2019: $368,808 2018: $427,931 2017: $557,441 2016: $431,661 2015: $425,685 Source: Henry and Peggy McMasters' joint tax returns The numbers are according to income tax returns reporters for The Post and Courier and other media outlets were allowed to view in the governor's office on Sept. 15. His 2021 returns are not yet prepared. He has regularly filed for extensions over the years. McMaster's salary as governor, at about $100,000 a year, hasn't changed though it's double what he made as lieutenant governor. Disclosure of the documents comes as McMaster seeks a second full term as governor on Nov. 8 against Joe Cunningham, his Democratic challenger. Cunningham, a former 1st District congressman, "is in the process of gathering his tax returns and will be releasing them as soon as they are ready," said campaign adviser Tyler Jones. Most of the McMasters' money comes from Columbia rental property near the University of South Carolina campus. The couple owns 21 properties, including the home where they lived before moving into the Governor's Mansion. They did not rent that home in 2020, records show. One rental home cost them income, due to a fire. Another fixer-upper they bought in 2019 brought in no rent, according to paperwork filed by the governor's office. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! McMaster made public his returns for 2015, his first year as lieutenant governor, through 2020. Over that six-year span, the McMasters donated about $151,000 to charities, mostly to their church, First Presbyterian in downtown Columbia. In 2020, they donated $27,500 with 87 percent of that going as tithe to the church. The second-largest donation, $1,500, went to Sistercare, which assists victims of domestic violence. Beyond the church, the biggest beneficiary was the University of South Carolina Law School, the governor's alma mater. He sent $7,000 in 2016 and $2,100 in 2015. Before becoming lieutenant governor, McMaster was paid to raise money for the new building, which opened in 2017. The McMasters' total income over six years was $2.56 million, while they paid $647,345 in total taxes. In all, McMaster has made 21 years of the couple's tax returns publicly available. In 2017, soon after becoming governor, he provided reporters tax returns dating back to 2000, when he was state GOP chairman. That was an unpaid position. At that time, the couple owned 11 rental properties. McMaster became governor when Nikki Haley resigned to become the United Nations ambassador for President Donald Trump. He was first elected to the role in 2018. Haley allowed reporters to view her tax returns dating to 2004, the year she first won her state House seat. Neither Haley nor McMaster allowed documents to be copied, photographed or taken out of their office. FOX News reports: 2 migrant buses arrive outside Vice President Kamala Harris Naval Observatory residence in DC. Subhead: Between 75 and 100 migrants who were picked up in Eagle Pass, Texas, were sent by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Video is posted with the story. In her Meet the Press interview this past Sunday, Harris asserted twice that the border is secure. Governor Abbott has thus refuted Harris. Readers of The Life of Samuel Johnson may recall Boswells account of this 1763 incident: After we came out of the church, we stood talking for some time together of Bishop Berkeleys ingenious sophistry to prove the non-existence of matter, and that every thing in the universe is merely ideal. I observed, that though we are satisfied his doctrine is not true, it is impossible to refute it. I never shall forget the alacrity with which Johnson answered, striking his foot with mighty force against a large stone, till he rebounded from it, I refute it THUS. This is Abbotts Samuel Johnson moment. The FBI appears content with its role as the enforcement arm of the Democratic Party, somewhat likealthough, so far, not as bad asthe role the Ku Klux Klan played years ago. The Mar-a-Lago raid was a low point, but the FBI has followed up with more intimidation tactics. Subpoenas reportedly have been served on dozens of Republicans, apparently fishing for some evidence of a connection to the almost entirely peaceful protest in Washington on January 6, 2021. The day after Joe Bidens notorious Nuremberg speech, three armed FBI agents visited the home of a New Jersey woman named Lisa Gallagher. Why? The FBI had an anonymous tip that Gallagher had something to do with the January 6 demonstration. She also had a pro-Trump sign on her lawn: A New Jersey woman who voiced her support for former President Trump on Facebook said Monday that three FBI agents showed up at her home last month claiming to have an anonymous tip connecting her to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, despite her having no involvement. *** I was terrified. Ill be honest with you, when my daughter woke me up telling me there were three armed FBI officers at my door, I thought she was joking. I immediately tried to throw [on] clothes. I called my husband, I was crying, my knees were shaking. And even though I knew I had done nothing wrong, after seeing Joe Bidens speech the night before, I thought, Oh my God, this is political. She was right, of course. I have subsequently called the FBI office in Newark to document or know for sure that it really was FBI agents at my home. It was. They said it was an anonymous tip, but they wont tell me anything else. Such is life in Joe Bidens America. If I send the FBI an anonymous tip that someone was involved in the infinitely more destructive Black Lives Matter/Antifa riots, will they send three armed agents to his or her door? Then we have the case of the My Pillow guy, Mike Lindell. He was en route from Iowa to his home in the Twin Cities and pulled into a Hardees drive-through in Mankato, whereupon he was surrounded by FBI agents. As far as I know, no one has disputed Lindells account: I open my door and I say, Who are you? And he says, Were FBI,' Lindell recalled on his show, the Lindell Report. He said the FBI agents showed him their badges upon request and told him to pull over. He goes, Were taking your cellphone. We have a warrant for your cellphone. I go, No. I said, My whole company, I run five companies off of that. I dont have a computer. My hearing aids run off of this. Everything runs off of my phone,' Lindell said. I said, If I dont give it to you, will you arrest me then? At that point, the agents apparently handed him the search warrant for his phone. Lindell said he was advised by his lawyer, whom he was allowed to call, to hand over his phone to the FBI. What is Lindells offense? He is a friend of, and donor to, President Trump, and he has argued that the 2020 election was marred by serious improprieties. Which I think is indisputably true, although my list of improprieties would be different from Lindells. But why is this any of the FBIs business? Will they want my cell phone next? Or yours? Finallyfor the momentthe FBIs role in the worst scandal in American history, the Russia collusion hoax, seems to be expanding. It turns out that both Christopher Steele, the fabricator of the Steele report on behalf of the Hillary Clinton campaign, and Igor Danchenko, the employee of a left-wing think tank who supposedly was the chief source for Steeles dossier, but turned out to know nothing about it, were paid FBI informants. Every time you think you have gotten to the bottom of the Russia collusion hoax, it turns out to be worse than you thought. I dont see how the FBI, in anything like its present form, can be salvaged. The bureau has been so thoroughly politicized, so corruptly placed at the disposal of one of our political parties, that it has lost the confidence of most Americans who pay attention. It will take legislation to abolish or drastically reform the FBI, but that should be a goal when Republicans retake control of Congress. Kto szuka: MAJOREL POLSKA Stanowisko: People Operations Partner - (HR Business Partner) Lokalizacja: Gdansk, Alchemia Office pomorskie Opis stanowiska podany przez pracodawce: This role will support the Senior HR Business Partner and HR Team to deliver a comprehensive HR service. HR administration / reporting plays big part in the day to day responsibilities (50%). We are looking for a proactive, open- minded person with positive attitude and teamwork skills. Wymagania stawiane pracownikowi: Duties and Responsibilities Overseeing annual leaves, attendance & time management systems and cooperation with assigned teams on errors verification before payroll cut of date. Supporting assigned line of the business with payroll-related questions. Regular collaboration with payroll department and providing essential information that ensures correct salary calculation. Quarterly bonus calculation. Creation of reports for senior HR management as well as operational stakeholders that rely on this information. Preparing and analysing HR metrics in partnership with operations to deliver updates for the client and develop solutions. Periodic training plan coordination and internal learning sessions delivery. Conducting with managers regular meetings and sharing HR updates and communications about changes. Working with managers to deliver people related initiatives and change programmes. Proactive management of employee relations issues. Required Qualifications & Experience University degree Minimum 2 years of experience in managerial role in an international company within HR area Experience in payroll / HR administration Practical knowledge of the Polish labour laws Fluent command of Polish and English both verbal and written Strong Power Point and Excel skills Ability to set priorities, manage time, organize work, and meet deadlines Strong presentation, written and verbal communication skill What we offer Annual performance bonus Subsidized Life Insurance Private medical care package Cafeteria program with wide range of employee benefits (including Multisport) Work in a modern office environment with access to free snacks and drinks Parking space About Majorel The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. Majorel is an equal opportunity employer that embraces diversity. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunities for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Majorel are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to gender, age, ethnicity, race, nationality, religion, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status or any other basis as protected by local law. Majorel and its employees do not tolerate, engage in or support Human Trafficking, Forced Labor or Child Labor of any kind through Majorel's activities, including in its supply chain, or assist Majorel clients or any other party in doing so. Firma oferuje: If youre #driventogofurther, we want to hear from you today! Kontakt do pracodawcy: The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) says it has recovered N2.8 billion worth of assets earlier diverted or embezzled under the constituency projects scheme. The recovery, the commission says, was achieved through its Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI), which tracked 2,444 projects between 2019 and 2021. ICPCs Director of Operations, Akeem Lawal, while presenting the summary of the commissions findings in Lagos on Tuesday, said 524 projects were tracked across 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, in the Phase I of the tracking exercise in 2019. Under the Phase II of the tracking, he said, 822 projects were tracked in 16 states in 2020, and under Phase III of CEPTI, 1,098 projects were tracked in 17 states and the FCT in 2021. Mr Lawal gave the report at the one-day sensitisation dialogue with traditional rulers, religious leaders and community-based civil society organisations on behavioural change, National Ethics and Integrity Policy and CEPTI. ICPC organised the dialogue in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA). He said during the tracking exercises of the constituency projects, ICPC discovered cases of bribery, signing off projects as completed, false certification of projects, vague description of projects, failure to deduct and remit appropriate taxes, and projects sited on private property of sponsors were issues ICPC discovered around project delivery. To address the issues, he said the commission enforced completion and execution of projects, recovered embezzled monies and assets, enforced distribution of empowerment items to beneficiaries, compelled the return of run-away contractors, and primed several cases for prosecution. Gains Part of the achievements of the tracking exercises, according to Mr Lawal, is the recovery of approximately N2.8 billion worth of assets diverted or embezzled through the constituency projects scheme, Mr Lawal said. He added that approximately 450 contractors returned to sites to complete abandoned and shoddily done projects. Mr Lawal also said the tracking exercises have led to a significant reduction in the number of infractions relative to those that were uncovered during the two previous phases of the tracking exercise and that abandoned projects have been completed. Background The constituency projects concept officially known as the Zonal Intervention Projects (ZIPs), was introduced in 2000 to federal lawmakers senators and members of the House of Representatives the opportunity of nominating projects considered to be of paramount importance to their constituents. As of 2019, an estimated N2 trillion has been budgeted for the ZIPs since inception in 2000, according to the ICPC. The commission said each of the ZIP projects tracked in the second phase of CEPTI, for instance, cost N100 million and above. But despite the huge yearly allocations, the ICPC said, citizens continue to lament shoddy completion, non-completion or outright non-existence of these projects in their locale. In some instances of violations captured in the report of the second phase of CEPTI, lawmakers allegedly manipulatively awarded contracts for the execution of some constituency projects nominated by them to companies in which they, their family members or associates had substantial interest directly or indirectly. The ICPC report details of which were previously reported by PREMIUM TIMES, showed how three senators from Kebbi, Taraba, and Jigawa states allegedly abused their offices and converted the public property to personal use in executing some multi-million-naira worth of constituency projects. The lawmakers are Kebbi Central senator, Adamu Aliero; Jigawa South-West senator, Sabo Nakudu Mohammed, and Taraba South senator, Emmanuel Bwacha. In what raises issues of conflict of interest, the senators allegedly applied subtle influence on the executing agencies to award the contract to companies owned by the legislators, their families or associates, ICPC said in the report. The commission accused officials of the implementing ministries, departments and agencies of the federal government in many violations of the constituency projects scheme. It identified lack of adherence to the provisions of the public procurement law and regulations as a major reason for the persistent infractions in the execution of constituency projects. Behavioural change, other things needed to be done Speaking on Tuesday, the ICPCs director of operations, urged traditional rulers, religious leaders and Civil Society Organisations to closely monitor corrupt practices and transparency issues and cause change to happen by reporting to the ICPC. Educate and enlighten people in your domains and members of your congregations against corruption and ensure that your communities are rid of all Corrupt practices through robust engagements and behavioural change strategies, Mr Lawal said. The ICPC Chairman, Bolaji Owasanoye, represented by ICPC member, Olubukola Balogun, emphasised in his opening remarks, the role of traditional rulers and religious leaders as character moulders and champions of integrity and national development. He noted that the design and implementation of the NEIP identify and recognise them as critical stakeholders in its promotion, adding that they can initiate and sustain behavioural change amongst the people at the grassroots. You have followership, you have influence and command respect, use these to bring about enduring positive behavioural change amongst our people. Nigerians are good people, let not the actions and attitude of a few bad eggs give us all a bad name, he said. He noted that the sensitization workshop which started in February 2022 is supported by the MacArthur Foundation and various state governments. On her part, the Permanent Secretary of Public Service Office, Lagos State, Sukanmi Oyegbola believes the fight against corruption should begin from the grassroots, she commended ICPC for the sensitisation workshop. Traditional rulers speak In his comment, Oba Mudashiru Bakare, the Ranodu of Imola said the leaders would take the lessons from the sensitisation event to the grassroots. Also, the Oba of Igbobi-Sabe, Owolabi Adeshina, blamed public corruption at the grassroots on parents and the government. The government has failed the nation and parents also have failed. Where parents need to take charge of homes, they are not there. Government should provide an enabling environment so that employment will be there, he said. The representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Johnson Oguninde, told ICPC to always ensure they expose corrupt people or public holders who have been found wanting by publishing their names and faces, including religious leaders. About the NEIP Lagos State Director of NOA, Waheed Ishola, said the National Ethics and Integrity Policy (NEIP) developed by NOA in collaboration ICPC is in response to the many damaging effects of corruption in both public and private sectors. The principles of the National Ethics and Integrity Policy are to be interpreted in line with provisions of federal laws and regulations, the Nigerian Constitution, standing rules and codes of conduct of professional bodies and statutory rules guiding public and private institutions. If Nigerias presidential election was held today, Peter Obi of the Labour Party would win, according to an opinion poll conducted by NOI Polls. The poll, commissioned by ANAP Foundation, was conducted this month and suggests a three-horse presidential race between Mr Obi, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) came fourth in the poll and was described as a dark horse. However, as of the time of this report, the researchers had not made public the methodology of the poll and how many people were sampled in gathering the data. The results showed a significant lead for Mr Peter Obi with 21 per cent of voters proposing to vote for him if the presidential election were to be conducted today; and 13 per cent each proposing to vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who are both tied in second place. Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso was a distant fourth with 3 per cent of voters proposing to vote for him, a statement by ANAP foundation announcing the result of the poll shows. The statement added that the Labour Party candidate led the pack in virtually all the age categories. The result, however, showed that about 33 per cent of the respondents were undecided while another 15 per cent refused to disclose who they would vote for; an indication that Mr Obis lead, according to the poll, is surmountable. Mr Peter Obis 8 percentage point lead at this early stage is significant, but not sufficient to separate him completely from a leading pack of candidates scoring 21 per cent, 13 per cent and 13 per cent respectively, ANAP said in its statement. Undecided voters and those who prefer not to reveal their preferred candidate add up to a whopping 32 per cent and 15 per cent respectively. The gender split of undecided voters shows that 39 per cent of women are undecided versus 27 per cent of male voters. Nigeria will hold her presidential elections in February 2023 with campaigns set to start at the end of September. The poll put the percentage of registered voters at 99 per cent in the North-east; 90 per cent in the South-south, the North-central, and the North-west respectively. The lowest registered voter percentages were in the South-east with 88 per cent and the South-west with 85 per cent. When asked if respondents were aware of the various candidates vying for the presidency, data gathered showed that 99 per cent of the respondents were aware of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC. 98 per cent were aware of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the PDP. 95 per cent were aware of Mr Peter Obi of LP and 74 per cent were aware of Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP. All other candidates scored below 55 per cent in terms of name recognition. The researchers said the top five reasons why voters were more inclined to vote in the forthcoming elections include: the need to tackle insecurity (45 per cent), the economy (20 per cent), education (9 per cent), unemployment (7 per cent) and poverty alleviation (4 per cent). Similarly, 46 per cent of the respondents would love to see their preferred presidential candidates participate in a televised interview and/or debate, with the interview/debates spanning across topics like their party manifestos, issues of security, economy, education, job creation, healthcare and agriculture amongst others. It is worthy of note that 69 per cent of those aged 18-25, 76 per cent of those aged 26-35, 77 per cent of those aged 36-45, 87 per cent of those aged 46-60 and 89 per cent of those aged 61+ responded saying that they would vote in the coming elections. The age groups that expressed the greatest willingness to vote were those between 46-60 and 61+ years. On average, the poll shows that almost 8 in 10 registered voters are certain that they would be voting in the next presidential election. If they stay committed then we could witness a huge turnout in the February 2023 elections. But, while the results show some significant trends, the poll said it is key to note that the battle ahead lies in the hands of the swing voters, as it appears they would ultimately decide which candidate takes the lead to emerge as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the 2023 presidential elections. In summary, our September 2022 Polls are inconclusive in terms of establishing a clear winner, as the undecided voters are large enough to turn the tables. However, Anap Foundation has concluded that the trends are clear enough to establish the front runners and so our subsequent polls will concentrate on the 4 leading candidates only. The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept and publish Godswill Akpabios name as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Akwa Ibom North-West District for the 2023 elections, the Nations newspaper has reported. The Nation reported that a judge, Emeka Nwite, gave the judgement on Thursday in Abuja. The court, according to the report, held that INEC acted illegally by refusing to accept and publish Mr Akpabios name since it was sent to the election commission by the APC. INEC had refused to recognise Mr Akpabio as a candidate because the commission did not monitor the APC primary which he claimed to have won. Nigerias electoral law empowers INEC to monitor political party primaries. Mr Akpabio, a former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, contested the APC presidential primary in Abuja but stepped down for a former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, who emerged as the party presidential candidate. Mr Nwite, in a judgement on Thursday, held that INEC acted illegally by refusing to accept and publish Akpabios name when it was submitted to it by the APC as its candidate. Judgement The judge said in the judgement that INEC is bound by the provisions of Section 29 (3) of the Electoral Act to publish only the personal particulars of the candidate of the first plaintiff for the Akwa-Iborn North/West Senatorial District elections in the person of the second plaintiff (Akpabio) as received from the first plaintiff. Mr Nwite held that the electoral umpire cannot publish any other name or particulars of any other candidate as the candidate of the APC for the Akwa lbom North/West Senatorial District elections, except as nominated, submitted and received from the first plaintiff (APC). I am of the view that the defendant (INEC) cannot choose and impose a candidate on a political party, Mr Nwite said. The judge faulted INECs claim that its refusal to monitor the primary poll conducted by the APC on 9 June which led to Mr Akpabios emergence was because it had supervised the one conducted on May 27. The fact that INEC chose to monitor an illegal primary and produce a report, cannot give it legitimacy. INEC cannot unilaterally pronounce a primary conducted by a political party or a candidate submitted to it as invalid, without a valid court order, Mr Nwite said. He held that there is no law empowering INEC to refuse to accept and publish the name of a candidate sent to it by a political party without an order of the court. Consequences of INECs failure cant be visited on Akpabio The judge noted that the consequences of the electoral umpires failure to monitor the legitimate primary of the APC in Akwa Ibom North-West District, cannot be visited on the candidate, Mr Akpabio. The consequences of the defendants (INECs) failure to monitor the legal primary conducted on June 9 by the first plaintiff, cannot be visited on the plaintiffs. He said INEC lacks the vires (powers) to usurp or assume the power of the court to disqualify a candidate. The judge said there were two primary polls conducted by the APC for the Akwa Ibom North/West Senatorial District one by the NWC of the APC, and the other by Augustine Ekanem, an illegal factional Chairman of the APC in Akwa Ibom State. The judge further noted that despite being invited and notified, INEC chose not to attend the validly conducted primary of the APC for the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, where Mr Akpabio was elected and nominated, but decided to term the primary illegal Consequently, the judge ordered INEC to publish the name and particulars of Mr Akpabio as the candidate of the APC for the Akwa-Iborn North/West Senatorial District in the 2023 general polls. The verdict was on the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1011/2022 filed and prosecuted for the APC and Akpabio (first and second plaintiffs) by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Umeh Kalu. INEC, the sole defendant, was represented by Alhassan Umar, a SAN. At least 25 babies were born at a displaced person camp in Karnaya Community in the Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State. Karnaya community, which is about 23 kilometres from Dutse town, the states capital, is one of the communities washed away by the flood in Jigawa. Residents said over 500 structures, mostly mud houses, were destroyed by the flood, forcing the entire community to relocate to uncompleted filling stations and a school in the community. One of the leaders of the displaced people, Falalu Ado, told reporters on Wednesday that they have been abandoned by the government since they relocated to the camp. He said 25 women have given birth in the camp without being attended to by trained health personnel. Life here is difficult, assistance is not forthcoming, and we are living in the mercy of God. We need food, and medical attention because there is also reported (suspected) cases of cholera outbreak in the camp. Women are delivering babies in the camps without a care, we just finished the naming ceremony today (Wednesday) of one of the babies, he was named after the Emir of Gumel, Ahmed Muhammad Sani, who came from Gumel to sympathise with us and donated food items. We are appreciative of the kind gesture he did that is why we reciprocated and named the child after him, Mr Ado said. He said the Emir of Gumel, and the Emir of Dutse, Nuhu Muhammad-Sanusi have been sympathetic to them providing food items ever since they were displaced by the flood. We are lucky enough to have the women delivering without complications, they are being saved by God Almighty, and nobody in the name of a government official is assisting us in the camp, Mr Ado added. He, however, acknowledged that the local government donated five bags of garri and a bag of sugar during their first week at the camp. He added that the State Emergency Agency also donated 10 bags of Garri. I am lucky because I delivered without any complication but since I delivered I had no medical attention and the baby is yet to be immunised against diseases, one of the nursing mothers, Hadiza, said. Another nursing mother, Ruqayya Sani, who named her child after the Emir, said she birthed the baby exactly eight days after they relocated to the camp. The flood and the failure of the government to provide health services to the displaced persons may increase infant mortality in the state. The infant and maternal mortality rates in Jigawa are one of the worst in the country. Maternal mortality in the state is 174 deaths per 100,000 live births, a recent survey in 2021 revealed. Official response Kabir Ibrahim, the executive secretary of Jigawa State Primary Health Care Development Board (SPHCDB), said the women delivering at the camp are willfully doing so as there are at least three vehicles meant for the Emergency Transport Scheme that are meant for the free service for delivery mothers in the Karnaya community. Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has inaugurated a telemedicine hub to address the gap created by the shortage of healthcare workers in the state. Mr Soludo, in a speech at the inauguration on Wednesday in Awka, said that the telemedicine hub was part of efforts to ensure that healthcare services were provided in all parts of the state, especially in hard-to-reach areas. He said that the pilot hub, at the Comprehensive Medical Centre, Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of the state, is connected to 10 other health centres in different communities. He said: Telemedicine is simply the use of telecommunication gadgets to remotely consult, diagnose and treat patients, irrespective of their locations. With the gap created with the rate of brain drain in the country, this technology will improve and increase access to healthcare in the state. If this pilot hub works as expected, we will replicate it in the other 179 communities in the state. I commend the Awkuzu Community for erecting infrastructure in this medical centre and we urge other communities to partner with the government and emulate this gesture. The Commissioner for Health in the state, Afam Obidike, said the concept and inauguration of the hub was the first in West Africa and Nigeria. Mr Obidike, a medical doctor, said it would be beneficial to residents with the use of google diagnostics to interact with doctors in America and Abuja. Diagnostic google will be used at the healthcare facilities to get the doctors to attend to patients from any location. We have ensured that there will be minimal challenges, regarding network and power supply since we have installed solar energy to drive 24-hour services. This telemedicine improves the health and well-being of people by reducing delays in accessing healthcare due to time, distance and location, Mr Obidike said. (NAN) Members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Thursday staged a protest on the Gbongan-Ibadan expressway, resulting in gridlock. The students, who were chanting solidarity songs, decried the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The peaceful protest, however, led to traffic jams, which left motorists and passengers stranded. Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), NANS National Vice President for External Affairs, Akinteye Afeez, said the protest on the expressway was to let the federal government know that students were not happy with the ongoing strike. Mr Afeez, who said that the protest was just a preamble of what to come, said the association would continue to occupy the major expressways until the strike is called off. As we speak, the strike is having serious effects on us and we are not happy about it. This is just a preamble because we are taking the protest gradually until the strike is called off. We started the protest in Sango-Ota, then to the toll gate in Ibadan and today we are in Gbongan. This is just a warning, We are tired of staying at home and we want an urgent solution to the strike, he said. Speaking on the development, the Gbongan Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Umaru Bamaiyi, said his officials were on the ground to ensure the free flow of traffic. Mr Bamaiyi, who noted that the protest took place in front of Ayedaade Local Government Secretariat, said people coming from the Ibadan axis could not move to Ile-Ife, while passengers going to Ibadan were also blocked. He said that only those that were going to Osogbo could manage to pass through. Mr Bamaiyi said his officials would continue to maintain a free flow of traffic. ASUU embarked on strike on February 14, accusing the government of reneging on the agreements it reached in order to suspend its last industrial action in 2020. The union also blamed its ongoing strike on the federal governments attitude toward a renegotiation of salaries and allowances, as well as the adoption of the University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) payroll software. The lecturers are also demanding funds for the revitalisation of public universities and promotion arrears. (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja awarded Nigerian citizenship to 286 nationals, urging them to be good citizens of the country to enjoy all the rights and privileges bestowed on them. You have pledged your allegiance to Nigeria. When you give your love and loyalty to Nigeria, she returns her love and loyalty to you, the president told the awardees during an event at the State House. The president explained that out of the 286 foreign nationals presented with certificates of Nigerian Citizenship, 208 received certificates for Naturalization, while 78 got certificates by Registration. He urged them to make positive and useful contributions to the advancement, progress and well-being of the different communities they reside, adding that as citizens they must be in accord with the national ethics and code of conduct. You are expected to abide by the Ideals and Institution of the Nigerian National Flag, Anthem, Pledge and respect for all Constituted Authorities. All those concerned with Immigration matters are to offer our new citizens quick legal identification. Also, their Local Governments should assist with their integration in the local community to enable them enjoy all the entitlements of a Nigerian citizen, he said. In exercising the constitutional powers conferred on him, by Chapter III Sections 25-31 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the president told the new citizens that Nigeria is a nation united by the principles of opportunity, equality, and liberty as enshrined in the Constitution. No matter where you come from, or what faith you practice, this country is now your country. Our history is now your history, and our traditions are now your traditions. Nigeria is your home and pride and joy. In line with our transformational ideals of strict adherence to due process and transparent procedures, the Ministry of Interior ensured that only deserving persons were recommended to the Federal Executive Council to be conferred with Nigerian citizenship. President Buhari recounted that the federal government in 2020 adopted the National Action Plan to eradicate statelessness and accordingly, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, inaugurated the High-level Steering Committee to Eradicate Statelessness in Nigeria by 2024. This ceremony, therefore, is a further demonstration of the federal governments commitment and determination to remove as many people as possible from statelessness. In this regard, I will like to reiterate our commitment to the strategic role Nigeria plays in the comity of nations, in its unwavering quest for greater human integration, towards ensuring peace and prosperity. Welcoming the new Nigerians, the Minister of Interior in his speech entitled The more the merrier, said the beneficiaries were from the United States, Europe, the Americas, Asia, Middle East, Oceania and Africa, who have seen the good in Nigeria. Without any doubt, Nigeria is a great nation, richly endowed and blessed with great people. Smart people continue to flock to our country to do business with us, Mr Aregbesola said, adding that Nigeria would continue to welcome every qualified citizenship applicant. The minister described the conferment ceremony as a celebration of the oneness of the human race, consistent with the mandate of the ministry and the Buhari administration to lay a solid socio-economic and political foundation that will thrust Nigeria into one of the top 20 economies in the world. To achieve this lofty vision, the government is determined to encourage and attract foreign investors, high-net-worth individuals, highly-skilled individuals and people with rare talents and strategic competencies into our country, he said. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Shuaib Belgore, read citations of select beneficiaries who received certificates and symbols of citizenship from President Buhari. They are Kathryn Teresa Barrera, an American citizen; Albert Alos Rovira, a Spanish citizen; Giuseppe Bellini, an Italian citizen; Nasra Ali, a Kenyan; John Okwii, a Ugandan and Oumar Adoun, a Chadian citizen. READ ALSO: Speaking on behalf of the new citizens, Ms Barrera, who arrived in Nigeria in 1974 at age 24, thanked the president and staff of the Ministry of Interior for making their dreams come true. The 72-year-old Nigerian-American is the proprietress of a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Mother and Children Welfare Association, a caregiver of orphans and vulnerable children including children living with HIV/AIDS. She currently lives with 20 children and young adults in training and in the university, according to the citation read by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior. Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) Hours after students of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, locked the school gate in protest against the institutions ban on commercial vehicles and motorcycles on campus; the management reversed the action. I.T Agboola, the Registrar of the institution, announced the reversal in a memo dated 15th September. This is to explain that the ban on students vehicles and motorcycles entering the campuses of the polytechnic is completely lifted, the memo stated. In view of the above, students vehicles and motorcycles are now allowed into the campuses, however, they should maintain law and order. Earlier on Thursday, the students had shut the school gate in protest against the hardship inflicted on them by the ban. They occupied the school entrance and prevented the lecturers and other staff of the polytechnic from accessing their offices. They also demanded the immediate suspension of the schools Chief Security Officer, alleging that he has no leadership quality to head the polytechnic security unit. READ ALSO: They carried placards with inscriptions such as CSO must go, Our cars should move freely, enough is enough CSO among others. Adepoju Olusegun, President of the Student Union Government, who led the protest, said students of the polytechnic are fed up with the hardship they go through on transportation. Mr Olusegun demanded an immediate lift of the ban on students vehicles and commercial motorcycles. The union president also demanded a constant power supply on campus, adequate maintenance of hostel buildings and replacement of faulty appliances in classrooms We want total lift of the ban on students vehicles and commercial motorcycles, 24/7 illumination on campuses that was paid outrageously for, adequate maintenance of school hostels and replacement of faulty appliances, he said. The student leader also urged the polytechnic management to involve the students in the decision on policies and development of the institution. But Shola Lawal, the Polytechnic Public Relations Officer, had said the ban was due to the insecurity challenges facing the country. Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and former governor Adeniyi Adebayo of Ekiti have been appointed as chairpersons of committees inaugurated by the All Progressives Congress (APC), South-west zone, for the 2023 general elections. Isaac Kekemeke, the partys National Vice-Chairman, South-West, announced the composition of the committees after the partys zonal meeting on Wednesday in Ibadan. Mr Kekemeke said the composition of the committees was to ensure victory for the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, particularly in the South-West zone, during the elections. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the party had constituted its committees in the South-West. Mr Akeredolu is the Chairperson of the Special Committee on Eminent Persons Engagement, while Mr Adebayo is the co-Chairperson, Advisory Committee, with Pius Akinyelure. Mr Kekemeke listed other members of the Akeredolu-led committee to include Iyiola Omisore, the APC National Secretary, and Olubunmi Oriniowo, National Ex-Officio member (South-west). Other members were Yetunde Adesanya, Zonal Woman Leader, and all the six South-west state chairpersons of the party. Mr Kekemeke listed members of the Adebayo-led committee as Tajudeen Olusi, Bamidele Oluwajana, Henry Ajomale, and the partys Zonal Secretary, Vincent Bewaji. He said the two committees were constituted to ensure that what happened to the late Obafemi Awolowo and late MKO Abiola did not happen again. This is a lifetime chance to produce the President of Nigeria and we cant afford to play with it as a party. As people in charge of managing the party in the zone, it has become a passion for us to deliver impressively to the APC. If the best, most experienced man with antecedents is from your zone, why wont you be proud of him and wont you tell your people to love themselves? he said. Mr Kekemeke said they would do all within their capabilities to rally the zone for the APC presidential candidate. He said that the party would soon announce the six reconciliatory committees to visit the six states in the South-west toward rallying support for Mr Tinubu. As a result of this conviction of ours, call it passion or obsession, we will continue to meet, deliberate and take decision to further our desire, he said. Mr Kekemeke said that the committees would work together with party leaders toward achieving the set goals.(NAN) The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Musiliu Smith, has resigned from his appointment. The spokesperson of the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, confirmed the resignation of Mr Smith to Daily Trust on Wednesday. Mr Smith, a former Inspector General of Police, was said to have been advised by the board of the commission to tender his resignation. He has reportedly handed over to another member of the board, Clara Ogunbiyi, a retired Supreme Court justice, who represents the judiciary. Troubled agency The embattled former chairman had, until his resignation, been at loggerheads with workers of the commission and the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba. They have had many disagreements in the past over which body should be responsible for the recruitment, promotion, and appointment of constables and officers. Trouble started at the commission when the recruitment of 10,000 constables into the Nigeria Police pitted the PSC against the office of the erstwhile Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, in 2019. The commission, which is saddled with the responsibility of recruiting constables and taking disciplinary action against erring police officers, felt the IGP was trying to usurp its powers. As a result, a court process was initiated to halt the ongoing recruitment exercise then. Although the commissions case was dismissed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the appellate court sitting in Abuja, on 30 September 2020, affirmed the constitutional powers of the PSC to appoint persons to the Nigeria Police Force. The Nigerian government and the French Development Agency (AFD) have signed a grant agreement of 25 million for the Northern Corridor Project jointly funded by the European Union and the AFD. The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, and the AFD Country Director in Nigeria, Xavier Muron, signed the agreement Wednesday in the presence of the Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann, and the Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Cecile TASSIN-PELZER. The Northern Corridor Project, being implemented by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), is meant to strengthen low-carbon economic growth in West Africa by improving the quality of the electricity network in Nigeria and supporting the development of a regional electricity market under the West African Power Pool (WAPP). The specific objectives of the project, in line with the Nigerian Energy Transition Plan (ETP), are to: reinforce globally the north-west network and develop access to electricity for the population help evacuate/distribute the solar-generated power from future projects in the North participate in the WAPP interconnection project with Niger Republic The project will build more than 800km of 330 kV double circuit transmission lines and construct or upgrade 13 substations. The grant agreement signed today represents the EUs contribution to the project while the AFD contribution of 202 million was signed in December 2020. The total cost of the project is around 238 million Euros including a 12 million Euros contribution from TCN. In terms of expected impacts: 5GW additional evacuation capacity to be created under the project Potential Transmission of 17TWh of additional electricity every year Possibility of several millions of people to have access to electricity and better electricity service in a short term creation of 600 jobs (500 during the construction phase and 100 in the operation phase) This project will help TCN to operationalize its Transmission Expansion Plan, through the construction of additional Transmission Lines and Substations across nine states in the northern part of the country Niger, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi and Nasarawa, said the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning at the grant agreement signing ceremony. Xavier Muron, the AFD country director in Nigeria, highlighted the importance of such a project as a technical enabler for the integration into the grid of the expected solar farms in the North-west part of the country. He noted that poor transmission network has been a significant bottleneck in many countries for the achievement of mix diversification. According to the Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann, France is committed to helping Nigeria achieve its commitments on climate change in line with the Paris agreement and she welcomes this Team Europe piece of work to address it. Speaking on behalf of the European Union, the Head of Cooperation, Cecile TASSIN-PELZER said; We appreciate this Team Europe collaboration with the Government of Nigeria, which is a concrete example of how the EU Global Gateway can contribute to major investments in infrastructure development. About AFD: The Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD French Development Agency) funds, supports and accelerates the transitions to a fairer and more sustainable world aligned on the Sustainable Development Goals. Focusing on climate, biodiversity, peace, education, urban development, health and governance, our teams carry out more than 4,000 projects in Frances overseas departments and territories and another 115 countries. In this way, we contribute to the commitment of France and the French people to support sustainable development goals. AFD is present in Nigeria since 2008 with its main office based in Abuja along with an additional branch in Lagos. Its main sectors of intervention in the country are energy, high education, agriculture, water supply as well as clean transportation. The police in Edo State on Wednesday said they rescued a one-year-old baby and killed three suspected kidnappers in the state. The police spokesperson in Edo, Jennifer Iwegbu, disclosed this in a statement in Benin City. Distress call was raised by distraught residents of Achigbor Community along Benin- Auchi Road in Uhunmwonde LGA of Edo State at 1930hrs on 13/09/2022. Police operatives on pin-down along that axis immediately mobilised and moved to the scene, where they came to an empty compound that had been vandalised, and heard one Elizabeth Ojo, 42, screaming that her baby had been taken. She said some hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers vandalised her property and whisked her baby away into a bush, Ms Iwegbu, an assistant superintendent of police, said. She said the operatives moved into the bush for possible rescue of the baby. According to her, the suspects, on sighting the operatives, threw the baby into the bush and opened fire on them. In the firefight with the police operatives, three of the six kidnappers succumbed to our superior firepower. The other three are still on the run while further bush-combing of that area is ongoing. The baby was rescued unhurt and has been handed over to the mother, she said. A double-barrel gun, a cutlass and an axe were recovered from the suspects, according to the police. Ms Iwegbu said the Commissioner of Police in Edo, Abutu Yaro, while commending the operatives for the operation, urged residents to be more security conscious. (NAN) When al-Shabaab attacked the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya in 2013, the group live-blogged the terrifying event on Twitter, taunting the authorities who were struggling to end the siege. It represented a chilling milestone in the weaponisation of social media platforms and demonstrated the audacity and adaptive nature of Africas armed groups. Nearly a decade later, terrorist groups in West Africa are fine-tuning their tactics to hijack social media platforms and messaging apps. Parts of the region have been home to the fastest growing and deadliest violent extremists, the Global Terrorism Index reveals. And there has been a steady rise in incidents where social media platforms and messaging apps have become an integral part of extremists modus operandi. As the physical and online worlds fuse, many groups, especially al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), are embedding the internet deeper into their operations, according to researchers such as Bulama Bukarti of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. Whats more, given their decentralised character, these groups are proving harder to intercept and are achieving a reach online that would not be possible in the physical world. A recent workshop in Ghana organised by Tech Against Terrorism (TAT) laid out the expansive nature of online terrorist content in West Africa and highlighted strategies to mitigate the risks. TAT is a non-governmental organisation established by the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate to forge ties between tech platforms, academia and civil society. Violent extremist groups in West Africa, especially in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, use the internet to deliver propaganda, recruit, radicalise and incite attacks, and finance and plan their operations. DErin Saltman, former head of Facebooks Counterterrorism and Dangerous Organizations Policy section and now programming leader for the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT), a TAT partner, is a prominent voice in this field. She says greater efforts are needed to encourage tech companies to prevent and respond to terrorism online by increasing their transparency and reporting while respecting human rights. Extremists are now using smaller platforms to circumvent controls aimed at removing terrorist content, says TATs Anne Craanen, who monitors developments in West Africa. For example, AQIM arguably the regions most aggressive user of online communication uses beacon websites to draw internet traffic to smaller sites. It also uses aggregators designed to offer viewers a cluster of links to the same piece of terrorist content, to evade content moderation. While larger platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp have the resources to offer a degree of content moderation, many smaller operators dont. These are the ones terrorist groups prefer. Other groups such as the Boko Haram break-away faction, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), appear to rely on messaging services like WhatsApp and Telegram to communicate internally and externally because they prefer these apps encrypted nature. Telegram is becoming the new front line for terrorist groups in Africa, warns Mr Bukarti. On last count, ISWAP had over 50 Facebook and Telegram accounts. Furthermore, theres no scrutiny; nobody seems to care in Africa. Whether its about not caring, insufficient research or competing policy priorities, there is little doubt that violent extremist groups in West Africa deploy tech differently. Before splitting into two factions, Boko Haram was less aggressive in its use of the internet, says Mr Bukarti. Nevertheless, it still enjoys significant user traffic, especially to YouTube sites hailing the groups founder Mohammed Yusuf. Alongside accessible content is paid-for adverts, suggesting that tech companies are making money out of terrorist content, Mr Bukarti claims, as more views boost the platforms revenues. While this may be unintentional, maximising site traffic is part of the business case for internet platforms. What incentive is there for tech companies to respond? Do commercial imperatives dominate, or can reputation management help encourage responsible use of cyberspace? Bigger players such as Meta (formerly Facebook) have responded to external pressure and developed formal processes and dedicated channels to deal with requests to remove terrorist content, say their policy team. But smaller platforms dont necessarily have the resources to respond in the same way. Furthermore, while the Global North has been more successful at calling out tech companies after incidents such as the 2019 Christchurch, New Zealand attack, there has been much less consumer pressure across Africa. This is possibly because of the digital divide, competing policy priorities and a relative lack of awareness on the continent. TAT has recently launched a knowledge-sharing platform to send out secure alerts when terrorist content is identified. It has also developed outreach and mentoring programmes for smaller internet platforms and governments to build resilience against a growing trend of terrorist content online. Without a universal instrument to suppress online terrorist activities, groupings such as the Economic Community of West African States are essential to raising awareness and formulating regional counter-measures, says Ghanas National Security Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah. The Global Coalition Against Daesh and other similar initiatives also have a role in Boko Haram-affected countries in Lake Chad Basin, says Institute for Security Studies Project Manager, Akinola Olojo. African governments must engage with the tech sector to broaden their knowledge of the context in which terrorist organisations thrive. They should devise rapid responses that adhere to human rights principles rather than total internet shutdowns, which deprive citizens of their right to freedom of expression. More than that, they need to make internet use by terrorist groups in Africa matter to the wider world. Karen Allen, Consultant, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Pretoria (This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish). The Nigerian government on Wednesday said the countrys biggest refinery will become functional by December. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, disclosed this while briefing journalists after the federal executive council meeting held Wednesday. The 60,000 barrels per day Port Harcourt Refinery was shut in March 2019 for the first phase of repair works after the government secured the service of Italys Maire Tecnimont to handle the scoping of the refinery complex, with oil major Eni appointed as a technical adviser. In 2021, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited said repairs had started after the federal executive council approved $1.5 billion for the project. Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Sylva said the rehabilitation of the refineries is ongoing. As we said earlier, the old refinery in Port Harcourt, which is about 60,000 barrels per day capacity, will be functional by December and, of course, we still have some time in the contracting time to conclude the rest of the Port Harcourt refineries, Mr Sylva said. He said works in the Kaduna and Warri refineries are also progressing well. We will soon be embarking on an inspection visit and some of you journalists will be able to go with us to ascertain for yourselves what the extent of work is, he said. Reacting to a question on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), the minister said The CNG development, its very much in progress. That is part of the promises we made, part of the things we want to put in place before the removal of subsidy. Subsidy has still not been removed because some of these conditions that were agreed upon have not been met and were definitely working assiduously to ensure that all the facilities are in place, the pumping stations and the conversion kits. I can assure you that work is going on very much in that regard. We may not be in a position to announce exactly what we are doing now or where we are, but I can assure you that work is very much ongoing, he said. The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has raised the alarm over alleged plots to compromise the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voters register. At a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the coalition said the plots had been perfected in 21 states under the leadership of governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in favour of the party. It also alleged that a court case has been initiated to force INEC to stop the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the coming general elections. To back his claims, the CUPP spokesperson, Ikenga Ugochinyere, presented a copy of the suit filed at the Owerri Federal High Court on 24 August and copies of voters register with questionable names. Mr Ugochinyere questioned the usage of passport photographs of long dead persons, names, gender and age of thousands of registered voters on copies of the register shown to camera. While PREMIUM TIMES can report the process to clean up the INEC registration data is ongoing, many of the names culled from the voter register presented by the CUPP are not Nigerians but from countries like Cameroon, Togo, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Zambia, among others. Mr Ugochinyere also presented instances where pictures of a male registered voters carry names of female voters and vice-versa. He linked the development to compromised staff of the INEC in Imo State and urged the commission to fish them out before the elections. Significant among the discoveries in the register is the fact that the majority of the foreign names were all born in 1983 despite whether their photographs showed they were old or young. Many people were also shown to have been born between 1900 and 1914 yet their photographs were those of young people. Equally, many male photos had their gender written as female and vice versa, Mr Ugochinyere said while showing documents to back up his claims. He claimed that if the electoral fraud allegedly plotted by unnamed top officials of the ruling party fails, there may be a call for the suspension of the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu. The intelligence CUPP intercepted which has led to the discovery of the suit filed seeking to nullify the BVAS and exposure of the massive compromise in the voters register cannot be wrong now that the third leg of the plot is to sack the INEC Chairman through a suspension as the plotters know they cannot get the required numbers from the National Assembly for an outright sack. We call on international partners, local and international observer groups, civil society and the general public to help it and protect democracy as the success of any of these plots will erode the integrity and credibility of the electoral process and deny Nigerians the sovereign right to freely choose their leaders, he said. Telephone calls to the INECs spokesperson, Festus Okoye, to clarify INEC position on the allegation leveled against its staff in Imo State were not answered. The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities (COPSUN) has cautioned state governments against the proliferation of universities. The call is in line with the demand by the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which has consistently blamed the governments at both the federal and state levels for establishing new universities while the existing ones remain unfunded. But the pro-chancellors who are chairmen of governing councils of the state-owned universities have applauded the decision by the Nigerian government to stick to its no work, no pay policy against the university workers unions. The group said the decision will significantly address the challenge posed by the frequent shutdown of the university system by protesting workers. COPSUN made this position in a communique issued at the end of its 57th Quarterly Meeting that was held at the Committee of Vice-Chancellors Conference Centre, Abuja, on Wednesday. The communique was signed by the committees Secretary, Marcus Awobifa. On proliferation of universities The group called on both the federal and state governments to improve on funding universities and enhance the welfare of the university staffers. The meeting, according to the communique, was to review the state of the nation, and particularly the ongoing ASUU indefinite strike action. While calling on the government to increase the budgetary allocation for education, COPSUN also appealed to political parties jostling for power to initiate innovative reforms in the education sector in their manifestos to part ways with the persistent crisis in the sector. To maintain international best practices and be recognised among first rated Universities, the governments at Federal and State levels should improve on the funding of their universities and enhance the welfare of the workforce, adding that state governments should exercise restraint in establishing new universities but invest heavily on the existing ones to improve on the quality of their infrastructure, the statement reads in part. ASUU strike While COPSUN backed some of the demands of the ASUU, it knocked the union for not backing down on its resolve to continue with the strike until the demands are fully met. The Pro-Chancellors believed that the damage caused by the disruption in the university system cannot be rebuilt by the reform being sought by the association, it said. COPSUN said it has always supported the call for reform in the education sector, but that the ongoing strike by the lecturers union has been unnecessarily prolonged and has become obsolete. It said ASUU cannot continue to apply the same strategy and expect a different result. The group also said the university system has lost over 50 months to strikes since 1999, resulting in elongated academic calendars with the nation paying heavy price, as the students, parents and the university workforce have been put in perpetual position to miss and lose many life opportunities. It, however, said it is relieved that the Federal Government agrees that state universities can adopt or reject agreements reached with ASUU by the Federal Government. It said: COPSUN however reiterated that it would not be coerced to adopt hook, line and sinker any agreement to which it was not apartyabinitio. It pledged that State-owned universities will continue to negotiate with their employees in accordance with the terms and conditions of their engagements. No Work No Pay The Committee also appealed to the Nigerian government not to back down on its decision to enforce the no work, no pay policy with ASUU. It said the failure to apply the rule in the past has led to impunity in our society. It said: The lecturers that abandoned classes for almost an academic session are clamouring for salaries they did not work for, the Pro-Chancellors called on the Federal Government to be courageous to enforce the extant rule on no work no pay as failure to apply rules in the past led to impunity in our society. Backstory ASUU had on 29 August extended its strike indefinitely, rejecting the governments No Work, No Pay policy. While the government is hellbent on not paying the salaries covering the period of the strike, ASUU insists it must be paid. Last week, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, referred the matter to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria sitting in Abuja. The matter was mentioned at the court on Monday and the case continues on Friday. Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe The British Council has held a programme to discuss pertinent issues that affect the effectiveness and impact of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria, especially the provision of an enabling and conducive regulatory environment for the organisations to operate in the country. The three-day conference began Tuesday in Abuja with the support of the European delegation to Nigeria, ECOWAS and the Agents for Citizen-Driven Transformation (ACT) programme. Attendees included representatives of civil society groups, government (regulatory agencies, legislators, etc), development partners, donor community, private sector, opinion leaders and other interest groups. Our collective intention is to enhance the capacity of Nigerias civil society organisations to become credible and effective drivers for sustainable change, Damilare Babalola, the programme manager of the ACT programme, said. Although the need for capacity improvement and enabling regulatory environment require attention to strengthen CSO operations in Nigeria, it is, however, expedient to address the concerns around the regulatory framework as several issues embedded therein need to be clarified to clear the air of the current state of confusion among all concerned stakeholders, Edosa Oviawe, programme manager, Global Rights, said. It is therefore hoped that this conference will result in the development of comprehensive recommendations arising from the resolutions reached and agree on modalities for implementing the recommendations, Mr Oviawe noted In his keynote address, the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Garba Abubakar, said CSOs are increasingly becoming more important because of the role they play at the global level on issues of environmental sustainability and human rights which are currently in the front banner of the global dialogue. This indicates that Civil Society Organizations are expected to play a more active role in achieving environmental sustainability than the government. However, Mr Abubakar said, experience has shown that corporate governance is very minimal or sometimes totally lacking in most of the CSOs. This is not in the overall interest of the country, he said. He further noted that no country practises a 100 per cent self-regulatory framework for CSOs. The quantum or amount of regulation would always depend on how well the CSOs themselves are organised and how well AML/CFT frameworks have been incorporated into their self-regulatory rules or regulations. Mr Abubakar added that the CAC is willing to partner with all CSOs not only to enable them to achieve their objectives but strike the proper balance between the two extremes of total self-regulation and state control. In the interim, there is a need to radically improve corporate governance in the sector, he said. Recommendations The participants recommended that the government should provide incentives for companies operating in Nigeria to make donations to the nonprofit sector and such donations can be deducted from the companys tax liability as stipulated by the Company Income Tax Regulation. They also urged regulators to ensure CSOs have access to needed information on existing guidelines and obligations of the non-profit sector to ensure total compliance with such regulations. It is imperative for the regulators to constantly engage the CSOs to provide updates and provide needed assistance in compliance with the regulations including complying with the rules of the Financial Reporting Council, participants said. They said CSOs in Nigeria are currently burdened with multiple regulatory laws and some of such laws have very insidious provisions that tend to stifle the CSOs operational environment. A cross-section of panellists conceded that CSOs in Nigeria have always been regulated but recently introduced regulations such as CAMA and the proposed NGO regulation bill have provisions that cast doubt on the intentions of the government. These kinds of regulations are what continue to put both regulatory agencies and civil society actors at loggerheads, they said. The students of Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, on Thursday shut the school gate in protest against the hardship inflicted on them after a ban on commercial vehicles within the campus. The irate students, who occupied the school entrance, prevented the lecturers and other staff of the polytechnic from accessing their offices. The aggrieved students complained that commercial motorcycles were banned to enter the school premises. They also complained that students who own vehicles were barred from driving them on campus. The students also demanded immediate suspension of the school Chief Security Officer, alleging that he has no leadership quality to head the polytechnic security unit. They carried placards with inscriptions such as CSO must go, Our cars should move freely, enough is enough CSO among others. Adepoju Olusegun, President of the Student Union Government, who led the protest, said students of the polytechnic are fed up of the hardships they go through on transportation. Mr Olusegun demanded an immediate lift of the ban on students vehicles and commercial motorcycles. The union president also demanded a constant power supply on campus, adequate maintenance of hostel buildings and replacement of faulty appliances in classrooms We want total lift of the ban on students vehicles and commercial motorcycles, 24/7 illumination on campuses that was paid outrageously for, adequate maintenance of school hostels and replacement of faulty appliances, he said. The student leader also urged the polytechnic management to involve the students in the decision on policies and development of the institution. Management reacts Shola Lawal, the Polytechnic Public Relations Officer, said management banned commercial motorcycles and the movement of students vehicles due to the insecurity challenges facing the country. Mr Lawal in a statement shortly after the students staged the protest claimed that the decision was to prevent the loss of lives and properties of both the students and staff. Without mincing words, you will agree with me that the present security situation in the country, especially our internal security architecture, calls for proactive measures on the part of every stakeholder, he said. Hence, the need for the management of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, to take the bull by the horns and in that wise placed ban on the use of motorcycles otherwise known as Okada and also banned students for bringing their vehicles into the school premises. Obviously, measures of this type are not peculiar to our campus, different higher institutions of learning and organisations alike had taken such security measures in the past to protect lives and properties, he added. The polytechnic spokesperson explained that the management had decided to create a better alternative means of transportation which it was planning to inform the students before they staged the protest. Mr Lawal said the institution had made provision for commercial tricycles and shuttle buses with students stickers on them as first measures while they intend to introduce and give both members of staff and students special tags for accessing the school. So, let me assure members of the public that management is on top of the situation and the matter will be resolved immediately, he said. In the meantime, members of staff and students are advised to go about their normal duties without fear and unhindered, as their security is well guaranteed while we engage the students in dialogue to settle the impasse with immediate effect. Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday urged Nigerians to elect credible leaders during the 2023 general elections to ensure good democratic governance in the country. Mr Jonathan stated this while speaking with journalists in Minna, the Niger State capital, shortly after visiting a former military Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, at his residence. He said it was only by doing so that the desired objectives of having responsible leaders manage the countrys resources would be a reality. Mr Jonathan, who was president between 2010 and 2015, said Nigerians should think wisely and elect someone who would be ready to serve them well in 2023. He said Nigerians needed to choose someone who would serve them well and would not compromise the interests of the country for his benefit. We all wish our country well. To every Nigerian, especially the young ones, elections are coming. READ ALSO: They have to elect the person they believe would lead us well, the person who will serve us well. A leader is also a servant and as a president, you are to lead and you are to serve. Elect somebody that will take the interest of all of us, the interest of the country, somebody that would not compromise our own interest for his own aggrandisement. Someone that would carry all of us along, most especially someone that would take Nigeria as a project, he said Mr Jonathan said his visit to Mr Abubakar was a yearly ritual, saying, and is nothing special. The ex-president added that Nigeria still needed Mr Abubakar and the part he plays in maintaining peace and unity in the country. He added: It has been over a year since I visited the state. As the youngest former president, I go around from time to time to visit them. I havent seen him for quite some time and you know he just came back from medical treatment abroad. So, it is proper for me to come with some of my friends to pay a courtesy call and greet him. We also made a stop at retired General Babangidas house to see him. It is a regular visit we always do. He wished Mr Abubakar well, adding, because we need him, especially now that we are talking about the 2023 elections. You know he chairs the National Peace Committee that tries to midwife the peace process during elections, this is the time he is much needed. I know there will be so much pressure on him now to see what he can do so that the 2023 elections can be conducted freely and fairly and in an environment where there is peace and love, he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NNPP presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso had also visited Mr Abubakar. Mr Kwankwaso wished him a quick recovery and informed him of his decision to contest the 2023 presidential election. Mr Abubakar had expressed optimism about the ability of Mr Kwankwaso to reposition the country for optimal performance. You have done very well as a governor of Kano State and if given the chance, you will be able to provide basic infrastructure that would better the lots of the governed, he told the former governor. (NAN) The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, said it would be fine to see a woman lead Nigeria as president in future. Honestly, Ill like to see a female president in Nigeria, lets also see how that will be, Mr Emmanuel said on Thursday in Uyo when the wives of Nigerian governors visited him at the Government House, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Mr Emmanuel, however, pointed out what he considers a snag in such expectation. But the problem there is that if we go for (political party) primaries, we hardly see women coming out to contest with us. So many governors came out to be president (in the last primaries), I didnt see first ladies coming out to contest. It could be when we were doing the mathematics, it could be for the sake of a truce, we would have settled for one of the first ladies to be the next president, he said. Governor Emmanuel smiled while the audience clapped for him. Joy in sisterhood The governors wives, under the aegis of the Nigerian Governors Wives Forum, were in Uyo for their annual retreat. The Chairperson of the forum, Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, informed the governor how the forum has been successful in its fight against gender-based violence across different states in Nigeria, and their campaign against drug abuse, cancer, and lack of education for the girl-child. READ ALSO: Mrs Adeleye-Fayemi, who is the first lady of Ekiti State, appealed to Governor Emmanuel and other Nigerian governors to let the Nigerian woman have access to leadership and decision-making. We know that we do great things individually as first ladies of our respective states, but when we come together we create magic. Theres a lot of joy and happiness in doing things together in sisterhood and solidarity. We are very thankful to you and your colleagues at the Nigerian Governors Forum for heeding our cries as Nigerian mothers and declaring a state of emergency against gender-based violence. And since that state of emergency was declared, we have been quietly working behind the scenes to ensure that the issues around gender-based violence are addressed comprehensively in our states, she said. Continuing, Mrs Adeleye-Fayemi said: At the time you all declared a state of emergency against gender-based violence, only 13 states in Nigeria had signed the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law. Due to the consistent and persistent advocacies of the first ladies, that number has gone up from 13 to 32 as of June 2022. Two years ago we had roughly 28 sexual assault referral centres in Nigeria in 17 states. Due to our interventions, by the end of this year, we are going to have at least 40 sexual assault referral centres in another eight states, bringing the number of states with the centre to 25. The Akwa Ibom governor promised to continue to support the forums campaigns. We have set up referral hospitals (for gender-based violence) in each of the 10 federal constituencies (in Akwa Ibom), and they are equipped with ambulances. So no matter what, you must get help at any point in time, he said. Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday urged Nigerians to elect credible leaders during the 2023 general elections to ensure good democratic governance in the country. Mr Jonathan stated this while speaking with journalists in Minna, the Niger State capital, shortly after visiting a former military Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, at his residence. He said it was only by doing so that the desired objectives of having responsible leaders manage the countrys resources would be a reality. Mr Jonathan, who was president between 2010 and 2015, said Nigerians should think wisely and elect someone who would be ready to serve them well in 2023. He said Nigerians needed to choose someone who would serve them well and would not compromise the interests of the country for his benefit. We all wish our country well. To every Nigerian, especially the young ones, elections are coming. They have to elect the person they believe would lead us well, the person who will serve us well. A leader is also a servant and as a president, you are to lead and you are to serve. Elect somebody that will take the interest of all of us, the interest of the country, somebody that would not compromise our own interest for his own aggrandisement. Someone that would carry all of us along, most especially someone that would take Nigeria as a project, he said Mr Jonathan said his visit to Mr Abubakar was a yearly ritual, saying, and is nothing special. The ex-president added that Nigeria still needed Mr Abubakar and the part he plays in maintaining peace and unity in the country. He added: It has been over a year since I visited the state. As the youngest former president, I go around from time to time to visit them. I havent seen him for quite some time and you know he just came back from medical treatment abroad. So, it is proper for me to come with some of my friends to pay a courtesy call and greet him. We also made a stop at retired General Babangidas house to see him. It is a regular visit we always do. He wished Mr Abubakar well, adding, because we need him, especially now that we are talking about the 2023 elections. You know he chairs the National Peace Committee that tries to midwife the peace process during elections, this is the time he is much needed. I know there will be so much pressure on him now to see what he can do so that the 2023 elections can be conducted freely and fairly and in an environment where there is peace and love, he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NNPP presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso had also visited Mr Abubakar. Mr Kwankwaso wished him a quick recovery and informed him of his decision to contest the 2023 presidential election. Mr Abubakar had expressed optimism about the ability of Mr Kwankwaso to reposition the country for optimal performance. You have done very well as a governor of Kano State and if given the chance, you will be able to provide basic infrastructure that would better the lots of the governed, he told the former governor. (NAN) Zikrullah Hassan, the chief executive officer of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), has said the commission has started preparing for Hajj 2023 ten months ahead of time, to improve service delivery and avoid the challenges they faced in this years Islamic pilgrimage. NAHCON has started discussions with relevant Saudi authorities on Hajj and Umrah for early information dissemination, Mr Hassan said in Abuja on Wednesday while giving a brief about the commissions activities. He said the leadership of NAHCON met with relevant Saudi agencies during Hajj 2022, to ensure improved service delivery to pilgrims. We have agreed to work collectively to avoid the challenges experienced this year and to greatly improve service delivery to pilgrims by setting standards for operation, he said. Due to challenges such as insufficient flights, hundreds of intending Nigerian pilgrims were not able to make it to this years hajj despite making full payment and meeting all other requirements. About 1,200 Muslims missed the exercise in Kano due to flight hitches. But, Mr Hassan said the 2022 Hajj was globally renowned as the emergency Hajj. He said the commission was given one month to organise and had other unusual intervening variables to contend with. Although Hajj is a once-a-year exercise, its preparations span a whole year to enable it to succeed. But that routine of full-year preparations did not happen for the emergency Hajj of 2022 and that was why it was labelled emergency Hajj. It took just about six months to prepare for it even as Hajj had been cancelled for two previous years to the utmost distaste of intending pilgrims for those years, he said. Worse, when the 2022 hajj was finally announced by the Saudi Arabia authorities to be possible, the number to be allowed had been severely slashed by more than 50 per cent. Nigeria that used to be allowed to present 95,000 pilgrims had its cut down to 43,000. Despite these challenges, the NAHCON chief said, the agency is poised to advance the interest of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia and ensure this years hajj is a success. We are fully prepared to domesticate in the Hajj sector President Buharis subscription to Open Government Partnership, OGP, deriving from the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act of 2011. It may equally interest you to know that we have remained resolute on ensuring good health services to Nigerian pilgrims. Members of our medical team are as versatile as those of other top-rated countries in addition to supportive facilities and drugs. The accessibility of our clinics for pilgrims from all states made them their first choices once they took ill. We are happy to announce to you that on account of the enhanced performance in this years hajj by NAHCON, all other African countries consensually deferred to us to lead them in interfacing with the Saudi authorities, he said. Mr Hassan added that the commission is still pleased with the successes recorded in Hajj 2022. We had a low mortality rate during the exercise; 95% of intending pilgrims travelled despite challenges, he said. He said the return journey ended earlier than scheduled, and there was a reduction in the cost of accommodation and a reduction in the number of days pilgrims spent in Saudi Arabia. Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, is one of the five pillars of Islam. Islam requires all able-bodied Muslims to undertake a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia at least once if they can afford it. Ahead of 2023, Mr Hassan said preparation already started on due diligence on the appointment of air carriers and consultation on the amendment of some sections of the NAHCON Act to enable smooth operation of the Hajj Saving Scheme (HSS). Earlier in April, there were allegations of fraudulent practices by NAHCON through the HSS. The agency was consequently investigated by anti-corruption agencies and the House of Representatives. Mr Hassan said Wednesday that the investigation has been concluded and they were able to prove that there was no fraud in our activities. We have nothing to hide and they have cleared us. He expressed confidence that the commission has a brighter future under his leadership. We have started the commencement of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) in turning waste (our landed properties) to riches and the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN) to be formally opened by President Muhammadu Buhari later this year. The HIN aims to professionalise the management and administration of Hajj in Nigeria and increase the revenue of the commission. Some Nigerians have again taken to Twitter to condemn an alleged breach and compromise of voters registration by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC). In a Twitter trend #OccupyINEC, on Thursday, they alleged that the national register of voters had been compromised as questionable names and other information were noticed in it. Consequently, they threatened to take over the commissions offices nationwide on 27 September to express their grievances. CVR process INEC had conducted the Continuous Voter Registration nationwide between 28 June 2021 and July 2022. The electoral body, however, announced on Tuesday that out of the 2.5 million fresh registrants it recorded between 28 June, 2021 and 14 January, 2022, one million of them had been found to be invalid and it was considering delisting them from the register. The Commissions spokesperson, Festus Okoye said it detected several double, multiple, and ineligible registrants and that a thorough process was being undertaken to clean up the registration data. Questionable information In the Twitter trend #OccupyINEC, one of the affected registrants said: @inecnigeria is an evil organisation and we need to call these people out. I never finished my pvc registration yet here is my name with an old mans face. Who knows how many identities theyve stolen! Please guys lets get this out there @inecnigeria can you explain why on earth you are using my identity?! What sort of nonsense is this?! This is my name and my birthday with the picture of a man who I dont know?! What is this?! she said in her tweet. A popular youth activist, Rinu Oduala, also asked the commission to explain this discrepancy in registration. Can @inecnigeria explain this discrepancy in registration? READ ALSO: Who owns the picture on this young womans registration? #OccupyINEC, she tweeted. Another user, Judith Akatugba, lent her support for a planned protest across INEC offices in the country to get clarity on the allegations levelled against staffers of the INEC. We cannot be guiled! Im in full support of #occupyINEC to demand for clarity regarding the allegations in the public, total sanitisation of the system, rigid transparency and above all, prosecution of the corrupt INEC officials within the next 30 days. Enough is enough. Daniel Tangale urged Nigerians to get camp beds, mats and blankets ready to storm the commissions offices on the day of the protest. Stolen Identity? In what she described as a stolen identity, one MJ (@PhraserPrime), using her personal account, asked INEC to explain how her name got switched in the voters register. On the voter register in circulation, the name and other bio-data information of the 20-year-old Ms MJ Adesina-Paul, Monijesu Jesutofunmi, bear the passport photographs of an unknown old man. Ms Monijesu (MJ) said she did not finish her registration before the closure of Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) and wondered how her name made it to the INEC registered voters list. Can @inecnigeria explain this discrepancy in registration? Who owns the picture on this young womans registration? #OccupyINEC pic.twitter.com/9ndyCKnzRb Rinu Oduala (@SavvyRinu) September 15, 2022 CUPPs claims On Wednesday, a group, Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), corroborated the claims by some of the registrants planning the protest. At a press conference in Abuja, the group alleged that the voters register had been compromised and that it could lead to the manipulation of the 2023 general elections. In the copies of portions of the voters register it shared with journalists, there were some mismatched data and passport photographs of many potential voters ahead of the 2023 general elections. In the document, pictures of male registered voters bear names of female voters and vice-versa. In particular, pictures of male adults, presumably in their 50s were inserted into bio-data of female electorate who were born in the 1990s. There are also notable names who are arguably not Nigerians by birth, marriage or naturalisation, and should thereby not be found on the eligible voters list of people in different wards and polling units across Oru-East and Ideato-South part of Imo State. The dates of birth of some of the names on the voters list are as far back as 1900, 14 years before the amalgamation of Nigeria. Repeated efforts by PREMIUM TIMES to speak with Mr Okoye on the allegations were unsuccessful as he did not answer calls to his mobile telephone. The supporters of Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, in Oyo State staged a solidarity walk on Thursday to rally support for him in Ibadan. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the walk led by Isaac Kekemeke, the APC National Vice-Chairman (South-west) and the Oyo State APC Chairman, Isaac Omodewu, was tagged: Youths Walk for Asiwaju/Shettima. The state governorship candidate, Teslim Folarin, and the Oyo Central Senatorial candidate, Yunus Akintunde, also joined other leaders in the walk. NAN reports that the supporters adorned in different T-shirts bearing the pictures of Mr Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima, marched from Oke-Ado to Dugbe and its environs. Mr Folarin, while speaking, thanked the people for their support over the years, assuring them of a better rewarding future with the APC. The governorship candidate urged them to believe in APC as the campaigns and general elections approach. He pleaded with the people to support Mr Tinubu based on his track records, antecedents, competence and being a trustworthy Yoruba man. READ ASLO: Mr Kekemeke had, earlier on Wednesday, described Mr Tinubu as a true Yoruba son, who had never betrayed the race. He rallied support for Mr Tinubu, whom he said believed the Yoruba people could thrive exceedingly well in the Nigerian nation where there is justice, fairness and equity. Meanwhile, organisers in their separate remarks, said the walk was aimed at sensitising the voters and rallying support for the APC candidates ahead of the 2023 elections. The walk was also attended by the House of Representatives candidate for Ibadan South-east/North-east, Dapo Lam-Adeshina, and Ibadan South-west II Assembly candidate, Idris Abiola-Ajimobi. Others were the House of Representatives candidate for Ogbomoso North/South/Oriire, Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, and Akin Alabi (APC- Egbeda/Ona-Ara). (NAN) The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited on Thursday signed agreements on the gas pipeline project with the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines of Morocco and the ECOWAS Commission. NNPCL in a statement said the two countries and ECOWAS executed the Memorandum of Understanding agreement on the project in a ceremony held at Hotel Sofitel in the Moroccan Capital. It said it is a significant step in fulfilling the federal governments drive toward harnessing Nigerias abundant gas resources. The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline was proposed in a December 2016 agreement between the NNPC and the Moroccan Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (National Board of Hydrocarbons and Mines). The Federal Executive Council in June authorised the NNPC to enter into an agreement with ECOWAS for the construction of the pipeline. The government says the gas pipeline, designed to be 7,000km long, will reduce gas flaring in Nigeria and encourage the diversification of energy resources in the country while cutting down poverty through the creation of more job opportunities. It will further encourage utilisation of gas in the sub-region for cooking, and discourage desertification. READ ALSO: The pipeline will originate from Brass Island (Nigeria) and terminate at North of Morocco, where it will be connected to the existing Maghreb European Pipeline (MEP) that originates from Algeria (via Morocco), all the way to Spain. Once completed, the project will supply about three billion standard cubic feet of gas per day (3bscfd) along the West African Coast from Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Cote d Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, Senegal and Mauritania to Morocco. Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mele Kyari, described the development as a very important milestone in the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project in which all the key stakeholders in the project have come together to reaffirm their commitment to delivering on the project. Mr Kyari said the project will also create wealth, and improve the standard of living of people in countries in the African region. Some of the benefits include the creation of wealth and improvement in the standard of living, integration of the economies within the region, mitigation against desertification and other benefits that will accrue as a result of reduction in carbon emission, he said. He noted that the NNPC will facilitate the continuous supply of gas and provide other enablers such as the required land for the first compressor station for the pipeline to be deployed in Nigeria which is among the thirteen stations earmarked along the pipeline route. NNPC is well-positioned to progress the project by leveraging its experience and technical capabilities ranging from gas production, processing, transmission and marketing as well as its vast experience in executing major gas infrastructure projects in Nigeria, Mr Kyari said. He said the government of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco stand to benefit immeasurably from the execution of the project which extends beyond the supply of gas to energize the countries along the route. Signing the agreement on behalf of Nigeria was the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mallam Mele Kyari; while Dr Amina Benkhadra, Director General of Moroccos National Office for Hydrocarbons & Mines (ONHYM) signed on behalf of her country. Mr Sediko Douka, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization signed on behalf of the sub-regional organisation, it said. West Africas crisis of democracy doesnt stand in a vacuum, though. It is part of a global trend and mirrors the competition between Western promoted liberal democracy on the one hand, and autocratic models of governance that display some level of economic performance on the other hand. In this regard, President Talons open stance for authoritarianism as a necessary sacrifice for economic development resonates with a popular argument that takes China, Russia, Turkey or Rwanda as examples to follow. In a 30 August encounter with Frances top business association, President Patrice Talon of Benin signaled clear reservations about democratic norms and values. Moving away from the classic pretence of politicians, he told his audience he had no intention to uphold democratic expression as this could lead to anarchy, and described authoritarian measures as necessary to ensure the countrys economic development. These statements have raised alarm in Benin, a country once considered a model of democratic transition in West Africa. They resonate with long-standing concerns over democratic backsliding, consistently voiced by the national civil society and political actors since Talons first election in 2016. In six years, a combination of institutional and legal reforms has checkered the countrys balance of power, with the election of a unicolor National Assembly, the suppression of dissident voices, and unprecedented shrinking of basic workers rights. At the regional level, though, Talons comments havent triggered much of an outcry. They hardly stand out in a West African neighbourhood that is undergoing a profound crisis of democracy. As the world celebrates International Day of Democracy, this 15 September, stakeholders in the region have much to reflect upon. The return of military coups in Mali (August 2020 and May 2021), Guinea (September 2021) and Burkina Faso (January 2022) is but the top of the iceberg. Many of these coups received, at least initially, significant levels of popular support in capital cities and beyond, reflecting citizens disenchantment with the facade democratic systems that have failed to deliver better governance or public goods. In Mali, three decades of ineffective governance since the 1991, and the ousting of Moussa Traores military regime, have equated democracy with poor government performance and elite state capture in the eyes of many. Unreliable electoral processes have made matters worse by undermining citizens trust in elections as an accountability mechanism, while reinforcing the sense that a democratic fools game is holding the people hostage to a corrupt few. After the 2020 coup, which followed yet another electoral crisis, the international communitys insistence on speedy elections, above all else, reflected a failure to appreciate the disillusion of Malians with empty-shell elections and contributed to stirring them further away from democratic preference. In May this year, an opinion survey conducted in urban centres across the country found that only 3% of respondents wanted the transitional authorities to prioritise elections. Variations based on respondents geographic locations or levels of education were nominal, but the gap, with dominant opinion among Malis Western partners, is abyssal. In Guinea, former President Alpha Condes constitutional tweaking to remain in power for a third term provided the platform for the September 2021 military takeover. A similar move by Cote dIvoires Alassane Ouattara was more successful, as he managed to secure a third term. Despite domestic outcries, neither attempt was challenged by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The organisations protocols for democracy and good governance condemn unconstitutional changes of government, such as military coups, but not constitutional manipulations by incumbents willing to overstay in power. This apparent double-standard weakens ECOWAS moral high-ground when it comes to enforcing democratic norms and values in the region. Across the region, confiscation of the political space by the executive branch of governments is compounded by shrinking freedoms of speech and of the press. Military transitions in Mali and Guinea have both asserted firm grips on public narratives over the countries political and security situations, using public and social media, and arresting individuals with dissonant voices. In 2015, one year after former President of Burkina Faso, Blaise Compare was forced out of office, following the attempt to change the constitution to further extend his 27-year rule, the regional bloc considered formally restricting presidential terms across its member states. But Togo and Gambia, both led by multi-mandate heads of state at that time, vetoed the reform. The banalisation of the third or more presidential terms is symptomatic of executive aggrandisement, another trait of democratic backsliding. Two of West Africas democratic flagship countries could be next: Benin and Senegal. Consistent with his recent statements, Benins President Talon has embarked on a meticulous crusade to unravel the countrys democratic space, using terrorism-related charges to imprison political opponents, placing loyals at the head of key institutions, and erecting political barriers to stop opposition parties from running for office. This resulted in the election of a mono-color National Assembly in 2021, which he could easily manipulate to grab a third term in 2026. Senegal, the other beacon of democracy in the region and the only West African state that has never experienced a military coup since independence, could also be on the hook. In 2012, Macky Sall became president by beating in the polls a predecessor who tried to seek a third mandate. Yet, he doesnt exclude trying his luck for the same goal in 2024. The recent election of a majority opposition parliament makes such an attempt more difficult, but not impossible. Across the region, confiscation of the political space by the executive branch of governments is compounded by shrinking freedoms of speech and of the press. Military transitions in Mali and Guinea have both asserted firm grips on public narratives over the countries political and security situations, using public and social media, and arresting individuals with dissonant voices. Foreign involvement in state-sponsored disinformation campaigns and the outright banishment of critical media houses further raise the alarm. Concerns over slimming the civic space and democratic fragility exist, even in countries under civilian rule. Some have described Niger as a new beacon of democratic stability in the region after the countrys first peaceful transfer of power from one elected president to the other in April 2021. But it was a close call, as the country escaped a coup attempt on the eve of President Bazoums inauguration, and human rights defenders continue to voice concerns over the shrinking freedom of assembly in the country. Fundamental evolutions in political cultures are necessary to restore inclusion and participation as cardinal values. These evolutions must translate in more productive economic dividends and improved access to basic social services for the people. Only by effectively delivering more quality government will democracy overcome the narrative that depicts it as impotent or a luxury that only rich countries can afford. As earlier ISS research showed, ruling elites have also used financial and political barriers to monopolise the polls. Electoral legislation that requires aspirants to present expensive deposits or gather endorsements from ruling party members have become common place, either in Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger, or Senegal. Under the guise of consolidating the overcrowded landscape of political parties, they effectively foster a culture of exclusion and consolidate ruling party hegemony. West Africas crisis of democracy doesnt stand in a vacuum, though. It is part of a global trend and mirrors the competition between Western promoted liberal democracy on the one hand, and autocratic models of governance that display some level of economic performance on the other hand. In this regard, President Talons open stance for authoritarianism as a necessary sacrifice for economic development resonates with a popular argument that takes China, Russia, Turkey or Rwanda as examples to follow. Restoring the faith of West Africans in democracy will take more than the procedural practice of umpteenth elections and outraged condemnations from liberal countries. To win back opinions, democracy must deliver. Responsive governance must follow formal elections and produce tangible improvements in peoples lives. Fundamental evolutions in political cultures are necessary to restore inclusion and participation as cardinal values. These evolutions must translate in more productive economic dividends and improved access to basic social services for the people. Only by effectively delivering more quality government will democracy overcome the narrative that depicts it as impotent or a luxury that only rich countries can afford. Regional organisations can help by displaying consistency in their support for democratic norms and values. This requires taking as firm stances against constitutional manipulations as against military takeovers. International promoters of liberal democracies should also refrain from blanket assumptions of coups contagions that minimise the specify of national circumstances. The tools rulers use to erode democracy might be circulating across the region, but the root causes why it works are invariably grounded in unique national contexts. Ornella Moderan, an independent researcher, writes from Bamako, Mali. Both the vulnerable poor and well-to-do Nigerians are severely taxed and pay a lot presently. The vulnerable group in Nigeria comprises those citizens who dont have money and do not have the means to generate or earn income. This must be the main reason behind the general publics opposition to the latest proposal for an additional 5% telecoms tax. I watched with interest an Arise Television interview where the Director General of the Budget Office, Ben Akabueze, disclosed that the suspension of the proposed excise duty on players in the digital economy would worsen Nigerias revenue problems and could lead to increased borrowing. His reaction came after the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mallam Isa Pantami had announced the suspension of the proposed 5% excise duty on telecommunications companies by the Federal Government because of the apprehension that it could upset the recorded progress in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, apart from inflicting more pain on the countrys poor masses. Akabueze said that the proposed duty was embedded in the Finance Act of 2020 as a way of widening the Federal Governments revenue base. He even claimed that he was unaware of any suspension of the proposed duty. He, therefore, warned that its reversal would adversely impact projected revenue for, and deficit in the 2023 budget, and negatively affect the budgets general implementation. Meanwhile, the Nigerian telecommunications industry has developed into an oligopolistic market structure. It is impossible to overstate the value of telecoms airtime and data in the complex environment we live in today. Nigerians continue to suffer excruciating pain as a result of the aggressive taxation of the countrys telecom industry, which has caused network quality to deteriorate. Telecom services such as broadband internet have become a necessity and without this, nothing could be done in various sectors. As such, introducing the excise duty would not be beneficial to Nigerians, as the state of the economy isnt particularly friendly to many at this point in time. Both the vulnerable poor and well-to-do Nigerians are severely taxed and pay a lot presently. The vulnerable group in Nigeria comprises those citizens who dont have money and do not have the means to generate or earn income. This must be the main reason behind the general publics opposition to the latest proposal for an additional 5% telecoms tax. Consumers primary access point to the Internet today in many parts of the world, particularly in developing nations, is through mobile devices, which is an important part of the telecoms markets. Despite this, governments in many of these nations are increasingly levying sector-specific taxes on mobile services and device users, as well as mobile carriers, in addition to general taxes. The widespread acceptance of the social and economic benefits connected with the telecommunications sector is believed to be limited by this, which poses a serious risk to the growth of the services among citizens. The 5% excise charge will be another burden, especially for the vulnerable group of Nigerians who are struggling to make a living by selling their products online on WhatsApp and other platforms. Nigerians can barely afford monthly subscriptions of data and nowadays data bundles dont take us through the whole month. If the tax is now imposed, how will a common man who is trying to move his business to the digital space survive? Furthermore, students will be affected by the telecoms tax, because online classes have become the norm ever since the COVID-19 lockdowns. With the unending ASUU strike, most students now register for online classes in academic and vocational programmes. Should government impose this tax, students will barely be able to afford data subscriptions for classes and other activities. The average Nigerian trying to see his child through school will find it difficult to afford the data rates. Already the cost of living is beyond the reach of millions of Nigerians. Life is hard already, so why impose more hardship on hapless citizens? Many Nigerians are of the view that the Nigeria National Broadband Plan (NNBP 20202025), which is targeting 70% broadband penetration and 90% population coverage, will be in jeopardy. The causes are crystal clear. As stated in the NNBP, the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) intends to drive down the cost of data to N390 per gigabyte by 2025; hence, any new tax imposed on telecoms carriers implies that the costs of calls, data, and SMS would increase. Stakeholders also feel that the levy could hinder technology, particularly the ability of subscribers to buy 5G-enabled devices, given that the planned deployment of 5G in the nation is currently at its most advanced stage. In the midst of this raging issue, Nigerians have risen to applaud the Minister of Communications and Digital Communications, Mallam Isa Pantami, for standing on the side of the masses by speaking out against any attempt by agents of the government to further inflict a hard life on citizens through the imposition of a new telecoms tax. Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, president of the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS), commended Pantami for protecting telecoms subscribers in the case of the 5% excise duty. I am happy that our Minister is feeling our pains as subscribers. The 5% excise duty will be an additional burden to the existing burdens in the telecoms sector. We are solidly in support of the ministers position and we, as telecom subscribers, will go to any length to stop the planned implementation because it will not be healthy for the telecoms sector, Ogunbanjo said. Also rejecting the proposed tax, Azeez Amida, the Chief Executive Officer of PanAfrican Towers, noted the detrimental effects of multiple taxes and fees, saying they pose a serious threat to the expansion of the Nigerian telecoms sector. There should be a uniform tax system, and the same should apply to fees. Taxes are essential to providing funding for infrastructure; it is important for the growth of any society. But taxing and levying businesses multiple times inhibits growth. This is where regulation is needed to streamline the tax system and other fees for tower companies. The proposed 5% excise charge on telecoms services was challenged by Pantami, who seemed to detest the concept and maintained that it would harm the development of telecoms in Nigeria. Speaking at an event In Lagos, Pantami pledged to use all legal means at his disposal to resist the proposed excise duty on the telecoms industry operators. He criticised the timing and method of taxation of the industry, stating that it is part of the duty of a responsive government not to exacerbate citizens concerns. Doesnt it sound moral just when the government has less than a year to leave the office to now start bedevilling the poor masses with punishing parting gifts? Nigerians are waiting to see how the government is going to resolve this telecom tax confusion, especially given the harsh economic realities of today. Fom Gyem writes from Wuye District, Abuja. mPharma, Africas leading patient-centered technology-driven healthcare company, has acquired the majority stake in HealthPlus, the leading pharmacy chain in Nigeria. mPharma and the former investor, Alta Semper, have signed an agreement leading to the acquisition of a majority stake in the HealthPlus Group. According to the Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of mPharma, Gregory Rockson, the acquisition is in line with the companys mission to build an Africa that is in good health by delivering life-changing healthcare services and drugs to improve health outcomes for patients. He stated that the acquisition of the HealthPlus Pharmacy chain by mPharma complements mPharmas deep commitment to increasing patient access to affordable and quality healthcare in Nigeria. mPharma is deepening its long-standing commitment to Africa by reimagining primary healthcare in some of the most vulnerable communities on the continent. We continue to transform community pharmacies into primary care centers to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to all patients so they can live not just longer but healthier lives. We are optimistic about the future of healthcare for Nigerians through the acquisition of HealthPlus., said Rockson. In her remarks on the acquisition, Afsane Jetha, Co-founder and CEO at Alta Semper Capital, said: We are delighted about HealthPlus partnership with mPharma. We have a strong conviction in mPharmas strategy of revolutionizing primary care across Africa and believe mPharma is the ideal steward for HealthPluss next chapter of growth. We believe mPharmas vision is consistent with that of HealthPluss shareholders and employees, and we are enthusiastic to support the business through a relationship with mPharma going forward. While mPharma plans to continue to keep and strengthen HealthPlus as Nigerias leading pharmacy brand, the acquisition will also provide expansion opportunities for mPharma within Nigeria and a platform to expand mPharmas mutti pharmacy retail footprint across the continent through its fast-growing QualityRx programme. Powered by mPharmas proprietary Bloom software, HealthPlus will provide patients access to affordable primary care services within its pharmacies, in addition to affordable and quality medications it currently retails across 12 states in Nigeria. The HealthPlus pharmacy chain will also launch mutti, mPharmas health membership program, which will provide both existing and new customers with discounts, interest-free heal-now-pay-later plans, free health screenings, and other primary care services. By combining HealthPlus pharmacies with mPharmas growing portfolio of partner mutti pharmacies and GoodHealth shops (PPMVs),mPharmas network will grow from 224 to over 320 health facilities in Nigeria and will provide care to more than 100,000 Nigerians each month. About mPharma mPharma is a patient-centered technology-driven healthcare company. We provide innovative solutions, including vendor-managed inventory services, retail and primary care solutions for community pharmacies, and data analytics. Our mission is to build an Africa in good health by increasing access to drugs for all patients at reduced costs while assuring and preserving quality. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Ghana, we have expanded our operations to 9 other African countries, Nigeria, Zambia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Gabon, Togo, and Uganda. We currently have a network of over 400 pharmacies in our key markets, serving more than 100,000 patients each month. Our partner pharmacies across Africa have dispensed millions of life-saving drugs to patients. About HealthPlus Limited HealthPlus Limited is Nigerias first integrative pharmacy, the leading pharmacy chain in Nigeria. HealthPlus is committed to the mission of helping people achieve optimum health and vitality, while delivering superior value to stakeholders. More importantly, HealthPlus also launched Nigerias first integrative e-pharmacy and also has a mobile app, allowing customers to interact real-time with certi ed healthcare professionals. About Alta Semper Capital Alta Semper Capital is an institutional private equity manager committed to democratizing access to generational health and well-being across growth markets. Alta Semper was founded by Afsane Jetha, Ronald Lauder (Chairman of Clinique Laboratories and former US ambassador to Austria), Richard Parsons (Chairman of Rockefeller Foundation and former CEO of Time Warner Group) and is dedicated to sustainable investing in the healthcare, consumer and technology sectors, having invested in market-leading healthcare business in Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco, Kenya, and Pakistan. Joel Udenkwo, the traditional ruler of Isiala Umudi Community, Nkwere Local Government Area of Imo State who was abducted on Friday, has recounted how he escaped from the kidnappers. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the monarch was abducted in front of one of his companies, Udekings Electronics, in Owerri at about 7 p.m. Mr Udenkwo escaped on Monday from Okwu Forest in the Ikeduru Local Government Area of the state where he was taken to by the kidnappers, according to a report by the Sun newspaper. Mr Udenkwo, who narrated his ordeal, said he escaped when he noticed that some of the kidnappers appeared to be dizzy. The kidnappers had contacted the monarchs family about 48 hours after his abduction and demanded a N200 million ransom. READ ALSO: They would later reduce the amount to N12 million before the monarchs escape. I was tied on my leg and hand, but I pleaded that they should have mercy on me and, at least, untie my hands, they obliged me and untied my hands, Mr Udenkwo said. He said his adductors accepted his request because they were eagerly waiting for the N12 million ransom that his family had agreed to pay them. While they were waiting for the money to be sent, one of the abductors went to sleep, while the other went to smoke Indian hemp. When I noticed that the two men were nowhere around me, I carefully untied myself, quietly crawled and left the place. I managed to run as fast as I could in the forest through the bush, while they searched for me without knowing the route I took, he narrated. The traditional ruler said he later got to a residential area at about 10 p.m. where he was helped to reach his family members informing them that he had escaped from the abductors. He said the police were also contacted, who came and picked him up from the residential area. The police spokesperson in the state, Michael Abattam, confirmed the monarchs escape. We had to quickly swing into action when we heard the distress call where he was and rescued him unhurt, Mr Abattam said. TROY, Mich., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Algo, a leading supply chain intelligence SaaS solutions provider, announced today that Yasmeen Ahmad and Andy Tay have joined their Global Advisory Board. Ahmad and Tay join a group of six other industry executives that have been identified to support Algo's continued growth through strategic guidance, thought leadership, and industry domain knowledge. Algo Advisory Board The Chair of Algo's Advisory Board, David Warrick , who spent over 23 years at Microsoft, said "I am excited to welcome Yasmeen and Andy to our incredible group." David also explained, "the 8 members of our Advisory Board will help guide the future of Algo and its strategy for exponential growth in transforming the supply chain industry." "Algo is such a vibrant and rapidly advancing team of experts," said Yasmeen Ahmad. "Becoming a participant in its vision and strategy instantly resonated with me. I look forward to lending my voice to support Algo's continued growth." "The experiential and material value that Algo consistently delivers is undeniable," said Andy Tay. "Joining Algo's Advisory Board is a wonderful opportunity for me to engage with fresh, agile thinking in the supply chain space and actively contribute to its evolution." "I am honored to welcome Yasmeen and Andy to our great team at Algo," said Amjad Hussain, Founder and CEO of Algo. "The eight members of our Global Advisory Board are a huge asset to Algo and our growth." The Algo Global Advisory Board will support Algo through providing strategic guidance and vision for product management, brand awareness, sales, marketing, and other strategic company objectives. About Algo Algo uses technology to transform information into opportunity, breathing new life into our understanding of supply and demand, and giving retailers, distributors, and manufacturers a chance to achieve more for their organizations.Our professional services assist our clients in accelerating and maximizing the effectiveness of each phase of their digital transformation journey, from infrastructure and data management to business process optimization and automation. Combining AI and machine learning with deep domain expertise, Algo's omnichannel SaaS platform helps suppliers and retailers plan, simulate, and execute more efficient supply chains through smart automation, actionable analytics, and digital twin technology. For more on Algo, please visit www.algo.com . SOURCE Algo In Pursuit of Peace: Novica's 2022 World Peace Project LOS ANGELES, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Artists and artisans around the globe are leading a timely new international effort to spark serious dialogues about world peace. A year in the making, the World Peace Project exhibit launches for public viewing on the UN International Day of Peace, September 21, 2022, hosted online by fair trade leader Novica at novica.com/peace-project . The World Peace Project showcases world peace-themed paintings, sculptures, and other works of art from around the world. "Wars have become common, wars in which thousands of people lose their lives while most of us hope for a better world." Tweet this World Peace Project painting "Peaceful Together by artist Harman in Indonesia. Photo courtesy Novica. Artist quote: "World peace is a human right, so we all have to try to make it happen in our own way," the artist says, adding, "World peace must be pursued by everyone and everywhere." In this tight-knit colorful world that sees the Pyramids, the Taj Mahal, the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty as neighbors, the fate of all civilizations becomes intertwined. "Novica has decided to make the World Peace Project an ongoing aspect of its fair trade marketplace," said Catherine Ryan, a former human rights journalist who conceptualized the World Peace Project at Novica, adding, "The vital need to pursue nonviolence and achieve world peace dovetails with Novica's fundamental mission of helping increase understanding and appreciation between the world's vastly diverse nations, cultures, politics, religions and peoples through art." Ryan noted that Novica is currently inviting a panel of Nobel Peace Prize laureates and other notable international change-makers to view the collection, and then discuss their own insightful perspectives. "Our goal is to help spark a new wave of dialogs leading to practical proposals for moving closer to world peace," she said. Juan Henry Mendez, an indigenous Mayan artist in Guatemala born during that nation's 36-year-long civil war, contributed a painting depicting a Mayan woman gazing skyward as warplanes fly above. In his painting, a UN peace symbol a rose arises from a live grenade, while an iridescent hummingbird a Mayan symbol of communication and hope clings to its thorny stem. "Today we live in a world where wars have become common, wars in which thousands of people lose their lives while most of us hope for a better world," Mendez says. "My painting, 'Crying Out for Peace,' is the cry of many countries today for an end to war. The woman's hands are raised toward the warplanes in her fervent petition for an end to war. She is saying, 'Enough!' The grenade that gives birth to the rose is the change that should happen, so we can all live in a world filled with harmony among nations." Another contributor is sculptor Miguel Mejia, in Peru, who was robbed at knifepoint this year. Through compassionate dialog with his assailant, he learned of the man's desperate hunger, took the thief to lunch nearby, offered him life guidance, then purchased the assailant's weapon. Mejia embedded that same knife in his 2022 World Peace Project sculpture titled "Burying Weapons." Another contributor, batik artist Ida Bagus Lawa Bargawa, in Indonesia, speaking of the correlation between fair trade and world peace, commented: "My hope for world peace is that aspirations for the progress of one country will be reflected in the harmonious relations of all countries. All countries must be able to help each other stabilize the world's economy. True welfare within a country will have a good impact on the path of world peace. Peace is a daily, weekly and monthly process of gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers and quietly building new structures." Alejandra Aceves, in Mexico, another World Peace Project contributor, concurred. "I had a teacher who said 'the best fight is the one that's avoided.' I agree. By reducing social inequality and mitigating hunger, we can help achieve peace. And through education, we can achieve a more inclusive society based on respect for ourselves and for others." World Peace Project works of art are displayed online at novica.com/peace-project , alongside corresponding interviews describing each artist's vision of the path to world peace. All entries are available for purchase, including finalists in the World Peace Project's "Contest Fine Art" category and statement "Peace Gifts" category. Both categories directly support the contributing artists and artisans. Entries have closed for the global 2022 exhibit. About Novica: Founded in 1999 to empower global artisans and preserve endangered cultural art forms, Los Angeles-based Novica.com has become the leading online fair trade marketplace in the world. Novica's key partners include UNICEF, Kiva, Smithsonian Folklife, USAID, and ITC. National Geographic was a major early investor. Novica's unique international platform cuts out middlemen and removes unnecessary markups from the supply chain, resulting in higher revenues for artisans and lower prices for customers. Novica's eight global artisan empowerment hubs onboard individual artisans, handle all aspects of showcasing, selling, packaging and express shipping their wares, and provide artisans with business counseling as well as interest-free microcredit loans when needed. Novica.com showcases and delivers the world's handmade fair trade fine art , unique gifts , handmade jewelry , handwoven apparel and home decor directly to individual customers' doorsteps. An estimated 75,000 people in emerging nations benefit globally, including artisans and their dependents. Novica has sent more than $123 million USD in sales to artisans to date, and has provided more than $3.5 million USD in zero-interest capital loans to artisans. Novica direct-shipped fair trade purchases to customers in 80 countries over the past 365 days alone, from artisans in 30 nations. SOURCE Novica The Planning for Animal Wellness (PAW) Act would require government agencies to include pets in disaster planning WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) commended the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Planning for Animal Wellness (PAW) Act, H.R.7789/S.4205, to encourage collaborative relationships between government agencies and outside experts to incorporate pets into disaster planning, including preparedness, response and recovery efforts. Sponsored by Reps. Dina Titus (D-NV) and Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH), this legislation would direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a working group of experts to review current best practices for animals in emergencies and natural disasters, and if necessary, issue new guidance. The PAW Act unanimously passed the Senate in August, and with passage in the House, it will now go to the desk of President Biden for his signature. Passage of this legislation comes during National Preparedness Month and the five-year anniversaries of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, a string of devastating storms that displaced millions of people and their pets in 2017. "We've seen firsthand how incorporating animals into disaster plans can prevent avoidable tragedy, making the PAW Act a critical measure to protect these animals and the people who risk their lives to save them," said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA president and CEO. "We're grateful to Representatives Titus and DeFazio, as well as Senators Peters and Portman, for championing this legislation to create a FEMA-led working group to establish best practices for assisting animals in disasters, and we look forward to continuing our collaborative work to save and protect these vulnerable animals." "Pet owners in Michigan and across the country should not have to make the difficult choice of taking care of their pets or getting to safety when disasters strike," said Senator Peters. "I look forward to seeing the President sign this bipartisan bill into law so that all of our loved ones even those with fur, feathers or scales can be safe during hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other emergencies." "As a proud dog owner, it is concerning that animal and veterinary needs are often overlooked during disasters. I am pleased this bipartisan legislation has passed the House because it will require FEMA to establish a working group with outside experts to review current federal guidance regarding animals in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery to ensure it aligns with current best practices," said Senator Portman. "This bill will help ensure Ohio families and other animal owners have up-to-date guidance for disaster preparedness." "As a member of the Animal Protection Caucus, I was pleased to introduce the PAW Act to help protect our beloved pets during disasters," said Congresswoman Titus. "When preparing for and responding to catastrophes, animal welfare often is overlooked, and sadly, some owners make the risky decision of refusing to evacuate in order to stay with their pets. The PAW Act will ensure first responders and federal disaster response workers can help pet owners plan to keep every member of their family, even the furry and feathered ones, safe." "I applaud the House of Representatives for passing the PAW Act, which will help meet the needs of pets and service animals affected by emergencies and disasters" said House Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Peter DeFazio. "By establishing a FEMA working group focused on addressing the needs of animals, especially during evacuation and sheltering, we will be more prepared for disasters and can deliver the adequate care and dignity that animals deserve." A 2021 ASPCA survey revealed that 83 percent of current pet owners reported living in a community that faces natural disasters. A lack of emergency resources can sometimes force people to make the unimaginable choice between evacuating or sheltering in place to stay with their animals. The PAW Act would help ensure that pets, captive animals, and service animals are considered in disaster planning and emergency response, so families do not have to choose between their own safety and the safety of their pet. Since the inception of the ASPCA Disaster Response team in 2010, the ASPCA has responded to more than 65 disasters, assisting nearly 120,000 animals in impacted communities. During the catastrophic string of Hurricanes in 2017, including Harvey, Irma, and Maria, the ASPCA assisted nearly 36,000 animals across Texas, Florida, South Carolina and St. Croix through evacuations, search and rescue, emergency sheltering, and pet food and supply distribution. In addition to providing boots on the ground assistance in response to disasters, the ASPCA works closely with local agencies across the country to help enhance their animal response capabilities through grants and training opportunities. Over the last three years, the ASPCA has awarded more than $2 million in grant funding to authorized disaster response agencies providing support to companion animals, equines, and their owners in communities impacted by or at high-risk of natural disasters. It also works with lawmakers to increase access to co-sheltering opportunities to keep people and pets together when they are displaced by natural or manmade disasters. To learn more about incorporating pets into preparedness plans, please visit www.aspca.org/disasterprep. About the ASPCA Founded in 1866, the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) was the first animal welfare organization to be established in North America and today serves as the nation's leading voice for vulnerable and victimized animals. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA assists animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources. For more information, visit www.ASPCA.org, and follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. SOURCE ASPCA NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Bloomberg Philanthropies' Greenwood Initiative announced the launch of the Black Wealth Data Center (BWDC) which will host the new Racial Wealth Equity Database. The BWDC aims to empower decision-makers including practitioners, elected officials at all levels, and philanthropists as well as journalists, working to improve and chronicle economic opportunity by making it easier for them to find and analyze a wide range of factors correlated to economic well-being and progress by race. This new effort will also build a network for leaders and organizations working to create economic progress for Black families and communities. The BWDC is incubated by Prosperity Now , a leading nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. focused on advancing racial and ethnic economic justice. On the Black Wealth Data Center's website, visitors will use BWDC's Racial Wealth Equity Database to interact with wealth data by topic (assets/debt, education, employment, homeownership, and business ownership), and compare wealth data by race (Black, Hispanic, Asian, White, Other or multiple races), sex, age, education attainment, and geographic area (state, county or zip code). Over the coming months, the BWDC will continuously add datasets and functionality to the database, looking for opportunities to offer new tools for the field to better interpret racial equity data. It will also convene leaders and host events about the power of data to help drive solutions for racial wealth equity. The BWDC aims to empower decision-makers as well as journalists, working to improve and chronicle economic opportunity... Tweet this The need for the BWDC was explained by Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies and 108th mayor of New York City in January 2020 when he spoke in Tulsa, Oklahoma, launching the Greenwood Initiative, and addressed "the enormous obstacles that so many Black Americans have faced not only in creating wealth, but in passing assets to their children and grandchildren as generations of white families have done." He said, "I believe that we have the power to build a future where color and capital are no longer related." Bloomberg Philanthropies' Greenwood Initiative is a national program focused on accelerating the pace of wealth accumulation for Black individuals and families and addressing systemic underinvestment in Black communities across the U.S. Through this initiative, Bloomberg Philanthropies supports and works with leaders and organizations across the country to implement, scale, and advocate for efforts that increase economic and social mobility to reduce wealth disparities in Black communities. "Leaders and organizations across the country have been challenged by the lack of accessible and high-quality data disaggregated by race making it difficult to assess what's working and not working in efforts to make America more equitable, what assets exist in Black communities, and what we need to do to effect change," said Garnesha Ezediaro, who leads Bloomberg Philanthropies' Greenwood Initiative. "With a commitment to continuously scan and integrate the best data into a comprehensive user-friendly source, the Black Wealth Data Center will be a resource for leaders who are working to ensure that data can be accessed more equitably, progress can be measured more precisely, and that change can come faster." The BWDC is led by Natalie Evans Harris, who brings nearly 20 years of experience advancing the public sector's strategic use of data. She spent 16 years at the National Security Agency where she led an analytics development center and was a senior policy advisor to the U.S. Chief Technology Officer in the Obama administration. Most recently, Natalie co-founded and served as the head of strategic initiatives of BrightHive, a data sharing platform for users to easily and securely connect data. "I am thrilled to lead the Black Wealth Data Center, help leverage data and technology to expedite the accumulation of Black wealth and establish partnerships with practitioners and policymakers to power the path to equity," said Natalie Evans Harris, executive director of the Black Wealth Data Center. Bloomberg Philanthropies' Greenwood Initiative has partnered with Prosperity Now to incubate the Black Wealth Data Center because of its long legacy of work in racial economic justice rooted in data, research, and community building. "For so long, those of us working to develop meaningful programs to address racial wealth inequities have had to use our organizations' critical resources to search for and access needed data to support our work," said Gary Cunningham, president and chief executive officer of Prosperity Now. "Prosperity Now is excited to incubate the Black Wealth Data Center. We hope it will serve as a resource for leaders seeking to solve racial wealth inequities for both the Black community and other groups who systematically experience wealth inequities." In order to lay the foundation for new data sources and to help contextualize the data, the BWDC is currently partnering with the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership, the Urban Institute, and DataKind. BWDC will create additional partnerships with a specific focus on increasing the amount of local data in its database, incorporating data from private sources, and collaborating with existing data providers to strengthen data quality. The Black Wealth Data Center is the most recent investment made by Bloomberg Philanthropies' Greenwood Initiative, which was launched in September 2020. The first investment was a $100 million partnership with the nation's four historically Black medical schools to help ease the debt burden of approximately 900 Black medical students. The second investment was more than $6 million to those four schools to increase their mobile unit COVID-19 vaccination efforts and help ensure equitable access to vaccines within Black communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. The third investment was the Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative, a $150 million effort at Johns Hopkins devoted to addressing historic underrepresentation in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields by providing permanent funding for a sustained cohort of approximately 100 new slots for diverse PhD students in JHU's more than 30 STEM programs. The Greenwood Initiative has also partnered on programs to help local leaders prioritize economic equity agendas through Bloomberg Philanthropies' Local Infrastructure Hub and the CityStart Program at Cities for Financial Empowerment. To learn more about the Black Wealth Data Center and the database, visit blackwealthdata.org . ABOUT BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 941 cities and 173 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg's giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a pro bono consultancy that works in cities around the world. In 2021, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $1.66 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube , Twitter , and LinkedIn . SOURCE Bloomberg Philanthropies CEO James Bogart named #1 overall Next-Gen Wealth Advisor in Virginia and #34 nationally in Forbes rankings MCLEAN, Va., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bogart Wealth, an independent, fee-only wealth management and Registered Investment Advisory firm, was recently named to multiple lists of top financial advisors and fastest-growing companies in national and industry publications. CEO James Bogart was included in Forbes' list of Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, coming in at first overall in Virginia and #34 overall nationally. In addition, Bogart Wealth ranked #4,192 overall in the 2022 Inc. 5000, Inc. Magazine's annual ranking of America's fastest-growing private companies, and landed eighth overall in the Washington Business Journal's rankings of the largest wealth management firms in greater Washington D.C. "We are ecstatic to be included in all of these rankings from such prestigious media outlets," said James Bogart, President and CEO of Bogart Wealth. "We're experiencing rapid growth lately and I'm so proud of our team. Without them, these rankings wouldn't be possible." "We're experiencing rapid growth lately and I'm so proud of our team. Without them, these rankings wouldn't be possible" Tweet this FORBES RANKINGS REPRESENT TRUE ROLE MODELS OF THE INDUSTRY The Forbes Next-Gen Wealth Advisors rankings, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criterion mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews and quantitative data. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of four years' experience, and the algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass the highest standards of best practices. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings. To learn more about Forbes' Next-Gen Wealth Advisors ranking methodology, please click here. "Our rankings represent the true role models of the industry," said R.J. Shook, Founder and President of Shook Research. "We believe our Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisor rankings are an early peek of our future Top Wealth Advisor rankings say, 10 or more years from now." In fact, James Bogart has already been included in Forbes' Top Wealth Advisor rankings in recent years. In Forbes' 2022 Best-In-State Wealth Advisor rankings, Bogart ranked #12 overall in the state of Virginia. This is his fifth year in a row being listed as a Top Advisor in Forbes, being named a Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisor since 2018 and a Best-In-State Wealth Advisor since 2019. To see Forbes' full list of Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, please click here. To see James Bogart's Forbes Top Advisor profile, including rankings in other Top Advisor lists, please click here. BOGART WEALTH INCLUDED IN SECOND CONSECUTIVE INC. 5000 For the second consecutive year, Bogart Wealth was included in the Inc. 5000 list, Inc. Magazine's annual ranking of America's fastest-growing private companies. In the 2022 rankings, the firm was ranked #4,192, climbing nearly 800 spots from their ranking of #4,971 in the 2021 list. Bogart Wealth made the list thanks to their 111% 3-year growth from 2019-2021. The firm continues to experience rapid growth in all facets of the company, recently surpassing $2 billion in assets under management and nearly tripling AUM since the start of the pandemic. Bogart Wealth has also been growing and expanding their team during this time, hiring 16 new employees since the start of the pandemic, including 6 in Q2 2022 alone. To see Bogart Wealth's Inc. 5000 profile along with the full 2022 rankings, please click here. To learn more about the Inc. 5000 list and the verification process, please click here. BOGART WEALTH INCLUDED IN WASHINGTON BUSINESS JOURNAL'S LIST OF LARGEST WEALTH MANAGEMENT FIRMS In addition, Bogart Wealth was included in the Washington Business Journal's list of the Largest Wealth Management Firms in Greater Washington D.C., coming in at #8 in the 2022 rankings. Bogart Wealth is headquartered in McLean, Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C., and D.C. area wealth management firms were ranked by 'Metro-area financial planners'. Based on statistics from 2021, Bogart Wealth had 8 metro-area financial planners and 21 metro-area employees. As of September 2022, the firm has 11 Certified Financial Planners and 28 total employees. As the firm continues to grow, they are actively hiring financial planners and support staff. Open positions in the McLean, Virginia office include Compliance Associate, Advisory Director, Financial Advisor, Associate Financial Advisor, Financial Planning Associate, and more, and open positions in The Woodlands, Texas office include Advisory Director, Financial Advisor, Associate Financial Advisor, and more. To learn more about the open positions and careers at Bogart Wealth, please click here. To learn more about all of the employee benefits at Bogart Wealth, please click here. To see the full rankings of the Largest Wealth Management Firms in Greater Washington D.C. in the Washington Business Journal, please click here. ABOUT BOGART WEALTH Bogart Wealth is an independent, fee-only wealth management firm guiding corporate executives, professionals, and families on their paths to and throughout retirement. Led by President and CEO James Bogart, their mission is to help clients achieve financial peace of mind by preserving and maximizing intergenerational wealth. As a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), Bogart Wealth is held to a fiduciary standard, which gives clients confidence in knowing that everything the firm does is always in their best interest. Clients of Bogart Wealth enjoy an extremely high level of service, and the firm's boutique size enables multiple advisors to become familiar with each client and their financial plan. At Bogart Wealth, everyone is a part of the team, and they have taken great care to build a collegial and cooperative culture, as well as a diverse set of skills, experience, qualifications, and credentials. The team works together to apply their combined experience, expertise, and knowledge to each client account. To learn more, visit www.BogartWealth.com. Media Contact: Jonny Swift Impact Communications, Inc. 913-649-5009 [email protected] SOURCE Bogart Wealth BOSTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Burns & Levinson will host its sixth annual "State of the Cannabis Industry" conference, which will focus on critical issues in the multibillion dollar cannabis industry, on October 17, 2022, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. The conference will be held in person at the Westin Waltham Boston. A live stream option will also be available. The conference will feature over 20 industry leaders including Ed Schmults, Chief Executive Officer of StateHouse Holdings Inc., who will speak with Frank A. Segall, founder and Chair of the Cannabis Business & Law Advisory Group at Burns & Levinson, about the combination of Harborside, Inc., Urbn Leaf and Loudpack to create the largest and most developed vertically-integrated cannabis platform in California. Segall will also conduct a Q&A with Steven Hoffman, former Chairman of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, on his views on his term as Commissioner and his insights into the Massachusetts and national markets. Expert panels/sessions will explore a broad range of issues in the cannabis industry, including capital markets, M&A and investments; restructuring/workouts; regulatory and legislative issues; and opportunities for women in leadership. "As the cannabis industry continues to evolve and mature, there are many new opportunities and challenges to stay on top of. We were one of the first major full service law firms to develop a dedicated cannabis conference, and this event has become a best-in-class forum and networking platform that brings together cannabis business, financial and regulatory thought leaders from across the country to share their guidance, practical advice and insight," said Segall. "We like helping people make connections, develop partnerships and learn from their peers and industry leaders. We are excited to collaborate with our colleagues on innovative ways to address the pressing issues on the horizon," added Scott Moskol, who co-founded and co-chairs Burns & Levinson's Cannabis Business & Law Advisory Group with Segall. The current conference sponsors include: HUB International; Needham Bank; A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners; Opus Consulting; Marcum LLP; Elevate Northeast; KindTap; AdaptiveHR; Lighthouse Biz Solutions, LLC; and Shield Compliance. Burns & Levinson was the first major Boston corporate law firm to develop a cannabis business practice, and has been advising cannabis businesses, entrepreneurs and investors across the country for nearly a decade. The firm has unrivaled experience in cannabis and hemp/CBD business formation and corporate structuring, capital raises, M&A, investment structuring, regulatory matters and overall business issues affecting the fast-growing cannabis industry. The firm is also among the top law firms in the country handling M&A and high-level corporate and financing deals in the private and public markets in the cannabis market. For more information about the conference and to register, click here. For information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kristen Weller at [email protected] . About Burns & Levinson LLP At Burns & Levinson, we provide high-level, client-centric and results-oriented legal services to our regional, national and international clients. We are a full-service law firm with over 125 lawyers in Boston, Providence and London. Our areas of expertise include: business/finance, business litigation, cannabis, divorce/family law, venture capital/emerging companies, employment, estate planning, government investigations, intellectual property, M&A/private equity, probate/trust litigation, and real estate. We partner with our clients to solve their business and personal legal issues in a collaborative, creative and cost-effective way. For more information, visit Burns & Levinson at www.burnslev.com . Contact: Amy Blumenthal Kristen Weller Blumenthal & Associates Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer 617.879.1511 617.345.3555 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Burns & Levinson The Former Honey COO Will Bring a People-First Approach to Successfully Scale the Tech Platform CHICAGO, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cameo, the leading marketplace connecting the world's talent with fans and brands, today announced the appointment of Glen Allison to Chief Operating Officer. Allison brings diverse work experience from a decades-long career working with big technology companies including AOL, Microsoft and Twitter. He also most recently served as the first and only COO of online coupon code aggregator Honey, where he guided the company through four years of explosive growth culminating in an acquisition by PayPal for $4 billion in 2020. Allison joins Cameo as the platform continues expanding beyond the original video shout-out product to offer a range of news ways for the thousands of talent on its platform to connect with consumers and brands. Newer fan experiences include the just-launched Cameo Live product, which offers video calls for up to 10 fans at a time, Cameo Pass, the company's exclusive Web3 community, and celebrity merch from the acquisition of Represent. The growing B2B arm, Cameo for Business, offers brands of all sizes the opportunity to work with celebrities on everything from events to bespoke marketing campaigns, including those made possible by the new Snapchat x Cameo Advertiser Program. Allison will use his experience to optimize Cameo's operations during this growth phase, motivating the company's more than 200 employees to do their best work, and freeing up Cameo CEO and co-founder, Steven Galanis, to spend more time with external stakeholders including talent, brand clients, partners and investors. "I met Steven two years ago, and the more I got to know him and understand his vision, the more excited I became about what Cameo can be," Allison said. "Joining the company gives me the opportunity to help him realize his vision for multiple product lines, while continuing to grow a culture of high-performing employees. Transforming an industry in the way that Cameo has done so far is only scratching the surface." "Glen has been involved in every aspect of the technology business from software engineering and program management to corporate partnership development and even managing a rapidly growing team of more than 400 people at Honey," Galanis said. "This background and particularly his skilled approach to fostering a culture that keeps employees happy and challenged, will be invaluable in helping us succeed in our next phase of growth." Allison's appointment is effective immediately. About Cameo Cameo is the leading marketplace connecting fans and brands directly with tens of thousands of pop culture personalities in the form of personalized video messages, engaging fan experiences, and marketing and events partnerships. Founded in March 2017, Cameo's mission is to create the most personalized and authentic fan experiences on Earth. In just over five years, Cameo has fulfilled more than 4 million magical moments ranging from birthday and good luck messages to prom invitations, marriage proposals and direct fan interactions on every continent in the world. The platform has also raised more than $1.5 million for a wide range of charities through its Cameo Cares program. For more information, visit https://www.cameo.com/ SOURCE Cameo AgilePoint V8.0 is the only enterprise-ready digital transformation platform MELVILLE, N.Y., Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Canon Solutions America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc., is pleased to announce the availability of a cloud-based digital transformation platform, AgilePoint V8.0. This enterprise-ready, low-code automation platform further enables Canon Solutions America's ability to quickly deliver solutions that meet the needs of today's hybrid work environment. AgilePoint, an all-in-one digital transformation platform, available on-premises or cloud-ready, allows business users to interact with processes, workflows, and data in real time, within one customizable interface. Professional developers (whether facilitated through Canon Solutions America's Professional Services organization or a company's own resources) are provided with advanced tools to help create custom functions which can assist in building many kinds of applications without a single line of code. This allows for the accelerated creation and maintenance of hundreds of applications to automate business processes. This architecture also facilitates mobile-ready applications and promotes automated data flow to save both time and money. Evolving market requirements have underscored the need for process automation, data integration and increased efficiency. Secure access to data, regardless of a worker's location, and workflow automation are critical success factors for any business. Canon Solutions America's alignment with AgilePoint further enhances its ability to deliver on these needs. "Digital transformation remains an important way to help our customers, and AgilePoint's capabilities can assist with process automation and document and process workflow among many other areas," said Peter P. Kowalczuk, president, Canon Solutions America, Inc. "We are excited to see this solution accelerate digital transformation and be a benefit to the hybrid workplace." AgilePoint's out-of-the-box capabilities give users a strong starting point with more than 85 integrations to the most popular systems and cloud services built in, combined with the over 800 workflow actions and 65 application templates that together support the multiple dynamic process patterns, coupled with six layers of granular security. AgilePoint's built-in features include the technology needed to achieve hyperautomation, including artificial intelligence1, event-driven software architecture, business process management, low or no-code tools and integration platform-as-a-service. Since 2003, AgilePoint has been an innovator in the low- and no-code space and is now the only all-in-one hyperautomation platform on the market. Its newest version can assist those working in the operations, sales, marketing, human resources, legal, finance and compliance fields, as well as in the industries of manufacturing, telecommunications, healthcare, government, insurance, and pharmaceuticals. About Canon Solutions America, Inc. Canon Solutions America, Inc. provides industry leading enterprise, production, and large format printing solutions, supported by exceptional professional service offerings. Canon Solutions America, Inc. helps companies of all sizes discover ways to improve sustainability, increase efficiency, and control costs in conjunction with high volume, continuous feed, digital and traditional printing, and document management solutions. A wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc., Canon Solutions America, Inc. is headquartered in Melville, NY and has sales and service locations across the U.S. For more information on Canon Solutions America, please visit csa.canon.com . Editorial Contact: Canon Solutions America, Inc. Website: Nicole Esan csa.canon.com 631-330-2139 For sales info/customer support: [email protected] 1-844-443-INFO (4636) Canon is a registered trademark of Canon Inc. in the United States and elsewhere. "AGILEPOINT" is a registered trademark of AgilePoint, Inc. All other referenced product names and marks are trademarks of their respective owners. Neither Canon Inc. nor Canon U.S.A., Inc. nor Canon Solutions America, Inc. represents or warrants any third-party product, service, or feature referenced hereunder. 2022 Canon Solutions America, Inc. All rights reserved. 1 AgilePoint integrates with AI and RPA providers. These are not innate platform features. SOURCE Canon Solutions America, Inc. The CathWorks FFRangio System to Be Featured in Multiple Live Cases and Clinical Presentations at TCT 2022 CathWorks and Medtronic Co-host Educational Symposia at TCT 2022 KFAR-SABA, Israel & IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CathWorks announced today the schedule of key events for the company during Cardiovascular Research Foundation's annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) 2022 conference taking place September 16 to 19 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The fourth generation CathWorks FFRangio System will be featured in multiple live cases, clinical presentations, educational symposia, and will be available for hands-on experience during Meet the Expert sessions. "We are pleased to see the CathWorks FFRangio System featured prominently during TCT, highlighting the pivotal role it could play in the management of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We look forward to continuing to partner with the interventional cardiology community to make FFRangio the standard of care," said Ramin Mousavi, President and CEO of CathWorks. Live Cases On Saturday, September 17 , Professor Ran Kornowski and his team at Rabin Medical Center in Tel Aviv, Israel will perform a live case during the Imaging and Physiology Guided Approach to PCI session. , Professor Ran Kornowski and his team at Rabin Medical Center in will perform a live case during the session. On Sunday, September 18 , Dr. William F. Fearon and his team at Stanford Health Care in Palo Alto, CA will perform a live case during the Imaging and Physiology to Treat Left Main/Bifurcation Lesions session. Clinical Presentations On Saturday, Dr. Ioannis Skalidis from CHUV Lausanne University Hospital in Lausanne, Switzerland will present a Head-to-head Comparison of Two Different Angiography-derived FFR Techniques in NSTEMI Patients . from CHUV Lausanne University Hospital in Lausanne, will present a . On Saturday, Dr. Guy Witberg from Rabin Medical Center in Tel Aviv, Israel will present the PROVISION Study design, a clinical study led by Dr. Hitoshi Matsuo from Gifu Heart Center in Gifu, Japan and Dr. Hiroyoshi Yokoi from Fukuoka Sanno Hospital in Fukuoka City, Japan . This study will prospectively investigate the clinical and economic benefits of FFRangio guidance compared to invasive wire-based FFR. from Rabin Medical Center in will present the PROVISION Study design, a clinical study led by Dr. from Gifu Heart Center in Gifu, and Dr. from Fukuoka Sanno Hospital in City, . This study will prospectively investigate the clinical and economic benefits of FFRangio guidance compared to invasive wire-based FFR. On Sunday, Dr. Guy Witberg will present the Two-year Clinical Outcomes of FFRangio Guided Treatment for Coronary Artery Disease. CathWorks, in partnership with Medtronic and as part of the recently announced strategic partnership between the two companies, is pleased to sponsor multiple educational events at TCT. "We are excited to partner with Medtronic so we can amplify our educational efforts and broaden our global reach, enabling more physicians and patients to experience the benefits of the CathWorks FFRangio System," said Ramin Mousavi. Jason Weidman, Senior Vice President and President of the Coronary & Renal Denervation business unit at Medtronic added, "We are looking forward to officially debuting our strategic partnership with CathWorks at TCT this year, and we are excited to partner with the CathWorks team to bring the FFRangio System to even more physicians around the globe." Educational Symposia The Saturday lunch symposium entitled CathWorks FFRangio System: A New Era in Coronary Physiology , will be chaired by Dr. Martin B. Leon from Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY . The renowned faculty will share their experience integrating the FFRangio System in their cath labs and adopting it as their primary physiology tool. , will be chaired by Dr. from Irving Medical Center, . The renowned faculty will share their experience integrating the FFRangio System in their cath labs and adopting it as their primary physiology tool. The Sunday morning symposium in the Medtronic Hub entitled Transforming CAD from Diagnosis to Treatment will be chaired by Dr. Ajay J. Kirtane from NewYork-Presbyterian/ Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY . The esteemed clinicians and researchers from around the globe who are at the forefront of evidence generation for angiography-based physiology will share the latest evidence on FFRangio. Meet the Expert Sessions Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with leading physician experts one-on-one to experience the utility and reliability of the CathWorks FFRangio System in the CathWorks booth. Attendees can register for CathWorks events at TCT 2022 through the following link: https://ww2.cath.works/tct2022 ABOUT CATHWORKS CathWorks is the leader in digital health innovations that can improve the lives of patients globally. The CathWorks FFRangio System combines artificial intelligence and advanced computational science, transforming how cardiovascular disease is diagnosed and treated. The FFRangio System obtains physiologic information from routine angiograms, eliminating the need for drug stimulation and invasive pressure wires. It provides physicians with quick and reliable intraprocedural FFRangio values for the entire coronary tree. For more information on CathWorks, visit www.cath.works and follow @CathWorks on Twitter and LinkedIn. Contact Media: Natalie Sickler [email protected] Investors: Mike Feher [email protected] SOURCE CathWorks Partnership will deliver healthcare education and resources to an estimated 27.7 million members of the African- American and Latino communities on a multitude of therapeutic areas and disease states RADNOR, Pa., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CME Outfitters (CMEO), a division of KnowFully Learning Group and a leading accredited provider of continuing medical education (CME/CE), today announced the launch of a partnership with the National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) to address health inequities, improve health literacy, and amplify the voice of the patient, particularly in marginalized and under-served communities. NBCI is a coalition of 150,000 African-American and Latino churches working to provide critical wellness information to its members, congregants, churches and the public. Partnership will deliver healthcare education to 27.7 million members of the African- American and Latino communities. Tweet this This collaboration will educate not only NBCIs 150,000 constituents and members which include over 17,500 healthcare professionals - but also an estimated 27.7 million members of the African American and Latino communities. NBCI is a coalition of 150,000 African-American and Latino churches working to provide critical wellness information to its members, congregants, churches and the public. "We are honored to collaborate with the National Black Church Initiative to leverage our partnership to address unmet medical needs in marginalized and underserved communities through our shared missions of improving healthcare through education. This partnership will provide evidence-based strategies to clinicians and patients nationwide to address health disparities and social determinants of health. We stand on the precipice of enacting real change that not only improves life but extends it in these historically overlooked communities," said Kashemi Rorie, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of CME Outfitters. "Our collaboration will educate not only NBCI's 150,000 constituents and members which include over 17,500 healthcare professionals - but also an estimated 27.7 million members of the African American and Latino communities." View a video overview of the NBCI and the goals of the initiative featuring Reverend Anthony Evans, President of the National Black Church Initiative. CME Outfitters has provided continuing education to healthcare professionals and patients alike since 2002. While improving patient outcomes with evidence-based education has always been at the heart of its mission, CMEO began working a number of years ago to address racial, ethnic, gender, and age diversity through the education they provide. A nationwide initiative to educate healthcare providers on unconscious bias and disparities in care was launched in 2021 and continues to expand and is at the heart of CMEO's purpose-driven mission. The CMEO-NBCI partnership will drive innovation in the diagnosis, management, and sustained improvement of every major health issue impacting patients of color to improve quality of life and overall well-being. "NBCI and CME Outfitters will be moving forward, for the first time, in a systematic way, critical information that will have dramatic impact on the lives of patients of color and their healthcare providers. The education and resources we will provide will be transformative to a community that has been starved of critical healthcare information," said Reverend Anthony Evans, President of the National Black Church Initiative. "This partnership will have a tremendous impact for a lifetime to come." Visit https://www.cmeoutfitters.com/partnerships to stay current on the latest content and updates regarding this initiative. About CME Outfitters CME Outfitters develops, distributes and certifies continuing education activities that focus on the integration of the interdisciplinary care team to ensure the best care of patients. CME Outfitters' educational interventions include interactive webcasts, live symposia, medical simulations, clinical case series and other innovative formats that leverage the latest in technology to optimize the learning environment and promote clinician and patient behavior changes. CME Outfitters also offers expert accreditation, outcome and logistics services for non-accredited organizations. In July of 2020, CME Outfitters became part of KnowFully Learning Group. For more information, visit www.cmeoutfitters.com. About National Black Church Initiative The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) is a coalition of 150,000 African-American and Latino churches constituting 27.7 million members working to eradicate racial disparities in healthcare, technology, education, housing, and the environment. NBCI's mission is to provide critical wellness information to all of its members, congregants, churches and the public. The National Black Church Initiative's methodology is utilizing faith and sound health science. The National Black Church Initiative's purpose is to partner with major organizations and officials whose main mission is to reduce racial disparities in the variety of areas cited above. NBCI offers faith-based, out-of-the-box and cutting-edge solutions to stubborn economic and social issues. NBCI's programs are governed by credible statistical analysis, science-based strategies and techniques, and methods that work. For more information about NBCI, visit https://www.naltblackchurch.com, call (202) 744-0184, or contact Reverend Anthony Evans at [email protected]. About KnowFully KnowFully Learning Group provides continuing professional education, exam preparation courses, and education resources to the accounting, finance, and healthcare sectors. KnowFully's suite of learning solutions helps learners become credentialed, satisfy required credit hours to maintain credentials, and stay informed on the latest trends and critical changes in their industries over the course of their careers. The company also provides exam preparation and continuing education for accounting, finance, and tax professionals under the Surgent Education brand. KnowFully's healthcare education brands include CME Outfitters, CE Concepts, PharmCon, The Rx Consultant, ChiroCredit, IA Med, Psychotherapy.net, and American Fitness Professionals & Associates. For more information, please visit www.knowfully.com. SOURCE CME Outfitters, LLC New Business Unit Builds on Acquisition of Monitor Life, Catalyzes Continued Expansion of Accident & Health Product Offerings NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Crum & Forster announced the launch of its new Life Insurance business unit, building on the organization's 2021 acquisition of Monitor Life Insurance Company of New York. AM Best has also reaffirmed Crum & Forster's "A" financial strength rating, which includes Monitor Life and the wholly owned captive facility, Crum & Forster Segregated Portfolio Company (SPC) located in the Cayman Islands. S&P has also recently upgraded the financial strength rating for Fairfax Financial Holdings, the parent company of C&F, to "A." C&F's nationwide licensure expands opportunity for insurance carriers and strategic partners alike. Tweet this Crum & Forster's acquisition of Monitor Life and launch of a new life insurance business unit will allow the organization to continue expanding its Accident and Health (A&H) offerings in an evolving marketplace. With Certificates of Authority in 48 states (pending approval in MN, OR), filings for the initial suite of products are underway and sales will begin in Q4 this year. The acquisition and new unit will give Crum & Forster A&H the ability to write a full suite of life products, and also give the company the flexibility to add additional A&H products moving forward. "This is an exciting development for Crum & Forster, and we look forward to expanding our offerings to enhance our capabilities to meet and exceed clients' expectations," said Gary McGeddy, A&H President. "As a business, we are committed to designing a diversified portfolio that delivers superior customer service to our partners. Our new life business is another step along that journey." The company will continue marketing through MGUs, TPAs, brokers, agents and program managers. Crum & Forster's nationwide licensure also allows other insurance companies to round out their geographic footprint through strategic partnerships and flexible risk share arrangements. "We look forward to working with our partners to expand our value proposition and continue providing new, high-quality products and services," said Gary Nidds, head of Crum & Forster's new Life business unit and its A&H Medical business unit. "As we continue to diversify and put forth innovative product offerings, we're excited to be a catalyst of opportunity within the life insurance ecosystem." About Crum & Forster Accident & Health Crum & Forster,* rated A (Excellent) by AM Best (2022), is a national commercial property and casualty group of insurance companies wholly owned by Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited. Since 2000, Crum & Forster's Accident & Health Division has offered a diverse portfolio of specialty insurance and reinsurance products nationwide. We place a strong focus on product development and creative distribution methods, along with excellent client service and support. In addition, our ability to provide international Accident & Health solutions through our Cayman Island captive facility as well as through various partnerships within the Fairfax family demonstrates our dedication to providing alternative strategies in an ever-changing insurance market. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. *The C&F logo, C&F and Crum & Forster are registered trademarks of United States Fire Insurance Company. Media Contact Hallie Harenski VP C&F Corporate Communications [email protected] Michelle Tavora AVP C&F A&H Communications [email protected] SOURCE Crum & Forster Grant Will Allow DFA to Reduce On-Farm Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Carbon Sequestration on U.S. Dairy Farms KANSAS CITY, Kan., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), a national dairy cooperative with more than 11,500 family farmers, has been selected to receive up to $45 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to scale methane emissions reductions and increase soil carbon sequestration on U.S. dairy farms as well as develop and market climate-smart, low-carbon dairy products. The grant was one of 70 announced on September 14, 2022, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Partnership for Climate Smart Commodities program, which awarded $2.8 billion in funding to pilot projects that will help build and expand opportunities for consumers to purchase food grown or produced in a climate-friendly way. "We're thrilled to receive a Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant from USDA and appreciate their support for accelerating adoption of innovative, sustainable agricultural practices on our member farms as well as developing and marketing low-carbon dairy products to meet growing consumer demand," says Kevin O'Donnell, senior vice president of sustainability at Dairy Farmers of America (DFA). "Given eco-efficiency gains and other leadership to date, we know that dairy is part of the solution to climate change. These funds will allow DFA to build on this foundation, using our Cooperative business model to ensure benefits are captured at our member farms. This will allow us an opportunity to establish a more circular economy where we can increase crop resilience in dairy production, innovate more widespread climate and related product solutions faster, and better position us to continue providing sustainable nutrition to families around the world." Partners joining DFA in this project include Dairy One Cooperative, Inc., MyFarm, LLC, Dairy Nutrition Management and Consulting, LLC, Nestle, Mars, Unilever, Barry Callebaut, Dairy Management Inc., U.S. Dairy Export Council, National Milk Producers Federation, Global Dairy Platform, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, CoBank and AGPROfessionals. For more information about Dairy Farmers of America and our sustainability efforts, visit here. To learn more about this effort usda.gov/climate-smart-commodities and visit usda.gov/climate-solutions for climate-related updates, resources and tools across the Department. About Dairy Farmers of America Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) is a national, farmer-owned dairy cooperative focusing on quality, innovation and the future of family dairies. While supporting and serving more than 11,500 family farm-owners, DFA manufactures nearly every form, function and flavor of nutritional dairy products, including fluid milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, dairy ingredients and more that connect our Cooperative's family farms to family tables with regional brands such as Alta Dena Dairy, Meadow Gold Dairy, Friendly's, Borden Cheese, Plugra Premium Butter and Kemps to name a few. On a global scale, we work with some of the world's leading food companies to develop ingredients that deliver the greatest source of nutrition to consumers around the world, while staying committed to social responsibility and ethical farming. For more information, please visit dfamilk.com. SOURCE Dairy Farmers of America LONDON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Delinea , a leading provider of privileged access management (PAM) solutions for seamless security, today announced the addition of a new data centre in the UK, broadening compliance options for organisations in the region. The new facility offers access to locally hosted instances of Secret Server Cloud, optimising product performance and giving UK-based customers the peace of mind that their cybersecurity investments with Delinea align to legislative requirements for data protection. As companies continue their digital transformation journeys, they are increasingly migrating their infrastructure to the cloud, including IT security systems. In a recent global survey carried out by Delinea, 55% of UK respondents said they are storing privileged identities in the cloud, and 36% also indicated that integration into the cloud will be a priority over the next 12-18 months in relation to privileged access security. The new data centre complements Delinea's existing facilities in Canada, East and West Coast US, Germany, Singapore and Australia and it further enhances the company's cloud infrastructure to meet the growing demand for cloud-based PAM, offering customers increased deployment options and better serving organisations with stringent data residency requirements. "The new data centre provides customers with the security, flexibility and performance they need to protect their digital assets," said Spence Young, VP EMEA at Delinea. "In addition to delivering benefits, such as lower latency and increased capacity, it enables organisations to confidently plan their migration to the cloud, helping them remain compliant with data protection regulations." For more information about Delinea, visit delinea.com . About Delinea Delinea is a leading provider of privileged access management (PAM) solutions that make security seamless for the modern, hybrid enterprise. Our solutions empower organizations to secure critical data, devices, code, and cloud infrastructure to help reduce risk, ensure compliance, and simplify security. Delinea removes complexity and defines the boundaries of access for thousands of customers worldwide. Our customers range from small businesses to the world's largest financial institutions, intelligence agencies, and critical infrastructure companies. Learn more about Delinea on LinkedIn , Twitter , and YouTube . Delinea Inc. (formerly Centrify Corporation) 2022. Delinea is a trademark of Delinea Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. CONTACT: Brad Shewmake, [email protected] SOURCE Delinea LOS ANGELES, Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The top-rated employment law firm, Davtyan Law Firm ( www.d.law ) is bringing its devotion to helping employees to Bakersfield, California. DLaw initially opened over seven years ago with the main goal of protecting the rights of the working class in the Los Angeles area. Since then, DLaw has focused on helping as many people as possible with employment issues, such as workplace harassment, discrimination, unpaid wages, and wrongful termination. Their dedication and experience are what sets them apart from other employment law firms in the Bakersfield area. Opening an office in Central California is important to Founder and Managing Attorney Emil Davtyan's ever-growing mission to provide California's workforce with accessible legal services. DLaw also has offices in Los Angeles , San Diego , San Francisco , Fresno , Sacramento , Lake Tahoe , San Luis Obispo , and Chico to protect all Californians from abusive employers. Since its inception in 2015, DLaw's 50-plus lawyers and staff have helped hundreds of thousands of California workers recover nearly a quarter of $1 billion from their employers. To date, the firm has helped pursue nearly 3,000 cases. "Hourly and low-wage workers are a collective group of people who make up the backbone of America," said Emil. "These hard-working individuals often don't have the resources and means to pursue their valid claims because employment law projects intimidation. If anyone has experienced unfair workplace treatment, they can look to us as the best place to help. We're always a phone call or online visit away from answering questions and offering free advice." DLaw's newest office is located just outside of Downtown Bakersfield at 4900 California Avenue Tower B, 2nd Floor. Bakersfield, California 93309 DLaw specializes in the following fields of employment law: Wage & Hours Claims California has strict laws regarding lunch breaks, rest breaks, overtime, expense reimbursements, off-the-clock work, minimum wage, etc. These laws change frequently and can be confusing. Workplace Harassment & Discrimination Employers are not allowed to discriminate or harass, based on certain protected classes such as race, age, and gender. In addition, California protects more classes including immigration status, sexual orientation and others. Wrongful Termination There are several types of wrongful termination including discrimination, contract violations, sexual harassment, and workplace retaliation. Protected Leave Violations California employees are entitled to a variety of protected leaves including FMLA (family and medical leave), new parental leaves, military service leave, and more. California's leave laws protect employees from unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation as a result of requesting or taking protected leave. Employees have a right to take these kinds of leaves, and employers cannot take certain actions just because they exercised that right. Workplace Retaliation Workplace retaliation occurs when a business takes negative action against the employee who initially filed a complaint. If an employer punishes or fires an employee for exercising his or her employment rights, it is considered workplace retaliation and it may be illegal. Are you a California employee who is treated unfairly at work? If so, please call 888-TRY-DLAW, visit the www.d.law website or email [email protected] . A representative is standing by 7 days a week to help with your employment law legal needs. SOURCE Davtyan Law Firm, Inc. Daniela Palacios, Karen Arellano Cruz and Azalea Corral, join a list of high potential scholarship winners The non-profit organization awards outstanding students pursuing a career in education MIAMI, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Louis Hernandez Jr.'s Foundation For A Bright Future is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the needs of underrepresented and underprivileged children through education, healthcare, the arts, and youth leadership development, has awarded the 2022 Dr. Emma Lerew Scholarship to Daniela Palacios, 18, of New Jersey, Karen Arellano-Cruz, 20, of Washington and Azalea Corral, 22, of California. Daniela Palacios Karen Arellano-Cruz Azalea Corral The charitable organization founded by high-performing, technology focused private equity firm, Black Dragon Capital's Chairman and CEO, Louis Hernandez Jr., provides scholarships to high potential students in underserved areas focused on children of single parents, veteran families and those pursuing careers in STEAM related fields, healthcare and education. "The Dr. Emma Lerew Scholarship is named after my mother, who has served as an inspiration as an immigrant herself, who through education created a successful career as an educator. She dedicated her career to guiding students from underprivileged backgrounds with the goal of helping them excel in their academics so they can eventually become contributing members of their communities. This scholarship is a great steppingstone for high performing students like Azalea, Daniela, and Karen who want to help shape future generations by becoming educators. As the son of two educators myself, I witnessed firsthand the powerful impact a strong education can have on individuals and their communities. Azalea, Daniela, and Karen are all outstanding young people, and I'm so very pleased to be able to support them in their educational and life journey." said Louis Hernandez Jr., Founder and Chairman of the Board, For A Bright Future Foundation. Daniela Palacios is pursuing her undergraduate degree in Education at Columbia University, where she is majoring in Economics and Political Science. With her degree, she hopes to better understand how to serve communities of color so that she can someday create more equitable school programs for students of color and low-income students. Palacios is also the founder of 'Para KIDS!', a small business which creates bilingual children's literature to promote bilingualism and prevent language barriers from creating a disconnect between the youth and their families. "Through my studies, research, and social entrepreneurial endeavors, I aim to create a space where all children can reach their academic potential and feel motivated to learn," says Daniela Palacios. Karen Arellano-Cruz is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree at Stanford University. She has actively engaged in campaigns advocating to address institutional racism since she was sixteen. Arellano-Cruz is also a founding board member of the 'Wahluke Illumina Nuestros Suenos', a nonprofit that delivers free books to children in her community. Her goal is to become the superintendent in her hometown and use the knowledge she gains at Stanford to address the institutional racism and close the educational gap in her district. "As a teacher, I want to create a safe environment where students do not have to choose between education and their families' well-being. My classroom will be culturally responsive and inclusive. I will continue to challenge inequitable spaces by addressing institutional racism within our school district, advocating for resources that suit our demographic, and supporting youth in their education," says Karen Arellano-Cruz. Azalea Corral is currently studying at the University of California, Riverside. She is enrolled as a full-time student, while working 40 hours a week to support three younger siblings. She is a student coordinator for the Chicano Link Peer Mentor Program at her university, where she helps freshmen Latin students transition into their first year at college. Corral is determined to face any challenge and reach her goal of pursuing a professional career that will allow her to contribute to programs that help students connect with the resources they need to succeed in their studies. "I am grateful to be receiving the Dr. Emma Lerew Scholarship as it brings me closer to reaching my goal of working in an educational resource center to help provide underrepresented students with the resources that are needed in order to have access to an equitable and inclusive education. I would like to be able to provide tools and support to students to increase the graduation and retention rates of student populations who tend to have lower rates. Both of my parents were educators, so I grew up valuing the importance of education. After losing both parents two years ago, I hope to now honor them by following in their footsteps as an educator," says Azalea Corral. "Each year, I'm inspired to learn of the applicant turnout for the For A Bright Future Foundation Dr. Emma Lerew Scholarship. I'm thrilled to see so many highly qualified underprivileged and underrepresented students who want to pursue a career in education and make an impact in their community. I spent most of my career focused on improving the lives of others through education and am delighted to see the next generation of difference makers benefit from the For A Bright Future Foundation efforts. Our children and communities need each one of these fine recipients to succeed!" says Dr. Emma Lerew, Board Member and Executive Program Director, For A Bright Future Foundation. This year the foundation received a record number of applications to review. We would like to thank Susie Hernandez, Board Member and Chair of the Scholarship Committee, and our volunteers for serving on the scholarship selection committee. We would like to give special thanks to Casey Richardson, PhD College and Career Readiness Coordinator, Pueblo High School. We also would like to thank the operational team led by Gina Rogoto, Director of Operations, for their incredible efforts to source candidates across the country and facilitate the process. Contact: Gina Rogoto, Director of Operations Louis Hernandez Jr.'s Foundation For A Bright Future Email: [email protected] About Louis Hernandez Jr.'s Foundation For A Bright Future Louis Hernandez Jr.'s Foundation For A Bright Future is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the needs of underrepresented and underprivileged children through education, healthcare, the arts, and youth leadership development. Our initiatives provide equal opportunity for all children to have the tools and opportunities to fulfill their life goals and become constructive members of our global community. Learn more at www.forabrightfuturefoundation.org. To learn more or support For A Bright Future educational programs please visit our donation page at www.forabrightfuturefoundation.org/donate-today. For more information: www.forabrightfuturefoundation.org or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. SOURCE Louis Hernandez Jr.'s Foundation For A Bright Future The Ignore No More: ACTe Now! Campaign to address vast health disparities by seeking more inclusive approach to recruiting Black American patients for clinical trials and research CHICAGO, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) is proud to announce the launch of the Ignore No More: ACTe Now! (Advance Clinical Trials for Equity in Sarcoidosis) campaign. The goals of this campaign are to increase representation of Black American sarcoidosis patients in clinical trials, raise awareness of disparities that exist in sarcoidosis, identify the challenges and barriers that contribute to lower participation by Black Americans in clinical trials, and to provide recommendations that foster a more inclusive approach to recruiting patients for clinical trials and research. The time to ACTe is Now! Learn what you can do to support at www.stopsarcoidosis.org/ACTNow. Tweet this FSR ACTe Now! infographic To ensure Black American sarcoidosis patients are at the forefront of this discussion, FSR collaborated with sarcoidosis experts and patients, known as Patient and Clinical Advisory Committees, to create a survey to provide a platform for Black Americans to share their experiences and insights. Black Americans at least 18 years of age and older, who live in the U.S., are encouraged to take the survey at www.stopsarcoidosis.org/ACTNow to help inform recommendations for improving care and increasing representation in clinical trials. The survey is available now through November 30, 2022, and will culminate in a Congressional Briefing in April of 2023, Sarcoidosis Awareness Month. Black Americans are 2.5 times more likely to have sarcoidosis and are 12 times more likely to die from sarcoidosis than White Americans. While Black Americans are disproportionately impacted by chronic illnesses and diseases across the spectrum, they are significantly underrepresented in clinical trials and research. According to the FDA, only 7% of clinical trial participants, globally, and 16% domestically, are Black, while White participants represent 76% and 78% respectively. "It is imperative to increase representation of Black Americans in clinical trials and research efforts in order to close the gap in care and improve patient outcomes for Black Americans with sarcoidosis," said Mary McGowan, Chief Executive Officer for FSR. "Ignore No More: ACTe Now! will focus on identifying the barriers and growing representation of Black Americans in clinical trials to provide more comprehensive data on their experiences, leading to more effective protocols, treatments, and equitable outcomes. We believe the learnings from this survey will lead to increased enrollment of Black Americans in clinical trials for sarcoidosis, as well as other chronic illnesses more broadly." In 2021, FSR launched Phase I of the Ignore No More Campaign to raise awareness of the disproportionate impact sarcoidosis has on Black American women reaching over 500,000 individuals through awareness events, media, and an educational public service announcement video featuring celebrity spokesperson, Jeryl Prescott Gallien. The campaign was featured in media outlets such as The Roland Martin Show, The Tavis Smiley Show, USA Today and Yahoo! News. Phase II, ACTe Now!, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, Kinevant Sciences, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, and Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, is the next step in addressing health disparities in the sarcoidosis community, including Black American men. We are calling on all patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and the wider community to support this campaign and raise awareness of the survey. The FSR ACTe Now! Social Media Toolkit and educational infographic are located on the campaign website to make sharing messaging easy. FSR is also calling all providers, researchers, and clinicians to commit to having discussions with your patients about clinical trials and research participation. There are more sarcoidosis clinical trials than ever before, so the time to ACTe is Now! Learn what you can do to support at www.stopsarcoidosis.org/ACTNow. About Sarcoidosis Sarcoidosis is a rare inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of granulomastiny clumps of inflammatory cellsin one or more organs of the body. Despite increasing advances in research, sarcoidosis remains difficult to diagnose with limited treatment options and no known cure. Approximately 175,000 people live with sarcoidosis in the United States. While Black American women experience the worse outcomes, as a group, Black Americans in general have a higher incidence of sarcoidosis and have poorer outcomes and experiences compared to other groups, have a hospitalization rate nine times higher than White Americans, and are twelve times more likely to die from sarcoidosis and at a younger age than White Americans. About the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) is the leading international organization dedicated to finding a cure for sarcoidosis and to improving care for sarcoidosis patients through research, education, and support. Since its establishment in 2000, FSR has fostered over $6 million in sarcoidosis-specific research efforts. For more information about FSR and to join our community, visit: stopsarcoidosis.org. Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research MEDIA CONTACT: 1820 W. Webster Ave., Ste 304 Chicago, Illinois 60614 Broughton M&C Phone: 312-341-0500 Evita McDaniels Email: [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research SAN DIEGO, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- National nonprofit, Fresh Start Surgical Gifts will be hosting their 31st annual Butterfly Ball, themed "The Wild West" on Saturday, October 1 at the Hard Rock Hotel downtown. This unforgettable night will celebrate over 8,600 children whose lives have been transformed through the gift of a Fresh Start. Fresh Start celebrates 31 years of incredible and life-changing work by the doctors and staff, along with their volunteers, partners and donors who have supported them along the way, giving each child a chance to live life apart from their condition. Born with three potentially cancerous birthmarks, former patient, Tara Balady began her Fresh Start journey in 1996 and received numerous surgical procedures over the next 12 years of her life. Fresh Start Surgical Gifts is dedicated to transforming the lives of disadvantaged youth with physical deformities by providing comprehensive reconstructive surgery at no cost to the patient and their family. All of the world-class medical professionals generously donate their time and talent to deliver much-needed medical care and one hundred percent of all financial contributions go directly toward the patients. Every dollar donated allows Fresh Start to gift five dollars in medical services. Each year, in partnership with Rady Children's Hospital, Fresh Start in San Diego hosts six Surgery Weekend cycles. At each cycle, two days of intensive surgeries are performed by world-renowned surgeons and their teams. Supporting medical treatments, laser treatments, speech therapy, dental and orthodontic work is also provided. Fresh Start is committed to caring for every patient for the long-term, working with each patient until the desired medical result is achieved. Former patient, Tara Balady gained her fresh start back in 2008, when she received her seventh and last cosmetic surgery. She was born with three unique and potentially cancerous birthmarks, known as Hairy Nevi. After visiting numerous medical professionals, her family struggled to find doctors and funding for her medical condition. Luckily, Balady's family discovered Fresh Start Surgical Gifts and Balady was able to receive corrective surgical procedures over the next 12 years of her life, at absolutely no cost to her and her family. Now, Balady continues to support this nonprofit and give back to this disadvantaged community of children. Since 1996, her lifelong journey with Fresh Start Surgical Gifts inspired Balady to become an ambassador at this year's gala. "I invite you to join me at the 31st Annual Butterfly Ball Gala on October 1st, where I'm excited to share my Fresh Start story," said Balady. "Your support can help change the lives of children and families around the world." This yearly event celebrates the success and growth of Fresh Start since 1991 at the Wild West gala and offers the opportunity to help so many other children earn their fresh start. The organization is hoping to raise funds to provide $800,000 in medical care at this year's gala and provide free surgery and medical treatment for disadvantaged children suffering with cosmetic and physical deformities like Balady. For more information on how to register for tickets for this year's Butterfly Ball, visit https://bit.ly/ButterflyBalltickets . For media inquiries, please contact [email protected] . ABOUT FRESH START SURGICAL GIFTS Fresh Start Surgical Gifts transforms the lives of disadvantaged infants, children and teens who have physical and cosmetic deformities through their gift of reconstructive surgery. Providing reconstructive, plastic and neurosurgeries for children across the U.S., Fresh Start's commitment to children extends far beyond medical care. The organization ensures their children will leave feeling more empowered than before. Every child receives the highest quality medical care and the families never see a bill for the services provided. 100% of contributions go directly to medical programs. To learn more, visit FreshStart.org . SOURCE Fresh Start Surgical Gifts DUBLIN, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices And Equipment Market Report 2022" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Major players in the remote patient monitoring devices and equipment market are Philips Healthcare, Honeywell, GE Healthcare, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Johnson & Johnson, Biotronik, Robert Bosch, Covidien Plc, and St. Jude Medical. The global remote patient monitoring devices and equipment market is expected to grow from $1.02 billion in 2021 to $1.19 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.1%. The market is expected to grow to $2.09 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.2%. The main type of device of remote patient monitoring devices and equipment are heart monitors, breath monitors, hematology monitors, multi-parameter monitors. A heart monitor is a device that controls to record the electrical activity of the heart. This device is the size of a pager. The various applications involved are cancer treatment, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes treatment, sleep disorder, weight monitoring and fitness monitoring, and other applications. The various end-users involved are home care settings, clinics, and hospitals. Asia Pacific was the largest region in the remote patient monitoring devices and equipment market in 2021. North America was the second-largest region in the remote patient monitoring devices and equipment market. The regions covered in this report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, and Africa. The upcoming shortage of skilled healthcare professionals (doctors and nurses), drives the remote patient monitoring (RPM) devices and equipment market. As the number of patients with chronic diseases is increasing, it is getting difficult to monitor the patients due to operational time and cost-related issues. The rising number of patients with chronic diseases, increasing the need for monitoring, and projected shortfall in the number of nurses shortly increase the growth of remote patient monitoring devices and equipment. According to a report by Mercer, the US requires 2.3 million new health care workers by 2025; this includes nurses, physicians, lab technicians, and various other healthcare personnel. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is an additional need for 203,700 new registered nurses every year by 2026. However, only 438,100 nurses are expected to be added to 2026, which is way less than the demand. World Health Organization (WHO) projected that by 2030, low- and middle-income countries will have a deficit of 14.5 million healthcare professionals. The remote patient monitoring devices market is limited, as healthcare professionals are averse to adopting new technologies. Technologically advanced remote patient monitoring devices and equipment are adopted to reduce patients' expenditure on hospitalization in terms of follow-up care. The rise of such adoption results in a reduction of hospital revenues. Therefore, hospitals and healthcare professionals resisted the adoption of remote patient monitoring systems and are limiting the market. For instance, a case study in the UK states, organizational barriers at various levels, technical, social, ethical, financial, and legal factors are restraining to investment, implementation action, and use of advanced patient monitoring systems. Remote patient monitoring device manufacturers are increasingly integrating IoT and wireless technology with remote patient monitoring devices to efficiently diagnose and treat medical conditions. Wireless sensor technology such as biosensor monitoring devices is multi-sensor systems implanted or embedded into the skin, consisting of a sensor that transmits data for real-time monitoring of a patient's medical condition. IoT technology enables healthcare service providers to remotely monitor patients' health parameters. These devices are miniaturized multi-sensing devices, aiding healthcare professionals to monitor blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and physiological parameters, and recommend the appropriate treatment. Major companies offering IoT and wireless sensor technology integrated patient monitoring devices include Xsensio, InSilixa, 1Drop Diagnostics, Kenzen. The remote patient monitoring device and equipment manufacturers must comply with the rules and regulations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). These HIPAA regulations secure definitions of the network, take physical security, and process security measures regarding the Protected Health Information (PHI). Title II of HIPPA directs the Health and Human Services (HHS) of the U.S Department to manifest national standards for the exchange of electronic healthcare data and information. Health and Human Services (HHS). The countries covered in the remote patient monitoring devices and equipment market are Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Russia, the UK, the USA, and Australia. Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Remote Patient Monitoring Devices And Equipment Market Characteristics 3. Remote Patient Monitoring Devices And Equipment Market Trends And Strategies 4. Impact Of COVID-19 On Remote Patient Monitoring Devices And Equipment 5. Remote Patient Monitoring Devices And Equipment Market Size And Growth 5.1. Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices And Equipment Historic Market, 2016-2021, $ Billion 5.1.1. Drivers Of The Market 5.1.2. Restraints On The Market 5.2. Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices And Equipment Forecast Market, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion 5.2.1. Drivers Of The Market 5.2.2. Restraints On the Market 6. Remote Patient Monitoring Devices And Equipment Market Segmentation 6.1. Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices And Equipment Market, Segmentation By Type Of Device, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion Heart Monitors Breath Monitors Haematology Monitors Multi - Parameter Monitors 6.2. Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices And Equipment Market, Segmentation By End User, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion Home Care Settings Clinics Hospitals 6.3. Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices And Equipment Market, Segmentation By Application, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion Cancer Treatment Cardiovascular Diseases Diabetes Treatment Sleep Disorder Weight Monitoring And Fitness Monitoring Other Applications 7. Remote Patient Monitoring Devices And Equipment Market Regional And Country Analysis 7.1. Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices And Equipment Market, Split By Region, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion 7.2. Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices And Equipment Market, Split By Country, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion Companies Mentioned Philips Healthcare Honeywell GE Healthcare Medtronic Boston Scientific Johnson & Johnson Biotronik Robert Bosch Covidien Plc. St. Jude Medical American Telecare Intel Welch Allyn Health anywhere Inc. Global Media Group llc. AMD Global Telemedicine Inc. Bayer Healthcare AG IBM Watson Accenture Telesofia Medical Ltd. Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH Eliza Corporation Natus Medical Nihon Kohden Compumedics Dexcom Abbott Laboratories Aerotel Medical Systems For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/agd1uz Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets BEIJING, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- For his first visits abroad since the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese President Xi Jinping will be in both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. Experts said such visits not only demonstrate that China attaches great importance on Central Asia and the SCO, but also show how China's cooperation with the two Central Asian countries sets a paragon for Beijing's relations with Central Asian nations in wide-ranging areas such as economic collaboration, fighting terrorism and upholding regional stability and peace. Also, the President's visit to a country where the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was first proposed, will help to take a glimpse of the fruitful achievement countries have gained together for the past years under the framework, and also signals that China is willing to expand the breadth and depth of bilateral exchanges with those countries, and expand cooperation in many new areas, said experts. A signed article by Xi titled "Build on the Past to Make Greater Strides in China-Kazakhstan Relations" was published Tuesday on the Kazakhstanskaya Pravda newspaper ahead of his state visit to Kazakhstan. "During my upcoming visit, I will have in-depth discussions with President Tokayev on how to further the China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership and how to advance our mutually beneficial cooperation across the board. We will set out plans for working together to promote China-Kazakhstan relations with the objective and vision of building a China-Kazakhstan community with a shared future," reads the article. Another signed article by Xi titled "Working Together for a Brighter Future of China-Uzbekistan Relations" was published Tuesday on Uzbek media ahead of his state visit to the Central Asian country. "Over 2,000 years of friendly exchanges and three decades of mutually beneficial cooperation show that enhancing China-Uzbekistan cooperation on all fronts conforms to the trend of history and meets the fundamental interests of both peoples. Standing at the intersection of past and future, we are full of confidence and expectation for a more promising prospect of China-Uzbekistan relations," reads the article. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying announced Monday that President Xi will attend the 22nd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in the city of Samarkand, and pay state visits to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan from September 14 to 16 at the invitation of the presidents of the two countries. Mao Ning, spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at Tuesday's briefing that President Xi's visits to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan shows China's ties with the two countries have entered a new development era. She said Xi will hold talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and have in-depth exchanges on bilateral ties, cooperation in various fields and international and regional issues of mutual interest. She said those visits will provide a new blueprint, new goals and new impetus for China's ties with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Start of BRI Kazakhstan is an important node on China-proposed BRI, as the two countries witnessed ample achievement via the initiative; and it is where Xi announced this initiative in 2013, setting in motion a new era of economic ties with countries along the route. Being the country where the BRI initiative was first proposed, Kazakhstan's participation in the BRI provides a "demonstration effect" for other similar neighboring landlocked countries on how China and Central Asia could expand cooperation and how such cooperation could benefit Central Asian economies, Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times. Elaborating on the significance of the BRI to Central Asian economies, Wang said that the initiative has helped landlocked Central Asian countries like Kazakhstan to connect with the sea, which is a great boost to local economies. According to media reports, China and Kazakhstan have set up a logistics terminal in Jiangsu Province's Lianyungang Port, which is Kazakhstan's first exit to the Pacific Ocean. Products from Kazakhstan could be transported to the terminal via China-Europe Railway Express trains and then be shipped to overseas countries by sea. The port is the first project of China and countries involved in the BRI to start operating. Data revealed in a Xinhua News Agency report showed that China's trade volume with five Central Asian nations had surged by more than 100 times in the 30 years since China established formal diplomatic relations with them. Annual bilateral trade between China and Kazakhstan reached $25.25 billion last year, nearly 70 times the amount in 1992, the year in which the two countries established diplomatic ties, making the country "a vanguard and exemplary zone in co-building the Belt and Road," said Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Zhang Xiao. China and Uzbekistan are also working toward the goal of reaching $10 billion in annual bilateral trade, according to Chinese Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jiang Yan. On the other hand, the BRI also opened the door to more cooperation between China and Central Asian countries in areas like politics, economy, safety, humanity, and international affairs, while expanding the breadth and depth of bilateral exchanges between China and those economies, Liang Haiming, dean of the Belt and Road Institute at Hainan University, told the Global Times. "This shows that via the BRI, China and Central Asia not only share deep friendship, their cooperation is also supported by tangible results, so that the countries and their people can truly enjoy the benefits of such cooperation," Liang said. According to experts, the BRI cooperation between China and Central Asian economies presents a new concept of international relations, which focuses on connectivity instead of decoupling, as well as provides a model of dialogue between (ancient) civilizations. Experts also noted that there's ample space for China and Central Asian economies to expand cooperation in the future. Wang said that China and Central Asian countries' cooperation used to center on areas like energy and infrastructure, but opportunities also exist that cooperation could be launched in areas like digital, healthcare and other high-quality projects. Paragon of ties Xi choosing Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan as destinations for his first foreign visit, and before the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, showcases that China attaches great importance to the SCO, trying to push for healthy development of the organization amid increasingly complicated international background, Yang Xiyu, a senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times. Yang noted that Beijing's ties with Nur-Sultan and Tashkent set paragons of cooperation within SCO members, as well as China's collaboration with Central Asian countries. "The SCO originally was set up to tackle security issues in the region, but over the years, member states witnessed more and more cooperation on trade and the economy. Leaders from China, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will likely have in-depth discussion about economic cooperation this time; and the close collaboration between China and those two Central Asian countries will inject strong momentum into the SCO on trade ties," said Yang. Now, with the potential entry of "mini powerhouses" like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the SCO is likely to become one of the world's most influential international organizations. "It will become an organization that represents the emerging industrial nations, which will play a pivotal role in safeguarding world stability and peace," Zhou Rong, a senior researcher at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies of the Renmin University of China told the Global Times. Experts also believe that the friendly ties between China, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan represent a successful model between China's ties with Central Asian countries. Take anti-terrorism and solving domestic problems as an example, the reason why China has smooth collaboration with those countries on fighting terrorism, and why they speak highly of each other's handling of domestic ethnic issues is because we always uphold international laws, and stick to the principles of sovereign equality and non-interference, said Yang. In April 2021, Vladimir Norov, then secretary-general of the SCO, along with diplomats from countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, visited China's Xinjiang region. They visited an exhibition of anti-terrorism in Xinjiang and spoke highly of China's achievements in this field. They also demonstrated their support for China's efforts in cracking down on terrorism in the region. When violent demonstrations erupted in Kazakhstan in January this year, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi pledged China's firm support to Kazakhstan in ending violence in the country and safeguarding security, during a phone call with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi, shortly afterwards. SOURCE Global Times Most Government Workers Comfortable Talking about Burnout, Say a Four-Day Work Week and Increased Flexibility Would Alleviate Burnout ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- More than half (56 percent) of government employees say that they are burned out from their jobs, notably higher than their private sector counterparts (47 percent), according to new research from Eagle Hill Consulting. While this high level of workforce burnout is concerning, it has dropped from earlier this year (65 percent). The burnout levels are higher among women (60 percent), Millennials (60 percent), and lower income (59 percent) government workers. When it comes to the cause of burnout, government workers say it's their workload (49 percent); a lack of communication, feedback and support (43 percent); staffing shortages (42 percent); juggling personal and professional lives (40 percent); and time pressures (34 percent). More than two-thirds of government workers (67 percent) say that a four-day work week and increased flexibility would alleviate their stress. 56% of government employees say they are burned out, notably higher than their private sector counterpartts (47%). Tweet this These findings are contained in a workforce survey from Eagle Hill Consulting conducted by Ipsos from August 11 -16, 2022. The 2022 Eagle Hill Consulting Workforce Burnout Survey included 1003 respondents from a random sample of employees across the U.S., including 739 federal, state, and local government workers. Respondents were polled about burnout and vacation. "It's encouraging that burnout among government workers is falling, but the high burnout levels still are quite concerning" said Melissa Jezior, president and chief executive officer of Eagle Hill Consulting. "Given the immense demand for government services, it is prudent for public sector employers to constantly assess the state of their workforce. Public employers need workers who can deliver on the agency mission, and they need employees who will stay on the job. When government employees are exhausted and stressed, or feel like they can't perform at their best they may start looking elsewhere for employment." "Public employees point to practical steps employers can take to reduce burnout from increased scheduling flexibility to better health and wellness benefits. Government leaders are wise to fully understand exactly what is driving burnout at their agency and to have honest conversations with workers about what will help address the problem. Good news from our research is that most government employees feel comfortable telling their employer about their burnout levels, so initiating those conversations is a great place to start," Jezior said. The survey's key findings are as follows: When asked how staff shortages are impacting their workload, 82 percent of workers said it's covering the workload for unfilled positions, 45 percent said it's helping others learn their job, 35 percent said it's training new hires, and 23 percent said it's recruiting and interviewing new hires. Most employees (63 percent) who experience burnout feel comfortable telling their manager or employer they feel burned out. The top causes of burnout include workload (49 percent), a lack of communication and support (43 percent), staff shortages (42 percent), juggling personal and professional lives (40 percent), and time pressures (34 percent). When asked how to reduce burnout, 67 percent said a four-day work week and increased flexibility would help. Other solutions included decreasing workloads (63 percent), working from home (63 percent), providing better health and wellness benefits (57 percent), reducing administrative burdens (52 percent), offering more on-site amenities (52 percent), and providing workers with the ability to relocate or work from multiple locations (42 percent). The research also signals that the Great Resignation is likely to linger, as more than one-third of the government workforce (39 percent) plans to leave their job in the next 12 months. The planned departure rates are even higher for Millennials (46 percent) and lower income workers (47 percent). Eagle Hill Consulting LLC is a woman-owned business that provides unconventional management consulting services in the areas of Strategy & Performance, Talent, and Change. The company's expertise in delivering innovative solutions to unique challenges spans across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. A leading authority on employee sentiment, Eagle Hill is headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, with employees across the U.S. and offices in Boston and Seattle. More information is available at www.eaglehillconsulting.com. SOURCE Eagle Hill Consulting Dr. Steiner joins Group14 as the company ramps production of its silicon battery technology WOODINVILLE, Wash., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Group14 Technologies , a global manufacturer and supplier of advanced silicon battery technology, today announced the appointment of Porsche AG Executive Board Member for Research and Development Dr. Michael Steiner, to its board. An industry visionary in the global automotive space, Dr. Steiner joins Group14 with decades of product innovation experience at leading global automakers such as Porsche and Daimler. Dr. Michael Steiners addition to the Group14 board paves the way for Group14 to accelerate its commercial-scale production for true EV programs. Dr. Steiner's appointment follows Group14's $400 million Series C funding in May 2022, led by Porsche AG with participation from OMERS Capital Markets, Decarbonization Partners, Riverstone Holdings LLC, Vsquared Ventures and Moore Strategic Ventures. Dr. Steiner is the latest appointment to the Group14 board, which includes Bob Lutz, who previously served as a senior executive and board member of General Motors, Ford and Chrysler; Gerry Langeler, Managing Director of OVP Partners; and Rick Luebbe, Group14's Chief Executive Officer. "The automotive space is rapidly changing course toward electrification, making cells and batteries what I call the 'combustion chambers of the future,'" said Dr. Michael Steiner. "With its silicon anode approach, which utilizes accessible materials to achieve significant energy density increases, Group14 has the potential to become the EV cell technology behind the biggest automotive brands in the world." Adding to the commercial manufacturing capacity at its first U.S. Battery Active Materials (BAM) factory in Woodinville, Washington, Group14 is building a second larger BAM factory in eastern Washington to supply major-scale battery production in support of full EV programs. Simultaneously, to meet the dual sourcing requirements of automotive customers, Group14 as part of its joint venture with SK Inc. will be commissioning another large commercial-scale factory in South Korea by end-of-year. "At Group14, our team is just as important as our technology," said Rick Luebbe, CEO & co-founder of Group14. "E-Mobility innovation masterminds like Michael are central to helping accelerate not only Group14's growth, but the electrification transition as a whole. We feel fortunate to work closely alongside industry leaders who have been shaping the future of mobility for years." About Group14 Technologies Founded to enable the coming electrification of everything, Group14's breakthrough technology for silicon batteries elevates the performance for all applications to accelerate the global transition to an all-electric future. Group14 currently operates a commercial-scale Battery Active Materials factory in Washington state with two forthcoming factories: one in South Korea as part of a joint venture with SK Group (coming online in 2022) and a second U.S. factory (coming online in 2023). To date, Group14 has raised $441 million in financing from Porsche AG, OMERS Capital Markets, Decarbonization Partners, Riverstone Holdings LLC, Vsquared Ventures, Moore Strategic Ventures, Amperex Technology Limited (ATL), BASF, Cabot Corporation, Showa Denko, OVP Venture Partners and SK Inc. Visit us at www.group14.technology . Media contact: Mission Control Communications for Group14 [email protected] SOURCE Group14 Introducing September 15, 2022, "National Brain Health Day" MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Improving brain health at every stage of life, from a person's earliest years of development to their oldest years, is the focus of a new national effort by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals. To mark this effort, the AAN worked with U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) and Morgan Griffith (R-Virginia) to introduce a resolution to designate September 15, 2022, as "National Brain Health Day," the same day top neurologists and health officials are gathering at the first-ever AAN Brain Health Summit. A special editorial about the AAN Brain Health Summit, published in the September 14, 2022, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the AAN, explains how the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated concerns about brain health due to the many neurologic complications with long COVID, as well as a growing public interest in how to keep a healthy brain. "You only get one brainand how to keep it healthy over your lifetimeis at the core of a newly evolving field of preventative neurology," said Orly Avitzur, MD, MBA, FAAN, President of the American Academy of Neurology. "Neurologists who treat diseases and disorders like brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, migraine, epilepsy and stroke, are uniquely positioned as brain health experts to evolve the field of preventative neurology and help the nation improve brain health." The editorial explains the AAN Brain Health Summit will convene leading experts, key public and private sector stakeholders and policymakers in the United States to shape the future of care and develop a collaborative approach to ensure brain health as a key component of the overall health of individuals and communities. Participants will discuss brain health over the lifespan and outline current and future needs for research, education and advocacy to achieve a future of optimal brain health for all. Since its founding in 1948, the AAN has demonstrated its commitment to brain health, most notably through its award-winning magazine, Brain & Life, which has engaged nearly 100 celebrities, such as Michael J. Fox, Gloria Estefan, Sharon Stone and Renee Zellweger, to share their personal stories about the effects of brain disease or how they support brain health. Along with its suite of productsthe website BrainandLife.org, Brain & Life en Espanol, the Brain & Life Books series and the Brain & Life Podcastit has reached an estimated two million people worldwide in 2022. "Designed as a call to action to raise awareness and improve understanding of brain diseases and the importance of maintaining a healthy brain, the American Academy of Neurology Brain Health Summit is intended to set the stage to enable the public to become better educated in brain health during every stage of life," said Avitzur. "Despite a growing number of local, national and global brain health initiatives created to promote disease prevention and advance research, no singular medical or allied profession has ever been able to curate whole brain health. We believe that neurology, bolstered by the vast experience of the AAN in public education, is the ideal profession to lead this effort." National Brain Health Day encourages increased public awareness of brain health and supports efforts to study and develop better treatments to improve brain health. After the AAN Brain Health Summit, an action plan outlining the AAN's strategy, objectives and tactics will become the road map for incorporating brain health into neurologic practice and developing an integrated alliance with brain health care providers in other fields. Future updates on the action plan will be available on AAN.com. Learn more about brain health at BrainandLife.org, home of the American Academy of Neurology's free patient and caregiver magazine focused on the intersection of neurologic disease and brain health. Follow Brain & Life on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. When posting to social media channels, we encourage you to use the hashtags #BrainHealth and #NeuroTwitter. The American Academy of Neurology is the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, with over 38,000 members. The AAN is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, concussion, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit AAN.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. SOURCE American Academy of Neurology HELSINKI, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nordic-based data-center company Hyperco has announced a key appointment: Joachim Kauppi will join the team as chief commercial officer, developing commercial relationships and strengthening the region's profile as a burgeoning location for sustainable data-center operations. Based in Stockholm, Kauppi will begin his new role immediately. Kauppi, already one of the area's most noted talents, joins Hyperco from STACK Infrastructure (formerly DigiPlex), where he headed international sales and helped to showcase the Nordics as a sustainable and economically viable data-center location. He has previously held positions at Equinix and TelecityGroup, and has been repeatedly recognized in recent years as one of the young professionals most capably leading the industry in innovative directions. "I've been fortunate enough to work as an advocate for Nordic and European data infrastructure solutions," said Kauppi, "paying special attention to hyperscale customer needs and helping them to understand and engage more meaningfully with these markets. I'm looking forward to playing an important role in Hyperco's journey, highlighting new possibilities and supporting the leading technology companies wherever they need capacity." Hyperco aims to build, develop and own the data centers of the future. The company is committed to leading the industry in terms of sustainability, ensuring that vital data infrastructure is developed responsibly for the long term. Kauppi's appointment sees the company further demonstrating its strong execution capabilities in the Nordics and beyond. "We believe Joachim represents the best talent in the industry today," said Aleksi Taipale, Hyperco co-founder and partner. "His consultative approach is a refreshing and very welcome perspective in the data-center field, and dovetails well with Hyperco's own point of view as an organization. We're excited to demonstrate the value of a new, more dynamic take on the industry." Hyperco is a Nordic real-estate development company focused on building, developing and owning the data centers of the future. The company aims to lead the industry in sustainable design, development and operation, ensuring that the infrastructure society increasingly depends upon is developed responsibly in the long term. For further information, please contact: Aleksi Taipale Co-founder & partner [email protected] +358 40 506 5239 Joachim Kauppi Chief commercial officer [email protected] +46 733 75 12 38 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/hyperco-oy/r/hyperco-appoints-joachim-kauppi-as-chief-commercial-officer,c3631003 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/21855/3631003/1626762.pdf Press Release (PDF) https://news.cision.com/hyperco-oy/i/joachim-kauppi-,c3089450 Joachim Kauppi SOURCE Hyperco Oy WILMINGTON, Del., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Intel 471 , the premier provider of cyber threat intelligence for leading intelligence, security, and fraud teams across the globe, today announced that Senior Director of Customer Success Alex Keedy has been shortlisted for Next Generation Leader of the Year by Women in IT Awards USA 2022. Now in their fifth year, these prestigious awards recognize and celebrate women, allies, and organizations across the USA for their outstanding contribution to the technology industry. Evaluated by an independent panel of expert judges, the Next Generation Leader of the Year category recognizes women under the age of 30, or who turn 30 in 2022, who have progressed rapidly though their career and demonstrated business value and innovation using technology. "It is an honor to be shortlisted for this award, especially among such an exceptional and strong field of candidates," Keedy said. "It has long been a dream of mine to inspire more smart and talented women to join the fields of cybersecurity and IT, and I hope that this recognition will help accomplish that goal. I look forward to continuing to ensure our clients receive the best possible insight and support to tackle existing and emerging cyber threats they may face." Keedy currently serves as the Senior Director of Customer Success at Intel 471, tasked with providing direct support to cyber threat intelligence teams in a network of organizations across multiple sectors and geographies. Her role encompasses driving customer value, scaling the customer success function, and managing a team of experts providing intelligence to Fortune 500 clients. Under Keedy's management Intel 471 has received consistent positive feedback from clients. These clients recognize the care, effort, grit, and determination that is regularly demonstrated to ensure they can preempt and respond quickly to cyber threats that might otherwise harm their organizations. In addition to her role at Intel 471, Keedy will be a featured speaker at the annual 2022 Uniting Women in Cyber conference on the panel Counterintelligence threats - cyberwarfare - where is the redline? Leading strategists and thought leaders will discuss what is cyber warfare today and emerging trends (based on Ukraine and other areas), the implications for the way we do business and the way we live our lives. This conference will take place on Tuesday, September 27, at The Ritz Carlton in Tysons Corner, Virginia. About Intel 471 Intel 471 empowers enterprises, government agencies, and other organizations to win the cybersecurity war using near-real-time insights into the latest malicious actors, relationships, threat patterns, and imminent attacks relevant to their businesses. The company's TITAN platform collects, interprets, structures, and validates human-led, automation-enhanced results. Clients across the globe leverage this threat intelligence with our proprietary framework to map the criminal underground, zero in on key activity, and align their resources and reporting to business requirements. Intel 471 serves as a trusted advisor to security teams, offering ongoing trend analysis and supporting your use of the platform. Learn more at https://intel471.com/ . Media Contact: John Kreuzer Lumina Communications for Intel 471 [email protected] SOURCE Intel 471 ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A St. Paul, Minnesota man has filed a class action lawsuit alleging Kia and Hyundai automobiles were too easy to steal, leading to a dramatic and recent spike in the theft of these vehicles. According to the Complaint, Kia and Hyundai cars do not come equipped with an engine immobilizer, a "significant defect" that gives thieves an advantage. The immobilizer functions to transmit a code to the engine when a key is in the ignition or a key fob is inside the vehicle. Without one, a would-be thief needs only to strip the ignition column; basic tools such as a screwdriver, knife, or USB cord can then be used to start the vehicle. The complaint on behalf of plaintiff LaShaun Johnson, a resident of St. Paul, Minnesota, notes that thefts of Hyundai vehicles have risen 584 percent in that city, while Kia's are 13 times more likely to be stolen than previously. Johnson's 2019 Kia Sorrento was stolen in August, after thieves used a screwdriver to start his car, according to a subsequent police investigation. Ramsey County Undersheriff Mike Martin blamed the increases on the "design flaw" which makes them vulnerable to the most rudimentary tools. According to the Complaint, as of mid-2022, Kia and Hyundai were the most commonly stolen brands in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In Milwaukee, the brands accounted for two-thirds of stolen vehicles during the first half of 2021. In response to these trends, all new Kia and Hyundai vehicles are allegedly outfitted with engine immobilizers. The change does nothing to help the thousands of Kia and Hyundai owners whose vehicles remain vulnerable to easy theft. Despite the auto makers' awareness of this defect, and the resulting rise in thefts, neither Kia nor Hyundai have initiated a recall. The lawsuit further alleges that Kia and Hyundai are in violation of a Federal Motor Vehicle Standard that require a vehicle cannot be started without a key. Johnson, the plaintiff, also owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. According to the Complaint, he "would not have purchased [the] defective vehicles if he had known they were defective and more susceptible to theft." Questions about a Kia or Hyundai Lawsuit? Contact our Lawyers for a Free Case Review. If you or a loved one purchased a defective Kia or Hyundai, you may want to speak with the lawyers at Johnson // Becker. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states and would be honored to speak with you about your potential claim. We offer a Free Case Evaluation. Please contact us at https://www.johnsonbecker.com/firm-news/kia-hyundai-engine-immobilizer-anti-theft-class-action-lawsuit/ or by calling us at (800) 279-6386. SOURCE Johnson // Becker, PLLC Juniper Biologics' investment will support the growth and innovation of Singapore's pharmaceutical sector SINGAPORE, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Juniper Biologics, a science-led speciality healthcare company focused on commercialising novel therapies, today announced the establishment of its Global Headquarters in Singapore, from where the Company will continue the expansion of its global operations. This announcement was supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) who congratulated Juniper Biologics on the significance of this milestone. Juniper Biologics is backed by The Sylvan Group, an independent private equity investment firm focused on deep value companies with strong ESG-compliance. The establishment of its headquarters in Singapore is part of Juniper Biologics' commitment to Singapore and the wider region and will go towards supporting the company's plan to build out a patient-centric presence throughout key markets in the region and around the globe. Juniper Biologics proposes to carry out a full range of activities for its fast-growing international business for its portfolio of medicines in oncology and oncology supportive care, rare diseases and gene therapy, with a goal of expanding access of its pharmaceutical portfolio to patients across the emerging markets. These activities include management, coordination and control functions of business activities for the group such as medical affairs, regulatory affairs, commercial and business development as well as all finance and invoicing activities. "Juniper Biologics' decision to establish its global headquarters in Singapore affirms and reflects our position as a leading hub for pharmaceutical companies looking to drive and grow their businesses in the region. We welcome the addition of Juniper Biologics to our biomedical community and congratulate the company on this significant milestone." said Dr Beh Swan Gin, Chairman of the Economic Development Board. "Singapore is an excellent hub for Juniper Biologics to base our global operations, giving us the combination of easy access with strong reach to support our goal of bringing the next generation of medicines to patients throughout the region and beyond," said Raman Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Juniper Biologics. "Singapore is fast-growing as a hub for pharmaceutical companies and this coupled with its strong infrastructure, make Singapore ideal to attract top-in-class talent which is essential for Juniper Biologics as we continue to develop in our role as a dynamic pharmaceutical company on the global stage." Since establishing its's global operations in Singapore in 2020, Juniper Biologics has expanded its portfolio of medicines through the acquisition of novel therapies in oncology and oncology supportive care, rare diseases and gene therapy. About Juniper Biologics: Backed by The Sylvan Group, Juniper Biologics is a science led healthcare company focused on delivering novel therapies to improve the health and quality of life of patients, by building a growing presence in Oncology, Rare/Orphan Diseases and Gene Therapy. It was founded on a vision to provide treatments for unmet medical needs focused on specialist therapy areas in which it can make the most difference. Through bold and transformative science, Juniper Biologics is committed to creating possibilities that have the potential to become the next generation of life-changing medicines for patient communities in China, Japan, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East and Africa. About The Sylvan Group: The Sylvan Group is a leading private equity investment firm based out of Singapore and Seoul. The Sylvan Group's focus is on investing in deep-value companies with strong ESG-compliance across the Asia-Pacific region. The Sylvan group is supported by members of Hyundai & Rockefeller family and run by an experienced team of industry professionals. SOURCE Juniper Biologics Kia and Hyundai Purchasers Urged to Contact Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe to Discuss Their Legal Rights SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP today launched an investigation into automakers Kia and Hyundai for manufacturing vehicles without a "car immobilizer system," an electronic security device that prevents a car from being started unless the correct key is present, and allegedly failing to thoroughly disclose the related safety concerns. Many Kia car models dating from 2011 to 2021 and Hyundai car models dating from 2015 to 2021 allegedly were not equipped with a "car immobilizer system." According to numerous press report and complaints, the lack of this security device makes these cars easier to steal than most other cars. In fact, reports suggest that many car thieves can simply break into these cars using readily downloadable software and USB flash drives and cables. According to a CNBC report, viral videos on social media service TikTok depicts young teens stealing and driving Kia and Hyundai vehicles using a USB cord. This TikTok challenge, which uses the hashtag "Kia Boys," reportedly has over 33 million views. As a result, Kia and Hyundai vehicles are being stolen at increasingly higher rates. In Los Angeles, officials say the viral trend targeting these easy-to-steal vehicles has resulted in an 85% increase in thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles compared with last year. And according to a September 8, 2022 Wall Street Journal article, 48% of cars stolen in St. Louis this year were Kias or Hyundais, compared with 7% of the total in 2021. Several recent lawsuits have claimed that the lack of a car immobilizer system in many Kia and Hyundai vehicles is a safety defect that causes car owners increased repair costs, loss of value, and loss of vehicle use. To date, Kia and Hyundai have failed to issue a safety defect recall, provide warranty coverage, or remedy the defect. In light of these allegations, the Schubert Firm is investigating whether Kia and Hyundai's failure to disclose their failure to include an immobilizer devices in certain vehicles is false and misleading in violation of state and federal laws. If you purchased a Kia, manufactured between 2011 and 2021, or a Hyundai, manufactured between 2016 and 2021, that uses a traditional steel key ignition system, please contact us today or visit our website at https://www.classactionlawyers.com/cartheft. About Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe represents shareholders, employees, and consumers in class actions against corporate defendants, as well as shareholders in derivative actions against their officers and directors. The firm is based in San Francisco, and with the help of co-counsel, litigates cases nationwide. Contact Amber L. Schubert Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP [email protected] Tel: 415-299-8257 SOURCE Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP Project will deploy funding from USDA's Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities and matching funds from grant partners to scale production and demand for climate-smart corn, soybean, wheat, cotton and milk production ARDEN HILLS, Minn., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Truterra, LLC, the sustainability business of Land O'Lakes, Inc., one of America's largest farmer-owned cooperatives, and American Farmland Trust (AFT), a nonprofit focused on farmland protection and stewardship, along with additional industry, non-profit and food and agriculture company grant partners and supporters, today announced their successful bid for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities. In a highly competitive application process, Truterra and AFT's Climate SMART (Scaling Mechanisms for Agriculture's Regenerative Transformation) pilot project distinguished itself with in-depth experience in production agriculture, access to infrastructure to scale rapidly due to industry-leading access to farmers across the country, the trust that grant partners have already built through 225 years of collective experience working side by side with farmers, and a pragmatic approach to connecting pieces of the puzzle that already exist to help shape a more self-sustaining ecosystem. As a result, the pilot project intends to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by approximately 7.2 million metric tons of CO2e over the course of five years roughly the equivalent of taking 1.5 million cars off the road for a year.1 "Land O'Lakes, along with AFT and other grant partners, is ready to tackle what is fundamentally a connection problem in the current climate-smart commodities market. We want to close those gaps by creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that connects farmers already doing incredible work to support sustainability on their operations with the food and agriculture companies looking to buy those products, all while addressing cost, risk and knowledge barriers to regenerative agriculture practice adoption," said Land O'Lakes President and CEO Beth Ford. "As a farmer-owned cooperative, I see tremendous opportunity for Land O'Lakes member-owners and local retail agriculture businesses to lead development and scaling of this new market and be rewarded for their stewardship while future-proofing their businesses for the long-term." "Through Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, USDA is delivering on our promise to build and expand market opportunities for American agriculture and be global leaders in climate-smart agricultural production," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "I'm glad to have the opportunity to join stakeholders involved in the project led by Truterra, the sustainability business of Land O'Lakes, to highlight our strong partnership in increasing the competitive advantage of U.S. agriculture, building wealth that stays in rural communities and supporting new revenue streams for America's climate-smart producers." "American Farmland Trust is thrilled to join forces with Truterra to scale up climate-smart practices across this nation's agricultural lands, creating economic and resilience benefits for farmers and ranchers and environmental benefits for society and the planet," said Beth Sauerhaft, AFT Vice President of National Programs. "AFT brings its expertise in advanced soil health assessment and training, identifying and overcoming barriers to adoption, building capacity through training of trusted advisors and peer-to-peer network learning, analyzing success of economic incentives and identifying the social aspects of broad adoption, including by underserved diverse farmers who are so critical to this nation's agriculture. We look forward to collaborating to scale up on-farm adoption of soil health management systems, packaging pilot program outcomes for broader public consumption and in particular delivering culturally appropriate materials to underserved audiences." "This is a great opportunity to work with small acreage farmers to ensure they'll be able to participate effectively in climate-smart agriculture and build more sustainable and resilient operations," said Ebonie Alexander, Executive Director, Black Family Land Trust. "We feel very fortunate to have this opportunity to work with Truterra and so many organizations in bringing on-farm and environmental benefits of regenerative soil health systems to scale," said Dr. Wayne Honeycutt, President and CEO of the Soil Health Institute (SHI). "Through this project we will establish Soil Health Targets to quantify baselines and achievable levels of soil health and carbon, allowing educators and advisors to support a farmer's journey to producing climate-smart commodities with enhanced market opportunities." Leveraging the unparalleled reach of the Land O'Lakes cooperative network, AFT and other grant partners and supporters, the pilot project seeks to engage up to 20,000 farmers and dairy producers and impact more than 7 million acres, with a focus on reaching historically underserved farmers. Ag retailers will play a central role in the pilot project, working with grant partners to incent farmers to adopt regenerative agriculture practices, including helping match farmers with incentives, agronomic advice, peer-to-peer networks, data entry support and more to support improved soil health systems. Grant partners will deploy existing digital infrastructure, including the Truterra sustainability tool, to aid in measuring impact and supporting validation and quantification processes. The pilot project will use initial funding from USDA and matching funds from grant partners to help incentivize practice changes. Over time, the partners intend for the project to become self-funding through the sale of climate-smart commodities and ecosystem credits to downstream buyers, some of which will be, in turn, reinvested in delivering technical assistance to farmers to support additional practice changes. Additional partners and supporters include: Ag Gateway, Biofiltro, Continuum Ag, ESRI, Equilibrium Capital, Farmobile, FarmRaise, John Deere, La Crosse Seed, Macquarie, Microsoft, Northern Star Seed, Sound Ag, Strand Gard Stewardship, WinField United, Black Family Land Trust, Farm Credit Council, Federation of Southern Cooperatives, Minorities in Ag, Natural Res. & Related Sciences, Soil Health Institute, ButcherBox, Campbell Soup Company, Green Plains, The Hershey Company, Land O'Lakes Dairy Foods, Nestle Purina Pet Care, Purina Animal Nutrition, Perdue, Primient, Tate & Lyle, Perennial, Colorado State Univ., SustainCERT and 50 ag retail cooperatives. As work begins, the project will be actively seeking new prospective partners on two fronts: private sector buyers of supply-shed interventions for food, fuel and fiber, as well as carbon offsets and farmers interested in developing and marketing climate-smart commodities. Reach out to [email protected] or your local ag retailer to learn more. About Land O'Lakes, Inc. Land O'Lakes, Inc., one of America's premier agribusiness and food companies, is a member-owned cooperative with industry-leading operations that span the spectrum from agricultural production to consumer foods. With 2021 annual sales of $16 billion, Land O'Lakes is one of the nation's largest cooperatives, ranking 232 on the Fortune 500. Building on a legacy of more than 100 years of operation, Land O'Lakes today operates some of the most respected brands in agribusiness and food production including Land O'Lakes Dairy Foods, Purina Animal Nutrition, WinField United and Truterra. The company does business in all 50 states and more than 60 countries. Land O'Lakes, Inc. corporate headquarters are located in Arden Hills, Minnesota. About Truterra, LLC Truterra is a leading sustainability solutions provider, advancing and connecting sustainability efforts throughout the food system at scale from farmers to ag retailers to value chain collaborators including food and fiber companies. Truterra positions farmers for success by providing them tools and resources to establish a stewardship baseline, track progress on every field they farm, access conservation resources, and prepare for ecosystem services market opportunities. The Truterra network brings together the best in agricultural technology and precision conservation to drive sustainability across the food system, feeding people, safeguarding the planet, and supporting farmer livelihoods. Truterra was launched in 2016 by Land O'Lakes, Inc., a member-owned cooperative that spans the spectrum from agricultural production to consumer foods. To learn more, visit www.truterraag.com . 1. https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/greenhouse-gas-emissions-typical-passenger-vehicle#:~:text=typical%20passenger%20vehicle%3F-,A%20typical%20passenger%20vehicle%20emits%20about%204.6%20metric%20tons%20of,8%2C887%20grams%20of%20CO2. Contact: Natalie Long, [email protected] SOURCE Truterra, LLC NEWARK, Del., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lennar, one of the nation's leading homebuilders, announced today the grand opening of a brand-new active adult community, The Cascades, bringing a premier 55-and-better lifestyle and Lennar's trademark new home quality to Newark, within Delaware's New Castle County. Home shoppers are invited to join in the celebration, taking place Saturday, September 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Festivities will include delicious desserts provided by the Milk & Sugar food truck and exclusive tours of two stunning Lennar model homes. Following the event, regular model home hours at The Cascades will be by appointment. Lennar debuts The Cascades, a new active adult community for home shoppers 55-and-better situated in Delaware's New Castle County. The public is invited to a Grand Opening celebration on Saturday, September 17. "The Cascades is designed exclusively for active adults aged 55 and better and includes Lennar's trademark quality both in the homes that we build and in the lifestyles that we create," said Tench Tilghman, Philadelphia Division President for Lennar. "Residents will enjoy the latest comforts of a new Lennar home, plus great community amenities and added benefits like lawn maintenance packages that create a low-maintenance lifestyle." Homes at The Cascades range from 1,728 to 2,593 square feet, with two to three bedrooms and two to three baths. All homes feature generous open layouts, gourmet kitchens, first-floor owner's suites and second-floor suites with a bed, bath and loft. Exteriors feature covered rear porches and top-notch curb appeal. Pricing begins in the mid $400,000s. All homes incorporate the latest technology with conveniences like Ring video doorbells, keyless entries, smart thermostats, smart garage door openers and enhanced Wi-Fi. Every home also comes with Lennar's signature Everything's Included program, where the homebuilder's most popular options and upgrades are built into the base price of the home. At The Cascades, this includes quartz kitchen countertops, shaker wood cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, wide plank flooring, and a host of other carefully curated interior touches and designer fixtures. Residents at The Cascades will enjoy thoughtful details including homesites that back to scenic wooded open spaces and lawn maintenance packages that remove the hassle of yard upkeep and seasonal chores. The clubhouse serves as the community's central gathering space with a fitness center, pool and fireside seating to enjoy the company of others. The Cascades is close to neighborhood shopping and dining, and less than 20 minutes from the popular Christiana Mall. It is minutes from the Chesapeake Bay, brimming with water-borne activities. Glasgow Regional Park offers additional recreational opportunities, including hiking, fishing and two dog parks. The Cascades model homes and sales office are located at 513 Davis Falls Dr., Newark, Delaware. For more information, call (484) 795-1850 or visit the The Cascades Community Website or www.lennar.com. About Lennar Corporation Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation's leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar's Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title and closing services primarily for buyers of Lennar's homes and, through LMF Commercial, originates mortgage loans secured primarily by commercial real estate properties throughout the United States. Lennar's Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. LENX drives Lennar's technology, innovation and strategic investments. For more information about Lennar, please visit lennar.com. Contact: Danielle Tocco Vice President Communications Lennar Corporation [email protected] Direct Line: 949.789.1633 SOURCE Lennar The Stunning Three-Story Coastal Residence is Captivating Buyers for its Layout, Location and Luxurious Fixtures JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As Californians and New Yorkers continue their mass exodus to the great state of Florida, the real estate market has never been hotter. However, certain areas and properties are sticking out to become the envy of both Floridians and out-of-state buyers and no one knows this better than the Justin Lott Home Selling Team. Noted as one of Florida's best real-estate teams with closing rates 3x faster than the national average, the Justin Lott Home Selling Team is leading the Florida real estate charge with professionalism, precision, and pride. Lifes a Beach: The Justin Lott Home Selling Teams Latest Jacksonville Beach Listing is Turning Heads Across Florida Justin Lott Home Selling Team is proud to announce its next top listing at 31 26th Ave S, Jacksonville Beach, Florida, 32250. The idyllic coastal escape built in 2017 boasts 4 bedrooms, 2 sun-kissed balconies, and 3.5 baths to offer a more-than-deal living experience in one of the most sought-after communities in the state. The three-story home measures 2,844 square feet with ample outdoor space and an outdoor lounge, an elevator for easy access to all floors, breathtaking wood floors, and much more. The pristine layout offers well-lit living areas and elegant staircases with a perfectly positioned spacious living and dining area for entertaining guests. For those who enjoy the art of cooking, look no further! The bright open-plan modern kitchen is well-equipped with extravagant quartz countertops, sparkling stainless-steel appliances including a state-of-the-art gas range with hood, and a grand 42" fridge. Just steps away from the sand, the Jacksonville Beach oasis offers occupants quick access to JTB and a short bike to boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants. The team at Justin Lott Home Selling Team is eager and equipped to show this pristine property to interested buyers with the utmost level of professionalism and poise. "We have noticed an uptick in inventory over the past few months, however homes for sale in this particular south Jacksonville Beach area remain scarce. I think the reason is people love living in this neighborhood, it's truly a unique, a hidden gem really. You have a beach neighborhood feel without a ton of vacation rentals, high rise condos or commercial development like you have to the north. Or you don't have to join a country club or buy a home with deeded beach access like you would to the south in order to access the beach." Through proof of concept, dedication to community, and unwavering commitment to helping people find the home of their dreams, the Justin Lott Home Selling Team's purpose-driven vision can come to fruition. To learn more about the Justin Lott Home Selling Team, or to view the property, please visit: https://www.aryeo.com/v2/31-26th-ave-s-jacksonville-beach-fl-32250-2338602/branded MLS Listing YouTube About Justin Lott Home Selling Team Justin Lott Home Selling Team is one of Florida's top-ranked real estate teams, specializing in helping people navigate the ever-changing real estate market. Since 2017 the Justin Lott Home Selling Team has guided thousands of families and investors in selling their properties or buying their dream homes. Justin Lott Home Selling Team is aligned and brokered by eXp Realty, one of the fastest-growing real estate companies in the United States, and the industry leader since its founding in 2009. With closing rates 3x faster than the national average, sellers call Justin when they want a proven and highly professional process that goes against the grain of traditional status quo home selling methods. PRESS CONTACT Justin Lott 904-664-7447 https://www.soldbyjustinlott.com/ SOURCE Justin Lott Home Selling Team DAM Resellers Now Offer LinkrUI with Microsoft Office Compatibility SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Santa Cruz Software , a global leader in software development for cross media content publishing, today announced a new version of their DAM connector LinkrUI will now enable Digital Asset Manager (DAM) syncing for three Microsoft Office applications. Currently available only via DAM reselling partners, Microsoft Office functionality with LinkrUI is now compatible for applications Microsoft Word, Microsoft Powerpoint and Microsoft Excel. Visit here to learn more about LinkrUI. LinkrUI enables direct searching, opening, placing and synchronizing of digital assets stored in a DAM system or other storage services, such as Box and Dropbox. The new version of LinkrUI automatically synchronizes assets between Microsoft Office applications and the DAM or storage service to ensure that everyone in an organization can find and work on the latest version. LinkrUI started as a best-in-class extension to Adobe applications, providing an in-app panel link between popular creative applications and the DAM or cloud storage service. Santa Cruz Software recently began offering a version of LinkrUI completely free guaranteed version control at no cost which is compatible with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Indesign and Adobe Illustrator. The premium version of LinkrUI adds compatibility for Adobe Premiere and Adobe After Effects and includes additional features like live filtering and Smart-Linkr , which finds and fixes broken asset links automatically. Microsoft Office compatibility is only available in the premium version. A recent survey by Santa Cruz Software found that 83% of creative professionals said they spend time each week finding lost assets. In fact, 11% do it hourly. Over half of designers spend at least three hours per week managing versions and a staggering 15% are spending over six hours. LinkrUI solves this problem by automatically syncing the current asset with the DAM. "LinkrUI creates a more profitable and productive workflow within companies by managing asset versions, resulting in professionals having access to shared files that the entire team is working on," said Mark Hilton, CEO of Santa Cruz Software. "Adding support for Microsoft Office provides an additional level of connectivity among teams, making it easier to collaborate on shared projects across a variety of applications. Along with the rest of our offering, this addition enables creatives to be significantly more efficient with their work, benefiting everyone involved." Pricing & Availability LinkrUI for Microsoft Office is currently only available from resellers. A retail version will be announced at a later date. Please visit our LinkrUI webpage to see a list of current DAM vendors. About Santa Cruz Software Santa Cruz Software offers a suite of tools to connect Adobe applications to other Cloud Services, enabling teams to collaborate seamlessly on projects without ever leaving their applications. Enjoy simplified version control, easy asset search, and seamless connection between your shared team assets. Santa Cruz Software features are designed to streamline brand compliance, empower collaboration between teams, and increase productivity. Solutions range from integratable Dynamic Templates based upon Adobe InDesign (PrintUI), DAM connectors for Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator,Adobe InDesign, Adobe Premiere, Adobe After Effects and Microsoft Office 365 (LinkrUI), and turnkey collateral/campaign portals (BrandingUI). For more information, visit the Santa Cruz Software website . All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies. Media Contact David Haefele FortyThree, Inc. [email protected] 831.401.3175 SOURCE Santa Cruz Software Businesses signing up by December 1st will save $300 on April 15th. HUNT VALLEY, Md., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting today, thousands of small business owners and more than a million Marylanders they employ have a new way to save for emergencies and retirement. MarylandSaves will offer workers throughout the state the opportunity to start a personal WorkLife Savings Account automatically funded from their paychecks. The service is free for businesses and the State waives an annual $300 filing fee for those businesses that enable automatic employee enrollment. Employees can opt out at any time. "MarylandSaves is an advance on traditional retirement savings," said MarylandSaves Board Chair Joshua Gotbaum. "It's automatic savings from each paycheck, savings that help with life's emergencies now and can keep helping after people retire and need it most." Thousands of small business owners and more than a million Marylanders they employ have a new way to save for retirement Tweet this Employer Sign-up is "Free, Quick, and Easy" "We've worked hard to make MarylandSaves hassle-free for businesses," said MarylandSaves Executive Director Glenn Simmons. "Registration is free, quick, and easy and businesses that sign up this year will save $300 next April 15th. They can register and sign up their employees online, and in many cases, use their payroll processors." Employers that enroll with MarylandSaves by December 1st of this year won't have to pay the State of Maryland's $300 annual report filing fee for 2023. Businesses that already offer a qualified retirement savings plan to their employees will also qualify for the fee waiver. Workers can get Emergency Savings and Better Retirement Options Automatically WorkLife Savings Accounts are Roth IRAs funded by employees through payroll deductions and are under each saver's control. Savers will have multiple investment options to choose from and can decide at any time to change their savings rate, change their investment options, or opt out entirely. They can also withdraw their money or take their account with them when they change jobs. However, savers don't have to do anything: if they don't opt out, 5% of their paycheck will automatically be saved. The first $1,000 will be contributed to an emergency savings fund, and contributions beyond that will be invested in a target date fund based on the age of the saver. Better Options in Retirement. Most retirement savings programs leave savers on their own to figure out how much they can afford to spend in retirement. MarylandSaves will be different in two ways: Help make the most of Social Security. As participants near retirement age, the program is developing a feature to offer savers the option to withdraw money from their MarylandSaves account to help them postpone filing for Social Security benefits (If a person defers and doesn't file for Social Security at age 62, it increases their payment by approximately 8% for each year until age 70). 1 Using their WorkLife Savings Accounts to create a "Social Security bridge" could mean getting more Social Security payments when they do file. As participants near retirement age, the program is developing a feature to offer savers the option to withdraw money from their MarylandSaves account to help them postpone filing for Social Security benefits (If a person defers and doesn't file for Social Security at age 62, it increases their payment by approximately 8% for each year until age 70). Using their WorkLife Savings Accounts to create a "Social Security bridge" could mean getting more Social Security payments when they do file. Conversion to a monthly check at retirement. MarylandSaves is developing the ability in the future to enable participants to automatically convert their WorkLife Savings Accounts to a monthly paycheck when they are ready to retire, in an amount estimated but not guaranteed, to last a saver's lifetime. "Getting a monthly check will take much of the guesswork out of retirement," said Gotbaum. The "Social Security bridge" and "managed payout" options are not expected to be available for several years and the Board may adjust those options. MarylandSaves will notify employers and participants as these options are available. The program is being administered by a team of established financial services firms including Vestwell and BNY Mellon. All investment options are professionally managed by BlackRock, Lincoln Financial Group, State Street Global Advisors, and T. Rowe Price. MarylandSaves endorsed by both businesses and their employees. Since July, a group of Maryland small business owners and non-profit leaders from various industries and regions have been testing the MarylandSaves program. Their reviews have been enthusiastic. "Atwater's been on a 23-year mission to provide every employee a good job with great benefits. A retirement plan has always been a part of that vision. With MarylandSaves, we've achieved that while staying close to our handcrafted, local roots," said Justin Brady, human resources manager at Maryland's Atwater's markets. Josseline Rodriguez has worked at the Caliente Grille in Annapolis for 6 years and appreciates the emergency savings fund she is building in her WorkLife Savings Account. "It really feels amazing that I know that I'm saving money for my future and for my family," she said, "because you never know what can happen, and you might need that money, and you have it whenever you need it." Want to Know More? If you lead a professional association, a non-profit, or a small business, or are interested in opening an IRA through MarylandSaves, go to MarylandSaves.com to learn more. About MarylandSaves Bipartisan legislation created the Maryland Small Business Retirement Savings Board and charged it with developing an automatic payroll savings IRA program for Maryland businesses that don't offer a retirement plan to their employees. The Board developed the program and under Maryland law its members are legal fiduciaries responsible to program participants. Information about the Board and MarylandSaves' Executive Director and staff can be found at MarylandSaves.org . WorkLife Savings Accounts are individual accounts controlled by each saver, not the employer. They are Roth IRAs and are subject to applicable laws. Participation by employers is free; MarylandSaves charges them no fees. For more information about our program visit MarylandSaves.com . The program is managed by MarylandSaves' Executive Director and staff and operated through established third-party financial institutions and managers, including Vestwell, BNY Mellon, BlackRock, Lincoln Financial, State Street Global Advisors and T. Rowe Price. In developing its program, MarylandSaves has been advised by Aon, AKF Consulting, and K+L Gates. The program is designed to be paid for by fees on invested accounts, not taxpayer funds. The State of Maryland has loaned funds to MarylandSaves to cover startup costs. Media contact: Stephanie Davis [email protected] 410-403-2782 SOURCE MarylandSaves WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A group of sheriffs from around the country including several who just visited the border will hold a press conference on Friday, September 16, at 10:00 a.m. E.T. They will be accompanied by Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX), Congressman Michael Cloud (R-TX), as well as fentanyl activist Virginia Krieger. Event Details for Friday, September 16th: Sheriffs Press Conference on the Biden Border Crisis, Revealing its Effects on Their Communities and How to Stop It Who will be speaking: Congressman Roy, Congressman Cloud, Virginia Krieger, Sheriff Brett Schroetlin from Grand County, CO, Sheriff Thad Cleveland from Terrell County, TX, and Sheriff Scott Jenkins from Culpeper County, VA. 10:00 AM 25 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC (Head straight through the lobby to the first floor amenity center) Event Details for Saturday, September 17th: Lost Voices of Fentanyl's (LVOF) Second Annual National Rally to STOP Illicit Fentanyl Poisonings An exhibit of victim banners will be on display at the National Mall on the 12th Street gravel area from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. along with speakers which include Derek Maltz, Former Director of Special Operations DEA, Jim Rauh with Families Against Fentanyl, bereaved mothers April Babcock, Founder/Co-President Lost Voices of Fentanyl, Virginia Krieger, Co-President of LVOF, as well as sheriffs and bereaved families from all over the nation. A March of Unity will start at 11:40 am at The National Mall 12th street and end at the White House from 12 p.m.-3 p.m. RSVP (only needed for press conference) Members of the media interested in covering the press conference with sheriffs, Congressman Roy, Congressman Cloud, and Virginia Krieger must RSVP to [email protected] by 8:00 AM on September 16th with the following details: Outlet Names (Camera/Photographer/Reporter) Best email and phone number contact SOURCE Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) GUANGZHOU, China, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MINISO Group Holding Limited ( NYSE: MNSO; HKEX: 9896) ("MINISO", "MINISO Group" or the "Company"), a global value retailer offering a variety of design-led lifestyle products, today announced an update on the status of the previously announced independent investigation. As previously disclosed, shortly after the publication of a report issued by the short-seller firm Blue Orca Capital on July 26, 2022 (the "Short Seller Report"), an independent committee of the board of directors (the "Independent Committee"), consisting of independent directors Ms. Xu Lili, Mr. Zhu Yonghua and Mr. Wang Yongping, was formed to oversee an independent investigation regarding the allegations made in the Short Seller Report (the "Independent Investigation"). The Independent Investigation, overseen by the Independent Committee and conducted with the assistance of third-party professional advisors including an international law firm and forensic accounting experts from a well-regarded forensic accounting firm that is not the Company's auditor, is now substantially complete. Based on findings of the Independent Investigation, which encompassed the allegations in the Short Seller Report regarding the Company's franchise business model and land deals involving the Company's chairman, the Independent Committee has concluded that key allegations made in the Short Seller Report were not substantiated. About MINISO Group MINISO is a global retailer offering a variety of design-led lifestyle products. The Company serves consumers primarily through its large network of MINISO stores, and promotes a relaxing, treasure-hunting and engaging shopping experience full of delightful surprises that appeals to all demographics. Aesthetically pleasing design, quality and affordability are at the core of every product in MINISO's wide product portfolio, and the Company continually and frequently rolls out products with these qualities. Since the opening of its first store in China in 2013, the Company has built its flagship brand "MINISO" as a globally recognized retail brand and established a massive store network worldwide. For more information, please visit https://ir.miniso.com/. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "is/are likely to," "potential," "continue" or other similar expressions. MINISO may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about MINISO's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: MINISO's mission, goals and strategies; future business development, financial conditions and results of operations; the expected growth of the retail market and the market of branded variety retail of lifestyle products in China and globally; expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of MINISO's products; expectations regarding MINISO's relationships with consumers, suppliers, MINISO Retail Partners, local distributors, and other business partners; competition in the industry; proposed use of proceeds; and relevant government policies and regulations relating to MINISO's business and the industry. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in MINISO's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and MINISO undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. Investor Relations Contact: Raine Hu MINISO Group Holding Limited Email: [email protected] Phone: +86 (20) 36228788 Ext. 8039 SOURCE MINISO Group Holding Limited VERO BEACH, Fla., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Clear Current Capital is excited to celebrate its fifth year furthering its mission to fund early-stage, alt-protein, and food tech companies generating strong returns and impact in the food system. In 2017, pioneers Curt Albright and Bruce Friedrich discussed how to transform the global food system and produce positive impact on the climate. Friedrich previously founded The Good Food Institute in 2016, and the conversation led Albright to form Clear Current Capital, LLC, the first impact VC in the alt-protein space. Momentum in Sustainable Food: Clear Current Capital Hits Fifth Anniversary. Tweet this CCC is the first VC in alt-protein/ food tech in the US. To learn how we can reimagine the food system and save the planet, please visit www.clearcurrentcapital.com. To date, CCC has invested in sixteen alt-protein and food tech companies. "Initially," says Albright, "CCC invested in strong teams and CPG brands that could meet the consumer's taste, availability, and price point. As CCC expanded, those learnings and data were implemented to advance both CPG and food tech companies to support the space aggressively and successfully. We need massive momentum and action to feed a growing population and protect the planet's resources. Constant disruption is necessary." An example of this disruption is the recent announcement of Wicked Kitchen's acquisition of CCC's portfolio company Good Catch, a pioneer in the plant-based space founded by brothers and chefs Chad and Derek Sarno. "By folding Good Catch's plant-based seafood offerings into Wicked Kitchen's North American footprint, we will have the largest variety of animal-free consumer packaged goods in the industry available at more than 30,000 distribution points," said Pete Speranza, CEO of Wicked Kitchen. While the firm was one of the earliest dedicated entrants to the alt protein industry, it's just the beginning for CCC. "New opportunities to improve food system inefficiencies present themselves as the space adapts to shifts in consumer demand, generational headwinds, and technological breakthroughs," says Steve Molino, Principal. "It's still early days for the industry, so as new white space opportunities emerge, our dedicated investment approach allows us to act quickly, driving both impact and returns." The firm is laser-focused on furthering its impact and is planning for a final close of Fund II in Q4 2022. Clear Current Capital is a targeted impact VC firm whose mission is to reinvent food through sustainable alternative protein investments in early-stage companies such as plant-based foods, cultivated meat, fermentation, and enabling technology across those categories. For further information about Clear Current Capital, visit www.clearcurrentcapital.com. Media Contact Curt Albright [email protected] 704-363-9140 SOURCE Clear Current Capital Electronics and Software Predicted to Account for 50% of Total Car Costs by 2030 New Awards Program will Recognize Automotive Industry Trailblazers Driving Once-in-a-Century Transformation LOS ANGELES and WATERLOO, ON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MotorTrend, the leading global automotive media company, announced today that it is joining leading software company, BlackBerry Limited ( NYSE: BB) (TSX: BB) to launch the Software-Defined Vehicle Innovator Awards. The new awards program looks to celebrate the innovators and pioneers who are leading the automotive industry's once-in-a-century transformation from hardware to software which will redefine how cars are designed, built, driven and experienced. MotorTrend and BlackBerry Announce Inaugural Software-Defined Vehicle Innovator Awards. New Awards Program will Recognize Automotive Industry Trailblazers Driving Once-in-a-Century Transformation SDV Awards Press Kit: Documentary, Trailer Videos, Fact Sheet, Sound Bites, Photos For more than a century the bulk of a car's value was in its mechanical, hardware, and other physical components. However, as personal technology has evolved, software and connected services will soon become the most important drivers of value, and a key differentiator, for automobile manufacturers. With the average new car containing more than 100 million lines of code and thousands of different computer chips already in use, independent research predicts that by 2030, electronics and software will account for 50% of car costs, up from about 30% today. This represents a fundamental shift in the automotive industry, as the software opportunity in autonomous cars will grow from less than one billion dollars today to $25 billion. According to recent forecasts, revenue from software-driven vehicles could account for as much as 50% of the automotive industry's future earnings. * As the creator of the most prestigious automotive awards Car, Truck and SUV of the Year and its annual Power List MotorTrend is joining forces with BlackBerry, whose BlackBerry QNX technology is embedded in over 215 million vehicles worldwide, to encourage OEMs and automotive suppliers to nominate outstanding pioneers, leaders and domain experts in recognition of their extraordinary work using software to push industry boundaries and improve the driving experience for consumers. "Speaking with automakers and Tier 1s around the world, nothing is more important to them than software and electronics as both allow them to deliver compelling in-car experiences and differentiate against the competition," said Mark Wilson, Chief Marketing Officer, BlackBerry. "To that end, we're thrilled to be teaming up with MotorTrend to recognize and elevate the unsung heroes who have been systematically laying the stakes for the auto industry's exciting next chapter. I firmly believe that we'll see more change in the next ten years than we've seen in the previous hundred and, given that it's the software heads that will determine what that future looks like, we felt it was particularly important to create the Software-Defined Vehicle Innovator Awards to recognize and celebrate individuals who are leading the way." "There is a massive technological shift going on in the auto industry and it's not just defined by software, it's driven by people: engineers, software developers, computer scientists," said Ed Loh, Head of Editorial, MotorTrend Group. "These men and women are on the leading edge of imagining and executing the future of mobility. We're putting our decades-long experience to work to help provide insight and perspective on these people and transformative work they are doing. With BlackBerry's help, we want to highlight the pioneers, leaders and experts who are doing the most important work in the space, and effectively shaping our automotive future." Nominations are now open for the following three Software-Defined Vehicle Innovator Awards (SDVI) categories: Pioneer: This outstanding individual has demonstrably broken new ground within the SDV space through research, development, and application of new automotive software. Leader: This exceptional principal is in a senior management position and leads a team that is transforming the automotive industry through the broad adoption and application of software solutions. Domain Expert: This critical team member is a subject matter expert within a specific SDV discipline (e.g. advanced driver assistance systems, digital cockpit, over-the-air updates, autonomous, recruiting etc.) Automakers and automotive suppliers can nominate their employees by visiting https://www.motortrend.com/sdv-form/. Each nomination is subject to a diligent screening process involving representatives exclusively from MotorTrend's editorial team, who will review the submissions and establish a short list of finalists. The nomination process closes at 11:59 pm PT on Monday, October 31 and the short list of finalists will be announced in the Fall of 2022. MotorTrend and BlackBerry will announce the first annual SDVI Awards winners during a ceremony on Thursday, January 5 in Las Vegas, in conjunction with CES 2023. For more information and rules please visit: https://www.motortrend.com/sdvawards . To underscore the importance of the emerging software-defined vehicle age and the need to recognize the industry disruption coming at the hands of these innovators and pioneers, MotorTrend has produced a 22-minute documentary, 'Coding the Car', and a book by the same title, which are being released as companion pieces with the SDV Innovator Awards announcement. For more information and assets related to the documentary and SDV Innovator Awards please visit motortrendpresskit.com. *Source: Lux Research About MotorTrend Group MotorTrend Group , a Warner Bros. Discovery company, is the largest automotive media company in the world, bringing together Warner Bros. Discovery's MotorTrend TV and a vast automotive digital, direct-to-consumer, social, and live event portfolio, including MOTOR TREND, HOT ROD, ROADKILL, AUTOMOBILE and more than 20 other industry-leading brands. With a monthly audience of 26 million across web, TV and print, and 110 million social followers, culminating in 1.3 billion monthly impressions across all platforms, MotorTrend Group encompasses television's #1 network for automotive fans, a leading automotive YouTube Channel and MotorTrend+, the only subscription streaming service dedicated entirely to the motoring world. MotorTrend Group serves to embrace, entertain and empower the motoring world. About BlackBerry BlackBerry ( NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The company secures more than 500M endpoints including over 215M vehicles. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company leverages AI and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, safety and data privacy solutions, and is a leader in the areas of endpoint security, endpoint management, encryption, and embedded systems. BlackBerry's vision is clear - to secure a connected future you can trust. BlackBerry. Intelligent Security. Everywhere. For more information, visit BlackBerry.com and follow @BlackBerry. Trademarks, including but not limited to BLACKBERRY and EMBLEM Design are the trademarks or registered trademarks of BlackBerry Limited, and the exclusive rights to such trademarks are expressly reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. BlackBerry is not responsible for any third-party products or services. Media Contact: BlackBerry BlackBerry Media Relations +1 (519) 597-7273 [email protected] MotorTrend Group Rob Quigley Senior PR and Social Media Manager MotorTrend Group [email protected] 213-248-8922 Scott Shaffstall Head of Corporate Communications MotorTrend Group [email protected] 949-285-6315 SOURCE BlackBerry Limited CLEVELAND and BOSTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MPE Partners ("MPE" or "Morgenthaler Private Equity"), a Cleveland- and Boston-based private equity firm, is pleased to announce the promotion of Constantine Elefter to Partner. Constantine rejoined MPE's Cleveland office as a Principal in May 2021, having previously served as an Associate at Morgenthaler and as a Senior Associate at MPE Partners from 2010 to 2013, prior to attending business school. Constantine's promotion augments MPE's existing leadership team of Peter Taft, Karen Tuleta, Joe Machado, Matt Yohe, and Graham Schena. MPE Partner, Peter Taft said, "We have been impressed with Constantine's investment judgment and relationship development capabilities. Constantine has made several meaningful contributions since rejoining MPE, most notably helping drive our successful exit of Bettcher Industries as well as co-leading our investment in Hi-Tech Industries and its subsequent merger with 3D International." MPE Partner, Karen Tuleta added, "Constantine has great passion for our industry and our firm's investment strategy. We are excited to welcome him to our leadership team in order to further extend our Midwestern presence and drive successful results for our investors." Constantine currently holds board seats at Hi-Tech, Waterfront Brands, and Ideal Aluminum, all of which are current MPE portfolio investments. While at Morgenthaler, Constantine contributed to several legacy investments including Avtron, Enginetics Aerospace, and Satellite Logistics Group. Following his graduation from business school, Constantine served as a Vice President at Norwest Equity Partners and a Principal at The Riverside Company. Constantine began his career at Wachovia Securities (now Wells Fargo Securities). He holds a B.S. in Business Administration with Honors from The Ohio State University and an M.B.A. as a Fuqua Scholar from Duke's Fuqua School of Business. About MPE Partners MPE Partners ("MPE" or "Morgenthaler Private Equity") seeks to be the preferred partner for entrepreneur- and family-owned companies. Based in Cleveland, OH, and Boston, MA, MPE invests in profitable, lower middle market companies with transaction values up to $250 million. MPE has two primary target investment areas: high-value manufacturing and commercial & industrial services. For more information, please visit www.mpepartners.com. SOURCE MPE Partners WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA's Perseverance rover is well into its second science campaign, collecting rock-core samples from features within an area long considered by scientists to be a top prospect for finding signs of ancient microbial life on Mars. The rover has collected four samples from an ancient river delta in the Red Planet's Jezero Crater since July 7, bringing the total count of scientifically compelling rock samples to 12. "We picked the Jezero Crater for Perseverance to explore because we thought it had the best chance of providing scientifically excellent samples and now we know we sent the rover to the right location," said Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA's associate administrator for science in Washington. "These first two science campaigns have yielded an amazing diversity of samples to bring back to Earth by the Mars Sample Return campaign." Twenty-eight miles (45 kilometers) wide, Jezero Crater hosts a delta an ancient fan-shaped feature that formed about 3.5 billion years ago at the convergence of a Martian river and a lake. Perseverance is currently investigating the delta's sedimentary rocks, formed when particles of various sizes settled in the once-watery environment. During its first science campaign, the rover explored the crater's floor, finding igneous rock, which forms deep underground from magma or during volcanic activity at the surface. "The delta, with its diverse sedimentary rocks, contrasts beautifully with the igneous rocks formed from crystallization of magma discovered on the crater floor," said Perseverance project scientist Ken Farley of Caltech in Pasadena, California. "This juxtaposition provides us with a rich understanding of the geologic history after the crater formed and a diverse sample suite. For example, we found a sandstone that carries grains and rock fragments created far from Jezero Crater and a mudstone that includes intriguing organic compounds." "Wildcat Ridge" is the name given to a rock about 3 feet (1 meter) wide that likely formed billions of years ago as mud and fine sand settled in an evaporating saltwater lake. On July 20, the rover abraded some of the surface of Wildcat Ridge so it could analyze the area with the instrument called Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics & Chemicals, or SHERLOC. SHERLOC's analysis indicates the samples feature a class of organic molecules that are spatially correlated with those of sulfate minerals. Sulfate minerals found in layers of sedimentary rock can yield significant information about the aqueous environments in which they formed. What Is Organic Matter? Organic molecules consist of a wide variety of compounds made primarily of carbon and usually include hydrogen and oxygen atoms. They can also contain other elements, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. While there are chemical processes that produce these molecules that don't require life, some of these compounds are the chemical building blocks of life. The presence of these specific molecules is considered to be a potential biosignature a substance or structure that could be evidence of past life but may also have been produced without the presence of life. In 2013, NASA's Curiosity Mars rover found evidence of organic matter in rock-powder samples, and Perseverance has detected organics in Jezero Crater before. But unlike that previous discovery, this latest detection was made in an area where, in the distant past, sediment and salts were deposited into a lake under conditions in which life could potentially have existed. In its analysis of Wildcat Ridge, the SHERLOC instrument registered the most abundant organic detections on the mission to date. "In the distant past, the sand, mud, and salts that now make up the Wildcat Ridge sample were deposited under conditions where life could potentially have thrived," said Farley. "The fact the organic matter was found in such a sedimentary rock known for preserving fossils of ancient life here on Earth is important. However, as capable as our instruments aboard Perseverance are, further conclusions regarding what is contained in the Wildcat Ridge sample will have to wait until it's returned to Earth for in-depth study as part of the agency's Mars Sample Return campaign." The first step in the NASA-ESA (European Space Agency) Mars Sample Return campaign began when Perseverance cored its first rock sample in September 2021. Along with its rock-core samples, the rover has collected one atmospheric sample and two witness tubes, all of which are stored in the rover's belly. The geologic diversity of the samples already carried in the rover is so good that the rover team is looking into depositing select tubes near the base of the delta in about two months. After depositing the cache, the rover will continue its delta explorations. "I've studied Martian habitability and geology for much of my career and know first-hand the incredible scientific value of returning a carefully collected set of Mars rocks to Earth," said Laurie Leshin, director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. "That we are weeks from deploying Perseverance's fascinating samples and mere years from bringing them to Earth so scientists can study them in exquisite detail is truly phenomenal. We will learn so much." More About the Mission A key objective for Perseverance's mission on Mars is astrobiology, including caching samples that may contain signs of ancient microbial life. The rover will characterize the planet's geology and past climate, pave the way for human exploration of the Red Planet, and be the first mission to collect and cache Martian rock and regolith. Subsequent NASA missions, in cooperation with ESA, would send spacecraft to Mars to collect these sealed samples from the surface and return them to Earth for in-depth analysis. The Mars 2020 Perseverance mission is part of NASA's Moon to Mars exploration approach, which includes Artemis missions to the Moon that will help prepare for human exploration of the Red Planet. JPL, which is managed for NASA by Caltech, built and manages operations of the Perseverance rover. For more about Perseverance: https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/ SOURCE NASA NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs determined that comparative savings claims made by Comcast Cable Communications, LLC about its Xfinity Mobile 5G service plan would not be misleading when compared with the cheapest two Ultra Wideband 5G plans by Verizon Communications, Inc., provided that disclosures were adequate. Therefore, NAD recommended that Comcast modify the advertising to clearly and conspicuously disclose the material differences between the services, and to avoid conveying the message that consumers can obtain massive savings by switching to Xfinity Internet. In this case, Verizon challenged claims made by Comcast's comparison of different 5G plans its single 5G plan vs. two of Verizon's mid-tier plans and NAD assessed whether such claims are misleading. NAD has long held that although an advertiser may choose the object of comparison when making price comparisons, it is well-established that such apples-to-oranges comparisons must: Disclose the basis of comparison, Avoid implying that a competitor does not have a more similar product or service, and Disclose any material differences between the compared products. The express and implied claims at issue, which appeared in Comcast's "Comparisons" television commercial, included: Express Claims Xfinity Mobile is at most "half the price of Verizon so you have more money for more stuff." Consumers can "switch to Xfinity Mobile for half the price of Verizon." Xfinity Mobile customers can get "One line of unlimited data for half the price of Verizon." Implied Claim Consumers will reap massive savings by switching from Verizon to Xfinity Mobile. "Half the Price" Claims NAD determined that Comcast's choice to compare its plan to Verizon's cheapest 5G plans that offer Ultra Wideband the same speeds offered by Xfinity when properly disclosed is appropriate because they are the cheapest plans from Verizon with speeds most equivalent to Xfinity Mobile. In addition to disclosing the basis of comparison, an advertiser must disclose material differences between the services. NAD has found that when comparing telecommunication service plans, material differences that must be disclosed include data usage thresholds, the requirement to pay for a bundled internet service or product, and the inclusion of an autopay discount each of which was present in this case. NAD concluded that Comcast's comparative savings claim would not be misleading if the basis of comparison and material limitations are clearly and conspicuously disclosed. The challenged advertising includes disclosures, which NAD found did not inform consumers of all the material differences between the products and recommended that the disclosure be modified to include: The tiers being compared; The fact that the two services have different high-speed data limits; The requirement to subscribe to Xfinity Internet service; and The exclusion of Verizon's autopay discount. NAD found that the absence of a disclosure informing consumers that Verizon's plan offers differences in ancillary benefits, such as subscriptions to streaming services compared to Xfinity is not a material omission or a material difference that must be disclosed. The Implied "Massive Savings" Claim NAD considered whether two visual comparisons used in the "Comparisons" commercial conveyed the implied message that Verizon consumers will receive massive savings if they switched to Xfinity. NAD found that although it is unlikely that any reasonable consumer would expect to save enough money that they could literally purchase thousands of concert tickets or dozens of bags of groceries as depicted in the commercial, they may still take away a message that they can obtain massive savings from switching to Xfinity. Accordingly, NAD recommended that Comcast modify its advertising to avoid conveying such a message (e.g., by adding qualifying language to quantify the actual savings a consumer could expect). In its advertiser statement, Comcast stated that it "agrees to comply with NAD's decision." All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to the online archive. About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard. The non-profit organization creates a fairer playing field for businesses and a better experience for consumers through the development and delivery of effective third-party accountability and dispute resolution programs. Embracing its role as an independent organization since the restructuring of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in June 2019, BBB National Programs today oversees more than a dozen leading national industry self-regulation programs, and continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-directed marketing, and privacy. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org. About the National Advertising Division: The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NAD reviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards for advertising truth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection to consumers and leveling the playing field for business. SOURCE BBB National Programs Understanding China's reforms and opening-up era: Lessons for Pakistan and way forward 16:23, September 15, 2022 By Muhammad Zamir Assadi ( Chinadaily.com.cn Participants of the forum pose for a group photo. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] China Study Centre, COMSATS University Islamabad organized a roundtable on "Understanding reforms and opening-up era - Lessons for Pakistan and way forward" on Wednesday. The leaders from China Study Centres, Area Study Centres and Confucius Institutes around the country participated as discussants in the round table. The program started with the recitation of Holy Quran, followed by the national anthems of both countries. The inaugural session started with the keynote speeches of Zhang Daojian, professor from Beijing Language and Cultural University, China, Ashfaq H. Khan, professor and dean, S3H, National University of Science and Technology, and Mustafa Haider Syed, Executive Director of Pakistan-China Institute. The keynote speakers highlighted that the political instability, economic turmoil, and national identity crisis are the impediments in the development of Pakistan. The country should invest in the identity building process in order to create more common communities. The greater interest by the Pakistani people in China Pakistan Economic Corridor is required in order to obtain greater benefit and to make the dwindling number of Special Economic Zones set up by China successfully. Pakistan can learn from the three core factors of policy continuity, political stability and the internal harmony that are intrinsic to China's success in tackling the key issues of unskilled labor, poverty and unemployment. There was diverse set of opinions put forward by all the experts. The main areas of focus included agriculture, industrialization, defense, science and technology. There is also a need to flourish smart agriculture to ensure sustainable growth of economy through cooperation with China. Some suggested that China had a people centric approach and valued nationalism. That Pakistan ought to adopt a similar program and should work to make use of the Special Economic Zones set up in lieu of China under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor agreement. The roundtable emphasized that China has moved from a traditional state to the second largest economy due to its continuous hard work. The similar kind of success is only possible if Pakistan is willing to work hard and to make changes that might be very uncomfortable in the short term. The political instability, economic turmoil, and national identity crisis are the main impediments in development of Pakistan. The country should invest in the identity building process, increase interest of Pakistani people in China Pakistan Economic Corridor and the benefits associated with it. Pakistan can learn from the three core factors of policy continuity, political stability and the internal harmony. These factors were termed as intrinsic to China's success by the discussants of the roundtable. Tahir Mumtaz Awan, head of China Study Center, Comsats University Islamabad thanked all the discussants and touched upon the success of China over the last three decades through sharing statistics from the late 1970s till date. He further talked about how China eradicated urban poverty and developed over time. The remarkable achievements in the fields of artificial intelligence and information technology platforms was also among his key discussion points. Talking about Pakistan, he emphasized the low levels of technological development and argued that it is only through technology and its best possible use long run country development is possible. Muhammad Zamir Assadi, a journalist with Independent News Pakistan. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Partnership with Talemia, a Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund Company, Supports Saudi Vision 2030 and Ministry of Education Reform BOSTON and RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- National Geographic Learning (NGL) , a Cengage Group business, today announced they have entered a long-term partnership with Talemia, the Saudi Arabian public investment fund company, to provide the Ministry of Education with learning materials for up to 150,000 students in grades 11-12, preparing them to meet the demands of the 21st century, knowledge-based, labor market. Saudi Vision 2030 calls for education reform to prepare students for workforce success in Saudi Arabia and around the globe. NGL's partnership with Talemia fuels those efforts by delivering new courses in business, management, marketing and healthcare, all based on best-selling NGL curriculum and tailored to Saudi Ministry of Education needs. "At Cengage Group, we strongly believe in education for employment empowering learners by providing the skills and competencies they need to find employment and lead choice-filled lives," said Alexander Broich, President of Cengage Select, and General Manager for English Language Teaching. "Saudi Vision 2030 will enable the next generation of Saudi professionals to succeed in tomorrow's labor market. Our partnership with Talemia is a fantastic way to prepare future-ready professionals for an increasingly competitive job market." National Geographic Learning, in partnership with Talemia, will provide content for eight Career Pathway courses: Business Decisions, Introduction to Business, Business Finance, Principles of Management, Marketing, Event Management, Health Science Principles and Health Care. "Pathway courses enhance a student's skills, values and conduct and make each learner capable of benefiting Saudi society and the world," said Dr. Mansour Bin Salamah, CEO of Talemia. National Geographic Learning is the exclusive partner of the National Geographic Society for educational publishing. The Saudi Pathway courses bring the world to the classroom through real-world content, inspirational role models and impact photography. Grade 11-12 students in Saudi Arabia began using National Geographic Learning Business Pathway courses on August 28. The full curriculum of 12 Pathway courses will roll out across the 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic years. About National Geographic Learning National Geographic Learning, a Cengage Group business, is a leading educational publisher for the English Language Teaching and secondary education markets worldwide. At National Geographic Learning, we believe that an engaged and motivated learner will be a successful one, and we design our materials with a highly interactive storytelling approach which is a great way to invoke these connections. To learn more, visit: eltngl.com . About Cengage Group With more than 100 years serving learners, Cengage Group is a global edtech company that enables student choice. No matter how, where, when or why someone wants to learn, our portfolio of education businesses supports all students, from middle school through graduate school and skills education, with quality content and technology. Collectively, our three business units Cengage Academic, Cengage Work and Cengage Select help millions of students each year in more than 125 countries achieve their education and career goals and lead choice-filled lives. Visit us at www.cengagegroup.com or find us on LinkedIn and Twitter . About Talemia Talemia - wholly owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund Company - was established in 2012 and delivers comprehensive education solutions for teachers and learners, ensuring all citizens are equipped to succeed in life and at work. Talemia is the strategic partner of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Education. We support the Ministry in developing an education system which helps learners achieve the highest level of global knowledge through projects and programs aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. Visit us at https://www.talemia.sa/en/ or find us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Media Contact: Emily Featherston, Cengage Group 617.620.8314, [email protected] SOURCE National Geographic Learning The new group, Ampliform, will develop more than 10GW of solar projects in North America by 2025. The joint venture's consortium of investors led by the Jones Family Office, alongside Barings, the George Kaiser Family Foundation, and others. ARDMORE, Pa., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Prospect14 , a leading solar energy developer, today announced it has partnered with a group of experienced energy investors and operators with deep expertise in power generation and quantitative trading to launch Ampliform , a joint venture that will originate, develop, build, operate and optimize utility-scale solar and solar + storage projects in the United States. Ampliform is backed by a significant equity commitment from a consortium of investors led by the Jones Family Office, alongside Barings, the George Kaiser Family Foundation, and others. Prospect14, led by energy industry veterans Carl Jackson, Geoff Underwood, and Charles Silio, will provide greenfield origination, development and construction services to Ampliform, leveraging Prospect14's experience in data-driven, scaled project origination and project delivery. Also investing in Ampliform and serving on its executive leadership team on behalf of Greens Ledge Renewable Partners (GLRP) are Brad Romine and Steve Culliton, who previously led North American power generation investments, power trading and asset optimization for Castleton Commodities International, John Vivenzio, who previously served as Chief Technology Officer of King Street Capital Management, a leading global alternative asset manager, and Mikael Andren, who serves as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Jones Family Office and related entities. "We are very excited to partner with such experienced investors and power plant operators to drive the deployment and optimization of solar + storage projects at scale," said Carl Jackson, Partner, Prospect14. "Brad, Steve, and John have had tremendous success optimizing power plants, managing quantitative energy trading operations, building robust trading and operational data analysis infrastructure, and putting in place innovative financing for energy projects. That experience combined with our ability to pinpoint interconnection opportunities and scale them quickly in targeted markets is unique within the industry and will be invaluable as Ampliform transitions towards a merchant model." "We're partnering with Prospect14 on this joint venture because they have built a unique platform with a track record of using data-driven methods to site and develop solar + storage projects at scale in the nation's most competitive energy markets," said Brad Romine, Partner, Greens Ledge Renewable Partners. "We are developing our projects with the intent to own and operate them efficiently, so we begin projects with the end in mind and implement creative, data-driven approaches to optimizing plant design, development, and construction. This will make Ampliform faster and more efficient at every stage from greenfield development through to operations." Ampliform launches with more than 3GW of early- and mid-stage projects under development, the first of which are expected to begin construction in 2023. Ampliform is actively pursuing additional greenfield project origination as well as acquisition opportunities of solar projects and interconnection capacity, with a plan to build a development pipeline of more than 10GW by 2025. "Solar energy is an increasingly important part of the U.S. energy mix. In Ampliform, we see a tremendous opportunity to build a leading, highly differentiated company to help drive the energy transition," said Paul Tudor Jones II. "Ampliform has a significant competitive advantage because of its ability to scale rapidly, leverage technology and data, and take innovative approaches in bringing its assets to market." Guggenheim Securities served as the financial advisor on the formation of the joint venture and as structuring advisor, private placement agent and arranger on the financing of Ampliform. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP served as counsel to the investor group and to Ampliform. Jefferies LLC acted as financial adviser, and Greeneurlocker, PLC is legal adviser to Prospect14. About Ampliform Ampliform originates, develops, builds, operates, and optimizes utility-scale solar and solar + storage projects in the United States. Ampliform is led by a team of veteran developers, investors and operators in the energy sector with collectively more than 100 years of management experience. Ampliform's team has originated and developed multiple gigawatts of solar energy projects and overseen several gigawatts of power generation investments. For more information, and to contact Ampliform, please visit www.ampliform.com About Prospect14 Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, Prospect14 focuses on the scaled origination and development of renewable energy and energy storage projects in multiple markets in the United States. Since its inception, Prospect14 has originated over 5 GWdc of solar and solar + storage projects. For more information, please visit www.prospect14.com. About Greens Ledge Renewable Partners GLRP is a team of veteran investors and operators in the energy sector. The team collectively has more than 75 years of management experience and has acquired, operated and optimized over 5 gigawatts of power generation investments and traded energy and other commodities in the US and other global markets. Contact: 610.424.8228, [email protected] SOURCE Ampliform WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aspiring journalists can apply now for a new scholarship that provides free housing and a monthly stipend to support student journalists of color who plan to intern at news media outlets in Washington, D.C., in spring 2023. Applications are open for the National Press Club's new Lewis Scholarship, which aims to improve accessibility to experiential learning opportunities in the nation's capital for students of color. This scholarship, administered through the National Press Club Journalism Institute, will extend the Lewis family's commitment to increasing representation in Washington, D.C., to include news media, adding to their work founding and operating the Washington Intern Student Housing program and the HBCU National Center. The deadline to apply for the Spring 2023 Lewis Scholarship is Thursday, October 20. Application instructions, including eligibility requirements, are available here . The $4,000 scholarship will be awarded each spring, summer, and fall semester to a student journalist of color who demonstrates a commitment to a journalism career in the nation's capital. The recipient also will receive housing, valued at $6,000 per semester, through the Washington Intern Student Housing program. The Lewis Scholarship program was established on April 15, 2022, by the family of former Washington correspondent Robert "Bob" D.G. Lewis to honor Mr. Lewis's tenacity, dedication to investigative journalism, and involvement in leading journalism organizations. "Experiential learning is so important to students gaining insight into the real world and workplaces outside of home and school", said Jacqueline Lewis. "We're so happy to create this program with the National Press Club to help young journalists who might not otherwise be able to gain access to internships in Washington, D.C. Getting people up on the ladder is the first step to a more representative workforce." The scholarship will be open to currently enrolled college students of color in their junior or senior year of undergraduate study who are at least 18 years old and have at least a 3.0 grade-point average. Graduating seniors may apply for this scholarship if their internship takes place in the semester immediately following graduation. Students must independently secure an on-site journalism internship in Washington, D.C., to take place during the semester they would receive the scholarship. If applying for a spring or fall scholarship, scholarship recipients also must be enrolled in online classes at their college or university during their time in Washington, D.C. Mr. Lewis was a longtime Washington correspondent for Michigan's Booth newspaper chain who retired as a senior editor at Newhouse. Lewis served as chairman of the National Press Club's Board of Governors from 1975 to 1977. He was president of the Society of Professional Journalists from 1985 to 1986 and chairman of its Freedom of Information Committee from 1978 to 1983. Founded in 1908, The National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. The Club has 3,000 members representing nearly every major news organization and is a leading voice for press freedom in the United States and around the world. The National Press Club Journalism Institute , the club's non-profit affiliate, promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire civic engagement. If you'd like promotional materials to share with student journalists in your network, please let us know . For information on National Press Club scholarships, visit our website or email the National Press Club Journalism Institute at [email protected] . Contact: Beth Francesco, deputy executive director, [email protected] SOURCE National Press Club Journalism Institute Level 4 Press presents a dark, thought-provoking story of trauma inspired by Emily Dickinson. JAMUL, Calif., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Debut Author Eden Francis Compton writes Emily (September 2022), a dark-spiraling tale of a family's inherited trauma, inspired by American poet Emily Dickinson. Playwright Teddy Maine is trapped in a disturbing journey that slips in and out of reality, unraveling painful secrets as he tries to complete a play about Emily Dickinson. Emily explores the psychology and power dynamics of abuse victims and their perpetrators, resonant with social movements such as #metoo and the omnipresent fight against sexual violence. Emily by Eden Francis Compton Teddy Maine is written in the vein of David Mamet, a Pulitzer Prize winning playwright with controversial, anti-politically correct beliefs. Mamet has made headlines, and continues to, with his portrayals of male dominance, sexual assault, sexuality, and politics. His play "Bitter Wheat" was a poorly received comedy about Harvey Weinstein, who prompted the #metoo movement. Teddy Maine's career is viewed similarly; he's undoubtedly talented but wears his adverse reputation like a badge. Teddy makes a dark and fascinating vehicle for uncovering the complex relationships between abusers and abusees. Eden Francis Compton was inspired to write this tragic story after diving into Dickinson's prolific work. Dickinson's themes of love, pain, guilt, and death, paired with her controlling and alleged sexually abusive father, exposed the complexity of abusive relationships. While unraveling this, Compton began asking "can we heal ourselves by exposing our dark secrets . . . or are some too toxic and are better kept hidden?" In Emily, an assignment to write a play about Emily Dickinson should have been simplebut it has turned into pure obsession. One night, like magic, Emily comes to life in the office of world-famous playwright Teddy Maine, seducing him, torturing him, begging him to uncover the shocking secret about her life that she has woven between the lines of her text. And tonight, he's finally figured her out. So why is Teddy holding a gun to his head? Stumbling in and out of reality, we'll experience the magic of Emily Dickinson's words as they lead Teddy on a harrowing journey that will change his life . . . for eternity. Eden Francis Compton's psychological fiction, Emily, is an unflinching look at one man's unraveling and of a woman surviving and fighting back against violent patriarchy. Distributed by IPG. SOURCE Level 4 Press WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Have onerous zoning laws been a driving force behind massive housing shortages in our biggest cities, impeding economic growth and encouraging widespread sprawl? According to Nolan Gray's Arbitrary Lines: How Zoning Broke the American City and How to Fix It, the answer is an emphatic yes. A city planner and Research Director at California YIMBY, Nolan Gray will give the keynote address at the American Enterprise Institute's Increasing Housing Supply with California Senate Bill 9 and Senate Bill 10 in Fresno on Wednesday, September 21st at 9:00 a.m. Light Touch Density has the power to solve California's housing supply crisis (PRNewsfoto/AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH) As housing affordability has become a more salient issue for buyers and renters, the hyperlocal politics of housing have taken hold as a national conversation playing out across the country in state legislatures, in editorial pages, and in the White House. In California, the state assembly responded by passing SB-9 to legalize duplexes and lot splits on formerly single-family zoned parcels. This restores property rights to homeownersparticularly those strapped for cash-- who can now unlock the value of their land. Neighborhoods can boost economic growth and innovation, lower the cost of living, while improving municipal services. California won't find a way out of its 4.6 million unit shortage without building more homes.1 SB-9 and SB-10 open the door to make this new construction through Light Touch Density possible. By modestly raising the average number of units per acre from 6.7 to 8.9, Light Touch Density could increase yearly housing construction in Fresno by 72%. Through building more duplexes, more townhomes, more condos, and more single-family homes on smaller lots, the lower rungs of the housing ladder can be restored for families and workers struggling to keep up with housing costs. Join AEI and Nolan Gray in Fresno on September 21st to discuss how to do just that. Registration is open for 6 conferences to be held the week of September 19th, 2022 that will feature discussions and conversations on the most pressing housing issues facing Californians. These conferences are free and open to the public. Visit aei.org/california-housing-conference to register 1 Joint Economic Committee, "The Houses Act: Addressing the National Housing Shortage by Building on Federal Land." AEI Housing Center Conference Schedule: Monday, Sept. 19, 2022 San Francisco Hotel Nikko 222 Mason Street 9:00am1:00pm PDT (Incl. Lunch) Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022 Sacramento The Citizen Hotel 926 J Street 9:00am 1:00pm PDT (Incl. Lunch) Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022 Fresno The Doubletree by Hilton Fresno Convention Center 2233 Ventura St 9:00am1:00pm PDT (Incl. Lunch) Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022 Riverside Mission Inn Hotel & Spa 3649 Mission Inn Avenue 8:3012:30pm PDT (Incl. Lunch) Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022 Los Angeles The One Hotel 8490 West Sunset Boulevard 3:007:00pm PDT (Reception) Friday, Sept. 23, 2022 San Diego Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter 910 Broadway Circle 9:00am1:00pm PDT (Incl. Lunch) Media Contact Details: Arthur Gailes American Enterprise Institute Housing Center Washington, DC aei.org/california-housing-conference [email protected] 804-662-0874 SOURCE AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH DARIEN, Conn., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Made in Norway and by the Makers of Jarlsberg Cheese. Baked Potato with Snofrisk Mushroom and Fresh Shrooms Snofrisk Wild Mushroom, Fresh Spreadable Cheese. Product Beauty Shot. National Mushroom Month is an annual celebration established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to highlight the benefits of the Mushroom. September is also considered the major fungal month in Norway. Chanterelle mushrooms are often called "Forest Gold", and now can be enjoyed all year round with Snofrisk Wild Mushroom, a fresh creamy spreadable cheese made with Chanterelle mushrooms and a blend of Norwegian (80%) goat's milk and (20%) cow's cream for a mild, smooth and earthy taste. All ingredients are sourced exclusively from Norway. Snfrisk Wild Mushroom was introduced to meet the consumers' needs and demand for mushrooms and cheese the perfect combination. Snofrisk, all-natural and has zero additives. Also, available in alternative flavors: Original, Red Onion & Thyme, Dill, and Horseradish. It makes breakfast, lunch, and snacking easy and healthier: Spread on crackers, bagels, sandwiches, and wraps. Prefect as a steak sauce, a topper on salads and pizza/flatbreads or use as a dip for vegetables and much more. Celebrate with these fungilicious Snofrisk Wild Mushroom recipes, in honor of National Mushroom! Snofrisk Mushroom Risotto Ingredients (4 Servings) 125 g Snfrisk Chantarelle Wild Mushroom Chantarelle Wild Mushroom 200 g risotto (Arborio) rice 6 dl chicken stock 2 tbsp butter, unsalted 1 shallots, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 200 g mushrooms of your choice butter for sauteing the mushrooms small lettuce leaves and herbs salt and coarsely ground black pepper lemon juice HERE IS HOW YOU DO IT Fry mushrooms in butter until golden brown. In saucepan, bring stock to boil and season to taste with salt, coarsely ground black pepper and lemon juice. Reduce heat to low. In another sauce pan, melt 1 tbsp of the butter and quickly fry shallots and garlic. Add rice and stir. Then add stock a little at a time, stirring constantly. This process takes approx. 20 minutes. The rice should be slightly firm to the bite. Stir in the final tbsp of butter. Top the risotto with small dollops of Snfrisk, sauteed mushroom, lettuce leaves and herbs. Baked Potato with Snofrisk Mushroom and Fresh Shrooms INGREDIENTS (4 Servings) 225 g mushrooms (chestnut mushrooms or chanterelles) 1 red onion butter for frying salt 250 g Snfrisk Chanterelle Wild Mushroom lemon cress 4 baking potatoes (roughly the same size) HERE IS HOW YOU DO IT Baked potatoes can be cooked in a variety of ways: In the oven: Prick with a fork to pierce the skin, place the potatoes on a baking tray and bake in the oven at 225 C for around 1 to 1 hours. Cooking time may vary depending on the size of the potatoes. Check with a skewer to make sure the potatoes are fully cooked. In the microwave: Prick with a fork to pierce the skin. Place the potatoes in a dish or on a plate. Bake the potatoes on full power for 5 minutes at a time. (I cooked mine for around 15 minutes in total.) Check with a skewer to make sure the potatoes are fully cooked. On a barbecue: Prick with a fork to pierce the skin. Wrap the potatoes in foil. Bake on the barbecue for around 1 hour. Turn over after half an hour. Remove the potatoes from the foil and leave to cook unwrapped on the barbecue for the last 10 minutes to achieve a crispy skin. In the oven and microwave: Prick with a fork to pierce the skin, place the potatoes on a baking tray and bake in the oven at 225 C until they start to look baked (around 20 minutes). Then finish them off in the microwave. Cook for 5 minutes at a time. This is the perfect method if you don't have time to wait for them to cook for 1 hours in the oven. Thinly slice the mushrooms. Heat a dry frying pan and fry the mushrooms over a medium heat until they begin to release their liquid. Peel and finely chop the onion. Add the onion and some butter to the pan of mushrooms. Fry until the mushrooms are golden and the onion is soft. Season with salt. Allow to cool. Combine the fried mushrooms with the Snfrisk. Save a few mushrooms for a garnish. Add lemon and cress to taste to the cream cheese mixture. Cut a cross in the top of each cooked potato. Add the cream cheese mixture to the potatoes, top with the remaining fried mushrooms, onion and fresh cress. Prepare a large salad to serve with them. Available at selected Whole Foods Market Locations: https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/brands/snofrisk For more information and recipes, please visit: https://www.snofrisk.com For Sales inquiries, visit Norseland's website: https://www.norseland.com/contact About Snofrisk Cheese: You'll recognize Snfrisk easily its triangular packaging is inspired by the high mountains of Norway and the goats that graze there. The color is snow white and the name translates as "Snow Fresh". Enjoy the pure taste on its own or blended with Scandinavian ingredients like Wild Mushroom, Dill, Horseradish, Red Onion and Thyme. Snfrisk is produced in a town named rsta, at a small dairy on the coast of western Norway. The small team work hard to create the cheese without the use of stabilizers or additives, simply adding a sprinkle of salt to enhance the purity of flavor. From milking to the finished product, the whole process spans only two or three days, creating a cheese that is fresh, slightly tart and creamy. You could say that is great about our cheese begins with our goats. Free to roam all summer across pastures and mountain ranges of breathtaking beauty, our goat farmers pride themselves on the care and love for these special animals. Feeding on everything nature has to offer means they grow up on mineral-rich plants and protein and contribute greatly to maintaining the biological diversity of their environment. About Norseland: Norseland, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TINE SA, Norway's largest co-operative of dairy farmers. Originally formed in 1978 to import Jarlsberg wheels to the US, Norseland now represents a diverse portfolio of both owned and partner specialty food brands. We use traditional recipes and generations of farming knowledge to bring real food to your table. But we know 21st century food isn't just about the taste...we aim to contribute to a global food future that is ethically produced, sustainable, and good-for-you." SOURCE Norseland Inc GUANGZHOU, China, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Onion Global Limited ("Onion Global", the "Group" or the "Company") ( NYSE: OG), a next-generation lifestyle brand platform that connects the world's fresh, fashionable, and future technology-based brands to young people in China and across Asia, today announced that it generated over RMB110 million in GMV within the first three days of its 2022 Beauty Carnival Shopping Festival. The Beauty Carnival Shopping Festival was designed around the theme of "aspiring to an ideal life" and is aimed at identifying customers' everyday needs and stimulating their aspirations for a better life. During the Beauty Carnival Shopping Festival, Onion Global has created multiple scenarios connecting products to customers in an effort to drive consumption while making the shopping experience more pleasurable. Focused on creation by all, new and fun consumption, and scenario construction, the Beauty Carnival Shopping Festival forms a complete closed-loop chain from seeding content through to driving traffic and ultimately sales conversion for brands. The eighteen-day Beauty Carnival Shopping Festival started on September 6, 2022 and will continue until September 23, 2022. Highlights from the first three days of the 2022 Beauty Carnival Shopping Festival The total GMV during the first three days was over RMB110 million , and the total number of orders was over 235,000; , and the total number of orders was over 235,000; More than 16,000 Standard Product Units (SPUs) offered by 1,014 brands participating in the Beauty Carnival Shopping Festival this year; The total number of buyers exceeded 111,000 with a repurchase rate of more than 46%; Mr. Cong (Kenny) Li, Founder, and CEO of Onion Global commented, "During the Beauty Carnival Shopping Festival this year with a slogan of "Keen on the new era", Onion Global has facilitated integration and interaction between products, customers and scenarios, building emotional resonance and personal connections with consumers through the following process: 1) Provide and stimulate consumers with creative product-related content with different dimensions, launch new low-priced high-quality products and carry out activities in online communities to drive traffic and brand awareness; 2) Build a "New Era Ideal Life Bazaar" that integrates interaction, experience and sales, and collaborate with brands to offer classes, enabling customers to learn and be entertained, thereby deepening connections between brands and customers; 3) Design diverse live streaming scenarios and multiple themed days for live streaming rooms, boosting interactions with customers and providing an immersive experience. To reach a wider customer base, the brands of the Beauty Carnival Shopping Festival will be advertised both online and offline, covering a wide range of exposures on channels including outdoor screens, subway ads, WeChat and Weibo to facilitate the precise conversion of traffic into sales. Leveraging its platforms including O'mall and Hoomuch as well as nearly 800,000 key opinion customers (KOCs) nationwide, Onion Global will use digital tools to create points of connection between products, customers and scenarios; these multiple connecting points are not only the key to driving sales conversion, but also to spreading our corporate culture, brand story and product value." Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, the Company's forecasts, general observation of the industry, and business outlook, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "expects," "anticipates," "target," "aim," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "potential," "estimates" "continue," "is/are likely to," or other similar statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Onion Global's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Onion Global does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. About Onion Global Limited Onion Global Limited ( NYSE: OG) is a next-generation lifestyle brand platform that connects the world's fresh, fashionable, and future technology-based brands to young people in China and across Asia. The Company's mission is to be the dream factory of lifestyle brands for young people. The Company's platform offers an integrated solution to develop, market, and distribute new and inspiring branded products, thereby reshaping the lifestyle shopping and consumer culture in China. Onion Global Limited has been listed on New York Stock Exchange since May 2021. For more information, please visit: http://ir.msyc.com/. Investor Relations Contact In China: Onion Global Ltd. Investor Relations E-mail: [email protected] Christensen Mr. Eric Yuan E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +86-10-5900-1548 In the United States: Christensen Ms. Linda Bergkamp E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +1-480-614-3004 SOURCE Onion Global Limited Bhanot Previously Served as the Hawaii Department of Human Services Director in a Career Spanning 21 Years HONOLULU, Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- eWorld Enterprise Solutions, Inc. (eWorldES) announced today that Pankaj Bhanot is the incoming CEO who will lead its new executive team. Bhanot was previously the Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) Director and worked in the public service industry for 21 years. As Director of DHS, he prepared the department for the pandemic to help the most individuals possible throughout COVID-19. Now he will be leading eWorld Enterprise Solutions to continue to focus on the initiatives that will benefit Hawaii's communities through technology. "Hawaii has been my home for the last 30 years, and the opportunity to join eWorldES and continue my focus here was a big factor in my decision," said Bhanot. "My values of the aloha spirit, determination, and being the best in our industry align with those of eWorld ES, and we are looking forward to doing great things together for the state." In a speech to the employees, Bhanot said, "I would like us to work efficiently to provide creative, innovative, affordable, and sustainable information and technology solutions that make a difference in the communities we live, work and play in." Bhanot's priority is to provide leadership on the company's key projects for government clients and focus on strategic expansion that maximizes the key strengths of eWorldES. The ongoing focus will be on servicing clients and helping them provide citizens with modern and intelligent solutions for their technology needs. Members of the executive team who will be helping to lead the charge into the new era of eWorldES include Bhanu Vellanki as President and Chief Operating Officer; Steve Sakata as Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer; Joel Bongco as Vice President and Chief Experience and Security Officer; Dean Senda, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Rama Kodumagulla as Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. Kodumagulla is the only new hire for the executive team. As the incoming CTO and Vice President, he comes to eWorldES from Convexio, located in North Carolina, where he served as the founder and technical architect with over 30+ years of experience in Government (Federal, State & Tribes), Automotive, Sports, Banking, Solar, Telecom, Retail, and Healthcare industries. All other executives have served in various capacities for eWorldES for several years and up to 17 years with the company. eWorldES has worked in the State of Hawaii for over 23 years focusing on government solutions and working with state departments and divisions to modernize, automate, and develop efficient and effective solutions. About eWorld Enterprise Solutions eWorld Enterprise Solutions, Inc. (eWorldES) is a Hawaii-based information technology and solutions integration company. The company has over 100 staff and consultants, many of which reside in Hawaii and have extensive IT experience. Founded in 1999, eWorldES is proud to be one of Hawaii's leading technology companies contributing to our state's innovation economy and delivering technology solutions for our clients for 23 years SOURCE eWorld Enterprise Solutions Available in-store and online, the dog-focused collection features a variety of Willy Wonka-themed toys and apparel PHOENIX, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PetSmart, in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, is providing dog parents and their pups a chance to find their own golden ticket with the launch of an all-new Willy Wonka collection. Developed by Fetch for Pets, the exclusive collection is available now in PetSmart stores nationwide and online. Courtesy of PetSmart Apparel and toys based on iconic characters and moments from the beloved "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" film that has charmed generations of audiences come to life in an all-new way in this collection. Dogs and their parents can now immerse themselves in the spectacular story of Charlie Bucket with a golden ticket plush toy, an Everlasting Gobstopper toy, Oompa Loompa and Willy Wonka apparel, and more. "We'll do anything for pets, and one of our favorite ways to do that is by giving pets and their parents magical moments they can enjoy together," says Kristin Shane, senior vice president and chief merchandising officer at PetSmart. "Our new Willy Wonka collection is the perfect way for pet parents to find their own golden ticket, experiencing this beloved story with their furry family member in a new way." The full Willy Wonka collection at PetSmart includes: To celebrate the new Willy Wonka collection, PetSmart Doggie Day Camps will host Howl-O-Ween at Wonka's*, a one-day-only Wonka-themed Doggie Day Camp experience on Oct. 27. This ultimate play date will immerse dogs into the playful world of Willy Wonka. For an additional $10 with any PetSmart Doggie Day Camp reservation, playdate participants will receive a plush golden ticket take-home toy, a dog-friendly treat bag, a photo in front of a custom Willy Wonka backdrop and doggie ice cream. For more information on the exclusive Willy Wonka collection and Howl-O-Ween at Wonka's, available only at PetSmart, visit PetSmart.com. *Howl O' Ween at Wonka's playdate is available with your paid day of play. Add the Ultimate Playdate to your pup's day of play for an additional $10.00 and receive an exclusive Willy Wonka take-home toy and a dog-friendly treat bag. Doggie Day Camp is available at select store locations. Space may be limited. Pet age, health & vaccination requirements apply. Breed restrictions apply. At the sole discretion of PetSmart, some pets may not be permitted. About PetSmart PetSmart LLC is the leading pet retailer offering products, services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart's passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so together they can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities. PetSmart operates approximately 1,660 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as more than 200 in-store PetSmart PetsHotel dog and cat boarding facilities. We provide a broad range of competitively priced pet food and products, as well as services such as dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp and pet adoption. PetSmart, PetSmart Charities and PetSmart Charities of Canada work with nearly 4,000 animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets into stores so they have the best chance possible of finding a forever home. Through this in-store adoption program and other signature events, PetSmart has facilitated over 10 million adoptions, more than any other brick-and-mortar organization. About Warner Bros. Consumer Products Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP), part of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Brands and Experiences, extends the company's powerful portfolio of entertainment brands and franchises into the lives of fans around the world. WBCP partners with best-in-class licensees globally on an award-winning range of toys, fashion, home decor, and publishing inspired by Warner Bros.' biggest franchises from DC, Wizarding World, Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera, Game of Thrones, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim. With innovative global licensing and merchandising programs, retail initiatives, and promotional partnerships, WBCP is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world. SOURCE PetSmart The 24/7 Automated Pizzeria Concept will be featured in a 'Kitchen of the Future' Demo TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PizzaForno, one of North America's only automated pizzerias that bakes artisanal pizzas in less than three minutes, has announced its participation in the virtual Kraft Heinz Foodovation event on September 20th, 2022, a day that also marks National Pepperoni Pizza Day. The highly-anticipated foodservice industry event will share the latest innovations in restaurant automation, explore global trends, and demonstrate new technologies that are rapidly emerging as useful tools for hospitality leaders solving labor shortages, rising costs, and unreliable supply chains. Key speakers include Kathryn Fenner of Technomic, who will address the state of the foodservice industry, and Mike Kostyo of Datassential, who will discuss current top food trends. The event will feature "culinary breakouts," where the Kraft Heinz culinary team will showcase new products and techniques. One of them will feature a traditional present-day restaurant contrasted against a restaurant of the future, to reveal how the industry is evolving and embracing new technologies, including automated pizzerias from PizzaForno during a 'kitchen of the future' demo, rapid cook and microwave ovens, sous vide cooking, and POS ordering systems. "PizzaForno offers high ROI and has the ability to operate 24/7 with zero on-site labor costs," said Les Tomlin, Co-Founder and President of PizzaForno. "We're thrilled to be able to showcase how our revolutionary automated pizzerias are solving problems and paving the way for a better future." Unlike most on-the-go pizza options loaded with added preservatives, PizzaForno has selected healthy, natural ingredients to deliver on quality and consistency to scale the business. As volume demands, each unit can hold up to 70 fully prepared pre-boxed pizzas made fresh in the U.S. and replenished frequently. As soon as the customer selects their preferred menu item, the state-of-the-art oven gives the customer the option to Take-n-Bake or bake the 12" premium artisan pizza in under three minutes. To learn more about PizzaForno and their licensing opportunities, visit https://www.pizzaforno.com/become-a-licensee/. ABOUT PIZZAFORNO Founded in 2018 by Canadian entrepreneurs William Moyer and Les Tomlin, PizzaForno is North America's only automated pizzeria which introduces gourmet artisanal pizzas in less than three minutes. Accessible 24/7 at the tap of a digital screen, PizzaForno offers a selection of innovative menu options, each made with high quality ingredients, with an authentic approach. Utilizing technology made popular in France by ADIAL, PizzaForno has built their brand on a proven machine with already 2,000 operating in Europe. PizzaForno currently has 51 operating locations and over 100 additional locations committed in the U.S. alone, with the first 15 U.S. locations already established in Michigan, Texas, and Louisiana. In 2020, PizzaForno was honored with the Restaurants Canada 2020 Innovation Award. To learn more about PizzaForno, visit https://www.pizzaforno.com/. To inquire about the licensee opportunity, visit https://www.pizzaforno.com/become-a-licensee/. SOURCE PizzaForno ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mongolia's Prime Minister, L. Oyun-Erdene, has met today with major Hollywood studios and film companies to discuss how they can work together to further develop and promote the Mongolian film industry internationally. Attendees at the meeting included senior representatives from HBO, Netflix, Paramount Pictures and Warner Brothers, who are all in Ulaanbaatar at the invitation of Mongolia's Culture Minister, Nomin Chinbat. Prime Minister of Mongolia L. Oyun-Erdene met with representatives from HBO, Netflix, Paramount Pictures and Warner Brothers to discuss the development of the Mongolian film industry. Opening the meeting, the Prime Minister outlined the Government's efforts to develop Mongolia's creative industries as part of strengthening and diversifying the country's economy. Developing the creative industries is a key part of Mongolia's New Recovery Policy and provides opportunities to create a new, independent source of growth away from mining. The Prime Minister stressed the Government's commitment to create a favourable filming environment in Mongolia to take its film industry to the next level. Mongolia's Law on the Support of Cinematography was approved in 2021 and started to be implemented in early 2022. The law introduced competitive incentives, including a reimbursement program for film production costs, to help major global productions and studios create jobs and build capacity, attracting more investment into Mongolia, increasing tourism and creating greater awareness of the country's unique heritage. The visit by the leading film executives coincides with "FAM TOUR-2022", an initiative jointly organised by Mongolia's Ministry of Culture and the Mongolian National Film Council to promote the incentives available for filming in Mongolia, as well as the activities of the Council and Mongolia's beautiful natural environment. It is running from 14-19 September. During the rest of their visit to Mongolia, which lasts until 19 September, the film executives will meet with Mongolian filmmakers, directors, producers and artists, including Nomadia Pictures and the world-class recording studio B Production. They will also visit the Mongol Nomadic Tourist Camp and see an equestrian stunt show at Terelj National Park. Speaking following the meeting, Mongolian Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene said: "Mongolia's creative industries have the potential to become a major pillar of our economy, and strengthening our partnership with these leading film companies is key to making progress in this area as part of our New Recovery Policy. "I look forward to our work together in future and to seeing an increasing number of studios choosing to work in Mongolia in the years ahead, helping to put our film industry firmly on the map." Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1900050/The_Government_of_Mongolia.jpg SOURCE The Government of Mongolia NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Policygenius and Barnum Financial Group , in conjunction with Risk and Insurance Associates (RIA), announced today an expanded partnership to bring term life fulfillment platform Policygenius Pro to Barnum's entire robust network of financial advisors. Policygenius Pro is a turnkey partnerships platform that helps advisors accelerate and streamline life insurance sales. With this tool, advisors and agents can refer their clients to Policygenius to take them through the entire life insurance placement process, from finalizing policy selection to placing coverage in-force. Barnum and RIA were early adopters of the Policygenius Pro platform, running a successful pilot program and then scaling access to hundreds of their advisors. Barnum and RIA's robust engagement in this pilot helped the Policygenius Pro team develop even stronger experiences for advisors and clients, like seamless client handoff processes and follow-up communications. The expanded partnership represents Barnum's ongoing investment in driving efficiency for their advisors. The Policygenius Pro's dynamic platform and expansive carrier shelf allows Barnum advisors to focus even greater time and attention on providing their clients with holistic financial guidance. "The Policygenius Pro platform is precisely the partnership we needed to help us scale our firm and our advisors' practices efficiently," Stefano Martini, Chief Technology Officer at Barnum, said. "Our advisors can refer clients in minutes and trust that an experienced Policygenius Pro agent will reach out and help guide their clients through the application process. Making sure clients are taken care of is our number one priority, and Policygenius Pro has allowed us to expand our ability to cater to the clients' diverse needs." With Policygenius Pro, Barnum advisors receive access to Policygenius' wide variety of insurers, coverage types, and policy options, including accelerated underwriting offerings exclusively available on the Policygenius platform. Partners also receive support from an expert staff of 200+ dedicated specialists for case management, underwriting, and product support. "Barnum has played a crucial part in helping us solidify our roadmap for Policygenius Pro," Jennifer Fitzgerald, CEO and co-founder of Policygenius, said. "Their early adoption and feedback, coupled with their innovative business goals and consistent use of our platform, highlights how committed they are to improving their advisor and client experiences." To date, Policygenius Pro has helped partners cut placement times by half, on average, and reduced the average time an advisor spends on an application from 2.5 hours to 15-20 minutes. About Policygenius Pro Policygenius Pro is a turnkey partnerships platform that helps independent agents and financial advisors accelerate and streamline life insurance sales. With this program, Policygenius provides its one-stop-shop insurance solution to financial advisors, independent agents, community banks, credit unions, and more, with the goal of helping partners' clients get the insurance coverage they need. Partners receive access to a wide variety of insurers, coverage types, and policy options, including accelerated underwriting offerings exclusively available on the Policygenius platform. About Policygenius Policygenius transforms the insurance journey for today's consumer, providing a one-stop platform where customers can compare options from top insurance carriers, get unbiased expert advice, buy policies, and manage their insurance portfolio, in one seamless, integrated experience. Our proprietary technology platform integrates with the leading life, disability, and home and auto insurance carriers and delivers an exceptional digital experience for both consumers and insurance carriers. Since 2014, our content, digital tools, and experts have served as a resource for millions of people on their insurance journey, and we have sold more than $160 billion in coverage. To receive Policygenius announcements, email [email protected]. For more information about Policygenius Pro, visit https://visit.policygenius.com/policygenius-pro/ or email [email protected]. For more information: Brooke Niemeyer Associate Director of Media Relations [email protected] About Barnum Serving 50 states with offices in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island, Barnum Financial Group has approximately 400 licensed and credentialed financial service representatives and staff dedicated to providing customized advice, strategic solutions, and financial education to clients at all different life stages with expertise in financial planning, insurance protection, income generation, college funding, tax minimization, estate planning, and elder care and special care planning. Barnum offers a full range of investment and risk management products and services from industry leading providers through its open architecture platforms. The firm has close to 300,000 clients, including individuals and their families, as well as businesses, corporations, government entities, and not-for-profit organizations and their employees, in all fifty states. Barnum Financial Group's financial service representatives manage $30 billion in AUA/AUM. For more information, visit www.barnumfinancialgroup.com . About Risk & Insurance Associates Risk & Insurance Associates, with headquarters in Connecticut, was established in 2016 and is a full-service Brokerage General Agency that supports over 1,000 agents who specialize in property and casualty insurance, financial planning, and wealth management. Risk & Insurance Associates offers a complete slate of insurance solutions, and believes in working with agents to develop comprehensive and individually curated solutions and experiences for their clients. For more information, visit www.riskassoc.com. SOURCE Policygenius Virtual event aims to celebrate the manufacturing industry and inspire a new generation as Raymond celebrates a centurylong history of innovation GREENE, N.Y., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Raymond Corporation will kick off its eighth annual Manufacturing Day event, Celebrating a Century of Innovation, on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. National Manufacturing Day is an annual celebration of the manufacturing industry and organized by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). As Raymond continues to build on its 100-year history of innovation and continuous improvement, the intralogistics leader is committed to helping ensure the next generation of manufacturing leaders continues to have the tools and resources needed to positively impact the supply chain. This year is the third year Raymond's Manufacturing Day will be an entirely virtual event. This online program, starting Oct. 7 and continuing through the remainder of the month, will help teachers and students learn more about future careers in modern manufacturing. Students will learn about building skills for the future through a virtual manufacturing facility tour, highlights of industry technology and discussions with Raymond's leadership team. "We're excited to showcase Raymond's century of innovation in the material handling industry to help spark curiosity among the next generation to encourage them to pursue a career in this growing industry," said Tony Topencik, vice president of operations, quality, environmental health and safety at The Raymond Corporation. "There will always be a need for skilled workers to provide essential services that help to keep the supply chain moving. As a leader and manufacturer in the industry for the past 100 years, we recognize the importance of these skills and continually work to develop a culture where individuals can grow." As part of this year's event, participants will have the opportunity to follow the journey of young professionals working at Raymond in various programs and roles, including the Broome-Tioga Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) Youth Apprenticeship program and Raymond's co-op program. They'll also hear from a young professional who works on the manufacturing floor as an assembly supervisor for Swing-Reach trucks, a vital component in many of today's e-commerce warehouses. Individuals interested in joining the virtual celebration can find more information below. What : The Raymond Corporation will host its eighth annual Manufacturing Day event. The monthlong event, kicking off Oct. 7 , will be a self-guided, interactive exploration of The Raymond Corporation, including: The Raymond Corporation will host its eighth annual Manufacturing Day event. The monthlong event, kicking off , will be a self-guided, interactive exploration of The Raymond Corporation, including: A virtual factory tour, in which students can explore Raymond's manufacturing floor. Associate testimonials, including a high school student who is part of Raymond's apprentice program; two students from Raymond's co-op program; and a young professional who works on the manufacturing floor as an assembly supervisor for Swing-Reach trucks. A technician spotlight, which will showcase two Raymond Solutions and Support Centers from across the United States . . Industry technology showcasing the future of manufacturing. When: Starting Friday, Oct. 7, 2022 . This is not a live event, and participants are free to join at their convenience through the remainder of October. The experience is expected to take approximately one hour to complete. Starting . This is not a live event, and participants are free to join at their convenience through the remainder of October. The experience is expected to take approximately one hour to complete. Where: www.raymondcorp.com/manufacturingdayregistration www.raymondcorp.com/manufacturingdayregistration Who : This virtual event is open to all middle and high school students via teacher registration. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions. This virtual event is open to all middle and high school students via teacher registration. Please email if you have any questions. Interview Subjects: Steve VanNostrand, executive vice president at The Raymond Corporation and Tony Topencik , vice president of operations, quality, environmental health and safety at The Raymond Corporation. For more information or to locate an authorized Raymond Solutions and Support Center, visit www.raymondcorp.com or call 800-235-7200. About The Raymond Corporation The Raymond Corporation, a Toyota Industries Company, is a leading global provider of best-in-class material handling products and intelligent intralogistics solutions. Built on principles of innovation and continuous improvement for 100 years, Raymond's integrated automation, telematics, virtual reality and advanced energy solutions provide ways to optimize operations and bring warehouse and distribution operations to a new level of performance. Raymond electric forklift trucks are engineered to achieve increased productivity and efficiency and are designed to provide ecological and economic benefits. Raymond delivers solutions to material handling and logistics markets in North America and globally. Combining operational excellence, award-winning innovation and world-class global customer support, we work together to run better, manage smarter and keep our customers always on. For more information, visit raymondcorp.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn. About The Manufacturing Institute The Manufacturing Institute (MI) grows and supports the manufacturing industry's skilled workers for the advancement of modern manufacturing. The MI's diverse initiatives support all workers in America, including women, veterans and students, through skills training programs, community building and the advancement of their career in manufacturing. As the workforce development and education partner of the NAM, the MI is a trusted adviser to manufacturers, equipping them with resources necessary to solve the industry's toughest challenges. For more information on the MI, please visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org. Raymond and Swing-Reach are U.S. trademarks of The Raymond Corporation. 2022 The Raymond Corporation. All rights reserved. SOURCE The Raymond Corporation Newly Defined Asset Class Proves To Be Competitive With Other Investment Classes AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A new, trailblazing report refutes the current misconception that rental apartments priced for the middle-income workforcesuch as teachers, nurses, and first respondershave a lower return on investment than apartments with higher rent levels, paving the way for Moderate-Income Rental Housing to be a competitive ESG investment. Chart: Total Return vs. Risk vs. Major Asset Class Over Last 10 Years from Q2 2011 - Q2 2021 The report, sponsored by Affordable Central Texas and the Wells Fargo Foundation, defines a new asset class as Moderate-Income Rental Housing (MIRH), or large, multifamily rental properties occupied by tenants earning between 60 percent and 120 percent of the Median Family Income (MFI) with at least half the residents earning less than 80% of MFI. Analyzing data since 2011, the report demonstrates MIRH assets outperformed rental properties with higher rents, averaged an unleveraged return of 9.4 percent, and had the lowest risk, 2.6 percent spread when compared to other real estate asset classes. "Demand for affordable rental housing for moderate-income households is surging as homeownership becomes unobtainable for many. At the same time, interest in Environmental, Social, and Governance investments is growing rapidly," said David Steinwedell, President and CEO of Affordable Central Texas. "We can't afford to lose the people who power our communities, and we have a market solution to a market problem. MIRH delivers consistent, predictable returns and makes a real difference in the lives of our neighbors." In 2021, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) funds accounted for 10 percent of worldwide fund assets. According to a new report by Bloomberg Intelligence , global ESG assets may surpass $41 trillion by 2022 and $50 trillion by 2025. ESG's in the U.S. are taking the lead with more than 40 percent growth in the past two years and are expected to exceed $20 trillion in 2022. The report drew on data from the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries Property Index and analyzed eight metropolitan areasAtlanta, Austin, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Phoenix, Seattle, and Washington, DC, from Q2 2011 to Q2 2021. The nation's three largest metros, New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, lacked enough MIRH assets to allow for analysis due to their well documented affordability challenges. The research was prepared by Mark G. Roberts, Director of Research at the Folsom Institute for Real Estate at Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business, and Jake Wegmann, Associate Professor at the Community & Regional Planning Program at the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture. The full report and further information about MIRH's performance as a new asset class can be found at: https://austinhousingconservancy.com/moderate-income-rental-housing-report/. About Affordable Central Texas Affordable Central Texas (ACT), in conjunction with Austin Housing Conservancy Fund, works to ensure Austin's workforce can afford to live in greater Austin by building a scalable social impact fund aimed at preserving well-located multi-family apartment properties for long-term affordability. ACT is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit formed in 2016 by local Austin real estate and affordable housing veterans to manage the activities and investments of the Fund, providing stable and affordable workforce housing in and around Austin. www.austinhousingconservancy.com SOURCE Affordable Central Texas CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As cities and towns seek funding for transportation, parks, affordable housing, and other public goods, they often overlook one of their most valuable assetsland. A new Policy Focus Report from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy shows how local governments make land more valuable by building infrastructure and facilitating urban development, and how they can ensure that the community reaps the benefits. Report Shows How Land Value Capture Can Pay for Infrastructure, Affordable Housing, and Public Services Land value capture enables communities to recover and reinvest the land value increase that results from actions such as building new train stations or changing regulations to enable more dense development. In Land Value Capture in the United States: Funding Infrastructure and Local Government Services, author Gerald Korngold explains how the major land value capture tools work, and recommends a path forward for leaders who want to implement them. The Trustee Professor of Law at New York Law School, Korngold also lays out the legal precedents for different types of land value capture and recommends ways policy makers can minimize legal risks. "Land value capture has in various forms been used and legally upheld in the United States for some 150 years," he writes. "It remains a valid and viable option to finance government activities, provided policy makers leverage available tools appropriately." Korngold provides an in-depth analysis of seven land value capture toolsexactions, impact fees, linkage fees, special assessments, mandatory inclusionary housing, incentive zoning, and transferable development rights. He uses case studies from around the country to explain how land value capture can contribute to public policy goals such as equity and sustainability. For example, in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC, commercial property owners agreed to tax themselves more than $700 million to fund a 23-mile extension of the Metrorail system to Dulles International Airport, roughly an eighth of the total cost of the project. The first section of the new line opened in 2014, and the rest is scheduled to open later this year. In downtown Chicago, the city grants developers permission to construct larger buildings in exchange for voluntary fees, which are calculated based on the size of each project. The city directs 80 percent of the revenue to commercial development in underserved neighborhoods, 10 percent to public improvements near each downtown project, and 10 percent to the restoration of landmarks. Such policies are possible because transportation infrastructure and zoning for greater density have both been shown to increase the value of land, either by providing access to jobs and amenities, or increasing the profitability of a development, as Korngold documents in the report. "Without land value capture, this increased land value remains exclusively in private hands despite the public actions that created it," Korngold writes. The report is intended for state and local policy makers, urban planners, economic development officials, civic leaders, lawyers, advocates, and other stakeholders. "Gerald Korngold provides an all-too-rare pragmatic overview of land value capture, a topic that stokes great passion from theorists and practitioners alike," said Ian Carlton, senior economic advisor for ECONorthwest, a consulting firm that specializes in economics, finance, and planning. "He clearly explains many of the value capture options that one could implement in the U.S. context." The report is available for download at no cost on the Lincoln Institute's website: https://www.lincolninst.edu/publications/policy-focus-reports/land-value-capture-in-united-states The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy seeks to improve quality of life through the effective use, taxation, and stewardship of land. A nonprofit private operating foundation whose origins date to 1946, the Lincoln Institute researches and recommends creative approaches to land as a solution to economic, social, and environmental challenges. Through education, training, publications, and events, we integrate theory and practice to inform public policy decisions worldwide. SOURCE Lincoln Institute of Land Policy VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Revolve Renewable Power Corp. (TSXV: REVV) ("Revolve" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed an energy services contract for a new 3.2MWh ("megawatt per hour") Battery Energy Storage System (or "BESS")(the "Project"). This is the first BESS project signed under the Company's recently established distributed generation (or "DG") business and complements the recently completed acquisition of Centrica Business Systems (Mexico) (see News Release dated August 29, 2022 (https://money.tmx.com/en/quote/REVV/news/5305963835965510/Revolve_Acquires_100%_of_Centrica_Business_Solutions_with_Operating_Assets_and_Recurring_Revenue_Stream). The Project increases the Company's DG capacity in operation and under construction by 50% to approximately 9MWh. Project Details The 3.2MWh battery storage system will be installed at the site of a major hotel chain in Cancun, Mexico . . Revolve will be the owner of the Project with responsibility for the financing, installation and operation of the BESS system. A 10-year Energy Services Agreement (or "ESA") has been signed between the Company and the hotel operator for the provision of peak shaving and other energy related services. Under the ESA agreement Revolve will receive an annual fixed payment in addition to sharing the energy savings delivered by the Project over the 10-year contract period. An Engineering Procurement Contract (or "EPC") has been signed with Quartux Mexico S.A. de C.V. (or "Quartux"), a highly experienced installer and operator of battery storage systems in Mexico , to deliver a turnkey solution for the installation and commissioning of the BESS system. , to deliver a turnkey solution for the installation and commissioning of the BESS system. In addition to the EPC a 10-year Maintenance Agreement has also been signed with Quartux for the day-to-day operation and optimization of the system including all routine maintenance. The Project is targeted to be operational in Q1 2023 and will add to the recurring revenue base established by the Company with the recent acquisition of Centrica Business Solutions ( Mexico ). An updated financial forecast for the Company's DG division is currently being completed and will be released in due course. ). An updated financial forecast for the Company's DG division is currently being completed and will be released in due course. The project is expected to cost approximately US$1.8m to install and commission including all related financing and transaction costs. Project Financing The Project will be financed through a combination of cash on hand and a new CAD$1.86m secured loan (the "Secured Loan") to be provided by RE Royalties Ltd (or "RER"). The financing agreements will consist of a secured loan agreement and a royalty agreement between Revolve and RER. Finalization of the financing agreements is expected to be completed in the next few weeks. The Secured Loan will be drawn down per a schedule commencing upon signing of the definitive financing agreements and will have a term of 24 months. It will be repayable at maturity, bear interest at 12% on drawn funds, with interest payable on a quarterly basis during the term. The Company will pay RE Royalties a financing fee of 2% of the Secured Loan amount on signing. The Secured Loan will be secured by certain assets of the Company. The Company will also enter into a royalty agreement with RER under which RER will receive a royalty of 5% on gross revenues generated by the Project for the term of the ESA. Mr. Eric Hickert, CEO of Revolve Business Solutions, commented: "We are extremely pleased to sign our first battery storage as a service deal and to add further contracted capacity to our growing distributed generation business. We are also particularly excited by the partnership with Quartux and are looking forward to working with them on similar projects over the coming months." Mr. Alejandro Fajer, COO of Quartux Mexico, S.A. de C.V. commented: "In Quartux we are very happy to collaborate with Revolve in a strategic project that will open the door to many opportunities and will further strengthen our position as leaders in the energy storage sector in Mexico and LATAM." Currency Considerations All transactions over the course of this contract as well as the Agreement with the installer will be in Mexican Pesos. For ease of reference all dollar amounts have been presented in U.S. dollars at exchange rate of One Mexican Peso (MX$) to 0.05 US dollars (US$). What is Distributed Generation? Distributed Generation (or "DG") is an approach to the provision of energy by deploying tools, most commonly solar and battery storage technologies, near end consumers of power. The power generation and storage units are typically installed on rooftops or near the power consumer and provide power direct to the customer (often described as "behind the meter" power, as opposed to purchasing electricity off the "grid"). The business model for Revolve entails installing power systems at its own cost at customer premises and selling the renewable energy produced from these systems back to its customers on long-term Power Purchase Agreements or Energy Service Agreements. The primary target market is large commercial and industrial enterprises, including manufacturing operations and hotel chains. About Revolve Revolve was formed in 2012 to capitalize on the growing global demand for renewable power. Revolve develops utility-scale wind, solar and battery storage projects in the US and Mexico with a portfolio of 3,700MW under development. The Company has a second division, Revolve Renewable Business Solutions which installs and operates sub 20MW "behind the meter" distributed generation (or "DG") assets. Revolve Renewable Business Solutions currently has an operating portfolio of 2.85MW with an additional 3MW in the construction phase. Revolve has an accomplished management team with a demonstrated track record of taking projects from "greenfield" through to "ready to build" (or "RTB") status and successfully concluding project sales to large operators of utility-scale renewable energy projects. To-date, Revolve has developed and sold over 300MW of projects. Going forward, Revolve is targeting 5,000MW of utility-scale projects under development in the US and Mexico, and in parallel is rapidly growing its portfolio of revenue-generating distributed generation assets. Forward Looking Information Although Revolve believes, considering the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because Revolve can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include information relating to the business plans of Revolve and Revolve's management's expectation on the growth and performance of its business in the United States and Mexico, including the planned MW capacity of its projects; its expansion into the distributed generation market; potential opportunities in the distributed generation market; the completion and timing of the development of its planned portfolio of distributed generation projects; the completion of the Transaction, including final approval of the transaction by the TSXV; potential revenues and cashflows generated from its DG division; and the Company's plans to develop, construct and finance rooftop solar, battery storage and energy efficiency projects of up to 5MW and enter into long term power purchase agreements for the sale of electricity from the projects with the underlying customers. Such statements and information reflect the current view of Revolve and/or Revolve, respectively. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions, having regard to the Company's experience and its perception of historical trends, and includes, but is not limited to, expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions relating to the extent of regulations pertaining to the Company's projects and Revolve's ability to continue as going concern. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information, including but not limited to: the effects of weather, catastrophes and public health crises, including COVID-19; labour availability; disruptions to the Company's supply chains; changes to regulatory environment, including interpretation of production tax credits; armed hostilities and geopolitical conflicts; failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals in a timely fashion, or at all; risks related to the development and potential development of the Company's projects; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; the availability of tax incentives in connection with the development of renewable energy projects and the sale of electrical energy; as well as those factors discussed in the sections relating to risk factors discussed in the Company's continuous disclosure filings on SEDAR. Such statements and information reflect the current view of Revolve. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Revolve as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. Revolve does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE ReVolve Renewable Power Corp Farmers, ranchers in Arkansas, Minnesota, North Dakota and Virginia will have opportunity to participate in USDA-funded program WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Rural Investment to Protect our Environment (RIPE) is thrilled to announce that the nonprofit and partners, including lead applicant Virginia Tech, have been awarded $80 million for a pilot program by the USDA's Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program. RIPE is a producer-led organization advancing RIPE100 a conservation program that would pay producers $100 per acre or animal unit for stewardship, offering equitable payments above costs associated with practice implementation. Under the three-year pilot program, RIPE and its partners will help producers in Arkansas, Minnesota, North Dakota and Virginia prove the value of paying farmers and ranchers $100 per acre or animal unit for stewardship practices that deliver public value through carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas reduction, improved soil health, water quality, water conservation, and other environmental services. "We are honored that USDA sees the potential in our approach to paying producers fairly for conservation," said RIPE Executive Director Aliza Drewes. "USDA's willingness to pilot the RIPE100 concept signals a national appetite for game-changing solutions and recognizes many producers' desire to move away from cost-share." RIPE100 and pilot principles include easy enrollment, equitable payments and no penalty for early adopters. Participants will receive technical support in implementing climate-friendly practices such as cover crops, no-till, nutrient management and more. "Farmers want to hand a healthy farm down to the next generation, and the RIPE100 approach will help," said RIPE Board President and Iowa farmer Curt Mether. "I am excited to put our principles of paying producers fairly for voluntary conservation in action and look forward to seeing the outcome." Pilot partners are: State pilot leads: Arkansas Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Division, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, North Dakota Farmers Union, and Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Producer groups: Agricultural Council of Arkansas, Arkansas Rice Federation, Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota Soil Health Coalition, Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association, and the National Black Growers Council Technical experts and conveners: National Association of Conservation Districts, Supporters of Agricultural Research, Sustainable Food Lab, and the Environmental Initiative To follow pilot updates, get details on RIPE and how to help advance RIPE100 in the farm bill, subscribe to our newsletter: RIPEroadmap.org/get-involved. Contact: Aliza Drewes Executive Director, RIPE 202-594-8105 [email protected] SOURCE Rural Investment to Protect Our Environment (RIPE) DETROIT, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Rockbridge Growth Equity ("Rockbridge"), a partnership-oriented middle market private equity firm with a differentiated approach to building and growing companies, announced today that it has made a strategic investment in The Nest Schools ("Nest" or the "Company"), an operator of 36 early childhood education centers across Ohio, North Carolina, Texas, Florida and Virginia. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Gerry Pastor and Jane Porterfield, Nest's Co-Founders and Co-CEOs, will continue to lead the Company and implement their differentiated operational playbook with the support of Rockbridge. Mr. Pastor and Ms. Porterfield have decades of education industry experience, having previously led another successful early education business together. "It's no coincidence that in a relatively short amount of time, Nest has grown to become one of the top 50 largest early education providers in the country," said Ziv Weizman, a partner at Rockbridge. "We have been impressed with Gerry and Jane's standout approach in the industry and their dedication to providing premier early education experiences. Parents today value high-quality early childhood education, and we see abundant opportunities to expand into new markets and grow our presence in existing regions by partnering with Gerry, Jane and the entire Nest management team." The Nest Schools delivers a premium educational experience supported by a proprietary, developmental-focused curriculum in safe and stimulating educational environments with industry-leading facilities. Its "play-based" educational programming is augmented by a fitness-inspired wellness program ("Fit Buddies"), a program emphasizing art and music ("Paints & Pianos"), and a program teaching basic life skills ("The Art of Living"). Its curriculum and program design encourage children to wonder, question, work with their peers, and experiment with different possibilities. The more than 600 team members deliver the Company's "Nest Play" curriculum to over 3,000 infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children across its portfolio of schools. "The importance of Early Childhood Education and our understanding of how young children learn and develop has evolved rapidly over recent years, and we incorporate all current research into our approach in addition to state-of-the-art technology," said Mr. Pastor and Ms. Porterfield. "With the support of the Rockbridge team, we will look to grow our presence in a fragmented industry and meet the growing demand for innovative and quality education solutions. We were highly impressed by the Rockbridge team's understanding of the early childhood education industry and believe their experience and relationships make them the ideal partner as we embark on the next phase of the Company's development." Honigman served as legal advisor to Rockbridge. About Nest The Nest Schools operates premium early childhood education across multiple states for infants through school age children. It is driven by its vision to raise a world of kind, healthy, happy, and inspired children as the worldwide leader in early childhood programs for children, their families, and its team. The Nest Schools' mission to build strong minds, healthy bodies, and happy kids are made possible through its core values of kindness, wellness, innovation, and fun. For more information, visit www.thenestschool.com. About Rockbridge Growth Equity Founded in 2007, Rockbridge Growth Equity is a middle market private equity firm committed to helping both founder-operated and established companies accelerate growth and build long-term, sustainable value. Rockbridge combines the flexibility of a financial sponsor with the benefits of strategic partnership by leveraging the firm's relationship with the Rock Family of Companies, which provides access to industry and functional expertise. As of year-end 2021, Rockbridge has regulatory assets under management of over $1.2 billion across its target sectors: e-Commerce and Marketing Services, Financial Services and Fintech, Tech-Enabled Products and Services, and Digital Media. For more information, please visit www.rbequity.com. CONTACT: Lambert Jennifer Hurson 845-507-0571 [email protected] or Megan Bowman 616-780-1610 [email protected] SOURCE Rockbridge Growth Equity Rossum is the "Momentum Leader" for OCR Software for Second Consecutive Year LONDON and PRAGUE, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- G2 , the world's largest tech community for product assessments and reviews, named Rossum , the "Momentum Leader" for Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software for the second consecutive year. This latest award adds to the company's previous accolades from G2, which include being recognized as a Market Leader in 2021, as well as garnering a "Users Love Us" designation for earning the highest product review ratings. "These reviews acknowledge how we support and help drive customer success," says Petr Baudis , founder and CTO of Rossum. "We are at the forefront of Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) innovation because we can read and process the documents that other vendors simply cannot. Thanks to a unified cloud platform that leverages a foundation of AI and machine learning, we're extending what's possible in document processing." Rossum averages 4.5 out of 5 stars in user reviews and has been consistently named a Leader by G2, a top industry destination where buyers go to read and write authentic reviews about software products and services. The company has also been recognized for providing the Best Support while being a High Performer and Easiest to Do Business With in 2020. Comments from recent Rossum reviews on G2 include: "Rossum is open to innovation. They work proactively with an emphasis on customer satisfaction. The Rossum cloud solution is modern with advanced technology and at the same time easy to use." Tomas K, IT Specialist "The rate at which Rossum's team adds new features is honestly quite impressive. Sometimes it almost feels like they're adding useful features faster than we can even keep up with. I've written many different software integrations and I can honestly say that Rossum has been the easiest to work with." Nigel A, Software Developer "Simple queue schema configuration with constantly improving accuracy on extracting specific data points. Reducing 15-20 minutes of human processing work, to about 20 seconds or less. Ian K, IT Support G2 chooses Momentum Leaders based on customer satisfaction and acceleration in user adoption - calculated using G2's proprietary algorithms. G2's assessments are influenced by user reviews and trending popularity across small, medium, and large-scale enterprises, as well as gains in social media and web mentions. Over 150 of the world's biggest and fastest-growing companies including ThyssenKrupp , HelloFresh , Morton Salt , KROS , Giri and The Master Trust Bank of Japan use Rossum to exchange and process documents such as invoices, purchase orders, quotations, financial statements and customs declarations. The cloud-based platform frees up human teams from onerous data entry work, links all related documents in a transaction, keeps transactions on timetable with automated data flows and integrates documents with other enterprises systems, including SAP and NetSuite , as well as leading RPA vendors such as Blue Prism and UiPath. About G2 G2 is the world's largest and most trusted software marketplace, helping more than 60 million people every year make smarter software decisions based on authentic peer reviews. Thousands of companies partner with G2 to build their reputation, manage their software spend, and grow their business -- including Salesforce, Hubspot, Zoom, Adobe, and more. For more information, visit www.g2.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn . About Rossum Rossum is a market leading Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) solution combining the industry's most advanced data extraction capabilities with a complete low-code platform that automates significant amounts of manual work across a company's document processing workflow. Hundreds of organizations across a wide range of sizes and industries including Bosch, MolsonCoors, and The Master Trust Bank of Japan use Rossum to reduce manual effort, improve turnaround times, and eliminate errors. Learn more at https://rossum.ai/ . Contact Information Andre Fuoch Head of Global Communications Rossum +1-469-394-7274 [email protected] SOURCE Rossum NEO: SHWZ OTCQX: SHWZ Continues to Go Deep, Adding to Retail Footprint in Colorado DENVER, Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Schwazze, ( OTCQX: SHWZ) (NEO:SHWZ) ("Schwazze" or the "Company"), announced that it has signed definitive documents to acquire certain assets of Lightshade Labs LLC ("Lightshade"). The proposed transaction includes the adult use Lightshade dispensaries located at 503 Havana St. in Aurora, as well as 2215 E. Mississippi Ave. in Denver's vibrant Washington Park neighborhood. This acquisition continues Schwazze's aggressive expansion in Colorado and upon close will bring the Company's total number of Colorado dispensaries to 25. The consideration for the proposed acquisition is US$2.75 million and will be paid as all cash. The acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of 2023 after Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division and local licensing approval. "Schwazze is excited to add to our retail footprint in the greater Denver area, providing two additional retail locations to our existing 23 throughout Colorado. We look forward to extending our exceptional customer service and wide product selection to both new and existing customers in these new locations," said Collin Lodge, Division President of Colorado. Since April 2020, Schwazze has acquired or announced the planned acquisition of 35 cannabis dispensaries as well as seven cultivation facilities and two manufacturing assets in Colorado and New Mexico. In May 2021, Schwazze announced its BioSciences division and in August 2021 it commenced home delivery services in Colorado. About Schwazze Schwazze ( OTCQX: SHWZ NEO: SHWZ) is building a premier vertically integrated regional cannabis company with assets in Colorado and New Mexico and will continue to take its operating system to other states where it can develop a differentiated regional leadership position. Schwazze is the parent company of a portfolio of leading cannabis businesses and brands spanning seed to sale. The Company is committed to unlocking the full potential of the cannabis plant to improve the human condition. Schwazze is anchored by a high- performance culture that combines customer-centric thinking and data science to test, measure, and drive decisions and outcomes. The Company's leadership team has deep expertise in retailing, wholesaling, and building consumer brands at Fortune 500 companies as well as in the cannabis sector. Schwazze is passionate about making a difference in our communities, promoting diversity and inclusion, and doing our part to incorporate climate-conscious best practices. Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. was Schwazze's former operating trade name. The corporate entity continues to be named Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. Schwazze derives its name from the pruning technique of a cannabis plant to enhance plant structure and promote healthy growth. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Such statements may be preceded by the words "plan," "will," "may," "continue," "predicts," or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future events or performance, are based on certain assumptions, and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control and cannot be predicted or quantified. Consequently, actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with (i) our inability to manufacture our products and product candidates on a commercial scale on our own or in collaboration with third parties; (ii) difficulties in obtaining financing on commercially reasonable terms; (iii) changes in the size and nature of our competition; (iv) loss of one or more key executives or scientists; (v) difficulties in securing regulatory approval to market our products and product candidates; (vi) our ability to successfully execute our growth strategy in Colorado and outside the state, (vii) our ability to consummate the acquisition described in this press release or to identify and consummate future acquisitions that meet our criteria, (viii) our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses, including the acquisition described in this press release, and realize synergies therefrom, (ix) the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, * the timing and extent of governmental stimulus programs, and (xi) the uncertainty in the application of federal, state and local laws to our business, and any changes in such laws. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by law. SOURCE Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. MILWAUKEE, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ademi LLP is investigating STORE Capital ( NYSE: STOR) for possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law in its transaction with GIC and Oak Street. Click here to learn how to join the action: https://www.ademilaw.com/case/store-capital-corporation or call Guri Ademi toll-free at 866-264-3995. There is no cost or obligation to you. Ademi LLP alleges STORE Capital's financial outlook and prospects are excellent and yet STORE Capital holders will receive only $32.25 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $14 billion. The transaction agreement unreasonably limits competing bids for STORE Capital by imposing a significant penalty if STORE Capital accepts a superior bid. STORE Capital insiders will receive substantial benefits as part of change of control arrangements. We are investigating the conduct of STORE Capital's board of directors, and whether they are (i) fulfilling their fiduciary duties to all shareholders, and (ii) obtaining a fair and reasonable price for STORE Capital. If you own STORE Capital common stock and wish to obtain additional information, please contact Guri Ademi either at [email protected] or toll-free: 866-264-3995, or https://www.ademilaw.com/case/store-capital-corporation. We specialize in shareholder litigation involving buyouts, mergers, and individual shareholder rights throughout the country. For more information, please feel free to call us. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Contacts Ademi LLP Guri Ademi Toll Free: (866) 264-3995 Fax: (414) 482-8001 SOURCE Ademi LLP DOVER, Del., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chesapeake Utilities Corporation ( NYSE: CPK) subsidiary Sharp Energy celebrated the opening of a new fueling station in Dunn, North Carolina, on Wednesday, Sept. 14, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The facility is the first Sharp AutoGas fueling station dispensing propane autogas in North Carolina. The newly constructed fueling station is located at 17220 U.S. Route 421 in Dunn, North Carolina, and is one of 60 propane fueling stations operated by Sharp AutoGas. Other stations are in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Florida. Propane autogas is a cleaner-burning alternative vehicle fuel that substantially reduces greenhouse gases and other harmful emissions when compared to gasoline or diesel fuel. The Company first expanded its operating footprint into the Carolinas in December when its propane subsidiary, Sharp Energy, acquired the propane operating assets of Diversified Energy Company. In June, Sharp Energy acquired the propane operating assets of Davenport Energy's Siler City propane division, further expanding into North Carolina. "We are excited to expand our propane autogas offerings to North Carolina. This new fueling station will provide a lower emissions fuel option for truck fleets and other vehicles that operate in the area," said Andrew Hesson, vice president of propane operations. The ribbon-cutting event included representatives from the North Carolina Energy Policy Council, Dunn Chamber of Commerce and the North Carolina Technical Education Center, among others. As part of the Company's mission, Chesapeake Utilities strives to make life better for the people and communities where its employees live, work and serve. During the grand opening event, Chesapeake Utilities announced a $5,000 donation to the Beacon Rescue Mission in Dunn, North Carolina. The organization provides food, shelter and clothing to the homeless in Harnett County. About Sharp Energy Sharp Energy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, headquartered in Georgetown, Delaware, distributes propane to residential, commercial and industrial customers in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Florida. With multiple rail facilities and approximately nine million gallons of propane storage, Sharp Energy has established a solid supply portfolio. Sharp Energy is a proud partner of Alliance AutoGas, a national network of companies that have joined together to deliver a comprehensive alternative fueling solution including EPA-certified propane AutoGas vehicle conversions, on-site fueling infrastructure, fuel supply, safety and operational training, and ongoing technical support. To learn more about Sharp Energy, visit www.sharpenergy.com. About Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified energy delivery company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Chesapeake Utilities Corporation offers sustainable energy solutions through its natural gas transmission and distribution, electricity generation and distribution, propane gas distribution, mobile compressed natural gas utility services and solutions, and other businesses. For more information, visit www.chpk.com. Please note that Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is not affiliated with Chesapeake Energy, an oil and natural gas exploration company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. For more information, contact: Brianna Patterson Manager, Public Relations and Strategic Communications 419-314-1233 [email protected] SOURCE Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Animal Welfare Groups Across the Nation Come Together to Ask Public for Help PLEASANTON, Calif., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With his gorgeous big blue eyes, Rocky should have no trouble charming everyone. Instead, the Maine Coon-mix cat has been waiting since February for someoneanyoneto come along and take him home. It's a sign of the times as animal shelters and rescues across the nation see more animals entering than leaving, amassing a backlog of adoptable animals and creating a crisis of existential proportions. To tackle the problem, animal welfare advocates, shelters, and rescues today launched Share the Care, a campaign highlighting the powerful impact people can have on homeless animals in their community through even the smallest acts of kindness. People are urged to learn how and where help is needed in their local area and pledge their support at joinsharethecare.org. The newly launched Share the Care campaign illustrates the critical role the community plays in creating positive outcomes for cats, dogs, and other companion animals. Opportunities like adopting, fostering, volunteering, donating, or even sharing adoptable animals on social media can help give incredible animals a second chance at a wonderful life. The community plays a critical role in creating positive outcomes for cats and dogs in animal shelters Tweet this Rocky's life was the stuff of dreams. The amiable feline was doted upon, raised since kittenhood by a devoted guardian who lovingly cared for him in a safe, comfortable home. Then, after 15 years, he lost it all. Rocky's guardian had to enter a medical care facility, and Rockywith no family or friends available to take him inwas surrendered to Valley Humane Society in Pleasanton, CA. That was six months ago, and Rocky is still awaiting a new home where he can live out his senior years. Unfortunately, Rocky isn't alone. Animal shelters across the country are packed with dogs and cats who have nowhere to go. It's a drastically different situation than in 2020, when shelters and rescues saw overwhelming demand for adoptable pets. Life during COVID may have influenced how people acquire pets. For decades, pet adoption has been seen as a badge of honor, but Best Friends recently reported a 400% increase in people purchasing animals online from 2020 to 2021. A popular message on social media stickers, "Adopt, Don't Shop," has subtly morphed to "Adopt or Shop Responsibly." This disturbing trend dilutes the focus on homeless pets and inevitably bolsters the inhumane puppy mill industry. "Without significant and immediate support from the public," says Stephanie Filer, executive director for Shelter Animals Count, "data analysis of the past few years predicts adoptions will continue to decrease." For more information on specific actions that help save animals' lives, including how to keep pets out of shelters, please visit joinsharethecare.org. Download images of Rocky the cat and sample animal shelter footage. ABOUT SHARE THE CARE Share the Care is a campaign developed by more than 100 animal welfare organizations joining together to create national awareness of the need for people to join the lifesaving efforts of animal shelters in their community. Share the Care is about lifesaving together government, community, and nonprofit working collaboratively to support homeless pets. Join the campaign at www.joinsharethecare.org to learn more. SOURCE Valley Humane Society Data engineering and AI solutions company raises series B funding to accelerate growth SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sigmoid , a data engineering, analytics and AI solutions company, announced that it has closed a Series B investment of $12 million, in a mix of primary and secondary funding from Sequoia Capital India. This takes Sequoia Capital India's total investment in Sigmoid to $19.3 million. The new capital will fuel the company's plan to evolve its market offerings, expand delivery centers and cater to new industries. "The last 12 months have been an inflexion point in our growth story. As we gear towards our next phase of growth, we are happy to see Sequoia Capital India continue to believe in us. This will help us to rapidly expand our capabilities in terms of solutions and talent to meet the ever-growing customer demand," said Lokesh Anand , CEO and Co-Founder at Sigmoid. Many large enterprises in CPG, retail, financial services, and other industries turn to Sigmoid to extract strategic business value from data and make smarter business decisions. As an example, for a multinational CPG company, Sigmoid developed self-adapting Multi-Touch Attribution models to enable in-flight campaign optimization, which provided a 11% improvement on the return on marketing investments. "The AI/ML market continues to grow year-on-year and alongside, the need for solutions to help enterprises adopt and harness this power is growing exponentially. The team at Sigmoid, which stands out for its data and AI engineering excellence, are well-positioned to capture this opportunity. As long term partners, we are excited to double-down on their goal to be the premier engineered data solutions and AI provider for accelerating digital transformation for enterprises across industries," said Anandamoy Roychowdhary, Principal, Sequoia Southeast Asia. Founded in 2013 by IIT alumni Lokesh Anand (CEO), Mayur Rustagi (CTO) and Rahul Kumar Singh (CAO), Sigmoid helps enterprises organize and manage their data better, extract insights, build predictive systems, and extract the highest ROI from their data investments. About Sigmoid Sigmoid combines data engineering and AI consulting to help enterprises gain competitive advantage through effective data-driven decision making. Some of the world's largest data producers are engaging with Sigmoid to solve complex business problems. Sigmoid's team of 550+ data professionals provide deep expertise in data engineering, cloud data modernization, artificial intelligence, and DataOps. Media Contact: Name: Raghavendra Singh Email: [email protected] Contact Number: +1 4157453222 SOURCE Sigmoid Luxury Appliance Brand Showcases High Performance Appliances Built for 'Technicurean' Home Chefs at Design Fair's Inaugural Dallas Appearance DALLAS, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fast-growing built-in luxury brand Signature Kitchen Suite will return to headline this week's WestEdge Design Fair as the official partner of the 2022 Culinary Pavilion. WestEdge Design Fair will take place for the first time in Dallas Sept. 16-18 at Dallas Market Hall in the design district. The Culinary Pavilion is the show's epicenter for various programming including culinary demonstrations and tastings by local chefs and personalities. Signature Kitchen Suite is reimaging the luxury kitchen experience for homeowners and designers alike by exploring the intersection of thoughtful design, leading-edge technology and culinary innovation. Signature Kitchen Suite, with high performance appliances that deliver the ultimate in culinary precision, will showcase its top-of-the-line offerings including award-winning dual-fuel pro ranges with built-in sous-vide and integrated wine column refrigerators through interactive programming that highlights the brand's "True to Food" mission. Embracing the idea that better cooking is possible through better thinking, Signature Kitchen Suite caters to Technicureans, a new generation of forward-thinking home chefs who combine their passion for food with their appreciation for innovation. Being at WestEdge both brings the brand's high-performance appliances to a broader design audience and showcases how Signature Kitchen Suite is reimaging the luxury kitchen experience for homeowners and designers alike by exploring the intersection of thoughtful design, leading-edge technology and culinary innovation. "Dallas continues to gain recognition for its innovative design community and represents one of our priority markets," said Signature Kitchen Suite Head of Marketing Helen Cho. "Signature Kitchen Suite is proud to partner with WestEdge Design Fair to give one of the top design markets in the country a taste of a redefined luxury kitchen experience with innovations that meet the needs of today's Technicurean home chef." What's Cooking at the Culinary Pavilion Highlighting daily culinary programming, the event will feature chef demonstrations and samplings at the official Signature Kitchen Suite Culinary Pavilion in collaboration with Ferguson and Capital Distributing, where attendees will learn about the latest luxury appliance innovations and enjoy sous-vide cocktails and small bites as well as education sessions. The experiences, open to all WestEdge Design Fair attendees, will take place Friday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 18. For a full listing of happenings, visit: https://westedgedesignfair.com/sks-culinary-pavilion-3/. At the Culinary Pavilion, Signature Kitchen Suite will feature its state-of-the-art pro ranges including the flagship 48-inch dual-fuel pro range equipped with induction, gas, and the industry's first built-in water bath sous vide functionality on the cooking surface, bringing cooking techniques that were often unattainable to the home kitchen. As the only pro range on the market with this rich feature set, including an 18-inch steam oven below, this product delivers the ultimate in precision cooking and provides everything home chefs need to prepare more meals with less space. Guests will also experience the brand's line-up of award-winning wine refrigerators, including the 18-inch built-in wine column and the 24-inch dual zone undercounter model. Both refrigerators feature Wine Cave Technology, which provides a cave-like environment for precise preservation and helps protect wine collections from its biggest threats: vibration, light and variations in temperature and humidity. Also featured within the Culinary Pavilion are Signature Kitchen Suite's column refrigerators as well as the 24-inch undercounter convertible refrigerator/freezer drawers. Taking preservation beyond the traditional kitchen space and into entertaining spots around the house, the refrigerator/ freezer drawers include two ingenious drawers that operate independently and include six modes pantry, fridge, bar, seafood, meat, and freezer offering versatility for homeowners wherever they need it. For more information visit www.SignatureKitchenSuite.com or stop by the WestEdge Dallas Culinary Pavilion. About Signature Kitchen Suite Signature Kitchen Suite delivers innovation in the luxury built-in kitchen appliance market with leading-edge technology that provides more flexibility to prepare food in the best possible way, demonstrating respect for the food at every level. The new luxury brand from global home appliance leader LG Electronics, Signature Kitchen Suite is embracing a new generation of forward-thinking Technicurean cooks, combining their passion for food with their appreciation for innovation. From the first-of-its-kind built-in sous vide range to the industry's only built-in French Door refrigerator with a convertible middle drawer, Signature Kitchen Suite's versatile and high-performance appliances deliver the ultimate precision cooking experience. Visit www.signaturekitchensuite.com or follow the brand on social channels @SKSappliances. About WestEdge Design Fair WestEdge Design Fair is a three-day event that offers the best in modern design, all in an environment designed to engage, entertain, and inspire. The fair offers the opportunity to shop from premium design brands and meet the designers behind thousands of inspiring products. In addition, attendees gain insight from leading names in the design industry with a series of educational programs and are invited to enjoy culinary demonstrations, special events and more. For more information, visit www.westedgedesignfair.com or follow the brand on social channels @WestEdgeDesign. Media Contacts: John I. Taylor +1 847 941 8181 [email protected] Devyn Doyle +1 770 653 7239 [email protected] SOURCE LG Electronics USA PEWAUKEE, Wis., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SunVest Solar LLC recently flipped the switch on three Illinois community solar projects the company acquired from another developer. The acquisitions were the first of many planned nationwide for the Wisconsin-based developer as it progresses toward its goal of helping businesses, municipalities, residents and utilities transition to clean electricity. "Community solar is a key component for states, like Illinois, with plans to transition to renewable energy," said Tim Polz, Chief Development Officer of SunVest Solar LLC. "We are actively initiating and acquiring community solar sites in 14 states, with more to come." Community solar projects are made possible from state programs including the Illinois Climate & Equitable Jobs Act Tweet this Two of the Illinois community solar sites, located in the communities of Glenwood and Mazon, are in Commonwealth Edison territory. The third site, located in downstate Elba, is in Ameren territory. The Glenwood site is believed to be the first community solar project to energize in Cook County. All three sites are 2MWac. Projects like these are made possible from state incentives and programs, including Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) and the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), signed into law by Governor Pritzker one year ago today on Sept. 15, 2021. SunVest, which builds, owns, and operates large scale community solar sites, is prepared to expand along with the Illinois market. "SunVest is making distributed solar more accessible to residents and businesses while creating jobs and training a diverse workforce," Polz said. "We establish long-term relationships with landowners and industry partners and plan to acquire, own and operate community solar projects." SunVest has acquired nearly 90MWac of projects in Illinois in conjunction with another developer, a partnership that has to-date resulted in nearly 74MWac of total solar projects energized or achieved key notice-to-proceed milestones. The company's dynamic development and construction team, combined with strong financial partners put SunVest in a position to acquire additional assets in the near future. About SunVest Solar LLC SunVest Solar is one of the nation's largest distributed solar developers. We develop community solar projects in key markets nationwide, distributed solar for commercial/industrial customers, as well as solar assets for utilities, co-ops, municipalities and others. To learn more, visit www.sunvest.com. SOURCE SunVest Solar LLC Expansion brings critical financial services to rapidly expanding metro area CHERRY HILL, N.J., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, announced today that it currently plans to build approximately 15 stores in Charlotte, North Carolina, by 2025 to serve the city's rapidly increasing population. The bank anticipates opening an initial set of stores in summer 2023 at 2020 Beatties Ford Road and 6611 Carmel Road. At least 25% of the total retail banking locations will be in majority-minority or low-to-moderate (LMI) income areas to ensure more residents have neighborhood access to a bank and financial services, including the Beatties Ford location. "Charlotte is one of the fastest-growing markets in the country, with significant economic and population growth," said Leo Salom, President and CEO, TD Bank. "We recognize the need for many consumers to obtain convenient access to banking services and we look forward to serving these diverse communities." The new locations are expected to bring approximately 100 full- and part-time jobs to Charlotte, adding to the bank's nearly 200 metro employees. TD Bank currently has 11 stores in North Carolina in the Western North Carolina and Wilmington areas. TD Bank already serves customers and local businesses in Charlotte and has had a non-retail presence in the metro in several services including Commercial Real Estate, Middle Market and Commercial lending segments since 2013. TD plans to expand its market share in these areas as well, and recently hired two Middle Market relationship managers in Charlotte to further serve the region's mid-size, nonprofit and higher education organizations. "The greater Charlotte area is increasingly attractive to new residents and companies, and TD Bank is well positioned to serve all customers and businesses, wherever they are on their financial journey," said Hugh Allen, Regional President of the Mid-South Metro, TD Bank. TD stores offer a variety of products and services, including personal checking and savings accounts, small business checking and savings accounts, mortgages, credit cards, home equity lines of credit and personal loans. In addition to teller counter and drive-thru service, many locations include an advice center for customers. "A key part of TD Bank's culture is our passion for our customers and communities and creating legendary experiences that highlight our Unexpectedly Human brand," said Ernie Diaz, Head of Consumer Distribution, U.S. Wealth and TD Auto Finance, TD Bank. "We are excited to provide Charlotteans our relentless focus on customer centricity and a modern, convenient banking experience." About TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing over 9.8 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at more than 1,100 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In addition, TD Auto Finance, a division of TD Bank, N.A., offers vehicle financing and dealer commercial services. TD Bank and its subsidiaries also offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. To learn more, visit www.td.com/us. Find TD Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TDBank and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TDBank_US and www.twitter.com/TDNews_US. TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is a member of TD Bank Group and a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada, a top 10 financial services company in North America. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol "TD". To learn more, visit www.td.com/us. SOURCE TD Bank The partnership stems from an initiative with an electronics multinational to deploy virtual sales agents on retail locations, instantly connecting customers to representatives via AI-based visual engagement. BOSTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TechSee, the market leader in Computer Vision solutions for customer service, today announced a partnership with NeuraFlash with the goal of bringing the next generation of visual engagement and AI-powered service automation to their existing top-tier consulting & ISV service business. NeuraFlash is a leading System Integrator (SI) and Independent Software Vendor (ISV) that develops solutions for Salesforce and Amazon Connect customers. This joint venture now brings augmented reality guidance for agents and technicians to NeuraFlash's customer portfolio. NeuraFlash , using TechSee's Computer Vision AI and AR, is able to provide organizations across any industry with the knowledge and confidence to enable service reps and technicians to use the power of vision to reduce friction along the customer engagement lifecycle. As a result of this partnership, organizations will now be able to share expert information and deliver visual CX as a part of their digital transformation strategy. With their decades of expertise with CX technologies, visual computing, Augmented Reality, and Big Data, this joint offering provides automated AR-guided resolutions to major problems facing business owners. TechSee's automation platform, paired with NeuraFlash's expertise in both Salesforce and Amazon Connect solutions, creates enhanced CX outcomes that are unmatched in the marketplace. NeuraFlash and TechSee together can tailor these solutions based on a brand's business objectives. This partnership will help customers supercharge their mission-critical field and contact center performance objectives through visual communications, guidance, and automation. With custom integrations to existing Salesforce and Amazon Connect platforms, agents now have a new way of visually engaging with their customers, without the need to install or download a new program or application. "NeuraFlash is very excited to be partnering with TechSee. Over the last five years, we have deployed industry-leading implementations of Salesforce Service Cloud and Field Service. As we build our partnership around VRA with Salesforce and the TechSee platform, this is a great extension to the Salesforce solutions we have delivered." said Michael McBrien, VP of Alliances at NeuraFlash. He added, "NeuraFlash has built its foundation in automation with Einstein Bots, and we are looking forward to leveraging that with TechSee and their Visual Automation offerings." The partnership is a result of NeuraFlash's customer initiatives between a multinational electronics company, Salesforce and TechSee. The company deployed sales agents virtually inside retail locations with a feature that instantly connects a potential customer to an expert representative via AI-based visual engagement. The electronics giant is now offering an exciting new experience that is expanding revenue streams, reducing friction, and improving customer engagement, implemented by NeuraFlash, and built using Salesforce and TechSee technologies. Paul Fistori, Global VP of Alliances at TechSee said: "We could not be more thrilled to partner with one of Salesforce's premier SIs and ISVs. By combining the power of TechSee's visual AI and AR with NeuraFlash's unsurpassed Salesforce integration expertise, we will be able to jointly deliver on the future of visual customer engagements." About NeuraFlash NeuraFlash is a leading AI and Consulting/ ISV Partner of Salesforce and AWS. Their mission is to help businesses reimagine how they deliver personalized service and sales experiences that scale, empower teams, and uncover revenue. Working across industries, NeuraFlash enables intelligent business automation that drives real-time ROI. About TechSee TechSee revolutionizes the customer experience domain with the first visual engagement solution powered by Computer Vision AI and Augmented Reality. It enables enterprises around the world to deliver better customer assistance, enhance service quality and reduce costs. TechSee is led by industry veterans with years of experience in mobile technologies, artificial intelligence and big data. The company is headquartered in Tel Aviv with offices in New York and Madrid. For more information, visit www.techsee.me SOURCE TechSee DELRAY BEACH, Fla. and NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Third Wave Recovery Systems, LLC (TWRX) is pleased to announce its acquisition of SRX, LLC (SRX), a leader in pharmaceutical rebate management services for the skilled nursing and long-term care (LTC) industry. In conjunction with the acquisition, TWRX has appointed a new leadership team, led by CEO Ed Lagerstrom, former President of UnitedHealthcare Networks, and received a growth equity investment from WindRose Health Investors. As experts with a broad background in skilled nursing and LTC, SRX has helped operators collect tens of millions of rebate dollars. SRX's technology allows nursing homes and long-term care facilities to receive the lowest net cost on drug spend and, through a suite of proprietary reporting tools, identify discrepancies and improve efficiencies. The SRX team is comprised of dedicated professionals with extensive backgrounds in skilled nursing, LTC, pharmacy, analytics, and IT, who have supported the success of the business since its founding. Scott Taylor, former CEO of SRX and newly appointed COO of TWRX, expressed his excitement over the acquisition, "This partnership between SRX and TWRX is going to revolutionize the rebate and prescription drug cost management industry. As a leading innovator in the healthcare sector, WindRose's and TWRX's investment is a recognition of SRX's world-class technology, tools, and capabilities, but most importantly, our team of dedicated experts. Together, we will drive even more value, allowing us to serve new industry verticals and leverage our technology to truly impact drug costs across the healthcare industry." With Ed Lagerstrom's deep domain knowledge, SRX's technology platform, and TWRX's extensive network of healthcare industry relationships, the combined entity is equipped with the team, capital, technology, and relationships to drive significant growth for the company and reduce costs for its customers. "I'm pleased to have the opportunity to collaborate with talented healthcare executives on a disruptive business model. TWRX is positioned as a market leader, predicated on transparency and compliance in an industry that has been historically opaque," said Ed Lagerstrom, newly appointed CEO at TWRX. Following the close of the acquisition, Eric Moskow, M.D., will continue to lead TWRX as its Chairman. "TWRX's mission has always been to establish strong industry relationships to understand what's really affecting outcomes and cost in the market," said Dr. Moskow, Chairman of TWRX. "As we meticulously considered our long-term strategic options, we determined that SRX and TWRX were natural partners. We are all building an integrated experience that supports a more transparent and genuine approach to pharmaceutical rebate management services and I look forward to executing on our shared vision for the future." About TWRX TWRX is a rapidly expanding pharmaceutical rebate manager offering market-differentiated services to LTC facilities, hospitals, oncology practices, and other specialty provider groups. The TWRX platform that leverages advanced technology, analytics, and nationwide industry contracts to assess and reduce the net-cost of its client's drug spend. SOURCE Third Wave Recovery Systems, LLC BERWYN, Pa., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Triumph Group (TRIUMPH) [ NYSE:TGI] today announced that its Product Support business in Chonburi, Thailand, (TASA) has completed an extension with global aircraft manufacturer Airbus, to continue TRIUMPH's long-standing provision of repair station services for Airbus Proprietary Parts, managed by Satair, an Airbus services company and world leader in the commercial aerospace aftermarket. Since 2015, TRIUMPH has provided world-class, cost-effective, and fully authorized OEM repairs for a wide range of Airbus aircraft operators, throughout the Asian Pacific and China (APAC) regions. As part of the agreed renewal of terms, TRIUMPH will continue its maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for Airbus Proprietary Parts, to include rudders, elevators, and sharklets. The extension authorizes Airbus and TRIUMPH engineering teams to collaborate in the development and substantiation of existing and new repairs. "Our industry is rising again after the challenges of the pandemic, and this contract will play a key role in the resurgence of aviation within the APAC Region," said Monty Richardson, President of TRIUMPH Product Support Asia (TASA). "We're honored by the confidence that our trusted partners at Airbus and Satair have demonstrated in TRIUMPH, and we are excited to continue leveraging our strategic placement within Asia and unique range of high-quality repair and service solutions in support of our partners and customers." Additionally, this extension is projected to pave the way for additional Proprietary Part repairs for Next Generation aircraft such as the A350, as well as legacy platforms including the single aisle A320 family, long range A330/340 and A380 programs. "With TASA as an Airbus-approved partner for repairs in and outside the Structural Repair Manual (SRM), we are able to offer repair capabilities in greater proximity to customers in Asia and ultimately decrease lead-times on repairs through a strategic joint footprint in the region" says Lars Zimmer, Head of Repair and Production, Satair. TRIUMPH Product Support in Asia (TASA), the first Thailand-based MRO station to receive EASA DOA Part 21J approval for nacelle components design and validation, conducts repairs and overhauls a wide range of complex aircraft structures and components such as engine nacelles, flight control surfaces and various aircraft accessories. To learn more about TRIUMPH, visit www.triumphgroup.com About Satair Satair is a key part of the Airbus Customer Services unit and a global company with more than 1,300 employees, operating from 10 locations worldwide. The company supports the complete life cycle of the aircraft with a full and integrated portfolio of flexible, value-adding material management products, services, and tailored support modules across all platforms. Satair is a stand-alone Airbus subsidiary. To learn more about Satair, visit www.satair.com SOURCE Triumph Group Vivaz, Spain's leading digital healthcare provider, introduces TytoCare's virtual primary care solution to bolster healthcare options, primary care access and quality throughout Spain TEL AVIV, Israel , Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TytoCare , the global healthcare industry's first all-in-one modular device and examination solution for AI-powered, remote physical exams, today announced a partnership with Vivaz, the health insurance brand of Linea Directa Aseguradora, a leading healthcare insurer in Spain, to bring the TytoCare solution to the Spanish market. Vivaz will integrate TytoCare into its current offering, enabling clinic-quality primary care from anywhere, at any time. TytoCare will be distributed by Nebula-VPC , a major healthcare distributor in the Spanish market. Emergency departments (EDs) across Spain have become overburdened by large numbers of unnecessary and avoidable visits, leading to long lines, crowded medical facilities, and lengthy waiting periods for medical care. Virtual care offers an alternative, serving primary care needs and beyond with immediate and "always-on" care from any location. While traditionally telemedicine in Spain involves a simple phone or video call with a doctor, TytoCare goes far beyond that, utilizing a straightforward, all-in-one diagnostic tool to generate accurate patient information and provide high-quality medical services anytime, anywhere. Vivaz clients can now access remote primary care visits through TytoCare's TytoHome solution, replicating an in-person doctor visit from the comfort of home with comprehensive remote exams resulting in diagnoses. "Our clients across Spain stand to benefit from this truly revolutionary new access to high-quality, convenient and digital care in their day-to-day life," said Olga Moreno, Managing Director of Vivaz. "Families are taking unnecessary and time-consuming trips to overcrowded and germ-filled emergency departments for issues that could easily be solved by a primary care physician if appointments with clinicians were more readily available. We are excited to expand our digital offerings through our partnership with TytoCare, utilizing their all-in-one solution to provide comprehensive examinations, without the hassle of going to the hospital." TytoCare's CE Mark-approved handheld examination kit enables users to perform comprehensive physical exams of the heart, skin, ears, throat, abdomen, and lungs, and measure heart rate and body temperature, which are key for treating many acute and chronic conditions. This allows healthcare clinicians to gain the vital clinical data needed to remotely monitor, diagnose, and treat patients. This level of comprehensive virtual care results in increased customer loyalty and retention, and reduces the number of unnecessary and avoidable emergency department visits, driving lower costs for insurers and creating a win-win for patients and payers alike. "We are thrilled to be entering into the Spanish market via Nebula-VPC with a digitally forward-thinking partner like Vivaz," said Dedi Gilad, CEO and Co-Founder of TytoCare. "As emergency departments struggle to keep up with the massive demand for day-to-day care, we are excited to provide patients with virtual care that allows them to skip the waiting room and still receive a diagnosis, removing the guesswork for physicians and allowing virtual care to move beyond just video and audio solutions." "Thanks to this partnership, Spaniards will now - for the first time ever - have access to virtual care that truly meets all their medical and personal needs," said Jose Maria Cucho, CEO of Nebula-VPC. "We look forward to continuing to improve care in Spain through innovation and enhanced access to quality care." About TytoCare TytoCare is a telehealth company using AI to transform primary care by putting health in the hands of consumers. TytoCare seamlessly connects people to clinicians to provide the best virtual home examination and diagnosis solutions. Its solutions are designed to enable a comprehensive medical exam from any location and include a hand-held, all-in-one tool for examining the heart, lungs, skin, ears, throat, abdomen, and body temperature; a complete telehealth platform for sharing exam data, conducting live video exams, and scheduling visits; a cloud-based data repository with analytics; and built-in guidance technology and machine learning algorithms to ensure accuracy and ease of use for patients and insights for healthcare providers. Co-founded by Dedi Gilad and Ofer Tzadik in 2012, TytoCare has FDA and CE clearances and has partnered with over 180 major health systems, health plans, and strategic partners in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Israel. To watch a demo video, click here. For more information, please visit https://www.tytocare.com/ . TytoCare Press Contact Allison Grey Headline Media [email protected] US:+1 323 283 8176 UK:+44 203 807 4482 About Vivaz Vivaz is the health insurance brand of Linea Directa Aseguradora S.A. It's an innovative health insurance, easy to use and with a good value for money, that focuses on the comprehensive care of their clients' health. Vivaz has a medical directory composed of more than 30,000 medical professionals and 1,000 health centers. In addition, it was the first health insurance in Spain that rewarded its clients for following a healthy lifestyle with direct discounts in the price of their insurance policies. Vivaz Press Contact Santiago Velazquez Head of External Communications [email protected] ES:+34 682 19 69 53 About Nebula-VPC Nebula is a leading company in the implementation of virtual primary care systems to reduce trivial emergencies and improve the quality of life of patients. Nebula-VPC Press Contact Sergio Iborra Varela Manager [email protected] ES:+34 669 69 14 87 SOURCE Tyto Care NYSE American: UEC This filing marks the largest S-K 1300 uranium resources reported in the United States combining UEC's recently acquired Uranium One Americas, Inc. ("U1A") and Anfield Energy assets together with the Reno Creek Project. combining UEC's recently acquired Uranium One Americas, Inc. ("U1A") and Anfield Energy assets together with the Reno Creek Project. The Irigaray Processing Plant is the Hub central to eleven satellite In-Situ Recovery (ISR) projects across the Powder River Basin ("PRB") and Great Divide Basin ("GDB"), four of which are fully permitted, including Reno Creek. Total Measured and Indicated Resources disclosed across the assets are 66,198,200 lbs. with 58,460,000 tons grading 0.069% U 3 O 8 (not weighted). O (not weighted). Total Inferred Resources disclosed across the assets are 15,053,700 lbs. with 10,859,000 tons grading 0.064% U 3 O 8 . O . Combined with South Texas Hub & Spoke ISR Platform, UEC controls over 75,000,000 lbs of Measured and Indicated resources and 25,000,000 lbs of Inferred resources CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Uranium Energy Corp ( NYSE: UEC) ("UEC" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has filed a Technical Report Summary ("TRS") on EDGAR disclosing updated mineral resources for the Company's Wyoming ISR Hub and Spoke Project (the "Project"). Background: The following map shows the location of these projects within the Wyoming Project area. (CNW Group/Uranium Energy Corp) Table 1 - Project Area Measured and Indicated Resources Summary (CNW Group/Uranium Energy Corp) Table 1 - Project Area Measured and Indicated Resources Summary (Continued) (CNW Group/Uranium Energy Corp) As a U.S. domestic and domiciled company, UEC is now reporting all mineral resources in accordance with Item 1302 of Regulation S-K ("S-K 1300"); S-K 1300 was adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") to modernize mineral property disclosure requirements for mining registrants and to align U.S. disclosure requirements more closely for mineral properties with current industry and global regulatory standards; and The mineral resource estimates set forth in this TRS for Charlie, Clarkson Hill, Nine Mile and Red Rim have not previously been reported under the S-K 1300 format. The remaining resources were reported on April 5, 2022 . The TRS was prepared under S-K 1300 and was filed on September 14, 2022 with the SEC through EDGAR on Form 8-K and is also available on SEDAR as a "Material Document" filed on September 14, 2022. The TRS was prepared on behalf of the Company by WWC Engineering, of Sheridan, Wyoming. Amir Adnani, President and CEO, stated: "UEC's Wyoming Hub and Spoke Platform holds the largest resource base of fully permitted In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") projects in the United States. Today's resource report is the culmination of multiple acquisitions we've successfully completed since 2017 to fulfill a strategic objective of U.S. uranium leadership. Wyoming is an integral component of the overall strategy as a proven mining-friendly jurisdiction with over 230 million pounds of historic production and containing the largest in-situ recovery amenable uranium deposits in the Western Hemisphere. UEC's ~66M pounds of measured and indicated resources and the ~15M pounds of inferred resources outlined in the TRS filing represent one of the largest S-K 1300 resource summaries completed and filed to date. These considerable permitted Wyoming resources, coupled with our Texas permitted projects, positions UEC to lead the resurgence of U.S. uranium production. At a time of unprecedented geopolitical events and risks, fully permitted and low-cost ISR projects in the United States will be critical to reducing dependency on Russia while strengthening national and energy security interests of America." About the Wyoming Asset Hub and Spoke In-Situ Recovery Project The Project consists of 12 Project areas as shown below. Wyoming ISR Hub and Spoke Project Areas Project Area County Structural Basin Allemand-Ross Converse Powder River Barge Converse Powder River Charlie Johnson Powder River Christensen Ranch Johnson/Campbell Powder River Clarkson Hill Natrona Wind River Irigaray Johnson Powder River Jab/West Jab Sweetwater/Fremont Greater Green River Ludeman Converse Powder River Moore Ranch Campbell Powder River Nine Mile Natrona Powder River Red Rim Carbon Greater Green River Reno Creek Campbell Powder River Christensen Ranch and Irigaray (Willow Creek): The Willow Creek area is comprised of the Irigaray and Christensen Ranch Projects. Christensen Ranch is currently under care and maintenance by the Company and Irigaray is operating in a toll processing capacity. The Project is located in the PRB in Campbell and Johnson Counties. The Irigaray Central Processing Plant is the hub of the Project and is fully licensed, as is the Christensen Ranch satellite plant. Moore Ranch : The Moore Ranch Project is fully permitted and was previously developed by Conoco in the early 1980s. The Project is located in the PRB in Campbell County. Reno Creek : The Reno Creek Project is fully permitted and was primarily developed by Rocky Mountain Energy in the 1980s. The project is located in the PRB in Campbell County. See the Company's release dated February 9, 2022. Ludeman : The Ludeman Project is fully permitted, is located in the South Powder River Basin ("SPRB") in Converse County, and is comprised of the former Leuenberger, North Platte and Peterson projects developed in the late 1970's by various other operators. Two ISR pilot plant operations were previously carried out at the Leuenberger and North Platte properties. Most of the Project area was held by Power Resources (Cameco) until 2003, after which Energy Metals (precursor to U1A) acquired the properties. Allemand Ross : The Allemand-Ross Project is located in Converse County within the SPRB. The Project was originally drilled and developed by Conoco beginning in the late 1960s. The mineralized trends are northerly extensions of those at Cameco's Smith Ranch/Highland Uranium Project. Barge : The Barge Project is located in Converse County in the SPRB. It is near the site of the former Bear Creek Uranium Mine operated by Rocky Mountain Energy in the 1970s and 80s. The majority of the mineralization is within deeper trends not developed previously. Jab/West Jab : The Jab Project is located in the Greater Green River Basin ("GGRB") in Sweetwater County. The Project area was extensively explored during the 1970s through the mid-1980s with the principal exploratory work and drilling completed by Union Carbide Corporation and Western Nuclear Corporation. In 2006 and 2007, U1A conducted exploratory and verification drilling on portions of the Project. Charlie : The Charlie Project is a state mineral lease that is 90% surrounded by UEC's Christensen Ranch permit and wellfield operations. The Charlie Project ore body is well defined and is a continuation of UEC's ore body located between Mine Unit 8 and Mine Unit 10 at Christensen Ranch. A Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Permit to Mine exists for the Charlie Project which UEC intends to update to current standards for ISR mining and incorporate the Project as two additional Mine Units of the Christensen Ranch Project. Clarkson Hill : Clarkson Hill is located on the southern edge of the Wind River Basin, 26 miles from Casper in Natrona County. Roll-front type uranium mineralization was discovered at Clarkson Hill during the 1950s, but the property was more extensively explored from the 1970s through the mid-80s. Most of this work was completed by Minerals Exploration Company, a subsidiary of Union Oil. Nine Mile : The Nine Mile Project is located in the southwestern portion of the PRB just north of Casper. Uranium mineralization exists in typical Wyoming roll front systems within sandstones of the upper Cretaceous Teapot Sandstone of the Mesa Verde formation. The property was previously developed by Rocky Mountain Energy in the late 70s through the early 80s and was ISR pilot tested at that time. Energy Metals initiated delineation drilling in Wyoming on this property in September 2006. Red Rim : The Red Rim Project was formerly developed by Union Carbide, Wold Uranium and Union Pacific Minerals. Mineralization is in the Tertiary Fort Union formation within the GGRB. Three Fort Union sandstone zones host roll front mineralization and the strike is projected at up to fifteen miles. Resource Disclosure Mineral resources were estimated separately for each of the Project areas. The results of the estimation of measured and indicated mineral resources for the Project are reported in Table 1 and inferred mineral resources are reported in Table 2. Notes: Sum of measured and indicated tons and pounds may not add up to the reported total due to rounding. Measured and indicated mineral resources as defined in 17 CFR 229.1300. Resources are reported as of December 31, 2021 . All reported resources occur below the static water table. The point of reference for mineral resources is in-situ at the Project. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Table 2: - Project Area Inferred Resources Summary Mineral Resource GT Cutoff Average Grade % eU 3 O 8 Ore Tons eU 3 O 8 (000s) (lbs) Allemand-Ross Inferred 0.25 0.098 1,275 2,496,000 Barge Inferred N/A N/A 0 0 Charlie Inferred 0.2 0.12 411 988,000 Christensen Ranch Inferred N/A N/A 0 0 Clarkson Hill Inferred 0.2 0.058 957 1,113,000 Irigaray Inferred 0.25 0.068 104 141,000 Jab/West Jab Inferred 0.25 0.06 1,402 1,677,000 Ludeman Inferred 0.25 0.073 866 1,258,000 Moore Ranch Inferred 0.3 0.047 46 43,700 Nine Mile Lake Inferred 0.25 0.036 3,405 4,308,000 Red Rim Inferred 0.25 0.163 473 1,539,000 Reno Creek Inferred 0.2 0.039 1,920 1,490,000 Project Inferred Totals Inferred 10,859 15,053,700 Notes: Sum of inferred tons and pounds may not add up to the reported total due to rounding. Inferred mineral resources as defined in 17 CFR 229.1300. Resources are reported as of December 31, 2021 . All reported inferred resources except Jab/West Jab occur below the static water table. The inferred resources at Jab/West Jab occur above the water table and may not be amenable to ISR. The point of reference for mineral resources is in-situ at the Project. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Summary capital and operating cost estimates are not included with the TRS since the Company is reporting the results of an initial assessment. The technical information in this news release has been reviewed by WWC Engineering, a consultant to the Company, and by Dayton A. Lewis, P.G., Vice President Resource Development Wyoming, for the Company, being a qualified third party firm and a Qualified Person under Item 1302 of Regulation S-K. About Uranium Energy Corp Uranium Energy Corp is the fastest growing supplier of the fuel for green energy transition to a low carbon future. UEC is the largest, diversified North American focused uranium company, advancing the next generation of low-cost, environmentally friendly In-Situ Recovery (ISR) mining uranium projects in the United States and high-grade conventional projects in Canada. The Company has two production-ready ISR hub and spoke platforms in South Texas and Wyoming, anchored by fully licensed and operational central processing plants. UEC also has seven U.S. ISR uranium projects with all their major permits in place. Additionally, the Company has diversified uranium holdings including: (1) one of the largest physical uranium portfolios of U.S. warehoused U3O8; (2) a major equity stake in Uranium Royalty Corp., the only royalty company in the sector; and (3) a pipeline of resource stage uranium projects. The Company's operations are managed by professionals with decades of hands-on experience in the key facets of uranium exploration, development and mining. Stock Exchange Information: NYSE American: UEC WKN: AJDRR ISN: US916896103 Safe Harbor Statement Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes "forward-looking statements" as such term is used in applicable United States and Canadian securities laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans, "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as "forward-looking statements". Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of exploration activities, variations in the underlying assumptions associated with the estimation or realization of mineral resources, the availability of capital to fund programs and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry including, without limitation, those associated with the environment, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Many of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and that could impact the Company and the statements contained in this news release can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities. SOURCE Uranium Energy Corp Part of Wirex's Women in Crypto campaign aiming to recognise women in the crypto industry Returns for third year in partnership with The Cryptonomist To recognise women with unique achievements, Wirex introduced three additional awards Launching the same day as live event with six highly respected females from the crypto sector presenting LONDON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Wirex, the leading payments platform, has announced the launch of the 2022 Rising Women in Crypto Power List initiative following last year's success. In partnership with major crypto publication, The Cryptonomist, Wirex has opened nominations to find the 13 most prominent female leaders working in the crypto sphere. The Power List was launched in 2020 as a part of Wirex's Women in Crypto campaign. It aims to recognise females working in the space, celebrate their achievements, and demonstrate to others the opportunities that lie in the crypto sector for males and female alike. The campaign aligns with Wirex's core mission to make crypto more inclusive. They've brought crypto into everyday life for over 5 million customers, having been the world's first company to develop a crypto-enabled debit card and crypto rewards scheme, Cryptoback. Since launch, the Power List has received nearly 600 nominations from more than 50 countries. With the crypto and blockchain sectors evolving at an astronomical rate, it's vital for Wirex to develop the Power List each year to reflect these changes. For 2022's Power List, Wirex introduced three additional awards to recognise women in a specific way: Social media influencer of the year for those using the power of social media to influence others for those using the power of social media to influence others Newcomer of the year - for someone that's been in the crypto sector for less than three years for someone that's been in the crypto sector for less than three years Young Ukrainian of the year - showing the company's support and solidarity following the Russian government's invasion of Ukraine Lottie Wells, Senior PR & Events Manager, who has been involved in the campaign since inception, commented: "Our core goal is to empower everyone to benefit from crypto, and it's clear that female employees play a vital role in this. Now in its third year, the Women in Crypto campaign has had an overwhelmingly positive response from the industry for celebrating females working in the sector." She explained how the campaign has grown: "In 2021, we launched our first live event, and this year, we've added three more awards to Power List. The company is proud to have an above industry average gender split, many of whom are from Kyiv, and so we've introduced a new award to recognise a Ukrainian woman achieving incredible things in the crypto space." Entries this year are open from 15th September until the 18th October. A renowned panel of judges will decide the 13 finalists who will be announced on the 8th November. Individuals can nominate themselves or someone they know, with judging criteria based on their achievements, potential, influence, ambition, leadership skills and innovation, and prizes awarded in crypto. The Power List will launch on the same day as Wirex's event, 'Women in Crypto: How will Web 3 and the Metaverse affect you?' which will be livestreamed from tech accelerator, Level39 on 15th September, 5pm BST. It will feature quick-fire presentations from 6 female crypto leaders, who will demystify the idea of the metaverse and Web 3 and give unique insights into how it affects everyday users. Throughout the campaign, Wirex will release a series of new, exciting content to educate women about the opportunities within the crypto sector. This includes an article about what it's like to work in crypto amidst war, the inside scoop on working in Wirex's various departments, and educational content about getting started in the crypto and DeFi space. To nominate yourself or someone you know for the Power List, visit: https://wirexapp.com/women-in-crypto To register for a free ticket to the livestream, sign up at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/women-in-crypto-how-will-web-3-and-the-metaverse-affect-you-livestream-tickets-391543606467 To view the new and unique content on the Women in Crypto blog, visit: https://wirexapp.com/blog/category/women-in-crypto-0009 T&Cs can be found here: https://community.wirexapp.com/t/join-our-2022-women-in-crypto-event/38919 Notes to editors: About Wirex Wirex is a worldwide digital payment platform and regulated institution that has forged new rules in the digital payments space. In 2015, the firm developed the world's first crypto-enabled payment card that gives users the ability to seamlessly spend crypto and traditional currencies in real life. Wirex was created in 2014 by CEOs and co-founders Pavel Matveev and Dmitry Lazarichev, who identified the need to open up the esoteric world of cryptocurrencies and make digital money accessible for everyone. With the core aim of making it as easy as possible to use digital assets in everyday life, Wirex provides a trusted and cost-effective service for crypto and traditional currency transactions by incorporating the next generation of payments infrastructure integrated with cryptocurrency blockchains. With over 5 million customers across 130 countries, the company offers secure accounts that allow customers to easily store, buy and exchange multiple currencies instantly at the best live rates on one centralised mobile app. Quick and simple crypto transfer options are available, as well as the freedom to spend 150+ traditional and cryptocurrencies in more than 80 million locations around the world using the Wirex card. Wirex continues to develop the product in line with market developments, whilst adhering to regional regulations and securing appropriate licensing where it exists. A proven industry pioneer, Wirex launched their own native utility token, WXT, and introduced the world's first crypto reward programme, Cryptoback, which earns cardholders up to 8% back in WXT for every transaction they make. To reflect the growth of the metaverse, throughout 2021, the company has expanded their product to enable mainstream access to DeFi. Starting with the launch of their popular X-Accounts feature, offering unprecedented levels of interest, Wirex has continued to add to their DeFi arsenal with the release of the non-custodial Wirex Wallet and a partnership with Nereus, a decentralised liquidity market provider. Wirex is based in London, with offices in Singapore, Kyiv, Dallas, Dublin and Atlanta. With over $5bn worth of transactions processed already and rapid expansion into new territories, including the US, Wirex is uniquely placed to support and promote the mass adoption of a cashless society through creative solutions. Starting from February 2022, Wirex donates all the revenue earned from in-app transactions to Ukraine humanitarian efforts. The company's largest office is based in Kyiv and Wirex stands with everyone affected by the war. As a long supporter of democratising access to crypto, Wirex's 'Women in Crypto' campaign was created in 2020 and endeavoured to recognise talented female leaders working in the sphere. With the core aim of celebrating women in the crypto sector and encouraging others to get involved, they launched the 'Rising Women in Crypto Power List', asking for nominations of women that had done incredible things in the crypto sector. Having a large percentage of female employees at the company, this initiative is close to their hearts and they hope to continue for years to come. | wirexapp.com | About The Cryptonomist We are happy to announce a media partnership with The Cryptonomist for this year's Women in Crypto campaign. The Cryptonomist is a punctual and rigorous information site to offer news and updates to its readers, but also authoritative in having opinions and making a disclosure on the most innovative aspects of the crypto economy. It aims to become the most authoritative online newspaper in Italian and English and narrate an economic and technological revolution that conquers more and more spaces and consents compared to traditional models of production and exchange. Written in a simple and captivating way, The Cryptonomist also provides videos and insights on the most current topics made by leading experts in the field. The Cryptonomist is also a marketing agency, helping crypto and fintech companies and start-ups to advertise their projects. With more than 1 million readers per month, the publication is leading the Italian and Swiss media market. | https://en.cryptonomist.ch/ | SOURCE Wirex UniConverter is positioned as an industry leader as it is upgraded to be compatible with Mac Apple Silicon. VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Wondershare UniConverter released V14.2 with support for M1/M2 chips. The chips, which showcased impressive results at the WWDC 2022 as a part of the Apple Silicon update, bring MacBook significant GPU speed increases and 50% more memory bandwidth than previous generations. Now, on the most advanced MacBook with M1/M2 chips, users can use UniConverter to manage all video formats. Wondershare UniConverter is positioned as an industry leader as it is upgraded to be compatible with Mac Apple Silicon. "UniConverter, a complete video toolbox to convert, compress, edit videos, burn DVDs, and much more, its mission is to simplify everyone's video editing process." Stated Kevin Young, Product Director of Wondershare UniConverter. "For all creators, Wondershare wants UniConverter to work perfectly on all devices and systems. Therefore, UniConverter has completed support for the Apple Silicon within just three months of its release." UniConverter V14.2 is compatible with Apple Silicon in the following ways: Native support for Apple Silicon (M1/M2) provides a seamless and stable UniConverter operation on all Mac computers with Apple Silicon M1/M2 chips. Maximizes the power of Apple Silicon and reaches faster processing speeds that were unachievable with the previous version that runs on Rosetta 2. UniConverter V14.2 has backward compatibility, so it still works smoothly with MacBooks that have Intel chips. Download UniConverter from the official Wondershare site, and the system will install the correct version for compatibility with M1/M2 or the Intel chip. Overall, users will be pleased with the stable and smooth operation of UniConverter with the M1/M2 Apple Silicon chips. It takes advantage of the added power from the upgraded chips to provide the fastest conversion speeds on the market. Compatibility and Price Wondershare UniConverter V 14.2 is compatible with MacBook that has an Intel or Apple Silicon chip. It has a starting price of $49.99 a year, or you can purchase a perpetual license for $79.99. For free trials and downloads, please visit https://videoconverter.wondershare.com/video-converter-ultimate-mac.html or follow us on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. About Wondershare Founded in 2003, Wondershare is a global leader in software development and a pioneer in the field of digital creativity. Our technology is powerful, and the solutions we provide are simple and convenient. That's why we're trusted by millions of people in over 150 countries worldwide. We help our users pursue their passions so that, together, we can build a more creative world. Media Contact Frank Zhang Wondershare [email protected] SOURCE Wondershare The first LGBTQ+ wellness and behavioral health app to launch Q1 2023 DENVER, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- You:Flourish, the first wellness and behavioral health smartphone application designed specifically for the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, has launched its equity crowdfunding campaign to the public on Wefunder, empowering people to take action and address the significant mental health crisis among the LGBTQ+ community. The app is slated to launch in the first quarter of 2023. Launching its equity crowdfunding campaign to the public, You:Flourish is the first smartphone app tailored to the wellness and behavioral health needs of the LBGTQ+ community. The app is designed by public health, technology, and behavioral health professionals and provides access to vetted, LGBTQ+-affirming behavioral health support, wellness content created by and for the community and a peer network of individuals who share a passion for well-being. You:Flourish's Community Round of investment is open to anyone from traditional investors to individuals making their first impact investment. For as little as $100, individuals can do their part to participate in the company's core mission and support the LGBTQ+ community. It has been a record year for anti-LGBTQ+ bills. According to the Human Rights Campaign, more than 300 anti-LGBTQ+ bills had been proposed in state legislatures by April 2022. "We need champions who will step up for the LGBTQ+ community," said David Kendall (he/him), a lead investor in You:Flourish's equity crowdfunding campaign and founder of Bold Legal LLC, which represents You:Flourish. "We talk about the rising numbers of LGBTQ+ youth attempting suicide, and we read the stories of transgender individuals who are denied health care. No matter where you live or who you know in the LGBTQ+ community, now is the time when we can make a significant impact and take action against wrongdoing." Modeled on a behavior change framework, You:Flourish is designed by public health, wellness and behavioral health professionals and provides access to vetted, LGBTQ+-affirming behavioral health support. The You:Flourish platform allows users to customize a peer support community with shared intersectional identities, establish wellness goals, track daily habits and earn rewards for engagement. In addition to a library of resources and interactive content, You:Flourish offers a directory of vetted mental health professionals who are trained to provide culturally relevant and LGBTQ+-affirming behavioral health interventions. Mental health professionals who don't have LGBTQ+ behavioral health training and want to serve this community can receive training through You:Flourish's partner Envision:You . A nonprofit, Envision:You addresses gaps in behavioral health outcomes for LGBTQ+ individuals. Through its multiphase Behavioral Health Provider Training Program, Envision:You works with mental health professionals across the United States to address biases that exist in the field and to train providers to deliver culturally relevant and affirming care. According to Gallup, the proportion of U.S. adults who consider themselves to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender has grown at a faster pace over the past year than in prior years. Roughly 21% of Generation Z Americans who have reached adulthood those born between 1997 and 2003 identify as LGBT. "Seeing your identity and who you are as a person splashed across headlines and demonized by political leaders undermines the mental health and well-being of a community that's already at risk," said You:Flourish Founder and CEO Steven Haden (he/him). "At the end of the day, this is about saving lives, creating meaningful and life-affirming connections, and providing hope for people who have lost it." About You:Flourish You:Flourish is a public benefit corporation balancing purpose and profit to bring wellness and affirming resources to members of the LGBTQ+ community. The You:Flourish smartphone application is created, curated and supported by Envision:You, a nonprofit organization that seeks to close gaps in behavioral health outcomes for LGBTQ+ individuals through co-created community programming, advocacy engagement, public awareness campaigns and evidence-based training. CoPeace, an ESG holding company that invests in growing companies demonstrating social and environmental impact, is offering services including fractional C-suite support to You:Flourish. AppIt Ventures is leading the app's development. Visit www.you-flourish.com for more information. SOURCE You:Flourish PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Adhera Health, makers of the Adhera Precision Digital Companion platform, today announced that Luis Fernandez Luque, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Adhera Health, is presenting preliminary data on supporting the mental wellbeing of caregivers of children undergoing treatment for growth hormone deficiency from the first sub-study of the Adhera Caring program, the Company's novel digital health solution for supporting adaptive self-management of caregivers. The data will be presented today at the European Society of Pediatric Endocrinology (ESPE 2022) in Rome, Italy. The Adhera Caring study (ClinicalTrial.gov: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04812665) is an investigator-sponsored study supported by Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. It was executed in close collaboration with clinical co-investigators from the pediatric endocrinology unit at the University Hospital of Miguel Servet (Zaragoza, Spain). The study followed a mixed-methods approach and included two sub-studies that enrolled caregivers of children showing sub-optimal growth hormone adherence as measured with the Easypod connected injection device (Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany). "The results of the Adhera Caring study show that improving lifestyle and mental health coping skills for caregivers of children with long-term conditions using digital health tools can have a direct impact on a caregiver and their child's quality of life," stated Antonio de Arriba, MD, Ph.D., a pediatric endocrinologist from the University Hospital of Miguel Servet, who led the clinical interpretation of the data presented in the poster. Dr. de Arriba added that "Soon results of the completed second sub-study will give us quantitative insights on the health impact of the program." The Adhera Caring program is built on top of the Adhera Precision Digital Companion Platform that includes two major components: adaptive self-management content powered by a health recommender system. The personalized subject matter is delivered via a mobile app and includes psycho-educational content, cognitive behavioral therapy activities for mental wellbeing, and personalized motivational messages. The health recommender system is built using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to select and personalize motivational messages, making them more relevant and effective. "We are excited about these promising outcomes, which show that emerging digital therapeutic solutions like Adhera Caring are a much-needed tool in a pharma company or clinician toolbox," said Ricardo C. Berrios, CEO of Adhera Health. "Caregivers, who are often forgotten in the healthcare ecosystem, struggle with their emotional wellbeing and need support. The Adhera Caring program moves us closer to our goal of addressing unmet needs across multiple chronic conditions and impacting millions of lives." Abstract Details Antonio de Arriba, Luis Fernandez-Luque, et. al. "Supporting the mental wellbeing of caregivers of children under growth hormone treatment: mix-methods evaluation of the Adhera Caring Program". European Society of Pediatry Endocrinology 2022 Annual Conference, September, 2022ESPE Abstracts (2022) 95 P1-98 - https://abstracts.eurospe.org/hrp/0095/hrp0095p1-98 About Adhera Health Adhera Health is a Palo Alto, California-based company leveraging forefront research in behavioral science combined with an advanced personalization technology platform to create digital and human solutions that empower people with chronic conditions to achieve long-lasting positive personal health outcomes, both physical and mental. Adhera Health's solutions are based in real-world evidence that has been validated in peer-reviewed scientific journals and are implemented in multiple global customers, including Fortune 500 and small and medium-sized health systems. Media Relations: Ms. Paivi Salminen [email protected] +1 650 681 9664 SOURCE Adhera Health DUBLIN, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AerAdvise have appointed Margareta Vrablova as the new Sales and Marketing Manager. Mrs. Vrablova is bringing with her strong international experience from various areas of the aviation industry combined with expertise in the commercial sector of the business. Mrs. Vrablova will be working alongside Mike Byrt, COO, where she will be responsible for growing AerAdvise's customer portfolio plus building the company's marketing strategy. Pat Toner (CEO), Margareta Vrablova (Sales and Marketing Manager), Mike Byrt (COO) Being in her early 30s Mrs. Vrablova is already bringing extensive experience from the industry as she has spent the last 6 years at Atlantic Aviation Group, where she played an important part in the company's expansion into the market. Mrs. Vrablova commenced her career in Frankfurt, Germany by representing Aviation Cabin Consulting before she moved to the Australian-based company, Comtech. Thus, AerAdvise's new Sales and Marketing Manager brings an interesting combination of commercial experience and international know-how. AerAdvise's CEO Patrick Toner said: "I am thrilled to welcome Margareta on the team. She is bringing great motivation and ambition to the company and will play an essential role in taking the company to the next level, as we are both releasing new technical services and smart technology solutions into the market. With her innovative approach she will help to develop the brand awareness further and strengthen AerAdvise's position as a global leader in Technical Services and Regulated CAMO Management activities." AerAdvise's Sales and Marketing Manager, Margareta Vrablova commented: "AerAdvise is entering a new chapter and I am grateful to the company for inviting me onto this journey. To be honest, I feel really excited to get started and make my impact on the company's future. The aviation industry is like a big family and what really appealed to me at AerAdvise is how everyone works together as a close team." To learn more about AerAdvise's innovative solutions, please contact us via email at [email protected] or visit our homepage www.aeradvise.com Contact - Margareta Vrablova, [email protected] Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1898960/AerAdvise___Photo.jpg SOURCE AerAdvise Agtonomy is well capitalized for accelerated growth backed by lead investors Cavallo Ventures and Mirae Asset Venture Investment SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Agtonomy , a cutting-edge software and service ag-tech start-up, announced the successful closing of another round of funding for a total investment of $13.5 million. The round was led by Cavallo Ventures, the venture arm of multi-billion-dollar agribusiness leader Wilbur-Ellis, and Mirae Asset Venture Investment which is the VC arm of Mirae Asset Financial Group headquartered in South Korea. The Mirae Asset Financial Group is one of the largest independent financial groups in Asia with over $700B in AUM, and owns the largest investment bank in South Korea. Other leading names including Toyota Ventures and David R. Duncan, Proprietor, Chairman & CEO of Silver Oak Cellars, also participated in this round. This latest funding will be used to add strategic depth to the team, expand the fleet of vehicles now operating with Agtonomy technology in the fields, and accelerate trials of the service platform designed to address the growing skilled labor challenges facing local agriculture. "Agtonomy is on a mission to close the labor gap being experienced by many in the farming community. Farmers face tremendous challenges in a time where skilled labor shortages are contributing to high food prices," said Tim Bucher, CEO and Co-Founder of Agtonomy. "We are thrilled to grow our network of support around Agtonomy and accelerate our impact on the global food chain through this latest round of funding." Through its innovative platform, Agtonomy enables sustainable, autonomous machines that are affordable to the majority of farmers in the world who do not fall in the "big ag" category. By partnering with some of the most trusted names in agricultural OEM equipment, Agtonomy will deliver immediate value to local farmers by leveling up skilled labor with technology that automates repetitive workload tasks with increased efficiency and precision. Brett Morris, Managing Director at Cavallo Ventures, which is the VC arm of Wilbur-Ellis, believes Agtonomy complements the group's investment portfolio, with the agribusiness space representing their largest market. "We like to invest in emerging and next generation technologies and products that will guide the future of agriculture and couldn't be more excited to partner with Agtonomy, a company doing just that," he said. "The team is made up of both technologists and lifelong farmers, who truly understand the pain points and needs of the customer. It's what makes the team stand out amongst others and what makes us excited to partner with Agtonomy." "South Korea is a major hub for agricultural equipment manufacturing and innovation. We are always on the lookout for start-ups that are pioneering technology that will evolve agriculture as we know it," said Scott Kim, General Manager of Mirae Asset Venture Investment. "Agtonomy's game-changing technology allows farming operations to automate workloads and increase labor efficiency. We could not be more thrilled to be a partner." "As a leading Cabernet brand based in Napa Valley, we are always looking to bring the best product to our customers in the most innovative and sustainable way possible." said David R. Duncan, Proprietor, Chairman & CEO of Silver Oak Cellars. "I witnessed a demonstration of what Agtonomy is building and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. This is the future of farming, and I am excited to be working with Agtonomy to bring this technology forward." To learn more, visit Agtonomy.com. About Agtonomy Agtonomy , based in South San Francisco and Sonoma County, is a hybrid autonomy and tele-assist service platform with the venture backing of GV, Toyota Ventures, Grit Ventures, Flybridge, Momenta, Village Global, Cavallo Ventures, Mirae Asset Venture Investment, and many other prestigious investors. The platform will give local agriculture and land maintenance operators the ability to solve the skilled labor shortage with autonomous equipment and greatly increase their efficiency. The executive team consists of veterans from the AI, EV, cloud service and agriculture industries, with extensive experience at companies like Amazon, Apple, Google, Dell, Microsoft, Uber, Cruise, and Zoox as well as lifelong farming experience at Northern California agriculture operations such as Trattore Farms. SOURCE Agtonomy The 2021 Sustainability Report is aligned with the GRI Standards and highlights the Company's commitment to addressing the social, resource and environmental challenges facing our world today BUFFALO GROVE, Ill., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ANGUS Chemical Company ("ANGUS" or "Company"), a leading global manufacturer and marketer of specialty chemicals for Life Sciences and Industrial markets, today announced the release of its first annual sustainability report developed in accordance with the increasingly adopted Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards. The Company's 2021 Sustainability Report highlights significant events, initiatives and progress made by the Company in 2021, including detailed performance metrics in six key areas: Ethics, Compliance and Governance Stakeholder Engagement People, Inclusion and Diversity Environmental, Health and Safety Natural Resource Management Product Stewardship "For many years, we have embraced the core principles of sustainability through our commitment to operating at the highest levels in environmental, health and safety and corporate social responsibility," said Dr. Pamela Spencer, Senior Vice President, Regulatory, Quality, Product Stewardship and Sustainability. "Today, we have formalized our vision for ANGUS, which serves as the robust foundation for the strategic goals and initiatives that will drive continuous improvement in all aspects of our future sustainability performance." In 2021, ANGUS established a four-pillar blueprint that uses select United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the underlying principles guiding the Company's focus on innovative solutions supporting the health and well-being of people and the planet: Environmental Stewardship: Improve operations' environmental footprint through greenhouse gas (GHG), waste and water management reductions while maintaining zero injuries and process safety incidents. Improve operations' environmental footprint through greenhouse gas (GHG), waste and water management reductions while maintaining zero injuries and process safety incidents. Sustainable Innovation: Advancing innovative solutions, grounded in science, that bring value to our customers and improve the world in which we live. Advancing innovative solutions, grounded in science, that bring value to our customers and improve the world in which we live. Culture of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Building a culture where every employee feels accepted, valued and able to contribute to their fullest potential. Building a culture where every employee feels accepted, valued and able to contribute to their fullest potential. Socially Responsible Community Partner: Driving positive change through our local community engagement and support. "Sustainability is fundamental to the continuous evolution of ANGUS, our customers and the global markets we serve," said David Neuberger, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our goals are ambitious: maintaining our best-in-class safety performance, dramatically improving our overall environmental footprint, and further expanding our portfolio to directly address our customer's sustainability goals and needs. With this inaugural report, we are making a strong commitment to transparency and accountability around the Company's overall sustainability performance in addressing the social, resource and environmental challenges facing our world today." To read ANGUS' 2021 Sustainability Report, visit https://www.angus.com/sustainability. ABOUT ANGUS ANGUS is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of specialty ingredients and consumables for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, consumer and industrial applications. The Company innovates through its unique nitroalkane chemistries, including its flagship AMP (aminomethyl propanol) multifunctional additives and TRIS AMINO (tromethamine) buffers, which are produced at fully integrated, ISO 9001-certified manufacturing facilities in the United States and Germany. ANGUS serves its global customers through six regional Customer Application Centers located in Chicago, Illinois; Paris, France; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Singapore; Shanghai, China; and Mumbai, India. The Company is headquartered in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. For more information, visit angus.com. Follow ANGUS on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ANGUS Media Relations Scott C. Johnson +1 847-808-3769 [email protected] SOURCE ANGUS Chemical Company WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- The American Psychiatric Association (APA) today announced the launch of LaSaludMental.org, a website dedicated to hosting Spanish-language information and resources on mental health and substance use disorders that are culturally competent and evidence-based. The new site features resources on five of the most commonly searched conditions related to mental health: depression, domestic violence, stigma, substance use disorders and suicide. LaSaludMental.org will also develop and host information on additional mental health conditions over time. "The impetus behind this effort was to address the overwhelming need for reliable, evidence-based information on mental health and substance use disorders available in Spanish," said APA President Rebecca Brendel, M.D., J.D. "Our goal was not to simply translate information we already had in English into Spanish, but rather to collaborate with our member psychiatrists who are part of the Spanish-speaking community in the United States to develop information and resources that are culturally competent, relevant, and easily understood by a broad section of the Hispanic and Latino community." The content hosted on LaSaludMental.org includes informational text, quizzes, expert Q&A in both print and video formats, infographics, printable handouts, animated explainer videos and more. While tailored to a Spanish-speaking audience, LaSaludMental.org is a bilingual site, with content available in both Spanish and English. The site will be updated with new content on a rolling basis. The site and its content were developed by APA and its Spanish Language Communications Working Group, comprised of Hispanic & Latino APA member psychiatrists, most of whom are native Spanish-speakers. The Working Group, which will continue to guide the development of content for the website, is co-chaired by APA member psychiatrists Hector Colon-Rivera, M.D. and Amalia Londono Tobon, M.D. American Psychiatric Association The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the oldest medical association in the country. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 37,000 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research of mental illnesses. APA's vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For more information, please visit www.psychiatry.org. SOURCE American Psychiatric Association ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Arbor Capital has been providing investment management and enhanced financial planning services for more than 25 years. In those 25 years, they have remained committed to evolving with their clients and proactively responding to changes in the investment landscape and beyond. Along with a beautiful new website and brand, Arbor Capital has begun offering ESG investing opportunities to their clients. ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance investing. It gives investors the opportunity to align their investment objectives with their values in these areas. Arbor Capital's ESG strategies are customized to fit our wealth management clients' needs and goals. Tweet this "We believe that Environment, Social, and Governance investing is not just a trend. We believe it is how investors can make an impact with their investment assets. Our ESG strategies are customized to fit our clients' needs and goals," says Dave M. Valdez, MBA, CWS, ChFC, Director of Wealth Strategies for Arbor Capital. So how does an ESG strategy work? One of the most widely referenced ESG rating systems is the MSCI ESG score, which scores nearly 10,000 companies and more than 650,000 fixed income and equity securities worldwide including ESG funds. A good ESG rating means that a company, equity, or fund is managing its environmental, social, and corporate governance risks well and a poor one means that the exposure to ESG risks is higher or these risks are poorly managed. For environmental ratings, the factors that are considered are climate change issues like carbon emissions and climate change vulnerability, pollution and waste, and natural capital issues like water sourcing, biodiversity, and land use. Considerations for the social score include labor management, health safety practices, consumer financial protection, community relations, and finance and healthcare access. For corporate governance, issues like executive compensation, business ethics, and accounting practices are considered. Arbor Capital uses ESG ratings systems like MSCI and others to determine which securities and funds will be eligible for an ESG focused portfolio or allocation and then uses their proprietary investing philosophy to encourage growth and performance while mitigating volatility. "What's special about ESG investing is that our clients can choose the issues that matter to them and align their portfolios with those issues. They're making a difference in the world with their investments and reaching their long-term investment goals in the process. It really is a win-win." Says Valdez. For more information on Arbor Capital's ESG investing strategy visit arborcapital.io or reach out to the team for a complimentary portfolio review by emailing [email protected]. SOURCE Arbor Capital Diverse Board Will Advise Company on Product Strategy, Launches Content Series on Barriers to Employment BALTIMORE, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Arena Analytics, a company that helps people and organizations chart the future of work using sophisticated AI and data analytics, today announced the formation of the Arena Ethics Advisory Board , a collection of distinguished industry experts, academics, and thought leaders who provide guidance and direction to help the company act ethically and responsibly in the development and deployment of its products. The board meets on a quarterly basis with the goal of providing actionable insights to Arena Analytics in order to help establish and operationalize best practices around AI and machine learning solutions. The board has also launched a content project that examines barriers to employment in today's workforce, the first of which can be found here. Arena Analytics announced the formation of an Ethics Advisory Board made up of distinguished industry experts. Tweet this The Arena Ethics Advisory Board is led by John Sumser, the principal analyst for HR Examiner, an independent analyst firm covering HR technology and the intersection of people, technology, and work. Sumser's mix of experience over his career gives him a broad and unique perspective on the industry and the question of ethics in HR technology specifically. "You can't have a serious discussion about the "ethics" of any technological solution without examining the biases of its human creators and structural inequities that influence the design as well as output of these systems," said Sumser. "We have assembled a broad array of both expertise and lived experience, enabling us to bring multiple perspectives to bear on the evolving questions of ethics in AI and related technologies." Driven by the fundamental belief that talent is equally distributed while opportunity is not, the Arena Analytics platform enables organizations to identify candidates who are often overlooked in the traditional hiring workflow. By offering an entirely new lens through which to view talent, Arena solutions provide people with more equitable access to economic mobility, professional, and personal growth while at the same time increasing productivity and stability for employers. Myra Norton, Arena Analytics CEO and President, added: "Our vision of driving long-term change in the workforce by eliminating barriers to opportunity and success for individuals and organizations alike requires a rigorous attention to ethics and fundamental fairness. We are deeply committed to identifying and examining the thorny ethical issues at play in our space, and we are extremely grateful to all our talented board members for their help toward that end." In addition to Mr. Sumser, the board includes: Kate Bishoff , Attorney & HR Consultant, k8bish LLC , Attorney & HR Consultant, k8bish LLC Cheryl Boyer , HR/Diversity Executive, Berkshire Hathaway , HR/Diversity Executive, Berkshire Hathaway Meredith Broussard , Researcher, Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at New York University , Researcher, Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at Jill Finlayson , Director, Expanding Diversity and Gender in Tech, University of California, Berkeley , Director, Expanding Diversity and Gender in Tech, Anne Hill , radio host, speaker, and consultant, Dream Talk Radio , radio host, speaker, and consultant, Dream Talk Radio Jamar Johnson-Thompson , VP of People Technology, Avalara , VP of People Technology, Avalara Katrina Kibben , CEO and Founder, Three Ears Media , CEO and Founder, Three Ears Media Michael Krupa , HR Technology Leader , HR Technology Leader Stela Lupushor, Founder and Chief Reframer, Reframe.Work Inc Victorio Milian , Senior Consultant, Humareso , Senior Consultant, Humareso Joey Price , CEO, Jumpstart:HR , CEO, Jumpstart:HR Tamara Rasberry , Owner, Rasberry Consulting , LLC , Owner, , LLC Richard Rosenow , Director of People Analytics and Automation, Argo To learn more about Arena Analytics' approach to ethics, visit https://arenaanalytics.io/ethics . About Arena Analytics Arena Analytics helps people and companies chart the future of work using sophisticated AI and predictive analytics. We empower employers to make unbiased hiring decisions, resulting in higher-quality talent discovery, increased retention, greater workforce stability, better business outcomes, and more equitable workplaces. At the same time, we help candidates find opportunities where they are most likely to find success, stability, and satisfaction. Driven by the belief that talent is equally distributed but opportunity is not, Arena Analytics aims to rewire the labor market to become more fair, just, productive, and equitable for everyone. For more information on Arena Analytics, visit www.arenaanalytics.io. Media Contact: Tom Huntington Senior Director of Communications, Arena Analytics [email protected] 619-743-9057 SOURCE Arena Analytics PARIS, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As announced in our previous press release on 12 September last, "Artmarket.com adds Ethereum and Bitcoin to its multi-currency Artprice databases to respond to its customers and its near future in Web 3.0" https://www.prnewswire.com/ae/news-releases/artmarket-com-adds-ethereum-and-bitcoin-to-its-multi-currency-artprice-databases-to-meet-the-needs-of-its-customers-and-prepare-for-the-future-in-web-3-0-867034679.html Ethereum 2.0, The Merge. Artprice by Artmarket.com (PRNewsfoto/Artmarket.com) In the context of a serious global energy crisis (probably only just beginning), Artmarket.com has been closely watching the transition to a totally carbon-free blockchain. This is now a reality with Ethereum 2.0 after its "The Merge" operation. Indeed, according to its founder, Vitalik Buterin, after 7 years of development and successful beta tests, "The Merge" a switch from "Proof of Work" (PoW) to "Proof of Stake" (PoS) will reduce the energy consumption of the ETH Blockchain by over 99.95%, (source: https://ethereum.foundation/). Before the transition had even been rolled out, Ethereum (ETH) managed to capture the interest of web 2 giant, Google, whose web 3 team, motivated by Ethereum's initiative, rushed to post a doodle displaying a countdown to the "The Merge" transition. Google's move represents a superb victory for the cryptocurrency and an extremely advantageous consecration for Ethereum 2.0. In a global context where concerns about what may be called "the energy war" and about global warming are reaching paroxysmal levels, this news is absolutely vital. As a result of this initiative, the Central Bank of Norway a country where ecological issues are given top priority has announced it will build its MNBC (central bank digital currency) on Ethereum. Meanwhile, the Bank of America now sees Ethereum as a virtuous investment by referring to it as "green giant". The art market can only benefit from "The Merge". The French newspaper Le Parisien reports Joe Lubin, Ethereum's co-creator, as saying "many digital artists and art collectors were reluctant to acquire digital works that involved burning so much fossil fuel to produce them With this transition, these concerns are receding and interesting projects are going to start right from the production of the very first chain blocks after "the merge". It's going to liberate a tremendous amount of creative energy." Lubin adds, "It won't directly affect Russian gas or gasoline prices, but it will be a powerful message sent to the world when we replace highly energy-consuming mining by a structure that consumes the electricity needed to produce a cup of coffee. It's a profound change that will happen just like an automatic smartphone update." Artmarket.com therefore expects to see an exponential growth in artistic creation, and that of the art-NFT market in particular. A number of famous artists have already turned towards art-NFTs, as have a number of major art museums. Over the past year, Artmarket.com has expressed its preference for the Ethereum 2.0 blockchain, particularly during its AGM and in its various financial press releases, and it has put all its IT and human resources into confirming its success with NFTs and the Metaverse which represents the backbone of web 3.0. The world famous Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is considering an upcoming sale for around 70 million dollars of works of art via Sotheby's, with the possibility of investing the proceeds from these sales in the purchase of NFTs, on the advice of a team of experts in charge of following the NFT markets and finding the most promising artists there. According to Artprice by Artmarket's CEO and founder thierry Ehrmann, "In the history of cryptocurrencies, The Merge operation, this 15 september 2022, represents a founding and irrevocable date for Web 3.0 and for art-NFTs, and it could well generate a 'flippening' with Ethereum overtaking Bitcoin in terms of market capitalization in the coming months." Image: [https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2022/09/image1-ethereum_themerge-artprice-by-artmarket-com.jpg] Copyright 1987-2022 thierry Ehrmann www.artprice.com - www.artmarket.com Don't hesitate to contact our Econometrics Department for your requirements regarding statistics and personalized studies: [email protected] Try our services (free demo): https://www.artprice.com/demo Subscribe to our services: https://www.artprice.com/subscription About Artmarket: Artmarket.com is listed on Eurolist by Euronext Paris, SRD long only and Euroclear: 7478 - Bloomberg: PRC - Reuters: ARTF. Discover Artmarket and its Artprice department on video: www.artprice.com/video Artmarket and its Artprice department was founded in 1997 by its CEO, thierry Ehrmann. Artmarket and its Artprice department is controlled by Groupe Serveur, created in 1987. See certified biography in Who's who : Biographie_thierry_Ehrmann_2022_WhosWhoInFrance.pdf Artmarket is a global player in the Art Market with, among other structures, its Artprice department, world leader in the accumulation, management and exploitation of historical and current art market information in databanks containing over 30 million indices and auction results, covering more than 787,000 artists. Artprice by Artmarket, the world leader in information on the art market, has set itself the ambition through its Global Standardized Marketplace to be the world's leading Fine Art NFT platform. Artprice Images allows unlimited access to the largest Art Market image bank in the world: no less than 180 million digital images of photographs or engraved reproductions of artworks from 1700 to the present day, commented by our art historians. Artmarket with its Artprice department accumulates data on a permanent basis from 6300 Auction Houses and produces key Art Market information for the main press and media agencies (7,200 publications). Its 5.4 million ('members log in'+social media) users have access to ads posted by other members, a network that today represents the leading Global Standardized Marketplace to buy and sell artworks at a fixed or bid price (auctions regulated by paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article L 321.3 of France's Commercial Code). Artmarket with its Artprice department, has been awarded the State label "Innovative Company" by the Public Investment Bank (BPI) (for the second time in November 2018 for a new period of 3 years) which is supporting the company in its project to consolidate its position as a global player in the market art. The Artprice 2022 half-year report: the art market returns to strong growth in the West: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/global-art-market-in-h1-2022-by-artprice-com Artprice by Artmarket's 2020 Global Art Market Report published in March 2022: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-art-market-in-2021 Artprice's 2020/21 Contemporary Art Market Report by Artmarket.com: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-contemporary-art-market-report-2021 Index of press releases posted by Artmarket with its Artprice department: serveur.serveur.com/Press_Release/pressreleaseEN.htm Follow all the Art Market news in real time with Artmarket and its Artprice department on Facebook and Twitter: www.facebook.com/artpricedotcom/ (over 5.9 million followers) twitter.com/artmarketdotcom twitter.com/artpricedotcom Discover the alchemy and universe of Artmarket and its artprice department https://www.artprice.com/video headquartered at the famous Organe Contemporary Art Museum "The Abode of Chaos" (dixit The New York Times): https://issuu.com/demeureduchaos/docs/demeureduchaos-abodeofchaos-opus-ix-1999-2013 L'Obs - The Museum of the Future: https://youtu.be/29LXBPJrs-o www.facebook.com/la.demeure.du.chaos.theabodeofchaos999 (4.3 million followers) https://vimeo.com/124643720 Contact Artmarket.com and its Artprice department - Contact: Thierry Ehrmann, [email protected] SOURCE Artmarket.com RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- After an increasing number of complaints about car dealerships in recent years, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed new car dealer regulations. Consumer-focused automotive resource Automoblog has published an article explaining these new regulations and what it could mean for the consumer. Here is an overview of what the new FTC proposed car dealer regulations will include: Automoblog Explains What the New FTC Proposed Car Dealer Regulations Could Mean for You Dealers will be required to disclose the full purchase price upfront. There will be no more hidden or surprise add-ons like equipment or warranties. There will be no more valueless, fraudulent "junk fees." It will ban the use of bait-and-switch advertising practices. Auto dealers have pushed back against these proposed regulations because they stand to lose some of their profits. However, these changes could help buyers make better-informed decisions when purchasing a car and avoid being overcharged. Automoblog is an online automotive resource that helps people make informed decisions about cars and car ownership. To learn more about the publication, click here . Media Contact: Jennifer Chonillo (919) 283-9316 [email protected] SOURCE Automoblog The report offers an up-to-date analysis of the current market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. Request Latest FREE PDF Sample Report Automotive Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) Market 2022-2026: Scope The automotive testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) market report covers the following areas: Get lifetime access to our Technavio Insights! Subscribe to our "Basic Plan" billed annually at USD 5000 Automotive Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) Market 2022-2026: Driver and Challenge The growing automotive industry is driving the growth of the market. The key players in the automobile industry plan to start new subsidiaries for electric vehicles. In addition, there is a need for proper TIC to ensure the safety and performance of vehicles, along with a major focus on quality control for automotive manufacturing operations and additional safety, testing, and reporting measures. TIC services help manufacturers in increasing the marketability of their products and reduce costs in the pre-production phases. High lead time for the TIC process is challenging the growth of the market. The automotive TIC procedure is lengthy, as the automobile should be approved by an inspection team before receiving certification. Vehicles need to comply with the standards specified for the countries where they are sold. In the case of exports, manufacturers have to undergo additional procedures. All of these processes are time-consuming, which increases the overall lead time. Find out which drivers and challenges will impact the future of the market. View our FREE PDF Sample Report Automotive Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) Market 2022-2026: Segmentation Type In-house Outsourced Geography Europe North America APAC The Middle East And Africa South America Automotive Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) Market 2022-2026: Revenue-generating Type Segments The in-house segment will be the largest contributor to market growth during the forecast period. In-house TIC refers to conducting TIC activities within the company instead of relying on outsourcing. Automotive Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) Market 2022-2026: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2022-2026 Detailed information on factors that will assist automotive testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) market growth during the next five years Estimation of the automotive testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the automotive testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of automotive testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) market vendors Related Reports Testing, Inspection, and Certification Market in Japan by Type and Service - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The testing, inspection, and certification market share in Japan is expected to increase by USD 3.07 billion from 2021 to 2026. Industrial Automation Services Market by Service, End-user, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The industrial automation services market size is expected to grow by USD 45.32 billion during 2020-2025. Automotive Testing, Inspection, And Certification (TIC) Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.51% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 5.03 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 5.0 Regional analysis Europe, North America, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution Europe at 36% Key consumer countries US, China, Japan, Germany, and Italy Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled ALS Ltd, Applus Services Technologies SL, Bureau Veritas SA, DEKRA SE, DNV Group AS, Element Materials Technology Group Ltd., Eurofins Scientific SE, Intertek Group Plc, LRQA Group Ltd, Mistras Group Inc., NSF International, RINA Spa, SAI Global Pty. Ltd., SGS SA, The British Standards Institution, The Smithers Group Inc, TUV NORD AG, TUV Rheinland AG, TUV SUD AG, and UL LLC Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, market growth inducers and obstacles, fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, and market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Browse Industrials Market Reports Table of Contents 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Global Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Type Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Incremental Growth Exhibit 07: Executive Summary Data Table on Incremental Growth Exhibit 08: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 09: Parent market Exhibit 10: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 11: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 12: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2021 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026 Exhibit 13: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 14: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 15: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 16: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 4 Five Forces Analysis 4.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 17: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2021 and 2026 4.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 18: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026 4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 19: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026 4.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 20: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026 4.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 21: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026 4.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 22: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026 4.7 Market condition Exhibit 23: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026 5 Market Segmentation by Type 5.1 Market segments Exhibit 24: Chart on Type - Market share 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 25: Data Table on Type - Market share 2021-2026 (%) 5.2 Comparison by Type Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by Type Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by Type 5.3 In-house - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 28: Chart on In-house - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 29: Data Table on In-house - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 30: Chart on In-house - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on In-house - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.4 Outsourced - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 32: Chart on Outsourced - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 33: Data Table on Outsourced - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 34: Chart on Outsourced - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Outsourced - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.5 Market opportunity by Type Exhibit 36: Market opportunity by Type ($ million) 6 Customer Landscape 6.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 37: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 7 Geographic Landscape 7.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 38: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%) 7.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 40: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 41: Data Table on Geographic comparison 7.3 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 42: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 43: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 44: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 46: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 47: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 48: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 49: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 50: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 51: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 52: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 53: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.6 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 54: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 55: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 56: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 57: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.7 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 58: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 59: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 60: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 61: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.8 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 62: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 63: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 64: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 65: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.9 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 66: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 67: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 68: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 69: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.10 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 70: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 71: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 72: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 73: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.11 Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 74: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 75: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 76: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 77: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.12 Italy - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 78: Chart on Italy - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 79: Data Table on Italy - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 80: Chart on Italy - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 81: Data Table on Italy - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.13 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 82: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 8.1 Market drivers 8.2 Market challenges 8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 83: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026 8.4 Market trends 9 Vendor Landscape 9.1 Overview 9.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 84: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 9.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 85: Overview on factors of disruption 9.4 Industry risks Exhibit 86: Impact of key risks on business 10 Vendor Analysis 10.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 87: Vendors covered 10.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 88: Matrix on vendor position and classification 10.3 Applus Services Technologies SL Exhibit 89: Applus Services Technologies SL - Overview Exhibit 90: Applus Services Technologies SL - Business segments Exhibit 91: Applus Services Technologies SL - Key offerings Exhibit 92: Applus Services Technologies SL - Segment focus 10.4 Bureau Veritas SA Exhibit 93: Bureau Veritas SA - Overview Exhibit 94: Bureau Veritas SA - Business segments Exhibit 95: Bureau Veritas SA - Key news Exhibit 96: Bureau Veritas SA - Key offerings Exhibit 97: Bureau Veritas SA - Segment focus 10.5 DEKRA SE Exhibit 98: DEKRA SE - Overview Exhibit 99: DEKRA SE - Business segments Exhibit 100: DEKRA SE - Key offerings Exhibit 101: DEKRA SE - Segment focus 10.6 Eurofins Scientific SE Exhibit 102: Eurofins Scientific SE - Overview Exhibit 103: Eurofins Scientific SE - Business segments Exhibit 104: Eurofins Scientific SE - Key news Exhibit 105: Eurofins Scientific SE - Key offerings Exhibit 106: Eurofins Scientific SE - Segment focus 10.7 Intertek Group Plc Exhibit 107: Intertek Group Plc - Overview Exhibit 108: Intertek Group Plc - Business segments Exhibit 109: Intertek Group Plc - Key news Exhibit 110: Intertek Group Plc - Key offerings Exhibit 111: Intertek Group Plc - Segment focus 10.8 Mistras Group Inc. Exhibit 112: Mistras Group Inc. - Overview Exhibit 113: Mistras Group Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 114: Mistras Group Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 115: Mistras Group Inc. - Segment focus 10.9 RINA Spa Exhibit 116: RINA Spa - Overview Exhibit 117: RINA Spa - Product / Service Exhibit 118: RINA Spa - Key offerings 10.10 SGS SA Exhibit 119: SGS SA - Overview Exhibit 120: SGS SA - Business segments Exhibit 121: SGS SA - Key offerings Exhibit 122: SGS SA - Segment focus 10.11 TUV NORD AG Exhibit 123: TUV NORD AG - Overview Exhibit 124: TUV NORD AG - Business segments Exhibit 125: TUV NORD AG - Key news Exhibit 126: TUV NORD AG - Key offerings Exhibit 127: TUV NORD AG - Segment focus 10.12 TUV SUD AG Exhibit 128: TUV SUD AG - Overview Exhibit 129: TUV SUD AG - Business segments Exhibit 130: TUV SUD AG - Key offerings Exhibit 131: TUV SUD AG - Segment focus 11 Appendix 11.1 Scope of the report 11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 132: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 133: Exclusions checklist 11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 134: Currency conversion rates for US$ 11.4 Research methodology Exhibit 135: Research methodology Exhibit 136: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 137: Information sources 11.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 138: List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio Joe Malmuth Rises to Chief Franchising Officer as Entire Team Earns New Titles, Franchising Certifications HARTLAND, Wis., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of record-breaking franchise sales, organic system-wide growth and multiple successful resales, Batteries Plus, the nation's largest and fastest-growing battery, light bulb, key fob and repair franchise, announced today the promotion of its entire franchise development team. Led by its newly promoted Chief Franchising Officer, Joe Malmuth, CFE, the Batteries Plus development team also celebrated the promotions of Vic Daher to Vice President of Franchise Development and Brandon Mangual to Managing Director of Franchise Development. Malmuth climbs the leadership ladder from his previous position of Vice President of Franchise Development, a title he has held since June 2021. Since joining the company in May 2020, Malmuth has been responsible for overseeing all aspects of franchise development. In addition to working with new owners and franchise consultants to expand the system, he has also been managing programs focused on helping current owners develop territory and facilitate transactions. In the two and a half years since his hiring, Malmuth has driven the development strategy for the brand, inking franchise agreements that will continue to bring new Batteries Plus stores to communities across the country. Recent franchise agreements signed by Malmuth and his team include a variety of franchisees that come from diverse business backgrounds restaurants, finance, sales, etc. further validating the strength of the development team and its ability to secure qualified operators. "In the two and a half years since joining Batteries Plus, I have seen the brand grow exponentially. Our growth has been through the addition of new, enthusiastic franchise owners, expansion and development of our current owners and a very successful resale strategy all which have helped expand our presence across the country. It has been a very exciting time in our brand's history," said Joe Malmuth, Chief Franchising Officer. "That being said, none of this success would be possible without the dedication and tenacity of our franchise development team. Vic and Brandon are tremendously hard workers and their futures within our brand are very bright. We can't wait to continue to see them grow." Daher earns his new title after holding his previous position of Director of Franchise Development since July 2020. Daher's responsibilities in his new role include territory development and demographics as well as market optimization. Mangual becomes Managing Director of Franchise Development after joining the brand in October 2020 as Franchise Development Manager. In his new position, Mangual will be responsible for franchise development marketing and analytics. In addition to their promotions, both Daher and Mangual earned their Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) certification joining Malmuth in the prestigious group of franchising professionals with this designation. "Joe, Vic and Brandon are truly top-notch franchise development professionals and their recent promotions are very well deserved," said Jon Sica, Chief Strategy and Development Officer for Batteries Plus. "Our franchise development team has put us on a continued track for another record-breaking year of growth so far in 2022 and we are confident we will end the year on an even higher note." To learn more about Batteries Plus, including information on the franchise opportunity or tour a store virtually, visit batteriesplusfranchise.com. ABOUT BATTERIES PLUS: Batteries Plus, founded in 1988 and headquartered in Hartland, WI, is a leading omnichannel retailer of batteries, specialty light bulbs and phone repair services for the direct-to-consumer and commercial channels. The retailer also offers key programming, replacement and cutting services. Through a nationwide network of stores, the company offers a differentiated value proposition of unrivaled product selection, in-stock availability and customer service. Batteries Plus is owned by Freeman Spogli, a private equity firm based in Los Angeles and New York City. To learn more about one of Forbes' Best Franchises to Buy in America, visit https://www.batteriesplusfranchise.com. MEDIA CONTACT: Julianne Stevenson, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] or 224-558-2510 SOURCE Batteries Plus CHICAGO, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Representatives of Black Men United, local Ukrainian officials and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas will gather in the parking lot of Saints Volodymr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church in Chicago this Saturday, September 17, 2022, to give away furniture and household goods to Ukrainian refugees in need. The giveaway is taking place in the church parking lot at 11 a.m. at 2220 W. Superior St. The church parking lot is east of the church at the corner of Superior and Leavitt streets. Pastor John Harrell, president of Black Men United, said his organization is donating a truckload of goods including: living room and dining room sets, beds, outdoor furniture, heaters, air fryers, diapers and baby formula. Black Men United is a nonprofit dedicated to changing the narrative of the Black community and bringing hope by building bridges in communities across the U.S. "These families have lost their homes," said Harrell. "It's incumbent upon us to help them rebuild their lives." Millions of Ukrainians have fled their country since Russia began its invasion Feb. 24. Thousands of refugees have made their way to the Chicago area because of its sizeable Ukrainian population. "These refugees are fleeing their war-ravaged country and are coming here with empty pockets," said Pappas. "They need our help." Also in attendance will be Marta Farion, vice president of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America-Illinois Division, and members of Plast, a worldwide Ukrainian Scouting organization. SOURCE Cook County Treasurer's Office First Quarter Revenues of RMB 315.1 million First Quarter GMV of RMB 731.5 million SHANGHAI, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Boqii Holding Limited ("Boqii" or the "Company") ( NYSE: BQ), a leading pet-focused platform in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2023 (the quarter ended June 30, 2022). Fiscal Q1 2023 Operational and Financial Highlights Total revenues were RMB315.1 million ( US$47.0 million ), compared to RMB321.8 million in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. were ( ), compared to in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. Operating loss was RMB9.8 million ( US$1.5 million ), representing a decrease of 76.4% compared to RMB41.5 million in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. was ( ), representing a decrease of 76.4% compared to in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. Net loss was RMB12.4 million ( US$1.9 million ), representing a decrease of 66.8% from net loss of RMB37.4 million in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. was ( ), representing a decrease of 66.8% from net loss of in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. Non-GAAP net loss was RMB10.5 million ( US$1.6 million ), representing a decrease of 66.7% from non-GAAP net loss of RMB31.5 million in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. was ( ), representing a decrease of 66.7% from non-GAAP net loss of in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. EBITDA [1] was a loss of RMB9.0 million ( US$1.3 million ), representing a decrease of 74.6% from a loss of RMB35.6 million in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. was a loss of ( ), representing a decrease of 74.6% from a loss of in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. Total GMV [2] was RMB731.5 million ( US$109.2 million ), compared to RMB792.1 million in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. was ( ), compared to in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. Active buyers were 1.8 million, representing an increase of 11.4% from 1.6 million in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. [1]EBITDA refers to net loss excluding income tax expenses, interest expense, interest income, depreciation and amortization expenses. EBITDA is a Non-GAAP financial measurement. Please refer to "Non-GAAP financial measurement". [2]GMV refers to gross merchandise volume, which is the total value of confirmed orders placed with us and sold through distribution model or drop shipping model where we act as a principal in the transaction regardless of whether the products are delivered or returned, calculated based on the listed prices of the ordered products without taking into consideration any discounts. The total GMV amount (i) includes GMV of products sold by Xingmu, (ii) excludes products sold through consignment model and (iii) excludes the value of services offered by us. GMV is subject to future adjustments (such as refunds) and represents only one measure of the Company's performance and should not be relied on as an indicator of our financial results, which depend on a variety of factors. CEO & CFO Quote Mr. Hao Liang, Boqii's Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer commented, We maintained solid growth in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 despite the ongoing impact of COVID-19. By further integrating upstream and downstream industry chain resources, we optimized product categories and adjusted product mix to accelerate the gross margin growth and user engagement. Gross margin continued to see strong growth, which increased by 490 basis points to 22.4% compared to the same period last year. Active buyers rose 11.4% YOY to 1.8million. We are glad that we were able to deliver encouraging results and remain optimistic in our future development. Ms. Yingzhi (Lisa) Tang, Boqii's Co-Founder, Co-CEO and CFO commented: Supported by our proven business model,engaging community, and expansive outreaching channel, we delivered outstanding results under the challenging circumstances. In this quarter, our non-GAAP net loss narrowed down to RMB10.5million, representing a decrease of 66.7% from non-GAAP net loss of RMB31.5 million in the same period last year, which shows our potential to reach profitability. We are committed to enhance our value chain position as an end-to-end connector, while continuously improving profitability, creating values for both our users and shareholders. Fiscal Q1 2023 Financial Results Total revenues were RMB315.1 million (US$47.0 million), compared to RMB321.8 million in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. Revenues (in million) Three Months Ended June 30 % 2022 2021 change RMB RMB YoY Product sales 303.2 311.5 -2.7 % Boqii Mall 130.1 108.3 20.0 % Third party e-commerce platforms 173.1 203.2 -14.8 % Online marketing and information services and other revenue 11.9 10.3 15.8 % Total 315.1 321.8 -2.1 % Gross profit was RMB 70.7 million (US$10.5 million), representing an increase of 25.3% from RMB56.4 million in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. Gross margin was 22.4%, representing an increase of 490 basis points from 17.5% in the same quarter of fiscal 2022, which is primarily due to improvement of gross margin of private label products and increased proportion of pet supplies and health care products with higher margins. Operating expenses were RMB80.6million, representing a decrease of 17.7% from RMB97.9 million in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. Operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues was 25.6%, down from 30.4% in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. Fulfillment Expenses were RMB37.4 million, compared to RMB32.9 million in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. Fulfillment expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 11.8%, compared to 10.2% in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. The increase was primarily due to increased shipping and handling expenses, which resulted from temporary logistics price increases and transportation restrictions due to the outbreak of Covid-19 in Shanghai starting from April 2022. Sales and marketing expenses were RMB31.7 million, representing a decrease of 30.3% from RMB45.5 million in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. The decrease was primarily due to the decline of advertising expenses amount to RMB14 million resulting from(i) the lower expenditure for cost saving; (ii) the increased proportion of revenue generated from more cost-efficient channels. Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of total revenue were 10.1%, down from 14.1% in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. General and administrative expenses were RMB11.5 million, representing a decrease of 41.0% from RMB19.6 million in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. The decrease was primarily due to:(i) the decline of share-based compensation expense of RMB6.0 million, resulting form the cancellation of options corresponding to employee departures; (ii) the decline of professional fees amount to RMB1.2 million compared with the same quarter of fiscal year 2022, General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenue were 3.7%, down from 6.1% in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. Operating loss was RMB9.8 million (US$1.5 million), representing a decrease of 76.4% compared to RMB41.5 million in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. Net loss was RMB12.4 million (US$1.9 million), representing a decrease of 66.8% compared to net loss of RMB37.4 million in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. EBITDA was a loss of RMB9.0 million (US$1.3 million), representing a decrease of 74.6% compared to a loss of RMB35.6 million in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. Non-GAAP net loss was RMB10.5 million (US$1.6 million), representing a decrease of 66.7% compared to non-GAAP net loss of RMB31.5 million in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. Diluted net loss per share was RMB0.18 (US$0.03), compared to diluted net loss per share of RMB0.52 in the same quarter of fiscal year 2022. Total cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were RMB247.4 million (US$36.9 million), compared to RMB290.9 million as of March 31, 2022. Conference Call Boqii's management will hold a conference call to discuss the financial results at 8:00 AM on Thursday September 15, 2022, U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 PM on Thursday, September 15, 2022, Beijing/Hong Kong Time). To join the conference, please dial in 15 minutes before the conference is scheduled to begin using below numbers. Phone Number International 1-412-317-6061 United States 1-888-317-6003 Hong Kong 852 800 963-976 Mainland China 86 4001-206115 Passcode 2677482 A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following numbers until September 15, 2022. Phone Number International 1-412-317-0088 United States 1-877-344-7529 Replay Access Code 5007119 A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.boqii.com/ . About Boqii Holding Limited Boqii Holding Limited ( NYSE: BQ) is a leading pet-focused platform in China. We are the leading online destination for pet products and supplies in China with our broad selection of high-quality products including global leading brands, local emerging brands, and our own private label, Yoken and Mocare, offered at competitive prices. Our online sales platforms, including Boqii Mall and our flagship stores on third-party e-commerce platforms, provide customers with convenient access to a wide selection of high-quality pet products and an engaging and personalized shopping experience. Our Boqii Community provides an informative and interactive content platform for users to share their knowledge and love for pets. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "target," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward- looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding such risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law. Non-GAAP Financial Measures The Company uses non-GAAP financial measures, namely non-GAAP net loss, non-GAAP net loss margin, EBITDA and EBITDA margin, in evaluating its operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. The Company defines (i) non-GAAP net loss as net loss excluding fair value change of derivative liabilities and share-based compensation expenses, (ii) non-GAAP net loss margin as non-GAAP net loss as a percentage of total revenues, (iii) EBITDA as net loss excluding income tax expenses, interest expense, interest income, depreciation and amortization expenses, (iv) EBITDA margin as EBITDA as a percentage of total revenues. The Company believes non-GAAP net loss, non-GAAP net loss margin, EBITDA and EBITDA margin enhance investors' overall understanding of its financial performance and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by its management in its financial and operational decision-making. These non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. As these non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools and may not be calculated in the same manner by all companies, they may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. The Company compensates for these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measures, which should be considered when evaluating the Company's performance. For reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, please see the section of the accompanying tables titled, "Reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP Results." The Company encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on any single financial measure. Exchange Rate This press release contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars ("USD") at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to USD were made at the rate of RMB6.6981 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on June 30, 2022 in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or USD amounts referred to could be converted into USD or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: In China: Boqii Holding Limited Investor Relations Tel: +86-21-6882-6051 Email: [email protected] DLK Advisory Limited Tel: +852-2857-7101 Email: [email protected] BOQII HOLDING LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted) As of March 31, 2022 As of June 30, 2022 As of June 30, 2022 RMB RMB US$ ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents 162,855 128,772 19,225 Short-term investments 128,084 118,598 17,706 Accounts receivable, net 49,231 93,183 13,912 Inventories, net 109,921 128,691 19,213 Prepayments and other current assets 116,738 110,228 16,457 Amounts due from related parties 11,726 11,640 1,738 Total current assets 578,555 591,112 88,251 Non-current assets: Property and equipment, net 7,779 7,138 1,066 Intangible assets 25,544 24,569 3,668 Operating lease right-of-use assets 38,567 39,818 5,945 Long-term investments 82,319 81,863 12,222 Goodwill 40,684 40,684 6,074 Other non-current asset 4,861 4,177 624 Total non-current assets 199,754 198,249 29,599 Total assets 778,309 789,361 117,850 LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT Current liabilities Short-term borrowings 161,126 153,456 22,910 Accounts payable 94,224 108,931 16,263 Salary and welfare payable 6,871 7,267 1,085 Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities 27,324 31,195 4,657 Amounts due to related parties, current 219 142 21 Contract liabilities 7,007 4,280 639 Operating lease liabilities, current 10,001 13,322 1,989 Derivative liabilities 9,086 10,591 1,581 Total current liabilities 315,858 329,184 49,145 Non-current liabilities Deferred tax liabilities 4,847 4,516 674 Operating lease liabilities, non-current 28,197 26,678 3,983 Other debts, non-current 181,062 184,189 27,499 Total non-current liabilities 214,106 215,383 32,156 Total liabilities 529,964 544,567 81,301 Mezzanine equity Redeemable non-controlling interests 6,522 6,677 997 Total mezzanine equity 6,522 6,677 997 Stockholders' equity: Class A ordinary shares (US$0.001 par value; 129,500,000 shares authorized, 55,709,591 and 55,713,340 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31 ,2022 and June 30, 2022, respectively) 372 372 57 Class B ordinary shares (US$0.001 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized, 13,037,729 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31,2022 and June 30, 2022, respectively) 82 82 13 Additional paid-in capital 3,295,336 3,295,089 491,944 Statutory reserves 3,433 3,665 547 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (46,069) (34,649) (5,173) Accumulated deficit (2,889,233) (2,902,020) (433,260) Receivable for issuance of ordinary shares (164,746) (167,054) (24,941) Total Boqii Holding Limited shareholders' equity 199,175 195,485 29,187 Non-controlling interests 42,648 42,632 6,365 Total shareholders' equity 241,823 238,117 35,552 Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders' equity 778,309 789,361 117,850 BOQII HOLDING LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted) Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 2022 2022 RMB RMB US$ Net revenues: Product sales 311,493 303,188 45,265 Online marketing and information services and other revenue 10,353 11,872 1,772 Total revenues 321,846 315,060 47,037 Total cost of revenue (265,465) (244,407) (36,489) Gross profit 56,381 70,653 10,548 Operating expenses: Fulfillment expenses (32,887) (37,373) (5,580) Sales and marketing expenses (45,485) (31,713) (4,735) General and administrative expenses (19,571) (11,543) (1,723) Other income, net 12 176 26 Loss from operations (41,550) (9,800) (1,464) Interest income 5,187 2,442 365 Interest expense (6,062) (4,089) (610) Other gain/ (losses), net 3,128 912 136 Fair value change of derivative liabilities 162 (2,156) (322) Loss before income tax expenses (39,135) (12,691) (1,895) Income taxes expenses 1,009 188 28 Share of results of equity investees 766 87 13 Net loss (37,360) (12,416) (1,854) Less: Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest shareholders (2,467) (16) (2) Net loss attributable to Boqii Holding Limited (34,893) (12,400) (1,852) Accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value (140) (155) (23) Net loss attributable to Boqii Holding Limited's ordinary shareholders (35,033) (12,555) (1,875) Net loss (37,360) (12,416) (1,854) Other comprehensive income/(loss): Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of nil tax (8,712) 11,669 1,742 Unrealized securities holding loss - (249) (37) Total comprehensive loss (46,072) (996) (149) Less: Total comprehensive income attributable to non- controlling interest shareholders (2,467) (16) (2) Total comprehensive loss attributable to Boqii Holding Limited (43,605) (980) (147) Net loss per share attributable to Boqii Holding Limited's ordinary shareholders basic (0.52) (0.18) (0.03) diluted (0.52) (0.18) (0.03) Weighted average number of ordinary shares basic 67,640,952 68,837,320 68,837,320 diluted 67,640,952 68,837,320 68,837,320 Boqii Holding Limited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results (In thousands) Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 2022 RMB RMB Net loss (37,360) (12,416) Fair value change of derivative liabilities (162) 2,156 Share-based compensation 5,986 (250) Non-GAAP net loss (31,536) (10,510) Non-GAAP net loss Margin (9.8 %) (3.3 %) Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 2022 RMB RMB Net loss (37,360) (12,416) Income tax expenses (1,009) (188) Interest expenses 6,062 4,089 Interest income (5,187) (2,442) Depreciation and amortization 1,928 1,922 EBITDA (35,566) (9,035) EBITDA Margin (11.1 %) (2.9 %) Notes for all the condensed consolidated financial schedules presented: Note 1: The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into U.S. dollars (USD) is based on the certified exchange rate of USD1.00=RMB6.6981 on 30 June, 2022 published by the Federal Reserve Board. SOURCE Boqii Holding Limited The 2023 Program Celebrates Top Tech Employers Across the U.S. CHICAGO, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Built In, a technology recruitment platform, today invites companies across the U.S. to apply to its 2023 Best Places to Work awards program. Annually, the program honors companies that offer employees the best total rewards packages. For Built In's audience of tech professionals, the set of winners' lists become a go-to resource: Historically, they garner 1 million views upon publication. To enter, any U.S. employer of all sizes and types whether startup, mid-sized, enterprise, remote-first or hybrid completes a company profile on BuiltIn.com at no cost, showcasing the total rewards they offer employees. An algorithm determines the winners by selecting companies whose packages reflect what candidates today most value. Open for entries: Built In's "Best Places to Work" awards program. Tweet this "Built In attracts an audience of skilled tech professionals that companies everywhere need to hire but struggle to reach," said Sheridan Orr, Chief Marketing Officer, Built In. "This program represents a chance for the industry's best companies to build their reputations with that audience as employers of choice and tech professionals pay attention. Every year, Best Places to Work becomes an important resource for our users, who rely on it to discover employers they might like to join." The 2023 program recognizes U.S. companies according to the below categories, with additional city-specific lists for the same categories: 100 Best Places to Work 50 Best Startups to Work For (Less than 100 employees) 100 Best Midsize Places to Work (101-1,000 employees) 100 Best Large Places to Work (1,000+ employees) Start the process of entering here: https://employers.builtin.com/best-places-to-work/ Winners will be announced in January 2023. ABOUT BUILT IN'S BEST PLACES TO WORK Built In's annual Best Places to Work program honors companies with the best total rewards packages across the U.S. and in the following tech hubs: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Colorado, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington DC. Best Places to Work is distinct because its algorithm selects tech companies that build their offerings specifically around what tech professionals value in a workplace. Winners are announced in early January 2023. https://employers.builtin.com/best-places-to-work/ ABOUT BUILT IN Built In is creating the largest platform for technology professionals globally. Monthly, millions of the industry's most in-demand professionals visit the site from across the world. They rely on our platform to stay ahead of tech trends and news, learn skills to accelerate their careers and find opportunities at companies whose values they share. Built In also serves 1,800 customers, innovative companies ranging from startups to those in the Fortune 100. By putting their stories in front of our uniquely engaged audience, we help them hire otherwise hard-to-reach tech professionals, locally, nationally or remotely. www.builtin.com Contact Tiffany Meyers [email protected] SOURCE Built In 176-Page Chronicle Of CJC History Details 25 Years Of Iconic Institute's Leadership In Jazz Education And Performance: How CJC Grew From its Jazzschool Roots To Become The Only Private Music Conservatory In The U.S. Solely Focused On Jazz Coffee-Table Sized Book Includes Over 100 Historic Photos And Graphics Illustrating First-Person History Of Jazz Performance And Jazz Education In The East Bay California Jazz Conservatory A 25-Year Retrospective To Be Offered As Gift For Contribution Of $125 Or More To CJC Jazz Education Programs Review Copies Available For Journalists On Request BERKELEY, Calif., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Jazz Conservatory celebrating its 25th anniversary this month has announced the publication of California Jazz Conservatory A 25-Year Retrospective, detailing the history of the iconic, ground-breaking, precedent-setting, Berkeley-based jazz institution. Front Cover Pages from "California Jazz Conservatory - A 25-Year Retrospective" featuring CJC's 10th anniversary celebrations, with vocalist Madeline Eastman performing at renowned Bay Area jazz club, Yoshi's. Lavishly illustrated with over 100 historic photos and graphics, California Jazz Conservatory A 25-Year Retrospective was written by CJC Founding President Susan Muscarella, with CJC Director of Communication Paul Simeon Fingerote. The book designed by Poulson-Gluck, longtime CJC-related design team traces the drama-filled history of the CJC, from its beginnings as the Jazzschool in 1997, to its present position as the California Jazz Conservatory, the only private music conservatory in the country solely devoted to jazz and related styles of music. Published by California Jazz Conservatory Press, the 176-page treatise shares the ups and downs of starting a jazz school in 1997 in Berkeley and how founder Muscarella overcame obstacles, some of biblical proportions, to keep the school open and operating through Bay Area wildfires, a massive on-campus flood, Covid-19, and other speedbumps the school has overcome in its 25-year storied history. California Jazz Conservatory A 25-Year Retrospective is offered as a gift to those contributing $125 or more to the California Jazz Conservatory's jazz education programs, with contributions made through the CJC website at cjc.edu/book. The book is also available onsite, at 2040 Addison Street in Berkeley, California. Review copies of California Jazz Conservatory A 25-Year Retrospective are available for journalists, who may request a copy from [email protected]. About the California Jazz Conservatory Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2022, the California Jazz Conservatory (CJC) is the only private music conservatory in the country solely devoted to the study and performance of our country's treasured African American art form, jazz. In addition to presenting concerts and workshops throughout the year, the California Jazz Conservatory offers Bachelor of Music and Associate of Arts degrees in Jazz Studies. CJC will be launching a new degree program, Master of Music in Jazz Studies: A Master's degree for the 21st Century Composer-Performer. Applications for all degree programs are available at cjc.edu/apply. The Jazzschool is the Conservatory's community music education program, offering over 100 Classes and Workshops each quarter, both online and in-person, depending on the Class or Workshop. More information about the CJC and California Jazz Conservatory A 25-Year Retrospective is available on the CJC website, cjc.edu. Contact: Paul Fingernote at 831-373-3343 or [email protected] SOURCE California Jazz Conservatory Increase in R&D activities that facilitate the development of medications for cancer treatment drives the growth of the global cancer stem cell market. PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Cancer Stem Cells Market by Cancer Forms (Breast, Blood, Lung, Brain, Colorectal, Pancreatic, Bladder, Liver, Others), by Application (Trageted Cancerous Stem Cells, Stem Cell-based cancer Therapy): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031". According to the report, the global cancer stem cell industry was estimated at $1.1 billion in 2021, and is anticipated to hit $2.7 billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 10.0% from 2022 to 2031. The report offers an explicit analysis of the changing market trends, top segments, key investment pockets, value chain, competitive scenarios, and regional landscapes. The market study is exclusively meant to help the readers with a complete valuation of industry analysis and trends. Pre-determinant of growth- Increase in R&D activities that facilitate the development of medications for cancer treatment drives the growth of the global cancer stem cell market. Additionally, funding for new treatment technology and cancer-related research studies is increasing at a rapid pace, which has supplemented the market growth even more. On the other hand, high cost of such medical procedures impedes growth to some extent. However, huge government support in the majority of countries has paved the way for lucrative opportunities in the industry. Download Sample Report- https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/8470 Covid-19 scenario- One of the most significant advancements in stem cell research during Covid-19 has been the development of genetic engineering which alters the DNA of human and organoid technology in which the three-dimensional structure of the tissue is produced from originated stem cell. This factor impacted the global cancer stem cell market positively. Also, adoption of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and allogeneic stem cell therapy witnessed an incline, especially among cancer patients with Covid-19 infections. The breast segment to maintain the lion's share- By cancer forms, the breast segment contributed to more than one-fifth of the global cancer stem cell market share in 2021, and is expected to lead the trail by 2031, due to high number of breast cancer cases across the world. The bladder segment, on the other hand, is expected to showcase the fastest CAGR of 11.37% during the forecast period. This is owing to the fact that pharmaceutical companies are investing a large sum of money in R&D activities to develop stem cell-based therapy to treat bladder cancer. The stem cell-based cancer therapy segment to lead the trail- Based on application, the stem cell-based cancer therapy segment generated more than half of the global cancer stem cell market revenue in 2021, and is expected to lead the trail by 2031. This is attributed to the fact that companies are concentrated on creating unique treatment approaches that combine conventional chemotherapy with inhibitors of CSC-regulating pathways The targeted cancerous stem cells segment, however, would manifest the fastest CAGR of 10.4% from 2022 to 2031. This is because it is a regenerative therapy and stem cells can perpetuate themselves via self-renewal and can generate mature cells of any specific tissue via differentiation. For Purchase Inquiry- https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/8470 North America garnered the major share in 2021- Based on region, North America held the major share in 2021, generating more than two-fifths of the global cancer stem cell market, due to advancements in healthcare infrastructure and robust reimbursement policies across the province. The Asia-Pacific region, on the other hand, would garner the fastest CAGR of 10.86% by 2031. This is owing to the fact that government of India, China, and Japan are investing in healthcare infrastructure and drafting policies for the establishment of centers for stem cells. Key players in the industry- Advanced Cell Diagnostics, Inc. Silicon Biosystems S.p.A., AVIVA Biosciences Corporation Epic Sciences, Inc. Fluxion Biosciences Celula, Inc. Rarecells USA , Inc. , Inc. AdnaGen GmbH The report analyzes these key players in the global cancer stem market. These players have incorporated various strategies such as expansion, new product launches, partnerships, and others to increase their market penetration and strengthen their position in the industry. The report is helpful in assessing the operating segments, their business performance & product portfolio, and so on. Official Press Release- https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/press-release/cancer-stem-cells-market.html Similar Research Reports for Information, Communication and Technology: Intraoperative Imaging Market- Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030 Dermatologicals Market- Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030 3D Cell Culture Market- Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030 Neurovascular Devices Market- Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030 Viral Vector and Plasmid DNA Manufacturing Market- Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030 AVENUE- A Subscription-Based Library (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model): AMR introduces its online premium subscription-based library Avenue, designed specifically to offer cost-effective, one-stop solution for enterprises, investors, and universities. With Avenue, subscribers can avail an entire repository of reports on more than 2,000 niche industries and more than 12,000 company profiles. Moreover, users can get an online access to quantitative and qualitative data in PDF and Excel formats along with analyst support, customization, and updated versions of reports. Get an access to the library of reports at any time from any device and anywhere. For more details, follow the link: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access About Allied Market Research: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domains. AMR offers its services across 11 industry verticals including Life Sciences, Consumer Goods, Materials & Chemicals, Construction & Manufacturing, Food & Beverages, Energy & Power, Semiconductor & Electronics, Automotive & Transportation, ICT & Media, Aerospace & Defense, and BFSI. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-855-550-5975 [email protected] Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Allied Market Research CHICAGO, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cannabis Market size is estimated to be valued at USD 27.7 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 82.3 billion by 2027, recording a CAGR of 24.3% in terms of value from 2022 to 2027, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=201768301 Browse in-depth TOC on "Cannabis Market" 236 Tables 68 Figures 298 Pages The medical segment sees demand for treating anxiety and pain management Medical segment also significantly contributes towards the total cannabis market. Cannabis is used in treating various medical situations like anxiety, gastrointestinal disorders, seizures, and epilepsy. Increased network of cannabis dispensaries will help increase the reach of the cannabis products to consumers thus, projecting a bright future for the market. Despite increased knowledge of its medical benefits, existing manufacturing inefficiencies and manufacturers' poor-quality control are hindering output. Many products fail to meet regulatory and content requirements. However, because of enhanced manufacturing procedures and quality standards, the pharmaceutical industry is now poised to supply more consistent products. The CBD-dominant segment is projected to account for the second-largest share in the cannabis market during the forecast period High demand and progressive policy reforms will ensure the cannabis industry's growth. As more people around the world experience burnout as a result of work and other stresses, consumers are more inclined to focus on self-care and mental wellness, and CBD fits perfectly into this change. The CBD market has risen as a result of the progressive growth in the availability of CBD products. Furthermore, the industry is predicted to grow positively as a result of CBDs growing presence in edibles, skincare, and increased online distribution channels. The demand for medical cannabis in South America is driven by the increased legalization of medical cannabis within various countries The market in the region is driven by the legalization of medical cannabis. The legalization of cannabis originated from Uruguay and Colombia, which was later joined by Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and other South American countries. Although personal cultivation of recreational cannabis for personal consumption is legal in many countries in the region, the commercial sale is limited only to Uruguay. Several countries in South America have decriminalized possession of small amounts for personal use such as Chile, Colombia, Costa, Ecuador, and Peru. The South American cannabis market is also growing tremendously as many local companies are receiving EU-Good Manufacturing (GMP) certification, and countries are approving favorable legislation. This market also benefits from the favorable climate, low-cost labor, and construction costs, as they are very low as compared to North America. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=201768301 This report includes a study on the marketing and development strategies, along with the product portfolios of leading companies. It consists of profiles of leading companies, such as Canopy Growth Corporation (Canada), Aurora Cannabis Inc. (Canada), VIVO Cannabis Inc. (Canada), Tilary Inc. (US), Unrivaled Brand Inc. (US), HEXO Corp. (Canada), Medical Marijuana Inc. (US), The Cronos Group (Canada), Medmen Enterprise Inc. (US), Cresco Labs (US), Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (US), Organigram Holdings Inc. (Canada), Stenocare (Denmark), Trulieve (US), and Indiva (Canada). Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=201768301 Browse Adjacent Reports: Food and Beverage Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Industrial Hemp Market by Type (Hemp Seed, Hemp Seed Oil, Hemp Fiber, and CBD Hemp Oil), Application (Food, Beverages, Personal Care Products, Textiles, and Pharmaceuticals), Source (Organic and Conventional), and Region - Global Forecast to 2025 Cannabis Testing Market by Products & Software's (Instruments, Consumables, LIMS), Services (Heavy Metal Testing, Microbial Analysis, Potency, Residual Screening), End-User (Cultivators, Laboratories, Research Institutes) -Global Forecast to 2025 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/cannabis-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/cannabis.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets The workplace continues to evolve, but for women, the ideal location for work is still remote CHICAGO, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CareerBuilder , a global talent acquisition leader and job marketplace, shared findings from a recent survey on workplace preferences confirming that while employers are increasingly calling for a return to the office, women, in particular, favor the flexibility that comes with remote work. In fact, 39% of women say that home offices are more valuable as opposed to men (30%) who prefer a company-provided office as their ideal workplace. The pandemic quickly uprooted employees from offices to working from home and this two-year transition has shifted the view of a traditional office for many workers. While some employees, including 31% of men, embrace this return, others say their ideal location lies elsewhere. The data shows that 34% of employed adults prefer a home office compared to 27% of employees who list a company-provided office as their top choice. Generationally speaking, 20% of Gen Z, 35% of Millennials and 44% of Boomers all prefer to work from home. The survey also revealed that 26% of employees, primarily Gen Z (44%) and Millennials (30%), lean more toward a non-traditional work location: 13% prefer an outdoor area or patio 9% use a co-working space with other businesses 4% go to a coffee shop to work "Back-to-office mandates are proving challenging for both the employer and the employee, as cultures and values continue to shift," said Kristin Kelley, Chief Marketing Officer at CareerBuilder. "Expectations and employee needs have changed over the last two years, requiring many employers to adopt new rules for in-office attendance, meeting requests and even workday hours. To better attract and retain talent, employers have needed to adjust schedules and expectations to meet employees where they're at, especially if retention is of utmost importance." Additionally, employees are not willing to travel far for work should they need to go to a physical workplace. More than 3 in 5 employees (66%) say they are only willing to commute a total of 30 minutes or less, with women and Boomers among those most likely to note this. While another third of workers (34%) are willing to commute more than 30 minutes to work and very few (7%) agree to travel over an hour. This survey was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of CareerBuilder. For more information on CareerBuilder, visit CareerBuilder.com . About CareerBuilder CareerBuilder is a global talent marketplace that provides talent acquisition solutions to help employers find, hire and onboard great talent, and helps job seekers build new skills and progressive careers as the modern world of work changes. CareerBuilder has 25 years of experience as a talent company using technology to place people in jobs, and it is the only company with both the technology, through its online platform, and the candidates via its job site, to create a connected end-to-end experience. CareerBuilder also owns Broadbean and Workterra companies and operates in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia serving the majority of the Fortune 500 across five specialized markets. CareerBuilder is majority-owned by funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, Inc. and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board. For more information, visit careerbuilder.com, and to learn more about our solutions for employers, visit hiring.careerbuilder.com. Media Relations: Sara Skirboll | Alexia Lopez [email protected] Sunshine Sachs: [email protected] SOURCE CareerBuilder SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global cell culture market size is expected to reach USD 60.27 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 11.9% from 2022 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. This can be attributed to the increase in biopharmaceutical production, advancements in vaccine research and development, and increasing focus on genetic engineering applications that rely heavily on cell culture techniques. Key Industry Insights & Findings from the report: By consumable, the media segment accounted for the largest revenue share of over 50.0% in 2021 due to the availability of a variety of serum- and animal component-free and customized media alternatives, which has increased the market penetration for media products. Based on product, culture systems held the largest revenue share of over 25.0% in 2021. This can be attributed to the technological advancements in automated systems for research & development applications. The biopharmaceuticals application segment dominated the market in 2021 with a revenue share of over 25.0% due to the involvement of mammalian lines, such as the Chinese hamster ovary, in the manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals and the rising demand for non-conventional drugs. North America held the largest revenue share in 2021 due to high research and development investments, the presence of a well-established scientific infrastructure, significant demand for animal component-free media, and other factors. held the largest revenue share in 2021 due to high research and development investments, the presence of a well-established scientific infrastructure, significant demand for animal component-free media, and other factors. The Asia Pacific region is estimated to grow at the fastest rate over the forecast period due to the growing healthcare expenditure, rising awareness regarding regenerative therapies, and a large potential for clinical research applications. Read 120 page full market research report, "Cell Culture Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Consumable (Media, Sera, Reagents), By Product (Culture Systems, Centrifuges), By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030", published by Grand View Research. Cell Culture Market Growth & Trends Innovations in cell culture workflow automation, such as the commercial development of integrated robotic liquid handling systems, are expected to significantly boost the capabilities of current cell culture technologies. For instance, culturing processes are expected to witness improvements in capacity handling and efficiency, and reproducibility in operations. Similarly, automation in cell line development technologies is gaining traction with the launch of new platforms. For instance, in October 2021, CYTENA launched C.STATION, a fully automated cell line development platform, for enhancing antibody and gene therapy production. Such product launches are likely to increase the market penetration of cell culture offerings. Cell culture models play a pivotal role in the development of novel therapeutics for diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and Parkinson's diseases. With the increasing emphasis on research and development activities exploring therapeutic candidates for such diseases, the demand for customized media for use in preclinical research is expected to drive the market. Furthermore, demand for serum-free media is likely to witness significant growth due to increasing quality constraints in biopharmaceuticals and the requirement for highly consistent and standardized culturing conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic has boosted the demand for cell culture products due to the significant role played by culturing technologies in the discovery of novel diagnostic and therapeutic options for the disease. For instance, research applications such as high-throughput COVID-19 drug screening for the identification of potential drug candidates or investigations aimed at understanding the mechanism of viral entry into the host cells are expected to positively affect the market growth. Furthermore, culturing techniques offer essential tools for the production of viral particles for vaccine development, thereby broadening the growth prospects in this domain. Cell Culture Market Segmentation Grand View Research has segmented the global cell culture market based on consumable, product, application, and region: Cell Culture Market - Consumable Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030) Media Minimum Essential Media (MEM) RPMI 1640 Media DMEM/F-12 Media F-10 Serum Free Media BME Media Insect Media Other Media Sera Fetal Bovine Serum Other Animal Serum Reagents Albumin Other Cell Culture Market - Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030) Culture Systems Incubators Centrifuges Cryostorage Equipment Biosafety Equipment Pipetting Instruments Cell Culture Market - Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030) Biopharmaceuticals Tissue Culture & Engineering Vaccine Production Drug Development Gene Therapy Toxicity Testing Cancer Research Others Cell Culture Market - Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030) North America U.S. Canada Europe U.K. Germany France Italy Spain Asia Pacific Japan China India Australia South Korea Latin America Brazil Mexico Middle East and Africa (MEA) and (MEA) South Africa Saudi Arabia UAE List of Key Players of the Cell Culture Market Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. Becton, Dickinson and Company Merck KGaA Sartorius AG VWR International, LLC Eppendorf SE PromoCell GmbH Bio-Techne Corporation BioSpherix, Ltd. Check out more related studies published by Grand View Research: 3D Cell Culture Market - The global 3D cell culture market size is expected to reach USD 3.48 billion by 2028 registering a CAGR of 10.7%, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The development of 3D optimized assays, kits, and protocols coupled with the evolution of assay techniques is anticipated to drive the three-dimensional cell culture market. The global 3D cell culture market size is expected to reach by 2028 registering a CAGR of 10.7%, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The development of 3D optimized assays, kits, and protocols coupled with the evolution of assay techniques is anticipated to drive the three-dimensional cell culture market. Primary Cell Culture Market - The global primary cell culture market size is expected to reach USD 8.0 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 11.6% from 2021 to 2028. The market growth is owing to several factors such as advancement in genetic engineering, rising demand for regenerative medicines, and robust funding for cellular therapies development. - The global primary cell culture market size is expected to reach by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 11.6% from 2021 to 2028. The market growth is owing to several factors such as advancement in genetic engineering, rising demand for regenerative medicines, and robust funding for cellular therapies development. Cell Culture Media Market - The global cell culture media market size is expected to reach USD 10.2 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 12.1% from 2022 to 2030. Expansion of biosimilars and biologics, growth in stem cell research, and emerging bio manufacturing technologies for cell-based vaccines are the major factors which are likely to drive the market. For instance, in October 2021 , the Australian Government funded the Australian-led stem cell research through USD 25 million in grants. Browse through Grand View Research's Biotechnology Industry Research Reports. About Grand View Research Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research Helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead. Contact: Sherry James Corporate Sales Specialist, USA Grand View Research, Inc. Phone: 1-415-349-0058 Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519 Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com Grand View Compass | Astra ESG Solutions Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661327/Grand_View_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc Results of New Research Reveal Differences from Gen Z to the Silent Generation to Help Agents and Brokers Build Trust, Connection and Credibility WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A new Chubb study is the industry's first to explore the attitudes on insurance-related matters across five generations of affluent and high net worth consumers in the U.S. and Canada. The findings of "Selling Across Generations" reveal differences in how each generation searches for and purchases insurance, what they look for in an insurance carrier, their current coverages, the kinds of media they trust most, and how they currently engage with insurance agents. According to the study, Gen Z and Millennials are the generations most likely to want their insurance agent or broker to advise them what decisions to make. Nearly half (46%) of Gen Z (born 1997-2012) and 43% of Millennial (1981-1996) respondents welcome this direction, compared to just 21% of Gen X (1965-1980), 36% of Baby Boomers (1946-1964), and 29% of the Silent Generation (1928-1945). The younger generations are also the most receptive to having their agent or broker educate them on how insurance products and services can match their long-term goals. Majorities of Gen Z and Millennial respondents welcome that education (53% for both) versus about two-in-five for Gen X and Baby Boomers. The study also found that younger generations are more likely to use social media reviews when choosing an agent or broker to advise them. Most Gen Z (94%) and Millennial (89%) respondents rely on social media reviews ahead of choosing an agent, compared to 64% for Gen Xers and 56% for Baby Boomers. The new research reflects Chubb's commitment to provide independent agents and brokers with valuable resources to support them in their business. This quantitative study is being released in conjunction with additional research that agents and brokers can use to tailor their engagement with each of these generations to build greater trust, connection and credibility. "It's critical in today's competitive business environment that we understand the dynamics of catering to five different generations with each evaluating and purchasing insurance very differently," said Ana Robic, Vice President, Chubb Group and Division President, Chubb North America Personal Risk Services. "We are pleased to offer agents and brokers this research and other resources to help them close generational gaps in sales relationships. We encourage our distribution partners to dive into what we've made available and along with us harness these insights to meet the unique risk management needs of our mutual clients across generations." Other key survey findings: Not unexpectedly, the younger generations tend to have fewer insurance coverages than older generations, and more than one-third of all respondents have an add-on insurance product, such as coverage for liability or valuable articles. Current use of an insurance agent including both independent and captive was high across all generations with, perhaps surprisingly, the highest usage among Gen Z (80%) and Millennials (83%). Across all generations, 46% prefer purchasing through an independent agent, the study found. Two-thirds (66%) of respondents in all generations believe it is very important for an agent or broker to listen to their needs. Respondents also placed a high value on the responsiveness of their agent or broker (69%) and their industry knowledge (68%). Only 51% said industry certifications held by their agent was very important. Gen Z is the generation most likely to strongly agree that they need an agent to define their goals and challenges. Some 44% feel this way, versus 29% of Gen Xers and 19% of Baby Boomers. When asked to assess the advertising methods used by insurers, online client reviews and word of mouth were rated the most trustworthy. Other sources, including client video testimonials, influencer marketing, and print and broadcast advertising, had lower levels of trust. For more information, visit chubb.com/selling-across-generations, Chubb's quick reference guide, or download Chubb's Genintelligence report, "Selling Across Generations," which harnesses insights and data to deconstruct myths, uncovers unexpected truths, and explores how agents and brokers can authentically connect with clients. For a preview of key findings, please visit Key findings from the Chubb study. About the Survey This is the first survey by Chubb measuring U.S. and Canadian consumers' generational attitudes towards insurance- related decisions. The defined generations used for this study were Gen Z (born 1997-2012), Millennial (1981-1996), Gen X (1965-1980), Baby Boomers (1946-1964) and Silent Generation (1928-1945). Conducted by Dynata, a leading global provider of first-party consumer and professional data, the survey was fielded in the U.S. and Canada from 6/1/22 6/15/22. The results are based on 1,151 completed interviews from those with annual household incomes of $200,000 or more. About Chubb Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange ( NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs more than 34,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com. Chubb Insurance Company of Canada has offices in Toronto, Calgary, Montreal and Vancouver and provides its coverages and services through licensed insurance brokers across Canada. For additional information, visit: chubb.com/ca. SOURCE Chubb WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that Clawfoot Supply, LLC, of Erlanger, Kentucky, has agreed to pay a $6 million civil penalty. The settlement resolves CPSC's charges that Clawfoot Supply failed to immediately report to CPSC, as required by law, that its Wall-Mounted Teak Folding Shower Seats contained a defect that could create a substantial product hazard and created an unreasonable risk of serious injury to consumers. Between 2011 and 2018, Clawfoot Supply received multiple reports of corrosion and breakage with the shower seat, including reports of consumers who were injured when the shower seat failed while they were sitting on it. Despite possessing this information, Clawfoot Supply did not immediately report to the Commission. Clawfoot Supply first filed a report with the Commission concerning the shower seats in July 2018. Clawfoot Supply recalled the Wall-Mounted Shower Seats on December 4, 2018. More information on how consumers can participate in the recall is available in the recall news release. The settlement agreement requires Clawfoot Supply to maintain a compliance program and a system of internal controls and procedures designed to ensure compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA). Clawfoot Supply has also agreed to file, for a period of three years, annual reports regarding the compliance program and system of internal controls. By a 5-0 vote, the Commission provisionally accepted the settlement agreement, subject to public comment. CPSC Chair & Commissioner Statements: Commissioner Trumka Statement Commissioner Feldman Statement https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2022/Clawfoot-Supply-Agrees-to-Pay-6-Million-Civil-Penalty-for-Failure-to-Immediately-Report-Shower-Seats-Posing-Fall-and-Laceration-Hazards About the U.S. CPSC The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years. Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC. For lifesaving information: - Visit CPSC.gov. - Sign up to receive our e-mail alerts. - Follow us on Facebook, Instagram @USCPSC and Twitter @USCPSC. - Report a dangerous product or a product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov. - Call CPSC's Hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054). - Contact a media specialist. Release Number: 22-223 SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Arbonics is a new tech-based carbon and ecosystem platform for forest and landowners in Europe aimed at unlocking carbon income to fight climate change Its proprietary data and science-driven tool can calculate initial carbon income in less than a minute by combining dozens of data sources with the team's forestry expertise Arbonics has raised 1.8M in pre-seed funding from Plural Platform and Taavet Hinrikus to transform the analogue world of forestry with technology TALLINN, Estonia, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Arbonics , a new climate tech start-up, is today launching its unique data- and science-driven tool to make calculating the potential carbon income of land and forests quicker and easier for landowners in Europe to help fight climate change. Earlier this year, Arbonics raised 1.8M in a pre-seed round from Taavet Hinrikus (co-founder of Wise) with Plural to spearhead the development of the platform. Co-founders Lisett Luik and Kristjan Lepik with investor Taavet Hinrikus (left) (PRNewsfoto/Arbonics) Founded by Kristjan Lepik and Lisett Luik in early 2022, Arbonics enables nature-based solutions to fight climate change, focusing particularly on forestry. By transforming how landowners analyse and calculate their carbon sequestration potential - the process of capturing, securing and long-term storage of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere - Arbonics will unlock new income sources for forests and landowners, whilst improving the voluntary carbon market. Providing high-quality credits to the voluntary carbon market Carbon credits have become a means for carbon emitters to offset emissions by investing in projects that remove or reduce emissions from the atmosphere. According to the company's analysis, the 160 million hectares of forested land in the European Union alone has the potential to capture and store up to two gigatonnes of additional carbon annually equivalent to 73% of the EU's total CO 2 emissions in 2021. Demand is set to grow by a factor of 15 by 2030 as more businesses and consumers want to be able to invest in carbon reduction schemes to offset their emissions. Arbonics will make it easier for landowners to analyse and calculate the ability of their land to absorb carbon. It takes less than one minute for the platform to analyse the carbon opportunity of a given area of land or forest, using a dozen data sources combined with the team's forest expertise. It can carry out analysis of unused land and also provides a custom solution for existing forests which generates carbon credits through adapted forest management practices. This enables landowners to generate additional income whilst also providing proven, high-quality nature-based carbon credits that are certified by leading verification providers like Verra for the voluntary carbon market. Through this, Arbonics is at the forefront of a movement towards a more localised impact by providing opportunities for European credit buyers to invest in European forests. Combining forestry and carbon experience with technology Arbonics has brought together an all-star team combining forestry, carbon and business experience from Apple, American Express, Starship Technologies and World Wildlife Fund to build the platform. The company is also working closely with a team of geospatial data scientists from the University of Tartu; the collaboration has been vital in developing the automated and data-backed tool, while also ensuring that all analysis is rooted in the latest science. Lisett Luik, co-founder of Arbonics, said: "Landowners can be a powerful ally in combating climate change - by storing millions of tons of carbon dioxide in forests and protecting biodiversity. To make this happen, they need someone in their corner to provide critical data and analysis." Kristjan Lepik, co-founder of Arbonics, said: "Timber can still be used as a revenue source, but we are adding two new revenue streams in carbon and biodiversity. Our aim is to create the new forest economy and change how forests are valued." Taavet Hinrikus, founding investor, said: "I am a big fan of technologies that can speed up carbon capture - direct air capture is one example. But those technologies are only a small part of the solution; we need to empower nature and combine it with data-based technologies to help nature-based solutions scale." Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1899611/Arbonics.jpg SOURCE Arbonics BERGEN, Norway, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cytovation ASA, a clinical stage immune-oncology company focused on the development of CyPep-1, its first-in-class targeted tumor membrane immunotherapy, announces updates to strengthen its Board and prepare the Company for the next phase of its development following its successful NOK180M ($20M) Series A fund raise. Existing Board member Stein Christian Mohn, MD, PhD, becomes the new Chair of Cytovation, representing Sandwater, a Norwegian venture capital firm that invests in groundbreaking companies across a range of industries and which co-led Cytovation's Series A round in late 2021. Current CEO of Mohn Drilling, Mohn combines over 16 years of industry experience with an extensive scientific background in biomedical research. Representing Canica AS, a large, privately owned investment company operating out of Norway and Switzerland, which co-led the Series A round together with Sandwater, Cytovation has welcomed yvind Kongstun Arnesen to the Board. He is a MD with more than 10 years of clinical experience and an extensive track record in the pharmaceutical industry at BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim and Ultimovacs, where he was CEO from 2012 to 2020. He is Chairman of the Board of Curida, Hubro Therapeutics and the Oslo Cancer Cluster. Additional new Board members are Kjell Bernstrm, representing Innovest AS, an investment group owned by University of Bergen (where he was University Director) and Haukeland University Hospital; and two new independent directors, Hilde Hukkelberg and Liv H. Dyrnes. Hilde Hukkelberg is Board member for several companies and is Director, UK and Ireland for Innovation Norway, the Norwegian Government's most important instrument for innovation and development of Norwegian enterprises and industry. Liv H. Dyrnes has extensive financial and board experience, and is CFO of Klaveness Combination Carriers ASA, a Norwegian maritime transportation company listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Stein Christian Mohn, Chair of Cytovation, commented: "I am delighted to be taking on the role of Chairperson at Cytovation, having witnessed the company's impressive progress during my time on the Board. I would like to welcome our new board members, each of whom brings considerable experience to Cytovation as we move into the next phase of development. CyPep-1 is a truly innovative product with strong potential in the treatment of solid tumors, and I look forward to working with the new Board and the Company's highly experienced management team to help bring it to patients as quickly as possible." About Cytovation Cytovation ASA is a privately held, clinical stage immune-oncology company focused on the development of CyPep-1, a first-in-class tumor membrane targeting agent. The company is a spin-off from the University of Bergen (Norway), the city where it is headquartered. For more information, please visit www.cytovation.com. Contact Information Cytovation Federico Grego, Chief Business Officer: [email protected] MEDiSTRAVA Consulting Frazer Hall / Mark Swallow / George Underwood: [email protected] SOURCE Cytovation AS The DST-400 Seeker Series Electric Guitars and the DST-152 Seeker Series Electric Guitars were both featured in the brand's NYFW "Peace and Love" themed runway show NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Donner, a leading manufacturer of innovative and feature-rich musical instruments, made its NYFW debut when it teamed with Private Policy to feature Donner's electric guitars during the New York-based brand's New York Fashion Week runway show on September 10. With the title "Noah's Ark," which emphasized the importance of peace and love, Private Policy's latest collection was paired with Donner's DST-400 Seeker Series Electric Guitars and its DST-152 Seeker Series Electric Guitars, and were held by the models as they walked down the Spring Summer 2023 runway. The NYFW event also featured Donner's musical instruments in the form of a band setup, including the DJP-1000 Semi Hollow Jazz Guitar with vintage sunburn finish and the HUSH-I Silent Guitar with revolutionary design. This is the first time a musical instrument brand has been featured at New York Fashion Week. Donner X Private Policy_NYFW2023_show look with electric guitar DST-152 / Photo credit: Guanyu Liu Donner X Private Policy_NYFW2023_show look with electric guitar DST-400 / Photo credit: Guanyu Liu "We were so honored to team with Private Policy on their NYFW show," said Amber Xu, senior marketing manager for Donner. "Private Policy is a young, inventive and passionate brand, just like Donner, which made this partnership seamless." On the runway, Donner's DST-400 Seeker Series Electric Guitar and DST-152 Seeker Series Electric Guitar completed two of the looks. Aimed at young and beginner artists, the DST-152 electric guitar comes in four different color Ice Blue, All White, Red/Black and Sunburst. With the layout of well-balanced HSS pickups, the DST-152 creates a warm and vintage tone that recreates the vintage vibe of rock and roll music from the 90s. The DST-152 guitar appeared in a Cream-White color, adding a sexy and retro touch to the model's white halter top and silk skirt ensemble, while the black-and-white DST-400 guitar added to an outfit that embodies the epitome of cool: a hazy patterned black-and-white button-up with slim-fit trousers. "When we designed the collection, we had the rocker look in mind, effortless and full of attitude, and bringing that free spirit to our interpretation for today," said Siying Qu of Private Policy. "Therefore, it was perfect that we could partner with Donner and have not only electric guitars on the runway, but also a full band setup for guests to play. It was a true music and fashion party." As a young brand in the musical instrument industry, Donner pays additional attention to the voice of young artists and Gen-Z, which makes it easier for them to find connections with brands like Private Policy. Independent artist Jon Dretto, who attended the event and is no stranger to the Donner's electric guitar, made his way behind the runway scenes to test the Donner DST-152 for himself and shared it with his 5 million followers online. Judging from the way his fingers effortlessly strummed the guitar strings, it's clear that Donner is equal parts style and substance just like Private Policy. ABOUT DONNER Since 2012, Donner has been committed to creating innovative, enjoyable and aesthetically pleasing musical instruments to both entry-level and advanced musicians. This commitment is what drove Donner to pioneer its mini pedals, which have brought the joy of musical performance to people across the world. Relying on a strong R&D team, Donner's musical instruments deliver the reflections, ideas and values of the musician. For more information, visit donnermusic.com or Donner's Amazon storefront. ABOUT PRIVATE POLICY PRIVATE POLICY is a New York-based inclusive brand dedicated to bringing the New York rebellious style and fierce free spirit to the world. Our design process is modeled after newspaper outlets by focusing on one social-political topic each season, such as bringing awareness to enslaved fishermen issues in the SS17 collection, discussing human's relationship with money in FW19, and uncovering the dark side of American Big Pharma in FW20. With sustainability as the constant pursuit, we believe fashion is our outlet to express diversity, build community and inspire meaningful conversations. We design for people who heart fashion and mind the world. The creative directors, Haoran Li and Siying Qu are nominated as Fashion Group International Rising Star, listed on Forbes China 30 under 30, winners of the GQ China Present award, became finalists of CFDA / VOGUE Fashion Fund in 2019, and recently were announced the winners of Lane Crawford Global Creative Callout 2020. For more information, visit privatepolicyny.com. SOURCE Donner Music R8 is the world's only fanless 8" fully rugged tablet with 12th Gen Intel processors, offering a unique combination of outstanding performance and ultimate portability for the modern mobile worker FREMONT, Calif., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Durabook, the global rugged mobile solutions brand owned by Twinhead International Corporation, today announced the launch of its new Durabook R8, the world's first fanless 8" fully rugged tablet featuring 12th generation Intel Core processors for exceptionally powerful user performance. Durabook's R8 is the world's only fanless 8" fully rugged tablet with 12th Gen Intel processors, offering a unique combination of outstanding performance and ultimate portability for the modern mobile worker. "Durabook devices are designed to meet the increasing demands of field service workers operating across some of the most demanding sectors, including manufacturing, transportation, logistics, field services and utility industries, as well as law enforcement departments and government agencies," said Twinhead CEO Fred Kao. "These users often require both high performance and the convenience of portability, which are typically conflicting needs. Now, there is R8. The R8 meets all these requirements head-on, allowing workforces to boost efficiency and performance even in the harshest environments." Revolutionary computing performance The only 8" rugged tablet on the market equipped with 12th generation Intel Core processors, the R8 provides an unrivaled combination of power and portability, weighing just 1.9 lbs. Its Pentium Gold CPU offers a performance that's up to 450% faster than competitor devices running on Intel Atom processors and up to 800% for devices using Intel Core processors. In addition, the tablet's Intel Iris Xe Graphics boosts computing power to process large amounts of data, images, and video feeds in real time, providing a reliable mobile solution to support digital and remote operations for diverse professional applications. Fanless design for the most challenging environments The R8's fanless design offers boundless customization capability and is purpose-built to manage the heaviest workloads while meeting the demands of the most challenging environments, including oil, gas, and mining. The R8 is designed to fit in the palm of the hand for ultimate mobility and is made with durability in mind. Certified with MIL-STD-810H to withstand drops of up to 6 feet, the device also boasts IP66 and ANSI/UL C1D2 certification. This makes it the perfect tool for field service professionals in a wide range of industries who require remote support to capture and access critical information while accurately and efficiently running diagnostics in all conditions, including potentially explosive atmospheres. Unparalleled clarity and ultimate functionality Featuring an 8" LCD (1280x800) display with Durabook's proprietary DynaVue technology and up to 800 nits brightness, the R8 boasts exceptional viewing in every condition, including direct sunlight. Optimized for use in every challenging work environment, it also offers capacitive multi-touch performance with four user-selectable touch modes glove, stylus, water, and finger for improved accuracy in any work environment. This new rugged tablet also boasts supreme functionality. Expansion options include a barcode reader, ethernet RJ-45, serial port RS-232, RFID/NFC reader, smart card, and magnet stripe reader to increase usability for workers outside the traditional office environment. Exceptional connectivity with long-life capability Durabook knows that field workers need reliable, resistant, and highly versatile devices with continuous connectivity, so the R8 is built to meet these demands. Thunderbolt 4 technology offers more powerful, flexible connectivity with the modern workplace, while advanced wireless capability, including Intel WI-FI 6E AX211, Bluetooth V5.2, LTE, and GPS, improves communication and productivity in the field. This seamless connectivity means mobile workers can communicate with the central office whenever necessary. In addition, the rugged tablet's ultra-long battery life of up to 16 hours enables continuous performance, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity. Finally, its swappable battery means users can operate the device across multiple shifts without having to stop and charge. Availability Packed with Durabook's exceptional 3-Year Accidental Damage Warranty, the new R8 starts at $1,249 and is available for purchase now. For full specs and more information, please visit: https://www.durabook.com/us/products/r8-tablet. To find out more about becoming a reseller, please visit https://www.durabook.com/us/become-a-partner or contact [email protected]. Follow the DURABOOK Brand The Durabook product family of rugged laptops and tablets can be followed on various social media channels, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. ABOUT DURABOOK Durabook is the core brand of Twinhead International Corporation in Taiwan, a world-renowned manufacturer of rugged mobile solutions for more than 30 years. All Durabook devices are designed, manufactured, and tested to the highest standards to ensure maximum quality and reliability. Committed to engineering and service excellence, Durabook products have been widely adopted by government and enterprise customers, including oil and gas, utilities, field service, military, and public safety for more than a decade. For more information, visit www.durabook.com. PR Contact: Rita Lee Copernio (714) 891-3660 [email protected] All products/services and trademarks mentioned in this release are the properties of their respective companies. 2022 Durabook Americas. All rights reserved. SOURCE Durabook Americas, Inc. Dedicated Connectivity to Microsoft Improves Performance, Increases Security and Reduces Cost of Cloud for Enterprises HERNDON, Va., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EdgeConneX, a pioneer in global Hyperlocal to Hyperscale Data Center Solutions, announces that it now offers customers in Portland access to Microsoft cloud services by offering the Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute service in its Portland Edge Data Center (EDC). Azure ExpressRoute allows users to create private connections between their IT deployments and Microsoft's global data centers. With the new Azure ExpressRoute site now available in Portland, customers located in the local EdgeConneX data center campus can order a simple cross connect to privately access all Microsoft cloud services available through the global Azure cloud platform. All other enterprises located in the greater Portland area can also connect to the local Azure ExpressRoute site by using the various metro ethernet solutions offered by their local carrier to connect back to the EdgeConneX data center campus or other ExpressRoute partners offering connectivity to the Portland site. "Portland is an emerging and important Edge data center market. Its power rates and tax incentives provide an ideal market for many service providers to support not only Portland, but much of the entire West Coast region," comments Aron Smith, Vice President for Interconnection Product Management at EdgeConneX. "By providing local private access to the Cloud in Portland via Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute at EdgeConneX, our customers can enjoy all the benefits of the Cloud with a secure, dedicated and local access solution that simultaneously optimizes performance and reduces costs." The Portland campus has been purpose-built and strategically located to provide a secure colocation facility for customers wishing to deliver content and applications to local-market end-users - with the lowest possible latency - creating the best possible user experience. With its attractive power rates and tax incentives, Portland is an ideal market for many service providers to support not only Portland itself, but much of the entire West Coast region. It's also a key alternative gateway between North America and APAC with submarine cables in Oregon directly connecting to several countries in Asia. Sudha Mahajan, Partner Program Manager, Microsoft Azure Networking said, "Manageability and network performance are often the largest inhibitors to cloud adoption or migrations. Through Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute sites like the one at the EdgeConneX Portland data center campus, we provide predictable and consistent performance and user experience for local enterprises accessing cloud applications, content, or services on the Microsoft global network." About EdgeConneX Backed by EQT, a Swedish-based infrastructure fund, EdgeConneX provides a full range of sustainable data center solutions worldwide. We work closely with our customers to offer choice in location, scale and type of facility, from Hyperlocal to Hyperscale. EdgeConneX is a global leader in anytime, anywhere and any scale data center services for a diverse portfolio of industries, including Content, Cloud, Networks, Gaming, Automotive, SaaS, IoT, HPC, Security and more. With a mission predicated on taking care of our customers, our people, and our planet, EdgeConneX strives to Empower Your Edge. For more information, please visit edgeconnex.com. SOURCE EdgeConneX DETROIT, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Last week, two former Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU) loan officers accused the bank of violating federal and state labor laws. In a 57-page class action lawsuit filed by public interest powerhouse Clarkson Law Firm, P.C., Brad Cook and Hannah Ritzenhein detailed allegations against LMCU of exploiting current and former loan officers by withholding the loan officers' commissions unless they completed unpaid work outside their job duties. The pair allege that as much as half of their work was completed without pay on completing post-sale administrative tasks reserved for hourly paid loan processors. According to the lawsuit, "LMCU's unlawful wage scheme works like this: (1) LMCU lures Loan Officers to their company under a compensation structure that is 100% commission-based; (2) LMCU then piles on additional duties and responsibilities akin to those of a Loan Processor after the fact, which take up nearly 50% of the Loan Officer's time and energy; and (3) LMCU pays the Loan Officers zero dollars for nearly 50% of their work." The former employees see irony in Michigan's fastest-growing credit union professing family values as its recipe for success: "Defendant falsely portrays company values of support, respect, and community. Ironically, Defendant states, 'Beyond the numbers, figures, and calculations, when you come to work for LMCU, you become part of a family. This is a family that values your efforts and treats you with respect, dignity, and fairness.' Defendant markets a supportive work environment, when in reality, Defendant exploits Loan Officers' time, energy, and ultimately, denies them their rightful compensation." Cook and Ritzenhein are seeking unpaid wages and structural changes to the credit union's compensation system so that other loan officers receive the money and employment standards they deserve. The case is pending before the Honorable Denise Page Hood in the United States Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Case Number 2:22-cv-12074-DPH-APP. Visit clarksonlawfirm.com for updates on this case. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Clarkson Law Firm, PC VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - First Mining Gold Corp. ("First Mining" or the "Company") (TSX: FF) ( OTCQX: FFMGF) (FRANKFURT: FMG) is pleased to announce that it has completed the previously announced acquisition (the "Beattie Offer") of all the issued and outstanding common shares of Beattie Gold Mines Ltd. ("Beattie Gold") that were not already owned by First Mining. In addition, First Mining has also concurrently completed the acquisitions of 2699681 Canada Ltd. ("269 Canada") and 2588111 Manitoba Ltd. ("258 Manitoba") (together, the "Concurrent Transactions"). As a result, First Mining now owns 100% of the Duparquet Gold Project (the "Project") located in Quebec, Canada. The total consideration of the Beattie Offer and the Concurrent Transactions was $8,727,177 in cash and the issuance of 69,127,820 common shares of First Mining for a total transaction value of approximately $24 million based on the twenty trading days volume weighted average price for First Mining's common shares as of the last trading day prior to the Company's initial announcement regarding these transactions on July 18, 2022. "We are very pleased to announce the completion of this transformational acquisition of the Duparquet Gold Project. Since the announcement, First Mining has been very active at the project as demonstrated by the recent updated Duparquet mineral resource estimate," stated Dan Wilton, CEO of First Mining. "We look forward to working together with the local municipality and Indigenous communities, and the Province to advance this top tier mining project in Quebec." Upcoming Duparquet Work Plan First Mining, through the establishment of its new subsidiary entity in Quebec, "Mines D'Or Duparquet", will advance the Duparquet Project commencing with an environmental data collection exercise to update the environmental baseline data collected by Clifton Star in 2012 and 2013 to support the regulatory approval process for the Project. Work is also expected to commence on engineering trade-off studies and an updated economic study to build on the solid technical foundation established by the Project in the 2014 Pre-Feasibility Study. First Mining has initiated discussions with the relevant Quebec ministries to address environmental and legacy infrastructure issues as part of the redevelopment of the property. In addition, First Mining intends to commence a robust regional exploration data compilation, integration and targeting exercise to develop a path supporting potential resource expansion, resource classification upgrading, and exploration discovery. The company is committed to working in partnership with the municipality of Duparquet, citizens and Indigenous communities. Management will begin a meeting tour within the region to meet with citizens and local representatives to discuss next steps and studies for the Project, answer questions and listen to their feedback. First Mining wishes to establish a constructive and transparent dialogue towards relationship building and collaboration. About the Duparquet Gold Project The Duparquet Gold Project is a multi-million ounce advanced exploration and mining development asset located in the Abitibi region of the province of Quebec, approximately 50 km north of the city of Rouyn-Noranda. The Duparquet deposit hosts an updated gold Resource of 3.4 Moz in the Measured and Indicated category, and an additional 1.6 Moz Au Inferred Resources (see news release from September 12, 2022). Existing infrastructure at the Project site includes paved provincial highways from Rouyn-Noranda to the south and LaSarre to the north and direct access to Quebec's hydroelectric power grid. In addition, the near-by communities of Duparquet, Ruoyn-Noranda and LaSarre have strong histories of sustainable mining practices. Qualified Persons Mr. Louis Martin P.Geo., (OGQ 0364), a consultant of First Mining, is a "Qualified Person" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and he has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release. About First Mining Gold Corp. First Mining is a gold developer advancing a portfolio of gold projects in Canada, with our most advanced project being the Springpole Gold Project in northwestern Ontario, which is one of the largest undeveloped gold projects in Canada, and where we have commenced a Feasibility Study and permitting activities are on-going with a draft Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") for the project published in June 2022. First Mining also owns the Cameron, Duparquet, Duquesne and Pitt gold projects, all advanced-stage gold projects in Ontario (in the case of Cameron) and Quebec. Our portfolio of gold project interests also includes the Pickle Crow gold project (being advanced in partnership with Auteco Minerals Ltd.), the Hope Brook gold project (being advanced in partnership with Big Ridge Gold Corp.), an equity interest in Treasury Metals Inc., and a portfolio of 21 gold royalties. First Mining was established in 2015 by Mr. Keith Neumeyer, founding President and CEO of First Majestic Silver Corp. ON BEHALF OF FIRST MINING GOLD CORP. Daniel W. Wilton Chief Executive Officer and Director Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "opportunities", "objectives", or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events. All forward-looking statements are based on First Mining's or its consultants' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Such factors include, without limitation the Company's business, operations and financial condition potentially being materially adversely affected by the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, such as COVID-19, and by reactions by government and private actors to such outbreaks; risks to employee health and safety as a result of the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, such as COVID-19, that may result in a slowdown or temporary suspension of operations at some or all of the Company's mineral properties as well as its head office; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in the currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar); changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding); the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities, indigenous populations and other stakeholders; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; title to properties.; and the additional risks described in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com , and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F filed with the SEC on EDGAR. First Mining cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to First Mining, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. First Mining does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on our behalf, except as required by law. Cautionary Note to United States Investors The Company is a "foreign private issuer" as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is eligible to rely upon the Canada-U.S. Multi-Jurisdictional Disclosure System, and is therefore permitted to prepare the technical information contained herein in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of the securities laws currently in effect in the United States. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth herein may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards. Technical disclosure contained in this news release has not been prepared in accordance with the requirements of United States securities laws and uses terms that comply with reporting standards in Canada with certain estimates prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning the issuer's material mineral projects. SOURCE First Mining Gold Corp. AMSTERDAM and AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sophie's Bionutrients and NewFish, two pioneers in the field of microalgae protein fermentation, with the support of New Zealand-based marine research powerhouse, Cawthron Institute, and Netherlands-based leading food university, Wageningen University & Research, have decided to collaborate internationally to unlock microalgae's future in food nutrition. Global food challenges require alternative solutions. Sophies Bionutrients Microalgae Milk alternative Microalgae derived NewFish Bytes were launched at New Zealands leading food festival Wellington on a Plate this August Fueling the growing world population requires ensuring the supply of climate-friendly and ethically-produced proteins, new protein sources, and novel food production technologies. While many are starting to enter the plant-based food category globally, few companies are driving R&D efforts to offer GMO-free dairy alternatives and specialized ingredients. Since 2022, a new wave of modern food companies are joining forces to accelerate innovation in microalgae and share upstream and downstream resources. Collectively, they have a shared global mission to develop microalgae as the base for sustainable nutrition and novel food products that eliminate animal suffering and promise an ecological footprint far superior to that of intensive industrial farming. One leading company is Sophie's Bionutrients , a B2B food technology company on a mission to create plant-based, protein-rich alternatives to meat and seafood using microalgae. The Temasek Foundation-backed startup, operating between Singapore and the Netherlands, in 2021 announced to be the world's first foodtech company to use microalgae to develop 100% plant-based and sustainable alternative proteins for use in dairy and other novel foods. Another high growth startup, NewFish , is a leading New Zealand biotech and novel ingredients company specializing in fermentation, production, R&D, commercialisation and manufacturing of novel seafoods and proteins derived from microalgae. The company is headquartered in Auckland and works closely with the Cawthron Institute, a leading world-leading marine science park headquartered in Nelson, New Zealand along with other New Zealand institutes and engineering partners. Both companies are at the forefront of advancing microalgae protein research and product development in their respective regions. Their collaboration spans their global value chains, including shared research and development, co-development of microalgae strains, ingredients supply for manufacturing, and commercializing new food and alternative dairy solutions. The starting point for deeper collaboration "We are pleased to form this strategic partnership with Sophie's Bionutrients, already an industry leader in microalgae fermentation and proteins. NewFish, Cawthron Institute, and New Zealand have a complementary focus regarding novel ingredients, whereas we also have our endemic microalgae strains and species. This partnership will serve as a starting point for deeper global collaboration between the parties and will accelerate the microalgae foods and nutrition industry. We are solving a global issue, which requires a collective solution," said Hamish Howard, General Manager of NewFish. "Together with NewFish and Cawthron Institute, we are working to overcome the challenges of obtaining sufficient microalgae strains, scaling production capacity, and bringing online sufficient global supply to make available affordable, taste and consistent foods made from microalgae. We are delighted about this Singapore-New Zealand-Netherlands-Taiwan partnership in which we are working together on the future of food," emphasized Kirin Tsuei, co-founder and CCO of Sophie's Bionutrients. About Sophie's Bionutrients Sophie's Bionutrients, a B2B food technology company operating between Singapore and the Netherlands, is on a mission to unleash the limitless possibilities of nature, restore our planet and eliminate food allergies. It aims to achieve this by creating plant-based, protein-rich alternatives to meat and seafood using microalgae. About NewFish NewFish is a fast-growing New Zealand biotech and commercialization venture fermenting New Zealand microalgae and underutilized seafood to re-imagine new sustainable foods and ingredients to help feed our world. SOURCE Sophie's Bionutrients BARCELONA , Spain, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Eyes of the World Foundation has launched 'Iris of the World' to raise awareness of the deficiencies in eye care in the most vulnerable areas of the world, and to promote the right to vision. Javier Bardem launches the initiative by 'donating' his iris to raise as much money as possible to fight against avoidable blindness, which can be prevented and treated with the right care and resources. Effectively, the actor's eyes will help to open others' eyes. Starting at $9,000, the auction is for a digital NFT file, and a printed photograph signed by the actor, both authenticated as unique pieces. Whoever acquires them will have exclusive ownership of them in their own right. Other personalities from the world of art, culture and sport will collaborate for auctions of NFTs and printed photographs in the future. "To be able to see, to be able to hear, to be able to touch or to be able to feel are things that we don't appreciate until we lose them." says Javier Bardem. Director of the Eyes of the World Foundation, Anna Barba says "we want to communicate that the right to vision should not be subject to the availability of economic resources of a person or a country. It's a question of giving sight back to thousands of people without resources who suffer from serious eye problems that can be prevented or treated if action is taken in time," she remarked. Eyes of the World estimates the cost of an eye check-up at $7 and a cataract operation at $70. The Foundation will use the amount raised to expand its lines of action and promote new projects in the Saharawi camps, Mozambique, Bolivia and Mali. Millions of people in developing countries suffer from eye problems caused by hygienic and sanitary deficiencies, adverse climatic conditions or traumatisms suffered during conflicts. There are 1.1 billion blind people worldwide and around 90% of cases could be prevented or cured. Some blindness can be avoided with the right care and resources in vulnerable territories: 90% live in low and middle-income countries. 161 million people suffer from uncorrected refractive errors, 100 million from cataracts and 510 million have difficulty seeing up close with 55% of visually impaired people being women says IAPB*. The auction starts 29 September at 12h UTC and runs until 6 October at 18h. www.irisesoftheworld.org About the Eyes of the World Foundation The Eyes of the World Foundation is a non-for-profit organisation that contributes to improving the eye health of the poor in impoverished countries. The aim is to enable them to receive quality ophthalmological care from their local health services, as well as to create optimal conditions to reduce the incidence of eye diseases in each territory. Eyes of the World also raises public awareness of the deficiencies in basic health care in those areas. *International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). SOURCE Fundacion Ojos del Mundo NOIDA, India, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new report published by UnivDatos Markets Insights the Generic Drugs Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 7% from 2021-2027. The analysis has been segmented into Type (Simple, Super, Biosimilar); Application (Neurological Diseases, Cardiological Diseases, Metabolic Diseases, Infectious Diseases, Orthopedic Diseases, Genitourinary/Hormonal Diseases, Respiratory Diseases, and Others); Distribution Channel (Offline and Online); Region/Country. The report has been aggregated by collecting informative data from various dynamics such as market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. This innovative report makes use of several analyses to get a closer outlook on the Generic Drugs Market in the Global context. This report offers a detailed analysis of the latest industry developments and trending factors that are influencing market growth. Furthermore, this statistical market research repository examines and estimates the Global Generic Drugs Market at the regional & country levels. Request for Sample Pages https://univdatos.com/get-a-free-sample-form-php/?product_id=22062 Market Overview The global generic drugs market is expected to witness a robust CAGR of around 7% owing to the increasing aging population coupled with the growing prevalence of acute and chronic diseases and patent expiration of blockbuster drugs. Further, chronic diseases like respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases (CADs), herpes, hepatitis, and influenza attack the immune system and cause fever, and headache, especially among the middle-aged population. Furthermore, major players in the market are continuously focusing on the development and launch of new generic drugs in the market. For instance, in 2021, Generic Ferumoxytol, an injectable drug that is used to treat lack of iron deficiency anemia (IDA), was launched by Sandoz, in the U.S. Click here to view the Report Description & TOC https://univdatos.com/report/generic-drugs-market/ The global generic drugs market report is studied thoroughly with several aspects that would help stakeholders in making their decisions more curated. Based on type, the generic drugs market is segmented into simple, super, and biosimilar. In 2020, the biosimilar drug category dominated the market and is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. That is mainly used for the treatment of various types of diseases such as chronic diseases, central nervous system (CNS) drugs, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, etc. Furthermore, the category is expected to witness growth during the forecast period due to the rising geriatric population coupled with unhealthy lifestyle and hormonal imbalances across the globe. Based on application, the market is bifurcated into neurological diseases, cardiological diseases, metabolic diseases, infectious diseases, orthopedic diseases, genitourinary/hormonal diseases, respiratory diseases, and others. Among these, the cardiovascular diseases segment is accounted for the largest market share. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. Based on distribution channel, the market is bifurcated into offline and online. The online segment is expected to witness significant CAGR owing to the growing penetration of e-pharmacy platforms across the world coupled with increasing awareness regarding services offered by e-pharmacy. Furthermore, the growing focus on digitization and rising internet penetration in developing nations are some other key factors driving the market. Have a Look at the Chapters - https://univdatos.com/report/generic-drugs-market/ Generic Drugs Market Geographical Segmentation Includes: North America ( United States , Canada , and Rest of North America ) ( , , and Rest of ) Europe ( Germany , United Kingdom , Italy , France , Spain , and the Rest of Europe ) ( , , , , , and the Rest of ) Asia-Pacific ( China , Japan , India , South Korea , and the Rest of Asia-Pacific ) ( , , , , and the Rest of ) Rest of the World For a better understanding of the market adoption of the Generic Drugs industry, the market is analyzed based on its worldwide presence in the countries such as North America (US, Canada, Rest of North America); Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Spain, and the Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific); and the Rest of World. In 2020, APAC dominated the market on account of the rising research and development initiatives and the presence of a large number of pharmaceutical companies in countries such as India and China of the region. For instance, as per the India Brand Equity Foundation, India is the largest provider of generic drugs globally. Indian pharmaceutical sector supplies over 50% of global demand for various vaccines, 40% of generic demand in the U.S., and 25% of all medicine in the U.K. The major players targeting the market include Cipla Ltd. Pfizer Inc. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Aurobindo Pharma Limited Amneal Pharmaceuticals Inc. Alkem Laboratories Limited Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited Mylan N.V. Lupin Limited Sanofi S.A. Competitive Landscape The degree of competition among prominent companies has been elaborated by analyzing several leading key players operating in the global context. The specialist team of research analysts sheds light on various traits such as global market competition, market share, most recent industry advancements, innovative product launches, partnerships, mergers, or acquisitions by leading companies in the Generic Drugs Market. The major players have been analyzed using different research methodologies for getting insight views on market competition. Key questions resolved through this analytical market research report include: What are the latest trends, new patterns, and advancements in the generic drugs Market? Which factors are influencing the generic drugs market over the forecast period? What are the challenges, threats, and risks in the generic drugs market? Which factors are propelling and restraining the generic drugs market? What are the demanding regions of the generic drugs market globally? What will be the market size in the upcoming years? What are the crucial market acquisition strategies and policies applied by the companies? We understand the requirement of different businesses, regions, and countries, we offer customized reports as per your requirements of business nature. Please let us know If you have any custom needs. Browse Other Related Research Reports from UnivDatos Market Insights About UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI) UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI) is a passionate market research firm and a subsidiary of Universal Data Solutions. We believe in delivering insights through Market Intelligence Reports, Customized Business Research, and Primary Research. Our research studies are spread across topics across the world, we cover markets in over 100 countries using smart research techniques and agile methodologies. We offer in-depth studies, detailed analysis, and customized reports that help shape winning business strategies for our clients. Contact UnivDatos Market Insights Ankita Gupta Director Operations Ph: +91-7838604911 Email: [email protected] Website: https://univdatos.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1225049/UnivDatos_Logo.jpg SOURCE UnivDatos Market Insights Pvt. Ltd. Negotiations With Germany Result In Emergency Payments For Survivors, Liberalization Of Compensations And Increased Home Care For Holocaust Survivors Globally. NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, at the invitation of the German Federal Minister of Finance, Mr. Christian Lindner, the Claims Conference will join German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Israel's Minister for Social Equality, Meirav Cohen, along with several hundred guests, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the signing of the indemnification agreement making it possible for Holocaust survivors to receive a measure of justice The Luxembourg Agreements. "This historic event, the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Luxembourg Agreements, is cause for commemoration and reflection," said Gideon Taylor, President of the Claims Conference. "The extermination of European Jews by the Nazis left a horrific chasm, not only in global Jewry, but in global humanity. These agreements laid the groundwork for compensation and restitution for those survivors who had lost everything and continue to serve as the foundation for the ongoing negotiations on behalf of the estimated 280,000 Holocaust survivors living around the world." On September 10, 1952, groundbreaking agreements on compensation payments for survivors of Nazi persecution during World War II and to the State of Israel were concluded in the City Hall of Luxembourg. The landmark agreements were negotiated and ultimately agreed to between the newly formed State of Israel, the Federal Republic of Germany as the legal successor to the German Reich, and the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) formed by 23 major global Jewish organizations to negotiate on behalf of the world's Holocaust survivors. The agreements created the basis for all subsequent compensations for Nazi persecution. Today, the three signatory parties to the historic agreements will be represented at a ceremony in Berlin at the Jewish Museum. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will speak of the importance of the agreements and the special responsibility Germany bears for the past, the present, and for the future. "The Luxembourg Agreements were fundamental and led to financial compensation in the amount of more than 80 billion Germany has paid by the end of 2021. The payments to survivors and the home care program are very close to our heart and recently we see the increasing importance of Holocaust education," stated Scholz. Claims Conference President Gideon Taylor and Claims Conference Chief Negotiator Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat also will speak, emphasizing the consequences and effects of the agreements for Holocaust survivors around the world. The State of Israel will be represented by the Minister for Social Equality, Meirav Cohen. Highly anticipated remarks of the day are that of Holocaust survivor Ambassador Colette Avital. A child survivor of the Holocaust, Ambassador Avital survived by living in hiding in Bucharest with her mother. A long-time member of the Claims Conference Board and negotiating team, Ambassador Avital maintained a long career as a member of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Claims Conference Chief Negotiator Ambassador Stuart Ambassador Eizenstat emphasized, "The Luxembourg Agreements laid the foundation for all subsequent compensations for survivors of Nazi persecution. Never before in human history has the defeated power paid compensation to civilians for losses and suffering. It is a monumental achievement, which shows the commitment of the German people to recognize the evils of their former Nazi society." "It took truly great and far-sighted leadership to sit down at the table only a few years after the Holocaust and negotiate the unimaginable. They laid the groundwork for the results we are announcing today of more than $1.2 billion in 2023 for compensation and social welfare services for Holocaust survivors," stated Claims Conference Executive Vice President Greg Schneider. "We could not do the work we do today work to ensure every Holocaust survivor is able to live their life in the dignity that was taken from them in their youth if each of those leaders had not stepped up during this moment in history." The Luxembourg negotiations and resulting compensation agreements laid the groundwork on which the Claims Conference continues to conduct negotiations with the Federal Ministry of Finance in Germany. To be announced at the event in Berlin today are the negotiation outcomes for the following areas: Emergency humanitarian payments of 12 million to 8,500 Ukrainian Holocaust survivors. Payments are anticipated to begin being distributed in fall of this year. Effective in January 2023 , an increase of 130 million in home care for those survivors who depend on in-home services to manage their day-to-day life. Of this amount, 60 million will be spent to increase home care in Israel , which was achieved together with Minister of Social Equality Meirav Cohen . 70 million will be spent in other countries around the world. , an increase of 130 million in home care for those survivors who depend on in-home services to manage their day-to-day life. Of this amount, 60 million will be spent to increase home care in , which was achieved together with Minister of Social Equality . 70 million will be spent in other countries around the world. A third year of the Hardship Fund supplemental payments to follow on the two years that were previously negotiated. This additional 170 million will impact approximately 143,000 Holocaust survivors worldwide. For the first time, there has been an agreement on Holocaust education funding of 10 million for 2022, 25 million for 2023, 30 million for 2024, and 35 million for 2025. In total, as a result of negotiations with the German government, for home care and compensation for Holocaust survivors living around the world is approximately $1.2 billion for 2023. For more information about the Claims Conference, please visit: www.claimscon.org About the Claims Conference: The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference), a nonprofit organization with offices in New York, Israel and Germany, secures material compensation for Holocaust survivors around the world. Founded in 1951 by representatives of 23 major international Jewish organizations, the Claims Conference negotiates for and disburses funds to individuals and organizations and seeks the return of Jewish property stolen during the Holocaust. As a result of negotiations with the Claims Conference since 1952, the German government has paid more than $90 billion in indemnification to individuals for suffering and losses resulting from persecution by the Nazis. In 2022, the Claims Conference will distribute over $700 million in compensation to over 210,000 survivors in 83 countries and allocated over $720 million in grants to over 300 social service agencies worldwide that provide vital services for Holocaust survivors, such as home care, food and medicine. SOURCE Claims Conference In a fractured world, leadership is coming from the people brave enough to shape the future. TBD Media Group introduces these ambitious leaders to the global community LONDON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The world is changing and businesses are behind the change. Businesses can be a force for social and environmental good. Through TBD Media Group, Global Thought Leaders are sharing great ideas with the wider world. Businesses will be more successful if they connect with people in a more meaningful, more human way and build relationships based on trust and relevance. To do this, businesses must be transparent about who they are and what they stand for. In a fractured world, leadership is coming from the people brave enough to shape the future. TBD Media Group introduces these ambitious leaders to the global community. Global Thought Leaders, a campaign by acclaimed production company TBD Media Group is showcasing the ideas of the world's most innovative business minds, examines their motivation and looks at the future they are creating. TBD Media Group, which has a reputation for finding and telling the stories of the world's most influential businesses, is highlighting the ways in which Global Thought Leaders are driving change through technology and innovation. Paolo Zanini, Founder and CEO at TBD Media Group says: "The real power in the world is not in the hands of politicians: it belongs to those who actually get things done and use the levers at their disposal to make a difference. In Global Thought Leaders we have built a campaign around highlighting these individuals. We find out what their vision is, how they will achieve it and what benefits we will see as a result." The Global Thought Leaders documentary series will provide valuable insights into how today's businesses are taking action to shape the future of the planet. Companies featured in this launch: DeLaval Proteon Pharmaceuticals American Aquafarms Zanaco Bank Viewmind Algalif Iceland Ledidi Sunpower Renewables Ambu More information on the Global Thought Leaders Campaign may be found here: https://www.globalthoughtleaders.org/ About TBD Media Group: TBD Media Group is an international, purpose-driven, media developer that helps companies, organizations and governments tell their brand stories in a human and direct way. Learn more at https://www.tbdmediagroup.com/ Media Contact: Anna Berkman Chief Marketing Officer [email protected] Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1897912/TBD_Media_Group.mp4 SOURCE TBD Media Group BEIJING, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday kicked off his first trip abroad since the COVID-19 pandemic, during which he is scheduled to attend the 22nd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and pay state visits to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The first stop took him to Kazakhstan on Wednesday, underscoring that he highly values the bilateral relations with the Central Asian country and indicating such visit will inject new growth momentum for the country, Chinese officials and experts said. Xi first arrived at Nur-sultan on Wednesday afternoon for a state visit to Kazakhstan before landing in Samarkand in the evening to pay a state visit to Uzbekistan and attend the SCO summit. Experts believed that as China's permanent comprehensive strategic partner, Kazakhstan, the Chinese president's first stop in his ongoing foreign trip, is considered as a bridge connecting China with Central Asia and Europe, as it's also where the Chinese president first proposed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and on the first stop of the BRI's westward routes from China, bringing tremendous benefits for the region and the world. Kazakhstan has been striking a balance between China and Russia in terms of political influence, and serving as a bridge for major powers also sets a good example for other Central Asian countries. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Central Asia are in a very important position in China's overall diplomacy, as all five Central Asian states are China's strategic partners, and among them, China-Kazakhstan partnership has reached one of the highest levels, experts said. When the Chinese president arrived at the Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport on Wednesday afternoon, he was warmly welcomed by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and a group of senior officials including Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mukhtar Tileuberdi and Nur-Sultan Mayor Altai Kulginov. Xi was later awarded by Tokayev with the "Order of the Golden Eagle" the highest honor to recognize outstanding people who have made significant contributions to Kazakhstan including foreign heads of state promoting Kazakhstan's friendly relations with other countries. During a meeting between Xi and Tokayev, the Chinese top leader said this is his first foreign visit since the COVID-19 pandemic, and choosing Kazakhstan as the first stop demonstrates the high level and uniqueness of China-Kazakhstan ties. Kazakhstan is a major country in Central Asia and Eurasian region with important influence, Xi said, reiterating that the Chinese government attaches great importance to China-Kazakhstan ties and always supports Kazakhstan in maintaining national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Xi also called on the two countries to promote high-quality Belt and Road development, expand cooperation in such areas as trade, the economy and interconnectivity, and explore cooperation in new fields including big data, digital finance and green energy. Tokayev said that Xi's visit, the Chinese president's first foreign trip since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, fully demonstrated the two countries' high-level mutual trust and will surely become a new milestone in the history of Kazakhstan-China relations. As next year marks the 10th anniversary of Xi's proposing the Belt and Road Initiative in Kazakhstan, Tokayev said his country will continue to support and participate in the joint building of the Belt and Road. After their meeting, the two leaders signed a joint statement commemorating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The two governments also signed a number of cooperative documents in areas such as finance and the media, and decided to set up consulates general in Xi'an and Aktobe. A model This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Kazakhstan. Standing at a new historical starting point of China-Kazakhstan relations, President Xi's visit will surely draw a new blueprint, inject new momentum to the bilateral relations, opening up a new chapter and another golden thirty years of bilateral relations, Zhang Xiao, Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan said in a recent interview with media. The bilateral relations have withstood a changing international situation, and the two countries firmly support each other on issues concerning their core interests, making important contribution to the regional and world peace and stability, Zhang noted. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the political mutual trust between the two countries has been continuously strengthened, and the two countries will continue to consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations and create favorable conditions for bilateral cooperation in various fields, he said. Almost a decade ago, Xi visited Kazakhstan, making a significant proposal that China and Central Asian countries build an "economic belt along the Silk Road", a trans-Eurasian project spanning from the Pacific Ocean to the Baltic Sea, during a speech at Nazarbayev University in Astana, now known Nur-sultan. He also visited the Central Asian country in 2015 and in 2017 to boost the bilateral ties and regional cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative. "President Xi's first visit abroad since the pandemic highlights the importance he attaches to Kazakhstan and Central Asia, which is also seen as a breakthrough in terms of China's foreign exchanges and diplomacy," Zhao Huirong, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies, told the Global Times on Wednesday. Central Asia could be seen as China's key "strategic partner zone" in the world, she said, as the five Central Asian countries are all China's strategic partners. Among them, Kazakhstan was one of the first to become China's strategic partners, which enjoyed one of the highest-levels of strategic partnership, Zhao said. In a signed article by Xi titled "Build on the Past to Make Greater Strides in China-Kazakhstan Relations" published Tuesday on the Kazakhstanskaya Pravda newspaper ahead of his state visit, the Chinese top leader described the two countries as being bound together by mountains and rivers and common interests, which are good neighbors, good friends and good partners. Having stood the test of the changing circumstances and the passage of time, China-Kazakhstan relations have long become rock-solid, Xi said in the article. Setting our sight beyond the pandemic, China would like to partner with Kazakhstan to remain pioneers in Belt and Road cooperation, Xi stressed. China would like to deepen law enforcement, security and defense cooperation with Kazakhstan. Guided by the Global Security Initiative, the two countries should act on the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and work together to promote the implementation of the Data Security Cooperation Initiative of China+Central Asia, the article said. We should join hands to combat terrorism, separatism, extremism, drug trafficking and transnational organized crimes, and ensure the security of oil and gas pipelines and other large cooperation projects and their personnel. We should resolutely oppose interference by external forces and work together for lasting peace and long-term stability of our region, Xi said. The world has been witnessing more uncertainties now including the uncertainties in supply chain and in foreign relations. China's good neighborhood lays a foundation for the country's prosperity, and as a corridor in Central Asia, Kazakhstan stands at a central stage of China's interaction with the Central Asian countries, Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times on Wednesday. "The Central Asian country has been always hoping to serve as a bridge between China and Russia," Wang said, noting that striking such balance between major powers also serves as a good example for other Central Asian countries. Belt and Road cooperation is a major highlight in China-Kazakhstan cooperation. In 1992, the bilateral trade volume was only $368 million, but it has reached $25.25 billion in 2021, said Zhang, the Chinese envoy to Kazakhstan. From January to July 2022, China-Kazakhstan trade reached $17.67 billion, up 18.9 percent year-on-year, which is expected to hit a record high for the whole year. The two countries have established a dialogue mechanism for production capacity and investment, and established a special fund for China-Kazakhstan production capacity cooperation, providing strong support for the development of Kazakhstan's energy, industry, transportation and other fields, the Chinese envoy said. Also, among the Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan plays a fundamental role in the trade between China and the Eurasian region, while serving as an important channel for China to link Eurasian countries as the northern line of the China-Europe freight train service. "China-Europe freight trains pass through Kazakhstan to Europe, and Kazakhstan has gained a lot of benefits from Belt and Road cooperation, which also helped it achieve its long-standing will of serving as a transportation hub in Eurasia," Zhao said. Experts said the stability and development of Central Asia is not only the concern of the Central Asian countries, but also the concern of both China and Russia, as the two countries have many consensus and common interests in the region. The current instability in the international and regional situation directly leads to a greater desire for regional stability, peace and development, so there is more demand for closer and more efficient cooperation, Zhao noted. "As Xi's visit will not only enhance bilateral relations but also boost multilateral cooperation to meet those demand," she said. Following the state visit to Kazakhstan, Xi arrived in Samarkand on Wednesday evening to pay a state visit to Uzbekistan and attend the SCO summit, a strategically important occasion of gathering of world leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to media reports. While China-Kazakhstan relations serve as an example for China-Central Asia ties, the geopolitical situation in the region has becoming more complex, and experts suggested that China and Central Asian countries should enhance communication and coordination in combating extremist forces. "To crack down on 'Three Evils', China and Central Asian countries need to enhance security cooperation under the SCO framework including intelligence sharing, staff training, joint exercise in fighting drugs, cross-border organized crimes and preventing the spread of extremist ideas," Zhao said. SOURCE Global Times BEIJING, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday began official visit to Kazakhstan - the country in which the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was first proposed back to 2013, and Uzbekistan, and will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. The visit to two Central Asian countries marks a monumental culmination of nine-year bilateral cooperation under the BRI, as the mega mechanism has unleashed a plethora of opportunities for the region ranging from economic fronts such as energy, mineral to security and politics, while also facilitating its export diversification efforts and integration into the global economic system. The local business community has also hailed the visit, with high expectations on future deepened high-quality cooperation that could further flex China's advantage in capital and tech know-how as well as Kazakhstan's edge in rich agricultural and natural resources. Analysts said that the prospects for cooperation is also underpinned by a relatively stable geopolitical environment in Central Asia, plus a further enhancement of China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership, and they hold firm on the role of the BRI - despite the launch of several Western-led infrastructure schemes and fear-mongering campaign - on continuing serving as stabilizer and propeller in the regional development. We look forward to the visit in deepening mutual understanding and trust, and bringing bilateral economic and trade ties closer, the Kazakhstani subsidiary of state-owned China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) told the Global Times on Wednesday. CCECC has mainly invested in Kazakhstan's mineral sector, and one landmark project under construction is the tungsten ore mine, located at the city of Almaty, or about 150 kilometers from the Khorgas port in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The Almaty tungsten ore mine is a world-class super-sized strip mine, with prospective reserves of 500,000 tons. It is included in the list of key China-Kazakhstan production capacity projects of BRI. Tungsten ore is a strategic resource, with rising valuation. In addition to Tungsten ore, Kazakhstan also ranked global high in terms of reserves of copper, zinc, steel, lead, cobalt and gold. And those minerals, once being exploited, are full of market potential, CCECC said. Energy is another field which bilateral collaboration yields fruitful results. On Tuesday, the first new energy project jointly built by China and Kazakhstan, the Shelek wind farm commenced operations. According to a statement the project contractor Power Construction Corporation of China sent to the Global Times, the wind farm can generate 230 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, which means a reduction of 206,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions and saving of 89,000 tons of standard coal each year. The flagship BRI project also echoes with Kazakhstan's infrastructure initiative "Bright Path" and a global push in reducing carbon emissions. According to Kazakhstan's energy department, the Shelek wind farm will help to alleviate the power shortage issues in southern Kazakhstan and promote the country's carbon reduction plans and power restructuring. The two projects are a vivid display of how BRI has ushered in a new era of unprecedented economic cooperation between the two neighbors, as well as China and the Central Asian region. China has now become Kazakhstan's second largest trading partner and number one export destination. A new growth model "Kazakhstan is resource-rich, but it lacks the ability to process raw materials. Chinese BRI investments have largely elevated the country's manufacturing capacity and sped up its industrialization," Zhang Hong, an Eastern European studies expert from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. China's market of sheer size also helps Kazakhstan to shed overreliance on a single country in export, especially in agricultural and energy products, and opens up more opportunities for regional and global integration, according to Zhang, exemplified by the implementation of the China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline, which began operating in 2009. In 2020, the China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline delivered over 39 billion cubic meters of natural gas to China, the Xinhua News Agency reported. The gas pipeline starts from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, running through central Uzbekistan and southern Kazakhstan, and ends in Xinjiang's Khorgas. In 2017, the pipeline established terminals to transfer natural gas from Kazakhstan. "China-proposed BRI amplified more collaboration chances between Central Asian countries, and such significance carries special weight in the midst of elevating Western sanction against Russia and the latter's countermeasures, which inevitably embroils Central Asian countries," Zhang said. He noted that the Central Asian countries face a crunch in pushing forward regional integration while tackling heightened uncertainty. Mechanisms such as the BRI and SCO, as multilateral platforms, serve to entrench and expand business ties. Strategic location This year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Kazakhstan. In terms of geographic location, Kazakhstan is an important node on the BRI. Bordering Xinjiang, Kazakhstan is regarded as an important westbound gateway connecting China with Europe, and about 90 percent of China-Europe freight trains transit via the country. In 2014, one year after the BRI was launched, Kazakhstan became the first country to reach an agreement with China on "production capacity cooperation" of BRI. And to date, the cooperation list includes 52 projects which have attracted over $21.2 billion investment. Successful Chinese investment in Kazakhstan sets paradigms for cooperation between China and Central Asia. It also showcases Chinese technological competitive advantage, as our plan is proven to be more cost-effective than the West, CCECC said. Analyst noted that despite certain political movements and stepped-up engagement by the West, the geopolitical environment in Central Asia remains "relatively stable without vicious power rivalry," auguring well for Chinese companies' long-term investment in the region. In addition, the further elevation of China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination is also a booster for to China-Central Asia cardinal economic ties, Zhang noted. SOURCE Global Times WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Salient CRGT, a wholly owned subsidiary of GovCIO, has been awarded a $524M task order under the GSA Alliant 2 GWAC for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Enterprise Support Services and Endpoint Technology (ESSET) requirement. This 7-year task order will provide services to support EPA with delivering, managing, and evolving end-user IT services, communication and collaboration tools, and end-user devices and applications for the EPA enterprise. EPA's overall objective is to improve and standardize its service delivery and end-user support services, effectively maintain critical daily IT service operations, implement solutions that promote more efficient processes, and continue to integrate the solutions into the IT environment in a manner that is cost-effective, secure, and highly reliable. GovCIO acquired Salient CRGT in 2021. GovCIO's ESSET team will deliver, manage, evolve end-user IT services, communication and collaboration tools, and end-user devices and applications for the EPA enterprise. "We presented the EPA with the best value and lowest risk solution possible. We are honored to collaborate with the EPA for the next 7 years and to support the EPA in the critical functions it performs for the IT environment." said Jim Brabston, GovCIO CEO. As the prime for ESSET, GovCIO will provide on-site, and virtual services for 20,000 deployed desktops/laptops, 8,500 mobile devices, service desk, endpoint technologies, and user experience at EPA headquarters, regional offices, and lab locations nationwide. "We are so excited to partner with the EPA providing innovation in delivering the next generation of end user support for its critical mission." said Rebecca Miller, GovCIO Sector President, Health and Civilian Services. About GovCIO GovCIO is a rapidly growing provider of advanced technology solutions and digital services to the federal government. In the 11 years since its founding, GovCIO has become a leading prime contractor supporting the mission of federal agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Justice, Veterans Affairs, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Government Accountability Office, and the Internal Revenue Service. GovCIO's core capabilities are in cybersecurity, digital services, data analytics, digitization, DevSecOps, and IT modernization. Visit www.govcio.com for more information. CONTACT: Marketing Manager Geraldene Darden, [email protected] SOURCE GovCIO Ursula Burns, Vivek Shah and Seth Kaufman bring their experience and expertise to Group Black as the Company expands its Board of Directors NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Group Black, one of the largest collectives of Black-owned media and diverse creators, today announced it will be expanding its Board of Directors with the addition of Ursula Burns, founding partner of private equity firm Integrum Holdings and former CEO of Xerox; Vivek Shah, CEO of digital media company Ziff Davis, Inc.; and Seth Kaufman, CEO of Moet Hennessy North America. "We are honored to welcome Ursula Burns, Vivek Shah and Seth Kaufman to the Group Black board. All three leaders bring a host of business, technology and media experience, as well as expertise in building and scaling successful business endeavors," said Travis Montaque, co-founder and CEO of Group Black. "Additionally, their passion and commitment to creating a more equitable media landscape makes them perfect additions to help further the Group Black mission." Ursula Burns is the first Black woman to lead a S&P 500 company. During Burns' tenure as CEO of Xerox Corporation, Burns helped the company transform from a global leader in document technology to the world's most diversified business services company serving enterprises and governments of all sizes. Currently, Burns is a member of the ExxonMobil Corporation, Uber Technologies, Inc., Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc., and IHS Holdings Board of Directors. "As a champion for inclusion across all systems and enterprises, I believe that Group Black will be pivotal in improving the media landscape by empowering more diverse creators," said Ursula Burns. "I am looking forward to working with Group Black to leverage its expertise in elevating content creators of color". Vivek Shah, CEO of Ziff Davis, is a digital media veteran who has led the transformation of Ziff Davis into a multi-billion-dollar public company. He began his career at Time Inc., where he held various management positions, including President of Fortune and Money. He was instrumental in Ziff Davis' investment in Group Black and its participation in Group Black's 'Uplift' initiative. "Group Black is a trailblazer in our industry. By partnering with leading media companies and scaling Black-owned brands, Group Black is forging a path to democratizing the media industry," said Shah. "I'm excited to be part of this important effort to diversify the media ecosystem." Seth Kaufman, CEO of Moet Hennessy North America, is a time-tested global brand building heavy-weight. Kaufman will lend his decades of branding, marketing, creativity, and flawless execution to Group Black as it continues to build a strong presence in the industry. "I am thrilled to roll up my sleeves to help Group Black transform the media industry, by addressing the systemic inequities that are inherent in the legacy media ownership model. We have already had several exciting meetings to exchange insights and ideas and it is easy to see that my personal passion for diversity, inclusion and equity is very much aligned with Group Black's bold vision for the future of media," said Kaufman. About Group Black Group Black is where culture calls home. Group Black is building the largest collective of Black-owned media and diverse creators and is supporting their development by actively deepening the pipeline of media dollars allocated to Black-owned media businesses and facilitating investment in that media and those creators. It is composed of two divisions, Group Black Media and Group Black Ventures, with the simple mission to dramatically transform the face of media investment and ownership. Group Black seeks to connect a diverse generation seeking content and experiences that are reflective of their identity. (www.groupblack.co) SOURCE Group Black The Smart Sleep Pad extends Hapbee device line-up with a new form factor designed for sleep that delivers strong results VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Hapbee Technologies , Inc. (TSXV: HAPB) ( OTCQB: HAPBF) (FSE: HA1) ("Hapbee" or the "Company"), the digital wellness technology company is pleased to announce the launch of the Hapbee Smart Sleep Pad, a versatile, comfort-first, sleep-oriented pad that is powered by Hapbee's innovative digital wellness app. Hapbee Smart Sleep Pad and Hapbee App (CNW Group/Hapbee Technologies Inc.) Hapbee Smart Sleep Pad (CNW Group/Hapbee Technologies Inc.) Hapbee Smart Sleep Pad Unboxed (CNW Group/Hapbee Technologies Inc.) Over 70% of Americans suffer from different types of sleep disorder such as chronic insomnia, interrupted sleep as well as issues related to falling asleep or getting sufficient deep, restorative sleep. A growing number of these consumers are turning away from stimulants and chemicals and looking to innovative and effective natural solutions like Hapbee that are drug-free and do not harbor negative side effects. Engineering Hapbee's unique digital wellness technology into a recognizable, consumer-friendly product has been a major priority for the Company based on feedback from both consumers and enterprise clients. Overview of the Hapbee Smart Sleep Pad The pad measures approx 12" x 18" and is roughly 0.5" thick. Its exterior is made of soft, quilted material with a foam padded center for maximum comfort and minimum disruption. It has been designed for versatility - for use on the bed under a pillow or as a pillow, while traveling as well as for behind the back for comfort and relaxation while a person is seated. The pad is thin and cushioned and as a result, it can be used anywhere to ensure quality sleep. One of the Smart Sleep Pad's most compelling features is its apparent improved efficacy for sleep as compared to the Hapbee Neckband. It features a 10" coil that is 50% larger than the Neckband, which in lab tests and human trials has delivered consistently stronger and more noticeable effects due to the larger field radius and "sweet spot" that overcomes movement during sleep. "The Smart Sleep Pad represents a major milestone for our company and for our customers," said Yona Shtern, CEO of Hapbee. "After months of careful research and lots of feedback from our community of users, we are delighted to have designed an effective, natural, user-friendly product designed especially for sleep - our largest category of use. This new form factor provides our customers with the night-time sleep and relaxation solution they have been asking for and is the perfect complement to the Hapbee Neckband for focus and performance during the day." Furthermore, the Smart Sleep Pad will be shown at the Company's booth at the BioHacking Convention at the Beverly Hills Hilton in Los Angeles, California from September 15 to September 18, 2022. The Smart Sleep Pad is compatible with Hapbee App Version 2.0 and later versions. Current Hapbee subscribers do not require an additional subscription to power the device. They simply need to register the Smart Sleep Pad to their account directly in the Hapbee App. The Smart Sleep Pad is available for pre-order starting on September 15 on the Company's website at www.Hapbee.com . First production of the pads are scheduled to start shipping in time for the end-of-year holiday season. Orders will be shipped on a first-come, first-served basis and customers are encouraged to place their orders early to ensure access to current production run. Users can upgrade to Hapbee Mobile App version 2.0.4 or later as a free download in Apple's App Store and Google Play. About Hapbee Hapbee is a digital wellness technology company that aims to help people take control of how they sleep, perform and feel. Hapbee's digital wellness library of Blends and Routines utilizes patented ultra-low radio frequency energy (ulRFE), designed to help optimize users' sleep, productivity, recovery, and downtime. Hapbee devices and subscriptions are available for purchase at Hapbee.com and through a growing network of select distributors. You can learn more about how Hapbee works at www.hapbee.com/science. Forward-Looking Information Disclaimer Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking information or statements (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including those identified by the expressions "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "should" and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect current expectations regarding future results or events. This news release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and various estimates, factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Any statements about Hapbee's product marketing and development initiatives; and the introduction of new products or services; are all forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding the Company's ability to meet its planned product marketing and development initiatives and the Company's ability to achieve its e-commerce rollout and full-scale commercial launch as anticipated. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, delays in design, production, manufacturing, development or releases of signal blends, collection of data from customer use, or the Company may not be able to achieve its targets as anticipated or at all; changes in legislation and regulations; increase in operating costs; equipment failures; failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations; litigation; the loss of key directors, employees, advisors or consultants and fees charged by service providers. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those described in Hapbee's annual information form dated January 27, 2021, a copy of which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com , and could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. The Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law. Readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Hapbee Technologies Inc. New investment will accelerate commercialization of HaptX's next-generation product suite REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- HaptX, the leading innovator and provider of realistic haptic technology, today announced a $23 million strategic funding round led by AIS Global and Crescent Cove Advisors, with participation from Verizon Ventures, Mason Avenue Investments, and Taylor Frigon Capital Partners. This investment brings HaptX's total funding to more than $58 million. Centerview Partners acted as financial advisor to HaptX. Close up of HaptX Gloves DK2 The proceeds from this round will be used to fund commercialization of next-generation products building on the success of HaptX's award-winning HaptX Gloves DK2. Unlike other haptic gloves which are limited to vibration and force feedback, HaptX Gloves physically displace the user's skin the way a real object would. They deliver unprecedented realism, with more than 130 points of tactile feedback per hand. Fortune 500 companies and governments around the world have adopted HaptX Gloves for the most demanding applications in training and simulation, industrial design, and robotics. In conjunction with this transaction, HaptX has extended its partnership with AIS Global, a portfolio company of New York-based KPS Capital Partners. "HaptX and AIS Global have built a deep, successful relationship dedicated to innovation at the cutting edge of the high-growth global haptics market," said Joe Baddeley, Chief Executive Officer of AIS Global. "AIS Global and KPS are thrilled to provide the resources, commitment, and expertise necessary to support aggressive scaling of HaptX's commercial footprint." Crescent Cove Advisors, based in San Francisco, substantially increased its investment in HaptX in this funding round after providing a $4 million credit facility to HaptX in 2021. "HaptX has succeeded in generating tremendous customer demand across a wide array of use cases," said Jun Hong Heng, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Crescent Cove Advisors. "We believe HaptX will play a foundational role in fulfilling the promise of the Metaverse as an immersive 3D successor to today's 2D internet." "We are proud to have the commitment of partners like AIS Global and Crescent Cove fueling our efforts to build haptics so lifelike that users can't distinguish between the virtual and the real," said Jake Rubin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of HaptX. "This funding will enable HaptX to build on the success of HaptX Gloves DK2 with exciting new products that will redefine virtual and robotic interactions." About HaptX HaptX builds technology that simulates touch sensation with unprecedented realism. HaptX Gloves enable natural interaction and true-contact haptics in virtual reality and robotics for the first time. A venture-backed startup, HaptX is headquartered in Redmond, WA, with offices in San Luis Obispo and San Francisco, CA. Learn more at www.haptx.com. About Advanced Input Systems Global AIS Global is a leading global designer and manufacturer of innovative human-machine experience ("HMX") solutions for original equipment manufacturers worldwide in the medical, commercial, industrial and gaming end-markets. Headquartered in Coeur d'Alene, ID, AIS Global has seven facilities across the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Taiwan, and China, including four key manufacturing facilities. For more information, visit www.advancedinput.com. About Crescent Cove Advisors Crescent Cove is a multi-asset investment firm focused on technology investments and dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and founders. Established in 2016, Crescent Cove leverages its global network of relationships and unique insight across markets, emerging industries and technologies to build businesses and accelerate value creation across its portfolios. For more information, visit www.crescentcove.com. About KPS Capital Partners KPS, through its affiliated management entities, is the manager of the KPS Special Situations Funds, a family of investment funds with approximately $13.6 billion of assets under management (as of June 30, 2022). For over three decades, the Partners of KPS have worked exclusively to realize significant capital appreciation by making controlling equity investments in manufacturing and industrial companies across a diverse array of industries, including basic materials, branded consumer, healthcare and luxury products, automotive parts, capital equipment and general manufacturing. KPS creates value for its investors by working constructively with talented management teams to make businesses better, and generates investment returns by structurally improving the strategic position, competitiveness and profitability of its portfolio companies, rather than primarily relying on financial leverage. The KPS Funds' portfolio companies currently generate aggregate annual revenues of approximately $19.7 billion, operate 233 manufacturing facilities in 27 countries, and have approximately 52,000 employees, directly and through joint ventures worldwide (as of March 31, 2022, pro forma for recent acquisitions and exits). The KPS investment strategy and portfolio companies are described in detail at www.kpsfund.com. KPS Mid-Cap focuses on investments in the lower end of the middle market that require up to $100 million of initial equity capital. KPS Mid-Cap targets the same type of investment opportunities and utilizes the same investment strategy that KPS' flagship funds have for nearly three decades. KPS Mid-Cap leverages and benefits from KPS' global platform, reputation, track record, infrastructure, best practices, knowledge and experience. The KPS Mid-Cap investment team is managed by Partners Pierre de Villemejane and Ryan Harrison, who lead a team of experienced and talented professionals. Media Contact: Joe Michaels (805) 888-4278 [email protected] SOURCE HaptX Inc Harness GitOps-as-a-Service takes GitOps to the enterprise-level, combining the lightning fast deployments and lightweight operation developers love with security, governance and scale SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Harness , the Modern Software Delivery PlatformTM company, today announced the general availability of fully managed Harness GitOps-as-a-Service to enable enterprise continuous delivery (CD) workflows for application and infrastructure deployments. Harness GitOps-as-a-Service brings enterprise controls to GitOps deployments with governance, reliability, and visibility at scale. To get started with Harness GitOps-as-a-Service, please visit: https://harness.io/products/continuous-delivery . Developers face the growing complexity of application development in microservices architecture with the demand for even more frequent application deployments. GitOps uses Git the most widely-used modern version control system in the world today as the single source of truth for container-based continuous integration and continuous deployment, allowing development teams to increase velocity and improve system reliability. However, most existing GitOps solutions today lack the controls, visibility, security, and scalability required by enterprise customers. Harness GitOps-as-a-Service, built on the popular Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) -incubated open source Argo CD project delivers the lightning fast deployments and lightweight operation developers love, and takes it to the next level with enterprise-grade security, governance and scale. Key capabilities include: Deploy with confidence at scale GitOps-as-a-Service makes it easy to scale across an organization because the entire set up process can be orchestrated in a declarative manner. The addition of pull request pipelines makes it easy to propagate changes across multiple services and environments without having to individually manage each deployment by adding a layer of pipeline orchestration on top of standard GitOps deployments. Control over governance and security, with Harness's OPA (Open Policy Agent) integration (Open Policy Agent) integration Policy-as-Code to create, manage, and enforce policies across software delivery processes, governing pipelines, and deployments Includes audit trails, fine-grained role-based access control (RBAC), and unified SSO Centralized Visibility and Management Custom reporting and dashboards with visibility that allow teams to manage and view all deployments directly Developer teams can drill down into granular service and environment details to check the status of services and monitor deployment health Flexibility GitOps-as-a-Service lets developers start with a hosted Argo CD solution or they can bring their own Argo CD instances "GitOps is becoming the industry paradigm for continuous software delivery, providing a solution for developers who have struggled to identify a frictionless deployment solution. While many organizations like the convenience of GitOps and Argo, they must meet security and governance requirements that Argo does not provide," said Jyoti Bansal, CEO and co-founder at Harness. "Harness GitOps-as-a-Service delivers on our promise to provide the most comprehensive CD solution available to developers, including security, governance and scalability, without tradeoff." Harness GitOps-as-a-Service expands on the foundation laid with Harness GitOps earlier this year, building a layer of pipeline orchestration on top of a standard GitOps approach and adding centralized management for full visibility into multiple services and Kubernetes clusters. Harness GitOps-as-a-Service is available with the Harness Continuous Delivery (CD) module at no additional cost. To get started with Harness GitOps-as-a-Service, please visit: https://harness.io/products/continuous-delivery . About Harness Harness, the Modern Software Delivery Platform company, provides a simple, safe and secure way for engineering and DevOps teams to rapidly release applications into production. Harness uses machine learning to detect the quality of deployments and automatically roll back failed ones, saving time and reducing the need for custom scripting and manual oversight, giving engineers their weekends back. Harness Inc. is based in San Francisco. More on Twitter @harnessio and at harness.io. SOURCE Harness New Materials and Color Options Mark a Sustainable Milestone for Ray and Charles Eames' Mid-Century Staple ZEELAND, Mich., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Since its introduction in 1950, Eames Shell Chairs have popped up in nearly every setting on the planet, from smalltown diners to the lobbies of five-star hotels. The chair's playful curves are unmistakable and continued popularity has cemented it as a mid-century icon and its story is about to get even better. The Shell Chair was first introduced in molded plastic in 2006, and now, Herman Miller's entire Eames Molded Plastic Chair portfolio will be made using 100% post-industrial recycled plastic the equivalent of approximately 122 tons of plastic per year and a 15% carbon reduction annually for the beloved product line.* An Eames Molded Plastic Side Chair A collection of the new Eames Molded Plastic Chairs "Ray and Charles Eames embraced a spirit of continuous reinvention for the Molded Plastic Chair, especially in developing the use of sustainable materials with each iteration," said Ben Watson, President, Herman Miller. "Herman Miller is honoring that design legacy with the introduction of an Eames Molded Plastic Chair made from 100% recycled plastic, and we will continue to challenge ourselves to pursue meaningful, responsible change." The new material formulation is not the only change awaiting the Eames Molded Plastic Chair portfolio. To celebrate the switch to sourcing 100% post-industrial recycled plastic, the brand is introducing a refreshed collection of available shell colors, which will include three of the previously offered colors (Black, White, and Red Orange) and nine new hues: Evergreen, Cocoa, Deep Yellow, Brick Red, Pale Blue, Medium Grey, Blue Green, Grey Green and Light Grey. The colors were specifically chosen to present designers and consumers with an updated palette that spans the basic color families with a current, cohesive sensibility. The modernized array of shades will bolster the Shell Chair's distinctive ability to flawlessly incorporate itself into a space, regardless of whether the space is refined, relaxed or somewhere in between. This isn't the first time the Shell Chair has undergone a material transformation. Ray and Charles' original 1950 designs were fiberglass, and the line expanded to include bent wire the following year. Eventually the environmental hazards of working with fiberglass prompted a switch to polypropylene (2006), but evolving material technology made it possible to return to a safer fiberglass option for the environment again in 2013; the introduction of wood finishes followed shortly after. All these options, along with upholstery and seat pads, are still a part of the line today. The Eames Shell Chair was designed on the principle of adaptability, and the vast number of configurations available offers solutions that work for endless applications and environments. "Part of responsible design is first making things that will last. The second part is always looking for ways we can improve our designs to make the world more sustainable and equitable for all," says Watson. "It's no coincidence Herman Miller pieces like Eames Shell Chairs are often passed down among families or become coveted vintage pieces." These shell chair innovations are the most recent in a series of sustainable product updates Herman Miller has implemented. Most recently, the brand introduced the use of ocean-bound plastic in its best-selling Aeron Chair. As part of MillerKnoll, Herman Miller's product changes are contributing to the greater collective's 2030 Sustainability Goals , a company-wide strategy dedicated to reducing its carbon footprint, designing out waste, and sourcing better materials throughout the collective of brands. The new Eames Molded Plastic Chairs are available for contract clients at specific business pricing via authorized MillerKnoll dealers. They are also available for purchase in Herman Miller's online store and Herman Miller's retail locations with a starting price of $295 USD. To learn more about the specific environmental information for each variation of the Eames Molded Plastic Chair and to see how purchasing these items can contribute to green building standards including LEED, please visit https://millerknoll.ecomedes.com/. About Herman Miller Since 1905, Herman Miller has been guided by a commitment to problem-solving designs that inspire the best in people. Along the way, Herman Miller has forged critical relationships with the most visionary designers of the day, from mid-century greats like George Nelson, the Eames Office, and Isamu Noguchi, to research-oriented visionaries like Robert Propst and Bill Stumpf and with today's groundbreaking studios like Industrial Facility and Studio 7.5. From the birth of ergonomic furniture to manufacturing some of the twentieth century's most iconic pieces, Herman Miller has spent the last century pioneering original, timeless design that makes an enduring impact, while building a lasting legacy of design, innovation and social good. Herman Miller is a part of MillerKnoll (NADSAQ:MLKN), a collective of dynamic brands that comes together to design the world we live in. For more information, visit www.hermanmiller.com/about/our-story . *Based on current annual sales forecast. SOURCE Herman Miller, Inc. SHANGHAI, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Asieris Pharmaceuticals (688176.SH), a global biopharma company specializing in discovering, developing and commercializing innovative drugs for the treatment of genitourinary tumors and other related diseases, announced today that Hexvix, a drug used for bladder cancer diagnosis, has been included in the 2022 edition of the Lecheng Global Specialty Drug Insurance Specialty Drug List. Lecheng Global Specialty Drug Insurance is an inclusive supplementary commercial medical insurance policy jointly underwritten by a number of well-known domestic insurance companies and supervised by the Hainan Office of China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission under the guidance of the Bo'ao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone Administration and the Medical Security Bureau of Hainan Province. With a drug list covering 40 specialty drugs on the market in China and 60 overseas specialty drugs, the policy is designed to boost the development of a multi-tiered medical security system in Hainan by strengthening its efficient combination and coordination with basic medical insurance, critical illness insurance and medical aid policies, so as to effectively lighten the burden of medical care for the insured and further address people's diverse medical and health care needs on different levels. Hexvix has been approved in the United States and many European countries. The combined use of Hexvix and blue light cystoscopy (BLC) for the management of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) has been included in the global expert consensus guidelines and Chinese Urological Association Guideline. In January 2021, Asieris entered into a license agreement with Photocure ASA (Photocure, OSE:PHO), a bladder cancer specialty company based in Oslo, Norway, to obtain the exclusive registration and commercialization rights of Hexvix in mainland China and Taiwan. In December 2021, Hexvix was put into pilot use in the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in Hainan Province and the first prescription in China was issued at Hainan General Hospital, with the first patient operated successfully. It received approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for phase III clinical trials in the first quarter of 2022 and was included in the real-world clinical data pilot program. "The inclusion of Hexvix in Lecheng Global Specialty Drug Insurance is a positive attempt by Asieris Pharmaceuticals to explore an innovative payment model, aiming to allow Chinese bladder cancer patients earlier access to cutting-edge international diagnosis and treatment methods, and reduce the pressure of out-of-pocket payment. This payment model serves as a strong supplement to the company's commitment to building an integrated closed-loop ecosystem for bladder cancer diagnosis and treatment. And we will continue to promote the launch of and access to advanced and innovative drugs and medical devices for the greatest benefit of bladder cancer patients in China," said Mr. Xinming Jiang, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Asieris. About Asieris Asieris Pharmaceuticals(688176.SH), founded in March 2010, is a global biopharma company specializing in discovering, developing and commercializing innovative drugs for the treatment of genitourinary tumors and other related diseases. We strive to improve human health and help people live a more dignified life. We aim to become a global pharma leader that integrates R&D, manufacturing and commercialization in our areas of focus, as we provide best-in-class integrated diagnosis and treatment solutions for patients in China and worldwide. The company has been developing its proprietary R&D platform and core technologies, exploring new mechanisms of action, and efficiently screening and evaluating drug candidates. With a well-established in-house R&D system and expertise in global drug development, Asieris is committed to launching first-in-class drugs and other innovative products to address huge unmet needs in its areas of focus. Asieris is also enhancing its pipeline for genitourinary diseases via proprietary R&D and strategic partnerships, while closely following cutting-edge technologies and therapeutics. The company strives to discover and identify unmet clinical needs, and adopts a forward-looking approach in product planning and life-cycle management. We aim to establish an outstanding portfolio that covers diagnosis and treatment in a bid to benefit more patients in China and globally. SOURCE Asieris The onychomycosis treatment market in Europe and APAC is projected to display a CAGR of 5% during the forecast period. North America onychomycosis treatment market is expected to display a CAGR of 7% during the forecast period. NEWARK, Del., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The worldwide onychomycosis treatment market is supposed to show hold a worth US$ 4.44 Billion out of 2022. From 2022-2032, the onychomycosis treatment market is probably going to show a CAGR of 8.46% while gathering a worth US$ 10 Billion. The development of the market can be credited to the developing predominance of diabetes which brings about high dangers of nail organism disease. Toenail onychomycosis are more common and requires longer duration of treatment, which can also extend to a year. Sometimes complete cure, defined as clinical cure, is unattainable, which may lead to indefinite treatment duration and consequently drive the onychomycosis treatment market. The risk of onychomycosis is 1.9 to 2.8 times higher in people with diabetes, compared with the general population. This is leading to rising revenue accumulation of drug manufacturers targeting the onychomycosis treatment market. For more Insights, Download Report [email protected] https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1279 The increasing risk factors such as nail injury or nail surgery, diabetes, weakened immune system, blood circulation disorders, athlete's foot or ringworm, and others are driving the onychomycosis treatment market. The growing risk of occupational hazards such as agriculture, waste disposal, and others is also propelling the growth of the onychomycosis treatment market. Diabetes and related conditions contributing to poor peripheral circulation are the major drivers of the market. Onychomycosis may represent an important forecast for the development of diabetic foot syndrome and foot ulcers. Patients who are immunosuppressed, such as those undergoing cancer therapy and those with HIV infection also are predisposed to fungal nail infection. Coronavirus pandemic has changed the public medical care needs and spending however this is viewed as transient effect on the onychomycosis treatment market. The increasing COVID-19 patient pool attracted spotlight to the treatment of these patients on emergency basis, consequently reducing the patient visits to the medical clinics for onychomycosis treatment. Decreasing visits demonstrate lesser treatment reception that resulted in temporary contraction of sales. Nonetheless, demand is likely to recover in the coming years with drugs emerging as more preferred type of treatment. The drugs segment is expected to account for nearly 75% of revenue generated in the market. Key Takeaways from Onychomycosis Treatment Market Study High spending power supports growth in the U.S., sealing its dominance in North America . The U.S. is expected to account for over 84% of sales registered in the region . The U.S. is expected to account for over 84% of sales registered in the region The demand from the U.K. will continue rising, enabling year-on-year growth at above 7% Germany and France too will continue exhibiting high demand and too will continue exhibiting high demand Within East Asia , Japan holds dominance, yet demand from China is likely to rise at a higher pace Get a Customized Scope to Match Your Need Ask an [email protected] https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-1279 "Market players are likely to focus on merger and acquisition to expand their footprint worldwide. They are also expected to focus on capitalizing on opportunities across emerging economies to gain competitive advantage," said an FMI analyst. Geriatric Population More Susceptible Onychomycosis According to the World Health Organization (WHO), age is the key risk factor for the development of onychomycosis and the risk for onychomycosis increases with age, particularly for persons aged >50 years. Approximately, about 80-85% of onychomycosis occurs in patients aged greater than 50 years, globally. The rise in elderly population will therefore present lucrative growth opportunities to onychomycosis treatment market. Who is Winning? Key players in the onychomycosis treatment market are keenly focusing on strategic activities such as acquisitions, collaborations and mergers in order to create a strong position. For Instance, In September 2018, Almirall S.A. acquired of portfolio of five products comprising of Allergan's Medical dermatology unit in the U.S. to further enhance the company's dermatology portfolio. In 2017, Ziarco Group ltd. was acquired by Novartis acquired. Ziarco Group ltd. a privately held company in the U.K. The company focuses on the development of novel treatments in the field of dermatology. Key Players Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Sanofi S.A. Medimetriks Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Galderma Johnson & Johnson Novartis AG Moberg Pharma AB Cardinal Health, Inc. Pfizer Inc. Almirall, S.A. Bayer AG Viatris Inc. GlaxoSmithKline plc Cipla Ltd. Download Report [email protected] https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/request-report-methodology/rep-gb-1279 Onychomycosis Treatment Market by Category Disease Indication Distal Subungual Onychomycosis White Superficial Onychomycosis Proximal Subungual Onychomycosis Candidal Onychomycosis Total Dystrophic Onychomycosis Age Group 0-18 Years 18-39 Years 40-64 Years 65 Years & Above Gender Male Female Distribution Channel Institutional Sales Hospitals Dermatology Clinics Retail Sales Retail Pharmacies Drug Stores Mail Order Pharmacies & Online Sales Get Report Customization @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/customization-available/rep-gb-1279 Table of Content 1. Executive Summary 1.1. Global Market Outlook 1.2. Demand Side Trends 1.3. Supply Side Trends 1.4. Analysis and Recommendations 2. Market Overview 2.1. Market Coverage / Taxonomy 2.2. Market Definition / Scope / Limitations 2.3. Inclusions and Exclusions 3. Key Market Trends 3.1. Key Trends Impacting the Market 3.2. Product Innovation / Development Trends To Continue TOC Explore FMI's Extensive Coverage on Healthcare Domain: Zygomycosis Treatments Market Share : The market players in the global zygomycosis treatments market include X-Gen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cayman Chemical, LGM Pharma Leukemia Therapeutics Treatment Market Demand : During the forecast period, the leukemia therapeutics treatment market is expected to record a CAGR of 7.1 per cent to reach a valuation of US$ 17 Bn by 2024 Knee Reconstruction Devices Market Size : The global knee reconstruction devices market is expected to reach a market valuation of US$ 8.28 Billion by the year 2022, accelerating with a moderate CAGR of 4.3% by 2022-2032. DNA Synthesis Market Analysis : The DNA synthesis market is projected at a CAGR of 7.7% during the forecast period. The market is likely to be valued at US$ 261.9 Mn in 2022 and at US$ 592.1 Mn by 2032. Electric Acupuncture Devices Market Forecast : Global electric acupuncture devices market demand is anticipated to be valued at US$ 12.9 Million in 2022, forecast a CAGR of 7.2% to be valued at US$ 27.8 Million from 2022 to 2032 About Future Market Insights, Inc. FUTURE MARKET INSIGHTS, Inc. is an ESOMAR-certified business consulting & market research firm, a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and is headquartered in Delaware, USA. A recipient of Clutch Leaders Award 2022 on account of high client score (4.9/5), we have been collaborating with global enterprises in their business transformation journey and helping them deliver on their business ambitions. 80% of the largest Forbes 1000 enterprises are our clients. We serve global clients across all leading & niche market segments across all major industries. Contact Us: Future Market Insights Inc. Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive, Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA T: +1-845-579-5705 For Sales Enquiries: [email protected] Browse Latest Market Reports: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1197648/FMI_Logo.jpg SOURCE Future Market Insights WATERTOWN, Mass., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The 221b Foundation, a non-profit founded by Sherlock Biosciences to bring novel CRISPR-based diagnostics to underserved populations around the world, today announced that Dr. Pardis Sabeti has joined its Board of Directors. A pioneer in evolutionary biology and founder of Sherlock Biosciences, Dr. Sabeti brings vast experience in the detection, containment and treatment of deadly infectious diseases, including Lassa Fever, Ebola and Zika. Her career has focused on the advancement of scientific innovation in the service of public health, and she has seen first hand the critical role surveillance, diagnosis and rapid response play in combating the devastating effects of disease in low and middle-income countries. She will leverage her vast expertise and experience utilizing the SHERLOCK method across her work in Western Africa to support The 221b Foundation's mission to extend the reach of novel CRISPR-based diagnostics globally. "CRISPR is uniquely suited to meet the global need for accurate, rapid and affordable diagnostic testing," said Bryan DeChairo, board member of The 221b Foundation and president and CEO of Sherlock Biosciences. "By providing global health partners with access to Sherlock's products and intellectual property (IP) through distribution and licensing, we can extend and accelerate access to those who need it most. Pardis has been a fierce global health advocate for her entire career, and will provide invaluable counsel as we deliver on our mission." The 221b Foundation was founded by Sherlock Biosciences as an extension of the company's commitment to developing decentralized diagnostics that can reach low-access areas around the world, a mission supported by grants issued to Sherlock Biosciences from global health organizations including Open Philanthropy. Amongst the programs supported by The 221b Foundation was a broad initiative with the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) in Nepal to help control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 throughout the country. Through donations of equipment and resources, The 221b Foundation provided much needed support to help Nepal stem the spread of COVID-19 and bolster the countries testing strategy. Dr. Sabeti is a professor at the Center for Systems Biology and Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University and the Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease at the Harvard School of Public Health, an Institute Member of the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator. About The 221b Foundation The 221b Foundation was founded with the mission to bring novel CRISPR-based diagnostics to underserved populations around the world to maximize patient impact and improve global public health. The Foundation provides global health partners with access to Sherlock Biosciences' products and IP through distribution and licensing. For more information, please visit here. About Sherlock Biosciences Sherlock Biosciences is developing products that will empower people to access answers and have more control over their health decisions. Through our engineering biology tools, CRISPR-based SHERLOCK and synthetic biology-based INSPECTR, we are bringing together the accuracy of PCR with the convenience and simplicity of antigen tests for molecular diagnostics at the point-of-need. SHERLOCK and INSPECTR can be used in virtually any setting without complex instrumentation, making it well suited for use in the home and in low resource settings, opening up a wide range of potential applications in areas including infectious disease, early detection of cancer, treatment monitoring, and precision medicine. In 2020 the company made history with the first FDA-authorized use of CRISPR technology. For more information, please visit www.sherlock.bio. Contact Dean Mastrojohn, Goodfuse Communications [email protected] SOURCE Sherlock Biosciences DUBLIN, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Industrial Protective Footwear Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global industrial protective footwear market size reached US$ 9.17 Billion in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach US$ 12.1 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.73% during 2021-2027. Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, we are continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic on different end use industries. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor. Industrial protective footwear refers to functional footwear that is designed to provide protection and comfort to the industrial workers from accidents in high-risk physical labor tasks, such as moving machinery and electrical contacts during industrial work. The primary characteristics of industrial safety footwear include comfort, safety, innovation, and aesthetic value. Extensively incorporating advanced features, including improved slip resistance, increased support for the arch and heel, and reduction of foot fatigue, this type of footwear ensures the safety of the workers, thereby improving their working efficiency. Rubber, leather, and plastics are some of the widely used varieties of materials used in manufacturing such footwear. The availability of cost-effective variants offered by local manufacturers is providing a significant boost to the sales of industrial protective footwear on the global level. Industrial Protective Footwear Market Trends: The global market is primarily driven by the rising adoption of health and safety practices to reduce workspace fatalities. This is further supported by the poor working conditions and extended work hours of industrial workers, which, in turn, is propelling the market growth. In line with this, the introduction of favorable government regulations mandating the usage of safety shoes in several work environments, coupled with the stringent implementation of occupational safety standards, is also acting as a major growth-inducing factor. Moreover, considerable expansion in the construction and heavy machinery industries is supporting the growth of the market. In addition to this, rapid industrial development, the increasing awareness regarding worker safety across the industrial sector, and the easy availability of product variants via offline and online organized retail sectors are contributing to the sales of industrial protective footwear across the globe. Competitive Landscape: The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being Bata Corporation, Caterpillar Inc., COFRA Holding AG, Dunlop Protective Footwear, ELTEN GmbH, Hillson Footwear Pvt. Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., Rahman Group, Rock Fall (UK) Ltd., Saina Group Co. Ltd., uvex group and Wolverine World Wide Inc. Key Questions Answered in This Report: How has the global industrial protective footwear market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years? What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global industrial protective footwear market? What are the key regional markets? What is the breakup of the market based on the type? What is the breakup of the market based on the product? What is the breakup of the market based on the distribution channel? What is the breakup of the market based on the application? What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry? What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry? What is the structure of the global industrial protective footwear market and who are the key players? What is the degree of competition in the industry? Key Topics Covered: 1 Preface 2 Scope and Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Introduction 4.1 Overview 4.2 Key Industry Trends 5 Global Industrial Protective Footwear Market 5.1 Market Overview 5.2 Market Performance 5.3 Impact of COVID-19 5.4 Market Forecast 6 Market Breakup by Type 6.1 Leather Footwear 6.1.1 Market Trends 6.1.2 Market Forecast 6.2 Waterproof Footwear 6.2.1 Market Trends 6.2.2 Market Forecast 6.3 Rubber Footwear 6.3.1 Market Trends 6.3.2 Market Forecast 6.4 Plastic Footwear 6.4.1 Market Trends 6.4.2 Market Forecast 7 Market Breakup by Product 7.1 Shoes 7.1.1 Market Trends 7.1.2 Market Forecast 7.2 Boots 7.2.1 Market Trends 7.2.2 Market Forecast 8 Market Breakup by Distribution Channel 8.1 Offline 8.1.1 Market Trends 8.1.2 Market Forecast 8.2 Online 8.2.1 Market Trends 8.2.2 Market Forecast 9 Market Breakup by Application 9.1 Construction 9.1.1 Market Trends 9.1.2 Market Forecast 9.2 Manufacturing 9.2.1 Market Trends 9.2.2 Market Forecast 9.3 Mining 9.3.1 Market Trends 9.3.2 Market Forecast 9.4 Oil and Gas 9.4.1 Market Trends 9.4.2 Market Forecast 9.5 Chemical 9.5.1 Market Trends 9.5.2 Market Forecast 9.6 Pharmaceuticals 9.6.1 Market Trends 9.6.2 Market Forecast 9.7 Transportation 9.7.1 Market Trends 9.7.2 Market Forecast 9.8 Others 9.8.1 Market Trends 9.8.2 Market Forecast 10 Market Breakup by Region 11 SWOT Analysis 12 Value Chain Analysis 13 Porters Five Forces Analysis 14 Price Analysis 15 Competitive Landscape 15.1 Market Structure 15.2 Key Players 15.3 Profiles of Key Players 15.3.1 Bata Corporation 15.3.1.1 Company Overview 15.3.1.2 Product Portfolio 15.3.2 Caterpillar Inc. 15.3.2.1 Company Overview 15.3.2.2 Product Portfolio 15.3.2.3 Financials 15.3.2.4 SWOT Analysis 15.3.3 COFRA S.r.l. 15.3.3.1 Company Overview 15.3.3.2 Product Portfolio 15.3.4 Dunlop Protective Footwear 15.3.4.1 Company Overview 15.3.4.2 Product Portfolio 15.3.5 ELTEN GmbH 15.3.5.1 Company Overview 15.3.5.2 Product Portfolio 15.3.6 Hillson Footwear Pvt. Ltd. 15.3.6.1 Company Overview 15.3.6.2 Product Portfolio 15.3.7 Honeywell International Inc. 15.3.7.1 Company Overview 15.3.7.2 Product Portfolio 15.3.7.3 Financials 15.3.8 Rahman Group 15.3.8.1 Company Overview 15.3.8.2 Product Portfolio 15.3.9 Rock Fall (UK) Ltd. 15.3.9.1 Company Overview 15.3.9.2 Product Portfolio 15.3.10 Saina Group Co. Ltd. 15.3.10.1 Company Overview 15.3.10.2 Product Portfolio 15.3.11 uvex group 15.3.11.1 Company Overview 15.3.11.2 Product Portfolio 15.3.12 Wolverine World Wide Inc. 15.3.12.1 Company Overview 15.3.12.2 Product Portfolio 15.3.12.3 Financials 15.3.12.4 SWOT Analysis For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/td2t7q Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Integral Molecular, the industry leader in discovering antibodies against complex membrane protein targets, has licensed a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to CARTEXELL, enabling CARTEXELL to develop CAR-T cell therapies using Integral Molecular's Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) MAbs. Under the terms of the agreement, Integral Molecular will provide an exclusive worldwide license to CARTEXELL to use the panel of high-affinity, high-specificity, and fully humanized CLND18.2 MAbs for the development of CAR-T cell therapies against solid tumors including gastric, lung, pancreatic and esophageal cancers. CARTEXELL will be solely responsible for all research, development, and commercial activities. The CLND18.2 MAbs were isolated using Integral Molecular's MPS Antibody Discovery platform which is uniquely tailored to deliver high-specificity, high-affinity antibodies against the most structurally challenging membrane protein targets including GPCRs, ion channels, transporters, and tight junction proteins. "Claudin 18.2 is an exciting target for oncology therapeutics since it's highly expressed in cancers such as gastric and esophageal cancers that are difficult to treat", said Joseph Rucker, PhD, Vice President of R&D at Integral Molecular. "We look forward to the synergy of our high-specificity MAbs with CARTEXELL's CAR-T cell therapy technology to bring new therapies to patients." "CAR-T cell therapy has revolutionized treatment options for blood cancers, but has been ineffective for solid tumors", said Jehee Suh, CEO of CARTEXELL. "We are excited by the promise of these Claudin 18.2 antibodies for targeting our CAR-T 2.0 technology which uses engineered cells and vectors to overcome the tumor microenvironment and provide more effective therapies." About Integral Molecular Integral Molecular (integralmolecular.com) is the industry leader in developing innovative technologies to advance the discovery of therapeutics against challenging protein targets. With over 20 years of experience in membrane protein and antibody space, Integral Molecular's technologies have been integrated into the drug discovery pipelines of over 400 biotech and pharmaceutical companies helping to discover new therapies for cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and viral threats such as SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Zika, and dengue viruses. About CARTEXELL Cartexell was established by Helixmith's immunocyte therapy team, which has developed CAR-T treatment technology since 2013, and is the first bio company in Korea to export CAR-T products to biotech companies in the United States. As a leader in the development of next-generation CAR-T treatments for the cancer, we selectively introduce more effective strategies than existing CAR-Ts, such as comparing and selecting the CAR structure, introducing additional genes other than CAR, and selecting the route of administration. Cartexell will continue to grow into a global biotech company in the field of gene and cell therapy. Follow Integral Molecular on LinkedIn Follow Integral Molecular on Twitter Press Contact: Integral Molecular, Inc. Soma Banik, PhD, Director of Communications 215-966-6061 [email protected] www.integralmolecular.com SOURCE Integral Molecular BEIJING, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- JA Solar has received the highest possible AAA rating on September 13 when PV Tech released its PV ModuleTech Bankability Rankings for the third quarter of 2022. The list saw JA Solar's leading manufacturing advantages and solid financial position reflected in key indicators such as shipments, capacity layout, technology layout, and financial performance. According to the report, JA Solar is one of the most consistent A-grade suppliers in terms of all the key metrics for the period 2014 to 2022. Steady and balanced business development across the globe JA Solar Awarded Highest AAA Rating in PV ModuleTech Bankability Rankings On August 26, JA Solar released its 2022 semi-annual report, which shows JA Solar's overseas shipments accounted for 67% in the first half of 2022. In recent years, JA Solar has continued to steadily expand its international reach, with overseas shipments consistently contributing 60% to 70% of total shipments. JA Solar has now established complete industrial chains at home and abroad respectively based on its 12 manufacturing bases around the world, providing strong capacity support for its shipments to global markets. JA Solar's global market share reached 14% in 2021. Specifically, its share in established markets continued rising, including Europe at approximately 18% and China at approximately 19%; in emerging markets, JA Solar's share in 2021 scaled to a record high of 46% in Pakistan, 58% in Malaysia and approximately 40% in Israel. Moreover, it has also found new outlets such as Guyana in South America, Sierra Leone in Africa, Tahiti in Oceania, and Uzbekistan in Central Asia, contributing to steady business development across the globe. As indicated in the PV ModuleTech report, JA Solar will become more competitive in the US market with the advancement of its global production layout. A step ahead in technology-driven development JA Solar has kept increasing its investment in scientific research to meet the evolving market demand and promote the technological iteration and upgrade of the industry. As of the first half of 2022, JA Solar had been granted 1,178 patents for independent research and development. The average conversion efficiency of its mass-produced Percium cells has reached 23.7% and that of n-type cells has reached 25%. Particularly, the Percium-cell-based DeepBlue 3.0 modules have attracted market-wide attention around the globe since the first order was shipped in October 2020. By the end of June 2022, shipment of the product had amounted to 24GW. And it has been applied in key global projects such as the Beijing Fengtai Railway Station rooftop PV project, the rooftop PV project of the UN Compound in Beijing, the world's largest integrated source-grid-load-storage project in Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia, and the Uivermeertjes floating PV project in the Netherlands which is the second largest floating PV park outside of Asia. In May 2022, JA Solar launched the n-type cell-based DeepBlue 4.0 X module, which boasts a cell conversion efficiency of 25% and a maximum power of 625W. Compared with mainstream p-type modules, DeepBlue 4.0 X can reduce balance of system (BoS) costs by up to around 2.1% and levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) costs by 3.5%-5%, which can further increase the profitability of projects and create greater value for customers. JA Solar's n-type cell capacity is expected to exceed 27GW by 2023, making it one of the first enterprises to develop n-type cells and put them into production. JA Solar is also promoting intelligent manufacturing by accelerating digital transformation. During the production process, it has achieved meticulous quality control ensuring quality is kept on a short leash through it 24-hour real-time detection and automatic warning system. Taking JA Solar Yiwu manufacturing base as an example, JA Solar realizes digital intelligence during the whole process from planning and production to logistics, enabling "visibility of the 7-day delivery process" of an order and ensuring precise control of production efficiency and product quality. Continued high-quality growth with a sound financial position The semi-annual report shows that in the first half of 2022, JA Solar recorded a revenue of RMB28.469 billion, representing an increase of 75.81% year on year, and a net profit of RMB1.702 billion attributable to shareholders of the listed company, representing an increase of 138.64% over the same period of the previous year, showing an outstanding performance in the growth of operating revenue and net profit. Moreover, the module shipment in the first half of 2022 achieved an increase of more than 50% (higher than the industry average) over the same period of the previous year. JA Solar has also been widely recognized for its solid performance inside and outside the industry. To date, JA Solar has repeatedly been listed in the Global Top 500 New Energy Enterprises, Fortune China 500, China's Top 500 Private Enterprises, China's Top 500 Private Manufacturers, among others, and its rankings continue to climb. SOURCE JA Solar Technology Co., Ltd. 171-YEAR-OLD SKINCARE BRAND LAUNCHES "WE SKINCARE ABOUT YOU SINCE 1851" A HOMAGE TO ITS LONGSTANDING COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING CUSTOMERS WITH BEST-IN-CLASS SERVICE NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Known for its old-world apothecary beginnings, scientifically advanced skincare formulas and expert service offerings, Kiehl's is paying tribute to the neighborhood that's housed its flagship store for over 170 years. The brand is hosting a kick-off event that infuses local East Village icons while heroing the born-and-bred New York City mentality, all part of a larger and even more meaningful step to highlight the brand's heritage values that took root from the beginning. Courtesy of Kiehls Courtesy of Kiehls Courtesy of Kiehls In addition to the grand reopening, a new creative campaign called "We Skincare About You Since 1851," will launch this month in tandem to celebrate and reinvigorate Kiehl's historic generosity, personalized customer service, and commitment to philanthropy, all of which have all been central pillars to the brand's identity. Putting the "care" back in skincare, Kiehl's is renowned for their individualized attention and service to its loyal consumers. With 4,700 global Skin Pros across 67 countries, Kiehl's experts serve as the true faces of the brand who offer in-person, thoughtful skincare consultations. Individuals from this collective are depicted across the 360-degree campaign's print, digital and social assets as friendly faces you know and trust. "From our humble beginnings as an apothecary, we at Kiehl's have long been committed to a unique business philosophy that is centered around enhancing our communities all over the world. Whether that's through our products, the exceptional service we provide in our stores, our longstanding pledge to giving back, or ongoing sustainability effortsour Kiehl's communities are and always will be our biggest motivation," said Leonardo Chavez, Kiehl's Global Brand President. "Our new brand campaign is a celebration of that; it showcases our history of skincare expertise through the true faces of the brandour Kiehl's Skin Pros. The campaign is an ode to the brand's heritage, where we are today, and where we're going." The revamped store will bring to life a full-circle look at Kiehl's origins and growth, including iconic skincare favorites, skincare experts for consultations, and innovative technologies in-store that consumers can experience. From assessment tools to analyze skin health, to a DermaReader Diagnostic Assessment tool that combines deep-skin photo-analysis with Kiehl's scientific insight and personalized expert education to formulate a skincare routine based on your unique concerns for healthy, younger-looking skin. Kiehl's is also proud to introduce esthetician-led facials at its flagship store, a pilot program where Kiehl's Skin Pro Estheticians will use advanced technologies partnered with high concentrations of unique, efficacious formulas. Each facial will begin with a thorough skin analysis using the latest diagnostic technology, followed by a curated treatment for a personalized experience and product regimen. As we look back on our 171 years of heritage and service to our communities, we're pleased to take this moment to look ahead to our future with our beautiful new historical Flagship in the East Village and our meaningful new "We Skincare About You" campaign that highlights the incredible personalized service our Kiehl's Skincare Pros offer our customers," said General Manager, Ramzy Burns. ABOUT KIEHL'S SINCE 1851 Kiehl's was founded as an old-world apothecary in New York's East Village neighborhood. Kiehl's unique, extensive background represents a blend of cosmetic, pharmaceutical, herbal and medicinal knowledge developed and passed on through the generations. Over the years, longtime customer favorite formulations such as Ultra Facial Cream, Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado, Musk Oil, Lip Balm #1, Creme de Corps, Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion, and new formulas such as Super Multi-Corrective Anti-Aging Eye Cream, Ultra Facial Overnight Rehydrating Mask, and Dermatologist Solutions have been created with uniquely efficacious, natural ingredients and the education and knowledge culled from generations of research and requests from our customers. CONTACTS Please reach out to ABMC at: Molly Coon / [email protected] / 212.230.1800 Eva Narun / [email protected] / 212.230.1800 SOURCE Kiehls Learn which are the top-ranked companies at the 2022 Top Workplace Awards LAS VEGAS, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Top Workplaces Nevada will announce the number one companies of 2022 in an awards ceremony to be held at Palace Station Hotel & Casino Wednesday, September 28, 2022, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fifty-six companies were chosen by their employees as Nevada's Top Workplaces. The specific rankings for small, midsize and large companies, and individual leadership awards will be announced at the awards ceremony. A lunch buffet and dessert will be followed by keynote speaker Tina Quigley, President and CEO of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA). Her priorities for the agency include strengthening partnerships with regional economic development stakeholders and workforce training programs. The Specialty Awards will be presented by comedian and impressionist John Di Domenico, best known for his award-winning impressions of Donald Trump, Dr. Phil and Austin Powers. The awards ceremony will also feature a panel discussion on Retaining Top Talent in the Age of Employee Shift. The panel will be moderated by Peter Guzman, CEO and President of the Latin Chamber of Commerce and include Michael Quinn of Everi and Sean Combs of Steelhead Productions The awards ceremony will conclude with the anticipated presentation of the first, second, and third place for small, midsize, and large Nevada Businesses. "We expect a record number of businesses to attend this year's awards ceremony," said Tom Heaton, senior director of advertising. "This year, we have had such a positive response from our business owners from nearly every industry to Nevada Top Workplaces. I believe it's an indicator that our state's business community wants to connect for information, education and exchange of ideas. Nevada has always been resilient, innovative and respectful of our leaders' knowledge. We are on course to make this event the best ever." Energage, a Philadelphia-based research company, conducted an extensive employee survey on 91 companies out of 1,532 which were invited to participate in the process. Energage calculated winners based solely on employee feedback. To purchase tickets for the Top Workplaces Awards event, visit reviewjournal.com/topworkplaces , email [email protected] or call 702-380-4549. About the Review-Journal Since 1909, the Las Vegas Review-Journal has been Nevada's comprehensive media leader. Over the years, it has transformed itself from an award-winning newspaper that not only delivers local and community news but spans the globe with far-reaching topics and coverage. The Review-Journal has forged into multimedia and digital platforms through its website Reviewjournal.com, which includes a network of niche publications, breaking news, e-newsletters, customized content, custom printing, a production studio, and more to meet the specific needs of readers and advertisers alike. Media Contact: Ana Quiquivix 702-383-4613 [email protected] https://www.reviewjournal.com/topworkplaces SOURCE Las Vegas Review-Journal IMCAS Asia will enable Lightfective to showcase its innovative offering and strengthen its presence in the highly strategic Asia-Pacific market. "We are excited to be participating in IMCAS Asia, which will help us introduce ReBorn, our non-invasive, fat reduction technology to the Asian market. Lightfective looks forward to using IMCAS as a springboard to expand potential collaborations and further extend our activities in this very important region," said Tsvi Bahat, CEO of Lightfective. TEL-AVIV, Israel, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lightfective, the aesthetic industry leader behind the ReBorn non-invasive fat reduction system, announced today that it would participate in the IMCAS Asia 2022 conference, taking place on September 29 October 1, 2022, in Bangkok. This announcement follows the company's recent recognition, having been rewarded the Honourable Mentions in the 2022 European Product Design Awards event. This award honours the work of talented, internationally minded product designers who strive to enhance our daily lives through their practical, well-thought-out designs. The 15th IMCAS Asia will be attended by prominent international dermatology, plastic surgery, and aesthetic science specialists who will share their experience and the latest academic and industry findings in the aesthetic field. As the conference's primary objective is building a bridge between aesthetic plastic surgery and dermatology, speakers will address such issues as ethics, new technologies, trend benchmarking, practice management, and scientific society relations. Lightfective's management team and experts, led by CEO Tsvi Bahat, will attend the conference, and showcase the company's ReBorn non-invasive fat reduction system, powered by its proprietary and innovative Power LED technology. ReBorn is rapidly emerging as a true revolution in non-invasive fat reduction, as it delivers highly effective, safe, and consistent clinical results. The best-engineered device on the market, ReBorn was ingeniously designed and constructed, to allow a wide range of surfaces, shapes, and sizes to be integrated into its applicators. This enables practitioners to treat all areas of a patient's body: arms, legs, inner thighs, buttocks, and the abdominal area. Another advantage of the device is that it utilizes military-grade Power LEDs, which are much more potent and efficacious than regular LEDs. The end result is a highly effective non-invasive fat-reduction method. ReBorn's is easy to use and has no consumables, offering both physicians and clinics rapid Return on Investment with a simple integration process. Presenting ReBorn at the IMCAS Asia congress in Thailand will mark a significant milestone in the company's development. Lightfective already demonstrated the innovative features of the ReBorn technology in IMCAS Paris earlier this year, gaining strong enthusiasm and successfully forging collaborations with prominent physicians and scientists. The company has also signed numerous agreements with companies in Japan, France, Italy, Belgium and Mexico, opening the door to global distribution and broader acceptance for ReBorn. Lightfective's participation in IMCAS Asia this autumn will strengthen its penetration in the Asia-Pacific market and further accelerate its rapid international growth rate ReBorn's increasing popularity worldwide amply demonstrates the growing confidence in the company and recognition of ReBorn as a unique fat reduction device. As Asia has always played a crucial role in medical and aesthetic technologies, Lightfective is looking forward to taking the floor during the congress in Thailand. The company's VP of Sales, Eyal Revivo, expressed confidence that the conference will serve as a staging ground for the exposure of the innovative device and thus facilitate its acceptance in the region. For further information, contact: [email protected] Or visit the website: https://www.lightfective.com/ SOURCE Lightfective Leader in Warehouse Robotics First to Attain this Industry Milestone WILMINGTON, Mass., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Locus Robotics ( www.locusrobotics.com ), the market leader in autonomous mobile robots (AMR) for fulfillment warehouses, today announced they have surpassed the One Billion units picked milestone. This new achievement was attained just 59 days after Locus registered 900 million units picked. "Reaching our One Billion pick milestone underscores the critical business value that Locus's proven technology brings to our customers around the world, every day," said Rick Faulk, CEO, Locus Robotics. "The need for cost-efficient robotics automation is a must-have as e-commerce volumes continue to increase and the labor shortages persist. Locus is proud to help our customers efficiently meet this challenge with robust, enterprise-scale automation solutions that position them for success today and in the future." It took Locus 1,542 days to pick its first 100 million units and just 59 days for the last 100 million picks. LocusBots have traveled more than 17 million miles in customers' warehouses, the equivalent of more than 670 times around the Earth or 35 round trips to the Moon. The Locus solution has been deployed at more than 200 sites around the world, with as many as 500 LocusBots per site. Locus deployments include large-scale greenfield and brownfield sites, and multi-level mezzanine installations. The billionth pick was made at a major home improvement retailer warehouse in Florida, and the item picked was a cordless rotary tool kit. The milestone pick was made just milliseconds ahead of two other picks: a scented candle from a homegoods warehouse in Ohio, and a running jacket from a major global fitness and shoe brand in Pennsylvania. The rapid succession of the three picks underscores the high order processing volume taking place at Locus-deployed locations around the world. "This latest milestone demonstrates both the incredible growth that Locus Robotics and the AMR industry have achieved, and also proves the feasibility of retailers and logistics companies' relying on robotic picking technology" said Ash Sharma, Senior Research Director at Interact Analysis. "One billion picks is an incredible milestone and is testament to Locus Robotics' innovation and vision over the past few years." As more shoppers continue to buy online, and as businesses prepare for what is expected to be another record-breaking holiday season, retailers and fulfillment warehouse operators are increasingly turning to AMRs to meet growing demand and mitigate labor shortages to avoid the risk of losing valuable customers. Locus Robotics' industry-leading robotics fulfillment solution enables brands, retailers, and third-party logistics (3PL) operators to easily meet higher order volumes and increasing consumer demand for e-commerce, retail, omnichannel, and manufacturing order fulfillment. Locus helps global customers, including CEVA, DHL, Boots UK, GEODIS, Whiplash, Saddle Creek, Quiet 3PF, Radial, and others, to double and triple their fulfillment productivity, lowering labor recruitment, training, and retention costs and improving workplace ergonomics. About Locus Robotics Locus Robotics' revolutionary, multi-bot solution incorporates powerful and intelligent autonomous mobile robots that operate collaboratively with human workers to dramatically improve piece-handling productivity 2X-3X, with less labor than traditional picking systems. This award-winning solution helps retailers, 3PLs, and specialty warehouses efficiently meet and exceed the increasingly complex and demanding requirements of fulfillment environments. LocusBots may be easily integrated into existing warehouse infrastructures and new warehouses without disrupting workflows to instantly transform productivity without transforming the warehouse. For more information, visit www.locusrobotics.com. SOURCE Locus Robotics Lori Van Dusen selected as top CEO in nation by leading industry publication ROCHESTER, N.Y., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- LVW Advisors, a Rochester-based independent financial advisory firm, is thrilled to announce that CEO and Founder Lori Van Dusen has been named CEO of the Year for 2022 by RIA Intel, part of Institutional Investor, a leading international business-to-business publication. This year's awards are the first of their kind from RIA Intel. Van Dusen, who founded the firm in 2011, helps oversee more than $2 billion of client assets under management. She is also deeply involved with several philanthropic and community organizations where she serves on the board of directors. "I'm incredibly grateful to RIA Intel and Institutional Investor for choosing me for this wonderful recognition," Van Dusen said. "I truly appreciate such an affirmation of all the time and effort I have poured into this firm and my career. And it would never have happened if not for the hard-working advisors and other LVW staff who support me and our clients." For its inaugural awards, RIA Intel chose to honor financial advisors, wealth management firms and industry leaders who are impacting the investment industry, clients and their employees in significant and innovative ways, according to the publication's website. Lori began her career in 1987 with Shearson Lehman Brothers, which was later acquired by Citigroup Smith Barney. Having a natural penchant for the investment industry, by 2004, she had achieved the title of Managing Director. In a pioneering move, she assumed the role of co-lead of Convergent Wealth Advisors' Institutional Group in 2008, where she also served on the firm's Executive and Investment Committees, managing approximately $8 billion in assets for clients. A recipient of numerous accolades, Lori was named to Barron's Financial Advisor Hall of Fame, which recognizes advisors who have appeared in 10 or more of Barron's annual Top 100 Advisor rankings. Additionally, Lori was ranked #1 in New York State on Forbes' 2022 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list, and has been ranked on Forbes' 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019 Top Wealth Advisors lists and Forbes' 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019 Top Women Wealth Advisors lists. Please see our Disclosures page for important information about these awards. View the entire list of this year's RIA Intel awards winners here: https://www.riaintel.com/article/b1zsn2y7p1tl3c/ria-intel-awards-the-winners About LVW Advisors LVW Advisors is a Rochester, NY-based independent financial advisory firm serving wealthy families and nonprofit institutions nationwide. For more information and important disclosures regarding the above awards, visit lvwadvisors.com/disclosure. Media Contact: Jay Scott, [email protected], 484-695-3774 SOURCE LVW Advisors Ellen Heber-Katz, PhD, named inaugural chairholder of The Daniel B. and Florence E. Green Endowed Chair as drugs to generate new tissue draw closer MERION STATION, Pa., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Scientists had thought only starfish and amphibians like frogs and salamanders could heal wounds in a way that looked as if the injury never occurred, even regenerating entire limbs. Mammalsincluding humanshad lost the ability to generate new tissue to evolution. Then Ellen Heber-Katz, PhD, found a strain of laboratory mice that proved them wrong. Her mid-1990s discovery not only sparked hope for human scarless healing but triggered headlines worldwide. This gift will accelerate the timetable for testing in humans and, I believe, bring a drug to market.Ellen Heber-Katz Tweet this Now, progress by the pioneering scientist, who came to the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR) (part of Main Line Health) with the mission to develop drugs activating the regeneration switch in humans, has attracted a $1 million donation aimed to support momentum toward this goal. Dr. Heber-Katz was named inaugural chairholder of The Daniel B. and Florence E. Green Endowed Chair in Regenerative Medicine Research last night. The chair was established with a $1 million gift from The Green Family Foundation, paired with a $1 million match from the Lankenau Medical Center Foundation through its matching initiative designed to encourage large-scale, transformational philanthropic commitments. "This gift will accelerate the timetable for testing in humans and, I firmly believe, bring a drug to market," Dr. Heber-Katz said. Dr. Heber-Katz has two key products near the stage for human testing: A drug in the form of a hydrogel. She and a research colleague at the University of California-Berkeley received a patent for the drug, which would be injected under the skin and is aimed at restoring chronic skin wounds as well as tissue damaged by natural aging. Wounds often do not heal for older people. received a patent for the drug, which would be injected under the skin and is aimed at restoring chronic skin wounds as well as tissue damaged by natural aging. Wounds often do not heal for older people. A suture infused with a compound that will limit scarring. LIMR has applied for domestic and international patents. Dr. Heber-Katz also has a grant from the Department of Defense, whose interest was piqued by the possibility of healing wartime injuries such as lost fingers, hands and limbs. She received funding from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research as well as she moved into treating bone loss from periodontal disease, a condition affecting a majority of Americans over their lifetimes. LIMR President George Prendergast, PhD, called Dr. Heber-Katz's program "perhaps the most forward-looking and provocative at the Institute" and said it may accomplish what stem cells have yet to do. The Green Family Foundation said it is honored to establish the endowed chair and both "recognize and amplify the remarkable research efforts of Heber-Katz." Dr. Heber-Katz achieved her first breakthrough in 1996. That's when she discovered that a larger-than-usual strain of mice called MRL (Murphy Roths Large) could completely heal small holes in their ears without scarring (ear holes help to distinguish mice during research studies). The tissue didn't look like typical adult healing, instead appearing more embryonic. Dr. Heber-Katz soon discovered that MRL mice could even generate brand new tissue in damaged hearts. In the 2000s, her work sparked international headlines, including "Just like Terminator, mouse ears will be back" (Chicago Tribune), "'Miracle mouse' can grow back lost limbs" (London Sunday Times), and "For a strain of mice, hearts can regenerate" (New York Times). Heber-Katz has received federal funding for 80% percent of her research totaling $10.2 million. The remaining 20% ($2.2 million) is financed by nongovernmental resources. SOURCE Main Line Health Terlivaz is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for adults with HRS involving rapid reduction in kidney function1 DUBLIN, Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mallinckrodt plc (OTCMKTS: MNKPF), a global specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Terlivaz (terlipressin) for injection. Terlivaz is the first and only FDA-approved product indicated to improve kidney function in adults with hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) with rapid reduction in kidney function,1 an acute and life-threatening condition requiring hospitalization.2 Please see Limitation of Use and Important Safety Information, including Boxed Warning, below. Siggi Olafsson, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "The FDA approval of Terlivaz is a significant milestone for Mallinckrodt as it brings an important treatment option to these critically ill patients requiring hospitalization and to U.S. physicians who historically have had limited treatment interventions.3 We're excited to bring Terlivaz to U.S. patients and physicians and plan to launch the product in the coming weeks. This approval reflects Mallinckrodt's continued commitment to underserved patients and their caregivers through our demonstrated expertise and dedication to developing therapeutics for critical conditions." Terlipressin is recommended by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) guidance4 and the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) guidelines.*,5 Terlipressin is one of the most studied pharmacological agents in HRS with more than 70 published manuscripts and presented abstracts on clinical data to date.6 It has been approved outside the U.S. for more than 30 years and is available on five continents for its indications in the countries where it is approved.7,8 The FDA approval was based, in part, on results from the Phase 3 CONFIRM trial, the largest-ever prospective study (n=300) conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of terlipressin in patients with HRS type 1 (HRS-1) in the U.S. and Canada. The CONFIRM trial met its primary endpoint of Verified HRS Reversal, defined as renal function improvement, avoidance of dialysis and short-term survival (p=0.012).1 To achieve Verified HRS Reversal, patients had to have two consecutive serum creatinine (SCr) values of 1.5 mg/dL, at least two hours apart by day 14 or hospital discharge. To be included in the primary efficacy endpoint analysis, patients had to be alive and without intervening renal replacement therapy (e.g., dialysis) at least 10 days after achieving Verified HRS Reversal.1 Initial results were presented in a late-breaking session at The Liver Meeting 2019, the annual meeting of AASLD. Results were also published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March of 2021. The CONFIRM trial was completed prior to the updated diagnostic criteria and terminology published in the 2021 AASLD guidance on hepatorenal syndrome. Steven Romano, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at Mallinckrodt said, "Diagnosing and treating HRS can be challenging, and every minute counts when managing patients who have it. Terlivaz gives U.S. physicians the first FDA-approved option for treating HRS patients with rapid reduction in kidney function1 that may help them improve kidney function and lessen the associated need for renal replacement therapy, such as dialysis." The most commonly observed adverse reactions in at least 4 percent of patients treated with Terlivaz compared to placebo were abdominal pain reported in 19.5 percent (n=39) of patients (vs. 6.1%; n=6), nausea reported in 16 percent (n=32) of patients (vs. 10.1%; n=10), respiratory failure reported in 15.5 percent (n=31) of patients (vs. 7.1%; n=7) diarrhea reported in 13 percent (n=26) of patients (vs. 7.1%; n=7) and dyspnea reported in 12.5 percent (n=25) of patients (vs. 5.1%; n=5).1 Terlivaz is expected to be available in the U.S. in the coming weeks. * Note, Terlivaz was not evaluated in comparison to other treatment options in a head-to-head clinical study. About Hepatorenal Syndrome (HRS) Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) involving rapid reduction in kidney function1 is an acute and life-threatening condition that occurs in people with advanced liver disease.2 HRS is classified into two distinct types a rapidly progressive type that leads to acute renal failure where patients are typically hospitalized for their care and a more chronic type that progresses over weeks to months.2 HRS involving rapid reduction in kidney function1 is estimated to affect between 30,000 and 40,000 Americans annually.9,10 If left untreated, HRS with rapid reduction in kidney function1 has a median survival time of approximately two weeks and greater than 80 percent mortality within three months.11 INDICATION AND LIMITATION OF USE TERLIVAZ is indicated to improve kidney function in adults with hepatorenal syndrome with rapid reduction in kidney function. Patients with a serum creatinine >5 mg/dL are unlikely to experience benefit. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION WARNING: SERIOUS OR FATAL RESPIRATORY FAILURE TERLIVAZ may cause serious or fatal respiratory failure. Patients with volume overload or with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) Grade 3 are at increased risk. Assess oxygenation saturation (e.g., SpO 2 ) before initiating TERLIVAZ. Do not initiate TERLIVAZ in patients experiencing hypoxia (e.g., SpO 2 <90%) until oxygenation levels improve. Monitor patients for hypoxia using continuous pulse oximetry during treatment and discontinue TERLIVAZ if SpO 2 decreases below 90%. Contraindications TERLIVAZ is contraindicated: In patients experiencing hypoxia or worsening respiratory symptoms. In patients with ongoing coronary, peripheral, or mesenteric ischemia. Warnings and Precautions Serious or Fatal Respiratory Failure: Obtain baseline oxygen saturation and do not initiate TERLIVAZ in hypoxic patients. Monitor patients for changes in respiratory status using continuous pulse oximetry and regular clinical assessments. Discontinue TERLIVAZ in patients experiencing hypoxia or increased respiratory symptoms. Manage intravascular volume overload by reducing or discontinuing the administration of albumin and/or other fluids and through judicious use of diuretics. Temporarily interrupt, reduce, or discontinue TERLIVAZ treatment until patient volume status improves. Avoid use in patients with ACLF Grade 3 because they are at significant risk for respiratory failure. Ineligibility for Liver Transplant: TERLIVAZ-related adverse reactions (respiratory failure, ischemia) may make a patient ineligible for liver transplantation, if listed. For patients with high prioritization for liver transplantation (e.g., MELD 35), the benefits of TERLIVAZ may not outweigh its risks. TERLIVAZ-related adverse reactions (respiratory failure, ischemia) may make a patient ineligible for liver transplantation, if listed. For patients with high prioritization for liver transplantation (e.g., MELD 35), the benefits of TERLIVAZ may not outweigh its risks. Ischemic Events: TERLIVAZ may cause cardiac, cerebrovascular, peripheral, or mesenteric ischemia. Avoid use of TERLIVAZ in patients with a history of severe cardiovascular conditions or cerebrovascular or ischemic disease. Discontinue TERLIVAZ in patients who experience signs or symptoms suggestive of ischemic adverse reactions. TERLIVAZ may cause cardiac, cerebrovascular, peripheral, or mesenteric ischemia. Avoid use of TERLIVAZ in patients with a history of severe cardiovascular conditions or cerebrovascular or ischemic disease. Discontinue TERLIVAZ in patients who experience signs or symptoms suggestive of ischemic adverse reactions. Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: TERLIVAZ may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. If TERLIVAZ is used during pregnancy, the patient should be informed of the potential risk to the fetus. Adverse Reactions The most common adverse reactions (10%) include abdominal pain, nausea, respiratory failure, diarrhea, and dyspnea. Please click here to see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning. ABOUT MALLINCKRODT Mallinckrodt is a global business consisting of multiple wholly owned subsidiaries that develop, manufacture, market and distribute specialty pharmaceutical products and therapies. The company's Specialty Brands reportable segment's areas of focus include autoimmune and rare diseases in specialty areas like neurology, rheumatology, hepatology, nephrology, pulmonology, ophthalmology, and oncology; immunotherapy and neonatal respiratory critical care therapies; analgesics; cultured skin substitutes and gastrointestinal products. Its Specialty Generics reportable segment includes specialty generic drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients. To learn more about Mallinckrodt, visit www.mallinckrodt.com. Mallinckrodt uses its website as a channel of distribution of important company information, such as press releases, investor presentations and other financial information. It also uses its website to expedite public access to time-critical information regarding the company in advance of or in lieu of distributing a press release or a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosing the same information. Therefore, investors should look to the Investor Relations page of the website for important and time-critical information. Visitors to the website can also register to receive automatic e-mail and other notifications alerting them when new information is made available on the Investor Relations page of the website. CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELATED TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This release includes forward-looking statements with regard to Terlivaz, including expectations with regard to its anticipated availability in the U.S and its potential impact on patients. The statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: satisfaction of regulatory and other requirements; actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities; changes in laws and regulations; issues with product quality, manufacturing or supply, or patient safety issues; and other risks identified and described in more detail in the "Risk Factors" section of Mallinckrodt's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC, all of which are available on its website. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date hereof and Mallinckrodt does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise, except as required by law. CONTACT Media Inquiries Heather Guzzi Senior Vice President, Green Room Communications 973-524-4112 [email protected] Financial/Dailies Media Inquiries Michael Freitag / Aaron Palash / Aura Reinhard Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher 212-355-4449 Investor Relations Daniel J. Speciale Global Corporate Controller & Chief Investor Relations Officer 314-654-3638 [email protected] Derek Belz Vice President, Investor Relations 314-654-3950 [email protected] Mallinckrodt, the "M" brand mark and the Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals logo are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company. Other brands are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company or their respective owners. 2022 Mallinckrodt. US-2100793 09/22 References 1 Terlivaz (terlipressin) for injection [prescribing information] 2022. Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. 2 National Organization for Rare Disorders. Hepatorenal Syndrome. Available at: https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/hepatorenal-syndrome/. Accessed August 9, 2022. 3 Belcher, et al. Terlipressin and the Treatment of Hepatorenal Syndrome: How the CONFIRM Trial Moves the Story Forward. Am J Kidney Dis. 2022;79(5):737-745. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2021.08.016. 4 Biggins SW, Angeli P, Garcia-Tsao G, et al. Diagnosis, evaluation, and management of ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and hepatorenal syndrome: 2021 practice guidance by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Hepatology. 2021;74(2):1014-1048. doi:10.1002/HEP.31884. 5 Bajaj JS, O'Leary JG, Lai JC, et al. Acute-on-chronic liver failure clinical guidelines. Am J Gastroenterol. 2022;1-28. 6 Data on file Ref-05488. Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. 7 Data on file - Ref-05482. Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. 8 FDA Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee. Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Terlipressin Advisory Committee Briefing Document NDA #022231. July 2020. 9 C Pant, B S Jani, M Desai, A Deshpande, Prashant Pandya, Ryan Taylor, R Gilroy, M Olyaee. Hepatorenal syndrome in hospitalized patients with chronic liver disease: results from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample 20022012. J of Investig Med. 2016; 64:3338. 10 United States Census Bureau: Quick Facts. Available at: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045218. Accessed August 9, 2022. 11 Flamm, S.L., Brown, K., Wadei, H.M., et al. The Current Management of Hepatorenal SyndromeAcute Kidney Injury in the United States and the Potential of Terlipressin. Liver Transpl, 2021; 27: 1191-1202. https://doi.org/10.1002/lt.26072. SOURCE Mallinckrodt plc The Racial Equity at Work Certification Program now has nearly 100 commitments from industry-leading employers who drive substantive change with real workplace results. Hispanic Equity at Work and Black Equity at Work, under the Racial Equity Certification Program, provide Corporate America with the most comprehensive roadmap toward achieving an inclusive and equitable work environment. WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) announced the next chapter of the Racial Equity at Work Certification ProgramsMLT Hispanic Equity at Workwhich establishes a measurable standard for what it means to be a racially equitable employer for the Hispanic community. The Certification aims to bring to light inequities and provide a roadmap to achieving Hispanic equity in the workplace by adopting the rigorous components of the Black Equity at Work program while integrating the key systematic disadvantages Hispanics face. Becoming MLT Hispanic Equity at Work Certified requires employers to commit to developing a comprehensive plan and making measurable progress toward achieving Hispanic equity internally and contributing to Hispanic equity in society. We are proud to announce today our initial launch employers in this effort: Accenture, Bain Capital, BCG, BlackRock, Capital Group, Comcast NBCUniversal, CoStar, DaVita, Deloitte, Eli Lilly, Ernst & Young LLP (EY US), FactSet, Sodexo, State Street, T. Rowe Price, Target, and Walker & Dunlop. "We launched MLT's Black Equity at Work Certification two years ago with nearly 100 committed employers who have seen real results. We believe now is the time to expand and adapt the Racial Equity at Work Certification concept to our Hispanic stakeholders," said John Rice, Founder and CEO of MLT. "With more than two-thousand Hispanic MLT alumni and a proven track record of helping Hispanic professionals navigate Corporate America, we are leveraging our Hispanic equity expertise and first-class certification framework to help companies achieve a racially equitable workplace." The Certification, which has been carefully developed to meet the needs of the Hispanic community, is specifically focused on facilitating racial justice outcomes by updating representation targets to more accurately align with the Hispanic population. Additionally, the Certification recommends practices tailored toward supporting Hispanic-owned vendors, suppliers, and identifying organizations to financially support that advance equity. This Certificate differs meaningfully from other initiatives by focusing on Hispanic equity, not general DEI, and by setting clear, measurable standards for what Hispanic equity looks like in an organization. Both of these are critical to achieving sustainable impact in a company and the communities in which the company operates. The Certification provides a path for companies to make significant progress towards Hispanic equity by focusing on five core pillars: Representation at every level Compensation equity Workplace culture Business practices Contributions and investments In agreeing to the certification process, launch employers are committing to developing a clear, robust, and comprehensive three-year racial equity plan that addresses Hispanic employees and continuing to hold themselves accountable to making significant and measurable progress. MEDIA CONTACTS Management Leadership for Tomorrow Crystal Lynese Walker [email protected] Brunswick Group Anthony Applewhaite [email protected] About Management Leadership for Tomorrow Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) is a national nonprofit working to transform our country's leadership pipelines and increase access to the American Dream. MLT provides Black, Latinx, and Native American talent with the coaching, playbook, and networks they need in order to excel in high-trajectory careers, secure economic mobility for their families, and become high-impact senior leaders equipped to advocate for vulnerable communities. MLT also provides a comprehensive solution for institutions, which combines best-in-class recruitment, retention, and diversity strategy offerings. Learn more at www.mltracialequityatwork.org. SOURCE Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) Leading Massage Franchise Welcomes Tyra Dungan as VP of Marketing and Elena Villasenor Sullivan as General Counsel SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Massage Heights, a U.S. and Canadian spa franchise brand, offering high-quality massage, skincare and wellness services, announced two new appointments to its growing executive team, including Tyra Dungan as Vice President of Marketing and Elena Villasenor Sullivan, J.D. and CCEP as General Counsel. With extensive experience in their respective fields, both women aim to further support the brand's mission to help others achieve a life of wellness that inspires, transforms, and renews. Dungan, who holds more than 25 years of experience within the spa, salon, beauty, and hospitality industries, previously served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the technology application Spa Space. Her career also includes roles such as Senior Director of Brand Management as XpresSpa, Assistant Vice President of L'OREAL, and Vice President of Operations at Premier Salons Inc. Dungan is credited with creating Hilton's first branded spa concept and served as sales lead of Hilton Spa's franchise business. "While attending college, I became inspired by the beauty category, and earned my esthetician and massage therapist licenses," Dungan said. "I soon realized I could make a larger impact by being on the business leadership side of the industry. For over 20 years, I built my career on advocating for global wellness. I am looking forward to applying my skills and industry expertise to further the Massage Heights mission." Sullivan, who comes to Massage Heights with nearly 20 years' experience as an attorney, has provided legal guidance to executive leadership teams on all aspects of business. Before joining Massage Heights, she served as Senior Attorney and Executive Director of Compliance at USAA, advising the company on the legal and regulatory risks associated with its business and led a team through transformational change to enhance its compliance risk management programs. Sullivan also was a partner at a large regional law firm where she handled commercial litigation cases primarily involving contractual disputes, real estate, intellectual property and environmental cases. As General Counsel of Massage Heights, Sullivan oversees the Legal Department, providing legal advice on all aspects of the business, including corporate governance, franchise development and administration, compliance risk management, litigation, and third-party vendor relationships. With extensive experience serving nonprofits, Sullivan also manages the internal charitable arm of Massage Heights. "By protecting the company's interests and mitigating its risks, I will help Massage Heights fulfill its vision of encouraging people to live a culture of elevated wellness that inspires, transforms, and renews lives," Sullivan said. Susan Boresow, President and CEO of Massage Heights, said the addition of Dungan and Sullivan will further strengthen the support for franchisees, ultimately setting up all Massage Heights stakeholders for success. "I am proud to add two strong female leaders to our corporate support team who both have a proven track record of creating positive change throughout their careers," Boresow added. "I am confident our franchisees and existing leadership team will appreciate and benefit from their guidance and expertise." About Massage Heights The massage franchise started in 2004 and has grown to more than 120 Retreats throughout North America by providing personalized wellness treatment options through therapeutic massage and skincare services. Massage Heights is a family-owned massage and wellness franchise dedicated to elevating the lives of others by providing Members and Guests with professional, affordable and resort-quality massage, skincare and wellness services. For more information about Massage Heights and its franchise opportunities, please visit MassageHeightsFranchise.com. SOURCE Massage Heights MHA launches a new website, updates brand, and a newly renovated office SHOREVIEW, Minn., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Maxwell Healthcare Associates (MHA), the industry's leading post-acute operational, financial, technological, and regulatory consulting firm, is thrilled to announce the launch of its new website, www.maxwellhca.com. MHA's strong digital presence is further bolstered with a new website and updated brand colors with wide recognition across the post-acute industry. The site features a robust resources section with useful information, alongside material on ways agencies can benefit from MHA's expertise within the industry. The website will improve external outreach efforts and increase productive communication with visitors. The new layout allows clear distinction between resources including a full outline of news/events, as well as various tiers of assistance between different service lines. In addition, the website acts as a central hub for customer satisfaction, blogs, informational videos, and industry relevant information for educational purposes. It will serve as a comprehensive way for customers and employees alike to communicate with MHA as a force within the industry. "As MHA increases its headway in the industry, it's only fitting to expand our online presence," said Jennifer Maxwell, CEO and Co-Founder of MHA. "Our new website isn't just a hub for our services and resources, it's a new look to outline the growth we've experienced as we continue to act as an industry-leading force." MHA's growth is further reflected in their newly renovated offices. The need to expand office space with additional rooms and meeting areas allows the team to work in a fresh, exciting place as new employees join the team. An open house is scheduled for September 15th from 2:00 6:00 PM to celebrate the launch of the new website and new offices. "We are thrilled about the new space and can't wait for everyone to see it, said Cory Olson, President and COO of Maxwell Healthcare Associates. "We love the office, but it's our people that truly make it inviting and worth coming to work each day." About Maxwell Healthcare Associates Maxwell Healthcare Associates boasts an average of 20 years of experience in the post-acute space and has a pulse on what's relevant now in the industry. MHA can work with home health and hospice agencies to strategize, optimize, and transform agencies across the nation. For more information, visit www.maxwellhca.com. SOURCE Maxwell Healthcare Associates AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Data Bridge Market Research Published Latest Global Medical Personal Protective Equipment Market Study by in-depth analysis about current scenario, the Market size, demand, growth pattern, trends, and forecast. The most appropriate, exclusive, realistic, and admirable Medical Personal Protective Equipment market research report is delivered with loyalty for all the business needs. With the precise base year and the historic year, estimations and calculations are performed in this industry report. Market share analysis and key trend analysis are the key accomplishing factors in this market report. Report helps to recognize how the market is going to perform in the forecast years by giving information about market definition, classifications, applications, and engagements. An international Medical Personal Protective Equipment market document is given by DBMR team with reliability and the way in which expected. All the statistics are signified in graphical and tabular format for a clear understanding on facts and figures. By accomplishing a motivation from the marketing strategies of rivals, businesses can set up inventive ideas and striking sales targets which in turn make them achieve competitive advantage over its competitors. Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the medical personal protective equipment market which was USD 61.24 billion in 2021, would rocket up to USD 144.73 billion by 2029, and is expected to undergo a CAGR of 11.35% during the forecast period 2022 to 2029. In addition to the market insights such as market value, growth rate, market segments, geographical coverage, market players, and market scenario, the market report curated by the Data Bridge Market Research team also includes in-depth expert analysis, patient epidemiology, pipeline analysis, pricing analysis, and regulatory framework. Download Sample Copy of Medical Personal Protective Equipment Market Report @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-medical-personal-protective-equipment-market Market Insights:- Protective clothes, helmets, gloves, face shields, goggles, facemasks, respirators, and other items that protect the wearer from harm or the spread of disease are all examples of personal protective equipment (PPE). In medical facilities including hospitals, doctor's offices, and clinical labs, PPE is frequently employed. An increase in hygiene awareness to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare institutions is anticipated to fuel demand for medical personal protective equipment (P.P.E.). Opportunities Increasing research and development activities The use of medical personal protection equipment is expected to be encouraged by an increase in worker injuries caused by direct skin contact with hazardous chemicals, inhalation of poisonous vapours, dust, or fumes, and ingestion of hazardous substances (PPE). According to studies, wearing gloves significantly lowers the relative risk of hand injuries by 60%. Some of the major players operating in the medical personal protective equipment market are: STERIS (U.S.) Getinge AB ( Sweden ) ) 3M (U.S.) (U.S.) Sotera Health (U.S.) Fortive (U.S.) Cardinal Health (U.S.) Metall Zug AG ( Switzerland ) ) Stryker (U.S.) Merck KGaA ( Germany ) ) MMM Group ( Germany ) ) MATACHANA GROUP ( Spain ) ) Tuttnauer ( Netherlands ) ) Andersen Sterilizers (U.S.) Steelco S.p.A. ( Italy ) ) Noxilizer, Inc. (U.S.) DE LAMA S.P.A. ( Italy ) ) Cosmed Group (U.S.) C.B.M. S.r.l. Medical Equipment ( Italy ) ) E-BEAM Services, Inc. (U.S.) Get Detailed 350 Pages Report to Understand More @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/checkout/buy/enterprise/global-medical-personal-protective-equipment-market Recent Industry Development In May 2020 , The Department of Defense signed a USD 126 million deal with 3M to expand monthly production of 26 million N95 medical-grade masks in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. This was done in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services. Additionally, the business increased respirator production in January 2020 and doubled its annual output to 1.1 billion, including 35 million N95 masks each month in the U.S. , monthly production of 26 million N95 medical-grade masks in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. This was done in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services. Additionally, the business increased respirator production in and doubled its annual output to 1.1 billion, including 35 million N95 masks each month in the U.S. In July 2020 - 3M and M.I.T. researchers started testing a novel quick test that can detect the virus in an effort to aid the global response to COVID-19. Accelerated study is being done to determine whether it is possible to mass produce a simple-to-use diagnostic tool that can provide highly accurate results in a short amount of time. - quick test that can detect the virus in an effort to aid the global response to COVID-19. Accelerated study is being done to determine whether it is possible to mass produce a simple-to-use diagnostic tool that can provide highly accurate results in a short amount of time. In June 2020 , The Neenan Company and Liberty Common High School (LCHS) partnered to address the COVID-19 pandemic-related lack of medical supplies. To meet the rising need for personal safety equipment (P.P.E.) in frontline healthcare facilities, volunteers from both organisations have produced more than 800 face shields and 600 ear guards using LCHS' 3D printing facility. Key Features of this Market: The report offers detailed estimates at regional level with manufacturers, consumption, sales and import/export dynamics The report provides accurate details of market manufacturers/suppliers, company overview, price analysis, financial position, product portfolio and gross profit of major companies Company profiling with current expansion strategies, revenue generation and recent developments. Optimal strategic initiatives for new market players Process, suppliers, cost, production and consumption rates, mode of transportation and cost structuring, and value chain analysis The study also includes supply chain trends, including elaborate descriptions of the latest technological developments Key Market Drivers Rise in number of surgeries Growing instances of hand injuries, rising applications in hospitals as well as for personal use, rising occurrences of hand injuries, and surging levels of investment for the development of advanced and technical products will all contribute to enhancing the growth of the medical personal protective equipment market in the forecast period. Rising healthcare infrastructure On the other hand, shifting consumer preferences and the availability of better healthcare facilities will foster a number of chances that will fuel the expansion of the market for medical personal protective equipment during the forecast period. Increase in injuries and accidents Increased instances of workplace accidents and injuries brought by a lack of personal safety and hygiene measures in manufacturing facilities are anticipated to increase awareness among employees and factory owners of the significance of providing PPE to factory staff. During the forecast period, the market for medical personal protective equipment is anticipated to have new growth prospects due to increased occupational accidents at the workplace. Browse More about This Premium Research Report at https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-medical-personal-protective-equipment-market Restraints/Challenges Lack of awareness The medical personal protective equipment market could have growth challenges during the forecast period due to a lack of awareness in developing economies. Risk of transmission High risk of transmission of infectious pathogens while handling medical equipment such as X-ray and MRI should raise the demand for hand protection equipment such as gloves and scale-up growth of the personal protective equipment (PPE) market outlook over the forecast period. This medical personal protective equipment market report provides details of new recent developments, trade regulations, import-export analysis, production analysis, value chain optimization, market share, impact of domestic and localized market players, analyses opportunities in terms of emerging revenue pockets, changes in market regulations, strategic market growth analysis, market size, category market growths, application niches and dominance, product approvals, product launches, geographic expansions, technological innovations in the market. To gain more info on the medical personal protective equipment market contact Data Bridge Market Research for an Analyst Brief, our team will help you take an informed market decision to achieve market growth. Medical Personal Protective Equipment Market The medical personal protective equipment market is segmented on the basis of type, application. The growth amongst these segments will help you analyze meagre growth segments in the industries and provide the users with a valuable market overview and market insights to help them make strategic decisions for identifying core market applications. Type Hand Protection Protective Clothing Protective Footwear Respiratory Protection Application Hospital Clinics Others Medical Personal Protective Equipment Market Regional Analysis/Insights The medical personal protective equipment market is analysed and market size insights and trends are provided by country, type, application as referenced above. The countries covered in the medical personal protective equipment market report are U.S., Canada and Mexico in North America, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Russia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Rest of Europe in Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific (APAC) in the Asia-Pacific (APAC), Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa (MEA) as a part of Middle East and Africa (MEA), Brazil, Argentina and Rest of South America as part of South America. North America dominates the medical personal protective equipment market due to the increasing awareness among the people regarding their unhealthy lifestyle along with the occurrence of enhanced healthcare services. Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the highest growth rate in the forecast period of 2022 to 2029 due to rising disposable income and an expansion of home care services and rising number of geriatric population. TABLE OF CONTENTS Part 01: Executive Summary Part 02: Scope Of The Report Part 03: Research Methodology Part 04: Market Landscape Part 05: Pipeline Analysis Part 06: Market Sizing Part 07: Five Forces Analysis Part 08: Market Segmentation Part 09: Customer Landscape Part 10: Regional Landscape Part 11: Decision Framework Part 12: Drivers And Challenges Part 13: Market Trends Part 14: Vendor Landscape Part 15: Vendor Analysis Part 16: Appendix For More Insights Grab TOC @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-medical-personal-protective-equipment-market Top Trending Reports by DBMR: Above-the-Neck Personal Protective Equipment Market, By Product Type (Head Protection, Eye and Face Protection, Hearing Protection, Respiratory Protection), Equipment Type (Safety Helmets, Gloves, Eye Protection, High- Visibility Clothing), End User (Manufacturing, Construction, Oil and Gas, Healthcare, Transportation, Firefighting, Food, Others), Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, Germany, France, Italy, U.K., Belgium, Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Switzerland, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, U.A.E, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Africa, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-above-the-neck-personal-protective-equipment-market Healthcare Personal Protective Equipment Market, By Product (Protective Clothing, Respiratory Protection, Face protection, Eye protection, Hand protection and Others), End-Use (Hospitals, Home Healthcare, Outpatient and Primary Care Facilities and Others), Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, Germany, France, Italy, U.K., Belgium, Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Switzerland, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, U.A.E, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Africa, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-healthcare-personal-protective-equipment-market Military Personal Protective Equipment Market, By Product Type (Advanced Combat Helmet, Pelvic Protection Systems, Life Safety Jacket, Body Armor, Improved Outer Tactical Vest, Military Combat Eye Protection), Application (Army, Air Force, Navy, Others), Usage (Detection Solutions, Fall Protection, Head & Face Protection, Hearing Protection, Protective Apparel, Protective Communications, Protective Eyewear, Respiratory Protection, Welding Safety), Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, Germany, France, Italy, U.K., Belgium, Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Switzerland, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, U.A.E, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Africa, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-military-personal-protective-equipment-market Smart Personal Protective Equipment Market, By Product Type (Protective Clothing, Hearing Protection, Head, Eye and Face Protection, Protective Footwear, Hand Protection, Respiratory Protection, Others), End User (Manufacturing, Construction, Oil and Gas, Healthcare, Transportation, Firefighting, Food, Others), Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, Germany, France, Italy, U.K., Belgium, Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Switzerland, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, U.A.E, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Africa, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-smart-personal-protective-equipment-market Saudi Arabia Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, By Product Type (Hands and Arm Protection Equipment, Protective Clothing, Foot & Leg Protection Equipment, Respiratory Protection Equipment, Eye & Face Protection Equipment, Head Protection Equipment, Hearing Protection Equipment, Others), Distribution Channel (OEMS, Direct Sales/B2B, Specialty Stores, Others), Industry (Chemical, Power Industry, Oil & Gas, Building & Construction, Healthcare, Transportation, Fire Fighting, Food & Beverage, Industrial, Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/saudi-arabia-personal-protective-equipment-ppe-market Clot Management Devices Market, By Product Type (Neurovascular Embolectomy Devices, Embolectomy Balloon Catheters, Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis (CDT) Devices, and Inferior vena cava filters (IVCF), Percutaneous Thrombectomy Devices), End Use (Hospitals, Diagnostic Centers, Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-clot-management-devices-market Europe Telehealth Market, By Type (Software, Systems, Hardware, Telecommunication) Delivery Mode (Cloud-based Delivery Mode, Web-based Delivery Mode, On-premise Delivery Mode) Application (General Consultation, Pathology, Cardiology, Surgery, Gynecology, Neurology, Radiology, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Others) End User (Hospital Telehealth, Physician Telehealth, Home Telehealth) - Industry Trends and Forecast Dandruff Treatment Market, Treatment (Fluocinolone Shampoos, Ketoconazole Shampoos, Selenium Sulfide Shampoos, Shampoos Containing Salicylic Acid, Tar-based Shampoos, Pyrithione Zinc Shampoos)Type (Fungal Dandruff, Dry Skin-Related Dandruff, Oily Scalp-Related Dandruff, Disease Related Dandruff), Mode of Prescription (Over-the-counter (OTC), Prescription), Product (Non-Medicated, Medicated), Drug Type (Branded, Generics), Age Group (Adults, Pediatrics, Neonates), Gender (Male, Female), End-Users (Hospitals, Specialty Clinics, Homecare, Others), Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacy, Retail Pharmacy, Online Pharmacy, Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-dandruff-treatment-market Dental Lab Market, By Products (General and Diagnostic Devices, Treatment-Based Devices and Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-dental-lab-market Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Market, By Product Type (Diagnosis, Treatment), Route of Administration (Oral, Intravenous, Subcutaneous), End Users (Hospitals, Diagnostic Laboratories, Homecare, Specialty Clinics, Others), Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, Online Pharmacies), Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, Germany, Italy, U.K., France, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Hungary, Lithuania, Austria, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Rest of Asia Pacific, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, Kuwait, Israel, Egypt, Rest of Middle East and Africa) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-chronic-kidney-disease-ckd-market Dermatology Drugs Market, By Dermatological Diseases (Acne, Dermatitis, Psoriasis, Skin Cancer, Others), Prescription mode (Prescription Based Drugs, Over Counter Drugs), Drug Classification (Corticosteroids, Astringents, Anti-Inflammatory & Antipruritic Drugs, Anti-Infective/Antibacterial Drugs, Antifungal Drugs), Route Of Administration (Topical, Oral, Parenteral Administration), Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, Online Pharmacies), End User (Hospitals, Speciality Clinics, Cosmetic Centres) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-dermatology-drugs-market Medical Aesthetics Market, By Product Type (Aesthetic Lasers, Energy Devices, Body Contouring Devices, Facial Aesthetic Devices, Aesthetic Implants, Skin Aesthetic Devices), Application (Anti-Aging and Wrinkles, Facial and Skin Rejuvenation, Breast Enhancement, Body Shaping and Cellulite, Tattoo Removal, Vascular Lesions, Psoriasis and Vitiligo, Others), End User (Cosmetic Centers, Dermatology Clinics, Hospitals, Medical Spas and Beauty Centers), Distribution Channel (Direct Tender, Retail) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-medical-aesthetics-market Biopharmaceuticals Market, By Product Type (Monoclonal Antibodies, Recombinant Growth Factors, Purified Proteins, Recombinant Proteins, Recombinant Hormone, Vaccines, Synthetic Immunomodulators, Other), Service (Laboratory Testing, Custom Testing / Customer Proprietary Testing, Compendial and Multi Compendial Laboratory Testing), Raw Material Type (Formulation Excipients, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), Compendial Methods (USP / EP / JP) Based Vendor Qualification Program Support), Application (Oncology, Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases, Autoimmune Disorders, Metabolic Disorders, Hormonal Disorders, Cardiovascular Diseases, Neurological Diseases, Other) Industry Trends and Forecast https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-biopharmaceuticals-market About Data Bridge Market Research: An absolute way to forecast what future holds is to comprehend the trend today! Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavours to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process. Data Bridge is an aftermath of sheer wisdom and experience which was formulated and framed in the year 2015 in Pune. Data Bridge Market Research has over 500 analysts working in different industries. We have catered more than 40% of the fortune 500 companies globally and have a network of more than 5000+ clientele around the globe. Data Bridge adepts in creating satisfied clients who reckon upon our services and rely on our hard work with certitude. We are content with our glorious 99.9 % client satisfying rate. Contact Us:- Data Bridge Market Research US: +1 888 387 2818 UK: +44 208 089 1725 Hong Kong: +852 8192 7475 Email:- [email protected] Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1011053/Data_Bridge_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Data Bridge Market Research CHICAGO, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical Power Supply Market is projected to grow from USD 1.5 billion in 2022 to USD 1.9 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2022 to 2027, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Growing adoption of home-used products, technological advancements & new product launches, increased research spending on energy-efficient power supplies coupled with rising number of PSUs suppliers are the key factors driving the market in near future. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=1208 Browse in-depth TOC on "Medical Power Supply Market" 197 Tables 32 Figures 297 Pages AC-DC power supplies segment to register significant growth rate over the forecast period of 2022-2027 Based on the converter type, the global medical power supply market is segmented into AC-DC and DC-DC power supplies. The AC-DC power supplies segment is anticipated to register a highest growth rate over the forecast period. The advantages of AC-DC over DC-DC power supply, such as low energy consumption, low risk of current leakage, and greater efficiency, support its market growth. Enclosed power supply segment accounted for the largest share of the medical power supply market, by architecture market in 2021 The enclosed power supply segment dominates the market due to the launch of several advanced enclosed power supplies. Enclosed power supplies include DC-AC inverters and DC-DC converters, used in military, medical, aerospace, semiconductor, and other industries. Availability of enclosed solutions for vast power and voltage spectrum to drive Growth in this market. Patient monitoring equipment is the largest application of the medical power supply market In 2021, the patient monitoring equipment segment accounted for the largest share of the medical power supply market. This segment is further classified into ECG monitors, multiparameter monitors, EEG monitors, MEG monitors, and other patient monitoring equipment. Major share of the application segment are attributed to the growing presence of regional players in the medical power supply industry to cater to the demand for medical-grade power supplies for patient monitoring systems after the COVID-19 outbreak. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=1208 Asia Pacific to register major growth in the market during the forecast period Asia Pacific medical power supply market is anticipated to register highest growth over the forecast period of 2022 to 2027. Major growth of the market is attributed to the growing installation of diagnostic imaging equipment, rapidly expanding urban population, significant investments in infrastructure expansion, and a strong industrial manufacturing base creating more opportunities for market players. As of 2021, prominent players in the medical power supply market are Advanced Energy Industries, Inc (US), TDK Corporation (Japan), Delta Electronics, Inc. (Taiwan), SL Power Electronics (US), XP Power (Singapore), Bel Fuse Inc. (US), COSEL Co. Ltd. (Japan), FRIWO Geratebau GmbH (Germany), SynQor, Inc. (US), GlobTek, Inc. (US), MEAN WELL Enterprises Co. Ltd. (Taiwan), Spellman High Voltage Electronics Corporation (US), and Astrodyne TDI (US), among others. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=1208 Browse Adjacent Market: Medical Devices Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Medical Supplies Market by Type (Diagnostic supplies, Dialysis Consumables, Disinfectants, Catheters, Radiology Consumables), Application (Urology, Cardiology, Radiology, IVD), End-User (Hospitals, Clinics & Physician Offices) - Global Forecast to 2027 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/medical-power-supply-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/medical-power-supply.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets PITTSBURGH, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Federated Hermes, Inc. ( NYSE: FHI), a global leader in active, responsible investing, today announced that monthly fund composition and performance data for Federated Hermes Premier Municipal Income Fund ( NYSE: FMN) as of Aug. 31, 2022, is now available in the Products section of FederatedInvestors.com. To order hard copies of this data or to be placed on a mailing list, call 800-245-0242 x5587538, email [email protected] or write to Federated Hermes, 1001 Liberty Avenue, Floor 23, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Federated Hermes, Inc. is a global leader in active, responsible investment management, with $631.9 billion in assets under management, as of June 30, 2022. We deliver investment solutions that help investors target a broad range of outcomes and provide equity, fixed-income, alternative/private markets, multi-asset and liquidity management strategies to more than 11,000 institutions and intermediaries worldwide. Our clients include corporations, government entities, insurance companies, foundations and endowments, banks and broker/dealers. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Federated Hermes has nearly 2,000 employees in London, New York and offices worldwide. For more information, visit FederatedHermes.com . SOURCE Federated Hermes, Inc. NAPERVILLE, Ill. and RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nala Robotics, a U.S.-based AI robotics company disrupting the culinary industry with its restaurant-as-a-service platform, and the Saudi Excellence Company, a Riyadh-based tech company, today announced a strategic agreement to develop, market and deliver autonomous food services to Saudi Arabia, one of the most promising and prolific digitally connected markets in the Middle East. Nala Robotics Inks Strategic Food-tech Deal with Saudi Excellence Co. Ajay Sunkara (left), CEO and founder of Nala Robotics, and Sheikh Abdullah Zaid Al-Meleihi (right), CEO of the Saudi Excellence Co., pictured together during the Global AI Summit this week in #Riyadh, where both companies announced a strategic agreement develop, market and deliver autonomous food services to Saudi Arabia. According to a memorandum of understanding signed during the Global AI Summit 2022 this week in Riyadh, both companies will work together to bring advanced and affordable AI robotic solutions to restaurants and food service providers in Saudi Arabia, including establishing the country's first fully autonomous eatery that will serve a wide variety of Saudi and Middle Eastern dishes. "We are delighted to be working with the Saudi Excellence Company, a pioneer in bringing emerging technologies to Saudi Arabia," said Balaji Koneru, general manager, Asia Pacific, Nala Robotics. "Saudi Arabia is an important international trade route connecting Asia, Europe and Africa continents. Our collaboration will help Nala Robotics maximize the strategic geographic position and grow our business across the Middle East and North Africa region." The partnership's immediate and longer-term objectives include: Establishing a R&D center for artificial intelligence and machine learning robotics Setting-up Saudi Arabia's first AI-based robotic cloud kitchen that will prepare and cook Shawarma, Doner, Tamiya and other Middle Eastern cuisine first AI-based robotic cloud kitchen that will prepare and cook Shawarma, Doner, Tamiya and other Middle Eastern cuisine Creating a training center for AI robotics engineers and technicians Building a regional center for sales, marketing and fulfillment across the Middle East and North Africa "The focus of our collaboration is to bring the latest AI robotics technology to the food service sector throughout Saudi Arabia and beyond," said Omar Mian, chief innovation advisor, Saudi Excellence Company. "By leveraging both of our company's strengths in technology innovation, we will be able to further revolutionize the country' culinary industry while creating new opportunities for entrepreneurial endeavors and enhanced job fulfillment and growth." About Nala Robotics Nala Robotics is an AI technology company disrupting the culinary industry. Its innovations include the world's first fully automated multi-cuisine chef, a customizable robot that uses machine learning to cook infinite recipes replicated with exact precision anytime, anywhere. The company's line of autonomous robotic solutions are ideal of multiple cuisines including American, Chinese, Indian and Thai. Based in Arlington Heights, Ill., Nala Robotics has offices in California, India and Ukraine. For more information, visit https://nalarobotics.com or follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter @nalarobotics. About the Saudi Excellence Company Saudi Excellence Company, based in Riyadh, is a technology, artificial intelligence, and fintech company that represents many of the world's leading high-tech companies in Saudi Arabia, The unit is a subsidiary of Al-Ramez International Group, a diversified corporation with operations in financial investments, trading, contracting, design consulting, advertising and publicity. For more information, visit https://www.alramez.net. PRESS CONTACTS For Nala Robotics: George Medici PondelWilkinson Inc. [email protected] For Saudi Excellence Company: Omar Mian Al-Ramez International Group [email protected] SOURCE Nala Robotics MONDAY, OCTOBER 3 HOSTED BY STACEY GRIFFITH CELEBRATING 40 HISTORIC YEARS OF NAMI-NYC FAMILY AND PEER SUPPORT Annual fundraiser bookends NAMI-NYC's 40th anniversary year and supports its grassroots community engagement, advocacy, Helpline, and FREE programs and services for New Yorkers and their families living with mental illness and mental health conditions NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NAMI-NYC (local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness) today announced that New York Times bestselling author, actress, and activist, BUSY PHILIPPS, will be the special guest at its 40th-anniversary fundraising gala, "Seeds of Hope: Families Helping Families," on Monday, October 3 at Capitale (130 Bowery). Philipps, a recent New York resident and host of her widely popular podcast, Busy Philipps is Doing Her Best, will join executive director Matt Kudish onstage for a candid conversation about her own mental health journey. Busy Philipps NAMI-NYC "We could not be more excited to welcome Busy Philipps to our 'Seeds of Hope' stage and hear firsthand about her personal journey with mental health," said Kudish. "Busy speaks purely from the heart and doesn't mince words for her listeners and followers. Her real talk embodies what we set out to do as a peer-led support organization: listen openly and help those struggling, emerge stronger on the other side with the knowledge and support they can use in their own lives. Will there be laughs and tears? I certainly hope so!" SoulCycle Master Instructor Stacey Griffith hosts the gala event with appearances by NYC Council Member Linda Lee, auctioneer Harry Santa-Olalla, and Leah McSweeney, mental health advocate, author ("Chaos Theory"), and star of Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New York City." The 2022 "Seeds of Hope" honorees include Andy & Susan Monshaw ("Building Better Lives" award) and Alight Solutions ("Corporate Leadership" award). NAMI-NYC helps nearly 23,000 families and individuals build better lives annually with its FREE programs and services, including during the pandemic when New Yorkers were challenged by loss, food and housing insecurity, depression, grief, anxiety, and other related mental health conditions. 2022 corporate sponsors: Aetna, Aigner Chocolates, Alight Solutions, Baccarat Hotel, Dagne Dover, First Aid Beauty, HRP, Kramer Levin, Publicis Health, Warner Bros. Discovery, The William Vale. To purchase a single ticket or table, or sponsor the gala, contact Sarah Sheahan at ssheahan(at)naminyc(dot)org. BUSY PHILIPPS is best known for roles in cult TV classics like Freaks and Geeks, Dawson's Creek, Cougar Town, ER, and HBO's Vice Principals. She currently stars in Girls5eva, the musical comedy series created by Meredith Scardino and executive produced by Tina Fey for NBC's streamer, Peacock. She is the host of Busy Philipps Is Doing Her Best, a podcast about pivots, setbacks, and doing your best. Busy has appeared in fan-favorite films such as Made of Honor, I Don't Know How She Does It, He's Just Not That Into You, White Chicks, and The Gift. Busy was also one of the screenwriters of the hit film, Blades of Glory. Her memoir and New York Times bestseller, This Will Only Hurt a Little, was published by Simon & Schuster (2018). She previously hosted her own late-night talk show, Busy Tonight on E!. Busy resides in New York City with her family. NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS OF NEW YORK CITY (NAMI-NYC) has offered life-changing support, education, and advocacy programs to families and individuals affected by mental illness and mental health conditions for 40 years. NAMI-NYC's programs and services are free and accessible to anyone who needs them. Bookmark this page to view the latest in-person and online events; family-to-family courses; support groups; and public education seminars. For more information, please visit naminyc.org. NAMI-NYC on SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter: @NAMINYCMetro | Instagram: @NAMINYC_Metro | Facebook: NAMINYCMetro | #NAMINYC #MentalHealthMatters DONATE Text to Give: NAMINYC to 917-382-9022 Online: https://www.naminycmetro.org/events/seeds-of-hope-gala/ Media Contact: Adriana Douzos, 917-749-3977, [email protected] SOURCE NAMI-NYC Work to Zero program offers steps organizations can take to prepare and mitigate incidents on the job WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Workplace violence is on the rise, yet nearly half of U.S. employers report they are unprepared to prevent and respond to incidents on the job. Recognizing this critical gap in safety preparedness, the National Safety Council, America's leading nonprofit safety advocate, today released a report and playbook through its Work to Zero initiative: Workplace Violence: Using Technology to Reduce Risk. This new resource aims to equip organizations with the information and solutions they need to more effectively mitigate and address workplace violence. "Research shows that overt acts of workplace violence rarely occur out of the blue, but too often the catalyst for implementing effective means of prevention comes in the wake of tragedy," said Paul Vincent, NSC executive vice president of workplace practice. "This report provides business leaders and safety managers alike with a foundation for understanding the top workplace violence trends and industry-specific risk factors, while offering a playbook to prevent on-the-job assaults and fatalities before they occur." In 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found nearly one in six occupational fatalities stemmed from violent incidents. Additional research further illustrates the threat workplace violence poses to workers across all industries and occupations: Over the past decade, healthcare has consistently ranked as the industry most impacted by workplace violence, with an average of nearly 13,000 non-fatal violent incidents occurring annually. Behind transportation incidents, violence is the most common cause of death for women in the workplace. Frontline retail and transportation workers face the highest risk of criminal-perpetrated violence. Flight attendants, teachers and law enforcement officers are most susceptible to acts of violence committed by culprits. In addition to calling for more legislative action to address this national issue, the report examined key steps employers can take to reduce workplace violence risk, including: Designating a workplace violence prevention task force . In addition to bringing a multi-disciplinary understanding of risk assessment, this group is likely to have an existing rapport with employees, making them ideally equipped to perform trainings on sensitive safety topics. . In addition to bringing a multi-disciplinary understanding of risk assessment, this group is likely to have an existing rapport with employees, making them ideally equipped to perform trainings on sensitive safety topics. Conducting regular table-top exercises or simulations to engage key stakeholders, identify gaps in existing prevention plans and clarify worker responsibilities in emergency situations. to engage key stakeholders, identify gaps in existing prevention plans and clarify worker responsibilities in emergency situations. Utilizing technology to prevent workplace hazards. Notably, the report outlines the benefits and applications of 10 key technologies, such as digital floorplan mapping, virtual reality training, and weapon detection systems. Notably, the report outlines the benefits and applications of 10 key technologies, such as digital floorplan mapping, virtual reality training, and weapon detection systems. Fostering a workplace culture in which psychological safety is prioritized, and where all workers feel empowered to voice concerns and initiate broader safety conversations. "Employees serve as the eyes and ears of their organization, and their role in preventing workplace violence cannot be overstated. This report not only details how employers can implement the latest safety technology into their workplace but identifies specific steps leaders can take to enhance employee engagement enterprise wide. Together, these safety solutions can make the difference between a high and low risk workplace," said Emily Whitcomb, director, Work to Zero, NSC. Funded by the McElhattan Foundation, Work to Zero aims to eliminate workplace fatalities through the use of technology. To learn more about Work to Zero and create a safer workplace, register for the 2022 NSC Safety Congress & Expo and visit the Safety Technology Pavilion. You can also visit https://www.nsc.org/workplace/safety-topics/work-to-zero. About the National Safety Council The National Safety Council is America's leading nonprofit safety advocate and has been for more than 100 years. As a mission-based organization, we work to eliminate the leading causes of preventable death and injury, focusing our efforts on the workplace, roadway and impairment. We create a culture of safety to not only keep people safer at work, but also beyond the workplace so they can live their fullest lives. Connect with NSC: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Instagram SOURCE National Safety Council Young artist blends street graffiti with traditional ink wash painting (People's Daily App) 17:21, September 15, 2022 Chen Yingjie was born in 1991 in Foshan, South China's Guangdong Province. Influenced by his father, Chen started to learn Chinese ink wash painting techniques at the age of 3. One day at high school, a friend gave Chen a spray can as a gift. From then on graffiti became another obsession. He would sneak out at night to paint graffiti and sneak back home at 1 or 2 am. During study in Singapore, Chen liked to visit art exhibitions and museums. It was there he decided to pursue his first passion of painting. Ink wash and graffiti fused naturally in his artworks. In 2012 Chen was invited by automaker Volvo to create graffiti at Zurich train station. The artwork proved successful. "At that moment, I realized for the first time that combining Chinese ink painting with graffiti offered me the breakthrough and engine for me to move on in the career of art," Chen said. In 2015, invited by Galerie F, Chicago's premier destination for street art, posters and collectibles, Chen held his first solo exhibition. His fame grew. Complex magazine described Chen as one of the "25 Chinese artists you must know." In 2020 he was selected for Forbes China "30 Under 30." (Story by Huang Jingjing; Video source: Global People magazine) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji) Show pursues CarbonNeutral Event certification for the first time among other initiatives to further integrity, sustainability and purpose in the marketplace PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Informa Markets' Natural Products Expo East, part of the New Hope Network family of brands, is set to return for its second year at its new home at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Sept. 28 through Oct. 1. Celebrating its 37th occurrence, the event is expected to draw 1,100 exhibitors and more than 20,000 registered attendees to reconnect with colleagues, learn from experts and see first-hand the latest innovations coming soon to retail stores. The show floor will be filled with brands that highlight the future of food and wellness and a robust agenda of live and virtual education sessions will span topics from social sustainability to the future of organic to consumer insights and a plan for retail success. Keynotes will include the State of Natural & Organic presentation and a talk by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, marine biologist, policy expert, co-founder of Urban Ocean Lab and co-creator and co-host of the Spotify/Gimlet podcast How to Save a Planet. The show environment will continue to foster New Hope's values of integrity, sustainability and purpose. In addition to best-in-class health and safety protocols, Natural Products Expo East will feature new, returning and expanded initiatives. Show highlights include: First Time Carbon Neutral Certification New Hope Network's sustainability commitment extends this year as Expo East will seek to achieve CarbonNeutral Event certification for the first time. Efforts entail reducing the event's greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible and compensating for the remaining carbon emissions the show emits (from travel, hotel stays, energy-use, waste, etc.) through the purchase of high-quality ICROA-approved carbon offsets. This certification is administered by Climate Impact Partners, a global standard to deliver clean, conclusive, and transparent carbon neutral programs for over 20 years. The carbon footprint of the event is verified by a third-party company, Bureau Veritas. "I'm excited that Natural Products Expo East will pursue this certification as an extension of our comprehensive sustainability program. As a cornerstone of the natural products industry and a leader in event sustainability, we must continue to build upon our efforts and ensure the impacts of our trade shows are in line with our core values," said Lacey Gautier, Vice President of Events, Informa Markets' New Hope Network. "We have worked to reduce our carbon footprint for many years and this certification further solidifies our commitment to ensuring the environmental impacts of our trade shows are as minimal as possible and unavoidable emissions are offset through reputable carbon reduction projects." "I'm always very excited about Expo East. In my mind, it's the people that make up our natural products community," shared Michael Kanter, Co-Founder of Cambridge Naturals. "At this show I get to connect with passionate, purposeful people (new and old colleagues) from all over the country and world who not only want to grow their businesses, but also have a deep interest in creating a better planet, country and healthier hometowns. That's a big deal for me!" Food Sustainability Summit In Partnership with Food Tank New this year, Natural Products Expo East will host Food Tank's Food Sustainability Summit, a fast-paced afternoon where attendees will hear from leading sustainability experts and change makers tackling food waste, climate change, conventional agriculture and more. Taking place Friday, Sept. 30 from 2:00 to 6:00pm ET, the agenda will include a screening of the short film The Art of Sustaining, a panel discussion and reception, all fostering discussion and engagement on the topic of what a more sustainable tomorrow looks like. Portions of the event will also be livestreamed. Social Sustainability Accessibility, diversity, inclusion and community are at the forefront when planning for Natural Products Expo East. New Hope Network will activate on its Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) values and again partner with (included), a membership collective for BIPOC executives in the CPG space, to continue to advance diversity and inclusion throughout the event. Highlights from these efforts include conference session collaborations, complimentary Natural Products Expo Virtual (NPEV) memberships for (included) members, networking events and onsite exhibit space and tabletop features. Project Potluck, whose mission is to help People of Color build successful companies and careers in CPG, is also an integral partner to the show, advancing both organizations' goals to increase access, visibility and representation and develop the next generation of CPG leaders. The Natural Products Expo ETHOS Initiative (Equality, Trustworthy, Humanity, Open-Hearted, Safety) is intended to help prevent harassment and ensure the safest, most inclusive event environments possible at the shows. Efforts include sexual harassment training for all New Hope Network staff prior to arriving in Philadelphia, making educational sessions available pre-show for all attendees and exhibitors on the Natural Products Expo Virtual platform, an alcohol-free zone at both live concerts, a "see something, say something" campaign and a partnership with WOAR in Philadelphia whose mission is to end sexual violence. "Hosting an inclusive, safe and successful event is our top priority as we look ahead to gathering the natural products community in Philadelphia for Natural Products Expo East," continued Gautier. Natural Products Expo East is produced by New Hope Network and is co-located with BioFach America and Harvest Festival. Industry members unable to travel to Philadelphia are invited to participate through the Natural Products Expo Virtual platform. New on-demand content will be added following the in-person show. Follow @NatProdExpo on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter! Visit @Natural Products Expo on LinkedIn to join in on ongoing conversations. Natural Products Expo is a business-to-business trade show and is not open to the public. About New Hope Network New Hope Network is at the forefront of the healthy lifestyle products industry. With solutions for the complete supply chain from manufacturers, retailers/distributors, service providers and ingredient suppliers, the network offers a robust portfolio of content, events, data, research and consultative services. Through all its actions, New Hope Network aims to cultivate a prosperous high-integrity CPG and retail ecosystem that creates health, joy and justice for all people while regenerating the planet. For more information visit www.newhope.com. About Informa Markets Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. We provide marketplace participants around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services and actionable data solutions. We connect buyers and sellers across more than a dozen global verticals, including Pharmaceuticals, Food, Medical Technology and Infrastructure. As the world's leading market-making company, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com. SOURCE New Hope Network Vehicle Anti-theft System Manufacturers Find Low Cost Route to Ramp Up Production Amid Collaborations with Government Agencies Fact.MR offers a comprehensive study on the global vehicle anti-theft system market for the forecast period of 2022 and 2027. The report also offers insights into the trends, opportunities, and recent developments across major geographies and segments including product, technology, vehicle type, and sales channel. NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global vehicle anti-theft system market is set to be valued at US$ 11.5 Billion in 2022, and it is likely to reach a valuation of US$ 16.2 Billion by the end of 2027. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% during the assessment period of 2022-2027. Growing concerns among automakers and car owners regarding vehicle safety are likely to generate high demand for vehicle anti-theft systems during the evaluation period. Further, government regulations associated with the use of standard anti-theft systems are also likely to drive the market during the forecast period. For instance, in Europe and North America, immobilizers have been made mandatory by governments to curtail the instances of car thefts. Advancements in innovative technology are a key factor influencing growth in the vehicle anti-theft system market. New technologies, such as Bluetooth, near-field communication (NFC), and the internet of things (IoT) have bolstered the overall security apparatus of a vehicle, giving consumers more safety options. Engine mobilizers, coded smart keys, and telematics locating systems and vehicle parts are also being installed in premium vehicles by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Continuous innovation in these technologies are likely to pave the way for further growth in the global market. Get A Sample Copy of this Report! https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=39 According to Fact.MR, based on product, demand for immobilizers is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of around 7.5% over the next five years. Various private organizations are teaming up with governments to mandate the installation of immobilizers as they are capable of providing a high level of security, as compared to other auto theft systems. Government agencies are also offering funds to private organizations for initiating production. Immobilizers also alert owners of cars in the event of a forced entry, and some more sophisticated models even show the driver's identity and current location. Immobilizer installation requirements from authorities and insurance firms are anticipated to fuel this market expansion through 2027. Key Takeaways: By product type, car theft alarms are likely to remain a lucrative segment, growing at 5% CAGR during the assessment period. In 2022, the global vehicle anti-theft system market is projected to be valued at US$ 11.5 Billion . . Asia Pacific is likely to remain at the forefront in the vehicle anti-theft system market with the presence of renowned automakers like Hyundai, Suzuki, and Nissan. is likely to remain at the forefront in the vehicle anti-theft system market with the presence of renowned automakers like Hyundai, Suzuki, and Nissan. Implementation of strict laws to ensure vehicle safety is estimated to drive the vehicle anti-theft system market in North America and Europe . and . In India , surging sales of luxury vehicles and high demand for two-wheelers are projected to push shipments of motorcycle anti-theft trackers in the assessment period. Growth Drivers: Increasing adoption of keyless entry by using a smartphone by various reputed automakers worldwide is projected to drive the market. Rising use of biometric sensors to enable access inside vehicles with the encrypted fingerprint of owners is expected to propel the global market. Restraints: Aftermarket installation of anti-theft systems can lead to unprovoked alarms, loss of ignition power, and trouble starting the vehicle, which may hinder their demand. Various cost-effective car alarm systems have a limited range, which means the owner has to be within that particular range to get the notification. Get Customize Report as per Your Requirements! https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=RC&rep_id=39 Competitive Landscape: Vehicle anti-theft system manufacturers are expected to focus on partnering with other companies and increasing their market presence by entering into mergers, collaborations, and partnerships. Further, many manufacturers are also focusing on collaborations with governments and local authorities to raise awareness about vehicle anti-theft systems. For instance, In May 2022 , Red Hat and General Motors announced a collaboration that aims to redefine the transportation landscape with a functional-safety certified, Linux-based in-vehicle operating system. The new innovative system is aimed to curb the threat of vehicle thefts and boost the safety profile of vehicles. , Red Hat and General Motors announced a collaboration that aims to redefine the transportation landscape with a functional-safety certified, Linux-based in-vehicle operating system. The new innovative system is aimed to curb the threat of vehicle thefts and boost the safety profile of vehicles. In January 2022 , Ford and ADT announced the launch of Canopy, a new joint venture designed to enhance vehicle security and address shortcomings. The new product is an accessory that can be mounted on vehicles to monitor the surroundings and alert owners when it detects a threat. Key Companies Profiled by Fact.MR ALPS ALPINE CO. LTD I Car Srl Directed Inc. Atech Automotive (Wuhu) Co. Ltd. Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Tokai Rika Co. Ltd. Marquardt GmbH HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA Aptiv plc Denso Corporation ALPHA Corporation Stoneridge Inc. Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG Valeo S.A. Continental AG Robert Bosch GmbH More Valuable Insights on Vehicle Anti-theft System Market In its latest study, Fact.MR offers a detailed analysis of the global vehicle anti-theft system market for the forecast period of 2022 to 2027. This study also divulges key drivers and trends promoting the sales of vehicle anti-theft systems through detailed segmentation as follows: By Product: Steering Locks Alarms Biometric Capture Devices Immobilizers Remote Keyless Entry Central Locking By Technology: Global Positioning System (GPS) Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Face Detection Systems Global Radio Frequency Identification Real-time Location Systems (RTLS) Automotive Biometric Technologies By Vehicle Type: Passenger Cars Commercial Vehicles Off-highway Vehicles By Sales Channel: OEMs Aftermarket By Region: North America Latin America Europe APAC MEA Interested to Procure The Data? Inquire here https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=EB&rep_id=39 Key Questions Covered in the Vehicle Anti-Theft System Market Report What is the anticipated size of the vehicle anti-theft system market in 2022? At what rate will sales in the global vehicle anti-theft system market grow until 2027? Which are the factors backing the demand in the vehicle anti-theft system market? Which region is expected to dominate the global vehicle anti-theft system market during 2022-2027? Which are the factors propelling sales in the vehicle anti-theft system market during the forecast period? What is the expected market estimation of the vehicle anti-theft system market during the forecast period? Explore Fact.MR's Coverage on the Automotive Domain In Vehicle AI Robot Market: The market for in-vehicle AI robots is expected to grow from US$ 38.8 Million in 2022 to US$ 190.7 Million by the end of 2032. It is projected to exhibit growth at an astounding CAGR of 17.3% from 2022-2032. Commercialization of completely autonomous vehicles is anticipated to increase driver safety and reduce human tasks. In-vehicle AI robot-assisted fully autonomous vehicles are anticipated to find widespread adoption given their pre-launch appeal. Regenerative Suspension System Market: The global regenerative suspension system market is expected to reach a valuation of US$ 643.4 Million in 2025. Europe and North America, together, are set to account for more than 50% of the global market share by 2032. In the upcoming decade, market expansion will be fueled by rising demand for high-energy batteries, greener & renewable power generation techniques, and product innovation adopted by manufacturers. Automotive Steering Rack Market: It is anticipated that increasing automobile manufacturing, as carried out by the automotive sector, will fuel growth in the steering rack market. Additionally, steering rack is a crucial component of all passenger and commercial vehicles, and the fact that more of these cars are being produced over time is set to be the main cause fueling the market's expansion. Automotive Tire Market: Sales of automotive tires are anticipated to increase at a CAGR of 4.5% over the next ten years. Use of automotive tires in passenger vehicles is expected to increase at a CAGR of 6.5% through 2032. Check it Out More Reports by Fact.MR on Automotive Industry https://www.factmr.com/industry/automotive About Fact.MR Fact.MR is a market research and consulting agency with deep expertise in emerging market intelligence. Spanning a wide range from automotive & industry 4.0 to healthcare, technology, chemical and materials, to even the most niche categories. We are committed to deliver insights that help businesses gain deeper understanding of their target markets. We understand that making sense of the vast labyrinth of data can be overwhelming for businesses. That's why focus on offering insights that can actually make a difference to bottom-lines. Specialties: Competition Tracking, Customized Research, Syndicated Research, Investment Research, Social Media Research, Business Intelligence, Industry Analysis, Thought Leadership. Contact: Mahendra Singh US Sales Office 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20852 United States Tel: +1 (628) 251-1583 E: [email protected] Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter | Blog Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/713666/FactMR_Logo.jpg SOURCE Fact.MR World's largest franchisor of home service brands appears on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list with a three-year growth rate of 93% WACO, Texas, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Neighborly , the world's largest home services company, announced today its inclusion in the 2022 Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies, marking the fourth consecutive year that the company has been ranked on the list. Neighborly has grown to more than 30 brands and 5,000 franchise units collectively serving 12 million+ customers in six countries, focused on repairing, maintaining, and enhancing homes. The Inc. 5000 ranking follows other major recognitions the brand has received this year, including 15 Neighborly brands ranked in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 and Mike Bidwell, CEO of Neighborly, recognized as Central Plains Entrepreneur Of The Year by Ernst & Young. Neighborly's consistent inclusion in the Inc. 5000 list, in addition to receiving multiple other accolades, is a testament to its growth year-after-year, cementing its status as a leader in the home services industry. "I'm honored that Neighborly has once again been recognized in the prestigious Inc. 5000 list alongside some of the fastest-growing and most innovative organizations in the country," said Mike Bidwell, President and CEO of Neighborly. "As Neighborly continues to expand our offerings, our "Done Right Promise" ensures that homeowners will receive the quality of work they trust us to provide every time across every brand. We are honored to have been listed among the best and brightest for the past four years and strive to continue to grow and enrich our homeowners' lives for years to come." The annual Inc. 5000 list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy's most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Recognizing the fastest-growing companies in the country, Neighborly ranks with well-known brands including Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many others with national exposure as honorees in the list. "The accomplishment of building one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., in light of recent economic roadblocks, cannot be overstated," said Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. "Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies that have established themselves through innovation, hard work, and rising to the challenges of today." Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000 . The top 500 companies are featured in the September issue of Inc. More information about Neighborly and its franchise concepts is available at https://www.neighborlybrands.com/ . To learn about franchising opportunities with Neighborly, visit https://franchise.neighborly.com . About Neighborly Neighborly is the world's largest home services company with more than 30 brands and 5,000 franchises collectively serving 12 million+ customers in six countries, focused on repairing, maintaining, and enhancing homes and businesses. The company operates online platforms that connect consumers to service providers in their local communities that meet their rigorous standards as a franchisor across 18 service categories at Neighborly.com or through the Neighborly App. More information about Neighborly, and its franchise concepts, is available at Neighborlybrands.com . To learn about franchising opportunities with Neighborly, click here . More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Methodology Companies on the 2022 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2018 to 2021. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2018. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2021. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2018 is $100,000; the minimum for 2021 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Growth rates used to determine company rankings were calculated to four decimal places. The top 500 companies on the Inc. 5000 are featured in Inc. magazine's September issue. The entire Inc. 5000 can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000 . About Inc. The world's most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com . For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala, visit http://conference.inc.com/ . SOURCE Neighborly Longstanding Neopets brand aims to share resources to improve community mental wellbeing and stress relief through Happy Not Perfect app EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Neopets, the brand and online site that sparked the creation of one of the world's first mega-popular internet communities, is proud to announce its support and acquisition of Happy Not Perfect , a mobile app which helps equip users with science-backed tools to help reduce stress and improve mental health. Full screen smartphone mockup design (CNW Group/Neopets) For the users and team behind Neopets, advocating for mental health awareness and actively supporting social initiatives has been an integral part of the community's identity and united voice. With an ongoing dedication to helping people overcome mental health issues, Neopets is ready to announce its acquisition of Happy Not Perfect, a mobile app dedicated to providing users with the tools that they need to maintain mental wellbeing, "Working alongside Happy Not Perfect and the Neopets community, it's our goal to continue supporting initiatives that promote mental health awareness and stress relief," says Jim Czulewicz, President and CEO of JumpStart Games Inc., the company in ownership of Neopets. "Resources like the Happy Not Perfect app are exactly what we want to share and provide to the community." In the past year, Neopets and its community came together to raise money for initiatives like The Trevor Project , the world's largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ young people, and It Gets Better Project , a global non-profit organization that reaches millions of young people each year through inspiring media programming, educational resources, international affiliates in 19 countries. Through this new relationship with Happy Not Perfect, Neopets hopes to continue its commitment to align with similar causes, and the team is confident the mobile app is the perfect next step. "Building Happy Not Perfect alongside scientists and psychologists for the last 6 years has been a great privilege, and I am so excited for the next stage of Happy Not Perfect with Neopets," says Poppy Jamie, Founder of Happy Not Perfect. "With Neopets, we want to continue sharing the benefits of our app and how it helps reduce stress, improve sleep and guide users through difficult emotions." Working with Neopets, the two brands will work in cohesion to provide players and the people around them with access to the tools and digital experiences that can aid their mental health. With a bright team behind Happy Not Perfect and a passionate Neopets community, this acquisition is one players can get behind. "Building and growing the Happy Not Perfect platform has been incredibly rewarding, says Alex Tikhman, CEO of Happy Not Perfect. "With Neopets taking the app to the next level, our mission of helping others improve their mental health through this digital mindfulness platform is one we're confident in pushing forward to people around the world." To learn more about Happy Not Perfect, please visit happynotperfect.com or its social channels: Continue the Neopets journey and keep up to date on the latest news by visour social channels: About Neopets JumpStart Games is the leader in creating interactive family experiences that enrich, entertain and educate. For over 20 years, Jumpstart Games has produced high quality products that are engaging, social, creative, and most importantly, fun! JumpStart builds mobile, web and console games and experiences under its flagship brands - JumpStart, Jumpstart Academy, School of Dragons, Neopets and Math Blaster. JumpStarts' dedication to providing positive, safe and enriching experiences, has earned it the trust of millions of teachers, parents, and respected organisations such as Common Sense Media and The National Parenting Center. JumpStart is a subsidiary of NetDragon, a global leader in building internet communities, and is based in Los Angeles, California. For more information, please visit www.jumpstart.com . About NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited (HKSE:0777) is a global leader in building internet communities with a long track record of developing and scaling multiple internet and mobile platforms that impact hundreds of millions of users. These include China's number one online gaming portal, 17173.com, and China's most influential smartphone app store platform, 91 Wireless, which was sold to Baidu for US$1.9 billion in 2013 as the largest Internet M&A transaction in China. Established in 1999, NetDragon is one of the most reputable and well-known online game developers in China with a history of successful game titles including Eudemons Online, Heroes Evolved and Conquer Online. In recent years, NetDragon has also started to scale its online education business on the back of management's vision to create the largest global online learning community, and to bring the "classroom of the future" to every school around the world. For more information, please visit www.netdragon.com . About Happy Not Perfect A brand solely and 'souly' dedicated to looking after your mental wellbeing and help you have less stress, better sleep and a calmer mind. Feeling good is an inside and an outside job. Our app handles the inside part, but we also wanted to give you products to help you along that journey. Using research into positive psychology, neuroscience and meditation and with the help of developers, creatives and our incredible guides we started to create our app and our product range. Backed by science, designed for you, Happy Not Perfect is your go-to place for everything you need to look after your mind in a fun new way. For more information, please visit www.happynotperfect.com . SOURCE Neopets As advertising budgets tighten, new report reveals opportunities to leverage outdoor formats LOS ANGELES, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AdQuick.com , the top out-of-home (OOH) advertising marketplace in the world, today announces the results of its report, Debunking Myths and Misconceptions about Out-of-Home Advertising, 2022 . AdQuick commissioned a third-party research firm to anonymously survey B2B and B2C advertisers in the United States to highlight advertisers' concerns around economic uncertainty and how it affects their budgets, strategies and plans to buy OOH ads in the future. It also showcases misconceptions advertisers hold against OOH and shines light on opportunities to leverage OOH during periods of economic recession. "Not surprisingly, the research shows advertisers are under immense pressure to make the most of their budgets and deliver results, especially as brands cut budgets and teams in anticipation of a possible recession," said Matthew O'Connor, CEO of AdQuick. "Fortunately for brands that are looking to get the most out of their campaigns, it's clear that modern OOH can deliver. The biggest hurdle is simply moving beyond these misconceptions and embracing OOH for the recession-friendly format that it is." The survey respondents revealed their top concerns including: 61% of respondents expect to see marketing headcount reductions in the case of a recession 72% have noticed a drop in broadcast performance in the last 12 months, compared to 53% reporting a drop in digital/social media campaign performance 64% report needing to spend more money to get the same results as compared to 12 months ago. While the findings reveal struggles advertisers face, it's also clear the stronghold old notions have on many advertisers, especially when it comes to the time, money and resources they think it takes to plan, launch, and measure OOH campaigns. These misconceptions are especially detrimental during economic uncertainty. This is where several misconceptions about OOH stand out: Price was listed as the No.1 obstacle to increasing OOH investing, yet the average CPM impressions of outdoor media is less than $5 . Just 2% of advertisers surveyed realized that OOH was so affordable, and over 54% expected OOH CPMs to cost upward of $10 . . Just 2% of advertisers surveyed realized that OOH was so affordable, and over 54% expected OOH CPMs to cost upward of . Although OOH campaigns can be launched in less than a week ( and as fast as 1 to 2 days ), only 2% of advertisers surveyed believe a campaign can be launched that quickly. ), only 2% of advertisers surveyed believe a campaign can be launched that quickly. Three-quarters of respondents also believe OOH is hard to measure. Yet, with the right tools, outdoor advertisers can measure performance down to individual ad units with actionable, granular-level data. "We speak to hundreds of brands a month that initially hesitate to give OOH a bigger slice of their campaign budgets," said O'Connor. "But once they understand modern measurement and performance, and see a clear path to campaign success, they embrace OOH for the powerful advertising channel it is." Read the full report here . For more information on AdQuick or to schedule a demo, visit www.adquick.com . About AdQuick, Inc. Founded in Los Angeles in 2016, AdQuick.com is the leading out-of-home (OOH) advertising platform that makes it easy to plan, buy, and measure every kind of outdoor advertising. With over 1400 media partners spanning all types of OOH media, AdQuick connects advertisers and agencies to OOH media owners anywhere in the U.S. and abroad, including the UK, Canada, Germany, France, and over 40 other countries. AdQuick enables data-led OOH media planning powered by robust datasets and proprietary tools, facilitates fast and efficient campaign execution, and provides accurate measurement across every brand objective and campaign KPI. AdQuick was named in the top ten Best Places to Work in 2020 by Los Angeles Business Journal, recognized as the 74th fastest growing company in Inc. 5000 Regionals, and was honored as one of the Inc. 5000 fastest growing companies in 2021. To learn more please visit www.adquick.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn . Contact: Kristin Hege, Convey Communications Agency [email protected] 480.540.6496 SOURCE AdQuick.com WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In landmark legislation, the State of Connecticut enacted a new law protecting consumers from the dangers of unsafe and counterfeit lighters. The law CT Public Act 22-12 / 2022 CT SB 185 takes effect October 1, 2022 and bans the sale in Connecticut of any lighter that fails to comply with national safety standards for lighters. As noted by Steven Burkhart, President of the Lighter Association, "For too long, US consumers have faced confusion and risk when unknowingly purchasing counterfeit and unsafe lighters. Personal injuries to consumers and economic harm to US shareholders and employees are among the consequences. The Connecticut law goes a long way to addressing these issues. We applaud Connecticut for being a leader in these protections." Consumers, companies, and state and local fire marshals are authorized to enforce the law. Lighters manufactured and distributed by members of the Lighter Association are authorized products and comply with all ASTM and CPSC standards. Members of the Association include Beacon Power, BIC, Tokai International and Zippo. For questions about the new law, please contact the Lighter Association. Media Contact: David H. Baker Executive Director & General Counsel Lighter Association [email protected] (202) 253-4347 SOURCE Lighter Association Antoni Porowski and Jonathan Van Ness Join Forces with Pet Industry Leader On A Mission to Make Pets' Mealtime Extra-Not-Ordinary LOS ANGELES, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Yummers , the new omni-channel pet lifestyle brand, has launched their first line of premium products that inspire and enable pet parents to create extra-ordinary moments with their pets. Yummers includes 18 varieties of high-quality food mix-ins for both dogs and cats, that add more flavor, variety and nutrients to pets' bowls, for a complete and healthy meal. The majority of the more than 90 million pet parents in the U.S. believe that pet parenting is not only about health but also making sure their pet is as happy as possible. Designed with that happiness in mind, Yummers amplifies pets' existing food and enhances the feeding experience with a little extra love. NEW PET LIFESTYLE BRAND YUMMERS LAUNCHES Yummers will help the most indulgent pet parents give their pets their best life. Rebecca Frechette Rudisch, pet and consumer products leader, joined forces with Antoni Porowski and Jonathan Van Ness, devoted pet parents and the stars of Netflix's Emmy award-winning series "Queer Eye." All were guided by their own pets and their passion for giving pets their best life. Antoni is dad to rescue pup Neon, Jonathan is the proud parent to five rescue cats and two rescue dogs, and Rebecca is mom to Will, an extraordinary Goldendoodle. "Some of the most rewarding relationships in my life have been with my pets and they have enriched my life beyond words," said Co-Founder Jonathan Van Ness. "We have bonded over our love for animals, and we want Yummers to help people give all the joy and love back to their pets that they give to us." Co-Founder Antoni Porowski echoes the same sentiment, "I'm so thrilled to partner with Jonathan and Rebecca to create Yummers, a truly unique and joyful approach to pet parenting. I am so grateful to have spent most of my life around dogs and care deeply for their nutrition and overall well-being because they have given and taught me so much. Food is all about love and connection, and I've found that it's truly one of the best ways to show how much you care about your pet." "Pets deserve an incredible life and that begins at mealtime. At Yummers, we celebrate the joy, pride and fulfillment pet parents feel when they provide the best care and life experience for their pets," said Co-Founder Rebecca Frechette Rudisch. Petco is the exclusive retailer to offer Yummers products at more than 1,000 locations and petco.com. "We're thrilled to bring even more high-quality, innovative nutrition options to our curated assortment with the introduction of the Yummers line to Petco pet care centers nationwide," said Shari White, Senior Vice President of Merchandising, Consumables, at Petco. "At Petco, we're committed to improving the lives of pets through a comprehensive, 360-degree approach to their health and wellness, and Yummers' focus on pets' nourishment, happiness and overall wellbeing is completely aligned with our mission." Many pet parents are not interested in switching their preferred food, but with Yummers they can transform any pet's meal from a boring, everyday bowl into an exciting experience. Yummers uses only the highest-quality ingredients that are grain-free and meat-first. The "Gourmet Mix-Ins" offer freeze-dried single-ingredient proteins and tender morsels in flavors such as Chicken, Beef Liver, Cheddar Cheese, Salmon & Sweet Potato and Turkey & Cranberry. The "Functional Mix-ins" supplement pets' meals with extra nutrients and address common health needs including Skin & Coat as well as Digestive and Heart. With a variety of mouth-watering flavors to choose from, Yummers offers endless ways to switch it up every day, mixing and matching flavor combinations to keep pets interested, happy and satisfied. The process is as simple as it gets - just pour the recommended serving size over the food and mix it in. Yummers products are sourced, manufactured and packaged in the USA, in a state-of-the-art facility. The brand uses sustainable printing inks and earth-friendly, PCR (post-consumer recycled) packaging to reduce landfill waste. Yummers is available for purchase at YummersPets.com , with an option to subscribe for auto-ship online. Yummers is also available on Petco.com and Petco locations nationwide. About Yummers Yummers launched in 2022 with the mission to make pet mealtime extra-not-ordinary with high-quality food mix-ins for a complete and healthy meal for dogs and cats. The brand is co-founded by Antoni Porowski and Jonathan Van Ness (devoted pet parents and the stars of the Netflix Emmy award-winning series Queer Eye), along with Rebecca Frechette Rudisch, pet and consumer products industry expert, and Caravan , a co-creator of companies authentically powered by the world's most iconic artists and athletes. With a guiding principle of "your pet deserves a life this good," Yummers caters to the most indulgent pet parents' desire for experiences that strengthen and express their bond with their pet. Yummers is available in tasty "Gourmet Mix-Ins" and healthy "Functional Mix-Ins" for purchase at YummersPets.com , Petco.com and more than 1,000 Petco locations nationwide. For more information, visit www.yummerspets.com . About Antoni Porowski Antoni Porowski is a New York Times Bestselling Author and star of Netflix's Emmy Award-winning series Queer Eye. As the show's food and wine expert, the self-taught cook brings with him a lifelong passion for food. Antoni's first cookbook Antoni in the Kitchen debuted at #2 on the New York Times' Best Seller List, he later followed this up with Antoni: Let's Do Dinner in 2021. Up next, he will host and executive produce Easy-Bake Battle, a new culinary competition series which is slated to premiere on Netflix on October 12. Later this year, Antoni will appear in Focus Features' Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies alongside Jim Parsons, Sally Field and Ben Aldridge, set to release on December 2. Antoni is also developing a feature film for Netflix with Black-ish creator Kenya Barris loosely based on Antoni's real-life dating experiences as a sexually fluid man entitled Girls and Boys. Born in Canada to European emigrants, Antoni is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights everywhere, especially his family's native Poland where he serves on the board of the Equaversity Foundation which was established to organize international fundraising to support the LGBTQ+ community in Poland. About Jonathan Van Ness Jonathan Van Ness is an Emmy-nominated television personality, 2x New York Times best-selling author, podcaster, comedian and hairstylist to the stars. He stars on Netflix's Emmy Award-winning reboot series Queer Eye, where he shines as the hair guru and self-care advocate, and he is the host and executive producer of the Netflix series Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness, based on Jonathan's popular podcast of the same name, a weekly exploration of all the things Jonathan is curious about. In September 2019, he released his revelatory memoir, Over The Top: A Raw Journey To Self-Love, a New York Times Best-Seller. Over The Top won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Memoir & Autobiography and has been named a must-read book by The New York Times, TIME Magazine and NPR to name a few. His second book, Love That Story: Observations From A Gorgeously Queer Life, was released April 2022 and is a New York Times Best-Seller. In 2021 Jonathan launched JVN Hair, a haircare line that combines the best in effective and clean ingredients, creating an innovative, first of its kind haircare collection that celebrates hair health and the uniqueness of each person. His first worldwide comedy tour, Jonathan Van Ness: Road to Beijing sold out theaters in 40 cities in the US, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. His new comedy tour, Imaginary Living Room Olympian is currently running in the US and abroad. About Rebecca Frechette Rudisch As CEO and Co-Founder of Yummers, Rebecca Frechette Rudisch brings more than 25 years of experience in creating, building and scaling disruptor consumer brands across pet, nutrition, beauty, food & beverage, and many other categories. Rebecca built her career as a consultant, then a merchant leader in several high-profile retailers including: Petco, Target, Best Buy, 7-Eleven and H-E-B. As Senior Vice President, Head of Own Brand at H-E-B, Rebecca led all aspects of a private brand business for stores and digital channels. At Petco Health & Wellness, Rebecca served as Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising & Marketing Officer, where she led merchandising, marketing, product innovation, design & development and sourcing. Prior to this, Rebecca was Senior Vice President of Merchandising at 7-Eleven, Inc., held a number of leadership positions at Target Corporation, and spent eight years at Andersen Consulting / Accenture, where she worked extensively with Best Buy and others. Rebecca also serves on the Boards of Pet Honesty, a pet supplement company, Smart Sweets, a better-for-you candy brand, and Mikuna, a plant protein company. SOURCE Yummers Bain & Company's findings focus on how feelings of inclusion are different for each group and how that can be applied to the diverse US Latino population BOSTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Latino population is one of the fastest growing demographics in the US participating in the labor market at higher-than-average rates. They accounted for approximately 80% of workforce growth from 2010 to 2017, and they are expected to represent nearly one in three working-age Americans by 2050. Bain & Company research has found a culture of belonging and feeling included at work key to employee retention and success, but only approximately 25% of Latinos say they feel fully included at their workplaces. Feelings of inclusion drive Latino workers employment choices from evaluation of a prospective employer, where 70% indicate this is a highly important factor to retention at their current job. Latino workers who do not feel particularly included are approximately two times more likely to quit than those who feel fully included, and nearly 45% of Latino workers who don't feel completely included are actively seeking new jobs (compared with approximately 25% of those who do feel fully included), according to Bain's Inclusive Organization Survey. Prioritizing inclusion for all including Latino employees is crucial to the success of companies throughout the workforce, especially as they look to grow in the years to come. Determining how to successfully execute inclusion for a population is a harder problem to solve. Additionally, the Latino population is racially diverse, including people from over two dozen countries, many of whom speak different languages and have different experiences based on when their family came to the US and how long they've been here. "Bain & Company's research found with such a diverse population, it is important to bring an intersectional lens that captures a multiplicity of identities (such as geography, gender, race or ethnicity, and seniority within the organization)," said Naiara De Leon, a Dallas-based partner and member of the firm's Latinx at Bain (LATBA) affinity group. "This allows companies to identify with the greatest precision what enablers will most likely increase inclusion for specific populations." For example, by breaking down the Latino population with a multiplicity of identities, Latina women prefer behavioral enablers (grounded in everyday behaviors) and Latino men are more likely to be motivated by systemic enablers of inclusion (involving organizational processes and systems). "I find team-building exercises to be a critical enabler of inclusion," said Saber Sherrard, a Dallas-based partner and global lead of LATBA. "More specifically, I always look forward to case team events as ways to learn people's stories. These discussions can foster authenticity and inclusivity, creating both a more engaging team environment and a higher-performing team." With the Latino workforce rapidly growing, it is beneficial for companies to reflect on what enablers are being used to encourage feelings of inclusion and to make changes. Additionally, Latino leaders have an opportunity and a responsibility to push organizations to do the hard work of discovering what behaviors and systems will create more inclusion, and to ensure they are executed. For more information or interview requests please contact: Dan Pinkney, Bain & Company, tel. +1 646 562 8102, email: [email protected] About Bain & Company Bain & Company is a global consultancy that helps the world's most ambitious change makers define the future. Across 65 cities in 40 countries, we work alongside our clients as one team with a shared ambition to achieve extraordinary results, outperform the competition, and redefine industries. We complement our tailored, integrated expertise with a vibrant ecosystem of digital innovators to deliver better, faster, and more enduring outcomes. Our 10-year commitment to invest more than $1 billion in pro bono services brings our talent, expertise, and insight to organizations tackling today's urgent challenges in education, racial equity, social justice, economic development, and the environment. We earned a platinum rating from EcoVadis, the leading platform for environmental, social, and ethical performance ratings for global supply chains, putting us in the top 1% of all companies. Since our founding in 1973, we have measured our success by the success of our clients, and we proudly maintain the highest level of client advocacy in the industry. SOURCE Bain & Company Researchers from China have identified the most favorable oil and gas reservoir forming conditions that can guide further exploration in the Jizhong depression BEIJING, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Oil and gas are two of the most important natural resources, contributing to over half of the world's energy supply. Reserves of these resources are thus, of high economic and strategic interest. The Jizhong depression of the Bohai Bay Basin in China is home to multiple buried hills, i.e., elevations on old land surfaces which are now covered by younger sedimentary rocks. Distribution of the Ordovician buried hills in the Northern part of the Jizhong depression New Study in Earth Science Frontiers Cracks Code for Future Exploration of Oil and Gas in the Jizhong Depression These hills are abundant in oil and gas reserves and have optimal oil and gas accumulation conditions. The Ordovician buried hills in particular, have been extensively explored since 1977. Unfortunately, further exploration in this region is difficult due to the exhaustion of high-amplitude and easily identifiable mediumshallow buried hills. The complex geology and reservoir heterogeneity of the Ordovician buried hills has added to this challenge in exploration. To enable further unrestricted exploration of this region, researchers led by Professor Ruifeng Zhang from the PetroChina Huabei Oilfield Company conducted a study, which was published in Earth Science Frontiers, to analyze the reservoir-forming conditions and modes in the Ordovician buried hills, including the source rock conditions, reservoir types, and trap genetic types. "Our analysis was largely derived from a large volume of logging, core, thin section, seismic, and geochemical data," says Prof. Zhang while discussing the study. The video summary of this study is now available on YouTube. Also visit the website for the press release: https://www.earthsciencefrontiers.net.cn/EN/news/news33.shtml. Prof. Zhang and his team discovered that three sets of source rocks from the Carboniferous-Permian and Paleogene geologic periods developed in the Jizhong depression. Notably, these rocks provide adequate quantities of important materials such as hydrocarbons required for the formation of oil and gas reserves in the Ordovician buried hills. In addition, they clarified the mechanism of reservoir control and identified three types of reservoir models with high exploration potential. These included the Karst cave, fracture-fissure pore, and cloud pore. On further analysis, the team also identified the two most favorable buried hill genetic traps, namely, upliftdepression and depressionuplift, which were formed as a result of the Indosinian, Yanshanian, and Himalayan tectonic processes in the Ordovician buried hills. Three oil and gas reservoir-forming modes, which include the low-level tectonic-lithologic composite quasi-layered buried hill, medium-level paleo-storage paleo-block buried hill, and the high-level paleo-storage new-block buried hill were identified in this region. Of these, the reservoir forming conditions of the low-level tectoniclithologic composite quasi-layered buried hill is considered as the most favorable for further exploration at present. Importantly, the team identified the most favorable areas for further exploration as the Sicundian and Xinzhen buried hills. So, what are the long-term applications of these findings? "Exploring the newly identified reservoir-forming conditions and modes in the Jizhong depression will allow unhindered oil and gas exploration to continue, which is essential to avoid the depletion of energy resources in the coming years," remarks a hopeful Prof. Zhang. With such important discoveries underway, the Jizhong depression will become a treasure trove of energy for years to come! Reference DOI: https://doi.org/10.13745/j.esf.sf.2022.8.15-en Title of original paper Formation conditions and reservoir-forming models of the Ordovician buried hill reservoirs in the Jizhong depression Journal: Earth science frontiers Contact: Xiaolong Wang +86 13522262702 [email protected] SOURCE Earth Science Frontiers KINGSTON, ON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - SnapCab announced a plan to expand their Kingston, Ontario manufacturing facility, prompting a visit from Bryan Paterson, the mayor of Kingston. Paterson toured the building with CEO and Founder Glenn Bostock, learning about the company's history, culture, and systems. To meet the increased demand for safe, private workspaces from employees returning to work after the pandemic, Bostock is looking toward the future by planning an expansion of the Canadian facility. The project will be undertaken in a phased approach. The company has chosen a builder to work on Phase 1, which is the site plan application process. An additional 18,000 square feet is projected to be built adjacent to the existing 36,000 square-foot building. At the beginning of the pandemic, Bostock and his employees were concerned about business coming to a halt. But they redirected their energies to developing products that would be of service during a pandemic: office pods with the proper air filtration, pods with a window divider and separate air flow for face-to-face meetings, and solo pods to facilitate working from home. They also innovated a medical triage pod, the SnapCab Care . The first of its kind was installed in Kingston's Covid Assessment Centre, providing privacy and a focused space in a large open room. Bostock started the company in Southeastern Pennsylvania 39 years ago, making elevator interior paneling. Over the years he grew the company by innovating a remodeling system with interlocking panels, reducing install times to one day, and by adopting lean manufacturing methods. In a major leveling up, he extended the interlocking panel concept and lean principles to wall paneling and office pod kits. SnapCab maintains a large facility in Warrington, Pennsylvania with 80 employees. In 2014 they opened a second facility in Kingston dedicated to manufacturing a variety of workspace products. They continue to focus on lean systems, innovation, and meeting needs. Over the years, SnapCab has received continuous support from local agencies such as the Kingston Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO), as well as others. This support has been key in connecting SnapCab with information and networking opportunities. The company has seen huge growth since 2018. The Kingston location currently employs 43 people. SnapCab was recently recognized for their innovative designs with HiP honoree awards for both the Meet 2 and the Work in the Workspace Pods & Wall Systems category at Chicago's NeoCon , the world's top commercial interior design event. At the event, SnapCab launched a new dedicated video-conferencing office pod called the Link , which enhances video-conferencing from the home or office. About SnapCab Since 1983, SnapCab has been a leader in developing workspace privacy solutions and elevator cab interiors that are flexible, high quality and safe to use in a variety of environments. SnapCab Workspace offers a flexible kit of parts that is designed with a customizable frame, panels, finishes, colors, furniture, accessories and more. These isolated pods for the open office are moveable, simple to clean and can be combined with the SnapCab Connects walls to transform any workplace. SOURCE SnapCab Oil & gas terminal automation market in China is projected to grow at 7.1% CAGR during the forecast period from 2022 and 2032. Europe oil & gas terminal automation market is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of more than 6% throughout the forecast period NEWARK, Del., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global oil & gas terminal automation market is predicted to create an opulent growth opportunity by exhibiting a robust CAGR of 7.8% between 2022 and 2032. The market size was valued at US$ 1258.0 Mn in 2021 and is likely to surpass a valuation of US$ 1303.1 Mn in 2022. The global oil & gas terminal automation market is expected to total around US$ 2761.6 Mn by 2032. According to Future Market Insights (FMI) analysis, the historical valuation of the market ranging from 2015 to 2021, witnessed a moderate growth rate of 4.5% CAGR. However, due to the growing focus on updating and advancing terminal infrastructure, the oil and gas terminal automation market is anticipated to grow at a healthy CAGR of 7.8% between 2022 and 2032. According to EIA, the global consumption of petroleum and liquid fuels is expected to average between 99.4 million in 2022. The global market has witnessed increased investment in the modernization of the oil and gas terminal infrastructure. Developed countries such as U.S. and Canada are concentrating more on integrated packaging solutions that cater to the application-specific requirements of terminal end users. Download Sample Copy of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-197 Key Takeaways As several terminal operations increase globally, end users are actively searching for ways to increase their productivity and efficiency while simultaneously meeting customer demands. This has helped in bringing the oil & gas terminal automation market into the spotlight. Oil & gas terminal automation refers to the use of technology and systems that are used to automate various manual processes in a terminal, especially around load authorization, product movement, product measurement, documentation, and reporting. Such effective solutions help industries to improve safety, efficiency, and overall productivity while also trimming down costs. Rising demand for energy all over the world is making oil & gas terminal automation solutions popular among consumers with increasing investments that help in providing a strong thrust to the growth of the oil & gas terminal automation market across the forecast period. The present-day terminals are anticipated to handle higher traffic, bigger ships, and more capacity. In order to maintain their profitability and competitiveness, terminal operators ought to streamline their company operations for further growth. Currently, the oil & gas terminal automation market forms about 23-26% of its parent market which is the global terminal automation market. Owing to the increased focus on the reduction of operational costs, the contemporary oil & gas industry is searching for ways to better deal with the effects of price fluctuations. Thus, the global oil & gas terminal automation market is projected to exhibit impressive growth. The rising implementation of advanced systems has produced sophisticated wireless technologies that could result in significant savings on the basis of wiring, labor, and other associated costs, which are increasingly adopted across key facilities. Competitive Landscape Key market players are focusing on forming long-term relationships with other prominent end users. Furthermore, companies are offering customizable solutions in order to meet customer demands with a high degree of optimization in the storage and transportation of petroleum. Before Buying, Visit for Customization @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/customization-available/rep-gb-197 Key Segments Covered in Oil & Gas Terminal Automation Industry Analysis By Hardware: ATG Blending Controllers SCADA PLC DCS HMI Safety; Security & Others By Software: Terminal & Inventory Management Business System Integration Transaction Management Reporting Others By Services: Commissioning Consulting Services Project Management Operations Services Training Services More Insights into the Oil & Gas Terminal Automation Market The U.S. is expected to dominate the North American oil & gas terminal automation market in 2022 by accounting for a total of 77% of the total market share. The North American region is poised to grow at a surging rate across the assessment period. Owing to the rising investments by governments, widespread adoption of automation and the strong presence of leading market players in the market are expected to propel the U.S. oil & gas terminal automation market. According to FMI projections, the oil & gas terminal automation market in China is projected to grow at a 7.1% CAGR during the forecast period from 2022 and 2032. Attributed to the rising focus on reducing oil imports, the growing need for improving productivity across oil & gas facilities, and favorable government support are some of the key factors driving demand in the market. Contact Sales for Further Assistance in Purchasing this [email protected] https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/197 Table of Content 1. Executive Summary 1.1. Global Market Outlook 1.2. Demand Side Trends 1.3. Supply Side Trends 1.4. Technology Roadmap 1.5. Analysis and Recommendations 2. Market Overview 2.1. Market Coverage / Taxonomy 2.2. Market Definition / Scope / Limitations 3. Key Market Trends 3.1. Key Trends Impacting the Market 3.2. Product Innovation / Development Trends 4. Key Success Factors 4.1. Product Adoption / Usage Analysis 4.2. Product USPs / Features 4.3. Strategic Promotional Strategies 5. Global Oil & Gas Terminal Automation Demand Analysis 2015-2021 and Forecast, 20222032 5.1. Historical Market Volume Analysis, 2015-2021 5.2. Current and Future Market Volume Projections, 20222032 5.3. Y-o-Y Growth Trend Analysis To Continue TOC Explore FMI's Extensive Ongoing Coverage on Industrial Automation Domain Process Automation and Instrumentation Market Size: The global process automation and instrumentation market size reached US$ 59,841.1 Mn in 2021 and it is likely to touch a valuation of US$ 62,354.4 Mn in 2022. The overall demand for process automation and instrumentation is projected to grow at 5.0% CAGR between 2022 and 2032, surpassing a valuation of US$ 101.6 Bn by 2032. Factory Automation And Industrial Controls Market Value: The global factory automation and industrial controls market is expected to be valued at US$ 130.84 Billion in 2022. The overall demand for Factory Automation and Industrial Controls is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% between 2022 and 2032, totaling around 216.65 Billion by 2032. Bulk Terminals Market Overview: Dynamic markets that are fueling the demand for raw materials require operators and owners to complement effectiveness and flexibility of their high-investment bulk assets. Advanced supply chains accent for sustainable incursion of digital ecosystem and automation of manufacturing methods. Automated Parcel Delivery Terminals Market Trends: Market study estimates the value of the global market for automated parcel delivery terminals at US$ 639.9 Million in 2021 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.9% by 2032, reaching US$ 2.0 Billion from US$ 720 Million in 2022. Industrial Air Compressor Market Analysis: The global industrial air compressor market is expected to be valued at US$ 33.3Billion in 2022. With the increasing use in end-use industries the demand for industrial air compressors is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.8% between 2022 and 2032, totaling around US$46.6 Billion by 2032. About Future Market Insights, Inc. Future Market Insights, Inc. is an ESOMAR-certified business consulting & market research firm, a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and is headquartered in Delaware, USA. A recipient of Clutch Leaders Award 2022 on account of high client score (4.9/5), we have been collaborating with global enterprises in their business transformation journey and helping them deliver on their business ambitions. 80% of the largest Forbes 1000 enterprises are our clients. We serve global clients across all leading & niche market segments across all major industries. Contact Us Future Market Insights Inc. Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive, Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA T: +1-845-579-5705 For Sales Enquiries: [email protected] Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/global-oil-gas-terminal-automation-market Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1197648/FMI_Logo.jpg SOURCE Future Market Insights At a time when manufacturing facilities are increasingly implementing LTE and 5G networks, OneLayer addresses the need for enterprise-grade security ensuring organizations achieve the return on investment expected from their private networks TEL AVIV, Israel , Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OneLayer , a leading provider of enterprise security for private LTE and 5G networks, announced today a $6.5 million equity investment from Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT), the venture capital arm of Koch Industries. Alongside the investment, OneLayer will secure the private LTE network of a site of a manufacturing subsidiary of Koch Industries. The investment brings total funds raised by OneLayer to more than $14.5 million. OneLayer's solution provides visibility, context-based segmentation policies, and a zero-trust security approach for both IT and OT devices that are connected to private cellular networks. OneLayer delivers this end-to-end security across the private cellular network by integrating with the cellular packet core and the IT network firewalls, asset management tools, and other existing security solutions. Koch Industries is exploring the use of private cellular networks to enable connectivity for autonomous vehicles with real-time compute demands over high bandwidth and coverage for laptops and tablets, enabling predictable coverage for IT and OT devices. KDT's investment will be used to address the growing demand for OneLayer's Security Platform in multiple verticals, enhance the company's cyber lab capabilities, expand the company's commercial reach through its global ecosystem and channel partners, and to fuel the company's overall sales and marketing efforts. "Private cellular networks introduce new technologies and potential threat vectors that could impact our business. We want to enable the benefits of cellular networks while maintaining visibility and segmentation policies in a zero-trust model," said Matthew Stucky, enterprise security architect at Koch Industries. "We look forward to working with OneLayer to build security into our cellular network while optimizing business outcomes." "IoT and OT networks are transforming. Companies committed to modernizing their operations, maximizing efficiency, and limiting latency will be installing private cellular networks to gain the benefits that 5G networks provide," said Eli Groner, Managing Director at KDT. "Transformation in the network architecture requires transforming the security approach, and we are excited to partner with OneLayer." "The future of manufacturing will stem from the successful implementation of LTE and 5G networks, and we are confident that our security platform will contribute to this success," said Dave Mor, CEO and Co-Founder of OneLayer. "We are very excited about the partnership with Koch Industries as they continue to accelerate their digital transformation." To learn more about OneLayer visit https://one-layer.com/ or LinkedIn . About OneLayer OneLayer provides enterprise-grade security for private LTE/5G networks. Its platform and IoT security toolkit can be implemented in private cellular networks to provide better visibility, control and protection for organizations. The company was founded by world-class cybersecurity experts with a deep understanding of both cellular protocols and IoT security needs and veterans from the IDF's 8200 and 81 intelligence units. OneLayer is backed by industry-leading advisors and has partnered with experts both in the cybersecurity domain as well as the telecom industry. To learn more about OneLayer please visit https://one-layer.com/ or LinkedIn . About Koch Disruptive Technologies Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT) is a unique investment firm, partnering with principled entrepreneurs who are building transformative companies. KDT provides a flexible, multi-stage investment approach. KDT works with companies that can help Koch transform its capabilities, disrupt existing businesses, or expand into new platforms. KDT is a subsidiary of Koch Industries, one of the largest privately held companies in the world, with estimated revenues exceeding $125 billion and presence in over 70 countries. KDT helps its partners unlock their full potential by bringing Koch's full capabilities and network to them, structuring unique capital solutions, and embracing a long-term, mutual benefit mindset. Media Contact: Rebecca Ash GK for OneLayer [email protected] SOURCE OneLayer MIAMI, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Paramount Global Surfaces ("PGS") announced today the launch of a new west coast warehouse in Goodyear, Arizona outside of Phoenix. PGS is a leading developer, importer and distributor of premium, proprietary porcelain tile and other hard surface floor coverings used primarily in remodel and replacement solutions by both residential and commercial end users. PGS was acquired by Platinum Equity in 2021 and goes to market via the Happy Floors residential brand and the Stone Source & Ceramic Technics-commercial brand. The new 140,000 square-foot Goodyear facility will contain all of the company's product lines, including porcelain tile, ceramic tile, natural stone, and luxury vinyl tile, and will provide over 30 new jobs to residents in the Phoenix area. Additionally, as part of the recent acquisition and integration of Stone Source into the PGS portfolio, Happy Floors inventory lines are also being stocked in the Stone Source Carlstadt, NJ warehouse to improve service to northeast region customers for both Happy Floors and Stone Source. "These investments reflect our confidence in the continued growth trajectory of the company," said PGS CEO Mike Draves. "We are excited to establish a presence in Goodyear, Arizona to better support our west coast customers while also expanding our presence in Carlstadt, New Jersey." The new Arizona facility will be located at 16535 W Elwood Street, Goodyear, AZ 85338. This will increase PGS warehouse capacity to support continued growth while specifically improving service to west region partners via additional inventory availability and reduced delivery lead times. "Paramount Global Surfaces' expansion into Goodyear is indicative of the region's infrastructure, connectivity and ability to meet the needs of high-growth business," said Chris Camacho, president and CEO at Greater Phoenix Economic Council. "This move strategically positions Paramount Global Surfaces moving forward and we're excited to partner with them in their continued success." A ceremony to celebrate the Goodyear, Arizona warehouse opening is planned for early October. SOURCE Paramount Global Surfaces PCF Insurance's 3,830% revenue growth from 2018 to 2021 earned the company a spot on the list LEHI, Utah, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PCF Insurance Services (PCF), a top 20 U.S. insurance brokerage firm, was recently recognized as one of Inc. Magazine's 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America for 2022. The annual Inc. 5000 list, in which companies were ranked based on their percentage of revenue growth between 2018 and 2021, distinguishes the privately held, for-profit and independent companies in the U.S. that best exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit. PCF Insurance's revenue growth of 3,830% from 2018 to 2021 placed the company among the top 125 companies in the country for the Inc. 5000 list, including recognition as the second-fastest-growing private insurance company in America. Currently, PCF Insurance serves more than 465,000 clients through its network of nearly 165 Agency Partners* across 40 states. PCF Insurance's recent rapid expansion can be attributed to the company's continued emphasis on three areas: Investing in technology and infrastructure: PCF Insurance is focused on scalability and putting digital platforms and processes in place to support its growth. This year, it has implemented nine new systems and has three implementations remaining this year. PCF Insurance is focused on scalability and putting digital platforms and processes in place to support its growth. This year, it has implemented nine new systems and has three implementations remaining this year. Diversifying its portfolio to support organic growth: From product lines to geographic regions, PCF Insurance Agency Partners help diversify the organization and outpace peers in organic growth. From product lines to geographic regions, PCF Insurance Agency Partners help diversify the organization and outpace peers in organic growth. Pursuing strategic acquisitions: The company completed six acquisitions in 2019, 36 in 2000, 89 in 2021, and is on pace to complete more than 100 acquisitions this year. "PCF is honored to be recognized as one of Inc.'s 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America," said Peter C. Foy, Chairman, Founder, and CEO of PCF Insurance. "This ranking is a testament that our growth-focused strategy predicated on aligning with like-minded Agency Partners who believe in teamwork, entrepreneurship and independence is helping distinguish PCF as not only one of the nation's leading insurance brokerage firms, but one of the leading private companies as well. At PCF, people make the difference, and we look forward to continuing our growth trajectory in 2022 and beyond by investing in technology, diversifying our portfolio and adding more Agency Partners that want to be part of something special." To qualify for inclusion on Inc.'s 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America list for 2022, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2018. All candidates were required to be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit and independent companies not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies as of December 31, 2021. *As of June 30, 2022, and agencies under letter of intent About PCF Insurance Services A top 20 U.S. broker headquartered in Lehi, Utah, PCF Insurance Services is a leading full-service consultant and insurance brokerage firm offering a broad array of commercial, life and health, employee benefits, and workers' compensation solutions. Propelled by its people, PCF Insurance's agency-centric operating model and entrepreneurial environment support its tremendous growth profile, offering partners alignment through equity ownership, significant leadership incentives, and resources to over 3,100 employees throughout the U.S. PCF Insurance is a notable leader in the insurance space, ranked #20 on Business Insurance's 2022 Top 100 Brokers and #13 on Insurance Journal's 2022 Top Property/Casualty Agencies. Learn more at pcfins.com. SOURCE PCF Insurance Services The ultimate holiday for coffee lovers is Thursday, September 29 EMERYVILLE, Calif., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Coffee lovers, rejoice! Peet's Coffee is celebrating National Coffee Day with fresh perks in participating Peet's Coffeebars, online at peets.com, and through the Peet's mobile app. Peet's obsession with quality coffee and craft is the perfect way to celebrate the national holiday. Coffeebar guests can enjoy a complimentary small drip coffee with any purchase on Thursday, September 29. Peet's is also offering 20 percent off its freshly roasted coffee beans, K-Cup pods, and espresso capsules in Coffeebars, and 20 percent off sitewide at peets.com, including new seasonal Pumpkin Spice K-Cup pods.* Peet's Coffee is celebrating National Coffee Day with fresh perks in participating Peet's Coffeebars, online, and app Tweet this National Coffee Day is the holiday for coffee people at Peet's! To extend the celebration, Peetnik Rewards Members get $0 Delivery fee on orders placed through the Peet's app from September 29 through October 2. For coffee fanatics wanting to sip their perks throughout the year, Peet's always provides Coffeebar guests one complimentary small drip coffee with the purchase of a one-pound bag of beans in-store. According to the National Coffee Association's (NCA) 2022 National Coffee Data Trends Report, U.S. coffee consumption is at a 20 year high, with Americans enjoying an estimated 517 million cups of coffee every day, or, approximately two cups per day, per person. Peet's Coffee brews exceptional premium coffee in each cup starting with freshly roasted beans, sourced from the highest quality growing regions, brewed in Coffeebars every 30 minutes or less, featuring enticing aromas, and handcrafted coffee and espresso beverages all with a depth of rich flavors and textures from start to finish. "At Peet's Coffee, we celebrate exceptional coffee every day: that perfect cup is our passion," said Jessica Buttimer, Vice President of Marketing at Peet's Coffee. "We think Peet's customers deserve the best on National Coffee Day and every day." Peet's National Coffee Day Offers: Complimentary small drip coffee with ANY purchase in participating Coffeebars on National Coffee Day, Thursday, September 29 only only 20% off beans, K-Cup pods and espresso capsules in Coffeebars from Thursday, September 29 through Sunday, October 2 through 20% off sitewide at peets.com from Thursday, September 29 through Sunday, October 2 through $0 Delivery fee for orders placed through the Peet's app from Thursday, September 29 through Sunday, October 2 Delivery fee for orders placed through the Peet's app from through Insider's Tip: Peet's always provides Coffeebar guests one complimentary small coffee with the purchase of a one-pound bag of beans, limit one per customer National Coffee Day occurs perfectly in season with Peet's new fall menu items. Peet's Coffee offerings are inspired by the comforting tastes of fall with notes of ground cinnamon, spiced pumpkin, baked apple, and creamy caramel, all expertly matched with Peet's Espresso Forte or Baridi Cold Brew. The retail Coffeebar menu reunites Peetnik's with Peet's best-selling Chicken & Waffles Sandwich for all day enjoyment. For home and office coffee cravings, Peet's Coffee has added its first-ever seasonal K-Cup pods in Pumpkin Spice to its full line of packaged coffee choices. Peet's is committed to sourcing coffee responsibly for the welfare of people and the planet, while also working to improve the conditions on coffee farms. Since 2021, all Peet's coffee is 100 percent responsibly sourced per standards set by Enveritas, an independent, third-party, global non-profit which tracks social, economic, and agricultural impact across multiple crops and industries. This sourcing achievement is the result of a multi-year data collection process to verify the conditions and practices of more than 59,000, mostly small coffee farms in 24 regions around the world that supply coffee beans for Peet's Coffee. To learn more about Peet's commitments to a coffee experience worth celebrating - on National Coffee Day and every day - visit www.peets.com. *For full terms and conditions, visit peets.com. About Peet's Coffee When Alfred Peet founded Peet's Coffee in Berkeley, California in 1966, he introduced an artisan movement creating the U.S. specialty coffee industry. Considered the "Big Bang of coffee," Peet's legacy sourcing the world's best beans, artisan roasting for rich, premium taste and crafting beverages by hand lives on today in every cup, whether ordered online, selected at a grocery store then brewed at home or served in any one of over 360 Peet's Coffee locations in the U.S and China. Peet's Coffee is committed to the welfare of people and the planet, with 100 percent of its coffee purchases verified as responsibly sourced per Enveritas standards. The company operates the first LEED Gold certified roastery in the United States. Visit www.peets.com and connect @peetscoffee. SOURCE Peet's Coffee Inc. Signed an MOU on September 7 for the Sarawak H2biscus Green Hydrogen Project to supply hydroelectric-power-based renewable power. The four companies and Sarawak Energy aims to produce green hydrogen from 2027 by conducting joint research to find a stable power supply for hydrogen production and completing the feasibility study by this year. "If the discussion on the power supply is successfully progressed, the H2biscus project will be the hub of hydrogen supply in Asia ", said Byeong-og Yoo, Senior Executive Vice President. SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- POSCO Holdings will cooperate with Samsung Engineering, Lotte Chemical, Malaysian Sarawak Economic Development Corporation Energy, and Malaysian Sarawak Energy for Green Hydrogen Business for Sarawak's green H2 business. On September 7, POSCO Holdings signed an MOU about cooperation on supplying hydroelectric-based renewable power for the Malaysia Sarawak H2biscus Green Hydrogen Project with Samsung Engineering, Lotte Chemical, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation Energy, and Malaysian Sarawak Energy. On September 7, POSCO Holdings signed an MOU about cooperation on supplying hydroelectric-based renewable power for the Malaysia Sarawak H2biscus Green Hydrogen Project with Samsung Engineering, Lotte Chemical, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation Energy, and Malaysian Sarawak Energy. This January, POSCO Holdings, Samsung Engineering, and Lotte Chemical signed an MOU with SEDC Energy to build a partnership for the Sarawak green hydrogen project. This time, the new MOU signing for the collaboration of renewable power supply with Sarawak Energy is expected to boost the Sarawak hydrogen project. With the MOU signed, the five parties agreed to conduct joint research for a stable power supply under the H2biscus project, which will use min. 900MW of power, and check the preparations for substation, power line, and other infrastructural facilities. Based on the result of the co-research, the ongoing feasibility study will be finalized by this year, aiming to start production of green H2 from the end of 2027. The green hydrogen produced from the Sarawak project will amount to 200,000 tons. Except for 7,000 tons used in Malaysia, the rest of the H2 will be moved to Korea in the form of ammonia, which is expected to help the country facilitate the national H2 economy and achieve the carbon neutrality goal. In particular, POSCO Holdings, Samsung Engineering, and Lotte Chemical will continue to develop green H2 projects overseas to take the lead in introducing green hydrogen to Korea. Besides, POSCO GROUP is actively taking action to secure differentiated business capabilities and technological prowess over the entire hydrogen value chain from H2 production, transport, storage, and usage. While participating in multiple outstanding projects of green H2 output in Australia and the Middle East, POSCO is also focusing on its capabilities in high-temperature electrolysis technology (producing H2 through electrolysis of water at high temperatures) and ammonia decomposition technology (producing H2 by reforming ammonia). POSCO GROUP aims to grow into the nation's biggest H2 player with the highest demand and supply by equipping itself with the production system for 7 million tons of H2 by 2050, at home and abroad. SOURCE POSCO Holdings Nearly 15 million excess deaths reported globally in 2020 and 2021, with life expectancy dropping in many countries, including the United States WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The COVID-19 pandemic caused nearly 15 million excess deaths in 2020 and 2021, accounting for 12% of all deaths globally and contributing to declines in life expectancy in some countries, including the United States. Those are among the findings in PRB's newly released 2022 World Population Data Sheet, providing a global picture of the pandemic's impacts on mortality and fertility patterns. Published annually since 1962, PRB's World Population Data Sheet is a leading resource for policymakers, educators, and researchers seeking reliable demographic data. The 60th edition charts indicators for more than 200 countries and territories. "Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, we are finally getting a clearer and more nuanced picture of its impact across countries and communities," PRB President and CEO Jeffrey Jordan said. "We hope the data and evidence in the 2022 World Population Data Sheet can provide greater insights for decisionmakers." Other key findings in the 2022 Data Sheet include: Between January 2020 and December 2021 , the pandemic contributed to 12% of total deaths globally, directly or indirectly. Central America was hardest hit, with more than 25% of deaths associated with the pandemic. and , the pandemic contributed to 12% of total deaths globally, directly or indirectly. was hardest hit, with more than 25% of deaths associated with the pandemic. Around 7.46 million excess deaths occurred on average in both 2020 and 2021, leading to nearly 15 million excess deaths over the two-year period. Excess deaths measure the difference between the number of actual deaths and the number of deaths that would have been expected had the pandemic not occurred. Between 2019 and 2021, life expectancy in the United States declined from 78 years to 76 yearsreversing 30 years of gains. Global life expectancy at birth is 75 years for women and 70 years for men. declined from 78 years to 76 yearsreversing 30 years of gains. Global life expectancy at birth is 75 years for women and 70 years for men. The global population rose slightly to just under 8 billion people. India is projected to have the greatest absolute increase in population size of any country between 2022 and 2050, rising by more than 253 million to 1.67 billion. is projected to have the greatest absolute increase in population size of any country between 2022 and 2050, rising by more than 253 million to 1.67 billion. The pandemic's impact on fertility rates was less significant than expected and largely temporary. High-income countries such as Italy , Germany and the United States experienced small declines in births in 2020, rebounding in 2021. Low- and middle-income countries saw little to no fertility impacts. , and experienced small declines in births in 2020, rebounding in 2021. Low- and middle-income countries saw little to no fertility impacts. The global total fertility rate (TFR)lifetime number of births per womanis 2.3, still above the replacement-level TFR of approximately 2.1 births per woman. "As more data and analysis become available, we are seeing how different populations were impacted unequally by the pandemic," said Toshiko Kaneda, PRB's Technical Director, Demographic Research. "Understanding how the pandemic's impacts varied across groups is critical to prepare for future pandemics and crises." Click here to download a free copy of PRB's 2022 World Population Data Sheet. About PRB PRB promotes and supports evidence-based policies, practices, and decision-making to improve the health and well-being of people throughout the world. Find out more at www.prb.org. Follow us on Twitter @PRBdata. Contact: Liselle Yorke [email protected] 202-939-5463 SOURCE Population Reference Bureau BCG to acquire Quantis to further strengthen climate and sustainability (C&S) expertise and transformation capability Quantis currently helps global companies to better understand their climate, biodiversity, water, land, and plastics footprints; and develops and delivers bespoke strategies to align with the planet's boundaries Together, BCG and Quantis will lead the global transformation toward a new planetary economy in which business gives nature a seat at the table BOSTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the leading global strategy consultancy has announced a deal to acquire Quantis, a pioneering environmental sustainability consultancy guiding many of the world's largest organizations on their sustainability transformation. The parties expect the acquisition to close later this month. Quantis was founded in 2006 and has since grown to more than 250 environmental experts and transformation specialists primarily based in Europe and the US. The global consultancy has a proven track record of implementing a science-based, systems-level approach to accelerate sustainable business transformation to operate within planetary boundaries1. Quantis is recognized for driving innovative solutions to critical and diverse environmental challenges, from climate change and biodiversity loss to water scarcity, deforestation, and plastics pollution. Quantis will operate as a standalone business unit within BCG and will retain its brand and leadership team. "Bringing together Quantis and BCG is an exciting step in strengthening our ability to help clients protect our planet and transform sustainably," said Christoph Schweizer, BCG CEO. "Many of the CEOs I speak to want to take action but are looking for the kind of deep expertise our Quantis team offers to solve their complex problems. I am proud to welcome this accomplished and passionate team to BCG." "Combining BCG's extensive industry knowledge and transformation capability with Quantis' deep scientific expertise and solid sustainability reputation will create an unstoppable force to drive the shift from business as usual to business at its best," said Dimitri Caudrelier, Quantis CEO. "The stakes for our planet have never been higher. This deal will enable us to take a critical leap towards achieving our vision for a new planetary economy. I am also thrilled about the opportunities it will create for Quantisians to raise their level of impact and grow professionally. Uniting with BCG will enable us to fast-track the science-driven sustainable transformation to which Quantis has been unwaveringly committed since our start." "In the face of ever-pressing environmental challenges, we keep investing boldly in our climate and sustainability market leadership," said Schweizer. "In addition to strengthening BCG with the acquisition of Quantis, we plan to recruit thousands more climate and sustainability experts over the coming years and continuing to expand our network of partners." BCG was recently announced as the exclusive consulting partner for COP27, being held in Egypt in November, providing analytical capabilities and industry insights from its extensive experience helping companies, governments, and multilateral organizations accelerate their climate and sustainability journey. BCG's support for COP27 complements its longstanding support for the global climate agenda through partnerships with the World Economic Forum, UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, successive COP presidencies, SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative), CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project), Breakthrough Energy Catalyst, and First Movers Coalition. Media Contacts: BCG: Brian Bannister, +44 7919 393753, [email protected] Quantis: Johanna Steves, +33 6 58 65 02 66, [email protected] About Boston Consulting Group Boston Consulting Group partners with leaders in business and society to tackle their most important challenges and capture their greatest opportunities. BCG was the pioneer in business strategy when it was founded in 1963. Today, we work closely with clients to embrace a transformational approach aimed at benefiting all stakeholdersempowering organizations to grow, build sustainable competitive advantage, and drive positive societal impact. Our diverse, global teams bring deep industry and functional expertise and a range of perspectives that question the status quo and spark change. BCG delivers solutions through leading-edge management consulting, technology and design, and corporate and digital ventures. We work in a uniquely collaborative model across the firm and throughout all levels of the client organization, fueled by the goal of helping our clients thrive and enabling them to make the world a better place. About Quantis Quantis is a global sustainability consultancy pioneering approaches to solve critical environmental challenges. The group partners with leading organizations who are serious about reducing their environmental impacts to future-proof their businesses and prosper in a new planetary economy. Quantis' unique approach combines deep environmental expertise, strategic business knowledge, and enterprise transformation skills to help organizations shape policies, practices and business models that align with the planet's capacity while building resilience, unlocking innovation, and optimizing performance. With offices in the US, France, Switzerland, Germany and Italy and clients around the world, Quantis is a key partner in inspiring sustainable change on a global scale. Discover Quantis at www.quantis.com 1 The planetary boundaries concept was developed by the Stockholm Resilience Center to define the environmental limits for human activities across key dimensions of climate change, biosphere integrity, land-system change, biogeochemical flows, and fresh or "green water." SOURCE Boston Consulting Group (BCG) ALAMEDA, Calif., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosefield Village was developed by Island City Development, an affiliate of the Housing Authority of the City of Alameda (AHA). Rosefield Village provides 92 affordable apartment homes (including one manager's unit) for families in a warm and friendly environment. The site is a prime example of how redevelopment of existing properties can provide opportunities to increase the number of affordable homesoriginally, Rosefield Village property had 53 units. The 2.4-acre property is located at 727 Buena Vista Ave, in an amenity-rich neighborhood, one block from the Webster Street commercial district. Photo Rendering of Rosefield Village Rosefield aerrial view Rosefield Village Rosefield Village Courtyard "With stellar complexes such as Rosefield, the Housing Authority of the City of Alameda and its affiliates seek to double their affordable housing footprint in the City of Alameda over the next decade," says Kenji Tamaoki, Board President, "This development moves us forward in our goal to serve more Alamedans." Rosefield Village makes a historical nod to the location through its elected name. The site is the former location of the first Rosefield Packing Company food processing plant built circa 1915. In 1932, Mr. Rosefield patented a process for making homogenized peanut butter creating the first Skippy peanut butter! The factory was purchased in 1955 and officially closed in 1974. Four years later, AHA purchased the site and used the building as the home office and maintenance facility. In the 1980's the Eagle Avenue Modular developments were completed, replacing what had once been dilapidated housing for military personnel unused since WWII. Post-new construction and renovation in 2022, Rosefield Village now serves twice as many families. Rosefield Village incorporates significant green building techniques and universal design strategies to maximize livability and visit-ability for households with an array of family sizes, age ranges, and talents. This building was designed with sustainability in mind and is in-process of obtaining Green Point Rated Gold certification an industry standard for sustainable development. Rooftop solar panels will provide energy to offset 20% of common area energy usage. Rosefield Village has Bay-Friendly rated landscaping which incorporates practices of water saving, maintenance labor savings, non-toxic weed suppression, reduction of run off, and potential greenhouse gas reduction are throughout the property. Additionally, flooring throughout the building is made of sustainable materials; energy efficient lighting is throughout; and all appliances are modern energy efficient models. "The City of Alameda is pleased that the innovative transformation of Rosefield Village, located in the vibrant West End District, has created almost twice as many affordable apartments as the original project, at a time when affordable housing is desperately needed" says Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft. The Housing Authority is pleased to be able to provide the City of Alameda with ninety-two additional affordable Family apartment homes and appreciates all who have been involved in the process. Thank you especially to the Alameda City Council for its continued support of affordable housing and to the City staff who worked alongside Housing Authority staff from the project's first development applications through lease up. This $72 million dollar investment would not be possible without numerous funding partners The land is owned by the Housing Authority of the City of Alameda, and its development partner, Island City Development, is the sponsor and developer. Funding includes 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits with Tax-Exempt Bond financing and State Tax Credits from the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee and the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee, Alameda County A1 funds, former redevelopment funds from the Alameda Unified School District passed-through the Housing Authority, additional Housing Authority funds, CDBG, HOME funds, a City of Alameda fee waiver, a project based voucher contract from the Housing Authority, and loans from Bank of America, N.A. and Greystone Servicing Company LLC. The tax credit investor is Enterprise Housing Credit Investments, LLC. The project is income and rent-restricted for at least fifty-five years. "It has been a pleasure to enter this long-term investment in quality affordable homes for families in Alameda," says Vice President of Investment, Phillip Porter of Enterprise Housing Credit Investments, "Enterprise targets quality affordable homes in such transit-oriented, sustainable, and higher opportunity locations." Gioia McCarthy, Bank of America President San Francisco East Bay, adds, "Congratulations to Island City Development and AHA for the successful completion of this significant construction project. Rosefield Village is a great example of the impact that public-private partnerships can make in creating quality affordable housing for those most in need. Grand Opening Celebration Please join the Housing Authority for the Grand Opening Celebration on September 15, 2022, 3-5PM. Light refreshments will be served. State and local elected officials including Assemblymember Bonta, Supervisor Brown and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft are scheduled to speak. About AHA www.alamedahsg.org For over 80 years, The Housing Authority of the City of Alameda (AHA) has provided a range of housing assistance to low-income households. The primary goal of the Housing Authority is to provide quality, affordable, and safe housing in the City of Alameda. Our programs include Housing Choice Vouchers, Project-Based Vouchers, specialized housing assistance, family self-sufficiency, affordable real estate development, resident services, and management of AHA owned property. MEDIA CONTACTS: Greg Kats (Administrative Services Director) [email protected] or 510-846-7102 Vanessa Cooper (Executive Director) [email protected] or 510-747-4320 SOURCE The Housing Authority of the City of Alameda The contextual pioneer builds on success in EMEA and LATAM by welcoming executive leadership to its US sales and publisher teams NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Seedtag , the leader in contextual advertising in EMEA and LATAM, has announced the appointment of its US senior leadership team; this follows its recent 250M funding round from Advent International and opening of US headquarters in New York in July 2022. Led by US Managing Director, Brian Danzis, the company is poised to further expand to a number of major US cities by the end of 2022 and has hired senior executives to drive its sales and publishing teams. Seedtag US Leadership Team (PRNewsfoto/Seedtag) As Managing Director, Brian Danzis will be responsible for the company's growth and strategic guidance of the US team across its existing offices in New York, Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles. With over 20 years of experience in advertising, sales and marketing in North America, he has held a number of leadership positions in digital media and has built a reputation as an exceptional leader. Before joining Seedtag, Brian served as EVP, Agency Solutions for VideoAmp where he managed the national sales team. Prior to this, he was Global Head of Video & Live Event Sales at Spotify where he developed and executed the platform's go-to-market strategy of its video ads business. Seedtag has also welcomed the following executives into its sales and publishing teams: Charles Gabriel , US SVP, West Coast and International Sales: Charles has over a decade's sales experience in digital media and advertising from Disney's Maker Studios, Apester, Qriously (acquired by Brand Watch) and First Media. He has successfully built US and global sales teams and oversaw US video sales reaching over $140 million at AOL. , US SVP, West Coast and International Sales: Charles has over a decade's sales experience in digital media and advertising from Disney's Maker Studios, Apester, Qriously (acquired by Brand Watch) and First Media. He has successfully built US and global sales teams and oversaw US video sales reaching over at AOL. Lora Feinman , US SVP East Coast Sales: Lora has been at the forefront of pioneering developments in advertising and has led teams that developed and sold immersive VR and AR advertising experiences at Jaunt. She has also driven growth in both linear and digital media sales at AOL and Xandr/Warner Media. , US SVP East Coast Sales: Lora has been at the forefront of pioneering developments in advertising and has led teams that developed and sold immersive VR and AR advertising experiences at Jaunt. She has also driven growth in both linear and digital media sales at AOL and Xandr/Warner Media. David Otis , US VP, Independent Agencies: David joined Seedtag as its 1st US hire and is responsible for building the independent agency sales team nationally. With over 11 years in the contextual advertising space, David successfully launched the independent agency arm for Teads US scaling the business to a $15 million annual run rate. , US VP, Independent Agencies: David joined Seedtag as its 1st US hire and is responsible for building the independent agency sales team nationally. With over 11 years in the contextual advertising space, David successfully launched the independent agency arm for Teads US scaling the business to a annual run rate. Jim Kleinick , US VP, Midwest Sales: With over 15 years of digital advertising experience, Jim will be responsible for building and scaling the Midwest sales team. He has served in various sales leadership positions at VideoAmp, Xandr, Videology and MySpace. , US VP, Midwest Sales: With over 15 years of digital advertising experience, Jim will be responsible for building and scaling the Midwest sales team. He has served in various sales leadership positions at VideoAmp, Xandr, Videology and MySpace. Tina Iannacchino , US Senior Publisher Director: As Seedtag's first Supply hire in the US market, Tina brings over 10 years of digital media experience and is tasked with establishing strong direct relationships with publishers. Before joining Seedtag, she spent over three years at SHE Media where she single handedly signed Publishers grossed over $26 million in revenue. "We're beyond thrilled to welcome Brian and the rest of the senior team into our organization," said Albert Nieto, Co-CEO and Co-Founder, Seedtag, who also recently relocated to New York after the launch. "They bring a wealth of immeasurable experience to the company and it's exciting to see how our company has expanded since we launched in 2014. I'm certain that each of them will serve as outstanding leaders to their teams and I look forward to an excellent working relationship with them all." Speaking on the appointment, Brian Danzis said, "Watching Seedtag's growth over the years has been nothing short of phenomenal and I am incredibly honored to be leading the team in its next phase of growth across North America. The team's collective expertise across the digital media landscape will be an unstoppable driving force as we help advertisers increase the effectiveness of their campaigns whilst ensuring users' privacy." Seedtag has, since its launch in 2014, built a privacy-first solution for advertisers and pioneered the use of AI and machine learning to create the best contextual product available in the market. Working out of the New York headquarters alongside Brian, Albert Nieto will support the company's US expansion by leading its International Sales, Marketing and Finance teams. About Seedtag Seedtag is the leading Contextual Advertising Company that creates highly impactful and engaging solutions for relevant premium visual content, powering targeting and returns for top publishers and the finest brands. The company's contextual A.I. allows brands to engage with consumers within their universe of interest on a cookie-free basis. Seedtag was founded in Madrid in 2014 by two ex-Googlers who wanted to get the most out of editorial images and to this day it is a global company that more than 300 employees and an important international presence with offices in Spain, France, Italy, UK, Benelux, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Chile and the US. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1899750/Seedtag_leadership_team.jpg SOURCE Seedtag AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sigo Seguros, the insurtech startup enabling mobility for immigrant and working-class communities, has grown exponentially due to demand from the Hispanic community for fair auto insurance. Sigo Seguros has served thousands of drivers this year with transparent pricing directly from their mobile devices. Left: Ivan Arambula, VP of Engineering & Co-Founder Center: Nestor Hugo Solari, CEO & Co-Founder Right: Julio Erdos, COO & Co-Founder With their first insurance product launched in Texas through their bilingual platform, Sigo Seguros has reached a mass audience of Spanish-speaking Texan drivers in need of affordable and transparent coverage. "I did everything online, it was really fast, and everything was sent via email. The price was good, and I only paid my first month of coverage, unlike other companies who require a minimum down payment of $250. I recommend [Sigo Seguros]!" - Karen Hernandez "The positive customer feedback through this hypergrowth period has validated the market," says Nestor Hugo Solari, CEO of Sigo Seguros and the son of Uruguayan immigrants. "Our technology has driven underwriting profitability while allowing customers to onboard digitally for the first time." Sigo Seguros is the only insurance company in the United States digitally onboarding Spanish speakers and providing a bilingual experience with automated underwriting. Customers with foreign identification can go to the Sigo Seguros site on their phone and leave with proof of insurance, without paying excessive agent fees or being penalized for things like credit score or immigration status. The approach has given thousands of Hispanic families a product they were in desperate need of for decades. Solari notes that there are several communities beyond Spanish speakers that need better auto insurance, and that Sigo Seguros aspires to serve immigrant and working-class communities across the country. When asked what inspires Solari he answered, "Building the future our communities deserve." For more information on Sigo Seguros, visit www.sigoseguros.com. "Sigo Seguros esta siempre contigo" SOURCE Sigo Seguros SUMMIT, N.J., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Simplicity Group ("Simplicity") today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Allegis Advisor Group ("Allegis"), an agency dedicated to supporting independent advisors across annuity, long-term care, and life insurance sales. Allegis will be the 43rd group to join Simplicity, and with the closing of this deal, the company will welcome Chris Miller, Brian Pierce, Eric Stuart, Nate Williams, Barney Tanner, and Byron Rasmussen as partners. The day-to-day operations of the Salt Lake City-based Allegis will continue to be managed by Mr. Miller and his leadership team. "With a focus on education, value and partnership, Chris and his team have demonstrated their commitment to serve independent agents and advisors with great service, marketing and premium products and Allegis is well positioned to integrate seamlessly into Simplicity," said Bruce Donaldson, President and CEO of Simplicity. "Our prior working relationship with Allegis was founded on our respect for the business that Chris, Brian, Eric, Nate, Barney and Byron have built. We are thrilled to welcome them and the whole Allegis team to the group." "Through our longstanding partnership with Simplicity, we have seen firsthand the company's commitment to supporting us in our work with advisors," said Chris Miller. "With the strength of Simplicity behind us, we are excited for the next chapter, continuing to help our partners maximize their unique business opportunities." Added Brian Pierce, "We are proud of the team we have built at Allegis, and the work we do for agents and advisors and their clients every day. Simplicity is committed to that work and has built the marketing, sales training, technology, and business infrastructure that will let us focus on what we do best: support our agents and advisors." About Allegis Advisor Group Allegis Advisor Group is a nationwide independent marketing organization located in Salt Lake City, Utah serving independent financial advisors with life, annuity, disability, long-term care, and group insurance solutions. Allegis focuses on giving comprehensive, independent and objective advice to advisors to address insurance, estate, and business planning needs. Allegis also provides a wide range of sales and marketing support to advisors to help them grow their businesses. For more information, please visit https://www.allegisag.com/ About Simplicity Group Simplicity Group is one of the nation's largest and fastest-growing financial product distribution companies, which has had 43 distribution businesses join its partnership (including Allegis). Each of Simplicity's operating businesses is directed by its local management team and benefits from access to Simplicity's group resources. Through partnership with top distribution organizations and technology companies, Simplicity seeks to provide compelling business solutions that will attract the industry's best leadership, talent, advisors, agents, and future partners. Simplicity supports independent financial advisors and agents across the country with investment, annuity and life insurance solutions with a focus on client education, consumer value and partnership. For more information, please visit: www.simplicitygroup.com and follow the Company on LinkedIn . MEDIA CONTACTS Denielle Webb Simplicity Group P: 347-204-7181 / E: [email protected] Alex Timeus Simplicity Group P: 201-987-7176 / E: [email protected] SOURCE Simplicity Group New Brand Identity, Symbol, And Logo New Product Tier: SodaStream Collection with Advanced Functionalities and Premium Designs Comprehensive Rebranding Including New Visual Design, Packaging, Digital, and Tone of Voice KFAR SABA, Israel, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SodaStream, the world's leading sparkling water brand announces a full 360 brand-repositioning going live today. Following its digital transformation and consumer centric strategy launched three years ago, the company is tapping into its consumers' growing interest in design, innovation, mixology, and user-experience fields. As the trend of making fresh sparkling water at home continues to grow, and as consumers seek more approachable premium products, especially in the food and beverage sector1, SodaStream is introducing a full top-to-bottom redesign of the company's symbol, color palette, websites, and is introducing a new tier of elevated products. SodaStream SodaStream At the heart of the new positioning is the brand's call to Push for Better, inspired by the action one takes when pushing the SodaStream sparkling water maker button. "Push for Better" is brought to life in the brand's new visual identity, leading to a "ripple effect" of positive change, inspired by the power of a simple push of a button and the stream of change that it sets in motion for both consumers and the planet. The new visual language includes a fresh new iconic symbol consisting of two inter-locking water droplets arranged in a yin and yang formation, depicting balance and harmony, as well as resembling the planet. The design forms the signature letter "S", symbolizing SodaStream. Remaining true to its dedication to do better for the planet, SodaStream's new color palette is inspired by nature. The brand's primary colors are Fresh Blue, Deep Blue, and Sand, a reference to the purity and freshness of water, and the brightness of sand. SodaStream is also revealing "SodaStream Collection", a new premium product tier that represents its advanced and designed product range. "SodaStream Collection" offers elevated experiences through superior innovation, quality, and design. The Collection range will consist of SodaStream's new sparkling water makers the Art and the Duo, and will also include future innovations designed by global renowned designers. SodaStream's new visual identity is now live throughout the company's digital touchpoints including its direct to consumer websites, social media channels, and additional platforms. Starting in 2023, the newly designed packaging will gradually roll-out to all 47 global markets in which the company operates. "Our new 'Push for Better' strategy and its accompanying brand assets are the next chapter in SodaStream's journey to change the way the world drinks and revolutionize the global beverage industry", said Eyal Shohat, CEO of SodaStream. "As the experts of sparkling beverages creation, we are excited to provide our consumers with the perfect sparkling water experiences, with an upgraded lifestyle. By using SodaStream, our consumers have the opportunity to do something that's better for them and better for the planet". SodaStream has collaborated with Pearl Fisher, a creative design and branding agency based in London, to create and implement the brand's new visual identity as well as Eitan Cohen, creative advisor to SodaStream. "We are very proud of our partnership with SodaStream. It's been a great process, from identifying SodaStream's opportunity to evolving and optimizing the brand's key assets to ensuring every aspect of the new design vision and brand experience activates its trailblazing attitude and stream of change mentality," said Eitan Cohen and David Jenkinson, Design & Experience Partner at Pearl Fischer. "This is an exciting next chapter for Sodastream and we're looking forward to seeing this bold, impactful, and empowering new design hit the shelves." About SodaStream: SodaStream, a PepsiCo subsidiary, is the world's leading sparkling water brand. Operating in over 47 countries across the globe, SodaStream empowers consumers to create perfect personalized sparkling beverage experiences with just a push of a button. By allowing its users to make better choices for themselves and the planet SodaStream is revolutionizing the beverage industry and changing the way the world drinks. To learn more about SodaStream visit www.sodastream.com and follow SodaStream on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. 1 Based on Global Monitor, Consumer Trends Status New in 2022 by Kantar Media Contact Alison Brod Marketing + Communications [email protected] SOURCE SodaStream CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- StemExpress is excited to announce the opening of their newest StemExpress cell collection center in Boston, Massachusetts. StemExpress is relocating from Arlington, MA to the prestigious research hub of Cambridge, MA. The move promises more partnerships and better logistics for client needs, opening doors for more scalable cell and gene therapies. The location of the new collection center, which includes a modern cell isolation laboratory, will enable StemExpress to continue to help advance global research, scale clinical and commercial operations within the region, and support innovative treatments in Cambridge's healthcare systems. Founded in 2010, StemExpress has been a leading provider of immune and stem cells for over a decade - actively supporting medical research, clinical trials, and commercialization of cell and gene therapies. StemExpress has locations in Massachusetts, Nevada, Maryland, Philadelphia, North Carolina, and California. The company is looking to expand their team of scientists and skilled business professionals for their Cambridge location. Internships will be offered to students with outstanding academic records with the opportunity for full-time employment. To learn more about career opportunities, visit StemExpress.com/Careers. StemExpress will host two grand opening events to welcome blood donors, neighbors, and clients to their new facility. The first is an invitation-only event for clients and business partners, highlighting their new state-of-the-art laboratory. The event, which takes place on September 21st, 2022, gives StemExpress clients an opportunity to tour the facility and discuss the rapidly expanding field of cell and gene therapy research. Clients can request an invite or RSVP by emailing: [email protected]. The second community event welcomes people of all ages to attend the on-site celebration with music, food, and raffles. Adults are encouraged to sign up to become blood donors and take part in life-saving research. The event takes place on October 15th, 2022, from 11:00 am -3:00 pm. Learn more at StemExpress.com/Boston-Grand-Opening. StemExpress is eager to take part in important cell and gene centered events in the Boston area - meeting fellow thought leaders in the field and spurring advancements in CAR T-Cell therapy. StemExpress is excited to attend the CAR-TCR Summit at the Hynes Convention Center from Sept 19th-22nd where they will discuss closing the loop in the commercialization of cell and gene therapies, leading to more accessible patient treatments. Visit StemExpress.com/CAR-TCR to schedule a meet-and-greet with a StemExpress expert. CONTACT: [email protected] SOURCE StemExpress Teleperformance is the only Multinational Business Process Outsourcing company recognized on Europe's Great Place to Work Top 25 rankings NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Teleperformance, a leading global group in digitally integrated business services, announced that it is ranked in the top ten amongst multinational workplaces in Europe by Great Place to Work, the global authority on workplace culture. By earning the prestigious Best Workplaces in Europe certification, Teleperformance continues to set the highest people standards for the European Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Industry as well as for organizations in all other industries. The Teleperformance Group countries included in this recognition are Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom. The list is based on confidential survey data representing 1.4 million employees from over 3,000 companies across 37 countries in Europe. This recognition is based on confidential survey data assessing employee experiences of trust, innovation, company values and leadership. Companies are also evaluated on how well they are creating a "For All" workplace experience, diverse and inclusive of all employees no matter who they are or what they do. At the Best Workplaces in Europe, being able to offer unique benefits to employees makes a big difference. Teleperformance's Europe operations scored strong for overall trust, fairness and pride in the company by its more than 80,000 European team members. It operates over 120 facilities throughout Europe and provides work from home services, which over 70% of its staff currently utilize. With all the challenges facing global markets in the years ahead, focusing on workplace culture will be essential to ensure organizations surviveand even thrive. "Congratulations to the Best Workplaces in Europe for putting the well-being of their employees first," said Michael C. Bush, Global CEO of Great Place to Work. "During an incredibly challenging time for the region, these companies created equitable workplaces by providing flexibility and supporting their employees through strife. The Best Workplaces in Europe embody the mission of Great Place to Work and are indeed making work great work 'For All'." "We are extremely proud to be recognized among the top ten Best Workplaces in Europe in 2022, and especially honored to be the top ranked BPO company on the list," said Yannis Tourcomanis, President, Teleperformance CEMEA. "We are grateful to be recognized for prioritizing workplace culture and employee diversity, inclusion, and well-being and congratulate all of our management teams in Europe for always putting our people first." "At Teleperformance, our employees are the focus of our business, and we constantly seek opportunities to hear their voices both internally and through independent forums," said Alan Winters, Chief People Officer, Teleperformance. "In our continuous effort to provide them with a welcoming culture, we embarked on a wide-scale project inviting more than 350,000 employees worldwide to take the Great Place to Work (GPTW) Trust Index Survey last month, June 2022. These GPTW certifications demonstrate our steadfast commitment to embrace inclusive practices that help our 420,000 employees around the world with an environment that empowers them to succeed, advance, and grow." With a top global priority of people care, over 97% of Teleperformance employees worldwide currently work in independently certified great employer operations. The company welcomes applicants from across the globe to apply for exciting work options. Interested applicants can go to www.teleperformance.com. ABOUT TELEPERFORMANCE GROUP Teleperformance (TEP ISIN: FR0000051807 Reuters: TEPRF.PA - Bloomberg: TEP FP), the global leader in outsourced customer and citizen experience management and related digital services, serves as a strategic partner to the world's largest companies in many industries. It offers a One Office support services model including end-to-end digital solutions, which guarantee successful customer interaction and optimized business processes, anchored in a unique, comprehensive high touch, high tech approach. Nearly 420,000 employees, based in 88 countries, support billions of connections every year in over 265 languages and around 170 markets, in a shared commitment to excellence as part of the "Simpler, Faster, Safer" process. This mission is supported by the use of reliable, flexible, intelligent technological solutions and compliance with the industry's highest security and quality standards, based on Corporate Social Responsibility excellence. In 2021, Teleperformance reported consolidated revenue of 7,115 million (US$8.4 billion, based on 1 = $1.18) and net profit of 557 million. Teleperformance shares are traded on the Euronext Paris market, Compartment A, and are eligible for the deferred settlement service. They are included in the following indices: CAC 40, STOXX 600, S&P Europe 350, MSCI Global Standard and Euronext Tech Leaders. In the area of corporate social responsibility, Teleperformance shares are included in the Euronext Vigeo Euro 120 index since 2015, the EURO STOXX 50 ESG index since 2020, the MSCI Europe ESG Leaders index since 2019, the FTSE4Good index since 2018 and the S&P Global 1200 ESG index since 2017. For more information: www.teleperformance.com Follow us on Twitter: @teleperformance MEDIA CONTACT Mark Pfeiffer TELEPERFORMANCE Tel: + 1 801-257-5811 [email protected] SOURCE Teleperformance ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TerraCap Management LLC, a privately held investment firm with its headquarters in Naples, Florida, announced today the sale of Lake Point Commerce Center, a six-building, 134,389 square foot, office/flex park located in Orlando, FL. TerraCap Management Albert Livingston, TerraCap Partner and National Director of Asset Management, said, "Across our portfolio during COVID, we observed significant rent growth and tightened occupancy for single-story flex product. This resulted from increased need for distribution space and users migrating to non-traditional office space. The demand for flex office/industrial product combined with lack of available land in growth-constrained infill locations further benefited this asset, and we expect this trend to continue." TerraCap acquired Lake Point in July 2019. During their three-year ownership period, TerraCap completed several capital projects at the property, including roof replacements, parking lot repairs, and HVAC replacements, while maintaining the property's occupancy above 90%. The property is located less than five minutes from Orlando International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the United States. "Lake Point's performance follows our investment thesis of acquiring strategically-located properties in growing markets and working closely with established leasing and management teams to execute each asset's business plan," said Mark Hardee, TerraCap Asset Manager. "Average new and renewal leases signed in the last 12 months exceeded the in-place rents at our acquisition by more than 50%, and the property was 98% leased when sold. We appreciate our leasing and management teams for their strong efforts towards what we view as another success for TerraCap." Ron Rogg of CBRE represented TerraCap in the sale transaction. Lisa Bailey with Avison Young represented TerraCap on leasing during their ownership, and Harvard Pacific represented TerraCap on property management. About TerraCap Management LLC TerraCap Management LLC considers thematic factors such as business formation, employment growth and population growth on a market-by-market basis, as most metros and submarkets have different economic-based industries and therefore move through their economic cycles differently. TerraCap makes moderate strategic overweighting or underweighting to markets, depending on the specific economic drivers influencing supply and demand. The Investment Manager has been in operation since 2008 with its headquarters located in Naples, FL, the firm also has offices in Tampa, FL, Atlanta, GA, and Denver, CO. As operators, TerraCap believes it can make decisions more efficiently while leveraging expertise from property to property. The firm has over 10 million square feet of commercial assets within its portfolio, with over 2.1 billion dollars of assets under management. More information can be found at terracapmgmt.com. For More Information, Contact: Matthew Hart 239.494.8922 [email protected] TerraCap Management LLC SOURCE TerraCap Management National children's enrichment and physical development franchises join forces to create the ultimate discovery center and gym for children, opening Sept. 17 in Flower Mound, Texas DALLAS, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Little Gym International, the world's premier enrichment and physical development center for children, and Snapology, the number one children's STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) franchise both part of the world's first Youth Enrichment franchise platform company Unleashed Brands today announced the opening of its first-ever joint discovery center and gym in Flower Mound, Texas, on Saturday, Sept. 17. Located at 5801 Long Prairie Road, the new state-of-the-art play center provides enrichment and interactive activities for children ages four months through middle school in Flower Mound, allowing them to learn, play and grow under one roof. Unleashed Brands Logo (PRNewsfoto/Unleashed Brands) With more than 6,000 square feet of space, the first-of-its-kind discovery center and gym in Flower Mound offers a full line-up of unique activities from both The Little Gym and Snapology all under one roof, serving as a one-stop-shop experience for families of various aged children. The space features Snapology's newest Discovery Center 2.0 consisting of two separate classrooms, engaging children through STEAM activities such as coding, robotics and animation as well as 17 creative play stations involving LEGO bricks, Minecraft, Virtual Reality and more. On the opposite side of the center, The Little Gym offers engaging activities including parent-child classes and Pre-K and grade school gymnastics. Through three-dimensional learning including physical activities, cognitive skills and social and emotional learning, the core teaching methods create opportunities for children to experience achievement and build self-confidence. "It's a treat to expand our Discovery Center 2.0 concept into Texas and also co-create the ultimate children's enrichment space in collaboration with The Little Gym," said Laura Coe, Brand President & CEO of Snapology. "Together, we're taking children's play and education where it has never gone before with a goal of helping today's youth across all ages to learn, play and grow, all while building confidence, social skills and teamwork." "Our new discovery center and gym in Flower Mound is unlike anything we've ever created and it's an honor to welcome in local families to come experience this new flagship location," said Nancy Bigley, Brand President & CEO of The Little Gym. "We're unveiling new activities and interactive murals for the first time to elevate every child's learning experience. In partnering with Snapology on this new space, our collective vision of operating as a single play center that caters to children of all ages and abilities is coming true." Now through Sept. 16, the new The Little Gym and Snapology discovery center and gym is currently offering free preview sessions for deserving members of the community in recognition of their service including local educators, first responders and medical personnel (and their families). Both brands are also currently offering Founding Member specials until Sept. 30 starting at $69.99 per month, which includes one class per week, creative and open gym play, discounts on birthday parties and camps and more. Plus, families who sign up for memberships with both Snapology and The Little Gym will enjoy unlimited, free "Parent's Survival Nights" every weekend now through Oct. 31 where children get to enjoy free play at the discovery center and gym while parents get a much-deserved night off. The Little Gym and Snapology are portfolio brands of Unleashed Brands, which also functions as the parent company of Premier Martial Arts, Class 101, XP League and Urban Air Adventure Parks. Unleashed Brands is backed by a management team with more than 150 years of combined consumer industry experience, focused on serving families. It continues to grow its industry-leading platform to better serve and support families as moms and dads seek to "build great kids." The Little Gym and Snapology discovery center and gym in Flower Mound will be open every day, with hours varying by brand. For more information, grand opening events and offerings or to sign up for free classes and The Little Gym and Snapology Founding Member Specials, visit www.UnleashedFlowerMound.com. About The Little Gym International The Little Gym International is an internationally recognized program that helps children build the developmental skills and confidence needed at each stage of childhood. The very first location was established in 1976 by Robin Wes, an innovative educator with a genuine love for children. The Little Gym International, Inc., was formed in 1992 to franchise The Little Gym concept. Today, The Little Gym International has nearly 400 locations in over 31 countries including the U.S., Canada, China, the United Kingdom, Thailand and more. For more information, visit The Little Gym at www.TheLittleGym.com. About Snapology Founded in 2010, Snapology is the #1 children's enrichment franchise in the country, giving children the opportunity to learn through play with more than 80 enriching, interactive STEAM and STEM programs. With over 180 locations in the U.S. and Internationally, Snapology is quickly growing and impacting children throughout the world with their balance of educational enrichment, social development and fun. For more information about Snapology including franchise opportunities, visit www.Snapology.com. About Unleashed Brands Unleashed Brands, currently includes portfolio brands Urban Air, Snapology, The Little Gym, XP League, Class 101 and Premier Martial Arts and was founded to curate and grow a portfolio of the most innovative and profitable brands that help kids learn, play and grow. Over the last 10 years, the team at Unleashed Brands has built a proven platform and know-how for scaling businesses focused on serving families. Its mission is to impact the lives of every kid by providing fun, engaging and inspiring experiences that help them become who they are destined to be. For more information, please visit www.UnleashedBrands.com. CONTACT: [email protected] SOURCE Unleashed Brands Sculptures are available for purchase online and displayed across Kalahari Resorts' four locations with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting communities in Africa WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nelson Family Life Foundation, established by the Nelson family, owners of Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, announced the second annual Sculpting the Future, an authentic African art sale that supports artists in Africa and raises money for The Water Colors Life Project, an initiative that brings fresh, clean water to communities in Africa. Sculpting the Future- image provided by the Nelson Family Life Foundation In 2021, Todd Nelson and family responded to an opportunity to support a community of sculpting artists living just outside the capital city of Harare, Zimbabwe. Many of these artists have art displayed in galleries all over the world. However, Zimbabwean sculptors rely heavily on tourism and visiting art buyers to earn a living. When COVID-19 struck, it hit Zimbabwe's economy hard and Zimbabweans faced extremely difficult times. To help showcase their work to new audiences, the Nelson Family Life Foundation commissioned 100 artists from Harare, Zimbabwe, to interpret the word "love" in a sculpture. These original sculptures were then displayed and auctioned at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Round Rock, Texas, with all proceeds benefiting nonprofit charitable organizations. "Sculpting the Future aligns with our foundation's mission of improving the lives of individuals in the communities we serve through health and education initiatives," said Travis Nelson, co-founder of the Nelson Family Life Foundation and President of Kalahari Resorts and Conventions. "The inspiration of our authentically African-themed resorts started with a trip to the beautiful continent of Africa. We are thrilled to be able to showcase these amazingly talented artists." To date, Kalahari has invested more than $5.5 million to support African artists and craftsman through the purchase of art, textiles and more. Many of these items are showcased throughout the four Kalahari resorts. This year, the Nelson Family Life Foundation wanted to expand the Sculpting the Future campaign by displaying a variety of sculptures at all four Kalahari Resort locations. These authentically hand carved sculptures direct from Africa are available for purchase online, with 100 percent of the sales being donated directly to support The Water Colors Life Project a new initiative of the Nelson Family Life Foundation that brings fresh, clean water to communities in Africa. To purchase one of these unique sculptures and support African artists, visit www.sculptingthefuture.org, or see the sculptures on display at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Pocono Mountains, PA, Round Rock, TX, Sandusky, OH, or Wisconsin Dells, WI. Click here for images (CREDIT: Nelson Family Life Foundation). About the Nelson Family Life Foundation Established in 2014, the Nelson Family Life Foundation has committed itself to improving the lives of individuals in the communities it serves through health and education initiatives. The foundation was envisioned as an extension of the Nelson Family, shaped with a vision of doing wonderful things. The foundation is dedicated to creating opportunities that improve the lives of those in need, those who strive to be better, and those caring individuals who share in our passion and dedication in making the world a better place. With trusted community partners, the Nelson Family Life Foundation works closely to support initiatives and projects that will make a lasting and meaningful impact. For more information about the Nelson Family Life Foundation, please visit nelsonfamilylifefoundation.org. About Kalahari Resorts and Conventions Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, Sandusky, Ohio, the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania, and Round Rock, Texas, deliver a beyond-expectations waterpark resort and conference experience all under one roof. The authentically African-themed Kalahari Resorts, privately owned by the Nelson family, are home to America's Largest Indoor Waterparks. All Kalahari Resorts feature well-appointed guest rooms, the full-service Spa Kalahari, a fun-filled family entertainment center, on-site signature restaurants, unique retail shops and a state-of-the-art convention center. For information, visit KalahariResorts.com. SOURCE Nelson Family Life Foundation WILTON MANORS, Fla., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Smart Ride has helped The Poverello Center, Inc. purchase HIV testing kits for our community to test at home or at our facility through its 10% Lifeline program. Each year, up to 10% of the total raised from The SMART Ride is set aside to gift funds to other agencies throughout Florida that also provide services for those living with HIV/AIDS or help to prevent the spread of this disease. Poverello purchased DETERMINE HIV-1/2 AG/AB COMBO which is a State-of-the-Art 5th generation HIV rapid test, the first antigen/antibody rapid point-of-care test that detects both HIV-1/2 antibodies and free HIV-1 p24 antigen on a single test strip. The technology is the first antigen/antibody test, with the ability to detect HIV earlier than antibody-only tests. Detecting HIV earlier helps those newly diagnosed to address high viral loads early, preventing the spread and damage done by an HIV infection early. Testing is available currently Monday through Friday 10am until 6 pm at the Poverello thrift store in Wilton Manors and Pompano Beach. Glen Weinzimer, Founder of The Smart Ride Presents $15,000 check to The Poverello Center CEO and Volunteers https://poverello.org/ began in 1987 by a dedicated group of volunteers who delivered foods to people with HIV recently out of the hospital. Today, our Harkin on Wellness 2022 designated food programming is one of the highest quality, client choice food pantries in the nation. We assist people with chronic illnesses including HIV, Cancer, Diabetes, Monkeypox, Heart and Kidney Disease among others. In 2022, we began offering HIV testing and providing at home testing kits in our facilities. https://thesmartride.org/ started in 2003 with a vision of giving back 100% of every dollar its participants raise to AIDS service organizations throughout Florida. We also promised that participants would have a degree of control over the distribution of the funds they raised to the benefiting agencies. Since 2003, over $12.4 Million has been raised and 100% of it returned to help those infected, affected, or at risk for HIV and AIDS in Florida. Media Contact: Thomas Pietrogallo 9542136597 [email protected] SOURCE The Poverello Center Inc. NIU Technologies Joins SBMC and Commits to Advancing Global Swappable Battery Technology Standards BRUSSELS, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Founded in September 2021 by KTM, Honda, Piaggio and Yamaha, the Swappable Batteries Motorcycle Consortium (SBMC) has quickly grown to 21 members (and counting). The mission of the SBMC is to accelerate the deployment of swappable battery systems by developing and promoting new common technical specifications towards global and open standardization. In its first six months, the consortium took essential steps at an incredible pace. SBMC Its aim is to ensure full interoperability of swapping batteries to facilitate their application and boost sustainable mobility. This is what emerged during the SBMC Summit held in July 2022, with 40 of its representatives convened at the KTM Motohall in Mattighofen, Austria. This event was the perfect occasion to reflect on the progress made over the corsortium's first semester of existence, and to set the scene for upcoming activities towards standardization. The vision, strategy gand operations of the consortium were established across its members, the committees and working groups. The consortium was equipped with the proper tools and instruments to fulfill its ambitions. The set of relevant technical specifications was agreed upon, and the SBMC's work streams on prototyping and standardization were successfully kicked off. Strategic positions were also taken, among which are the acceptance of the SBMC as Formal Liaison Member to the CEN-CENELEC and membership in CEN-TC301 and CEN-CENELEC JTC-13. The corsortium's constructive approach has enabled it to overcome the technical challenges of developing interconnected and compatible systems. The SBMC is on track to achieve its goals as planned, and can now count on the best available expertise in the world to do so. The current members are: AVL, Ciklo, FIVE, Forsee Power, Hioki, Honda, Hyba, JAMA, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, Niu, Piaggio, Polaris, Roki, Samsung, Sinbon, Sumitomo Electric, Suzuki, Swobbee, Vitesco, VeNetWork, Yamaha. As member of the SBMC and a world leader in smart electric 2-wheeled mobility, NIU Technologies is committed to the mission of the consortium. "We are dedicated to enhancing access to electric urban mobility through the creation of common standards for swappable batteries. We believe this technology is key to the adoption of sustainable 2-wheel city solutions by reducing charging times, extending vehicle range, and decreasing cost for end users" says Dr Yan Li, CEO of NIU Technologies. ABOUT NIU TECHNOLOGIES As the world's leader in two-wheeled electric vehicles, NIU is on a mission to redefine urban mobility and make life better. Available in more than 50 countries, NIU has sold over 3,000,000 electric vehicles world-wide since launching their first e-moped in 2015. Designing and manufacturing high-performance electric motorcycles, e-mopeds, e-bikes and kick scooters, NIU's loyal users and fans have ridden over 7 billion miles around the world. For more company information please visit www.niu.com. (Link to SMBC to the boiler plate: https://www.sb-mc.net/ ) SOURCE NIU Technologies DUBLIN, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Maritime Information Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global maritime information market size reached US$ 1.6 Billion in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach US$ 2.9 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 10.42% during 2021-2027. Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, we are continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic on different end use sectors. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor. Maritime navigation has been used since centuries for trade, traveling and security purposes. The advent of digital transformation in marine navigation has aided users in gathering crucial information about the activities undertaken on ports and water bodies. Maritime information solutions assist vessels in adapting to the dynamic sea conditions by monitoring several parameters, which enable users and organizations to take better operational as well as strategic decisions. Besides this, they are associated with advantages such as enhancing the overall productivity and safety, along with ensuring efficiency in marine operations. As a result, these solutions are being employed for acquiring data about the ownership, movements, specifications and commercial activities of naval vessels. As maritime information solutions play a vital role in ensuring an economy's security, they are widely used by governing authorities around the world. These solutions help nations in minimizing maritime threats such as human trafficking, terrorist attacks, environmental destruction and illegal seaborne immigration. Moreover, on account of the liberalization of world trade, there has been a significant increase in the number of ships that traverse the oceans which, in turn, is strengthening the demand for these solutions. Apart from this, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has recently implemented stringent laws, making it compulsory for all vessels to be deployed with Automatic Identification System (AIS) in order to monitor maritime traffic and avoid collision with other ships. Further, manufacturers are financing in research and development activities to attain accurate signal detection from naval vessels. The publisher's latest report provides a deep insight into the global maritime information market covering all its essential aspects. This ranges from macro overview of the market to micro details of the industry performance, recent trends, key market drivers and challenges, SWOT analysis, Porter's five forces analysis, value chain analysis, etc. This report is a must-read for entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, consultants, business strategists, and all those who have any kind of stake or are planning to foray into the maritime information market in any manner. Competitive Landscape: The report has also analysed the competitive landscape of the market with some of the key players being Inmarsat, L3 Technologies, ORBCOMM, Raytheon Company, Thales Group, exactEarth, Iridium Communications, etc. Key Questions Answered in This Report: How has the global maritime information market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years? What are the key regional markets in the global maritime information industry? What has been the imapct of COVID-19 on the global maritime information market? What is the breakup of the market based on the application? What is the breakup of the market based on the end-user? What are the various stages in the value chain of the global maritime information industry? What are the key driving factors and challenges in the global maritime information industry? What is the structure of the global maritime information industry and who are the key players? What is the degree of competition in the global maritime information industry? Key Topics Covered: 1 Preface 2 Scope and Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Introduction 4.1 Overview 4.2 Key Industry Trends 5 Global Maritime Information Market 5.1 Market Overview 5.2 Market Performance 5.3 Impact of COVID-19 5.4 Market Breakup by Application 5.5 Market Breakup by End-User 5.6 Market Breakup by Region 5.7 Market Forecast 6 Market Breakup by Application 6.1 Maritime Information Analytics 6.1.1 Market Trends 6.1.2 Market Forecast 6.2 Maritime Information Provision 6.2.1 Market Trends 6.2.2 Market Forecast 6.3 Vessel Tracking 6.3.1 Market Trends 6.3.2 Market Forecast 6.4 AIS (Automatic Identification System) 6.4.1 Market Trends 6.4.2 Market Forecast 7 Market Breakup by End-User 7.1 Government 7.1.1 Market Trends 7.1.2 Market Breakup by Segment 7.1.2.1 Defense 7.1.2.1.1 Market Trends 7.1.2.1.2 Market Forecast 7.1.2.2 Intelligence and Security 7.1.2.2.1 Market Trends 7.1.2.2.2 Market Forecast 7.1.2.3 Search and Rescue 7.1.2.3.1 Market Trends 7.1.2.3.2 Market Forecast 7.1.2.4 Government Agency 7.1.2.4.1 Market Trends 7.1.2.4.2 Market Forecast 7.1.2.5 Others 7.1.2.5.1 Market Trends 7.1.2.5.2 Market Forecast 7.1.3 Market Forecast 7.2 Commercial 7.2.1 Market Trends 7.2.2 Market Breakup by Segment 7.2.2.1 Port Management 7.2.2.1.1 Market Trends 7.2.2.1.2 Market Forecast 7.2.2.2 Business Intelligence 7.2.2.2.1 Market Trends 7.2.2.2.2 Market Forecast 7.2.2.3 Commercial Fishing 7.2.2.3.1 Market Trends 7.2.2.3.2 Market Forecast 7.2.2.4 Commercial Shipping 7.2.2.4.1 Market Trends 7.2.2.4.2 Market Forecast 7.2.2.5 Hydrographic and Charting 7.2.2.5.1 Market Trends 7.2.2.5.2 Market Forecast 7.2.2.6 Commercial Offshore 7.2.2.6.1 Market Trends 7.2.2.6.2 Market Forecast 7.2.2.7 Others 7.2.2.7.1 Market Trends 7.2.2.7.2 Market Forecast 7.2.3 Market Forecast 8 Market Breakup by Region 9 SWOT Analysis 10 Value Chain Analysis 11 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 12 Price Analysis 13 Competitive Landscape 13.1 Market Structure 13.2 Key Players 13.3 Profiles of Key Players 13.3.1 Inmarsat 13.3.2 L3 Technologies 13.3.3 ORBCOMM 13.3.4 Raytheon Company 13.3.5 Thales Group 13.3.6 exactEarth 13.3.7 Iridium Communications For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/v5u2hi Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets Krenzer's experience, track record, and understanding of Thinkific's business make him uniquely suited for the role of President Thinkific confirms its stated strategic and operational objectives remain on track, including its third quarter 2022 outlook VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Thinkific Labs Inc. ("Thinkific" or the "Company") (TSX: THNC), a leading platform for creating, marketing and selling online learning products, announced today the appointment of Steve Krenzer to the role of President. "As Thinkific continues to execute on its mission to equip creators with the ultimate set of tools to build and grow knowledge commerce businesses, we are committed to seeking out remarkable talent who can help us realize our vision and meet our long-term goals," said Greg Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Thinkific. "Steve's track record for building high-growth technology companies, his expertise in operations, sales and marketing, as well as his understanding of Thinkific's business due to his role on the board, all contribute to our next stage of growth. We are excited about having Steve as a senior leader on the executive team, and welcome him in his new role," continued Smith. In his role as President, which is currently expected to be a term of approximately 18 months, Krenzer will be responsible for driving operational excellence and further advancing executional focus across the organization. During this time, he will also maintain his role and responsibilities on Thinkific's Board of Directors. "Thinkific has a differentiated market position, as well as a passion and culture that immediately attracted me to the Company, and resulted in me accepting a role on the board earlier this year," said Steve Krenzer, President of Thinkific. "The opportunity to work more closely with the excellent team at Thinkific, and play an active role in advancing the business as it moves into its next stage of growth, was very compelling and one I'm looking forward to." Krenzer brings over 20 years of executive experience leading operations and sales and marketing in data analytics and eCommerce. Previous roles for Krenzer included serving as Chief Operating Officer at global eCommerce marketplace Groupon, and Chief Executive Officer at Core Digital Media. "Our near term outlook for the business remains unchanged, and we continue to see growth in the knowledge economy. At the same time, we are constantly looking for opportunities to improve, drive execution and ensure our Company is well positioned for growth. These are Steve's great strengths as a leader," concluded Smith. About Thinkific Thinkific (TSX:THNC) makes it simple for entrepreneurs and established businesses of any size to scale and generate revenue by teaching what they know. Our platform gives businesses everything they need to build, market, and sell online courses and other learning products, and to run their business seamlessly under their own brand, on their own site. Thinkific's 50,000 active creators earn hundreds of millions of dollars in direct course sales while teaching tens of millions of students. Thinkific is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, with a distributed team. For more information, please visit www.thinkific.com. This news release includes forward-looking statements and forwardlooking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements''). Forward-looking statements are based on Thinkific's current expectations, estimates, projection and assumptions that were made by the company in light of its information available at the time the statement was made and considers Thinkific's experience and its perception of trends. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the expected benefit of the executive appointee's experience and skillset as a member of Thinkific's management team and the expected benefits the new executive appointee may bring to position the company for greater success and value creation in the future. Although Thinkific's management believes that the assumptions underlying these statements and information are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forwardlooking statements and information speak only as of the date on which they are made and Thinkific undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forwardlooking statement or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some that are similar to other companies with online learning products and some that are unique to Thinkific. Thinkific's actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by its forward-looking statements, so readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on them. Thinkific's Annual Information Form to Shareholders dated February 23, 2022 and other documents it files from time to time with securities regulatory authorities describe the risks, uncertainties, material assumptions and other factors that could influence actual results and such factors are incorporated herein by reference. Copies of these documents are available on SEDAR. SOURCE Thinkific Labs Inc. Development plans include spec and build-to-suit industrial space MESA, Ariz., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Thompson Thrift, a full-service nationally recognized real estate company, announced today the acquisition of a 48.5-acre parcel that will be used for the second phase of Elliot Tech Center, a mixed-use industrial and retail project currently under construction within Mesa's Elliot Road Technology Corridor. "We are thrilled to be able to add a second phase of our newest mixed-use project in Mesa's highly-acclaimed tech corridor," said Ashlee Boyd, managing partner for Thompson Thrift Commercial. "Once completed, the Elliot Tech Center will provide nearly 1 million square feet of industrial and retail space. With high demand from global corporations, we expect this to be one of the strongest industrial markets in Phoenix for the foreseeable future." Thompson Thrift acquired 25.5 acres at the northwest corner of Elliot Road and Signal Butte Road in 2021. The company recently began construction on three industrial buildings as well as five retail pads, that will provide 255,000 square feet of space tailored towards manufacturing and technology users. The company expects construction on the first phase to be complete in fall of 2023. The latest acquisition will allow Thompson Thrift to build an additional five industrial buildings, three of which the company expects will be build-to-suits. Chris Hake, senior vice president, director of the Southwest region of Thompson Thrift added, "We are excited to add to our land position in the corridor. Now that we have control of nearly 75 contiguous acres, our multi-disciplinary team can work with various industrial and retail users who continue to migrate to Mesa's growing technology corridor." The Elliot Tech Center is adjacent to Apple's $2 billion global command center and down the road from Facebook's 390-acre data center site in one of the premier industrial development areas in the southwestern United States. Mesa has proven itself to be a preeminent location for high-tech manufacturers and data centers, attracting large corporations like Niagara Bottling, EdgeCore, Boeing, Esurance and Bridgestone, as well as global tenants such as Apple, Google, Facebook, Amazon and more. Thompson Thrift is a full-service real estate development company focused on ground-up commercial and mixed-use development across the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest. The company is well-established in Arizona with several properties throughout the state, including projects in Glendale, Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Queen Creek, Tucson, Surprise, Avondale, and Peoria. The company has become known as a trusted partner committed to developing high-quality, attractive projects and is uniquely positioned to provide smart warehouse, logistics and manufacturing solutions in select markets across the country. About Thompson Thrift Real Estate Company Thompson Thrift is an integrated full-service real estate company with offices in Indianapolis and Terre Haute, Indiana; Denver, Houston and Phoenix. Three business units drive Thompson Thrift's successThompson Thrift Residential which is focused on upscale Class A multifamily communities and luxury leased homes, Thompson Thrift Commercial which is focused on ground-up commercial development, and Thompson Thrift Construction, a full-service construction company. Through these business units, Thompson Thrift is engaged in all aspects of acquisition, development, construction, leasing, and management of quality multifamily, mixed-use, retail, industrial and commercial projects across the country. We are passionate about our customer's success and strive to ensure our projects not only meet the needs of our customers but also the communities we serve. For more information, please visit www.thompsonthrift.com Contact: Jennifer Franklin Spotlight Marketing Communications 949.427.1385 [email protected] SOURCE Thompson Thrift Industry powerhouse Avoya affiliates with TLN, effective immediately ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Avoya Travel, an innovative mega agency based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has become the newest member of Travel Leaders Network, the largest travel agency network in North America. As a well-known consumer brand and developer of proprietary marketing solutions and travel technology, Avoya provides outstanding resources to thousands of companies, including cruise lines, tour operators, resorts and the independent travel agencies in its network. Avoya's patented technology includes its Agent Power SaaS technology that saves valuable time and money by providing travel agency owners with the resources to meet their business needs; a robust Live Leads program that sends new clients directly specialized, independent travel experts; a full menu of support, professional development and education services; and exclusive pricing and promotions on popular vacations. "We are excited to welcome Avoya Travel Network as our newest member," said Roger Block, President of Travel Leaders Network. "Avoya has done groundbreaking work in developing a platform to support its independent travel advisors, and the company's recent growth is a testament to those efforts. Their unique ability to drive business to our preferred supplier community due to their disciplined process and innovative solutions makes Avoya the perfect partner." This new relationship will benefit both companies by providing additional opportunities for growth and delivering even more value to consumers. Avoya Travel's network of independent agencieswill gain access to many of the TLN best-in-class marketing solutions and exceptional cruise, airfare and hotel programs developed by Travel Leaders Network. "Travel Leaders is one of the most respected names in travel and our two companies are a perfect fit. We look forward to the opportunities that membership in Travel Leaders Network will bring to our members," said Jeff Anderson, Co-CEO of Avoya Travel. "We share a common commitment to providing travel agencies with the highest level of support so that they can be successful and better serve our mutual clients. We are excited to be participating in Travel Leaders Network's proprietary omnichannel Engagement Marketing programs, promotional groups, and more to benefit travelers in North America and beyond." For additional information on Travel Leaders Network, visit www.TravelLeadersNetwork.com. For additional information on Avoya Travel, visit AvoyaNetwork.com. About Travel Leaders Network Travel Leaders Network (www.TravelLeaders.com) assists millions of leisure and business travelers annually and is one of the largest sellers of luxury travel, cruises and tours in the travel agency industry, with approximately 5,700 travel agency locations across the United States and Canada. Travel Leaders Network is part of Travel Leaders Group, a division of Internova Travel Group. About Internova Travel Group Internova Travel Group is one of the largest travel services companies in the world with a collection of leading brands delivering high-touch, personal travel expertise to leisure and corporate clients. Internova manages leisure, business and franchise firms through a portfolio of distinctive divisions. Internova represents more than 70,000 travel advisors in over 6,000 company-owned and affiliated locations predominantly in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, with a presence in more than 80 countries. CONTACT: Berit Griffin [email protected] 651-442-5173 SOURCE Travel Leaders Network Hollis M. Greenlaw, Theodore F. Etter, Benjamin L. Wissink, and Cara D. Obert improperly used shareholder assets to pay more than $65 million in legal fees and indemnification expenses NexPoint files motion to enjoin defendants from requesting and/or otherwise using UDF IV's assets to pay legal fees incurred in appeal of criminal convictions or any other matter to which they are a party DALLAS, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NexPoint Advisors, L.P., (together with its affiliates "NexPoint"), a Dallas-based alternative investment firm, today announced that it has filed a motion for preliminary injunction in Dallas State District Court related to United Development Funding IV ("UDF IV"), a real estate investment trust in which NexPoint is a significant shareholder. NexPoint seeks the injunction to prevent defendants from continuing to improperly use UDF IV's assets to pay legal fees incurred in the appeal of their criminal convictions. The motion names the following as defendants: UMTH General Services, L.P. (the "Advisor"), UMTH Land Development L.P. ("UMTH Land"), UMT Holdings, L.P. ("UMTH Holdings"), Hollis M. Greenlaw, Theodore F. Etter, Benjamin L. Wissink, and Cara D. Obert (collectively "Defendants"). UDF IV is managed and controlled by Defendants. The individual Defendants have at all times controlled and exclusively managed the entity Defendants. In January 2022, Mr. Greenlaw, Ms. Obert, and Mr. Wissink were convicted on ten counts of securities, wire, and bank fraud in conjunction with operating UDF IV (and other UDF funds) as a Ponzi scheme. They are currently serving five- to seven-year prison sentences. The Defendants are using their status within the Advisor to cause UDF IV to pay their significant legal fees in connection with the criminal case and possibly other litigation. To date, Defendants improperly used shareholder assets in UDF IV to pay what is believed to be more than $65 million in legal fees and indemnification expenses. NexPoint believes this practice continues to this day as the three felons are appealing their convictions but using UDF IV to pay for their lawyers. "The UDF 'web of companies' has been set up in a purposefully complex and obtuse manner in order to maximize control in the hands of a few individuals (the individual Defendants) while hiding their operations," said D.C. Sauter, General Counsel, NexPoint. "The Defendants have engaged in egregious acts of misconduct and despite their convictions continually seek to benefit themselves at the expense of shareholders, with the active consent of UDF IV independent trustees. On behalf of fellow shareholders, we believe the time has come to put an end to this outrageous behavior." UDF IV's activities have in the past, and continue to be, controlled, managed, and conducted by UMTH General, as its advisor, and by the Advisor's officers and employees, including the individual Defendants. The Advisory Agreement clearly provides that UMTH General is in a fiduciary relationship with the shareholders of UDF IV. The Agreement also prohibits indemnification for allegations of securities law violations except in limited circumstances not applicable in this case. NexPoint's motion seeks to put a stop to Defendants requesting and using indemnification from UDF IV to cover significant legal fees and expenses in connection with the criminal case and possibly other litigation. The full motion can be found here and is part of NexPoint's ongoing efforts to hold accountable those individuals and entities that have perpetuated the massive multi-year deception and fraud at the expense of UDF IV shareholders. About NexPoint Advisors, L.P. NexPoint Advisors, L.P. is an SEC-registered adviser on the NexPoint alternative investment platform. It serves as the adviser to a suite of funds and investment vehicles, including a closed-end fund, interval fund, business development company, and various real estate vehicles. For more information visit www.nexpoint.com Contacts Lucy Bannon Chief Communications Officer [email protected] Cristina Martinez Prosek Partners for NexPoint [email protected] Jackie Graham Director, Investor Relations and Capital Markets [email protected] SOURCE NexPoint Advisors, L.P. HOUSTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- VerticalWeb.com CEO Beth Guide has been named by the Federation of Houston Professional Women as one of Houston's Women of Excellence for 2022. The Federation of Houston Professional Women has this annual peer-selected award, which acknowledges women who have made exceptional contributions through leadership and mentorship as woman-led companies to Houston and its surrounding communities. "Vertical Web works diligently to improve the landscape for Houston businesses, and I am very humbled to receive such a prestigious award," said Guide. Guide has been a part of FHPW for seven years through member organization Memorial Women's Business Network, a group of dynamic women who network and support each other's businesses in a spirit of professionalism and friendship. "Both organizations have helped me grow as a community leader, and I could not have earned this award without their support," Guide continued. One of the most important services Vertical Web, a Digital Marketing Agency, provides to Houston is its commitment to mentoring business owners that do not know where to turn to get technology help. Because of this ongoing need, Guide continues to offer free SEO Classes to help support small business owners. "We have expanded our role through the years and have now added SCORE Houston, as well as Houston Community College's Center for Entrepreneurship. I really wish I had a program like this when I started my businesses," Guide added. "It is extremely important to Houston to continue having a diverse economy that nurtures its small businesses as it continues to be a force on the world economic stage, and this is our small part in it," she concluded. The induction ceremony will be held on Saturday September 16th at the Norris Conference Center at Town and Country. About Vertical Web: Vertical Web is a full-service digital marketing agency serving Houston. Services include SEO, web design and development, as well as web hosting. They work with businesses of all sizes to host, promote and rank websites, as well as provide turnkey IT solutions for small to midsize businesses. Visit verticalweb.com to learn more. Media Contact: Beth Guide 713-703-3030 x-701 [email protected] SOURCE Vertical Web Wondershare's first offline event fosters the creative industry by providing an open space to network and exchange ideas. VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Wondershare, a digital creativity software company, made empowering people entering the creator economy a top priority in 2022. That's why on Aug 25, 2022, Wondershare hosted the inaugural "Next Level Creativity" event. Keynote speakers at the event included Sean Tyson, CEO of Quietly Media and Jennifer Nguyen, HR Recruitment Consultant. Wondershare's first offline event fosters the creative industry by providing an open space to network and exchange ideas. Next Level Creativity took place at Wondershares spacious Canada office in fast-growing Burnaby, BC. "Next Level Creativity" took place at Wondershare's spacious Canada office in fast-growing Burnaby, BC. More than 30 creatives designers, video producers, copywriters, and marketers attended the event to take action, explore new opportunities, and network with fellow creatives. Whether through developing affordable and easy-to-use tools, encouraging action by hosting regular creative challenges or hosting live events with keynote speakers and networking, Wondershare is here to help all creators level up. From 2020 to 2021, the number of creators increased by 48 percent as reported by Stripe. However, content creation is not a straight path. Those entering the industry will experience new challenges: learning new tools and platforms, consistently publishing and finding a community of peers. "When we think about taking action or taking inspired action, we think it may be really really big," said Nguyen. "Like oh my gosh, how will I do that, it's really scary. But inspired action can be really small, like asking your favorite creator to go for coffee." With the growing demand for content, there are many routes creatives can take on their journey to monetize their work. For many years, brands have been moving away from advertisements and are relying more on creators to share their messages and stories. In addition to ads from YouTube or other social platforms, working with brands is another area they should explore. "Advertising created brand consciousness by telling narratives and telling larger-than-life stories," said Tyson. "The caveat here is that the trust in advertising started to decrease significantly. And for the most part, people became allergic to ads." #adlergic Tyson continued: "Within the wide world of brand, marketing and communication, I believe one of the primary drivers of "creativity" is branded content. And that's because I believe all brands are acting like publishers." By hosting Next Level Creativity, Wondershare established an environment where creatives can come together and support one another, whether it be through new opportunities or collaborating to solve common problems. In 2022, ConvertKit reports that 61 percent of creators are facing burnout. Content creation can be a lonely pursuit and making money from it is a grind. "Burnout and blocks are part of the creative journey," said Shaan Jahagirdar, Chief Design Officer of Wondershare. "Rather than dwell on these, the sooner you embrace them, the better. [To deal with blocks,] I discuss with my team or close friends to see if I can find any fresh perspective or have overlooked any gap." Having a community of dedicated creatives to share experiences, advice, and ideas allow all of them to grow and reach the next level of the creator economy. Whether they are learning new tools, trying to find new jobs, or building a personal brand, Wondershare is only getting started in supplying everything one needs to be a successful creator. If you are looking for networking and job opportunities, check out what upcoming Wondershare events and openings are available here. About Wondershare Founded in 2003, Wondershare is a global leader in software development and a pioneer in the field of digital creativity. Our technology is powerful, and the solutions we provide are simple and convenient. That's why we're trusted by millions of people in over 150 countries worldwide. We help our users pursue their passions so that, together, we can build a more creative world. Media Contact Shearer Wang Wondershare [email protected] SOURCE Wondershare October 18th gathering of authors and medical experts addresses most misunderstood health issue affecting women CHARLESTON, S.C., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- World Menopause Day Charleston, a first-of-its-kind women's wellness event, will convene nationally-renowned authors and medical experts to address one of the most pervasive and misunderstood health issues affecting women today: menopause. The event is being hosted on October 18th, World Menopause Day, by the virtual women's forum Hot in Charleston with the goal of bringing knowledge and intergenerational engagement around a health journey affecting as much as one-third of women's lives. "Women experience powerful physical, emotional and relational challenges during menopause. Our research shows we crave both honest conversation and reliable information about this profound stage, and this forum answers that call with both personal stories and academic data. We intend to spark an ongoing exchange about this universal passage," said Kerri Devine, writer and Founder of Hot in Charleston. Emceed by Carolyn Murray, WCBD-TV anchor, award-winning journalist and health advocate, and moderated by Devine, the panel discussion and luncheon will welcome women ages 35-65 from across the region at The Gibbes Museum from 12:00 2:00 pm. MUSC Women's Health is Presenting Sponsor. https://hotincharleston.com/world-menopause-day/ "MUSC Women's Health is proud to take a leadership role at World Menopause Day Charleston. With our long-standing history of women-centric specialties and meaningful care across the range of women's needs, we are committed to helping lead the conversation on perimenopause and menopause so more women can enjoy informed, healthier lives," said Donna D. Johnson, MD, Professor and Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MUSC. More than 50 million American women are approaching perimenopause and menopause. In a 2022 survey of women ages 32-68, Hot in Charleston found that 99% of respondents said women over 30 are not informed about the reality of perimenopause. 73% said they would find it helpful and encouraging to read a personal narrative about a woman going through midlife changes. Peri/menopause symptoms women most battled included night sweats, fatigue, hot flashes, brain fog, weight gain, anxiety and mood changes. "A groundbreaking aspect of this event is our intergenerational content. Women can be caught off guard by the onset of perimenopause as early as their late 30s. We are seeking to break the silence around the very real health implications they can expect and prepare them with confidence," said Cinelle Barnes, Charleston-based writer, editor, and educator from Manila, Philippines, who will address the issue at the event. Bestselling author Lee Woodruff will also be featured on the panel. A prominent national speaker on meeting change with courage, Woodruff is author of In An Instant, with husband and anchor Bob Woodruff, Those We Love Most, and Perfectly Imperfect. She will discuss navigating the big changes of marriage, motherhood, and the empty nest. Other panelists are Connie Guille, MD, MUSC, reproductive psychiatrist and director of the MUSC Women's Reproductive Behavioral Health Program, on the emotional and relational challenges of peri/menopause; Anita Ramsetty, MD, MUSC, Associate Professor at MUSC and board certified in endocrinology, metabolism and nutrition, on the complex physical changes of midlife; and Elaine Eustis, MD, Menopause Solutions, a noted menopause expert and local women's champion, on how women can control their destiny with knowledge, solutions, self-care, and community support. Business and health leaders supporting World Menopause Day Charleston are Croghan's Jewel Box, Bleecker Family Law, Tidewater Pharmacy & Compounding, The Longevity Club, Ibu Movement and Candlefish. MUSC Women's Health: https://muschealth.org/medical-services/womens For tickets: https://hotincharleston.com/world-menopause-day/ Media Contact: Lynthia Romney 914-589-2140 [email protected] SOURCE Hot in Charleston WSP recognized in Autonomous Operations category for its deployment of Gluware solutions across the enterprise's multi-vendor, multi-platform network NEEDHAM, Mass., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gluware, Inc. , the leading provider of intelligent network automation, is proud to announce that WSP, a Gluware customer and a leading engineering and professional services consultancy, was announced as the winner of the second annual IDC Future of Enterprise Best in Future of Digital Infrastructure North America Award in the Autonomous Operations category for their success automating processes across their network. This award is presented to those organizations leading the use of digital infrastructure to transform their business, engage customers and employees, and accelerate business innovation. Competing in the Autonomous Operations category, WSP was tasked with demonstrating a best-in-class use of software-defined automation across their digital infrastructure environment to transform operations, improve security and modernize operational skills and tools. Citing their autonomous operations project, which began in January of 2021, WSP demonstrated how their work with Gluware produced an industry-leading example of automated network processes in action. Coming into the project, WSP dealt with the risks and challenges facing many multinational enterprises. The network is a multi-vendor, multi-platform, and brownfield network that connects thousands of devices and tens-of-thousands of employees that, through multiple acquisitions a year, only increases in size and complexity. Tasked with overcoming these challenges WSP's team utilized Gluware's intelligent network automation to tackle identified five key use-case goals: Enhance Security, Enforce Compliance, Inventory and Assessment, OS Management, and Lifecycle Management. DIY solutions posed high costs, and while many vendors offer tools suited for individual use cases, such tools were largely incompatible across use cases. Meanwhile, Gluware offered turnkey, packaged automation capable of achieving inventory and assessment needs immediately while also providing OS and lifecycle management. Configuration drift across worldwide operations presents a constant challenge as paper-based standards change and WSP grows and evolves. Following the ingest and review segment of their project, WSP leveraged Gluware to cleanse and conform network devices to their pre-established paper-based standard. Then, with newly established visibility over the network devices, teams were able to monitor and maintain those standards against the expected configuration drift devices undergo during their life cycles. Gluware further offered the ability to quickly roll out new security and compliance standards and remediate new parts of the network. WSP aims to achieve a 0% defect rate to avoid the inherent cost of human manual fixes and reduce the time of troubleshooting by 90%. Automation through Gluware will allow WSP to both avoid costs associated with the execution of network changes as well as savings garnered through the rapid on-boarding necessitated by WSP's frequent mergers and acquisitions. Gluware's low-code/no code UI streamlined projects and its multi-vendor/multi-domain capabilities ensured visibility and compliance across the enterprise. In addition, Gluware Labs provided highly intelligent, intent-based custom solutions to modify and enforce compliance and enhance security to address WSP-specific paper based standards within weeks, something that historically had taken months to roll out. WSP estimates the project resulted in nearly $1 million in cost avoidance. Ultimately, WSP was able to tackle challenges and achieve enterprise network goals at an unparalleled time-to-value and has now moved to new business goals, pushing company-wide digital transformation using Gluware today. "We are thrilled to see our work recognized by IDC as the cutting edge of network automation. The project truly has given us the ability to drive growth, and achieve new levels of operational efficiency and employee productivity" said Richard Evers, Global Director of Network Services at WSP. "We have enjoyed working with Gluware and look forward to working with them to continue implementing the very best in automation into the future." "It is exciting and gratifying to see a customer like WSP, who we have worked so closely with, win such a prestigious award. WSP has achieved great results through this project, and it has been a pleasure to see the power of Gluware's solutions leveraged in such a comprehensive fashion," said Jeff Gray, CEO and Co-Founder, Gluware. "At Gluware, we strive to stay at the forefront of network automation and will continue to deliver best-in-class solutions to both new and existing customers." "IDC's research shows that 80% of organizations worldwide recognize Digital Infrastructure spanning datacenter, public cloud and edge platforms as a fundamental enabler of digital business success," said Mary Johnston Turner, Research Vice President, Future of Digital Infrastructure, IDC. "Winners of our annual Best in Future of Digital Infrastructure awards represent forward-thinking organizations across North America that have harnessed the power of these technologies to transform their business and achieve strategic, measurable business outcomes that help their organizations innovate and create competitive differentiation." Awards will be presented at a virtual event in November. To learn more, visit HERE . For more information on the IDC Future Enterprise Awards Program, please contact Heather Ball at [email protected] . About Gluware: Gluware is the leading intelligent network automation suite for the cloud era, trusted by Global 2000 enterprises, across industries, from Pharma to Finance. Gluware automates the networks of the world's largest and most complex enterprises by simplifying how multi-domain, multi-vendor enterprise networks are discovered, analyzed, and maintained. The company's code-free, intent-based approach to network automation reduces the business risk of unplanned outages and downtime while elevating the performance of people and systems. About WSP USA : WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, they are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 12,000 employees in 200 offices across the U.S., they partner with our clients to help communities prosper. wsp.com About IDC: International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Data Group ( IDG ), the world's leading media, data and marketing services company that activates and engages the most influential technology buyers. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com . Follow IDC on Twitter at @IDC and LinkedIn . For Media Inquiries: Sena McGrand for Gluware Lumina Communications (917) 941-4975 [email protected] SOURCE Gluware 'Saucesicles' celebrate the saucy side of iconic chicken brand ATHENS, Ga., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Zaxby's , the premium quick-service restaurant, beloved for its Chicken Fingerz, wings and legendary Zax Sauce, has partnered with Alabama-based gourmet popsicle brand Frios to introduce sauce-flavored popsicles. Zaxby's 'Saucesicles' will be available for FREE on Sept. 19 online through saucesicles.com, first come first served, while supplies last. The frozen treat will feature two of the brand's boldest sauces: Zax Sauce and Tongue Torch. Zaxby's and Frios drop sauce-flavored popsicles for Saucetember.' Zaxbys Saucesicles will be available for FREE on Sept. 19, 2022 online through saucesicles.com. "Saucesicles were created for our most loyal fans that can't get enough of our signature sauces. The collaboration with Frios is built on flavor, bringing together two iconic Southern brands," said Patrick Schwing, chief marketing and strategy officer at Zaxby's. The Saucesicles come in two flavors: Zax Sauce and Tongue Torch. The Zax Sauce-flavored Saucesicle features all the sweet and tangy and creamy flavors created by the secret blend of spices, black pepper and Worcestershire Sauce. The Tongue Torch Saucesicle is a mild heat tomato pop with notes of garlic, paprika, turmeric and a hint of lime. Zaxby's has renamed the month of September 'Saucetember' to highlight the brand's proprietary portfolio of 12 dipping and tossing sauces. Zaxby's is celebrating 'Saucetember' by treating its loyal fan base to this saucy goodness on a stick. Saucesicles come in packs of eight and are limited to one order per person. States excluded from shipping include Alaska, California, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington. For fans who might miss out on the spicy-saucy treat, Zaxby's will also offer a Buy-One-Get-One-Half-Off (BOGOHO) Boneless Wings Meal Deal with wings tossed in one of Zaxby's eight sauces, when ordering through the app on September 27. "Partnering with Zaxby's on this one-of-a-kind project has been a fantastic opportunity, bringing to life Zaxby's unique idea for a new offering of their sauces," Cliff Kennedy, CEO and founder of Frios added. About Zaxby's Founded in 1990, Zaxby's is committed to serving delicious chicken fingers, wings, sandwiches and salads with Southern hospitality and a modern twist. For the second year in a row, Zaxby's iconic Signature Sandwich has won Thrillist's 2022 Fasties Award for Best Fried Chicken Sandwich. Zaxby's has grown to more than 900 locations in 17 states and is headquartered in Athens, Georgia. For more information, visit zaxbys.com or zaxbysfranchising.com . Media Contact: Tombras Jacob Teetzmann +1.423.494.3673 [email protected] SOURCE Zaxby's Members of the Queens immediate family held a vigil at her side in Westminster Hall as she lay in state for a third day. Memebers of the public continued to flock in thousands to pay their respects, though having been closed for a period on Friday due to the huge number the queuing time is now said to be down to 14 hours. People can visit up until 6.30am on Monday 19 September, the day of her funeral. Heads of countries all over the world meanwhile have started to arrive for Mondays ceremony. Commonwealth leaders from Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Jamaica and New Zealand reportedly have all held audiences with King Charles III in Buckingham Palace. A one-minute silence will be held across the UK at 8pm on Sunday. Monday 19 The Queens state funeral will take place at Westminster Abbey. Plans involve the Queens coffin to be carried along by carriage pulled by sailors rather than horses, with senior members of the Royal Family following behind. The military will line the streets and join the procession, as well as heads of governments, prime ministers and presidents, European royals and key public figures. The service will be televised and a national two minutes silence is expected to be held. The Queens coffin will be taken to St Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle, and her final resting place will be the King George VI memorial chapel, an annexe to the main chapel. Here, her mother and father are buried, as well as the ashes of her sister, Princess Margaret. Her late husbands coffin, the Duke of Edinburgh, will be moved from the Royal Vault to the memorial chapel to join the Queen's. Cookie Policy Overview This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping us understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. See our Cookie Policy for more information. Zephyr Energy PLC chief executive Colin Harrington joined Proactive London to discuss the company's acquisition of a "perfect set of assets", including infrastructure and acreage, adjoining its Paradox project in Utah, USA. As he says, the purchase is part of the company's wider goal, which is "to develop the next great unconventional basin in the US". Building the success of the first horizontal well last year, Harrington explains how the acquisition should be a cost effective means of taking the project from just an appraisal project to one that also generates cashflow. Shell PLC (LSE:SHEL, NYSE:SHEL) has confirmed the departure of Ben van Beurden, ending a 39-year association with the Anglo-Dutch oil major, nine of them as its chief executive. He will be replaced by Wael Sawan, who currently heads the companys gas, renewables and energy solutions business. He has held a number of senior positions during his 25-year career with Shell and has been a member of the executive committee. Wael Sawan is an exceptional leader, with all the qualities needed to drive Shell safely and profitably through its next phase of transition and growth, said Shells chairman, Andrew McKenzie. His track record of commercial, operational and transformational success reflects not only his broad, deep experience and understanding of Shell and the energy sector but also his strategic clarity. The departure of van Beurden at the end of the year caps a remarkable career with the business that began in 1983. In charge, he oversaw the US$53bn takeover of BG Group in 2016, and the relocation of the corporate headquarters from the Netherlands to London. He has also steered the group through two oil market downturns and leaves a company posting record profits as crude prices have surged during the energy crisis. His successor, Sawan, is a dual Lebanese-Canadian national who studied at Montreals McGill university. Since joining the oil major, he has worked his way through the business to his current role having previously been head of the deepwater operation and vice president of Shells Qatar operation. Sawan told investors: We will be disciplined and value-focused, as we work with our customers and partners to deliver the reliable, affordable and cleaner energy the world needs. The other internal candidates for the top job are thought to have been chief financial officer, Sinead Gorman, head of upstream, Zoe Yujnovich, and the boss of the companys downstream refining operations, Huibert Vigeveno. IGas Energy PLC (AIM:IGAS, OTC:IGESF) is keeping the spotlight on the UK government, as it told investors that along with last weeks lifting of the fracking ban the authorities must also support the industry by streamlining the regulatory process. We welcomed the government's announcement last week on the lifting of the effective moratorium on hydraulic fracturing in England and the review of energy regulation, said Chris Hopkinson, interim executive chairman of IGas, in todays financial results statement. However, the accelerated development of this strategic natural resource, which we believe is imperative in helping with the ongoing energy and cost-of-living crisis, can only be achieved through a streamlined regulatory process, something the government has committed to and we look forward to working constructively with the new administration. IGas added that it is looking forward to working constructively with government to deliver timely shale gas production in the national interest, whilst it also intends to work closely with local communities to ensure they share in the benefits of domestic shale gas development. The company, which today reported a near doubling of first-half revenue due to higher oil and gas pricing, highlighted its ambitions to develop geothermal energy projects as potential decarbonised solutions to satisfying the UKs heating demands. Heating remains a significant unresolved problem for the UK, according to IGas, which pointed to data stating that 44% of UK energy demand is for heating homes and buildings and in turn, that is responsible for 37% of the UKs greenhouse gas emissions. Deep geothermal delivered through the drilling of deep geothermal wells is the only utility scale source of renewable heat suitable for deployment in urban areas, it added. The company said it intends to make applications for grant funding under the governments Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, with plans to develop six geothermal schemes aiming to supply heat to NHS trusts. Hopkinson commented: With the submission of grant applications to the Green Heat Network Fund for our pathfinder Stoke-on-Trent geothermal project and the building of a strong pipeline of project opportunities, we are moving the geothermal business forward materially. In terms of IGass current core business, oil and gas production, the interim financials were in rude health. First-half revenue was reported at 30.5mln, up from 16.6mln last year, whilst it reported a 19.4mln profit after tax for its continuing operations compared to last years 12.2mln loss. The company noted that it estimates it will pay around 200,000 under the UKs Energy Profits Levy (the windfall tax) and that it retains some 263mln of ring-fenced tax losses. Operating cash flows (before hedging related adjustments) improved significantly to 16.4mln, up from 6.4mln in the same period of 2021. Net debt was reduced to 9.7mln from 13.2mln. The company ended June with some 2.7mln of cash and equivalents and it noted that it had some US$12mln of headroom in a US$22mln reserves-based lending (RBL) facility which was redetermined in line with the prevailing market in July. It noted that the RBL requires a portion of its oil and gas production (70,000 barrels) to be hedged. IGas reported a net production rate of 1,865 barrels of oil equivalent (boepd) in the first half of 2022, versus 2,005 boepd in H1 2021, due to equipment failure which it said was a run-on consequence of the supply chain issue from the COVID-19 pandemic. The company forecasts full-year net production in the range of 1,900 to 1,950 boepd as impacted wells come back online. It noted that its underlying operating cash cost per barrel is expected to be around US$40.40. "Commodity prices were exceptionally strong during the period with a resulting positive impact on income and cash generation from the underlying conventional oil and gas assets, Hopkinson added. This continues to give us financial flexibility, enabling a reduction in our net debt by over 2.5 million and allowing capital to be allocated to sustaining, and in the future, increasing our conventional production as well as to our growth businesses, geothermal and now shale. IGas shares are up some 542% in the year to date, though were down around 3% today, changing hands at 87.04p following the interim results statement. finnCap said that the outlook for the remainder of the financial year is for a "somewhat better revenue performance" in H2 than in H1 finnCap Group PLC said its trading has been in line with the expectations set out at the time of the full-year 2022 results it reported in July and it expects a "somewhat better revenue performance" in the second half than in the first half of the current financial year. In an update issued in advance of its Annual General Meeting being held on Thursday, the City firm said that, overall, its revenue to August 31, 2022, was approximately 30% lower than the comparable period in full-year 2022 - its record year - reflecting the broader and well-documented themes of muted investor confidence, reduced equity capital markets activity and tightening debt market conditions which are impacting the company and its peers. finnCap noted that M&A activity in both private and public arenas has continued to be a key contributor to performance, where revenue to date has been broadly in line with the comparable period last year. The company said ECM (European Capital Markets) revenue is marginally ahead of its expectation in July but, as expected, substantially lower than last year. The company said that the outlook for the remainder of the financial year is for "a somewhat better" revenue performance in H2 than in H1, based on a good pipeline of work across divisions, particularly in M&A, and anticipating a modest recovery in ECM market confidence and activity. The group's balance sheet remains strong with cash on August 31, 2022, at 13.1mln, in line with its expectations, reflecting a 2.1mln investment in Energise and post-year-end payments for full-year 2022 employee compensation, corporation tax etc. which totalled approximately 9.5mln. The company said steps have been taken to control discretionary expenditure and to align the fixed operating costs with the opportunities ahead of the group which it will detail with interim results in November. GSK PLC (LSE:GSK, NYSE:GSK) has had its rating upgraded by Credit Suisse on the assumption that its potential liability for Zantac lawsuits will be much smaller than the US$12bn that has been wiped from its market cap in recent weeks. The Swiss bank swapped its sell rating for a hold but trimmed the share price target to 1,430p from 1,630p to reflect a US$5bn base-case of liability costs from Zantac. Vastly underperforming the wider sector, the shares have lost more than a quarter of their value since the start of July, falling from above 1,800p to below 1,340p on the back of lawsuits filed that claim the acid indigestion drug Zantac can cause cancer. These fears are likely to remain an overhang for some time, with any outcome of litigation likely to take some years to play out, said analyst Dominic Lunn in a note to clients. As the originator of Zantac and based on cumulative sales, we expect it is likely that GSK would bear a significant proportion of any liability in the event of a settlement," Lunn added. However, he said the US$12bn wiped off GSKs market cap is much higher than what we might expect to be GSKs share of any settlement if settled. The Credit Suisse pharma team estimated circa US$100,000 per case, leading to the base case assumption of US$5bn of additional debt for GSK to capture any potential Zantac liability. On a more positive note, its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine could be better than Pfizers, with the FTSE 100 company having commented that its RSV vaccine efficacy is exceptional. The analysts interpret that as being above 70%, compared with Pfizers RSV headline vaccine efficacy of 66.7%. Headline data at the upcoming ID Week conference next month is expected to underpin Credit Suisses forecasts of US$2bn peak sales potential for RSV older adults at GSK. The upgrade was also based on strategic conclusions from the banks PharmaValues 2023 scoring system, which put GSK in the middle of the pack, based on analysis of major and specialty pharma companies across valuation and six strategic metrics that are believed to underpin a companys mid-term prospects. GSK scored well on valuation and risk from generic drugs, which also benefits its growth metric. On valuation, GSK trades at 11.4 times forecast 2023 earnings, a 22% discount to peers on 14.7 times. Oriole Resources PLC (AIM:ORR)'s CEO, Tim Livesey, discusses the latest exploration results from the Bibemi gold project, where it has hit a second phase of mineralisation in a new round of drilling. It gives an opportunity for wider zones, he says, with decent grades over significant widths. The biggest intersection was 15m at over 4g/t, which is a significant width and really important to see this coming out he adds. "Significantly, based on recently completed 3D geophysical modelling the strike-length of the priority conductor at T1-6 is interpreted to be 2,600m, a considerable target," the Power Metal CEO added Power Metal Resources PLC (AIM:POW) has provided an update on the Molopo Farms Complex Project, which is targeting a large-scale nickel-copper-platinum group element (PGE) discovery in southwestern Botswana, with drilling expected to start shortly. In a statement, Paul Johnson, chief executive officer of Power Metal Resources commented: "Our work at Molopo Farms is gathering pace with the parameters for the first two diamond core drillholes into Target 1-6 now confirmed. With the drill rig now on-site we expect to start drilling the first priority target hole shortly. "Significantly, based on recently completed 3D geophysical modelling the strike-length of the priority conductor at T1-6 is interpreted to be 2,600m, a considerable target." He added: "We are working closely with the team in Botswana who have done an incredible job thus far. It is less than a month since the initial geophysical survey findings at T1-6 that inspired this acceleration to drilling and I look forward to providing further progress updates." On September 8, 2022, the company gave an update regarding progress being made towards its first managed and operated diamond drilling programme at Molopo Farms, noting that a hgh-resolution ground magnetic geophysics (Ground-Mag) survey has been completed over high priority Target 1-6 (T1-6) covering an area of approximately 2,700 metres (m) by 1,600m. It noted that a strong east-west trending magnetic anomaly was identified near the southern edge of the survey area, with magnetic inversions of this newly identified anomaly showing that the magnetic body intersects the down-dip extent of the southerly dipping EM conductor identified by the previously completed ground-based MLEM survey over T1-6. As a result of the recently completed geophysics work at T1-6, as well as the extensive 3D analysis and inversion modelling now completed, Power Metal said that two priority drillholes have now been planned for T1-6. The two drill collar sites are now being prepared and cleared in preparation for the programme start. The two sites selected are: Diamond core drillhole DDH1-6B: Located 530m directly south of drillhole KKME 1-6 (completed December 2020 1). Planned 600m hole depth, inclined at 80 dip and 0 azimuth (to the north). Based on the 3D modelling completed, DDH1-6B has been planned to intersect the southerly dipping conductor at a relatively shallow depth of 300m. Diamond core drillhole DDH1-6C: Located 830m directly south drillhole KKME 1-6 1. Planned 650m hole depth, inclined at 80 dip and 0 azimuth (to the north). Based on the 3D modelling completed, DDH1-6C is planned to test the intersection zone between the southerly dipping conductor and the newly identified strongly magnetic E-W trending body, which is estimated to be at a depth of approximately 350m. Based on 3D modelling of all available geophysical data including the previous AEM survey, the targeted T1-6 EM conductor been estimated to have an approximate strike-length of 2,600m in a broadly East-West (E-W) direction and is estimated to extend for around 1,000m down dip (towards the south). Power Metal said it is currently preparing a short video that highlights the information and will include a demonstration of the 3D geophysical modelling with the plots of previous drillhole KKME 1-6 and the planned drillholes DDH1-6B and DDH1-6C. Camp setup and preparation for the upcoming drill programme continues at pace the company said, adding that it will advise the market once drilling has commenced, which is expected shortly. It pointed out that MLEM surveys are ongoing at target areas T1-3 and T2-3, and MLEM and Ground-Mag surveys are ongoing at target area T1-14, and a further update in regard to this work, as well as survey results, are also expected shortly. Power Metal currently has a current effective economic interest in Molopo of around 53%, held through a direct project interest and a shareholding in partner Kalahari Key Mineral Exploration (Pty) Ltd (KKME). On May 18, 2022, Power Metal announced a conditional transaction that would see its interest in Molopo Farms increasing to 87.71%. As part of the transaction, Power Metal will become the project operator and in advance of completion the company is working with the team at KKME to maintain momentum with regard to Project exploration. Workstreams are also in process to secure Botswana regulatory approvals enabling the transaction to complete. Power Metal Resources is an AIM-listed metals exploration company that finances and manages global resource projects and is seeking large-scale metal discoveries. The company has a principal focus on opportunities offering district scale potential across a global portfolio including precious, base and strategic metal exploration in North America, Africa and Australia. Project interests range from early-stage greenfield exploration to later-stage prospects currently subject to drill programmes. Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng will deliver an emergency mini-budget to bring in winter tax cuts for millions of people and set out more detail on energy support next Friday, 23 September, according to reports. The Guardian said that with Liz Truss expected to be at the United Nations general assembly in New York next week and the government planning to set out its priorities for the NHS, there was limited time available for a fiscal event. In the mini-budget, the government is expected to confirm plans to reverse the recent rise in national insurance, even though it benefits higher earners the most, handing back about 1,800 a year to top earners while the lowest earners get about 7 a year. Truss already said she would ditch a planned rise in corporation tax. Her team has also spoken to business groups about changes to business rates and cuts to VAT to help with the energy crisis, as well as a longer-term review of these taxes. 1. Mini-budget next Friday Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng will deliver an emergency mini-budget to bring in winter tax cuts Read more 2. What happens now after the Ethereum merge? With the landmark protocol upgrade, Ethereum is now over 99% more energy efficient, and the foundations have been laid down to make it vastly more scalable and cheaper to operate. Read more 3. Bonuses cancelled and more losses for John Lewis John Lewis Partnership warned its staff they may not receive a bonus this year but said full-time workers will receive a 500 one-off cost of living support payment. Read more 4. FTSE 100 The FTSE 100 rebounded at the close to finish slightly ahead, up 0.1% to close at 7,282 points. Read more 5. GSK upgraded by Credit Suisse The Swiss bank swapped its sell rating for a hold but trimmed the share price target to 1,430p from 1,630p to reflect a US$5bn base case of liability costs from Zantac. Read more Gfinity PLC (AIM:GFIN) named Rebekah Billingsley as managing director of its digital media division, GDM, joing the firm in her role at the start of October. Billingsley is currently the global marketing director at Ecco Shoes, and has previously held senior marketing, digital, content & business development roles across a number business, including the BBC, according to a statement from the eSports company. "This is a unique opportunity to join a fast-growing media business in a vibrant sector. I look forward to collaborating with the talented, ambitious team across GDM's titles as we approach the next phase of growth, Billingsley said. We are delighted that she has agreed to join our ambitious company, to steer our Digital Media division through its next period of growth, said Hugo Drayton, non-executive director at Gfinity and interim managing director at GDM. If he really wanted to, Matt Moulding the boss and co-founder of the Hut Group, now called THG PLC (LSE:THG), could probably take his company private again. Having floated the online retailer as Britains next tech superstar, with a valuation of 5.4bn, two years ago this month, today the market cap fell to a little over 500mln. As his initial public offer incentive scheme reportedly enabled him to trouser 700mln if the shares achieved a 50% increase within three years (a feat it pretty much achieved in less than three days), Moulding probably wouldnt need any private equity backers to snap up the firm. The only problem would be all the seriously miffed and/or embarrassed investors that bought into the story that London was getting a potential tech titan. Floated at a price of 5 apiece, the shares quickly ascended to hyped-up heights of 8, but the plunge has been almost as dramatic, with today's news of wider losses and slowing growth knocking the shares below 38p at one point this morning, down 95% from the peak. The IPO was part of an apparent thundering herd of almost 30 UK and European unicorns that galloped onto the London market in the past three years, following the likes of Trainline PLC (LSE:TRN), Airtel Africa PLC (LSE:AAF), Network International Holdings PLC (LSE:NETW) and Finablr (remember them?), and bringing after it Deliveroo PLC (LSE:ROO), Trustpilot Group PLC (LSE:TRST), Alphawave IP Group PLC (LSE:AWE), Wise PL, Moonpig Group PLC (LSE:MOON) and many others. Moulding and his backers are not the only ones nursing big losses, though only outdone by fraud-hit Finablr, which was taken private on the verge of collapse. Of the companies that completed an IPO in London since 2019 with valuations close to the US$1bn mark of a unicorn (lets say 0.8bn) two thirds have fallen since, with the average performance for the entire herd being a 20% decline. Well played to those companies, advisers and their investors that have outperformed (topped by tightly held Kazakstan fintech Kaspi.Kz, Microsoft reseller Bytes Technology Group PLC (LSE:BYIT, JSE:BYI) and Darktrace PLC (LSE:DARK)). Even those with falls of less than 20% might be applauded, given the wider sell-off of most of the market though the FTSE 350 is up 6% since the start of 2019 and down 6% since 2020 began. Although he joined with a golden share to retain control in the event of a hostile investor or bid, Moulding has since agreed to give this up (though I am told he has yet to do so) and has put up a few internal walls in the company to make it easier to sell it off in parts, as has been mooted for its Ingenuity business and Beauty arm. The valuations for any of these parts do not seem likely to be anywhere near the levels which the Manchester-based entrepreneur would have originally hoped (as he told GQ the obvious lesson is don't IPO in the UK). With major backer Softbank having pulled out of its planned US$1.6bn investment deal this year and apparent bids from celeb investor Nick Candy deemed unacceptable by Moulding, the continued subsidence in the shares surely calls for the CEO to put his money where his mouth is and start buying up the shares himself. But while THG typically today talked up its substantial progress, with first-half revenue of 1.1bn, this ignored the wider operating losses as costs rose and investment was required into keeping prices down in the competitive and commoditised markets in which it operates. Investors who avoided the company may be looking forward to learning Mouldings next obvious lesson. Sipa Resources Ltd (ASX:SRI) is preparing to drill-test lithium targets at the 100%-owned Skeleton Rocks Project in Western Australias Goldfields after securing all necessary approvals and a reverse circulation (RC) drill rig. Targets have been generated from an aircore drill program conducted in March 2022 which confirmed the existence of anomalous lithium in previously untested greenstone units. Subsequent analysis and reviews of the complete data set, both internally and via external consultants, highlighted areas of elevated lithium and other pegmatite-associated elements including caesium and rubidium. Near other operations Sipa Resources managing director Pip Darvall said: Skeleton Rocks is a great location to hunt for lithium with major groups operating nearby, and we are eager to get this drill program started. Our aircore program earlier in the year was the first drilling ever completed in this area, offering plenty of opportunity for a discovery. Sipas Skeleton Rocks project showing the location of the area to be drilled in red. The review found that the elevated levels of elements form coherent halos of 4-5 times background levels on the margins of the greenstone units, often in association with quartz veining. These anomalous results are consistent with the geochemical halo to lithium mineralisation and may indicate the presence of nearby lithium-bearing pegmatites. Follow-up RC program They will be tested via a follow-up drill program commencing in the coming days with the planned RC program to comprise a series of deeper holes angled directly under the geochemical anomalies. Skeleton Rocks is strategically located between the Great Eastern Highway and the Mt Holland Lithium Project being developed as part of a joint venture between Wesfarmers and Chilean mining major Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA (SQM). The 100th gold bar poured in August 2022 at Mineral Hill. Kingston Resources Ltd (ASX:KSN) has notched up two successive months of record gold production from the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) processing operation at Mineral Hill Mine in the Cobar Basin of western New South Wales. The tailings operation delivered 1,138 ounces of gold in July and then 1,203 ounces in August as the company continues its ramp-up of production at Mineral Hill. During August Kingston Resources also passed a significant milestone, producing its 100th gold bar from the TSF project. Grade and recovery increase Grade and recovery have increased as mining moves deeper into the TSF, while throughput rates continue to benefit from reduced rainfall relative to the June quarter months. The average tonnage processed for July and August equates to an annual mining rate of 670,000 tonnes. For the TSF project to date, both tonnes and grade processed are reconciling slightly positive to the JORC resource. Monthly gold production from the TSF project at Mineral Hill. Solid production growth Kingston Resources managing director Andrew Corbett said: Solid gold production growth continues to be delivered at the companys gold tailings operation at Mineral Hill. "Most notably, production from the TSF Project has delivered sequential monthly gold production records in July and August, and we are pleased to see grade and recoveries improve as expected as mining moves deeper in the tailings facility. I would like to thank the entire Mineral Hill team for their tremendous efforts, including achieving the significant milestone of delivering the 100th gold bar from our TSF Project in August. "The team has delivered great results, and we look forward to providing a full Mineral Hill update in our September quarterly report. The average All in Sustaining Cost (AISC) for July and August was A$2,058/ounce. Five-year plan Alongside current production, KSN is developing a five-year mine plan at Mineral Hill with work underway to expedite mine production, including resource and reserve updates at the Pearse and SOZ deposits, mine design work and plant refurbishment studies. Kingstons exploration is focusing on near mine production opportunities from both open pit and underground targets located on the existing MLs. The aim is to expand and update the existing resource base to underpin mine feasibility work and approvals to ensure an immediate transition to open pit and/or underground feed at the completion of the tailings reprocessing. The study found that the green concrete had better durability than standard concrete. Suvo Strategic Minerals Ltd (ASX:SUV) has welcomed positive data from the first phase of its March 10 research agreement with Curtin University. A study, led by senior lecturer at Curtins School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering Dr Thong Pham, is investigating the application of high reactivity metakaolin as a sustainable solution in decarbonising cement. The studys first phase has now wrapped up. It focused largely on a literary review and data analysis to evaluate the feasibility and potential for metakaolin application. Range of applications The study findings show that metakaolin has numerous potential applications in the cement industry, particularly as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in conjunction with other SCMs to maximise its potential. Current sectors of concrete adopting metakaolin include: high and ultra-high performance, high strength and lightweight concrete; precast concrete; marine concrete structures; and fibre-reinforced cementitious composites. Decarbonising properties Importantly, the study found the production of concrete incorporating metakaolin emits significantly less carbon compared to ordinary Portland cement. An up to 31% reduction in carbon emissions can be achieved with just a 20% metakaolin replacement. Cement production is the worlds single biggest industrial cause of carbon pollution and is responsible for 8% of global emissions. The use of metakaolin to produce green cement could therefore have significant global decarbonising benefits. Strength and durability The study findings also noted concrete incorporating metakaolin can provide up to a 40% improvement in mechanical properties, such as compressive strength, flexural strength and tensile strength. This can help increase the lifespan of concrete structures by up to 50%, leading to another potential 14% reduction in CO2 emissions, as well as a reduction in cement, water and aggregate demand. Researchers also found metakaolin concrete possesses better durability characteristics, significantly extending its application to marine structures. Incorporating metakaolin into concrete can greatly lengthen the life span of concrete structures under harsh conditions. Using assumptions from previous studies, Curtin University researchers reported that metakaolin could be used in a concrete mixture between 10 and 40% of the mass of cement while potentially improving the mechanical properties of the concrete. Huge potential demand The study underscored a potential demand range of 0.72 to 2.88 million tonnes per annum of metakaolin from the Australian construction industry alone. There is no current onshore production of metakaolin. This means a big supply gap, with the Australian construction industry likely needing to import metakaolin to meet its demand. These initial study findings from Dr Thong Pham and his team at Curtin University Illustrate the success that was achieved with metakaolin as a pozzolanic, outside Australia, Suvo executive chairman Henk Ludik said. With cement production currently accounting for about 8% of global emissions, the metakaolin produced by Suvo has the potential to provide a significant reduction in global CO2 emissions. We look forward to replicating the success achieved elsewhere in Australia, to play a meaningful role in the decarbonisation of the cement industry and consequently in the mining, infrastructure and industrial sectors in the Asia Pacific region. The global green cement market is forecast to be worth US$56 billion by 2027. Australian Vanadium Ltd (ASX:AVL) (AVL) has intersected visual gold and elevated copper, nickel, palladium and possibly platinum in drilling at the Coates Nickel-Copper-PGE Project within the Coates Mafic Intrusive Complex near Wundowie, northeast of Perth in Western Australia. Results from 11-holes for 840.6 metres of reverse circulation (RC) drilling completed in May 2022 show the metals over a 200-metre wide zone with highlights from down hole intersections including: 10 metres at 0.13% copper, 493 parts per million (ppm) nickel, 39 parts per billion (ppb) palladium and 21 ppb platinum from 64 metres including 7 metres at 0.14% copper, 544 ppm nickel, 43 ppb palladium and 23 ppb platinum from 67 metres; 1-metre at 700 ppm nickel, 40 ppb palladium and 40 ppb platinum from 55 metres; 6 metres at 358 ppm nickel, 54 ppb palladium and 41 ppb platinum from 11 metres; 6 metres at 0.12% copper and 525 ppm nickel from 38 metres; 1-metre at 45 ppb palladium and 45 ppb platinum from 66 metres; and 1-metre at 60 ppb palladium and 55 ppb platinum from 81 metres. The drilling was co-funded through the Western Australia Government Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) to identify new nickel-copper-PGE discoveries in the prospective Wheatbelt region northeast of Perth. Plan view of drill line with AEM imagery background and plate models Diamond drilling The diamond drilling portion of the program was partially completed, with 169.6 metres of coring over three holes. Two diamond tails were finished and one abandoned before the full planned depth due to drilling equipment issues. Multiple zones of sulphide can be seen in diamond core tails, identified by hand examination as containing pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite. Another nine diamond tails are required to complete the stratigraphic fence, including re-drilling of the hole that was abandoned, and this will be completed pending the sale of the project to Mining Green Metals (MGM) announced in May, subject to its successful listing on the Australian Securities Exchange this year. The drill line remains open and the Program of Work (PoW) approval remains active. Significantly, the diamond core now available for the Australian Governments Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Nickel Indicator Study of the Coates Mafic Complex extends 350 to 500 metres further northeast into the intrusion, where surface nickel, platinum and chromium anomalism was previously identified. Significant visual sulphide occurrences at 81.15 metres Strongly encouraged AVL managing director Vincent Algar said: AVLs focus is firmly on the development of the Australian Vanadium Project at Gabanintha and we are pleased to have completed this first important phase of discovery at Coates. The AVL team with the support of the CSIRO Nickel Indicator team are processing the diamond core and based on the visual and RC findings, are strongly encouraged by the first pass anomalism identified. Upon MGMs successful listing, AVL shareholders will continue to hold a stake in further discovery in this very exciting region heralded by the identification of Julimar and other projects. "The incoming MGM team will be able to dedicate significant focus and resources to the project. The suite of minerals discovered at Coates are currently in high and growing demand. Lithium Power International Ltd (ASX:LPI) has received a valuation uplift from Edison Investment Research to A$1.24/share from A$1.0/share, following the companys A$25 million equity placement. Edison noted that LPI is now well capitalised with cash of A$31.5 million to advance its flagship Maricunga Lithium Brine Project in Chile. The investment research house said that despite the backdrop of slowing global economic growth, lithium prices remain high reflecting tight supply/demand fundamentals and the sectors attractive long-term growth potential. The following is an extract from Edisons research update: Lithium Power International (LPI) has announced a successful equity placement, raising c A$25m in gross proceeds. This brings its proforma 30 June 2022 cash position to a comfortable level of A$31.5m. The funds will be used to advance LPIs flagship Maricunga project. We have updated our model to reflect the news and LPIs (now less dilutive) higher share price, increasing our valuation from A$1.0/share to A$1.24/share. Despite the backdrop of slowing global economic growth, lithium prices remain high reflecting tight supply/demand fundamentals and the sectors attractive long-term growth potential. Well funded after the raise LPI has raised c A$25m in gross proceeds at A$0.6/share by placing 41.7m in new shares (11% of enlarged share capital). The placement price represents a 14% discount to the undisturbed share price, but only 3% to the 10-day volume weighted average price. Following the placement, LPI is now well capitalised with proforma end-June cash of A$31.5m. The company plans to use the proceeds to advance its Maricunga lithium project. The placement is in line with our model, which currently assumes that LPI will raise c A$38m in equity (and an additional A$57m in debt) in FY23 to fund project development and construction. Maricunga project update LPI is making progress on consolidating its ownership of the Maricunga project, with the slight delay to the original schedule caused by the time taken to obtain an independent experts report for shareholders and to finalise the audit of financials. The company continues to assess the best funding options for the project as it received several expressions of interest in relation to debt and equity funding as well as the acquisition of the project. Finally, we note that, on 4 September 2022, Chilean national plebiscite rejected the text of a new national constitution by a margin of 62% to 38%. While this extends the uncertainty, the news is positive for miners as the proposed draft was criticised as being too radical. Valuation: Up on lower equity dilution Our valuation of LPI increases from A$1.0/share to A$1.24/share on the back of the higher share price and the associated lower project equity dilution. While LPI shares have gained some support recently, we note the still-prevailing disconnect between the favourable lithium market fundamentals and the valuations of lithium developers and explorers (LPI in particular). This weakness caused by the general equity market sell-off could affect project development timelines and exacerbate the tight lithium supply/demand situation in the longer term. The ASX has rallied on the back of energy stocks, gaining 0.21% or 14.40 points after yesterdays bloodbath to climb to 6,843.00. Most other sectors are still in the red, but Energy gained 3.61% as a stirring Chinese economy applied pressure to oil and gas forecasts. Other sectors in the green were Financials, up 1.12% and Industrials, up 0.39%. The top-performing companies were unsurprisingly coal stocks, with Coronado Global Resources Inc a metallurgical coal company gaining 8.85% and New Hope Corporations Ltd an oil, gas and agriculture company rising 6.01%. The index has been largely unchanged over the last five days but is down 8.07% for the year to date. In the news Crude oil demand expected to climb The International Energy Agency (IEA) has raised its estimates for global demand growth in oil for this year by 380,000 barrels per day, stating that gains mask relative weakness in other sectors. The agency has also revised its 2022 forecast to 99.7 million barrels a day and its 2023 forecast to 101.8 million barrels per day, indicating prices may continue to rise next year. Natural gas and electricity prices have soared to new records, incentivising gas-to-oil switching in some countries, The August Oil Market Report stated. With several regions experiencing blazing heatwaves, the latest data confirm increased oil burn in power generation, especially in Europe and the Middle East but also across Asia. For now, a deteriorating economic environment and recurring COVID lockdowns in China continue to weigh on market sentiment. Nevertheless, world oil demand is forecast to grow by 2 million barrels per day in 2022 and 2.1 million barrels per day next year. Jet fuel dominates growth, while road transport demand wanes. The report cited building global inventories as a reason prices may stabilise but could not discount a further price rally due to an increasing risk of supply disruptions. EnergyConnect Riverina transmission line approved The NSW Government has given planning approval for the eastern portion of a 900-kilometre energy transmission line set to be built through the Riverina region in the south of the state, intended to connect South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. Energy shortages earlier this year brought a severe lack of energy infrastructure between the states into the limelight, as each state was forced to go it alone and negotiate separately with their energy markets to varying degrees of success. Developer Transgrid claims the transmission line would be able to supply 8% of NSWs electricity needs. "We are building the energy superhighway," Transgrid CEO Brett Redman said. "The interconnector will enable sharing of energy between NSW and South Australia and Victoria for the first time, enable the integration of renewable generation and help the federal government achieve its climate change targets." A map of the proposed EnergyConnect transmission line between South Australia, Victoria and NSW. The NSW portion of the transmission line would run from Wagga Wagga to Buronga and beyond if approved for construction by the federal government but has been met with resistance from local stakeholders. Earlier this year, 42 objections to the project were lodged with the NSW Department of Planning, which successfully prompted a re-imagining of the energy highway to avoid wetland areas in the Riverina. Map of eastern section of proposed transmission line (purple with blue points of use) including Tier 1 (orange) and Tier 2 (red) constraints to development, which consider social, environmental and land use considerations, network resilience and cost. The project is expected to generate some 1,500 jobs in regional NSW and could be a vital component of energy infrastructure necessary to decarbonise the Australian economy. The Five at Five Sipa Resources readies to drill Skeleton Rocks lithium targets Sipa Resources Ltd (ASX:SRI)s aircore program earlier this year confirmed the existence of anomalous lithium in previously untested greenstone units and the targets identified will now be drilled with a reverse circulation rig. Read more Caspin Resources plots aggressive multi-rig campaign at Serradella as re-assaying reveals high-grade rhodium The results of the past few months have proven to be a breakthrough for the project and provide us confidence to embark on an aggressive drill campaign through the summer season," Caspin Resources Ltd (ASX:CPN) chief executive officer Greg Miles said. Read more Kingston Resources delivers successive months of record gold production at Mineral Hill Production from the TSF Project has delivered sequential monthly gold production records in July and August, and we are pleased to see grade and recoveries improve as expected as mining moves deeper in the tailings facility, said Kingston Resources Ltd (ASX:KSN) managing director Andrew Corbett. Read more Lithium Power International gets valuation uplift from Edison Investment Research Lithium Power International Ltd (ASX:LPI) is advancing the Maricunga Lithium Brine Project in Chile, which is expected to produce 15,200 tonnes of lithium per annum over 20 years, delivering a net present value of US$1.4 billion at an 8% discount rate. Read more International Graphite achieves first product from pilot graphite micronising and spheroidising plant at Collie. This is a major step in developing our operating knowledge and systems in the graphite downstream processing industry, leading to building a team that will understand the operational needs of graphite processing, said International Graphite Ltd (ASX:IG6) executive chair Phil Hearse. Read more Investors had the opportunity to hear from emerging leaders across a broad range of ASX-listed small and mid-cap companies at this week's ASX Small and Mid-Cap Conference. The conference garnered investors interest, especially retail investors who are dipping their toes in the water and getting to know the investment landscape. Proactives Andrew Scott spoke with some of the attending companies at the event, which was held on September 13 and 14. Frontier Digital Ventures Frontier Digital Ventures Ltd (ASX:FDV) is focused on becoming the world leader in online marketplace businesses in emerging markets. The company has a particular focus on online marketplaces including property and automotive verticals and general marketplace websites. Frontier founder & CEO Shaun Di Gregorio speaks with Proactive. Clean TeQ Water Clean TeQ Water Ltd (ASX:CNQ) is an innovative water treatment company providing a range of water treatment solutions to customers worldwide with technology solutions including desalination, nutrient removal, zero liquid discharge and hardness removal. The companys CEO Willem Vriesendorp speaks with Proactive. US Student Housing REIT (ASX:USQ) was established to acquire and manage high-quality purpose-built student housing assets in the United States that are in close proximity to top-tier public universities. USQ managing director Andy Feinour speaks with Proactive. Symbio Holdings Symbio Holdings Ltd (ASX:SYM) is a software company that provides cloud-based communication services that replace telecom networks. The company offers a complete solution for launching, scaling and managing communication services in the cloud. Symbio co-founder and managing director Rene Sugo speaks with Proactive. PlaySide Studios PlaySide Studios Ltd (ASX:PLY) is Australia's largest publicly listed video game developer. The company provides self-published games based on original intellectual property and games developed in collaboration with studios, such as Disney, Pixar, Warner Bros and Nickelodeon. PlaySide CEO and co-founder Gerry Sakkas speaks with Proactive. Neurotech International Neurotech International Ltd (ASX:NTI) is focused on the development and commercialisation of neurological solutions that improve quality of life. The companys current focus is a world-first clinical study utilising NTI164 in the treatment for paediatric Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Neurotech executive director Dr Tom Duthy speaks with Proactive. Best & Less Group Holdings Best&Less Group Holdings Ltd (ASX:BST) is a value apparel specialty retailer selling apparel, footwear, undergarments, sleepwear and accessories for men, women and children. The companys CFO Andrew Moore speaks with Proactive. Neuren Pharmaceuticals Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:NEU) is a biopharmaceutical company developing drugs for the treatment of neurological disorders that emerge in childhood. The company has two drugs in clinical development for multiple serious neurological diseases for which there are currently no approved drug therapies. Neuren CEO Jon Pilcher speaks with Proactive. Microba Life Sciences Microba Life Sciences Ltd (ASX:MAP) is advancing healthcare through precision microbiome science. The company believes comprehensive and precise measurement of the human gut microbiome is required to drive innovation in medical care. Its therapeutic discovery is generating multiple potent therapeutic candidates to address unmet clinical needs for multiple chronic diseases. Microba CEO Luke Reid speaks with Proactive. CogState CogState Ltd (ASX:CGS) is focused on developing neuroscience technology that optimises brain health assessments to advance the development of new medicines and to enable earlier clinical insights in healthcare. The companys technologies provide rapid, reliable and highly sensitive computerised cognitive tests and support electronic clinical outcome assessment (eCOA) solutions to replace costly and error-prone paper assessments with real-time data capture. CogState CEO Brad O'Connor speaks with Proactive. Chimeric Therapeutics Chimeric Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:CHM) is a clinical-stage cell therapy company. It believes that cellular therapies have the promise to cure cancer rather than just delay its progression. The company focuses on discovery, development and commercialisation of the most innovative cell therapies. Chimeric CEO Jennifer Chow speaks with Proactive. Lynch Group Holdings Lynch Group Holdings Ltd (ASX:LGL) is a third-generation vertically integrated wholesaler and grower of flowers and potted plants in the Australian and Chinese floral markets. The company operates growing facilities in Australia and China and has been supplying Australian supermarkets with flowers since 1979 and operating in China since 2002. It is the only national floral marketers in Australia with ISO & HACCP Quality Standard accreditation. Lynch CEO Hugh Toll speaks with Proactive. Cluey Cluey Ltd (ASX:CLU) is an Australian-based education technology company that provides personalised face-to-face online tutoring to school students. In addition, Cluey delivers co-curricular online, holiday camps and after-school programs in Australia and the United Kingdom through wholly-owned subsidiary Code Camp. Cluey's CEO Mark Rohald speaks with Proactive. Cedar Woods Properties Cedar Woods Properties Ltd (ASX:CWP) creates quality homes, workplaces and communities with award-winning projects in Western Australian, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. The companys managing director Nathan Blackburne speaks with Proactive. Pacific Current Group Pacific Current Group Ltd (ASX:PAC) is a global multi-boutique asset management business committed to partnering with ''exceptional'' investment managers. The company adopts a strategic and bespoke business development approach to help businesses grow. Pacific Current CEO and CIO Paul Greenwood speaks with Proactive. Chrysos Corporation Chrysos Corporation Ltd (ASX:C79) combines science and software to create technology solutions for the global mining industry. PhotonAssay, its flagship product, delivers safer, more accurate and environmentally-friendly analysis of gold and associated elements. Chrysos CEO Dirk Treasure speaks with Proactive. HALO Technologies Holdings HALO Technologies Holdings Ltd (ASX:HAL) is an online global equities research and trade execution software solution that brings sophisticated institutional-grade analytical frameworks and market insights to everyday investors. The companys CEO George Paxton speaks with Proactive. HT&E HT&E Ltd (ASX:HT1) is an Australian-based media organisation formerly known as APN music. It is now predominantly a radio network operating 58 radio stations in 33 markets across Australia. HT&E's CEO Ciaran Davis speaks with Proactive. Vista Group International Vista Group International Ltd (ASX:VGL) provides software and technology solutions across the global film industry sectors of distribution, exhibition, and the end consumer, moviegoers. The companys CEO Kimbal Riley speaks with Proactive. Sunrise Energy Metals Sunrise Energy Metals Ltd (ASX:SRL) is building one of the worlds largest integrated battery raw material plants in Australia from mine to cathode materials. The companys managing director and CEO Sam Riggall speaks with Proactive. dusk Group Dusk Group Ltd (ASX:DSK) is an Australian specialty retailer of home fragrance products, offering a range of branded products from its physical stores and online store. The companys product range is designed in-house and is exclusive to dusk. dusk Group's Peter King speaks with Proactive. Valeo noted that sabizabulin demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 55.2% reduction in COVID-19 deaths compared to placebo during a Phase 3 study Valeo Pharma Inc. (TSX:VPH, OTCQB:VPHIF) said it has entered into a Commercial Services Agreement with Veru Inc for the latters novel dual anti-viral and anti-inflammatory agent sabizabulin in Canada. Sabizabulin targets the treatment of hospitalized moderate-to-severe COVID-19 patients at high risk for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and death, the pharmaceutical company said. "Provincial healthcare systems across the country are still battling with high numbers of COVID-19 hospitalized patients and related deaths, Valeo CEO Steve Saviuk said in a statement. In a pivotal Phase 3 study, sabizabulin demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 55.2% reduction in deaths compared to placebo. It also showed a significant reduction of days in ICU, days on mechanical ventilation and days in hospital," he added. "Veru plans to pursue an expedited review process with the Canadian healthcare authorities with the objective of making sabizabulin available in Canada at the earliest time possible," Saviuk revealed. The sabizabulin Phase 3 COVID-19 clinical trial was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted in 204 hospitalized COVID-19 patients with moderate-to-severe COVID at high risk for ARDS and death, Valeo said. Treatment with 9 mg of sabizabulin once daily resulted in a clinically meaningful and statistically significant 55.2% relative reduction in deaths compared to placebo. The results of the interim analysis of the Phase 3 COVID-19 study have been published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) Evidence, Valeo noted. Veru submitted a request for emergency use authorization to the US FDA in June 2022. In Canada, it plans to submit its application to Health Canada via the "NDS CV" submission type, which has been created for New Drug Submissions that seek approval on the basis of any of the specific requirements including COVID-19, Valeo added. Veru is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel medicines for COVID-19 and other viral and ARDS-related diseases and for the management of breast and prostate cancers. Valeo Pharma is a fast-growing pharmaceutical company dedicated to the commercialization of innovative prescription products in Canada with a focus on respirology/allergy, ophthalmology and specialty products. Headquartered in Kirkland, Quebec, the company has the full capability and complete infrastructure to register and properly manage its growing product portfolio through all stages of commercialization. Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com 'Our value lies in providing the same tools that the Trade Desk does for small and midsize businesses, enabling them to succeed against competitors of any size,' said Logic co-founder and CEO Brent Suen In 2000, $0.90 of every ad dollar went into TV and print, but 6.64 billion people use a smartphone today. That has sent companies scrambling to grab consumer attention online. A rapid shift to online advertising has been a radical catalyst for disruptors like The Trade Desk Inc and Logiq Inc (NEO:LGIQ.AQN, OTCQX:LGIQ). New York-based Logiq provides ecommerce and digital customer acquisition solutions by simplifying digital advertising. The mobile marketing software as a service (SaaS) provider helps brands increase online sales cost effectively. It owns DataLogiq, an all-in-one data, artificial intelligence (AI), media buying and marketing technology platform. DataLogiq has positioned itself as The Trade Desk for small and midsize businesses (SMBs), affording smaller entities similar digital marketing capabilities as The Trade Desk without the high minimums and costs, noted analysts at Zacks. Logic co-founder and CEO Brent Suen said Datalogiq as The Trade Desk for smaller companies can provide excellent cost savings on ad spending for brands. The Trade Desk has had a phenomenal run and commands a massive valuation. Yet they didn't exist 10 years ago. Now they give brands the ability to buy online advertising, bid for and buy ads. Their customer base is Walmart, Amazon, eBaycompanies that are responsible for 50% of all online advertising, Suen told Proactive. Its hard for smaller companies to compete so our customer acquisition technology tries to provide a level playing field. Our value lies in providing the same tools that the Trade Desk does for SMBs, enabling them to succeed against competitors of any size. We provide cost transparency and give them the same set of tools to compete so that they can save 15% to 30%. As an investment banker for over three decades focused on telecom, media, and technology (TMT), Suen knows the competitive digital landscape and multiple technologies like the back of his hand. He has solid operational experience with companies in Silicon Valley, emerging markets in Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America, and more recently mobile and internet companies in Southeast Asia. The DataLogic advantage Suen created DataLogiq when Logiq bought PUSH Interactive for $25 million in stock in 2020. The cautious risk taker then augmented this with other acquisitions Fixel AI, Rebel AI, and more recently Battle Bridge to expand the companys capabilities and boost its customer base. As a result, Logiqs digital marketing business now includes a holistic, self-serve ad tech platform. Its data-driven, AI-powered solutions allow brands to advertise across digital and Connected TV advertising. Logiq also offers lead generation services and digital advertising and data management software. The tools we have are based around AI and give businesses the ability to run advertising campaigns. It shows the effectiveness of the campaigns as our platforms are learning from the campaigns and reporting back to our customers telling them whats working and whats not, said Suen. This helps our clients focus on the things that are working so we are constantly delivering cost savings and efficiency. Synergies with Battle Bridge On April 1 this year, DataLogiq completed the acquisition of certain assets of Battle Bridge Labs, a Tulsa, Oklahoma-based digital brand marketing agency for $3.36 million comprised of $250,000 in cash and $3 million in stock. Battle Bridge provides digital brand marketing services, including pay-per-click management, social media marketing, funnel creation and optimization, SEO, web design and more. It is a certified partner of Google, Shopify, Bing ads, and IMA. According to Suen, Battle Bridge is focused on Facebook and Google ads, but through Logiq it will now be able to offer its customers additional programmatic ad buys. Battle Bridge is expected to generate $3.8 million in revenue over the next 12 months, but new potential wins could push that higher. Bear in mind that Battle Bridge was only doing a certain type of marketing and advertising for its customer base which consisted of Facebook and Google ads. When we acquired Rebel AI, that gave us the ability to do programmatic advertising, said Suen. The whole value proposition for Battle Bridge is that they can now offer their customers the ability to do everything in-house, including programmatic advertising, so it is accretive in more ways than one. Significantly, Battle Bridge brings Logiq new customers, entry into fresh verticals, greater creative capabilities, and potential economies of scale. Unlocking value Breaking apart a company can, in theory, unlock value. Corporate spinoffs as an asset class have done well historically. On July 27, 2022, Logiq completed the spinoff of its majority-owned fintech and mobile solutions business segment, GoLogiq Inc (OTCMKTS:GOLQ). Going forward, GoLogiqs financials will no longer be consolidated with Logiq. When we first acquired Push Interactive and then subsequently Fixel AI and Rebel AI, we believed that the sum of the parts would be interesting to investors, said Suen. But investors in the US were either interested in the DataLogic business, or in the emerging markets business. The two never really met. As a result, we successfully transformed our business into two standalone entities to enhance value for our shareholders. Logiq recently announced its last quarter as a combined company with GoLogiq Inc. For its second quarter ended June 30, 2022, Logiq reported consolidated revenue of $4.9 million with solid execution in pursuing higher margin businesses with larger customer accounts. DataLogiq contributed $3.3 million in revenue, or 67.4% of 2Q consolidated revenue. Strong outlook Logiq now projects annualized revenue for the fiscal year 2022 to be in the range of $40-$50 million, reaching breakeven EBIDTA, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization by the end of 2022. Importantly, it expects to be profitable in early 2023 if planned M&A activity and new customer wins occur as expected. To raise cash, Logiq has the key Ionic ventures agreement in place, and it can also factor receivables if needed. High growth potential Compared to other companies in its space, Logiq is sharply undervalued. Our current valuation in itself is compelling not because of where the stock price has been and where it is now. But in terms of absolute valuation compared to our peers, we are trading at a big disparity, noted Suen. It currently trades at approximately $8.9 million enterprise value or 0.3 times estimated 2022 sales of $26 million. Its peers trade at an average of 2.3 times, pointed out analysts at Zacks. Based on comparable valuations of its peers at 2.3 times enterprise value to sales, Zacks estimates that Logiqs stock is worth $1.73 per share. Logiq shares currently trade at around $0.47 on the OTC Markets. Analysts expect Logiqs valuation to climb through improved profitability, revenue growth and acquisitions. We've done everything right by making wonderful accretive acquisitions. There are plenty more we could make. We're very solid in terms of intellectual property and competitive advantage, noted Suen. So, it's almost a self-fulfilling prophecy as we climb back up. The pure-play New York-based digital marketing company has operations in California, Colorado, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and with its Battle Bridge acquisition, Texas, and Oklahoma. Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com Follow her on Twitter: @UttaraProactive Southern Silver is part of the private Manex Resource Group, which provides professionals, services and exploration expertise to public companies For the small cap resource investor, the combination of a management board with mine-finding and development experience coupled with a great asset in a proven jurisdiction can make for a compelling proposition. This is what's on offer at Cerro Las Minitas (CLM) in Mexico, according to Toronto-listed company Southern Silver Exploration Corp (TSX-V:SSV, OTCQX:SSVFF), which is advancing the 35,000 hectare (Ha) property. Sitting in the Faja de Plata, Durango state, where mining has been carried out for centuries, the project is among the top ten largest and highest-grade undeveloped silver assets in the world. There are at least a dozen mines in the immediate area and the two largest miners in Mexico - Fresnillo and Penoles - are the firm's neighbours. Avino (TSX-V:ASM) Silver & Gold Mines, which has two mines and four exploration projects, sits just 17 miles up the road. Now in the 37th year of production, the Avino (TSX-V:ASM) mine just reportedly churned out 649,569 ounces of silver-equivalent in its second quarter, up 42% on the first quarter this year. In 2016, the mine produced 2.7 million silver equivalent ounces. The president of Southern Silver, Larry Page, who has been involved in bringing seven mines into fruition, including Hemlo and Eskay Creek in Canada, explains how over US$30 million has been poured into the company's CLM project (including costs for its acquisition and exploration) since 2011. Part of the Manex Group Southern Silver is part of the private Manex Resource Group, which provides professionals, services and exploration expertise to public companies, and Page points to the fact that around 16 years ago another Manex firm, Western Silver Corp, had advanced the Penasquito project in Zacatecas state, Mexico to the point where the then Goldcorp bought it out. "Shareholders had a US$1.2 billion payday. The stock went from pennies to US$37 and we thought that was a good idea and we'd like to emulate that idea," said Page. "We are well on our way to emulating that Western Silver success (at CLM)," he added. A major milestone for the CLM asset recently came in the form of an independent preliminary economic assessment (PEA), which showed an underground polymetallic (silver, zinc, copper, lead) mine, which could throw off an impressive US$3.7 billion in revenues over a 15-year life. The report used a base case price scenario of silver at US$21.95 per ounce, copper at US$3.78 per pound, lead at US$0.94 per pound and zinc at US$1.33 per pound. The project would cost US$341 million to get up and running, have an internal rate of return (IRR) of 17.9%, and a 60-month pay-back period. Higher value silver and lead output will be targeted in the first years, while lower silver-equivalent material, being zinc and copper dominant will be earmarked in the remaining seven. All-in-sustaining costs (AISC) came in at $US13.27 per ounce of silver-equivalent sold. Notably, highlighted Page, the numbers also show that the proceeds from selling all the zinc, lead and copper from CLM would pay the costs of mining out the silver. All the concentrates, which would be generated from any future mine (copper, zinc, lead and zinc) are currently highly in demand due to the globe's shift towards 'electrification' and green energy. Page believes this demand will only grow stronger. A robust PEA This robust initial PEA for CLM will inevitably lead to the next step in the project's evolution (towards feasibility) and deal-maker Page says his preferred option would be to joint-venture the project to a bigger player. This would see the shareholders benefit from cashflow coming into the firm over its 15-year life, he explained, but also be part from the potential upside from increasing the resource, which is open at depth and along strike and very far from being finite. "The devil's in the details though on that sort of a deal and it's how long you are carried for before you have to contribute and what is the percentage that you give up to attract the money and the expertise (from the major), and when you have to contribute to capex and opex, will the major assist you on banking?" explained Page. He said talks on the project were already taking place with three companies, while Southern Silver is also due to have 32 meetings at the Beaver Creek precious metals conference in Colorado, with around a third of those with producing companies. Meanwhile, it's important to note that the CLM project is not the only egg in Southern Silver's basket. "This is just one leg of a three-legged stool," explained Page, who added that the company was also currently finishing the third of a six hole drill program at its Oro project, a formerly producing mine, in New Mexico, US. Oro is a copper porphyry project surrounded by large groups mining for copper, a metal, which is also vital for the green revolution. The company said the results from the first two holes, recently published, were highly encouraging, and showed that deeper drilling was warranted. The third arrow in Southern Silver's quiver is the Hermanas gold-silver project, 40km east of the Oro asset, which covers an area of epithermal quartz veining spanning an area of 4km by 3km. Busy year ahead So with around $8 million in the bank to cover its current exploration aims in New Mexico, and a robust PEA to showcase its CLM project, Southern Silver looks to have an exciting and busy year ahead. Page said that CLM, if it comes to fruition, would be the eighth property he has put into production and describes it as potentially his 'swansong'. He explained that any such exploration opportunity comes for investors with a high degree of risk but also the potential for big rewards. "If management can de-risk the property so that it has merit and it has an asset that a major company wants then they should own that company because it will be transacted in the foreseeable future and there will be a payday!" he said. Southern Silver Exploration looks like it could well be one for investors to put on their radars. Contact the writer at giles@proactiveinvestors.com Magnis Energy Technologies Ltd (ASX:MNS, OTCQX:MNSEF) has made strong progress with key activities at the wholly owned Nachu Graphite Project in southeast Tanzania. Over the last few months, there has been strong progress with the construction of the resettlement village with the overall completion rate now above 60% and on target for completion in November this year. On-site, a storage water dam (SWD1) will be constructed early to ensure adequate water supply for the construction phase. Meanwhile, Magnis anticipates releasing the results of its 2022 feasibility study by the end of this month. Major milestone Magnis chairman Frank Poullas said: We are very excited with the progress across our Nachu Graphite Project. Planned site works are progressing well while construction of the resettlement village is on target to be completed in November. We are very proud of this eco-friendly village which will improve the lives of the local community once built. In addition, we anticipate releasing results from the 2022 feasibility study by the end of the month in a major milestone in the projects development. Nachu Resettlement Eco-village At Nachu Resettlement Eco-village, the following tasks were completed or progressed: construction of the display house; substructure for all the houses; plastering of internal and external walls; roof trusses; and construction of kitchens and water tanks. All houses will have solar panels and there are future plans to build a battery storage system using batteries produced by iM3NY. Recently MP Dr Steve Lemono Kiruswa visited the site and was briefed by the site manager on the progress of the Nachu Project and inspected the Eco-village. Site works Magnis has received quotations from shortlisted contractors for the construction of a SWD1 at the site. SWD1 is part of the overall site water management system and is being constructed early to ensure adequate water supply in addition to the borefield for construction needs. A design contract is being finalised with a Tanzanian consultancy to complete the design of the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) and submit the design for approval with the relevant Tanzanian Authorities. Knight Piesold Consultings Johannesburg office completed the initial design for the project in 2016 and will continue to be engaged by Magnis to work with the Tanzanian consultancy and bring their wealth of international experience in tailings dam design to ensure the dam meets international design standards. Traxys offtake On December 20, 2021, Magnis signed an offtake agreement for 110,000 tonnes of high-grade graphite concentrate with Traxys Europe SA. The agreement had several conditions precedent requiring completion by September 30, 2022. Both Magnis and Traxys are committed to a long-term relationship and due to delays surrounding the 2022 feasibility study, both parties have agreed to moving the date for the conditions precedent to June quarter 2023. ION also announced a site visit later this month that will include technical experts and potential strategic partners ION Energy Ltd. (TSX-V:ION, OTCQB:IONGF) said drilling has begun at its Urgakh Naran lithium brine project in Mongolia and the previously-announced site visit is set to occur later this month. The lithium project developer noted the first of three holes will be drilled to a minimum depth of 300 metres, advancing the company towards an Inferred resource before year-end. The site visit later this month will include technical experts, potential strategic partners and myself; a pivotal moment for the company and our shareholders, ION Energy CEO Ali Haji said in a statement. We look forward to pressing ahead with the work onsite which will include three monitoring wells and ultimately, an Inferred resource calculation before the end of 2022, Haji added. ION also said brine samples will be collected according to the industry standard, assayed and shared with the market as available. As well, the company has invited interested investors to learn more about ION Energys plans at its upcoming Fall Exploration Update on Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 12 pm ET. The registration link can be found HERE. Toronto-based ION Energy is advancing the over 29,000 hectare Urgakh Naran lithium brine licence in Dorngovi Province in Mongolia. Its flagship, 81,000-hectare Baavhai Uul lithium brine project represents the largest and first lithium brine exploration licence award in Mongolia. Contact Sean at sean@proactiveinvestors.com Blackbird PLC (AIM:BIRD, OTCQX:BBRDF)'s chief executive Ian McDonough joined Proactive to talk about the company's first licensing deal, currently being tested by a big name in the American market. The cloud-native video editing and publishing platform, meanwhile, saw record revenues for the first half of 2022, up 78% from the same period last year. Avicanna said the research collaboration will also evaluate the anti-seizure properties of rare cannabinoids in isolation and in combination Avicanna Inc (TSX:AVCN, OTCQX:AVCNF) announced that it has expanded its research collaboration in field of epilepsy through a new partnership with the University of Toronto and Dr Mac Burnhams research team to explore the efficacy of Avicannas proprietary formulations in pre-clinical models for treating the disease. The commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company said Dr Mac Burnhams team will explore efficacy of Avicannas drug candidates and its proprietary combination of cannabinoids, including AVCN319302, in a pre-clinical model for seizures. The combination of real-world evidence and ongoing research collaborations enable us to further develop our pharmaceutical pipeline and further progress our drug candidate in the field of epilepsy, Avicannas vice president of scientific and medical affairs Dr Karolina Urban said in a statement. Avicanna noted the research collaboration will also evaluate the anti-seizure properties of rare cannabinoids in isolation, and in combination, and will be supported by the companys current medical cannabis sales. Dr Burnham is a professor emeritus of pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Toronto's Temerty Faculty of Medicine, and with his more than 150 publications has contributed greatly to the advancement of anti-seizure therapies, according to the company. Avicanna is a commercial-stage international biopharmaceutical company focused on the advancement and commercialization of evidence-based cannabinoid-based products for the global medical and pharmaceutical market segments. The company has an established scientific platform including R&D and clinical development that has led to the commercialization of more than 30 products across various market segments. Contact Sean at sean@proactiveinvestors.com In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Kanye West told the publication: its time for me to go it alone American rapper Kanye West, who goes by Ye, has put two major retailers Gap Inc (NYSE:GPS) and adidas AG on notice, indicating he is terminating his partnerships with both brands as rising tensions between the parties have reached a tipping point. Per a Wall Street Journal report, Wests company Yeezy is attempting to end its contract with Gap over the retailers alleged failure to meet the obligations of their agreement, including distributing Yeezy branded products to store locations and creating dedicated Yeezy Gap stores. Wests lawyers reportedly sent the termination letter to Gap on Thursday. News of the termination attempt saw Gap stock fall almost 4% pre-market, with the stock down about 1% trading at US$9.25 per share mid-morning. Wests 10-year partnership with Gap to develop an affordable line for men, women, and children under the Yeezy brand otherwise does not expire until 2030. The rapper has also openly spoken about issues within his relationship with adidas, which offers his Yeezy shoe line, including the company allegedly stealing his ideas and manufacturing competing products based on his designs. West's long-term arrangement with the company does not expire until 2026. While he may be stuck with his current contracts, West has firmly indicated he is done with this type of corporate partnership and going forward his focus is on Donda Academy, a Los Angeles school founded by West in the memory of his late mother, and opening Yeezy retail stores. In an interview with Bloomberg on September 12, West told the publication: its time for me to go it alone. He continued: Now its time for Ye to make the new industry. No more companies standing in between me and the audience. Contact the author at emily.jarvie@proactiveinvestors.com Follow her on Twitter @emilyjjarvie "As the company prepares to enter a new cycle of growth, we are focusing our efforts on supporting our expansion in North America," said CEO Anis Barakat LeanLife Health (CSE:LLP) Inc told investors it was preparing to "enter a new cycle of growth" and is focusing efforts on expanding in North America. The Vancouver-based firm company is the exclusive distributor of Mike Tyson-endorsed Iron Energy Drink, made by The FoodCare Group. The company is also focused on advancing its Omega-3 flaxseed oil. "These are exciting times for LeanLife Health Inc," said Anis Barakat, the CEO of LeanLife Health, in a statement. "As the company prepares to enter a new cycle of growth, we are focusing our efforts on supporting our expansion in North America. Our new team is doing its due diligence to ensure everything is done in a timely, efficient manner, so that we are ready to roll out our products." Notably, the company has now received its Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) certification, allowing it to sell products in Canada. Containers are set to arrive in early October this year, it said. "Elsewhere in North America, the New Jersey distribution center is ready for operations and is also awaiting the arrival of containers next month. Online, Amazon sales are ready to start by the end of September 2022," the firm added. LeanLife Health said it has also hired Kareem Balbaaki as its new operations manager, replacing the position left vacant by Gavin Mah's resignation. Balbaaki has a Master's in International Business Strategy and extensive experience in operations, supply chain and logistics. Before joining LeanLife Health, he was the CPO at Revive Superfoods. Barakat added: "It is with great pleasure that I have the opportunity to work alongside Kareem again having worked with him on Revive Superfoods. His expertise in the field will be a great asset allowing us to reach new clients and expand our potential markets." Contact the writer at giles@proactiveinvestors.com Murchison Minerals CEO Troy Boisjoli joined Steve Darling from Proactive to share news the company has released results analysed using portable x-ray fluorescence on the second diamond drillhole, at the Barre de Fer on the HPM Project in Quebec. Boisjoli telling Proactive the pXRF results, which only provides an indication of the amount of mineralization, saw the best intersection to date. This hole was drilled to 452 metres and was 121.20 metres estimated at 1.39% pXRF Ni Eq. The Company is progressing towards a maiden resource on BDF by early Q1 of 2023. Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. (CSE:API, OTCQB:APAAF) has appointed Dr John Belhumeur as senior advisor for the First Nations, Metis, and government relations, as the company advances its exploration program. The Toronto-based company is currently focused on delineating high-grade critical rare earth elements and gallium on its 100% owned Alces Lake property, as well as exploring for high-grade uranium in the prolific Athabasca Basin on its other properties. Dr Belhumeur has served as an advisor and consultant to Appia Rare Earth since March 2021. He has spent over three decades as a consultant for Aboriginal affairs regarding project development in the resource industry, coordinating between Aboriginal citizens, resource companies, and various levels of government. READ: Appia Rare Earths and Uranium Corp says initial 2022 drilling at Alces Lake rare earth property in northern Saskatchewan is completed According to the company, Dr Belhumeur has worked on many projects, from the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process through to the construction and operation phases of a mine. Coming from St Lazare and Pine Creek in Manitoba, Dr Belhumeur's Cree/Ojibwa ancestry gives him first-hand knowledge of the indigenous experience, lending a deeper understanding of issues facing Aboriginal people. Dr Belhumeur believes in protecting the environment, using traditional, ecological knowledge and sustainable mineral development. "Appia welcomes Dr Belhumeur to the Appia Rare Earths team to assist the company in presenting a respectful dialogue with First Nations, local governments, and stakeholders on a wide array of reciprocal interests," Appia CEO Tom Drivas said in a statement. Dr Belhumeur is the founder and publisher of The Aboriginal Miner, in partnership with The Prospector Resource Investment News. He was one of the first publishers to endorse mining, hydro, oil and gas, alternative energy, and other resource development projects in Canada, believing that it would bring employment, training, and prosperity to indigenous communities. Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com Follow her on Twitter: @UttaraProactive Beirut, Sep 15 : The border demarcation negotiations between Lebanon and Israel have made progress, and only a few technical details remain to be solved, said Lebanese President Michel Aoun. "The results that Lebanon has achieved in negotiations will enable it to invest its oil and gas wealth. We are currently studying some technical details to solve them in a way that would serve the interest of Lebanon, its rights and sovereignty," Aoun was quoted as saying in a statement on Wednesday released by Lebanon's Presidency. The President added that completing the negotiations will enable Lebanon to launch the oil and gas exploration process in the Exclusive Economic Zone, Xinhua news agency reported. "This will be a positive step for the Lebanese economy which will start emerging from its crisis," he said. Lebanese authorities are trying to end a dispute with Israel over maritime borders, which has escalated after Israel on June 5 sent a vessel to the Karish field, which Israel claims is within its economic zone, while Lebanon claims it is in disputed waters. Israel previously announced that it plans to extract gas from the disputed area as early as September, prompting Hezbollah to threaten attacks if Israel proceeds without first resolving the maritime border dispute with Lebanon. Lakhimpur Kheri : , Sep 15 (IANS) The bodies of two Dalit minor sisters, aged nearly 14 and 17 years respectively, were found allegedly hanging from a tree outside a village in Nighasan area of Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri district, police said. The sisters were found dead on Wednesday evening. The mother of the girls said that her daughters were kidnapped by three bike-borne men at nearly 3 p.m. on Wednesday and were later found hanging from a tree in a cane field. The girls' family alleged that they were allegedly raped and murdered. After locals saw the bodies, they gathered at the spot to protest against the district administration in large numbers, forcing police to deploy personnel in the area to control the situation. The bodies are being sent for post-mortem and a large number of police personnel have been deployed in the area. "The site is being inspected by senior police officers of the district. Upon receiving information, the Nighasan police reached the spot immediately and action is being taken to send the bodies for post-mortem examination as per rules. Legal action will be taken based on the investigation of the case," the local police said in a statement. Superintendent of Police (SP), Sanjeev Suman, too, rushed to Nighasan to take stock of the incident. Police said that the girls' family "did not file any complaint until their bodies were found". "We have sent the bodies for autopsy to ascertain the reason of death. However, as of now, we cannot rule out the possibility of suicide as there were no physical injuries on their bodies," the SP said. Laxmi Singh, Inspector General of Police, Lucknow range, said, "The girls were found hanging by their own dupattas. There were no apparent injuries on their bodies." The post-mortem, she said, will be conducted by a panel of experts. "We will file an FIR based on whatever the family tells us in their complaint," she added. Samajwadi Party President, Akhilesh Yadav has criticised the Uttar Pradesh government and attacked Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over women's safety in the state. "In Yogi government, goons are harassing mothers and sisters every day, very shameful. The government should get the matter investigated, the culprits should get the harshest punishment," he tweeted. The incident is reminiscent of the 2014 deaths of Badaun sisters, who were found dead in similar conditions. It led to massive protests in the village as the girls' family had alleged that their daughters were raped and murdered. On January 31, 2019, the bodies of two other minor girls, 14 and 15-years-old respectively, were found hanging in mysterious circumstances from an electricity pole in Pasgawan area of Lakhimpur Kheri. Police subsequently said it was a case of honour killing. Tehran, Sep 15 : Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has said that Iran's position in the negotiations aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal has not been changed. Amir-Abdollahian on Wednesday made the remarks in an Instagram report about his telephone conversation with his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi. Noting that Iran and other negotiating parties have made a lot of efforts to reach an agreement over the past few months, the Iranian Foreign Minister told al-Busaidi that "Iran has always adhered to the process of dialogue and exchange of messages to lift sanctions, and the only obstacle to an agreement is the lack of realism and necessary determination on the part of the US." Iran has repeatedly shown "sufficient determination and goodwill" necessary to achieve a good, strong and stable agreement, and "there has been no change in Iran's positions," he said. For his part, al-Busaidi emphasised the importance of reaching an agreement and returning all parties to their commitments, Xinhua news agency reported. Iran and the US have been indirectly exchanging views about a recent EU proposal aimed at resolving the outstanding issues on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Iran signed the deal with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to curb its nuclear programme in return for the removal of sanctions on the country. However, former US President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to drop some of its commitments under the pact. The talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal began in April 2021 in Vienna but were suspended in March this year because of political differences between Tehran and Washington. The latest round of the nuclear talks was held in the Austrian capital in early August after a five-month hiatus. On August 8, the EU put forward a "final text" of the draft decision on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. Srinagar, Sep 15 : Two terrorists killed in an ongoing encounter between terrorists and security forces at Nowgam area in central Kashmir's Srinagar district on Wednesday have been identified, Police said. The Police added that acting on specific information generated by them regarding the presence of terrorists in Dangerpora area of Nowgam, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by the Police and the Army. "During the search operation, as the joint search party approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding terrorists fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter," Police said. In the ensuing encounter, two terrorists were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. They have been identified as Aijaz Rasool Najar of Pulwama and Shahid Ahmad alias Abu Hamza. "As per Police records, both the killed terrorists were categorised terrorists and were linked with proscribed terror outfit Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. Both the killed terrorists were involved in several terror crime cases, including attacks on Police/security forces and civilian atrocities. Besides, they were also involved in recent attack on an non-local labourer namely Muneer-ul-Islam of West Bengal on September 2, 2022, at Ugergund Newa area of Pulwama," Police added. Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition, including one AK-series rifle, two pistols and one grenade were recovered from the site of encounter. Amman, Sep 15 : The death toll in a residential building collapse in Jordan's capital Amman rose to eight, the Public Security Department (PSD) said in a statement. The building collapsed on Tuesday. Rescue work is still going on, the PSD added, noting that an infant and an injured person in his 50s were pulled out from the rubble of the collapsed building and transferred to the hospital. So far, 16 people have been injured due to the collapse, the state-run Petra news agency reported. The Director of Civil Defence Brigadier General Hatem Jaber told Xinhua on Wednesday that rescue teams are still operating at full capacity to reach all people under the rubble, Xinhua news agency reported. On Wednesday, the Amman Prosecutor General ordered the detention of three people pending investigation in the building collapse case. The three include the person responsible for supervising the property, a maintenance supervisor and a maintenance technician, Petra reported. King Abdullah II of Jordan on Wednesday directed PSD Director Major General Obaidallah Maaytah to ensure the utmost efforts to continue rescuing those trapped under the rubble. Gurugram, Sep 15 : The Gurugram police have arrested a 19-year-old college student for allegedly blackmailing and sexually assaulting a minor girl, a class 11 student of a private school in the city, the police said. The complainant and father of the 16-year-old girl told the police that the girl knew the accused as they had studied in the same school. The girl's father said that his daughter had become friends with the accused. "They used to talk often and after passing out of class 12, the accused cleared school in 2021 and joined a college in Delhi. The accused started stalking my daughter too." The father alleged that during a mobile chat the accused got a nude photo of his daughter on WhatsApp. After which he (accused) started blackmailing her and pressuring her to meet him. "During a meeting, the suspect sexually and physically assaulted her and when she resisted, he threatened to kill her," the girl's father said in his police complaint. Following the complaint, an FIR was registered against the accused under Sections 323 (causing hurt), 354-D (stalking), 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC and Section 6 of the POCSO Act at the women police station, West. "We have arrested the culprit. Further probe is underway," said a police officer. Islamabad, Sep 15 : Dengue cases are on the rise in Pakistan in the wake of the catastrophic flooding across the country triggered by record monsoon rain since mid-June, the media reported on Thursday. As relief and rescue operations continue, officials have warned of a looming health crisis with a surge in dengue, malaria and severe gastric infections, reports the BBC. About 3,830 cases of dengue fever have been reported by health officials in Sindh province, one of the worst-hit regions, with at least nine deaths. "The overall situation in Sindh is very bad, we are organising medical camps all over the province. Most of the cases we are seeing now are of dengue patients followed closely by malaria," Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, secretary general of the Pakistan Medical Association, told the BBC. "The dengue burden is the same all over the province and it's increasing daily. When we checked with the laboratories, the suspected cases are around 80 per cent of tests being done." Shoro, who has been treating scores of dengue patients at Agha Khan hospital in Karachi, told the BBC that the situation is only going to worsen in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the overall death toll in Pakistan from this season's monsoon rains and floods has increased to 1,486, along with 12,749 injured, according to the latest update by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The NDMA further added that 179,281 people have been rescued and 546,288 others are currently living in camps. Some 33 million people across the country have been affected so far. Pilibhit : , Sep 15 (IANS) Two persons, including a minor, have been arrested for the murder of a 16-year-old boy whose body was recovered from the bank of river Khannaut under the jurisdiction of Deoria Kotwali. The victim had gone missing on September 11. Police said the victim had lent Rs 20,000 to one of the accused and was asking for it. The victim, identified as Himanshu, was staying in a rented room in Bisalpur city as his college was nearby. The incident came to the fore when the victim's father filed a missing complaint. According to Hari Prasad's statement, his son parked his bicycle outside his rented room in Patel Nagar locality on September 11 and then went missing. Himanshu's phone was also switched off. SHO Praveen Kumar said one of the two arrested persons, who is 17 years old, was Himanshu's classmate. He had borrowed Rs 20,000 from Himanshu three months ago. "As Himanshu started demanding his money back, the minor hatched a conspiracy with his friend Vijay, 19, to kill Himanshu," the SHO said, and added that "On September 11, both the accused reached Bisalpur on a bike and took Himanshu with them on the pretext of having a party. After reaching the bridge across Khannaut river in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, they strangled Himanshu and fled." The two accused have confessed to have committed the crime. The minor will be produced before the Juvenile Justice Board, while Vijay will appear before the remand magistrate on Thursday. The body was cremated after the autopsy on Wednesday. Varanasi, Sep 15 : The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid (AIM), the Gyanvapi mosque management committee, said that they would file revision petition before the Allahabad high court. Rekha Pathak, a woman plaintiff in the Gyanvapi mosque-Shringar Gauri case, has already filed a caveat in the court to ensure that her side would be heard before any relief is given to AIM, when it files a revision petition against rejection of its application in the matter by the Varanasi district judge on Monday. AIM joint secretary S M Yasin said that the timing to file a revision petition in the court by the panel of lawyers would be decided after going through the Monday's order in detail. Committee lawyer Merajuddin Siddiqui said that the AIM would challenge the court order that said that the suit is not barred by the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, The Waqf Act, 1995 and the UP Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Act, 1983. Bhopal, Sep 15 : With less than one-and-a-half years left for the next Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, the demand for the formation of a separate Vindhya Pradesh, which comprises 30 Assembly seats, is likely to gain momentum once again. Sitting BJP MLA from Maihar (Satna district) Narayan Tripathi, who has been raising voice for the formation of Vindhya Pradesh for more than a decade now, said that he would form a political party in the name of Vindhya, and will contest the elections on 30 seats under its jurisdiction. Tripathi, who is set to begin a foot-march followed by a 'Dharma Sabha' (religious gathering) from religious 'Siddha Pahad' in Chitrakoot (Assembly constituency under Satna district) on September 27, spoke to IANS exclusively on his demand of Vindhya Pradesh's formation and some other issues. Here are experts from the interview: Q: There is wide speculation across political circles that you are going to form a political party. What is the reality in it? A: Yes, things are in process, hopefully we will be able to make an announcement by November or December this year. We will contest the Assembly elections in all 30 seats falling under the Vindhya region. I have been raising the demand for a separate Vindhya Pradesh since 2004, but so far, I didn't make it a political issue because this subject is beyond politics for us. But, now it's the need of the hour to have a political party to strengthen our voice more. Q: A separate state requires to have many things -- from revenue sources to infrastructures and many more. At this point, how do you see the possibility of separate Vindhya Pradesh? A: When Chhattisgarh was made a separate state, the same situation was faced, but now Chhattisgarh has become a growth state. Second, we are demanding our Vindhya Pradesh, which actually exists. We are not demanding for a new state because Vindhya Pradesh was merged with Madhya Pradesh. Q: Why are you demanding for separate Vindhya Pradesh when it was merged with Madhya Pradesh decades ago? A: First, making Vindhya Pradesh a separate state is not my own demand but of the people of this region. Of course I am leading this movement, but before me, other political leaders too from Vindhya had time and again pushed for it even before Chhattisgarh was separated. Second, because the Vindhya region was not given importance and has been deprived of development. For example, Chitrakoot, where Lord Ram did 14-year-long 'tapasya' during his exile from Ayodhya. When Ram came to Chitrakoot, he was a prince and after doing tapasya, he became Lord Ram. But Ram's 'tapasya bhoomi' (Chitrakoot) wasn't given much importance. This is just an example. Prime Minister Narendra Modi says he wants to make India self-reliant, which is possible only when states become self-reliant and it is possible only when we have small states. Q: What is the possibility you see and what's the next step you are going to take to push your demand? A: I am pushing this issue relentlessly with the sole vision of Vindhya Pradesh and will fight for it until it is done. In the last two years, we have visited the entire Vindhya region twice and people have supported our movement. Through the last two movements, we were successful in filling the feeling of Vindhya Pradesh in the minds and hearts of the people. Now, a third movement will start from September 27 with a Dharma Sabha organised at Siddha Pahad. Q: Despite being a sitting MLA from the BJP, you often raise questions on our own party's government. During local body polls, you said the entire government machinery is working for the BJP and recently you wrote a letter to the Chief Minister on the Siddha Pahad issue. Why? A: I am a public representative and my duty is to raise questions if anything goes wrong with the people of my constituency. I don't raise questions, but issue an alert when I see something wrong. And this is to convey a message to our Chief Minister, but it doesn't mean that I am against the BJP. Q: But, your action gives an opportunity to the opposition to corner the BJP government. Also, it gives rise to speculation that you are getting close to the Congress? A: I raise my voice whenever I see anything going wrong and I have nothing to do with the Congress. Whatever the Congress leaders speculate, let them do, I can't stop them from doing so. I wrote a letter to the Chief Minister over the mining issue on Siddha Pahad in Chitrakoot and see how quickly the Chief Minister took action on it. I am still fighting on that particular issue. Yes, I say that sand and rock mining in the Vindhya region is running on a large-scale with the nexus between politicians and government officials. San Francisco, Sep 15 : More people are using tech giant Apple's iOS 16 in the first two days compared to iOS 15, says a new report. According to data shared by analytics company Mixpanel, iOS 16, released this week, is installed on an estimated 11.6 per cent of iPhones two days after it launched. When iOS 15 was released last year, it was installed on just 8.5 per cent of devices at the two-day mark, which means people are installing iOS 16 at a more rapid pace this year, reports MacRumors. Whats new on iOS 16: Watch the video iOS 16 is perhaps a more appealing update because of the visual changes it brings to the iPhone with the customisable Lock Screen and widget options. It also brings Messages features that include iMessage editing, undo send, and more. At the current time, Apple is also giving people the option to stay on iOS 15.7, a move that can also keep people from installing the iOS 16 update. Mixpanel measures iOS adoption rates based on visits to apps and websites where its analytics metrics are used, and this is not official data from Apple, the report said. Apple may not provide updated iOS installation numbers for some time as it has not updated iOS 15 information since May 31. The data from Mixpanel suggests that 78.41 per cent of people continue to run iOS 15, and nearly 10 per cent have an older version of iOS. -- Syndicated from IANS Madrid : , Sep 15 (IANS) Real Madrid scored two late goals to beat RB Leipzig 2-0 to maintain their 100 percent start to their UEFA Champions League defense. Fede Valverde continued his excellent recent run of form to put Madrid ahead ten minutes from the end of what had been an even game on Wednesday night. The Uruguayan opened the scoring with a left-foot strike after receiving a diagonal pass from Vinicius Jr., before cutting inside and shooting into the bottom corner of the net. Marco Asensio took advantage of a rare opportunity this season when he netted Madrid's second goal in injury time, taking a pass from Toni Kroos on the left of the pitch before smashing the ball home. The two goals decided a close game in which Leipzig had the best chances in the first half, with Christopher Nkunku twice denied by excellent saves by Thibaut Courtois and just failing to get on the end of a cutback from Timo Werner with the net gaping in front of him. Real Madrid's only threat to the Leipzig goal in the first half was an effort from Luka Modric that drifted wide. Meanwhile, fellow Spanish club Sevilla's Champions League future continues to look complicated after Julen Lopetegui's side were held to a goalless draw away to Copenhagen, reports Xinhua. Sevilla managed just one shot on target in the entire game, while the home side only had one effort between the posts in the second half. The result keeps the pressure on Lopetegui, whose side faces a tough visit to Villarreal on Sunday. In other matches on Wednesday night, Napoli continued their brilliant run after beating Liverpool as they got the better of Scotland's Rangers 3-0 at home, Italian giants AC Milan outplayed Dynamo Zagreb 3-1 at home while fellow Italians Juventus went down to Portuguese club Benfica 2-1. San Francisco, Sep 15 : Cloud communications company Twilio has sacked 11 per cent of its employees -- more than 850 people from its 7,800-strong workforce globally. The impacted employees in the US and other countries will get an email, letting them know their role has been impacted and outlining next steps. "Twilions who are impacted will also be able to meet with a leader from their team," Twilio CEO Jeff Lawson said in a statement late on Wednesday. "I'm not going to sugarcoat things. A layoff is the last thing we want to do, but I believe it's wise and necessary. I take responsibility for those decisions, as well as the difficult decision to do this layoff," Lawson added. The company said that it applied a rigorous selection process to examine which roles were most tightly aligned to its priorities. "Similarly, we looked at the size of the investments we've made and whether they are working for our company. We ultimately found that some investments no longer make sense and identified areas where we can be more efficient," said the CEO. The company has curtailed its investment in areas of 'Go To Market' where customers can succeed without as much human intervention, as well as making targeted changes to be more efficient in areas of R&D. "All impacted Twilions globally will receive at least 12 weeks of pay, plus one week for every year of service at Twilio. You'll also receive the full value of Twilio's next stock vest because the Twilions who are leaving us are shareholders too," said the CEO. Last month, Twilio admitted data breach as hackers entered its internal systems after stealing employee credentials in an SMS phishing attack. Twilio, which owns popular two-factor authentication (2FA) Authy, said it identified 125 customers who had their data accessed during a security breach. Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 15 : With the office of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan sending 12 Bills, including the controversial Lokayukta, University Laws (Amendment) and others, to the official residence of Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, the political atmosphere in the state is headed for a turbulence once again. The files were sent late Wednesday to the Governor, who is in Attappady and will return to the state capital on Saturday (September 17). While 11 of the Bills might pass muster without an issue, all eyes are on the tweaked Lokayukta Bill. Khan gave Vijayan the first jolt a few months back when he refused to ink the re-promulgation of 11 Ordinances forcing the Kerala government to call a special 10-day session for floating the Bills. With Khan refusing to ink the Ordinances, the battle lines were drawn between Vijatan and the Governor. While Khan time and again addresses the media stating that he cannot be taken for granted, Vijayan continues to maintain a stoic silence. With the previous Ordinances turning infructuous and the fresh tweaked Lokayukta Bill yet to be inked, trouble can mount for Vijayan as there is a case against him for mishandling the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund. The trial in the case is over and only the verdict is pending and any adverse verdict could put Vijayan in major trouble. The then Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yedyiurappa had to resign from the chair after the Lokayukta gave a verdict indicting him. New Delhi, Sep 15 : Google Cloud on Thursday announced it has launched the first cohort of the its computing foundations with Kubernetes course in collaboration with FutureSkills Prime, an IT Ministry and Nasscom digital skilling initiative. The beginner-level course aims to provide participants an opportunity to experience cloud computing, cloud basics, big data and machine learning (ML). The course will offer hands-on training (via Google Cloud Skills Boost platform), for diverse career paths including IT infrastructure, data analytics, Cloud native application development, among others. After completing the programme, participants will earn a course completion certificate and industry recognised skill badges, Google Cloud said in a statement. "Google Cloud certifications will help individuals validate their cloud expertise, elevate their careers, and transform businesses with Cloud technology," said Anil Bhansali, VP of Engineering and Head of India Development Centre at Google Cloud. The course will be offered free to students at higher education Institutions and freshers seeking to skill themselves on emerging technologies. "An aligned course, it will not only provide individuals an introduction to cloud computing covering cloud basics, big data, and machine learning but also give them an option to learn at their own pace," said Kirti Seth, CEO, Nasscom. According to Gartner, cloud technology is becoming mainstream, with enterprises investing more on cloud-based offerings leading to higher demand for cloud talent and the need for upskilling. Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration system for automating software deployment, scaling and management. Islamabad/Kabul, Sep 15 : The Taliban government in Afghanistan and the Pakistani military have traded barbs over a clash along the Durand Line, the countries' international land border, the media reported. In a statement on Wednesday, deputy spokesman for Afghanistan government Bilal Karimi confirmed that the clashes took place in Dand Patan area in Afghanistan's Paktia province while Pakistani forces were trying to build a post close to the border. "As a matter of principle", construction of military installations or posts was not permissible in close proximity of the Durand Line, Dawn news reported citing Karimi as saying. But the Pakistani troops, he claimed, attempted to build a post close to the border and when some people from the Afghan side approached them to discuss the issue, "unfortunately, they were fired upon as a result of which there were casualties". "Subsequently, there was (an) exchange of fire between the two sides which possibly caused some casualties on the other side as well," he said. The spokesman said the matter was under investigation and that they were in contact with the leadership to pre-empt the construction of posts in the nearby areas in future. Karimi's remarks follow a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media affairs wing of Pakistan military, soon after the incident on Tuesday. The ISPR said that three Pakistani soldiers were killed in firing by "terrorists from inside Afghanistan" in the general area of Kharlachi, Kurram tribal district. "As per credible intelligence reports, due to fire of (our) own troops, terrorists suffered heavy casualties," it further said. "Pakistan strongly condemns the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for activities against Pakistan and expects that Afghan government will not allow conduct of such activities in future," the ISPR had said. Beijing, Sep 15 : Chinese President Xi Jinping has stepped out of the country for the first time since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic that originated in his country in early 2020 and forced global lockdowns, clobbered large economies and caused the deaths of thousands across the world, not to forget the millions who fell sick and escaped death but paid with lifetime of infirmities. But, we won't discuss the pandemic here even though any discussion in the world today is incomplete without mentioning the affliction that has acquired a universal character. Xi, wearing a face mask, landed in Nur-Sultan, the capital of Kazakhstan, to a red carpet welcome by his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday. The Central Asian republic is celebrating 30 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations with China. Central Asian countries are of strategic interest to China not only because they can help the second largest economy deepen its economic footprint in the region but because they also provide a diplomatic perch to ride on as Beijing faces increasing isolation from the West. Later in the evening, Xi flew to Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where he will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit from Thursday to Friday. Beyond the security implications of the meeting of the strategic group of eight countries, the spotlight on Samarkand this fall is on bilateral talks. Though Xi is thousands of kilometres from home, his heart would be in Beijing as the Chinese leader who would be virtually crowned for the third term to lead the nation of 1.5 billion is just two months away from the grand event -- the upcoming Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Xi carries loads of baggage on his shoulders. The baggage is made of political pledges and expectations, declarations of social and cultural resuscitation of the nation and the promise of reuniting Taiwan with mainland China. Xi is in Samarkand not only as the president of his country but as a reservoir of hope for the millions of Chinese of his generation who want to live by the ideals of Communist leader Mao Zedong and believe in the revival of an ethos that the China of today may have strayed away from amid lapping waves of globalisation and the unnerving war cry of capitalism over Communism. The presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the summit adds to the precariousness of Xi's situation. While northern neighbour Russia is seen as a renegade by the West for attacking Ukraine and bringing the region to a military ferment, India has to speak its mind to Beijing that was behind the Galwan standoff which brought two nuclear powers quite close to a full-blown war. A Xi-Putin summit will see the Chinese president trying to leverage the opportunity to buy more support from Moscow for its stance on Taiwan. President-for-life he may be, but nothing prevents Xi from catalysing more support from a country that again stands isolated among most nations of a community comprising mainstream international politics. Ahead of the 20th CPC National Congress on October 16, Xi has to show his constituents (Chinese people) that he is capable of standing tall in the Great Hall of the People. In Modi, Xi will find an adversary who straddles the eastern and western hemispheres with equal ease. In the summit with Modi, Xi will try his best to turn the tables on India over the spy ship Beijing sent to Sri Lanka or have the upper hand on border disputes with New Delhi. After all, the delegates at the 20th Congress need to see their leader unfazed. But Modi is no political novice. He surely has his cards close to his chest and would not be cowered by the flaming dragon. If Communism has steeled Xi, democracy has strengthened Modi. "We should join hands to combat terrorism, separatism, extremism, drug trafficking and transnational organised crimes, and ensure the security of oil and gas pipelines and other large cooperation projects and their personnel. We should resolutely oppose interference by external forces and work together for lasting peace and long-term stability of our region," Xi said in a signed article published on Tuesday in the Kazakhstanskaya Pravda. If words were horses, all politicians would ride. Let's see which way the dragon sits. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 15 : After a long drawn legal battle, following a directive from the Supreme Court, on Thursday the demolition process of a plush Rs 200 crore resort on the Vembanad lake near Alappuzha began under the watchful eyes of the Alappuzha district authorities. The resorts, situated on an island in the backwaters of the Vembanad lake comprising 54 posh villas, were built in 2007-2012. A series of cases for violating the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules were filed even as the construction was going on. Initially, the Kerala High Court ruled against the resort and the defenders then approached the apex court, which also ruled against the resort. The project is spread over seven hectares and falls under the Panavally village panchayat. The nail in the coffin of this beautifully completed resort came just before it was to open in 2013 and Prince Charles and his entourage, who then were travelling in Kerala, was booked at this resort. But by then it got entangled in cases and failed to open and Charles could never stay there. The district tahisldar on Thursday told the media that the day will see two villas being knocked down. "The debris will have to be disposed of according to the set protocols by the resort management and they are free to take whatever they need to take from the demolished resorts. All this will be done at their expenses only. A time frame of six months has been given to them to finish the demolition and dispose of the debris," said the top revenue official. This project was a joint venture between a leading business house here and a Kuwaiti investor. Tel Aviv, Sep 15 : Following a deadly shootout, Israel closed two checkpoints in theWest Bank and warned it might impose more restrictions. The Al-Jalama (Gilboa) and Salam checkpoints, the two main crossings between the West Bank and Israel, will be closed "until further notice", the office of the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories said in a statement. The measures were taken by Defence Minister Benny Gantz following "an evaluation of the security situation" and in the wake of an incident early on Wednesday morning in which two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at Israeli troops near the Al-Jalama checkpoint, killing an army officer, reports Xinhua news agency. The two Palestinians were killed by the Israeli force. Gantz also decided to halt entry permits to Israel for residents of Kafr Dan, from which the gunmen came, including work permits, the office said. Prime Minister Yair Lapid said the army and Shin Bet internal security agency "are prepared for every scenario and on all fronts". WAFA, the official Palestinian news agency, reported that the Israeli military was holding the bodies of the two gunmen, identifying them as Ahmad Abed, 23, and Abdelrahman Abed, 22. The violence was the latest in a string of clashes between Israel and Palestine. Israeli forces have carried out frequent nightly arrest raids in the West Bank since March, triggering clashes with Palestinians, in which dozens were killed or injured. New York, Sep 15 : Girls worldwide are lagging behind boys in mathematics, with sexism and gender stereotypes among the root causes, according to a new report published by the Unicef. The report titled, 'Solving the equation: Helping girls and boys learn mathematics' features new data analyses covering more than 100 countries and territories. Published on Wednesday, the report finds that boys have up to 1.3 times the odds of obtaining mathematics skills than girls. Negative gender norms and stereotypes often held by teachers, parents, and peers regarding girls' innate inability to understand mathematics are contributing to the disparity. This also undermines girls' self-confidence, setting them up for failure, the report notes. An analysis of data from 34 low- and middle-income countries featured in the report shows that while girls lag behind boys, three-quarters of schoolchildren in class 4 are not obtaining foundational numeracy skills. Data from 79 middle- and high-income countries show more than a third of 15-year-old schoolchildren have yet to achieve minimum proficiency in mathematics. Household wealth is also a determining factor. The report notes that schoolchildren from the richest households have 1.8 times the odds of acquiring numeracy skills by the time they reach fourth grade than children from the poorest households. Children who attend early childhood education and care programmes have up to 2.8 times the odds of achieving minimum proficiency in mathematics by the age of 15 than those who do not. The report also notes the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has likely further exacerbated children's mathematics abilities. In countries where girls are more likely to be out of school than boys, the overall disparities in mathematics proficiency are most likely even wider. "Girls have an equal ability to learn mathematics as boys, what they lack is an equal opportunity to acquire these critical skills," Unicef Executive Director Catherine Russell was quoted as saying. "We need to dispel the gender stereotypes and norms that hold girls back, and do more to help every child learn the foundational skills they need to succeed in school and in life." Chennai, Sep 15 : The Tamil Nadu horticulture department will shut down a 21-acre farm at Kallar established in 1900 to facilitate the movement of elephants through the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) following a recent order of the Madras High Court. The court order following a visit by five judges to the area, as well after an on-the-spot study, evaluation and consultations with farmers, wildlife activists and forest officials. C. Rajeev, Director of Centre for Policy and Development Studies, a think tank based out of Chennai, told IANS: "This is a good decision of the state government as Kallar is an elephant corridor and has the single largest population of Asiatic Elephants." The NBR is an important migratory corridor of elephants and falls in the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Activists were up in arms against the functioning of this horticulture farm which has a building and sales counters. Speaking to IANS, K.M. Pandyan, an activist and farmer at Nilgiris, said: " The farm has several yielding crops including litchi, mangosteen, avocado, nutmeg and jackfruit. However this is an important migratory area of the elephants and the wild tuskers are straying into the human settlements mainly because the connectivity is cut. "The shutting down of the horticulture farm will lead to a free movement for elephants and will reduce the entry of them into human areas." Officials from the Coimbatore Forest Division officials had already recommended the horticulture department to close the farm. A new farm is likely to be set up at Karadu or Rasadi near Sirumugai and the 20 permanent staffers will be relocated. While the Madras High Court has ordered the shutting down of the farm, there are a few private properties, and activists have appealed to the owners to shut down their ventures. Washington, Sep 15 : Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is signing a disaster proclamation to secure resources for the migrants bused to his state from Texas, a media report said. The Governor's office said the disaster proclamation enables coordination among state, city and county governments to provide assistance including transportation, emergency shelter, food, health screenings and medical treatment, Xinhua news agency reported citing the Chicago Tribune's report. Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Pritzker further announced that he had deployed 75 National Guard members to assist with the logistics of receiving the migrants. Pritzker criticized Texas Governor Greg Abbott for failing to coordinate or communicate with Illinois and Chicago officials. "The governor of Texas is forcing on New York and (Washington) D.C. and Chicago and potentially other places a needlessly last minute and complex process that is a heartless display of politics over people." He said the Illinois Attorney General and Chicago city attorneys, among other agencies, are investigating whether there is "criminal liability" for Abbott's actions. The Illinois Governor also raised the idea of suing the Texas government in federal court. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot called the situation a "manufactured crisis by ambush" and accused the Abbott administration of tricking the migrants into boarding the buses. Since August 31 when the first busload of migrants arrived, about 500 migrants had arrived in Chicago, Lightfoot said. She expects the number will grow. While Pritzker said he would seek all available federal assistance, Lightfoot suggested federal assistance should be diverted from Texas to other places who are welcoming the migrants. Despite the complaints, Abbott vowed the waves of asylum seekers would continue arriving at cities like Chicago, the local newspaper reported. New Delhi, Sep 15 : The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought a response from the Aam Aadmi Party-led city government on a plea seeking full-time education for students, alleging the government schools in the national capital's North-East district were conducting classes only for two hours or on alternate days. Issuing notice in the Public Interest Litigation (PIL), a division bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma allowed three weeks' time for the city government's response. In the plea, petitioner Social Jurist, a Civil Rights Group pointed out the schools-- SKV Khajuri, SBV Khajuri, GGSSS Sonia Vihar, GBSSS Sonia Vihar, GGSSS Khajuri, GBSSS Karawal Nagar, and GGSSS Sabhapur, and other schools at Karawal Nagar -- are facing the issue. During the course of the hearing, the Delhi government's counsel submitted the issues of land availability and infrastructure for schools and also pointed out that there were many new joiners after the Covid situation. After the submissions, the bench also comprising Justice Subramonium Prasad slated the next hearing for December 7. The petitioner contended that "the inaction on the part of respondent government violates fundamental right to education of students as guaranteed under Articles 14, 21 and 21-A of the Constitution of India read withs provisions of Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009." Chennai, Sep 15 : A peace meeting held at Srirangam between affected parties, HR& CE department officials, police, revenue officials, and Wakf Board representative has decided that the title deeds in Tiruchendurai village can be carried out as usual. A major controversy had erupted in the Tiruchendurai area when the Joint III Sub-Registrar of Tiruchi asked a person, Rajagopal, who owns one acre of agricultural land in Tiruchendurai village to get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Wakf Board for getting the deed registration. This was following communication sent by the Wakf Board to a Sub Registrar in Tiruchi that the entire land parcel of 480 acres in Tiruchendurai village belonged to it. The Wakf Board, in the communication also said that those who want to register a deed for any land in the village should get a NOC certificate from the board. This created a major uproar with local people protesting against this and they said that if that was the case the Chandrasekha Swamy temple in Tiruchendurai will also belong to the Wakf Board. People took the matter up before the Tiruchi district collector and threatened to carry out a series of agitations against the Wakf Board claim. Local people also said that they had "Patta", "chitta", "Adangal", and encumbrance certificates issued by the revenue department with them and that the claim of the Madeen academy was false. During the meeting held at Srirangam on Wednesday, it was decided that the registration of title deeds in Tiruchendurai village would take place as usual and that there was no hindrance to it. Tamil Nadu Inspector General of Registration has taken up the matter for further investigation and detailed inquiry on the claims made by the Wakf Board. It may be noted that the Tamil Nadu Wakf Board is a statutory body that supervises and manage the Wakf institutions and properties in the state. Islamabad, Sep 15 : A new report has warned that half of Pakistan may face famine if food supplies from external sources are not arranged soon in the midst of the catastrophic flooding across the country. The report compiled by agencies of the Ministry of National Food Security & Research said the mega floods have destroyed at least 70 per cent of Pakistan's food basket, which means food must be imported soon to save the population from famine, reports Samaa TV. The severity of the situation can be gauged from the fact that in Sindh and Balochistan, around 95 per cent of the crops were completely destroyed by the floods as per the initial assessment carried out by the government. Meanwhile in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, around a third of crops were washed away by the floods. As a result, around 40 million people face food scarcity in Pakistan and the situation demands for immediate measures to supply a whopping 14 million tonnes of food to end the shortage and save lives, according to food agencies, Samaa TV reported. In the wake of the disaster and destruction of produce, the prices of fruits, vegetables, and other staples have also skyrocketed. To restore the supply chain, the national exchequer would have to import essential food items such as wheat, pulses, spices, and sugar. The report estimated that the import bill will witness a startling increase of nearly 44 per cent as the government ensures the food supply. Roughly 7 million tons of wheat import will cost around $3.5 billion to the national exchequer. Whereas, 600,000 tons of sugar, 100,000 tonnes of spices and 1 million tons of pulses and palm oil imports will also add to the cost, Samaa TV reported. The food agencies have asked the government to undertake quick measures to support the flood-ravaged populace with essential supplies to avoid a massive humanitarian crisis. Islamabad, Sep 15 : Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday arrived in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to attend the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, during which he is scheduled to meet other world leaders in attendance, including Russian President Vladimir Putin. On Thursday, Sharif will separately meet Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Tajikistan President Imomali Rehmon, Dawn news reported. Besides Putin, the Pakistani leader is also scheduled to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov. However, Foreign Office Spokesman Asim Iftikhar had earlier confirmed that Sharif had no plans to meet his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. An official said although a brief courtesy meeting between the two was possible, they would not be holding talks as none of the two sides had sought a meeting, reports Dawn news. Prior to his departure, the Pakistani premier took to Twitter to share his views on the SCO summit. "The global economic turbulence has necessitated the need for more cooperation among SCO member countries," he said, adding that the "SCO vision" represented the aspirations of 40 per cent of the world's population. "Pakistan reiterates its commitment to 'Shanghai Spirit'. Mutual respect and trust can be the bedrock of shared development and prosperity," he said. "The SCO has great potential to chart a way forward at a time of deeply worrying transformation in geo-political & geo-economic fields." Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War Hyderabad, Sep 15 : A minor girl was allegedly kidnapped and raped by two youth in the old city of Hyderabad. The accused sexually assaulted the 13-year-old victim for two days in a hotel after kidnapping and drugging her. The girl was kidnapped by the youth on Tuesday when she had gone out to buy medicines in Chanchalguda. As she did not return home, her mother lodged a complaint with Dabeerpura Police Station the next day. Police registered a missing case and took up investigation. The youth, who are said to be known to the girl, took her to a hotel in their car. They then drugged and sexually assaulted her. The accused had called the victim's mother on Wednesday to inform her that she was with them. They later dropped her near Chaderghat. The victim's mother shared the telephone number with the police. The police subsequently arrested the accused from the Rein Bazar area. Police said both the accused have been arrested and a case under Protection of Children against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has been registered at Dabeerpura police station. The victim has been sent to Bharosa Centre. A police officer said after counselling and medical examination, her statement will be recorded. The incident came less than four months after the gang rape of a minor in upscale Jubilee Hills. Six accused, five of them minor, had trapped the 17-year-old victim after a daytime party at a bar on May 28. Five of them including a major had sexually assaulted her in a vehicle after promising to drop her home. Five accused, including the son of a leader of ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi, were charged with gang rape while the sixth accused, whose father is an MIM legislator, is facing molestation charges. New Delhi, Sep 15 : We all know that waxing is unquestionably better than other depilatory procedures. The most effective and long-lasting form of hair removal is waxing. Rayed Merchant, Founder, Biosoft says "Waxing for hair removal requires proper technique to produce the greatest results. While getting waxed by a professional, there is nothing to worry about; however, while waxing at home, you need to exercise a little more caution." Here is a list of the most frequent errors we make when waxing at home are listed below, along with advice on how to avoid them: Not prepping your skin correctly It's crucial to get your skin ready for an even and smooth wax. To get rid of any grime, sweat, or filth, wipe your skin clean with a damp towel or tissue. Then, dry the skin with a towel. Pre-wax creams or gels will keep your skin hydrated and stop it from drying out or flaking excessively after waxing. Applying generous amounts of talcum powder to your skin prior to the waxing process also guarantees a smooth and close hair removal experience. Excessive use of wax During waxing, all that is required is a very small layer of wax on each area of your skin. Your hair is held in place by the thin layer of wax and can be removed easily thanks to its adhesion. If you apply a lot of wax, the hair will come out unevenly. Additionally, it could leave waxy residue on your skin. The best course of action in this situation is to spread a thin coating of wax. Simply place a fresh wax strip on top, reheat it slightly, then swiftly pull to remove the wax residue. Applying thick layers of wax wastes unnecessary waxing fluid. Getting the liquid wax to the right temperature Getting the wax to the right temperature is one of the most crucial steps in the waxing hair removal process. The temperature of the wax directly correlates to how effectively the hair is removed. When applied, wax that is too cold will lump and not adhere effectively to the skin. If the wax is too hot, you run the risk of burning your skin. Before applying the wax to your skin, bring it to room temperature for 5-7 minutes to prevent this. Make sure the texture is easy to apply to the skin and has a caramel-like consistency. Avoid putting wax on open wounds You shouldn't wax over any cuts that are fresh or open or that have bruising. The damaged area of the skin deteriorates much more when hot wax is pulled out in a tugging action. It's best to wait until the wound is healed before waxing around it in order to prevent more damage. Be swift when waxing! When waxing oneself, the temptation is to remove the wax slowly. The wax strip is removed gradually, giving the appearance that it is less painful. That is not the situation. It's important to make sure you're pulling the strip swiftly and effectively. By doing this, the pain will be kept to a minimum and the hair will be properly removed. (IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in) Phnom Penh, Sep 15 : Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Thursday that renewable energy from hydropower, solar energy and biomass energy has accounted for 40 per cent of the kingdom's total energy. In a pre-recorded video statement delivered to the opening ceremony of the 40th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting, which was held in person and virtually in Phnom Penh, Hun Sen said Cambodia has actively integrated renewable energy sources into the energy mix, reports Xinhua news agency. "In 2021, energy from renewable energy sources, including hydropower, solar energy and biomass energy, increased to 40 per cent of Cambodia's total energy," he said. "Also, in terms of the power capacity of Cambodia's energy sources, the share of renewable energy sources is around 55 per cent of the total installed power capacity." Energy demand in Cambodia had surged to 4,014 megawatts (MWs) in 2021. Some 3,033 MWs were generated locally by hydroelectric dams, coal-fired power plants, diesel-fired power plants, solar power plants and biomass power plants, and 981 MWs were imported from neighbouring Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, according to the Electricity Authority of Cambodia. Hun Sen said for the way forward, Cambodia will continue to focus on the development of energy efficiency and renewable energy to the fullest of the country's energy supply system, along with the reduction of the development of energy sources that use fossil fuels, such as coal and oil. China, Uzbekistan pledge to advance mutually beneficial cooperation Xinhua) 20:55, September 15, 2022 SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev here on Thursday. The two heads of state said that bearing in mind the long-term development of China-Uzbekistan relations and the future welfare of their people, the two countries will expand mutually beneficial cooperation, cement their friendship and partnership, and implement the vision of a community with a shared future at the bilateral level. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji) New Delhi, Sep 15 : The Congress Election Authority Chairman Madhusudan Mistry on Thursday clarified that there was no flaw in the electoral system, and from September 20, two days ahead of the notifications for the party president's election, the delegate list will be made available to the candidates at the party office. The clarification came after five of its MPs wrote to make the delegate list public. The five MPs had written to Mistry expressing concern about the 'transparency and fairness of the party chief's election, and had sought that the list of PCC delegates that make up the electoral college be provided to all electors and potential candidates'. In reply to these MPs, Mistry said that any delegate, who has the QR-based card, was an eligible voter and each candidate can get the proposer amongst the delegates and require 10 proposers. Mistry said in reply, "For the first time, we are issuing QR-code based identity cards to all the delegates across the 28 states and nine Union Territories that have Congress committees. Those who want to file a nomination should check if they have a delegate identity card available with them. Only people with valid identity cards will be allowed to sign the nomination papers for the position of Congress President." Appreciating the concern for free, fair and transparent election, Mistry said that the first avenue open for any delegate to file a nomination for the Congress President's post is -- they can look for the names of the 10 supporters (delegates) in their state at the Pradesh Congress Committee office. "The name and the serial number are available in the state list. The nomination signed by 10 supporters (delegates) will be sufficient for validity of the nomination," Mistry said. After the election of the president, the Congress delegates will vote for the CWC members, which are 12 in numbers while 11 are nominated by the Congress President. Mistry clarified that there was consensus in election of the PCC delegates except in Andaman where election was conducted by the CEA, the new President will have authority to nominate new state presidents wherever resolutions are moved to authorise the incoming president. Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 15 : With a dozen Bills lying on his table here, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan told the media in Kottayam that he is not a rubber stamp and added that a person cannot sit in judgement in his own case. He was responding to a report that has surfaced that the office of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has sent 12 Bills, including the controversial Lokayukta, University Laws (Amendment) and others to the Governor's official residence. "I am not a rubber stamp. I have a duty to perform. I shall not allow the autonomy of the university to be affected with the government trying to take away the powers. Autonomy of the universities is a sacred subject. To appoint under qualified and unqualified candidates and relatives of the staff of Chief Minister and Ministers will not be allowed," said Khan. "With regards to the other Bill (Lok Ayukta), the basic principles of jurisprudence is that a person cannot judge his own case. It's not possible. Democratically elected government does not mean that it can break the law. The rule of law shall be upheld and will not allow to be diluted," said Khan. The files were sent late Wednesday to the Governor, who is in Attappady and will return to the state capital on Saturday (September 17). While 11 of the Bills might pass muster without an issue, all eyes are on the tweaked Lokayukta Bill. Khan gave Vijayan the first jolt a few months back when he refused to ink the re-promulgation of 11 Ordinances forcing the Kerala government to call a special 10-day session for floating the Bills. With Khan refusing to ink the Ordinances, the battle lines were drawn between Vijayan and the Governor. While Khan time and again addresses the media stating that he cannot be taken for granted, Vijayan continues to maintain a stoic silence. With the previous Ordinances turning infructuous and the fresh tweaked Lokayukta Bill yet to be inked, trouble can mount for Vijayan as there is a case against him for mishandling the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund. The trial in the case is over and the verdict is pending, so any adverse verdict could put Vijayan in major trouble. The then Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yedyiurappa had to resign from the chair after the Lokayukta gave a verdict indicting him. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Jammu, Sep 15 : A hybrid terrorist, who was in touch with his handlers in Pakistan, was arrested from Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, officials said on Thursday, adding that a major terror strike has been averted. Police said identified the terrorist as Zaffar Iqbal, a resident of Mahore tehsil of Reasi. He was in touch with the terrorist handlers in Pakistan. Iqbal was arrested by the Reasi police in association with the security forces. Police said two pistol (Glock) with four magazines, 22 rounds 9mm Live, one grenade and Rs 1,81,000, which was to be used for terror-related activities, was also recovered after his disclosure. "The arrested terrorist Zaffar was in touch with terror groups and with his arrest a major terror strike has been averted," police said. New Delhi, Sep 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh on September 17, which is his birthday, where he will release cheetahs translocated from Namibia. The release of wild cheetahs is part of the Government's efforts to revitalise and diversify India's wildlife and its habitat. Cheetah was declared extinct from India in 1952. The cheetahs have been brought under an MoU signed earlier this year. The introduction of cheetah in India is being done under Project Cheetah, which is the world's first inter-continental large wild carnivore translocation project. "This will help in the restoration of open forest and grassland ecosystems in India and also conserve biodiversity and enhance the ecosystem services like water security, carbon sequestration and soil moisture conservation, benefiting the society at large," an official statement said. Later, the Prime Minister will participate in Self Help Group Sammelan with women SHG members and community resource persons at Karahal, Sheopur. Kathmandu, Sep 15 : Nepals Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday said the new elected government to be installed after the November 20 polls will take a decision on India's Agnipath scheme of short-term recruitment into the armed forces. Speaking at a regular press briefing, Ministry spokesperson Sewa Lamsal said that there was no possibility of taking a decision about the scheme anytime soon. The remarks came a day after Indian Army chief General Manoj Pande said New Delhi may be forced to withdraw vacancies for enlisting soldiers from Nepal under the new scheme in the ongoing cycle if the Himalayan nation does not take a decision in time. Pande, while addressing a function in New Delhi, said that he has got the sense that a new government to be formed in Nepal after the elections will take a decision on the Agnipath scheme. This issue has been put on hold by the government of Nepal until the elections are held. There will be no talks and dialogue on the Agnipath scheme before the polls, Lamsal added. "What we communicated to the Indian side is that the new government will take the decision on the Agnipath scheme. This is not going to be discussed or settled now. But the Indian officials might communicate and clarify their position. Now with the consultation of all political parties, the new government in Nepal will take the decision," he while in response to General Pande's remarks. The Indian Army chief had visited Kathmandu earlier this month during which he held talks with his Nepalese counterpart, General Prabhu Ram Shamra about the Agnipath scheme. With Nepal's decision, the proposed recruitment rallies stopped in Butwal and Dharan on August 25 and September 1, respectively. The Nepal government is in a dilemma whether to allow youths to join the Indian Army under the short service scheme. Ahead of the recruitment date, Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka discussed the matter with Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava and communicated that Nepal will make a position on the scheme once wider political consultations are held. But no political consultants have been arranged so far, a senior government official said. "Whether to allow Nepali youths to be recruited under the Agnipath scheme requires a national consensus so there is no possibility of taking the decision in an immediate effect," said Lamsal. The Indian Army will induct a total of 40,000 Agniveers in two batches after the recruitment and selection process across India is complete. In Nepal, it plans to train around 25,000 youths starting in December and 15,000 in February 2023, according to media reports. Chennai, Sep 15 : As many as 282 people have tested positive for HINI influenza and are under treatment across the state, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian said here on Thursday. He was briefing media persons after inspecting the fever ward at the Institute of Child Health (ICH) and Hospital for Children at Egmore, Chennai. The minister said that of the 282 people who tested positive, 13 were admitted to government hospitals, 215 to private hospitals, and 54 were in home isolation. Ma Subramanian said that 129 children were admitted to the Institute of Child Health (ICH) for fever but none tested positive for H1N1 influenza. Eighteen children were being treated for dengue fever. The minister said that there was no bed shortage at ICH and added that 637 children are admitted at ICH and that there are 837 beds in the hospital. Circulars have been issued for managing children with H1N1 influenza, fever, and dengue. The minister said that pharmacies have been directed not to sell medicines for fever without prescriptions and have also asked laboratories to report to district health authorities on H1N1 and dengue cases. There was no need for panic or fear as the number of H1N1 cases when compared to 2017 and 2018 was much lower and added that during the Covid-19 period the number of cases was less as people were wearing masks and social distancing was in place. Moscow, Sep 15 : Russian President Vladimir Putin's limousine was attacked in an alleged "assassination attempt" amid Moscow's raging war against Ukraine, a report said. According to the report by General SVR, a Russian Telegram channel, Putin's limousine was allegedly hit by a "a loud bang from the left front wheel followed by heavy smoke", but he was unharmed as the vehicle drove to safety, Mirror.co.uk reported. The channel said that the President was returning to his official residence in a decoy or "backup" motorcade amid deep security fears. The motorcade comprised five armoured cars, with Putin in the third, it said, without mentioning the date of the incident. The Russian leader's car "despite the problems with control" made its way out of the attack scene to reach the safety of the residence, the channel added. Without providing details, General SVR said more information on the supposed attack were "classified", reports Mirror.co.uk. "The head of the President's bodyguard (service) and several other people have been suspended and are in custody," the channel further claimed. "A narrow circle of people knew about the movement of the president in this cortege, and all of them were from the presidential security service. "After the incident, three of them disappeared. These were exactly the people who were in the first car of the motorcade. "Their fate is currently unknown. The car on which they were traveling was found empty a few kilometres from the incident," General SVR added. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War London, Sep 15 : The plane carrying Queen Elizabeth II's coffin has broken records to become the most-tracked flight ever, according to an aviation tracker website. The website, Flightradar 24, said that about five million people followed along online as the late Queen was flown from Edinburgh to London on Tuesday, CNN reported. That number is derived from two sources -- 4.79 million people who followed the flight's journey on Flightradar24's website and mobile app, plus an additional 296,000 who tracked the plane on YouTube. That smashes the previous record, achieved just last month during US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's controversial visit to Taiwan. Her plane's journey to Taipei was tracked by about 2.9 million people, CNN quoted the website as saying. The Royal Air Force plane carrying the Queen spent an hour and 12 minutes in flight. It landed at RAF Northolt, a military station about six miles from Heathrow Airport in London. From Northolt, the Queen's coffin was taken to Buckingham Palace. On Wednesday, the coffin was be escorted to Westminster Hall, Parliament, where the Queen will lie in state until her funeral on September 19 in Westminster Abbey, CNN reported. Before Pelosi's Taiwan visit, the most popular flight search on Flightradar24 was Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's flight back to Russia, where he was going to be put in prison upon arrival in 2021. Hyderabad, Sep 15 : The Indian pharma industry is expected to grow to $130 billion by 2030 and become the leading provider of medicines to the world, said Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) Secretary General, Sudarshan Jain on Thursday. The Indian pharma industry is currently valued at $49 billion and is the third largest in the world. India supplied medicines to over 200 countries in the world, he said. He was speaking on the sidelines of three-day trade shows on laboratory technology and Pharma - machinery segments, which kicked off here. Sudarshan Jain said that with India becoming the fifth largest economy in the world, this is the time for Indian industry to make a difference in the world. He stressed on innovation, self-dependence, diversifying the export market and building capacity for the Indian industry to be future-ready. Dr. Viranchi Shah, National President, Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA) felt that Production Linked Incentive Schemes (PLIs) and cluster manufacturing are contributing to the pharma sector's growth. According to him, India is aspiring to be number one in the next 25 years. He opined that PLIs and cluster manufacturing will reduce India's dependence on imports. "When India completes its 100 years of independence, India in 2047 will be a $500 billion industry. PLI 1.0 and 2.0 are vital for India to achieve this goal," he said. The IDMA is working closely with the Government of India on PLI 2.0. Large part of imported medicine and equipment will be manufactured locally, decreasing dependence on imports and giving healthcare security to India. India is moving from being a generic manufacturing giant to value addition. Innovation, technology and entrepreneurship will drive India towards this, he opined. Ravi Uday Bhaskar, Director General, Pharmexcil said that the future for the Indian pharma and allied industries is bright but there are challenges too. Any export will depend on the importing policies of other countries. There is a need to streamline the industry especially in terms of regulations. Different countries have different regulations. Industry-regulator understanding is important for growth. Common regulatory standards like those in the European Union need to be worked out globally so that it is helpful for the pharma industry, he said. Analytica Anacon India, India Lab Expo, and Pharma Pro & Pack Expo 2022, the three concurrent trade shows have brought together decision makers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers, leading manufacturers and buyers of pharma machinery, analytical equipment, and laboratory technology. The trade shows are jointly organised by Indian Pharma Machinery Manufacturers Association (IPMMA), Indian Analytical Instruments Association (IAIA) and Messe Muenchen. Over 400 suppliers are showcasing more than 5,000 products in an exhibition space of nearly 18,000 square meters. The trade show was inaugurated by tree plantation by Madan Mohan Reddy, Director, Aurobindo Pharma and others. Aligarh, Sep 15 : Once again the Aligarh Muslim University administration has been caught in a crossfire over elections to the powerful Aligarh Muslim University Teachers' Association (AMUTA). Two days after Prof Mujahid Beg, chief election officer, AMUTA, announced the list of new executive committee members, including Prof S Chandni Bi, as president, there were clear signals of turmoil, leading to intervention by Vice Chancellor Prof Tariq Mansoor. Interestingly, this is the first time that a female professor and two Hindu teachers became members of the executive committee whose legal status remains in question, as the VC using his special powers, has constituted a new committee to conduct fresh elections. The two non-Muslim assistant members of the executive committee that has been suspended, are Yogesh Kumar Yadav and Dr Kharade Pankaj Prakash. The vice chancellor's office explained that in view of several representations received from Aligarh Muslim University Teachers Association (AMUTA) members, the VC Prof Tariq Mansoor in exercise of powers under Section 19 (2) of the AMU Act, 1920 has constituted a four-member committee of ex-AMUTA secretaries to discuss and recommend the modalities for conducting AMUTA elections as per constitution in consultation with the chief election officer and honorary secretary within three days. The decision has been made after taking note of the fact that the voters list has not been published and no notice of Annual General Body Meeting has been issued. The notification noted: "The AMUTA elections scheduled on September 15 stand postponed in the light of the Vice Chancellor's decision in exercise of powers vested in him under Section 19 (2) of the AMU Act, 1920." Meanwhile, the chief election officer, Prof Mujahid Beg, has resigned protesting interference in the functioning and disruption of the electoral process. "May God bless AMUTA and save democracy," he wrote in his resignation letter. The members of the questionable executive committee are tight lipped. But their supporters are openly accusing the hard liners for opposing a female as the head of the teachers' body, as also inclusion for the first time of two non-Muslims. A group says the VC has no jurisdictional powers to interfere with the elections of the teachers association. Another group feels democracy has to be restored and more than half a dozen bodies on the campus, including the students union, need to be democratised by holding elections. A former president of the students' union, Mohammad Nasim Ansari said, a woman can become the president of India, but not of AMUTA. The male dominated ecosystem of the university could not accept a lady professor as the head of the teachers' union. The noted historian prof S Chandni Bi was the only candidate to have filed a nomination for the president's post. New Delhi, Sep 15 : Cloud major Oracle on Thursday said its India business saw a tremendous growth in the first quarter of FY23, with the Oracle Cloud Unit (OCI) clocking over 100 per cent growth (year-on-year) for the third year in a row. In India, the OCI is growing at 25 per cent quarter on quarter (QoQ) and the company has clocked double-digit growth across all lines of businesses, in some even triple digit, Kapil Makhija, Vice President - Technology Cloud Business, Oracle India, told IANS. "This is specifically true for the India region where in the IaaS/PaaS market, we are growing at 25 per cent QoQ continuing on the growth trend we have been witnessing for the last three years," said Makhija. He said that in the last eight months, the company catered to more cloud projects than it had in the last three years -- across the private and public sectors. "This momentum indicates the value that OCI has brought to customers as a result of speed of execution, performance, scalability and cost savings," Makhija added. In the first quarter of FY23, Oracle was a huge growth across all lines of businesses. "Oracle India stands apart in the cloud space in the IaaS and PaaS market. Cloud technology has done significantly well and Oracle's India business has been a strong growth engine for the company," the Oracle executive noted. Oracle's quarterly revenues were up 18 per cent year-over-year to $11.4 billion globally. Makhija said the company aims to be the preferred cloud provider for all Indian organisations, both in the private and public sectors. "Our MeitY empanelled cloud regions, in Mumbai and Hyderabad, are running at full capacity and as a result, we have doubled our cloud customer base in the past few years," he told IANS. New customers are HDFC Life, Federal Bank, NSE, Cognizant, Manappuram Comptech and Consultants Limited, SBI, Polycab, Forbes Marshall Pvt Ltd and Tensor etc, according to the company. "We have also defined more avenues of working with our partners and expanding business opportunities for them and us," said Makhija. Oracle serves more than 15,000 customers in India across large and SMB enterprises, across the private and public sectors The Cloud major has 38 Cloud regions in 20 countries and 6 more are planned by end of 2022. New Delhi, Sep 15 : IT technology company Redington Limited on Thursday announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with Google Cloud India to drive Cloud adoption among the small and medium businesses (SMBs) in the country. As part of the collaboration, Redington will drive the distribution and adoption of Google Workspace and Google Cloud with SMBs, education and public sector, mid-market and enterprise segments. The company will also host distribution and adoption of Google Chrome Enterprise, it said in a statement. "This collaboration will help us enhance the procurement and delivery of relevant cloud services and solutions to enterprises, SMBs and the public sector, through our vast network of trusted and committed partners", said Ramesh Natarajan, CEO, Redington Limited. In India, public cloud services market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 24 per cent to reach $13.5 billion by 2026. Redington said it will also help fuel the adoption of Google Cloud through the partner network. "We're proud to work in partnership with Redington and help connect more customers with the technologies and experts they need to digitally transform their business and innovate in the cloud," said Eric Buck, Director, Global Distribution, Google Cloud. Redington's partner programmes offer end-to-end engagement models to enable systems integrators and independent software vendors, and also aid partners in establishing Google Cloud, Google Workspace and Chrome businesses. Toronto, Sep 15 : As the so-called Khalistan referendum by the banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) on September 18 nears, Toronto's most prominent BAPS Swaminarayan Temple was vandalised with pro-Khalistan graffiti on Wednesday. The graffiti by the miscreants read 'Khalistan Zindabad, Hindustan Murdabad'. Posters have come up in the city of Brampton in Toronto suburbs, which is home to the biggest concentration of Indian community in Canada, calling for people to vote in the referendum. But there is hardly any support for the referendum among the local Sikh community. The Indian High Commission in Ottawa has demanded strict action against the culprits for desecration at the BAPS temple. "We strongly condemn the defacing of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto with anti-India graffiti. We have requested Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take prompt action against the perpetrators," a tweet read. Expressing her outrage, Brampton South MP Sonia Sidhu tweeted, "I am distraught by the act of vandalism that has taken place at the #BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto. "We live in a multicultural and multi-faith community where everyone deserves to feel safe. Those responsible should be located to face the consequences of their actions." Calling the act of vandalism disgusting, Brampton North MP Ruby Sahota said, "All faiths have the right to practice in Canada without intimidation or fear. The criminals behind this act should be punished." Chandra Arya, a prominent Hindu MP in the House of Commons, also tweeted to express his shock at the act of vandalism. "Vandalism of Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir by Canadian Khalistani extremists should be condemned by all. This is not just an isolated event. Canadian Hindu temples have been targeted in the recent past by these kinds of hate crimes. Hindu Canadians are legitimately concerned," Arya tweeted. New Delhi, Sep 15 : A Delhi court on Thursday allowed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to interrogate arrested Delhi minister Satyendar Jain inside prison on Friday in connection with the alleged liquor scam case. Jain, whose bail has been denied in various hearings since May 31, is presently lodged in Tihar jail in connection with a money-laundering case, which is also being probed by the ED. Judge Geetanjali Goel of Rouse Avenue Court passed the order permitting ED to interrogate Jain inside the prison after the probe agency submitted that it wants to question Jain in the liquor scam row. Earlier, the CBI had accused Jain, his wife and others of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. On March 31, the ED had provisionally attached immovable properties worth Rs 4.81 crore belonging to companies beneficially owned and controlled by the minister. On June 6, the ED conducted raids at multiple locations belonging to Jain, his wife and his accomplices, who had either directly or indirectly assisted him or participated in the processes of money laundering. A recovery of Rs 2.85 crore in cash and 133 gold coins weighing 1.80 kg was made during the raid. Mumbai, Sep 15 : As the political fire over the Vedanta Group-Foxconn project going to Gujarat raged for the third day, Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal attempted to douse the flames by promising projects even for Maharashtra. In a statement, Agarwal said that the Vedanta-Foxconn had shifted from Maharashtra to Gujarat after "professional and independent advice". "The Vedanta-Foxconn has been professionally assessing site for a multi-billion investment. This is a scientific and financial process which takes several years. We started this about 2 years ago. "We decided Gujarat few months ago as they met our expectations. But in July meeting with Maharashtra leadership, they made a huge effort to outbid other states with competitive offers. We have to start in one place and based on professional and independent advice, we chose Gujarat," Agarwal said. He added that this multi-billion dollar long-term investment by the Mumbai-based group "will change the course of Indian electronics". "We will create a pan-India ecosystem and are fully committed to investing in Maharashtra as well. Maharashtra will be our key to forward integration in our Gujarat joint venture," Agarwal promised. He said the investments in semiconductor and display glass production will create an ecosystem of industries across the country and the Group will soon "create a hub where Maharashtra will be part of our forward integration". The Vedanta-Foxconn's announcement to implement its Rs 2.06 lakh-crore mega-project in Gujarat sparked a political furore in Maharashtra where 90 per cent of the deal - which could create over 2 lakh jobs - was finalised by then Maha Vikas Aghadi government headed by Uddhav Thackeray. After a change of government to one headed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, the Vedanta Group held meetings with them in July, but this month it decided to opt for Gujarat, proving a huge setback to the state. September 15 : Durga Puja, one of the most popular festivals in India, is celebrated with much fanfare and enthusiasm. Every year, lakhs of people travel to Kolkata to be a part of the celebrations. To cater to the huge influx of passengers, during Durga Puja 2022 the Eastern Railway of Indian Railway has announced Puja special trains. Click here to know information on Indian railways, railway timings or train between stations 03027 Howrah - New Jalpaiguri will leave Howrah at 23:40 hrs. every Wednesday between 12.10.2022 & 30.11.2022 (8 trips) to arrive in New Jalpaiguri at 10:10 hrs. on the following day, and 03028 New Jalpaiguri - Howrah Puja Special will leave New Jalpaiguri at 12:35 hrs. on every Thursday between 13.10.2022 & 01.12.2022 (8 trips) to reach Howrah at 00:50 hrs. on the next day. Furthermore, 82301 Howrah - New Jalpaiguri Suvidha Puja Special will depart Howrah at 23:40 hrs. on 05.10.2022 (Wednesday) and arrive in New Jalpaiguri at 10:10 hrs. on the following day, and 82302 New Jalpaiguri - Howrah Suvidha Puja Special will depart New Jalpaiguri at 12:35 hrs. on 06.10.2022 to arrive in Howrah at 00:50 hrs. on the next day. The booking date for the above puja special train will be notified shortly. At 23:50 hrs, the 03173 Sealdah - Kamakhya AC Puja Special will depart Sealdah every Friday between October 7, 2022, and November 25, 2022 (8 trips) to reach Kamakhya at 17:45 hrs the following day, and the 03174 Kamakhya - Sealdah AC Puja Special departs Kamakhya at 23:15 hours on every Saturday between 08.10.2022 and 26.11.2022 (8 trips) to Sealdah at 22:40 hrs. the following day. Furthermore, on 30.09.2022 (Friday), the 82313 Sealdah - Kamakhya Suvidha Puja Special will depart Sealdah at 23:50 hrs. and arrive in Kamakhya at 17:45 hrs. The 82314 Kamakhya - Sealdah Suvidha Puja Special will leave Kamakhya at 23:15 hrs. on 01.10.2022 (Saturday) and arrive at Sealdah at 22:40 hrs. the following day. The booking of these trains will be available from 16.09.2022 through PRS & internet. The 03169 Kolkata - Haridwar Puja Special will depart Kolkata at 11:25 hrs. on Saturdays between 08.10.2022 and 12.11.2022 (6 trips) and arrive in Haridwar at 18:00 hrs. on the following day, and the 03170 Haridwar - Kolkata Puja Special will depart Haridwar at 20:30 hrs. on every Sunday between 09.10.2022 and 13.11.2022 (6 trips) and arrive in Kolkata at 03:35 hrs. on the third day. Furthermore, 82315 Kolkata - Haridwar Suvidha Puja Special will leave Kolkata at 11:25 hrs. on 01.10.2022 and arrive in Haridwar at 18:00 hrs. on the following day, and 82316 Haridwar - Kolkata Suvidha Puja Special will leave Haridwar at 20:30 hrs. on 02.10.2022 to reach Kolkata at 03:35 hrs. on the third day. The 03125 Kolkata - Ajmer Puja Special will depart Kolkata at 14:00 hrs. on every Tuesday between October 4, 2022 and October 25, 2022 (04 trips) and arrive in Ajmer at 19:40 hrs. the following day and 03126 Ajmerr - Kolkata Puja Special will depart Ajmer at 22:00 hrs. on every Wednesday between October 5, 2022 and October 26, 2022 (04 trips) and arrive in Kolkata at 05:00 hrs. on the third day. Booking of the Kolkata Haridwar Suvidha Puja Special train (82315) & Kolkata Haridwar Puja Special train (03169), and Kolkata Ajmer Puja Special train (03125) will be available from 12.09.2022. Hyderabad, Sep 15 : Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday decided to name the newly-constructed building of the state Secretariat after the chief architect of the Constitution, Dr B.R. Ambedkar. He issued instructions to Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar to take action in this regard. The announcement came two days after the Telangana legislature passed a resolution urging the Centre to name the new Parliament building after Ambedkar. KCR, as the Chief Minister is popularly known, said it was a matter of pride for people of Telangana that the Secretariat is being named after Ambedkar, who showed guidance to the country, and claimed that the decision will set an example for the entire country. "It is a proud moment to all Telangana people that the state's main administration headquarters - the secretariat - is named after India's social philosopher and great intellectual Dr B.R. Ambedkar. This decision is exemplary for India," he said. KCR claimed that the Telangana government is moving forward by adhering to Ambedkar's philosophy that all the people of India should get equal respect in all fields. The aspiration of Ambedkar are embodied behind achieving Telangana a role model status in the country within a short time in self-governance by promoting all sections of people at high level in the social, political, economic and cultural fields, he said. He noted that because of incorporation of Article 3 in the Constitution by Dr Ambedkar, Telangana has been formed as separate state. The Telangana government is governing the state with human face for SC, ST, BC, minority, and women communities as well as poor upper caste people by implementing Ambedkar's constitutional spirit, he added. "Ambedkar's dream of India has a unique democratic character of diversity. Ambedkar's spirit shows that only by implementing the federal spirit, equal rights and opportunities can be provided to all communities. The real Indianness is that the people of India are respected equally without discrimination of caste, creed, gender, and region, and equal opportunities are provided to all. Then only, the real India will be unveiled. Our efforts will continue for that," KCR said. He stated that Telangana, which stood as an example for the country in the past, is once again standing as an example for the country by naming the secretariat after Ambedkar. He observed that the demand to name the new Parliament building after Ambedkar is "not just a small issue". "The Telangana Assembly already adopted an unanimous resolution in this regard as it is only a befitting honour to the architect of India's Constitution. A letter will also be written to Prime Minister of India regarding the same. Considering the Telangana government's demand to name the Parliament building after BR Ambedkar, I am reiterating the demand to the Union government," he added. New Delhi, Sep 15 : Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said that a professionally managed Public transport system based on electricity in public-private partnership mode will get a good response. While saying that green Hydrogen is the future of mobility, the minister proposed setting an E-road from Delhi to Jaipur. He said alternate fuels, new technologies and innovations in the transport sector must be found for economic viability and sustainable development. Addressing 'INSIGHT 2022: International Conference on Sustainable and Innovative Finance for Green and Healthy Transportation', the Minister said that capital investment is not an issue if there is a correct model to implement. The Minister said that efforts should be made to discourage use of personal vehicles. Appreciating the London transport model, the Minister said that people want more comfort at a lower rate. He proposed use of card or QR code based entry-exit systems in place of physical ticket systems in the buses to prevent losses to the bus corporations and promote ease of travelling. The Minister emphasised that with the coming of electric buses there will be reduction in pollution and also we will be able to reduce our import of diesel and crude oil. "We are trying to make an automobile industry of 15 lakh crore as this is the industry which has maximum employment potential, generating 4 crore jobs in the country and further, this industry has given maximum revenue to state and Central governments," he added. Kolkata, Sep 15 : Parts of central Kolkata turned into a virtual battlefield on Thursday following clashes between the protesters and the police during a rally by CPI(M)'s youth and student wings demanding immediate filling up of 29,000 vacant posts in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). The protesters assembled at College Square on Thursday afternoon and started marching towards the KMC building near New Market in the heart of the city. The rally was peaceful till it reached near Esplanade, where the police had raised barricades to stop the protesters from reaching the main gate of the KMC building. However, the protesters brought down the barricade which lead to a scuffle between the agitators and the police. After some time, those leading the protest march staged a sit-in demonstration, but were stopped by the police. Minakshi Mukherjee, the state secretary of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), CPI(M)'s youth wing, said the police were acting like hooligans while beating up the protesters. "Our programme was announced before and we had also informed the police in advance. At the end of the rally, a delegation was supposed to go to the KMC building and submit a list of demands. But the police did not even allow us to reach the KMC building gate," she said. Later, senior CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty reached the spot and said the police attack on a peaceful rally was unthinkable. "The youth of the state want jobs and the current state government is using the police to suppress any voice raising that demand. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is trying to mislead the people by cooking up stories of job creation in the state. But the youth and students of the state will not remain silent and their protest will continue," he said. On Tuesday, the city witnessed similar pitched battles between the police and BJP workers over the latter's march to state secretariat Nabanna. The BJP went ahead with the rally despite being denied permission by the police. Several BJP workers and police personnel were injured following clashes between the two sides. Samarkand, Sep 15 : Iran has signed a memorandum paving the way to transition from its current observer status to full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), RT reported. The Middle-Eastern nation, which the US has long sought to undermine with diplomatic isolation and economic sanctions, made a formal step on Thursday to become the ninth member of the organization. Among the SCO's heavyweights are Russia and China, two major powers that are on Washington's list of geopolitical opponents. The SCO was created in 2001 as an intragovernmental forum aimed at fostering trust and developing economic and humanitarian ties in Asia. It currently has eight permanent members: China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The last is currently hosting the annual summit of the leaders of the member states in the city of Samarkand. Iran has been an SCO observer since 2005. Its delegation to the summit is headed by President Ebrahim Raisi, who met with senior Uzbek officials on Wednesday. The memorandum, which spells the commitments that Tehran will undertake to become an SCO member, was signed by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming, the host country's foreign ministry reported, RT reported. Yury Ushakov, a foreign affairs advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, said earlier this week that Iran could qualify for being upgraded to full membership before next year's SCO summit in India. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev touted this year's event as a turning point for the organization. He cited the rapidly growing interest of nations in closer involvement with the SCO and said that it served as an example of how a "deep crisis of trust at the global level" can be overcome by parties willing to do so. He also stressed the scale of the group, which accounts for roughly half of the world's population and a quarter of global GDP. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War Imphal, Sep 15 : Twelve cadres of the Kangleipak Communist Party-People's War Group and one of the Kanglei Yawol Kunna Lup laid down their arms before Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh here on Thursday. The surrendered extremists deposited arms, explosives, and other equipment, which include two "lathode" (missile launcher) guns, three 9 mm pistols, three IEDs, two detonators and two radio sets. In his remarks on the occasion, the Chief Minister said many cadres from different militant outfits have joined the mainstream in recent years. Appealing to all the underground outfits to hold talks with the government to resolve their issues, he said that the army, para-military and other security forces have been playing a great role in restoring the law and order situation in Manipur for the past many years. The Chief Minister tweeted: "With peace prevailing in the state under the guidance of Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji, various cadres from different militant outfits have joined the mainstream. I appeal to all the underground outfits to come to a dialogue table and peaceful resolution". Defence spokesman Lt Col A.S. Walia, in a statement, said: "Families of the surrendered insurgents also expressed their gratitude to the security forces for safely bringing their loved ones back to the family." Chandigarh, Sep 15 : Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Thursday demanded institution of a CBI and an ED inquiry into Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema's allegation that the BJP had offered Rs 25 crore each to 10 AAP legislators to switch loyalty. Majithia told the media here that this was also necessary because the AAP government had neither made the FIR registered in this case public even after 24 hours, nor taken any action against any BJP leader or middlemen involved. "Punjab has never witnessed a bribery charge of this scale ever and since Punjab Police is not acting in the matter, the case should be handed over to central agencies." He said a high court monitored probe could also be held on the issue. Majithia also appealed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to get the allegations that the latter's name was used while trying to woo AAP legislators probed thoroughly. "It is not a matter about any particular party but a challenge to democracy and its very foundations." He said SAD on its part would also file a complaint with Chandigarh Police on Friday to demand a thorough probe into the entire case in keeping with the sentiments of people of the state and their right to know the truth. The SAD leader also asserted that there were many loose ends in the entire bribery case. "Different leaders are giving different figures. If Cheema says 10 MLAs were approached, the Chief Minister has put the figure to six or seven, while minister Aman Arora has given a figure of 35." He said the AAP leadership had claimed that it had electronic evidence but the same was not being shared with the public. Asserting that AAP may be in the process of enacting a drama at the expense of the state exchequer, Majithia said, "The government may very well hold a special session to seek a vote of confidence in the same manner in which it did in Delhi." He also questioned the credentials of the pivotal AAP figure behind the allegations -- Sheetal Angural. He said the Finance Minister claimed that Angural had been attacked but there was no information about this in the public sphere. "It is also being alleged that Angural had received death threats from the BJP. He showed a number of photographs of Angural with top BJP leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, to prove that Angural had very cordial relations with the BJP." He also disclosed that Angural's testimony could not be believed as he had nine criminal cases registered against him, including those of abduction and kidnapping of a minor girl, attempt to murder, gambling and bootlegging. Answering a question, Majithia said the Chief Minister had lowered the prestige of Punjab by lying about BMW establishing a car manufacturing plant in Punjab. He also castigated the AAP government for being double standards on the Agnipath scheme. He said while Bhagwant Mann had opposed the scheme in the Vidhan Sabha, he was supporting it now. New Delhi, Sep 15 : The Centre has told the Supreme Court that the medical students, who returned from Ukraine, cannot be accommodated in the Indian universities in the absence of any provision under the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019, and if any such relaxation is given, then it will seriously hamper the standards of medical education in the country. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in an affidavit, said: "The prayer seeking transfer of these returnee students to medical colleges in India would not only be dehors the provisions of the Indian Medical Council Act 1956, and the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, as well as the regulations made thereunder, but would also seriously hamper the standards of medical education in the country." "It is humbly submitted that in so far as such students are concerned, there are no such provisions either under the Indian Medical Council Act 1956 or the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 as well as the regulations to accommodate or transfer medical students from any foreign medical institutes/colleges to Indian medical colleges. Till now, no permission has been given by the NMC to trade or accommodate any foreign medical students in any Indian medical institute/university," it said. The affidavit added that the aggrieved petitioners had gone to foreign countries for two reasons -- firstly, due to poor merit in the NEET Exam, secondly, affordability of medical education in such foreign countries. "It is humbly submitted that in case these students with (a) poor merit are allowed admission in premier medical colleges in India by default, there may be several litigations from those desirous candidates who could not get seats in these colleges and have taken admission in either lesser-known colleges or have been deprived of a seat in medical colleges. "Further, in case of affordability, if these candidates are allocated private medical colleges in India, they once again may not be able to afford the fees structure of the concerned institution," it said. The affidavit added that the Centre in consultation with the NMC, the apex medical education regulatory body in the country, has taken proactive measures to assist returnee students from Ukraine, while balancing the need to maintain the requisite standard of medical education in the country. The Centre said the allegation of refusal of Ukrainian universities to entertain the applications of students for academic mobility in their first semester of academic year 2022-23 is concerned, it is submitted that the same is completely vague, devoid of any details of the applicant students or the universities concerned. "The relied upon communication in fact shows that the students who have taken admission in their first semester (2022-23) are not being permitted academic mobility in the first semester by the Ukrainian Institutions. It is humbly submitted that the provision of academic mobility programme was permitted only for those students who are already undergoing medical education in medical universities of Ukraine and are unable-to finish such education because of disruption caused by the undergoing war," said the affidavit. The Centre said the public notice issued by NMC on September 6 is a no-objection for academic mobility between foreign universities for students who could not complete studies due to the war. "In the Public Notice dated 06.09.22, the phrase 'global mobility' cannot be interpreted to mean accommodation of these students in Indian colleges/universities, as the extant regulations in India do not permit migration of students from foreign universities to India. The aforesaid Public Notice cannot be used as a back door entry in Indian colleges/universities offering UG courses," said the affidavit. The Centre's response came on a batch of petitions filed by Indian students who have been evacuated from Ukraine and seeking permission to continue medical study in India. One of the petitions, filed through advocate Ashwarya Sinha, said the education of 14,000 students has come to a halt and they are going through immense mental hardship. The case is likely to come up for hearing on Friday. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War Panaji, Sep 15 : A day after eight Congress MLAs joined the BJP, party's state President Sadanand Tanavade on Thursday said that if this group had approached him, then perhaps he would have said 'No' to their entry. "I remember in July, we were told that these eight Congress MLAs would join. Our central leader Bhupender Yadav had also came to Goa then. But it could not happen that day. Later they formed a group of eight MLAs and it happened yesterday," Tanavade told reporters here. On Wednesday, two third of the Congress Legislature Party (eight MLAs) joined the BJP. Former chief minister Digambar Kamat, Michael Lobo, Delilah Lobo, Kedar Naik, Sankalp Amonkar, Rajesh Faldesai, Aleixo Sequeira and Rudolf Fernandes, are the eight legislators who switched from the grand-old party to the saffron party. "We follow decisions taken by the Centre. If you ask me personally, perhaps I would have said 'No' to their entry, had they come to me. But these eight MLAs had met our central leaders and a decision was taken by them," he said. "BJP is the national party. This decision has been taken by central leadership. Local unit can't take such decisions. We have to follow and execute decisions taken by central leadership," Tanavade further said. When asked how the party gave entry to Digambar Kamat, who had played a role to topple Manohar Parrikar's government in 2004, Tanavade said it has become history now. "See, party takes decision as per situations. Even I was a victim of that period. I was MLA then. If that government had completed 5 years term, then till today I would have remained as MLA. It is history now," he said. Tanavade said that the present decision has been taken by central leadership and they are bound to accept it. Tanavade said that he has no idea about cabinet reshuffle. "It is not in my hand," he said. Chennai, Sep 15 : The shares of two Tata group companies have been on the upswing, touching new highs at the bourses. The two are non-banking finance company Tata Investment Corporation Ltd and material handling equipment manufacturer TRF Ltd. Tata Investment is an investment company promoted by Tata Sons and other group companies. During the first week of June, the Tata Investment scrip was in the Rs 1,340-Rs 1,470 band and on the upward route. And on Thursday, the scrip closed at Rs 2,886.50. For the first quarter of FY23, the company, on a revenue of Rs 126.30 crore, had posted a net profit of Rs 108.69 crore. The company invests in equities, mutual funds, debentures, and bonds. Replying to a query from the BSE on the scrip's price, Tata Investment on Thursday said: "In connection with your mail L/SURV/ONL/PV/KS/ 2022-2023/2653 dated 14th September, 2022, we would like to inform you that to the best of the information available with Management; we do not have any information/announcements to share with the Stock Exchanges under Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations & Disclosure Requirements) which have a bearing on the price/volume behaviour of our scrip traded." But what is interesting is the upward movement of the other Tata company - TRF's scrip. On July 25, the TRF share closed at Rs 124.35 and the 52 week low price was Rs 108. But on Thursday, it hit the upper price band circuit at Rs 267.35 after its previous close of Rs 243.05. In August, credit rating agency CARE Rating revised its outlook on the long-term rating of TRF from 'Negative' to 'Stable' on account of reduction in outside liability through the support of funds received from the parent Tata Steel. "Furthermore, the company has recorded continuous declinein cash losses over the past two years and CARE envisages that the company is likely to turn marginally cash positive in FY23, largely on the back of order-book execution for TSL (Tata Steel)," the agency said in its report. According to CARE Rating, 75 per cent of the order book of TRF is from Tata Steel. Additionally, the parent supports TRF by infusing funds in the form of inter-corporate deposits and unsecured loans in case of any liquidity mismatch. "As on July 1, 2022, TRF has a total outstanding order book of Rs 363 crore with about 25 per cent of the order from the external parties," CARE Ratings said. "As on March 31, 2022, capital structure of the company remains weak owing to the negative net worth base. The company has been reporting losses for the past three which led to the deterioration of net worth," CARE Ratings said. Steel major and group company Tata Steel Ltd holds 34.11 per cent stake in TRF. Kolkata, Sep 15 : Indian border guards continue to risk their lives even as the Centre mulls over a ban on Codeine-based cough syrups, a sizeable quantity of which is smuggled to Bangladesh to be used by substance abusers. On Wednesday, two Border Security Force (BSF) personnel came under brutal attack by smugglers near the Matiyari Border outpost in Nadia district of West Bengal after they attempted to prevent an effort to smuggle a consignment of Phensedyl cough syrup across the border to Bangladesh. Phensedyl and other Codeine-based cough syrups are banned in Bangladesh where there is a high demand for them from addicts. For decades now, the BSF has been trying to combat the smuggling of Phensedyl along the International Boundary (IB) along West Bengal. However, there is a well-oiled network that operates in parts of the state that are not within the jurisdiction of the BSF. Large consignments of this cough syrup are stored in villages along the border and sent across whenever the opportunity arises. "Around 8.30 pm on Wednesday, troops of the BSF's 54 Battalion challenged a group of 10 smugglers led by a person named Milon Mondal. The criminals attacked two of our personnel with sharp-edged weapons. One of the brave constables managed to overpower one of the smugglers despite the attack. "When he realised that the smugglers wanted to kill them to release their associate, he opened fire with his non-lethal Pump Action Gun (PAG). The smugglers retreated but he managed to hold on to the one he had overpowered. Two BSF personnel were injured in the skirmish," a senior official of the BSF's South Bengal Frontier said. During interrogation, the nabbed smuggler identified himself as Jahangir Alam Mondal (35), an Indian national. The 504 bottles of Phensedyl that the criminals were attempting to push across the border were also seized. Jahangir, who has been handed over to the Krishnaganj police station with the bottles of cough syrup, admitted that there were nine others in the party who were involved in the attack. The Commandant of 54 Battalion said that smugglers and border criminals want to kill BSF troops as they stand in their way. "Our troops are ready to risk their lives to keep the border safe and prevent any crime," he said. But, is it worth dying for a problem that can be solved quite easily? A few years ago, the government had banned cough syrups like Phensedyl that are of little therapeutic use. Companies - some of them international brands - manufacturing these cough syrups had then moved the court and obtained a stay. Several MPs then urged the government to impose another ban. The Central government set up the M.S. Bhatia Committee to look into the matter, which recommended a ban on 14 products, including Phensedyl. It now remains to be seen how soon these recommendations are implemented. Chandigarh, Sep 15 : Launching an attack on Congress for its silence over BJP's poaching attempts in Punjab, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday called Congress a 'B-team' of the saffron party and said that the party is clandestinely working for it to cliff off the progress and development by any means. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema told the media here that it "is humorous that Congress, which was the latest victim of BJP's poaching in Goa yesterday, dared to question AAP party for proof rather than attacking the Modi government for its wicked politics and toppling governments in various states". Cheema demanded a free and fair investigation from a sitting judge of the Supreme Court into the case of horse-trading of Congress MLAs in Goa, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, including the horse-trading attempt of AAP MLAs in Punjab and Delhi. He said that Congress President Sonia Gandhi is facing an ED probe and to save her, the party is afraid to utter anything against BJP. "The only aim of Congress is now to stop AAP somehow as directed by BJP, which is afraid of the growing popularity of the party's supremo Arvind Kejriwal across the country." Lashing out at the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Cheema said that SAD was an alliance of NDA for long and "it now wants to return to the BJP fold again and that's why Akali leaders are corroborating BJP's statements". "Even they did not object to BJP's nefarious tactics of trying to topple the AAP government after offering Rs 25 crore to the AAP legislators in Punjab, the Finance Minister added. Samarkand, Sep 15 : Russian President Vladimir Putin has thanked President Xi Jinping for China's "balanced position" on Ukraine, in their first face-to-face talks since Russia invaded the country, media reports said. The Russian leader met his counterpart at a summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where he condemned "attempts to create a unipolar world", the BBC reported. Xi said China was willing to work together with Russia as "great powers", it said. China hasn't endorsed Russia's invasion but has steadily grown trade and other ties with Moscow since it was launched. The two leaders' meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit comes at a crucial point in the Ukraine war, where Russian troops have lost ground in parts of the country in recent days. During their last meeting in February - when Putin travelled to Beijing for the Winter Olympics at Xi's invitation - the two sought to demonstrate their close ties, famously declaring they shared a friendship with "no limits". Days later, Russia invaded Ukraine, prompting international condemnation and sanctions against Moscow, putting the China-Russia relationship under an intense spotlight. Beijing has since urged an end to hostilities and stressed the importance of sovereignty. But it has also consistently refused to call the war an invasion by Russia, whose leaders refer to it as a "special military operation". In recent weeks China has sent troops to take part in joint military exercises with Russia, and sent senior officials to meet Russian counterparts to reaffirm their close ties. It has also come to Russia's economic aid at a time of punitive sanctions inflicted by the West, BBC reported. This has been a win-win for both countries. With Europe reducing its dependency on Russian oil and gas, China has increased its purchases of the energy products, which it is reportedly getting at discounted rates. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War San Francisco, Sep 15 : Hackers broke into a popular school messaging app being used by 10 million teachers, students and family members, and posted nude images in private chats. According to NBC News, the app, known as Seesaw, for parents and teachers was hacked and some parents said they received messages with an explicit photo that is infamous on the internet. "School districts in Illinois, New York, Oklahoma, and Texas all said that the photo was sent through the app, Seesaw, to parents and teachers in private chats," the report mentioned. Seesaw, however, declined to comment on how many users were affected. The platform said in a statement that "specific user accounts were compromised by an outside actor" and that "we are taking this extremely seriously". "Our team continues to monitor the situation to ensure we prevent further spread of these images from being sent or seen by any Seesaw users," the spokesperson was quoted as saying. The photo was sent to some parents and teachers as links to bitly, a popular link-shortening service. Some school districts made announcements warning parents not to open links sent through Seesaw. "Please do not open any 'bitly' links that are sent to you this morning in a Seesaw message," they advised parents and told them to communicate with teachers via emails. Islamabad, Sep 15 : Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday told Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that the installation of a pipeline for the supply of gas to Pakistan from Moscow is possible, media reports said. The remarks came during a meeting between Sharif and Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, The News reported. During the meeting, matters of mutual interests, bilateral relations between the two countries, and other issues were discussed. Putin also said that a gas pipeline between Pakistan and Russia was part of the already existing infrastructure, The News reported. Earlier on Thursday, Sharif reached Uzbekistan on a two-day visit to attend the annual meeting of the SCO's Council of Heads of State (CHS). The premier is attending the SCO summit scheduled to be held on September 15-16 at the invitation of Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The CHS is the highest forum at the SCO, which considers and defines the strategy, prospects and priorities of the organisation. During the meeting, the SCO leaders will deliberate on important global and regional issues, including climate change, food security energy security, and sustainable supply chains. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War Mumbai, Sep 15 : Under a vicious onslaught from opposition parties over the Vedanta Group-Foxconn loss, the Maharashtra government on Thursday attempted to corner the Maha Vikas Aghadi by raking up the stalled Nanar oil refinery mega-project. As Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his team attempted to hit out at the MVA, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis fired a missile from Russia questioning the proposed mega-oil refinery project in Maharashtra which has been stuck for over three years. "It is disappointing that negative, false, and baseless claims are being spread to gain political mileage (on the Vedanta-Foxconn project shift to Gujarat). This is only to hide their own incompetence," said Fadnavis, hitting out at the MVA. "I want to ask the Opposition leaders, who sent back the Rs 3.5 lakh crore refinery project from Maharashtra?... My advice to these leaders is to focus on becoming competent and efficient, not negative and desperate," he added. The oblique reference was to the Ratnagiri Refinery & Petrochemical Ltd (RRPCL) which was planned to be set up at Nanar (Ratnagiri) in 2015, as a joint venture between the Saudi Arabian oil company, Saudi Aramco and India's consortium of oil majors like Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL), Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) and Indian Oil (IOCL). Former MVA CM and Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray was opposed to the proposed super-refinery project on 15,000 acres land at Nanar in Ratnagiri owing to stiff resistance from the local farmers and fishers. In March 2021, Thackeray had announced that in view of strong local sentiments, the mega-oil refinery would be shifted out of Nanar to an alternative site somewhere in Maharashtra. With a capacity of 60 million tonnes, and 20,000 direct jobs in the complex, the RRPL plant would have been the world's single largest oil refinery complex, but it was plagued by massive opposition from the local communities with several agitations carried out against it in the past. Commenting on the Shinde-Fadnavis government's charge, Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar said that they have never opposed any projects including RRPCL, that are in the interest of the state's progress. As the Vedanta-Foxconn issue boiled, unconfirmed reports suggested that the RRPCL has reportedly issued a deadline to Maharashtra government to take a final call on it or they could scout some other state, but state officials have denied any such development. Samarkand, Sep 15 : Current attempts to push for a unipolar world "have taken an absolutely ugly form lately, which the overwhelming majority of nations of the planet find unacceptable", Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday, media reports said. The remark came as Putin met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, RT reported. During the meeting, Putin thanked Xi for China's 'balanced stance' on the crisis in Ukraine. China had criticised Russia for having attacked the country, but blamed the US for triggering the escalation by its push to expand NATO. Putin also reiterated Russia's support of the 'one China' policy and Beijing's claim of sovereignty over the island of Taiwan. The Chinese government has accused the US of undermining its territorial integrity by increasingly treating Taipei as a separate nation rather than a self-governing part of China. Putin praised the SCO as "a forum for constructive and creative cooperation." He remarked that the members of the group have different cultural traditions, economic models and foreign policy priorities. Their willingness to work together as equal partners respecting each other has helped bolster the SCO's prominence in a relatively short period of time, the Russian leader remarked, RT reported. "It is now the biggest regional organization in the world, uniting a vast geographic space and about half of our planet's population," Putin stressed. The SCO is an economic integration and trust-building organization that unites a number of Eurasian nations, including Russia and China. The list of its other permanent members includes India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. During the ongoing summit of the leaders of member states, Iran signed a commitment to upgrade its status from an observer to a full member. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War Kolkata, Sep 15 : The setting up of three new airports in West Bengal is being delayed for an indefinite period as the Centre is not giving permission, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged on Thursday. "Three new airports are proposed to be set up in West Bengal at Balurghat, Cooch Behar, and Malda, all in north Bengal. The state government has also earmarked land for these three proposed new airports. But the process is stuck as the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation is not providing us with the necessary permission," she said while chairing an administrative review meeting for West Midnapore district at Kharagpur town. Banerjee also alleged that the Union government is not deliberately releasing funds under different centrally sponsored schemes "out of sheer jealousy". "West Bengal is topper in implementation of different centrally sponsored schemes. This has made the Union government jealous and it deliberately stopped releasing funds under different central schemes," she said. She, at the same time, said that she will not wait for the mercy of the Union government any more. "We will complete our pending projects from the development funds allotted to MPs and MLAs," she said. Refuting her, BJP's national Vice President, Dilip Ghosh claimed that the central funds were stopped because of blatant misuse of funds and the inability of the state government to provide utilisation certificates of past expenditure. "In many cases, the names of the central projects were changed so that the state government can project it as a state project. As usual the chief minister is trying to mislead people by disseminating wrong information," he alleged. Mordovia, Sep 15 : Vladimir Putin's 'chef' has been filmed offering a pardon to violent criminals and sex offenders locked up in a Russian prison - if they survive fighting in Ukraine for six months, Daily Mail reported. Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, 61, told prisoners that they should take their own lives instead of being captured in Ukraine, holding one grenade for the enemy and one for themselves. Video shows Prigozhin telling the criminals that they can become war heroes or be shot as deserters, as the Kremlin steps up recruitment of inmates after suffering a humiliating defeat against Ukraine's 's army in the east. "This is a hard war, not even close to the likes of [Chechnya] and the others," he was videoed telling them, Daily Mail reported. "My ammo consumption is two-and-a-half-times higher than in the battle of Stalingrad," where there were almost two million casualties, he said, Daily Mail reported. The sales pitch to hundreds of inmates under grey skies at a high security penal colony in Mordovia, a former Gulag prison camp region, comes personally from Prigozhin, nicknamed Vladimir Putin's 'chef', who was recently made a Hero of Russia for his loyalty. Murderers, sex offenders and burglars are offered instant freedom and a pardon from Putin if they survive six months at the frontline in the bloody war. Those who die will be buried 'as heroes', he tells them, Daily Mail reported. Those who face capture by Ukraine are ordered to use grenades to kill themselves rather than fall into enemy hands. Convict soldiers who desert are told that they will be instantly executed with a bullet to the head. A secretly filmed video shows Prigozhin admit that he represents the Wagner private army, deployed by Putin in Ukraine. He has previously denied a link to Wagner which is known to have already recruited thousands of inmates as Russia deploys its most dangerous prisoners as fighters. "I am a representative of a private war company, perhaps you heard the name - Wagner Group," he tells the assembled prison inmates, Daily Mail reported. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War Mumbai, Sep 15 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raided several locations in Mumbai and Gujarat's Kutch in connection with an alleged fraud of Rs 428.50 crore in the Canara Bank, an official said on Thursday. Following a complaint lodged by Canara Bank, the CBI registered a case against company, PSL Ltd and its director Ashok Yoginder Punj, Alok Yoginder Punj, Rajender Kumar Bahri, Chitranjan Kumar Jagdishchadra Goel, and other known and unknown persons including public servants. As per the Canara Bank's complaint, between 2009-2016, the accused entered into a conspiracy to cheat the bank through sanction of various credit facilities and misrepresented books of accounts. They are charged with alleged misutilisation of the funds of the bank and diverting the receivable from its debtors, diverting the loans for projects to other purposes, thus, causing an alleged loss of Rs 428.50 crore to Canara Bank. The CBI sleuths raided seven locations in Mumbai and Gujarat at the premises of the accused resulting in the recovery of incriminating documents and other articles. New Delhi, Sep 15 : Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves on Thursday told the Supreme Court that the Karnataka High Court's judgment upholding ban on hijab in pre-university colleges, is basically from the perception of the majority community, and some observations made in the judgment are hurtful and deeply offensive to those who follow Islam. Gonsalves, representing one of the petitioners in the matter, submitted before a bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia that the HC judgment was basically from the perception of the majority community where the minority view is seen very partially. "It is a majoritarian judgment. It does not have constitutional independence... There are startling paragraphs, hurting paragraphs in the judgment," he said. The bench said it has seen his written submissions. Citing the HC judgment, Gonsalves submitted that it said one cannot have scientific temper if she wears hijab, and this is a hurtful statement. Referring to another observation in the HC judgment, he said that insistence on wearing hijab is against emancipation of women, and this is also a hurtful statement. "Parts of the judgment are deeply offensive to those who follow Islam...". He also drew a comparison between the kirpan and turban with the hijab, noting that the former had already been protected by the Constitution. "If a turban is allowed in school, why not the hijab? What's the difference? Apart from the fact that it got constitutional protection 75 years ago," he said. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing one of the petitioners, submitted that there can be no quarrel with the proposition that a citizen is entitled to give expression of her personality by not just wearing a dress of her choice but, in the context of her cultural traditions. "Wearing such dress which allows others to identify that she belongs to a particular community, embraces a particular culture, and represents the values of that culture," he said. "This fundamental right to express herself and the culture she hails from must be protected under Article 19(1)(a) and would be in aid of the Preambular objective of liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship." He argued that there can be no law which prohibits such expression as long as it does not disturb the public order, or, violate the accepted norms of decency and morality as prescribed by law. Sibal told the apex court that 145 students out of 900 in colleges at Mangaluru, Udupi, and Dakshina Kannada have collected their transfer certificates after the hijab ban, which is "very disturbing". He cited a response received under RTI, showing 16 per cent dropout of students in pre-university colleges due to the hijab ban after February 6 notification by the Karnataka government. He said the matter should be referred to the constitution bench, since the HC judgment raised questions which have not been decided before by this court. "The kind of dress worn by a citizen also gives expression to the autonomy of the mind by which she also protects the autonomy of her body," he said. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing one of the petitioners, submitted that it was not necessary to raise essential religious practice argument and the petitioners only need to show it is a bona fide practice, and public educational institutions cannot impose a dress code. The top court will continue to hear arguments next week on the petitions challenging the Karnataka High Court's judgement of March 15 upholding ban on hijab in pre-university colleges. Samarkand, Sep 15 : The 22nd Summit of the Council of Heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Member States (SCO-COHS) being held at Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on September 15-16 has hogged much limelight due to the ongoing turbulence in geopolitics, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and tensions over Taiwan. The SCO Summit is taking place at a time when there are sharp differences between the West, China and Russia on the issues of sovereignty, democracy, human rights and economic sanctions, to name a few, and the prevailing flux on who is with whom. India is well-placed to be a neutral arbiter among the highly-divided factions in the emerging global order because it has always fielded for the common good, rather than partisan strategic objectives. India's participation in the SCO assumes importance because it is expected to do a balancing act by bringing forth the main issues of concern to the SCO members, including cooperation for economic growth and promotion of trade and investment, climatic change and sustainable development and terrorism at a time when there is a danger of SCO being dominated by groupism within and against the West. The bilaterals on the sidelines of the SCO Summit offer important opportunity to all the member countries to enhance their ties with other members and break the stalemate on crucial issues. The success and failure of the SCO would be judged by its potential to address the issues of common interest on one hand, and making way through open-minded bilateral engagements on the sidelines to remove doubts and open a gateway towards resolving bilateral frictions on the other. It is important for the SCO members to appreciate that the organisation is one of the largest multilateral organisations in the world, accounting for nearly 30 per cent of the global GDP and 40 per cent of the world's population. The cooperation among SCO members for economic development, building collective response to climatic change and sustainable development and combating terrorism will count not only on post Covid-19 economic recovery, but in bringing peace and prosperity in the long run. India being aware of this vast potential of SCO has always wished to use this forum for bringing and promoting peace, prosperity and cohesion based on the principle of mutual co-existence and win-win strategies for all the stakeholders. Since 2017, when it became a full-fledged member of the SCO, India has made sincere efforts to encourage peace, prosperity, and stability of the whole Eurasian region in general and SCO member countries in particular. India has also repeatedly called for the deepening of cooperation on regional security related concerns including defence,countering terrorism and illicit drug and narcotics trade etc. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the Summit is being keenly watched by the business communities of the region. India is expected to use the platform to push the agenda of regional and cross-regional connectivity and remove barriers to transport, communication and trade. Since Pakistan remains stubborn on the issue of removing these barriers, India is expected to push in the Summit the Chabahar Port project and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to allow the Central Asian countries and SCO members to realise full potential of trade, economic cooperation and people-to-people contact. India, Iran and Uzbekistan have already established a tri-lateral working group since 2020 to seek greater convergence on Chabahar Port and other connectivity projects. With the SCO members looking up to graduating into the list of high income countries, uninterrupted energy supply would be crucial. In view of this, PM Modi is expected to urge the SCO members to ensure energy cooperation and remove all the glitches in the ongoing projects, including the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan-India (TAPI) power transmission line. The SCO has come of age. The Shanghai Five formed in 1996, became the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2001 with the inclusion of Uzbekistan. With India and Pakistan entering the grouping in 2017 and the decision to admit Tehran as full member in 2021, the SCO's membership increased to eight (China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan). There are four observer states interested in acquiring full membership, including Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia. Uzbekistan is the current chair of SCO and India would be the next in line. India is being looked up with hope to take SCO to the next level to make it an effective platform for promoting cooperation for peace, prosperity and sustainable development. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War Kohima, Sep 15 : BJP president J. P. Nadda on Thursday said that 2015 works are going on to resolve the Naga political issue like various accords signed in other northestern states. The BJP President said : "There are certain issues of the Naga political talks. We are working on these. Peace accords were signed in Assam and Tripura with the militant outfits. We are going to solve the Assam-Meghalaya border issues. Long pending issues of the northeast were solved protecting the tradition and culture of the region." Addressing a public rally at Old Riphyim in Wokha district of Nagaland, Nadda said that unlike other previous Prime Minister, Narendra Modi is the only Prime Minister who visited northeast region 50 times in the last 8 years and he (PM) said that without the development of the northeastern region, growth of India is not possible. "Massive development has taken place in the northeast. Projects worth thousands of crores of rupees already sanctioned. Once northeast was known for its insurgency, blockade and other anti-development programmes. Now the region is a very prosperous area, free from militancy. The region is close to Modi's heart, the BJP President said. "Under the dynamic leadership of Modi, Nagaland is also not left behind in the development mission. Modi wants transformation through transportation." With his two-day Nagaland visit from Thursday, BJP virtually kicked off the campaign for the assembly elections, which are expected to take place in February next year. Referring to the Ruzazho Village in Nagaland which was first administered by Indian National Army (INA) led by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Nadda said that the Naga people had fought against the British to protect its identity and culture. The INA headed by Netaji as part of its 'Delhi Chalo' campaign visited Ruzazho Village in Phek district in Nagaland on April 4, 1941 and the village was said to be the first Indian village to be administered by the 'Azad Hind Government'. The BJP President said that before 2014, the agriculture budget of the government was Rs 27,000 crore and with the five times increase it has now gone to Rs 1.30 lakh crore. Under the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi scheme, Rs 1.30 lakh crore financial assistance was give to 11 crore farmers, he said. Nadda said that earlier, India imported huge quantities of arms and now the country is now exporting arms, and that arms export now increased to Rs 8,400 crore. "With overall export increased by 17 per cent, the GDP increased to 13. 5 per cent," Nadda pointed out. The BJP President before leaving for Delhi on Friday, said that he would hold a series of meetings with state BJP, church and NGO leaders in Dimapur and Kohima. New Delhi, Sep 15 : There is no clarity if Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet his Pakistan counterpart Shehbaz Sharif at the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand. Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said on Thursday that the Prime Minister will hold bilateral meetings with the President of Uzbekistan and some other leaders on the sidelines of the summit. "Prime Minister will have other bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit. And we would keep you apprised as along the way when the Prime Minister's schedule of these bilateral meetings unfolds as we go along. At this stage, that is all I can share with you." Kwatra said that the PM's participation in this summit is a reflection of the importance that India attaches to the SCO and its goals. "This is also tied to our approach and engagement with the region as a whole. "India hosted the first India-Central Asia Summit earlier this year, preceded by a Foreign Minister level meeting. "We remain focused on strengthening our linkages with Central Asia and the extended neighbourhood. And this visit will take that vision and that perspective forward," he said. New Delhi, Sep 15 : 'Show courtesy and consideration, listen patiently, be meticulously correct and courteous, rise to receive and see off' -- these are some of the common guidelines issued for civil servants while dealing with Members of Parliament or state legislature. Issuing the consolidated guidelines, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said, "An officer should be meticulously correct and courteous and rise to receive and see off a Member of Parliament/state legislature visiting him. Arrangements may be made to receive the Members of Parliament when, after taking prior appointment, they visit the officer of the Government of India, state government or local government." It may be noted here that recently, a war of words had erupted between BJP Parliamentarian Nishikant Dubey and the District Magistrate of Deoghar. "The officers should not ignore telephonic messages left for them by the Members of Parliament/state legislatures in their absence and should try to contact at the earliest the Member of Parliament/state legislature concerned. These instructions also include SMS and e-mails received on official mobile phones, which also should be replied promptly and on priority," the guidelines said. They also said that any deviation from an appointment made with a Member of Parliament/state legislature must be promptly explained to him to avoid any possible inconvenience. Fresh appointments should be fixed in consultation with him. Also, MPs of the area should invariably be invited to public functions organised by a government office. Proper and comfortable seating arrangements at public functions and proper order of seating on the dais should be made for the members keeping in view the fact that they appear above officers of the rank of secretaries, the DoPT guidelines said. Issuing the guidelines, the DoPT said that any violation of these guidelines will be viewed seriously. "All ministries and departments should ensure that the above basic principles and instructions are followed by all officials concerned, both in letter and spirit. Violations of the guidelines laid down on this subject will be viewed seriously," DoPT said. Bhubaneswar, Sep 15 : High-speed 5G services will be rolled out in many parts of the country, including Odisha, very soon, Communications and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Thursday. Interacting with reporters in Puri, Vaishnaw said that Odisha will get 5G service in the very first phase. Asked about any impact of the 5G radiation on human beings, he said: "The amount of radiation it will give forth is 10 times less than the radiation norms set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). So, no one should worry about it." Earlier, Vaishnaw had asked the telecom service providers to be ready with the 5G launch post the issuance of spectrum allocation letters. During his Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that the 5G services will be launched in India soon. Meanwhile, Vaishnaw, who is also the Railways Minister, has asked the railway officials to construct a foot over bridge (FOB) at Birapratappur near Chandanpur in Puri district. During his visit to Birapratappur village, the villagers complained before Vaishnaw that school children are facing a lot of difficulties while crossing the railway tracks. The entire village is divided by train lines. During festivals too, people were facing difficulties to pull the chariot of the village temple across the railway lines. Apart from this, the day-to-day activities of villagers were being hampered. On this grievance by villagers, he on spot directed them to construct the FOB with ramp facility for the convenience of the villagers. Bhopal, Sep 15 : After waiting for seven decades for the fastest moving wild animal cheetah, India will finally receive the first batch from South Africa by Friday afternoon. A special Jumbo Jet Boeing 747 plane, having all arrangements for specially housing eight cheetahs for 16 hours journey to Rajasthan capital Jaipur, landed in Namibia capital Windhoek on Thursday. Officials in Madhya Pradesh forest department told IANS that the aircraft with the eight cheetahs, including five females and three males (among them two male siblings) will land in Jaipur on Friday. Thereafter, the fastest moving animals will be flown from Jaipur to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday morning, three to four hours before the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive in Sheopur district for the memorable birthday. PM Modi will celebrate his 72nd birthday in style - by releasing the cheetahs into Kuno National Park. "A 10-feet high platform has been put up for the PM at Kuno National Park. Cheetahs will be housed in a six-foot cage below that platform. The PM will turn a lever to open the sliding gates of the cage and release the cheetahs in the enclosure created for them," officials privy with the project said. After releasing the cheetahs, PM Modi will address 'Cheetah Mitras' (friends of cheetahs surrounding villages). These Cheetah Mitras have been tasked with educating people living in some 45 villages near the national park, about how to handle the big cats, should any stray into their neighbourhood. The cheetahs will be quarantined in a special enclosure for a month after being released in the Kuno National Park. Once the mandatory isolation is over, they will be moved to a larger enclosure for around three months, before being freed in the jungles of the 748 square km Park. Besides releasing the cheetahs, the Prime Minister will also grace the women self-help groups Sammelan being organised at Karahal in the same Sheopur district. The Sammelan will be attended by women Self Help Group (SHG) members/community resource persons that are being promoted under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). During the programme, the Prime Minister will also be inaugurating four Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) skilling centres under PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana. New York, Sep 15 : New York Attorney General Letitia James is considering suing ex-President Donald Trump and at least one of his adult children in the Trump Organisation inquiry after rejecting a settlement offer from his lawyers in one of the most contentious tax evasion cases in Manhattan. Trump's family business could face stiff financial and operational penalties if a trial ensues, the New York Times said today. The New York Attorney General's office rebuffed an offer from Trump's lawyers to settle a contentious civil investigation into the former President and his family real estate business, paving the way for a lawsuit that would accuse Trump of fraud, according to three people with knowledge of the matter. James is also considering suing at least one of Trump's adult children, the people said. Ivanka, Eric and Donald Trump Jr., have all been senior executives at the Trump Organisation. The likelihood of a lawsuit emerged after James's office rejected at least one settlement offer from Trump's lawyers, the people said. While the Trump Organisation for months has made overtures to the Attorney General's office - and the two sides could still reach a deal - there is no indication that a settlement will materialise anytime soon, the Times said. James, a Democrat who is running for re-election in November, is focused on whether Trump fraudulently inflated the value of his assets and has mounted a three and a half year inquiry that has cemented her as one of the former President's chief antagonists. Trump has denied all wrongdoing and derided the investigation as a politically motivated "Witch Hunt". He has fired back at her, filing an unsuccessful lawsuit to block her inquiry and calling James, who is Black, a racist. A lawsuit from James would supercharge their drawn-out battle, offering her an opportunity to deliver a significant blow to the former President and his business, which she vowed before taking office to "vigorously investigate". If the case goes to trial and Trump loses, a judge could impose financial penalties and restrict the former President's business operations in New York - all potentially in the midst of a 2024 presidential campaign that he is expected to launch before the mid-terms. Trump may be unfazed by any lawsuit as he has a long track record of leveraging law enforcement scrutiny to energise his base while portraying himself as a political martyr. And James is not assured victory if the lawsuit proceeds to trial; if it does, Trump might deploy his favored legal tactics - delay and litigate every last detail of a case - to stall in the coming months or years, the Times said. Besides James, the FBI launched investigations into Trump, whose final weeks in office are under scrutiny in at least three separate criminal investigations. The FBI last month searched his home and club in Florida as part of a federal investigation into his removal of sensitive material from the White House, federal authorities recently seized the phones of two of his close advisers and sent subpoenas to dozens of his aides in an inquiry into Trump's efforts to reverse his election loss; and a Georgia district attorney has cast a sprawling net in an investigation into potential election interference by the former president and his allies, the Times said . Trump has denied all wrongdoing, and it is unclear whether any of these investigations will result in charges against the former President. His company, however, is already under indictment in an unrelated case. The Trump Organisation is set to go on trial next month for criminal tax charges in Manhattan, a case that could expose the company to steep financial penalties if it is convicted. And although Trump was not accused of wrongdoing in that case, in which the Attorney General's office is also participating, his longtime chief financial officer recently pleaded guilty to participating in the tax scheme and agreed to testify at the company's trial, giving prosecutors in the Manhattan District Attorney's office the upper hand. "He needs to be held accountable," James has said of Trump. Kolkata, Sep 15 : Politics in West Bengal seems to be taking a nasty turn, even stooping to personal abuse including questioning one's sexual orientation, following leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari's refusal to be handled by women police personnel during BJP's protest march to state secretariat Nabanna on Tuesday. Ever since a clip of Adhikari's comment to a lady police officer -- "Do not touch my body. You are female and I am male" -- went viral on social media, Trinamool Congress leaders have been using the statement to attack Adhikari on the issue of his sexuality. First, Trinamool national General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee said on Wednesday that probably the leader of opposition has a 'fascination towards men'. And on Thursday, Trinamool spokesman Kunal Ghosh launched an unprecedented personal attack against Adhikari without naming him, but making it amply clear as to who he was hinting at. "One leader, though I am not naming him and not meaning Suvendu, is a homosexual and pervert. He tried to approach one of his bodyguards with his perverse sexual advances. Later, that bodyguard was killed and the case was passed as a suicide. The police investigation in the matter is stuck in the court. But we have instructed the police to ensure that the family of the bodyguard gets justice," Ghosh said. Reacting to Ghosh's remarks, Adhikari said that it is below his dignity to respond to such comments from a "paid servant" of a "nephew" (Abhishek Banerjee is the nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee), adding that Ghosh was even imprisoned for around three years because of his alleged involvement in the Saradha chit fund scam. "I hate to reply to a gutter material who was imprisoned for three years," Adhikari said. Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar said that such comments show the pathetic cultural background of Ghosh. Meanwhile, queer activists in the city and legal brains have taken strong objection to the comments of Ghosh, where he linked 'homosexuality' with 'perversion'. "Ghosh should think twice before making such derogatory comments linking an entire community. I do not want to get into the political nitty-gritty of the matter. How can he link homosexuality with perversion, especially when the Supreme Court has partially struck down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, decriminalising same-sex relationship between consenting adults," asked senior counsel of the Calcutta High Court, Kaushik Gupta. Pawan Dhall, the founding trustee of Varta Trust, which runs a pan-India Covid-19 service locator dedicated to the people from the queer community, told IANS that such homophobic comments are bound to create doubts about Kunal Ghosh's level of education. "He is fighting a political battle and, in that process, he is making such derogatory personal comments, which not only hurt the person he is attacking, but also the sentiment of the entire queer community. He should have done some homework about the changes in social fabric which are taking place all around us. I think by making such comments, he is damaging the image of the party which he represents," Dhall said. Tirthankar Guha, assistant professor in the Department of Physiology at KPC Medical College & Hospital, told IANS that just as a woman protester has the right to refuse being handled by a male police officer, a male protester too has the right to refuse being handled by a woman police officer. "So, on this point, my entire support goes to Suvendu Adhikari, despite the fact that I do not subscribe to his political beliefs. Secondly, as regards Kunal Ghosh's homophobic comments, I feel that as a spokesman of a political party, before making any comment, Ghosh should introspect whether his remarks will hurt the sentiments of an entire community," Guha said. According to city-based queer rights activist Tracy Shivangee Sardar, Ghosh should not forget that many of the voters who vote for the party he represents are from the queer community. "So, he should better be careful while chosing words next time or he will damage the prospects of his own party, as people from not just the queer community, but anyone with minimum sense and sensibility will stay away from his party if repeats such words," Sardar said. Samarkand, Sep 15 : Economic cooperation between Russia and China will continue to strengthen, reaching new heights in the near future, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit while meeting with China's leader, Xi Jinping, RT reported. "Multifaceted ties between our countries are actively developing. Last year, the trade turnover increased by 35 per cent and exceeded $140 billion," Putin said, adding that in the first seven months of this year, the volume of mutual trade grew by another 25 per cent. "I am convinced that by the end of the year, we will reach new record levels, and in the near future, as agreed, we will increase the annual trade turnover to $200 billion or more," he added, RT reported. Last month, Beijing's ambassador to Moscow expressed hope that Russia-China trade could reach the targeted milestone of $200 billion this year. He pointed out that economic cooperation between the two nations shows excellent results and sustainable development, despite the challenges associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, the global economic downturn, and difficult international and regional situations. Vladimir Putin has thanked President Xi Jinping for China's "balanced position" on Ukraine, in their first face-to-face talks since Russia invaded the country, BBC reported. The Russian leader met his counterpart at a summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where he condemned "attempts to create a unipolar world". Xi said China was willing to work together with Russia as "great powers", BBC reported. China hasn't endorsed Russia's invasion but has steadily grown trade and other ties with Moscow since it was launched. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War New Delhi, Sep 15 : With the process for the Congress Presidential polls opening with the issue of notification in the next week, there is still suspense over the candidates who are going to file nominations for the party's top post. While sources say that G-23 group is gearing up for fielding a candidate and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor is the top choice, for loyalists, it is Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. However, sources say that Gehlot is reluctant to leave the Chief Ministership, then, in that scenario, former Union Minister Mukul Wasnik could be fielded or may be Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge as both the leaders belong to the Scheduled Caste community. The nominations can be filed between September 24 and 30 and the election is slated for October 17. Former party chief Rahul Gandhi has indicated that he is not going to contest and busy with the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The G-23 have been pushing for publication of the voters list and now the party's Central Election Authority has said that it will be available from September 20, for those who want to contest, while the state PCCs will also have the list of delegates. Gehlot had emerged as front runner, being seen as choice of interim chief Sonia Gandhi, even as some want the return of Rahul Gandhi - with Gehlot too proposing his name. The last time the election was conducted for the Congress President's post was in 2000 when Jitendra Prasada had challenged Sonia Gandhi but lost. Ahmedabad, Sep 15 : HDC Bulk Terminal Ltd (HBTL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), India's largest integrated transport utility and part of the Adani Group, has signed the Concession Agreement with Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata for mechanization of Berth no. 2 at Haldia Port. This is in continuation to the selection of APSEZ as a successful bidder by SMPK earlier in February. "The mechanisation and upgradation of Haldia Bulk Terminal provides us the opportunity to firmly establish APSEZ's footprint in Bengal," said Karan Adani, CEO and Whole Time Director of APSEZ. "We remain committed to further accelerating the ever-growing industry and economy of Bengal. With this fully mechanised facility, we aim to set a higher benchmark in port operations and environmental practices. This terminal, alongside our existing world class ports and terminals along the east coast of India, will synergise APSEZ's services and enhance customer experience. Our leadership in integrated logistics will significantly enhance HBTL's efficiency and benefit the shipping industry." As per the Concession Agreement signed between SMPK and HBTL, the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) formed to implement the project will get the rights to design, build, finance, operate, maintain and manage the bulk terminal with a capacity of 3.74 million tons per annum for a concession period of 30 years at Haldia Dock Complex, Haldia. The Haldia Dock Complex houses various bulk handling facilities at Haldia under SMPK's purview. It caters to a large hinterland including West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Assam, the northeastern states and the landlocked neighbouring country of Nepal. This terminal will handle the supply chain of raw materials in the steel plants, power plants, and cement plants located in the hinterland. The key USP of this project is the ability to provide bulk cargo handling services, which would be completely mechanised, highly efficient, environment-friendly and pollution-free. The project will not only add efficient port capacity but will also help to reduce the logistics cost of port users by reducing the turnaround time of vessels calling at Haldia Dock. As per the signed Concession Agreement, HBTL will undertake the financial closure for the project within six months and commence the construction of the terminal. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 298 crore and it has already received the necessary environment clearance. Kolkata, Sep 15 : The CBI on Thursday evening arrested West Bengal School Service Commission's (WBSSC) former President, Kalyanmoy Gangopadhyay, in connection with the alleged teachers' recruitment scam in the state. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sources said that Gangopadhyay was asled to appear at the central agency's Nizam Palace office on Thursday morning along with certain documents. He was questioned for hours and after that, he was arrested. Sources said that after the arrest, he was first taken to state-run SSKM Medical College & Hospital for medical check-up. As per the latest information available, after the medical check-up Gangopadhyay has been brought back to the agency's Nizam Palace office and another round of questioning has started. He will be presented at a special CBI court on Friday. Incidentally, on Thursday only, the CBI sought the custody of former West Bengal Education Minister and Trinamool Congress Secretary General, Partha Chatterjee, who is already is judicial custody following his arrest by Enforcement Directorate (ED) sleuths in connection with the scam. The matter will come up for hearing on Friday and Chatterjee will have to physically present at the court during the hearing. CBI sources said that till date their sleuths are yet to identify some missing links as well answers to some crucial questions relating to the WBSSC scam. "If we get Partha Chatterjee in custody, we can question him by putting up face-to face with Gangopadhyay. We are surely these missing links will surface then," a CBI associate said. The principal charge against Gangopadhyay is of distribution of appointment letters flouting all norms and blinding following the recommendations of WBSSC's screening committee without cross-checking. --IANS src/vd A A A A Jammu, Sep 15 : The Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to declare Maharaja Hari Singh's birth anniversary on September 23 as a public holiday. A notification in this regard will be issued soon, an official statement said on Thursday. The announcement was made by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha following his meeting with a delegation comprising prominent political leaders, members of the Yuva Rajput Sabha, civil society members, head of the J&K transport union, among others, at the Raj Bhavan on Thursday. "The government has taken a decision to declare Maharaja Hari Singh Ji's birthday as a public holiday. Maharaja Hari Singh was a great educationist, progressive thinker, social reformer and a towering man of ideas and ideals. The public holiday will be a fitting tribute to Maharaja Hari Singh Ji's rich legacy," Sinha said. Pertinently, on the direction of the L-G, a four-member committee was constituted by the UT administration earlier this year to examine the public demand regarding declaring Maharaja Hari Singh's birth anniversary as public holiday. Hari Singh (1895-1961) was the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. Guwahati, Sep 15 : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Assam government to pay compensation of Rs 25,000 to a 13-year-old boy who was allegedly assaulted inside a police station in the state's Morigaon district six months back, officials said. NHRC's Deputy Registrar, Law, Indrajeet Kumar, in a letter to Assam Chief Secretary Paban Kumar Borthakur on Wednesday, asked the state government to start proceedings against the accused police officer and pay the compensation to the minor within four weeks. The incident occurred on March 9 when Assistant Sub-Inspector at Lahorijan police station, Upen Bordoloi caught the boy when he was trying to take biscuits from a seized vehicle parked in the police station premises. A video went viral in which the police officer was seen beating up the minor boy repeatedly with a stick inside the police station. Bordoloi was suspended from the service on March 22 and a case was registered against him under the Juvenile Justice Act. Following that, a complaint was filed before the human right body. The NHRC order said it has taken serious note of the incident as this kind of human rights violation caused to a minor person by a police officer indicates the sorry state of affairs. The Police Department also admitted to the incident later in its report. Kolkata, Sep 15 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has now sought the custody of former West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee, who is already in judicial custody following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the multi-crore teacher recruitment scam involving the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC). The CBI on Thursday made an appeal to a special court of the agency in Kolkata seeking permission to take Chatterjee into custody. The matter will be heard on Friday and Chatterjee will have to be physically present in the court during the hearing. CBI sources said that except once in the beginning of the investigation, the agency did not get any chance to question Chatterjee. In the meantime, CBI has arrested two top former officials of WBSSC as well as three middlemen in connection with the case. "One of the three middlemen arrested is also a relative of Partha Chatterjee. During integration, the five persons arrested by our officers revealed a lot of information about the scam, which clearly point at the role of the former Education Minister in the matter. So, it is necessary to take him into custody for questioning," confirmed a CBI official. On Wednesday, a special ED court had extended the judicial remand of Partha Chatterjee and his close aide Arpita Mukherjee till September 8. State BJP spokesman Samik Bhattacharya said that it is high time that Partha Chatterjee, instead of suffering all alone, reveals more truths about the WBSSC scam, including the names of the other beneficiaries. Meanwhile, the CBI on Thursday conducted raids at six locations of a software firm in Delhi and Kolkata in connection with the teacher recruitment scam. Chennai, Sep 15 : Estranged leader of the AIADMK and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, O. Panneerselvam, said on Thursday that the party would launch an agitation against the state government if people's consent is not taken for the construction of a new airport at Parandur. OPS, as Panneerselvam is popularly known, said in a statement that if people are not willing to give their consent for the construction of the airport at the designated site in Parandur, the project should be shifted to another place. He also came out against the state government on the manner in which a public hearing was conducted on the project. It may be noted that the Tamil Nadu government has offered 3.5 times the market value for taking over land in 13 villages near Parandur in Kancheepuram district for the construction of the airport. The Tamil Nadu government has also said that the land would be acquired for the airport in 'public interest' under the legislation enacted in 2013. The government has also offered alternate land near the proposed airport site to those whose land is being acquired. Government employment will also be provided to the people living in these 13 villages based on their educational qualification. State PWD Minister, E.V. Velu, has also said that the government would consult IIT-Madras regarding the water bodies in the villages. The Tamil Nadu government has proposed a new airport citing reports that the present airport at Meenambakam would not be able to cater to the demand by 2029. Four sites were short listed -- Parandur, Padalam, Pannur and Tiruporur. While Padalam and Tiruporur were dropped as they were close to nuclear establishments, Parandur was considered as the number of houses that would be lost for the construction of the airport would be less than in Pannur. New Delhi, Sep 15 : The Supreme Court on Thursday said the right to establish educational institutions is a fundamental right but reasonable restrictions can be imposed by the state only by a law, and not an executive instruction. A bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and P.S. Narasimha said: "Since we have held that the right to establish an educational institution is a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India, reasonable restrictions on such a right can be imposed only by a law and not by an executive instruction." The top court upheld the various high court verdicts and dismissed the appeal by Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) challenging them. "We are of the view that the division bench of the Bombay High Court, Aurangabad Bench, in the said case, does not lay down the correct position of law. In our view, the view taken by the High Courts of Karnataka, Delhi, and Chhattisgarh lays down the correct position of law," it said. "It is thus clear that though there is a fundamental right to establish educational institutions, the same can be subject to reasonable restrictions, which are found necessary in the general public interest. However, the question that requires to be answered is as to whether the same can be done by executive instructions or not." The top court said merely because an institution has a right to establish an educational institution does not mean that such an application has to be allowed. It added that in a particular area, if there are more than sufficient number of institutions already existing, the Central Council can always take into consideration whether it is necessary or not to increase the number of institutions in such an area. "However, a blanket prohibition on the establishment of pharmacy colleges cannot be imposed by an executive resolution," said the bench. The top court judgment came on a batch of appeals filed by the PCI against three similar but separate verdicts of the high courts of Delhi, Chhattisgarh, and Karnataka. The high courts had allowed the pleas of several pharmacy institutions challenging the July 17, 2019 and September 9, 2019, resolutions of the PCI, which had put a moratorium on opening of new pharmacy colleges in the country. "We may observe that there could indeed be a necessity to impose certain restrictions so as to prevent mushrooming growth of pharmacy colleges. Such restrictions may be in the larger general public interest. However, if that has to be done, it has to be done strictly in accordance with law," said the top court. It said if and when such restrictions are imposed by an authority competent to do so, the validity of the same can always be scrutinised on the touchstone of law. "We, therefore, refrain from considering the rival submissions made on that behalf. It is further to be noted that the applications seeking approval for D. Pharm and B. Pharm courses are required to be accompanied by a 'No Objection Certificate (NOC)' from the state government and consent of affiliation from the affiliating bodies. While scrutinizing such applications, the Council can always take into consideration various factors before deciding to allow or reject such applications," said the bench. The PCI resolutions were challenged by several private institutions in the three high courts, and the PCI moved the top court against the high court orders. Gandhinagar, Sep 15 : As many as 56 retired IAS, IFS, IPS and IRS officers have written to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) requesting to withdraw the recognition of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), alleging blatant efforts by the party to politicise civil servants. The letter has been signed by Karnataka's former Additional Chief Secretary M. Madan Gopal, Kerala's former Chief Secretary Anand Bose, former Ambassador Niranjan Desai, and ex-Andhra Pradesh DGP Umesh Kumar, among others. The letter cited Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal's press conference in Rajkot on September 3, in which "he had repeatedly appealed to Gujarat government's public servants to work in tandem with the AAP to ensure its victory in the Assembly elections". The retired bureaucrats pointed out that a public servant's responsibility is to work for the betterment of the public and security of the people. "It seems the AAP has forgotten that public servants do not owe any allegiance to political parties," the letter read. According to the former bureaucrats, it was not a casual misstep or stray error, but a deliberate and calculated appeal made by the AAP with an intention of utilising government machinery for one's own political victory. They demanded that AAP's recognition should be withdrawn because it has breached the model code of conduct and is also in grave violation of the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Gurugram, Sep 15 : A 14-year-old girl was allegedly raped repeatedly and pushed into prostitution by a spa operator and her three aides in Gurugram, police said on Thursday. In connection with the case, the police have booked four persons, including King Spa operator Jhuma and her three aides identified as Pooja, Rubel Iqbal and Saddam Hussein. The matter came to the fore after the victim narrated the ordeal to her parents who rescued her and later approached the Women police station at Gurugram's Sector-51 and registered a case against the accused on Wednesday. The victim told the police that she had met Pooja at a Gurugram mall a month ago. Pooja had offered her a job at a doctor's clinic. "As I was looking for a job I accepted her offer and I joined a doctor's clinic but within two days I was expelled from the job. Thereafter, she offered me a receptionist job at her relative's King Spa located in Omex mall, Gurugram, which was run by Jhuma," she told the police. "The same day Jhuma called a man and informed me to go with him in a room and when I resisted, all the four accused surrounded me. Then Jhuma told me just to stay one day with the man and then left the job. I accepted her proposal but I was raped by that man," the victim said. The girl alleged that the accused recorded objectionable videos of her and blackmailed and threatened her that the video will be uploaded on social media if she left the job. She was reportedly sexually assaulted by 10-15 men every day. The victim was also sent to a hotel located in Sector-38 and another spa located in Raheja mall for prostitution but somehow she was rescued by her parents. She revealed the matter to her parents, who took her to the police. Station House Officer (SHO), Women police station, Sector-51, said they had booked the four accused under Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), 376D (gang rape), 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code and 13,14,17 and Section 6 of the POCSO Act. Efforts are on to arrest the accused. New Delhi, Sep 15 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday said that they have arrested three more accused, including an Afghan national, in connection with the seizure of 3,000 kgs of heroin, valued at Rs 21,000 crore, at Gujarat's Mundra Port in September last year. "Rahmatullah, a resident of Malviya Nagar, south Delhi (permanent resident of Kabul), Ishwinder Singh and Jasbir Singh were arrested on Wednesday for their active involvement in smuggling of heroin in large consignments, hidden in containers of talc stones, bituminous coal etc. through the maritime route," an NIA official said. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence had seized the heroin, concealed in a consignment of semi-processed talc stone, between September 17 and September 19, 2021 at Container Freight Station of Mundra Port. The case, initially registered by the DRI and re-registered by NIA, pertains to the operations of one of the largest international drug smuggling syndicates, run by brothers Hassan Daad and Hussain Daad, both Afghan nationals who are already wanted by the NIA in the Mundra case. The duo smuggled multiple consignments of heroin concealed in apparently innocuous consignments of goods such as semi-processed talc stones and bituminous coal imported into India through different ports, including Mundra and Kolkata, and further moved to New Delhi via trucks. "The investigation has revealed a vast and widespread network of drug traffickers, international facilitators, importers using shell companies, distributors and local wholesalers and retailers, who are operating a huge international drug smuggling racket from many countries, including Afghanistan, Iran and the UAE," the official said. The NIA has learnt that 5 consignments of heroin laden goods were imported into India between November 2020 and September 2021. Three such consignments of semi-processed talc stones ultimately reached at a warehouse in Neb Sarai, Delhi, which was rented by absconding accused, Najibullah Khalid in the name of another Afghan national Noorzahi Abdul Salam. "The heroin was segregated from the goods in this warehouse by Afghani experts and then sent for distribution in the market through a network of drug suppliers and peddlers. The concealing material was removed to another warehouse rented out by Shaheen alias Rock, an Aghan national and key associate of Najibullah, through arrested accused Jasbir Singh and Ishwinder Singh," the official said. The official said that Singh, a known drug distributor, was in direct touch with Javed, an Afghanistan-based accused and key aide of Hassan Daad. On his directions, Singh, in connivance with Jasbir, fabricated false documents and rented a warehouse at Hamidpur, where the semi-processed talc was shifted from the Neb Sarai Warehouse for further disposal. "Sustained examination of Singh revealed the presence of a close aide and associate of Javed, namely Rahmatullah, an Afghan national, in Delhi. Rahmatullah was arrested and 3.9 kg of heroin was recovered from him. He is an Afghan national who was especially inducted into India around 8-10 months ago for handling the drug trade network run by Hassan Daad and Hussain Daad," the odficial said. Earlier, search conducted at the residence of Ishwinder Singh led to the recovery of heroin in commercial quantities. New Delhi, Sep 15 : For the first time, all elected representatives of the Aam Aadmi Party from across the nation will meet on Sunday at the Rashtriya Janpratinidhi Sammelan called by the party under the chairmanship of its national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Along with Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, all MLAs and MPs from Delhi, Punjab and Goa along with party councillors, zila panchayat members, chairpersons, mayors, block pramukhs, sarpanchs and pradhans from across the country will join the conference. "Kejriwal will discuss the ways to strengthen the party in view of the ongoing 'Operation Lotus' across the country with the elected representatives," AAP said in a statement. The conference will be attended by 62 MLAs from Delhi, 92 MLAs from Punjab and two MLAs from Goa. AAP's 10 Rajya Sabha MPs from Delhi and Punjab will also attend the conference. The Sammelan will also discuss the expansion of AAP across the country. Bhopal, Sep 16 : The Madhya Pradesh Assembly's scheduled five-day Monsoon session was adjourned sine die on Thursday, two days before it was scheduled to end. Beginning on September 13, the house had, apart from usual business - welcoming new President Droupadi Murmu, paying tributes to Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati, who breathed his last on Sunday and some others, hardly functioned for five-six hours for debates. As it assembled for the third day on Thursday, Leader of Opposition Dr. Govind Singh called for an adjournment motion to discuss an audit report on alleged irregularities in the nutritious meal scheme. Some other Congress members backed his demand, following which state Parliamentary Affairs minister Narottam Mishra said that Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has already made a statement over the issue a day ago. Meanwhile, Congress' tribal legislator, Panchlal Medha, moved towards the Speaker's podium, saying that he wanted justice over the ill-treatment meted out to him on the previous day. He alleged that he was stopped by policemen at the entrance of the Assembly complex and suffered injuries on his hand during a "scuffle" with them. Other Congress leaders also joined Medha, following which the ruling party lawmakers also approached the Speaker's podium. Amid slogan-shouting and noisy scenes, Speaker Girish Gautam hurriedly transacted the listed business and adjourned the House sine die. On the second day, the session was also adjourned soon as members of both ruling and the opposition parties sparred over alleged financial irregularities in Centre-sponsored nutrition scheme. The opposition levelled a series of allegations on the Chief Minister and walked out of the house before Chouhan stood to make his reply. Asked by IANS why the five-day session concluded in three days, during which proceedings lasted for a few hours only, the Speaker said that the trend of shrinking number of days of house sittings is "setting a wrong precedent," which is jeopardising the importance of the Assembly. "The way the legislators have started behaving in the house, it seems they are not serious towards their responsibilities to the people who sent them to the House," Gautam said. He also said the the primary business of the house is for debate, discussion and seeking work reports of the government, however, some MLAs are "using it for their TRP system". "Opposition has right to raise questions, but doesn't mean that they would stop Chief Minister or the other Ministers from submitting replies on queries on subjects. Who will be allowed to speak or how much time one will speak, only the head of the house can decide it, not anyone else, be it ruling party or the opposition," Gautam said referring the Congress legislators' bid to stop CM Chouhan from giving his reply over alleged financial irregularities in the nutrition scheme for women and girl students. Asked why only the opposition should be held responsible for not letting the House function and does the ruling party share the same responsibility, the Speaker said: "See, the opposition has main role in the house. Be it any party's government, the ruling party will always want to conclude the session in minimum days because they would have to give their work reports. The ruling party would want just to get the Bills passed by the house. But, the opposition has a crucial role to force the ruling party to give a reply and have a healthy debate on subjects and therefore, the opposition is more responsible for concluding five-day long session in three days." Before the session began, Govind Singh had said that the Congress MLAs want a healthy debate and will fully co-operate in running of the house. Then, the opposition had even attacked the ruling BJP for calling the session just for five days. New Delhi, Sep 16 : The diplomats in the External Affairs Ministry in India and the abroad are troubled with the claims made by the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann about setting up of a new BMW manufacturing plant in Punjab which was later refuted by the leading auto giant BMW. According to a source with the Ministry, the diplomats see it as a question of credibility and said that such tall claims should be avoided as it hurts the credibility of the country and the government too. The source said that it has left the diplomats embarrassed. During Mann's visit to Germany, the Indian diplomats had arranged a meeting. However, after that he announced that BMW had decided to set up a new manufacturing plant in his state. "The efforts of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to rope in major investments from Germany bore fruit on Tuesday as leading auto giant BMW agreed to set up its auto part manufacturing unit in the state," said a press statement from government. However, releasing an official statement, the BMW Group denied such plan on Wednesday. "The BMW Group is firmly committed to its Indian operations with its manufacturing plant in Chennai, a parts warehouse in Pune, a training centre in Gurgaon-NCR and a well-developed dealer network across major metropolitans of the country. BMW Group India has no plans for setting up additional manufacturing operations in Punjab," said the press statement. Samarkand, Sep 16 : Gazprom is finalising construction details of the Soyuz Vostok gas pipeline project with its Chinese and Mongolian partners, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, RT reported. He held talks there with Chinese Premier Xi Jinping and Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh on Thursday. According to the Russian President, Moscow is ready to develop cooperation with Beijing and Ulaanbaatar in the energy sector, including the possibility of increasing cross-border electricity supplies to the two countries, RT reported. "For this year, we predict 20 per cent growth of energy transfers from Russia to your countries, dear friends, of up to 5.2 billion kilowatt," Putin said. Designed to carry natural gas to China through Mongolia, the Soyuz Vostok pipeline is part of the larger 'Power of Siberia 2' pipeline. It will be able to bring up to 50 billion cubic metre of gas to China annually, according to Gazprom. Jinping wants to work with Moscow to take on the responsibilities of "great powers," he told his Russian counterpart on Thursday at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Samarkand, RT reported. "China is willing to make efforts with Russia to assume the role of great powers, and play a guiding role to inject stability and positive energy into a world rocked by social turmoil," Xi told Putin during a leaders' summit at the SCO. Putin likewise praised the "multifaceted ties" the two countries have forged, in particular their trade relationship. Highlighting the exchange of $140 billion in trade with Beijing last year, he noted that the volume had increased 25 per cent in the first half of 2022 and said he hoped the figure could reach $200 billion by the end of the year. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War United Nations, Sep 16 : UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and Americas, Miroslav Jenca, has stressed the need for a peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. The international community must remain fully committed to a peaceful settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan and spare no effort to de-escalate the current tensions, bring the parties back to the negotiating table and help them achieve peace and stability in the region, said Jenca on Thursday. In the immediate term, the parties must abide by their obligations to fully implement the November 2020 cease-fire brokered by Russia, he told the Security Council in a briefing as quoted by Xinhua news agency report. "We urge them to return to the negotiating table and take steps toward the signing of a lasting peace treaty. It will be important that a similar unified message come from the Security Council for the parties to focus on a diplomatic solution," he added. On Monday evening, the authorities in Armenia and Azerbaijan reported heavy fighting on their international border. According to reports, heavy artillery, drones and large-calibre weapons were used. The exchange of fire reportedly continued through Tuesday and Wednesday, said Jenca. On Wednesday evening, it was announced that a cease-fire had been agreed, he added. Earlier this week, the Armenian Defence Ministry said that the Azerbaijani side was targeting Armenian military positions, as well as civilian infrastructure, in the Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor and Syunik regions of the country. Armenia reported 105 of its servicemen killed and six civilians wounded as of Wednesday evening, UN Assistant Secretary-General said. While Armenia called the events a deliberate attack, Azerbaijan countered that they were "retaliatory measures" made in response to provocations from Armenia. Azerbaijan, for its part, reported 71 servicemen killed and two civilians wounded, he added. The UN is not in a position to verify or confirm the specifics of these reports, said Jenca. "We remain deeply concerned, however, over this dangerous escalation, including its possible impact on civilians, and have urged the sides to take immediate and concrete steps to de-escalate tensions." The fighting this week was the latest and the largest in a series of incidents since 2020. It highlights the fact that the process of normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan continues to encounter serious obstacles. This escalation also underscores the urgent need for the parties to move forward in the ongoing process of delimitation and demarcation within the framework of mutual recognition of their territorial integrity and sovereignty. The UN urges the parties to take advantage of this important mechanism as an essential step toward alleviating tensions at the border, Jenca added. This week's events are also a stark reminder that tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan also have the potential to destabilise the region. They highlight the need for all actors, in the region and beyond, to act constructively and to press the sides to work for a peaceful settlement, he said. Tehran, Sep 16 : Iran has condemned Washington's decision to sanction a number of Iranian nationals and companies on the "baseless accusation" of cyberattacks. In a statement, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said on Thursday that the US insistence "on resorting to petty, illegal and abnormal moves against independent governments and nations show the inability of the US statesmen to correctly understand global equations and to adapt themselves accordingly". "False propaganda campaigns and spreading misinformation against Iran is part of the failed Iranophobic policy of the US government, which will get nowhere," Kanaani added. The Spokesman stressed that the US, which had turned a blind eye to numerous cyberattacks against Iran, "is in no position to level such accusations against others". In a statement on Wednesday, the US Treasury accused the "group of Iran-based malicious cyber actors" of compromising networks based in the US and other nations since at least 2020, Xinhua news agency reported. The new sanctions come shortly after sanctions announced last week targeting Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security over so-called "malign cyber activities" as the two countries struggle to find a way back into the 2015 nuclear deal. Jerusalem, Sep 16 : Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid met in Jerusalem with visiting Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to mark the second anniversary of the normalisation of ties between the two countries. Lapid met Sheikh Abdullah for a one-on-one meeting, which was followed by an expanded meeting with teams from both sides, according to a statement from Lapid's office on Thursday. The UAE Foreign Minister arrived in Israel on Wednesday with a delegation that included three other government ministers, Xinhua news agency reported. "We are changing the Middle East together. We are moving it from war to peace, from terrorism to economic cooperation, from a mess of violence and fanaticism to a dialogue of tolerance and cultural curiosity," the Israeli Prime Minister said. Israeli President Isaac Herzog hosted Sheikh Abdullah for an official luncheon in the afternoon at the President's residence in Jerusalem. The UAE Foreign Minister told Herzog that the deal to normalise diplomatic ties between the two countries in 2020 was "historic". On Thursday, Sheikh Abdullah also visited Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem. "We must take a brave step to build a bridge of real peace for future generations," the UAE Foreign Minister wrote in the guest book. The trip is Sheikh Abdullah's second visit to Israel since the UAE and Israel decided to normalise ties in September 2020. The UAE and Bahrain signed US-brokered agreements to normalise their ties with Israel in September 2020. The move was followed later by Sudan and Morocco. Ramallah, Sep 16 : Reconciliation talks between rival Palestinian factions to end more than 15 years of internal division will resume in Algeria in October, a senior Palestinian official announced. Wassel Abu Yousef, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) executive committee, told reporters on Thursday in the West Bank city of Ramallah that the reconciliation dialogue in Algeria would include leaders of 14 Palestinian factions. The Fatah Party of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) will join the dialogue on October 2, he added. "The aim of resuming the reconciliation dialogue is to end the internal division and regain unity among the Palestinians in order to face the current Israeli policy against the Palestinians," Abu Yousef said. "Algeria and Egypt coordinated and sponsored the Palestinian reconciliation in order to ensure the success of reaching an agreement prior to the Arab summit slated for November in Algeria," he added. He hoped that the dialogue would become successful in ending the internal division among the Palestinian factions, so they would overcome the challenges facing the Palestinian cause, Xinhua news agency reported. In the past few weeks, Algeria hosted representatives of Palestinian factions in separate meetings in an attempt to prepare the groundwork for the upcoming dialogue. In an effort to remove any potential barriers that would halt the Algerian efforts, Palestinian officials did not rule out the possibility of holding bilateral meetings between Fatah and Hamas leaders on the sidelines of the dialogue. Palestinian observers believe that the dialogue in Algeria is an important opportunity for the Palestinian factions to reach an agreement and find a unified Palestinian position to confront Israeli policies. In December 2021, Algerian President Tebboune announced that his country would host a gathering of Palestinian factions to unify the Palestinians. The internal Palestinian division between Hamas and Fatah began in 2007 when Hamas forcibly took over the Gaza Strip from Fatah. Since then, the Palestinian territories have been split into a Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and a Fatah-dominated West Bank. Washington, Sep 16 : After a gruelling day of negotiations, US railroad firms and unions have reached a tentative deal, averting a potential rail strike that could be economically damaging. US Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh took to social media to announce the agreement early on Thursday, writing that "following more than 20 consecutive hours of negotiations," the temporary deal "balances the needs of workers, businesses, and our nation's economy". "The Biden administration applauds all parties for reaching this hard-fought, mutually beneficial deal," Walsh said. "Our rail system is integral to our supply chain, and a disruption would have had catastrophic impacts on industries, travellers and families across the country," Walsh added. The Association of American Railroads estimated in a recent report that a nationwide rail service interruption would idle more than 7,000 trains, and could cost more than $2 billion per day of a shutdown, Xinhua news agency reported. The nation's two biggest rail unions reached the tentative deal after hours of negotiations, following nine other unions cut deals with the companies on Wednesday. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Trainmen (BLET) and the SMART Transportation Division (SMART-TD), which comprise around half of all railroad employees, confirmed the tentative agreement in a statement on Thursday. "Early this morning, following nearly three years of bargaining, the (BLET) and (SMART-TD) reached a Tentative National Agreement with the nation's largest freight rail carriers that includes wage increases, bonuses, with no increases to insurance copays and deductibles," the unions' in a statement said. The deal also upgrades policies regarding time off for employees -- a major issue in the negotiations. "For the first time, our unions were able to obtain negotiated contract language exempting time off for certain medical events from carrier attendance policies. Our unions will now begin the process of submitting the tentative agreement to a vote by the memberships of both unions," the union added. In a statement on early Thursday, US President Joe Biden billed the agreement "an important win for our economy and the American people". "These rail workers will get better pay, improved working conditions, and peace of mind around their healthcare costs: all hard-earned. The agreement is also a victory for railway companies who will be able to retain and recruit more workers for an industry that will continue to be part of the backbone of the American economy for decades to come," Biden said. United Nations, Sep 16 : The UN Security Council adopted a resolution to renew the mandate of a UN investigative team for crimes committed by the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq. Resolution 2651, which won the unanimous support of the 15-member council, on Thursday decides to extend the mandate of the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da'esh/Islamic State (UNITAD) for a year, till September 17, 2023. Any further extension of UNITAD's mandate will be decided at the request of the Iraqi government or any other government that has requested the team to collect evidence of acts that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide, committed by the IS in its territory, says the resolution. The resolution requests the special adviser, who heads UNITAD, to continue to submit and present reports to the Security Council on the team's activities every 180 days, Xinhua news agency reported. UNITAD was authorised by the Security Council in September 2017 to support Iraq's efforts in holding the IS accountable for the crimes the terrorist group committed in Iraq. The team became fully operational in November 2019. Welcome to the forefront of advance 5-axis waterjet cutting. Explore our most advances product for the high-tech manufacturing industry at IMTS 2022. FIVEX has redefined large scale 3D cutting worldwide in high-tech manufacturing industries like Defense, Aerospace, Energy and Chemtech. FIVEX has proven to gain a quick ROI while increasing efficiency, cutting quality and accuracy in the production process, tells Lennart Svensson, CEO & President of Water Jet Sweden. FIVEX is a world leading machine concept to process large scale 3D shapes. It offers a Z-movement up to 5 feet and a 0-120 cutting angle, which is twice compared to traditional 5-axis waterjet cutting. It has an exceptionally stable design for absolute accuracy and safety. Each build is treated as a unique project based on specific customers requirements, variable in width, length and height and set of features. Read more on https://fivex.waterjetsweden.com/. We stand strong after the pandemic and have been able to continue developing our products and US customer base. Now we really look forward to meet our customers in person again, says Lennart Svensson. At Water Jet Sweden booth you can experience a FIVEX waterjet cutting machine live. With an AR-application, you can step right into the machine while cutting, visualize it in 1:1, 1:4 or 1:10 scale, place wherever they want, or bring it home on your smartphone or tablet. Welcome to IMTS 2022, McCormick Place, North Building, level 3, booth # 236452 https://fivex.waterjetsweden.com/ Gustav Westman, CEO and Co-Founder, BrightBid I am excited about the opportunity to share my knowledge and expertise in utilising AI and human insights for search campaigns and further strengthening BrightBids ever-growing reputation in driving high-performance Google Advertising. Gustav Westman, CEO and Founder of BrightBid, accepted into Forbes Technology Council Forbes Technology Council is an Invitation-Only Community for World-Class CIOs, CTOs, and Technology Executives. Gustav Westman, CEO and Founder of BrightBid, an adtech platform for Google Advertising, has been accepted into Forbes Technology Council, an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs, and technology executives. Gustav Westman was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of his experience. In his role as CEO, he has been instrumental in the general operations of the company (which has recorded 400% year-on-year growth since its launch in 2020) and has helped the company in building its 400+ customer base. In his early 30s, Gustav has vast sales experiences in a variety of software and innovative technology companies such as Symetri Europe and House of Control Group. We are honoured to welcome Gustav Westman into the community, said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, the collective that includes Forbes Technology Council. Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world. BrightBid is a rapidly growing adtech company utilising AI and human expertise to create more refined Google Ads recommendations for businesses to drive customer acquisition. Combined with BrightBids marketing and sales expertise, its AI- and human-led offering enables companies to compete, seeing at least a 20% increase in conversions on average. Speaking on the acceptance, Gustav Westman said, I am incredibly pleased and honoured to have been accepted into the Forbes Technology Council and am excited about the opportunity to share my knowledge and expertise in utilising AI and human insights for search campaigns. Im looking forward to learning from the community and further strengthening BrightBids ever-growing reputation in driving high-performance Google Advertising. As an accepted member of the Council, Gustav has access to a variety of exclusive opportunities designed to help him reach peak professional influence. He will connect and collaborate with other respected local leaders in a private forum. Gustav will also be invited to work with a professional editorial team to share his expert insights in original business articles on Forbes.com, and to contribute to published Q&A panels alongside other experts. Finally, Gustav will benefit from exclusive access to vetted business service partners, membership-branded marketing collateral, and the high-touch support of the Forbes Councils member concierge team. For more information, please contact: Oyin Sunmoni brightbid@propellergroup.com About Brightbid BrightBid is a rapidly growing adtech company utilising AI and human expertise to create more refined Google Ads recommendations for businesses to drive customer acquisition. Combined with BrightBids marketing and sales expertise, its AI- and human-led offering enables companies to compete, seeing at least a 20% increase in conversions on average. Founded in 2020, BrightBid is in the top 5% of fastest growing SaaS companies globally and has achieved over 500,000 conversions for its 400+ customers. About Forbes Councils Forbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive. For more information about Forbes Technology Council, visit forbestechcouncil.com. To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit forbescouncils.com. Buchanan & Edwards Inc. (BE), an award-winning and fast-growing technology leader delivering transformative solutions to the national security community, has moved from Arlington, VA to a new 7,300-square-foot headquarters in McLean, Virginia, near Tysons Galleria shopping center. The state-of-the-art facility, located at 8200 Greensboro Drive, is designed to support the rapidly growing company, which has been consistently recognized as one of the federal markets fastest-growing consulting firms. BE, which has almost 500 employees, acquired RenXTech towards the end of 2021, and was awarded Deal of the Year, Under $50M, at this years 20th Annual ACG National Capital Corporate Growth Awards. Our new headquarters really focuses on the employee experience while also providing us with opportunity for expansion. Weve adapted to meet the demand for flexibility due to the pandemic and created an alternative to the traditional office environment, which were extremely proud of. said Eric Olson, CEO of BE. We have a state-of-the-art facility that allows for collaboration, innovation, and delivery of mission-critical support while also incorporating a fresh approach to comfort, flexibility, and fun. Its like being at your local coffee shop or favorite lounge very relaxed, but productive. The office features large, open community areas, with plush sectionals, large TVs, VR Gaming Stations, a professional Ping Pong table, multiple reading nooks, and a variety of comfortable meeting rooms and hotel offices. It is also home to BEs innovation hub (iHub), which Olson said offers up resources for employees, partners, and customers to innovate and support research and development activities. About Buchanan & Edwards Since 1998, Buchanan & Edwards Inc. has served as a trusted partner on missions of vital importance to the defense, intelligence, and law enforcement communities. We design and deliver solutions that embody a future forward approach and reflect our unwavering commitment to helping our clients achieve mission success. FSC has helped hundreds of international intended parents realize their dreams. "We take great pride in providing the communication, guidance, and support our prospective parents need to feel comfortable and well informed at each step of their surrogacy journey." The Chicago-based surrogacy agency opened its doors 15 years ago, initially working with domestic clients and a handful of Intended Parents (IPs) in Spain. Now, its client base spans some 34 countries, including much of Europe and Asia and as far afield as Australia. In the past five years alone, FSC has helped over 200 international IPs realize their dreams. And, with many expectant parents located in new countries, that client base will continue to grow. Even the pandemic has barely slowed demand. FSC is now eagerly looking forward to greeting more new IPs at the 2022 Men Having Babies Conference & Expo in Brussels on September 16. The Parenting Options for European Gay Men conference is an opportunity for gay dads and dads-to-be to interact with one another and meet surrogacy providers and other experts. FSC International Relations Manager Jessica Williams says meeting dads in person will be exciting for both parties. "We get to meet Intended Parents at all stages of their journeys and provide information and support to help them make informed choices. It's wonderful to be able to play this part in their lives," she shared. FSC owner and CEO Staci Swiderski says that surrogacy in the US is sometimes the only option for international parents. "Many countries either prohibit or make it very difficult for Intended Parents to enter into surrogacy arrangements, which makes the US very attractive for pursuing surrogacy." More importantly, she adds, the US is home to experienced surrogacy agencies and reproductive attorneys, as well as fertility clinics with high success rates. "Surrogacy in the US is safe, ethical, and reliable," Swiderski says. "The stability and predictability are unmatched." Arranging a pregnancy with a US surrogate while living in another country may seem harrowing, but this is where FSC shines. Swiderski says their international clients receive the utmost care and attention from day one. "We understand that for Intended Parents who live outside of the United States, building a family via surrogacy requires a great deal of diligence," she says. "We take great pride in providing the communication, guidance, and support our prospective parents need to feel comfortable and well informed at each step of their surrogacy journey." FSC's international program caters to all parents regardless of their geographic location, cultural background, or language. Their staff includes speakers fluent in Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, and Japanese. Translators are sourced when necessary, ensuring all clients can communicate in their preferred language. Client Relations Managers in France and China are also available to IPs in Europe and Asia. Williams is based in the UK and works closely with other parents-to-be. As a former IP herself, she has a personal understanding of the emotional journey that surrogacy involves. "We know from experience that there is an extra level of care and support that's often needed with international surrogacy journeys," she says. "From the first moment IPs reach out to FSC, we ensure they have any referrals to other professionals, such as local attorneys or fertility clinics. We want them to know that FSC will look after them and that their parental rights will be protected." With connections to attorneys, clinics, and other professionals both in the US and abroad, FSC can quickly provide IPs with the assistance they need. The team also facilitates other aspects of the journey, such as booking flights, accommodation, and other travel. The support continues after the baby's birth, with help in sourcing baby equipment and obtaining any documentation or legal work. "Whether it's a referral to a legal expert in their home country or a clinic to provide sperm abroad before shipping it to the US, we'll be there to help," says Williams. "None of our IPs are simply numbers to us - they all become part of the FSC Family and are treated as such." Williams will be attending the Parenting Options for European Gay Men conference with fellow Client Relations Manager Jerome Brun - another former IP - who is based in France. "Both Jerome and I understand how daunting this process can seem at the beginning. We hope that our collective experience can provide support and guidance to other Intended Parents," she says. Within Health announced today that it will take part in the Imaging Artificial Intelligence in Practice (IAIP) demonstration to be held November 27 30 at the 108th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA 2022), the worlds leading annual imaging forum, at McCormick Place in Chicago. The IAIP demo is a showcase of new AI technologies and integration standards needed to embed AI into the diagnostic radiology workflow. The interactive exhibit will enable attendees to determine learn what is possible, identify the right questions to ask, and learn how to introduce and scale AI into their radiology practices. Using real-world clinical scenarios involving both emergent and long-term care, 19 vendors with 30 products will walk RSNA 2022 meeting attendees through the exhibit to see AI tools and health information technology standards in action. The demonstration highlights steps in the radiology workflow where AI can assist the radiologist and improve the efficiency and quality of care: from radiologist scheduling and imaging examination ordering to acquisition protocoling, image interpretation with AI clinical decision support at the point of care, reporting, and electronic health record integration. Within Health with its autonomous follow-up care coordination solution, RadNav, is playing a critical part at the tail end of this workflow; in particular, in closing the last mile care gap. The platform uses proprietary NLP models, behavioral science, and intelligent workflows to improve patient retention with overdue imaging studies. The RSNA IAIP 2022 demonstration is so impactful to the deployment of new technologies and we are excited to be a part of it, said Craig Calderone, Chief Product Officer at Within Health. IAIP provides a great opportunity to showcase how cross-vendor solutions can work together towards a common goal, improving patient care. We are excited to demonstrate how Within Health in conjunction with other leading AI solutions can close-the-loop on recommended care." IAIP is a collaborative effort between industry partners, radiologists and imaging informaticists. Integration is made possible through standards including DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine), HL7 FHIR (Health Level 7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resource), the IHE (Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise) framework, CDE (Common Data Element) reporting, and others. The IAIP demonstration is located in the AI Showcase (South Hall A, Level 3). For more information on RSNA 2022 or to register, visit RSNA.org/annual-meeting. ### About Within Health Within Health gives radiology administrators access to the latest workflow automation and AI technology to save time, improve margins, and elevate the quality of care. Co-founded by healthcare technology, data analytics, and digital communication experts, Within Health is working with some of the largest and most innovative radiology practices and health systems in the U.S. and expanding quickly. Within Health is based in Brooklyn, NY, and backed by Antler and BNM Ventures. Learn more about Within Health at http://www.seewithin.co or on Twitter @seewithinhealth. The Plantiverse, Explained Nature has been excluded from the economy, with disastrous consequences. Experiments like Plantiver.se are an attempt to use humanitys own tools - like Web3 technology - to create an interspecies economy thats both prosperous and sustainable, said Futurity cofounder Cecilia MoSze Tham. Futurity Systems is proud to announce that its Plantiverse initiative (https://plantiver.se) has won an honorable mention in the Experimental category in Fast Companys 2022 Innovation by Design Awards. Futurity Systems combines deeptech research, design thinking, and rapid prototyping to create artifacts from the future, today. Plantiver.se is one such artifact, using digital hardware, artificial intelligence, and blockchain to create a metaverse where plants can participate. Nature has been excluded from the economy, with disastrous consequences. Experiments like Plantiver.se are an attempt to use humanitys own tools - like Web3 technology - to create an interspecies economy thats both prosperous and sustainable, said Futurity cofounder Cecilia MoSze Tham. We have a small window of time right now to make the emerging digital economy all-inclusive. One interspecies metaverse, where animals, plants, and the environment are active and equal participants, is a unique and urgent opportunity to remake the economy into a sustainable system for the long term ahead. Plantiver.se is one of Futuritys many artifacts future things brought into todays world through a combination of deeptech research, industrial design, and business launches. Its a working system in which common houseplants use inexpensive sensors and procedural graphics to generate digital twins - images of trees, which are then minted as NFTrees. The plant-made data-art is then sold to humans, with the funds going to plant-centric initiatives like wetlands protection and reforestation, and a plant-managed distributed autonomous organization (DAO) determining the allocation. In the future, coral reefs, bees and other ecosystems will participate in the new economy, with NFSeas and NFBees monitoring their own health and generating their own funds. We further explore our partnership with plants as food, material, and ecosystem service providers in InTense, our lush speculative lifestyle magazine from 2030. The ecosystem of the Metaverse is evolving quickly, but we already know it will blend blockchain and extended reality (XR), art and industry, personal and commercial actors; and the digital and physical worlds, said Futuritys other cofounder, Mark Bunger. We brought together all these hardware, software, and distributed web protocols to show that this is not a futuristic vision we can build an interspecies economy today. We love helping our clients achieve audacious visions like this, and our number one client is Planet Earth. The Futurity team is especially honored to have been recognized so quickly after being founded. As a small, young company we are in great company with Fast Company, and are just getting started. The Innovation by Design Awards, which can be found in the October 2022 issue of Fast Company, honor the designers and businesses solving the most crucial problems of today and anticipating the pressing issues of tomorrow. It is one of the most sought-after design awards in the industry. https://www.fastcompany.com/90771042/experimental-innovation-by-design-2022 About Futurity Systems Futurity Systems are a diverse team of designers, engineers, thinkers and makers. We work with our clients and on our own products to tackle uncertainties by analysing, synthesizing, applying, and engineering futures - to build better futures faster, together. Based in Barcelona and San Francisco, our work can be seen at https://www.futurity.systems/ For more information about Plantiver.se or working with us, please contact hello@futurity.systems. Habitat Net Zero Rendering Our communities are strongest when families have an opportunity to own a piece of them, to build equity, and to experience the wealth, health, and educational benefits that go with it, especially in our city where more than one in three households struggle to afford housing. Habitat for Humanity New York City and Westchester County (Habitat NYC and Westchester) announced today $150,000 in grants from Wells Fargo to help transform 13 vacant, dilapidated, houses into Habitat Net Zero, a mix of 16 new and rehabilitated green homes that will enable families to build equity. Habitat NYC and Westchesters Habitat Net Zero development includes the first new construction properties on the Interboro Community Land Trust (CLT). As part of the development, 13 of the new homes will be new construction and built using modular construction, and three will be gut rehabilitations of the existing structures. The homes will be equipped with rooftop solar panels and highly efficient heat-pump technology for heating and cooling, reducing costs, and keeping homes at or near net zero energy use The announcement was made as part of the nationwide Wells Fargo Welcome Home initiative, where employees volunteer and participate in events that create more affordable and sustainable homes and communities. Wells Fargo volunteers joined Habitat NYC and Westchester on the site of Habitat Net Zero in Southeast Queens to help with site preparation for new construction. Wells Fargo employees are participating in over 100 Welcome Home volunteer events throughout the month of September. Our communities are strongest when families have an opportunity to own a piece of them, to build equity, and to experience the wealth, health, and educational benefits that go with it, especially in our city where more than one in three households struggle to afford housing, said Karen Haycox, CEO, Habitat NYC and Westchester. Our work would not be possible without the strong commitment of partners like Wells Fargo with whom weve worked for more than 15 years in neighborhoods across the five boroughs. Their support for Habitat Net Zero will help to ensure that 16 more families have a healthy, affordable home, and an opportunity to build equity. Together, were building a more equitable New York. As homeownership remains out of reach for too many families in southeastern Queens, were proud of our long-standing work with Habitat for Humanity NYC and Westchester to increase the supply of homes that are affordable, energy efficient, and help more people realize the dream of homeownership, said Catherine Domenech, Vice President, New York Community Relations at Wells Fargo. Volunteering with Habitat has always been a huge source of pride for our employees, and this work is vital to ensuring that Habitat NYC and Westchester can help provide first-time homeownership opportunities and long-term affordability to local families. Wells Fargo has been a donor to Habitat NYC and Westchester since 2006, providing over $1.3 million, more than 300 volunteers on 14 build sites, and leaders who have served on the Habitat NYC and Westchester Women Build Council. $75,000 of the $150,000 for Habitat Net Zero is provided through Welcome Home, and $75,000 of it is part of a $7.75 million donation to Habitat for Humanity International through the Wells Fargo Builds program. In 2022, Wells Fargo announced more than $9 million in grant funding to support new home construction, renovation, and repair of more than 450 affordable homes across the U.S. in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together. Wells Fargo employees are volunteering alongside residents and homeowners to build new homes, make critical repairs to existing homes, and make other improvements like painting and landscaping. Wells Fargo has committed significant philanthropic resources to develop solutions that increase the supply of homes that are affordable and support families in realizing the dream of homeownership and opportunities for building wealth. Since 2019, Wells Fargo has donated more than $390 million to help address the housing affordability crisis in the country, including supporting available and affordable rentals, homeownership and housing stability. Agreements with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), Interboro CLT, and the homeowners are structured to ensure that Habitat Net Zero homeowners will have the support they need to maintain their homes. Initial sale prices and resale prices will be affordable to low- and moderate-income households. HPD will enter a 40-year regulatory agreement with Interboro CLT, and the CLT will enter into a 99-year, renewable, ground leases with each homeowner. These sites were awarded to Habitat through a 2018 request for proposals from the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). Financing sources include HPDs Open Door program, which funds the new construction of homeownership opportunities for low-, moderate-, and middle-income households; New York State Affordable Housing Corporation; and Reso A funds provided by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, City Council Speaker Adams, and former New York City Councilmember I. Daneek Miller. HPD also facilitated an Article XI tax exemption, which will help keep ongoing housing costs affordable for lower-income households. The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and Nonprofit Finance Fund are also providing construction financing. About Habitat for Humanity New York City and Westchester County Habitat NYC and Westchester creates, preserves, and advocates for healthy, affordable homes and the generational equity building opportunities that homeownership provides. With the support of thousands of volunteers each year, were building a more equitable New Yorkto address centuries of unjust, racist, housing laws and financing mechanisms that prevented communities of color from entering the homeownership market and shaped the geography of the wealth, health, and education inequality we see today. Learn more at http://www.habitatnycwc.org and connect with us on Facebook, and on Twitter and Instagram at @HabitatNYC_WC. About Wells Fargo Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $1.9 trillion in assets, proudly serves one in three U.S. households and more than 10% of small businesses in the U.S., and is a leading middle market banking provider in the U.S. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 41 on Fortunes 2022 rankings of Americas largest corporations. In the communities we serve, the company focuses its social impact on building a sustainable, inclusive future for all by supporting housing affordability, small business growth, financial health, and a low-carbon economy. News, insights, and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories. Additional information may be found at http://www.wellsfargo.com | Twitter: @WellsFargo. ### Pacvue is a leading enterprise software suite for brands, sellers and agencies to manage their eCommerce business With Sams Club MAP, we are building partnerships and ads experiences that are additive to our members experience, said Austin Leonard, head of sales for the Sam's Club Member Access Platform. Pacvue, a leading enterprise software suite for brands, sellers and agencies to manage their eCommerce business, today announced a partnership and first-to-market API integration with Sams Club Members Access Platform (Sams Club MAP). Through this partnership, Sams Club MAP Advertisers will have access to search and sponsored product ads via Pacvue, enabling brands to better reach and engage with Sams Club members at the right moment of discovery and purchase. Sams Club MAP is the access and ads program for Sams Club, a leading membership warehouse club offering superior products, savings and services to millions of members in nearly 600 clubs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Launched in June of this year, Sams Club MAP is dedicated to providing members with a shopping experience that is easy, convenient and personalized. Sams Club MAPs additive ads experiences provide agencies, ad tech platforms, suppliers and marketers with the tools, experiences and opportunities to help members discover new products at the time they need and want them. At Sams Club, we know our members and we know our curated assortment of items. We know how to predict what our members want and need with great precision. With Sams Club MAP, we are building partnerships and ads experiences that are additive to our members experience, said Austin Leonard, head of sales for the Sam's Club Member Access Platform. Search is such a key part of the member shopping experience, and through this first-to-market partnership with Pacvue, we are able to extend this member-centric experience to our brand partners as we continue on our mission to make our self-service platform and sponsored product advertisements easy to buy, easy to sell and easy to operate. Built by eCommerce veterans and supported by an expert team of practitioners dedicated to guiding eCommerce advertisers through new ad strategies, Pacvue is uniquely positioned to help brands personalize and effectively engage with members through Sams Club MAP. Sams Club MAP is dedicated to putting members first, and Pacvue is providing brands with the insights and tools they need to make this happen, said Melissa Burdick, co-founder and president of Pacvue. This unique partnership will help Sams Club Members better discover the brands and products they like most while providing Sams Club MAP and their brand partners with deep, actionable insights into improving the shopping experience for millions of existing and future Sams Club Members. About Pacvue Headquartered in Seattle, Pacvue is the enterprise suite for brands, sellers and agencies to manage their eCommerce business. Combining the power of holistic performance data with the tools needed to take recommended actions, eCommerce teams use Pacvue to programmatically manage their campaigns on Amazon, Walmart, Kroger and other marketplaces in order to lower costs, grow share of voice and increase sales. Supported by the expertise of eCommerce veterans, Pacvue is the leader in competitive insights, flexible reporting and intelligent automation and is consistently first-to-market, empowering teams to win in the future of eCommerce. For more information, visit http://www.Pacvue.com. About Sams Club Sams Club, a division of Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT), is a leading membership warehouse club offering superior products, savings and services to millions of members in nearly 600 clubs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Now in its 39th year, Sams Club continues to redefine warehouse shopping with its highly curated assortment of high-quality fresh food and Members Mark items, in addition to market-leading technologies and services like Scan & Go, Curbside Pickup and home delivery service in select markets. To learn more about Sams Club, visit the Sams Club Newsroom, shop at samsclub.com, and interact with Sams Club on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. About Sams Club Member Access Platform At Sams Club, we are member obsessed. We lead with this obsession by offering a curated assortment of high-quality products at an incredible value. We lead with this obsession by providing our members with a muti-touchpoint experience, whether they are shopping our Clubs, on SamsClub.com, in-app, or with Curbside Pickup and Delivery. We lead with this obsession every day. We know our members want a shopping experience that is easy, convenient, and personalized. And we know that our agencies, ad tech platforms, suppliers, and marketers want to reach our members efficiently and effectively. With MAP [Member Access Platform], our journey starts with our members. Next, we create and give partners experiences, tools, and opportunities that help members discover new products at the time they need and want them. MAPs mission is to provide the most valuable and additive ads experience to our members. It's our member-first approach that differentiates us, along with the combination of our platform, our products, our people, our processes, and our first-party data. We are member-obsessed. We are associate-inspired. We are partner-focused. VPL presenting at specialty pharmacy's premier event "This event will really help us show the industry what we can do to help pharmacies simplify their prescription shipping workflows. This years National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) Annual Meeting & Expo celebrates the 10-year anniversary of specialty pharmacys premier event, and VPL, an industry leader in smart supply chain solutions for healthcare clients, is continuing to support their expansion into the pharmacy market by exhibiting their cloud-based pharmacy solutions at the event. NASP 2022 will take place in Orlando, Florida at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center from September 19-22. This past March, VPL announced the launch of their specialty pharmacy software solutions, VPL TrajectRxa clinically minded prescription shipping, tracking and compliance software built for pharmacists, by pharmacists to ensure specialty medications are delivered cost-effectively and securely. Were excited to bring our pharmacy solutions to this years NASP Annual Meeting & Expo for the first time ever, says Eric McGlade, CEO and Co-Founder at VPL. Amanda Awe, our Pharmacy Product Specialist, spent over 10 years as a clinical pharmacist before coming to VPL to help other pharmacists solve familiar problems with technology solutions. Her unique perspective helps us to continuously innovate VPL TrajectRx, making it as useful to our customers as it can possibly be. VPL is proud to be leading two presentations for the Technology Day Workshop on Monday, September 19 in the mezzanine coastal breakout room Suwannee 1. The first session, titled Innovation Lab #5 VPL & St. Lukes, is from 12:00-12:30 p.m. and will be presented by Marc Choquette (St. Luke's), Derrek Seif (VPL), and Amanda Awe, PharmD, RPh (VPL). In this presentation, VPL will present a case study with a pharmacy customer that will demonstrate real world results of VPL TrajectRx. The second session, titled The Role of Technology in Solving The Last Mile Logistics, is from 4:30-5:30 p.m. and will be presented by Sheila Arquette, RPh (NASP), Amanda Awe, PharmD (VPL), Tim Ramsey (US Pack Logistics), Kirk Nilson (Parcel Shield). This panel will describe how specialty pharmacies use technology to provide customized, convenient, and customer-centric last-mile solutions to accommodate patients needs, improve customer satisfaction, manage costs, and safeguard medication quality. "This event will really help us show the industry what we can do to help pharmacies simplify their prescription shipping workflows. says McGlade. I think those who sit in on her presentations will really enjoy them because theyll be getting perspective on pharmacy software from an actual pharmacist who played a big role in the development of it all. Attendees can stop by the VPL TrajectRx booth (#606) to chat with their team about specialty pharmacies can make the prescription shipping workflow more seamless than ever before, find out what giveaway prizes they have available, and see what tricks their booth-side magician has up his sleeves. About VPL By making the procurement-through-fulfillment processes smarter and more profitable, VPL is creating a new supplier dynamic whereby customers benefit from reduced costs, better insights, and increased transparency and efficiency. The industrys only Smart Supply Chain Platform automates inbound and outbound shipping, unlocks visibility into the status of critical shipments, and identifies cost-savings opportunities for all of healthcare including IDNs, critical access, outpatient, and pharmacy. With more than 700 hospitals pharmacies, and ambulatory surgery centers, 6,000+ suppliers, and a 97% customer retention rate, its clear that VPL is the company the healthcare industry trusts to deliver savings, insights, and peace of mind. To learn more or to schedule a demo, visit the company's website at http://www.getvpl.com. About NASP NASP is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade organization and is the only national association representing all stakeholders in the specialty pharmacy industry. The mission of the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) is to elevate the practice of specialty pharmacy by developing, delivering, and promoting continuing professional education and specialty certification while advocating for public policies that ensure patients have appropriate access to specialty medications in tandem with critical services. NASP supports a free-market healthcare system in which all specialty pharmacies compete on the same fair and level playing field, because that is in the best interest of the patients we collectively serve. NASP is committed to working with all stakeholders and policymakers to ensure that all patients have access to the life-saving medications they need and the high touch patient care and support services they deserve from the pharmacy of their choosing. To learn more, visit http://www.naspnet.org. Drone U, founded in 2014, is one of the pioneers in drone training in the United States. Having trained over 20,000 drone pilots both in-person and online, Drone U is now at the forefront of enterprise drone training via its PROPS Flight School platform. To spearhead its enterprise training division, Drone U has appointed Mr. P.J. Kirkpatrick as its Director of Operations. Before entering the drone industry, PJ spent 18 years leading and training RF (Radio Frequency) Engineering teams for cellular networks such as Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint. After a successful career in the telecom industry, PJ has dedicated the last seven years to the Drone Industry. A high-flying drone career PJs drone career has been an illustrious one. In 2017, PJ co-founded and became Vice President of Drone Operations of Terra Vigilis Security Group, an airspace security company dedicated to enhancing the safety of the airspace from unwanted UAV intrusions around critical assets. In 2018, PJ Co-founded Loc8, a software technology company that develops image scanning software to search for people and objects on the ground based on color and other characteristics of the person or object. In 2021, PJ joined Menet Aero, a manufacturer of tethered Unmanned Aircraft Systems used to enable rapid aerial intelligence for government and critical infrastructure. Along the way, PJ has carried out numerous complex drone missions setting new benchmarks in the drone Industry, including search and rescue operations, various mapping engagements, and infrastructure inspections, just to name a few. Involvement in critical drone projects. . PJ was the officer in charge of managing the first FAA-sanctioned use of drone detection equipment at a general aviation airport in Wisconsin. He also demonstrated capabilities of WhiteFox Defense Technology solutions to Federal Government Agencies, Law Enforcement, and critical infrastructure facilities across the US. He Conducted Research and Development flight testing on new tethered drone systems. Having participated in ANTX (Advanced Naval Technology Exercise) - Coastal Trident 2021, PJ assisted with the demonstration of the takeoff/landing of tethered drones on a moving ship. He was the Remote Pilot in Command of a tethered drone system flying at an elevation of 11,000 feet MSL (200 feet AGL) for ten consecutive hours for the 2020 PPIHC Race. And so many others. An elite drone trainer PJ is among the handful of drone pilots in the United States with incredible depth of knowledge in mapping, modeling, search and rescue, and inspections. PJ has been one of Drone Us Elite Pilot Instructors since the group's inaugural event back in 2018. He is the on-camera instructor for Drone Us Construction Mapping and Cell Tower Mapping online classes. In addition, hes trained over 1,200 students across the US in data acquisition, post-processing data for mapping deliverables and 3D models, and advanced UAS flight maneuvers. His popularity among drone students and enthusiasts is second to none. As the Executive Director of Drone U Elite, PJ was responsible for managing Elite Pilots and training hundreds of remote pilots on aerial data acquisition for mapping and modeling, drone flight mastery, and conducting search and rescue missions with UAVs.. He trained NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) on the M600 Tethered Drone System and authored the corresponding operators checklist. Contributing to the Drone Safety for the Community and Society PJ has contributed his knowledge and expertise to help government and private organizations to practice safety and security. As a FAASTeam Representative with the FAA, he volunteers his time actively promoting safety and helps educate Remote Pilots by presenting at aviation safety seminars hosted throughout Wisconsin. He has presented at over 20 conferences and seminars as an FAA Safety Representative, conveying safety principles and practices while establishing partnerships and encouraging the continual growth of solutions to enhance the safety of the National Airspace System. A New Chapter in the Drone Training Industry We are extremely excited and proud to have appointed PJ as the Director of Operations at Drone U. We look forward to ensuring his expertise and experience benefit the drone Industry at large for years to come. Receiving these recognitions by Fast Company in the Innovation by Design Awards shows that human-centric design is exceptionally well suited for solving some of the world's most complex problems. The Innovation by Design Awards honor the designers and businesses solving today's most crucial problems and anticipating tomorrow's pressing issues. Now in its 11th year, the competition features a range of blue-chip companies, emerging startups, and hungry young talents. It is one of the most sought-after design awards in the industry. Honorees include products and services from Nike, Verizon, Microsoft, and others. Yara, a global crop nutrition company, partnered with Hellon, to create a solution to support farmers in the green transition. Together with French farmers, they created a circular service that supports farmers in identifying and measuring the impact of their greener practices and connects them with operators along the food value chain to exchange low-carbon goods. In 2021, a pilot was launched with the aim of helping farmers produce low-carbon oilseed rape grain. Hellons farmer-centric design process closely engaged farmers to understand their current challenges and needs to understand what they would need support when taking steps toward greener practices. The insights were used as prompts to ideate and innovate concepts that were tested to understand the most desirable, feasible, viable and positively impactful solutions to pilot in France. The co-created sustainable circular model provides value to our society and planet and all parties involved. The solution enables ways to cut carbon from key steps of the farmers yearly harvest cycle that have been tailored to fit the farmers existing ways of working. This makes the service easy to adopt. The service is among the very first to bridge the gap between sustainability and profitability. The solution supports their financial independence, economic equality, and future potential to stay competitive within the market. Receiving these recognitions by Fast Company in the Innovation by Design Awards shows that human-centric design is exceptionally well suited for solving some of the world's most complex problems. "Designing a win-win-win circular model requires openness to challenge conventions and the courage to explore new ways to operate from all the players in the value chain. It needs a "primus motor" to take the initiative; in this case, it was Yara", Said Timo Patiala, Managing Director and Founding Partner for Hellon London. Decarbonizing Farming reflects the integration of Yaras mission to responsibly feed the world and protect the planet and the ambition of growing a nature-positive food future. We want to be part of the solution to the urgent challenge of making agriculture more sustainable. And we know that to truly succeed in doing so, we need to build collaboration across the industry through strong partnerships, such as those we have established through this initiative, Continues Allison ODell, Marketing Director Continental Europe at Yara. A common theme among this years Innovation by Design honorees, which range from healthcare interfaces to autonomous driving technology, is permanence, said Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company. The products that leaped out to our editors and judges went against our quick-fix consumer culture, while also manifesting a more inclusive vision of design. The judges include renowned designers from a variety of disciplines, business leaders from some of the most innovative companies in the world, and Fast Companys own writers and editors. Entries are judged on the key ingredients of innovation: functionality, originality, beauty, sustainability, user insight, cultural impact, and business impact. Winners, finalists, and honorable mentions are featured online and in the October issue of Fast Company magazine, on newsstands September 27, 2022. To see the complete list, go to https://www.fastcompany.com/innovation-by-design/list About Fast Company Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication Inc., and can be found online at http://www.fastcompany.com. About Hellon Hellon is a pioneer in human-centric design and a leading Innovation Consultancy that was founded in 2009 with studios in London and Helsinki. Hellon supports companies to understand, innovate and transform their business and works in long-term partnerships with industry-leading companies such as Vodafone, Yara, Hyundai and Marimekko. Hellon works relentlessly to push the boundaries of the design discipline and aims to raise the human capacity of designers through utilization of in-house developed AI-powered tools. Fairfax EggBank and Shady Grove Fertility Announce Frozen Donor Egg Partnership Shady Grove Fertility intended parents may now choose donors from the Fairfax EggBank Egg Donor Database. Frozen donor eggs provide flexibility and peace of mind to intended parents. Fairfax EggBank, the premier frozen donor egg bank, announced today that Shady Grove Fertility (SGF) has expanded its patients donor egg options to include Fairfax EggBank frozen donor eggs. SGF, home to one of the largest egg donor programs in the country, is proud to welcome the new partnership with Fairfax EggBank to provide their patients with a multitude of choices for building their families including fresh and frozen donor egg offerings. SGF intended parents may now choose donors from the Fairfax EggBank Egg Donor Database. Frozen donor eggs provide flexibility and peace of mind to intended parents. SGF intended parents can rely on Fairfax EggBank for: Carefully vetted donors with comprehensive personal profiles, three generations of family medical history, and the most extensive genetic testing available A diverse portfolio of donors recruited from across the United States to ensure that every intended parent can find their perfect donor match The industrys strongest embryo development guarantee Flexibility to plan their cycle on their own schedule and trust they will receive a guaranteed number of frozen eggs We are thrilled to welcome Shady Grove Fertility patients to the Fairfax EggBank family, said Emily Dodson, President of Fairfax EggBank. Our best-in-class customer service and seamless collaboration with clinic partners ensure all Fairfax EggBank intended parents are supported in their donor egg journey. Its our continued mission to make parenthood a reality for as many people as possible, said Michele Purcell, MHA, RN, Director, Specialty Programs at SGF. As home to one of the largest egg donor programs in the country, our partnership with Fairfax EggBank further expands options for intended parents, so that they can build the family of their dreams. About Fairfax EggBank Fairfax EggBank (FEB) is the industry leader in frozen donor eggs. Our unmatched donor portfolio and service excellence make us the trusted choice for clinics and patients around the world. Partnering with 400+ clinics in the United States and internationally, we offer the worlds largest distribution network for frozen donor eggs. The FEB commitment to quality leads to exceptional success rates. Every FEB donor is recruited and screened by experienced FEB staff. Our scientific team implements the most stringent quality control standards in the industry so that patients can trust that their FEB eggs will yield the best outcomes. We take pride in providing intended parents with compassionate care and options to help build their families. FEB is a proud supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community. Visit fairfaxeggbank.com or call 888.352.5577 to learn more about building your family with Fairfax EggBank. About Shady Grove Fertility (SGF) SGF is a leading fertility and IVF center of excellence with more than 100,000 babies born from 30+ years of continuous innovation and patient-centered fertility care. With 48 locations, including new locations in Texas, as well as throughout CO, FL, GA, MD, NY, PA, TX, VA, DC, and Santiago, Chile, SGF offers patients in-person and virtual physician consults, delivers individualized care, accepts most insurance plans, and makes treatment affordable through innovative financial options, including 100% refund guarantees. SGF is among the founding partner practices of US Fertility, the largest physician-owned and physician-led partnership of top-tier fertility practices in the U.S. Call 1-888-761-1967 to schedule a new patient appointment or visit ShadyGroveFertility.com for more information. ### Fast Company announces its 8th annual Fast Company Innovation Festival, taking place September 19-22 in New York City. Over the course of the week, the festivals theme of Innovation Unbound will bring together leaders, creators, inventors, founders, and artists who are turbocharging innovation in 2022 for bold conversations, hands-on workshops, and exclusive tours inside innovative companies. The Festival will also feature a variety of purposeful networking sessions to help attendees effect positive change in their careers and industries. Innovation Festival attendees will design their own agendas, selecting from a series of high-level keynote conversations and thought-provoking discussions and workshops being held at Convene (225 Liberty Street, New York, NY), where attendees can connect with the Fast Company team and each other. Also on the line-up are more than 50 Fast Tracks to choose fromoffering behind-the-scenes tours of some of the most creative companies and institutions around New York City. For the first time in Festival history, Fast Company is introducing Taste of Innovation, a one-of-a-kind culinary experience showcasing New Yorks powerhouse chefs and some of the best eats and libations in the city. Full schedule can be found here. SPEAKER HIGHLIGHTS: Judd Apatow, Director, Writer, Producer, Author, Apatow Productions Andy Bird, CEO, Pearson Jason Blum, Founder and CEO, Blumhouse Wayne Brady, Producer, Actor and Musician, and Founder, Makin It Up Productions Brittany Broski, Influencer and Comedian Ethan Brown, CEO, Beyond Meat Anthony Capuano, CEO, Marriott International Bob Carpenter, President and CEO, GS1 US Tracy Chan, SVP, Creator, Soundcloud Shavone Charles, Head of Diversity and Inclusion Communications, TikTok and Founder, Future of Creatives Ken Chenault, Partner, General Catalyst and former Chairman and CEO, American Express Brian Chesky, Cofounder and CEO, Airbnb Dr. Rumman Chowdhury, Engineering Director, Machine Learning Ethics, Twitter Jamie Lee Curtis, Actor, Producer, Author, and Activist, Comet Pictures Andrew Dailey, Cofounder, Climate Vault Ebro Darden, Global Editorial Head of Hip-Hop and R&B, Apple Music David Droga, Accenture Billy Eichner, Actor, Producer, Writer, BROS film John Foraker, Cofounder and CEO, Once Upon a Farm Amrapali Gan, CEO, OnlyFans Jennifer Garner, Cofounder and Chief Brand Officer, Once Upon a Farm Ethiopia Habtemariam, CEO, Motown Records Gabriela Hearst, Founder and Creative Director, Chloe Jeff Jones, president & CEO, H&R Block Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Chief Accessibility Officer, Microsoft Laura Miele, COO, Electronic Arts Benjamin Nazarian, CEO, Therabody Vivian Odior, Global Head of Brand, WhatsApp Penny Pritzker, Founder and Chairman of PSP Partners and former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Anthony Russo, Cofounder, AGBO, Director and Producer Dan Schulman, President and CEO, PayPal Diego Scotti, Chief Marketing Officer, Verizon Christian Smalls, President, Amazon Labor Union Mark Smucker, CEO, The J.M. Smucker Company Nada Stirratt, VP, Americas, Meta Fast Company is proud to acknowledge all 2022 Innovation Festival sponsors, representing the most innovative and forward-thinking industries, from finance and consumer technology to the metaverse, cloud computing, and more. Our partners will be activating with thought-leadership panels, custom workshops, and on-site activations. Highlights include: The Main Stage Presented by Capital One will feature more than a dozen editorial sessions with the biggest names in technology, business, media, and beyond. Attendees will hear directly from innovators and leaders who are changing the world. Capital One will also host the Opening Night Festival Party on Tuesday, September 20, plus custom sessions on the future of travel, and how to deliver more meaningful customer experiences, and a workshop on how to inspire and reimagine innovation. Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) will lead a thought-provoking session on sustainability and the future of solar energy. The state is fourth in the nation for solar growth and will share the impact this is having on energy consumption, the environment, businesses, and people. Innovation Festival attendees will also network, connect, and refresh at IEDCs Mix and Mingle cocktail hour on Wednesday, September 21. Lenovo will host an in-depth discussion featuring renowned business leaders and a futurist as they highlight the innovations that will disrupt the business and consumer worlds. In addition, Lenovo will lead a compelling session examining the work-from-anywhere future, and how innovations like foldable technologies will enhance how organizations and employees operate. Altair will offer a look into how innovation thrives when companies unite, by looking beyond the innovations organizations develop in-house and seek external best-in-class solutions to accelerate innovation. FIS will dive into the future of fintech and embedded finance platforms through the dynamic people who are creating it. GS1 US will explore how innovation along with collective action can build more sustainable supply chains that better serve businesses, consumers, and our planet. IBM will host sessions about innovating at the core of the enterprise and how companies are taking advantage of industry clouds in a hybrid world to unleash business value. IPG will lead an engaging panel on how brands can make the shift from marketing at and to people to marketing with and for themby leveraging data and technology more intelligently. Through discussion and live demonstration, Loop Media will put a spotlight on the companies utilizing new, future-forward rewards initiatives to drive business and loyalty. Meta will host a workshop led by experts from Metas Creative Shop on getting started in Augmented Reality and convene a dynamic panel discussion that will address why the metaverse is here, and why its here to stay. Meta will also host a virtual reality experience for all Festival attendees. In an enlightening panel conversation, Skillsoft will explore how investing in talent and developing leaders pays dividends in communities and beyond, with compound returns. Convene is the venue partner for the 2022 Innovation Festival, and will lead a panel discussion on business innovative strategies to be agile and resilient by building cultures that support their teams. TICKETS For more information including programming and speakers, click here. ABOUT FAST COMPANY Fast Company is one of the worlds leading business media brands, with an editorial focus on creativity and innovation in technology, ethical economics, leadership, and design. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with its sister publication Inc., and can be found online at fastcompany.com. events.fastcompany.com/innovationfestival22 | #FCFESTIVAL| @fastcompany El Local Logo Compass team, The Local Real Estate Group, today has unveiled El Local, a new division dedicated to better serve the real estate needs of Los Angeles Spanish-speaking communities. Spearheaded by Edith Reyna, a 23-year real estate veteran and Mexican native, El Local was created to help the Hispanic and Latino community through every step of the real estate process in an effort to further increase homeownership rates and support the creation of generational wealth for a historically underserved segment of the population. This is a demographic that has been grossly underserved by subpar brokers and agents alike, said Kurt Wisner, real estate principal and founder of parent group, The Local. Throughout the years, Hispanic and Latino communities have had limited access to the latest information, financing options, best-in-class technology and many more differentiating factors that are necessary to win in a competitive housing market. In partnering with Compass, El Local is able to offer clients unparalleled support coupled with strong business ethics, strategic thinking and latest in cutting-edge real estate technology designed to help the Spanish-speaking communities achieve the dream of homeownership. The launch of El Local comes at a time when California continues to battle a state-wide housing crisis while combating the residual effects of the global pandemic, one that continues to disproportionately affect the Hispanic and Latino communities. Now more than ever, this demographic requires an elevated level of attention and thoughtful guidance towards a path to prosperity. As part of The Local Real Estate Group, El Local will work alongside a 16-person team of agents and support personnel that last year recorded nearly $200M in sales, from entry-level condos to multimillion-dollar mansions. Upon launch, El Locals dedicated Spanish-speaking team will aim to provide services that include supporting identifying appropriate financing options, premier marketing, staging and design services, educational seminars, and more. People of color have have often faced discrimination when pursuing homeownership, said Reyna. Ive seen many challenges throughout the loan process, appraisal process and more all extremely important factors that lead to increasing a familys financial stability for generations to come. I look forward to championing my community through the efforts of El Local and delivering tailored solutions meticulously designed to empower Los Angeles Hispanic and Spanish-speaking home buyers and sellers. On Saturday October 1, 2022 at 11:00am PST, El Local will be hosting a complimentary informational webinar in partnership with locally based mortgage professionals, WeFundLA. This event will serve as an introduction to El Local, led by Edith Reyna and The Local founder Kurt Wisner and will discuss today's state of the market, projections for the remainder of the year, tips for home buyers and sellers looking to get into the market, and more. A Q&A portion will also be available at the end of the event. To register, attendees can register for free here. For additional information on El Local and the services provided, please visit ellocalbr.com. Events: Event Title: El Local Gran Inauguracion 9/15 @4:30pm-6:30pm Language: Spanish (Todos son invitados) Contact information: Clarissa Reyna 323.667.0700 Event Title: El Local Seminario Virtual 10/1 @11am-12pm Language: Spanish (Todos son invitados - hablamos Ingles tambien) Contact information: Clarissa Reyna 323.667.0700 or Sign Up Here El Local Presenta un Seminario Virtual Gratis sobre el Estado del Mercado de Bienes y Raices El 1 de Octubre de 2022 a las 11:00 a.m. PST, El Local organizara un Seminario Virtual Gratis gratis en asociacion con profesionales locales, WeFundLA. Este evento servira como una introduccion a El Local, alojado por Edith Reyna y el lider de The Local, Kurt Wisner, y hablar sobre el estado del mercado, las proyecciones para el resto del ano, consejos para compradores y vendedores de viviendas que buscan ingresar al mercado. , y mas. Una parte de preguntas y respuestas tambien estara disponible al final del evento. Para registrarse, pueden hacer click aqui. ABOUT EL LOCAL Sitting within The Local Real Estate Group at Compass, El Local is a dedicated division created to service the unique needs of Los Angeles Spanish-speaking community. Having been an integral part of Northeast Los Angeles neighborhoods for many years, El Local holds true to its name. Living and working in the areas we serve and led by our very own Hispanic leaders, we believe El Local is perfectly suited to assist the Latino and Hispanic communities with all its real estate needs. ABOUT THE LOCAL REAL ESTATE GROUP The Local Real Estate Group is a full-service real estate group specializing in Northeast L.A. neighborhoods. The name reflects the firms deep and historic community ties as well as its team of 13 agents who live and work in the neighborhoods it serves. Were more than just experts, were locals, said founder Kurt Wisner. And whether youre buying or selling a house, or just gathering information, you deserve The Local treatment. Alliance of Channel Women Presents First Leadership Achievement Award "ACW is honoring Angie Tocco for her dedication and leadership in bringing the channel together to champion unsung local heroes and make a real impact in our communities." Alliance of Channel Women, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of female channel leaders in technology, presented its inaugural ACW Leadership Achievement Award to Angie Tocco, Co-Founder and Past President of Telecom for Change. Since its inception, the nonprofit has brought the technology channel together to raise more than $1.25 million for grassroots community groups. ACW presented the ACW Leadership Achievement award during the ACWConnect Live! event themed "The Leader in You," held on September 14, 2022, as part of the MSP Summit and Channel Partners Leadership Summit at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando. "ACW is honoring Angie Tocco for her dedication and leadership in bringing the channel together to champion unsung local heroes and make a real impact in our communities," said ACW President Cassie Jeppson, Director of North America Channel Programs, Lenovo. "What's more, she led this effort while growing a top-performing telecom agency to a successful sale. Angie is an inspiring channel leader both in business and philanthropy. Her commitment to making the world a better place legacy worth recognizing and supporting." Tocco is a 35-year-veteran of the telecom industry and the co-founder of LanYap Networks, which was acquired in 2021 by UPSTACK, where she now serves as Partner and Managing Director. Before forming LanYap Networks in 2011, she served as Regional Sales Director at Mitel, Agency Manager at Inter-Tel Network Services and Telcom Director at G.E. Capital, among others. Tocco also is a member of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council and a former board member of Gabriel's Angels, which provides therapy dogs to at-risk children. Tocco was among the first recipients of the ACW LEAD Award for Exceptional Female Channel Leaders in 2017. This year, she was honored by ACW for her leadership and vision in co-founding and leading Telecom for Change as its President until her retirement from the nonprofit in 2022. Along with her business partner, Laura Dashney, Partner and Managing Director at UPSTACK, Tocco recognized an opportunity for technology suppliers and channel partners to work together to raise funds for grassroots charities that are often underfunded. That idea was realized in 2014 when the two women founded Telecom for Change, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that leverages event-based fundraising to provide game-changing donations that go directly to causes rather than administrative costs. "Angie co-founded Telecom for Change to support nonprofit organizations that are doing real work in their communities but may be overlooked by funders," said Brad Dupee. He succeeds Tocco as President of Telecom for Change and serves as Head of Channel Development at Granite. "Since its beginnings, Telecom for Change has thrived under Angie's leadership and vision. We owe her a debt of gratitude for seeing what's possible when the channel comes together for good." Tocco continues to support Telecom for Change as a member of its Advisory Board and a lifetime Board Member. About the Alliance of Channel Women Founded in 2010, the Alliance of Channel Women is a not-for-profit organization for women in the indirect sales channel of the telecom and IT industry. The Alliance of Channel Women brings us together to empower and advance women's careers and leadership roles in the technology channel through education, community, advocacy and opportunities for personal growth. To learn more and to become a member, please visit http://www.allianceofchannelwomen.org. But Santa Says Im Good: a helpful resource for helping young children begin to learn about Jesus. But Santa Says Im Good is the creation of published author Ben Kucenski, who lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with his daughter and her hamster, Elsa. Kucenski shares, One of the challenges of raising Christian children is broaching the topic of sin which too easily slips into feelings of shame or pointing at what their siblings or classmates are doing wrong. What is important is having a loving conversation to help them be aware of how sin is all around us, but so are people who want to help them learn to let their light shine. A favorite Christmas story is of course Santa who gives presents to all the good little children. Talking to children about sin can be difficult when Santa is telling them that being good is necessary to get presents. Santa says theyre good. This isnt a book about someone else. This is a book that guides you, and the children you read with, through a conversation weaving the line from Santa to the Savior. I hope this book serves you well with the children you shepherd, to start the conversation about their Savior and what Christmas and the resurrection are really about. Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Ben Kucenskis new book will delight the imagination and encourage young readers to explore their faith. Kucenski shares in hopes of aiding parents and guardians in their efforts to raise morally conscious believers in Christ. Consumers can purchase But Santa Says Im Good at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about But Santa Says Im Good, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. Unseen War: an impactful examination of how evil forces attempt to manifest in the world and beyond. Unseen War is the creation of published author Bob White, a civil engineer in the field of Water Resources. White holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida, where he graduated with honors, and a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering (Water and Wastewater Engineering) from the University of Colorado. White shares, In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth is familiar to most as the first verse in the Bible. It describes the beginning of Gods creation. It could be argued that first He created the angels and other beings that inhabited the third heaven with Him. But there is no argument among theologians that the angelic host was indeed created. The author sets forth the firstborn of that creation as Helel ben Shachar, which translates as Shining One, son of the dawn (or son of the Light). It is here between the Light (Jesus) and Helel ben Shachar (ultimately Lucifer) that the conflict of conflicts arises. It is some of the particulars thereof wherein the author believes that some of the mysteries of the universe and thus the Bible can be found. In the Unseen War, the author digs in depth into the questions of what has caused the constant war, strife, and destruction on the planet Earth and throughout the solar system and Galaxy. Why is there such a dichotomy between the things that science bears witness to and what the Bible bears witness to? Could there be some mistranslation on both sides? As an engineer, he takes a scientific view of the planet, solar system, and the universe and puts great stock in scientific discovery. But as a Christian, he believes that the Bible is not only factual but inherently and infallibly factual. The Unseen War, as discussed in this book, as it spans the eons, the ages, and space, relates to the great mysteries of the faith. Many of them can be found there, in that conflict, which is yet to end. Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Bob Whites new book will challenge and encourage readers in their understanding of Gods word. Whites background in the sciences and passion for biblical study are apparent within the pages of this engaging study. Consumers can purchase Unseen War at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about Unseen War, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. International Congress of Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorders Forward flexion of the cervical spine was measured throughout the study in all 46 participants and found to significantly improve in the group that participated in the sport climbing. Sport climbing in patients with mild to moderate Parkinsons disease (PD) resulted in improved posture, according to a study released today at the International Congress of Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorders in Madrid, Spain. Patients with PD often have a stooped posture due to forward flexion of the trunk. This 12-week study performed in Vienna, Austria, looked at changes in posture in patients with PD who participated in sport climbing verses those who did unsupervised activity of their choice. Climbing sessions were supervised and totaled 90 minutes per week. Participants in the study did not have prior climbing experience. Forward flexion of the cervical spine was measured throughout the study in all 46 participants and found to significantly improve in the group that participated in the sport climbing. (Langer et al.,2022) Prof. Michele Tinazzi, Professor of Neurology at University of Verona, commented, "The authors demonstrated that sport climbing significantly decreases forward flexion of the cervical spine in PD patients and concluded that this study provides strong evidence that sport climbing improves stooped posture in mild to moderate Parkinson disease. Stooped posture is often seen in PD patients and is characterized by mild anterior trunk flexion of the trunk and of the neck with mild hip and knee flexion. Very recently, an MDS task-force consensus on nosology and cut-off for axial postural abnormalities (Tinazzi et al. Mov Dis Clin Pract 2022) found a full agreement for the following terms and cut-offs: camptocormia, with thoracic fulcrum (>45) or lumbar fulcrum (>30), antecollis (>45); anterior trunk flexion, with thoracic (25to 45) or lumbar fulcrum (>15to 30), and anterior neck flexion (>35 to 45) were chosen for milder postural abnormalities. Prof. Tinazzi continues, In the present study, the authors did not define the anterior trunk or neck flexion using this validated approach but using the distance (in cm) of the seventh cervical vertebra (C7) sagittal vertical axis (C7SVA) from the wall was defined when standing upright against a wall. This approach is not adequate to really detect the above anteroflexion postural abnormalities. Notwithstanding this limitation, the present study and the previous one of the same group suggests that sport climbing improves motor symptoms and possibly also the stooped posture in PD. Future ad hoc studies in PD patients with different anteroflexion postural abnormalities and different degrees using the validated software-based measurements are needed to confirm these important preliminary results. View full abstract text: http://www.mdsabstracts.org Reference # 739 *View all 6 of today's breaking International Congress research news releases: https://www.movementdisorders.org/MDS/News/Newsroom.htm # # # About the 2022 MDS International Congress of Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorders: The MDS International Congress is the premier annual event to advance the clinical and scientific discipline of Movement Disorders, including Parkinsons disease. Convening thousands of leading clinicians, scientists and other health professionals from around the globe, the International Congress will introduce more than 1,500 original scientific abstracts and provide a forum for education and collaboration on latest research findings and state-of-the-art treatment options. About the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society: The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS), an international society of over 11,000 clinicians, scientists, and other healthcare professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. For more information about MDS, visit http://www.movementdisorders.org. REFERENCES Langer, A. et al. (2022, September 15). Climb up! Head up! Climbing Improves Posture in Parkinsons Disease. A randomised controlled trial [abstract]. In: Movement Disorders journal online supplement; International Congress of Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.mdsabstracts.org/, Reference #739. Customers in the Waukesha, Wisconsin Area Can Get Synthetic Oil and Filter Change at a Reasonable Price It is essential to change the engine oil regularly in a vehicle to ensure a seamless and hassle-free driving experience. Like any other maintenance fluid, the engine oil also reduces its quality over time. A poor engine oil quality eventually will lead to the engine overheating, causing adverse damage to the internal components and leading to expensive repairs. The vehicles manufacturer provides guidelines for the oil grade suitable for any specific model. If the consumer has any questions, they can always ask a service professional at the Boucher Nissan of Waukesha dealership. Vehicle owners looking for a high-quality synthetic oil and filter replacement can visit Boucher Nissan of Waukesha, a vehicle dealership in Waukesha, Wisconsin. At a price of $69.95, the Boucher Nissan of Waukesha dealership provides the following services: Tire Rotation Brake Inspection Battery Test Car Wash Multi-Point Inspection Synthetic Blend Oil & Filter Change (up to six quarts) Drivers interested in taking advantage of this offer can schedule a service appointment on the dealerships official website. Also, latest Nissan models are available in the extensive inventory of new vehicles at Boucher Nissan of Waukesha. Customers can contact Boucher Nissan of Waukesha by dialing (262) 254-4003 or visiting the dealership at 1451 E Moreland Boulevard in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Coming Full Circle: an engaging and empowering message of faith. Coming Full Circle is the creation of published author Dave Zimmerman, who grew up in Wisconsin and now lives in a suburb of Milwaukee with his wife, Peggy. He has ten children, thirty grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Zimmerman is the author of over thirty books covering topics on sports, business, and life. Now retired from owning his own healthcare consulting business, he has been writing professionally for the past thirty years. Zimmerman shares, Jack OBrien, like so many of us, is searching for answers for the meaning of life, wondering, Why am I here? Why is life so difficult? What is my purpose? As he gets caught up in the misery of circumstances outside his control and is struggling with life, he encounters people who will shake him to his core. Unexplained circumstances will lead him to shift his perspective on life and the things that have happened to him. Coming full circle is a culmination of being at the right place at the right time to change the entire trajectory of your life. When you let God and other people in, great transformations can happen. Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Dave Zimmermans new book provides readers with a relatable protagonist on an unexpected crash course of life, love, and faith. Zimmerman builds an engaging narrative that is certain to resonate with many who have found themselves at a crossroads of faith. Consumers can purchase Coming Full Circle at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about Coming Full Circle, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. Morrison Foerster, a leading global law firm, is pleased to announce the arrival of Deborah (Deb) Connor as a partner in the firms Litigation Department, based in Washington, D.C. and focusing on anti-money laundering and Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) matters. Connor brings to Morrison Foerster over 25 years of combined experience as a criminal prosecutor for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Criminal Division and United States Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia, specializing in anti-money laundering enforcement, investigations, compliance, and complex white-collar criminal cases. She is the ninth partner to join the firms Litigation Department since the start of 2022. Connor joins Morrison Foerster from the DOJ, where she was Chief of the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS). In this role, Connor led seven units and 160 professionals, and oversaw a diverse portfolio of investigative matters, including prosecutions against traditional and nonbank financial institutions for Bank Secrecy Act, economic sanctions, and other violations; matters involving digital currency and financial technology companies; kleptocracy cases seeking to recover stolen proceeds from international corruption; and transnational criminal organizations engaged in organized crime, human trafficking, narcotics, and money laundering. Connor previously spent 16 years in the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia, holding several prominent roles including serving as Chief of the Fraud and Public Corruption Section, where she led the offices largest federal prosecution section focused on public corruption criminal cases, including violations of the BSA and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), securities fraud, healthcare fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy, as well as referrals from Congress. She also served as Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, where she advised the Assistant Attorney General, the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, and Deputy Assistant Attorneys General on a wide variety of criminal matters. Before that, she served as Deputy Chief and Asset Forfeiture Unit Chief of the Federal Major Crimes Section, Deputy Chief of the Felony Major Crimes Section of the Superior Court Division, and as Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) for the Superior Court Division. Deb is a highly accomplished white-collar prosecutor who brings specialized Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering experience with deep insights into government expectations for Know Your Customer compliance and cryptocurrency enforcement to the firm, making her a tremendous addition for our clients, said Morrison Foersters Litigation Department Co-Chair Christine Wong. Debs years of experience and in-depth subject matter knowledge are synergistic with several of the firms successful practices, including our FCPA, National Security/Sanctions, and Banking and FinTech practices. With Connors arrival, Morrison Foerster has added 17 partners to its global Litigation Department since the start of 2021, including nine since the start of 2022. The firm has also significantly expanded its investigations and white-collar defense bench in the same period, including with the additions of former senior government officials Adam Braverman, Katherine Driscoll, William Frentzen, Edward Imperatore, Brian Kidd, Nathaniel Mendell, Brian Michael, Nathan Reilly, Peter Skinner, and Brandon Van Grack. I am excited to be part of the phenomenal growth of MoFo's investigations and white-collar defense practice. I look forward to working alongside the firm's unmatched bench of corporate compliance and investigation attorneys, many of whom I have known and respected for years, said Connor. After 25 years in government, I am delighted to join MoFos team as we help clients navigate today's challenging and complex Anti-Money Laundering/Bank Secrecy Act environment across many financial sectors, both traditional and in emerging technologies. Earlier in her career, Connor was a trial attorney in the Computers and Finance Section of DOJs Antitrust Division. Over the span of her legal career, Connor has been recognized for her service, including being presented with the Assistant Attorney Generals Exceptional Service Award and Distinguished Service Award, and the United States Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia Star Award. She is a frequent speaker on issues pertaining to white collar crime and anti-money laundering enforcement and investigations. Connor earned her B.A. in English and Political Science from Miami University of Ohio and her J.D. cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center. She is admitted to practice in Virginia and the District of Columbia. ABOUT MORRISON FOERSTER Morrison Foerster is a leading global law firm that transforms complexity into advantage for its clients. Our clients include some of the largest financial institutions, banks, consulting and accounting firms, and Fortune 100, technology, and life sciences companies. Highlighting the firms commitment to client service, leadership in market-changing deals and impact litigation, and values-based culture, Morrison Foerster was recognized as one of the top 10 firms on The American Lawyers 2021 and 2022 A-List. Year after year, the firm receives significant recognition from Chambers and The Legal 500 across their various guides, including Global, USA, Asia-Pacific, Europe, UK, Latin America, and FinTech Legal. Our lawyers passionately care about delivering legal excellence while living our values. Morrison Foerster has a long-standing commitment to creating a culture that respects and celebrates differences, while providing an inclusive environment. The firm has achieved Mansfield Certification Plus since 2018 as a result of successfully reaching at least 30 percent women, communities of color, and LGBTQ+ lawyer representation in a notable number of current leadership roles and committees. The firm also has a long history of commitment to the community and society through providing pro bono legal services, including litigating for civil rights and civil liberties, improving public education and fostering the wellbeing of children, advocating for veterans, promoting international human rights, enforcing the right to asylum, and safeguarding the environment. It is an honor to be recognized with this award. Providing my patients with the very best in compassionate, personalized medical care is always my goal, says Dr. David Yamini. Dr. David P. Yamini has been selected as a 2022 Top Patient Rated Santa Monica and Beverly Hills Gastroenterologist as a result of five-star ratings and exceptional online reviews from his patients. Find Local Doctors is a user-friendly online directory, that helps consumers connect with skilled physicians in their area. Dr. Yamini believes that each patient requires attentive, personalized, compassionate and comprehensive digestive healthcare, and in return, has many satisfied patients. He brings extensive knowledge to his field and specializes in gastroenterological medical disorders that affect the small intestine, stomach, esophagus, gallbladder, liver and pancreas, including inflammatory bowel disease (Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis), indigestion (dyspepsia), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Dr. David Yamini performs a wide variety of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and has a special interest in diseases of the digestive tract, biliary system, liver and pancreas, with proficiency in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). He believes in delivering his patients' unparalleled gastroenterological care. Beyond his clinical expertise, Dr. Yamini also values the importance of providing quality patient services that improve convenience and affordability. It is an honor to be recognized with this award. Providing my patients with the very best in compassionate, personalized medical care is always my goal, says Dr. David Yamini. More about Dr. David Yamini: Dr. David Yamini received his medical degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He then completed three years of internal medicine residency training at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, followed by three years of fellowship training in the Department of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases at Loma Linda Medical Center. Dr. Yamini is an active member of the American College of Gastroenterology, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the American Gastroenterological Association. His offices are located at 2001 Santa Monica Boulevard #1286 in Santa Monica, CA, and at 8920 Wilshire Blvd, Ste. 310 in Beverly Hills, CA. To schedule an appointment or for more information, please visit http://www.davidyaminimd.com, or to reach his Santa Monica clinic call (310) 285-2005 or contact the Beverly Hills office at (310) 953-3550. AxioMed's Patent To Add Wireless Sensors issued in 2020 The patent provided a sensing artificial disc core having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one sidewall: at least one sensor disposed in or on the resilient core and a wireless transmitter configured to transmit signal representative of a sensed condition On September 29, 2017, Dr. Kingsley R Chin and engineers working at KICVentures Group quietly submitted their patent application to add remote sensing capabilities to their AxioMed viscoelastic total disc replacement. On September 8, 2020 they were awarded patent # US 10,765,527 B2. This was a seismic accomplishment since it means AxioMed can now be marketed as a smart device with an integrated sensor that can communicate with an external device to report and store data such as spinal motion, track forces, disc function and any physiologic condition programmed within the sensor. Market Research Future (MRFR) estimated the smart medical devices market to reach $23.50 billion by 2027 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.5 percent. Smart medical devices are game changing inventions at the forefront of digital healthcare providing life changing information that leads to diagnoses and treatments. Smart devices are wireless linked to smartphones making the patient and doctor more connected and able to store and retrieve data seamlessly. A data sensing circuit on the AxioMed disc adds to the other desirable and unique features such as multiple lordotic angles and the compressibility of the viscoelastic core, says Vito Lore, VP of Innovations at KICVentures. In a recent publication in Beckers healthcare (Implantable sensors, advanced navigation could be next step for disc replacement) Dr. Michael Goldsmith was quoted as saying, the next step with TDR will be to integrate sensors in the implant that can communicate motion, wear and possible loosening. This information will help alert the patient and the surgeon at an early stage when there may be a problem that warrants a visit to the surgeon. Another surgeon Dr. Adam Kanter stated, what I would really love is if the implant was able to communicate its movement and mechanistic 'health' through bluetooth or some other wireless/imageless mechanism. The patent provided a sensing artificial disc core having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one sidewall: at least one sensor disposed in or on the resilient core and a wireless transmitter configured to transmit signal representative of a sensed condition. The disc can include at least one mechanism configured to control, influence, or alter conditions of the resilient core. Our intuition told us the future will require the world to have more smart wireless devices with artificial intelligence (AI) so we moved quickly to start with AxioMed and we are grateful the US Patent Office rewarded us with this historic patent, said Dr. Kingsley R Chin, the co-inventor on the patent and a board-certified professor of orthopedics and spine surgery as well as chief executive officer of KICVentures Group who owns AxioMed LLC. We have organically built AxioMed with no institutional funding which allows us to make out-of-the-box decisions like spending the cash to invest in a wireless smart AxioMed device, said Aditya Humad, former JP Morgan Investment Banker and current CFO and Co-founder at KICVentures Group. We are interviewing CEOs with public experience. INVESTORS Series A Now open in KICVentures Group. INVESTOR@kicventures.com. About AxioMed AxioMed was founded in 2001 by surgeons at Cleveland Clinic and engineers who previously worked with Dr. Art Steffee and Acroflex viscoelastic disc replacement. The current AxioMed disc comprises of a proprietary silica-based viscoelastic material proven in extensive biomedical/biocompatible testing to mimic the human disc in all planes and 50+ years of longevity testing. The viscoelastic material is radiolucent and thus X-ray and MRI compatible. Over 800 discs have been implanted worldwide with zero failures or revisions. It is the only viscoelastic lumbar disc to complete a USA IDE clinical study with 10+ years of follow-up. http://www.AxioMed.com About KICVentures Group Our founders have been investing in spine surgery 2000 makes us the most experienced healthcare investment holding company with the largest portfolio of medical device technologies focused on solutions for less invasive outpatient spine surgery. Our investment strategy is to acquire or invent disruptive technologies using our own capital or partner with private individual investors. This allows us the freedom to make quick and nimble decisions such as when we acquired AxioMed Viscoelastic Disc Technologies while other companies invested in spinal fusion. http://www.KICVenturesGroup.com Customers in Waukesha, Wisconsin, can get a complimentary battery health check and replacement at the Boucher Hyundai dealership. A healthy vehicle battery is equally vital as every other mechanical component in the engine. It's what gives life to the engine of the vehicle. It supplies power to many other components, like the headlights, air conditioning, fuel system and other electrical elements. Over time, the battery loses power and begins to recharge improperly, eventually ending its life cycle. After almost four years of installation, a weak battery starts to show signs of its condition by the following symptoms: Vehicle not starting as quickly as before or not starting at all. Major lighting systems such as the headlights, taillight, and high beams are not bright or are flickering. Engine check or similar warning alerts showing up on the instrument cluster. Underpowered acceleration Customers interested in a complimentary battery health check-up can head to the Boucher Hyundai dealership. If a new battery is required, the owner can also receive $10.00 off when installed by the dealer. Offer valid till Sep. 30, 2022. The Boucher Hyundai dealership is home to a wide variety of the latest Hyundai vehicles with attractive financing and trade-in deals. For more information, the dealer can be reached by dialing 262-254-6918 or customers can visit them at 1583 E. Moreland Boulevard in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Eurasia Group Announces 6th Annual GZERO Summit in Japan The summit will convene over 150 top business and policy leaders from Japan and around the world. Eurasia Group is proud to announce its 6th annual GZERO Summit, taking place on 28 September at The Capitol Hotel Tokyu. Reconvening in-person for the first time since 2019, the GZERO Summit is a forum for political and corporate thought leaders to discuss the most important issues affecting global business strategies. The summit will convene over 150 top business and policy leaders from Japan and around the worldfeaturing bespoke panels on the state of the GZERO world, Japans role within it, global trade and supply chains, market strategies in a new era of global geoeconomics, the future of sustainable investing, and innovation against the backdrop of growing geo-technology risks. Kishida Fumio, the prime minister of Japan, will kick off the summit at 9:30 am JST with video remarks, followed by Koike Yuriko, governor of Tokyo. Eurasia Groups founder and president Ian Bremmer will deliver his highly anticipated State of the World speech, which will describe how the latest geopolitical events around the globe are reshaping elections, policy priorities, and economic trends. Additional confirmed speakers at the GZERO Summit include: Hayashi Yoshimasa, minister for foreign affairs, Japan Kono Taro, minister for digital transformation, Japan Niinami Takeshi, CEO, Suntory Holdings Limited Hayashi Nobumitsu, governor, JBIC Rebecca Fatima Maria, executive director, APEC Miyazono Masataka, president, Government Pension Investment Fund Nakaso Hiroshi, chairman, Daiwa Institute of Research Ltd Kimura Koichiro, PwC Japan Group chairman Akash Shah, chief growth officer of BNY Mellon Click here for the full agenda and a complete list of speakers. Registrants can view the entire summit live and on VOD at http://www.gzerosummit.com. Bremmer will host an in-person press conference following his State of the World speech at 12 pm JST. Registered journalists will be able to ask questions about his speech and other geopolitical matters. For Journalists: To register and attend the summit in person and/or request access to the live stream, please email media@eurasiagroup.net. The 2022 GZERO Summit in Japan is supported by PwC, BNY Mellon, Keidanren, Keizai Doyukai, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. *** About Eurasia Group: Eurasia Group is the world's leading global political risk research and consulting firm. By providing information and insight on how political developments move markets, we help clients anticipate and respond to instability and opportunities everywhere they invest or do business. Our expertise includes developed and developing countries in every region of the world, specific economic sectors, and the business and investment playing fields of the future. With our best-in-class advisory and consulting offerings and GZERO Media, the Eurasia Group umbrella provides the marketplace with a complete political risk solution. Headquartered in New York, we have offices in Washington, London, San Francisco, Brasilia, Sao Paulo, Singapore, and Tokyo, as well as on-the-ground experts and resources in more than a hundred countries. "Politics first grounds our work: Politics is the lens through which we view the world, and we are committed to analysis that is free of political bias and the influence of private interests. Media enquiries Katharine Starr Associate Director of Communications Eurasia Group / GZERO Media media@eurasiagroup.net Gospel Poetics: A Way into Your Soul with Poetry, Prayer and The Lord Jesus: a spiritually inspiring examination of St. Matthews Gospel. Gospel Poetics: A Way into Your Soul with Poetry, Prayer and The Lord Jesus is the creation of published author Frederick Preston Annie, who was born on a small family farm near Coal Mountain, West Virginia. Annie has been a student of architecture, literature, and theology and has served as a Catholic priest for over forty years. In 2006, he was named a Prelate of Honor by Pope Benedict XVI. He is now retired and resides in Charleston, West Virginia. Annie shares, This book of poetry is an opportunity to search for meaning in the Gospel of St. Matthew and a way to explore your soul. St. Mathews Gospel is a rich and fertile field producing abundant insights into life and the human condition. These poems cultivate this wisdom and translate it into poetry, amplifying its meaning and adding contemporary context and color. Once engaged in the poetic, the reader is offered additional insights generated by their own excited imagination. To aid the imagination, I have added an original abstract painting to each poem to enhance the experience. This experience of the Holy can be a path into the soul. Deep at the bottom of each of us is that spark of eternity that can only be ignited by the gift of faith. It is my hope that these poems will encourage the reader to examine that divine mystery that is planted deep within us by the very Word of God. Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Frederick Preston Annies new book will uplift and encourage readers in their faith while offering a fresh experience with the Gospel of St. Matthew. Annie draws from a lifetime of biblical study and prayer to bring readers an encouraging message of fulfillment found within faith. Consumers can purchase Gospel Poetics: A Way into Your Soul with Poetry, Prayer and The Lord Jesus at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about Gospel Poetics: A Way into Your Soul with Poetry, Prayer and The Lord Jesus, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLPs Bradley R. Marsh, co-managing shareholder of the San Francisco office and co-chair of the U.S. State and Local Tax Practice, Orange County Shareholders Colin W. Fraser and Cris K. ONeall, and Los Angeles Associate Ruben Sislyan will speak at the Council on State Taxation 2022 Property Tax Workshop Sept. 13-15 in Denver, Colorado. On Sept. 14, Fraser will speak on a panel titled Show Time! Mock Property Tax Dispute Resolution at 8:30 a.m., ONeall will speak on a panel titled California A Property Tax Nation unto Itself at 11:35 a.m., Sislyan will speak on a panel titled Recent Developments That Will Help You Exclude Intangible Assets from Assessments at 11:35 a.m. and Marsh will speak on a panel titled Special Taxes/Fees Associated with Property Taxes Sept 15 at noon. This workshop will cover the latest property tax issues and trends, including a review of recent developments in property tax legislation and litigation throughout the United States. Fraser is a commercial litigator with experience in virtually all phases of litigation in federal and state courts, and in arbitration and mediation, with a principal focus on complex matters. He is experienced in managing cases at the trial court level, including nearly all aspects of discovery, motion practice, and trial. He also has experience prosecuting appeals before the Ninth Circuit and the California Court of Appeal. Fraser also represents clients before legislative and regulatory bodies at the local and state levels. Marsh focuses his practice on tax controversy matters, including property, sales, payroll, business license, employment, franchise, parcel, district, documentary transfer, transient occupancy, utility user, income, parking, gift, and estate taxes. He represents clients in audits, litigation, and administrative hearings, as well as analyzing transactions and business models, and developing strategies for legislative resolutions. ONeall focuses his practice on ad valorem property tax and assessment counseling and litigation (appeal hearings and trials). For over 30 years, he has represented a variety of California taxpayers in equalization proceedings before county assessment appeals boards, the State Board of Equalization, the Superior Court, the California Court of Appeal, and the California Supreme Court. Sislyan focuses his practice on California state and local tax controversies at the audit, administrative, and judicial levels. He has broad experience representing Fortune 500 and middle-market companies, closely held businesses, startups, families, and individuals in a wide range of state and local taxes, including corporate franchise/income, personal income, sales and use, property, tobacco, and gross receipts and other local taxes. About Greenberg Traurig's Tax Practice: To stay competitive in today's global marketplace, international companies must seek out greater efficiency in their tax planning and compliance, including coordinating tax decisions from country to country. For U.S. operations, an environment of increased scrutiny including passage of more restrictive legislation and a spike in audit activity at every level is quickly becoming the norm, likewise spurring a need for greater self-evaluation and for more frequent representation in controversies and litigation with tax authorities. Greenberg Traurigs multidisciplinary tax team works closely with clients to address these and other tax planning needs, as well as tax controversies and litigation issues. About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP has more than 2500 attorneys in 43 locations in the United States, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. The firm reported gross revenue of over $2 Billion for FY 2021 and is consistently among the top firms on the Am Law 100, Am Law Global 100, and NLJ 250. On the debut 2022 Law360 Pulse Leaderboard, it is a Top 15 firm. Greenberg Traurig is Mansfield Rule 4.0 Certified Plus by The Diversity Lab and the Center for Resource Solutions Green-e Energy program certifies that the firms U.S. offices are 100% powered by renewable energy. The firm is often recognized for its focus on philanthropic giving, innovation, diversity, and pro bono. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com. blockchain consulting for renewable energy The inherent blockchain traits of immutability and real-time visibility across the network are invaluable across organizations for increasing productivity. Global blockchain development company HashCash Consultants announced its upcoming venture in Finland. The US-based company will collaborate with a key enterprise in Finland's energy sector, offering its expertise in blockchain technology in setting up a renewable energy marketplace. In less than 15 years since its inception, blockchain has emerged as one of the most disruptive technologies in the present scenario. The underlying architecture behind cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin can optimize and streamline workflow in all areas where documentation of data or asset transactions is necessary. HashCash CEO and noted blockchain pioneer Raj Chowdhury states, "The inherent blockchain traits of immutability and real-time visibility across the network are invaluable across organizations for increasing productivity." The renewable energy sector has made exemplary progress in the past two decades propelled by environmental concerns and global warming. It amounts to over 38% of Norway's total energy generation, with hydroelectric power being the main contributor. "Blockchain is gaining momentum maximizing productivity, enhancing security, and facilitating transactions in peer-to-peer decentralized energy marketplaces. The latest foray will solidify our position as a frontrunner in facilitating energy transactions, concluded Chowdhury, who had previously spoken on blockchain's potential in patent claims database management and education systems. HashCash has won multiple awards and recognition for its blockchain expertise. The firm has deployed products and solutions in more than 26 countries including the US, Ireland, and Vietnam. Hashcash's blockchain-powered HC Remit is finding increased uses in cross-border remittance across banks and forex institutions. Businesses around the world are harnessing the power of blockchain to increase efficiency while cutting unnecessary intermediary costs. In areas of R&D and innovation, blockchain is helping enterprises set up efficient infrastructure streamlining the entire workflow for maximum results. About HashCash Consultants: Hashcash is a global software company. HashCash Blockchain products enable enterprises to move assets and settle payments across borders in real-time for Remittances, Trade Finance, Payment Processing, and more. HashCash runs a US-based digital asset exchange, PayBito & digital asset payment processor, BillBitcoins. HashCash offers exchange and payment processor software solutions, ICO services, and customized use cases. HashCash propels advancement in technology through Blockchain1o1 programs and its investment arm, Satoshi Angels. HashCash offers solutions in AI, Big Data, and IoT through its platforms, products & services. HashCash solves the toughest challenges by executing innovative digital transformation strategies for clients around the world. Henry County Water Authority joins Bidnet Directs Georgia Purchasing Group Henry County Water Authority invites all potential vendors to register online. In an attempt to attract a more diverse and comprehensive group of potential vendors and suppliers for providing it with goods and services, the Henry County Water Authority (HCWA) has joined the Georgia Purchasing Group a regional purchasing group that helps local governments and authorities post, distribute, and manage Requests for Proposals (RFPs), quotes, addendums and bid awards online. Bidnet Directs Georgia Purchasing Group provides notification to registered vendors of new, relevant bids and solicitations, as well as any addenda and award information, from the 22 participating agencies from across Georgia a list that now includes the HCWA. According to HCWA officials, the Authority welcomes all potential vendors to register online at http://www.bidnetdirect.com/georgia/henrycountywaterauthority for better access to upcoming opportunities for doing business with the utility and other public entities in Georgia. Since joining the Georgia Purchasing Group this spring, the HCWA has become one of the latest participating local government agencies utilizing this system to streamline purchasing. The Georgia Purchasing Group is a single, online location for managing sourcing information and activities, while providing local governments, authorities, and agencies in Georgia a method to minimize costs and time delays associated with the procurement process. The HCWA now has access to an extensive, expanded vendor pool, thereby enhancing competition without increasing distribution costs. The Georgia Purchasing Group offers a value-added service to notify vendors of new bids targeting their industry, all addenda associated with those bids, and advance notice of term contract expiration. A robust National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) code category list allows registered vendors the ability to find correct, relevant codes and receive matched opportunities to bid. By using the Georgia Purchasing Group, our valued vendors can now access not only our open bids, but those from other municipalities, counties and school districts throughout the state, says Jeff Allen, HCWA Purchasing and Inventory Manager. In addition to the time savings we anticipate, our vendors also will benefit from registering in one location for access to all local bid opportunities. We invite all our current vendors to register. In addition to joining Bidnet Directs Georgia Purchasing Group, the HCWA hosted a Summer Supplier Conference in June to recruit additional local vendors to the fold. Furthermore, last year the HCWA Board of Directors adopted three resolutions specifically targeting locally based small businesses in and around Henry County. Those initiatives included the (1) Local Sheltered Market Program (LSMP), the (2) Suppler Inclusion Program (SIP), and the (3) Local Business Preference Program (LBPP). The LSMP reserves certain contracts for goods/services for bidding by local businesses. The SIP targets diverse businesses for participating in the HCWA procurement process, including Local and Small Business Enterprises (LSE), Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (MBE), Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises (VBE), and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (WBE). Finally, the LBPP reaffirms the existing Local Business Preference Program, which was first implemented by the HCWA in 2019. Finally, HCWA officials note that the utility has benefitted greatly from its membership in the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC), which has provided a positive return on investment, says Tony Carnell, HCWA General Manager. We have seen so many benefits from our involvement in the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council, mainly from the number of diverse, highly qualified local businesses weve been able to develop a relationship with, and who may be able to do business with us, which would be mutually beneficial for the Authority and our community, says Carnell. When we can keep our dollars at home by doing business locally, as well as help current and future vendors by improving our procurement process through participation in the Georgia Purchasing Group and GMSDC and such, everybody wins. The GMSDC is the state of Georgias leading advocacy organization for small business development and supplier diversity. The Councils primary focus is simple to certify Minority Business Enterprise firms, help them prepare to engage global supply chains, and then facilitate partnerships with corporations and governments in need of their goods and services. The HCWA Summer Supplier Conference and the Authoritys participation in the Georgia Purchasing Group and GMSDC are examples of proactive marketing initiatives by the utility that are intended to expand the number of diverse vendors who may benefit from providing goods and services for the Authority, says Carnell. For more information on doing business with the HCWA, suppliers can call 678-583-2496, or register at http://www.hcwa.com/about-us/procurementforms.cms. Vendors also can go to: http://www.bidnetdirect.com/georgia/henrycountywaterauthority to benefit from the Authoritys Georgia Purchasing Group affiliation, or contact Bidnet Directs vendor support team at 800-835-4603. Media contact: Chris Wood, Ph.D. P: 770-757-1681 E: chris@jwapr.com or john.wood@gcsu.edu Bringing together two of the industrys leading image exchange providers further solidifies Intelerads commitment to helping clinicians and patients lead the revolution in imaging from a world of siloed PACS to a future of interoperable image exchange. Today, Intelerad Medical Systems, a leading global provider of enterprise imaging solutions, announced its acquisition of Life Image, one of the largest image exchange networks of curated clinical and imaging data, creating the largest medical image exchange network in the world and laying the groundwork for the elimination of costly CDs as the primary means of image transfer. As a company, Intelerad has been unwavering in backing the challenge put forth by the American College of Radiology (ACR), RSNA and SIIM to #ditchthedisk. Todays transaction reflects one of the most important steps we could imagine in reaching that vision, said Mike Lipps, Intelerad CEO. Bringing together two of the industrys leading image exchange providers further solidifies Intelerads commitment to helping clinicians and patients lead the revolution in imaging from a world of siloed PACS to a future of interoperable image exchange. Medical record interoperability has been a key component of the 21st Century Cures Act and its focus on eliminating all forms of information blocking. Radiology leaders and industry stakeholders have been champions for establishing a framework for seamless electronic image transfer in an effort to improve patient care and eliminate the burden on caregivers. By combining two of the largest image sharing networks and ensuring open access between networks, Intelerad takes a critical step in advancing access to digital health information. As an advocate for radiologys critical role in health equity, I am so encouraged by the announcement of this expanded network and its commitment to interoperability, said Dr. Geraldine McGinty, past President of the ACR. Patients and physicians alike need an easy way to share images and this is an important first step toward enabling vendors to work together as they should. Leading healthcare systems have been pushing for seamless interoperability. At our recent Enterprise Imaging Summit, interoperability of imaging data was a top concern expressed by many healthcare systems, said Adam Gale, CEO of KLAS Research, the leading healthcare research firm. As healthcare continues to evolve, the dedication to interoperability becomes critical to advancing the industry. While the future is unknown, we are hopeful this move to enhance the sharing of images will benefit all patients. With this transaction, Intelerad and Life Image serve many of the largest medical institutions in the world, including Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic and New York Presbyterian Hospital. The combined network manages over 80 billion images globally, enabling 24/7 digital image sharing from any device wherever the provider or patient may be. Together we have both worked to advance patient care and are excited to have the opportunity to bring these two leading networks together to advance interoperability, said Morris Panner, President of Intelerad and former CEO of Ambra Health, which was acquired by Intelerad in Oct 2021. As independent companies we competed, but also pioneered some of the most important cross-vendor exchanges in the industry. By combining, we are able to advance our vision and technology more rapidly and achieve our joint vision of a true nation-wide, electronic image exchange network. We are just getting started. For more information regarding the acquisition of Life Image, or Intelerads commitment to interoperability, please visit intelerad.com and follow the company on social media at @Intelerad. AGC Partners advised on this transaction. About Life Image Life Image is the worlds largest medical evidence network providing access to points of care and curated clinical and imaging data. It is the only company in the market today with Real World Imaging that provides large-scale, heterogeneous, de-identified imaging sets for research that are linkable to other longitudinal data. Founded in 2008, Life Image has created a digital platform using industry-leading interoperability standards to connect 13,000 facilities with more than 160,000 U.S. providers and 58,000 global clinics. Its network of hospitals, physicians, patients, life sciences, medical devices, and telehealth is interconnected with a technical ecosystem of EHRs, PACS, AI solutions, cloud environments, and analytics platforms. About Intelerad Intelerad is one of the leading providers of medical imaging software and services for the healthcare industry. Headquartered in Raleigh, NC and Montreal, Intelerad has over 900 employees located in offices across six countries. Nearly 2,500 healthcare organizations around the world rely on Intelerad products to manage patient data, helping them reduce time and workload while improving patient outcomes. Intelerads award-winning enterprise imaging solutions have been recognized globally by KLAS, with Intelerads Ambra Health ranked #1 for Image Exchange in the 2022 Best in KLAS: Software and Professional Services report. To learn more, visit intelerad.com. Under One Roof: Multigenerational Living and Loving: a powerful reminder of the importance of family. Under One Roof: Multigenerational Living and Loving is the creation of published author Judy Lawrence-Lamb, a loving wife and mother who has survived both breast cancer and a stroke twice. Lawrence-Lamb is a high school substitute teacher and a direct support professional for special needs children. In May 2013, she graduated from Norfolk State University alongside her son, Allen. She continued her education and earned her masters in divinity from Norfolk Theological Seminary and College in 2014. Lawrence-Lamb shares, Under One Roof was inspired by the Lawrence generation when they decided to live multigenerationally. They aged from twelve to ninety-one years old. The reason they decided to live together was to support one another, especially the seniors. There were many benefits and challenges. They would have remained together until it was time to purchase land for their family compound, but Allen received a promotion that relocated him to Georgia. Once he moved, the family agreed that the house was too big for the remaining family members, so the seniors moved to a 55+ community; and Nichole, with her family, moved within walking distance to continue supporting the seniors. This generation of people has always been resilient when it came to adjusting to change. The book is based on true happenings with a dash of imagination here and there. Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Judy Lawrence-Lambs new book is a charming tale of family bonds and dedication. Lawrence-Lambs engaging story explores the interconnectedness of humanity across the ages with a touch of imagination for young readers. Consumers can purchase Under One Roof: Multigenerational Living and Loving at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about Under One Roof: Multigenerational Living and Loving, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. If you would like to know more about the Performance Food Group lawsuit, please contact Attorney Jackland Hom today by calling (619) 255-9047. The Northern California labor law attorneys at Zakay Law Group, APLC and JCL Law Firm, APC, filed a class action complaint against Performance Food Group, Inc. (hereinafter, "Performance Good Group"), for allegedly failing to provide meal and rest breaks. The class action lawsuit, Case No. 22CV017191, is currently pending in the Alameda County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the Complaint can be read here. According to the lawsuit, Performance Food Group allegedly violated California Labor Code Sections 204, 226, 226.7, 246, 510, 512, 558, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 1198 and 2802 by failing to: (1) pay minimum wages; (2) pay overtime wages; (3) provide required meal and rest periods; (4) provide accurate itemized wage statements; and (5) reimburse for required business expenses. As a result of their rigorous work schedules, Performance Food Group's employees were allegedly unable to take off duty meal breaks and were not fully relieved of duty for meal periods. Specifically, the lawsuit alleges employees were from time to time interrupted during their off-duty meal breaks to complete tasks for Performance Food Group. Employees were allegedly required to perform work as ordered by Performance Food Group for more than five (5) hours during a shift without receiving an off-duty meal break. Further, the lawsuit alleges Performance Food Group failed to provide employees with a second off-duty meal period each workday in which these employees were required by Performance Food Group to work ten (10) hours of work. Performance Food Group's policy allegedly caused employees to remain on-call and on-duty during what was supposed to be their off-duty meal periods. Employees therefore allegedly forfeited meal breaks without additional compensation and in accordance with Performance Food Group's strict corporate policy and practice. If you would like to know more about the lawsuit, please contact Attorney Jackland Hom today by calling (619) 255-9047. Zakay Law Group, APLC and JCL Law Firm, APC are labor and employment law firms with offices located in California that dedicate their practices to fighting for employees who have been wronged by their employers due to unfair employment practices. Contact one of their attorneys today if you need help with workplace issues regarding wage and hour, wrongful termination, retaliation, discrimination, and harassment. -THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT- Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the class action lawsuit against Apium Delivery LLC, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. The Sacramento employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action lawsuit against Apium Delivery LLC alleging the company violated the California Labor Code. The lawsuit against Apium Delivery LLC is currently pending in the Sacramento County Superior Court, Case No. 34-2022-00325062. To read a copy of the Complaint, please click here. According to the lawsuit filed, Apium Delivery LLC allegedly (a) failed to pay minimum wages, (b) failed to pay overtime wages, (c) failed to provide legally required meal and rest periods, (d) failed to provide accurate itemized wage statements, and (e) failed to reimburse employees for required expenses, all in violation of the applicable Labor Code sections listed in California Labor Code Sections 226, 226.7, 510, 512, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 1198, 2802, and the applicable Wage Order(s), and thereby gives rise to civil penalties as a result of such alleged conduct. Apium Delivery LLC allegedly failed to reimburse employees for required business expenses. California Labor Code 2802 expressly states that "an employer shall indemnify his or her employee for all necessary expenditures or losses incurred by the employee in direct consequence of the discharge of his or her duties..." During employment, Plaintiff and other California Class Members were allegedly required to use their personal cellular phones and personal home offices as a result of and in furtherance of their job duties. For more information about the class action lawsuit against Apium Delivery LLC, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is a labor law firm with law offices located in San Diego County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, Sacramento County, Santa Clara County, Orange County and San Francisco County. The firm has a statewide practice of representing employees on a contingency basis for violations involving unpaid wages, overtime pay, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and other types of illegal workplace conduct. ***THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT*** China, S. Korea, Japan hold symposium on cooperation for age-friendly society in Jeju Xinhua) 20:57, September 15, 2022 JEJU, South Korea, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- A symposium has been held among China, South Korea and Japan on cooperation for an age-friendly society at the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity in the South Korean resort island of Jeju. The Trilateral Cooperation for Smart and Inclusive Solutions Towards Age-Friendly Society symposium was hosted Wednesday by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), a Seoul-based international body, together with World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) and UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat). In her opening remarks, TCS Secretary-General Ou Boqian pointed out the common challenge of digital divide amid the growing aged populations and rapid urbanization and digitalization in the three leading Asian economies. Underscoring that China, Japan and South Korea account for world's largest aged population, she called for an easy, equal and universal access to digital economy by aged group, so as to develop a shared community with inclusiveness and equity. WeGO Secretary-General Park Jung-Sook advocated an incorporation of empowerment for digital access, improvement of public policies and reduction of social conflicts in the smart city solutions to address the aging society issue. UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif, in her video speech, stressed cities' pivotal role in addressing socio-economic issues, adding that the adoption of people-centered smart solutions and digital technologies at local level would be critical to ensuring a strengthened participation and inclusion. With an online-offline audience of over 150 people worldwide, the symposium was the first of its kind to gather experts from China, Japan and South Korea to share the best practices of the three countries in building up age-friendly societies via smart approaches and shed light on future directions of smart urbanization with emphasis on age-inclusiveness. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji) Hanover Landing will provide permanent supportive housing for a population that is too frequently overlooked in the housing marke. The buildings design and amenities will allow residents to live independently while receiving support services that will help them thrive. McShane Construction Company and their client, UPholdings, broke ground on Hanover Landing, a 40-unit affordable, supportive housing community in Elgin, Illinois, that will serve vulnerable populations and individuals with disabilities. A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the project site on September 1, 2022, to celebrate the start of the project. Hanover Landing will provide permanent supportive housing for a population that is too frequently overlooked in the housing market, shared Susan Uhlarik, Director of Multi-Family at McShane. The buildings design and amenities will allow residents to live independently while receiving support services that will help them thrive. Located at 711 E. Chicago Street, the three-story wood frame building will integrate an exterior of brick and Hardie panel siding. Units will be offered in one bedroom, one bathroom floor plans and are designed to allow residents to live independently. Amenities will include a community lounge, computer room, fitness center, laundry facilities, and outdoor space. Services for residents will include case management, life skill training, and employment assistance. Hanover Township partnered with UPholdings and the Housing Opportunity Development Corporation on this development to meet the high need for service-enriched housing in the area. Ecker Center for Behavioral Health will serve as the lead service provider and operate an on-site clinic. Completion of the residence is scheduled for September 2023. Hooker DeJong is the architect. About McShane Construction Company McShane Construction Company was established in 1984 and is headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois with regional offices in Auburn, AL, Irvine, CA, Madison, WI, Nashville, TN and Phoenix, AZ. The female-led firm offers integrated design-build and build-to-suit construction services for the multi-family, industrial, commercial, health & fitness and institutional markets. For more information, visit the firms website at http://www.mcshaneconstruction.com. Turk: a potent message of faith for young believers. Turk is the creation of published author Michelle Seman, a mother of seven children and grandmother of six grandchildren. Seman currently resides in Avon Lake, Ohio, with her husband, youngest daughter, and two stepsons. Seman shares, Turk and Len are best friends who not only attend the same school but the same church. Growing up together, they learn that faith guides them in everything that they do. When asked to give a speech at his school, Turk wows both his classmates and his pastor, even though he was freaking out until the end. Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Michelle Semans new book will encourage readers to reflect on their faith and discuss Gods message with their parents, teachers, and religious leaders. Seman shares in hopes of aiding the next generation of believers in leading fulfilled lives of faith. Consumers can purchase Turk at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about Turk, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. We selected a group of candidates who bring passion, energy, intelligence, and a dedication to service that will lead NAIFA to continued success. The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFAs) Committee on Governance has nominated Douglas B. Massey, LUTCF, FSS, Owner of Doug Massey Financial Services in San Angelo, TX, to be the 2023 NAIFA Secretary. A current member of NAIFAs Board of Trustees, Massey has been a loyal NAIFA member since 1987. As incoming Secretary, Massey will be in line to serve as President-Elect in 2024 and President in 2025. The Committee has also nominated two members to serve two-year terms on the NAIFA Board of Trustees. The nominees are Brian J. Haney, CLTC, CFS, CIS, CFBS, LACP, CAE, Founder and CEO of the Haney Company in Silver Spring, MD, a loyal member since 2013, and Carina Hatfield, LUTCF, CLCS, LACP, Owner of Weigner Insurance & Financial Services Inc. in Pottstown, PA, a loyal member since 2005. Under the respective leadership of Haney and Hatfield, The Haney Company and Weigner Insurance & Financial Services are both participants in NAIFAs 100% Agency program. Two members of the 2022 Board whose terms are expiring have been nominated to serve additional one-year terms. They are Aprilyn Chavez Geissler, LACP, First Executive Vice President with Gateway Financial Advisors in Albuquerque, NM, a loyal member since 2005, and Dennis Cuccinelli, LACP, an Independent Financial Representative in Edison, NJ, a loyal member since 1986. Geissler has served the organization in a myriad of ways including being a past national Diversity Champion, and Cuccinelli has served the association for multiple years as national membership chair. Bryon A. Holz, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, CASL, LACP, President of Bryon Holz & Associates in Brandon, FL, and a loyal member since 1987 will serve as NAIFAs 2023 President. Thomas M. Cothron, LUTCF, FSCP, Agency Manager at Southern Farm Bureau Insurance in Ocala, FL, a loyal member since 1981, will be the 2023 President-Elect. Both Holz and Cothron have served the association in multiple roles including national Trustee, state president, and specialty committee roles throughout their leadership tenure. Brock T. Jolly, CFP, CLU, LACP, ChFC, CLTC, CASL, RICP, Partner at Veritas Financial LLC/MassMutual and Financial Group in McLean, VA, a loyal member since 2001, is nominated to continue to serve as NAIFAs Treasurer. Lawrence J. Holzberg, LUTCF, LACP, Director of Insurance and Advance Sales, at Fortis Lux Financial, in Melville, NY, a loyal member since 1990, will serve as Immediate Past President. Continuing their current terms as members of the Board of Trustees in 2023 are Mark Acre, LUTCF, CEO of OneSource Insurance Group in Ozark, MO, a loyal member since 2009; Christopher L. Gandy, LACP, Founder of Midwest Legacy Group (OneAmerica) in Lisle, IL, a loyal member since 2003; Evelyn Gellar, LUTCF, RICP, CLTC, FSCP, CDFA, Managing Director of Forest Hills Financial Group (Guardian Life) in Melville, NY, a loyal member since 1993; Winona Havir, CPCU, CLF, LUTCF, FSS, AIC, LACP, Executive Vice President of Business Development with Educators Insurance Resources Services, Inc. (Horace Mann) in Stillwater, MN, a loyal member since 1997; and Danny OConnell, LACP, CEO of Next Level Insurance Agency in Addison, TX, a loyal member since 2008. The nominees will stand for election during NAIFAs annual business meeting at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). The NLC and Belong awards celebration will be held November 13-15 at the historic Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. Following the associations business meeting, all Trustees and state presidents will be sworn into office with an awards dinner to follow. The NAIFA Governance Committee consists of 12 NAIFA members and is chaired by NAIFA Past President Cammie Scott, MSIE, ChHC, CLTC, LUTCF, REBC, RHU, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, President of CK Harp & Associates in Springdale, AR, a loyal member since 1998. The Governance Committee considered a strong slate of applicants for the NAIFA Secretary and Board of Trustee positions, and we selected a group of candidates who bring passion, energy, intelligence, and a dedication to service that will lead NAIFA to continued success as we enter year three of the NAIFA 2025 Strategic Plan, Scott said. This group, along with returning board members, incoming President Bryon Holz and President-Elect Tom Cothron, will continue to lead NAIFAs modernization and delivery of a high-quality membership experience. ABOUT NAIFA: The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors is the preeminent membership association for the multigenerational community of financial professionals in the United States. NAIFA members subscribe to a strong Code of Ethics and represent a full spectrum of financial services practice specialties. They work with families and businesses to help Americans improve financial literacy and achieve financial security. NAIFA provides producers a national community for advocacy, education and networking along with awards, publications and leadership opportunities to allow NAIFA members to differentiate themselves in the marketplace. NAIFA has 53 state and territorial chapters and 35 large metropolitan local chapters. NAIFA members in every congressional district advocate on behalf of producers and consumers at the state, interstate and federal levels. The mobile app was a natural next step in the maturation of our portal platforms. Our client-focused development plan incorporates client feedback, technology advancements, and performance considerations to deliver best-in-class tools. Ravi GuptaVP of Strategic Solutions NAV Fund Administration Group has extended its desktop web portal access to mobile apps for Android and iOS platforms, offering fund managers and their investors additional convenience and maximizing accessibility to fund data. The app is available for download now at the Google Play store and Apple App Store. The NAV portal enables fund managers, investors, and auditors to access a broad range of accounting reports, risk analytics and portfolio data: On-demand self-service report generation using filterable data Advanced P&L, portfolio reporting Full library of historical funds Accounting records Risk analytics including exposure, attribution, Sharpe/Sortino The desktop version was introduced in 2002, with a major redesign launched in 2018. NAVs continuous development strategy consistently adds performance enhancements and new features to deliver more functionality, exceptional security, and expanded management and communication tools. Recent releases have featured biometric login options and a fund onboarding tool. All NAV clients get portal access as a value-add, no-cost perk of NAV services and nearly 95% offer their investors access as well. Our clients have shared the value of investor portal access to their business, especially its ability to give investors self-service access and reduce support and inquiry calls, said NAV VP of Strategic Solutions Ravi Gupta. Managers and their investors alike really appreciate being able to efficiently access fund data, generate reports, and log inquiries or support requests. The app offers the full desktop portal experience while giving clients and their investors flexibility in how and when they access their data. The mobile app was a natural next step in the maturation of our portal platforms, Gupta said. Our ongoing client-focused development plan incorporates client feedback, technology advancements, and performance considerations and its all backed up by the NAV in-house IT team that goes beyond routine maintenance to ensure our clients have best-in-class tools. Click on the links for more INFO or to schedule a DEMO. You may also call +1 630-954-1919 or email main@navconsulting.net. ABOUT NAV FUND ADMINISTRATION GROUP Founded in 1991, NAV is a privately owned fund administrator recognized for its innovative and cost-effective fund administration solutions. A dynamic team of more than 2,250 professionals provide services to 2,000 funds across the globe -- including hedge fund, private equity fund, and cryptocurrency fund clients. The company is headquartered in the United States, with four facilities in India supporting Back Office and Middle Office services, and locations in Australia, the Cayman Islands, Israel, Mauritius, and Singapore. NAV ranks among the top global hedge fund administrators by number of funds, servicing more than $180 billion AUA. Climate policies like carbon taxes and net zero targets are driven by outdated scenarios that have lost touch with reality. Friends of Science Society says the source of the claims of a climate emergency or climate crisis stem from the misuse of the RCP 8.5 scenario. Without RCP 8.5, there is no climate emergency and no need for urgent net zero targets. The Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) is an influential collaboration of central bankers, that is misusing climate scenarios and exaggerating climate risks, says Friends of Science Society, pointing out that this unfavorably skews markets, investments, and public policies on climate and carbon taxes, exacerbating the energy crisis. A recent analysis of NGFS scenarios by Roger Pielke, Jr. shows that the group of bankers has chosen research that represents the most extreme damages, and employs the scenario known as RCP 8.5, known by climate scientists to be implausible. The RCPs refer to Representative Concentration Pathways of the potential warming impact of different carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere. Pielke, Jr. and Ritchie explain How Climate Scenarios Lost Touch with Reality. Climate policies like carbon taxes and net zero targets are driven by these outdated scenarios. Even the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) sees the RCP 8.5 high emissions scenarios as unlikely. Pielke, Jr. is a longtime climate policy analyst and has worked on weather related damage and loss assessment with the insurance industry for decades. In May of 2021, Pielke, Jr. had an article in the Financial Times which similarly criticized the European Central Bank for using these outdated climate scenarios. As subtitled, he wrote It is prudent to test the eurozones resilience, but not if the underlying assumptions are wrong. Friends of Science Society says the source of the claims of a climate emergency or climate crisis stem from the misuse of the RCP 8.5 scenario. Without RCP 8.5, there is no climate emergency and no need for urgent net zero targets. Friends of Science has issued several open letters to the Bank of Canada, alerting them to the problem of employing such outdated and implausible material to presume to calculate climate risk decades from today. These outdated scenarios drastically affect climate risk assessments. Friends of Science Society questions the propriety of the banking community tinkering with climate science at all. It is one of the most complex, multi-dimensional, interdisciplinary areas of science, encapsulated in this visualization by complex systems expert Henri Masson. It would make more sense for the Bank of Canada to stay in its wheelhouse of economic matters, says Friends of Science. There, Bank of Canada could be constructively influential on the global stage in addressing the green trade war against Canadian resources. On Oct. 13, 2019, as reported in The Guardian, World Economic Forum trustee and former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney threatened to bankrupt firms not complying with climate change dogma, which stems from the outdated science and implausible scenarios, Roger Pielke, Jr. has denounced. Bank of Canada has yet to notice the foreign-funded/strategized Tar Sands Campaign against the Alberta oil sands, says Friends of Science in a recent video. Had there not been a ~20 year-long Tar Sands Campaign, the world would not presently be facing such an energy crisis and Canada would not be in debt. Tar Sands economic and reputational saboteurs have blocked most Canadian oil pipelines and LNG port projects that would have provided access to world markets. Agence France Press (AFP) has issued an alleged fact-check filled with inaccuracies, assessing an August 18, 2022 story in The Daily Skeptic about the 1200 scientists of CLINTEL who state there is no climate emergency, says Friends of Science Society. AFP recycles old Climate Feedback nonsense about CLINTELs earlier letter to the UN, then signed by 500 scientists. That Climate Feedback fact-check was soundly debunked in November of 2019 by Friends of Science Society. CLINTELs World Climate Declaration affirms there has been nominal warming due to human influence, but insists complex natural factors are more influential on climate change. Friends of Science says the IPCC AR6 Working Group I report (Physical Sciences) only uses the word crisis once in reference to media coverage. Therefore, CLINTEL is correct to state there is no climate emergency and the AFP as well as the NGFS are wrong to promote climate catastrophe dogma. Magical Thinking and economically destructive Net Zero targets are unnecessary; we do have time, says Friends of Science Society. About Friends of Science Society is an independent group of earth, atmospheric and solar scientists, engineers, and citizens that is celebrating its 20th year of offering climate science insights. After a thorough review of a broad spectrum of literature on climate change, Friends of Science Society has concluded that the sun is the main driver of climate change, not carbon dioxide (CO2). Friends of Science Society PO Box 61172 RPO Kensington Calgary AB T2N 4S6 Canada Toll-free Telephone: 1-888-789-9597 Web: friendsofscience.org E-mail: contact(at)friendsofscience(dot)org Web: climatechange101.ca Meeting shoppers in their preferred spaces is the steppingstone to creating a lasting relationship with fans. Shop LC, the Central Texas-based home shopping channel and e-tailer is partnering with Videeo, a best-in-class white-label, live video commerce technology for enterprises to deliver a new shoppable livestream on select social media. Social media is a major portal for brand discovery, says Shahid Ashraf, Director of IT, Shop LC. Meeting shoppers in their preferred spaces is the steppingstone to creating a lasting relationship with fans. Starting September 16th, social media fans can start shopping by livestream with Shop LC on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Eager shoppers can view the stream from 2pm to 4pm Central Time for its debut. Initially, fans can follow it every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 2pm to 4pm CT, with plans to stream seven days a week. The new shopping stream will launch on shoplc.com, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. About Shop LC Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Shop LC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vaibhav Global Ltd. (VGL), a vertically integrated company with global sourcing and manufacturing capabilities. Shop LC is a value-conscious, interactive retailer focused on the fine jewelry, beauty, fashion, home decor and lifestyle product categories. Established in 2007, Shop LC reaches approximately 73 million U.S. households via high-definition programming offered live 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Additionally, every purchase provides a meal to a hungry child through the Your Purchase Feeds Program. For more information visit http://www.shoplc.com and download the interactive app on iTunes, Google Play or many other streaming devices or televisions. Thanks to Penetron crystalline technology, the water supply infrastructure for the Ligonier Valley will be markedly more durable with decreased maintenance requirements. Completing the first stage in a key upgrade of the water supply infrastructure for the Ligonier Valley communities in western Pennsylvania, the new concrete water storage tank in Darlington was commissioned in September 2022. The projects final stage also includes water pressure booster stations, due to go online by Spring 2023. Located 51 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, PA, the borough of Ligonier is surrounded by Ligonier Township, which is a separate municipality. Both Borough and Township are home to over 8,000 inhabitants and make up the Ligonier Valley region, which also includes the villages of Waterford, Darlington, Wilpen, and Laughlintown. Ligonier was first settled in the 1760s and today, the borough is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Fort Ligonier site and the Ligonier Historic District, which encompasses the Diamond and the oldest parts of the town center. The borough is also known for nearby Idlewild Park, one of the oldest amusement parks in the country, and nearby Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Faced with chronic water shortages and insufficient water pressure for homes in the higher elevations of the Ligonier Valley and increased demand during the summer tourist season, the Ligonier Township Municipal Authority mandated the Eads Group, an engineering firm specialized in water services, to come up with a solution, explains Christopher Chen, Director of The Penetron Group. The resulting $5.7 million project included four new booster stations to increase water pressure from a usual 15 psi to 60 psi. In addition, a new 250,000-gallon water storage tank in Darlington was added to the municipal water storage infrastructure. A concrete waterproofing solution was specified by the project engineers for both the concrete water storage tank and the pre-cast booster stations. Well-maintained concrete water tanks and concrete elements constantly exposed to water at high hydrostatic pressure can last 30 or 40 years. However, concrete is naturally prone to developing hairline cracks and repairs to untreated (i.e., not waterproofed) concrete need to utilize repair materials that do not affect the quality of the drinking water that passes through. After consulting with the ready-mix supplier and the local Penetron representative, the engineers specified PENETRON ADMIX SB as the concrete waterproofing solution for both the Darlington water storage tank and the booster stations, adds Christopher Chen. Ligonier Construction, the general contractor, began work in Summer 2022, with the Darlington water storage tank commissioned by September 2022. The last of the four booster stations will be installed and online by May 2023. Ligonier Stone & Lime, the projects ready-mix concrete supplier, provided the PENETRON ADMIX-treated concrete for the water storage tank. The pre-cast concrete elements were also treated with Penetrons crystalline waterproofing admixture. When added to concrete during batching, the active ingredients in PENETRON ADMIX react with the byproducts of cement hydration in the presence of moisture. These reactions extend hydration and form additional calcium silicate hydrate molecules along with insoluble crystals throughout the concrete matrix. These insoluble formations precipitate within the natural pores and capillaries of the concrete mix to permanently seal hairline cracks as they develop over the lifetime of the concrete dramatically reducing the permeability of the concrete. Thanks to Penetron crystalline technology, the water supply infrastructure for the Ligonier Valley will be markedly more durable with decreased maintenance requirements, notes Christopher Chen. The Penetron Group is a leading manufacturer of specialty construction products for concrete waterproofing, concrete repairs, and floor preparation systems. The Group operates through a global network, offering support to the design and construction community through its regional offices, representatives, and distribution channels. For more information on Penetron waterproofing solutions, please visit penetron(dot)com or Facebook(dot)com/ThePenetronGroup, email CRDept(at)penetron(dot)com, or contact the Corporate Relations Department at 631-941-9700. International Congress of Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorders This study is an important milestone in the development of continuous drug-delivery strategies to treat motor fluctuations in PD, showing significant increases in ON-time without troublesome dyskinesias using subcutaneous 24-hour infusions of a novel levodopa/carbidopa formulation. Continuous subcutaneous infusion (CSCI) of levodopa/carbidopa prodrugs, foslevodopa/foscarbidopa, improved time without dyskinesia in patients with advanced Parkinsons disease (PD) according to a phase 3 clinical trial released today at the International Congress of Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorders in Madrid, Spain. It is well known that long-term use of oral levodopa/carbidopa leads to increased dyskinesia in PD patients. These motor symptoms are thought to be due to the rise and fall of dopamine. Therefore, many investigations have taken place to help treat and prevent the development of levodopa-induced dyskinesia. The phase 3 clinical trial designed by Soileau et al. investigated the efficiency and safety of 24-hour CSCI foslevodopa/foscarbidopa, in patients with advanced PD. One hundred forty-one patients were randomized 1:1 to receive CSCI of foslevodopa/foscarbidopa and an oral placebo or CSCI of placebo and an oral dose of levodopa/carbidopa for 12 weeks. Treatment with CSCI of foslevodopa/foscarbidopa produced a greater improvement in time without dyskinesia when measured at week 12. Werner Poewe, Professor of Neurology at the Medical University Innsbruck, Austria, responded to this study, This study is an important milestone in the development of continuous drug-delivery strategies to treat motor fluctuations in PD showing significant increases in ON-time without troublesome dyskinesias using subcutaneous 24-hour infusions of a novel levodopa/carbidopa formulation. The observed effect size is similar to previous studies of levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel infusions and results on secondary outcomes suggest benefits on sleep and early morning motor function. Local tolerability appears consistent with what is known from continuous subcutaneous apomorphine infusions in PD, suggesting that subcutaneous infusions of levodopa will soon be added to the portfolio of treatment options in PD patients with levodopa-related motor complications. View the full-text abstract: http://www.mdsabstracts.org Reference #: 775 *View all 6 of today's breaking International Congress research news releases: https://www.movementdisorders.org/MDS/News/Newsroom.htm # # # About the 2022 MDS International Congress of Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorders: The MDS International Congress is the premier annual event to advance the clinical and scientific discipline of Movement Disorders, including Parkinsons disease. Convening thousands of leading clinicians, scientists and other health professionals from around the globe, the International Congress will introduce more than 1,500 original scientific abstracts and provide a forum for education and collaboration on latest research findings and state-of-the-art treatment options. About the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society: The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS), an international society of over 11,000 clinicians, scientists, and other healthcare professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. For more information about MDS, visit http://www.movementdisorders.org. Our new office will support a modern, flexible working environment for our local and remote teams, employees and customers, to gather, collaborate and innovate," said MacKenzie, RevSpring CEO. RevSpring, the leading provider of healthcare patient engagement and payment solutions, announced today the grand opening of its new corporate headquarters in Nashville. The move will establish RevSprings primary home among many of the industrys largest healthcare networks, providers and revenue cycle partners. Located at 1131 4th Avenue South, RevSpring's new corporate headquarters will occupy 9,304 square feet of space on the third floor of Nashville Warehouse Co., with space for more than 80 employees. RevSpring has nearly 800 employees nationwide in cities and remote offices across the U.S., including Phoenix, Arizona; Detroit, Michigan; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Trenton, New Jersey; Columbus, Ohio; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This is an exciting milestone for RevSpring, said RevSpring CEO Scott MacKenzie. In addition to being a beautiful new location in a vibrant city known for excellence in healthcare, the office is designed to embrace the new way people work in the wake of the pandemic. Our new office will support a modern, flexible working environment for our local and remote teams, employees and customers, to gather, collaborate and innovate. The new headquarters is being commemorated today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the new office space. The move builds upon a year of ongoing momentum for the company, driving double-digit year-over-year revenue growth for the business: Continued sales momentum with record bookings over the past year and a half, including more than 300 new client logos added for new direct customers and channel partners Better than 30% revenue growth in each of the past two years in the payments business, with more than 35 million payment transactions made and nearly $8 billion collected in the past 12 months Merchant payments volume processed at over $1 billion annual run rate and at a 70% growth rate year-over-year Double-digit growth in RevSprings analytics business, which adds intelligence to patient engagement and payments, everywhere Triple-digit growth in digital delivery as clients embrace an intelligent, omnichannel engagement strategy for billing and payment Continued expansion of preservice applications into RevSpring's revenue cycle client base, marked by double-digit growth in our preservice business Healthy post-COVID growth in RevSprings billing business (print and mail) And ongoing innovation, with more than 12 new products announced in 12 months, including: Deviceless Payments Safe Mode for call center PCI compliance Analytics-driven patient journey visualization and optimization through OmniBrain OCR with Arrived patient intake forms Talksoft patient self-scheduling New integrations to PersonaPay with Epic, Cerner and leading digital wallet and financing companies IDSecure for secure consumer data tokenization throughout production Composer content management and self-service solutions RevSpring is focused on solutions that increase customer revenues, increase patient/consumer self-service and engagement, and reduce the cost to engage with patients and consumers. RevSpring solutions are focused on the need to increase revenues, reduce discretionary services, adapt to remote staffing models, staff reduction and retention challenges, and cost pressures. In addition to driving unmatched consistency in the patient experiencespanning preservice to paymentRevSpring uses intelligence and personalization to support critical healthcare business goals, including increased collections, patient experience, patient loyalty and cost efficiency. As the healthcare industry continues to change and evolve, the patient expectation and experience is changing. We want our workplace to reflect these changing ways to engage. Engagement in healthcare requires a masterful balance of innovation, empathy and perseveranceand RevSpring is revolutionizing healthcare solutions, spearheading innovations in patient experience and payments, and driving improvement, added MacKenzie. About RevSpring RevSpring leads the market in patient engagement and payment solutions that inspire patients to participate in and pay for their healthcare. The company has built the industrys most comprehensive and impactful suite of patient engagement, OmniChannel communications and payment solutions backed by behavior analysis, propensity-to-pay scoring, contextual messaging, and user experience best practices. Using proprietary data analytics to tailor the engagement from preservice to post-service, RevSpring improves the patient experience and outcomes for providers and their patients. To learn more, visit revspringinc.com/healthcare. A survey of 12,000 adults and high school students found that RIT is ranked No. 37 in public trust among the top doctoral research universities in the nation. Rochester Institute of Technology is among the nations Most Trusted Universities in a recent nationwide survey conducted by decision intelligence company Morning Consult, which defined trust as the belief in an institution to do the right thing. The Morning Consult Most Trusted Universities report ranks RIT No. 37 in public trust among the top 135 doctoral research universities featured in the U.S. News & World Report's 2022 Best National University Rankings and explores how trust varies among diverse groups and different types of institutions. RIT placed third among New York universities; Johns Hopkins University was ranked first in the inaugural list. The survey was conducted in June 2022 among more than 11,000 U.S. adults and 1,000 high school students ages 16 to 18. According to the report, universities are sorted by net trust, or the share of respondents who said they trust each brand to do the right thing a lot or some minus the share who said not much or not at all. The report is part of Morning Consult's regular Most Trusted Brands project, which gauges trust across a wide range of companies and organizations. Other findings from the survey include: Colleges and universities are trusted more than other major American institutions, including government, corporations, and the media. Trust is strengthened when more people are aware of the universitys brand; awareness of a university positively correlates to net trust. A majority of high school students (77 percent) said it is important for them to have seen, read, or heard about a college or university in order to trust it. High school students indicated that word-of-mouth recommendations from a trusted person are the best source for information. About 35 percent of adult members of Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) surveyed said they tended not to trust higher education while 41 percent said they tended to trust colleges, meaning colleges and universities will have to work harder to earn their trust. Public trust in U.S. universities has waned in recent years, leading to declining enrollment rates and increasing tuition costs at many schools. In response to rapid changes in todays workforce as well as evolving student needs, RIT has created a category of academic programsNew Economy Majors that are multidisciplinary, transformative, and future-focused. RIT also continues to recruit high-caliber students as demonstrated by more than 3,000 new students arriving on the RIT campus at the start of the fall semester, making it the second largest class in its history. As a further demonstration of RITs return on investment, the universitys 2022 graduates turned down multiple job offers for their No. 1 choices. The average starting salary for RIT grads also is increasingup $2,000 to $73,280 for students earning a bachelors degree, and more than $4,000 to $87,242 for masters degree graduates over last year. This latest report is yet another important measure of the recognized quality of an RIT education, said RIT President David Munson. These survey results demonstrate the power of the RIT brand and speak to a genuine respect for our outstanding faculty, staff, students, our alumnis success, and the leadership of our board of trustees. According to Rahul Choudaha, Morning Consults author of the study: Trust is one of the leading metrics of a universitys overall brand health. Our data shows that employers (54 percent) and students (56 percent) are even more likely to say that trust will play an important role in a universitys reputation in the future. Brand awareness is one of the key determinants of trust in universities, Choudaha added. Those that made our Most Trusted list exhibit a high level of brand awareness owing to a variety of factors, including longevity, highly regarded faculty, successful alumni, and public engagement. The Morning Consult survey is just one of several national rankings received by RIT. We are very proud of this competition and are looking forward to seeing several universities participate. The Roofing Alliance, the foundation of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), is proud to announce the launch of its ninth annual student competition. This hallmark event will take place March 8, 2023, during the International Roofing Expo in Dallas, Texas. Roofing professionals are asked to share this information with construction management schools in their area, encouraging the formation of student teams to participate. The competition challenges university-level construction management students through written and oral presentations on their roofing knowledge, project management capabilities and presentation skills. The teams research the project, review the plans and specifications, and assemble a full estimate and qualified bid package proposal that is submitted to a board of Roofing Alliance judges. This years project is Globe Life Field in Dallas, Texas. The event exposes students to roofing as a career choice and provides a valuable opportunity to network and connect with fellow students, faculty and Roofing Alliance members. The project, originally completed by KPost Roofing and Waterproofing, Dallas, Texas, will provide a challenging and educational experience for student teams. The Roofing Alliance Student Competition involves a two-step process: Step one: Student teams submit a written proposal by Nov. 18. Judges will review and score the written proposals. The top teams (five maximum) with the highest scores will be selected as finalists. Step two: Finalist teams will be invited to attend the International Roofing Expo in Dallas, Texas, where they will visit the job site and then present in person before a panel of judges on March 8, 2023. The student competition is a unique and exciting learning experience for students and faculty, providing opportunities for scholarships and presenter recognition during the NRCAs Awards Ceremony. While at the International Roofing Expo, students can meet with Roofing Alliance members during a special reception, visit the exhibiting companies in the Roofing Expo and attend educational sessions. Universities interested in participating must complete the online form by Sept. 23. (https://forms.nrca.net/Form/Launch/852542cd-92cb-4db3-85f7-c7e882c4932c). Once a team commits, they will be connected with a Roofing Alliance member in their area to serve as a team mentor who assists the team throughout the competition. We are very proud of this competition and are looking forward to seeing several universities participate, stated Allen Lancaster, Roofing Alliance Construction Management Committee Chairman and Vice President of Metalcrafts, A Tecta America Co., Savannah, Ga. "We want the roofing industry to share details about the competition with construction management schools they may be associated with and ask them to consider participating. For more information about the student competition, contact Alison L. LaValley, CAE, executive director, at alavalley@nrca.net or visit roofingalliance.net. About the Roofing Alliance The Roofing Alliance is committed to shaping the industrys future by funding education, research, scholarships and philanthropic initiativesall for the purpose of securing the industrys future excellence. Composed of 183 members representing extraordinary leaders from the contracting, manufacturing, distribution and service provider communities, the Roofing Alliance has committed $14 million to enhance the performance and long-term viability of the industry and allocated more than $5.9 million to fund 53 research, education, technical and philanthropic programs and projects. Serving as the foundation of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), Roofing Alliance members are focused on giving back and supporting high-quality educational programs and ensuring timely and forward-thinking industry responses to major economic and technological issues. For more information about Roofing Alliance initiatives, visit http://www.roofingalliance.net. International Congress of Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorders No other drug confirmed effectiveness in randomized controlled trials since the addition of aripiprazole to the therapeutic arsenal of TS. This phase 2b randomized trial breaks the spell. A recent study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a pharmaceutical treatment, ecopipam, for children with Tourette syndrome (TS), according to a study released today at the International Congress of Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorders in Madrid, Spain. (Mahableshwarkar et al., 2022) Ecopipam works by selectively reducing the response to dopamine in neurons. Importantly, ecopipam is known for having a low incidence of adverse effects and was well-tolerated during the study. The double-blind study lasted 12 weeks and examined children with Tourette's ranging from 6 to 17 years old. During the study, reductions in both motor and phonic tics compared to the placebo control group were reported. These promising results will require follow-up, longer-term studies. Davide Martino, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Calgary, commented, Despite several new or re-purposed medications appeared promising for the treatment of tics in recent years, no other drug confirmed effectiveness in randomized controlled trials since the addition of aripiprazole to the therapeutic arsenal of Tourette syndrome. This phase 2b randomized trial breaks the spell by showing significant superiority to placebo of a first-in-class selective dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, ecopipam, in reducing tic severity in children and adolescents with TS. This study is relevant for its adequate sample size and selection of primary and secondary outcomes. Ecopipam showed superiority to placebo in reducing tic severity, based on both clinicians and caregivers impression, but did not differ from placebo in reducing quality of life. This is not surprising, given that quality of life in TS is often influenced more by comorbid symptoms like those related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety and depression. Martino continues, The treatment duration, albeit standard for clinical trials in tic disorders, was not very long and the observed difference from placebo was not large, hence longer-term monitoring of response and tolerability will be necessary. The side effect profile of ecopipam was also reassuring from this study, with the only caveat that tremor and parkinsonism were not specifically measured. Overall, this phase 2b study generates hope and supports that ecopipam deserves further investigation as a new treatment option for tics in TS. View abstract full text: http://www.mdsabstracts.org Reference #: 917 *View all 6 of today's breaking International Congress research news releases: https://www.movementdisorders.org/MDS/News/Newsroom.htm # # # About the 2022 MDS International Congress of Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorders: The MDS International Congress is the premier annual event to advance the clinical and scientific discipline of Movement Disorders, including Parkinsons disease. Convening thousands of leading clinicians, scientists and other health professionals from around the globe, the International Congress will introduce more than 1,500 original scientific abstracts and provide a forum for education and collaboration on latest research findings and state-of-the-art treatment options. About the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society: The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS), an international society of over 11,000 clinicians, scientists, and other healthcare professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. For more information about MDS, visit http://www.movementdisorders.org. REFERENCES Mahableshwarkar, A. et al. (2022, September 15). Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 2b Study of Ecopipam in Children and Adolescents with Tourette Syndrome [abstract]. In: Movement Disorders journal online supplement; International Congress of Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.mdsabstracts.org/, Reference #917. When asked why he chose the SightMD team, Dr. Russell said The physicians and staff at SightMD are a team of dedicated, caring and compassionate experts placing the well being and needs of the individual above all else - which is consistent with my own philosophy and goals of patient care. SightMD, a leading multi-specialty ophthalmology platform in New York, welcomes Scott Russell, MD to its expert team. R. Scott Russell, MD is a comprehensive ophthalmologist who takes a genuine interest in researching and educating himself on various new advancements in ophthalmology, so his patients get the best and the most advanced treatment possible. He is driven to provide an excellent healthcare experience to all of his patients. Dr. Russell completed his undergraduate education at Boston College and Harvard College graduating with honors. He was awarded an N.I.H. Neurobiology Training Grant to study at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University. After medical school he completed a general surgical internship at New York University, and his ophthalmology residency at Cornell. He also completed fellowships in Ophthalmic Pathology at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, and in Corneal, External Disease and Refractive Surgery at the L.S.U Eye Center. Dr. Russell served as a full time staff member in the Department of Ophthalmology of Columbia University and is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the department. His research interests include corneal pathology, and anterior segment surgery, about which he has published several papers and delivered several presentations. Dr. Russell will be seeing patients at SightMD locations in Riverhead (54 Commerce Dr Ste 6, Riverhead, NY 11901), Southold (41705 County Road 48, Southold, NY 11971), and Southampton (186 Old Town Road, Southampton, NY 11968). When asked why he chose the SightMD team, Dr. Russell said The physicians and staff at SightMD are a team of dedicated, caring and compassionate experts placing the well being and needs of the individual above all else - which is consistent with my own philosophy and goals of patient care. SightMD is actively seeking ophthalmology professionals who are interested in joining our outstanding team. If you are an ophthalmology practice owner interested in merging or selling your practice, please contact our VP of Growth, Franc Galinanes, at (631) 396-8340 or fgalinanes@sightgrowthpartners.com About SightMD SightMD is a rapidly-growing integrated ophthalmic provider group, offering patients access to over 80 eye care providers through the convenience of 40 locations across New York. SightMD's track record of providing clinically-excellent care spans over 50 years, and its services include general eye exams, laser cataract surgery and lens implantation, glaucoma management, retinal disorder treatment, corneal services, neuro-ophthalmology, LASIK laser vision correction, oculoplastic surgery, pediatric ophthalmology, and audiology. Sight Growth Partners is the administrative services provider for SightMD. For more information about SightMD, please visit https://www.sightmd.com/sightmd-ny/ Magento powers 0.6% of all websites According to W3Techs, Magento is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms that powers 0.6% of all websites. The platform comes equipped with numerous themes and custom extensions that businesses can leverage to enhance the appearance of their online stores and capture more customers. DesignRush, a B2B marketplace connecting businesses with agencies, leveraged its 16,000-agencies-strong network for quick insights or QuickSights on the top Magento extensions businesses can use and how. 1) MICRO-INTERACTIONS In the opinion of Vipul Tanna, senior project manager at Ace Infoway, businesses should leverage micro-interactions to allow for a more personal touch and improve user experience. "One of my favorite additions to Magento is leveraging micro-interactions, to enhance the user experience, said Tanna. Using JavaScript, Magento developers can enable engaging micro-interactions. Use it for call-to-action content, it adds a more personal touch to draw users to your website and keep them on the page for a longer period of time. 2) MAGENTO 2 WHATSAPP CHAT MagentoBrain Founder Rakesh Donga claims that Magento 2 WhatsApp Chat is a great extension to enhance customer experience. Customers have tons of questions when making specific purchases or ordering a product online, said Donga. To resolve their queries, they always want to get an immediate response instead of spending more time talking to customer support and raising a request for assistance. Magento 2 WhatsApp Chat extension helps improve the customer experience by allowing customers to contact Magento store owners with a single button click. 3) SEARCHANISE According to Aakash Goyal, designated partner at Cloudester, Searchanise offers robust features that help enhance user experience and increase conversions. Searchanise is the most advanced smart search and upselling tool for Magento stores that businesses must use to boost user experience and conversion rates, said Goyal. It offers faster, personalized and filterable search and cross-sell and upsell features to help businesses maximize their sales and revenue. Using the typo-corrections, in-search product reviews, and prices, customers can have streamlined shopping experiences. 4) GOOGLE ANALYTICS 4 As stated by Oleksandr Shakhnovskyi, Magento tech lead at MageCloud, Magento store owners should take advantage of Google Analytics 4 to receive smart insights on their audience. In about a year, starting July 2023, the current Google Universal Analytics (GA 3) will stop working, said Shakhnovskyi. Our Magento clients are mass asking to make a switch to the next generation of GA. Magento store owners should leverage this extension to keep track of their shoppers' actions, understand their behavior and get smarter insights to decrease bounce rates and improve ROI. 5) INSTAGRAM CONNECT Murli Pawar, VP at TechnoScore, recommends installing the Instagram Connect extension for Magento 2 store owners as a way to bring more website traffic. "We recommend the Magento 2 Instagram Connect extension as it is result-oriented and easy to configure, said Pawar. It fetches all posts from your Instagram account to your store. Using the products tag, you can hashtag eye-catching Instagram images with keywords and drive more traffic to your Magento 2 store. DesignRush released the September list of the best Magento development companies that help businesses set and run fully functional and feature-rich online stores that engage and convert visitors. 1. Ace Infoway - aceinfoway.com Expertise: Web Development, Platform Migration, App Development and more 2. Allinclusive. - allinclusive.agency Expertise: eCommerce Solutions, Web Development, Web Design and more 3. SITE IT NOW - siteitnow.com Expertise: Web Design, Web Development, eCommerce Solutions and more 4. MagentoBrain - magentobrain.com Expertise: Magento Development, Magento Migration Services, Magento Theme Development and more 5. Cloudester - cloudester.com Expertise: Web Development, App Development, SEO and more 6. Sprybit - sprybit.com Expertise: Web Design, Web Development, eCommerce Development and more 7. Global Dezigns - globaldezigns.com Expertise: eCommerce Development, Web Maintenance, Web Hosting and more 8. ValueCoders - valuecoders.com Expertise: App Development, Web App Development, eCommerce Development and more 9. MageCloud - magecloud.agency Expertise: Magento Development, WordPress Development, Shopify Development and more 10. TechnoScore - technoscore.com Expertise: App Development, Web Design & Development, eCommerce Development and more. 11. Ecommage - ecommage.com Expertise: Magento Enterprise & Cloud Hosting, AWS Cloud Services, Magento Development and more 12. SAM WEB Studio - samwebstudio.com Expertise: Web Design & Development, eCommerce Development, Digital Marketing and more 13. Perspective Studio - perspective.net.ua Expertise: Magento Development, Magento 2 Integration, Magento Security Audit and more 14. World Web Technology - worldwebtechnology.com Expertise: Web & CMS Development, eCommerce Development, App Development and more 15. Elogic - elogic.co Expertise: Web Development, eCommerce Web Design, Consulting and more Brands can explore the top Magento development companies by location, size, average hourly rate and portfolio on DesignRush. About DesignRush: DesignRush.com is a B2B marketplace connecting businesses with agencies through expert reviews and agency ranking lists, awards, knowledge resources and personalized agency recommendations for vetted projects. UPSTACK Acquires Full-Service IT Services Provider Stellar Connect "...Stellar Connect is a successful and respected technology services firm with decades of in-depth experience. Their entrepreneurial spirit and holistic approach to solving complex IT challenges align with ours, and we're excited to welcome the Stellar Connect team to UPSTACK." UPSTACK, the fast-growing platform that combines the industry's leading advisors, advanced technology and dedicated customer support resources, announced today that it acquired Stellar Connect, an independent, full-service provider of IT services based in Thousand Oaks, Calif. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Stellar Connect, founded in 2014, provides consultative, vendor-agnostic IT and telecom procurement, management and support primarily to small and midmarket businesses. The company's areas of expertise include voice, data, cloud infrastructure, UCaaS, network, business continuity and disaster recovery. Stellar Connect was built on long-term partnerships with its clients and providing solutions to their evolving and complex technology challenges. As part of the investment, Principals and Co-founders Nanette Kische and Mike Eaton will join UPSTACK as Partners. Additionally, Stellar Connect's operations manager will join the UPSTACK support team. "Built on a strong partnership between Nanette and Mike, Stellar Connect is a successful and respected technology services firm with decades of in-depth experience," said UPSTACK Founder and CEO Christopher Trapp. "Their entrepreneurial spirit and holistic approach to solving complex IT challenges align with ours, and we're excited to welcome the Stellar Connect team to UPSTACK." Kische and Eaton first met on a high school ski trip. Eaton began a career in IT, eventually becoming a serial entrepreneur, creating and selling several technology ventures. Meanwhile, Kische spent her early professional life as a Public Accountant. One of Kische's accounting clients, a telecom agency, encouraged her to sell telecom during her slow accounting months. By the early 2000s, she had made the career switch. Kische and Eaton serendipitously reconnected while working on a project for a mutual client where Kische served as a telecom agent and Eaton as a cloud and managed services provider. They worked together as projects allowed and ultimately formed Stellar Connect to provide both telecom and IT solutions to their customers. "Our business philosophy is about relationships," said Kische. "If you do them well, you'll be successful. And if you don't, you won't. Solving IT problems is what we're known for but helping clients we care about makes it meaningful." Kische and Eaton said that joining UPSTACK will enable them to scale their services, giving their clients access to more resources and professional experience. It also provides a continuity plan for Stellar Connect's valued clients. "UPSTACK has built a talented team coupled with the support to take care of our customers," said Eaton. "That's pretty powerful. It allows us to scale in a way that would be difficult on our own and still provide the level of service we're known for. Joining UPSTACK allows us to do more for our clients, and that's exciting." For more information about UPSTACK's agency investment program, contact partners@upstack.com. About Stellar Connect Stellar Connect is a full-service provider of IT services with extensive capabilities in several key areas, including voice, data, cloud, security, business continuity and disaster recovery. Stellar Connect is a team of technology infrastructure specialists who provide solutions to their clients' complex IT problems while establishing long-term relationships that grow with the client's changing technology needs. For more information, visit http://www.stellarconnect.com About UPSTACK Launched in 2017 in New York, N.Y., UPSTACK is transforming the way digital infrastructure is sourced and sold. Through a powerful combination of the industry's leading advisors, advanced technology, and dedicated customer support resourcesUPSTACK uses actionable business intelligence to architect and source customized technology solutions for businesses of all sizes. With UPSTACK, business buyers streamline IT procurement by tapping into a single source for mission-critical technology services from hundreds of proven providers, along with the professional guidance to identify and evaluate the best solutions. UPSTACK's service portfolio includes colocation and data center, network connectivity, SD-WAN, unified communications, cloud contact center, private and public cloud, security, mobile, business continuity and IoT. For more information, visit us at upstack.com. Tom Daniel, Ph.D. "Toms history of conducting trailblazing science, combined with his notable efforts in mentoring scholars from diverse backgrounds, epitomizes WRFs ethos of investing in innovative research and people." Brooks Simpson, WRF board chair Washington Research Foundation (WRF), a leader in advancing life sciences in Washington state, announces Tom Daniel, Ph.D., as chief executive officer. This appointment follows the retirement of Ron Howell, who served in the position for nearly three decades. Daniel will join WRF on October 1, relieving interim CEO Susan Coliton, WRFs director and grants committee chair, who has overseen operations since July 2021. Toms history of conducting trailblazing science, combined with his notable efforts in mentoring scholars from diverse backgrounds, epitomizes WRFs ethos of investing in innovative research and people, said Brooks Simpson, WRF board chair. We look forward to his leadership and future success as he takes the helm of WRF. Daniel has a rich history in the life sciences sector, with deep ties to the University of Washington (UW) and WRF. After a Doctoral Degree in Biology at Duke and postdoctoral training in engineering sciences at Caltech, Daniel joined the Biology faculty at UW in 1984. He held the Joan and Richard Komen Endowed Chair, as well as adjunct appointments in Computer Science and Engineering, Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering until transitioning to emeritus faculty status earlier this month. As chair of UWs Biology department, he worked with the late Benjamin D. Hall, Ph.D., to establish student scholarships and support. Hall was a UW professor who invented the expression of polypeptides in yeast technology that was pivotal to WRFs licensing program and has had an enormous impact on vaccines and public health. Washington Research Foundation has the unique ability to advance some of the most innovative life sciences research happening in our state, with a model that takes research from bench or computer to positively impact the health and welfare of our communities, as well as the fabric of science in the Northwest, said Daniel. I am humbled and eager to carry on the legacy of the visionaries who established WRF more than 40 years ago. As CEO, Daniel will work with the board of directors to lead the Foundations strategic planning, programs, grant-making and investment affairs. Im thrilled that Tom will be joining WRF as CEO! said Thomas Cable, co-founder of WRF. Ive known him for years and he has the leadership qualities, scientific background, imagination and creativity to successfully leverage the assets of WRF for the benefit of life sciences research and technology commercialization in our state. Throughout his career, Daniel has published more than 100 research papers and conference abstracts. He has received numerous awards and honors including fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the MacArthur Foundation, as well as the UW Distinguished Teaching Award and the Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award. He is a member of the Washington Academy of Sciences and serves on the federal advisory committee for the NSF Biological Sciences Directorate, the board of directors for Allen Institute and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, and directs the UW Weill Neurohub program. Through his lab, Daniel mentored more than 100 students and scholars with a focus on championing diverse perspectives and backgrounds. To learn more about Washington Research Foundation, visit http://www.wrfseattle.org. ### About Washington Research Foundation Washington Research Foundation (WRF) supports research and scholarship in Washington state, with a focus on life sciences and enabling technologies. WRF was founded in 1981 to assist universities and other nonprofit research institutions in Washington with the commercialization and licensing of their technologies. WRF is one of the foremost technology transfer and grant-making organizations in the nation, having earned more than $445 million in licensing revenue for the University of Washington and providing over $137 million in grants to the state's research institutions to date. WRF Capital, a reserve pool of funds that Washington Research Foundation invests in local early-stage companies, has backed 119 startups since 1996. Returns support WRFs investment and grant-making programs. For additional information, please visit https://www.wrfseattle.org/. Waterford Distillery Head Brewer Neil Conway explains, "At Waterford Distillery, since we place barley - the source of whiskys natural flavor - at the center of our universe, we are gathering the widest array of pure and natural flavor components." Waterford Distillery, terroir-driven Irish whisky producer, has bottled the first modern Irish Peated whiskies in generations - Peated: Fenniscourt and Peated: Ballybannon, from barley grown on two distinct Single Farm Origins. The whiskies are two new bottlings in Waterford Distillerys Arcadian Farm Origins, which explore the old ways of farming and whisky in search of real rarity and intense flavors. The new single malt whiskies use both Irish peat and Irish-grown barley the first distillery in generations to do so as part of Waterfords quest to unearth whiskys most natural flavors and commitment to Irish-only ingredients. Both bottlings are the latest addition to Waterfords Arcadian Farm Origins, which represent real rarity in whisky due to the scarcity of the raw materials. This range which include Irelands only Organic whisky known as Organic Gaia and the worlds first Biodynamic whisky known as Biodynamic Luna that reimagines the old ways of production in the pursuit of flavor intensity over yield imperatives. The arrival of the new Irish peat bottlings, spearheaded by CEO Mark Reynier, has been in development since 2017, though kept a secret until this year. The approach included selecting two Single Farm Origin barleys from distinctive terroirs to see if the flavor profiles could stand up to the smokiness of peat. In true Waterford Whisky style, the approach needed a radical approach to ensure its Irish provenance. Irish peat has been redundant in whisky production since the turn of the 20th century, which meant all knowledge of how to use Irish peat had passed out of memory. Therefore the project involved ambitious collaborators, as well as trial and error in sourcing the appropriate peat sources with the moisture levels appropriate for whisky production. Waterford Distillery sourced small amounts of peat cut from Country Kildare, and worked alongside their established malting partner, Minch Malt. Because there was no infrastructure in Ireland capable of peating barley, Waterford Distillery needed to ship small amounts of Irish peat and Irish barley to Scotland, iconic home to peated malt whisky, for the kilning process to take place before being shipped back to Waterford for distillation. Providing drinkers with full product transparency and traceability is Waterford Whiskys trademark. Through TEIREOIR CODE technology, available on each and every bottle, drinkers can follow how the barley was harvested, stored, malted, and distilled guaranteeing the integrity of each Single Farm Origin. Neil Conway, Head Brewer of Waterford Distillery explains: Peat was a core part of Irelands heritage, whether that be commercially, for heating homes in rural countryside, or for the production of whisky. It was the ancient fuel source. At Waterford Distillery, since we place barley - the source of whiskys natural flavor - at the center of our universe, we are gathering the widest array of pure and natural flavor components. It felt only natural to nod to our cultural heritage, preserve old ways, and explore the peating process with modern varieties. Malt whisky is already one of the most complex spirits in the world, because it is made from barley the best in the world coming from Ireland, adds Neil. So combining this with ancient peated methods that are no longer widely available in Ireland, added intriguing new layers of flavor complexity. Cultivating Irish peat and learning how the impact of moisture levels can determine the whiskies smokiness is just another step to unearth whiskys most natural flavors. Of course it made little financial sense, but we did it for taste and taste alone. Once wed tried it, it was just too good to ignore and we thought that people really need to try this. Waterfords Peated: BallyBannon and Peated: Fenniscourt are each 50% ABV, with 11,500 bottles of each being released globally. These whiskies are available in 750ml bottles for $99.99 in select retail stores starting in October within the U.S. Waterford Whisky is imported by Glass Revolution Imports. We are thrilled to be adding these two new Waterford expressions, said Raj Sabharwal, Founding Partner at Glass Revolution Imports. Given the rarity of these two Single Malt Whiskies, they will be allocated to the following markets - New York, Washington D.C., Maryland, Delaware, Illinois, Texas, California and Washington. Tasting Notes by Ned Gahan, Head Distiller at Waterford Distillery While the Peated: Ballybannon has a stronger, smokier flavor and with an intense finish, the Peated Fenniscourt is a more subtle smokiness, with a softer finish. PEATED: BALLYBANNON: Matured in a combination of 39% first-fill U.S. oak; 21% virgin U.S. oak; 21% Premium French oak; and 19% Vin Doux Naturel casks. *Color: light gold with everlasting oils. *Nose: soft peat, almonds, lavender honey, a seaside escape, driftwood fire smoke, green apples. *Taste: peat kick, very chewable, BBQ fish by the sea, buttery, samphire, warm apple and almond tart with honeycomb ice cream, endless finish. *Peating: 47 ppm PEATED: FENNISCOURT: Matured in a combination of 37% first-fill U.S. oak; 19% virgin U.S. oak; 20% Premium French oak; and 24% Vin Doux Naturel. *Color: rich buttermilk with fabulous oils. *Nose: turf! Saltiness, pear skin, woodland moss, dried thyme, malted biscuits, marzipan, baked banana. *Taste: dry rope, barbecue, bog myrtle, white pepper, meaty; soft, earthy warmth, a dry finish in gentle waves. *Peating: 38 ppm About Waterford Whisky: Waterford Whisky is on a quest to unearth whiskys most natural flavors. Unashamedly influenced by the worlds greatest winemakers, Waterford brings the same intellectual drive, methodology and rigor to unearth the nuances that make Waterford Whisky the most profound single malt ever created. Across southern Ireland, warmed by the Gulf Stream, temperate, moist air crosses fertile soils to produce a verdant landscape and the worlds finest barley. Since barley is the source of malt whiskys complex flavors, it makes abundant sense to focus on where and how the barley is cultivated. Those flavors are shaped by place, by the soils that nourish its roots, by the microclimate in which it ripens. By terroir. Waterford is a whisky of the world, born of Irish barley. For more information, please visit https://waterfordwhisky.com/ Click here for old website Thirteen-year-old Estela Juarez is two steps ahead of other debut authors three times her age. A letter she wrote to President Trump when she was eightdescribing her mothers deportation to Mexico despite her fathers naturalized citizenship and service as a Marinegained national attention and led to a video address at the 2020 Democratic National Convention. She has adapted her familys story into a picture book, Until Someone Listens, co-written with Lissette Norman and illustrated by Teresa Martinez, available in English and Spanish editions. PW spoke with Juarez about translating her real-life experiences onto the page. Most of us dont want to relive the worst days of our lives, but youve done it in letters, on video, and now in a book. Where does your courage come from? This has affected my family every day, and even now that my mom is back with us in the U.S., shes worried about what might happen to her in the next year. So I think I get my courage from just knowing that I need to do everything I can to help my mom. I have gotten very used to talking about this because I do it so often. But mostly it feels frustrating knowing that my mom is in this situation and she has done nothing wrong. She has contributed so much to this country, and shes being punished for it, and its all in this book. Those difficult moments are never shown directly. When someone first appears threatening your mother with deportation, the two are simply shadows on the wall. When shes taken away, only the shadow of her hand appearsa shadow youre running after. Why shadows? I think Miss Teresa tried to really represent how dark the moment was for me, so the shadows are gray and dark, and they are the sad moments. In my young mind, I could never comprehend what was going on, even when the man from the government came to my house to try to deport my mom. I only remember his voice. I do not remember his face, and to me it looked like shadows. What was your reaction to the early drawings? I was astonished when I saw the pictures. Miss Teresa did the whole story beautifully. I was so happy, and I felt so grateful to know that such an incredible illustrator was representing my story. You dont want to create something so scary that a parent is not going to read your book to a child. So how do you show strong emotion on the page? I know my story is a very difficult and complicated one. As a child I never fully understood what was going on until I got a little older. So we really wanted to create it in a way where other children could take courage from my story, know that they can share their voice, and that they will eventually be heard. We wanted to show it in a way that didnt make children scared, but we also wanted them to understand what was going on in the moment. If a future you could send back strength to your younger self, would it have helped to know how it would all turn out? Me telling my younger self what was going to happenI feel like it wouldnt have made a difference. I knew that my mom was going to get deported. I remember the last day she had in the United States. I kept thinking, is this real? And I had to come to terms with itthat she was being taken away the next day. I could have used the courage that I have now when I was little. But I also think that what happened in the past made me who I am today. When you finally finished the book, how did that feel? I started writing before I was approached with the opportunity for this book. So knowing that my writing was actually going to be published, it felt incredible and unreal to me. It was such a beautiful experience. Does seeing your story in book form change anything for you? It makes me feel very safe and very full of gratitude, knowing that my story will be there for anybody who would like to read it or needs inspiration and courage. And when I get older and hopefully become a lawyer, they will think, Wow! She actually accomplished her dreams. Itll be beautiful for anybody to read my legacy whenever they would like to. No child wants to be separated from their parents. Suppose an all-powerful genie appeared and said, Estela, you can turn back time and never be separated from your mother, never appear in the spotlight, never hold this book in your hands. What would you choose, and why? Wow, this is a very hard question! Although what happened to my family was terrible, I wouldnt have had the motivation to help other immigrants that I have now. But I think going through such a hard time prepared me for whats coming next. I want to be an immigration lawyer, and though Ill feel terrible, seeing all those children who were separated from their families just like I was, Ill understand. You say you wrote this book to share your experiences with the world and hopefully change things. What do you write for yourself that you wouldnt want to share? There are times where Ive been very angry, writing down all the terrible things I couldnt say, because I just felt so many emotions. When I was in the U.S. and my mom was in Mexico, especially knowing that she was alone with no emotional support, that felt very terrible to me. You seemed to know that writing could make you feel better and help release those feelings. I realized that writing is a way of healing. I needed to write down my experiences to heal, especially since I didnt have access to therapymy dad was at work, so nobody could drive me there. I think that writing definitely made me the person that I am today. What advice do you have for other writers your age who want to publish a book someday? No matter how scary it is, just keep writing down all your experiences, and continue to share your voice because somebody will hear you. And read a lot, because you learn from other storytellers. March by John Lewis inspired me. As a young man, he used his voice. I hope that my book inspires others. I hope that it will reach legislators who can help change the broken immigration laws to find a permanent solution for my mom and for other families. My story is one of manya lot of families are much less fortunate. They really need that courage, and need to be reunited with their family again. Until Someone Listens: A Story About Borders, Family, and One Girls Mission by Estela Juarez with Lissette Norman, illus. by Teresa Martinez. Roaring Brook, $18.99 Sept. ISBN 978-1-250-83212-2 Sliding into the rap battle ring on September 23 is Angie Thomass latest book-to-movie adaptation, On the Come Up, based on her bestselling novel. Initially set to stream exclusively on Paramount+, the studio has announced that the film will also have a limited theatrical release in sync with its streaming debut, following a successful launch at the Toronto International Film Festival. The movie will open across the top 50 U.S. markets in tandem with the launch on Paramount+ in U.S., Canada, and Italy, with further international markets to follow later this year. With a screenplay by Kay Oyegun (This Is Us), the film marks the feature directorial debut of Sanaa Lathan (Succession) who also co-stars as Jayda Jay Jackson. The film was executive produced by John Fischer (The Hate U Give); produced by Timothy M. Bourne (Love, Simon), Marty Bowen (The Maze Runner), Wyck Godfrey (First Man), Isaac Klausner (The Fault in Our Stars), Jay Marcus (The Hate U Give), Robert Teitel (Men of Honor), Angie Thomas, and George Tillman Jr. (The Hate U Give). It stars Jamila Gray (Sweet Conversation) as Brianna Bri Jackson, DaVine Joy Randolph (Aunt Pooh, Only Murders in the Building), Cliff Method Man Smith (Supreme, How High), Miles Gutierrez-Riley (Sonny, The Wilds), Cuyle Carvin (Tate, Cobra Kai), Michael Cooper Jr. (Malik, The Pros of Cons), and Nijah Brenea (Dominique, Rap Sh!t). Brianna Bri Jackson (Gray) aspires to be one of the greatest rappers of all time, but as the daughter of the late underground rap legend Lawrence Lawless Jackson, who was murdered before breaking into the mainstream rap scene, Bri has some large shoes to fill. Life isnt easy; with her mother, Jayda Jay Jackson (Lathan), unexpectedly losing her job, being labeled as a miscreant at school for aggressive behavior, and trying to make ends meet, Bri pours her frustrations into her first song. A song that goes viral for the wrong reasons lands Bri in the middle of a storm of controversy. But with bills piling up and homelessness a very real possibility, Bri no longer wants to make itshe has to make it. On the Come Up is the second of Thomass books to hit the big screen; The Hate U Give came out in 2018. I think the biggest difference was coming into this knowing a bit more about the process, Thomas told PW. This time around, I came in as an actual producer, not just a producer in name. I feel like the first movie was freshman year of high school where youre still figuring out where to go, but this one was sophomore year for sureI know a little more but Im still not a senior yet. From sitting in on the Zoom calls during the casting process to only missing a week of on-set filming, Thomas was present every step of the waya very collaborative process that stands in contrast to the solitude of writing a novel. Im in the backseat right behind Sanaa [Lathan] and Im saying, Hey maybe this way, and turn this way, Thomas said. I love it because you get to see your story and characters through other peoples perspectives. It gives it more layers, and [makes it] even more beautiful, hopefully, than it originally was. Thomas was even able to watch some audition tapes. There were at least 200 young ladies who auditioned for the role of Bri and Im so happy with who we chose. [Gray] embodies Bri 1,000%, she said, remembering moments on set during the rap battles. I remember the [extras who were playing the] audience were amazed and blown away every time Bri opened her mouth. I remember specifically we were in the ring and this was [Grays] first time doing a lot of the battle raps and the first time anyone heard them. After [Lathan] yelled cut [the extras] were like oh that was so dope. It brought this feeling of really being in the rap battle environment. That was amazing to me. Optioned in 2018 just before the novel came out, the movie was four years in the making, thanks to complications due to the pandemic, needing to switch studios (it was originally with Fox), along with having to switch directors due to conflicting projects, the reality of its release hasnt quite hit Thomas yet. Its funny because it only hit me last night around 11:30 p.m. when I tweeted it out, and again when I was on YouTube and saw an ad for On the Come Up came on, Thomas said with a laugh. When I first got the news, Id been kind of pessimistic because there are so many great projects out there that never get out, but now that Ive done press and seen the movie in theater, Im like, Oh yeah this is actually happening. The film garnered early success at the Toronto International Film Festival, which Thomas was able to attend. There is nothing quite like sitting in the audience with a room full of people and hearing their reactions to the movie, she said. The film festival itself was an amazing experience. We were doing press, and traffic was held up because of Taylor Swift and Hillary Clinton. I mean, if youre gonna be held up for any reason those two are good reasons. HAHA Readers may be disappointed to know that Bris grandparents will not be making an appearance outside of the books pages. But our screenwriter did a phenomenal job to make sure the emotional thread that connects Bri to her grandparents is still there, Thomas said. Even though they arent in the movie we still understand what she felt like when her mom wasnt there. Another difference readers might notice is what happens to Aunt Pooh in the movie. Im not gonna spoil it but there are [emotional] scenes that really got me. Fans who are eager for the movie and need something to tide them over until its release can listen to Thomass hip hop playlist, which include songs and artists that inspired some of the raps in the novel. I think its obvious to everybody who my favorite rapper is, and thats 2Pac, Ive had books with titles influenced by 2Pac. I also love J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Rapsodyand Im not just saying that because she wrote the raps in the movie, Thomas said. She did a phenomenal job of paying homage to what I wrote in the book by putting a new twist on it. Readers can also look forward to a new middle grade novel by Thomas, Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy. Im super excited because its my first time doing middle grade and my first time doing fantasy. Its nice to write something a little different, so no guns in this one but I do have a dragon! Thomas hopes her message of being outspoken is able to reach the hearts and minds of audiences. I wrote On the Come Up in response to book bannings that have been taking place against my work and people always ask me, How do you feel about your book being banned? and I tell them to read On the Come Up because its a story of a girl who is criticized for how she says things as opposed to people listening to what shes saying. Lets not pay so much attention to how people say things, lets pay more attention to what is being said and what people are experiencing. This is my way of speaking out on that. Indigo Books & Music, Canada's dominant bookstore chain, has named current company president Peter Ruis CEO. Heather Reisman, founder and former CEO, will assume the role of executive chairman. The move comes as Reisman turned 74 and the company celebrated its 25th anniversary. Ruis, 54, is from the U.K., and is a former retail executive with 30 years experience, having worked for Levis, Ted Baker, Anthropologie and U.K. luxury chain John Lewis. The succession to CEO was planned after he jointed the company last year, and helped the chain cope with the pandemic lockdowns and a shift to online shopping by Canadian consumers. He told the Financial Post, his plans are to make things at the various stores "bigger and bolder" and will keep the focus on bricks-and-mortar retail, making each location the setting for a "cultural odyssey," with a refreshed selection of products. Its the idea that we will always have an incredible sort of modern, progressive outlook in terms of everything were doing and talking about rather than (customers) walking in and seeing the same old assortment, same old things, he said. Ruis also maintained he is passionate about reading. Ive always loved books. Ive always read books. English was my favorite subject at school. Two of the books I read as a teenager are still my favorite books of all time: The Great Gatsby and 1984." On September 3, authors, illustrators, and book lovers gathered in Washington, D.C., for the first fully in-person National Book Festival since the pandemic started. The event featured author conversations and several panels focusing on childrens and YA literature and authors, as well as book signings and photo-ops. Weve gathered highlights from the event. (From l.): authors Donna Barba Higuera, David Bowles, Ruth Behar, and Juliet Menendez gather at the National Book Festivals opening reception. Moderators Austin Ferraro (not pictured) and Ava Luo (far l.) spoke with authors (from l.) Victoria Aveyard (Blade Breaker), Namina Forna (The Merciless Ones), and Chloe Gong (Our Violent Ends) about writing their YA sequels. Kwame Alexander chats with an attendee while signing a copy of his book Crossover. (From l.): authors Darcie Little Badger, Donna Barba Higuera, Malinda Lo, and Dhonielle Clayton gather for their panel Meet Me in the Winners Circle: Award Winning Writers. At a presentation commemorating the 75th anniversary of Goodnight Moon, festival director Clay Smith (l.) and author Mac Barnett (r.) discuss the picture books longstanding impact on childrens literature. Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden (r.) dropped by the Scholastic booth for pictures with festival-goers at the Dog Man and Cat Kid photo-op wall. Authors Ebony LaDelle (l.) and David Valdes (r.) discuss their perspectives on writing love stories during their panel Love Me Like a Love Song: Fresh Takes on Romance. Newbery Honoree Darcie Little Badger at the Politics and Prose bookstand. Blackout (Quill Tree) authors (from l.) Ashley Woodfolk, Nicola Yoon, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, and Dhonielle Clayton strike a pose. Arthur creator Marc Brown in conversation with WJLA anchor Allison Starling about his illustrated book Believe in Yourself: What We Learned from Arthur. Author Jennifer Ziegler signs copies of her middle grade novel Worser. Authors Kat Fajardo (c.) (Miss Quinces) and Johnnie Christmas (r.) (Swim Team) talk all things graphic novels with moderator Megan Halsband (l.). Author Soman Chainani signs books from his School for Good and Evil series ahead of the books Netflix adaptation in October. Author Ruth Behar presents her picture book Tia Fortunas New Home. Levine Querido has announced the creation of Ediciones Levine Querido, an imprint dedicated to bringing high-quality literature for young people to Spanish-language readers through collaborations with authors, illustrators, translators, and publishers from around the world. The new imprint, which comes on the heels of the publishers announcement of launching Lantern Paperbacks, will release between four and six titles annually, ranging from picture books to YA fiction. Ediciones Levine Querido kicks off this month with a trio of titles: Buenos espiritus (High Spirits) by Camille Gomera-Tavarez, translated by Lorraine Avila (Sept. 20); La timida Willow (Shy Willow) by Cat Min, translated by Alexis Romay and Valerie Block (Sept. 27); and Newbery-winning La ultima cuentista (The Last Cuentista) by Donna Barba Higuera, translated by Aurora Humaran (Nov. 15). In spring 2023, three additional titles will join the list: Noche antigua(Ancient Night) by David Alvarez and words by David Bowles; La forma de un hogar (The Shape of Home) by Rashin Kheriyeh; and Lo que le conto el jaguar (What the Jaguar Told Her) by Alexandra V. Mendez. The current demand for Spanish-language childrens books significantly outpaces their availability, noted Antonio Gonzalez Cerna, LQ marketing director and founding member of Latinx in Publishing, an organization that was established to support and increase the number of Latinx people in the publishing industry, and to promote literature by, for, and about the Latinx community. The Spanish-language market continues to be underserved by mainstream publishers, especially in Texas, California, and Florida, Gonzalez Cerna said in a statement. At the last Texas Library Association conference, many librarians approached the Levine Querido booth specifically asking for Spanish-language and bilingual books to share with their classrooms. Two of the imprints debut authors also underscore their personal commitment to making literature available in Spanish editions. When I was a child there were few books, if any, in Spanish, Barba Higuera said. It makes me so proud that my books will be part of something special at Ediciones Levine Querido. Kids like I was will now be able to read in both English and Spanish and be given a bridge to connect them to stories they can now share with others. Camille Gomera-Tavarez, who is of Afro-Dominican heritage, also emphasized the rewards of having her writing published in Spanish. When I was first writing High Spirits, I wrote with the intent of the target audience being native Caribbean Spanish speakers, she explained. It feels like such a privilege to have my work translated with such care and for my own family members to be able to finally read it along with other Dominicans and Spanish-speaking readers. To me, the Spanish-language edition is the more valuable version. LQ president and editor-in-chief Arthur A. Levine added that the new imprint taps in to LQs staffers backgrounds and talents. With three of the six of us being native speakers of Spanish, he said, we have unique resources with which to ensure the publication of beautiful, accurate, fluid works in Spanish for the great numbers of readers who will appreciate them. Diane Noomin, a groundbreaking comics creator and editor who joined with other women to bring feminist voices and womens issues to the Underground Comix movement of the early 1970s, died on September 1 at her home in Connecticut. She was 75. Noomin is best known for creating the character DiDi Glitz, who both satirized 20th century notions of femininity and channeled Noomins own experiences. DiDi Glitz began life as a Halloween costume, including the enormous blonde bouffant wig and fishnet stockings that became DiDis signature look. The character debuted in Noomins self-published 1973 minicomic Canarsie Creeps, then appeared in Wimmins Comix #4. A single mother who lives on Long Island and is rapidly approaching middle age, DiDi papers over her problems with the signifiers of a fabulous lifestyleflashy clothes and fancy drinks, mostly. In addition to creating her own comics, Noomin edited several high-profile anthologies, including the Eisner Awardwinning Drawing Power (Abrams ComicArts, 2019). At the time of her death, she was working on a graphic memoir about her parents who, unbeknownst to her when she was a child, were active members of the Communist Party. Born Diane Rosenblatt in Canarsie, Brooklyn, in 1947, Noomin attended the High School of Music and Art in New York City, later taking classes as Brooklyn College and the Pratt Institute. She had a short, unhappy first marriage, and after divorcing her husband, changed her last name to Noomin, a slight variation from her married name. In the early 1970s, just as the underground comix movement was reaching its peak, Noomin moved to San Francisco. Almost immediately, she met cartoonist Aline Kominsky, who eventually met and married celebrated cartoonist R. Crumb, and the two became lifelong friends and frequent collaborators. Noomin and Kominsky were also members of the Wimmens Comix collective, a group started by artist/historian Trina Robbins to produce comics by women creators. Noomins first story, Home Agin, appeared in Wimmens Comix #2 (1973), and her work appeared in several subsequent issues. Noomin and Kominsky left the Wimmens Comix collective in 1975, due to both creative and political differences, and created their own comic, the one-shot Twisted Sisters (Last Gasp, 1976). Noomin returned to Wimmens Comix in 1984 and contributed several stories, as well as the cover for issue #11, the fashion issue, before the collective folded in 1992. Noomin met Zippy The Pinhead creator Bill Griffith in 1980, and the two were married for over 40 years. Their circle of friends included such noted 1970s underground cartoonists as Roger Brand, Kim Deitch, Willy Murphy, Spain Rodriguez, Gilbert Shelton, and Art Spiegelman. Noomins editing career began with Lemme Outta Here! Growing Up Inside the American Dream (The Print Mint, 1978), a collection of comics about suburban life by Noomin, Kominsky, Crumb, Griffith, and others. She also edited Twisted Sisters: A Collection of Bad Girl Art (Penguin, 1991), which collected previously published work by women cartoonists including Joyce Brabner, Julie Doucet, Mary Fleener, and Carol Tyler. The motivation for Drawing Power: Womens Stories of Sexual Violence, Harassment, and Survival (Abrams, 2019), the last anthology collection Noomin edited, came from Donald Trumps sexist boast in 2016, about grabbing women by the pussy. Noomin began collecting comics in which women described their experiences with sexual harassment and sexual assault, a project that gained momentum with the advent of the #MeToo movement. The anthology featured comics by 64 different creators, including Noomin, and won the 2020 Eisner Award for Best Anthology. Like many of the underground comix creators, Noomin used over-the-top humor and exaggerated visuals to tell stories that ranged from hilarious to gut-wrenching. In addition to being an accomplished cartoonist, she engaged with the larger comics community, offering both inspiration and opportunity to younger creators and bringing them into the comics communityjust as she had been welcomed when she first arrived, divorced and alone, in San Francisco in 1971. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. Purdue University professor Bryan Pijanowskis research team will be working in some wild and remote places around the globe in the coming year. Pijanowskis sound-source surveyors will be equipped with microphones, headphones and parabolic reflectors to efficiently collect sound waves from the natural world. Their tools also include low-flying drones and sensors mounted on orbiting satellites and the International Space Station. The Purdue team is utilizing these resources to develop a global model of animal and plant diversity and how it changes. They will also access Purdues two crown jewels of global biodiversity databases. One is the Global Forest Biodiversity Initiative, a database that holds tree species inventories from more than a million plots of land. The other database, at the Center for Global Soundscapes, contains more than 4 million audio recordings from most ecosystems on Earth. Were using acoustic remote sensing to develop the animal biodiversity model, said Pijanowski, center director and professor in the College of Agricultures Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. He has, for example, maintained an acoustic sensor in the wetlands of the Purdue Wildlife Area since 2007. And from the Southeast Asian island of Borneo alone, he has more than 25,00 recordings that include sounds from 3,000 animal species. The highly transdisciplinary work requires expertise in ecology, social sciences, engineering, statistics and the humanities. Project co-leads include Purdues Kristen Bellisario, clinical assistant professor in the John Martinson Honors College; Jinha Jung, assistant professor in the Lyles School of Civil Engineering; and Jingjing Liang, associate professor of forestry and natural resources. The NASA project specifically focuses on developing plant-animal diversity models for four different types of forested ecosystems. The work starts in the deciduous forests of nearby Tippecanoe County in Indiana. Pijanowskis team uses the area as its sandbox, where they go for research training and protocol development. The other three sites are located in Tanzanias Miombo Woodlands, Mongolias savanna and forest-steppe ecosystems, and the mangroves of the Sundarbans UNESCO World Heritage Site in Bangladesh. The Miombo Woodlands is one of the largest forest ecosystems in the world, Pijanowski said. The Sundarbans is the location of one of the most pristine mangrove sites in the world. Mangroves and estuaries are under great threat from climate change due to rising sea levels. And Mongolia represents a mixture of coniferous forests and grasslands, which are also threatened from climate change. The project will extend the biodiversity models of all four ecosystems to other long-term studies in Borneo, Southeast Asia; Costa Rica, the Caribbean; Finland, northern Europe; and Patagonia, South America. The Purdue teams multiple data-collection platforms include three experimental sensors onboard the International Space Station. These are experimental sensors to map and create plant habitat models that we then calibrate with all the measurements were making on the ground and with unmanned aerial vehicles, Pijanowski said. The space stations Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) uses light detection and ranging (LiDAR). The DLS (German Aerospace Center) Earth-Sensing Imaging Spectrometer (DESIS) is a hyperspectral sensor that detects species composition and diversity spanning electromagnetic frequencies from visible light to infrared. And ECOSTRESS, a thermal sensor, detects the drought stress condition of plants. Two satellite systems complement the space station sensors. These are the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Landsat, which detect fires in Tanzania that affect the habitat of chimpanzees, bush babies, monkeys and baboons. With these three space station sensors, the team gleans data on a habitats structural complexity, species diversity and stress, which mesh with the global tree dataset. Drones flying 80 meters above the ground provide high-resolution data (1-centimeter pixels) that allow the researchers to calibrate with the space station data. The team also conducts plant surveys at each location. Jinha Jung and his geospatial data science group handle calibrations and linkages among ground-based, airborne and spaceborne data. We need to be able to relate the images we get to specific locations that Bryan is visiting and recording sound to quantify biodiversity, Jung said. We can generate very high-resolution 3D models of those locations. One task of Jungs group is to fill the gaps in the space stations LiDAR coverage. Orbiting at an average altitude of about 400 kilometers (nearly 250 miles) and moving at 17,500 miles per hour, the space station bounces the GEDI laser beam off the Earths surface at intervals of about 70 meters. Jungs group also will create 3D models of all the NASA biodiversity field sites and make the 3D models available on the project website. The models will allow users to point and click on a site, zoom in and rotate the view in three dimensions. Were going to embed recordings so visitors can visualize the site in 3D, but they can also hear the sound, almost feel like theyre actually there, Jung said. The NASA biodiversity project is part of Pijanowskis mission to record the Earth. His chorus4nature.org website connects to his entire database of global biomes, the various natural habitats where plants and animals make their home. People can look at all of our sites in the maps of locations where we have studies, he said. We describe all the biomes, all the different studies, the threats to the biomes. We have a photo catalog of all the sites and videos talking about the sites and what were doing there as scientists in action. Ultimately, we are trying to use the very best technology to solve some of societys grand challenges of species loss and climate change. Being supported by NASA makes this especially part of being a Boilermaker; Purdue is the cradle of astronauts. Perhaps, with NASAs help, we will be the cradle of solving global biodiversity challenges. Writer: Steve Koppes Source: Bryan Pijanowski, bpijanow@purdue.edu Media contact: Maureen Manier, mmanier@purdue.edu Agricultural Communications: 765-494-8415; Maureen Manier, Department Head, mmanier@purdue.edu Agriculture News Page The linear 4K channel is now available to CANAL+ Polska subscribers with 4K set top boxes. Additionally, the platforms audiences will soon have access to Love Natures programs on its VOD service available to DTH subscribers on 4K set-top boxes.Original programming highlights on CANAL+ Polska include Becoming Orangutan (3 x 60'), a miniseries featuring the irresistible young orangutans at the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation as they are nurtured by specially trained caregivers and to learn how to survive in the wild. Wild Dogs: Running with the Pack (6 x 30'), features the journey of wildlife filmmaker Julz Braatvedt on his mission to film and protect African wild dogs with the Zambian Carnivore Program while Battle of the Alphas (12 x 30) delves into the science behind animal conflict, from babies competing for their mothers milk to aggressive battles for territorial leadership.New Kids in the Wild (5 x 60) follows the first steps of baby animals from birth and the fragile first steps to key moments in their lives in which they use their instincts to survive and Dawn to Dusk (8 x 60) celebrates the daily rhythms of wildlife from sunrise to sunset in different ecosystems around the world. Love Natures new partnership with CANAL+ Polska will provide the best quality 4K natural history programming on the market for CANAL+ audiences and we are delighted to be making our Polish debut with one of Poland's leading Pay TV operators," says Chiara Mckee, VP, EMEA Love Nature. Poland is a key territory for significantly expanding Love Natures reach across Europe and the widespread availability of UHD televisions in Polish households will satisfy the growing demand for top quality 4K content.CANAL+ Polska has been one of the pioneers in the Polish market in terms of offering 4K content to its audience, being the first broadcaster on the market to offer a premium 4K HDR Channel, added Monika Kosinska, external channels acquisition director, CANAL+ Polska. We are very happy to enlarge CANAL+ 4K offering by adding Love Natures 4K channel to our portfolio, with nature content being one of the genres where one can really appreciate the difference 4K quality adds to our viewing experience. Netflix released a trailer for The Curse of Bridge Hollow on Wednesday, depicting Marlon Wayans and Priah Ferguson as a father and daughter fighting a mischievous spirit after moving to a small town. ADVERTISEMENT Ferguson plays Sydney, a teenage girl reluctant to move from Brooklyn to the small town of Bridge Hollow as her parents, played by Wayans and Kelly Rowland , urge her to give the town a chance. They arrive to find the town decked out in elaborate Halloween decorations, which Wayans' character, a science teacher, finds "silly." A woman tells the girl that a wicked man named Stingy Jack died in the house the family is moving into. "So, I might live in a haunted house," Priah's character says in the trailer. "This place just got a lot cooler." But the trailer quickly turns to mayhem. "You guys are not gonna believe this," Priah says in the trailer. "Stingy Jack tricked me into finding his old lantern. And now the Halloween decorations are coming to life." The trailer shows Wayans and Priah engage in comical battles with Halloween decorations that have come to life and are terrorizing the town as the father and daughter race to stop Jack by midnight. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! Coming to Netflix Oct. 14, The Curse of Bridge Hollow also stars Rob Riggle John Michael Higgins and Lauren Lapkus The film is directed by Jeff Wadlow. Todd Berger and Robert Rugan wrote the screenplay with a story by John R. Morey and Berger. Stranger Things and Black Widow actor David Harbour has signed on to star in Gran Turismo, a film inspired by the popular video game. ADVERTISEMENT "Excited about this film!" director Neill Blomkamp tweeted Wednesday, along with a media report about the casting. Jason Hall and Zach Baylan wrote the screenplay, which is based on the true story of a teen who became a professional race car driver after winning several video driving competitions. Who Harbour will play has not been disclosed yet. Sony Pictures plans to release the film in theaters on Aug. 11. No other casting has been announced yet. Blomkamp's credits include District 9, Elysium and Chappie. Taye Diggs will host a new dating reality series for Hulu. ADVERTISEMENT The 51-year-old actor will host the unscripted show Back in the Groove. Back in the Groove follows three women in their 40s who feel stuck in the grind of their everyday lives. The trio check in to The Groove Hotel in the Dominican Republic, where their goal is to rediscover their youth, live joyously, and find love with men half their age. "As the saying goes, you can't fall in love with someone else until you fall in love with yourself!" an official description reads. "At the Groove Hotel, these three women will have the opportunity to do both! Whether they find the perfect fling, friendship, true love, or something in between, this is their chance to take charge and break through the double standards older women face every day. And they're going to have a lot of fun doing it!" The series features Sparkle, 43, from Atlanta, Ga., Steph, 41, from Miami, Fla., and Brooke, 42, from Los Angeles, Calif. Back in the Groove will consist of eight episodes. The show is executive produced by Elan Gale, who also serves as showrunner. Back in the Groove is Hulu's first unscripted original produced under the Walt Disney Television Alternative banner. Diggs is a Broadway, film and TV actor known for playing Dr. Sam Bennett on Private Practice. He presently portrays Billy Baker on The CW series All American. On Aug. 29, Athens Mayor Kelly Girtz signed and issued a proclamation recognizing the week of Sept. 4-10 as National Suicide Prevention Week. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in individuals aged 25 to 34 and the third leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 15 to 24, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. At a work session on Tuesday evening, the Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission hosted representatives of SPLOST 2020 Project 25, the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and the ACC Planning Department. The representatives presented project plans for the development of a new East Side Public Library and updates on the expansion progress at the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia. Members of the Brattleboro Police Department and Wilmington Police Department run from the old police station, at the Municipal Center in Brattleboro, to the Dummerston town line for the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Vermont on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. BRATTLEBORO The Windham Southeast School District is asking past and present members of the school communities to come forward with any info Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Clear to partly cloudy. Low around 55F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low around 55F. Winds light and variable. ROCKINGHAM A man who police say stabbed a member of a construction crew on Interstate 91 on Wednesday is being held without bail and will be Michelle Luetjen Green, chairwoman of the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union Board, continued in her leadership role despite calls from board members to step down at the meeting Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. Where goes Queen Elizabeth II, there inevitably go each of us and all those we love. Because she reigned and lived for so long, seemingly immutable and immortal, the death of the British monarch after 70 years on the throne and 96 years of extraordinary life was a reminder, in Britain and beyond, that mortality and the march of time are inexorable, waiting for neither man nor woman, even a royal. That kernel of wisdom from Elizabeth's passing, the last of many she dispensed during her lifetime, is uncomfortable, even difficult, for the living. The reality of death the queen's being, by extension, a glimpse at the eventuality of their own is part of the reason why some Britons mourning the only monarch most have known are feeling a complex soup of emotions. Some have called bereavement counselors for solace and said her departure has rekindled grief for others they loved and lost. And Britons acknowledge that they sometimes struggle with the emotions of loss. We dont necessarily do grief and bereavement that well, says Lucy Selman, an associate professor of palliative and end-of-life care at the University of Bristol. British bereavement experts are hoping, however, that the queen's death and its manner at home, with family, in her beloved Balmoral Castle might also spur a national conversation about the sometimes awkward relationship that Britons have with dying. In the process, the experts hope, it might prompt them to better prepare for the inevitable. If we are going to die in a way that we hope is peaceful, comfortable, and satisfying for us, we have got to do what the queen did: Recognize that it is going to happen at some point and put some plans in place for what we want and what we dont want to happen," says Kathryn Mannix, author of With the End in Mind: How to Live and Die Well." Mannix has witnessed thousands of deaths in her 30-year career as a palliative care physician. She says it became clear in the last two years of Elizabeth's life that she was dying. She recognized familiar patterns in the slowdown of the habitually frenetic queen's schedule and the preparations she made. In her final months, Elizabeth made it known that when now-King Charles III succeeded her, she wanted his wife, Camilla, to be known as Queen Consort. And she lingered to see her grandson, Prince William, and his wife, Kate, relocate their family from central London to a royal cottage in Windsor. One of her very last actions as queen was to ask Conservative Party leader Liz Truss to become her 15th and, as it turned out, last prime minister. That audience was last Tuesday, Sept. 6. It was the first time in Elizabeth's reign that she'd been away from her official London residence, Buckingham Palace, for a prime ministerial appointment. Instead, she stayed in Balmoral, her Scottish vacation home, and Truss traveled to her. Duty done, the queen died two days later. Mannix was reminded of other deaths she encountered in her medical career, of people who clung to life to hear the news that a baby has been born or an exam has been passed and who then relaxed very quickly into dying. There is nothing at all disrespectful about recognizing that even our monarchs are mortal and that what happens at the very ends of peoples lives is a recognizable pattern," Mannix says. We perhaps can use this as an occasion to start to think about knowing the pattern, being able to recognize the pattern, being able to talk to each other about the pattern not being afraid of it." Described by the government as a period of time for reflection, the 10 days of national mourning decreed for Elizabeth's passing are also, unavoidably, giving dying, loss and bereavement starring roles in the wall-to-wall media coverage of the queen's life and times. Bereavement experts say the rituals of communal grieving and the mourning period practically an age in the swipe-and-tap era of short attention spans are an exceptional and important opportunity for Britons to adjust to the loss of a queen and the gaining of a king, and to process the emotions and anxiety that enormous change sometimes brings. For young people, this might be first time that they learn about the finality of life and what that means, says psychologist Bianca Neumann, the head of bereavement at Sue Ryder, a British charity that offers support through terminal illness and loss. We never really look at the end of life like that, unless we have to, she says. It would be nice as a nation if those conversations could become more mainstream. Psychotherapist Julia Samuel, who was a close friend of the late Princess Diana, is urging Britons to pause and digest their loss. Posting on Instagram, she said that "if we just keep going and doing what we normally do, our brain isnt given the information to let us know that something very big has happened. The task of mourning is to adjust to the reality of a death," she says. To do that, we need to let our brain kind of slow down. To be fair, British conversations about death and loss have taken place for centuries. In Hamlet, Shakespeare had his prince muse famously about the human condition, clutching the skull of Yorick, a court jester. Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Hamlet mourns. Where be your gibes now? Your gambols? Your songs? Britons also surprised themselves and the world, casting off their reputation as a nation of stiff upper lips, with a deluge of public tears over the death of Princess Diana in 1997. The pendulum went from the one side to the other, says Adrian Furnham, a London-based professor of organizational psychology at the Norwegian Business School and author of "Psychology 101: The 101 Ideas, Concepts and Theories that Have Shaped Our World. Its now much more acceptable, and indeed a lot more healthy, to let it out, he says. That has changed in this country, because there was a time when that was distinctly a sign of weakness. Still, Britons concede that they could do better in helping others and themselves through bereavement. Sue Ryder last year launched a Grief Kind campaign, to help people find words when those around them lose loved ones. Selman is the founding director of the Good Grief Festival, started during the COVID-19 pandemic to break taboos around dying. She hopes mourning for the queen will produce a bit more awareness and an ongoing discussion about bereavement and loss and our social attitudes towards it. Theres a conversation to be had about what a good death is," she says. And what we can do to try and ensure that we have the death that we want. ___ Follow AP stories on the death of Queen Elizabeth II and Britains royal family at https://apnews.com/hub/queen-elizabeth-ii While an attorney representing the families of Sandy Hook victims painted Alex Jones as someone who used lies about the 2012 shooting to grow his platform, the Infowars host took to his show on Wednesday afternoon to beg for donations and sell his book. During his broadcast on Infowars on Wednesday, Jones proclaimed his innocence in the ongoing Connecticut defamation damages trial, despite having already been found guilty by default by a judge. Jones also used portions of his four-hour broadcast to urge listeners to buy his book at marked up prices in order to stay on-air. You could not act in a more important way to defeat the new world order, Jones told listeners. Hes already been ordered to pay one family $49 million after a damages trial in Texas for his false claims that the tragedy was staged, synthetic, manufactured, a giant hoax, and completely fake with actors. Jones said financial advisors told him you are barely solvent and they are wanting to shut you down, you better go raise some money. He then told listeners to head to his online store where they can buy copies of his book, some with marked up prices, in order to keep him on the air after paying damages. His company Free Speech Systems filed for bankruptcy to avoid facing trial. But the gambit proved unsuccessful as the trials have moved forward. The amount of money awarded to Jones victims can be based on his net worth, which has been a subject of contention in the trial. While the second day of the trial was happening in Waterbury, Jones was broadcasting The Alex Jones show, his Infowars channels flagship show. Jones continued to characterize the trial as a political hit job. During the show, Judge Barbara Bellis was described as a woke, activist judge and attorney for the plaintiffs Chris Mattei as a leftist operative. Jones claimed the trial has become so focused on him, people including his own lawyer can no longer name the shooter. Jones was found guilty of defamation after claiming Sandy Hook was a hoax and false flag operation in order to justify the government limiting the Second Amendment. The current trial is to determine how much he owes in damages to people victimized by his lies. His guilt has already been litigated. Jones also insinuated the entire trial was a part of a government conspiracy to silence him and insinuated the federal government had recruited pedophiles as judges to be controlled via blackmail. On Wednesday Jones told his viewers they came for the Second Amendment with Sandy Hook and now they were coming for the First Amendment, too. He did not expound on who exactly they are. The First Amendment protects speech from prior restraint by the government but does not protect speech that incites violence or is knowingly false and inflammatory. Jones grew particularly frenetic when Infowars host Pete Santilli told him Bellis was upset Jones wasnt in court. Only, that did not happen during the trial. During contentious opening arguments, Bellis instructed Jones attorneys to not make the trial about politics and to not argue Jones innocence. Jones appearance was not discussed, but prior to the trial starting it was agreed he didnt need to be there. He is, however, expected to testify next week. He indicated Wednesday that he might not show up and attacked the judge, a woman, over her gender. Jones also used his platform to continually mock the families he was found to have victimized with defamatory comments. He focused largely on FBI Agent William Aldenberg, who testified on Tuesday and responded to the shooting. Jones said he didnt even know Aldenberg and hadnt mentioned him on the show until Wednesday, again claiming innocence despite being found guilty. This case is about political actors, Jones said. BRIDGEPORT As Steelpointes Christoph family aims to break ground this fall on luxury apartments at the harbor-front East Side site, construction of the affordable units the developers are backing a few blocks away per their contract with the city is delayed. The project did compete for (state) low income housing tax credits this past January (and) lost by a couple points, said Elizabeth Torres. Torres is the former head of Building Neighborhoods Together (BNT), the nonprofit which has partnered with the father/son team of Robert Christoph Sr. and Jr. to build 44 units of mostly-affordable apartments at East Main and Nichols streets, located a short walk under Interstate 95 from Steelpointe. Now working with BNT as a consultant, Torres and BNT CEO Doris Latorre in a joint interview this week said they are aiming to submit a successful application for tax credits to the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority in January. Were cautiously optimistic, Torres said. If BNT obtains the tax break for the $14.3 million development, Torres said construction should be underway a year from now, with the units available by the end of 2024. Recently the Christophs planned 1,500-unit high-end apartment complex, financed with the help of a 12-year municipal tax break, has been getting all the attention. Last week it was announced that they have partnered with Indianapolis-based Flaherty & Collins Properties on the endeavor. That latter company, which describes itself as the Midwests largest and most experienced developer of multi-family properties, will help construct, then manage, the Steelpointe housing. But under a several-years-old development agreement with the city, the Christophs must also build or help pay for new affordably-priced units representing 10 percent of their total market-rate ones. And most of those can be scattered around town rather than all at Steelpointe. The Christophs have previously partnered with BNT to fulfill that commitment. In the case of the East Main and Nichols streets effort, Torres said the developers provided BNT a no-cost ground lease for the vacant site and $650,000 to help defray the overall price tag. But, Torres explained, the state aid is the main chunk of funding that will allow BNT to break ground. She said this years tax credit application was rejected because the project did not meet the states really high sustainability and energy conservation priorities. We lost a couple of points ... that we will correct this time around, she said. We learned from the first one (application), said Latorre. And we think we have a good project and really believe in the project. Latorre noted how its tenants will have easy access to the downtown bus and train stations, Interstate 95 and amenities at Steelpointe like the Starbucks coffee shop. Still, there have been some concerns raised particularly last winter when the City Council debated providing the Christophs a tax cut for their market rate housing complex about Steelpointe becoming an exclusive community tucked between the harbor and the interstate. Besides moving ahead with the pricey apartments there, the developers have also built a marina which has hosted some luxury yacht events over the past few years. City Council President Aidee Nieves, who represents the neighborhood, argued locating the affordable development at East Main and Nichols streets is an effort to extend Steelpointes success further into the East Side, not to segregate its residents. Steelpointe is just an anchor, Nieves said. We need to make sure development continues up the East Main Street corridor and into the rest of the neighborhoods. She said the goal is for residents and visitors at Steelpointe to also have reasons to travel further into the East End and vice versa making it all one vibrant neighborhood and making sure there are no invisible barriers created. Nieves and her council partner, Maria Valle, were disappointed to learn that the 44 units had faced a setback with the tax credits. Its a little disheartening, Nieves said. I thought it (construction) would have started by now, said Valle. Kyle Garnett has operated New Creations barber shop and beauty salon at 410 East Main Street for 15 years and has been looking forward to the new 44 units of housing opening across the street, noting the property has been vacant since he has been in business. Just to see a change in the neighborhood and upgrade the neighborhood, Garnett said. Lift it up. Just to see new faces, new activity. It would definitely help out the neighborhood. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) With more than 100,000 people living on Californias streets, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a first-of-its kind law on Wednesday that could force some of them into treatment as part of a program he describes as care but opponents argue is cruel. Newsom signed the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Act on Wednesday. It would let family members, first responders and others ask a judge to draw up a treatment plan for someone diagnosed with certain disorders, including schizophrenia. Those who refuse could be placed under a conservatorship and ordered to comply. Right now, homeless people with severe mental health disorders bounce from the streets to jails and hospitals. They can be held against their will at a psychiatric hospital for up to three days. But they must be released if they promise to take medication and follow up with other services. The new law would let a court order a treatment plan for up to one year, which could be extended for a second year. The plan could include medication, housing and therapy. While it shares some elements of programs in other states, the system would be the first of its kind in the country, according to the office of Democratic state Sen. Tom Umberg, a co-author of the law. For decades, California has mostly treated homelessness as a local problem, funneling billions of dollars to city and county governments each year for various treatment programs. But despite all of that spending, homelessness remains one of the state's most pressing and visible issues. Continue to do what youve done and you get what you got. And look what weve got. It's unacceptable, Newsom said Wednesday before signing the law. This (law) has been architected completely differently than anything you've seen in the state of California, arguably in the last century. Some progressives have spoken out against Newsom blocking certain priorities, including vetoing a bill that would have authorized supervised safe-injection sites for drug users and opposing a new tax on millionaires that would pay for more electric cars. But in a year when Newsom is on his way to a shoo-in reelection bid with speculation building about his presidential aspirations, this new program prompted criticism from both sides of the political spectrum, with some on the left arguing it goes too far while others on the right saying it does not go far enough. Newsom signed the law over the strong objections of the American Civil Liberties Union of California, Human Rights Watch, Disability Rights California and numerous other organizations that work with homeless people, minority communities and people with disabilities who say the new program will violate civil rights. They say that courts are a frightening place for many people with severe mental illness and coercion is antithetical to the peer-based model that is critical to recovery. In other words, critics say, a person needs to want to get help and that could take months or years. There is absolutely no evidence that this plan will work. It's just one more non-solution, said Eve Garrow, policy analyst and advocate for ACLU of Southern California. The research shows that adding a coercive element to either housing or mental health services does not increase compliance. The program is not exclusively for homeless people. It only applies to people who have a severe mental illness mostly psychotic disorders and only if they are unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision or are likely to harm themselves or others. That means people struggling with alcohol and opioid addiction won't qualify unless they have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder. The Newsom administration estimates about 12,000 people could get help under the program. James Gallagher, the Republican leader of the state Assembly, said that's not enough. Although better than nothing, (the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment) court essentially amounts to a new bureaucratic half-measure, said Gallagher, who like most of his Republican colleagues voted for the bill in the state Legislature. It's not the groundbreaking policy change we need. It will help some severely mentally ill people get treatment, but will not stop the explosion of homeless camps in our communities." The program would not begin until next year, and only in seven counties: Glenn, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne must establish programs by Oct 1, 2023. All other counties would have until Dec. 1, 2024. Each of California's 58 counties would have to set up special courts to handle these cases. Counties that don't participate could be fined up to $1,000 per day. The biggest challenge for the new law will be having enough funding, housing and workers to implement it without siphoning resources from the hundreds of thousands of county clients already counting on the vital behavioral health and substance use disorder services we provide, said Michelle Doty Cabrera, executive director of the County Behavioral Health Director's Association of California. Newsom echoed those comments, saying implementation will be key. The state budget this year includes $296.5 million for the Workforce for a Healthy California for All Program, which aims to recruit 25,000 community health workers by 2025. The National Alliance on Mental Illness of California supports the proposal, as do business organizations and dozens of cities, including the mayors of Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco and San Diego. They say treatment models and anti-psychotic medications have changed significantly since people were warehoused in institutions. The individual should be able to thrive in the community given the right clinical support team and housing plan, supporters say. Newsom said he was exhausted by arguments from civil liberties groups that the program goes too far. Their point of view is expressed by what you see on the streets and sidewalks all across the state, he said. ___ Beam reported from Sacramento, California. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) A pregnant 16-year-old girl panicked when she got a call from the only abortion clinic in West Virginia telling her that her appointment had been canceled and she needed to book one out-of-state. She started crying and said, I dont know whats going on. Can I give the phone to my mom, so you can explain to her? Womens Health Center of West Virginia Executive Director Katie Quinonez said Wednesday, the day after state lawmakers passed a ban on abortion at all stages of pregnancy. Clinic staff had dozens of similar conversations Tuesday night and Wednesday with frantic abortion patients trying to navigate their new reality. Quinonez said her staff provided them with resources to book appointments outside West Virginia and funding to help with travel and for the procedure. The abortion ban has yet to be signed by Republican Gov. Jim Justice, but he is expected to make it law. Quinonez said the clinic's lawyer advised them to suspend abortions immediately. Quinonez believes the ban is so comprehensive that almost no one will be able to get abortions in West Virginia. The ban has exemptions for medical emergencies and for rape and incest victims until eight weeks of pregnancy for adults and 14 weeks for children. Victims must report their assault to law enforcement 48 hours before the procedure. Minors can report to the police or a doctor, who then must tell police. The bill requires abortions to be performed by a physician at a hospital a provision that at least two Republican lawmakers have said was intended to shut down abortions at the Women's Health Center, which has provided the procedure since 1976. Providers who perform illegal abortions can face up to 10 years in prison. Quinonez said sexual assaults are already underreported because the reporting process is traumatic and people face shame and are not believed by law enforcement and their communities. Not to mention, how are minors supposed to report sexual abuse or incest if theyre being victimized by their own parents? How are they supposed to just go to law enforcement to report that?" she said. "As an adult, its scary to go to law enforcement. Its scary to appear in front of a judge, but were going to expect teenagers to do it somehow. With the governor's signature, West Virginia would be the second state after Indiana to approve an abortion ban after the U.S. Supreme Courts June decision to end the constitutional protection of abortion rights. The ruling ignited intense state-level debates, especially in states controlled by Republicans, about when to impose the ban, whether to carve out exceptions in cases involving rape, incest or the health of the woman giving birth, and how those exceptions should be implemented. West Virginia is a rural state that has multi-county regions with no hospital. People who do go to hospitals seeking abortions are often turned away, Quinonez said. Some religiously affiliated hospitals refuse to perform them. The Women's Health Center had to recruit doctors who travelled from out-of-state to work at the clinic because they couldn't find any willing physicians in West Virginia. Quinonez was present at the Capitol throughout lawmakers deliberations Tuesday, listening with protestors outside the chamber doors. At one point, she became overcome with emotion and sat alone in one of the Capitol's marble stairwells remembering herself at ages 17 and 22 sitting in her bathroom holding a positive pregnancy test. Tears just started welling up in my eyes then it just took me right back there, said Quinonez, who has had two abortions in West Virginia, one at the Women's Health Center. I was envisioning all of the phone calls that I would be having to make later and how those patients were going to have those same feelings or possibly be in even more dire circumstances. She said it's hard to say how she and her staff are coping. After they finished canceling abortion appointments Wednesday, she sent her staff home. I dont really have a good answer for that question," she said. "Im feeling incredibly disgusted and angry with the people who are somehow in power in this state. Quinonez said just because the clinic is shuttering abortion services doesn't mean it's going away. It also provides gender-confirming hormone therapy, HIV prevention and treatment and routine gynecological care cervical exams, cancer screenings and testing and treatment for diseases spread through sex mostly for low-income patients on Medicaid with nowhere else to go. Theres a lot that we dont know, but the one thing that we do know is that were not closing our doors," she said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) The president of the Dominican Republic has barred Haitis former interim prime minister who is now an aspiring presidential candidate from entering the country, a move that further heightens tensions between two nations that share the island of Hispaniola. The order against Claude Joseph that was signed Wednesday by Dominican President Luis Abinader also bans 12 Haitian gang leaders from entering the country. It comes as Haiti is becoming increasingly unstable following the July 7, 2021, assassination of its president, Jovenel Moise. Joseph welcomed Abinaders ban on Thursday. He ranks me as enemy No. 1 of the Dominican racists. It is not a sanction. Its an honor. I receive it in the name of fathers Dessalines, Toussaint and Christophe, he tweeted, referencing Haitian revolutionary heroes. Abinaders order, which authorizes the president to ban anyone from entering the country if they have a criminal record or pose a threat to national security, is the latest tussle between Joseph and Dominican officials. Joseph, who was foreign affairs minister when Moise was slain, became interim prime minister for a brief period with the backing of police and the military. When Ariel Henry was installed as Haiti's prime minister nearly two weeks after Moises killing, Joseph reverted to being minister of foreign affairs. He stepped down following an acrimonious exchange with Dominican officials following a tweet in November 2021 in which Joseph suggested that the Dominican Republic wasnt a safe country. Dominican officials bristled at the allegation, and ties between the two countries have since soured, especially given a spike in Haitian migrants crossing over to the Dominican Republic as they flee deepening poverty and a spike in gang-related kidnappings and killings since Moises assassination. The influx of migrants also has led to an increase in racist and xenophobic incidents in the Dominican Republic against Haitians and those born in that country to Haitian parents. In February 2022, Abinader announced his administration would build a multimillion-dollar, 118-mile (190-kilometer) wall along the Haitian border. The announcement came months after Abinader warned at the United Nations General Assembly that there is not and will never be a Dominican solution to the crisis in Haiti. Since stepping down as foreign affairs minister last year, Joseph has become increasingly critical of Haitis prime minister on social media and has demanded answers from the ongoing investigation into Moises death. He recently founded a new political party, Committed to Development, with the aim of running for president when elections are held at a still-unspecified date. He spoke about the increasingly tense relationship between Haiti and the Dominican Republic during a political gathering on Saturday. Haiti will never be transformed into the backyard of the Dominican Republic, Joseph said. I oppose the hegemonic and dominating will of the Dominican racists. I remember asking President Luis Abinader to stop speaking ill of Haiti in his official speeches. "I must clarify that our battle is not aimed at the entire Dominican Republic. The two nations are condemned to live as brothers. We fight against condescending racists and ultranationalists. I pay tribute to the Dominican elites who recognize the existence of anti-Haitian racism in their country. ___ Associated Press reporter Danica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico contributed. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman of Pennsylvania said Wednesday that he has agreed to an Oct. 25 televised debate against his Republican rival, Dr. Mehmet Oz, although the men feuded about its terms in what has become a flashpoint in the high-stakes campaign. The debate, coming two weeks before the general election, follows weeks of cajoling by Oz, who has raised questions about the severity of Fettermans lingering effects from a May stroke and pushed for as many as seven debates. It will be held in the studio of a Harrisburg TV station. Oz's campaign said in a statement that Fetterman had agreed to the debate only after being hit with massive criticism from state and national editorials and commentators for ducking. Nevertheless, Oz will be at the debate "to share his vision for a better Pennsylvania and America, and he is ready (to) expose Fetterman's record as the most far-left Senate candidate in America," Oz campaign manager Casey Contres wrote in a statement. Fetterman, the states lieutenant governor, and Oz, a celebrity heart surgeon endorsed by former President Donald Trump, are vying to replace retiring Republican Sen. Pat Toomey in a race Democrats see as one of their best chances nationally to flip a Republican-held seat. The winner could help decide the chambers partisan control next year. Fettermans campaign has said Oz was operating in bad faith by insisting on so many debates and said Ozs motivation is to mock Fetterman for having a stroke. Fetterman still speaks haltingly and struggles to quickly respond to words he hears. To accommodate that, Fetterman asked the station for closed-captioning during the debate and two practice sessions in the studio ahead of time. In response, Oz's campaign issued three requests. It wants a moderator to tell the audience that Fetterman is using closed captioning to explain delays in his responses; practice sessions to not use actual debate questions; and the debate to be 90 minutes, instead of 60, because of closed-captioning delays. Fetterman's campaign said it had no problem with telling the audience about the closed captioning and said the practice sessions are simply walkthroughs that are routine before any debate. But Fetterman's campaign insisted that the debate be 60 minutes and said Oz's campaign had already agreed. For weeks Oz and his team have wet the bed about debates, Fetterman's campaign said. Enough already, we are debating on the 25th, either show up or dont, but now let's get back to talking about the issues that matter, like how Oz would vote on the Senate abortion ban. In Pennsylvanias last four U.S. Senate contests, debates have not been a major feature. All the debates took place in mid- to late October, with two debates in each race except for the 2012 contest, which had one debate. Fetterman has been recovering and was off the campaign trail for most of the summer following his May 13 stroke, which required surgery to implant a pacemaker with a defibrillator and prompted a revelation that he had a serious heart condition. Fetterman has provided no access to his doctors or health records and has said he almost died. He has done just a handful of media interviews and no press conferences since the stroke and has used closed-captioning in video interviews with reporters. Fettermans campaign maintains that his doctors have said he is expected to make a full recovery. ___ Follow Marc Levy on Twitter at https://twitter.com/timelywriter. ___ Follow AP for full coverage of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter, https://twitter.com/ap_politics. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) A deal reached Thursday between freight rail companies and their workers has ensured that commuter rail systems that also would have been affected can serve customers unimpeded. That's good news for commuters on the Virginia Railway Express outside the nation's capital, which will continue the free rides it's been offering the entire month of September to lure back riders lost during the pandemic. Regular riders had been making contingency plans most of which involved driving on the region's notoriously clogged highways because there are few mass-transit alternatives for many customers of the VRE, which serves residents of the area's far-flung suburbs. At the Crystal City station on the VRE, commuter Thomas Good of Woodbridge said hes been enjoying the free September rides on a service that runs toward the pricey side a one-day pass costs nearly $25 on the longest rides. He said he likely would have been forced to drive if a strike occurred, but was ready to adapt to whatever evolved. Flexibility has been the word in recent years, he said. I think we can figure it out. VRE is one of many commuter rail systems that could have been forced to shut down on Friday had freight workers gone on strike because it does not own its own tracks and relies on the freight rails. VRE CEO Rich Dalton said word of the last-minute deal announced Thursday morning by President Joe Biden is most welcome and should allow the Virginia Railway Express to serve commuters in the commonwealth without interruption." Some commuter lines would have been affected; others would not. It depended largely on whether the commuter line owns its own tracks or uses tracks owned by the freight companies. The largest commuter rail systems, all in metropolitan New York, would not have been affected, but the Metra system in Chicago said before the deal was announced that it was expecting disruptions on at least four of its 11 lines. Commuter rail services in the the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay areas would have also been affected by a strike. The Sounder system in the Seattle area would have been forced to shutter. About 5,000 people ride Sounder trains each day down from about 20,000 before the pandemic. In greater Minneapolis, transit agencies had planned to offer bus service to replace commuter rail service that would be forced to suspend on the smaller Northstar service. The Association of American Railroads, which represents the freight rail industry, estimated that half the commuter rail systems in the country depend at least in part on tracks owned by the affected freight railroads. John Cline, director of government relations for the Commuter Rail Coalition, an industry trade group, said there are 36 commuter rail lines in the U.S., and the impact on each would have ranged from potentially catastrophic to negligible. And there was little the commuter systems could do but wait to see how it played out. Were kind of like innocent bystanders, he said. VRE spokeswoman Karen Finucan Clarkson said preliminary data for September shows average daily ridership approaching 10,000 one-way trips during the free-ride promotion. That's almost double the average ridership of 5,125 trips in August, but still well below the pre-pandemic ridership of more than 18,000 trips. ___ Associated Press writers Sarah Brumfield in Silver Spring, Maryland; Steve LeBlanc in Boston; Gene Johnson in Seattle; Roger Schneider in Chicago; Olga Rodriguez in San Francisco and Doug Glass in Minneapolis contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) A representative for conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' Infowars empire acknowledged on the witness stand Wednesday that the show and website spread falsehoods about the Sandy Hook school shooting. I dont think that we disagree that there were false statements made, Brittany Paz testified at a civil trial involving Jones' claims that the nations deadliest school shooting was staged as a pretext to tighten gun regulations. Paz, a lawyer hired by Jones' defense to testify on the companys workings, said she believed Jones didn't personally investigate the massacre. Nonetheless, he and Infowars repeatedly and falsely said it was a hoax, propped up by actors posing as grieving parents. Multiple Infowars videos featured what Paz called the crisis actor theory. You mean lie? plaintiffs' lawyer Christopher Mattei said, to objections from Jones' attorney. They're not actors. Correct, Paz ultimately responded. Soon after the killings, Jones disseminated the notion that one slain childs father was reading a script devised by the government or media to shape public opinion, and Jones said the claim needs to be looked into. Later on, another young victim's father told Infowars in an email that the families were distraught at being harassed over the lies about the supposed hoax and crisis actors. An Infowars employee replied that the company was distancing itself from the claims. But another Infowars employee continued to develop the theory, Paz testified. The jury is tasked only with determining what Jones has to pay to eight victims families and an FBI agent a judge already found the Infowars host liable for damages, by default. She made that determination after he failed to turn over documents as ordered during the lawsuit. Jones is expected to testify eventually, but he hasn't attended the trial so far. On his Infowars web show Wednesday, he called the proceeding a show trial meant to squelch dissent. He has cast the case as part of a dark campaign against him, his audience and Americans free speech rights under the First Amendment. We knew they were using Sandy Hook to get the Second, but now theyre using it to kill the First, he said. The trial comes about a month after a Texas jury ordered him to pay nearly $50 million to the parents of a child killed at Sandy Hook. Jones' lawyer, Norm Pattis, has urged the Connecticut jury to keep any damages minimal, arguing that the families are making overblown claims of harm. The families say the emotional and psychological harm was profound and persistent. Relatives say they were subjected to social media harassment, death threats, strangers videotaping them and their children, and the surreal pain of being told that they were faking their loss. Its hurtful. Its devastating. Its crippling. You cant grieve properly because youre constantly defending yourself and your family and your loved ones, Carlee Soto Parisi testified Tuesday. Her sister, teacher Vicki Soto, was among the 26 people killed on Dec. 14, 2012, at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Twenty victims were children. Soto Parisi described seeing social media comments claiming that she was a crisis actor, that her sister wasnt shot or didnt exist, and that the massacre never happened. She testified about getting ominous social media messages with gun emojis and finding a note on her door from a stranger saying she needed to go to church. And one time, she said, a conspiracy theorist showed up and shouted, This never happened! at a fundraising run that the family holds in Vicki Sotos honor. The families argue that Jones trafficked in lies to boost his audience and, with it, customers for Infowars merchandise. Data shown in court Wednesday charted spurts in people viewing his websites and social media accounts after he started talking about Sandy Hook. By 2016, Jones' show aired on 150 affiliate radio stations, and the Infowars website got 40 million page views a month, according to statistics that the company used to pitch advertisers. Paz said she believes Jones has made hundreds of millions of dollars in the decade since the Sandy Hook slayings. Jones now acknowledges the shooting was real. At the Texas trial, he testified that he realizes what he said was irresponsible, and he apologized. He insists, however, that his comments were protected free speech. I don't apologize for questioning it, he said on his show Wednesday. I apologize if, out of context, I hurt somebody's feelings. ___ Peltz reported from New York. FLORENCE, Ala. (AP) An Alabama inmate who authorities say escaped with the help of a jail supervisor who later killed herself in Indiana shared nearly 1,000 phone calls with the woman before the breakout, news outlets reported. Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton said Casey White and Vicky White, who were not related, may have planned his escape over the phone, but authorities must listen to each of 949 calls before making a determination. The act would provide U.S. $6.5 billion in military aid to Taiwan through 2027. U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez and Sen. Lindsey Graham (center left) met with Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei on Apr. 15, 2022. Taiwan has expressed its sincerest gratitude to the U.S. Congress after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a bill that would see a boost in military aid to the democratic island amid Chinas increased aggression. The Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Thursday that with the newly approved Taiwan Policy Act of 2022, the U.S. has shown its commitment to comprehensively enhancing Taiwan - U.S relations. The ministry also said it hoped that the legislation will be pushed forward and deepened at upcoming sessions of Congress. Taiwanese political analyst Wong Ming-hsien, a professor at the Tamkang University in Taipei, told RFA Mandarin Service that, from a legal perspective, if and when it becomes law, the bill would be the biggest adjustment in U.S. policy toward Taiwan in the past forty years. It will provide a clear-cut framework for the interaction between the U.S., China, and Taiwan, which is more important than the original Taiwan Relations Act in 1979 and the so-called Six Assurances as a legal basis to allow the U.S. executive branch to handle U.S.-Taiwan relations without being constrained by U.S.-China relations, Wong said. The Six Assurances are six key principles of U.S. foreign policy regarding U.S.-Taiwan relations, adopted as formal but not directly enforceable by Congress in 2016. The Taiwan Policy Act of 2022, authored by Senators Bob Menendez and Lindsey Graham, aims to reinforce United States policy towards Taiwan in order to maintain stable cross-Strait deterrence as China expands its campaign to undermine the status quo, said a press release from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Menendez, who led a Senate delegation to visit Taiwan and meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in April, said in the release that the primary focus of this bill has always been on deterrence and on enhancing Taiwans capabilities. U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez led a congressional delegation to visit Taiwan in Apr. 2022. CREDIT: Taiwan Presidential Office Big increase in military financing It would provide U.S. $6.5 billion in military aid to Taiwan through 2027, a U.S. $2 billion increase from the U.S. $4.5 billion through 2026 proposed in the initial bill. There were also some amendments to the initial proposal, such as in the provision that would designate Taiwan as a "major non-NATO ally" for the purposes of expediting arms sales. Taiwan has accumulated a backlog of U.S. $14.2 billion in military equipment that it bought from the U.S. in 2019 but has yet to receive due to the COVID pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The amended version instead states that Taiwan shall be treated as though it were designated a major non-NATO ally for the purposes of the transfer or possible transfer of defense." Essentially, the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022 would require the departments of Defense and State, as well as defense manufacturers to prioritize and expedite foreign military sales for Taipei, despite the latter not being a major non-NATO ally. Analysts say this new language allows Taiwan to receive the same benefits as the U.S.s main non-NATO allies without a formal recognition of Taiwans sovereignty, a gesture that would severely provoke China. Another provision about renaming Taiwan's de facto embassy in Washington, currently the "Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office," to the more official "Taiwan Representative Office" was also removed. Chinas reaction Before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted on the bill, the White House expressed concerns about some of the elements that may be deemed as radical. National Security adviser Jake Sullivan said during an interview with Bloomberg last week that the draft bill contained elements that are quite effective and robust; that will improve Taiwan's security but also other elements that give us some concern." Sullivan said hed meet with congressional leaders to discuss the text. China has yet to react to the passing of the bill but its representatives have spoken out against the Taiwan Policy Act. The Chinese side has repeatedly expressed its firm opposition to the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Wednesday. The U.S. side needs to abide by the One-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiques and stop advancing the relevant Taiwan-related Act, she told reporters in Beijing. China has insisted that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and responded angrily to U.S. support to Taipei. When House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in March, Beijing announced a major military drill in return. The Taiwan Policy Act of 2022 still needs to pass the Senate and the House of Representatives, and receive approval from U.S. President Joe Biden before the conclusion of the 117th Congress on Jan. 3, 2023, to become law. Jill Lee from Taipei contributed to this article. Russian President Vladimir Putin [left] and Chinese President Xi Jinping [right] talk during their meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Sept. 15, 2022. UPDATED AT 6:45 PM EDT ON 9-15-22 Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Uzbekistan on Thursday, the first meeting between the Russian and Chinese leaders since the Ukraine war began, as Beijing moved to boost ties with Central Asia. Putin lauded Xi for what he termed Beijing's "balanced" position on the conflict, which the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has refused to criticize publicly or to call an invasion. "We highly value the balanced position of our Chinese friends when it comes to the Ukraine crisis," Putin told Xi ahead of the meeting. "We understand your questions and concern about this. During today's meeting, we will of course explain our position." Xi said China would work with Russia to extend strong mutual support on issues concerning each others core interests according to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Xi's tour of Central Asia is focused on broad strategic concerns in response to the United States' formation of the Quad alongside Japan, Australia and India in a bid to counter Beijing's increasingly assertive foreign policy. Xi and Putin met during the eight-member SCO Summit, which also includes Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan, and as the CCP gears up for its 20th National Congress on Oct. 16, during which Xi is widely expected to secure an unprecedented third term in office following constitutional amendments in 2018. The last time Xi met Putin at the February 2022 Winter Olympics -- shortly before Russian launched its invasion of Ukraine -- the two leaders declared a "no limits" friendship that has seen China claim neutrality amid a large spike in its exports of electronics components and other raw materials to Russia. "We don't think anybody should be on the sidelines," White House spokesman John Kirby told CNN in an interview Thursday. "The whole world should be lined up against what Mr. Putin is doing." Our message to China, I think, been consistent: that this is not the time for any kind of business as usual with Mr. Putin, given what hes done inside Ukraine. This is not the time to be isolated from the rest of the international community," added Kirby, the National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications. Xi's visit has put the spotlight on concerns in Washington over China's growing influence in the region, especially the heavy levels of debt borne by developing countries who sign up to Xi's Belt and Road Initiative. Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs and former US Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, told a recent hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee that Xi's visit comes at "a defining moment for the people of Central Asia." President Xi Jinping receives the Order "Oliy Darazhali Dustlik" from Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during their meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Sept. 15, 2022. Credit: Press service of the President of Uzbekistan/Handout via Reuters Loans coming due Lu said the Russian invasion of Ukraine had increased insecurity in the region, while rising energy and food prices had plunged millions into poverty and uncertainty. "Unfair People's Republic of China (PRC) loan payments are about to come due and these countries do not have the capacity to repay this crushing debt," Lu told the hearing. "The United States and like-minded countries have an opportunity to demonstrate ... that we offer an alternative to Russian bullying and Chinese debt," he said. "There exists a genuine fear that the PRCs Belt and Road Initiative loans are creating unsustainable debt," Lu said, adding that Chinese migrant workers are seen as taking jobs from Central Asian workers. Anjali Kaur, deputy assistant administrator of USAID's Asia Bureau, said the U.S. could help by offering alternative financial options. "The region is experiencing heightened vulnerability to misinformation and disinformation; encroachment upon its independence and sovereignty; and growing external debt to the PRC," she said. "Increased regional cohesion and robust cooperation with the United States, Europe, and other global partners is critical in reducing the regions reliance on Russia and the PRC," Kaur said. On Wednesday the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) urged democracies to build "a network of trusted connectivity initiatives which can provide an alternative to the PRCs One Belt, One Road project for states in need of infrastructural development." IPAC, set up in mid-2020 to press democracies to toughen their scrutiny of China, also called for sanctions on Chinese entities that support Russia's military campaign in Ukraine. "IPAC is gravely concerned by the support given by the PRC to Russias economic, military and disinformation strategies following the invasion of Ukraine," it said after a meeting in Washington. Beijing has "deepened trade links between the two countries and worked to amplify Russian propaganda and disinformation domestically and globally through its extensive state controlled media that is censored." The CCP-backed Global Times newspaper said Xi's visit would highlight how "barren" the Western world view is. "The minds of American and Western elites are full of domineering and paranoid confrontational thinking," the paper said in an editorial on Thursday. It said the SCO, by contrast, allowed cooperation between different political systems in an inclusive manner. "[The SCO has] explored a path beyond the Cold War mentality in a world with increasing diversity and differences," it said. This story has been updated with remarks from the White House and the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. The citizens say the lectures are a waste of time as they struggle with a bleak economy. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un walks away from what state media reports as a "new type" of intercontinental ballistic missile in this undated photo released on March 24, 2022 by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Kim has vowed never to give up nuclear weapons. North Korea is forcing citizens to attend propaganda lectures to promote the newly passed Nuclear Forces Policy Act, which authorizes leader Kim Jong Un to order a preemptive nuclear strike to counter threats, but people are griping that the lectures waste time while they struggle to make a living, sources in the country told RFA. The rubber-stamp Supreme Peoples Assembly approved the new law last week, after which Kim vowed in a speech to never give up nuclear weapons, moves that sparked deep concern from members of the international community who hope to find a diplomatic solution to the nuclear issue. The government organized a week of lectures to explain to the public how the law enhances North Koreas defensive capabilities, and to highlight its passage as an example of Kims greatness, an official from Hyesan in the northern province of Ryanggang told RFAs Korean Service Monday on condition of anonymity for security reasons. Today, an intensive lecture promoting the Nuclear Forces Policy Act was held for all residents. But the residents are responding to the lecture, in short, negatively, said the source. Lectures will be held every day this week in each institution, company, and region, he said, adding that 100 percent of the population must attend all week. Todays lecture emphasized that as long as Kim Jong Un breathes, we must have faith that victory will soon follow, he said. Shortly after the law was passed, citizens began speculating on why, so the authorities say the lectures are supposed to prevent rumors from spreading, according to the source. People have been talking about the new law, saying they passed it because closed-door talks with other countries to get financial aid without giving up nuclear weapons have failed, the source said. The source did not specify which closed-door talks the people were referring to, however, summits in 2018 and 2019 between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump failed to produce an agreement on sanctions relief for partial denuclearization. North Korea has additionally held summits with South Korea, China and Russia during the same time frame. Citizens generally do not like hearing about the nuclear issue because they are more concerned with making ends meet while the economy is in dire circumstances, according to the source. The residents are very aware right now that the development and possession of nuclear weapons are not helping their lives at all, so they think the order to attend lectures about it is a waste of time, the source said. They accuse the government of benign paranoid making a fuss as if the U.S. is on the brink of attacking us, he said. In addition to the lectures that justify the new law, the citizens in the northeastern province of North Hamgyong must also study Kim Jong Uns speech to the Supreme Peoples Assembly last week, an official in the provinces Onsong county told RFA on condition of anonymity for security reasons. Many residents did not react favorably to Kims promise to keep North Korea nuclear, he said. They are concerned about the negative consequences of the adoption of this new policy, saying that the country's economy and residents' lives have reached a tipping point, the second source said.. The lectures will also focus on the countrys achievements in Kim Jong Uns first 10 years as ruler, and its successes in the struggle to construct a socialist society, he said. Warning from Seoul In response to the Norths new nuclear law, South Koreas Ministry of National Defense issued a stern warning Tuesday. Should North Korea attempt to use nuclear arms, it would face the overwhelming response from the South Korea-U.S. alliance, and its regime would enter a path of self-destruction, ministry spokesperson Moon Hong-sik told a press briefing. Translated by Claire Shinyoung Oh Lee and Leejin J. Chung. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Reopening the rails would be a boost to the economy, but Beijing and Moscow have final say. A locomotive pulls two freight cars on the Friendship Bridge over the Yalu River, which connects the Chinese city of Dandong with Sinuiju in North Korea, Jan. 8, 2010. Economically ailing North Korea desperately wants to resume rail freight with China, and to a lesser extent, Russia, but sources, including a government official, told RFA that the decision to reopen the rails lies with Beijing and Moscow. North Korea is particularly dependent on trade and aid from China, its main ally and trading partner. Restrictions on the flow of goods from the country during COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns devastated North Koreas already chronically unstable economy. Rail freight between the border cities of Dandong, China and Sinuiju, North Korea resumed in November 2021, but shut down after only a week after a resurgence of the virus in China. Rail freight re-opened in January 2022, but shut down again in late April. A trade company official last month told RFA that rail freight would resume on Aug. 8 or 9, but that did not happen, and the suspension has extended into mid-September. Trade agencies have not yet been officially notified as to when freight train service between Sinuiju and Dandong, will resume, an official from Sinuijus surrounding North Pyongan province told RFAs Korean Service Tuesday on condition of anonymity for security reasons. The international freight train has been waiting at Sinuiju Station since the beginning of August. It is ready, waiting only for instructions from the Central Committee to depart for Dandong, he said. Dandong and Sinuiju lie on opposite sides of the Yalu River, and the rail bridge between them has essentially been the lifeblood artery for North Korea for the past decade, as trade with China has accounted for about 90 percent of all foreign trade in North Korea. In 2019, prior to the pandemic, trade volume was more than U.S. $3.2 billion, but in 2020 that fell to $863 million, according to figures from the Seoul-based Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). The North Korean government acknowledges the importance of Chinese trade, but it cannot decide to resume trade on its own. The timing depends on the Chinese, not us, the source said. The trains are ready to go, but only when the Chinese government opens up Dandong customs again. There is a rumor that some of the freight service between Sinuiju and Dandong will resume this month, but we will wait and see how it will go. We all hope for at least a partial resumption, he said. They predict it may happen in mid-October, after the Chinese Communist Partys national convention. Russian rescue? Though the status of trade with China remains up in the air, Russias isolation resulting from its invasion of Ukraine earlier this year may serve as a catalyst for the resumption of trade with North Korea. Friendly relations between North Korea and Russia have improved remarkably, so freight train service between the two countries is expected to resume before the end of this month, a source from the northeastern province of North Hamgyong told RFA. But he said there has been no official word on if the rails would reopen between North Koreas Tuman River Station and Russias Khasan Station. The timing coincides with Russias decision to supply oil and gas to North Korea, so its Russia that has final say, the second source said. Russia has agreed to purchase artillery shells and rockets from North Korea to aid in its war effort, according to U.S. intelligence. Observers have speculated that North Korea could receive discounted crude oil and fuel in the deal. The second source said members of the North Korean military expect that the deal will happen. I heard it from a border guard officer in the Tuman River area who knew the facts well, he said. On September 11th, North Korean media reported that the Russian government sent a congratulatory message to mark the 74th anniversary of the establishment of the regime in North Korea. The message included that Russia is ready to strengthen cooperation with North Korea in all areas. We are seeing two desperate countries cooperating with each other to address their respective deficits, Soo Kim, a policy analyst at the RAND Corporation told RFA on Sept. 7. Should both countries be further pushed to the brink, we may see greater cooperation between the two nations on a need-basis, she said. Translated by Claire Shinyoung Oh Lee. Written in English by Eugene Whong. The freelance journalist faced charges of incitement and illegal association for her reporting. Former BBC reporter and presenter Htet Htet Khine, in an undated photo. UPDATED AT 12:44 PM EST ON 9-15-22 A special court in Myanmar on Thursday sentenced Htet Htet Khine, a former BBC television presenter, to three years in prison with hard labor for incitement and illegal association for her reporting work, according to family members and her legal team. The face of BBC Media Action's national television peace program Khan Sar Kyi (Feel It) from 2016 to 2020, which documented the impact of war on Myanmar society, the freelance journalist and video producer had been in detention in Yangons notorious Insein Prison awaiting trial since Aug. 15, 2021, when she was arrested with fellow reporter Sithu Aung Myint. A lawyer representing Htet Htet Khine, who spoke on condition of anonymity citing security concerns, told RFA Burmese that she accepted her sentence with little emotion at the conclusion of her trial in the prison courtroom on Thursday. She bravely faced the case that was filed without any evidence, he said. She was accused of inciting a situation that was already under control. The order was handed down based on the plaintiffs testimony. The lawyer said that his client is in good health and stable. A family member, who also declined to be named, told RFA that Htet Htet Khine and Sithu Aung Myint were unjustly accused and called for the court to free them. I already expected this [outcome]. They were wrongly arrested and I want them to be released as soon as possible, the family member said. [The judges] unjustly sentenced her to three years imprisonment. The family member also expressed concern over Htet Htet Khines well-being in prison. She has been in jail for more than a year now and I worry about her, they said. As a family member, I am worried about her health because inmates are extremely vulnerable to COVID-19. Threat to press freedom Reacting to Thursday's sentencing, veteran journalists told RFA that reporters must subject themselves to serious personal risk to carry out their work under military rule in Myanmar. Myint Kyaw, the former secretary of the Myanmar Press Council, said the threat of arrest has had the biggest impact on press freedom in the country since the coup. "The work has become dangerous. [The junta] pressures journalists politically," he said. "Reporters can be arrested and sent to prison simply for writing a story that they don't like." Myint Kyaw said journalists are finding it increasingly difficult to uphold media ethics in the current climate. "Reporters are being forced to develop contacts on Facebook because of the risk of arrest associated with reporting on the scene," he said. "There is a limit to the objectivity they can maintain because of this. It's more challenging to publish balanced reporting than ever." Zay Tai, the editor-in-chief of Kanbawza Tai, noted that since the formation of anti-junta People's Defense Force (PDF) paramilitary groups last year, authorities have increasingly charged reporters for "illegal association." "Nowadays, reporters are being imprisoned under anti-terrorism laws," he said. "When a reporter gets a tip about a development, they are going to contact the source. You have to communicate with that person, regardless of who they are. So when reporters call PDF sources, the junta can arrest and charge them this way." Zay Tai added that journalists are now targeted for doing their work out in the open. "In the past, a reporter could go around town with a camera around their necks, but that's no longer the case," he said. "Now they have to rely on citizen journalists and freelancers, because of the risks of reporting from the field." 2021 arrest Htet Htet Khine was arrested six months after the Feb. 1, 2021 military coup by junta security forces along with freelance journalist Sithu Aung Myint while the two discussed reporting work at the Shwe Gone Yeik Mon housing complex in Yangons Bahan township. BBC Media Action Myanmar released a statement at the time confirming her arrest and expressing concern for her safety. Sithu Aung Myint remains in detention awaiting trial on charges of incitement and sedition, for producing content authorities say was critical of the military. He faces up to three years in prison for the first charge and up to 20 for the second. Sithu Aung Myints lawyer said in April that the journalist and others had been denied access to medical care by authorities while in custody. According to Detained Journalists Information Myanmar, a media watchdog group, at least 142 journalists have been arrested in the 19 months since the coup, 95 of whom have been prosecuted under various sections of the countrys penal code. The junta has previously denied targeting journalists for their reporting work. This story has been updated to clarify that Htet Htet Khine was the face of the BBC Media Action's national television peace program Khan Sar Kyi and to include comments from veteran journalists about the state of media freedom in Myanmar. The Chinese government ordered the lockdown of Lhasa but did not prepare for it in advance, sources said. Tibetan netizens are taking to social media to air their frustrations with the Chinese governments zero COVID policy, which has completely shut down Lhasa and other areas of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR), sources in the region told RFA. COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the TAR. According to official figures from the Chinese government, there were 16,902 confirmed cases in the region through Tuesday, across 147 substantial or high COVID transmissible areas and 158 medium-level transmissible areas. The Chinese government imposed a lockdown 31 days ago in Lhasa as COVID numbers there and throughout China continued to climb. The netizens say the lockdown order came without enough time to prepare, leaving people in some cases short of food. Finding treatments for COVID-19 positive patients has also proven difficult. Lhasa has been under lockdown for almost a month now, a Tibetan living in Lhasa told RFAs Tibetan Service on condition of anonymity for safety reasons. The Chinese government has been fumbling through the hastily ordered lockdown, the source said. A man bleeding from his nose was locked inside a quarantine facility, and the officials in charge were not able to find the keys to open the door so that they could take him to a hospital. The man remained in that poor condition for almost two days, the source said. In another facility, someone had a stroke and due to communication issues between the hospitals and officials, he could not reach the hospital sooner, the source said. The patient is now in the hospital but remains unconscious. So even though the Chinese government has set up facilities to lock people down, there are no proper treatments for them. Nowhere to complain Tibetans on Chinese social media short video platforms Douyin and Kuaishou criticized the quarantine facilities. There is no one attending or treating the COVID patients and there is no sanitization in this facility, a Tibetan in one of the facilities said in one of the videos. Above all, there are no officials or offices where we can complain about these [conditions], the source said. Another Tibetan in one of the facilities said they were empty houses without beds. If you walk around, you can actually see dust falling down from the roof, which is unhealthy for COVID patients, the second netizen said. Food does not arrive on time and by the time it reaches us it has all spoiled. Another netizen posted a video blaming quarantine procedures for spreading COVID-19. We see this rise in COVID cases in Lhasa because the officials who test the public never sanitize their hands, and so this cycle goes on and on, the third netizen said. RFA was unable to confirm that Chinese authorities spread the virus at testing sites. Others posted photos and videos of infected people standing around the streets of Lhasa for hours because the government is overwhelmed and cannot quickly transport them to designated facilities. Local officials forced me into lockdown without any verification whether I have COVID or not, a Tibetan from Karma Monastery in Lhasa told RFA. They made me wait by the roadside for almost three hours before they took me to the facility for a day and then released me. There were around 600 people with me in those lockdown facilities and now I am worried I might have COVID. Translated by Tenzin Dickyi. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Australian business leaders optimistic about Chinese market, economy Xinhua) 21:03, September 15, 2022 CANBERRA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Australia's trading relationship with China is very important and the economic conditions in China are strong, said Australian business leaders. Recognizing the difficulties of the global economy following the COVID-19 pandemic, Andrew Robb, former Australian federal minister for trade and investment, told Xinhua that he believed the "underlying economic conditions are strong enough" in China. "What we've heard from some experts has been encouraging, because when you look at it for the last 20 years, the growth in China has led to the growth in the world," said Robb, who had been participating in the Networking Day of the Australia China Business Council (ACBC) on Wednesday. The former minister signed the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement on behalf of the Australian government in 2015. He noted that since the free trade agreement entered into force in December that year, the trade between the two countries has grown significantly. "It's our biggest trading relationship," he said. "It really is a significant foundation on which to build economic recovery." Describing Chinese and Australian economies as "complementary," Robb was happy to see the relationship between both countries improving. "It injected some enthusiasm and optimism about the relationship. Hopefully, it will continue to improve." The ACBC Canberra Networking Day takes place from Tuesday to Thursday. Warwick Smith, chair of the Global Engagement Committee of the Business Council of Australia, said the atmosphere at the meeting was "strong and positive." Smith underscored that China and Australia have a long and deep relationship, saying that "the Chinese people and the Australian people have a deep understanding and abiding interest in each other's culture and their future." "In a period ahead when there is no pandemic and travel can commence again in both directions, we will see people-to-people links increase and improve," he added. Tim Ford, chief executive officer of Treasury Wine Estates, told Xinhua that the role of businesses was to "continue the relationships we have between Australia and China businesses and continue to nurture those notwithstanding difficulties." China is a big market for Ford's company, which began to produce the wine sourced and made in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region earlier this year. "We look forward to working with the wine industry in China," he said. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Australia. Noting that China and Australia working together will prosper for both countries, Ford said "We think it's fantastic for another 50 years to come." (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji) A former Vietnamese death row inmate has died six years after his name was cleared and he was released. Huynh Van Nen, 60, died of hepatitis and pneumonia at Vung Tau City Hospital on Sept. 13. His death raised concern among the families of other convicted prisoners because their health is being threatened by the severe living conditions in Vietnams prisons. News of Nens death was posted on Facebook by Nguyen Than, a former Chairman of the People's Committee of Tan Minh Commune in the Ham Tan District of Binh Thuan Province. He worked alongside Nens father for 20 years to seek justice. Huynh Van Nen is known as the "prisoner of the century" because he was convicted in two consecutive murder cases: the death of neighbor Nguyen Thi Bong in Binh Thuan province and the murder of Duong Thi My, in 1993 for which Nen and nine of his relatives were convicted. He was imprisoned in 2008 and was only released in 2016 after serving more than 17 years. The Binh Thuan judicial agency publicly acknowledged the wrongdoing and apologized to Nen and his family. He received VND 12 billion (U.S.$ 500,000) in compensation for the time he was unjustly imprisoned. Information about Nen's death after only a few years of freedom made Nguyen Truong Chinh's family extremely worried. Chinh is the father of death row prisoner Nguyen Van Chuong, who protested his innocence after being found guilty of being the main culprit in the murder of a police major in Hai Phong city in 2007. Through Mr. Huynh Van Nen's example we see how severe the Vietnamese communist prisons are, he told RFA. It is so severe that as long as my son is in prison, we are still extremely worried. Death row inmates waiting for execution like my son have one leg chained up day and night, so their physical and mental health suffers a lot. On the morning of Sept. 14, 2022, Chinh and his wife went to government agencies, the National Assembly and the Party Central Committee to complain about the injustice their son was facing but were held by the police who took them away and released them later. In the case Chuong was convicted of, Major Nguyen Van Sinh of the Dong Hai ward police station, in Hai Phong citys Hai An district was killed while on patrol. Chuong and four others were charged with his murder. He was sentenced to death while the other four were given between 12 months and life imprisonment. The death row prisoner and his family have made many petitions, asking all levels of the administration to reconsider the sentence. Chuong alleges he was beaten and coerced by the investigator while the testimonies of the other suspects contradicted each other. The make of weapon described and the marks on the victim's body were inconsistent in their statements. Lawyer Le Van Hoa was the Head of Inspection of Unfair Sentences of the Central Committee of Internal Affairs from 2013 to 2014 and was tasked with reviewing many unjust cases, including the case of Nguyen Van Chuong. Mr. Hoa said that after studying Chuongs case file, his team realized that the death sentence against Nguyen Van Chuong was full of holes. "There is not enough basis to accuse Nguyen Van Chuong of being the mastermind as well as the perpetrator in causing the death of police major Nguyen Van Sinh, he said. Our judgment was made based on the testimonies of the accused and the results of the scene examination. For that reason, in order to ensure the right person [is sentenced] for the right crime and the truth is objective, we had proposed the Central Committee of Internal Affairs consult with the National Assembly Standing Committee to direct and re-examine this case." For unknown reasons, the Central Committee for Internal Affairs stopped looking into the case and the death penalty remains in place, he added. Nen was one of many people who sat they were unjustly convicted in serious cases such as murder, robbery and rape. Those who were exonerated include Han Duc Long and Nguyen Thanh Chan. In addition to death row inmate Nguyen Van Chuong, who pleaded not guilty, there were others such as Ho Duy Hai and Le Van Manh who also asserted that they did not kill people even though they were convicted. Ho Duy Hai was convicted by three courts, including the Council of Judges of the Supreme People's Court, as the man who killed two female postal workers, Nguyen Thi Anh Hong and Nguyen Thi Thu Van, at Cau Voi Post Office in Nhi Thanh Commune, Thu Thua District, Long An Province on the evening of January 13, 2008. Hai, born in 1985, was sentenced to death for murder. The investigation violated the law in many instances such as destroying evidence, changing exhibits, omitting forensic evidence such as fingerprints and blood stains at the scene, withdrawing the evidence file that was in favor of the accused and ignoring claims by the accused that he was not guilty. During the cassation court session in May 2020, the Judicial Council of the Supreme People's Court rejected the Procurator General's petition about annulling the first-instance conviction and appeal judgments for reinvestigation and overturning the death sentence for Hai. Hien was convicted for a 2016 shooting in which he killed three people and injured 13 others. Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has commuted the death sentence of Dang Van Hien and reduced it to life in prison, Hiens wife, Mai Thi Khuyen, told RFA on Thursday. Hien was sentenced to death by the Dak Nong Peoples Court in January 2018 for shooting employees of the Long Son Company who had come to confiscate his home and land in October 2016. Three people were killed in the incident and 13 injured. [I am] extremely happy and moved. Everyone in our family cheered, relatives from both sides [her and his relatives] and friends, all are sending us their congratulations, Khuyen told RFA. She said that since her husbands arrest, her family has encountered significant financial difficulties. She has had to work as a farmer to support her family and pay compensation to the victims of the incident. Hiens sentence was widely controversial in Vietnam, where authorities regularly authorize private companies to appropriate land for large-scale projects, often at the expense of individual landowners. The Ho Chi Minh Citys High-Level Peoples Court upheld Hiens sentence at an appeal trial six months after his conviction. Del. Luu Binh Nhuong, who serves as the deputy head of the National Assembly's Committee on Peoples Aspirations, said in October 2019 that he had forwarded a petition from Hiens lawyers asking for leniency to his committee to Nguyen Phu Trong, who at the time was president of Vietnam, state media reported. The petition described Hein as a hard-working farmer without a prior criminal record and argued that the shooting was the result of emotional stress, anger and pressure that employees from the Long Son Company, including the victims, had put on Hien at his residence. The petition said that the employees carried out an unlawful eviction despite Hiens protests. In July 2018, then Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang publicly requested the Supreme Peoples Court, the Supreme People's Procuracy and the Ministry of Public Security investigate Dang Van Hiens case. The reassessed sentence, which moves Hien off death row and into life imprisonment, appears to end a years-long process that caught the attention of Vietnamese citizens from across the country, many of whom expressed frustration at the governments land appropriation policies. Translated by Anna Vu. Written by Nawar Nemeh. Residents of the village of Sotk and the town of Vardenis in Armenia said they had been evacuated after their settlements were hit during the deadliest clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan since the end of a 2020 war over the breakaway Azerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Journalists from RFE/RL's Armenian Service captured images of houses damaged in fighting on September 13. Crowds in Yerevan raised their voices late on September 14, accusing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian of planning unacceptable concessions to Azerbaijan and demanding his resignation. The seemingly spontaneous protest was sparked by Pashinians comments made in the Armenian parliament earlier in the day amid continuing heavy fighting along Armenias border with Azerbaijan. The two countries have negotiated a cease-fire to end the flare-up of fighting that has killed at least 155 soldiers from both sides, according to Armenian officials. The cease-fire declaration followed two days of heavy fighting that marked the largest outbreak of hostilities between the two longtime adversaries in nearly two years. Pashinian told pro-government lawmakers that he is ready to make tough decisions for the sake of peace. JERMUK, Armenia -- Thousands of residents of Armenian towns and villages close to the Azerbaijani border have fled their homes since the outbreak of large-scale fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces on September 12. A senior Armenian official said that a cease-fire had been agreed with Azerbaijan, but there has been no word from Azerbaijan regarding a possible truce. Jermuk, a resort town which is home to some 4,000 people, is close to one of the epicenters of the fierce fighting. Its deputy mayor, Vartan Sargsian, said that the vast majority of women and children living there were evacuated in recent days. Many of the remaining civilians are having to take cover in basements, he added. "The [Azerbaijani] artillery is firing toward the town," Sargsian told RFE/RL's Armenian Service. "The road leading out of the town is dangerous." In neighboring Syunik, more than 130 families were reportedly evacuated from the local village of Aghitu after a road leading to it was shelled by Azerbaijani forces. "The shelling is continuing," said the village chief, Avetis Avetisian. "The women and children have been evacuated. Only young people remain." Both the Armenian Health Ministry and Azerbaijan's military have said that civilians have been killed or injured in the shelling. According to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, 105 Armenian troops had been killed in the recent fighting. On September 13, Azerbaijan said it had lost 50 troops. Baku and Yerevan have been locked in a conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh for years. Armenian-backed separatists seized the mainly Armenian-populated region from Azerbaijan during a war in the early 1990s that killed some 30,000 people. The two sides fought another war in 2020 that lasted six weeks and killed an estimated 6,000 people before a Russia-brokered cease-fire, resulting in Armenia losing control over parts of the region and seven adjacent districts. In the latest clashes, Armenia and Azerbaijan have both accused each other of initiating the cross-border shelling, which began on September 12 in what has been the deadliest fighting since the end of the 2020 war. The fighting also displaced residents of several border villages in Gegharkunik, Armenia. Many local residents fled to the regional town of Vardenis. Some spent nights inside their cars due to a lack of accommodation. "Shells landed in the fields and shattered windows," said one woman. "We left our cattle and fled. My husband didn't even have time to pick our documents." Vardenis, however, was no safe haven as heavy gunfire could be heard in the town. Smoke rising above the hills in the nearby border area was also visible. On September 14, the provincial administration in the area ordered the temporary closure of all schools in Gegharkunik. The previous day, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed serious concern over "reported strikes against settlements and civilian infrastructure inside Armenia." He brought up "shelling in Armenia" during a phone call with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The UN and world leaders have urged the two sides to de-escalate tensions. The NATO military alliance said it would support Ukraine in its fight against Russia for as long as it takes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stepped up calls for Western sanctions against Moscow following the discovery of a mass burial site in a city once occupied by Russian forces. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, how Kyiv is fighting back, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. NATO military committee Chairman Admiral Rob Bauer on September 17 said Western military aid was making a crucial difference as Ukraine conducts a powerful counteroffensive to retake occupied lands in the east and south of the country. "The ammunition, equipment, and training that allies and other nations are delivering are all making a real difference on the battlefield," he said at a meeting in Tallinn. "With its successes on the ground and online, Ukraine has fundamentally changed modern warfare," he added, citing both military and civilian actions. Bauer said NATO would support Ukraine for "as long as it takes. Winter is coming but our support shall remain unwavering." The reaffirmation of support came as Zelenskiy called on the global community to condemn the Russian "terrorist state following the discovery of a mass burial site and evidence of torture in Izyum days after the city was retaken from Russia. Speaking in his nightly video address on September 16, Zelenskiy said Russia should be punished with tougher sanctions. "There is already clear evidence of torture, humiliating treatment of people. Moreover, there is evidence that Russian soldiers, whose positions were not far from this place, shot at the buried just for fun," he said. Zelenskiy compared the discoveries made in Izyum this week with the Bucha massacre in the spring and reiterated his call for an international tribunal to be set up to hold Russia accountable for any crimes it committed in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has said that at least 440 bodies had been found at the site in Izyum. The UN Human Rights Office said it planned to send investigators to Izyum. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby described the reports as "repugnant" but said they were "in keeping with the kind of depravity and the brutality with which Russian forces have been prosecuting this war." The Czech Republic, which currently holds the rotating EU Presidency, called for the creation of an international war crimes tribunal after the new mass burial sites were found. "Russia left behind mass graves of hundreds of shot and tortured people in the Izyum area. In the 21st century, such attacks against the civilian population are unthinkable and abhorrent," Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said on Twitter. "We must not overlook it. We stand for the punishment of all war criminals," he added. Moscow has not commented on the mass burial site in Izyum, which was a Russian frontline stronghold before Ukraine's counteroffensive forced its forces to flee. Reacting to the reports, U.S. Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said war crimes in Ukraine cannot be hidden. "In terms of the totality of the scale [of potential war crimes], I don't know. But I would tell you that the world will discover that. War crimes cannot be hidden, especially things like mass graves," Milley told reporters traveling with him after arriving in Estonia for a NATO gathering. Milley lauded Ukraine's military for seizing the "strategic initiative" from Russia -- suggesting that Ukraine had momentum in the war. Asked whether Ukraine would be able to retake all its territory, Milley said: "The offensives are in the early stages. We're only looking at probably about two weeks so far. And it remains to be seen how far the Ukrainians can press this fight. So I think we'll have to wait and see how the fighting develops." Elsewhere, the UN atomic watchdog said the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant has been reconnected to the Ukrainian national grid after one of its four power lines was repaired. The plant had been completely shut down a week ago amid heavy fighting in the area, raising fears of a potential radiation disaster. Russia has taken control of the plant, but it is still operated by Ukrainian personnel. Near the city of Zaporizhzhya, which is still under Ukrainian control, the Vatican reported that papal envoy Cardinal Konrad Krajewski came under light arms fire as he delivered humanitarian aid in the name of Pope Francis. No one was hurt and it was not clear where the shots came from. The cardinal is scheduled to visit Kharkiv after previously traveling to Odesa. WATCH: The speed and efficiency of Ukraine's counteroffensive in the northeastern region of Kharkiv came as a stunning surprise to the Russian military. Ukraine went to great lengths to keep its counteroffensive secret, including deliberately deceiving Russian forces about its military maneuvers. RFE/RL spoke to some of the soldiers involved, who described their tactics. Meanwhile, Russias TASS news agency quoted local authorities in Russia's Belgorod region as saying Ukrainian shelling from across the border had killed one person in the area. The report could not be independently verified. Ukrainian authorities say that Russian forces have used the border region to fire missiles into nearby Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city. In a Twitter update on September 17, British military intelligence said Ukraine continued its offensive operations in the northeast of the country while Russian forces have established a defensive line between the Oskil River and the town of Svatove. "Russia likely sees maintaining control of this zone as important because it is transited by one of the few main resupply routes Russia still controls from the Belgorod region of Russia," the Defense Ministry said on Twitter. "Russia will likely attempt to conduct a stubborn defense of this area, but it is unclear whether Russia's frontline forces have sufficient reserves or adequate morale to withstand another concerted Ukrainian assault," it added. With reporting by RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service, Reuters, dpa, AP, and AFP NUR-SULTAN -- A rare papal visit, a summit of world religious leaders, and Chinese President Xi Jinpings first trip abroad since the coronavirus pandemic began. In the context of growing international tensions over the war in Ukraine, a diplomatically packed few days in Kazakhstan might end up being remembered for missed opportunities -- meetings that didnt happen -- rather than the ones that did. But for a host country over which the war has cast a longer shadow than most, they gave Kazakhstan the chance to showcase itself as a place where the world can gather and provided some breathing space from uneasy ally Russia's demands for loyalty. Tiny Vatican and Chinese flags had lined traffic-clogged roads in Kazakhstans soon-to-be-renamed capital, Nur-Sultan, on September 14, heralding the arrival in town of two very different world leaders. Xi stopped off in Kazakhstan en route to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Uzbekistans Samarkand, where major attention will be on his meeting with Putin after the pairs declaration of a no-limits partnership earlier this year. While official readouts of his meeting with Kazakh counterpart Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev made no mention of Ukraine, his comments that China will support Kazakhstan in the defense of independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity and categorically oppose the interference of any forces in the internal affairs of your country did not go unnoticed in light of a Russian information campaign that has battered and threatened Kazakhstan over its neutral position on the conflict. Pope Francis was making his first visit to the worlds ninth-largest country and following up on the first ever papal visit to Kazakhstan by Pope John Paul II in 2001. Describing the trip as a "pilgrimage of dialogue and peace," the pontiff condemned a senseless and tragic war that broke out with the invasion of Ukraine in his first comments in Nur-Sultan on the eve of the congress, which was attended by some 100 delegations from 50 countries. Russian Patriarch's No-Show Kazakhstan was holding its Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions for the seventh time since independence and a year late due to the coronavirus pandemic. But 2021 feels a world away now. In January, Central Asias richest country experienced regime-shaking protests that turned fatal, leaving more than 230 dead amid reports of indiscriminate shooting and widespread torture by state armed forces and police. A detachment of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Moscow-led security body, helped restore order as the revolt wound down, and Russian state media personalities were quick to register disgust that their neighbor had not repaid a perceived debt to Moscow. And what did we save them for, you ask, wrote Margarita Simonyan, editor in chief of the Russia-financed RT, on Facebook, after Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi appeared to rule out recognizing Russia-backed separatist entities in Ukraine prior to Russias invasion. Lawmakers, political pundits, and television presenters later joined in the attacks on Kazakhstan, which grew more vicious. Repeated stoppages along a key, Russian-controlled oil pipeline that carries Kazakh crude to a Russian port for export triggered speculation that the Kremlin was punishing Kazakhstan economically. But Kazakhstan has not yielded to the pressure and continues to pledge not to help Russia evade Western sanctions, despite stating its disapproval of them. Toqaev, who calls Putin a staunch ally despite the tensions, bemoaned during his opening remarks at the congress that geopolitical confrontation between major powers has intensified, and asked religious leaders to help create a new global movement for peace. The build-up to the event invited rumors of a potential face-to-face meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, who has given ample support to Putins invasion. In the end, Kirill ruled out participating and sent instead Metropolitan Anthony, the churchs new 37-year-old head of external relations, who read out a greeting from the patriarch to congress participants. Following up with his own speech that echoed Kremlin talking points, Anthony insisted that religion was without national boundaries but called for a world without people of a first and second sort, hegemons and satellites. We have seen how it is possible in the informational space to create the image of an enemy, point your finger at him and foster hatred toward everything associated with him, Anthony added. The pope and Kirill last held talks back in March via a video call. There is no record of their speaking after the pontiff warned Kirill not to be Putins altar boy just weeks later. Making a keynote speech at the congress, the pope did not repeat his criticism of the invasion the day before, but instead spoke of the broader need to end wars, poverty, and disease while regularly quoting 19th century Kazakh philosopher Abai Qunanbaiuly. Later that afternoon, in bright weather and against the peculiar, futuristic backdrop of the Astana International Financial Center, the increasingly wheelchair-bound pontiff led a mass for several thousand people that included members of Kazakhstans 250,000-strong Roman Catholic community. Xi Stopping By Is 'A Big Deal' While the Chinese leader shared a city with the Bishop of Rome for a day, a tete-a-tete between the leaders of two countries with strictly unofficial relations was never seen as likely. For Kazakh officials navigating the tension-filled relationship with Russia, however, Chinas president might as well have been a holy man. Official footage showed that Xi was greeted on the tarmac by Toqaev, with the leaders wearing facemasks and Toqaev briefly conversing with his counterpart in Mandarin, a language the Kazakh president speaks fluently. Xi told Toqaev that Beijing pays huge attention to relations with Kazakhstan, according to the Kazakh presidencys readout of their meeting. Although no landmark deals were announced, the visit was arguably the most important for Kazakh-Chinese relations since 2013, when Xi unveiled his vision for a Silk Road Economic Belt (now the Belt and Road Initiative) -- a move highlighting Kazakhstans important position in that project. The bilateral meeting came almost three years after Xi last stepped outside his country for an official visit and was also a big deal due to the rhetoric coming out of Russia regarding Kazakhstan, said Temur Umarov, a fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. There is a narrative in Russia -- especially among hawks -- that Kazakhstan somehow owes its stability to Russia, Umarov said. The Chinese leaders stopover should remind Moscow that Kazakhstan is not Russias backyard, and that there is demand and supply for Kazakhstan to diversify its foreign policy," Umarov added. The head of Russias Communist Party, these days considered the closest thing to an opposition political party, had frank words about the extremely difficult and troubling circumstances facing lawmakers in the wake of Ukraines stunning battlefield successes. For as long as I can remember, there has never been such a situation like this, Gennady Zyuganov told Russias lower house of parliament on September 13. The special military operationin Ukraine has turned into a full-fledged war. A war and a special operation differ at their core, he continued. A war cannot be ended, even if you want: You take it to the very end, either victory or defeat. The question of victory in the Donbas is the question of our historical requirements, and everyone in this hall should realistically assess the situation. His comments differed slightly, though significantly, from the prepared remarks released by his party: The maximum mobilization of forces and resources is now required. With that, Zyuganov opened a sizable crack in the wall of discourse surrounding the nearly seven-month-old invasion, as Ukrainian forces pulled off a stunning victory in the Kharkiv region, sending Russian troops there reeling, and retaking control of the northeastern region. Merely calling the Ukraine operation a war -- instead of using the Kremlins preferred euphemism special military operation -- was already problematic under laws rushed through parliament in March. Critics who have termed it a war or an invasion have faced prosecution on charges of discrediting the armed forces or spreading false news about them. Although Zyuganovs influence is limited in a country whose security policy is dominated by the small circle of hawkish military and intelligence officials surrounding President Vladimir Putin, his comments raised eyebrows and fueled the debate on whether Russia will be forced to declare war and begin a mobilization of troops in order to secure its goals in Ukraine. Hes not the only one urging such steps. Without full mobilization, moving to a war footing, including for the economy, we will not achieve proper results, Mikhail Sheremet, a lawmaker from the ruling United Russia party member who sits on the Dumas Security Committee, said in a radio interview. I'm talking about the fact that todays society should be consolidated as much as possible, with the goal of victory. Yury Fedorov, an independent Russian military analyst who now lives abroad, told Current Time that a feeling of inevitable defeat is causing panic among some in the highest circles of the Russian nomenklatura. And in this panic, they start to return to old ideas, about mobilization, about having to declare war, about how the West has declared war -- although it wasnt the West that declared war on Russia, but Russia that tried to declare war on the West last December, Fedorov said. War Is Hell Since the February invasion, the performance of Russias military has been under a magnifying glass, particularly after its early failure to seize the Ukrainian capital, an effort thwarted by a mishmash of quick responding Ukrainian troops. Manpower, for many analysts, is among the Kremlins top problems. A growing number of Western estimates says Russia may have lost around 25,000 troops since February, with some estimates putting the figure at up to 80,000 total dead and wounded. The Kremlin has balked at declaring war and initiating a mass mobilization, however, likely because of the risk of serious domestic political fallout. Public opinion, analysts say, could turn quickly against the war if men from urban areas or the professional classes were roped into combat. Instead, Russia has relied on contract soldiers largely recruited from remote and impoverished areas. But authorities have struggled to replenish the ranks, conducting an aggressive stealth mobilization campaign that relies heavily on private mercenary companies, coercing conscripts to extend the service beyond the end of their mandated terms, and other methods. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of one of Russias most notorious private military companies, recently appeared in a video shot at a prison, where he was heard recruiting inmates to join his company and fight in Ukraine. Even before the Kharkiv counteroffensive, some of the more strident nationalist or military commentators on Telegram accused the Kremlin of pulling its punches in Ukraine. Igor Girkin, a notorious former intelligence officer who played an instrumental role when war first erupted in the Donbas in 2014 and who is now an outspoken critic of the Russian military, said that mobilization was the "last chance" for victory. Since September 10, such calls have grown even louder: If you ask me my opinion as Ramzan Kadyrov, I would declare martial law, I would declare mobilization, the strongman Chechen leader who oversees a sizable militia that has fought in several battles in Ukraine, said. I would start preparing people for martial law. We don't know what will happen tomorrow, he said in a video posted to Telegram on September 14. We must not wait until the leadership of the state announces mobilization. We must all mobilize, each region must provide the forces and means that it has and offer what they can to support our military. Everyone is discussing, arguing this question of mobilization. Do we need it? Of course, we need it. Lets put a point on that once and for all, Maksim Fomin, a Russian veteran who fought in the Donbas in the years after the Kremlin-backed 2014 uprising began and who knows runs a popular, and strident, blog on Telegram. Of course, we need it, but is Russia capable of doing it? he said in a video. Mobilization, in the extreme case, is the distribution of old weapons to everyone who is able to carry weapons and defend themselves. But it is also the economy, transport, and moving the entire infrastructure to a military footing. It is a different system of relations between society and the state. Even politicians known for liberal leanings have argued that the Kremlin is equivocating on the conflict, and because Ukraine may have the upper hand, Moscow should either mobilize or admit defeat. We either call for mobilization and go for all-out war, or we get out, Boris Nadezhdin, a former Duma deputy, said during a NTV debate over the weekend. So Will It Happen? While Ukrainian officials have gloated over their lightning successes and basked in praise from Western officials, the Kremlin has continued to resist calling for mobilization. Still, the Russian Defense Ministry has acknowledged the defeat in Kharkiv, calling the retreat a regrouping to other occupied Russian territories. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, how Kyiv is fighting back, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. Asked about the calls for mobilization, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on September 13 that it was not currently under discussion, but left unanswered whether that might change. "At the current moment, no, there is no talk about it," he said. The reason for Kremlin reluctance, analysts said, is that for the moment, the Ukraine war is a distant eventvfor many Russians, and one that polls show many people arent even paying attention to. Mobilizing the population would prompt pushback, if not outrage, from wide swaths of Russian society and potentially undermine support for Putin. Some observers have argued that Putin might order a partial mobilization that calls up the countrys reserves -- an estimated 2 million men who have served in the armed forces within the past five years. Still, that would amount to a major escalation -- and an admission the special military operation is going badly, contrary to the rosy picture painted by Russian authorities. It would also take months before a mobilized force could be deployed in effective numbers, and there are still questions about the lack of middle-ranking or junior officers who would have responsibility for commanding such units in the field. If mobilization is announced, Fedorov said, then those who are smarter will try to avoid mobilization by all means possible, move away to other cities, for example. Those who are dumber will go to the army, cursing at the same time and will be extremely unhappy. This weekends celebrations in Moscow marking the citys 875th birthday illustrated the split-screen disconnect between the defeats inflicted on the Russian military in Kharkiv and the general attitude of Russian society toward the conflict. Muscovites danced in the streets, enjoyed street fairs, and watched fireworks displays, while Putin participated in a ceremony opening a new Ferris wheel. Moscow is rightly considered to be one of the most beautiful and most comfortable metropolises in the world, every year confirming its global competitive edge, including by attracting talented and energetic people and in its accelerating rate of economic, infrastructural, and social change, Putin said in a speech on September 10. The disconnect was further highlighted in interviews conducted by RFE/RL in recent days with Russians in several cities The front line cracked. But the crack is very local, in the Kharkiv region, one man, who declined to give his name, said. Its wholly likely that therell be another one somewhere else soon. But that does not amount to a turning point in the war. The war is not going anywhere anytime soon. At a time of increasing animosity with the West, Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in person for the first time since the start of the Ukraine war to showcase their strong ties. The two authoritarian leaders gathered on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Uzbekistan's ancient Silk Road city of Samarkand in a show meant to signal deeper coordination and unity between the two countries and reaffirm their relationship amid major battlefield setbacks for Moscow in its nearly seven-month war in Ukraine, which has seen China walk a cautious but supportive line for the Kremlin. Putin hinted at their September 15 meeting that Beijing may not be satisfied with Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, saying he understood that Xi had "questions and concerns" but praised the Chinese leader for what he called a "balanced" position on the war. "We highly value the balanced stance of our Chinese friends when it comes to the Ukraine crisis," Putin said during the meeting. "We understand your questions and concerns about this. During today's meeting, we will of course explain our position." Amid their discussion, Xi referred to Putin as an "old friend" and Putin offered a full-throated endorsement of Beijing's positions over Taiwan and its One China policy that recognizes the self-governing island as part of mainland China. A readout of their conversation showed that Xi did not mention Ukraine or NATO in the talks. This marks the first meeting between Putin and Xi since February in Beijing just days before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, when they signed a joint statement declaring the partnership between the two countries had "no limits." Despite different tones, the leaders were eager to voice their opposition to the United States and what Putin deemed a "unipolar" world order led by the United States that Beijing and Moscow both sought to move against. "We are ready," Xi said, according to a Kremlin readout, "together with our Russian colleagues, to set an example of a responsible world power and play a leading role in bringing such a rapidly changing world onto a trajectory of sustainable and positive development." But while Xi and Putin displayed a deepening of ties, the path forward amid a grinding war in Ukraine, global economic shocks, and an altered geopolitical landscape across Eurasia is far from straightforward. A Symbolic Meeting Set up in 2001, the SCO consisted of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan before expanding in 2017 to include India and Pakistan. The summit offers a symbolic venue for the leaders as they look to deepen their partnership and voice opposition to the West. Xi is also looking to highlight his power abroad after strengthening his control in the lead-up to an important Chinese Communist Party congress next month where he is expected to receive a third term as leader. "The reason for this meeting at the end of the day is very different for each side, but it's ultimately about optics," Raffaello Pantucci, a senior fellow at London's Royal United Services Institute, told RFE/RL. "Putin wants to show the West that he isn't isolated and still has friends in Asia. For Xi, it's about showing that he is a key powerbroker and just as respected as a leader around the world as he is at home." Throughout the war, Beijing has refrained from condemning Russia's invasion and offered a diplomatic lifeline to Moscow. Chinese oil companies have also been a top buyer of discounted Russian energy and other raw materials. Beijing also has kept up its military links with Russia, taking part in large-scale war games in the Far East earlier this month. Both Beijing and Moscow view the SCO as a vehicle to oppose Western-led institutions and offer what officials from both countries have framed as an alternative world order. China also appears eager to respond to the United States following an August visit to Taiwan by U.S. House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi, which Beijing said was "provocative." According to The Wall Street Journal, the decision to use part of Xi's first trip abroad in nearly three years to meet with Putin was partly a reaction to Pelosi's visit. "Both leaders are attracted to the idea of building a non-Western international order," said Pantucci. "The SCO is in many ways a flimsy institution, but this shows how they can engage more with it and other institutions like it to offer an alternative path." Still, Beijing has taken a pragmatic approach and has shown that despite its declaration of a "no-limits" dynamic with Russia, China does appear to have its red lines. China has so far complied with sanctions against Russia over Ukraine, with some Chinese companies even cutting ties with Moscow to avoid violating the measures and damaging its access to Western markets. Despite the meeting in Samarkand, China has not signaled any deviation from this line that it has followed since Russian tanks first rolled into Ukraine in late February. Xi's Balancing Act All eyes were on Xi and Putin at the SCO, but their tete-a-tete was far from the only meeting on the sidelines of the summit. The diplomatic gathering, along with Xi's Central Asian tour this week, represents a long-term Chinese foreign policy strategy. While Xi in many respects doubled down on China's relationship with Russia while in Uzbekistan, the Chinese leader is performing a difficult balancing act for his Eurasian diplomacy while attending the SCO. China has invested heavily over the years in its relations with countries in Central Asia and Beijing is looking to further cultivate those ties while at the SCO, having already signed a slew of trade and investment pacts with countries in the region. Amid the fallout from the war, Central Asian countries -- Kazakhstan, in particular -- have also become uncomfortable with Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and growing pressure from the Kremlin. Beijing has tried to show a sensitivity to these anxieties, with Xi beginning his regional trip on September 14 in Nur-Sultan where he met with his counterpart, Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev, and said China "will continue to resolutely support Kazakhstan in protecting its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity." "On the one hand, China will provide diplomatic support for Russia and broad commitments to a Beijing-Moscow entente whose principal rationale and focus is to counterbalance Washington," Evan Feigenbaum, vice president at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a former U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state, wrote recently. "On the other [hand], China will continue de facto compliance with Western sanctions to avoid painting a target on its own back, and it will deploy mealy-mouthed language about 'peace' and 'stability' aimed at placating the Central Asian nations and partners in the 'global south' that are uneasy about Moscow's war in Ukraine," he added. Long-Term Shift Neither explicitly an economic or military bloc, the SCO was originally envisaged as a forum through which China and Russia could manage their shared authority over Eurasia and improve relations with their neighbors. But the Ukraine war has thrown that strategy off balance. The aftermath of the invasion has seen Russia's economy shrink, its relations with neighbors damaged, and its influence weakened while Moscow has become increasingly dependent on China both economically and politically. During their meeting in Samarkand, Putin appeared deferential to Xi by praising the Chinese leader, saying he respects his "balanced stance" on the war in Ukraine, backing Beijing's One China policy, and opposing "provocations" by the United States in the Taiwan Strait. For years, analysts have warned that relations between Beijing and Moscow could become increasingly unbalanced in China's favor, leading to Russia becoming a junior partner in any future dynamic. "There's no doubt that the power balance has shifted between them. Things used to be much more equal between [Xi and Putin]," said Pantucci. "This is a trend that's been under way for some time and this meeting is further affirmation of it." One of Europes biggest money launderers arrested in Spain Linked to the Kinahan clan, the suspect is believed to have laundered EUR 200 million in just over one year Published on: 15 Sep 2022 One of Europes biggest money launderers was arrested on 12 September in Malaga, Spain, as a result of an international law enforcement operation led by the Spanish Guardia Civil. Two of his associates were also arrested in Spain, and one in the United Kingdom, with 11 property searches being carried out in both countries. The main suspect was considered a high-value target by Europol for his involvement in a number of high-profile criminal cases throughout Europe. Earlier in April of this year, this person and his company were designated by the US Department of the Treasury for providing support to the Kinahan clan. His arrest follows a complex investigation led by the Spanish Guardia Civil, who worked together on this case with the British National Crime Agency (NCA), the Dutch National Police (Politie) and the Irish Garda (An Garda Siochana), with international activity coordinated by Europols European Financial and Economic Crime Centre. More than EUR 200 million laundered Based in Spain, the main suspect and his associates were in charge of collecting large amounts of cash from criminal organisations which they would then deliver to other criminal organisations in other countries. The money was transferred using the hawala underground banking system, an informal method of transferring money without any physical money actually moving. During the course of the investigation (1.5 years), it is believed that the suspects have laundered over EUR 200 million using this method. The scope of activity of this criminal organisation is worldwide. Shell companies and premium brands The main members of the organisation in Spain had created a brand of vodka promoted in nightclubs and restaurants in the Costa del Sol to disguise the source of their earnings. In a similar fashion, they had founded a company in the United Kingdom, dependent on another company based in Gibraltar, in order to hide the true identity of the administrators of the companies that were being used to launder the illegal profits using the hawala system. One of the suspects arrested ran a car dealership and was in charge of providing vehicles to the criminal organisation in which he had built concealed compartments to transport the large amounts of cash undetected. Europol coordination The investigation was initiated by the Spanish Guardia Civil at the beginning of 2021 after a series of actions which led to the seizure of 200 kilos of cocaine and EUR 500 000 in cash in vehicles equipped with hidden compartments and owned by the gang. The case was rapidly brought to Europol due to its international nature. Europols European Financial and Economic Crime Centre has since been providing analytical and operational support, contributing to confirming links with other countries and identifying new connections to extend the operation. A number of operational meetings were organised by Europol to bring together the national investigators to prepare for the action day. Since then, Europol has been providing continuous intelligence development to support the field investigators. On the action day, on-the-spot support was provided by Europol financial specialists and analysts who were deployed to Spain to assist with the investigative measures. This investigation was carried out with the financial support of the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT). The European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) tackles the most important threats posed by organised and serious international crime affecting the EU. EMPACT strengthens intelligence, strategic and operational cooperation between national authorities, EU institutions and bodies, and international partners. EMPACT runs in four-year cycles focusing on common EU crime priorities. Although the life insurance market has a lot of potential, it needs to be seen why this is not being received with enthusiasm by consumers. Lack of credibility According to data announced by the Vietnam Insurance Association in mid-August on the insurance market in Vietnam, in the first six months of the year the number of new contracts for life insurance reached 1,496,180, an increase of 18% compared with the same period last year. However, the total new insurance premium revenue for the whole market decreased by 2.3% over the same period, reaching only VND 25,111 bln. Specifically, in the first four months of the year, the whole market received about 926,000 life insurance contracts, down 23% compared to the same period last year. New insurance premium revenue in the first four months also decreased by 8%, reaching about VND 15,000 bln. Many people believe that despite the decline in growth, Vietnam's life insurance market is still attractive in the eyes of some investors. Currently, the country has about 10 mln people who have registered for life insurance, which is equivalent to 10% of the population. The life insurance market has many factors driving its growth and one of these is the rapidly growing middle class. It is forecast that by 2025, 15% of the population will have registered for life insurance. All the same, life insurance in Vietnam is still very difficult. For more than 20 years, life insurance businesses have launched countless advertisements and sales programs but have so far only been able to reach out to 10% of the population. The rate of cancellation of insurance contracts is also increasing, especially through the banking channel of bancassurance. At a meeting of the Semi-Full-Time Committee in Life Insurance of the Bancassurance Board, chaired by Mr. Ngo Trung Dung, Deputy General Secretary of the Vietnam Insurance Association in July, all members of Bancassurance acknowledged the biggest problem that life insurance businesses are facing when selling via banks is the low contract maintenance rate. Up to now, many people are still avoiding it when offered life insurance. Therefore, it is difficult to answer whether the forecast of 15% of the population participating in life insurance in 2025 will come true or not. Unprofessional agents Ms. Thu Giang, a long-time worker in the life insurance industry, spoke with Saigon Investment on some problems facing the insurance industry. She said that most of the consulting staff of companies or agents working for life insurance companies are untrained, such as new fresh graduates who have not yet found a job, or those who have just lost their job, or people who want to work part-time to make a small income. Because such recruits do not really consider this as their main job, they also do not pay attention to learning and good performance. In addition, they are always eager to sign the first contract as soon as possible because the commission in the first year is often quite high. They smooth talk clients and persuade them to buy the package, with little attention to affordability and whether the product package really fits the need of the consumer. According to Ms. Thu Giang, many terms in the insurance contracts are quite confusing not only for buyers but also for the consultants. This leads to many problems in the future, and when the consumer needs assistance then the consultant is nowhere to be seen. Because of such incidents, the image of life insurance has fallen greatly. Of course, it is not possible to blame all the consultants, but the role of life insurance businesses suffers due to such factors. Hired consultants for life insurance must take this profession seriously and not just consider it as a stopgap job. Many businesses claim to be on the path of digital transformation to better serve their customers, but with a multi-year contract like life insurance the role of a consultant may not be easy to replace. In recent years many of the life insurance companies have signed exclusive contracts with banks to sell insurance through their channel. In this case the advisors are the bank staff who lack knowledge of insurance even more, so they force customers to buy insurance through loans. This is when the issue of customer care and after-sales service becomes uncertain. This is also why bank-bought insurance policies are currently experiencing an alarming rate of cancellation after the first year. Buyers uncertain In addition to those who are forced to buy life insurance when taking out a loan from a bank, there are others who buy it to support their family members so that they can get their first insurance policy. This is also the reason why buyers are often careless about reading insurance policies or are not careful in choosing the right product for their needs or their families, which makes a life insurance policy difficult. When buying a policy through acquaintances, after-sales care is often left open thereby creating more stress for buyers. Up to now, the number of people who voluntarily buy life insurance because they understand the benefits it brings are probably still not many in number. Many consumers still do not understand what a life insurance policy is all about. Another reason that leads to buyers turning away from life insurance policies is the chance of an insurance fraud. Mr. Ngo Trung Dung shared that currently there is no official data on insurance fraud, but in recent times insurance companies have reported more and more cases related to insurance fraud in professional meetings of the association. Vietnam's life insurance market probably needs more regulations for both sellers who are in the business as well as stronger sanctions for profiteering buyers. Only then will there be the expected development and credibility for life insurance policies. uc Manh A train with 50 cars loaded with bikes, toys, dishwashers and other goods leaves Xi'an International Port in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, in April last year, headed for Kazakhstan as part of the China-Europe rail freight service linking China, Central Asia and Europe. [Photo/Xinhua] China upgrades infrastructure to raise capacity for freight at border Improved railway infrastructure between China and Kazakhstan has played a major role in the increased frequency of China-Europe freight train services, which has served to beef up regional connectivity and promote the Belt and Road Initiative. There are three main routes and five border stations for China-Europe freight trains in western, central and eastern China. Two of theseon the western routeenter Kazakhstan from the Alataw Pass and Horgos Port stations in China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. To meet the growing demand for China-Europe freight train services, China carried out infrastructure upgrading to expand the capacity at these border stations. Last year, more lines were built at Horgos for reload containers, enabling the station to handle the reloading of an additional three to four trains each day. As a result, a total of 2,710 trains passed through Horgos last year, a year-on-year increase of 32.8 percent, according to the China-Europe Freight Train Development Report in 2021. An expansion project has also been carried out at the Alataw Pass border station. This year, the average daily traffic volume of China-Europe freight trains passing through these two stations increased by 20.7 percent compared with the figure in 2020, before the capacity expansion and renovation projects, according to China State Railway Group. Capacity expansion also took place at Dostyk, the station on the Kazakh side of the border. A new reloading yard was put into operation last year with a designed capacity to reload 160,000 containers annually. By May, the yard had been expanded to be able to handle 320,000 containers a year. The report added that thanks to the China-Europe freight train services, Kazakhstan, which is the world's largest landlocked country, can easily access sea ports in China to send wheat to Southeast Asian markets. It added that these freight train services open up a new channel for inland areas of Asia and Europe, helping them to better integrate into the global economy. As of Aug 21, 10,000 freight trains had traveled between China and Europe, carrying 972,000 twenty-foot equivalent units of goods. Paula Poundstone was not invited to perform at the first Comedy Day in Golden Gate Park in 1981. As the show went on without her, the sad young comedian sat in her apartment near Fulton Street in the Richmond District, unable to escape the laughter. I was in my bedroom nursing my jealousy and I could hear the crowd. I think I could even hear Robin Williams voice, Poundstone said on the Total SF podcast in 2020. At one point I heard just this explosion of laughter, and later I found out Robins pants had ripped. So much has changed in the 41 years since the first Comedy Day. Poundstone became a household name. Williams rose to meteoric heights, then left us too soon. A thousand good San Francisco ideas have come and gone. But Comedy Day, which returns at noon on Sunday, Sept. 18, endures. And in a city that demands everyone and everything constantly adapt, it remains blessedly unchanged. With apologies to the newer Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival, Fleet Week and Corgi Con, Comedy Day is the greatest free event in recent San Francisco history. No other tradition has brought so much joy and asked so little in return. The festival was co-founded and produced for decades by Jose Simon, a Latin rock musician and comedian who wanted Comedy Day to spread across the U.S. To have the whole country laughing on the same day, Simon told the Chronicle in 1983. Thats my dream. Comedy Day never multiplied beyond the city limits, but the event found perfect chemistry in San Francisco, with an unending resource of comic talent, a unique lack of competitiveness between comedians and a city full of residents that loved the art form. Most amazingly of all: Every comedian, from the newcomers to the star of Good Morning, Vietnam, worked for free. Longtime producer Debi Durst, the epicenter of the festival since Simons death in 2008, calls the festival a thank you note to San Francisco. This is our company picnic. San Francisco has always been known as a strong comedy community and very supportive of comedians, Durst said. There are no cameras here like there are in L.A. Theres no animosity like between New York and Boston comics. Its just a nice (nurturing) atmosphere. Deanne Fitzmaurice/The Chronicle The festival grew quickly in the 1980s, initially sponsored by the San Francisco Chronicle, as local comedians including Williams and Whoopi Goldberg found national fame, but still returned for the unpaid gig. By 1987 there were 50,000 fans in the park, camping overnight for the best seats, to see Williams, Goldberg, Bobcat Goldthwait and Father Guido Sarducci, sharing a stage with local legends (Michael Pritchard performed holding his toddler son Brian) and up-and-coming comedians always a staple of the event. Poundstone was one of those young upstarts, taking the stage in the festivals second year in 1982, when she was still finding her footing in small clubs with empty seats. She said her six minutes on stage were an unimaginable rush. Within the same year I went from performing for three people to working in front of 60,000 at Comedy Day, she said. Gary Fong/The Chronicle Behind the scenes, the comedy festival was existing paycheck to paycheck. Durst says Williams saved it multiple times, quietly paying from his foundation. More Information Comedy Day in Golden Gate Park: Noon to 5 p.m. in Robin Williams Meadow. Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022. The event is free. More information at comedyday.org See More Collapse Now Durst relies on a variety of sources, including Grants for the Arts, Sam Mazza Foundation and private donations big and small. She remembers asking a volunteer to bring her laptop earlier this year, so she could meet the Grants for the Arts deadline while recovering from hip replacement. Never promise a guy dying that youll keep his show going, Durst said with a booming laugh, recalling one of her last conversations with Simon. Somehow or other we always manage to squeak by. And then its zero at the end of the year in the bank. And then we have to start all over again in order to do the show the next year. Forty years after its inception, the vibe of the five-hour fest in Robin Williams Meadow still feels less like a corporate Outside Lands-style production, and more like a keg party someone has thrown in the eastern end of the park. Adding to that aura: Sierra Nevada has donated literal kegs of beer, which Comedy Day sells to pay some more bills. Deanne Fitzmaurice/The Chronicle And the blueprint of Comedy Day remains unchanged. The early sets will be filled with newer comics. Durst says she loves watching them every year to see who is good, and who is really good, and were just never going to see them again because theyre going to be famous by Friday. Veterans in this years lineup include locals Marga Gomez, Diane Amos, Bob Sarlatte (who headlined the first Comedy Day), Larry Bubbles Brown and Tom Ammiano. National names include Brian Posehn, Tom Rhodes, Suli McCullough and Poundstone, who flies up from Los Angeles at her own expense and writes a check insisting that the money go to a portable bathroom for the comics that has Poundstones name on it. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Ive seen Comedy Day in its earlier incarnation and more recent years, and the biggest change is crowd size, which has run closer to 5,000 in recent years. Steve Castillo/The Chronicle Behind the scenes there are new hurdles, including rising event costs Durst and Poundstone say the city seems to add a new regulation every year but somehow the audience never sees it. Comedy Day is the festival version of that old San Francisco grocery store in the avenues that still makes the same deli sandwich, or a favorite tree in Golden Gate Park that remains reliably unchanged from your childhood. I dont know how long well continue to have a Comedy Day. Im not even sure how its happening now. Debis husband Will Durst has been recovering from a stroke. Who knows if the next new fee or institutional hurdle will be the one that breaks this tradition. San Franciscans excel at fighting changes after theyve happened. The shift in management at the Castro Theatre and end of the Cliff House are two examples of locals rallying when they feel that something they love has been threatened. James Tensuan/Special to The Chronicle But even more crucial is supporting things before they reach the crisis point. Make a donation if you can. Buy a T-shirt you dont need. Become an evangelist for the quirky traditions that make this city special. Its a wonderful concept: A free show for the people of San Francisco from the comics that are grateful to them, Poundstone said in 2020. And it is just as simple as that. The comics of San Francisco give you this free show because we love it here. Thank you. Comedy Day is a gift. Enjoy every minute of it. Peter Hartlaub (he/him) is The San Francisco Chronicles culture critic. Email: phartlaub@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @PeterHartlaub Sarahbeth Maney/Special to The Chronicle 2021 Derick Almena, the master tenant of an Oakland warehouse that erupted in flames and claimed the lives of 36 people in 2016 was ordered to appear in court after a search of his home revealed he violated conditions of his mandatory supervision, according to the Alameda County District Attorneys Office. Almena has been living in Lake County and is under mandatory supervision by the Alameda County Probation Department stemming from his conviction of 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter due to the 2016 fire at the warehouse, an unpermitted artists collective called the Ghost Ship that had been illegally set up in a building officials said was a fire trap. When the American Conservatory Theater last staged its annual production of A Christmas Carol in 2019, the play hinged, as always, on Ken Ruta as the Ghost of Jacob Marley, wrapped in heavy chains and draped in boxes of money as he rose up from a bed and passionately warned Ebeneezer Scrooge of the three spirits that were soon to visit. Ruta embodied that role for 14 consecutive seasons and he was cast as Marley again for this years production at the Geary Theater, the first after a two-year pandemic hiatus. At age 89, Ruta had been vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19 and was preparing to begin rehearsal when he caught the coronavirus in early August. He went into steady decline with dramatic weight loss as his case was worsened by pneumonia. He died Aug. 28 at his home in San Francisco. His death was confirmed by his sister Gayl Sorrentino. Ken brought his character to life through his own wisdom and gravitas, said James Carpenter, who played Scrooge opposite Rutas Marley for 14 consecutive Christmas seasons. Ken knew the weight of each word in the message he was delivering, no matter what the role he was playing. Ruta performed in about 70 shows with the company, going back to its inaugural season in 1967. ACT audiences will have their favorites Ruta as the charming swindler Voysey in the The Voysey Inheritance; as Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, as the aunt in mens clothing in Travels With My Aunt and in and out of doors in the cocktail party madcap Dinner at Eight. Provided by Kevin Berne 2019 Ruta was both a leading man and a character actor with an elastic visage and perfect comic timing. When he entered a scene, veteran ACT subscribers were conditioned to lean forward in their seats. As an audience member, he always made you feel that you were in good hands, said retired longtime Chronicle and Examiner theater critic Robert Hurwitt. He was a member of the ACT company for so long, virtually from the beginning, that you always thought of him in that context and in so many great performances. Though Ruta secured a smattering of screen roles, including one memorable part as a bad guy in the TV serial Kojak, he was fundamentally a stage actor who performed on Broadway and in national touring productions. But his home base was always San Francisco, where he bounced between apartments always within walking district of the theater district a necessity because Ruta never learned to drive. He turned up at theaters Bay Area-wide, large and small. He played Berkeley Rep, San Jose Rep and Center Rep in Walnut Creek. He was also a regular at any number of Shakespeare festivals, at TheatreWorks in Palo Alto and the tiny Exit Theatre off Market Street. He originated a solo show as the witty Victorian playwright Oscar Wilde at the Stage Door in 1997 and took it to Boston. As an actor, Ken was indispensable, said actor Joy Carlin, who both directed and performed with Ruta, going back to 1969. He was always with you in the moment. Kenneth Edward Ruta was born April 6, 1933, in Chicago, where he grew up on the South Side. His dad was an engineer at International Harvester, and his mother was an operator at Illinois Bell. In high school, Ruta developed an interest in puppetry, which required him to voice a wide range of characters during performances in the family living room. He attended Northwestern University but left after one semester to study acting at the Goodman Theatre. His made his debut at the Goodman as Elwood P. Dowd, opposite the imaginary rabbit in Harvey. He did summer stock in Wisconsin and Nantucket, Mass. and then joined the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. In 1961, he was cast in the stage adaptation of Dylan Thomass radio drama Under Milk Wood at Circle in the Square in Greenwich Village. It later went on national tour. The director was William Ball, who would go on to form ACT in Pittsburgh. When ACT relocated from Pittsburgh to San Francisco in 1967, Ruta became an inaugural member of a company of 20 or 30 actors who would mount 16 plays in rotating repertory per season. Actors could be expected to do separate plays in a single day, a matinee and an evening show at either of two stages the Geary and the Marines Memorial Theatre. One memorable role came in 1971, when ACT mounted William Saroyans The Time of Your Life, with Ruta in the role of Joe, a boozer who anchors the play as he sits at a table in a bar. It was a role Chronicle columnist Herb Caen could understand. As Joe, Ken Ruta is perfect: sentimentally drunk without ever getting sloppy, Caen wrote in his column on Feb. 4, 1971. So it went until the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989 brought down the ceiling of the beloved and cramped Geary. By the time Carey Perloff took over as artistic director in 1992, ACT was no longer a repertory company of actors. Auditions were national, but Perloff cast Ruta as King Creon in the Greek tragedy Antigone. I wanted Ken in my first season, Perloff said. He was so powerful and complicated and dangerous and he had that amazing voice. Perloff likes to repeat a line she heard from actor Anthony Fusco. When you acted across from Ken Ruta, his voice was so powerful that your chest vibrated, recounted Perloff. It was true. And not just in English: Ruta spoke German, Italian and some Latin, was a devotee of the opera and read widely. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. He had a wonderful habit of walking into my office and saying I have a play for you, Perloff said. When Ken said that, I listened. He had loads of ideas. He came from an era when actors were much more steeped in literature from the past. When he wasnt on the stage, he was in the audience. Ruta was a supporter of the master of fine arts program at ACT and always saw student productions. His last time onstage was in the company of MFA students in a reading of Shakespeares Cymbeline at the Strand Theater last November. With his basso voice and grounded presence, mustering full energy from reserves that only come onstage, he gave us all a look at a life in the theater, said ACT Artistic Director Pam MacKinnon, who directed Cymbeline. Ken always showed up for ACT from the theaters very beginnings to the graduation of the final MFA class in May of 2022. Ruta originated the role of Marleys Ghost in A Christmas Carol in 2005. When Carpenter was cast as Scrooge in 2006, he and Ruta shared a dressing room. Makeup took an hour or more, so Carpenter asked Ruta whether he minded if he played music on his iPad. He turned to me in his full Marley makeup with green face and long nails and said Only Peggy Lee, Carpenter said. So it will be only Peggy Lee in the dressing room on Nov. 30, the first performance of A Christmas Carol without Ruta as Marley in chains since 2005. Ken was a wonderful, generous actor who could play anything, Carpenter said. He never forgot a face, and he will never be forgotten in the Bay Area. ACT will host a celebration of Rutas life in December. Survivors include his sister, Gayl Sorrentino of Willow Springs, Ill., and nephew, Jeffrey Birks of Frankfurt, Ill. Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com Twitter:@samwhitingsf Tobacco use still kills more than 480,000 people in the United States each year. It kills 40,000 people each year in California and drains nearly $10 billion in health care costs from the states coffers. Menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products are particularly pernicious mainly because kids use them; 1 in 8 California high school students was a tobacco user as of 2019. Of that group, 86.4% used flavored products. Flavors mask the harshness of tobacco, making it easier to get hooked and stay hooked. In 2011, the Food and Drug Administrations Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee concluded that removal of menthol cigarettes from the marketplace would benefit public health in the United States. Canada uncontroversially banned menthol cigarettes several years ago. One study predicted, based on Canadas experience, that if the U.S. were to ban menthols it would help over 1.3 million people quit smoking. In 2018, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed one of the first and most ambitious bans on flavored tobacco products in the country. Instead of accepting the ban, tobacco companies immediately tried to overturn that legislation at the ballot box unsuccessfully. Two years later, state legislators latched on to San Franciscos effort by passing SB793, which banned the sale of menthol cigarettes, cigarillos and flavored vapes in California stores and vending machines. Like clockwork, Big Tobacco qualified a ballot measure to overturn the ban, spending at least $20 million in the process. In doing so they also delayed SB793s implementation by nearly two years, allowing flavored tobacco sales to continue. The result of that mercenary effort is Proposition 31 on the November ballot. A yes vote on Prop. 31 would allow SB793s flavored tobacco ban to finally go into effect, while a no vote would let California retailers continue to sell flavored tobacco products in-state. Voters should reject Big Tobaccos attempt to override sound public policy by saying yes to Prop. 31. The arguments for a no vote are dubious. Most try to summon faux outrage over the so-called nanny state. For decades, tobacco companies marketed flavored products especially menthol cigarettes to Black communities, resulting in disproportionately high levels of use: 85% of Black adults who smoke use menthol cigarettes. If white people are allowed to continue using their tobacco products of choice, the argument goes, why not Black people? But aggressively marketing a uniquely addictive and deadly product to Black communities, often to youths, isnt personal preference its targeting. Research indicates that if menthol cigarettes were banned at the federal level, 44.5% of African Americans who smoke would attempt to quit. A California ban will unquestionably save lives. And, no, Prop. 31 wont criminalize flavored tobacco use for people who continue to use these products if they can find them. The measure stops sales, it doesnt create new criminal penalties. The sad reality is that even if Big Tobacco loses in November, it still wins. For the $20 million it took to get Prop. 31 on the ballot, tobacco companies reaped hundreds of millions of dollars by delaying the implementation of SB793. Its too late for voters to stop this cynical manipulation of our political system. But they can at least deliver a decisive message in favor of public health by voting yes on Prop. 31. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate UPDATE: Here's today's S.F. Bay Area weather forecast. If September were a weather rollercoaster, then last week was the climb to the very top of extremely hot temperatures, and today is the giant drop. September rain: Will looming storm fight the Mosquito Fire and the drought? Unusually cool temperatures are coming to the North Bay and East Bay The cooling trend is kicking into high-gear Thursday, as the sea breeze propels another round of 15-20 mph winds toward the SF Peninsula. These winds will quickly bleed into SF Bay and travel up to the delta where theyll disperse into cities like Walnut Creek, Fairfield and Livermore. A couple of those names should sound familiar given they broke daytime record high temperatures even as last weeks heat wave was ending. Instead, those same cities can look forward to a cool, breezy Thursday afternoon with temperatures hovering in the mid-70s. Not only are these temperatures comfortable, but theyre also roughly 5-10 degrees below the average for this time of year in the East Bay. This means that these temperatures and winds resemble something out of mid-Spring more than they do mid-September. Air quality is also improving, after a week of smoke impacts. The Bay Air Quality Management District is forecasting low air quality index (AQI) values for Thursday. Gerry Diaz The latest runs from the high-res rapid refresh (HRRR) model take smoke out of the California coast as prevailing winds off the delta inject the East Bay and the rest of the Sacramento Valley with clean, Pacific air. This breeze will help to alleviate hazy skies and make way for much more comfortable AQI levels Thursday than what has been seen in previous days. Enjoy the March-like weather, Bay Area! Thursday Breakdown San Francisco: Another day with shallow fog on the west side followed by 15-20 mph gusts flowing into most of the city by lunch time. Look for highs in the mid to upper 60s. Another slight chance of drizzle is on tap in the morning for the Sunset and Richmond districts thanks to this comfortable fogbank and then again in the evening. The Pacific Coast: Patchy morning fog and a chance for drizzles are all on tap for residents along Highway 1 between Half Moon Bay and Pescadero Thursday. Look for highs in the mid 60s and breezy 15-20 mph gusts before the fog rolls back in this evening. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. North Bay: After days of dealing with pesky haze, residents in Napa, Santa Rosa and Petaluma are in for a treat Thursday afternoon, with sunny skies, breezy 10-15 mph gusts and mid-70s thanks to the breeze off San Pablo Bay. The best part? Models keep smoke out of the region this afternoon. Similar conditions are on tap for residents south of Novato, with temperatures along the bay and Sonoma coast running closer to the low 70s this afternoon. Hold on to your hats because winds could gust up to 25 mph along the shorefront. East Bay: Low 70s, breezy winds off the bay and sunny afternoon skies are all coming to Oakland and every city along the I-880 corridor Thursday afternoon. Inland cities east of the I-680 corridor like Walnut Creek and Fairfield can look forward to similar temperatures. Look for daytime highs in the mid 70s and for clear skies thanks to the cool, clean Pacific breeze making its way into the delta. South Bay and Santa Cruz: Whether youre in the Santa Clara Valley or along Highway 17, a comfortable bay breeze will permeate into every corner of the South Bay and Santa Cruz Mountain passes this afternoon, keeping temperatures in the mid-70s. Expect temperatures on Santa Cruz coast to be closer to 70 degrees as patchy fog holds on the coast in the morning. Otherwise, clear skies and occasional 10-20 mph gusts will be the main drivers of the weather from Capitola to Bonny Doon. Gerry Diaz (he/they) is a San Francisco Chronicle newsroom meteorologist. Email: gerry.diaz@sfchronicle.com Twitter @geravitywave The-city featured San Francisco is cleaning up its act Craig Lee/The Examiner Sutter Street near Sansome Street in downtown San Francisco. Downtown streets are cleaner than they were as recently as six months ago, according to data. To put it politely, San Francisco isnt exactly known for its shimmeringly clean streets. But new data compiled by the Downtown SF Partnership indicates downtown San Francisco might be sprucing up a bit over the first half of 2022, even though foot traffic has only modestly increased and the COVID-19 pandemic has become a fleeting concern for many. The Downtown SF Partnership tracks the issues that employees of its service provider, Streetplus, run into while deployed to streets in the Financial District and Jackson Square. From January to July, it reported declines of 25% in trash and litter, a 76% reduction in hazardous waste, a 91% reduction in graffiti and a 41% reduction in quality-of-life incidents like aggressive panhandling. Those improvements come despite an uptick in the number of people visiting downtown in recent months. Its a trend downtown boosters are obviously eager to share, as they look to lure businesses and workers back to office buildings ahead of impending financial troubles. Alex Bastian, president and CEO of the Hotel Council of San Francisco, credits The City for making improvements in cleanliness and safety since the beginning of the year. On both of these issues, the momentum is in the right direction, Bastian said. Bastian is heartened by signs that more Bay Area employers are looking to bring employees back to work, including Apple. It impacts business travel. People come to San Francisco on business trips in order to meet with people, Bastian explained. Obviously, not everyone is satisfied with The Citys progress, and the ravages of its opioid epidemic and persistent struggles with homelessness are broadcast widely. Joe DAlessandro, the president and CEO of SF Travel, pointed to the conditions on city streets as an impediment to drawing conventions to San Francisco in an interview with ABC7 on Tuesday. A lot of visitors are concerned, concerned for their own safety, he said. They dont know where to walk. Others might argue that the improvements downtown have come at the expense of other neighborhoods. The Castro Merchants Association warned earlier this month that its members could refuse to pay city taxes and fees if issues like homelessness in the neighborhood were not addressed. Theres no clear-cut way to explain the slightly spiffed-up downtown documented by the downtown SF Partnership, the reasons for which are probably multifaceted. Robbie Silver, executive director of the Downtown SF Partnership, credited the improvement in part to its proactive cleaning efforts. The Downtown SF Partnership is the organization that administers the downtown community benefit district, which raises taxes on itself to fund projects that benefit the neighborhoods it covers. Our rule is to tackle graffiti within 24 hours; however, we remove graffiti tags as quickly as they are reported. This has caused tags to be displayed for less amount of time and decreases the likelihood of (them) coming back, Silver said. The numbers also indicate that as people return to work in person and tourists visit downtown, there are fewer opportunities for inconspicuous tagging of a building or littering. The Downtown SF Partnership is building a post-pandemic recovery plan based on bringing more people downtown for all kinds of reasons, not just work, and hopes to see cascading benefits from courtyard concerts and alleys full of dining tables. When a space or downtown is more populated and activated, theres less blight, Silver said. The data reflects incidents resolved by Downtown SF Partnerships ambassadors, so it doesnt capture issues taken care of by city employees or the police. (Crime tracked by San Francisco police in the Central District, which includes the Financial District, increased by 3.3% in the first seven months of 2022 compared with the same timeframe in 2021.) Downtown SF Partnership separately hosts a data dashboard with information about the economic recovery in downtown San Francisco. This year has hardly matched the hustle and bustle of pre-pandemic San Francisco, but its still a marked improvement over the nadir of 2020. According to data, about 123,000 employees traveled downtown the week of Aug. 22. Thats barely more than one-third of the number during the same week in 2019, but nearly three times as the same point in 2020. Still, significant structural issues remain in the downtown economy, as many companies with expansive offices there have shifted to remote or hybrid work or left San Francisco altogether. According to research firm CBRE, the north Financial District (which sits above Market Street) had an office vacancy rate of 23% in the second quarter of 2022, roughly on par with the citywide vacancy rate of 24%. For comparison, the office vacancy rate was below 5% before the start of the pandemic. Ted Egan, The Citys chief economist, predicted in a June report that the north Financial District could see office vacancy rates as high as 41% as it emerges from the pandemic. Jackson Square, just to its north, has an office vacancy risk of 54%, according to the report. In the same report, data indicate that work-from-home policies have stabilized over the last year. Many employees are working roughly the same amount of days from home per week and employers are slowly giving up on forcing them back. As such, many economists are predicting a collapse in property values. Some property owners have already begun to ask for reassessments from The City, which could in turn blow a sizable hole in The Citys tax revenues. But there are encouraging signs. According to data tracked by office security company Kastle Systems, San Francisco has edged ahead of San Jose and New York City in weekly office attendance. And as more people come downtown, leaders like Silver hope theyll see increasingly clean streets. A half-century after founding outdoor apparel maker Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard, the eccentric rock climber who became a reluctant billionaire with his unconventional spin on capitalism, has given the company away. Rather than selling the company or taking it public, Chouinard, his wife and two adult children have transferred their ownership of Patagonia, valued at about $3 billion, to a specially designed trust and a nonprofit organization. They were created to preserve the companys independence and ensure that all of its profits some $100 million a year are used to combat climate change and protect undeveloped land around the globe. The unusual move comes at a moment of growing scrutiny for billionaires and corporations, whose rhetoric about making the world a better place is often overshadowed by their contributions to the very problems they claim to want to solve. At the same time, Chouinards relinquishment of the family fortune is in keeping with his long-standing disregard for business norms and his lifelong love for the environment. Hopefully this will influence a new form of capitalism that doesnt end up with a few rich people and a bunch of poor people, Chouinard, 83, said in an exclusive interview. We are going to give away the maximum amount of money to people who are actively working on saving this planet. Patagonia will continue to operate as a private, for-profit corporation based in Ventura, California, selling more than $1 billion worth of jackets, hats and ski pants each year. But the Chouinards, who controlled Patagonia until last month, no longer own the company. In August, the family irrevocably transferred all the companys voting stock, equivalent to 2% of the overall shares, into a newly established entity known as the Patagonia Purpose Trust. The trust, which will be overseen by members of the family and their closest advisers, is intended to ensure that Patagonia makes good on its commitment to run a socially responsible business and give away its profits. Because the Chouinards donated their shares to a trust, the family will pay about $17.5 million in taxes on the gift. The Chouinards then donated the other 98% of Patagonia, its common shares, to a newly established nonprofit organization called the Holdfast Collective, which will now be the recipient of all the companys profits and use the funds to combat climate change. Because the Holdfast Collective is a 501(c)(4), which allows it to make unlimited political contributions, the family received no tax benefit for its donation. There was a meaningful cost to them doing it, but it was a cost they were willing to bear to ensure that this company stays true to their principles, said Dan Mosley, a partner at BDT & Co., a merchant bank that works with ultrawealthy individuals including Warren Buffett, and who helped Patagonia design the new structure. And they didnt get a charitable deduction for it. There is no tax benefit here whatsoever. Barre Seid, a Republican donor, is the only other example in recent memory of a wealthy business owner who gave away his company for philanthropic and political causes. But Seid took a different approach in giving 100% of his electronics company to a nonprofit organization, reaping an enormous personal tax windfall as he made a $1.6 billion gift to fund conservative causes, including efforts to stop action on climate change. By giving away the bulk of their assets during their lifetime, the Chouinards Yvon, his wife Malinda, and their two children, Fletcher and Claire, who are both in their 40s have established themselves as among the most charitable families in the country. This family is a way outlier when you consider that most billionaires give only a tiny fraction of their net worth away every year, said David Callahan, founder of the website Inside Philanthropy. Even those who have signed the Giving Pledge dont give away that much, and tend to get richer every year, Callahan added, referring to the commitment by hundreds of billionaires to give away the bulk of their fortunes. Patagonia has already donated $50 million to the Holdfast Collective and expects to contribute an additional $100 million this year, making the new organization a major player in climate philanthropy. Mosley said the story was unlike any other he had seen in his career. In my 30-plus years of estate planning, what the Chouinard family has done is really remarkable, he said. Its irrevocably committed. They cant take it back out again, and they dont want to ever take it back out again. For Chouinard, it was even simpler than that, providing a satisfactory resolution to the matter of succession planning. I didnt know what to do with the company because I didnt ever want a company, he said from his home in Jackson, Wyoming. I didnt want to be a businessman. Now I could die tomorrow and the company is going to continue doing the right thing for the next 50 years, and I dont have to be around. This might actually work In some ways, the forfeiture of Patagonia is not terribly surprising coming from Chouinard. As a pioneering rock climber in Californias Yosemite Valley in the 1960s, Chouinard lived out of his car and ate damaged cans of cat food that he bought for 5 cents apiece. Even today, he wears raggedy old clothes, drives a beat-up Subaru and splits his time between modest homes in Ventura and Jackson. Chouinard does not own a computer or a cellphone. Patagonia, which Chouinard founded in 1973, became a company that reflected his own idealistic priorities, as well as those of his wife. The company was an early adopter of everything from organic cotton to on-site child care, and famously discouraged consumers from buying its products, with an advertisement on Black Friday in The New York Times that read, Dont Buy This Jacket. The company has given away 1% of its sales for decades, mostly to grassroots environmental activists. And in recent years, the company has become more politically active, going so far as to sue the Trump administration in a bid to protect Bears Ears National Monument. Yet as Patagonias sales soared, Chouinards own net worth continued to climb, creating an uncomfortable conundrum for an outsider who abhors excessive wealth. I was in Forbes magazine listed as a billionaire, which really, really pissed me off, he said. I dont have $1 billion in the bank. I dont drive Lexuses. The Forbes ranking, and then the COVID-19 pandemic, helped set in motion a process that would unfold over the past two years, and ultimately lead to the Chouinards giving away the company. In mid-2020, Chouinard began telling his closest advisers, including Ryan Gellert, the companys CEO, that if they couldnt find a good alternative, he was prepared to sell the company. One day he said to me, Ryan, I swear to God, if you guys dont start moving on this, Im going to go get the Fortune magazine list of billionaires and start cold-calling people, Gellert said. At that point we realized he was serious. Using the code name Project Chacabuco, a reference to a fishing spot in Chile, a small group of Patagonia lawyers and board members began working on possibilities. Over the next several months, the group explored a range of options, including selling part or all of the company, turning Patagonia into a cooperative with the employees as owners, becoming a nonprofit and even using a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC. We kind of turned over every stone, but there just werent really any good options that could accomplish their goals, said Hilary Dessouky, Patagonias general counsel. The easiest paths, selling the company or taking it public, would have given Chouinard ample financial resources to fund conservation initiatives. That was the strategy pursued by his best friend, Doug Tompkins, founder of clothing companies Esprit and The North Face. But Chouinard had no faith that Patagonia would be able to prioritize things like worker well-being and funding climate action as a public company. I dont respect the stock market at all, he said. Once youre public, youve lost control over the company, and you have to maximize profits for the shareholder, and then you become one of these irresponsible companies. They also considered simply leaving the company to Fletcher and Claire. But even that option didnt work, because the children didnt want the company. It was important to them that they were not seen as the financial beneficiaries, Gellert said. They felt very strongly about it. I know it can sound flippant, but they really embody this notion that every billionaire is a policy failure. Finally, the legal team and board members landed on a solution. In December, at a daylong meeting in the hills above Ventura, the entire team came together for the first time since the pandemic began. Meeting outside, surrounded by oak trees and avocado orchards, all four Chouinards, along with their team of advisers, agreed to move ahead. We still had a million and one things to figure out, but it started to feel like this might actually work, Gellert said. The ideal solution Now that the future of Patagonias ownership is clear, the company will have to make good on its lofty ambitions to simultaneously run a profitable corporation while tackling climate change. Some experts caution that without the Chouinard family having a financial stake in Patagonia, the company and the related entities could lose their focus. While the children remain on Patagonias payroll and the elder Chouinards have enough to live comfortably on, the company will no longer be distributing any profits to the family. What makes capitalism so successful is that theres motivation to succeed, said Ted Clark, executive director of the Northeastern University Center for Family Business. If you take all the financial incentives away, the family will have essentially no more interest in it except a longing for the good old days. As for how the Holdfast Collective will distribute Patagonias profits, Chouinard said much of the focus will be on nature-based climate solutions such as preserving wild lands. And as a 501(c)(4), the Holdfast Collective will also be able to build on Patagonias history of funding grassroots activists, but it could also lobby and donate to political campaigns. For the Chouinards, it resolves the question of what will happen to Patagonia after its founder is gone, ensuring that the companys profits will be put to work protecting the planet. I feel a big relief that Ive put my life in order, Chouinard said. For us, this was the ideal solution. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. LONDON (AP) Shell CEO Ben van Beurden is stepping down at the end of 2022 after nine years in charge, the energy giant said Thursday, a change that comes as oil and natural gas companies are under pressure to shift away from fossil fuels even as they see soaring profits from energy prices driven up by Russia's war in Ukraine. Taking over Jan. 1 is Wael Sawan, a Lebanese-Canadian who has worked for Shell for 25 years and is now director of integrated gas, renewables and energy solutions. The choice signals the focus of the London-based company to take what it calls a leading role in the energy transition despite facing criticism that it's been slow to reduce climate-changing emissions. Im looking forward to channeling the pioneering spirit and passion of our incredible people to rise to the immense challenges, and grasp the opportunities presented by the energy transition," said Sawan, who has been a member of Shells executive committee for three years. He takes over at a tumultuous time for Shell and other oil and gas giants. While the world is looking to transition to renewable sources like wind and solar, the war in Ukraine has created volatility that has driven up energy prices and fueled inflation. Natural gas prices have soared as Russia has curbed supplies to Europe, where an energy crisis is forcing governments to institute conservation measures and go back to coal and oil despite climate goals to ensure the lights stay on this winter. Volatile oil prices soared above $120 per barrel in June, pushing gasoline prices at the pump to record highs in the United States. Crude has since fallen below $90. That has translated to record profits for energy companies at a time when households and businesses are getting stung by rising costs. Some European governments have approved taxes on excess profits of energy companies to help households and businesses, and the European Union's executive Commission proposed Wednesday a similar levy on electricity producers across the 27-nation bloc. In late July, Shell posted record profits of $11.5 billion for a second straight quarter. That was up from $5.5 billion in the same three-month period last year, despite a hit worth billions from pulling out of Russia over the invasion of Ukraine. Ellen Wald, the founder of energy consulting firm Transversal Consulting, notes that prior to heading natural gas and renewables, the incoming CEO was involved in the companys upstream operations. Despite efforts by Shell to shift toward more renewables, the company still makes most of its money selling and trading crude oil, Wald said. Its not like hes just a renewable guy," Wald said. "Hes still an oil and gas person, but I do think the fact that he was in this (renewables) division before moving to CEO shows how integral they see this to the future of the company. Shell Chairman, Sir Andrew Mackenzie, called Sawan an exceptional leader, with all the qualities needed to drive Shell safely and profitably through its next phase of transition and growth. Sophie Lund-Yates, a lead equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, an investment services firm, called Sawans appointment a clear marker that Shell intends to make its renewable strategy clearer, even if change wont happen overnight. He wont be ignorant to the fact oil prices can collapse at short notice and that is all but guaranteed to be something hell have to navigate, Lund-Yates added. Formerly known as Dutch Royal Shell, the company late last year left the Netherlands and consolidated its headquarters in London as it simplified its archaic corporate structure. Shell has resisted pressure to break itself up, with one company focused on renewable energy and the other on legacy fossil fuels, as other firms have done. It has a goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 by investing in renewable energy, restoring forests and taking other steps but has been accused of moving too slowly. Last year, the Hague District Court ordered Shell to cut carbon emissions 45% by 2030, saying the companys net-zero target is not concrete, has many caveats and is based on monitoring social developments rather than the companys own responsibility for achieving a CO2 reduction. Its a tricky position for these European legacy energy companies because they face an immense amount of pressure to basically get out of their core business, and yet theres still demand for their core productsa lot of demand for it, Wald said. A Chicago jury on Wednesday convicted R. Kelly of multiple child pornography and child sex abuse charges in the second federal trial looking into sexual assault allegations against him, according to the Associated Press. In June, the 55-year-old former R&B singer received a 30-year prison sentence from a Brooklyn judge. The Chicago court proceedings, in which two of his associates were also defendants, followed the federal trial held last year in New York, where Kelly faced racketeering and sex-trafficking charges stemming from nearly 30 years of abuse allegations from women and minors. After that guilty verdict, Kelly, whose full name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, became one of the most high-profile figures in the entertainment industry to face legal repercussions for sexual misconduct allegations that came to light or resurfaced as a result of the #MeToo movement. New York prosecutors chose to pursue racketeering charges, often involved in instances of organized criminal activity, as a means of broadening the scope of what could be presented to the jury as evidence. Prosecutors in the Chicago case - which involved numerous charges, including five counts of enticing a minor into criminal sexual activity and six related to child pornography - went another route by invoking two counts of conspiracy to obstruct a federal investigation, allegations connected to Kelly's 2008 trial that also took place in Chicago, his hometown. On Wednesday, Kelly was found guilty on six of the 13 counts against him: three for coercing minors into sexual activity, and three for producing videos of child sex abuse, according to the AP. He was acquitted of conspiring to obstruct a federal investigation and was not found guilty of the remaining enticement and pornography charges. Kelly's co-defendants, Derrel McDavid and Milton "June" Brown, were cleared of all charges. Speaking from the lobby of Chicago's Dirksen Federal Courthouse, Kelly's defense attorney Jennifer Bonjean said they were "not celebrating any win," but that they were happy the jury returned seven not-guilty counts in a 13-count indictment. As for Kelly's reaction, Bonjean said he was relieved to have the trial behind him. "Mr. Kelly is used to bad news," she said. "He has a 30-year sentence that is excessive, in my opinion. He still has many fights to fight." U.S. Attorney John Lausch expressed mixed feelings as well. He noted that federal prosecutors were "pleased with the fact that Robert Kelly is finally being held accountable" for his "reprehensible conduct" but said they were "disappointed by the not-guilty verdicts on the remaining counts." According to Lausch, Kelly faces 10 to 20 years in prison for each child pornography count and up to 10 years per enticement count. As the hometown of Kelly, who ranked among the most commercially successful R&B artists of the 1990s, Chicago was a complicated backdrop for the trial. On Wednesday, just a few supporters waited for the verdict outside the downtown courthouse. They wiped away tears and shook their heads after he was found guilty on several counts. The 2008 trial in Chicago, which marked the first time Kelly was indicted on counts related to sexual misconduct, resulted from child pornography charges brought in 2002 after the Chicago Sun-Times was anonymously sent a videotape that appeared to depict Kelly sexually abusing and urinating on a minor. Prosecutors believed the alleged victim in the tape to be Kelly's goddaughter, who was a minor and refused to testify at the time; jurors voted to acquit Kelly on all counts after deciding they had no way of verifying the girl's identity. One of them told the Chicago Tribune after Kelly was acquitted that it seemed as though the goddaughter's family "was very divided over this from the beginning." Abdon Pallasch, the former Sun-Times reporter who alongside journalist Jim DeRogatis broke the initial story about Kelly's abuse allegations, said Wednesday at the courthouse that the verdict was vindicating. "We know the acquittal was not deserved," he said of Kelly's 2008 trial. "[Today's] verdict should send a message to young girls victimized by men in authority that they should come forward." Pallasch said the verdict is particularly potent for young Black girls in Chicago who were victimized by Kelly and felt they "wouldn't be believed." "I think a lot has changed," he said. "I hope it's changed." In early 2019, Lifetime aired a six-part documentary series called "Surviving R. Kelly" that detailed stories from alleged victims and their families. It renewed public interest in the sexual abuse allegations against Kelly and became one of Lifetime's highest-rated programs in two years. Amid the fallout, Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx issued a call for potential victims and witnesses to come forward, stating that "we cannot seek justice without you." In this year's Chicago trial, prosecutors argued that Kelly, McDavid and Brown conspired to bribe witnesses so they would not cooperate with the investigation years ago. The alleged victim from the videotape, now 37, testified for hours during the trial, in which she went by the name "Jane." Contradicting the story she and her family stuck to until more recently, Jane testified that she was, in fact, the person seen alongside Kelly in the footage, according to CBS News. She said she previously lied to a Cook County grand jury about it, and that she eventually decided to cooperate with investigators and speak about the time she spent with Kelly because, in her words, "I no longer wanted to carry his lies." Jane testified that Kelly abused her hundreds of times while she was a teenager. The AP reported that prosecutors played for the jury excerpts of the videotape they said depicted Kelly sexually abusing Jane. The man in the footage gives the girl graphic commands, according to the AP. At one point, she asks, "Daddy, do you still love me?" Chicago prosecutors also accused Kelly and his two associates of conspiring to buy back sex tapes to conceal Kelly's alleged misconduct. One of Kelly's former girlfriends, a 42-year-old woman named Lisa Van Allen, testified that McDavid told her in 2007 that she should have been killed instead of paid to return a 1990s videotape of Kelly participating in sexual activity with Van Allen and his underage goddaughter, according to the Chicago Tribune. Van Allen said she was pressured into the encounter and later told to lie about it to a lawyer. Echoing other women who have accused Kelly of misconduct, Van Allen said she was barred from speaking with or looking directly at other men while Kelly was present, and that he would strike her if she didn't obey his orders. McDavid, Kelly's former business manager, testified in his own defense toward the end of the trial. CBS News reported that McDavid said he believed Kelly's claims of never having sexually abused Jane, noting that Jane and her family previously denied the allegations themselves. McDavid also dismissed that he was hired to buy back tapes. Neither Kelly nor Brown, another longtime employee, testified during the trial. In addition to the New York and Chicago cases, Kelly was hit with charges in Minnesota in 2019 related to solicitation and engaging in prostitution with a minor. Earlier this month, following Washington Post reporting on the matter, a federal judge in New York ordered the Bureau of Prisons to turn over nearly $28,000 from Kelly's inmate account to cover some of the $140,000 he owed in court-ordered fines. The sum included a $40,000 penalty to be directed toward a fund for trafficking victims. - - - Bellware reported from Chicago. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MADRID (AP) Spains Queen Letizia turned 50 on Thursday. Its only a birthday but Spain is taking the opportunity to assess its scarred monarchy and ponder how the arrival of a middle-class commoner may help shake up one of Europes most storied royal dynasties into a modern and more palatable institution. Divorced and a seasoned national television journalist, Letizia Ortiz became princess on marrying then Prince Felipe now King Felipe VI in 2004. When King Juan Carlos abdicated 10 years later, she became the first woman without blue blood to reach the throne of Spain. After initially been questioned by many, these days the media is full of articles and books abound about her, with most giving her the thumbs-up approval. On Thursday, daily El Mundo ran a front-page headline, Queen Letizia's Revolution to Modernize the Crown with its royal correspondent writing, "She turns 50 in a sweet moment. Even the less pro-monarchy media praise her and exalt her as the savior of the monarchy. But Letizia has had to battle to get there. From the beginning of her royal life, the spotlight has been on her. Alongside possibly Penelope Cruz, no other woman in Spain is more talked about, whether it be about how she looks and dresses, her commitment to social causes or any perceived transgression from tradition. Letizia has always been talked about since she arrived in the monarchy because she is such an interesting and complex person who eclipses all others, including the King Emeritus Juan Carlos, when he was king, said Alberto Lardies, journalist and author of several books on the Spanish royals. Letizia became queen consort at a time when the Spanish monarchy was on a downward roll following successive scandals involving Juan Carlos and her brother-in-law, Inaki Urdangarin. She is known not to have had an easy time fitting in. Juan Carlos is known to have had little time for her because of her background. Letizia soon also distanced herself from Sofia, her predecessor and a model of conformity, as well as many of the rest of the what has always been known as a very conservative family. In one of the most commented-on occasions, Letizia, now queen, was seen having words and stepping in the way to prevent Sofia, from posing with Letizias children at Palma de Mallorca cathedral in 2018. The reason why wasn't clear, but her insistence was. Earlier this year, she stood out by not blessing herself like the rest of her immediate family and nearby priests during a televised religious ceremony. All eyes will now be on Felipe, Letizia, Juan Carlos and Sofia when they turn up for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday, the first time they will be seen together in a long time. It was Juan Carlos, once Spains most popular figure, who came close to shattering the monarchys reputation on many occasions, most recently when he was mentioned in 2020 in financial investigations along with a one-time lover. He subsequently left the country and has since been residing in Abu Dhabi. And although better known as a progressive feminist rather than a fervent monarchist, Letizia is now accredited with playing a major role in Felipes decision to forge a new path and break ties with the palaces corruption-linked past so as to save the monarchy. Lardies says royal watchers now say Letizia is turning out to be the good one and Juan Carlos was not that good after all. Mabel Galaz, El Pais palace correspondent for three decades and author of Royal Letizia, told her paper in an interview that a key attribute of Letizias is that people can identify with her. She has traveled in the subway, she has paid a mortgage, she has had problems making it to the end of the month, like the rest of us, Galaz said. She knows the monarchy has to reinvent itself and be more ordinary. As princess she was obliged to fulfill many official functions and by the looks on her face, it didnt seem to always suit her. But once she became queen she freed herself up to dedicate time to things that genuinely interest her, such as organizations dealing with cancer and rare diseases, education, culture and Spains international cooperation projects for developing countries. She has become an icon, Lardies said. Not on the level of the late Lady Di, but she is considered unique and very different from anyone else in the Spanish royalty. One of the rare moments when she talked about herself candidly since becoming queen occurred when she revisited her alma mater, Madrids Complutense University, for the 50th anniversary of the journalism faculty last year. In a speech, she recounted how once one of her professors, a bit fed up with her, interrupted a class shouting, Ortiz, look, I obviously dont know what is going to come of your life, but when it comes to being annoying, you have no rival. Letizia said he was referring to her questions and curiosity. She said she continues to question but now doesnt reveal the answers they give her. Commenting on her age, she said: The faculty is 50 years old and I am about to be too, as all of Spain knows....... I think that 50 years is a nice figure to continue trying to do things well in the place that corresponds to each of us. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BEIRUT (AP) The news of a Lebanese dance group winning the TV competition show Americas Got Talent brought a rare moment of joy on Thursday to many in this crisis-hit Mideast country. Mayyas, an all-female dance troupe, dazzled the shows judges and audience on the competitions 17th season before winning $1 million and a headlining show at the Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The group paid tribute to their native country during their performances and on social media in the buildup to the finale. The victory is a major boost for any aspiring artist. But inside Lebanon, where the political leadership is scrambling to overcome years of economic and political turmoil, there was a high-profile rush to congratulate the dance troupe. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and a handful of lawmakers congratulated Mayyas on social media, while President Michel Aouns office in a statement said the Lebanese head of state will award the dancers Order of Merit medallions upon their return home. In their hypnotic winning performance in the finale, Mayyas dressed in gold-colored outfits, as they fluttered in sync on stage in a performance that brought together traditional belly-dancing and inspirations from India, the United States and the United Kingdom, where their choreographer attended years of dance workshops. Holding white feathers, they formed a flowing snow-covered cedar tree, Lebanons national symbol, before they swayed together holding glowing balls like a moving constellation of stars. Lebanese, who have been in the grip of the ongoing crises for years, found a rare moment of pride and joy in their country. I am among Lebanese citizens who over the past three years went through severe financial, psychological, and social crises, Marie Ziyade, a fan of Mayyas, told The Associated Press. I have always had hope in the people of my country, but Mayyas brought me joy. Lebanon's crippling economic crisis has pushed three-quarters of its population into poverty, and resulted in a massive brain drain of young professionals leaving the country for better job opportunities abroad. Nour Massalkhi is among a surging number of the countrys youth who left Lebanon for better jobs and lives. Since leaving in 2019 when the economy crumbled, she says she's felt a sense of anger and despair watching her native country's rapid decline from her new home in the United Arab Emirates. But she says Mayyas journey to the top on Americas Got Talent is a small glimmer of hope that Lebanon needs. Their win was only one example of the hundred other artists, innovators, and entrepreneurs that continue to persevere abroad, Massalkhi told the AP. Everything from the music to the choreography and down to their outfits are curated with extreme precision and honors our Lebanese roots. The dance groups victory was never going to stop Lebanons economy from spiraling or help break months of political deadlock and tensions that have followed decades of rampant corruption, nefarious financial mismanagement and sect-based power-sharing. But it may have brought a brief moment of hope for the troubled country. Mayyas is a group based on merit, that brings together women who have a passion for dance and are talented at it, and coordinate together to put out creative and stunning work, Ziyade said. I wish our government would appoint ministers and officials the same way we could have fixed our devastated country. ___ More at AP Entertainment: https://apnews.com/hub/entertainment What happened to us? I made that comment to a bookstore customer this past Sunday the 21st anniversary of the horrific 9/11 tragedy as we chatted about how galvanized, loving and patriotic we became in the weeks and months after these vicious acts took nearly 3,000 valuable lives. But years later, we seem to have lost that patriotism and caring on a lot of levels. Sept. 11, 2001 has simply become part of the history books. Many of our 20-somethings, who were infants or toddlers when the worst terrorist attack in our memories struck, are more focused on video games, recovering mentally from the pandemic and trying to make a living. And our country remains more divided than ever before. My students, who werent even born in 2001 looked at me like deer in headlights when I spoke about the attacks and tragedy this past week. In past years, teachers would invite me into classes to talk about the events of that day, because I was in Manhattan. Things are just so different now. Right after the tragedy, we came together in ways I had never seen before. Americans and others around the world showed care and support for victims families and first responders. We somehow knew what we had to do and we did it. In the following few weeks, I took many walks from our offices on 20th Street and Park Avenue South to Washington Square Park where wisps of smoke were still visible. I watched the temporary kiosks on streets, filled with pictures of so many missing loved ones and continued to choke up. I quietly cried during my morning commute over The New York Times coverage of lives lost. And I tried to never miss the televised benefit concerts with star-studded casts, because they made me so proud to be an American. Then, a few weeks after 9/11, I looked for any outlet I could find who needed volunteers. When the Red Cross reached out for help with distributing supplies and being a safe place for confused loved ones who needed support, I spent two nights a week after work at the Red Cross office uptown. It just felt good to give back. On the day of the 9/11 tragedy, our Canadian neighbors gave so much to us. The suddenness of the attack forced some 75 airliners returning from overseas flights to land in various Canadian airports as our airspace abruptly closed. And probably the most memorable outpouring of love and caring by Canadians was in Gander, Newfoundland, where 38 planes were diverted, thanks to runway length and airport space. Passengers initially spent some 25 hours on the tarmac but suddenly the special people of Gander opened their hearts and homes creating a safe harbor the likes of which we havent witnessed since. According to radio broadcaster, Jerry Clayton of Texas Public Radio, who interviewed a passenger from one of the flights, Almost 7000 passengers and crew were stranded there, doubling the town's population for several days. Stories of the plane people and the outpouring of love and hospitality from Gander residents have endured and even inspired the musical, Come from Away. We were so moved by the Gander story, that as soon as my wife and I could get tickets, we saw the musical twice actually. Both times we came away, filled with tears and inspiration about what a town did for strangers at a time of immense tragedy. Others with whom I teach have seen the play and we all get choked up talking about it. Today, individuals and organizations here in Manhattan, Washington, D.C. and Shanksville, Penn., have dedicated a host of charities to support victims families. Annual runs like Tunnels to Towers in Manhattan, which celebrates the heroics of firefighters and and other first responders, continue to keep the memories of the fallen alive. And thats the way it should be. Twenty-one years later, committed individuals and corporations have funded memorials and museums so that families of the victims and future generations will know what happened on our soil. But I wonder if that is enough. Actually, I think Jim White, a Greenwich resident and senior executive, sent the most powerful message about whats happened to us in an editorial this past weekend in the Connecticut Post. It is our moral obligation to never forget 9/11, To never forget what can happen when evil ideologies, born in countries with little or no American intelligence, are to fester into terrorist organizations that have the means to strike America. The utter devastation of that day has faded and we have tucked it away along with the other horrors weve hardened ourselves to. But as philosopher George Santayana said in 1905, Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it. Steven Gaynes is a Fairfield writer, and his In the Suburbs appears each Friday. He can be reached at stevengaynes44@gmail.com. Its one of the richest, fattiest fruits and treated as a delicacy across Southeast Asia. Its also known for its pungent reputation, which once led to the evacuation of an Australian university campus. Its even banned from being carried on subways, aboard airplanes and in certain hotels overseas. Durian, with its bright yellow meaty interior, is a fruit you either love or hate and its coming to a Bay Area Costco near you in pint-sized ice cream form this October, dreamed up by the two sisters behind San Jose-based Mavens Creamery. Some things just cant be explained, said Christine Nguyen, co-owner of Mavens Creamery. I get it. Its off-putting. Its a very strong smell. But, everyone in our family enjoys it. To certain people, Christine said durian may smell like leaking gas or rotten eggs. But for her family, durian was a fruit they grew up eating after dinner as a dessert, or whenever their mom would see the oblong, spiky fruit at the grocery store. Federica Armstrong/Special to SFGATE Growing up in a Vietnamese family, Gwen Nguyen, who is Christines sister and the founder of Mavens Creamery, said durian was simply a part of their childhood growing up in the Bay Area, and it evokes positive food memories. There are just certain ingredients that are introduced being Vietnamese. Fish sauce, thats in our DNA. So durian fruit, I just have always known for it to be a part of a dessert or a fruit after we would have a meal, Gwen said. It is a delicacy fruit, though, and its very rich, so you probably wouldnt want to have it every day. A few years ago, Costco initially approached Mavens Creamery seeking its eye-catching and incredibly delicious macaron ice cream cookie sandwiches (more on those later), but as with many food-based businesses, the pandemic threw a wrench in those plans. Federica Armstrong/Special to SFGATE After the wholesale giant noticed a durian craze in its stores, where anything durian-related was flying off of shelves, Costco revisited the sisters and asked if they had a durian ice cream recipe. They did, but it was one that Christine, whos the ice cream side of the family business, usually made for her mother. So she got to work perfecting that recipe for Costco, and now the emerald green and durian yellow ice cream pints are slated to hit 18 Bay Area locations starting in early October. I must say, that ice cream, because it's already blended with cream, sugar, milk, the taste is toned down. In terms of how strong it smells, how pungent, its maybe a five or six out of 10. But the fresh fruit when opened that's 20, Christine said. We're very proud of this durian ice cream because if you look at the rest of the ingredients, it's very, very simple: milk, sugar, cream and durian. As far as how it tastes: the soft yellow-tinged ice cream had delightful savory moments of sauteed garlic and onions. As someone who had never tried durian before, I went in for my first spoonful while visiting Mavens Creamery headquarters in San Jose and let the funky aroma lead the way. Then, I went in for another scoop. Then, another just for good measure. Turns out, Im a durian ice cream fan. Federica Armstrong/Special to SFGATE Some people think garlic. Some people think its the blue cheese of fruits, Gwen said. The Bay Area region is going to be the first region for this ice cream. And it only makes sense because this is our home. And it only makes sense because the demographic is here for this product. There are only specific regions that have that ethnic Asian community and durian lovers, durian fans because durian is not an acquired thing. Although Gwen and Christine look forward to the upcoming launch of their durian ice cream pints through Costco, the journey of Mavens Creamery began with its bite-sized macaron ice cream cookie sandwiches, which caught the eyes of Safeway, Whole Foods and Shark Tank. And it all started inside their parents' two-car garage. We are a garage story If youve ever perused the bakery department at Safeway looking for a little sweet treat to enjoy after dinner, you may have stumbled upon one of Mavens Creamerys standalone deep freezers. Adorned with the company logo, theyre usually filled to the brim with colorful macaron ice cream cookie sandwiches and also frozen macaron cheesecake varieties. Federica Armstrong/Special to SFGATE The idea for Mavens Creamery started in 2014, when Gwen stumbled upon a mom-and-pop shop selling macaron ice cream sandwiches in Los Angeles. She loved them so much, in fact, that she asked if the couple were interested in franchising their store just so she could bring the frozen treats back to the Bay Area. They responded with a polite no, thank you. So Gwen returned to the Bay Area, and with no formal baking experience, rolled up her sleeves and began teaching herself how to make macarons from scratch through YouTube tutorials and countless hours of repeating the precise recipe steps until the process was second nature down to the exact gram. Once Gwen perfected her macaron recipe, she turned to her sister Christine and asked her if shed like to try her hand at the ice cream side of the equation. Soon Christine began the same process of learning how to make their ideal batch of ice cream that would pair well with fresh-baked macarons. We bought a really small, countertop ice cream machine and thats really how it all started. I learned from YouTube, and reading blogs and just trial and error, Christine said. Then, we upgraded from our home kitchen to our garage. So we are a garage story, and Im very proud of our humble beginnings. Federica Armstrong/Special to SFGATE Federica Armstrong/Special to SFGATE Federica Armstrong/Special to SFGATE Federica Armstrong/Special to SFGATE "Macarons have a very complex texture, we have worked very hard to perfect it and get the right consistency," says Gwen Nguyen, founder of San Jose-based company Mavens Creamery. (Federica Armstrong/Special to SFGATE) "Macarons have a very complex texture, we have worked very hard to perfect it and get the right consistency," says Gwen Nguyen, founder of San Jose-based company Mavens Creamery. (Federica Armstrong/Special to SFGATE) After giving out samples of their frozen desserts to friends and family, who were immediate fans, a breakthrough happened. A friend of a friend was opening a dessert shop in Alameda and decided to give Mavens Creamery a shot by carrying 400 of its ice cream sandwiches. They sold out within hours. We took off right away. We were really successful in launching first in independent retail stores and pretty much sold out and couldnt keep up, Gwen said. We were still in the garage, and Moms going to Costco to buy ingredients and Dads helping us crank out ice cream. Then, Safeway called. The West Coast-based grocery chain reached out to Mavens Creamery as one of the sales managers had randomly tasted a macaron ice cream sandwich, and enjoyed it so much, they began fulfilling orders in 2017. Whole Foods followed that same year, which is Mavens Creamerys biggest client to date and has brought the handheld bites of joy all the way to the East Coast. Since 2015, when we first started, we struggled, and I mean struggled. It was very tough for us. We were working all day, all night and everything was made by hand, Christine said. We didnt have the equipment that we have today to scale. So we were making roughly about, at our maximum, 500 ice cream sandwiches a week. Today, during a typical week, Mavens Creamerys San Jose facility churns out up to 30,000 individual ice cream sandwiches. They moved into the space in 2017, bought new equipment, hired more than a dozen employees who come in to fulfill orders for various grocery stores and independent retailers that many visit weekly. We had very humble beginnings. I remember our dad sat us down in one of the rooms and he just told us how proud of us he was and how far we had come, Christine said. To actually see with his own eyes and see what his own daughters could come up with and build. It was a happy moment for our family. Very emotional. But a very happy, proud moment. Were not Ben & Jerrys, yet In 2019, Gwen and Christine appeared on the ABC reality television show Shark Tank, where the sisters sought more funding for expansion. On camera, it seemed as though Barbara Corcoran was all-in on giving Mavens Creamery a deal. But in the end, it never surfaced. Still, the free publicity was priceless, Christine said. Besides the upcoming durian pints, customers with a sweet tooth can choose from nine macaron ice cream flavors and six frozen cheesecake varieties from Mavens Creamery, found in more than 300 stores. The smooth almond-flour-based cookies hug various recognizable flavors such as chocolate toasted almonds, cookies and cream and strawberry shortcake. The macaron cheesecake choices range from lemon cheesecake (my personal fave) to banana cream and snickerdoodle. Federica Armstrong Whatever style you choose, each bite-sized delight packs real fruit, cookie pieces or nuts depending on the flavor, and the macarons, which come in lovely shades of blue, pink, purple or yellow, still have that satisfying macaron crunch. Its definitely a challenging product to make. In the beginning, everything was made by hand. Oh man, those were some tough days, Christine said. We want our customers to not just enjoy the taste but appreciate our efforts that we put into it. Our all-time, week after week, best-selling flavor is cookies and cream. Its just everybodys go-to, safe flavor. It is quite tasty, Christine said. I think the blue macarons attract customers attention. Some people have even told me that it reminds them of the Cookie Monster. It reminds them of their childhood to a certain extent. Theres nostalgia there. Christines love for ice cream is tied to sweet memories of when her mother would pick her up after school and treat her to a scoop of Thrifty-brand ice cream at their local Rite Aid in San Jose. With those memories kept as inspiration, research and development day is one of Christines favorite parts of the job. We dont have like food scientists. Were not Ben and Jerrys yet. But we have a small R&D room in the back and thats where I get to work, she said. For me, when its R&D day, I look forward to it so much. Its so relaxing for me because Im in my zone and I enjoy doing it and being creative. Federica Armstrong Christine carefully drafts multiple rounds of each ice cream recipe on paper before it even hits the ice cream room. But its that attention to detail, from the real pieces of strawberries tasted in the strawberry shortcake macaron to the thick lemony puck of frozen cheesecake, that produces big satisfying moments in such little desserts. I'm not making computer chips. Im making ice cream. Who doesn't love ice cream? Christine said. Every time I hand a sample out to someone, or go make a sales pitch, I only see happy faces when I pass out ice cream. For Gwen, taking a step back and assessing the past eight years, shes filled with proud moments, but she also said Mavens Creamery is just getting started. With a strong entrepreneurial spirit, she said theyre not here to be the vanillas in the world, although the two really love a good vanilla ice cream. Durian ice cream does make a statement, after all. Federica Armstrong Still, no matter where a Mavens ice cream sandwich ends up next, Gwen said shell never forget those times spent with family and friends in the garage pairing macarons with ice cream until 4 a.m. My funnest memories of Mavens will always be in the garage. No matter how big we get. Visit Mavens Creamery for more information on its macaron ice cream and frozen cheesecake cookie sandwiches and to learn when its durian pints launch at Costco. Marco Garcia/AP After 61 years of service, Aloha Airlines flew its last flight on March 31, 2008 an interisland hopper from Maui that landed in Honolulu at 10:34 p.m. More than 1,000 people packed the airport to greet the flight with tears and hugs as they said their final goodbyes. It was the end of an era for a storied airline, with deep roots in Hawaii that went back to before Hawaii became a state, and its closure resulted in the loss of 1,900 jobs. Knowing I cant go back tomorrow is hard, Tamie Stanley, a reservations agent, told the Honolulu Star-Bulletin that evening. Its like I lost my friends, my family. Aloha and Hawaiian Airlines, both founded when Hawaii was just a territory, had dominated Hawaiis air travel for decades. Other airlines tried to compete, but they didnt last long. However, when Go! and its Phoenix-based parent Mesa Air Group entered the market in 2006, it proved to be a ruthless competitor. Initially, Go! offered flights between Honolulu and Lihue, Kahului, Hilo and Kailua-Kona. Scrappy and aggressive, the airline debuted with $39 one-way fares, about half the price of the going rate. Later, Go! lowered the price to $9, until finally, it sold flights for $1. Hawaiian and Aloha tried to stay competitive by offering the same or lower rates, but they had both recently emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, so it wasnt a sustainable practice. Go! on the other hand had deep pockets and a CEO who wasnt about to back down. We have a very strong balance sheet with $300 million in cash, Mesas CEO, Jonathan Ornstein, said in a 2006 Associated Press article. So we can stay here and continue to make this work for a long time. MARCO GARCIA/AP In a state that requires a flight to hop from one island to the next, residents took advantage of the cheap seats that resulted from the fare war, grabbing up tickets as quickly as they could. Go!, in effect, created its own fan base, and some residents felt it was about time Hawaiian and Aloha had some competition. The flying public of Hawaii has been bled dry by Hawaiian and Aloha Airlines fares for years and years, with no alternative but to skip family events on other islands and turn to a dwindling supply of Neighbor Island doctors because they could not afford to fly to Honolulu for specialized care, wrote Samantha Morris in a 2006 Hawaii Tribune-Herald letter. We islanders paid the price of maintaining and subsidizing Hawaiian and Aloha Airlines mainland markets. Citing unfair competition, employees of Hawaiian Airlines, Aloha Airlines and Island Air created an independent group called H.E.R.O. (Hawaiis Airline Employees Repelling Ornstein). As part of its anti-Go! campaign, H.E.R.O. sent a T-shirt graffitied with insults to Orenstein. The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported that it was printed with go! is not a Hawaiian airline on the front and Mesa has no aloha on the back. Other handwritten comments included Go home, Kiss my Hawaiian (rear), Proud 2 B Hawaiian What U R Not, and an antisemitic comment, which the group later apologized for. George B. Irish, vice president and Eastern director of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation of California and the Hearst Foundation, Inc. of New York, died of a heart attack Tuesday at his home in New Jersey. He was 78. After retiring from Hearst in 2008, Irish played an important role at the Hearst Foundations, leading its Eastern team along with Paul Dino Dinovitz, executive director and head of its Western operations. Separate from the corporation, the Hearst Foundations are national philanthropic resources for organizations working in the fields of culture, education, health and social services. In addition, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation operates two programs, the United States Senate Youth Program and the Journalism Awards Program. Since its inception, the Foundations have made over 22,200 grants to 6,300 organizations, totaling more than $1.4 billion in funds awarded. George was a member of our family, said William Randolph Hearst III, chairman of the board of directors of Hearst, president of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation and a director of the Hearst Foundation, Inc. We are deeply saddened by his passing but filled with gratitude for his many years of stewardship, professional wisdom and, especially, his friendship. Virginia Hearst Randt, president of the Hearst Foundation, said: George made the world a better place in business, in philanthropy and as a friend. In 1998, as Hearst senior vice president and president of Hearst Newspapers, Irish led the newspaper group as it expanded its investments in print and online operations, along with its journalistic enterprise in the digital era. Before heading Hearst Newspapers, he was a vice president and group executive for the unit for five years. Previously, he was the publisher of several Hearst dailies since he joined the corporation in 1979 when it acquired the Midland (Michigan) Daily News. Besides the Daily News, Irish was subsequently publisher of the Midland (Texas) Reporter-Telegram, the Beaumont (Texas) Enterprise and the San Antonio Light. I had the great fortune to work for and with George for more than 20 years, said Steven R. Swartz, president and chief executive officer of Hearst. He was a wonderful man, a dedicated executive and a much loved member of our Hearst community and of all the communities he served so well. Irish was dedicated to the business of newspapers, serving on industry boards and heading print organizations throughout his career. He lived in eight different cities during his career, ultimately residing in both New York and Texas. Among his career achievements, Irish received the 1992 Texas Newspaper Leader of the Year Award, known as the Pat Taggart Memorial Award, the highest honor given by Texas newspapers. A past president of the Texas Daily Newspaper Association, Irish then served on the boards of the Newspaper Association of America (now known as the News Media Alliance), the International Center for Journalists, the READ Foundation, the Nieman Foundation Board of Advisors and the Columbia Journalism School Board of Visitors. In addition to serving as director of the Associated Press until May 2007, Irish was also a director of Hearst. In 2009, Irish was elected to serve as chairman of the Newspaper Association of America. Irish was especially active in the American Press Institute, serving in many capacities, including as president, chairman and director. In 2006, the group honored Irish with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Besides his career achievements, the award also recognized Irish for significantly supporting and promoting the professional advancement and leadership training of newspaper professionals. At the time, API had bestowed only eight such awards in its 60-year history. In 2006 and 2017, Irish was honored by United Way of New York City, the New York Giants and the New York Jets at their annual Gridiron Gala for his outstanding contributions as a corporate leader to the community and the United Way. He was also a longtime United Way director and volunteer. Irish graduated from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. He maintained a lifelong tie to the college. He was named Millikin's Young Alumnus of the Year in 1976 and received an honorary doctorate from the school in 2000. He also served as chairman of the board of trustees. Irish was predeceased by his first wife, Mary Rettig Irish, who died in 2005. He is survived by daughter Sandra Irish Draper, her husband Kyle Thomas Draper and their son Carson Irish Draper of Denton, Texas; and daughter Christine Irish Sheedy, her husband Malcolm Joseph Sheedy and their sons Samuel Joseph Sheedy and Luke Butler Sheedy of Dallas. A third daughter, Diane Leslie Irish, died in infancy. Irish is also survived by his brothers, Charles Irish of Centerville, Ohio, and John Irish of Toledo, Ohio. He is predeceased by his brother Thomas Patrick Pat Irish. He is survived by his wife Jeannie Wetherill Irish; stepdaughter Jayne Ann Puccio, her husband William J. Puccio and their children Natalie and Charlie of Newtown, Pennsylvania; and stepdaughter Amy Wetherill Cooley, her husband Michael Cooley and their children Alexandra and Anna Cooley of Villanova, Pennsylvania. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. Theres a certain breed of self respecting San Franciscan who believes and constantly vocalizes that its absolutely unacceptable to refer to the city by the bay as Frisco. Most famously, British immigrant Joshua Norton once declared himself the emperor of San Francisco, and tried to ban the use of the word in 1872. Roughly a century later, Herb Caen denounced Frisco during his heralded time as a San Francisco Chronicle columnist, and, in 1953, published a book titled Dont Call It Frisco. And in perhaps the oddest of anti-Frisco incidents, two fugitives were arrested in Berkeley in 1995 when they told police officers they were from Frisco. The officers said they were suspicious since no one from here ever says that." A collective notion still remains that Frisco is an unsuitable identifier. In 2018, a poll found that 63.5% of San Franciscans outright reject the use of the word. Last month, a new round of Frisco discourse kicked off after a photo of a San Fran Giants jerseys went viral, launching a broader social media debate about other controversial Bay Area terminology. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Peter Hartlaub who tweeted the photo in question wrote a dope historical essay about the evolution of Frisco in response to the furor. (SFGATE and the San Francisco Chronicle are both owned by Hearst but operate independently of one another.) Whenever a Frisco conversation reignites, I have the same reaction: Friscos history, its worthiness, is too often centered on the romanticized opinions of the citys white, affluent demographics, whose livelihoods and ZIP codes are upheld as an aspirational and largely unattainable standard, while other residents are erased (both literally and figuratively) from San Francisco's map. Lance Yamamoto/Special to SFGATE In actuality, for plenty of San Franciscans, Frisco isnt a phrase that evokes rejection or disgust. Instead, its rooted in resistance, identity and pride, despite decades of marginalization. Frisco comes from Black San Francisco, says Gunna Goes Global, formerly known as E-Gunna, a veteran rapper from the 800 Grove and Buchanan block of the Fillmore. In his telling, the word was popularized among Black San Franciscans before hip-hop fully bloomed, going back to the Black Panther Party of the 1960s, when community leaders like David Hilliard spoke out for oppressed residents and represented the needs of those living in the most neglected parts of Frisco, inviting others to join the cause. San Francisco Chronicle/Hearst N/Hearst Newspapers via Getty Imag Friscos rappers and activists, a group more qualified than anyone else to speak about a regions sense of linguistic versatility and cultural trends, have kept the term alive ever since. For anyone who grew up listening to Bay Area rap particularly rappers from the SFC, or Sucka Free City Frisco is easily the most identifiable term used to describe San Francisco. Its a unifying, empowering declaration passed down through each generation of working class San Franciscans, as if to say: were still here. The spokespeople for any community is the artist, Gunna told me. They document everything. Gunna named off a host of San Francisco rappers whove had no issue with the word Frisco: Cougnut, RBL Posse, San Quinn, Messy Marv, Rappin 4-Tay, Andre Nickatina and, yes, Tupac, who lived in the Bay Area as a teenager. On California Love [Tupac and Dr. Dre] call it Frisco, he says. Even Biggie. He used Frisco, too. Its a popular consistency among the cultural creators. Frisco isnt just buried in the lyrics of hip-hop its front-and-center in track titles, too. There are classics like rap group I.M.Ps 1993 track Frisco. Or the RBL Posse releasing Frisco, Frisco in 2002. Or JT the Bigga Figga putting out Frisco SS in 2006. Or Berner dropping Frisco 2 Rosa in 2012. Even today, in spite of the noxious complaints, popular artists like Larry June and Stunnaman02 claim Frisco in their music to identify with their hometown. Songs like Meet Me in Frisco and In the Bay (which features Gunna) uphold a proud tradition of lyricists repping Frisco as their turf. Hutton Supancic/Getty Images for SXSW With all that context in mind, the casual dismissal of Frisco reads as out-of-touch to Gunna. It reinforces that there are rapidly diverging versions of the city where he was born and raised; in many cases, the mainstream portrayal of San Francisco is one where rappers and culture makers like him dont exist. But Gunna and his community do exist. And he is making sure to share his perspective in art and films like "The Last Black Man in San Francisco," a movie in which he appears. Tongo Eisen-Martin, Friscos eighth poet laureate, uses his own creative field for similar purposes. Growing up, Frisco was the only way we said it, Eisen-Martin told me after a performance at Syzygy SF cooperative. Eisen-Martin often dives headfirst into the void of capitalism, homelessness and violence as a Black man in an aggressively shifting San Francisco. He is the embodiment of a San Franciscan whos trying to navigate a new city while keeping his voice and experience alive. The start of mass destruction/Begins and ends/In restaurant bathrooms/That some people use/And other people clean, he writes in his poem Faceless. Its a disarming sentiment that distills the hierarchy of class in San Francisco and illuminates how a majority of residents live worlds apart. Its not just the citys poets and rappers who are invested in reclaiming Frisco for themselves in the face of cultural displacement. Krea Gomez-Jones is a third-generation 415er who works as a youth organizer in her community, and is a fierce Frisco advocate. The term Frisco has always existed, says Gomez-Jones, who is of Quechan and Yoeme descent. It predates the Gold Rush. Like many things that are denounced by the elite, working-class San Franciscans reclaimed it. For Gomez-Jones, who grew up in historically blue-collar areas of the city like Bernal Heights, the Mission and the Fillmore, the aversion to Frisco from other San Franciscans largely has to do with socioeconomic biases and discrimination against Black and brown communities. During the 1980s and 1990s in particular, the term Frisco had a spike in popularity, especially among working class people of color, who were involved in street cultures that stemmed from rappers, lowriders and motorcycle gangs like Hells Angels. This isnt the Frisco transplants come here to experience, she says. This isnt the Frisco our local government wants tourists to know about. To say Frisco is to stand in solidarity with Black, Latino, Samoans [and] Filipinos who are still here. That is why to ignore this as part of our lexicon is erasure. Its another way to make us invisible. San Francisco has long been a place of social upheaval and transience. Native populations as far back as the Ohlones have been uprooted in the name of territorial and economic expansion for newcomers, who often disregard the cultures that existed before their arrival by imposing new languages and ideals. For those who say Frisco, this is a matter of preservation, of visibility, to protect whats left of their home. Its more than just a word that gets tossed around in online debates. Its a philosophy, a soil. Lance Yamamoto/Special to SFGATE And thats not lost on Friscos biggest defenders. When I texted Gunna about scheduling a time to connect for this story, I asked if he needed an extra half-hour to prepare his explanation about what Frisco means to him and his community. Ill be ready, he responded. This is a lifestyle. Alan Chazaro is a Bay Area writer and teacher. His books, "This Is Not a Frank Ocean Cover Album" and "Pinata Theory," are available through Black Lawrence Press. Follow his updates on Twitter and Instagram @alan_chazaro. NEW YORK (AP) Six women who testified against a neurologist they accused of sexaully assaulting them while they were his patients returned to court on Wednesday to speak out against him, this time under unusual circumstances they described as a cruel twist of fate. Authorities say Dr. Ricardo Cruciani killed himself behind bars shortly after his conviction and before the accusers could give victim impact statements at a sentencing that was likely to result in a lengthy prison term. A judge invited the women on Wednesday to give their statements anyway at a New York City hearing where they called Cruciani a predator and a coward. Im really struggling with the fact that Cruciani will never go to prison. or ever be punished, said one woman who wanted her name withheld. He took away my chance to face him as a convicted felon. The doctor, she added, turned me into a drug addict and sexually assaulted me for years. Cruciani, 68, was convicted in July of multiple criminal counts, including predatory sexual assault, rape and attempted rape. He had denied abusing patients while working for several leading pain-management providers during his career. Prosecutors won a conviction by presenting evidence that Cruciani groomed vulnerable patients by overprescribing pain killers, sometimes to treat serious injuries from car wrecks and other accidents. His accusers testified the sexual abuse often occurred behind closed doors during appointments in 2013 at a Manhattan medical center, where the doctor would expose himself and demand sex. Cruciani was found unresponsive last August in a shower area at the Eric M. Taylor Center, a jail at New York's notorious Rikers Island complex. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging. Accuser Hillary Tullin told reporters outside court on Wednesday that she felt the death had robbed her of a chance to tell the doctor off face to face. I wouldnt have minced words, Tullin said. I would have unloaded about the 12 years of abuse I suffered at this hands. Another victim, Terrie Phoenix, called Crucianis suicide a selfish act that destroyed her faith in the medical profession. I do not trust myself to stay clear of predators, Phoenix said. This case proves they can be everywhere. The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they are survivors of sexual assault unless they grant permission, which Tullin and Phoenix have done. The accusers also pleaded with the judge to reject a defense request to throw out the doctor's conviction based on a legal provision known as abatement by death. Defense attorney Fred Sosinsky made brief arguments supporting the request without responding to the victim statements. Sosinsky had argued at trial that the testimony of the women was unreliable and that they were even willing to lie to back up their accounts. The judge said she would rule later on whether to preserve the conviction. Before his death, Cruciani also was scheduled to go on trial next January on federal charges involving accusations that he abused multiple patients over 15 years at his offices in New York City, Philadelphia and Hopewell, New Jersey. picture alliance/dpa/picture alliance via Getty I Amazon employees at a fulfillment center in St. Charles, Missouri presented petitions and held a rally for better pay and a safer work environment Wednesday morning. Several speakers addressed the crowd today, including two employees who work in the facility. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate PHOENIX (AP) The Republican candidates for Arizona governor and secretary of state on Wednesday appealed a federal judge's ruling that threw out a lawsuit they filed seeking to require the hand-counting of ballots in November's election. Lawyers representing governor candidate Kari Lake and secretary of state hopeful Mark Finchem filed a notice saying they would ask the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to revive their lawsuit. The pair sued in April, repeating unfounded allegations that vote-counting machines are not secure. Named in the lawsuit is Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, the state's top election official and the Democratic candidate for governor, and the majority Republican Maricopa County board of supervisors U.S. District Judge John Tuchi dismissed their lawsuit late last month, saying they lacked the right to to sue because they failed to show any realistic likelihood of harm. He also noted that their lawsuit must be brought in state, not federal, court and that it is too close to the election to upend the process. The 2022 Midterm Elections are set to take place on November 8, Tuchi wrote in is ruling. In the meantime, Plaintiffs request a complete overhaul of Arizonas election procedures. Lake and Finchem won their GOP primaries after aggressively promoting the narrative that the 2020 election was marred by fraud or widespread irregularities. Their lawsuit relied in part on testimony from Donald Trump supporters who led a discredited review of the election in Maricopa County, including Doug Logan, the CEO of Cyber Ninjas, who oversaw the effort described by supporters as a forensic audit. Finchem did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Lake's campaign attorney, Timothy La Sota, said the appeal was needed. We are appealing because it is absolutely critical that we have a vote counting process that gives the public complete confidence in the process, La Sota said in a statement. Federal and state election officials and Trumps own attorney general have said there is no credible evidence the 2020 election was tainted. Trumps allegations of fraud were also roundly rejected by courts, including by judges he appointed. A hand recount led by Cyber Ninjas in Maricopa County found no proof of a stolen election and concluded President Joe Bidens margin of victory was larger than the official count. Election administrators testified that hand counting dozens of races on millions of Arizona ballots would require an extraordinary amount of time, space and manpower, and would be less accurate. They said extensive reviews have confirmed that vote-counting machines in Maricopa County are accurate, not connected to the internet and havent been hacked. GUATEMALA CITY (AP) At least nine people died and some 20 were injured in a stampede in Guatemala early Thursday as the country celebrated its independence, according to firefighters. The concert was sponsored by a beer maker and held on a field often used for such events. While the Guatemalan rock band Bohemia Suburbana closed the show, some concertgoers were crushed as some tried to leave as others were entering the same place. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday for his balanced approach to the Ukrainian crisis and blasted Washington's ugly" policies at a meeting that followed a major setback for Moscow on the battlefield. Speaking at the start of talks with Xi in Uzbekistan, Putin said he was ready to discuss unspecified concerns by China about Ukraine. We highly appreciate the well-balanced position of our Chinese friends in connection with the Ukrainian crisis, Putin said, facing Xi across a long table. We understand your questions and your concerns in this regard, and we certainly will offer a detailed explanation of our stand on this issue during today's meeting, even though we already talked about it earlier, he added. Putin's rare mention of Chinese worries comes as Beijing has been anxious about the impact of volatile oil prices and economic uncertainty due to the war in Ukraine that has dragged on for nearly seven months. The two met on the sidelines of the eight-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organization that includes India, Pakistan and four ex-Soviet nations in Central Asia. The security alliance was created as a counterweight to U.S. influence. A Chinese government statement issued after the meeting didnt specifically mention Ukraine, but said Xi promised strong support to Russias core interests. While the statement gave no details, Beijing uses core interests to describe issues such as national sovereignty and the ruling Communist Partys claim to Taiwan, over which it is willing to go to war. U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price called Putin's apparent admission striking, but said that China's concerns are not surprising given its verbal gymnastics to avoid criticizing the Russian invasion. It is somewhat curious that President Putin would be the one to admit it and to admit it so openly, Price said in Washington, D.C. Speaking after the meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the assessments of the international situation by Moscow and Beijing fully coincide. We dont have any differences. He added that both countries will continue coordinating our actions, including at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly. Lavrov described the talks as excellent, saying they were very businesslike and concrete, involving a discussion of tasks for various ministries and agencies. The Biden administration described the Putin-Xi talks as part of a rapprochement that has worried Washington. Weve made clear our concerns about the depth of Chinas alignment and ties with Russia, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, adding that Thursdays meeting is an example of that alignment. Xis government, which said it had a no-limits friendship with Moscow before the Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, has refused to criticize Russias military actions. Beijing and India are buying more Russian oil and gas, which helps Moscow offset Western sanctions imposed over the invasion. Observers say Russia will likely grow increasingly reliant on China as a market for its oil and gas as the West moves to establish a price cap on Russian energy resources and potentially cut their imports altogether. In trying to strengthen an alliance with China, Moscow has strongly backed Beijing amid tensions with the U.S. that followed a recent visit to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. We condemn the provocations of the U.S. and its satellites in the Taiwan Strait, Putin told Xi. Along with Russians attack on Ukraine, the summit is taking place against the backdrop of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan not far from Uzbekistan, as well as strains in Chinas relations with Washington, Europe, Japan and India due to disputes over technology, security and territory. Speaking at the start of his one-on-one talks with Xi, Putin blasted efforts by the United States and its allies to dominate global affairs. Attempts to create a unipolar world have recently taken an absolutely ugly shape. They are absolutely unacceptable for the vast majority of countries on the globe, he said in opening remarks. The tandem of Moscow and Beijing plays a key role in ensuring global and regional stability, Putin said. We jointly stand for forming a just, democratic and multipolar world based on international law and the central role of the United Nations, not rules invented by some who try to enforce them on others without explaining what they are. Xi was more careful, saying that in the face of changes in the world, times and history, China is willing to work with Russia to reflect the responsibility of a major country, play a leading role and inject stability into a troubled and interconnected world. The meeting came after Russia was forced to pull back its forces from large swaths of northeastern Ukraine last week amid a swift Ukrainian counteroffensive. Ukraine regaining control of several Russian-occupied cities and villages represented Moscow's largest setback since its forces had to retreat from areas near the capital early in the war. The SCO summit in the ancient city of Samarkand is part of Xis first foreign trip since the start of the coronavirus pandemic 2 1/2 years ago, underscoring Beijings desire to assert itself as a regional power. Putin also met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, whose country is on track to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Raisi said Moscow and Tehran were finalizing a major treaty that would bring their relations to a strategic level. He and Putin both criticized the U.S. at the start of their meeting. Raisi accused the U.S. of breaching its obligations under Iran's nuclear deal with world powers. Putin gibed American officials, saying They are masters of their word -- they give it and then take it back whenever they want. The Russian leader also met with Central Asian leaders and planned a session with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. There was no indication whether Modi would meet Xi. Relations between India and China are strained due to clashes between the countries' soldiers from a border dispute involving a remote area of the Himalayas. Putin also is scheduled for a one-on-one meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan. Turkey and Azerbaijan have the status of dialogue partners with the SCO. Earlier this week, Azerbaijan and Armenia engaged in cross-border shelling that killed 176 troops on both sides, the most serious hostilities in nearly two years between the decades-long adversaries. The fighting has put Moscow, which has tried to maintain close ties with both countries, in a precarious position. Putin's meeting with Erdogan will be closely watched for their statements on Ukraine and a July deal brokered by Turkey and the U.N. to clear the way for exports of grain and other agricultural products that were stuck at Ukraine's Black Sea ports after the invasion. The Chinese leader is promoting a Global Security Initiative announced in April following the formation of the Quad by the U.S., Japan, Australia and India in response to Beijings more assertive foreign policy. Xi has given few details, but U.S. officials complain it echoes Russian arguments in support of Moscows actions in Ukraine. The region is part of Chinas multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative to expand trade by building ports, railways and other infrastructure across an arc of dozens of countries from the South Pacific through Asia to the Middle East, Europe and Africa. On Thursday, Xi met with President Sadyr Zhaparov of Kyrgyzstan and said Beijing supports the early operation of a planned railway linking China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, the Chinese foreign ministry said. Chinas economic inroads into Central Asia have fueled unease in Russia, which sees the region as its sphere of influence. Xi visited Kazakhstan on Wednesday en route to Uzbekistan. Pope Francis was in Kazakhstan, but they didn't meet. The Caseville Classic Car Show is bringing more than just classic and vintage cars to the streets of Caseville. It is also bringing a family tradition for Pearl Moore, who will be attending with her fathers red 1967 Ford F-100 this upcoming Saturday. The Caseville Classic Car Show is exactly where hed want me to be, Pearl said in a press release from the Caseville Historical Society. He truly enjoyed the camaraderie. Shooting the breeze and hanging out with other car buffs. He loved it, and he is right here with me in spirit for the show. Moores father, Don Ottenbacher would bring his daughter around to car shows across Michigan and would always be working on rebuilding cars on a regular basis. Ottenbacher had been a cement truck driver for 36 years and was a lifelong car buff until his passing in 2020 at the age of 81. Fords. He loved them, especially from the early 1950s," Pearl said. "His pride and joy was a 51 Ford, a two-door coupe. It was a beauty." The Classic Car Show will run during the Pumpkin Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free and open to the public. The event is sponsored each year by the Caseville Historical Society and Moore Shoreline auto dealership in Sebewaing. Dave Vizard, who is a member of the the Historical Society of Caseville, said that he is looking forward to this year after the success they had bouncing back from the event's absence in 2020. "Last year we had around the same number of vehicles as we did in 2019, but there was a different variety of vehicles and tractors," said Vizard. "It was a bit different yet remarkably the same. A lot of people will be in for the Pumpkin Festival, so it will give them another thing to do in town and hopefully people who are not familiar with what we do will be able to see our exhibits and learn what we do and learn about the town." President of the historical society Janet Eckel is also looking forward to this years show. We expect it to be another fun day," said Eckel in the press release. "Lots of cars, trucks, vans and tractors will be on display. And, of course, we urge visitors to tour our museum and see all that we have to offer." The vehicles will feature a full range of classic cars as well as vintage tractors and be displayed on the closed streets surrounding the historical society museum, located at 6733 Prospect St. in Caseville. For those looking to participate in the show, vehicle registration is $10 and starts at 9:30 a.m. with trophies being awarded at 2 p.m. Students from Caseville High School will be running a lunch wagon with coffee and soft drinks. "This is a fundraiser but also a way to keep (the historical society) engaged with the community," said Vizard. "And everyone loves looking at the old cars." The show expects to see upwards of 50 different vehicles on display including Moores 67 Ford F-100 which she was reunited with back in 2020. The truck was previously sold to a cousin who continued to take care of it. It wasnt until her husband Jeff Moore drove home one evening with the familiar red truck on the back of a trailer and reunited it back with Pearl. It was the third best day of my life, said Pearl who is a mother of two. Instantly, Jeff became husband of the decade for bringing me my trick home to me. WATERBURY On day three of the Alex Jones defamation damages trial, an attorney for families of Sandy Hook massacre victims cited amateurish reporting and a former professional wrestler's visits to Newtown to build a case that Jones spread lies about the school shooting to cash in on his followers fears of a government gun grab. A representative of Joness Free Speech Systems, Brittany Paz, was called back to the stand before the jury of six in state Superior Court in Waterbury. Jones hired the Connecticut attorney in January and paid her $37,000 to represent the company at defamation damages trials in Connecticut and Texas. Jurors are to determine how much Jones should pay to eight Sandy Hook families and an FBI agent he defamed. The trial, which could last four to six weeks, began Tuesday with emotional testimony from the FBI agent and the sister of a Sandy Hook teacher killed in the December 2012 massacre. Both testified that the shooting and the victims were "real," countering Jones' false claims that the tragedy was staged, synthetic, manufactured, a giant hoax, and completely fake with actors. This is the second of three similar trials being held in Texas and Connecticut. In the first trial in Texas last month, Jones was ordered to pay $49 million in damages to the parents of a slain Sandy Hook boy. Plaintiffs attorney Christopher Mattei has contended that Jones and his employees carefully tracked visits to the Infowars website, which spiked with high-profile stories claiming Sandy Hook was a hoax, and used those numbers to boost advertising and rake profits from supplements, survival gear and other items at its online stores. As Jones stoked the flames of a government conspiracy surrounding the school shooting, plaintiffs say his followers ramped up harassment of victims' families. Mattei spent much of the morning Thursday focused on the companys use of Google Analytics, a tool used to chart website traffic. Paz testified on Wednesday and again Thursday that an Infowars employee told her the company does not use Google Analytics, but Mattei showed internal company emails with attached reports and charts compiled with the tool. He also showed clips of Joness Sept. 24, 2014 broadcast and an accompanying article by an Infowars writer titled, FBI says nobody killed at Sandy Hook. The article included a chart from the FBIs annual crime report to show that the killings at Sandy Hook were not included in a count of homicides in Newtown for 2012. But the article included the wrong table, and the report did in fact include the deaths of 20 first-graders and six adults, Mattei showed. Nevertheless, the claim was a huge hit on Joness show and associated social media platforms. The next day, his guest was Wolfgang Halbig, chief tormenter of Sandy Hook families, who has sent hundreds of emails to victims parents and others claiming they and their children are crisis actors. Mattei displayed charts that Infowars employees shared with each other showing page views at Infowars spiking during the September shows, with millions of new visitors coming to the site from Facebook and other social media. Mattei grilled Paz on whether she wanted to change her testimony about Infowars not using Google Analytics to track and tune its content, but she would only say, I dont know at this point what they do or dont do with it. Paz acknowledged under questioning Wednesday that Jones controlled and continues to control all aspects of a far-right media empire that includes Infowars.com and an online market that draws most of its income from supplements such as Brain Force and DNA Force. On Thursday, Mattei showed videos and still shots from Infowars segments to show that Jones, who touted himself as a journalist, truth teller and exposer of fraud, routinely used bogus information in his broadcasts. For example, Jones displayed a photograph that he told viewers showed children "walking in circles" around Sandy Hook Elementary School, part of the grand "production" that he claimed was preparation for the staged event on Dec. 14, 2012. In fact, the photo showed the nearby firehouse. Mattei asked Paz if Infowars was aware at the time the show aired that the photo did not show the school and she answered, "Free Speech Systems knew it, yes." Another clip showed what Jones purported to be a CNN reporter faking an appearance at Newtown, but the scene was actually shot in Cleveland during a kidnapping there, Mattei said. Another clip from his show had Jones claiming that a retired FBI agent, the uncle of Infowars employee Rob Dew, was investigating a "massive coverup" around Sandy Hook. But Dew admitted later in a deposition for the trial that the man "could have been a janitor for all I know," Mattei said. Jones employed a former professional wrestler, Dan Bidondi, as a reporter for Infowars, and Mattei showed clips of Bidondi following former Newtown police chief Michael Kehoe and calling Kehoe obscene names when the chief refused to answer questions. When Jones sent Bidondi on multiple trips to Newtown, he called it "releasing the Kraken," referring to the mythological sea monster. Mattei also showed emails from a law student and others warning Infowars about Halbig, saying that he lacked credentials and credibility, but Halbig continued to be a guest on Jones's show. Mattei ended the day with a clip of Jones saying long after the shooting that "if children were lost at Sandy Hook," his heart went out to all their parents. But, he added, "I've seen soap operas before." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BRUSSELS (AP) The European Union's executive arm proposed new legislation Thursday that would force manufacturers to ensure that devices connected to the internet meet cybersecurity standards, making the 27-nation bloc less vulnerable to attacks. The EU said a ransomware attack takes place every 11 seconds, and the global annual cost of cybercrime is estimated at 5.5 trillion euros in 2021. In Europe alone, cyberattacks cost between 180 and 290 billion euros each year, according to EU officials. The European Commission said an increase of cyberattacks was witnessed during the coronavirus pandemic and that Russia's war in Ukraine has raised concerns that European energy infrastructure could also be targeted amid a global energy crunch. The law, proposed as the Cyber Resilience Act, aims to remove from the EU market all products with digital elements that are not adequately protected. The EU's executive commission said the law would not only reduce attacks but also benefit consumers since it will improve data and privacy protection When it comes to cybersecurity, Europe is only as strong as its weakest link, be it a vulnerable member state or an unsafe product along the supply chain," said Thierry Breton, the EU commissioner for the internal market. Computers, phones, household appliances, virtual assistance devices, cars, toys each and every one of these hundreds of millions of connected products is a potential entry point for a cyberattack." Breton said most hardware and software products are currently not subject to any cybersecurity obligations. If adopted, the regulation would require manufacturers to take into account cybersecurity in the design and development of their devices. Companies would remain responsible for the security of products throughout their expected lifetime, or a minimum of five years. Market authorities will have the power to withdraw or recall non-compliant devices and to fine companies that will not abide by the rules. The Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA), which represents computer, communications and internet industry firms, welcomed the commission's goal of improving cyber resilience but said the draft law would introduce unnecessary. These cybersecurity rules should strive to weed out bad products from the EU market, but the current ... proposal would lead to innovative products piling up in waiting rooms before they can be used by Europeans," CCIA Europe Public Policy Director Alexandre Roure said. Instead, the new rules should recognize globally accepted standards and facilitate cooperation with trusted trade partners to avoid duplicate requirements. BERLIN (AP) Authorities in Austria said Thursday that a police firearms instructor is being investigated for accidentally shooting dead a fellow officer during a training exercise. Prosecutors in the southern city of Graz said the 39-year-old instructor had handed practice weapons to the officers, but forgotten that he was still carrying his own service firearm. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Eckehard Schulz,file Show More Show Less 3 of 3 BERLIN (AP) Germanys foreign minister is putting pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz to decide soon whether to supply Ukraine with advanced tanks as it seeks to reclaim more of its captured territory from Russia. Kyiv has said it would like to get German Leopard-2 tanks, but Berlin has so far rebuffed that request while delivering other weaponry, such as howitzers and self-propelled anti-aircraft weapons. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday that Illinois will continue to welcome migrants bused here from Texas even as he blasted that states governor for relocating them to other cities without sharing information or providing resources. Pritzker said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and his agencies have been providing little notice for incoming migrants and have not responded to calls from Illinois agency heads. Thats meant Illinois has had between three and 24 hours to find shelter for potentially 100 or more people. He said that has led to a needlessly last-minute and complex process that is a heartless display of politics over people. Let me be clear, while other states may be treating these vulnerable families as pawns, here in Illinois, we are treating them as people, he said. And when a person comes urgently seeking help, here in Illinois, we offer them a helping hand. Pritzker will deploy 75 National Guard members to aid with logistics and will issue a disaster proclamation aimed at expediting the flow of resources. The proclamation enables the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and other state agencies to work with local governments to help migrants access transportation, emergency shelter, food, health screenings, medical assessments, treatments and other care. Pritzker said the migrants are residing in the U.S. legally through the asylum-seeking process. Theyre often fleeing dangerous situations, mostly from Central and South America, and they receive facial and fingerprint scans at the U.S. border that are cross-checked against terrorist watch lists and criminal databases. They have traveled for months, most often without enough food or medicine or support, he said. Many have literally walked from Venezuela to the U.S. border, seeking safety for themselves and for their families. These are people who have not been accused of doing anything wrong. Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary Grace Hou said an 11th bus arrived early Wednesday. It brought the total number of migrants arriving in Illinois during the past two weeks to more than 500. Buses are arriving daily, Pritzker said. I have said to our team, we live in a state where our leaders are committed to providing a dignified welcome to our state, Hou said. That is not the question. The question is how we do it when the process is intentionally designed to cause confusion and utter chaos. Hou said when unannounced migrants arrive, Illinois officials have to scramble to provide for the basic needs of babies, pregnant women, children, teens, adults and older people. That includes ensuring access to housing, food, baby formula and health care. We've seen pregnant women literally ready to give birth who have been provided next to no support on the buses. Babies, elders, who continue to be treated in a callous manner until they get to the city of Chicago, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said. Pritzker said the state hears about arrivals only by unofficial means, such as Texas nonprofit organizations whose only information is that they've just literally watched the bus drive by. He called on Abbott to provide better notice. Abbott launched the program in April when he issued a memo directing the states Department of Emergency Management to begin coordinating the voluntary transportation of immigrants who had been released from federal custody. President Bidens inaction at our southern border continues putting the lives of Texans and Americans at risk and is overwhelming our communities, Abbott said in an Aug. 31 statement. To continue providing much-needed relief to our small, overrun border towns, Chicago will join fellow sanctuary cities Washington, D.C., and New York City as an additional drop-off location. Hou said the other cities have warned that this will not relent. Once migrants arrive, city and state staff work with state-funded welcoming centers and nonprofits such as Catholic Charities and The Salvation Army to triage and determine their immediate needs, prioritizing infants, children, seniors and families, Pritzker said. He and local lawmakers characterized the migrant situation as a national problem. Lightfoot said the situation in Chicago is a manufactured crisis. The normal lines of communication that we have with state leaders, particularly when it comes to issues of emergency management or law enforcement, (Abbott) has shut those off from us. So it is a manufactured crisis by ambush, to be very clear, she said. Pritzker said Illinois is seeking federal help and his staff has been working with Illinois members of Congress and the White House to make sure that we get the resources that we need, such as federal appropriations that have been available in other states that have received migrants from Texas. Lightfoot said resources going to Texas should be cut off and sent to cities welcoming migrants. Pritzker said he believed the state has available resources in the IDHS budget to deal with the migrants in the near term. But absolutely, there is a point at which that we wouldn't have the resources to continue, and you've seen thousands and thousands arriving in New York and in D.C., and it's an enormous burden on those cities, he said. Lightfoot, whose city received most of the migrants, said it will continue to assist them. The reality is we have a finite number of resources here in the city of Chicago and the county of Cook, she said. And so there will be a need to expand the number of communities across the state that may have to step up. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) Just hours after a Montana judge blocked health officials from enforcing a state rule that would prevent transgender people from changing the gender on their birth certificate, the Republican-run state on Thursday said it would defy the order. District Court Judge Michael Moses chided attorneys for the state during a hearing in Billings for circumventing his April order that temporarily blocked a 2021 Montana law that made it harder to change birth certificates. Moses said there was no question that state officials violated his earlier order by creating the new rule. Moses said his order reinstates a 2017 Department of Public Health and Human Services rule that allowed people to update the gender on their birth certificate by filing an affidavit with the department. However, the state said it would disregard the ruling. The Department thoroughly evaluated the judges vague April 2022 decision and crafted our final rule to be consistent with the decision. Its unfortunate that the judges ruling today does not square with his vague April decision," said Charlie Brereton, director of the Department of Public Health and Human Services. Brereton said the agency was keeping the rule it issued last week in place and an agency spokesperson said the department is waiting to see the judge's written order before considering its next steps. ACLU attorney Malita Picasso expressed dismay with the agencys stance and said officials should immediately start processing requests for birth certificate changes. Its shocking that after this mornings hearing the department would allege there was any lack of clarity in the courts ruling from the bench, Picasso said. It was very clear that Judge Moses expressly required a reversion to the 2017 policy, and anything short of that is a continued flagrant violation of the courts order." Such open defiance of judge's order is very unusual from a government agency, said Carl Tobias, a former University of Montana Law School professor now at the University of Richmond. When officials disagree with a ruling, the typical response is to appeal to a higher court, he said. Appeal is what you contemplate not that you can nullify a judge's orders. Otherwise, people just wouldn't obey the law, Tobias said. "The system can't work that way.' The move could leave state officials open to contempt of court charges, which in some cases can lead to jail time for offenders, Tobias said. He added that the attorneys representing the state were likely aware of the potential consequences but were caught in the middle between a recalcitrant agency and the judge. The legal dispute comes as conservative lawmakers in numerous states have sought to restrict transgender rights, including with bans on transgender girls competing in girls school sports. The Montana law said people had to have a surgical procedure before they could change the sex listed on their birth certificate, something Moses found to be unconstitutional because it did not specify what type of procedure was required. Gov. Greg Gianfortes administration then created a new rule that blocked changes to birth certificates entirely, unless there was a clerical error. Moses said during Thursday mornings hearing that his April ruling had been clear as a bell and compared the states subsequent actions to a person twice convicted of assault who tries to change their name following a third accusation to avoid a harsher punishment. Isnt that exactly what happened here? Moses asked. Im a bit offended the department thinks they can do anything they want. One of the plaintiffs in the case, Amelia Marquez, said she was disgusted by the state's response. We have people that think that they're above the law and don't have to listen to the judiciary branch of our government, she said. After learning the state planned to defy the court order, Shawn Reagor with the Montana Human Rights Network said the organization will not stand by while the Gianforte administration blatantly disregards rulings from the courts to continue a vindictive attack on the trans community. Only Tennessee, Oklahoma and West Virginia have sweeping prohibitions against birth certificate changes similar to what Montana has pursued, advocates for transgender rights say. Bans in Idaho and Ohio were struck down in 2020. A Republican lawmaker who voted in favor of the 2021 law suggested Moses was biased in favor of the plaintiffs in the case. Moses was appointed to the court by former Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat. Like clockwork, Judge Moses issued yet another predetermined order in favor of liberal plaintiffs without thoroughly engaging with the legal issues at hand, Sen. Greg Hertz of Polson said in a statement. The ACLU of Montana had asked Moses to clarify his order after the state health department enacted its new temporary rule effectively banning birth certificate changes a month after Moses handed down his temporary injunction in the case. That rule was made permanent last week. The state argued the injunction did not prevent the health department from making rules, but Moses said under case law the injunction reinstated the 2017 rules and any other changes are on hold while the case is decided. State officials denied that the new rule preventing birth certificate changes was adopted in bad faith. Montana Assistant Solicitor Kathleen Smithgall said the state came up with the new rule to fill a gap in regulations after the 2021 law was blocked. Judge Moses mischaracterized the words of his own order, the parties motives, and the state of the law," said Kyler Nerison, a spokesperson for Attorney General Austin Knudsen. BATON ROUGE (AP) The Louisiana Bond Commission on Thursday approved a $39 million future line of credit for a critical New Orleans area power plant project that had become an unlikely pawn in the ongoing political tug-of-war over enforcing Louisianas near-total abortion ban. For two months the commission generally known for its historically actuarial role, rather than taking political stances held up a necessary financial approval step for the project as a way to send a message to leaders in New Orleans, who have expressed opposition to enforcement of the ban. But as members debated on Thursday, they asked if any abortion "laws were been broken in New Orleans and noted that the project, which is critical to power drainage pumps that remove rainwater in a city that faces chronic flood problems, was too important to possibly delay. We need to quit messing around with this and go ahead and approve it, said Republican Sen. Bret Allain, who voted in favor of the item in August as well. Battles between Democratic city leaders and Republicans in reliably red states have been happening across the country since the U.S. Supreme Court decided to end constitutional protections for abortion in June. Dozens of prosecutors nationwide including in Florida have promised not to pursue charges against those seeking or providing abortions. In St. Louis, hours after the mayor signed a measure providing $1 million for travel to abortion clinics in other states, the Missouri Attorney General sued to block it. City councils in places such as Austin, Texas, and Nashville have passed measures urging law enforcement not to prioritize abortion ban enforcement. In Louisiana, legislation bans all abortions except if there is substantial risk of death or impairment to the patient if they continue with the pregnancy and in the case of medically futile pregnancies when the fetus has a fatal abnormality. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. Following the downfall of Roe v. Wade, the New Orleans city council passed a resolution directing police and prosecutors not to use city funds to enforce the ban and to make it the lowest priority for enforcement. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, a Republican who is considered a likely 2023 gubernatorial candidate, described city leaders opposition as a dereliction of duty. He turned to the Bond Commission, who voted to deny a preliminary authorization of the line of credit for a power plant project of the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board. On Thursday, members voted in favor of the future line of credit, 11-1. The sole objection was from Landrys stand-in Algelique Freel. During Augusts Bond Commission meeting Landry urged fellow commission members to use the tools at our disposal to bring leaders in New Orleans opposing enforcement of the abortion ban to heel. Freel read a letter from Landry on Thursday that reiterated his continuing stance. This issue is much more fundamental than Louisianas abortion ban," the letter said. "Each and every elected official takes an oath to uphold the Constitution and laws of our state. These New Orleans officials have taken it upon themselves to pick and choose which laws they are going to enforce, in direct contradiction to their oath. Whats next? Can leaders of other municipalities now simply refuse to enforce any state statutes they personally disagree with? Caught in the middle of the political wrangling has been a vital power plant project for the state's most-populous city. State Sen. Jimmy Harris, a Democrat who represents New Orleans, urged commission members to approve the future credit line noting that the plant would help protect 384,000 people, allowing them clean water to drink and bathe in, instead of undergoing frequent water boil advisories. Currently the pumps are powered by outdated turbines, which also power the citys water and sewage system. Find something nonessential to go after, Paul Rainwater, a lobbyist for New Orleans, told the commission in August. Not the Sewerage and Water Board, not the power station, not the pumps." In a state that has been devastated by natural disasters, flooding is at the forefront of mind especially as Louisiana is in the midst of hurricane season. Forecasters have predicted there will be 14 to 20 named storms this year, including six to 10 hurricanes. For this Bond Commission to hold up flood protection in any form shouldn't be our position, said Republican Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser. While approval of a future line of credit will not immediately release project funds, the approval sends a critical signal to contractors that funds will be available to finish the project. The city and Entergy New Orleans are paying for the majority of the projects cost, but Rainwater said state funding will be necessary to keep the project on track to be completed in 2024. The reckless politicization of this process was improper and risked the safety of our city," New Orleans City Council President Helena Moreno said following the commission's vote. "Thankfully, this funding is moving forward, and the attempts to derail this essential project failed. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate LONDON Prince William has told well-wishers that walking behind the coffin of his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II was challenging and brought back memories of the funeral of his mother, Princess Diana. William and his wife, Catherine, the new Princess of Wales, spent almost an hour Thursday chatting with dozens of people and viewed floral tributes outside Sandringham Estate, the royal country residence in Norfolk. During Wednesdays coffin procession, William and his brother, Prince Harry, walked behind the queens coffin along with their father, King Charles III, and the king's siblings from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. William, speaking of the procession, said: The walk yesterday was challenging. Jane Wells, 54, was among the thousands who turned up outside Sandringham Thursday. I said how proud his mother would have been of him, and he said how hard it was yesterday because it brought back memories of his mothers funeral, she told reporters afterward. Diana died in a car crash in Paris in 1997. Many in Britain still remember the image of a young William and his brother Harry walking with their father behind her coffin. ___ KEY DEVELOPMENTS: London mourners brave 9-hour wait to say goodbye to queen What to know about the queens lying in state Queens reign saw British leave Mideast with a mixed legacy With its queen gone, Britain ponders how to discuss death Palace reveals details of queens state funeral on Monday Find more AP coverage here: https://apnews.com/hub/queen-elizabeth-ii ___ OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: CANBERRA, Australia Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Thursday it would be perfectly acceptable for King Charles III to continue to advocate for climate change action in his new apolitical role as monarch. Albanese was speaking ahead of his departure for Queen Elizabeth IIs funeral. Albanese said the new king would decide whether he continues to advocate for reduced greenhouse gas emissions, as he has done for years as a prince. Its important that the monarchy distance from party political issues. But there are issues like climate change where I think if he chooses to continue to make statements in that area, I think that is perfectly acceptable, Albanese said. It should be something thats above politics, the need to act on climate change. The British monarch is also Australias head of state. In his first speech as king last week, Charles suggested he would be more circumspect as monarch and step back from his advocacy on a range of issues. ___ KAMPALA, Uganda Hundreds of Ugandans attended a memorial service in honor of Queen Elizabeth II, a somber ceremony that underscored affection for the departed British monarch in this East African country. Speakers in the Anglican cathedral in the Ugandan capital on Thursday included Foreign Affairs Minister Jeje Odongo, who paid tribute to the queen as an endearing leader. She wasnt the queen of England alone, she said. She was the queen of all of us in the Commonwealth. The Rev. Jonathan Kisawuzi, the cathedrals dean, spoke of the queens faith, courage and direction in her 70-year reign. We will remember her always, he said. Uganda is one of the 56 member states of the Commonwealth, a group of mostly former British colonies that now includes others, such as Rwanda, that were not part of the British Empire. Elizabeth is fondly remembered among Ugandans, who recall her attendance at the 2007 Commonwealth summit held in Kampala. ___ TORONTO Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said hell travel to London with former prime ministers for Queen Elizabeth IIs funeral and that Canadians will continue to benefit from the stability the monarchy provides. Trudeau and Canadas opposition leaders paid tribute to the late queen in a special session of Parliament on Thursday. She visited the country 22 times as monarch. Trudeau said she embraced her role as queen of Canada and said her sudden absence has struck us all palpably and profoundly. Her Majesty was everywhere. Her face on our coins. Her portrait hanging in Parliament and post offices. Her televised Christmas address a cozy ritual in homes from coast to coast to coast, Trudeau said. Canadians feel like theyve lost a family member - a family member who grew up alongside us. Trudeau said in Canadas constitutional monarchy, the crowns function is to be a bedrock for the constitution, and to transcend daily political debates. ___ LONDON A group of British legislators sanctioned by China have written to officials expressing concerns that the Chinese government has been invited to Queen Elizabeth IIs funeral. Conservative lawmaker Tim Loughton told the BBC on Thursday the invitation to China should be rescinded, citing the countrys human rights abuses and treatment of Uyghurs in the far western region of Xinjiang. Britain cant possibly have official representatives of the Chinese government attending such an important occasion, he said. The Chinese ambassador to the U.K. is banned from Parliament after Beijing sanctioned seven British legislators last year over their stance on China. It is not clear whether President Xi Jinping, currently meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Uzbekistan, will attend Mondays state funeral. Media reports suggest Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan may attend. Russia, Belarus and Myanmar were not included in the funeral invitation list. ___ LONDON Thousands of people have turned up at Sandringham Estate, the royal country estate in Norfolk, to greet Prince William and his wife Catherine. The royal couple appeared outside the gates of the estate to view the sea of floral tributes left for Queen Elizabeth II and to greet thousands of well-wishers. A large crowd gathered outside the country residence on the eastern English coast early Thursday, hoping for a chance to meet and speak with the couple. William and Kate, known since the queen's death as the Prince and Princess of Wales, walked slowly along metal barriers as they received bouquets from the public and chatted to well-wishers. Sandringham was the queens country retreat, where she spent some of her childhood years and where she presided over many Christmas family gatherings. ___ LONDON Buckingham Palace has announced that two minutes of silence will be observed across the United Kingdom at the end of Queen Elizabeth IIs state funeral. The funeral is to be held at Westminster Abbey on Monday, with some 2,000 guests attending, including visiting heads of state and other dignitaries. Officials said Thursday that after the funeral, the late queens coffin will be transported through the historic heart of London on a horse-drawn gun carriage. It will then be taken in a hearse to Windsor, where the queen will be interred alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year. ___ LONDON While mourners in London are standing in a 4-mile (6.5-kilometer) line to view Queen Elizabeth IIs coffin lying in state, members of the royal family are meeting crowds gathered in other parts of Britain. Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, went to Manchester in northern England on Thursday to view tributes left for the queen and speak to well-wishers. Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, was due to visit Glasgow in Scotland later in the day with her husband, Sir Tim Laurence. Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Wales were to view flowers left outside Sandringham House in Norfolk, in eastern England. King Charles III, the new monarch, spent a day in private. ___ LONDON Standing in line to see the queens coffin as it lies in state in London is proving a test of patience and stamina for thousands of people. By late Thursday morning, the line had grown to about 3 miles (5.6 kilometers) long on the south bank of the River Thames, reaching as far as Tower Bridge. Authorities warn those planning to come: You will need to stand for many hours, possibly overnight, with very little opportunity to sit down, as the queue will keep moving. The closed coffin sits on a raised platform, called a catafalque, inside Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament. Visitors go through airport-style security. Only small bags are permitted. The venue is to stay open 24 hours a day until just after dawn on Monday, the day of the queens state funeral. ___ LONDON The spiritual leader of the Church of England has been meeting mourners in the long line of people waiting patiently to pay their last respects to Queen Elizabeth II. Wearing a high-visibility vest, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby was on hand Thursday to speak to some of the thousands of people in the queue along the south bank of the River Thames. He paid tribute to the late monarch, who died last Thursday at age 96, ending a 70-year reign. She was someone you could trust totally, completely and absolutely, whose wisdom was remarkable, he said. Her death and transfer of the crown to her son, King Charles III, means we will move seamlessly to another person who will demonstrate service for the country, and see their role not as over everyone, but to serve the country and the constitution, Welby said. ___ LONDON Thousands of people have stood in line through the night in London, waiting their turn to view Queen Elizabeth IIs coffin as it lies in state. Authorities said the line on Thursday stretched about 2.6 miles (4.2 kilometers) along the south bank of the River Thames. The queens flag-draped oak coffin is lying in state at 900-year-old Westminster Hall for four days before her funeral on Monday. People, hushed and somber, streamed past each side of the coffin. Military detachments standing guard are rotated every 20 minutes. One of the ceremonial guards appeared to faint early Thursday and fell off the raised platform. His condition was not immediately clear. The queen died in Scotland last Thursday at age 96, ending a 70-year reign. ___ PARIS French President Emmanuel Macron has sent King Charles III his condolences and offered him his full support in addressing common challenges. Those challenges include the protection of the climate and the planet, a statement from the French presidency said. Before he became monarch after last weeks death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles often spoke out on those issues. But as sovereign he is expected to tread more carefully in his political comments. Macron spoke with the king by phone on Wednesday. He said on Twitter he will attend the Queens funeral. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON (AP) A volunteer Ukrainian medic held captive three months by Russian forces in Ukraine's besieged port city of Mariupol told U.S. lawmakers Thursday of cradling and comforting fellow prisoners as they died of torture and inadequately treated wounds. Ukrainian Yuliia Paievska, who was captured by pro-Russian forces in Mariupol in March and held at shifting locations in Russian-allied territory in Ukraine's Donetsk region, spoke to lawmakers with the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, better known as the Helsinki Commission, a government agency created in part to promote international compliance with human rights. Her accounts Thursday were her most detailed publicly of her treatment in captivity, in what Ukrainians and international rights groups say are widespread detentions of both Ukrainian noncombatants and fighters by Russia's forces. Known to Ukrainians by the nickname Taira, Paievska and her care of Mariupol's wounded during the nearly seven-month Russian invasion of Ukraine received global attention after her bodycam footage was provided to The Associated Press. Do you know why we do this to you?" a Russian asked Paievska as he tortured her, she recounted to the commission. She told the panel her answer to him: Because you can. Searing descriptions of the suffering of detainees poured out. A 7-year-old boy died in her lap because she had none of the medical gear she needed to treat him, she said. Torture sessions usually launched with their captors forcing the Ukrainian prisoners to remove their clothes, before the Russians set to bloodying and tormenting the detainees, she said. The result was some prisoners in cells screaming for weeks, and then dying from the torture without any medical help, she said. Then in this torment of hell, the only things they feel before death is abuse and additional beating." She continued, recounting the toll among the imprisoned Ukrainians. My friend whose eyes I closed before his body cooled down. Another friend. And another. Another." Paievska said she was taken into custody after being stopped in a routine document check. She had been one of thousands of Ukrainians believed to have been taken prisoner by Russian forces. Mariupols mayor said that 10,000 people from his city alone disappeared during what was the monthslong Russian siege of that city. It fell to Russians in April, with the city all but destroyed by Russian bombardment, and with countless dead. The Geneva Conventions single out medics, both military and civilian, for protection in all circumstance. Sen. Ben Cardin, a Maryland Democrat and co-chair of the Helsinki Commission underscored that the conditions she described for civilian and military detainees violated international law. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., called Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal. It is critical that the world hear the stories of those who endured the worst under captivity, Wilson said. Evidence is essential to prosecution of war crimes. Before she was captured, Paievska had recorded more than 256 gigabytes of harrowing bodycam footage showing her teams efforts to save the wounded in the cut-off city. She got the footage to Associated Press journalists, the last international team in Mariupol, on a tiny data card. The journalists fled the city on March 15 with the card embedded inside a tampon, carrying it through 15 Russian checkpoints. The next day, Paievska was taken by pro-Russia forces. Lawmakers played the AP's video of her footage Thursday. She emerged on June 17, thin and haggard, her athletes body more than 10 kilograms (22 pounds) lighter from lack of nourishment and activity. She said the AP report that showed her caring for Russian and Ukrainian soldiers alike, along with civilians of Mariupol, was critical to her release, in a prisoner exchange. Paievska previously had declined to speak in detail to journalists about conditions in detention, only describing it broadly as hell. She swallowed heavily at times Thursday while testifying. Ukraines government says it has documented nearly 34,000 Russian war crimes since the war began in February. The International Criminal Court and 14 European Union member nations also have launched investigations. The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine says it has documented that prisoners of war in Russian custody have suffered torture and ill-treatment, as well as insufficient food, water healthcare and sanitation. Russia has not responded to the allegations. Both the United Nations and the international Red Cross say they have been denied access to prisoners. Paievska, who said she suffered headaches during her detention as the result of a concussion from an earlier explosion, told lawmakers she asked her captors to let her call her husband, to let him know what had happened to her. They said, You have seen too many American movies. There will be no phone call, she recounted. Her tormentors during her detention would sometimes urge her to kill herself, she said. I said, No. I will see what happens tomorrow, she said. - Lori Hinnant contributed to this report from Paris. Follow AP's coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war at: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Mr. Castillo underscored that at the meeting he will inform the head of Congress of the needs of teaching assistants, whom he received on Wednesday evening at the Government Palace in Lima. The top official underlined that if the Peruvian State does not assume responsibility for workers, the latter will struggle to meet their family and professional needs. "At the end of the month, you look at your pay slip and you realize that the amount of loans and debts is more than what you receive. People opt to () to feed their children, that cannot happen," he said. Moreover, the dignitary affirmed that the Executive Branch has submitted various bills to Congress, which have not been debated and might bring some financial solvency to the population and workers. He addressed teaching assistants gathered at the Golden Room and suggested that they meet during the visits he pays to different regions across the country so as to talk and learn about their problems so that the Executive Branch can identify the most appropriate mechanisms to address them. El presidente de la Republica @PedroCastilloTe sostuvo reunion con mas de 150 integrantes de la Asociacion de Auxiliares y Docentes a nivel nacional. Nos reuniremos con nuestro gabinete en la PCM y junto al Bloque Magisterial para trabajar en sus requerimientos". pic.twitter.com/8yclVboeWZ MEXICO CITY (AP) Mexican authorities have arrested a retired general and three other members of the army for alleged connection to the disappearance of 43 students in southern Mexico in 2014, the government announced Thursday. Assistant Public Safety Secretary Ricardo Mejia said that among those arrested was the former officer who commanded the army base in the Guerrero state city of Iguala in September 2014, when the students from a radical teachers college were abducted. Mejia said a fourth arrest was expected soon, and later a government official with knowledge of the case who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter confirmed that another member of the army had been arrested. Mejia did not give names of those arrested, but the commander of the Iguala base at that time was Jose Rodriguez Perez, then a colonel. Barely a year after the students' disappearances and with the missing students' families already raising suspicions about military involvement and demanding access to the base, Rodriguez was promoted to brigadier general. The government official who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that Rodriguez was arrested and said he was being held at a military installation. The source would say about the others arrested only that two were officers and the third was an enlisted soldier. Last month, a government truth commission re-investigating the case issued a report that named Rodriguez as being allegedly responsible for the disappearance of six of the students. Interior Undersecretary Alejandro Encinas, who led the commission, said last month that six of the missing students were allegedly kept alive in a warehouse for days then turned over to Rodriguez who ordered them killed. The report had called the disappearances a state crime, emphasizing that authorities had been closely monitoring the students from the teachers college at Ayotzinapa from the time they left their campus through their abduction by local police in the town of Iguala that night. A soldier who had infiltrated the school was among the abducted students, and Encinas asserted the army did not follow its own protocols and try to rescue him. There is also information corroborated with emergency 089 telephone calls where allegedly six of the 43 disappeared students were held during several days and alive in what they call the old warehouse and from there were turned over to the colonel, Encinas said. Allegedly the six students were alive for as many as four days after the events and were killed and disappeared on orders of the colonel, allegedly the then Col. Jose Rodriguez Perez. Numerous government and independent investigations have failed to reach a single conclusive narrative about what happened to the 43 students, but it appears that local police pulled the students off several buses in Iguala that night and turned them over to a drug gang. The motive remains unclear. Their bodies have never been found, though fragments of burned bone have been matched to three of the students. The role of the army in the students disappearance has long been a source of tension between the families and the government. From the beginning, there were questions about the militarys knowledge of what happened and its possible involvement. The students parents demanded for years that they be allowed to search the army base in Iguala. It was not until 2019 that they were given access along with Encinas and the Truth Commission. Shortly after the truth commission report, the Attorney Generals Office announced 83 arrest orders, 20 for members of the military. Then federal agents arrested Jesus Murillo Karam, who was attorney general at the time. Doubts had been growing in the weeks since the arrest orders were announced because no arrests had been announced. The administration of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has also formed a closer public bond with the military than any in recent memory. The president pushed to shift the newly created National Guard under full military authority and his allies in congress are trying to extend the time for the military to continue a policing role in the streets to 2028. On Thursday, Mejia also dismissed any suggestion that Jose Luis Abarca, who was mayor of Iguala at the time, would be released from prison after a judge absolved him of responsibility for the students abduction based on a lack of evidence. Even without the aggravated kidnapping charge, Abarca still faces other charges for organized crime and money laundering, and Mejia said the judges latest decision would be challenged. The judge similarly absolved 19 others, including the man who was Igualas police at the time. The Miguel Agustin Pro Human Rights Center and other nongovernmental organizations that have supported the families of the students said in a joint statement Thursday that the government had so far not notified the families of the case against Rodriguez nor the charges he would face. They said that if the prosecution of Rodriguez did advance on solid evidence it could be very relevant for holding the military accountable. The statement noted that there was abundant evidence about the collusion of soldiers from the Iguala base with organized crime. The organizations also called on authorities to appeal the judges decision absolving Abarca and others. They said the ruling was the result of poor work by the Attorney Generals Office that originally brought the charges, including the extensive use of torture which led much of the evidence to be excluded. Related video above: Orioles player visits children's hospital, plays video games with patient A Washington Nationals fan caught some flack earlier this month after a video went viral of him robbing a baseball thrown by a player on the field to a group of younger girls in the stands. The video was posted to Twitter by Gina Hilliard, who is the mother of 10-year-old Avery and a team parent for an all-star softball team in Shenandoah, Virginia. In the tweet, Gina Hilliard asked the Nationals to send her daughter a ball to replace the one that the other fan grabbed. A few days later, the team reached out to Gina Hilliard for her information. And then this week justice was served. The Nationals posted an update to Twitter that showed outfielder Joey Meneses, the player who had originally thrown the ball, had signed a game ball and written Avery a note. Gina Hilliard responded, thanking the team for the kind gesture and adding, "They are sending something our way and hope that this can serve as a symbol of a good experience at the park rather than a bad one" To help teens and young adults get an early start planning for their futures, Michigan State Police expands its Explorer Program to a total of nine posts statewide. "We want kids to know a public service career is possible and its pretty awesome," Sgt. Ashley Kierpaul with the MSP Recruiting and Selection Section said in a written statement. "What they think policing is can be much different than what they actually experience in our Explorer Program." The program, which showcases law enforcement as a "rewarding employment option," started with two posts in the Metro Detroit area and the Marshall Post, according to authorities in a recent press release announcing the addition of six posts to the program. It was formed to battle staffing shortages and negative public perceptions about policing. "Six additional posts have committed to hosting the program, which is exciting," Kierpaul continued. "We are now able to offer the experience to young adults around the state. They see firsthand all we have available from road patrol up to Colonel." The program lets people between 14 and 21 years old experience what its like to be a police officer through training and mentoring by MSP troopers. When they reach 18 years old, theres an opportunity for them to apply for a paid position as a cadet, according to MSP in the release. Thats the route 19-year-old Abigail Sands is taking. She and nine others graduated from the Cadet Academy this summer. "My family knew I was interested in becoming a first responder, but I hadnt figured out which area I wanted to pursue," Cadet Sands, who is assigned to the Metro South Post, said in the press release. "A relative saw a flyer for the MSP Explorer Program online and shared it with me. Ive been in since May 2021." The program has been better than she imagined it could be. "Residents understand were here to assist along with the troopers," Sands continued. "They see us as kids making a difference. To be accepted into the Explorer Program, applicants must: Be 14-21 years old Have good academic standing (2.5+ GPA) Have no felony convictions Have an excellent moral character Interested? Apply here. While the program allows flexibility for school and other responsibilities, participants have to attend 70% of the time, according to MSP in the release. Classroom sessions are held at MSP posts once weekly. The classes will include law enforcement-related topics and tackle scenario-based exercises like traffic stops. Leadership training and community service are also included. To learn more about the program, contact Kierpaul at 989-513-4050 or kierpaula@michigan.gov. ALTAMONT, Tenn. (AP) A Tennessee sheriff's deputy fatally shot a man who pointed what turned out to be a pellet rifle at officers after being told to drop the weapon, authorities said. Deputies in Grundy County initially responded to a report of a man pointing a rifle at vehicles that were passing on a road Wednesday night, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a statement. Deputies said they gave verbal commands for him to drop the weapon, but he did not and instead pointed it at them, the statement said. ISLAMABAD (AP) Pakistani engineers and soldiers cleared a key highway on Thursday to enable aid workers to speed up supplies to survivors of devastating floods that have left hundreds of thousands homeless and killed 1,508 people, the majority of them women and children. Traffic between the flood-hit city of Quetta, the capital of southwestern Baluchistan province, and the southern Sindh province had been suspended for weeks after floods damaged the key highway. The blockage had forced the military to deliver aid to victims by helicopters and boats. As they reopened the route, engineers in Baluchistan also restored the power supply for millions, according to a government statement. And the disaster's deadly toll became more clear, with the United Nations children agency saying on Thursday that 528 children were among those killed in the floods. The National Flood Response and Coordination Centre said this summer's monsoons and the flooding the worst-ever deluge in living memory destroyed 390 bridges and washed away over 12,000 kilometers (7,500 miles) of roads across the country. The inundation of roads affected the government's response to the floods, and people complained they were still waiting, weeks later, for the governments help. The crisis has affected over 33 million people, damaged 1.8 million houses and displaced over half a million people who are still living in tents and makeshift homes, according to the National Disaster Management Agency. The water has destroyed 70% of wheat, cotton and other crops in Pakistan. At one point, a third of the countrys territory was submerged under the floods. But the government in a statement on Thursday insisted there was no shortage of food in Pakistan and that plans are being drawn up for imports of certain food items. Initially, Pakistan estimated that the floods caused $10 billion in damages, but now several economists say the cost of the damages is more like $30 billion. That's five times more than what Pakistans government will get under the 2019 bailout signed with the International Monetary Fund. So far, 100 flights from different countries and international aid agencies have delivered the much-needed supplies, the Foreign Ministry said Thursday. The U.N. weeks ago urged the international community to generously help in relief, rescue and rehabilitation work. On Wednesday, the U.N. resident coordinator in Pakistan, Julien Harneis, told reporters that the member states had so far committed $150 million in response to an emergency appeal for $160 million. So far, he said, $38 million pledges from the world community had been converted into assistance for Pakistan. On Thursday, Palitha Gunarathna Mahipala, the representative of the World Health Organization in Pakistan, handed over medical equipment and medicines for flood victims to the provincial Health Minister Azra Fazal Pechuho in Karachi, the capital of Sindh, the country's province worst hit by the floods. Mahipala said at a news conference that he had visited flood-affected areas where WHO's staff was on the ground, providing medical camps and mobile medical clinics. He said WHO will soon provide more aid, vehicles and boats to the Sindh government so that officials could use them to reach flood victims in remote areas. Also, WHO has for the past several weeks been helping Pakistan in tackling the outbreak of waterborne and other diseases among flood victims in Sindh and elsewhere in the country. The impoverished nation is diverting funds allocated for development projects to help flood victims. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif this week promised the countrys homeless people that the government will ensure they are paid to rebuild and return to their lives. With winter just weeks away, displaced people living in tents are worried about their future. Sharif on Thursday traveled to Uzbekistan to attend a summit of a security group formed by Beijing and Moscow as a counterweight to U.S. influence. Washington is one of the most generous responders to floods in Pakistan. The United States has announced $50 million aid, which is being delivered by military planes. On the sidelines of the eight-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, Sharif was also expected to brief world leaders about the climate-induced damages caused by the floods in his struggling Islamic nation. JERUSALEM (AP) Israeli forces killed a 17-year-old Palestinian in the occupied West Bank Thursday, Palestinian officials said, as troops operated in the area a day after an attack killed a military officer. The Israeli military said it opened fire on suspects who threw explosives at troops. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Odai Salah, 17, was shot in the head, although it did not specify the exact circumstances behind his death. The Israeli military said forces were operating in the hometown of two Palestinian gunmen who killed the Israeli officer in a shootout on Wednesday and were then shot and killed by Israeli soldiers. The military said Palestinians threw firebombs at troops who were preparing the gunmen's homes for possible demolition and making arrests in the village of Kufr Dan, near the city of Jenin, a bastion of armed struggle against Israel. The troops fired at and struck some of the Palestinians, the military said. Israel says it demolishes the homes of attackers as a way to deter future violence, while critics say the tactic amounts to collective punishment. Israel has been carrying out nightly arrest raids in West Bank cities, towns and villages since a spate of attacks against Israelis in the spring killed 19 people. Israeli fire has killed dozens of Palestinians during that time, making it the deadliest year in the occupied territory since 2016. The Israeli military says the vast majority of those killed were militants or stone-throwers who endangered the soldiers. But several civilians have also been killed during Israels monthslong operation, including a veteran journalist and a lawyer who apparently drove unwittingly into a battle zone. Local youths who took to the streets in response to the invasion of their neighborhoods have also been killed. Israel has rounded up scores of Palestinians, holding many without trial or charge in what's known as administrative detention. Israel says it uses administrative detention to thwart attacks and to hold dangerous militants without revealing sensitive intelligence. Palestinians and rights groups say the system denies due process, with some detainees held for months or years without seeing the evidence against them. Israel says the arrest raids are meant to dismantle militant networks and prevent future attacks. The Palestinians say the operations are aimed at maintaining Israels 55-year military occupation of territories they want for an independent state. Israel captured the West Bank, along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, in the 1967 Mideast war and the Palestinians seek those territories for a future state. MILFORD More than two years since police say Peter Manfredonia went on a crime spree that killed two people, attorneys asked to push the case back for another month. In a pretrial hearing Thursday morning, Judge Peter Brown agreed to continue the case and scheduled a remote hearing for Oct. 12 and an in-person hearing for Oct. 21. Some family and friends of one of Manfredonia's victims attended the brief proceeding in state Superior Court in Milford. When marshals brought out a handcuffed Manfredonia, one woman was overcome with grief, sobbing in the audience as those nearby tried to console her. Manfredonia, 25, has been charged with the fatal shooting of Nicholas Eisele, a former classmate of his at Newtown High School, and kidnapping Eisele's girlfriend in May 2020. Manfredonia, a former University of Connecticut student, is also facing charges out of the Tolland judicial district. He is accused of attacking two men in Willington with a samurai sword and invading a nearby home prior to killing Eisele. One victim of the Willington attack, Ted DeMers, was killed, while the second man, John Franco, suffered critical injuries but ultimately survived. Manfredonia appeared in a brief remote hearing for the cases out of Tolland on Sept. 9. He is scheduled for another pretrial hearing on Nov. 4. Manfredonia has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges, which include murder, assault and kidnapping. He is being held in custody in lieu of bonds totaling $12 million. In June, State's Attorney Matthew Gedansky told Judge Kathleen McNamara he would meet with State's Attorney Margaret Kelley in Milford, along with Manfredonia's lawyer Michael Dolan, to see if the cases in both jurisdictions could be resolved. On Thursday, Dolan said he is still trying to coordinate with different jurisdictions about the cases. "The pieces are in place to begin substantive discussions," Dolan added. Kelley declined to comment. The deadly crime spree started on May 22, 2020 with the Willington attack. Police were called to Mirtl Road around 9 a.m. for a report of two men suffering severe lacerations to their faces and upper bodies. DeMers had offered Manfredonia a ride on his 4-wheeler when police said the 62-year-old was fatally attacked. Franco, DeMers' neighbor, was also injured when he tried to intervene, according to Manfredonia's arrest warrant. Manfredonia then allegedly fled on a red motorcycle. Law enforcement found the motorcycle abandoned nearby, along with Manfredonia's cellphone, later that day, the warrant said. On May 24, 2020, police were alerted to an abandoned Ford F-150 truck near Osbornedale State Park in Derby. After trying to reach the truck's owner by phone and knocking on his door, troopers forced their way into his Willington home and found the 73-year-old man tied to a chair in the basement, according to the warrant. The man told police he woke up abruptly around 5:15 a.m. May 23, 2020 to a man pointing a gun to the back of his neck. Manfredonia allegedly held the man hostage at gunpoint for more than 24 hours before stealing guns, ammunition, money and his truck. Manfredonia allegedly drove the truck to Derby and was trying to find a hiding spot in Osbornedale State Park when he crashed the stolen truck. He then walked to Roosevelt Drive to the home of Eisele, a childhood friend. There, Manfredonia shot and killed Eisele, stole about $2,000 in cash and ordered Eisele's girlfriend at gunpoint to drive him toward Newtown, the warrant said. The woman drove into New York and then New Jersey as Manfredonia held the gun between his legs, the warrant stated. Seven hours later, Manfredonia allowed her to drop him off at a New Jersey truck stop near the Pennsylvania border, the warrant stated. He then hailed an Uber with the help of a bystander and left the woman with $200 for gas money, according to the warrant. The woman was found unharmed. After a six-day manhunt across multiple states, U.S. Marshals and other law enforcement took Manfredonia into custody on May 27, 2020 at a truck stop in Hagerstown, Md. MONTCALM COUNTY Troopers with the Michigan State Police Lakeview Post are investigating a house fire that reportedly killed a 13-year-old Wednesday morning in Montcalm County. According to a news release, at about 7 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, emergency personnel responded to a structure fire on North Caris Road in Vestaburg, about 50 miles southeast of Big Rapids. A 13-year-old girl was unaccounted for. The Michigan State Police Fire Investigation Unit, including a canine, responded to the scene where the remains of a child were located inside the burnt residence, police said. While the fire remains under investigation, police do not believe it to be suspicious, the release stated. It is unknown if fire alarms were inside the residence. Montcalm County Sheriffs Department, Richland Township Fire Department, Home Township Fire Department, Montcalm County Victims Services, Montcalm County EMS, and the Michigan Red Cross assisted troopers at the scene. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker issued an emergency disaster proclamation Wednesday and activated approximately 75 members of the Illinois National Guard. This is so state agencies can provide resources that are available to support asylum seekers arriving nearly daily to Chicago from Texas. The governor made the announcement via a press release and video posted on his Twitter page. Support and resources include transport, emergency shelter and housing, food, health screenings, medical assessments, treatments, and other necessary care and services. "While other states may be treating these vulnerable families as pawns, here in Illinois, we are treating them as people," Pritzker said in a statement. The statewide response will include Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois Department of Public Health. The groups of migrants arriving via Texas are residing in the United States legally, proceeding through the legal immigration and asylum-seeking process, the press release states. Many of the families and individuals seeking asylum began arriving in Chicago Aug. 31and require medical care, including prenatal care for pregnant women, treatment for malnourishment, dehydration, and asthma in children, the release reads. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate IZIUM, Ukraine (AP) Ukrainian authorities found a mass burial site near a recaptured northeastern city previously occupied by Russian forces, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Thursday night. The grave was discovered close to Izium in the Kharkiv region. "The necessary procedures have already begun there. More information clear, verifiable information should be available tomorrow, Zelenskyy said in his nightly televised address. Associated Press journalists saw the site Thursday in a forest outside Izium. Amid the trees were hundreds of graves with simple wooden crosses, most of them marked only with numbers. A larger grave bore a marker saying it contained the bodies of 17 Ukrainian soldiers. Investigators with metal detectors were scanning the site for any hidden explosives. Oleg Kotenko, an official with the Ukrainian ministry tasked with reintegrating occupied territories, said videos that Russian soldiers posted on social media indicated there were likely more than 17 bodies in the grave. We havent counted them yet, but I think there are more than 25 or even 30, he said. Izium resident Sergei Gorodko said that among the hundreds buried in individual graves were dozens of adults and children killed in a Russian airstrike on an apartment building. He said he pulled some of them out of the rubble with my own hands. Zelenskyy invoked the names of other Ukrainian cities where authorities said retreating Russian troops left behind mass graves of civilians and evidence of possible war crimes. Bucha, Mariupol, now, unfortunately, Izium. Russia leaves death everywhere. And it must be held accountable for it. The world must bring Russia to real responsibility for this war, he said in the address. Sergei Bolvinov, a senior investigator for Ukrainian police in the eastern Kharkiv region, told British TV broadcaster Sky News that a pit containing more than 440 bodies was discovered near Izium after Kyivs forces swept in. He described the grave as one of the largest burial sites in any one liberated city. Some of the people buried in the pit were shot. Others died from artillery fire, mines or airstrikes. Many of the bodies have not been identified yet, Bolvinov said. Russian forces left Izium and other parts of the Kharkiv region last week amid a stunning Ukrainian counteroffensive. On Wednesday, Zelenskyy made a rare trip outside the capital to watch the national flag being raised over Iziums city hall. Deputy Interior Minister Yevhen Enin said Thursday night that other evidence found after Kyivs sweeping advance into the Kharkiv region included multiple torture chambers where both Ukrainian citizens and foreigners were detained in completely inhuman conditions. We have already come across the exhumation of individual bodies, not only with traces of a violent death, but also of torture cut off ears, etc. This is just the beginning, Enin said in an interview with Ukraines Radio NV. He claimed that among those held at one of the sites were students from an unspecified Asian country who were captured at a Russian checkpoint as they tried to leave for Ukrainian-controlled territory. Enin did not specify where the students were held, although he named the small cities of Balakliya and Volchansk as two locations where torture chambers were found. His account could not be independently verified. All these traces of war crimes are now carefully documented by us. And we know from the experience of Bucha that the worst crimes can only be exposed over time, Enin said, in a reference to a Kyiv suburb where the bodies of hundreds of civilians were discovered following the Russian armys withdrawal from the area in March. Earlier Thursday, Zelenskyy said that during the five months the Russians occupied the region, they only destroyed, only deprived, only took away." "They left behind devastated villages; in some of them there is not a single undamaged house. The occupiers turned schools into garbage dumps and churches shattered, literally turned into toilets. In other developments Thursday, Zelenskyy worked to add political momentum to Ukraines recent military gains, while missile strikes that caused flooding near his hometown demonstrated Moscows determination to reclaim the battlefield advantage. A week after the Ukrainian counteroffensive, Zelenskyy met with European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen during her third wartime visit to Kyiv. Von der Leyen publicly conveyed the wholehearted support of the 27-nation bloc and wore an outfit in Ukraines national colors. Its absolutely vital and necessary to support Ukraine with the military equipment they need to defend themselves. And they have proven that they are able to do this, if they are well equipped, she said. Air raid sirens blared twice in Kyiv during von der Leyens meeting with Zelenskyy, a reminder that Russia has long-range weapons that can reach any location in Ukraine even though the capital has been spared attacks in recent weeks. Ukrainian officials said Russian missiles late Wednesday struck a reservoir dam near Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskyys birthplace and the largest city in central Ukraine. The strikes flooded over 100 homes. Russian military bloggers said the attack was intended to flood areas downstream where Ukrainian forces made inroads as part of their counteroffensive. The head of the local government on Thursday reported a new attack on the dam and said emergency crews were working to prevent more water from escaping. The first attack so close to his roots angered Zelenskyy, who said the strikes had no military value. In fact, hitting hundreds of thousands of ordinary civilians is another reason why Russia will lose, he said. ___ Hanna Arhirova in Kyiv and Joanna Koslowska in London contributed reporting. ___ Follow AP war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine The document specifies that the call comes within the framework of the Government's General Policy that the Executive Branch has been promoting and the need to strengthen dialogue with the Legislative Branch so as to craft a single national agenda "always thinking about our democracy, the constitutional rule of law, and a better future for all Peruvians." Cumpliendo con mi palabra, hago extensiva la invitacion para que gane el Peru. pic.twitter.com/x36BTKUxDb This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) The long reign of Queen Elizabeth II saw large swaths of the world cast off London's rule, but after her death a handful of British-installed monarchies still endure in the Middle East. They have survived decades of war and turmoil and are now seen as bastions of a certain kind of authoritarian stability. When popular uprisings erupted across the region a decade ago in what was known as the Arab Spring, sweeping away regimes with anti-colonial roots, hereditary rulers were largely unscathed. The days of imperial pomp and gunships may be over, but the regions emotional and financial ties to England run deep. Emirs, sultans and kings attend the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. Gulf Arab sovereign wealth has helped reshaped Londons skyline. As the son of a British mother, Jordans King Abdullah II also has familial and cultural ties to Britain. Jordans ruling Hashemites, who come from the Arabian Peninsula and claim descent from the Prophet Muhammad, launched the revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. They had hoped their wartime alliance with Britain would help secure an independent Arab state across much of the Middle East. It didnt work out that way. Britain and France carved up the Ottoman Empire after the war, breaking promises and drawing often arbitrary borders that virtually guaranteed decades of conflict in Iraq, Lebanon and Syria, as well as Israel and the Palestinian territories. There is no question that the two royal families have enjoyed very strong relations, former Jordanian foreign minister Marwan Muasher said of the the British royals and the Hashemites. But the relationship has been marred by major issues and turbulent times. Abdullah I, the current king's great grandfather, was given Jordan, a swath of desert mainly populated by nomadic Bedouin. His brother, Faisal, was placed on the throne of Iraq, another new country, assembled from three distinctive Ottoman provinces and loosely based on ancient Mesopotamia. The British helped establish both kingdoms in an English mold. Jordan got a British-style bureaucracy. In Iraq, a band played God save the King at Faisals coronation. Both were buffeted by the wave of Arab nationalism that erupted after World War II. Abdullah was assassinated by a Palestinian nationalist in Jerusalem in 1951, and Iraqs King Faisal II was deposed and killed in a bloody 1958 coup. Egyptian military officers deposed that countrys British-backed monarchy in 1952, and hereditary rulers were later overthrown in Libya and Yemen. All were eventually replaced by homegrown autocrats many aligned with the West. But not Jordan. King Abdullah II, a native English speaker who would fit in at a British army club, and his glamorous wife of Palestinian descent, Queen Rania, today rule an Arab country that has come to be seen as an island of stability in a volatile region. His father, King Hussein, quashed internal threats and survived dozens of plots to kill and overthrow him. His image as a friendly, Western-style monarch in a restive region compelled foreign patrons first Britain, then the United States to bankroll the kingdom. Its modern-day image of stability masks an economy dependent on foreign aid, a conservative culture and popular discontent that occasionally bubbles to the surface. King Abdullah II often flies to London to "seek advice from the British on this or that issue, said Labib Kamhawi, a Jordanian political analyst. When the kings half-sister, Princess Haya, sought legal protection from her ex-husband, the ruler of Dubai, she looked no further than the British capital. Jordans royal court declared a week of mourning after Queen Elizabeths death, hailing her as an iconic leader and a beacon of wisdom. The response from ordinary people in Jordan and across the region was more muted. Many trace the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to Britains 1917 Balfour declaration, in which it supported the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people. Daoud Kuttab, a prominent Palestinian journalist based in Jordan, said he would have expected Elizabeth's passing to create more debate among Jordanians. But she became queen in 1952. Its hard to blame her for the Balfour declaration, he said. Iraqis still bitterly recall the British invasion during World War II and many view the 1958 coup that deposed Faisal II with pride. But it ushered in decades of instability, culminating in Saddam Husseins brutal rule and wars with his neighbors. The U.S.-led invasion in 2003, in which Britain was a key participant, removed Saddam but plunged Iraq into chaos from which it has yet to fully emerge. Installing a monarchy that wasnt very popular and that was overthrown in 1958 was the ignition for the many problems that the modern Iraqi state has faced, said Lahib Higel, senior Iraq analyst for the International Crisis Group. Still, Iraqis of a certain age credit Britain with helping to establish education and health systems that were the envy of the region before Saddams catastrophic rule. Some Egyptians also look back fondly on their monarchy, whose demise was followed by decades of authoritarian rule and stagnation. Especially older Egyptians have this residual admiration for British culture and institutions, said Egyptian writer Khaled Diab. Further east, across the glittering cities of the Persian Gulf, British influence remains strong decades after independence. Starting in the 18th century, Gulf emirs came under the protection of the British Empire, which brokered truces between loosely organized tribes. The discovery of vast oil riches ensured the survival of hereditary rule even after the British withdrew in 1971. Heirs to the tribal leaders today boast second homes in Londons toniest districts and degrees from British universities. Bahrain was convulsed by a 2011 revolt supported by its Shiite majority against its Sunni monarchy, but there was hardly any sign of unrest in any other Gulf country. These Arab monarchies are modern-era creations and theyve had to create the monarchical myth in a relatively short space of time, said Christopher Davidson, a fellow at the European Center for International Affairs. "The British royal protocols continue to produce these states with a ready-made blueprint on how to behave and operate. After Elizabeths death, a video clip from 2015 went viral showing Ali Gomaa, the former grand mufti of Egypt, describing the British queen as a descendent of the Prophet Muhammad. Her blood line, he alleged, ran through medieval Muslim Spain. The claim, which has been made by others but never proven, drew mockery on social media. But some welcomed it as proof of enduring ties. Theres this desire to build bridges, said Diab, the Egyptian writer. Britain has this residual pull on the Arab imagination. ___ Associated Press writer Joseph Krauss in Ottawa, Ontario, contributed to this report. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) A police officer in South Carolina shot and killed a man who slammed his stolen car into the officer's door as he got out to try to arrest him after a nearly 30-minute chase, a sheriff said. The man killed was not armed, but York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson said he thinks Tuesday's shooting was justified because the driver used his vehicle as a weapon. He certainly was armed with a vehicle. When you take a 2,500-pound bullet and you ram a deputy who is standing at the apex of a door, this is the end result. Period, Tolson said at a news conference. Tyshawn Malik Benjamin, 25, of Wendell, North Carolina, died at the hospital, according to York County Coroner Sabrina Gast, who did not say how many times Benjamin was shot. York County Senior Deputy Korey Wedow fired three shots at Benjamin, according to dashboard camera video released by the sheriff's office. Wedow and a second deputy involved in the chase were not injured, Tolson said. The 24-minute, 15-mile (24 -kilometer) chase through rush hour traffic started in a parking lot in Fort Mill, when Charlotte, North Carolina, police told deputies a Hyundai stolen about three hours earlier was located, the sheriff said. Benjamin is seen weaving in and out of traffic, running red lights and sometimes driving on the shoulder and grass in about eight minutes of dashboard video released by the sheriff's office. Benjamin slowed to a stop twice before the shooting, including once in a restaurant parking lot when the two officers tried to box him in, Wedow got out of his SUV, pointed his gun at Benjamin but did not fire as the driver squeezed around the vehicles without hitting them, according to the video. Two minutes later, Benjamin turned into a drug store parking lot and the officers boxed him in again. As Wedow got out of his patrol SUV, Benjamin put his Hyundai briefly in reverse, then squealed his tires as he ran into the SUV door, according to the video. Wedow fired three shots, then called for an ambulance and broke the car's window with his baton to start first aid on Benjamin, the video showed. The State Law Enforcement Division is investigating the shooting. Wedow, who has been a deputy for four years, is on paid leave and will be put on administrative duty when he is ready to return, Tolson said. The sheriff said an internal review will take place too, but he initially thinks his deputies were justified chasing Benjamin for 25 minutes because they didn't know who he was or whether he might be running from a more violent crime, adding we are not going to not pursue dangerous individuals. The deputy did not make Mr. Benjamin's choices. Mr. Benjamin made those choices. Deputy Wedow was simply defending his life, the sheriff said. And at the end of the day Id rather see a deputy go home in the line of duty than the bad guy. The Starbucks brand Vanilla Espresso Triple Shot 15- ounce coffee drink was recently recalled due to possible contamination of foreign material. PepsiCo Inc. voluntarily issued the recall on the Starbucks beverage distributed to the U.S. states of Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Florida, Indiana, Arizona and Arkansas, according to the FDA adding that the cans are being pulled from shelves due to possible fragments of metal. USA Today first reported the recall stating that "although the recall began August 15, the news was made public by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on September 8, adding that the FDA didn't publish a complete release, but an enforcement report is live on its website." The recall is specific to 221 contaminated cases of the 15-ounce cans with a best buy date of March 20, 2023, a spokesperson from PepsiCo told USA Today in the report, adding that anyone with questions or concerns should contact PepsiCo Consumer Relations at 1-800-211-8307. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate STOCKHOLM (AP) The Sweden Democrats party was founded by neo-Nazis and skinheads in the 1980s. Today, the rebranded and reformed nationalist party stands on the edge of unprecedented influence. Following a weekend election held amid fears of rising crime, the anti-immigration party is the now second-most popular party in the Scandinavian country. The development is the latest global example of a political force once widely deemed socially unacceptable moving into the political mainstream. Vowing to put Sweden first and to make Sweden good again, the slogans of party leader Jimmie Akesson echo those that have resonated with ex-President Donald Trump's supporters in the United States. Its surge has energized right-wing forces in Europe as they eye further gains against the left. Let this be an omen and model for the rest of Europe," said a tweet from the European Conservatives and Reformists party, whose president is Giorgia Meloni, leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party. In 10 days, Italians will elect a new Parliament in balloting that, if opinion polls prove right, could see Meloni triumph as part of a center-right electoral alliance and even possibly become Italy's premier. Steve Bannon, Trump's longtime ally, also hailed the Sweden Democrats' surge on his War Room podcast, calling the shift to the right in traditionally progressive Sweden a political earthquake." He praised the Sweden Democrats because they want their borders, they want their sovereignty. Bannon described Sweden as a destroyed society a right-wing trope that exaggerates the scale of Sweden's challenges. Sweden is for the most part a prosperous and thriving European Union member, though many have been shaken by shootings and gang-related violence. Some, though not all, of the rising violence, has taken place in largely immigrant neighborhoods. The populist party's strong showing was confirmed Wednesday evening, three days after a vote so close that the final result had to wait for postal and other outstanding votes to be counted. With the tally clarified, the right-wing bloc of parties has 176 seats while Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson's center-left bloc has 173. On Thursday, Andersson submitted her resignation to the speaker of Parliament. Despite the Sweden Democrats' surge it won 20.5% of the vote, making it the largest right-of-center party the stigma which it cannot entirely shake means that it will not be the first party to be tapped to form the government. Ulf Kristersson, leader of the Moderates party, another member of the right-of-center bloc, is expected to be the first to get a chance to try to form a governing coalition. Many Swedes worry that the Sweden Democrats' history and hard-line stance on immigration threaten the democratic identity of a nation that is home to the Nobel Prizes and where generations of refugees have been welcomed, and thrived. Emily Jeremias, a 45-year-old musician, said that she was worried but not surprised about "a right-wing kind of extremist party ... gaining so much power. We see kind of a right-wing movement in the whole of Europe, so its not surprising thats happening here as well, she said. During her campaign, the outgoing prime minister depicted the Sweden Democrats as a possible threat to the country's pluralism and tolerance. And as Andersson acknowledged defeat, she said she personally had been subject to a hate campaign," and alleged that the party used organized trolls to target young activists. She and others on the left have also accused the Moderates of being complicit in normalizing the Sweden Democrats by being willing to work with them. The populist party's more acceptable image is the result of years of efforts by Akesson, its 43-year-old leader. He says the party's transformation from its early days is sincere and that it rejects fascism and Nazism. Under his leadership, the party long ago traded its torch symbol for a flower, aiming to underscore its reformation. Akesson's interest in politics started as a teenager when Sweden became a member of the EU in 1995. He opposed it at the time, but in another shift, the party today supports membership in the 27-member bloc. It also supports NATO membership, which Sweden applied for this year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Akesson's personal image is of someone smooth and well-groomed. He plays keyboard in a soft rock band, and in his speeches avoids inflammatory language, using humor and irony instead with his opponents. As part of its reckoning with the past, the party recently published a study into the roots of the Sweden Democrats. Swedish newspaper Expressen revealed the author was a party member. Nonetheless, the investigation confirmed that several of the partys founders in the 1980s had links to fascist and neo-Nazi movements. The party says immigration to Sweden in the past was mostly acceptable, but that it has become too much in recent years. In 2015 alone the country of 10 million took in a record 163,000 refugees the highest per capita of any European country. Party members say they welcome Ukrainian refugees, but that Sweden should not have to accept more from the Middle East or Africa. The party is vowing to limit asylum approval to a bare minimum and to deport any migrants or refugees who commit crimes. In its election program it alleged that there are cases of asylum-seekers who claim dishonestly to be persecuted because they are gay or rejected Islam, suggesting it would limit such claims. The Sweden Democrats say that Sweden has become a magnet for the worlds migrants and their aim is to restore Sweden to what it once was. While it is unclear whether the Sweden Democrats will join the eventual government not all the center-right parties in the bloc are ready to agree to that it is clear that any right-wing government would need their support in order to muster a majority in Parliament to pass legislation. The star is on the rise for Akesson and his party. ___ Olsen reported from Copenhagen, Denmark. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) Swedens Social Democratic Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson on Thursday handed in her resignation after a right-wing bloc that includes a nationalist, anti-immigration party won a narrow majority in Swedens parliament. Andersson met with Andreas Norlen, the speaker of Swedens 349-seat Riksdag, to formally inform him of her departure. Andersson will continue in a caretaking capacity until a new government is formed. He has accepted her resignation. Norlen said he would start talks with party leaders after the weekend. He is expected to ask the leader of the center-right Moderates, Ulf Kristersson, to try to form a governing coalition. Following Sunday's general elections, the right-wing bloc has 176 seats while the center-left bloc with the Social Democrats has 173. On Wednesday, once 99.9% of votes had been counted, Andersson conceded while populist Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Akesson declared victory for the four-party right-of-center bloc. The Sweden Democrats won more votes than the Moderates but are not considered likely to lead the next government. The party was founded in the 1980s by far-right extremists, and while it has moved to the mainstream in recent years it has not fully shaken off that stigma. Still, because it won more seats than any other party on the right, and is now the country's second largest party in parliament, it is expected to have significant leverage in any government. The Sweden Democrats stood on a platform of cracking down on crime and strictly limiting immigration. Sweden has in recent years seen an increase in gang violence and so far this year there have been 273 shootings, 47 of them fatal, according to police statistics. Those shootings also wounded 74 people, including innocent bystanders. After her 25-minute meeting with Norlen, Andersson said that if the Moderates should come up with other ideas and want to cooperate with me instead of the Sweden Democrats, then my door is open. She added that she is willing to work with all parties except the Sweden Democrats. Andersson, who heads the largest party, resigned less than a year after she became Swedens first female head of government. Her appointment as prime minister had marked a milestone for Sweden, viewed for decades as one of Europes most progressive countries when it comes to gender relations, but which had never previously had a woman in the top political post. Andersson led Swedens historic bid to join NATO following Russias invasion of Ukraine in February. The newly elected Riksdag is scheduled to gather for the first time on Sept. 26. GENEVA (AP) Swiss police are investigating a fake advertising campaign that appeared on social media and shows a poster urging people to snitch on their neighbors if they heat their homes too much this winter when an energy crunch is expected to hit Western Europe. The bogus ad, which appears to be in public such as on a bus stop shelter, offers 200 Swiss francs (about $200) for anonymous tips that point the finger at people who heat their homes more than 19 C (66 F) this winter. Pictures of the poster reportedly turned up on the Russian social media platform Telegram. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Thousands of nurses returned to work Thursday at Minnesota hospitals following a three-day strike over wage increases and staffing and retention made worse by the coronavirus pandemic. Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association at 15 hospitals in the Minneapolis and Duluth areas walked off the job Monday. Nurses could soon learn what impact the strike may have had on efforts to reach a new contract. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate ANN ARBOR A newly constructed University of Michigan facility that will be home to the most powerful laser in the United States is hosting its first experiment this week as the nation seeks to become competitive again in the realm of high-power laser facilities. The experiment will be conducted at ZEUS short for Zettawatt-Equivalent Ultrashort pulse laser System by researchers from the University of California, Irvine. They traveled to Ann Arbor as part of their study of extremely intense interactions of light and matter, and how such interactions can be harnessed to shrink particle accelerators. At the height of its power, ZEUS will be a 3-petawatt laser. Three petawatts is 3 with 15 zeroes after it, said Louise Willingale, an associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science at Michigan. And 3 petawatts is 3,000 times more powerful than the U.S. power grid, she said. Michigan was awarded $18.5 million by the National Science Foundation to establish ZEUS as a federally funded international user facility. Initially, the facility housed in a building that is home to U-Ms Gerard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science will host research teams conducting experiments that use a fraction of the lasers full power potential. The system gradually will ramp up, and ZEUS is expected to begin its signature experiments in the fall of 2023. The U.S. built the worlds first petawatt laser a quarter-century ago, but hasn't kept pace with more ambitious systems in Europe and Asia. While ZEUS doesnt feature the same raw power as its contemporaries overseas, its approach will simulate a laser that is roughly 1 million times more powerful than its 3 petawatts. ZEUS primarily will study extreme plasmas, a state of matter in which the electrons have enough energy to escape atoms, creating a sea of charged particles. Nearly all of the seen universe is made of plasma. The sun is an example of a plasma. Experiments are expected to contribute to the understanding of how the universe operates at the subatomic level and materials change on rapid timescales. Scientists also hope they lead to the development of smaller and more compact particle accelerators for medical imaging and treatment. ZEUS will have a huge range of applications across science, technology, engineering and medicine, Willingale said. Proposals to use ZEUS will be evaluated by an external panel comprised of scientists and engineers. Because of the NSF funding, there will be no cost to users whose experiment proposals are selected to conduct research, beyond providing their own travel costs to the facility. The proposals will be selected on scientific merit and technical feasibility, Willingale said. Franklin Dollar, an associate professor in Cal-Irvine's Department of Physics & Astronomy, and four UCI graduate students arrived at Michigan last week to begin preparing for their experiment. One of the major challenges in our field is access to high quality, intense laser light, Dollar said. ZEUS will not only be the most powerful laser beam on the continent, but perhaps more importantly will provide multiple powerful beams. Rather than solely making highly energetic plasmas from a laser, there is a second beam which can interact with the plasma as well, he said. ZEUS is an upgrade over the University of Michigan's 0.5-petawatt laser, known as HERCULES. While Michigan researchers are thrilled with the birth of ZEUS, they are cognizant of how their naming conventions aren't exactly in keeping with the chronology of Greek mythology. HERCULES was the predecessor to ZEUS, Willingale said. Its slightly backward, because Hercules was the son of Zeus. So, were building the father after the son. PORTLAND, Maine (AP) The U.S. Department of Agriculture is funding a major push to try to store more carbon in New England's forests. The agency said Wednesday that the New England Climate-Smart Forest Partnership Project will include large commercial producers as well as small woodlot owners with a goal of storing more carbon in forests. The project could receive as much as $30 million. BALDWIN Lake County Sheriff Rich Martin recently participated in the annual inspection of the VFW Peacock Post 5315 Auxiliary in Baldwin. Martin has been involved with the organization since 2016, currently serving as the senior vice president. Each year an inspection is on by the district president sure all guidelines and protocols are met, Martin said. This year, District 12 President Judy Schafer was in attendance to do the inspection. The VFW Auxiliary is an organization consisting of fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, grandfathers, grandmothers, grandsons and granddaughters of those persons, both male and female that have honorably served in the Armed forces of the United States. The Peacock Post 5315 which serves Lake County and the Baldwin area is one of the largest auxiliaries in the area, Martin said. Where all members volunteer daily, weekly and monthly in the name of Veterans to instill a sense of patriotism and pride within our individual communities, our members have direct family relationship to a Veteran and consistently reach out to assist with the needs of our active duty military personnel, Veterans, and their families, he said. The VFW Auxiliary provides fundraising events for the post as in picnics, dinners and other events. They also regularly contribute to various other non-profits, Camp Trotter and families of veterans. As Sheriff, I have been able to donate over $3000 to the VFW and VFW Auxiliary with various charitable campaigns through the Sheriff's Office, Martin said. Currently serving as local auxiliary president is Betty Coleman, with the prior presidents being Geraldine Sampsell and Joy Denney, he said. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, ARMENPERSS. The United States is deeply concerned about continued attacks along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said at a press briefing. We are deeply concerned about continued attacks along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. Weve seen continued attacks now for a second straight day. We are particularly disturbed by continued reports of civilians being harmed inside Armenia, Ned Price said. He reminded that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, shortly after hostilities, had an opportunity overnight to speak to the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan. He conveyed our deep concern over military actions along their shared border, including reports of shelling inside Armenia. He urged President Aliyev to cease hostilities immediately, to disengage military forces, to pull forces back from the border, and to cease hostilities that could endanger civilians, and to work to resolve all outstanding issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan through peaceful negotiations, he said. Weve made clear, in this context and before, to both leaders and at all levels that there can be no military solution to this dispute. And weve urged both sides to refrain from further military hostilities and to engage in dialogue and diplomacy. He said that US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassador Reeker is still in Baku, met with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev yesterday. Assistant Secretary Donfried of our Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs spoke earlier this afternoon with Foreign Minister Bayramov of Azerbaijan. And we remain committed to doing all we can to promote a peaceful and prosperous future for the South Caucasus, Ned Price stated. By Loan-Anh Pham San Jose Spotlight Transit workers are one step closer to mental health support, part of a statewide effort to address workplace violence. Gov. Gavin Newsom approved Senate Bill 1294, which strives to implement wellness centers for workers and their families across California's transit agencies, using San Jose's own VTA Resiliency Center as a model. The bill, authored by state Sen. Dave Cortese and Assemblymember Ash Kalra, is in direct response to the VTA mass shooting last year. The VTA Resiliency Center, also known as the 526 Resiliency Center to acknowledge the shooting that happened May 26, 2021, opened in the aftermath of the tragedy that claimed nine workers' lives and another life months later as a worker died by suicide after suffering from PTSD. The center started through a $20 million state fund, and offers mental health services, peer counseling and community spaces for VTA workers. The bill aims to highlight mental health as a long-term solution to addressing workplace safety, Cortese said. The goal is to expand mental health services in transit agencies and beyond. "This isn't just about VTA. This is about us starting to create the culture and the infrastructure in public agencies," Cortese told San Jose Spotlight. "There's a broader prize here at stake, which is a complete shift in culture as to how we approach workforce wellness in the state of California, how we approach intervention and prevention around mass shootings." A VTA spokesperson said the public transit agency appreciates Cortese's efforts to care for the employees affected by the shooting. "SB 1294 is another tool to share the knowledge our employees gained and resources we have depended on so that others can be supported in the future," the spokesperson said. The bill has the potential to save lives, said John Courtney, president of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265 which represents a majority of VTA union members. Better mental health support could have been part of the solution to prevent last year's mass shooting. "I'll be honest, I was overwhelmed emotionally," Courtney, who testified twice on behalf of the bill, told San Jose Spotlight. "This means so much to our members... This is the opportunity to provide help, to open the door for those who need mental health help." VTA workers have faced an uphill battle following the deadliest mass shooting in Bay Area history. While the VTA board of directors voted to provide $4.9 million in benefits for the victims' families, current employees report an ongoing toxic work culture. Meanwhile, VTA workers face regular abuse from riders, including spit, physical assault and sexual harassment. Mental health services should be a part of every discussion on workplace safety and protections, Courtney said. Services are critical not just for workers, but for families as well. "Prior to the incredible tragedy that we saw over here at VTA, there were no real mental health resources available for workers and their families," Courtney said. "Mental health issues were not something people wanted to speak about, and in fact, there was a stigma attached to admission or discussion even around mental health." Results from the VTA Resiliency Center show transit agencies should focus on community-based and long-term mental health resources, said Santa Clara County Assistant District Attorney James Gibbons-Shapiro. The center is run by the county's Victim Services Unit in the district attorney's office. "We've had hundreds of counseling sessions with individuals and groups, and we expect that to continue because we know that the suffering that happens in the aftermath of a mass shooting doesn't end the next day," Gibbons-Shapiro told San Jose Spotlight. "To really think about the effects on the broader community over the long term... that's something that we've really worked on." Mental health support in the workplace is critical as most individuals spend so much of their time at work, Cortese said. The next step is to collect data and create frameworks for future wellness centers. "If we're going to confront the mental health crisis in this country and in the state of California, we've got to confront it in our workplaces," Cortese told San Jose Spotlight. Copyright 2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area. Copyright 2022 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. When the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a New York state gun law earlier this year, Connecticut officials were quick to assure state residents of its limited scope. Its true that Connecticut has some of the tightest gun laws in the nation, but the specifics of the New York law, which had to do with carrying firearms outside the home, were not applicable here. What should have been clear, however, was that the High Courts actions would not be the end of the story. As with the Supreme Courts overturning of Roe v. Wade, which protected a federal right to abortion, advocates for change have no plans to stop. Even as Connecticut law protects a womans rights to bodily autonomy, a push is on for a national abortion ban. The fight will continue. So it is with gun laws. In three months, Connecticut will mark a decade since the worst crime in state history. The killings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown led to a wholesale change in state gun laws, with the banning of high-capacity magazines, institution of universal background checks and an end to sales of AR-15-style rifles of the type used in Sandy Hook. Since then, the Democratic-led General Assembly and a pair of Democratic governors have shown no interest in revisiting those laws. But challenges have arisen through the court system, and the increasingly conservative bent of the nations highest court shows this is not a threat to be taken lightly. Theres no telling where this could go, and just because Connecticut residents appear to support the laws does not mean they will necessarily stand. Opponents of Connecticut gun laws were embarrassed when it was revealed that their lead plaintiff, who was recruited by the out-of-state National Association for Gun Rights in order to have standing to sue, was not, as initially described, a gun owner, nor does she aspire to be. How this error was made is unclear, but the suit was refiled using a different state resident as a plaintiff. One of the original lawyers on the case has also dropped out. But it shouldnt be assumed that such a comedy of errors will have a lasting impact. The New York outcome shows that Connecticut will have to fight to protect its laws. To their credit, state leaders have promised to do just that. Led by Gov. Ned Lamont and Attorney General William Tong, Connecticut officials say they welcome the opportunity to defend the states strict gun laws, which they believe protect rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution will also promising a measure of safety to state residents. Its telling that people who spend so much time talking about states rights in other contexts have little to say here. A state like Connecticut wants to have strict gun laws, and is being challenged in court on that issue. It would seem a good opportunity for those who favor states rights over the federal government to take a stand on Connecticuts side. That has yet to transpire. So it will be up to Connecticut. Our case is strong, and the benefits to the public are clear. This is a fight we should welcome. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate An Emerson College Polling survey released Wednesday showed U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal with a 13 percentage point lead over Leora Levy, the winner of a Republican primary in August after her endorsement by Donald J. Trump. The survey of 1,000 likely voters conducted from Sept. 7 to 9 for WTNH and The Hill found Blumenthal, a two-term Democrat, leading Levy 49% to 36%, with 10.5% undecided and 5% preferring someone else. With Levy unknown to many voters and Blumenthal a household name, there is both potential for the Republican to make gains and for the Democrat to define her to the electorate as a Trump loyalist, a liability in blue Connecticut. The candidates offer voters stark choices on abortion, gun control and funding for climate change. Blumenthal is a long-time supporter of reproductive rights, while Levy is a late-in-life convert to the anti-abortion movement. So far, Blumenthals campaign is far better financed, and a super PAC organized to support Levy with attacks on the senator has yet to show signs of attracting national Republican donors as the GOP struggles to recapture the divided Senate. The 76-year-old Blumenthal has the advantage of 99.8% name recognition after 32 years in statewide office a dozen in the U.S. Senate and two decades as a state attorney general who fashioned himself as a media-savvy consumer advocate. Fifteen percent of those polled had never heard of Levy, 65, a Republican National Committee member and GOP fundraiser on the ballot for the first time, and another 19% were unsure when asked if they had a favorable or unfavorable opinion. Overall, Blumenthals favorable/unfavorable split was 53% to 43%, compared to 38% to 29% for Levy. Only 5% were unsure of their opinion of the senator. But among those most passionate labeled as very favorable or very unfavorable voters had mixed opinions of both candidates. Blumenthals advantage among those voters was just 36% to 34%. Levy had strong favorable marks from only 19%, while 22% were strongly unfavorable. Levy is trying to become the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from Connecticut, but Blumenthal has a 29-point lead among women. While the candidates are split on abortion, only 7% of both male and female respondents identified the issue as most important in determining their vote. The economy was named most important by 40%, followed by 15% concerned by threats to democracy. Emersons previous poll for WTNH was conducted after Themis Klarides won the endorsement of the GOP convention in May and faced a primary with Levy and Peter Lumaj. It showed Blumenthal with a 10-point lead over Klarides and a 16-point cushion over Levy. Blumenthal won by 55% to 43% in his first race for the Senate, defeating Republican Linda McMahon, who spent a record $50 million on her campaign. He was reelected in 2016 with a 63% to 35% win over a poorly financed Dan Carter. Emerson collects its data using automated questions to likely voters on landlines and cell phones, plus an online panel. The margin of error in the Emerson survey is plus or minus 3 percentage points. Emerson gets an accuracy grade of A- from the political data site, FiveThirtyEight.com. The grades are based on how closely polls conducted within 21 days of an election came to the actual results. In 2018, Emerson was off by just two-tenths of a point in calling the 20-point victory margin of U.S. Sen. Chris Murphys reelection to his second term. The Senate will take up one of two nominations to fill vacancies of Connecticut judges on the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals this week as Democrats race to confirm more of President Joe Bidens nominees before the November elections or at least by the end of the year. Sarah Merriam was nominated by Biden last year to serve as a federal district court judge in Connecticut but was quickly elevated earlier this year when he tapped her to fill the seat of retiring U.S. Circuit Judge Susan Carney. A procedural vote is scheduled for Wednesday, followed by an eventual vote on confirmation to the 2nd Circuit. But Merriam is not the only vacancy in Connecticut that Democrats are hoping to tackle over the next few months. In late July, Biden also nominated Maria Araujo Kahn, who serves as an associate justice on the Connecticut Supreme Court, for another spot on the 2nd Circuit Court. There are also vacancies for another federal court in the state. If Merriam secures confirmation, that will open up her seat on the U.S. District Court for Connecticut. And on that same court, Chief Judge Stefan Underhill recently said he will take senior status in November, which will give Biden another opportunity to make an appointment, according to Law360. Since returning to Washington from recess last week, Senate Democrats are specifically prioritizing Circuit Court nominations with the Nov. 8 midterm elections quickly approaching and the possibility of losing their majority in the upper chamber. The Senate is only in session for several more weeks between now and the election, and while judicial nominations are a top concern for the party, Congress still needs to deal with government funding, since it runs out by Sept. 30. If they are unable to process enough nominations by then, Democrats say they still have some time in the lame duck session before the end of the year and when Congress swears in a new session. But if Democrats ultimately hold the Senate after the midterms, they will be afforded much more time to fill vacancies on the federal judiciary during the last two years of Bidens term. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., acknowledged that getting through all of the nominations, including the ones for Connecticut, will be a challenge, but he is hopeful his party can get through many of them by years end. I think its smart to have the circuit courts be the priority. I hope that well stay here for as long as it takes to get the circuit courts done, Murphy said in an interview. Obviously, members want to be back home campaigning then youre on top of the holidays. But I think theres a lot of good will in our caucus to stay here some long hours through the end of the year to get nominations done. The 2nd Circuit Court is based in New York City and has jurisdiction over Connecticut, New York and Vermont. Three of the 13 lifetime appointments go to a nominee from Connecticut. Biden has the chance to fill two of those Connecticut seats, while former President Donald Trump appointed William Nardini, whos sat on the bench since 2019. On Monday evening, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., filed cloture on Merriams nomination, which prompted a procedural vote to limit debate on Wednesday. If she gets support from a simple majority, the Senate will then move to the final confirmation vote, though an exact date is uncertain. Merriam has a history of winning bipartisan support in a narrowly divided Senate. When she was nominated to the U.S. District Court last year, she was confirmed in a 54-46 vote. Four Republican senators joined all Democrats in supporting her confirmation, though it is not guaranteed she will get similar support this time around for a 2nd Circuit Court seat. Biden has sought to expand diversity in the federal judiciary when it comes to not only gender and race but also in professional background, which includes nominating more people with backgrounds as public defenders. Merriam is a former federal public defender and previously helped manage the campaigns of Democratic senators in Connecticut, including Murphy. She will be the sixth Circuit Court judge this chamber has considered since the beginning of this work period, Schumer said in a Tuesday floor speech. I made clear confirming more of President Bidens judicial nominees would be a top priority for Senate Democrats, and were making good on our promise by voting on six Circuit Court judges in the first two weeks of this work period alone. As of Monday, the Senate has confirmed 80 federal judges nominated by Biden: one Supreme Court justice, 21 for circuit court seats and 58 district court appointments. Biden and the Democratic-controlled Senate have made confirming judges a priority. He has appointed more federal judges at this point in his presidency than any president since John F. Kennedy, according to Pew Research Center. While the Senate is making progress on Merriams nomination, it is unclear when the chamber will take further steps on Kahn, who was nominated several months after Merriam. Kahn, who would replace retiring Judge Jose Cabranes if she is confirmed, is a former federal prosecutor and public defender and has served as a judge on two other state courts. She was born in Angola to Portuguese parents and emigrated from Africa to the U.S. as a child. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said hes pushing to get Kahns appointment on the docket before the November election. Blumenthal sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which processes judicial nominations. A hearing before the committee about Kahns nomination has yet to be scheduled. Theres been no scheduling for her, but Im very hopeful we will reach her, Blumenthal said in an interview. Potentially, the lame duck could consider a number of these nominees. I think its perfectly appropriate to move forward in the lame duck. Senate Democrats have already made some substantial progress to install new federal judges in Connecticut. Last year, the Senate confirmed three nominations to the U.S. District Court in Connecticut, which included Merriam. The other judges who were confirmed included Omar Antonio Williams and Sarala Vidya Nagala, who became the first federal judge from Connecticut of South Asian descent. Democrats only need a simple majority to confirm any judicial nominees. But confirmation isnt guaranteed especially with a divided 50-50 Senate where absences of senators or even a small lack of support can doom a vote. That scenario happened Tuesday, when Democrats failed to reach a majority on the confirmation vote for Arianna Freeman to the 3rd Circuit, though they plan to take another vote in the future. Like Merriam, Freeman is also a former public defender and would become the first Black woman on the appellate court in Pennsylvania. WFO MIDLAND/ODESSA Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Wednesday, September 14, 2022 _____ FLASH FLOOD WARNING The National Weather Service in Midland/Odessa has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... Northeastern Ector County in western Texas... Northwestern Midland County in western Texas... * Until 845 PM CDT. * At 649 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.5 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Radar. IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Midland, Odessa, Midland International Air and Space Port, Midland Airpark and Odessa Schlemeyer Field. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads. ...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Bailey and west central Lamb Counties through 715 PM CDT... At 649 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Muleshoe Wildlife Refuge, or 13 miles north of Morton, moving northeast at 15 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and penny size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Locations impacted include... Needmore, Enochs, Muleshoe Wildlife Refuge and Bula. If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. LAT...LON 3414 10272 3396 10250 3384 10270 3383 10281 3394 10291 TIME...MOT...LOC 2349Z 225DEG 14KT 3392 10277 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather WFO MIDLAND/ODESSA Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Wednesday, September 14, 2022 _____ FLASH FLOOD WARNING The National Weather Service in Midland/Odessa has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... Central Brewster County in southwestern Texas... * Until 930 PM CDT. * At 725 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2.5 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Radar. IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... mainly rural areas of Central Brewster County PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads. _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather HCMC needs to attract experts, scientists, and people with special talents to work in the public sector. (Photo: SGGP) Only five experts were attracted in three years In the Saigon High-Tech Park (SHTP), Dr. Hoang The Ban has been working as a consultant on the construction and development of the Center for Training and Technology Transfer since 2016. Having worked in Japan for 23 years and then returned to Vietnam, he called for Japanese ODA and supported experts in training the employees and engineers of the SHTP. His activities are highly appreciated by the Management Board of the SHTP and enterprises. Dr. Hoang The Ban was the only one who persisted in staying at work when Ho Chi Minh City changed its policy on expert attraction. In 2016, he returned to work at the SHTP under the policy in Decision No.5715/2014, piloting some policies to attract experts to work in four units in the city. With this policy, HCMC attracted 19 experts. However, when the program was officially deployed widely, following Decision No.31/2018 of the People's Committee of HCMC, experts left one by one. By September 2019, the People's Committee of HCMC issued Decision No.17/2019 on the policy of attracting and developing a team of experts, scientists, and people with special talents for fields that the city needs in the 2019-2022 period. Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of HCMC Nguyen Thi Kim Hue said that HCMC made two rounds of expert attraction in 2020 and 2022. In 2020, HCMC was expected to attract 14 experts for five positions. The advisory council received 14 applications, but through the evaluation steps, only five people remained, including Dr. Hoang The Ban. In March 2022, the municipal People's Committee issued a plan to attract five experts for 2022, but only two applications were sent to the advisory council. On September 8, the People's Committee of HCMC continued to have a plan to attract eight experts for the Management Board of the HCMC High-Tech Agricultural Park. Mr. Pham Dinh Dung, Head of the Management Board of the HCMC High-Tech Agricultural Park, said that these experts were expected to work for the unit for six months, with the tasks of selecting, creating, and producing aquatic species, and aquatic pathology; selecting and breeding of plant varieties; consulting and orienting on technology for production of microbial products applied in agriculture. These are all essential jobs for the development orientation of the HCMC High-tech Agricultural Park in the coming time. It is unknown if it can attract any experts. However, Mr. Dung said that to get this decision, the board had to spend nearly three years proposing positions for attraction. The problem of the remuneration policy Dr. Hoang The Ban works at the SHTP with a salary and allowances of about VND20 million per month - an income level considered too low for an expert. With the current regulations, besides the initial support of VND100 million, a professor and an associate professor will receive a salary coefficient of 9.4, or about VND14 million per month, and the remaining positions will enjoy a coefficient of 8.8, or about VND13 million per month. Compared to the general salary level of civil servants, it is high. However, for an expert, especially a leading expert, this salary level is not appropriate. Having worked for more than 20 years at a research institute under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Mr. Le Van Cua, Deputy Head of the Management Board of the HCMC High-Tech Agricultural Park, said that sometimes, salary is not the only factor that decides the attraction of experts. The Research Institute of the MARD used to have experts from New Zealand, the US, Japan, and India working together, and each expert had a different requirement. Some people wanted to bring their families to live with them because they loved the living environment in Vietnam, whereas others only asked for a housemaid. Since then, Mr. Cua advised that it is essential to discuss with each expert to understand their needs and come up with appropriate policies. An expert works in the SHTP. (Photo: SGGP) Explaining somewhat about the regression in the remuneration policy, the leader of the HCMC Department of Home Affairs said that the current prescribed income level is based on the general regulatory framework for senior experts. However, Decision No.17/2019 stipulates a 1-percent bonus for research works of experts and scientists, up to a maximum of VND1 billion. "This is to encourage experts and scientists to have specific product works," said the leader of the HCMC Department of Home Affairs. However, in the case of Dr. Hoang The Ban, it is extremely difficult for him to receive this bonus because he is in charge of training and recruiting according to the needs of businesses, not conducting a research project using the State budget as specified. Resolving the problem thoroughly Decision No.17/2019 is built based on Resolution No.54/2017 of the National Assembly on specific mechanisms and policies for the development of HCMC and Resolution No.20/2018 of the People's Council of HCMC. HCMC is reviewing the implementation of Resolution No.54 and proposing a new policy mechanism to develop the city commensurately. Assoc. Prof-Dr. Nguyen Phuong Thao, Director of the Center for Infectious Diseases Research under the Vietnam National University HCMC, analyzed that, for a talented person, who is successful and has a high position in their field, especially for experts from abroad, the ceiling salary of VND120-150 million per month is not high. However, that is not all. Other factors, such as working environment and management mechanism, are also important for young researchers, including established ones, to want to devote to the country. Besides, there should be a system to evaluate the working ability and efficiency to motivate not only experts but also employees, in general. Assoc. Prof.-Dr. Vu Hai Quan, Member of the Party Central Committee cum Director of the Vietnam National University HCMC, also said that the results of the mechanisms and policies to attract talents in HCMC have not been as expected, especially in the fields of health, education, and science and technology. During the past three years, HCMC has not been able to recruit any experts. Recently, there has been a situation where some good health professionals have moved to the private sector. He also cited Singapore's experience and effective way of attracting talents. Specifically, Singapore attracts and provides scholarships for excellent Vietnamese students to study in Singapore, and when they graduate, they are obliged to work for Singapore. As an insider, Dr. Hoang The Ban added that what frustrates experts, besides the income factor, is the attraction process. For the old regulations, it only took him a few months to complete the procedure, but it takes several years under the current process. It is also considered unreasonable to ask experts to come for an interview and prove their abilities. Even the Department of Science and Technology of HCMC complained about the 7-step process, in which the advisory council has to appraise applications twice. It takes up to three months at the least, not taking into account procedures, such as contract signing, which takes a lot of time. The expert attraction has become a lesson for the miraculous development of China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore over the past decades. What can Vietnam in general and HCMC learn to achieve similar development? That is the problem that needs to be solved to develop as expected. The Center for Biotechnology is one of four pilot units to attract experts under Decision No.5715/2014. At that time, the center attracted four experts to work, including American, British, Canadian, and Australian experts. These experts supported the center to deploy the construction of the Nanotechnology Laboratory and implement some research projects in the fields of Nanotechnology and research on cancer which were new to HCMC at that time. When Decision No.31/2018 replaced the previous decision, experts said that the policy was no longer appropriate, so they left the center one after another. It is unreasonable to pay salaries for senior experts at a coefficient of 9.4 and 8.8. Previously, thanks to the maximum remuneration of VND150 million per month, the center could sign contracts with experts. In 2020, the center registered to recruit four more experts, but there were no applications, said the leader of the Center for Biotechnology.Explaining somewhat about the regression in the remuneration policy, the leader of the HCMC Department of Home Affairs said that the current prescribed income level is based on the general regulatory framework for senior experts. However, Decision No.17/2019 stipulates a 1-percent bonus for research works of experts and scientists, up to a maximum of VND1 billion. "This is to encourage experts and scientists to have specific product works," said the leader of the HCMC Department of Home Affairs.However, in the case of Dr. Hoang The Ban, it is extremely difficult for him to receive this bonus because he is in charge of training and recruiting according to the needs of businesses, not conducting a research project using the State budget as specified.Decision No.17/2019 is built based on Resolution No.54/2017 of the National Assembly on specific mechanisms and policies for the development of HCMC and Resolution No.20/2018 of the People's Council of HCMC. HCMC is reviewing the implementation of Resolution No.54 and proposing a new policy mechanism to develop the city commensurately.Assoc. Prof-Dr. Nguyen Phuong Thao, Director of the Center for Infectious Diseases Research under the Vietnam National University HCMC, analyzed that, for a talented person, who is successful and has a high position in their field, especially for experts from abroad, the ceiling salary of VND120-150 million per month is not high. However, that is not all. Other factors, such as working environment and management mechanism, are also important for young researchers, including established ones, to want to devote to the country. Besides, there should be a system to evaluate the working ability and efficiency to motivate not only experts but also employees, in general.Assoc. Prof.-Dr. Vu Hai Quan, Member of the Party Central Committee cum Director of the Vietnam National University HCMC, also said that the results of the mechanisms and policies to attract talents in HCMC have not been as expected, especially in the fields of health, education, and science and technology. During the past three years, HCMC has not been able to recruit any experts. Recently, there has been a situation where some good health professionals have moved to the private sector. He also cited Singapore's experience and effective way of attracting talents. Specifically, Singapore attracts and provides scholarships for excellent Vietnamese students to study in Singapore, and when they graduate, they are obliged to work for Singapore.As an insider, Dr. Hoang The Ban added that what frustrates experts, besides the income factor, is the attraction process. For the old regulations, it only took him a few months to complete the procedure, but it takes several years under the current process. It is also considered unreasonable to ask experts to come for an interview and prove their abilities. Even the Department of Science and Technology of HCMC complained about the 7-step process, in which the advisory council has to appraise applications twice. It takes up to three months at the least, not taking into account procedures, such as contract signing, which takes a lot of time.The expert attraction has become a lesson for the miraculous development of China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore over the past decades. What can Vietnam in general and HCMC learn to achieve similar development? That is the problem that needs to be solved to develop as expected. By Khanh Chau Translated by Thanh Nha YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, ARMENPERSS. Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Alen Simonyan received today Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg Alexander Belsky and his delegation, the Parliaments press service said. During the meeting details relating to the latest Azerbaijani attack on Armenia, including the ceasefire violations, the shelling of Armenian positions, the losses, were discussed. The sides also discussed the agreement on the ceasefire, expressing hope that it will be lasting. The military-political leadership of Azerbaijan is trying to achieve its maximalist goals by force and ignores the efforts of the Armenian side aimed at establishing peace in the region, the Speaker said, reminding that the Armenian authorities have applied to the international community presenting the current situation. Alen Simonyan also called on international partners and allies to give a clear and addressed response to the Azerbaijani actions and take effective steps to support the efforts of Armenia aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future. Issues relating to the Armenian-Russian parliamentary partnership were also discussed during the meeting. Alexander Belsky presented the agenda of the meetings to be held during their visit in Armenia, stating that the Yerevan City Council and the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg have signed a Memorandum of Understanding which will enable to outline new vectors of productive and constructive mutual partnership. Page Content The California Legislature recently passed a bill that would guarantee up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a designated person with a serious illness. Legislators sent it to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto it. By amending the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), the bill would expand the definition of who an employee could take leave to care for. The bill defines "designated person" as "any individual related by blood or whose association with the employee is the equivalent of a family relationship." Employers can limit employees to one designated person per 12-month period. The bill is "perhaps reflective of a concern that the statutory focus upon nuclear family relationships for leave purposes ignores modern realities and so-called chosen families," said Michael Kalt, an attorney with Wilson Turner Kosmo in San Diego. "My guess is that [the bill] will be signed into law," said Michael Nader, an attorney with Ogletree Deakins in Sacramento, Calif. Original Statute The CFRA originally passed in 1993 and has seen several expansions since then. It now covers private employers with five or more employees. It applies to employees with more than 12 months of service with the employer, as well as at least 1,250 hours of service with the employer during the 12-month period before the leave starts. It's job-protected leave, which means after the leave ends, the employer must reinstate the employee to the same job or a job that's comparable in duties, location, seniority, pay and benefits. The CFRA guarantees unpaid leave for the following reasons: Birth of a child, including the child of the employee's domestic partner. Placement of a child for adoption or foster care. Caring for a child, parent, parent-in-law, spouse, registered domestic partner, sibling, grandparent or grandchild with a serious health condition. The employee's serious health condition, excluding pregnancy. A qualifying military exigency related to the call to active duty of an employee's spouse, domestic partner, child or parent in the U.S. Armed Forces. It would be unlawful for an employer to fire, fine, suspend, discriminate against or refuse to hire someone because they exercised their right to take family leave. Employers can require employees to submit certification from a health care provider verifying the serious health condition of the individual requiring care. Employers must continue workers' health insurance while they are on leave but do not have to make pension or retirement plan payments for employees during leave periods. When the need for leave is foreseeable, employees must provide their employer with reasonable advance notice of the need for the leave. Using standard documents for leave requests can help employers keep track of the leave and ensure that they are complying with the law. "Consider creating and implementing forms to satisfy documentation requirements under the CFRA, such as for employees to request family medical leave," recommended Jessica Mead, an attorney with Collins + Collins in South Pasadena, Calif. "Supervisors and human resources staff should be trained on CFRA requirements, including documentation and timing requirements." If the bill becomes law, "California employers will need to develop new procedures to manage the risks related to leave requests from designated persons," including "increased risks of retaliation and wrongful termination claims," Nader said. Leave Benefits In recent years, some states and cities have gone beyond what's mandated in the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. Eleven statesCalifornia, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washingtonand the District of Columbia require employers to offer paid family and medical leave, funded through employee-paid payroll taxes, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. At least 85 percent of U.S. employers offer up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for immediate family, while 35 percent offer up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for an extended family member, according to the Society for Human Resource Management's 2022 Benefits Survey. Thirty-one percent of employers provide paid leave to care for immediate family, while 17 percent provide paid leave to care for an extended family member. Immigrants have for long contributed to innovation and economic growth in the U.S. and recently, many Indian entrepreneurs have made substantial impact in the U.S.The Bose Corporation, established by my father, Dr. Amar G. Bose, in 1964 was one of the first early ventures by an U.S. born Indian immigrant. I have been fortunate to have my father as a mentor and advisor, and learn from his decades of experience in building and running his company.One important value I learnt from my father, which has served me well in business, is patience. Many of the great companies of today (Intel, HP, Microsoft) took several years to obtain a foothold and position themselves for long-term growth. However, in the recent dot-com boom, many companies lost sight of having patience and three years became a long time horizon for building a company. Many of those companies no longer exist.Along with patience, my father taught me to keep perspective, have a longer-term view and to have faith in a value system, in particular to focus on long-term returns. Focus on the longer-term view requires a constant vigil on the business and balancing revenues with growth. For a small company, this is particularly difficult. At Vanu, we strive to maintain a focus on the bigger picture over a period of time, balanced with the need for short-term revenues to put the company on firm footing for sustainable long-term growth. I firmly believe that this is a discipline, which will serve my company well in the later years.My father successfully built the Bose Corporation over the years by establishing a reputation for the highest quality products and by maintaining substantial investment in R&D. The Bose Corporation has a more serious commitment to long term R&D than any company I have ever known.By way of example, their recently announced automobile suspension system is the result of an on-going 24-year research project. In fact, I remember seeing the first diagrams and equations on pads of paper on our kitchen table in 1981.The Bose Corporation has grown to $1.7 billion in sales today. This phenomenal success required a steadfast commitment to new technology development in the face of economic cycles, technology fads and market swings. Having seen the Bose Corporation when it was smaller than my company has provided a valuable perspective on growth and time. While funding R&D in an early stage company is difficult, we do maintain a small research effort.As a friend at a well-funded startup once told me, Companies will find ways to spend money if it is around. Making profit is a habit that some companies develop and others never do.On a more tactical level, my father explained to me how essential it is to have an excellent assistant and to learn to delegate responsibilities in order to enable me to accomplish more. He pointed out that some employees in his own company had not learned to delegate enough responsibility to their assistants, and how it limited what they were able to accomplish.These lessons, on both strategic and tactical level, have been extremely valuable to me as an entrepreneur building a company, and probably far more practical and valuable education than I would have received in business school. Agora, Inc., a pioneer and leading platform for real-time engagement APIs, today announced the appointment of Mr. Sheng (Shawn) Zhong as its Chief Technology Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Zhong has served as Agoras Chief Scientist since January 2018 and with his additional role as Chief Technology Officer, Mr. Zhong will be responsible for managing Agoras global research and development organisation and strengthening Agoras technology leadership. Before joining Agora, Mr. Zhong served as the chief executive officer of Hisense Microchip Company and had held several senior technical roles at Broadcom Inc. and LSI Corporation. Since joining Agora as Chief Scientist more than four years ago, Shawn has played a critical role in driving our technology innovation and advancement. The breadth and depth of Shawns expertise in our industry, coupled with his proven track record in managing complex research and development projects, will further strengthen our global leadership in providing best-in-class real-time engagement APIs, Mr. Tony Zhao, founder, chairman and CEO of Agora, commented. On behalf of our board and the management team, we are delighted to have Shawn take on additional responsibilities as our Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Zhong previously served as the chief executive officer of Hisense Microchip Company from January 2015 to December 2017, and as its chief technology officer from July 2012 to January 2015. Mr. Zhong was vice president of technology at Huaya Microelectronics (which was acquired by Hisense) from August 2009 to July 2012, and before Huaya, Mr. Zhong had previously held several technical roles at Broadcom Inc. from 1999 to 2009, where he designed algorithms and architectures for many generations of Broadcom chips for advanced video processing. Prior to Broadcom, he was a senior design engineer at LSI Corporation from 1997 to 1999 where he was responsible for developing digital video processing algorithms. Mr. Zhong holds more than 100 technology patents, of which more than 60 technology patents are in the United States. He was a key member of International Organisation for Standardization (ISO)s MPEG/JVT team, INCITS and IEEE, and has published more than 30 papers in the field of video processing and computer vision. Mr. Zhong received a bachelors degree in mathematics and PhD in applied mathematics from Peking University and was a post-doctorate research associate at the University of Maryland, College Park from 1996 to 1997. India celebrates Engineer's Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of the most excellent Indian Engineer, Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, on September 15 every year. The day commemorates the great work of engineers and encourages them to improve and innovate. In 1968, the Indian government declared Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya's birth anniversary as Engineers' Day. The day is to honor and acknowledges all engineers who have contributed and still do so to build a modern and developed India. This year marks the 160th birth anniversary of M Visvesvaraya, born on September 15, 1861, in the Muddenahalli village of Karnataka. He completed his school education in his hometown and later studied Bachelor of Arts (BA) at the University of Madras. However, he changed his career path after graduating and pursued civil engineering at the College of Science in Pune. Sir M Visvesvaraya contributed significantly to the field of engineering and education. He is one of the greatest nation-builders who played a crucial role in constructing dams, reservoirs, and hydro-power projects in modern India. He designed and developed automatic floodgates installed at the Khadakwasla reservoir in Pune. After some time, these floodgates were installed at the Mysurus Krishnaraja Sagara and the Gwaliors Tigra Dam, where he worked as a chief engineer. He patented and installed an irrigation system with water floodgates at the Khadakvasla reservoir near Pune to raise the food supply level and storage to the highest levels, known as the block system in 1903. For his contribution to the building of India, the government awarded him with Indias highest honor Bharat Ratna in 1955. Apart from his engineering accolades, he played an instrumental role in imparting awareness about the engineering discipline. He also played an essential role in the foundation of the Government Engineering College in Bangalore in 1917. The college was later renamed after him the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE). Sir MV was not just a great civil engineer but also served as the 19th Diwan of Mysore from 1912 to 1919. While serving as the Diwan of Mysore in 1915, he was awarded Knight as a commander of the British Indian Empire by King George V. Visvesvaraya started his career as an assistant engineer in the Public Works Department of the Government of Bombay and made significant contributions to many technical projects in Mysore, Hyderabad, Odisha, and Maharashtra. He brought considerable reforms in banking, education, commerce, agriculture, irrigation, and industrialization and was a well-known precursor of economic planning in India. In 2018, Google launched a Doodle on his birthday to celebrate his genius works. His endeavors led to the Tata Steel engineers inventing an armored vehicle that was used in WWII and could withstand bullets. Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya passed away in 1962, but his achievements and contributions will be celebrated on the day. The nation dedicates Engineers Day to all the brilliant engineers in India and the globe. On this Day, the nation remembers the gem of India and a great engineer, Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya. Sir Visvesvaraya dedicated himself to the nations growth, which is why the nation remembers this great Indian national hero on this Day. Significant contributions of Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya: His notable contributions include the block system of irrigation in the Deccan canals in 1899 and the flood protection system in Hyderabad. The automatic water floodgates, initially installed at the Khadakwasla reservoir in Pune in 1903, were later patented, and the government of India also graced him with 'Bharat Ratna' for his work. He also established the Government Engineering College in Bengaluru in 1917, later renamed the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering. An architect of Krishnaraja Sagar Dam, he also served as one of the chief engineers of the flood protection system in Hyderabad. He was known for his excellent irrigation techniques and flood disaster management skills and also authored various books, such as 'Reconstructing India' and 'Planned Economy of India.' Engineers Day: Industry leaders talk about the innovation brought by engineers Jhilmil Kochar, Managing Director, CrowdStrike India When I started my career journey, there were a limited number of women taking up STEM/ Engineering. I had to persuade my parents to let me pursue a career in STEM. However, it is extremely encouraging to note that the situation has vastly improved now from what it was a few years ago. With technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing etc. booming in India, it presents a plethora of opportunities for anyone and everyone to take up a career in engineering. When considering a career in technology, aspiring engineering graduates need both technical and soft skills. These include programming languages, technical writing, quality assurance, software skills, problem solving, decision making, passion for making a difference and a strong business and commercial acumen. They also need to be resilient and learn from prior experience, while embracing innovation, adapting and overcoming any challenges; they shouldnt stop experimenting new methods due to fear of failure. The cybersecurity industry requires engineers equipped with proper knowledge to detect and address new threats, risks and vulnerabilities emerging every day. They need to drive the growth and match the current and future requirements, something that can only be achieved through sourcing the candidates with the right skills and passion. At CrowdStrike, while hiring engineers/IT professionals, we look for several technical skills. Firstly, endpoint development capabilities where candidates can work on core application development for the CS end-point agent. Having a deep expertise in Kernel for Windows, Mac, and Linux kind of systems is an added advantage. Secondly, we look for cloud experience. We have a scalable cloud and engineers need to develop cloud microservices and infra, hence we look for the capabilities in that area. Thirdly, we look for Python developers for automation, content management systems, tooling etc. Lastly, we are always looking for threat and vulnerability researchers. Additionally, we look for UX designers, UI developers, technical writers, content engineers and product managers. As India embarks on its Techade journey, the government aims to build capabilities in quantum and high performance computing with the help from industry leaders like IBM, Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Wednesday. Addressing the IBM's flagship 'Think' conference virtually, he said that quantum technology is a very important piece of India's tech journey. "Quantum is, notwithstanding the usual marketing hype that always accompanies new emerging technologies, clearly a technology that cannot be ignored. India intends to build capabilities in quantum and high performance computing to address challenges of the future," the minister told the gathering. Chandrasekhar, along with Sandip Patel, Managing Director, IBM India and Tom Rosamilia, Senior Vice President, IBM Software, also unveiled a white paper on quantum technology. The minister said that India, in the coming years, must move from being a consumer of technologies to being an architect and a producer of technologies and innovation. Chandrasekhar last year launched QSim - Quantum Computer Simulator Toolkit - to enable researchers and students to carry out research in quantum computing. The project is being executed collaboratively by IISc Bangalore, IIT Roorkee and C-DAC with the support of MeitY. Earlier this week, IIT-Madras became the first Indian institution to join IBM's quantum network to advance quantum computing skills development and research in the country, the tech major announced on Monday. IIT Madras' Centre for Quantum Information, Communication and Computing (CQuICC) will focus on advancing core algorithms in research areas like quantum machine learning, quantum optimisation and applications research in finance. In the business world, there are many who have made it big, starting from the scratch. Gautam Adani Founder & Chairman of Adani Group is one amongst such entrepreneurs, who refused to settle for anything less. Today, he stands as one of the prime business tycoons of the country, with his net worth approximating to $10.9 billion. Gautam was born into a Jain family in Gujarat. His father, a textile merchant, with great difficulty managed to meet his eight childrens needs. Gautam, after completing his schooling from Sheth Chimanlal Nagindas Vidyalaya, took up B.Com at Gujarat University. But the Gujarati in him instigated his inner interest for business, and sooner he chose to quit his education to satisfy the urge for realizing his business dream. On dropping his college Gautham states , "I was in college for two years but I didn't attend too much. Then I decided to drop out. I was having too many nightmares about failing in the exams". The Beginning With an aspiration to achieve something big, Gautam reached Mumbai. In 1978, he secured his first job as diamond sorter at Mahindra Brothers. He spent few years there, until he gained a wider knowledge in the business. He soon set up his own diamond brokerage firm at Zaveri Bazaar, an iconic jewelry market place in the city. Past a year, his elder brother, Mansukhbhai Adani, had purchased a plastic unit in Ahmedabad, Gujarat and invited Gautam over to join him in managing the new business. This marked a critical moment in Gautams entrepreneurial journey. His decision to incorporate polyvinyl chloride (PVC) import into the newly established business paved the way for the Adanis to reach the global trading. Following this, the Adanis continued to import PVC for smaller industries, and in 1988, the company went on to establish its exports naming Adani Enterprise Limited under the holding company Adani Groups. It initially focused just on the power and agricultural products. The 1991s economic liberalization policies actually turned to be beneficial to the company, as it permitted the companys business expansion across agro, metal and textile trading. This in turn provided the multinational conglomerate status to the Adani Group. In 1995, the company went on to acquire the managerial outsourcing of Mundra Port. Mundra Port, the first port of the group, is also the largest private sector port of the nation; it can manage nearly 210 million tons of cargo per year. On the other hand, the Group has also excelled in the power business and has turned to be the largest private thermal power producer of India. The company has also acquired Carmichael Coal in Queensland and Abbot Point Port in Australia. Controversies As a result of witnessing tremendous growth, Gautam was involved in few political controversies. It was alleged that the NDA government is backing the Adani Group by waiving off 200 crore fine slapped on Adani Port & SEZ. Gautham later clarified that the fine was not waived, but the port is actually owned by the government and the Adani Group is just a contractor. It was also alleged that Adanis favor Narendra Modi, citing him travelling in groups Chartered Planes for the election campaigning. Gautam clarified this allegation in his interview with CNBC, stating that the BJP has paid the market rate for their chartered planes. Philanthropic Work After achieving the longed position, the giving back time has its turn. Gautam has never forgotten that and thus, he established Adani Foundation in 1996 and serves as its President. This foundation addresses the issues in Sustainable Livelihood Management, Education, Rural Infrastructure Management and Community Health. On his business strategy Gautam comments, Along with opportunities, there also exist many other tricky and complex issues to be managed in India. These include tackling both policy-level challenges and infrastructure challenges. Read More News: Ritiesh Agarwal: A Born Businessman Uday Kotak: In Pursuit of Success To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, ARMENPERSS. The preparation works for a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan have not stopped despite the current escalation and tension, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a press briefing. She reminded that the Russian foreign ministers special representative on fostering the normalization of the relations Armenia and Azerbaijan, Igor Khovaev, visited Yerevan and Baku these days. The main topic of the talks has been the discussion of the draft peace treaty. We assure that the respective efforts will continue, Zakharova said. She said that Russias position over the latest tension on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border is presented in the Foreign Ministrys September 13 statement. We call on the sides to show restraint and solve the problems with political and diplomatic means, including within the frames of the trilateral commission on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border delimitation, she said and didnt rule out that the issue of the escalation of the situation in the region maybe in the spotlight also during the ongoing summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Uzbekistan, where the leaders of Russia and Azerbaijan are expected to meet. Our military is in close contact with both sides aimed at achieving a stable ceasefire and returning the Azerbaijani and Armenian troops to their initial positions, Zakharova stated. The next chief of Tyro Payments, Jon Davey, hopes his appointment will bring greater certainty to the company after a tough period for the fintech, which is trying to shake up the payments sector. Tyro, chaired by former Telstra boss David Thodey, said on Thursday it had appointed Davey, who runs one of its businesses and was previously a National Australia Bank executive, to replace outgoing boss Robbie Cook. Chief executive of Tyro Payments, Jon Davey Tyro has faced recent challenges, including Cooks looming departure, announced in June, and a weak share price, leaving it vulnerable to a possible takeover. This emerged last week when Potentia Capital lobbed a non-binding proposed offer at $1.27 a share. Tyro shares fell 3.8 per cent to $1.29 on Thursday. Tyro, the largest provider of eftpos services outside the big four banks, is now considered to be in play, but Davey said it was too early to comment on his strategy for the company, pointing out he is not officially chief executive until October 3. Davey reiterated the companys view that Potentias bid undervalued Tyro. Premier Li urges further action to help fulfill orders, ensure supply, logistics China will take further measures to stabilize foreign trade and investment, with a view to consolidating the foundation of economic recovery, according to a decision made at the State Council's Executive Meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday. Noting opening-up as China's basic national policy and foreign trade as a strong underpinning for stable growth and employment, the meeting underscored the imperative for redoubled efforts to stabilize foreign trade and investment. "We are facing big pressure in keeping foreign trade and foreign investment stable, with a notable slowdown of imports and exports. The first and foremost issue is to help businesses secure orders, by using all policy measures available to the full extent, such as the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), the China International Import Expo, overseas warehouses and cross-border e-commerce," Li said. The meeting stressed the need to support enterprises in retaining orders and expanding market presence. Stronger efforts will be made to ensure energy and labor supply and logistics for foreign trade companies. Full support will be given when necessary to ensure the fulfillment of contracts. Special funds for international economic cooperation and foreign trade will be used fully and at a faster pace. Services for companies to participate in overseas exhibitions and conduct business negotiations will be improved. New forms of foreign trade will be promoted. A number of new integrated pilot zones for cross-border e-commerce will be established without delay. Greater support will be given to building overseas warehouses. Goods transport between inland areas and coastal ports as well as domestic land transport will be made more efficient, to speed up trans-shipment and the inbound and outbound transport of goods. Industrial and supply chains will be kept secure. Unwarranted charges for port services will be continuously monitored. "We must roll out signature projects of critical importance without delay, to galvanize foreign investment and bolster confidence and expectations," Li said. The supply of production factors will be ensured to speed up the launch of key foreign-funded projects. Further measures will be taken to facilitate the border entry and exit of business personnel and technicians employed by foreign companies, as well as their families. Leading provincial regions in foreign trade and foreign investment need to step up to their responsibilities, and better play their backbone roles. Related departments need to enhance coordination and services. "The eastern coastal provincial regions account for nearly 70 percent of our country's foreign trade. Their leading role must be fully brought to bear, to contribute their part to the stable performance of foreign trade and foreign investment," Li said. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS. The United States is deeply troubled over the outbreak of violence along the Armenia and Azerbaijan border, including reports of shelling of civilian infrastructure in Armenia, the U.S. Deputy Representative to the United Nations Richard Mills said at the UN Security Council Meeting convened after Azerbaijan attacked Armenia. Mr. President. Thank you, Secretary General Jenca for your useful briefing this morning. Let me begin by noting that we are deeply troubled over the outbreak of violence along the Armenia and Azerbaijan border, including reports of shelling of civilian infrastructure in Armenia. We offer our condolences to the families of those killed and injured in this renewed violence. The United States has engaged with Armenian and Azerbaijani officials and conveyed our deep concern over military actions along the border. We are particularly disturbed by reports of civilians being harmed inside Armenia. All sides must fully observe their obligations under international humanitarian law, including those related to protection of civilians. Mr. President, like others the United States welcomes the cessation of all hostilities and encourages both parties to continue to exercise restraint. Military forces should disengage to allow both parties to resolve all outstanding issues through peaceful negotiations. There is an urgent need to return to talks aimed at a lasting, peaceful resolution to the conflict and the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. I want to be clear today: the United States is firm there can be no military solution to the conflict. We encourage both governments to re-establish direct lines of communication across diplomatic and military channels, and to recommit to the diplomatic process. A negotiated, comprehensive settlement of all remaining issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan is needed. And the international community must continue to engage diplomatically to help broker a lasting peace. The United States is dedicated to a sustainable ceasefire and peaceful resolution. Secretary Blinken spoke with Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Aliyev to convey our deep concern over military actions along the border. And Ambassador Phil Reeker, our Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations, is in the region meeting with senior Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders. The United States is committed to promoting a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous future for the South Caucasus region. We urge the parties to intensify their diplomatic engagement and to make use of existing mechanisms for direct communication to find comprehensive solutions to all outstanding issues related to and resulting from the conflict. We stand ready to facilitate dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan bilaterally, through the OSCE, and in coordination with partners, in order to achieve a long-term political settlement to the conflict, in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter, as well as the Helsinki Final Act. Thank you. Mr. President, Mills said. On September 13, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces launched a major attack on Armenia from several directions, bombarding both military and civilian infrastructures with rocket-artillery and drone strikes. 105 Armenian troops were killed and 6 civilians were wounded. Azerbaijan halted its attack in the evening of September 14 after a ceasefire was reached. Students at Charles Sturt who score as low as 40 per cent in a subject will be given a second chance to pass in a strategy to stop students from dropping out. Academics, however, fear it will compromise standards. The School of Social Work and Arts, which also teaches students from the education faculty, told staff on Wednesday about a new trial to allow those who finish a subject with a mark of between 40 and 49 to sit another assessment within 10 days. At Charles Sturt, students who score as low as 40 per cent for their subject will be given another chance to pass. Credit:Robert Rough RNR The aim was to improve the retention and success of our students, the Head of School, Sally Totman, wrote. However, several academics have raised concerns that the university is lowering standards to keep fee-paying students. In an email to Totman, one questioned whether universities were still places of learning and teaching or had become businesses chasing money. In its 70 years, Lismores Keen Street Clinic had never gone under in a flood. But in February, the water in its consult rooms and operating theatre reached two metres high. Our clinic was totally destroyed, said GP Dr Nina Robertson, who is grappling with a $2 million financial impact from the flood while trying to provide care for her broken community. While she initially offered bulk-billing for affected patients, she can no longer afford it. Lismore GP Dr Nina Robertson cannot insure her flood-damaged clinic, or find any new staff. Credit:Natalie Grono After contacting eight insurers, not one will provide flood insurance for the property. With no housing in the area, her job ad for a junior doctor to help with the load also went unanswered. The emergency response focused on the first 24 hours, but there is no focus on how we build back after a disaster, Robertson said. Queenslands unemployment rate has dipped to its lowest percentage since records began in 1978, Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows. Treasurer Cameron Dick says the current rate of 3.2 per cent passed the previous record of 3.3 per cent set in August 2008. An extra 1400 jobs were created in August. Credit:AFR Unemployment fell by 0.5 per cent from July to August while an extra 1400 jobs were created in August. There are now 214,700 more Queenslanders in work than there were in March 2020, Dick said. The City of Cockburn has urged the state government to involve other agencies and departments to help solve the South Fremantle power station problem. In July, WAtoday revealed billionaire Kerry Stokess investment vehicle Australian Capital Equity was the mystery party which signed a conditional sale agreement with the sites owner Synergy. However, on Tuesday ACE pulled out of the sale because redevelopment would prove too costly. Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett, Energy Minister Bill Johnston and Synergy chief executive Jason Waters at the site in 2021. Credit:Marta Pascual Juanola The decision means the state government is back to square one with the power station, which is heritage listed but continues to deteriorate. Synergys ownership of the site complicates its redevelopment because it operates as a commercial enterprise, which Energy Minister Bill Johnston has previously said meant property deals were done at arms length from the government. Ukrainian soldiers praise Australian supplied Bushmaster armoured vehicles Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later. Dismiss A $7 billion test looms for the federal government as key independent senator David Pocock and environment groups demand the October budget transfer funds earmarked for regional dams into conservation projects. Then-Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce was promised billions of dollars in the March budget for six major dam projects by then-prime minister Scott Morrison in return for his backing a commitment to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The dams package was funded through the National Water Grid Authority and included the $5.4 billion Hells Gate project in north Queensland as well as upgrades worth $600 million and $433 million at the Paradise and Dungowan dams, respectively. With virtually all the funds still unspent, the federal government is being urged to reallocate Joyces dam fund to halt the extinction crisis that federal Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek said in July had been fuelled by a lack of funding under successive Coalition governments. In the year since Australias most significant defence announcement in decades the creation of the AUKUS partnership with the United States and United Kingdom the gloomy geopolitics that prompted it have only darkened. Russias invasion of Ukraine has reminded nations of the need to prepare for an attack by a powerful adversary, as have increased Chinese incursions into Taiwans airspace. Of the three leaders who unveiled the AUKUS pact, only US President Joe Biden remains in power. Credit:AP AUKUS still has plenty of detractors, but its advocates argue recent events have reinforced the need for Australia to acquire the high-tech weaponry the partnership will unlock. Most notably, there is the promised access to highly prized nuclear-powered submarines that can travel further underwater than conventional vessels. In the 12 months since the announcement of AUKUS, the resolve of Australia, the UK and the US has only strengthened as the strategic environment has continued to deteriorate, Vice-Admiral Jonathan Mead, the chief of the governments nuclear-powered submarine taskforce, told reporters this week. NSW Roads Minister Natalie Ward is considering a switch to the lower house at the March election in a bid to boost the number of senior Liberal women in the Legislative Assembly. Senior Liberals want Ward, an upper house MP, to nominate for the ultra-safe seat of Davidson, which is being vacated by the Speaker Jonathan ODea. Davidson is on a margin of 24 per cent. NSW Roads Minister Natalie Ward is considering nominating for Davidson. Credit:Louise Kennerley Another candidate, former Liberal staffer Matt Cross who has worked for premiers Barry OFarrell and Mike Baird, as well as an electorate officer to Gladys Berejiklian, is also eager to run in Davidson and has been working on his tilt for the northern Sydney seat for five years. Ward, who is one of only three female state Liberal ministers, was also touted as a possible candidate for the federal electorate of Warringah at the last election, which is held by independent MP Zali Steggall. Unions representing triple-zero call-takers have raised the alarm over the oppositions $125 million election commitment for the emergency call service, warning the proposal is fraught with danger and will put the lives of Victorians at risk. Opposition Leader Matthew Guy on Friday vowed to invest an extra $125 million, in addition to the $333 million put aside in this years state budget, to upgrade the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authoritys IT systems, provide ongoing funding and require half the staff to be trained to answer calls for ambulance, fire and police. Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has pledged a further $125 million for the triple zero call-taking and dispatch service. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui Fixing triple zero saves lives, fixing triple zero once and for all is going to give Victorians confidence in the triple-zero dispatch system, Guy said on Friday. Theres no doubt theres been a loss of confidence in the dispatch system. However, the secretaries of the Victorian Ambulance Union and the United Firefighters Union warned the Coalitions pledge that 50 per cent of staff would be trained to deal with calls for any service was flawed and dangerous. London: They queued through a chilly London night to pay their respects. Eight hours on average, just to shuffle past her coffin for no more than a minute. Women young and old, curtsied as they greeted the oak casket side-on. You could assume theyd dreamed of meeting the Queen all their lives. That theyd practised their curtsy in the mirror as young Girl Guides. Members of the public file past the Queens coffin in Westminster Hall. Credit:PA Perhaps they hadnt thought their chance would finally come in death. But perhaps it actually mattered more now to get it right. In the centre of Westminster Hall, a coffin sits on a catafalque, draped in the Royal Standard with the Orb and Sceptre placed on top. Men bowed their heads in honour as they passed by. Some, with military medals pinned proudly to their chest, offered a salute. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS. Heads of diplomatic representations and international organizations accredited in Armenia will visit on September 16 the regions affected by the latest Azerbaijani aggression, the foreign ministry spokesperson Vahan Hunanyan said. On September 13, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces launched a major attack on Armenia from several directions, bombarding both military and civilian infrastructures with rocket-artillery and drone strikes. 105 Armenian troops were killed and 6 civilians were wounded. Azerbaijan halted its attack in the evening of September 14 after a ceasefire was reached. Kyiv: Ukrainian authorities have found a mass grave of more than 440 bodies in the eastern city of Izium that was recaptured from Russian forces, a regional police official said on Thursday, adding that some people had been killed by shelling and air strikes. Serhiy Bolvinov, the chief police investigator for Kharkiv region, told Sky News that forensic investigations would be carried out on every body. Oleg Kotenko, the commissioner for issues of missing persons under special circumstances, looks at the unidentified graves of civilians and Ukrainian soldiers in the recently retaken area of Izium, Ukraine. Credit:AP I can say it is one of the largest burial sites in a big town in liberated [areas] ... 440 bodies were buried in one place, Bolvinov said. Some died because of artillery fire ... some died because of air strikes, he said. Thousands of Russian troops fled Izium at the weekend. During a dramatic fortnight, Ukraine has scored a major victory which could turn the tide against the bloody invasion Russia launched seven months ago. In a brilliantly executed counteroffensive, Ukrainian troops routed Russian dictator Vladimir Putins armies west of Kharkiv, Ukraines second city, and recaptured about 3000 square kilometres of territory. Loading Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday crowned the achievement by visiting the city of Izyum, which until 10 days ago was a major Russian forward base. It remains unclear how severe the blow is to Russia. But it is already a tribute to Ukraines fighting spirit, and it should send a message to Ukraines allies, including Australia, to raise our ambitions. WILLEMSTAD:--- Zr.Ms. Groningen intercepted four drug shipments within three weeks. This brings the total number of drug seizures to 13 since the ship was docked at the end of April in the Caribbean Region. In recent weeks, the patrol ship, together with the US Coast Guard forced four so-called go-fasts (fast motorboats) to stop. A total of more than 4800 kilograms of contraband, including cocaine and marijuana, were found. On Friday, august 19th. Groningen struck the first of the four fast motorboats. Once close the go-fast Groningen launched 2 FRISCs. On board, there was a combined boarding team of the US Coast Guard and the crew of the Zr.Ms. Groningen. They were able to stop the boat with approximately 600 kg of cocaine and 4 suspects on board. Besides the Groningen also a Dash-8 maritime patrol plane of the Coastguard Caribbean Region was involved in this interception. The next three interceptions took place in rapid succession shortly thereafter. Thus on August 30th., September 1st. and 3rd., a total of 3 go-fasts were stopped, where another 4200 kilos of contraband were intercepted and 10 suspects arrested. The 14 suspects have been handed over to a ship of the American Coast Guard for further persecution. The contraband was destroyed. With these four drug seizures, the counter of Groningen reaches 15.000 kilos of intercepted drugs. Zr.Ms. Groningen is in the Caribbean Region as station ship where she alternately cooperates with the Coast Guard Caribbean Region as well as the US Coast Guard, in counter drugs operations. The Panasonic rugged handheld loved by postal and last mile delivery workers gets a powerful refresh BRACKNELL, UK. 14th September 2022 a Panasonic today announced the updated version of its premium rugged handheld device with integrated angled barcode reader for mobile workers. The new TOUGHBOOK N1 handheld, a favourite with postal services and last mile logistics companies, comes with more memory, Androida operating system and Panasonica?s long-term Android support. The latest generation device (Mark 3) is more flexible, future-proofed and more powerful than ever. It is equipped with Qualcomm Octa Core processor with an increased 4GB memory and 64GB of Flash storage double the size of the previous generation. Running the Android 11 operating system[1], offering enhanced user and management functionality, the TOUGHBOOK N1 handheld also benefits from COMPASS, the portfolio of tools and services making it easy to configure, deploy, manage and secure Panasonic Android devices. The 550cd/mA display provides superb screen visibility for mobile workers. The 4.7a HD capacitive multi-touch daylight readable display is designed for use in bright sunlight or in the rain and when wearing gloves. The device can also be used with an optional Stylus Pen, for more accurate signature recording and recognition capabilities. Tough as ever The fully rugged device is as tough as ever, tested to MIL-STD-810G[2] and has passed a drop height of 2.1m. For users working in extreme temperatures, the operational temperature range of the device is -20A to +50AC. The latest generation device remains compatible with the existing wide range of support accessories, including a hand strap, cradle, holster, extended battery and charging cradle stand. The Panasonic Toughbook N1 handheld also has its own vehicle docking solution, designed in-house by the Panasonic Global Docking Solutions team. The dock has been ergonomically designed using composite materials for the perfect combination of light weight and durability and allows for single-handed docking and release. Management and Security For ease of management and administrative peace of mind, the TOUGHBOOK N1 handheld is Android Enterprise-ready and comes bundled with the Panasonic COMPASS suite of Enterprise Management tools. The Complete Android Services and Security package offers everything a business needs to configure, deploy and manage its Panasonic rugged Android devices securely. Long Term support for this latest version of the TOUGHBOOK N1 will provide security patches until 2027. Availability The latest generation device is a combined WiFi and 4G model and will be available from September 2022 priced at a1495/A1274 plus tax. For more information visit: https://business.panasonic.co.uk/mobile-solutions/products-and-accessories/handhelds/TOUGHBOOK-N1 [1] Existing mark 2 and 2.5 devices can also upgrade to the Android 11 operating system from September 2022. [2] Tested by third-party lab. Android is a trademark of Google LLC. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS. China is concerned over the escalation of the conflict on the border zone of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Deputy Representative of China to the United Nations Geng Shuang said at the UN Security Council meeting. He said that China calls on the sides to resolve issues through political dialogue. In his speech, the Chinese representative said that the normalization of the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan is inseparable from the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. We urge the parties to remain committed to the ceasefire and make joint efforts to de-escalate the situation. The normalization of the relations of Armenia and Azerbaijan is inseparable from the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. We hope that all parties will develop, in the near future, a solution to the conflict in line with norms of international law and defined acceptable norms. China welcomes the 2020 November agreements between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia and will continue to welcome positive progress around NK in the OSCE Minsk Group, he said. On September 13, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces launched a major attack on Armenia from several directions, bombarding both military and civilian infrastructures with rocket-artillery and drone strikes. 105 Armenian troops were killed and 6 civilians were wounded. Azerbaijan halted its attack in the evening of September 14 after a ceasefire was reached. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate DETROIT (AP) When it came time to showcase its electric Chevrolet Equinox SUV to the public this year, General Motors decided against doing so at the big Detroit auto show, as it typically would have done in the past. Instead, it unveiled the Equinox six days earlier. GMs decision symbolized just how much smaller this years auto show will be, with few new model debuts, less-glitzy displays, fewer journalists and possibly lower attendance. Though the pandemic is partly to blame, larger forces are at play, too: Automakers have figured out that new models can make a bigger splash when theyre unveiled to a digital audience on a day where they dont have to share the spotlight with their rivals. Not to mention that making a debut at an auto show can be hugely expensive. So despite moving the show from January to balmy September and adding outdoor events, the North American International Auto Show wont be the glitzy event it was the last time it was held in chilly January, more than three years ago. The industry has changed the world has changed, said Karl Zimmermann, vice president of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, which runs the show. Do I think its going to be the same as it was before? No. It's a much different format. Were using indoors. Were using outdoors. This year's show will be geared more toward consumers and less toward the industry. General Motors and Volkswagen will offer test drives. There will be ride-alongs in new electric vehicles from Ford and others. I think thats the likely track of the future more consumer-focused than industry-focused, because the consumers dont need all the the fanfare, said Jeff Schuster, president of global forecasting for LMC Automotive, a Detroit-area consulting firm. They can essentially have it look like a showroom. Gone from Detroit's Huntington Place convention center are the elaborate multi-story displays that cost millions and took months to construct. There won't be any attention-grabbing stunts, like driving cars up steps and through the front doors or an ice rink with figure skaters. Though many automakers, including some from Europe and Asia, decided not to attend, area dealers stepped in with displays for their brands. Instead of around 50 new model debuts as in past years, there's only one truly new one: The Ford Mustang, unveiled Wednesday night at a big outdoor event along the Detroit River attended by about 3,000 Mustang enthusiasts and Ford employees. Instead of the usual 5,000 journalists, only about 1,900 received credentials this year. The seventh-generation Mustang, which goes on sale next summer, may well be the last gas-powered version of the muscle car as Ford powers more of its lineup with batteries. The company plans for half of its global production to be electric by 2030. The new Mustang is built on the same underpinnings as generation six. But it gets an all-new look inside and out with a revamped 5-liter V8 in the GT and a new 2.3-liter turbocharged four for lower trim lines. The V8's up to 500 horsepower tops any other Mustang engine, and the four-cylinder will be more efficient than its predecessor. The company wouldnt say whether the next generation would be electric, but Khan said Ford can meet government fuel economy requirements for this generation because of the four-cylinder engine and the Mustang Mach E SUV and other electric vehicles. Last month Stellantis said fuel economy requirements are one reason its canceling its gasoline muscle cars by the end of next year. The company plans an all-electric Dodge Charger in 2024. Where we go next, well see how things will go, said Eddie Khan, engineering manager for the car. The whole industry is changing." The Mustang gets all new sheet metal outside, and Ford says it has lower wind drag than any other generation. You can still get a six-speed manual transmission on the GT; otherwise its an improved 10-speed automatic. Don Andrews of Detroit, who owns a 2018 V8 Mustang, said he hopes this isn't the last gasoline version. I hope they keep it petrol because more people like it, he said. Everybody likes that rev, that noise. Thats what makes it a Mustang. Andrews said he's glad the show was moved to a warmer month so events like the Mustang reveal can take place outdoors. He thinks more people will attend the show than they did when it was in January. Zimmerman said the downsizing of auto shows is part of worldwide trend that started about a decade ago and this year forced the cancellation of the auto show in Geneva, Switzerland. Other auto shows, too, are shifting their focus to letting customers in their region see and even drive new vehicles. Even with the changes, the show still amounts to a major production. So much so that President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg attended. Biden, a gearhead who owns a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, sat in a high-performance Corvette Wednesday, and he drove a Cadillac Lyriq electric SUV slowly down an aisle in the convention hall. The show won't be entirely devoid of glitz. Ford, Jeep and Stellantis' Ram brand have displays that will hold vehicles as they drive over steep slopes. Dirt and trees were trucked in for a natural look. There are tracks where customers can ride in new electric vehicles, including Ford's F-150 Lightning pickup. Outside, there's a 60-foot-tall inflatable rubber duck, paying homage to a Jeep tradition of enthusiasts leaving a small yellow duck on a Jeep they think is cool. Zimmermann agreed that attendance will likely be smaller than the roughly 800,000 the show drew during peak years of the past. He said he would be pleased with 500,000 for the 12-day show. This year, those who attend outdoor activities alone won't be counted, which will hold down the total. One thing is sure: Electric vehicles will be big draws for the public. Many will be on display for the first time to customers even though automakers unveiled them earlier. They want to know how they ride, how they drive and have experience with them, Zimmermann said. Its not just enough to see a car on a carpet or to see just a digital display on a screen, but to really interact with the vehicle. It's the interaction, with vehicles and with other people, that Zimmermann says will enhance the show after the lengthy pandemic pause. We like to think that after 3 1/2 years away, we'll do nothing but grow," he said. ____ AP White House reporter Colleen Long contributed to this report. Anatoly Sidorov, Chief of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Joint Staff, announced at a press briefing held Thursday morning in Moscow that a delegation led by him will arrive in Yerevan Thursday evening, news.am informs. September 15, 2022, 12:40 CSTO Secretary General to come to Armenia next week STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 15, ARTSAKHPRESS: "Taking into account the fact that the Secretary General [of the CSTO] is currently participating in other major international events, therefore, his flight to and arrival in the Republic of Armenia will be later; supposedly next week. As for the Chief of the [CSTO] Joint Staff, after the end of our event today, I will go to the airport and leave for Armenia with a group of officials of the joint staff," Sidorov said. He emphasized that the group includes representatives of all CSTO member countries. The proposal for a CSTO mission heading to Armenia was made by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Sidorov noted that there is no question of sending CSTO peacekeeping troops to Armenia now, the aforesaid mission is heading for Armenia to get acquainted with the situation on the spot, and to find out the reasons and ways to resolve the current Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. The reimbursement of all amounts owed to passengers for the purchased tickets essentially depends on the resumption of Blue Air operations and the support of the authorities for the company's recovery, informs a company press release, sent on Thursday, to AGERPRES. The recovery of Blue Air, respectively the resumption of passenger air transport operations, involves close collaboration and support from all commercial partners, but also from all public institutions and authorities in Romania, the efforts made by the executive management, the Board of Directors and the company's shareholders being insufficient in the absence of such collaboration, say company officials, told Agerpres. Blue Air expresses the permanent availability of the company's executive management to transmit all the necessary information and briefings, and to participate in absolutely any necessary discussion with the decision-making factors within the public institutions and authorities that can help the recovery of the company, in a unified and organized way. "We specify that up to this point, following discussions held by Blue Air's executive management, we can confirm the support received from the majority of foreign airports, including airports in Italy, Israel, Spain, Great Britain, as well as fuel suppliers in these airports,so that Blue Air can resume the provision of services, under the condition of advance payment for the services offered, and we count on the same support from the airports in Romania, Bacau, Cluj-Napoca, Bucharest-Otopeni and Iasi," the release further mentions. Considering the suspension of air passenger transport from September 6 to October 9, 2022, the company informs that the total number of passengers affected by flight cancellations during this period is approximately 230,000, representing approximately 77,000 travel ticket reservations. "Reimbursing all amounts owed to passengers for purchased tickets is essentially dependent on Blue Air's resumption of operations and sales activity, and, as we have stated in previous communications, another essential factor is the cash contribution brought by one of the two investors with whom we are in discussions," say Blue Air managers. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) and the "George Emil Palade" University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology in Targu Mures on Wednesday signed a collaboration protocol that will facilitate the university's process of adaptation to the current geopolitical realities and the opportunities offered by the European community. According to a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the protocol was signed by the State Secretary for European Affairs, Daniela Gitman, and the rector of the "George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology "George Emil Palade" of Targu Mures, University Professor Leonard Azamfirei, PhD, and this document "continues and develops the partnership between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and one of the most prestigious universities in the Romanian higher education system, with a dynamic pace of development and a tradition of 75 years of medical-pharmaceutical education." During the ceremony, the State Secretary for European Affairs, Daniela Gitman, showed that the new collaboration protocol between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures will facilitate the university's process of adaptation to the current geopolitical realities and the opportunities created by Romania's membership in the European community, thus becoming "a European university in a Europe without borders." State Secretary Daniela Gitman emphasized the MAE's interest in deepening cooperation with one of the flagship universities of higher education in Romania, which, "due to the special quality of the educational act and the level of research, is one of the most well-known and respected institutions of higher education both in our country, as well as abroad", told Agerpres. Daniela Gitman also highlighted the fact that the current international context, "marked by Russia's illegal and unprovoked aggression on Ukraine," makes it necessary to adjust diplomatic practices and education programmes to the new geopolitical reality and to the new global challenges, the role of education, especially higher education, becoming central in contemporary societies. The Secretary of State also stated that, from the perspective of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, collaboration with relevant institutions in the field of education is an important factor in relation to the role assumed by Romania in the plan of international cooperation for development, education being a priority thematic aspect of the national strategy in the field. In his turn, the rector of the University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology "George Emil Palade" from Targu Mures, Leonard Azamfirei, voiced his satisfaction for the continuation of the partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, by saying that "the university will participate, as it has until now, in promoting and supporting the actions subsumed under Romania's foreign policy objectives." The Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests has started the procedure for the elaboration of a draft piece of legislation aimed at capping the price of firewood and heating by-products, for a period of 6 months, informs the institution through a release sent on Thursday to AGERPRES. "Following the decision of the governing coalition on Thursday, September 15, 2022, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests has started the procedure for the elaboration of a draft piece of legislation aimed at capping the price of wood and wood products used for heating, for a period of 6 months. After elaboration, the draft will be subject to the approval of the Government," the document reads. In parallel with the capping of the sale price of the firewood, the draft piece of legislation will also include other measures to protect citizens, comprising the temporary limitation of exports of firewood and heating by-products, both at intra-Community level and outside the EU. "In the context of the energy crisis that Europe is going through, as well as the short- and medium-term prospects, we are seeing a number of artificial increases in the prices of most of the raw materials used as heating fuel. In Romania, over 3 million households are heated with firewood or by-products. We believe that when whole categories of citizens risk becoming victims of unjustified price increases, in special situations and for limited periods of time, the state has the duty to intervene and block the possibility of such situations. Currently, our specialists are working to establish all the details, which we will present in a very short time," Environment minister Barna Tanczos said. Former President Emil Constantinescu signed on Wednesday in the condolence book opened in the memory of Queen Elizabeth II at the residence of the Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. "In these moments, when the peoples of the United Kingdom are accompanying their Queen on the last road, I am bringing my homage to her exceptional personality. I remember with emotion the welcome at the Buckingham Palace, together with my wife, in February 2000, during the state visit to the UK, to be awarded the Saint Michael and Saint George Order, in rank of Grand Cross, and the warmth with which she addressed me. Her Majesty Elizabeth II subordinated since her youth her life to the duty of being a queen and turned her mission into a historic destiny. It is a model of inspiration for the heads of state who will fulfill this dignity in the coming decades. In the Queen's personality I found gathered greatness and simplicity, transferred in the social behaviour in respect for the law and the citizen at the same time, who turned the British constitutional monarchy under the crown of Her Majesty Elizabeth II a superior model of democracy," Emil Constantinescu said, according to a release sent to AGERPRES. Over the past few days President Klaus Iohannis, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, Deputies Chamber Speaker Marcel Ciolacu also signed in the condolence book in the memory of Queen Elizabeth II. The Meeting of the Romanian National Theaters emphasizes the fraternity and solidarity underpinning the relations between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, states built on the common foundation of Romanian culture and language, President Klaus Iohannis said on Thursday, in a message addressed to the participants in the 7th edition of this cultural event. The meeting, held under the High Patronage of the Presidents of Romania and the Republic of Moldova, brings together, this year, "artists for peace, freedom and hope". The message of the head of state was presented by Presidential Adviser with the Department of Culture, Religion and National Minorities, Sergiu Nistor. "I am glad that, together with Mrs. President Maia Sandu, we granted our High Patronage, in order to emphasize, in this way too, the fraternity and solidarity underpinning the relations between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, states built on the common foundation of Romanian culture and language. For Romanians, the theater proved to be the symbol of national identity and of being close to a modern Western society. In Romania and the Republic of Moldova, theater and actors were the embodiment and expression of freedom when we lacked it the most," highlighted President Iohannis. He expressed his special appreciation for the message that the Meeting of National Theaters sends, in the context of the war launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. "The power of drama and the strength of the interpretive art of the 16 troupes spread the voice of freedom and the light of hope in these days of turmoil and uncertainty, from Chisinau and Soroca. I welcome the presence of the National Academic Drama Theater in Kyiv, as a special guest, at this event, and I am convinced that it will convey to its hard-pressed audience our artists' message of solidarity," said President Iohannis. By hosting this event, the Republic of Moldova shows its European vocation, added the head of state. "The Republic of Moldova, a space of cultural expressions of exceptional value that are our common heritage, shows by hosting this festival, once more, its European vocation, as well as the will to be an active contributor in the promotion of humanism and peace. Along this path, Romania is its closest friend and support, manifested including through the collaboration between the cultural institutions and through the direct dialogue between the cultural operators on both banks of the Prut River. I congratulate the organizers and wish all the participating troupes to enjoy the warmth, the applause and public appreciation!" Klaus Iohannis went on to say. The draft justice laws, under debate in the Parliament, took into account the opinions of the Venice Commission and were drawn up after consultation with the European partners, respectively with the European Commission, the Minister of Justice, Catalin Predoiu, said on Thursday. He was asked at the Parliament, where he participated in the debate of the Special Committee on the Laws of Justice, how he comments that the Save Romania Union notified the Venice Commission on the three drafts of the laws of justice. Predoiu said that, firstly, these drafts are no longer in the management of the ministry, they are in the management of the Parliament, secondly, this referral is made within an assessment process parallel to the CVM, it is an assessment process at the PACE level, a process that all member states go through, and thirdly, said Predoiu, when we put together these draft laws, as during the public debate and the parliamentary debate, we took these opinions into account. Right in the room, I invoked the commission's opinions two or three times to propose, to support certain legislative solutions. (...) I took into account in the making of the drafts of the opinion of the Venice Commission, Predoiu said. Asked if the politics is involved in the files, as accused by the Save Romania Union, Predoiu said: "Maybe they will come with evidence in this regard. To my knowledge, in the few years of my mandate at the Ministry of Justice, I had no such request, I had no pressure, I did not take the initiative of such pressure and I dare say that this is well-known," the minister of Justice claimed. Minister of Defense of Armenia Suren Papikyan received today European Unions Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia Toivo Klaar, the minister said on social media. September 15, 2022, 16:20 Armenian Defense Minister briefs EUs Special Representative on situation caused by latest Azeri aggression STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 15, ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: The meeting was also attended by Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin. In his remarks Minister Papikyan thanked Mr. Klaar for immediately responding to the situation and visiting the region. He presented the current situation caused by the September 13 large-scale aggression of Azerbaijan against Armenias sovereign territory. The Minister said that this large-scale aggression is a pre-planned Azerbaijani provocation. He highlighted the need for addressed assessments by the international community, including the EU, to the aggression in terms of solving the situation. In turn the EU Special Representative presented the position of the EU on the immediate stop of military operations, emphasizing the necessity of solving all existing disagreements exclusively with diplomatic tools. Toivo Klaar reaffirmed also the EUs commitment to contribute to the resumption of the negotiation process and the reaching of agreements between the sides. Deputy Catalin Tenita, co-chair of the Romanian branch of the Inter-parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), said at a meeting of this group in Washington that the democratic world needs joint action "to limit China's human rights' abuses". "After the invasion of Ukraine, we all understood that we could not live insular. And for several years now, it has become clear that at this moment China is not only the world's largest exporter in the economic sense, but is also beginning to export authoritarian, even totalitarian attitudes. China's promises in the international arena lose their credibility. The Hong Kong case is enlightening. It was promised 'one country, two systems', but in practice all the democratic forces were crushed, once with the exile of all dissident voices. We must understand that at this moment we need more than ever a common system of protection of human rights and democratic values, of founding principles," Tenita said at the meeting held in the US this week, according to a release sent on Thursday to AGERPRES. He added that Beijing gov't must align itself with internationally stated values regarding the rule of law and respect for human rights, within and outside its borders, to respect Taiwan's system of government, but also the democratic aspirations of Hong Kong residents, and to allow international investigation of allegations of abuses in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region. According to the MP, democratic states are determined to react against any actions that represent violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, by excluding from the supply chains products manufactured through forced labour, sanctioning the perpetrators of abuses and acts of corruption by freezing their assets and travel bans (Magnitsky legislation), suspending extradition agreements and urgently reviewing judicial and police cooperation agreements. "At the same time, IPAC lawmakers are determined to support the strengthening of economic exchanges between Taiwan and other democratic states and to work towards Taiwan's participation in the activities of international organizations such as WHO, ICAO, INTERPOL or UNFCCC," Catalin Tenita added. According to him, a joint declaration was adopted at the IPAC summit affirming support for Taiwan's democratic path, for the democratic aspirations of Hong Kong residents, for respect for human rights within the borders of the People's Republic of China and the investigation of allegations of abuses in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region. At the same time, it affirms the support for Ukraine and the decision to sanction the Chinese companies that provide Russia with military, logistics or other support in this illegal war. The General Inspectorate of the Border Police informs that, on Wednesday, 80,992 people entered Romania, through the border crossing points, out of whom 11,000 were Ukrainian citizens, increasing by 15.7pct compared to the previous day. According to a press release sent on Thursday to AGERPRES, approximately 171,000 persons, Romanian and foreign citizens, carried out the control formalities at the border crossing points nationwide, both on the way in and on the way out, with more than 44,200 means of transport, told Agerpres. Starting with February 10, 2022 (pre-conflict period), 2,306,681 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania. "In terms of the specific activity at the border crossing points and the "green border," the border police discovered 61 illegalities (25 crimes and 36 contraventions) committed by both Romanian and foreign citizens, with the amount of fines applied exceeding 14,000 lei," the same source shows. The photography exhibition "Interwar Bucharest", organized on the occasion of Bucharest Days 2022, will be open to visitors on September 17 and 18, at the "Brancovenesti Palaces at the Gates of Bucharest" Cultural Center, told Agerpres. According to a press release sent to AGERPRES, the exhibition includes images that capture the Bucharest of our grandparents' childhood. A European capital dedicated to its citizens, with places for promenades, with wide squares designed to highlight the architecture of the emblematic buildings but also to gather the crowds. The event, set up in the hall with Venetian mosaics on the first floor of the Brancovenesc Palace, will take those interested through the atmosphere of Bucharest of the past, offering an unexpected sensory experience. The images immortalize the hustle and bustle of a city of contrasts, alive, dynamic, shared equally by peasants with hats and coquettish ladies, but also by merchants, peasants and scroungers, the release states. Thematic guides will be provided, with the role of highlighting Constantin Brancoveanu's contribution to the history and culture of Bucharest. Participation in the visits is free, three guided tours are organized starting at 11:00, 14:00 and 17:00. The establishment of the Destination Management Organization (DMO) Predeal is necessary and I am convinced that it will be done very soon, and the second when there will be a strategy, we will be able to attract funds from the national budget, European and private funds, because there is money and the world wants to invest, the entrepreneur Dragos Anastasiu says, told Agerpres. The management of 4-star Orizont Hotel in Predeal was taken over in the middle of this year by the hotel management consulting firm The Makers, supported by four shareholders: Dragos Anastasiu (Eurolines), Dragos Petrescu (CityGrill), Octavian Moldovan (general manager The Makers) and Hildegard Brandl (architect and entrepreneur). The Makers aims to restore the attractiveness of Predeal, not only of Orizont Hotel, which its manager, Ionut Sandor, says is the best product of the resort. "We want to contribute to what is happening in Predeal in the area of the Destination Management Organizations, which does not exist in Predeal, but here we have some skills and we will try - and we will be successful - to mobilize those around us and the local authorities to try to restore the attractiveness not of Orizont Hotel only, but of the whole resort. Success will come when each of those who are here at the disposal of the tourists will see each client individually as their own child that they have not seen for 5 years," Dragos Anastasiu says. For his part, Octavian Moldovan claims that The Makers wants to do whatever it takes to boost tourism throughout Predeal and wants Orizont Hotel to be a role model for the other operators in the area. Regarding the collaboration with the local authorities, there is openness here, and they will have to establish a strategy for Predeal. "It is a resort for which I do not find it so difficult to make a strategy, but it must be made loco, not coming from Bucharest," Anastasiu adds. Instead, Ionut Sandor, the manager of Orizont Hotel, believes that Predeal should be a wellness destination. Prince Consort Radu signed the Book of Condolences opened at the Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. "On behalf of Her Majesty Margareta the Custodian of the Crown, at the British Residence in Bucharest, the Prince Consort signed the Book of Condolences opened following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Prince was greeted by His Excellency Mr. Andrew James Noble LVO, the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom in Bucharest," the Royal Family informs on Thursday, in a post on Facebook, told Agerpres. Minister Bogdan Aurescu announced on Twitter that the Trilateral Romania - Republic of Moldova - Ukraine was launched on Thursday in Odessa, at the level of foreign ministers. According to Aurescu, "this historic moment of strengthening the partnership" of the three countries was dedicated to energy security. "In the context in which Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova are deeply affected by the impact of the war, we reiterated today, in Odessa, Romania's readiness to support its neighbours and to address the problems related to the energy field. The Energy ministers were next to us and we discussed a trilateral collaboration in the energy field," the head of the Romanian diplomacy wrote on the social media platform. He added that this trilateral format must bring solutions for the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. "Romania continues to show solidarity with the Government and people of Ukraine, welcoming the most vulnerable in the country, increasing the transit of cereals and making efforts to hold Russia accountable," Minister Aurescu also wrote.AGERPRES Romania received, on Thursday, 5,060 doses of monkeypox vaccine, based on a donation contract concluded between the Ministry of Health and the European Commission, the ministry informs in a press release. The vaccine doses will be directed to the infectious disease hospitals in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Iasi, Timisoara and Constanta for the immunization of eligible persons. These hospitals can also transfer the vaccine, free of charge, to other county health or infectious disease units, at their request, when the situation requires it. "The persons targeted by the post-exposure vaccination are the direct contacts of the infected cases. It is recommended that vaccination be carried out as soon as possible after the moment of exposure: between 4 and 14 days. To complete the basic immunization, a second dose of vaccine is required at a interval of 28 days," states the ministry. If the first dose is not administered between 4 and 14 days, the vaccine might not prevent the disease, but the severity of the symptoms is much reduced.AGERPRES As many as 1,968 new cases of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 were recorded in the last 24 hours in Romania, down 286 from the previous day, with over 18,000 RT-PCR and rapid antigenic tests performed, the Health Ministry informed on Thursday. Of the new cases, 402 were in re-infected patients, who tested positive more than 90 days after the first time they recovered from the disease. Most of the newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in Romania since the previous reporting were recorded in Bucharest City - 304, and in the counties of Timis - 119, Cluj - 110, told Agerpres. The highest 14-day notification rate is in Cluj County - 2.47, followed by Timis County - 2.32, and Satu Mare County - 1.92. As of Thursday, 3,249,108 cases of people infected with the novel coronavirus were confirmed in Romania. - Hospitalisations - As many as 1,671 people with COVID-19, up 25 from the previous reporting, including 225 minors, are hospitalised in Romania at specialist care facilities. Out of the total number of hospitalised patients, 141, down five, are in intensive care. Of the 141 patients admitted to ICU, 130 are unvaccinated against COVID-19. - Deaths - According to the ministry, six Romanians, two men and four women, are reported dead in the last 24 hours. Of the six deaths, one was recorded in the age group 60-69 years, three in the age group 70-79 years and two in the age group over 80 years. All deaths were in patients with comorbidities. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 66,888 people diagnosed with the SARS-CoV-2 infection have died in Romania. Six refugees of Syrian origin evacuated from Turkey were transferred to Romania on Thursday, as part of the extra-EU resettlement programme, announced the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) in a press release sent to AGERPRES. Through this approach, Romania contributes together with the international community to the support and protection of refugees displaced in third countries, by implementing the commitments assumed for the 2020 - 2021 period. The financing of the resettlement actions was supported from the 2014-2020 Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) National Programme. Police officers with IGI - Asylum and Integration Directorate, together with representatives of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), welcomed the six refugees upon their arrival in Bucharest. The transfer operation of the Syrian citizens is the result of the steps and actions carried out over several months, in order to select and accept in Romania the people in urgent need of relocation. The transfer activity was organized with the support of the IOM, which provided assistance to the migrants up to their arrival in Romania. Complementary to the government assistance, through European-funded projects, IOM will continue to offer specific assistance to Syrian citizens for a maximum period of 45 days, who are later to be registered in the integration programme. The General Inspectorate for Immigration finances, through the projects it implements, the activities preceding the transfer, the medical examinations, the assistance prior to the transfer to Romania, the transport from the country of first asylum and across the national territory, the assistance provided during the transfer and after arrival in our country.AGERPRES The National Weather Administration issued a Code Ember warning for torrential rain in nine counties and a Code Yellow warning for unstable weather in the western, central and northwestern parts of the country valid on Thursday and Friday. Between September 15, 05:00 hrs and September 16, 12:00hrs in Banat, Oltenia and to a lesser extent in the mountains, in Transylvania and Crisana there will be lulls of torrential rain, with water on the ground expected to reach 40 - 60 liters/sq.m up to 80 liters/sq.m, told Agerpres. The nine counties under this code are Maramures, Bistrita-Nasaud, Cluj, Alba, Hunedoara, Caras-Severin, Timis, Arad and Bihor. Between Thursday, 14:00 hrs and Friday, 09:00hrs, heightened atmospheric instability is forecast in the western, central and northwestern parts of the country, as well as in the mountain areas. There will be torrential downpours, thunderstorms, winds picking up speed and even hail. Water on the ground will exceed 25 - 30 l/sq.m. and even 40 l/sq.m. Meteorologists are warnings that there will be spells of unstable weather and heavy rain in the coming days in most of Romania, but mainly in the intra-Carpathian regions. HOUSTON, Sept 15 (Reuters) - A cargo of Russia's flagship crude oil was heading to Cuba on Thursday, ship tracking data showed, the latest import of Russian oil under sanctions by the Caribbean nation, which has an energy crisis. The Liberia-flagged tanker Kazan loaded about 700,000 barrels of Russia's Urals crude at the Baltic port of Primorsk last week and is on its way to discharge later this month at a refinery in Havana, according to Refinitiv Eikon. The tanker is managed by Sun Ship Management since April, according to shipping database Equasis. Sun SM, previously called SCF Management Services, is a unit of Russia's Sovcomflot, according to the parent company's website. Sovcomflot is under U.S., British and Canadian sanctions. Cuba, which generates most of its electricity from fuel oil and its own heavy crude production, has snapped up cheap Russian oil and diesel in recent months to complement domestic output and imports from political ally and main oil supplier Venezuela. President Miguel Diaz Canel has criticized high global fuel prices amid power cuts and fuel rationing in the communist-ruled Caribbean island. The Cuban government reshuffled energy operations after an August fire damaged a big portion of its largest oil terminal, Matanzas. It has turned to floating storage and ship-to-ship transfers for recent imports. Last week, tanker Transsib Bridge carrying Russia-origin diesel discharged in Cuba after a brief stop in Colombia. Cuba's foreign ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment. For Russia, Cuba provides an outlet for oil that has been sanctioned over the country's invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Europe and the United Kingdom are moving toward an end-of-year embargo on Russian crude imports. (Reporting by Arathy Somasekhar in Houston; Additional reporting by Marianna Parraga) The Save Romania Union (USR) launches the anti-crisis package in which it proposes, through two legislative initiatives submitted to Parliament, several measures, including the cut of VAT on energy from 19% to 5%, vouchers of 1,000 lei to help people with energy bills, the elimination of the excise tax for green certificates and the cogeneration tax on bills, as well as the gradual reduction of labour taxation. "USR is launching today the anti-crisis package, a package consisting of several legislative initiatives that comes with solutions for this invoice crisis and the difficult situations in which many Romanians find themselves. We are in a context where the state has systematically failed to solve the invoice crisis in energy, we see chaos and continuous unpredictability, we see that we have among the highest energy prices in the entire European Union, we see a scheme that artificially increased prices and that has given Romanian domestic consumers and companies a hard time," USR Deputy Cristina Pruna told a press conference at Parliament, told Agerpres. She said that, through the compensation and capping scheme that the Government came up with, household consumers receive bills that are three to four times higher than last year, and the state gave the companies a hard time because it removed the right of hundreds of thousands of companies to benefit from the price capping. USR Deputy Claudiu Nasui said that USR is coming up with solutions, noting that it is not too late for the Government to take these measures that many countries in the European Union have already taken. In this regard, USR proposes that the elimination from the electricity invoice of the excise duty for green certificates and the cogeneration tax and the reduction of the VAT rate, Nasui specified. USR also proposes the state to grant 1,000 lei vouchers to help people with the energy bills, added Cristina Pruna. According to Cristina Pruna, this voucher will also help to reduce waste, because people will see directly in the invoice how much aid is left for them. USR also wants to encourage Romanians to produce their own energy, offering them the alternative of a 5,000 lei voucher for the installation of photovoltaic panels, she added. Also, for the industry, USR proposes support for all companies, not only for SMEs, Pruna also said, mentioning in this regard the reduction of payment taxes to the state in the amount of 50% of the increase in energy and gas bills, reported in January 2022. Another measure proposed by USR is the gradual reduction of labour taxation. "We proposed the measure called zero taxes on the minimum wage, the minimum wage should not be taxed, all taxes should start from the minimum wage," added Nasui, noting that the proposed project provides for this measure to be implemented gradually over 4 years. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) With more than 100,000 people living on Californias streets, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a first-of-its kind law on Wednesday that could force some of them into treatment as part of a program he describes as care but opponents argue is cruel. Newsom signed the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Act on Wednesday. It would let family members, first responders and others ask a judge to draw up a treatment plan for someone diagnosed with certain disorders, including schizophrenia. Those who refuse could be placed under a conservatorship and ordered to comply. Right now, homeless people with severe mental health disorders bounce from the streets to jails and hospitals. They can be held against their will at a psychiatric hospital for up to three days. But they must be released if they promise to take medication and follow up with other services. The new law would let a court order a treatment plan for up to one year, which could be extended for a second year. The plan could include medication, housing and therapy. While it shares some elements of programs in other states, the system would be the first of its kind in the country, according to the office of Democratic state Sen. Tom Umberg, a co-author of the law. For decades, California has mostly treated homelessness as a local problem, funneling billions of dollars to city and county governments each year for various treatment programs. But despite all of that spending, homelessness remains one of the state's most pressing and visible issues. Continue to do what youve done and you get what you got. And look what weve got. It's unacceptable, Newsom said Wednesday before signing the law. This (law) has been architected completely differently than anything you've seen in the state of California, arguably in the last century. Some progressives have spoken out against Newsom blocking certain priorities, including vetoing a bill that would have authorized supervised safe-injection sites for drug users and opposing a new tax on millionaires that would pay for more electric cars. But in a year when Newsom is on his way to a shoo-in reelection bid with speculation building about his presidential aspirations, this new program prompted criticism from both sides of the political spectrum, with some on the left arguing it goes too far while others on the right saying it does not go far enough. Newsom signed the law over the strong objections of the American Civil Liberties Union of California, Human Rights Watch, Disability Rights California and numerous other organizations that work with homeless people, minority communities and people with disabilities who say the new program will violate civil rights. They say that courts are a frightening place for many people with severe mental illness and coercion is antithetical to the peer-based model that is critical to recovery. In other words, critics say, a person needs to want to get help and that could take months or years. There is absolutely no evidence that this plan will work. It's just one more non-solution, said Eve Garrow, policy analyst and advocate for ACLU of Southern California. The research shows that adding a coercive element to either housing or mental health services does not increase compliance. The program is not exclusively for homeless people. It only applies to people who have a severe mental illness mostly psychotic disorders and only if they are unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision or are likely to harm themselves or others. That means people struggling with alcohol and opioid addiction won't qualify unless they have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder. The Newsom administration estimates about 12,000 people could get help under the program. James Gallagher, the Republican leader of the state Assembly, said that's not enough. Although better than nothing, (the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment) court essentially amounts to a new bureaucratic half-measure, said Gallagher, who like most of his Republican colleagues voted for the bill in the state Legislature. It's not the groundbreaking policy change we need. It will help some severely mentally ill people get treatment, but will not stop the explosion of homeless camps in our communities." The program would not begin until next year, and only in seven counties: Glenn, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne must establish programs by Oct 1, 2023. All other counties would have until Dec. 1, 2024. Each of California's 58 counties would have to set up special courts to handle these cases. Counties that don't participate could be fined up to $1,000 per day. The biggest challenge for the new law will be having enough funding, housing and workers to implement it without siphoning resources from the hundreds of thousands of county clients already counting on the vital behavioral health and substance use disorder services we provide, said Michelle Doty Cabrera, executive director of the County Behavioral Health Director's Association of California. Newsom echoed those comments, saying implementation will be key. The state budget this year includes $296.5 million for the Workforce for a Healthy California for All Program, which aims to recruit 25,000 community health workers by 2025. The National Alliance on Mental Illness of California supports the proposal, as do business organizations and dozens of cities, including the mayors of Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco and San Diego. They say treatment models and anti-psychotic medications have changed significantly since people were warehoused in institutions. The individual should be able to thrive in the community given the right clinical support team and housing plan, supporters say. Newsom said he was exhausted by arguments from civil liberties groups that the program goes too far. Their point of view is expressed by what you see on the streets and sidewalks all across the state, he said. Beam reported from Sacramento, California. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham has introduced a bill calling for a nationwide abortion ban. The bill would prohibit abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, except in cases of rape, incest or danger to the physical health of the mother. The legislation introduced Tuesday is sending shockwaves through both parties with just weeks before voters go to the polls. Grahams own Republican colleagues did not immediately embrace his abortion ban bill, which has almost no chance of becoming law in the Democratic-held Congress. Democrats reject it as extreme and an alarming signal of where Republicans are headed if they win control of the House and Senate in November. BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany will supply two more multiple rocket launchers to Ukraine, Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht said on Thursday. "We have decided to deliver two more MARS II multiple rocket launchers including 200 rockets to Ukraine," she told a Bundeswehr conference. The training of Ukrainian operators was expected to start in September, she said. "On top of this, we will send 50 Dingo armoured personnel carriers to Ukraine," Lambrecht announced, referring to an armoured vehicle that the German military extensively used during NATO's military operation in Afghanistan. She also said a deal on a circle swap of infantry fighting vehicles with Greece and Ukraine was almost completed, meaning Germany would soon hand over 40 Marder IFVs to Greece while Greece, in turn, would pass on 40 of its Soviet-built BMP-1 IFVs to Ukraine. Later on Thursday, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said Europe should support Ukraine with battle tanks as Ukrainians were proving that they can defend themselves if they have the right military means. "If they say they need battle tanks, then we should take it seriously and should deliver it to them," von der Leyen, who was in Kyiv on Thursday, was quoted as saying by Bild newspaper. There is a growing debate over whether Berlin should support Ukraine with main battle tanks, a demand that Germany has rejected so far, saying it would not take such action unilaterally. (Reporting by Sabine Siebold and Riham Alkousaa; editing by Rachel More and Grant McCool) Joe Holleman Joe Holleman is a reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Joe Holleman Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today ST. LOUIS There is a hole, Vivian Gibson said about her Mill Creek Valley memories. And there is a hurt. That hurt was put on Gibson in 1959, when she was 10 years old and one of 20,000 people driven from their homes on the southern edge of downtown St. Louis easily moved pawns in the name and game of progress. But Gibson has earned some solace from the accolades she has received recently for writing her memoir, The Last Children of Mill Creek. Published in 2020, Gibson recently was named author of the year by the Missouri Library Association. Her book also garnered a Missouri Humanities Literary Achievement Award. In a recent interview, Gibson said the saddest part of Mill Creeks destruction is that it invariably gets described as a slum. Thats how it was phrased when the city would go after a bond issue to pay for the demolition: They were going to eradicate a slum, Gibson said. But it was a neighborhood. Black people had been living there for decades. When you drove Market Street, all you had to do was look right or left and there we were, an entire Black community. We were the people who worked on the railroad and in the hotels and laundries and foundries in the area. We had our schools, our churches and our stores, she said. And while the official line was that the land had to be cleared to make way for Highway 40, Gibson said city planners took far more space than needed. Seeing a similarity with Native Americans restricted to unwanted land, then moved when the land was wanted Gibson said highway-building was secondary to commercial redevelopment plans. So in the name of urban renewal, Mill Creek was gone. Gibson grew up in a three-room house in the 2600 block of Bernard Street, now vacant space in an industrial block of businesses. Her father, Randle Ross, worked on a road crew for St. Louis Public Service Co., which later became Bi-State Development Corp. Her mother, Frances Ross, worked at raising eight children. Nine if you count my brothers friend who came for dinner one night and ended up staying three years, Gibson said. Gibson conceded that some parts of Mill Creek had its rough spots. Some of the buildings right along the railroad tracks were in bad shape. But a lot of the housing stock was no different than that in Soulard, she said. She also made special note of the old Peoples Finance Corp. building at Jefferson Avenue and Market. That was where all the Black doctors and lawyers had their offices, and it was the only place that would lend money to Black people to buy a home, she said. Emphasizing that she does not endorse segregation, Gibson noted that it did have, albeit accidental, a positive aspect. The city had restrictions about where we could live, to keep us contained in certain areas. Even successful Blacks, like doctors and lawyers, couldnt just live wherever they wanted, so they stayed in Mill Creek. And that gave us all role models, she said. It kept us hopeful. Gibson spoke further about the concerns among civic leaders about containing Black residents. Thats why the first bond issue in 1947 (to pay for demolition) was defeated. White people were worried about where all the Black people would go, she said. But a few years after the 1947 defeat, the city began building the Pruitt-Igoe housing project also located downtown, but well north of the commercial Market Street path. So then in 1954, when they went after another bond issue, they could say that that was where wed all go, she said. And that bond issue passed. After the 1959 leveling of Mill Creek, Gibson and her family moved to the West End, thanks in large part to an accident her father had at his job. He was working on streetcar tracks on South Broadway and he got hit by a car; had to have surgery and walked with a limp for the rest of his life, she said. But he got some settlement money and ended up using it to buy a house, so we didnt have to move to Pruitt-Igoe, she said. After that, he always joked that it was well worth losing one inch of leg. For the last 20 years, Gibsons family has been the subject of an exhibit, The Ross Family, at the Missouri History Museum. After graduating from Vashon High, Gibson went on to earn bachelors and masters degrees and then worked in the fashion industry in New York for 10 years. After moving back to her hometown, she retired after 25 years of working as a volunteer coordinator for St. Louis Public Schools, and then went on to work a similar job with Big Brothers Big Sisters. And I live in Mill Creek now, near 14th and Spruce streets, Gibson said and then smiled. I look out right on the railroad tracks. ST. LOUIS A man was shot and critically injured early Thursday at a bar in Soulard. St. Louis police said the shooting was reported about 12:45 a.m. at Henry's bar, 825 Allen Avenue. The victim, a man in his 20s, was shot in the abdomen and head. When police arrived, the man was conscious. Homicide detectives are handling the case because the man is not expected to survive. Police haven't said what may have led to the shooting. They said a man shot the victim but had no detailed description of a suspect. In July, an owner of the Soulard bar, Joshua Lundak, was sent to prison after he struck a plea deal with prosecutors in a 2020 homicide case. Lundak entered an Alford plea, acknowledging that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him of killing 42-year-old Jeffrey Amick in an alley in the 2400 block of Indiana Avenue. As part of the deal, prosecutors dismissed a count of armed criminal action and substituted the first-degree murder charge for involuntary manslaughter. Karen Pojmann, spokeswoman for the Missouri Department of Corrections, said Lundak is being held at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre. He has been there since July 15, she said. JEFFERSON CITY Gov. Mike Parsons administration has settled a lawsuit filed two years ago alleging that state welfare officials were denying severely disabled children full access to services. The settlement was announced Thursday by the Missouri Department of Social Services, which is charged with ensuring that in-home nursing services are available to children with medically complex conditions. Todd Richardson, director of the states Medicaid program, said officials are working to boost services for the children, which are limited because of a nursing shortage. We look forward to continuing our work together to improve resources not only for those involved in this case, but to all MO HealthNet participants, Richardson said. The grandmother of one of the plaintiffs, known as T.S. in court records, said the agreement would allow children to stay at home with their families, which is a significantly less-expensive alternative to hospitals or nursing facilities. This settlement is a big step forward for children who have serious medical needs and their families, the grandmother said. The lawsuit was filed in 2020 on behalf of children and teenagers with medically complex conditions who are enrolled in Medicaid public health insurance coverage administered by the state. Though the children had been approved for in-home nursing care, the state failed to arrange for the care or make sure the services are available, the suit alleged. Another plaintiff, known as C.T. in court records, had a brain infection when she was 12 that put her in a coma for a month. The preteen came out of it alert mentally, but unable to walk, breathe, eat or urinate on her own. She spent the next five years either in a hospital or rehabilitation facility, missing her twin brother and other family members, the suit alleged. C.T., who lived in Ferguson, died in 2021. Even if families are able to find nurses on their own, the state requires that they be employed by a home health agency enrolled with Medicaid and licensed by Missouri to provide services. The suit said families have had to make repeated calls to home health agencies, contact nursing schools and make their childrens circumstances public through social media to try to locate care. The announcement, as well as a settlement agreement filed in court, do not show whether the state must pay financial damages. The children and families were represented by Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, which provides services for those with low income, and the Washington, D.C.-based National Health Law Program. Joel Ferber, director of advocacy for Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, said the settlement will improve the services needed by vulnerable children. While this settlement wont solve every issue facing these children and families, we think we have an excellent agreement that commits both sides to continue working together to meet the needs of Missouris children, Ferber said. Jane Perkins, legal director at the National Health Law Program, said the problems facing the children are not limited to Missouri. The stark reality is that there are Medicaid-enrolled children with complex medical needs in states across the country who are not receiving the in-home nursing care they need. The stakes are life and death for these children, and the strain it places on families is tremendous. We hope this settlement will be helpful to other states as they work to improve coverage, Perkins said. Editors note: T.S. is the grandchild of the family member quoted in this story. An earlier version incorrectly named a different plaintiff. ST. LOUIS St. Louis released city employee pay records to the Post-Dispatch this week, after stalling for nine months and two days. The release comes as multiple government transparency advocates criticized the administration of St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, alleging the city has kept records from the public. The newspapers counsel, Joe Martineau, had to get involved before the payroll data was provided to the newspaper. For the ordinary citizen, for the common citizen, most of them are going to give up in the face of this, said Dave Roland, director of litigation for the Freedom Center of Missouri, which advocates for transparency in government. Whatever they might find, its not worth the hassle, its not worth the constant conflict to get results. And I think thats what government entities count on, Roland added. The day before the newspapers Sunshine request was finally fulfilled, Elad Gross, a local civil rights attorney, filed a lawsuit against St. Louis alleging the city government has developed a scheme to routinely keep records from the public. The newspapers request is part of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch public payroll database. More than 200 agencies in Missouri and Illinois responded to the papers Sunshine and Freedom of Information requests in time for the projects publication on Aug. 28. St. Louis was not included in that version of the database. For months, the city insisted that its personnel department could only provide the newspaper with salary estimates and year-to-date overtime pay. The newspapers request was for St. Louis employee 2021 gross pay. The citys Sunshine Law coordinator, Joseph Sims, said in a statement provided with the data on Wednesday that the city was providing the records as a one-time accommodation for your request that goes beyond the requirements of the Sunshine Law. But Jean Maneke, an attorney who represents the Missouri Press Association, said the kind of information the newspaper asked for is just the baseline of what citizens should be able to see. Any record that a government body makes is a record of business that its doing on behalf of citizens, Maneke said. Citizens who pay their taxes to a public body have a right to inspect how that money is spent and judge for themselves. Sims directed further questions to the city counselors office. The city counselors office did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for Jones said she has no comment at the time. The process, Gross said, has glaring issues. If the system St. Louis city is using to make public records available to the public is essentially unusable by the public, and requires all this navigation, and lawsuits, and threats of lawsuits, and everything else, just to get some public records then essentially its not access at all, Gross said. JEFFERSON CITY A top Senate budget writer rejected a major component of Gov. Mike Parsons tax cut plan and instead called Wednesday for $325 rebate checks to be sent to Missouri taxpayers by Dec. 1. In legislation filed on the opening day of a special session called by the governor, Sen. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, said individuals who earn $150,000 or less would receive the checks. Couples filing jointly and earning less than $300,000 annually would receive $650 checks. The plan also would phase in additional reductions in the overall income tax rate if state tax revenue meets certain thresholds, ending when the rate hits 4.5%. The proposal by Hough, who is expected to take the reins of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee next year, is similar to a rebate check plan vetoed by Parson in June. Rather than issue rebate checks, the governor called the Legislature back to the Capitol to act on his call for a $700 million election year tax cut by moving the states current income tax rate from 5.3% to 4.8%. The Republican governor says the timing is right for a reduction after the state general revenue fund through July 31 had a surplus of more than $4.2 billion. Tax revenues have increased nearly 24% this fiscal year. Along with those increases, Missouris budget has been fueled by more than $9.8 billion in federal pandemic aid since April 2020. Democrats have cautioned that even with flush coffers the state is failing to provide adequate services, ranging from long waiting times on state hotlines to a lack of bed space in mental hospitals and nursing homes for military veterans. And, they say, Missouri could be caught short of funds in an economic downturn. A price tag for Houghs legislation, which includes a series of tax breaks for agriculture businesses sought by Parson, was not available Wednesday. Aides said it could be next week before the cost of the tax rebates is compiled. In the House, Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith said Tuesday he supports the governors call for a tax reduction but is reviewing additional options, including a phased-in reduction that goes further than 4.8% in the coming years. The differences between Parson, Hough and a House tax reduction plan sets the stage for what could be weeks of negotiations over the details in the Republican-controlled Legislature. But the overall sentiment for cutting taxes appeared to be shared. In the Senate, nearly two dozen separate pieces of tax-cutting legislation were filed Wednesday by 11 different senators. We should return as much of peoples hard-earned money to them, said lame-duck Sen. Bob Onder, R-Lake Saint Louis, who is term-limited after eight years in the upper chamber. Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, introduced legislation that would further reduce the corporate income tax rate, which stands at 4%. I think its time that we consider lowering it again, Moon said. Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, filed a measure that would eliminate the corporate tax. House Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann, R-OFallon, said House and Senate leaders are working together to craft a plan that can meet the muster of rank-and-file lawmakers. He said the talks have been amicable. Were just not there yet, Wiemann said. PONTOON BEACH East St. Louis Mayor Robert Eastern credits a wetland restoration project at nearby Horseshoe Lake State Park for keeping torrential rainfall in late July from doing more damage than it did. It transferred water from the city of East St. Louis to Horseshoe Lake, Eastern said this week, describing how the work around the lake helped counteract the historic volume of rain that slammed the area in July and triggered widespread flash flooding. We wouldve had a more devastating impact on our city. So, we want to say, Thank you. The work at Horseshoe Lake in the Metro East which includes both completed and ongoing projects exemplifies the type of natural infrastructure that many other officials say is increasingly vital and cost-effective in the face of a more erratic climate and worsening risks from disasters like flooding and drought. For instance, mayors from throughout the Mississippi River Basin in town for the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative conference this week said during a Wednesday visit to Horseshoe Lake that the same concepts hold immense promise . And, at last, they said, this approach seems to be finding some traction. We mayors have been calling for nature-based solutions for a while, and were finally getting there, said Mayor Errick Simmons of Greenville, Miss., and a co-chair of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative. Horseshoe Lake lives up to its name, forming the large, telltale arc of an oxbow lake that marks a past, meandering path of the Mississippi River, which now flows just to the west. The lake is now home to a state park, and is a recognized hot spot for fish and bird species. Its also an important fixture in the Metro Easts approach to water management. Local stormwater drains empty into the lake, which takes in water from four surrounding communities, including East St. Louis. But over time, the lake has lost volume becoming substantially shallower thanks to the accumulation of sediment carried from neighboring areas and farmland. For example, the lake is now only about 4 feet deep, compared to historic depths of around 8 to 10 feet, officials said. An area that was once an island in the lake is now a peninsula, and an adjacent slough was, until recently, just half the size of its historic basin. Those changes have affected the lakes ability to act as a sponge and reservoir for stormwater and floodwater. But work and funding from entities like MRCTI, the nonprofit Ducks Unlimited, and the state of Illinois have helped advance restoration efforts around the lake. A recent project expanded one adjacent basin, called Raskey Slough, to match its historic size doubling its area from about 30 to 60 acres, and restoring its ability to store tens of millions of gallons of additional water. And another, ongoing project is improving how quickly water can be pumped out of the lake, to be ready for the next rainfall. Officials said Wednesday that they are still trying to officially track or quantify the impact that the Raskey Slough project might have had during Julys extreme rains. But Mayor Eastern, at least, has touted the benefits. Other spots in the area are being targeted for similar projects like at the island complex by the Chain of Rocks Bridge, according to Ducks Unlimited. Of course, such projects dont have to be stand-alone solutions and can complement built infrastructure projects, sometimes called gray infrastructure, according to different people at the conference. Its very much a balancing act, said Colin Wellenkamp, executive director of MRCTI. Ultimately, officials want to see similar projects sprout throughout the Mississippi River Basin. And at least Ducks Unlimited and MRCTI have their eye on similar projects planned along the corridor things that some mayors hope can be aided by newly available federal funding opportunities. It alone cant protect us, said Karen Waldrop, a chief conservationist for Ducks Unlimited, describing the work in the Metro East. We need many, many more Horseshoe Lake projects up and down the Mississippi River to make a difference. SHREWSBURY Catholics across the region can now take a detailed look at their church finances, Mass attendance and school enrollment as the Archdiocese of St. Louis moves to restructure its parishes. The archdiocese released data Thursday on all 178 parishes ahead of hundreds of listening sessions in October and November. At the meetings, parishioners will be shown two to four different models reflecting potential church closures or consolidations. The proposed plan for school closures is expected to be released early in 2023. St. Louis Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski said Thursday that he does not have a set number of parish closures in mind, and that he wants to hear as much feedback as possible from church leaders and members. I want to have a Catholic presence in every part of our archdiocese, he said in an interview. The All Things New initiative launched earlier this year aims to adjust parish boundaries as the Catholic population continues to decline across 10 Missouri counties, falling below 500,000 in 2021 for the first time in a half century. Only 25% of pews were filled during weekend Mass across the region last year, according to the data released Thursday. For generations, the flock has been moving west from the city of St. Louis toward St. Charles County. If the archdiocese does not reduce its parishes, they will outnumber priests by 2026. St. Joseph in Cottleville is now the largest church in the archdiocese, with 18,000 congregants served by three full-time priests. The church serves three times the number of registered Catholics in all of north St. Louis. Last month, 220 priests gathered to view the 42 options for reconfiguring parishes across 15 planning areas. A handful of leaders from each parish will also see the models and give feedback before they are released to the flock at the parish meetings. Each parish can include anywhere from one to multiple churches within its geographic footprint. After restructuring, the average number of families in each parish is expected to grow from 800 to 1,800. The decision to close or consolidate a parish will likely be based on the numbers of sacraments including the ratio of baptisms to funerals as well as the strength of outreach efforts to previous and new members, Rozanski told the Post-Dispatch. The church exists to evangelize, he said. The final restructuring plan will be announced May 28, on Pentecost, and is expected to take up to three years to implement. Asked what role existing finances for each parish will play in his ultimate plan, Rozanski said: Our presence in bringing Christ to others is the bottom line over money. Catholic school enrollment Catholic school enrollment across the St. Louis Archdiocese has dropped from about 40,000 to 20,000 students over the past two decades. Here are the five grade schools in St. Louis city and county that have the highest and lowest rates of enrollment growth since 2016: Highest enrollment growth: St. Louis Catholic Academy (north St. Louis), 184 students (+70%) Holy Spirit (Maryland Heights), 185 students (+46%) Ste. Genevieve du Bois (Warson Woods), 147 students (+41%) Assumption (Concord), 228 students (+33%) Ascension (Chesterfield), 377 students (+25%) Steepest enrollment decline: St. Simon the Apostle (Green Park), 141 students (-53%) St. Mark (Lemay), 120 students (-43%) St. Alban Roe (Wildwood), 198 students (-35%) St. Clare of Assisi (Ellisville), 201 students (-29%) Holy Cross Academy (south St. Louis County), 409 students (-28%) Source: Archdiocese of St. Louis PHOTO: Yahoo News Singapore SINGAPORE A jobless man who fatally stabbed a stranger at Punggol Field in what was described as a "senseless" killing was sentenced to life imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane on Thursday (15 September). CNA reported that Surajsrikan Diwakar Mani Tripathi, 22, pleaded guilty to one count of murdering 38-year-old Tay Rui Hao while both were jogging at Punggol Field on the night of 10 May 2020, amid Singapore's circuit breaker period during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both Surajsrikan and Tay lived in Punggol, but did not know each other. Date was significant to killer The court heard that the 10 May date was a significant date for Surajsrikan, as it was the date his father had abandoned his family. CNA reported that it was also the date of his national service enlistment. The memories of the date caused him to be frustrated and angry. When he left him home at around 10pm that night, he brought along a Singapore Armed Forces-issued Swiss folding knife with a 9cm-long blade, serrated on one edge, and a wet wipe. While he was running, he missed his footing and fell near a bus stop along Punggol Field Road. He then paced around for five to 10 minutes to work off his anger. Tay happened to jog past Surajsrikan at about 11.10pm. The court heard that, in a fit of anger, Surajsrikan unfolded his knife, chased after Tay and stabbed him forcefully in the back. He then stabbed and slashed the victim's arm and abdominal area while the victim was trying to sit up. According to CNA, Surajsrikan wiped the blood off his knife and kept it, as he walked back towards a block of flats. He wandered around the neighborhood for about one-and-a-half hours before discarding the wet wipe and heading home at around 12.30am. Tay called 995, and paramedics found him bleeding on the grass. He was initially alert but lost consciousness later, and died early the next morning. 10 external injuries on victim Surajsrikan was identified through police cameras that showed him wandering around the neighborhood with a knife. He was arrested and the knife was recovered. Story continues CNA reported that an autopsy on the victim uncovered 10 external injuries comprising incised wounds, abrasions and a deep gaping wound in a muscle. His cause of death was determined to be incised wounds of the right radial artery and a lung. Surajsrikan was examined and found to suffer from severe social anxiety disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. These had crippling effects on his life, leading to low mood and anger, but he did not qualify for a depressive disorder. He was previously found to have borderline to low intelligence, but was not found to be intellectually disabled nor suffering from any psychotic disorder, reported CNA. The court heard that Surajsrikan's actions were not directly caused by his disorders, and he was not of unsound mind at the time of the offence. Lack of remorse in conduct: DPP Deputy Public Prosecutors Andre Chong and Han Ming Kuang said they did not object to life imprisonment for Surajsrikan. CNA reported that they asked for 24 strokes of the cane should he receive life imprisonment, as he acted with premeditation rather than impulse, by taking the knife and wet wipe with him on the run. Chong said that Surajsrikan killed the victim "senselessly, simply to vent his anger over his own circumstances", and in a brutal manner. Surajsrikan continued to stab him even after the victim tried to get up, and there is a lack of remorse in his conduct after the offence. Defence lawyer Edmond Pereira concurred with the imposition of a life sentence, but asked the judge not to impose caning, reported CNA. He urged the court to consider that it was not a premeditated act but one of impulse. "When he left home, he did not have any target in mind. His intention then was to harm himself, and in the end, he did not, and the circumstances that triggered him... (are) again not something he had planned earlier, so it's something we submit happened out of impulse," Pereira said. Justice Dedar Singh Gill said Surajsrikan's sentence "will not bring back the victim" nor "erase memories of this painful period". "But it is my hope that the sentencing will provide some sort of closure for the family of the victim. It is also my hope that the accused dutifully continues with his medication whilst in prison," he said. Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube. As he hits the campaign trail for the fifth time in less than four years, Israel's former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is addressing supporters from a strange new vehicle dubbed the Bibibus" after his popular nickname. His supporters say the rental van fitted with bulletproof glass is needed to protect him. Critics view the expensive vehicle as a PR gimmick and yet another symbol of his detachment from the economic concerns of ordinary Israelis. The main issue dividing Israelis in this election as with the last four is Netanyahu's fitness to rule in the face of serious corruption allegations. Cross-country bike ride to honor internationally renowned Minnesota priest The ride, which commemorates the work of Father Greg Schaffer, will shed light on the economic disparities in Guatemala, where Schaffer worked. New Ulm, Minnesota native Dan Herbeck has set off on a bicycle journey of a lifetime in honor of one of Minnesotas most beloved priests, Fr. Greg Schaffer. Herbecks ride, which kicked off Sept. 8 from the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol, traces the U.S. portion of a 3,087 mile walk Schaffer took 50 years ago, from St. Paul, Minnesota to San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala, where the priest dedicated his life to service. Herbeck is expected to make his way through the country en route to the U.S.-Mexico border. He tentatively plans to arrive by mid-October. Schaffer was a New Ulm priest reassigned to serve a parish in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala. He had a memorable impact on the people of both Minnesota and Guatemala. Together with community members in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala, Schaffer and the School Sisters of Notre Dame founded programs to increase access to education, housing, and healthcare in Guatemala. In 1972, Schaffer and two Guatemalan menElias Jacinto and Ronal Motta walked from Minnesota to Guatemala to raise money for these programs, known collectively as the San Lucas Mission. Schaffer passed away in 2012, and today, the Missions work is run by Guatemalans and funded by Friends of San Lucas. Herbeck remembers Schaffer visiting Holy Trinity, his childhood parish in New Ulm, to solicit funds for the Mission. Fr. Greg was an inspiring leader, passionate about his work and the people of Guatemala. He invited us to learn more about systemic poverty, and he presented the opportunity to support solutions, Herbeck said. Dan is motivated by a sense of responsibility, not only to his immediate neighbors, but also to those beyond our borders. Herbecks example is already inspiring others. Jim Seifert, president of Friends of San Lucas, for one, lauded Herbecks efforts. Dans goal is to raise awareness of economic disparities in Guatemala through this ride. The funds he raises will change lives for people experiencing poverty in Guatemala, Seifert said. To support Dans work and learn more, visit sanlucasmission.org/bike South Korea has quietly canceled plans to build one or more aircraft carriers for its F-35B stealth fighters. Three years ago, a 30,000-ton modified LPX II amphibious ship was added to the 2021-25 defense spending plan. Now called CVX, it would be similar but superior to the Japanese DDH F-35B carrier and would be able to carry up to 20 F-35Bs. While the designation LPX II indicates a larger amphibious ship, the LPX II will be built as a CVX aircraft carrier, without facilities for carrying marines and their equipment. For several years South Korean defense officials have discussed building one or more 30,000-ton ships that look like the Japanese DDH (destroyer helicopter carrier) and are modified to handle a dozen or more F-35Bs. South Korean plans became more obvious when the second Dokdo class LPH (Landing Platform Helicopter) entered sea trials in 2020. As of 2020 South Korea now had two 19,500-ton Dokdo class large amphibious ships. These South Korea LPHs are similar in appearance and operation to the larger American amphibious ships. The LPH flight deck can handle helicopters, as well as vertical takeoff jets like the F-35B. Until recently Korea denied that Dokdos would be used with these jets, but the capability was there. The LPH normally carries 720 combat troops and their heavy equipment. Dokdos also carry fifteen aircraft; two V-22 vertical takeoff transports and 13 helicopters. Marado, the second Dokdo, has a redesigned flight deck that can handle two V-22s at once instead of just one. In addition to a more powerful 3-D surveillance radar for tracking aircraft, Marado has a Phalanx anti-missile system. Marado was apparently modified so it could more effectively handle six or more F-35Bs. The Dokdo had a crew of 330 plus the ability to carry 720 marines. The ships crew includes pilots and maintainers for the helicopters. In contrast, the LPX/CVX II was to have a crew of over 500, including aviation personnel (pilots, planners and maintainers). The CVX was simply removed from the naval budget. South Korea changed its F-35 order from F-35Bs to the land-based F-35As. The South Korean Navy is putting more money into new submarines, as these are more useful against Chinese subs and surface ships. Britain is donating six Remus 100 UUVs (Unmanned Underwater Vehicle) to Ukraine and is currently training Ukrainian sailors how to operate them. The U.S. also has Remus 100 and successfully used them in the Persian Gulf fifteen years ago. Remus 100 is a 37 kg (80 pound) vehicle that looks like a small torpedo. It is 1.6 meters (5.4 feet) long and 190mm in diameter. Carrying a side scanning sonar and other sensors, a Remus 100 can stay underwater for 22 hours, traveling at a cruising speed of five kilometers an hour (top speed is nearly twice that.) The UUV can operate up to 100 kilometers from its operator, and dive to 100 meters (300 feet). The UUV keeps costs down by using GPS, in addition to inertial guidance. The UUV surfaces every hour or two to get a GPS fix, and then goes back to doing what it was programmed to do. Ukraine will use them to find and eliminate Russian bottom mines in shallow coastal waters. Remus 100 was designed mainly for civilian applications (inspecting underwater facilities, pollution monitoring, underwater survey or search). But there are similar military and police applications, like searching for naval mines. Australia and New Zealand also use Remus 100, and several hundred are in use. Depending on sensors carried, each Remus costs $350-500,000. Britain donated two Sundown class minehunter ships to Ukraine. These are 600-ton ships with a crew of 34 and equipped with Seafox UUVs for detecting and destroying (by placing explosive charges) mines. by Austin Bay September 14, 2022 My last column argued China has a 3-to-5-year window of opportunity to deal America a strategic defeat giving the dictatorship uncontested global economic and diplomatic clout and regional military dominance lasting for decades. China's modernized military, prolific warship building and new South China Sea bases give it a military edge on the Asian littoral. The U.S. Navy doesn't have enough ships to maintain a global presence and fight a dispersed, high-intensity Pacific battle with China. Focusing on the western Pacific, since 1996 China has made military and diplomatic preparations to break the "first island chain" (Japan-Taiwan-Philippines). China seeks bases beyond the chain where missiles and planes can quickly hit Hawaii. In April China signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands. In August the Solomons denied a U.S. Coast Guard cutter port access. Micro tiff? No -- China shapes the battlespace. America and its allies have responded to China's threat. Marine "littoral regiments" will fight fast-moving, dispersed operations. The Army and Navy are fielding new precision long-range weapons. Taiwan is rearming to fight a Ukraine-type peoples war. The Navy thinks autonomous vessels may solve its "hull deficit" problem. But the robots are untested. Chinese cyber-electronic warfare may disable them. Mining China's coast is a must. But U.S. and allied air and sea forces will face intense Chinese fire and mining the coast won't stop Chinese ships in the Solomons. A U.S. response to the Navy's ship shortage must be fielded fast, when it can still deter. It must be able to fight in forward areas, defending allies and supporting marines and soldiers. But Congress and the Pentagon act slowly. Big warships take years to build and are big targets. China plans to sink U.S. Navy carrier battle groups approaching Asia or force wary admirals to keep the carriers east of Honolulu. Beijing calls it anti-access/area denial using "carrier killer" missiles and subs. My last column asked this question: Can anything be done to counter China's moment of advantage? I answered yes. Here's a specific solution to the hull deficit. In May 2021 I received a detailed briefing on a remarkable 96-foot-long warship, the H96. At first glance it's a 21st-century PT boat, the Navy's WWII king of speed and combat punch per pound and per dollar. Quick and cheap to build, the PT deployed in narrow seas to blunt post-Pearl Harbor Japanese naval might. The H96 is designed to fight a Pacific Ocean war against China -- providing multi-mission firepower and surveillance in forward area battles for air-sea-space supremacy and islands. The H96 has 40-plus knot speed but its fuel capacity, beam and shrewd hull design give it long-range transit capability. It can deploy friendly air and sea drones in an electronic-cyber warfare environment. Impressed by the briefing, on my own initiative I wrote a Net Assessment-type operational study. I thought the ship has the speed and stealth to survive in forward areas. Shallow draft means it can move troops. Cheap to build, with a crew of 15, U.S. Navy capital ships aren't risked in early battles. Configure it to carry long-range missiles and it can strike Chinese land targets. Its tactical weapons are proven systems, two manned quad-fifty stations (cyber won't affect them) and eight 30 mm remote-controlled chain guns. Its engines are proven and available, not theoretical, and hull design tested. Given its speed and handling, the H96 could conduct escort, anti-smuggling and anti-piracy missions. This September I met the designer for an update. How fast can you build the H96? Quickly. A year or so from the "Go." The price of one nuclear carrier and air wing the gets Pentagon up to 500 H96s sporting six to eight long-range precision missiles. China's threat has no one single answer. The H96, however, definitely complicates China's war plans built on defeating big carriers and static bases. Now 500 lethal targets vex Beijing and alter the balance of power in the forward battle area. The great Chinese strategic theorist Sun Tzu said the acme of strategy is to defeat the enemy's strategy. The H96 is a weapon capable of giving China an American dose of Sun Tzu's enlightenment. Proprietary vs. Open-Source Streaming Codecs What are some of the key advantages of proprietary versus open-source codecs? There are many factors that come into play that are primarily based on finding the right balance of customer needs in various use cases. Why are people choosing your codecs as opposed to open-source for either h.264 or SVT-AV1? Jan Ozer, Principal, Streaming Learning Center, Contributing Editor Streaming Media, asks Thomas Davies, Distinguished Engineer, Visionular. We have a unique situation and we're very lucky that there are two very good open-source implementations with generous licensing that you can look at and that's raised the whole bar for the field of paid-for codex, Davies says. He emphasizes that Visionulars customers are ultimately looking for the holy trinity of speed, quality, and bitrate. Different customers will have different thresholds of trade-offs between those elements in order to reach their production goals. Often you are trying to get to a new resolution, a new application, and you can't do it at the bit rates that you want to, at the density that you want to, he says. So we see ourselves as getting a big premium over the open-source solutions in those dimensionsbut which dimension you get the premium in depends on how you want to tune it how you want to trade off speed versus quality versus bit rate. Davies says that Visionular is ideal for customers who seek to highly optimize the production setup for their specific requirements. He notes that customers range from very high-end cases looking to encode at 1 FPS or slower to more mid-range requirements which entail 3 to 5 FPS, suitably parallelized across a server, necessarily, he says. And then at the other end, you move RTC use cases where you are trying to actually provide not just real-time, but much faster than real-time because you'd like to use a fraction of a CPU, not a whole CPU in many RTC applications. So, you have to spot a very wide range of operating points and hit the sweet spot in each one, depending on how the customer wants to balance those things. David Ronca, Director, Video Encoding, Facebook says that SVT-AV1 is a very good implementation of AV1. The fundamental level is production-grade, he says. But there's a lot of capabilities and features that are not there. He notes that the purpose has never been to create just a single codec that everybody can use. The intent is really to seed the market with a very good baseline, he says. I think that Visionular and others are showing that there is a real value in closed-source. Still, he says, while SVT-AV1 is a great baseline for a production encoder, there are many aspects remaining that can be expanded upon. Its really up to the Visionulars of the world to take that baseline and turn it into a tier 1 production-grade, he says. Learn more about codecs at Streaming Media West 2022. Watch full-session videos from Streaming Media Connect 2022. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Related Articles VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 15, 2022 / FALCON GOLD CORP. (TSXV:FG)(GR:3FA)(OTCQB: FGLDF); ("Falcon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that exploration has commenced at the Company's 100% owned Gander North Property, with initial results now available from its reconnaissance exploration program. The project commenced in late June, with initial prospecting and till sampling. Preliminary efforts have identified numerous evidence for quartz veins, including subcrop and float. Surface samples collected to date have been submitted for assay; and initial results have returned values of up to 885 ppb gold from sub cropping quartz veins, up to 0.15% copper, and up to 26.8 gpt silver from quartz float. Several samples have returned anomalous tungsten, and further analysis is required to confirm the content. Initial results for gold are presented in figure 1. Multiple geophysical targets were identified over the project area earlier this year through review of publicly available datasets, and these will be the focus of ongoing reconnaissance. Detailed work, including systematic sampling and geological mapping will commence this fall to better define targets in advance of drilling. Work permit applications have been submitted for the drill program, and approval is pending. Mr. Karim Rayani, Falcon's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Excellent progress is being made at our Gander North project, preliminary results are more than just encouraging with surface samples as high as 885 ppb gold. We now have multiple geophysical targets to go after that have been identified - with the help of publicly available data sets, we have now submitted our drill plan application and are awaiting final approval for our inaugural drill campaign. This is an opportunistic time for Falcon, as we have set ourselves apart from our peers. We control a sizeable area of influence totaling 108,000 hectares when combining this with our JV partner Marvel Discovery at Baie Verte and Golden Brook the number jumps to 150,000 hectares making us one of the dominant players on the island. We look forward to reporting back on the remaining sample results with the drill permit news when received." About the Gander North Property The Gander North Property is comprised of 406 claims within two blocks covering 10,150 hectares, and is located in two blocks, one immediately south of Gander, Newfoundland (see figure 1), and the second block immediately east of the town. The property occurs within the Gander Zone and is proximal to the Figure 1 - Initial results from 2022 sampling stations at the Gander North Property. Dog Bay-Appleton-Grub fault system, a crustal scale zone that extends southwest from the north coast of Newfoundland for nearly 200km to Gander. Structural corridors in central Newfoundland have shown to be intimately associated with recent gold discoveries including New Found Gold's Queensway project located approximately 9km from Falcon's project, an area of considerable potential that made national headlines recently in an article by the Financial Post (https://financialpost.com/commodities/mining/eric-sprott-makes-his-biggest-bet-yet-on-what-he-believes-could-be-the-greatest-gold-discovery-in-the-history-of-canada). Northeast trending structural lineaments first recognized by Gander Gold have returned spectacular results from soil geochemistry sampling surveys as evidenced with recent published results of 1432 parts per billion gold. These NW trending zones are interpreted to continue onto Falcon's Gander North Property. An interpretation of the regional magnetics show NNE trending, ophiolite bearing thrust faults are cross-cut by a series of brittle NE trending fault-fractures, which indicate a regional setting similar to the highly prospective eastern Exploits Subzone (see figure 2). Gold mineralization models along the Exploits Subzone are based on structural settings analogous to those reported for Fosterville in Victoria, Australia (https://exploitsdiscovery.com/projects/). Tungsten mineralization models indicate a common association with intrusion-related gold deposition that have a genetic association to felsic intrusions, particularly within cratonic margins or back-arc positions relative to continental margin arcs, or within continental collisional settings. Reference Gander Gold: https://www.stockwatch.com/News/Item/Z-C!SASY-3181872/C/SASY Qualified Person Greg Robinson, P. Geo, an independent qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed, and approved the technical contents of this news release on behalf of the Company. About Falcon Gold Corp. Falcon is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on generating, acquiring, and exploring opportunities in the Americas. Falcon's flagship project, the Central Canada Gold Mine, is approximately 20km southeast of Agnico Eagle's Hammond Reef Gold Deposit which has currently estimated 3.32 million ounces of gold (123.5 million tonnes grading 0.84 g/t gold) mineral reserves, and 2.3 million ounces of measured and indicated mineral resources (133.4 million tonnes grading 0.54 g/t gold). The Hammond Reef gold property lies on the Hammond shear zone, which is a northeast-trending splay off the Quetico Fault Zone ("QFZ") and may be the control for the gold deposit. The Central Gold property lies on a similar major northeast-trending splay of the QFZ. The Company holds 14 additional projects: The Esperanza Gold/Silver/Copper mineral concessions located in La Rioja Province, Argentina, The Viernes Gold/Silver/Copper project in Antofagasta Chile, The Springpole West Property in the world-renowned Red Lake mining camp; a 49% interest in the Burton Gold property with Iamgold near Sudbury Ontario; and in B.C., the Spitfire-Sunny Boy, Gaspard Gold claims; and most recently the Great Burnt, Hope Brook, and Baie Verte acquisitions adjacent to First Mining, Matador, Benton-Sokoman's JV, and Marvel Discovery in Central Newfoundland. CONTACT INFORMATION: Falcon Gold Corp. "Karim Rayani" Karim Rayani Chief Executive Officer, Director Telephone: (604) 716-0551 Email: [email protected] Cautionary Language and Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, etc. Forward looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Falcon Gold Corp. View source version on accesswire.com: Cayuga Community College has announced that its Holiday Craft Fair will return this December after two years away due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 47th edition of the fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, at the college at 197 Franklin St., Auburn. We are delighted to be able to bring back this longstanding community event, said Guy Cosentino, executive director of the Cayuga County Community College Foundation, which runs the fair on behalf of the college, in a news release. The fair is free and open to the public, and usually has more than 100 vendors. This year's will also include food trucks and a craft table for children to make holiday decorations and gifts. Vendor registration is being accepted for the fair at cayuga-cc.edu/craftfair. Vendors can also email craftfairinfo@cayuga-cc.edu or call (315) 294-8587 and leave contact information to request registration materials. For more information, visit cayuga-cc.edu. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 15, 2022 / Gold Mountain Mining Corp. ("Gold Mountain" or the "Company") (TSX:GMTN)(OTCQB: GMTNF)(FRA:5XFA) announces a correction to its press release dated September 14, 2022. This corrective press release now discloses the true width of the intercepts, QA/QC measures, analytical procedures related to its Phase III drill results and that all assays were conducted at Actlabs in Kamloops BC. There is no correction to the results of the drill program. Highlights: The Company received all assay results from its Phase lll Drill Program (15,500m) which intersected significant high-grade intervals to extend the known mineralization in the Gold Creek and Siwash North zones. Highlight intercepts include: 65.37 g/t Au over 1.31 m including 276 g/t Au over 0.31 m 48.38 g/t Au over 2.04 m including 258 g/t Au over 0.38 m 59.54 g/t Au over 1.30 m Including 258 g/t Au over 0.30 m 104.72 g/t Au over 0.79 m Including 167 g/t Au over 0.49 m 32.32 g/t Au over 1.47 m Including 101 g/t Au over 0.47 m 66.60 g/t Au over 0.95 m Including 102 g/t Au over 0.62 m Assay intervals are presented as apparent thickness. True thickness will vary depending on the orientation of the drill hole but are typically 70-90% of the apparent thickness. Phase lll Drill Results During the second quarter the Company completed its Phase lll exploration program which totaled 15,500 meters. The campaign successfully expanded several important areas of the vein model and continued to intercept high gold grades. Drilling on the 1300 vein extended its mineralization down-dip another 150m, reaching a depth of over 400m below the surface. Additional drilling successfully targeted areas of high-grade inferred resources in the current mineral resource estimate in order to increase the level of geological confidence in those zones. The strong results from the Phase III campaign are planned to be incorporated into an updated mineral resource estimate anticipated to be completed in Q4. Below is a table of selected core drill results from the Phase III drill program. A complete list of all drill results to date have been posted to the Company's website at www.Gold-Mountain.ca : Phase lll Assay Results Hole From To Interval (m) Au (g/t) SND22-041 347.54 349.58 2.04 48.38 Including 348.2 348.58 0.38 258.00 SND22-043 49.49 50.8 1.31 65.37 Including 50.49 50.8 0.31 276.00 SND22-022 468.45 469.75 1.3 59.54 Including 469.45 469.75 0.3 258.00 SND22-040 456.03 456.82 0.79 104.72 Including 456.03 456.52 0.49 167.00 SND22-011 141.23 142.7 1.47 32.32 Including 142.23 142.7 0.47 101.00 SND22-036 173.92 175.3 1.38 10.90 Including 173.92 174.22 0.3 42.70 SND22-041 133.18 134.13 0.95 66.60 Including 133.18 133.8 0.62 102.00 SND22-040 195.2 196 0.8 9.04 Including 195.63 196 0.37 19.30 SND22-044 161.23 162.06 0.83 17.99 Including 161.23 161.76 0.53 27.90 SND22-047 94.2 96.75 2.55 10.72 Including 94.2 94.88 0.68 23.10 SND22-039 530.8 532 1.2 5.15 Including 530.8 531.12 0.32 18.40 SND22-033 206.62 207.78 1.16 13.85 Including 206.62 207.3 0.68 23.30 SND22-020 432.13 433.43 1.3 8.57 Including 432.13 432.66 0.53 21.00 SND22-012 327.02 328.35 1.33 10.22 Including 327.9 328.35 0.45 29.20 *Assay intervals are presented as apparent thickness. True thickness will vary depending on the orientation of the drill hole but are typically 70-90% of the apparent thickness. Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Measures and Analytical Procedures Gold Mountain adheres to a strict QA/QC monitoring program that includes the insertion of blanks, standards and duplicates into the sample stream, as well as the re-submission of select samples for check assays by an independent third-party laboratory. Core samples were analyzed by Actlabs in Kamloops BC using Fire Assay methods with a gravimetric finish for results over 10g/t gold. No material QA/QC issues were noted with the results received from the laboratory. Qualified Person The foregoing technical information was approved by Grant Carlson, P.Eng., a Qualified Person, as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and the Chief Operating Officer for the Company. About Gold Mountain Mining Gold Mountain is a British Columbia based gold and silver exploration and development company focused on resource expansion at the Elk Gold Project, a producing mine located 57 KM from Merritt in South Central British Columbia. Additional information is available at www.sedar.com or on the Company's new website at www.gold-mountain.ca. For further information, please contact: Gold Mountain Mining Corp. Phone: 778.262.0933 Email: [email protected] Website: www.gold-mountain.ca Twitter: www.twitter.com/goldmtnmine_ Forward-Looking Statements This includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward- looking statements include statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release and are not purely historical including any information relating to statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future and often, but not always, use words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this press release include the impact of the Phase III drilling on the Company's resource estimate and any potential to upgrade the inferred resource estimates. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; the price of gold; and the results of current exploration. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Gold Mountain disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. For a comprehensive overview of all risks that may impact the Company, please see the Annual Information Form for the year ended January 31, 2021 a copy of which was filed on November 4, 20201 and is available on SEDAR. SOURCE: Gold Mountain Mining Corp. View source version on accesswire.com: RENO, NV / ACCESSWIRE / September 15, 2022 / Patriot Gold Corp. (CSE: PGOL) (OTCQB: PGOL) ("Patriot") provided the following update today to shareholders. Patriot Gold owns a 3% royalty on the Moss Mine, now in commercial production and owned by Golden Vertex Corp, a subsidiary of Elevation Gold Mining Corporation ("Elevation"). The Moss Mine is an open pit, heap-leach, gold-silver operation located in northern Arizona. Elevation recently reported Moss Mine production of 6,809 ounces of gold and 28,115 ounces of silver during Q2 2022, as well as the completion of an infill and resource expansion drilling program. Patriot recorded revenue of $795,807 during the first half of 2022, compared to $980,181 in the first half of 2021. Patriot also owns a 2% royalty on the Bruner gold project ("Bruner"). The Bruner is owned by Endeavour Silver Corp ("Endeavour"). Although the Bruner is not in production, a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) was completed on it in 2016, and an updated PEA in 2018. Endeavour reported on Sept 1 2021 plans to conduct a drilling program at Bruner in 2022. Patriot also owns a 100% interest in two exploration projects: the Windy Peak gold project, and the Vernal gold project. Patriot's Windy Peak gold project ("Windy Peak") is located approximately 45 miles southeast of Fallon in the state of Nevada, and consists of 114 unpatented claims totaling approximately 2,337 contiguous acres. Windy Peak is situated in a gold-producing region which hosts such deposits as the Paradise Peak and Rawhide. Windy Peak has been the focus of extensive historical work, including geologic mapping, rock and float sampling, geophysical surveys and drilling. Patriot has completed three drilling programs on the Windy Peak, the first consisting of a core drilling program in 2018, the second consisting of a reverse-circulation drilling program in 2019, and the third consisting of further reverse-circulation drilling in 2020/21. All drilling programs have returned positive results, and further drilling is planned. Patriot's Vernal gold project ("Vernal") is located approximately 140 miles east-southeast of Reno in the state of Nevada, and consists of 12 unpatented mining claims totaling 120 contiguous acres. Patriot has conducted geologic mapping and rock chip sampling, and has completed a National Instrument 43-101 technical report on the project. In further work, Patriot completed an aerial hyperspectral imagery project, and has been analyzing the results. Patriot has also been actively vetting new potential projects in Nevada. About Patriot Gold Corp Patriot is exploring its 100%-owned gold projects in Nevada, which include the Windy Peak gold project, and the Vernal gold project. Patriot owns a 3% royalty in the Moss Mine in Arizona, now in commercial production. Patriot also owns a 2% royalty in the Bruner gold project in Nevada. On Behalf of the Board of Patriot Trevor Newton, President, Director Contact: 702-456-9565 www.PatriotGoldCorp.com The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein. Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes certain forward-looking statements or information. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this news release may include statements in relation to the timing, cost and other aspects of future plans, objectives or expectations of Patriot Gold Corp. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Patriot's plans include the risk that actual results of current and planned exploration activities will not be consistent with Patriot's expectations; the geology, grade and continuity of any mineral deposits and the risk of unexpected variations in mineral resources, grade and/or recovery rates; fluctuating metals prices; unanticipated costs and expenses; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results and geological tests; availability of capital and financing required to continue Patriot's programs and preparation of geological reports and studies; delays in the preparation of geological reports and studies; general economic, market or business conditions; competition and loss of key employees; regulatory changes and restrictions including in relation to required permits for exploration activities (including drilling permits) and environmental requirements; timeliness of civil government or regulatory approvals; and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by Patriot with securities regulators. In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, Patriot has made numerous assumptions, including that Patriot's future exploration programs will proceed as planned and within budget. Patriot expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. More information is included in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and may be accessed through the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov SOURCE: Patriot Gold Corp View source version on accesswire.com: Essent Group Ltd. (NYSE: ESNT) announced today that Anu (Henna) A. Karna has joined its Board of Directors. We are pleased to have Henna join our Board of Directors, said Mark Casale, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Henna brings in-depth knowledge and experience to our board relative to innovation driven by data and technology and digital transformation across the global insurance space. Hennas background and experience will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our use of data in advancing the franchise. Dr. Karna has more than 25 years of experience leading digital, data and analytics innovation across the high-tech, consumer packaged goods, risk management and insurance industries. Dr. Karna has served as the global general manager of industry solutions for insurance, reinsurance and risk management at Google cloud (Alphabet Inc.) since 2020, where she leads the global insurance strategy, solutions, and innovation. From 2017 to 2020, Dr. Karna served as executive vice president and global chief data officer of AXA XL, the property and casualty, specialty risk, risk management and reinsurance subsidiary of AXA, a global insurance company. Prior to that, Dr. Karna served from 2015 to 2016 as a managing director and the global actuarial chief information officer of American International Group, Inc. (AIG), a multinational finance and insurance corporation, and held various roles with Verisk Analytics, Inc., a data and analytics and risk management firm, from 2009 to 2015, including most recently serving as the president of its Verisk Digital Services business unit. Dr. Karna holds an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, doctorate and masters degrees in mathematics from the University of Massachusetts, and a BS in mathematical sciences from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. About the Company Essent Group Ltd. (NYSE: ESNT) is a Bermuda-based holding company (collectively with its subsidiaries, Essent) which, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Essent Guaranty, Inc., offers private mortgage insurance for single-family mortgage loans in the United States. Essent provides private capital to mitigate mortgage credit risk, allowing lenders to make additional mortgage financing available to prospective homeowners. Headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, Essent Guaranty, Inc. is licensed to write mortgage insurance in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and is approved by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Essent also offers mortgage-related insurance, reinsurance and advisory services through its Bermuda-based subsidiary, Essent Reinsurance Ltd. Essent is committed to supporting environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives that are relevant to the company and align with the companywide dedication to responsible corporate citizenship that positively impacts the community and people served. Additional information regarding Essent may be found at www.essentgroup.com and www.essent.us. Source: Essent Group Ltd. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005212/en/ Media 610.230.0556 [email protected] Investor Relations Philip Stefano Vice President, Investor Relations 855-809-ESNT [email protected] Source: Essent Group Ltd. Akur8s first Global Pricing Survey reveals that 83% of key players in the insurance pricing community believe the convergence between actuarial and data science would be highly valuable to their team in the future. PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Akur8, the AI insurance pricing company, published today results from its first global pricing report, Akur8 Global Pricing Survey: convergence between actuarial and data science awaited! Shedding new light on the pricing challenges and expectations of insurance carriers worldwide, Akur8s new insurance survey offers key insights from over a hundred insurance pricing professionals across lines of business, representing 31 countries. Among the findings of the survey, some key takeaways include: For major insurance players, pricing is the most important competitive differentiator in the marketplace, with 81% of respondents ranking it as a very important criteria. Pricing practices are still facing legacy challenges, among which the lack of data and resources are considered to be the biggest hurdles, along with the limitations of current IT and tools. Established pricing processes and tools, though robust, continue to make use of legacy pricing approaches, having not yet activated the potential of pricing as a business lever. Overall, pricing processes for non-life insurance companies remain mostly manual, leveraging GLMs with little variety in data sources. Unlike technical models that are rarely updated more than once a year, commercial prices are revised several times a year without updated risk assessments. Tools are not disruptive, with manual software still being the most represented. Excel continues to be used across many steps of the pricing process, including aspects related to predictive modeling. In the future, pricing teams expect major untapped value potential to be delivered through automation and integrated tool suites. Pricing teams have a major interest in measuring the ultimate business impact of ratemaking decisions, down to the combined ratio, yet they are limited in doing so. Pricing teams across the insurance industry are committed to activating the power of data over the next few years to improve their business performance. The highest value for insurance pricing will be realized through the convergence of data science and actuarial science. "The introduction of this survey allows Akur8 to gather direct insights from insurance companies and underwriters across the globe, to better understand the industry's pricing practices, challenges and expectations for the future", declared Samuel Falmagne, co-founder and CEO of Akur8. "Through these findings, we are excited to provide the insurance industry with new thought leadership on pricing processes and practices, and to pave the way for next generation pricing tools and approaches. The full findings of the Akur8 Global Insurance Pricing Survey is available at www.akur8.com/white-papers/global-pricing-survey. About Akur8 Akur8 is revolutionizing insurance pricing with Transparent Machine Learning, boosting insurers pricing capabilities with unprecedented speed and accuracy across the pricing process without compromising on auditability or control. Our modular pricing platform automates technical and commercial premium modeling. It empowers insurers to compute adjusted and accurate rates in line with their business strategy while materially impacting their business and maintaining absolute control of the models created, as required by state regulators. With Akur8, time spent modeling is reduced by 10x, the models predictive power is increased by 10% and loss ratio improvement potential is boosted by 2-4%. Akur8 already serves 50+ customers across 20+ countries, including AXA, Generali, Munich Re, Tokio Marine North America Services (TMNAS); specialty insurer Canopius and MGA Bass Underwriters; consulting partners Xceedance and Perr & Knight; and insurtechs Manypets and wefox. Over 700 actuaries use Akur8 daily to build their pricing models across all lines of business. Akur8s strategic partnerships include Milliman, Guidewire, Duck Creek and Sapiens. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220809005588/en/ Contact Media Anne-Laure Klein COO, Akur8 +33 (0)6 63 79 44 74 [email protected] Source: Akur8 American Library Association, Unite Against Book Bans and the Banned Books Week Coalition Announce Events for September 18-24 CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Libraries nationwide will join the American Library Association to highlight increased censorship of books during this years Banned Books Week, taking place September 18-24, 2022. The American Library Association (ALA), Unite Against Banned Books (UABB) and the Banned Books Week Coalition are planning extensive programming during the week, bringing together authors, librarians and scholars to share perspectives on censorship. Thousands of schools, bookstores and libraries throughout the country will be sponsoring local events during the 40th Banned Books Week with a special focus on the recent sharp rise in book bans. In 2021, ALA recorded 1,597 individual book challenges or removals the most attempts to ban books since ALA began tracking more than 20 years ago. The theme of the 2022 Banned Books Week is Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us. The Dear Banned Author letter-writing campaign encourages readers to write, tweet or email banned or challenged authors, sharing what their stories mean to them, raising awareness of censorship and supporting the power of words and those who write them Readers can enter the Unite Against Book Ban #ASKingAboutBans Banned Books Week giveaway, to win a signed copy of A.S. Kings Attack of the Black Rectangles by recording a brief video sharing how theyve experienced censorship or spoken out to oppose it. Monday, September 19 Free Expression for Young People, 1pm ET Authors who have written about or defended intellectual freedom will examine censorship of books for young people and discuss young peoples freedom to read: Jarrett Dapier , librarian and author of the upcoming release Wake Now In The Fire , librarian and author of the upcoming release Ryan Estrada , co-author of graphic novel Banned Book Club , co-author of graphic novel Varian Johnson , author of Playing the Cards Youre Dealt and The Parker Inheritance , author of and Donalyn Miller, award winning educator and reading advocate Tuesday, September 20, National Voter Registration Day: With the freedom to read on the ballot this November, #UniteAgainstBookBans is urging voters to register, know who and what is on their ballot and find out where candidates stand. Resources about voter registration and engaging with candidates on the freedom to read are available at uniteagainstbookbans.org A Conversation With Author Jennifer Niven, 6pm ET New York Times-bestselling author Jennifer Niven discusses the implications of censorship for teens and their communities whenbook bans happen. Many of Nivens books have been targeted for removal and censorship in multiple locations. Wednesday, September 21 Breaking Bans: A Celebration of Challenged Books, 2pm ET Authors and historians who have experienced first-hand censorship of their works will share their experience with censorship, how their books have changed the lives of individual readers in schools and libraries, and how librarians and communities can fight back. Dr. Emily Knox, editor of the Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy and author of Foundations of Intellectual Freedom (ALA Neal-Schuman), will moderate the conversation. Nikole Hannah-Jones , author of The 1619 Project , author of Renee Watson , author of The 1619 Project: Born On The Water , author of Kim Johnson , author of This Is My America , author of Kyle Lukoff, author of Different Kind of Fruit How to Fight Book Bans in Your Community, 2:30pm ET Experienced activists who have been defending the right to read in their communities talk about community organizing and how you can fight book bans in your community. Cameron Samuels, Banned Books Week Youth Honorary Chair, student activist from Katy, Texas Banned Books Week Youth Honorary Chair, student activist from Katy, Texas Jen Cousins and Stephana Ferrell, co-founders of the Florida Freedom to Read Project and co-founders of the Florida Freedom to Read Project Carolyn Foote, co-founder of Freedom Fighters Thursday, September 22 Whats the Role of the Higher Ed Community in Supporting Intellectual Freedom?, 11am ET ALA and SAGE Publishing bring together intellectual freedom experts to explore bans and restrictions on the rise and the role members of the academic community can (and should) play as censorship increasingly becomes institutionalized: Aaisha Haykal, College of Charlestons Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture College of Charlestons Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture Emily Knox, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and editor of the Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and editor of the John Burgess , University of Alabamas School of Library and Information Studies , University of Alabamas School of Library and Information Studies Shannon Oltmann, University of Kentucky Practical Strategies for Defending Books in Your Library, 1pm ET Drawing on ripped-from-the-headlines censorship challenges, four experienced library workers will provide practical strategies and resources that library workers can use to defend challenged materials: Moni Barrette , President, ALA Graphic Novel & Comics Round Table , President, ALA Graphic Novel & Comics Round Table Jamie Gregory , Upper School Librarian, Christ Church Episcopal School , Upper School Librarian, Christ Church Episcopal School Val Nye , Library Director, Santa Fe Community College , Library Director, Santa Fe Community College Jack Phoenix, Manager of Collection Development and Technical Services at Cuyahoga Falls Library and Brodarts Graphic Novel Selector Freedom to Read: Fighting Book Banning and Censorship in Our Libraries, 7pm ET Hartford (Conn.) Public Library and the Mark Twain House & Museum will host a discussion of book banning trends since the 1885 publication of Mark Twains Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which was immediately banned from some public libraries when released to the public. Deborah Caldwell-Stone , executive director of the Freedom to Read Foundation and ALAs Office of Intellectual Freedom, , executive director of the Freedom to Read Foundation and ALAs Office of Intellectual Freedom, Bridget Quinn, Hartford Public Library CEO Intellectual Freedom & You: A Banned Books Week webinar for library supporters, 7pm ET Memorial Hall, Tewksbury and other libraries in Massachusetts will host a webinar on how library users can effectively support libraries, library workers, and free expression, featuring Martin Garnar, director of the Amherst College Library and editor of the Intellectual Freedom Manual. Tenth Edition (ALA Editions). A public list of local Banned Books Week events nationwide is available on bannedbooksweek.org/events About the American Library Association The American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, ALA has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the librarys role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. Visit ala.org for more information. About Banned Books Week Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. It highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types in shared support of the freedom to seek and express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005924/en/ Dani Leopold Glen Echo Group [email protected] Source: American Library Association RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (NYSE: APLE) (the Company or Apple Hospitality) today announced that it plans to report third quarter 2022 financial results after the market closes on Monday, November 7, 2022, and host a conference call for investors and interested parties at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, to discuss the results. The conference call will be accessible by telephone and the internet. To access the call, participants from within the U.S. should dial 877-407-9039, and participants from outside the U.S. should dial 201-689-8470. Participants may also access the call via live webcast by visiting the Investor Information section of the Company's website at ir.applehospitalityreit.com. A replay of the call will be available from approximately 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November 8, 2022, through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 29, 2022. To access the replay, the domestic dial-in number is 844-512-2921, the international dial-in number is 412-317-6671, and the passcode is 13732679. In addition, an archive of the webcast will be available on the Company's website for a limited time. About Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (NYSE: APLE) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns one of the largest and most diverse portfolios of upscale, rooms-focused hotels in the United States. Apple Hospitalitys portfolio consists of 218 hotels with approximately 28,700 guest rooms located in 86 markets throughout 36 states. Concentrated with industry-leading brands, the Companys portfolio consists of 94 Marriott-branded hotels, 119 Hilton-branded hotels, four Hyatt-branded hotels and one independent hotel. For more information, please visit www.applehospitalityreit.com. For additional information or to receive press releases by email, visit www.applehospitalityreit.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005676/en/ Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. Kelly Clarke, Vice President, Investor Relations 804-7276321 [email protected] Source: Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. MONTREAL & WINNIPEG, Manitoba--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Arctic Glacier, LLC, a leading provider of premium ice products and related services, announces the grand opening of a state-of-the-art, high-capacity production facility in Dorval, QC. As Canadas leading manufacturer of packaged ice, the new production facility represents a $5.3 million (CAD) investment and enables the ice company to expand service throughout the province of Quebec and eastern Ontario. We are very excited to open our newest facility in Quebec and honored to continue our legacy of supporting the provinces businesses. Investments in innovation is foundational to Arctic Glacier and is just one of the ways we continuously create value for our customers, our employees, and the communities where we operate, said Richard Wyckoff, President, and CEO of Arctic Glacier. The ice company has deep, long-standing partnerships with hundreds of Quebec locally owned and family operated businesses. We selected Dorval for our new facility to maximize our service throughout the province and to advantageously nurture our partnerships with the provinces locally owned distributors and ice companies, said Jeremy Spencer, Regional President of Arctic Glacier for Canada. Arctic Glaciers new Dorval facility will double the ice companys previous facilitys production capacity and increase their storage capacity by 500%. During peak season, the new facility will employee 40 people and offer additional employment and business opportunities throughout the province. The new, fully automated facility came online in July and is currently scaling up to full capacity. ABOUT ARCTIC GLACIER Arctic Glacier is a North American provider of premium ice products and services. For over 140 years the company has been Bringing More to the Party! by perfecting the ice making and DSD (delivery) process to provide the purest, most high-quality ice products. Annually, the company produces and delivers over 2.5 billion pounds of premium ice to supermarkets, mass merchants, c-stores, dollar stores, gas stations, liquors stores, as well as many other commercial and industrial businesses. From its headquarters in Philadelphia, PA and 52 production facilities and 60 warehouses and distribution centers across the United States and Canada, Arctic Glacier services over 75,000 customers. Learn how Arctic Glacier is Bringing More to the Party!TM at arcticglacier.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005318/en/ Media: Natalie Fischer, VP Marketing Arctic Glacier, LLC [email protected] 470-530-0805 Source: Arctic Glacier, LLC FOSHAN, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Recently, BitGlobalNews, a brand overseas service provider, announced the launch of KOL marketing services in its various communities. The service platforms include social media platforms such as Instagram and Tiktok to help companies directly match KOLs and allow companies to directly communicate with KOLs. To better serve corporate users, BitGlobalNews is also expanding its business recently, seeking to cooperate with more powerful service providers that help brands go overseas, and to provide more high-quality services to the cooperative enterprises. In order to better disclose the news of the partners, BitGlobalNews also officially updated the official website to disclose the news of the cooperative enterprises according to different categories. BitGlobalNews, a company that provides brand marketing solutions for Chinese companies, has established 100+ vertical communities since its establishment, including cross-border e-commerce communities, independent website communities, cryptocurrency communities, and KOL communities and etc., Party A's demand community, etc., to match the demand side with the required brand resources to go overseas. Based on overseas market data analysis, combined with overseas social media influencer marketing, Community operation, BitGlobalNews platform provides meaningful links and value for the brand and the influencers. Amidst full stimulation of creativity from influencers, BitGlobalNews provides new ideas for the brand products to go global, playing a greater value between consumers and businesses and creating more accurate and deeper links. Furthermore, influencers empower fans absorption through actual products, visualize their influence on products, so as to truly convey consumers voices to brands as well as brand values to consumers. In order to better serve the needs of enterprises going overseas, based in Asia, BitGlobalNews has launched a global channel development plan. By establishing localized communities, developing local resources, combining local user habits, BitGlobalNews can better match the needs of enterprises through real data feedback. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220908005512/en/ Media: Shirley Wang [email protected] Bitglobalnews.com Source: BitGlobalNews SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Broadmark Realty Capital Inc. (NYSE: BRMK) (the Company), a specialty real estate finance company, today announced that its board of directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.07 per share of common stock for September 2022. The dividend will be payable on October 17, 2022 to stockholders of record as of September 30, 2022. About Broadmark Realty Capital Broadmark is a specialty real estate finance company, providing financing solutions generally in the $2 to $75 million range per transaction. The company provides smart, reliable, rapid solutions across the entire debt capital stack, including senior, subordinate, and participation investments with fixed and floating rate structures available. Broadmark invests in a variety of new construction and existing properties across all asset classes throughout the United States, including hotel, industrial, medical, mixed-use, office, retail, self-storage, warehouse, multifamily, senior living, student housing, condos, larger scaled single-family, townhome, and multiplex. It has the competitive advantage of being an internally managed balance sheet lender, and the companys proactive approach delivers dedicated in-house underwriting, asset management, loan servicing, and draw administration. Forward Looking Statements Certain statements made herein are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as may, should, would, plan, intend, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, potential, seem, seek, continue, future, will, expect, outlook or other similar words, phrases or expressions. These statements are based on the current expectations and are not predictions of actual performance. In addition, actual results are subject to other risks and uncertainties that relate more broadly to the Companys overall business, including those more fully described in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance, and speak only as of the date made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915006029/en/ Investor Relations [email protected] 206-623-7782 Source: Broadmark Realty Capital Inc. New company website, logo represent Broadmarks ongoing commitment to providing smart, reliable, rapid investment solutions $10 million mezzanine loan will finance the acquisition of retail center in Issaquah, Wash.; reflects evolution and diversification of companys product offering Broadmark also recently provided a nearly $25 million loan for the acquisition of a self-storage portfolio, including properties across Georgia and Tennessee SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Broadmark Realty Capital Inc. (NYSE: BRMK), a specialty real estate finance company investing in opportunities throughout the small to middle market, is excited to unveil its new logo, brand identity and refreshed website at www.broadmark.com. Broadmarks revamped branding brings the company into a new era under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Brian Ward, who joined the firm in March 2022. Along with its new brand identity, the company announced its first-ever mezzanine loan, an approximately $10 million investment that will finance the acquisition of the $57.2 million Town and Country Square, a 16-acre retail center located at 1185 NW Gilman Blvd. in Issaquah, Wash., an affluent suburb of Seattle. The investment is with sponsor 1170 NW Gilman Holdings, LLC and carries a term of 24 months. The new broadmark.com speaks to the companys ability to provide smart, reliable and rapid financing solutions across the capital stack to help clients realize opportunistic real estate investments. The new website will allow brokers and potential borrowers to quickly connect with a market expert to start the discovery phase of their investment opportunities and complete a request for terms in a matter of minutes. As a trusted real estate investment partner to middle-market borrowers since 2010, Broadmark will continue to provide solutions that help its clients generate attractive returns. Ward said, I am thrilled to finally share Broadmarks new branding with the world, which I believe more closely reflects where we are now and what our future holds as a company. As an internally managed, publicly traded capital provider, we will continue to employ an efficient, hands-on approach to help our clients accelerate their businesses and capture value in the middle-market space. Moreover, in a market that fluctuates daily, our agility and unlevered balance sheet allows our clients to act quickly and capture opportunistic investments. These unique traits are now bolstered by a modern brand identity and reimagined website that will offer users an intuitive experience to help them efficiently find the information they need. The brand launch also coincides with our first mezzanine investment, which marks the expansion of our product offering, Ward continued. The Town and Country Square retail center offers significant potential for mixed-use redevelopment and will ultimately provide increased optionality for Issaquah residents. Town and Country Square is located near the new Costco headquarters on Interstate 90. The property is fully leased and has a mix of tenants including Hobby Lobby, 425 Fitness and Rite Aid. Broadmark was able to close the mezzanine loan transaction in just 10 days. Dino Christophilis and Daniel Tibeau of CBREs National Retail Partners Group arranged the financing. In another recent investment, Broadmark provided a nearly $25 million loan to sponsor FreeUp Storage for the acquisition of a self-storage portfolio across Georgia and Tennessee. The 95.6 percent occupied portfolio consists of eight properties representing 370,000 square feet of rental space, including 2,709 units of both climate-controlled and non-climate-controlled storage. Additionally, it includes 12,000 square feet of office and retail space, 268 parking units and one billboard. The financing will enable the borrower to acquire a value-add portfolio with scale and major upside that can be realized through expanding sites, rate increases, implementing revenue management and added management efficiency. According to StorageCafe, the self-storage industry has grown to more than 1.6 billion square feet in 2022. Additionally, the last five years saw 258.9 million square feet of storage space built the equivalent of 16.1 percent of the sectors total inventory. StorageCafe also says that one-third of Americans use a self-storage facility. People transitioning to new homes or going off to college often need additional space, while retailers frequently need it to secure documents, inventory and office equipment. Broadmark addresses complex financing requirements associated with investment, asset repositioning, rehab, acquisition, bridge financing, construction, and land development loans. The company invests in a multitude of asset classifications, including multifamily, condos, larger scaled single-family, townhomes, multiplexes, mixed-use, hotel, industrial, medical, office, retail, self-storage, warehouse, senior living, student housing and more. About Broadmark Realty Capital Broadmark is a specialty real estate finance company, providing financing solutions generally in the $5 to $75 million range per transaction. The company provides smart, reliable, rapid solutions across the entire debt capital stack, including senior, subordinate, and participation investments with fixed and floating rate structures available. Broadmark invests in a variety of new construction and existing properties across all asset classes throughout the United States, including hotel, industrial, medical, mixed-use, office, retail, self-storage, warehouse, multifamily, senior living, student housing, condos, larger scaled single-family, townhome, and multiplex. It has the competitive advantage of being an internally managed balance sheet lender, and the companys proactive approach delivers dedicated in-house underwriting, asset management, loan servicing, and draw administration. Forward Looking Statements Certain statements made herein are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as may, should, would, plan, intend, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, potential, seem, seek, continue, future, will, expect, outlook or other similar words, phrases or expressions. These statements are based on the current expectations and are not predictions of actual performance. In addition, actual results are subject to other risks and uncertainties that relate more broadly to Broadmarks overall business, including those more fully described in Broadmarks filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance, and speak only as of the date made, and Broadmark undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by law. Recent loans highlighted herein are not presented as representative of all new originations for the current quarter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005877/en/ Media Relations Megan Kivlehan & Greg Michaels [email protected] Source: Broadmark Realty Capital Inc. Seconds after Sam Amedeo left the bathroom at her family's home in Moravia last week, a vehicle crashed into it. Alan McCormick said Sam, his fiance's 16-year-old daughter, was the only person in their home at 2228 Route 38A when a pickup truck struck the residence. Sam had thought about fixing her hair in the bathroom mirror but needed to find a brush so she decided to do it later and exited the bathroom just before the vehicle came in, decimating the room and collapsing part of the roof. "It's like a bomb went off in there," McCormick said. He believes Sam's decision to fix her hair later inadvertently saved her life. Cayuga County 911 dispatchers previously said a call came in at 5:29 p.m. Sept. 7 for a vehicle hitting the home. A pickup truck operated by Frederick N. Kuhn, 2641 Jugg St., Moravia, was northbound on Route 38A, left the east side of the road and continued until it crashed into the building, Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck said last week. Sheriff's deputies who got to the scene determined that Kuhn, a corporal with the custody division of the sheriff's office and who was off-duty at the time of the incident, was "under the influence of alcohol," Schenck said. Kuhn, the only person in the vehicle, was charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor, and various tickets for infractions. Kuhn was transported via ambulance to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse. Schenck said last week that the incident was under investigation and he was limited in what he could say regarding potential disciplinary action since it is a personnel matter. He said Kuhn would be placed on administrative leave. In an email to The Citizen on Tuesday, the sheriff said that Kuhn was still in the hospital and there were no further updates on the investigation. McCormick, who lived in the home with his fiance, Amanda Amedeo, and their children, spoke with The Citizen on Wednesday about the incident, the GoFundMe online fundraiser set up for his family and a video he made last week publicly forgiving Kuhn. The home was condemned last week and the family has not been allowed to go in, McCormick said, with many of their items either destroyed or inaccessible. He and Amanda have nine children, with seven living with them currently. The family found a place to stay in the initial days after the incident, then moved into a rental in Moravia this week that a friend helped them find. McCormick, who is the homeless coordinator for Cayuga County, said he and his family suddenly being homeless and losing their material possessions, along with the uncertainty that comes with that, has been difficult. He said the children are "not feeling stable" and some aren't participating in extracurricular activities. "Taking the kids to the house to tell them what happened and not knowing where you're going to lay your head that night, just all the things, it's so, so tough to work through," he said. Although McCormick considers the crash to be a tragedy "on every level," he noted with a faint hint of a laugh that a person with the sheriff's office "causes the crime and then the homeless coordinator goes homeless. It's got to be the most ironic accident of the year." Despite the incident, McCormick said he and Amanda still plan on getting married in October, but he lamented it will be smaller, less expensive and different from what they originally wanted. "This situation just robs us on every level, you know?" he said. "It takes away from all the areas of our life." Amanda and McCormick were at a previous appointment when Sam contacted them about what happened. McCormick noted at first, he didn't think the situation would be that bad, "because you hear of a car hitting a house and usually, it's like, 'Oh, they veered off the road a little bit, hit the corner of the house.'" Once he arrived, with emergency vehicles still at the scene, he realized the damage was much more significant. McCormick described what was going through his mind then. "I just said, 'I don't know how we're going to recover from this,'" he said. But McCormick and his family are receiving help. His friend Dave Coy set up a GoFundMe page, titled "Alan & Amanda's Rebuild." As of Wednesday afternoon, $2,725 has been raised out of a $20,000 goal in the six days since the fundraiser was created. Noting the home's foundation had some old supports that were destroyed, McCormick is not sure if the residence can be salvaged. People he knows and strangers alike have contributed. "A lot of people have helped. I've been working in human services for almost 20 years and we're lucky to have great people in our lives that we've met, that we know and strangers that have come forward," he said. "We are just so grateful to everybody for helping." There have also been insurance difficulties, he added. McCormick is talking to a construction company about if the structure can be salvaged or rebuilt, since about half of home was severely damaged. McCormick added he and Amanda put their retirements into the house "believing that that was an investment, because it was the only house that was within what we could afford that would fit such a large family." In the face of these challenges, McCormick said he's still letting forgiveness into his life. In a video posted Sept. 9 on McCormick's Facebook page, he talked about why he and his family have been praying for Kuhn. "Here's the thing, we lost a lot, we've been up all night crying, our kids are scared, all the stuff, but we see, I see he's human. He made a mistake here, drinking and driving is always a huge mistake, it's irresponsible, all the things," McCormick said. Saying he made "some of the biggest mistakes of my life" a couple years ago, McCormick said the forgiveness he was graced with from that changed his life. "That grace changed my life, that forgiveness that I experienced changed everything about who I am to the core, and I offer (Kuhn) forgiveness. I offer him forgiveness, I refuse to hate him. I see his humanity, and I give him forgiveness, because when you get given such a gift like that you cannot help but to do that. You have to pass it on," McCormick said. "Maybe he'll see this someday. I hope he does. But brother, I forgive you, and my family forgives you. And we lost a lot, man. This was really, really bad. But you're forgiven, and I pray that it changes your life too, like it did for me." Saying that he understands the video has received around 6,000 views, McCormick said he and his family are trying to make sense and find some kind of purpose out of this destruction. He talked about why he wanted to post the video. "I felt the power that that (forgiveness) was in my life. I was able to change who I was at the fundamental level, the foundations of who I am changed because I experienced that forgiveness, and that's a gift," he said. "It's a gift that you can use in your life and you can get better." McCormick said he and his family are dealing with the incident and its aftermath the best they can considering the circumstances. "We're sad, we're grieving, it's a huge loss for our family, but we're OK. We're surviving ... we're going to stick together," he said. OG Edibles Brand Expands Into Its Sixth State Market KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- To meet surging demand among medical cannabis patients in Missouri, Cheeba Chews today announced its successful expansion into the Show Me State via a Stash House Distribution partnership. The award-winning brands line of wellness edibles are now available to Missourians across the state. Cheeba Chews entrance into the dynamic Missouri medical market represents the companys unparalleled commitment to empowering cannabis consumers with top-quality products tailored to their needs. It also spotlights Cheeba Chews plans for growth through small-market manufacturing partnerships, which help keep initial investments low and manufacturing productivity high. Were excited to thoughtfully expand our Cheeba footprint in Missouri, with the support of the top-notch distribution team at Stash House, said Eric Leslie, Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Owner of Cheeba Chews. This will be the second of what we expect to be many productive state-level collaborations. Cheeba Chews, one of Colorados first edible cannabis brands with sales now in five additional states, brings a wide range of its celebrated and innovative cannabinoid-driven wellness solutions to Missourians in a variety of doses. Offerings include: Mega Dose Taffy Chews: 500mg, 10-piece taffy packages Available in chocolate, caramel and strawberry flavors Extra Strength Green Hornet Gummies: 500mg, 10-piece gummy packages Available in mixed fruit, blue raspberry and watermelon flavors Wellness Line: 100mg, 10-piece packages Available in both gummies and taffy chews in different complementary ratios of THC and other cannabinoids, such as THCV, CBG and CBN Originals: 100mg, 10-piece packages Available in gummies and taffy chews in both sativa and indica options with a variety of fruit flavors For more information, visit cheebachews.com. About Cheeba Chews Born in Colorado in 2009, Cheeba Chews is known for its consistently delicious award-winning confections. From original chocolate and caramel chews to newer offeringssuch as the Sleepy Chews and Trifecta lines of low-calorie, fat-free taffies featuring an entourage of emerging cannabinoids like CBG and CBNCheeba Chews unique products tap into the increasingly in-demand cannabis derived wellness market. With a focus on quality and consistency, consumers trust Cheeba Chews to deliver in taste and reliability. Cheeba Chews products are currently available in medical and recreational markets in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada and Oklahoma. Whether its focus, feel-good vibes or a restful night, we got Chew. Learn more: cheebachews.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005227/en/ Media Contact: Martha N. Marshall Grasslands: A Journalism-Minded Agency [email protected] 703-474-1420 Source: Cheeba Chews COLUMBUS, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- For the first time since finalizing the acquisition of Meritor, Inc. last month, Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) will showcase Meritors 17Xe ePowertrain assembled with a Cummins battery system during the IAA Transportation tradeshow in Hannover, Germany. The 17Xe is designed for heavy-duty trucks in the 4x2 and 6x2 segment, with capacity to support 44 tons of gross combined weight, or more in some applications. The assembly also features a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, a new arrival to Cummins battery line-up. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220914006030/en/ 17Xe Gen3 ePowertrain (Photo: Business Wire) We are committed to bringing Cummins and Meritor electrified powertrain solutions to market as quickly as possible. We are moving faster together and are eager to talk about solutions at IAA that will move us all closer to decarbonizing our industry, said Amy Davis, Vice President and President of New Power at Cummins. Cummins and Meritor bring together the industrys best, most economically viable decarbonized powertrain solutions that are better for people and our planet. Meritor brings more than 100 years of experience in drivetrain, mobility, braking, aftermarket and electric powertrain solutions to Cummins. The integration of Meritors people, products and capabilities in axle and brake technology will position Cummins as a leading provider of integrated powertrain solutions across internal combustion and electric power applications. With 100% zero-emissions ePowertrains already in production, the combined strength of Cummins and Meritor delivers advanced, decarbonized transport solutions for the commercial vehicle market. Cummins is integrating Meritors ePowertrain with battery and fuel cell electric drivetrains to meet the growing demand for decarbonized solutions. Cummins market-leading suite of clean drivetrain options offers performance and packaging advantages to suit diverse applications across the globe, with significant benefits to heavy- and medium-duty truck and bus work cycles and ranges. In addition to the ePowertrain, Meritors Power Control and Accessory System (PCAS) will be on the show floor. The PCAS is considered the brains of the electric powertrain and controls speed, acceleration, braking and thermal management. Through innovative software controls it can be configured to maximize performance and overall system efficiency. Its integrated system design also reduces packaging size and integration complexity. About Cummins Inc. Cummins Inc., a global power technology leader, is a corporation of complementary business segments that design, manufacture, distribute and service a broad portfolio of power solutions. The companys products range from internal combustion, electric and hybrid integrated power solutions and components including filtration, aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, electric power generation systems, microgrid controls, batteries, electrolyzers and fuel cell products. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (U.S.), since its founding in 1919, Cummins employs approximately 59,900 people committed to powering a more prosperous world through three global corporate responsibility priorities critical to healthy communities: education, environment and equality of opportunity. Cummins serves its customers online, through a network of company-owned and independent distributor locations, and through thousands of dealer locations worldwide and earned about $2.1 billion on sales of $24 billion in 2021. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220914006030/en/ Jon Mills Director External Communications (317) 658-4540 [email protected] Source: Cummins Inc. As Per UserTesting Survey, 95% of Singaporeans reported working in hybrid mode and having a better work-life balance Workload is the top cause of employee burnout followed by unrealistic work expectations SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- UserTesting (NYSE: USER), a leader in video-based human insight, conducted a survey to study the effects of employee burnout. As per the survey findings, over 50% of the Singaporean workforce stated workload as the major factor of their burnout whereas 20% stated unrealistic expectations to be the top cause of their stress. The sample set of this survey included professionals from across industries with 40% from tech backgrounds, followed by 10% working in sales/marketing and startups respectively. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220914006043/en/ Mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion leads to employee burnout. A recent Mercer report from earlier this year, aligns with the UserTesting findings, albeit their rate of burnout in Singapore was higher, with one in two Singaporeans intending to leave their jobs in the next six to 12 months. In such cases, exploring new opportunities is a relief for some professionals. When UserTesting enquired whether Singaporeans are looking for a job change, about 25% of Singaporeans showed an inclination toward job change. Providing Flexible Work Hours - A Solution For Burnout As Per Employers Every employee is exposed to the risk of workplace burnout. Therefore, employers should not only promote employee well-being but also implement burnout prevention strategies for higher efficiency and productivity. In the survey, 50% of respondents stated that their employers ensured flexible work hours, and 25% indicated provisions for wellness programs to minimize burnout. Furthermore, 5% of respondents also reported that their companies planned company offsites and offered them to counselors. When asked about possible methods that organizations should take to prevent burnout, 80% of Singaporean employees indicated that their employers should ensure required downtime after work hours. Changing Workplace Dynamics Leads To Increased Work Hours The pandemic-induced lockdown forced companies to shift their work formats to remote where possible. This change led the companies as well as employees to realize the advantages of work-from-home opportunities, though one of its drawbacks was increased working hours as personal and work life began to blend. As per UserTesting latest survey, 45% of Singaporeans reported an increase in working hours due to the lockdown. Hybrid Work - A Means To Better Work-Life Balance Remote working gained popularity during the pandemic as employees became comfortable with the new rhythm and began to see increased productivity. As businesses started to reopen, a new work model has evolvedhybrid work. Owing to the flexibility that this work model provides, 85% of respondents surveyed stated that they can balance their personal and professional life better. Interestingly, 80% of Singaporeans said that hybrid work has led to increased work satisfaction. As a result, many Singapore companies have switched to a hybrid working model. A whopping 95% of respondents declared that they are still following the hybrid work model. Interestingly, Singapores Public Service Division (PSD) will be introducing hybrid working arrangements, reinforcing that hybrid work is not an entitlement and the requirements of the job take precedence.* This testifies that this new work mode is here for the long run. Sources: *HRM Asia About UserTesting UserTesting (NYSE: USER) has fundamentally changed the way organizations get insights from customers with fast, opt-in feedback and experience capture technology. The UserTesting Human Insight Platform taps into our global network of real people and generates video-based recorded experiences, so anyone in an organization can directly ask questions, hear what users say, see what they mean, and understand what its actually like to be a customer. Unlike approaches that track user behavior then try to infer what that behavior means, UserTesting reduces guesswork and brings customer experience data to life with human insight. UserTesting has more than 2,500 customers, including more than half of the worlds top 100 most valuable brands according to Forbes. UserTesting is headquartered in San Francisco, California. To learn more, visit www.usertesting.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220914006043/en/ UserTesting, Inc. Andy Dear 978-609-1472 [email protected] Source: UserTesting IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Force 10 Partners have successfully sold Watsonville Community Hospital and its Plan became effective on Sept. 9, 2022, helping secure a fresh start for the hospital as a not-for-profit facility under the ownership of the newly formed Pajaro Valley Health Care District. Ownership of the hospital transitioned to the district on Sept. 1, 2022, following an eight-month-long community fundraising campaign that raised more than $65 million, including a $25 million allocation from the state of California, toward the acquisition and ongoing operation of the hospital. The Force 10 team is excited to have successfully sold the Watsonville Community Hospital and confirmed its Plan. Working with the other professionals and the hospital we have saved over 650 jobs and preserved a critical resource for the County of Santa Cruz, said Force 10 partner Jeremy Rosenthal. We are proud that our efforts helped save the hospital and that we were able to navigate the debtors to the effective date of their plan. We look forward to seeing how the community builds upon this opportunity to provide quality health care into the future. The hospital has been struggling financially for many years and was on the verge of shutting down when Rosenthal was appointed Chief Restructuring Officer in September 2021. Rosenthal and the Force 10 team, led by partner Nicholas Rubin and including managing director Renee Albarano, were engaged to provide financial and operational support and expertise to the hospital. Through their efforts, Rosenthal and the Force 10 team were able to stabilize the hospitals financial and operational challenges and lead the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process. Rosenthal successfully negotiated the debtor-in-possession financing and the sale to the district that enabled the hospital to remain open and continue providing much-needed health care services to its underserved community throughout the Chapter 11 process. On Feb. 23, 2022, Judge M. Elaine Hammond of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of California, San Jose Division, (Case No. 21-51477 (MEH)), approved the sale of the hospital for $34 million plus assumed liabilities to the district. The plan became effective on Sept. 9, 2022, and resolves approximately $100 million in liabilities. Jeremy Rosenthal, as a fiduciary for the hospital, and the Force 10 financial advisory team led by Nicholas Rubin made the successful sale possible. The significant resources they brought to the hospital meant everything over the past yearpreserving the hospital and making it possible for the community to purchase it, said Cecilia Montalvo, Consulting Director of the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District Project. Jeremy Rosenthal and Force 10 were a huge part of setting the foundation for success. Force 10 is a key pillar standing up the success of this hospital, said Mimi Hall, former Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency Director. Force 10 helped us navigate our challenging restructuring and sale. They stood by us every step and provided the financial, operational and restructuring support for us to operate this critical hospital, said Steven Salyer, CEO of Watsonville Community Hospital. The hospital was represented by the law firm of Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP, led by attorneys Debra Grassgreen, Henry Kevane and Steven Golden. The Official Committee was represented by Paul Jasper of Perkins Coie LLP and Andrew Sherman and Boris Mankovetskiy of Sills Cummis & Gross P.C. Force 10 is grateful to have had this opportunity to work closely with Pachulski Stang, Perkins Coie, and Sills Cummis to achieve what many thought would be impossible: preserving this historic hospital for the communities in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties that rely upon its services, said Rosenthal. In addition to the professionals, the hospital management team led by Steven Salyer did an excellent job. The executive team stood by the hospital and helped drive its success. About Force Ten Partners LLC Force Ten Partners, LLC, is an advisory firm with deep domain knowledge in financial and operational corporate restructuring, fiduciary, valuation, forensic accounting, and complex litigation support. Force 10 serves middle-market companies as well as their creditors, stakeholders, and professionals by providing turnaround-management services, fiduciary and financial advisory services, expert witness support, and investment banking services. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005758/en/ Jeremy Rosenthal (310) 870-3205 [email protected] Source: Force Ten Partners LLC NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- FOX News Media has signed Jennifer Griffin to a new multi-year deal in which she will now serve as FOX News Channels (FNC) chief national security correspondent, announced CEO Suzanne Scott. In making the announcement, Scott said, Jennifer is one of the industrys premier journalists and has proven to be an indispensable asset on a consequential beat with unrivaled experience spanning more than three decades in multiple war zones. We are extremely proud that she will continue her incredible career at FOX News Media. Griffin added, It has been an honor to provide viewers with trusted reporting from the Pentagon and across the world on issues that are paramount to all of us the security and safety of our fellow citizens and allies. I am looking forward to continuing to inform the FOX News audience alongside the best journalists in the business. Throughout Griffins high-profile career, she has amassed more than 30 years of reporting on national security and the Middle East. She has traveled across the globe to cover every major story impacting the United States security at home and abroad, interviewing countless government and military officials. Notably, she will receive the 2022 "Freedom of the Media" Gold Medal for Public Service award from the Transatlantic Leadership Network on Saturday evening in honor of her extensive body of work. Most recently, Griffin traveled to Lviv and Kyiv, Ukraine to cover Russians invasion of Ukraine. Throughout her coverage of the war, she secured exclusive interviews with top officials, including Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and spearheaded FNCs coverage of the conflict stateside with around the clock updates from the Pentagon. To mark the one-year anniversary of the withdrawal of U.S troops from Afghanistan, Griffin provided in-depth reporting on Afghanistans year under Taliban rule last month. She previously led FNCs coverage of the withdrawal in 2021 and the terror attack at Abbey Gate, securing an interview with chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. In 2020, Griffin confirmed the news regarding then-President Donald Trump disparaging veterans and cancelling a trip to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery while visiting Paris in 2018. During her tenure at FNC, she also provided coverage of the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya on September 11th, 2012, the killing of Osama bin Laden in 2011 and the Iraq War, among numerous other events. Griffin interviewed then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta in Baghdad on the day the Iraq War ended in December 2011 and previously sat down with General David Petraeus in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 2010 when he took over as the top U.S. commander in the region. Additionally, Griffin traveled with then-Defense Secretary Robert Gates on multiple trips overseas from 2007 through 2011. She began her work as national security correspondent at the start of the Iraq War troop surge in 2007. Prior to serving as the networks national security correspondent, Griffin was the networks Jerusalem-based correspondent, joining FNC as a full-time correspondent in 1999. In this capacity, she reported from the Middle East and Asia for FNC, providing on scene coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Global War on Terrorism, countless suicide bombings, military incursions, failed peace deals and the First Palestinian Intifada from 2000-2007. In 2000, Griffin provided on-site coverage of Israels withdrawal from Lebanon, its withdrawal from the Gaza strip in 2005 and Yasser Arafats funeral. Previously, she reported from Moscow, Russia in a freelance capacity for FNC from 1996-1999. Before joining FNC, Griffin covered the Middle East region for National Public Radio, U.S. News & World Report and other American news agencies. Previously, she reported for The Sowetan newspaper in Johannesburg, South Africa, where she covered Nelson Mandela's prison release and numerous other historic moments in South Africa's transition away from the apartheid regime. A 1992 graduate of Harvard University, Griffin received a B.A. in comparative politics. She is also the co-author of the book, "This Burning Land: Lessons from the Frontlines of the Transformed Israeli- Palestinian Conflict," which she wrote with her husband, NPR National Security Correspondent Greg Myre, regarding their experience in Israel. Griffin is a stage three triple-negative breast cancer survivor and serves on the board of directors for the Prevent Cancer Foundation. She is also an advisory board member for Report for America, a program placing emerging journalists in local newsrooms across the country to cover under-represented issues. Additionally, Griffin works with several volunteer organizations that serve active-duty military, veterans, and their families, most notably Save Our Allies. FOX News Media operates the FOX News Channel (FNC), FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Digital, FOX News Audio, FOX News Books, the direct-to-consumer streaming services FOX Nation and FOX News International and the free ad-supported television service FOX Weather. Currently the number one network in all of cable, FNC has also been the most watched television news channel for more than 20 consecutive years, while FBN is the top business channel on cable. Owned by Fox Corporation, FOX News Media reaches 200 million people each month. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915006071/en/ FOX News Media Contact: Jessica Ketner 212-301-3976 or [email protected] Source: FOX News Media WESTMINSTER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Maxar Technologies (NYSE: MAXR) (TSX: MAXR), a provider of comprehensive space solutions and secure, precise, geospatial intelligence, today announced that Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Biggs Porter intends to retire from the Company sometime in 2023 and will remain in a consulting role following his retirement through March of 2024 to assist with the transition of the CFO office. Maxar has initiated a search process to identify the companys next CFO. Porter will continue as CFO until a successor is appointed and will assist with the process in order to ensure a seamless transition. Biggs has been instrumental in driving Maxars growth and financial transformation over the last several years, said Maxar Chief Executive Officer Dan Jablonsky. Under Biggs leadership, Maxar has reduced leverage, generated topline growth, margin expansion and significantly increased free cash flow. Thanks to his contributions, we have strengthened Maxars place as a global space leader and better positioned the company for long-term growth and value creation. On behalf of the Board and management team, I want to thank Biggs for his dedication to Maxar and I look forward to working together with him as we transition to a new CFO. It has been extremely rewarding to have been a part of such a great team and such an innovative and impactful company, said Porter. With the progress we have made on our strategic growth plans, I am confident now is the right time to begin this transition. I look forward to seeing its continued success. Porter joined Maxar Technologies in August 2018 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. During his tenure, Maxar successfully monetized assets and completed an equity offering, using proceeds to reduce debt, and recently completed a refinancing that has resulted in an improved capital structure and greater financial flexibility for Maxar. Porter also increased financial discipline and led the introduction of new financial tools and processes. Prior to Maxar, Porter spent five years as Executive Vice President and CFO at Fluor Corporation, and six years as CFO of Tenet Healthcare Corp. Earlier in his career, he held leadership positions at Raytheon, Northrop Grumman and TXU. He was twice named one of the 100 most influential people in finance by Treasury and Risk Magazine and was named multiple times in two different industries as a leading CFO by Institutional Investor magazine, including most recently at Maxar. About Maxar Maxar Technologies (NYSE: MAXR) (TSX: MAXR) is a provider of comprehensive space solutions and secure, precise, geospatial intelligence. We deliver disruptive value to government and commercial customers to help them monitor, understand and navigate our changing planet; deliver global broadband communications; and explore and advance the use of space. Our unique approach combines decades of deep mission understanding and a proven commercial and defense foundation to deploy solutions and deliver insights with unrivaled speed, scale and cost effectiveness. Maxars 4,400 team members in over 20 global locations are inspired to harness the potential of space to help our customers both create a better world. Maxar trades on the New York Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange as MAXR. For more information, visit www.maxar.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect management's current expectations, assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic conditions. Any such forward-looking statements are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements, including those included in the Companys filings with U.S. securities and Canadian regulatory authorities. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, other than as may be required under applicable securities law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005935/en/ Investor Relations Contact: Jonny Bell Maxar Investor Relations 1-303-684-5543 [email protected] Media Relations Contact: Fernando Vivanco Maxar Media Relations 1-720-877-5220 [email protected] Source: Maxar Technologies Church Pension Group Offers Opportunity to Meet the Individuals Behind The Church Pension Funds Diversified Investment Portfolio NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Church Pension Group (CPG), a financial services organization that serves The Episcopal Church, announced that it will host a virtual conversation with members of The Church Pension Fund Investment Team to discuss their backgrounds and responsibilities, their long-term investment strategies, and how they approach their work. Individuals interested in attending the event, which will take place on Thursday, September 22, 2022, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM ET, can register at cpg.org/Insights&Ideas. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005894/en/ Members of The Church Pension Fund Investment Team will discuss their backgrounds and responsibilities, their long-term investment strategies, and how they approach their work during this virtual conversation. (Photo: Business Wire) The conversation is part of CPGs ongoing Insights & Ideas series of discussions with thought leaders and members of the Investment Team that have primarily focused on socially responsible investing (SRI)-related topics. The Church Pension Fund exists to ensure that those who serve The Episcopal Church have the highest possible level of financial security in retirement, said Mary Kate Wold, CEO and President of CPG. Our Investment Team helps ensure we can meet our financial obligations to those who serve the Church today and well into the future. I encourage all Episcopalians interested in meeting some of the talented members of our Investment Team to join us on September 22. The panelists will include Jackson Campbell, Investment Analyst; Brian Jandrucko, Managing Director, Global Public Equity and Hedge Funds; Constanta Lungu, Investment Associate; Christopher Rowe, Managing Director, Socially Responsible Investing; and June Yearwood, Managing Director, Head of Private Specialty Strategies. Videos and presentations from prior Insights & Ideas, which focused on climate change, investing in economically disadvantaged communities, faithful investing, positive impact investing, and sustainable investing, can be viewed at cpg.org/Insights&Ideas. Editors Note: Individuals interested in learning more about CPGs SRI efforts and viewing videos related to CPGs positive impact investments can visit cpg.org/SRI. About the Church Pension Group The Church Pension Group (CPG) is a financial services organization that serves The Episcopal Church. It maintains three lines of businessbenefits, insurance, and publishing. CPG provides retirement, health, life insurance, and related benefits for clergy and lay employees of The Episcopal Church, as well as property and casualty insurance and book and music publishing, including the official worship materials of the Church. Follow CPG on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn. cpg.org View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005894/en/ C. Curtis Ritter Senior Vice President Head of Corporate Communications 212-592-1816 [email protected] Source: The Church Pension Group COLLIERVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mueller Industries, Inc. (NYSE: MLI) (Mueller or the Company), today announced the launch of its new investor relations website. The redesigned website provides enhanced access to an array of investor resources, including financial and stock information, Company news and a newly published investor presentation. We are very pleased to introduce our new investor relations website and to publish our Companys investor presentation, said Jeffrey A. Martin, Chief Financial Officer of Mueller Industries, Inc. We believe that these materials highlight our Company, our operating principles and the positive outlook we have for our business. Having delivered double digit returns to our shareholders over the last 15 years, we are committed to continued growth and to maintaining our proven track record of value creation. Muellers website can be accessed at www.muellerindustries.com. About Mueller Industries, Inc. Mueller Industries, Inc. (NYSE: MLI) is an industrial corporation whose holdings manufacture vital goods for important markets such as air, water, oil and gas distribution; climate comfort; food preservation; energy transmission; medical; aerospace; and automotive. It includes a network of companies and brands throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005252/en/ Investor Contact: Jeffrey A. Martin Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer (901) 753-3226 [email protected] Source: Mueller Industries, Inc. Map D is a Fast Growing Web3.0 Event Tech Platform TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nextech AR Solutions Corp. (Nextech or the Company) (OTCQB: NEXCF) (CSE: NTAR) (FSE: N29), a Metaverse Company and leading provider of augmented reality (AR) experience technologies and 3D model services is pleased to announce the appointment of Melea Guilbault as CEO of Map D, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nextech AR Solutions. Evan Gappelberg CEO of Nextech AR commented, Im confident that the appointment of Melea as CEO of Map D will accelerate our sales growth rate, expand our offerings and unify our 3D and AR technologies with Map D. Our shared aim is to bring innovative 3D and AR experiences to event attendees, exhibitors and event planners. We welcome Melea to the Nextech family and Im very excited to have Melea take Map D to the next level of its growth. Melea Guilbault commented, Im honored and energized to assume this new leadership position of Map D. I believe the combination of Nextech AR and Map Ds innovation and development of a modern event management suite offers event planners the most comprehensive and easy to use tools to manage their events end-to-end. She continued, Events play a pivotal role in bringing education, commerce and people together, and Map D and Nextech AR are at the forefront of delivering exceptional experiences in-person and in the metaverse. Guilbault brings more than thirty years of experience in high-growth companies inclusive of technology, pharmaceuticals, and community-based organizations, and brings extensive commercial, operational and executive management experience. Most recently, Guilbault served on the executive team as Senior Vice President of cloud-based software provider Community Brands and Yourmembership leading commercial growth functions of sales, channels, strategic partnerships, and marketing through the company expansion from a single vertical provider of membership software, into a multi-vertical integrated software and e-commerce provider to associations and nonprofits, K-12 schools and faith-based organizations. As a core member of the executive team at YourMembership, Melea helped build and scale the company to 30% ARR growth that returned 9.5X cash on cash and 75%+ IRR. She was also responsible for commercial strategies for multi-product SaaS and integrated payments company providing membership, event and engagement management solutions driving top-line growth by 10x, EBITDA growth of 15x and market-leading net promoter scores. Prior to her role at Community Brands, Guilbault spent 20+ years in various operational and executive roles at Absolute Mobile Solutions, Tampa Bay Tech, Medtronic, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Takeda, and Meda Pharmaceuticals, Guilbault leverages her commercial expertise to uncover and exploit white spaces that fuel market penetration and transform companies and their brands into highly competitive market leaders, including implementing sales strategy and processes for both direct and indirect channels in support of 100,000 customers, $100M in direct sales and $40M in VAR channel program. About Map D Map D is a self-serve event tech platform and management software solution. Map D provides clients with an extensive set of features and tools for managing almost any kind of event you can imagine. Whether someone is looking for an easy way to sell floor plan space or services at trade shows, expos, or festivals or to manage speaker and schedule details during conferences or meetings, Map D does it all and updates in real time to make it easier to communicate with event goers. Map D is a tool that makes an event managers job easier by automating or crowd sourcing complicated logistics while simplifying the sales processes and adding new revenue opportunities. Most clients spend 2-4 hours on setting up their event in Map D, then the rest is automated so they can sit back and collect sales, or point event participants to a single web address for all the information they may need. Map D also can provide a companion native mobile app which in the future will double as a AR wayfinding app, for in-person events or serve as a self-contained virtual venue for attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, speakers, or anyone else participating in an event. To learn more, please follow us on Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, or visit our website: https://www.Nextechar.com. About Nextech AR Nextech AR Solutions is the engine accelerating the growth of the Metaverse. Using breakthrough AI, Nextech AR is able to quickly, easily and affordably ARitize (transform) vast quantities and varieties of existing assets at scale making products, people and places ready for interactive 3D use, giving creators at every level all the essential tools they need to build out their digital AR vision in the Metaverse. Our platform agnostic tools allow brands, educators, students, manufacturers, creators, and technologists to create immersive, interactive and the most photo-realistic 3D assets and digital environments, compose AR experiences, and publish them omnichannel. With a full suite of end-to-end AR solutions in 3D Commerce, Education, Events, and Industrial Manufacturing, Nextech AR is in a unique position to meet the needs of the worlds biggest brands and all Metaverse contributors. Nextech funds the development of its AR and Metaverse growth initiatives through its e-Commerce platforms, which currently generate most of its revenue. Nextech's e-commerce platforms include: vacuumcleanermarket.com (VCM), infinitepetlife.com (IPL) and Trulyfesupplements.com (TruLyfe). VCM and product sales of residential vacuums, supplies and parts, and small home appliances sold on Amazon. These e-commerce platforms serve as an incubator for developing and testing Nextech's leading edge AR, AI and machine learning applications for powering next-generation e-commerce technology. Forward-looking Statements The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information contained herein may constitute forward-looking information under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, will be or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results will occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the completion of the transaction are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Nextech will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005328/en/ Investor Relations Lindsay Betts [email protected] 866-ARITIZE (274-8493) Ext 7201 Nextech AR Solutions Corp. Evan Gappelberg CEO and Director Source: Nextech AR Solutions Corp. This group of infectious diseases experts will contribute to the design and implementation of the Companys clinical development strategy in phage therapy NANTES, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: Pherecydes Pharma (FR0011651694 - ALPHE) (Paris: ALPHE), a biotechnology company specializing in precision phage therapy to treat resistant and/or complicated bacterial infections, today announces the setting up of a Medical Advisory Board comprising prominent international scientific and clinical experts in infectious diseases. We are delighted and honored to be able to collaborate with this group of internationally recognized scientists, said Didier Hoch, Chairman and CEO of Pherecydes Pharma. Our unique approach to phage therapy has been deemed to be particularly promising by these experts, all of whom are enthusiastic about the idea of joining us in our fight against antibiotic resistance. With their support, we will be able to efficiently implement our ambitious development plan. This Board will support Pherecydes Pharma consolidate its clinical development strategy in phage therapy. It will meet twice a year, with its first meeting on September 28, 2022. The members of the Medical Advisory Board are: Dr. Saima Aslam, Professor of Medicine at UC San Diego, California, USA. Doctor Saima Aslam is the Director of the Solid Organ Transplant Infectious Diseases service and is a founding member and Clinical Lead for the Center for Innovative Phage Applications and Therapeutics (IPATH) at UC San Diego. She received her medical degree from the Aga Khan University, Pakistan in 1999, and then completed her Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases training at Baylor College of Medicine, Texas, USA. Dr. Aslam also holds a Master of Science in clinical investigation from Baylor College of Medicine. She currently holds several leadership positions in the American Society of Transplantation and the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation. Dr. Aslam is the PI of several NIH and industry funded clinical trials and a leader in clinical applications of phage therapy in the US. She also has funding from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to develop a registry and associated phage library for people with Cystic Fibrosis infected with Burkholderia species. Prof. Marc Bonten, Chairman of the Infection & Immunity strategic research program at UMC Utrecht, the Netherlands. Professor Marc Bonten earned his Doctor of Medicine at the Maastricht University Medical School in the Netherlands. From 2008 to March 2021, he was Head of the Department of Medical Microbiology at the Utrecht University Medical Center (UMC Utrecht). Since 2003, he has been Head of the Infectious Disease Epidemiology research group at the Julius Center of Health Sciences and Primary Care and Professor of Molecular Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases. He has been principal investigator in numerous extensive epidemiological studies and investigator-initiated randomized trials relating to the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. He is currently Chairman of the Infection & Immunity strategic research program at UMC Utrecht. Prof. Tristan Ferry, Deputy Head of the Infectious and Tropical Diseases department, Hospices Civils de Lyon, and Head of the CRIOAc national Scientific Committee, France. Tristan Ferry graduated from the Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Lyon, France and has trained in Internal Medicine and Infectious and Tropical Diseases in Hospices Civils de Lyon, France. He is head of the regional reference center for the management of complex BJI (also called CRIOAc Lyon), and of the Lyon BJI group (a multidisciplinary group with colleagues specialized in infectious diseases, surgery, microbiology, imaging, nuclear medicine and drugs pharmacokinetic). His main topic of research is the promotion of innovative treatments, by systemic and/or local administrations in patients with bone and joint infection. He is particularly involved in the promotion and evaluation of bacteriophage/phage therapy and combination of local antibiotics in patients with bone and joint infection. He is one of the inauguration committee members of the new ESCMID Study Group for Non-traditional Antibacterial Therapy (ESGNAT) and has been elected in April 2022 as member of the executive committee as Clinical Officer. By being involved in the national CRIOAc scientific committee and the European Society of Bone and Joint Infections (EBJIS), he would like to facilitate the performance of multicentric clinical trials in France and Europe, to evaluate new academic and industrial treatment options. Prof. Yok-Ai Que, Associate Professor in Intensive Care Medicine at Bern University Hospital, Switzerland. Professor Yok-Ai Que is Associate Professor in Intensive Care Medicine and Head of Department at Bern Inselspital in Switzerland. He has a PhD and a Master of Advanced Studies. Professor Yok-Ai Que obtained his Doctorate in Medicine at the University of Lausanne CHUV in 1999 and pursued his career there, becoming Attending Physician in Intensive Care in 2007 and Senior Physician in 2013. During his career, he has put innovative translational research in place and is considered to be a pioneer in phage therapy. He notably filed 2 patent applications and supervised 5 theses in this field. He is a reviewer for a number of major scientific journals and has developed AI-based solutions to study phage bacteria behavior. Prof. Martin Witzenrath, Head of Department of Respiratory Diseases and Intensive Care at the Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. Martin Witzenrath is Medical Director of Charite Center for Internal Medicine and Dermatology at Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin, where he is also Chair of pneumology, and Head of the Department of Respiratory Diseases and Intensive Care. His clinical specialties are pulmonary infections, intensive care medicine, transplantation, interventional bronchology and pulmonary hypertension. His scientific work includes preclinical, translational and clinical studies on pneumonia, acute respiratory failure and pulmonary hypertension. He is a Fellow of the European Respiratory Society (FERS). *** Next financial publication: 2022 half-year results: Thursday, October 27, 2022, after market About Pherecydes Pharma Founded in 2006, Pherecydes Pharma is a biotechnology company that develops treatments against resistant bacterial infections, responsible for many serious infections. The Company has developed an innovative approach, precision phage therapy, based on the use of phages, natural bacteria-killing viruses. Pherecydes Pharma is developing a portfolio of phages targeting 3 of the most resistant and dangerous bacteria, which alone account for more than two thirds of hospital-acquired resistant infections: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The concept of precision phage therapy has been successfully applied in several dozen patients in the context of compassionate use, under the supervision of the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM). Headquartered in Nantes, Pherecydes Pharma has a team of around twenty experts from the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology sector and academic research. For more information, www.pherecydes-pharma.com Disclaimer This press release contains non-factual elements, including, but not limited to, certain statements regarding future results and other future events. These statements are based on the current vision and assumptions of the management of the Company. They incorporate known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could result in significant differences in results, profitability and expected events. In addition, Pherecydes Pharma, its shareholders and its affiliates, directors, officers, counsels and employees have not verified the accuracy of, and make no representations or warranties about, statistical information or forecast information contained within this news release and that originates or is derived from third party sources or industry publications; these statistical data and forecast information are only used in this press release for information purposes. Finally, this press release may be drafted in French and in English. In the event of differences between the two texts, the French version will prevail. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005895/en/ Pherecydes Pharma Thibaut du Fayet Deputy CEO [email protected] NewCap Dusan Oresansky/Nicolas Fossiez Investor Relations [email protected] T.: +33 1 44 71 94 92 NewCap Arthur Rouille Media Relations [email protected] T.: +33 1 44 71 00 15 Source: Pherecydes Pharma South Africa: Progress made on M7 Solomon Mahlangu Drive upgrades EThekwini Municipality says the upgrade of the M7 Solomon Mahlangu Drive is progressing well, with Phase 1 of construction underway. The project forms part of the freight network from the Durban Harbour to the N2 and N3, and is aimed at alleviating congestion, and accommodating trucks and other transport networks. Project Manager for the Roads Provision Department, Viren Beeharilal, said the through the project, the municipality hopes to alleviate any congestion or problems associated with the widening the harbour and expansion of the network going forward. Phase one is in construction at the moment and basically its an additional lane in each direction from Bellair Road intersection, going up to the N2 and in the opposite direction, as well from the N2 up to Bellair Road, Beeharilal said. Beeharilal explained that the eThekwini Transport Authority is the client department, while the construction, including supervision and the design of the project, is undertaken by Roads Provision, which is the implementing agent, on behalf of eThekwini Transport Authority. Beeharilal said the project is expected to be completed by 2024. Sewer trunk main repairs completed The municipality, meanwhile, said repairs to a 600-diameter sewer trunk main at Mega City in uMlazi have been completed. The sewer line was among many water and sanitation infrastructure components damaged during the floods earlier this year. The municipality said the completion of the sewer line will reduce the contamination of the local river, which the sewer was flowing into, causing an impact on the environment. Consultant at the Sanitation Department, Dave Wilson, said residents will also be relieved of the stench emanating from the sewerage. These repairs will remove the stench, which was quite strong over the past months, due to the results of the flooding. Nearby beaches may be in a good state to open up to the public soon because of the repairs, Wilson said. He said the contractor will be installing another 100-meter pipe along the uMlazi canal. Investment into Agribusiness Master Plan yields positive results Meanwhile, eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, said the municipalitys R55 million investment into the Agribusiness Master Plan is beginning to yield positive results. Kaunda made the remarks during the Executive Committees oversight visit to various agri-parks supported by the city. The delegation visited the sites this week to assess progress since the municipality implemented the eThekwini Agribusiness Master Plan in February 2020. It is encouraging to see that the municipalitys investment into five key commodities has unlocked over 1 300 new jobs, with a total of 49 small, medium, and micro enterprises benefiting from the Agribusiness Programme, Kaunda said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-09-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. A Chang'an China-Europe freight train leaves for Kazakhstan from Xi'an International Port in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, July 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) The Belt and Road cooperation, following the guiding principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, has grown into a global platform where countries along the routes work together to promote people's wellbeing and give a further boost to global development amid daunting challenges. BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Nine years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road successively in Kazakhstan and Indonesia. This is how the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aimed at building a trade, investment, and infrastructure network that connects different regions along the ancient trade routes, took shape. Nine years on, the BRI has achieved more than connectivity. The Belt and Road cooperation, following the guiding principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, has grown into a global platform where countries along the routes work together to promote people's wellbeing and give a further boost to global development amid daunting challenges. Aerial photo taken on June 22, 2022 shows a view of Karot Hydropower Plant, the first hydropower investment project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.(CTG/Handout via Xinhua) GREATER CONNECTIVITY After years of Belt and Road cooperation, a general connectivity framework consisting of six corridors, six connectivity routes and multiple countries and ports has been put in place. Landmark accomplishments include the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway in Africa, China-Laos Railway in Asia, the new Haifa port in Israel, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, among others. Besides infrastructure projects, a new logistics channel between Asia and Europe has been established through China-Europe freight train services. With 82 routes, the trains now reach 200 cities in 24 European countries, forming a transport network covering the whole of Europe. Connectivity means fewer barriers, whether in terms of policy coordination, road travels, trade, financial flows or people-to-people exchanges. It also entails more resilience to uncertainties. The China-Europe freight train service has acted as "a passage of life" when sea and air transportation was hit hard during the pandemic. With such connectivity, the Belt and Road cooperation has scored growth despite global economic recessions. From 2013 to 2021, the total volume of trade of goods between China and countries along the BRI routes amounted to nearly 11 trillion U.S. dollars, while two-way investment exceeded 230 billion dollars, according to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. In Central Asia, with the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway and the China-Tajikistan expressway, road transport has been largely improved. And the Central Asian countries are expected to unlock greater transit potential through the upcoming China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project. The BRI gives the Central Asian region an opportunity to fulfill the strategic task of direct access to seaports and turn the region into a transportation hub of transcontinental highways from east to west, and from north to south, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov has commented. A Chinese expert helps locals in mechanized harvesting of rice in the demonstration area of Nariou village in Burkina Faso, Oct. 8, 2021. (Xinhua) POVERTY REDUCTION In the eyes of Lewis M. Ndichu, a researcher at Nairobi-based think tank Africa Policy Institute, one of the BRI's contributions to the African continent is on poverty alleviation and agricultural development. China has set up poverty reduction projects, sent agricultural experts to Africa and facilitated modern agro-technology exchanges between the two sides, which is significant to regional development, he pointed out. Burkina Faso is among the countries that have witnessed the changes brought by the BRI. Chinese experts have helped increase its rice production, which in the past could barely meet the population's needs. With their assistance, rice production in the demonstration area, Nariou village, has doubled or even tripled the output in previous years, and the rice quality has also been significantly improved. This is just a miniature of how the Belt and Road cooperation improves people's wellbeing around the globe. By the end of 2021, China has built 79 zones for economic and trade cooperation in 24 countries along the BRI routes, investing 43 billion dollars and creating 346,000 local jobs, according to China's Ministry of Commerce. More projects focus on basic needs of people in developing countries are prioritized under the BRI framework. In Senegal, a rural well-drilling project, consisting of 251 wells and 1,800 km water pipelines that China had pledged to fund, has brought clean water to one-seventh of Senegal's population. While in Argentina, the photovoltaic plant in the country's northern province of Jujuy powers some 160,000 homes. A World Bank report has predicted that BRI transport projects could, by 2030, help lift 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million people out of moderate poverty globally. Children play beside a China-aided well in a village of Senegal, Sept. 11, 2018. (Xinhua) CLOSING DEVELOPMENT DIVIDE The world today is undergoing a sea change amid a lingering COVID-19 pandemic, sluggish global growth, a changing climate and escalating tensions. Great strides have been made towards global prosperity, but the gap between the richest and the poorest countries continues to widen. Reducing destitution is not enough. To improve equity and social justice, countries need to be equally entitled to development opportunities. Upholding that spirit, the BRI offers an open platform and a win-win mechanism. By the end of July 2022, China had signed more than 200 BRI cooperation agreements with 149 countries and 32 international organizations, according to China's National Development and Reform Commission. "Through the Belt and Road Initiative, it has therefore brought new thinking about development -- from being mere loan recipients to actual projects on the ground that bring development through trade and enterprises," said James M. Njihia, dean of Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, University of Nairobi. "This will have great multiplier effects in future by increasing local, regional and international integration," he said. Echoing that view, Khairy Tourk, professor of economics with the Stuart School of Business at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, has said the China-proposed BRI puts developing nations on the right track to achieving their long-term development goals. Infrastructure has not been the main focus of post-1945 multilateral institutions. "The BRI has drawn world attention to the importance of infrastructure as an essential pillar of economic development," Tourk said. For decades, these countries couldn't modernize their antiquated infrastructure, he said. "Now China is providing them funds, the construction expertise to build modern infrastructure, and this is the basis for sustained development, and bodes well for the economic future of developing nations." Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has once again put the spotlight on the need to improve safety standards in passenger vehicles (PVs) manufactured in India and for customers here. Highlighting that even locally-made cars for overseas markets are getting six airbags while this isn't exactly the practice for units meant for the local market, Gadkari urged manufacturers to focus in this crucial aspect. India ranks high in the list of countries with the most number of road accidents and deaths caused by such unfortunate incidents. While there are several factors contributing to the alarming statistics, better safety offered by PVs here is now believed to be absolutely essential. Majority of automobile manufacturers in India are exporting cars with 6 airbags. But in India, because of the economic model and cost, they are hesitating," Gadkari said whuile addressing the annual session of Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA). We need cooperation of the automobile industry in reducing accidents. There should be healthy competition among manufacturers to produce safer cars." (Also read: Transport ministry urges ban on online sale of seat belt alarm blockers) Gadkari has also said that the central government is planning to make a minimum of six airbags in cars offered in the Indian market mandatory, regardless of segment, variants and price brackets. While there is some murmur among manufactures about how it could drive up production costs, the minister has been firm. People sitting at the back have no airbags for them. An airbag costs 800, our effort is to ensure maximum safety," he had previously said. (Read full report here) FOLLOW US:Stay Updated with latest content - Subscribe us on FOLLOW US:Stay Updated with latest content - Subscribe us on How dangerous are Indian roads? Gadkari has time and again pointed to statistics which reveal that around five lakh road accidents are reported in India each year, killing around 1.5 lakh people and injuring three lakh. The minister had even highlighted this concern in the Lok Sabha in early parts of August, referring to data from World Road Statistics (WRS) 2018. Issues such as better road infrastructure, widespread awareness levels about safety features and driving etiquettes, and better law enforcement are just some of the recommendations made by experts. Additionally, safer cars for customers in what is the world's fourth largest automotive market is gaining momentum. As per data from National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), around 1.55 lakh deaths occurred in road accidents in 2021. This translates to 426 deaths each day of the year, or 18 deaths every single hour. A significant 11 per cent of these deaths could have been prevented had the persons been wearing a seatbelt. How do airbags and seatbelts protect passengers? While there are numerous safety highlights in a modern car - from ABS, EBD, traction control, hill descent control and more, the most essential safety highlights to prevent serious body harm in case of an accident are seatbelts and airbags, and often in this exact order. While airbags deploy instantly in case of a collision - frontal or side, and thereby preventing/cushioning the body from hitting hard sections of the vehicle, seatbelts keep the body from swaying or violently hitting against sections like the windshield or front seats, thereby mostly preventing trauma injuries. (With inputs from PTI) First Published Date: Digicel will leverage SESs Medium Earth Orbit O3b satellites to provide reliable connectivity to Tonga for disaster relief LUXEMBOURG--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SES and international mobile network operator Digicel announced today they will extend their partnership to provide the Kingdom of Tonga with long-term disaster resiliency to minimise bandwidth disruptions. Under the agreement, Digicel will benefit from SESs expertise in offering disaster resiliency via SESs O3b satellite constellation to deliver low-latency and high-throughput connectivity and protect the Tonga population from future communication interruptions in the event of a natural disaster. Launched in 2013, SESs O3b satellites are orbiting 8,000 km above the Earth's surface in medium earth orbit (MEO) and delivers low-latency connectivity services to any area within 50 north or south of the equator. For the past decade, governments and businesses around the Pacific have been benefitting from the fibre-equivalent performance of the O3b satellite constellation. The Kingdom of Tonga has suffered two major connectivity disruptions in the last four years, the latest being the result of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai volcano eruption and subsequent tsunami in January 2022 which severely damaged undersea communication links. In the immediate wake of the disaster, Digicel had leveraged SESs Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite capacity to restore temporary connectivity on the islands, allowing Tongan residents to connect with their families and loved ones. As the damaged cable connecting the islands of Vavau and Tongatapu in Tonga undergo repair, SESs MEO satellite service provides Vavau residents of with connectivity. Once the cable is fully repaired, it will become a resiliency service to the main cable that connects the island to Tongatapu. The new agreement will see Digicel use SESs O3b satellite system, which will deliver multiple Gbps of capacity for a quick-deploy connectivity to shield the islands in Tonga from potential communication disruptions in the future. The high throughput provided by SESs O3b satellites will ensure reliable connectivity for first responders and the entire population of Tonga. The islands in the Pacific are highly vulnerable to natural disasters, and it is vital during such crises to have resilient network connectivity. This is crucial in ensuring relief efforts can go smoothly and the affected populations can connect with their families and loved ones living in other parts of the world, said John Turnbull, Director of Pacific Region at SES. With our continued partnership with Digicel, SES is glad to deliver high-performance, reliable connectivity to the residents in Tonga using our O3b satellites. SESs second-generation MEO satellite communication system O3b mPOWER promises unprecedented flexibility, unparalleled throughput and scalability, all of which are key to providing resiliency for vulnerable communities across Asia Pacific. SESs multi-orbit satellite fleet has enabled us to quickly deploy domestic connectivity to the island of Vavau at a time when it is crucial to keep people connected. We are glad to extend our partnership with SES and continue leveraging their O3b satellite services to protect the residents of Tonga from future disasters, said Mudassar Latif, Chief Technology Officer at Digicel Group. We look forward to future collaborations with SES to bring multi-orbit satellite communications to other markets in the Pacific, especially those that are vulnerable to natural disasters. To learn more about SESs MEO satellites, please visit https://www.ses.com/newsroom/o3b-mpower. Follow us on: Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram Read our Blogs > Visit the Media Gallery > About SES SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless connectivity around the world. As the leader in global content connectivity solutions, SES operates the worlds only multi-orbit constellation of satellites with the unique combination of global coverage and high performance, including the commercially-proven, low-latency Medium Earth Orbit O3b system. By leveraging a vast and intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES is able to deliver high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to the worlds leading telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners. SESs video network carries ~8,000 channels and has an unparalleled reach of 366 million households, delivering managed media services for both linear and non-linear content. The company is listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220914005798/en/ Suzanne Ong External Communications Tel. +352 710 725 500 [email protected] Source: SES HANOI, Vietnam--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Heng Swee Keat recently visited Southeast Asia leading IT firm FPT Software and its F-Ville 2 complex located in Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, Hanoi. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005586/en/ FPT Corporation Chairman Truong Gia Binh (R) received Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Heng Swee Keat (L) on September 13th, 2022. (Photo: Business Wire) The Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies were accompanied by the Singapore Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam, the Principal Private Secretary to Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies Wong Kang Jet, along with officials from the PMO, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Singapore, and the Economic Development Board. The Deputy Prime Minister and his delegations were welcomed by FPT Corporation Chairman Dr. Truong Gia Binh, FPT Software Chairwoman Ms. Chu Thi Thanh Ha, FPT Software Chief Financial Officer and Senior Executive Vice President Mr. Nguyen Khai Hoan, and FPT Software Asia-Pacific Chief Executive Officer David Nguyen. The visit was within the framework of the official visit of Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, to underscore Singapore and Vietnams excellent relations and reaffirm the bilateral commitment toward deepening cooperation between the two countries. This included enhancing the cooperation between private sector enterprises of Vietnam and Singapore. As part of the visit, the Deputy Prime Minister embarked on a campus tour and viewed 20 strategic technology and delivery centers that FPT Software sets up and operates for leading Singapore enterprises in various industries such as telecommunications, healthcare, construction, real estate, transportation, aerospace, aviation and finance & banking. These strategic centers play an important role in providing advanced technology services, and reinforcing technology talent capacity for enterprises in Singapore. Upon the visit, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat shared his congratulations on the 34th anniversary of FPT Corporation. He also affirmed that utilizing natural resources, green energy and technology were vital to shaping the future. To unlock the potential of these factors, human is the decisive factor. Commenting on FPT Softwares recent partnership with NCS to launch of a Strategic Delivery Centre (SDC) in Vietnam with 3,000 employees, Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister said: "With each side's strengths, the cooperation between FPT Software and NCS can help build a better future. According to FPT Corporation Chairman, Dr. Truong Gia Binh, FPT has the technological capacity, experience working and implementing numerous projects with private firms and governments from other nations, as well as talents and technology professionals versed in various sectors. With our 15 years of development in Singapore and the ample resources to enhance our digital transformation cooperation, sustainable development, and leverage green energy with the Singapore government, we can become even stronger with your aid and support, said Chairman Binh. Singapore, together with Asia-Pacific, is one of the three major markets of FPT Software, achieving a growth rate of over 20% in 10 consecutive quarters. In 2020 and 2021, FPT Software was honored by Gartner in the top 50 of 800 major technology service providers in the region. The F-Ville complex and campus has a capacity of up to 7,000 employees with modern infrastructure, retaining high standards of computer security and office safety. The complex integrates green spaces with natural ventilation and lighting systems, utilizing solar energy, reusing rainwater and developing an environment-friendly work environment. The third complex, which is under construction, will provide another 7,000 seats for IT experts, expected to be ready for operation in 2023. About FPT Software FPT Software is a part of FPT Corporation, a globally leading technology and IT services & solutions provider headquartered in Vietnam, with nearly US$1.6 billion in revenue and 54,000 employees in 28 countries. As a pioneer in digital transformation, FPT delivers world-class services in Smart factories, Digital platforms, RPA, AI, IoT, Enterprise Mobility, Digital Product Development, Cloud, AR/VR, Business Applications, Application Services, Managed Services, and so on. The company has served over 1000+ customers worldwide, 85 of which are Fortune Global 500 companies in Aerospace & Aviation, Manufacturing & Automotive, Banking Finance Insurance, Logistics & Transportation, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Retail e-Commerce, Utilities & Energy, and more. For more information, please visit www.fpt-software.com/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005586/en/ Media contact Mai Duong (Ms.) FPT Software PR Manager Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.fpt-software.com/newsroom/ Source: FPT Software The Bay continues its digital transformation with Instacart collaboration to meet get-it-now customer demand TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Bay, Canadas leading destination for life and style, is excited to partner with Instacart to bring its beauty and home assortment to Greater Toronto Area shoppers via the Instacart App. Available today, nearly 10,000 home and beauty products from The Bay will be accessible, from brands customers know and love. Beauty products comprise cosmetics, skin care, and beauty tools, including brands like Estee Lauder, Dyson, and Dior. Home products, from bedding and linens to kitchen essentials, are available from brands including GlucksteinHome, Breville, and Maxwell & Williams. At launch, the assortment available through the Instacart App will serve customers across the GTA - from Oshawa in the East to Burlington in the West, and North up to Keswick, Ontario - with delivery available in as fast as an hour. The Bay Rewards members also have the ability to link their Rewards account to collect points on Instacart orders. Following the GTA launch, the company plans to expand to additional markets across the country. At The Bay, we are always thinking about the customer. Through this partnership, we are addressing an important get-it-now need for our customers - whether it is a last minute gift or a must-have item for their home or beauty routine, says Margot Johnson, Chief Business Officer, The Bay. Initiatives like this are part of the continual innovation and new experiences The Bay is delivering to make it easy and convenient for customers to discover and get the products that reflect their life and style. To begin shopping The Bay for same-day delivery via Instacart, customers can visit https://www.instacart.ca/store/the-bay/storefront or select The Bay storefront on the Instacart mobile app. For all orders, an Instacart shopper will pick and deliver the order within the customer's chosen delivery time frame. ABOUT THE BAY Through a digital-first, purpose-driven lens, The Bay helps Canadians live their best style of life. The Bay operates thebay.com featuring Marketplace, one of the largest premium life & style digital platforms in Canada, with a seamless connection to a network of 84 Hudson's Bay stores. The Bay has established a reputation for quality and style through an unrivalled assortment of products and categories including fashion, home, beauty, food concepts and more. Follow us on our social media channels: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok. The Bay and Hudsons Bay operate under the HBC brand portfolio. Founded in 1670, HBC is North Americas oldest company. The signature stripes are a registered trademark of HBC. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005791/en/ MEDIA: Avinita Bains Manager, Corporate Communications [email protected] Tiffany Bourre DVP, Communications, PR & Heritage [email protected] Source: Hudson's Bay Company LIBERTYVILLE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Valent BioSciences LLC, the global biorational products leader in agriculture, public health, and forestry, has announced the promotion of Salman Mir to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He will continue reporting to Ted Melnik, Valent BioSciences President and Chief Executive Officer. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915006077/en/ Salman Mir, Valent BioSciences (Photo: Business Wire) In his new position, Mir will oversee the entire spectrum of Valent BioSciences activities worldwide. He will also work closely with the organizations leadership team to execute plans for continued strong business growth and maintain a focus on innovation to support all of parent company Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.s Health and Crop Sciences business commercial objectives. Mir has extensive experience in sales, marketing, operations, and business development roles with major global crop protection companies. He joined Valent BioSciences in 2012 as Vice President of Global Marketing and Business Management, where he was responsible for leading the companys global marketing and commercial activities. In 2016, Mir moved to Sumitomo Chemicals AgroSolutions Division International (ASDI) for an overseas assignment. During his tenure there, he was Head of AgroSolutions Division International (Asia Pacific) and General Manager Sumitomo Chemical Asia (SCA). He returned to the U.S. in 2019 to serve as Chief Operating Officer of Valent BioSciences subsidiary Pace International LLC in Wapato, Washington. In early 2021, he began leading the Global Sustainable Solutions Business Unit (SSBU) team in partnership with Sumitomo Chemical affiliates around the world and also assumed the new position of Chief Commercial Officer for Valent BioSciences. Mir holds an undergraduate Veterinary Sciences degree from the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences and earned his Masters degree in Business Administration from Lahore University of Management Sciences, Pakistan. About Valent BioSciences LLC Headquartered in Libertyville, Illinois, Valent BioSciences is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., and is the worldwide leader in the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of biorational products, with sales in 95 countries around the world. Valent BioSciences is an ISO 9001 Certified Company. For additional information, visit the companys website at www.valentbiosciences.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915006077/en/ John Mandel Valent BioSciences LLC 847-968-4728 Email: [email protected] Source: Valent BioSciences LLC First Veryfi Insights installment analyzing gas-price-trends aligns with industry surveys SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Veryfi, using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to instantly transform documents into structured data, today launched Veryfi Insights, an analysis provided as an industry resource to understand consumer shopping trends. Through the analysis of hundreds of millions of receipts, Veryfi identifies consumer trends, such as changes in gasoline prices in different regions over time, or relationships between different products when purchased together. Veryfi will share its findings and publish them as monthly Veryfi Insights. Gas price analysis is our first published insight to see how we would track against similar reports, and we found our data was highly correlated to those reports, said Ernest Semerda, co-founder and CEO, Veryfi. After five years of training on hundreds of millions of documents, our AI-driven technology delivers Day 1 Accuracy* with unprecedented insights. Offering those insights as a macro industry resource is a natural extension of our company values of transparency and trust. The next Insights installment will examine the top products purchased alongside Coca-Cola and Pepsi to look for commonality and differences of buyers of those two popular beverages. Veryfi Insights serve as examples of what is possible when companies dig into the goldmine of information that can be found in unstructured documents. Brands can gain deeper insight into consumer behavior by analyzing the receipt data collected in loyalty programs. The loyalty shake-up continues, writes McKinsey, with 90 percent of consumers who have noticed higher prices, particularly in gas and groceries. Since 2020, 13% more US consumers reported shopping for a different brand recently. Companies are responding to the loyalty shakeup by investing more in their own customer loyalty programs. Veryfi recently added to its growing roster of consumer packaged goods (CPG) customers with one of the worlds top three food and beverage companies that has adopted Veryfis AI platform to help power its mobile loyalty rewards app. Unlike most consumer surveys which solicit feedback from a few thousand people, Veryfi Insights draws on data collected in the aggregate from millions of receipts extracted by the Veryfi OCR API Platform. In this way, Veryfi Insights offers an unprecedented real-world view into shopping trends. For the first time, CPG manufacturers, brands, retailers, rewards app providers, and the general public can gain insight into detailed consumer shopping behavior derived from the line item data extracted from receipts with industry leading accuracy. To learn more about trending gas prices in the U.S, see the Veryfi Insights blog here. By eliminating manual data entry, Veryfi enables organizations to accurately capture, extract and transform documents such as receipts, invoices, purchase orders, checks, credit cards, and W-9 forms into structured data, at scale. Veryfi uses advanced AI/ML technology, trained by hundreds of millions of documents over the past five years, to extract data and transform it into a structured format for 85 currencies, 39 languages, and over 110 defined fields such as vendor, total, bill to/ship to, purchase order and invoice numbers, any line item (product name, SKU, description), taxes, and more, which can then be accessed for a wide variety of business applications. Veryfi is a sponsor at Groceryshop in Las Vegas from September 19-22 where attendees can visit booth #638 to see how the companys web and mobile technology can turn receipts into valuable consumer insights. About Veryfi Veryfi empowers organizations to capture, extract and transform unstructured documents including receipts, invoices, purchase orders, checks, credit cards, and W-2s into structured data at scale. The companys technology reduces or eliminates manual data entry and unlocks valuable business intelligence in seconds. Trusted by enterprises and software companies alike, Veryfis AI-driven platform delivers fast, accurate, and secure data to hundreds of companies globally. Learn more at www.veryfi.com. *Day 1 Accuracy is a trademark of Veryfi, Inc. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005229/en/ Joseph Eckert for Veryfi Eckert Communications [email protected] Source: Veryfi VMware Once Again Positioned as a Leader in SD-WAN for Fifth Consecutive Year PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW) today announced it has been positioned by Gartner, Inc. as a Leader in the 2022 Gartner Magic Quadrant for SD-WAN. Gartner recognized VMware for its ability to execute and completeness of vision. Previously known as the Gartner Magic Quadrant for WAN Edge Infrastructure, this years report marks the fifth consecutive year that Gartner has recognized VMware as a Leader in SD-WAN. Architected with the idea that the cloud is the network, VMware SD-WAN provides unparalleled reliability and simplicity in securely connecting users from the branch or home to cloud, SaaS, or traditional applications. These benefits stem in part from VMware and its partners investment in more than 150 points of presence worldwide that have high-speed, low-latency connections to major cloud and SaaS providers. VMware is honored to be recognized again by Gartner as a Leader in SD-WAN, said Craig Conners, general manager, SASE, VMware. We feel our extensive deployments of more than 600,000 branches across 18,000 customers have given us the ability to continually adapt to the evolving needs of SD-WAN customers. The unique insights gleaned from what enterprises need near- and long-term are a big reason why, we believe, we continue to be a leader in SD-WAN. VMware SD-WAN is a part of VMware SASE. By delivering cloud networking and cloud security services with VMware SASE, customers can achieve: With a cloud-first approach, VMware SD-WAN delivers a more secure, reliable, and optimal path to SaaS and IaaS providers via a unique global network of cloud-hosted gateways, allowing customers to simplify their path to cloud transformation. VMware provides customers and partners the option to host gateways themselves as well to take advantage of their own SaaS and IaaS on-ramps in a more efficient way than other SD-WAN providers. VMware SD-WAN delivers a more secure, reliable, and optimal path to SaaS and IaaS providers via a unique global network of cloud-hosted gateways, allowing customers to simplify their path to cloud transformation. VMware provides customers and partners the option to host gateways themselves as well to take advantage of their own SaaS and IaaS on-ramps in a more efficient way than other SD-WAN providers. Broad security options including an ICSA-certified branch firewall, third-party security workloads, and configurable business policies that direct traffic to the cloud or data center for better protection against attacks at all levels. Additionally, VMware provides Security Service Edge (SSE) capabilities to help customers better secure access to all web and cloud services as well as locally hosted applications. options including an ICSA-certified branch firewall, third-party security workloads, and configurable business policies that direct traffic to the cloud or data center for better protection against attacks at all levels. Additionally, VMware provides Security Service Edge (SSE) capabilities to help customers better secure access to all web and cloud services as well as locally hosted applications. Assured application performance with user access and an optimized experience for mission-critical apps, even during degraded network conditions. with user access and an optimized experience for mission-critical apps, even during degraded network conditions. Simplified operations that include cloud-based gateways and an orchestration platform to eliminate the management overhead normally required to maintain these components. Additionally, VMware Edge Network Intelligence provides true visibility and analytics into networks, end user and IoT devices. AIOps capabilities combine machine learning, AI, big data, and self-healing technologies to help network operations teams further simplify IT management. Additional Resources Gartner Disclaimer Gartner, Magic Quadrant for SD-WAN, By Jonathan Forest, Naresh Singh, Andrew Lerner, Karen Brown, 12 September 2022. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product, or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Gartner and Magic Quadrant are registered trademarks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved. This document was renamed from Magic Quadrant of WAN Edge Infrastructure to Magic Quadrant for SD-WAN in 2022. About VMware VMware is a leading provider of multi-cloud services for all apps, enabling digital innovation with enterprise control. As a trusted foundation to accelerate innovation, VMware software gives businesses the flexibility and choice they need to build the future. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, VMware is committed to building a better future through the companys 2030 Agenda. For more information, please visit www.vmware.com/company. VMware, VMware SD-WAN, and VMware SASE are registered trademarks or trademarks of VMware, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and other jurisdictions. This article may contain hyperlinks to non-VMware websites that are created and maintained by third parties who are solely responsible for the content on such websites. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220914006059/en/ Eloy Ontiveros VMware Global Communications Phone: +1 650 427 6145 [email protected] Source: VMware, Inc. Workplace Benefits Leader Ramps Up Resources to Help Americans Address Mounting Student Loan Debt and Secure Access to Educational Opportunities Digital Solution Automates and Dramatically Simplifies Loan Forgiveness Process BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- With student loan debt squarely in the spotlight once again, employers are being tasked with guiding employees toward much-needed relief. To this end, workplace benefits leader Fidelity Investments is teaming up with Summer, a certified B Corporation dedicated to serving student loan borrowers across the country, to dramatically simplify the process of applying for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through an automated software solution. The new solution, which will empower millions of nonprofit and public sector employees struggling with student loan debt to find much needed relief, is now available to help eligible individuals apply through a more efficient process. The Fidelity and Summer solution replaces a historically time-intensive and manual, paper-based procedure. Rather than going it alone, the automated offering provides access to technology and optional expert support to navigate through the student loan forgiveness application and help people check their eligibility, compare options, and then complete the processall online in minutes. In alignment with Fidelitys commitment to develop lifelong partnerships and offer customers of all backgrounds access to educational opportunities, Fidelitys expanded list of tools and resources provides individuals a more holistic view of planning and paying for college. Student loan debt is a massive challenge and impacts the overall well-being of people of all ages, and in particular, those who have dedicated themselves to career public service, said Sangeeta Moorjani, Head of Tax Exempt and Retirement Solutions at Fidelity Investments. We are eager to offer solutions that can help eliminate student loan debt and provide some relief from financial stress, for the millions of nurses, doctors and teachers whom we serve. The new resource provides assistance for the federal Public Service Loan Forgivenessi program, offered by the Department of Education, which is designed to eliminate student loan debt for eligible public service employees. Under the program, nonprofit employees including eligible nurses, doctors, and teachers, have the opportunity for the remaining balance of their Direct Loans to be forgiven after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under an eligible repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. The support is available to anyone who qualifies, including those who may not have qualified in the past but are now eligible for a doover through the Limited Waiver before the deadline to act passes on October 31, 2022. Public Service Loan Forgiveness has created a unique opportunity for borrowers and their employers to take immediate action toward financial well-being, said Will Sealy, Founder and CEO at Summer. Summer members save an average of $62,000 by using our digital solutions, and recent announcements by the White House will only increase those savings as borrowers enroll for additional forgiveness and lower monthly payments under a new income-driven repayment (IDR) plan. In partnership with Fidelity, we can extend this impact to millions of borrowers and provide them with the guidance they need to navigate their student debt. Fidelity Offers Solutions Designed to Make a Difference and Improve the Lives of Employees As an industry leader in the not-for-profit workplace retirement savings market and an organization committed to providing education and access for all, Fidelity offers its plan sponsors educational resources to help build awareness of the eligibility and benefits of the Public Sector Loan Forgiveness program to employers. In addition, Fidelity has a legacy of supporting its nearly 60,000 associates and the community with access to educational opportunities. Fidelity provides competitive tuition reimbursement benefits and so far, its student debt benefit has eliminated more than $67 million in principal debt plus about $31 million in interest payments. That equates to 19,737 yearsii of loan payments shaved off for Fidelity associates since the program launched in 2016. In the community, Fidelity focuses on providing financial education and access to education to historically underserved populations, knowing that education can improve long-term outcomes. Since student debt is not a one and done problem, Fidelity also offers a holistic range of student debt solutions, including: A Student Debt Benefits program that allows companies to design a program to best serve the needs of their workforce, which can help with recruiting, improve retention and boost productivity, including a Student Debt: Direct option, helping employees with monthly payments toward loansnow tax free and integrated with Tuition Reimbursement based on client need; as well as Student Debt: Retirement , allowing employers to make 401(k) contributions based on student loan payments. option, helping employees with monthly payments toward loansnow tax free and integrated with Tuition Reimbursement based on client need; as well as , allowing employers to make 401(k) contributions based on student loan payments. Fidelitys Student Debt Tool, which is completely free and enables borrowers to have a singular view of federal and private loan options by aggregating all of their student debt loans in one place, along with options available for repayment. Access to a student debt refinancing platform, Credible.com iii , through its Student Debt Tool, giving users the ability to compare pre-qualified rates from up to ten refinancing lenders without affecting their credit score. , through its Student Debt Tool, giving users the ability to compare pre-qualified rates from up to ten refinancing lenders without affecting their credit score. Finally, to help people avoid accumulating debt in the first place, Pre-College Planning Resources to help families plan, save and pay for college. About Summer Summer partners with organizations to empower their populations to navigate and reduce student loan debt through proven technologies, policy expertise and human support. Founded in 2017 by industry experts, its mission is to alleviate student loan debt for 46 million borrowers by providing leading solutions like automated digital Public Service Loan Forgiveness enrollment and loan consolidation. Summer is a certified B Corporation. For more information, visit www.meetsummer.com. About Fidelity Investments Fidelity's mission is to inspire better futures and deliver better outcomes for the customers and businesses we serve. With assets under administration of $10.5 trillion, including discretionary assets of $4.0 trillion as of July 31, 2022, we focus on meeting the unique needs of a diverse set of customers. Privately held for over 75 years, Fidelity employs more than 58,000 associates who are focused on the long-term success of our customers. For more information about Fidelity Investments, visit https://www.fidelity.com/about-fidelity/our-company. Follow us on Twitter @FidelityNews Visit About Fidelity and our online newsroom Subscribe to email alerts for news from Fidelity Fidelity does not provide legal or tax advice, and the information provided is general in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Consult an attorney, tax professional, or other advisor regarding your specific legal or tax situation. Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Member NYSE, SIPC 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917 Fidelity Distributors Company LLC 500 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917 National Financial Services LLC, Member NYSE, SIPC 245 Summer Street, Boston, MA 0211 1046264.1.0 2022 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. i **You are leaving Fidelity.com for another website.** The site owner is not affiliated with Fidelity and is solely responsible for the information and services it provides. Fidelity disclaims any liability arising from your use of such information or services. Review the new sites terms, conditions, and privacy policy, as they will be different from those of Fidelitys sites. ii Data through December 2021. iii Credible Operations, Inc. is not affiliated with Fidelity Brokerage Services, member NYSE, SIPC or its affiliates. Credible is solely responsible for the information and services it provides. Fidelity disclaims any liability arising from use of this information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005190/en/ Corporate Communications (617) 563-5800 [email protected] Ted Mitchell 401-292-3084 [email protected] Source: Fidelity Investments XTM Is Endorsed and Begins Rollout With Milestones and Prime Pubs MIAMI & TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- XTM, Inc. (XTM or the Company) (QB: XTMIF / CSE:PAID / FSE: 7XT), a Miami and Toronto-based Fintech innovator disseminating earned wages and providing gratuity access to contract workers, hospitality, personal care and service staff, is pleased to announce it has signed a corporate agreement with Foodtastic, a leader in the restaurant franchising business that provides development, marketing, operations and finance for more than 700 restaurants with sales in excess of $700 MM. Foodtastic is the franchisor of multiple restaurant concepts including Milestones, Pita Pit, Second Cup, La Belle et La Boeuf, Monza, Copper Branch, Carlos & Pepe's, Souvlaki Bar, Nickels, Au Coq, Rotisseries Fusee, Rotisseries Benny, Chocolato, Big Rig, La Chambre, L'Gros Luxe, Gatto Matto and Bacaro. This group fits naturally into our ecosystem, said Marilyn Schaffer CEO, XTM Inc. Foodtastic is progressive, innovative and an industry leader and weve got the solution to support them. We are saving our clients hundreds to thousands of dollars per month with the advantages of our restaurant technology making us proud of the difference we are making in the industry and equally proud of our enviable client roster. XTMs Today program is a material way for us to continue to offer value to our franchisees, said Gerry Kakaroubus, VP, Operations, Foodtastic. The program saves time, money, resources, the risk of fraud, and human error. This will be presented to our franchisees at no cost for implementation, daily access to the payment platform and customer service. Its a win-win. About Foodtastic Foodtastic is the franchisor of multiple restaurant concepts including Milestones, Pita Pit, Second Cup, La Belle et La Boeuf, Monza, Copper Branch, Carlos & Pepe's, Souvlaki Bar, Nickels, Au Coq, Rotisseries Fusee, Rotisseries Benny, Chocolato, Big Rig, La Chambre, L'Gros Luxe, Gatto Matto and Bacaro. Foodtastic is a leader in the restaurant franchising business, with over 700 restaurants and $700 million in annualized sales. www.foodtastic.ca About XTM XTM, www.xtminc.com, is a Miami and Toronto-based fintech innovator helping businesses disseminate and their workers access earned wages and gratuities instantly. XTM's Today Solution, comprised of a free mobile app and a Visa or Mastercard debit card with free banking features, is used by thousands of employees in restaurants, salons and service positions across Canada and the United States. XTM is a global card issuer and real-time payment specialist and our payment platform is used at no charge by businesses to automate and expedite worker payouts and eliminate cash from their ecosystems. XTM's Today solution drives enterprise value with efficiency, helps attract and retain a workforce with a bespoke user experience designed specifically for employees, contract staff and workers in restaurants and personal care services. This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (the forward-looking statements), within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, including expected performance of XTM, the expectation that businesses with which XTM does business or have committed to do business will in the expected timeline, the continuing trend toward electronic payment methods, the success of XTMs intended geographic and business expansions, the success of XTMs new market relationships, and the general conditions and revenues of XTM. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "intend" or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the future circumstances, outcomes or results anticipated in or implied by such forward-looking statements will occur or that plans, intentions or expectations upon which the forward-looking statements are based will occur. The CSE has not approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release, and the CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005684/en/ For further information please visit xtminc.com or contact: Marilyn Schaffer, CEO [email protected] 416-260-1641 Source: XTM, Inc. United States Steel Corporation (NYSE: X) today provided third quarter 2022 guidance. Third quarter 2022 adjusted EBITDA is expected to be approximately $825 million. Third quarter 2022 adjusted net earnings per diluted share is expected to be in the range of $1.90 to $1.95. The third quarter marks another important step towards our Best for All future, commented U. S. Steel President and Chief Executive Officer David B. Burritt. We continue to operate from a position of strength and are better prepared to create value in todays market than ever before. Weve repaid over $3 billion of debt, extended our maturity profile, and built a strong cash position to pre-fund our strategy. Our key projects remain on-time and on-budget and we continued to return cash to stockholders in the quarter. Burritt concluded, I am pleased with our record safety performance and continued focus on quality, delivery and reliability for our customers. We expect to deliver a solid third quarter, even as the business continues to respond to the market headwinds that have accelerated over the quarter. We have quickly adjusted our integrated steelmaking operating footprint to better match our order book and expect our Tubular segment to deliver another quarter of earnings growth. Recent Footprint Actions The Company has responded quickly to balance steel supply with customer demand. Below is a summary of actions taken or recently announced. The Company will continue to monitor its order book and will adjust the footprint to support customers needs. North American Flat-rolled Segment: Blast Furnace #3 at Mon Valley Works: As previously communicated on the July earnings call, the Company pulled forward a planned 30-day outage on blast furnace #3 at Mon Valley Works from October to September. Work on the blast furnace began on September 3. Blast furnace #3 has approximately 1.4 million net tons of annual raw steel equivalent capability. As previously communicated on the July earnings call, the Company pulled forward a planned 30-day outage on blast furnace #3 at Mon Valley Works from October to September. Work on the blast furnace began on September 3. Blast furnace #3 has approximately 1.4 million net tons of annual raw steel equivalent capability. Blast Furnace #8 at Gary Works: The Company temporarily idled blast furnace #8 at Gary Works due to market conditions and continued high levels of imports. Blast furnace #8 has approximately 1.5 million net tons of annual raw steel equivalent capability. The Company temporarily idled blast furnace #8 at Gary Works due to market conditions and continued high levels of imports. Blast furnace #8 has approximately 1.5 million net tons of annual raw steel equivalent capability. Tin Line #5 at Gary Works: The Company temporarily idled tin line #5 at Gary Works due to market conditions and elevated levels of tin product imports. Tin line #5 has approximately 140,000 net tons of annual capability. U. S. Steel Europe Segment: Blast Furnace #2 at U. S. Steel Kosice (USSK): The Company pulled forward a planned 60-day outage on blast furnace #2 at USSK from October to September. Work on the blast furnace began on September 4. Blast furnace #2 has approximately 1.7 million net tons of annual raw steel equivalent capability. Stockholder Returns Update Quarter to date, the Company has repurchased approximately $177 million of common stock, including $127 million previously disclosed as part of the prior $800 million stock buyback authorization completed in July. As of September 14, 2022, there is approximately $450 million remaining under the Companys current $500 million stock buyback authorization. Third Quarter Adjusted EBITDA Commentary The Flat-rolled segments adjusted EBITDA is expected to be lower than the second quarter. Accelerating market headwinds in the third quarter negatively impacted demand across most end-markets, which is expected to result in lower shipment volumes. Supply chain issues in automotive and appliance end-markets continue, while containers and packaging has softened, and service center buyers remain on the sidelines. Fixed price contracts in our Flat-rolled segment are expected to limit the negative impact to the segments average selling price from the flow-through of lower steel selling prices in spot business and monthly contracts. The Mini Mill segments adjusted EBITDA is expected to be significantly lower than the second quarters strong performance. Weaker demand and significantly reduced average selling prices from the segments exposure to spot selling prices are expected to negatively impact the segments EBITDA performance. In addition, high-cost raw materials procured at the onset of the war in Ukraine began to impact margins in the third quarter and are expected to impact results through year-end. The European segments adjusted EBITDA is also expected to be significantly lower than the second quarter. Demand challenges have accelerated through the third quarter due to seasonal buying patterns and the increasing effects of the war in Ukraine which has fueled macroeconomic uncertainty and rising energy costs. Lower steel prices are increasingly being reflected in the segments majority spot mix exposure. Additionally, headwinds from high-cost raw materials procured at the onset of the war in Ukraine, an extended supply chain and surging energy costs are causing significant margin pressure. These challenges informed our decision to pull forward a planned blast furnace outage from October into September to better balance supply with softer demand. The Tubular segments adjusted EBITDA is expected to improve on last quarters strong performance. Continued healthy demand and the trade case on oil country tubular goods imports is resulting in higher selling prices and higher expected EBITDA compared to the second quarter. The segment continues to be advantaged by its electric arc furnace supplying internally sourced rounds substrate and the margin expansion from the segments proprietary connections. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release contains information that may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We intend the forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in those sections. Generally, we have identified such forward-looking statements by using the words believe, expect, intend, estimate, anticipate, project, target, forecast, aim, should, "plan," "goal," "future," will, "may" and similar expressions or by using future dates in connection with any discussion of, among other things, the construction or operation of new or existing facilities, the timing, size and form of share repurchase transactions, operating performance, trends, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, statements relating to volume changes, share of sales and earnings per share changes, anticipated cost savings, potential capital and operational cash improvements, changes in global supply and demand conditions and prices for our products, international trade duties and other aspects of international trade policy, statements regarding our future strategies, products and innovations, statements regarding our greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, and statements expressing general views about future operating results. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but instead represent only the Companys beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Companys control. It is possible that the Companys actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. Management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the time made. However, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements because such statements speak only as of the date when made. Our Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In addition, forward looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our Company's historical experience and our present expectations or projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the loss or reduction in availability of third party transportation services and the risks and uncertainties described in Item 1A Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and those described from time to time in our future reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. References to "U. S. Steel," "the Company," "we," "us," and "our" refer to United States Steel Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise indicated by the context. UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA GUIDANCE (Dollars in millions) Reconciliation to Projected Adjusted EBITDA Included in Guidance 3Q 2022 Projected net earnings attributable to United States Steel Corporation included in guidance $ 485 Estimated income tax provision 150 Estimated net interest and other financial costs (income) (35 ) Estimated depreciation, depletion, and amortization 195 Projected EBITDA included in guidance $ 795 Estimated third quarter adjustments 30 Projected adjusted EBITDA included in guidance $ 825 UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NET EARNINGS GUIDANCE (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) Reconciliation to Projected Adjusted Net Earnings Attributable to U. S. Steel Included in Guidance 3Q 2022 Projected net earnings attributable to United States Steel Corporation included in guidance $ 485 Estimated third quarter adjustments 23 Projected adjusted net earnings attributable to United States Steel Corporation included in guidance $ 508 Reconciliation to Projected Adjusted Net Earnings Per Diluted Share Included in Guidance 3Q 2022 Projected net earnings per diluted share included in guidance (mid-point of guidance) $ 1.83 Estimated third quarter adjustments 0.09 Projected adjusted net earnings per diluted share included in guidance (mid-point of guidance) $ 1.92 Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures We present adjusted net earnings, adjusted net earnings per diluted share, earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP measures, as additional measurements to enhance the understanding of our operating performance. We believe that EBITDA, considered along with net earnings, is a relevant indicator of trends relating to our operating performance and provides management and investors with additional information for comparison of our operating results to the operating results of other companies. Adjusted net earnings, adjusted net earnings per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures that exclude certain charges that are not part of the Companys core operations such as restructuring or asset impairments (Adjustment Items). We present adjusted net earnings, adjusted net earnings per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA to enhance the understanding of our ongoing operating performance and established trends affecting our core operations by excluding the effects of events that can obscure underlying trends. U. S. Steels management considers adjusted net earnings, adjusted net earnings per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA as alternative measures of operating performance and not alternative measures of the Company's liquidity and believes these measures are useful to investors by facilitating a comparison of our operating performance to the operating performance of our competitors. Additionally, the presentation of adjusted net earnings, adjusted net earnings per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA provides insight into managements view and assessment of the Companys ongoing operating performance because management does not consider the Adjustment Items when evaluating the Companys financial performance. Adjusted net earnings, adjusted net earnings per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA should not be considered a substitute for net earnings, earnings per diluted share or other financial measures as computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP and are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Founded in 1901, United States Steel Corporation is a leading steel producer. With an unwavering focus on safety, the companys customer-centric Best for All strategy is advancing a more secure, sustainable future for U. S. Steel and its stakeholders. With a renewed emphasis on innovation, U. S. Steel serves the automotive, construction, appliance, energy, containers, and packaging industries with high value-added steel products such as U. S. Steels proprietary XG3 advanced high-strength steel. The company also maintains competitively advantaged iron ore production and has an annual raw steelmaking capability of 22.4 million net tons. U. S. Steel is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with world-class operations across the United States and in Central Europe. For more information, please visit www.ussteel.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220914005984/en/ Arista E. Joyner Manager Financial Communications T (412) 433-3994 E [email protected] Kevin Lewis Vice President Investor Relations T (412) 433-6935 E [email protected] Source: United States Steel Corporation FILE PHOTO: Rapper Kanye West talks on the phone before attending the Versace presentation in New York, U.S. December 2, 2018. REUTERS/Allison Joyce By Deborah Mary Sophia and Uday Sampath Kumar (Reuters) -Kanye West's lawyers on Thursday sent a letter to Gap Inc notifying the apparel chain that the rapper and fashion designer was terminating his partnership with the company, saying it failed to meet its obligations under the contract. Gap breached its agreement with West by not selling the Yeezy Gap-branded products at its brick-and-mortar outlets and failing to open dedicated stores for the brand, the letter, viewed by Reuters, said. The company can sell existing Yeezy Gap stocks until the sell-off period, the letter said. Shares in the Banana Republic parent closed 3.6% lower on Thursday. Gap declined to comment on the matter. West, known as Ye, in 2020 signed a 10-year deal with Gap to create a line of clothing under the Yeezy Gap brand. The first product from the line - a blue puffer jacket - sold out within hours of launch in June 2021. "Gap left (Kanye) no choice but to terminate their agreement ... Ye will now promptly move forward to make up for lost time by opening Yeezy retail stores," West's lawyer Nicholas Gravante Jr. said. However, Gap Brand President and Chief Executive Mark Breitbard said in an internal memo seen by Reuters that the company would wind down the partnership with Kanye as the parties were not aligned on how to work together to deliver their vision. Ties between West and Gap have been increasingly strained recently. Earlier this month, West threatened to walk away from the brand. (https://on.wsj.com/3eUovP9) "Kanye's decision...will come as a blow to the brand, which had pinned its hopes on Kanye's magic to help revitalize interest in its ailing business," said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData. Gap has been struggling to protect margins and pull in sales, blaming inflation and outdated styles at its Old Navy brand. (Reporting by Deborah Sophia, Uday Sampath and Ananya Mariam Rajesh in Bengaluru;Editing by Vinay Dwivedi, Maju Samuel and Shinjini Ganguli) Beijing (Gasgoo)- Shanghai-based intelligent driving software platform developer LinearX recently celebrated the completion of its Pre-A financing round on its one-year anniversary. Photo credit: LinearX The company has raised over a hundred million yuan in the round. Leading investors of the round were Broad Vision Funds and Shenzhen Capital Group, and LinearXs three existing shareholders all took part in the round as well. The proceeds raised in the Pre-A round will be used for talent recruitment, technology development, product optimization, and market expansion. In August 2022, Chinas tech giant Tencent increased its stake in LinearX to become the latter's the third largest shareholder. As the previous sixth largest shareholder of LinearX, Tencent used to hold 4.73% stake in the startup with RMB28,400 invested. After LinearXs Pre-A financing round, Guangxi Tencent Venture Capital Co., Ltd. saw its investment in the startups registered capital rise to RMB65,900, which corresponds to 8.75% stake in the startup. Since its establishment in August 2021, the technology concept of LinearX has been recognized by many legacy automakers as well as auto startups. Currently, the company is actively cooperating with Tier1 suppliers, chip manufacturers, and algorithm companies on product development and project implementation on various levels. Believe launches its first employee shareholder plan B.SHARES 2022 Paris, September 15, 2022 Believe is launching its first collective employee shareholding offer B.SHARES 2022. Believe employees will be able to subscribe to Believe shares from September 16 to October 6, 2022. This first employee shareholding plan will provide our employees with the opportunity to be directly associated with the future development of Believe (BLV, Euronext Paris - Compartment A). Involving our employees as Believe shareholders is a key step in our journey to our corporate ambition " Shaping Music for Good " driven by our four driving forces: respect, expertise, fairness and transparency towards all of our stakeholders. The Offer will be rolled out in 6 countries and will be carried out by capital increase within the limit of 480,000 shares representing approximately 0.5% of the Company's share capital. Beneficiaries The Offer is dedicated to members of the Group Savings Plan or the International Group Savings Plan located in the following countries: Germany, China, United States, France, India and United Kingdom, having at least three months of seniority at the last day of the subscription period, October 6, 2022. Terms of shares holding Subscription to shares is carried out through an employee mutual fund (FCPE), the FCPE "Believe Shares", in Germany, France, India, the United Kingdom. Subscription to shares is carried out through direct shareholding in China and the in United States. Subscription price The subscription price of a share under the Offer is equivalent to the average prices weighted by the trading volumes of the Believe share on Euronext Paris during the twenty trading days preceding the decision of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer setting the dates of the subscription period, reduced by a 20% discount, and rounded up to the nearest hundredth of a euro. On delegation from the Board of Directors, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer set, on September 15, 2022, the reference price for one share at 8.62 and the subscription price for one share at 6.90. Lock-up period Shares subscribed directly, as well as FCPE units, will be blocked for a period of five years, unless early release cases provided by law. Exercise of voting rights The voting rights attached to the shares held through the FCPE Believe Shares will be exercised by the supervisory board of the FCPE Believe Shares. The voting rights attached to the shares held directly will be exercised by direct employee shareholders. informative schedule The indicated schedule for carrying out the Offer is as follows: setting of the subscription price: September 15, 2022 subscription period: from September 16 to October 6, 2022, inclusive capital increase: November 3, 2022 Quotation Admittance to trading on the Euronext Paris market (ISIN Code: FR0014003FE9) of the new shares will be requested as soon as the capital increase is completed. Specific note FCPE units may not be offered or sold directly or indirectly in the United States (including its territories and possessions), to or for the benefit of a "U.S. Person", as defined by American regulations, and available on the website of the FCPE management company: www.amundi.com. Pursuant to the provisions of Regulation (EU) No. 833/2014 and Regulation (EU) No. 765/2006, as amended, the Offer is not open to Russian nationals and natural persons residing in Russia, nor Belarusian nationals and natural persons residing in Belarus, except for nationals in a country of the European Union or natural persons holding a temporary or permanent residence permit in a country of the European Union. About Believe Believe is one of the world's leading digital music companies. Believe's mission is to support artists and labels by offering them digital solutions adapted to their evolving needs at each stage of their development. Believe relies on its technological platform, on the unique digital expertise of its employees to advise its artists and labels, distribute and promote their music. Its 1,565 employees present in more than 50 countries support them with unique digital expertise, respect, fairness and transparency. Believe offers its various solutions through a portfolio of brands including, among others, TuneCore, Nuclear Blast, Naive, Groove Attack and AllPoints. Believe is listed on compartment A of the regulated market of Euronext Paris (Ticker: BLV, ISIN: FR0014003FE9). www.believe.com Believe contacts Investor relations Emilie MEGEL [email protected] Tel. : +33 1 53093391 Port. : + 33 6 07099860 Press relations Manon JESSUA [email protected] Attachment Aircraft delivery is the first as part of an order from the USAF, announced in June 2021, to modify up to six Global 6000 business jets . The 2021 contract, representing a potential total value of close to $465 million U.S., included an immediate firm order for one Global 6000 aircraft with subsequent additional firm orders announced in April 2022 Bombardier Global business jets have become a go-to platform for special missions around the world, thanks to their speed, payload capacity, built-in power redundancy, reliability and endurance WICHITA, Texas, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier today announced that its Defense division, along with its U.S. subsidiary Learjet Inc., delivered a Global aircraft in special mission configuration to the U.S. Air Force Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) program based at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts. The defense sector is a key pillar of Bombardiers future as our ultra-reliable and high-performing platforms are best suited to house and operate complex mission equipment, said Eric Martel, President and CEO of Bombardier. We are proud that our jets and know-how are being increasingly recognized around the world in this sphere, and this delivery is a milestone, first of its kind since appointing Wichita as the home base for Bombardier Defense. The latest delivery, a Global 6000 aircraft, is the first mission-configured aircraft to be supplied under a contract for up to six modified Global 6000 aircraft, announced in June 2021 and which represents a potential total value of up to $464.8-million USD (the 2021 contract). Bombardier has already delivered four Global aircraft to the BACN program under previous agreements. Under the 2021 contract, the USAF has confirmed firm orders for three Global 6000 aircraft, with the next two deliveries expected in 2022 and 2023. The USAF has announced its potential to purchase an additional aircraft each year through 2025 under the 2021 contract. The BACN program reduces communication issues associated with incompatible systems, adverse terrain, and distance. BACN increases interoperability which results in forces that execute faster, more reliably, and with less risk to the warfighter. The delivery of 21-9045 is the pivotal first step to advancing the mission this program provides. Lt Col Eric Inkenbrandt As part of the critical BACN program, Bombardiers Global aircraft serve as high-altitude communications gateways, relaying or bridging voice and data between air and surface forces and handily surmounting traditional obstacles such as mountains, rough terrain or distance. Dubbed Wi-Fi in the sky by the USAF, BACN-equipped Global aircraft are referred to as the E-11A fleet. We are proud to be able to showcase the versatility of our Global business jets and our expertise here in the U.S. to support the type of high-altitude, endurance missions required by the elite BACN program, said Steve Patrick, Vice President, Bombardier Defense. Our best-in-class Global aircraft platform offers the complete package--proven reliability, significant payload capacity, ample available power, and the highest degree of stability to support sensitive equipment. This, along with top notch design, manufacturing and certification expertise required to carry out modifications makes Bombardier Global aircraft the optimal choice for conversion to specialized assets. In April 2022, Bombardier designated its Wichita site as its new U.S. Headquarters and launched Bombardier Defense as strategic expansion of its existing Specialized Aircraft division. Engineers and technicians at Bombardier Defense in Wichita, Kansas perform the complex engineering and modification work on green Global 6000 aircraft to support the BACN installation, while teams at the Bombardier site in Tucson, Arizona complete the interiors and perform the exterior painting work. More than 550 Bombardier Global, Challenger and Learjet business aircraft are currently performing specialized missions worldwide, from securing airspace, borders and infrastructure to head-of-state transport and humanitarian assistance including long-range medical evacuations. Forward-looking Statements Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements based on current expectations, including, without limitation, statements relating to future deliveries and orders of aircraft and total realizable contract value. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to important known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to our note on Forward-Looking Statements contained in our latest published quarterly report. About Bombardier Bombardier is a global leader in aviation, focused on designing, manufacturing, and servicing the world's most exceptional business jets. Bombardiers Challenger and Global aircraft families are renowned for their cutting-edge innovation, cabin design, performance, and reliability. Bombardier has a worldwide fleet of approximately 5,000 aircraft in service with a wide variety of multinational corporations, charter and fractional ownership providers, governments, and private individuals. Bombardier aircraft are also trusted around the world in special-mission roles. Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Bombardier operates aerostructure, assembly and completion facilities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. The companys robust customer support network includes facilities in strategic locations in the United States and Canada, as well as in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, the UAE, Singapore, China, and an Australian facility opening in 2022. For corporate news and information, including Bombardiers Environmental, Social and Governance report, visit bombardier.com. Learn more about Bombardiers industry-leading products and customer service network at businessaircraft.bombardier.com. Follow us on Twitter @Bombardier. Bombardier, Global, Global 6000, Challenger and Learjet are registered or unregistered trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries. For Information Francis Richer de La Fleche Mark Masluch Vice President, Financial Planning and Investor Relations Senior Director, Communications Bombardier Bombardier +1 514 855 5001 x13228 +1 514 855 7167 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aece222b-6352-4181-bc53-73fd681289f1 Bombardier Defense Delivers High-performance Global Aircraft to the U.S. Air Force Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) Program Steve Patrick, VP of Bombardier Defense welcomes Lt Col Eric Inkenbrandt, USAF BACN Material Leader to cut the ribbon and celebrate their new Global 6000 BACN aircraft. Source: Bombardier Inc. For immediate release 15 September 2022 Serabi Gold Plc (Serabi or the Company) Change of auditor Serabi Gold plc (AIM:SRB, TSX: SBI), the Brazilian-focused gold mining and development company, announces that, following a competitive tender process, the Board of Directors (the Board) has approved the appointment of PKF Littlejohn LLP ("PKF") as auditor of the Company for the financial year ending 31 December 2022. A resolution to re-appoint PKF as the Company's auditor will be put to the Company's next General Meeting of shareholders. The Company also advises that it has appointed KPMG Auditores Independentes Ltda (KPMG) to undertake the statutory audits of its Brazilian subsidiaries for the financial year ending 31 December 2022. KPMG replace BDO RCS Auditores Independentes (BDO Brazil). The Board would like to take this opportunity to thank its previous auditors, BDO LLP and BDO Brazil, for their services to the Company. The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK Domestic Law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The person who arranged the release of this statement on behalf of the Company was Clive Line, Director. Enquiries: Serabi Gold plc Michael Hodgson Tel: +44 (0)20 7246 6830 Chief Executive Mobile: +44 (0)7799 473621 Clive Line Tel: +44 (0)20 7246 6830 Finance Director Mobile: +44 (0)7710 151692 Email: [email protected] Website: www.serabigold.com Beaumont Cornish Limited Nominated Adviser and Financial Adviser Roland Cornish / Michael Cornish Tel: +44 (0)20 7628 3396 Peel Hunt LLP Joint UK Broker Ross Allister / Alexander Allen Tel: +44 (0)20 7418 9000 Tamesis Partners LLP Joint UK Broker Charlie Bendon / Richard Greenfield Tel: +44 (0)20 3882 2868 Camarco Financial PR Gordon Poole / Emily Hall Tel: +44(0) 20 3757 4980 Copies of this release are available from the Companys website at www.serabigold.com. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, nor any other securities regulatory authority, has approved or disapproved of the contents of this announcement. ENDS Source: Serabi Gold plc Elis announces the success of its offering of Bonds Convertible into New Shares and/or Exchangeable for Existing Shares (OCEANEs) due 22 September 2029 for a nominal amount of 380 million and the result of the concurrent repurchase of its outstanding OCEANEs due 6 October 2023 for a nominal amount of 200 million Saint-Cloud, September 15, 2022 Elis (ISIN: FR0012435121, the Company) announces today the successful placement of bonds convertible into new shares and/or exchangeable for existing shares (OCEANEs) due 22 September 2029(the Bonds) by way of a public offering to qualified investors only as defined in article 2 point (e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and the Council of 14 June 2017 (the Prospectus Regulation) in accordance with Article L. 411-2 1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code (Code monetaire et financier), for a nominal amount of 380 million (the Offering). The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to finance the partial repurchase of the outstanding OCEANEs due 6 October 2023 (ISIN: FR0013285707, the 2023 OCEANEs) under the terms described below. The remainder of the net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes. The Bonds have a nominal unit value of 100,000 (the Principal Amount), are convertible and/or exchangeable into new/existing shares of Elis (the Shares), and carry a coupon of 2.25% per annum, payable annually in arrears on 22 September of each year (or on the following business day if this date is not a business day), and a conversion premium of 42.50% over the reference share price1. Settlement and delivery of the Bonds is expected to take place on 22 September 2022 (the Issue Date). Unless previously converted and/or exchanged, redeemed or purchased and cancelled, the Bonds will be redeemed at par on 22 September 2029 (or on the following business day if this date is not a business day) (the Maturity Date). The Bonds may be redeemed before the Maturity Date at the discretion of the Company, under certain conditions, and at the discretion of bondholders, including in the event of a Change of Control or Delisting Event (as both defined in the terms and conditions of the Bonds). Bondholders will be entitled to require an early redemption of their Bonds at their Principal Amount plus accrued but unpaid interest on 22 September 2027. The Bonds are guaranteed (cautionnement solidaire de droit francais) by M.A.J. S.A., a French limited liability company (societe anonyme) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Elis, within the limit of the amount of the proceeds from the Bonds that will be on-lent by Elis to M.A.J. S.A. Application will be made for the listing of the Bonds on the non-regulated multilateral trading facility of Euronext AccessTM (operated by Euronext Paris) within 30 days following the Issue Date of the Bonds. Conversion/Exchange Right Bondholders may exercise their conversion/exchange right of the Bonds into new and/or existing shares which they may exercise at any time from the 40th calendar day following the Issue Date (i.e. 1 November 2022) and up to and including the 7th business day preceding the Maturity Date or the relevant early redemption date. The conversion/exchange ratio is set at the Principal Amount divided by the prevailing initial conversion/exchange price, i.e., initially 5,774.0054 Shares per Bond, subject to subsequent adjustments (as set out in the terms and conditions of the Bonds). Upon exercise of their conversion/exchange right, bondholders will receive at the option of the Company new and/or existing Elis shares. The Elis new shares eventually delivered shall carry current rights to dividends paid following the date of delivery of the shares. Lock-up In the context of the Offering, the Company has agreed to a lock-up undertaking of 90 calendar days as of the Issue Date, subject to certain customary exceptions or waiver from the Joint Global Coordinators. Dilution For illustrative purposes, based on (i) the offering of Bonds for an amount of 380 million, a 12.1537 reference share price and the initial conversion/exchange premium of 42.50%, and (ii) the repurchase of the 2023 OCEANEs for an amount of 200 million, the potential dilution would represent 6.6% of the Companys outstanding share capital, if conversion/exchange Rights were exercised for all the Bonds and assuming a delivery of new shares only upon exercise of Conversion/Exchange Rights. Legal framework of the issue and placement The Offering was conducted through a public offering, in France and outside France (excluding the United States of America, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Japan), to qualified investors only, as defined in article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation, in accordance with Article L. 411-2 1 of the French monetary and financial code (Code monetaire et financier), pursuant to the authorization granted by the shareholders of the Company at the Companys extraordinary general meeting held on 19th May 2022 (21st resolution). Available information Neither the Repurchase (as defined below) nor the Offering or admission to trading of the Bonds on Euronext AccessTM is subject to a prospectus approved by the French Financial Market Authority (Autorite des marches financiers) (the AMF). No key information document under Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 November 2014, as amended (the PRIIPs Regulation) has been and will be prepared. Detailed information on Elis, including its business, results, prospects and related risk factors are on reports and releases available on the Companys website (https://fr.elis.com/en), including the universal registration document (URD) for financial year ended 31 December 2021 filed by the Company with the French AMF on 29 March 2022 under number D.22-0177 (the 2021 URD). Concurrent partial repurchase of the outstanding 2023 OCEANEs (ISIN code: FR0013285707) Concurrently with the Offering, the Company invited today the eligible holders of the 2023 OCEANEs to submit offers to sell for cash their 2023 OCEANEs in a reverse book-building procedure (the Repurchase) for an aggregate principal amount of 200,000,004.75 (the Repurchase Amount) representing approximately 50% of the aggregate principal amount of 2023 OCEANEs issued initially. As of the close of business on 14 September 2022, the aggregate principal amount of outstanding 2023 OCEANEs amounted to 399,999,977.65. Purchase Price The purchase price per 2023 OCEANE was set at 31.21. Transaction Conditions As at the close of the reverse bookbuilding process, the Company acknowledged the satisfaction of the condition precedent set forth in the launch press release dated 15 September 2022, and decided to accept the Repurchase. The settlement of the Repurchase is expected to take place on 23 September 2022, subject to the settlement and delivery of the Bonds. The 2023 OCEANEs repurchased by the Company will be cancelled thereafter in accordance with their terms and conditions and in accordance with applicable law and regulation. Following settlement of the Repurchase, which remains subject to the settlement and delivery of the Bonds, the remaining outstanding principal amount of 2023 OCEANEs would be 199,999,972.90. Important information This press release does not constitute or form part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for or to sell securities to any person in the United States of America, Australia, Canada, South Africa or Japan or in any jurisdiction to whom or in which such offer is unlawful, and the Offering of the Bonds is not an offer to the public in any jurisdiction, including France. Elis is an international multi-service provider, offering textile, hygiene and facility services solutions, which is present in Europe and Latin America. Contact Nicolas Buron - Investor Relations Director - Phone: +33 1 75 49 98 30 - [email protected] Disclaimer This press release may not be released, published or distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States of America (including its territories and dependencies, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia), Australia, Canada, South Africa or Japan. The distribution of this press release may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions and persons into whose possession any document or other information referred to herein comes, should inform themselves about and observe any such restriction. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No communication or information relating to the offering of the Bonds or the Repurchase may be distributed to the public in a country where a registration or approval is required. No action has been or will be taken in any country in which such registration or approval would be required. The issuance by the Company or the subscription of the Bonds may be subject to legal and regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions; neither the Company nor the Managers assume any liability in connection with the breach by any person of such restrictions. This press release is an advertisement and not a prospectus within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the Prospectus Regulation) and of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of the United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the UK Prospectus Regulation). This press release is not an offer to the public other than to qualified investors, or an offer to subscribe or designed to solicit interest for purposes of an offer to the public other than to qualified investors in any jurisdiction, including France. The Bonds have been and will be offered only by way of an offering in France and outside France (excluding the United States of America, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Japan and any other jurisdiction where a registration process or an approval would be required by applicable laws and regulations), solely to qualified investors as defined in article 2 point (e) of the Prospectus Regulation and in accordance with Article L. 411-2 1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code (Code monetaire et financier) and article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation. There will be no public offering in any country (including France) in connection with the Bonds, other than to qualified investors. This press release does not constitute a recommendation concerning the issue of the Bonds. The value of the Bonds and the shares of the Company can decrease as well as increase. Potential investors should consult a professional adviser as to the suitability of the Bonds for the person concerned. Prohibition of sales to European Economic Area retail investors The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to, and no action has been undertaken or will be undertaken to offer, sell or otherwise make available any Bonds to any retail investor in the European Economic Area (the EEA). For the purposes of this provision, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of the following: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU, as amended (MiFID II); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97, as amended (the Insurance Distribution Directive), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014, as amended (the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Bonds or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been or will be prepared and therefore offering or selling the Bonds or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation. Prohibition of sales to UK retail Investors The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to, and no action has been undertaken or will be undertaken to offer, sell or otherwise make available any Bonds to any retail investor in the United Kingdom (UK). For the purposes of this provision, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of the following: (i) a retail client as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the EUWA); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (the FSMA) and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement the Insurance Distribution Directive, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA. Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA, as amended (the UK PRIIPs Regulation) for offering or selling the Bonds or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been or will be prepared and therefore offering or selling the Bonds or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation. MIFID II product governance / Professional investors and ECPs only target market Solely for the purposes of each manufacturers product approval process, the target market assessment in respect of the Bonds has led to the conclusion that: (i) the target market for the Bonds is eligible counterparties and professional clients, each as defined in MiFID II; and (ii) all channels for distribution of the Bonds to eligible counterparties and professional clients are appropriate. Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the Bonds (a distributor) should take into consideration the manufacturers target market assessment; however, a distributor subject to MiFID II is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Bonds (by either adopting or refining the manufacturers target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels. France The Bonds have not been and will not be offered or sold or cause to be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France other than to qualified investors. Any offer or sale of the Bonds and distribution of any offering material relating to the Bonds have been and will be made in France only to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifies), as defined in article 2 point (e) of the Prospectus Regulation, and in accordance with Article L. 411-2 1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code (Code monetaire et financier). United Kingdom This press release is addressed and directed only at persons who (i) are located outside the United Kingdom, (ii) are investment professionals as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the Order), (iii) are high net worth companies, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within by Article 49(2) (a) to (d) of the Order (the persons mentioned in paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) collectively being referred to as Relevant Persons). The Bonds and, as the case may be, the shares to be delivered upon exercise of the conversion rights (the Financial Instruments), are intended only for Relevant Persons and any invitation, offer or agreement related to the subscription, tender, or acquisition of the Financial Instruments may be addressed and/or concluded only with Relevant Persons. All persons other than Relevant Persons must abstain from using or relying on this document and all information contained therein. This press release is not a prospectus which has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority or any other United Kingdom regulatory authority for the purposes of Section 85 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. United States of America This press release may not be released, published or distributed in or into the United States (including its territories and dependencies, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia). This press release does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer of securities in the United States. The Bonds and the shares deliverable upon conversion or exchange of the Bonds described in this press release have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), or the securities laws of any state of the United States, and such securities may not be offered, sold, pledged or otherwise transferred in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration under the Securities Act or pursuant to an available exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements thereof and applicable state or local securities laws. The Company does not intend to make a public offer of its securities in the United States. Australia, Canada, South Africa and Japan The Bonds may not and will not be offered, sold or purchased in Australia, Canada, South Africa or Japan. The information contained in this press release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in Australia, Canada, South Africa or Japan. The distribution of this press release in certain countries may constitute a breach of applicable law. 1 The reference share price is equal to the volume-weighted average price of Elis share on the regulated market of Euronext Paris between the opening of trading on 15 September 2022 and the pricing of the Offering on the same day (i.e. 12.1537). Attachment WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: FCN) today announced the appointment of Anita Patel as a Senior Managing Director in its Risk and Investigations practice within the Forensic and Litigation Consulting segment. Ms. Patel, who is based in Toronto, brings more than 18 years of experience providing consulting and expert services in forensic and investigative accounting, quantification of complex economic damages and expert litigation support. In her role at FTI Consulting, she will help drive growth and investment in the firms forensic investigations, litigation consulting, disputes and compliance services in Toronto and across Canada. FTI Consulting is the firm to call when organizations are facing complex regulatory enforcement action or situations involving financial crime, said Andrew Rosini, Leader of the Global Risk and Investigations practice. In todays increasingly complex regulatory and financial landscape, we welcome Anita, who is highly sought after by clients for her expertise to determine what happened, in a way that is rapid, efficient and credible with boards, regulators and governments. Ms. Patels professional tenure includes Big Four forensic and investigation consultancy experience, international management consulting experience, and investigative and compliance experience in a regulatory environment. Ms. Patel has a broad range of case experience including financial statement fraud and misstatements, securities fraud, tax evasion and money laundering schemes, regulatory investigations involving misconduct and compliance matters, intellectual property infringement matters, class actions and large-scale government investigations and public commissions of inquiry. Ms. Patel also serves as an expert witness and has extensive testimonial experience. She has prepared numerous expert reports for submission to all levels of Canadian courts with matters leading to case precedence in Canadian law. Commenting on her appointment, Ms. Patel said, It is an honor to join a remarkable firm known for its expertise and experience in both North America and internationally. I look forward to collaborating with exceptional professionals to grow the Risk and Investigations practice in Toronto and across Canada. Ms. Patels appointment is the most recent strategic hire in 2022 to increase FTI Consultings presence in Toronto. In June, Denis Reynolds joined as a Senior Managing Director to grow the firms Financial Services practice within the Forensic and Litigation Consulting segment in Canada. About FTI Consulting FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations manage change, mitigate risk and resolve disputes: financial, legal, operational, political & regulatory, reputational and transactional. With more than 7,000 employees located in 30 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges and make the most of opportunities. The Company generated $2.78 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2021. In certain jurisdictions, FTI Consultings services are provided through distinct legal entities that are separately capitalized and independently managed. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com and connect with us on Twitter (@FTIConsulting), Facebook and LinkedIn. FTI Consulting, Inc. 555 12th Street NW Washington, DC 20004 +1.202.312.9100 Investor Contact: Mollie Hawkes +1.617.747.1791 [email protected] Media Contact: Matthew Bashalany +1.617.897.1545 [email protected] Global Bioenergies updates its situation and outlook Evry, 15 September 2022 - Global Bioenergies provides a review of its situation and outlook based on four horizons, each corresponding to (i) a volume and a production cost and (ii) one or more target markets. The first horizon involved the conversion of renewable resources into isobutene and derivatives on the scale of a few tonnes per year. Production was carried out at the demo plant in Leuna, Germany, which has now been dismantled. While these volumes enabled a number of process validations, the production cost was too high to allow the marketing of isobutene or its derivatives on this basis. However, a marketing approach was identified: isododecane, a derivative obtained by combining three isobutene molecules, is the basis for the formulation of all longwear eyes and lips make-up. It is systematically used as the No. 1 ingredient in terms of proportion and cannot currently be replaced by any other compound. The Company moved up the value chain as far as the end customer and has produced the first make-up range combining longwear properties and naturalness of over 90%. This led to the creation of the LAST brand. Florence Hebert, Head of the LAST Business Unit, said: The LAST product range was designed to combine performance with naturalness: it breaks the mould for natural-origin make-up. Besides being marketed via our website www.colors-that-last.com, the brand is now available at several physical and digital sales outlets. The brand should soon be distributed by a major retail chain, and we expect new points of sale to open in 2023, both in France and abroad. The second horizon is just beginning and involves producing isobutene in tens of tonnes per year. A fully French value chain has been set up comprising five stages, four of which are carried out at toller facilities. Only the second stage, involving the production of isobutene itself, takes place in a unit owned by Global Bioenergies. This unit has been built over the last few months at the Pomacle site near Reims. The construction phase is now complete, and commissioning is underway. The unit is expected to reach maximum capacity of nearly two tonnes of isobutene per week by the end of 2022. Part of this isobutene will be converted into isododecane and sold as a make-up ingredient to major cosmetics industry players under the Isonaturane 12 brand. Daphne Galvez, Global Bioenergies Commercial Director, said: The first batch comprising several tonnes of Isonaturane 12 will be delivered in the first quarter of 2023. A large portion of this batch has been purchased by LOreal. We then plan to produce a further batch by summer 2023 and another towards the end of the year. Global Bioenergies is currently being listed with around ten manufacturers, some of whom have already purchased volumes for testing, in particular as formulation pilots. In total, we plan to deliver around 15 tonnes of Isonaturane 12 in 2023. The debottlenecking of the downstream part of the value chain by our tollers would enable us to produce and deliver greater volumes from 2024 onwards. The isobutene not converted into Isonaturane 12 will be sold directly or converted into other compounds of the isobutene product tree in order to trigger the start of commercial operations for the third horizon. The third horizon will consist of constructing and commissioning in 2025 a plant capable of producing 2,000 tonnes of isobutene and derivatives per year. This operation will be headed by an SPV, which is currently being set up and will initially be a wholly owned subsidiary of Global Bioenergies. The production cost of isobutene and its derivatives will be significantly reduced due to major economies of scale and the fuller integration of production stages. Isonaturane 12 sales will target not only the make-up market, but also the much larger skincare and haircare markets. The plant may also be able to serve other markets, including materials and fuels. Ronan Euzen, Global Bioenergies Head of Business Development, explained: Numerous discussions have recently taken place with manufacturers in areas as diverse as rubber, gas and industrial solvents. Times are changing and the entire industry is now actively searching for ways of limiting its consumption of petroleum products. The road fuel sector in particular is undergoing a radical change: European announcements on the possible phase-out of combustion vehicles have tied their destiny to that of biofuels. Niche markets will be exploitable as of the third horizon. The fourth horizon, which is expected to take shape within five years, will consist of setting up a unit to produce tens of thousands of tonnes of isobutene per year at a reduced cost, enabling the aviation fuel market to be targeted. Many Western countries are strongly committed to reducing CO2 emissions in this sector with its high environmental impact. Bernard Chaud, Head of Industrial Strategy at Global Bioenergies, said: The certification of our technology for air transport is on track. Achieving the performance improvement targets set by our R&D division will enable our process for converting residual sugars into sustainable aviation fuel to reach competitive costs. As such, we are looking to significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of air transport on a global scale. Marc Delcourt, co-founder and CEO of Global Bioenergies, concluded: The creation of a new industry always relies on niche markets initially. The multiple niche markets for isobutene and its derivatives have prompted us to draw up a roadmap with four horizons, and will enable our Company, despite its small size, to realistically tackle a challenge as broad as environmental transition. About GLOBAL BIOENERGIES Global Bioenergies converts plant-derived resources into compounds used in the cosmetics industry, as well as the energy and materials sectors. After launching the first long-lasting and natural make-up brand LAST in 2021, Global Bioenergies is now marketing Isonaturane12, its key ingredient, to major cosmetics companies to improve the naturalness of their formulas whilst improving their carbon footprint. Its process has numerous applications in specialty chemicals and polymers. In the long run, Global Bioenergies is also aiming at cutting CO2 emissions in the aviation sector and thereby curb global warming. Global Bioenergies is listed on Euronext Growth Paris (FR0011052257 - ALGBE). Receive information about Global Bioenergies directly by subscribing to our news feed on www.global-bioenergies.com Follow us on LinkedIn: Global Bioenergies Contacts Attachment Source: GLOBAL BIOENERGIES MILL CREEK, Wash., Sept. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Looking for a solution to manage the lobster-purchasing side of its business, Greenhead Lobster has partnered with NorthScope to implement Fisherman Accounting at its three buying stations. The implementation of NorthScope includes a discovery process, configuration and training, go-live and post go-live optimization managed by the Northlake Partners (NLP), the creators of NorthScope. At the culmination of this implementation, NorthScope will accomplish the following goals for Greenhead: Manage lobster purchases from fishermen using "Fish Tickets," including the automation of any applicable taxes that need to be accrued and/or deducted from fishermen balances. Manage selling products to fishermen. Payments/Settlements for fishermen. Integrations to NetSuite for new lobster inventory that was purchased from fishermen, inventory adjustments for items sold to fishermen, payments made within NorthScope, and journal entries from transactions. Discussing the implementation of NorthScope, NLP Sales Manager Vince Pluhacek said, "Greenhead came to us having recently purchased a generic ERP system but was still struggling with the lack of functionality to manage the unique transactions with its lobstermen/fishermen. We're happy we were able to provide an industry-specific system fit for their business that helps solve their problems." In addition to Greenhead Lobster, NorthScope's new partnerships include Silver Bay Seafoods, Artic Fisheries, and more. About NorthScope: NorthScope is ERP software for food manufacturers created by the Northlake Partners (NLP) to specifically support seafood processors, food manufacturers, food distributors and agricultural processors. Since 2008, NLP has been providing ERP software and step-by-step guidance for food manufacturers, giving them the tools to build the business they've always wanted. About Greenhead Lobster: Greenhead Lobster is a family-owned business since 1997 that focuses on wild-caught live lobster and fresh lobster tails. Their Stonington, Maine, lobsters are fresh caught by local fishermen, delivered daily to the Greenhead Docks, promptly prepared, packed and shipped. With its state-of-the-art HPP processing facility located under an hour from company docks Greenhead Lobster is able to offer the same premium quality of its live lobsters with its line of HPP processed lobster meat products retaining the same sweet flavor, texture and taste as the day harvested. Media ContactTatum Garino425-949-3313[email protected] This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Source: Northlake Partners BOSTON, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Now more than ever, people are seeking reliable health information online, through platforms like YouTube where people watch over a billion hours of video every day. More than 500 hours of content are uploaded to YouTube every minute, and the audience for that content includes health care providers. To help address the need for reliable and trustworthy expert voices, Harvard Medical School, through its Office for External Education, has launched a new Continuing Education channel on YouTube. The goal of the channel is to provide clinicians with critical information, skills training and an effective way to remain updated on best practices in clinical care. The videos are presented by Harvard Medical School faculty and are reviewed regularly to ensure that updates to the medical literature are incorporated. Videos on the channel discuss topics that are of interest to health care providers across the spectrum of practice on a range of common clinical issues. The first group of videos will focus on key topics in cardiovascular medicine, oncology, ultrasound diagnostics, as well as broader issues in medicine such as health care disparities. The videos provide concise summaries of the topics covered, are grounded in the most current research and include key takeaways and high-yield practice points. By the end of the first year of the project, 100 videos will be published to the channel. Were delighted to work with YouTube to develop this new, advertisement-free resource that helps health care practitioners take better care of their patients, said Sugantha Sundar, MD, faculty director, Continuing Education and Accreditation at HMS and anesthesiologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, an HMS affiliated hospital. This project evolved out of an initiative that YouTube announced in early 2021, with the creation of a new health partnerships team to address the evolving digital health needs of consumers and continue connecting people with authoritative health information. There is growing appreciation for the critical role that equal access to health information plays as one of the social determinants of health, and this goes for health care professionals as much as for patients, explained Dr. Garth Graham, MD, and global head of YouTube Health. Harvard Medical School is one of the giants of medical education, and this will be a tremendous opportunity to learn directly from some of the brightest minds in medicine, no matter where you are in the world. Jonathan R. Salik, MD, a cardiologist, and the incoming assistant inpatient medical director for cardiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, an HMS affiliated hospital, is the director of the Harvard Medical School Continuing Education YouTube channel. His academic focus is in leveraging technology to enhance medical education, and he sees this initiative as one with the capacity to advance numerous important goals including innovation in education, democratization of educational resources and reduction of educational disparities. COVID-19 has amplified the call to expand medical education scholarship and has served as an important catalyst for innovation, said Salik. The effects of the pandemic have vitalized the field of virtual education. Drawing upon the vast research, clinical, and scientific expertise that exists at HMS and the clinical faculty at its hospital affiliates, the videos feature high-quality, evidence-based multimedia educational content. Salik adds that virtual learning offers several benefits that have the potential to enhance medical education in the 21st century. Theres a lot of data demonstrating that multimedia-enhanced education, if done correctly, can reduce cognitive load and improve understanding, said Salik. The channels video format offers the opportunity to use graphics and imagery to bring medical concepts to life in a way that more traditional teaching formats cannot. A key aspect of the initiative is that it is designed to help bring high-quality medical knowledge to new and larger audiences in the U.S. and around the world. By providing clinicians on the front lines with practical, high-yield advice from HMS experts, the HMS Continuing Education Channel is poised to become a catalyst for positive change by increasing accessibility to medical education resources, and thus ultimately to improving patient care. Our goal is to utilize the power of accessible, online learning to bring excellent medical education to broader audiences of clinicians worldwide. Through this project we hope Harvard Medical School can serve as a catalyst to help alleviate educational disparities across the globe, added Salik. In the near future, HMS intends to offer accredited education for health care professionals for videos that are published on the HMS Continuing Education channel. About Continuing Education at Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School offers an extensive catalog of continuing education activities that serve the diverse educational needs of health care providers. These offerings promote quality improvement in clinical practice and health care and medical research. For more information about Continuing Education at HMS, visit the course catalog. Media Contact: Bob McDonald [email protected] Source: Harvard Medical School SURREY, British Columbia, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As work ramps up on BCs first rapid transit project south of the Fraser River in 30 years, PCI Developments officially opened King George Hub, Metro Vancouvers latest and Surreys first comprehensive transit-oriented development. An isolated terminus station for 28 years in BCs fastest growing city, King George is now surrounded by a vibrant complete community of homes, offices, and retail amenities. It is also now the gateway to the Fraser Valley as the connecting station to Surrey-Langley SkyTrain Extension. Already a multi-award-winning development, King George Hub highlights the opportunities to build healthier communities at the eight upcoming stations, as well as on underutilized land around stations across the region. PCI Developments purchased the land adjacent to the King George Station 10 years ago when it was a single oversized block consisting of a parking lot and two small obsolete buildings. With a private investment of upwards of $1 billion, the land has been transformed into a mixed-use, compact urban centre in downtown Surrey that will be home to more than 4,000 residents and over 2,700 jobs. By all measures, this land was underutilized, even though the Expo Line started service in the area in 1994, said Tim Grant, President of PCI Developments, Metro Vancouvers preeminent transit-oriented developer, including Marine Gateway. Now and into the future, King George Hub will be an active, desirable community that exemplifies how progressive land-use planning and stakeholder collaboration can utilize scarce rapid transit infrastructure to catalyze vibrant, complete, and connected communities that encourage sustainable lifestyles and transportation choices with significant opportunities for housing and job space. King George Hub is the recipient of multiple awards from NAIOP (Commercial Real Estate Development Association) and Urban Development Institute. PCI - TransLink announce joint pilot program PCI and TransLink will launch a unique joint pilot program to encourage and understand transit usage. PCI will purchase and distribute 250 fare cards to people who live and work at King George Hub. The cards will be preloaded with $150, and TransLink will study whether this program incentivized increased transit use among participants. This data will help TransLink and municipalities draw conclusions about the benefits of subsidizing transit use for transit-oriented communities across the region. TransLink is always looking for creative opportunities to promote transit use and build more sustainable, transit-oriented communities, said Kevin Quinn, TransLink CEO. This innovative pilot will give us vital data that can be applied to potential future partnerships throughout Metro Vancouver. PCI is leading developer of transit-oriented communities PCI Developments is the leading builder of transit-oriented developments in the region. The company has won awards for Marine Gateway, Crossroads and 565 Great Northern Way, and has several communities at existing & future stations in planning and development, including in Surrey, Port Moody and on Vancouvers Broadway Subway and Canada Lines. For more than 20 years and taking cues from cities around the world we have focused on unique opportunities for lively, sustainable, and inclusive communities at rapid transit stations, said Grant. Our company remains focused on realizing the potential of the regions scarce transit infrastructure and collaborating with community stakeholders, municipalities, the provincial government, and TransLink in creating such communities. King George Hub King George Hub has 738 condo units and 371 rental homes that are completed, plus 350,000 square feet of office space and 130,000 square feet of retail space, including Save-On Foods, Rexall and a wide range of food & beverage and service businesses. Offices include headquarters for Coast Capital Savings and Westland Insurance. Currently under construction and completing in 2025, King George Hubs fourth phase will bring an additional 886 condos and 30,000 square feet of office and retail space. In early 2023, construction will start on the fifth phase that will deliver an additional 400 rental homes. Upon full completion, King George Hub will comprise 370,000 square feet of office, 140,000 square feet of retail, 1,624 condo homes, and 771 rental homes all within steps of rapid transit. Media Inquiries: PCI Developments: Renu Bakshi 604 787 1873 or [email protected] TransLink: [email protected] Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ee4c77a0-0264-4297-afbd-5203e2e03cb8 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b9a9113c-7ceb-4c4c-82b1-96d43fab2e0c https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/53ea74a7-b4dd-43ef-9559-d77604c3b1e6 King George Hub King George Hub is Surrey's first comprehensive transit-oriented development. King George Hub King George Hub is a mixed-use transit-oriented community that will be home to 4,000 residents and 2,700 job spaces. King George Hub Upon full completion, King George Hub will comprise of 370,000 square feet of office; 140,000 square feet of retail; 1,624 condo homes; and 771 rental homes all within steps of rapid transit. Source: PCI Developments WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) today announced its 2022 Health Plan Ratings. The annual list evaluates commercial, Medicare and Medicaid health plans based on the quality of patient care, how happy patients are with their care and health plans' efforts to keep improving. The 2022 Health Plan Ratings are based on data from calendar year 2021, when 203 million people were enrolled in health plans that reported Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) results to NCQA. Plans are rated on a 0-5 stars scale. Six out of 1,048 health plans that earned a numerical rating achieved 5 starsthe highest possible rating. "With open enrollment for health plans beginning in November, the NCQA 2022 Health Plan Ratings provide timely insight to help consumers and businesses make informed decisions about their health care," said NCQA President Margaret E. O'Kane. "NCQA was founded as an independent nonprofit in 1990 to 'turn on the lights' by measuring and holding health plans accountable for health care quality. With the 2022 ratings, we're proud to spotlight top performers and identify ways to improve health care quality, access and equity." Key findings from the 2022 Health Plan Ratings include: 5-Star Rated Plans. Six plans achieved the highest overall rating: Commercial: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc. Medicaid: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc. Medicare: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado; Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc.; Medical Associates Clinic Health Plan of Wisconsin dba Medical Associates Health Plans; and Medical Associates Health Plan, Inc. Six plans achieved the highest overall rating: Better Care for Heart Disease. Several measures of cardiovascular care quality improved from the prior year. The most significant improvement was in controlling high blood pressure: After a decline from 2019-2020, average commercial plan performance improved 6.9 percentage points, Medicare plans improved 7.6 points and Medicaid plans improved 2.7 points. Several measures of cardiovascular care quality improved from the prior year. The most significant improvement was in controlling high blood pressure: After a decline from 2019-2020, average commercial plan performance improved 6.9 percentage points, Medicare plans improved 7.6 points and Medicaid plans improved 2.7 points. Rebound in Diabetes Care. Following a drop the year before, care for people with diabetes improved in two areas: Controlling blood pressure: Average commercial plan performance improved 5.5 percentage points, Medicare plans improved 2.5 points and Medicaid plans improved 2.1 points. Controlling Hemoglobin A1c: Average commercial plan performance improved 4.1 percentage points, Medicare plans improved 3.2 points and Medicaid plans improved 3.3 points. Following a drop the year before, care for people with diabetes improved in two areas: Divergence in Childhood Immunizations. Immunization rates rose 2.2 percentage points for children enrolled in commercial plans, but declined 3 points for children in Medicaid plans. This >5-point divergence suggests a growing gap in preventive care that puts America's most vulnerable children at disproportionate risk for disease. Immunization rates rose 2.2 percentage points for children enrolled in commercial plans, but declined 3 points for children in Medicaid plans. This >5-point divergence suggests a growing gap in preventive care that puts America's most vulnerable children at disproportionate risk for disease. Decline in Adults' Satisfaction With Care. Adult patients' overall ratings of their health care dropped for both commercial (4.2%) and Medicaid health plans (2.2%) from the prior year. Methodology Each year, NCQA rates health plans that choose to publicly report HEDIS results. NCQA ratings are based on almost 50 assessments of patient care outcomes and experience, including measures of clinical quality from NCQA's HEDIS and CMS's Health Outcomes Survey; measures of patient experience using the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS); and NCQA's review of health plan quality improvement processes (NCQA Accreditation). Please visit the NCQA website for details on the 2022 Health Plan Ratings, measures and methodology. About NCQA NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA Accredits and Certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA's Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA's website (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make informed health care choices. NCQA can also be found at Twitter @ncqa and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncqa. # # # Media Contact Theresa Masnik SHIFT Communications [email protected] HEDIS is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). CAHPS is a registered trademark of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Related Images Image 1 This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment Featured Image for NCQA Featured Image for NCQA Source: NCQA Beijing (Gasgoo)- Xiaomi Automobile Technology Co., Ltd., one of the automaking entities of Chinas tech player, Xiaomi, saw one of its autonomous driving patents disclosed to the public, according to information released by the corporate database, Tianyancha. Photo credit: Xiaomi The patent is described as a traffic light status identification method, device, vehicle and storage medium, falling under the category of autonomous driving. The patent involves an image acquisition device on the vehicle that can collect multi-frame traffic light status images within a preset period. According to the images, the technology can determine the time sequence information of the traffic light in the front of the vehicle. Based on the timing information, the target traffic light image at the current time, and the driving status information of the vehicle in front, the current target traffic light status is determined. The patent can effectively improve the accuracy of traffic light status recognition results, reduce the probability of driverless vehicles violating traffic regulations, so as to effectively improve the driving safety performance of driverless vehicles and user experience. Earlier on August 11, Lei Jun, founder and chairman of Xiaomi, disclosed that Xiaomis autonomous driving team has grown to over 500 employees. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PenderFund Capital Management Ltd. (Pender) is pleased to announce one-year updates on our actively managed liquid alternative mutual funds, as well as the launch of the Pender Alternative Arbitrage Plus Fund. The Pender Alternative Absolute Return Fund (PAARF) is a flexible, high-yield-focused alternative credit strategy that aims to produce positive absolute returns at all stages of the economic cycle. PAARF 1 Month 3 Month 6 Month 1 Year YTD Since Inception(Sept 1, 2021) Class F 1.5% 1.8% 1.9% 5.2% 2.9% 5.2% Our flexible mandate gives us the ability to generate returns from both a solid income base and tactical opportunistic trading. The portfolio is nimble, able to hedge unwanted risk exposures and provides a differentiated offering in the Liquid Alternatives credit landscape, said Justin Jacobsen, Portfolio Manager of the Fund. Im also pleased to announce our investment team is growing with Rachel Zhang, CFA, recently joining us as analyst. For more information on PAARF visit www.penderfund.com/pender-alternative-absolute-return-fund/. Financial professionals are also invited to attend a fund update webinar via Webex. Register to join us on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at 10am PT / 1pm ET here: https://forms.office.com/r/vpJ3qYPYx5 The Pender Alternative Arbitrage Fund (PAAF) is a market-neutral strategy that aims for consistent and steady absolute returns by employing Penders proven expertise in identifying and analyzing M&A targets, particularly in the small- and mid-cap space. Visit www.penderfund.com/pender-alternative-arbitrage-fund/ PAAF 1 Month 3 Month 6 Month 1 Year* YTD Since Inception(Sept 8, 2021) Class F 1.1% 1.8% 2.2% 2.2% 4.3% *1 year performance is unavailable as the Funds inception date was September 8, 2021. Please refer to return since inception. Portfolio Manager, Amar Pandya commented, Today, we see an attractive investment environment with merger arbitrage spreads wide relative to history and a strong M&A backdrop creating a broad range of opportunities for the Fund. The anomaly in SPACs that are trading at a steep discount to trust value also provides a timely opportunity for disciplined buyers. He added, Given the caliber of high conviction opportunities we are seeing and the potential to enhance returns using leverage, I am pleased to announce that we have launched the Pender Alternative Arbitrage Plus Fund. The Pender Alternative Arbitrage Plus Fund was launched on September 1, 2022 and will target leverage of 1.5X to 2.0X to PAAF with similar strategy, deals and risk process. Visit www.penderfund.com/pender-alternative-arbitrage-plus-fund/ Financial professionals are also invited to a Webex webinar on both Penders arbitrage funds. Register to join us on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at 10amPT / 1pm ET here: https://forms.office.com/r/TT0aE31BsK Liquid Alternative FundsThese funds are designed to have lower volatility and drawdowns and to provide low correlation to traditional asset classes such as equities and fixed income with tax efficient returns. About PenderFund Capital Management Ltd.Pender was founded in 2003 and is an independent, employee-owned investment firm located in Vancouver, British Columbia. Our goal is to protect and grow wealth for our investors over time. We have a talented investment team of expert analysts, security selectors and independent thinkers who actively manage a suite of differentiated investment funds, exploiting inefficient parts of the investing universe to achieve our goal. Please visit www.penderfund.com. Please read important disclosures at www.penderfund.com/disclaimer. For further information, please contact:Melanie Moore Vice President of Marketing, PenderFund Capital Management Ltd.[email protected](604) 688-1511Toll Free: (866) 377-4743 Source: PenderFund Capital Management Ltd. Palm Beach, Florida, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PMV Consumer Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: PMVC) (the Company), announced today that it has postponed the Companys Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held on September 16, 2022, until September 21, 2022, at 9:00am Eastern Time. The postponed Special Meeting will be completely virtual and stockholders will be able to attend the special meeting online, vote and submit questions by visiting https://www.cstproxy.com/pmvconsumer/2022. There will be no change in the record date as a result of this postponement, and proxies tendered prior to the postponed date will not need to be voted again. Stockholders may elect to redeem their public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the Trust Account, by no later than September 19, 2022, by tendering their shares either by delivering their share certificates to the transfer agent or by delivering their shares electronically using the Depository Trust Companys DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) system. If you hold your shares in street name, you will need to instruct your bank, broker or other nominee to withdraw the shares from your account in order to exercise your redemption rights. The Companys stockholders and other interested persons are advised to read the proxy statement. Stockholders are also able to obtain copies of the proxy statement and other relevant materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), without charge, at the SECs web site at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to the Companys proxy solicitor Morrow Sodali at (800) 662-5200 (toll free) or by email at [email protected] About PMV Consumer Acquisition Corp. PMV Consumer Acquisition Corp. is a blank check company organized for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization, or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. The Companys efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to any particular industry or geographic region, although the Company initially intends to focus on target businesses in the consumer industry with enterprise valuations in the range of $200 million to $3.5 billion. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements, including with respect to the proposed initial public offering and the anticipated use of the net proceeds thereof. No assurance can be given that the offering discussed above will be completed on the terms described, or at all, or that the net proceeds of the offering will be used as indicated. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Companys registration statement and preliminary prospectus for the Companys offering filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). Copies of these documents are available on the SECs website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law. Contact: Timothy J. Foufas co-President and Secretary (561) 318-3766 LOS ANGELES, Sept. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Celligence International, LLC (celligence.com), which is owned by Pavan Agarwal, CEO of Sun West Mortgage Company, Inc. (swmc.com), has partnered with owner and President of The Oppenheim Group and "Selling Sunset" star Jason Oppenheim to utilize and promote The MORGAN app, developed by Celligence. MORGAN is a newly launched, groundbreaking technology, and Jason Oppenheim is eager to showcase how the novel application is truly redefining the U.S. mortgage industry. Paired with Sun West's TRU Approval platform, MORGAN and its AI technology is reversing the traditional home-buying processes, removing many home-buying hurdles (particularly for minority and underserved communities), and expanding fair lending and equality in real estate ownership. This announcement follows the news of the recently developed iteration of MORGAN's AI platform offering NFTs and blockchain secured technology. The platform seeks to deliver universal fair lending by converting a TRU Approved buyer into a property-agnostic tradable Non-Fungible Token (NFT). The NFTs are backed by actual dollars and conditionally guaranteed by Sun West, the Home of Fair Lending. This approach not only opens buyers and sellers to wider opportunities but also empowers all income-bracket parties with the ability to present and accept offers with security and without open-ended contingencies. Pavan Agarwal, founder and CEO of Sun West and founder of Celligence, spoke on the announcement. "Reduction and elimination of contingencies dramatically reduce the risks in a real estate transaction, thereby, lowering costs and increasing home affordability. With the advent of the TRU Approval NFT, sellers and listing agents are no longer distracted by unconscious biases, credit scores, and low-down-payment financing programs like FHA, VA and USDA, which are designed to support underserved communities." Speaking on the partnership with Sun West, Oppenheim said, ''This is revolutionary. MORGAN truly is a game-changer for the real estate industry, and I'm so pleased to be partnering with Celligence, Pavan and the Sun West team. This is the first time I've thought 'this product is really distributive,' and I'm excited to showcase just how it will redefine everything we know about traditional home processes.'' To learn more about MORGAN and SWMC, visit https://www.hellomorgan.com/. About Sun West Mortgage Company (NMLS ID 3277) Sun West Mortgage Company, Inc. is committed to core values of people, experience, technology, and product. Sun West was founded in 1980 with the perspective of "customers first" and the desire to make the mortgage process easy and stress-free for prospective homeowners. Since then, Sun West has been servicing a multibillion-dollar loan portfolio and is licensed in 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our 42 years of experience has been passed down to everyone here at Sun West through excellent leadership and capabilities. Visit www.swmc.com/tru-terms for TRU Approval terms and conditions. For licensing information, go to www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Visit http://www.swmc.com/disclaimer for the full list of license information. Please refer to https://www.swmc.com/TXdis to view Texas Complaint Notice and Servicing Disclosure. In all jurisdictions, the principal (main) licensed location of Sun West Mortgage Company, Inc. is 6131 Orangethorpe Avenue, Suite 500, Buena Park, CA 90620, Phone: (800) 453-7884. About Celligence Celligence is an affiliate of Sun West Mortgage Company, Inc. and is one of the fastest-growing fintech companies. It has successfully filed dozens of new patents and is constantly expanding the boundaries of the financial services industry through innovations in mobile applications and blockchain technology, customer acquisition and retention algorithms, and AI-based process automation. Visit www.celligence.com for more information. About Jason Oppenheim As President and founder of The Oppenheim Group, Jason leads a team responsible for representing buyers and sellers of distinguished properties throughout Los Angeles. Oppenheim was recognized as the Best Real Estate Agent in the United States for 2020-2021 by the International Property Awards and as the #1 real estate agent in the Hollywood Hills/West Hollywood by The Wall Street Journal. Also identified as a Top Real Estate Agent in Los Angeles by The Hollywood Reporter and Variety in their annual lists. Jason also receives significant attention with the real estate community and beyond as a star of the hit Netflix show "Selling Sunset," featuring his brokerage and agents as they sell luxury homes to their affluent and A-list clients. Related Images Image 1: Pavan Agarwal and Jason Oppenheim L-R This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment Pavan Agarwal and Jason Oppenheim Pavan Agarwal and Jason Oppenheim Source: Celligence International, LLC BERLIN and NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spryker, a leading platform for B2B and B2C Enterprise Marketplaces, Thing Commerce, and Unified Commerce, is partnering with minubo, which offers all-in-one, ready-to-use business intelligence. The partnership joins together commerce intelligence and composability to offer a simple and scalable way to achieve company wide holistic data transparency. Developed for ecommerce, minubos business intelligence solution puts everything in one place and is accessible across departments to create a new data culture of truly data-driven work. The company's embedded dashboards are fully customizable and easy to use, allowing more people to utilize data in their daily work and enhance performance. Sprykers experience, strong resources, and leadership in the world of ecommerce made them the ideal candidate to partner with on commerce focused business intelligence, said Andreas Fischer, CEO at minubo. We share the same mindset to support our customers on their journey to growth and profitability, and with the embedded minubo dashboards into the Spryker frontend, access to data-driven decision making will be even easier to achieve. Sprykers App Composition Platform provides enterprises with the flexibility needed to adjust to a constantly changing market and to accelerate digital growth and transformation. The best-of-breed platform allows enterprises to choose capabilities, such as minubos, to differentiate from their competitors and evolve their business as needed. Too many business decisions around ecommerce are made in the dark. With easy access to quality data across departments, ecommerce outcomes can be improved," said Manishi Singh, SVP App Composition Platform at Spryker. Thats why we are delighted to closely partner with minubo, a strong technology partner within our best-in-class partner ecosystem. The plug-and-play integration guarantees quick daily insights and by embedding these insights directly into the frontend, where employees can find the relevant KPIs for the work, Spryker customers will be able to enhance performance and achieve their business goals. minubo Max Your Profit All-in-one business intelligence specially developed for e-commerce. minubo offers data integration and linking, analysis and reporting. Profit from full transparency at the touch of a button, across all channels. Provide everyone in your team with access to the relevant data without lengthy training. Enjoy the benefits of a ready-to-use, complete business intelligence solution in minimal time. For fast project set-up, low cost and zero risk, get minubo. About Spryker Spryker is the leading composable commerce platform for enterprises with sophisticated business models to enable growth, innovation, and differentiation. Designed specifically for sophisticated transactional business, Sprykers easy-to-use, headless, API-first model offers a best of breed approach that provides businesses the flexibility to adapt, scale, and quickly go to market while facilitating faster time-to-value throughout their digital transformation journey. As a global platform leader for B2B and B2C Enterprise Marketplaces, Thing Commerce, and Unified Commerce, Spryker has empowered 150+ global enterprise customers worldwide and is trusted by brands such as ALDI, Siemens, Hilti, and Ricoh. Spryker was recognized by Gartner as a Visionary in the 2022 Magic Quadrant for Digital Commerce and was also ranked as a Strong Performer in the The Forrester Wave: B2B Commerce Solutions, Q2 2022. Spryker is a privately held technology company headquartered in Berlin and New York. Find out more at https://spryker.com Contact details:[email protected] Source: Spryker Systems GmbH minubos capabilities, specifically designed for ecommerce, will enable businesses to easily work with data across departments in order to maximize profit BERLIN and NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spryker, a leading platform for B2B and B2C Enterprise Marketplaces, Thing Commerce, and Unified Commerce, is partnering with minubo, which offers all-in-one, ready-to-use business intelligence. The partnership joins together commerce intelligence and composability to offer a simple and scalable way to achieve company wide holistic data transparency. Developed for ecommerce, minubos business intelligence solution puts everything in one place and is accessible across departments to create a new data culture of truly data-driven work. The company's embedded dashboards are fully customizable and easy to use, allowing more people to utilize data in their daily work and enhance performance. Sprykers experience, strong resources, and leadership in the world of ecommerce made them the ideal candidate to partner with on commerce focused business intelligence, said Andreas Fischer, CEO at minubo. We share the same mindset to support our customers on their journey to growth and profitability, and with the embedded minubo dashboards into the Spryker frontend, access to data-driven decision making will be even easier to achieve. Sprykers App Composition Platform provides enterprises with the flexibility needed to adjust to a constantly changing market and to accelerate digital growth and transformation. The best-of-breed platform allows enterprises to choose capabilities, such as minubos, to differentiate from their competitors and evolve their business as needed. Too many business decisions around ecommerce are made in the dark. With easy access to quality data across departments, ecommerce outcomes can be improved," said Manishi Singh, SVP App Composition Platform at Spryker. Thats why we are delighted to closely partner with minubo, a strong technology partner within our best-in-class partner ecosystem. The plug-and-play integration guarantees quick daily insights and by embedding these insights directly into the frontend, where employees can find the relevant KPIs for the work, Spryker customers will be able to enhance performance and achieve their business goals. minubo Max Your Profit All-in-one business intelligence specially developed for e-commerce. minubo offers data integration and linking, analysis and reporting. Profit from full transparency at the touch of a button, across all channels. Provide everyone in your team with access to the relevant data without lengthy training. Enjoy the benefits of a ready-to-use, complete business intelligence solution in minimal time. For fast project set-up, low cost and zero risk, get minubo. About Spryker Spryker is the leading composable commerce platform for enterprises with sophisticated business models to enable growth, innovation, and differentiation. Designed specifically for sophisticated transactional business, Sprykers easy-to-use, headless, API-first model offers a best of breed approach that provides businesses the flexibility to adapt, scale, and quickly go to market while facilitating faster time-to-value throughout their digital transformation journey. As a global platform leader for B2B and B2C Enterprise Marketplaces, Thing Commerce, and Unified Commerce, Spryker has empowered 150+ global enterprise customers worldwide and is trusted by brands such as ALDI, Siemens, Hilti, and Ricoh. Spryker was recognized by Gartner as a Visionary in the 2022 Magic Quadrant for Digital Commerce and was also ranked as a Strong Performer in the The Forrester Wave: B2B Commerce Solutions, Q2 2022 . Spryker is a privately held technology company headquartered in Berlin and New York. Find out more at https://spryker.com In continuation of company announcement no. 38/2022 and 39/2022 published at 15 July 2022 and 17 July 2022, respectively, we are happy to announce that the acquisition of Amsterdam Brewery is now finalized. The acquisition of Amsterdam Brewery Co. Ltd. is based on an enterprise value of CAD 44 million (around DKK 250 million) on a debt free basis. Amsterdam Brewery Co. Ltd. has normalized revenue of around CAD 34 million (around DKK 200 million) and a normalised annual EBITDA of around CAD 5 million (around DKK 28 million). The acquisition is expected to be EPS accretive within the first year of ownership. For further information on this announcement: Investor and Media Relations: Jonas Guldborg Hansen, tel (+45) 20 10 12 45 Attachment SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ushur, the leader in AI-powered Customer Experience Automation (CXA), today announced that it will launch the next major release of Invisible App at InsureTech Connect 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Alongside the launch event for the technology that enables non-technical citizen developers to build secure app-like experiences without the need of an app, Ushur will host multiple events at this years InsureTech Connect conference that include executive panel discussions and live experiences for critical insurance use cases. Invisible App enables business users in non-technical roles to use visual building tools to design, test and deploy secure, encrypted and feature-rich experiences at scale. Ushurs new release, with updated branding and design capabilities, is available to Ushur customers starting this week. With this release, enterprises can easily deliver intuitive experiences when automating mission-critical use cases, such as insurance quote requests, return to work documentation, guides to medical provider and repair networks and many more customer-facing services. The Invisible App provides a secure and two-way alternative to SMS-only channels for exchanging data intelligently and intuitively, said Michael Fisher, VP of Product and Operations at Ushur. We listened to our customers and the market and made this next generation of Invisible App much more business-user friendly and more graphically inspired. Companies currently using Ushurs Invisible App have reported a reduction in service response times of over 90% along with significant improvements in customer satisfaction scores and increased security and standardization across high risk, external-facing operations. "Major advancements in AI and automation technologies have yet to deliver the operational and experiential improvements that businesses, especially in highly regulated industries, have been expecting for years, if not decades." said Simha Sadasiva, CEO and co-founder of Ushur. "With the introduction of the next generation of Ushur's AI-powered experience automation platform, businesses can transform their customer experiences while delivering game-changing operational efficiencies, all by putting experience design, development and deployment in the hands of business users and citizen developers. The success of this approach with our customers in insurance and healthcare is a testament to the transformational capabilities of AI-powered automation, especially when it is applied to improve customer experiences." In addition to the launch of the next generation of Invisible App, Ushur is announcing a significantly larger presence at this years InsureTech Connect, the insurance industrys largest event, which will be held in Las Vegas on September 20-21, 2022: Insurance Executive panel: The Art of Customer Experience Meets the Science of AI and Automation: A View From the Front Lines of Digital Transformation. The Art of Customer Experience Meets the Science of AI and Automation: A View From the Front Lines of Digital Transformation. Customer Experience, Retention & Acquisition Track: Ushur is sponsoring this track, which will include multiple panel discussions and digital activities. Ushur is sponsoring this track, which will include multiple panel discussions and digital activities. Use Cases Live Experiences: Ushur will be hosting live demonstrations of key insurance use cases including return to work, claims automation, member benefits education and more. For more information or to reserve a spot at one of Ushurs events at InsureTech Connect, please visit Ushur at booth #3021 or visit www.ushur.com/itc2022. About UshurUshur delivers the worlds first AI-powered Customer Experience Automation (CXA) platform purpose-built from the ground up to intelligently automate entire customer journeys end to end. Designed to provide delightful, hyper-personalized customer experiences through rapid issue resolution and unified, omnichannel engagement, Ushur is the first-of-its-kind system of intelligence. It combines Conversational Automation and Knowledge Work Automation in a no-code, cloud-native SaaS platform to digitally transform every step of the complete enterprise customer experience, from Micro-Engagements to entire customer journeys. Backed by leading investors including Third Point Ventures, 8VC, Pentland Ventures, Aflac Ventures and Iron Pillar, Ushurs Customer Experience Automation solutions are currently in production at some of the leading insurance providers across the globe, including Irish Life, Unum, Aetna, Cigna and Tower Insurance. Media ContactChris Ulbrich[email protected]415 848 9175 Source: Ushur FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) warned for the first quarter and withdrew guidance for the year, sending the stock down 11% after-hours. The delivery giant said it sees Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $3.44, down from $4.37 last year and well below the consensus of $5.14. The company said results were adversely impacted by global volume softness that accelerated in the final weeks of the quarter. FedEx Express results were particularly impacted by macroeconomic weakness in Asia and service challenges in Europe, leading to a revenue shortfall in this segment of approximately $500 million relative to company forecasts. FedEx Ground revenue was approximately $300 million below company forecasts. Global volumes declined as macroeconomic trends significantly worsened later in the quarter, both internationally and in the U.S. We are swiftly addressing these headwinds, but given the speed at which conditions shifted, first quarter results are below our expectations, said Raj Subramaniam, FedEx Corporation president and chief executive officer. While this performance is disappointing, we are aggressively accelerating cost reduction efforts and evaluating additional measures to enhance productivity, reduce variable costs, and implement structural cost-reduction initiatives. These efforts are aligned with the strategy we outlined in June, and I remain confident in achieving our fiscal year 2025 financial targets. As a result of the preliminary first quarter financial performance and expectations for a continued volatile operating environment, FedEx is withdrawing its fiscal year 2023 earnings forecast provided on June 23, 2022. By Anirban Sen and Sam Nussey TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan's SoftBank Group Corp is considering launching a third Vision Fund, likely using its own capital, a source familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. The fund's size has not been finalised and will likely launch early next year if the Japanese tech conglomerate decides to proceed, the source said, adding that SoftBank is also considering boosting the size of its second Vision Fund. The source, who requested anonymity as these discussions are confidential, cautioned that SoftBank's plans are subject to change and it could eventually decide not to launch a new fund. SoftBank declined to comment. SoftBank Chief Executive Masayoshi Son last month said he would restructure the Vision Fund investment arm after it reported a $50 billion loss in the six months through June, as the value of its portfolio slid. SoftBank's first two Vision Funds have been hammered by a global tech rout and the underperformance of major investments such as office-sharing firm WeWork Inc and ride-hailing giant Didi Global Inc. The tech conglomerate has radically scaled back investment activity and sold shares in e-commerce giant Alibaba, with executives targeting an initial public offering of chip designer Arm to raise further cash. The Wall Street Journal first reported the plans for a potential third fund earlier on Wednesday. (Reporting by Sam Nussey in Tokyo and Anirban Sen in New York; Editing by Jason Neely, Bernadette Baum and Lisa Shumaker) Shares of Gap (NYSE: GPS) are down 3.5% in premarket trading after the Wall Street Journal reported that rapper and entrepreneur Kanye West formally informed the company that he is terminating their partnership. Wests lawyers reportedly sent a letter to Gap to notify them theyre terminating the collaboration due to the contract break. Allegedly, Gap failed to release apparel and open new stores on time. The company had to sell 40% of the Yeezy Gap assortment in the second half of 2021 and open five retail stores dedicated to showcasing Yeezy Gap products by July 31, 2023. Gap is yet to open this type of store. Gap and West became partners in 2020 when they announced the Yeezy Gap brand. The latter recently criticized Gap, telling the firms executives that have to give him the position to be Ye and let me do what Im thinking, or I have to do the thinking somewhere else. Its going to cost you billions to keep me. Its going to cost you billions to let me go, Mr. West said in an Instagram post that has since been deleted. He then later pledged to open Yeezy stores, starting in Atlanta. According to the letter seen by the WSJ, Gap will still be able to sell existing Yeezy Gap products before ceasing to use the brand name. The letter allegedly doesnt mention the partnership with Balenciaga that also runs through Gap. By Senad Karaahmetovic Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On Sept. 13, Great Wall Holdings Group Limited, Shanghai Delong Steel Group (Delong Group), and Tianjin Liben Energy Technology Co., Ltd. ("Liben" is Chinese Pinyin) signed a strategic cooperation agreement to jointly build a global-leading hydrogen industrial ecosystem, according to a post on WeChat account of Great Wall Motor. Under the agreement, the three parties will conduct all-round strategic cooperation in such fields as hydrogen equipment, hydrogen production, hydrogen storage, production and transportation of gaseous and liquid hydrogen, hydrogen-refueling station construction, zero-carbon logistics, photovoltaic power generation, and carbon trade. Photo credit: Great Wall Motor During the validity period for the tripartite agreement, the three companies will share with each other their resources, products, technologies, and services to gradually build a complete industrial closed loop integrating hydrogen production, storage, transportation, refueling, and application under the business model of carbon trade. To fulfill this target, they will choose a zero-carbon emission logistics transportation project as the gateway. By virtue of the three parties' global industrial resources, especially in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, they will make joint efforts to promote no fewer than 5,000 units of hydrogen equipment during the term of the agreement. Besides, they will team up on building a zero-carbon logistics comprehensive solution open to the whole society. U.S. President Joe Biden, at the Detroit Auto Show Wednesday, announced the approval for $900 million in federal funding for ... I'm a New Customer I'm a Returning Customer E-mail Address (or username, if registered via mobile device) Password Shell plc (NYSE: SHEL) said company insider Wael Sawan will take over from current Chief Executive Officer Ben van Beurden at the end of the year. Sawan, a 48-year-old Lebanese-born Canadian, is currently head of integrated gas, renewables and energy solutions, a profile that fits him well for the top job in a company that is trying to move away from its historic roots as an oil producer. However, Sawan also had extensive experience of a business that is still the group's biggest cash generator, having led the upstream division before taking his current job. Van Beurden is leaving after a momentous nine years in charge, during which time he oversaw the transformative acquisition of BG Group, making the company the world's biggest privately owned producer of natural gas. He also presided over a massive program of asset sales that followed that deal. However, his tenure was also marked by the company's first dividend cut since World War 2, an emergency measure to conserve cash in the early days of the pandemic as oil prices hurtled toward zero. The move was seen as a breach of trust by many investment funds that had relied on the constant growth of its dividend payouts over the years. The recovery of oil and gas prices since 2020 has allowed a relatively quick and smooth reconciliation with investors, nonetheless. Shell announced a $6 billion buyback in July after generating huge profits in the first half of the year, benefiting from the surge in prices caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Those super profits are now under threat from governments around the world, which are trying to ease the pain of high energy prices for their voters. However, in the U.K., where Shell is domiciled, new Prime Minister Liz Truss has said she won't be extending any windfall taxes. Shell stock currently trades above where it was immediately before the pandemic, and has risen around 165% from its 2020 low point. By Geoffrey Smith Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 15, 2022) - Flying Nickel Mining Corp.(TSXV: FLYN) (OTCQB: FLYNF)("Flying Nickel" or the "Company")announces that Mr. Nick Zeng has resigned from its Board of Directors due to health concerns. The Company appreciates Mr. Zeng's dedicated service and wishes him well. About Flying Nickel Flying Nickel Mining Corp. is a premier nickel sulphide mining and exploration company. The company is advancing its 100% owned Minago nickel project in the Thompson nickel belt in Manitoba, Canada. Further information on the Company can be found at www.flynickel.com. FLYING NICKEL MINING CORP. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD John Lee Interim Chief Executive Officer For more information about the Company, please contact: Phone: Phone: 1.877.664.2535 / 1.877.6NICKEL Email: [email protected] Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements which may contain words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions, and statements related to matters which are not historical facts, are forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements, which reflect management's expectations regarding Flying Nickel's future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, are based on certain factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Flying Nickel's forward-looking statements. Flying Nickel believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the documents incorporated by reference herein are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. In addition, although Flying Nickel has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Flying Nickel undertakes no obligation to release publicly any future revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as expressly required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137278 Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - September 15, 2022) - Hemostemix Inc. (TSXV: HEM) (OTCQB: HMTXF)("Hemostemix" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Johannes Grillari to its Scientific Advisory Board. Since 2019, Dr. Johannes Grillari is the director of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology (LBI Trauma) - the Research Center in cooperation with AUVA, Vienna, Austria which is the central research unit of seven trauma centers and four rehabilitation centers with a strong focus on tissue regeneration. In his research, Dr. Grillari focuses on improving our understanding of the molecular and physiological changes that occur during cellular aging, their impact on organismal aging and tissue regeneration, specifically in skin and bone. In addition, he is interested in engineering of mammalian cells to establish relevant and standardizable cell model systems and cell factories. Johannes Grillari has graduated in Biotechnology at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), where he completed his PhD in the field of cell aging in 1999. He has founded and has been leading research groups on cellular aging and tissue regeneration since then. He has published more than 200 peer reviewed articles, is co-inventor of 15 patents, a co-founder of 4 companies, and has been invited speaker to more than 150 international conferences and departmental seminars. He has received several awards including the Walter-Doberauer award for aging research. "I have worked in the field of stem cell science and aging since 2000. ACP-01 is unique and its study results results are very promising," said Dr. Grillari. "I look forward to working with the other members of the SAB in support of the Company's contribution to science and commercialization goals," said Dr. Grillari. "As one of Europe's most well-regarded cell aging scientist, Dr. Grillari is a great addition to our SAB team, as he enables us to bridge to Europe. We are delighted to welcome Dr. Grillari to our SAB, and I very much look forward to his counsel," stated Thomas Smeenk, CEO. ABOUT HEMOSTEMIX Hemostemix is an autologous stem cell therapy company, founded in 2003. A winner of the World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer Award, the Company has developed, patented, and is scaling a patient's blood-based stem cell therapeutics platform that includes angiogenic cell precursors, neuronal cell precursor and cardiomyocyte cell precursors. Seven studies including 260 ACP-01 recipients define its safety and efficacy profile as a treatment for heart diseases such as Dilated and Ischemic Cardiomyopathy, Angina, and diseases of Ischemia such as Critical Limb Ischemia. The Company owns 91 patents across five patent families. For more information, please visit www.hemostemix.com. For further information, please contact: Thomas Smeenk, President, CEO & Co-Founder EM: [email protected] PH: 905-580-4170 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information in relation to: the lead product ACP-01, the Phase II Clinical Trial results, the retrospective study of ischemic and dilated cardiomyopathy, and the commercialization of ACP-01. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. This forward-looking information reflects Hemostemix's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Hemostemix and on assumptions Hemostemix believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to: the underlying value of Hemostemix and its Common Shares; the successful resolution of the litigation that Hemostemix is pursuing or defending (the "Litigation"); the results of ACP-01 research, trials, studies and analyses, including the analysis being equivalent to or better than previous research, trials or studies; the receipt of all required regulatory approvals for research, trials or studies; the level of activity, market acceptance and market trends in the healthcare sector; the economy generally; consumer interest in Hemostemix's services and products; competition and Hemostemix's competitive advantages; and Hemostemix obtaining satisfactory financing to fund Hemostemix's operations including any research, trials or studies, and any Litigation. Forward-looking information is Subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Hemostemix to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the ability of Hemostemix to complete clinical trials, complete a satisfactory analyses and file the results of such analyses to gain regulatory approval of a phase II or phase III clinical trial of ACP-01; potential litigation Hemostemis mayface; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; general capital market conditions and market prices for securities; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; the actual results of future operations including the actual results of future research, trials or studies; competition; changes in legislation affecting Hemostemix; the timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; long-term capital requirements and future developments in Hemostemix's markets and the markets in which it expects to compete; lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals; and risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic including various recommendations, orders and measures of governmental authorities to try to limit the pandemic, including travel restrictions, border closures, non-essential business closures service disruptions, quarantines, self-isolations, shelters-in-place and social distancing, disruptions to markets, disruptions to economic activity and financings, disruptions to supply chains and sales channels, and a deterioration of general economic conditions including a possible national or global recession or depression;the potential impact that the COVID-19 pandemic may have on Hemostemix which may include a decreased demand for the services that Hemostemix offers; and a deterioration of financial markets that could limit Hemostemix's ability to obtain external financing. A description of additional risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in Hemostemix's disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Although Hemostemix has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of Hemostemix as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, it is Subject to change after such date. However, Hemostemix expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137317 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 15, 2022) - Oculus VisionTech Inc. (TSXV: OVT) (OTCQB: OVTZ) (FSE: USF1) is pleased to announce the results of its 2022 Annual General Meeting ("AGM"). The AGM was held on September 15, 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia. All resolutions put forward at the meeting were approved by shareholders. A total of 60,059,026 common shares (65.69% of the 91,422,569 issued and outstanding shares of the Company entitled to vote as of the July 19, 2022 record date for the AGM) were present in person or by proxy, constituted a quorum for the transaction of business and were voted at the AGM. The agenda items submitted at the AGM were passed as described below. Percentages indicated below reflect the percentage of the total number of shares voted at the AGM with respect to that agenda item. Agenda Item 1 The detailed results of voting by ballot in respect of the election of directors were as follows: Nominee Votes For Votes Withheld Anton J. Drescher 52,854,781 (99.41%) 313,774 (0.59%) Fabrice Helliker 52,862,225 (99.42%) 306,330 (0.58%) Maurice Loverso 52,853,095 (99.41%) 315,460 (0.59%) Rowland Perkins 52,855,999 (99.41%) 312,556 (0.59%) Tom Perovic 52,943,471 (99.58%) 225,084 (0.42%) Ron Wages 52,840,713 (99.38%) 327,842 (0.62%) There were 6,890,471 broker non-votes with respect to the election of directors. Votes that were withheld and broker non-votes were counted for the purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum but had not other effect on the election of directors. Agenda Item 2 To ratify the appointment of Davidson & Company LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as the Company's independent public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. The votes cast for or against this agenda item, and the numbers of abstentions, were as follows: For Against Abstain 59,902,003 (99.74%) 102,109 (0.17%) 54,914 (0.09%) There were no broker non-votes with respect to this agenda item. Abstentions were counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum, and abstentions were deemed to be "votes cast" and had the same effect as a vote against this agenda item. Agenda Item 3 To approve the adoption of the Company's Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan. The votes cast for or against this agenda item, and the number of abstentions, were as follows: For Against Abstain 52,069,682 (97.93%) 367,182 (0.69%) 731,691 (1.38%) There were 6,890,471 broker non-votes with respect to this agenda item. Broker non-votes and abstentions were counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum. Abstentions were deemed to be "votes cast" and had the same effect as a vote against this agenda item. Broker non-votes were not deemed to be "votes cast", and therefore had no effect on the vote with respect to this proposal. Agenda Item 4 To approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of the Company's named executive officers. The votes cast for or against this agenda item, and the number of abstentions, were as follows: For Against Abstain 52,295,899 (98.36%) 137,447 (0.26%) 735,209 (1.38%) There were 6,890,471 broker non-votes with respect to this agenda item. Broker non-votes and abstentions were counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum. Abstentions were deemed to be "votes cast" and had the same effect as a vote against this agenda item. Broker non-votes were not deemed to be "votes cast", and therefore had no effect on the vote with respect to this proposal. The detailed "Report of Voting Results" on all resolutions for the Company's AGM is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR, on the Company's website, in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission available under the Company's profile on EDGAR or upon request by contacting the Company's Corporate Secretary at (604) 685-1017. About Oculus VisionTech Oculus VisionTech Inc. (OVT), www.ovtz.com, is a cloud-native development-stage technology company focused on data compliance and digital privacy solutions for business customers worldwide. With offices in San Diego, California and Vancouver, British Columbia, the Company is currently expanding its' new ComplyTrustwww.complytrust.com, product suite which includes the ComplyScan cloud data protection and compliance tool and Forget-Me-Yes B2B data privacy Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform, optimizing CCPA, GDPR, LGPD and other regulatory compliance legislation for Salesforce organizations worldwide that provide businesses with secure data privacy tools enabling sustained and continuous global regulatory compliance of data subject rights. OVTZ's legacy Cloud-DPS digital content protection solution implements invisible forensic watermarking technology that seamlessly embeds imperceptible tracking components into documents and video-frame content that enables tamper-proof legal auditability for intellectual property protection. Learn more about Oculus at www.ovtz.com or follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/OculusVT) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Oculus VisionTech/ ) About ComplyTrust ComplyTrust Inc. https://complytrust.com/, a 100% wholly-owned subsidiary of Oculus VisionTech, is specifically focused on providing enterprise organizations and individuals with secure data privacy tools that provide sustained and continuous global regulatory compliance of data subject rights. Headquartered in San Diego, California, ComplyTrust was founded by industry veteran storage technology experts and is operated by an experienced management team. Learn more about ComplyTrust at https://complytrust.com/. For further information, contact: Anton Drescher Telephone: (604) 685-1017 Fax: (604) 685-5777 Website: http://ovtz.com/ TSXV: https://money.tmx.com/en/quote/OVT/company#profile-section-company-spoke US OTC Markets (OTCQB): https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/OVTZ/security Berlin Borse: https://www.boerse-berlin.com/index.php/Shares?isin=US67575Y1091 Frankfurt Borse: https://www.boerse-frankfurt.de/equity/oculus-visiontech Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this news release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among others, statements as to the intended uses of the proceeds received from the Offering. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "may", "should", "budget", "schedules", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including risks and uncertainties relating to, among others, the change of business focus of the management of Oculus, the inability of Oculus to pursue its current business objectives, the ability of the Company to obtain any required governmental, regulatory or stock exchange approvals, permits, consents or authorizations required, including TSXV final acceptance of the Offering and any planned future activities, and obtain the financing required to carry out its planned future activities. Other factors such as general economic, market or business conditions or changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting the Company's industry, may also adversely affect the future results or performance of the Company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and Oculus assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Although Oculus believes that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance those beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consider all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosed in Oculus' periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the United States Securities Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulators. These reports and Oculus' public filings are available at www.sec.gov in the United States and www.sedar.com in Canada. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137336 Series of orders demonstrates Plurilock's consistency and continued outstanding sales performance across key industry verticals Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 15, 2022) - Plurilock Security Inc. (TSXV: PLUR) (OTCQB: PLCKF) and related subsidiaries ("Plurilock" or the "Company"), an identity-centric cybersecurity solutions provider for workforces, announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Aurora Systems Consulting, Inc. ("Aurora"), has received purchase orders from several organizations in August 2022, totaling US$7.26 million. As has been the case to-date, many of the orders received continue to be part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Solution for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) program, a U.S. Government-Wide Acquisition Contract Vehicle (GWAC), and align with Plurilock's stated goal of expanding within the government and defense verticals. All contracts and orders announced by PlurilockTM and its subsidiaries since January 1, 2022, including the latest orders, represent a combined total of roughly US$21.5 million in sales. About SEWP The SEWP V program, launched by NASA in 2015, is the leading information technology (IT) contract vehicle, with government agencies spending $7.9 billion in fiscal 2020.1 Estimates anticipate that agencies will utilize SEWP V for $8.8 billion in contracted spending in fiscal 2021.2 The contract vehicle provides Plurilock with the opportunity to access downstream customers in the government sector. About Plurilock Plurilock provides identity-centric cybersecurity for today's workforces. The Plurilock family of companies enables organizations to operate safely and securely while reducing cybersecurity friction. Plurilock offers world-class IT and cybersecurity solutions through its Solutions Division, paired with proprietary, AI-driven and cloud-friendly security through its Technology Division. Together, the Plurilock family of companies delivers persistent identity assurance with unmatched ease of use. For more information, visit https://www.plurilock.com or contact: Ian L. Paterson Chief Executive Officer [email protected] 416.800.1566 Roland Sartorius Chief Financial Officer [email protected] Prit Singh Investor Relations [email protected] 905.510.7636 Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") related to future events or Plurilock's future business, operations, and financial performance and condition. Forward-looking statements normally contain words like "will", "intend", "anticipate", "could", "should", "may", "might", "expect", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential", "project", "assume", "contemplate", "believe", "shall", "scheduled", and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, actions, or developments and are based on expectations, assumptions, and other factors that management currently believes are relevant, reasonable, and appropriate in the circumstances. Although management believes that the forward-looking statements herein are reasonable, actual results could be substantially different due to the risks and uncertainties associated with and inherent to Plurilock's business. Additional material risks and uncertainties applicable to the forward-looking statements herein include, without limitation, the impact of general economic conditions, the success of the Company in obtaining new or extended contracts or orders; the Company's ability to maintain existing customers or develop new customers; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquisitions of other businesses and/or companies or to realize on the anticipated benefits thereof; and unforeseen events, developments, or factors causing any of the aforesaid expectations, assumptions, and other factors ultimately being inaccurate or irrelevant. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond the control of Plurilock. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as at the date hereof, and Plurilock undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in its most recent Annual Information Form. They are otherwise disclosed in its filings with securities regulatory authorities available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137180 FILE PHOTO - Taiwan flags flutter during a welcome ceremony for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves (not pictured) outside the presidential palace in Taipei, Taiwan August 8, 2022. REUTERS/Ann Wang By Patricia Zengerle and Michael Martina WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A U.S. Senate committee on Wednesday approved legislation that would significantly enhance U.S. military support for Taiwan, including provisions for billions of dollars in additional security assistance, as China increases military pressure on the democratically governed island. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee backed the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022 by 17-5, despite concerns about the bill in U.S. President Joe Biden's administration and anger about the measure from Beijing. The strong bipartisan vote was a clear indication of support from both Republicans and Biden's fellow Democrats for changes in U.S. policy toward Taiwan, such as treating it as a major non-NATO ally. Sponsors said the bill would be the most comprehensive restructuring of U.S. policy toward the island since the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 - the bedrock of U.S. engagement with what China views as one of its provinces since Washington opened up relations with Beijing that year. "We need to be clear-eyed about what we are facing," said Senator Bob Menendez, the committee's Democratic chairman, while stressing that the United States does not seek war or heightened tensions with Beijing. "If we want to ensure Taiwan has a fighting chance, we must act now," said Senator Jim Risch, the committee's top Republican, arguing that any change in the status quo for Taiwan would have "disastrous effects" for the U.S. economy and national security. Taiwan's presidential office thanked the Senate for its latest show of support, saying the bill will "help promote the Taiwan-U.S. partnership in many ways", including security and economic cooperation. The bill would allocate $4.5 billion in security assistance for Taiwan over four years, and supports its participation in international organizations. The act also includes extensive language on sanctions toward China in the event of hostilities across the strait separating the mainland from Taiwan. BEIJING'S OPPOSITION When the bill was introduced in June, China responded by saying it would be "compelled to take resolute countermeasures" if Washington took actions that harmed China's interests. "We haven't discussed any specifics," Hsiao Bi-khim, Taiwan's de facto ambassador to Washington, told reporters at an event at the Capitol when asked if she has had discussions with the White House over specific sanctions. "We talked about integrated deterrence in a broader sense of the need to explore different tools to ensure that the status quo in the Taiwan Strait can be maintained," Hsiao said. She said she had expressed "gratitude" to Congress for the legislation. "Given the complication of different views here in the United States too, we're hoping that we can reach some consensus on security, which is our top priority," she said. The committee's approval paved the way for a vote in the full Senate, but there has been no word on when that might take place. To become law, it must also pass the House of Representatives and be signed by Biden or win enough support to override a veto. The White House said on Tuesday it was in talks with members of Congress on how to change the act to ensure that it does not change long-standing U.S. policy toward Taiwan that it considers effective. The Taiwan bill is likely to be folded into a larger piece of legislation expected to pass late this year, such as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an annual bill setting policy for the Department of Defense. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle and Michael Martina; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; editing by Jonathan Oatis, Richard Chang and Kim Coghill) USDA-backed Climate-Friendly Rice Certification will expand the market for climate-smart commodities. NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AgriCapture's Climate-Friendly Rice project is selected to receive USDA funding under the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program to expand the market for Climate-Friendly rice. The project propels the creation of an economically viable, market-based solution for cultivating rice with lower greenhouse gases (GHG), dramatically reducing methane emissions. This is one of 70 projects selected out of 450 applicants, signaling the USDA's support and confidence in the AgriCapture Climate-Friendly Rice Certification. USDA-backed Climate-Friendly Rice Certification will expand the market for climate-smart commodities. AgriCapture is a leading developer of the climate-smart rice market, with existing partnerships among early adopters including farmers, mills, and buyers. AgriCapture has pioneered an innovative measurement and verification process that certifies reductions in GHG emissions as part of The AgriCapture Climate-Friendly Rice Standard. The AgriCapture team will provide technical assistance and agronomic advice to farmers, certifying that rice cultivation methods reduce GHGs. Funding will cover the cost for farmers of implementing climate-friendly practice changes and cover third-party expenses associated with monitoring, reporting, and verifying emissions reductions. "The USDA's decision to fund AgriCapture's Climate-Friendly Rice project is a win for our market-building initiatives and will create more opportunities for major buyers to step up and support hard working U.S. farmers," says AgriCapture Founder and CEO, John Farris. AgriCapture has established the value chain for climate-smart rice by partnering with rice mills, which are critical to tracing GHG benefits throughout the supply chain. The AgriCapture Climate-Friendly Rice project will reduce annual emissions from the U.S. rice sector by 391,000 tCO2e annually. USDA funding allows AgriCapture to continue building the market for climate-smart commodities by expanding participating acreage, partnering with additional rice mills, and increasing Climate-Friendly rice purchasing volume. These expansion efforts create a market-based climate solution that supports a net zero future for American agriculture. About AgriCapture AgriCapture is technology and data-enabled to provide best in class agricultural solutions to climate change. The Nashville-based AgriCapture team works closely with farmers to develop tailored growing plans and collect on-farm data to quantify, monitor, report, and verify climate-friendly agricultural practices on over 130,000 row crop acres. Producers across eight states are participating in programs to generate carbon credits and climate-friendly crop premiums to expand the market for sustainable agricultural commodities. More information about the AgriCapture Climate-Friendly Rice Certification is available at www.agricapture.com/climatefriendlyrice. Contact: Megan Garvey, [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/agricapture-climate-friendly-rice-project-is-selected-to-receive-7-5-million-from-the-usda-301624817.html SOURCE AgriCapture APPETIZER HACKATHON 2022 is being held for the second time this year under the theme of "[New Normal in the Post-COVID-19] - The Beginning of Innovation Using Cloud" Winner receives USD 5,000 in prize money and about USD 17,000 worth of credits from NAVER Cloud SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- APPETIZER HACKATHON 2022 hosted by NAVER Cloud and organized by the Korea Software Industry Association is accepting applications for participation from Thursday, September 15th to Friday, October 7th at 15:00 (Korea Standard Time). APPETIZER HACKATHON 2022 marks its second competition this year under the theme [New Normal in the Post-COVID-19 Era] The Beginning of Innovation using Cloud is creating a better world by adding innovations to rapidly changing business trends due to COVID-19. The Document Evaluation for the selection of 30 teams to participate in the APPETIZER HACKATHON will be held October 12th and 13th, and the 30 teams to participate in the hackathon will be confirmed through an announcement of successful applicants on October 14th. An Orientation and Web Seminar to announce the start of APPETIZER HACKATHON 2022 for the 30 teams will be held on Tuesday, October 18th. Participants will select an API from a company to use for prototype development by Monday, October 24th, and receive an API Key from the selected company. In addition, from November 7th to November 11th, 10 API companies will conduct online mentoring directly with the 30 teams who want to be mentored. The 30 teams must prepare and record a prototype demonstration and submit the video by Tuesday, November 22nd, with the presentation video evaluation to be conducted on November 23rd and 24th. Through the evaluation, 8 teams will be selected to advance to the final stage on Friday, November 25th. The evaluation will be based on differentiation and originality, API utilization, goal achievement and implementation ability, expected effect, presentation delivery ability, etc., and the Final Presentation and Awards Ceremony to decorate the finale of the Hackathon are scheduled for Wednesday, November 30th. Of the USD 27,000 in prize money for APPETIZER HACKATHON 2022, the winner will receive USD 5,000, the two second-place teams will receive USD 3,000 each, and the five third-place teams will receive USD 1,000 each. All teams who participate through the entire Hackathon program, even if they do not make it to the final stage, will receive a cash prize of USD 500. In addition to the prize money, the 30 teams which pass APPETIZER HACKATHON 2022's document evaluation will receive about USD 2,500 worth of credits for use in NAVER Cloud. The Hackathon's first-place team will receive about USD 17,000 worth of credits in NAVER Cloud for one year. In addition, the Early Bird event will be held during the 8 days from September 15th to the 23rd when registration begins. After registration, the 10 teams who complete the Hackathon will be given prizes such as Apple iPAD 9th generation. This Hackathon has expanded the scope of participation to include university (graduate) students, developers, engineers, and corporate and startup workers around the world who are interested in APIs. Also this year, applicants engaged in a Korean startup that has expanded overseas or a global startup that has entered Korea are eligible to participate in the Hackathon. Participants will be developing prototypes during the competition using APIs from 10 API companies. For detailed information about APPETIZER HACKATHON 2022 and online registration, visit www.api-appetizer.com. Check out detailed information on API companies participating in the Hackathon at www.appetizer.kr. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/appetizer-hackathon-2022the-golden-opportunity-to-make-the-best-of-superior-apis-301619977.html SOURCE KOSA(Korea Software Industry Association) NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As the warm days of summer vacation draw to a close, American children will once again feel the familiar anticipation of back-to-school rituals: new backpacks, the latest sneakers, school supplies, reuniting with classmates and teachers. But for Ukrainian children living in European refugee camps, the back-to-school experience will look and feel quite different. Having fled a war-torn country and the only home they've ever known, these children will enter a school where lessons are taught in an unfamiliar language and while still suffering from the unspeakable atrocities of war. While the children, haunted by memories, are experiencing trauma, grief, and heartbreaking loss, the critical trauma and bereavement services they and their caregivers require are largely unavailable, with local mental health workers spread thin. That's why this fall, Denise Daniels, RN, MS, director of The Moodsters Children's Foundationa U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a U.S. Department of State 'Preferred Partner' for Ukrainian Childrenand Robin Stern, PhD, co-founder and associate director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, will lead an all-volunteer disaster response team to Italy on behalf of thousands of Ukrainians who have found refuge there. The team is being supported by the Italian Embassy to the U. S., David J Schonfeld, MD, FAAP, developmental-behavioral pediatrician and director of the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and professor of clinical pediatrics at USC Keck School of Medicine, is advising the team on children's grief and trauma. Under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State and consulates in Rome and Florence, The Moodsters Children's Foundation will first bring a uniquely qualified team of experts to Italy in early September. They will help advise local educators, pediatricians, mental health professionals, and staff at refugee campsthe front-line workers for young childrenin the very specific needs of children suffering overwhelming grief, loss, and trauma. In October, an expanded interdisciplinary team of trauma specialists, pediatricians, teachers, nurses, and grief and loss therapists, will work closely with Ukrainian children, mothers, and caregivers. The focus will be on providing critical and practical support to help children cope with grief, loss, and trauma, and equipping the children with the resilience skills they'll need as they embark on the long road to recovery. Services will include a toolbox of evidence-based interventions from which the children and their caregivers can draw when coping with their emotions. In addition to trauma and grief counseling, experts in art, music, and play therapy will help children process their complex feelings and experiences. Play therapy, in particular, is critical when working with traumatized children, as it offers a much-needed respite and helps children share their stories. The award-winning Moodster characters will offer live performances for children in refugee camps, schools, and hospitals including the Vatican's renowned Bambino Gesu Pediatric Hospital in Rome. This first-of-its kind, interactive program is designed to help children grapple with the physical and emotional upheaval of war and provide the tools for emotional and psychological resilience. Each child will also receive a Moodster Meter to help them identify and share their feelings. The Foundation is seeking to raise $500,000 by November 30th to fund this critical mission. Your generous donations will help provide the invaluable therapies, skilled personnel, and vital supplies that will equip and support these Ukrainian children as they begin the complex, lifelong process of healing. Please visit us at TheMoodsters.com or contact [email protected] to make a donation. About The Moodsters The Moodsters is the first evidence-based global children's brand to address emotional literacy and resilience in young children. The Moodsters characters, who represent the key emotions experienced by young children, were created by Denise Daniels, RN, MS, a Peabody award-winning broadcast journalist, author, and child-development and parenting expert specializing in the social and emotional development of young children. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/as-a-us-department-of-state-preferred-partner-for-ukrainian-children-the-moodsters-childrens-foundation-leads-a-trauma-and-bereavement-team-to-italy-to-help-displaced-ukrainian-refugees-as-the-children-prepare-for-school-far-301625344.html SOURCE The Moodsters Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chinese EV startup NIO plans to launch its first smartphone next year with the delivery commence in the same year, according to a local media outlet, citing a post on a blogger's Sina Weibo account. The blogger disclosed that NIO originally intended to unveil its first smartphone by the end of this year. The launch has been postponed as the company strives for a higher-end position. As of press time, the information has not been confirmed by NIO yet. According to the corporate information platform Tianyancha, NIO Mobile Technology Co., Ltd. was incorporated on August 4 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of NIO NEXTEV Limited. The newborn company features a line of businesses including sales of communications facilities, mobile terminal equipment, wearable intelligent devices, and AI-enabled hardware. Qin Lihong, co-founder and president of NIO, assumes as its legal representative. A local media channel reported in early August that former senior vice president of Meitu Mobile, which operates a smartphone business under Chinese photo and video editor Meitu, had already joined NIOs smartphone team as the head of its software department. "NIO's smartphone team has more than 300 people with employees from such companies as OPPO, Meitu and Huawei, the report revealed, citing a source familiar with the matter. Besides, NIO also released quite a few jobs related to the smartphone business via its recruitment website, including Android engineers and smartwatch product managers. Topics Include How to Overcome the Challenges of Reaching Large Patient Populations with Cell & Gene Therapies and Best Practices for Working with CDMOs NEWARK, N.J., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BioCentriq, Inc.a New Jersey-based, full-service, concept-to-clinic contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO)announced today that two key members of its team will be featured panelists at the Cell & Gene Therapy Manufacturing & Commercialization US Conference, which takes place during Biotech Week in Boston on September 27-30, 2022. Two team members from BioCentriq will be presenting at next week's Biotech Week in Boston. The conference will bring together thought leaders from across the industry to provide specialized insight for companies looking to improve their manufacturing efficiency, cost, and quality by exploring different ways to accelerate bioprocessing, analytics, supply chain security, and commercialization strategies. BioCentriq's Acting Head of Research & Development and Director of Manufacturing Science & Technology, Alex Klarer, will be participating in the plenary panel discussion, "Beyond Rare Diseases - Overcoming the Challenges of Expanding to Larger Patient Populations with Cell and Gene Therapies," which will be held on Wednesday, September 28 from 8:40am - 9:20am. One of the panel's main goals will be to discuss how new technologies, manufacturing scalability, and process optimization can be utilized to reach larger patient populations. The panel will be moderated by Shashi Murthy, CTO and Co-Founder of Nanite, Inc., and fellow panelists include Armon Sharei, CEO & founder of SQZ Biotechnologies, USA and Stephane Berthier, VP and General Manager of Atara Biotherapeutics. BioCentriq's Director of Business Development, Chathuranga DeSilva, Ph.D., will also be a panelist for the discussion on "Relationship Management - Best Practices for Working with CDMO and Suppliers," as part of the Cell & Gene Therapy Partnering Track on Friday, September 30 from 2:00pm - 2:45pm. "I'm thrilled to participate in this panel. As more therapy developers rely on CDMOs to manufacture their cell & gene therapies, it is important to discuss best practices, lessons learned, and future strategies so we can continuously improve outcomes. This will also help manage expectations for companies looking to tackle complex therapies and set realistic goals for their projects," said Chathuranga DeSilva, Ph.D. The discussion will be about understanding CDMO capacities, timelines, and capabilities, as well as selection and qualification criteria and quality agreements with contract service providers and suppliers. The panel will also discuss setting expectations for tech transfers and strategies for transferring products from early development phase to CDMO for scale up and large-scale production. As part of this session, audience members will learn how to transfer their technologies to CDMOs and how to overcome the challenges associated with process technology differences. Other BioCentriq team members will also be in attendance and are available to meet with you to answer questions and discuss your project. Please click here to schedule a time to speak with our team members. About BioCentriq BioCentriq is a full-service, New Jersey-based CDMO for cell and gene therapy, focusing on all stages of process development and clinical manufacturing. The company specializes in autologous and allogeneic cell therapies as well as viral vector process development and manufacturing and has expertise in a variety of cell and vector types. For more information, visit BioCentriq.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/biocentriq-experts-on-stage-at-biotech-week-in-boston-september-27-30-2022-301625796.html SOURCE BioCentriq NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Bloomberg Philanthropies' Greenwood Initiative announced the launch of the Black Wealth Data Center (BWDC) which will host the new Racial Wealth Equity Database. The BWDC aims to empower decision-makers including practitioners, elected officials at all levels, and philanthropists as well as journalists, working to improve and chronicle economic opportunity by making it easier for them to find and analyze a wide range of factors correlated to economic well-being and progress by race. This new effort will also build a network for leaders and organizations working to create economic progress for Black families and communities. The BWDC is incubated by Prosperity Now, a leading nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. focused on advancing racial and ethnic economic justice. The BWDC aims to empower decision-makers as well as journalists, working to improve and chronicle economic opportunity... On the Black Wealth Data Center's website, visitors will use BWDC's Racial Wealth Equity Database to interact with wealth data by topic (assets/debt, education, employment, homeownership, and business ownership), and compare wealth data by race (Black, Hispanic, Asian, White, Other or multiple races), sex, age, education attainment, and geographic area (state, county or zip code). Over the coming months, the BWDC will continuously add datasets and functionality to the database, looking for opportunities to offer new tools for the field to better interpret racial equity data. It will also convene leaders and host events about the power of data to help drive solutions for racial wealth equity. The need for the BWDC was explained by Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies and 108th mayor of New York City in January 2020 when he spoke in Tulsa, Oklahoma, launching the Greenwood Initiative, and addressed "the enormous obstacles that so many Black Americans have faced not only in creating wealth, but in passing assets to their children and grandchildren as generations of white families have done." He said, "I believe that we have the power to build a future where color and capital are no longer related." Bloomberg Philanthropies' Greenwood Initiative is a national program focused on accelerating the pace of wealth accumulation for Black individuals and families and addressing systemic underinvestment in Black communities across the U.S. Through this initiative, Bloomberg Philanthropies supports and works with leaders and organizations across the country to implement, scale, and advocate for efforts that increase economic and social mobility to reduce wealth disparities in Black communities. "Leaders and organizations across the country have been challenged by the lack of accessible and high-quality data disaggregated by race making it difficult to assess what's working and not working in efforts to make America more equitable, what assets exist in Black communities, and what we need to do to effect change," said Garnesha Ezediaro, who leads Bloomberg Philanthropies' Greenwood Initiative. "With a commitment to continuously scan and integrate the best data into a comprehensive user-friendly source, the Black Wealth Data Center will be a resource for leaders who are working to ensure that data can be accessed more equitably, progress can be measured more precisely, and that change can come faster." The BWDC is led by Natalie Evans Harris, who brings nearly 20 years of experience advancing the public sector's strategic use of data. She spent 16 years at the National Security Agency where she led an analytics development center and was a senior policy advisor to the U.S. Chief Technology Officer in the Obama administration. Most recently, Natalie co-founded and served as the head of strategic initiatives of BrightHive, a data sharing platform for users to easily and securely connect data. "I am thrilled to lead the Black Wealth Data Center, help leverage data and technology to expedite the accumulation of Black wealth and establish partnerships with practitioners and policymakers to power the path to equity," said Natalie Evans Harris, executive director of the Black Wealth Data Center. Bloomberg Philanthropies' Greenwood Initiative has partnered with Prosperity Now to incubate the Black Wealth Data Center because of its long legacy of work in racial economic justice rooted in data, research, and community building. "For so long, those of us working to develop meaningful programs to address racial wealth inequities have had to use our organizations' critical resources to search for and access needed data to support our work," said Gary Cunningham, president and chief executive officer of Prosperity Now. "Prosperity Now is excited to incubate the Black Wealth Data Center. We hope it will serve as a resource for leaders seeking to solve racial wealth inequities for both the Black community and other groups who systematically experience wealth inequities." In order to lay the foundation for new data sources and to help contextualize the data, the BWDC is currently partnering with the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership, the Urban Institute, and DataKind. BWDC will create additional partnerships with a specific focus on increasing the amount of local data in its database, incorporating data from private sources, and collaborating with existing data providers to strengthen data quality. The Black Wealth Data Center is the most recent investment made by Bloomberg Philanthropies' Greenwood Initiative, which was launched in September 2020. The first investment was a $100 million partnership with the nation's four historically Black medical schools to help ease the debt burden of approximately 900 Black medical students. The second investment was more than $6 million to those four schools to increase their mobile unit COVID-19 vaccination efforts and help ensure equitable access to vaccines within Black communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. The third investment was the Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative, a $150 million effort at Johns Hopkins devoted to addressing historic underrepresentation in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields by providing permanent funding for a sustained cohort of approximately 100 new slots for diverse PhD students in JHU's more than 30 STEM programs. The Greenwood Initiative has also partnered on programs to help local leaders prioritize economic equity agendas through Bloomberg Philanthropies' Local Infrastructure Hub and the CityStart Program at Cities for Financial Empowerment. To learn more about the Black Wealth Data Center and the database, visit blackwealthdata.org. ABOUT BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 941 cities and 173 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg's giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a pro bono consultancy that works in cities around the world. In 2021, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $1.66 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bloomberg-philanthropies-greenwood-initiative-launches-new-racial-wealth-equity-database-301625540.html SOURCE Bloomberg Philanthropies NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Corcoran Group, LLC announced today its affiliate, Corcoran HM Properties, has expanded its growing operation into Charleston, South Carolina. The announcement was made by Corcoran President & CEO Pamela Liebman, and Corcoran HM Properties broker-owner Valerie Mitchener. Corcoran HM Properties' growth marks the eighth Corcoran affiliate to announce an expansion in less than one year. This market expansion, Corcoran HM Properties' first since affiliating with Corcoran in June 2021, is a strategic step in the firm's growth plan and broadens its reach from the Charlotte, North Carolina region to the greater Charleston area, including Mt. Pleasant, Sullivans Island, Isle of Palms, and more. This growth brings Corcoran HM Properties' agent population to more than 130 affiliated real estate professionals, increasing their agent count by 15% since joining the Corcoran brand. "As I've said before, our affiliates' milestones are some of proudest moments, and today's news from Corcoran HM Properties is definitely cause for celebration," said Liebman. "Val and her team are incredibly dedicated and I've long admired the focus they have on growing their business and ensuring both their affiliated agents' and clients' satisfaction. This strategic move into Charleston will not only open doors for their team, it's a significant market for the Corcoran network." Corcoran HM Properties was founded by Mitchener in 2006, and the locally owned and operated boutique firm quickly grew to be a market leader in the Charlotte metro area. Corcoran HM Properties' notable success and growth to date can be directly attributed to the team's ability to adapt to the ever-evolving needs of Charlotte's high-end real estate market and the elevated education and individualized business guidance they provide their agents. The firm also boasts an in-house relocation department that manages both individual and corporate moves and has been the preferred Realtor for the NBA's Charlotte Hornets for more than a decade. "Charleston, South Carolina is known for many things its history, architecture, and beaches, to name a few and we've long known that this was a market we wanted to serve," said Mitchener. "The area attracts many second-home buyers for vacation homes or investment properties, so this was a natural fit given the client needs we already serve in Charlotte. I'm thrilled to be entering this next chapter of our growth and am grateful to our agent community in Charleston and all of our current and future clients." About The Corcoran Group The Corcoran Group has been a leading residential real estate brand for nearly 50 years. Through its New York City, Hamptons, and South Florida brokerages, along with its rapidly growing affiliate network, the firm is home to more than 170 offices and more than 6,000 independent salespersons in key urban, suburban, and resort markets nationwide. Corcoran agents earn and keep their clients' trust with an unwavering commitment to white-glove service, expertise, and integrity. In every market served, Corcoran helps you find the home that's just right for you. The Corcoran brand comprises both offices owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC (f/k/a Realogy Brokerage Group LLC) and franchised offices, which are independently owned and operated. For more information about The Corcoran Group, please visit www.corcoran.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/corcoran-hm-properties-affiliate-of-the-corcoran-group-adds-charleston-to-growing-operation-301625369.html SOURCE The Corcoran Group The leader in fine rug cleaning and restoration in the New York Metropolitan area is working closely with interior designers, architects, and designer showrooms LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Costikyan Inc. ("Costikyan") is partnering with interior designers, architects, and designer showrooms across the New York Metropolitan area to provide them turnkey services, while delivering their bespoke design vision. With Costikyan's 130+ year old history, we have established the materials, relationships, and personnel to coordinate all the elements needed to deliver the bespoke design vision of our partners. Our specialty services include consultation to designers and architects curating collections and education to junior trade partners who want to learn the intricacies of fine floor coverings and furnishings. "Our rich experience lends us to be an expert in all areas of the luxury rug and furnishings industry. We are excited to continue to spread our knowledge and diverse offerings to the design trade through mutually beneficial partnerships," said Greg Garian, President, Costikyan. For five generations, Costikyan has been the nation's oldest and most trusted brand for cleaning, protection, restoration, installation, fabrication, delivery, and more. About Costikyan Costikyan, synonymous with excellence, has been the leading brand in fine rug cleaning and restoration in the New York Metropolitan, New Jersey, and Connecticut areas since 1886. Our highly trained staff and craftsmen pair new innovative technology with a variety of century-old techniques to provide exquisite care for your rugs, carpets, draperies, upholstery, and more. For more information on our partnerships with interior designers, architects, and designer showrooms, please visit: www.costikyan.com/designers Contact: Lauren Costikyan, Costikyan Inc. 718.726.1090, [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/costikyan-inc-partners-with-interior-designers-architects-and-designer-showrooms-301625419.html SOURCE Costikyan Negotiations With Germany Result In Emergency Payments For Survivors, Liberalization Of Compensations And Increased Home Care For Holocaust Survivors Globally. NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, at the invitation of the German Federal Minister of Finance, Mr. Christian Lindner, the Claims Conference will join German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Israel's Minister for Social Equality, Meirav Cohen, along with several hundred guests, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the signing of the indemnification agreement making it possible for Holocaust survivors to receive a measure of justice The Luxembourg Agreements. "This historic event, the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Luxembourg Agreements, is cause for commemoration and reflection," said Gideon Taylor, President of the Claims Conference. "The extermination of European Jews by the Nazis left a horrific chasm, not only in global Jewry, but in global humanity. These agreements laid the groundwork for compensation and restitution for those survivors who had lost everything and continue to serve as the foundation for the ongoing negotiations on behalf of the estimated 280,000 Holocaust survivors living around the world." On September 10, 1952, groundbreaking agreements on compensation payments for survivors of Nazi persecution during World War II and to the State of Israel were concluded in the City Hall of Luxembourg. The landmark agreements were negotiated and ultimately agreed to between the newly formed State of Israel, the Federal Republic of Germany as the legal successor to the German Reich, and the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) formed by 23 major global Jewish organizations to negotiate on behalf of the world's Holocaust survivors. The agreements created the basis for all subsequent compensations for Nazi persecution. Today, the three signatory parties to the historic agreements will be represented at a ceremony in Berlin at the Jewish Museum. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will speak of the importance of the agreements and the special responsibility Germany bears for the past, the present, and for the future. "The Luxembourg Agreements were fundamental and led to financial compensation in the amount of more than 80 billion Germany has paid by the end of 2021. The payments to survivors and the home care program are very close to our heart and recently we see the increasing importance of Holocaust education," stated Scholz. Claims Conference President Gideon Taylor and Claims Conference Chief Negotiator Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat also will speak, emphasizing the consequences and effects of the agreements for Holocaust survivors around the world. The State of Israel will be represented by the Minister for Social Equality, Meirav Cohen. Highly anticipated remarks of the day are that of Holocaust survivor Ambassador Colette Avital. A child survivor of the Holocaust, Ambassador Avital survived by living in hiding in Bucharest with her mother. A long-time member of the Claims Conference Board and negotiating team, Ambassador Avital maintained a long career as a member of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Claims Conference Chief Negotiator Ambassador Stuart Ambassador Eizenstat emphasized, "The Luxembourg Agreements laid the foundation for all subsequent compensations for survivors of Nazi persecution. Never before in human history has the defeated power paid compensation to civilians for losses and suffering. It is a monumental achievement, which shows the commitment of the German people to recognize the evils of their former Nazi society." "It took truly great and far-sighted leadership to sit down at the table only a few years after the Holocaust and negotiate the unimaginable. They laid the groundwork for the results we are announcing today of more than $1.2 billion in 2023 for compensation and social welfare services for Holocaust survivors," stated Claims Conference Executive Vice President Greg Schneider. "We could not do the work we do today work to ensure every Holocaust survivor is able to live their life in the dignity that was taken from them in their youth if each of those leaders had not stepped up during this moment in history." The Luxembourg negotiations and resulting compensation agreements laid the groundwork on which the Claims Conference continues to conduct negotiations with the Federal Ministry of Finance in Germany. To be announced at the event in Berlin today are the negotiation outcomes for the following areas: Emergency humanitarian payments of 12 million to 8,500 Ukrainian Holocaust survivors. Payments are anticipated to begin being distributed in fall of this year. Effective in January 2023, an increase of 130 million in home care for those survivors who depend on in-home services to manage their day-to-day life. Of this amount, 60 million will be spent to increase home care in Israel, which was achieved together with Minister of Social Equality Meirav Cohen. 70 million will be spent in other countries around the world. A third year of the Hardship Fund supplemental payments to follow on the two years that were previously negotiated. This additional 170 million will impact approximately 143,000 Holocaust survivors worldwide. For the first time, there has been an agreement on Holocaust education funding of 10 million for 2022, 25 million for 2023, 30 million for 2024, and 35 million for 2025. In total, as a result of negotiations with the German government, for home care and compensation for Holocaust survivors living around the world is approximately $1.2 billion for 2023. For more information about the Claims Conference, please visit: www.claimscon.org About the Claims Conference: The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference), a nonprofit organization with offices in New York, Israel and Germany, secures material compensation for Holocaust survivors around the world. Founded in 1951 by representatives of 23 major international Jewish organizations, the Claims Conference negotiates for and disburses funds to individuals and organizations and seeks the return of Jewish property stolen during the Holocaust. As a result of negotiations with the Claims Conference since 1952, the German government has paid more than $90 billion in indemnification to individuals for suffering and losses resulting from persecution by the Nazis. In 2022, the Claims Conference will distribute over $700 million in compensation to over 210,000 survivors in 83 countries and allocated over $720 million in grants to over 300 social service agencies worldwide that provide vital services for Holocaust survivors, such as home care, food and medicine. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/german-chancellor-and-claims-conference-meet-to-mark-70th-anniversary-of-historic-reparations-agreements-and-announce-negotiations-results-of-over-1-2-billion-301624734.html SOURCE Claims Conference NORTHBROOK, Ill., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its continuing series of successful auctions, Hilco Real Estate, LLC, facilitated the sale of an additional 115 commercial and residential structures and development lots on behalf of the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) on August 22 through August 25 in another online-only auction generating over $2.4 million in sales. Over 200 bidders registered to take part in this year's online auction with a total of 1,952 bids placed by registrants. There were 99 total properties that received bids higher than the minimum price and will now be sold to the highest bidders. Highlights of the auction included a vacant commercial lot that should for $168,000, a vacant residential lot on Music Street that sold for $86,000, and a number of sites located in the Lower Ninth Ward and New Orleans' east areas that sold above the minimum bids. Bidders were required to provide initial deposits of $4,000 per residential property and $5,000 per commercial property in order to bid. After the auction conclusion, sale contracts were immediately delivered electronically to the buyers and closings will be successfully completed by the end of 2022. The Hilco Real Estate team was led by Fernando Palacios, the company's Mid-Atlantic regional broker and managing director, and Paul A. Lynn, CCIM, a senior project consultant, Louisiana real estate broker and licensed Louisiana auctioneer. Over the last fourteen years, Fernando Palacios and Paul A. Lynn, CCIM, have auctioned over 2,500 properties, generating over $70 million in sales for various public housing authorities and governmental agencies in multiple states. This auction represents a continued series of auction sales events conducted by Hilco Real Estate, LLC, for properties owned by NORA that were impacted by Hurricane Katrina. "These auctions are part of our continuing effort to place properties back into commerce throughout the city. The auctions serve as another tool in the ongoing effort of rebuilding New Orleans and our neighborhoods," said Brenda Breaux, Executive Director of NORA. Fernando Palacios stated, "Hilco Real Estate is pleased to continue to partner with NORA through these programs. The auction events are a very effective, transparent process in determining today's true market value for this diverse group of properties throughout New Orleans." NORA requires that buyers build or rehabilitate the purchased properties within 365 days of closing, in accordance with all required building ordinances and codes. The next NORA auction event is planned for 2023. To be notified of future Hilco Real Estate and NORA auctions, sign up for update emails at Hilco Real Estate's website or NORA's website. To view additional offerings, please visit Hilco Real Estate's property listings webpage where new listings are added monthly. About Hilco Real Estate: Hilco Real Estate, LLC ("HRE"), a unit of Hilco Global, is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois. HRE is a national provider of accelerated real estate disposition services for corporations, lenders, servicers, receivers, bankruptcy attorneys, estates, private owners, investment companies as well as local, state and federal government agencies. Acting as an agent or principal, HRE applies its vast experience to advise and execute strategies, helping both healthy and distressed clients to derive maximum value from their real estate assets. By leveraging multi-faceted sales strategies and techniques, aggressive repositioning and restructuring experience, a vast and motivated network of buyers and sellers, and substantial access to capital, HRE exceeds expectations even in the most complex transactions. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hilco-real-estate-completes-another-successful-online-auction-of-properties-in-new-orleans-for-the-new-orleans-redevelopment-authority-nora-301625145.html SOURCE Hilco Real Estate FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP (NYSE: KRP) ("Kimbell"), a leading owner of oil and natural gas mineral and royalty interests in more than 122,000 gross wells across 28 states, today announced that it will release its third quarter 2022 financial results on Thursday, November 3, 2022, before the market opens. Kimbell will also declare its third quarter 2022 distribution concurrent with this release. In conjunction with the release, Kimbell has scheduled a conference call, which will be broadcast live over the Internet the same day at 10:00 a.m. Central (11:00 a.m. Eastern). By Phone: Dial 201-389-0869 at least 10 minutes before the call. A replay will be available through November 10th by dialing 201-612-7415 and using the conference ID: 13732853#. By Webcast: Connect to the webcast via the Events and Presentations page of Kimbell's Investor Relations website at http://kimbellrp.investorroom.com/. Please log in at least 10 minutes in advance to register and download any necessary software. A replay will be available shortly after the call. About Kimbell Royalty Partners Kimbell (NYSE: KRP) is a leading oil and gas mineral and royalty company based in Fort Worth, Texas. Kimbell owns mineral and royalty interests in approximately 16 million gross acres in 28 states and in every major onshore basin in the continental United States, including ownership in more than 122,000 gross wells with over 46,000 wells in the Permian Basin. To learn more, visit http://www.kimbellrp.com. Contact:Rick BlackDennard Lascar Investor Relations[email protected](713) 529-6600 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kimbell-royalty-partners-announces-timing-of-third-quarter-2022-earnings-release-and-conference-call-301625719.html SOURCE Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP Terlivaz is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for adults with HRS involving rapid reduction in kidney function1 DUBLIN, Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mallinckrodt plc (OTCMKTS: MNKPF), a global specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Terlivaz (terlipressin) for injection. Terlivaz is the first and only FDA-approved product indicated to improve kidney function in adults with hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) with rapid reduction in kidney function,1 an acute and life-threatening condition requiring hospitalization.2 Please see Limitation of Use and Important Safety Information, including Boxed Warning, below. Siggi Olafsson, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "The FDA approval of Terlivaz is a significant milestone for Mallinckrodt as it brings an important treatment option to these critically ill patients requiring hospitalization and to U.S. physicians who historically have had limited treatment interventions.3 We're excited to bring Terlivaz to U.S. patients and physicians and plan to launch the product in the coming weeks. This approval reflects Mallinckrodt's continued commitment to underserved patients and their caregivers through our demonstrated expertise and dedication to developing therapeutics for critical conditions." Terlipressin is recommended by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) guidance4 and the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) guidelines.*,5 Terlipressin is one of the most studied pharmacological agents in HRS with more than 70 published manuscripts and presented abstracts on clinical data to date.6 It has been approved outside the U.S. for more than 30 years and is available on five continents for its indications in the countries where it is approved.7,8 The FDA approval was based, in part, on results from the Phase 3 CONFIRM trial, the largest-ever prospective study (n=300) conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of terlipressin in patients with HRS type 1 (HRS-1) in the U.S. and Canada. The CONFIRM trial met its primary endpoint of Verified HRS Reversal, defined as renal function improvement, avoidance of dialysis and short-term survival (p=0.012).1 To achieve Verified HRS Reversal, patients had to have two consecutive serum creatinine (SCr) values of 1.5 mg/dL, at least two hours apart by day 14 or hospital discharge. To be included in the primary efficacy endpoint analysis, patients had to be alive and without intervening renal replacement therapy (e.g., dialysis) at least 10 days after achieving Verified HRS Reversal.1 Initial results were presented in a late-breaking session at The Liver Meeting 2019, the annual meeting of AASLD. Results were also published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March of 2021. The CONFIRM trial was completed prior to the updated diagnostic criteria and terminology published in the 2021 AASLD guidance on hepatorenal syndrome. Steven Romano, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at Mallinckrodt said, "Diagnosing and treating HRS can be challenging, and every minute counts when managing patients who have it. Terlivaz gives U.S. physicians the first FDA-approved option for treating HRS patients with rapid reduction in kidney function1 that may help them improve kidney function and lessen the associated need for renal replacement therapy, such as dialysis." The most commonly observed adverse reactions in at least 4 percent of patients treated with Terlivaz compared to placebo were abdominal pain reported in 19.5 percent (n=39) of patients (vs. 6.1%; n=6), nausea reported in 16 percent (n=32) of patients (vs. 10.1%; n=10), respiratory failure reported in 15.5 percent (n=31) of patients (vs. 7.1%; n=7) diarrhea reported in 13 percent (n=26) of patients (vs. 7.1%; n=7) and dyspnea reported in 12.5 percent (n=25) of patients (vs. 5.1%; n=5).1 Terlivaz is expected to be available in the U.S. in the coming weeks. * Note, Terlivaz was not evaluated in comparison to other treatment options in a head-to-head clinical study. About Hepatorenal Syndrome (HRS)Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) involving rapid reduction in kidney function1 is an acute and life-threatening condition that occurs in people with advanced liver disease.2 HRS is classified into two distinct types a rapidly progressive type that leads to acute renal failure where patients are typically hospitalized for their care and a more chronic type that progresses over weeks to months.2 HRS involving rapid reduction in kidney function1 is estimated to affect between 30,000 and 40,000 Americans annually.9,10 If left untreated, HRS with rapid reduction in kidney function1 has a median survival time of approximately two weeks and greater than 80 percent mortality within three months.11 INDICATION AND LIMITATION OF USE TERLIVAZ is indicated to improve kidney function in adults with hepatorenal syndrome with rapid reduction in kidney function. Patients with a serum creatinine >5 mg/dL are unlikely to experience benefit. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION WARNING: SERIOUS OR FATAL RESPIRATORY FAILURE TERLIVAZ may cause serious or fatal respiratory failure. Patients with volume overload or with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) Grade 3 are at increased risk. Assess oxygenation saturation (e.g., SpO2) before initiating TERLIVAZ. Do not initiate TERLIVAZ in patients experiencing hypoxia (e.g., SpO2 Contraindications TERLIVAZ is contraindicated: In patients experiencing hypoxia or worsening respiratory symptoms. In patients with ongoing coronary, peripheral, or mesenteric ischemia. Warnings and Precautions Serious or Fatal Respiratory Failure: Obtain baseline oxygen saturation and do not initiate TERLIVAZ in hypoxic patients. Monitor patients for changes in respiratory status using continuous pulse oximetry and regular clinical assessments. Discontinue TERLIVAZ in patients experiencing hypoxia or increased respiratory symptoms. Manage intravascular volume overload by reducing or discontinuing the administration of albumin and/or other fluids and through judicious use of diuretics. Temporarily interrupt, reduce, or discontinue TERLIVAZ treatment until patient volume status improves. Avoid use in patients with ACLF Grade 3 because they are at significant risk for respiratory failure. Ineligibility for Liver Transplant: TERLIVAZ-related adverse reactions (respiratory failure, ischemia) may make a patient ineligible for liver transplantation, if listed. For patients with high prioritization for liver transplantation (e.g., MELD 35), the benefits of TERLIVAZ may not outweigh its risks. TERLIVAZ-related adverse reactions (respiratory failure, ischemia) may make a patient ineligible for liver transplantation, if listed. For patients with high prioritization for liver transplantation (e.g., MELD 35), the benefits of TERLIVAZ may not outweigh its risks. Ischemic Events: TERLIVAZ may cause cardiac, cerebrovascular, peripheral, or mesenteric ischemia. Avoid use of TERLIVAZ in patients with a history of severe cardiovascular conditions or cerebrovascular or ischemic disease. Discontinue TERLIVAZ in patients who experience signs or symptoms suggestive of ischemic adverse reactions. TERLIVAZ may cause cardiac, cerebrovascular, peripheral, or mesenteric ischemia. Avoid use of TERLIVAZ in patients with a history of severe cardiovascular conditions or cerebrovascular or ischemic disease. Discontinue TERLIVAZ in patients who experience signs or symptoms suggestive of ischemic adverse reactions. Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: TERLIVAZ may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. If TERLIVAZ is used during pregnancy, the patient should be informed of the potential risk to the fetus. Adverse Reactions The most common adverse reactions (10%) include abdominal pain, nausea, respiratory failure, diarrhea, and dyspnea. Please click here to see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning. ABOUT MALLINCKRODT Mallinckrodt is a global business consisting of multiple wholly owned subsidiaries that develop, manufacture, market and distribute specialty pharmaceutical products and therapies. The company's Specialty Brands reportable segment's areas of focus include autoimmune and rare diseases in specialty areas like neurology, rheumatology, hepatology, nephrology, pulmonology, ophthalmology, and oncology; immunotherapy and neonatal respiratory critical care therapies; analgesics; cultured skin substitutes and gastrointestinal products. Its Specialty Generics reportable segment includes specialty generic drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients. To learn more about Mallinckrodt, visit www.mallinckrodt.com. Mallinckrodt uses its website as a channel of distribution of important company information, such as press releases, investor presentations and other financial information. It also uses its website to expedite public access to time-critical information regarding the company in advance of or in lieu of distributing a press release or a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosing the same information. Therefore, investors should look to the Investor Relations page of the website for important and time-critical information. Visitors to the website can also register to receive automatic e-mail and other notifications alerting them when new information is made available on the Investor Relations page of the website. CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELATED TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSThis release includes forward-looking statements with regard to Terlivaz, including expectations with regard to its anticipated availability in the U.S and its potential impact on patients. The statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: satisfaction of regulatory and other requirements; actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities; changes in laws and regulations; issues with product quality, manufacturing or supply, or patient safety issues; and other risks identified and described in more detail in the "Risk Factors" section of Mallinckrodt's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC, all of which are available on its website. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date hereof and Mallinckrodt does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise, except as required by law. CONTACT Media InquiriesHeather GuzziSenior Vice President, Green Room Communications973-524-4112[email protected] Financial/Dailies Media InquiriesMichael Freitag / Aaron Palash / Aura ReinhardJoele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher212-355-4449 Investor RelationsDaniel J. Speciale Global Corporate Controller & Chief Investor Relations Officer 314-654-3638[email protected] Derek BelzVice President, Investor Relations314-654-3950[email protected] Mallinckrodt, the "M" brand mark and the Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals logo are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company. Other brands are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company or their respective owners. 2022 Mallinckrodt. US-2100793 09/22 References 1 Terlivaz (terlipressin) for injection [prescribing information] 2022. Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals.2 National Organization for Rare Disorders. Hepatorenal Syndrome. Available at: https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/hepatorenal-syndrome/. Accessed August 9, 2022.3 Belcher, et al. Terlipressin and the Treatment of Hepatorenal Syndrome: How the CONFIRM Trial Moves the Story Forward. Am J Kidney Dis. 2022;79(5):737-745. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2021.08.016.4 Biggins SW, Angeli P, Garcia-Tsao G, et al. Diagnosis, evaluation, and management of ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and hepatorenal syndrome: 2021 practice guidance by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Hepatology. 2021;74(2):1014-1048. doi:10.1002/HEP.31884.5 Bajaj JS, O'Leary JG, Lai JC, et al. Acute-on-chronic liver failure clinical guidelines. Am J Gastroenterol. 2022;1-28.6 Data on file Ref-05488. Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals.7 Data on file - Ref-05482. Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals.8 FDA Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee. Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Terlipressin Advisory Committee Briefing Document NDA #022231. July 2020.9 C Pant, B S Jani, M Desai, A Deshpande, Prashant Pandya, Ryan Taylor, R Gilroy, M Olyaee. Hepatorenal syndrome in hospitalized patients with chronic liver disease: results from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample 20022012. J of Investig Med. 2016; 64:3338.10 United States Census Bureau: Quick Facts. Available at: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045218. Accessed August 9, 2022.11 Flamm, S.L., Brown, K., Wadei, H.M., et al. The Current Management of Hepatorenal SyndromeAcute Kidney Injury in the United States and the Potential of Terlipressin. Liver Transpl, 2021; 27: 1191-1202. https://doi.org/10.1002/lt.26072. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mallinckrodt-receives-us-fda-approval-for-terlivaz-terlipressin-for-injection-for-the-treatment-of-hepatorenal-syndrome-hrs-301624894.html SOURCE Mallinckrodt plc Miyoko's Foodie Truck offers a one-of-a-kind tasting experience showcasing award-winning plant milk cheese & butter, making stops from Northern California to Texas SONOMA, Calif., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's finest plant milk creamery, Miyoko's Creamery, is launching their Foodie Truck Tour this fall, offering a menu of vegan dishes made with Miyoko's cheese and butter, including offerings such as cajun street corn and orzo aglio e burro made with European-Style Cultured vegan butter, margherita pizza made with their first-of-its-kind liquid cheese, caprese salad with fresh plant milk mozzarella, gourmet cheese plates featuring Double Cream Chive, Black Ash and Herbs de Provence cashew milk cheese, among other crave-worthy bites. Kicking off this month in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country, where Miyoko's Creamery is based, the truck is making stops in the Bay Area, Southern California and Arizona, before wrapping up the tour in Austin, TX in early November. Founded by iconic plant milk cheesemaker Miyoko Schinner, Miyoko's Creamery is working to bring plant milk cheese and butter to the mainstream by crafting award-winning products through time-honored techniques and the finest ingredients. Miyoko's portfolio includes European-Style Cultured vegan butter, artisan cheese wheels, liquid mozzarella specifically crafted for pizza, cream cheese, and more. The Creamery is at the forefront of using plant milk to craft cultured dairy products, resulting in cheese and butter that have rich, complex flavors and high-quality performance. A favorite amongst chefs, pizzaiolos, bakers, and home cooks alike, Miyoko's Creamery products can be used in recipes ranging from wood-fired pizza, cheesecake, brown butter mushrooms, and much more. "As a brand rooted in craft and compassion, Miyoko's is on a mission to share culinary-inspired dishes featuring our products with the masses, proving how simple and delicious eating plant-based can be. Our Foodie Truck Tour is one memorable way we're doing that," says Miyoko's Chief Marketing Officer Rusti Porter. "We're excited for the rest of the world to see what our phenomenally vegan community has known for years that our cheeses and butter are great for anyone seeking more sustainable gourmet food choices that don't compromise on delicious taste or quality." The Miyoko's Creamery Foodie Truck will be hitting up community events and festivals such as Smorgasburg Los Angeles and Austin Food & Wine Festival, while making stops at Whole Foods, Sprouts and other fine retailers. At each location, Miyoko's is offering an elevated mobile experience, with Sonoma-style yard games and special coupon giveaways, alongside chef-inspired dishes. Additionally, Miyoko's is hosting a digital sweepstakes throughout the tour, inviting one winner the opportunity to spend a weekend in the famed wine region of Sonoma, the home of where they craft the finest plant cheese and butter. To enter, head to: www.miyokos.com/foodiesweeps Specific menu items will vary at each stop and the schedule for the Foodie Truck Tour is as follows: September 15th October 15th: Southern California October 19th October 22nd: Phoenix, Arizona October 27th November 7th: Austin/San Antonio, TX For details on specific stops and hours, follow @miyokoscreamery on Instagram or visit www.miyokos.com/pages/foodie-truck-tour. Visit Miyokos.com for more information on Miyoko's Creamery. ABOUT MIYOKO'S CREAMERYMiyoko's Creamery, based in Northern California's esteemed wine country, was established in 2014 by iconic plant milk cheesemaker Miyoko (ME-YO-KO) Schinner. Known as the world's finest plant milk creamery and built on the foundations of craft and compassion, Miyoko's is the natural evolution of dairy using time-honed techniques and the finest ingredients to make a variety of award-winning artisan butters and cheeses. As a mission-driven, proudly vegan, certified B Corporation, Miyoko's believes that food unites us all, that the good life can be savored without sacrifice, and that change can be made when we recognize the connection of our plates to the world, systems, and living beings around us. With taste and performance at the forefront, Miyoko's products are perfect for all culinary and baking applications. From the much-loved vegan European-Style Cultured Butter to the highly praised Liquid Pizza Mozzarella, all offerings are a 1:1 substitution in any recipe or dish. Proudly served in world-class wineries & restaurants, Miyoko's cheese and butter are loved by chefs, pizzaiolos, cheesemongers, and sommeliers worldwide. Rapidly becoming a foodie favorite, Miyoko's products are widely available in over 20,000 retailers nationwide, including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Target, Kroger and Walmart as well as in-home delivery services like Whole Foods Market via Amazon delivery and Instacart via select retailers, as well as on Miyokos.com. Media Contact: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/miyokos-creamery-launches-foodie-truck-tour-301625655.html SOURCE Miyokos Creamery Antoni Porowski and Jonathan Van Ness Join Forces with Pet Industry Leader On A Mission to Make Pets' Mealtime Extra-Not-Ordinary LOS ANGELES, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Yummers, the new omni-channel pet lifestyle brand, has launched their first line of premium products that inspire and enable pet parents to create extra-ordinary moments with their pets. Yummers includes 18 varieties of high-quality food mix-ins for both dogs and cats, that add more flavor, variety and nutrients to pets' bowls, for a complete and healthy meal. The majority of the more than 90 million pet parents in the U.S. believe that pet parenting is not only about health but also making sure their pet is as happy as possible. Designed with that happiness in mind, Yummers amplifies pets' existing food and enhances the feeding experience with a little extra love. Yummers will help the most indulgent pet parents give their pets their best life. Rebecca Frechette Rudisch, pet and consumer products leader, joined forces with Antoni Porowski and Jonathan Van Ness, devoted pet parents and the stars of Netflix's Emmy award-winning series "Queer Eye." All were guided by their own pets and their passion for giving pets their best life. Antoni is dad to rescue pup Neon, Jonathan is the proud parent to five rescue cats and two rescue dogs, and Rebecca is mom to Will, an extraordinary Goldendoodle. "Some of the most rewarding relationships in my life have been with my pets and they have enriched my life beyond words," said Co-Founder Jonathan Van Ness. "We have bonded over our love for animals, and we want Yummers to help people give all the joy and love back to their pets that they give to us." Co-Founder Antoni Porowski echoes the same sentiment, "I'm so thrilled to partner with Jonathan and Rebecca to create Yummers, a truly unique and joyful approach to pet parenting. I am so grateful to have spent most of my life around dogs and care deeply for their nutrition and overall well-being because they have given and taught me so much. Food is all about love and connection, and I've found that it's truly one of the best ways to show how much you care about your pet." "Pets deserve an incredible life and that begins at mealtime. At Yummers, we celebrate the joy, pride and fulfillment pet parents feel when they provide the best care and life experience for their pets," said Co-Founder Rebecca Frechette Rudisch. Petco is the exclusive retailer to offer Yummers products at more than 1,000 locations and petco.com. "We're thrilled to bring even more high-quality, innovative nutrition options to our curated assortment with the introduction of the Yummers line to Petco pet care centers nationwide," said Shari White, Senior Vice President of Merchandising, Consumables, at Petco. "At Petco, we're committed to improving the lives of pets through a comprehensive, 360-degree approach to their health and wellness, and Yummers' focus on pets' nourishment, happiness and overall wellbeing is completely aligned with our mission." Many pet parents are not interested in switching their preferred food, but with Yummers they can transform any pet's meal from a boring, everyday bowl into an exciting experience. Yummers uses only the highest-quality ingredients that are grain-free and meat-first. The "Gourmet Mix-Ins" offer freeze-dried single-ingredient proteins and tender morsels in flavors such as Chicken, Beef Liver, Cheddar Cheese, Salmon & Sweet Potato and Turkey & Cranberry. The "Functional Mix-ins" supplement pets' meals with extra nutrients and address common health needs including Skin & Coat as well as Digestive and Heart. With a variety of mouth-watering flavors to choose from, Yummers offers endless ways to switch it up every day, mixing and matching flavor combinations to keep pets interested, happy and satisfied. The process is as simple as it gets - just pour the recommended serving size over the food and mix it in. Yummers products are sourced, manufactured and packaged in the USA, in a state-of-the-art facility. The brand uses sustainable printing inks and earth-friendly, PCR (post-consumer recycled) packaging to reduce landfill waste. Yummers is available for purchase at YummersPets.com, with an option to subscribe for auto-ship online. Yummers is also available on Petco.com and Petco locations nationwide. About YummersYummers launched in 2022 with the mission to make pet mealtime extra-not-ordinary with high-quality food mix-ins for a complete and healthy meal for dogs and cats. The brand is co-founded by Antoni Porowski and Jonathan Van Ness (devoted pet parents and the stars of the Netflix Emmy award-winning series Queer Eye), along with Rebecca Frechette Rudisch, pet and consumer products industry expert, and Caravan, a co-creator of companies authentically powered by the world's most iconic artists and athletes. With a guiding principle of "your pet deserves a life this good," Yummers caters to the most indulgent pet parents' desire for experiences that strengthen and express their bond with their pet. Yummers is available in tasty "Gourmet Mix-Ins" and healthy "Functional Mix-Ins" for purchase at YummersPets.com, Petco.com and more than 1,000 Petco locations nationwide. For more information, visit www.yummerspets.com. About Antoni PorowskiAntoni Porowski is a New York Times Bestselling Author and star of Netflix's Emmy Award-winning series Queer Eye. As the show's food and wine expert, the self-taught cook brings with him a lifelong passion for food. Antoni's first cookbook Antoni in the Kitchen debuted at #2 on the New York Times' Best Seller List, he later followed this up with Antoni: Let's Do Dinner in 2021. Up next, he will host and executive produce Easy-Bake Battle, a new culinary competition series which is slated to premiere on Netflix on October 12. Later this year, Antoni will appear in Focus Features' Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies alongside Jim Parsons, Sally Field and Ben Aldridge, set to release on December 2. Antoni is also developing a feature film for Netflix with Black-ish creator Kenya Barris loosely based on Antoni's real-life dating experiences as a sexually fluid man entitled Girls and Boys. Born in Canada to European emigrants, Antoni is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights everywhere, especially his family's native Poland where he serves on the board of the Equaversity Foundation which was established to organize international fundraising to support the LGBTQ+ community in Poland. About Jonathan Van NessJonathan Van Ness is an Emmy-nominated television personality, 2x New York Times best-selling author, podcaster, comedian and hairstylist to the stars. He stars on Netflix's Emmy Award-winning reboot series Queer Eye, where he shines as the hair guru and self-care advocate, and he is the host and executive producer of the Netflix series Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness, based on Jonathan's popular podcast of the same name, a weekly exploration of all the things Jonathan is curious about. In September 2019, he released his revelatory memoir, Over The Top: A Raw Journey To Self-Love, a New York Times Best-Seller. Over The Top won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Memoir & Autobiography and has been named a must-read book by The New York Times, TIME Magazine and NPR to name a few. His second book, Love That Story: Observations From A Gorgeously Queer Life, was released April 2022 and is a New York Times Best-Seller. In 2021 Jonathan launched JVN Hair, a haircare line that combines the best in effective and clean ingredients, creating an innovative, first of its kind haircare collection that celebrates hair health and the uniqueness of each person. His first worldwide comedy tour, Jonathan Van Ness: Road to Beijing sold out theaters in 40 cities in the US, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. His new comedy tour, Imaginary Living Room Olympian is currently running in the US and abroad. About Rebecca Frechette RudischAs CEO and Co-Founder of Yummers, Rebecca Frechette Rudisch brings more than 25 years of experience in creating, building and scaling disruptor consumer brands across pet, nutrition, beauty, food & beverage, and many other categories. Rebecca built her career as a consultant, then a merchant leader in several high-profile retailers including: Petco, Target, Best Buy, 7-Eleven and H-E-B. As Senior Vice President, Head of Own Brand at H-E-B, Rebecca led all aspects of a $9 billion private brand business for stores and digital channels. At Petco Health & Wellness, Rebecca served as Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising & Marketing Officer, where she led merchandising, marketing, product innovation, design & development and sourcing. Prior to this, Rebecca was Senior Vice President of Merchandising at 7-Eleven, Inc., held a number of leadership positions at Target Corporation, and spent eight years at Andersen Consulting / Accenture, where she worked extensively with Best Buy and others. Rebecca also serves on the Boards of Pet Honesty, a $85M pet supplement company, Smart Sweets, a $110M better-for-you candy brand, and Mikuna, a $2M plant protein company. In this capacity, she helps each company build a compelling brand and go-to-market strategy that engages their customers across all channels. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-pet-lifestyle-brand-yummers-launches-301625038.html SOURCE Yummers WASSERBILLIG, Luxembourg Pjur on Thursday announced that as part of its brand refresh that it is introducing new colors and images that the company is using to reposition itself after 27 years. The brand doesnt just have a new logo, new claim, and more defined vision and mission. The colors and images that pjur will use to shape its designs and communication in the future have also changed. Pjur has chosen a completely new color palette, in addition to placing greater emphasis on shapes and using images that represent a lights on/lights off perspective. The new pjur color palette combines "radiant colors with limitless color gradients." This includes a soft white, an intimate black and pjur yellow. The pjur color gradient runs through six different colors that cover all types of love, cultures and emotions. They are all at the same saturation level "to forge a sense of belonging to each other," the company said. "The new fluid shapes visualize the curiosity and enthusiasm for the magic sparked by pjur personal lubricant," the company explained. "The color gradients themselves stand for diversity and openness. The shapes can all be adapted from a circle, like a soap bubble. In terms of its iconography, the soap bubble stands for fascination, lightness and unlimited dreams." The company continued, "pjur stands for respect, so pjur switches the light on, demonstrating that no one needs to hide their sexual desires and preferences. That is why pjur visualizes authentic and natural sexuality with the lights on image world in photos from real life of positive people with a natural look, in natural situations with natural lighting. Light, indirect and soft light meets intimate and emotional moments. "pjur turns the light off to show the mysterious and delightful side of pjur, with intimate situations and body parts photographed in high contrast." Check out the brands new look at pjur.com. Class A Multi-Tenant Industrial Building is Expected to Deliver in August 2023 JLL Will Serve as Owner's Leasing Representative JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, North Signal is pleased to announce that onsite construction activity is underway on its fully-entitled light-industrial zoned, 40-acre land parcel. This announcement follows the creation of a new joint venture between North Signal Capital and Fox Capital Partners, and the acquisition of the land in March of this year. North Signal's planned +/- 422,136 SF, Class A multi-tenant industrial building, located at 1000 Imeson Park Boulevard in the Imeson Park submarket of Jacksonville, FL, is expected to deliver in August 2023. The North Signal planned building, designed for multiple tenants, will match the same Class A standards employed across all of its projects. The facility will be designed to highest institutional standards including tilt-up concrete construction, 36-foot clear height, ESFR sprinkler systems, and includes an above-market 180 striped trailer parking spaces (~43/100,000 SF). To facilitate immediate occupancy North Signal is constructing two (2) 1,000 SF speculative offices at each corner of the building, 25 FC LED Lighting for bulk storage, and purchasing a mix of 35,000 and 40,000 lbs. mechanical dock levelers for all dock-high doors and seals for installation at completion. The project will also benefit from a cohesive design and construction teams. The construction team will be led by Evans General Contractors and include LS3P, England-Thims & Miller (ETM), LJB, and OMNI Partners. North Signal has developed or is developing nearly six million square feet in Charleston, SC, Savannah, GA and Jacksonville, FL with nearly the same key project team. JLL will be the listing agent on the planned spec building. North Signal has partnered again with Synovus Bank to provide construction financing for the project. "We are excited construction is underway at 1000 Imeson Park Boulevard. Industrial vacancy rates in Jacksonville are approximately 3.0% and the market continues to have exceptional tenant demand. The Port of Jacksonville continues its expansion and population growth is expected to drive net in migration of ~75 people to Jacksonville every day for next 5 years. Further, corporate users are continuing to choose Jacksonville over markets with higher taxes, higher costs of doing business and higher costs of living. As a result, more industrial development is needed. North Signal expects to address Class A space requirements between 80,000 and 150,000 SF. These industrial needs are in particularly short supply across Jacksonville" said Luke Pope, Senior Managing Director, JLL. North Signal will be represented by Luke Pope and Ross Crabtree at JLL. For more information on this project please visit, www.imesoncommerce.com. About North Signal Capital LLCNorth Signal Capital LLC is a real estate investment firm that develops, owns and manages functional, flexible and strategically located distribution and manufacturing facilities in the Southeastern US. For more information regarding North Signal Capital LLC, please visit www.northsignal.com. About Fox Capital PartnersFox Capital Partners is a real estate investment firm focused exclusively on the industrial sector. Fox Capital manages a series of discretionary funds and separate accounts which invest alongside trusted developers and operators on institutional grade industrial developments and value-add acquisitions. For additional information, please visit www.foxcapitalpartners.com. About JLLJLL is a Fortune 500 financial and professional services company specializing in real estate. The company offers comprehensive integrated services on a local, regional, and global basis to owner, occupier, investor, and developer clients seeking increased value by owning, occupying, or investing in real estate. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/north-signal-capital-announces-commencement-of-construction-on-422-000-sf-multi-tenant-speculative-building-in-imeson-park-submarket-of-jacksonville-fl-301624805.html SOURCE North Signal Capital LLC Monetary Support and Product Donation Furthers Physician Training and Practice in Procedures Aiding in Lung Cancer Staging and Diagnosis CENTER VALLEY, Pa., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Olympus Corporation of the Americas Grants Committee recently approved a grant to The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) for monetary support and a product donation that will help build the physician trainee pipeline in interventional pulmonology and ensure physician proficiency in key pulmonary specialties. This grant helps advance evidence-based medical education for the purpose of improving public health. The monetary donation funded the purchase of educational simulators for training physicians in both EBUS (Endobronchial Ultrasound) and Radial EBUS. The current CHEST lung cancer screening guidelines recommend EBUS with transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) as the best first procedure for locating and sampling pulmonary lesions to diagnose and stage diseasei following screening with a low-dose CT (computed tomography) scan. The product donation to the CHEST Training Center, valued at just over $1 million, includes many of the tools and devices necessary to diagnose and stage lung cancer, including the SPiN Thoracic Navigation System which was a part of the recent Olympus acquisition of Veran Medical Technologies. "Olympus highly values its relationships with medical societies, and we are very pleased to continue our support of education for pulmonologists," said Jovan Reyerson, Vice President for Medical and Scientific Affairs at Olympus Corporation. "As medical technologies advance, so do opportunities to improve patient care. Through this grant to CHEST, Olympus is helping ensure physicians learn the methods and techniques for using these technologies to treat patients." The largest number of CHEST course offerings, both at the annual meeting and at their Simulation Center, are in bronchoscopy. "Interventional pulmonology is a growing specialty within pulmonary medicine, and so we're seeing increasing interest in our bronchoscopy courses," said Richard Schuch, Ed.D., Chief Learning Officer and Senior Vice President of Education with the American College of Chest Physicians. "We are grateful to Olympus for their continued support, which is helping us to meet the educational needs of physicians nationwide." Through its portfolio of products, Olympus is committed to improving the care pathway for patients with lung diseases. The company's minimally invasive technologies are intended to advance the standard of care for detecting and diagnosing diseases and disorders. Both the SPiN Thoracic Navigation System and radial EBUS (endobronchial ultrasound) procedures are designed for locating and sampling peripheral lung nodules. The EBUS-TBNA procedure uses a bronchoscope equipped with ultrasound capability designed to visualize lymph nodes beyond the bronchus and determine their exact location for needle aspiration. To learn more about Olympus' Grants program, visit olympusamerica.com/grants. About Olympus Olympus is passionate about the solutions it creates for the medical industry. For more than 100 years, Olympus has focused on making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling by helping detect, prevent, and treat disease. Olympus Corporation is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with more than 31,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries. Olympus Corporation of the Americas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Olympus Corporation, is headquartered in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, USA, and employs more than 5,100 employees throughout locations in North and South America. About the American College of Chest Physicians The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) is the global leader in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of chest diseases. Its mission is to champion advanced clinical practice, education, communication and research in chest medicine. It serves as an essential connection to clinical knowledge and resources for its 19,000+ members from around the world who provide patient care in pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine. For information about the American College of Chest Physicians, and its flagship journal CHEST, visit chestnet.org. i Silvestri G A, Gonzalez A V, Jantz M A, Margolis M L, Gould M K, Tanoue L T, et al. Methods for staging non-small cell lung cancer: Diagnosis and management of lung cancer, 3rd ed: American College of Chest Physicians evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest 2013;143:e211S-e250S. doi: 10.1378/chest.12-2355. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/olympus-grant-to-chest-supports-medical-education-for-bronchoscopy-301624604.html SOURCE Olympus U.S. Department of Agriculture's multibillion-dollar investment will expand markets for climate-smart commodities, leverage the greenhouse gas benefits of climate-smart commodity production and provide direct agricultural benefits EAU CLAIRE, Wis., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With the backdrop of cows grazing pasture at the Anibas family organic dairy farm, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack highlighted today historic investments to support projects building farmer resiliency to combat the climate crisis and strengthen rural America. Up to $2.8 billion through 70 projects spanning the agricultural industry were initially selected as part of the Partnership for Climate Smart Commodities funding opportunity, including multiple projects in Wisconsin and Minnesota. The grant provides resources to accelerate 1,200 new carbon reduction and removal projects on 500 Organic Valley farms. The USDA partnership program included a $25 million award to the cooperative headquartered in rural Wisconsin under the project name: Organic Valley Carbon Insetting Program: Building a Multi-stakeholder Path to Produce, Market and Promote Climate-Smart Commodities Across the U.S. The grant is focused on helping small organic family farms establish and measure on-farm practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The grant will provide technical and financial resources to accelerate the adoption of 1,200 new carbon reduction and removal projects on 500 Organic Valley member-farms across rural America over the next five years. For Organic Valley, this builds on a new study in the August issue of the Journal of Cleaner Production that shows how organic dairy farming can store carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Through this program, Organic Valley will include direct farmer payments for carbon reduction and removal, as well as cost-share for design and implementation of climate-smart agriculture practices. Climate Smart Practices included in Organic Valley's Carbon Insetting Program include improvements to grazing, pasture and croplands, manure management, feed supplements, agroforestry and solar energy. "Through Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, USDA is delivering on our promise to build and expand market opportunities for American agriculture and be global leaders in climate-smart agricultural production," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "I'm glad to have the opportunity to join stakeholders at Organic Valley to highlight our strong partnership in increasing the competitive advantage of U.S agriculture, building wealth that stays in rural communities, and supporting new revenue streams for America's climate-smart producers." The funding will provide the resources needed to scale the Organic Valley Carbon Insetting Program (OV-CIP) from a one-year pilot to a full multi-year program. With funding from USDA and in partnership with more than 20 climate-smart grant partners, this award helps Organic Valley work to achieve carbon neutrality without the use of carbon offsets. The resulting carbon reductions and removals will be applied to Organic Valley-branded products and will help lower the carbon footprint of dairy and eggs. A portion of the carbon insets will also be shared with participating ingredient supply chain partners and applied to their products and climate goals. "Facing the increasing impacts of the climate crisis, this action from the USDA is vital for the future of farming in the U.S. to weather the current and coming storms. This strategic funding offered by USDA allows us and others to innovate in a meaningful way with farmers and bring to the market climate friendly food," said Nicole Rakobitsch, director of sustainability at Organic Valley. "Organic Valley is creating a model approach to reducing carbon emissions, and we believe that model can be replicated across the food sector. As we advance carbon insetting, we will share our learnings and best practices. Ultimately, we are excited to offer consumers the products they are demanding in the marketplace: dairy and eggs with a low carbon footprint." As part of Organic Valley's mission, this project will bring increased resources to small family farms. A large portion of participating farms will meet the USDA definition of a Underserved Producer, with a focus on Limited Resource Farmers and Beginning Farmers. Organic Valley will continue working to expand its carbon insetting program while building a stronger foundation for regional farm diversity and climate resilience. About Organic Valley Organic Valley is passionate about doing what's right for people, animals and earth and is committed to bringing ethically made organic food to families everywhere. Organic Valley is the largest farmer-owned organic cooperative in the U.S. and one of the world's largest organic consumer brands. Founded in 1988 to sustain family farms through organic farming, the cooperative represents nearly 1,800 farmers in 34 U.S. states, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit ov.coop/impact. Organic Valley is also @OrganicValley on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Media Contact: Joshua Fairfield[email protected] 608-632-9157 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/organic-valley-receives-grant-as-part-of-historic-investment-by-the-usda-to-help-combat-the-climate-crisis-301625793.html SOURCE Organic Valley C-Path, NORD and FDA hosted an annual workshop September 13-14 to spotlight the impact of their innovative data and analytics platform on rare disease drug development TUCSON, Ariz. and WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rare Disease Cures Accelerator-Data and Analytics Platform initiative (RDCA-DAP) hosted an all-day workshop and annual meeting September 13 and 14 in Washington. The in-person and livestream event for rare disease stakeholders featured expert presentations, panel discussions, platform demonstrations, and was attended by more than 200 patients, researchers, clinicians, biopharmaceutical company representatives, regulatory reviewers, and scientists. RDCA-DAP was established through a partnership between Critical Path Institute (C-Path), National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has grown to include dozens of collaborations between a variety of stakeholders throughout the rare disease community. The platform serves as a centralized and standardized infrastructure to host integrated and shared data and to support and accelerate rare disease medical product development. The workshop's keynote address was delivered by Theresa Mullin, Ph.D., Associate Director for Strategic Initiatives, FDA, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). "Building this platform was about better informing drug development programs to get drugs that are effective and safe to patients with rare diseases as soon as possible and as efficiently as possible," Mullin said. "It's taken a multistakeholder effort and now we're seeing tools and learnings that can be shared across rare diseases." The keynote was followed by a panel discussion on the impact of RDCA-DAP, which featured representatives from each organization engaged in this effort: Klaus Romero, M.D., M.S. F.C.P. and Alexandre Betourne, Ph.D., Pharm.D., from C-Path; Pamela Gavin, MBA, from NORD; and Theresa Mullin, Michelle Campbell, Ph.D., and Billy Dunn, M.D., from FDA. Additional key speakers and panelists were featured from industry, academia and patient organizations. The robust agenda included case studies shared by users of the platform, sessions covering critical topics on the impact of RDCA-DAP on accelerating drug development for rare diseases, as well as active discussions around data sharing, privacy and standards, and much more. A significant portion of the agenda featured case studies on the use of the platform to further clinical research in sickle cell disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Friedreich's ataxia and transplant therapeutics. Following a press release by the FDA on Wednesday, C-Path announced it will serve as the convener of the Critical Path for Rare Neurodegenerative Diseases (CP-RND), a new public-private partnership (PPP) to benefit people across multiple rare neurodegenerative diseases.https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-and-nih-launch-public-private-partnership-rare-neurodegenerative-diseases "This year's RDCA-DAP annual workshop marked not only a return to in-person meetings, but also the strengthening of collaborations between RDCA-DAP across multiple rare diseases, with significant impact on accelerating medical product development," said C-Path Chief Science Officer and Executive Director of Clinical Pharmacology Klaus Romero. "As we look to next year, RDCA-DAP will leverage all of its strengths to contribute to the success of the new PPP for rare neurodegenerative diseases." NORD's Aliza Fink, D.Sc. and Ed Neilan, M.D., Ph.D., gave a presentation titled Centrality of Patient Advocacy Organizations in Accelerating Treatments for Rare Disease, and the first day concluded with a panel on the future impact of RDCA-DAP. As part of the program for the second day of the conference, in-person participants attended breakout sessions on the role of RDCA-DAP in innovating data standards and data stewardship, regulatory science in rare diseases, and a practical session on how to use the platform. Presentations throughout the event emphasized how RDCA-DAP continuously integrates data and breaks down silos, provides insight into the platform's development and testing and showcased the importance of RDCA-DAP from the perspective of critical stakeholders, including academic, clinical, regulatory and patient communities. "There are many things that make rare diseases unique. The most obvious is that there are so few patients that can be studied which makes running clinical trials challenging," said Ed Neilan, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer, NORD. "It's a special shame when data that gets collected then becomes siloed. Patients and patient advocates want desperately for the data they contribute to be used to its fullest extent. For this reason, it's vital that tools like the RDCA-DAP exist. RDCA-DAP is in a favorable position as it's being co-developed by the FDA and is a prime locus for all rare disease data collection." A total of 28 speakers and panelists from patient organizations and regulatory, industry, and academic fields participated in the workshop. A recording of the workshop presentations and panel discussions will be available on C-Path's YouTube channel in the coming weeks. RDCA-DAP released a new video resource at the end of the workshop entitled Data Literacy, watch it on the NORD Video Library. To request access to RDCA-DAP, apply directly on the platform. To submit critical rare disease data, contact the project team at [email protected] or visit the website. About C-Path Critical Path Institute (C-Path) is an independent, nonprofit organization established in 2005 as a public and private partnership. C-Path's mission is to catalyze the development of new approaches that advance medical innovation and regulatory science, accelerating the path to a healthier world. An international leader in forming collaborations, C-Path has established numerous global consortia that currently include more than 1,600 scientists from government and regulatory agencies, academia, patient organizations, disease foundations, and hundreds of pharmaceutical and biotech companies. C-Path U.S. is headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, C-Path in Europe is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands and C-Path Ltd. operates from Dublin, Ireland with additional staff in multiple other locations. For more information, visit c-path.org. Critical Path Institute is supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and is 54.2% funded by the FDA/HHS, totaling $13,239,950, and 45.8% funded by non-government source(s), totaling $11,196,634. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, FDA/HHS or the U.S. Government. About National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is the leading independent advocacy organization representing all patients and families affected by rare diseases in the United States. NORD began as a small group of patient advocates that formed a coalition to unify and mobilize support to pass the Orphan Drug Act of 1983. Since then, the organization has led the way in voicing the needs of the rare disease community, driving supportive policies, furthering education, advancing medical research, and providing patient and family services for those who need them most. Together with over 300 disease-specific member organizations, more than 17,000 Rare Action Network advocates across all 50 states, and national and global partners, NORD delivers on its mission to improve the lives of those impacted by rare diseases. Visit rarediseases.org. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rare-disease-workshop-highlights-the-importance-of-data-sharing-in-drug-development-301625739.html SOURCE National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) BRUSSELS, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The cities shortlisted for the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2023 award were announced today by the European Commission. Presented in alphabetical order, Aarhus (Denmark), Gijon (Spain), Pafos (Cyprus), Porto (Portugal), San Sebastian (Spain), Seville (Spain), Zagreb (Croatia) are the finalists selected from 29 candidates from 13 countries. A short profile of each shortlisted city can be found here The competition was open to cities across the EU and the non-EU countries that take part in the COSME programme[1]. The applications were evaluated by a rigorous panel of independent experts. Applicants with the highest overall score across all categories made the cut. As a next step, the shortlisted cities will be invited to present their candidatures in front of a European Jury, who will select the 2023 European Capitals of Smart Tourism. Coming with the title of 2023 European Capital of Smart Tourism, communication and branding support throughout 2023 will be provided to the winners. This includes a promotional video, a specially designed hashtag sculpture for the city to display, and tailored promotional actions designed to increase visibility at EU and global level and increase the number of visitors. Since 2018, the competition has provided a platform to showcase outstanding practices and success stories. The victors from previous editions Helsinki and Lyon (2019), Malaga and Gothenburg (2020), Valencia and Bordeaux (2022) are role models for smart tourism in Europe and top international rankings of sustainability, innovation, livability, and integration of smart practices. About the initiative The European Capital of Smart Tourism is an EU initiative, currently financed under the COSME Programme, that aims to promote smart tourism in the EU by rewarding cities for their pioneering smart tourism approaches in accessibility, digitalisation, sustainability, and cultural heritage and creativity. Built on the successful experience of a preparatory action proposed by the European Parliament, the initiative seeks to foster innovative, sustainable, and inclusive tourism development, as well as spread and facilitate the exchange of best practices. Smart tourism practices in Europe implemented by the applicants of the 2022 competition can be found in the 'Leading Examples of Smart Tourism Practices in Europe' report. Likewise, delegates from the European Capitals of Smart Tourism competition winners, shortlisted cities, and EU Commission's representatives discuss in the EU Smart Tourism Podcast series the role of the European Capital of Smart Tourism competition in driving the smart tourism innovation and examine smart tourism practices that are shaping the future in Europe. For the latest updates on the European Capital of Smart Tourism, follow us on our website, Facebook, or Twitter, and subscribe to our Podcast series in Spotify and Amazon Music. For further press information, contact: European Capital of Smart Tourism Secretariat:Sandra Bumbar-Malchow Antigoni Avgeropoulou, [email protected], +49 (0) 30 70 01 86 390 Notes to Editors 1. The 2023 European Capital of Smart Tourism competition was open to submissions from 31 March 2022 to 1 June 2022. Terms and conditions are available at https://smarttourismcapital.eu/. 2. Smart tourism responds to new challenges and demands in a fast-changing sector, including the expectation of digital information, products, and services; equal opportunities and access for all visitors; sustainable development of the local area; and support to creative industries and local talent. 3. In 2021, from amongst 30 EU cities which applied, Bordeaux and Valencia were selected as the European Capitals of Smart Tourism 2022. In 2019, amongst 35 EU cities which applied, Malaga and Gothenburg stood out and were selected as the European Capitals of Smart Tourism 2020. In 2018, amongst 38 EU cities, Helsinki and Lyon stood out and were selected the European Capitals of Smart Tourism 2019. Watch the Smart Tourism Capitals video for Bordeaux and Valencia. -------- [1] Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, and United Kingdom (https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/49405). The EU stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Ukrainian cities retain the right to apply to the opportunities offered by the COSME programme. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seven-shortlisted-cities-for-the-2023-european-capital-of-smart-tourism-title-301625628.html SOURCE European Capital of Smart Tourism DOVER, Del., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE: CPK) subsidiary Sharp Energy celebrated the opening of a new fueling station in Dunn, North Carolina, on Wednesday, Sept. 14, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The facility is the first Sharp AutoGas fueling station dispensing propane autogas in North Carolina. The newly constructed fueling station is located at 17220 U.S. Route 421 in Dunn, North Carolina, and is one of 60 propane fueling stations operated by Sharp AutoGas. Other stations are in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Florida. Propane autogas is a cleaner-burning alternative vehicle fuel that substantially reduces greenhouse gases and other harmful emissions when compared to gasoline or diesel fuel. The Company first expanded its operating footprint into the Carolinas in December when its propane subsidiary, Sharp Energy, acquired the propane operating assets of Diversified Energy Company. In June, Sharp Energy acquired the propane operating assets of Davenport Energy's Siler City propane division, further expanding into North Carolina. "We are excited to expand our propane autogas offerings to North Carolina. This new fueling station will provide a lower emissions fuel option for truck fleets and other vehicles that operate in the area," said Andrew Hesson, vice president of propane operations. The ribbon-cutting event included representatives from the North Carolina Energy Policy Council, Dunn Chamber of Commerce and the North Carolina Technical Education Center, among others. As part of the Company's mission, Chesapeake Utilities strives to make life better for the people and communities where its employees live, work and serve. During the grand opening event, Chesapeake Utilities announced a $5,000 donation to the Beacon Rescue Mission in Dunn, North Carolina. The organization provides food, shelter and clothing to the homeless in Harnett County. About Sharp Energy Sharp Energy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, headquartered in Georgetown, Delaware, distributes propane to residential, commercial and industrial customers in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Florida. With multiple rail facilities and approximately nine million gallons of propane storage, Sharp Energy has established a solid supply portfolio. Sharp Energy is a proud partner of Alliance AutoGas, a national network of companies that have joined together to deliver a comprehensive alternative fueling solution including EPA-certified propane AutoGas vehicle conversions, on-site fueling infrastructure, fuel supply, safety and operational training, and ongoing technical support. To learn more about Sharp Energy, visit www.sharpenergy.com. About Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified energy delivery company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Chesapeake Utilities Corporation offers sustainable energy solutions through its natural gas transmission and distribution, electricity generation and distribution, propane gas distribution, mobile compressed natural gas utility services and solutions, and other businesses. For more information, visit www.chpk.com. Please note that Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is not affiliated with Chesapeake Energy, an oil and natural gas exploration company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. For more information, contact: Brianna PattersonManager, Public Relations and Strategic Communications419-314-1233[email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sharp-energy-expands-further-into-north-carolina-with-new-sharp-autogas-fueling-station-301625788.html SOURCE Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Part of Wirex's Women in Crypto campaign aiming to recognise women in the crypto industry Returns for third year in partnership with The Cryptonomist To recognise women with unique achievements, Wirex introduced three additional awards Launching the same day as live event with six highly respected females from the crypto sector presenting LONDON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Wirex, the leading payments platform, has announced the launch of the 2022 Rising Women in Crypto Power List initiative following last year's success. In partnership with major crypto publication, The Cryptonomist, Wirex has opened nominations to find the 13 most prominent female leaders working in the crypto sphere. The Power List was launched in 2020 as a part of Wirex's Women in Crypto campaign. It aims to recognise females working in the space, celebrate their achievements, and demonstrate to others the opportunities that lie in the crypto sector for males and female alike. The campaign aligns with Wirex's core mission to make crypto more inclusive. They've brought crypto into everyday life for over 5 million customers, having been the world's first company to develop a crypto-enabled debit card and crypto rewards scheme, Cryptoback. Since launch, the Power List has received nearly 600 nominations from more than 50 countries. With the crypto and blockchain sectors evolving at an astronomical rate, it's vital for Wirex to develop the Power List each year to reflect these changes. For 2022's Power List, Wirex introduced three additional awards to recognise women in a specific way: Social media influencer of the year for those using the power of social media to influence others for those using the power of social media to influence others Newcomer of the year - for someone that's been in the crypto sector for less than three years for someone that's been in the crypto sector for less than three years Young Ukrainian of the year - showing the company's support and solidarity following the Russian government's invasion of Ukraine Lottie Wells, Senior PR & Events Manager, who has been involved in the campaign since inception, commented: "Our core goal is to empower everyone to benefit from crypto, and it's clear that female employees play a vital role in this. Now in its third year, the Women in Crypto campaign has had an overwhelmingly positive response from the industry for celebrating females working in the sector." She explained how the campaign has grown: "In 2021, we launched our first live event, and this year, we've added three more awards to Power List. The company is proud to have an above industry average gender split, many of whom are from Kyiv, and so we've introduced a new award to recognise a Ukrainian woman achieving incredible things in the crypto space." Entries this year are open from 15th September until the 18th October. A renowned panel of judges will decide the 13 finalists who will be announced on the 8th November. Individuals can nominate themselves or someone they know, with judging criteria based on their achievements, potential, influence, ambition, leadership skills and innovation, and prizes awarded in crypto. The Power List will launch on the same day as Wirex's event, 'Women in Crypto: How will Web 3 and the Metaverse affect you?' which will be livestreamed from tech accelerator, Level39 on 15th September, 5pm BST. It will feature quick-fire presentations from 6 female crypto leaders, who will demystify the idea of the metaverse and Web 3 and give unique insights into how it affects everyday users. Throughout the campaign, Wirex will release a series of new, exciting content to educate women about the opportunities within the crypto sector. This includes an article about what it's like to work in crypto amidst war, the inside scoop on working in Wirex's various departments, and educational content about getting started in the crypto and DeFi space. To nominate yourself or someone you know for the Power List, visit: https://wirexapp.com/women-in-crypto To register for a free ticket to the livestream, sign up at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/women-in-crypto-how-will-web-3-and-the-metaverse-affect-you-livestream-tickets-391543606467 To view the new and unique content on the Women in Crypto blog, visit: https://wirexapp.com/blog/category/women-in-crypto-0009 T&Cs can be found here: https://community.wirexapp.com/t/join-our-2022-women-in-crypto-event/38919 Notes to editors: About WirexWirex is a worldwide digital payment platform and regulated institution that has forged new rules in the digital payments space. In 2015, the firm developed the world's first crypto-enabled payment card that gives users the ability to seamlessly spend crypto and traditional currencies in real life.Wirex was created in 2014 by CEOs and co-founders Pavel Matveev and Dmitry Lazarichev, who identified the need to open up the esoteric world of cryptocurrencies and make digital money accessible for everyone. With the core aim of making it as easy as possible to use digital assets in everyday life, Wirex provides a trusted and cost-effective service for crypto and traditional currency transactions by incorporating the next generation of payments infrastructure integrated with cryptocurrency blockchains.With over 5 million customers across 130 countries, the company offers secure accounts that allow customers to easily store, buy and exchange multiple currencies instantly at the best live rates on one centralised mobile app. Quick and simple crypto transfer options are available, as well as the freedom to spend 150+ traditional and cryptocurrencies in more than 80 million locations around the world using the Wirex card.Wirex continues to develop the product in line with market developments, whilst adhering to regional regulations and securing appropriate licensing where it exists. A proven industry pioneer, Wirex launched their own native utility token, WXT, and introduced the world's first crypto reward programme, Cryptoback, which earns cardholders up to 8% back in WXT for every transaction they make.To reflect the growth of the metaverse, throughout 2021, the company has expanded their product to enable mainstream access to DeFi. Starting with the launch of their popular X-Accounts feature, offering unprecedented levels of interest, Wirex has continued to add to their DeFi arsenal with the release of the non-custodial Wirex Wallet and a partnership with Nereus, a decentralised liquidity market provider. Wirex is based in London, with offices in Singapore, Kyiv, Dallas, Dublin and Atlanta. With over $5bn worth of transactions processed already and rapid expansion into new territories, including the US, Wirex is uniquely placed to support and promote the mass adoption of a cashless society through creative solutions. Starting from February 2022, Wirex donates all the revenue earned from in-app transactions to Ukraine humanitarian efforts. The company's largest office is based in Kyiv and Wirex stands with everyone affected by the war. As a long supporter of democratising access to crypto, Wirex's 'Women in Crypto' campaign was created in 2020 and endeavoured to recognise talented female leaders working in the sphere. With the core aim of celebrating women in the crypto sector and encouraging others to get involved, they launched the 'Rising Women in Crypto Power List', asking for nominations of women that had done incredible things in the crypto sector. Having a large percentage of female employees at the company, this initiative is close to their hearts and they hope to continue for years to come. | wirexapp.com | About The Cryptonomist We are happy to announce a media partnership with The Cryptonomist for this year's Women in Crypto campaign.The Cryptonomist is a punctual and rigorous information site to offer news and updates to its readers, but also authoritative in having opinions and making a disclosure on the most innovative aspects of the crypto economy. It aims to become the most authoritative online newspaper in Italian and English and narrate an economic and technological revolution that conquers more and more spaces and consents compared to traditional models of production and exchange. Written in a simple and captivating way, The Cryptonomist also provides videos and insights on the most current topics made by leading experts in the field. The Cryptonomist is also a marketing agency, helping crypto and fintech companies and start-ups to advertise their projects. With more than 1 million readers per month, the publication is leading the Italian and Swiss media market. | https://en.cryptonomist.ch/ | View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wirex-launches-2022-rising-women-in-crypto-power-list-in-partnership-with-the-cryptonomist-301624143.html SOURCE Wirex 'Saucesicles' celebrate the saucy side of iconic chicken brand ATHENS, Ga., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Zaxby's, the premium quick-service restaurant, beloved for its Chicken Fingerz, wings and legendary Zax Sauce, has partnered with Alabama-based gourmet popsicle brand Frios to introduce sauce-flavored popsicles. Zaxby's 'Saucesicles' will be available for FREE on Sept. 19 online through saucesicles.com, first come first served, while supplies last. The frozen treat will feature two of the brand's boldest sauces: Zax Sauce and Tongue Torch. "Saucesicles were created for our most loyal fans that can't get enough of our signature sauces. The collaboration with Frios is built on flavor, bringing together two iconic Southern brands," said Patrick Schwing, chief marketing and strategy officer at Zaxby's. The Saucesicles come in two flavors: Zax Sauce and Tongue Torch. The Zax Sauce-flavored Saucesicle features all the sweet and tangy and creamy flavors created by the secret blend of spices, black pepper and Worcestershire Sauce. The Tongue Torch Saucesicle is a mild heat tomato pop with notes of garlic, paprika, turmeric and a hint of lime. Zaxby's has renamed the month of September 'Saucetember' to highlight the brand's proprietary portfolio of 12 dipping and tossing sauces. Zaxby's is celebrating 'Saucetember' by treating its loyal fan base to this saucy goodness on a stick. Saucesicles come in packs of eight and are limited to one order per person. States excluded from shipping include Alaska, California, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington. For fans who might miss out on the spicy-saucy treat, Zaxby's will also offer a Buy-One-Get-One-Half-Off (BOGOHO) Boneless Wings Meal Deal with wings tossed in one of Zaxby's eight sauces, when ordering through the app on September 27. "Partnering with Zaxby's on this one-of-a-kind project has been a fantastic opportunity, bringing to life Zaxby's unique idea for a new offering of their sauces," Cliff Kennedy, CEO and founder of Frios added. About Zaxby's Founded in 1990, Zaxby's is committed to serving delicious chicken fingers, wings, sandwiches and salads with Southern hospitality and a modern twist. For the second year in a row, Zaxby's iconic Signature Sandwich has won Thrillist's 2022 Fasties Award for Best Fried Chicken Sandwich. Zaxby's has grown to more than 900 locations in 17 states and is headquartered in Athens, Georgia. For more information, visit zaxbys.com or zaxbysfranchising.com. Media Contact: TombrasJacob Teetzmann +1.423.494.3673[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zaxbys-and-frios-drop-sauce-flavored-popsicles-for-saucetember-301625454.html SOURCE Zaxby's Filed by Ambipar Emergency Response Pursuant to Rule 425 of the Securities Act of 1933, and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Subject Company: HPX Corp. (SEC File No.: 001-39382) On September 14, 2022, Ambipar Participacoes e Empreendimentos S.A. (Ambipar) announced the acquisition of 100% of the capital stock of Witt O'Brien's. Excerpts of this announcement relating to Emergencia Participacoes S.A. (Ambipar Response) are set forth below. Ambipar Announces Acquisition of Witt O'Brien's Sao Paulo, Brazil September 14, 2022 Ambipar announces the signing of the agreement related to the acquisition of 100% of the shares of Witt O'Brien's (WOB) for cash, through its direct subsidiary Ambipar Response. The completion of the acquisition is subject, among other factors, to compliance with certain usual conditions precedent and is estimated to close within a 60 day period. Created through the 2012 merger of O'Brien's Response Management and Witt Associates, WOB is a global leader in the crisis and emergency management industry for blue-chip corporate clients and emergency and resilience programs for the public sector. O'Brien's Response Management was founded in 1983 and helped manage major emergencies such as Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon. Witt Associates, founded in 2001, helped governments manage recovery from disasters, including Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. In 2021, WOB earned US$ 191.9 million (R$ 1.034 billion1) in revenue and posted EBITDA of US$ 34.0 million (R$ 183.3 million1). In the corporate segment, WOB serves more than 1,200 customers and enjoys an attractive margin profile along with sustainable subscription-type revenues. Historically, this segment had a churn rate of less than 5%. Recent customers include 31 Fortune 100 companies, many of which are leaders in the oil, transportation, energy, media, and technology industries. WOB's presence in the public sector is strategic as it reinforces Ambipar Response's position in the U.S. market. In addition, it facilitates cross-sell opportunities for large-scale emergency response services currently offered by Ambipar Response. WOB has a command center in Houston that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with a team specialized in both live and simulated emergency management. In 2021, this command center handled more than 55,000 calls. WOB has approximately 600 employees and offices in the United States, United Kingdom, and Singapore, and a joint venture in Brazil, all of which support clients in several countries, including Germany, Greece, China, India, Japan, Norway, and France. WOB is also the leading U.S. company supporting the management of maritime emergencies servicing 45% of regulated vessels trading in U.S. waters. This acquisition is transformational for Ambipar Response, which will have access to the global emergency response market. It strengthens its presence on continents where it is presently active, and allows entry into Asia and Oceania. 1 Average 2021 U.S. Dollar / Brazilian Real exchange rate: USD 1.00 / R$ 5.39. Map with certain WOB client locations. Source: https://navigateresponse.com/global-network/ The acquisition is consistent with Ambipar Response's global expansion strategy and accelerates its growth in the United States. WOB has an experienced and multifunctional leadership team, which is aligned with the execution of its business plan. In addition, it has an organizational structure configured to support its growth and the integration of Ambipar Response's existing operations in the United States. With an Enterprise Value of US$161.5 million (R$ 838.2 million2), WOB is the largest acquisition of Ambipar Response to date and positions it relevantly in a market driven by increased allocation of federal resources for resilience programs and corporate focus on risk management, ESG, and compliance. WOB's focus on consulting (L1 and L2) offers a new and complementary customer base for services performed by Ambipar Response (L1, L2 and L3). This commercial synergy is expected to be materialized through cross-selling initiatives, allowing Ambipar Response to create a unique product in the U.S. market, integrated with the training camp in Pueblo, CO. In addition to the acquisition of WOB by Ambipar Response, Ambipar Response is in the process of completing the merger with HPX Corp., through which it will become a publicly traded company on the NYSE under the code "AMBI". WOB is a key asset to accelerate growth globally, especially in the U.S. market, and fits the strategy communicated in connection with the announcement of the business combination with HPX Corp. Ambipar clarifies that the acquisition of WOB will not be submitted for approval by its shareholders, nor will it entitle the right of recess, since it was carried out through its privately held subsidiary. About Ambipar Response Founded in 2008 as part of the Ambipar group, Ambipar Response is a leading environmental, emergency response and industrial field service provider in Brazil with presence in 16 countries in Latin America, North America, Europe, Africa and Antarctica and operating 216 service centers as of December 31, 2021. For more information, visit ambipar.com. 2 U.S. Dollar / Brazilian Real exchange rate as of September 13, 2022: USDBRL 5.19 About HPX HPX (NYSE: HPX) is a special purpose acquisition company that, since its $253 million initial public offering on NYSE in July 2020, has sought to combine its business with a Brazil-based company in an industry which would benefit from long-term growth in the Brazilian economy, with an international expansion plan as part of its overall growth strategy and that could benefit from HPXs management teams experience in operating in global markets. HPXs sponsor is HPX Capital Partners LLC, which is controlled by Bernardo Hees and Rodrigo Xavier, both co-chairmen of HPXs board of directors, and Carlos Piani, HPXs CEO and CFO. For more information, visit hpxcorp.com. About Ambipar Ambipar is a holding company founded in 1995 by Mr. Tercio Borlenghi Junior that operates in two business segments: response and environment. Ambipar became a publicly-traded company in 2020 by listing on the Brazilian stock exchange (B3: AMBP3). Forward-Looking Statements The information in this press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as estimate, plan, project, forecast, intend, will, expect, anticipate, believe, seek, target or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding estimates and forecasts of financial and performance metrics, projections of market opportunity and market share, expectations and timing related to commercial product launches, potential benefits of the transaction and expectations related to the terms and timing of the Business Combination. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of Ambipar Responses and HPXs management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Ambipar Response and HPX. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those factors discussed in HPXs final prospectus that forms a part of HPXs Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg No. 333-239486), filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) on July 15, 2020 (the Prospectus) under the heading Risk Factors, and other documents of HPX filed, or to be filed, with the SEC. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that neither HPX nor Ambipar Response presently know or that HPX and Ambipar Response currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect HPXs and Ambipar Responses expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. HPX and Ambipar Response anticipate that subsequent events and developments may cause HPXs or Ambipar Responses assessments to change. However, while HPX and Ambipar Response may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, HPX and Ambipar Response specifically disclaim any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing HPXs or Ambipar Responses assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. Additional Information About the Proposed Business Combination and Where to Find It The proposed Business Combination will be submitted to the shareholders of HPX for their consideration. HPX intends to publicly file a registration statement on Form F-4 (the Registration Statement) with the SEC which will include preliminary and definitive proxy statements to be distributed to HPXs shareholders in connection with HPXs solicitation for proxies for the vote by HPXs shareholders in connection with the proposed Business Combination and other matters as described in the Registration Statement, as well as the prospectus relating to the offer of the securities to be issued in connection with the completion of the proposed Business Combination. After the Registration Statement has been filed and declared effective, HPX will mail a definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents to its shareholders as of the record date established for voting on the proposed Business Combination. HPXs shareholders and other interested persons are advised to read, once available, the preliminary proxy statement / prospectus and any amendments thereto and, once available, the definitive proxy statement / prospectus, in connection with HPXs solicitation of proxies for its special meeting of shareholders to be held to approve, among other things, the proposed Business Combination, because these documents will contain important information about HPX, Ambipar Response and the proposed Business Combination. Shareholders may also obtain a copy of the preliminary or definitive proxy statement, once available, as well as other documents filed with the SEC regarding the proposed Business Combination and other documents filed with the SEC by HPX, without charge, at the SECs website located at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to 1000 N. West Street, Suite 1200, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. INVESTMENT IN ANY SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SEC OR ANY OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY NOR HAS ANY AUTHORITY PASSED UPON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THE BUSINESS COMBINATION OR ANY SECURITIES OFFERING OR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. Participants in the Solicitation HPX, Ambipar Response and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management, employees and consultants may, under SEC rules, be deemed to be participants in the solicitations of proxies from HPXs shareholders in connection with the proposed Business Combination. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of HPXs shareholders in connection with the proposed Business Combination will be set forth in HPXs proxy statement / prospectus when it is filed with the SEC. You can find more information about HPXs directors and executive officers in the Prospectus. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests will be included in the Registration Statement when it becomes available. Shareholders, potential investors and other interested persons should read the Registration Statement carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from the sources indicated above. No Offer or Solicitation This press release shall not constitute a solicitation (as defined in Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended); it does it constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. Non-GAAP Financial Measure and Related Information This press release references certain financial measures including, among others, EBITDA (together, Non-GAAP Financial Measures) which are financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) or international financial reporting standards (IFRS). These Non-GAAP Financial Measures do not have a standardized meaning, and the definition of such Non-GAAP Financial Measures used by HPX and Ambipar Response may be different from other, similarly named non-GAAP measures used by others. In addition, such financial information is unaudited and does not conform to SEC Regulation S-X and as a result such information may be presented differently in future filings with the SEC. Investor Relations Contact Ambipar Response: [email protected] HPX Corp: [email protected] UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 6-K REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the month of September 2022 Commission File Number: 001-38799 SCIENJOY HOLDING CORPORATION (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) Room 1118, 11th Floor, Building 3, Wangzhou Rd. No.99, Liangzhu Street Yuhang District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Peoples Republic of China (Address of principal executive office) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F. Form 20-F Form 40-F Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): EXPLANATORY NOTE Scienjoy Holding Corporation. (the Company) is furnishing this Form 6-K to provide the unaudited consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2022 and for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 and incorporate such financial statements into the Companys registration statements referenced below. This Form 6-K is hereby incorporated by reference into the registration statements of the Company on Form S-8 (Registration Number 333-256373), Form F-3 (Registration Number 333-256714), Form F-3 (Registration Number 333-254818) and Form F-3 (Registration Number 333-259951), to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed or furnished by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain statements made in this Form 6-K are forward looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this Form 6-K, the words estimates, projected, expects, anticipates, forecasts, plans, intends, believes, seeks, may, will, should, future, propose and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the Companys control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others, are: the ability to manage growth; ability to identify and integrate other future acquisitions; the ability to obtain additional financing in the future to fund capital expenditures; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions; costs or other factors adversely affecting the Companys profitability; litigation involving patents, intellectual property, and other matters; potential changes in the legislative and regulatory environment; a pandemic or epidemic. The forward-looking statements contained in this Form 6-K are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from time to time. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Such information speaks only as of the date of this Form 6-K. 1 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. Scienjoy Holding Corporation Date: September 15, 2022 By: /s/ Xiaowu He Name: Xiaowu He Title: Chief Executive Officer 2 EXHIBIT INDEX 3 WASHINGTON Anyone who has ever been on a job hunt knows that it is often difficult to find out what a new position might pay. That could be about to change. The governors of California and New York, both Democrats, have bills on their desks that would require companies to post pay ranges on job advertisements. Those two states and their outsized economies and populations could spur most larger companies to adopt the policy nationwide, advocates and experts say. All workers could be affected, but evidence suggests that more transparent pay practices are particularly helpful for women and people of color, who are more likely to get low-balled in salary negotiations. Its a tidal wave, really, to have the two coasts embrace salary transparency in this way, said Beverly Neufeld, president and founder of PowHer New York, which helped push an ordinance in New York City, set to take effect in November, and one modeled after it at the state level that is now on Gov. Kathy Hochuls desk. If California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Hochul sign their respective bills, their states will join Colorado, Washington state and several cities, including New York, that either require or plan to require such disclosure. About 1 in 6 workers nationwide would be covered under the new and existing laws, according to Christine Hendrickson, vice president of strategic initiatives for Syndio, which sells software that helps companies promote pay equity. Other states, including Nevada and Connecticut, require employers to disclose salary ranges proactively during the hiring process. Women working full time typically earned about 83% of what men made in 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The disparity in pay is sharper for Black women and Latinas. For decades, lower-paid workers have been kept in the dark about how much their colleagues were earning. Lilly Ledbetter, whose suit against Goodyear Tire led Congress to pass the 2009 Fair Pay Act in her name, said the veil around salaries was a major factor in keeping her earnings lower than male managers when she worked for the company from 1979 through 1998. It was kind of a secret thing and if you did (discuss it) youd lose your job and lose your status, Ledbetter said in a phone interview from her home in Jacksonville, Alabama. Union employees had a set pay scale and knew what they would be paid for promotions or experience. There was no system for handing out or explaining pay raises for salaried employees, she said. In recent years, several states, including California, have moved to end some of the secrecy, requiring companies to provide pay information during the interview process, though, in some cases, only on request. Some have also moved to bar companies from asking prospective employees their salary histories, which tends to lock people into lower pay from their previous jobs. But without a critical mass of states requiring disclosure, companies have tried to skirt some of the requirements. When Colorado became the first state to enforce a rule requiring salary ranges in job postings last year, some companies advertising for remote workers began posting in their notices that Colorado workers need not apply. But as the state began cracking down and other states and cities moved to adopt the Colorado rule, anywhere-but-Colorado postings have all but disappeared. Scott Moss, director of the Colorado division of labor standards, said the number of such postings dropped from more than 900 to a few dozen after his office sent letters. Only three companies have been fined under the law, and only after multiple warnings. There continue to be some really bad actor companies that work really, really hard to continue to underpay women, said Colorado state Sen. Jessie Danielson, a Democrat who sponsored the law there. But it becomes far more difficult to single out Colorado as more states join the fight, she said. You cant opt out for New York and California. Experts and employment specialists say larger companies are likely to respond to the newest laws by posting salary ranges for all jobs, regardless of where they are, to simplify their hiring process. Microsoft, for example, plans to do so nationally as it meets the requirements in Washington state, set to take effect Jan. 1. Research shows that pay-disclosure laws can help combat discrimination, but that non-unionized workers could actually see their pay decline. Zoe Cullen, an assistant professor of economics at Harvard Business School, analyzed data from the U.S. and studied four other countries that adopted pay transparency rules and found that the measures tended to close the gender pay gap but overall pay declined by 2% to 3% for non-unionized employees. Workers who bargained collectively did not see a decline in wages. Her data did not relate directly to job posting requirements but instead looked at other transparency measures. Employers are more likely to say no to raise requests if they know the salary will eventually become public because they can argue more credibly that they will then face pressure to offer the same raise to other employees, Cullen said. They have another incentive to bargain aggressively because it helps keep everyones wages low, she said. Advocates and employment specialists say they would like to see more conclusive evidence that publicizing salaries actually depresses wages. But they do argue that it helps employers in other ways, by matching applicants salary expectations with the job market and helping to cull the field. You would never look for a house and not know what the house costs, said Neufeld, of PowHer New York. Hendrickson, of Syndio, said posting pay ranges also helps employers think harder about which employees are really worthy of salaries that exceed the pay range because of skill, training or experience. These types of laws put emphasis on being able to identify who really is a unicorn and who isnt a unicorn, she said. Business groups have opposed many of the laws, but their level of opposition depends on the specifics. The California Chamber of Commerce, for example, removed the state bill from its job killer list last month after lawmakers eliminated a provision that would have made some data on wage discrepancies public. The group still opposes the current bill. Business groups also won concessions in New York City, eliminating penalties for first-time offenders when the law takes effect Nov. 1. It is helpful for employees to understand the pay scale. Its helpful for employees to understand in the context of negotiations for initial pay, said Camille A. Olson, an employment lawyer in Chicago and California who has testified before Congress on workplace issues for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. I just get concerned to the extent the information can impinge on other employees confidentiality and the companys trade secrets. UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 6-K REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the month of September 2022 Commission File Number: 001-38878 So-Young International Inc. Tower E, Ronsin Technology Center Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100012 People's Republic of China (Address of principal executive offices) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F. Form 20-F x Form 40-F Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): Appointment of Management Positions So-Young International Inc. (the Company) has recently appointed Mr. Rui Cai as Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Nan Huang as Chief HR Officer, and Mr. Xiaodong Ying as Chief Growth Officer, all effective September 14, 2022. Appointment of Mr. Rui Cai as Chief Operating Officer Mr. Rui Cai has served as vice president of commercial products of the Company since March 2020. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Cai served as a senior director at Autohome from 2016 to 2020. Prior to 2016, Mr. Cai was the director of commercial platform at Opera China from 2014 to 2016, the CEO of Taoyun Technology from 2013 to 2014, an advertising product director at Shanda Online from 2011 to 2013, a product director at Casee Wireless from 2006 to 2010, and a product manager at Linktone Ltd. from 2004 to 2006. Mr. Cai received a bachelors degree in design from Beijing Science Technology and Management University in 2004 and a masters degree in software engineering from Nanjing University in 2017. Appointment of Mr. Nan Huang as Chief HR Officer Mr. Nan Huang has served as senior vice president of human resources of the Company since December 2021. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Huang served as a HR VP in Missfresh Inc. from 2019 to 2021. From 2013 to 2019, he worked in Wanda Group and Longfor Group, both as a senior HR director. From 2005 to 2013, he was a consulting professional in global consulting firms, including Ernst & Young, Mercer, etc. Mr. Huang received a bachelor's degree in economics from Fudan University in 2005 and an EMBA degree from CEIBS in 2019. Appointment of Mr. Xiaodong Ying as Chief Growth Officer Mr. Xiaodong Ying has served as senior vice president of supply chain of the Company since May 2021. Prior to joining us, Mr. Ying served as director of commercial product team, director of technology commercial team, and general manager of medical aesthetics department of Baidu from 2010 to 2021. From 2002 to 2010, he was responsible for sales related work in media companies, such as China Software Development Network, eNet and 21 Economic News. Mr. Ying received a bachelors degree from Zhejiang University. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. So-Young International Inc. By : /s/ Min Yu Name : Min Yu Title : Chief Financial Officer Date: September 15, 2022 0001622879 false 0001622879 2022-09-09 2022-09-09 iso4217:USD xbrli:shares iso4217:USD xbrli:shares UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, DC 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 14, 2022 ( ) Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) Nevada 000-55450 46-5289499 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 4880 Havana Street , Suite 201 Denver , Colorado 80239 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) ( 303 ) 371-0387 (Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code) Not Applicable (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of Each Class Trading Symbol(s) Name of Each Exchange On Which Registered Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company x If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. x Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure. On September 14, 2022, Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. (the Company) issued a press release announcing the signing of the Purchase Agreement (as defined under Item 8.01). A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. The information under Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K and the press release attached as Exhibit 99.1 are being furnished by the Company pursuant to Item 7.01. In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information under Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed filed for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. In addition, this information shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any of the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in any such filing. Item 8.01 Other Events. On September 9, 2022, the Company entered into two Asset Purchase Agreements with Double Brow, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the Purchaser), Lightshade Labs LLC (Lightshade), Thomas Van Alsburg, an individual, Steve Brooks, an individual, and John Fritzel, an individual (together with Mr. Alsburg and Mr. Brooks, the Equityholders), pursuant to which the Purchaser will purchase (i) all of Lightshades assets used or held for use in Lightshades business of owning and operating a retail marijuana store in Denver, Colorado, pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement (the Denver Purchase Agreement) and (ii) all of Lightshades assets used or held for use in Lightshades business of owning and operating a retail marijuana store in Aurora, Colorado (the Aurora Purchase Agreement and together with the Denver Purchase Agreement, the Purchase Agreements), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreements (collectively, the Asset Purchase). The aggregate consideration for the Asset Purchase will be up to $2,750,000 million in cash. At the closing, the Company will use a portion of the purchase price to pay off certain indebtedness and transaction expenses of Lightshade and then pay the balance to Lightshade. The Company will deposit $300,000 of the purchase price at closing into escrow as collateral for potential claims for indemnification from Lightshade under the Purchase Agreements. Any portion of the escrowed purchase price not used to satisfy indemnification claims will be released to Lightshade on the 12-month anniversary of the closing date of the Asset Purchase. The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, covenants and indemnification provisions for a transaction of this nature, including, without limitation, covenants regarding the operation of Lightshades business before the closing of the Asset Purchase, and confidentiality, non-compete and non-solicitation undertakings by Lightshade and the Equityholders. The Purchase Agreements also contain certain termination rights for each of the Purchaser (on its own behalf and on behalf of the Company) and Lightshade (on its own behalf and on behalf of the Equityholders), subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable Purchase Agreement, including, without limitation, if the closing has not occurred within 180 days of submission of Regulatory Applications (as defined in the Purchase Agreements). The closing of the Asset Purchase is subject to closing conditions customary for a transaction of this nature, including, without limitation, obtaining licensing approval from the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division and local regulatory authorities. Forward-Looking Statements This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements. All statements contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding the closing of the Asset Purchase, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: may, will, could, would, should, expect, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, approximately, potential, or the negative of these terms or other words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of the Asset Purchase, although the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are based upon the Companys current intentions, plans, assumptions, expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on the Company and the Asset Purchase. This information may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors outside of the Companys control which may cause actual events, results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the future events, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. Stockholders and potential investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that its plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K are reasonable, the Company cannot assure stockholders and potential investors that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Factors and risks that may cause or contribute to actual events, results, performance or achievements differing from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) the Companys ability to consummate the Asset Purchase or the risk of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Purchase Agreements; (ii) the risk that cost savings and any revenue synergies from the Asset Purchase may not be fully realized or may take longer than anticipated to be realized; (iii) the risk that the integration of Lightshades assets and operations will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected or that the Company is otherwise unable to successfully integrate Lightshades assets and operations into the Companys business; (iv) the failure to obtain the necessary approvals and consents from third parties and regulators to consummate the Asset Purchase, or any other consents required under the Purchase Agreements; (v) the ability to obtain required governmental approvals of the Asset Purchase (and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the Company or the expected benefits of the Asset Purchase); (vi) the failure of the closing conditions in the Purchase Agreements to be satisfied, or any unexpected delay in closing the Asset Purchase; and (vii) the Companys ability to fund the Asset Purchase. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K. Except to the extent required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events, a change in events, conditions, circumstances or assumptions underlying such statements, or otherwise. Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits. (d) Exhibits Exhibit No. Description 99.1 Press Release, dated September 14, 2022 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. MEDICINE MAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. By: /s/ Daniel R. Pabon Date: September 14, 2022 Daniel R. Pabon General Counsel ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS EXHIBIT 99.1 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE IDEA: R1.htm IDEA: tm2225902d1_8k_htm.xml IDEA: Financial_Report.xlsx IDEA: FilingSummary.xml IDEA: MetaLinks.json VILSECK, Germany High-ranking military leaders from Africa joined over 350 U.S. soldiers on Vilsecks training grounds this week, as the Army fulfilled its part in a broader strategy that calls for deepening ties on the continent. Service members from six African nations, six European allies and Brazil were on hand Wednesday and will stay through Friday for the African Land Forces Colloquium, a newer gathering that coincides with the long-running annual African Land Forces Summit. A goal was to give a smaller group of African countries a closer look at U.S. training, and particularly how it delegates responsibility to its enlisted force. A key hallmark of Western militaries is the use of the noncommissioned officer, said Lt. Col. Michael Weisman, a spokesman for the Southern European Task Force, Africa. What we saw here today was training completely run by noncommissioned officers. Among the sea of uncommon camouflage patterns on this Bavarian range were those of Chad, Egypt, Gambia, Niger, Tanzania and Uganda. Also in attendance were allied officers from France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom. On Wednesday, the group watched 2nd Cavalry Regiment soldiers trudge through the mud, carry simulated casualties around obstacles and throw practice grenades as they worked to earn the Expert Infantryman Badge. The eyes and ears of the military leaders and their interpreters were intently focused on the tasks, while the NCOs were kept busy all morning fielding questions about the training. I hope that everyone tells the challenges they are encountering in their countries, said Tanzanian Maj. Gen. Anthony Sibuti. Those challenges can be discussed and hopefully a solution can be found. Sibuti said his country faces terrorism threats and budget constraints, which is a common refrain among African nations faced with battles against al-Qaida affiliates and other networks. The group later was scheduled to head to Hohenfels to see the 173rd Airborne Brigade and 13 other allied nations conclude Exercise Saber Junction. Attendees also will see the technology and weapons systems that U.S. contractors have to offer. The African Land Forces Summit hosts 40 African nations and has been held annually for 12 years, but this is only the second running of the colloquium. Army Maj. Gen. Todd Wasmund, the SETAF-AF commander, said the colloquium aims to host new countries every year and broaden the discussions. This event comes amid a U.S. strategy unveiled in August that seeks to forge closer relations with sub-Saharan African nations, as Russia and China each seek to expand their inroads. The varied aims of the new U.S. strategy include countering authoritarian regimes, encouraging government transparency and backing a civil society that empowers women, young people and other marginalized groups. A man died Thursday morning at the front gate of Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., after crashing his car into security barriers deployed by base guards, according to state police. The man, who has not been identified, was driving a blue Nissan Altima when he attempted to enter the base. Police believe he was fleeing the scene of another accident at about 6:30 a.m. after hitting a car at an intersection about three miles from the Birmingham Gate of the base, Florida State Police Sgt. Dylan Bryan said. After the first crash, the driver of the Altima turned onto Birmingham Avenue where his car sideswiped a white Chevy Tahoe and then proceeded through the gate, attempting to enter the base without authorization. At that time, the gate guards deployed a security barricade, which Bryan described as a metal wall that stood just above the hood of the Altima. At the speed he was traveling, he struck that barricade and resulted in fatal injuries to the driver, he said. The driver was not wearing a seat belt, which contributed to the severity of his injuries. Security personnel at the base did not use their weapons, Bryan said. The driver is not believed to be affiliated with the base, according to a statement from NAS Jacksonville. We don't think it was any kind of intentional act as far as terrorism or malicious intent to harm on the base, Bryan said. I just think he made the turn and didn't realize what he was going into. Florida Highway Patrol is leading the ongoing investigation with assistance from the NAS Jacksonville Security Department and Naval Criminal Investigative Service, he said. No one else was injured in the incident, Bryan said. In total, three vehicles were damaged two that were hit by the driver and a third that happened to be crossing over the security barrier at the time that it was deployed. The Birmingham Gate was closed Thursday following the accident, according to the base. (Tribune News Service) Family members of an American naval officer now in a Japanese prison after a car crash are doing all they can think of in hopes of getting President Joe Biden involved in lobbying for Lt. Ridge Alkonis release. On Wednesday, Sept. 14, Dana Point, Calif., resident Suzi Alkonis stood outside the U.S. Capitol with Rep. Mike Levin (D-San Juan Capistrano) and her sons wife, Brittany, and the couples children. For six weeks, the women and children have posted themselves outside the White House gates. On Friday, Derek Alkonis will do the same at the Japanese Consulate in Los Angeles asking for his sons release. Alkonis has been in a Japanese detention center since July 25 after a Tokyo High Court judge denied his appeal seeking to suspend a three-year prison sentence he received for negligent driving following a car crash that led to the death of an 85-year-old Japanese woman and her 54-year-old son-in-law. The elderly womans daughter was also injured. Alkonis says he passed out driving because of acute altitude sickness after a family trip to visit Mount Fuji, but Japanese prosecutors say the May 29, 2021, crash was caused by Alkonis falling asleep at the wheel. Alkonis, 34, was sentenced in October; the judge saying he had not traveled high enough up the mountain to be impacted by altitude sickness, according to Japanese news reports. The family thought he would be given a suspended sentence, and all, including his children, Lilliana, 8; Kalani, 7; Ridge Jr., 4, had packed their bags to leave Japan. After being released on bail pending his appeal, Alkonis, on the advice of his Japanese attorney, apologized and provided the family of the victims $1.65 million in extrajudicial restitution, his family said. Half of the money was raised from insurance and the other half scraped together with help from friends and supporters. Typically, families will accept the letters and gifts and offer forgiveness, the Alkonis family was told, but the victims family has not. In July, Alkonis appeal was denied and he began his prison sentence. The family had been told the investigation into the crash was not being treated as a criminal act, said Suzi Alkonis. He was embroiled in the Japanese legal system, but didnt commit a criminal act. They thought hed go through the system and get a suspended sentence. Thats how it generally works. We followed the counsel of the attorney, people who understood the justice system, and it still ended him in prison, Derek Alkonis, a retired Los Angles County assistant fire chief, added. We dont know what, but something went terribly wrong. Alkonis family said among their concerns is they feel Japanese investigators misled their son into signing Japanese language documents during his pretrial confinement that they said inaccurately described Alkonis, a Claremont, Calif., native, as having felt sleepy before driving that day. Alkonis was also denied access to an attorney during his initial four weeks of detention after the accident, Derek Alkonis said. The Japanese embassy in Washington, D.C., did not respond to phone calls or emails seeking comment. Meanwhile Navy officials, because he is still on active duty, said when reached for comment that they continue to provide support to the Alkonis familys efforts. This was a tragic event that resulted in the loss of two precious lives, and caused tremendous pain for everyone involved, said Cmdr. Katie Cerezo, a spokeswoman with Naval Forces Japan. At every stage, we have provided the Alkonis family with all support consistent with U.S. law and regulations. His family worries if Alkonis remains in jail beyond his leave time, he is at risk of losing his pay and benefits. They said he has been spending his time shredding hundreds of pieces of paper each day to make confetti a prison job to earn some extra money for his family. We know our son is a very honorable, devoted servant to his country, family and society, Derek Alkonis said. His record shows that. He would do nothing to hurt somebody intentionally, but hes being treated like a criminal. As Alkonis readied for his fourth deployment with the Navys 7th Fleet, the family decided to do a hike on Mount Fuji. They started at sea level, drove to Fujinomiya at 7,800 feet and hiked to about 8,000-foot elevation, Suzi Alkonis said. After a bit more than an hour, they were done and drove for 40 minutes to a favorite ice cream spot. They were at about 528 feet of elevation when the crash occurred, she said. He had just asked his daughter a question when she answered him only to see he was slumped over, Derek Alkonis said his daughter-in-law told him. She screamed and kicked his seat. The Japanese police investigation said the car was driving 28 mph when it began drifting to the side, Derek Alkonis said, and before Brittany Alkonis could intervene, they struck a parked car, which hit another parked car and then pinched the male victim as he tried to get into his car. Brittany Alkonis said she got out to determine what happened and shook her husband, who appeared still unconscious. As he slowly came around, witnesses at the scene described him as pale and speaking poor Japanese he is somewhat fluent, his father said. He tried to get to the people and help free them. A Navy doctor who examined Alkonis after he was released from jail he spent 27 days during the investigation following the crash said his symptoms are evidence of acute mountain sickness, his parents said. When the ambulance arrived, first responders told Brittany Alkonis that the Japanese woman and man were speaking and lucid, and the ambulance attendant said, everything would be fine, Derek Alkonis said. Three hours later, Alkonis and his family learned the elderly woman had died from an apparent collapsed lung. Eleven days later, her son-in-law died from cerebral edema caused by a fat embolism due to a pelvic fracture. A third person, the daughter of the elderly woman, was injured, and Brittany Alkonis had an ankle injury. The fact people were hurt was traumatic to him, Derek Alkonis said about his son. When he learned they had died, it was a crushing blow. Since the accident, Alkonis has repeatedly expressed sorrow over the tragedy, his parents said. Its such a tough situation, Derek Alkonis said. Both families are suffering and the justice system stands between us. Suzi and Brittany Alkonis have stayed in Washington, D.C., contacting elected leaders daily, they said. They set up home school in front of the White House for the two girls, hoping to draw the attention of the Biden administration. Theyve worked with Levin and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) to get other members of Congress to write letters on Alkonis behalf to the Japanese prime minister, the Japanese ambassador and to the American ambassador to Japan. We have a quarter of the Senate who has now officially written letters in support of Ridge, Suzi Alkonis said. The U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel spoke with Ridge and is trying to find a solution. It seems the Japanese government is open, but frankly, the phone call that would do the most good, is a call from Joe Biden. Ned Price, a spokesman for the Department of State, said efforts are being made by Emanuel to work with the Japanese government and the Department of Defense for finding a successful resolution that is consistent with U.S. law, with Japanese law, as well as with existing treaties. The Alkonis family is holding out hope and said the Wednesday protest in D.C. had a lot of support. Hes a man who has dedicated his life to serving our country and defending an ally over the course of three tours of duty in Japan, Levin said Wednesday, adding that his office has been working with the Navy, the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Ambassador Emanuel. Nobody deserves the treatment Lt. Alkonis has endured in Japan, especially not a man of his character and history of service to our country. 2022 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit pe.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The immensity of it all is difficult to comprehend 5,274 headstones perfectly aligned in rows atop magnificently maintained acres of green, gray and gold, stretching to the edge of vision. This tranquil setting belies the chaos that brought them to rest in the Ardennes American Cemetery near Brussels. A recent trip, as a commissioner for the American Battle Monuments Commission, brought me to four cemeteries in Europe honoring our war dead. It was a cathartic and humbling experience, made even more so by the fact that it came a few months before the Air Force celebrates its 75th anniversary on Sept. 18. At the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial Cemetery, I returned the wings of my wifes grandfather to France for the first time since he fought there, 104 years ago. This cemetery holds the stories of some of our toughest, bloodiest and most consequential military campaigns. These stories, which can still be heard in the whispering breeze among the trees nearby, remain important for the Air Force of today. The tellers of the stories were courageous and proud patriots who entered the chaos of battle knowing just one thing for certain that to their left and to their right were people who would die for them, and for whom they would die. They lie together now. They would not have it any other way. We know the exploits of many of the heroes, with headstones etched in gold as recipients of the Medal of Honor. But as you walk among these headstones and journey into history, you cannot help but sense that there are many other equally heroic tales that will forever be known only to God. Because past is indeed prologue, it is important that the lessons of long-ago battles continue to inform todays greatest challenges. For example, as the Air Force tests a new concept known as Agile Combat Employment, or ACE, it draws lessons from the exploits of Maj. Gen. Claire Chennaults Flying Tigers and the successes of the Allied Island Hopping campaign in World War II. As executive director of the Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings, a nonprofit that has sought to build young airmen through education and professional development, I hold a unique vantage point to help curate this history. It is because of this that I also know visits to these places come with a responsibility to bring the next generation the stories of the greatest generation and those that preceded them, and that followed. The inter-war years, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Allied Force, Libya, Afghanistan and Iraq, the constant global watch of airmen, came at great cost. Our youngest airmen need to know that, too. Our future is in good hands. I know it because I see it every day in the eyes of our Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings students. But there is also a call to action in their eyes that comes from our past, and particularly from the greatest generation, to help make those who will carry the torch tomorrow the greater generation still. As we celebrate 75 years as an Air Force, I hope that every American remembers the extraordinary sacrifice that brought us here. I also hope that every American commits today to preparing the next generation to be greater still. As Hap Arnold, famed Air Force general, said, The challenge with airpower is that we make it look too easy. All we need to do is take a pilgrimage to the past and look to the challenges of the future, to know it is not, and will never be. Telling that story in our 75th year is the shared responsibility of every airman. Daniel P. Woodward is a retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general, a presidentially appointed commissioner with the American Battle Monuments Commission, and the executive director of Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings. President Joe Bidens signing of the PACT Act is a pivotal moment for our veterans. This bipartisan legislation is the largest investment the U.S. has made in recognizing the direct (or presumptive) connection between toxic exposure and service-connected disabilities and the most expansive benefits for those impacted. Despite this critical investment, the Veterans Health Administration cannot fight this battle alone. Our veterans will become sicker and continue to die at higher rates than their civilian peers if our commercial health care providers do not step up now to address this massive health care crisis. There is an absolute misunderstanding by the American people of the reality of veteran health care in this country. Of the 19 million veterans in the U.S., only nine million are registered with the VA for health care services and only 6 million get their care at the VA on an annual basis. Of those, only 12% of male veterans and 20% of female veterans get all of their care exclusively at the VA. This means 80% of the warrior community receives health care within a non-VA facility. More than 3.5 million veterans were exposed to toxic substances while serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere in Southwest Asia. For those service members (and the hundreds of thousands of additional Department of Defense civilians and contractors also working in the regions), that exposure is causing complex short- and long-term effects including asthma and rhinitis, chronic respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, cancers, and other serious illnesses. Under the PACT Act, the VA will enter a new era putting many new programs and systems in place and expanding with 31 new clinics across the country. But this will take years to scale. For non-VA care providers, the opportunity to improve the health of Americans exposed to burn pits and toxic substances is profound and the time to act is now. The moral, ethical, clinical and financial responsibility now sits squarely on the U.S. health care system, the largest provider of care for our nations warriors. While I applaud our federal government for honoring its promise to care for those who have borne the battle, the work has only begun. The veteran health equity crisis is already in our hospitals, health systems, medical centers, clinics and pharmacies. Yet, the commercial health care system has limited-to-no knowledge, best practices, or population health management strategies to fulfill its duty to provide adequate care for 75 million individuals, or 25% of Americans, including veterans, active duty military, National Guard and reservists, and their families. Only 57% of hospitals even ask the question Have you served? and less than 10% do anything with the data, according to an American Hospital Association/Institute for Diversity and Health Equity study. How can we effectively treat and improve the health of our veterans if were not identifying them and their unique social and medical history? The trillion-dollar commercial health care industry has latent infrastructure and capacity that needs to be activated now to identify, screen, diagnose, treat and manage the complex health needs of veterans. Without their action, we will not win this battle. As a grateful nation, we must demand universal screening for military affiliation within all health care settings and the training and tools for our health care providers to identify, understand and treat the physical, mental, behavioral, social and cultural dynamics of military service. To my fellow warriors, the fight continues. We must not just suck it up and drive on but rather continue to loudly advocate for higher-quality, clinically and culturally-competent, and warrior-informed health care. Our lives and our families lives depend on it. Ronald Steptoe is a service-disabled U.S. Army veteran, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and an 8th-generation military veteran whose familys service dates to the Revolutionary War. He is CEO and co-founder of Warrior Centric Health and an adjunct instructor at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Last month, President Joe Biden signed into law the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act, a bill that expands the Department of Veterans Affairs high-quality health care and benefits to an additional 3.5 million veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during their service. The bill is another hard-won step toward fulfilling our national promise to, as President Abraham Lincoln put it, care for him who shall have borne the battle. As a VA nurse, I understand that promise. This work is personal to me my husband is a retired Army veteran and Ive worked as a nurse in the Augusta VA Medical Center in Georgia for 34 years. Day in and day out, VA nurses many of whom are veterans themselves provide the highest-quality health care to veterans and their families. The passage of the PACT Act expands that care to millions more, and we are glad to see that veterans toxic exposures will finally be treated as a true cost of war. But in order to support these additional millions of veterans, Congress needs to act immediately to give VA nurses the same rights as nurses in other hospitals. It can do so by passing the Veterans Administration Employee Fairness Act (HR 1948), sponsored by Rep. Mark Takano, a California Democrat who is chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, and Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. The bill would provide the same collective bargaining rights to VA health care professionals as other federal and private sector employees, giving registered nurses in VA hospitals the tools to speak up for patient safety and care. This bill will reduce turnover, increase staff levels, and improve the care that veterans receive. My union, National Nurses United, stood alongside the many veterans, veterans service organizations and members of Congress who fought tirelessly over many years to make the PACT Act a reality because nurses understand how critical VA care is to our nations heroes. According to a recent study by Stanford researchers, veterans taken by ambulance to VA hospitals had survival rates at least 20% higher than veterans treated in non-VA hospitals. The high-quality, holistic and veteran-specific care received by patients in the VA is a testament to the dedication and expertise of the clinicians working in these facilities. Unfortunately, it is already getting harder and harder for the VA to recruit and retain talented clinical professionals, due in part to a statute prohibiting VA nurses and other clinicians from having the same collective bargaining rights as nurses in private sector facilities, many state, county and municipal facilities, and Department of Defense hospitals. Advocating for our patients often requires speaking up to management about issues in the hospital that affect patient care and bringing those issues to the bargaining table to get them fixed for the good of both the nurse and the patient. Without the ability to have a full voice on the job, VA nurses consistently face working conditions that harm both nurses and patients, ranging from unsafe staffing levels to too many patients for the nurse practitioner in the Patient Aligned Care Team (Primary Care Clinics) encouraged by prolonged hiring processes to pay discrepancies between nurses doing the same job. Just last year, the Denver VA changed nurse schedules without any warning to nurses or patients, creating gaps in time where veterans couldnt receive care from nurses who were completing their rounds. The nurses wanted to bring this issue to the bargaining table to discuss it with management but were unable to do so due to the current law preventing collective bargaining over any issues related to patient care. For registered nurses, union advocacy and representation allow us to focus on what we do best: caring for our patients. Without full collective bargaining rights, nurses ability to speak out on behalf of patients is reduced and threatened, and we are constrained from advocating for the highest quality of safe patient care that our veterans deserve. As workers on the front lines of patient care, nurses must have the ability to advocate for our patients and ultimately improve the quality and standard of care provided by the VA as well as the recruitment and retention of our peers. As of the last quarter of FY 2021, the VHA had 8,577 nurse vacancies, and that was before the passage of the PACT Act that is set to bring millions more veterans into the VA system and into our care. Congress must pass the VA Employee Fairness Act immediately to ensure that those patients receive the highest-quality care possible from clinicians at the bedside who are free to speak up over patient care issues. Nurses are the heart and soul of any hospital, and there is no substitute for the care and attention that we provide for our patients. VA nurses want what is best for veterans. Providing nurses and other clinicians with full collective bargaining rights is the best way to ensure that problems in our VA hospitals are addressed and that our nations heroes receive the highest standards of care. Irma Westmoreland is a registered nurse who has worked at the Augusta VA Medical Center for 34 years. U.S. climate envoy John Kerry announced financial support for an African Development Bank program to reduce methane emissions in Africa. The U.S. will give the Abidjan-based lender $5 million for its Africa Climate Change Fund and an additional $5 million will come from the Global Methane Hub over the next three years, while $1.2 million will be sourced from a number of other donors, the AfDB said in a statement on Thursday. The African Development Bank is responding to the increased global attention on methane emissions and is planning to increase their own focus on methane abatement in coming years, Kerry said in the statement accompanying his announcement at a ministerial environment conference in Dakar, Senegal. Reducing methane emissions is key to tackling climate change as the greenhouse gas has 84 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over its first 20 years in the atmosphere. Its generated at waste sites when organic material like food scraps or cardboard breaks down in the absence of oxygen. Diverting organics before they enter a landfill is crucial to limiting future emissions. Failing to curb releases from the waste sector, which is responsible for about 20 percent of all methane generated from human activity, could derail global climate goals. The nonprofit Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives estimates that China is the worlds largest source of methane from landfills and waste, followed by South Asia, the U.S. and Southeast Asia. MEXICO CITY This week the objective was to insert mention of Julian Assange into a meeting between Mexico's president and the United States' top diplomat. Next week, it will be to have Australia's prime minister bring it up with the U.S. president at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral. The efforts are part of the campaign by John Shipton, father of the WikiLeaks founder, to find allies and convince the U.S. to drop espionage charges against Assange, who remains in a British prison awaiting extradition to the U.S. The journey by the septuagenarian Australian architect together with another son, Gabriel, brought them this week to Mexico. The country has become the family's main ally in Latin America since President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador offered Assange political asylum and called for the U.S. to allow him to seek refuge there. "We call President Lopez Obrador an ice-breaker," because afterward the leaders of Chile, Colombia and Bolivia called for his release too, Gabriel Shipton said during the visit to Mexico. Among a packed scheduled of events, John Shipton received the key to the capital Wednesday on behalf of Assange, a ceremonial honor the city bestows on distinguished guests. The day before, he addressed Mexico's Senate. American prosecutors say Assange helped U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning steal classified diplomatic cables and military files that WikiLeaks later published, putting lives at risk. He faces 17 charges of espionage and one charge of computer misuse. His defenders consider Assange a symbol of a free press and a fight for justice who exposed U.S. military wrongdoing in Iraq and Afghanistan. Assange was arrested in London in 2010 at the request of Sweden on alleged sexual assault charges, which he has denied. In 2012, he broke the conditions of his bail and sought refuge in Ecuador's embassy where he stayed until being asked to leave in 2019. He was immediately arrested again. When his father visited him in jail that year, Assange asked for help. That led Shipton to launch his globetrotting campaign with Gabriel, trying to reach average people, because politicians want those people's votes, he said. They went from Australia to Europe, the United States and Mexico. Each politician's statement in favor of Assange's release, every headline, is oxygen for Assange, who has been held in a maximum security prison. The effort has been all consuming, Shipton said in a Mexico City hotel, as he and Gabriel listed the day's events, which included a protest at the U.S. embassy, a meeting with a government official, press interviews and phone calls, including one with Assange. Those calls from prison cut after 10 minutes, said Shipton, who declined to say how often they speak or what they discuss. "I can't report on conversations between father and son. This is not public," he said. Shipton was estranged from Assange until his 20s, according to a documentary called "Ithaka," produced by Gabriel Shipton, which suggests a complicated relationship. John Shipton smiled remembering Assange's wedding in March to his lawyer Stella Moris, a day Shipton described as "like a flower in the desert." Uncomfortable with media, but conscious that he needs then, Shipton questions them constantly, telling them Assange's case directly affects their ability to continue reporting freely. His visit to Mexico will finish with his participation in Independence Day activities Thursday night and Friday. Lopez Obrador invited Shipton to events with relatives of Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and Che Guevara, in what appeared to be an attempt to evoke emblematic figures of the 20th century. The Shiptons plan to continue their efforts in Latin America next year, hoping that Brazil's Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva returns to the presidency. "You just take each moment as it comes and you do your very best you can, you don't depend upon optimism, hope, you just do your work," Shipton said, noting it's a work that never ends. Northern Arizona Universitys Martin-Springer Institute (MSI) led a trip this summer to help 20 Arizona educators better teach the Holocaust in their classrooms. Called "In the Footsteps of Survivors," the trip followed the memoirs of two Holocaust survivors -- Edward Gastfriend and Doris Martin -- throughout Poland and Germany. The teachers read their words and visited sites where the subjects had lived, been transported to and where they were eventually liberated. A legacy of education Born in 1926, Martin (nee Szpringer) was 12 when the Nazis invaded Poland. She was deported to Auschwitz in 1942 and then to a forced labor camp, Ludwigsdorf, for the remainder of the Holocaust. Her entire family survived the Holocaust -- her parents, two brothers and sister by posing as Polish citizens, and another brother by fleeing to the Soviet Union. All seven family members were reunited at the end of the war. More about her life can be found here. Martin arrived in the United States in 1950 and married Louis Rabinowitz. The pair had a son, Allen, and Rabinowitz died of cancer within three years. Doris later married Ralph Martin, with whom she founded the Northern Arizona University Martin-Springer Institute (MSI) in 2000. After being asked to share her experiences for the first time, Martin had found a passion for teaching others about the Holocaust, according to MSIs current director, Bjorn Krondorfer. [She was] very driven and focused to tell her story of survival to students, he said. ...She would talk to any audience, but students were important. Once she did it the first time, she was unstoppable. She was very focused, very energetic and did everything. Wherever she had the opportunity, she would tell about her survival to honor her family." Martin died Aug. 3 this year at the age of 96. The trip exemplifies the sort of education she had hoped to foster through the institute. In the epilogue to her memoir title "Kiss Every Step," Martin wrote that MSI -- as well as the Martin Springer Center for Conflict Studies at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel -- are dedicated in honor of the Springer family and the millions of victims of the Holocaust. We pray that the work of these groups and some miracles, such as those that saved our family, will be spread around the world, she wrote, and that humanity will someday learn that we are all members of one big family. MSI has a dual mandate, as Krondorfer described it: to honor the legacy of the Holocaust and pay attention to great injustices or human-made calamities that are happening today. In the past few years, he said, hed seen a shift where people realized the urgency of what we do, that its not just something related to the past, but actually something all around us and not just the world, but maybe even in this country. For an American audience, Krondorfer said, the biggest lesson to be learned about the Holocaust is to begin in 1933 with the disbanding of democracy in Germany, rather than in 1939 when the camps began to open. The whole story about having to be alert to the beginnings of something -- of dictatorships or of genocidal violence or putting in place systems that treat people unjustly -- that this is not far away in time and space, but actually is much closer to home than what we had hoped for or realized, he said. Following their footsteps Among the educators on the trip were Flagstaff high school teachers Katie Scholler and Erin Hiebert. Scholler has taught history at Coconino High School for a decade, and she is currently on a break to earn a master's at NAU. She has attended several MSI lectures and trainings over the years, including its annual Holocaust education conference for teachers. Shes also offered extra credit to students who attended MSI lectures. Hiebert has taught for three years in Flagstaff, most recently at Flagstaff High School. Before making the trip, she said, her knowledge of the Holocaust and how to teach it was super slight and mostly based on curricula given by other teachers. The question posed by this summers trip, Krondorfer said, is what dont [we], including teachers, understand about the Holocaust in Arizona, far away? He added: What we believe translates into what we are actually teaching to students. Its not so much that you can say, I was there, but you can say, Here, it says this, but what actually what it means is.... Over the 17-day trip, the educators took a series of walking tours, meeting with experts at every location they visited, from museum directors to archivists to local historians and memory activists. They were encouraged to document their journey in whichever method they preferred in order to help them process the experience. The locations for the trip were chosen based on events recorded in both memoirs -- which Krondorfer, Hiebert and Scholler all said was a large part of its impact. It really connected me not just to the stories that they were telling, but the people that they wanted us to remember, Hiebert said. The tour began in Sosnowiec and Bedzin, towns in Poland where Gastfriend and Martin had lived before the Holocaust. It ended in Berlin with a visit to the Topography of Terror museum. Scholler said this was framed as starting in a victim space and ending in a perpetrator space. We saw where they lived, from their lives and perspectives, and ended where the heart of the genocide was planned -- which was just a powerful way to do that, she said. The cities where Martin and Gastfriend lived now have a much smaller Jewish population, yet reminders of their past can still be seen in the architecture. In these cities, you see remnants; there will be a spot on a door frame where a mezuzah used to be or the metalwork on the balcony has a menorah embedded into it. But there are no Jewish people living there, Scholler said. Hiebert remembered visiting the apartment where Martin grew up -- Martin's mother had furnished it, and she had her happy early memories. In Sosnowiec, they visited the site of a former synagogue. Its a four-story row of buildings and theres a gap. Theres a one-story convenience store in that gap now, but theres nothing in between the fourth story and the fourth story over here, and in that space used to be a synagogue, Scholler said. Its things like that [where] you feel the loss, you feel whats missing from the community. If I wasnt on this trip and didnt have someone point it out to me, I dont know that I would have noticed, but having [Gastfriends] story right in front of me, it was just a lot. It really made you feel what the world lost to this. The educators had read both memoirs before making the trip, as well as related readings explaining other aspects of the Holocaust mentioned in the stories. At the sites they visited, they would also read aloud passages from each book that happened there, something both Scholler and Hiebert described as a powerful experience that provided a more intimate attachment to the stories. Scholler remembered reading a passage from Gastfriends memoir in Langenstein at a memorial to the mass grave where Gastfriends cousin, Nathan, had been buried. They had been together the previous three camps and survived together, she said. They leaned on each other, tried to organize food and stuff like that. They basically kept each other afloat, and then his cousin gets dysentery and dies, and they throw his body into a mass grave. ...We jointly read that passage from Edwards memoir in front of that mass grave memorial and it was really hard to do, but it was just such a way to honor Nathan and Edward and what they went through. Its a moment that will never leave me. Hiebert remembered the same moment as one of the most impactful of the trip. It was really such a powerful moment, that people in the present could, out loud, remember this person that we did not know, but was a person that was so important to Edward. The scope of relationships that we have no idea about that were lost due to not just this genocide, but every genocide that has ever been committed in this world, are profound," she said. She added: "Nathans story deserves to be heard, just like every single other person who was lost during this atrocity. All those stories deserve to be told out loud. Its a massive resistance against fascism and dictators who decide to make certain people dispensable. Going into the trip, Scholler said, she felt she had a solid foundation of knowledge about the Holocaust, as she had taught it for a decade. Learning more about the details and seeing the places herself showed her a lot while making her feel as though she understands it less, she said. Ive never felt my most confident teaching the Holocaust, because how do you teach kids that people did this to other people, [that] humans are capable of doing this type of thing? Its really, I just think, one of the most difficult things, she said. I try to build empathy and critical thinking with it, but I would say its a struggle, even if you feel like you have a knowledge of what happened. This trip reaffirmed that to me, I think. Hiebert said the trip helped her connect to survivors and that now she "can more easily understand why its important for us to study history and to remember it. Teaching the Holocaust In the summer of 2021, Arizona passed legislation requiring that all students in the state be taught about the Holocaust and other genocides at least twice between seventh and 12th grade. Krondorfer said his hope is that the teachers will be able to use the trip experience to help their students understand the Holocaust more tangibly. He hoped they could convey that its not just textbook knowledge and dates and numbers, but make sure that the students understand these were real people, too. This happened to real people. Sometimes I think it helps us to maybe focus on one story and use that person to exemplify what the genocide really meant. Start first with genocide in big numbers and then give one example explain what that personal narrative implies. Scholler usually takes a week and a half to cover the Holocaust in her classroom, a week for Advanced Placement classes. Thats more than she should be budgeting, she said, and also less than the topic deserves. There should be a Holocaust class; some schools have that [and] I think every school should have that, she said. One of the most powerful ways to teach kids about empathy and tolerance and discrimination and how to prevent those things would be through teaching a semester course on the Holocaust. Even then, thats not enough time. Hiebert similarly said she had taken two weeks to cover both World War II and the Holocaust in her classes for each of the past two years. Scholler said she tries to build empathy with her students, as its one of the most important parts of teaching history. One of her preferred ways of doing this is by focusing on individual stories such as Gastfriend's and Martins. Its so difficult because when you talk about the Holocaust, you teach one story, like Doriss story, which Ive used in my classroom. And thats only one story of millions of people. Its hard to fathom that, so I try to do a lot of justice to her story because theres so many millions that I don't get to do, that I dont get to teach, that I dont get to share, or I dont even know myself. She usually has students read excerpts from memoirs (often including Martins, whom she met in 2017) and then create and answer questions on the story and how genocide happens in a Socratic-style discussion. Another activity she often includes is a timeline showing the Holocaust in context, including that of rising antisemitism in the United States in the late 1800s. She will also print out identification cards from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and have students place each person on the timeline. Other media they might look at over the course of the lessons include analysis of Nazi propaganda, clips from documentaries and movies ("The Path to Nazi Genocide," "The Pianist," "Band of Brothers"), news clippings and government documents. Hiebert said while she has a degree in history, it can be difficult to know the best ways to teach the Holocaust. Before the trip, her approach to teaching the subject was based on what others were doing and so focused more on the logistics of genocide than individual stories. Its difficult content to teach and its also one that I wasnt necessarily confident in prior to going on this trip, because I had only really learned about the Holocaust in the context of world history classrooms, she said. Before the trip, she had focused on basic terms and geography. That was how the Holocaust was taught to me: numbers and terms and ideas, she said. Since reading the memoirs and visiting the sites, she believes the stories of survivors trump absolutely anything else. I always knew we had important survivors to be looking to as guides for how to tell stories about the Holocaust, and I even knew that as a historian and as a student of history, she said. Even more so as a teacher, knowing how much limited time we have, it's so much more impactful for students to have interaction with the words and perspectives of survivors. Most knowledge of the Holocaust students will have coming into her class is based on what theyve learned in prior classes and their interest in the topic, Hiebert said. Many will have a basic understanding of the events as well as genocide in other contexts. They understand who Hitler was to a degree. They're like, 'OK, he killed Jews,' and thats their understanding of what that is really," Hiebert said. "But I wouldnt say that students have a deep understanding of what the systemic actions were taken against Jewish people or other people that Hitler wanted to commit genocide against. Students know very little about what the Holocaust was; however, they know what genocide is because Arizona does a pretty good job already of teaching things like the Navajo Long Walk or different things that happened to Indigenous people in our past. When she returns to the classroom, Hiebert plans to include at least one source written by a survivor in the curriculum -- using excerpts from a story like Gastfriends, for example, to help students understand the way things were during the Holocaust. What Hiebert took from the trip, she said, was finding ways to incorporate location into teaching history -- no matter where that place is. For example, teaching about genocides that happened in Arizona and visiting nearby sites could widen to connect to genocide education more generally, including the Holocaust. There's absolutely no topic in what I teach -- which is world history -- that can't be tied to some type of locality, and I think what this trip really showed me was how deeply ingrained history is in physical places. In order to really tie that to whatever we may be learning, we have to also start with where we are from and what that looks like. I think that could help students really understand big topics like the Holocaust, she said. Whats most important for present-day students to learn about the Holocaust is in its connections to the world today, Scholler said. Teaching about the Holocaust is a way to focus in on a specific period of time where you can point to specific steps and things that not just government did, but that people allowed and people tolerated in order for this to happen. When you teach and show kids that, they can see that and they can connect it to their lives, she said. She added: Everything in history -- I try to do this, but especially with this -- is how can you connect that to now? We dont just teach it because I want them to be sad, although it is a very sad thing. I want them to learn about it because I want them to use that to empower them to be the best they can be and to analyze what theyre doing in their daily lives so that this doesnt happen again. So that we live in a world where people can value others who are different from them, instead of fear [which] turns to prejudice and hate. Its also important, Scholler said, because with the passage of time fewer people who experienced it firsthand are still around to tell their stories. During the trip, she said, she was struck by all of the experts who had dedicated their lives to preserving and sharing this history. Were losing that primary source, she said. ...The further we get removed from something, it seems like it was so far ago and it seems like it cant happen again, but, as we know, thats not true. ...It really wasnt that long ago when you think about it. Its important to keep that memory: to honor them as one reason and what they endured, but also to build critical thinkers, to build empathetic learners and empathetic young people who want the world to not ever look like that again. More about MSI can be found at in.nau.edu/martin-springer. A nightclub bouncer who knocked a U.S. Marine to the ground during a street confrontation last year in Darwin, Australia, has been convicted of causing serious harm, according to a local court official. The Marines injuries led to a "significant amount of time" in a hospital and then in rehabilitation after having part of his skull removed, Australias state broadcaster, the ABC reported Sept. 2. Hayden Robert Bruce Summers, 34, was found guilty of unlawfully causing serious harm on Sept. 2 by a jury in the Northern Territory Supreme Court, court spokesman Xavier La Canna told Stars and Stripes in an email Wednesday. Closed-circuit TV footage of the altercation provided by the court shows Summers and the Marine, identified by ABC as Glen Thomason, outside Darwins Monsoons nightclub early on April 11, 2021. Darwin is home to a Marine rotational force that spends six months each year on training missions during the southern hemisphere winter. This years rotation includes 2,200 Marines. In the video, the Marine appears agitated as he talks to the security guard and swings an arm across the bouncers face. Moments later, Summers strikes Thomason in the head, causing him to fall to ground. The bouncer then rolls the unconscious Marine into a recovery position on his side. Summers had pleaded not guilty, according to the broadcaster. However, Crown prosecutor Ian Rowbottom told the jury that the bouncers actions were unreasonable and that he failed to explore options such as moving back, asking for help or pushing the Marine away, ABC reported. A summary of evidence presented to the court showed some witnesses heard Thomason saying, "I could kill you; I'm a Marine," or words to that effect, the broadcaster reported. Summers told the court he was trying to de-escalate the situation and had told Thomason to "calm down." He told the court he feared the Marine was about to punch him because of his hand gestures and a "death stare, ABC reported. However, the jury found the bouncer guilty of causing serious harm. The case returns to court for sentencing Oct. 4, La Canna said in his email. Defense barrister Peter Maley, in an email to Stars and Stripes on Wednesday, declined comment until after his client is sentenced. Marine Capt. Joseph Dipietro, a spokesman for Marine Rotational Force Darwin, did not provide information about the injured Marine. He said he wouldnt provide updates on Thomasons condition out of respect for the Marines privacy and since he isnt a member of this years rotational force. The Marines honor the sovereignty of the Australian justice system, he said. We greatly appreciate the overwhelmingly positive welcome from the people of Darwin and the citizens of Australia, he said. MRF-D will continue to hold ourselves to the high standard consistent of the United States Marine Corps and the entire Department of Defense. YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan Authorities at this airlift hub in western Tokyo dismissed as false a claim circulating on social media that the bases water supply may be tainted by chromium VI, or hexavalent chromium, a carcinogen. The 374th Civil Engineer Squadron, responding Tuesday on a Facebook discussion about the chromium report, said the water at Yokota Air Base is safe to drink and no chromium was detected in the 2021 water quality survey. Chromium was considered non-detectable and did not make the list of contaminants. Our water is safe to drink, said the squadrons message. Separately, it said: Chromium isn't listed. Because it's not detected. The report of chromium contamination, first posted to the Air Force amn/nco/snco Facebook page on Aug. 24, is not true, a spokesman for the 374th Airlift Wing told Stars and Stripes by phone Sept. 7. There is a system in place to prevent the very concern that the individual has brought up, said 1st Lt. Danny Rangel. He said the aircraft maintenance division, the alleged source of contamination at Yokota, did due diligence and discounted the contamination claim. On Wednesday, Rangel provided a statement from the wing: Yokota Air Base continues to conduct operations with careful consideration for the safety of our members, our surrounding community, and our environment, his email states. With the intent of strengthening public understanding of our water systems, the installation publishes an annual drinking water quality report, which summarizes the quality of water delivered by Yokota Air Base. The initial anonymous post on Air Force amn/nco/snco on Aug. 24 described how power sanding the exteriors of C-130J Super Hercules, the 374ths workhorse airlifters, over the past 10 years released hexavalent chromium into the air, after which it found its way into the soil and groundwater. Undated photographs and an undated, four-second video accompanying the post shows airmen in protective suits, on a lift, spraying a Super Hercules at Yokota while a cloud billows from the plane. Since 2012, there has been a memorandum in place that authorizes Yokota Air Base to perform sanding operations of Chromium (VI) compounds in an outdoors environment, the post said. Mind that the base location has not only our service members located throughout, but also the foreign nationals have homes and families in the immediate surround area. Hexavalent chromium causes cancer and targets the respiratory system, kidneys, liver, skin and eyes, according to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration website. Its used as an anticorrosive agent in paint and other surface coatings. Stars and Stripes contacted the poster through the Air Force amn/nco/snco Facebook page, but that person did not respond to questions about the alleged chromium contamination. A second post on amn/nco/snco page Aug. 26 stated: They told us that the Chrome VI levels have quadrupled in the last 6 years in Yokotas water supply and if it reaches a certain point they will shut off all the water to the base. They told us they wont fix it until its too late. Apparently [civil engineering] is going to the Japanese Government for a soil sample to be taken where we have been sanding. The North Kanto Defense Bureau, an arm of the Japan Ministry of Defense, on Aug. 31, and the Japan Ministry of the Environment on Sept. 1 told Stars and Stripes by phone they have no record of a request to take soil samples at Yokota. If theres high levels, the group will have to pay for all damages for contamination, the Aug. 26 post continued. Bio says Chrome VI doesnt leave the 50ft cordon but how is it that the levels are so high now? Everyone has been turning a blind eye to this and nothing will be changed until the levels get too high. That post stimulated discussion on the Yokota Community page on Facebook, an online forum where base residents air community issues. Any news on the water quality issues that were reported recently? commenter Felisa Leppo posted Monday. Anyone know where we can get whole house filtering systems for base housing? Or at minimum RO for the kitchen and shower/bath filtration that can handle the chromeVI? That post generated more than 40 comments. The civil engineer squadron responded with its comments and a link to the 2021 water quality report, which contains no reference to chromium in the water supply. Stars and Stripes reporter Hana Kusumoto contributed to this report. Stars and Stripes is making stories on the coronavirus pandemic available free of charge. See more stories here. Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter here. Please support our journalism with a subscription. CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea Cases of COVID-19 among U.S. military personnel in South Korea have dipped to a three-month low as overall cases in the country also declined. U.S. Forces Korea reported 51 new infections over seven-day period ending Tuesday, according to an update on its official website. The command, which is responsible for the roughly 28,500 service members and civilian employees in South Korea, reported 120 new cases the previous week. The most recent weekly tally is the second-lowest recorded since January, when USFK began reporting its positive cases over a seven-day periods; the command counted 50 new infections June 14-20. USFK reported a record-high of 1,599 positive cases Jan. 4-10. The new Moderna and Pfizer bivalent vaccine booster shots are expected to arrive in South Korea for military personnel by the end of this month, Dr. Timothy Batig, an Army lieutenant colonel attached to the 65th Medical Brigade out of Camp Humphreys, said on Sept. 8. Once we can get this and we can get people boosted with the bivalent, then we should see fewer cases of the omicron [variant], he told Stars and Stripes. USFK rescinded a host of social-distancing restrictions starting in June but still requires personnel to adhere to local regulations, such as mandatory mask wear on public transportation. Since Sept. 3, proof of a negative PCR test for COVID-19 is no longer required prior to traveling to South Korea, although the test is required upon arrival. South Korea counted 71,471 new daily cases on Wednesday, down from 93,981 on Tuesday and 72,646 on Sept. 8, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The nations caseload has slowly declined after brief upswings from waves of the BA.5 omicron subvariant. Health agencies, including the KDCA, warned last week of a potential surge of new cases as millions of South Koreans traveled in the country during a four-day holiday in observance of Chuseok, the autumn harvest holiday. South Korea reported a peak of 621,328 new daily cases in March. About 24.2 million people have been infected since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. Despite the decreased caseload, health authorities are warning people not to get complacent due to a potential surge of influenza cases. "The number of people with seasonal influenza, which has not been prevalent for the past two years since the COVID-19 pandemic, is steadily growing at present," KDCA commissioner Peck Kyong Ran said during a news briefing Thursday. Peck predicted that influenza cases are "highly likely to be prevalent this year" and that the medical community will be focusing on providing screening and treatment for both infectious diseases. SEOUL, South Korea The leaders of South Korea and Japan will meet next week on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Seoul officials said Thursday, in what would be the countries' first summit in nearly three years amid tensions over history. But in an indication of the continuing delicate nature of bilateral ties, Japan denied later Thursday that any agreement on talks had been reached. An official in South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's office said the two sides had agreed on a meeting between Yoon and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and were discussing the exact timing. Kim Tae-hyo, a deputy national security director for Yoon, told reporters that the meeting is one of a series that Yoon is pushing to hold with world leaders attending the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday and Wednesday. He said South Korea and the U.S. have also agreed on a meeting between Yoon and President Joe Biden. However, in response to a question from The Associated Press about the South Korean announcement, the Japanese Prime Minister's Office said "there is no such fact." Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said details of Kishida's schedule in New York have not been determined. He added, however, that Japan wants to cooperate closely with South Korea to restore healthy relations. South Korea's presidential office said it needed to study the Japanese comments before responding. Japanese officials may have been unhappy over South Korea's unilateral announcement of a meeting, with details likely still under discussion. It remained unclear whether Yoon and Kishida would meet next week. Ties between South Korea and Japan, both key U.S. allies, are at their lowest point in decades after South Korean courts ruled in 2018 that two Japanese companies Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries must compensate former Korean employees for forced labor during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. The companies and the Japanese government have refused to comply with the rulings, arguing that all compensation issues were resolved under a 1965 treaty that normalized ties between the countries and included a payment of $500 million from Japan to South Korea. The history disputes have spilled over to other areas, with the two countries downgrading each other's trade status and Seoul threatening to scrap an intelligence-sharing agreement. The wrangling has complicated a U.S.-led attempt to solidify its alliances with its regional partners amid growing Chinese influence and North Korean nuclear threats. Seoul and Tokyo have been looking to mend their strained ties since the May inauguration of Yoon, a conservative who wants to improve relations with Japan and bolster trilateral Seoul-Tokyo-Washington security cooperation to better cope with the increasing North Korean threats. It's unclear if the Yoon-Kishida meeting would produce any immediate breakthrough because it's unlikely that some former Korean forced laborers and their support groups will accept a deal to settle their legal battles unless the Japanese companies consent to the court decisions. "Given that the Japanese companies are dismissing the 2018 court rulings, I think it would be too unrealistic and naive to think there are some other resolutions that can win the consent of the victims," said Lee Kook Un, head of a support group for some former laborers involved in lawsuits with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The last talks between the leaders of South Korea and Japan occurred in December 2019, when then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met in China. Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report. BRUSSELS European Union lawmakers on Thursday declared that Hungary has become "a hybrid regime of electoral autocracy" under the leadership of its nationalist government, and that its undermining of the bloc's democratic values had taken Hungary out of the community of democracies. In a resolution that passed 433-to-123 with 28 abstentions, the parliamentarians raised concerns about Hungary's constitutional and electoral systems, judicial independence, possible corruption, public procurement irregularities, LGBTQ+ rights, as well as media, academic and religious freedoms. The lawmakers said that Hungary which its populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban characterizes as an "illiberal democracy" has left behind many of the democratic values of the bloc. In part, they blamed the other 26 EU member countries for turning a blind eye to possible abuses during Orban's 12 years in office. The vote is the latest in a series of showdowns between the EU's institutions and Orban's government in Budapest. The bloc's executive arm, the European Commission, is expected to announce Sunday that it is prepared to suspend payments of some EU money to Hungary over its alleged violations. The French Greens parliamentarian who chaperoned the resolution through the assembly, Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield, said "for the first time, an EU institution is stating the sad truth, that Hungary is no longer a democracy." In the text, the lawmakers condemned "the deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian government to undermine the founding values of the Union." The vote is highly symbolic in that it sets Hungary apart from other EU countries in its alleged failure to uphold values enshrined in the EU treaty such as "respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities." But the vote, which came during a plenary session in Strasbourg, France, doesn't impose any penalty on Orban's government, nor does it bind other EU countries into taking any particular actions. Delbos-Corfield said Orban and the ruling Fidesz party "have put their time and effort into tearing apart the fabric of democracy and ripping up the rule of law instead of supporting their citizens." "The costs for Hungarian citizens are clear: They are having their rights removed and opportunities undermined, all while their state is stripped apart by autocrats and oligarchs," she said. Lawmakers opposing a report on the resolution said it contains "subjective opinions and politically biased statements, and reflects vague concerns, value judgements and double standards." Hungary's foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, said Thursday during a news conference in Budapest that Hungarian voters had "decided in four parliamentary elections in a row what kind of future they want for the country" by electing Orban and his party. "We resent that some people in Strasbourg and Brussels think that the Hungarian people are not mature enough to decide their own future," Szijjarto said. Hungary has long been on a collision course with its European partners. It has routinely blocked joint statements, decisions and events, ranging from high-level NATO meetings with Ukraine to an EU vote on corporate tax and a common EU position on an Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire. The government in Budapest has opposed some EU sanctions against Russia, notably a freeze on the assets of Russia's Orthodox Church patriarch, as well as energy-related sanctions against Moscow. Members of the European Commission are meeting Sunday, when they are expected to announce a cut in Hungary's EU funding unless it takes action to end its democratic backsliding. Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn said says suspending around 70% of the funding to Hungary in some EU programs, notably related to public contract procurement, "can be considered proportionate." It's unclear how much money that would involve. A full suspension of EU funds is unlikely. Any action must be approved by the member countries, and this requires a "qualified majority," which amounts to 55% of the 27 members representing at least 65% of the total EU population. Some EU lawmakers have expressed concerns that if Italy's far right wins the country's Sept. 25 election it could be difficult to establish that majority. BERLIN Germany's foreign minister is putting pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz to decide soon whether to supply Ukraine with advanced tanks as it seeks to reclaim more of its captured territory from Russia. Kyiv has said it would like to get German Leopard-2 tanks, but Berlin has so far rebuffed that request while delivering other weaponry, such as howitzers and self-propelled anti-aircraft weapons. In an interview with daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung published Thursday, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said a decision on delivering modern battle tanks to Ukraine could only be taken jointly by Germany's governing three-party coalition and its international partners. "But in the decisive phase that Ukraine currently finds itself, I also don't believe that it's a decision which can be delayed for long," she was quoted as saying. Economy Minister Robert Habeck, a fellow member of the Greens party, said Thursday that he expected Germany to deliver more of "the right weapons" to Ukraine soon. The far-right Alternative for Germany party, which is not in government and has close ties to Moscow, warned, meanwhile, against providing tanks to Ukraine. "The Ukraine war is not our war," said its co-leader, Tino Chrupalla. He called instead for Germany to open the Nord Stream 2 pipeline so the country can import gas from Russia. Meanwhile, Germany's defense minister announced Thursday that her country would send two additional MARS II multiple launch rocket systems to Ukraine, as well as 50 DINGO armored vehicles. WASHINGTON The Biden administration on Thursday slapped sanctions on dozens of Russian and Ukrainian officials and a number of Russian companies for human rights abuses and the theft of Ukrainian grain. The State Department said it had imposed sanctions on at least 23 officials and 31 Russian government agencies and firms for their roles in supporting Russia's war in Ukraine. Some, but not all, of those penalized were already subject to U.S. sanctions, which include asset freezes and a ban on Americans conducting business with them. "Those designated today from perpetrators of violence to an official facilitating the purposeful removal of children from Ukraine provide examples of the behavior that has become synonymous with the Government of Russia's unprovoked war," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. "The United States will continue to take actions against those who support Russia's defense-industrial base, its violation of human rights, and its attempts to legitimize its occupation of Ukrainian territory, wherever they may be," he said in a statement. Among those targeted on Thursday include 17 Russian and Ukrainian officials who were said to be working for, or on behalf of, the Russian government to destabilize Ukraine. Another five people were sanctioned for participating in the alleged theft of Ukrainian grain. Many of them were appointed by Russia to local leadership positions in parts of Russian-occupied Ukraine. Among the government agencies and companies hit with sanctions were Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate, or GRU, which has been subject to U.S. penalties since 2016, but has since been accused of running so-called "filtration" camps through which Ukrainians have been forcibly deported. Other companies include high-tech firms involved in Russia's space and satellite sectors and computer companies that produce micro-processors and semiconductors used by the Russian armed forces. NAPLES, Italy U.S. 6th Fleet said goodbye to a commanding officer Thursday who was credited with leading the service through operations in Europe and Africa during Russias war on Ukraine, along with some unprecedented challenges over the last two years. Vice Adm. Eugene Black III relinquished command of the fleet and Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO to Vice Adm. Thomas Ishee during a roughly hourlong ceremony at U.S. Naval Support Activity Naples. Black, who assumed the command in July 2020, now will serve as deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans and strategy in Washington, D.C., the Navy said. Ishee most recently was director of global operations for U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. A Georgia native who was commissioned in 1988, he previously served as director of maritime operations for U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, deputy commander of U.S. 6th Fleet and commander of Submarine Group 8, among other assignments. Adm. Stuart Munsch, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples, lauded Black for his moxie and acumen in deterring Russian aggression and defending NATO. He coordinated a visible maritime presence in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility, including the Mediterranean and Black seas, and strengthened partnerships with African countries to counter Russian and Chinese activity on the continent, Munsch said. Black also made history in transferring authority of some U.S. naval forces to NATO three times, as a way of demonstrating our resolve to defend every inch of allied territory, Munsch said. In summary, Gene made sure we were all in this together and that we all stood together against our adversaries, Munsch said. Black said he was proud of the ingenuity and dedication of commanders and sailors alike in tackling a multitude of challenges, such as assisting Afghanistan refugees, ensuring the well-being of personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic and deterring Russia from further aggression, as the Kremlin mounted the full-scale attack on Ukraine that began Feb. 24. While he will miss task force commanders, international peers and others, its the service members who are hardest to leave, he said. Most of all I will miss the sailors and Marines standing the watch on our ships, submarines and operation centers making sure if the orders come, the missiles fly, the guns shoot, the aircraft launch, the torpedoes run true and the Marines get ashore, Black said. WASHINGTON A volunteer Ukrainian medic detained in Ukraines besieged port city of Mariupol told U.S. lawmakers Thursday of comforting fellow detainees as many died during her three months of captivity, cradling and consoling them as best she could, as male, female and child prisoners succumbed to Russian torture and untreated wounds. Ukrainian Yuliia Paievska, who was captured by pro-Russian forces in Mariupol in March and held at shifting locations in Russian-allied territory in Ukraines Donetsk region, spoke to lawmakers with the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, better known as the Helsinki Commission, a government agency created in part to promote international compliance with human rights. Her accounts Thursday were her most detailed publicly of her treatment in captivity, in what Ukrainians and international rights groups say are widespread detentions of both Ukrainian noncombatants and fighters by Russias forces. Known to Ukrainians by the nickname Taira, Paievska and her care of Mariupols wounded during the nearly seven-month Russian invasion of Ukraine received global attention after her bodycam footage was provided to The Associated Press. Do you know why we do this to you? a Russian asked Paievska as he tortured her, she recounted to the commission. She told the panel her answer to him: Because you can. Searing descriptions of the suffering of detainees poured out. A 7-year-old boy died in her lap because she had none of the medical gear she needed to treat him, she said. Torture sessions usually launched with their captors forcing the Ukrainian prisoners to remove their clothes, before the Russians set to bloodying and tormenting the detainees, she said. The result was some prisoners in cells screaming for weeks, and then dying from the torture without any medical help, she said. Then in this torment of hell, the only things they feel before death is abuse and additional beating. She continued, recounting the toll among the imprisoned Ukrainians. My friend whose eyes I closed before his body cooled down. Another friend. And another. Another. Paievska said she was taken into custody after being stopped in a routine document check. She had been one of thousands of Ukrainians believed to have been taken prisoner by Russian forces. Mariupols mayor said that 10,000 people from his city alone disappeared during what was the monthslong Russian siege of that city. It fell to Russians in April, with the city all but destroyed by Russian bombardment, and with countless dead. The Geneva Conventions single out medics, both military and civilian, for protection in all circumstance. Sen. Ben Cardin, a Maryland Democrat and co-chair of the Helsinki Commission underscored that the conditions she described for civilian and military detainees violated international law. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., called Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal. It is critical that the world hear the stories of those who endured the worst under captivity, Wilson said. Evidence is essential to prosecution of war crimes. Before she was captured, Paievska had recorded more than 256 gigabytes of harrowing bodycam footage showing her teams efforts to save the wounded in the cut-off city. She got the footage to Associated Press journalists, the last international team in Mariupol, on a tiny data card. The journalists fled the city on March 15 with the card embedded inside a tampon, carrying it through 15 Russian checkpoints. The next day, Paievska was taken by pro-Russia forces. Lawmakers played the APs video of her footage Thursday. She emerged on June 17, thin and haggard, her athletes body more than 10 kilograms (22 pounds) lighter from lack of nourishment and activity. She said the AP report that showed her caring for Russian and Ukrainian soldiers alike, along with civilians of Mariupol, was critical to her release, in a prisoner exchange. Paievska previously had declined to speak in detail to journalists about conditions in detention, only describing it broadly as hell. She swallowed heavily at times Thursday while testifying. Ukraines government says it has documented nearly 34,000 Russian war crimes since the war began in February. The International Criminal Court and 14 European Union member nations also have launched investigations. The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine says it has documented that prisoners of war in Russian custody have suffered torture and ill-treatment, as well as insufficient food, water healthcare and sanitation. Russia has not responded to the allegations. Both the United Nations and the international Red Cross say they have been denied access to prisoners. Paievska, who said she suffered headaches during her detention as the result of a concussion from an earlier explosion, told lawmakers she asked her captors to let her call her husband, to let him know what had happened to her. They said, You have seen too many American movies. There will be no phone call, she recounted. Her tormentors during her detention would sometimes urge her to kill herself, she said. I said, No. I will see what happens tomorrow, she said. Lori Hinnant contributed to this report from Paris. IZIUM, Ukraine Ukrainian authorities found a mass burial site near a recaptured northeastern city previously occupied by Russian forces, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday night. A mass grave of people was found in Izium in the Kharkiv region. The necessary procedures have already begun there. More information - clear, verifiable information - should be available tomorrow, Zelenskyy said in his nightly televised address. Associated Press journalists saw the site in a forest outside Izium on Thursday. Amid the trees were hundreds of graves with simple wooden crosses, most of them marked only with numbers. A larger grave bore a marker saying it contained the bodies of 17 Ukrainian soldiers. Ukrainian investigators were already at work examining the site with metal detectors for any hidden explosives. Oleg Kotenko, an official with the Ukrainian ministry tasked with reintegrating occupied territories, said videos that Russian soldiers posted on social media indicated there were likely more than 17 bodies in the mass grave. We havent counted them yet, but I think there are more than 25 or even 30, he said. Izium resident Sergei Gorodko said that among the hundreds buried in individual graves were dozens of adults and children killed in a Russian airstrike on an apartment building. He said he pulled some of them out of the rubble with my own hands. In his address to the nation, Zelenskyy invoked the names of other Ukrainian cities where authorities said retreating Russian troops left behind mass civilian graves and evidence of possible war crimes. Bucha, Mariupol, now, unfortunately, Izium. Russia leaves death everywhere. And it must be held accountable for it. The world must bring Russia to real responsibility for this war, he said. Sergei Bolvinov, a senior investigator for Ukrainian police in the eastern Kharkiv region, told British TV broadcaster Sky News that a pit contained more than 440 bodies was discovered near Izium after Kyivs forces swept in. He described the grave as one of the largest burial sites in any one liberated city. We know that some (of the people buried in the pit) were shot, some died from artillery fire, from so called mine-explosion traumas. Some died from airstrikes. Also, we have information that a lot of bodies have not been identified yet Bolvinov said. Russias forces left Izium and other parts of the Kharkiv region last week amid a stunning Ukrainian counteroffensive. On Wednesday, Zelenskyy made a rare trip outside Ukraines capital to watch the raising of the national flag at Iziums city hall. Ukraines deputy interior minister, Yevhen Enin, said Thursday night that other evidence found after Kyivs sweeping advance into the Kharkiv region included multiple torture chambers where both Ukrainian citizens and foreigners were detained in completely inhuman conditions. We have already come across the exhumation of individual bodies, not only with traces of a violent death, but also of torture - cut off ears, etc. This is just the beginning, Enin said in an interview with Ukraines Radio NV. He claimed that among those held at one of the sites were students from an unspecified Asian country who were captured at a Russian checkpoint as they tried to leave for Ukrainian-controlled territory. Enin did not specify where the students were held, although he named the small cities of Balakliya and Volchansk as two locations where the alleged torture chambers were found. His account could not be immediately verified independently. All these traces of war crimes are now carefully documented by us. And we know from the experience of Bucha that the worst crimes can only be exposed over time, Enin said, in a reference to a Kyiv suburb where the bodies of hundreds of civilians were discovered following the Russian armys withdrawal from the area in March. Earlier Thursday, Zelenskyy said that during the five months the Russians occupied the region, they only destroyed, only deprived, only took away. They left behind devastated villages; in some of them there is not a single undamaged house. The occupiers turned schools into garbage dumps, and churches - shattered, literally turned into toilets. ___ Hanna Arhirova in Kyiv and Joanna Koslowska in London contributed reporting. Flagstaff is set to receive a grant of $32.46 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for a collection of transportation projects known as the Downtown Mile." The projects are aimed at improving pedestrian safety, traffic flow and rail operations in one of downtown Flagstaffs busiest transportation corridors. The federal funding will also be coupled with an $11 million cost-share from Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway and $15 million from the City of Flagstaff for a total of more than $58 million, representing the largest investment in the city since the construction of I-17 and I-40. Im thrilled to see our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law delivering concrete results for Flagstaff families, said Rep. Tom OHalleran, who championed the bills progress through Congress. According to a release from his offices, OHalleran also led the Arizona delegation in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to introduce the City of Flagstaffs grant application. In a press conference announcing the grant award, Buttigieg said Flagstaffs Downtown Mile project was selected for funding because it stood out by meeting several important goals. If you look at the Downtown Mile, the way it's currently configured, there are far too many places where there's a conflict between pedestrians, or bicyclists or others and the rail traffic that's going through. That presents issues both from a safety perspective and from a supply chain and goods movement perspective, Buttigieg said. I would add that when you have train traffic moving more efficiently and you're also encouraging safe, active transportation like walking and biking, there's even a climate benefit to that and an air-quality benefit. The Downtown Mile projects expected to benefit from the grant include multiple pedestrian underpasses at the Rio de Flag, Milton Road, and between Florence and Walnut streets, as well as the installation of pedestrian at high-traffic rail crossings and a BNSF track realignment. A deadline for the allotted funds to be used toward the projects has not yet been determined, but OHalleran and Buttigieg agreed it would be an ongoing process. We want to work with the project sponsors, Buttigieg said. Now that we've announced the award, we of course are very invested in this succeeding. We want it to be done swiftly. But it's also important for it to be done right. Buttigieg added: "There are a lot of checks that have to happen to make sure that everything's on track because it is federal taxpayer money. But we wouldn't have made this announcement if we didn't have very high confidence that the community and the project sponsors will be able to meet that high bar. New funding will also help progress-related projects, said Coconino County Chair Patrice Horstman. She noted that the success of the Downtown Mile project will ensure the completion of the Rio de Flag flood control project, improve traffic efficiency on Milton Avenue -- the busiest road in Flagstaff -- widen and improve the Lone Tree Road corridor -- also one of our busiest roads -- and ensure the completion of the Downtown Connection Center (DCC) that will serve as the hub of the citys growing transit system. Heather Dalmolin, general manager and CEO of the Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority (NAIPTA) which runs the Mountain Line Bus system that will operate out of the new DCC was equally please by the grant announcement. Congressman OHalleran is to be commended, she said, adding that he was also responsible for helping to secure a separate $15.2 million federal grant toward the DCC. Flagstaff Mayor Paul Deasy also voiced commendation, saying the Downtown Mile projects will improve safety and traffic efficiency in the most congested part of downtown, and it couldnt have happened without his steadfast support. Originally, OHalleran and the Arizona delegation requested $65 million for the projects. When asked why the full request was not met, Buttigieg explained that grant awarding was a very competitive process. Flagstaffs project was one of 26 projects across the country that will be funded by $1.5 billion dispersed through the bill. Thanks to the congressman and his colleagues, we have more funding than we've ever had before allowing us to say yes to more projects than ever, Buttigieg said. But we still got over $20 billion in applications for about $1.5 billion in funding. The community ought to stand tall and be proud of this application, that it made the cut, and I'm looking forward to seeing the safety benefits and the economic benefits that come from this being achieved. Buttigieg also noted that the same bill would be responsible for injecting funds to into infrastructure at the national and state level. There are $5.3 billion for roads and bridges, and about $350 million for airports headed to Arizona alone. And $903 million for public transportation and $76 million for EV [electric vehicle] charging, he said. This is what it looks like for us to give the American people a safe, modern transportation system. People should also be on the lookout for future investments, Buttigieg said. These investments represent the largest and most ambitious investment that the federal government has offered, certainly in my lifetime, he said. What we see is often we can fund a particular slice at a particular moment, knowing that's part of a broader vision that we also want to support. Separately from the announcement of the Downtown Mile grant, OHalleran joined Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema on Wednesday in sending a letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to request $75.6 million in funding to support the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County in their post-fire flooding responses. The request comes directly on the heels of the countys estimate that they would need roughly $150 million in support to adequately respond to flood conditions created by the recent Pipeline Fire. The letter specifically requests that funding be made available for these needs via additions to the 2023 Appropriations bill, Continuing Resolution, or in emergency supplemental title that is passed this session of Congress. It is unclear when Flagstaff can expect a response regarding this request. SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday for his balanced approach to the Ukrainian crisis and blasted Washington's ugly" policies at a meeting that followed a major setback for Moscow on the battlefield. Speaking at the start of talks with Xi in Uzbekistan, Putin said he was ready to discuss unspecified concerns by China about Ukraine. We highly appreciate the well-balanced position of our Chinese friends in connection with the Ukrainian crisis, Putin said, facing Xi across a long table. We understand your questions and your concerns in this regard, and we certainly will offer a detailed explanation of our stand on this issue during today's meeting, even though we already talked about it earlier, he added. Putin's rare mention of Chinese worries comes as Beijing has been anxious about the impact of volatile oil prices and economic uncertainty due to the war in Ukraine that has dragged on for nearly seven months. The two met on the sidelines of the eight-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organization that includes India, Pakistan and four ex-Soviet nations in Central Asia. The security alliance was created as a counterweight to U.S. influence. A Chinese government statement issued after the meeting didnt specifically mention Ukraine, but said Xi promised strong support to Russias core interests. While the statement gave no details, Beijing uses core interests to describe issues such as national sovereignty and the ruling Communist Partys claim to Taiwan, over which it is willing to go to war. U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price called Putin's apparent admission striking, but said that China's concerns are not surprising given its verbal gymnastics to avoid criticizing the Russian invasion. It is somewhat curious that President Putin would be the one to admit it and to admit it so openly, Price said in Washington, D.C. Speaking after the meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the assessments of the international situation by Moscow and Beijing fully coincide. We dont have any differences. He added that both countries will continue coordinating our actions, including at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly. Lavrov described the talks as excellent, saying they were very businesslike and concrete, involving a discussion of tasks for various ministries and agencies. The Biden administration described the Putin-Xi talks as part of a rapprochement that has worried Washington. Weve made clear our concerns about the depth of Chinas alignment and ties with Russia, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, adding that Thursdays meeting is an example of that alignment. Xis government, which said it had a no-limits friendship with Moscow before the Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, has refused to criticize Russias military actions. Beijing and India are buying more Russian oil and gas, which helps Moscow offset Western sanctions imposed over the invasion. Observers say Russia will likely grow increasingly reliant on China as a market for its oil and gas as the West moves to establish a price cap on Russian energy resources and potentially cut their imports altogether. In trying to strengthen an alliance with China, Moscow has strongly backed Beijing amid tensions with the U.S. that followed a recent visit to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. We condemn the provocations of the U.S. and its satellites in the Taiwan Strait, Putin told Xi. Along with Russians attack on Ukraine, the summit is taking place against the backdrop of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan not far from Uzbekistan, as well as strains in Chinas relations with Washington, Europe, Japan and India due to disputes over technology, security and territory. Speaking at the start of his one-on-one talks with Xi, Putin blasted efforts by the United States and its allies to dominate global affairs. Attempts to create a unipolar world have recently taken an absolutely ugly shape. They are absolutely unacceptable for the vast majority of countries on the globe, he said in opening remarks. The tandem of Moscow and Beijing plays a key role in ensuring global and regional stability, Putin said. We jointly stand for forming a just, democratic and multipolar world based on international law and the central role of the United Nations, not rules invented by some who try to enforce them on others without explaining what they are. Xi was more careful, saying that in the face of changes in the world, times and history, China is willing to work with Russia to reflect the responsibility of a major country, play a leading role and inject stability into a troubled and interconnected world. The meeting came after Russia was forced to pull back its forces from large swaths of northeastern Ukraine last week amid a swift Ukrainian counteroffensive. Ukraine regaining control of several Russian-occupied cities and villages represented Moscow's largest setback since its forces had to retreat from areas near the capital early in the war. The SCO summit in the ancient city of Samarkand is part of Xis first foreign trip since the start of the coronavirus pandemic 2 1/2 years ago, underscoring Beijings desire to assert itself as a regional power. Putin also met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, whose country is on track to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Raisi said Moscow and Tehran were finalizing a major treaty that would bring their relations to a strategic level. He and Putin both criticized the U.S. at the start of their meeting. Raisi accused the U.S. of breaching its obligations under Iran's nuclear deal with world powers. Putin gibed American officials, saying They are masters of their word -- they give it and then take it back whenever they want. The Russian leader also met with Central Asian leaders and planned a session with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. There was no indication whether Modi would meet Xi. Relations between India and China are strained due to clashes between the countries' soldiers from a border dispute involving a remote area of the Himalayas. Putin also is scheduled for a one-on-one meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan. Turkey and Azerbaijan have the status of dialogue partners with the SCO. Earlier this week, Azerbaijan and Armenia engaged in cross-border shelling that killed 176 troops on both sides, the most serious hostilities in nearly two years between the decades-long adversaries. The fighting has put Moscow, which has tried to maintain close ties with both countries, in a precarious position. Putin's meeting with Erdogan will be closely watched for their statements on Ukraine and a July deal brokered by Turkey and the U.N. to clear the way for exports of grain and other agricultural products that were stuck at Ukraine's Black Sea ports after the invasion. The Chinese leader is promoting a Global Security Initiative announced in April following the formation of the Quad by the U.S., Japan, Australia and India in response to Beijings more assertive foreign policy. Xi has given few details, but U.S. officials complain it echoes Russian arguments in support of Moscows actions in Ukraine. The region is part of Chinas multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative to expand trade by building ports, railways and other infrastructure across an arc of dozens of countries from the South Pacific through Asia to the Middle East, Europe and Africa. On Thursday, Xi met with President Sadyr Zhaparov of Kyrgyzstan and said Beijing supports the early operation of a planned railway linking China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, the Chinese foreign ministry said. Chinas economic inroads into Central Asia have fueled unease in Russia, which sees the region as its sphere of influence. Xi visited Kazakhstan on Wednesday en route to Uzbekistan. Pope Francis was in Kazakhstan, but they didn't meet. More than two years after Iran shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane, killing all 176 people onboard, family members of the victims are asking the International Criminal Court to investigate the incident as a war crime. Lawyers representing the families filed Wednesday a formal submission with the court, which is seated in The Hague, arguing that Tehran intentionally downed the airliner in January 2020 in the context of a military confrontation between the United States and Iran. The move represents an unusual legal strategy made possible in part by Russias war in Ukraine, which has drawn renewed attention to the international justice system. Iran is not an ICC member - but Ukraine has accepted the courts jurisdiction for crimes committed on its territory since November 2013. This includes alleged crimes involving Ukrainian aircraft, which count as territory for legal purposes, according to Haydee Dijkstal, an international lawyer with the Britain-based firm 33 Bedford Row who is representing an association of 140 of the victims families. The families, many of whom live in Canada, are now asking the court to examine the downed plane, Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, as part of the ICCs wider probe in Ukraine. The Canadian government did not respond to a request for comment. Other efforts, including by Canadian authorities, to investigate and push for accountability have borne little fruit, frustrating those who lost loved ones in the crash. The families say that Ukraine was committed to finding justice for the victims - but Russias invasion diverted prosecutors attention to investigating war crimes at home. Hamed Esmaeilion, an Iranian-born dentist who lives in Ontario, lost his wife, Parisa, and 9-year-old daughter, Reera, in the crash. The pair had traveled to Iran to attend a family wedding. Among those killed were citizens of Iran, Ukraine, Canada, Sweden, Afghanistan and Britain. They left for 13 days, and they never came back, said Esmaeilion, who heads the association of victims families. For the last three years, I have been looking for truth - mainly for truth, to know what exactly happened that night. The plane, a Boeing 737-800 bound for Kyiv, was shot down near Tehran on Jan. 8, 2020, hours after Iran fired a barrage of ballistic missiles at an Iraqi military base hosting U.S. personnel. The attack on the base was retaliation for a U.S. drone strike that killed a top Iranian military commander, Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, in Baghdad five days earlier. Iran initially said the airliner, which took off from Tehrans Imam Khomeini International Airport, crashed because of technical problems. But soon after Ukrainian authorities published photographic evidence of shrapnel damage to the plane, Iranian officials admitted that an air defense operator mistook the jet for enemy aircraft and made a split-second decision to shoot it down with Russian-made surface-to-air missiles. Iran eventually stopped cooperating with Kyiv. It put several low-level officials on trial - but even that case was sent back to the prosecutor because of flaws in the probe, a judiciary spokesman said. Tehran also pledged to pay the families of those killed $150,000 per victim, but many families have refused the money, lawyers said. Families accused Iranian authorities of mishandling evidence at the crash site, mistreating some of the bodies and mixing up human remains repatriated to grieving relatives. The text of the ICC submission is confidential, the families lawyers said. But more broadly, the file includes witness statements, forensic reports from national authorities and outside assessments from independent experts. Gissou Nia, Dijkstals co-counsel and director of the Atlantic Councils Strategic Litigation Project, said the submission alleges that Iranian authorities kept the countrys airspace open to civilian flights to deter retaliatory airstrikes from the United States in what was a fast-escalating conflict. Its basically turning civilians into human shields, she said, which constitutes a war crime. Thats not a legitimate reason to keep airspace open, because the Iranian state was purposefully putting dozens of aircraft with hundreds of civilians in harms way, Nia added. Ukrainian officials have also alleged, without presenting evidence, that senior Iranian officials ordered the deliberate downing of the plane. Irans ambassador to the United Nations did not respond to a request for comment. Relatives including Esmaeilion say they hope the ICC will bring them some semblance of justice. Im very hopeful, he said. I think that this falls on the prosecutors shoulders now to look at this as a war crime and a crime against humanity. WASHINGTON The Biden administration said Wednesday it will again give Egypt much of a $300 million tranche of annual military aid that's conditioned on human rights improvements, saying the U.S. ally had made progress by releasing some 500 of its estimated 60,000 political prisoners. Rights groups and some U.S. lawmakers have urged the administration to withhold the full $300 million from Egypt, whose security forces and prisons are notorious for detention, torture and disappearances of democracy and rights activists, journalists, writers, political figures and others. Senior U.S. officials, speaking on condition they not be identified to discuss details of the administration's decision-making, disclosed the move by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Congress has made U.S. payment of $300 million of the more than $1 billion Egypt receives in U.S. military aid contingent on President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi making progress on his government's poor record for political imprisonment and human rights. Administrations are able to waive that requirement for part of the $300 million. Congress's conditioning of some of Egypt's aid makes for an annual public test of the Biden administration's balancing of strategic interests and human rights. President Joe Biden had vowed to put human rights and American values at the core of his administration's foreign policy. As in the previous year, Blinken has informed Egypt that the U.S. would withhold $130 million of that aid but provide $170 million under the waiver, officials said. The officials cited release of some 500 political detainees and what they said were Egyptian government efforts on fostering national dialogue. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, had taken to the Senate floor this week to urge the administration to withhold the full $300 million. Murphy cited the case of the Egyptian father of one of his constituents, who Murphy said had been raped and subjected to electric shock and other abuse while imprisoned for his work to document rights abuses in Egypt. "Every day that we continue to send billions of dollars to the Egyptian government, while paying lip service to these egregious human rights violations, it is a blow both to our nation's character and to our credibility around the world," Murphy said in one of his pleas, which were made before the State Department decision was announced. While freeing the several hundred prisoners, Egypt under the military-backed el-Sisi has had to build 60 detention centers over the past decade, Murphy said, to house what rights groups consistently estimate is 60,000 political prisoners nationally. Under federal law, the secretary of state must certify that Egypt is meeting the congressionally set conditions on human rights and political prisoners or issue a waiver. The department said Blinken was unable to certify compliance on the human rights front other than with regard to political imprisonment. Egypt is one of just two Arab nations the other is Jordan that once went to war with Israel but have since signed a peace treaty with that country. The U.S., in support of those peace agreements, has provided billions of dollars in military aid to Egypt since its 1978 peace treaty. Under Sisi, Egypt has seen the heaviest crackdown on dissent in its modern history. Officials have targeted not only Islamist political opponents but also pro-democracy activists, journalists and online critics. Lengthy pretrial detentions have become a common practice to keep the government's critics behind bars for as long as possible. (Tribune News Service) An Erie, Colorado police officer has been fired and is facing felony charges after investigators say he lied about his military background and forged documents when he applied to the department. Joseph Tymon Watts-Johnson, 35, is facing charges of forgery and attempt to influence a public servant, both felonies. According to an affidavit, Watts-Johnson applied to the Erie Police Department in 2021. During a final interview in December 2021, Watts-Johnson said that he served in the military and completed ranger school as well as airborne and air assault schools. But in January 2022 Erie police Chief Kim Stewart reviewed Watts-Johnson's DD 214, which documents military service history, and she saw there was no information on his form about being a part of the Army Rangers, Airborne or the Air Assault Division. When asked about the discrepancy, Watts-Johnson said his ex-wife had destroyed his documents but that he would get the necessary forms backing his statements. But in June, Watts-Johnson had yet to provide the documents even as he had graduated training and was working as a solo officer. Command staff requested he bring in the forms prior to June 28. On June 28, Watts-Johnson provided a new DD 214 form that had additions. But police noticed editing mistakes that made them question the legitimacy of the document. Erie police contacted the U.S. Army and requested Watts-Johnson's documents, which reflected the original form Watts-Johnson turned in and not the supposedly updated form. The Army said a separate form would need to be filed to update a DD214, and said no such form had been filed for Watts-Johnson. Erie police turned the case over to the Boulder County District Attorney's Office for investigation on July 7, and Watts-Johnson was placed on paid leave pending an internal investigation on July 8. In an interview with investigators on July 12, Watts-Johnson said he used a friend's resume template to apply, but then realized that led to some errors. He then admitted to forging the military forms. Watts-Johnson was fired by Erie police on July 13 after the internal investigation. "With members of law enforcement, it is always important that issues related to truthfulness are dealt with and addressed," Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said in a statement. "It is a testament to the overall integrity of the Erie Police Department, including Chief Kim Stewart, that they pursued this matter and immediately notified the District Attorney's Office of possible concerns related to the job application. The Erie Police Department cooperated, and assisted, with the investigation that led to these charges." Watts-Johnson is set for a formal filing of charges on Thursday, and remains out of custody on a personal recognizance bond. (c)2022 the Daily Camera (Boulder, Colo.) Visit the Daily Camera (Boulder, Colo.) at www.dailycamera.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. WATERBURY, Conn. Infowars' revenues and website viewership spiked as Alex Jones alleged on his show in 2014 that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax, according to documents shown to a jury Thursday. Jones and his Free Speech Systems company are on trial in Connecticut in a lawsuit brought by an FBI agent who responded to the shooting and relatives of eight of the 20 first graders and six educators killed in the December 2012 massacre in Newtown. They say Jones inflicted emotional and psychological harm on them, and they have been threatened and harassed by Jones' followers. Jones has already been found liable for spreading the myth that the shooting never happened and the six-member jury in Waterbury will be deciding how much he and his company should pay the plaintiffs in damages. The trial started Tuesday and is expected to last a month. Christopher Mattei, a lawyer for the families, showed internal Infowars documents detailing the revenue and website-visit spikes around the time of an article on Sept. 24, 2014, on the Infowars website that said no one died at Sandy Hook and Jones discussing the article on his show the next day. The families lawsuit claims that Jones trafficked in lies to increase his audience and sales of the nutritional supplements, clothing and other merchandise he sells on the Infowars website and hawks on his web show. Jones and guests on his show said the shooting was staged with crisis actors as part of gun control efforts. The discussion of revenue and web viewership came Thursday as Mattei spent a second day questioning Brittany Paz, a Connecticut lawyer hired by Jones to testify about his companies' operations. Documents showed daily revenues to the Infowars online store increased from $48,000 on Sept. 24 to more than $230,000 on Sept. 25. Total user sessions on the Infowars website, meanwhile, increased from about 543,000 on Sept. 23 to about 1 million on Sept. 24, the documents showed. Paz also was asked about Infowars videos that show Jones and guests using lies and misinformation to claiming the massacre was staged. She acknowledged that much of what was said was not true. In the videos, Jones says the school shooting was a giant hoax" and the fakest thing since the $3 bill. He said there were aerial images of student actors running in circles in and out of the school when the images actually were of a nearby firehouse where people gathered after the shooting. He also claimed CNN was using green screens in fake interviews with people in Sandy Hook. Mattei later showed an email from a company executive showing internal conflict within Infowars about continuing to discuss conspiracy theories about the school shooting. The Sandy Hook stuff is killing us, Infowars editor Paul Watson wrote, asking why the company was risking its reputation and audience by harassing the parents of dead children. Last month, a jury in Texas awarded the parents of one of the slain Sandy Hook children nearly $50 million in a similar lawsuit against Jones and his company. Paz acknowledged that Infowars broadcasted misinformation. She also acknowledged that Jones did not check the qualifications of a guest who appeared numerous times on his show- a conspiracy theorist who claimed to be a school security expert who had investigating the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado even as Jones boasted of his credentials and Infowars received emails questioning the guest's credibility. Paz testified that she believes Jones and his companies have made at least $100 million in the decade since the massacre and Jones is now worth millions of dollars. Website traffic data reports run by Infowars employees and presented at the trial also show that by 2016, his show aired on 150 affiliate radio stations, and the Infowars website got 40 million page views a month. Mattei showed Paz internal Infowars emails between employees sharing Google Analytics data. Paz earlier testified that she was told by Infowars employees that they didnt use Google Analytics regularly to track website viewing data. After showing her the emails, Mattei asked if it was still her testimony that Infowars didnt regularly use Google Analytics. I dont know at this point," she said. Jones now says he believes the shooting happened, but he insists his comments were protected by free speech rights, which he cannot argue at trial because he has already been found liable for damages. The families say the emotional and psychological harm to them was profound and persistent. Relatives say they were subjected to social media harassment, death threats, strangers videotaping them and their children, and the surreal pain of being told that they were faking their loss. Jones' lawyer, Norman Pattis, said in his opening statement Tuesday that any damages should be minimal and claimed the families were exaggerating the harm they say they have suffered. On his Infowars show Thursday, Jones once again called the proceedings in Connecticut a show trial. The judge now has to carry out this fraud, he said. But across the legal community, people are just saying, My God, this is something worthy of Venezuela. This is unbelievable. James Honea became the new master chief petty officer of the Navy during a recent ceremony in Maryland presided over by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday. Honea, installed Sept. 8 at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, takes over as the Navys chief enlisted sailor and adviser to Gilday from Master Chief Petty Officer Russell Smith, who retired after his term ended under allegations of misconduct. Honea brings the exact kind of professional experience we need for this immense responsibility," Gilday said during the ceremony. "I've said it before: He's got saltwater running through his veins." Now the 16th master chief petty officer of the Navy, Honea, with 35 years in the service, was formerly the senior enlisted leader for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. He completed the Command Master Chief Course and the Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Keystone Course at National Defense University; he is married to Evelyn Honea, according to the Navy. When I was selected for MCPON, I thought heavily on what my tenure means and what I could bring to you all, Honea said, according to a Sept. 10 Navy news release. Im glad I chose to be challenged by this adventure and Im proud of what it has brought me. Honea began his naval career in 1987 as a boatswains mate, serving at various sea assignments, including the USS Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault ship that was decommissioned and scrapped last year after a major onboard fire at Naval Base San Diego in July 2020. He advanced through the ranks, and as a command master chief served on the USS Gridley, a destroyer homeported at Everett, Wash., and then the USS New Orleans, an amphibious dock ship homeported at Sasebo Naval Base, Japan. His resume also includes several shore-based commands as a command master chief. His priorities as the Navys top enlisted leader are laid out in a Navy document, MCPON 16 Priorities, issued Tuesday. They include warfighting competency, professional and character development, and quality of life, the document states. We must ensure our principles, basic standards of technical competency development, and expertise align to the Chief of Naval Operations navigation plan, Honea said in the release. Honea is stepping into a position overshadowed by allegations of misconduct against his two predecessors. Master Chief Petty Officer Steven Giordano, who spent almost two years in the job prior to Smith, retired in 2018 after a Naval Inspector Generals report found he created a toxic leadership environment and belittled his subordinates, according to a Stars and Stripes report on June 22, 2018. Smith, who took over four years ago, also came under IG scrutiny for unspecified allegations against him, according to reports in February from the Navy Times and USNI News, which cited unidentified Defense Department officials. The Navy found nothing in the allegations that would prevent Smith from retiring honorably, Navy spokeswoman Lt. Alyson Hands told Military.com on Sept. 12. In late April, Smith reportedly made insensitive remarks during an all-hands call on the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, during which he allegedly said that sailors should lower their standards to get through the ships maintenance period. Smith denied the accusations. Frankly, as you probably are aware, there was quite a bit of social media furor over a non-statement that I didnt make, he told lawmakers during a House appropriations subcommittee hearing May 18. The George Washington has been in dry dock since August 2017 in Newport News, Va. The IG launched separate investigations into a number of suicides among the crew and low morale attributed to subpar living conditions during the overhaul. Sailors were offered the opportunity to move off the ship shortly after. The ships maintenance is expected through March 2023. During the ceremony Sept. 8 ceremony, Gilday acknowledged Smiths leadership and accomplished Navy career. Thank you for everything you have done over these past four years, he said. Our Navy and our Navy family are much stronger than it was four years ago. (Tribune News Service) A group of men targeted Navy sailors on Tinder by posing as women seeking romantic relationships to trick the sailors into handing over thousands of dollars as part of a bank fraud scheme, prosecutors say. Samari Smith, 20, of Newport News, Va., is the third man to plead guilty in connection with the plot to defraud the Navy Federal Credit Union, involving at least four other men including his brother, according to U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. While prosecutors say dozens of Navy sailors were victims of the overall scheme, Smith was personally involved with targeting four Navy sailors on Tinder, while pretending to be women named Arial, Ariella, Larina, and Elaine, court documents show. Smith pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud on Sept. 13 and faces up to 30 years in federal prison, a news release from the attorneys office says. McClatchy News contacted Smiths attorney for comment on Sept. 14 and was awaiting a response. Beginning in April 2021 through August of that year, Smith worked with a group of men, led by his brother Tequan Smith, to find Navy servicemen and account holders with the Navy Federal Credit Union, court documents state. As part of the scheme, prosecutors say the men pretended to be Navy Federal Credit Union workers and reached out to account holders to get their banking information. With this information, the men would secretly gain access to the victims bank accounts in an act known as phishing, court documents state. Another part of the scheme was to pose as women on dating apps and find Navy sailors who were subsequently lied to further, prosecutors say. Smith and his co-conspirators asked the victimized Sailors to withdraw and turnover funds often under the guise of helping a relative in the Navy who was trying to send them money, prosecutors said in the release. In one instance, on April 13, 2021, Smith and others used Tinder and matched with a Navy sailor, who held the rank of a petty officer third class, while posing as a woman named Ariella, court documents state. Then, they began texting after exchanging phone numbers. Afterward, the Navy sailor was notified of a fraudulent bank charge by who he thought was a Navy Federal Credit Union worker but it was actually Smith and others, according to court documents. As a result, the sailors account was compromised. Smith and others, while pretending to be Ariella, had told the sailor that a sister in the Navy needed help transferring money, court documents state. When they had gained access to the sailors bank account, they transferred $10,000 from his savings account to his checking account while telling the sailor that the money belonged to the made-up sister in the Navy, federal investigators say. The sailor then met with Smith at a casino where he withdrew his own $10,000 and gave it to him, court documents state. The whole time, the sailor believed he was helping the sister in the Navy transfer money. The four sailors stationed in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area lost $40,000 in total after Smith targeted them in similar ways, according to prosecutors. Meanwhile, the broader fraud conspiracy led by Smiths brother caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraud loss to dozens of Navy sailors, prosecutors say. Smiths sentencing is set for Jan. 27, according to the release. 2022 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. WASHINGTON The nations nuclear arsenal is helping constrain Russias actions in Ukraine and could serve as a bulwark against a Chinese takeover of Taiwan, the nominee to lead U.S. Strategic Command said Thursday. Air Force Gen. Anthony Cotton dismissed veiled Russian threats of nuclear war during his Senate confirmation hearing and said the U.S. stockpile of nuclear weapons the worlds second largest is serving as an effective deterrent in Russias seven-month invasion of Ukraine. I absolutely believe that our nuclear deterrent force held, he told the Senate Armed Services Committee. We did not see Russia do anything with our NATO partners. We may have heard the rhetoric, but I think at the end of the day, Russia and China both understand that we have a strong, resilient nuclear force that is offering deterrence to ourselves and extended deterrence to our allies. Ukraines top general, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, warned in an article last week that there is a direct threat of Russia resorting to nuclear weapons in Ukraine and drawing other powers into a limited nuclear conflict, according to the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform. Russas foreign ministry said last month that Moscow had no need to use nuclear weapons in its war against Ukraine and had no interest in a direct confrontation with NATO or the U.S. In the weeks since, the Kremlin has suffered a humiliating retreat from advancing Ukrainian forces in the countrys northeast region. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., said Russia reignited concerns of nuclear annihilation that had largely dissipated through arms control agreements after the Cold War. Russia possesses the largest stockpile of nuclear warheads in the world. I think as we look at the war in Ukraine and some of [Russian President] Vladimir Putins statements, there is a renewed concern about what the use of nuclear weapons would mean, Shaheen said. Cotton, the commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, emphasized his commitment to deterrence if he is confirmed to lead STRATCOM and oversee the nations nuclear arsenal. He agreed with Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., that a nuclear deterrent combined with conventional warfare denial methods should work hand-in-hand to obstruct adversaries such as China. In a private conversation with Hawley on Tuesday, Cotton said China might not escalate an attack on Taiwan if its forces are prevented from entering the Taiwan Strait and Beijing is also made aware of Americas nuclear capabilities, according to Hawley. I think that the whole reason that we have a strategic deterrence that we have today and the [nuclear] triad that we have today is to ensure that our adversaries understand that today shouldnt be the day for them, Cotton told senators Thursday. I think that they would understand that if you have a credible nuclear deterrent, it would make them think twice before engaging. Cotton said the U.S. needs to recalibrate its nuclear defense strategy to reflect the rising power of China, which has for the first time put the U.S. in three-way nuclear competition. Chinas nuclear weapon development has been astonishingly quick since 2018, he said. We have seen the incredible expansiveness of what theyre doing with their nuclear force. They have a bona fide triad now, Cotton said, referring to a nuclear force structure consisting of land-launched nuclear missiles, nuclear-missile-armed submarines and aircraft with nuclear bombs and missiles. Were going to have to understand more deeply the Chinese nuclear strategy. Cotton said he supports accelerating the modernization of the U.S. nuclear triad though he agreed with Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, that the U.S. also has a leading role to play in preventing a new nuclear arms race. He declined to take a position on the controversial sea-launched cruise missile program launched by the administration of former President Donald Trump. The White House wants to scrap the program for being costly and redundant while top Pentagon officials such as Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Adm. Charles Richard, the current STRATCOM commander, want to keep it. I would like to make an assessment on that, if it is able to meet that capability gap that is there. Id like to be able to see that and assess that so I can make my best military assessment, Cotton said. I am not familiar with that weapons system, the specifics of what it can do. He also declined to speculate on whether a nuclear war was in the realm of possibility. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., noted many thought another ground war in Europe was unthinkable until it suddenly wasnt. If confirmed, the role that I would play as commander is to make sure that those 150,000 men and women that are supporting Strategic Command are prepared to do what some folks might think is the unthinkable, the general said. Busted | 27 people charged in garda crackdown on theft, criminal damage and burglaries in Dublin Twenty-two men and five women have been charged with 37 alleged offences arising from 15 incidents in Clontarf, 11 in Raheny and three in Howth. Stock image Stock image Ciara O'Loughlin Independent.ie Thu 15 Sep 2022 at 09:27 More than two dozen people are due before the Criminal Courts of Justice today after being arrested over crimes committed in business and retail outlets. The veteran criminal could have laundered MORE than 200 million in the last 18 months, it is suspected. Detectives claim they have smashed the most important international criminal organisation in Spain specialising in cleaning dirty cash by arresting Johnny Morrissey at his Costa del Sol home. They estimated the Irish passport holder, a former Rochdale doorman identified earlier this year by US authorities as a Kinahan enforcer, could have laundered MORE than 200 million in the last 18 months. And in a fascinating insight into the criminal organisation led by the Irish mafia family, Spanish detectives revealed they believed the cash had not been physically moved out of Spain but spread throughout the world using an ancient money transfer system called Hawala. The informal method of moving money, originating from an Arabic term for transfer or trust and involving a network of brokers, is known to have been adopted by criminal gangs who use code numbers or tokens like banknotes torn in half to prove cash is due. A spokesman for the Civil Guard, in the police forces first comments since the arrests of three people including Morrissey and his wife Nicola on Monday near Marbella, said: The Civil Guard, through an operation dubbed Whitewall, has smashed the most important international criminal organisation that operated in Spain dedicated to money laundering. In a little over a year and a half they could have laundered more than 200 million through the system known as Hawala. It emerged overnight Morrissey, identified by US authorities in April as a key aide of the Kinahan Organised Crime Gang, had been held on suspicion of money laundering at his Costa del Sol home. His wife, the CEO of a Glasgow-based vodka firm called Nero Drinks police are saying was used as a front, was also held although she was released after a court appearance yesterday. Nicola Morrissey J.COSTA/SOLARPIX The pair were pictured in handcuffs after their detentions, with Morrissey trying to cover his face and Nicola raising her middle finger to photographers as she was led away. Yesterday, the Civil Guard released footage of the bald-headed Greater Manchester-raised expat sat bare-chested in a pair of tropical shorts in a chair as police searched his home. Officers were also filmed putting wads of confiscated cash through counting machines and searching cars at a separate address which were allegedly used to move money and drugs in hidden compartments. Mondays arrests took place after a lengthy probe led by the Civil Guard Units elite Central Operative Unit, responsible for the investigation and prosecution of the most serious forms of crime and organised crime. Officers from the Garda, Britains National Crime Agency, Europe and the powerful US DEA law enforcement agency, took part in the culmination of the police operation. Detectives said the starting point for the Spanish police investigation had been the seizure at the start of last year of 200 kilograms of cocaine and nearly 500,000 in cash hidden in vehicles with sophisticated concealment systems. One of the alleged members of the criminal organisation smashed by police ran a second-hand car dealership. As well as the three arrests in Spain, a former Costa del Sol-based Irish expat was held in the UK. Johnny Morrissey Nearly a dozen searches of residential and business premises took place in Spain as well as Britain, including two places in Glasgow thought to be related to Nero Drinks and one in Greater Manchester. Referring to Johnny Morrissey, although he wasnt named in a Spanish police statement about the operation, the Civil Guard said: The main target in Spain devoted himself to collecting large amounts of money in cash from criminal organisations operating in our country and handing it through the Hawala system to organised criminal groups in other countries and vice-versa. Investigators were able to corroborate that during the time the investigation lasted, he allegedly managed to transfer more than two hundred million euros. Outlining the role Nero Drinks played, the Civil Guard said in a statement: The principal members of the organisation in Spain allegedly created a luxury vodka brand promoted at shows, parties and events at nightclubs and restaurants in luxury Costa del Sol environments, presenting it as a successful drinks brand. This couldnt be further from reality because according to information from tax authorities, it couldnt be funding the lifestyle of the people arrested. Similarly they allegedly created another firm in the UK which was dependent on another company created in Gibraltar, with the aim of hiding the true identity of the directors of the firms that were used to launder the money coming from Hawala. Johnny Morrissey, full name John Francis Morrissey, was one of seven people hit with sanctions in April and named by the US department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Johnny morrissey (right) with the late comedian Freddie Starr The US authorities said of Morrissey, so close to alleged cartel boss Daniel Kinahan he was invited to his wedding in Dubai in the summer of 2017: John Morrissey has worked for the Kinahan Organised Crime Group (KOCG) for several years, including as an enforcer, and facilitates international drug shipments for the organisation from South America. John Morrissey is also involved in money laundering. He was included on the list alongside the likes of Daniel, described in the same statement as playing an integral part in organising the supply of drugs in Ireland, his dad Christopher and veteran Dublin-born criminal Bernard Clancy. The other people named as part of a US $5million appeal for information were Christopher Kinahan Jnr, Daniel Kinahans advisor and closest confidant" Sean McGovern and Ian Dixon who was arrested over the 2015 Costa del Sol murder of Gary Hutch but never charged. Morrissey is the first on the list to be arrested since it was made public. Nero Drinks Company Ltd was one of three companies included in the list and banned from trading in the States. Johnny, who courted celebrities including models and reality TV stars as the ambassador of his wifes drinks business, fled Ireland more than 20 years ago after reportedly being involved in a bid to harm a Criminal Assets Bureau officer in Ireland. Today, a garda spokesman said they noted the information released by the Spanish Authorities this morning in relation to investigations, searches and arrests under Operation Whitewall led by the Spanish Guardia Civil. Early this year, in April 2022, An Garda Siochana announced an initiative; Cooperating at an International Level in Protecting Communities from Organised and Serious Crime. The main target of Operation Whitewall is a person and his business environment designated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury as part of this initiative. Speaking today about the Spanish authorities operation, Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary, Organised and Serious Crime (acting) in An Garda Siochana said, "The actions that have taken place over the past few days in Spain, highlight the resilience and determination of international law enforcement to combine our resources to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks. "An Garda Siochana will continue to work closely with all our international partners, targeting transnational organised crime gangs who profit from drug trafficking and impact so negatively on our society and in particular those networks that cause the most harm to our communities here in Ireland. Dublins latest murder victim had been in and out of foster homes since he was a young boy. Murder victim Tony Dempsey is a classic example of someone who fell through the cracks of our society. People familiar with the tragic man say that he never stood a chance due to the chaotic background. The 28-year-olds remains were discovered on Tuesday after they had been left to decompose in a north inner city drugs den for days.. He had been in and out of foster homes since he was a young boy. He also spent time as a juvenile in a number of different institutions being placed in care 10 times. But that is not to say that he was not loved by many. He had many family members who supported and loved him. No one deserves Tonys grim end his decomposing body left near a bed as drug addicts continued to party only a few feet away from where his body was covered with blankets. Not only was he savagely attacked in a flat where he suffered unpublishable fatal head injuries in a dwelling that has been described as a place of absolute horror by a person who had the misfortune of being in it this week. Gardai at the scene at Kevin Barry House on Coleraine Street Dublin where Tony Dempsey's body was found. (Photo: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos) Tony is fondly remembered by his family and friends and he had to endure some terrible recent tragedies within his close family unit. No one knows what his frame of mind was when he was savagely attacked in the grim north inner city drugs den where he lost his life. But what is known is that, even as a juvenile teenager, Tony got sucked into a life of drugs, crime, violence and then jail which also led to him being homeless at stages of his tragic life. The murdered 28-year-old man was a feature of garda intelligence bulletins before he was even old enough to vote. Tony was one of dozens of young men sucked into senseless gangland feuding in the capitals south inner city a decade ago, much of it fuelled by convicted killers Fat Freddie Thompson and his arch-rival Brian Rattigan the so-called Crumlin/Drimnagh feud. But in reality much of the violence in this dispute happened in areas like Inchicore where Tony grew up. Almost nine years ago, he appeared before Dublin District Court where he admitted having control of a petrol bomb and components in a south inner city Dublin flat complex. Tony Dempsey Barely old enough to face court as an adult, he was jailed for nine months after he decided not to contest the case in the Circuit Court which has wider sentencing powers. There was an incident at the Basin Street flats in Inchicore on October 24, 2012 in which a Dublin couple were shot at while making a fast food delivery and as a result gardai searched the flats complex. An explosive petrol bomb and components were found by gardai in a bedroom in one of the flats on October 25. Gardai said Tony was seen running from the area. He was later arrested and admitted that the petrol bomb and components were under his control. He continued to be involved in gangland violence and drug dealing and ultimately drug addiction in the years after that. In July, 2013, he was involved in a shocking incident in which a man was viciously stabbed. The victim was beaten with his fists, then with a crutch. He was also stabbed with a knife twice in the back. Gardai were called to the scene and followed a trail of blood from the ambulance treating the victim to where he was assaulted in the Basin Street flat complex. The victim was hospitalised for his injuries. He was reluctant to make a statement to gardai, but did confirm he had been stabbed. Tony was jailed for two years for this offence. He also given another two years after for possessing stolen property, including an axe, on August 7, 2013. He was spotted hiding under a hedge at Wainsford Manor Crescent, Terenure, Co Dublin holding an axe which he had stolen from a nearby house. He was also carrying stolen house and car keys from the house, and other items including a stolen screwdriver and silver necklace. He was arrested and admitted the offence. Court records show that Tony Dempsey had more than 50 criminal convictions including 22 for road traffic offences, and others for theft, drugs, criminal damage and possession of knives and firearms. But no one deserves what happened to him. Ultimately his involvement in drugs cost him his life as sources said today that gardai believe his murder was drug related. Manchester-born mobster Johnny Morrissey had long demonstrated his loyalty to the Kinahan Cartel. Cash seized in the raid in which Johnny Morrissey was held in Spain. Picture: Guardia Civil Johnny Morrissey (face blurred) is arrested in Spain. Picture: Guardia Civil KINAHAN Cartel enforcer John Morrisseys long criminal career looks over after being arrested this week on suspicion of laundering 350,000 of criminal cash a day. The former target of the Criminal Assets Bureau who fled Ireland in the mid-1990s is the suspected leader of the huge money laundering operation. Spanish police described it as the most important international criminal organisation that operated in Spain dedicated to money laundering. Until he became one of seven people sanctioned by the US Office of Foreign Asset Control as part of the Kinahan Cartel, he posed as a successful businessman on the Costa del Sol. Johnny Morrissey (face blurred) is arrested in Spain. Picture: Guardia Civil Through the Nero Vodka brand, run by his wife Nicola, he pedaled the image of a legitimate entrepreneur and bon viveur enjoying the fruits of his success. This week the Spanish police said the facts were totally different and the company could not be supporting the standard of living of the detainees. He had been targeted in Operation Whitewall after the seizure of 200 kilos of cocaine in Malaga in early 2021 along with 500,000 cash found in a vehicle with specially adapted hidden compartments. Cash seized in the raid in which Johnny Morrissey was held in Spain. Picture: Guardia Civil Even before being sanctioned last April, Morrissey had demonstrated his loyalty to the Kinahan Cartel. He took part in an online campaign by Daniel Kinahan to promote a conspiracy theory that the Regency Hotel attack had been set up by the gardai with the help of the media Morrissey had also been a guest at his Dubai wedding in 2017 which has since emerged as having attracted the interest of the US Drug Enforcement Agency thanks to the number of mobsters at the party. Johnny Morrissey The grim reality is that Morrissey carved out his reputation as a gangland thug who had been suspected of involvement in dozens of murders even before his arrival in Ireland in the 1990s. Despite his charm Morrissey was described as being a highly dangerous and violent man implicated in 38 murders whose main criminal business was that of an assassin. Sources say Morrissey had been sourcing cocaine via Russian gangs who organised it to be dropped off the Irish coast where he retrieved it for distribution in the UK and Ireland. Back then he also tried to pass himself off as the charming party-loving host having moved to Kinsale in Co Cork. He became known as Johnny Cash with everything paid for in cash including the estimated 600,000 refurbishment on his property. Former Criminal Assets Bureau chief officer Felix McKenna previously told the Sunday World how Morrisseys love of flashing drew their attention. He wasnt shy at all, he was a man about town he had the spondoolicks in his pocket to flash and he wasnt afraid of flashing it. The Englishman became one of the first targets of the newly-formed CAB after it was learned he had as serious criminal background outside of Ireland. Explaining why Morrissey is on their sanctions, the US Treasury Department stated in April: John Morrissey has worked for the KOCG for several years, including as an enforcer, and facilitates international drug shipments for the organization from South America. John Morrissey is also involved in money laundering. The former CAB boss Felix McKenna said at the time gratifying to see Morrissey the subject of international efforts to crackdown on organised crime. He fell into a group of criminals who left the south of Ireland and Dublin following the formation of CAB and they made a lot of money abroad and still make a lot of money in the narcotics business. Its fantastic to see what happened last week in regards to the issuance of the notices by the US authorities and the rewards. Hopefully, these men are all incarcerated in the forthcoming years and locked away for a long time. It is very satisfying to see the agencies that can work together both in Ireland and in the European context and now the global context to actually lock away these criminals. Great credit is due to the guards on this. They talk about these guys being Irish criminals but in actual fact those characters have made all their money abroad since they left the jurisdiction. Irish passengers flying to Spain, Italy, France and some other European destinations will be effected. Up to 80,000 Ryanair passengers could be left stranded after the airline announced that they have been forced to cancel 420 flights due to take off on Friday, September 16th. Planes will be grounded as French Air Traffic Control is set to go on an all-out one-day strike. Ryanair have called on the European Union to take action to protect flights over French airspace. The cancellations will mainly affect those planning to travel between Ireland, Spain, Italy, Germany and other locations that have a flight overflying France. The 80,000 Ryanair customers affected by the action have been notified and have been advised of their options via email or text message. In a statement, a spokesperson for Ryanair said: Ryanair sincerely apologises to its customers for these unnecessary disruptions that this French ATC strike will cause them. Ryanair Operations Director Neal McMahon added that the strike was inexplicable and inexcusable. It is inexplicable that thousands of European citizens/visitors will have their travel plans unfairly disrupted tomorrow, (Fri 16th Sept) by yet another French ATC strike. Ryanair is once again calling for immediate EU action to prevent these ATC strikes from disrupting the travel plans of thousands of European citizens/visitors. It is inexcusable that passengers who are not even flying to/from France are disrupted because they overfly French Airspace at a time when French laws protect French domestic flights. It is time that the EU step in and protect overflights so that European passengers are not repeatedly held to ransom by a tiny French ATC union. Ryanair has asked that in lieu of the disruption that French ATC unions engage in binding arbitration, French overflights are protected and that Europes other ATCs manage overflights over France. It comes just one week after Aer Lingus passengers flying out of Dublin airport to British and European destinations were severely impacted after an IT fault left the airline unable to check any passengers in. Passengers were told not to travel to Dublin Airport where massive queues began to form. Andrew, whose children Conor (nine), Darragh (seven), and Carla (three), died at their mother Deirdre Morleys hand in January 2020, announced his mothers death on social media on Thursday. The Donegal native, whose children Conor (nine), Darragh (seven), and Carla (three), died by their mother Deirdre Morleys hand in January 2020, announced his mothers death on social media on Thursday. He shared a sweet photo of the three kids with their proud grandparents, Marie and Brendan, who are from Donegal, along with a sweet message remembering his mum. Andrew wrote: Conor, Darragh and Carlas beloved Granny Marie has left us to spend an eternity reading bedtime stories to them. Im sure snuggles and cuddles will be involved. A devoted mother & granny and lifelong love of Granddad Brendan. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Followers were quick to send on their condolences and kind words in the replies. One person wrote: So sorry to hear that sad news about Granny Maries passing. What a welcome Granny is going to receive when she is reunited with her wonderful grandchildren Conor, Darragh and Carla! Another said: I am so very sorry that you lost your lovely mum, Andrew. I cant even begin to imagine the magnitude of your grief at this point. Positive thoughts to you. A third added: Ah I'm so sorry for you all. May she rest in eternal peace and be reunited with her beloved grandchildren at the gates of heaven. It comes after Andrew said he has decided to divorce his wife Deirdre who killed their three children, but fears that that he may have to sell the family home in the process. Deirdre is currently in Dublins Central Mental Hospital after she was found not guilty of the childrens murders by reason of insanity. She has refused to speak with her husband despite him contacting her. Mr McGinley told the Sunday World last month that he has reached a point where he would like to move forward with a divorce. However he has concerns that it will add to heartache already experienced by the families. If Deirdre contests it then I will have to sell the house. It will be another colossal blow that Ill have to try to cope with, he said. Clerical error blamed for payouts as over 120,000 eligible staff have so far received their pandemic reward Several workers at Peamount Hospital in Dublin were given the bonus in June this year, but were then told they would have to pay it back. The Government announced in January that up to 1,000 was being offered to healthcare workers on the frontline of the Covid battle in recognition of their contribution during the pandemic. However, a clerical error is now being blamed for the payout at Peamount Hospital, which has not responded to queries on how many staff or payments were involved. The Peamount Healthcare facility, in Newcastle, Dublin, has a mix of services. These include rehabilitation for older people after surgery, and respiratory conditions as well as having a residential section for long-term care, intellectual disability and neurological conditions. The HSEs Deborah Jacob, who is head of service for disabilities in the area that includes Peamount Hospital, said: Due to a clerical error, a number of staff who were not exposed to the listed additional risks received the pandemic special bonus. As soon as this error was identified, staff were contacted and informed that as with all overpayments, there would be a requirement to pay this money back. At this meeting, staff members were informed that individual arrangements would be facilitated. Ms Jacob was responding to a parliamentary question from Sinn Fein TD Eoin O Broin. He asked why the decision was made given the workers were in an environment that warranted their inclusion, having been among the workers prioritised for early vaccination and being in direct contact with patients. As of August 17, 23 healthcare workers have died after contracting Covid-19 They worked in the catering department and in security, he said. One member of staff had the payment taken from their holiday pay without their knowledge or permission, he claimed. The latest blunder comes as just over 121,400 staff have so far received the bonus across the HSE and its funded agencies, leaving thousands of others in encompassing nursing homes, hospices, home care and other areas where workers faced daily risk during the worst of the pre-vaccination days of the pandemic. An outside firm has now been employed in a bid to overcome the delay in administering the payments. Not all workers get 1,000 and the payment is graded according to contracted hours between March 2020 and June last year. Those whose contracted hours were below a particular threshold get 600 and anyone working less than four weeks are outside of entitlement. Stock photo In her response regarding the Peamount Hospital payments in error, Ms Jacob said the HSE has set out clear guidelines for organisations, including eligibility criteria and the staff categories that might be included for the Covid-19 payment. She said staff working with residents and patients were segregated into specific zones and the individuals who were incorrectly given the payment did not work on those zones. Ms Jacob added: Following an evaluation of all staff roles and activity, including zones where they worked during the prescribed time frame, a determination of the staff who were eligible to receive the payment was made. All managers were requested to inform those staff who were ineligible prior to the issuing of the payment in the June payroll. She added that the facility regretted the error in paying the bonus to staff who must now pay it back. Ms Jacob said all staff have been made aware of an appeals process relating to the payments. Earlier this week, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said families of health staff who died after contracting Covid-19 in the workplace are being invited to apply for a 100,000 ex-gratia payment. As of August 17, 23 healthcare workers have died after contracting Covid-19. Most of these deaths occurred in the first year of the pandemic. Mr Donnelly said: Following Cabinet approval for the scheme in March this year, the Department of Health and Pobal had put in place a straightforward application process. The infant, understood to be a nine-week-old girl, suffered serious injuries in the Louth area and was admitted to hospital on Tuesday A newborn baby is fighting for her life in hospital following an incident in Louth earlier this week. BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Nationwide efforts over the past 10 years have provided the Chinese people with a substantial increase in both the quantity and quality of homes, as well as improvements in urban and rural environments, coupled with the steady development of related industries. Bent on providing everyone in China with a roof over their head, the country invested a record 14.8 trillion yuan (about 2.14 trillion U.S. dollars) in affordable housing in the past decade, helping to settle over 140 million people in new homes, Jiang Wanrong, vice minister of housing and urban-rural development, told a press conference on Wednesday. To the same end, China made 3.3 million affordable rental homes for young urbanites available since last year, with over 38 million low-income urban residents moving into public rental housing by the end of 2021, said Jiang. The housing provident fund, established in 1991 to raise money to help the country's workforce purchase homes, has widened its coverage from 102 million people to 164 million over the decade, and includes over a million flexibly-employed people, official data shows. COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE China is actively accommodating the people's demand for housing, which is now pivoting increasingly towards comfort and convenience. The country had started renovating 163,000 old urban residential communities over the past decade to the benefit of 28 million households, while 150 million people now live in cities with waste sorting systems, said Li Xiaolong, an official with the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. The urban environment has improved, with better water quality and greener spaces. Last year, green spaces made up 38.7 percent of metropolitan areas, while the per capita coverage of city parks across China averaged 14.87 square meters, said Jiang. As part of the effort to render rural areas more agreeable, around 23.4 million households that once lived below the poverty line were able to move into safe homes during the period, official data shows. To celebrate the country's rich historical legacy in rural areas, 6,819 villages were given special preservation status, while around 520,000 historical rural edifices have been protected. INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS The improvement of residential conditions in China over the past decade has opened up business opportunities for relevant industries, such as real estate and construction. Adhering to the principle that "houses are for living in, not for speculation," China has sought sound and steady development of the real estate sector in the past decade, said Jiang. The sector sold a total of 13.23 billion square meters of commercial homes during the period, up 2.2 times from the previous decade, with better construction quality and more amenities, he said. The construction industry also achieved breakthroughs, with its total output at 29.3 trillion yuan last year, 2.1 times that of 2012. The sector created over 50 million jobs and contributed to 7 percent of China's gross domestic product last year. A number of landmark projects completed during the past decade, including the Beijing Daxing International Airport and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, are touchstones of China's quality construction, said Li Rusheng, chief engineer with the ministry. A crowd of them spotted me and kind of gathered around me - maybe 20/25 people The Solidarity/People Before Profit TD said the incident took place after a protest outside Leinster House on Wednesday over defective apartments. He told The Pat Kenny Show how there was a far-right protest happening at the same time. "There was maybe 100/150 people at the far-right protest, kind of focused on opposition to vaccines, to abortion, to referendum for the right to housing, to objective sex education. "A crowd of them spotted me and kind of gathered around me - maybe 20/25 people. "In my face, obviously loads of camera phones, shouting 'paedo' at me, 'baby killer' - those kind of things". He said he was walking away when one of them kicked him. "Kicked me in a way to try and make me trip over, I think it was what was happening there. Speaking about the wider issue of the far-right movement in Ireland, Deputy Murphy said he believes they have a toehold here that they didnt have before the pandemic. "They are dividing people - they're trying to get people to blame refugees or trans people or Travellers or whatever - as opposed to we need to build a movement and unite everybody. Deputy Murphy said there should be a political answer to the rise of the far-right in this country. "The far-right has emerged from a position of almost nothing in this country, during Covid, to now have a toehold in society. "They did so by preying on people's fears about Covid, preying on an understandable correct opposition to people to the absolutely ham-fisted Government strategy in terms of dealing with Covid. "And now they are preying on the housing crisis - and comments by section of the Government, which occasionally point to 'Oh, this is because we have too many refugees, etc'. "We need a political answer - which is the building of a significant force of the left - to say that the problem here is those at the top. "The right-wing politicians, the corporate landlords, the big energy companies who are engaged in profiteering, he added. Dundalk man Ricky Pellecchia (38) says it is unbelievable what is happening to him Friends of a popular Irishman who is facing deportation from the US after he got in trouble over a drone mishap in New York has said it is unbelievable what is happening to him. Riccardo Ricky Pellecchia (38) a native of Dundalk, Co Louth, will be kicked out of the US and returned home by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) this week. He has sent the last month at the ICE facility in Goshen, New York after they picked him up following an incident involving a drone he was flying. Pellecchia who overstayed his 90-day visa waiver when he came to the US in 2010 became the subject of a New York Police Department and FBI investigating after the drone he uses to take photographs landed on property owned by electrical utility Con Edison in Manhattan. The Irish Voice had reported last week that Pellecchia who enjoys taking photos of the Manhattan skyline and sunsets with the drone had been flying it one day in July when its battery went dead. When he went to retrieve the drone he was greeted by members of the New York Police Department who had been contacted by Con Ed personnel about the sudden landing. An NYPD detective questioned Pellecchia and was satisfied when the Irishman explained that he was using the drone solely to take photos and that the battery unexpectedly ran out. A couple of weeks later the FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Force got involved although the agents who questioned him were also convinced the drone was recreational. However, ICE then contacted Pellecchia to set up an interview. He agreed to mee them but on the morning of his appointment, there were four ICE cars waiting for him outside. He was taken to the Manhattan field office at 26 Federal Plaza before being sent to Goshen. Pellecchia who had no criminal record, worked at an Irish bar in Queens, and was involved in many local Irish organisations. Pellecchias attorney Michael Nappo sought to have his client returned to Ireland via voluntary departure, a mechanism that would allow for an easier future trip to the US. Those with a deportation record are barred from traveling here for several years, but ICE officials would not budge. Its very unfortunate. Ricky is a wonderful person but ICE didnt want to hear it, Nappo told the Irish Voice, sister publication to Irish Central. His supporters here are furious at how hes been treated, and cite the unfairness of whats happening at the southern border with immigrants crossing into the U.S. and being bused to cities like New York where they can live and work while their cases are being adjudicated. What happened to Ricky is unbelievable. It is grossly unfair when looking at everything happening at the US-Mexico border. It seems there is no room for Irish people in America anymore, one friend of Pellecchias told the Irish Voice. ICE could have given him voluntary departure. Ricky would have paid for his ticket. But they wouldnt hear of it. He has been treated terribly, for no good reason. Zelensky was not seriously injured but the driver of the other vehicle was taken away by ambulance Russian missiles attack dam in attempt to flood another city, Ukraine says Russian, Chinese navies conduct joint patrols in the Pacific In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center, sings the Ukrainian national anthem during his visit to the city of Izium, Kharkiv region, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP) AP/PA Images "Doctors who accompany the president checked him, no serious injuries were detected," Serhiy Nykyforov, a spokesman for Zelensky said in a post on Facebook. A passenger car collided with a vehicle carrying the president as his motorcade that was returning to Kyiv from the Kharkiv region, Nykyforov wrote, without indicating what sort of injuries the president may have received. He added the collision is under investigation. The driver of the other vehicle was taken away by ambulance. "Doctors accompanying the head of the state provided emergency aid to the driver of the car and transferred him to ambulance," Nykyforov wrote. Zelensky was returning from Izium, the biggest city recaptured last week during a counteroffensive in the country's northeast. The development was his country's most significant battlefield victory in months. It came as Russian troops targeted critical infrastructure in the presidents home town. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky REUTERS Eight cruise missiles hit water equipment hit Kryvyi Rih, a city on the Inhulets River 93 miles south-west of Dnipro, according to the deputy head of the presidents office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, on his Telegram channel. Mr Zelensky said the strikes appeared to be an attempt to flood the city and that a dam on a reservoir was hit. Zelensky said towns and villages recaptured from Russian forces had been devastated, while a major city struggled to contain damage to its water system from missile attacks by Kremlin's forces. Kryvyi Rih, the largest city in central Ukraine with an estimated pre-war population of 650,000, was targeted by eight cruise missiles on Wednesday, officials said. "The water pumping station was destroyed. The river broke through the dam and overflowed its banks. Residential buildings are just a few metres away from the river," Ukrainian legislator Inna Sovsun said on Twitter. The missile strikes hit the Karachunov reservoir dam, Zelenskiy said in a video address released early on Thursday. The water system had "no military value" and hundreds of thousands of civilians depend on it daily, he said. Russian forces suffered a stunning reversal this month after Ukrainian troops made a rapid armoured thrust in the Kharkiv region, forcing a rushed Russian withdrawal. Zelensky on Wednesday made a surprise visit to Izium - until four days ago Russia's main bastion and logistics hub in the region - where he watched as the blue and yellow Ukrainian flag was raised in front of the charred city council building. "Our law enforcers are already receiving evidence of murder, torture, and abductions of people by the occupiers," Zelensky said in his address. "They only destroyed, only seized, only deported. They left devastated villages, and in some of them there is not a single surviving house," he added. Russia denies deliberately targeting civilians. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky stands with soldiers after attending a flag-raising ceremony in freed Izium, Ukraine, yesterday. Photo: Leo Correa/AP AP Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are set to discuss Ukraine and Taiwan at a meeting in Uzbekistan on Thursday which the Kremlin said would hold "special significance". Ahead of the meeting, the navies of the two countries conducted joint tactical manoeuvres and exercises involving artillery and helicopters in the Pacific Ocean. Moscow and Beijing declared a "no limits" partnership earlier this year, backing each other over standoffs on Ukraine and Taiwan with a promise to collaborate more against the West. Also on the diplomatic front, the U.N. General Assembly is on Friday due to consider a proposal for Zelensky to address the annual gathering of leaders next week with a pre-recorded video. Russia is opposed to Zelensky speaking. Away from Ukraine, Russian authorities are facing challenges in other former Soviet states, with deadly fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia and border guard clashes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Western politicians and military officials have said it was too early to tell whether Ukraine's recent success marked a turning point because Russia had yet to fully respond. "We should avoid euphoria. There is still a lot of work to be done to liberate our lands, and Russia has a large number of weapons," Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the national security and defence council, said in an online post. Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, in a Twitter post after the attacks on Kryvyi Rih, said "Russia is a terrorist state and must be recognised as such". In that vein, U.S. senators from Democratic and Republican parties introduced legislation that would designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. The measure is opposed by President Joe Biden's administration. Back in Izium, smashed windows, pock-marked facades and scorched walls lined a battle-scarred main thoroughfare comprised of deserted meat shops and pharmacies and ruined beauty salons. A forlorn handwritten sign on a door read: 'People live here'. With a pink hood wrapped around her face for warmth, Liubov Sinna, 74, said Izium residents were still fearful. "Because we lived through this whole six months. We sat it out in cellars. We went through everything it is possible to go through. We absolutely cannot say that we feel safe," she said. She said the town stood at the "gates of the Donbas", the eastern region whose entire capture Putin has talked up as a key war objective. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who spoke to Putin over the phone this week, said the Russian president "unfortunately" still did not think his invasion was a mistake. Putin says he wants to ensure Russian security and protect Russian-speakers in Ukraine. Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of an unprovoked war of aggression. In a move that suggests Putin had wider war aims when he ordered troops into Ukraine on February 24, three people close to the Russian leadership told journalists that Putin had rejected a provisional deal with Kyiv around the time the war began. They said the deal would have satisfied Russia's demand that Ukraine stay out of the U.S.-led Western military alliance NATO. The Kremlin said the Reuters report had "absolutely no relation to reality". It also said Ukraine's ambitions to join NATO still presented a threat to Russia. He shared a snap of himself and the 40-year-old model mum with their daughter alongside a caption which revealed the child's name is Onyx Ice Cole Cannon Comedian Nick Cannon has announced the arrival of his NINTH child with LaNisha Cole while revealing he is awaiting the birth of two more kids with other women. Declaring that he is in awe of the divine feminine, the 41-year-old said the birth of child number nine with model LaNisha Cole was a privilege. He shared a snap of himself and the 40-year-old model mum with their daughter alongside a caption which revealed the child's name is Onyx Ice Cole Cannon. LaNisha is an American fashion model who was best known for her eight seasons as a rotating model on The Price Is Right hosted by Bob Barker then Drew Carey. She had been documenting her pregnancy journey since May but had not revealed who the father of her child was until Wednesday. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Nick was romantically linked to LaNisha in February 2021, however, they split at the end of the month. Just weeks ago the actor amazed fans by announcing that he is expecting his 11th child with Brittany Bell. Brittany, who is also a model, is already a mother to two of Nick's kids - daughter Powerful Queen (one) and son Golden (five). And this follows the news that the father-of-eight is currently awaiting the birth of his tenth child with Abby De La Rosa due in October. Cannon already has one-year-old twins Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir with De La Rosa. He also has 11-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe with ex-wife Mariah Carey and fathered a child with Alyssa Scott - son Zen, who died at five months old in December 2021 after being diagnosed with brain cancer. Announcing the birth of his new baby girl, Cannon wrote: Introducing ONYX ICE COLE CANNON Once again today I am in awe of the divine feminine! God has given me and @MissLanishaCole the privilege of hosting an angel here on earth. I vow to protect, provide, guide and love this child to the best of my abilities. After impregnating several women over the years, he said he had thick enough skin to deal with the criticism he has received. As we all know I am not easily triggered and have quite tough skin and have always been an open book but not everyone in my family has that same level of strength. So I pray and ask others to please project all criticism and cynicism towards ME and not the loving and precious mothers of my children. Cannon continued, "I promise to love this little girl with all my heart, regardless of what anyone says. Ive given up on attempting to define myself for the world or society but instead Im doing the work to heal and grow into the infinite being God ordained me to be." The dad promised to protect his daughter from "shame" and won't let others "ridicule her with their outside opinions". Cannon urged the public to stop projecting criticism toward the mothers of his children but to instead focus on him. "Lanisha is one of the most guileless, peaceful, and non-confrontational kind souls Ive ever witnessed. He said she "only deserves to revel in this moment of blissful joy of motherhood". "Please give her that. She is so loving and pure-hearted," he stressed. Australian High Commissioner Harinder Sidhu has today presented medals to a number of New Zealand Defence Force personnel in recognition of their service during the 2019/20 Australian Bushfires. More than 170 NZDF personnel, as part of Operation Bushfire Assist 2019/20, travelled to four states in Australia to help during the intense bushfire season known as the Black Summer. The deployment included NZDF firefighters, combat engineers, air dispatchers, enviro health teams, a primary health care team and a chaplain, along with assets including a C-130H(NZ) Hercules and crew, and three NH90 helicopters and crew. The NZDF played a varied role in supporting the Australian authorities and the Australian Defence Force. Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Kevin Short says the NZDF can be proud of the way its people displayed their commitment to Australian communities during a devastating and highly volatile time. Their actions have reinforced the value of our close relationship with Australia. Overall, 145 NZDF personnel will receive the Australian National Emergency Medal, among them New Zealand Army Emergency Responder, Sergeant Joshua Nahi. His time as an emergency responder has taken him to a range of domestic and international emergencies including the Christchurch earthquake, Tasmanian and Queensland fires, Port Hills, Pigeon Valley, and the 2019/20 Australian Bushfires. Direct fire suppression, hazard reduction burning, and maintaining overnight patrol teams at the fire-line, were just a few of the tasks Sergeant Nahi and his team undertook. The Australian National Emergency Medal is awarded by the Australian Government for sustained or significant service during national emergencies in Australia. During fire suppression, your body is fuelled by adrenaline and purpose to knock the fire down, says Sergeant Nahi. However, fire-fighting was not the most demanding task, he says. The most challenging part during all of this was the physical demand of mopping up. This involved removing any burning materials, felling fire-damaged trees, and cooling ash pits to ensure the fire was extinguished and reduce any residual smoke. A firefighter can fight as long as the fire is present, but its followed by hours or even days of digging up hotspots and blacking out large portions of land to ensure the fire is properly extinguished, says Sergeant Nahi. Although not having direct experience with animals hurt by the bushfires, Sergeant Nahi knew this was an emotionally challenging aspect faced by some of his colleagues. The acknowledgement Sergeant Nahi and his team received from their Australian counterparts was what made the extreme physical demands worth it, he says. Despite many hours or days mopping up, the most rewarding part was the genuine appreciation the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services showed. Appreciation also came from the local residents and the general population. Australian High Commissioner, Her Excellency, Harinder Sidhu, presents Sergeant Nahi the Australian National Emergency Medal. Helping local communities hit by devastating natural disasters was what motivates Sergeant Nahi to put himself at risk for others. I enjoyed every minute of it. This is why Im a firefighter. Helping others is what we do. Additional ceremonies will take place in the coming months for medal recipients based outside the Wellington region. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. OMAHA -- While it might seem that polarization over vaccination policies began with the COVID-19 pandemic, the split along party lines actually began well before that, according to a study led by a Creighton University researcher. Polarization around immunization laws has increased in recent years, and by 2020, it was approaching the level of the partisan divide around abortion laws, said Kevin Estep, an assistant professor in Creighton's cultural and social studies department and the study's lead author. "This is polarized almost at that level, which is saying something," he said. Immunization is a state-level policy issue, so the researchers analyzed nearly 1,500 state laws and almost 230 legislative votes from 1995 to 2020. The researchers created two different ways of measuring polarization, which they define as the alignment of partisan identity with certain positions, such as pro- and anti-vaccination. The study was published recently in the American Journal of Public Health. Two then-undergraduate Creighton students, Annika Muse and Shannon Sweeney, assisted with the study. For the first 20 years of the study period, Estep said, there was relatively little polarization around immunization. Even if a voter knew a legislator's party affiliation, he wouldn't be able to predict with great confidence how she would vote on a childhood immunization measure, such as supporting or restricting exemptions or adding or subtracting vaccine requirements. The researchers compared the amount of polarization around immunization laws to that involving measures on two other topics: veterans affairs and abortion. Measures addressing veterans affairs generally garner bipartisan support, Estep said, while votes on abortion laws typically split along party lines. At the beginning of the study period, polarization around immunization laws was about what it was for veterans' bills. But by 2019-20, nearly 60% of one party would have had to "defect" to reach bipartisanship on immunization bills. By way of perspective, the researchers wrote, legislators were more likely to vote along party lines for vaccine bills in 2019-20 than they were for abortion bills in 2011-12, which was the height of polarized conflict between the Tea Party and the administration of then-President Barack Obama. People always have had strong views on vaccination, Estep said. During the early part of the study period, however, their questions tended to focus on the safety of vaccine components. Those concerns don't map in a clear way to partisan ideology, because both Republicans and Democrats generally are concerned about safety. But the concerns around vaccines shifted after questions around vaccine safety were answered. A 2004 report by the Institute of Medicine, now the National Academy of Medicine, established scientific consensus against a purported link between autism and mercury. Because of scientific and ethical concerns, The Lancet retracted the study that first proposed the connection. "The answer came back a pretty resounding consensus that no, there's no causal link between vaccines and certain conditions," Estep said. Other researchers previously found that discussions among the vaccine hesitant shifted by the mid-2010s to a focus on civil liberties, or what the government can and cannot tell people to do. That shift in how opponents framed their concerns is easily connected to partisan identity, Estep said. Legislators may have faced mounting pressure to stick with the party line. And while concerns around vaccines already were shifting, there was no threat to "activate" concerns about state overreach until the Disneyland-associated measles outbreak of 2015. California in 2016 went from being the easiest state in the nation to get a childhood vaccine exemption to becoming one of three to allow exemptions only for medical reasons. California's identity as a liberal state led by Gov. Jerry Brown, a well-known Democrat, signaled the Democratic position on vaccine exemptions to legislators in other states, the researchers wrote. Additional measles outbreaks in 2019 required other state legislatures to weigh calls from public health officials to restrict exemptions against the concerns of those who saw them as infringements on parental rights. How to resolve such splits, however, is less clear. Estep said researchers know far less about how issues become depoliticized than they do about how they become politicized. "There's probably room for people to do more research on this," he said. "But it takes a long time." Estep said he thinks resolving partisanship in vaccine policy, too, will take some time to resolve. At least 26 states have pushed to limit the emergency powers of public health officials. While experts suggest partisan polarization hinders effective public health policy, the researchers wrote, polarization also means that policy proposals that are most likely to be passed are those that bridge partisan divides. "There's incentive," he said, "for policymakers, if they want to get things done, to find solutions that are effective but don't alienate their political counterparts." The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. The Big Blue Ranch and Lodge near Burchard, Nebraska in Pawnee County is a destination for hunters, fisherman and families wanting to disconnect and de-stress. When Tom Bodie returned from World War II, he was in poor health as he had been a prisoner of war. His doctors told him he should go into work in agriculture because it was low stress. He married Betty and with his degree in business and her degree in nursing, they purchased the 2,000-acre ranch. Scott Bodie and his wife, Billie Kay, were the next generation to own the cattle ranch. We built the lodge to diversify our income, said Billie Kay. The lodge was designed so visitors can see the 24-acre lake which is shaped like a boomerang from every window in the house. Our first guests were on Fathers Day weekend in 2007," said Billie Kay. It was a dad and his two sons. They were from Omaha and were amazed. They had never seen the milky way before." The Big Blue Ranch and Lodge has had several visitors who enjoy nighttime photography as there is no ambient light. There were also guests who specifically came to view the solar eclipse. People who come to the lodge to hunt deer, turkey and predators, said Billie Kay. They can fish at the lake which is stocked with a variety of different species. We have john boats, canoes, and kayaks for the guests also. Some people like to sit on the big, covered porches, she said. There is no internet or television so people can truly disconnect. Its absolutely quiet, said Scott. In April, guests enjoy bird watching. The rare Greater Prairie Chicken are often able to be viewed and photographed. The Big Blue Ranch was named one of Eight Great Ecotourism Opportunities in Nebraska by the University of Nebraska. With only 4% of the regions tall grass prairie still in existence the ranch is an ecological gem with groves of trees, large ponds, and original as well as restored grasslands. Thanks to generations of sustainability-minded Bodies the ranch is home to a large amount of ecological diversity, as noted in the book. In addition to the lodge, the ranch is operated as a custom grazing operation. Scott said he takes a lot of pride in keeping his pastures clean. Josh and Carly Black became managers of the Big Blue Lodge as the Bodies wanted to travel more often. The best part of my job is getting to work outdoors. We get to meet a lot of great people, said Josh. The ranch is a good place to disconnect. More information on rates and availability can be found on the website: bigblueranch.com. An Omaha woman who abandoned her baby after giving birth on a sidewalk in February was sentenced to two years in prison Tuesday morning in Douglas County District Court. Trinity Shakespeare, 28, had pleaded no contest to intentional child abuse in July. Douglas County District Judge LeAnne Srb also sentenced Shakespeare to 18 months of probation after her release and gave her an order to complete inpatient treatment. She faced a maximum of three years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Shakespeare was arrested in February after officers found her newborn baby boy alone on a sidewalk. According to an affidavit, she delivered the child there in 15-degree weather before running away from the scene and hiding in a nearby backyard. Bystanders called 911 and covered the baby with blankets, but the affidavit says he was exposed to the cold for about five minutes. The baby survived and was treated at the Nebraska Medical Center. Shakespeares sister said she had been homeless for about four years at the time she gave birth. Prosecutors say Shakespeare told a friend that she had used methamphetamine during her pregnancy. She also told police that she drank alcohol to cope with painful cramps, according to the affidavit. The State of Nebraska initially was granted custody of the child, but the case has since been transferred to the Wind River Tribal Court in Fort Washakie, Wyoming. A hot potato: Printer ink cartridges have long been notoriously expensive, and printer manufacturers use DRM to keep users from buying cheaper third-party versions. HP is still paying settlements to customers over how it deployed its DRM years ago, but the practice shows no sign of ending soon. Consumer group Euroconsumers recently reached a settlement with HP in which the printer manufacturer will pay up to $1.35 million to customers in four European countries over its enforcement of ink cartridge DRM in 2016. HP already agreed to similar pay-outs to customers on other continents. The trouble started when a firmware update for some of HP's printers caused them to refuse ink cartridges from companies other than HP, identified by the lack of HP's DRM chips. The DRM can also tell if a used HP cartridge has been refilled. Third-party ink tends to be cheaper than "official" cartridges from printer companies that operate under a razor-and-blade model to recoup costs from selling cheap printers. Claims against HP emerged because many users were unaware of the DRM until after their cartridges stopped working. HP apologized and initially removed the DRM. However, it reappeared in 2017, and HP continues to sell printers with DRM. The company had to compensate users in Australia over the surprise DRM in 2018, paying out AU$50 each for a total likely exceeding AU$100,000. A US class-action lawsuit accused HP of "underhanded" tactics and anticompetitive behavior in 2020. The Euroconsumers settlement lets customers in Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Portugal who owned certain HP printers between September 1, 2016, and November 17, 2020, receive up to 95 in compensation. Customers must submit a claim before March 6, 2023, with a possible three-month extension. Canon uses similar methods to force its cartridges onto users of its printers. As an unintended side-effect of the pandemic supply chain shocks, the company couldn't manufacture enough DRM chips for its cartridges, forcing it to let customers circumvent the DRM in January. Ink cartridge DRM will likely persist in the long run despite the settlements. To avoid further accusations of deceit, HP is more up-front about its DRM nowadays, describing it in the fine print on product pages and FAQs. In a nutshell: Microsoft's $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard is expected to face increased scrutiny from regulators in the UK and Brussels after the company failed to address concerns that the deal is anti-competitive and will prevent rival consoles and cloud gaming/subscription services from accessing Activision Blizzard games. Earlier this month, the United Kingdom's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) wrote that the Microsoft/Activision deal could lead to competition concerns within the video game industry. The regulator said that if Microsoft didn't submit a proposal to assuage these worries, the CMA will open an extended stage 2 phase of its probe in which the acquisition would face increased scrutiny. According to the Financial Times, citing two individuals with knowledge of the situation, Microsoft decided not to offer any remedies to the CMA because there were no obvious commitments the UK regulator would likely accept. Only in rare circumstances will the CMA accept behavioral remedies such as promises to maintain access to a product or service at the end of a phase 1 probe. The second phase of the CMA investigation is expected to begin this week. Microsoft could make a formal commitment to guarantee its rivals' access to games during this more in-depth investigation stage. Representatives from both Microsoft and Activision have been in pre-notification-stage talks with regulators in Brussels since the deal was announced in January. Regulators in other countries, including the US, Brazil, and New Zealand, are also examining the acquisition. One of the most significant issues facing the deal is the future of the Call of Duty franchise. Xbox boss Phil Spencer said Microsoft is committed to keeping CoD on PlayStation for several more years beyond the current deal Sony has with Activision, which covers the series' next three releases, including October's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II. PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan called the proposal "inadequate." The enormous amount of scrutiny the Microsoft/Activision deal faces over the impact it could have on the industry brings to mind Nvidia's attempted takeover of Arm. Team green endured so many regulatory challenges during the $40 billion acquisition that it decided to walk away in February. What just happened? Do Kwon, founder and CEO of Terraform Labs, the company many blame for starting the crypto winter, has had an arrest warrant issued against him in South Korea and may be forced to return to the country. Back in May, TerraUSD (UST), an algorithmic stablecoin that was then the 11th largest cryptocurrency by market cap, crashed from its US dollar peg and fell close to zero, bringing support coin Luna with it. Around $60 billion combined was wiped off the value of both tokens. The fall impacted the entire crypto industry, which saw its overall market cap fall below $1 trillion, layoffs and bankruptcies at major companies, and miners abandoning the business. According to Bloomberg, Kwon and five others, all listed on the warrant as living in the city-state of Singapore, are the subjects of an arrest warrant issued by a South Korean court over charges relating to violating the Capital Markets Act. Authorities are now trying to force Kwon back to South Korea by seeking to have his passport revoked. If the Foreign Ministry does grant the request, Kwon would theoretically have to return to his home country within 14 days, though the ministry said it's possible Kwon can stay in Singapore without a passport. In July, prosecutors raided the home of Terraform Labs co-founder Daniel Shin as part of an investigation into illegal activities behind TerraUSD's collapse. The Reg notes that current and former Terraform employers have been banned from international travel. Some Luna investors have filed complaints against Kwon, alleging he engaged in fraud and illegal fundraising. Kwon previously said he plans to co-operate with authorities. "Obviously, like in hindsight, a lot of the beliefs and sort of the conjectures that I had made were wrong," he said about the collapse. Kwon created a new version of Luna after the previous one crashed. Its price fell 45% to $2.40 following news of the warrant. It seems he is philosophical about the prospect of going to jail. When asked about such a possibility by Coinage, Kwon said, "Life is long." TL;DR: Google and the US government want to speed up design and manufacturing of new semiconductor devices, adopting the open source model to let universities and startups run wild with innovative ideas. The cooperative research and development agreement will allow the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to design, develop and produce open source chips that researchers and companies will be free to use and adapt in their applications. A new agreement between the US Department of Commerce and Google could spark a surge of new chip designs and innovations. According to the DoC, the Google-NIST partnership answers one of the most pressing issues in the semiconductor industry: big corporations have ready access to new chips and designs, while universities, researchers and small businesses face a major hurdle as they try to create something new. An open source chip design, which can be used without restrictions or licensing fees, should accelerate innovation and bring costs down dramatically. The agreement states that NIST, together with its many research partners (University of Michigan, University of Maryland, George Washington University, Brown University, Carnegie Mellon, and others), will provide new chip designs to be manufactured by Skywater Technology in Minnesota. Google will fund the initial manufacturing cost, subsidizing the first production run as well. Also read: Hard vs. Soft: Software may be eating the world, but hardware monetizes better The US government aim is to create a new and affordable domestic supply of chips for research and development, a way to "unleash the innovative potential" of researchers and startups. According to NIST director Laurie E. Locascio, the collaboration was planned before the introduction of the new CHIPS Act legislation, and it's an example of how government, industry, and academic can work together for the common goal of preserving the US leadership in the technology industry. In NIST plans, almost 40 unique chip designs will be funded in partnership with Google to power different applications like new memory devices, nanosensors, bioelectronics, and chips for artificial intelligence and quantum computing. The open source designs will let researchers run wild with new ideas and share data without restrictions. In presenting the new initiative, Google Public Sector CEO Will Grannis highlights the "long history of leadership in open source" of the Mountain View company. Public and private institutions will be able to iterate on each other's work, thus democratizing innovation in nanotechnology and semiconductor research. Chips will be produced in the Skywater foundry using industry-standard 200nm wafer discs, which universities and other partners will then dice into thousands of individual chips at their own processing facilities. OMAHA -- When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in March 2020, First National Bank of Omaha joined employers across the country in shutting down most office operations, quickly pivoting to working from home. No one knew it at the time, but the American workplace had fundamentally changed. More than 2 years later, many First National workers continue to make their home their office. For workers here and everywhere, the days of going into an office five days a week have gone the way of the fax machine. We have seen from our employees and job candidates a desire for flexibility, and working from home is a big piece of that, said Ken Bunnell, First Nationals vice president for human resources. First Nationals workers certainly arent the only ones locally opting for that choice. The number of Nebraskans primarily working from home nearly tripled between 2019 and 2021 a lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. New U.S. Census Bureau survey data shows the percentage of Nebraska workers whose primary workplace was their home increased from 4.6% to 12.8% over those two years. That mirrored what happened nationally, where the percentage of workers primarily working from home shot up from 5.7% to 17.9%. As virus rates continue to ebb, flow and persist, employers are still seeking to strike a balance. Some jobs cant be done from home. And theres still value in the ability to collaborate face-to-face in the workplace. But experts say theres no doubt the pandemic has forever changed how and where many workers perform their jobs. Those rates may drift over time, but the working from home situation is not going away, said David Drozd, an Omaha demographer. Weve proven theres a lot of work that can be done from home with the technology we have today. Census data shows the District of Columbia, home to myriad offices of the federal government, has been leading the nation in working from home, with 48.3% of workers there listing their home as their primary workplace in 2021. Leading work-from-home states included Washington, Maryland, Colorado and Massachusetts, all at about 24% of workers. Iowas work-from-home rate in 2021 was 13.4%, more than double the states 5.8% rate in 2019. The widespread adoption of working from home is a defining feature of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Michael Burrows, a Census Bureau statistician. The pandemic has very strongly impacted the commuting landscape in the United States. So many people are now working from home that census data shows the average one-way commute time nationally dropped by two minutes between 2019 and 2021. When the United States declared COVID-19 a national emergency in March of 2020, workers quickly found they liked the flexibility. Its helped create new norms in the workplace, said a recent report from McKinsey & Co., a global management consulting firm. A recent McKinsey survey showed 58% of workers nationally are now working from home at least one day a week. And more than a third said they had the option of working from home as many as five days a week. The McKinsey survey also found that when offered the chance to work from home at least part time, 87% of workers embrace the opportunity. What makes these numbers particularly notable is that respondents work in all kinds of jobs, in every part of the country and sector of the economy, including traditionally labeled blue collar jobs, the McKinsey report said. At a time of a national worker shortage, employers are incentivized to respond to workers desires for flexibility. Brokerage firm Charles Schwab, which employs some 2,400 workers in Omaha, provides employees 90 flexible work location days per year, and they can opt to work with their managers for more. Schwab spokesman Peter Greenley said the hybrid approach balances workers desires for workplace flexibility with the benefits of in-person interactions to train and learn from one another, build human connections, collaborate and maintain Schwabs culture. Such changes could also impact need and demand for office space. Mutual of Omaha announced plans earlier this year to build a new corporate headquarters in the heart of downtown Omaha. Though the building could rank with First Nationals tower among the tallest in the city, the new buildings square footage would be significantly below that of Mutuals current midtown campus. While nearly all 4,000 of Mutuals Omaha employees would be based downtown, company officials have said with flexible work schedules, perhaps only two-thirds would be in the office on any given day. First Nationals Bunnell said the company has been taking the opportunity over the past two years to transform its workplaces, including adding more on-site amenities and spaces to foster innovation. At the time the pandemic arrived, First National had barely 100 employees working from home. Today, its 3,000-person metro area workforce combines a mix of those back in the office full time, those working from home and those splitting time on a hybrid basis. People tried it, felt it was efficient, and continue to value it, Bunnell said of working from home. When you can take things like the commute out of there and be as productive, its a win-win for them. New Ford EV dealership requirements were confirmed. These new policies are part of the automaker's new companywide strategy. (Photo : Photo by Bryan Mitchell/Getty Images) Ford Motor Company introduces the new Ford Focus during the press preview for the world automotive press during the North American International Auto Show at the Cobo Center January 11, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) opens to the public January 16th. The latest re-selling requirements are expected to enhance the car manufacturer's dealership network of around 3,000 locations. During the conference, which happened on Tuesday, Sept. 13, Ford executives met a small group of media. Execs from the company's three divisions (Ford Model E, Ford Blue, and Ford Pro) and the company's CEO, Jim Farley, confirmed their new five dealership pillars. New Ford EV Dealership Requirements Confirmed! Electrek provided all the new Ford EV dealership requirements that the automaker will soon implement. These are specifically the following: (Photo : Photo credit should read WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images) Visitors take pictures of a Zotye E200 EV car at the Beijing Auto Show on April 25, 2018. - Global carmakers touted their latest electric and SUV models in Beijing as they warily welcomed China's promise of better foreign access to the world's largest auto market. Also Read: Ford NFT, Virtual Automobiles Appear on Leaked Trademark Applications; Does it Mean Entering the Metaverse? eCommerce (Dealers need to be transparent and offer a non-negotiable pricing system) (Dealers need to be transparent and offer a non-negotiable pricing system) Digital Experiences (Software and subscription opportunities must be provided. Ford Pass perks should also be available) (Software and subscription opportunities must be provided. Ford Pass perks should also be available) Physical Experiences (Dealers must provide remote delivery to all Ford Model E consumers) (Dealers must provide remote delivery to all Ford Model E consumers) Training (Dealers must have specialized EV teams that are knowledgeable when it comes to ownership and sales. Ford will have an EV University to train re-sellers) (Dealers must have specialized EV teams that are knowledgeable when it comes to ownership and sales. Ford will have an EV University to train re-sellers) Charging (Dealers must have public DC fast chargers on Blue Oval Network) All these new requirements are expected to strengthen Ford's EV sales both in retail and online selling activities. What's the Catch? According to CNBC's latest report, Ford dealers need to invest upward of $1 million in upgrades needed to sell all-electric cars. This strategy will allow the automaker to cut overhead costs and boost profits at its retailers, enabling the company to align its business with Tesla. As of writing, Ford said that dealers have until Oct. 31 to comply with the needed investment and the new requirements. If you want to learn more about the latest Ford EV dealership requirements, you can visit this link. Previously, the all-new Ford electric truck is reportedly under development. Meanwhile, the Ford BlueCruise driver assist has been updated with an automatic lane-changing feature. For more news updates about Ford and its new EV strategies, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: Ford's EV Prices Are Set to Get Cheaper to Better Compete with Tesla This article is owned by TechTimes Written by Griffin Davis 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Walmart Inc. is scheduled to launch its latest venture in late September. The retail giant will introduce its digital bank accounts meant for its 1.6 million employees and millions of shoppers in the US. Walmart's Digital Banking According to Bloomberg, Walmart will begin offering digital bank accounts to its employees and selected online customers as part of an initial beta test of the service. The retail giant's venture into digital bank accounts is part of its fintech push. Walmart has partnered with One, a financial-technology startup, to oversee the project. One wants digital bank accounts to be a one-stop shop for consumers' financial needs, hoping to offer several services such as loans and investing. How the Digital Banking Accounts Will Work One is being led by Omer Ismail, the former Goldman Sachs Group partner. He left his position in 2021 to become the chief executive officer of Ribbit Capital, the independent fintech startup Walmart formed. Walmart formed Ribbit Capital to develop and offer modern and affordable financial solutions to the company's employees and customers. However, the company was vague about its intentions with the startup and did not take off immediately. Now, Walmart's plans have begun to take shape. In January, Ribbit Capital acquired One Finance, a digital banking account, and Even Responsibilities Finance, which provides employees with early access to their salaries. Also Read: Walmart PS5 Restock Causes Issues for Buyers: Here's What Happened All the companies were combined and have since operated under the One name. The deals were completed in April, according to Financial Post. One has since hired 100 additional employees, including Afterpay's Laura Nadler as a chief financial officer and Apple's Raffi Vartkessian as head of customer operations. Walmart owns one, but it is an entirely independent company. So far, One's employees are working in Manhattan, but there are also staffers based in Sacramento and San Francisco, California offices. Walmart's Financial Services This is not the first time Walmart has expressed its interest in financial services. The retail giant's MoneyCenter locations now allow customers to cash checks, access tax-preparation services, and even send money overseas through MoneyGram International and Euronet Worldwide. Walmart also offers credit and prepaid debit cards through Capital One Financial Corp., Synchrony Financial, and Green Dot Corp. The retail giant has always revealed its goals of expanding its financial services. In 2005, Walmart applied to be an industrial bank in Utah. But the retail giant was not seeking to open bank branches; it only wanted to use the charter to process credit and debit card transactions internally. The move would have saved the company millions of dollars every year. However, in 2007, Walmart withdrew its application, according to The New York Times. For its new venture with One, Walmart has opted for a different path. One has long relied on a partnership with Coastal Community Bank to issue debit cards and provide other banking services to its consumers. The company still wants to partner with Coastal Community for those activities and tap into other services. Walmart did not reveal the exact date of its venture launch, as all it has said is that it will be in late September. Related Article: 5,000 BrightDrop Electric Vans by GM Ordered by Walmart as FedEx Adds 1,500 Vans to Current Order This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Sophie Webster 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Google is seeing leaks and rumors for a new flagship variant on its Pixel series smartphones, and this is the latest Pixel Mini from the company, now under development from its team. The rumor came from a Chinese leaker who gave information about a "polished a small-screen machine" that suggests a new variant for the device's lineup. It is unknown if this is launching alongside the Google Pixel 7, the upcoming smartphone set to release by October. Google Pixel Mini: New Small Screen Android Phone (Photo : Google Official Blog) Digital Chat Station, a Chinese Weibo leaker, claimed that there is a new smartphone from the Pixel lineup will soon arrive for the world, and it will be a small-screen Android phone. There are no names for the new device yet, and the leaker did not claim any title for the upcoming device, but it might be a take on the Google Pixel Mini. According to the leak, this new smartphone will be a small screen, but it did not exactly reveal the dimensions of the device or any other details which may provide context to this upcoming smartphone. Android Central's report said that the current smallest phone in the series is the Pixel 6a, sporting a 6.1-inch screen for its display, with speculations that this new Pixel Mini will be smaller compared to it. Read Also: Pixel 6A: New Google Update Coming to Allow Mods and Bypass the Bootloader for Root Will Pixel Mini be Smaller than the Pixel 6a? There are no names for the new smaller Pixel smartphone now, but it may be called the Pixel Mini, something which will capture the size and state of the new device. Present rumors speculate whether it would be smaller than the Pixel 6a, also sporting a tinier capacity for its power cell, particularly with the 4,410 mAh on the 6a. Additionally, its front camera would be seen in the center of the screen, still featuring the punch hole design, along with a Tensor chip to power it, says the leak. Google's Pixel Smartphones Google's Pixel gave the world direct access to Android, and it is a smartphone that brings the latest features there is to the famous smartphone's OS. It also centers on providing the public with what Google has to offer, bordering on a minimalistic smartphone that completes the experience for all needs, already with multiple releases in the present. The latest Google smartphone available for the world is the Pixel 6a, and this release among the variants is known to be the company's take on a budget smartphone for the public, released outside its main lineup. Pixel's inferiority to other smartphone brands is its Face Unlock which is not available to devices, with rumors of its non-availability to the Pixel 7 surface online. Pixel only releases two variants for each showcase, with the regular Pixel (i.e. Pixel 7) and a Pro version of the smartphone. It then pushes a budget smartphone coming after almost a year of its release, with the "a" suffix series' availability later on, before the new model arrives. However, this is the first time that leakers claim that there would be a smaller Pixel with an alleged "mini" coming soon. Related Article: Made by Google Event: Pixel 7, Pixel Watch Launch Date Confirmed for October-What to Expect? This article is owned by TechTimes Written by Isaiah Richard 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Electric vehicle (EV) chargers are getting more ubiquitous and less rare in the United States (US) as the charging network infrastructure expands to 35 states. It comes as the Biden administration has officially approved the funding for the construction of EV charging networks in various states. (Photo : Carsten Koall/Getty Images) BERLIN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 29: The driver of an electric Tesla car looks to the mobile phone to unlock the public charging station on October 29, 2021 in Berlin, Germany. More EV Chargers Are Coming to 35 US States As per the latest news by CNBC, President Joe Biden has announced that his administration is kicking off the first tranche of EV network funding, which amounts to a cool $900 million. Biden announced that funding approval while he was surrounded by numerous EV offerings at the Detroit Auto Show. The President says that "you all are going to be part of a network of 500,000 charging stations - 500,000 - across the country." Biden goes on to note that the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) labor union is spearheading the installation of these EV chargers nationwide. On top of that, Biden further highlights that buying an all-electric car would no longer come with "all sorts of compromises." He adds that the "great American road trip is going to be fully electrified," adding that charging EVs would be easier than ever. Read Also: New Modular Solar EV Charger Unveiled by Paired Power! Installation Only Takes 4 Hours? Biden Administration Approves $900 Million EV Charging Fund According to the report by The Verge, the $900 million funding that the Biden administration released is set to install 500,000 chargers across the 53,000 miles of highway across 35 states. (Photo : Drew Angerer/Getty Images) WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 9: U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to reporters before signing the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022 in the Oval Office of the White House May 9, 2022 in Washington, DC. The online news outlet says that the current EV charging infrastructure in the US is way behind the 500,000 goal of the charger network project. In fact, the public charging stations in the country are only roughly 41,000, which offers over 100,000 chargers to EV owners. But The Verge notes that these vehicles are not exclusively topping up their batteries at these charging stations. It is to note that EV owners also charge their cars at their homes. (Photo : EZEQUIEL BECERRA/AFP via Getty Images) Costa Rican Roberto Quiros, owner of two electric cars, charges one of them at a Costa Rican Institute of Electricity (ICE) charging station in San Jose on December 4, 2018. That said, CNBC notes in its report that the rarity of charges these days is still one of the biggest roadblocks in the shift to all-electric cars in the country. The hefty pricing of most offerings also plays a significant role in the equation. But making charging stations more ubiquitous surely goes a long way in helping boost the transition of car owners to electrified options. Related Article: EV Chargers 2022: What is the Difference Between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3? This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Teejay Boris 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Jeep debuted two new hybrid electric vehicles coming next year, and this is part of the company's shift to electric mobility under its 4xe program for its car production. Two iconic cars are getting a shift towards clean energy, arriving by 2023 as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), namely the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and the Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe debuted at the Detroit Auto Show. (Photo : Jeep/Stellantis) Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe 30th Anniversary Edition It is 30 years since the release of the first Jeep Grand Cherokee to the world, and the famous adventure SUV will soon take a turn for the better with its 4xe upgrade coming next year. Instead of seeing an internal combustion engine for the Grand Cherokee, it will soon sport a PHEV setup for the 2023 Grand Cherokee 4xe 30th Anniversary edition. (Photo : Jeep/Stellantis) It debuts two new variants for the PHEV from Jeep, with a seven-seater three-row Grand Cherokee L, and the five-seater two-row Grand Cherokee, alongside the electrified Grand Cherokee 4xe, which delivers 56 MPGe and 25 miles of range from its hybrid engine, a first in the trim. There is another trim coming, and it is with the Special-edition Grand Cherokee 30th Anniversary with the 4xe electrification, integrating the legendary Jeep 4x4 capability. Read Also: Stellantis, Samsung to Build EV Battery Factory in Indiana, $2.5B Budget to Create; 1,400 Jobs Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe On the other hand, Jeep is also bringing in a new variant for the Wrangler series, focusing on a PHEV 4xe take on the Wrangler Willy which brings the company's take on a new breed of adventure vehicles. It delivers a 49 MPGe and 21 miles of all-electric range on its hybrid engine, as well as 375 horsepower. (Photo : Jeep/Stellantis) The 2023 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe will soon be available to the public, providing its clean energy take on the famous off-road trim from the company. Jeep's 4xe Jeep's EV Day 2021 gave the world information about its plans for the future, and that is the release of new clean energy cars by 2025 to add to its lineup of adventure vehicles. Different cars are already slated in their lineup for its fully-electric shift, alongside multiple hybrids on their existing vehicles that will come soon. The 4xe division of the company will center on many releases in the future, upgrading known vehicles from its brand to debut as eco-friendly ones, with its stronger shift to renewable technology. The Grand Cherokee is a known variant among its releases, centering on the SUV to bring a family-car experience, as well as its 4x4 drivetrain for adventures. The company's new focus takes a significant turn for the better, catching up with competitors and rivals in the business in this shift to electric power. Jeep's Grand Cherokee and Wrangler Willys are getting their 4xe upgrade in next year's release, and while they are not fully pledged EVs, these cars would still play their part in the company's pledge to clean energy. These are the top names in the company's releases, but it is not necessarily letting go of its internal combustion engines in the process of electric mobility. Related Article: Jeep to Launch 4 EVs by 2025, 50% Fully-Electric Lineup Coming by 2030 This article is owned by TechTimes Written by Isaiah Richard 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Robots are not particularly designed to have an understanding of humor since they were made to do repetitive and dull tasks. In short, they can be very dry when you talk to them. However, a group of scientists is hoping to change that. They have developed an AI program that replicates the nuances of humor and enables robots to properly laugh at the right time, according to a report by The Guardian. Laughing Robot The team that created Erica, the laughing robot, claims that the method might enhance regular conversations between humans and AI systems. Dr. Koji Inoue of Kyoto University is the principal author of the study, which was published in Frontiers in Robotics and AI. Inoue stated that empathy is a fundamental function of conversational AI, which they wanted to replicate for Erica. The training data were provided by more than 80 speed-dating conversations between male university students and the robot. Erica was also initially teleoperated by four female amateur actresses during the conversations. The annotations for the dialogue included information on individual laughs; social laughs devoid of humor, such as polite or ashamed chuckles; and laughter of mirth. By employing this data, a machine learning system was trained to decide whether to laugh and what kind of laugh it should give. The program used the audio files to understand the fundamental traits of social laughs, typically more suppressed and mirthful laughs, to mimic these in appropriate circumstances. By developing four brief dialogues for Erica to share with a person and incorporating the new shared-laughter algorithm into already existing chat software, the team evaluated Erica's sense of humor. These were contrasted with situations in which Erica either didn't laugh at all or let out a sociable laugh. 130 volunteers scored the shared-laughter algorithm highly for empathy, naturalness, human likeness, and comprehension after watching the clips. Read also: 'AI Fish-Identifying Gate:' This AI-Powered System Prevents The Rise of Invasive Fish Species In Waterways Why Laughter is Important for Robots Laughter, according to the study, could aid in the development of robots with unique personalities. Although he emphasized that it would take more than 20 years before it's possible to have a "casual talk with a robot like we would with a friend," Inoue said that they can still replicate this through "their conversational behaviors, such as laughing, eye gaze, gestures and speaking style." "One of the things I'd keep in mind is that a robot or algorithm will never be able to understand you. It doesn't know you, it doesn't understand you and doesn't understand the meaning of laughter," Professor Sandra Wachter from the Oxford Internet Institute at the University of Oxford, said in a statement with The Guardian. Related Article: 'Chameleon Robots:' These Robots Can Change Colors and Mimic Their Surroundings Through 3D Printing This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A Tesla owner from California has filed a lawsuit against the automaker because of their deceptive claims about the two features: Full Self-Driving and Autopilot. According to the complainant, Elon Musk is "misleadingly" marketing the said features, stating they are now usable. However, several owners said they have already paid thousands of dollars for software that remains unready for commercial use. Tesla Faces Class-Action Lawsuit Over FSD and Autopilot (Photo : Austin Ramsey from Unsplash) Tesla is reportedly misleading the customers that their Full Self-Driving and Autopilot features are now accessible. According to a recent report by Mashable, Tesla is accused of creating deceptive claims about its driver assistance technologies. The class-action lawsuit says that the company is engaging in misleading marketing of the features. Additionally, Tesla has promised many times that its full-self driving capability will be available within a few months. However, none of them were achieved, and that's when the car owners complained about the overstatement. Briggs Matsko, the plaintiff who pressed charges against the EV manufacturer, has reportedly paid $5,000 in 2018 in hopes of getting the Enhanced Autopilot system. This feature serves as a predecessor to the FSD feature. Of course, this means he has spent an additional $15,000 for the add-on software of the Full self-driving package. Because of this, Matsko called out this bad marketing and decided to file a lawsuit in San Francisco. False Promises The Full Self-Driving function remains unfinished, although Musk claims that this feature will be implemented in 2018. The Verge reported that in 2019, the company boldly stated that it would deploy one million robotaxis with FSD technology. The coast-to-coast drive that Musk promised was unfortunately put on hiatus at the time. Certainly, he is aware that it further needs some improvements before being commercialized. The tech boss also mentioned that he would shift his focus to the safety side of Autopilot. On the other hand, Tesla failed to deliver its "robotaxi" promise to the users. The lawsuit includes evidence of fraud for FSD, as seen in the 2016 clip. The video shows an autonomous car leaving the garage and later moving on the streets until it stumbled on a parking spot. All of these things were done autonomously. Related Article: Tesla Pushes Through Full Steam Integration Despite Delay FSD and Autopilot Pose Dangers According to the Tesla engineers who previously worked for the company, the short footage was staged since the 3D mapped route was not yet released in any Tesla vehicles. Apart from that, the lawsuit suggests that both Autopilot and FSD are dangerous to use. As an example, a Tesla Model X driver activated his car on Autopilot, but it crashed into a concrete block. The owner was killed in the act. For Matsko, Tesla needs to be punished because of its continuous cycle of misleading marketing for its driverless features. For years, the company was given a chance to deliver the technologies to its customers, and yet, it always stalled. Read Also: Tesla Allegedly Abuses Employees Following Recent Racial Lawsuit This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joseph Henry 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Scientists had already given up hope of ever seeing a sun halo, which would be rendered a rare phenomenon on Mars until NASA's Perseverance rover discovered it. Surprise Sun Halo According to Space.com, when conditions are ideal, ice crystals in the atmosphere on Earth can bend sunlight to give the impression of a bright spot or halo surrounding the sun. A comparable optical trick has also long been believed by scientists to be possible on other planets. However, despite several robotic explorations on the Martian surface and its skies, scientists had never found any sun halo on the Red Planet. Mark Lemmon, a planetary scientist at the Space Science Institute, a nonprofit research organization in Boulder, told Space.com that Perseverance surprised them with photographs taken in December showing a sun halo. "I looked at that and I thought, 'I'm gonna have a hard time finding an explanation for this.' Because everything has been a false alarm, and that just looks so much like a halo that I thought it was going to be a lot of work to figure out what was really going on," Lemmon said in a statement. Even on Earth, there must be specific circumstances for a halo to form around the sun. Sun halos can also occur on Earth, but viewing them is tricky. Sunlight must come into contact with pencil-shaped ice crystals circling around Earth's atmosphere, typically in the form of thin cirrus clouds located extremely high up. Read also: NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Snaps A Field of Stunning Dunes on Martian Surface Calculating the Halo's Size The halo's size is determined by the hexagonal configuration of water-ice crystals at 22 degrees from the sun or roughly the width of two fists held at arms' length, according to Space.com. Since carbon dioxide is far more prevalent on Mars than water, the researchers calculated the size of the halo that dry ice crystals would produce, but their calculations didn't match what Perseverance had observed. Lemmon and his colleagues tried other measurements, but they also failed. They looked into whether the camera could have formed the brilliant ring, but the feature didn't match similar artifacts in other photographs. In addition, the bizarre image was one of a series of five pictures Perseverance took while panning over the sky; the sun and halo both appeared in three of the pictures, each time in a different location within the frame. Scientists have spent decades researching the Martian atmosphere. Hence, Perseverance has a small weather station, and its cameras are not constantly pointing at the ground. Furthermore, the existence of a halo around the sun does teach scientists something about the atmosphere of Mars, particularly the fact that ice crystals can grow larger than those that researchers have directly observed. However, Lemmon is hesitant to make any generalizations because he has only one example of working with. You can access the full study here. Related Article: Spaghetti on Mars? NASA Finally Reveals What This Weird Noodle-Like Object Is This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. TikTok experienced an outage that affected thousands of users. Problems started to appear on Thursday, Sept. 15. (Photo : Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) The TikTok logo is displayed outside a TikTok office on August 27, 2020 in Culver City, California. The Chinese-owned company is reportedly set to announce the sale of U.S. operations of its popular social media app in the coming weeks following threats of a shutdown by the Trump administration. Many TikTok users complained that their apps were not working properly, saying that the application suddenly crashed a few seconds after opening it. Meanwhile, other users were still able to access the official social media. However, the videos on their FYP suffer from glitches. After that, their apps will crash. Since the problems drastically affect users' experiences, Independent UK reported that people shared their frustrations on Twitter. TikTok Down! Issues May Have Been Fixed According to DownDetector's official TikTok status report, more than 27,000 users were affected by the platform's issues. (Photo : Photo Illustration by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) In this photo illustration, the TikTok app is displayed on an Apple iPhone on August 7, 2020 in Washington, DC. On Thursday evening, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that bans any transactions between the parent company of TikTok, ByteDance, and U.S. citizens due to national security reasons. Also Read: TikTok Can Track Every Tap You Make On Other Sites Via iOS App, New Research Claims The TikTok app specifically had server connection issues, which affected 9% of the users. On the other hand, 1% of them can't make comments on social media, while 90% experienced app crashes. "I've never felt like I was an addict until I immediately opened twitter the second TikTok wasn't working for me," said a TikTok user via the Daily Mail UK. As of writing, the TikTok app seems to be fixed, according to various reports. But, if you are still experiencing the mentioned problems, here's what you need to do. TikTok Troubleshooting The official TikTok Support page provides some of the troubleshooting methods you can rely on whenever you experience issues with your app. However, you need to remember that they are not 100% effective, especially when there's a wide outage. Always check your internet connection. If problems appear on your TikTok, try switching from WiFi to mobile data. Restart your device's app. This is among the most efficient method when there's an issue on the platform. Try clearing your TikTok app's cache, just follow these steps: Profile > three-line icon > Settings and Privacy > Clear Cache. Previously, TikTok Android app suffered from a one-click exploit, according to Microsoft. Also, a new TikTok feature was launched, allowing users to crosspost TikTok Stories on FB. For more news updates about TikTok and other social media platforms, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: Tiktok Denies Data Breach Following Hackers Claim of Obtaining Users' Records This article is owned by TechTimes Written by Griffin Davis 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. After several years of being quiet due to the COVID pandemic, the Billings Community Orchestra (formerly known as the Billings Pops Orchestra) is excited to announce the restarting of their music group. The Billings Community Orchestra are a volunteer orchestra looking for musicians who might be interested in joining . They do not require auditions and have a wide range of players skill-wise. They do several concerts per year and tackle a wide variety of music. Currently, they're in need of strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. The orchestra plays everything from light classical to tangos and Broadway, and always welcome new suggestions. They provide the music, and you need only bring your instrument and music stand. The orchestra meets Thursday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. at St. Lukes Episcopal Church at 119 N. 33rd St. Use the western entrance. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Baton down at 7 p.m. If you or a friend are interested in checking the Billings Community Orchestra out, they would love to have you! You may contact them with any questions at billingspopsorchestra@gmail.com, facebook.com/blgspops or at (406) 690-6312. "All citizens must be an active part in the construction of a different country," President Gustavo Petro said. Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced that "binding regional dialogues" would begin on Friday. Through this mechanism, his administration will define the National Development Plan whose main objective is to achieve "Total Peace" in this South American country. "Transforming Colombia into a country living in total peace is not the government's exclusive task... Total peace is everyone's task," he said on Wednesday during a speech to the nation. "This Presidency was born from the popular will and the popular will will give birth to our administration's most important document: the National Development Plan, a roadmap that will guide the State's action in the next 4 years," Petro pointed out. "The Colombian society will not remain passive in the face of historical injustice. All citizens must be an active part in the construction of a different country." Colombia confirms that FARC dissident Ivan Marquez is alive and intends to join the peace talks https://t.co/HOzPDKc5CI Awutar.com (@AwutarMedia) September 15, 2022 Petro proposes the complete pacification of his country, which is an ambitious task given that it implies negotiating with multiple illegal armed groups operating in Colombian territory. One of the first big tasks towards the country's full pacification will be to reach an agreement between the Colombian state and the National Liberation Army (ELN). His administration will also have to negotiate with the dissidents of the extinct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP) and with paramilitary groups linked to drug trafficking. The first binding regional dialogue will take place in Turbaco in the department of Bolivar, where Petro will explore a methodology defined by the National Planning Department to collect citizen proposals. The Montana Historical Society Press has scheduled a book launch of "Montana's Visionary Mayor. Willard E. Fraser," in Billings on Sept. 29 and Helena Oct. 6. Fraser, who was known for his moxie and pizzazz, was the progressive and often controversial four-term mayor of Billings during the turbulent 1960s. A true humanitarian, Fraser was equally comfortable rubbing elbows with high-level politicians and celebrities like his father-in-law poet Robert Frost and hobnobbing with the Skid Row residents. Author Lou Mandler will be at the MSU-Billings Library Auditorium from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for a book talk and slide show. Shell be joined by current Billings Mayor Bill Cole and MSU History Professor Keith Edgerton, and refreshments will be served. The Helena event takes place from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Montana Historical Society lobby, 225 No. Roberts Street, with refreshments. As Lou Mandlers sprightly written extensively researched biography reveals, Fraser was the rare politician: a hard-working, imaginative visionary with pragmatic flexibility, Edgerton said. He rightfully claims the title as Billings greatest mayor. Fraser tackled air and water pollution, cleaned up urban blight, and ensured that women, youth, and ethnic minorities were not marginalized. Passionate about Montanas historical and cultural heritage, Fraser promoted Billings and Montana to the world. For more information or to get a copy of the book for review, order online at https://app.mt.gov/shop/mhsstore/montanas-visionary-mayor-willard-e-fraser or contact Laura Ferguson at Laura.Ferguson2@mt.gov. Nicaraguans celebrate the anniversary of the San Jacinto Battle as the date of their "second independence." On September 14, Nicaragua commemorates the battle that took place at the San Jacinto estate in 1856, when Gen. Jose Dolores Estrada and 180 patriots defeated 300 mercenaries hired by William Walker, a U.S. filibuster who intended to turn Central America into a colony. Due to the importance that this battle had in Central American history, Nicaraguans carry out parades and patriotic acts to celebrate the anniversary of their "second independence." Each year, students also commit to the sovereignty of their country. A column of 60 Matagalpa Indigenous people, armed with bows and arrows, were present during the battle, with a bravery in combat that made a decisive difference in favor of the patriotic forces. In honor of their feat, the Nicaraguan Congress in 2012 declared the "Indigenous Archers of Matagalpa" as national heroes. Although Walker managed to proclaim himself president of Nicaragua, he was unable to recover from the defeat that occurred in San Jacinto, a strategically important area for being between the large lakes Cocibolca and Xolotla. Driven by the "Manifest Destiny" doctrine, this U.S. mercenary continued to organize military expeditions into Central America with the intention of establishing private colonies. On Sept. 12, 1860, however, Walker was executed by a platoon of the Honduran army. (maquinariaRYN) Un gesto sin precedente en la historia de #Nicaragua el Presidente Comandante Daniel Ortega bailando y gozando bajo lluvia con los estudiantes en desfile patrio! #HayPatriaHayPaz VivaNicaragua13 el19digital Politicanica_ pic.twitter.com/tm4KbhA4Q8 El Tiempo Nicaragua (@TiempoNi) September 15, 2022 The tweet reads, "An unprecedented gesture in Nicaraguan history. President Daniel Ortega dancing with the students and enjoying the homeland parade while it rains!" On Wednesday, Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega led the parade on the eve of the 166th anniversary of the San Jacinto Battle. He swore before the national flag accompanied by students, who reaffirmed their commitment to the development of the Nicaraguan nation. We swear to God, to the country, to our families and to our national heroes that we will continue studying with a vocation and spirit of service to fulfill our personal dreams and contribute to the development of our country, he said. Subsequently, the historic leader of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) took part in other acts and street events that continued into the night. The artifact of transportation becomes "Hot Wheels" in seconds! Do you dare to take it home? Bad idea, said one man. He was referring to a proposal to someday require a daily float permit for recreational users of the Madison River. The Madison River Work Group recommended such a permit as one way to quantify escalating use of the much-beloved river by non-commercial anglers. The initial purpose of the permit would be data gathering. But it could evolve into a way to restrict use of the river by average folks who havent hired an outfitter/guide. The man who thought the recreational permit was a bad idea shared his opinion Tuesday night during a scoping meeting in Butte sponsored by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The meeting focused on recommendations to the Fish and Wildlife Commission from the Madison River Work Group. Sixteen people not associated with FWP attended the meeting to hear a presentation and ask questions about the recommendations. The stated format was clear: FWP said it was there to share information and answer questions, not field comments. Not everyone followed the format, hence the bad idea comment and several other observations unencumbered by any hint of a question. Three members of the Madison River Work Group were on hand. Mike Bias and Brian McGeehan, both outfitters, participated. So did Richard Gockel, a retired mechanical engineer who has been active in Trout Unlimited and is a board member for the Madison River Foundation. Some members of Trout Unlimited chapters in southwest Montana have complained that the makeup of the Madison River Work Group tilted toward being unduly outfitter-friendly with three of 12 members having direct links to outfitting and three more having indirect links to commercial use of the Madison River. The Fish and Wildlife Commission appointed the Work Group and tasked it with making recommendations about managing commercial and non-commercial use of the river as fishing pressure increases and population growth continues in Bozeman and Gallatin County. The group started work in September 2021 and shared recommendations with the Fish and Wildlife Commission in June. The commission directed FWP staff to conduct public scoping meetings and collect public comment. The Butte meeting was the last of four in-person meetings. People can submit comments about the recommendations online, by email or mail. The Work Groups recommendations for commercial use advise keeping the Special River Permit system, which is a cooperative agreement between FWP and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. There would be no limit on the granting of such permits to new river service providers. A separate Madison River Use Permit would cap the total annual commercial trips by a Special River Permit holder based on the number of trips reported in 2019 or 2020, whichever is highest. Anglers who are clients of a permitted outfitter would not need a separate float permit. Steve Luebeck and Dave McKernan were in the crowd Tuesday. Both are with the George Grant Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Luebeck asked Gockel to weigh in about the proposed permit for recreational use. He noted that Gockel has ties to Trout Unlimited. Gockel replied that the permits initial purpose would be to get a sense of the extent of non-commercial use on the Madison. But he readily acknowledged that the permit might someday be used to restrict recreational use, especially on peak days like July 4. You cant continue to increase the number of boats on the river indefinitely, Gockel said. Current recommendations would not limit outfitter trips on peak days. Instead, outfitter trips would be limited by the cap tied to historic use. Luebeck asked the three representatives from the Madison River Work Group how confident they are that the Fish and Wildlife Commission will move forward with their recommendations. Bias provided a chronology of past efforts to draft a recreation plan for the Madison River that have foundered. McGeehans response was measured. He said he believed the current effort seems to have more support than ever to move forward. FWP is scheduled to report back to the Fish and Wildlife Commission on Dec. 16. The Madison River Work Groups recommendations, and a link for public comment, can be found at: https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/madison-river-workgroup. PABLO Republican proposals for new legislative districts in Montana would reduce the number of districts with Native American majorities, an approach that has been criticized by tribal members, indigenous activists and Democrats since they were unveiled last month. During one of two public hearings taking place on Indian reservations in the state, Mondays meeting at the Salish Kootenai College in Pablo saw tribal members, local leaders and indigenous lawmakers asking the Districting and Apportionment Commission to preserve the current districts in which Native Americans make up a majority of voters. Democrats argued that keeping those districts intact is critical to complying with the federal Voting Rights Act. That helps to provide that knowledge, that long-standing reflection on the Native people in this area, in our legislative system, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Chairman Tom McDonald told the commission during the hearing. The meeting was sparsely attended compared with other recent hearings around the state, including in Bozeman and Missoula, where comments were more evenly divided between those supporting maps advanced by Republicans versus Democrats. Under the current legislative map, six House districts have a majority of voters who are Native American. Montanas 50 Senate districts are each made up of two adjacent House districts. The six majority-minority House districts currently pair up to form three majority-minority Senate districts: One spanning the Crow and Northern Cheyenne reservations, another covering the Blackfeet Reservation and portions of the Flathead Indian Reservation and a third stretching through portions of the reservations on the Hi-Line. McDonald argued for the importance of maintaining some form of House District 15, which stretches across much of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex to link the eastern portion of the Flathead Reservation with the Blackfeet Reservation. Commission members disagree on the need for the sprawling district, and Republicans have suggested the lengthy driving distance between its corners may run afoul of the requirement that districts be compact and contiguous with respect to transportation, geography and other factors. That requirement is spelled out in the Montana Constitution, as well as the commissions adopted criteria. Montanas redistricting process is overseen by a commission split between the two parties, with two members appointed by Republicans and two appointed by Democrats. Chairperson Maylinn Smith serves as the fifth, nonpartisan commissioner appointed by the state Supreme Court, and often serves as the tie-breaking vote. In August, each of the four partisan commissioners offered up their map proposal, kicking off a series of public hearings held around the state and via remote meetings to gather public input. Smith has said she expects the maps to change once the commission meets after the November election for a lengthy work session to refine the borders of the 100 House districts. GOP-appointed commissioner Dan Stuseks plan is the only one of the four that wouldnt adopt some form of HD 15, instead creating a Flathead Reservation district with 48% Native voters that doesnt connect to the Blackfeet Reservation. And because Senate districts are formed by combining two adjacent House districts, it would automatically eliminate one of the current majority-minority Senate districts, as well. I made that split partially because of practical contiguity, Stusek said in August, after unveiling his map proposal. He added, I believe the contiguity issues there create a district that would not be deemed that it would violate the Voting Rights Act. His GOP colleague, Jeff Essman, has proposed a map that retains six minority-majority House districts, but would also only allow for the creation of only two such Senate districts. Stusek noted that part of the courts analysis rests on whether a minority group in a district is able to elect its candidate of choice. This amounts to determining whether the minority group has a clear preference in candidate, and whether a district is drawn in a way that allows members of the racial majority to vote as a bloc to defeat the minority groups choice. He also noted that the maps are likely to change significantly as the process continues. "We're not drawing any lines in the sand," he said in an interview last month. "We're open to change if that's what the people comment on." Democratic Commissioner Kendra Miller, in an analysis she submitted recently to the commission, pointed to a higher likelihood of those candidate of choice wins in the districts with high Native populations on the Democrats maps, versus those from Republicans. In an August meeting, she also accused the GOP commissioners of ignoring the Voting Rights Act in their map proposals. Many of the commenters in Pablo stressed the shared history and culture between the two tribes, a nod to one of the commission's adopted goals to keep "communities of interest" intact. Sen. Susan Webber, D-Browning, represents Senate District 8, which currently unites the two majority-minority districts covering the Flathead and Blackfeet reservations. A Blackfeet tribal member, she highlighted the shared family trees of tribal members on the two reservations. Historically, weve fought on another, but when we got into the modern era, we have been allies politically and socially, Webber said in an interview at the meeting. The CSKT have a relatively diffuse Native population compared with other Montana tribes, with a reservation population that is nearly two-thirds white. Only one House seat that currently represents part of the reservation is held by a Native lawmaker, Webber said, and she worried that without a minority-majority district, the CSKT would lose their voice in the Legislature. To just eliminate House District 15 entirely, these people wont have any representation, she said. I take that very seriously as a representative. Whatever they want, I take that seriously. Webber also pointed to successes by the Legislature's Native American Caucus advancing common legislative priorities like combating invasive species and the crisis of missing Indigenous people. Montana's Native American population, at 9.3% of the total according to the 2020 census, has historically been disproportionately represented in the Legislature, although that gap has closed in recent decades. Indigenous lawmakers currently make up 8% of both chambers, up from just over 5% a decade earlier. LSU's Glassell Gallery in the Shaw Center for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St., is showing 'The Art of Creative Fiber,' featuring work by the Contemporary Fiber Artists of Louisiana. Lucy Landry's 'Jazzy,' above, includes hand embroidery, vintage buttons and cabochons. A teenage human trafficking victim who was initially charged with first-degree murder after she stabbed her accused rapist to death was sentenced Tuesday in an Iowa court to five years of closely supervised probation and ordered to pay $150,000 restitution to the man's family. Pieper Lewis, 17, was sentenced Tuesday after she pleaded last year to involuntary manslaughter and willful injury in the June 2020 killing of 37-year-old Zachary Brooks of Des Moines. Both charges were punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Polk County District judge David M. Porter on Tuesday deferred those prison sentences, meaning that if Lewis violates any portion of her probation, she could be sent to prison to serve that 20-year term. As for being required to pay the estate of her rapist, "this court is presented with no other option," Porter said, noting the restitution is mandatory under Iowa law that has been upheld by the Iowa Supreme Court. Lewis was 15 when she stabbed Brooks more than 30 times in a Des Moines apartment. Officials have said Lewis was a runaway who was seeking to escape an abusive life with her adopted mother and was sleeping in the hallways of a Des Moines apartment building when a 28-year-old man took her in before forcibly trafficking her to other men for sex. Lewis said one of those men was Brooks and that he had raped her multiple times in the weeks before his death. She recounted being forced at knifepoint by the 28-year-old man to go with Brooks to his apartment for sex. She told officials that after Brooks had raped her yet again, she grabbed a knife from a bedside table and stabbed Brooks in a fit of rage. Police and prosecutors have not disputed that Lewis was sexually assaulted and trafficked. But prosecutors have argued that Brooks was asleep at the time he was stabbed and not an immediate danger to Lewis. Iowa is not among the dozens of states that have a so-called safe harbor law that gives trafficking victims at least some level of criminal immunity. Lewis, who earned her GED while being held in juvenile detention, acknowledged in a statement prior to her sentencing that she struggled with the structure of her detention, including "why I was treated like fragile glass" or wasn't allowed to communicate with her friends or family. "My spirit has been burned, but still glows through the flames," she read from a statement she had prepared. "Hear me roar, see me glow, and watch me grow." "I am a survivor," she added. The Associated Press does not typically name victims of sexual assault, but Lewis agreed to have her name used previously in stories about her case. Prosecutors took issue with Lewis calling herself a victim in the case and said she failed to take responsibility for stabbing Brooks and "leaving his kids without a father." The judge peppered Lewis with repeated requests to explain what poor choices she made that led up to Brooks' stabbing and expressed concern that she sometimes did not want to follow rules set for her in juvenile lockup. "The next five years of your life will be full of rules you disagree with, I'm sure of it," Porter said. He later added, "This is the second chance that you've asked for. You don't get a third." Karl Schilling with the Iowa Organization for Victim Assistance said a bill to create a safe harbor law for trafficking victims passed the Iowa House earlier this year, but stalled in the Senate under concerns from law enforcement groups that it was too broad. "There was a working group established to iron out the issues," Shilling said. "Hopefully it will be taken up again next year." Iowa does have an affirmative defense law that gives some leeway to victims of crime if the victim committed the violation "under compulsion by another's threat of serious injury, provided that the defendant reasonably believed that such injury was imminent." Prosecutors argued Tuesday that Lewis waived that affirmative defense when she pleaded guilty to manslaughter and willful injury. Faimon Roberts III covers rural communities in Louisiana. His work is supported by a reporting grant from the Microsoft Journalism Initiative and is administered by the Greater New Orleans Foundation. He can be reached at froberts@theadvocate.com. Guest column: To better fight crime, it's time to end the NOPD consent decree Ground handlers at two contractors used by major airlines such as Emirates, Qantas and Virgin have secured better working conditions after months of negotiations, in a move that calms fears of upcoming service disruptions. Unionised workers at Menzies and Dnata Catering have been angling for higher wages and paid overtime for months, following a torrid two years for the Australian aviation sector thats decimated employee morale, productivity and profits. Workers at Dnata Catering and Menzies have secured improved pay and working conditions after months of negotiations. Credit:Paul Rovere Kuwait-based Menzies will provide Australian employees an 11 per cent pay rise effective immediately, and has committed to bringing all operations that have been outsourced to labour hire firms back in-house to be done by its own workers. Menzies staff had been considering moving to a protected action ballot if their demands hadnt been met. Emirates-owned Dnata has agreed to provide Australian Dnata Catering employees a 7.5 and 8 per cent pay increase over two years, back-paid to January 2022 when flying resumed after the pandemic. As Europe battles to keep the lights on this winter, leaders across Europe have begun framing the energy stand-off with Russia as an epic struggle between good and evil. It is about autocracy against democracy, said Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commissions president, in her annual address. Her rhetoric, a far cry from past calls for diplomacy, is the latest example of hardening European attitudes amid signs the tide may finally be turning - on and off the battlefield in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin is losing leverage in his energy stand-off with Europe. Credit:AP With Kyivs soldiers pushing back the Russian invaders and the European Union comfortably exceeding targets for gas storage, academics and experts say that - although the coming months will be among the hardest in living memory - Vladimir Putin no longer holds the leverage he once did over the Continents gas supplies. The Russian president has mercilessly throttled flows into Europe this summer, pushing up household energy bills and forcing governments to announce support packages of an unprecedented scale to protect consumers. But after playing many of his strongest cards in the stand-off with EU leaders, who have supported Ukraine and sanctioned Russia, Putins weaponisation of gas is now at risk of spectacularly backfiring, according to John Lough, an associate fellow at Chatham House. After all, Finch steered Melbournes biggest consumer fashion shindig through COVID, and as former boss Graeme Lewsey battled a rare form of cancer (and is doing well). But for every loss, theres a gain: Paola di Trocchio has joined as program manager from the NGV, though we understand the chief operating officers seat is still vacant, for now. MYERS MOOLAH We knew top barrister Allan Myers, KC, wasnt short of a bob. The University of Melbourne chancellor was 153rd on the Financial Reviews Rich List this year, worth a handy $883 million, largely as a result of a super-shrewd investment in Polish brewery Grupa Zywiec, which he and painting magnate and fellow rich lister John Higgins bought after the collapse of communism in Poland in 1989. But it was news to CBD that Myers is among the richest lawyers on the planet. Thats according to US website The Richest, which studies these things closely. Allan Myers is among the worlds richest lawyers, according to an American website. Credit:Jessica Shapiro The site has Myers in some famous and infamous company. The boy from Dunkeld (its just outside Warrnambool) made No.5 on the rich lawyers just ahead of US daytime TV powerhouse Judge Judy Judith Sheindlin with her fortune of about $650 million. Former US attorney William Lerach who led the behemoth case against Enron which extracted more than $10 billion on behalf of victims and another class action specialist, Richard Scruggs occupy No.3 and No.1 on the list, despite both men now being banned from practising law after pleading guilty to criminal offences. Not much chance of anything like that befalling the squeaky clean Myers, though. KING HIT Victorian opposition leader Matthew Guy copped a world of mockery on Tuesday for the reference to King Arthur during the Liberal leaders tribute to the Queen. By Wednesday lunchtime, the provisional Hansard parliamentary record had been altered, replacing King Arthur with King Alfred presumably Alfred the Great who ruled a fair chunk of what is now known as England in the late 9th century, which would make a bit more sense. Matthew Guy has officially corrected a king-sized gaffe. Credit:Scott McNaughton MPs who misspeak in the chamber have the chance to correct the proof copies of Hansard so that the official record reflects what they meant to say, and Guys staffers were telling journalists on Wednesday that their man had fluffed his lines the previous day, rather than thinking Arthur was the real thing. But tweaking Hansard didnt save Guy from being mercilessly trolled by his former mate, outgoing car-crash Liberal MP Tim Smith. Smith told his Twitter followers that he would be settling in on Wednesday night in front of a double bill of Arthurian flicks, John Boormans1981 classic Excalibur and the less memorable Sean Connery and Richard Gere effort First Knight. FYI, theyre not documentaries, Smith added. THE SHOW GOES ON Good news from Australian fans of the Conservative Political Action Conference, which has officially secured a venue, going with the rather vanilla choice of the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour. The woke left will not keep the CPAC leadership, including Warren Mundine, quiet. Credit:Louise Kennerley CPACs leadership, which includes former Labor national president Warren Mundine, says they have overcome attempts from the woke left to shut them down. The cancel culture mob tried, they lied but CPAC 2022 is alive and we will not hide! CPAC announced. In years past, the conference has faced protests, and attempts by former Labor Senator Kristina Keneally to get certain controversial attendees banned from the country over their bigoted views. But this time around, CBD couldnt find much evidence of anyone seriously trying to cancel this years conference, to be headlined by Nigel Farage and Tony Abbott, and the events national director Andrew Cooper didnt return our calls. But we reckon the cancel culture rhetoric has something to do with the controversy last month between CPAC and Sydneys Luna Park, which denied claims made by conference organisers that it was set to host the conservative talkfest, but pulled the pin. SETTING SALES Annapolis: Baltimore prosecutors asked a judge on Wednesday, local time, to vacate Adnan Syeds conviction for the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee a case that was chronicled in the hit podcast Serial. Baltimores states attorney filed a motion in circuit court, saying a lengthy investigation conducted with the defence had uncovered new evidence that could undermine the conviction of Syed, Lees ex-boyfriend. Adnan Syed enters Courthouse East prior to a hearing in Baltimore in 2016. Credit:The Baltimore Sun/AP The motion filed today supports a new trial for Syed based on a nearly year-long investigation that revealed undisclosed and newly developed information regarding two alternative suspects, as well as unreliable cell phone tower data, the states attorney Marilyn Mosbys office said in a news release. Syed, 42, has maintained his innocence for decades and captured the attention of millions in 2014 when the debut season of the Serial podcast focused on the case and raised doubts about some of the evidence, including cellphone tower data. North Dakota oil production in July dropped 2.5% after a two-month rising streak, while natural gas production was up 1.3%, the state Department of Mineral Resources reported Thursday. July oil production fell to just over 1 million barrels per day. The states oil figures lag two months as officials collect and analyze data from energy companies. Director Lynn Helms said the Mineral Resources Department was surprised to see the decline in July when officials were anticipating to reach Junes mark of 1.1 million barrels daily. Helms said the drop is likely because of fewer well completions due to a lack of available workforce. The drilling rig count in North Dakota has stalled out in the mid-forties, Helms said, adding that the department continues to hear the steady drumbeat that its a skilled workforce problem. Helms addressed a tentative labor deal that has averted a potential railroad workers strike. About 100,000 barrels of oil per day is dependent on rail to move out of North Dakota, he said, explaining that is the only means of transportation that can reach the West Coast, where three out of every four barrels is delivered. July gas production in North Dakota totaled 3.1 billion cubic feet per day. The state's record production was 3.15 billion cubic feet per day in November 2019. July was the first time North Dakota surpassed more than 3 billion cubic feet per day in capturing and marketing gas. North Dakota maintained 94% gas capture in July, the same as June, and exceeded the states 91% target. The rest was burned off at well sites in a wasteful process known as flaring, due to a lack of access to pipelines and processing plants. New research has confirmed there is a large demographic of silent environmentalists in Australia, and more needs to be done to harness them in efforts to protect the environment. A study by researchers from the University of Queensland surveyed 2100 people across Australia, trying to get a more accurate picture of peoples thoughts on the environment. The UQ research found many people who would not identify as environmentalists were just as if not more likely to engage in environmental activities like tree planting. Credit:Jesse Collins Lead researcher, UQ PhD candidate Nicola Sockhill, said they found that while there was a group of people who identified as environmentalists, there was another group who did not identify that way but still showed concern for the environment and conservation efforts. This is actually something that hasnt really been investigated in a scientific way before now, we wanted to find out peoples attitudes towards nature and how that influenced their pro-environmental behaviours, she said. A police officer and former Surf Coast mayor has launched legal action against the Vincentian order almost 50 years after he was allegedly abused by a priest while boarding at a former Catholic college in Bendigo. Brian McKiterick, 61, has claimed in a writ filed in the Supreme Court of Victoria that he suffered appalling sexual abuse at the hands of Father Murray Wilson, who was the dean of discipline, a maths teacher and football coach at St Vincents College. Former Surf Coast mayor Brian McKiterick has launched legal action against the Vincentian Fathers over alleged historic sexual abuse. Credit:Chris Hopkins The veteran police officer has grappled with the dark secret for decades, only revealing it to his adult children in the past fortnight after deciding to go public with his legal battle against the church. For me, its taken a lot to come forward, and there will obviously be repercussions, both positive and negative, but I felt like I needed to step up, McKiterick told The Age. Victorian Catholic school teachers are threatening to work to rule next term in a union-led protest over excessive workload, including limiting their working day to school hours, refusing to take extra classes or volunteer for information nights, concerts, fetes and Mass. The union wrote to Catholic school teachers on Thursday, urging them to take a no more freebies approach to their roles in term four as negotiations over a new workplace deal stall. Catholic teachers are planning to work to rule due to stalled enterprise bargaining agreements. Credit:iStock The Independent Education Union has called on Victorian Catholic educators, except for those in the Diocese of Sale, to refuse to perform any work outside of their legal requirements from the beginning of term four. This means teachers wont take on extra classes, respond to communications or attend non-critical activities outside work hours or allow class size limits to blow out. The union has also asked teachers not to do overtime, run errands during breaks or do work beyond their description or pay grade. Two women who were allegedly kidnapped, gagged and bound by their relatives after they fled an environment of extreme religious and cultural control used Snapchats location feature to alert authorities to their whereabouts as they were transported from Victoria to NSW. A court heard the young women, who cannot be named to protect their safety, had been stalked by their cousin for three days before relatives broke into their Melbourne home, tied them up with rope and duct tape and drove them back to Sydney. A lawyer for and supporters of the accused outside a Sydney court after the extradition hearing. Credit:Edwina Pickles The pair had fled their home in NSW with the help of the police in March after enduring what an officer described as years of violence and extreme control due to strict religious and cultural beliefs at the hands of their relatives. A woman and three men were arrested and extradited to Victoria last week following the alleged kidnapping, which began in Melbournes northern suburbs and ended in western Sydney with police intercepting a car and freeing the women. Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has appointed an independent consultant to determine if more than one million ancient rock engravings on Western Australias Burrup Peninsula are threatened by adjacent industry, including two giant Woodside gas export plants. The investigation comes after decades of disagreement about whether heavy industry can coexist with fragile engravings that include some of the earliest depictions of the human face. Woodsides North West Shelf plant has exported gas from the Burrup Peninsula in WAs Pilbara region since 1989. Credit:Woodside Save our Songlines, an Indigenous group campaigning to protect the 40,000-year-old rock art, applied for a long-term declaration from Plibersek to protect the area they call Murujuga under section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act. One of the applicants, Raelene Cooper, said she welcomed the investigation but in the meantime some rock art was unprotected from the construction of a fertiliser plant after Plibersek in August rejected an application for a stay on construction. Prince Andrew, once the golden child, has been dealt his final humiliation of public life by being banned from saluting while walking behind his late mothers coffin procession as it passed the Cenotaph. Andrew, the only one of the Queens children not dressed in military uniform, simply bowed his head next to the national war memorial on Whitehall, having been stripped of his royal duties. Prince Andrew walks behind the coffin during the procession for the lying-in state of Queen Elizabeth II. Credit:Getty The Falklands war veteran was barred from wearing his navy uniform because he was in effect sacked as a working member of the royal family after he was disgraced over his relationship with the paedophile financier, Jeffrey Epstein. British military protocol dictates only those in uniform salute. Famously his mothers favourite, Andrew has not been treated as a complete royal pariah by his family as he mourns her death. But it is clear that now she has gone, there is no longer a place for him. Made of solid gold, it pre-dates the Union and in its current form it was made in 1540 after King James V of Scotland ordered it to be refashioned from the previous crown, which was starting to fall apart. After the precious stones were removed it was melted down and an extra 41 ounces of Scottish gold were added, before the 22 gemstones and 68 pearls were mounted. Originally lined with a purple bonnet, it has had a red bonnet since the days of James II (James VII of Scotland) and weighs a hefty 3lbs 10oz (1.64kg). It is kept in Edinburgh Castle as part of the Honours of Scotland. The Imperial State Crown The Imperial State Crown is handed over for the State Opening of Parliament by Queen Elizabeth II, in 2019. Credit:AP The most familiar of all the crowns, worn by the monarch at the State Opening of Parliament, it was placed on the late Queens coffin when it left Buckingham Palace on its way to Westminster Hall. The original crown jewels were destroyed on the orders of Oliver Cromwell, and the crown on which it is based was made in 1660 for Charles II. In its present form it dates from 1937, when it was remade for the coronation of Queen Elizabeths father George VI by the then royal jeweller Garrard & Co. Loading It is largely the same as the crown worn by Queen Victoria, which was badly damaged in 1845 when the Duke of Argyll dropped it from a cushion at the State Opening in 1845, and uses the jewels that have been part of about 10 versions of the crown since it was first made in the restoration. George VI asked for the crowns weight to be reduced as much as possible, and specified a hammock fitting of the type used in a soldiers bear skin. The height of the arches was reduced by around one inch in 1953 for Queen Elizabeth to give it a more feminine appearance, and the metal rim, or circlet, was reduced slightly in size which, Garrards said at the time, involves considerable remounting of the stones and motifs of which it is composed. The process may have to be reversed for King Charles. Weighing 2.3lbs (1.06kg) it contains 2,868 diamonds, including the 317 carat Cullinan II diamond which can be detached and worn as a brooch; four rubies, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 269 pearls, some of which are said to have belonged to Elizabeth I. St Edwards Sapphire, set in the centre of the cross on top of the crown, is said to have been worn in a ring by St Edward the Confessor which was taken from his tomb in 1163. Like the other English crowns, it is kept at the Tower of London when it is not in use. St Edwards Crown St Edwards Crown Credit:Getty The most important and sacred of the crowns, St Edwards Crown is only used once in the lifetime of each monarch, when it is placed on their head at the Coronation. Weighing nearly 5lbs (2.23kg) the solid gold jewel is also the heaviest crown, so heavy that from 1689 to 1911 it was not used for any coronation and instead placed on the altar. Made for the coronation of Charles II in 1661, it replaced the medieval crown melted down by Cromwell, which was said to have belonged to St Edward the Confessor, the 11th century king. Because the crown was originally relatively simple in design, it would be set with hired stones for coronations, but in 1911 King George V had it set permanently with 444 largely semi-precious stones, mostly aquamarines. It is St Edwards Crown that appears in the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom, the logo of Royal Mail, and in badges of the Armed Forces. Crown of Queen Elizabeth The Crown belonged to the Queen mother. Credit:AP The crown that the Queen Consort is expected to wear at her husbands coronation and the only crown in the royal collection which is made of platinum. https://www.yahoo.com/news/former-defense-official-u-military-152207648.html In this episode of Intelligence Matters, host Michael Morell speaks with Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development Elbridge Colby about his new book The Strategy of Denial: American Defense in an Age of Great Power Conflict and whether the U.S. military is ready for a new era of great power competition. Colby discusses doubts among analysts about the ability of the U.S. to win a war against the Chinese military. He notes that there is substantial bipartisan agreement that China is the biggest threat against the U.S. HIGHLIGHTS: What's at stake in confrontation with China: "If we go back to the basics, which is one of the things I tried to do in my book, what is American foreign policy and particularly defense policy given it's about, war and peace and loss of life and so forth. What is it fundamentally about? I think it's about the American people's security, freedom and prosperity. Long story short, I think our basic goal is what I think of as an anti-hegemonic one, which is basically we don't want any country or entity to be able to be so dominant in the international system that it could impose its will on our on our way of life and really undermine our way of life. If we look at the world that way, by far the most significant challenge of that happening is China dominating Asia, because Asia is going to be upwards of 50% of global GDP in the coming years. It's kind of the center of the world again after half a millennium. And China's by far the strongest state."Could U.S. win a war against China? "I'm very much of the view that we need to prioritize what needs to be prioritized. And that's China in Asia. And there are real doubts about our ability to win a fight with the Chinese military in the years to come over a plausible war in that region."Everyone agrees China is "biggest threat": "In an era when there's a lot of obviously divisiveness at home on almost everything actually, one area where there is quite substantial agreement is that China's not only a threat but really kind of the biggest threat." - ADVERTISEMENT - Download, rate and subscribe here: iTunes, Spotify and Stitcher. INTELLIGENCE MATTERS WITH MICHAEL MORELL: ELBRIDGE COLBY PRODUCER: PAULINA SMOLINSKI MICHAEL MORELL: Bridge, thank you for joining us on Intelligence Matters. It's an honor to have you on. ELBRIDGE COLBY: The honor's mind Michael. I really appreciate being on the show. MICHAEL MORELL: Bridge, last month you wrote an essay in the Wall Street Journal titled "America's Industrial Base Isn't Ready for War with China." And I found it both compelling and a bit frightening. And I immediately wanted you to join us here on the podcast to talk about it and really about kind of the bigger issue of, are we prepared from a military perspective for this era of great power competition? That's what we're going to dig into. I should also note that you wrote a book that was published about a year ago called The Strategy of Denial: American Defense in an Age of Great Power Conflict. And I would imagine that the paperback version of that is going to come out soon. ELBRIDGE COLBY: It is. Thanks for asking. It's coming out actually this month in September. MICHAEL MORELL: Terrific. So the bottom line is, I can't think of anyone better for us to have this conversation with in terms of, are we ready for this new world that we live in? And what I would love to do, Bridge, is run through a series of kind of big picture questions and then we'll kind of choose along the way where we want to dive a little deeper. So as you know better than anyone, the fundamental purposes of the military are to deter our adversaries from taking actions that would undermine our security. And then two, to be able to defeat those adversaries in war should that deterrence fail. And so my first question is, in this new era of great power competition, who are the adversaries that we need to deter and what do we need to deter them from doing? ELBRIDGE COLBY: I think that's an excellent question. And I think the right place to start. In fact, that's kind of how I start my book. I would say the states that are threats and the entities that are threats, you know the terrorist threat better than anybody, they haven't really changed all that much. It's more that the scale has changed, particularly because of China. If we go back to the basics, which is one of the things I tried to do in my book, what is American foreign policy and particularly defense policy given it's about, war and peace and loss of life and so forth. What is it fundamentally about? I think it's about the American people's security, freedom and prosperity. Long story short, I think our basic goal is what I think of as an anti-hegemonic one, which is basically we don't want any country or entity to be able to be so dominant in the international system that it could impose its will on our on our way of life and really undermine our way of life. If we look at the world that way, by far the most significant challenge of that happening is China dominating Asia, because Asia is going to be upwards of 50% of global GDP in the coming years. It's kind of the center of the world again after half a millennium. And China's by far the strongest state. Now, Russia is still very obviously a very dangerous and aggressive power. Iran's out there. North Korea is out there. Terrorists are out there. The list could go on. But the question is, unlike, say, 20 years ago, we're not so much more powerful than any of our potential threats over the things that we would care to fight about. We're not talking about marching to Moscow or Beijing. What we're talking about is defending our allies. Our allies are important not in and of themselves, but because they're coalitions to prevent China from dominating Asia or Russia from dominating Europe potentially. So that's what we are focused on. MICHAEL MORELL: Where is the United States military today in being able to meet the requirements of this new era of great power competition? What grade would you give us and why would you give it that grade? In what ways are we prepared? In what ways are we falling short? But I'd love for you to start with a good old fashioned letter grade. How are we doing? ELBRIDGE COLBY: Interesting. I would give us, unfortunately, something probably in the C minus vicinity. And that's not because of anything wrong with the people serving in the military or anything. But it's because I'm very much of the view that we need to prioritize what needs to be prioritized. And that's China in Asia. And there are real doubts about our ability to win a fight with the Chinese military in the years to come over a plausible war in that region. There are good things happening. And that's why I'm not giving us an F. The Marines, for instance, the Air Force is doing some good stuff, things out of the INDO PACOM, U.S. Army Pacific, these kinds of things. But it's not enough. And I wrote a piece in Foreign Affairs last month in August juxtaposing some very good rhetoric, particularly out of the Biden administration about the problem of China and particularly the threat to Taiwan. But the divergence between the rhetoric and what's actually happening, we're not making the moves that are necessary to keep up. To me, Winston Churchill said if you get things right in the key theater, you can put everything else right again afterwards, but not the reverse. We're not where we need to be in the key theater and things seem to be getting worse. And of course, we're dealing with Xi Jinping, with a leader who seems very assertive, confident and frankly brutal. So I think that's imprudence at least. MICHAEL MORELL: Where are we right now in our ability to defend Taiwan from a Chinese invasion if they decided to do it within the next few months? ELBRIDGE COLBY: You're an intelligence professional. I don't have access to all the data. But I think even more we're dealing now with a situation with a conflict where it's inherently unpredictable to some extent. Because when you're thinking about how a war would go, you're thinking about how individuals and systems would interact and who would win and so forth and how they would work together. It's really impossible to be certain. But what's disturbing, I would say, is that I think we're in the window, we have entered a period in which it is a close call at best. So just to give you an example, the Taiwan defense minister, actually this was last year, said that China may already have the ability to take over Taiwan in an invasion, including in the face of an American intervention on Taiwan's behalf at relatively high cost. But that by the middle of the decade, Taiwan's assessment is that China would be able to relatively easily. And if you look at the best military thinkers and analysts, people like Andrew Krepinevich and Bob Work and David Armagnac, they're sounding the alarm. It is a remedial problem if we allocate the focus and the resources and the senior level attention. But right now, I think we're on a trajectory to really put ourselves in a position where losing is, if not just a very real possibility, maybe even the probable outcome. MICHAEL MORELL: And then let's flip to the other side of the globe for a second. Where are we in terms of our ability to, say, defend the Baltics if Putin made a move against them? ELBRIDGE COLBY: I've always taken the Russians seriously, but I think we have to say that they've, you know, their capability has eroded. I know the official assessment, DNI, Avril Haines said that they would struggle to mount a second front war. Of course, they're having difficulty against Ukraine. And that's without the full scale NATO response. So I would say we're in a better position, mostly because the Russians have kind of broken their spear, but also maybe demonstrated that they weren't as formidable as we thought. And again, I don't think we should count them out at all, to the contrary. But I think we're probably in a better position. And that's part of what informs my assessment that we should even more after what's happened in Ukraine. Actually, instead of getting us to focus more of our military effort on Europe, it should actually be the reverse, because the Russians are having, they're bogged down, they're having real difficulty. The Europeans are doing more. So why don't we focus on that decisive priority theater? MICHAEL MORELL: Yeah, it's interesting, right, that as Russia is getting weaker, we're investing more in Europe and the Europeans are investing more. Just the opposite of what you would think. So Bridge, why are we falling short? What are the factors that are behind, are not being where we need to be. Is it a lack of recognition of the threat? It is a lack of a strategy to deal with a threat. Is it bureaucratic inertia inside the Defense Department? The politics of war fatigue? What's going on here? ELBRIDGE COLBY: It's a really important question, Michael. And it's one I actually struggle with a lot because in a sense, kind of what you just said. It is strange and it's particularly strange given that there is sort of a consensus. In an era when there's a lot of obviously divisiveness at home on almost everything actually, one area where there is quite substantial agreement is that China's not only a threat but really kind of the biggest threat. And yet it's not happening. And I confess, I kind of go up the wall from time to time because I don't understand. I think if I had to put it down, there are these bureaucratic explanations and organizational difficulties. But I think the United States, if we put our mind to something, we can usually figure it out. If it's something solvable. If we wanted to, we could get out of this problem. I think that the explanation, if we were looking at it as an analyst, is I don't think that there's a sufficient appreciation of how strong China is. Especially, I'll be candid, especially in the frankly more senior and older ranks of the political leadership and the national security leadership. I've always found it's actually less a state of a partisan issue about how much China's a challenge than it is an age issue. In the sense that I think China's rise has been so meteoric over the last generation that it's kind of hard to process. And I think a lot of people just don't really believe that they could actually pull off challenging the United States directly. I think that's a grave mistake. But that's sort of all I can really account for because what people are saying and what we know analytically and empirically is our strategic situation, our military situation is not being matched up with what we're doing. MICHAEL MORELL: I wonder to what extent the Russian invasion of Ukraine will get people's attention on China. One of the things I do is I brief companies of the threats in the world. There's been a big change in how closely people listen now to what I say. Given the fact that Russia invaded Ukraine. So I'm wondering if people may pay more attention. ELBRIDGE COLBY: I think you're right. I think in a way, it's a mix. I think it's distracted us in the sense from Asia, in the sense that it's pulled attention to Europe. You know, better than anybody, senior level attention is scarce and there's only so much of it to go around. I think too much of it is going to Europe and Ukraine. I will say that I do think we should support the Ukrainians and oppose Russia's invasion. But I look at it from a strategic point of view, geopolitical point of view, we're not allocating our if you were a company, we would be misallocating our resources and efforts in the grand scheme of things. And I think to your point, Michael, the key thing is I think people can now imagine that a major war would happen. They can imagine that a country like China would decide to, as Harold Brown put it, make the cosmic roll of the dice and not only invade Taiwan, but precipitate a war with the United States. And I think that that's salutary in the sense that that is an accurate assessment. And Putin has, in a sense, shown that that is a real possibility. I think also, especially with companies that the political and military and strategic are not really separate from the economic right. These are going to be integrated at some level. MICHAEL MORELL: One of the things when you talking about, do people sufficiently understand the significance of the threat? I was thinking back to prior to 9/11 and how difficult it was to get policymakers in both parties, Clinton administration and the Bush administration, the early Bush administration, to understand that a group of ragtag guys in dirt training camps in Afghanistan could pose a significant threat to the United States. It was just difficult to get your mind around. That's what I was thinking when you were talking about, do people fully appreciate the threat? The other thing I was thinking, which is actually more scary, is our country, as you know, has a way of not dealing with an issue until there's a crisis. We're not proactive. We weren't proactive on terrorism prior to 9/11. We weren't proactive on the pandemic in terms of preparations. So that worries me here. Right. Does something bad have to happen before we wake up and realize what we have to do here vis a vis China? ELBRIDGE COLBY: I'm worried about that a lot, too. Another historical example would, of course, be our entry into the Second World War. Right. But I think in the back of people's minds, there's sort of this idea that, 'hey, we're America, and if we need to, we can always just gin up the Detroit deterrent or whatever, you know, the industry and so forth. And we'll be able to take care of the Chinese if they get too big for their britches.' And that's wrong for a couple reasons. One is, as you mentioned kindly, the Wall Street Journal article I co-authored with my good friend Alex Gray, which is our defense industrial base, is a shadow of what it was, or our industrial base as a whole is a shadow of what it was in 1941. In fact, the world's largest industrial base, the world's largest shipbuilding industry, is in China. And that's and that's also a very costly way of doing it. And China is a peer economy. When Japan attacked us in 1941, it was 10% the size of the American economy. Al Qaida, exactly right, if we put our mind to it, we could make a lot of progress, thanks to the efforts of people like you, could make a lot of progress against that threat. With China it's a really fundamentally different story. And I think a lot of our habits are bad. The one major instance that gives me more hope, though, is the Cold War. We were not prepared in Korea, but after Korea, we did maintain a footing in Europe that was never going to let the Soviets really get away with running the tables on us the way that China could. I think the Cold War is an imperfect model in a lot of ways. But I think in the military context and thinking about deterrence, it's a good example. MICHAEL MORELL: I want to switch gears here to what do we do about this? And I want to put you in two different roles here. The first role, I want to put you in the job of the national security adviser. And I want you to talk a little bit about an overall strategy vis a vis China, not just military, but an overall strategy. What do you think that strategy should look like? What are the key components of it? ELBRIDGE COLBY: I think our overall strategy, again, is this anti-hegemonic goal. Our goal needs to be to deny China a soft imperial control of Asia, because if they have that position, they will be able to be dominant in the world and they will undermine our liberties and our prosperity. I have little, no doubt. So I think in this context, how do we do that? We're not powerful or really resolute enough on our own to do it. So we need a balance of power. We need a coalition. I mean, it's pretty old school, but there's a reason it's tried and true. And so the key here needs to be forming a coalition that can block China's attempt to dominate Asia. Now, so far, so good. I think that's pretty unremarkable and widely agreed. I think where I would differ from the way, as I understand it, the administration has been pursuing this, and I'm taking this not only from their statements, but Jake Sullivan wrote a piece in Foreign Policy a couple of years ago that was actually kind of pivoting off of an argument that I had been making or uses as it as a foil, is how central is hard power and how much is this a regional versus a global context? In fact, this is kind of Nadia Schadlow's reaction, the lead of the national security strategy in the Trump administration. This is kind of the key issue, I think the ascendant view, certainly in the administration. But I think actually more broadly among many, many across the spectrum is that this is a global competition. It's mostly about economics, soft power, and international institutions. I have a little bit more of an old school kind of realist view, which is that at the end of the day, what matters above all, is to get that hard power military and hard economic power balance. And that's largely a matter of regional balance. Asia is really the priority theater. Why do I think that? It's a little bit for a counterintuitive reason. I actually think economic sanctions and economic leverage are very difficult to turn into really effective political outcomes. And for that reason, I don't think China, despite its enormous economic heft, is going to be able to turn things like Belt and Road Initiative and these kinds of things into getting the Taiwans, let alone the Vietnams Indias of the world to give up and accede to their regional hegemony. I'm informed by the trouble China is already having but also our own experience. Look at the difficulties we had against Iraq and Iran and North Vietnam, North Korea, pretty modest record. I mean, sanctions have a place, but I think they tend to be exaggerated in their efficacy. So that's good news, in one one sense that China's economic heft will not allow it to be dominant. But it means that the military instrument takes on a greater importance. And in fact, I think one thing Putin in his abominable invasion of Ukraine was right about analytically was that he would need to use military force, decisive military force to get Ukraine to heel. So he's correct about that. I think China will come to the conclusion. In fact, I think Bill Burns, your successor, said, actually I think at Aspen, that China would take from that Ukraine situation, that overwhelming force was the right. So I think that's correct. But if that's correct, that makes the military balance in Asia really, really central. I analogize it to kind of like law and order, which is like, if you live in a safe neighborhood, you're not worried about the police. But if you live in a dangerous neighborhood, that's all you think about. And so once we get that right, then it will be a long term competition in economics and technology and all the stuff that that the administration is talking about. And I agree with. But I actually think they're presuming that that will be the nature of the rivalry with China. But actually we need to work to get to that point. That I think would be another difference because of that is that I would be more ecumenical about who we work with. If I'm right, then countries like Japan, Australia, but also India, the ASEAN countries, of course, Taiwan and South Korea. These take on much greater importance. And Europe, while important, takes less importance than I think we're giving to it now. It's not because I love going to Europe, it's great, whatever. But I don't think the Europeans are going to bail us out if there's a war in Asia. They might help on the margin with things like economic sanctions on China. But I don't think they're going to be material. So that really gives a different coloration and emphasis to our overall strategy. MICHAEL MORELL: Perfect transition. So you're no longer the National Security Advisor. Now you're the secretary of defense and the president asks you to come to him and tell him what we need to do militarily. What does the defense budget need to look like? What exactly do we need to do in terms of force structure? What do we need to do in terms of new concepts of fighting? What does your briefing back to him look like? ELBRIDGE COLBY: Let me actually flip it a little bit. My experience is that and what I try to contribute is I don't pretend to have all of the answers. What I do think I can do, though, or somebody in that position I believe should really do, is make it very, very clear what the problem to be solved is and the support that they will have. We mentioned high level attention. Secretary Austin is in Europe. There's this contact group. If I were secretary defense, I'd be like, 'cancel all my meetings. I'm going to have a meeting on Taiwan all week until we get to a good place. And then we're going to meet again next week. And we're going to meet over the weekend and we're going to get a plan. And are you coming in to help me, if you're the undersecretary or you're a general or admiral, are you coming in to help me solve this problem? What do you need? Give me a credible plan. Okay. I'll take option A, B and C, because I want to be sure. And then everybody else, back to the line.' In a businesslike way about what is our priority and what do we need to do to get it. The line that you hear sometimes from the Pentagon that they can walk and chew gum at the same time. I mean, no serious company is like, 'oh hey our strategy is to walk and chew gum at the same time.' I'm also like, is China walking or chewing gum? That doesn't sound right. I would be like, this is my priority. What do you need to achieve it? Do we need to change authorities? Do we need to invest in industry, which could be, by the way, the established players, but also new players. This isn't about just helping the fat cats, so to speak. Do we need more money for the budget? Do you need me to call up Senator XYZ, Congressman or woman XYZ to say, 'this is why we need to get rid of this program and invest in a new one.' Then I would say, Mr. President, is what I want is the backing and authority that if I'm going to get flak on this from the hill, from the press, whatever, that you've got my back.' There are other people who know what the right operational concept is, what the right force structure is. I think there's some truth, for instance, in the idea that the Pacific, especially our interest being more of a maritime theater, obviously the Navy. But look, the Army may have a role too. Ground forces entrenched on islands, as we learned in Okinawa and Iwo Jima, can be really tough to deal with. So let's hear it out, but let's move and let's cover down both on the long term, which is where a lot of the emphasis is from the Pentagon right now, but also from the near term. If we're saying we're going to be ready in 2035, we're going to have 100 B-21 next generation heavy bombers. And China knows it's going to have the ability to do it this decade, but it's going to lose the ability to take Taiwan in the next decade. Well, they're going to have a strong incentive to move this decade. So that's the approach I would take. I would say, 'today's priorities, China, China, China, China. Okay, we're in a good place on that? Okay, there's a Europe issue. An Iran issue' That's not to say these aren't important. No, but I'm saying we need to act in a way that is consistent with our actual strategic situation. And fundamentally, we're not doing that. MICHAEL MORELL: You're talking about leadership. At the end of the day, you're talking about leadership. And it reminds me, Bridge, that people ask me, what difference did Leon Panetta make to the hunt for bin Laden? Because obviously we never stopped looking for him. The difference he made was because of his leadership, he did exactly what you said. He came in and he said, 'okay, you guys have been looking for him for eight years. I want you to come and see me every week and tell me what progress you've made.' And believe me, you don't want to come to that meeting and say nothing happened last week. So it drives you. It forces you into action. And it's just basic leadership at the end of the day that you're talking about here, whether in business or government. ELBRIDGE COLBY: Yeah, exactly. And recognizing that that's going to mean less attention doesn't mean that you're just going to ignore something else. The way I put it is like I mean, that's a great example. I might steal that. But let's say you're in a pretty large boat, but you've got a hole above the waterline. You got a hole that's maybe like Iran or North Korea. You got a hole just above the waterline where water's getting into the boat, but you're not going to sink it. Then you've got a big growing hole under the waterline. Doesn't mean you're not going to take care of those other holes. But you better make sure that you get that hole below the waterline taking care of stat. That's your number one priority. MICHAEL MORELL: There's got to be a piece here where the senior leadership of the country, the president, the senior cabinet members on the national security front, senior members of Congress, have to talk to the American people about the threat that China poses and what we have to do about it. Or we will never get the buy in we need from the voters at the end of the day. ELBRIDGE COLBY: I think that's right. I'm actually a bit mystified why that hasn't happened. In fact, at the risk of being a little bit trite, I think the voters are ahead of the elite in the sense that China is the top threat that's registered in polling, from what I can tell. And I think that's now true across the political spectrum. Under the Trump administration, I think Democrats were not necessarily there. But I think since the Biden administration has come in and both their own emphasis, but also the treatment from China, I think the voters are pretty much there. I think it's more a matter of allocating political capital. I got to be honest, I'm a little mystified because I think the administration is pretty candid, including their senior intelligence officials, that there is a threat to Taiwan. That's a very real threat before 2027. And it's like, well, if that's real that's by far the most significant thing that could happen in the international security domain. Wouldn't you want to cover down on that? Why wouldn't you give a speech? I'm not an economist. But we've spent a lot of money since the pandemic, rightly or wrongly, wouldn't we want to take care of I don't know, $50 billion? It's a lot of money. But in the scheme of what we're spending, wouldn't we want to cover down on that? And I think there would be a lot of receptivity across the political spectrum. Maybe some parts of it, obviously not. But it's kind of mystifying to me. And then again, you asked earlier what's missing. And I can only infer that there isn't really a true appreciation of the scale of the threat, because I think if there were, that would be happening. MICHAEL MORELL: Or as you talked about earlier, which I thought was a fantastic distinction. What is the threat at the end of the day is it this global economic and influence threat or is it a military threat? That could be a big difference here. ELBRIDGE COLBY: I think you're right. That could be it. Except the administration is talking about the military threat now. I think to your point, the Ukraine situation should have shown us that this stuff can happen. MICHAEL MORELL: We've been talking a lot about the military. I want to shift gears a little bit and talk about some other critical enablers of deterrence and start with maybe something that I might have better insight into than you do. But I want to ask you about intelligence capabilities. Do you have any insight into whether the intelligence community, particularly those parts that serve the Department of Defense, are where they need to be to deal with this threat? ELBRIDGE COLBY: You would certainly know far better than I,Michael, that's for sure. I would say I was encouraged by Burns's statements, both in his nomination hearings, but also since he's been serving as director, that China is the focus. I think intelligence often gets a bum deal in the sense that it's an inherently difficult enterprise because you're being asked to predict things that really can't be perfectly predicted. And you're trying to get information from countries that have a strong interest and ability in deceiving you and hiding. So we've got to be realistic in what we can expect. But I think from what I can tell, and some of this happened during the Cold War, too. I think there was a lot of focus after 9/11, for very good reason, on the counterterrorism threat. We've got to get back to the espionage basics of intelligence, obviously espionage, but also technical intelligence collection methods. But just trying to get after these really hard targets, particularly China, but also Russia. I think that's especially and again, you know it infinitely better than I. But in an era of ubiquitous electronic surveillance and connection, that's probably tough. But I think we need to try to do our best. MICHAEL MORELL: I think what you described the secretary of defense needs to do is exactly what the director of national intelligence needs to do. I wouldn't let the intelligence community off too easy with regard to this is hard work. When I was briefing President Bush every morning, I made the mistake once of telling him that intelligence collection in North Korea was hard. And he said, 'Michael, I know it's hard, but I still expect you to do it.' So we shouldn't we shouldn't give anybody any room to. ELBRIDGE COLBY: That's right. That's right. Don't let them off the hook. MICHAEL MORELL: Don't let them off the hook. Right. A real businessman wouldn't do that, right? ELBRIDGE COLBY: Exactly. Exactly. I know. Expect the impossible. MICHAEL MORELL: Exactly. The second question I want to ask you is about the economic piece of this and how you feel about industrial policy vis a vis China. Where are you on that? ELBRIDGE COLBY: Yeah. Well, first, I'm not an economist, so it's more a derivative view for me. But I do think industrial policy is warranted, particularly in key areas, of course, the defense industrial base, but also things like semiconductors. I think we could have a debate about whether industrial policy is better than a pure free market system in the abstract. But that's not the world we're living in. We're living in a world in which the largest economy in the world and the largest growing economy in the world with us is actively practicing industrial policy on a galactic scale. So in that context, I think industrial policy is kind of necessary because we can't- I think we ran an experiment probably over a 20 year period after the entry of China into the WTO, where we we said, 'well, there might be a practicing industrial policy, but we'll be free market, not pure free market, but more free market than they. And we hope that, we expect that we'll do better.' I don't think that's been borne out, as you can see, through the industrialization and the semiconductor problem. So I think industrial policy is necessary. I also think that trade is in bad odor in the country across the political spectrum. I personally am sympathetic in a lot of ways because I think it's related to the industrialization issue and a loss of credibility on, for instance, holding China to account for its commitments in entering the WTO. But again, thinking about it kind of from the overall strategic picture, China is going to be 1.4 billion people, the population is shrinking, but over a billion people. And as Bob Work and Eric Schmidt point out and others in their AEI commission report, scale is absolutely critical. The Chinese have a huge internal market. They're going to have like cadet markets that they're selling into. We have to be able to scale out at a comparable level. We're going to have a free world, free world sounds offensive rhetoric. But I mean, we're going to need a trading area that's going to match it. Now, what I would say is that maybe we can have that negotiated by Bob Lighthizer or somebody like that,, so we get as good a deal. But I think that's where we're going to have to end up. If we succeed in getting into a long term economic competition with China, that's the model we're probably going to need to go towards. MICHAEL MORELL: Without being partisan in any way here, the last issue I wanted to talk to you about is our politics. It seems to me that fixing our politics is a necessary condition for us to be able to do what we need to do in a foreign policy and national security sense. I just want to get your reaction to that. ELBRIDGE COLBY: Well, I would agree to a point. I'm not sure we need to fix it. Obviously, that's a term that can encompass a lot of different meanings. We're both Americans. We know the history. But I look back at American history, and I see a lot of turbulence, frankly. A lot of vim and hefty debate. Things are pretty intense right now. And I think it would behoove everybody to step back and take a deep breath and also keep things in perspective. I have my own strong views and I have real concerns about where the country is going and all that. But I mean, there's not mass starvation. We've got a great thing going here for two centuries plus. There are lots of things that need to change. And I have one view of where they need to go, others have other views or whatever. But let's keep this in perspective. And one thing that's for sure is that a world dominated by China and an America that's at the mercy of China is going to be a lot worse because we're not even going to have the power to change and to chart our own future. That's one of the premises about a lot of our debates right now is like, 'hey, we get to choose our own future. It's really up to us. That is at issue right now. And we need to keep these kinds of things in perspective.' MICHAEL MORELL: Any final thoughts you want to leave our listeners with? ELBRIDGE COLBY: No, it's really a great conversation with you Michael and with your distinguished record. But also, I just think this China issue, the way I end in my book and I will try to end this is I'm really passionate about this because I don't know the future. I mean, you're an intelligence professional. You can never know the future. But I look at the factors that China might have in front of me. And if I were- I try to be a ruthless jerk for America as a strategist. And as a part of that I try to think, well, what would my analogue in Beijing be thinking? And I look at the factors that they might see. And I see a lot of reasons. Why they could think it's in their interest and rational to precipitate a conflict, frankly. And that worries me a lot. And I desperately don't want that to happen. But I'm also equally convinced that the best way to prevent that from happening is to be manifestly so prepared and so ready that Beijing, they always decide, 'Sure, I might like to take back Beijing. Sure, I might like to unseat the Americans. Sure, I might like to humiliate Japan. But it's just not going to work. So I'm not going to try that.' We have a limited window to try to try to fix that. And we should seize the opportunity. MICHAEL MORELL: We want them to every time they think about one of those things we want them to say, 'but the risk is too high.' Bridge, thank you so much for joining us. Xi and Putin meet for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine Thousands line up to pay respects to Queen Elizabeth II Drew Barrymore stops by Studio 57 with "Drew's News" Washington: Australias foreign interference laws will form part of a broader global strategy to counter the threat of China, with politicians from around the world endorsing the idea in Washington along with a suite of measures to safeguard countries from Beijings economic coercion. As Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met in Uzbekistan to solidify their partnership this week, an alliance of parliamentarians from almost 30 countries signed off on a new blueprint to help democracies resist intimidation from the Asian superpower. MP James Paterson speaking at the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China meeting in Washington. Credit:IPAC Twitter The communique from the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) a bipartisan group of legislators that includes Australia among its members calls for greater deterrence measures to protect Taiwan against military action from Beijing, including the use of meaningful sanctions. The group also vowed to increase the number of parliamentary visits to Taiwan one month after the US Speaker Nancy Pelosi enraged Beijing by visiting the island nation and to push for possible travel bans and the freezing of assets against Chinese officials engaging in human rights abuses. I would love to have been in the meeting where the administrators at the state-run Taoyuan Veterans Home in Taiwan when they decided the best way to celebrate this year's Mid-Autumn Festival was with a stripper. Everyone, including the dancer, wore filtering face masks to try and protect these elderly servicemen while having a fantastic time. The event somehow leaked to some measure of public outrage, and the nursing home was badgered into offering an apology. NY Post: Unlike its American counterpart, the Japanese comic industry is all about paving the way for new characters. In the States, characters like Iron Man, Superman, and Deadpool have become so dominant that new superheroes struggle to gain a foothold in the comic industry. In opposition, fans of Japanese comics and shonen manga, in particular, are constantly awaiting the next big idea or character. As the manga industry is slowly transitioning away from the "Big Three" era- with the last title standing in One Piece slowly drawing to a close- there has been an influx of new series that have captured the hearts of shonen fans across the globe. Even though its manga run is already over, Chainsaw Man is one of the aforementioned new series that took the manga world by storm. When it was announced that a Chainsaw Man anime was on the way in 2022, fans began to clamor for the show's release. Well, it seems like American fansspecifically those attending New York Comic Conwill have to wait a little bit less than others. While the Exxon corporation might be the most infamous propagandist (read: liar) among the Big Oil companies when it comes to climate change, there are plenty of other guilty parties, too. Chevron, as the second largest US-based oil company after Exxon, has engaged in its own share of shady practices, especially when it comes to inherited liabilities for environmental destruction. Most recently, Chevron was sued by the city and county of Honolulu and Maui County, which both claim that the company has a liability for the climate change-related damages they've endured. As E&E News' ClimateWire reported: A federal appeals court last month sided with both Honolulu and Maui County, which has a separate lawsuit, ruling that their climate liability lawsuits against oil and gas companies should be heard in state court. The governments filed suit in 2020, accusing oil producers of concealing the risk to the climate of burning petroleum products. Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters has called the lawsuit critical, noting the city faces "incredible costs to move critical infrastructure away from our coasts and out of flood zones, and the oil companies that deceived the public for decades should be the ones helping pick up the tab for those costs not our taxpayers." [] If the cases are successful, the oil and gas industry could be forced to pay billions of dollars for its contributions to climate change. Naturally, Chevron asked the court to dismiss the suit, claiming in a recent filing that they could not possibly have any responsibility for misleading the public about the relationship between fossil fuels and climate change, or the potential level of irreversible damages that their product was cause to the planet. Their reasoning? Batman Returns and Captain Planet talked about global warming, and The New York Times and other major outlets have reported on the issue. Therefore, even if Chevron had embarked on a billion-dollar PR campaign with the explicit intentions of muddying public discourse in order to kneecap any potential environmental legislation that might interfere with their profits, they "clearly" weren't successful in their campaign, because a 1987 Calvin & Hobbes comic strip mentioned the Greenhouse Effect and melting polar ice caps one time. I'm not kidding. Their actual words: Plaintiffs' Complaint tries to construct a narrative that oil and gas companies had some unique knowledge about climate science and withheld it or misrepresented it in some way that impacted policy responses and consumer choices. That narrative is false. [] Any allegation that the Chevron Defendants deceived or misled federal, state, or international regulators or the public at large about the potential impacts of increased greenhouse gases on the climate is belied by a historical record replete with public information, including scientific reporting, international, federal, and local policy discussions and lawmaking, and national and local media coverage. The vast and comprehensive study and discussion of climate change, as detailed below, clearly refutes Plaintiffs' allegations that the oil-and-gas industry had "secret" knowledge about the link between the combustion of fossil fuels and its impact on the global climate. What follows is about 100 legal pages of references to climate change in pop culture over the last 50 years. It covers journalism from Time magazine and National Geographic to hyper-specific one-off throwaway dialogue heard in episodes of Cheers, Power Rangers, Captain Planet, ALF, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Beverly Hills 90210, as well as movies like Batman Returns. You can read the filing yourself (part one)(part two) if you'd like. But fair warning: it's complete and utter bullshit. Big Oil's new strategy in climate cases: Cite Captain Planet [Lesley Clark / E&E News ClimateWire] Image via YouTube This week, Cheyenne Police Captain David Janes graduated as a member of the 283rd session of the FBI National Academy. The graduation took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia on Tuesday, September 13. Nationally, fewer than one percent of officers have the opportunity to attend the program. The National Academy offers ten weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. Participants must have proven records as professionals within their agencies to attend. On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions. The 283rd session consisted of two hundred and thirty-five law enforcement officers from forty-nine states and the District of Columbia. Captain Janes was the sole representative from the state of Wyoming. The class included members of law enforcement agencies from twenty-one countries, five military organizations, and five federal and civilian agencies. Captain Janes has served at the Cheyenne Police Department for 18 years and is the second generation of his family to graduate from the National Academy. On the day he was born, Janes father was in Quantico, VA attending the 125th session. Chief Billy Janes (retired) served 41 years at the Torrington Police Department and 30 years as Chief of Police. The impact this program had on his fathers leadership journey inspired Captain Janes to participate as well. The Cheyenne Police Department is very proud of the drive and dedication that Captain Janes has shown, not only while attending the National Academy, but in his preparation for the academic and physical challenges that he would face while attending, said Chief of Police Mark Francisco. We extend our most sincere congratulations on a job well done. Testifying in congress, Tik Tok Chief Operating Offiders Vanessa Pappas did not reply directly to a pointed question from Sen. Rob Portman (ROhio): "Will TikTok commit to cutting off all data and data flows to China?" TikTok does not operate in China, Pappas said, though it does have an office in China. TikTok is owned by ByteDance, whose founder is Chinese and has offices in China. US concerns about TikTok were renewed after a BuzzFeed News report in June, based on leaked meeting audio, said ByteDance employees had accessed US user data on multiple occasions. In a subsequent letter to lawmakers, TikTok acknowledged the ability for China-based individuals to access US user data but highlighted cybersecurity controls that were "overseen by our US-based security team." "China" is something of a red herring, in that all of these apps and websites funnel user data to unaccountable corporations and authorities. That said, Tik Tok user data "flowing" to China adds particularly hostile, remote and unaccountable end points to this ecology, notwithstanding all the national security and political narratives the likes of Sen. Portman actually care about. "What's happening in Minnesota right now will probably never happen again in the United States." The question mark could be for various reasons. Surprise that it is the state of Minnesota? Surprised about cannabis infused drinks being legal anywhere that cannabis dispensary distribution is not yet legal? Or, a question about just how long this will last? As reported in various outlets, on July 1, 2022, Statue 151.72, regulating the "sale of certain cannabinoid products," passed by the Minnesota State Legislature. As reported in a recent Vice News report, by Jerard Fagerberg, "It was a baffling development, considering state Republicans' longstanding opposition to marijuana legalization, yet Statute 151.72 passedunanimously, with zero debate, in a GOP-controlled Senate." Ostensibly, both sides of the isle agreed to this bill as a regulatory mechanism for a not yet legal recreational market for selling cannabis flower, hash oil, topicals or other products. As reported in the Star Tribune, an article that offers an insightful discussion of what legislatures claim to have known and not known about the bill, "Cannabis advocates say they can hardly believe the law passed the Minnesota LegislatureSteven Brown, CEO of Nothing But Hemp, said he will begin selling a dozen new THC products Friday at his six Minnesota retail stores, with a few dozen more rolling out over the next month." Zero debate might imply unanimous consensus. Or that the only unanimous consensus was to not have read the bill. Which seems quite Patriot Act-like. Or, with regards any legislation having to do with the drug war, agreed upon without reading to simply out "law and order" your political opponent. Sen. Jim Abeler told the Star Tribune , "he didn't realize the new law would legalize edibles containing delta-9 THC. Rather, he thought the law would only regulate delta-8 THC products." The devil is in the details, so the saying goes about legislation and contracts, lawyers and politicians all somewhat redundant categories of people and actions. Yet, one thing is constant: capitalism. As Jason Sandquist, co-founder of Wild Mind Ales, explains, "Wild Mind released their 5 mg WLD WTR Infusions line on September 9. They sold outover 1,000 cansbefore noon on the first day. 'You know what, if I don't do it, the next person down the street is gonna,' Sandquist said. 'It's like a gold rush.'" Sure, that is one perspective. Not to argue against profit, or for profit, or against or for regulation, but who is profiting from the people languishing in prison for doing what is now an ideological imperative slangin' product. Hopefully, these businesses cashing in are kicking back to make sure that folks get out, get their records expunged, and that community-based organizations have the resources to support people surviving the ongoing consequences of the so-called drug war. According to the ACLU, Minnesota is the 8th worst state for racial disparities in marijuana arrests. For a historical perspective on justifications for the violence and racism during the time of the so-called gold rush, see Exterminate Them: Written Accounts of the Murder, Rape, and Enslavement of Native Americans During the Gold Rush. For a history of the social world during the California gold rush, see Roaring Camp, by Susan Lee Johnson. For a history of the xenophobic violence against immigrant workers during the gold rush that displaced the original workers and set the stage for profiteers and capitalists to take advantage of a supposed "wild west market", see "Manifest Destiny at the End of a Rope," ch.5 of Strangers on Familiar Soil: Rediscovering the Chile-California Connection, by Edward Dallam Melillo. It is worth noting how the logics of nationalism, greed and superiority I am stronger permeated the first gold rush, "Many Chileans arrived in California bringing with them time-tested mining techniques, geological knowledge, and advanced mineral-processing technologies. As a result, they were among California's most successful miners. Although their accomplishments earned them the respect of some Yankees, their efficient handiwork bred resentment among other North American prospectors. From 1848 onward, California became a so-called "Linchocracia," a space dominated by aggressive performances of manifest destiny and nativist ideology." "Dr. Keith Villa, author of Brewing with Cannabis: Using THC and CBD in Beer, warns of more sweeping changes, especially with the potential of federal legalization. In 2017, Dr. Villa launched Ceria Brewing, a Colorado-based brewery specializing in non-alcoholic beer infused with low doses of THC and CBD. In his estimation, things will probably tend towards the model he's seen in Colorado or California, where beer and THC are kept strictly separate. What's happening in Minnesota right now will probably never happen again in the United States." As the metaphor of the wild, wild west colonizes our imagination once again, there is enough money in the legal cannabis business, and therefore enough political leverage, to be creative and get everyone who was swept up in the ideological dragnet of law and order politics out of prison. There are also enough resources to reinvest in the communities that were devastated by the organized abandonment that accompanied being targeted as a criminalized population and a hot-zone of drug activity. The costs keep rising for SUNY Erie Community College to put into place a workplace software system that does what college officials want it to do. The existing system, which ECC officials want to replace, has cost the college $12.5 million since 2017, even though it's never worked properly. The school plans to spend another $6.8 million over the next five years to replace it with a different system and keep the existing system in place until the change is completed. The Erie County Legislature committee in charge of overseeing ECC on Thursday gave its approval Thursday for the college to spend $6.8 million over the next five years to replace its failed resource planning software. The Legislatures Community Engagement Committee agreed to include $1.76 million to maintain the inefficient Workday Enterprise Resource Planning system for three more years to protect student data while migrating to a new system, Ellucian Banner, which is used at 48 of the 64 SUNY campuses. The committee also approved ECC spending $2.3 million on a five-year contract with Banner and $2.8 million for a five-year contract with Strata Information Group, the IT firm that will implement the new system and transfer ECC's data from Workday to Banner. ECC is asking the county for $3 million toward the fix and expects the state to kick in $3 million in capital project matching funds. The full Legislature is slated to vote on the resolutions Sept. 22. Legislators expressed reluctance to allocate more money to correct what amounts to a bad call by former ECC leaders who recommended the Workday solution in 2017. ECC was the only college in the SUNY system to go with Workday, which Balkin said has never fully functioned to meet the colleges needs. Balkin took over as ECC president in February with 20 years of experience in the industry and a success story of turning around an Indiana community college that was in similar financial straits to ECC. He soon learned that ECCs Workday ERP system was considered to be ineffective and has been working with state and SUNY experts to address the problem. Balkin estimated it will take a total of $9 million from the county, $9 million from the state and three years to get fully migrated to Banner. So we are talking $32 million for software over the past five and the next five years, Legislature Minority Leader Joseph Lorigo told Balkin. I understand you are in a difficult position and came in after years and years of failed leadership at the college, and I want to help however I can. Im just trying to wrap my head around this. Balkin said part of the problem was that Workday never allocated enough support to ECC because it was Workday's only customer in New York State, so ECC has been paying IT firm Huron Consulting $180 an hour for tech support to implement Workday on its computer network. We were effectively paying Huron to do development to benefit Workday, Balkin said. In contrast, Strata is an existing SUNY vendor that already supports the Banner system used by four dozen SUNY schools. I think its critical that we depend on experts, and Im tapping every expert in the SUNY system, Balkin said. Legislator Lisa Chimera, D-Tonawanda, told Balkin her primary concern is that all involved strive to ensure that student data will be protected and intact throughout the migration to the new system. It is so crucial that the migration works seamlessly because students rely on their transcripts for applying to other colleges, to master's programs and to jobs, she said. Committee Chair John Gilmour, D-Hamburg, asked Balkin to plan to report back to the committee every couple of months throughout the process to keep them updated on how its going. Legislator Howard Johnson, D-Buffalo, also asked Balkin how ECC was faring in general since providing early retirement incentives to 60 staff members and laying off 90 others this year. Balkin said ECC is in a far better financial position than it was a year ago, when it had $8 million in cash reserves, enough to operate the college for one month, and faced a $9 million deficit for 2022-23. Cost-cutting measures and county contributions including a $2.5 million retirement incentive staved off the deficit, and ECC will have $12.5 million in cash reserves by the end of the year, Balkin said. A group of illegal immigrants are brought to port after being rescued by the RNLI, at Dungeness, Kent, England, on Sept. 15, 2022. (Gareth Fuller/PA Media) 38 Illegal Immigrants Rescued in English Channel From Sinking Boat Thirty-eight illegal immigrants have been rescued from the English Channel after their boat sank off the coast of southeast England, the UKs Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on Sept. 15. The illegal immigrants were trying to reach the UK coast in a dinghy, which deflated in UK waters at around 6:17 a.m. local time. The Coastguard began a search and rescue operation alongside the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Royal Navy, Border Force, and police. By around 7:07 a.m., all 38 illegal immigrants had been rescued. They were all checked, found to be in a safe and stable condition, and were taken to Dover for processing, the MoD said. That wasnt the only small boat carrying illegal immigrants to the UK on Sept. 15. Large groups of people were later pictured being brought to Dungeness on two lifeboats. While no crossings were recorded on Sept. 14, some 538 made the journey in 11 boats a day earlier, boosting the provisional total for the year to 29,099. That already exceeds the 28,526 who made the trip in 2021. Dangerous Journeys The number of illegal crossings has soared in recent years, with 28,526 people detected in 2021, compared to 8,466 in 2020, 1,843 in 2019, and 299 in 2018, according to figures from the Home Office. A record 1,295 illegal immigrants made the trip on Aug. 22, the highest figure for a single day since the current system of record-keeping began in 2018. The crossings can be deadly. On Nov. 4, 2021, 27 illegal immigrants, including 17 men, seven women, and three children, died when their boat sank in the Channel. Last month, UK officials said its remarkable there havent been any serious incidents, such as drownings, this year as the average number of people per boat has risen to 44, from 28 in 2021. Tour Guide Almost all of the dinghies and rigid inflatable boats have been intercepted by the navy, the RNLI, or other UK law enforcement vessels, which then take the migrants ashore and hand them over to the immigration authorities. That approach has been widely criticised. At a meeting of the Defence Select Committee in the House of Commons on July 12, Labour MP John Spellar said the Royal Navy isnt stopping illegal immigrants from entering the UK but simply escorting them into Kent ports. He suggested that the Royal Navy appeared to be acting as a tour guide for illegal immigrants. Armed forces minister James Heappey rejected the assertion, insisting that he believed the Royal Navy had gained control of the English Channel. Last month, two reports criticised the Home Office over its ineffective response to the challenge of illegal immigration in the Channel. One said the Border Forces approach to preventing the journeys was ineffective and possibly counter-productive, while the other said the initial processing of those who arrived has been ineffective and inefficient. Chris Summers, Lily Zhou, and PA Media contributed to this report. A crime scene tape cordons off a tree, where the bodies of two teenage girls were found hanging after they were allegedly raped, in Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh state in India, on Sept. 15, 2022. (AP Photo) 6 Men Arrested in Rape, Killing of Teenage Indian Sisters LUCKNOW, IndiaSix men were arrested Thursday in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh for allegedly raping and killing two teenage girls whose bodies were found hanging from a tree a day earlier. The 15- and 17-year-old girls were found hanging from a tree in a sugarcane field near their house in Lakhimpur Kheri district, police said. According to an initial investigation, the sisters reportedly left their home on Wednesday and met with two of the arrested men with whom they may have had a relationship, police superintendent Sanjiv Suman said. The two men confessed to strangling the sisters after raping them, and then called two others to help get rid of the bodies, he said. They later hung the bodies from a tree in an attempt to pass their deaths off as suicides, Suman said. Two other men were also arrested in connection with the incident, but police did not say what they are suspected of doing. Police brought complaints of suspected murder, assault, rape, and rape of a minor. A postmortem examination has been carried out at a hospital and the bodies have been handed over to the family for last rites, senior police officer Prashant Kumar said. On Wednesday night, the victims mother went to the police station, where she said three unidentified men and a male neighbor abducted her daughters, the Press Trust of India news agency reported. The incident sparked anger in the village, and residents held a demonstration after the bodies were found. Police have been deployed across the village to maintain law and order, local media reports said. Reports of rape are hauntingly familiar in India. In 2020, the gang rape and death of a woman triggered anger across the country with protesters rallying in the streets. It followed a month after a 13-year-old girl was raped and killed in Uttar Pradesh. Rape and sexual violence has been under the spotlight since the 2012 gang rape and brutal killing of a 23-year-old student on a New Delhi bus. The attack galvanized massive protests and inspired lawmakers to order the creation of fast-track courts dedicated to rape cases and stiffer penalties for those convicted of the crime. A fiery blast rocks the World Trade Center after being hit by two planes in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) 9/11, Jan. 6, and the Real Threat to American Freedom Commentary Every Sept. 11, America is forced to look back at the ghastly experience of that day and remember the trauma we suffered. Recalling it is painful but also necessary. We were united as one, even if only briefly. What brought us together to bear the weight of that still important historical moment? As the fire blazed and plumes of smoke billowed over Americas most famous skyline, we were forced to reflect inward on our national identitywho we are as a people, where we come from, and where we are going. Moments of tragedy have this effect. The particular concerns of the day-to-day hustle and bustle of life are put into perspective. On that morning in 2001, all of our apparent grievanceswhether they happened to be political, social, or economicmelted into the background as we considered what it actually meant to be an Americanand what responsibilities subsequently accompanied that honor. As we watched the smoldering buildings crumble to the ground in clouds of debris, we realized that the thing that set us apart from the rest of the world was this one simple fact: America, for all of its supposed faults, was free. Not in the 2022 sense that we must be guaranteed the ability to have an abortion or to marry someone of the same sex, but free from government coercion and tyrannical oppression without recourse. The rubble of the World Trade Center smolders following a terrorist attack in New York on Sept. 11, 2001. A hijacked plane crashed into and destroyed the landmark structure. (Alexandre Fuchs/AFP/Getty Images) At that moment, we were connected back to the founding of this country. Regardless of what todays historical revisionists tell you, that founding was guided by the central premise that all men are created equal and that they, therefore, must have the freedom to form a government to which they consent. Rights are not gifted by human authority. They are bestowed by a Creator and are thus essential to our very nature. That means that we have the duty to fight against their infringement. On 9/11, we remembered that our nation, its true culture seen in the homes and hearths of its middle-class citizens, flowed from this single fact. This country was founded on the belief that no human, man or woman, can deprive us of what is rightfully ours by implication of our very nature, proceeding from Godnot the government. We were reminded that our freedom of conscience, to think and speak and share what we believe, regardless of who may disagree with it or take offense by it, set us apart from the rest of the world. In no other developed country is that freedom the legal bedrock upon which everything else is built. Our government cant target us because it dislikes our political beliefs. It cant tell us who we should listen to, what we should watch, or the things we can choose to support. It cant use its resources to attack its political opponents. It cant enforce a radical ideological homogeneity through law. It cant tell us what values our children must learn to embraceor else face the repercussions of the state. And overriding it all, it cant remove our means to resist all of the above and ensure our self-preservation in the last resort. These were the things that made America America. No more. All of this has been turned on its head. Our government is actively engaged in all of the above as its ideological agenda was explicitly rejected by the American people. 9/11 was coopted to justify its expansionist foreign policy in the Middle East, as well as an increased size and scope of the national security apparatus. Now, it deems its citizensthrough the political leaders they support and the closed society values of religion and tradition they embraceas the greatest threat to its global agenda. Freedom only comes from us, they tell us. We, the government, give you your freedom. This is a lie, and fighting against that lie is what led farmers and tradesmen to pick up arms in 1775. Just like the attacks on 9/11 were meant to signal to Americans that they would no longer be free to live in this country without fear from violence and oppression, so now we are told that there will be no freedom for those who dont accept the tyranny from Washington. We make sure your elections are secure. Question that and lose your right to vote. We make sure you are healthy from disease. Question that and lose your right to work or participate in society. We make sure you have the correct, tolerant opinions. Question that and lose your right to free speech. This is borne out in the fact that leftist media has decided to unanimously go all in on equating Jan. 6 to 9/11. Protesters are seen at a rally at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo) Jan. 6, the event in which the only person to die was an unarmed protester shot in the neck by law enforcement, versus a terrorist attack that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000. Why? Because 9/11 and Jan. 6 are actually very similar. Not in any regard to how the two events actually played out, but how they are utilized by the corrupt and soulless Washington power center. Like 9/11, the actual events of Jan. 6 have been separated from the media narrative that followed. The subsequent crackdown on political opposition has been justified by the supposed threat of domestic insurgency that was represented at the Capitol. This is an absolutely ridiculous notion, and anyone who argues it is not in good faith. It is simply being used as a pretext to eliminate political enemies and facilitate an ideological agenda. The ones pushing these lies do not cherish the countrys founding. Sept. 11, 2001, was a day that reminded us of what it really meant to be Americans and what our duties to defend this country entailed. We again fell in love with Americanot its politicians or celebrities, but its people and ideals. In those billowing plumes of smoke, it became explicitly clear exactly what set us apart from everyone else, and in that setting apart subsequently united us as one. We were, are, and must continue to be a free people. This fact cant be buried, not even by the avalanche of ash that carpeted the streets of Manhattan. Nor can it be censorednot even by the pervasive corruption of the colluding forces in Washington, Big Tech, and media that seek to silence all dissenting opinions. We must remember what united us on that harrowing morning in September. Love of freedom and the call to defend it from all threats, foreign and domestic. We must remember it, no matter how forcefully the political forces in this country try to make us forget. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. All May Not Be Lost Commentary The composition of the 47th Australian parliament has its fair share of new members who have been making their maiden speeches. While the gaggle of teal Members of Parliament and their fellow travellers in the Greens have received plenty of attention, there were two maiden speeches given last week that deserve not just attention but praise. The first of these was given by Dai Le, the newly-elected independent member for the seat of Fowler. Le pulled off a result many so-called experts deemed impossible at the May 21 federal election; defeating the ostensibly popular former premier of New South Wales, erstwhile Labor Senator, and opposition shadow home affairs minister, Kristina Keneally, in the seat of Fowler. Located in the southwestern suburbs of Sydney, it has always been a safe seat for the Australian Labor Party (ALP). Keneally had been parachuted in by the ALP as its candidate for the seat from her rich Scotland Island enclave 70 kilometres away. In giving her maiden speech to the House of Representatives, Le wore a traditional Vietnamese outfit, an ao dai, emblazoned with an Australian flag. Independent MP for Fowler Dai Le poses for photographs in her Australian flag inspired dress after delivering her first speech in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Sept. 5, 2022. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) She recounted her escape from the Fall of Saigon in April 1975, aged seven, on a rickety boat to Hong Kong with her mother and two younger sisters. Her father, a lawyer working for the Americans, didnt make it onto the boat, and she never saw him again. I remember running with my mother and two younger sisters, scrambling to make our way onto a boat and pushing through the cries and screams of women and children. I had no idea what was happening, she said. All I can recall are the cries, the panic, the chaos and one moment on the boat when I turned around to look back at my birth country to try to comprehend what was happening and just saw big, black smoke in the distance. I remember the moment I thought we would die when a big storm hit our boat. Le became emotional as she recalled holding on to the boat for dear life with her sister as the boat rocked and her mother held her other sister tightly in her arms. I kept praying in my heart that should the boat tip over, I would still cling to my sister, and I would still find my mother. Le also became emotional when she spoke of how Australians welcomed her family. I remember the moment when we were accepted to be resettled as refugees in Australia the island with the best education system in the world and remembering the feeling of acceptance and gratitude. We were filled with hope as we looked out onto the horizon of endless possibilities. Australia, you welcomed my mother, my family with open arms. You gave us comfort, food, and a warm bed to sleep in. Comparing Australian Lockdowns to Communist Vietnam But as grateful as Le was for how Australians supported her family, she had harsh words for the COVID lockdowns last year that was particularly severe in her area. She compared the restrictions put on western Sydney, which were controversially stronger and more heavily policed than the rest of the city, to the communist dictatorship her family fled. Indeed, the army was called in to help enforce the lockdown. Western Sydney is where a significant proportion of migrants live and work. The suburb Le hails from in the area, Cabramatta, has a large Vietnamese population. The Friendship Arch in Cabramatta in the multicultural electorate of Fowler in western Sydney, Australia on May 1, 2022. (Daniel Teng/The Epoch Times) We werent allowed to travel more than a five kilometre radius from our homes, we were told to get travel permits, we were forced to get tested every three days, we had helicopters flying around our area as well as police on horseback and men in uniform knocking on peoples doors, she said. While the intention was good the last time I looked, a government that takes away individuals liberty to choose how they want to live, work, and raise families was called a communist dictatorshipa political system that my family and I escaped from. Following True North The same day, the new Liberal member for Menzies, Keith Wolahan, delivered a most impressive maiden speech. Wolahan succeeds former Howard and Abbott government minister Kevin Andrews in the seat. Wolahan, too, is a migrant to this country, having come here from Ireland with his family in 1988. Dad spoke of a land that was full of adventure, beauty, and opportunity. It was clear to us that he had fallen in love with Australia and was sure we would too, he said. Liberal member for Menzies Keith Wolahan makes his first speech in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Sept. 5, 2022. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) He recounted how his mother and father worked hard and made sacrifices for their children, and inspired him to serve. This ideal of service is what motivated Wolahan to serve in the Australian armed forces following the Sept. 11 attacks. He qualified as a commando and was deployed to Afghanistan three times during what Wolahan called our longest war. He honoured the memory of those who gave their lives in service of their country, adding that the words Lest we forget are a heartfelt plea. A plea to let the lives that were cut short live on. To let their memory be a national blessing. Tellingly, Wolahan told the House he had not come here to make a career, but make a difference by following what he described as true north. When you look to a map to guide you, there is a choice to be made. Shall I use magnetic or true north? Magnetic north is easily distracted, including by devices. From time to time, you may find yourself with a crowd, but you will be lost. True north is a fixed point and never shifts, even if you find yourself standing alone. My true north will always be family and the values of free enterprise and individual freedom. To put it another way, I believe in democratising prosperity and democratising power, he said. These are not values to be junked in times of emergency, whether it be a war or a pandemic. They are values to double down on when our nation is tested. And I believe they play a key role in keeping us safe. These maiden speeches are truly inspirational. Together with the brilliant maiden speech of Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, Dai Le and Keith Wolahan have shown that, possibly, not all is lost in our politics. More power to them! Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Supporters of Falun Gong Send Mid-Autumn Festival Greetings to Founder of Spiritual Practice During this years traditional Chinese mid-autumn festival, supporters of Falun Gong sent greetings to Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Gong, praising him for turning the practitioners of Falun Gong around the world into an extraordinary group of people whose courage and steadfast determination have inspired the worlds people. Falun Gong is a meditation practice rooted in traditional Chinese culture. Due to its health benefits, Falun Gong spread widely in China, garnering an estimated 70 million to 100 million adherents by the late 1990s. The practices moral teachings are rooted in the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. Feeling threatened by Falun Gongs popularity, the regime launched a brutal persecution campaign against the group in July 1999, which is still going on today in China. Millions have been jailed and tortured, and a large number of them have been killed via forced organ harvesting. Families are broken and many Falun Gong practitioners in China were forced to leave their homes. Heartfelt Gratitude Jane Jin is the chairman of the Chinese Democracy & Human Rights Alliance. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude toward the founder and the practitioners of Falun Gong. Chairman of Chinese Democracy & Human Rights Alliance, Jane Jin at a celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival organized by the Global Service Center for Quitting the Chinese Communist Party in New York on Sept. 5, 2022. (Sarah Lu/Epoch Times) Jin told The Epoch Times that her entire life [in China] was under the brainwashing of the communist party. She entered the Peoples Liberation Army when she was 16 years old. Then she worked in a publishing house, where she sent the Chinese Communist Partys propaganda overseas to brainwash the foreigners. In 1989, Jin witnessed the Tiananmen Square massacre and escaped China shortly after. Jin is very grateful for the founder of Falun Gong, Mr. Li is an extraordinary leader. I admire him and thank him for teaching his students, the practitioners of Falun Gong. Jin said that her family members had been arrested and tortured by the Chinese police, so she is especially moved by the uncompromising courage displayed by the Falun Gong practitioners under the regimes persecution. Throughout the 23 years of persecution, you never backed down, you never gave up, you are not afraid, you dare to speak the truth. You are an extraordinary group of people taught by a great teacher. You represent the true beauty of the Chinese culture and people. On this mid-autumn festival, Jin wishes all Falun Gong practitioners in China freedom and to reunite with their families. Unprecedented Courage Countering Unprecedented Evil New York-based human rights attorney Ning Ye told The Epoch Times: On this day of gathering, we cannot forget about the tens of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners who gave their lives for the freedom of the people. Referring to Falun Gong practitioners efforts to counter the CCPs persecution, Ye said, I admire the founder of Falun Gong. He has taught his students well. They have been facing an unprecedented evil persecution with steadfast determination and courage. Their peaceful efforts to counter the brutal persecution is unprecedented. Chinas future is with the Falun Gong practitioners. Freedom will return to the land of China! Ye praised the movement to quit the CCP, I thank the founder of Falun Gong and the countless Falun Gong practitioners who help the Chinese quit the Party. Falun Gong Helps Free Chinese People from the CCPs Control A former student leader who survived the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, Yan Xiong is a retired major who served in the U.S. Army for 27 years and a Protestant chaplain. Xiong told The Epoch Times: I wish Mr. Li a happy mid-autumn festival. I respect and admire Mr. Li because Falun Gongs truthfulness, compassion and tolerance is what the Chinese people need the most. It is very important in raising peoples moral standards. Falun Gong is freeing people from the control of the communist party. Warm Wishes from a Town Councilmember Elizabeth Ahlers is a Councilmember of the town of Crescenta Valley in Los Angeles County, California. On Sept. 10, Ahlers sent greetings to Mr. Li via The Epoch Times. As a local Councilmember of Crescenta Valley, I would like to honor Mr. Li Hongzhi on this auspicious occasion for leading a movement of peace and good-will with courage and wisdom, Ahlers wrote. Ahlers is an American of Chinese descent. Her ancestors came to America over a century ago and she has fond memories of family gatherings at her grandmothers house. Councilmember of the town of Crescenta Valley, Elizabeth Ahlers (L) and daughter holding homemade mooncakes and sending Mid-Autumn Festival greetings to the founder of Falun Gong. (Courtesy of Elizabeth Ahlers) To those who are imprisoned and cannot celebrate today with your families, to those who have been forced to flee your homes and scatter across the seas into other countries far from your families and your culture, to those who are persecuted and oppressed by unrighteous governments, to you, I pray a word of peace and a word of hope. You are not without friends. You are loved, Ahlers wrote. Ahlers wishes Mr. Li and Falun Gong practitioners all the dignity, freedom, and joyful hope. The Mid-Autumn Festival In traditional Chinese culture, the full moon symbolizes life blessed with harmony, abundance, and togetherness. Hence people celebrate the mid-autumn festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, when the moon is believed to be the fullest of the year. The Mid-Autumn Festival, an enchanting time to celebrate with family while admiring the moon. (Jane Ku/Epoch Times) Families and loved ones gather on that day to enjoy tea with delicate pastries called moon cakes, while appreciating each other under the moon. This year, the mid-autumn festival was on Sept. 10. Azerbaijanian servicemen cross the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and approach the Armenian positions in a still from video released on Sept. 13, 2022. (Armenian Defense Ministry via AP) Armenia, Azerbaijan Agree on Cease-Fire to End Fighting: Armenian Official YEREVAN, ArmeniaArmenia and Azerbaijan negotiated a cease-fire to end a flare-up of fighting that has killed 155 soldiers from both sides, a senior Armenian official said early Thursday. Armen Grigoryan, the secretary of Armenias Security Council, announced the truce in televised remarks, saying it took effect hours earlier, at 8 p.m. (1600 GMT) Wednesday. A previous cease-fire that Russia brokered Tuesday quickly failed. Several hours before Grigoryans announcement, Armenias Defense Ministry reported that shelling had ceased but it didnt mention the cease-fire deal. There was no immediate comment from Azerbaijans government. The cease-fire declaration followed two days of heavy fighting that marked the largest outbreak of hostilities between the two longtime adversaries in nearly two years. Late Wednesday, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Armenias capital accusing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of betraying his country by trying to appease Azerbaijan and demanding his resignation. Armenian Prime minister Nikol Pashinyan delivers his speech at the National Assembly of Armenia in Yerevan, Armenia, on Sept. 13, 2022. (Tigran Mehrabyan/PAN Photo via AP) Armenia and Azerbaijan traded blame for the hostilities, with Armenian authorities accusing Baku of unprovoked aggression and Azerbaijani officials saying their country was responding to Armenian shelling. Pashinyan said 105 of his countrys soldiers had been killed since fighting erupted early Tuesday, while Azerbaijan said it lost 50. Azerbaijani authorities said they were ready to unilaterally hand over the bodies of up to 100 Armenian soldiers. The ex-Soviet countries have been locked in a decades-old conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, which is part of Azerbaijan but has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since a separatist war there ended in 1994. During a six-week war in 2020, Azerbaijan reclaimed broad swaths of NagornoKarabakh and adjacent territories held by Armenian forces. More than 6,700 people died in the fighting, which ended with a Russia-brokered peace deal. Moscow deployed about 2,000 troops to the region to serve as peacekeepers under the deal. Pashinyan said Wednesday that Azerbaijani forces have occupied 10 square kilometers (nearly 4 square miles) of Armenias territory since the fighting began. Azerbaijanian servicemen cross the ArmenianAzerbaijani border and approach the Armenian positions in a still from video released on Sept. 13, 2022. (Armenian Defense Ministry via AP) He told lawmakers that his government has asked Russia for military support under a friendship treaty between the countries, and also requested assistance from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Our allies are Russia and the CSTO, Pashinyan said, adding that the collective security pact states that an aggression against one member is an aggression against all. We dont see military intervention as the only possibility, because there are also political and diplomatic options, Pashinyan said, speaking in his nations parliament. He told lawmakers that Armenia is ready to recognize Azerbaijans territorial integrity in a future peace treaty, provided that it relinquishes control of areas in Armenia its forces have seized. We want to sign a document, for which many people will criticize and denounce us and call us traitors, and they may even decide to remove us from office, but we would be grateful if Armenia gets a lasting peace and security as a result of it, Pashinyan said. Some in the opposition saw the statement as a sign of Pashinyans readiness to cave in to Azerbaijani demands and recognize Azerbaijans sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh. Thousands of angry protesters quickly descended on the governments headquarters, accusing Pashinyan of treason and demanding he step down. Pashinyan angrily denied reports alleging that he had signed a deal accepting Azerbaijani demands as an information attack. Grigoryan, the Security Councils secretary, denounced the protests in Yerevan, describing them as an attempt to destroy the state. Arayik Harutyunyan, the leader of Nagorno-Karabakh, reacted to the uproar by saying that the region will not agree to come into the Azerbaijani fold and will continue pushing for its independence. As tensions rose in Yerevan, Moscow has engaged in a delicate balancing act in seeking to maintain friendly ties with both nations. It has strong economic and security ties with Armenia, which hosts a Russian military base, but also maintains close cooperation with oil-rich Azerbaijan. Some observers saw the outbreak of fighting as an attempt by Azerbaijan to force Armenian authorities into faster implementation of some of the provisions of the 2020 peace deal, such as the opening of transport corridors via its territory. Azerbaijan has bigger military potential, and so it tries to dictate its conditions to Armenia and use force to push for diplomatic decisions it wants, Sergei Markedonov, a Russian expert on the South Caucasus region, wrote in a commentary. Markedonov noted that the current flare-up of hostilities comes just as Russia has been forced to pull back from areas in northeastern Ukraine after a Ukrainian counteroffensive, adding that Armenias request for assistance has put Russia in a precarious position. Russian President Vladimir Putin and leaders of other CSTO members discussed the situation in a call late Tuesday, urging a quick cessation of hostilities. They agreed to send a mission of top officials from the security alliance to the area. On Friday, Putin is set to hold a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where they both plan to attend a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a security grouping dominated by Russia and China. The Armenian government said that Pashinyan, who also was due to attend the summit, would not show up because of the situation in the country. In Washington, a group of lawmakers supporting Armenia lobbied the Biden administration. U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, the influential Democratic chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and four other members of Congress called on the White House and State Department to unequivocally condemn Azerbaijans actions and cease all assistance to Azerbaijan. By Avet Demourian Refugees and migrants massed onto an inflatable boat reach Mytilene, northern island of Lesbos, after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey, on Febr. 17, 2016. (Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images) At Least 6 Dead After Migrant Boat Sinks Off Turkish Coast ISTANBULSix people including children drowned when a boat carrying migrants from Lebanon destined for Italy sank off the coast of southwestern Turkey, the Turkish coast guard said on Tuesday. In a statement, the coast guard said a total of 73 migrants from four life boats were rescued on Tuesday while search and rescue operations for the five missing continued with two boats and a helicopter. One woman, three children, and two babies died, the statement said. The Turkish coast guard did not disclose the nationalities of the migrants. The migrants initially set off from Lebanon on Saturday for Italy but needed to refuel off the coast of Greeces Rhodes island, the coast guard said, according to the rescued migrants. The Turkish coast guard said the Greek coast guard, which responded to the migrants call for help, put them in four life boats and left them near Turkish territorial waters. The Greek coast guard denied the incident in a statement. Hellenic Coast Guard categorically denies the announcement of the Turkish coast guard referring to the alleged involvement in an alleged push-back incident, Greeces coast guard said. According to data on Turkish coast guards website, more than 30,000 illegal migrants were captured so far this year, more than double the number in the same period last year. Qantas plans to test a 19-hour flight with employees only on board to ensure the flights are safe and comfortable enough for customers. (Scott Barbour/Getty Images) Australian Farmers Cheesed Off at Qantas Use of Foreign Produce Farmers have criticised Qantas for serving foreign-sourced cheese and crackers aboard its flights. However, the Flying Kangaroo has hit right back, saying the claim is misinformed. New South Wales (NSW) Farmers chief executive Peter Arkle said serving New Zealand-produced snacks to Qantas passengers was hardly in the spirit of Australia. The cheese isnt from an Australian dairy farm, the crackers arent made of Australian wheat, and we would really like to see them backing Australian families,Arkle told AAP. He said it was disappointing to see foreign produce offered when NSW growers were great supporters of the airline. The Qantas brand promise is so intimately tied to the Australian identity, we think it would be the right thing for Qantas to support Australian grain produce where thats possible, Arkle said. However, the airline, which has been under fire recently from passengers enduring delays and cancelled flights, has hit back. A Qantas spokesperson told AAP the airline was one of the biggest private-sector supporters of Australian farmers in the country, using products and services from more than 13,000 small local suppliers. The overwhelming majority of food and wine that we serve on board our aircraft and in our lounges comes from Australian farms and producers, the spokesperson said. The airline said that as well as being the third-largest buyer of Australian wine, it served passengers NSW-grown beef and cheese from the Bega. Unfortunately, there are no Australian producers that offer a combined cheese and cracker product, which is why we source these from New Zealand, the spokesperson said. Qantas has invited NSW Farmers to run the group through the vast list of local farmers and producers it supports. However, an NSW Farmers spokesperson doubled down on the criticism. He said a quick search of a major supermarkets online catalogue revealed at least two major food businesses that produce a cheese-and-crackers product made from almost all Australian ingredients. Obviously, this is a quick desktop search, not an exhaustive market study, but the clear message here is that you can find an all-Australian alternative quite easily if you are motivated to, he said. NSW Farmers said with recent price hikes in Australian-grown produce since COVID, there had been a trend among supermarkets and other food suppliers to source their products internationally. Were seeing it from the big retailers as well, particularly for tinned fruit and vegetables or frozen fruit and vegetables, that there has been that tendency to source overseas produce, Mr Arkle said. Wed like to see Aussie retailers backing up farmers where they can. NSW Farmers has urged consumers to check the country-of-origin labelling and support Australian-grown produce. How two companies solved their office space needs, on one floor What happens when one company needs less office space, and another is looking for more? In the case of Mower and Milestone, they get together, on the same floor. Mower, a public relations, advertising and marketing agency, subleased some of its space on the 13th floor of 50 Fountain Plaza to Milestone, a financial services firm. The two firms occupy opposite ends of the floor, but they share use of a conference room, a kitchen and bathrooms. Mower also allows Milestone to use its training room as needed. "There's a nice fit because we're both in the business services space," said Doug Bean, Mower's vice chairman and chief brand officer. "We're having fun referring to us as, 'Hey, we're all going to be roommates.' It's like going back to college." Lots of companies are taking stock of their office space needs, after the pandemic turned so many employees into remote or hybrid workers. The Mower-Milestone arrangement represents a creative twist. Mower, which has several offices around the country, explored downsizing its office space even before the pandemic hit. After its offices essentially emptied out for two years due to the pandemic, Mower considered subleasing at least half of its space at Fountain Plaza. Just a block away on Main Street, Milestone needed more space to accommodate its growth. The firm's core business is qualified settlement fund administration. After big legal settlements, those funds go into a trust, and Milestone administers the trust. The company also provides financial advice to plaintiffs and attorneys. About a year ago, Milestone surveyed its employees about how they wanted to work. "It came back that everyone wanted a hybrid approach," said Amy Fogle, the CEO. "They wanted three days in the office when they could collaborate, but two days at home to really enjoy that flexibility that everyone has come to love during Covid." But even in a hybrid format, with not everyone coming in every day, Milestone still had a space crunch. Two of its attorneys were sharing an office. Clarke Thrasher, director of corporate services with Hunt Commercial Real Estate, put Mower and Milestone in touch with each other, and a deal came together. The building's owner, Ciminelli Real Estate Corp., agreed to the plan. Compatibility is important Thrasher said finding the right combination of firms was important. "When you've got to put two companies under the same roof with no (partitions), you better make sure they're co-habitable," he said. "Just knowing the Mower folks and then knowing the Milestone folks, it was a no-brainer." Before Milestone moved in, Fogle led her team on a "field trip" down Main Street to Fountain Plaza and talked to the employees about how the building represented the next step in the company's growth. "Luckily, we found this space, which was just the perfect size for us, and also the light that's in here is so perfect, to really inspire everyone every day when they're in the office," she said. At Fountain Plaza, Milestone has about three times as much office space as it used to. The company plans to grow its workforce from the current 20 employees to about 25 in the next six months, as it expands its services. Milestone moved this month, leaving behind its longtime home at 737 Main St. Step off the elevator at Fountain Plaza. Each firm has its own distinct entrance, so they retain their individual identities. But employees from the two firms can easily move back and forth within the office space, and leaders of both companies say that's not a problem. Plus, some of the employees from the two firms already knew each other. Milestone benefited from moving into space that was immediately ready to use. Bean even gave up his corner office, with its spectacular view of downtown and the mist rising from Niagara Falls, to Fogle. Mower is 'remote first' Mower has about 43 employees attached to the Buffalo office. But they are working in a "remote first" stance, so the agency had less need for office space. Mower still brings everyone together for a featured event once a month, such as a recent guest speaker for Pride month, Bean said. Mower also recently took another significant step: The company became employee owned, under an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Bean said the ownership transition fits nicely with the decision to sublease space. "It became even more of a payoff as we started to look at the ESOP, because rent was our largest expense after staff," Bean said. "We've reduced that significantly, which can then go into staff, training and profitability and all the things that make an ESOP work." Mower and Milestone are just getting settled in as neighbors. Mower had two refrigerators in the kitchen, but with fewer of its people coming in these days, Milestone's employees are using the other one. Sticky notes on the doors distinguish the two. Beyond those practical considerations, leaders of the two firms wonder if the new arrangement might lead to some collaboration or mentorship across company lines. "It's kind of nice that we're both in the business services space, with slightly different takes on it," Bean said. Want to know more? Three stories to catch you up: THE LATEST Recent news tied to Buffalo Niagara's economy A North Tonawanda housing project is getting nearly $5 million in tax breaks from the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency. A top executive at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is calling for more funding for cancer screening programs. The Perry projects in downtown Buffalo are in line for a major makeover that will replace boarded-up buildings with new apartments. Plans to renovate and expand the Eliza Quick boarding house are being scaled back. A city panel has approved demolitions that are needed to clear the way for the Main Street Lofts project. More than 200 jobs could be coming to the former Dresser-Rand plant in Olean. Four more local nursing homes have reached deals with their unionized workers, leaving only two of the 12 facilities that were threatening to hold five-day strikes without agreements. Unionized workers at Kaleida Health are taking a high-stakes vote this week on whether to authorize a strike as contract talks continue. New Mercy Hospital president Marty Boryszak says the hospital's recovery and success will be about progress. "It's going to take time," he says. ICYMI Five reads on the Buffalo Niagara economy 1. Pickup in WNY housing inventory means more opportunity and time for buyers. Homebuyers in Western New York are starting to breathe easier and take more time before making their decisions, now that there are more homes for sale on the market and less need for them to act quickly. But they still can't dawdle. And it doesn't mean they're getting a deal on houses, which are now priced much higher than they would have been a year or two ago. 2. Why so many apartments? Buffalo area seeing an explosion of growth. From the Elmwood Village and Allentown to South Buffalo and the West Side, from Tonawanda and Amherst to Orchard Park and Hamburg, developers are putting up new apartment buildings or converting old industrial warehouses and offices. The apartments are highly desirable with new units filling up almost as soon as they come online. 3. A remote possibility: living in Buffalo, working for out-of-town employers. The pandemic has opened up job possibilities that were relatively uncommon before spring 2020, like working from home for a company far from the Buffalo Niagara region. It's a welcome twist on the all-too-familiar story of local workers finding jobs elsewhere. 4. Spotlight on the economy: Slow growth in average pay in Buffalo Niagara region. After spiking during the Covid-19 pandemic, the earnings of Buffalo Niagara workers have settled back into slow-growth mode. The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the regions economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Deputy Business Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up to get the latest in your inbox five days a week. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks during a COVID-19 update in the press theatre at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on March 10, 2022. (Chad Hipolito/The Canadian Press) BC Supreme Court Judge Rejects 4 Challenges to Former Vaccination Policies British Columbias Supreme Court chief judge has dismissed four legal challenges to some of the provinces now-suspended COVID-19 health measures regarding mandated vaccination as well as adverse side effects that some B.C. residents suffered as a result. Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson ruled in one of the cases that Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, had properly followed available scientific research and B.C.s public health guidelines in advising the government to mandate vaccination for health care workers, according to the Vancouver Sun. The case originally came before the court when the Canadian Society for the Advancement of Science in Public Policy (CSASPP), a nonprofit and volunteer-based organization created to challenge B.C.s COVID-19 health measures, filed a constitutional challenge against the province for its health orders. CSASPP argued that mandating vaccines for health care workers went against Canadian Charter rights and that the government did not allow for reasonable vaccination exemptions, particularly for individuals objecting on religious and health grounds. Hinkson said he ruled against CSASPPs challenge because he believed Henry correctly followed the idea that public health measures be proportionate to the threat they are combating. The second case Hinkson rejected was a challenge to the provinces vaccine passport system on the grounds that it discriminated against disabled people who were at higher risk of suffering adverse side effects from COVID-19 vaccines. Hinksons third ruling was also related to the provinces vaccine passport system, as an individual challenged that it offended his right to liberty in an arbitrary manner, reported the Vancouver Sun. Hinksons fourth dismissal was against three B.C. residents who alleged that the province did not provide effective access to medical vaccination exemptions. One of the individuals, William Robertson Prendiville, received his first COVID-19 vaccination in May 2021 and said he began feeling chest and upper-body pain, which his cardiologist classified as an adverse reaction to the vaccine. Prendiville managed to obtain a medical exemption from further vaccination, but said he was not allowed to enter many B.C. businesses on account of not being fully vaccinated. Dawn Slykhuis, another B.C. resident named in the court challenge, said she experienced sharp pains on the left side of her head after receiving a Pfizer vaccine in April 2021. Slykhuis proceeded to request an exemption on religious or conscience grounds but was denied. Leigh Anne Eliason, the third individual in the case, said that her doctor had recommended she not receive a COVID-19 vaccine because she had several health issues, including kidney disease. Her doctor submitted a list of reasons to the provinces health authorities outlining why Eliason should be exempt from any vaccine requirements, but Hinkson ruled that there was no evidence showing the doctor had ever submitted the exemption recommendation to the authorities. At present, Ms. Eliason and Ms. Slykhuis have not engaged with the reconsideration process and thus there is no final decision for this court to review, Hinkson wrote, according to the Vancouver Sun. I find that neither Ms. Eliason nor Ms. Slykhuis have exhausted all of their statutory remedies, and thus should not be permitted to pursue the relief sought in this petition until they have done so. Hinkson also wrote that he was unable to find that Mr. Prendivilles Charter rights have been infringed, and thus the relief he has sought in this petition is unjustified. In this handout image provided by the U.S. Navy, the nuclear-powered fast attack submarine USS Hartford is moored off the U.S, Naval Academy in 1999 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Don S. Montgomery/U.S. Navy via Getty Images) UN Nuclear Watchdogs Report on AUKUS Lopsided, Beijing Claims Beijing has panned the United Nations nuclear watchdog for the agencys positive assessment of the progress of the AUKUS deal so far. The Agency, on the basis of technical consultations and exchanges it has conducted with the AUKUS parties to date, is satisfied with the level of their engagement, according to a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Sept. 9 that was seen by Reuters. Such technical consultations will continue for the foreseeable future. The Agency recognises that AUKUS is at an early stage and that precisely how it will develop has yet to be decided by the parties involved. Beijings Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, called the report lopsided, saying it made no mention of the concern of nuclear proliferation from the international community. Mao called for a special committee open to all member states of the IAEA to discuss the political, legal, and technical issues around AUKUS before submitting recommendations to the Agency. If a consensus isnt reached, the AUKUS nationsthe United States, United Kingdom, and Australiashouldnt proceed further. Progress of AUKUS Steady The AUKUS deal, signed off under then-Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, along with former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and U.S. President Joe Biden, will see Australia become one of the few nations in the world to sail nuclear-powered submarines. The move will significantly alter the power balance in the Indo-Pacific region given only six countries in the world have access to nuclear-powered submarinesthe U.S., UK, China, Russia, India, and France. Its largely viewed as a counterweight to Beijings ongoing aggression and militarisation in the region, including the building of bases in the South China Sea, incursions into Taiwanese airspace, and support of illegal fishing fleets. Yet, several hurdles need to be overcome before Australia can acquire the submarines, including fulfilling IAEA safeguards that are designed to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weaponry. The AUKUS deal falls in a grey area because IAEA regulations dont cover the use of nuclear materials for naval propulsion. Australian authorities have argued that any submarine would essentially be loaded with a sealed box containing the nuclear reactor, thus limiting the risk of proliferation, a view thats been adopted by the IAEA. A truck passes by China Shipping containers at the Port of Los Angeles, in Long Beach, Calif. on Sept. 1, 2019. (Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images) Beijing Requests for Help With Trade Pact Application Ignored by Australia The Australian government has refused to respond to Beijings repeated requests to begin negotiations to join one of the worlds most extensive free-trade agreements. This is despite suggestions from Beijing that the current frosty relations between the two countries would improve if Australia backed its admission to the bloc. Chinas ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian said Beijing was urgently seeking to hold talks with the federal government on its application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Weve been asking for an early start, but theres no clear confirmative response from the Australian government yet, he told The Australian on Wednesday. The ambassador also signalled that the end of the year would be too late, The Australian reported. Chinas Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian at the National Press Club in Canberra, Australia, on Aug. 10, 2022. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) China will not be able to gain access to the bloc unless it gets approval from every bloc member to join. Currently, there are 11 members of the free trade agreement, including Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore, and Vietnam. However, the United Kingdom (UK) formally requested to be included in the CPTPP in 2021, and the CPTPP Commission confirmed it would formally begin accession negotiations with the UK in June 2021. Request Comes After Beijing Initiated Economic Coercion on Australian Exports The request from China comes after Beijing initiated a two and half year campaign of economic coercion, which swept up eight major Australian exportsbeef, seafood, wine, honey, lamb, wheat, coal, and timberafter previous Foreign Minister Marise Payne called for an inquiry into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020. The Chinese Communist Party also delivered a list containing 14 grievances that Australia needed to address before normalising diplomatic relations. They included a demand for the government to stop the press reporting negatively on China; stop building alliances with Indo-Pacific partners; rescind the ban on Huawei from Australias 5G network, and remove foreign interference laws. An employee works as Australian-made wine (on display shelves on R) are seen for sale at a store in Beijing on Aug. 18, 2020. (Noel Celis/AFP via Getty Images) New Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called on Beijing to drop its coercive trade restrictions before the federal government considers a reset of bilateral ties. It is China that has imposed sanctions on Australia, Albanese told reporters on June 13. They need to remove those sanctions in order to improve relations between Australia and China. China needs to remove the sanctions that they have put in place. Theres no reason for them to be there. We are a trading nation. Weve fulfilled all of our obligations as part of the contracts and arrangements that have been put in place. And we produce good products as well. And those sanctions hurt Australia. But they also hurt China. Asia Society Australias executive director for policy, Richard Maude, has said that he believes Australia is on firm ground in choosing to ignore Chinas request to join the trade pact. I would think it would be untenable for an Australian government to seriously consider Chinese accession to the CPTPP while China continues to take arbitrary trade action against Australia, he said. Members of the 182nd Infantry Regiment load their weapons with live ammunition before heading into the field to train at Fort Dix near Trenton, N.J., on May 16, 2022. (Joseph Prezioso /AFP via Getty Images) Biden Administration Intentionally Weakening Military: Retired General When the United States acts, the world is always watching, and one of the loudest messages since President Joe Biden took office came from how the United States handled its withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. What message did that send globally to other government leaders who may see America as an adversary? That was a question asked by Tony Perkins, president of Family Research Council, during a panel discussion Thursday about Americas role on the world stage at the Pray Vote Stand Summit in Atlanta hosted by FRC Action, the legislative affiliate of Family Research Council. I think that will go down in history as the worst foreign policy failure in U.S. history. Every decision that was made was wrong, said Lt. General (Ret.) William Boykin, executive vice president at Family Research Council. What did that say to the rest of the world? It said that we have weak leadership. And you have to ask yourself, why did Vladimir Putin refrain from attacking Ukraine during the Trump administration? And then he went in with barrels blazing, under the Biden administration, and I will tell you, I think a lot of that goes back to the weakness that peopleboth our adversaries and our friendsrecognized in the Biden administration. Other countries recognize that the Biden administration is weak and indecisive on many issues, he said, not just how the U.S. military left Afghanistan. Boykin mentioned Bidens approach to the Paris climate change treaty and his efforts to get the United States back into the Iran nuclear deal, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Whats the value to the United States? And whats the value to our allies, to put Iran on a pathway to nuclear warheads, Boykin said. I think were going to continue to see the consequences of not only the pullout of Afghanistan, but stupid decisions that have been made by the administration, one of which is our president shut down our pipeline, and then turned around and went to the Saudis. Boykin said there were several Saudi nationals flying the planes on 9/11 and that Saudi Arabia has been a major sponsor of terrorism. Despite this, Biden went to Saudi Arabia and to Russia to ask for oil after shutting down Americas oil production, Boykin said. Does that make sense to anybody? Its the most foolish thing, he said. They see that kind of decision making, and they see us as being weak, and they see this as a time when they can take advantage of us. Weakening Military Boykin believes weakness is more than an international perception, and he gave examples of how Biden is intentionally weakening the military, including kicking out servicemembers who refused to get the COVID-19 shot and teaching critical race theory and inclusion tolerance instead of teaching how to be in a constant state of readiness for war. All of these things that have nothing to do with the mission and everything to do with the agenda of the administrationyou are doing them an injustice and ultimately youre going to pay the price for that, Boykin said. At the same time, theyre turning around and writing to old generals like me, saying, We need help recruiting because we just cant recruit enough people. Well let me explain to you how this thing of mathematics works. You get rid of all of them, and then those who are watching from the outside say, I dont want a part of that. And those on the inside, many of them leave on their own. Many in leadership at the Pentagon got their start under President Barack Obama, Boykin said. If theyre compromisedif they lack focus, the question we need to ask as a nation is, whos mentoring the next generation of leaders? Whos bringing up the warrior leaders for the future? The answer is nobody, he said. And thats the hardest thing to fix in terms of restoring the Navy and the Army and Air Force and the Marine Corps. China Is Watching Perkins directed the conversation to China and asked panelist Gordon Chang, author of The Coming Collapse of China, how China likely views the Biden administrations moves. We dont have to speculate. The Communist Party propaganda was very clear, Chang said. The day that Kabul fell to the Taliban in Afghanistan, Chang said, Chinese newspapers declared that China would invade Taiwan at some point, and that when this happens, the island will fall within hours and the United States will not come to help. What they saw in Afghanistan confirmed in their minds, their long narrative, that the United States was in terminal decline, he said. Chang doesnt believe the United States is in terminal decline, but that is the message from a series of propaganda releases and the effect of the Afghanistan exit, he said. The one thing that Im most concerned about is that there will be some sort of accident in the international airspace, Chang said, adding that this could start a war. We have seen incredibly dangerous aerial maneuvering on the part of the Chinese. They almost brought down an Australian reconnaissance aircraft on May 26 because the Chinese jet flew so close to it and released flares. Thats something thats never been done before, and Im afraid that that is going to be the trigger of war in East Asia. Not only is China involved in the worlds fastest military buildup since the Second World War. It is preparing the Chinese citizens for war, Chang said. That mobilization of citizens is an ominous sign. If China decides to do anything with Taiwan, Boykin said, it will be while Biden is still in office. They know that Joe Biden is not going to respond militarily, Boykin said. He will send material. Hell give them intelligence and diplomatic support, but hes not going to send U.S. troops into harms way against China, and that gives [China] an assurance. This is going to be their best window of opportunity. John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, speaks during a press briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House on June 21, 2022. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images) Biden Spokesman Calls Chinese Land Buys Near Military Bases Homeownership Issue Al Jazeera reporter: 'This is about national security' White House spokesman John Kirby dismissed questions about foreign land buys close to U.S. military bases and potentially tied to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), calling it a homeownership issue. Kirby, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, came to the question during a Sept. 13 briefing about Chinese entities buying up U.S. real estate including farms around military installations, given that some could link to the countrys ruling regime. Is this on the administrations radar? Al Jazeera reporter Kimberly Halkett asked during the conference. And what is being done, perhaps, to study this or to protect Americans from making sure that homes remain affordable and so on? The reporter was referencing a corn mill investment by a Chinese company in the city of Grand Forks, North Dakotasitting within 15 miles of the Grand Forks Air Force Base that houses sensitive drone, satellite, and surveillance technology. The top executive of its parent company had also served as a member of the CCPs rubber-stamp legislature of Shandong Province, China. Kirby tried, firstly, to dwell on the surface of the question, saying that the question of homeownership is a little bit out of [his] swim lane. After being pressed further about the land grab, the former Pentagon spokesman shifted the focus to Bidens foreign trade policy, saying that the president has been nothing but clear about our concerns about Chinese unfair trade practices and economic practices. Halkett interjected by reiterating the matter with the deal, saying: This isnt about trade. This is about national security and buying up land around military installations. Im probably not the right person to ask about homeownership here in the United States, the spokesman said. This isnt about homeownership, Halkett responded again. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre cut in and said the White House could get back to [the reporter] afterward. National Security Risks The exchange came as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), an interagency panel overseen by the Treasury Department that scrutinizes foreign investments for national security risks, is conducting a review to determine whether the transaction is one of the covered transactions in the committees jurisdiction. The city of Grand Forks announced the deal in November 2021 and approved the development agreement in July. Fufeng USA, a subsidiary of Chinese company Fufeng Group, plans to build a corn milling factory on the 370-acre tract of farmland, which is located in close proximity to the Grand Forks Air Force Base. While senators representing the state have called out national security concerns associated with the venture, the North Dakota sale posed only a small portion of the overall $6.1 billion Chinese investment in U.S. property last year, the most of any foreign buyer, according to the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) unveiled legislation in April 2021 seeking to block Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea from buying land within 100 miles of a U.S. military installation, or 50 miles from military areas. The Chinese Communist Party and our other adversaries should not be able to purchase land close to our military bases, said Rubio, vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, upon introducing the bill. If the United States is going to get serious about combating China and other foreign adversaries, our government must prevent them from acquiring U.S. property without scrutiny. Earlier this month, Mayor Brandon Bochenski said in a statement that the city of Grand Forks intends to pause construction work on Fufeng USA specific items until the pending CFIUS review is complete. Terri Wu contributed to this report. Illegal immigrants from Venezuela, who boarded a bus in Texas, wait to be transported to a local church by volunteers after being dropped off outside the residence of Vice President Kamala Harris at the Naval Observatory in Washington on Sept. 15, 2022. (Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images) 2 Buses of Illegal Immigrants Dropped Off Near VP Harriss Washington Residence Two buses filled with illegal immigrants were dropped off in Washington near Vice President Kamala Harriss home on Sept. 15, according to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. The two buses with dozens of people who had been picked up by authorities in Eagle Pass, Texas, arrived at the U.S. Naval Observatory, which is the vice presidents residence, local media footage and photos show. Illegal immigrants from Central and South America wait near the residence of Vice President Kamala Harris after being dropped off in Washington on Sept. 15, 2022. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) Abbott said on Twitter that the buses were sent in response to recent claims made by the vice presidentwho was tapped last year by President Joe Biden to oversee U.S. border securitythat the border is secure. VP Harris claims our border is secure [and] denies the crisis, Abbott wrote on Sept. 15. Were sending migrants to her backyard to call on the Biden Administration to do its job [and] secure the border. Video footage taken from the scene showed throngs of men, women, and children carrying items including pillows, blankets, and clothing outside the gates of Harriss official residence. This morning, two Texas buses of migrants arrived at the Naval Observatory in DC. VP Harris claims our border is secure & denies the crisis. Were sending migrants to her backyard to call on the Biden Administration to do its job & secure the border. https://t.co/H5n0ChTbIX Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 15, 2022 Marla Bustillos, a representative of the nongovernmental organization Sanctuary DMV, told Fox News that they were at Union Station since 6 in the morning waiting and just heard 20 minutes ago that the drop-off was this one. Weve already set up a church and a locationa safe location for them to tell us where they need to go next, where they have relatives, she said, adding that the media knew the location before we did. Emergency Declared For months, Abbotts administration has sent dozens of buses filled with people who illegally crossed the U.S.Mexico border to New York, Chicago, and Washington. Arguing that Texas border towns are inundated and overwhelmed by a significant increase in illegal immigration, the governor said that policymakers in those Democrat-run cities and states should face the realities of the immigration rules they support. The Republican governor also said those areas are self-proclaimed sanctuary cities, meaning they wont comply with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, and they are a more suitable location for illegal aliens than Texas. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser declared an emergency on Sept. 8 over the surge of illegal immigrants. On Sept. 14, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued an emergency disaster order and deployed the National Guard. While Bowser, Pritzker, and other Democrats have criticized Abbott over the move, they are reluctant to blame the Biden administrations policies for a dramatic rise in illegal immigration. A report released last month revealed that nearly 5 million people crossed into the United States illegally during the first 18 months of President Joe Bidens presidency. On two separate occasions in recent days, Bowser has requested the National Guard to be activated in the nations capital. The Department of Defense in late August denied one of her requests. Another top Democrat this week blamed Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, both Republicans, for busing illegal immigrants to Washington. Brianne Nadeau, a member of the Council of the District of Columbia, said that the governors of Texas and Arizona have created this crisis, without mentioning federal immigration policies. The federal government has not stepped up to assist the District of Columbia, she told reporters. So we, along with our regional partners, well do what weve always done. Well rise to the occasion. Officials at Abbotts office and the White House didnt respond by press time to requests by The Epoch Times for comment. A person in a passing vehicle holds a sign calling for schools to reopen, during an Open Schools Now rally on Feb. 15, 2021, in Los Angeles. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) California Teachers Union Conducted Research Targeting Parent Group, Emails Show Recent emails that were revealed through a public records request show that California Teachers Association (CTA) conducted opposition research targeting Parent Association, a grassroots parent group that worked to get schools reopened during pandemic lockdowns. Opposition research is the practice of collecting information on a political opponent or other adversary that can be used to publicly discredit or otherwise weaken them. Reopen California Schools, another parent group, revealed the emails on Sept. 5 in a Twitter post. Jonathan Zachreson, founder of Reopen California Schools, told NTD, a sister media of The Epoch Times, that the original public records request stemmed from a different case. BOMBSHELL Newly PRAd emails show @WeAreCTA conducted opposition research on school reopening parent groups during the school shutdowns in CA. Then after a principal was accidentally CCd, the damage control was asking him to illegally delete the email. 1/ pic.twitter.com/uwbtdYnkpl Reopen California Schools (@ReopenCASchools) September 5, 2022 The public records request came from parents down in San Diego at this particular school district unrelated to this incident that we came across, said Zachreson. In gathering documents for this, they noticed that their particular organization, Parent Association, was targeted by the California Teachers Association. The email was initiated by CTA researcher, Ann Swinburn, to an activist parent arm of the local union. In the email Ann says, she is currently doing some research into the various reopen groups around the state. 2/ pic.twitter.com/bP94YhRMFs Reopen California Schools (@ReopenCASchools) September 5, 2022 Email screenshots revealed that CTA research assistant Ann Swinburn was investigating Parent Association and its financing. The emails show that a principal was accidentally ccd into the email chain. Two individuals by the names Holly and Michele then talked about damage control and asking the principal to delete the email. Swinburn has since deleted her Twitter account. A screenshot of Ann Swinburns now deleted Twitter account. (Screenshot via ReopenCASchools Twitter) Before she deleted [her account], even through some archives, we see comments of her making, essentially to that point over and over again, that she is trying to find out these groups. This is right-wing dark money groups that are funding this, and we have got to find out the pattern and find out whos funding them, and ultimately discredit them, said Zachreson. The public records request and revelation came after Parent Association successfully sued the state of California to reopen schools in March 2021. The lawsuit challenged a lawsuit the local San Diego Unified School District union filed in December 2020. With support from CTA, the union had sued the district to keep schools closed. According to Zachreson, CTA is very involved politically. The association has around 310,000 members and is one of the most powerful teachers unions in the state. Zachreson described the teachers unions tactics as a smear campaign against grassroots parent groups. A year and a half ago, when we were trying to get schools open, we were called racist; we were called white supremacists, said Zachreson. We were called all sorts of names to try to discredit that fact that we just wanted our kids in schools. NTD reached out to CTA for comment. Primary season is now over, and we have the latest results for you. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are in full campaign mode for the midterms. A Senate committee approved a bill that its architects say could overhaul the United States Taiwan policy. MyPillow CEO and election integrity advocate Mike Lindell says his phone was seized by the FBI earlier this week. Agents surrounded him at a drive-through in Minnesota. Former Trump adviser and Gettr CEO Jason Miller reacts to the news from Mike Lindell. He also comments on the recent discovery of a Chinese spy at Twitter. American taxpayers may have lost over $1.3 billion in COVID-19 relief funds to fraud. A watchdog finds that the money got sent overseas. BUY Jan 6 DVD: The Real Story of Jan. 6 Documentary102 Minutes, Color), Promo Code [Steve] for 20% off. * Click the Save button below the video to access it later on My List. Follow CapitolReport on social media: Twitter https://twitter.com/capitolreport Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CapitolReport/ Gettr https://gettr.com/user/capitolreport Follow EpochTV on social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/EpochTVus Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/EpochTV Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@EpochTV Gettr: https://gettr.com/user/epochtv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EpochTVus Gab: https://gab.com/EpochTV Telegram: https://t.me/EpochTV Cattle Farmer Says New Livestock Grazing Method Could Save Grasslands, Reverse Desertification Livestock farming has been at the forefront of media and environmentalist attacks for decades. Thats because many researchers insist the United States has reached a tipping point with animal husbandry, citing extended drought conditions as evidence. This year, overly dry weather across the United States broke records. In February, findings from a UCLA-led study suggest drought conditions in the American West are the worst in 1,200 years. Subsequently, livestock farmers have found themselves in a hotbed of environmentalist ire. The drought crisis has drawn heavy frowns and finger wags from the orthodox scientific community, which points to livestock grazing as a significant part of the problem. Because for the majority of scientists, theres a formula: more animals grazing equals worse climate effects, period. However, advocates of regenerative grazing have been gathering data and coming forward. Theyre sharing evidence that shows holistic grazing methods can actually improve soil quality, health, and water retention in grassland ecosystems. Further, when done correctly, some evidence suggests livestock grazing can even reverse the effects of desertification. Known as the process through which fertile soil becomes desert, think tanks from nearly every sector have spent years troubleshooting the fast desertification of Americas grasslands. Tangerines rest in the dirt in front of dry vegetation on farmland amid an ongoing drought near Bakersfield, California on Aug. 26, 2022. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) Meanwhile, advocates of regenerative agriculture say livestock grazing is the key to preserving whats left of the 775 million acres of iconic prairie in the United States. We practice regenerative grazing by using total grazing techniques geared toward helping the soils and grass grow healthy and quickly, Eric Honsberger told The Epoch Times. Honsberger manages a cattle operation at the Hickok Ranch in the pastoral plains of Karnes County, Texas. Originally purchased by the cousin of Western folk hero Wild Bill Hickok in 1878, the ranch has been in the family ever since. And over the past 144 years, theyve learned some valuable lessons about cattle. Honsberger explained that regenerative grazing has proven beneficial in whats mostly been a bone dry year in Texas. The main difference between the method he employs at Hickok Ranch and traditional grazing, is the end goal. For most ranchers, grazing is just a method to feed cows. Yet, with the regenerative approach, the added objective is to return as many nutrients to the soil as possible. With traditional grazing, cattle graze a large pasture and are allowed to eat whatever they please, Honsberger said, The problem with this approach is the natural fertilizers produced by cows are spread out and not absorbed completely into the soil. Moreover, with the traditional approach, cows can wander back to areas where the grass and other prairie plants are attempting to recover, hindering growth. They [cows] will eat and stomp the grass down while its trying to grow back. But with the regenerative method, Honsberger said cattle are concentrated into smaller patches using portable electric fencing. Patches for grazing are between three to five acres in size and the cows consume over a three to four hour period before moving to the next designated grazing section. Since the concentration of cattle is so dense, theyre more likely to stomp the manure, urine, and uneaten or dead grass back into the soil. This is whats known as hoof impact. Before and after livestock grazed pasture at the Hickok Ranch. (Courtesy of Hickok Hamburger) Honsberger maintains the hoof impact of natural fertilizer eliminates the need for chemicals and allows the grass to grow back quicker and healthier. While this tweaked approach to livestock grazing may seem simple, it wasnt so obvious to the world of ranching or environmental science until 2013. When holistic land management pioneer Allan Savory took the stage at a TED event in 2013, he shocked the world when he said more livestock grazing was needednot lessto reverse the effects of desertification on global grasslands. Born in Zimbabwe, Savory watched the vast prairies of his native Africa slowly turn to desert beneath the hooves of animals. It spurred him to become a rangeland ecologist and develop holistic land management techniques involving animal grazing during the 1960s. Today, Savorys institute has 48 global hubs and more than 12,000 farmers trained in his regenerative grazing method. His institute touts over 13 million hectares have benefited from the transition to his land management methods, which mimic patterns used by animals in the wild. Herd animals in nature tend to graze in dense groups and continue moving as a defense against predators. And for ranchers like Honsberger, the proof is right beneath his feet. While Im not a grassland expert, I work in and manage grass daily, he said. Back to Mob Grazing Days Water retention is paramount when it comes to reversing desertification and the effects of drought. Grasslands are an essential part of that process. Largely underrepresented as an ecosystem, nearly a third of the planets landmore than 12 billion acrescomprises vast prairie landscapes. And those tall, swaying grasses do a lot more than just feed animals and create picturesque backdrops. Deep-rooting perennial grasses are like magic for water retention, Alex Melvin, the founder of Permacultured, told The Epoch Times. Melvins business focuses on regenerative agriculture and self-sustaining food systems. He explained that, during heavy rainfall, deep rooting native grasses slow water down, preventing excessive runoff. In turn, groundwater also becomes replenished. It makes the landscape like a sponge, Melvin said. He also agrees with Savorys method, saying its necessary to take cows back to their mob grazing days. Offering the example of how wild bison used to feed on the American Great Plains, Melvin elaborated the near constant rotation used with the holistic approach maximizes photosynthesis for plants by not allowing animals like cows to hunker down in one spot. Using livestock in regenerative agriculture is more than throwing a bunch of cows out on a grass field, he said. Even players within the energy sector have recognized the benefits of a holistic approach to livestock grazing. New Approach Vital United Energy Trading (UET) is working with U.S. communities that want to improve the health of grasslands and sequester carbon through the use of a grazing method called twice over grazing. Twice-over grazing application is critical to the overall preservation and enhancement of grasslands. These techniques lead to better soil health, which is a critical element of the fight against climate change, Kyle Eichman, vice president of communications and media relations at UET, told The Epoch Times. Similar to Savory and Honsbergers approach, twice over grazing allows more time for plant regrowth in between animal consumption. Eichman notes this new approach is vital since the biggest threats to grasslands are drought and overgrazing. He said given the massive scale of the Great Northern Plains, U.S. grasslands play a critical part in a healthy ecosystem. If you also consider the impact the grasslands have on the ranching industry, the ability to feed the U.S. and the world, it becomes even more important, he said. And with some experts estimating upwards of 70 percent of the worlds prairies are turning into desert, the timing couldnt be more relevant. Though not everyone is convinced. Critics of regenerative grazing techniques are holding to their mantra of less meat consumption and less livestock is the only way out of a carbon-methane trap and desertification. Further, the opposition says evidence that holistic grazing is a miracle breakthrough is anecdotal, with no conclusive advantages shown in the Charter Grazing Trials. But for those who work up close and personal with animals and the dirt they tread, the evidence is undeniable. If cattle are managed to graze correctly, they will help achieve better soil health, Honsberger said, before adding, I could go on, but I have a ranch to run. CCP Is Engineering a New Society to Control Human Will via Data: Authors The Chinese regime is utilizing futuristic technologies, including digital surveillance, to shape the will of the people and control social behaviour, according to journalists Josh Chin and Liza Lin, the authors of a new book, Surveillance State, Inside Chinas Quest to Launch a New Era of Social Control. Systematic surveillance in China is not just for governance but also for re-engineering human behavior, particularly in societies like Xinjiang where the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has set up an intricate web of surveillancemore concerning is that the communist regime is exporting this technology to other authoritarian regimes and countries around the world, said the authors during their book launch at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on Sept. 12. Chinese leaders have revived totalitarian techniques of the past and blended them with futuristic technologies in an effort not to eradicate a religious minority but to re-engineer it, said Chin and Lin in their book. The campaign is one part of a radical experiment to reinvent social control through technology that is forcing democracies around the world to confront the growing power of digital surveillance and to wrestle with new questions about the relationship between information, security, and individual liberty. The authors, both senior journalists with the Wall Street Journal, said that the CCP is in control of incomprehensible volumes of personal data and it continues to collect more and more of it. It also continues to find new ways to utilize data to build what the authors called a perfectly engineered society. Chin and Lin describe this perfectly engineered society in which artificial intelligence companies work in tandem with the police and where the government has the power to track your every move with cameras that can recognize your face and the unique rhythms of your gait, microphones that can recognize your voice, and smartphone GPS systems that relay your location to within a few feet, in which government officials can scrutinize your private chat history, reading and viewing habits, internet purchases, and travel history, and can crunch the data to judge how likely you are to help or harm public order. Most of the surveillance tools used by the CCP to maintain power were invented in Silicon Valley where tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon applied them to compile behavioural portraits of their users to sell to advertisers. The authors called it surveillance capitalism, a term first used by author Shoshana Zuboff. While much of this surveillance system is aspirational, the CCP has started to realize some of it and are aware that some may never materialize. Chin and Lin write in their book that significant pieces of this totalitarian system have already started to take shape in several cities across China due to the giant leaps in artificial intelligence (AI). China is about to host its next Congress on October 16 where Chinese leader Xi Jinping is likely to seek a third term. If he gains another tenure, hell likely push to meet his ambition of a new type of government thats powered by data and mass digital surveillance, that can rival democracy globally, wrote Chin and Lin in an article in the Wall Street Journal on Sept. 2. Mr. Xi is pursuing this vision out of necessity. Over roughly three decades following the death of Mao Zedong in 1976, the Communist Party retreated from peoples personal lives, invested in infrastructure, and surfed a wave of historic economic growth that carried China from abject poverty to middle-income comfort, they wrote, adding that as the growth slowed down, the pandemic raged, and the demographic situation worsened. Xi Jinping is trying to write a new social contract with his citizens. Rather than entice citizens with the possibility of riches, he instead offers them security and conveniencea predictable world in which thousands of algorithms neutralize threats and sand away the frictions of daily life. Schoolchildren walk below surveillance cameras in Akto, south of Kashgar, in Chinas western Xinjiang region on June 4, 2019. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images) Chengguan and AI Every Chinese city has a Chengguan (The Urban Administrative and Law Enforcement Bureau) or a government law enforcement agency thats usually part of the citys municipality and not the city police. Among many things that this agency does it takes care of the citys appearance. During the book launch, Lin talked about her visit to a Hangzhou city program where AI tools are used by a local Chengguan branch. Hangzhou is at the heart of chinas modern economy and is home to Chinas leading technological companies including e-commerce Alibaba Group and Hikvision, the worlds leading maker of surveillance cameras, according to the authors. The city is one of the top smart cities in China and collects massive amounts of data daily that it uses to manage daily ops. One particularly noteworthy initiative is called City Eye, in a tidy Hangzhou neighborhood known as Little River Street. The program has placed AI-enabled tools in the hands of the local branch of the Chengguan chasing away street peddlers, punishing unauthorized trash dumps, tracking down vandals, and handing out parking tickets, wrote the authors in the Wall Street Journal article. City Eye started in 2017 with Hikivision installing 1,600 police surveillance cameras in Little River Street and Alibaba providing the AI-powered platform. Today the program allows the administration to keep 24-hour watch on the streets. Like Xinjiang, with its systematic oppression of the Uyghurs, Hangzhou serves as a pilot zone for social control, giving the Communist Party a view into what works and what doesnt. The experiments in the two places suggest that the same technologies used to terrorize and remold those who are thought to resist the partys authority can be deployed to coddle and reassure those who accept its rule, the article said. Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Samarkand to pay a state visit to Uzbekistan and attend the 22nd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Sept. 14, 2022. At the airport, Xi was warmly greeted by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov, Governor of Samarkand region Erkinjon Turdimov and other high-level officials. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here Wednesday evening to pay a state visit to Uzbekistan and attend the 22nd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). At the airport, he was warmly greeted by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov, Governor of Samarkand region Erkinjon Turdimov and other high-level officials. Mirziyoyev held a grand welcoming ceremony for Xi at the airport. Nearly a hundred national flags of China and Uzbekistan were waving in the breeze. The hundred-meter-long carpet was flanked by valiant honor guards. The two presidents stepped onto the reviewing stand adorned to reflect distinctive Uzbek features. A fanfare was played on Karnay, a traditional Uzbek long wind instrument, as a signal of welcome. Local young people, dressed in festive national costumes, were singing and dancing to the most invigorating beat to welcome the most honorable guest. In a written speech, Xi extended warm greetings and best wishes to the government and people of Uzbekistan on behalf of the government and people of China. Xi underscored that spanning over two thousand years, the friendship between China and Uzbekistan and their people is still brimming with vigor and vitality. The China-Uzbekistan comprehensive strategic partnership has steered onto the fast track of development, not only benefiting people of the two countries, but also giving a strong boost to peace, stability, prosperity and development of the region, said Xi. He noted that he will hold talks with Mirziyoyev for an in-depth exchange of views on deepening bilateral cooperation, and on regional and international issues of shared interest, and jointly draw the blueprint for the development of China-Uzbekistan relations. He looks forward to attending the SCO Samarkand Summit, and working with all parties to carry forward the Shanghai Spirit, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the sound and steady development of the SCO. Accompanied by Mirziyoyev, Xi walked through the VIP lounge at the airport where the digital screen displayed a giant photo of Xi with the words "Warmly Welcome President of the People's Republic of China H.E. Xi Jinping to Pay State Visit to Uzbekistan" in both Chinese and Uzbek. Xi said goodbye to Mirziyoyev before leaving in the convoy. The two presidents reaffirmed the scheduled official talks Thursday and agreed to have an in-depth exchange of views on deepening China-Uzbekistan friendship. Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and other members of the entourage arrived by the same flight. Chinese Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jiang Yan also greeted Xi at the airport. The relief was palpable Wednesday night as MusicalFare Theatre opened its 2022-23 season with a spirited production of Nice Work If You Can Get It. After a one-week postponement and 10 days apart due to those dreaded double-red lines, it was clear this talented (and large) ensemble was more than ready to get back on stage and kick up their heels. It was a kick for the audience, too. Written by Joe DiPietro as a showcase for the music of George and Ira Gershwin, and inspired by comic giants P.G. Wodehouse and Guy Bolton, Nice Work is a throwback of the first order to the escapist screwball comedies of the 1930s. Romantic entanglements abound, with leads Marc Sacco and Renee Landrigan caught in the main mix-up of the night. Sacco fits smoothly into the role of hapless hero Jimmy Winter, a la Cary Grant except with a better singing voice, while Landrigan plays spunky bootlegger Billie Bendix with a snap worthy of Carole Lombard. Her rendition of Someone to Watch Over Me while noodling with a prop that makes it clear she can watch over herself just fine, is a highlight. It makes her vulnerability in But Not for Me even more touching later in the show. The plot that squeezes in among the two dozen musical numbers and a multitude of comic riffs involves 400 cases of bootleg booze that Billie has hidden in Winters beachfront cottage, thinking it is vacant. Of course this is when Winter decides to come for a stay, along with his flaky fiancee, the Delischious Emily Yancey, and her stern senatorial father, played with pompous bluster by Jon May. Fortunately Billies accomplice Cookie McGee (John Kaczorowski) already donned the butlers togs just in case the cops showed up, and he takes to the job like a tank to water. (Wherever Kaczorowski went to wise guy school, he must have graduated with honors!) However, the formidable temperance crusader Duchess Estonia Dulworth (Charmagne Chi) has the gang in her sights, and, along with her Vice Squad (Lucas DeNies, Michael Kelleher and Josh Wilde) she is closing in. Season preview: MusicalFare Theatre celebrates songs from Gershwin to Aretha and beyond The first show of the 2022-23 season, Nice Work If You Can Get It (opening Sept. 14), is a hybrid of the old and new, and a regional premiere for MusicalFare. Trust me: When Charmagne Chi begins closing in, you better buckle your seat belt. In Act 1, she owns the stage leading a rendition of Demon Rum. In Act II, she ups it to grand larceny, stealing the show with a master class in physical comedy while performing Looking for a Boy. Its a big moment, but this is a big show and it can handle it. Director Chris Kelly doesnt waste a single actor in the cast (theres 16 performers). Everyone has their moment: the Greek-chorus-girls who frame the action (Nicole Cimato, Kristen-Marie Lopez, Julia Murphy and Andrienne Ricchiazzi-Cummings); the bumbling gangster Duke (Preston Williams); and, in key supporting roles, local theater mainstays Bobby Cooke and Pamela Rose Mangus. The rest of the production lives up to the casting: Kari Drozd went all-out providing each performer with multiple and sometimes dazzling 1920s-era costumes, accenting with wigs and makeup by Susan Drozd. All that fringe gets a workout during what the Duchess accurately refers to as extremely precise choreography, with credit there going to Kristy E. Cavanagh. Chris Cavanagh put together the multi-entrance/exit art deco stage that meant it only took second to switch out props (by Kevin Fahey) between scenes. Although we never saw musicians Theresa Quinn, John Maguda, Jim Runfola, Jimmy Runfola and Peggy Scalzo, their Gershwin came through rich and true. Lets concede and then put aside the fact that the plot does not overflow in the logic department, and that the connections between action and song are sometimes tenuous. Everyone is having so much fun on the stage it cannot help but overflow to those in the seats. Really, it must be nice work. If you can get it. REVIEW "Nice Work If You Can Get It 3.5 stars (out of 4) At MusicalFare Theatre, 4380 Main St., Amherst, on the Daemen University campus, through Oct. 9. Performances are at 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $50 (musicalfare.com, 716-839-8540). Dead Oklahoma Inmate Was Suing Over Baby Shark Claim OKLAHOMA CITYAn Oklahoma County inmate found dead in his jail cell over the weekend was a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the county alleging that in 2019, he and other inmates were tortured by jail employees who forced them to repeatedly listen to the childrens song Baby Shark for hours. John Basco, 48, was found unresponsive in his cell early Sunday morning, Oklahoma County Detention Center officials said in a news release. He was pronounced dead after jail workers began lifesaving efforts, they said. Bascos death is the 14th this year at the jail, which has faced criticism over inmate deaths, escapes, and other incidents. Jail spokesman Mark Opgrande said there were no obvious signs of foul play and that investigators will look into the possibility of a drug overdose. The State Medical Examiners Office will determine the cause of death. Basco, who was booked into the jail Thursday on a drug trafficking complaint, was among a group of inmates suing the county in federal court for allegedly being handcuffed to a wall and forced to listen to the song Baby Shark on repeat for hours during separate incidents in 2019. A jail lieutenant retired and two detention officers were fired in connection with the incidents, and all three face misdemeanor charges. Bascos attorney, Cameron Spradling, told The Oklahoman that he found the circumstances surrounding Bascos death disturbing and called for the preservation of all evidence as the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation probe of it unfolds. Oklahoma prison records show Basco had a long history of criminal convictions in Oklahoma County dating back to the mid 1990s, mostly for drug, property, and firearms crimes. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a second-degree murder conviction in 2000 and was released in 2007, records show. An election worker opens envelopes containing vote-by-mail ballots for the Aug. 4 Washington state primary at King County Elections in Renton, Washington on Aug. 3, 2020. (Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images) Delaware Court Strikes Down States Voting-by-Mail Law A state court blocked voting by mail in Delaware on Sept. 14 after ruling that the states mail-in voting practices violate the Delaware Constitution. Barring further judicial or legislative action, the ruling means mail-in voting will not be available in the upcoming general elections in Delaware on Nov. 8. Republicans were critical of mail-in voting measures enacted at the height of the pandemic and accused election officials across the country of ignoring the U.S. Constitution and state constitutions by allowing it and promoting it heavily to the public. They claim this departure from the usual election procedures allowed Democrats to cheat. The Democratic-controlled Delaware General Assembly hurriedly passed the voting-by-mail law in June after failing to secure enough Republican support to amend the state constitution to enshrine the policy. Lawmakers previously approved a separate voting-by-mail law during the pandemic in 2020, invoking emergency powers that allowed the statute to escape the usual constitutional scrutiny. But lawmakers didnt reference any emergency authority when passing the new law, which allowed the state judge to rule it was unconstitutional. Former U.S. Department of Justice civil rights attorney J. Christian Adams, whose organization launched the legal challenge, hailed the courts decision. Election Officials Must Follow the Law This ruling upheld the rule of law in Delaware when not long-ago election officials across the country were ignoring the law, Adams, president of the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF), said in a statement obtained by The Epoch Times. This law violated the election protections in Delawares Constitution. Election officials must follow the law. When laws are followed, even losers of elections can agree with the outcomes. Consent of the governed increases when the election rules are followed. PILF describes itself as the nations only public interest law firm dedicated wholly to election integrity. The nonprofit organization exists to assist states and others to aid the cause of election integrity, and fight against lawlessness in American elections. Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings, a Democrat whose office defended the 2022 law in court, didnt respond to a request for comment by press time. PILF filed a lawsuit earlier this year against the vote-by-mail law. The complaint alleged that Delawares mail-in voting and same-day registration statutes ran afoul of Delawares Constitution. One of the plaintiffs was whistleblower Michael Mennella, who has served as an inspector of elections for the Delaware Department of Elections. In Higgin v. Albence, court file 2022-0641, Vice Chancellor Nathan Cook of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware ruled (pdf) that Article V, Section 4A of the Delaware Constitution provides for absentee voting in certain enumerated circumstances. State courts have consistently stated that those circumstances are exhaustive. As a trial judge, I am compelled by precedent to conclude that the Vote-by-Mail Statutes attempt to expand absentee voting to Delawareans who do not align with any of Section 4As categories must be rejected. Cook turned down the challenge to the states same-day registration statute but said the vote-by-mail statute presents a much thornier issue. They Abdicated Their Responsibility In 2020, as pandemic-era measures curtailing individual liberties took effect, the Delaware Legislature enacted a very similar vote-by-mail law under its emergency powers, which was upheld by this Court. But the current statute wasnt justified as an emergency measure, he wrote, suggesting it didnt deserve the same judicial deference. Although the plaintiffs probably wouldnt have standing under federal rules to challenge the mail-in voting law, they do have standing under Delaware law because they represent various parts of the election process and have a substantial interest in this court reaching a decision on the merits, particularly given the fundamental nature of voting, he wrote. Cook wrote that in light of his ruling on the merits, there would be irreparable harm in the absence of injunctive relief and that the balance of the equities favors entry of an injunction. Attorney Jane Brady, who served as co-counsel on the case, told The Associated Press that voting by mail does not comport with the constitution. I believe that the Legislature has known from day one that they needed a constitutional amendment to do this, she said. In my view, they abdicated their responsibility. Brady, a Republican, was attorney general of Delaware from 1995 to 2005. Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speaks to reporters as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) listens, at the U.S. Capitol on Aug. 4, 2020. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) Democrats Decry Grahams 15-Week Abortion Ban Congressional Democrats are decrying legislation unveiled by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) that would ban abortion at the federal level after 15 weeks. Graham unveiled the legislation, dubbed the Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act, on Sept. 13. Its similar to another measure introduced in the Senate by Graham last year, but it would change the prohibition from the previous legislations 20-week ban to a reduced 15-week ban. During a press conference, Graham said the legislation, which would target physicians providing banned abortions rather than women seeking them, is necessary to place the United States in line with most of the rest of the developed world. In Europe, 47 of the continents 50 countries ban abortion after 12 to 15 weeks of gestation, he noted. Under the terms of the legislation, physicians providing banned abortions after the legal threshold would be on the hook for a federal criminal charge carrying a fine and as long as five years in federal prison. However, the proposed law would permit exceptions in cases where physicians determine the mothers life is in danger or for children who are the product of rape or incest. Predictably, Democrats were quick to decry the measure, coming in the wake of the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, as an assault on womens rights. During a speech on the Senate floor before Graham unveiled the legislation, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called it a radical bill to institute a nationwide restriction on abortions and made clear that his party opposed it. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) echoed the sentiment in a statement, saying that Republicans are gleefully charging ahead with their deadly crusade to punish and control womens health decisions. We are already seeing the agonizing reality of the radical bans enacted by radical right-wing state legislatures, Pelosi wrote. Extreme MAGA Republicans in Congress clearly want to inflict this same suffering on every woman in every state. They know theyre digging a hole, Pelosi said during a Sept. 14 press conference, opining that the legislation would be bad for the Republican Partys electoral prospects. Women are not happy about this. During her own Sept. 14 press conference, Assistant Speaker of the House Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) also blasted the measure. MAGA Republicans have doubled down on their scorched earth campaign against women and families, Clark said. Sen. Lindsey Graham introduced a nationwide abortion ban. The American people do not want politicians in their bedrooms and their doctors offices. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) took the same approach to the issue during a press conference on the same day. Its extreme if your top agenda is a nationwide ban on abortion, Jeffries said. Lindsey Graham just introduced the bill. And that bill would undermine the freedom of women to make their own reproductive health care decisions in other states. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) agreed, lobbing the epithet of theocrats at the legislations proponents. Lindsey Grahams nationwide 15-week abortion ban is a dangerous escalation of the GOPs plan to destroy womens health care, Raskin wrote on Twitter. We wont let it pass, but we see whats coming if the theocrats take over Congress. Pro-freedom Americans: stay vigilant. The same day, the White House released a statement calling the legislation wildly out of step with what Americans believe and accusing Republicans of being focused on taking rights away from millions of women. State-Level Democrats Weigh In Some state-level Democrats also commented on the legislation. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison called it proof of MAGA intentions. My opponent & the whole [Minnesota Republican Party] ticket have said theyll strip away your right to abortion & the freedom to control your own body. Lindsay Grahams [national] abortion ban is more proof of MAGA intentions, Ellison wrote in a Sept. 14 Twitter post. Not me: Ill protect your body & freedoms when they attack them. Thats the choice. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who last year survived a statewide effort to recall him from office, responded to the announcement of the legislation by promising the creation of a new website with information about abortion access. Make no mistakeLindsey Grahams new national ban on abortion is about controlling women, Newsom wrote in a Twitter post announcing the launch of the new site. Thats their agenda. [Californias] fighting back. Today, were launching a NEW website to provide resources for women to get reproductive careno matter where they live. Charles Booker, the Democratic Partys nominee for senator who will be squaring up against Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) in the longtime red stronghold, also commented. As Kentuckys next Senator, I will never vote for Lindsey Grahams 15-week nationwide abortion ban, Booker wrote on Twitter. In another post, Booker wrote: Rand Paul and Lindsey Graham want the Government to control your body. I want to codify your human rights into federal law. Republicans Worried About Election Effects Even many Republicans have been lukewarm on Grahams legislation, fearing that it may stoke up the Democratic base just months before an election. Currently, Democrats hold both the House and Senate. Although the House is favored by observers to go red, the race for the evenly-split Senate remains nail-bitingly close for both parties. Republicans have been mute on the legislation, which they see as untimely ahead of the tight midterm battle. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said as much the day that Graham unveiled it, suggesting that Republican senators arent keen to take up the issue. McConnell, following the announcement of the legislation, said its not high on his list of priorities if he becomes Senate majority leader next year, saying that many Republicans would prefer to leave the issue up to the states. With regard to his bill, youll have to ask him about it. In terms of scheduling, I think most of the members of my conference prefer that this be dealt with at the state level, McConnell told reporters, hinting that the push was Grahams own initiative and not a Republican leadership-backed one. Graham acknowledged as much, saying that he didnt consult with the minority leader before unveiling the legislation. For many Republican nominees in tight races, the measure has caused a headache as the nominees try to balance the demands of keeping in step with their base with the political realities of facing a more moderate electorate in November. Among Republicans both in the Senate now and those hoping to be a part of it next year, the response has largely been in favor of leaving the issue to the states, as McConnell suggested. DeSantis Calls Virtue Signaling of Sanctuary Cities a Fraud PUNTA GORDA, Fla.Gov. Ron DeSantis responded to criticism about his sending illegal aliens to affluent Marthas Vineyard by calling out the cities that beat their chest proclaiming theyre a sanctuary for those crossing the border illegally. All those people in DC and New York were beating their chests when Trump was president saying they were so proud to be sanctuary jurisdictions saying how bad it was to have a secure border. The minute even a small fraction of what those border towns deal with every day is brought to their front door, they all of a sudden go berserk and theyre so upset that this is happening, DeSantis said at the press conference on Sept. 15 in Okaloosa County. It just shows, you know, their virtue signaling is a fraud. DeSantis responded to a reporters question about the two planes of approximately 50 Venezuelan illegal immigrants he directed to land at Marthas Vineyard, described as a hideaway for the rich and famous, on Sept. 14. This action follows the governors promise to send illegals to Democrat-controlled areas. In Florida, we take what is happening at the southern border seriously, he said. We are not a sanctuary state, and we will gladly facilitate the transport of illegal immigrants to sanctuary jurisdictions. According to flight records, the charter flights originated in Texas and made a stop to pick up migrants from Floridas panhandle. Illegal immigrants gather, after being flown in from Texas on a flight funded by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, at Edgartown on Marthas Vineyard, Mass., on Sept. 15, 2022. (Vineyard Gazette/Handout via Reuters) Taryn Fenske, the governors communications director, said in a written statement on Sept. 14 that the flights were part of Floridas relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations. States like Massachusetts, New York, and California will better facilitate the care of these individuals whom they have invited into our country by incentivizing illegal immigration through their designation as sanctuary states and support for the Biden administrations open border policies, Fenske added. Fenske said that the Florida Legislature gave DeSantis $12 million to transport illegal immigrants out of the state. When the Florida governor made the budget request in December, he named Marthas Vineyard as one of the destinations, as well as President Joe Bidens home state of Delaware. Floridas immigration relocation program both targets human smugglers found in Florida and preempts others from entering, Fenske continued. On the evening of Sept 14, after the planes had landed, the Dukes County Emergency Management Association in Edgartown, Massachusetts, wrote on Twitter that it was seeking volunteers and opening emergency shelters on Marthas Vineyard due to an unexpected urgent #humanitarian situation. On Sept. 15, Heather Arpin, Public Information Officer for Dukes County EMA, released a statement saying they were continuing humanitarian efforts to individuals that arrived on the island and thanked neighboring communities for their help. We are focused on meeting the immediate needs of people we are sheltering, and engaged in contingency planning if the situation changes, she wrote. Christina Pushaw, rapid response director for the DeSantis reelection campaign, posted on Twitter: Marthas Vineyard residents should be thrilled about this. They vote for sanctuary citiesthey get a sanctuary city of their own. And illegal aliens will increase the towns diversity, which is strength. Right? Frank Fang contributed to this report. Illegal immigrants gather, after being flown in from Texas on a flight funded by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, at Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard, Mass., on Sept. 15, 2022. (Vineyard Gazette/Handout via Reuters) DeSantis Sends Illegal Immigrants on Flights to Marthas Vineyard Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has sent two planes of illegal immigrants to Marthas Vineyard, following through on his plan to send illegal aliens to Democrat-controlled areas. Taryn Fenske, the governors communications director, told media outlets in a statement on Sept. 14 that the flights were part of Floridas relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations. States like Massachusetts, New York, and California will better facilitate the care of these individuals who they have invited into our country by incentivizing illegal immigration through their designation as sanctuary states and support for the Biden administrations open border policies, she said. Fenske pointed out that Floridas Republican-controlled Legislature has handed DeSantis $12 million to transport illegal immigrants out of the state. When the governor made the budget request in December, he named Marthas Vineyard as one of the destinations for sending illegal aliens, as well as President Joe Bidens home state of Delaware. Marthas Vineyardwhere former President Barack Obama bought a $12 million estate in 2019is an island south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Floridas immigration relocation program both targets human smugglers found in Florida and preempts others from entering, Fenske said. About 50 illegal aliens from Venezuela, some of them children, arrived at Marthas Vineyard on Sept. 14 via charter flights, according to Boston-based broadcaster WCVB 5, citing state Sen. Julian Cyr, a Democrat who represents Cape Cod, Marthas Vineyard, and Nantucket. The Dukes County Emergency Management Association wrote on Twitter on Sept. 14 that it was seeking volunteers and opening emergency shelters on Marthas Vineyard due to an unexpected urgent #humanitarian situation. Terry MacCormack, press secretary for Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, said in a statement to media outlets that his administration is in touch with local officials regarding the arrival of migrants in Marthas Vineyard. At this time, short-term shelter services are being provided by local officials, and the Administration will continue to support those efforts, MacCormack wrote. Texas and Arizona DeSantiss move follows similar steps taken by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, as both have been sending illegal immigrants to Democrat-controlled cities in the face of a surge of aliens arriving at the U.S.Mexico border. On Sept. 9, Abbott announced that Texas had bused more than 7,900 illegal immigrants to the nations capital, more than 2,200 to New York, and more than 300 to Chicago. According to data from Customs and Border Protection, border agents are on pace to apprehend more than 2 million illegal aliens in this fiscal year, which runs from October to September. Following the arrival of the Venezuelan illegal immigrants in Marthas Vineyard, Charlie Crist, the Democratic nominee for Florida governor, and Karla Hernandez, the Democratic nominee for Florida lieutenant governor, both took to Twitter to criticize DeSantis. Crist said that DeSantiss program was a political stunt and the Florida governor was trying to score political points. Venezuelan migrants whore trying to escape a socialist dictator, thought [Nicolas] Maduro would be their biggest challenge, then came Ron DeSantis, Hernandez wrote. Christina Pushaw, the rapid response director for the DeSantis reelection campaign, dismissed Hernandezs criticism, writing on Twitter: If Governor DeSantis is truly a dictator worse than Maduro, as you claim, then he did these migrants a huge favor by chartering their flights out of scary Florida. Now, they get to live freely in the safe, wealthy, and extremely liberal town of Marthas Vineyard. Nick Adams, author and president of the Foundation for Liberty and American Greatness, called on DeSantis to send more illegal immigrants to Marthas Vineyard. Make these woke liberals put their money where their mouths are! Adams wrote on Twitter. Jeffrey Clark, assistant attorney general for the Department of Justice's Environment and Natural Resources Division, speaks during a news conference in Washington in a Sept. 14, 2020, file photograph. (Susan Walsh/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) DOJ Raid of Jeffrey Clarks Home Linked to Investigation Into Conspiracy, Obstruction: Filing The search warrant executed at the home of a former top Department of Justice (DOJ) official in June was part of an investigation into violations of three federal laws, including obstruction of justice, according to a newly disclosed filing. Jeffrey Clark, an assistant attorney general during the Trump administration, told the District of Columbia Court of Appeals Board on Professional Responsibility that federal agents with the DOJ inspector generals office raided his home in Washington on June 20 in connection with an investigation into violations of laws prohibiting making false statements to the government, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice. The board disclosed the statement in a report, dated Sept. 12 and originally filed under seal, on charges it has leveled against Clark. The DOJ inspector generals office didnt immediately respond. Clark declined to comment. He previously told NTD that he hadnt seen the affidavit upon which the search was based. The new era of criminalizing politics is worsening in the U.S., Russ Vought, president of the Center for Renewing America, where Clark is a fellow, told The Epoch Times in an email. This raid, which was just the beginning of their attempt to wipe out political opposition, entailed more than a dozen DOJ law enforcement officials searching Jeff Clarks house in a pre-dawn raid, putting him in the streets in his pajamas, and taking his electronic devices. All because Jeff saw fit to want to investigate voter fraud. This is not America, folks. The weaponization of government must end. Let me be very clear. We stand by Jeff and so must all patriots in this country, Vought wrote. According to emails disclosed previously, then-President Donald Trump pressured top DOJ officials to investigate 2020 election fraud allegations. Clark, the assistant attorney general for the DOJs Environment and Natural Resources Division and acting assistant attorney general for the agencys Civil Division, was involved in looking into the allegations. Board officials say he violated the District of Columbia rules of professional conduct by engaging in dishonest conduct when he helped draft a letter to Georgias governor and lawmakers in the state recommending they call a special session and send an alternate slate of electors to Washington after the 2020 presidential election. They also charge that he tried to interfere with the administration of justice. Clark argued the case should be deferred but officials said in the new filing that he hasnt met the standard, which is a pending related ongoing investigation or litigation. Several probes apply, including the investigation that brought agents to his home, Clark said. But Merril Hirsh, chair of the D.C. Court of Appeals Board on Professional Responsibility, the disciplinary panel for the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, recommended Clarks request be denied because Clark hasnt been charged. Correction: A previous version of this article inaccurately described what body released the report. It was the District of Columbia Court of Appeals Board on Professional Responsibility. The Epoch Times regrets the error. Tesla CEO Elon Musk gives interviews as he arrives at the Offshore Northern Seas 2022 (ONS) meeting in Stavanger, Norway, on Aug. 29, 2022. (Carina Johansen/NTB/AFP via Getty Images) Elon Musks Tesla And SpaceX Emails Cant Be Accessed Without His Consent, Judge Rules In Twitter-Deal Case Judge Kathaleen McCormick of the Delaware Chancery Court on Tuesday denied Twitter Inc.s request to turn in Elon Musks personal emails as evidence in their ongoing litigation that would come up for hearing on Oct. 17. What Happened Claiming attorney-client privilege, Musk chose to withhold his personal emails from the Tesla Inc. and SpaceX servers. In her ruling, McCormick said, to claim the privilege, Musk must demonstrate that he had an objectively reasonable expectation of confidentiality in the two email accounts. Musk had unrestricted personal use of his Tesla and SpaceX email accounts so that no one can access those emails without his express consent, the judge said, citing affidavits submitted by Musk and IT managers from SpaceX and Tesla. SpaceX and Tesla email policies, however, state that employees have no privacy interest in their work emails and the companies reserve the right to monitor those emails, the judge said. These additional facts make Musks expectation of privacy objectively reasonable. Twitters motion is denied. Earlier, Twitter argued that Musk had no reasonable expectation of privacy in his SpaceX and Tesla emails, while seeking access to those. McCormick also said the publicly filed versions of Twitters motion and Musks opposition to disclosing his emails were heavily redacted. She asked both parties to prepare new filings, eliminating redactions, and also instructed Musk and his team to publicly file the four affidavits on which they had relied. By Shanthi Rexaline 2022 The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. In the largest study to date on myocarditis deaths related to COVID-19 vaccination, researchers found that 100 people in England died of myocarditis soon after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. This article was originally published by The Defender Childrens Health Defenses News & Views Website The study, published Aug. 22 in the American Heart Associations journal, Circulation, found more than half (51) of the deaths occurred within 1 to 28 days after receiving a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and just under half (49) of the deaths occurred within 1 to 28 days after a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The AstraZeneca vaccine, not authorized for use in the U.S., uses an adenovirus technology similar to that used by Johnson & Johnsons (J&J), or Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine, which is authorized for emergency use in the U.S. Prior research has underscored the risk of fatal myocarditis associated with the mRNA technology used in the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. This study showed the technology used in AstraZenecas vaccine poses a similar risk. Dr. Peter McCullough, an internist and cardiologist in Dallas, Texas, in a Sept. 15 tweet highlighted the importance of the new study. Patone, et al, largest series (n=100) thus far of fatal / induced myocarditis. Patients getting the URI before/after / so getting multiple exposures of Spike protein. / implicated as causal. Also was found to occur with adenoviral productsso none are safe on myocarditis. pic.twitter.com/C50Wl0I96y Peter McCullough, MD MPH (@P_McCulloughMD) September 15, 2022 This study confirms the risk of myocarditis extends to both mRNA vaccines and the adenovirus vaccines, McCullough told The Defender. The technology used in AstraZeneca and J&J viral vector vaccines, as The Defender previously reported, causes cells to produce the spike protein, but in a different way than the mRNA shots. The technology uses a familiar virus adenovirus which is a common cause of respiratory infections. The DNA in the adenovirus is modified so that when it enters the host cell, it causes the cells own machinery to produce the spike protein. The adenovirus also is modified so it cannot replicate itself, which is why it is called a replication-defective recombinant adenoviral vector vaccine. How the Study Was Conducted The team of 14 researchers led by Martina Patone, Ph.D., a data scientist and medical statistician at the University of Oxford analyzed data for people ages 13 and older who were vaccinated against COVID-19 in England between Dec. 1, 2020, and Dec. 15, 2021. The authors evaluated the association between vaccination and myocarditis for different ages and sex groups by tracking hospital admissions and deaths from myocarditis by age and gender and in relation to how many doses of a vaccine the person received. In England, the three COVID-19 vaccines given to people at that time were the Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines. Roughly 20 million people got the AstraZeneca vaccine, 20 million got the Pfizer vaccine, and just over 1 million got the Moderna vaccine. Over the period of the study, 345 patients were admitted to the hospital for myocarditis within 1 to 28 days of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, the authors said. Among those admitted to the hospital for myocarditis who recently received the AstraZeneca vaccine, the researchers counted 40 deaths due to myocarditis within 1 to 28 days after a first dose and 11 deaths due to myocarditis within 1 to 28 days after a second dose. For those who received the Pfizer vaccine, 22 individuals died of myocarditis within 1 to 28 days of receiving their first dose, 14 died of myocarditis within 1 to 28 days of receiving a second dose and 13 died of myocarditis within 1 to 28 days of receiving a third dose. The researchers reported no cases of fatal myocarditis among those who recently received the Moderna vaccine. However, when they used statistical methods to estimate an incidence rate ratio to describe how often people reported myocarditis following vaccination, they found an increased risk of developing myocarditis following all three vaccine types especially after a second dose of the Moderna vaccine. Following a second dose of the Moderna vaccine, they said, the increased risk ratio for developing myocarditis was 11.76 (95% CI, 7.25-19.08). Men under age 40, as a group, showed a heightened increased risk of myocarditis following all three vaccine types. After the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, the increased risk ratio for men under 40 years old was 1.85 (95% CI, 1.30-2.62). It increased to 1.93 (95% CI, 1.51-2.45) after the second dose and was 1.89 (95% CI,1.34-2.67) after the third dose. Similarly, the researchers reported a high increased risk ratio of 3.06 (95% CI, 1.33-7.03) after the first dose of the Modern vaccine for men under 40. The risk rose to 16.83 (95% CI, 9.11-31.1) after a second dose. After a third dose, the increased risk ratio was 3.57 (95% CI, 1.48-8.64). Among men under 40 who received the AstraZeneca vaccine, the increased risk ratio for myocarditis after the first dose was 1.33 (95% CI, 1.03-1.72) and after the second dose was 1.26 (95% CI, 0.96-1.65). The team said their findings will enable an informed discussion of the risk of vaccine associated myocarditis. While this study is important because it presents the largest published series of fatal myocarditis cases and linked them to both mRNA and adenovirus COVID-19 vaccines, McCullough said another of its conclusions is misleading. Researchers Misleadingly Claim High Myocarditis Risk From COVID Infection In the study, Patones team attempted to compare the risk of getting myocarditis due to vaccination to the risk of getting myocarditis due to a SARS infection and concluded a SARS-CoV-2 infection posed a higher risk of myocarditis compared with the risk associated with a COVID-19 vaccine. They concluded that, in general, the risk of hospitalization or death from myocarditis was higher after SARS-CoV-2 [COVID-19] infection than vaccination. McCullough said that conclusion is false. Its falsely worrying people that they could get myocarditis with a respiratory infection, he said. McCullough added: The Patone paper is misleading because its relying on ICD [International Classification of Diseases] codes of inpatients with COVID, who dont have adjudicated myocarditis like the outpatients do. The ICD codes, he said, are the automated source of hospital data Patones team used to determine if a person had experienced myocarditis. McCullough cited this reference in the studys methods section: The primary outcome of interest was the first hospital admission caused by the myocarditis, or death recorded on the death certificate with the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision code (Table S1) related to myocarditis within the study period (December 1, 2020, to December 15, 2022). We used the earliest date of hospitalization or date of death as the event date. The ICD codes are triggered by the measurement of cardiac troponin in the hospital, but the measurement of cardiac troponin alone may not be an indicator of actual myocarditis, according to McCullough. The reason the patients in the COVID group are hospitalized is due to COVID, he said. Theres no adjudication [proving they have an actual case of myocarditis]. Theres no indication that a cardiac MRI was done. McCullough continued: Now for the vaccine cases of myocarditis, the usual clinical practice is to have cardiac EKGs, troponins [testing], echos, cardiac MRIs so I guarantee you that the vaccine [cases in the study] are bonafide myocarditis cases, the COVID cases are not. Citing a 2021 JAMA study, McCullough explained how the notion that COVID-19 infection puts people at high risk of myocarditis is not supported by research. Since research in the early 1990s showed it was possible for coronaviruses to lead to myocarditis, researchers were understandably concerned when SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19 infection) emerged in 2020 that it might cause myocarditis. So a team of 20 researchers conducted a study in 2021 of 1,597 athletes screened for myocarditis who had a COVID-19 infection. They published their findings in JAMA, showing COVID-19 infection had a negligible association with myocarditis with less than 3% of athletes experiencing myocarditis and no reports of hospitalizations or deaths due to myocarditis. The JAMA study authors said: In this cohort study of 1597 US competitive athletes with CMR screening after COVID-19 infection, 37 athletes (2.3%) were diagnosed with clinical and subclinical myocarditis. So we know from large studies of the [COVID-19] respiratory infection, McCullough said, that the risk of myocarditis is negligible. In contrast, we know from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) own data that myocarditis is associated with COVID-19 vaccination, he said. The U.S. case count that the CDC is confirming as of September 2 is 8,812 cases of myocarditis or pericarditis, McCullough said. He added: This is a massive number, and we know from papers by Tracy Hoeg, M.D., Ph.D., that the majority of these cases of myocarditis require hospitalization. As a cardiologist, I would say that no case of myocarditis is mild or transient or insignificant. All of this is of extreme significance since it scars the heart. One case of vaccine-induced myocarditis is too many. This article was originally published by The Defender Childrens Health Defenses News & Views Website under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Please consider subscribing to The Defender or donating to Childrens Health Defense. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) speaks at a press conference following a Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on June 8, 2022. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) FBI Whistleblower Says Bureau Labeled Veteran-Led Group Domestic Terrorist Organization: Rep. Jordan FBI responds, says it 'cannot designate domestic terror organizations' Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) revealed Wednesday he received information from an FBI whistleblower accusing the bureau of labeling a veteran-led group and others as domestic terrorist organizations after they were found not to be a threat. In a letter (pdf) to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Jordan wrote that a whistleblower said the FBI labeled American Contingency as a domestic violent extremis[t] organization despite the bureau clearing it in 2020. The domestic violent extremism designation against American Contingency is striking in light of new whistleblower disclosures that show that the FBI had concluded as recently as 2020 that the group was not a threat, Jordan wrote. A background investigation and review of Glovers social media failed to support the allegation that Glover is a threat to the United States or its citizens, the letter continued. The FBI, in a statement to The Epoch Times, disputed Jordans letter by saying the bureau does not and cannot designate domestic terrorist organizations. The FBI can never open an investigation based solely on protected First Amendment activity. We cannot and do not investigate ideology. We focus on individuals who commit or intend to commit violence and criminal activity that constitutes a federal crime or poses a threat to national security. The FBIs mission is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution. One does not come at the expense of the other, the FBI statement said. Other Details On its website, American Contingency says it is an organization that is meant to provide assistance during natural disasters and similar situations. It also says Glover is a former U.S. Army Green Beret. Mike Glover is a veteran doing good work out there, but some woke analyst at the FBI says, Were going to investigate this guy,' Jordan told Fox News on Wednesday, adding that if you display the flag, you own a gun, and you voted for Trump, youre somehow in that category that Joe Biden says are extremist or fascist. The GOP congressman also quoted the whistleblower in his letter to Wray in which the unnamed individual accuses an FBI employee of embracing leftist politics. It doesnt take a First Amendment scholar to realize what is protected speech and what isnt it seems clear that this is an instance where an FBI employee reported something because it didnt align with their own woke ideology, the whistleblower was quoted by Jordan as saying. I think this is a primary example of how woke and corrupt the FBI has become. Other whistleblowers have allegedly come forward to Jordan and other Republican senators, accusing the FBIs leadership of bias against former President Donald Trump and his supporters. Meanwhile, other whistleblowers have sounded the alarm about a memo related to alleged violence and intimidation at school board meetings while others have expressed alarm over the agencys handling of the Jan. 6, 2021, investigation. The corporate logo of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Silver Spring, Md., on Nov. 4, 2009. (Jason Reed/Reuters) FDA to Review Perrigos Birth Control Pill for Over-the-Counter Use Perrigo Co. Plc. said on Monday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has scheduled a meeting of external experts on Nov. 18 to review the application of its daily birth control pill for over-the-counter (OTC) use. Contraception access has taken the spotlight since the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in June to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide. The FDA meeting for Perrigos prescription drug, Opill, is set to happen about four months after unit HRA Pharmas application to the health agency. If approved, it will be the first daily OTC birth control pill in the United States. While this [the review] is moving quickly, FDA confirmed this is still within timelines of a standard review, a spokesperson for HRA said. Perrigos unit had earlier said a period of about 10 months is typical for such requests and that it was expecting a decision from the health regulator in the first half of 2023. Pro-abortion activists have also stepped up calls to make abortion drug mifepristone available without a prescription. Mifepristone in combination with misoprostol induces an abortion up to 10 weeks into a pregnancy. Opill, a non-estrogen contraceptive, has been used with prescription since its approval in 1973. CONCORD, N.H. (AP) Drugmaker Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay $40.5 million in a settlement with New Hampshire over its role in the opioid addiction crisis, days before the case was scheduled for trial, the state attorney general's office said Thursday. The state filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and a subsidiary in 2018, alleging that they aggressively marketed their opioids to prescribers and patients in New Hampshire and misrepresented that their opioids were safer than other alternatives. The lawsuit also alleged that Johnson & Johnson made misleading statements about opioids; misrepresented that its opioids were rarely addictive when used for chronic pain; and targeted vulnerable populations, such as the elderly. This resolution provides a positive step forward in ensuring these devastating business practices are not repeated, and that resources are allocated to help stem the tide of the opioid crisis, Gov. Chris Sununu said in a statement. Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., denied the state's claims, saying it truthfully marketed its prescription opioids, which accounted for a small share of the opioid medications prescribed in New Hampshire, complied with all applicable laws and regulations, did not cause the harm alleged by the state. This settlement is not an admission of liability or wrongdoing and marks continued progress in resolving opioid-related claims and litigation by states, cities, counties, and other subdivisions in the United States, Johnson & Johnson said in a statement. The Company will continue to defend against any litigation that the final agreement does not resolve. New Hampshire was one of a few states that did not join a national settlement with the company in February because its opioid crisis was particularly severe and because the state had already devoted significant litigation resources in preparation for trial, the attorney general office's news release said. The terms of the national settlement were also less favorable to the state, which would have amounted to about $26.5 million paid over nine years. Under the settlement announced Thursday, Johnson & Johnson will make a single payment. The state will receive $31.5 million after payment of litigation costs and fees. All of the money goes to opioid abatement programs, including a dedicated state trust fund that would award grants to help deal with opioid use treatment and recovery. Some money also directly goes to counties, cities and towns that filed lawsuits. New Hampshire did join in a settlement earlier this year with three pharmaceutical distributors accused of fueling the opioid epidemic AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson. New Hampshire's share was approximately $115 million, to be paid over 18 years. Opioids including both prescription drugs and illegal ones like heroin and illicitly produced fentanyl have been linked to more than 500,000 deaths in the U.S. since 2000, and the number of cases reached a record high in 2020. New Hampshire was one of the hardest hit states. In 2016, nearly 500 people died of overdoses a nearly ten-fold increase since 2000, leading the deputy administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to call the state ground zero for the crisis. The state spent millions in federal funds in 2019 to create a hub-and-spoke model called The Doorway in which hospitals and others work with local providers to ensure that help is less than an hour away anywhere in the state. That helped keep the states overdose death rate steady, but it remains higher than the national average. Were not seeing any lessening of overdoses, Deputy Attorney General James Boffetti said in a recent interview. In addition to New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Washington and West Virginia did not join in the national settlement with Johnson & Johnson and have sought their own deals or taken legal action. West Virginia, which has long led the nation in drug overdose deaths per capita, agreed to a $99 million settlement in April. In recent years, drugmakers, distributors and pharmacies have reached settlements of opioid claims with state, local and Native American tribal governments and other entities totaling more than $40 billion. Most of the money is required to be used to address the addiction crisis. Members of the Oath Keepers walk from President Donald Trump's speech to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Luke Coffee/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) Federal Judge Rejects Oath Keepers Motion for Special Master, Trial Delay A federal judge quickly shot down an 11th-hour motion by Oath Keepers founder Elmer Stewart Rhodes III to appoint a special master to oversee the processing and distribution of massive amounts of evidence in the Jan. 6 seditious-conspiracy case against him and four co-defendants. Through his new attorney, Edward Tarpley Jr., Rhodes filed a flurry of motions between Monday night and Tuesday morning. Tarpley argued that Rhodes cannot be prepared for the Sept. 27 criminal trial because, until recently, Rhodes has not had meaningful access to case evidence. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta was having none of it. He denied the motions on Sept. 13 and explained his reasoning on Sept. 14 in a pretrial conference at the U.S. Courthouse in Washington D.C. Mehta bristled at Rhodess suggestion he has been denied access to evidence, and that he could not be ready for trial on charges he conspired with others to attack the Capitol and obstruct the counting of Electoral College votes by a joint session of Congress. Tarpley wrote that Rhodes has had access to meaningful discovery for just two months, a disadvantage akin to a little league team facing the New York Yankees. Judge Mehta dismissed the assertion. That is just flat out a false statement, Mehta said. His lawyers immediately received access to the case-specific discovery shortly after they entered their appearance in this matter. Rhodes was indicted on Jan. 12, 2022 on five federal charges. Other defendants in the case include Kelly Meggs, Jessica Watkins, Kenneth Harrelson, and Thomas Caldwell. All of the defendants are charged with seditious conspiracy, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting, and conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging any duties. Other charges lodged against some of the defendants range from destruction of property to tampering with evidence. Rhodes Received Special Arrangement The U.S. Marshals Service arranged to get Rhodes a computer containing discovery information, which he accessed twice per week, Mehta said. After being notified by defense counsel that wasnt sufficient access, the court and the Marshals created a special arrangement. We began transporting Mr. Rhodes to this courthouse twice per week: once on Tuesday, once on Thursday [where] he could sit alone and review discovery for six hours at a time, Mehta said. No oneand Ill underscore thisno one has received that kind of accommodation. Period, full stop. This idea that hes only had meaningful access to discovery for two months is absolutely just false and I reject it out of hand completely. Mehta also denied motions to delay the trial and sever Rhodes case from charges against more than a dozen other Oath Keepers and associates who are being tried in September and November 2022, and February 2023. The idea that you would want to inject a special master for no apparent purpose, for no apparent reason a week before the trial is mystifying, Mehta said. You told me last week you were here in good faith. Im starting to question that. I really am. On Sept. 7, Mehta ruled that Rhodes could not fire his Dallas-based defense attorneys, James Lee Bright and Phillip Linder, saying it would cause chaos that could delay the trial until summer 2023. Tarpley joined Linder and Bright at the defense table at the Sept. 14 hearing. All three men spoke at various times on behalf of Rhodes. At the nearly daylong pretrial conference, Judge Mehta, prosecutors, and defense attorneys began to hash out logistics for the upcoming trial. Jury selection will begin Sept. 27, with opening statements expected on Oct. 3. The trial will likely stretch into November. Attorneys made oral arguments about anticipated evidence and some of the legal issues that need rulings before the trial. Insurrection Act Judge Mehta asked defense lawyers to brief him on their contention that Rhodes and other Oath Keepers were not plotting to attack the Capitol, but their actions on and around Jan. 6 were taken in case President Donald Trump invoked the Insurrection Act of 1807 and called up a militia to protect the White House from feared attacks by Antifa. Mehta said possible issues might include whether the Insurrection Act covers a so-called private militia. They never considered themselves a private militia, Bright said, referring to the Oath Keepers. The Insurrection Act doesnt just cover state-sanctioned militias such as the National Guard, Bright said. Several Oath Keepers listen to a speech prior to President Donald Trumps presentation at the Ellipse on Jan. 6, 2021. (U.S. District Court/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) Among the purposes of the Insurrection Act is the use of militia force or the U.S. armed forces to put down a rebellion or an attack against federal authority. The use of the U.S. military to enforce domestic law is generally prohibited by the Posse Comitatus Act. The Insurrection Act has been modified a number of times since 1807. It was last invoked in 1992 during rioting in Los Angeles. Several defense attorneys referred to the recent indictment of witnesses as a major complicating factor in the trial. Former Oath Keepers general counsel Kellye SoRelle was indicted Sept. 1 on four conspiracy-related charges. Michael Greene, a friend of Rhodes who ran operations for the Oath Keepers on Jan. 6, was indicted in June. In his FBI interviews in the spring of 2021, Greene disputed many of the accusations later made against the Oath Keepers by federal prosecutors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Rakoczy pushed back on the idea that defense witnesses were being indicted to prevent them from testifying for the Oath Keepers. The government is not going out and arresting people because they are witnesses, Rakoczy said. The potential defense witnesses in question knew they were at risk of being indicted when their cell phones were seized by the government in mid-2021, she said. Defense attorneys said they are seeking records from the U.S. Secret Service, which was responsible for security at Trumps Jan. 6 speech at the Ellipse. Rakoczy told the judge that prosecutors have not received any documents from the Secret Service. Secret Service Records Meggss attorney, Stanley Woodward, said his client and other Oath Keepers were asked to provide background information on themselves, then were issued passes for the VIP area at President Trumps speech. The implication was if Meggs and others were cleared by the Secret Service to be that close to the president, they could not have been a threat to the Capitol. When asked by Judge Mehta who made the request for information, Woodward said he preferred not to say. Part of Meggs motion for Secret Service records is under court seal. Since prosecutors said they had no Secret Service data, Mehta told Woodward to draft a subpoena for him to sign. Mehta said he has another Oath Keepers trial scheduled for Nov. 1. While he could delay that trial a few days, he said he wants to stick as close to the calendar as possible. Noting the number of potential prosecution and defense witnesses in the case, if just two-thirds of them were called to the stand, were going to be here a very long time, Mehta said. Rakoczy said the number of prosecution witnesses will be in the low 40s. The case against the five defendants will take about 3.5 weeks to present to the jury, she said. That would mean defendants who plan to put on a case would begin calling witnesses the week of Oct. 31. The court will not be in session on Oct. 5 for Yom Kippur and Oct. 10 for Columbus Day. Another hearing in the case is set for Sept. 22. A sign hangs outside of a Chick-fil-A fast-food restaurant in Chicago, Ill., on May 6, 2021. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Florida Chick-Fil-A Employee Saves Mother and Child From Carjacking PUNTA GORDA, Fla.A Fort Walton Chick-fil-A employee is being hailed as a hero by law enforcement and his employer for successfully foiling a carjacking attempt of a mother and her baby. The Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office said an employee at the Chick-fil-A restaurant rushed to help a screaming woman holding a baby, after a man grabbed the keys from her and attempted to take her car. According to the arrest report on Sept 14, a 43-year-old DeFuniak Springs man was charged with carjacking with a weapon and battery. The report said the victim was removing her infant from her car at the Fort Walton Beach Chick-fil-A when she said a man wielding a stick approached her and demanded the keys to her car. He proceeded to grab the keys from the waistband of her pants, opened the car door, and got inside when she began screaming for help. Chick-fil-A employee Mykel Gordon heard her screams and quickly intervened, tackling the man and pinning him to the ground as other employees came out to help until deputies arrived. During the altercation, Gordon was punched in the face but was not seriously injured, authorities said. A Chick-fil-A patron captured the incident on her phone and shared it with police. It has since gone viral. Crediting Gordon as a good Samaritan, the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office praised him in a Twitter post, sending A major shout-out to this young man for his courage. Matthew Sexton, operator of the Fort Walton Beach Chick-fil-A location, released a statement praising Gordon for his heroics. Were so relieved that our Guests and Team Members are safe following this alarming incident. Im grateful for my amazing Team Member, Mykel Gordon, who so selflessly jumped in to intervene and help our Guests. I couldnt be prouder of his incredible act of care, he said. Sexton told news outlets that he was glad everyone was safe. Another Chick-fil-A employee told deputies that the suspect had been involved in a separate incident shortly before the carjacking attempt. Authorities would not comment further on that allegation. The Epoch Times reached out to the corporate offices of Chick-fil-A but did not hear back from them by press time. Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at The Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Fla. on Feb. 25, 2022. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Former US Secretary of State Pompeo Sends Message to the Chinese People Evening Chats with Mike Pompeo video series is a new initiative from the Hudson Institutes China Center Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo now has an online series where he is aiming to speak directly to the people of China about the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and U.S.-China relations. The series, Evening Chats with Mike Pompeo: A Message to the Chinese People, by the Hudson Institutes China Center went online with episode one on Sept. 14. This first episode is titled The Chinese Communist Party Does Not Represent the Chinese People and has Pompeo explaining how the CCP is a totalitarian, regime that only serves its own interests. The worst lie the CCP tells is that it speaks on behalf of China and of Chinese civilization. And I think the CCP knows its a lie, he says in the video below. If Beijing thought it represented the Chinese people, it wouldnt spend more on domestic repression and surveillance than it does on external defense, he says. If the CCP represented the Chinese people, it would hold a free and fair election tomorrow. But it wont. Regarding U.S.-China relations, Pompeo explains why the CCP is hostile toward the United States. The CCP hates the United States because they are paranoid that the Chinese people will be inspired by the example of American freedom, the worlds oldest and most influential democracy, he says. In the video, Pompeo also sums up what the CCP is. [It] is a one-party, totalitarian political organization committed to a foreign, anti-Chinese ideology. It started out as a group of brutal, radical extremists. And frankly, not much has changed. Marxist Ideologies Contrary to Chinese Traditions What Pompeo says in the video is nothing new for him, he has long been outspoken about the CCP including when he served in the Trump administration. During an event held by Hong Kong Freedom Beacon last October, Pompeo said the CCPs Marxist ideologies are contrary to Chinese traditions while referring to the regime as the greatest threat to the 1.4 billion people living on the mainland. In the Hudson Institute video, Pompeo also further addresses the Chinese peoples relationship with the regime. There is no bigger enemy for the CCP than you, the Chinese people. I know this is true because all my interactions with the CCP leaders convinced me that what the CCP truly cares about is maintaining their stranglehold over the Chinese people, he says. The screenshot of episode one of An Evening Chat with Mike Pompeo: a message to the Chinese People. (Video Screenshot) Pompeo also praises brave Chinese freedom fighters like Cardinal Joseph Zen and Jimmy Lai of Hong Kong, who reject the regime and try to hold it accountable. Zen is a cardinal of the Catholic Church from Hong Kong who has been outspoken on issues of human rights, political freedom, and religious liberty in China. Jimmy Lai is a Hong Kong entrepreneur and pro-democracy activist who founded several clothing brands and media companies, including Apple Daily, a well-known Chinese-language newspaper in Hong Kong and Taiwan. There are a lot of heroes, in small ways and big, throughout China. Theyre the people who go to secret houses for worship, who commemorate Tiananmen Square, and who every day refuse to believe the CCPs lies, Pompeo says. The so-called Peoples Republic seems to have a problem with its own people, he says as the video finishes. The former U.S. secretary of state and his team will develop this new series over the next few months. The U.S. State Department ended its history of naive engagement with the CCP when Pompeo served as the 70th U.S. secretary of state. Pompeo now serves as a distinguished fellow at the Hudson Institute, focusing on promoting U.S. national security, technological leadership, and global engagement. He is also the chairman of the advisory board for Hudson Institutes China Center. The China Center is now under the leadership of Miles Yu, who previously served as the senior Chinese policy and planning advisor at the U.S. State Department. Miles Yu, former senior China policy adviser to former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in Annapolis, Md. (Tal Atzmon/The Epoch Times) Yu specializes in Chinese military and strategic culture, the U.S. and Chinese military and diplomatic history, and U.S. policy toward China. The challenge that CCP poses to the world is not only a technological challenge, its not just an economic challenge, not merely a military challenge, Yu said during a recent interview with NTD, the sister media outlet of The Epoch Times. But more importantly, its a moral challenge. Because the moral nature of the communist rule is antithetical to all the major moral foundations of modern society, he said. This remote camera screen grab photo provided Friday, Sept.19, 2014 by the French Army's video and photo department ECPAD shows two Rafale jet fighters fly over Iraq. (AP Photo/ECPAD) France Demonstrates Air Power Capability in the Indo-Pacific France has reaffirmed its role as a Pacific power after the French Armed Forces completed a demonstration of long-distance air power projection. The force projection, code-named Mission Pegase 22, saw a contingent of the French Air Force travel from Paris to New Caledonia in just 72 hours, more than 16,600 kilometres (10,315 miles), demonstrating Frances ability to engage in possible conflict in the Pacific. The contingent was made up of three Rafale jets and support aircraft. The fact that we are trying to do such air power projection in the Pacific is a concrete illustration of the French resolve to ensure the sovereignty of their territory is protected, according to Maj. Gen. Stephane Groen, chief of staff of the French Air and Space Forces Air Operations Command and commander of the drills, the Nikkei Asia reported. We are a country of the Indo-Pacific. If you take the number of citizens we have in the Pacific and Southwest Asia, we have more than 2 million people, and our exclusive economic zone is around 9 million square kilometres, Groen said. France Deepens Ties with India The mission also signals a new era of high-level interoperability between France and India, who both fly Rafale jets following the signing of a reciprocal logistics support agreement in 2018. Emmanuel Lenain, the French ambassador to India, lauded the exercise, saying that it demonstrated Frances commitment to its Indo-Pacific territories. France is a resident power of the Indo-Pacific, and this ambitious long-distance air power projection demonstrates our commitment to the region and our partners. It is only natural that to carry out this mission, we rely on India, our foremost strategic partner in Asia, Lenain said. My heartfelt thanks to the Indian Air Force for welcoming the French contingent. In a media statement, the French Embassy in India said Mission Pegase 22 was a powerful demonstration of Frances capacity for quick deployment in the Indo-Pacific. The mission is also proof that the security situation in Europe has not diminished the French and European commitment in the Indo-Pacific, the statement reads. The French show of force comes amid ongoing concerns about Beijings influence push in the region. Europe Engaging More in the Pacific In the past few months, Germany has also engaged in joint Indo-Pacific exercises with Singapore. At the same time, Australias Pitch Black military air exercises saw several countries work together, including India, France, Japan, the United States, Germany, Indonesia, Singapore, the UK, and South Korea. This follows the announcement by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg that the organisation would increase engagement in the region to counteract ongoing aggression and militarisation from Beijing. We have seen that China is unwilling to condemn Russias aggression. And Beijing has joined Moscow in questioning the right of nations to choose their own path, Stoltenberg said. This is a serious challenge to us all. And it makes it even more important that we stand together to protect our values. Read More NATO to Engage in Asia-Pacific to Counter China Michito Tsuruoka, an associate professor of international security and European politics at Japans Keio University, said re-engagement in the region was a good strategy for European powers. In an article for The Diplomat in 2021, he said that if other allies focus on different threats and challenges in various theatres of conflict, then theres a more significant potential for it to lead to wider perception gaps, making it difficult to work together on broader issues like China, or Russia. Geographical distance can no longer be a shield for Europe to protect itself from the consequences of Chinas behaviour, Tsuruoka said. Bahia Bakari, the sole survivor of the Yemeni airline that crashed into the Indian Ocean in 2009, arrives at the courtroom in Paris on Sept. 14, 2022. (Nicolas Garriga/AP Photo) French Court Awards Damages for 2009 Yemenia Plane Crash PARISA French court on Wednesday ordered a Yemeni airline that operated a passenger plane that crashed into the Indian Ocean in 2009 to pay damages to the flights lone survivor and the families of 65 French citizens who died. The Yemenia flight departed from Paris, picked up more passengers in the southern French city of Marseille and made a stopover in Sanaa, Yemen, where 142 passengers and 11 crew members boarded another plane to continue to the capital of Comoros, an island nation off Africas east coast. The aging Airbus A310 crashed about 15 kilometers (9 miles) off the Comorian coast on June 30, 2009 while attempting to land in strong wind. A total of 152 people were killed, a majority of them from Comoros. Yemenia, which is the flagship carrier of Yemen, was charged in the Paris court with manslaughter and unintentional injuries. The trial in the civil case ended in June. The company had denied responsibility. But the court ordered Yemenia to pay a total of 225,000 euros ($237,000) in damages to the survivor, Bahia Bakari, and to the families of the French victims. Yemenias lawyers said they would appeal. Bakari, whose mother died in the crash, said she was relieved by the courts decision but that it would not erase the trauma and grief she has suffered. Its something that has impacted me, that will impact me all my life, Bakari told The Associated Press after the verdict was issued. Rescuers gather at Galawa Beach, 35 kilometers from Moroni, as they prepare to search the area after a Yemenia Airbus passenger plane crashed into the Indian Ocean off the island nation of Comoros on June 30, 2009, as it attempted to land in the dark amid howling winds, in Comoros, on July 1, 2009. (Sayyid Azim/AP Photo) Bakari, who was 12 years old at the time of crash, survived by clinging to floating debris from the plane for 11 hours before being rescued. She suffered a broken collarbone, a broken hip, burns and other injuries. Now 25, Bakari gave powerful testimony in a packed Paris courtroom in May, earning praise for her bravery from judges and lawyers. Other witnesses slammed what they claimed was the poor state of air travel from Yemen, which has since been embroiled in a brutal civil war. Some claimed Yemenia was more interested in profits than in taking care of its passengers. A lawyer for the victims families, Said Larifou, denounced the operation of passenger planes that he claimed were flying coffins. In 2015, two French courts that oversaw civil proceedings ordered Yemenia to pay more than 30 million euros ($31.6 million) to the victims families, who deplored the slowness of the proceedings between France and the Comoros, a former colony that became independent in 1975. The airline in 2018 signed a confidential agreement with 835 beneficiaries, who had to wait several more years to receive compensation. By Masha MacPherson and Barbara Surk The logo for Google LLC at the Google Store Chelsea in Manhattan, New York, on Nov.17, 2021. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters) Google Loses Challenge Against EU Antitrust Decision, Other Probes Loom LUXEMBOURGGoogle suffered one of its biggest setbacks on Wednesday when a top European court upheld a ruling that it broke competition rules and fined it a record 4.1 billion euros, in a move that may encourage other regulators to ratchet up pressure on the U.S. giant. The unit of U.S. tech giant Alphabet had challenged an EU antitrust ruling, but the decision was broadly upheld by Europes General Court, with the fine trimmed modestly to 4.125 billion euros ($4.13 billion) from 4.34 billion euros. Even with the reduction, it was still a record fine for an antitrust violation. The EU antitrust enforcer has fined the worlds most popular internet search engine a total of 8.25 billion euros in three investigations stretching back more than a decade. The judgment is set to boost landmark rules aimed at curbing the power of U.S. tech giants that will go into effect next year. The judgment strengthens the hand of the Commission. It confirms the Commission can use antitrust proceedings as a backstop threat to enforce rapid compliance with digital regulation also known as the DMA, said Nicolas Petit, professor at European University Institute. EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager did not mince her words. This, of course, is really good. Now, we have the second Google judgment and for us, it is really important as it backs our enforcement efforts, she said. This is the second court defeat for Google which lost its challenge to a 2.42 billion euro ($2.42 billion) fine last year, the first of a trio of cases. The General Court largely confirms the Commissions decision that Google imposed unlawful restrictions on manufacturers of Android mobile devices and mobile network operators in order to consolidate the dominant position of its search engine, the court said. In order better to reflect the gravity and duration of the infringement, the General Court considers it appropriate however to impose a fine of 4.125 billion euros on Google, its reasoning differing in certain respects from that of the Commission, judges said. Google, which can appeal on matters of law to the EU Court of Justice, Europes highest, voiced its disappointment. We are disappointed that the Court did not annul the decision in full. Android has created more choice for everyone, not less, and supports thousands of successful businesses in Europe and around the world, a spokesperson said. Antritrust Boost The ruling is a boost for Vestager after the General Court overturned her decisions against Intel and Qualcomm earlier this year. Vestager has made her crackdown against Big Tech a hallmark of her job, a move which has encouraged regulators in the United States and elsewhere to follow suit. She is currently investigating Googles digital advertising business, its Jedi Blue ad deal with Meta, Apples App Store rules, Metas marketplace and data use and Amazons online selling and market practices. The Court agreed with the Commissions assessment that iPhone maker Apple was not in the same market and therefore could not be a competitive constraint against Android. The court backing could reinforce the EU antitrust watchdog in its investigations into Apples business practices in the music streaming market, which the regulator says Apple dominates. FairSearch, whose 2013 complaint triggered the EU case, said the judgment may lead to more competition in the smartphone market. This shows the European Commission got it right. Google can no longer impose its will on phone makers. Now they may open their devices to competition in search and other services, allowing consumers to benefit from increased choice, its lawyer Thomas Vinje said. The Commission in its 2018 decision said Google used Android to cement its dominance in general internet search via payments to large manufacturers and mobile network operators and restrictions. Google said it acted like countless other businesses and that such payments and agreements help keep Android a free operating system, criticizing the EU decision as out of step with the economic reality of mobile software platforms. The case is T-604/18 Google vs European Commission. ($1 = 1.0002 euros) By Foo Yun Chee Governor Andrew Cuomo: From Hero to Goofball in One Seasonal Virus Commentary Oh joy, another book by a hero of lockdowns! This time it is from Andrew Cuomo, who rode the disease-panic wave to the heights during the confusion of Spring 2020 before falling to the depths a year later. The adoring crowds, the fawning media, the enthralled masses all went away in a seeming flash, entirely due to some alleged untoward romantic gestures about which some complained. Cuomo accomplished the deed and then was thrown to the dogs. He went from angel to devil practically overnight. One day he was saving New York from COVIDsurely he will soon be president!and the next he was waking up with nothing to do but look over his royalty checks. Let us see what he has to say in his memoir. The book was written when he was at the height of his fame, but then withdrawn by the publisher when he crashed to the ground. But as it happens, there are contracts and advances and royalties at stake, so here we are now: American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic. The tone is confident, aggressive, sure-footed, and completely wrong. We know for sure that he will not admit to having abused his power, personally or politically. He will not say that he had any part in wrecking New York, its commercial culture, its citizens sense of self-worth, or its religious freedoms. He will nowhere say that he went too far. He will not admit that he was a craven media tool or that he followed the mania in order to position himself for higher office. He will say none of that, any more than the rest of them have said that. What does he say? Well, the book is more self-effacing than I expected, even disarming. He tells a good story concerning his personal life and struggles. It seems even sincere, and readers can connect with his professional rise then fall then rise again and his subsequent fall again. His ideology is on display to the max: a progressive who believes strongly in government in its ideal but is always disappointed in its practice. But the book is also strange for what it takes for granted, namely that locking down is the proper path to deal with infectious disease. Viruses in all times and places arrive, infect some portion of the population depending on prevalence, bear responsibility for the death of others, and eventually become endemic, which is to say, something we live with. This one was no different in any of its properties. What made this one different was its politicization and the casual but universally held view that life itself had to be fundamentally disrupted by government because of it. Cuomo himself sneaks this presumption in from the start: An airborne virus was one of the nightmare scenarios envisioned as a terrorist plot. It is easy to create chaos and overwhelm society with fear when people are afraid to breathe the air. There would be no good news with this virus and no good outcome. Schools and businesses would be closed. The economy would suffer. People would die. Nothing we could do would be enough. There was no possibility for victory, and even FDR and Churchill had at least the possibility of a successful outcome. Really? No good outcome at all? Failure was baked in? Also, what is this passing mention of schools and businesses being forced to close? That did not happen in South Dakota, Sweden, Nicaragua, or Belarus. Why this concession to massive coercion when such had never been done in past pandemics? Where does this come from? And why did the governor just toss that in there? Why did he never rethink in the midst of his most egregious actions? Keep in mind that he put this book to bed in the fall of 2020, just before his resignation following his call to open up New York. Here he writes that he defeated the virus. New York State, a microcosm of the nation, has shown a path forward. We have seen government mobilize to handle the crisis. We have seen Americans come together in a sense of unity to do the impossible. We have seen how the virus is confronted and defeated. Remarkable. Consider the following two charts. What these charts show is what one might have expected from any new virus of this sort with this risk profile. It killed. Then it infected more. Then 99.8 percent of those infected shook it off and obtained an upgraded immune system, no thanks to the vaccine that stopped neither infection nor spread. Then life got back to normal. Every bit of this trajectory was easily predictable regardless of what government did or did not do. The virus did not need Cuomo to battle it: the human immune system does the hard work and governments are mere spectators. Public health knew that for decades until suddenly they did not. The temptation to be a hero was too great for vast numbers of people holding public office, Cuomo among them. What government did was wreck much more than was necessary in the name of doing something. Whats worse is that the things government did reversed the higher-level knowledge that the one group that needed protection from the virus was the vulnerable population, in this case, the elderly and infirm. Cuomo, on the other hand, signed an order, replicated in many other states, to force nursing homes to accept COVID patients in the extra rooms. No choice. They had to. This led to tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths. More on that in a moment. On lockdowns, Cuomo simply bakes into the prose the idea that they had to happen. They began in New Rochelle, N.Y. No one was ready to accept that they needed to change how they were living . As we saw in Westchester that day, local parochial concerns would butt up against major, wide-ranging changes that had to occur in order to combat the virus. As we were instituting this lockdown on New Rochelle, one Democratic assemblywoman who represented Westchester came to my office demanding a meeting; then she simply sat in the second row at a press conference and scowled at me. And thats it: lockdown is the whole scheme. He never doubts it, never even argues for it. The day after our first COVID case, the legislature passed the law giving the governor emergency powers to handle the crisis. If the legislature had not passed the law, I would not have had the power to do what I would soon do. There would be no executive order closing businesses or schools, no order requiring masks or social distancing. The law was smart, and it has proven successful. Now, lets just jump ahead to the great nursing home scandal. I was curious what Cuomo had to say. I will just quote him. By early spring, Republicans needed an offense to distract from the narrative of their botched federal responseand they needed it badly. So they decided to attack Democratic governors and blame them for nursing home deaths . The Trump forces had a simple line: Thousands died in nursing homes. It was true. But they needed to add a conspiracy, which was that they died because of a bad state policy that mandated and directed that the nursing homes accept COVID-positive people, and these COVID-positive people were the cause of the spread of the disease in the nursing homes. It was a lie. New York State never demanded or directed that any nursing home accept a COVID-positive patient. Thats fascinating because Im almost sure that I saw such an order. I look at the New York State website and it has been taken down. I found it on the Internet Archive. It is on New York State letterhead. It reads as follows: COVID-19 has been detected in multiple communities throughout New York State. There is an urgent need to expand hospital capacity in New York State to be able to meet the demand for patients with COVID-19 requiring acute care. As a result, this directive is being issued to clarify expectations for nursing homes (NHs) receiving residents returning from hospitalization and for NHs accepting new admissions . No resident shall be denied re-admission or admission to the NH solely based on a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19. NHs are prohibited from requiring a hospitalized resident who is determined medically stable to be tested for COVID-19 prior to admission or readmission. Oh. So it wasnt a lie after all. And anyone can check this. Read the above. That certainly sounds like New York State directed nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients. Denying that he did this amounts to pettifoggery over terms. The import was perfectly obvious. Why not just admit that he made a mistake? Im tempted to end this review there. But it actually gets worse. At one point, Cuomo writes that his heroics actually worked and that this is obvious. He is or was a completely unrepentant lockdowner: States like Arizona, Florida, and Texas that followed Trumps demands to reopen quickly saw increased infection rates and needed to close their economies back downreopening only to re-close. As a result, the financial markets were distressed with the volatility in these states. This stood in stark contrast to New York, where as of this writing 75 percent of our economy is open and our infection rate has been consistently 1 percent or below for nearly three months and among the lowest in the nation. It is incomprehensible that people still support Trumps disproven theories. The states that most closely followed Trumps guidance were doing the worst. Look again at the charts above. The virus was only getting started when he turned in this text. He wrote those words during a seasonal downturn. Infections were still coming and coming in wave after wave. New York fared as bad as any state, certainly far worse than Florida or other open states. Meanwhile, New York drove residents out, and the state is in far worse economic condition than most. And yet here he is taking credit for an intelligent and hands-on approach that wrecked the lives, liberties, and property of residents of the state, who, to this day, have yet to regain their composure. He did this. He became famous and beloved for it. And to this day, based on this book, he still believes that he was right. Cuomo cant imaginetrulythat he might have done anything wrong except perhaps communicated more clearly. In truth, governments could have forced everyone to paint their faces bright blue and wear frying pans for shoes and it would not have changed the pandemic outcome from what it was going to be. The virus never cared. But dont tell that to Cuomo: the upshot of his book is that he saved New York. Nothing will convince him otherwise. In case you are wondering, there is not one word about Cuomo chips in this book. That was the ludicrous mandate that all bars serve food with drinks else you cant get a drink because somehow the virus spreads more in plain bars than in restaurants. True story. In short, dont read this book looking for an apology. These politicians all panicked, as John Tamny argued from the beginning. No matter the policy, the pandemic was going to recede into memory, as it has. No matter how badly this class of politicians performed, somehow they all managed to claim to have done the right thing, and to earn royalties on their ghost-written accounts of their genius. Even given everything, the book is not all bad. His personal stories are self effacing and engaging. He is a real person with a real life, with choices to make, risks to take, difficulties to face, family struggles, and so on. He was free to engage life to its fullest in 2020, unlike the 20 million people he locked down and robbed of all such opportunities. He believed that it was the right thing to do because Fauci was saying that it was. It was not in fact the right thing to do. I would like to end by echoing Cuomos tribute to those who were shoved out in front to face the virus while the laptoppers languished at home in hiding. He is exactly right to say the following: The heroes who made this happen were the working families of New York. When we were in our moment of need, we called on the blue-collar New Yorkers to show up for everyone. We needed them to come to work and risk their health so that so many of us could stay safely at home. These are the people who have received the fewest rewards from society but from whom we now asked the most. These are the people who would have been most justified in refusing our call. They were not the rich and the well-off. They were not the highly paid. They have not been given anything more than they deserved. They had no obligation to risk their health and the health of their families. But they did it simply because it was the right thing to do. But for some that is enough. For some that is everything. These heroes are the people who live in places like Queens, where I grew up. These are the people working hard to better themselves and their families. These are parents concerned first and foremost with protecting their families, but who still showed up every day as nurses, National Guard members, train operators, bus drivers, hospital workers, police officers, grocery store employees, food delivery drivers. They are Puerto Ricans, Haitians, African Americans, Dominicans, Asians, Guatemalans. These are the immigrants who love America, who make America, and who will fight for it. These are the heroes of this battle. When COVID began, I felt it was unfair to call on them to carry such a heavy burden. I feared I would put them in harms way. But we didnt have an option if society was to function. We needed food, hospitals, and electricity to stay alive. All through this difficult endeavor there was never a moment when these people refused to show up or leveraged more benefits for themselves. At the beginning of a battle no one knows who will actually survive. Courage is determined by the willingness to enter the field. No one knew that when we started, the infection rate among our essential workers would be no higher than the general community infection rate. They have my undying admiration and the gratitude of every true New Yorker. We can only say to that: Amen! These people do deserve deep gratitude. They also deserve a government that will never again conscript them to go to work for the professional class in order that the well-to-do can keep clean and free of pathogens. That the people Cuomo rightly celebrates were so treated is a violation of the social contract, and now have every reason to be bitter. And dont you love the comment that We needed food, hospitals, and electricity to stay alive? Who exactly is we here? We know. We know all too well. From the Brownstone Institute Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Chinese leader Xi Jinping (L) and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visit the cargo terminal of Chinese company Cosco in the Port of Piraeus, Greece, on Nov. 11, 2019. (Orestis Panagiotou/AFP via Getty Images) Greece Is Fast Becoming the China of Europe Commentary If you were asked to compare a European country to China, what country would you name? Belarus, perhaps. After all, the landlocked country in Eastern Europe is ruled by Alexander Lukashenko, an authoritarian who shares a close friendship with another authoritarian named Xi Jinping. What about Greece? Yes, Greece, the home of the cradle of Western civilization. A recent Politico piece painted a rather grim picture of the country known for gorgeous beaches and nonstop parties. Greece is fast becoming a country synonymous with big government overreach. If in doubt, just ask any of the countrys journalists trying to deliver honest, objective stories. The repression of journalists began over a decade ago, when Greece suffered a devastating economic collapse. Fiduciary negligence led to Greeces downfall, and those in charge were embarrassed. The last thing they wanted was Greek journalists rubbing even more salt in their gaping wounds, so the elites tried to stop them from reporting one of the most important stories of the late 2000s. More recently, when the country found itself wrecked by the effects of COVID-19, journalists once again faced threats from those in charge. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF) most recent international press freedom index, Greece is the 108th best country in the world to be a journalist. This is the lowest position of any European Union member country. Two years ago, Greece was ranked 38 places higher. (In case youre wondering, Norway took the top spot on the RSF report; meanwhile, the United States was ranked the 42nd best place to be a reporter or journalist). Rather strangely, Greeces abysmal placing hasnt stopped the Greek government from introducing a brand new law designed to curb misinformation. In truth, though, the new law has little to do with misinformation and far more with coercion and control. Journalists and media broadcasters identified as propagators of fake news now find themselves threatened, attacked, and surveilled. Some individuals are even sent to prison. Can you think of any other country that hounds its journalists in a similar manner? Of course, you can. In Chinaa country that finds itself in 175th position on the RSF reportjournalists are routinely rounded up and disappeared. If the report is anything to go by, the Chinese method of persecuting and prosecuting journalists is gaining momentum. This brings us back to Greece. Its rather ironic that the birthplace of democracy is now one of communist Chinas closest allies. In October last year, when a number of European countries criticized the Chinese Communist Partys treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, the Greek government opted to remain silent. The silence spoke volumes. In truth, China and Greeces relationship goes back years. China has invested heavily in Greek infrastructure. It basically controls Piraeus Port, the chief seaport of Athens thats strategically located between Asia and Europe. A view of old warehouses in the port of Piraeus which will be transformed into 5-star hotels, on Oct. 18, 2018. Chinese shipping giant Cosco has turned the Greek port of Piraeus into a bustling transportation hub. (Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP via Getty Images) As Chinese state media Global Times eagerly reminds us, 2022 is a special year for Sino-Greek relations. Its now half a century since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Greece. Since 1972, according to the report, the two countries have forged a friendship and close cooperation in a wide range of fields, including investment, trade, tourism, and culture. In 2006, the two countries signed the Integrated Strategic Partnership agreement. Then, in 2018, Greece became a member of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI, also known as One Belt, One Road). Greece, were told, has aspirations of becoming the main hub between Asia and Central Europe. As China Daily, another CCP-backed outlet, recently noted, China is heavily invested in ADMIE (IPTO), a company that essentially operates, controls, and maintains Greeces power grid. The State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), a state-owned electric utility corporation, owns a large stake in ADMIE. Banking appears to be another sector that interests China. In 2019, Bank of China, a state-owned bank headquartered in the heart of Beijing, set up shop in Athens. Interestingly, the bank also operates in countries like Australia, New Zealand, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and even the United States. In April, when asked if he was concerned about Chinas growing interest in his country, Nikos Dendias, the foreign minister of Greece, appeared to be the very opposite of concerned. All Chinese investments, he insisted, adhere to EU rules. Adherence to rules is not the point, Mr. Dendias. The fact that Greece is fast becoming a Beijing-controlled puppet should concern all Greek citizens. In fact, it should concern all European citizens. Greece is a gateway to Europe. Chinas infiltration starts with Greece, but where does it end? Nowhere good, I imagine. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Hong Kong Citizens Line Up for Hours to Pay Tribute to the Late Queen Elizabeth II Many HongKongers were deeply saddened by the death of Queen Elizabeth II. On Sept. 12, 2022, the last day of the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, a hot weather warning was issued by the Hong Kong Observatory. Despite the scorching heat, thousands went to the British Consulate General in Hong Kong to sign a book of condolence and leave flower bouquets. Starting at noon, citizens lined up outside the British Consulate in Admiralty and a huge bed of flowers and images of the queen slowly built up on the consulate walls. At one point, there were more than 500 people in the queue that extended to the Cotton Tree Drive Fire Station. The long queue did not subside until dusk. HK citizens mourn Queen Elizabeth II with flowers and photos outside the British Consulate General in Admiralty. (Cheuk Sheung-yu/The Epoch Times) Mr. Cheng and his wife, both born in the 90s, told reporters that they witnessed the Queens charm when they were still very young. In retrospect, we all felt her genuine sincerity towards HK, and that created a good impression on all of us, he said. Cheng believes that the Queen was graceful and kind, and she treated both British nationals and Hong Kong people with equal kindness. Queen Elizabeth II twice visited Hong Kong (1975 and 1986) when the city was still a British colony. Her majesty was seen as likeable by people from all walks of life. Hong Kong citizenry say she left a great impression on them. After the implementation of the National Security Law (NSL), demonstrations and rallies disappeared completely. Freedom of speech and expression were severely restricted thereafter. It is no wonder that the Queens death became an opportunity for people to reminisce about the days of Hong Kong under British rule. HK citizens mourn Queen Elizabeth II with flowers and take photos outside the British Consulate General in Admiralty. (Cheuk Sheung-yu/The Epoch Times) Mr. Ng told reporters that he respects the Queen very much and believes that she contributed a lot to Hong Kong and its people. He said that his parents were able to witness the Queens charm and elegance in person, but he himself was not so lucky. To queue for over four hours under the sun, its still worth the wait. HK citizens mourn Queen Elizabeth II with flowers and stand in line outside the British Consulate General to sign a book of condolence. (Cheuk Sheung-yu/The Epoch Times) HK citizens mourned the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and left flowers and photos outside the British Consulate General in Admiralty. (Cheuk Sheung-yu/The Epoch Times) HK citizens show respect for Queen Elizabeth II as they place flowers and photos outside the British Consulate General in Admiralty to honour her memory. (Cheuk Sheung-yu/The Epoch Times) Some of the flowers and photos placed outside the British Consulate General in Admiralty. (Cheuk Sheung-yu/The Epoch Times) Colorful butterflies are flying all over the sky, adding brilliant colors to the flower bushes. The dense composition and rich golden color add vitality. This depicts Dancing Butterflies, a porcelain painting artwork, that won the gold medal in the 2022 Hong Kong International Porcelain Painting Art & Culture Show. The rare beauty is created by Betty Ho Liu Yee-ling, chair lady of Hong Kong Ceramics Research Association. Since becoming a member of the Hong Kong Ceramics Research Society in 2016, Betty, who has been an artist for many years, felt that she has opened a new door. She comes into contact with porcelain painting experts and has learned from many porcelain painting masters. The knowledge helped her develop her own porcelain painting style. Bettys porcelain painting artwork Dancing Butterflies won the Gold Award at the 2022 Hong Kong International Porcelain Painting Art & Culture Show. (Courtesy of Betty) Betty graduated from the Department of Fine Arts at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She has engaged in art education for over 30 years, and painting is an essential part of her life. Painted Porcelains of Hong Kong are known as Gangcai, which combines Chinese and Western cultural elements while presenting the distinct local color of Hong Kong. Gangcai originated from Canton porcelain, the characteristic style of ceramic ware decorated in Guangdong. Canton porcelain is one of the four famous pieces of porcelain in China. Bettys artwork Cockfighting. (Courtesy of Betty) In the past, Bettys understanding of Painted Porcelains of Hong Kong was only superficial. But since there was a research project about the development of porcelain painting in Hong Kong when she joined the Hong Kong Ceramics Research Society. She was in charge of education and promotion, she had to visit many senior experts and therefore learned about different kinds of Canton porcelain cultural relics. Once Betty learned the history of the development of Canton porcelain to Painted Porcelains of Hong Kong, she developed a strong interest in this industry and entered the industry. Bettys artwork Cabbage. (Courtesy of Betty) She used to create Western paintings such as oil paintings and printmaking. These skills have laid a solid foundation for her to create Painted Porcelains of Hong Kong, therefore she could paint on porcelain easily and made rapid progress in a short period of time. A simple piece of Canton porcelain contains our history, culture, scientific knowledge, craftsmanship, national spirit and folk wisdom! shared by Betty. Falling in Love with Porcelain Painting Canton porcelain is known as Kwon-Glazed Porcelain, which has a rich history of nearly a century. It was popular in Hong Kong, and many foreign businessmen bought Canton porcelain in Hong Kong. A large number of talents for Canton porcelain came to Hong Kong in the 1920s, spreading their skills widely, and even integrating eastern and western cultures, and further developed into Painted Porcelains of Hong Kong. Bettys artwork Ten Thousand Flowers and Butterflies. (Courtesy of Betty) After Betty came into contact with porcelain painting, she was deeply attracted by the medium. I think porcelain painting allows a great variety of artistic expressions. The techniques in oil painting, watercolor, ink painting, printmaking, and even sculpturing can be applied to porcelain painting. Betty said, whenever the work is completed, people can touch it and savor its meaning. The luster and shining colors on the painting can last forever without special preservation. she believed that Canton porcelain is unique craftsmanship in porcelain painting, due to its glaze materials, techniques, patterns, and color. She further explained, I think Canton porcelain is a very wonderful craft and art piece. What attracts me is its abundance. Canton porcelain has bright colors, various shapes, diverse themes, complex patterns, and unique glaze material. She said especially in terms of technique, it has the techniques of ancient and modern, Chinese and western, and North and South, and it is an art that integrates diversity. Bettys artwork Scattering flowers. (Courtesy of Betty) In terms of creation, she believes that the creation of porcelain painting gives her a lot of choices and room for reaching her full potential, and she also realizes the spirit of pursuing the perfection of the craftsmen and savors their artworks. Learning from Experts In the beginning, Betty wanted to study in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, China, the hometown of porcelain painting. Before she could make the trip, she met Mr. Lee Siu-man, a great master of porcelain painting, and she was fortunate to have him arrange a workshop to teach her. Later, after visiting the local classic factory Yuet Tung China Works, she felt that the factory was like a museum of porcelain paintings. She was dazzled by the great variety of porcelain. Bettys Canton porcelain artwork Eight Treasure Box. (Courtesy of Betty) She had a deep impression from the thorough introduction made by Mr. Cho, the owner of the factory, the hand painting from Master Tam, the discharge painting from Master Chan, and the transfer painting of great Mr. Cho. Since then, Yuet Tung China Works has become a place she often visits. Later, she came into contact with more industry professionals, such as Zhang Jinping, Li Rongchao, Xu Enfu, Zhao Yiming, Lei Iat-po, and Chen Wen. Luckily, she was taught by them, which gave her a deeper understanding of Canton Porcelains material and techniques. She pointed out that Mr. Yiu Hoi-lun, consultant of the Ceramics Research Society, is a living dictionary of porcelain painting. He is proficient in glaze material preparation and ceramic production materials. She learned a lot of porcelain painting knowledge from Mr. Yiu as well as mastered many skills of restoration and making a fake old porcelain paintings. Bettys Guangcai artwork Porcelain for Congratulations. (Courtesy of Betty) Betty later learned from Lei Iat-po, a well-known Canton porcelain master in Macau, whose porcelain painting factory is located in Sanxiang, Zhongshan city, China. She then went to Zhongshan to study. When I studied with the master, I learned a lot of folk wisdom and the masters awareness of environmental protection. They are the knowledge and virtues that apprentices inherit from masters. The masters do not need to use measuring instruments, compasses, and turntables, but only use a brush and the technique of stitching to accurately draw circles on large and small porcelain, whether in two dimensions or in three dimensions. Most of their tools are made from local materials with a flexible mindset. For example, used chopsticks are used for positioning the ink marks, the paper core from used sealing tape is used to make the base of the glaze bowl, the used pens are used for brush or pen storage, the washing water is used for washing pens are used for soaking the color, the fan bone is used to make a scraper, and the old shirt is used to make a printing pad. There are countless examples, said Betty. She pointed out that the color sense of an artist has to be very sensitive, and it also relies on experience. Take coloring as an example, people can feel the unique craftsmanship-when you want to color within the boundary and the artists will paint oily pot ash over the outline which was already drawn, as it has a drainage effect. Betty shared with the students the spirit of pursuing colors from the craftsmen that she had experienced. (Courtesy of Betty) Because of the oily pot ash, the glaze material will not cover the outlined line during coloring. This technique is called the draining line. In addition, by using oil-based and water-based color glazes, fast-drying and slow-drying oils, the artists can color the porcelain in multiple layers, and achieve the effect of rich colors and rich tones in one kiln firing. She said with a tinge of emotion that the learning process from Canton porcelain is a journey full of wisdom. From the drawing process, starting from grinding color powders, stitching, drafting, arranging, and coloring to kiln firing, every detail contains knowledge and wisdom. The Essence of Chinese and Western Art Bettys latest porcelain painting artwork Dancing Butterflies stood out from more than 100 porcelain paintings and won the gold award. She said that this award-winning work uses the characteristics of a combination of Chinese and western Canton porcelain. Betty fell in love with the colorful art of porcelain painting, and learnt from the famous Macaos Canton master Lei Iat-po. (Courtesy of Betty) For the borders of the work, she chose the techniques of color combination, pastels, and western colors to depict. It can increase the layers of color, and also enrich the texture of the drawing; as for the theme decoration in the center, she used traditional Guangcai techniques to express the flying butterflies, and in order to achieve the effect of dazzling sky and changing clouds, she used the western color material Mother of Pearl to express it, at the same time making the center space for the flying butterflies appear wider and more three-dimensional. Therefore, the butterflies in the works get rid of the feeling of the traditional Guangcai pattern of thousands of flowers and hundreds of butterflies, using more detailed and realistic methods to bring out the shape, pattern, and color of each butterfly. Both the characteristics of eastern and western craftsmanship can be shown in the artwork. I grew up in the countryside, therefore I love nature very much. Flowers, plants, insects, fish, and scenery from nature often give me unlimited inspiration. The clouds in the sky, the swimming fish in the ocean, the colorful butterflies flying among the flowers, the brilliant flowers, and the scenery of the four seasons are my favorite themes. Betty shared her series of artworks and their stories. Betty fell in love with the colorful art of porcelain painting and learned from the famous Macaos Canton porcelain master Lei Iat-po. (Courtesy of Betty) Message to Newcomers Betty was honored to be the instructor of the 2020 Jockey Club ICH+ Innovative Heritage Education Programme. The event attracted nearly 100 students to apply for porcelain painting craftsmanship. However, due to limited subsidies, only five people could enter the course. Betty shared, Each student has a different form of expression and style. Their artworks are very interesting. Also with their commitment and dedication in learning, they have mastered a lot of techniques within a year. They can also add their own creativity to give new ideas and appearances to Canton porcelain. Betty teaches students in the workshop. (Courtesy of Betty) Many people think that they have a background in painting or calligraphy, and they can then apply the same skills to porcelain painting. In fact, in order to better integrate other arts with ceramic, the most important thing is to understand the characteristics and techniques of ceramic craftsmanship, She said. For example, kiln firing is one of the basic things to learn. Otherwise, the glaze material might not turn out to be what the painters expected. Craftsmanship followed by art. Betty believes that the learning process can not be completed in a day, perseverance and patience is key. Nowadays, technology has changed everyones rhythm. It is difficult to attract young people to join anything that requires a long commitment. In addition, porcelain painting is not a well or prosperous paid job. Its inheritance is definitely a big challenge. Artists Betty Liu (left) and Yim Wai-wai are honored to be the instructors of the 2020 Jockey Club ICH+ Innovative Heritage Education Programme. (T M Chan / The Epoch Times) Betty encourages the younger generation to inherit craftsmanship, Canton porcelain is facing a crisis of inheritance in Hong Kong. It really needs new Blood. I hope that young artists are willing to commit, and inject new and local elements into their works so that Canton porcelain can grow with time, and the Painted Porcelains of Hong Kong, transformed from Canton porcelain, will have a fresh concept, making modern art shine brightly. Betty encourages the younger generation to inherit craftsmanship. (Courtesy of Betty) NEW YORK (AP) Kanye West is breaking up with the Gap. An attorney for Kanye West, who goes by Ye, told The Associated Press that a letter has been sent to the clothing chain Thursday seeking to terminate the contract between Gap and West's company, Yeezy. The clash comes a little over a year after Yeezys first item a blue puffer jacket appeared in Gap stores. The deal was announced in June 2020 to much fanfare. In the letter that West's lawyer shared with The AP on Thursday, it said that Gap failed to meet obligations in the pact, including distributing merchandise to Gap store locations and creating dedicated YZY Gap stores. Gap left Ye no choice but to terminate their collaboration agreement because of Gaps substantial noncompliance," said Nicholas Gravante, West's attorney with Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft, in an emailed statement to the AP. Ye had diligently tried to work through these issues with Gap both directly and through counsel. He has gotten nowhere. Gravante said that Gap's failure to comply with the terms of the contract has been costly. He said West plans to begin opening Yeezy retail stores. Gap confirmed that the pact was ending in a memo to its employees. Simply put ... while we share a vision of bringing high-quality, trend-forward, utilitarian design to all people through unique omni experiences with Yeezy Gap, how we work together to deliver this vision is not aligned," Mark Breitbard, president and CEO of Gap Brand told employees in the memo. And we are deciding to wind down the partnership. The company plans to continue to sell the Yeezy Gap products that were in the pipeline. West has unleashed criticism on social media against Gap as well as Adidas AG where he has a similar deal. Adidas declined to comment. The San Francisco retailer had been hoping the partnership with West would resonate with customers in a period of declining sales. For Yeezy, being in more than 1,100 Gap stores worldwide would have put his brand in front of more people. West has had a history with Gap. He worked at one of its stores in Chicago as a teenager. And he told Vanity Fair magazine back in 2015 that he wanted to be creative director for the brand. Follow Anne DInnocenzio on Twitter. Woman Escapes COVID-19 Hospital Treatment Protocols, Says Others Not So Lucky Over a week after Gail Seilers physician had given her a terminal diagnosis, her husband, Brad Seiler, wheeled her out of the back door of the hospital where she had been admitted for COVID-19 on Dec. 3, 2021. Im so sorry, Mrs. Seiler, but you are going to die, she recalled her physician telling her on Dec. 5. On Dec. 15, despite resistance from hospital staff, Brad extracted Seiler from Medical City Plano hospital in Plano, Texas, where the couple lives. Seiler is one of the few patients who has lived to tell her story about what she said she witnessed on the inside with COVID-19 hospital treatment protocols. It became clear to me that people are not dying in hospitals from COVID. They are dying from these protocols, Seiler told The Epoch Times. Seiler went in for a monoclonal antibody infusion with the request that she be given the early-treatment protocols prescribed through the Front Line Critical Care Alliance (FLCCC), which included the use of ivermectin and budesonide. However, when staff discovered she was unvaccinated, the whole tone changed, she said. I quickly lost the right to advocate for my own medical care, she said. I Didnt Come Here to Die After a 26-hour wait, she finally got a bed in the intensive care unit (ICU), but no family members were allowed to visit, she said. This is where she met Dr. Giang Quach, the physician who told her she was going to die because she was unvaccinated, she said. I told him, I didnt come here to die, she said. Seiler said Quach pushed her to take remdesivir, a drug known to cause kidney failure. She repeatedly asked for a different doctor, but her pleas went unanswered and Quach remained in charge of her care, she said. In 2018, President Donald Trump signed the Right to Try Act into law, which allowed patients with life-threatening diseases who have exhausted all other options to try certain unapproved treatments. Because Quach had given Seiler a terminal diagnosis, she was entitled to try FLCCC protocols to treat COVID-19, but the hospital denied her those treatments, she said. Quach also denied Seiler her right to see a priest to administer her last rites, she said. So, Seiler made a deal with Quach, she said. She said she would submit to a round of remdesivir if Quach let her see her priest for final sacraments. Quach agreed, and Seiler was allowed to see her priest, she said. Then, we denied the remdesivir, Seiler said. They were pretty angry about it, but honestly, I felt I was in a fight for my soul. When the priest left, I had this renewed feeling that I was going to live and not be killed. Gail Seilers last day at the hospital in 2021. (Courtesy of Gail Seiler) Every Day I Would Tell Them Im Not a DNR Every day, Seiler said, she made it known that she did not want Quach in charge of her care and insisted on seeing a different provider, but Quach always returned. Seilers daughter had access to her online records, where she found that Seiler was classified as Do Not Resuscitate (DNR), she said. Seiler said she was not supposed to be listed as DNR. The scariest part of it was every day I would tell them Im not a DNR, but them telling me Im a DNR, Seiler said. In order to be resuscitated, Seiler said, hospital staff told her she had to go on the ventilator, the final stage for many who have reported similar hospital stories that ended in death. Each of the standard treatment protocols for COVID-19, beginning with remdesivir and ending with the ventilator, are reimbursed with lucrative payoffs from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), leading many to believe this is the reason hospitals continue to use these protocols while denying early treatment. In a Sept. 7 conference titled Remdesivir Death: Landmark Lawsuit in Fresno, California, two attorneys announced lawsuits against three hospitals for what they allege are the hospitals using remdesivir without informed consent, leading to wrongful death. The lawsuit addressed what the attorneys called the remdesivir protocol, in which the patients may be admitted to the hospitaloften for problems unrelated to COVID-19and then diagnosed with COVID-19 or COVID pneumonia. The patients are then isolated and malnourished before being told remdesivir is their only treatment option, according to the lawsuit. The patients are also placed on a BiPap machine, which uses pressure to push oxygen into the lungs at a high rate, the lawsuit says, with the patients hands often tied down so they cant remove it. The final stage of the protocol is intubation, at which point the patients die an average of nine days after being admitted, the lawsuit states. In the end, the hospital can get up to $500,000 in reimbursement per patient for the protocol, according to the lawsuit. Things Just Got Worse Seiler goes into more detail about her story on the FormerFedsGroup Freedom Foundations COVID-19 Humanity Betrayal Memory Project. She became the Texas chairperson for the foundation, where she gathers stories similar to hers to submit to the projects documented cases. The foundation also offers multiple online support group meetings where others can tell their stories. The number of people who say theyve had family members die in hospitals at the hands of what they call the death protocols continues to surface. However, for many of them, their loved ones deaths left them with inconceivable stories of administrative cruelty. Patients and families are scared into accepting treatment such as remdesivir without being informed about the risks such as kidney failure. Families have reported that physicians will tell them that the patient needs oxygen and rest, then the oxygen is used to such a high degree that later a ventilator is required because the lungs are damaged. When a patient tries to remove the BiPap mask, they are deemed agitated and given sedatives, leaving them at the mercy of hospital staff, many reported, while being denied access to basic nutrition, hygiene, and exercise. For Seiler, the lack of nutrition caused hair loss, and she developed a fungal infection called thrush because no one removed her BiPap mask to clean her mouth, she said. Seiler said the doctors and nurses wouldnt allow her to even sit up, resulting in bed sores, and she eventually lost her ability to walk. After two days on a catheter that she said was forced on her because nurses told her they couldnt take her to the bathroom, she got another infection from the catheter. Things just got worse, Seiler said. People were dying around me in other rooms. Quite frankly, it was quite scary, and I knew that time was short. Im Going to Take You Out of There On Dec. 14, 2021, Seilers husband, a former nurse and U.S. Army veteran, called 911 to have the Plano Police Department perform a welfare check, she said. When the police officer arrived, Seiler said she attempted to explain to him what she had experienced. I told him theyre going to murder me, she said. He said, We dont have a protocol for this, and he left. Having exhausted all other options, Brad Seiler and Seilers daughterwho had been contacting politicians for helpcame up with a plan to get her out of the hospital and take her home. Brad Seiler set up oxygen and obtained medications with the help of a home consultation service and Dr. Richard Bartletts protocols, which emphasize the use of budesonide, she said. On Dec. 15, Brad called and told her, Im going to take you out of there. Brad arrived with a cease-and-desist letter and two pieces of patients rights legislation, written to allow access to at least one visitor: Texas Senate Bill 572 and Senate Bill 2211. The states House and Senate bills prohibit hospitals from denying visitation, including clergy visitation, during disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Seiler said Quach found a loophole in the House bill where it says the doctor can write an order for five days limiting visitation to one person, and then renew that order. And thats what Dr. Quach had done to keep me isolated, she said. Still, Quach broke the premise of that bill, because I wasnt allowed any visitors. The Senate bill, which was written by state Sen. Bob Hall, permits a spiritual counselor, she said. This was written to include family members, which is why Brad was brandishing the legislationto invoke himself as the spiritual head of the family, Seiler said. Gail Seilers progress in getting off the mask, 2022. (Courtesy of Gail Seiler) I Anticipate There Will be Future Hearings Hall, who was involved in making calls to the hospital to petition for Seilers care, has been outspoken against the commandeering of medical practices by the government. In June 2022, the Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services held a hearing where families testified about their loved ones experiences with the medical system during the pandemic. In a statement to The Epoch Times, Hall said he anticipates future hearings after the committee heard the personal testimonies. Patients and doctors must be empowered to make decisions on treatment protocols without fear of threats and intimidation if they differ from government-mandated procedures, Hall said. It was the persistence of Seilers husband and daughter, Hall said, that made Seiler one of the few hospital COVID patients to get out of the hospital in time to survive. Echoing Seilers earlier statement, Hall said more people died in hospitals like Medical City Plano because of hospital policies, than died of COVID. In a statement to The Epoch Times, a Medical City Plano spokesperson said that like other hospitals in our area, our hospital relies on licensed, independent physicians who use their extensive training and experience to assess patients needs and determine the course of treatment. We support our physicians by giving them information and resources, including the latest research to help them provide the best possible care to our patients. Of the many consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the erosion of confidence in the medical professions best possible care has been the most damaging, Hall said. The circumstances triggered a number of egregious policies and practices never before seen in our modern hospitals, Hall said. Patients were isolated from their families and loved ones, intimidated or coerced into receiving medical protocols with which they disagreed, and in some cases, outright neglected. Government-mandated protocols, which did more harm than good, added fuel and distrust to the fire. I Know for Certain I Will Die at Your Hands Brad Seiler had gone beyond the stage of distrust when he entered the hospital and somehow charged his way into the ICU as security chased him, Gail Seiler said. When told to leave, Brad told staff, Youre not going to murder my wife. Shes coming home with me, Seiler said. From there, it became almost like an all-day hostage negotiation, Seiler said, with six police officers who were there not to help them, but to make Brad leave. Hall got involved, telling Brad not to resist if officers were to arrest him, Seiler said, while one of the doctors told her that if she were to leave with Brad, she would die. I told her that if I died tonight, Id prefer it be with Brad trying to save me rather than die at your hands because I know for certain I will die at your hands, Seiler said. Police were present when Gail Seilers husband negotiated with the hospital so Gail would be allowed to leave Medical City Plano hospital in Plano, Texas, in 2021. (Courtesy of Gail Seiler) Seiler needed a wheelchair because her legs didnt work due to a lack of physical therapy, she said. When she was packed and ready to leave, Seiler said the floor nurse led them out through what he called the shortcut, which turned out to be the way through the morgue where the funeral homes pick up bodies. I think it was to send us a message, Seiler said. A Medical Matrix Despite the physician telling Brad Seiler that his wife wouldnt make it 24 hours if she left the hospital, she lives today to tell her story. It wasnt easy, Gail Seiler said, and her healing at home had more to do with recovering from her experience at the hospital than from the virus itself. However, it was Bartletts treatment that saved her life, she said. Everything he put in place works, she said. I started to improve right away. The Seilers later contacted their state representative who contacted Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct an investigation, Gail said. HHS assigned the investigation to the hospital, which concluded that the hospital had done a stellar job, Gail said. No one contacted us, and they certainly didnt look at our medical records becauseif anythingeven making someone a DNR when they tell you they arent a DNR is against the law, right? Sieler said. The Seilers were sure no one would believe their story, but as they continued to tell it on podcast and radio interviews, more and more people contacted them to share their own experiences. Seiler managed to escape the hospital and recover, but she said most of the stories she hears from other people dont have happy endings, leaving those families wracked with guilt when they realize what took place. The majority of the cases have ended in the death of the patient, Seiler said, with the family only realizing they had been gaslit after it was over. What were seeing is doctors arent being honest with the patient, and by the time you realize theyre harming you, youve not only been harmed, youve also been gaslit, and you cant just leave, Seiler said. Youre on a high flow of oxygen and youre told if you leave, youll die. If you get intubated, the only way out is to be transferred to another hospital. Patients have generally had the right to advocate for their own medical treatment, and even deny recommendations, but with the emergency declarations related to COVID, hospital staff have been given authority over patients theyve historically not had, Seiler said. In some cases, patients have been given remdesivir and other medications not only without informed consent but also after the patient had put in writing that they didnt want the drug, Seiler said. Despite this overreach being exercised in hospitals, Brad and the Seilers daughter was able to bring enough attention to the case through networking with Hall and Lt. Col. Allen West, Seiler said. West had also been treated there andin addition to Hallmade several calls to the hospital on the Seilers behalf, which Seiler said she suspects is why staff had to eventually acquiesce to letting Brad remove her. The Seilers were also helped by the legal team of Paul M. Davis & Associates in Frisco, Texas, a firm thats representing clients who have also gone through the hospital protocols. There have been cases in which people have just walked out, but they are rare, Seiler said. Once you enter the hospital, youre in this medical matrix, and the only way out is through death or if someone comes and takes you out, Seiler said. Today, Seilers mission is to bring awareness by sharing her story and the stories of others, she said. My goal is to keep people out of hospitals because this truly is a hospital holocaust. Opponents of the academic doctrine known as critical race theory protest outside of the Loudoun County School Board headquarters in Ashburn, Va., on June 22, 2021. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters) House GOP Investigates Schools for Using COVID-19 Funds to Pad District Administration, Teach Leftist Ideology House Republicans on the Oversight and Reform Committee and the Education and Labor Committee are looking into the misuse of COVID-19 relief funds at schools, specifically in funding divisive racial teachings like critical race theory (CRT). Congress created the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund to ensure that schools reopened safely and addressed the learning loss suffered by students due to the pandemic. In a Sept. 14 letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona (pdf), the GOP members point out that those taxpayer dollars are being used to indoctrinate children in core tenets of leftist ideology. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act of 2021 signed by President Donald Trump contributed $13.2 billion and $54.3 billion to the ESSER Fund, respectively. The American Rescue Plan (ARP), signed by President Joe Biden, provided over $120 billion. At least 10 states developed plans for using the ESSER funds to implement racially biased curriculum and programs based on Critical Race Theory, the letter notes. Critical race theory categorizes people as white and nonwhite, with whites cast as oppressors with privilege and nonwhites cast as the oppressed. In California, ESSER funds have been used for training in LGBTQ+ cultural competency, ethnic studies, and environmental literacy, the letter states. In New York, $9 billion in ESSER funds were used to train staff members about privilege, culturally responsive sustaining instruction, and to recognize equity warriors. In Illinois, a part of the $5.1 billion in ESSER funds went to make equity driven investments and emphasizing equity and diversity, said the letter. Learning Loss, Filling Up Administrative Positions The letter points out that despite considerable funding, the learning loss among U.S. students has been significant. During the 20202021 school year, passing math rates declined by 14.2 percent on average overall, but the decline was 10.1 percent smaller for districts who were doing more in-person instruction, the letter stated. Overwhelmingly, school shutdowns occurred in states and localities led by Democrats who chose to keep schools closed much longer than was necessary, often at the behest of teachers unions. FutureEd, a thinktank at Georgetown Universitys McCourt School of Public Policy, analyzed how funds were used in more than 5,000 school districts and charter organizations. About 60 percent of the education agencies analyzed used the funding to hire or reward teachers, guidance counselors, and academic specialists, making this the highest or second-highest priority in each region of the country, the FutureEd report states. In the letter to Cardona, Republicans asked for numerous documents to better understand the approval process implemented for the ESSER grants. The GOP members also sent letters to the Education Inspector General, the Illinois State Board of Education Superintendent, the New York State Department of Education Commissioner, and the California Department of Education Superintendent raising the same issue. In an interview with the Washington Examiner, Rachel Greszler, a senior research fellow for the Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget at The Heritage Foundation, points out that only a third of the staff positions funded by the COVID-19 relief funds went to people actually providing education directly to students, as per available data. The vast majority of funds ended up paying for administrative positions. If you beef up the bureaucracy around schools its difficult to take that away, Greszler said. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker gives a COVID-19 update in the Blue Room at the Thompson Center in Chicago on Feb. 9, 2022. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) Illinois Governor Issues Emergency Disaster Over Illegal Immigrants Bused From Texas The governor of Illinois on Wednesday issued an emergency disaster proclamation after several hundred illegal immigrants were bused from the U.S.Mexico border to Illinois. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, issued an executive order to send 75 members of the state National Guard to assist in making sure all state resources are available to support asylum seekers arriving nearly daily to Chicago from the state of Texas. The order also enables the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and other state agencies, in close coordination with the City of Chicago, Cook County, and other local governments, to ensure the individuals and families receive the assistance they need, according to Pritzkers order. This includes transport, emergency shelter and housing, food, health screenings, medical assessments, treatments, and other necessary care and services. For months, Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts administration has been sending illegal immigrants who crossed into Texas from Mexico to several Democrat-run municipalities, including New York City, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. The three cities have declared themselves sanctuary cities that will not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement orders. Pritzkerlike the leaders of New York, Chicago, and D.C.criticized Abbott rather than focusing on the porous U.S.Mexico border. In August, federal border officials arrested 185,000 illegal aliens, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. A Goliad County Sheriffs Deputy apprehends an illegal immigrant in Goliad, Texas, on Nov. 23, 2021. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) And nearly 5 million illegal immigrants crossed into the United States in the first year-and-a-half of President Joe Bidens presidency, said the Federation for American Immigration Reform in a report. Despite the massive influx of people crossing into the country, top White House officials have said the border is secure. Today, I signed a disaster proclamation allowing the state to speed up the procurement of the immediate resources needed to help Chicago, Cook County, and other jurisdictions provide humanitarian assistance to the asylum seekers who are being sent to our state with no official advance notice by the Governor of Texas, Pritzker said in a statement on Wednesday. He added that while other states may be treating these vulnerable families as pawns, here in Illinois, we are treating them as people. But Abbott has argued that the crisis at the border is caused directly by Bidens and Democrats policies, and hes called on Pritzker and other Democrats to demand Biden enforce immigration law. Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser last week declared a public emergency due to illegal immigrants being bused into the city. The Illinois governors order comes as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, reportedly sent illegal immigrants to Marthas Vineyarda popular Massachusetts tourist spot for the affluent. Irish High Court Rejects Bid by Teacher Jailed Over Pronouns Row to End School Suspension An Irish evangelical Christian schoolteacher who was jailed for breaching a court order following his refusal to use gender-neutral pronouns, has had his bid to prevent the school from continuing his suspension rejected by a judge. On Sept. 5, Enoch Burke was jailed after he defied a restraining order that ensued from a dispute with Wilsons Hospital School in County Westmeath, Ireland, over a directive to address a student by the pronoun they, citing his devout Christian beliefs. Burke was subsequently sent to Mountjoy Prison in Dublin by a High Court judge after he breached a temporary court order to stay away from his workplace and to not attend the classroom of the Church of Ireland school. At the time, Burke told the court that he had no intention to abide by the court order. The judge said the issues should not be conflated, and that Burke was in jail because he had violated a court order. The teacher returned to prison on Wednesday after the orders he sought were rejected by Justice Eileen Roberts. He had made an application seeking an injunction against the process and told the court that the process was unlawful. I do think it is a gross injustice that the plaintiff and the court is seeking to deny me my religious beliefs and take away something that ultimately guaranteed. I go back to jail as a law-abiding subject of this state always but a subject of God first, said Burke. He also claimed that any conclusion reached as a result of the disciplinary process would be legally unsustainable. Roberts said that while Burke was entitled to his genuinely held religious beliefs, they were not attacked by the decision of the school to put him on paid administrative leave. She added that he had an opportunity to purge his contempt, which would involve him committing to not violate the court order again, but he said he could not do that. The court is asking me to purge my contempt but the court has robbed me of my constitutional rights, added Burke. Rosemary Mallon, barrister for the school, said the applications were not about transgenderism, but rather about him not complying with court orders. The defendant in previous hearings has indicated he does not intend to purge contempt. He is, by this application, seeking to be released from prison without purging contempt, said Mallon. PA Media contributed to this report. A museum on Grand Bahama is showcasing treasured artifacts retrieved from a 17th-century Spanish shipwreck in a first-ever, debut display. The singular, spectacular haul includes coins, porcelain, and jewelry which were once destined to wind up in the hands of knights or aristocrats. Built around the salvaged remains of the sunken Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas, or Our Lady of Wonders, there is the Allen Explorations Bahamas Maritime Museum in Freeport. The two-deck, 891-ton Spanish galleon disappeared off the northern islands on Jan. 4, 1656, after colliding with its fleet flagship, then striking a reef and sinking. Only 45 of her 650 crew survived. Artistic rendering of the Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas, built in 1647. (Courtesy of Allen Exploration via Bahamas Maritime Museum) Divers examine the debris trail of the Maravillas shipwreck for artifacts. (Courtesy of Chad Bagwell/ Allen Exploration via Bahamas Maritime Museum). The Tierra Firme fleet was en route home to Seville, Spain, from Havana, Cuba, when the galleon, laden with consignments royal and private, plus contraband, descended to her watery grave. She carried silver salvaged from the wreck of the Jesus Maria de la Limpia Concepcion, which sank off the coast of Ecuador 18 months earlier. Allen Explorations marine archaeologists and operations directors, with local divers, had been exploring the scattered remains and debris trail of the Maravillas for two years, covering a search area of 5 by 7.5 miles (8 by 12 kilometers). High-resolution magnetometers, side-scan sonar, and bathymetry analysis enabled them to remotely map 8,800 sunken objects. The team record an iron anchor along the Maravillas shipwreck trail. (Courtesy of Brendan Chavez/Allen Exploration via Bahamas Maritime Museum). Divers returning to the surface after a search. (Courtesy of Chad Bagwell/Allen Exploration via Bahamas Maritime Museum). They found a wealth of treasures, including Spanish olive jars, Chinese porcelain, iron rigging, gold and silver coins, and a silver sword handle that once belonged to soldier Don Martin de Aranda y Gusman. They retrieved a gold filigree chain, handmade for a wealthy aristocrat, unlike anything pulled from a wrecked ship, plus four jeweled pendants bearing the cross of St. James, thought to have been worn by knights of Spains sacred Order of Santiagowhose religious warriors once protected pilgrims on the 500-mile (800-kilometer) march from the Pyrenees to Galicia. The researchers recovered a gold coin from the debris trail of the Maravillas. (Courtesy of Brendan Chavez/Allen Exploration via Bahamas Maritime Museum). (Left) Emerald and amethyst contraband. (Courtesy of Brendan Chavez/Allen Exploration via Bahamas Maritime Museum); (Right) The team examine a massive, 75-pound bar of silver in the conservation laboratory at the Bahamas Maritime Museum. (Courtesy of Matthew Lowe via Bahamas Maritime Museum). Finding a Santiago oval emerald and gold pendant was particularly stirring for Allen Exploration founder Carl Allen. My breath caught in my throat, he said in a statement. The pendant mesmerizes me when I hold it and think about its history. How these tiny pendants survived in these harsh waters, and how we managed to find them, is the miracle of the Maravillas. The sunken ship has a turbulent history, he added, owing to heavy salvage from Spanish, English, French, Dutch, Bahamian, and American searches during the 17th and 18th centuries, plus sweeps in the 1970s through early 90s. Modern exploratory technology nevertheless continues producing still more gems hidden under the waves and sand. A glass wine bottle retrieved from the wreckage site. (Courtesy of Brendan Chavez/Allen Exploration via Bahamas Maritime Museum) Gold jewelry, coins, a gold chain, and pendants from the Maravillas. (Courtesy of Brendan Chavez/Allen Exploration via Bahamas Maritime Museum) The salvage yielded coins minted in Mexico, a 75-pound silver bar, and a host of emeralds and amethysts mined in Colombiaomitted from the galleons manifest, thus attesting to the ships trafficking contraband; it wasnt unusual for 17th-century galleons in Spanish America to hold as much as 20 percent contraband. Project marine archaeologist James Sinclair said: This isnt just forensic marine archaeology; were also digging into former excavations, working out what previous salvage teams got up to, where, and why. The ship may have been obliterated by past salvage and hurricanes. There are no guarantees, but were convinced there are more stories out there. Allen Explorations research ships off the northern Bahamas. (Courtesy of Brendan Chavez/Allen Exploration via Bahamas Maritime Museum). Besides exhuming lost booty, Allen Exploration samples biodiversity, seafloor geology, and plastic pollution to better understand development of Bahamian ecosystems. While probing missing pieces of the Maravillas, and her precious cargo, researchers found 18 more wrecks, with potentially thousands of others still lying in wait, spread across the region. None of the treasure of the Maravillas will be sold. All are permanently on display at the Bahamas Maritime Museum for the public to marvel at. An olive jar from the wreck of the Maravillas. (Courtesy of Brendan Chavez/Allen Exploration via Bahamas Maritime Museum). A gold and pearl ring from the shipwreck. (Courtesy of Nathaniel Harrington/Allen Exploration via Bahamas Maritime Museum). Gold and bezoar stone scallop-shaped pendant of the Order of Santiago with a cross of St. James at center. (Courtesy of Nathaniel Harrington/Allen Exploration via Bahamas Maritime Museum). Gusman sword guard. (Courtesy of Brendan Chavez/Allen Exploration via Bahamas Maritime Museum) Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter Pieper Lewis gives her allocution during a sentencing hearing in Des Moines, Iowa, on Sept. 13, 2022. (Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Des Moines Register via AP) Judge Orders Iowa Teen to Pay $150,000 to Family of Alleged Rapist She Killed An Iowa judge ruled on Tuesday that a teenage human trafficking victim must serve five years of closely supervised probation and pay $150,000 in restitution to the family of her accused rapist, whom she stabbed to death. Pieper Lewis was a 15-year-old runaway seeking to escape an abusive life with her stepmother when she killed her accused rapist, 37-year-old Zachary Brooks, in June 2020, by stabbing him more than 30 times in a Des Moines apartment. Lewis, now 17, has maintained that she was trafficked against her will to Brooks for sex multiple times and stabbed him in a fit of rage. Police and prosecutors have not disputed that Lewis was sexually abused and trafficked. But officials argued that Brooks was asleep at the time he was stabbed, and did not present an immediate danger to her. Last year, she pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and willful injury in the 37-year-olds killing. Each charge was punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Polk County District Judge David M. Porter deferred Lewis prison sentence on Tuesday, meaning that if she violates any portion of her probation, she could be sent to prison to serve 20 years. Porter also said Iowa law compelled him to order the $150,000 payment to the estate of Lewis accused rapist because the court is presented with no other option, noting the restitution is mandatory under the law that has been upheld by the states supreme court. According to the law (pdf), the court is required to order offenders to pay at least $150,000 in restitution if they kill another personwhich has struck some observers in this particular case as unnecessarily harsh. Donations are pouring into a GoFundMe campaign set up for Lewis, which has already raised more than $350,000, more than enough money to pay the $150,000 restitution the Iowa court ruled on Tuesday. Pieper Lewis, (L), speaks with Polk County District Judge David M. Porter during her sentencing hearing on Sept. 13, 2022. (Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Des Moines Register via AP) Leland Schipper, a former teacher of Lewis at Des Moines Lincoln High School, organized the GoFundMe account, which by Sept. 14, surpassed the $200,000 goal, with donations continuing to pour in. All additional money raised past the $150,000 to cover the restitution payment will help her pay for college or start her own business, and help other young victims of sex crimes, the page reads. Pieper has five years of probation ahead of her; five years that she will be required to be nearly perfect to avoid facing 20 years in prison, said Schipper. Piepers path to true freedom will not be easy, and she is still a teenager that has experienced a lot of trauma. After Lewis ran away from her abusive stepmother, she was allegedly taken in by 28-year-old Cristopher Brown, who had found her sleeping in the hallways of an apartment building. She said Brown told her she couldnt live with him for free, and he created an online dating profile to arrange for her to have sex with other men for money. Lewis said one of those men was Brooks, who raped her multiple times in the weeks before his death. She recounted that one day, she refused Browns request to go to Brookss apartment to pick up marijuana, but Brown then forced her at knifepoint to go to his apartment. Mr. Brooks had raped me yet again and [I] was overcome with rage. Without thinking, I immediately grabbed the knife from his nightstand and began stabbing him, Lewis stated in the plea agreement. I further acknowledge that the multiple stab wounds that I inflicted upon Mr. Brooks thereafter ultimately resulted in his death. The day after the stabbing, Lewis was arrested at Browns apartment. She was held for two years at a juvenile detention facility, where she earned her GED diploma. During Tuesdays sentencing hearing, Lewis lawyers accused Brown of aiding and abetting sex traffickingbut police have not yet pressed any charges. John Sarcone, an attorney in Polk County, told The New York Times that the matter is still pending and we do not comment on pending matters. The Associated Press contributed to this report. From NTD News An official vote-by-mail ballot packet in Irvine, Calif., on May 16, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Judge Rules Delaware Vote-by-Mail Law Is Unconstitutional A new vote-by-mail law enacted in Delaware earlier this summer was ruled unconstitutional by a judge on Wednesday, meaning that Delawareans will not be able to vote by mail in the upcoming election scheduled for Nov. 8. In an 87-page opinion, Vice Chancellor Nathan Cook ruled that the law, which allows Delaware voters to vote by mail in the general election without providing a reason for doing so, violates a provision in Delawares constitution known as Article V, Section 4A. That provision provides general laws for absentee voting such as sickness or physical disability. Our Supreme Court and this court have consistently stated that those circumstances are exhaustive, Cook wrote. Therefore, as a trial judge, I am compelled by precedent to conclude that the vote-by-mail statutes attempt to expand absentee voting to Delawareans who do not align with any of Section 4As categories must be rejected. I must find that the vote-by-mail statute is unconstitutional for purposes of the general election, the judge added. Democrat lawmakers in the state introduced the vote-by-mail bill earlier this year after failing to win Republican support to amend the constitution. Such an amendment required a two-thirds vote by each chamber in two consecutive General Assemblies. Once the amendment to the Delaware Constitution failed to obtain the necessary two-thirds approvals, the General Assembly passed the Vote-by-Mail Statute that is the subject of this litigation less than three weeks later by simple majority approval, Judge Cook wrote. Unconstitutional The remarks by legislators indicate an awareness by at least some members of the General Assembly that the laws might not be constitutional and that a challenge in the courts would be forthcoming, he added. A lawsuit was swiftly filed within hours of the law going into effect challenging its constitutionality. Delaware Attorney General candidate Julianne Murray and GOP party chair Jane Brady were listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit alongside political activist Nick Miles and others. For their part, the defendants in the lawsuit, State Election Commissioner Anthony Albence and the State of Deleware Department Of Elections, had argued that the plaintiffs lacked standing to challenge the laws. Murray praised the judge for carefully studying Delawares constitution when making his decision on Wednesday. He started on the Constitutional Convention of 1897 and worked his way through, said Murray, who is the Republican nominee for attorney general in the November elections. Retired judge Jane Brady, who is also the former Delaware attorney general said mail-in voting does not comport with the constitution. Brady, who also represented plaintiffs in the lawsuit, said: I believe that the legislature has known from day one that they needed a constitutional amendment to do this. In my view, they abdicated their responsibility. While judge Cook declared voting by mail in the state unconstitutional, he ruled that the plaintiffs had failed to meet their burden of showing clear evidence of a constitutional violation with regards to the new same-day voter registration law that plaintiffs had also challenged, and thus upheld that law. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden step off Air Force One upon arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Sept. 13, 2022. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) Biden Jets to Delaware to Cast Vote A spokesman for Democrat Attorney General Kathleen Jennings, whose office represented the Department of Elections in the lawsuit, referred questions to the elections agency. State Election Commissioner Anthony Albence declined to comment. The ruling comes after President Joe Biden flew via Air Force One to Delaware, which is his home state, to cast his vote in the states primary election on Sept. 13. Biden embarked on the costly trip, which comes at taxpayers expense, to cast a vote in the race for state auditor, where incumbent Kathleen McGuiness, a Democrat, is running for reelection against Lydia York, a lawyer who has been endorsed by the Delaware Democrat Party. When asked by reporters why he had decided to fly in instead of returning an absentee ballot instead, Biden declined to comment. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Wednesday defended Bidens actions while onboard Air Force One en route to Detroit. The president has a very heavy schedule. Hes the president of the United States. It worked out best for him to vote yesterday, to vote on Tuesday, Jean-Pierre said. He thought it was important to exercise his constitutional right to vote, as I just mentioned, and set an example by showing the importance of voting. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A pro-life campaigner displays a plastic doll representing a 12-week-old fetus as she stands outside the Marie Stopes Clinic in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on April 7, 2016. (Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Judge Temporarily Blocks Ohios Abortion Ban for 14 Days A judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked Ohio from enforcing its heartbeat abortion ban for 14 days amid legal actions. The states oldest pro-life group decried the ruling and vowed Ohio will become abortion free. Hamilton County Judge Christian Jenkins issued a temporary 14-day stay against enforcing SB23, commonly known as the Heartbeat Act, saying that it may violate the Ohio Constitution. In granting the temporary stay, Jenkins noted that the Ohio Constitution provides substantive and procedural due process rights under Article I Section 16. No great stretch is required to find that Ohio law recognizes a fundamental right to privacy, procreation, bodily integrity, and freedom of choice in health care decision making, Jenkins wrote in the ruling (pdf). Ohio Right to Life, the states oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organziation, decried the ruling and promised to have it overturned. The group said that the restraining order will allow providers in the state to continue performing abortions up to 20 weeks gestation. By forum shopping, abortion activists temporarily got what they wanted which is the ability to abort children with a beating heart, said Ohio Right to Life President Michael Gonidakis in a statement. Nowhere in the Ohio Constitution or anywhere in the Ohio Revised Code will any Ohioan find supporting evidence that Ohios current heartbeat law is anything other than good law which saves lives. Health Care Freedom Amendment The judge said Ohios heartbeat law violates a clause added in the 2011 Health Care Freedom amendment (HCFA) to the state constitution. The clause states, in part, that no law or rule shall prohibit the purchase or sale of health care nor impose a penalty or fine for the same. Jenkins ruling noted that as a result of the HCFA, the Ohio Constitution contains a direct recognition of the fundamental nature of the right to freedom in health care decisions. The amendment, which Ohioans voted for in a 2011 referendum, doesnt define health care, but Jenkins said that abortion clearly constitutes health care within the ordinary meaning of that term. Accordingly, this Court recognizes a fundamental right to abortion under Ohios Constitution, the judge ruled. However, he noted that there is limited caselaw directly addressing whether the Ohio Constitution and its unique language protect the right to abortion. Jenkins also ruled that the law discriminates against pregnant women in violation of the state constitutions Equal Protection and Benefit Clause. Gonidakis said Ohio Right to Life is more than confident that Ohios heartbeat law will go back into effect soon. Further, we can assure pro-life Ohio that in the near future Ohio will become abortion free, regardless of what this local judge ruled today. We will prevail, he said. Ohios Heartbeat Law Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, signed the heartbeat law in 2019 following passage by the Republican-controlled state legislature. The law sought to ban abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected, but includes exceptions for medical emergencies or medical necessities. The law does not include exception for rape or incest. A fetal heartbeat can be detected as early as six weeks into the pregnancy, before many women may be aware they are pregnant. Physicians could face fines up to $20,000 and loss of their medical licenses if they violate the law. In his ruling, Jenkins noted that physicians who perform abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected must place a document in the patients file declaring an abortion necessary. But because the physicians judgement may be second guessed, they may be open to prosecution for a fifth-degree felony, punishable by up to one year in prison, as well as loss of licensure, civil forfeiture, and civil liability. This effectively bans abortion in Ohio, the judge noted. Laguna Niguel: One of Orange Countys Newest Cities With its lush green landscape and crisp ocean breeze rolling off the smooth hills, Laguna Niguel serves as a photogenic example of idyllic Orange County weather and living. Having only been certified as a city in 1989, Laguna Niguel has held a unique place nestled in the region since its settling hundreds of years prior as a simple Spanish-style agrarian town dotted with sheep. It really is the greatest place to live, the citys Mayor Elaine Gennawey told The Epoch Times. Theres a reason why so many people want to live here; we are a close community especially perfect for raising a family. Much has changed about the overall town since its settlement in the late 1890s, though at the time it was previously known as Rancho Niguel and Moulton Ranch. In the past century, the area has grown from a series of farming plots to a bustling city with a rapidly growing population of more than 65,000, according to 2020 U.S. Census calculations. The City of Laguna Niguel kicks off its first Sea Country Festival in Laguna Niguel, Calif., on Aug. 26, 2022. (Carol Cassis/The Epoch Times) The story of Laguna Niguel, which is celebrating 33 years of cityhood at the end of the year, is ever-evolving. From its inception, however, it has continued to operate as a uniquely lush and close-knit city. Its listed by real estate agency firstteam.com as one of Orange Countys wealthiest cities with a median income of more than $108,000 and is also rated by neighborhoodscout.coma housing market data platformas safer than 60 percent of U.S. cities. To Gennawey, the most important facet of the citys history is its people, especially those who rallied the community toward cityhood in the late 1980s. One such figure is Pat Bates, a Republican state senator representing District 36, which covers more than a million people living in south Orange and north San Diego counties. Before entering politics, Bates was a social worker for the city of Los Angeles, where she helped some of its most vulnerable residents get back on their feet. [Bates] was instrumental in helping us become a city, and still plays a major role helping our residents at the state level, Gennawey said. Before 1989, Bates had been a stay-at-home mother to her two young children, later joining a group of concerned neighbors advocating the Orange County Board of Supervisors to make traffic safety improvements after a car struck and killed a child. Though Bates and her group were dismissed as housewives with calculators, according to her senate bio, they continued working together to count cars and collect data. They successfully convinced supervisors to add lights and crosswalks. But she didnt stop there. Around this period, Bates joined Gennawey and others to form Laguna Niguels Citizens for Cityhood group, actively campaigning to rally support for what would later become one of Orange Countys newest cities. A file photo of California Sen. Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) on Oct. 30, 2005. (Public Domain) Eighty-nine percent of residents in 1989 voted in favor of cityhood and elected Bates as their first mayor. She served four terms, presiding for nearly a decade. Bates was not the only person dedicated to these efforts, however. Serving as a community liaison in Laguna Niguel before it was even a city, Solveig Darner has played a pivotal role in local outreach and service, being the first-ever recipient of the citys Citizen of the Year Award in 1990. Because the award is not from the city or any organization but its volunteers, it continues to give dedicated community members the chance to recognize those they believe imparted the most positive change in the city. Thats what I love most about Laguna Niguel. I think our most valuable asset or resource are our residents, Gennawey said. Theyre very generous with their time and their treasures, and really reach out to help each other and do what they can so that this is a very vibrant and thriving community. Skateboarder Kwami Adzitso lands a trick in Laguna Niguel, Calif., on Sept. 30, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Bates is a part of the tradition in which civically active women and parents played a pivotal role in developing the community even before the citys formation, carving the foundations of its current family-friendly atmosphere. The citys first ever community event, according to Gennawey, was the opening of La Hermosa Park, a short sliver of land given to residents by the towns developers after concerned parents noted there was no park for their children to play in. Though originally used as a dumping ground by developers, parents and residents banded together with their shovels and sack lunches to clear the land for their children. They even used old telephone poles to delineate different sections of the park, turning the small plot of donated dumping grounds into a much-beloved neighborhood gathering place still active today. These days the city has more than 80 miles of multi-use trails and is renowned for its abundance of park spaces. Like La Hermosa Park, the area remained unsettled before Californias annexation from Mexico in 1848 aside from the long-standing Juaneno tribe living in the region. That is, until Spaniards from Mission San Juan Capistrano established Rancho Niguellater known as Laguna Niguelas a ranch to raise cattle for the mission. A photo of the large courtyard at Mission San Juan Capistrano, Calif., circa 1900. The mission is renowned for its Return of the Swallows each year. (Public Domain) The land later fell into the ownership of Juan Avilaa notably popular and well-liked man, according to San Juan Capistranos websitein 1842. His hold was eventually transferred between several families in the first few decades of Californias statehood, eventually being leased by Lewis Moulton, as recounted by longtime city residents Donald and Mary Decker in their book, Laguna Niguel: The Legacy and the Promise. Initially leasing a portion of the land to raise cattle and sheep in 1884, Moulton eventually purchased the land in 1895 and partnered with Jean Pierre Daguerre to run the 21,723 acres encompassing what is now Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Woods, and Laguna Hills. Lewis F. Moulton. (Courtesy of the City of Laguna Hills) Nearly 60 years later, Moultons and Daguerres children took ownership of the land, dividing it amongst themselves. The Daguerres took over the 7,200 acres approximately where Laguna Niguel is today. Though the Daguerres eventually sold the land in the 1950s to a private investment group from Boston, the region was well on its way to the residential haven it is today thanks in part to the large success of Laguna Beach and its sunkissed shores. With its warm year-round temperatures and pristine coastline, Laguna Niguel was eventually converted into a residential town in the 1960s, where approximately 1,000 residents lived. Now over 60 times larger in just 60 years, it remains a bedrock of Orange Countys culture and community. People enjoy the beach in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Dec. 15, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Legalising Euthanasia Will Depreciate the Value of Life, Senator Says A senator is pushing back against the move to legalise euthanasia in Australias territories, saying it will depreciate the value we place on life under the banner of human rights. The comment comes following the introduction of a private bill dubbed Restoring Territory Rights, which aims to hand the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory power to decriminalise euthanasia. Speaking at the Senate on Sep. 13, Western Australia Senator Matt OSullivan, of the centre-right Liberal Party, said while he didnt believe the sponsor of the bill intend to cause any harm over time, as more people access euthanasia, Australians will become desensitised to its use as a genuine end-of-life option. If we choose euthanasia as an acceptable palliative care option, then over time, it will depreciate the value that we place on life. Intended or not, once you start something, it always finds a way to advance itself, he said. Instead of investing in better palliative care in Australia, this bill puts that very thing at risk. If we continue to view euthanasia as a palliative care alternative, we will discourage further investment and research and better care for those who need it. Human Rights or Assisted Suicide? Every state of Australia has legalised euthanasia, while attempts to legislate voluntary assisted dying in the NT and ACT over the last 18 years have been thwarted. Labor MP of Solomon Luke Gosling, who tabled the bill on Aug. 1, argued the legislation would restore the democratic rights of Australians living in the territories. They have been treated as second-class citizens when it comes to legislating on matters that impact their own lives, he added. The principle here is that those dying of a terminal illness should have the right to a dignified and compassionate death, the Labor MP stated during his introductory speech of the bill. The bill received support from Tasmanian Senator Catryna Bilyk, who described euthanasia as a rational act made by someone whose life-limiting illness is causing them intolerable pain or physical discomfort, and as a result, they have no prospects for quality of life. With voluntary assisted dying, the doctor provides the patient the means to end their life and thereby end their suffering, so ultimately the power to make the decision remains in the patients hands. However, OSullivan said euthanasia cuts through the very core values of our country , the sanctity of life under the disguise of restoring rights to Territorians. Under no circumstance could I ever support a human being ending their own life, whether its sanctioned by the government or not. The Liberal senator pointed to the euthanasia law in Belgium, which saw an increased number of people accessing euthanasia for psychological suffering like depression. Of 27,000 people euthanised since 2002 in Belgium, almost one in five were not expected to die of natural causes in the immediate future, OSullivan noted. Whats distressing is that these conditions are treatable, but the Belgian government allow these patients to euthanise themselves in the name of compassion or human rights. I dont think anyone here would want to see Australia go down that paththe path towards an on-demand assisted suicide. Remote Aboriginal Communities at Greater Risk The sentiment was echoed by Country Liberal Senator Jacinta Price who said the Northern Territory government also employed the rhetoric of human rights to lift the ban on alcohol in remote communities. The move, she said, has put the already vulnerable Aboriginal Australians in remote areas at increased risk of health issues and alcohol-related violence. Theyve argued that an alcoholic should have the right to drink themselves to death. And if that alcoholic is also a violent perpetrator, their potential to commit violence has been prioritised by this Territory government over the rights of the perpetrators victims to live a life free from all forms of violence. Price argued euthanasia is incompatible with the Closing the Gap health and wellbeing targets of closing the gap in life expectancy within a generation by 2031. The Northern Territory has the lowest life expectancy in the countryan average of 74 years, compared to 80.5 years in the ACT. In my opinion, taking a human life is far more serious an issue, deserving profound consideration, as opposed to political point scoring or gaslighting to elicit a supporting vote, Price told the senate on Aug. 13. According to a study by the Northern Territory government in 1996, when its Rights of the Terminally Ill Act passed, 90 percent of Aboriginals in the Territory opposed euthanasia as distinct to 70 percent of support nationally. Four Buffalo residents were arrested late Monday night after officers stopped a burglary in progress at a car dealership, Batavia police reported. Police said Darnell Cleveland, 26, and Kanyia Coleman, 18, were taken into custody at the scene, while Craig Lynch Jr., 21, and Nyejay Braction, 18 were apprehended nearby. All were arraigned in Batavia City Court on charges of third-degree burglary. Cleveland also was charged with second-degree criminal impersonation and Lynch was charged with obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest. Police said Cleveland gave a false name to prevent officers for discovering he had several outstanding warrants, including a parole warrant. He was remanded to Genesee County Jail. Lynch was released under supervision. According to the report, police were alerted about 11:50 a.m. Monday by a call from a citizen who saw people inside Ken Barrett's Chevrolet, 229 W. Main St. Police said they confronted the suspects fleeing from the back of the building. Shawn McBreairty, the director of special projects for the Maine First Project, just won a $40,000 court judgment against Maine's Regional School Unit 22. (Courtesy of Shawn McBreairty) Maine Parental Rights Advocate Wins $40,000 Lawsuit Against School Board 'I'm not taking a penny. It's all about the win. It's not about the money.' A Maine school board lost a battle against a parent fighting the introduction of obscene materials into schoolsand has been ordered to pay him $40,000. But Shawn McBreairty said, Im not taking a penny. Its all about the win. Its not about the money. In October 2021, McBreairty started a campaign to expose the radical gender curriculum in Maines Regional School Unit (RSU) 22, saying it promoted obscene books, glorified gender transition, and advocated radical sexual practices. After McBreairty spoke up at his own school in Cumberland on behalf of his twin daughters, a cascade of parents contacted him to ask him to speak on their behalf, he said. His daughters have now graduated. A pro-LGBT display in a school in Brewer, Maine, in February, 2022. (Shawn McBreairty, the Maine First Project and Maine Source Of Truth) People are afraid to speak, he said. They saw me speak out for my twins in Cumberland and they said, hey do you know how bad the school is here?' As part of his roles as an advocate with the Maine First Project and host of the Maine Source of Truth podcast, McBreairty spoke at school meetings. He wrote about schools promoting sexual-identity exploration to children, and he publicized pornographic descriptions within RSU 22s books. I was exposing what the school board chair said, which is basically that pornography is OK in the context of a book, he said. At a school board meeting, McBreairty read aloud an excerpt from All Boys Arent Blue, a book found in Maine school libraries. The book describes a detailed sex scene between two young boys. The boys are cousins. The room stopped, McBreairty said. They were basically shocked. They couldnt believe what they heard, he said. I said, if youre under 18, plug your ears. In response to McBreairtys work, RSU 22 punished him by banning him from attending school functions on campus, he said. An LGBT book display in Hermon High School in Hermon, Maine in November, 2021. (Shawn McBreairty, the Maine First Project and Maine Source Of Truth) At first, the school asked him to leave campus at a meeting. Then it sent him a letter from a lawyer saying he was banned from campus for using obscenities, he said. I could not attend any community functions, I could not attend school meetings that I paid taxes for. Even a fair, he said. They threw me out of a school board meeting, McBreairty said. A police officer brought by the school threatened him with arrest, he said. On Aug. 30, McBreairty won a lawsuit against the district. The court ordered the district to pay him $40,000 for violating his rights as a citizen. McBreairty said he wont take the districts money. He will, however, pay his legal fees with some, and use the remainder to help parents fight back against schools and assist with their legal fees. Written Pornography Parents across the country have launched similar battles after discovering books with shocking content in school libraries. The radical books found in Maine schools are in other schools too, McBreairty said. Some books normalize switching a name for gender reasons to kindergartners. In my heart, Ive always known that Im a girl Teddy, not a boy Teddy. I wish my name was Tilly, a transgender teddy bear named Thomas tells kindergartners in the book Introducing Teddy: A gentle story about gender and friendship. Other books offer pornographic descriptions of sex to middle schoolersalong with illustrations. Most schools start teaching sexual education in 5th or 6th Grade, but these books can find kids long before then. According to the American Library Association, the books that parents most often attempt to ban include, Gender Queer, by Maia Kobabe; Lawn Boy, by Jonathan Evison; All Boys Arent Blue, by George Johnson; Out of Darkness, by Ashley Hope Perez; The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas; The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie; Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, by Jesse Andrews; The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison; This Book Is Gay, by Juno Dawson; and Beyond Magenta, by Susan Kuklin. The books include graphic descriptions of sex, masturbation, or children having sex. A new sexual orientation poster in Winthrop, Maine, in January, 2022. (Shawn McBreairty, the Maine First Project and Maine Source Of Truth) All books should be in the library. All books. This is America, we dont ban books, said First Lady Jill Biden, the wife of President Joe Biden, in an interview about parental opposition to explicit books. People can buy obscene books for children to read on Amazon, McBreairty said. But, he says, the books shouldnt be in taxpayer-funded school libraries. Pornography is pornography. I dont care if its one word, one picture, one line, whatever. That does not belong in the library for kids under 18. The Real Problem But inappropriately sexual books are just smoke from the school systems fire, McBreairty said. If youre a teacher, and you put a rainbow in your classroom, you have to know what youre doing. I dont care if theyre kindergarteners or seniors in high school, he said. Teachers, curriculum, posters, stickers, school assemblies, school-led celebrations, and other school actions all push radical new sexual identities on children, McBreairty said. Some Maine children say schools pressure them to be LGBT. I talked to a dad today, a father whose kid saw that the teacher filled in her pronouns on her worksheet, McBreairty said. Parents dont have enough power over childrens education, he said. As a result, teachers can expose children to inappropriate materials. Even if laws kept children safe from obscene books, unsupervised classroom teachers still have immense power over a childs environment, said McBreairty. Weve been asleep at the wheel for the last decade or two, thinking that when we drop our kids off to school, its just like when we went to school. And its not. McDonalds CEO Says Chicago In Crisis, Urges City Leaders to Address Surge in Crime McDonalds CEO Chris Kempczinski has called on government and business leaders in Chicago to do more to address safety concerns in the city amid a wave of crime and violence. Kempczinski made the comments during a speech at the Economic Club of Chicago luncheon on Wednesday but stated that the company will not be deterred by the surge in violence, homelessness, and drug abuse throughout the city, and still plans to stay put. The CEO said the company will move its innovation center from Romeoville to its West Loop headquarters. However, Kempczinski said the burger chain had been battling chronic crime issues which have in turn made it harder for the chain to recruit new workers, Chicago Business reported. Theres a general sense out there that our city is in crisis, he said. The truth is, its more difficult today for me to convince [a McDonalds executive] to relocate to Chicago from one of our other offices than it was just a few years ago. Its more difficult for me to recruit a new employee to McDonalds to join us in Chicago than it was in the past. While noting his love for the city, the CEO said that city leaders have failed to come up with a clear plan to address the ongoing issues regarding rising crime. No Clear Plan From City Leaders How many peoplewith a show of hands herewould say they knew what the plan is? Exactly what are we doing? What are the metrics? How are we going to track progress? I mean, this is what you do in business, day in and day out. You have a plan, you have a set of vectors, you have milestones, and you track progress. How are we doing on that? Kempczinski asked, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. McDonalds operates roughly 400 restaurants in Chicago, covering almost every neighborhood, according to Chicago Business. The company said it has contributed approximately $2 billion in the 12 months ending June 30, 2022 to the economy of Cook County, Illinois. Kempczinskis comments come as data from the Chicago Police Department from the start of 2022 through Sept. 11 (pdf) shows murders were down 15 percent year over year. However, thefts are up 65 percent, robberies are up 18 percent, and burglaries are up 28 percent. In total, the number of criminal complaints is up 38 percent year-on-year and up 19 percent compared with the same period in 2019. We see every single day in our restaurants whats happening at society at large, said Kempczinski, adding that the situation was not something that McDonalds can solve on its own. We need to be able to do it with the public sector as well, he said. So far this year, a number of big companies including Boeing and construction firm Caterpillar have announced that they are moving their headquarters out of Chicago. In June the richest person in Illinois, billionaire Ken Griffin, the CEO of Citadel, announced he was moving his hedge fund firms headquarters from Chicago to Miami, Florida, citing rising crime. One thing we saw clearly during the pandemic was that, for most K-12 students, remote learning was a poor substitute for in-classroom learning. (Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images) Michael Zwaagstra: Remote Learning Should Not Become a Default Option Commentary Think back to when you were a kid. A huge blizzard was on the way, and you knew that school might be cancelled the following day. Now be honest. Was there anything more exciting than tuning in to the radio first thing in the morning to find out if school was cancelled? For most students, snow days were a positive experience, filled with lots of outdoor activities and plenty of fun with family and friends. Snow days dont happen very often, but they certainly make an impact when they do happen. Unfortunately, snow days might become another victim of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thats because some school jurisdictions are planning to replace snow days with remote learning days. For example, New York City Chancellor David C. Banks recently announced that students will be expected to log in to remote lessons whenever schools are closed due to inclement weather. He justified this decision by saying that students should keep on learning even when schools are shut down by blizzards. Of course, his argument is patently absurd. Leave aside the fact that power outages are common during a major blizzard. Also leave aside the fact that even if there is power, not all students (or teachers) have access to technology in their homes. And leave aside the fact that a huge number of families will probably refuse to participate in remote learning on snow days. One thing we saw clearly during the pandemic was that, for most K-12 students, remote learning was a poor substitute for in-classroom learning. To put it bluntly, remote learning was a downright miserable experience for both teachers and students. From problems getting on to the internet to difficulty in getting students attention to headaches from staring at a screen all day, there was no shortage of factors that made remote learning a subpar experience. Anyone who thinks that remote learning and in-person classroom learning are equally effective is sorely misguided. Simply put, there is nothing comparable between teaching reading strategies over a screen and actually helping students sound out words while sitting beside them in a classroom. Unfortunately, some politicians and administrators seem to think that remote learning was a rousing success. This is the reason we keep hearing about the so-called merits of remote learning. This must be why the head of curriculum studies at the University of Saskatchewan publicly mused that remote learning could be a good way to reduce bullying among students or why the Ontario government is pushing ahead with its bizarre requirement that all high school students must complete two online courses to graduate. To be fair, there are circumstances where remote learning is appropriate. At the post-secondary level, remote learning can be successful, particularly when a school has invested in the equipment needed to effectively manage this platform. This is why Athabasca University in Canada and Liberty University in the United States have earned reputations for providing a high-quality remote learning experience. However, its important to remember that these are post-secondary institutions, not K-12 schools. There is a huge difference between choosing remote learning as a university student and being forced to endure remote learning as an elementary school student. At the K-12 level, remote learning will only be successful if it is entirely optional. For example, the Manitoba government has established a remote learning centre staffed with teachers and other professionals. This centre provides a valuable service to families who, for a variety of reasons, prefer or require a remote learning experience. While this can work for a few families, it will not work for the vast majority. As we finally move away from public health measures in schools, it is time for things to return to normal. This means having all students in school every day, getting rid of so-called hybrid classes, eliminating artificial social distancing rules, and abolishing mask and vaccine mandates. Students need to be in a normal learning environmentone free of all public health measures. When a blizzard hits, the last thing students and their parents need is a visible reminder of the thing they hated most during the COVID-19 pandemic. On snow days, students should leave their books in their backpacks and their computers on the shelf. Let the kids have some fun outside. Its the least we can do for them. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Police work along a stretch of beach at Coney Island which is now a crime scene after a mother is suspected of drowning her children in the ocean, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, on Sept. 12, 2022. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Mother Charged With Murder in Drowning Deaths of 3 Children in New Yorks Coney Island A New York City mother of three, whose children were found drowned near a Coney Island boardwalk earlier this week, has been arrested on murder charges, officials have said. Erin Merdy, 30, has been charged with three counts of intended murder and three counts of depraved indifference, a police official told The Epoch Times. The bodies of her three children, Zachary Merdy, 7, Lilana Merdy, 4, and 3-month-old Oliver Bondarev, were found on Monday following an hour-long search by police. The search was prompted after a worried relative contacted officers and expressed concerns that the childs mother could harm her children. Police launched their search following the 911 call at around 1:40 a.m. They discovered Merdy on Coney Islands boardwalk alongside family members but she was without her children. Police told The Washington Post that she was barefoot, soaking wet, and uncommunicative when she was discovered. The bodies of her unconscious and unresponsive three children were later found around two miles from where she stood, near the waters on a quiet section of the beach off of Coney Island boardwalk shortly after 4:30 a.m. They were taken to a nearby hospital where they were later pronounced dead. Authorities detained Merdy on Monday. Police suspected she had drowned her children and she was hospitalized for psychiatric evaluation. The citys medical examiners office announced on Tuesday that the childrens deaths had been ruled homicides and that the children died by drowning. The beach at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York, on Aug. 8, 2022. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) She Was Struggling Relatives told the New York Post that Merdy had been struggling with mental health issues at the time of her childrens drowning death but that they were unaware of how bad the issues were. I knew she was struggling in the sense she was trying to find her way through life. In this family, we do have a history of mental illness to varying degrees. A few of us have battled with bipolar disorder, but I didnt know her mental struggles, Merdys aunt Dine Stephen told the publication. She did a little crazy stuff, but nothing that would lead to harming her children or herself, an uncle, Eddy Stephen, said. Merdys mother, Jacqueline Scott, 56, told New York Daily News that her daughter might have been going through postpartum depression but said that she was a loving mother. However, Merdys estranged ex-husband, Derrick Merdy, a Navy veteran with whom she shared son Zachary, told The New York Times that the mother was often unreliable and would sometimes not show up when he came to pick up his son for visits. He added that Zachary would often be unwashed, hungry, and lacking sufficient clothing during his visits, and claimed that his son had told him that his mother makes me starve. Merdy and her ex-husband were locked in a custody battle over Zachary at the time of his death. I was trying to get my son. Now thats not going to happen, an emotional Derrick said. It was unclear when a lawyer would be appointed to represent Merdy, however, it is possible that her lawyer could ask a judge for a psychological investigation to ensure that the mother is mentally fit to stand trial. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and fellow members of Parliament take a moment of silence in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Sept. 15, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick) MPs Pay Tribute to Queen in Special Sitting of House of Commons Members of Parliament of all political stripes paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II in a special sitting at the House of Commons on Sept. 15 in honour of her life and legacy. The special session, which precedes the opening of the fall sitting on Sept. 20, commemorates the Queen and marks the accession to the throne of King Charles III. In his tribute to the Queen, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke of her legacy in Canada. Our country came of age under her reign. It was her Majesty who proclaimed and signed the Constitution Act of 1982, and our Charter of Rights and Freedoms. These pillars of our democracy help uphold the stability of our country and keep us free. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, in his first remarks to Parliament since taking the helm of his party on Sept. 10, commemorated the Queen and her 70-year reign of service, duty, and dedication. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and fellow members of Parliament take a moment of silence in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Sept. 15, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick) Poilievre also spoke at length about how the Crown has played a vital role in keeping democratic institutions in balance. The authority of the Crown may in a sense, be fictional, but it is also functional. You see, the separation of symbolic authority from political power allows partisan politics to be contested fearlessly without threatening the enduring constitutional order, he said. Bloc Quebecois Leader YvesFrancois Blanchet offered condolences to those grieving the Queen but said the relationship between Quebec and the Crown is thorny and cruel, telling the House the party will take no further part in the special session. History separates us, but respect must come first, Blanchet said. Its without any other thoughts that we would like to express our deepest condolences to the people of England. NPD Leader Jagmeet Singh said that the Queen was a person of integrity who fulfilled her duty to the last day of life. Queen Elizabeth II led a remarkable life, one marked by history. Amid tremendous change, she was a figure of stability, providing a constant symbol to many, Singh said. Green Party MP Mike Morrice said while there are many political questions remaining to be discussed, today is not that day. Today, we honor and mourn a remarkable woman who loved this country and its citizens, said Morrice, who spoke on behalf of his partys parliamentary leader Elizabeth May who was unable to attend the special session. MPs are slated to give speeches in the House to recognize the queens legacy in Canada throughout the day, which may continue on Friday morning. They each have 10 minutes to pay their tribute. The Canadian Press contributed to this report. Mike Lindell's autobiography came out in 2019 highlights his road to recovery. (Courtesy of Mike Lindell) EXCLUSIVE: MyPillows Mike Lindell Speaks Out After FBI Seizes Phone MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell was picking up food at a fast food chain drive-through when three cars driven by federal agents blocked him. It was Sept. 13 afternoon in Mankato, Minnesota. Lindell and a friend were halfway back from a duck hunting trip in Iowa. As one car pulled up perpendicularly in front of his car, a second pulled up alongside; and a third then appeared from behind, sandwiching Lindells car in the middle. Lindell stuck his head out of the car window. Who are you guys? he asked. The agents identified themselves as the FBI. We just wanted to talk to you, they said, Lindell recounted in an interview with The Epoch Times. The FBI, he said, targeted him over the voter fraud allegations he has voiced, and later seized his cell phone despite his vocal protests. In what might have lasted between half an hour and 45 minutes, Lindells food ran cold and his ice cream malt melted as the FBI agents questioned his proof to back up the election fraud allegations. Among other lines of questioning were Lindells ties to Colorado Mesa County clerk Tina Peters, the local election overseer he met at a cyber symposium he hosted last August. Peters has faced charges related to a breach of security protocols for her countys voting systems, to which she pleaded not guilty last week. They asked him about his meeting with Ohio math teacher Douglas Frank, who also believes the 2020 presidential election results were manipulated, and about Lindells frequent air travel. Well, I got bad news for you: we are going to take your cell phone, Lindell remembered the agents saying. No you are not, Id rather be arrested, you are not going to get my phone, he replied. Since he doesnt have a computer, he said his phone was an essential device that he leans on to run his five businesses. They want people to be scared to talk to Mike Lindell, Lindell, who relented and handed over his phone after consulting his lawyer, told The Epoch Times on Wednesday. You might get your phone taken at a drive-through restaurant, you might get your door bashed in by the FBI, he said, noting the string of FBI subpoenas for allies of former President Donald Trump reported in recent weeks. While Lindell initially thought the FBI was interested in him as part of the House probe into the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, the agents told him they had two separate cases in which he is named. The search warrant the FBI handed him authorized the seizure of an extensive list of information on Lindells phone, some of which appeared to be related to the tampering of the Dominion voting machines since Nov. 1, 2020, including information relating to the damage to any Dominion computerized voting system or attempt to impair the integrity or availability of the system. The warrant described Peters, Lindell, Frank, and several other individuals as co-conspirators, citing violations of three federal offenses: 18 U.S.C. 1028(a)(7) identity theft, 1030(a)(5)(A) intentional damage to a protected computer, and 371 conspiracy to commit identity theft and/or to cause intentional damage to a protected computer. The FBI turned down Lindells request to back up his phone. That was something that really upset me, he said, adding that his last phone backup was from a couple of weeks earlier. But the recent FBI actions, he said, wont dissuade him from his advocacy efforts. The government weaponized the FBI, trying to scare me, trying to scare other people, but it didnt change a thing, he said. This is Gestapo in Nazi Germany. This is what were up against. It didnt rattle me, he added. Im not going to unsee what Ive seen. Regarding his phone, Lindell is confident that the FBI will realize theres nothing in here. I do all things by calls, I rarely text, and I never email, he said. So whatever theyre looking for, theyre going to be on a wild goose chase. Lindells lawyer is working to get his clients phone back, and meanwhile, Lindell says he has already moved on. Im not even thinking about that. Im thinking of what I have to do tomorrow, the next day, and the next day, he said. I have three huge speeches this week: One in Omaha, Nebraska, one in Idaho, and then with the President, our real president, in Ohio, he said, referring to Trump. The phone confiscation, he said, has given him the opportunity to tell people that without election integrity, We lose our country. FBI spokesperson Vikki Migoya confirmed that the FBI was at that location executing a search warrant authorized by a federal judge but wouldnt comment on specifics regarding the case. An FBI review does not necessarily result in the opening of a full investigation, Migoya told The Epoch Times. Illegal immigrants arrive in New York City from Texas on Aug. 25, 2022. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) New York City Nearing Its Breaking Point With Influx of Illegal Immigrants From Texas: Mayor New York Citys shelter system is close to being overwhelmed by the continued influx of illegal immigrants from Texas, the citys mayor said on Sept. 14. In this new and unforeseen reality, where we expect thousands more to arrive every week going forward, the citys system is nearing its breaking point, Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, said in a statement. New York has recorded over 11,000 illegal immigrants entering its shelter system in the past several months, with others going into the homes of family members or friends. A number have come from Texas, which started bussing asylum seekers who were released by federal authorities to Democrat-run sanctuary cities earlier this year. U.S. authorities tell the illegal immigrants to go to court at a later date for the asylum claims to be adjudicated. Most claims are denied and many immigrants dont show up at court. Authorities rarely deport illegal immigrants, especially under Biden. Shelter New York has a law that mandates state and local authorities provide shelter to the needy. That means every asylum seeker that comes to New York will have shelter, Adams told reporters in a briefing on Thursday. But officials say they are reassessing the citys practices in following the law because when it was put into place, officials could not have foreseen the current situation, a city lawyer told reporters. Those practices include communications and operational methods. Adams called Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and other governors who have followed his lead in bussing illegal immigrants to cities rogue governors and said officials are trying to figure out various ways to respond to the governors, including legally. New York is receiving four to six busses per day, according to Manuel Castro, the citys commissioner of immigrant affairs. Blueprint Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has also ordered busses to cities while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis just had authorities fly illegal immigrants to Massachusetts. The Republican party has created a blueprint that all of them are starting to follow, Adams said. A spokesperson for Abbott did not respond to a request for comment. He and other governors have said theyre transporting the immigrants to try to force President Joe Biden, a Democrat, to step up enforcement at the U.S.Mexico border. Bidens administration has rejected calls for help from Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and hasnt appeared to offer assistance to New York or Chicago. Adams was speaking Thursday at a space described as a resource navigation center for the illegal immigrants. The centers are enabling access to legal services, school enrollment, and healthcare. Well continue to welcome asylum seekers with open arms and provide them the resources they need, Adams said. OC to Ask State to Study Potential Anaheim Hills Veterans Cemetery Site Orange County Supervisors voted this week to ask Californias Department of Veterans Affairs and the state to begin a feasibility study to build a veterans cemetery at Gypsum Canyon in Anaheim Hills. Gov. Gavin Newsom has yet to sign Assembly Bill 1595, a measure passed by the Legislature that requires the veterans department to acquire, study, design, develop, construct, and equip a state-owned and state-operated Southern California Veterans Cemetery in Orange County. In anticipation of the governors signature, county supervisors voted Sept. 13 to formally ask the state to begin the study for the Gypsum Canyon site. The move signals supervisors fully support building the cemetery in Anaheim Hills, Supervisor Don Wagner told The Epoch Times. It will have a good impact in setting the tone that this board remains fully involved and interested in this happening quickly, Wagner said. The legislation is expected to speed up the process for local veterans and their families who have waited nearly a decade for a local resting place for veterans. Ive heard from a lot of veterans and a lot of veterans families who are absolutely unanimous in how important this is to them, Wagner said. So I think it means a lot symbolically because weve got a large number of veterans in the county and were saying to them, thank you for your service. The site would also mean veterans families will be able to bury their loved ones nearby instead of hours away at national cemeteries in Riverside or Los Angeles. Once the Gypsum Canyon study is complete, Wagner expects the Anaheim Hills cemetery could open for burials by the end of 2024 or in early 2025, he said. The study should take a couple of months, he said. To be honest, its going to take years to do a full and complete buildout, but a full and complete buildout is enough space for veterans for more than 100 years. Every city in Orange County, including the Irvine City Council, has formally backed building a future veterans cemetery at the Gypsum Canyon location, as opposed to the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in Irvine. Irvines support is especially notable because the city, dating back as far as 2014, had backed the El Toro site, which has already undergone a full state study. But local leaders last year tossed aside the Irvine plans in favor of the Anaheim Hills location. However, unlike the Irvine site, the Anaheim location has not yet been studied. Opposition from neighbors of the El Toro site and interest from housing developers prompted the current Irvine City Council to endorse Gypsum Canyon in Anaheim Hills, where officials held what they called a groundbreaking in December. Orange Countys Veterans Cemetery Breaks Ground in Anaheim, Calif., on Dec. 8, 2021. (Courtesy of Rachel Lurya) Wagner said Orange County leaders and veterans are behind the Anaheim Hills location. The Irvine City Council has made it clear that they support Gypsum Canyon, Wagner said. Every city in this county has passed a resolution saying theyre in support of Gypsum Canyon, so whatever pull there is for Irvine at this point, its pretty much over. However, Irvine Councilman Larry Agran, who spearheaded an effort in 2014 to win Irvines approval of the El Toro plan, told The Epoch Times in August he is still confident the Irvine site will be selected. Im quite confident that the study [to be funded by the legislation] will reveal that the [Irvine] site is the superior site, and having been approved by the voters of the City of Irvine, will, in the end, be the location for the state-funded veterans memorial park and cemetery, Agran said. Agran expects the study will show the Anaheim Hills location is much more costly and difficult to develop and could be prohibited legally from development by deed restrictions. A local effort is underway to elect new Irvine city councilors in November who support the El Toro site, he said. Ohio Teachers Can Now Carry Guns in Classrooms School teachers and other staff at educational institutions across the state of Ohio will now be allowed to carry firearms on campuses, including inside classrooms, after House Bill 99 came into effect this week. The bill was signed into law on June 13 by the states Republican Gov. Mike DeWine. It allows school districts to decide independently whether teachers can be armed. Schools must inform parents if they allow armed staff on their premises. Those who are armed will be subject to annual criminal background checks. The bill does not require school districts to arm its teachers, DeWine said at the time. Every school district can make its own decision. This is a local choice not mandated by the state or governor. This bill is part of a comprehensive and layered approach to school safety and keeping kids safe in schools. Speaking to NBC4, state Rep. Allison Russo, a Democrat, criticized the bill as doing absolutely nothing to stop gun violence and insisted that it will make our schools and our students less safe. Democrats are planning to introduce legislation seeking to overturn some of the radical gun legislation the state has passed, Russo said, while adding that such bills will be introduced at the beginning of 2023. Republican state Rep. Jon Cross dismissed the plans, saying that such bills are unlikely to garner enough votes to overturn House Bill 99. Some schools may have more security and ways to protect their students than other districts do, she said to the media outlet. This is another tool in the toolbox we hopefully never have to use. Gun Training for Staff House Bill 99 requires school staff who carry guns to undergo 24 hours of initial training at a minimum and eight hours of re-certification training every year. The Ohio School Safety Center (OSSC) is tasked with such training. The bill has set aside $6 million for this purpose. The center is presently in the process of developing a state training curriculum as mandated by House Bill 99, it told 3News. Currently, no training requests have been received from schools. The OSSC is working quickly to finalize a training curriculum. When ready, regional mobile training officers will work with schools who choose to arm their staff to ensure they know everything they need to know about the curriculum requirements. House Bill 99 was finalized just 10 days after a teen in Uvalde, Texas, massacred 19 students and two teachers. Parents of the slain children were left in the dark on why armed law enforcement, who arrived at the school within minutes, waited more than an hour before the shooter was taken out. The bills supporters point out that the new law will empower armed school staff to confront such shooters until the police arrive and control the situation. Shipping containers that will be used to fill a 1,000-foot gap in the border wall with Mexico near Yuma, Ariz., on Aug. 12, 2022. (Arizona Governor's Office via AP) Opioid Deaths Mount as States Battle Cartels, Drug Smugglers at US-Mexico Border On Sept. 8, as Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey toured a wall of shipping containers stacked two-high along the states southern border in Yuma, he declared the barrier would stem the flow of illegal immigration and drug smuggling from Mexico into the United States. A month earlier, Ducey, a Republican, signed an executive order authorizing the Arizona Department of Military Affairs to erect the barrier fringed with barbed wire to seal the gaps in the southern border wall. The $6 million project was part of a half-billion dollar fiscal 2023 state budget package for border security signed by the governor earlier this year. Last time I stood along the border here in Yuma, multiple migrants crossed the border into Arizona illegallyright in front of us, Ducey said during a press conference near the Morales Dam at the temporary border barrier. April Babcock holds a picture of her son Austen, who died in January 2019 after unknowingly taking some fentanyl-laced cocaine. (Courtesy of April Babcock) Now, 130 shipping containers fill border wall gaps previously wide open for dangerous cartel activity and illegal entry into our nation. Even as Ducey proclaimed the barrier would block the revolving door for Mexican drug cartels, five Arizona residents would die of an opioid overdose that day. The Arizona Department of Health Services shared that grim statistic on its website as the state faces a worsening opioid crisis linked directly to illegal immigration and smuggling. In 2022, nearly 400 people died of an opioid-related overdose in Arizonaand the year isnt over yet. Nationwide, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control reported a staggering 107,375 people died of drug overdoses and poisonings in the 12 months ending in January 2022, with 67 percent of those deaths involving fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. We are in the midst of a national opioid crisis, and the deadliest drugs smuggled into our country [are] from Mexico, said Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, a Republican, in a strongly worded statement on her official webpage. Some of the seized approximately 1 million fake pills containing fentanyl that were seized when agents served a search warrant at a home in Inglewood, Calif., on July 5, 2022. (Drug Enforcement Administration via AP) President [Joe] Biden knows this, yet he continues to double down on his terrible immigration policies, knowing full well these policies are emboldening and enriching [the drug cartels and] profiting off the deaths of thousands of Americans. The worst illegal narcotics entering the United States from Mexico are heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and the highly lethal and addictive synthetic opioid fentanyl. In the case of fentanyl, China remains the worlds dominant producer and supplier. At the same time, Mexican drug cartels aim to capitalize on new regulations in China that address Americas opioid crisis. Many of the precursor ingredients used to make fentanyl are made in India, although Mexican drug cartels also produce the drug using laboratory-grade equipment in ever-increasing quantities for sale in the United States. A DEA Intelligence Report for 2020, found that the influx of fentanyl90 percent pure at timesinto the country is far more diverse than the 2014 fentanyl crisis. While much illegal drug smuggling occurs along the southern border in Texas, New Mexico, and California, six land ports-of-entry in Arizona provide ready access for narcotics traffickers, called mules. A Mexican Army soldier holds poppy plants that were cultivated by narcotics traffickers in the mountains surrounding Chilpancingo, the capital of the Mexican state of Guerrero, in this 2002 file photo. (Alfredo Estrella/AFP via Getty Images) Significant gaps in President Donald Trumps unfinished border wall and open flood gates near critical entry points in Douglas, Bisbee, and Sansabe, make illegal immigration seem easy. And the sheer volume of drugs seized by the DEA and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) that cross over from Mexico into the United States is astonishing. During the first nine months of fiscal year 2022, southern California CBP agents seized more than 5,000 pounds of fentanyl, about 60 percent of the 8,425 pounds of fentanyl intercepted throughout the entire country. A decade ago, we didnt even know about fentanyl, and now its a national crisis, U.S. attorney Randy Grossman said in a statement. The amount of fentanyl we are seizing at the border is staggering. The number of fentanyl seizures and fentanyl-related deaths in our district is unprecedented. On Aug. 26, CBP agents seized $4.3 million worth of fentanyl pills during a traffic stop near the city of Gila Bend, Arizona. The shipment included 340 packages, weighing 187 pounds, with enough fentanyl to kill more than 42 million Americans. Sending Drugs Through Tunnels In July, the CBP operating at the Arizona southern border recovered in excess of 40 pounds of drugs from inside a vehicle, and 150,000 fentanyl pills. The National Intelligence Centers 2003 Threat Assessment For Arizona reports illegal drug smuggling takes place by rail, couriers on horseback, and camouflaged backpackers traversing remote areas in Arizona to avoid detection. These areas include the Tohono Oodham Nation, Coronado National Forest, and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Mexican drug cartels frequently build underground tunnels to ship products illegally into the United States. (One smuggler even used the sewer system linking both countries.) Law enforcement in Arizona discovered a dozen tunnels between 1995 and 2003 connecting Nogales, Arizona, with Nogales, Sonora in Mexico. The report said that drug cartels and criminal gangs would also use their family ties and personal networks in the United States to transport and distribute significant quantities of illegal narcotics. The amount spent on border security at the state level is significant. State funding for border security in Texas alone is nearly $3 billion for fiscal 2023 as part of Operation Lone Star. Since the launch of that operation, law enforcement has made more than 279,000 migrant apprehensions and 17,100 criminal arrests, confiscating 5,800 weapons and $43.5 million in currency. Firefighters and police officers work in the scene of shoot-out in which eight alleged drug traffickers were shot dead by Mexican Navy officers in Tlahuac, Mexico City, on July 20, 2017. (Pedro Pardo/AFP via Getty Images) In June, Ducey authorized $564 million for Arizonas border security, including the barrier and a central command center. In the meantime, increased spending on illegal narcotics interdiction in Arizona has spurred major fentanyl seizures statewide. The Arizona Criminal Justice Commission said that $3.7 million in funding to 14 drug task force units resulted in a significant increase in drug seizures between 2019 and 2020. But despite the best efforts of law enforcement, the death toll from opioid use and illegal smuggling continues to mount. During Overdose Awareness Week last August, Biden proclaimed the overdose epidemic has taken a heartbreaking toll on our nation, claiming the lives of far too many Americans and devastating families and communities across the country. Every loss is a painful reminder that now more than ever, we must address our nations overdose epidemic, Biden said, promising to spend more on mental health and substance use care infrastructure to beat the opioid crisis. Police display confiscated capsules containing about 15 grams of cocaine, ready to be swallowed by drug traffickers. New guidelines on drug sentencing for the first time sets out different sentences for different kinds of involvement in trafficking. (Mark Renders/Getty Images) A Buffalo man has been arraigned on charges stemming from the fatal shooting of a man prosecutors say was his boyfriend, Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced. Jonathan Whitsett, 37, was ordered held without bail after his appearance before County Court Judge James Bargnesi. He is charged with second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Prosecutors allege that Whitsett shot William P. Cobb III, 36, with an illegal gun shortly before midnight June 18 while Cobb was sitting in Whitsett's car parked on Bailey Avenue near Berkshire Avenue. Cobb was taken in another private vehicle to Erie County Medical Center, where he later died. If convicted, Whitsett faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. An Ottawa police officer is facing a charge of discreditable conduct for allegedly donating money to the Freedom Convoy. In February, truckers and demonstrators from across Canada descended on Ottawa to demand an end to federal vaccine mandates and COVID-19 restrictions. The group used crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe and GiveSendGo to collect donations for gas, food, and accommodations. A hacker group eventually gained access to and published the donor list, releasing the personal details of over 92,000 donors. Now, Const. Kristina Neilson is being investigated for allegedly appearing on that list, CTV News reports. Neilson had a disciplinary hearing on Sept. 15 to face the misconduct charge under the Police Services Act. The investigation was initiated following a Chiefs complaint. The Ottawa Police Service Professional Standards investigators allege Neilson donated money to the Freedom Convoy through GiveSendGo on Feb. 5about a week after demonstrators arrived in Ottawa. The notice of disciplinary hearing alleges Neilson acted in a disorderly manner, or in a manner prejudicial to discipline or likely to bring discredit upon the reputation of the Ottawa Police Service by donating money to the Freedom Convoy Fund on a website called GiveSendGo.' The notice goes on to say Neilson knew, or reasonably ought to have known, that the money was being raised for the illegal occupation known as the Freedom Convoy.' The protesters, largely made up of cross-border truckers after a federal vaccine mandate for their industry came into effect, planted themselves in Ottawas downtown streets for over three weeks. The federal government refused to meet with protesters or hear their concerns while they were in the capital. Eventually, the Liberal government invoked the Emergencies Act to forcibly remove protesters from Parliament Hill. The powers granted in the act allowed banks to freeze Freedom Convoy organizers and demonstrators bank accounts and crypto wallets. Zero Tolerance In June, Interim Chief Steve Bell said police were investigating whether any member of the Ottawa Police Service donated to the Freedom Convoy. I was very clear at the time about the fact I had zero tolerance for anyone internally who would support any sort of illegal activity, Bell said on June 27. But Bell didnt become the interim police chief until February 15nearly two weeks after Neilsons donationafter former chief Peter Sloly resigned due to controversy over his handling of the convoy. Its unclear if Bells policy was communicated to staff before he took the top job. The Ontario Provincial Police said in February that the Professional Standards Unit was looking into allegations some of their officers donated to the protest. Meanwhile, a former senior Ontario government spokeswoman is suing the government and two newspapers after she was fired for donating to the convoy. Marion Isabeau Ringuette donated $100 to the Freedom Convoy, also on Feb. 5. Her lawsuit says there was no government policy against the protest when she made her donation. The province didnt take a position against the convoy protest until Feb. 10, making her private donation legal and not against government policy, according to her claim. Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mehmet Oz greets supporters after the primary race resulted in an automatic recount due to close results in Newtown, Pa., on May 17, 2022. (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images) Oz Agrees to Oct. 25 Debate With FettermanUnder 3 Conditions Mehmet Oz will take the stage against his Pennsylvania Democratic U.S. Senate opponent in an Oct. 25 debate if three conditions are met, his campaign said on Sept. 14. After weeks of listening to Oz questioning Fettermans refusal to participate in a debate, Pennsylvanias lieutenant governor agreed to a forum hosted by Nexstar Television in Harrisburg on Oct. 25, exactly two weeks before the Nov. 8 general election day. Oz has repeatedly said that the first debate should be held before the first mail-in ballots are sent out on Sept. 19. Fetterman, who had a stroke just before the Democratic primary in May, has made few public appearances since winning his partys nomination. He continues to experience auditory processing issues that prevent him from promptly responding to what he hears. Fetterman asked for the use of closed captioning during the debate and for two practice sessions in the studio, according to the Oz campaign. State Lt. Gov. and U.S. senatorial candidate John Fetterman delivers remarks during a Women for Fetterman rally at Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, Pa., on Sept. 11, 2022. (Kriston Jae Bethel/AFP via Getty Images) In a statement, Ozs campaign released a statement outlining the three conditions it requested for the event: At the opening of the debate, a moderator tells viewers that Fetterman is using a closed captioning system and there could be a delay in what he is asked and when he responds. Questions provided to Fetterman in the practice sessions have no resemblance to questions asked in the debate. The debate should be extended from 60 minutes to 90 minutes to cover the delay related to the closed captioning system. It would be unfair to viewers to waste airtime while close captioners type questions and answers, the Oz campaign wrote. Oz wanted the first debate to occur on Sept. 6, but Fetterman declined. Instead, Oz held a press conference in the Philadelphia area with Republican Sen. Pat Toomey, who is retiring and will be replaced by Oz or Fetterman. At the press conference, Oz and Toomey attacked Fetterman for refusing to debate and questioned his ability to serve in the Senate, if elected, because of his health condition. Over the last week, editorials in The Washington Post, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and Philadelphia Inquirer have also expressed concern about Fettermans wellness and have criticized him for not agreeing to debate Oz. After suffering the stroke on May 13, Fetterman had surgery to implant a pacemaker. It was revealed that he has a serious heart condition. Fetterman, who has not provided access to his medical records, has said that he almost died. Since the stroke, he has conducted just a few interviews with reporters, has not held a press conference, and has incorporated closed-captioning in video interviews with media members. In a statement, Contres said that Fetterman agreed to the Oct. 25 debate only after being hit with massive criticism from state and national editorials and commentators for ducking. Fettermans campaign has told media outlets that 83 percent of ballots were cast in the final two weeks of the 2020 election, and that this year the number is expected to be higher. Ozs motivation for criticizing Fetterman about not debating is to mock him as a stroke survivor, Fettermans campaign has also said. Fetterman does not have an issue with alerting viewers and attendees about the closed captioning, his campaign said. The practice sessions are merely routine walkthroughs that are common in any debate, the campaign added. The campaigns do not agree about the debates duration. Fettermans campaign insists that the event last 60 minutes and told reporters that Ozs campaign had agreed. For weeks Oz and his team have wet the bed about debates, Fettermans campaign told The Associated Press. Enough already, we are debating on the 25th, either show up or dont, but now lets get back to talking about the issues that matter, like how Oz would vote on the Senate abortion ban. Oz has suggested five debates before election day, but he looks forward to being in Harrisburg on October 25th to share his vision for a better Pennsylvania and America, and he is ready to expose Fettermans record as the most radical far-left senate candidate in America, Contres said. Doctor Oz will continue to push for more and sooner debates. Pennsylvania voters should not have to wait until October 25th to hear from their candidates, Contres added. Ozs campaign is attempting to move the goal posts by asking that the debate be expanded by a half-hour, Fetterman campaign senior advisor Rebecca Katz said in a statement. Oz agreed to a 60-minute Nexstar debate. Then we agreed to a 60-minute Nexstar debate. Now, suddenly 60 minutes isnt good enough, and hes demanding 90, Katz wrote. Lets be real: If we agreed to 10 debates, Oz would be demanding 20. Hes going to keep trying to move the goal posts because this is his only play. Since learning that he would face Oz in the general election and staying off the campaign trail during his recovery, Fetterman has mostly conducted his campaign on social media, frequently trolling his celebrity surgeon opponent with memes that call Oz a wealthy carpetbagger from New Jersey. In recent weeks, Oz has fought back, questioning Fettermans health condition and criticizing him for not agreeing to debate. A new study from a team of researchers from University College London (UCL) has found a link between heart health and brain aging. Researchers used MRI scans to estimate peoples brain age and found multiple risk factors for a prematurely aging brain. The study found that worse cardiovascular health at age 36 predicted a higher brain age later in life. Brain aging has been associated with worse scores on cognitive tests and predicts brain shrinkage (atrophy) over the following two years. Researchers believe this could be an important clinical marker for people at risk of cognitive decline or other brain-related health issues. The study participants were between 69 and 72 years old. All were part of an Alzheimers Disease Research UK-funded Insight 46 study that had an estimated brain age from an established MRI-based machine learning model. All participants had been a part of the study throughout their lives, so researchers could compare their current brain ages to various factors. It was found that people with poor cardiovascular health during midlife had worse brain health later in life. Researchers also found that higher brain age was associated with a higher blood concentration of neurofilament light protein (NfL). This elevation was previously found because of nerve cell damage, and its now recognized as a useful marker of neurodegeneration. These findings also align with a previous study that suggests high blood pressure at age 36 can predict brain health later in life. The Insight 46 study is helping reveal more about the complex relationship between the different factors influencing peoples brain health throughout their life. said Dr. Sara Imarisio, head of research at Alzheimers Research UK. Using machine learning, researchers in this study have uncovered yet more evidence that poorer heart health in midlife is linked to greater brain shrinkage in later life. Were incredibly grateful to the dedicated group of individuals who have contributed to research their entire lives making this work possible. Trucks line up to enter a Port of Oakland shipping terminal in Oakland, Calif., on Nov. 10, 2021. (Noah Berger/AP Photo) Port of LA Offers $5 Million in Incentives for Zero-Emission Trucks The Port of Los Angeles is offering $5 million in incentives for zero-emission trucks to operate at the facility, officials announced Sept. 13. The voucher program provides $150,000 in funding for each eligible zero-emission truck purchase that serves the San Pedro port complex. The program would fund more than 30 trucks, and the budget comes from the Clean Truck Fund. Were pleased to start investing the Clean Truck Fund dollars that weve been collecting since April and use them toward a zero-emissions future, said Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. This is the first of many funding initiatives that the Port of Los Angeles has planned as we help begin the transition to the cleanest trucks in the world. The voucher for the $150,000 will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. The port is expected to see its first electric trucks in operation next year. Our port does more than drive Americas economy forwardit shows the world how environmental stewardship and economic prosperity can go hand-in-hand, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said. As we continue to move record cargo, the need for zero-emission solutions has never been more clear. Starting April, cargo owners have been charged $10 per loaded container entering and exiting the port, for the fund. The program was approved by the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners in March 2020. The Clean Truck Fund is expected to generate $45 million annually, which will be allocated in several batches. The second batch of incentives is expected to be made available later this year. Additionally, a new California Air Resources Boards rule requires trucks serving Los Angeles-area ports to have 2010, or newer, engine modelsstarting Jan. 1, 2023. It is estimated that nearly one-quarter of trucks serving the ports will soon be prohibited from entering its gates. The air resources boards regulations also require all trucks operating at the ports to be zero-emission by 2035. Currently, fewer than 40 trucks out of 21,000 operating at the port meet the requirement. However, Matt Schrap, CEO of the Harbor Trucking Association, said at a press briefing in August that the state still lacks charging stations for electric trucks. We do not see a robust infrastructure rollout happening by that date and so many members, as well as larger motor carriers throughout the country who do business here in California, are concerned about this, he said. City News Service contributed to this report. Preston Manning: Beyond Left and Right Commentary Much of the current commentary on North American politics is still couchedtoo much sowithin the old left-right-centre conceptualization of political ideology and parties. The Biden Democrats in the United States and the Trudeau Liberals in Canada both denounce their principal opponents as right-wing extremists. Conservatives in both countries accuse their federal governments of catering to the left far too often. Political moderates in both counties claim to be representing an ever-shifting, ill-defined centre whose distinguishing feature is that it is neither left nor right. And political pundits of all stripes continue to overuse the terms of left, right, and centre despite their declining relevance. Canadians, especially younger Canadians, can rightfully question why we insist on discussing 21st-century politics within an 18th-century conceptual framework. Why should we be conceptualizing contemporary politics within a framework derived from the seating arrangement in Frances 18th-century post-revolution assembly, where members of the land-owning aristocracy sat on the right and representatives of the working class and pro-revolutionary forces sat on the left? Is there a more reasonable and relevant framework for conceptualizing and discussing contemporary North American politics? Yes, there is! And ironically it is a framework suggested by a Frenchman, Alexis de Tocqueville, in his famous book Democracy in America. Although these words of De Tocqueville were written in 1840, they remain amazingly descriptive of the North American political landscape today: [T]he secret propensities that govern the factions of America, (are) those two great divisions which have always existed in free communities the object of the one is to limit and that of the other to extend the authority of the people. I affirm that aristocratic or democratic passions may easily be detected at the bottom of all parties, and that, although they escape a superficial observation, they are the main point and soul of every faction in the United States. A portrait of Alexis de Tocqueville by Theodore Chasseriau, 1850. (Public domain) And we might add, of every political faction in Canada also. It is far more relevant today to categorize North American voters as pro-establishment or anti-establishment than it is to categorize them as left, right, or centristto separate the sheep from the goats by asking: Are you in favour of limiting or extending the influence of ordinary people in the political arena? Today, the aristocratic passion resides politically, not so much in the old aristocracy of the wealthy but in an intellectual aristocracy that considers itself superior to the average voter, denounces bottom-up expression of political opinion at every opportunity, and seeks to limit rather than extend the authority of the people. At the same time, the democratic passion is finding expression through a new breed of political leadership which draws its support from a growing segment of the electorate who feel increasingly disenfranchised by the political system and the elites who control its commanding heights. These voters resent having their opinions labelled as politically incorrect, their interests ignored or dismissed as illegitimate, and their political actions demeaned as misguided populism. In Canada, we currently have a prime minister who typifies the modern political aristocrat: inclined to display his imagined intellectual superiority by lecturing the rabble at every opportunity and quite prepared to constrain the authority of the people whenever possible. But now, in the elevation of Pierre Poilievre to the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada, we have an alternative leader arising from humble circumstances and inclined to trust rather than mistrust the rank and file of Canadians. In other words, a leader animated by the democratic rather than the aristocratic passion. As a Canadian voter considering whom to vote for in the next federal election, which framework best describes your optionsthe old left-right-centre framework or the aristocratic/democratic framework? The champions of the aristocratic framework will of course tell you that expanding the authority of the people is dangerous and leads to extremism. But that charge is best answered in the words of Thomas Jefferson, one of the original framers of the U.S. Constitution, when he was asked near the end of his life where the ultimate political authority of a free society should be vested. Jefferson replied: I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves. And anticipating the objections of the aristocratic elites, he added: And if we think them (the people) not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. The Pray Vote Stand Summit hosted by FRC Action, the legislative affiliate of Family Research Council, opened with a Christian worship service at First Baptist Church of Atlanta on Sept. 14, 2022. (Courtesy of FRC Action) Pro-Lifers Aim to Advance Movement Beyond Overturning Roe v. Wade Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade and returned abortion matters fully to the states, it is time to rebuild the culture of life in America, according to Tony Perkins, president of Family Research Council. Life has been, and will be even more so, an issue in every election, Perkins said Thursday at the Pray Vote Stand Summit hosted by FRC Action, the legislative affiliate of Family Research Council. The summit, happening this week at First Baptist Church of Atlanta in Georgia, includes discussions of current cultural issues impacting faith, family, and freedom from a biblical worldview. For the first time, life is on the ballot in a meaningful way, and voters should look at what lawmakers are doing and saying now, according to participants in the panel discussion, Life After Roe: Where Do We Go From Here? We have 50 years of abortion baked into our culture, and it has seeped into every ethos in terms of how we approach a sexual ethic, how we approach a moral ethic, how we look at abortion, said Cole Muzio, president of Frontline Policy Council, a Georgia-based Christian family advocacy group. We have to make sure that were loving women and stepping up as a church and as the Body of Christ to serve and care for them and meet this moment. Brandi Swindell is founder and CEO of Stanton Healthcare, an Idaho-based life-affirming network of medical clinics specializing in unexpected pregnancy care. She says Stanton is intentional in going where women are, to offer services. That means a key part of our strategy is opening clinics right next door to Planned Parenthoods. Right next door to abortion clinics, Swindell said, adding that Planned Parenthood sued Stanton over that, but they are not going to be bullied because women deserve access to life-affirming care. The truth is the abortion industry, those radical, aggressive, pro-abortionists, will continue to spread the disinformation that women wake up every morning wanting abortions. And if they face an unexpected pregnancy, they are choosing an abortion. That is not the truth, Swindell said. Women want diversity in care. They want access to alternatives to abortion, and thats why our clinics are busy all the time. We serve the same demographic that Planned Parenthood does. Its the same women facing an unexpected pregnancy that theyre trying to prey on. Legislating Pro-Life Policies South Carolina state Sen. Josh Kimbrell, a Republican, said his state has a heartbeat bill banning abortions once a babys cardiac activity is detectable, but the state Supreme Court issued a stay on that law. He reports people driving from Georgia, where abortion laws are stricter, to South Carolina, as abortion tourists. Were going to introduce legislation that says if you attack a pregnancy center were going to put you in jail with a Class A felony, no stops, no ifs, ands, or buts, Kimbrell said. He said South Carolina has banned any state employee from using their state health insurance card to purchase any kind of abortion. In Georgia, proposed House Bill 41 recognizes that life begins at conception. We recognize that throughout our code, Muzio said. That means a woman, as soon as shes pregnant, can begin claiming that child on her taxes. He added that a woman can put in a claim for child support from the father as soon as she is pregnant, making sure he is caring for that child. And a pregnant woman can drive in the high occupancy vehicle lane without having someone else sitting next to her. These are ideas that bolster messaging acknowledging the humanity of the unborn. If youre someone that hates abortion more than you love life, theyre going to read through that, Muzio said. The key part of messaging is your authenticity. Changing the Culture In Idaho, a law went into effect last month that allows for abortions only in cases of rape, incest, or to prevent a pregnant womans death. It is being challenged in court. We are abortion-free in the state of Idaho, Swindell said. Planned Parenthood parking lots are empty right now. And in fact, some Planned Parenthoods closed in response to Roe being overturned. I thought they were supposed to be about standing with women and abortion was only three percent of what they do. But its pretty obvious, when theyre shutting clinics down across the nation, that its not really about standing with women. They want women to choose abortion. They want to sell abortions. Connor Semelsberger, director of federal affairs at Family Research Council, moderated the discussion and said the future of the pro-life movement is in the hands of state representatives, federal representatives, advocacy groups, and voters. When Roe v. Wade happened, it was the church that began the pro-life movementthat first March for Life in D.C., that first January after Roe v. Wade happened, that came out of the Christian church, Semelsberger said. The church has to be the spearhead moving forward. He emphasized the importance of elections. While pro-abortion groups fight to broaden abortion access, Swindell said the culture must change. We have to work as a society to make abortion unthinkable in the hearts and minds of women that are facing unexpected pregnancies, Swindell said. Hadi Matar (L) appears in court on charges of attempted murder and assault on author Salman Rushdie in Mayville, N.Y., on Aug. 18, 2022. (Lindsay DeDario/Reuters) Prosecutors Request Names of Salman Rushdie Stabbing Witnesses Be Withheld From the Accused Prosecutors in New York on Sept. 14 called on a Chautauqua County judge to withhold the names of witnesses in the stabbing of author Salman Rushdie from alleged attacker Hadi Matar until the trial draws closer. During Matars court appearance on Wednesday, District Attorney Jason Schmidt requested that Judge David W. Foley put in place a protection order for witnesses, citing specific information his office has that the suspect poses a potential threat to the witnesses. Schmidt reportedly noted that Matar may have been motivated to stab Rushdie, who authored the controversial 1988 novel The Satanic Verses, due to a $3 million bounty placed on the authors head by the late Iranian cleric and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989. Also known as a fatwa, or edict, it called on pious Muslims to assassinate the Indian-born writer, claiming that his book was blasphemous. Rushdie subsequently went into hiding for several years. Although Khomeini died in 1989, the Islamic Republic of Iran has stated that it cannot technically recall the fatwa because it can only be lifted by its original issuer. Matar told The New York Post in August that he respected Khomeini, who he described as a great person, but Matar has not stated outright that he was inspired by the fatwa in his stabbing of Rushdie. In the same interview, he said hed read a few pages of Rushdies controversial novel before seeing a post on Twitter last winter announcing the authors visit to the Chautauqua Institution in New York, prompting Matar to go there. Indian-born BritishAmerican author Salman Rushdie speaks as he presents his book Quichotte at the Volkstheater in Vienna on Nov. 16, 2019. (Herbert Neubauer/APA/AFP via Getty Images) Complete Speculation However, Matars attorney, public defender Nathaniel Barone, opposed Schmidts request on Wednesday, citing a lack of evidence. Theres nothing thats been provided to us to show that the Iranian government is actively supporting the attack on any supporters of Mr. Rushdie who may come forward to testify, he said, according to The Post-Journal. For the government to make the jump that theres this fatwa thats going to put witnesses in danger, I think thats complete speculation, Barone added, according to The Buffalo News. Schmidt also requested an additional 70 days to review the evidence before turning it over to the defense due to the sheer amount of material prosecutors need to go through. Hearing for Protective Order The Chautauqua County District Attorneys Office told The Epoch Times: On Sept.14, the Judge presiding over the case, Hon. David W. Foley, heard arguments on our application seeking (i) an expanded timeline for providing discoverable materials to the defense under New Yorks reformed discovery laws given that the materials are exceptionally voluminous, and (ii) a protective order preserving the confidentiality of witnesses and limiting the persons who may review the materials we disclose. They added: The Judge reserved decision and ordered a hearing on the protective order application for this Friday, Sept. 16, at 9:45am. I intend to take full advantage of the time allotted to the prosecution under applicable statutes so that we can ensure our compliance with the discovery laws, maintain the integrity of our case, and protect the safety of all witnesses involved. New Jersey Police officers stand guard near the building where alleged attacker of Salman Rushdie, Hadi Matar, lives in Fairview, N.J., on Aug. 12, 2022. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters) Rushdie Stabbed Over 10 Times Matar, 24, of New Jersey is accused of stabbing Rushdie over 10 times with a knife on Aug. 12 as the author was set to deliver a lecture on artistic freedom at the western New York venue. Rushdie, 75, suffered a damaged liver and severed nerves in an arm and one eye, his literary agent Andrew Wylie said not long after the attack. Wylie has cautioned that although Rushdies condition is headed in the right direction, his recovery will be long. Matar has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Associated Press contributed to this report. An oil drilling rig operates in a field near Cremona, Alta., on July 12, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh) Reduce Red Tape: Ottawa Removes Barriers Around Movement of Oil Service Rigs After Request From Alberta, Saskatchewan Alberta and Saskatchewan have secured a regulatory exemption from Ottawa that will allow oil service rigs to move freely between provinces, according to a Sept. 12 notice issued by Transport Canada. In June 2019, the premiers of both provinces signed a memorandum of understanding to help remove provincial barriers imposed by federal regulations that needlessly restricted the movement of service rigs. Since then, they have brought forward a joint application to Transport Canada, urging the federal department to exempt service rigs from regulations under the Motor Vehicle Transport Act that prevent the service rigs from moving between job sites in the two provinces efficiently. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said the federal exemption is a win for his province that will make it easier and faster to move the service rigs between provinces. Striking down service rig regulations is part of the Alberta governments plan to reduce red tape, improve labour mobility and grow our economy, Kenney said in a statement on Sept. 14. Because the federal government regulates traffic between provinces, we have been pressing Ottawa for over two years to align their rules with our pro-growth approach. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe also issued a statement, saying the change was long overdue. Western Canadian Energy is not only among the most sustainable in the world, but also among the safest. We should be removing redundant red tape and barriers that impede opportunity for growth, he said. The exemption was approved because oil service rigs present a unique situation with respect to highway transportation safety, according to the federal government. A service rig package operates within a limited radius or within recognized oil and gas fields, and as such, travels short distances on highway and spends 95 percent of its total operating time stationary, the Transport Canada notice said. Under the new Motor Vehicle Transport Act exemption, service rig convoys will not be required to complete daily logs or have a certified electronic logging device, said the governments of both provinces in their statements. In addition, the two provinces committed that service rigs will continue to have safety checks in place, including having valid permits, regular inspections, and compliance with occupational health and safety requirements. The exemption will apply in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia. 3D printed clouds and figurines in front of the VMware cloud service logo in a photo illustration taken on Feb. 8, 2022. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters) SEC Charges VMware With Misleading Investors by Obscuring Financial Performance WASHINGTONThe Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said on Monday it has charged cloud computing company VMware Inc. with misleading investors by obscuring its financial performance. The company was charged with misleading investors about its order backlog management practices, which the agency said enabled it to push revenue into future quarters by delaying product deliveries to customers, thereby concealing the companys slowing performance relative to its projections. Without admitting or denying the findings in the SECs order, VMware consented to a cease-and-desist order and will pay an $8 million penalty, the SEC said. VMware confirmed in a statement of its own that it reached a settlement with the SEC and agreed to pay the penalty without admitting or denying the SECs findings. The SEC said it found that beginning in fiscal-year 2019, VMware began delaying the delivery of license keys on some sales orders until just after quarter-end so that it could recognize revenue from the corresponding license sales in the following quarter. VMware shifted tens of millions of dollars in revenue into future quarters, building a buffer in those periods and obscuring the companys financial performance as its business slowed relative to projections in fiscal year 2020, the SEC said. Although VMware publicly disclosed that its backlog was managed based upon multiple considerations, it did not reveal to investors that it used the backlog to manage the timing of the companys revenue recognition, the regulator added. In May, chipmaker Broadcom Inc. said it will buy VMware in a $61 billion cash-and stock deal. The SEC Staff has confirmed that it does not intend to recommend enforcement action against any current or former VMware officers or other member of management in connection with the investigation, and this settlement concludes the matter, VMware said in its statement on Monday. By Kanishka Singh Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) leave a hearing on the January 6th investigation in Washington on June 13, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Secret Service Gives Thousands of Records to House Jan. 6 Committee U.S. Secret Service officials have handed over thousands of records to the House of Representatives committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. We have provided a significant level of detail from emails, radio transmissions, Microsoft Teams chat messages, and exhibits that address aspects of planning, operations, and communications surrounding January 6th, a spokesperson for the service told The Epoch Times via email. The panel, dominated by Democrats, subpoenaed the Secret Service over the summer. It asked for all text messages from Jan. 6 and relating to the events that unfolded that day, as well as after-action reports. The Secret Service has said that text messages sent on Jan. 5 and Jan. 6 were erased as part of a device replacement program but has denied allegations of malfeasance. Its hard for people to understand, but we do not communicate via text message, a spokesman said earlier this year. It is policy that you do not conduct business via text message. The agency said that it hasnt recovered any additional text messages, but Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) told reporters on Sept. 14 that the files include texts from Jan. 5 and Jan. 6, after the service turned over just one message previously. Thompson said he didnt know where the messages were sourced, The Hill reported. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), a member of the committee, described the materials as a large amount of documentary evidence, some of which is very pertinent. Theres texts, theres emails, theres radio traffic, theres all kinds of information. [Microsoft] Teams meetings, she said on MSNBC. Were going through everything thats been provided. More is coming in. The potential to obtain testimony from Tony Ornato, who helped protect former President Donald Trump during the breach and who retired over the summer, hinges on the review, according to Lofgren. The panel is also considering other next steps, including whether to compel former Vice President Mike Pence to testify, and the timing of future public hearings. Democrats in the House created the panel, and all members were chosen by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Pelosi rejected some members picked by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), prompting McCarthy to pull his remaining choices. Reps. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) are the only Republicans on the panel. Both are virulently anti-Trump, and both are set to leave office in January. Cheney lost in the Republican primary for the seat she holds; Kinzinger had already announced he was retiring after the current term. A preservation organization pursued an appeal in appellate court Thursday evening, after state Supreme Court Justice Emilio Colaiacovo in the morning dismissed a July 5 court case in which he denied a temporary restraining order to block demolition of the Great Northern grain elevator. The dismissal was necessary for an appeal to be filed, said attorney Richard Lippes, who represents the Campaign for Greater Buffalo History, Architecture & Culture. Lippes said he expected an appeal to be filed Thursday evening with the appellate court, to be followed by a request on Friday for an immediate temporary restraining order that would prevent or stop demolition. "We only wish it could have been rendered earlier in order to have already appeared in front of the appellate division," Lippes said. "At this point, that is exactly what we intend to do, seeking a temporary restraining order from any demolition as well as proceeding with the appeal. It is certainly our intention to get it filed immediately." Catherine Amdur, the city's permit and inspection services commissioner, said Wednesday that demolition could begin Thursday but it didn't happen. It's not known if ADM will attempt to start demolition on Friday. A large hole in the vacant grain elevator's north wall on Dec. 11 led James Comerford, Amdur's predecessor, to allow an emergency demolition, a decision that has been argued about in the courts for the past 10 months. The Great Northern is the last brick-box grain elevator with steel bins in North America, and is considered by preservationists to be an indelible part of Buffalo's waterfront heritage. The grain elevator is owned by Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., commonly known as ADM, a multinational food processing and commodities trading corporation headquartered in Chicago. Sen. Blackburn: Eliza Fletcher Would Be Alive If Suspect Was Jailed for Prior Rape Eliza Fletcher, a mother of two and a kindergarten teacher, would be alive today if her accused killer had been jailed for a prior rape he allegedly committed, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) said on Wednesday. Fletcher, 34, was jogging near her home on the University of Memphis campus on Sept. 2 during the early morning hours when she was abducted, forced into an SUV, and murdered. Cleotha Abston, a 38-year-old career criminal who spent decades behind bars for kidnapping and also appeared in court for prior rape cases, was arrested several days later in connection to Fletchers murder. He was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals after investigators found his DNA on a pair of sandals recovered near where Fletcher was last seen, according to an arrest affidavit. Blackburn said on Sept. 14 that Fletcher wouldnt have been murdered if officials hadnt taken a year to process a rape kit backlog from Abstons alleged victim in a suspected rape incident that happened in September 2021. Tragically, the rape kit was returned the same day that Fletchers body was discovered with DNA allegedly matching that of Fletchers killer, the senator told a press briefing on Wednesday. Had it not taken so long, Eliza Fletcher would be alive today and her killer would be behind bars. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) speaks during a Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting to vote on Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on Capitol Hill in Washington, on April 4, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images). Blackburn made the remark while hosting a news conference where a number of Republican senators called out Democrats pro-crime policies, while also accusing the radical left of using soft-on-crime policies to embolden criminals who are making American cities and suburbs less safe. In a Sept. 14 letter (pdf) to President Joe Biden, Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and Blackburn jointly pointed out that progressive bail policies, and anti-law-enforcement movements are among the reasons behind an increase in violent crime in various major U.S. cities over the past two years. The crime wave thats rolling across our country is tragic were seeing record-high levels of crime in every major cityMemphis saw a record high this past year alone, Hagerty said during the briefing. Calls for End to Soft-on-Crime Policies Following Fletchers murder and a Memphis shooting rampage that killed four people, Blackburn and Hagerty announced the Restoring Law and Order Actwhich will increase resources for local and state police to help them in battling violent crime and make the investigative process more efficient to keep repeat offenders off the street. Weak on crime prosecutors, relaxed sentencing, and anti-police protests have made upholding justice all the more difficult for the brave men and women in law enforcement, Blackburn said in a statement. Americans dont want the Democrats Defund the Police agenda; they want criminals behind bars and police officers on the streets. Additionally, the new bill will also require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate prolonged wait times for DNA tests and rape kits that keep authorities from quickly arresting suspects. Why is it taking so long to get these processed when it is a violent crime? Why does it take so long to get these returned to law enforcement so that they are able to apprehend these criminals? Blackburn questioned during Wednesdays briefing. Fletchers body was recovered on Sept. 5 by Memphis officials near Victor Street and Person Avenue. Investigators said surveillance footage of the early morning abduction depicted a man, matching Abston, approaching Fletcher and forcing her into an SUV after a brief struggle. Abston has an extensive criminal record and was convicted in 2000 for kidnapping. He served 20 years in prison, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal. He forced an attorney into the trunk of a car and forced him to withdraw cash from an ATM. The repeat offenders earliest appearance in juvenile court was in 1995when he was just aged 12. He appeared in court again in 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999 for theft, aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a weapon, and rape, according to court records via the Commercial Appeal obtained by Breitbart. From NTD News Chairman Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) gives an opening statement on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 23, 2021. (Greg Nash/Pool/Getty Images) Senate Committee Advances Taiwan Policy Act with Bipartisan Support The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved legislation aimed at supporting the security of Taiwan and its right of self-determination in a 17-5 bipartisan vote on Sept. 14. The Taiwan Policy Act of 2022, a bill introduced by Sen. Robert Menendez, (D-N.J.) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), would provide Taiwan with $4.5 billion through a foreign military financing initiative through 2026. The Act also proposed to include the island as a major non-NATO ally to facilitate arms sales, and assess free-trade agreements to enhance economic development and cooperation with Taiwan. Its unclear whether the Biden administration would support it, but Menendez described the bill as the most comprehensive restructuring of U.S. policy towards Taiwan since the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) of 1979, reported the Central News Agency based in Taiwan. Taiwan Security Assistance Initiative Included in the bill are measures to strengthen the United States-Taiwan defense relationship, and to accelerate the modernization of Taiwans defense capabilities required to deter or, if necessary, to defeat an invasion of Taiwan by the Peoples Republic of China. Military coercion from Beijing intensified immediately following the visit of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to the island in August. China sent 27 warplanes into Taiwans air defense zone on Aug. 3, and fired at least 11 ballistic missiles into waters encircling Taiwan on Aug. 4, after Pelosi finished her visit in Taiwan. Since then, the regimes provocative military acts around the island have been non-stop and escalating. Taiwanese Americans gather in front of the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles on Aug. 14 in a demonstration urging the U.S. governments continued support of Taiwan. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images) Menendez said, As Beijing continues to take coercive diplomatic, political, military and economic measures against Taiwan, todays strong, bipartisan vote not only signals our unwavering support for the Taiwanese people but our recognition of the pivotal role that the United States Congress must play in confronting these challenges, Fox News reported. Beijings Response When the bill was first introduced on June 16, Beijings mouthpiece Global Times claimed the bill was provocative and evil; it is America playing the Taiwan Card to contain China, but it will not change the fact that Taiwan is part of China. According to The Hill report on Sept. 14, Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. warned, Once passed as law, it will have a subversive impact on China-US relations and send a gravely wrong signal to the Taiwan independence separatist forces. In a typical claim of the regime, Liu demanded that America stop interfering in Chinas internal affairs. The Communist regime, founded in 1949, has never ruled Taiwan; but insists Taiwan is part of its sovereignty since the then Nationalist-led government overthrew the Qing Empire during 1911-1912, defeated the invading Japanese during World War II, but lost the civil war and retreated to Taiwan in 1949. The committees approval paved the way for a vote in the full Senate, but there has been no word on when that might take place. To become law, it must also pass the House of Representatives and be signed by Biden or win enough support to override a veto. The White House said on Sept. 13 it was in talks with members of Congress on how to change the act to ensure that it does not change long-standing U.S. policy toward Taiwan that it considers effective. The Taiwan bill is likely to be folded into a larger piece of legislation expected to pass late this year, such as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an annual bill setting policy for the Department of Defense. Reuters contributed to this report. An investor looks at an electronic board showing stock information at a brokerage house in Beijing, China, on Aug. 25, 2015. (Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters) Senator Concerned Australian Pension Funds Could Seek Out China Market Sen. James Paterson says he is concerned Australian pension funds (superannuation) could seek out investment opportunities in countries run by authoritarian regimes like China. Were not as big a global investor as the United States is, but our superannuation industryour pensions fundsare increasingly large and are really outgrowing the Australian economy and need to invest abroad, the centre-right Liberal Party senator told the American Enterprise Institute in Washington on Sept. 13. I am concerned they put themselves at risk if they start investing in authoritarian regimes, and so we do have to think about what sort of advice, guidance, and even controls might be necessary. Currently, Australias pension funds are worth over $3.5 trillion, the fifth-largest in the world. Funds Split on China Approach So far, few pension funds are directly exposed to China, and some with investments have indicated a willingness to pull back. For example, UniSuper, the pension fund for the tertiary sector, has limited exposure to mainland China via Hong Kong fund managers. But recent moves to crack down on corporatesthe common prosperity policyhave heightened concerns. We just felt that [with] the reforms that have taken place, its just become too risky as a direct play, John Pearce, chief investment officer, told the Financial Times. While Aware Super, one of Australias largest super funds, over several years had gradually increased its exposure to the market, but last year decided to pull the plug. Three or four years ago, I thought that they were becoming more Westernised in their capital markets, but I dont think that is the journey they are on, CIO Damian Graham told a Bloomberg Inside Track webinar. Read More Australias Second Largest Pension Fund Shelves Plan to Increase China Engagement The government has been fairly overt about that to say, Weve got our way of doing things and thats their right, but it means as a minority investor, you need to pause a little bit at the moment. However, at the same time, other funds have expressed optimism about the market. CIO of AustralianSuper, the countrys largest fund controlling $244.9 billion in assets, Mark Delaney said China was still a desirable market despite ongoing tensions with Australia. When we consider China, its an enormous market, and there are some fantastic companies there which we would like to invest in, he said. Its still a destination point for us for making capital returns for members. AustralianSuper has steadily ramped up its exposure to China from $1.4 billion to $4.6 billion in five years, with over $1 billion invested in tech giant Alibaba and $750 million in Tencent, the owner of WeChat. The fund is also growing its exposure to the Indian market. Senators Urge US Agency to Suspend Funding to EcoHealth Alliance A group of senators is urging a U.S. agency to suspend its funding to the nonprofit that funneled money for years to a laboratory in China. Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and eight colleagues called on Samantha Power, administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), to suspend money from three grants that total millions of dollars to EcoHealth Alliance, the New York-based nonprofit that has a close relationship with the Wuhan Institute of Virology. USAID is empowered through federal laws and policies to immediately suspend its awards to EcoHealth, Marshall and the other senators wrote (pdf) to Power, a Biden appointee, on Sept. 14. They cited federal law that enables the suspension of awards when it is deemed to be in the public interest. It is therefore incumbent upon USAID to be responsible stewards of U.S. taxpayer funds, help protect foreign researchers from risk, and immediately suspend all awards to EcoHealth. The suspension will allow time for USAID to investigate EcoHealths oversight of foreign research programs, to include taking inventory of laboratory accidents and adverse events resulting in researcher illness, recordskeeping audits, and assurance that EcoHealth is compliant with federal award requirements, they wrote. USAID did not respond to a request for comment. EcoHealth did not return a query. Ongoing Grants EcoHealth was the recipient of dozens of grants over the years, with 13 still active, according to the U.S. grant database. The main one from USAID, 72066921CA00006, is for $4.7 million to support long-term and equitable economic growth and advance U.S. foreign policy objectives by supporting economic growth, agriculture and trade; global health; and democracy, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance. EcoHealth also receives money as a subrecipient from USAID through two other grants. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), which awarded several of the active grants, recently ended the subaward that EcoHealth gave to the Wuhan lab because Chinese officials refused to provide requested records to U.S. officials. The agency, however, is allowing EcoHealth to correct failures and keep the award. The Department of Defenses Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the National Science Foundation awarded the other active grants to EcoHealth. The other grants are for work including research on zoonotic spillover risk, Nipah virus dynamics and genetics in bat reservoirs, and reducing emerging health threats in Tanzania. A spokesman for DTRA, which has the most active awards for EcoHealth, declined to immediately comment on whether the agency would be examining the awards in light of the nonprofits noncompliance with the NIH. EcoHealths violations included failing to allow access to the Wuhan Institute of Virologys (WIV) records and financial statements. EcoHealth has maintained it did not possess the records, a claim the senators questioned in the new letter. Despite representing to NIH that they had no WIV records, EcoHealth as a PREDICT consortium partner reported in 2020 accomplishments that through the fall of 2019, they trained 80 Chinese scientists, sampled over 7,300 animals and people, and strengthened the WIV laboratory and the Institute of Microbiology by conducting 39,137 tests of viral pathogens, the group said, pointing to a report (pdf) from the researchers. Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) joined Marshall in signing the missive. Pedestrians walk on the Bund, opposite Lujiazui Financial Center in Shanghai on June 10, 2022, amid preparations for city wide COVID-19 testing. (Liu Jin/AFP via Getty Images) Shops in Shanghais Financial Hub Pay High Price for Zero-COVID Shanghais Lujiazui financial district, known as Chinas Wall Street, has paid a high price under the Chinese Communist Partys strict zero-COVID policy. More than a third of the districts shops have been closed, according to a financial service firms analysis. CRIC Securities, a financial service provider in Hong Kong, revealed in its August report that 34 percent of shops in Lujiazuis landmark mallSuper Brand Mallwere closed. A 5 percent level is when the malls overall operations would be affected, according to the research firm. Also according to the CRICs research on Shanghai commercial real estate, Shimao International Plaza in Huangpu District has a 22.4 percent vacancy, while there is an average of 9 percent vacancy across 20 major malls in Shanghai. Shanghai authorities negated the claims through its mouthpiece media claiming that the report was exaggerating, with an out of context conclusion. State media, Shanghai Observer, refuted the analysis on Sept. 10. It argued that the vacancy rate of shopping malls should be calculated in terms of the vacant areas, not the number of vacant stores. People walk in a shopping mall in Jingan district in Shanghai, China, on March 16, 2022. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images) In another study, CAIC monitored nine major metropolitans across China. In the first half of 2022, the analysis showed a general decline of 10 to 30 percent in customer volume in malls. The average vacancy rate in the second quarter of 2022 was 6.6 percent; with Wuhan being the highest at 9.3 percent, and Shanghai already at 7.2 percent. Reality Check A local employee at the Super Brand Mall in Lujiazui on Aug. 29 described via social media the malls situation. Its been almost three months since Shanghai lifted the lockdown, but there are no signs of recovery in the mall, the person said. The social media post said that 15 of a total of 53 stores on the malls third floor were closed and that another entire floor was filled with only closed shops. I got depressed every time I visited the place Is this a war? the post asked. On Sept. 6, Shanghai called off the Lujiazui Forum, the citys most important financial forum, a day before it was to be held due to COVID flare-ups in other cities such as Shenzhen and Chengdu. The forum, traditionally scheduled in June, was previously delayed by Shanghais two-month long lockdown over COVID-19 outbreaks earlier this year. But according to local officials, the forum is again delayed due to the need to deepen the (events) topics, Reuter reported. A man walks past a closed shop during a COVID-19 lockdown in the Jingan district of Shanghai on May 30, 2022. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images) Xis Political Struggle In June, experts warned that Party leader, Xi Jinping, wont yield over zero-COVID pressures, according to a Foreign Policy article by Eyck Freymann, the director of Indo-Pacific at Greenmantle, and Yanzhong Huang, a senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations. According to the article, Chinese officials who oppose the zero-COVID policy are gambling that public pressure and economic reality will induce Xi to change his mind. But As Xi once put it: The greater the pressure, the more strong-willed I become, the article said. Gregory Copley, the president of the International Strategic Studies Association based in Washington, also explained the motives of the strict lockdowns in his article titled, Shanghai as a Front Line in Chinas New Civil War. The overwhelming use of the COVID threat to the population has enabled the Party to disguise the suppression of the private sector and all opponents of Xi, he wrote. Lin Yan contributed to this report. Starving and Censored, Guiyang Resident in Chinas Lockdowns Asks World for Attention and Help Residents of Chinas largest residential complex gathered on the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival to protest food shortages due to the communist regimes stringent lockdown measures. Local authorities sent in hundreds of police to silence the gathering residents. Chinas southwestern Guizhou province imposed stringent closure measures in its capital city amid the latest COVID-19 flare-up since Sept. 2, shutting businesses and confining people to within their residences. Huaguoyuan community, located in downtown Nanming District of Guiyang city, has been under whole-region static management, a lockdown term recently invented by the communist regime. Other new phrases for lockdowns used by the communist authorities include silent management, feet not stepping out of the door, and home quarantine, after the word lockdown triggered strong outcries from fed-up Chinese citizens. Huaguoyuan is Chinas largest shantytown renovation project, with a total area of 1,000 hectares and 311 high-rise buildings with an average height of over 40 stories. It is home to 450,000 residents and 40,500 businesses. The local government has only allowed one supermarket to open to serve residents in the supersized community, according to Chinas major financial news portal Caixin. A resident told Caixin that the supermarket has since run out of stock, and that residents have received no food from the government and are not able to purchase food via e-commerce channels. Over 1,000 residents in Huaguoyuan walked down to the highrise lobbies on Sept. 10 to protest against the draconian isolation measures and demanding the government guarantee food supplies, a resident told the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times on Sept. 12. However, the protest lasted only one night. On Sept. 11, 400 police were mobilized to Huaguoyuan to suppress the protests, the resident said. An official report by China News, a state-run mouthpiece, confirmed that 400 police assembled instantly and rushed to Huaguoyuan to carry out pandemic prevention and control work at 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 11. Guiyang has reported one symptomatic case and 70 asymptomatic cases as of Sept. 13, according to a local official propaganda outlet Guizhou Daily. The Guiyang municipal health bureau added 25 high-risk areas, eight of which are located in Huaguoyuan. Protests on Mid-Autumn Festival The footage that the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times obtained shows people gathering in a compound of tall buildings. People wearing protective clothing spoke through a loudspeaker, asking people not to gather during the pandemic outbreak. Ms. Zhang (pseudonym), a resident of Huaguoyuan, said that many people were starving due to the lockdown and that the shortage of food was due to government negligence. She told the publication on Sept. 12 that there were large quantities of donated food, but the food had been intercepted by the property management company, which either let the food decay or sold it for high prices. The protests were triggered by the actions of the property management company Homnicen Group, which shut down all the lifts in the M Zone of Huaguoyuan community on Sept. 10, according to Zhang. Huaguoyuan is divided into roughly 20 zones, according to Caixins report. Sept. 10 is Mid-Autumn Festival, Zhang said, adding that the company asked residents to keep all household garbage in front of their doors, despite the bad smell in the hot summer weather. The property management also seized all the mooncakes and vegetables [donated to the residents], repacked them, and asked residents to pay for them, Zhang said. Angry residents of the M Zone all walked down the buildings and gathered on the ground to protest, according to Zhang. She said people in Caijiaguan village on the western outskirts of Guiyang also protested against the shortage of food and lockdown measures on the same day. A man speaking the local dialect was heard saying in video footage that all residents of M Zone had come down to protest and that the property company was selling donated food to residents. The Epoch Times wasnt able to verify the authenticity of the footage. Food Donation Intercepted by Property Management, Repacked for Sale The whole Huaguoyuan community has been isolated since Sept. 3, and the government has only supplied residents with one bag of food containing a Chinese cabbage, an onion, two potatoes, two pieces of ginger, and one bulb of garlic, according to Zhang. She said that the local government sent all the food to the property management company for distribution. But Homnicen Group hoards all of them, packages them again, and sells them to us at high prices, Zhang told the publication. A bag of one cabbage, two carrots, several green peppers, two tomatoes, two eggplants, two pieces of ginger, and a bulb of garlic is marked for sale for prices from 59 yuan ($8.5) to 99 yuan ($14). They set the prices casually; if we dont buy from them, we have nothing to eat, Zhang said. A recording shared with The Epoch Times shows a female government staffer admitting that the property company had taken the food donations. A resident, who claimed to be from the M Zone, is heard asking the government staffer why no supplies had been distributed to residents. The staffer replied that the property management company had locked all the supplies in their storehouse. We have reported what you [the residents] have told us to higher authorities. The leaders will adopt measures. At the moment, we havent heard from them yet. We must wait for their decision, the woman said. The Epoch Times wasnt able to verify the authenticity of the recording. Zhang told The Epoch Times that the property management company sometimes put rotten vegetables on the ground floors, telling residents they could pick them up. But they have gone bad, with leaves totally decayed and juice coming out; they are not edible, Zhang said. Censored in China, Help and Attention From Outside Needed She asked the outside world for help and attention. Many people are starving in our place, but our posts and video footage have been banned in China. On the night of our protests, two people, who claimed themselves to be reporters, didnt report on our situation. Instead, they kept making calls onsite to ban and delete our live streaming, Zhang said. Please help us spread the information and call attention [of the outside world] to the governance problems in Guiyang, she told The Epoch Times. Response of Property Management Company The Epoch Times called the customer service of the property management company on Sept. 13 for comment. A female staffer, who didnt give her name, told the publication that they had shut down the lifts at the order of the local government, which was to control traffic volume during the pandemic. She suggested that residents keep evidence of food being repacked for sale, adding that the distribution of supplies was done by government employees. We assist them [government employees] to distribute [food supplies]. The government decides how much is to be distributed and to whom, she said. The Epoch Times reached out to the Huaguoyuan community service center and the neighborhood committee of M Zone on Sept. 13 but received no reply as of publication. Zhao Fenghua and Hong Ning contributed to the article. The U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, in a file photo. (Mark Thomas/Pixabay) Supreme Court Reverses Itself, Rules Yeshiva University Must Recognize LGBT Club Yeshiva University in New York will have to recognize an LGBT student club on campusat least while litigation proceeds in lower courtsafter the U.S. Supreme Court abruptly reversed itself on Sept. 14, lifting a stay it had granted five days earlier. While four conservative justices dissented, two conservative court members, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh, voted with the majority in finding that the application to block a lower court ruling was brought too soon. Founded in 1897, the Orthodox Jewish university describes itself in court documents as the worlds premier Torah-based institution of higher education. The word yeshiva itself refers to a traditional Jewish religious school. Recognizing the LGBT student organization would violate its religious teachings, the school argues. Katie Rosenfeld of Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward and Maazel, the attorney for the LGBT group YU Pride Alliance, praised the new high court ruling. This Supreme Court decision is a victory for Yeshiva University students who are simply seeking basic rights that are uncontested at peer universities, Rosenfeld told The Epoch Times by email. A majority of the Supreme Court has ruled that this case must go through the normal state process, rejecting the university administrations unprecedented, premature, and harmful rush to the highest federal court in the country. We are confident that we will continue to overcome the administrations aggressive litigation strategies against its own LGBT students, who choose to attend Yeshiva University because they are committed to the schools mission, Rosenfeld wrote. At the end of the day, Yeshiva University students will have a club for peer support this year, and the sky is not going to fall down. No longer will students be denied a safe and supportive space on campus to be together. University officials didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. In June, Judge Lynn Kotler of the 1st Judicial District of the New York Supreme Court determined that the university wasnt a bona fide religious corporation so it was, therefore, not exempt from the public accommodation provisions of the New York City Human Rights Law, which forbids discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Kotler, a Democrat, ruled that even though the university is religious and at first blush appeared to be exempt from the law, its organizing documents do not expressly indicate that Yeshiva has a religious purpose. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who oversees emergency applications from New York and two other states, put Kotlers ruling on hold on Sept. 9. She provided no reasons for her decision in the application known as Yeshiva University v. YU Pride Alliance (court file 22A184). But when the emergency request went before the full Supreme Court on Sept. 14, the court voted 54 in an unsigned order to withdraw the stay without prejudice to applicants again seeking relief from this court if, upon properly seeking expedited review and interim relief from the New York courts, applicants receive neither. The application, the new order continued, is denied because it appears that applicants have at least two further avenues for expedited or interim state court relief. The court majority consisted of Roberts, Kavanaugh, Sotomayor, and Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. The dissenting opinion, written by Justice Samuel Alito, was joined by Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and Amy Coney Barrett. Does the First Amendment permit a state to force a Jewish school to instruct its students in accordance with an interpretation of Torah that the school, after careful study, has concluded is incorrect? Alito wrote. The answer to that question is surely no. The First Amendment guarantees the right to the free exercise of religion, and if that provision means anything, it prohibits a state from enforcing its own preferred interpretation of Holy Scripture. Yet that is exactly what New York has done in this case, and it is disappointing that a majority of this court refuses to provide relief. The university has a strong case, Alito added. At least four of us are likely to vote to grant certiorari [i.e. review] if Yeshivas First Amendment arguments are rejected on appeal, and Yeshiva would likely win if its case came before us. A States imposition of its own mandatory interpretation of scripture is a shocking development that calls out for review, the justice wrote. The Free Exercise Clause [of the First Amendment] protects the ability of religious schools to educate in accordance with their faith. Sarah Feigleson (L), Russell Fish (C), and Rebecca Clark (R) attend a Highland Park school board meeting to protest the sexualization of children in schools Sept. 13, 2022. (Darlene Sanchez/The Epoch Times) Texas Grade School Teacher Quits After Being Accused of Posting Disturbing Sexual Content A Texas resident blasted Highland Park ISD school board members on Sept. 13 over hiring a teacher for 5-year-olds who had disturbing sexual content allegedly posted on social media. Russell Fish, an activist and founder of OpenRecords.org, spoke publicly during the board meeting concerning a self-described queer teacher who identified with the LGBT community. Fish, a taxpayer in the school district, told The Epoch Times he felt compelled to get involved after he was told about the situation discovered by a parent. In an email obtained by The Epoch Times, the parent alleged the teachers social media account showed violent sexual fetishes and fantasies, among other things. Parent Tim Hutchins removed his children from Highland Park ISD in Texas after discovering LGBT and gender content. (Courtesy of Tim Hutchins) The email, which appeared to be addressed to the superintendent and principal, demanded that the teacher be barred from the classroom and for authorities to investigate if any crimes against children have been committed. The parent said the images had been posted under a pseudonym. Images obtained by The Epoch Timesallegedly from the teachers sitedepict a sketch of a hermaphrodite posing against a ballet bar. Another female-like figure appears to be handcuffed. Other photos showed sexually suggestive content, but it was unclear if the images included a child. The teacher in question resigned on Sept. 9, according to an addendum to the Sept. 13 school board meeting. Highland Park director of communications Jon Dahlander responded in an email to The Epoch Times and said that the district is unaware of any sexualized social media content involving children by either current or former staff members. Any allegations made about staff members are taken seriously and handled with discretion, Dahlander added. He said he could not comment further on whether the district received the parent email detailing the allegations. Fish said parents sounded the alarm after a 5-year-old came home and said, My teacher is crazy. The child said the teacher looked like a girl but dressed like a boy, Fish said, adding that parents told him the students father began digging and discovered the social media account. A former resident of the district, Traci Schuh, confirmed she and residents in the district saw the parents email and images. She also saw a text from the teachers principal saying the issue was being resolved and that a substitute would be in the art class. Schuh had three children attend Highland Park ISD, but things started to change recently. She said parents in the elite district get in an uproar over issues, and the district puts out the fire until next time. Fish said the incident illustrates why Texans are done with the secrecy and the sexualization of children in schools. These districts are broken, he said. They continue to lie to the parents. Fish pointed to a bus driver accused of sexually assaulting grade-school sisters in nearby Prosper ISD. According to news reports the driver, Frank Paniagua, was arrested in May 2022 and died after jumping from the second floor of Collin County Jail. The mother of the children filed a lawsuit against the district in August, claiming Prosper Superintendent Holly Ferguson told the mother to keep the matter quiet to avoid media attention, news reports said. Fish and County Citizens Defending Freedom are pushing for a new Sexual Grooming Protection Act that will allow parents to leave districts where children are exposed to sexual content and take their childs educational dollars with them. Parents are fed up with school administration, staff, and board members promoting the sexual grooming of children. We are here to shine a spotlight on it, said Rebecca Clark, Fort Bend County CCDF executive director, who was at the Highland Park school board meeting. Highland Park ISD parents have fought in the past to remove objectionable library books. It was not the first time parents contacted him about the sexualization of children at Highland Park, Fish said, adding that people know he is associated with OpenRecords and will speak out. More recently, the school yearbook featured a male transgender senior. Parents also fought a public battle in 2014 to remove books with inappropriate content. Wealthy families have the choice of leaving a district if they fear their children are being exposed to sexual content in the classrooms, Fish said. But most parents dont have that luxury. Tim Hutchins is one of those parents who left Highland Park last year because he felt the district should focus on giving students a good education instead of sexual and social-emotional content. Hutchins discovered his 6th Grade daughter was reading First French Kiss, a book her teacher assigned to demonstrate character over adversity. He said his daughter didnt know what a French kiss was until it was brought up in school. Im sitting there thinking, Im like, all the books that she could have chosen out of the reading, and all of the catalog available to you. This was the one book that you chose, he said. Hutchins said he decided to dig deeper into the curriculum and noticed that progressive material was inserted into health, language arts, and social studies. He complained to the school board, but it seemed everyone wanted to pass the buck. To him, the schools focus was skewed toward advocacy for gender and LGBT ideology. One lesson titled Support for LGBT Teens, told students to be an ally for LGBT teens and speak up to support them. Another was titled Influences on My Decision to be Sexually Active. A skill-building challenge asked children to discuss with a partner: What your gender identity is and what it is like to have that identity. The Hutchins family left California to escape the sexual agenda in schools there, never dreaming it would appear again in Texas, a state thought to be more conservative. The only difference is that its more subtle in Texas, Hutchins said. I felt violated, he said. I trusted the education system. The Green Ruse Commentary Climate activists tell us that if we dont trade fossil fuel sources for green energy, the world will come to an end. The science, they say, is settledeven if they cant settle on a fixed date for the coming climate apocalypse. However, observation of physical reality shows that the infrastructure needed for so-called clean energy is disastrous for the environment. And the economic numbers give evidence that the transition to the Green New Deal is catastrophic for humans. So why are U.S. and EU politicians determined to push Western Civilization back into the dark ages? Because its an extortion racket. Theres big money at stake for global elites invested in the climate agenda. And the best way to ensure it reaches their bank accounts is to terrorize the worlds population into believing that unless we agree to the oligarchys demands to shrink our means while they expand theirs, Earth will burn to a fiery crisp. As The Epoch Times reported last week, Patrick Moore, one of the founders of Greenpeace, acknowledges that the environmental movement has become more of a political movement than an environmental movement. He left the organization in 1986, when he saw it had been hijacked by the political left when they realized there was money and power in the environmental movement. Indeed, todays Greens bear little resemblance to the heroes of the early 20th-century conservationist movement that arose in response to the ravages of industrialization. American outdoorsmen such as Aldo Leopold and Theodore Roosevelt reminded their fellow citizens of their duty to conserve the bounty their country provided and ensure that Gods creation and those created in His image lived in harmony. Compare those robust naturalists to the neurasthenic fantasists behind todays climate change movement. They portray mankind as something like a parasitical alien sent to Earth for no other purpose than to violate Mistress Gaia. And in this perverse anti-human scenario, the remedyrenewable energydegrades man and nature alike. In the United States alone, wind turbines kill more than a million birds a year. The strip mining required to obtain rare earth minerals for solar panels and electric car batteries cuts paths of devastation through the earth. The damage that climate initiatives inflict on economies is equally destructive. Its not Vladimir Putins fault that Europes back-up plan in case of oil and gas shortages was to rely on renewables. Were green energy sources enough to make up for fossil fuels, the Germans would not now be leveling their forests for firewood with a cold winter ahead. The prospect of watching constituents freeze to death must have alarmed the United Kingdoms new Prime Minister Liz Truss. Shes lifting restrictions on gas and oil projects, but there are already complaints that shes backtracking on the UKs plan to bring carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. In other words, the global elite is angry shes forestalled the suicide of the country she governs. And now U.S. politicians are determined to bring the same pain and suffering to the Americans who elected them. California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced at the end of August that by 2035 only electric cars would be sold in Americas largest state. But theres not enough power to motor the small fraction of electric vehicles already in existence. Only days after Newsoms big rollout, California authorities asked electric car drivers not to charge their vehicles with demand over the long Labor Day weekend threatening to sap the power grid. It was a reality test for Newsom and other U.S. officials who propose to adopt similar initiatives. Naturally, they failed it. Climate change activists say theyre political progressives, but the movement they steer is among the most reactionary in modern history. So whats going on? In the latest episode of Over the Target, my colleague Brendon Fallon and I explain that the climate change narrative is ground zero of political hoaxes. Decades before Russiagate was hatched, the same components that pushed the collusion narrativepolitical operatives, government bureaucrats, and the mediacombined forces to deceive the American public in order to augment their power and transfer middle-class wealth to themselves and their allies. As Greenpeace founder Patrick Moore put it, climate change activists are primarily focused on creating narratives, stories, that are designed to instill fear and guilt into the public so the public will send them money. Thats a useful starting point to diagram the structure of the climate change movement. There are four key groupings: The corporate and political establishment drive the agenda. The former has a big stake in climate infrastructure, with which they expect to get rich even if renewables cant generate enough energy to replace fossil fuels. That requires elected officials to cripple free-market competition by subsidizing the renewable industry and regulating fossil fuels out of the market. In exchange for tipping the scales, the corporate side fills the campaign coffers of the political side. On the next level down are the activists and narrative engineers that Moore describes. These include climate scientists, journalists, and other so-called experts whose fabrications and threats (The world will end in 12 years unless we stop eating hamburgers!) are financially supported by NGOs funded and promoted by the elites. Under them is the crucial cultic core. Climate change activism is fundamentally an end-of-times movement and thus it attracts a fanatically committed constituency. These are the highly motivated shock troops. Because their spiritual selves are galvanized by the idea that the world is soon coming to an end, they proselytize on behalf of the expert class and threaten violence against a humanity that they believe is worthy only of damnation. On the ground floor are people who are simply afraid not to believe in climate change. Even after all the lies theyve been told the last several yearsTrump is a Russian spy, the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and 95 percent effective, etc.its terrifying to believe that the ruling class would lie to them about something as serious as the end of the world. Theyre also scared of the end-times and of the cultists. That leaves us. Were the majority. But to date our vulnerability has been that we are generally too busy living our lives, doing our work, enjoying our families, and contributing to our communities and thus have little time left to devote to fighting tyrants, criminals, liars, and lunatics. But having seen a series of fraudulent narratives weaponized against us, its clearer than ever before what climate change truly isthe first in a series of instruments designed by the U.S. ruling class to impoverish us. And now we must fight them, for our future and that of our home, planet Earth, hang in the balance. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. The Naked Absurdity of Global Public Health Commentary Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities. Voltaire Something is fundamentally wrong with global public health. More accurately, something is fundamentally wrong with the mindset of global health professionals, particularly those in positions of leadership. It has become normal to speak, repeat, and defend complete absurdity, as if illusions and fantasies are real. There are no sanctions for operating in this wayindeed its proving highly successful. Statements of demonstrable stupidity are becoming prerequisites for career advancement and the approval of peers. Its like living within a fantasy, except those it kills are real. The world at large struggles to understand that they could be fed falsehoods on this level. Most people still consider the experts quoted in the media to be credible, serious people. They believe that those leading the health professions would not habitually lie. For professionals to act like this, they would have to be deeply troubled, insecure people, or they would have to be quite malevolent. This doesnt fit the popular image of global health experts. Beyond individuals, we now have entire institutions mocking reality. They lie to each other and the public, repeat these lies, and applaud each other for doing so. They can state obvious stupidity with impunity as a once critical media now sees its role as backing them unquestioningly, disseminating their pronouncements and suppressing any information to the contrary for a perceived public good. The emperors obvious nakedness has become proof that he is clothed. Acknowledging the evidence of ones eyes as he parades his wares is tantamount to the crime of Galileo and must be treated accordingly. The Opportunity of COVID-19 Over the last two years, the worlds premier health institutions pretended that humans were unlikely to develop effective clinical immunity in response to coronavirus infections, despite experience with the four common seasonal coronaviruses and the SARS-1 confirming that we do. Despite established understanding of mucosal immunity and T-cell function, the public were asked to believe that antibody titers against a single highly variable pharmaceutically induced protein were the only valid measure of effective immunity. The leaders and staff within these health organizations knew this was frankly silly, and that the evidence on COVID-19 was showing otherwise. All these institutions knew that, in time, the relative effectiveness of post-infection immunity would become obvious to all. But this didnt stop them from stating that vaccines were the only way out of the pandemic, as if established fact, denigrating those who thought differently and ignoring the natural resolution of prior pandemics. Despite accumulating evidence that the obvious is indeed obvious, this position of fallacy still drives the COVAX global vaccination program. Current evidence that post-infection immunity is more effective than vaccination is of no valuetruth simply doesnt matter to these people anymore. In 2019, the term genetic medicines referred to pharmaceuticals based on the introduction of genetic material into a body for therapeutic purposes. It is standard industry terminology for mRNA formulations such as those that induce SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) spike protein production. In 2020, institutions that previously used this term for COVID-19 vaccines decided that continuing to do so would equate to promoting a conspiracy theorya particularly severe transgression. These mRNA medicines work by inserting synthetic genes into a persons cells, using the hosts intracellular machinery to translate the genetic sequence into a foreign protein that is expressed by the cell. These cells are then recognized as foreign by the hosts immune system and killed. While this change to the definition of vaccine can be justified by the end result (an immune response), mRNA vaccines are indeed, as the pharmaceutical industry notes, genetic medicines. It was considered necessary that the public consider such medicines to be indistinguishable from conventional vaccines that present proteins or other antigens to the immune system through an entirely different mechanism. The fallacy was formed to support the claim that if one type of vaccine was safe and effective, then the other must be. The entire pharmaceutical industry knows this is an absurdity; mRNA injections may well be safe and effective, or they may not, but they are no more like injecting a protein or attenuated virus than riding a bicycle is to riding a train. If the department of transport told us that railways prove that bicycles are safe and effective, we would laugh. Except we wouldnt anymore. We would, apparently, signal our agreement, because to identify differences between bicycles and trains would be evidence of incorrect thinking (misinformation, or a conspiracy theory). Similarly incorrect thinking regarding COVID-19 has been characterized in the Journal of the American Medical Association, with a nod to Nazism, as a neurodegenerative disorder. Tedros Perfects the Art Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and the World Health Organization (WHO) he leads have perfected the art of mainstreaming the ridiculous through COVAX. With a budget several times higher than any prior international health program, it aims to vaccinate billions of already-immune people in age groups barely affected (pdf) by COVID-19. WHO is aware that the vaccines do not significantly reduce spread, that post-infection immunity is effective, and that vaccinating people with post-infection immunity will provide minimal additional clinical benefit. WHO promotes COVAX under the banner No one is safe until all are safe. WHO thus wants the public to believe that vaccinating an individual doesnt protect them until everyone else is vaccinated, while simultaneously believing, as WHO insists, that vaccination against COVID-19 is highly protective for all those who are vaccinated. The complete incompatibility of these claims, together with the absurdity of claiming that a vaccine that doesnt stop transmission could protect others and end the pandemic, doesnt matter. The writers and designers of WHOs speeches and brochures know these opposing claims cannot simultaneously be true. They have found that stating absurdities is rewarded, and that if a young boy points to the emperors nakedness he can simply be denigrated and excluded, while the emperor swaggers on. A Pox on Us All Tedros recently proclaimed monkeypox, a virus that had then killed five people globally, to be a public health emergency of international concern. His organizations last such pronouncement contributed to an increase of about 45,000 added malaria child deaths in 2020, over 200,000 additional dead children in South Asia (pdf) in the same year, rising tuberculosis, the increased likelihood of girls forced into child marriage and sexual slavery, and the decimation of global education that will entrench future poverty for billions. Yet this man managed to concentrate the world on monkeypox, an outbreak of such tiny impact that annual mortality from bungee-jumping will likely be higher. Whole countries followed his lead, global media ran headlines on how many people had this chicken pox-like disease, and the world pretended the emergency was real. Once this man would have been laughed out of office, but the world of 2022 considered this blatant absurdity normal and acceptable. It no longer expects or requires rational discourse from people in authority. Stupidity is expected and its dictates adopted. The purpose of pointing out the above is not to single out WHO. WHOs fantasy statements are repeated and supported by its peer health organizations. Gavi (the vaccine alliance), CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations), and UNICEF (the U.N. agency that once concentrated on vaccinating children but now leads mass vaccination against a disease targeting the elderly) all apparently agree that No one is safe until everyone is safe. This needs to be understood as an entire industrial cultureglobal health is a business and its primary role is to support itself. Its members know their pronouncements are false or illogical, but dishonesty has become an important tool to achieve their goals. It fuels income and expansion, and therefore must be good. Many private corporations would act similarly if advertising standards were not enforced. These international health agencies operate outside of national jurisdictions, and so have no enforceable standards. The media, once a check on such malfeasance and misgovernance, has ceased to value truth. The COVID-19 event has opened the gate to a new era in public health, and the absurdity of the monkeypox emergency is an example of what is coming. A pandemic industry that has formed around these agencies, now with the weight of the World Bank behind it, is asking us to believe that pandemics are becoming more frequent (pdf), and that the worlds diminishing wildlife poses an ever-increasing threat. WHOs own publications (pdf) may tell us that pandemics have occurred just five times in 100 years, with overall reducing mortality, but this is of no consequence. Fantasy, when repeated sufficiently in a matter-of-fact manner, can displace objective reality as a driver of policy. The removal of employment, disruption of supply lines, increase in mass poverty, and the economic wreckage of the COVID-19 response is used to justify a call for repetition of the same, more easily and more often, by the same people who orchestrated it. Killing by Killing Truth Most health professionals, given a few minutes to sit down and think this through, can see that something is wrong. However, its hard to hold onto this reality if the lie opposing it is repeated widely and frequently, echoed by all ones peers. People who understand infection control can still put on a mask at a restaurant door to remove it at a table just meters away. Humans are fully capable of living a lie, of embracing absurdity in life and work, just to get along. We now have an entire international industry fully reliant on acceptance of such absurdity for its survival. Despite the risks, it works. COVID-19 showed us how willing many people are to join the harming and denigration of others to defend positions they know are illogical and untrue. To see ones own profession indulging in such behavior is difficult to reconcile, when that profession is in some ways entrusted with the welfare of others. But we should not be surprised, we are all human, and this promotion of global harm will continue as long as it reaps local rewards. People do not easily tire of wrongthey get accustomed to it. This institutional self-delusion would be of little consequence, even humorous, if it only involved an emperor walking the streets of a childrens tale. But many of the children in this tale are now dead from malaria and malnutrition, numerous girls are enduring nightly rape, and tens of millions denied education will spend their lives in poverty. They didnt ask these people in Geneva, Washington, or Brussels to remove their food security, education, and health care to ostensibly protect the elderly elsewhere from COVID-19. They arent asking for a growing pandemic bureaucracy to gorge itself while entrenching further inequality. Our response to this level of institutional dishonesty and absurdity must not be one of amusement but rather of disgust, and concern for what could happen next. From the Brownstone Institute Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. A lawsuit filed this week in federal court in Buffalo seeks to block parts of a recently passed New York State law that bans carrying firearms in parks and public transit. The lawsuit brought by two local gun owners and two national Second Amendment rights organizations also seeks to overturn a provision that puts all private property off-limits to firearms without the expressed consent of the property owners. Those filing the lawsuit called the anti-carry presumption on private property "a massive restriction on the right to bear arms." The new legislation was passed during an emergency session this summer after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down New York's existing concealed carry law, which required applicants to prove why they needed to carry a firearm. Second Amendment Foundation founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb said New York lawmakers replaced one unconstitutional licensing scheme with another. The lawsuit centers on public parks, public transit and private property rather than including all of what critics of the law find objectionable "because those are the easiest ones for us to win on," Gottlieb said. "Theyll be a slam dunk," he said. If the lawsuit succeeds in those areas, he said, "theres a good chance everything else will follow." The two gun owners, John Boron of Depew and Brett Christian of Cheektowaga, and the Las Vegas-based Firearms Policy Coalition and the Second Amendment Foundation of Bellevue, Wash., said the state law prevents lawful gun owners from carrying firearms in most public places. The state law forbids carrying in "sensitive" locations such as courthouses, city halls, libraries, schools, subways, bus stops and public parks and playgrounds among many other buildings and grounds. A gun owner would be charged with a felony for carrying in these locations. The state also established all private properties as "restricted" locations, where carrying a firearm is illegal unless the property owner permits it. "New York's 'sensitive location' and 'restricted location' designations, and enforcement of them, are a de facto ban on the fundamental, individual right to bear arms in public virtually everywhere," according to the lawsuit. "Typical law-abiding citizens of New York the vast majority of responsible citizens effectively remain subject to a flat ban on carrying handguns outside the home for the purpose of self-defense in vast swaths of the state." Named as defendants in the lawsuit are Kevin P. Bruen, the superintendent of the New York State Police, and Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn. The lawsuit seeks a ruling from a judge that the portions of the state gun law pertaining to parks, public transit and private property are unconstitutional and cannot be enforced. The lawsuit comes as one of several legal actions challenging the state's new gun law, including the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association's suit in federal court in Syracuse and a Kings County resident's federal lawsuit downstate challenging the safety training, character references and social media history required under the new licensing requirements. Carl P. Paladino filed a federal lawsuit against the new law in July during his unsuccessful run for Congress. But he may not stick with the case. We are in the process of substituting plaintiffs, said attorney Paul J. Cambria Jr., who agreed to represent Paladino last summer. Another lawsuit already has been dismissed. In that case, Gun Owners of America, its New York branch, and Ivan Antonyuk, a member of the gun owner group, objected to the extensive list of sensitive places. The new Buffalo lawsuit avoids a technical misstep that prompted a federal judge in Syracuse to dismiss that case last month. U.S. District Judge Glenn Suddaby found several parts of the new state law were likely unconstitutional, but he dismissed the Gun Owners of America lawsuit, saying the gun owner, a Schenectady man who wished to carry for protection, did not say in his lawsuit that he intended to carry a concealed weapon after the law took effect. In their lawsuit, Boron and Christian each explicitly said they intended to continue carrying firearms if not for the new state law. "Boron will be unable to carry for self-defense when taking his weekly walk with his dog to a local park near his house, as he typically does and would intend to continue to do so," according to the lawsuit. The law prevents Boron from riding public transportation while carrying for self-defense, so he will be unable to visit downtown Buffalo by taking Metro Rail, as he has done every several months to go out to dinner. The ban on firearms on Metro Rail is "particularly problematic" because of his concerns for his safety when he gets off the train in Buffalo, according to the lawsuit. Because of the law, Christian said he is unable to carry for self-defense when visiting local parks or when hiking on trails in largely wooded and marshy areas as he does a few times each month. "Christian would intend to continue to carry for self-defense in parks and when on trails, but for the enactment and enforcement (of the law)," according to the lawsuit. Both men raised other instances in their daily lives the state law keeps them from carrying firearms: motorcycle rides and visits to the ATM, gas station and hardware store. By making private property presumptively off-limits, the state law imposes a burden on their right as law-abiding citizens to exercise their Second Amendment right to carry a handgun for self-defense, according to their lawsuit. The state could not establish a default rule that bans praying before a meal unless a restaurateur expressly consents, or forbid someone from wearing a political T-shirt in an office park without permission from a leasing agent, according to the lawsuit. "The Bills of Rights poses no obstacle to a property owner independently banning praying or banning political T-shirts, even if other laws might, just as a property owner can independently decide to bar invitees from carrying firearms," according to the lawsuit. "But, as in all those situations, the state may not presume to make the property owner's decision for them and place a thumb on the scale against the exercise of constitutional rights." Unlike those in the Syracuse case, the plaintiffs in Buffalo specified the sensitive places they are challenging. Representing the State Police superintendent in the Syracuse case, the state Attorney General's Office cited past U.S. Supreme Court decisions permitting bans on carrying guns in vulnerable places and that such prohibitions are deeply rooted in the nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation. But the judge in the Syracuse case said the state law's "long list of sensitive locations impermissibly includes numerous locations that are nonsensitive." The judge said the high court ruling this past summer barred the expansion of sensitive locations beyond schools, government buildings, legislative assemblies, polling places and courthouses. Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a welcoming ceremony at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State in Qingdao, China, on June 10, 2018. (Sergei Guneyev/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images) The Summit on the Fate of the Eurasian Heartland Commentary Washington has become a spectator in the decisive campaign to drive a wedge between China and Russia. Much of the Wests strategic strength in dealing with Russia and China is bound up in the Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), held in the Uzbek city of Samarkand on Sept. 15-16. It is about the essence of the debate as to who controls the Eurasian heartland. It is a conference that is, however, beyond the reach of Washington. It will be a test of whether the Central Asian states feel that they have any hope of a meaningful friendship with the West in the wake of the August 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, which essentiallybecause of the manner of the U.S. withdrawalspelled the end for now of U.S. prestige in the region. The SCO summit may be the most important gathering in the SCOs 20-year life. It is the first gathering of the body since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war and, more importantly, since the United States essentially abandoned Central Asia by the manner of its withdrawal from Afghanistan. Russia and China see it as an opportunity to reimpose dominance in Central Asia. Still, the key Central Asian states will see the summit as an opportunity to reassert their sovereignty and independence from the two godfather states, Russia and China. The five Central Asian statesUzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistanknow that they have to find a way to achieve an acceptable modus vivendi with Russia and China, but also continue to shape their strategic policies so that they can ensure maximum freedom from the two local great powers. They now have the option of trading with the outside world without going through Russia or China. They can trade across the Caspian Sea through Azerbaijan, which, as of November 2020, has a land border with Turkey, and then to the outside world. Chinese leader Xi Jinping (C) speaks during a meeting with delegates of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) security secretary summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on May 22, 2018. (Jason Lee-Pool/Getty Images) The world-level outcome of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict was that by November 30, 2020, Azerbaijan had regained much-lost territory, including securing overland accessguaranteed by Russia and Armeniato its territory of Nakhchivan. The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan had for three decades existed as an exclave territory, accessible from metropolitan Azerbaijan only by air via Iranian airspace or through Turkey, with which Nakhchivan has an 11-mile border. The war meant that metropolitan Azerbaijan now had a direct land bridge through territory formerly occupied by Armenia, so that it could run road and pipeline traffic from the Caspian Sea to Nakhchivan and across through Turkey to and from world markets. Despite Chinese investment in Central Asia and Russias offers of security support, none of the Central Asian states or Azerbaijan wish to fall again under the control of Moscow or the influence of Beijing. So it is particularly important that Uzbekistan, the current chair of the SCO, is hosting this years summit. The very capable Uzbekistan leader, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, will attempt to make this years summit a gathering of equal sovereign states. Mirziyoyev has worked for several yearsparticularly with the support of then-U.S. President Donald Trump and the European Union statesto make the five Central Asian states become players in the world marketplace. He has succeeded. In the wake of Russias new cold war with the West, maneuvering now will be difficult for Central Asia. Still, the summit will also strengthen the regions contacts with India and Pakistan, which, like Azerbaijan, offer some hope for links with the outside world and some freedom from the Russian and Soviet domination of the regions khanates from the late 19th century through to 1991. Now, with the cold war isolation of Russia and the Wests more strategic war with China, the Central Asian states represent the Wests best hope of keeping Moscow and Beijing from consolidating power over the entire Eurasian map. And yet we have seen little U.S. or Western input into the debate. So will Mirziyoyev be forced to remain quiet and accept that Russia and China have returned to dominate the region, or will he continue to search for ways to reassert the independence of the Central Asian states? Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Hunter Biden attends a Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony honoring 17 recipients, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, on July 7, 2022. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) The Villain of the Compelling My Son Hunter Isnt Hunter Commentary My Son Hunter is a good movie, but not a great one, although that shouldnt deter you from viewing it. In fact, the reverse is trueyou mustand Ill explain the various reasons why in a moment. Nevertheless, to call a film good is far from an insult. The list of great movies is short and subject to endless unresolved and often self-righteous disputes. Ill see you a Lawrence of Arabia and raise you a The Treasure of the Sierra Madre and on it goes. Rarer still are great political movies. The most recent one from the perspective of many, mine includedit won the best foreign film Oscar among many other plaudits, if that means anythingwas the 2006 German film The Lives of Others. Set in 1984 East Berlin, this cinematic masterpiece explores the mortifying experience of life under their secret police, the Stasi, making it as good a guide as I can think of for what many of us Americans are currently going through. But the filmmakers of The Lives of Others in one sense had an easier task than director Robert Davi and his collaborators (screenplay by Brian Godawa, story by Brian Godawa, and producer Phelim McAleer) did on My Son Hunter. While the characters in Lives are completely unknown to us, the characters in Hunter are all-too-known to us. Many of us, again myself included, wish they would all go away, so we could never see or hear from them again. Still, the movie works. The principal reasons for its success are its theme and the extraordinary performance of its lead, the English actor and activist Laurence Fox. Both of these are intertwined because the theme is that the real villain of the Biden crime family saga isnt Hunter but Joe, aka the Big Guy. Hunter Biden, as portrayed by Fox, is oddly sympathetic, his fathers victim, odd as that may seem to call someone a victim who is a crack addict, serial adulterer even with family members, hired prostitutes in foreign countries such as China, and clearly put our national security at risk in the pursuit of riches, while working for some of the more evil people on the planet. Yet, Foxs portrayal is more complex than that. In what was the most powerful moment in the film, the actor reacts to his father calling him, as he did in real life, the smartest man he knows. The look on Fox/Hunters face to that extremely disingenuous and malicious remark from father to son tells many stories. What I read was You hate me and I hate you and you know I hate you and I know you know I hate you but were still bound together and so forth, all in one. As one of those soon-to-be extinguished dinosaursa conservative in the Motion Picture AcademyI could easily vote for Fox for best actor. But we all know thats not about to happen. John James, who plays Joe, is unfortunately not nearly as good. The complexity isnt there, nor is the subtextual villainy. And the jowly James doesnt look much like Biden. Its hard to blame the filmmakers or James, however, because to find the right actor to play this rolea career killer in todays worldseems nigh on to impossible. Gene Hackman, who has been known to say nice things about Donald Trump, might have been great, but hes now 92. (On second thought, maybe thats just the right age to play Joe Biden.) Another, again understandable, weakness in the film is theres too much of the schticky Woody Allen-style turn-to-the-camera stuff. Woody made Annie Hall in 1977. Enough already. But this speaks to an overall problem for conservative filmmakers. We want to make sure the audience gets it, and knows the facts, since the mainstream media and Hollywood are doing their best to do the opposite. Its kind of a trap because a movie is usually more successful if the audience comes to conclusions by themselvesand, in the more intimate scenes from My Son Hunter, of which there are many, they do. So back to why you must see this movie. First and foremost, obviously, for Foxs performanceand hes on screen for most of the film. Secondly, to support a fledgling industry in our country and help it growconservative cinema. If we lived in a decent world, we wouldnt need it, but in case you missed itand you didntwe dont. Speaking of which, many of the great Hollywood classics of yore that everyone went to see together from High Noon to On the Waterfront to Godfather I and IIare conservative in nature. Now, the best we can do is a Tom Cruise movie that doesnt even dare name the enemy. All praise then to the people who made My Son Hunter for bravely stepping into the fictional film arena on the smallest of budgets. And they are to be further praised for being professionally skilled enough not to make it look that way. Its a genuinely well-made movie, shot, of all places, largely in Serbia, which you will notice from the credits. The Serbian crew did an excellent job. The camera work is good. (No, Novak didnt participate. Hes practicing for Australia.) See the movie here. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. This Is Not Bail Reform, This Is Insanity Commentary Last Wednesday, 37-year-old Omar Ursin went to pick up take-out for his family. Witnesses reported that as Ursin was driving down Medera Run Parkway in northeast Harris County, Texas, another car pulled alongside and fired one or more shots into Ursins car. When police arrived, they found Ursin had crashed into a tree in the median and was dead. The district attorney charged Ahsim Taylor and Jayland Womack, both 20, with Ursins murder. Sadly, this would be all too common a story in Harris County as of late. Over the last two years, we have been averaging almost two murders per day in Harris County. But there are two details which make this crime stand out. First, Ursin was a Precinct 3 constable deputy. He was off duty at the time. At this point, we do not know if his murder was related to him being a law enforcement officer. Second, both Taylor and Womack were out on bail, pending trials for other felonies. Murder, to be specific. Taylor had been charged with capital murder because he killed someone during a robbery. Womack was charged with a killing that occurred during a drug deal. Taylors bond was originally set at $220,000 by a magistrate, but Judge Amy Martin lowered it to $95,000. Womacks initial bond was set by Judge Greg Glass at $35,000 but later increased to $75,000 because of violations of this pre-trial release. These bonds were granted by each of the judges, notwithstanding the substantial evidence against the accused. Both defendants were able to make bond and were released from custody. Traditionally, bail bondsmen have required 10 percent to provide a bond. Because of increased competition, many bond companies have been discounting their fees. So, these two alleged murderers were able to secure their freedom for no more than about $18,000, and probably substantially less. As a result of them being out on bond instead of inside Harris Countys jail, Ursins 7-year-old daughter no longer has a dad. I have long thought the cash bail bond system used in most of the United States is an anachronistic abomination that should at least be dramatically reformed, or scrapped altogether. The federal courts did so nearly four decades ago. And I have supported the efforts to reduce the reliance on the cash bonds for misdemeanor charges or non-violent offenses. Having someone sit in jail for a hot check or marijuana charge because they cannot afford the bail bond fee is ridiculous and counterproductive on many levels. But granting any bond to defendants credibly accused of these types of murders is pure insanity. According to Houston Crime Stoppers, 180 individuals in Harris County have been killed by a person released on a felony bond since 2018. And the bail reform movement is active in every state in the country. Certainly, judges have a duty to ensure that the rights of defendants in their courts are protected. But they also have a duty to protect the public from individuals who have demonstrated their violent proclivities. I have no idea what was going through the minds of Judge Martin and Judge Glass when they set these bonds. It is just hard to imagine what would make any rational jurist conclude that releasing defendants like these two young men back onto the streets would end in anything another than tragedy. It either represents some blind allegiance to a warped ideology or a callous indifference to the publics safety. Or both. By the way, Democratic Party voters had the good sense to show both Martin and Glass the door in the primary earlier this year. Only time will tell if their replacements will be any better. Beyond the individual tragedies the insane decision to release violent criminals has resulted in, these ideologues also seem to have no appreciation that they are likely to set off a backlash that could wipe out the progress made to date on legitimate misdemeanor bond reform. How ironic that would be. Folks, this is not rocket science. Our system should determine who should be released pending a trial based on two factors: if the person is likely to show up for their trial, and if they are a danger to the public. It should have nothing to do with whether they are financially able to pay a bondsman. Until we get the money out of the equation and start electing judges that are dedicated to basing their decisions on this criteria, there will be more children like Ursins daughter growing up without a parent. There will also be more lives destroyed by cruel and unnecessary incarceration for trivial offenses. From RealClearWire Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Top Court to Hear if BC School Trustees Defamation Suit Defending His Remarks on Child Gender Transition Can Proceed The Supreme Court of Canada will consider next month whether a defamation suit against the former head of the British Columbia Teachers Federation (BCTF) can proceed, in a case that observers say could have extensive repercussions on elected officials willingness to speak out about their issues of concern. Longtime Chilliwack school trustee Barry Neufeld launched the lawsuit in 2018 following a series of events that began in October 2017, when he wrote in a Facebook post that read in part: At the risk of being labeled a bigoted homophobe, I have to say that I support traditional family values and I agree with the College of paediatricians that allowing little children [to] choose to change gender is nothing short of child abuse. But now the BC Ministry of Education [has] embraced the LGBTQ lobby and is forcing this biologically absurd theory on children in our schools. Glen Hansman, then head of the BCTF, condemned Neufeld in quotes to the media that appeared 11 times over the following 12 months. Hansman called Neufeld bigoted and transphobic and said he should step down or be removed as school trustee. He also said Neufeld promoted hatred, exposed [trans people] to hatred, tip-toed quite far into hate speech, and was continuing to spread hate about LGBTQ people. In his statement of claim to the B.C. Supreme Court upon launching the suit, Neufeld said he suffered damages to his reputation [and] indignity, personal harassment, stress, anxiety, and mental and emotional distress. Hansman tried to have the lawsuit struck down soon after the Protection of Public Participation Act came into effect in March 2019. Justice A Ross of the B.C. Supreme Court agreed with Hansman in a decision on Nov. 26, 2019. However, this was overruled at the B.C. Court of Appeal on June 9, 2021. On Jan. 13 of this year, the Supreme Court of Canada granted an appeal to Hansman. I Dont Know Why Schools Are Pushing This The case will be heard Oct. 11, just four days before the Oct. 15 B.C. general local election in which Neufeld is running for school trustee. The former counsellor to at-risk youth told The Epoch Times that he took special exception to being called a danger to students and said that concern for students led him to speak out. If these girls [and boys] were flourishing I might not say anything, but theyre not. Theyre miserable, theyre mad at their families, theyre mad at school, theyre mad at everybody. And then they get up into their mid-20s and realize what a stupid mistake theyve made. Were seeing more and more detransitioners. I dont know why the schools are pushing this ever, even right in kindergarten, Neufeld said. Its not working. Canadas slow. European countries are already backing away from transitioning children, and shut down the Tavistock gender clinic in England. Both Finland and Sweden now insist that kids cant do it until theyre 18. But here in British Columbia, were pushing it to adolescent kids or pre-pubescent kids. Neufelds lawyer, Paul Jaffe, said that his client suffered vicious, vicious attacks and a smear campaign that included totally absurd complaints to the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal that remain open. Its been four and a half years, and the tribunal hasnt even set a hearing date yet, he said. If you commit a murder, and you dont have your trial within 30 months, itll get tossed. Jaffe said Hansman moved to have the lawsuit struck down shortly after the Protection of Public Participation Act (PPPA) came into effect in March 2019 and three days before Neufeld was to receive disclosure from Hansman. The PPPA applies retroactively to legal actions started on or after May 15, 2018, bringing Neufelds suit within its scope. He believes the PPPA should defend Neufeld instead of being leveraged against him. The whole purpose of that statute is to prevent an abusive process in the courts, generally instigated by powerful parties like governments and public sector unions and so forth, against individuals who are brave enough to speak out on contentious matters, Jaffe said. Neufeld is fundraising through GoFundMe for his legal fight against what Jaffe says is a broad and well-funded opposition consisting of people who are all trying to keep Neufeld out of court. The Epoch Times contacted Hansman and the BCTF for comment, but didnt hear back. When asked for comment about lack of progress on the case as claimed by Jaffe, a spokesperson for the Canadian Human Rights Commission said the original human rights complaint has still not been heard and no decisions have been reached, so it remains open and is still in queue to be heard. Progressive Court Jaffe says the Supreme Court of Canada rarely grants a leave to appeal, such as it did for Hansman, and wonders if it will approach the case fairly. Im quite concerned about how political the court has become. Its declared itself as being progressive. Theres several judges there who make no bones about that, which tells me that they bring to the table a pre-existing disposition towards things, and this is a very unsettling, he said. Its a total free speech case. I dont know where were headed. If the courts arent there for people like Neufeld, I think were in a lot of trouble. Neufeld, who was first elected to Chilliwacks board of education in 1993, says many educators and parents agree with his stance but are afraid to say so for fear of repercussions. He believes a loss at court will make things worse. If Glen Hansman can get away with saying that Im not fit to be around children because of my opinion, anybody who shares that opinion will be considered unfit to be around children. So there go all the Christian schoolteachers, there go all the Christian private schools, he said. Heather Maahs, a school trustee who sits on the Chilliwack Board of Education with Neufeld, is also concerned about what may follow if the courts rule against him. If he loses, were all done, because that will give permission to teachers union heads, any organization really, to go and tell lies and defame any elected people. If he loses that will make it legal for people to do that, Maahs said in an interview. This case is going to be pivotal. King Charles III leading members of the Royal Family, including Prince William Prince of Wales and Prince Harry Duke of Sussex, in a procession behind the coffin of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on Sep. 14, 2022. (Howard Cheng) UK Lawmakers Slam Extraordinary Decision to Invite China to Queens Funeral A group of Parliamentarians has criticised the UK governments decision to invite Chinese government officials to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, calling it extraordinary and inappropriate. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated on Sept. 14 that Beijing is actively considering sending a high-level delegation to attend the funeral on Sept. 19, but it hasnt given more details. Chinese leader Xi Jinping is currently meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Uzbekistan and is thought unlikely to travel to London for the funeral. In a letter to the speakers of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, senior Conservative MPs Tim Loughton and Sir Iain Duncan Smith, crossbench peer Lord David Alton, and Labour peer Baroness Helena Kennedy said they were greatly concerned to hear that the government of China has been invited to attend the state funeral next week, despite other countries Russia, Belarus and Myanmar being excluded. Former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith speaking at a rally commemorating the two-year anniversary of Hong Kongs pro-democracy movement in London on June 12, 2021. (Yanning Qi/The Epoch Times) Given that the United Kingdom Parliament has voted to recognise the genocide committed by the Chinese government against the Uyghur people it is extraordinary that the architects of that genocide should be treated in any more favourable way than those countries who have been barred, they said. In the letter, the parliamentarians said they had also written to Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to express their concerns. Banning Chinese Officials from Parliament All the signatories of the letter were sanctioned by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime in 2021 for being outspoken on the abuse in Xinjiang. As a result of the sanctions, Chinas ambassador to the UK has been barred from visiting Parliament. In the letter, the lawmakers asked for assurances that Chinese officials attending the funeral wont be allowed to set foot on Parliamentary premises. It may well be as part of the arrangements for foreign dignitaries attending the state funeral that facilities at the Palace of Westminster will be made available to them before or after attending the service at Westminster Abbey, they wrote. I am sure you will agree that it would be wholly inappropriate that any representative of the Chinese government should be able to come to the Palace of Westminster and that you can give us your assurance that this will not happen. The coffin of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II being borne on a gun carriage in a procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall where it will lie-in-state, on Sep. 14, 2022. (Howard Cheng) According to the BBC, the UK government hasnt sent invitations to Russia and Belarus because of the invasion of Ukraine. Burma, also known as Myanmar, hasnt been sent an invitation either because of a breakdown in diplomatic relations following last years military coup. Representatives from Syria, Venezuela, and Afghanistan are also not on the guest list, and North Korea, Iran, and Nicaragua have only been invited to send ambassadors, the BBC reported. PA Media contributed to this report. Ukraine With a Whimper or a Bang? Commentary Russia started the war with Ukraine in late February with a shock-and-awe effort to grab Kyiv. It failed both to decapitate the government and absorb half the country in one fell swoop. Soon the conflict descended into a war of attrition in Eastern Ukraine over the occupied majority Russian-speaking borderlands. That deadlock was eventually going to be resolved by relative morale, manpower, and supply. Would the high-tech weaponry and money of the United States and Europe allow heroic Ukrainian forces to be better equipped than a larger Russian forcedrawing on an economy 10 times greater and a population nearly four times larger than Ukraines? After the latest sudden Ukrainian territorial gains and embarrassing Russian retreats, we now know the answer. Russia may be bigger and richer than Ukraine, but it is not up to the combined resources of the United States, along with the nations of NATO and the European Union. Most are now in a de facto proxy war with an increasingly overwhelmed Russia. And so far, a circumspect China has not stepped in to try to remedy the Russian dilemma. So, what will become the next, and most dangerous, stage III of the war? A heady Ukraine believes it now has the wherewithal to clear out the entire occupied Donbass and turn southward to free Crimea. To complete that agenda of rolling back all Russian aggression since 2014, it may step up hitting strategic targets across the Russia border and on the Black Sea. Again, what will a nuclear Russiarun by an ailing, desperate autocratdo when a far smaller Ukraine finally and deservedly humiliates her before a global audience? Will Putin cut off all European energy supplies to force a European end to supplying Ukraine? Russia has all but done that. But so far Putin has gained little strategic advantage on the battlefield, despite current European fears of an impending bitter winter. Will Putin go fully medieval on Ukraine, like the carnage in Chechnya when he leveled Grozny in 2000? But a European Ukraine is vast compared to tiny Chechnya. And the Chechens even without allies still withstood a decade of savage Russian brutality. So how will Putin survive his self-created disaster that may have cost him nearly 100,000 casualties, and now risks losing him all the territorial advances from 2014? Will Russia mobilize its entire army, drop its silly euphemism special military operation, and finally try to crush Ukraine with a full Soviet-style assault? But that escalation might push an already restive Russian population into open and angry defiance. Can he just admit defeat, slink back home, and stop the massive Russian hemorrhaging? Yet can Putin take his chances that sacked generals, money-losing oligarchs, and the embarrassed Russian street will fear his bloodstained reach too much to neuter or remove him? Will Putin instead keep declaring that Russia is not losing to Ukraine, but to the United States and NATOeven though the West is only doing to him what an opportunistic Russia once did to America in both its Vietnam and Afghanistan fiascos? Putin would then keep portraying himself and Russia as the victim in this conflict. He would drone on that the United States, by supplying the Ukrainians weapons, is now the aggressoras our new proxy keeps hitting more targets inside Mother Russia, sinks more ships of the Black fleet, and assassinates more Russian generals. Putins only way to keep his cred, back up his dangerous brinkmanship, and retain power is apparently to play defender of Mother Russia and continue threatening the use of a tactical nuclear weaponperhaps against the Ukrainian nuclear power complex or Kyiv itself. That final gambit of an updated version of the Cuban missile crisis is something the American people need to stop simply discounting. Do our leaders know for certain that the man President Joe Biden once dubbed a killer is merely yesterdays empty bluffer? Of course, Putin deserves all he is suffering. And the Ukrainians warrant the worlds thanks in repelling a brutal aggressor. But that moral and strategic victory is still a very different story from America sliding into a nuclear confrontation with a desperate autocrat. Do the American people support offering up their nuclear umbrella to a non-NATO, former Russian republic? And not so long ago, the United States advantageously saw Russia as useful triangulation to the greater threat of Chinese aggression. In sum, the problem that plagues these assumed, multifaceted Western agendas is that so far they in toto appear mutually exclusive. Consequently, the question remains: How exactly does the United States all at once avoid the resumption of a Verdun-like, endless bloodbath on the Ukrainian-Russian border, reject any negotiated settlement until Ukraine unambiguously wins the war and expels every Russian from all its territory, prevent a wounded Putin from using a tactical nuclear weaponand circumvent a head-to-head showdown with Russia and its 7,000 nukes? Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Residents wearing masks walk along the streets of Aksu in western China's Xinjiang region on March 18, 2021. (Ng Han Guan/AP Photo) Under COVID-19 Lockdown, Xinjiang Residents Complain of Hunger BEIJINGResidents of a city in Chinas far western Xinjiang region say they are experiencing hunger, forced quarantines, and dwindling supplies of medicine and daily necessities after more than 40 days in a virus lockdown. Hundreds of posts from Ghulja riveted users of Chinese social media last week, with residents sharing videos of empty refrigerators, feverish children, and people shouting from their windows. The dire conditions and food shortages are reminiscent of a harsh lockdown in Shanghai earlier this year, when thousands of residents posted complaints online that they were delivered rotting vegetables or denied critical medical care. But unlike in Shanghai, a glittering, cosmopolitan metropolis of 20 million people and home to many foreigners, the harsh lockdowns in smaller cities such as Ghulja have received less attention until recently. As more infectious variants of the coronavirus creep into China, flareups have become increasingly common. Under the Chinese regimes zero-COVID strategy, tens of millions or people are experiencing rolling lockdowns, paralyzing the economy, and making travel uncertain. The lockdown in Ghulja is also evoking fears of police brutality among the Uyghurs, the Turkic ethnic group native to Xinjiang. For years, the region has been the target of a sweeping security crackdown, ensnaring huge numbers of Uyghurs and other largely Muslim minorities in a vast network of camps and prisons. An earlier lockdown in Xinjiang was particularly tough, with forced medication, arrests and residents being hosed down with disinfectant. Yasinuf, a Uyghur studying at a university in Europe, said his mother-in-law sent fearful voice messages this past weekend saying she was being forced into centralized quarantine because of a mild cough. The officers coming for her reminded her of the time her husband was taken to a camp for over two years, she said. Its judgment day, she sighed in an audio recording reviewed by The Associated Press. We dont know whats going to happen this time. Food has been in short supply. Yasinuf said his parents told him they were running low on food, despite having stocked up before the lockdown. With no deliveries, and barred from using their backyard ovens for fear of spreading the virus, his parents have been surviving on uncooked dough made of flour, water, and salt. Yasinuf declined to give his surname for fear of retribution against his relatives. He hasnt been able to study or sleep in recent days, he said, because thoughts of his relatives back in Ghulja keep him up at night. Their voices are always in my head, saying things like Im hungry, please help us, he said. This is the 21st century, this is unthinkable. Nyrola Elima, a Uyghur from Ghulja, said her father was rationing their dwindling supply of tomatoes, sharing one each day with her 93-year-old grandmother. She said her aunt was panicking because she lacked milk to feed her 2-year-old grandson. A community testing site for COVID-19 in Wudang District of Guiyang, southwest Chinas Guizhou Province, on Sept. 5, 2022. (Yang Ying/Xinhua via AP) Last week, the local governor apologized at a news conference for shortcomings and deficiencies in the authorities response to the coronavirus, including blind spots and missed spots. But even as authorities acknowledged the complaints, censors worked to silence them. Posts were wiped from social media. Some videos were deleted and reposted dozens of times as netizens battled censors online. Multiple people in the region told AP the posts online reflected the dire nature of the lockdown, but declined to detail their own situations, saying they feared retribution. On Monday, local police announced the arrests of six people for spreading rumors about the lockdown, including posts about a dead child and an alleged suicide, which they said incited opposition and disrupted social order. Leaked directives from government offices show that workers are being ordered to avoid negative information and spread positive energy instead. One directed state media to film smiling seniors and children having fun in neighborhoods emerging from the lockdown. Those who maliciously hype, spread rumors, and make unreasonable accusations should be dealt with in accordance with the law, another notice warned. The AP was unable to independently verify the notices. Chinas Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Authorities have ordered mass testing and district lockdowns in cities across China in recent weeks, from Sanya on tropical Hainan island to southwest Chengdu, to the northern port city of Dalian. In the city of Guiyang, in mountainous southern Guizhou province, a zoo put out a call for help last week, asking for pork, chicken, apples, watermelons, carrots, and other produce out of concern they could run out of food for their animals. Elsewhere in the city, residents in one neighborhood complained of hunger and missing food deliveries, prompting a surge of comments online. Unions to Shut Off Electric Gates at Sydneys Train Station Amidst Prolonged Dispute The drawn-out dispute between rail unions and the New South Wales (NSW) government has again intensified as the union moves to switch off all electronic gates across Sydneys train stations for one week. The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) announced at the Fair Work Commission that it will deactivate the Opal readers starting on Sep. 21, a move the transport minister warned will cost taxpayers millions. It comes after the government rejected the unions demand for a further 0.5 percent annual pay rise after already offering a three percent increase in 2022 and another 3.5 percent in 2023, with Perrottet threatening to terminate the existing agreement. The government also didnt back down when the rail operators refused to drive the new train citing safety issues. We want to put pressure on the government and senior bureaucrats, not the travelling public. Were escalating that particular action, and it will continue indefinitely until there is an agreement with the government, NSW RTBU Secretary Alex Claassens said, reported the Sydney Morning Herald. They are the ones responsible for this mess, they can now live with it. If theyve got a problem with us they can take us to wherever they need to take us. However, NSW Transport Minister David Elliot has said: Yet again, it is the taxpayers of NSW who continue to suffer the impacts of this union action. This is not about safety. It never has been. The latest round of action by Alex Claassens and the RTBU, which will see them deliberately delaying work to functioning Opal machines so that they become inoperative, is akin to economic sabotage,he said. But a spokesman for Sydney Trains on Wednesday said it does not consider this ban to be protected or lawful action and is seeking legal advice, and will write to the RTBU seeking a withdrawal of this action. Amidst public transport disruptions due to industrial action, the unions have left the electronic gates open in Sydneys train stations in the past weeks. But NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said people had continued to tap on the Opal card readers. That just shows the people of NSW just want to get on with it. Thats what I expect of the union, he said last month. In documents submitted to the Fair Work Commission, the NSW government estimated the train strike cost 44,000 work hours and $500,000 for venue hire. Ingmar Taylor SC, on behalf of unions, argued on Wednesday the government breached good faith bargaining by terminating negotiations and not identifying decision makers throughout. Two feuding parties will enter formal conciliation on Friday. AAP contributed to this article. Unpacking the Apparent Trump-Hillary Double Standard: For Her, the FBI Helped Obstruct Its Own Investigation Former Attorney General Loretta Lynch obtained evidence that a computer contractor working under the direction of Hillary Clintons legal team destroyed subpoenaed records that the former secretary of state stored on a private email server she originally kept at her New York home, and then lied to investigators about it. Yet no charges were brought against Clinton, her lawyers, or her paid consultant. The leniency accorded to Clinton contrasts with recent moves by Attorney General Merrick Garland to aggressively investigate former President Trump and his lawyers for allegedly obstructing investigators efforts to locate subpoenaed records at his Florida home. Legal experts say the apparent double standard may provide a useful defense for Trump and his legal team. The treatment of Clinton included a deal with her defense team that required the FBI to, in effect, obstruct its own investigation. During its 2016 probe, the bureau agreed with her lawyers demands to destroy two laptop hard drives containing subpoenaed evidence immediately after searching for files on them. They did so while the information was still being sought by congressional investigators and even though the lawyers had served under Clinton at the State Department and were subjects of the FBIs investigation. In fact, the laptops were theirs. Long before it bowed to the request, the FBI suspected Clintons lawyers played hide-and-seek with evidence, making the concession that much more baffling. The scandal first erupted on March 2, 2015, when news broke that Clinton had secretly set up a non-government email server in the basement of her Chappaqua, N.Y., mansion in the weeks before she started her job at Foggy Bottom in early 2009. She used the unauthorized and unsecured device to conduct official State Department businessincluding transmitting and storing classified informationwhich allowed her to bypass legally mandated archiving of her government records. The next day, the House Select Committee on Benghazi sent her attorney David Kendall a letter advising his client to preserve all electronic records created since January 2009 and specifically not to delete any emails on her private server. The panel then issued a subpoena for records related to the deadly terrorist attack on the U.S. consulate in Libya. Three weeks later, on March 25, Kendall and former Clinton chief of staff Cheryl Mills, who also acted as her personal attorney, asked a computer contractor with Platte River Networks, which hosted Clintons secret email server, to join a conference call with them, according to FBI documents. Over the next week, the contractor, Paul Combetta, deleted the entire email archive from Clintons server using a software program called BleachBit, which digitally shreds files to prevent their recovery. All told, the paid Clinton agent scrubbed 31,830 emails from her server and backup files. In addition, he permanently removed duplicates of the emails from the laptops of Mills and another Clinton lawyer and aide, Heather Samuelson, where they also had been stored. According to FBI records, Combetta knew the documents he destroyed were under subpoena. In July 2015, the FBI counterintelligence division opened a criminal investigation, codenamed Midyear Exam, in response to a referral from the intelligence community inspector general concerning Clintons unsecure server. The FBI predicated the opening of the probe on the possible compromise of highly classified Sensitive Compartmented Information. Emails classified at the SCI level were later found on Clintons server. Some career FBI agents working on the case, which was tightly controlled within headquarters and deemed a SIM, or sensitive investigative matter, thought they had a slam-dunk case of obstruction, a key aggravating factor for prosecuting cases involving the mishandling of classified information or government records. All they had to do was get Combetta in a chair and pressure him to implicate the high-level Clinton surrogates who told him what they wanted done. Several investigators believed that Combettas truthful testimony was essential for assessing criminal intent for Clinton and other individuals, because he would be able to tell them whether Clintons attorneys Mills, Samuelson or Kendall had instructed him to delete emails, according to a 2018 report by the DOJs inspector general. But during voluntary interviews with FBI agents, Combetta falsely denied he had deleted or purged Clintons emails from the server or back-ups, and insisted Clintons legal team never requested that he do so. Combetta refused to talk to investigators about the critical March 2015 conference call with Clintons lawyers that preceded his purge of evidence, the only topic he refused to speak about. So investigators and prosecutors agreed to give him immunity and interview him again. Still, they never got his account of the conference call. A written FBI summary of the interview, known as an FD-302 report, does not reference the call, indicating that agents failed to follow up on a key line of questioning in the investigation. Investigators declined to pursue other aspects of the case as well. They obtained an email in which Combetta told a colleague he was part of a Hilary [sic] coverup operation and said he would elaborate later at a party. Asked about it, Combetta claimed he was just joking; the FBI accepted his explanation and did not appear to follow up with the colleague to learn what they discussed at the party. The FBI also accepted another explanation for why Combetta, using the screen name stonetear, sought technical assistance on the Reddit forum on how to strip out the email addresses of a VERY VIP client from a a bunch of archived email, in an apparent reference to Clinton. (After internet sleuths revealed stonetear was a name Combetta used in other forums, he began scrubbing his posts from the web.) An FBI case supervisor told the inspector general that he believed Combetta should have been charged with false statements for lying multiple times, according to the IG report, but prosecutors refused to indict him. The FBI also obtained forensic evidence from the server that could establish that Combetta made the deletions, but prosecutors balked at charging him with obstruction. Then-FBI Director James Comey personally agreed with the DOJ decision to give Combetta immunity rather than sweating him in a grand jury box, which typically is done with subjects who are lying, to get them to tell the truth. Comey was forced to defend the deal in an October 2016 conference with FBI supervisors, who were hearing complaints from rank-and-file agents that headquarters handed out immunity deals like candy to Clinton witnesses. Comey explained the bureau wasnt interested in prosecuting a small fish like Combetta, and sought only to massage him for information to make a case on Hillary Clinton, even though internal FBI emails reveal Comey already had decided to let Clinton off the hook. He did not explain why the contractor hadnt been pressured more with threats to bring charges against him for lying to agents, the traditional investigative method for getting such an uncooperative witness to turn. With respect to Combetta, we found his actions in deleting Clintons emails in violation of a congressional subpoena and preservation order and then lying about it to the FBI to be particularly serious, DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz said in his report. We asked the prosecutors why they chose to grant him immunity instead of charging him with obstruction of justice. One DOJ prosecutor told Horowitzs investigators they wanted to make Combetta feel comfortable enough that he would eventually cooperate on his own. Another said they werent interested in prosecuting a bit player for lying and that doing so would just bog down the investigation, which they were rushing to wrap up well before the November 2016 presidential election. I was concerned that we would end up with obstruction cases against some poor schmuck on the down that had a crappy attorney who [was] hiding the ball, the unidentified prosecutor said. And so at the end of the day, I was like, look, lets immunize him. Weve got to get from Point A to Point B. Point B is to make a prosecution decision about Hillary Clinton and her senior staff well before the election if possible, the prosecutor added. And this guy with his dumb attorney doing some half-assed obstruction did not interest me. So I was totally in favor of giving him immunity. The prosecutors reported directly to then-DOJ counterespionage official David Laufman, who would later play a key role in the discredited Russiagate probe, including opening investigations on several Trump advisers and signing off on wiretap warrants targeting at least one Trump aide, even though he knew they were based on a fabricated dossier financed by the Clinton campaign. Prosecutors also gave Clinton aides Mills and Samuelson immunity deals, over the objections of some FBI investigators who wanted to bring them before a grand jury to explain their actions. A handful of agents also argued for issuing a search warrant to seize their personal laptops, which they used to upload all the emails from the Clinton server and cull away supposedly personal messages that they claimed were out of the reach of investigators. Instead, prosecutors opted to review the laptops through an unusual consent agreement, which restricted searches to certain files and specific datesand nothing before or after Clintons tenure as secretary, which put any email exchanges with Combetta out of reachand required the FBI to destroy the hard drives after conducting the limited search, according to documents outlining the agreement. This is simply astonishing given the likelihood that evidence on the laptops would be of interest to congressional investigators, former Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley and three other GOP congressional leaders complained in a letter to DOJ at the time. In his talk at the FBI conference, Comey explained that he had to agree with prosecutors and defense lawyers to limit the search because of huge concerns that attorney-client privilege and attorney work product could be discovered on the laptops, a concern that apparently did not register in the broad, sweeping search of Trumps records. Agents scooped up at least 520 pages of attorney-client privileged information during their raid of Mar-a-Lago, according to a federal judge who has ordered an independent inspector to review the seized records for privileged material. Mills and Samuelson, who agreed to answer only a narrow scope of questions to prevent investigators from soliciting privileged information, were later allowed to sit in on Clintons own interview, which the FBI conducted after Comey had already drafted a statement exonerating her of mishandling classified information and obstructing justice. The director famously delivered the statement in a July 5, 2016, press conference, proclaiming the FBI found no evidence that Clintons emails were intentionally deleted in an effort to conceal them. Trump Didnt Get the Same (Gentle) Treatment Grassley says the FBI pulled its punches investigating Clinton in comparison to Trump, who he says is being harshly investigated and prosecuted for the same offenses. Trump has not been provided the same (gentle) treatment given to Secretary Clinton and her associates, Grassley asserted in a recent statement. To be sure, the agency has used more intrusive methods probing Trump for similar allegations of mishandling classified information and concealing documents under subpoena. Unlike the Clinton probe, where investigators and prosecutors sought to obtain evidence by consent whenever possible, the department has used a federal grand jury to issue subpoenas to Trump for thousands of documents, as well as surveillance video footage, from his Palm Beach estate. They also obtained a search warrant to raid his private office and family bedrooms. In addition to seizing more than 11,000 documents, agents confiscated some 1,800 personal items, including gifts, photo albums, clothing, passports, and medical and tax records, according to court records. Clinton and her representatives were spared such heavy-handed tactics and indignities, the senator pointed out. Even though Secretary Clinton and her attorneys did not hand over classified records in their possession, they were not subject to a raid similar to what occurred at Mar-a-Lago, Grassley said. In the end, computer-forensics investigators and intelligence analysts were able to determine that at least 81 classified email chains were transmitted and stored on Clintons unclassified personal server. Their levels ranged from CONFIDENTIAL to TOP SECRET/SPECIAL ACCESS PROGRAM, a highly sensitive designation which makes access to certain information restricted even to Secret and Top Secret clearance-holders without a need to know. By comparison, the FBI recovered 100 documents with classified markings from its raid of Trumps home. They range in level from CONFIDENTIAL to TOP SECRET. In a court filing last month, DOJ said it developed evidence that presidential records held in a basement storage room at Mar-a-Lago may have been concealed or removed prior to a June visit by FBI agents to pick up classified documents, suggesting possible attempts to obstruct investigators. Investigators issued a grand jury subpoena in May for the records and visited Mar-a-Lago on June 3 to pick them up. When they got there, the filing said, a Trump lawyer handed them a large envelope containing documents. Another lawyer acting as the official custodian of Trumps records certified in a sworn statement that they conducted a diligent search for classified papers in response to the subpoena. Over the next two months however, officials developed evidence that government records were likely concealed and removed from the storage room and that efforts were likely taken to obstruct the governments investigation, DOJ said in its filing, without specifying what it believes was removed from the room, or by whom. The affidavit explained that this suspicion is why it sent some 30 armed agents back to Mar-a-Lago early last month to conduct a massive search of the property. Prosecutors say the additional documents they found with classified markings cast doubt on claims by Trumps lawyers that they were fully cooperative with the subpoena. They are said to be focusing their investigation on Trump lawyer Christina Bobb, in particular, who allegedly acted as the custodian who signed the certification. Bobb, who has not been charged with a crime, did not respond to requests for comment. Trumps legal team has told the court that the DOJ significantly mischaracterized the June meeting with Bobb and another lawyer, but did not elaborate. Laufman, the top prosecutor in the Clinton case and a caustic critic of Trump in the media, believes Trump should also be worried and has significant criminal exposure to an obstruction rap. Either [his lawyers] wittingly lied or they got that assurance from their client, in which case Trump has jeopardy, Laufman, an Obama appointee and donor, told Politico. But at this point, investigators can only speculate that documents were intentionally moved or destroyed to avoid compliance with subpoenas, which would be a felony. Legal experts note that prosecutors were careful to say in their filing that documents were likely concealed and that efforts were likely taken to obstruct the investigation, indicating they still lack solid evidence. It is not clear from the filing if the FBI has evidence of intentional acts of concealment as opposed to negligence, George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley said. By contrast, prosecutors had solid material evidenceincluding emails, phone calls, work tickets, and computer forensicsthat Clinton operatives conspired to not just conceal but actually destroy documents under subpoena in violation of Section 1519 of the federal criminal code, the same statute cited by the FBI in its warrant to search Mar-a-Lago. It bars the destruction or falsification of any documents or materials with the intent to impede, obstruct or influence an investigation. Did Hillary Clinton violate 18 USC 1519 when emails from her private email server were destroyed during government investigation? Possibly, yes, said Donald Skupsky, a lawyer specializing in government records-retention procedures. In December 2014, she did instruct her team to destroy remaining emails after 60 days. And ultimately, she never halted nor protested again any records destruction, he added. Under 18 USC 1519, Clinton may have concealed and covered up the destruction of records. Both the Trump and Clinton cases also invoke Section 2071, a federal statute which prohibits the willful concealment, removal, or destruction of federal records. But in investigating Clintons homebrew server scheme, prosecutors declined to pursue a Section 2071 charge because they argued the statute had never been used to prosecute individuals for attempting to avoid Federal Records Act requirements by failing to ensure that government records are filed appropriately, according to the IG report. Some legal experts say the same standard should apply to Trump, whom the DOJ said tried to avoid Presidential Records Act requirements. Trump lawyer Jim Trusty said Trumps retention of allegedly classified papers is akin to an overdue library book and complained that Biden administration prosecutors are holding him to a different standard than anyone else because he is a Republican. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon earlier this month issued an injunction temporarily barring the Justice Department from using the seized material in its espionage investigation until a Special Master can review it for privileged and other information outside the scope of the probe. Despite the order, the obstruction part of DOJs probe can move forward. Among other things, investigators can continue to interview witnesses about whether subpoenaed documents were moved or concealed. DOJ is in the midst of an ongoing criminal investigation pertaining to potential violations of the Espionage Act, as well as obstruction of justice, 18 USC 1519, and unlawful concealment of removal of government records, 18 USC 2071, DOJ chief counterintelligence prosecutor Jay Bratt stated in a recent court filing. Unvaccinated Navy Officer Restricted From Official Travel, Forced to Live Away from Husband for 1.5 Years After a few unsuccessful attempts to meet highly competitive requirements to pursue a specialized career in the U.S. Navy Lt. Mary Smith (a pseudonym) finds herself stuck at a training installation for quite a bit longer than anticipated. An expected six-month stay, she says, has turned into a year and a half. Smith spoke to The Epoch Times using a pseudonym, for fear of reprisal. With a new home and property in another state, Smith has been unable to live with her husband of two years as theyve been separated for three times the anticipated length of time she predicted. Were newlyweds and weve only lived together about four or five months, she said. While there are different paths for her career to pursue away from the current training facility, including a more general assignment or a different specialization, Smithlike many othersis unable to go on official travel because of her vaccination status. NAVADMIN 130/22, a Navy-specific administrative message, states, Individuals who are not fully vaccinated, or who decline to provide information about their vaccination status, are limited to only mission-critical official travel, both domestic and international. A response to Smiths religious accommodation request has remained unanswered since December 2021. She is concerned that the court injunction that prevents the Navy from separating those who applied for religious waivers will further delay matters as she finds herself stuck waiting. Although I am grateful for the injunction, I still cannot be with my husband, she said. Because Smith is unvaccinated, the Navy has refused to allow for a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) to be closer to her husband and family. Im able to take leave once a month to visit my husband and family, but Im not allowed to PCSand that simply doesnt make any sense, she said. Smith submitted an exemption to policy (ETP) request to transfer in early June but the ETP has been sitting on the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations desk for a few months, she said, adding that she has no idea what the Navy is going to do with me. She has been asking for updates weekly with the only response being you will hear something soon. For Smith, soon is not good enough. She would like the courtesy and respect of a timely response since she has always been expected to provide the same. While Smith is unable to transfer, she considers it ironic that her current position has her directly involved with readiness issues, while her religious denial letter states a waiver of immunizations would have a predictable and detrimental effect on your readiness and the readiness of the Sailors who serve alongside you in both operational and nonoperational (including training) environments. And all the while, Smith said her training environment puts her in very close contact with other sailors. Many of these individuals are vaccinated and still get sick, while I have never gotten sick, she said. Smith said the experience has caused a ton of undue stress on her marriage and has taken a toll on her mental health. Awaiting a response from the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV), she said, the military is continuing to wrongfully discriminate against the unvaccinated based on our religious beliefs. According to Smith, the majority of the public thinks this discrimination has ended. She explained that many of us are still prevented from doing certain things, like pursuing PCS or deployment, even though the vaccinated are still getting COVID and having to quarantine. And this, she said hinders the mission of the Navy. Smith said she chose to speak out, not because of her own predicament, but because the myriad of policies that have stemmed from the evolving target known as COVID has had tremendous impacts on thousands of service members progression, training, and opportunities. I hope people can come to realize how much freedom we are losing as Americans and how far we are falling away from our Constitution, which I have sworn to support and defend against all enemies foreign and domestic, Smith said. In addition to OPNAV not offering the status of her ETP request, Smith said congressional inquiries have not helped her situation. The response to my first complaint in June basically told me what I already knewthat my ETP request was pending, she said. A second inquiry was sent on Sept. 13, asking for help getting a response to her ETP request. Smith emphasized that her views do not reflect those of the Department of Defense or the Department of the Navy. The Office of the Chief of Naval Operations did not return an inquiry from The Epoch Times. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Ohio's efforts to curb gerrymandering are not working and voters must once again amend the constitution to take politics completely out of the process, the retiring chief justice of the state Supreme Court said Thursday. The current redistricting commission, created by constitutional amendment in 2015, has had no discernible effect on gerrymandering and as a result voters this fall will elect candidates based on unconstitutional legislative districts, Republican Maureen OConnor said in her annual and final state of the judiciary speech. A new amendment must create a commission that restricts partisan politics by prohibiting elected officials from serving, O'Connor said. The current Ohio Redistricting Commission consists of elected lawmakers and state officeholders, including the governor, and has a 5-2 Republican majority. Instead, commission members must consist of sensible people who are not driven by politics but rather by whats fair, O'Connor said. Fair representation and justice. O'Connor's remarks echoed the position she took in January when the court first ruled in a 4-3 decision with O'Connor in the majority that initial maps drawn by the commission were unconstitutional. The court made similar rulings four more times before a federal court ordered Ohio to use the third set of Statehouse maps approved by the Ohio Redistricting Commission, maps the state Supreme Court had also found unconstitutional. O'Connor sided with the court's three Democrats each time, and some fellow Republicans called for her impeachment, though nothing came of it. Political theater, O'Connor said after the speech, adding: I dont give it a second thought. During her speech, O'Connor said she planned to play some kind of role in promoting another constitutional amendment to fight gerrymandering. Also Thursday, O'Connor criticized an upcoming constitutional amendment that will require judges to consider criminal suspects threat to public safety when setting bail. Republicans pushed the measure in reaction to a January state Supreme Court ruling that lowered the bond for a man accused of fatally shooting another in the head during a robbery. O'Connor called the measure an effort to manufacture fear and said it wasn't necessary because public safety is the first thing judges must consider when setting bail. Putting an emphasis on high monetary bonds will continue a pattern of jailing the people who can least afford release, O'Connor said to applause from a crowd consisting mainly of other judges. Republican Attorney General Dave Yost, a backer of the constitutional amendment, said the courts decision upholding the lower bail made Ohio communities less safe. The presumption of innocence does not require turning a blind eye toward a criminal defendants violent past, Yost said after OConnors speech. OConnor is a former Summit County judge and prosecutor who also served as lieutenant governor and the state Public Safety director in the administration of former Republican Gov. Bob Taft. She was first elected to the Ohio Supreme Court in 2003 and twice elected chief justice, in 2010 and 2016. O'Connor, who turned 71 in August, is the first Ohio chief justice to leave office because of age limits, which prevent judicial candidates from running for office at 70 or older. Other Ohio chief justices have died or lost elections before confronting age limits. Now Im not going to lose an election again, we know that for sure," O'Connor joked. And if I can stick out 105 more days I think Ive got a new record for the state of Ohio. Solar panels in this drone photo at the Impact solar facility in Deport, Texas, on July 15, 2021. (Drone Base/Reuters) US Likely Bought Chinese Solar Panels Made With Forced Labor: Uyghur Advocate As House Republicans demand an investigation over suspicion that Department of Homeland Security money is being used to buy Chinese solar panels made with forced labor, there is a high possibility that Uyghur slave labor has been involved, according to Salih Hudayar, the prime minister of the East Turkistan government-in-exile. Its very likely given the fact that prior to China starting its official campaign of genocide and forced labor of the Uyghurs in 2014, solar power polysilicon production in East Turkistan amounted for only 9 percent of the global production. By 2021, it proliferated to over 50 percent of global production, Hudayar said in an interview on NTD News, The Epoch Times sister media. And the fact that this is happening around the same time that Chinas locking up millions of Uyghurs and other peoples in concentration camps and forced labor camps, shows us that this is only possible if the Chinese [regime] was using slave labor of Uyghurs, he added. Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Hudayar pointed to the links of many solar panel manufacturers with the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC). He said it is a Chinese paramilitary force that is responsible for not only colonizing Turkistan, but also suppressing any dissent. It is an entity that was sanctioned by the U.S. government back in July 2021 as it is implementing the ongoing genocide, he said. On July 31, 2021, the Trump administration announced sanctions on current and former Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials heading the XPCC, as well as the XPCC itself, over human rights abuses. Torture of Uyghurs The United Nations estimates that more than a million Uyghurs have been detained in internment camps in the Xinjiang region. Hudayar affirmed credible reports have shown that the Uyghurs are facing sexual abuse, rape, and having their organs harvested, much like the believers of Falun Gong. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice composed of meditative exercises and a set of moral teachings based on the principles of truth, compassion, and forbearance. It grew in popularity during the 1990s leading to up to 100 million people practicing in China by the end of the decade. Perceiving this to be a threat, the Chinese regime in 1999 launched a nationwide campaign seeking to eradicate the practice. Since then, millions of adherents have been detained in prisons, labor camps, and detention centers across the country, where they are subjected to torture, slave labor, and forced organ harvesting. New evidence has emerged pointing to the Chinese regimes ongoing organ harvesting crimes, according to Ethan Gutmann, China studies research fellow at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. In Gutmanns estimation, 25,000 to 50,000 Uyghurs are being killed for their organs every yeara number similar to that of estimates for Falun Gong adherents. Those in the camps are being subjected to forced indoctrination, up to 14 to 16 hours a day, praising the Chinese Communist Party, Hudayar added. According to Hudayar, forced labor is being used as a sort of a recursive cycle. Because even to hold millions of Uyghurs in concentration camps, it cost the Chinese [regime] a lot of money to pay for their security forces to pay for all the extra, [such as] surveillance and other systems that they have in place, he explained. Hudayar pointed to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), which President Joe Biden signed into law in December 2021 and which went into effect in June, bans imports from Xinjiang unless companies can prove that the products werent produced using forced labor. Its completely unacceptable that the U.S. government or any entity is doing business with a sanctioned entity that is very deeply involved in the ongoing genocide, he said. Cathy He contributed to this report. U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) (R) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) (L) speak to members of the press during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Sept. 14, 2022. The senators held a news conference on designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) US Senators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Declare Russia a State Sponsor of Terrorism Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Wednesday introduced a bi-partisan bill that would designate the Russian government as a state sponsor of terrorism. It comes the same day that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described Russia as a terrorist state after Russian forces fired a missile on the Karachunivske reservoir, which broke and flooded the presidents home city, Kryvyi Rih, forcing evacuations. Putin has crossed every line of civilized norms during the war in Ukraine and years before, Graham said in a statement. He has engaged in state-sponsored assassinations, the Wagner group supported by Russia terrorizes the world, and the war crimes being committed in Ukraine on a daily basis shock the conscious, he continued, referring to the private Russian military, Wagner group, whose mercenaries have been accused of war crimes in Africa and Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin has always denied that the Wagner group is controlled by the Kremlin. A truck of the Russian private military group Wagner in the looted Central African Army (FACA) base of Bangassou, which was attacked on Jan. 3, 2021, by rebels. Photo taken on Feb. 3, 2021. (Alexis Huguet/AFP via Getty Images) The U.S. senators said the Russia is a State Sponsor of Terrorism Act (pdf) would drastically curtail defense and technology exports to Russia, significantly reduce foreign assistance, and impose additional financial restrictions on Russia. It would also eliminate Russias sovereign immunity in the eyes of U.S. courts, opening Russias government to lawsuits and other civil claims from victims of its state-sponsored terrorism, according to a news release. Game Changer Graham said that Ukrainians have been asking for Russia to be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism and that if enacted the bill will be a game changer in how we deal with terrorists worldwide. If Putins regime is not a State Sponsor of Terrorism after all this, then the designation is meaningless, Graham said. We believe that it is long past due to designate Putins Russia as a State Sponsor of Terrorism and suffer the consequences thereof because he is a terrorist. On Wednesday, Zelenskyy visited a city in the Kharkiv region recently recaptured by Ukraine. He said Russian forces had left no home undamaged or church undefiled during their five-month occupation. The Ukrainian president accused Russia of committing genocide against Ukrainians. The occupiers left schools turned into garbage dumps and churches broken, literally turned into toilets, Zelenskyy said in a video on Wednesday night. The world must see this destruction, feel the pain that Russia has brought to Ukrainians, he added. An elderly woman walks past a building partially destroyed by a missile strike in the center of Kharkiv, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, on Sept. 13, 2022. (Sergy Bobok/AFP via Getty Images) Our law enforcement officers already received reports of murders, torture, and abductions by the occupiers, Zelenskyy added. What the world saw in Bucha, what we saw in the de-occupied territory of the Chernihiv region, Sumy region, what we are seeing now in the Kharkiv region are evidence of genocide against Ukrainians. Blumenthal said Russias actions in the past days and weeks have shown why it deserves to be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism. What has been revealed in Ukraines success on the battlefield is not only its military prowess and Russias weakness, but also Putins reliance on brutal atrocities, genocide, and war crimes against the people of Ukraine, Blumenthal said. Russia has more than earned the right to be among the club of pariah nations. The Epoch Times contact Russias foreign ministry for comment. Vedanta, Foxconn to Invest $19.5 Billion in Indias Gujarat for Chip, Display Project NEW DELHIVedanta Ltd. and Taiwans Foxconn will invest $19.5 billion under pacts signed on Tuesday to set up semiconductor and display production plants in Gujarat, the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Reuters was first to report on Monday that the joint venture obtained subsidies including on capital expenditure and electricity from Gujarat to set up units near the western states largest city, Ahmedabad. The showpiece investment of 1.54 trillion rupees, which Gujarat said was the largest ever by any group in an Indian state, comes ahead of key local elections in the state where Modis ruling group is facing a tough challenge from opposition parties. The companies on Tuesday said the Vedanta-Foxconn joint venture project will create more than 100,000 jobs in Gujarat. Most of the worlds chip output is limited to a few countries like Taiwan and late entrant India is now actively luring companies to usher in a new era in electronics manufacturing as it seeks for ways to have seamless access to chips. The Vedanta venture aims to start manufacturing display and chip products within two years, Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal told a public event in Gujarat, where an agreement was signed with the state officials. Indias own Silicon Valley is a step closer now, Agarwal said in a tweet after the event. Vedanta will setup a display manufacturing unit with an investment of 945 billion rupees ($11.95 billion) and separate chip-related production units by investing 600 billion rupees ($7.58 billion), the state government said in its statement. Vedanta and Foxconn will work closely with the state government to establish high-tech clusters with requisite infrastructure, including land, semiconductor grade water, and power, the statement added. Gujarat pipped Indias richest state, Maharashtra, in a close race to win the plant location. Foxconn is acting as the technical partner, while oil-to-metals conglomerate Vedanta is financing the project. Foxconn said in a statement that the states infrastructure and the governments active support increases confidence in setting up a semiconductor factory. The Indian government has said it will expand incentives beyond an initial $10 billion plan for those investing in semiconductor manufacturing, as it aims to become a key player in the global supply chain for chips. Vedanta is the third company to announce a chip plant location in India after international consortium ISMC and Singapore-based IGSS Ventures, which are setting up in the southern states Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, respectively. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson speaks at a news conference in Lansing, Mich., on March 5, 2020. (David Eggert/AP Photo) Voters Appeal Dismissal of Lawsuit Over Use of Zuckerberg Millions in Michigan Elections A years-long legal battle alleging dereliction of duty on the part of Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has moved to the Michigan Court of Appeals. In the early fall of 2020, four Michigan voters said they had discovered that some local election officials were allegedly using millions of dollars of private donations from the Center for Technology and Civic Life (CTCL) to pay for what they call get-out-the-vote efforts in urban Democrat strongholds around the state. CTCL is a non-profit organization heavily funded by the Mark Zuckerburg family. A 2021 report by Capital Research, a conservative think tank that studies non-profits, found that Michigan communities accepted $7.4 million from CTCL in 2020 to help the localities conduct safe and healthy elections during the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants also encouraged voter registration drives, mail-in voting, and the use of absentee ballot drop boxes. Data from the study shows that 92.8 percent of the funding went to 11 Michigan cities that heavily favored Democrat candidate Joe Biden. A sign pointing in the direction of a ballot drop box at the Schmidt Community Center polling station in Lansing, Mich., on Nov. 3, 2020. (Seth Herald/AFP via Getty Images) In September 2020, with legal assistance from the Thomas More Society, the four voters asked the Michigan Court of Claims to immediately stop the practice. On Oct. 16, 2020, their emergency motion for declaratory relief was denied. Court of Claims judge, Christopher Murray, told the four voters that the court would do nothing that might interfere with the Nov. 3 general election that was close at hand. However, Murray found the allegations warranted further discovery and litigation and deferred their claims for post-election consideration. After the election, the voters sued Benson for allegedly violating their constitutional rights by failing to conduct the election according to the Michigan Constitution and Election Code. Benson, represented by the office of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, sought twice to have the case thrown out. Both of Bensons motions for summary disposition were denied by Murray. As the case dragged on into 2022, Bensons third motion for summary disposition was granted by a different Court of Claims judge, Thomas Cameron. In January, before the plaintiffs counsel was able to complete discovery, Cameron dismissed the case. Attorneys for Benson successfully argued that the alleged improper use of the private funding for partisan purposes could not now be challenged because the election is over, and the case is therefore moot. Attorney Thor Hearne of the Thomas More Society. (Courtesy of True North Law) In a brief filed with the Michigan Court of Appeals on Sept. 6, Thor Hearne, the chief attorney for the plaintiffs and special counsel for the Thomas More Society, wrote: It cannot be that a private election funding scheme is immunized from judicial review both before and after the election. Hearne called it a Catch-22 for his clientswho were blocked from suing Benson before the election for fear the case could influence the results, and who were stopped from suing Benson after the election because it was too late to make any difference. In her pleadings, Bensons lawyers contended that the four voters lacked standing to bring the action against her. Benson also claimed that she cannot be sued for the implementation of a private program to fund and direct the conduct of Michigan elections because she did not personally hand out the money. The plaintiffs appeal states that this is no defense and alleges Benson actually encouraged local elections officials to participate in the private funding scheme. They allege she supported the program from its inception and, as the states chief election official, oversaw its implementation by the localities. Benson also contended that Michigan voters lack any judicial remedy to hold her accountable. In a brief filed on Dec. 17, 2021, her lawyers wrote that the claims by the plaintiffs were not supported by any actual controversy and that there is no cognizable claim for which relief may be granted. In the appeal, Hearne characterized Bensons legal reasoning as an attempt to deny his clients access to judicial review of her alleged violations which allegedly caused them injury. Hearne cited U.S. Supreme Court precedent from Marbury v. Madison, which states, It is a settled and invariable principle, that every right, when withheld, must have a remedy, and every injury its proper redress. He cited Michigan case law which held a right must be enforceable; otherwise, it is not a right at all but a mere hope. According to the complaint, plaintiffs cause of action is brought under the Equal Protection Clause of the Michigan Constitution. The four voters allege that, through Bensons inaction, their right to participate in a fair and honest election in which every Michigan citizen has an equal vote and equal access to the ballot was denied. Citing IRS filings by the CTCL, Hearne alleged that a huge percentage of the millions of dollars paid to Michigan election officials by the CTCL in the 2020 presidential election went to urban jurisdictions carried by Biden. He alleged that Republican-leaning suburban and rural jurisdictions received small grants from CTCL or none at all. The four voters suing Benson reside in what Hearne called disfavored jurisdictions. The appeal reads in part, Voters [his clients] access to the ballot was substantially less than that of individuals residing in Democrat-leaning urban jurisdictions that received vastly larger payments. This scheme of spending 10 times or more to provide ballot access to voters in favored jurisdictions has the effect of increasing the number of ballots cast by voters in the favored urban jurisdictions over the votes of those in the disfavored jurisdictions. This substantial disparity in access to the ballot means that voters in the disfavored jurisdictions were denied an equal opportunity to participate in the election. Hearne wrote that this resulted in the votes of his clients being diluted and undervalued. He cited the precedent which held, The idea that one group can be granted greater voting strength than another is hostile to the one man-one vote basis of our representative government. In a Sept. 13 phone and email interview with The Epoch Times, Hearne stated that his clients appeal is important to every voter regardless of partisan affiliation. According to Hearne, the millions of dollars paid to local election officials were conditioned on their conducting the election according to rules specified by CTCL. Unattended ballot drop boxes and other measures required by CTCL facilitated mail-in voting and ballot harvesting, he said. Hearne told The Epoch Times that denying his clients standing to challenge Bensons support for this scheme would render her immune from judicial accountability. He stated that the case at its most basic level, says that citizens and voters must be able to challenge election officials illegal conduct and hold election officials to account in court. The plaintiffs plea for relief reads in part, This court [the appeals court] should reverse the Court of Claims summary disposition and remand the case to the Court of Claims for further proceedings, including allowing the parties to complete discovery. The Michigan Office of the Secretary of State does not comment on ongoing litigation. Kristina Karamo speaks at a rally hosted by former President Donald Trump near Washington, Mich., on April 2, 2022. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Kristina Karamo, the Republican candidate for secretary of state, told The Epoch Times in a Sept. 13 email, Private money funding our elections opens the door for our elections to be bought. As secretary of state, I will eliminate all private funds from coordinating with local and state election officials in any capacity. A proposal to amend the Michigan Constitution to normalize private funding of elections and require ballot drop boxes in every election jurisdiction will be on the Nov. 8 ballot. The proposal goes by the name Promote the Vote. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) speaks to reporters as he departs from the Senate Chambers on Oct. 06, 2021. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) We Need Allies: US Lawmakers Hail Bill That Would Boost Support for Taiwan Legislators in the United States reacted favorably to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations approval of proposed legislation that would restructure the U.S.-Taiwan relationship. The 2022 Taiwan Policy Act (S.4428) would substantially increase American funding for Taiwans defense and augment the two powers warm but unofficial ties. Weve never needed each other as much or more than we do now, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) told NTD, a sister media outlet of the Epoch Times. This is a longtime friendship, but it is a friendship that really demands greater formalization. The act was approved by a bipartisan 17-5 vote. It will now move to Congress where it must be passed by both the House and Senate and then signed by President Joe Biden to become law. The primary purpose of the bill is to support the security of Taiwan and its right of self-determination, though it would also enhance the islands status to something closer to a formal diplomatic ally. It would also direct the government to craft strategies to counter influence operations and economic coercion directed at Taiwan by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Moreover, it would grant Taiwan $6.5 billion over five years for the procurement of military weapons from the United States. The United States does not maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan but, since the passage of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, the nation is bound by law to provide the island government with the arms necessary to defend itself. When asked whether the language of the bill could be seen as a provocation of the CCP, Cramer said that the regime had already raised the stakes with its aggressive military deployments in the waters and skies around Taiwan. [China has] chosen to hurt the relationship, Cramer said. Theyve chosen to be much more aggressive. We cant simply sit back and not respond. We need friendships. We need allies. And, you know, I think its a mutual need. Were simply responding to Chinas aggression. To that end, the bill would create a non-binding resolution to designate Taiwan as a major non-NATO ally for the purposes of providing arms and would pave the way for Taiwan to participate in international organizations. Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) said that the bill was a vital step to ensuring that Taiwan could maintain its defense and deter a possible invasion by the CCP, which has vowed to unite the island with the mainland. The US and Taiwan relationship is so important, Chabot said. We have to make sure that Taiwan is completely able to defend itself, its able to have a strong economy, and that its not going to be bullied by [China], which they try to do all the time. Wishes, Blame, and an Excruciating Death Commentary When Queen Elizabeth II, 96 years old, was close to death, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University called Uju Anya, whose areas of inquiry include applied linguistics as a practice of social justice and translanguaging in world language pedagogy, published her desire that the Queen should die an excruciating death. Surprisingly for someone who thought it fit to utter so vile a sentiment in public, Anya looks rather a nice person. Of course, someone can look nice without being nice, but in all probability she is, in general, a nice person. What, then, caused her to emerge from her obscurity into the light of publicity with her unpleasant outburst? The short answer is adherence to ideology and dishonest abstract ideas. She justified her sentiment by reference to the Nigerian Civil War in which her fathers family sufferedshe herself was born six years after it ended. The war occurred when the Igbo people, or the government of eastern Nigeria, tried to break away from the federal state of Nigeria and form an independent state of Biafra. The war caused starvation and much death in eastern Nigeria, but the federal side prevailed, having received aid from Britain and other countries. Anya seems to blame Elizabeth II for the suffering of the people in eastern Nigeria, but she has let her emotion and her ignorance run away with her. If the British government of the day had sided with Biafra, or indeed remained neutral, the Queen would not have intervened, for she had nothing to do with the formation of policy. Anya calls her the chief monarch, a rather odd expression demonstrating a firm lack of understanding of constitutional monarchy as practiced in Britain, in short ignorance. One might as well blame the Supreme Court for the Vietnam War or the withdrawal from Afghanistan, or any other act of American foreign policy. But there is more. Until his death, I was a friend of Ken Saro-Wiwa, the Nigerian writer, whom I used to see on my visits to Port Harcourt, and on his to London. He wrote an anti-war masterpiece titled Sozaboy: A Novel in Rotten English, which was an account, in semi-pidgin English, by a naive young boy who finds himself fighting on both sides in the war without knowing why he is fighting for either, except that he first proudly donned a uniform to impress his girlfriend, who ultimately is killed. After a page or two, you grasp the language in which it is written; it is an eloquent protest against the horror of war. It ends with a moving declaration, through the mouth of the novels protagonist and narrator: And I was thinking how I was prouding before to go to soza and call myself Sozaboy [soldier boy]. But now if anybody say anything about war or even fight, I will just run and run and run and run and run. Believe me yours sincerely. Now, Saro-Wiwa was a member of the Ogoni people, an ethnic minority group in Igboland. He thought, rightly or wrongly is beside the point, that the Ogoni people would fare better in a federal Nigeria than in an independent Biafra, and therefore actively supported the federal military effort. Presumably, Anya would have wished him an excruciating death because he was far more plausibly or directly responsible for what was done in the war than was the Queen. If so, she would have had her wish. Long after the war, Saro-Wiwa started a movement for the compensation of the Ogoni people for the virtual destruction of their ancestral homeland by oil production, the control of whose revenues was the most important prize in Nigerian politics. I tried to persuade him not to go into politicsI thought Nigeria needed writers more than it needed yet more politicians, and he was talentedbut he did not heed my pleas because he said the situation of his people was so dire. And he predicted that the government would eventually kill him. I thought he was exaggerating: The Nigerian government was bad but not murderous at the time. However, he was right: He was arrested on a trumped-up charge, tried in a kangaroo court, and sentenced to hang. Apparently, it took five goes to hang him, and he said, In this country, they cant even hang a man properly. So Anya would have got her wish for an excruciating death for Saro-Wiwa. For myself, I wish no person such a death, and I hardly dare add that I wish it least of all for a man who had his faults no doubt, as all of us do, but whom I esteemed highly. There is another point to be made, and that is that, in making Queen Elizabeth a scapegoat for the Nigerian Civil War, Anya is turning Africans into less than full adults who are not really responsible for what they do. On the contrary, they are the puppets of all-powerful others, who can and do manipulate them any way they wish. The history of post-colonial Africa is replete (rather less so now, thank goodness) with political monsters. Among the worst was Macias Nguema, the first president of Equatorial Guinea, until his nephew, who is still president 43 years later, overthrew him in a military coup. Macias killed or drove into exile a third of the population of a country that had once been thriving; he left it destitute, starving, and utterly destroyed. Of course, Anya would ascribe this (and all the other monstrous things done by Sekou Toure, the Emperor Bokassa, Idi Amin, et al.) to the legacy of colonialism, but this is in effect to say that when Macias killed his enemies, kept the national treasury under his bed, and executed people for possessing a page of print, he did not know what he was doing: He was really an infant. And this is precisely what an unreconstructed racist would say. Then, of course, it might be alleged that Nigeria and other countries were not natural nations and were the result of a European carve-up that lumped different peoples together. This is true, but irrelevant: Nigeria has so many different ethnic groups that no modern state could have been formed without amalgamation. Moreover, some of the states that were more or less naturalBurundi, Rwanda, Somaliahave fared among the worst. Anyas remarks are a mixture of crudity and ignorance, combined with an uncontrolled and not altogether ungratifying (for her) sense of rage. She does not think clearly: But then, would one expect someone among whose specialties is applied linguistics as a practice of social justice and translanguaging in world language pedagogy? Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Chinese leader Xi Jinping (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for photos on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) leaders' summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Sept. 15, 2022. (Alexandr Demyanchuk/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images) Xi and Putin Meet, Pledge Support for Ukraine and Taiwan Policies The leaders of China and Russia met in person on Sept. 15 to discuss regional security issues and further explicate their ambitions to counter U.S. influence abroad. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping spoke on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Uzbekistan. It was the leaders first meeting since Russia invaded Ukraine in February. China has refrained from condemning Russias war against Ukraine or calling it an invasion and has parroted Russian propaganda that the war was provoked by the United Statessomething for which Putin expressed gratitude on Sept. 15. We highly value the balanced position of our Chinese friends when it comes to the Ukraine crisis, Putin said. Two Regimes Against the West The two leaders sealed a no limits partnership between China and Russia in February that has caused anxiety about geopolitical tensions in the West. Putin used the recent meeting to double down on that arrangement by throwing his weight behind the CCPs most contentious policy disagreements with the rest of the world. He said Russia would support the CCPs so-called One China policy, which states that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and lambasted U.S. provocations in the Taiwan Straitan apparent reference to House Speaker Nancy Pelosis (D-Calif.) visit to the island last month. We intend to firmly adhere to the principle of One China, Putin said. Taiwan has been self-governing since 1949 and has never been controlled by the CCP. The island nation doesnt maintain formal diplomatic ties with the United States, but the two powers are important trade partners. The United States is legally bound to supply Taiwan with the arms necessary to defend itself from foreign aggression, including aggression from China. The two leaders also reaffirmed their fledgling anti-Western alliance and dedication to creating a multipolar world in which the United States isnt the sole superpower. For Putin, that alliance also means that Chinas continued support will ensure that Russia isnt isolated, despite the harshest economic and diplomatic efforts of the West. For Xi, it helps to solidify Chinese leadership over the burgeoning anti-Western bloc just a month before the CCPs 2oth National Congress, in which hes expected to secure a historic third term. Attempts to create a unipolar world have recently taken an absolutely ugly shape, Putin said. They are absolutely unacceptable for the vast majority of countries on the globe. Likewise, Xi said that with Russias support, China is ready to play a leading role to take the rapidly changing world on a track of sustainable and positive development. The comments echoed similar sentiments made by Chinese and Russian diplomats in recent days that the two regimes would seek to transform the international order. The Chinese side is willing to work with the Russian side to continuously implement high-level strategic cooperation between the two countries, safeguard common interests, and promote the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction, CCP Politburo member Yang Jiechi stated earlier in the week. The meeting drew outrage from U.S. legislators such as Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), who condemned it as an attempt to form an anti-Western axis. Xi and Putin are seeking a new global order that directly threatens international democracy and sovereignty, Blackburn wrote on Twitter. Todays meeting demonstrates China and Russias ongoing efforts to strengthen the New Axis of Evil at the expense of freedom around the globe. The United States must continue to stand firmly against these malign actors and support the people of Taiwan and Ukraine. Young Australians Make Largest Recovery From COVID Stress: Study The mental health of young Australians has bounced back faster than other age groups over the last 12 months, according to a study by the Australian National University (ANU). ANU Professor Nicholas Biddle, co-author of the study, said the latest survey showed how over two-in-three of Australians aged 18 to 24 felt their life had improved over the last 12 months. This was also the age group with the largest improvement in life satisfaction since our April 2022 survey, he said. The age group also reported the biggest drop in psychological distress, a decline of five percent. But Biddle noted that psychological distress was still above pre-pandemic levels. However, overall, this is really encouraging news, he said. Young people have been the people most dramatically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, especially when it comes to their economic security, future prospects, and mental health and wellbeing. While young Australians saw the greatest levels of improve to life and wellbeing, life satisfaction had steadily increased across the board since January. Wellbeing Levels Still Have Room for Improvement In May 2020, over half of Australians felt their lives become worse. By the latest survey, just one-in-five thought their life became worse over the 12 months to August. That does not mean that Australia has returned to pre-pandemic levels of wellbeing and mental health. Life satisfaction was lower in August 2022 than it was in October 2019. There are also still more Australians who have high levels of psychological distress. However, wellbeing and mental health outcomes have improved over recent months as lockdown conditions have substantially eased, and despite high case numbers, Biddle said. ANU has been collecting data for more than two years, through 12 surveys, to examine how COVID-19 affected Australians. Over 3,500 respondents participated in the latest survey conducted in August. It comes after the National Cabinet agreed to reduce the isolation period for COVID-19 from seven to five days. State leaders have also been increasingly calling for a change in approach to COVID-19 policies as the public gets increasingly tired of health restrictions. New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet said authorities needed to scrap the mandatory isolation period entirely. I believe we need to move away from public health orders, we need to move to a system in which well respect each otherif youre sick, you stay at home; if youre not sick, go to work, he told Sky News Australia. When it came time to showcase its electric Chevrolet Equinox SUV to the public this year, General Motors decided against doing so at the big Detroit auto show, as it typically would have done in the past. Instead, it unveiled the Equinox six days earlier. GMs decision symbolized just how much smaller this years auto show will be, with few new model debuts, less-glitzy displays, fewer journalists and possibly lower attendance. Though the pandemic is partly to blame, larger forces are at play, too: Automakers have figured out that new models can make a bigger splash when theyre unveiled to a digital audience on a day where they dont have to share the spotlight with their rivals. WASHINGTON (AP) A long-delayed plan to dismantle Interstate 375, a 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) depressed freeway in Detroit that was built by demolishing Black neighborhoods 60 years ago, was a big winner of federal money Thursday, the first Biden administration grant awarded to tear down a racially divisive roadway. The $104.6 million is among $1.5 billion in transportation grants handed out to 26 projects nationwide thanks to increased funding from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. It allows Michigan to move forward on its $270 million effort to transform the stretch in Detroit into a street-level boulevard, reconnecting surrounding neighborhoods and adding amenities, such as bike lanes. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has said he would make racial justice a priority in his department's funding awards, pledging wide-ranging help to communities. Black Bottom and Paradise Valley, two of the city's predominantly African American neighborhoods, were razed as part of the 1950s creation of an interstate highway system, displacing 100,000 Black residents and erecting a decades-long barrier between the downtown and communities to the east. Hailed by city and state leaders as helping rectify a past racial wrong, the federal money represents a key first step that advocacy groups say will inspire dozens of citizen-led efforts underway in other cities to dismantle highways. Still, advocates cautioned that Michigan's plan to build a six-lane city boulevard risks simply replacing one busy roadway with another. Some long-time Black residents, meanwhile, worry they could be priced out of the city by new business development and shiny condo buildings that promise direct links to downtown. After years of planning dating back to 2013, the highway removal is now estimated to begin as soon as 2025, two years earlier than expected, with construction finished by 2028. This stretch of I-375 cuts like a gash through the neighborhood, one of many examples I have seen in communities across the country where a piece of infrastructure has become a barrier, Buttigieg told The Associated Press. He joined Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan later Thursday in Detroit along with several Black residents to highlight the grant. With these funds, we're now partnering with the state and the community to transform it into a road that will connect rather than divide," Buttigieg said. Other winners Thursday of the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America, or INFRA, grants include $32.5 million for Flagstaff, Arizona, to build pedestrian underpasses to reconnect lower-income neighborhoods isolated by a 1-mile segment of railroad to downtown; $100 million to Clear Creek County, Colorado, for upgrades to 8 miles of the I-70 Mountain Corridor, including electric vehicle charging stations; $110 million to New York to expand refrigerated warehouse space at its Hunts Point food distribution center; and $70 million to improve rail track in Chicago. Detroit's project would create a slower-speed boulevard that aims to improve safety by removing a steep curve and adding LED lighting, while removing 15 old bridges and two stormwater runoff pump stations and building out wider sidewalks, protected bike lanes and pedestrian crossings. Whitmer had originally sought as much as $180 million in federal money for the project. Because that would have been a tall order under the Biden administration's Reconnecting Communities pilot program, which was funded by Congress at just $1 billion over five years, Buttigieg's Department of Transportation opted to award $104 million to Michigan under the federal INFRA discretionary grant program, which has a bigger total pot of $8 billion over five years. Christopher Coes, assistant secretary for transportation policy, said the Detroit grant reflected Buttigieg's pledge to make Reconnecting Communities a broad principle of his department not just a single program with many efforts underway. Money under that specific $1 billion pilot will be awarded late this year or early next. Ben Crowther, advocacy manager for America Walks and coordinator for the Freeway Fighters Network, praised the new federal grant. While there are over 50 grassroots efforts around the country aimed at removing or repurposing highways, only three cities Detroit, Syracuse, New York and Somerville, Massachusetts have demolition plans that are shovel-ready, making them prime candidates for federal funding. "The fact the Detroit project is now moving forward really speaks to the priorities that U.S. DOT has set for reconnecting communities that are trickling down to the state level," Crowther said. While community debate will likely continue over the best design and whether a six-lane boulevard is a good approach, he said, the new federal focus on equity is a lot of inspiration for local groups for that reason alone. Still, some Black residents worry the new boulevard could only create more problems. Sam Riddle, political director of the Michigan National Action Network and a longtime resident of the area, says to truly address racial inequity, city officials need to take a more holistic approach to improving Black livelihood, such as building affordable housing. Theyre not going to right a historical wrong where Black businesses were wiped out, Riddle said. What theyre going to do is repeat the same mistake that prices out majority-Black Detroit. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MANILA, Philippines (AP) Philippine officials have warned of possible danger to aircraft and ships from debris from a new Chinese rocket launch that might fall in northern Philippine waters, authorities said Thursday, adding no debris has been sighted so far. The Philippine Space Agency said Chinas Long March 7A rocket was launched Tuesday night from the Wenchang Space Launch Center on Hainan island. That prompted the agency to notify Philippine authorities of potential danger in two offshore areas where the debris could crash down. The possible drop zones were 71 kilometers (44 miles) off Burgos town in Ilocos Norte province and 52 kilometers (32 miles) from Santa Ana town in Cagayan province, the space agency said, citing information from a notice to pilots released by the Civil Aviation Administration of China. Rocket parts that detach before reaching space should by design fall back offshore less than an hour after a rocket launch, Philippine Space Agency spokesperson Tricia Zafra said. So far, no sighting. We continue to seek out reports, Zafra told The Associated Press. Hopefully, no injuries or damage related to it. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines warned Wednesday in a notice to pilots about the possible danger posed by the debris in the two northern Philippine offshore areas. While debris from CZ-7A is unlikely to fall on land features or inhabited areas in the Philippine territory, falling debris still poses a considerable threat to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zones, the Philippine Space Agency said in a statement Tuesday. In July, the core stage debris of a Long March 5B rocket that was launched by China landed in Philippine waters in an uncontrolled reentry, the agency said. No damage or injuries were reported. Fishermen at the time found a torn metal sheet showing part of the Chinese flag and a marking of the Long March 5B rocket in the West Philippine Sea about 160 kilometers (100 miles) off Mamburao town in Occidental Mindoro province, according to the space agency, using the Philippine name for a part of the South China Sea closer to its western coast. The agency asked the public on Tuesday to immediately inform authorities if suspected floating debris is sighted at sea and warned people against retrieving or coming in close contact with such materials. Manilas space agency says its working with the Department of Foreign Affairs to push for the Philippine ratification of two U.N. treaties, including one that promotes accountability among nations for possible damage or injuries arising from the launching of objects such as satellites to space. China has faced criticism for allowing rocket stages to fall to Earth uncontrolled at least twice before. NASA accused Beijing last year of failing to meet responsible standards regarding their space debris after parts of a Chinese rocket landed in the Indian Ocean. The countrys first space station, Tiangong-1, crashed into the Pacific Ocean in 2016 after Beijing confirmed it lost control. An 18-ton rocket fell uncontrolled in May 2020. China also faced criticism after using a missile to destroy one of its defunct weather satellites in 2007, creating a field of debris that other governments said might jeopardize other satellites. OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Heres whats in the tentative agreement that railroad unions secured to prevent a potential freight railroad strike. The final deal was negotiated by the unions that represent engineers and conductors, but all 12 of the rail unions will likely benefit from the concessions railroads made because the unions that agreed to deals earlier all had provisions in their deals that will allow them to do that. The raises workers will receive as part of this deal will be the biggest ones they have received in more than four decades. The railroad industry has said that average rail worker salaries will reach $110,000 by the end of this five-year deal in 2025. The financial terms of the deal closely follow the recommendations made by the Presidential Emergency Board last month after those arbitrators met with both sides. Businesses that rely on the railroads said a strike would be devastating, and the Association of American Railroads trade group estimated that a work stoppage would cost the economy more than $2 billion a day. The talks included all the major U.S. railroads, including BNSF, Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, CSX, Kansas City Southern and the U.S. operations of Canadian National. Canadian Pacific negotiates separately with its unions. HOW BIG ARE THE RAISES? Railroad workers will receive 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses in the deal that is retroactive to 2020. So rail workers will receive sizeable back pay of more than $11,000 on average once this deal is ratified. HOW MUCH TIME OFF WILL WORKERS GET? The deal includes one additional paid leave day a year, but railroads also agreed to let workers take unpaid time off for doctors appointments and medical procedures without being penalized under their attendance rules. The unpaid time off is a key concession that addressed some of the unions concerns about working conditions. Under the current system at BNSF and Union Pacific, workers receive a set number of points, and they lose points any time they take time off. If workers use up all their points, they can be disciplined or even fired. WHAT ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE? Workers will have to pay a larger share of their health insurance costs, but their premiums will be capped at 15% of the total cost of the insurance plan. Currently, railroad workers pay $228.88 per month for their health insurance, which is about 12.6% of the total cost of the plan. The railroads also agreed to increase the amount they will pay for hearing benefits and for speech therapy and other treatment of autism. WHATS NEXT? Members of all 12 railroad unions will have to vote on these deals. Already one union rejected a deal Wednesday that was based closely on the Presidential Emergency Boards recommendations but two other unions approved similar deals. These latest concessions may help secure the support of the union that rejected a deal. WILL WORKERS SUPPORT THE DEAL? The recommendations from the Presidential Emergency Board provided significant raises, but didnt address union concerns about working conditions. Many railroad workers spoke out on social media saying they would vote against a deal that only delivered what the Presidential Emergency Board recommended. It remains to be seen whether the railroads concessions on time off are enough to get workers support. Earlier this summer, railroad workers voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike if both sides couldnt agree to a deal. Many workers are frustrated with current working conditions after the major railroads cut nearly one-third of their workforce over the past six years. Hundreds of railroad workers have left the industry this year as the same time the railroads have been aggressively hiring new employees. The railroads need additional employees to handle all the freight. Shippers have complained loudly this year about delayed deliveries and poor service, and federal regulators have demanded that railroads improve their service. That release could not be found. A Civil Society Organisation has asked the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately arrest a Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi. The Civil Society Organisation, under the umbrella of the Coalition for Peace In Nigeria (COPIN), issued this demand in a statement on Monday signed by the National Coordinator, Emeka Akwuobi, and Secretary of the group, Fatih Yakub, respectively. The group said Gumis alleged romance with bandits and terrorists was the reason for their call to the secret police to arrest, interrogate and prosecute the Islamic scholar. It emphasized that the Islamic scholar has a lot of explanations to offer on the activities of bandits, especially those operating within the North West region. It also commended the secret service for the professional manner it handled the arrest of the bandits-Kaduna train passengers negotiator, Tukur Mamu, who is also the media aide of the Islamic scholar. COPIN stated that failure of the DSS to invite Gumi for interrogation, the group would organise a peaceful protest in Abuja and other cities in the country. The statement read We have watched with keen interest the provocative tendencies of Sheikh Gumi, especially as they relate to the activities of bandits/terrorists operating within the North West general area. The group noted with concern Gumis call for grant of amnesty to terrorists, who have killed and maimed thousands of unarmed civilians, including women and children, lamenting that of particular interest is the kidnap of the Abuja/Kaduna train passengers by the terrorists in April this year, with many of whom still being held under terrible conditions. The group believed that apprehension of Gumi is fundamental to a peaceful election, as he would provide the service with credible/actionable intelligence on the actual locations, and modus operandi of the terrorists, culminating in their arrest. Consequently, COPIN demanded the immediate arrest and interrogation of Gumi who it said by now, should be a person of interest to all intelligence and law enforcement agencies. It said it would not hesitate to mobilise for peaceful protests in strategic cities, including Abuja, if the DSS failed to invite the Islamic Cleric for interview on all he knows about bandits/terrorists holding the North West States, and parts of North Central, to ransom. Two-and-a-half years after the onset an historic global pandemic a blink of the eye, in the scheme of things Gov. Kathy Hochul is relinquishing the extraordinary powers that helped the state manage a lethal public health crisis. Its a good decision. Could she have let them go sooner, as her critics insist, (some more loudly than others)? Maybe, but who knows? The bottom line is that caution was wise, given the risks to individuals, communities and businesses, and New Yorks treacherous path through Covid-19. The criticism started when former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo exercised the authority granted him by the Legislature. Even after lawmakers stripped him of that authority in March 2021, he and then Hochul used executive powers to manage the pandemic. Hochul last renewed that authority four weeks ago. This week, citing falling caseloads, she set some of it aside. Given that we are in a different place now, weve been making announcements about taking masks off on public transportation, we now have a new booster shot, Hochul said. Were watching the numbers, we feel comfortable we can suspend them. Republican critics, including Senate Majority Leader Rob Ortt of North Tonawanda, have lambasted Hochul for hanging onto those powers as long as she did. He claimed that she was motivated by a desperate attempt at clinging onto unilateral power. Apparently not. What was desperate was a pandemic that has killed more than 1 million Americans, nearly 71,000 of them New Yorkers. Early in the pandemic, deaths in this state topped 1,000 a day. State Sen. Edward A. Rath III, R-Amherst, was more thoughtful, hailing Hochuls action as extremely welcome but long overdue. Thats a fair argument but thats all it is. New Yorkers who care about an effective response to a public health emergency can be satisfied with Hochuls measured response. The executive authority used by Hochul and Cuomo allowed the state to respond more nimbly to a fast-evolving calamity. Purchasing regulations were relaxed. Hospitals were allowed more leeway in hiring. More medical professionals could administer vaccines. Those, and other actions, enabled an expedited rollout of life-saving measures. The end of those powers means the administration now deals with normal purchasing regulations such as competitive bidding and review by the state comptroller. The Albany Times Union reported in July that suspension of normal contract rules helped rapid testing company Digital Gadgets secure $637 million in no-bid business since December. The newspaper added that family members of the companys top official donated $300,000 to Hochuls re-election campaign. Hochul has denied any link. Normal processes dont always suffice during an emergency. The question is when the emergency ended and that is and always will be up for debate. But Hochul used her powers well and, as the threat wanes, she is setting them aside. Its what New Yorkers should have wanted. Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing. The meeting between the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan has sparked reactions amongst Nigerian social media users. Obi had visited the former President at the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Wednesday. The LP presidential standard-bearer had, in a tweet alongside photos from the meeting, made this known via his verified Twitter handle on Thursday. Peter Obi said he and Jonathan exchanged views on national issues and an array of serious national interest questions during the meeting. The former governor was accompanied by some of his team, including the former governorship candidate in Anambra State, Oseloka Obaze. I recently visited my senior brother, H.E. @GEJonathan to exchange views on an array of serious national interest questions, he tweeted. Reacting to the development, Nigerians on the micro-blogging platform,Twitter, expressed different views about the meeting. Below are some of the reactions. @AdemuyiwaOba wrote: Fmr. President & the Incoming President. @tycoonceo1 wrote: Obi cant put in so much effort like this and take this country for granted, he was called to serve.#PeterObiForPresident. @Myxtique_ wrote: Peter Obi you dont need to visit GEJ I know he is already by ur side n rooting for you. I do hope you both share tips on how to get Nigeria back on her feet after u win because Nigeria is down n I hope we can win and make Nigeria work again, especially in the area of security and economy. @Jioke_Jioke wrote: Sir, please dont ignore the advice of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana SAN. Its very important we shift attention to the North Sir. @_lady_veee wrote: Emeritus and Incumbent Presidents of Nigeria On your mandate sir. Both of you are even putting on matching outfits. @drpenking wrote: Our Daddy is meeting elder statesmen and brainstorming the way out for Nigeria. Agbado FC people are meeting touts to brainstorm how the election will be rigged. The will fight the people will prevail. @PrideOfAPeacock wrote: Obi and his many elder brothers. Carry go, My President. Consistent with its engagement and outreach efforts and professional engagement with law-enforcement agencies at all levels in the US and Canada, the American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA) visited the Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) in Windsor, Canada. The visit was the first in-person protocol visit to renew the engagement that was restricted to virtual during the Covid19 crisis over the past two years. AHRC has a great professional working relationship with the CBSA, and this visit was intended to renew it and strengthen it. The discussion focused on the issues of common interests related to port of entries and border crossings. AHRC commends the CBSA leadership for being professional, cordial, and open to discussions. Both AHRC & CBSA agreed to continue and advance the engagement serving the public on both sides of the border. Windsor and Detroit are border cities that are home to citizens of Arab and/or Muslim descent. Most of them regularly visit family on the other side of the border. It is in the interest of all stakeholders that the border remains safe and welcoming. The CBSA values our relationship with stakeholder partners in both the United States and Canada as together we are committed to making our communities safe for all of us to live, said Mr. Joe McMahon, Director Ambassador Bridge, Operations Branch. AHRC is committed to building bridges of understanding and trust between communities and government, said Imad Hamad, AHRC Executive Director. We will not spare any effort to advance our mission of protecting and promoting the human rights of everyone, added Hamad. Engagement with agencies that implement the law on the ground is critical to advancing our mission, concluded Hamad. Darasamut Underpass to close for new water pumps PHUKET: The Darasamut Underpass on the bypass road will be closed from 8:30am to 4:30pm next Wednesday (Sept 21) so that workers can install new pumps inside the tunnel. transport By The Phuket News Thursday 15 September 2022, 12:35PM The notice announcing teh underpass closure next Wednesday (Sept 21). Image: Phuket Info Center Yuttana Phithak, Director of Phuket Highways Office, announced the need to close the underpass late yesterday afternoon (Sept 14). On behalf of the Phuket Highways Office, Mr Yuttana apologised for any inconvenience caused by the closure. The underpass last closed in August so that repairs could be made on pumps installed inside the tunnel. In June the tunnel closed for 10 days so that the road through the underpass could be resurfaced. Phuket Central Mosque rises near airport PHUKET: Komol Dumlak, Chairman of the Phuket Islamic Committee, has called on people to not criticise the construction of the project now branded as the Phuket Central Mosque, and has denied claims that the mosque is being built using government funds. religionconstruction By The Phuket News Thursday 15 September 2022, 12:03PM Through a report by the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket) yesterday (Sept 15), while still using the police rank of Sub-lieutenant as his formal honorific title despite not having served as a police officer for decades, Mr Komol said, It is a place where everyone benefits together, without discrimination. Mr Komol said that the project, under construction next to Thalang Technical College on the main road leading to the airport, is situated on nine rai and two ngan of land provided by the Royal Forestry Department. In total there will be eight to nine buildings at the site, he said. Of the main buildings, one will be the Phuket Central Mosque. The others will include an Islamic Ethics Training Center and a Phuket Islamic Affairs Administration Center. There will also be Phuket Provincial Foundation School to help the poor and the underprivileged who have no place to study or any way to pay expensive tuition fees, Mr Komol said. Students will come together at this centre whether they are Thai, Buddhist or Christian. This centre will be a centre where both Thai and English [languages] can be learned and all classes can come and study here where we will take care of the poor and the underprivileged, he continued. Construction of the main mosque is about 70% complete, fully funded by donations of more than B2.3 million, Mr Komol said. So far more than B20mn baht has been spent on construction of the entire complex, Mr Komol added. In total, donations of B40mn are needed to complete the complex, he said. Many more decorations need to be done, with around B20mn still needed to complete the project, he added. The mosque will become the face of our Phuket province. We can build the central mosque here and then people can pray, whether they are taxi drivers at the airport or foreign guests, as they all will have to pass along this road, Mr Komol said. Therefore, we are all welcome to come together and donate to the mosque because the Central Mosque is now accepting donations, he added. Mr Komol called on people to understand that the budget for building the Central Mosque is not a budget from the government. Not even one baht, we collect from the people, he said. Do not create conflict. Also tell people who create conflict to stop doing it because we are in Thailand. We love Thailand too. We love all Thai brothers and sisters. We are in the same nation, he said. Regarding the Islamic Ethics Training Center, Mr Komol said that one rai had been donated to the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) for the centre to be built. It will be a centre for training and displaying various products, and used to perform important ceremonies of the nation and important ceremonies of the King with a capacity of approximately 1,000 people, he said. It will be a three-storey building of the PPAO, but the Office of the Phuket Islamic Committee is the one who requested it. The PPAO gave the budget for construction. This is part of the budget was approved by PPAO President Rewat Arerob and Vice President Thiwat Seedokbub, and all members of the PPAO, he said. Not noted in the report was that the budget provided by the PPAO totalled B56mn even more than the B40mn Mr Komol said was required to build the entire complex. Also not noted in the report was that the Anti-Fake News Center in its investigation of fake news claims that the project was to cost B250mn, had confirmed that the land provided by the Royal Forestry Department for the project covered more than 19 rai, not nine rai as claimed by Mr Komol yesterday. Phuket readies for IMT-GT meeting PHUKET: Final preparations were being made today (Sept 15) ahead of the 28th IndonesiaMalaysiaThailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Ministerial Meeting, which is taking place at the Saii Laguna Hotel in Phuket tomorrow. economicstransportenvironment By The Phuket News Thursday 15 September 2022, 03:18PM Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew chaired a meeting earlier today attended by 14 southern provinces of Thailand, 11 northern and western states of Malaysia and 10 upper provinces from Indonesias Sumatra island. The meeting was to prepare for tomorrow by clarifying the key directives to be addressed as well as summarising the outcome of the last IMT-GT conference, held in Putrajaya, Malaysia in August 2021. According to the IMT-GT website, Various key updates and initiatives across the IMT-GT sectoral areas will be highlighted during this meeting among others; endorsement of the new IMT-GT Implementation Blueprint (IB) 20222026, cooperation on rubber among the three countries, as well as further discussions to accelerate the economic recovery process in the subregion through the IMT-GT Themed Trail to promote the IMT-GT region as a single tourism destination. Additionally, todays meeting covered topics such as the Southern Distribution Center Thung Song project and the Satun Geopark project between Langkawi Geopark in Malaysia, Satun Geopark in Thailand and Lake Toba Geopark in Indonesia. Also discussed was development of the Green City project, which the IMT-GT believes can contribute significantly to sustainable growth targets. For Thailand, this would focus on Green Transport initiatives in both Krabi and Phuket areas. Governor Narong also highlighted Phukets aspiration as a representative of Thailand to host the Specialized Expo 2028, stressing that the province has progressed to the second round of selection and is therefore the sole represenative from the Asean region. He emphasised how hosting the occasion could truly benefit the IMT-GT and encouraged attendees at the conference to subsequently support Phukets candidacy moving forward. The IMT-GT started as an early attempt at economic liberalisation & integration in Asean. It was formally endorsed by Indonesias President Suharto, Malaysias Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad and Thailands Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai in 1993. PM tenure ruling Sept 30 BANGKOK: The Constitutional Court has set Sept 30 for its ruling on when suspended prime minister Prayut Chan-o-chas eight-year tenure as premier began and ends. politics By Bangkok Post Thursday 15 September 2022, 10:57AM Suspended Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is also the defence minister, works in his office on Aug 26 at the Defence Ministry on Sanam Chai Road, in Bangkoks Phra Nakhon district. Photo: Defence Ministry Judges convened yesterday (Sept 14) to consider a petition asking it to rule on Gen Prayuts eight-year tenure, reports the Bangkok Post. The petition was signed by 171 MPs from the opposition bloc and forwarded to the court by the Secretariat of the House of Representatives. The judges decided the case involves legal issues and evidence and witnesses are sufficient for the court to hand down a ruling, a source said. On Aug 24, the court voted 5-4 to suspend Gen Prayut until it hands down its ruling on his term limit. He retains his role and duties as defence minister, however. The suspension order followed the courts unanimous decision to accept the oppositions petition. According to Section 158 of the constitution, the maximum term of a prime minister is eight years, but there have been disagreements over when Gen Prayuts term officially concludes. His critics believe it should end on Aug 24 this year because the clock started on Aug 24, 2014, when Gen Prayut first became prime minister under the provisional constitution enforced after he led the coup on May 22 of that year. Another group claims his term should end in 2027 because he was appointed PM under the 2017 charter in June 2019. As a result, his eight-year limit would end in 2027. Others argue the count started in April 2017 when the current charter was promulgated, meaning Gen Prayuts tenure would end in 2025. Gen Prayut yesterday turned up for work at the Defence Ministry without any special engagements. No upcountry inspection trips have been scheduled, according to a source at the ministry. The source said that before the court hands down a ruling, it will send letters to tell parties involved in the case to hear the ruling in court. Gen Prayut will assign Maj Gen Veera Rojanavas, his legal adviser, to appear in court on his behalf on Sept 30, the source said. Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said yesterday Gen Prayut had been informed of the courts decision to hand down the ruling on Sept 30. Whichever way the court rules, the prime minister will respect it, the spokesman said. Gen Prayut has appreciated peoples moral support and he is carrying out his duties as defence minister to support the governments work, Mr Anucha said. He has instructed the armed forces and agencies under the Defence Ministry to step efforts to help people affected by rain-triggered floods both in Bangkok and other provinces, Mr Anucha added. Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew said the party had presented enough evidence and witnesses to the court to support the view that Gen Prayuts eight-year tenure ended on Aug 24. If Gen Prayuts tenure ended as a result of the courts ruling, there would still be a legal dispute as to who would serve as caretaker prime minister, Dr Cholnan said. He cited Section 168 of the constitution which stipulates that if a prime minister vacates office, he will remain in the caretaker role until a new cabinet takes office. However, the prime minister will under no circumstances be allowed a caretaker role if he commits certain offences such as those related to budget allocations or violations of the code of ethics for political-office holders, Dr Cholnan explained. He also said he did not believe the Constitutional Courts ruling would be a catalyst for an early House dissolution considering the government has already made arrangements to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in November. Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a welcome ceremony held by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Sept. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) NUR-SULTAN, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here Wednesday afternoon and began his state visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan. Xi was warmly received by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev accompanied by senior Kazakh officials including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi and Mayor of Nur-Sultan Altai Kulginov at the airport. Some 70 ceremonial guards stood in two ranks saluting the leaders as the military band played a fanfare. Two beautifully dressed Kazakh girls, with flowers in their hands, welcomed the arrival of Xi. Xi issued a written address, in which he extended, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, sincere greetings and best wishes to the Kazakh government and people. He pointed out that China and Kazakhstan, connected by mountains and rivers, are good neighbors, good friends and good partners with a shared future, adding that over the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-Kazakhstan relations have progressed by leaps and bounds and reached the high level of permanent comprehensive strategic partnership. He noted that, during the visit, he will hold talks with Tokayev to jointly chart a new blueprint for all-round China-Kazakhstan cooperation. He also expressed his confidence that this visit will inject fresh and strong impetus into the common development and prosperity of both countries. Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and other accompanying officials arrived on the same plane. Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Zhang Xiao also came to the airport to receive the delegation. The golden autumn brought fair winds and wispy clouds to the city of Nur-Sultan. On the flagpoles lining the streets, five-starred red flags were flying high. Accompanied by a motorcycle escort, the state guest motorcade of Xi arrived at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace. He was warmly received by Tokayev as he exited the car. The two heads of state then proceeded together to the main hall of the Presidential Palace. In the brightly lit, elegant and august main hall, ceremonial guards stood tall and straight. Tokayev held a grand welcome ceremony for Xi. The two heads of state jointly stood on the podium as the military band played the national anthems of China and Kazakhstan. Accompanied by Tokayev, Xi inspected the honor guard. After the welcome ceremony, Tokayev invited Xi to an art exhibition titled "Kazakhstan-China: A Dialogue Across Millennium. On display were Chinese and Kazakh art treasures from the State Museum of Arts of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The exquisite Chinese paintings and porcelains and the Kazakh silks and ceramics are vivid testaments to the mutual learning between the splendid Chinese and Kazakh civilizations over the millennium. They also bear historical witness to the friendly exchanges between generations of Chinese and Kazakh people. The two Presidents held formal talks. Xi pointed out that over the past three decades since China and Kazakhstan established diplomatic ties, the bilateral relationship has stood the test of the changing international landscape, achieving greater substance, higher levels and more fruitful outcomes. The two countries have created many "firsts" in their relations, including the first in settling the boundary question, the first in laying cross-border oil and gas pipelines, the first in conducting international production capacity cooperation and the first in building a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said. China highly values its relations with Kazakhstan, and firmly supports Kazakhstan in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in taking reform measures to preserve national stability and development, Xi said, adding that China will always be a trustworthy and reliable friend and partner of Kazakhstan. China is ready to work with Kazakhstan in firmly supporting each other's development and rejuvenation, and helping each other achieve development and prosperity. The unbreakable friendship between China and Kazakhstan will contribute to the growth of positive and progressive forces in the world and to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi said. Xi stressed that China-Kazakhstan cooperation enjoys a solid foundation, huge potential and broad prospects, adding that the two sides should make good use of the existing mechanisms such as the regular Prime Ministers' Meetings and the China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee to synergize development strategies, leverage each other's comparative strengths and bring bilateral cooperation to a new scale and new level. It is important that the two sides work together for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, boost cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, production capacity, connectivity and COVID-19 response, and expand innovation cooperation in such fields as big data, artificial intelligence, digital finance, cross-border e-commerce, green energy and green infrastructure, Xi said, adding that the two sides need to forge closer people-to-people ties and promote friendly exchanges and mutual understanding between their peoples. Xi underscored that China supports Central Asian countries in safeguarding political security and social stability and in enhancing cooperation for integration. China will maintain close communication with Kazakhstan to properly handle various new problems and new challenges, oppose external forces' interference in the affairs of Central Asian countries, and jointly uphold lasting stability and security in the region, Xi said. The two sides need to enhance cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and China+Central Asia, and jointly support efforts for a successful SCO Samarkand Summit, in order to inject new impetus into the Organization's future development. The two sides should also step up international coordination, practice true multilateralism and contribute their shares to building a more just and equitable global governance system, he added. Tokayev expressed warm congratulations to China on its great development achievements under the leadership of Xi, and wished the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China a full success. Tokayev said the fact that Xi chooses to visit Kazakhstan on his first overseas trip since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of China-Kazakhstan diplomatic relations, fully reflects the high degree of mutual trust between the two countries and the high-level nature of the Kazakhstan-China permanent comprehensive strategic partnership. The two sides will sign a joint statement to demonstrate their firm commitment to another golden 30 years of Kazakhstan-China relations, which is of special and great significance in the current volatile and complex international environment, Tokayev noted, adding that it is believed that Xi's visit will mark a new milestone in the history of Kazakhstan-China relations and bring new substance and impetus to the growth of the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Kazakhstan will continue to firmly uphold the one-China policy and be a good partner and good friend that China can always rely on under all circumstances, Tokayev said. Noting that next year will mark the tenth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) proposed by Xi, Tokayev said that the BRI has become an important engine driving the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and Kazakhstan will continue to actively support and participate in the BRI. Tokayev expressed appreciation to China for the valuable support Kazakhstan had received in its battle against COVID-19 and pursuit of economic development, adding that Kazakhstan hopes to better synergize development strategies with China, intensify exchanges at various levels, and deepen cooperation across the board including in economy and trade, infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, science and technology, tourism and people-to-people engagements. Kazakhstan stands ready to work with China to implement the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative, enhance coordination and collaboration within frameworks such as the SCO, CICA and China+Central Asia, and jointly safeguard security and stability in the region and promote common development, Tokayev said. The two heads of state signed and issued the Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Kazakhstan on the 30th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, and announced that China and Kazakhstan will work for the goal and vision of building a community with a shared future defined by lasting friendship, a high degree of mutual trust and sharing weal and woe. Relevant departments of the two sides signed bilateral cooperation documents in such areas as economy and trade, connectivity, finance, water conservancy and the media. The two sides decided to set up consulates general in China's Xi'an and Aktobe in Kazakhstan respectively. After the talks, Xi attended the welcoming banquet hosted by Tokayev, and the two leaders had an in-depth exchange of views on issues of shared interest. After the banquet, Xi concluded his state visit to Kazakhstan and left Nur-Sultan for Samarkand. He was seen off at the airport by Tokayev and other senior Kazakh officials. Tokayev said that Xi's visit, albeit a short one, is highly productive and fruitful, adding that the two leaders reached much important consensus, which will steer Kazakhstan-China relations to an even higher level. Xi pointed out that his visit is a new starting point for bilateral relations and believed that with the joint efforts of the two sides, China-Kazakhstan relations will enjoy greater development in the future. The two heads of state agreed to keep in close contact through various means. Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and other officials attended the relevant events. Nick Langworthy, newly anointed Republican candidate for Congress in the New York 23rd District, appears to take his campaign strategy, such as it is, straight from the Fox News talking points playbook. An article in the Sept. 14 Buffalo News quotes Langworthy as blaming Democrats for spending too much money on a radical climate change bill. I guess he thinks the horrendous floods, wildfires, droughts, etc., which we are currently enduring, all the result of human negligence, will just fix themselves for free. Given the broken state of our environment, Id call Langworthys do-nothing approach the radical one. Langworthy also claims voters are not interested in the congressional and Department of Justice investigations into the January 2021 insurrection, into corruption in the former administration, or in the promotion of social issues Democrats have championed for decades. He can only hope thats true because if his website is any indication, he has no solution for any of these problems theres nothing on it except his biography and several links requesting donations for his head-in-the-sand campaign. He does, however, have an opinion about abortion rights. In a TV interview last month he claimed that he was 100% pro-life, which to my mind indicates he believes in no exceptions for abortion access, including the well-being of the woman. I dont blame him for not wanting that on his website. Montreal, CA (H4T1V6) Today Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 58F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 58F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Republican governors are escalating their practice of sending migrants without advance warning to Democratic strongholds including a wealthy summer enclave in Massachusetts and the home of Vice President Kamala Harris Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - September 15, 2022) - The world's first medical examination inside the Aimedis Avalon Metaverse was carried out by the Cardiology Department of Heraklion University Hospital in Greece, in collaboration with the Cardiology team of the University Hospital of Lausanne in Switzerland. This milestone gives doctors the opportunity to increase the availability to patients around the clock. A clinical field study will bring more clarity which patients will benefit the most from consultations in the Metaverse and how examinations can be made even more comfortable. Medical Consultation in Metaverse To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8902/137123_ddc3863a141eb93c_001full.jpg Dr. Ioannis Skalidis, cardiologist and designer of the project, explains: "The patient was a 30-year-old male who came in with severe chest pain, but with no clear definitive diagnosis. He was released with access data to a private exam room in the Metaverse as well as a portable digital ECG device, in case the symptoms recurred." The hospital is an hour away, while the Metaverse is just a few clicks away. Dr. Skalidis explains: "When the patient suffered from chest pain again, he was able to speak to a doctor within a very short time while performing at home an ECG with a D-Heart digital device. In case of cardiac chest pain, the ECG can tell us exactly if things are wrong." The ECG and vital signs were normal so the cardiologist was able to reassure the patient. Dr. Niccolo Maurizi, co-designer of the project and cardiologist with experience in digital health, adds: "All the patient needed was a computer and an integrated portable m-health device such as D-Heart, which the hospital had made available to him." The Aimedis CEO, founder and medical doctor Michael J. Kaldasch explains: "With Aimedis Avalon we offer the healthcare industry a digital and secure platform in the metaverse and combine the real world with the advantages of the digital world. Extensive medical knowledge, reliable information and now the ability to conduct safe consultations are becoming more readily available." Story continues In addition, in a near future, students, doctors and hospital staff will be able to use remote technology for consultation, diagnosis and therapy as well as for training and further education - with this development the healthcare industry will reach a completely new level. Dr. Skalidis adds: "Better medical training leads to more precise diagnoses and thus to better treatments in the future." Kaldasch elaborates: "Digitization can no longer be stopped. We offer reliable state-of-the-art technology so that in the future the healthcare industry can use additional digital solutions such as Aimedis Avalon to advise and treat customers and patients in a timely and reliable manner." Dr. Skalidis concludes: "The Metaverse in healthcare can be a game changer: Our studies are designed to identify whether the use of Metaverse as the largest and most democratic telemedicine platform in the world can deliver high-tech and low-cost diagnostic care accessible to more and more people worldwide." https://www.onlinecjc.ca/article/S0828-282X(22)00490-1/fulltext Contact: Name: Dr. Ioannis Skalidis Email: Skalidis7@gmail.com Phone No: +41789379300 Address: CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland PR Contact: Name: Hanna Pollmann, (Public Relations Officer, Aimedis B.V) Email: hanna.pollmann@aimedis.com Phone No: +491784772640 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137123 John McCoy/AP LOS ANGELES (AP) Police arrested two men in connection with a burglary at the Los Angeles home of a California congresswoman last week where only two guns were stolen, authorities said Wednesday. The men were arrested Tuesday after investigators saw them get into a vehicle that had been parked at the home of Rep. Karen Bass during the burglary Saturday. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate ALTON A broken gas line forced the Wednesday morning evacuation of St. Mary's Catholic School and Church at 536 E. 3rd St. in Alton. At about 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, the broken line prompted a fire alarm at the site. While responding, Alton firefighters were advised that a U.S. Foods delivery truck had struck and broken an overhead gas line next to the main entrance doors to the school. The pre-K through fifth grade students and their staff evacuated from both the church and school. Ameren Illinois gas division workers arrived and began shutting off gas to the area until they isolated the leak. Ameren workers and firefighters then began airing out both builidings before allowing anyone to re-enter them. The students took the evacuation in stride, most enjoying the break. A nun led students in a jumping contest to pass the time and kept the children entertained. An hour had passed before firefighters felt the site was secure enough to allow people back inside. Kane Mechanical, Inc. was called to repair the broken gas line. No injuries were reported in the mishap. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Border clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan have killed 155 troops on both sides in the largest outbreak of fighting between the neighbors and longtime adversaries in nearly two years, fueling fears of even bigger hostilities. Here is a look at the decades-long conflict between the two countries, and the latest clashes. WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT? Armenia and Azerbaijan have faced off for more than three decades in a conflict over the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region. The mountainous region is part of Azerbaijan, but has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since a separatist war there ended in 1994. The territory in the southern Caucasus covers an area of roughly 4,400 square kilometers (1,700 square miles), about the size of the U.S. state of Delaware. During the Soviet era, the mostly Armenian-populated region had an autonomous status within Azerbaijan. Long-simmering tensions between Christian Armenians and mostly Muslim Azeris, fueled by memories of the 1915 massacre of 1.5 million Armenians by Muslim Ottoman Turks, boiled over as the Soviet Union frayed in its final years. Fighting broke out in 1988 when the region made a bid to join Armenia, and after the 1991 Soviet collapse hostilities escalated into a full-blown war, killing an estimated 30,000 people and displacing about 1 million. When the war ended with a cease-fire in 1994, Armenian forces not only held Nagorno-Karabakh itself but also broad areas outside the territorys borders. International mediation efforts over the following decades failed to achieve a diplomatic settlement. THE 2020 WAR On September 27, 2020, Azerbaijan launched an operation called Iron Fist to reclaim control over Nagorno-Karabakh. NATO-member Turkey, which has close ethnic, cultural and historic bonds with Azerbaijan, offered it strong support. In six weeks of fighting involving heavy artillery, rockets and drones that killed more than 6,700 people, Azeri troops drove Armenian forces out of areas they controlled outside the separatist region and also seized broad chunks of Nagorno-Karabakh proper. A Russia-brokered peace deal on Nov. 10 allowed Azerbaijan to reclaim control of the areas occupied by Armenian forces outside Nagorno-Karabakh for nearly three decades, including the Lachin region, which holds the main road leading from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. Armenian forces also agreed to surrender control over significant sections of Nagorno-Karabakh. Russia has deployed about 2,000 troops to the region to serve as peacekeepers under the deal. The agreement triggered years of protests in Armenia, where the opposition denounced it as a betrayal of the country's interests and called for the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Pashinyan has weathered the pressure, defending the deal as the only way to prevent Azerbaijan from seizing all of Nagorno-Karabakh. AND THE NEW HOSTILITIES? Sporadic clashes between Azeri and Armenian forces have repeatedly erupted in the area, but the fighting that began Tuesday was the most serious since the 2020 peace deal. Both sides blamed each other for starting hostilities, with Armenia accusing Azerbaijan of an unprovoked attack and Baku saying it was responding to shelling by Armenian forces. Armenia said at least 105 of its soldiers were killed, while Azerbaijan said it lost 50. Russia moved quickly to help negotiate an end to hostilities, but a cease-fire it tried to broker has failed to hold and clashes have continued. Late Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin chaired a call with leaders of countries belonging to the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a Moscow-dominated grouping of several ex-Soviet nations that includes Armenia. The leaders agreed to send a fact-finding mission including top officials from the grouping to the conflict area. Stacker referenced news coverage and legal documents to compile a list of former leaders who were prosecuted after leaving office. Read on to learn about what they were charged with and the sentences they received. Donald Trump once offered Jordans King Abdullah II control of the West Bank, which he characterised at the time as being a great deal, according to a forthcoming book on behind-the-scenes accounts of the Trump White House. The Jordanian monarch received the offer from the former US president, who had no authority to make the promise since the American government has no control over who resides or owns the occupied territory, in January 2018. The offer was just one month after his administration broke with decades of US policy by moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. When Abdullah II received the message from Mr Trump, he reportedly told an American friend: I thought I was having a heart attack, authors Peter Baker, chief White House correspondent for the New York Times, and Susan Glasser, staff writer for the New Yorker, reveal in their book The Divider: Trump in the White House 2017-2021. I couldnt breathe. I was bent doubled-over, said the monarch of the Middle East nation, which has often acted as the principal arbiter in the Israel-Palestine negotiations. The Washington Post, who received an excerpt of the forthcoming book, first reported on the details of the two world leaders exchange. The exchange shared between the two world leaders is just one of the stunning revelations unearthed by the two veteran White House reporters in their forthcoming book, due out on Tuesday. At the time the unachievable deal was reportedly floated to the king, Mr Trump was attempting to put out fires in his own administrations attempt at cementing peace between Israel and Palestine. One of the first major cracks in the presidents overzealous and perhaps naively mapped out promise to achieve peace between the two arrived in December when he announced that the US would recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and planned to move the US embassy there from its long held address in Tel Aviv. Though then Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed MrTrumps acknowledgement, which broke with precedent established by several administrations before him, it came at the cost of Palestinian leadership rejecting American involvement in the peace process. Story continues Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas said at the time that with Jerusalem off the table which Palestinians view as the seat of their states capital and is one the main sticking points in efforts to resolve the conflict he would not participate in any future negotiations as long as Trump was involved. We wont take orders from anyone. We told Trump we will never accept his [peace] plan. His deal of the century is the slap in the face of the century, and we will not accept it, said Mr Abbas at the time. From 1950 to 1967, Jordan controlled the West Bank but after the Six-Day War, the large swath of land between Jordan and Israel was captured by Israeli forces. Since then, the Palestinian territory has been militarily occupied by Israeli forces, as affirmed by the International Court of Justice. Groups of Israeli settlers have been moving into the occupied territory to establish settlements since the military moved in, which are viewed as illegal under international law and condemned by many nations around the world. This policy was reaffirmed by many US presidents until Trump took the reins in 2017 and began supporting the construction of these illegal settlements. During Mr Trumps administration, settler growth in the contested territories accelerated after the one-term president showed an unprecedented level of support for Israels claims to land seized in war. That growth, according to figures released by a pro-settler group in March, has continued to surge in the last year, despite President Joe Biden reversing Mr Trumps tracks and returning to the US policy that has widely condemned the expansion of developments. Statistics from WestBankJewishPopulationStats.com, as reported by the Associated Press, show that the settler population grew to 490,493 by the end of January 2022, representing a 3.2 per cent increase from the previous 13 months. Since 2017, when the group began tracking development, the settler population in the West Bank has grown by 16.5 per cent. LONDON (AP) Microsoft's $69 billion deal to buy video game company Activision Blizzard faces an in-depth antitrust investigation in Britain after the tech company refused to offer proposals to ease competition concerns. Britain's Competition and Markets Authority said Thursday that it was referring the blockbuster deal for more scrutiny under a so-called phase 2 investigation. The watchdog said that based on the available information, the deal may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition in the United Kingdom. The all-cash deal, which is set to be the largest in the history of the tech industry, is facing scrutiny from competition regulators around the world. It would give Microsoft, maker of the Xbox console and gaming system, control of popular game franchises such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Candy Crush. In the U.K., regulators had opened a preliminary inquiry and threatened to escalate it earlier this month unless the companies came up with proposals within five days to ease their concerns. Last week, Microsoft informed the CMA that it would not offer such undertakings, the watchdog said. Microsoft declined to comment and referred to a statement this month from President Brad Smith, who said the company is ready to work with U.K. regulators and is committed to making Activision's popular Call of Duty game available on both Xbox and rival Sony's PlayStation. More than eight months after Microsoft announced the deal, only Saudi Arabia has approved it. Competition watchdogs from New Zealand to Brazil and the U.S. are still examining the purchase, while the European Union is expected to soon announce its own investigation. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday called up 75 members of the Illinois National Guard to help organize shelter, food and medical care for migrants arriving by bus from Texas. The Democratic governor signed an emergency declaration to speed up procurement of necessary supplies as well as seek National Guard help with logistics. About 500 people seeking asylum in the United States have been transported from the border to Chicago by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott since Aug. 31. Thousands have also been shipped to New York City and Washington, D.C., Democratic-led cities serving as sanctuaries for immigrants. Pritzker said buses arrive with little advance notice and that attempts to communicate with Texas colleagues go unheeded, which Pritzker says Abbott ordered. To Gov. Greg Abbott: Now is the time to stop trying to sow the seeds of chaos, to put aside politics and focus on human rights, communicate with us, have your state agencies call us back, Pritzker said at a Chicago news conference. Spare us the unnecessary drama and let us go about the work to resettle these asylum seekers. Abbott's office did not respond to a request for comment. Pritzker's emergency declaration speeds up procurement of supplies and the National Guard will help provide services they need. We are now 11 buses deep, and we know from speaking with our counterparts in New York and D.C., this will not relent, said Grace Hou, secretary of Human Services. Last spring, Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, both Republicans, announced plans to send busloads of migrants, largely from Central and South America, to Washington, D.C., in response to President Joe Bidens decision to lift a pandemic-era emergency health order that restricted migrant entry numbers by denying them a chance to seek asylum. Buses soon arrived in New York and in recent weeks, Chicago. This is about politics for him without regard to the fear and anguish and the challenges that it poses for these refugees, Pritzker said. Washington, D.C. sought the use of National Guard troops to help, but the Pentagon twice denied the request in August, saying it would weaken the readiness of the troops and that they did not have the training for direct contact with migrants to be able to provide food, sanitation or other support. Illinois faces no such barrier. Governors of states have control of their National Guard troops. And officials in Illinois say they're confident in the National Guard's assistance after watching how hey set up sites and distributed vaccines during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. ___ Follow Political Writer John OConnor at https://twitter.com/apoconnor Chef Evan Dannells is the owner of Cadre Restaurant on University Avenue in Madison. Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less. KATIE PIERCE, Wheeler, Girls Soccer, Junior; Pierce scored two goals and had an assist as Wheeler opened the season with victories over Griswold and Windham. The last time Wheeler started the season with two wins was 2011. ILIANA RASHLEIGH, Stonington, Girls Soccer, Sophomore; Rashleigh scored a pair of goals as Stonington opened the season with a 7-0 win against Woodstock. TOM SERLUCA, Westerly, Boys Soccer, Junior; Serluca scored two goals in a victory over defending Division II champion Chariho. Serluca also had a goal in a win against Fitch in the Piver Cup tournament. REID DOSSANTOS, Chariho, Girls soccer, Junior; DosSantos had seven saves as Chariho defeated Stonington in the Piver Cup tournament. DosSantos has not allowed a goal in four games this season. Vote View Results Ben van Beurden will step down as chief execuitve of Shell at the end of the year after almost a decade in the job, the oil giant confirmed today. He will be replaced by Wael Sawan, director of the group's integrated gas and renewables division. Sawan, 48, joined Shell 25 years ago and has held various roles at the FTSE 100 group during this time. New Shell CEO: Sawan, 48, joined Shell 25 years ago and held various roles during this time He has been part of the executive committee since he was appointed as director of upstream three years ago. The Canadian citizen, who was born in Beirut and grew up in Dubai, takes the top role at a critical time for the oil giant, which is being urged to ramp up its investments in renewables. 'I'm looking forward to channelling the pioneering spirit and passion of our incredible people to rise to the immense challenges, and grasp the opportunities presented by the energy transition', he told investors today. 'We will be disciplined and value focused, as we work with our customers and partners to deliver the reliable, affordable and cleaner energy the world needs.' Ben van Beurden, who joined Shell 40 years ago, will continue to advise the board until the end of June. His departure will mark the end of an era for Shell, where he was criticised for not acting quickly enough to reduce oil production. Van Beurden promised that Shell would halve its carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and become a carbon net zero company by the middle of this century. In a landmark court case brought by activists in the Netherlands last year, the oil giant was ordered to speed up the pace of its green transition. He said: 'In my journey from LNG design engineer to CEO, I have been fortunate to work alongside so many talented people from diverse backgrounds all committed to the company's goal of providing the world with the essential commodities of modern life. 'I am very proud of what we have achieved together. 'I have great confidence in Wael as my successor. He is a smart, principled and dynamic leader, who I know will continue to serve Shell with conviction and dedication.' Shell chairman Sir Andrew Mackenzie said van Beurden's had an 'extraordinary' career. 'During the last decade, he has been in the vanguard for the transition of Shell to a net zero emissions energy business by 2050 and has become a leading industry voice on some of the most important issues affecting society,' he added. Shell shares were 0.4 per cent higher at 23.53 in morning trading on Thursday. Trainline sales soared to 2.2billion in the first half after a strong rebound in US customers using the platform to buy train tickets to travel across Europe. Group net sales in the six months to the end of August were 17 per cent higher than the same period pre-pandemic, boosted by its international division posting growth of 81 per cent to 452million. The group said it also attracted 'record levels' of new customers in France and Italy, driven by a 'notable resurgence' of customers from the US. Passenger volumes in the UK were almost back to pre-Covid levels in August, Trainline said In the UK, its biggest market, sales rose 45 per cent to 1.4billion as rail travel bounced back, with passenger volumes in August almost back at pre-Covid levels. Total group revenues were 28 per cent higher than pre-Covid at 165million. Chief executive Jody Ford said new product launches and advertising campaigns had helped it secure more customers in Europe. The group will later this month start selling tickets for the new Spanish high-speed rail operator Iryo, which is set to cement further its presence on the Continent. 'Our strong performance in the first half was led by International Consumer, where new product launches and brand campaigns are helping drive increased awareness of Trainline and record levels of customer acquisition in France and Italy,' he told investors. 'The strong return of tourists travelling around Europe by train this summer, particularly from the US, further supported growth. 'In the UK, the rail industry has continued to see passenger numbers recover, reaching 95 per cent of pre-Covid levels during August, its highest level since March 2020.' Trainline shares rose in early trading before falling back to trade down 1.7 per cent to 358.20p. "I'm a student who's had many pauses in my high school career," said Kaitlyn Broyles, a student at Butler High School and ambassador for the Mayor's Youth Employment Program (MYEP). "And then COVID hit. I'm a visual learner, and [the difficulties of COVID] really took a toll on me. But I was able to connect with a counselor and get help," she continued. "I learned with the right motivation and the right support system, you can do anything. And I'm a living testament to that." Kaitlyn's resilience to push forward shines through in her work ethic. Her MYEP host employer from this summer, Coca-Cola Consolidated, said, "Her morality, discipline, courage and conviction have been very aligned with the expectations we pursue. She has been able to manage her time well, execute professionalism and manage her work very well. My hope for Kaitlyn is that she will decide what her plans are nextShe will excel in either route, I just want to see her go after that, as she has so much potential." Kaitlyn is not alone with her struggles during the pandemic and learning how to refocus her goals. She is one of 19 students from the MYEP Student Ambassador Program and Generation Nation who spoke with Cindy Marten, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, on Tuesday about how the pandemic has impacted their plans for the future. Students shared their own personal experiences, with common themes of loss and using this time of isolation to reflect on what they wanted for their futures. From connecting to a new purpose to taking a deeper dive into the career paths they wanted to explore, the world of work was at the heart of many of these conversations. Deputy Secretary Marten also connected with large area businesses, as well as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Interim Superintendent Hugh Hattabaugh and several school board members, to talk through ways to redesign education and workforce systems for youth to enter rewarding careers. One of the programs she sought to highlight is Charlotte's Mayor's Youth Employment Program (MYEP). Mayor Vi Lyles shared more about the MYEP, which provides high school students with paid work experiences that help them explore future career opportunities, build social capital and enhance economic mobility. This summer, more than 300 youth worked more than 44,000 hours and collectively earned more than $508,000. Approximately 70 host employers participated in 2022. "Young people are helping us transform healthcare," said Clint Watson of Novant Health, illustrating why they choose to participate in the MYEP year after year. "These students approach their work with levels of engagement and enthusiasm that's incredible," he said. MYEP offers a "pipeline of recruitment solutions," he continued. Dominique Johnson from the Duke Energy Foundation reiterated this point. "We recognize students are the future of our pipelines. We need these brains, this talent, the ability to think outside the box," she said. MYEP offers students the chance to be on the ground, exposed to these types of careers early. "You can't be who you can't see," she said. Deputy Secretary Marten reminded students to listen to the businesses, and to take what they were saying to heart. "These employers see you for the asset you are and your contribution to the industry." She continued, "When you get this right now, and you get these programs right, you're setting us up for future generations, future success for the city." High school students interested in participating in the MYEP must first complete the mandatory job and career readiness training in the fall. The job and career readiness training registration period is now open. For more information, please visit charlottenc.gov/myep or email myep@charlottenc.gov. A senior Armenian official said late on Wednesday that a truce had been agreed with Azerbaijan after two days of violence linked to a decades-old dispute between the ex-Soviet states over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. There was no word from Azerbaijan about a truce to halt the deadliest exchanges between the countries since 2020. Russia is the pre-eminent diplomatic force in the region and maintains 2,000 peacekeepers there. Moscow brokered the deal that ended the 2020 fighting dubbed the second Karabakh war in which hundreds died. Russian news agencies quoted Armen Grigoryan, Secretary of Armenias Security Council, as telling Armenian television: Thanks to the involvement of the international community, an agreement has been reached on a cease-fire. The announcement said the truce had been in effect for several hours. Armenias defence ministry had earlier said that shooting in border areas had stopped. Each side blames the other for the fresh clashes. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had previously told parliament that 105 Armenian servicemen had been killed since the violence began this week. Azerbaijan reported 50 military deaths on the first day of fighting. Reuters was unable to verify the two sides accounts. RUSSIAN DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS Grigory Karasin, a senior member of Russias upper house of parliament, told the RIA news agency that the truce was clinched largely through Russian diplomatic efforts. Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin had spoken to Pashinyan, he said. Putin appealed for calm after the violence erupted and other countries called for restraint on both sides. read more In his address to parliament, Pashinyan had said his country had appealed to the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization to help restore its territorial integrity. If we say that Azerbaijan has carried out aggression against Armenia, it means that they have managed to establish control over some territories, Russias Tass agency quoted him as saying. Armenia and Azerbaijan have been fighting for decades over Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous enclave recognised as part of Azerbaijan while being home to a large Armenian population. Fighting first erupted towards the end of Soviet rule, and Armenian forces took control of large swathes of territory in and around it in the early 1990s. Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey, largely retook those territories over six weeks in 2020. Skirmishes have since erupted periodically despite meetings between Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev aimed at clinching a comprehensive peace settlement. Domestic unhappiness in Armenia about the 2020 defeat has prompted repeated protests against Pashinyan, who dismissed reports he had signed a deal with Baku. In a Facebook post, he blamed the reports on informational sabotage directed by unfriendly forces. A full-fledged conflict would risk dragging in Russia and Turkey, and destabilise an important corridor for oil and gas pipelines just as war in Ukraine disrupts energy supplies. Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan told Reuters the clashes could escalate into a war a second major armed conflict in the former Soviet Union while Russias military is focused on Ukraine. Azerbaijan accused Armenia, which is in a military alliance with Moscow and home to a Russian military base, of shelling its army units. Baku said Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov had met U.S. State Department Caucasus adviser Philip Reeker, telling him Armenia must withdraw from Azeri territory. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday said Russia could either stir the pot or use its influence to help calm the waters. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, in a call with her counterparts from both countries, also called for the end of strikes against Armenian territory. Source: Reuters King Charles, his sons Princes William and Harry and other senior royals joined a solemn procession taking Queen Elizabeths coffin as the late monarch made her final journey from Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. Huge crowds gathered in central London to witness the queen being taken from the palace to parliament as artillery guns fired salutes and Big Ben tolled, the latest in a series of poignant ceremonies as the nation mourns the queen who died last week aged 96 after seven decades on the throne. Lying on a gun carriage, covered by the Royal Standard flag and with the Imperial State Crown placed on a cushion on top alongside a wreath of flowers, the coffin bearing Elizabeths body was taken in a slow, sombre procession from her London home to Westminster Hall. There it will lie in state for four days. Walking directly behind were Charles and his siblings, Anne, Andrew and Edward. In a group that followed were Charless sons Princes William and Harry, a doleful scene reminiscent of when, as boys 25 years ago, they followed the casket of their mother Princess Diana when it was taken on a similar procession through central London. It was also a symbolic show of unity as William, 40, now the Prince of Wales, and Harry, 37, the Duke of Sussex, are said to be barely be on speaking terms after a bitter falling out in the last couple of years. It was very moving, seeing the family. It was a powerful show of unity, said Jenny Frame, 54, who waited for more than four hours to see the procession. Paul Wiltshire, 65, commented: I dont think well see anything like that again ever, or a queen like that again. An end of an era. HUSHED SILENCE A military band playing funeral marches and soldiers in ceremonial scarlet uniforms, some with shiny silver breastplates and helmets, accompanied the gun carriage pulled by the Kings Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, as it moved slowly through central London, where many roads were closed to traffic. Guns fired every minute at Hyde Park, while parliaments famous Big Ben bell also rang at 60-second intervals. The crowds stood in a hushed silence as they watched the procession but then broke into spontaneous applause when it passed. Some threw flowers. Other senior royals including Charles wife Camilla, now the Queen Consort, Kate, Williams wife and now Princess of Wales, and Harrys wife, Meghan, travelled by car. When the procession reached Westminster Hall, a medieval building with origins dating back to 1097 and the oldest part of the Palace of Westminster that houses the British parliament, the coffin was carried inside by soldiers from the Grenadier Guards and placed on a catafalque surrounded by candles. A short service followed, conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual head of the Anglican Church, as senior politicians watched on. The royals quietly departed, with Harry and Meghan holding hands. A constant vigil will be held by soldiers in full ceremonial uniforms at the four corners of the catafalque. Just after 5 p.m. the public began to file past the coffin, some in tears, many bowing their heads. There will be a constant stream of mourners, 24-hours a day, during the four days of lying in state that lasts until the morning of the funeral on Sept. 19. Weve lost someone special, said Kenneth Taylor, 72, who stayed overnight in a tent to be one of the first in the queue. He said a lump had come to his throat as he viewed the queen lying in state. Her service to this country was really steadfast and unswerving. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said Elizabeth had three keys roles in her life: head of the family, head of the nation and head of state. Wednesday marked the moment the coffin passed from the family to the state. LONG QUEUE People started waiting in line late on Tuesday, sleeping on the street in the rain, to be one of the first to file past the coffin, and there was already a queue over 2 miles long. Among those gathered, some were there to represent elderly parents, others to witness history and many to thank a woman who, having ascended the throne in 1952, was still holding official government meetings just two days before she died. The government has warned the queue could eventually stretch for up to 10 miles (16 kilometres) along the southern bank of the River Thames, winding past landmarks such as the giant London Eye ferris wheel and a reconstruction of Shakespeares Globe theatre. Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan said some people might have to stand in line for as long as 30 hours in order to file past the coffin before Mondays funeral. Shes an icon of icons, mourner Chris Imafidon said. I must at least endure this camping out of respect. Speaking to people in the queue, the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, quipped: We are honouring two great British traditions, loving the queen and loving a queue. Elizabeths coffin was flown back London late on Tuesday from Scotland, where it had been since her death at her Scottish summer holiday home Balmoral Castle, with tens of thousands of people lined the 14-mile (22 km) route in driving rain. In Scotland, about 33,000 people filed past the coffin during the 24 hours it was at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, but the memorial in London is a much larger occasion. As many as 750,000 mourners are expected to walk through Westminster Hall to pay their final respects. A senior palace official described Wednesdays poignant pageant as relatively small and personal. The full-scale ceremonial procession on the day of her funeral is likely to be one of the biggest the country has ever witnessed. Royalty, presidents and other world leaders are expected to attend, although no one from certain nations, such as Russia, Afghanistan, and Syria will be invited. U.S. President Joe Biden, who has said he would be there, spoke to the new king earlier on Wednesday, the White House said, and conveyed the great admiration of the American people for the queen. SOURCE REUTERS Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said towns and villages recaptured from Russian forces had been devastated, while a major city stepped up efforts on Thursday to repair damage to its water system from missile attacks. Kryvyi Rih, the largest city in central Ukraine with an estimated pre-war population of 650,000, was hit by eight cruise missiles on Wednesday, officials said. The strikes hit the Karachunov reservoir dam, Zelenskiy said in a video address released early on Thursday. The water system had no military value and hundreds of thousands of civilians depend on it daily, he said. Oleksandr Vilkul, the head of the Krivyi Rih military administration, said in a post on Telegram that 112 homes were flooded but that works to repair the dam on the Inhulets river were under way and that flooding was receding. Russian forces suffered a stunning reversal this month after Ukrainian troops made a rapid armoured thrust in the Kharkiv region in its northeast, forcing a rushed Russian withdrawal. Zelenskiy on Wednesday made a surprise visit to Izium until four days ago Russias main bastion in the Kharkiv region where he watched as the blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag was raised in front of the charred city council building. Our law enforcers are already receiving evidence of murder, torture, and abductions of people by the occupiers, he said, adding there was evidence of genocide against Ukrainians. They only destroyed, only seized, only deported. They left devastated villages, and in some of them there is not a single surviving house, Zelenskiy added in the video address. Russia denies deliberately targeting civilians, and Reuters could not immediately verify battlefield reports. Zelenskiys video address was released after his return to Kyiv from the Kharkiv region and following word from his office that his car had collided with a private vehicle in the capital. The president was examined by a doctor, no serious injuries were found, presidential spokesman Serhii Nykyforov said in a Facebook post early on Thursday. The General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces said on Thursday that Russian forces had launched attacks on several settlements on the Kharkiv frontline in the past 24 hours. However, Ukraines forces continue to consolidate their control of the newly liberated areas in the region, Britains defence ministry said in an update on Thursday. DIPLOMACY Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are set to discuss Ukraine and Taiwan at a meeting in Uzbekistan on Thursday which the Kremlin said would hold special significance. Ahead of the meeting, the navies of the two countries were conducting joint tactical manoeuvres and exercises involving artillery and helicopters in the Pacific Ocean. Moscow and Beijing declared a no limits partnership earlier this year, backing each other over standoffs on Ukraine and Taiwan with a promise to collaborate more against the West. Also on the diplomatic front, the U.N. General Assembly is on Friday due to consider a proposal for Zelenskiy to address the annual gathering of leaders next week with a pre-recorded video. Russia is opposed to Zelenskiy speaking. Away from Ukraine, Russian authorities are facing challenges in other former Soviet states, with deadly fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia and border guard clashes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Western politicians and military officials have said it was too early to tell whether Ukraines recent success marked a turning point because Russia had yet to fully respond. We should avoid euphoria. There is still a lot of work to be done to liberate our lands, and Russia has a large number of weapons, Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the national security and defence council, said in an online post. Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, in a Twitter post after the attacks on Kryvyi Rih, said Russia is a terrorist state and must be recognised as such. In that vein, U.S. senators from Democratic and Republican parties introduced legislation that would designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. The measure is opposed by President Joe Bidens administration. FEAR LINGERS IN IZIUM Back in Izium, smashed windows, pock-marked facades and scorched walls lined a battle-scarred main thoroughfare comprised of deserted meat shops and pharmacies and ruined beauty salons. A forlorn handwritten sign on a front door read: People live here. With a pink hood wrapped around her face for warmth, Liubov Sinna, 74, said Izium residents were still fearful. Because we lived through this whole six months. We sat it out in cellars. We went through everything it is possible to go through. We absolutely cannot say that we feel safe, she said. She said the town stood at the gates of the Donbas, the eastern region whose entire capture Putin has talked up as a key war objective. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who spoke to Putin over the phone this week, said the Russian president unfortunately still did not think his invasion was a mistake. Putin says he wants to ensure Russian security and protect Russian-speakers in Ukraine. Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of an unprovoked war of aggression. In a move that suggests Putin had wider war aims when he ordered troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, three people close to the Russian leadership told Reuters that Putin had rejected a provisional deal with Kyiv around the time the war began. They said the deal would have satisfied Russias demand that Ukraine stay out of the U.S.-led Western military alliance NATO. The Kremlin said the Reuters report had absolutely no relation to reality. It also said Ukraines ambitions to join NATO still presented a threat to Russia. SOURCE: REUTERS ALBANY I consider it one of my greatest achievements to have found a career that lets me sit for good chunks of the day. I'm happily sitting as I write this, as a matter of fact. I haven't always been so fortunate. I've had jobs that required me to stand for hours and hours landscaping, for example, or working as a cashier at McDonald's and left me with aching feet. Those jobs gave me a lasting appreciation for a comfortable chair. So I'm naturally interested in a bill recently introduced in the state Legislature motivated by a similar appreciation. Sponsored by state Sen. Rachel May of Syracuse and Assemblywoman Karines Reyes from the Bronx, both Democrats, it would require that employers provide seats for workers in jobs where sitting on the job is plausible. The bill is called the Standing is Tiring (or SIT) Act and it would prohibit employers from artificially designing a work space to require standing and mandate that the state Department of Labor determine whether the nature of a particular job permits a little down time, so to speak. The bill seems easy to mock and, yes, it conjures up a particular Seinfeld episode. I can guess what some of you are thinking: In a state with a declining population and large geographic swaths of economic stagnation, shouldn't state lawmakers have better things to do? Perhaps. But I long ago gave up hope that New York lawmakers are capable of giving sustained attention to big problems, particularly if they primarily impact upstate. And just because big problems are ignored doesn't mean that smaller problems shouldn't be addressed. I mean, your house may need a new roof, but is that an excuse for a messy bedroom? You probably can't clean your bedroom while sitting down, however. In fact, there are many jobs that require standing, an unfortunate reality that no law can fix. It seems fair to wonder, then, if we should have state bureaucrats determining which workers should get to sit. Most employers, after all, want happy employees, because most bosses are not characters in a Dickens novel. Plus, happy employees are good for business. On the other hand, I think most of us can think of examples of workers who stand for much of the day when they could at times be sitting. A grocery clerk with no customers in line could sit for a few minutes, and, to be fair, some stores do allow that. But many don't. "There are many jobs where the perception is that the employee needs to be standing to be productive," said Reyes, who, as a registered nurse, knows something about being on her feet. "They could easily do that job while sitting, but it's just not customary." Reyes pointed to bank tellers as an example. Some banks require them to stand, while some are allowed to sit. Does it really make any difference to the service a customer receives? This isn't just about muscle aches and tired feet. A University of Toronto study found people who primarily stand on the job are twice as likely to develop heart disease as people who primarily sit. While it isn't healthy to be sedentary, of course, the study noted that "the amount of time we spend sitting at work (distinct from sitting at home, in traffic, and so on) is not strongly linked with decreased risk of long-term conditions such as diabetes or heart disease." That's a bit surprising, given how much attention has been paid to the dangers of sitting too much at work. In fact, it's possible some employers have given little thought to how much their employees stand in the mistaken belief that anything is preferable to sitting too much. But as the University of Toronto study also mentioned, cultural assumptions about what looks polite and attentive are often the reason that workers stand unnecessarily, which suggests that societal expectations will be as key to changing habits as any law the Legislature might pass. So, take a stand for sitting down. Don't judge seated workers unfairly. Don't feel guilty for planting your rear in a chair. cchurchill@timesunion.com 518-454-5442 @chris_churchill When Lisa Carter lost her job things went downhill quickly. I used up my savings and then needed a place to live. I stayed with a friend for a while and she was having her own mental health crisis at the time. So I needed somewhere to go, she said. Carter knew Mike Cohoon, Hope Village board member and director. She called him for help. Cohoon is a member of a group of Chippewa Falls residents thats been working to combat homelessness through a tiny houses initiative. I called him and he got me into the tiny house out at Chippewa Valley Bible Church. I was there for a year. Now I found a wonderful job. Now I have a wonderful place to live. Yeah, its pretty amazing, she said. She started her job as office manager at Our Savior Lutheran Church in December 2021 and moved into her own apartment in May after being housed in a tiny house for months. Because you know, theres no affordable housing in general. So it took awhile to find a place. Hope Village started on January 1, 2016, because the homeless shelter in Chippewa Falls had closed its doors in 2014. That meant that before the tiny houses initiative, people like Lisa had no place to go when they lost their homes. Hope Village is a non-profit 501C3 providing temporary tiny housing for the homeless in Chippewa County. Its mission is to provide short-term and longer-term housing alternatives, and service to people experiencing homelessness. There was a group called the Chippewa Falls Mission Coalition that was trying to figure out what to do since we no longer had a homeless shelter in Chippewa Falls. We wanted to see how we might be able to resolve that and help people that were unsheltered, said Cohoon. Cohoon had read some things about Tiny House villages, he said. I brought that up as an option and over the next couple of years, through the Chippewa Falls Mission Coalition, which is a group of 17 churches and almost as many social agents, we talked about and discussed different options, he said. He did the same with a group called the Chippewa County Hunger and Homeless group. But it got to be January 1 of 2016 and they werent making a ton of progress, Cohoon said. I thought, maybe, as one of my personal goals, I could get some friends together and build a tiny house and take it around to the churches and social agencies and show it to them, to see whether they thought that idea would fly. So we did that in the spring, summer and fall of 2016, he said. By August they were able to house the first guest in that house, right on site at Landmark Christian Church where Cohoon has served as a pastor. Since then, theyve built 10 tiny houses which are hosted by five different churches in the area. The 11th one is under construction right now. Besides the tiny houses, the organization offers help and support to their guests. Case management and mentoring is provided to all guests of the Tiny Homes. We match them up with a navigator and two mentors that they stay in contact with daily, to help the residents move through whats called a secured living plan, Cohoon said. The secured living plan focuses on three areas: helping our guests find an income that would help them sustain permanent housing, helping them get reconnected to their health resources, and helping them find that permanent housing, Cohoon said. Kind of the bottleneck to our program is that theres not a very large supply of affordable housing in the Chippewa Valley. The next phase of the tiny housing initiative is to bring the tiny houses together on a piece of property called Hope Village where they can provide better services. The tiny houses dont have running water so the new village will have a community building with showers and laundry facilities, a shared kitchen, some office space and community space for people to gather. Cohoon said the group is in the middle of a fundraising campaign, trying to raise money for the next phase when theyll be adding 28 units of affordable housing, five duplexes and three six plexes on that same property at Hope Village. Carter is a success story. But shed lived in a tiny house once previously. When she needed housing last year she had a thorough conversation with Cohoon about her options. With Lisa we talked a little bit about whether or not she thought that she could live in a tiny house again (last year). We knew we were going to have to match her up with some pretty strong mentors to help her get through her secure living program, Cohoon said. At the time I just wanted to make sure that she was OK with that because she had left the first time and had a pretty successful job and found a place to live. I think this second time she was dealing with more depression than the first time. I knew that that was gonna be a challenge for her. Cohoon said he just wanted to make sure that she thought that she could make progress. One thing that Hope Village does thats a bit different than a shelter is that it focuses on long-term, intensive support for residents. What were doing is building a safety network around them. And that safety network doesnt go away once they move, Cohoon said. That safety net is there so that if something comes up five months after you move out of a tiny house they can contact us again and we can kind of step in and provide some extra support. Carter said shes never been happier or felt more stable. Not just for me, but so many people this has been a total Godsend, or thered be way more people living on the streets and in the woods and under the bridge and whatever. Or not being alive, she said. Its amazing. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Musician Michael Eck hasnt released a solo album since 2010. Twelve years, countless shows performing with bands, 150 new songs, an induction into the Capital Regions Thomas Edison Music Hall of Fame, a 265-pound weight loss, one pandemic and one stroke later, hes gearing up to release his fifth solo album, your turn to shine new songs, live at wext. The album will have its official release party Sept. 25 at Caffe Lena, where Eck serves as a board member. The party will follow a concert celebrating Ecks 40 year-long performance career.It started with a cover of The Clashs Should I Stay or Should I Go for a battle of the bands in Albany in 1982, transformed to a 20-year solo acoustic career, wove through playing guitar with music legends including Patti Smith and travels away and then back to the Capital Region where he plays both in bands and solo. Your turn to shine features 12 new, original songs. While some were written before 2020, Eck wrote most of the tracks during the pandemic and after a stroke in February 2021 that kept him hospitalized for a month. Every day is different now that I had a stroke, Eck said. And I don't mean that in a positive way like, Woo, every day is different! Some days its like, Oh god, today is different. He gets tired more quickly and frequently rests throughout the day. While Eck can still compose from the ears up, typing out the music takes longer. Through his recovery, though, his love of music has not wavered. Playing the guitar has become therapeutic, both physically and mentally. Some days it's easier than others, but it always feels good, Eck said. Lenny Kaye, who was Patti Smiths guitar player for many years and still is, has this great quote: Any day you get to play your guitar is a day you got to play your guitar. Eck, a former freelance writer for Times Union, was writing, and continues to write, songs at a high volume. Six years ago, Eck began to look outside of himself for inspiration, including a literature-inspired series with the Albany Public Library in 2019. During the pandemic, he turned to digital writing workshops hosted by Stephen Clair at Beacon Music Factory to expand his songwriting. Its how he ended up writing 75 songs since the pandemic for a total 150 unrecorded songs sitting in his music library, including the 12 that would end up on your time to shine. Your time to shine'' is, in some ways, an accidental album. Chris Wienk, DJ and program director for WEXT, wanted to bring Eck in for an interview about his Hall of Fame induction and to play a few songs. With 150 unheard songs, Eck suggested he play all new tunes. Afterward, Eck got thinking with these two sessions plus his AHA! A House for Arts gig, recorded at WMHT-TV studios before his stroke he had nine new songs recorded. Why not do another session with Wienk, record three more songs and call it an album? His last album In My Shoes was also recorded by Wienk at WEXT-FM, back when the radio station was new. But they knew they were recording an album, and Eck selected the track list before recording a single note. This time, it just kind of happened, Eck said. If you go Michael Eck 40th Anniversary Where: 47 Phila St, Saratoga Springs When: 7 p.m. For more information: caffelena.org or 518-583-0022 See More Collapse At the Caffe Lena show, Eck will play songs spanning his career, including new material. His twin children Lillierose and Lakota Ruby-Eck, 29, will join Eck onstage playing violin and guitar, respectively. Yes, this is nepotism in action, Eck said with a laugh. The two are not strangers to music, though. Lillierose teaches string instruments in the Bethlehem Central School District and Lakota played guitar in a metal band that never had a chance to perform. Being able to share a connection through music with his family (his wife Lillie designs his album artwork) is special to Eck. (Lakota) came over the other day to play some guitar with me, Eck said. At the end of our little rehearsal, I stood up and gave him a big hug and said, Even if we dont do this gig, you and I played guitar together. How cool is that? FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) A major Florida sheriff who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis after a high school massacre appears to have lied when he didn't disclose in his job application that he fatally shot another teenager when he was 14 and that he had used LSD, the state ethics commission found Wednesday. Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony will now face a public hearing on the accusations or he could pursue a settlement. The ethics commission could recommend that Tony be removed by DeSantis, fined or censured. The hearing has not been scheduled. The commission overruled a finding by its advocate, Melody Hadley, who concluded that Tony's actions had not violated state statutes. Tony's attorney, Stephen Webster, called the nine-member commission's decision unprecedented. While disappointed in the Commissions action, my client looks forward to a swift finding of innocence, Webster said in a statement. DeSantis appointed Tony sheriff of Florida's second most-populous county in January 2019, just days after taking office. He had fired Tonys predecessor, Scott Israel, for his alleged mishandling of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in February 2018, a decision that was upheld by the Florida Senate. DeSantis' press office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. DeSantis recently suspended four members of the Broward school board after a grand jury found they had not properly overseen security improvements related to the school shooting. A Florida Department of Law Enforcement report issued earlier this year said Tony repeatedly lied on his police applications, including failing to disclose that he fatally shot an 18-year-old neighbor during a 1993 fight at his family's Philadelphia home. Tony was found to have acted in self-defense and acquitted, but the applications required the disclosure of all criminal arrests no matter the court decision. Tony's attorneys have argued that under Pennsylvania law, juveniles are not charged with crimes but acts of delinquency," so he has no criminal arrests. The shooting was uncovered in 2020 by the Florida Bulldog news website. Before becoming sheriff, Tony was hired by the suburban Coral Springs Police Department in 2005. State investigators found that he also falsely answered no on that department's hiring questionnaire when asked Have you ever injured or caused the death of another person? and Were you ever in a fight involving a weapon? He worked his way up to sergeant before resigning in 2016 to run a police consulting firm that specialized in active shooter training. DeSantis appointed him on the recommendation of the father of a Stoneman Douglas victim who knew Tony from the gym where they both worked out. The vetting process was completed in a day. The investigation found that in 2003, Tony answered truthfully that he had once used LSD as a teenager when he applied for a job with the Tallahassee Police Department, his first law enforcement application. After that admission caused his rejection, investigators found that on subsequent police applications, Tony answered no when asked if he had ever used or handled hallucinogenic drugs. Investigators say Tony also repeatedly lied on police and Florida drivers license applications by answering no when asked if his license was ever suspended. Pennsylvania suspended his license in 1996 for failing to pay traffic tickets. Tony last answered no to that question in 2019 when he applied for a new license shortly after he became sheriff. In the August 2020 Democratic primary, Tony defeated his predecessor, Israel, who was trying to get his job back. That November, Tony easily defeated his Republican opponent in the general election to win a four-year term. Many parents are enduring weeks without after-school care, because staffing troubles forced many programs to open late. School started last week for most districts. But only a few after-school programs opened then. This week, the YMCA was able to open most of its programs. On Sept. 26, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Schenectady will open. It will be the middle of next month before more in-school programs are available. Until then, working all day is not easy. Every day, I leave and pick up my 5-year-old at 1:50 thats when kindergarten gets out, said Jamaica Miles, a Schenectady parent and school board member. Then I bring him home, I do whatever work I can do and then I take him with me to pick up my sixth-grader at 3:32. Miles searched for options, but most in-home child care providers for older children have left the business. The Boys and Girls Clubs wont take children until age 6, even if they were open in Schenectady, and the YMCA program is running at only two elementary schools. Children must attend those schools to go to the program, even though it is a private entity paid for by parents. Throughout the Capital Region, parents have spent the month juggling child care and their full-time work schedules. As September grinds on, more programs are opening. Most expect to be fully staffed by mid October. But that still leaves parents with five or six weeks of juggling. Agencies said they wanted to open earlier but couldnt find staff. In late August, the Capital District YMCA was short 130 employees, and still needed 30 more when the school year started. Were doing a lot better, YMCA spokeswoman Emily Lang said, a week after the school year began. Were going to have some delays. We anticipate everyone will open by October. The hardest spots to fill were in the Guilderland and Shenendehowa school districts, where high schools get out later than elementary schools. The YMCA hires many high school students. Schenectady to open its own after-school programs next month In Schenectady, there were plans to run after-school programs in three elementary schools, but the YMCA dropped out of one at Paige Elementary because it couldnt get enough staff, schools Superintendent Anibal Soler Jr. said. The YMCA is running programs at Zoller and Woodlawn, which serve some of the wealthiest and whitest parts of the city. Soler acknowledged that did not seem equitable, but said parents have to pay YMCA rates for the program. The school district is going to open its own free after-school program in October. Each elementary school will offer two to three hours of programming, including extra help in reading and math and enrichment activities like a chess club. Were going to be offering extended learning time, he said. Teachers and paraprofessionals will run the programs, and will be paid their contractual rate, which for teachers is upward of $30 an hour. No significant staffing problems are anticipated. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Schenectady, by contrast, hires adults at a starting rate of $14, though specialists can be paid in the $20s, Executive Director Shane Bargy said. The YMCA is paying $13.20 but also offering a $250 bonus. I know everyones panicking, but theyre finding this (staffing shortage) in their own workplaces, so they understand, Lang of the YMCA said. We literally went to malls to recruit people. We incentivized with a $250 bonus. Being serious like that is really helping. At the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Capital Area, which runs programs in Albany and Rensselaer counties, clubhouses opened on time. But at the Schenectady clubs, Bargy said the agency runs so many summer programs there isnt time to set up fall programming to begin when school starts. We arent able to hire our fall workforce in the summer. Its very hard. Summer is very busy, he said, noting the clubs run city pools and park programming. I dont know if theres anything we can do (to open sooner). Its always been a mad dash. The clubs also always take the last week of summer off, with no one allowed to work. Our organization, honestly, just needs a little breather, Bargy said. Its the one moment you can pause until next year. NEW YORK (AP) Five years after Hurricane Maria slammed into Puerto Rico and exposed the funding problems the Caribbean island has long faced, philanthropists warn that many of those issues remain unaddressed, just like the repairs still needed for the American territorys physical infrastructure. The Category 4 storm, with winds reaching 155 miles per hour (250 kilometers per hour), killed dozens immediately on Sept. 20, 2017 and researchers estimate thousands more died in the aftermath due to the lack of permanent shelter and power. According to a Hispanic Federation report released Wednesday, Hurricane Maria did an estimated $90 billion in damage to the island. It was just such a scary moment, said Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, who helped mobilize millions in aid for Puerto Rico. But one of the silver linings has been the coalition building between the diaspora and residents on the island that was really formed out of those challenges. That coalition building was sorely needed, because Puerto Rico and its residents have an unusual image problem in philanthropy, said Hispanic Federation President and CEO Frankie Miranda. International nonprofits generally left it out of donations given to the neediest populations because it is part of the United States, while American nonprofits often left it out of programs by earmarking donations only for the 50 states. That long-running problem was intensified by what critics say was former President Donald Trump's administration's slow response to Hurricane Maria, which extended the impact of the storm, including the longest blackout in American history. It was about fairness, said Frankie Miranda, adding that some federal recovery funds are only getting to Puerto Rico now. It was about equity. We were not getting the fair share for people on the island compared to other disasters happening in the United States. So we needed to act. Frankie Miranda will lead a delegation from the Hispanic Federation including Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is not related to Puerto Rico on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of Hurricane Maria and survey what has been accomplished and what still needs to be done. For Lin-Manuel Miranda, the storm was personal. He had family on the island who he couldn't reach because phone service was knocked out. He remembered learning that his uncle survived the storm from a photo on Facebook showing his uncle volunteering help. However, his most successful initial fundraising campaign was not planned. Lin-Manuel Miranda, known for being level-headed and upbeat almost as he is known for his creativity, got mad about Trumps reaction to the suffering he saw in Puerto Rico. Youre going straight to hell, @realdonaldtrump, he tweeted, along with a link to the Hispanic Federation's fund for Puerto Rico. The reaction was fast and intense. Donations skyrocketed, eventually topping more than 200,000 separate gifts, as did attention for the victims of the hurricane. The next day, Lin-Manuel Miranda's photo and tweet was on the front page of the New York Daily News next to Trump. I didnt anticipate any of that, he said. But, anger can be a galvanizing force. And the widespread frustration with that presidents inability to engage with reality, sort of galvanized a lot of donations. That was the biggest moment in terms of fundraising. Lin-Manuel Miranda then worked to keep the momentum going. I burned up my Rolodex to make that almost like praying, he said, as he sought donations. And then I burned up my Twitter DMs for people I didnt know. The first six months it basically became our entire lives. I just put everything else in our lives on hold. Initially, the focus was on the really nitty gritty things, like food, water, basic recovery supplies. Then, he began to expand the scope of the aid, eventually bringing a production of Hamilton to the island as a fundraiser. Proceeds from those shows helped launch the Flamboyan Arts Fund, which helps preserve and support the arts in Puerto Rico with support from major nonprofits, including Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Mellon Foundation. We realized that the arts never get included in recovery efforts, the In the Heights star said. Yet, when you think about this tiny part of the world 100 miles across and how much it has given to the arts it's absurd how much Puerto Rican artists have enriched global culture. The No. 1 artist in the world, Bad Bunny, is from the island. So we need to protect Puerto Rican culture and Puerto Rican art on the island. Working with the Hispanic Federation, Lin-Manuel Miranda also helped support the Puerto Rican coffee industry, long a point of pride for the island because it could count popes and royalty among its customers. Coffee plants arent sunflowers they dont grow back in a season, he said, adding that about 85% of the coffee crop was wiped out by Hurricane Maria. We talked to anybody who was in the coffee business, in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, to figure out how to jumpstart this and also empower coffee growers. And now, at the five-year mark, coffee is back and exceeding pre-Hurricane Maria levels in terms of production. Sara Lomelin, CEO of Philanthropy Together, a nonprofit that uses grassroots giving to diversify donations, said she worried that the underfunding of Puerto Rico by major donors would return once the emergencies caused by Hurricane Maria had passed. Everybody responds to disasters because you are seeing the direct effect, Lomelin said. What people forget is that when there is a disaster like Hurricane Maria or the wildfires in California or the pandemic, is that you can't just put a Band-Aid on it. These things take years. And the problem is people move to the next disaster or move to the next issue after a couple of weeks or months and they forget the problem is still there. However, she said the current mix of medium-term and long-term donations in Puerto Rico gives her hope and that attention tied to the anniversary and Hispanic Heritage Month, which starts on Sept. 15, will provide momentum. I love that the Hispanic Federation has these initiatives right now, where they are focusing on long-term things that need to happen, she said. I do believe that disasters can be the perfect time for people to get organized. Lomelin said that works best when donors listen to the communities receiving the funds. And that's something that Hispanic Federation's Frankie Miranda believes in and has invested more than $50 million in the island so far. There is so much that philanthropy can do, he said. But we also can be advocates so that organizations in Puerto Rico continue to be part of a participatory process, ensuring that the funds go to the neediest cases. Puerto Rico needs to remain on the philanthropy map for all of these major institutions. ____ Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of APs philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. ALTON The Mississippi Earthtones Festival returns to the Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater Saturday for the 16th annual celebration of the river through art, music and conservation. Presented by Alton Main Street and the Sierra Club, the free event runs noon to 10 p.m. with a theme this year of "Amplify the River." After several years in downtown Alton, the festival this year is returning to the Alton riverfront. We look forward to filling our riverfront with a celebration of the beautiful Mississippi River, said Sara McGibany, executive director of Alton Main Street. This event attracts the most wonderful attendees who are passionate about protecting Altons greatest natural asset. Several groups will be on hand to teach consumers how to incorporate more sustainable practices into their daily lives. The Sierra Club will have an informational booth on pollinators and clean energy, as well as a watershed model table for kids and a childrens painting booth that will contribute to a large festival sculpture. This years event offers strong education components that are working towards a sustainable future, especially as it relates to the Mississippi River, said Christine Favilla, Three Rivers Project Co-Coordinator for Altons Sierra Club. The Alton Piasa Palisades Group of the Sierra Club is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, so be sure to check out the citizen action items you can take at this festival. Local artists have been commissioned to build large installations for this year's festival. The Riverbend Yarn Bombers are knitting and crocheting a textile sculpture titled "Eyes on the River" that will encompass the fountain at Riverfront Park. Kooliverse will present artwork, including a 16-foot kaleidoscope. A light show is planned by local projection artists and a meet and greet with a river mermaid is part of thos year's festival. Jacoby Arts Center has lined up an art playground of performances and interactive experiences featuring painting, dance and flag performances, aerial arts, pole acrobatics, hoop spinning, stilt walking, hydro dipping, free body painting and a community ceramics project. A big top tent will provide a shady Zen Zone coordinated by Soul Sanctuary that will offer yoga classes, guided meditation, chair massages and a flow workshop for poi spinners. Wind-powered music is planned all day. The main stage will feature Loftys Comet with alternative Indie jazz) noon to 2 p.m., the Nonstop Reggae Band 3-6 p.m., and the Jakes Leg Grateful Dead tribute band 7-10 p.m. Jason Gordo Gordon, a one-man 10-piece band, will perform 2-3 p/.m. aand 6-7 p.m. ASL interpreting will be provided by Gateway Interpreting Services. The Alton Museum of History & Art will present information on the history of the Mississippi River and exploration in the Riverbend, including a fossil identification activity. The National Great Rivers Research & Education Center booth will discuss river research and offer an interactive trash timeline. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will have its interactive wildlife trailer for kids. Park rangers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rivers Project, volunteers from the National Great Rivers Museum, and staff from the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary will discuss environmental stewardship and navigation along the Mississippi River. They will present water safety games and giveaways, as well as an overview of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam. As part of its "IMG Gives Back" program, Imperial Manufacturing Group will collect jackets, hats, gloves and blankets for those in need. The first 25 donors will receive a recycled backpack IMG cooler. The Better Building Institute will teach about energy efficiency, zero-energy home building and energy audits. Midwest Solar Solutions will discuss home solar panels. And V Salon by Valeries will offer hair braiding and vegan, organic, biodegradable hair care products. Dozens of local artisans will offer nature-inspired, hand-made, environmentally-friendly wares including tie dyes, knit and crocheted items, leatherwork, handmade pet accessories and upcycled jewelry. Handmade all-natural soap and body care products also will be available, along with unique home decor, bird feeders, nature themed artwork, photography, products made with local honey, woodworking items, thrifted clothing, hemp products, eco-friendly scrubs and plants. At 3 p.m. Confluence Conservation Leadership Award will be presented to Dr. Connie Frey Spurlock, Rachel Lappin and Emily Ehley. Foods and beverages will be sold by Gentelin's on Broadway, Big Boys Q, The Rivers Vedge, Team Honduras, Taqueria Los Toros, BHB Mobile Kitchen, Foxes Boxes, Flourish Farm, CJs Juicery, The Old Bakery Beer Company, Idle Roasting Co., Bubba Grump Smoked Pretzels and 3 Sisters Tea, Apothecary & Yoga Studio. Volunteers are still sought for the festival; anyone who pitches in will receive a free festival T-shirt. Volunteers can also sign-up for the MEF River Clean Up planned 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 24th. To date, the clean-ups have removed more than 45 tons of trash from the Mississippi River. To volunteer, visit www.DowntownAlton.com/Events. Festival supporters include The Telegraph, the City of Alton, the Village of Godfrey, Madison County Resource Management, Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau, Simmons Hanly Conroy, Lewis & Clark Community College Sustainability Department, Illinois Natural History Survey Great Rivers Field Station, Illinois American Water, AltonWorks, Giant City Properties, Argosy Casino Alton, Republic Services, 3As Sign Language Interpreting Services, Gateway Interpreting Services, Cope Plastics, The Old Bakery Beer Company, Chiro One Wellness Centers, Renewal by Andersen, Kooliverse, Jacoby Arts Center, Imperial Manufacturing, Taqueria Los Toros, Theodora Farms, Midwest Solar Solutions, Bright Star Uniform Shop, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Riverbender.com, WBGZ Radio and AdVantage. For more information, visit www.DowntownAlton.com. ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) Baltimore prosecutors asked a judge on Wednesday to vacate Adnan Syed's conviction for the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee a case that was chronicled in the hit podcast Serial." Baltimores states attorney filed a motion in circuit court, saying a lengthy investigation conducted with the defense had uncovered new evidence that could undermine the conviction of Syed, Lee's ex-boyfriend. The motion filed today supports a new trial for Syed based on a nearly year-long investigation that revealed undisclosed and newly-developed information regarding two alternative suspects, as well as unreliable cell phone tower data, State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby's office said in a news release. Syed, 42, has maintained his innocence for decades and captured the attention of millions in 2014 when the debut season of the Serial podcast focused on the case and raised doubts about some of the evidence, including cellphone tower data. Prosecutors on Wednesday said they werent asserting that Syed is innocent, but they lacked confidence in the integrity of the conviction" and recommended he be released on his own recognizance or bail. We believe that keeping Mr. Syed detained as we continue to investigate the case with everything that we know now, when we do not have confidence in results of the first trial, would be unjust, Mosby added. The state's attorney's office said if the court grants its motion it would effectively put Syed in a new trial status, and his convictions would be vacated, but the case would remain active. Whether the State ultimately continues with a trial in this matter or dismisses the charges will depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation, the state's attorney's office said. Prosecutors said a reinvestigation of the case revealed evidence regarding the possible involvement of two alternative suspects other than Syed. The two suspects may be involved individually or may be involved together, the state's attorney's office said. One of the suspects had threatened Lee, saying he would make her (Ms. Lee) disappear. He would kill her, according to the filing. Given the stunning lack of reliable evidence implicating Mr. Syed, coupled with increasing evidence pointing to other suspects, this unjust conviction cannot stand, said Assistant Public Defender Erica Suter, Mr. Syeds attorney and, Director of the Innocence Project Clinic. Mr. Syed is grateful that this information has finally seen the light of day and looks forward to his day in court. The suspects were known persons at the time of the original investigation and were not properly ruled out nor disclosed to the defense, prosecutors said. The investigation also found a separate document from the original trial file, in which a different person relayed information that can be viewed as a motive for that same suspect to harm the victim, prosecutors said. The information about the threat and motives to harm could have provided a basis for the defense and was not disclosed to the trial nor the post-conviction defense counsel, the state's attorney's office said. Prosecutors also said new information revealed that one of the suspects was convicted of attacking a woman in her vehicle, and that one of the suspects was convicted of engaging in serial rape and sexual assault. The state's attorney's office declined to release information about the suspects, due to the ongoing investigation. Prosecutors also noted unreliable cellphone data used during Syed's court case to corroborate his whereabouts on the day of the crime. The notice on the records specifically advised that the billing locations for incoming calls would not be considered reliable information for location. Evidence proved that the State should not have relied on the incoming call evidence, the state's attorney's office said. Syed has served more than 20 years in prison for the strangling of Lee, who was 18 at the time. Her body was found weeks later buried in a Baltimore park. More than a decade later, the popular Serial podcast revealed little-known evidence and attracted millions of listeners, shattering podcast-streaming and downloading records. In 2016, a lower court ordered a retrial for Syed on grounds that his attorney, Cristina Gutierrez, who died in 2004, didnt contact an alibi witness and provided ineffective counsel. But after a series of appeals, Marylands highest court in 2019 denied a new trial in a 4-3 opinion. The Court of Appeals agreed with a lower court that Syeds legal counsel was deficient in failing to investigate an alibi witness, but it disagreed that the deficiency prejudiced the case. The court said Syed waived his ineffective counsel claim. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review Syed's case in 2019. Now US Sanctions Addresses Associated With Iranian Military - Whos Next? Source: iStock/ilbusca The US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has placed sanctions on 10 individuals and two entities affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) - an arm of the Iranian armed forces. Per a press release, all properties fully or partially owned by the individuals and entities have been blacklisted in the US, including Bitcoin wallets that have been associated with them. The OFAC move is a joint effort of the DOJ, Department of State, FBI, NSA, the US Cyber Command, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The designates are all accused of participating in coordinated ransomware-related cybercrimes against a wide array of businesses and government agencies in the U.S. and other countries on behalf of the Iranian military since at least 2020. We will continue to take coordination action with our global partners to combat and deter ransomware threats, including those associated with the IRGC, Brian E. Nelson, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said in the release. The official emphasized that the Treasury considers ransomware actors to be a direct threat to the physical security and the economy of the U.S. and other nations. As cryptocurrencies are one of the major facilitators of ransomware payments, the watchdog has been increasing its focus on the industry. OFAC's attention on crypto raising fears of censorship on PoS Ethereum The blacklisted Bitcoin wallets are only the latest addition to the growing number of crypto-related entities that have made the OFAC list. Just last month, the OFAC rattled the crypto community when it announced sanctions targeting Tornado Cash, an open-source Ethereum-based protocol for mixing crypto transactions details. According to a Fortune report, debates have erupted among developers and in the Ethereum community about how this increased focus by the Treasury could be a threat when the blockchain migrates to using a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. Particularly, analysts fear that with PoS, the government may have more power in censoring the blockchain network through centralized exchanges (CEXs) - who are currently the biggest validators. With the success of sanctions on Tornado Cash, it is not farfetched that the government can demand CEXs to censor transactions that have interacted with the mixer or other blacklisted wallets. However, some analysts have opined that the threat of censorship on the blockchain is not insurmountable. Eric Wall, a crypto analyst, shared that it can be easily mitigated by introducing penalties for validators that enforce censorship. He maintained that an OFAC-compliant Ethereum chain is "dead on arrival" as it goes against one of the major value propositions of blockchain technology, which is to be permissionless. The death of a young man struck by a train in Co Meath is deeply shocking for the whole community, a local representative has said. A man aged in his 20s died on Wednesday night after being struck by a train in the Gormanstown area of the county, in what is believed to be an accident. A second man received treatment for his injuries at the scene. Stephen McKee, a vice chair of the Laytown-Bettystown municipal district for Meath County Council, encouraged anyone with information about the incident to pass it to authorities. Its deeply shocking for the whole community that a young man lost his life and another man is injured, and hopefully he recovers as soon as possible, he said. I was talking to gardai earlier on, I know theyre investigating. Irish Rail have launched an investigation as well. I wouldnt like to pre-empt what is going to come from the investigation in relation to safety. But I would encourage anyone with information to contact the local gardai in Laytown and Ashbourne Garda stations. We need to piece it all together and get as much information as possible from local people and witnesses, the Fianna Fail councillor said. He added that it absolutely must be traumatic for the passengers and driver of the train. I do know a few of the drivers that work on the line, and I do know a driver who has been involved in one incident and it does leave the drivers particularly traumatised, he said. Onana bowled over by fans' welcome 15/09/2022 As he settles into life at Everton following his big-money move from LOSC Lille in the summer, Amadou Onana has been speaking of how much appreciates the welcome he has received at the club. The 21-year-old Belgian international was the Blues biggest signing of the close season when an initial fee of 30.3m was agreed with the French club and he has taken almost no time to slot into the midfield. His positive attitude and impressive start to his Premier League career have helped endear him to the Everton faithful whom he gees up from the pitch and supporters regale him in kind with his own chant. Ive never had such a warm welcome! Onana says on evertonfc.com. Id like to say a big thanks to everyone at the club and the fans for making me feel that way. Article continues below video content I love [my chant]! I really love it. I've said this before and it's still difficult to describe but this just feels like home. The welcome I've had, the love we have from the supporters, never letting us down. A big thanks to them. I think everyone here knows what it means to wear this shirt, this badge, playing for this Club. It's a big, big club, with a big history. I respect this badge so much that when I go out there I can't do anything but give everything I have. Onana got an early taste of the blood and thunder of a Merseyside derby when he made his first start at Goodison Park in the recent match against Liverpool. Despite being new to the country and the League, the Senegal midfielder was tremendous as the Toffees battled out a goalless draw that could have gone either way. Onana spoke of his initial impressions of the Premier League and the local grudge match, saying: It's a tough league. It's different from what I've experienced in the past. The big difference is the pace because everything goes a bit faster here. Im doing everything I can to adjust and adapt as fast as possible. Game time is obviously the thing that helps the most and I think the introduction I got helped me settle in, finding my marks and my way into it. I'm happy with how it's going. [The derby] was amazing. I feel lucky that I had the chance to play in it. The atmosphere was just incredible, our support is amazing. If you have such an atmosphere, you simply have to perform. It was nice to be out there giving my everything for the club. That's what they want from us and that's what I want to give them. Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () About these ads ToffeeWeb After her baby was diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer that resulted in the removal of his left eye, Toronto Catholic District School Board teacher and Scarborough resident Taline Dorna began fighting to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer. HARRISBURG Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman of Pennsylvania said Wednesday that he has agreed to an Oct. 25 televised debate against his Republican rival, Dr. Mehmet Oz, although the men feuded about its terms. The debate, coming two weeks before the general election, follows weeks of cajoling by Oz, who has raised questions about the severity of Fettermans lingering effects from a May stroke and pushed for as many as seven debates. It will be held in the studio of a Harrisburg TV station. Ozs campaign said in a statement that Fetterman had agreed to the debate only after being hit with massive criticism from state and national editorials and commentators for ducking. The Oz campaign also complained that Fetterman had insisted on accommodations for his health condition, though neither campaign immediately clarified what those were. Nevertheless, Doctor Oz looks forward to being in Harrisburg on October 25th to share his vision for a better Pennsylvania and America, and he is ready (to) expose Fettermans record as the most far-left Senate candidate in America, Oz campaign manager Casey Contres wrote in a statement. Fetterman, the states lieutenant governor, and Oz, a celebrity heart surgeon endorsed by former President Donald Trump, are vying to replace retiring Republican Sen. Pat Toomey in a race Democrats see as one of their best chances nationally to flip a Republican-held seat. The winner could help decide the chambers partisan control next year. Fettermans campaign has said Oz was operating in bad faith by insisting on so many debates and said Ozs motivation is to mock Fetterman for having a stroke. Fetterman still speaks haltingly and struggles to quickly respond to words he hears. To accommodate that, Fetterman asked the station for closed-captioning during the debate and two practice sessions in the studio ahead of time, Ozs campaign said. In response, Ozs campaign issued three requests. It wants a moderator to tell the audience that Fetterman is using closed captioning to explain delays in his responses; practice sessions to not use actual debate questions; and the debate to be 90 minutes, instead of 60, because of closed-captioning delays. Fettermans campaign said it had no problem with telling the audience about the closed captioning and said the practice sessions are simply walkthroughs that are routine before any debate. But Fettermans campaign insisted that the debate be 60 minutes and said Ozs campaign had already agreed. For weeks Oz and his team have wet the bed about debates, Fettermans campaign said. Enough already, we are debating on the 25th, either show up or dont, but now lets get back to talking about the issues that matter, like how Oz would vote on the Senate abortion ban. In Pennsylvanias last four U.S. Senate contests, debates have not been a major feature. All the debates took place in mid- to late October, with two debates in each race except for the 2012 contest, which had one debate. Fetterman has been recovering and was off the campaign trail for most of the summer following his May 13 stroke, which required surgery to implant a pacemaker with a defibrillator and prompted a revelation that he had a serious heart condition. Fetterman has provided no access to his doctors or health records and has said he almost died. He has done just a handful of media interviews and no press conferences since the stroke and has used closed-captioning in video interviews with reporters. Fettermans campaign maintains that his doctors have said he is expected to make a full recovery. "Youre not alone." Thats the message to the family of Const. Andrew Hong from Brenda Orr, the widow of OPP Const. David Mounsey, who was killed in the line of duty in November 2006 near Wingham, Ont. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) South Korea on Tuesday warned North Korea that using its nuclear weapons would put it on a path of self-destruction, in unusually harsh language that came days after North Korea legislated a new law that would allow it to use its nuclear weapons preemptively. North Korea will likely be infuriated by the South Korean rhetoric as Seoul typically shuns such strong words to avoid raising tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Despite North Korea's increasingly aggressive nuclear doctrine, some experts say the country outgunned by more superior U.S. and South Korean forces will still unlikely use its nuclear weapons first. South Koreas Defense Ministry said the legislation would only deepen North Koreas isolation and prompt Seoul and Washington to further strengthen their deterrence and reaction capacities. To deter North Korea from using its nuclear weapons, the ministry said South Korea will sharply boost its own preemptive attack plan, missile defense and massive retaliation capacities while seeking a greater U.S. security commitment to defend its ally with all available means, including nuclear one. We warn that the North Korean government would face the overwhelming response by the South Korea-U.S. military alliance and go on the path of self-destruction, if it attempts to use nuclear weapons, Moon Hong Sik, an acting ministry spokesperson, told reporters. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre earlier said the United States remains fully committed to the defense of (South Korea), using the full range of defense capabilities. Jean-Pierre said the United States has no hostile intent toward North Korea and that it remains focused on pursuing close coordination with its allies to advance a shared objective of the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Last week, North Koreas rubber-stamp parliament adopted the legislation on the rules for the use of its nuclear arsenal. It would allow the use of nuclear weapons if its leadership faced an imminent attack or if it aims to prevent an unspecified catastrophic crisis to its people. The loose wording raised concerns the rules are largely meant as a legal basis for a preemptive nuclear strike to intimidate rivals into making concessions amid long-stalled negotiations over its arsenal. Some experts say the North Korean move is also designed to strengthen the control of Kim Jong Uns leadership in the face of hardships caused by the pandemic and border closures. During the parliaments meeting, Kim said in a speech that his country will never abandon its nuclear weapons to cope with U.S. threats. He accused the United States of pushing to weaken the Norths defenses and eventually collapse his government. Earlier this year, Kim said his nuclear weapons would never be confined to the sole mission of war deterrent and could be used preemptively if his country's national interests are threatened. North Korea later approved plans to assign new duties to front-line army units, sparking speculation it was a step toward deploying battlefield nuclear weapons along its border with South Korea. This year, Kim has also dialed up weapons tests to a record pace by test-launching a slew of nuclear-capable ballistic missiles targeting both the U.S. mainland and South Korea. For months, U.S. and South Korean officials have said North Korea could carry out its first nuclear test in five years as well. Since taking office in May, South Koreas new conservative government, led by President Yoon Suk Yeol, has said it would take a tougher stance on North Korean provocation but also offered massive support plans if the North denuclearizes. North Korea has bluntly rejected that aid-for-disarmament offer and unleashed crude insults on the Yoon government. Seouls use of words like self-destruction is unusual but its not the first time. When South Korea was governed by another conservative leader, Park Geun-hye, from 2013-2017, her government also warned North Korea would evaporate from Earth or self-destruct with its provocations, as the North conducted a slew of missile and nuclear tests. Liberal President Moon Jae-in, who served from 2017 until this year, championed greater reconciliation between the Koreas. He was credited for arranging now-stalled nuclear diplomacy between Pyongyang and Washington but also faced criticism that such a diplomacy only allowed Kim Jong Un to buy time to prefect weapons technology while enjoying an elevated standing on the world stage. A 42-year-old woman believed to be the mother of two children whose remains were found in suitcases bought from a storage facility in New Zealand has been arrested in connection with their alleged murders. The woman, who has not been identified, was arrested in early hours of Thursday local time in the southeastern city of Ulsan, a South Korean police official told CNN. The police official confirmed that the arrested woman is the same woman believed to be the childrens mother, according to earlier police reports, who arrived in South Korea several years ago and had not departed the country since. New Zealand police said in a statement they requested an arrest warrant for the woman under the countrys extradition treaty with South Korea and have applied to extradite her to New Zealand to face charges. To have someone in custody overseas within such a short period of time has all been down to the assistance of the Korean authorities and the coordination by our (New Zealand) Police Interpol staff, said New Zealand Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua in a statement Thursday. The woman will remain in custody while awaiting the completion of the extradition process, Vaaelua added. The womans identity is being withheld to avoid potentially identifying the children. South Korean authorities confirmed last month that the woman was born in South Korea and acquired New Zealand citizenship a long time ago. Seoul High Court will now decide within two months whether to extradite the woman to New Zealand. New Zealand police launched a homicide investigation last month after a family in South Auckland reported finding human remains in suitcases they bought in an online auction from a storage facility. The children likely to have been between ages 5 and 10 may have been dead for around three to four years, according to New Zealand police. At the time, police stressed the family who bought the suitcases were not under investigation. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasizes that the residents of all temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including Crimea, should know that Ukraine will definitely return there, and with it, a full-fledged life will return. The Head of State said this while talking to journalists in de-occupied Izyum during a working trip to Kharkiv region, the Presidents press service informs. "We should send signals to our people who, unfortunately, are still under occupation. And my signal to the people in Crimea: we know that these are our people, and it is a terrible tragedy that they have been under occupation for more than eight years. We will return there. I don't know when exactly. But we have plans, and we will return there because this is our land and our people," the President said. Read also: Zelensky raises Ukrainian flag in liberated Izium Zelensky noted that the residents of the temporarily occupied Crimea had been under the pressure of the propaganda of the Russian Federation all these years, but when Ukraine returns to the peninsula, Crimeans will see the falsehood of Russian television and propaganda. "Because we know that the truth is on our side," the Head of State emphasized. The Ukrainian defenders are given warm welcome in the liberated territories, the President pointed out. "This is a very emotional moment. This means that life is coming back together with the Armed Forces of Ukraine," he said. Read also: President awards Ukrainian defenders in Kharkiv region Talking about his impressions of what he saw in the de-occupied Izyum, Zelensky noted that he knew this region very well even before he became the President of Ukraine, so what he saw was shocking. "What we see is shocking, although we have already seen this in Bucha, in the first de-occupied territories. Likewise, destroyed buildings, killed people... Unfortunately, this is part of our history today. And this is part of the modern Russian nation what they did," the Head of State noted. He thanked international partners for sending investigators and prosecutors to Ukraine, who help in collecting materials related to crimes committed by Russia in the de-occupied territories. "We all understand that this process takes time. Our Prosecutor Generals Office is working, performing important tasks. They enable both journalists and investigators to come to these places and find important details," the President said. Zelensky emphasized that the main thing for Ukraine is to remain as open as possible in these issues. "And then, I am sure, there will be verdicts for all this, there will be a tribunal. I don't doubt it for a second," the Head of State summed up. Photo credit: Presidents Office ol President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Ukrainian military personnel for liberating Ukrainian lands from Russian invaders. You can temporarily occupy the territory of our state. But you definitely cannot occupy the Ukrainian people. You can brainwash peoples minds, but you cannot do this to the hearts of Ukrainians. I am thankful to Commander of the Ground Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrsky, to all our warriors for liberating the Ukrainian land from the enemy. You save our people, our hearts, children and the future, Zelensky posted on Telegram, following his trip to Kharkiv region. The President also published a video featuring today's trip to the de-occupied areas of Kharkiv region and flag-raising ceremony in Izyum. As reported, President Zelensky visited the town of Izyum liberated from the Russians on Wednesday, where he took part in raising the State Flag of Ukraine. ol A normally-peaceful Farmington neighborhood near the high school and Centene Center experienced uncharacteristic activity Wednesday evening, stretching into the late hours of the night, as multiple law enforcement vehicles, a K-9 unit, an ambulance, and a fire truck descended on a house at the end of Kinley Drive, and a couple of flash-bangs were used. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Missouri State Fire Marshal's Office, Farmington Police Department, and St. Francois County Sheriff's Department conducted a search of the residence on Kinley Drive in Farmington Wednesday night in connection with an investigation of a fire that destroyed the Gospel Trinity Pentecostal Church of God in Iron County early Wednesday morning. Officials determined the fire to be arson, and they were looking for a person they identified as a suspect. As a result of the search, Brendan Andrew Harris, 30, of Farmington, was arrested on a probation and parole warrant. Harris had been a suspect in the alleged church arson and is now formally charged in Iron County with two counts of second-degree arson and one count of second-degree burglary. Harris is currently being held at the St. Francois County Jail without bond. Farmington Police Chief Rick Baker explained the fire marshal's office was investigating the alleged burglary and arson of the Gospel Trinity Pentecostal Church located on Iron County Road 6. "During the investigation, [the fire marshal] came up with a suspect whom he believed was living on Kinley Drive with his grandmother and girlfriend," Baker said. Family members confirmed Harris lives with his grandmother and girlfriend. One of the family members said Wednesday night that she was extremely worried when the grandmother did not answer her attempts to contact her. Baker said the scene escalated when officers received information that Harris was inside the dwelling and attempts to contact the man were unsuccessful. "The officers did not receive a response when they knocked on the door of the residence," said the chief. "The fire marshal then obtained a search warrant and arrest warrant for the suspect. Again, after no response, officers breached the door of the home and located the suspect in the basement. He was taken into custody without incident." Information that Harris may have been responsible for the church fire came earlier Wednesday morning as the man allegedly confessed to his mother. A probable cause statement from the Iron County Sheriff's Office states that a deputy was dispatched to an address on Route U at approximately 10:10 a.m. Wednesday in reference to reported harassment, threats, and theft not in progress. The deputy arrived and spoke with Harris' mother, who reportedly stated that Harris told her he burned down the Gospel Trinity Pentecostal Church on Iron County Road 6 and a mobile home trailer located on Iron County Road 96. The report states Harris' mother further mentioned that her son had brought a large amount of musical equipment and housing materials to her home. The woman said all the property appeared to be stolen, according to the statement. The items were reportedly seized by the Iron County Sheriff's Office. Police later talked to the alleged victim of the arson fire. The man reportedly confirmed that the items brought to Harris' mother's residence were inside the church before the building burned down. Along with the case filed Wednesday, Harris has a pending felony charge of possession of a controlled substance that was filed on Sept. 8 in Madison County. A search of the man's criminal history showed he has previously pleaded guilty to multiple past felonies in St. Francois County. Court records indicate Harris entered a guilty plea to third-degree domestic assault in 2012 and pleaded guilty to property damage the following year. He was given suspended prison sentences and placed on two years of supervised probation, which he violated in both cases. U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, who leads the Republican minority in U.S. Senate, has called on the Joe Biden administration to provide more lethal weapons to Ukraine, including long-range ATACMS. Senator McConnell made the statement while speaking in Congress, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "The Ukrainians need more weapons than what we're giving them. They need to start getting them faster, and they need new capabilities like long-range ATACMS missiles, large drones and tanks," McConnell said. The U.S. senator underlined that Ukrainian troops "work miracles" manning Western weapons as they have quickly mastered such advanced systems as HIMARS, let alone Javelin and Stinger. He called on the West not to delay further military support to Ukraine, recalling that previous hesitation in arms supplies cost Ukraine the lives of its citizens. It should not be just the American weapons that can be delivered to Ukraine, Senator McConnell admitted, while noting that U.S. allies are awaiting signals from Washington in this regard. He urged President Joe Biden to clearly explain to Western European leaders why they have to contribute to the Ukrainian case significantly and quickly. As Ukrinform reported earlier, the White House confirmed it was preparing another batch of military assistance to Ukraine, which will be announced soon. Ukrainian defenders eliminated 33 invaders, as well as destroyed more than three dozen units of military equipment in the countrys south on Wednesday, September 14. Thats according to Operational Command South, Ukrinform reports. "The situation in the operational zone in the South Buh direction remains steadily tense. Positional battles are ongoing as our Defense Forces are continuing to improve their tactical position, gaining a foothold in the liberated territories," the statement reads. Two enemy platoons, supported by two BMD-2 IFVs and a T-72 tank, tried to improve their position in the direction from Arkhangelsk to Ivanivka. They didnt succeed, having lost a BMD-2 and a significant share of manpower involved, having been forced to retreat. Read also: Ukraine Army repels enemy attacks near eight settlements in Donetsk region The Ukrainian Air Force made 13 strikes on enemy positions, while a Russian Su-24M bomber was destroyed in the Chkalove district. "Missile and artillery units completed 285 fire missions, engaging three Russian manpower, weapons and equipment clusters in Hola Prystan, Dudchany, and Krynychanka, ammunition depots in Dudchany and Sadove, and a UAV control point in Komyshany. The Kakhovka Bridge and the crossing in Daryivka remained under Ukrainian fire control. The occupiers had no opportunity to utilize them," Ukrainian defenders noted. Confirmed losses on the part of the enemy include 33 servicemen and 31 units of equipment, including 11 tanks, five Msta-B howitzers, a Gvozdika self-propelled gun, as well as two ammunition depots in Mykolaiv and Kherson districts. "In the Black Sea, sheltering in a missile-safe area, 15 warships are maneuvering, including two missile carriers - surface and underwater - which have a total of 12 missiles combat-ready. Five large landing craft departed from their bases with unreasonable motivation," added the statement. As reported, the Russian military death toll in Ukraine as of September 14 amounted to 53,650. Photo from open sources Russian President Vladimir Putin, at a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, promised to "clarify" the issue regarding the war he unleashed against Ukraine, referring to it as the "Ukraine crisis." Thats according to Meduza, Ukrinform reports. "We highly appreciate the balanced position of our Chinese friends in connection with the Ukrainian crisis; we understand your questions and concern in this regard, and during today's meeting, of course, I will explain our position on the issue in detail, although we have talked about it previously," Putin said at a meeting with the head of the People's Republic of China during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Uzbekistan. Read also: Zelensky meets with von der Leyen in Kyiv Putin also said that Russia firmly adhered to the one-China principle and condemned provocations by the U.S. and its satellites in the Taiwan Strait. Xi Jinping, in turn, said in a welcome address that the two sides were able to overcome the impact of the pandemic and continued "the most important strategic dialogue." He called Russia and China the leading world powers that offer the world "a little more stability." The meeting will take place within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, which is taking place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on September 15-16. Xi Jinping last met with Putin in February, just weeks before the Russian leader ordered his troops to move into the neighboring country, Ukraine. At that meeting during the opening of the Olympic Winter Games, Xi Jinping and Putin announced the so-called "no limits partnership between the two nations. Throughout the war, China refrained from condemning Russia's aggression against Ukraine and neither did the countrys officials refer to it as an invasion. As reported, on February 24, Russia launched a new stage of its war on Ukraine a full-scale invasion. Russian troops have been shelling and bombarding Ukraines cities and villages, killing the civilian population. In the wake of Russian aggression, the international community imposed on Russia a set of large-scale sanctions, which have already affected Russias economy. Photo from social networks The ministers of foreign affairs of Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania together with the energy ministers of these countries initiated a new tripartite cooperation format. Today in Odesa, I hosted foreign ministers of Moldova and Romania to launch a new trilateral format. Together with energy ministers, we focused on energy security and agreed to implement a number of projects which will expand Ukraines electricity supplies to Moldova and Romania, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba posted on Twitter. According to the joint communique published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, this ministerial meeting is the first of its kind in the history of the trilateral Ukraine-Republic of Moldova-Romania relations. It said the parties analyzed the implications for the region's security environment, including managing refugee flows, responding to humanitarian needs, ensuring energy security, and protecting safe and reliable modes of transport and transit. According to the communique, the ministers, in particular, condemned in the strongest possible terms Russias continued aggression against Ukraine; committed to join their diplomatic efforts to stand with the Ukrainian government and the Ukrainian people in their heroic struggle to liberate Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia and restore security and stability in the region; reaffirmed their willingness to closely work together in support of the European integration process of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. "Today we reached several important agreements for the development of our relations in the energy sector, our teams will further work on their implementation. In particular, we agreed to sign a tripartite intergovernmental agreement on increasing cross-border throughput to boost electricity trade," Kuleba said. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova Nicu Popescu emphasized that "in the conditions of real challenges and dangers for our three states, solidarity and deepening of cooperation in strategic areas are particularly important. And the presence of energy ministers at this meeting also confirms that we have the desire and opportunities for integration into the European Union, including in the field of energy." The parties also strongly condemned the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) by Russian troops, their numerous provocations and shellings that could cause a large-scale nuclear disaster in Europe. The ministers called on Moscow to immediately proceed to the demilitarization of the ZNPP site and its vicinity in order to allow the resumption of the activities of the Ukrainian authorities at the ZNPP, and pointed out the importance of the IAEA mission visit. The ministers of three countries pointed out their interest in developing trilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, first and foremost in deepening political dialogue and improving diversification of the energy supplies based on a balanced, transparent, non-discriminatory relationship ensuring a fair competition. ol | By University of Maryland School of Nursing In the newly released 2022-23 edition of U.S. News & World Reports Best Colleges, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) ranked No. 9 in the nation, moving up one spot from last year, the first time nursing schools offering baccalaureate degrees were included in the rankings. UMSON tied with five other institutions for the No. 9 spot out of the 681 accredited nursing schools ranked. Among public schools of nursing, UMSON ranked No. 3 in the nation, tied with four other institutions. UMSONs BSN program continues to be the top-ranked such program in Maryland. UMSONs BSN program encompasses an entry-into-nursing program and an RN-to-BSN program for already licensed practicing nurses. The program prepares students to excel in nursing careers across a broad spectrum of acute, chronic, and community-based settings. National data indicates that employers increasingly prefer and in some cases require a baccalaureate degree. UMSON is among the first in the nation to launch an entirely revised BSN curriculum for incoming students this fall, in alignment with the American Association of Colleges of Nursings new Essentials. The new curriculum includes courses geared toward a new generation of learners, focused on personal wellness, palliative care, and public health. Additionally, two new clinical practice initiatives with the University of Maryland Medical System the Practicum to Practice Partnership and the Academy of Clinical Essentials will provide students expanded and advanced clinical opportunities. Before beginning studies at UMSON, students must complete two years of undergraduate education at another accredited college or university, to fulfill the necessary prerequisites. In addition to serving practicing nurses seeking a BSN degree, UMSONs RN-to-BSN program boasts dual-admission partnerships with all 15 community colleges in Maryland that offer an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, enabling a smooth transition for ADN students into UMSONs BSN program. It is extremely gratifying to be recognized as one of the top baccalaureate nursing programs in the nation, said Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. We are proud to play an important role in efforts within Maryland and throughout the nation to increase the number of nurses. With the increasing complexity of care and the variety of settings in which it is delivered, our baccalaureate-educated nurses are extraordinarily well-prepared to respond to the challenge. Given the current shortage of nursing personnel, we have been fortunate to be able to increase the number of students in both our entry-into-practice baccalaureate program and our RN-to-BSN program. These nurses will play a vital role in meeting the current and future needs of our health care system, serving individuals across the lifespan in our very diverse communities. The U.S. News & World Report rankings are determined by scores received from surveys of top academics and officials at nursing schools or departments at institutions nationwide that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. In addition, the institutions must be regionally accredited and have recently awarded at least 40 BSN degrees. The community forums and grapevines are filled with eyewitness reports of people experiencing mental-health breaks in the Parkland. A man reportedly about to jump off the Desloge bridge on US 67. A student feeling anxiety at school, self-medicating with pot gummies they grab from their parents stash. A homeless man strung out on drugs, flailing and yelling amid traffic on Farmingtons diamond interchange on Highway 221. These are just a fraction of the thousands of mental-health related incidents heard on police scanners, seen on social media and discussed at meetings throughout the year. Missouri is currently 16th in the nation for its suicide rate. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and two events are being held in the Parkland in coming weeks to increase the publics awareness of mental health. The St. Francois County Mental Health Boards (SFCMHBs) annual Mental Health Town Hall will be 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 23 at Farmington Public Library at 101 N. A St., and registration ends Friday. From 8:30 a.m.-noon on the day of the Town Hall, safeTALK Training will be provided by Compass Health/AFSP MO Chapter, addressing suicide prevention. Chris Massey, the president of the mental health board, said safeTALK is a half-day, face-to-face training program that is geared to anyone of any background over the age of 15, and it includes presentations, audiovisuals, and skills practice to help participants recognize and address signs of suicide. The day will also include an afternoon "mental health cafe" and debriefing in which smaller groups can discuss common challenges and try to find solutions. "We did this last year and there was some great collaboration on not only the barriers that people face accessing mental health services, but also some creative solutions and connections between agencies," Massey said. Massey said hes not yet taken SafeTALK training, but Whitney Shumway, a current board member and chair of the Missouri Chapter of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (MOAFSP), has completed it and will be furthering her training soon to be able to train others. Whitney is very passionate about mental health awareness and suicide prevention, he said. Other matters concerning mental health will be discussed at the Sept. 23 Town Hall. This year, were planning to discuss creating a mental health coalition and recruit board member candidates, committee members, and a volunteer pool for events to provide more education and awareness in our community, he said. We also want to continue breaking down silos between providers and encourage collaborative efforts to serve our community more effectively. Massey said unfortunately, while the need for more and better mental health resources keeps increasing, the number of mental health resources cant keep up. There are more and more people in our community that need help with mental health, but it seems there just arent enough providers to meet the need, he said. For example, it does not help that resources are leaving the area like the Senior Support Unit at Parkland Health Center, since it closed at the end of August. Waitlists for counseling/therapy are too long, and its imperative that people are started in services quickly so they can be successful in their journey to recovery. Massey said in rural areas, its difficult to even know where to look to find resources supporting mental health. Jamie Pyeatt of Bonne Terre agrees. She is working on raising money for a memorial entry at the Out of the Darkness Walk to Prevent Suicide, 9:30 a.m. Oct. 8 at Engler Park in Farmington, being put on by Mineral Area Suicide Prevention Efforts and MOAFSP. The memorial entry is in honor of her son, Cody Philip Smith, who she said died of suicide Dec. 27, 2020, at the age of 25. Pyeatt and a number of Codys friends were painting the windows of a vacant building in downtown Bonne Terre on Wednesday evening, brushing on blue and purple hotline numbers for suicide prevention 988 encouraging people to seek help, calling attention to suicide awareness. Offroad Nutrition has even made a drink for us, and anyone who buys it, part of the proceeds will go to the walk, Pyeatt said Wednesday. Theyve been fantastic. She said her son exhibited no signs of depression, although he would get upset from time to time. The night of his suicide hed had a falling-out, she said, and he called her for solace. He said, I love you Mom, and I said, Dont talk like that, do I need to come down there and get you? and he said No, Pyeatt said. Something told me I should have went down there, but I didnt. We got the call later, and it was too late. Cody, a 2013 graduate of North County High School, left behind three children, she said. Believe it or not, if I just went down there and I took him back to the house with us, he would be fine, Pyeatt said. His dad wasnt just his dad, he was his friend. They did everything together. Pyeatt said shes learned a bit about suicide prevention over the years, and wishes more people knew where to get help. Massey agreed, and indicated that, for many, its also a challenge to overcome what might be seen as a stigma against seeking mental health, for fear its a sign of vulnerability or weakness. It takes a lot of courage and strength to ask for help, and we have to engage them when they take that first step because that is when they feel the most vulnerable and accepting of help, he said. As a community, we need to wrap our arms in the form of services around people and show them that we care and that it is not a weakness to ask for help. No one should suffer alone. A polling location sign sits outside of Schlafly Library in St. Louis on Sept. 13, 2022 during the special municipal election (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent). The first time Maureen Loyacono voted was in 1960, when she cast a ballot for John F. Kennedy. And Ive never missed an election since, said Loyacono, 84, a Kansas City resident who also served as a poll worker for 40 years. But shes worried this might be the first election where her vote wont be counted. For the past two years, shes been trying to update her expired drivers license. After waiting for hours at her local license office with her daughter, theyve been told she doesnt have all the documents she needs including a marriage certificate from 1960 that shows she changed her name. With a new state law that went into effect on Aug. 28, Loyacono wont be able to cast a ballot at the polls the way shes always done without a current Missouri drivers license, a Missouri non-drivers license, a military photo identification or a passport. She could cast a provisional ballot on Election Day, which would mean a longer wait for her at the polls. With this kind of ballot, her vote would only count if election authorities deem that her signature on the ballot matches previous signatures in their records. While Loyacono has vowed never to miss a single election, she said some of the other residents at her senior living home have told theyre not going to vote. When it gets difficult, they just think its too much trouble, she said. Im not one of those people. Several election authorities told The Independent that theyre concerned seniors like Loyacono as well as college students and many other voters who dont have the necessary identification could be discouraged from voting in November. Election officials are strongly urging these voters to cast a blue provisional ballot, a ballot for registered voters who dont have the required identification. I will be the first to admit that this is not ideal, said Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon, whose county includes the University of Missouris flagship campus. But I would much rather at least let people know that this blue provisional ballot is an avenue to cast a ballot because the alternative is they cant vote. It not only takes longer for a voter to cast a blue provisional ballot on Election Day, but it also takes longer for counties to count them. One of the biggest challenges election authorities will likely face on Election Night is a surge in blue provisional ballots, Lennon said. If a race is close, verifying these ballots could delay election results for several days. Aside from the new identification requirement, the new wide-ranging election law approved by Missouri legislators earlier this year has also caused confusion about who can legally help people register to vote or cast absentee ballots. I keep saying if Im confused, imagine how confused other people are who havent been looking at this very much, said Jay Hardenbrook, AARP Missouri advocacy director. If someone registers more than 10 people to vote, they must fill out a form on the Missouri Secretary of States website or could face possible criminal penalties. And 10 or more absentee ballots from the same address such as a nursing home or community center requires that election authorities send a team to witness and collect the ballots. While election authorities and advocates are rushing to educate voters about the new law and identification requirements, two lawsuits have been filed to challenge their constitutionality and block their implementation before the Nov. 8 statewide election. Options for seniors without IDs Hardenbrook has already fielded calls from many seniors statewide who are confused about how theyll be able to vote if they dont have the proper identification. Seniors often have expired drivers licenses and have little reason to update them, he said. The DMV offices are not in places that are really accessible for people who dont drive anymore, Hardenbrook said, especially if you dont have family close by or maybe dont have close family at all anymore. According to the Secretary of States election hotline (1-800-669-8683), the state is not required by the new law to facilitate home visits for people who cant go to the DMV. However, there is also a state law that allows people who are disabled or homebound to get on their local countys permanent disability absentee voter list. Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller said being unable to stand in long lines is a common reason people apply for permanent absentee voting. To get on the list, voters must complete and sign a form that comes from their local election authority. Similar to other absentee voting applications, it does not require the applicants to submit identification. The election authorities match it with the voters signatures from their voter registration forms. But unlike other forms of absentee voting, these voters dont have to get their ballots notarized. Deemed cast While this permanent absentee voting list helps get more people voting, another new change this year increases the chances their ballots wont be counted. A provision in the new law states that once the election authority receives an absentee ballot from the mail carrier, it is deemed cast. In the November 2020 election, Lincoln County Clerk Crystal Hall said a handful of people mailed in their absentee ballots and forgot to sign the outside of the envelope. Without that signature, the ballot inside the envelope doesnt count. Although counties try to make it obvious that the envelope signature is required, a lot of people miss it, she said. You could print it the size of a building, and therell still be some that miss it, Hall said. We all get distracted for whatever reason. During the last general election, Hall personally went to the home of a homebound woman to have her sign the envelope so her vote would count. Schoeller and Lennon said they also have teams that reach out to voters who forget this step. But with the new law, if a person forgot to sign or complete part of the envelope, then the ballot will not be counted, according to the Secretary of States Office. Election authorities are no longer permitted to contact the voter to allow them to correct the envelope. In the new law, the wording says once its received, its deemed cast, said JoDonn Chaney, spokesman for the Secretary of State. So in other words, its final. While voting absentee is a way to be able to cast a ballot without having to go out and get an ID, Lennon said people need to be extra careful that theyre filling it out completely. If somebody doesnt fill up the envelope correctly, thats their one shot at getting their ballot to count, she said. However Kara Clark Summers, president of the Missouri Association of County Clerks and Election Authorities, said not everyone within the association agrees with that interpretation. At the associations conference earlier this month, election authorities discussed differing legal opinions on that provision, she said. While the law says the ballot itself cannot be changed, Summers said it doesnt specifically say anything about the envelope. Of that law, I know the intent was that nobody would be reaching back out to people, said Summers, who also serves as clerk for Cape Girardeau County. But I dont feel that thats what the law says. Thats why I would like an opinion on that matter, just to make sure that were being consistent and following the law. Surge in provisional ballots In the first weeks of the fall semester, there are many voter registration drives on college campuses, Lennon said. Students can use their college photo IDs, out-of-state drivers licenses or other forms of personal identification to register to vote. But those forms of identification wont work for them to cast a ballot in November. Their signatures on the registration forms will, however. Both Schoeller and Lennon said theyre urging college students without the necessary voting identification to vote with a blue provisional ballot. Provisional ballots are verified the same way as absentee ballots with a signature match, Schoeller said. We keep all iterations of signatures as people fill out new registration forms or changes of address, Lennon said. We have all of those on file. So we have multiple options for their signatures. In the 2020 election, 920 blue provisional ballots were cast statewide, according to Secretary of State records. And out of those, 40 werent counted because the signatures didnt match. While the state is offering free non-drivers licenses for voting, Lennon said shes not encouraging students with out-of-state drivers licenses to get them. Because if they do, it will invalidate their driving privileges, she said. I keep saying if Im confused, imagine how confused other people are who havent been looking at this very much. Jay Hardenbrook, AARP Missouri advocacy director One more potential cause for confusion is that blue provisional ballots can only be cast on Election Day not during the two weeks of no-excuse absentee voting that the new law established. These changes hinge on two lawsuits filed by League of Women Voters of Missouri and Missouri NAACP which are attempting to get the court to block the implementation of the new law. One lawsuit argues that the new law requiring Missourians to present a government-issued photo ID to vote is unconstitutional. The other lawsuit claims that the law violates the right to core political speech by curtailing voter engagement. Summers and other election officials are closely watching these cases. In 2018, a court decision came down two weeks before the November election halting a voter ID constitutional amendment that was enacted a year earlier. Summers remembers having to quickly call a big meeting with all her election judges to retrain them on the law, as well as get out new information to her voters. She anticipates that decisions on the lawsuits could be decided right up before absentee voting begins. It is frustrating as election officials, she said, because were trying to prepare and get the message out. What if we get this message out and then the law changes again? I know its frustrating for our voters, but its frustrating for us too. Laura Loyacono, a Democratic committeewoman for Ward 22 in Kansas City, is trying to help not only her mother, Maureen, but all city voters find a pathway to vote in November. Although shes been following the new law changes closely, she said she even struggles to understand them. My mothers very sharp, said Laura Loyacono, noting that her mother is a retired civics teacher. But the rules keep changing. If youre not monitoring the activities of the Missouri legislature or what the Secretary of State is doing, you cant interpret whats happening. You dont understand how that relates to you. Kevin Jetton, an information technology (IT) lecturer of 36 years, has built a powerful comm Read more Virginia Tech made a big jump in the latest ranking of the nations top colleges by U.S. News & World Report, which was released Monday. The University of Virginia climbed one spot in the publications ranking of the top public schools in the country. Virginia Tech moved up 13 spots, one of the biggest improvements in the country, from 75th last year to 62nd this year. The university reported a lower student-to-teacher ratio and performed well on a revamped ranking of the credentials of the schools faculty. The University of Virginia ranked 25th among all schools, its same position as last year. UVa tied with New York University, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and the University of Southern California. Princeton University landed at No. 1, just as it did last year. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranked second, same as last year. Harvard University, which was tied for No. 2 last year, dropped one spot, tying at No. 3 with Stanford University and Yale University. Since 1983, U.S. News has ranked the nations top colleges and its rankings often influence schools strategic plans. In the ranking of top public schools, UVa moved up one spot from a year prior, tying for third with Michigan. UVa has set a goal of becoming the nations top public university by 2030. The University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, Los Angeles tied for No. 1. Virginia Tech gained seven spots in the public school ranking, tying for 23rd with the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and the University of Pittsburgh. The College of William & Mary tied for 41st among all schools and 13th in the ranking of public schools. William & Mary dropped three spots in both lists. George Mason placed 137th, James Madison University 151st and Virginia Commonwealth University 166th. In 2020, the last time U.S. News ranked the best graduate schools for fine arts, VCU placed fourth in the country. While UVa has set a goal of becoming the nations top public school by 2030, the universitys understanding of what it means to the best is broader than one ranking, said Brian Coy, a spokesperson for UVa. Several other publications produce college rankings, but U.S. News list is the most cited. All universities pay attention to rankings, but the vision and goals are what drive what we do and what we shouldnt do, Coy said. Jim Ryan, president of UVa, believes college rankings will look different by 2030. The quality of their classroom and residential experience, how the school contributes to the students future success, how long it takes for students to graduate and how much debt they incur will take on greater importance, he predicted. How well colleges are run, how ethical they are, how much economic growth they generate, how much return on investment they provide and how well they serve the public will all be factored, he said. Steve Farmer, UVas vice provost for enrollment, told the universitys alumni magazine that the schools reputation will be enhanced by UVa focusing on its goals, not its number on a list. The basic idea for me is that when were true to who we are, and we go about our work in a way thats both honorable and smart and caring, the rankings will take care of themselves, Farmer said. Columbia, which placed 18th, did not fill out a statistical survey and was ranked on data from previous years and other sources. Last year, U.S. News pulled Columbia out of its ranking after a Columbia professor questioned the data the university had submitted. In its ranking of liberal arts colleges, Washington & Lee was 11th, and the University of Richmond placed 18th. Hampden-Sydney College ranked 94th and Randolph-Macon College was 107th. Among public liberal arts colleges, Virginia Military Institute placed fourth, and the University of Mary Washington was 11th. Several liberal arts colleges in Virginia did not receive a numerical ranking but were placed in the group of schools ranked between No. 151 and 200: Sweet Briar College, UVa-Wise, Virginia Union University and Virginia Wesleyan University. In the ranking of regional universities for the South, Christopher Newport University placed second, and Virginia State University was 37th. In the ranking of top historically Black colleges and universities, Hampton University was sixth, Norfolk State University was 19th, Virginia State was 26th and Virginia Union was 43rd. George Mason, Marymount University and VCU were recognized for their ethnic diversity. William & Mary ranked seventh for best undergraduate teaching. CANBERRA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Sep, 2022 ) :Australia's unemployment rate has risen for the first time in 10 months as more people search for work. According to labor force data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Thursday, the official unemployment rate in August was 3.5 percent - up from 3.4 percent in July. It represents the first month-to-month increase since October 2021. ABS data showed the economy added 33,000 jobs between July and August but the increase was offset by the participation rate growing from 66.4 to 66.6 percent. In order to be counted towards the ABS's unemployment measure, a person must be actively looking for work. The participation rate in August was 0.7 percent higher than before the pandemic. There were 13. 6 million Australians employed in August - including 9.5 million on a full-time basis. The monthly hours worked by Australians increased by 0.8 percent in August following a similar fall in July due to school holidays and higher corona-virus case numbers. "COVID-19 and other illness-related worker absences continued to be reflected in hours worked in August," Lauren Ford, head of labor statistics at the ABS, said in a media release. "The number of people working reduced hours due to being sick remained elevated in August, at around 760,000 people. This is around double the number we typically see at the end of winter."The underemployment rate - which measures the proportion of those with jobs who want to work more hours - fell slightly from 6 to 5.9 percent. Nairobi, Sept 14 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Sep, 2022 ) :Kenya's new President William Ruto said on Wednesday the East African country was breaking diplomatic ties with the contested Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in Western Sahara after talks with Morocco. The surprise break came barely a day after the leader of the Polisario independence movement, Brahim Ghali, attended the swearing-in ceremony of Ruto as president in Nairobi. The Algerian-backed Polisario Front wants an independent state in the Western Sahara, a vast stretch of mineral-rich desert which Morocco considers part of its own territory. "Kenya rescinds its recognition of the SADR and initiates steps to wind down the entity's presence in the country," Ruto said on Twitter after meeting Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. Bourita had delivered a congratulatory message from Morocco's King Mohammed VI, Ruto said, adding that the two nations had agreed on improved ties "in areas of trade, agriculture, health, tourism, energy, among others". "Kenya supports the United Nations framework as the exclusive mechanism to find a lasting solution of the dispute," Ruto said. A former Spanish colony, Western Sahara sits on the western edge of the vast eponymous desert, stretching along the Atlantic coast. When Spain withdrew in 1975, Morocco sent thousands of people across the border and claimed it was an integral part of its territory. The following year the Polisario Front declared a Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), with support from Algeria and Libya, and demanded a referendum on self-determination. Since then, 84 UN member states have recognised the SADR. But a stalemate ensued, and Morocco built razor-wire-topped concentric sand walls in the desert that still ring 80 percent of the territory that it controls. Under a 1991 ceasefire, the UN, which considers the Western Sahara "a non-self-governing territory", deployed a peacekeeping mission. The international community has long backed a referendum to be held to decide the territory's status. But Morocco rejects any vote in which independence is an option, arguing that only granting autonomy is on the table for the sake of regional security. Last month King Mohammed demanded in a speech that Morocco's allies "clarify" their stances on the issue, calling it "the prism through which Morocco views its international environment". The African Union recognises the Sahrawi Arab Republic as a member. Ambassador of Germany Alfred Grannas here on Thursday called on Senator Saleem Mandviwala and discussed bilateral relations ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Sep, 2022 ) :Ambassador of Germany Alfred Grannas here on Thursday called on Senator Saleem Mandviwala and discussed bilateral relations. They also discussed certain aspects of mutual interest where the parliamentary interaction between the members of both parliament necessary. The trade between both of the countries is needed, said a news release. The ambassador briefed that Germany is concerned regarding the flood situation in Pakistan and has till date donated 28 million and gave medical equipment and food supplies with help of German cross road UN and WHO institutions. Germany will also reconsider giving more help in collaboration with United Nations in the coming week. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met with Iranian President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi wherein both the countries agreed to further promote bilateral relations in diverse fields SAMARKAND, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Sep, 2022 ) :Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met with Iranian President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi wherein both the countries agreed to further promote bilateral relations in diverse fields. During the meeting, held on the sidelines of the annual Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of Shanghai Cooperation Organization being held here, both sides affirmed the desire to strengthen cooperation in economic, trade, connectivity, energy, culture and people-to-people links. The two leaders exchanged views on the entire range of bilateral relations. Both the leaders positively evaluated the outcome of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission and agreed to further promote bilateral relations in diverse fields. The prime minister underscored the need for closer bilateral engagement for boosting economic and energy cooperation, operationalizing barter trade, opening border sustenance markets, and facilitation of Pakistani Zaireen. It was agreed that Pakistan would be sending a delegation to discuss measures for expanded cooperation in bilateral trade and energy sectors. Prime Minister Sharif extended his gratitude to President Raisi and to the people of Iran for their solidarity and support with the Pakistani nation during the massive floods in the country. He highlighted the devastating impact of the floods caused by climate change, and underscored that Pakistan, with the least carbon emissions, was bearing the cost of something for which it was not responsible. He stressed the importance of tangible international action to help address the challenges that climatically vulnerable countries like Pakistan were facing. The prime minister reiterated his invitation to President Raisi to visit Pakistan at the earliest convenience. President Raisi renewed his invitation to the prime minister to visit Iran. (@FahadShabbir) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Sep, 2022 ) :The situation in Canada's multicultural district of Brompton turned tense after the police arrested an Indo-Canadian man for vandalizing Sikh leader Shaheed Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale banner in Caledon city, days ahead of Khalistan Referendum voting scheduled on September 18. Ontario Provincial Police confirmed that it has charged an Indo-Canadian man with criminal mischief for vandalizing Sikh leader banner in Caledon which led to community tensions as Caledon was home to thousands of Sikhs who have protested the attack on their revered figure, according to media reports. Thirty-eight years after he was killed in 'Operation Blue Star' in Amritsar, Punjab, nationalist Sikh leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale is regarded as a martyr, saint and icon of Khalistan movement by tens of millions of Sikhs. Two videos have gone viral on social media showing Shaheed Bhindranwale's billboard in a main roundabout being vandalized. Another video shows a man tearing down Shaheed Bhindranwale pictures from the billboards, advertising Khalistan Referendum. The vandalization of Khalistan Referendum banners is being considered as an attempt to anger pro-Khalistan Sikhs who had taken out large scale rallies in support of 18 September voting. A video of "Khalistan Zindabad" and "Hindustan Murdabad" graffiti outside famous BAPS Mandir in Toronto went viral on social media with both Hindu and Sikh netizens blaming each other for the vandalism. However, no one has been arrested in connection to the attack on the Mandir. Netizen have shared a video showing the "Khalistan Zindabad" slogan written at the entrance of the local Hindu temple. Responding to the video, the netizens expressed hate for the Sikh community. Several users called for graffiti against Sikh Gurdwaras in Surrey and Brampton in response to the graffiti. Local Indian community leaders have confirmed that hooligans have targeted Khalistan Referendum banners and posters with Shaheed Bhindranwale pictures. Khalistan Referendum campaign in which Sikhs are asked to answer the question "Should Indian governed Punjab be an independent country?" has drawn fierce opposition from New Delhi, Indian media and pro-India segments of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). It's being organised by Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) a human rights group which has held Khalistan referendum voting in the UK and Europe, drawing tens of thousands of Sikhs. The anti-Russian IAEA resolution on Ukraine does not say a word about the systematic shelling of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the Russian Permanent Mission to International Organizations in Vienna said VIENNA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th September, 2022) The anti-Russian IAEA resolution on Ukraine does not say a word about the systematic shelling of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the Russian Permanent Mission to International Organizations in Vienna said. Earlier, the IAEA board of Governors adopted a resolution demanding that Russia "immediately cease actions against and at the ZNPP." "Western countries voted through the IAEA Board of Governors to drag an anti-Russian resolution on the Ukrainian issue. The Achilles' heel of this resolution is that it does not say a word about the systematic shelling of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is the main problem in terms of ensuring nuclear safety and nuclear security in the world. The reason is simple the shelling is carried out by Ukraine, which Western countries support and defend in every possible way," the permanent mission said on Telegram. Russia and China voted against this document, while Burundi, Vietnam, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Senegal and South Africa abstained, it noted. "Thus, most of humanity refused to support this project," the permanent mission stressed. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th September, 2022) The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a resolution condemning China's military exercises in the Taiwan Strait and urging EU member states to develop closer relations with Taipei as the bloc's strategic partner. "Noting Taiwan's status as a like-minded EU partner, its strategic trade position, and the country's leading role in the global supply chain of key high-tech sectors, including for semiconductors, Parliament calls on the EU to strengthen its relations with the democratically-governed island," the parliament said in a statement. The resolution was adopted with 424 votes in favor, 14 against and 46 abstentions. European lawmakers also condemned the military exercises China launched in close proximity to the island after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei on August 2, and demanded that Beijing refrain from any steps that could destabilize regional security and peace. In addition, the European parliament welcomed Lithuania's decision to open a trade representation office in Taiwan and called on other EU member states to follow suit. "MEPs repeat their request for the European Commission to launch, without delay, an impact assessment, public consultation and scoping exercise on a Bilateral Investment Agreement with the Taiwanese authorities," the statement added. Pelosi's trip to Taiwan marked the first visit by a US House speaker to the island since 1997. Moreover, she became the highest-ranking US official to visit Taiwan in 25 years. China condemned Pelosi's trip, which it regarded as a gesture of support for separatism, and launched large-scale military exercises in the vicinity of the island. Taiwan has been governed independently from mainland China since 1949. China views the island as its province, while Taiwan a territory with its own democratically-elected government maintains that it is an autonomous country but stops short of declaring independence. Beijing opposes any official contacts of foreign states with Taipei and considers Chinese sovereignty over the island indisputable. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board on Thursday passed a resolution calling on Russia to withdraw its forces from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Reuters reported, citing diplomats MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th September, 2022) The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board on Thursday passed a resolution calling on Russia to withdraw its forces from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Reuters reported, citing diplomats. According to Reuters, the text calls on Russia to "cease all actions against, and at, the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant and any other nuclear facility in Ukraine." SAMARKAND (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th September, 2022) Iran has signed a memorandum of commitments to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), paving the way for Tehran to become a member of the organization, the Uzbek foreign ministry told Sputnik on Thursday. "A memorandum on Iran's commitments to the SCO was signed today. This opens the way for the country to full membership in the SCO," the ministry said on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand. TOKYO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th September, 2022) Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin on Wednesday agreed to expand cooperation in developing equipment and technologies to counter hypersonic weapons and to begin joint research in this area, Japan's Defense Ministry said. "The sides agreed to expand cooperation on equipment and technologies to ensure technological superiority of the (US-Japanese) alliance. For this reason, the ministers agreed to continue joint research on technologies for countering hypersonic weapons and, based on the progress made, to consider the possibility of joint research on technologies and components," the ministry said in a statement. Moreover, the ministers agreed to develop cooperation in the development and use of drones, strengthening supply chains, and cooperation on cybersecurity. Austin, for his part, reaffirmed Washington's intention to protect Japan from possible threats with conventional and nuclear capabilities. During the meeting, Austin also discussed with his counterpart China's actions toward Taiwan and near Japan's borders, calling them "aggressive" and "provocative," and Russia's military operation in Ukraine. It was the first visit of Hamada to Washington and the first meeting with Austin after he succeeded Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi. (@ChaudhryMAli88) US climate envoy John Kerry on Thursday urged African countries to help overcome divisions between rich and poor nations at the upcoming UN COP27 talks Dakar, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Sep, 2022 ) :US climate envoy John Kerry on Thursday urged African countries to help overcome divisions between rich and poor nations at the upcoming UN COP27 talks. Meeting African environment ministers, Kerry acknowledged the historic role of wealthy countries in stoking climate change but said tackling today's emissions was a global problem. "There are some folks unfortunately who are willing to sort of allocate responsibility in a sort of historical... way," he said at talks in the Senegalese capital Dakar. "(They are) pointing a finger at us -- 'what you guys created, you guys need to clear'," Kerry said. "Well, guess what: Mother Nature does not measure where the emissions come from -- they don't have a label of one country or another." The United States is the world's richest country and its second biggest emitter of heat-trapping carbon dioxide. But the first place goes to China, which joins developing economies in a negotiating bloc at the UN climate talks. Kerry pointed to the worsening impact from climate change on Africa. "(The) climate crisis here in Africa is more acute than it is in some other parts of the world," Kerry said. 'This year has seen devastating floods in South Africa, Mozambique and Uganda that just killed hundreds and displaced tens of thousands. "Meanwhile, the Horn of Africa is in its fourth year of drought, with more than 18 million suffering from food insecurity as a consequence." COP27 -- the 27th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) -- will take place at the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh from November 6-18. The annual climate parlays are dominated by often fierce debate on national pledges on emissions curbs and on funding. Wealthy countries have previously promised billions of Dollars to help poorer nations avert carbon emissions and build resilience against climate change. On Wednesday, a bloc of the world's poorest countries said they would urge COP27 to push ahead with another envisioned area of climate finance -- a fund to compensate vulnerable nations for damage such as floods and rising seas. Ministers and experts from the 46-nation Least Developed Countries (LDC) bloc, also meeting in Dakar, said setting up a funding mechanism for the proposed fund was of "crucial importance." Kerry took a swing at former president Donald Trump, who ditched the UN's landmark 2015 agreement on climate change. "President (Joe) Biden has brought unprecedented resources to the table, joining the Paris Agreement again on Day One after the miserable decision of a president who didn't know the science," he said. Kerry, a former secretary of state, also pointed to the United States' help for Africa, which last year amounted to $8.2 billion in humanitarian and climate adaptation aid. "I will say to you bluntly: the developed world needs to do more... but we need you to also be at the table to do the things that make the difference to be able to deploy the funding and make it work," he said. lal/mba/ri/pvh BISHKEK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th September, 2022) There have been no armed incidents at the Kyrgyz-Tajik border at night, with the situation remaining stable, the Kyrgyz state committee of national security told Sputnik on Thursday. A shootout between Kyrgyz and Tajik border guards started in the early hours of Wednesday. "As of 8:00 a.m. local time (02:00 GMT) on September 15, 2022, the situation at the area of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border is relatively stable. The night passed peacefully, and we did not record any incidents," the spokesman said. The sides finished the withdrawal of additional forces and equipment to their home stations in accordance with previously reached agreements, he also said. The Kyrgyz border service said on Wednesday that the Tajik side took up combat positions on the uncontrolled section of the border. At the same time, the Tajik border service said that Kyrgyz border guards fired four mortar rounds at 02:15 GMT and shelled the Tajik border guards' positions without any reason, provoking retaliatory fire. As a result of the shootout, two Kyrgyz border guards were injured, while one Tajik border guard was killed and two more sustained injuries. Poland will conduct military drills of its Territorial Defense Force (WOT) near the Polish-Belarusian border on September 16-18, the country's Defense Ministry said on Thursday WARSAW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th September, 2022) Poland will conduct military drills of its Territorial Defense Force (WOT) near the Polish-Belarusian border on September 16-18, the country's Defense Ministry said on Thursday. "From Friday till Sunday, tactical exercise KOP-2 will be conducted, deploying more than 800 WOT soldiers," the ministry said, adding that soldiers that are participating in the drills will conduct simulations aimed at strengthening the defense of the border and the nearby areas. Soldiers will practice creating observation posts and carrying out foot, mounted and vehicle patrols together with border guards, the ministry added. Groups of visual intelligence will also reportedly take part in the drills. Last week, the Belarusian Defense Ministry said it started military exercises near the city of Brest, located at the Polish border, in Minsk and the northeast region of Vitebsk. The exercise was completed on September 14 after the troops practiced regaining control over border territories "seized by the enemy." The situation on the Polish-Belarusian border has been tense since 2021, when Lithuania, Latvia and Poland reported an increase in the number of undocumented migrants crossings from neighboring Belarus. The peak of the migration crisis was recorded in November 2021, when several thousand people camped on the Polish-Belarusian border in the hope of forcing their way into the European Union. Lithuania, Latvia and Poland accused Minsk of using the crisis as revenge on the EU for sanctions it had imposed earlier in 2021 on Belarusian officials over alleged human rights violations. Belarus, on its part, rejected all these accusations, stating that Poland forcibly expels migrants to its territory and artificially escalates the situation with refugees. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday proposed to extend the Russia-China-Mongolia economic corridor program for 5 years during a meeting with his Chinese and Mongolian counterparts SAMARKAND (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th September, 2022) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday proposed to extend the Russia-China-Mongolia economic corridor program for 5 years during a meeting with his Chinese and Mongolian counterparts. "Taking into account the already accumulated experience of cooperation on the trilateral track, we propose to focus our efforts on the consistent implementation of the program for the development of the Russian-Chinese-Mongolian economic corridor, which is developing successfully, and extend it for another five years," Putin said, adding that it is necessary to continue work on expanding the capacity of the Ulaanbaatar railway. Putin also proposed to consider expanding and modernizing the transport corridor through the eastern part of Mongolia. DOHA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th September, 2022) Qatar is planning the expansion of cooperation with American multinational oil and gas corporation ExxonMobile and French energy company TotalEnergies on the production of liquefied natural gas (LNG), Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said on Wednesday. "We took a risk by investing in liquefied natural gas with the ExxonMobil and Total companies, but both companies have helped us develop this industry, and we are going to strengthen our cooperation in the coming decades, including projects outside of Qatar," Al Thani told French magazine Le Point.4 EU countries are negotiating with Qatar, the largest supplier of liquefied natural gas in the world, to increase gas supplies to Europe in a bid to abandon Russian energy resources due to the conflict in Ukraine. European Council President Charles Michel said on Wednesday that the European Union had opened a mission in Qatar to strengthen bilateral energy cooperation The start of hostilities in Ukraine in February exacerbated the energy crisis unfolding in Europe over the past year. Disruptions in logistical and financial operations due to the crisis and Western sanctions against Russia have undermined supply chains and led to a spike in energy prices worldwide, pushing many European governments to resort to contingency measures. NUR-SULTAN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th September, 2022) SULTAN, September 15 (Sputnik) - Residents of Kazakhstan's capital city, Nur-Sultan, supported the idea of renaming it back to Astana during public hearings, the local representative authority (maslihat) said on Thursday. Astana was renamed into Nur-Sultan in March 2019 to honor Kazakhstan's first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, who was finishing his almost 30-year tenure at the time. The initiative was put forth by his successor, incumbent President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and enshrined into the constitution by the parliament the same day. On Tuesday, the city's maslihat appealed to citizens with a proposal to express their opinions on the idea of renaming the capital. Public hearings on this issue were held in an online format among residents of the city and representatives of the public. "We are grateful to the first president, but the name itself, maybe it was rushed," Kazakh Institute of State History deputy director Ayagan Burkutbay said during the hearings. "The onomastic commission carefully considered our proposal to return the name of Astana to the city and considered that it is more suitable, and most importantly, it allows us to unite society. Because we see a rift. I think that Nursultan Abishevich (Nazarbayev) will probably understand this too, and I think he will not be offended." According to the local representative authority, the costs of renaming the city will be significantly less than three years ago when Astana became Nur-Sultan. "In general, government agencies spent about 30 million tenge ($63,100) on changing the official document forms and seals in 2019. I think this year the costs will be much lower, taking into account the transition to digital documentation," Nur-Sultan maslihat spokesman Yerlan Kanalimov said. On September 2, Kazakh lawmakers proposed returning the name Astana to the capital of the country. This proposal, alongside with the initiative to introduce a single seven-year presidential mandate, is included in the draft amendments to the constitution. The Constitutional Council announced on Wednesday that it had considered the bill and recognized it as conforming to the constitution. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th September, 2022) The United States will be dragged into a military confrontation with Russia if Ukraine receives longer-range missiles or strikes Russian territory, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov told Sputnik. "Of particular concern is the fact that for many months Ukraine has been soliciting the supply of ATACMS operational-tactical missiles, which are designed to strike targets at a distance of up to 300 km (187 miles). If Kiev obtains such weapons, large Russian cities, as well as industrial and transport infrastructure facilities will fall into the area of possible destruction," Antonov said. "Such a scenario would mean direct involvement of the United States in a military confrontation with Russia. " According to Antonov, Kiev has already demonstrated that it will not hesitate to use long-range missile systems to attack Russian territory as it has been the case with the Donetsk and Luhansk People's republics where the Ukrainian armed forces constantly violate the norms of humanitarian law. On Monday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Kiev had requested Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and the US Defense Department is worried Ukrainian forces might use those to strike Russian territory and escalate the conflict. The list of arms requested for future offensive operations also includes tanks, drones, artillery systems, anti-ship missiles, and ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th September, 2022) Russian citizens can still apply for US immigrant visas in Poland, despite Warsaw's actions against issuing tourist visas to Russians. while applications for US non-immigrant visas can be submitted at any US embassy or consulate in the world, Jennifer Palmer, the spokesperson of the US Embassy in Moscow, has told RIA Novosti. "We do not have any changes to immigrant visa processing for Russian nationals to announce at this time," Palmer said when asked whether the application procedure has changed since the Polish authorities decided not to accept tourist visa applications from Russians. Visa applicants should reach the nearest consulate where it is possible to make an appointment to apply for visas, she explained, adding that "the Government of Poland makes determinations regarding the entry of foreign nationals into that country. " Palmer advised to "refer additional questions to the Poland Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the nearest Polish embassy or consulate." "Russian nationals may continue applying for non-immigrant visas at any US embassy or consulate where they can obtain an appointment. We regret that the actions of the Russian government to curtail the Embassy's staffing have made it impossible for us to continue offering non-diplomatic visa services in Russia," Palmer said. She noted that the United States does "not believe holding all Russians accountable for" the government's actions, adding that "as we have reiterated since the start of the conflict (in Ukraine), the Russian people are not our enemy." WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th September, 2022) The United States is awarding over $191 million to Boeing subsidiary Insitu Inc. as part of a contract for reconnaissance drone systems such as the ScanEagle and Blackjack, the Pentagon said in a statement. "Insitu Inc., Bingen, Washington, is awarded a $191,835,973 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This modification adds scope to procure 13 RQ-21A Blackjack air vehicles, 25 ScanEagle air vehicles, 48 RQ-21A and ScanEagle payloads and turrets, support equipment, spares and sustainment spares and tools in support of RQ-21A Blackjack and ScanEagle unmanned aircraft platforms for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Foreign Military Sales customers," the Pentagon said on Wednesday. The ScanEagle and Blackjack drones are unmanned aerial vehicles designed for forward reconnaissance. The two drones use the same launch and recovery system. The ScanEagle systems are among those being sent by the Pentagon to Ukraine for use against Russian forces. (@FahadShabbir) The White House on Thursday slammed Republican governors for headline-grabbing transfers of undocumented migrants into Democratic-led areas as "cruel" and "shameful." Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Sep, 2022 ) :The White House on Thursday slammed Republican governors for headline-grabbing transfers of undocumented migrants into Democratic-led areas as "cruel" and "shameful." The use of migrants as "political pawns" in the debate over illegal immigration ahead of November midterm elections is a "premeditated political stunt," Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. She spoke after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took credit for sending two planeloads of undocumented Venezuelans to Martha's Vineyard, a vacation island popular with the powerful and wealthy off the coast of Massachusetts. "It is a cruel, inhumane way of treating people who are fleeing communism," Jean-Pierre said. "We're not just talking about people, we're talking about children.""It is indeed a political play," she said. "It is endangering people's lives and it is inhumane. It is taking away people's dignity.""It's shameful and we should call it out," she said. Cory Edmondson, CEO of Peterson Health, gave a presentation on what health care looks like on the national, state and local levels at The Ker Singapore: Students will visit schools, have conversations with local educations about caring for students, fostering innovation and the emphasis on high academic achievelemt, and will also tour local attractions. Cambodia: The students will tour both urban and rural schools, and will visit a community art school where they will have lessons by art masters. Students will also visit local attractions including Angkor Wat. Indonesia and Malaysia: During the two weekends of the trip, students will have the opportunity to travel to Bintan, Indonesia and Malacca, Malaysia to explore cultural sites and attractions. School or educational visits may also be included where available. These locations have been specifically selected due to their exception education performance internationally, their reputation for high quality and innovative educational approaches, and/or their rich culture and history. Program Sites: *Student must take both of these courses. Both courses can be counted toward the minor in French. LANG 291R "Appreciation of French Culture" - Independent Study (3 credits) This course may be applied as upper division credit (see program director and advisor for more information). Prerequisite(s): None FREN 490R Special Topics in French (3 credits) Prerequisite(s): (FREN 202G or instructor approval) and *University Advanced Standing As Utah Valley University works to enhance its communication and marketing services, two key vacancies have been filled with seasoned professionals who will lead that effort. Bryant Larsen was named the new associate vice president of strategic communications. Bryant comes to UVU from Intermountain Healthcare, where he was most recently the assistant vice president of marketing and communications. While serving in that role, he was involved in the marketing and communications activities of 24 hospitals, 2,000 employed physicians and advanced practice providers, and nearly 200 clinics. Prior to his most recent role, he was a regional communications director for Intermountain. While in that role, he provided expertise in media relations, community outreach, crisis communications, executive communications, publications management, and employee communications. Bryant also has a masters degree in journalism from Northwestern University. Matt Serrao is the new associate vice president of marketing. Matt joined UVU as senior director of digital marketing, overseeing SEO and web and social strategy. Before working at UVU, he was a digital director overseeing global social strategy and implementing social media initiatives across marketing, communications, public relations, sales, compliance, and data analytics. Matt has over a decade of experience with proven results in digital marketing and communications, working with nonprofits, corporations, startup organizations, and higher education. In addition to his role at UVU, Matt is a board member for the Heart Home Foundation, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to helping families and children who have congenital heart disease. Born and raised in Aiea, Hawaii, Matt received an MBA from Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii. Please join us in congratulating Bryant and Matt! In a first for the city, Corvallis voters will use ranked choice to pick the next mayor. Ranked choice voting will also be applied to Ward 9s council race. In both cases, there are three contenders vying for a position in the Nov. 8 General Election. The system lets voters rank candidates in order of preference. The one with a majority of first-choice votes wins. If theres not a candidate with more than 50% first-choice votes, the aspirant with the fewest first-choice votes is eliminated. The eliminated candidates votes are recast to voters' next best choice, and the process repeats until one receives more than 50% of votes, or until there are only two choices remaining. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Corvallis Gazette-Times. Corvallis candidates for ranked choice election Maughan is a compliance analyst with Oregon Housing and Community Services. Struthers is an information technology consultant at OSU. Both were elected in November 2018, and were re-elected in 2020. Hogg is retired and formerly worked in systems, software and project management roles at Oregon State University, HP Inc. and for the state of Oregon. He was elected in 2010, serving four terms before losing a bid for mayor in 2018. Last November, Mayor Biff Traber announced hes not seeking a third term in office. Three political hopefuls filed for election in Ward 9: Tony Cadena, Nyssa Towsley and Cliff Feldman. The seat is up for grabs as current council member Struthers seeks the office of mayor. Feldman has a background in marketing and advertising. Towsley is a research administrator working remotely with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Cadena is retired with a background in finance and business education. Starting in 2023, Corvallis elected officials will be eligible for monthly stipends ranging from $360 for a councilor to $560 for the mayor. Mayors are elected to four-year terms and city councilors for two-year terms. No challengers came forward in the city's six other wards. All incumbents Jan Napack (Ward 1), Gabe Shepherd (Ward 4), Charlyn Ellis (Ward 5), Laurie Chaplen (Ward 6), Paul Shaffer (Ward 7) and Tracey Yee (Ward 8) filed for re-election and will appear on the ballots unopposed. Residents voting for all seats have the opportunity to write in their own candidates if they wish, according to Benton County election officials. Ranked choice could shake up status quo Ranked choice proponents say that the standard system works against third- and fourth-party candidates because voters often have to choose between voting for the candidate they really like and picking one of the major candidates as the lesser of two evils. Examples of how ranked choice voting could have changed outcomes can be found in election history: In the May 2020 Democratic primary for secretary of state, Shemia Fagan won with 36.23%, edging Mark Hass by 4,450 votes out of more than 578,000 cast. And Jamie McLeod- Skinner finished third with 27.55%. Under ranked choice it would have taken just a moderate edge in No. 2 votes for Hass to pass Fagan. In the May 2020 Republican primary for District 5, four candidates received 18% of the vote or more, with Cliff Bentz triumphing at around 37%. Ranked choice could have shown a different outcome for Knute Buehler and Jason Atkinson, who finished second and third behind Bentz, with about 26% and 23%, respectively. Other examples include the 2000 presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore. In the crucial state of Florida, polls showed that 60% of voters supporting Green party candidate Ralph Nader would have supported Gore in a two-person race. And history might have changed. And then theres the 1992 presidential race in which Democrat Bill Clinton received 43%, Republican incumbent George H.W. Bush 38% and independent Ross Perot 19%. To crunch the numbers another way 57% of voters rejected Clinton and 62% of them said no to Bush. Ranked choice could have told a different story. Benton County became the first county in Oregon to implement ranked choice during the 2020 Board of Commissioners fall election. County voters passed Measure 2-100 installing the system by 54% in 2016. The Corvallis City Council adopted ranked choice voting for municipal elections earlier this year. Estonian Lutheran Archbishop Urmas Viilma, a participant at the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Kazakhstan, upholds Pope Francis call for dialogue with everyone to end the war in Ukraine and in other parts of the world for the good of humanity. By Deborah Castellano Lubov and Lisa Zengarini Rt. Rev. Urmas Viilma, the Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church and vice president of the World Lutheran Federation (WLF) for Eastern and Central Europe, is among the participants in 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which was held this week in Nur-Sultan and featured Pope Francis keynote speech. Read also 14/09/2022 Pope in Kazakhstan: Religions 'key to building world peace and understanding' In his address at the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Pope Francis underscores how religions need to grow in friendship in ... Over 100 delegations from some 50 countries participated in the two-day event, which takes place every three years in the Kazakh capital to promote inter-religious and inter-civilization dialogue, at a time of growing international tensions and confrontation, and in the Spirit of Assisi. Focused on the theme The role of leaders of world and traditional religions in the spiritual and social development of mankind in the post-pandemic period, discussions ranged from promoting religious dialogue, to the role of education, and of religious education in particuilar, in combating radicalism, extremism, and terrorism, to contrasting xenophobia, and to strengthening the social status of women. At the closing of the event, participants released their Final Declaration at 11:00 local time (+6 GMT), and Pope Francis delivered another keynote speech. On the sidelines of the discussions, Rt. Rev. Urmas Vilma spoke to Vatican News Deborah Castellano Lubov to offer his insight into the importance of the event. He said religions play a crucial role in promoting peace in a war-torn world, referring specifically to the ongoing war in Ukraine. A global perspective on the current world situation In the interview, the Lutheran Archbishop, who was also one of the religious leaders who met privately with Pope Francis on Wednesday, noted that the meeting gave European Churches, and in particular the Estonian Church, the opportunity to understand the current world situation in a wider and less eurocentric perspective. Churches in Europe, he said, are used to ecumenical dialogue and collaboration, but the Congress in Kazakhastan is more about interfaith dialogue at a global level. Estonia is moving its focus to a more global, a more Asian [perspective], away from Europe. A shared aspiration for peace He further noted that what has emerged from the Congress is the shared aspiration for world peace, which goes beyond the war in Ukraine, dialogue and cooperation against discrimination, xenophobia, and violence against different religious communities across the world. War in Ukraine and need to dialogue with all With regards to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Archbishop Viilma expressed his particular appreciation for Pope Francis words during his meeting with the Kazakh Authorities upon his arrival in Kazakhstan on Tuesday. In his address, the Pope emphasized that for peoples to grow in mutual understanding, dialogue is needed with all, no one excluded. Archbishop Viilma remarked that religious leaders are in a privileged position in that they can cross political borders. This, he said, is exactly what Pope Francis is doing with regard to the conflict in Ukraine although he has unfortunately drawn criticism from some quarters. I know that the Pope has been criticized for that, but he is open to dialogue, and I think everybody here is very much open to dialogue, despite our diversity, he said. Our message is strong: We need to have dialogue to serve the people and humankind. Vietnam has specific regulations on maternity leave that are unique to the country. Overall, Vietnams maternity laws are employee friendly and are set in place to ensure that employees are protected during and after child-bearing. A solid understanding of the law is needed for foreign-invested enterprises to plan effectively within the country. In May 2013, Vietnam increased the duration of maternity leave for female employees to six months as opposed to four months of maternity leave earlier. If a female employee has more than one child, she is also entitled to an extra 30 days for each additional child. With this increase, Vietnams maternity leave period is among the longest in Asia. Only five other Asian countries either meet or exceed the 14-week International Labor Organization (ILO) standard. Vietnams maternity leave explained Female employees Maternity leave in Vietnam is governed by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA). The longer a female employee is pregnant, the more working days they are allotted to take off. One to three months of pregnancy will guarantee 20 working days off, three to six months is granted 40 working days off, and a pregnancy over six months will be 50 working days off. In the case of a miscarriage or termination of pregnancy, women are granted leave as well. Articles 34 and 35 of the Law on Social Insurance, state that female workers must receive 100 percent of their average salary during their six-month maternity leave. If a female employee wants to be absent for a longer period of time, they can negotiate additional leave days. After giving birth or adopting a child under four months old, female employees are entitled to a lump-sum allowance equivalent to two months common minimum salary per child. A female employee who has a child less than twelve months old is entitled to sixty minutes per working day to take care of their baby. If a woman decides to return to work after four months of maternity leave, she must first obtain a permission document from a qualified medical center stating that she is fit to work. Male employees As of July 1, male employees enjoy added benefits. These include: Males employees paying social insurance will be allowed to take paternity leave in the first 30 days from the day the baby is born. Male employees are also entitled to paid leave of five days for a normal delivery and seven days if the baby is born by surgery. For twin births, the leave allowance is increased to 10 to 14 days. For multiple births, three working days off are permitted for each baby after the third one. In addition, if the male employee is the only one participating in the social insurance program and the babys mother dies or faces health risks, the male employee will be entitled leave until the child reaches six months of age. Further, the male employee is entitled to a lump sum of US$128 (VND 2,980,000) per child, equivalent to double the basic salary. Leave protocol and application for employers For an employee to get maternity leave, they must take specific steps to be granted official leave. Prior to going on leave, they must fill out an application for maternity leave and submit it to the head of their department within 15 days before the expected date of giving birth. After giving birth, the employee is allowed to receive the subsidies in her social insurance package. However, in order to receive the subsidies, they must submit paperwork to their employer within 30 days from the given birth date, which includes hospital discharge papers, birth certificate of the newborn, and completed application to receive maternal subsidies. Maternal subsidies may differ from company to company. However, employers typically give a salary equivalent to two months. Additionally, the leave time for maternity may vary depending on special circumstances, including the work environment. In Vietnam, the law grants employees some rights that employers should be made aware of. Employees are entitled to health insurance when taking leave on maternity allowance for childbirth or child adoption. If an employees health does not fully recover within 30 working days following their maternity leave, they may request for additional leave between five and 10 days. Typically, 10 extra days are granted to female employees who give birth to twins or more infants, seven extra days for female employers who have a cesarean birth and five extra days for other cases. The allowance of each day for health recovery after the maternity leave is equivalent to thirty percent of the basic salary level. Employers are obliged to assign the employee the same position as signed under the labor contract or a position equivalent to the original position with the same pay. In addition, the female employees husband is allowed to have five days and longer for additional babies that are born. However, the leave must be taken within the first 30 days of delivery. Note: This article was first published in December 2015 and has been updated to include the latest developments. Unidentified Narrator: Six months of a war experts predicted would be over in days How does Ukraine keep pushing back against invading Russin forces? Russias seizure of a Ukranian atomic power plant has all of Europe on edge. Plus, going back to school during wartime Now on The Inside Story: Flashpoint Ukraine The Inside Story: CAROLYN PRESUTTI, VOA Senior Washington Correspondent: Hi. Im Carolyn Presutti, VOA Senior Washington Correspondent. Nowhere has conventional wisdom been challenged more than in Ukraine. When Russia began its attack on February 24, experts predicted Kyiv would fall within days. Now, more than six months later, Ukraine says it is pushing back Russian forces in a series of defeats and retreats in Eastern Ukraine the territory closest to Russias border. More on Ukraines advances and U.S. support from VOA Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine: CINDY SAINE, VOA Senior Diplomatic Correspondent: Ukraine says its forces have retaken towns and villages around the strategic hub of Izyum as part of a major counteroffensive against Russia in the countrys east. Experts say they are stunned by Ukraines surprise gains and Russias rapid retreat. Craig Albert, Augusta University Political Science Professor: It seems to be just a complete failure of logistics, strategy, tactics from the Russian side. Everything is just falling apart. Their lines are collapsing, troops are leaving, running behind and leaving all their ammunition, leaving vehicles, leaving weapons. That's just astonishing to me that it's such a disorganized kind of retreat. CINDY SAINE: The past few days have taken a toll on Russian soldiers' morale, retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Peter Zwack, a former US Defense attache to Russia, told VOA. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter Zwack, Former US Defense Attache to Russia: But you see aspects of the Russians melting down in places, and that type of thing is infectious in a negative way. When the troops lose their will to fight, and that appears to be happening no matter what the orders are from above, things get really bad. And that's what we're hearing certainly around Kherson and up near Kharkiv. Luke Coffey, Hudson Institute: So, these advancements are huge. They come at a time when we're starting to have another debate in the West about providing more assistance and more military aid. CINDY SAINE: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kyiv earlier in September promising another 2.8 billion dollars in American support to Ukraine and its neighbors. Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State: Mr. President, we know this is a pivotal moment, more than six months into Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, as your counteroffensive is now underway and proving effective. That is of course mostly a function of the incredible bravery, resilience of Ukrainians. We see that on the battlefield every day. CINDY SAINE: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the bravery of Ukrainian troops and condemned Russia for striking back at civilian infrastructure and causing widespread blackouts in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. Luke Coffey, Hudson Institute: And I think that Russia's targeting of the civilian infrastructure, of the electrical power plants and water plants, is a sign of desperation. When you know you're losing on the battlefield, this is what you do. No reasonable military commander would suggest that we should use $30 million worth of ballistic missiles to take Ukraine's electric grid off for a couple of hours, but this is exactly what we're seeing. CINDY SAINE: There has not been much official Russian reaction yet to the Ukrainian advances, but on Sunday, a military map presented by the Russian Defense Ministry showed that its forces have made a major withdrawal from the Kharkiv region. Cindy Saine, VOA News, the State Department. CAROLYN PRESUTTI: Ukraines advances are not limited to the Kharkiv region. There is another front in the southern region of Kherson, which has a large concentration of Russian troops. The goal is to re-take the port city of Mariupol and the city of Zaporizhzhia, where Russian forces are in control of a nuclear power plant in the wars crosshairs. The U.N. is calling for a safe zone around the plant. Ukraine says the inspectors report does not go far enough. More from our Henry Ridgwell. HENRY RIDGWELL, Reporting for VOA: Inna Holikova is preparing for a nuclear disaster. Shes collecting medicines for herself and her 2-year-old son Oleksandr to counter any radiation leak from the nearby Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Inna Holikova, Resident of Zaporizhzhia City: I came here to get the iodine potassium pills, so if there is a catastrophe, we will be able to take it and save our lives. I hope we won't need it. HENRY RIDGWELL: IAEA inspectors reported extensive damage to the plant, including to a building that houses fresh nuclear fuel and radioactive waste. The inspectors were forced to take cover from nearby shelling during their visit. Rafael Grossi, IAEA Director General: We are playing with fire and something very, very catastrophic could take place. HENRY RIDGWELL: The U.N.s secretary-general called for a protection zone around the site. Antonio Guterres, U.N. Secretary-General: That would include a commitment by Russian forces to withdraw all military personnel and equipment from that perimeter and a commitment by Ukrainian forces not to move into it. HENRY RIDGWELL: IAEA inspectors witnessed Russian military personnel and equipment at the site, including military trucks stationed in two turbine halls. Ukraine says Russia is shelling the area as part of a false flag operation. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President: I believe that the world not only deserves, but also needs the representatives of the IAEA to force Russia to demilitarize the territory of the plant and return full control to Ukraine. HENRY RIDGWELL: Russia denied military equipment is stored there and blamed Ukraine for the attacks. Vladimir Putin, Russian President: We're shooting at ourselves, are we? It is utter nonsense. There is no other way to describe it. HENRY RIDGWELL: The six nuclear reactors at the site are well protected but not indestructible. Paul Norman, Professor of Nuclear Physics at University of Birmingham: They have very thick, concrete containments that are meters thick of concrete, and then inside of that, inside of each building, you have a reactor with a pressure vessel that is almost a foot thick of steel. HENRY RIDGWELL: The main grid power lines to the site are damaged. Its cooling systems are currently powered by a backup line from the plants generator itself. Diesel generators are a last resort. Oleh Korikov, Ukrainian Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate: To bring such an amount of diesel to the station through the frontline is very difficult at the moment. HENRY RIDGWELL: A total loss of power would force a shutdown of the reactor cooling systems. Paul Norman, Professor of Nuclear Physics at University of Birmingham: In that case the reactors fuel can overheat, and you are potentially then going into a meltdown-type scenario. HENRY RIDGWELL: Ukraines government says it is exploring whether the plant can be shut down. Henry Ridgwell, for VOA News, London. CAROLYN PRESUTTI: Russias Defense Ministry acknowledges the retreating from areas around Kharkiv --- saying they are regrouping forces in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region in order to achieve its goal to liberate those territories controlled by Russian-backed separatists. But the battlefield losses are exposing some cracks in the Kremlin. Dozens of municipal deputies from councils in Moscow and St. Petersburg signed a petition calling for President Vladimir Putin to resign over what Russias propaganda machine still calls a quote special military operation. VOAs Polygraph team looks at what is projected to the Russian people in this fact check: Unidentified Narrator: On August 30, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described Russia's six-month-old war against Ukraine as proceeding right on track. The special military operation continues. It continues methodically in accordance with the existing plans. All goals will be achieved. That is misleading. Russia failed to capture Kyiv as it planned, has suffered massive losses, and is running short of tanks troops and high-end munitions. Captured Russian documents show that the Kremlin aimed to conquer Ukraine in 15 days. Russian troops intended to seize Kyiv in three or four days then remove President Volodymyr Zelensky. That never happened. When Ukraine fought back with Western tank killing weapons, Russia had to pull out from around Kyiv. Estimates of Russian losses vary but are all high. In June British intelligence estimated 20,000 Russian troops had died. The Pentagon estimates up to 80,000 have been killed and wounded. Now the Kremlin is recruiting convicted criminals promising them generous payments and amnesty if they survive. According to the US Defense Department, Russia has lost almost 1000 tanks, nearly a third of its inventory. Russia was forced to dust off old t 62. Tanks developed in the 1950s. Russia is running low on precision guided weapons under Western sanctions and will have a hard time replacing them. CAROLYN PRESUTTI: Beyond the fighting on the battlefield, the war has placed a stranglehold on Ukraine's economy, which the World Bank says will shrink by an estimated 45-percent this year. The bleak outlook has businesses searching for ways to maintain and survive. VOAs Lesia Bakalets has the story. LESIA BAKALETS, VOA Correspondent: In Ukraine, the war is taking place not only on the frontlines, but also in the economic sphere, where businesses are fighting to survive. After Russia invaded Ukraine, the non-profit group Spend with Ukraine was created to promote Ukrainian goods and services around the world. Yaroslav Azhnyuk, Spend with Ukraine: We focus on companies that create goods and services for individual consumers. So, you wont find any agricultural companies on our website, or metal equipment producers. But you will find companies that make electronic devices or vehicles. LESIA BAKALETS: Andy Hunder, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine says local businesses have demonstrated they can survive, even during a war. Andy Hunder, American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine: Ukrainians have demonstrated resilience and the world has noticed. The banking system operates. Internet operates in war-stricken Kyiv better than in some peaceful European cities; mobile connection works, elevator companies work LESIA BAKALETS: At the moment, over 190 Ukrainian companies are represented on the non-profits website. There are tech companies like Clean My Mac In the Education category, there are apps by Ukrainian developers that help with learning foreign languages. Preply is one of the most popular. Dmytro Voloshyn, Preply.com: We are talking about hundreds of thousands of students that use our platform to learn a foreign language. LESIA BAKALETS, VOA Correspondent: Another globally known company is Reespeacher; its focus is synthesized sound. Alex Serdiuk, Reespeacher: Weve created technology that allows a person to speak with a different persons voice, a totally different voice. In The Mandalorian, we did Luke Skywalkers voice. LESIA BAKALETS, VOA Correspondent: Company representatives say Spend with Ukraine is bringing them new clients. A Ukrainian national clothing brand Etnodim has noticed a similar effect. Andriy Cherukha, Etnodim: With the start of the war, after Spend with Ukraine was created, we were among the first brands to be represented there. Our web traffic has risen dramatically, we got new customers. LESIA BAKALETS, VOA Correspondent: Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelenskyy wore one of the vyshyvankas made by Etnodim. Since then, demand has grown so much the company cant make them fast enough. Hunder says U.S. companies should prepare to invest in Ukrainian businesses. Andy Hunder, American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine: We say look what Ukrainians are doing, what resilience they are demonstrating during a war! Just imagine what doing business with Ukrainians would be like when the war is over! LESIA BAKALETS, VOA Correspondent: Spend with Ukraine hopes to join with more international partners to promote Ukrainian goods around the world. For Lesia Bakalets in Washington, Anna Rice, VOA News. CAROLYN PRESUTTI: One constant for businesses and governments --- there is little they can do when it comes to immediate sources of fuel. Russia has already cut its gas pipeline to Germany as western allies accuse Russias president of weaponizing energy --- going so far as to destroy some of its own gas supplies --- endangering the environment. We go back to our Henry Ridgwell. HENRY RIDGWELL, Reporting for VOA: Close to the Finnish border, Russia is burning off huge amounts of gas. Although flaring is common in the industry, Russia has been destroying an estimated 10 million dollars worth of gas every day for two months as Europe suffers from shortages. Experts describe it as an environmental disaster. Esa Vakkilainen, LUT University Energy Systems Professor: Due to the war in Ukraine, there is very little information about what is actually happening there. So we can only speculate that right now there is some technical difficulties. HENRY RIDGWELL: The location is Portovaya in Russia the site of the compressor station for the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline that runs under the Baltic Sea to Germany. Russias state-owned Gazprom has not commented on the flare. European gas prices have soared to around ten times their average price over the past decade. Germany declared a gas crisis in June and warned that consumers and businesses must cut back. Consumption has fallen by around 20 per cent. In a stark speech, French President Emmanuel Macron warned of "the end of abundance." Emmanuel Macron, French President: Our freedom the system of freedom which we are used to living in has a cost. HENRY RIDGWELL: Russia supplied the European Union with 40 per cent of its gas last year. As the Kremlin turns off the taps, Europe is scrambling to find alternative sources. Imports of liquefied natural gas, or LNG including from the United States have helped fill gas storage sites to 80 per cent capacity, two months ahead of the EU target. That has calmed markets. Tom ODonnell, Energy Analyst: Storage by itself isnt enough for the winter. With all the pipelines cut off which is what we have to expect from Russia, that all their pipelines will be cut off. (Even with) all the LNG we can take, that storage is going to last two-and-a-half months in heating season. And then, you know, Europes stuck. HENRY RIDGWELL: Europe is trying to wean itself off Putins gas. But analysts say it will take at least two years. Tom ODonnell, Energy Analyst: In the meantime, he has leverage and he will use it all he can before he totally loses the business. The dependence of Europe on Russian delivered gas by pipeline is much greater than lets say the importance of that money for Putin because he makes so much more money from oil. HENRY RIDGWELL: Across Europe, new LNG terminals are under construction; old coal and nuclear power plants are being fired up again; there is big investment in renewable power. But short-term, it may not be enough and governments are warning of a difficult winter ahead. Henry Ridgwell, for VOA News, London. CAROLYN PRESUTTI: Just like in most countries in the northern hemisphere, September means back to school for students in Ukraine. And months of war means discovering creative ways to continue the learning process for millions of schoolchildren. More from Lesia Bakalets: LESIA BAKALETS, VOA Correspondent: Ukraines Ministry of Education and Science says Russian forces have shelled or bombed some 2,300 educational institutions since the war began. 286 have been destroyed. But that hasnt stopped school from starting this year. Olena Savina, Fourth Grader: Im starting my fourth year. LESIA BAKALETS: Nine-year-old Olena Savina is a Kyiv native. She loves music and English lessons and likes to paint. She also knows when its time to hide in a bomb shelter. Olena Savina, Fourth Grader: When I hear the siren LESIA BAKALETS: Olenas mother, Yulia Savina, says her daughter really wanted to be in the classroom. So they found a school with a safe shelter. Yulia Savina, Olenas Mother: Our school is small, just two classes. The bomb shelter has recently been renovated its large with very thick walls. It was just repainted for the children. Plumbing fixtures and bathroom accessories have all been redone. LESIA BAKALETS: Olena also has a special emergency backpack. Ukrainian police recommend all children carry one. Yulia Savina, Olenas Mother: Theres a jacket, water, some snacks her grandma gave her extra if she wants to share with friends. Theres also a special badge. I havent signed it yet. We need to put the parents names and phone number. LESIA BAKALETS: Since July, all educational institutions have undergone safety audits. Only schools with updated bomb shelters can have students in class. And the number of children in school depends on the size of the schools shelter. Denys Monastyrskyi, Ukraines Minister of Internal Affairs: We have confirmed that 41% of schools in the country are ready and have proper shelters. Teachers have the means to keep the children who will attend school in person safe. LESIA BAKALETS: This school in Irpin, just outside of Kyiv, has 2,000 students, but the bomb shelter can only hold 300. Ivan Ptashnyk, Irpin School Headmaster: We are currently figuring out how exactly we are going to work. The majority of kids the oldest will study online. For now, we are trying in-person and hybrid education for younger children. Maybe we will have two shifts, maybe three LESIA BAKALETS: Kyiv native Oksana Kostiushko says her younger son is going with a hybrid schedule. Oksana Kostiushko, Mother of Two: My youngest will have a week in person, followed by a week of online education. LESIA BAKALETS: Its a tough choice. According to a survey by the educational ombudsman Sergei Gorbachev, over 60% of parents still living in Ukraine have picked online learning for their children. 20% more are still debating whats best for their kids. For Lesia Bakalets in Washington, Anna Rice, VOA News. CAROLYN PRESUTTI: Before we go, a few minutes to remember Britains Queen Elizabeth the Second and the profound impact she made on our world during her remarkable 70year reign. From London, Heres VOAs Europe Correspondent Henry Ridgwell. HENRY RIDGWELL, Reporting for VOA: She was the only monarch many of the British alive today have ever known, a symbol of her nation, its empire and its Commonwealth. She personified British strength and character long before she even knew she would be queen. Queen Elizabeth II: I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and to the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong. HENRY RIDGWELL: At 25, Elizabeth ascended to the throne after the death of her father George the sixth, nearly five years after she had married the Greek born Prince Philip. She saw a thorough transformation of society and technology during her reign of more than seven decades, a time in which she warned about the dangers of throwing away ageless ideals while embracing the advantages of new inventions. She sent out her first tweet in 2014. There are few records she did not break: she was the worlds longest-reigning monarch. Richard Fitzwilliams, Author and Royal Analyst: As head of the Commonwealth, the queen has links with the past. Sometimes it's a past that's difficult to come to terms with because you think of empire, you think of colonial exploitation for example. But so far as the queen is concerned, you think of her dedication to the organization. HENRY RIDGWELL: She represented Britain in friendships with those who held in common the British values of freedom, equality and democracy. With dignity, she faced those who did not. Being seen with her was a means of gaining the appearance of prestige. The queen was not immune to criticism in her own country. The left targeted her as a symbol of an institution out of place in a postmodern, neo-liberal and democratic world and a burden on the British taxpayer. The death of the popular Princess Diana was an opportunity for her critics who accused her of being coldly slow to react. Queen Elizabeth II: What I say to you now, as your queen and as a grandmother, I say from my heart. First, I want to pay tribute to Diana myself. She was an exceptional and gifted human being. HENRY RIDGWELL: The marriage of her grandson Prince William to Kate Middleton brought youthful glamour to the ancient institution. When Prince Harry married American actor Meghan Markle, Elizabeth was at the head of a family that appeared to moving with the times popular, diverse and global. But there were painful times ahead. Her second son Prince Andrew was investigated for links to a convicted child sex offender. Harry and Meghan fell out with the royal family amid accusations of racism. The passing of Elizabeths husband Prince Philip in 2021 left an enduring image: a queen mourning alone as the coronavirus pandemic swept across her nation. In September she appointed the f5th prime minister of her reign her last major public engagement. Queen Elizabeth remains a giant in the history of one of the planet's great nations, a bridge between Britain's colonial past and its future as a global player in a world vastly different from the one she was born in. Visiting Germany in 2015, she spoke of the vast changes she had witnessed. Queen Elizabeth II: In our lives Mr. President, we have seen the worst but also the best of our continent. We have witnessed how quickly things can change for the better, but we know that we must work hard to maintain the benefits of the post-war world. HENRY RIDGWELL: Britain's royal tradition - of which Elizabeth was a steward - is now in the hands of her heirs. The Britain they inherit is a drastically different one in terms of demographics, culture and economics. In a globalized, pluralistic world, their job of projecting an image of greatness is no less complicated. Henry Ridgwell, for VOA News, London. CAROLYN PRESUTTI: Seven decades on the throne --- and she tweeted! Well, thats all for now. Stay up to date on whats going on in Ukraine at VOANews-dot-com. Follow VOA News on Instagram and Facebook and check out previous episodes on VOA Plus. And you can follow me on Twitter at CarolynVOA For all of those behind the scenes who brought you this show, Im Carolyn Presutti. See you next week for The Inside Story. ### An Armenian official said Wednesday that Armenia and Azerbaijan had negotiated a cease-fire after blaming each other for clashes along their border. Armen Grigoryan, the secretary of Armenia's Security Council, said in televised remarks that the truce had taken effect. There was no immediate comment from Azerbaijan about a cease-fire agreement. The U.N. Security Council is due to discuss the situation Thursday in a session requested by Armenia. Armenia's Defense Ministry said Wednesday that Azerbaijani forces launched combat drones in the direction of the Armenian resort town of Jermuk overnight and renewed shelling with artillery and mortars in the morning, again targeting Jermuk, along with the village of Verin Shorzha. Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani military charged that Armenian forces shelled its positions in the Kalbajar and Lachin districts of Azerbaijan, near the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region. Armenia said at least 49 of its soldiers have been killed in the fighting that erupted early Tuesday, while Azerbaijan said it has lost 50 troops. The two countries, former Soviet republics, have fought for decades over Nagorno-Karabakh. The region is part of Azerbaijan, but ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia have controlled it since a separatist war there ended in 1994. In a six-week war in 2020, Azerbaijan reclaimed broad swaths of Nagorno-Karabakh, with the fighting ending in a Russia-brokered peace deal. Some material in this report came from The Associated Press. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will meet U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House Friday, with trade, energy, and security all on the agenda. Whats not officially on the program, but will likely be discussed, analysts say, are the two democracies differences over Russias invasion of Ukraine. Ramaphosas first visit to the White House comes as the Biden administration seeks to re-engage with Africa in the wake of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinkens recent visit to the continent, during which he launched Washingtons new Africa strategy. During the trip in August, Blinken stressed that the U.S. sees Africa as an equal partner. However, at their meeting in Pretoria, South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor accused Western nations of bullying Africa in trying to get countries to condemn the invasion of Ukraine. Bob Wekesa, director of the African Center for the Study of the United States at South Africas University of Witwatersrand, said the differences between the two countries were evident at the two top diplomats talks. At that meeting it was very clear that South Africa and the U.S. were on different paths and trajectories as regards many issues, he said. Wekesa said Ukraine will likely come up again when Biden and Ramaphosa meet Friday and predicted the two leaders will have a difficult discussion on the issue. The U.S., having taken a very clear position on supporting Ukraine, to kind of eject Russian forces from Ukraine, will be lobbying South Africa quite hard to kind of change [its] tune, he said. South Africa abstained from a U.N. vote earlier this year to condemn Russias invasion. Afterward, Biden phoned Ramaphosa. A White House statement after the call said Biden had emphasized the need for a clear, unified international response to Russian aggression in Ukraine. Steven Gruzd, head of the African Governance and Diplomacy Program at the South African Institute of International Affairs, said Ramaphosa and Biden will discuss other issues as well, but added that the Ukraine topic cannot be avoided. On the agenda will be trade and investment, issues like climate change and food security, energy, peace and security in Africa, and of course whats not officially on the agenda but will certainly be talked about is the war in Ukraine and the differing positions of South Africa and the U.S. on that particular conflict, he said. Gruzd said he thought the Countering Malign Russian Activities in Africa Act, which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives and is now being considered by the Senate, would also come up in the two leaders conversation. African countries see the act, which would sanction nations that trade with Russia, as an attempt to punish them for not voting with the U.S. on Ukraine. In December, Biden is set to host the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan heads to Uzbekistan Thursday to attend a meeting of Eurasian security group, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Erdogan is attending at the invitation of Russian president Vladimir Putin. The meeting comes as Erdogan's relations with Putin are under growing scrutiny by its Western allies as they seek to tighten sanctions on Russia. The loyalties of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are likely to face growing scrutiny from his traditional Western allies with his attendance Friday of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Uzbekistan. The Russian and Chinese-led Eurasian security group is dubbed by some critics an anti-Western alliance. Erdogan's attendance and a scheduled meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, the third in as many months, will fuel questions over Turkey's Western loyalties, says Asli Aydintasbas, a visiting scholar with the Brookings Institution think tank. Erdogan likes to do this balancing act, and it serves a purpose. He wants to signal to the West that he has other options. Turkey has grown rather close to Russia, particularly economically, rather dependent on Russia," Aydintasbas said. "Not only has Ankara not joined the Western sanctions, but it has also continued to trade with Russia and has received Russian finances. Some analysts say trade with Russia is increasingly crucial to Turkey's crisis-ridden economy, which could prove vital to Erdogan, who faces reelection next year. Friday's talks between Putin and Erdogan are expected to focus on trade. Maria Shagina of the International Institute for Strategic Studies says with Western countries seeking to tighten sanctions on Moscow, Erdogan is also becoming increasingly important to Putin. Russia is running out of good friends here. They have China, India they can pivot to, but the room for maneuver, where Beijing (and) New Delhi would have an appetite to face secondary sanctions, is just not there," Shagina said. "So, it's important for Moscow to have another friend in need, and Ankara, unlike Beijing, Ankara is actually more risk prone. Erdogan this month called for the easing of some sanctions on Russia. But Ankara insists it is not violating U.S. international sanctions and is taking a balanced approach toward Russia and Ukraine, with Turkish armament companies continuing to supply Kyiv. Erdogan's stance toward Russia is expected to top the agenda of talks if the Turkish president meets with U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of next weeks United Nations General Assembly in New York. But analyst Aydintasbas says Biden faces a dilemma with Ankara. Washington is doing its own balancing act when it comes to Erdogan. They don't like the fact he has not joined Western sanctions on Russia. On the other hand, they don't want to push Turkey further toward Russia," Aydintasbas said. "So, they've refrained from speaking out. With both European Union and Washington expected to step up efforts to tighten sanctions on Russia, analysts warn Turkey's balancing act with Russia could prove increasingly difficult to sustain. Japan is the latest country to try to increase engagement with Africa in the face of Chinas massive influence on the continent and amid perceived threats to the international order. There has been a flurry of visits to the continent by top officials this year, including Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and European diplomats. The visits from Western leaders have been seen by many analysts as an attempt to counter Beijings clout, and to some extent, Russian influence. Last month, Japan also sought to provide African countries with an alternative to Chinese lending and investment, pledging to spend $30 billion on the continent and stressing a focus on training African professionals, food production and green growth. The pledge was made during the eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) held in Tunisia. In his remarks at the event, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida criticized Moscow and took an apparent swipe at China. It is true that a series of contradictions of the global economy, such as inequality and environmental problems, are concentrated in Africa at this moment. In addition, we need to urgently deal with issues such as the food crisis caused by Russian aggression against Ukraine and unfair and opaque development finance, he said. Paul Nantulya, a research associate at the Washington-based Africa Center for Strategic Affairs who has participated in two TICAD conferences, said the reference to opaque development finance was definitely a rebuke to China, which has been accused of practicing debt trap diplomacy lending heavily to countries that cant repay in order to gain political leverage. During TICAD, Japan also announced that some $1 billion would go toward support for African countries debt restructuring and promised that Japan aspires to be a partner growing together with Africa. While theres increasing consensus among economists that the debt-trap accusations dont stand up, its still a common criticism leveled by the West and its partners and enrages Beijing. Numerous articles in Chinese state media have slammed Kishidas remarks as a smear campaign and said Japans investment pledge had selfish intentions. State publication Global Times said while China does not have a problem with other countries offering aid to African nations, what China opposes is the vicious attempt by Western countries, including the U.S. and Japan, to discredit China, asking African countries to be "wary" of China at every turn." African countries have their own judgment and do not need the West to teach them what to do," the Global Times quoted Yang Xiyu, researcher at the China Institute of International Studies, as saying. The amount Japan pledged at TICAD this year was less than Chinas pledge of $40 billion at last years Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Senegal. Japan-Africa trade, worth some $24 billion a year, according to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, is also dwarfed by Chinas, which amounted to a record $254 billion last year. I think lately, Japan definitely has been trying to strengthen its engagements in Africa and obviously China is a strategic competitor to Japan, said Nantulya. There is an element of competition as far as Japans latest push in Africa is concerned. Akitoshi Miyashita, an international relations professor at Tokyo International University, echoed this idea. The recent TICAD conference was regarded by Tokyo as an important instrument to regain Japan's presence in Africa in light of China's growing influence in the region. In that sense, Japan's ODA (official development assistance) in Africa has clear political purposes, he told VOA. However, he said, Japan is losing an aid competition with China because with large national debt and a shrinking economy, Japan cannot afford to provide Africa with the amount of money that China can. Japan also cannot provide aid to countries accused of serious corruption and human rights violations, whereas Chinas loans are no-strings-attached and preferred by some African countries. Philip Olayoku, a Nigerian academic and member of the African Association of Japanese Studies, said he did not think Tokyo was trying to compete with China in Africa because it simply cant and does not have the kind of clout that it used to have. Instead, he said, Japan is trying to "consolidate its relationship, keep part of what it has, so that China doesnt displace it. While FOCAC and TICAD are similar, analysts told VOA there are several key differences, namely that the Chinese model involves the Chinese state cooperating with African ruling parties directly, while the Japanese one is more multilateral, involving civil society, NGOs and international organizations like the United Nations Development Program and the African Development Bank. China's aid in Africa tends to concentrate on the fields such as infrastructure and agriculture, but Japan's ODA covers a broader range of development fields, including human development issues, noted Shinichi Takeuchi, director of the African Studies Center at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. Additionally, Japan tries to transfer knowledge and contribute to African self-sufficiency and has a post-war agenda of helping push for peace and democracy, analysts said. However, they noted that Japan also has an economic agenda, including trying to secure markets for its high-end products. It wants to promote activities of Japanese businesses in Africa. As Japan is facing a number of socio-economic challenges, including economic stagnation and [an] aging population, the government wants to benefit from economic opportunities in Africa, Takeuchi said. Tokyo also has political agendas in Africa, analysts said. Japan is pursuing a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council, and China is its strong rival, Takeuchi pointed out. Additionally, African countries are the biggest voting bloc at the U.N., said Nantulya. Tokyo is also concerned that African countries could side with China as many already did on Ukraine and against its interests in areas such as the Western Pacific where the two are in a dispute over the ownership of the Senkaku Islands. The Japanese are definitely worried that African countries will be mobilized to support Chinese moves, to support Chinese strategic positions on issues and its one of the reasons why this current TICAD is really focused on really reengaging African countries diplomatically, said Nantulya. Asked whether Japans $30 billion commitment to Africa could be seen as an attempt to compete with China, Marie Hidaka, counselor at the Japanese embassy in South Africa, responded, Nowadays, there are various fora through which many countries engage themselves with Africa, but TICAD, launched by Japan, was the forerunner of such fora for African development. The $30 billion as the sum of public and private financial contributions, which Japan announced during the TICAD 8 held in last month in Tunis, focuses on investment in people and quality of growth and aims for a resilient and sustainable Africa while solving various problems faced by the African people, she said. In one of his first acts in office, Kenyas new president, William Ruto, ordered cargo containers from incoming ships to be emptied at the port of Mombasa instead of in the capital, Nairobi. Ruto said he is carrying out a campaign promise, though there are concerns the move could overwhelm facilities at the Mombasa port. In 2019, the Kenyan government shifted cargo clearance operations from Kenyas Indian Ocean port of Mombasa to the inland cities of Nairobi and Naivasha. This week, Ruto directed that the operations be returned to Mombasa. I will be issuing instructions for clearing of goods and other attended operational issues to revert to the port of Mombasa as I made a commitment to Kenyans, Ruto said. This will restore thousands of jobs in the city of Mombasa. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta had moved cargo clearance to Nairobi to increase use of the Standard Gauge Railway, which was built with a $4.5 billion loan from China. The move forced companies to pay transport fees to use the railway a decision Kenyan officials saw as the best way to repay the loan. Rutos decision, announced Tuesday, is welcomed by newly-elected Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, who said the need to repay the debt is not reason to kill business at his citys port. We have been fighting for it for a long time and we said openly, even if it was to repay the SGR debt, there are other ways to repay it. Its not a must to kill the economy of one part of the country. According to the Economic Survey of 2022, SGR usage increased by 22.6 percent in 2021 and made $108 million, up from $87 million in 2020. The increase is attributed to cargo shipments to Nairobi. With cargo clearance operations shifting back to Mombasa, many people are concerned that the railway will lose business to trucking companies, making it difficult for the railway to pay its debt, and ultimately shifting the cost of its construction to taxpayers. Some traders argued that historically the Mombasa port has been slow to unload and transport cargo containers. Gerrishon Ikiara, an economics teacher at the University of Nairobi, predicts the Mombasa port will not be able to handle the increased responsibilities. Very shortly, we will start getting the impact of the delayed cargo and other inconveniences, overcrowding of Mombasa highway and corruption in the police office at every point. Governance and urban development expert Alfred Omenya is hopeful the problems can be overcome, if the government appoints good managers to run the port. "I think the president did the right thing, he said. We hope that its not an ad hoc political action, but it will be an action that will be based on coherent planning, coherent strategy and coherent development of our country. In a worst-case scenario, congestion and corruption at the Mombasa port will make traders from neighboring countries flock to other ports, making Kenya lose much-needed revenue for developing and servicing its debt. For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flashpoint Ukraine. The latest developments in Russias war on Ukraine. All times EDT. 10:10 p.m.: The Conflict Observatory, which is supported by the U.S. Department of State, on Thursday released an independent, detailed assessment of the impact of Russias war on food storage sites in Ukraine, the department said in a statement. An estimated 15.7% of Ukraines crop storage facilities have been affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the resulting conflict, either through seizure by Russias and Russia-aligned forces, or because facilities have been destroyed, damaged, or degraded to the point of compromising the crops contained inside. The report notes that intentional destruction of such facilities may constitute a war crime and a violation of the 1977 Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions of 1949. This report and other analyses are available online at the Conflict Observatory website. 9:15 p.m.: Finlands president said Thursday that he wants to make it harder for Russians to use real estate owned in the Nordic nation, usually apartments or summer cottages, as justification for obtaining travel visas, The Associated Press reported. Getting a visa to a country is not a subjective right for anyone, but the visa issuer always has discretion, President Sauli Niinisto told journalists in Helsinki. Until now, owning a property or an apartment in Finland has been perceived as a factor supporting a visa application. I dont think its necessary. Regional newspaper Etela-Saimaa reported in August that Russian citizens purchased property in Finland at an increased rate this year despite the war in Ukraine and Western economic sanctions against Russia. As of Sept. 1, Finland slashed the number of visas, including for tourism purposes, issued to Russian citizens to one-tenth of the typical number, a move seen as a show of solidarity with Ukraine. Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto recently told public broadcaster YLE that as a result of the new limit, Russian property owners have started to divide the ownership of their Finnish real estate among several people so more of them are eligible for visas. 8:30 p.m.: The U.N. nuclear watchdog's 35-nation Board of Governors on Thursday passed a resolution demanding that Russia end its occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, diplomats at the closed-door meeting said, according to Reuters. The resolution is the second on Russia's invasion of Ukraine passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors, and their content is very similar, though the first resolution in March preceded Russian forces taking control of Zaporizhzhia, Europe's biggest nuclear power plant. American Nuclear Society President Steven Arndt and CEO/Executive Director Craig Piercy released a statement after the IAEAs passed the resolution: "The American Nuclear Society applauds the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors in calling for an end to the Russian military occupation of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. A civilian nuclear power plant must not be treated as a military base or military target in any armed conflict. We echo the United Nations nuclear watchdog's 35-nation Board of Governors in its resolution for Russia to immediately cease all actions against, and at, the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant and any other nuclear facility in Ukraine, they said in a statement provided by VOAs U.N. correspondent Margaret Besheer. The statement added, The adopted resolution aligns with the IAEA's calls for safety and security zones around Ukraine's nuclear facilities to safeguard plant operations and the well-being of nuclear workers." 7:56 p.m.: U.S. President Joe Biden announced a new $600 million arms package to help the Ukrainian military battle Russia, according to a White House memo sent to the State Department on Thursday, Reuters reported. Biden authorized the assistance using his Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows the president to authorize the transfer of excess weapons from U.S. stocks. The memo does not detail how the money would be used, but several sources told Reuters the package is expected to contain munitions, including more High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). The package would include ammunition for howitzers, according to two sources who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to talk publicly. The memo also mentions the money will be used for military education and training. Washington has sent about $15.1 billion dollars in security assistance to the Kyiv government since Russia's invasion. 7:03 p.m.: VOA U.N. correspondent Margaret Besheer reports that Friday morning, the U.N. General Assembly will consider a motion on whether to allow Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to deliver his speech next week via a video message (this year all speeches should be in person). A simple majority of those present and voting will be needed for it to pass. 6:10 p.m: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday that a mass grave had been found in Izium after the town was retaken from Russian forces, Agence France-Presse reported. "We want the world to know what the Russian occupation has caused," he said, without giving details on the number of bodies found or their cause of death. "We need to have more clear and verified information tomorrow." 5:20 p.m.: The administration of Ramzan Kadyrov in Russia's North Caucasus region of Chechnya has prepared a draft resolution calling for a "fall mobilization" of the region's male residents 18-26 years of age to the armed forces as Moscow faces major setbacks in the war in Ukraine. The draft resolution's text was obtained by RFE/RL. 4:27 p.m.: Germanys foreign minister is putting pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz to decide soon whether to supply Ukraine with advanced tanks as it seeks to reclaim more of its captured territory from Russia, The Associated Press reported. Kyiv has said it would like to get German Leopard-2 tanks, but Berlin has so far rebuffed that request while delivering other weaponry, such as howitzers and self-propelled anti-aircraft weapons. In an interview with daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung published Thursday, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said a decision on delivering modern battle tanks to Ukraine could only be taken jointly by Germanys governing three-party coalition and its international partners. But in the decisive phase that Ukraine currently finds itself, I also dont believe that its a decision which can be delayed for long, she was quoted as saying. 3:38 p.m.: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday air defense systems were a priority for his country as it attempts to protect its cities and towns from Russian strikes, Reuters reported. Speaking at a joint news conference in Kyiv with the visiting president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Zelenskyy also said Ukraine had not yet received a positive response from Israel on the possible supply of aerial defense systems. Zelenskyy said air defense systems promised previously by Germany and the United States had not yet arrived in Ukraine. 2:30 p.m.: Supporting Ukraine comes at a high cost, but freedom is "priceless," European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday amid soaring inflation and high energy prices in Europe, Reuters reported. The EU's sanctions on Russia are having a deep and visible impact, von der Leyen told Reuters at an interview in Kyiv, after she met Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Asked about the potential impact of Europe's unfolding cost of living and energy crises on support for Ukraine, von der Leyen said supporting Ukraine "comes at a high cost, but our freedom, the international peace order, and democracy, is priceless." 2:15 p.m.: After European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Thursday to discuss closer cooperation, she traveled with first lady Olena Zelenska to the nearby town of Irpin, once occupied by Russian forces, and she repeated an EU pledge to support the rebuilding of schools. 2:05 p.m.: A group of European Union countries has agreed to ask the U.N. Human Rights Council to appoint a newly created independent expert on alleged human rights abuses in Russia, three sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters on Thursday. The creation of a mandate for a new Special Rapporteur, decided in a closed-door meeting on Thursday, follows stronger Russian laws this year to punish people Moscow says discredit the armed forces or spread fake information. The timing of the proposal's submission is not clear but it is set to be decided on, possibly through a vote, in early October. Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Kremlin did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The acting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said earlier this week that Russia was intimidating opponents of the war in Ukraine and violating the right to access to information. 1:50 p.m.: A volunteer Ukrainian medic detained in the besieged port city of Mariupol described Russian torture she endured as a "torment of hell," The Associated Press reported. She told U.S. lawmakers Thursday of comforting fellow detainees as many died during her three months of captivity, cradling and consoling them as best she could, as male, female and child prisoners succumbed to Russian torture and untreated wounds. Ukrainian Yuliia Paievska, who was captured by pro-Russian forces in Mariupol in March and held at shifting locations in Russian-allied territory in Ukraines Donetsk region, spoke to lawmakers with the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, better known as the Helsinki Commission, a government agency created in part to promote international compliance with human rights. Her accounts Thursday were her most detailed publicly of her treatment in captivity, in what Ukrainians and international rights groups say are widespread detentions of both Ukrainian noncombatants and fighters by Russias forces. Known to Ukrainians by the nickname Taira, Paievska and her care of Mariupols wounded during the nearly seven-month Russian invasion of Ukraine received global attention after her bodycam footage was provided to The Associated Press. Do you know why we do this to you? a Russian asked Paievska as he tortured her, she recounted to the commission. She told the panel her answer to him: Because you can. 1:30 p.m..: 1:10 p.m.: The U.N. World Food Program has chartered a ship to move grain from Ukraine to Afghanistan, VOAs U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer reported Thursday. The MV BC Vanessa is on its way to the Ukrainian port of Odessa, where it is expected to load 30,000 metric tons of wheat destined for Turkey, where it will be milled. Then the wheat will be shipped onward via Pakistans port of Karachi to reach WFPs operations hub in Afghanistan. Aid organizations have raised the alarm over worsening food insecurity in Afghanistan this year. Almost 20 million people half the population are suffering either level-3 crisis or level-4 emergency levels of food insecurity according to the WFPs assessment system. 12:50 p.m.: Russia's lower house of parliament will consider summoning Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to face questioning in a closed session, senior lawmaker Sergei Mironov was cited as saying by Kommersant newspaper on Thursday, according to Reuters. It is virtually unknown for the State Duma to summon a defense minister to account for himself. However, Russia's armed forces have been openly criticized by military commentators this week after losing control of large parts of Ukraine's Kharkiv region to a lightning advance by Ukrainian forces. Mironov, a strong supporter of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and head of the small pro-Kremlin "Just Russia" party, was quoted as saying that the State Duma Council, which manages the chamber's business, would discuss the matter on Monday. Mironov had tweeted on Wednesday that his party had proposed the session with Shoigu "so that the deputies can speak with him behind closed doors and ask all the questions that interest us and the citizens." 12:20 p.m.: 12:05 p.m.: All European Union nations except Hungary are moving forward at the U.N.s human rights body to hold Russias government accountable for a crackdown on media, arbitrary arrests, restrictions on free speech and other rights concerns after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine this year, The Associated Press reported Thursday. Back-channel negotiations at the Human Rights Council by 26 EU nations hope to give teeth to efforts to keep tabs on rights violations in Russia such as by appointing a rights expert to work on Russia. The move, if successful, would add a new element of scrutiny on Russia. A team of U.N.-backed investigators is already looking into rights abuses related to the war in Ukraine. Efforts to draft a resolution, spearheaded by EU member Luxembourg, would create a special rapporteur on Russia to chronicle and call out rights violations in Russia such as arbitrary detentions, arrests of members of civil society, the closure of NGOs and independent press groups, said a Western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. Two Western diplomats said Hungary, whose government under Prime Minister Viktor Orban has resisted some EU efforts to punish Russia over the war, had not joined with other EU members in pushing for the resolution. 11:50 a.m.: 11:25 a.m.: The United States on Thursday imposed new sanctions on individuals and groups that have facilitated Russia's war in Ukraine, the Treasury Department said on Thursday. The new sanctions target 22 individuals and two entities that advanced Moscow's objectives in Ukraine both before and after Russia's February invasion of its neighbor, the department said in a statement. The new sanctions are being imposed in coordination with the Commerce Department, which is imposing new export controls on Russia, and the State Department, which is targeting Russia's defense and high-technology industries, the statement said. "As Ukraine presses forward with defending its freedom, today we're taking steps to further degrade Russias ability to rebuild its military, hold perpetrators of violence accountable, and further financially isolate Putin," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said. 11:10 a.m.: Around 82 ships with 418 seafarers remain stuck around Ukrainian ports despite the opening of a U.N.-backed sea corridor to ship grains with efforts to get the mariners sailing still stuck, shipping industry officials said on Thursday, according to Reuters. The agreement reached in July, creating a protected sea transit corridor, was designed to alleviate global food shortages, with Ukraine's customers including some of the world's poorest countries. However, the initiative only involved dry bulk ships around three Ukrainian ports with dozens of other vessels including oil tankers not able to access the corridor and awaiting approval to leave while waterways remain controlled by Russia and other ports are blocked by Ukraine. At the start of the conflict in late February approximately 2,000 seafarers from all over the world were stranded aboard up to 94 vessels in Ukrainian ports. 10:45 a.m.: 10:20 a.m.: Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that if the United States decided to supply Kyiv with longer-range missiles, it would cross a "red line" and become "a party to the conflict," Reuters reported. In a briefing, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova added that Russia "reserves the right to defend its territory." Washington has openly supplied Ukraine with advanced GMLRS rockets, fired from HIMARS launchers, that can hit targets up to 80 kilometers (50 miles) away. "If Washington decides to supply longer-range missiles to Kyiv, then it will be crossing a red line, and will become a direct party to the conflict," Zakharova said. U.S. officials say Ukraine has promised not to use U.S. rockets to strike Russia itself. Ukraine has requested and received large quantities of weapons from the United States and other Western allies to help it resist the Russian armed forces that were sent into Ukraine in February. 10 a.m.: The U.S. Army has awarded a contract for more Javelin missiles to be produced and provided to Ukraine, VOA National Security correspondent Jeff Seldin reported Thursday. He shared the details on Twitter. 9:40 a.m.: Iran has moved a step closer towards becoming a permanent member of a central Asian security body dominated by Russia and China, as Tehran seeks to overcome economic isolation imposed by U.S. sanctions, Reuters reported. Foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Thursday said Iran had signed a memorandum of obligations to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which is holding a summit this week in Uzbekistan. The body, formed in the 2001 as a talking shop for Russia, China and ex-Soviet states in Central Asia, expanded four years ago to include India and Pakistan, with a view to playing a bigger role as counterweight to Western influence in the region. "By signing the document for full membership of the SCO, now Iran has entered a new stage of various economic, commercial, transit and energy cooperation," Hossein Amirabdollahian wrote on his Instagram page. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was in the Silk Road oasis of Samarkand, Uzbekistan on Thursday to attend the summit. He held a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian state TV reported. 9:25 a.m.: The U.S. State Department has said that the Biden administration is discussing new economic measures to penalize Russia for its invasion of Ukraine after two U.S. senators introduced legislation to label Russia a state sponsor of terrorism, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported Thursday. State Department spokesman Ned Price said on September 14 the department was discussing analogous measures to impose on Russia in place of those carried by a state sponsorship of terrorism designation. Price made the comments after Senators Richard Blumenthal (Democrat-Connecticut) and Lindsey Graham (Republican-South Carolina), who have been advocating for the state sponsor of terrorism designation for months, introduced their legislation. Price noted that President Joe Biden last week said he would not approve of such a designation. The White House said the consequences could delay food exports to parts of war-torn Ukraine and jeopardize deals to move goods through the Black Sea. "We have to take into account the consequences, both the intended and the unintended. And that has led us to the approach we've taken here," said Price. He said the State Department was engaging with Congress on tools that would continue to have analogous implications for the Russian economy, for the Russian government, that would not have those unintended consequences." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called on the West to label Russia a terrorist state, citing several deadly attacks on facilities like shopping centers and railway stations that killed numerous civilians. 9:10 a.m.: Ukraines State Border Guard Service said a group of teenagers have been rescued from Russian captivity in the Kharkiv region, the Kyiv Independent reported Thursday. The State Border Guard Service said it rescued five teenagers, aged 15 to 17, in recently liberated Kupiansk who were locked in a basement for seven days by Russian troops, the media organization said. 8:55 a.m.: 8:40 a.m.: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said he understood that Chinas leader Xi Jinping had questions and concern about the situation in Ukraine but praised Xi for what he said was a "balanced" position on the conflict, Reuters reported. Russia's war in Ukraine has killed tens of thousands of people and pushed the global economy into uncharted waters with soaring prices for food and energy amid the biggest confrontation between Moscow with the West since the Cold War. At their first face-to-face meeting since the war, Xi called Putin his "old friend" after Putin said attempts by the United States to create a unipolar world would fail. "We highly value the balanced position of our Chinese friends when it comes to the Ukraine crisis," Putin told Xi. "We understand your questions and concern about this. During today's meeting, we will of course explain our position." China has refrained from condemning Russia's operation against Ukraine or calling it an "invasion" in line with the Kremlin, which casts the war as "a special military operation." Still, Beijing is perturbed by the impact on the global economy and has been careful not to give material support to Russia that could trigger Western sanctions on China's own economy Putin's first remarks about Chinese concern over the war come just days after a lightning rout of his forces in north-eastern Ukraine. The last time Xi and Putin met in person, just weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, they declared a "no limits" partnership and inked a promise to collaborate more against the West. 8:15 a.m.: Ukraines Investigative Bureau has opened a probe into the traffic accident involving President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Kyiv Independent reported Thursday. According to the State Investigation Bureau, a civilian car hit the car of President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv suburbs on September 14, the media outlet reported. (The) President's Office said that Zelenskyy wasn't seriously injured, it added. Zelenskyy was returning to Kyiv from the Kharkiv region, where he visited troops in the recaptured city of Izium. A passenger vehicle collided with the presidents motorcade in the Ukrainian capital, his spokesman, Sergii Nikiforov, said in a Facebook post. 7:30 a.m.: Chinese President Xi Jinping met Vladimir Putin on Thursday in Uzbekistan, their first meeting since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began, triggering the biggest confrontation between Moscow and the West since the Cold War, Reuters reported. Xi, on his first trip outside China since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, met Putin in the ancient Uzbek Silk Road city of Samarkand where they will attend a attend a summit of The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The two leaders are due to discuss the war in Ukraine, tensions over Taiwan and the deepening partnership between rising superpower China and natural resources titan Russia. 7:10 a.m.: Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen with an award Thursday during her visit to Kyiv. She tweeted her thanks for the honor, accepting it in the name of all EU citizens and emphasizing the strong bond between the EU and Ukraine. 6:55 a.m.: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy are each courting major allies on Thursday, seeking to prop up their efforts in a war whose fortunes have tilted toward Ukraine in recent days, The Associated Press reported. In Uzbekistans ancient Samarkand, Putin was hoping to break through his international isolation and further cement his ties with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a geopolitical alliance increasingly seen as potent counterweight to the Western powers. Putin and Xi were due to meet one-on-one and discuss Ukraine, according to the Russian presidents foreign affairs adviser. In Kyiv, Zelenskyy was shrugging off a traffic collision the previous night that left him with no major injuries, officials said. He met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who once more showed full commitment to Ukraines cause. Von der Leyen said she would address how to continue getting our economies and people closer while Ukraine progresses towards accession to the European Union, which is likely still years away in even the best of circumstances. In a sign of further EU commitment, the European Parliament completed the drawn-out political process of a 5 billion-euro preferential loan to Ukraine, the key part of a 9 billion-euro package of aid to offset the cost of war. 6:35 a.m.: A new polls shows that 87% of Ukrainians are against territorial concessions related to Russia's war, the Kyiv Independent reported Thursday. A survey conducted from Sept. 7 to 13 by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology said that no territorial concessions are acceptable for 87% of respondents, the media organization reported. This is a 3% increase from July, it noted. 6:20 a.m.: 6:05 a.m.: European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen is in Kyiv to discuss closer cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported Thursday. "In Kyiv, for my 3rd visit since the start of Russia's war. So much has changed. Ukraine is now an EU candidate," von der Leyen said on Twitter ahead of meetings with senior Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who had recently returned from a visit to areas the Ukrainian military has recaptured from Russian forces in eastern Ukraine. "I'll discuss with Zelensky and (Prime Minister) Denys Shmyhal how to continue getting our economies and people closer while Ukraine progresses towards accession," she said. Ukraine became a candidate for EU membership in June, a move that Moscow claimed was part of the West's efforts to isolate Russia internationally after it launched its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in late February. Von der Leyen announced the visit to Kyiv the day before in a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg in the presence of Ukraine's first lady, Olena Zelenska. The overwhelming majority of EU countries have staunchly supported Ukraine since the Russian invasion by hitting Russia with waves of economic penalties. Many members of the bloc have supplied Kyiv with advanced weapons that have helped the Ukrainian military regain control over swaths of territory Russia took in the early weeks of the war. 5:45 a.m.: The Wold Bank is willing to provide up to $30 billion to combat global food shortages aggravated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a senior bank official said Thursday, according to a Reuters report. Axel van Trotsenburg, the bank's managing director of operations, cited "an absolute need for international solidarity with Ukraine" during an interview with Reuters. "...that solidarity has to be sustained not only in the short term but in the long term," he said. Van Trotsenburg said the World Bank began providing support to Ukraine soon after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. So far, the bank has disbursed close to $10 billion of $13 billion it committed to Kyiv. 5:10 a.m.: 4:01 a.m. Ukraines defense ministry found what its officials believe to be a torture chamber used by Russian troops to hold Ukrainian prisoners in the city of Balakliia, reports The Guardian. One resident told the BBC he was held by Russians in the citys police station for more than 40 days and tortured with electrocution, the report said. 2:40 a.m.: European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Ukraine for a visit as the nation continues its bid for full EU membership, she announced on Twitter Thursday. The EU Commission chief announced her visit to Kyiv to show the blocs support for Ukraine as it fights back against the Russian invasion, The Associated Press reported. Dressed in the colors of Ukraine, von der Leyen said in her State of the European Union address Wednesday that the bloc would come to the aid of Ukraine by opening its seamless single market more to Ukrainian products and said she would discuss all this with President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy. Von der Leyens trip symbolize the EUs increasing opposition to Russias actions, which she called a war of autocracy against democracy, pushed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. At the same time, she claimed there were increasing indications that Russia was suffering ever more from EU and other international sanctions and certainly more than some critics of Western sanctions acknowledge. 2:15 a.m.: 1:18 a.m.: Russian rockets struck Kharkiv overnight said Kharkivs mayor, according to The Kyiv Independent. No casualties have been reported. 1:10 a.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's car collided with another vehicle early Thursday after a battlefield visit, but he was not seriously injured, his spokesman said, according to The Associated Press. Zelenskyy was returning to Kyiv from the Kharkiv region, where he visited troops in the recaptured city of Izium. A passenger vehicle collided with the presidents motorcade in the Ukrainian capital, his spokesman, Sergii Nikiforov, said in a Facebook post. The driver of the other vehicle received first aid from Zelenskyys medical team and was taken away by ambulance, he said. Medics examined the president, who suffered no serious injuries, Nikiforov wrote. He did not specify what injuries Zelenskyy might have suffered. The spokesman added that the circumstances of the accident are under investigation. 12:05 a.m.: The United States distanced itself on Wednesday from a visit by former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson to Russia where WNBA star Brittney Griner and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan remain jailed, Reuters reported. Richardson, who has privately worked to secure the release of American detainees abroad, held meetings there this week, according to a source familiar with the matter. "In this case we believe that any efforts that fall outside of that officially designated channel have the potential to complicate what is already an extraordinarily complicated challenge that we face," department spokesperson Ned Price told a news briefing. He said the U.S. government has been in touch with the Richardson Center but said Richardsons travel was not coordinated with the U.S. embassy in Moscow. The center specializes in negotiating releases of prisoners and hostages. Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen earlier this month the latest show of support from the U.S. Congress to the island republic amid heightened tensions with China. VOAs Congressional Correspondent Katherine Gypson spoke with members of the delegation about U.S. security and economic support for Taiwan. Camera: Adam Greenbaum The U.S. Congress is moving ahead on bipartisan action strengthening trade and defense ties with Taiwan, as the self-governing island faces new threats from China. The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the Taiwan Policy Act Wednesday, clearing the way for $6.5 billion in enhanced security funding over five years to come up for a full vote on the Senate floor. The measure would also designate Taiwan a major non-NATO ally. The primary focus of this bill has always been on deterrence and on enhancing Taiwans capabilities. The bill we are approving today makes clear the United States does not seek war or increased tensions with Beijing, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez said upon committee approval of the bill. Just the opposite. We are carefully and strategically lowering the existential threats facing Taiwan by raising the cost of taking the island by force so that it becomes too high a risk and unachievable. Ranking member Senator Jim Risch said the bill would accelerate Taiwans military reform and expand training for the Taiwanese military using realistic scenarios. U.S. President Joe Biden approved $1.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan earlier this month, a move that drew swift condemnation from China. "The U.S. arms sale to Taiwan blatantly violates the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. Joint Communiques, especially the August 17 Communique, seriously undermines China's sovereignty and security interests, severely damages China-U.S. relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and sends seriously wrong signals to the separatist forces of Taiwan independence, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said last week. China firmly rejects and strongly condemns it and will take resolute and strong measures to firmly defend its sovereignty and security interests, he added. A bipartisan delegation of U.S. lawmakers also met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen last week, the latest of several official congressional trips that began with House Speaker Nancy Pelosis historic visit last month. That trip the first by a U.S. speaker of the House in 25 years drew condemnation from China, which sees Taiwan as a rebellious province. Republican Representative Claudia Tenney, a member of the latest eight-person congressional delegation, told VOA it is time for a change in the American approach to the region. Our policy has always been strategic ambiguity, instead of strategic clarity. But that was many, many years ago, 40 years ago, almost. And what we need to look at is, China has changed dramatically in that period of time. They were not nearly the significant military or economic power that they are today, Tenney said. Democratic Representative Stephanie Murphy, the leader of the delegation, said at a press conference with President Tsai that Congress should advocate for greater Taiwanese participation in international organizations. Taiwan has shown itself to be a responsible member of the international community, especially in public health issues, and it deserves to participate in international fora when appropriate. There is also growing bipartisan support for the United States to sign a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with Taiwan. They asked us to get involved in a free trade agreement, they would like an agreement with the United States. And that's something that we're going to be working on to see that we can do that we also want to bring more balance, we'd like to see them trading more with us and, and sort of balance the trade, Tenney told VOA. The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee heard testimony Wednesday that a new U.S.-Taiwan free trade agreement and bringing Taiwan into the Trans-Pacific Partnership would play a crucial role in countering authoritarianism. Taiwan is at the front line of this rivalry as Beijing intensifies political, military and economic coercion, Susan Glasser, director of the Asia Program at the German Marshall Fund, told lawmakers. They brought a strategy to subvert the island's democracy and compel reunification. United States should aid Taiwans efforts to defend its people, its democracy and its freedoms. Glasser added, A U.S.-Taiwan BTA would serve that goal. It would demonstrate American solidarity with Taiwan's people, and more than success in cultivating strong democratic institutions, robust civil society, transparent and accountable government and economic freedoms. Taiwan is already currently the U.S.s ninth largest goods trading partner, with a total of $90.6 billion in 2020, according to the U.S. Trade Representative. House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal said new trade agreements would be incredibly beneficial. We want to deepen our ties, formalizing these efforts to build more durable ties will have benefits for both the United States and Taiwan. The people of Taiwan have built a robust and thriving democracy. In fact, it is a beacon of democracy in Asia, said Neal. Recently, they've been faced with incredible pressure from their authoritarian neighbor, China. In the face of this aggression along with Russia's unprovoked war in Ukraine, this committee stands with the people of Taiwan. A court in Yangon on Thursday sentenced a Myanmar journalist to three years labor in a move that a lawyer says is politically motivated. The journalist, Htet Htet Khine, worked for BBC Media Action. She has been detained in Insein prison since her arrest in August 2021. A court in the Bahan Township in Yangon convicted the journalist of incitement under Section 505(a) of the Myanmar penal code. Her sentence: three years in prison with labor. A lawyer who represents journalists and is familiar with the case told VOA Burmese that the prosecutor did not provide evidence. "It is obvious that [the case] is politically motivated. Therefore, the court has made a one-sided review and handed down the order," said the lawyer, who asked not to be named for security reasons. "If there is a prominent person, those who have the ability to draw public attention, those who may be dangerous for the junta [they] can be prosecuted anyway respectively," the lawyer said. "It's [the juntas] policy in the era of political instability." Authorities arrested Htet Htet Khine on Aug. 15, 2022, along with Sithu Aung Myint, a VOA Burmese contributor. Sithu Aung Myint is detained in Insein on charges of incitement and false news. The military council has repeatedly denied restricting or targeting journalists and said that it "respects and values media freedom." But since it seized power in a February 2021 coup, more than 120 journalists have been detained, according to Reporting ASEAN, which tracks arrests in Myanmar. Of those, nearly 50 are still in custody. Several news outlets had licenses revoked or have been forced to shutter or to move their teams into exile. One of those in custody is Soe Yarza Tun, a freelance journalist charged under the countrys Counterterrorism Act. A relative told VOA Burmese that hearings have recently resumed, so they expect the court to reach a verdict soon. "We were able to see him for the first time at the last trial. He is fine," said the relative, who asked for anonymity. "Now, he has two more hearings to face." The family believes the journalist could be sentenced to as long as 10 years in prison. One of the lawyers representing jailed journalists said the cases take a toll on those charged and the families who support them. "The main difficulty we are facing is two-fold. Some of the cases have been ongoing for a long time. The families supporting them get tired and financially frustrated," the lawyer said. "The detained journalists face hardship in prison, lack of health care, no proper accommodation." The lawyer said the Press Council a body whose members were picked by the military is supposed to mediate between authorities and journalists who are detained. "It is difficult for the journalists to be released from prison because the Press Council, which was reconstituted under the current military council, did not stand up for the arrested journalists at all, trying to keep a distance to avoid trouble," the lawyer said. VOA reached out to Ohn Kyaing, the head of the Press Council, for comment. He responded, via a relative, to say that he has no comment on the cases. In Htet Htet Khines case, a person who asked not to be identified told VOA that the BBC journalist has been transferred to a ward of Insein prison that houses convicted criminals. The journalist is facing a separate charge of unlawful association. This story originated in VOAs Burmese Service. Khin Soe Win contributed to this report. Nigeria is facing a record reduction in oil production, oil cartel OPEC reports, dropping from the first largest producer in Africa to the fourth, behind Angola, Algeria and Libya. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries monthly oil market report for August showed that Nigeria's production stood at 980,000 barrels a day, a decline of more than 100,000 barrels per day compared to July. The figure was about 50% of OPEC's target for the west African nation in August. For decades, Nigeria has been Africa's largest oil producer. But in recent years, theft and sabotage at production sites have hampered output. Petroleum authorities say more than 200,000 barrels are lost daily as a result, and that the trend is costing the country millions of dollars in revenue. Oil was once Nigeria's biggest earner and contributor to national GDP, but the latest data shows information and communications technology and trade contributed more during the second quarter this year. Abuja-based oil and gas expert, Emmanuel Afimia, said he's worried about Nigeria's current situation. "At this particular point in time when the oil prices are rising, Nigeria is supposed to sit back and be enjoying revenue and inflows of forex [foreign exchange trading] through the sales and export of crude oil. But the reverse is the case, so it's really a negative thing for the country falling from that position of being the biggest producer, Nigeria will slowly be losing its influence in the global oil market," Afimia said. Nigerian authorities also are raising concerns. Last Friday, President Muhammadu Buhari said the situation was putting the economy in a precarious situation. And earlier this week, Nigerian lawmakers sent a delegation to oil-rich Rivers State to investigate the problem and report back their findings to the Senate. But oil and gas expert Faith Nwadishi said authorities must share the blame, too. "It's a question of pointing one finger when four fingers are pointing back at you," Nwadishi said. "If government was doing enough, I don't think that we'll close our eyes and see our major source of revenue being stolen up to 90 percent. I want to see a situation where government is taking more action than crying out." Petroleum authorities and security operatives have been working to halt the oil theft. Raids in late August led to the arrest of more than 100 oil thieves and the recovery of millions of liters of crude oil and diesel. Mele Kyari, head of the National Nigeria Petroleum Company, said the clampdown is making progress. "What is most difficult to manage today and daring for us to live with is the issue of crude oil theft, [but] we're not helpless and our efforts are paying off," Kyari said. Authorities in August awarded a pipeline surveillance contract to a former militant who once stole oil and vandalized pipelines. The move was criticized by citizens, but officials say the former militant's expertise will help prevent theft. North Korea has suggested it could soon begin COVID-19 vaccinations, but it remains unclear what vaccines it will use, where it will get them, or how many doses it will administer. In a passing reference during a speech last week to the Supreme Peoples Assembly, the countrys parliament, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un seemed to indicate a COVID-19 vaccination campaign would start in November. While administering vaccination in a responsible way, we should recommend that all residents wear masks for the protection of their own health from November, Kim said, warning of a possible resurgence of COVID-19 and influenza this winter. Kims warning came less than a month after he declared victory over the virus and relaxed some of North Koreas most stringent anti-epidemic measures. North Korea has repeatedly ignored vaccine offers from COVAX, the United Nations-backed vaccine distribution effort. Even after Kims latest comments, there is no evidence North Korea has made any vaccine requests from Gavi, the vaccine alliance that helps run COVAX. If DPRK requests our assistance for its COVID-19 vaccine introduction, well happily share vaccine doses with them, as we have done with 146 other countries over 1.7 billion doses so far, a Gavi spokesperson told VOA, without specifying whether a request had been made. DPRK is the abbreviation for North Koreas official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. One of last to start vaccinations North Korea and Eritrea are the only countries yet to begin mass COVID-19 vaccinations. Experts have long warned North Korea could be hit particularly hard by the coronavirus pandemic because of its lack of medical resources, especially in rural areas, where poverty is also more common. So far, there is no evidence of mass COVID-related deaths in North Korea. That could be because North Korea acted quickly to close its borders after the coronavirus emerged in neighboring China in early 2020. North Koreas authoritarian government also has a much higher degree of social control than almost any other country. But even if North Korea has experienced mass COVID-19 outbreaks, the world would not necessarily know. During the pandemic, North Koreas secretive government has cut off nearly every point of contact with the outside world. It also does not have adequate COVID-19 testing supplies, experts say. For more than two years into the pandemic, North Korea denied experiencing any COVID-19 cases. The North finally acknowledged an outbreak in May, but in subsequent weeks reported a steady decline in cases. At the time, a World Health Organization official expressed skepticism about the Norths claim the situation was improving. If North Korea does begin a mass vaccination campaign, it would most likely use vaccines from China, according to many analysts. In early June, Gavi said it understands North Korea accepted a vaccine offer from China and had started to administer doses. However, it did not provide any details. Around that time, North Korea started small-scale vaccinations for targeted groups, according to several unconfirmed reports in Radio Free Asia, which relied on unnamed sources inside North Korea. There has been no evidence, however, of a widespread vaccination campaign. Russia and China, North Koreas two closest international partners, are the most likely to provide North Korea mass quantities of vaccines, according to Nagi Shafik, a former WHO official who has worked in North Korea. But I think China in this context is more qualified because of the mass production they have, not only [of] the vaccines, but also [because] they can give support for the cold chain, as well, Shafik told VOA. Refrigerated vaccines could be challenging The most effective COVID-19 vaccines, which use advanced mRNA technology, require a network of ultra-cold refrigerators and specialized delivery trucks. That may be a challenge in many parts of North Korea, though Shafik has argued that North Koreas cold chain system is more advanced than commonly thought. Even though China has not produced an mRNA vaccine, Beijings potential offer may still be preferable to those of COVAX and others who are likely to require international observers to be present during the vaccine delivery and distribution. They dont want foreigners to come right now maybe, Im not quite sure, said Shafik, stressing that Pyongyang may be open to Western vaccine offers at a later stage. As Catalan separatists mark the fifth anniversary of a failed independence referendum next month, polls have shown support for splitting from Spain is on the decline. The October 2017 referendum asked voters whether they wanted Catalonia to become an independent state in the form of a republic. Ninety percent voted yes. Shocking images of police clashing with voters were beamed around the globe during the vote, prompting international condemnation from some European countries and calls for a peaceful resolution. The unofficial vote, which was declared illegal by the countrys Constitutional Court, caused Spains biggest political schism since a failed military coup some 40 years earlier. The country was bitterly divided between Catalan separatists who claimed they had the right to create a new state in contravention to the Spanish constitution which forbids regions from breaking away, and Spanish unionist parties who opposed the rich region leaving Spain. New approach Tensions have slowly abated because Spains Socialist-led coalition government, since coming to power in 2019, has sought dialogue with moderate separatist leaders in Barcelona. International crises such as the pandemic and the war in Ukraine also have diverted attention away from domestic politics, analysts said. A series of surveys carried out by the Catalan government has shown a steady fall in support for creating a breakaway state at the heart of Europe. In 2012, at the start of what is known as el proces the process toward independence - a poll for the Center for Opinion Studies for the Catalan government (CEO) found 57% of those questioned supported independence, 20.5% were against, 14% abstained and 8.3% did not know. This figure dipped to 48% at the height of the separatist drive in 2017, according to a CEO poll. In the unofficial referendum, organizers claimed more than 90% supported independence but only 43% - or just over 2 million people in Catalonias population of 7.5 million - took part. Support for independence ranged from 41% to 48% between 2015 and 2021. The latest survey, carried out by the CEO in July, found 40.9% backed independence, the lowest point since 2015, while 52% were against splitting from Spain and the rest did not know. Catalan separatist parties won 52% of the vote in regional elections last year but pro-independence parties that favor drastically different approaches remain in an uneasy coalition. Analysts cautioned that the polls, in which 1,200 people were questioned each time, could be misleading, but said domestic and international political factors have generally changed attitudes in the politically turbulent northeastern region. Spains policy of seeking dialogue with separatist parties running the Catalan regional government has marked a stark change from the confrontational policy pursued by the previous conservative Spanish government, which sent hundreds of police to Catalonia to try to stop the 2017 poll. Last year, Spain ordered the partial pardon of 12 convicted Catalan separatists in a risky political move for the minority administration. In 2019, nine Catalan separatists received prison sentences ranging from nine to 13 years for sedition. Three others were convicted of disobedience but were not imprisoned. All were convicted over their roles in the 2017 referendum and a failed declaration of independence days later. Splits between the two main Catalan separatist parties have worsened, which may have left voters in the region disillusioned, say political observers. The moderate left-wing Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) party, which runs the regional government, faces a threat from the hardline, conservative Together for Catalonia party to withdraw from the regional coalition government. This would force a snap election or ERC could seek the support of the Socialist party to survive. During the annual Catalan National Day rally on September 11, an estimated 150,000 independence supporters took to the streets, police said, but Catalan President Pere Aragones stayed away amid opposition to his move to hold talks with the Spanish government. The overwhelming majority of Catalans in polls but more importantly in every election held is in support of Catalonia being able to decide its own future. Our proposal is an agreed referendum with the Spanish state, Aragones told VOA in a statement. Despite what fluctuating polls might say, it is important to have a project to reach a political solution to the current political problem, he said. Aragones said no one in his government has asked to leave the Catalan government. More immediate concerns Beyond domestic political disputes, more people are worried about keeping their jobs and heating their homes as the Ukraine conflict pushes Western Europe toward an economic crisis, analysts said. Pablo Simon, a political analyst from the Carlos III University in Madrid, said external and internal factors have decreased support for independence. Originally, the process began because of economic and political crises in Spain, and in Catalonia, nationalists said independence would be the answer. But these factors have been replaced by factors which have nothing to do with Spain the pandemic and the Ukraine war, he told VOA. Internally, there are divisions. The hardliners still believe confrontation with Spain is the way to achieve independence. Moderates think investing in social projects will bring support from a base of voters. But voters are frustrated with the movement and where it is going. Barbara Rovira, of the Catalan National Assembly, a separatist civil society group, said splits in the independence movement had damaged the cause. There are also international reasons why people are not supporting the cause so much. After the pandemic there has been a war. People are more worried about having a good job and enough food to eat so politics doesnt seem so important, she told VOA in a telephone interview. People may also have stopped supporting independence because of repression from the Spanish state. Four thousand people face legal action over the referendum. Enric Ucelay-Da Cal, a historian who has written several books on Catalan separatism, said polls did not represent the complexity of Catalan society. I think polls are unreliable as Catalan society should be split into a pie chart with those who are in favor of nationalism, those who support Spanish nationalism and those who just dont care, he told VOA. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he understands that China has "questions and concerns" about Moscow's military action in Ukraine, as he held talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Uzbekistan. China has publicly adopted a neutral stance on Russia's seven-month invasion, even as Xi has said that one of Beijing's core foreign policy principles is that countries should respect one another's borders. In televised remarks at the start of their talks in Samarkand, Putin told Xi, "We highly value the balanced position of our Chinese friends regarding the Ukrainian crisis. We understand your questions and concerns on this matter, and during today's meeting, we will of course clarify all of these in detail." Putin's remarks came as Ukraine in recent days has swiftly recaptured vast swaths of territory in the northeast region that Russia had claimed in the earliest weeks of the war, which Moscow continues to call a "special military operation." Putin assailed what he characterized as the American-dominated "unipolar" world that he sees Russia and China jointly aligned against. "We jointly stand for the formation of a just, democratic and multipolar world order based on international law and the central role of the U.N., and not on some rules that someone has come up with and is trying to impose on others, without even explaining what it's about," Putin said. "In general, I must say that the attempts to create a unipolar world have recently acquired an absolutely ugly shape and are absolutely unacceptable for the vast majority of states on the planet," he continued. Beijing did not release any immediate comment on the talks, but a transcript of the opening remarks released by the Kremlin quoted Xi as saying, "We are ready, together with our Russian colleagues, to set an example of a responsible world power and play a leading role in bringing such a rapidly changing world onto a trajectory of sustainable and positive development." The transcript did not include any comments by Xi about Ukraine or U.S.-dominated NATO, the West's key military alliance that has sent billions of dollars in armaments to Ukraine to help fend off the Russian invasion. U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price told VOA on Thursday, "We made clear months ago now of information that was available to us suggesting that the Russian Federation was seeking assistance, military assistance from the PRC [People's Republic of China] for its war against Ukraine. "We made very clear to the PRC, both in public but also at the highest levels, the highest levels, that we will be watching very closely in any PRC effort to provide military assistance to Russia, or to help Russia on a systematic basis, circumvent the sanctions that had been put in place would incur significant costs," Price said, "and we have not seen any change on the part of the PRC." Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, a global issues think tank in Washington, told VOA's Mandarin service, "China is not committed to support the Russian war in Ukraine. That will not change. But the China-Russia relations are so much broader than just the war in Ukraine, and China will advance those." David Sacks, a research fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, told VOA that Putin's acknowledgement that China had "questions and concerns" about its invasion of Ukraine "is somewhat surprising because it shows that there could be a little bit of daylight between Russia and China, and it reveals that potentially China has aired some concerns privately about Russia's conduct in Ukraine." Price said it's "not surprising that these two countries are coming together. We've said that President Putin is very clear in looking for every conceivable lifeline he can find." "He's turning to countries like the DPRK [North Korea], he is turning to countries like Iran in the process. And when it comes to Russia and the PRC, it's true that they share a vision for the world," he added. Putin and Xi held talks on the sidelines of a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a security alliance that includes China, Russia, India, Pakistan and four Central Asian nations. Putin also met Thursday with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, whose country is planning to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Raisi said Moscow and Tehran are completing a major treaty that would bring their relations to a "strategic level." State Department Bureau Chief Nike Ching and Lin Yang contributed to this report. Some material in this report came from The Associated Press. Tens of thousands of people have lined up to view the coffin of Britains late Queen Elizabeth II as she lies in state in Westminster Hall ahead of her funeral next week. Her body was taken in a solemn procession from Buckingham Palace, where it had remained overnight after being transported to England from Scotland, to Westminster. The coffin, adorned with the imperial state crown and the royal standard, was carried by the same horse-drawn gun carriage that had borne the bodies of her mother and father. King Charles III walked behind the coffin, joined by his sons, William and Harry, and his siblings, Anne, Andrew and Edward. Tens of thousands of people watched from the roadside to catch a final glimpse of the monarch, offer a last goodbye and witness firsthand an extraordinary piece of history unfolding. Most watched in silence. Some threw flowers. Some quietly wept. U.S. citizen Silver Klajnscek, who lives in London, spoke to VOA after the procession passed. Theres such a respect for I dont know a better way to put it, but pomp and circumstance in this country that really pulls people together. And its really an honor to be a part of it, she said. Gun salutes echoed across the capital. In Londons Hyde Park, thousands more people watched the procession on big screens. Under late summer sunshine, the procession arrived in Westminster 38 minutes after leaving Buckingham Palace. It is a journey the queen had made so many times before, across seven decades on the British throne stretching back to the government of Winston Churchill. Her coffin was carried into Westminster Hall by guardsmen from the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, who had been flown back from Iraq for the occasion. The queen was their company commander. At Westminster Hall, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Dean of Westminster David Hoyle read prayers at the service. Those in attendance for the historic event included Catherine, Princess of Wales, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Camilla, Queen Consort. At the end of the brief service, the queens body officially lay in state and the doors of the great hall opened for the public to mourn their monarch. Outside, lines of people several kilometers long had formed. They could face a wait of up to 27 hours to reach Westminster Hall. I haven't had any sleep whatsoever. I'm just going with the energy that's within. I feel very uplifted, very calm and happy. Happy to be able to show my last respects to the queen, 61-year-old Stephen Holdgate said. Shes been there my entire life. Shes like a grandmother, London resident Neil Martin told VOA. Nearby, Bryony Stevenson waited in line with her 3-month-old baby. Its one of those once-in-a-lifetime occasions, Stevenson said. My little one was born a Jubilee baby, and its important for us to make this occasion, because its a huge part of history. Westminster Hall was built in 1097. It hosted King Henry VIIIs coronation banquet in 1509; the trial of Guy Fawkes in 1606, who plotted to blow up parliament; and the trial of King Charles I in 1649 following the English Civil War. For the next four days, the hall is playing no less a historic role in this ancient kingdom. Elizabeth died Sept. 8 at Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands, a place she cherished and where Charles became king. The queens funeral is scheduled for Monday at Westminster Abbey, with numerous world leaders expected to attend. The coffin will then be taken to Windsor for the committal service, where the queens husband, Prince Philip, was laid to rest in April 2021. Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. As border crossings have soared to record highs, U.S. President Joe Biden's administration is quietly pressing Mexico to accept more migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela under a COVID-19 expulsion order that the White House has publicly sought to end, seven U.S. and three Mexican officials said. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised concerns about an escalating number of crossings by migrants from the three countries during a visit on Monday to Mexico City, two U.S. and two Mexican officials told Reuters, but Mexico did not promise any specific actions. One U.S. official said trying to convince Mexico to agree is "an uphill battle." All sources requested anonymity to discuss internal government matters. Mexico already accepts U.S. returns of migrants from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. So far, this fiscal year about 299,000 people from those nations have been expelled at the border, compared to about 9,000 returns from Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. The U.S. effort to pressure Mexico on these three particular nationalities illustrates the depth of concern within the Biden's Democratic administration about their border crossings. Most migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela who cross into the United States are allowed to stay to pursue asylum claims, since they are difficult to deport due to frosty diplomatic relations with their governments. Mexico's foreign ministry declined to comment. A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council declined to discuss "diplomatic conversations" but said that nations in the region "have already begun to take collective responsibility to manage migration flows, including through repatriations." U.S. border agents have made a record 1.8 million migrant arrests so far in fiscal year 2022, with many attempting to cross multiple times, creating humanitarian challenges and political liabilities for Biden ahead of the November 8 midterm election. Of those arrests at the southwest border, nearly a quarter of the migrants were from Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, up from 8% in 2021 and 3% in 2020. Most were let into the United States to pursue immigration cases. The Biden administration has publicly sought to end the COVID health order, known as Title 42. Issued in early 2020 under former Republican President Donald Trump, it allows U.S. border authorities to rapidly expel migrants to Mexico or other countries without the chance to seek U.S. asylum. A federal Trump-appointed judge in Louisiana blocked the administration from ending the order earlier this year, even as U.S. health officials said it was no longer needed to protect against COVID spread. But behind closed doors, some Biden officials still view expanding expulsions as a way to deter crossers, one of the U.S. officials said, even if it contradicts the Democratic Party's more welcoming message toward migrants. Advocates and many Democrats fiercely oppose Title 42, saying it has exposed migrants to dangerous conditions in Mexico, including kidnapping and extortion. "I think this really betrays their commitments to refugee protection," said Robyn Barnard, associate director for refugee advocacy with the New York City-based non-profit organization Human Rights First. Two Mexican officials told Reuters that Mexico does not want to take Cubans, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans expelled from the United States because those countries resist accepting deportation flights from Mexico as well. Instead, Mexico aims to step up internal flights of migrants from its northern border to its southern border to relieve pressure on the shared frontier, one of the officials said. Mexico would like Washington to relax economic sanctions against Venezuela to help curb the exodus from the country and make it easier for migrants to work in the United States legally, two Mexican officials said. Meanwhile, U.S. border officials in El Paso, Texas, say they have been forced to release hundreds of migrants on city streets near shelters and bus stations to ease overcrowding at their facilities. Many of the Venezuelans arriving have no family members or sponsors, further straining charity and government agencies that assist them, said Mario D'Agostino, El Paso's deputy city manager. The Democrat-controlled city has contracted charter buses to carry migrants north to New York City, an effort that comes after the Republican governors of Texas and Arizona drew national attention by busing thousands of migrants to Democrat-led northern cities. Biden officials are also exploring ways to push responsibility to other nations beyond Mexico, sources said. For example, the White House wants Panama to accept deported Venezuelans if they passed through the Central American nation en route to the United States, two of the U.S. officials said. Nearly 70,000 Venezuelans entered Panama from its Colombian border this year through August, compared with 1,150 in the same period last year, according to official data. Panamanian government officials did not respond to a request for comment. Separately, the Biden administration had been sending a small number of Venezuelans to the Dominican Republic on commercial flights, two of the U.S. officials said, a continuation of a Trump-era practice. But the program was halted after pushback earlier this year from the office of Senator Robert Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, according to one of the U.S. officials and a person familiar with the matter. In February, Menendez called deporting migrants fleeing Venezuela's "cruel regime" to third countries "extremely disturbing." The Washington Post reported Wednesday that hundreds of Filipino workers at a U.S. military base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia are unable to leave due to a pay dispute between a U.S. contractor and the Philippine government. The Post said the Philippines demanded in 2020 that wages be raised to the U.S. federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, while workers said many were still being paid $5.25 per hour. The report said the contractor, Kellogg Brown & Root, had chartered flights between the Camp Thunder Cove base -- a highly strategic American outpost that supports U.S. Navy and Air Force operations -- and the Philippines about every three months, but that the flights were suspended this year. The Post said Kellogg Brown & Root told the newspaper in statements that the suspension was not related to a wage dispute, but that the flights were canceled in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and due to a lack of demand. The report cited several workers saying they were reluctant to fly back to the Philippines because of fears they would not be allowed to return if the wage dispute persisted. Members of one union rejected a tentative deal with the largest U.S. freight railroads Wednesday, while two ratified agreements and three others remained at the bargaining table just days ahead of a strike deadline, threatening to intensify snarls in the nation's supply chain that have contributed to rising prices. About 4,900 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 19 voted to reject the tentative agreement negotiated by IAM leadership with the railroads, the union said Wednesday. But the IAM agreed to delay any strike by its members until September 29 to allow more time for negotiations and to allow other unions to vote. Railroads are trying to reach an agreement with all their unions to avert a strike before Friday's deadline. The unions aren't allowed to strike before Friday under the federal law that governs railroad contract talks. The possibility of a freight rail strike is already disrupting passenger traffic because Amtrak and many commuter railroads operate on tracks owned by the freight railroads. Amtrak has canceled a number of its long-distance trains this week, and it said the rest of its long-distance trains would stop Thursday ahead of the strike deadline. Government officials and a variety of businesses are bracing for the possibility of a nationwide rail strike that would paralyze shipments of everything from crude oil and clothing to cars, a potential calamity for businesses that have struggled for more than two years because of COVID-19-related supply chain breakdowns. There are 12 unions one with two separate divisions representing 115,000 workers that must agree to the tentative deals and then have members vote on whether to approve them. So far, nine have agreed to tentative deals and three others are still at the bargaining table. Of the nine that agreed to the deals, two the Transportation Communications Union and the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen voted to ratify their contracts Wednesday. IAM members voted to reject their deal. And votes by the other six unions that approved tentative deals are pending. Presidential board All the tentative deals are based closely on the recommendations of a Presidential Emergency Board that Joe Biden appointed this summer that called for 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses in a five-year deal that's retroactive to 2020. Those recommendations also include one additional paid leave day a year and higher health insurance costs. The key unions that represent the conductors and engineers who drive trains are holding out in the hope that railroads will agree to go beyond those recommendations and address some of their concerns about unpredictable schedules and strict attendance policies that they say make it difficult to take any time off. They say the job cuts major railroads have made over the past six years eliminating nearly one-third of their workers have made a difficult job even harder, although the railroads maintain their operations have just become more efficient as they rely on fewer, longer trains. Contract talks continued Wednesday with Labor Secretary Marty Walsh participating to put pressure on both sides to reach a deal before Friday's deadline. "All parties need to stay at the table, bargain in good faith to resolve outstanding issues, and come to an agreement," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. "A shutdown of our freight system is an unacceptable outcome for our economy and the American people, and all parties must work to avoid just that." If the two sides can't agree, Congress could step in to block a strike and impose terms on the railroads and unions, but it wasn't clear Wednesday how quickly they could or would act because Democrats and Republicans can't readily agree on a solution. A number of business groups have written letters to lawmakers over the past week urging them to be prepared to step in because of their concerns that a rail strike would be what the Business Roundtable called an "economic catastrophe." With the midterm elections just weeks away, politics will play a role if Congress has to settle this dispute. Democrats are wary of alienating their allies in organized labor, as unions tend to be strong supporters in elections. At the same time, Republicans see an opportunity to put pressure on Biden and his party if the railroads teeter toward a strike. But it's entirely possible that all sides would be blamed for a rail shutdown. The many businesses that rely on railroads to deliver their raw materials and finished products say a rail strike would cause significant problems particularly for oil refineries, chemical businesses, automakers, retailers and agricultural groups. The Association of American Railroads trade group estimated that a strike would cost the economy more than $2 billion a day. Businesses would likely try to turn to trucks and other modes of shipping if the railroads do shut down, but there isn't enough trucking capacity to take up all the slack. The railroad trade group estimated that 467,000 additional trucks a day would be required to deliver everything railroads handle now. De facto authorities in Afghanistan have called on the United States to reconsider a plan to transfer billions of Afghan financial assets to a Swiss bank and disburse them outside the countrys central bank. The released funds will be used to stabilize the hobbled Afghan economy and mitigate the country's ongoing humanitarian crisis, but the Taliban will have no role in the process. The Afghan Fund will protect, preserve, and make targeted disbursements of that $3.5 billion to help provide greater stability to the Afghan economy. The Taliban are not a part of the Afghan Fund, and robust safeguards have been put in place to prevent the funds from being used for illicit activity, the U.S. Treasury and State Department said in a joint statement on Tuesday. The U.S. froze $7 billion of Afghanistans financial reserves in New York immediately after the Taliban seized power last year. About $2 billion in additional Afghan funds are held in several other countries. In February, President Joe Biden authorized the release of half of the frozen reserves and left the rest for 9/11 victims to pursue through ongoing litigation. The Taliban have long demanded the U.S. to release the funds, arguing they belong to Afghanistan. Da Afghanistan Bank rejects the allocation, use and transfer of these reserves for unorganized shares and demands a reconsideration in this regard, reads a statement the central bank of Afghanistan issued in response to the U.S. announcement. The Taliban did not comply with requirements for the funds to be released to the Afghanistan central bank, U.S. officials said. Under such conditions, the central bank would be immune from political interference, deliver anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing guarantees, and accept robust monitoring from independent external auditors. Bypassing the Taliban After they are transferred from the Federal Reserve in New York to an account at the Bank for International Settlements in Switzerland, the Afghan funds will be managed by a four-member board comprising two former Afghan officials, one U.S. official, and one Swiss. The funds will not be used to purchase humanitarian supplies, Thomas West, U.S. special representative for Afghanistan, said on Wednesday, adding that small amounts from the funds will be used to pay Afghan arrears to international financial institutions such as the World Bank for Afghanistan to remain eligible for international aid. The funds could also pay for electricity imports to Afghanistan from its immediate neighboring countries. In the short-term, the Board of Trustees of the Afghan Fund will have the ability to authorize targeted disbursements to promote monetary and macroeconomic stability and benefit the Afghan people, said the U.S. statement. Stabilizing the Afghan economy and reaching out to assist millions of Afghans without any Taliban involvement will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, experts say. Any aid that gets through could be helpful, but the economy will not be able to recover from the depression that it is in right now without a functioning Central Bank, and [that] requires that the Central Bank have possession of its reserves, Mark Weisbrot, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, told VOA. International actors will need Talibans consent, whatever they want to do in Afghanistan, said Khan Afzal Hadawal, a former governor of Da Afghanistan Bank. Nongovernmental organizations will need to work with Taliban authorities to effectively implement development and humanitarian projects, he told VOA. While the Taliban have allowed foreign aid agencies to operate in Afghanistan, the U.N. has recently voiced concerns about growing problems and obstacles that female humanitarian workers face under the Taliban. Amid a growing set of restrictions curtailing their basic rights and freedoms, female humanitarian workers face harassment, intimidation and mistreatment on a daily basis from the moment they leave their homes, to the point they return, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement Wednesday. Not a panacea Already one of the poorest countries on earth, Afghanistan has sunk deeper in poverty and humanitarian challenges over the past year. The U.N. has called for more than $4.4 billion in aid to prevent a widespread humanitarian disaster in the country, but as of Wednesday, donors have funded 43% of the appeal. The release of these funds will not address all the economic woes in the country, and more needs to be done to revive the economy, Khalid Payenda, a former Afghan finance minister, told VOA. And any scenarios that see the release of these assets as the cure to all issues in the economy are flawed." Last month, dozens of international economists and academics, including Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz, called on Biden to release the Afghan funds to Da Afghanistan Bank, despite it being run by the Taliban. Without access to its foreign reserves, the central bank of Afghanistan cannot carry out its normal, essential functions. Without a functioning central bank, the economy of Afghanistan has, predictably, collapsed. The people of Afghanistan have been made to suffer doubly for a government they did not choose. In order to mitigate the humanitarian crisis and set the Afghan economy on a path toward recovery, we urge you to allow DAB [Da Afghanistan Bank] to reclaim its international reserves, the letter said. In addition to denying the Taliban Afghanistans financial assets, the U.S. has imposed financial and political sanctions on Taliban leaders and institutions, some of which date back to late 1990s, when the Taliban were hosting al-Qaida leaders despite U.S. objections. Last month, a travel exemption that permitted some Taliban leaders to travel abroad, mostly for negotiations with foreign officials, expired as members of the U.N. Security Council could not agree on an extension. The Taliban is not recognized as a legitimate government, and its year in power has been widely criticized as repressive and draconian, particularly for Afghan women. Tens of thousands of mourners lined up through the night and into the day Thursday to file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall. Aerial video in London showed the mourners lining the banks of the Thames River and across the Tower Bridge, stretching an estimated 5.6 kilometers. Officials expect 750,000 people to pay their respects before the queen's official funeral on Monday. The hall will be open 23 hours a day for visitors and will be guarded by soldiers from the royal household. Buckingham Palace Thursday released the official order of service for events leading up to and after Mondays state funeral. On Friday, King Charles III and his siblings will hold a vigil at their mothers coffin for 15 minutes in Westminster Hall, as they did earlier this week when it lay in St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh. About 2,000 guests, including visiting heads of state and other dignitaries, are expected for Mondays service at Westminster Abbey. Immediately after, two minutes of silence will be observed across Britain, giving Britons a chance to pay their final respects to the late monarch. Elizabeths coffin will then be transported from the abbey through the historic heart of London to Wellington Arch near Buckingham Palace on a horse-drawn gun carriage, with Charles and other royals walking behind. The coffin will then be driven in the state hearse to Windsor for a committal service at St. Georges Chapel near Windsor Castle. Later in the day, members of the royal family will hold a private burial service at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, where the queen will be interred with her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year. Elizabeth died September 8 at Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands, a place she cherished and where Charles became king. Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse A report submitted to the UN Human Rights Council this week on Nicaraguas human rights situation condemns what it calls the further deterioration of civil and political rights by a government seeking to keep its people in check. The report presents a withering account of the lengths to which the government of President Daniel Ortega will go to maintain its iron grip on power. It accuses the government of silencing critical and dissenting voices in Nicaragua, deepening the political crisis which is tearing the country apart. Christian Salazar Volkmann, director of field operations and technical cooperation for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said at least 195 perceived government critics have been arbitrarily detained, and 50 people arrested in the context of last year's presidential elections were sentenced this year, in some cases to up to 13 years' imprisonment. "At least 28 or 29 of these persons are still detained in a police detention center in reportedly inhuman conditions. While some of the prisoners have finally been able to see their children, who are minors, many have been excluded from doing so for over a year now," he said through an interpreter. He said the human rights office has documented many acts of harassment against human rights defenders, clergy, and actual or supposed political opponents. A number of these attacks, he says, have been against the Catholic Church. Volkmann said restrictions on free expression have intensified, as have attacks on press and academic freedom. These restrictions, together with adverse living conditions, he says, have significantly increased those leaving Nicaragua. The number of Nicaraguan refugees and asylum seekers rose to 200,000 persons, three-quarters of them in Costa Rica. In the first six months of 2022, 84,055 people were intercepted at the border of the United States, compared to 5,450 people in all of 2020. Volkmann said November municipal elections likely will not be free and fair unless the government implements reforms recommended by the Office of the High Commissioner. Nicaragua's attorney general, Wendy Carolina Morales Urbina, rejected the report as a manipulation and distortion of conditions in her country. She described the content as part of the interventionist design applied by the United States and European countries and called the report deceitful, saying Nicaragua would not accept recommendations that seek to interfere in its internal affairs. Despite lingering doubts about the usefulness of so-called decapitation strikes, U.S. operations to kill senior terrorist leaders are paying dividends, according to one of Washingtons top counterterrorism officials. Both the Islamic State terror group and al-Qaida have been forced to stay in survival mode following the deaths of their leaders as a result of U.S. actions this year, National Counterterrorism Center Director Christine Abizaid said Thursday. Islamic State, in particular, she said, has been forced to refocus following the death of former emir Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, also known as Hajji Abdallah, following a U.S. special forces raid in northwestern Syria in February. At the time, senior U.S. military officials described Abu Ibrahims death as a significant blow, an assessment that has been borne out in the way IS has carried out operations in recent months. Whats important about it is its not just him, Abizaid told an intelligence and security conference outside Washington, responding to a question submitted by VOA. It's that he is the last in a long line of leaders who are no longer trying to attack the United States and trying to rout Syria and regain territorial control in a way that, I think, has really reflected a major talent loss in ISIS senior leadership, Abizaid said, using another acronym for the terror group. [It] has caused them to focus on kind of branch expansion that has diffused the threat and, again, made the focus on the United States less acute than we had seen in prior years. The U.S. airstrike that killed longtime al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri at the end of July has, likewise, resulted in a cascading effect on the terror organization. I think about now how important it was not just for the threat that he posed, but for the tie that he created across the al-Qaida network, Abizaid said. That tie is weaker today because he's not on the battlefield. And the weaker and the more diffuse that al-Qaida network is, I think, the better for U.S. national security, she added. Abizaids assessment seems to reflect a shift in U.S. thinking, especially when it comes to Islamic State. For years, even in the aftermath of the collapse of Islamic States self-declared caliphate in Iraq and Syria, U.S. and Western military and counterterrorism officials warned that IS and its key affiliates had structured themselves in such a way that for every key leader who was killed, there was an understudy ready to take his place. And a recently declassified intelligence assessment written in May 2020 predicted IS was organizing for a prolonged insurgency while rebuilding many key capabilities that are likely to expand its global reach and the threat it poses to U.S. and Western interests. But recent intelligence estimates suggest ISs hold among its followers in Iraq and Syria may be waning. While there are still areas that serve as key communication and financial hubs, like the al-Hol displaced persons camp in northeast Syria, the terror groups fighters have been dispersed across remote areas. And its cadre of fighters, numbering as many as 16,000 last year is now estimated to be fewer than 10,000. The U.S. and its allies have also pointed to a series of operations following the raid on Abu Ibrahim that have whittled away at ISs core leadership, including U.S. drone strikes and the arrests of senior IS leaders in Syria and Turkey. A recent report by the United Nations, based on member state intelligence, went as far as to caution that al-Qaida was poised to surpass IS as the worlds preeminent jihadist terrorist organization, due in part to a rapid succession of [IS] leadership losses since October 2019, with an as yet unknown impact on its operational health. Meanwhile, there are growing questions about the ability of the al-Qaida core to remain relevant and influential with al-Zawahiri gone. This is challenging for al-Qaida, a former Western counterterrorism official told VOA following al-Zawahiris death, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss recent intelligence assessments. Those assessments from the U.S., as well as those from several other countries that were shared with the United Nations, caution there are perhaps only a handful of al-Qaida core officials still in Afghanistan, long the groups base of operations. Al-Zawahiris likely successor, Saif al-Adel, meanwhile, is believed to be in Iran along with the next most senior al-Qaida official, and there are questions as to whether Tehran will let them leave. Al-Qaida's other top leaders are based in Africa, and intelligence officials say they may be more interested in the fortunes of their particular affiliates than in the broader concerns of the terror group. The United States and Russia are calling for restraint as fighting on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan has left about 155 troops dead. VOA Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports on the escalation of decades-old bloodshed between the two former Soviet republics. The U.S. on Thursday imposed new economic sanctions on an array of Russians, including some that it accused of stealing Ukrainian grain, an official who allegedly has directed the deportation of tens of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia, and relatives of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. "The United States continues to hold the Russian government to account for its war against Ukraine," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. The top American diplomat said those targeted include major Russian defense entities, key advanced-technology firms that support Russia's defense industrial base and financial infrastructure, a Russian military intelligence agency and individuals linked to human rights abuses. Additional sanctions were levied on Kadyrov, who already had been blacklisted by the U.S. since 2017. The new blacklist also targets three of Kadyrov's wives and three of his adult daughters. Blinken said Maria Lvova-Belova was sanctioned for her efforts to deport Ukrainian children to Russia. He said the sanctions targeted "key Russia-installed authority figures in Ukrainian territories currently controlled by the Russian military," along with 31 defense, technology and electronics entities, "to further constrain Russia's advanced technology industries and their contribution to Russia's defense industrial base." Blinken said those targeted included 22 Russian proxy officials, including five that have overseen the seizure or theft of hundreds of thousands of tons of Ukrainian grain. The sanctions freeze any U.S. assets held by those blacklisted and prohibits U.S. individuals or companies from doing business with them. In Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hosted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for talks that she said would include "getting our economies and people closer while Ukraine progresses" toward membership in the European Union. Ukraine applied to join the EU in late February, days after Russia launched its invasion. The EU granted Ukraine candidacy status in June. Zelenskyy used part of his latest nightly address to criticize Russian cruise missile strikes on the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, which he said hit a reservoir dam with "no military value" that hundreds of thousands of civilians depend on. The Ukrainian leader also said almost the entire Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine is "de-occupied" after Ukrainian forces took back large areas in a counteroffensive in the past two weeks. The gains included retaking the city of Izium where Zelenskyy traveled Wednesday to meet with soldiers and thank them for their efforts. "Ukrainian forces continue to consolidate their control of newly liberated areas of Kharkiv Oblast," Britain's defense ministry said Thursday. "Russian forces have largely withdrawn from the area west of the Oskil River." Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Indias ambitions to create a domestic semiconductor manufacturing capability got a boost with this week's announcement of a $ 19.5 billion investment by Taiwanese electronic company Foxconn and local conglomerate Vedanta. The companies will set up manufacturing facilities for producing the chips in Prime Minister Narendra Modis home state, Gujarat. The plants are expected to be operational by 2024. Modi called the agreement an important step in accelerating Indias semi-conductor manufacturing ambitions in a tweet Tuesday following the announcement. India has joined the global race to make the chips at the heart of modern electronic devices from smartphones to cars, but for which there have been global shortages since the COVID-19 pandemic caused supply chain constraints. India announced a $10 billion economic package in December to attract semiconductor makers as it looks to become a production hub for the critical components. It has also promised to expand incentives. So far manufacturers in a small number of East Asian countries, led by China, Taiwan and South Korea, have supplied most of the worlds semiconductors. Several countries now want to reduce their dependence on global supply chains in critical technologies after the pandemic as well as Russias war in Ukraine and growing tensions between Western countries and China highlighted the risks of relying on limited sources of production. There are growing concerns of economic wars in the future and overdependence on China, especially for crucial components. So, India is trying to emerge as a production hub for semiconductors, Sreeram Chaulia, dean of the Jindal School of International Affairs. The government believes that India can fill a niche as some countries and companies look to alternatives to China, he told VOA. While India has forged ahead in the software technology sector, which does not require physical infrastructure, it has lagged behind in electronic manufacturing partly due to poor infrastructure. The most difficult issue facing manufacturers is the unavailability of large tracts of land. India also offers some advantages, though, such as the the thousands of semiconductor design engineers working for global companies with research and development offices in the country. I can confidently say that within the next five to six years, we will become a great semiconductor design capital of the world. We will use that capability to feed into our semiconductor manufacturing also," Ashwini Vaishnav, Indias information technology and electronics minister, told a business conference last month. The Foxconn and Vedanta announcement is the biggest announced in the sector so far. India's own Silicon Valley is a step closer now," Vedanta group chairman Anil Agarwal tweeted Tuesday. The project is expected to create 100,000 jobs in India. "The improving infrastructure and the government's active and strong support increases confidence in setting up a semiconductor factory," Foxconn Vice President Brian Ho said in a statement. Singaporean group IGSS Ventures has also signed a memorandum of understanding for a semiconductor plant in Tamil Nadu state. Many countries will be a lot more comfortable relying on India, so that gives the government a sense that this could just be the beginning of a flow of foreign funds to promote chip manufacturing, Chaulia said. There also have been discussions at the level of the Quad and other forums for finding reliable sources for some of these components, he said, referring to the grouping of India, the United States, Japan and Australia. The push to make semiconductors is also part of a Make in India campaign promoted by Modi since he took office eight years ago. His aim to emulate Chinas success in manufacturing had met with a tepid response according to business experts. New Delhi hopes that will change as companies look at diversifying production bases especially in areas of critical technologies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is hosting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for talks Thursday in Kyiv that von der Leyen said would include getting our economies and people closer while Ukraine progresses towards accession. Ukraine applied to join the European Union in late February, days after Russia launched its invasion. The EU granted Ukraine candidacy status in June. "In Kyiv, for my 3rd visit since the start of Russia's war. So much has changed. Ukraine is now an EU candidate," von der Leyen tweeted. In Uzbekistan, the Ukraine conflict was on the agenda for talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Zelenskyy used part of his latest nightly address to criticize Russia cruise missile strikes on the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, which he said hit a reservoir dam with no military value that hundreds of thousands of civilians depend on. The Ukrainian leader also said almost the entire Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine is de-occupied after Ukrainian forces took back large areas in a counteroffensive. The gains included retaking the city of Izium where Zelenskyy traveled Wednesday to meet with soldiers and thank them for their efforts. Ukrainian forces continue to consolidate their control of newly liberated areas of Kharkiv Oblast, Britains defense ministry said Thursday. Russian forces have largely withdrawn from the area west of the Oskil River. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. The British Embassy says Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to attend Queen Elizabeth IIs funeral funeral on Monday. In a tweet, the Embassy dismissed as fake a letter purportedly written by King Charles III indicating that Mnangagwa wont be invited to attend the queens funeral at West Minister Abbey due to travel restrictions imposed by the West on him and other Zanu PF official for alleged electoral fraud and human rights violations. The state-controlled Herald newspaper also reports that Mnangagwa will attend the queens funeral. Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said, "... If theres anything circulating implying a leader request to attend, that would be fake. Zimbabwe is definitely on the list of countries to be invited to the funeral. The list has been there for a long time under Operation London Bridge that details every process from her death to burial. Zimbawe is one of the countries HM the Queen visited at least twice." Mnangagwa is expected to send his Foreign Affairs Minister, Federick Shava, to London as he will be at the United Nations General Assembly in NewYork, USA, next week. Meanwhile, the Associated Press, Agence France Press and Reuters report that tens of thousands of mourners lined up through the night and into the day Thursday to file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall. Aerial video in London showed the mourners lining the banks of the Thames River and across the Tower Bridge, stretching an estimated 5.6 kilometers. Officials expect 750,000 people to pay their respects before the queen's official funeral on Monday. The hall will be open 23 hours a day for visitors and will be guarded by soldiers from the royal household. WASHINGTON The United States Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has designated one Zimbabwean and removed 11 others from the Specially Designated Nationals List (SDN List) under the Zimbabwe sanctions program. According to the OFAC, the Zimbabwe sanctions program targets human rights abusers and those who undermine democratic processes or facilitate corruption. In a statement, OFAC said U.S. sanctions do not target the Zimbabwean people, the country or banking sector. The 11 individuals being removed from the SDN list are either deceased or have been deemed to no longer undermine Zimbabwes democratic processes and institutions. Each year, the U.S. Government removes hundreds of individuals and entities from the SDN List. Each removal is based on a thorough review. OFAC also designated Stephen Mutamba, the Zimbabwe Republic Polices Deputy Commissioner for Administration, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13469 for his role in undermining Zimbabwes democratic processes and institutions. OFAC said over the past two years, Mutamba has taken actions that threaten and undermine legitimate political parties who oppose the policies of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party. In 2020, said OFAC, Mutamba supported Zimbabwe security services use of pressure and intimidation on prominent opposition figures. OFAC noted that in 2020, Mutamba supported the uneven enforcement of a COVID-related curfew, encouraging security forces to limit opposition activities and did not allow for foreign national officials located in Zimbabwe to meet with Zimbabwean opposition parties or civil society groups. In 2021, said OFAC, Mutamba advocated that vote tallies not be displayed outside polling locations and that international observers should not be allowed to monitor the 2023 elections. It is imperative that ZANU-PF allow full participation across the political spectrum in next years elections, said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. The United States continues to stand with the Zimbabwean people against unjust actions against political opponents or assaults on Zimbabwes democracy by the ZANU-PF. SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS OFAC said as a result of Thursdays designation, all property and interests in property of these persons located in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to the relevant authorities. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more in the aggregate by one or more of such persons are also blocked. All transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked or designated persons are prohibited, unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or otherwise exempt. These prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person and the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from the ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also the willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. Mutamba was unavailable for comment as he was not responding to calls on his mobile phone. The West imposed targeted sanctions on following claims of election rigging and human rights violations. Senior Arts Journalist John Moore was the Denver Post's longtime theater critic and has been published in more than 50 publications including the New York Times and Washington Post. He also co-founded both the Denver Actors Fund and Underground Music Showcase (The UMS). Your morning rundown of the latest news from overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Samsung did not rule out resuming stock shipments to Russia after the Korean company suspended orders in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, reported Reuters. The news agency cited Russian newspaper Izvestia, which reported the electronics giant will restart official online sales channels in October. Samsung ceased product shipments to Russia in March, over a week after Russia began its offensive in Ukraine, "due to current geopolitical developments." The Korean manufacturer donated US$6 million in aid. Counterpoint Research ranked Samsung as the number one handset manufacturer in Russia commanding 30% of the market share at the end of Q4 2021, sitting ahead of Xiaomi which held 23% and Apple which had 13%. Telecoms infrastructure giants Ericsson and Nokia solidified plans to exit the Russian market at the end of this year. Analysts speaking to Developing Telecoms predict Chinese vendors Huawei and ZTE could stand to make huge gains from the departure of the Nordic companies. Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share As Ukrainian troops probe Russian defenses along the entire front and only the Wagner Group mercenaries continue a small-scale offensive operation in the Donetsk region, the initiative in the Russo-Ukrainian war is firmly in the hands of the invaded, not the invader. While that can still change, perhaps more than once, its a good moment to consider whether the man who got Russia into this mess retains any legitimacy domestically or internationally. To put it even more bluntly, who, if anyone, still needs a weak Vladimir Putin? Putins claim to power has evolved over his nearly 22 years atop the Kremlin. In 2000, he was President Boris Yeltsins chosen successor, then the president elected in a vote that, while not problem-free, reflected the will of Russian voters. By the end of the first eight years of his rule, he was the architect of a corruption-plagued, but broadly beneficial economic upsurge; because Russians credited him for that, they cared little about the erosion of electoral democracy as he consolidated power. After the intermission of Dmitry Medvedevs presidency, he briefly struggled to find a new source of legitimacy until he seized on the annexation of Crimea, an event so inspiring to a large majority of Russians that even a harsh pension reform four years later didnt appreciably dent his popularity. Putin went into the Covid pandemic riding an ebbing Crimea wave of support while relying increasingly on a swollen, well-fed security apparatus a full-fledged dictator now, with elections a joke and all major issues, and lots of minor ones, requiring his personal intervention. The pandemic, when most visitors had to quarantine for weeks before being admitted to Putins presence, seems to have shrunk his trusted entourage to a handful of yes-men. The Kremlins erratic policies made Russia one of Covids biggest victims, and only the disease and increasing oppression kept Russians from looking up too much. By then, Putins legitimacy rested on the general impression of undefeated, unbeatable strength, backed up by a military success in Syria and the steamrolling of domestic opposition. Advertisement As in the tough streets of any big city, however, be it St. Petersburg or Sao Paolo, the reputation of a strongman as the head of a country needs constant reinforcing by further feats of strength. For his next one, Putin chose Ukraine again, launching what he clearly thought would be a blitzkrieg ending with the swift fall of Kyiv and the annexation of a large swathe of Ukrainian territory. Even though the outcome of the war is far from decided, this show of force has failed spectacularly. Russia has revealed itself to be vulnerable militarily after years of bravado that deceived even the experts. Russias weakness is not lost on foreign leaders, from once-cautious Western adversaries shipping increasingly deadly weaponry to Ukraine to neighbors like Azerbaijans leader Ilham Aliyev, who appears to see a new opportunity to improve his countrys position in Nagorno-Karabakh while Putin is bogged down in Ukraine. Putin may have hoped for more active support from China, but hes not getting anything beyond discounted energy purchases; were he winning, China would doubtless be more forthcoming. The domestic audience, too, appears to be shedding its illusions of Russias greatness, no matter what one might say about the efficiency of Putins propaganda. His media mouthpieces Vladimir Solovyov and Margarita Simonyan no longer own the narrative. Even on state television, not to mention nationalist Telegram channels with hundreds of thousands of readers, Russias defeats are engendering much bitterness and hurt. The hard-core propagandists look lost, sometimes downright bizarre, with Simonyan retreating into sentimental memories and poetry and Solovyov appearing on the air with bruises and scratches on his face. Advertisement Putin himself, stubbornly maintaining a business-as-usual program of meetings of little relevance to the Ukrainian elephant in the room, looks like a denizen of Pink Pony Planet, as far-right commentator Igor Girkin (Strelkov) calls the distant realm of the Russian elite. And what of Putins suppression machine, his vaunted FSB domestic intelligence and more than 300,000-strong Rosgvardia riot police? Despite its extensive network, the former failed to predict Ukraines stiff resistance. A large part of the latter was sent across the border, initially to police the conquered territories, but ending up in the meat grinder of trench warfare, something for which its personnel never trained. Whether they will return from the war with any respect for Putin is questionable; even the dictators faithful servant, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, whose fighting force in Ukraine is part of Rosgvardia, has doubted the campaigns conduct, if not (yet) Putins leadership and goal-setting. If a strong Putin was widely tolerated, often appeased, and, in Russia itself, feared and obeyed, what could be the basis of a weak Putins power? Certainly not sympathy: Russians arent known to respect weak leaders witness the political fate of the last Soviet President, the late Mikhail Gorbachev, and many a Russian czar before him. A Ukraine-style popular revolution in Russia is unlikely, even if Western sanctions begin to bite in earnest: The new leaders needed for something like that will not emerge overnight from Russias thoroughly purged civil society. But you can at least expect popular indifference in the face of top-down change. Despite appearances, an unquestioning pro-Putin majority doesnt exist, according to a recent report by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the number of the dictators diehard backers wont increase with more defeats. Advertisement Internationally, what might prop up Putin even if he loses the war is a fear that what comes after him may be far worse. The far right, inspired by the same ideals of imperial greatness as Putin himself, can be much more ruthless when it comes to its choice of means to that end. Someone of Strelkovs ilk with a finger on the nuclear button is indeed a scary thought. Domestically, though, Putin risks losing control as soon as the fear subsides. Military and police commanders, spies, even the timid oligarchs will be scheming and likely already are, as a matter of contingency planning to put forward a figure who could maintain their positions while pulling out of the Ukraine nosedive and offering a calming alternative to the rest of the world. The tightening of Putins close circle during the pandemic has, as an unintended consequence, shortened his reach and provided more opportunity for plots and intrigues behind his back. None of this means, of course, that Putin is about to be toppled. Speculation concerning potential replacements is being dribbled into Telegram and foreign media mostly as a way to damage specific figures. For now, the dictator is still in control: All his years in power have earned him the benefit of the doubt among Russias powerful, a group moth-eaten by negative selection. He must, however, realize that if military defeats continue, retaining his clout will require surprising, even drastic moves. The world might yet be treated to a re-enactment of the tired cornered rat metaphor from Putins childhood something to keep in mind but not to fear: All dictatorships end someday, and few go out in a blaze of glory. Advertisement More From Other Writers at Bloomberg Opinion: Ukraines Army Is Winning But Its Economy Is Losing: Niall Ferguson How the Ukraine Offensive Will Shift the Market Narrative: John Authers Ukraine May Become More Successful Than Biden Wants: Hal Brands This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Leonid Bershidsky, formerly Bloomberg Opinions Europe columnist, is a member of the Bloomberg News Automation Team. He recently published Russian translations of George Orwells 1984 and Franz Kafkas The Trial. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article HFCL, a leading Indian manufacturer of optical fibre cables, optical transport, power electronics and broadband equipment for the telecommunication industry, has won orders worth Rs447.81 crores (about US$56.2 million) from Indias state-owned operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and the telecom infrastructure provider RailTel Corporation. Of this, Rs341.26 crores (about US$42.8 million) comes from BSNL for the supply, installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of a control plane user plane separation broadband network gateway (CUPS BNG) and associated subscriber policy manager and authentication platform on a turnkey basis. The remaining Rs106.55 crores (about $13.4 million) goes to HFCL from RailTel for supply, installation, testing, commissioning, integration with existing infrastructure, operation, and maintenance of an IP-based video surveillance system (VSS) at 180 railway stations in the western region of RailTel for and on behalf of Indian Railways. RailTel Corporation is one of the largest neutral telecom infrastructure providers in the country, owning a Pan-India optic fibre network on exclusive right of way (ROW) along railway tracks. Government owned (and cash-strapped) BSNL describes itself as a technology-oriented integrated telecom service provider. Its services include broadband, FTTH and mobile. As we have reported, BSNL is receiving somewhere in the region of US$20 billion as part of a revival package, though its not clear whether the recently released US$626.6 million first tranche of the package will help to pay for this deal. Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share So far, economic sanctions on Russia have done nothing to halt Vladimir Putins war on Ukraine. The ruble is still strong. Oil prices are high. Before Ukraines latest advances on the battlefield, polls showed that 75% of Russians still supported the war (in public at any rate). Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight So why continue with sanctions? Economic boycotts, of course, are one way for democratic governments to demonstrate their opposition to tyranny and military aggression without actually having to go to war. They also represent an effort to turn people against their autocratic leaders. Some European politicians have claimed that stopping Russians from travelling to Europe will encourage them to demand an end to the war. Punishing oligarchs by seizing their yachts and freezing their foreign bank accounts is intended in part to encourage an elite backlash against Putin. Advertisement In fact, economic punishment almost never has the desired effect of bringing down a tyranny or stopping violent aggression. The Iranian theocracy, widely disliked by much of the countrys urban population, has not relaxed its grip despite years of economic isolation. Similarly, there is no sign that Vladimir Putins autocratic power is waning. Anyone in need of further proof should look to the military precedent for this kind of thinking the strategic bombing of whole towns and cities pioneered during World War Two. Bombing civilians, rather like imposing sanctions, was also conceived as a way to avoid sending armies into bloody and attritional combat. The idea at first was that terrorizing people would force them into submission. The British used the method in the 1920s to put down a revolt of Iraqi tribesmen. The Japanese opted for a similar strategy in China in the 1930s. The Germans followed up in Warsaw and Rotterdam at the beginning of World War Two, then continued their bombing campaign in London and other cities. Advertisement It wasnt until 1942 that governments started looking at intentionally punishing people in the hope that they would bring down their leaders. The charge was led by two of the same men who were involved in bombing Iraqis in the 1920s: British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Sir Arthur Bomber Harris, then head of the Royal Air Forces Bomber Command. Too many British aircrews were being lost in precision bombing of military targets and Churchill decided that it would be smarter to try and shatter the morale of the German population with indiscriminate bombing. Surely, once Hamburg, Berlin and other cities went up in flames, Germans would no longer support Hitler and his gang. Almost every Japanese city was destroyed by the Americans in 1944 and 1945 with the same object in mind. The atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were just the last and most devastating example of strategic bombing in the war. Advertisement Yet neither the Germans nor the Japanese ever turned against their regimes. They knew that criticizing their leaders in public could mean death. People instead tried to survive as best they could. If anything, shared hardship tends to rally people around a common enemy and strengthen support for their leaders. The US learned this lesson yet again in North Vietnam in the early 1970s, when the Pentagon tried to bomb that country into submission. Perhaps things would have been different if the Germans, the Japanese, the Vietnamese, or indeed the Iranians and the Russians today, had been free to oppose their leaders. The one case where economic punishment has met with success is in South Africa. Economic and sporting boycotts that humiliated and isolated the country helped to bring down the apartheid regime. That was only possible because white South Africans, as opposed to blacks, were living in a democracy, where votes and public opinion mattered. Advertisement Putin is clearly counting on this distinction, hoping that cutting off energy supplies to Europe this winter will prompt citizens there to rethink support for Ukraine. He and his followers believe that people in the liberal West are decadent and soft. Russians, in Putins view, can take the pain. Europeans cant. This prejudice has been shared by many autocrats in the past. Wars in Europe and Asia were started on the assumption that free citizens lacked the stomach for a fight. And indeed, democracies may be vulnerable to pressures that dont have the same impact in authoritarian countries. Wars are hard to sustain in democracies once the public refuses to endorse them. At the same time, Ukrainians are certainly showing that they are prepared to fight for their freedom, just as the British did in World War Two. It is now up to other democracies to bear the consequences of helping Ukraine defend itself. If Russians can resist economic pressure in a misbegotten cause, they should do no less in a virtuous one. Advertisement More From Other Writers at Bloomberg Opinion: Ukraine Can Win the War. The West Should Step Up: Editorial Look to Russias Future in South Africas Past: Clara F. Marques Winter Reality Is Sinking In for EU Leaders: Lionel Laurent This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Ian Buruma is professor of human rights at Bard College. His latest book is The Churchill Complex. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share A short war in 2020 between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh was part of a conflict that has flared repeatedly in the three decades since the collapse of the Soviet Union. With backing from Turkey, Azerbaijani forces regained control of seven adjacent districts that had been occupied by Armenians since the initial conflict in the early 1990s. Azerbaijan also took over part of Nagorno-Karabakh itself, a territory largely populated by Armenians but which is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. While a truce brokered by Russian President Vladimir Putin halted fighting then, energy-rich Azerbaijan and landlocked Armenia havent reached a final peace agreement, and deadly border clashes broke out again in September. 1. Whats the root of the conflict? Todays Armenia and Azerbaijan are situated in an area that for centuries had fluid borders, with both suffering partition and brutality at the hands of the much larger Russian, Ottoman and Persian empires. The two communities began to fight each other as those empires collapsed toward the end of World War I and they sought to form independent states, with Russia backing Armenia and Ottoman Turkey supporting Azerbaijan in what amounted to a proxy war. Nagorno-Karabakh was a center of tension from the start, because the mountainous region hosted a mixed community of Armenians and Azeris and was seen by both nations as central to their national histories and identities. Advertisement 2. What role did the breakup of the Soviet Union play? After the Soviet Union took control of both nascent states in 1921, its leader Josef Stalin sowed the seeds for todays dispute. He secured Nagorno-Karabakh for Azerbaijan but then in 1923 carved it out as an autonomous region, with borders that gave it a population that was more than 90% Armenian. The first violence of the current conflict broke out in 1988, as it became clear that the days of the Soviet empire, too, might be numbered. The two Soviet republics began to press for independence, giving new meaning to what had in essence been internal administrative borders. Nagorno-Karabakhs national assembly voted to dissolve its autonomous status and join Armenia. Pogroms against ethnic Azeris in Armenia and against ethnic Armenians in Azerbaijan occured. In all more than 30,000 people were killed in the war in the early 1990s. More than 6,000 were killed in the 44-day war in 2020, and dozens in clashes this year. 3. How has Armenias history contributed to this? Advertisement Although the Armenian and Azeri communities of Karabakh lived together peacefully and were relatively well integrated until 1988, Armenias history in particular conspired to create a tinderbox of nationalist feeling. The 1915 genocide, in which the late Ottoman regime killed as many as 1.5 million Armenians as it drove them from Anatolia, left deep scars. Fear of Turkey left Armenia feeling unusually dependent on Russia for military support after the Soviet collapse, and many Armenians came to see Azeris as proto-Turks, eliding the threat. In fact, the two are distinct. Azeris are Turkic speaking, but they are mainly Shiite Muslims, whereas Turks are mainly Sunni. 4. Why is Turkey involved and what are its goals? Turkey long had a closed border and no diplomatic relations with Armenia, in part due to the Karabakh conflict and in part due to wider tension over the 1915 genocide. (Since the 2020 war the two sides have begun a process to normalize ties and partially reopen their border.) By contrast, Azerbaijan supplies Turkey with natural gas and crude oil via pipelines that pass within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of the Azerbaijan-Armenia border and 30 miles of the broader conflict zone. As a result, Turkey has long sided with Azerbaijan on the Karabakh dispute. That support was until recently limited to rhetoric, but Turkeys military backing, including F-16 fighter jets and drones, proved decisive in the 2020 conflict. The two countries signed a defense pact a year later. The changes came at a time when Erdogan was using hard power to press Turkish interests across much of the former Ottoman space, including against Russia in Syria and Libya, and against Cyprus, Greece and Israel in the Eastern Mediterranean. Though not a signatory to the peace deal, it represented a strategic triumph for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was able to muscle into Russias Caucasus backyard. Advertisement 5. What did the truce involve? It effectively restored Azerbaijans control of most of the territory it lost in the 1990s, while saying nothing about the final status of the disputed enclave. Russia, which has a military base in Armenia, sent 2,000 peacekeeping troops to Nagorno-Karabakh. The accord provided for a land corridor, policed by Russian forces, through which residents of Nagorno-Karabakh could reach Armenia. It also is supposed to allow people in the Azerbaijani exclave of Naxcivan, which borders Armenia, Iran and Turkey, to travel across southern Armenia to the rest of Azerbaijan. That one had yet to open as of September 2022. A full peace agreement remains elusive, despite international efforts to promote talks. 6. What has been Russias role? As a nearby nuclear superpower and former overlord, Russia has leverage with both countries. It has a defense pact with Armenia, though it doesnt cover Nagorno-Karabakh. Still, the 2020 accord ended an anomaly in which the enclave was a so-called frozen conflict on former Soviet territory, where Russia didnt have troops on the ground able to determine the outcome. Armenia is now more dependent than ever on the ultimate guarantee that the Russian base provides. Since 1994, Azerbaijans oil and gas wealth have allowed it to substantially increase its military spending -- much of which has gone to purchasing weapons from Russia, which arms both sides. Advertisement 7. What about the US and France? Russia, the US and France are members of the so-called Minsk Group of mediators that have been trying for decades to negotiate a settlement. The US used to wield considerable influence, as host to a large, wealthy and politically active Armenian diaspora and the primary backer of new Azeri oil and gas pipeline routes that skirt and compete with Russias transit network. While US interest in the region ebbed in recent years, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken called Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders in September to urge an end to hostilities. French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed sympathy with Armenia but his leverage with Azerbaijan appears limited. The European Union in July signed a deal to double imports of natural gas from Azerbaijan as the bloc seeks to break Putins grip on its energy supplies amid the confrontation over Russias invasion of Ukraine. 8. Whats the energy situation? Advertisement The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline has a capacity of 1.2 million barrels per day. It normally operates at only half that level, but supplies have increased since May, when BP shut oil exports via the Western Route Export Pipeline, also known as Baku-Supsa, and diverted them to the BTC. BP cited the unavailability of tankers on the Black Sea, where shipping was disrupted by Russias war in Ukraine. The South Caucasus Pipeline, the first leg of a chain of pipelines known as the Southern Gas Corridor that connects Azerbaijan with Europe via Georgia and Turkey, exported 14.4 billion cubic meters of natural gas in the first eight months of 2022, up 23% from a year earlier. European countries were the biggest buyers of Azerbaijani gas in the period with 7.3 billion cubic meters. Turkey bought 5.4 billion cubic meters and Georgia purchased 1.7 billion cubic meters. Azerbaijan plans to double exports to Europe to 20 billion cubic meters by 2027. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share You might have expected the death of Queen Elizabeth II to ignite a fire of republicanism in the 14 overseas nations ruled by the British monarch. Thats looking less likely by the day. Long-mooted plans to move to a republican system of government in Jamaica are likely to get a boost. Tiny Antigua and Barbuda has promised a referendum, following Barbadoss decision to remove the monarchy last year. Still, in the largest foreign countries ruled by the British monarch, change is a much more distant prospect. Thats a peculiarly ironic legacy of the British empire. Constitutional monarchy, a fairly worthless element of the Westminster system, has been inherited in the 14 Commonwealth Realms that recognize Charles as their king. Constitutional flexibility the ability to change the ground rules of a nation without a deadening round of referendums and legislative votes has prevailed in just one: New Zealand. Thats a shame, since its one of the most worthwhile aspects of the Westminster set-up. Advertisement Canada has long been profoundly disinterested in removing the monarchy. There isnt a huge appetite for republicanism, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a 2015 interview. Australias Anthony Albanese, a republican, has made clear that the issue wont be looked at until a referendum on an Indigenous voice to parliament is complete. Thats likely to be the only constitutional change during his current term in office. This reticence isnt just a natural coyness about sounding discordant notes during a period of mourning. Far more important in the mind of any politician is the fact that constitutional change in most of the countries ruled by the British monarch is enormously difficult. The British parliament tweaks its constitution with almost as much regularity as other chambers make points of order, needing only an act of parliament to overturn the existing rules. Within the last 25 years, its devolved power to assemblies in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Greater London; introduced and then abandoned fixed parliamentary terms; and incorporated the European Convention of Human Rights into UK law. Thats all before you consider the vast constitutional upheaval involved in Brexit. Advertisement Things are very different in its former colonies. In most, a constitution was considered an essential part of the toolkit of nationhood. Constitutions, by their nature, tend to be set in stone. Australia hasnt amended its founding document since 1977, and a 1999 referendum over becoming a republic was rejected comfortably. Canadas constitution is regarded as being almost impossible to amend. Those in Caribbean countries, which form eight of the Commonwealth Realms, are notoriously resistant to change. Only New Zealand which abolished its upper house of parliament without fuss in 1950, and offers changes to its electoral system every few years has followed the UKs straightforward tradition of dispensing with a codified constitution, so that voters choose the parliament, and parliaments choose the laws. That resistance to reform is a mistake. The three constitutions which are hardest to change, according to a 2005 study by Astrid Lorenz of Leipzig University, are the 1789 one in the US; the 1831 Belgian one; and the 1967 Bolivian law. None is a strong advertisement for rigid founding documents. Advertisement Belgium has for years struggled to form governments and suffered separatist divisions between its French and Flemish-speaking regions. Problems with Bolivias constitution prompted civil unrest in the early 2000s, paving the way to a new law and two decades of constitutional turmoil. The US, meanwhile, got itself a civil war in the 19th century, legalized segregation in the 20th century, and a rolling constitutional crisis in the 21st. Puerto Rico and Washington DC remain barred from statehood years after they should have been admitted to the union. Constitutional flexibility isnt perfect. The ease with which Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong upended their systems of government with the formers 2017 anti-corruption purge and the latters 2020 national security law show how useful the constraint of solid ground rules can be. The UK will long rue the ease with which it severed its links with Europe. Still, a constitution that cant grow with the nation it describes ends up holding back change until it boils over in unpredictable ways. Canada has no real way of resolving the tensions between French-speaking Quebec and its English-speaking provinces something that almost tore the country apart in 1995. Nor is there a way to address the under-representation of the affluent western provinces in its Senate. Advertisement Australia faces similar issues of unequal apportionment in its upper house. It also endured a minor crisis in 2017 after a neglected rule banning dual citizens from sitting caused the removal of 15 politicians. Thanks to the difficulty of changing the constitution, theres no real plan to remove the clause, despite roughly half of the population being a first- or second-generation migrant. The arduousness of switching to another system of government is likely to keep the British monarchy in charge from Belize to Tuvalu well past its use-by date. Thats a welcome result, for monarchists at least. But for the rest of us, it should be seen as an admission of failure that needs to be fixed in its own right. Antiquated constitutions are quite as much a legacy of the colonial era as the monarchy itself. If the former British colonies want to become republics worth keeping, theyll have to find a way to address that issue, too. More From Bloomberg Opinion: Advertisement King Charless Belated Reign Can Still Be a Fruitful One: Martin Ivens How Australia May Finally Redress Two Centuries of Injustice: David Fickling Tips on Survival From the Queen Who Excelled at It: John Authers This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. David Fickling is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering energy and commodities. Previously, he worked for Bloomberg News, the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraines foreign minister, said it best in a tweet this week: What is Berlin afraid of that Kyiv is not? Kuleba and his compatriots, along with their friends all over the world, are celebrating the heroic rout by Ukrainian forces of the Russian invaders in Kharkiv over the previous week. These stunning tactical successes proved, if proof was needed, that the Ukrainians have not only the courage and grit but also the military skill to defeat the increasingly demoralized Russian invasion force provided they also have state-of-the-art weapons. In recent months, the Ukrainians have been battering the Russians with Western-made howitzers and high-mobility artillery rocket systems, often aiming those sophisticated guns at coordinates supplied by Western spy agencies. That way, the Ukrainians kept the enemy from advancing denying Russian President Vladimir Putin victory, though not yet vanquishing him outright. Advertisement With this months counteroffensive, however, the Ukrainians have started taking back their own territories, turning what was a relatively static war of attrition into an explosively kinetic reconquest. To succeed in this new phase, theyll require more than howitzers and HIMARs. Theyll need the newest, fastest and meanest battle tanks and armored vehicles on the market, to liberate Ukrainian cities and towns and deploy infantry faster than the Russians can react. This is where Germany comes in. It has a line of first-class battle tanks called Leopards. First introduced in 1979 and improved ever since, about 2,000 of these agile and lethal predator cats are deployed in Germanys army and those of 12 other countries in NATO and/or the European Union. Besides the Leopards, Germany also has the smaller Marder (marten) tanks. Kyiv has been asking for Leopards and Marders since March, and Kuleba renewed that plea in his tweet this week. But Berlin, ever diffident, has so far rebuffed these requests even as it has supplied all sorts of other kit, including specialized anti-aircraft tanks called Gepards (cheetahs). Advertisement The official excuse given by Chancellor Olaf Scholz is that Germany cant and wont do anything thats not coordinated with its allies in NATO and the EU. And its true, none of those partner nations has yet sent Western-made (as opposed to Soviet-style) battle tanks. Germany, Scholz is implying, doesnt want to be the first to do something, lest it get drawn into the conflict or blamed for its escalation. This is a wimpy line of reasoning. The US, UK, Poland and other allies have, overall, been much more forthcoming than Germany with their help to the Ukrainians. And they all want Germany to do more rather than less to lead rather than just follow. So theyd be delighted if Germany shipped its Leopards. Another rationale for holding back is that Germany itself has limited tanks and parts in stock and cant afford to compromise its own battle readiness. Thats another non sequitur, as the think tankers at the European Council on Foreign Relations point out. Theyve proposed an elegant Leopard plan a consortium in which all European armies using Leopards jointly supply Ukraine and take care of training and maintenance. Besides easing the logistics, that approach would also send a powerful signal of Western unity. Advertisement So the Germans have, as Kuleba puts it, not a single rational argument on why these weapons cannot be supplied, only abstract fears and excuses. What might those be? Theyre not so abstract, actually. Scholz and other Germans worry about the exact same scenarios that occupy us all. The fear is that Putin, feeling like a cornered rat in defeat, will escalate. He could widen the war beyond Ukraine, use chemical or biological weapons, or even drop a tactical nuclear bomb. Nobody wants to contemplate the possible escalation spirals after that. But it can hardly be Western or German policy to simultaneously keep Ukraine from losing (by sending some weapons) and from winning (by not sending the right ones). Of course, the goal must be to end this war with some sort of diplomatic settlement. But that can only happen once the Ukrainians have prevailed on the battlefield. Until then, the West must call Putins bluffs, and Ukraine must keep winning. Germany can help with that. Therefore it must. Advertisement More From This Writer and Others at Bloomberg Opinion: Poles Cant Live With Germans, Cant Live Without Them: Andreas Kluth Putin and the Possibility of Defeat in Ukraine: Leonid Bershidsky China Is Winning the Post-Ukraine Game, at Russias Expense: Clara Ferreira Marques This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Andreas Kluth is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering European politics. A former editor in chief of Handelsblatt Global and a writer for the Economist, he is author of Hannibal and Me. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share For much of history, its been illegal to turn other peoples legal claims into investments. That changed in the 1990s, when Australia allowed financiers to fund insolvency cases. Litigation finance is now a multibillion-dollar global industry thats drawing in private equity funds and big institutional investors on the promise of double-digit returns. Critics say this secretive, largely unregulated practice is tipping the scales of justice by showering money on litigants and turning courtrooms into casinos. 1. How does litigation funding work? A law firm will often shoulder the costs of a case on behalf of its client, then a specialized hedge fund will reduce its financial exposure by making periodic payments to cover expenses. If the case succeeds, the backer typically receives a multiple of the funds invested, or a percentage of the damages, whichever is higher. If the suit fails, the funder loses the money and the litigant doesnt need to pay them back. Funders most often support commercial cases but can get involved in a range of actions, from environmental suits to personal injury and banking fraud cases and even the divorces of Russian oligarchs. Proponents say the practice allows individuals or firms with fewer resources to pursue valuable claims that might otherwise be abandoned, and means claimants can hire their preferred counsel without being left out of pocket. Advertisement 2. How much money is in it? Swiss Re research found there was around $17 billion invested in litigation finance globally in 2020, with more than half of that deployed in the US. In the UK, $2.7 billion was on the balance sheet of the countrys top 15 funding firms last year, almost double the figure three years earlier, according to data from law firm RPC. Some of the biggest specialist funders are Burford Capital LLC and Omni Bridgeway Ltd. Big investment firms including D.E. Shaw & Co., Elliott Management Corp. and TowerBrook Capital Partners have also got involved. The industry has tended to back plaintiffs but is now pushing to fund defendants too. 3. What are the potential returns? Funders generally receive around 30-40% of damages and costs recovered, said James Popperwell, a lawyer at London-based Macfarlanes. Litigation funders in Australia have been making internal rates of return approaching 400% in some cases, according to figures cited by the US-based Institute for Legal Reform. The industrys prospects look bright as opportunities for litigation tend to grow during economic downturns, when disputes and insolvency proceedings multiply. Advertisement 4. What makes a successful investment? A fund manager will spend a lot of time researching the plaintiff and the legal landscape before getting involved. They will also consider how good the lawyers are and whether the other party has the means to pay out. A good case usually has damage multiples much larger than the case budget. 5. What are the risks for investors? Investments are difficult to sell out of and cases can take years to resolve. Investors often get nothing back if the case isnt successful and can end up on the hook for heavy legal costs, sometimes also for the opposing side. Even if a case is won, the amount the court awards can fall below expectations. So funders usually build a portfolio of diversified cases to spread their risk. 6. And for plaintiffs? As funding agreements are private, judges are often in the dark about how much money the injured party has committed to pay investors if their claim is successful. Sometimes a fund will end up with a bigger slice of the damages than the claimant. Advertisement 7. Any other problems? Critics say the vast sums now invested in litigation are distorting the purpose of the judicial system: Rather than being about resolving disputes, cases are now about declaring winners and losers. Ever more marginal, riskier cases are coming to court, sucking commercial defendants into litigation when they should be focused on running their businesses, and leading to frivolous or abusive cases that have only a slim chance of success. In 2015, a long-running litigation campaign against oil giant Chevron Corp., backed by several different funders, was found by a New York court to have devolved into a racketeering conspiracy involving bribery, coercion, and fabricated evidence. Those accusations saw funders pull out of the case. 8. What do regulators say? Following a run of speculative class-action suits in Australia, the government there is starting to act. Proposed legislation would restrict fees for class-action lawyers and funders to a maximum 30% of any total payout and give courts the power to approve and adjust funding agreements. European lawmakers recently voted in favor of tabling legislation that will introduce new regulatory curbs to the industry. The US are also looking to tighten rules around disclosure of third-party litigation funding. (Updates with EU detail in section eight. An earlier version of this story first published on Aug. 27 corrected the Australian figures in section three to reflect maximum returns, not averages) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share Members of the US Congress have proposed legislation codifying the federal governments embrace of same-sex marriage. The right to such unions is the law of the land throughout the US today but only because of a 2015 Supreme Court decision. And civil rights advocates fear that ruling is in danger of being reversed by todays more conservative panel of justices. Should that happen, the proposed new law in Congress would maintain some of the rights of same-sex couples but would fall short of preserving the status quo. 1. Whats motivating this push? When the conservative-leaning Supreme Court in June overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision establishing a constitutional right to an abortion, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in a concurring opinion that the court should reconsider other due process precedents. He was referring to decisions in which the court has ruled that the Constitutions Fourteenth Amendment guarantee that no one shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law also protects rights that arent spelled out in the document, such as a right to privacy in sexual relations. Thomas specifically mentioned the 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which found that the Fourteenth Amendment requires states to license same-sex marriages and recognize such unions performed in other states. While there is no indication that the Supreme Court intends to follow Thomass suggestion, Democrats who lead both chambers of Congress vowed to pursue legislation protecting same-sex marriages. Advertisement 2. What would the legislation do? The legislation would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, which Congress passed in 1996. Under DOMA, as the act is called, states werent required to recognize same-sex marriages conducted in other states, and marriage was defined, under federal law, as a union between one man and one woman. For a time, the second provision denied same-sex spouses certain federal benefits, many of them related to taxes and Social Security payments. However, the Supreme Court struck down that provision in a 2013 case, United States v. Windsor, and DOMA became dormant after the Obergefell decision. Still, the law remains on the books. The new legislation would repeal it, affirmatively recognize same-sex marriages at the federal level, and prohibit states from denying the validity of same-sex unions legitimately conducted in other states. 3. What wouldnt it do? Advertisement It wouldnt require states to themselves license same-sex marriages, as the 2015 Supreme Court ruling does. If the Supreme Court were to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, constitutional amendments or bans on same-sex marriages would become enforceable again in at least 29 of the 50 states, according to a report by the Movement Advancement Project, an advocacy group that champions LGBTQ rights. 4. Where is public opinion on this issue? When DOMA was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996, just 27% of Americans said same-sex marriages should be recognized as valid under the law, according to Gallup poll data. That figure has steadily increased, with Gallup now finding that 71% of Americans say same-sex couples should be allowed to marry. 5. Whats the status of the bill? The House of Representatives in mid-July easily passed the legislation on a 267-157 vote, with 47 Republicans voting with every Democrat in support. In the Senate, which is split 50-50 between the two political parties, every Democrat backs it, but it will need 10 Republican votes to prevent the bills opponents from killing it using the filibuster, a prerogative to demand never-ending debate on legislation. Two Republicans -- Susan Collins of Maine and Rob Portman of Ohio -- are cosponsoring the bill in the Senate, and bipartisan talks produced an amendment that could bring more Republicans on board. The language clarifies that the legislation does not take away religious liberty or conscience protections that individuals and organizations currently have. In mid-September, the bills backers said they needed more time to round up enough Republican backing, and Chuck Schumer, the Democrats leader in the Senate, agreed to delay further consideration of it until after November elections. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share The project is fantastical: A $19 billion investment into semiconductor and display-panel sectors, with the creation of 100,000 jobs in a state with little experience in technology manufacturing. If voters and taxpayers in Indias northwestern Gujarat state are excited about this landmark investment they ought to read up on recent Wisconsin history. The US state bought into a similar pipe dream in 2017 when then-President Donald Trump teamed up with then-Governor Scott Walker to lure Foxconn Technology Group, whose Taipei-listed flagship is Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. The Taiwanese company said itd invest $10 billion and hire 13,000 workers. Wisconsin never hit its targets. And neither will Gujarat. Whats playing out today in India is eerily similar to what happened in the US Midwest five years ago, but this time the people and government of Gujarat have no excuse for not being aware of whats likely to unravel. Americans were told clearly that the project in Mount Pleasant didnt make sense. But still, they went ahead. Advertisement Its inconceivable that Foxconn truly thought it would spend as much as $10 billion to build a high-tech manufacturing plant in the middle of US farm country. But, as founder and Chairman Terry Gou said early on in the planning phase: There is such a plan, but it is not a promise. It is a wish. So when Vedanta Ltd. chairman Anil Agarwal says his company will invest 1.54 trillion rupees ($19.4 billion), we ought to take it as wishful thinking, rather than a promise. And we can also pause to bathe in the sweet irony of his chosen venture partner: Foxconn, the same name behind the Wisconsin project. Though, to be fair, the Taiwanese are less a driving force behind this India project and more a consulting partner. The numbers, choice of location, and project scope are mostly decided by Vedanta, which is bearing most of the financial burden. Foxconn made various pledges in Wisconsin that never came to fruition, with a promise for a state-of-the-art 10G liquid-crystal-display panel factory being the most egregious. At least it never committed to assembling iPhones, the product for which Foxconn is most famous. Advertisement The Taiwanese companys perfidiousness was in some respects spurred by local and national governments intent on selling to their voters (and taxpayers) the assurance that a $3 billion incentives package the largest in US history would be worth the expense. It will be the Eighth Wonder of the The World, Trump proclaimed at the groundbreaking ceremony in 2018. Governments from Washington to New Delhi dont want to offer corporate welfare to lure hum-drum projects like chip-testing and assembly. They want to send press releases and tweets that hail their territorys move into the upper echelons of industrial society. To meet that PR goal, they often tie incentives not to reasonable evolutionary steps in economic development, but to extravagant plans that people never dreamed of. And the recipients of such sweeteners are more than happy to oblige, safe in the knowledge that theres almost no downside in overpromising and under-delivering. And those who doled them out either long gone from office, or safely entrenched wont be required to foot the bill either. Scott Walker lost his re-election bid, in large part because of the failure of the Foxconn deal; however, he didnt lose his home like dozens of Wisconsinites who were displaced to make way for the wonder that never was. Advertisement Now its Indias turn to dream, until such time comes that it must face reality. Perhaps its a coincidence that the project went to the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Neighboring Maharashtra state thought it was a shoe-in for the deal, going so far as to issue a statement two months ago announcing that the Vedanta-Foxconn venture would invest there. Accusations and rancor were flying thick and fast in Maharashtra after Agarwal and Modi took to the stage to celebrate the winner. But in reality, the people of Indias second most-populous state may end up celebrating not that they lost the project, but that they dodged a bullet. Indians in Gujarat and Maharashtra in particular can take this as a warning: You dont want to be another Wisconsin. More From This Writer and Others at Bloomberg Opinion: Advertisement Curb Your Enthusiasm on Indias Next Chip Venture: Tim Culpan A US Recession Will Also Reach Indias Tech Hub: Andy Mukherjee Indias Chip Dreams Arent Crazy, Just Misguided: Tim Culpan This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Tim Culpan is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering technology in Asia. Previously, he was a technology reporter for Bloomberg News. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share WASHINGTON President Joe Biden plans to meet at the White House on Friday with family members of WNBA star Brittney Griner and Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, both of whom remain jailed in Russia, the White House announced Thursday. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight He wanted to let them know that they remain front of mind and that his team is working on this every day on making sure that Brittney and Paul return home safely, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at Thursdays press briefing at the White House. The separate meetings are to be the first in-person encounter between Biden and the families and are taking place amid sustained but so far unsuccessful efforts by the administration to secure the Americans release. The administration said in July that it had made a substantial proposal to get them home, but despite plans for the White House meetings, there is no sign that a breakthrough is imminent. Advertisement Griner has been held in Russia since February on drug-related charges. She was sentenced last month to nine years in prison after pleading guilty and has appealed the punishment. Whelan is serving a 16-year sentence on espionage-related charges that he and his family say are false. The U.S. government regards both as wrongfully detained, placing their cases with the office of its top hostage negotiator. Fridays meetings, which both families have long sought, are intended to underscore the administrations commitment to bringing home Griner, Whelan and other Americans jailed abroad, as well as to connect with them on a human level as they undergo an ordeal that the Russian government has imposed on them, said one of the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity as the meetings had not yet been publicly announced. Negotiations have been complicated by the tense relations between Washington and Moscow over Russias invasion of Ukraine. Advertisement Secretary of State Antony Blinken took the unusual step of announcing two months ago that the administration had made a substantial proposal to Russia. Since then, the administration has followed up in multiple ways to press its offer and get serious negotiations underway, one of the administration officials said Thursday. The Russians, who have indicated that they are open to negotiations but have chided the Americans to conduct them in private, have come back with suggestions that are not within the administrations ability to deliver, said the official, declining to elaborate. But the U.S. has been following up through the same channels that produced an April prisoner swap that brought Marine veteran Trevor Reed home from Russia, the official said. The administration has not provided specifics about its proposal, but a person familiar with the matter previously confirmed it had offered to release Viktor Bout, a convicted Russian arms dealer now imprisoned in the U.S. It is also possible that, in the interests of symmetry, Russia might insist on having two of its citizens released from prison. Advertisement Biden spoke by phone in July with Griner's wife, Cherelle, and with Whelan's sister, Elizabeth, but both families have also requested in-person meetings. On Friday, Biden plans to speak at the White House with Cherelle Griner and with the players agent in one meeting and with Elizabeth Whelan in the other. The meetings are being done separately so as to ensure that each family has private time with the president. But the fact that they are happening on the same day shows the extent to which the two cases have become intertwined since the only deal that is presumably palatable to the U.S. is one that gets both Americans a famous WNBA player and a Michigan man who until recently was little known to the public home together at the same time, In the past several months, representatives of both families have expressed frustration over what they perceived as a lack of aggressive action and coordination from the administration. Advertisement Cherelle Griner, for instance, told The Associated Press in an interview in June that she was dismayed after the failure of a phone call from her wife that was supposed to have been patched through by the American Embassy in Moscow left the couple unable to connect on their fourth anniversary. Whelans relatives have sought to keep attention on his case, anxious that it has been overshadowed in the public eye by the focus on the far more prominent Griner a two-time Olympic gold medalist and seven-time WNBA all-star. They also conveyed disappointment when Whelan, despite having been held in Russia since December 2018, was not included in a prisoner swap last April that brought home another detained American, Marine veteran Trevor Reed. Fridays meeting was scheduled before news broke this week of an unconnected trip to Russia by Bill Richardson, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations who has been a veteran emissary in hostage and detainee cases. Administration officials reacted coolly to that trip, with State Department spokesman Ned Price saying Wednesday that dialogue with Russia outside the established channel risks hindering efforts to get Griner and Whelan home. Advertisement Administration officials say work on hostage and detainee cases persist regardless of whether a family receives a meeting with the president, though there is also no question that such an encounter can help establish a connection. Biden met in the Oval Office in March with Reed's parents after the Texas couple stood with a large sign outside the White House calling for their sons release. ____ Follow Eric Tucker at http://www.twitter/com/etuckerAP GiftOutline Gift Article Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share CAIRO Egyptian authorities announced Thursday the release of 46 detainees, including a prominent human rights lawyer, the latest to be freed from jail amid intensifying international attention. Tarik el-Awady, a member of Egypts presidential pardon committee, confirmed the release of the lawyer, Haitham Mohamadein, and the other 45 detainees, all of whom are awaiting trial. Several pictures of the freed lawyer alongside friends and family were later shared by activists on social media. It remained unclear if other detainees had walked free yet. Egypt has pardoned dozens of detainees in past months as its human rights record comes under international scrutiny ahead of it hosting the U.N. climate change summit in November. The government of President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi a U.S. ally with deep economic ties to European countries has been relentlessly silencing dissenters and clamping down on independent organizations for years with arrests, detentions and prison sentences, and other restrictions. Advertisement In April, Egypt released more than three dozen detainees before the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, typically a time when prisoners are released on presidential pardons. In June, el-Sissi initiated a national dialogue with opposition parties and government critics. However, thousands of political prisoners are estimated by rights groups to remain in custody in Egypt, many without trial. Egypt is among the worlds worst jailers of journalists, along with Turkey and China, according to 2021 data produced by the U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists. Last week, authorities charged four journalists from one of the countrys few remaining independent news outlets, Mada Masr, with spreading false news and disturbing public peace, the news website said in a statement. According to the state-owned media outlet Al-Ahram, Mohamadein was arrested in May 2019 and charged with crimes related to spreading false news and joining an illegal group a reference to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. Those are typical charges for detainees and political activists who oppose the government. Many of the major activists involved in Egypts 2011 popular uprising remain behind bars, most of them arrested under a 2013 draconian law that effectively bans all street protests. GiftOutline Gift Article Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share MEXICO CITY Mexican authorities have arrested a retired general and three other members of the army for alleged connection to the disappearance of 43 students in southern Mexico in 2014, the government announced Thursday. We're following changes at the palace after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Get the Post Elizabeth newsletter for updates. ArrowRight Assistant Public Safety Secretary Ricardo Mejia said that among those arrested was the former officer who commanded the army base in the Guerrero state city of Iguala in September 2014, when the students from a radical teachers college were abducted. Mejia said a fourth arrest was expected soon, and later a government official with knowledge of the case who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter confirmed that another member of the army had been arrested. Mejia did not give names of those arrested, but the commander of the Iguala base at that time was Jose Rodriguez Perez, then a colonel. Barely a year after the students disappearances and with the missing students families already raising suspicions about military involvement and demanding access to the base, Rodriguez was promoted to brigadier general. Advertisement The government official who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that Rodriguez was arrested and said he was being held at a military installation. The source would say about the others arrested only that two were officers and the third was an enlisted soldier. Last month, a government truth commission re-investigating the case issued a report that named Rodriguez as being allegedly responsible for the disappearance of six of the students. Interior Undersecretary Alejandro Encinas, who led the commission, said last month that six of the missing students were allegedly kept alive in a warehouse for days then turned over to Rodriguez who ordered them killed. The report had called the disappearances a state crime, emphasizing that authorities had been closely monitoring the students from the teachers college at Ayotzinapa from the time they left their campus through their abduction by local police in the town of Iguala that night. A soldier who had infiltrated the school was among the abducted students, and Encinas asserted the army did not follow its own protocols and try to rescue him. Advertisement There is also information corroborated with emergency 089 telephone calls where allegedly six of the 43 disappeared students were held during several days and alive in what they call the old warehouse and from there were turned over to the colonel, Encinas said. Allegedly the six students were alive for as many as four days after the events and were killed and disappeared on orders of the colonel, allegedly the then Col. Jose Rodriguez Perez. Numerous government and independent investigations have failed to reach a single conclusive narrative about what happened to the 43 students, but it appears that local police pulled the students off several buses in Iguala that night and turned them over to a drug gang. The motive remains unclear. Their bodies have never been found, though fragments of burned bone have been matched to three of the students. The role of the army in the students disappearance has long been a source of tension between the families and the government. From the beginning, there were questions about the militarys knowledge of what happened and its possible involvement. The students parents demanded for years that they be allowed to search the army base in Iguala. It was not until 2019 that they were given access along with Encinas and the Truth Commission. Advertisement Shortly after the truth commission report, the Attorney Generals Office announced 83 arrest orders, 20 for members of the military. Then federal agents arrested Jesus Murillo Karam, who was attorney general at the time. Doubts had been growing in the weeks since the arrest orders were announced because no arrests had been announced. The administration of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has also formed a closer public bond with the military than any in recent memory. The president pushed to shift the newly created National Guard under full military authority and his allies in congress are trying to extend the time for the military to continue a policing role in the streets to 2028. On Thursday, Mejia also dismissed any suggestion that Jose Luis Abarca, who was mayor of Iguala at the time, would be released from prison after a judge absolved him of responsibility for the students abduction based on a lack of evidence. Even without the aggravated kidnapping charge, Abarca still faces other charges for organized crime and money laundering, and Mejia said the judges latest decision would be challenged. The judge similarly absolved 19 others, including the man who was Igualas police at the time. Advertisement The Miguel Agustin Pro Human Rights Center and other nongovernmental organizations that have supported the families of the students said in a joint statement Thursday that the government had so far not notified the families of the case against Rodriguez nor the charges he would face. They said that if the prosecution of Rodriguez did advance on solid evidence it could be very relevant for holding the military accountable. The statement noted that there was abundant evidence about the collusion of soldiers from the Iguala base with organized crime. The organizations also called on authorities to appeal the judges decision absolving Abarca and others. They said the ruling was the result of poor work by the Attorney Generals Office that originally brought the charges, including the extensive use of torture which led much of the evidence to be excluded. GiftOutline Gift Article Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share MEXICO CITY This week the objective was to insert mention of Julian Assange into a meeting between Mexicos president and the United States top diplomat. Next week, it will be to have Australias prime minister bring it up with the U.S. president at Queen Elizabeth IIs funeral. We're following changes at the palace after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Get the Post Elizabeth newsletter for updates. ArrowRight The efforts are part of the campaign by John Shipton, father of the WikiLeaks founder, to find allies and convince the U.S. to drop espionage charges against Assange, who remains in a British prison awaiting extradition to the U.S. The journey by the septuagenarian Australian architect together with another son, Gabriel, brought them this week to Mexico. The country has become the familys main ally in Latin America since President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador offered Assange political asylum and called for the U.S. to allow him to seek refuge there. Advertisement We call President Lopez Obrador an ice-breaker, because afterward the leaders of Chile, Colombia and Bolivia called for his release too, Gabriel Shipton said during the visit to Mexico. Among a packed scheduled of events, John Shipton received the key to the capital Wednesday on behalf of Assange, a ceremonial honor the city bestows on distinguished guests. The day before, he addressed Mexicos Senate. American prosecutors say Assange helped U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning steal classified diplomatic cables and military files that WikiLeaks later published, putting lives at risk. He faces 17 charges of espionage and one charge of computer misuse. His defenders consider Assange a symbol of a free press and a fight for justice who exposed U.S. military wrongdoing in Iraq and Afghanistan. Advertisement Assange was arrested in London in 2010 at the request of Sweden pending a preliminary investigation into allegations of sexual assault, which he has denied. In 2012, he broke the conditions of his bail and sought refuge in Ecuadors embassy where he stayed until being asked to leave in 2019. He was immediately arrested again. When his father visited him in jail that year, Assange asked for help. That led Shipton to launch his globetrotting campaign with Gabriel, trying to reach average people, because politicians want those peoples votes, he said. They went from Australia to Europe, the United States and Mexico. Each politicians statement in favor of Assanges release, every headline, is oxygen for Assange, who has been held in a maximum security prison. The effort has been all consuming, Shipton said in a Mexico City hotel, as he and Gabriel listed the days events, which included a protest at the U.S. embassy, a meeting with a government official, press interviews and phone calls, including one with Assange. Advertisement Those calls from prison cut after 10 minutes, said Shipton, who declined to say how often they speak or what they discuss. I cant report on conversations between father and son. This is not public, he said. Shipton was estranged from Assange until his 20s, according to a documentary called Ithaka, produced by Gabriel Shipton, which suggests a complicated relationship. John Shipton smiled remembering Assanges wedding in March to his lawyer Stella Moris, a day Shipton described as like a flower in the desert. Uncomfortable with media, but conscious that he needs then, Shipton questions them constantly, telling them Assanges case directly affects their ability to continue reporting freely. His visit to Mexico will finish with his participation in Independence Day activities Thursday night and Friday. Lopez Obrador invited Shipton to events with relatives of Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and Che Guevara, in what appeared to be an attempt to evoke emblematic figures of the 20th century. The Shiptons plan to continue their efforts in Latin America next year, hoping that Brazils Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva returns to the presidency. You just take each moment as it comes and you do your very best you can, you dont depend upon optimism, hope, you just do your work, Shipton said, noting its a work that never ends. GiftOutline Gift Article Melissa Caddicks brother Adam Grimley and her mother Barb have complained to the coroner that their voice isnt being heard, the inquest into the disappearance and presumed death of Caddick has heard. Their request to give evidence comes after four days of allegations of the confusing and suspicious behaviour of Caddicks husband Anthony Koletti. Kolettis solicitor Judy Swan told the inquest the Grimleys would like to give evidence about the relationship between Caddick and her husband. The missing fraudster most likely committed suicide is the conclusion arrived at by both the lead detective examining her disappearance as well as an experienced homicide detective who reviewed the investigation into her disappearance, the inquest heard. London: MPs sanctioned by Beijing have written to the newly installed British foreign secretary to demand that Chinese government officials be banned from attending Mondays state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II. The heads of state of Russia and Belarus have not been invited due to Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine, while Myanmar has also missed out following a military coup in 2021 that deposed the elected National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Rehearsals take place at HMS Collingwood in Fareham as the Royal Navy prepares for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Credit:Getty Images On Thursday, Putin met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Uzbekistan to solidify a no-limits partnership that was announced just before Russias February invasion, with Putin decrying the ugly form of interventions taken by the West in response to his war. Chinas ambassador to the UK is already banned from visiting the Palace of Westminster after Beijing sanctioned a string of British parliamentarians, including members of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, which was formed in the wake of the post-pandemic economic sanctions the country imposed on Australia. Weber State hires new executive director to help reach goal of serving more Hispanic, Latino students September 15, 2022 OGDEN, Utah As northern Utahs demographics have grown to see an increase in Hispanic and Latino populations, Weber State University has hired a new executive director of Hispanic-Serving Institution Initiatives. Yudi Lewis is a nationally recognized professional in higher education. She earned two bachelors degrees before obtaining a masters in business administration. Shes nearing completion of her doctorate in educational leadership and policy from the University of Utah. Lewis said shes excited to join Weber State and sees her role as much more than increasing enrollment or getting students into classes. This is about strategically positioning the students so they can transition from high school graduation to a certificate or degree program enabling them to work in the field theyre passionate about, she said. That in turn will help Utahs economy and our community. Lewis hiring comes after WSU committed to increasing the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic or Latino to 15% by fall 2025 in the universitys five-year strategic plan. Weber States current Hispanic and Latino enrollment is 11%. This is a step toward reaching Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution status and eventually becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution as defined by the U.S. Department of Education, which requires a 25% Hispanic and Latino enrollment. Lewis said increasing the population of underserved students on campus will benefit the whole university, not just Latino students. Achieving HSI status will provide funding we currently dont have to enhance and expand access, opportunities, support services, faculty and staff development, creating positions across the board, she said. The new HSI initiatives position is funded by a generous $500,000 commitment from Ally Financial Inc. Ally strongly supports WSUs goal of increasing Hispanic student enrollment and achieving HSI status, said Jan Bergeson, Ally executive director and Community Reinvestment Act Officer. And Yudis past accomplishments make her a great addition to the Weber State team. Lewis, who has a solid track record of Latino recruitment and retention, recently completed the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities 2021-22 Fellows of the Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo, where she was nationally recognized for her work in the field. WSU President Brad Mortensen, who serves on the governing board of HACU, said hes excited to have Lewis join the Weber State team because shes a passionate and experienced advocate for high school students being able to access higher education. Utah's changing demographics and ever-increasing workforce demands require our higher education institutions to better serve Hispanic and Latino communities, Mortensen said. Lewis will report to Mortensen as well as Vice President for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer Adrienne Andrews. Andrews said Weber State is fortunate to have Lewis nationally-recognized skills and commitment to supporting education. Im excited to see what will happen next as we move the needle forward on our strategic plan goal of becoming an Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution, Andrews said. Yudi is the right person, in the right place and this is the right time to make it happen. If you know of local business openings or closings, please notify us here. PREVIOUS OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS - The Cadillac Pub opens where Klingers used to be at 24 E. Main Street in Fleetwood - II-VI Inc. (pronounced "two-six") will become Coherent Corp., taking on the name of a company it recently acquired. - ABEC, a company that provides services and products to the pharmaceutical industry, with headquarters in Northampton County, will invest in a new disposable-container facility in North Carolina. - A new Lehigh Valley Martial Arts center will hold a grand opening starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10, with a ribbon-cutting shortly afterward. - Bethlehem Township's planning commission has approved an Amazon parking lot with 248 spaces at Brodhead and Mowrer roads. - The Bethlehem Zoning Hearing Board rejected variance requests that would have allowed multifamily homes to go up on the Southside properties at 508-512 Selfridge St. - Northampton County Council voted 1-8 against a tax break for development of a proposed warehouse at the Dixie Cup building on South 25 Street in Wilson Borough. - The former Valley Farm Market, now known as Gerrity's Valley Farm Market, will take on a new name as of Oct. 14: Gerrity's The Fresh Grocer. - Hamsa Exoticz is already open at the Lehigh Valley Mall, but it will hold a grand opening at 5 p.m. Sept. 16 with the Whitehall Chamber of Commerce. - A new Home Depot will open a 136,048-square-foot building on about 21 acres of vacant land just off Hamilton Boulevard in Lower Macungie Township. - Rocco Ayvazov's Monocacy General Contracting received approval from the Bethlehem Planning Commission to put up a six-story building with 55 apartments and retail space on the first floor at 128 E. Third St. - The old Allen Organ showroom building on Route 100 in Lower Macungie Township will come down and about 100 total apartment units will go up. - Reading Hospitality's Catering by DoubleTree will handle food at events at Reading Country Club, after Exeter Township supervisors approved a new agreement. - Natural healing is the goal at Reike Balance, which will open Sept. 9. on Reading Avenue in West Reading. - The Pocono Chamber of Commerce held a grand opening at the Bartonsville branch of Farmhouse Cafe. - The reopening date for the historic Frenchtown Inn building overlooking the Delaware River in New Jersey remains unclear. - River Paws, a pet-supply store, is across Race Street from the Frenchtown Pharmacy. - The planned reopening date of Aug. 13 for Toby's Cup was pushed back after ownership said a dispute about the occupancy of a home on the hot dog stand's property delayed the reopening. Enterprise Mayor William Cooper and the Chamber of Commerce Tuesday night welcomed Maj. Gen. Michael C. McCurry and his wife, Sadie, to the City of Progress. More than 100 people attended the welcome event held at the Rawls Restaurant in downtown Enterprise. McCurry assumed command of U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker in July. Let there be no doubt in your mind that you and the soldiers and personnel of your installation are close to our hearts, Cooper told McCurry. The mayor welcomed the McCurrys back to the City of Progress, as they lived in the area years ago when their families were stationed at Fort Rucker. Cooper also presented McCurry a ceremonial key to the city. While you are here, I hope that you will have the opportunity to explore all our city has to offer. We strive to deliver the very best quality of life we can to you and all our citizens, Cooper said. READING, Pa. Reading Area Community College played host Thursday to a member of President Biden's cabinet. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona rolled into town on the second day of his two-day "Road to Success Back to School" bus tour across Pennsylvania. Cardona joined RACC's president, Susan Looney, in meeting with students in the Gust Zogas Student Union Building. They talked about ways the college has been able to meet their basic needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cardona also highlighted the Biden administration's efforts to help students and educators. The secretary's visit to Berks County comes about three weeks after President Biden announced that his administration would cancel at least $10,000 in student loan debt for millions of federal borrowers. Cardona also helped to kick off RACC's celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which started Thursday. Cardona was born in Connecticut to Puerto Rican parents. He grew up speaking Spanish as his first language. He began his career in education as a fourth-grade teacher and, in 2003, became the youngest principal in Connecticut's history. Cardona was serving as the state's first Latino commissioner of education when Joe Biden nominated him to serve as the country's 12th education secretary. Wednesday night, Cardona spoke at an event hosted by the National Education Associated and its president in Lancaster. Later Thursday, Cardona is scheduled to join Vice President Kamala Harris' husband, Douglas Emhoff, in visits to Allentown and Philadelphia. Cardona's tour has already stopped in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. He's also planning to stop in New Jersey and West Virginia. 69 News Reporter Tom Rader will have more on Cardona's visit to Reading on the Berks Edition at 5:30. READING, Pa. With just days left in Pennsylvania's legislative session, a state lawmaker who represents part of Berks County is asking for a response from county officials about the upcoming election. Democrat Rep. Manny Guzman said he wants answers and a plan for how the county will keep the Latino community informed. Guzman said he believes election issues are silencing thousands of Latinos in Berks County. "I'm continuing to call for accountability," he told 69 News on Thursday. "I'm continuing to call for transparency, and really just asking our commissioners, what is the plan for this election that is less than 60 days away." Guzman, speaking with state House Democrats this week, said the push follows years of election issues surrounding the Latino/Spanish community in Berks. He gave several examples, including the poll book problems that led to delays at some precincts during the most recent primary, and last year, when the county mistakenly sent ballots with the incorrect date of the general election in the Spanish-language instructions. "During that same election cycle, by the way, they also sent the poll workers who were working on election day the incorrect election date as well," Guzman continued. "Mail-in ballots will soon be mailed out very soon, and so, what is the plan from the Berks County commissioners to ensure that this election process isn't marred by the same mistakes of election cycles in past cycles." Guzman said with just days left in this legislative session, something must be done to make sure the Latino voice is heard. "The growing Latino community here within the commonwealth, and in Reading specifically, continues to be disenfranchised," he said. "Well, no longer on my watch and no longer on our watch." We reached out to the county for comment. A response sent Thursday read: "The Berks County Commissioners continue to ask for reform to specific items related to Act 77 that will help the November general election run as smoothly as possible. The County of Berks supports starting the pre-canvassing of the mail-in ballots the Saturday before the election. We also strongly support moving the deadline for mail-in and absentee applications from seven days to 15 days before an election. These two reforms would help ease the workload of processing mail-in ballots and ensure timely and complete results. The County also continues to ask that the General Assembly consult with and work with counties to determine what changes can and need to be made to help strengthen the election process." READING, Pa. During its Wednesday meeting, the Reading Zoning Hearing Board reviewed a request from the Reading School Board for a special exception and variances to build a high school academy at 801 N. Ninth St. in the commercial-neighborhood zoning district. Wayne Gehris, the district's chief financial officer, said the plans are to construct the STEM High School Academy for for approximately 1,000 students in grades nine through 12 who are focused on career pathways in science and technology. The school is being proposed on the site of the former Reading Outlet Center, which is now demolished. At a planning commission meeting in June, the district said the four-story building would be 95,000 square feet on a 2.42-acre lot. Schools are permitted in the C-N district by special exception. Also included in the plans are a 67-space underground parking area and an 85-space surface lot, which the district said offer adequate parking because it does not anticipate many students driving to the school. During the June planning commission meeting, architects and engineers from the district said Reading Senior High School has 3,500 students, and the new school would allow that number to be reduced by 1,000 students. Reading planners get look at proposed STEM academy One member of the Reading Planning Commission criticized the school district for taking valuable city property off the tax rolls. The building will feature a media center, a gymnasium with locker rooms, a common area with a kitchen, labs, classrooms and special spaces dedicated to music and youth support. The zoning hearing board plans to render a decision on the district's application at its Oct. 12 meeting. Also during Wednesday's meeting, the board rejected plans for an adaptive reuse of 601 Penn St., the former 10-story office building for Santander/Sovereign Bank. Bowery Farming, a vertical-farm company that has a Bethlehem location, has added salad kits to its offerings. Salad kits are the fastest growing category in packaged salads, according to New York City-based Bowery. The salads include greens grown indoors in vertical stacks without pesticides. The company already sells greens, herbs and two kinds of strawberries. "The launch of salad kits will help us meet booming consumer demand in the ready-to-eat category," Bowery Chief Commercial Officer Katie Seawell said in a statement. The three salad offerings are Zesty Caesar, with roasted chickpeas and parmesan crisps; Avocado Ranch, with pepitas and tortilla strips, and Balsamic Vinaigrette, with pita chips, dried cranberries and roasted cashews. Calorie totals range from 310 to 360. The kits will be available at Baldor Specialty Foods, Four Seasons, Wakefern and Giant stores through fall and winter. They will also be at some independent grocers, including Eataly's Flatiron District and downtown Manhattan locations. Bowery opened a farm on former Bethlehem Steel Corp. land in Lehigh Valley Industrial Park VII off Route 78. The company was founded in 2015 with a goal of building indoor farms near cities to provide fresh, pesticide-free produce in controlled indoor environments. The company said in a statement Thursday that it has raised more than $497 million in equity funding from investors including GV (the former Google Ventures), First Round Capital and Fidelity Management & Research, among others. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Allentown got a visit Thursday from the Second Gentleman and a member of President Joe Biden's Cabinet. Vice President Kamala Harris' husband Douglas Emhoff stopped at the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley. He was joined by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. Their visit was part of the "Road to Success Back to School Tour." Emhoff and Cardona learned about how community schools are providing wraparound services for students in the area. "We learned about that we need better facilities, we need better counseling and we just need support. And I'll end with, we need to support our teachers. The teachers that we have are amazing. They need to be treated with dignity and respect and we need more of them," Emhoff said. Cardona started his day touring Reading Area Community College in Berks County. He and Emhoff are wrapping up their tour of the region in Philadelphia to promote the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. READING, Pa. - Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff and U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona are meeting with school leaders in our area on Thursday. Cardona is stopping at Reading Area Community College to tour the facility and speak to students. Emhoff will then join Cardona in Allentown at the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley to hear how the schools provide services for students. The tour is an effort to highlight the administration's commitment to helping students recover from the impacts of the pandemic. "Striding across the Yalu River, valiant, high-spirited ..." On the morning of September 14, in a hospital ward in Fuyang City, east China's Anhui Province, Meng Yunxia bent over her father Meng Zhaoqi, who was dying, singing gently his favorite song "March of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV)". Meng Zhaoqi, aged 92, had ever participated in the War of Liberation before the founding of the People's Republic of China and the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. Meng ever recalled that during the battle at Lake Changjin taking place in late 1950, the number of soldiers in Mengs squad sharply reduced from 12 to 4 in one week with 8 laying down their lives. A few days ago, Meng Zhaoqi was hospitalized again with bad physical condition. Meng Zhaoqi had been in pretty good condition before the year of 2022. But since the beginning of this year, his physical condition has got from bad to worse. He himself had a premonition and drew up his funeral many times. At first, he asked his families to scatter his ashes into rivers instead of being buried in a grave. "My father said his funeral should be as simple as possible," said Meng Yunxia. However, Meng Zhaoqi changed his mind after watching the movie "The Battle at Lake Changjin ". "Since then, he has frequently mentioned what had happened in the past, as if he had been back to the war years, seeing his fallen comrades-in-arms. After a lot of thought, he made a decision to donate his body (cornea)," said Meng Yunxia. She said that her father told them many times that, as a veteran and a member of the Communist Party of China, the Party and the country had given him so much that he would like to do one more thing for the country after death. Eventually, Meng Zhaoqi's family got to understand him and took the initiative to contact the Anhui Provincial Red Cross via the hospital. At noon on September 12, while Meng Zhaoqi was still conscious, his son Meng Xianyong, on his behalf, signed a body (cornea) donation agreement. An Enterprise retailer, Boll Weevil Soap Company, has been named one of the Alabama Retailers of the Year by the Alabama Retail Association. Chad and Kendra Wester are Alabama Retailers of the Year in the Annual Sales Less Than $1 Million category. Boll Weevil Soap Co. is among 11 businesses honored as the 2022 Retailers of the Year by the Alabama Retail Association. We are truly humbled, the Westers said when accepting the award. Our goal is simple: Make the best possible body products but deliver them with an unprecedented retail experience, said Chad Wester, who with his wife, Kendra, own Boll Weevil Soap Company on Main Street in downtown Enterprise, just a few doors down from the towns landmark Boll Weevil Monument. Boll Weevil Soap, founded in 1997 by local nurse Rosemary Howell, celebrated its 25th year in business Aug. 10. The Wester family purchased the company in 2017. In the Westers five years of ownership, Boll Weevil Soap Co. has tripled its sales, especially since 2019 when the company moved to downtown Enterprise and bolstered its online presence. Kendra directs quality control and onsite production of the companys unbollweevible handmade skincare products, while Chad handles sales and customer experience. The business is a family affair, with both their children supporting the business, said their nominator, Cassidi Kendrick, former Enterprise Main Street director. The Westers daughter makes candles for the family business. Their son pursued other professional avenues but maintains his role as a Boll Weevil Soap advocate. In a letter of recommendation, Erin Grantham, executive director of the Enterprise Chamber of Commerce, said, Chad is affectionately known by his neighbors and fellow store owners as the Mayor of Downtown. His passion for small business extends beyond his own storefront as he continuously champions for the success of his neighbors. Chad is the founding chair of Enterprise Main Street, on the executive board of Downtown Enterprise Business Association and has served as a chamber director. During the height of the pandemic, he spearheaded a virtual community event, helped other downtown businesses improve their online presence and assisted owners in seeking state grants. Kendra refers to him as a volunteeraholic. The Westers are all in for Enterprise, sponsoring the Weevil Cam, a 24-hour live broadcast of activity near Enterprises Boll Weevil Monument, the worlds only statue honoring an insect. The boll weevil, which decimated area cotton crops in the early 1900s, was credited with forcing crop diversification and expansion of other businesses that returned Enterprise and Coffee County to prosperity. Regional news outlets routinely spotlight the Weevil Cam during their weather segments and a CBS Sunday Morning feature to air later this year focuses on it. The Retailer of the Year judges noted that the Westers touted the value of their handmade soaps to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and other infectious diseases, rather than shifting production to hand sanitizer, which would have deviated from their natural-product brand. Boll Weevil Soap Co. worked hard to increase awareness that the best way to fight the pandemic is a good old-fashioned hand washing just like the CDC and your grandmother have always recommended, the Westers said. We want to be the best soap company in the world, not the biggest. The Alabama Retailer of the Year awards, started in 1999, honor retailers who have demonstrated growth, innovation and a commitment to their respective communities. This years winners were selected from 42 entries submitted from a pool of 55 nominees. Chad and Kendra Wester are retailers of the year EVERY year to their customers, five employees and the Enterprise community, said Alabama Retail Association President Rick Brown. Boll Weevil Soap Company has been a member of the association since 2018. STROUD TWP., Pa. - The survivor of a double shooting at a home in the Poconos told her story to a jury at the Monroe County Courthouse Wednesday. Her boyfriend did not survive the shooting last year, but the man who pulled the trigger is claiming self-defense under Pennsylvania's Castle Doctrine. The Castle Doctrine says you have the right to defend yourself in your own home with deadly force, but there are some requirements. The person you're using deadly force against has to be breaking in, and you have to be in fear for your life or personal safety. Wednesday morning the defense questioned Chasity Frailey about how she and her boyfriend Adam Schultz got onto Randy Halterman's property on the 2000 block of Paradise Trail in Stroud Township on January 19, 2021. Frailey said the property appeared abandoned because it was covered in junk, but the defense said there was a no trespassing sign posted, and there was a chain or a rope over the driveway. Frailey said she didn't remember the no trespassing sign or the rope, but in her interview with police shortly after the shooting, she mentioned the rope. "We looked at the driveway. We didn't see any cars. We saw like an old rope thing, there was all these weeds," said Frailey in that interview. The defense also brought out an exhibit of a piece of wood they said was keeping the front door shut. Frailey admitted on the stand that Schultz removed the door stopper in order to get into the house. The defense also showed text messages between Frailey and Schultz, where Schultz mentioned he was trying to get a crowbar. Frailey said on the stand she didn't see him with a crowbar while on Halterman's property. The defense also showed Schultz was a motorcycle enthusiast, and Halterman's property had several old motorcycles on it. There was even a clip of a detective telling Frailey in an interview that the shooting appeared to him like a burglary gone bad. But even if the judge agrees with the defense's argument that Frailey and Schultz broke into Halterman's home, they still need to prove he feared for his life. Neither Frailey nor Schultz were armed, and Frailey told investigators in an interview shortly after the shooting that Schultz surrendered before he was shot. "Adam said, he put his hands up and he said please stop. He said we didn't know anybody was here, we said hello, we knocked. And he was literally on his knees and the guy shot him," said Frailey. After the shooting, Halterman called 911 and admitted to the dispatcher he had shot both Schultz and Frailey, and when police asked him to come outside, he said he didn't want to walk past the two of them. He also didn't put down his 22-caliber handgun until ordered by police. The trial continues Thursday morning at the Monroe County Courthouse. Once all evidence has been presented, the judge will determine whether or not the Castle Doctrine applies to this case, and then the verdict will be left up to the jury. SKIPPACK TWP., Pa. - Multiple bomb technicians were injured Thursday after an explosion that happened during a training exercise at a state prison in Skippack Township, Montgomery County. FBI Philadelphia was holding explosives response training at SCI Phoenix for law enforcement partners Thursday morning when a live training device unexpectedly detonated, wounding bomb technicians from the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office, Pennsylvania State Police, and FBI Philadelphia, according to a statement from the FBI. Three Montgomery County Sheriffs Deputies were among the injured, according to a news release from the county. One of the deputies was injured and airlifted to Penn Presbyterian Hospital for treatment. Two other deputies from the county were injured and being treated at Paoli Hospital. A Pennsylvania State Police trooper and an FBI agent were also injured in the blast. There's no word on their condition at this time. A large police presence swarmed the prison, and video showed two medical helicopters at the scene. There was also a charred car on the prison grounds. The FBI and Pennsylvania State Police will jointly investigate the cause of the detonation. NORRISTOWN, Pa. - The election is more than seven weeks away, but it was the subject du jour at Thursdays meeting of the Montgomery County commissioners. Kenneth Lawrence, vice-chair, opened the meeting with an update on the countys preparations for the vote on Tuesday, November 8. He noted that voters will have several options to cast their ballot. They can vote by absentee ballot, mail-in ballot or in person, Lawrence said. The deadline to vote for this election is October 24, he continued, "the last day to request an absentee or mail-in ballot is November 1, and if you want to check if you have already applied for a mail-in ballot you can go to vote.pa.gov and if you have not then you will need to apply for that. Lawrence also said that voters can go to the county's website at any time to download an application to voter services to request to have an application mailed to home. Voter services will be hosting a voting town hall by phone Wednesday, September 28, Lawrence said, to answer questions about voter registration, applying for an absentee or mail-in ballot, or becoming a poll worker. Public Voting Concerns About 20 people spoke about election concerns either in person or online, while a few expressed reservations about the new COVID-19 vaccine. A common complaint concerned drop-boxes for mail-in ballots. Nancy Price, of Upper Merion Township, said she attended the September 1 commissioners meeting and encouraged the commissioners to pass a drop box removal resolution similar to one that recently passed in Lancaster County. She went on to say Pennsylvania has experienced ballot harvesting because of the use of drop boxes. A Whitemarsh Township man questioned the countys ability to maintain true voter registration rolls. He said that he had in his hands a list of several thousand Montgomery County registered voters that should not be on the list. The commissioners will be found responsible, he continued, if any of the names on the list turn out to have voted in November. A Whitpain Township woman complained that she has completely lost her faith in the voting process and claimed that in the 2020 election 120,00 more votes were cast than there were registered voters in Pennsylvania, a fact disputed by the Pennsylvania Secretary of State. The woman said that unmanned, unaccounted for drop boxes were the reason for the discrepancy and repeated the call for the commissioners to pass a drop box removal resolution. Wanda Murren, communications director for the Pennsylvania Department of State, has said claims that more votes were cast than people who actually voted rely on incomplete data. An Associated Press survey of state election officials across the U.S. showed that the expanded use of drop boxes for mailed ballots during the 2020 election did not lead to any widespread problems. The survey revealed that there were no cases of fraud, vandalism or theft that could have affected the results. Multiple state and election officials as well as judges have concluded there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election. Taking an opposite view from the other residents was the president of Citizens for Better Elections, a resident of Lower Merion Township. He said to those who want to return to paper ballots that Montgomery County still uses paper ballots. He also said that if the county would eliminate drop boxes it would move people to use U.S. Postal drop boxes, which would make the voting process slower and less secure. Regarding hand-counting ballots, he claimed that process was slow, inaccurate and expensive. His solution was for the legislature to expand post-election audits, something that is already being done. Gale Responds Commissioner Joseph Gale responded to the public comments by noting that he has been an opponent of mail-in voting since the Pennsylvania legislature passed Act 77 in 2019 which allowed for 50 days of no-excuse voting. I voted against purchasing the drop boxes, Gale commented, thats how much Im opposed to them." I totally understand your frustration. You can remove the remote voting drop box but it doesnt solve the root of the problem, he said. And thats the mail-in voting and the legislation that allows that to occur. We desperately need election reform and we need to fix our election laws in Pennsylvania that are blatantly unconstitutional, according to the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, Gale remarked. He also said that the United States Supreme Court should specifically listen to the case of Pennsylvanias Act 77, so at least the public can have some sense of closure as to the election laws. There are a lot of things we can do to clean up election laws in Pennsylvania, but it begins with Act 77. I believe everyone who wants to vote should vote and I encourage the public to vote in person. I believe the less hands between you and your ballot the more likely it is to be casted and counted properly. Thats common sense. And in the occasion where someone can not vote in person they should vote by an absentee ballot, which before Act 77 required an excuse and had safeguards put in place to insure that was a secure outcome. Gale finished by repeating that the problem lay with the state legislature and inviting anyone with questions to contact him directly. Other business The commissioners awarded two significant contracts. Curative Labs Incorporated, San Dimas, Ca., was awarded a $500,000 contract to provide COVID testing services throughout the county. Also, Loftus Construction Incorporated, Cinnaminson, N.J., was awarded a $5,820,000 contract to rehabilitate the Perkiomen Trail Bridge in Marlborough and Upper Frederick townships. TRENTON, N.J. - A New Jersey State Park police officer from Warren County is accused of improperly spending about $160,000 in funds from two police unions he led. Chris Smith, 48, of Hope Township, was charged with one count of second-degree theft by unlawful taking, according to a news release from the New Jersey Attorney General's Office. A grand jury voted to indict Smith on September 6. The AG's office said Smith used the money for personal meals at upscale restaurants, airfare and out-of-state outings not related to union business. What prosecutors described as a continuous theft scheme occurred between 2014 and 2019, when Smith was president of both his local Park Police PBA, Local 222, and the State Law Enforcement Union, the AG's office said. Investigators with the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability allege that Smith used union bank cards to pay for personal expenses without authorization. Prosecutors say that included outings in New York, Pennsylvania and Florida, air travel, the bill for his personal internet service, and meals at upscale restaurants in Philadelphia, New Jersey and at the now-shuttered 1930s-era speakeasy 21 in Midtown Manhattan, which had been frequented by celebrities. OPIA detectives confirmed the expenses were unrelated to the work he did as president of the unions. Local 222 officers at one point questioned Smith about the use of the cards, and he allegedly told them that the expenses were related to meetings with attorneys, politicians and other influential people who could help the cause of the unions, according to the news release. But investigators say that was not the case, alleging Smith was often alone or with his wife when the charges were incurred. Authorities say they found that the travel expenses that appeared on the union cards did not coincide with any union activities or events, the AG's office said. At one point when he was confronted about the small sum of money in Local 222s bank account, Smith blamed payroll for failing to properly deduct union dues from members paychecks when in fact he had been draining the account through unauthorized expenses, the AG's office said. If convicted at trial of second-degree theft by unlawful taking, Smith could face five to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. WASHINGTON (AP) U.S. intelligence officials predicted two years ago that the Islamic State group would likely regain much of its former strength and global influence, particularly if American and other Western forces reduced their role in countering the extremist movement, according to a newly declassified report. Analysts said many of the judgments in the 2020 report appear prescient today, particularly as the group is resurgent in Afghanistan following President Joe Bidens withdrawal of American forces last year. The Islamic State group is no longer controlling huge swaths of territory or staging attacks in the United States as it did several years ago before a major U.S.-led offensive. But it is now slowly rebuilding some core capabilities in Iraq and Syria and increasingly fighting local governments in places including Afghanistan, where an affiliate of the IS group, also known by the acronym ISIS, is fighting the ruling Taliban following the U.S. withdrawal. If the United States and our partners pull back or withdraw further from areas where ISIS is active, the groups trajectory will increasingly depend on local governments' will and capability to fill the resulting security voids, says the report, originally published in classified form in May 2020, months after then-President Donald Trump's administration reached an agreement with the Taliban to pull out American troops. Biden and top national security officials have cited the recent strike killing al-Qaida head Ayman al-Zawahri as evidence that America maintains an over-the-horizon counterterrorism capacity in Afghanistan after the withdrawal. U.S. special forces also killed the head of the Islamic State group in a February raid in northwest Syria. The fact of those operations are, I think, reflective how serious this threat environment remains," said Christy Abizaid, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, on Thursday. But she added that analysts believe the terrorist threat to the U.S. homeland is less acute than we've seen it" at any time since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Analysts have recently seen growth in IS group branches around the world, particularly in Africa, said Abizaid, who spoke at the Intelligence and National Security Summit outside Washington. Afghanistan is a really interesting story along those lines about where the ISIS affiliate is and how we continue to be concerned about it, she said. Some outside analysts say al-Zawahri's apparent presence in downtown Kabul suggests that extremist groups are more comfortable operating in Afghanistan and that it will be tougher to counter the Islamic State group as it grows across the country. Bruce Hoffman, senior fellow for counterterrorism at the Washington-based Council on Foreign Relations, called the May 2020 report very clear-eyed and forthright. Its very different operating against ISIS in the isolated mountain redoubts or deep valleys of Afghanistan, he said. The advantages that enabled us to so brilliantly take out al-Zawahri, I would guess, are absent outside of Kabul. While the White House last month released declassified points from an intelligence assessment saying al-Qaida had not reconstituted in Afghanistan, the points did not address the Islamic State in Khorasan, the local IS group affiliate. IS-K was responsible for killing 13 U.S. troops outside the Kabul airport during the withdrawal and has continued to mount an insurgency against the Taliban now in control of the country. The National Security Council said in a statement that the U.S. is working to deny ISIS-K access to financing, disrupt and deter foreign terrorist fighters from reaching Afghanistan and the region, and counter ISIS-K's violent extremism. The May 2020 report was declassified this August and published online last week by the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The ODNI periodically declassifies and releases older intelligence assessments. A spokesperson for the ODNI's National Counterterrorism Center declined to answer questions about the assessment or address the intelligence community's current view on the Islamic State group. The report predicts that the Islamic State group's global branches are likely to increase its "capability to conduct attacks in many regions of the world, including the West. The U.S. would more likely face attacks from people inspired by the group's ideology than plots directed or supported by the group, the report said. Pressure by local governments where the IS group is active and their international partners almost certainly will shape the scale of ISIS' resurgence in Iraq and Syria and its expansion worldwide, the report said. Experts commonly agree with the report's predictions, said Colin Clarke, an expert on counterterrorism who is director of research for The Soufan Group, an intelligence and security consultancy. But top intelligence analysts would have been involved in drafting and reviewing the assessment, formally known as a national intelligence estimate, he said. Clarke noted several recent IS-linked attacks in Afghanistan, including an apparent suicide bombing outside the Russian embassy in Kabul that killed two diplomats, as well as ongoing fighting between militants and U.S.-backed forces at a sprawling camp in Syria. There are some things that have happened in the last few weeks," he said, that make you wonder if the situation is not more dire than is being presented. Follow the AP's coverage of the Islamic State group at https://apnews.com/hub/islamic-state-group. LONDON (AP) Thousands of mourners waited for hours Thursday in a line that stretched for almost 5 miles (8 kilometers) across London for the chance to spend a few minutes filing past Queen Elizabeth II's coffin while she lies in state. King Charles III spent the day in private to reflect on his first week on the throne. The queue to pay respects to the late queen at Westminster Hall in Parliament was at least a nine-hour wait, snaking across a bridge and along the south bank of the River Thames beyond Tower Bridge. But people said they didn't mind the wait, and authorities brought in portable toilets and other facilities to make the slog bearable. Im glad there was a queue, because that gave us time to see what was ahead of us, prepared us and absorbed the whole atmosphere, health care professional Nimisha Maroo said. I wouldnt have liked it if Id had to just rush through." A week after the queen died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland after 70 years on the throne, the focus of commemorations was in Westminster the heart of political power in London. Her coffin will lie in state at Westminster Hall until Monday, when it will be taken across the street to Westminster Abbey for the queen's funeral. Buckingham Palace on Thursday released details about the service, the first state funeral held in Britain since the death of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1965. Royalty and heads of state from around the world are expected to be among the 2,000 people attending, with a smaller, private burial service planned for later Monday at Windsor Castle. The queen will be buried at Windsor alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year. The guest list for the state funeral is a roll call of power and pomp, from Japan's Emperor Naruhito and King Felipe VI of Spain to U.S. President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and the prime ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who first met the queen when he was a child and his father Pierre Trudeau was Canada's leader said the queen was one of my favorite people in the world. Her conversations with me were always candid, we talked about anything and everything, she gave her best advice on a range of issues, she was always curious, engaged and thoughtful, he said at a special session of the Canadian parliament in Ottawa. After a day of high ceremony and high emotions on Wednesday as the queen's coffin was carried in somber procession from Buckingham Palace, the king was spending Thursday working and in private reflection at his Highgrove residence in western England. Charles has had calls with Biden and Macron and has been speaking to a host of world leaders. Prince William, the heir to the throne, and his wife Catherine, the Princess of Wales, visited the royal familys Sandringham estate in eastern England on Thursday to admire some of the tributes left by well-wishers. The couple walked slowly along metal barriers as they received bouquets from the public. William told well-wishers that walking behind his grandmother's coffin on Wednesday had been challenging and brought back memories of the funeral of his mother, Princess Diana after her death in 1997, when William was 15. I said how proud his mother would have been of him, and he said how hard it was yesterday because it brought back memories of his mothers funeral, Jane Wells, 54, said after meeting the prince Thursday. The queen left Buckingham Palace on Wednesday for the last time, borne on a horse-drawn carriage and saluted by cannons and the tolling of Big Ben, in a solemn procession through the flag-draped, crowd-lined streets of London to Westminster Hall. Charles, his siblings and sons marched behind the coffin, which was topped by a wreath of white roses and the queen's diamond-studded crown on a purple velvet pillow. The military procession underscored Elizabeths seven decades as head of state. Her lying-in-state, meanwhile, allowed many Britons to say a personal goodbye to the only monarch most have ever known. It's also a huge logistical operation, with a designated 10-mile (16 kilometer) queuing route lined with first aid points and more than 500 portable toilets. There are 1,000 stewards and marshals working at any given time, and 30 religious leaders from a range of faiths to talk to those in line. Monica Thorpe said she walked for two hours to get to the back of the line and join the queue. People were just walking and walking and the policemen were like Keep going, keep going. It was like the yellow brick road," she said. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the spiritual leader of the Church of England, wore a high-visibility vest emblazoned with the words Faith Team as he spoke to mourners. Welby, who will deliver a sermon at Elizabeth's funeral, paid tribute to the queen as someone you could trust totally, completely and absolutely, whose wisdom was remarkable. People old and young, dressed in dark suits or jeans and sneakers, walked in a steady stream through the historic hall, where Guy Fawkes and Charles I were tried, where kings and queens hosted magnificent medieval banquets, and where previous monarchs have lain in state. After passing the coffin, most mourners paused to look back before leaving through the halls great oak doors. Some were in tears; others bowed their heads or curtseyed. One sank onto a knee and blew a farewell kiss. Keith Smart, an engineer and British Army veteran, wiped away tears as he left the hall. He had waited more than 10 hours for the chance to say goodbye. Everybody in the crowd was impeccably behaved. There was no malice, everybody was friends. It was fantastic, he said. And then, to come into that room and see that, I just broke down inside. I didnt bow I knelt to the floor, on my knees, bowed my head to the queen. Follow AP coverage of the Queen at https://apnews.com/hub/queen-elizabeth-ii OZARK A $5 million revitalization project for the historic Brown Building on the Alabama Aviation College Campus in Ozark officially kicked off Thursday. Educators, civic leaders, and elected officials joined the family of the late James Douglas Brown Sr., a two-term former mayor of Ozark for whom the building is named, to officially celebrate the start of a revitalization project on the building built more than 60 years ago. Those present at the ceremony Thursday included Browns daughter, Tina Brown Harper; her husband, Charlie Harper; their sons, Chris and Charles Harper; their daughter, Katheryne Lancaster; and Todd Lancaster. The vision that your father and grandfather had for this community is special, Enterprise State Community College and Alabama Aviation College President Danny Long told the family members. We are so humbled by what this undertaking represents and that our family is still part of the college, Browns son-in-law, Charlie Harper, said. Were grateful for the continued recognition of Mr. Brown and his work, Harper said. The college has been a significant part of all our lives here in the Wiregrass. It has changed lives. Douglas would be so proud to see how the college has grown. The Alabama Aviation College has a long history of meeting industry needs, dating back to 1954 with the establishment of Fort Rucker as the Army Aviation Center, said Long. Originally named the Alabama Institute for Aviation Technology, the college began with one brick building, set next to Blackwell Airport. Long said the building was designed as a combination maintenance hangar, classroom, and administration building. It was an idea conceived by the city of Ozark to address the existing shortage of trained and skilled aviation technicians through adult education classes at night, he said. It was operated by the Ozark City School system until 1962 when it was absorbed into the states vocational and technical education program and became supported through state and federal funds. Also in 1962, the Federal Aviation Administration gave formal recognition to the courses taught at the school, which led to approval for veterans training under the G.I Bill. An open house for the aviation school was held on Aug. 28, 1960 in conjunction with the dedication of Blackwell Airport by the city of Ozark. The first classes were held on Oct. 3, 1960 with 188 students enrolled. Brown is largely responsible for the aviation colleges existence, Long said. Almost 70 years ago, his was a vision to meet the workforce demands of this area. We look at these buildings and this campus as our home, said Chris Henderson, a graduate of the aviation college who now serves as aviation maintenance division co-chairman and an instructor at the school. I cant think of enough words to express my gratitude for the decision to save and revitalize this building and Im sure many past graduates and instructors feel the same way I do. Its more than just a building to me and to the many alumni that passed through its doors over many years. Keeping this building a part of our campus is so vitally important to me and others who have passed through these doors, Henderson said. This is where I began my journey in the aviation maintenance industry, first as a student and now as an instructor. Henderson described grabbing a quick power nap after working third shift at the nearby aircraft maintenance company before attending classes at the aviation college an hour later. He graduated in 2002, returned as an adjunct instructor in 2006 and became fulltime in 2008. And all the classes I taught were in the Brown Building, he said. Ive been a part of this college in some capacity for going on 20 years, he said. I have a lot of fond memories centered around the Brown Building and this campus, as do hundreds of students who have passed through those doors and who continue to pass through those doors. SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday for his balanced approach to the Ukrainian crisis and blasted Washington's ugly" policies at a meeting that followed a major setback for Moscow on the battlefield. Speaking at the start of talks with Xi in Uzbekistan, Putin said he was ready to discuss unspecified concerns by China about Ukraine. We highly appreciate the well-balanced position of our Chinese friends in connection with the Ukrainian crisis, Putin said, facing Xi across a long table. We understand your questions and your concerns in this regard, and we certainly will offer a detailed explanation of our stand on this issue during today's meeting, even though we already talked about it earlier, he added. Putin's rare mention of Chinese worries comes as Beijing has been anxious about the impact of volatile oil prices and economic uncertainty due to the war in Ukraine that has dragged on for nearly seven months. The two met on the sidelines of the eight-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organization that includes India, Pakistan and four ex-Soviet nations in Central Asia. The security alliance was created as a counterweight to U.S. influence. A Chinese government statement issued after the meeting didnt specifically mention Ukraine, but said Xi promised strong support to Russias core interests. While the statement gave no details, Beijing uses core interests to describe issues such as national sovereignty and the ruling Communist Partys claim to Taiwan, over which it is willing to go to war. Speaking after the meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the assessments of the international situation by Moscow and Beijing fully coincide. We dont have any differences. He added that both countries will continue coordinating our actions, including at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly. Lavrov described the talks as excellent, saying they were very businesslike and concrete, involving a discussion of tasks for various ministries and agencies. The Biden administration described the Putin-Xi talks as part of a rapprochement that has worried Washington. Weve made clear our concerns about the depth of Chinas alignment and ties with Russia, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, adding that Thursdays meeting is an example of that alignment, but declined to comment further. Xis government, which said it had a no-limits friendship with Moscow before the Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, has refused to criticize Russias military actions. Beijing and India are buying more Russian oil and gas, which helps Moscow offset Western sanctions imposed over the invasion. Observers say Russia will likely grow increasingly reliant on China as a market for its oil and gas as the West moves to establish a price cap on Russian energy resources and potentially cut their imports altogether. In trying to strengthen an alliance with China, Moscow has strongly backed Beijing amid tensions with the U.S. that followed a recent visit to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. We condemn the provocations of the U.S. and its satellites in the Taiwan Strait, Putin told Xi. Along with Russians attack on Ukraine, the summit is taking place against the backdrop of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan not far from Uzbekistan, as well as strains in Chinas relations with Washington, Europe, Japan and India due to disputes over technology, security and territory. Speaking at the start of his one-on-one talks with Xi, Putin blasted efforts by the United States and its allies to dominate global affairs. Attempts to create a unipolar world have recently taken an absolutely ugly shape. They are absolutely unacceptable for the vast majority of countries on the globe, he said in opening remarks. The tandem of Moscow and Beijing plays a key role in ensuring global and regional stability, Putin said. We jointly stand for forming a just, democratic and multipolar world based on international law and the central role of the United Nations, not rules invented by some who try to enforce them on others without explaining what they are. Xi was more careful, saying that in the face of changes in the world, times and history, China is willing to work with Russia to reflect the responsibility of a major country, play a leading role and inject stability into a troubled and interconnected world. The meeting came after Russia was forced to pull back its forces from large swaths of northeastern Ukraine last week amid a swift Ukrainian counteroffensive. Ukraine regaining control of several Russian-occupied cities and villages represented Moscow's largest setback since its forces had to retreat from areas near the capital early in the war. The SCO summit in the ancient city of Samarkand is part of Xis first foreign trip since the start of the coronavirus pandemic 2 1/2 years ago, underscoring Beijings desire to assert itself as a regional power. Putin also met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, whose country is on track to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Raisi said Moscow and Tehran were finalizing a major treaty that would bring their relations to a strategic level. He and Putin both criticized the U.S. at the start of their meeting. Raisi accused the U.S. of breaching its obligations under Iran's nuclear deal with world powers. Putin gibed American officials, saying They are masters of their word -- they give it and then take it back whenever they want. The Russian leader also met with Central Asian leaders and planned a session with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. There was no indication whether Modi would meet Xi. Relations between India and China are strained due to clashes between the countries' soldiers from a border dispute involving a remote area of the Himalayas. Putin also is scheduled for a one-on-one meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan. Turkey and Azerbaijan have the status of dialogue partners with the SCO. Earlier this week, Azerbaijan and Armenia engaged in cross-border shelling that killed 176 troops on both sides, the most serious hostilities in nearly two years between the decades-long adversaries. The fighting has put Moscow, which has tried to maintain close ties with both countries, in a precarious position. Putin's meeting with Erdogan will be closely watched for their statements on Ukraine and a July deal brokered by Turkey and the U.N. to clear the way for exports of grain and other agricultural products that were stuck at Ukraine's Black Sea ports after the invasion. The Chinese leader is promoting a Global Security Initiative announced in April following the formation of the Quad by the U.S., Japan, Australia and India in response to Beijings more assertive foreign policy. Xi has given few details, but U.S. officials complain it echoes Russian arguments in support of Moscows actions in Ukraine. The region is part of Chinas multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative to expand trade by building ports, railways and other infrastructure across an arc of dozens of countries from the South Pacific through Asia to the Middle East, Europe and Africa. On Thursday, Xi met with President Sadyr Zhaparov of Kyrgyzstan and said Beijing supports the early operation of a planned railway linking China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, the Chinese foreign ministry said. Chinas economic inroads into Central Asia have fueled unease in Russia, which sees the region as its sphere of influence. Xi visited Kazakhstan on Wednesday en route to Uzbekistan. Pope Francis was in Kazakhstan, but they didn't meet. Allentown, PA (18103) Today Hazy sunshine with some areas of high-altitude smoke from those western wildfires hanging around for one more day. Warmer and still comfortable. . Tonight Mostly clear. WASHINGTON (AP) Two buses of migrants from the U.S.-Mexico border were dropped off near Vice President Kamala Harris' home in residential Washington on Thursday morning in the bitter political battle over the Biden administration's immigration policies. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has been busing migrants out of Texas to cities with Democratic mayors as part of a political strategy this year because he claims there are too many arrivals over the border to his state. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey also has adopted this policy, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also got in on the act recently. It was first dreamed up by former President Donald Trump. Abbott tweeted that he'd sent the buses that arrived Thursday: "We're sending migrants to her backyard to call on the Biden Administration to do its job & secure the border." Texas dropped off two buses of migrants outside VP Kamala Harris' residence in Washington, D.C. today. We will continue sending migrants to sanctuary cities like D.C. until Pres. Biden & Border Czar Harris step up & do their jobs to secure the border. https://t.co/95xlAlCFDf Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) September 15, 2022 About two dozen men and women stood outside the U.S. Naval Observatory at dawn, clutching clear plastic bags of their belongings carried with them over the border, before moving to a nearby church. Harris' office had no immediate comment. After migrants seeking asylum cross the U.S.-Mexico border, they spend time in a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility along the border until they are generally released into the U.S. to wait out their cases. Republicans say Biden's policies encourage migrants to vanish into the U.S.; Democrats argue the Trump-era policy of forcing migrants to wait out their asylum cases in Mexico was inhumane. +5 Florida flies 'illegal immigrants' to Martha's Vineyard The governor's office said flights to the Massachusetts island are an effort to "transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations." DeSantis flew two planes of immigrants to Martha's Vineyard on Wednesday. And last week, Abbott sent about 75 migrants to Chicago. District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a public emergency last week over the continued arrival of buses of migrants. The district earlier requested National Guard assistance to help stem a "growing humanitarian crisis" prompted by the arrival of thousands of migrants, but the Pentagon rejected the request. Follow the AP's coverage on immigration at https://apnews.com/hub/immigration. New to the UK and locked in an interminable wait as he appeals his refusal of asylum, Zafar does mostly nothing with his days because that's all he's allowed to do. When he meets Bilal (self-styled as Billy'), a lonely Grindr devotee who scorns his fellow Pakistani men, the two set about saving each other without realising it. Not just from the pressures of the cruelly homophobic hostile environment policy but from cynicism, from shutting yourself off from possibility. Waleed Akhtar's duologue puts gay Pakistani men in Britain in the spotlight, and we're snagged by the charm of the pairing of Bilal, played by Akhtar himself, and Esh Alladi's Zafar. Much of the gentle comedy comes from the culture and perspective clash as Bilal introduces Zafar to life in London, and Zafar opens Bilal back up to his culture and to human connection (via a healthy dose of Pakistani dramas). Their unlikely friendship is mutually transformative, an unexpected lifeline: while Zafar isn't allowed visitors in his temporary accommodation, and mourns a love violently torn from him in Pakistan by his own father, Bilal's loneliness is perhaps the more strikingly unfamiliar. His behaviour is masochistic and sneering, scorning softness and femininity despite working in fashion. He chases white boys who he resents exclusively, and is stumped that no boyfriend appears for him. He has even fewer friends than Zafar. As Zafar, Alladi is lit by a confidence and certainty he's known love and knows who he is. He's earnest and wide-eyed, strong even in his too-long jeans, able to serve some much-appreciated comeuppance to Bilal. Akhtar's Bilal is all over the shop by contrast, punishing himself by push-ups, adopting a hoarse affect when imitating the "masc4masc" gays he tries to place himself in the running with. The script feels slightly unfocused, prone to overreaching: there are points which tantalise, at which the two argue on the credibility of gay asylum seekers, or homophobia as a colonial inheritance. You want to know how they came to these opinions, to allow us deeper into them as fully-realised characters, but there doesn't seem to be time. There's an end that gestures out beyond this story towards the even grimmer reality of deported asylum seekers which feels a little needlessly defensive, only as it's so unfortunately rushed. Anthony Simpson-Pike's direction, at first, has the two cleanly separated from each other on separate semi-circle sides of Max Johns' revolving set, emblazoned with a pink phulkari design. The production doesn't quite make the full, nimble and interesting use of this revolve. For the most part, it feels a bit stiff a snappier energy only emerging when the actors are at their most agile. Little is left to subtext, but it's the warm and tense scenes in which the two directly interact, rather than the opening scenes juxtaposing their experiences in parallel, which draw us in and hold us. Xana's sound design and Niraj Chag's original composition for the production thrums and grows more hummy and buzzy as things begin to go wrong for Zafar's status in the country, and becomes appropriately, rosily Bollywood when it needs to, for a kiss. A great kiss, worthy of cheering, in a play that's ultimately rousing if slightly hurried. Wanted: Your old suspense novels, childrens books, dictionaries and encyclopedias, books on religion, how-to books, cookbooks, and even textbooks. Did you write in margins? Thats Ok. Some people love books with handwritten notes, called marginalia, in them. Do not throw books away; let us decide what needs to be thrown away, Everlie Bolton of the Friends of the Library said. Theyll even take your unwanted DVDs, CDs and vinyl albums. The Friends of the Library of the Dothan-Houston County Library System will hold its Big Fall Book Sale in October. First, however, the group needs more book donations. Bolton said that as of the end of August, the organization had collected 120 boxes of fiction and 77 boxes of non-fiction books. Its a lot of books, but Bolton said the donations are actually down from where they normally would be at. That is significantly less, Bolton said. There are several contributing factors. The COVID-19 pandemic stopped the large book sales for a while, and the Friends of the Library began having ongoing mini-book sales at the downtown main library, the Westgate branch and the Ashford branch. Those mini-sales were so popular the Friends of the Library kept doing them and now earn more than $1,000 a month from those ongoing mini-sales. Also, in the last few years, there have been large single donations of books, such as a school library updating its catalogue. This time, that source has not revealed itself yet, and it might be out there, Bolton said. There might be another school thats in transition or some other kind of library thats in transition and maybe they just didnt know that donating them to the Dothan-Houston County Library or the Friends of the Library was an option. Book donations can be made to any library branch during regular business hours. If theres a large collection, Bolton said donors can contact the Friends of the Library at friends@dhcls.org or by calling 334-796-1594. Partnering with Dothan Leisure Services, the Friends of Library will hold the fall sale inside Westgate Parks recreation center gym, providing a larger indoor space than the organization has had in the past. The fall sale in October will be held Oct. 20-29 with a preview sale for Friends of the Library members on Oct. 20 from 4-7 p.m. (new members can join at the door for $5). The regular sale will be Oct. 21-29 with weekday hours 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday hours 9 a.m.-2 p.m., and Sunday hours 2-6 p.m. Hardback books will be $2, paperbacks will be $1, and childrens books will be 50 cents. Attendees will also be able to fill a bag for $20. Vintage books and sets will be individually priced. Clearance days begin Oct. 26 with books marked half price Oct. 26-27 and the marked down to 25 cents on Oct. 28-29 and free on Oct. 30. A lot of volunteer hours go into preparing for the large book sales. The Friends of the Library actually rents a storage unit in Dothan to keep books as they are packed up and organized for sale. In some cases, boxes are organized by genre or may contain books by a single author such as John Grisham, Clive Cussler, Sandra Brown or Maeve Binchy. Money raised from the book sales goes back into the Dothan-Houston County Library System to help cover programs and needs that may not necessarily be included in the library systems regular budget large print books, a Bright Key Program with Dothan City Schools, Wi-Fi upgrades. In January, the Friends of the Library gave $42,000 to the library system. Bolton said even the clearance and free days have an impact by giving books an opportunity to make someone happy. Our goal is to kind of give these books another life, whatever that looks like, she said. The Houston County Health Care Authority, which oversees Dothans Southeast Health, wants taxpayers to pay the full 4 mills in property tax that the hospital is authorized to receive. This comes at a time when health systems nationally have seen significant growth in labor, drugs, and supply expenses, a statement from Southeast Health read. Houston County commissioners will have a resolution before them during the Sept. 22 administrative meeting, Houston County Commission Chairman Mark Culver confirmed. Culver said he did not want to comment until he receives a legal opinion on the health care authoritys request. Even if county commissioners support the request, the additional tax rate would not go into effect until 2024. If we passed it today or at the first meeting in October, they would not see any revenue until 2024, Houston County Commissioner and Chairman-elect Brandon Shoupe said. The Houston County Health Care Authority has been authorized to receive 4 mills on each dollar of taxable property in the county since 1949 a tax approved for the hospitals construction, which broke ground in 1955. The authority received all 4 mills until the 1980s when the hospital millage rate was lowered to 1 mill at the health care authoritys request. The hospital tax remained at 1 mill until the authority began working to open an osteopathic medical school in Dothan. In 2012, the hospital began collecting an additional 1.5 mills for a total of 2.5 mills to pay back a $20 million loan it secured for the accreditation process for the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM), which began enrolling students in 2013. The authority was required to have $30 million in an escrow account by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, according to previous Dothan Eagle reports. When county commissioners considered the authoritys request for 1.5 mills back in 2011, Culver said then that the commission had no choice but to approve the request since the hospital is authorized by law to collect as much as 4 mills, according to a May 2011 Eagle news story. Depending on where they live, a Houston County property owner could pay 34.5 mills on the assessed value of their property. Houston County currently has a total millage rate of 17.5 mills 7 mills goes to the countys general fund; 3.5 mills goes to a county road and bridge fund; 4.5 mills goes to a countywide school fund; and 2.5 mills goes to the hospital. The county rate is combined with the states 6.5 mills, a 5-mill municipal tax, a special school district tax of 3.5 mills, and an additional school levy set at 2 mills. The county commission received the written request about two weeks ago, Shoupe said. Theres a process that they have to go through, and I guess they eventually went through that process and brought us the resolution, Shoupe said. Shoupe questioned the timing of the request, which is about two months before a new county commission takes office. He said he has not spoken with any of the health care authority members, including the ones he appointed, and nobody has approached him about why the hospital needs the additional tax revenue. Shoupe said he has a lot of questions, specifically about how the authority has tried to reduce its need for the additional millage. If somebody wants me to vote on something this significant, I would hope that they would realize that they need to communicate the needs and allow me to ask questions, Shoupe said. That has not taken place. Im going to ask those questions at some point, and those questions will need to be answered. Winona Area Public Schools has a roadmap for the future. The WAPS school board on Sept. 1 approved the districts strategic plan, which will cover the 2022-27 school years. The plan is the result of a collaborative process led by the Minnesota School Board Association that included input from district leaders, staff, students, families and community members. It includes updated mission and vision statements and core values, as well as district belief statements. The plan settled on five strategic focus areas, as well as goals and objectives to support those focus areas. What we learned through this process is that there are many people invested in our school district, WAPS Superintendent Dr. Annette K. Freiheit said. They want to see us do well for our students, for our staff and for our community. Using their feedback and ideas, we worked together to formulate a plan that sets a high standard for our students while putting the systems in place that can support their continued growth inside and outside of the classroom. The new mission of Winona Area Public Schools is to Inspire curiosity, empower resiliency, engage community. The vision is: A safe and inclusive community of compassionate, curious and resilient lifelong learners. The district core values are safety, integrity, inclusivity, equity and respect. For the first time, the district also identified belief statements. Gail Gilman, Director of Strategic Planning and Board Leadership for MSBA, told the board: As you come to those tough decisions, that juncture in the road, a good rule of thumb is for your chair to say Lets go back to those belief statements and let those help guide us. They are: We believe that public schools should serve and engage students, families, staff and the community. We believe learning and teaching is maximized in a safe, respectful and inclusive environment. We believe every individuals diversity and experience is valued. We believe healthy relationships are crucial for the success of our schools. We believe that every student can achieve to the best of their ability. We believe all decisions should be focused on students and their success. The five strategic plan focus areas include: Excellence in Student Achievement Student Support Staff Support Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Communication, Outreach and Marketing Many of the goals listed under the focus areas involve systemic changes meant to address the unique needs of students, staff and families. The excellence in student achievement focus area calls for the full implementation of Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in every classroom and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) throughout the district by the start of the 2025-2026 school year. For student support, the district will create a safe, inclusive learning environment that focuses on personal well-being and fosters the ability to create positive relationships. This will include finalizing a district-wide code of conduct that supports student behavior and incorporates restorative practices by February 2023. To support staff, WAPS plans an operational audit to discontinue work that no longer aligns with the strategic plan, and make staff development and evaluations address evidence-based practices and cultural awareness. Under the diversity, equity and inclusivity focus area, WAPS will strive to provide all children with culturally relevant learning opportunities that include a multi-year professional development plan for all staff and school board members that includes addressing implicit bias, anti-discrimination, exclusionary language and behavior, eliminating racial harm and reucing disparities. The district has set a goal to eliminate barriers to learning by identifying and redesigning systems that reinforce academic gaps among student groups. The communications, outreach and marketing focus area involves the creation of district-wide and building-specific community engagement plans, as well as a refresh of the WAPS brand identity. The complete plan can be found at winonaschools.org/plan. The strategic planning process included the voices of nearly 500 people through surveys (100 internal surveys and 380 external surveys). There were 90 people who participated in 13 listening sessions, as well as a strategic planning committee which was made up of 25 individuals who met three times and continued to offer feedback as the plan was finalized. Every big galaxy, like our own Milky Way, has a super massive black hole at its center. When the black hole starts eating material gas, dust, whole stars even some of that material actually falls into the black hole while the majority, about 60% of it, gets blown away. Sometimes, if the conditions are right, massive jets will be formed that blow that material away at nearly the speed of light. Because it travels so quickly it generates winds that blow gas out of the galaxy. It is also really hot. It can heat a galaxy by a few degrees. The combination of these factors make the galaxy unable to produce new stars. All this science sounds confusing, mind bending, thought confounding. Luckily, theres Will Jarvis, a Wisconsin Dells native, who can illuminate us all with this. He studies it. A senior now at UW-Madison, he recently received a scholarship from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. He traveled to Florida to receive the award. Recipients were taken to Kennedy Space Center where astronauts game them a tour of the Saturn V building. Jarviss $15,000 scholarship will go toward furthering his studies. For Jarvis, his Big Bang moment in regard to his interest in space came to him as a kid, watching Star Trek with his father. The idea of exploring the universe around us and uncovering its secrets has always drawn me, Jarvis said. Of course me and my husband, David, are very proud of Will, said Wills mother, Barbara Jarvis. We are more proud of him taking advantage of the opportunities presented to him. In his youth, the family went to the Kennedy Space Center. They saw one of the last space shuttle launches. The family also frequented the Alder Planetarium in Chicago. Anything David and Barbara Jarvis could do to nurture young Wills interest. In high school, where he attended Wisconsin Dells High School and, later, Madison Country Day School, is when he wanted to dedicate himself to astronomy. He started working with the Pulsar Search Collaboratory, an organization dedicated to getting high school students involved in cutting-edge astronomical research. I was able to go to the Green Bank Observatory in West Virginia, Jarvis said, where I fell in love with observational astronomy. He conducted research with a 40-foot, 20-meter, and the massive 100-meter Green Bank Telescope. The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides annually more than 60 scholarships to college students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It was created in 1984 by the six surviving Mercury 7 astronauts to aid the United States, their mission statement reads, in retaining its world leadership in technology and innovation by supporting the very best and brightest scholars...while commemorating the legacy of Americas pioneering astronauts. Jarvis was one, of only two, residents of Wisconsin to receive this years award. Majoring in astrophysics, hes focusing a lot of his attention, aside from the skies, on the UW Undergraduate Astronomy Club. Jarvis said, We provide many opportunities to both astronomy and non-astronomy majors, including stargazing events, talks from famous astronomers, astronauts, and scientists, outreach with the local community, and much more. Jarvis wants space to be as inspiring to others as it has been to him. It is wonderful to hear Will speak about space, his mother commented. He has so much enthusiasm for it and genuinely wants you to understand and enjoy it, too. She envisions her son taking a path into being a professor and continuing his research. There are so many advances in research and medicine that have come from us utilizing the space above our planet, she said. There is that, the practical aspects of studying other worlds. There are also the more spiritual aspects. We look to the skies because we have always found inspiration there, Jarvis noted. Every time I feel despair or sadness, I find a clear night and drive out into the countryside to see the stars. He continued, It is easy to imagine the challenges of the world to be insurmountable, but when you stare at the stars everything seems small. Those challenges seem reachable. Jarvis reaches for his telescope. He peers in, seeing the far distant past, our collective future. Handfuls of sweet and savory goodness have been putting a smile on the faces of a local shops customers for the past decade. Chippys Popcorn Creations is celebrating its 10th anniversary at its retail store at 507 Madison St., Beaver Dam. In addition, owners Scott and Linda Chipman are marking their 20th year in the kettle corn business. The Chipmans said although the time has passed quickly since they first began popping kernels in 2002, the hours they pour into the small business are too many to count. Its all day, every day, said Scott. The culinary-trained couple were living in North Carolina and looking for a career change when they were introduced to kettle corn (popcorn sweetened with sugar). Upon tasting the snack for the first time, they ate every last bite of a large sack of the product and decided to take a chance selling it at markets and festivals. The kettle corn business had its ups and downs in the beginning, and the couple found Midwesterners were more receptive to their flavored popcorn. The Chipmans were drawn to the Beaver Dam area to be near family and purchased a former laundromat on Madison Street initially to house its mobile operation. They worked on recipes and turned it into a gourmet popcorn retail establishment in 2012, offering more than 40 specialty varieties of popcorn. The Chipmans produce seasonal selections, as well, and guessed that theyve probably made more than 100 varieties of their tasty treats. Our most popular one here is the Beaver Dam Blend, which is made of Mrs. Chippys caramel corn blended with Wisconsin white cheddar and Chicago-style cheddar. If you go What: Chippys Pop-In Anniversary Celebration When: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday-Saturday Where: Chippys Popcorn Creations, 507 Madison St., Beaver Dam Linda said she still feels passionate about their choice of location for the business. Were supposed to be planted right here in this community, she said. This part of town has really gotten the shaft for a long time. We are intended to be here to be a voice and steward for this side of town. Her care and concern for the neighborhood has resulted in her forming a partnership with Laura Goral, manager of the Habitat for Humanity ReStore at 1022 Madison Street, to introduce the Mad Street Art Initiative. The pair are hoping to connect communities by adding urban art murals to beautify the area, with a goal of promoting diversity and sharing cultures. A single mural costs approximately $10,000, and they are currently 20% funded. In celebrating our two business anniversaries, we wanted to highlight and gather more attention to our cause, said Linda. Chippys Popcorn Creations held a combination party/fundraiser for Beaver Dam Area Chamber Members and the business community Wednesday night, and its community celebration runs Thursday through Saturday. We invite everyone to POP in for our Anniversary Celebration Days, said Linda. There will be lots of giveaways and fun surprises. In the spirit of the Chipmans service to their Madison Street neighborhood, a portion of their sales will be earmarked for the Mad Street Art Initiative. Donations will also be accepted. STRONGS PRAIRIE A recent officer-involved shooting in Adams County is now being investigated at the state level. According to a release from the Wisconsin Department of Justice, the department's Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is looking into the incident in Strongs Prairie that occurred at approximately 6:51 p.m. on Sept. 6. Jacob Bean, an Adams County Sheriff's Office deputy who has been with the department for six years, responded to a dispatch report of an individual walking on Cumberland Avenue in the town. Bean subsequently located Bryon Childers, a 61-year-old man whom Bean was informed had multiple warrants. Childers brandished a firearm upon contact with Bean, who then discharged his weapon toward Childers, who died at the scene from injuries. A firearm was recovered at the scene and Bean was equipped with a body camera. No law enforcement personnel were injured as a result of this incident. Bean has been placed on administrative assignment, per department policy, during this investigation. He and other involved law enforcement are fully cooperating with DCI. Assisting DCI with the investigation is the Wisconsin State Patrol, DCI Crime Response Specialists, and the Adams County Medical Examiner's Office. DCI is currently reviewing evidence and determining facts surrounding this incident. Upon completion of the investigation, DCI will release investigative reports to the Adams County District Attorney's Office. The first school in Juneau County, established in 1851, was located in the Stewart Settlement area in the Town of Lindina. By the mid-1850s, most townships, villages, and cities in the county had an organized school. It was an age of rapid settlement. By 1872, there were 87 country schools, after the turn of the century there were 102. In 1873, William J. Hughes was the teacher in Lone Pine School, Lyndon township. He had 48 children packed into a room about 10 feet by 12 feet. The kids were packed in there spoon fashion. Small villages, and unincorporated municipalities had state graded schools, divided by upper and lower grade level students, usually having two or three teachers. Among these schools were Union Center, Hustler, Lone Rock in Orange Township, Fowlers Prairie in Elroy, and Lyndon Station. Near the intersection of Highway K and O, southeast of Mauston, stood the small one-room Cattail Valley School, originally called Burr Oak. In 1957, the walls were nearly splitting with pride when 13-year-old Donna Walter won the Wisconsin State Spelling Bee, the only country school student to have ever been credited with that honor in Wisconsin. Consolidation of schools began with the enactment of the Callahan Law in 1939. Callahan was the state superintendent of Public Instruction in Wisconsin for 30 years. He was the father of Mrs. Herb (Alice) Roswell, long time Mauston High School teacher. By 1962, all rural schools were closed with students required to attend the nearest Town School. That meant bussing them if walking distance was more than two miles. Mandatory school attendance until the age of 16 was put in force in 1949. Until then, most families had to pay a fee for their children to ride the bus to high school. About this time, the school bus color was directed to be yellow with black lettering instead of the striped red, white, and blue. The county high schools were honored to have at least two elected Wisconsin governors as graduates. Orland S. Loomis of Mauston and Tommy Thompson of Elroy. Loomis died a few days prior to his inauguration. Commander, U.S. Navy, Winfield Scott Cunningham attended Camp Douglas High School, a graduate Annapolis in 1941, was awarded the Navy Cross, and later promoted to rear admiral. Bertha Thomas, graduated from Necedah High School. In 1895, she graduated from Womens Medical School Northwest University. She was instrumental in opening the first medical school in Wisconsin for women. She went on to be the first female appointed city physician and health officer in the U.S. Dode Fisk, born near Wonewoc in 1860, attended school there, went on to own The Dode Fisk Society Circus. His show performed all over the Midwest and Texas. The circus wintered in Wonewoc. Fiske, also a musician, organized and led one of the first big performing bands in the state. Frank Bunker, a New Lisbon School alumnus, started the F. J. Bunker Ford Agency in 1914, when he was 17-years-old. His agency became the largest dealer of Ford tractors in Wisconsin, in the 1920s. When he died, Bunker at that time, was the oldest Ford dealer in the United States. The Necedah High School Alumni Association is the oldest in the state, the first one held in 1889. Rethinking Economics for Africa Festival - 2022 When: Friday, 16 September 2022 - Saturday, 17 September 2022 Where: Braamfontein Campus West FNB Building, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, West Campus Start time: 8:00 Enquiries: Dalli Weyers dalli.weyers@iej.org.za RSVP: Registration link The Rethinking Economics for Africa Festival is back! Join us, in person, to challenge the economic orthodoxy and to embrace the heterodoxy! The annual Rethinking Economics for Africa (REFA) Festival is returning to its in-person format after two years of online hosting! Click the "select dates" button to continue your registration. More information about the Festival: In 2022, the Festival will be held on the 16th and 17th of September at Wits University in Johannesburg. The Festivals programme, on both the Friday and Saturday, will be packed with transformative content and great speakers, so dont miss out! Please be sure to register for both days separately in the ticketing section. The Festival will serve as a platform for critical engagement with the economics discipline and with the economy in general, and will provide an opportunity to exchange ideas and tools on how to build a movement for rethinking economics in our universities and society more broadly. 2022 will see the fifth iteration of the Festival and will host a diverse range of local and international speakers including student activists, prominent academics and civil society organisations. You can find out more on the Festival Portal here. The event is hosted by the Institute for Economic Justice in partnership with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung South Africa, Rethinking Economics for Africa student chapters, the South African Research Chair in Industrial Development (SARChI), the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies and Wits University. Dean Mitchell, the former executive director of the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce, has been named the new director of HudsonAlpha Wiregrass. Were thrilled to announce that Dean has joined HudsonAlpha and will be leading our new initiative in the Wiregrass region, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology President Neil Lamb said in a Thursday news release announcing Mitchells role. Dean has a unique understanding of the opportunities in the Wiregrass and were honored to have him as part of our team. In August, the Huntsville-based HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and the City of Dothan announced a partnership that brings HudsonAlpha to Southeast Alabama with a new campus that will focus on agricultural research, economic development, and education. HudsonAlpha Wiregrass will begin work in the area in October. As part of the collaboration, HudsonAlpha Wiregrass will eventually be housed in the Wiregrass Innovation Center, which the City of Dothan plans to build as part of its City Center project and ongoing downtown revitalization efforts. As the executive director of the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce, Mitchell was responsible for the chambers overall operations. He worked on projects related to economic, community, and workforce development. Prior to joining the chamber, Mitchell served as chief of staff and communications director for two U.S. congressmen where he led in the fields of management, strategic planning, communications, and problem-solving. Mitchell graduated from the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Maggie, have three sons. He is also a graduate of the Institute of Organizational Management, Dothan 101, Leadership Dothan, and Leadership Alabama. He received his Alabama-accredited chamber executive certification and was named the 2022 chamber professional of the year for Alabama. Formed in 2005 by Jim Hudson and the late Lonnie McMillian, the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville is a nonprofit that conducts genomic research to improve human health, create new medicines, and develop sustainable farming practices. The institute was also founded to encourage entrepreneurship, economic development and educational outreach. HudsonAlpha Wiregrass will focus on agricultural genomic research to create new varieties of drought and disease-resistant Alabama peanuts. The work will involve collaborations with regional universities and the Wiregrass Research Extension Center in Headland, according to Thursdays news release. However, the work wont stop with peanuts. HudsonAlpha Wiregrass will recruit agriculture tech start-up companies, creating an eco-system for entrepreneurs and small businesses. The goal will be to make the Wiregrass a destination for technology and innovation. Genomics education for Wiregrass schools and the general public will include professional learning experiences for educators as well as student trips, summer programs, workforce certifications, and internships in ag-tech. BEIJING, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) From Wednesday to Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the 22nd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the Uzbek city of Samarkand, and pay state visits to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The SCO summit takes place at a time when the world is witnessing the combined impact of a pandemic unseen in a century, a de-globalization trend and other complex factors, and the global economic governance system is facing challenges. The Chinese president has proposed a number of important initiatives and proposals for global development and security, contributing Chinese wisdom and public goods to solving the pressing problems now facing humanity, which has been greeted with applause from the international community, not least the SCO countries. Development, Security for All Development and security are the common concerns of all countries and top priorities of global governance. In a statement delivered via video at the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September, 2021, Xi proposed a Global Development Initiative (GDI) to steer global development toward a new stage of balanced, coordinated, and inclusive growth in face of the severe shocks of COVID-19. The initiative calls for staying committed to development as a priority, to a people-centered approach, to benefits for all, to innovation-driven development, to harmony between man and nature and to results-oriented actions. While delivering a keynote speech via video at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2022 in April, Xi proposed a Global Security Initiative (GSI) to promote security for all in the world. For Sudheendra Kulkarni, former chairman of Indian think-tank Observer Research Foundation, development and security are "two sides of the same coin and both are indivisible." "No country can achieve security if other countries are insecure, and no country can achieve development if other countries' development is in danger. We must consider security and development in a global context," Kulkarni said. The GDI will help accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, said Rosalia Varfalovskaya, a leading researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences. "Openness and cooperation between countries are the key to economic recovery in the post-pandemic era," said the researcher. Promoting Common Development The world is now living through drastic changes and the COVID-19 pandemic, both unseen in a century, while the global economy is still battling against significant headwinds on its path to recovery. Despite such major setbacks to global development, China is always a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender of the international order and a provider of public goods. The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by Xi nine years ago, has become the most popular public good in the world. Moreover, China has been sparing no effort to provide COVID-19 vaccines to as more as possible people in the world. China-proposed development initiatives exemplify a correct understanding of global issues as well as a focus on collective progress, said Farhad Javanbakht Kheirabadi, a China scholar at Shahid Beheshti University in Iran. As to greater SCO cooperation along with Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said when addressing the 21st meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in September, 2021, that "Belt and Road cooperation offers a major platform of promoting common development for us all." "We need to strengthen complementarity between the Belt and Road Initiative and the development strategies of SCO countries and regional cooperation initiatives such as the Eurasian Economic Union. We should keep industrial and supply chains functioning smoothly, promote economic integration and interconnected development of all countries and deliver shared benefits to all," Xi said. Human development indices around the world have fallen in recent decades, and "only by combining technological and resource opportunities between countries can they be raised," said Russian expert Varfalovskaya. Muhammadjon Obidov, chairman of the Fergana branch of the Union of Journalists of Uzbekistan, drew attention to the fact that in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, "China did not forget to take care of other countries." "Uzbekistan received vaccines from China as well. Many Uzbeks received them, and as a result, they were protected against infection and serious illness," he said. Shared Future for Humanity Xi has long been calling for building a community with a shared future. Addressing the 21st meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO via video link last year, Xi put forward five proposals on building "a closer SCO community with a shared future." The SCO countries, he said, need to follow the journey of enhancing solidarity and cooperation, upholding common security, promoting openness and integration, boosting interactions and mutual learning and upholding equity and justice. Over the years, Xi has fleshed out his vision on SCO cooperation, inspiring the group to grow into a model in the building of a new type of international relations and a contributor to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. For example, while attending the 20th SCO summit in 2020 via video link, Xi expounded on the vision of building an SCO community with a shared future, putting forward "a community of health for us all," "a community of security for us all," "a community of development for us all" and "a community of cultural exchanges for us all." In their interviews with Xinhua, many experts spoke highly of China's commitment to seeking common development with the rest of the world. The Chinese proposals attest to the Chinese leadership's preference for peaceful coexistence with all states, regardless of their social systems, and demonstrate China's commitment to maintaining cooperation with others for common development, said Obidov. Championing mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development, the Shanghai Spirit has over the past years underpinned the SCO's development and represents the trend in contemporary international relations. "All the (member) states, small or big, it doesn't matter ... It (SCO) does not have any hierarchy system, and the decision-making is consensus-based," said Gulru Gezer, a Turkish foreign policy advisor and former diplomat. The member states have successfully managed to cooperate and build mutual respect and security within the SCO framework, she added. (Source: Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a welcome ceremony held by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Sept. 14, 2022. [Xinhua/Yue Yuewei] NUR-SULTAN, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here Wednesday afternoon and began his state visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan. Xi was warmly received by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev accompanied by senior Kazakh officials including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi and Mayor of Nur-Sultan Altai Kulginov at the airport. Some 70 ceremonial guards stood in two ranks saluting the leaders as the military band played a fanfare. Two beautifully dressed Kazakh girls, with flowers in their hands, welcomed the arrival of Xi. Xi issued a written address, in which he extended, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, sincere greetings and best wishes to the Kazakh government and people. He pointed out that China and Kazakhstan, connected by mountains and rivers, are good neighbors, good friends and good partners with a shared future, adding that over the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-Kazakhstan relations have progressed by leaps and bounds and reached the high level of permanent comprehensive strategic partnership. He noted that, during the visit, he will hold talks with Tokayev to jointly chart a new blueprint for all-round China-Kazakhstan cooperation. He also expressed his confidence that this visit will inject fresh and strong impetus into the common development and prosperity of both countries. Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and other accompanying officials arrived on the same plane. Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Zhang Xiao also came to the airport to receive the delegation. The golden autumn brought fair winds and wispy clouds to the city of Nur-Sultan. On the flagpoles lining the streets, five-starred red flags were flying high. Accompanied by a motorcycle escort, the state guest motorcade of Xi arrived at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace. He was warmly received by Tokayev as he exited the car. The two heads of state then proceeded together to the main hall of the Presidential Palace. In the brightly lit, elegant and august main hall, ceremonial guards stood tall and straight. Tokayev held a grand welcome ceremony for Xi. The two heads of state jointly stood on the podium as the military band played the national anthems of China and Kazakhstan. Accompanied by Tokayev, Xi inspected the honor guard. After the welcome ceremony, Tokayev invited Xi to an art exhibition titled "Kazakhstan-China: A Dialogue Across Millennium. On display were Chinese and Kazakh art treasures from the State Museum of Arts of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The exquisite Chinese paintings and porcelains and the Kazakh silks and ceramics are vivid testaments to the mutual learning between the splendid Chinese and Kazakh civilizations over the millennium. They also bear historical witness to the friendly exchanges between generations of Chinese and Kazakh people. The two Presidents held formal talks. Xi pointed out that over the past three decades since China and Kazakhstan established diplomatic ties, the bilateral relationship has stood the test of the changing international landscape, achieving greater substance, higher levels and more fruitful outcomes. The two countries have created many "firsts" in their relations, including the first in settling the boundary question, the first in laying cross-border oil and gas pipelines, the first in conducting international production capacity cooperation and the first in building a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said. China highly values its relations with Kazakhstan, and firmly supports Kazakhstan in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in taking reform measures to preserve national stability and development, Xi said, adding that China will always be a trustworthy and reliable friend and partner of Kazakhstan. China is ready to work with Kazakhstan in firmly supporting each other's development and rejuvenation, and helping each other achieve development and prosperity. The unbreakable friendship between China and Kazakhstan will contribute to the growth of positive and progressive forces in the world and to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi said. Xi stressed that China-Kazakhstan cooperation enjoys a solid foundation, huge potential and broad prospects, adding that the two sides should make good use of the existing mechanisms such as the regular Prime Ministers' Meetings and the China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee to synergize development strategies, leverage each other's comparative strengths and bring bilateral cooperation to a new scale and new level. It is important that the two sides work together for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, boost cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, production capacity, connectivity and COVID-19 response, and expand innovation cooperation in such fields as big data, artificial intelligence, digital finance, cross-border e-commerce, green energy and green infrastructure, Xi said, adding that the two sides need to forge closer people-to-people ties and promote friendly exchanges and mutual understanding between their peoples. Xi underscored that China supports Central Asian countries in safeguarding political security and social stability and in enhancing cooperation for integration. China will maintain close communication with Kazakhstan to properly handle various new problems and new challenges, oppose external forces' interference in the affairs of Central Asian countries, and jointly uphold lasting stability and security in the region, Xi said. The two sides need to enhance cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and China+Central Asia, and jointly support efforts for a successful SCO Samarkand Summit, in order to inject new impetus into the Organization's future development. The two sides should also step up international coordination, practice true multilateralism and contribute their shares to building a more just and equitable global governance system, he added. Tokayev expressed warm congratulations to China on its great development achievements under the leadership of Xi, and wished the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China a full success. Tokayev said the fact that Xi chooses to visit Kazakhstan on his first overseas trip since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of China-Kazakhstan diplomatic relations, fully reflects the high degree of mutual trust between the two countries and the high-level nature of the Kazakhstan-China permanent comprehensive strategic partnership. The two sides will sign a joint statement to demonstrate their firm commitment to another golden 30 years of Kazakhstan-China relations, which is of special and great significance in the current volatile and complex international environment, Tokayev noted, adding that it is believed that Xi's visit will mark a new milestone in the history of Kazakhstan-China relations and bring new substance and impetus to the growth of the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Kazakhstan will continue to firmly uphold the one-China policy and be a good partner and good friend that China can always rely on under all circumstances, Tokayev said. Noting that next year will mark the tenth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) proposed by Xi, Tokayev said that the BRI has become an important engine driving the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and Kazakhstan will continue to actively support and participate in the BRI. Tokayev expressed appreciation to China for the valuable support Kazakhstan had received in its battle against COVID-19 and pursuit of economic development, adding that Kazakhstan hopes to better synergize development strategies with China, intensify exchanges at various levels, and deepen cooperation across the board including in economy and trade, infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, science and technology, tourism and people-to-people engagements. Kazakhstan stands ready to work with China to implement the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative, enhance coordination and collaboration within frameworks such as the SCO, CICA and China+Central Asia, and jointly safeguard security and stability in the region and promote common development, Tokayev said. The two heads of state signed and issued the Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Kazakhstan on the 30th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, and announced that China and Kazakhstan will work for the goal and vision of building a community with a shared future defined by lasting friendship, a high degree of mutual trust and sharing weal and woe. Relevant departments of the two sides signed bilateral cooperation documents in such areas as economy and trade, connectivity, finance, water conservancy and the media. The two sides decided to set up consulates general in China's Xi'an and Aktobe in Kazakhstan respectively. After the talks, Xi attended the welcoming banquet hosted by Tokayev, and the two leaders had an in-depth exchange of views on issues of shared interest. After the banquet, Xi concluded his state visit to Kazakhstan and left Nur-Sultan for Samarkand. He was seen off at the airport by Tokayev and other senior Kazakh officials. Tokayev said that Xi's visit, albeit a short one, is highly productive and fruitful, adding that the two leaders reached much important consensus, which will steer Kazakhstan-China relations to an even higher level. Xi pointed out that his visit is a new starting point for bilateral relations and believed that with the joint efforts of the two sides, China-Kazakhstan relations will enjoy greater development in the future. The two heads of state agreed to keep in close contact through various means. Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and other officials attended the relevant events. Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a welcome ceremony held by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Sept. 14, 2022. [Xinhua/Yin Bogu] Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a welcome ceremony held by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Sept. 14, 2022. [Xinhua/Yin Bogu] Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pose for a photo before their formal talks, Sept. 14, 2022. Xi arrived in Nur-Sultan Wednesday afternoon and began his state visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan. [Xinhua/Rao Aimin] Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev hold formal talks on Sept. 14, 2022. Xi arrived in Nur-Sultan Wednesday afternoon and began his state visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan. [Xinhua/Rao Aimin] Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev sign and issue the Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Kazakhstan on the 30th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, and announce that China and Kazakhstan will work for the goal and vision of building a community with a shared future defined by lasting friendship, a high degree of mutual trust and sharing weal and woe, Sept. 14, 2022. Xi arrived in Nur-Sultan Wednesday afternoon and began his state visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan. [Xinhua/Ding Lin] Chinese President Xi Jinping receives the Order of the Golden Eagle, or "Altyn Qyran" Order, awarded by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Sept. 14, 2022. [Xinhua/Rao Aimin] Chinese President Xi Jinping receives the Order of the Golden Eagle, or "Altyn Qyran" Order, awarded by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Sept. 14, 2022. [Xinhua/Rao Aimin] Chinese President Xi Jinping concludes his state visit to Kazakhstan and leaves Nur-Sultan for Samarkand, Sept. 14, 2022. Xi was seen off at the airport by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and other senior Kazakh officials. [Xinhua/Yao Dawei] Chinese President Xi Jinping concludes his state visit to Kazakhstan and leaves Nur-Sultan for Samarkand, Sept. 14, 2022. Xi was seen off at the airport by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and other senior Kazakh officials. [Xinhua/Yao Dawei] (Source: Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping receives the Order of the Golden Eagle, or "Altyn Qyran" Order, awarded by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Sept. 14, 2022. [Xinhua/Rao Aimin] NUR-SULTAN, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday afternoon received the Order of the Golden Eagle, or "Altyn Qyran" Order, awarded by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace in Nur-Sultan. In the splendid marble hall of the palace, national flags of China and Kazakhstan lined up neatly, filling the room with a warm and dignified atmosphere. Tokayev delivered remarks before awarding the order. He noted that the visit of Xi today, the great Chinese president, is a tremendous honor for Kazakhstan. President Xi is a genuine great leader who has the wholehearted support of the Chinese people, Tokayev said, adding that under the remarkable leadership of Xi, China has made enormous development progress, eradicated extreme poverty, and built a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and the Chinese nation is marching on a new journey toward great rejuvenation. He said he believes that under the wise leadership of Xi, China will realize the grand goal of fully building a modern socialist country as scheduled. Xi put forward the great initiatives including Belt and Road cooperation and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and has made outstanding contribution to building a new type of international relations, Tokayev said, adding that the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative put forward by Xi are of particular strategic significance in resolving risks and challenges faced by today's world. Tokayev highly commended the historic role and extraordinary contribution of Xi in consolidating friendship between the two peoples and in promoting Kazakhstan-China relations, and noted that Xi's visit today will go down in the history of Kazakhstan-China relations. Kazakhstan is ready to work with China to advance shared prosperity and development of the two countries, deliver for the wellbeing of the two peoples, and join hands to create an even brighter future, he said. Tokayev awarded the Order of the Golden Eagle to Xi. The two heads of state took pictures together. Delivering remarks upon receiving the order, Xi described Tokayev's awarding him the order as a demonstration of the great importance Kazakhstan places on China-Kazakhstan ties and the reservoir of goodwill of the people of Kazakhstan towards the people of China. Over the past three decades since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-Kazakhstan relations have kept growing on a high level, Xi said, adding that the two sides have cemented political trust, cooperation has flourished in various fields, efforts to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation have delivered fruitful results, and the two sides have also engaged in close coordination in international affairs, all of which have provided strong support to the development and rejuvenation of both countries and injected strong impetus into regional peace and stability. A bright future lies ahead for the lasting friendship, win-win cooperation and shared prosperity between the two countries, Xi said. Xi said that he deeply cherishes the order, which symbolizes the friendship between the two peoples, and shared his conviction that with the concerted efforts of both sides, China-Kazakhstan relations will soar high and fly far like a golden eagle and deliver more benefits to the people of the two countries. The Order of the Golden Eagle is the highest order of Kazakhstan awarded to individuals in recognition of their significant contribution to Kazakhstan's national development and friendly external relations. Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi and He Lifeng, among others, attended the ceremony. Chinese President Xi Jinping receives the Order of the Golden Eagle, or "Altyn Qyran" Order, awarded by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Sept. 14, 2022. [Xinhua/Rao Aimin] (Source: Xinhua) Governor Dan McKee thanks supporters during his victory speech at the Renaissance Hotel Ballroom in Providence late Tuesday night. He is joined by his daughter Kara, center, and Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, right. McKee beat his rival Helena Foulkes in a close primary finish 33%-30%. Matos also finished first in her race. A vast cave system located within the Monroe County of Tennessee, Craighead Caverns is home to The Lost Sea in Tennessee. Spanning more than 240 meters at the surface alone, this body of water is by far the largest underground lake in America and the second-largest in the world! While this fact does attract many tourists year-round, being enclosed within an intricate cave system, this lake makes for quite a mysterious sight. Even with a glass-constructed viewpoint for tourists, there is a lot to this lost sea that doesn't meet the eye. So, lets dive in to discovering Americas largest underground lake! Read More9 Charming Waterfront Towns In Tennessee Location And Geography Of The Lost Sea A Map Showing Tennessee and the Location of Craighead Caverns via Wikipedia At the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains between Sweetwater and Madisonville in Tennesee, The Lost Sea is located within the vast cave system, Craighead Caverns. The visible area of the lake is 250 meters long and 67 meters wide with a known total area of approximately 18,000 sq. meters. This itself makes the Lost Sea the largest in the United States and the second-largest non-subglacial underground lake in the world. That being said, the exact depth and area of the lake is still a debate as many unexplored rooms within Craighead Caverns filled with water are yet to be accounted for. Apart from this, the cave system is located within an area primarily composed of farmland being closest to the city of Sweetwater, Tennesse. Reaching the lake from Sweetwater warrants a short 10-15 minute drive along the New Highway 68. Read MoreThe Different Types Of Caves And Cave Systems Exploration & History Of The Lost Sea A Historic Moonshine Sill Hidden in Craighead Caverns Since the early 1900s Craighead Caverns has seen a plethora of explorations to ascertain the characteristics, size, and other features of both the cave system and lake. The Lost Sea itself was discovered in 1905 by a young boy named Ben Sands who found a small opening while playing in the cave system. Curious to learn more, the boy went into an undiscovered room and upon throwing balls of mud, found the surface of the expansive Lost Sea lake. That being said, by the time he brought back his father, the lake had risen keeping it hidden until another exploration some years later. Following its discovery, the lake gradually gained popularity, and in 1939, the fossilized remains of a Pleistocene jaguar were found within the cave system. However, the most prominent explorations undertaken over the past centuries have involved modern equipment and divers, but even with this technology, the end of the lake is yet to be found. One recent instance involved a diver venturing into the depths of the lake with a sonar device and while being able to map 13 acres of water, still fell short with water all around him. Thus, it is believed that the actual expanse of the Lost Sea may be much larger but with the intricate layout, is quite challenging to be thoroughly explored. Climate Of The Lost Sea Underground Lake in Lost Sea Cave in Sweetwater Tennessee Due to being approximately 20 meters below ground, the Lost Sea is protected from the local climate and tends to remain quite cold year-round. In most parts, the lake's average water temperature is estimated to be 13C. While most of the region is within a humid subtropical climate zone according to the Koppen Classification, the variabilities in temperature minimally affect the Craighead Caverns providing a somewhat static climate all year round. Read MoreWhat Is The Koppen Climate Classification System? Geology & Ecology In The Lost Sea Crystal Formation in Craighead Caverns While it may be located far below ground level, the Lost Sea and encompassing Craighead Caverns are still home to various unique rock formations and also support organic life. Primarily, the cave system is well-known for a wide range of crystal clusters such as stalactites, stalagmites, etc. which present themself in unique spike-like shapes across the walls. For example, many anthrodites caused by iron being drained from the rocks are visible draping from the cave ceiling. In total, it is believed that the Lost Sea is home to 50% of the worlds known aphrodite formations. In terms of the ecology of the Lost Sea, the water body is predominantly the habitat for a single species of fish, the rainbow trout. These trout can be seen swimming along the upper levels of the lake, and it is approximated that a total of 300 live in the lake. As the water itself is quite clear, these rainbow trout are often visible near tourist viewpoints and will swim near boats. Read MoreCathedral Caverns, Alabama Tourism & Recreation In The Lost Sea Due to factors such as its unknown depths, beautiful aesthetic, and position as one of the largest underground lakes in the world, the Lost Sea quickly became a famous tourist spot in the state. With approximately 150,000 tourists every year, the area was developed with an above-ground tourist hub, a long walkway to the bottom, and even activities within the cave. Some of the most enjoyable things to do involve gazing at the beautiful rock formations and rainbow trout via the glass viewpoint or even taking a boat ride across the lake and dipping your hand into the cold water. For people who dont want to take the boat ride, a 1-hour tour is also available with an experienced guide so you can take in all of the fantastic rock formations and mysterious beauty of The Lost Sea in Tennessee. Whatever you might enjoy, one thing is for sure, the true thrill of this lake lies in its unknown depths and if well ever truly find its limits. Shinhan Life, a subsidiary of South Korean Shinhan Financial Group, that entered Vietnam nine months ago, will open its second business center next month. The life insurers success in HCMC has encouraged the expansion, and the new branch will be set up in Hanoi. Since entering Vietnam in January, Shinhan Life has cooperated with other Shinhan affiliates including Shinhan Bank and Shinhan Card to gain quick access to the Vietnam market. Only five percent of the countrys 98.5 million citizens held insurance plans at the end of last year, and the life insurance penetration (the percentage of total life insurance premium paid in a year to GDP) was 2.08% in 2020, according to data from Statista. The total revenue of Vietnamese insurers is expected to grow 18 percent year-on-year this year, The Korea Times reported. Vietnam is the first foreign market in which Shinhan Life has established an official business branch. It is considering expanding operations to other cities and introducing more insurance plans if its operation in Hanoi thrives. Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow and prominent backer of former President Donald Trump's false voter claims, said the FBI served him with a grand jury subpoena for the contents of his phone. Lindell is pictured here at the White House in January 2021. Teen who killed her alleged rapist ordered to pay his family $150,000 in restitution; GoFundMe campaign to help her raises double that amount King Charles III and Queen Consort set to visit Senedd tomorrow King Charles III and The Queen Consort will visit the Senedd tomorrow. The royal visit will arrive at around lunchtime to receive a Motion of Condolence from Members of the Senedd. The visit tomorrow will be the third royal engagement carried out this week, with the King and Queens Consort visiting Scotland and Northern Ireland for similar ceremonies The Cardiff visit will first see them attend Llandaff Cathedral for a Service of Prayer and Reflection before arriving at the Senedd. Finally, they will attend a reception at the Cardiff Castle where the King will also hold a private audience with the First Minister, Mark Drakeford MS, and the Llywydd of the Senedd, Rt Hon. Elin Jones MS. The ceremonial role of Mace-bearer for His Majesty King Charles IIIs first visit to the Senedd had been bestowed once again to Shahzad Khan, a member of the Senedd security team. Members of the Welsh Youth Parliament and pupils from a local Cardiff primary school will be some of the first people to meet the new King during his first visit to Wales under that title. This is Shahzad Khans second time performing this unique duty. He was also Mace-bearer at the Official Opening of the 6 Senedd on 14 October 2021, which was also the Queens final visit to Wales. He said: I was very honoured to be the Mace-bearer when The Queen visited the Senedd last year and I was lost for words when I was asked to do it again. I have a specific memory of the meeting just looking at her as she entered the room was an amazing feeling and you could feel the whole room shift. Ill keep that memory in my heart forever. Being the Mace-bearer this time is in very sad circumstances, but myself and my family are proud of my role in this historic moment. It will feel very different doing it as its a very sombre moment, but its also a privilege to be part of the transition to the reign of the new King. During the visit of King Charles III and The Queen Consort, two harpists from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) will perform for Their Majesties as they move around the Senedd. Cerys Rees is currently studying for a Masters in Music Performance at RWCMD after graduating with a First-Class Bachelor of Music with honours. Nia Evans graduated this summer from RWCMD receiving a masters degree with distinction, along with the Royal Welch Fusilliers Harp Prize, and the Daniel Emlyn Davies Award. A group of twelve Welsh Youth Parliament Members will meet and speak with the King and Queen Consort about their work representing the voices and opinions of Wales young people. They include Members elected to represent their local constituencies and others elected as representatives on behalf of youth charities or organisations. A further thirty Members of the Youth Parliament will be among the guests inside the Senedd to watch the proceedings. Pupils from local primary school Ysgol Gymraeg Hamadryad, in Butetown, Cardiff, will gather outside the Senedd to greet the King as he leaves the building. The official release from the Senedd notes, People are welcome to gather at all locations, to pay respects to Their Majesties. At Cardiff Castle, 2,000 members of the public on a first come, first served basis will also be welcomed into the grounds. The public are also invited to line the route to welcome the Royal Party as it approaches and departs the Castle. People wishing to pay their respects at the Senedd are welcome to gather outside the building in Cardiff Bay, where the proceedings will be shown live on large screens. The Kings visit to the Senedd will be broadcast live on the BBC and Senedd.tv Lay Member opportunity at University Wrexhams University is looking for members of the community to volunteer to sit on their Research Ethics Committee. The Universitys Research Office explains, Wrexham Glyndwr University is seeking individuals interested in joining its University Research Ethics Committee in a voluntary capacity as a Lay External Member. Lay Members help aid the integrity and rigour of our research here at WGU by providing the Research Ethics Committee with the public perspective. The committee currently meet four times a year and undertake the review of applications remotely throughout the year. We are looking for local community Lay Members from a variety of backgrounds and occupations, such as but not limited to health professionals, clergy, public servants, or those from legal professions. Those interested can make an informal enquiry to the Head of Research Services, Frances.Thomason@glyndwr.ac.uk Formal applications should be directed to the Research Ethics Team, rescadmin@glyndwr.ac.uk with a CV and a brief personal statement. The deadline for applications is Monday 24th October. Thank you for your interest. Vietnam Airlines is trying to prevent its shares from being delisted from the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, but it needs approval from the government for its restructuring. The state-owned carrier, which was warned by the countrys main bourse earlier this month about possible delisting due to mounting losses, has been trying to improve its financial situation, a spokesperson told the media. "The risk of being delisted remains, and whether that happens depends on the airlines efforts and the governments approval for its restructuring plans." The plan, which includes divesting from some subsidiaries and issuing more shares, will provide it with cash, the spokesperson said. One of its subsidiaries is low-cost carrier Pacific Airlines which is recording a loss of over VND7 trillion ($296.76 million), and there are three investors who are interested in buying it, but there are conflicts in different laws concerning the sale of a state-owned company, the spokesperson said. Vietnam Airlines HVN ticker has been restricted of trading after the carrier, in which the government holds an 86% stake, reported losses for the last two years. As of June 30 its equity was a negative VND4.9 trillion ($209 million) and its overdue debts were more than VND14.85 trillion. The losses came during the two years of Covid-19 when most flights were cancelled and travel activities came to a stop. HVN has fallen by 36% this year to VND14,750. In recent days supporters of Will Lehman have been regularly campaigning for the Mack Trucks worker and socialist candidate for United Auto Workers president at factories in the Detroit area. Campaigners have gotten an enthusiastic response from hundreds of workers at plants owned by Chrysler (Stellantis), Ford and parts makers Dakkota and Flex-N-Gate. Lehman campaigner distributing fliers to Warren Truck workers [Photo: WSWS] Frightened by the growing support for Lehman, the UAW apparatus is doing everything it can to suppress the turnout for the first direct election of top UAW officials by union members in seven decades. The International UAW leadership, headed by incumbent president Ray Curry, has done as little as possible to inform workers about the upcoming vote. In a revealing experience at Fords Michigan Assembly Plant, several younger workers told campaigners they were not aware of the election or did not know they could participate in it. In mid-October ballots are being mailed out to active and retired members, which must be returned by November 28. At the factory gates, supporters passed out thousands of leaflets, titled Power to the Rank-and-File, explaining that Lehmans campaign is aimed at spearheading a mass movement of the rank-and-file to break the dictatorship of the apparatus and to transfer power and control over all decision-making to the rank-and-file in the auto plants and all work locations. The statement outlines Wills demands, including a 50 percent wage increase for all, the restoration of COLA, the abolition of the tier system, the conversion of temps to full-timers, full pensions for retirees and no plant closures and layoffs. The call for action against the attack on jobs particularly reverberated among Stellantis workers at the Trenton Engine and Warren Stamping plants, where the company is slashing hundreds of jobs. Trenton Engine Last Thursday, 250 workers were laid off from the engine plant complex, which is located 30 miles south of Detroit and employs more than 1,300 hourly workers. First and second shift workers from assembly, machining, and maintenance were given no notice until the actual layoff last Thursday, and it is not clear whether the layoffs are temporary or permanent. One worker who stopped to talk with campaigners said, Most workers here have no respect for the union, we dont have much faith in it. If you speak out, there are repercussions. So many keep their mouths shut. What I see in Will Lehman is he is saying to the rank and file, we have to stand up. I agree with that. A worker with nine years seniority told the WSWS a week after meeting the campaign team, I came in on my second shift Thursday and was told Id be off for a week. No reason was given, we had no advance notice. Nothing. Then on Friday I got a robocall at 4:00 from management. The union is nowhere to be found. Its time to clean house! Everybodys in bed togetherthe company and the UAW. We dont have a union. We get no information from the union about COVID, about the threat of layoffs coming, we hear nothing from them, said the worker. Trenton Engine workers (FCA Media) The latest layoff is part of ongoing layoffs at the plant over the last two years. Another worker described the insecure job situation. Ive been laid off one month of this year so farin addition to the present week off. Last year I was laid off for six months. I received about $725 of unemployment every two weeks and around $250 of SUB pay every week. That comes to only $612 a week compared to $1,000 a week. Thats why so many workers at the plant are working two jobs. Im thinking of doing that myself. Its impossible like this. I support Will Lehmans campaign because change is needed. The union officials who run everything care nothing about the workers. Another worker reported to the WSWS that in addition to his job at Trenton Engine, he is also working as a driver for DoorDash. I had to do this, because my pay is so uncertain, and the bills dont stop when youre off work. Many workers told the campaigners about their concerns of a permanent layoff which is planned for October and is expected to eliminate about 250 jobs. At the end of June, Stellantis announced it would decommission an engine line at Trenton Engine Complex into a flexible line. The conversion to electric vehicles will lead to the production of fewer internal combustion engines. The auto company announced it would invest $24.7 million at the south plant and repurpose the north plant for warehousing and other non-manufacturing needs. When the announcement was made last June, Cindy Estrada, UAW vice president and head of the Stellantis department, made clear that no fight would be waged to defend jobs. Applauding the corporations investment, which was enticed by promising tax cuts, incentives and abatements to Stellantis, she said, the expected reduction in membership at local 372 is disappointing. A worker who has been at the plant for 10 years explained, We heard the north plant is closing in Octoberbut nothing definite is being said to us. We also dont get informed about the COVID cases in the plant. From what I see COVID is not over. And now theres monkeypox. I have a relative who works at Sterling Heights Assembly, and he shared articles with me, on monkeypox cases at his plant. We only get our news from other workers. We should be told by the union and management, but they wont do it. Im going to read over what Will Lehman is saying, because we have to do something ourselves. Warren Stamping Forty workers, including 28 production and 12 skilled trades, were laid off on July 25 at Stellantis Warren Stamping Plant. The UAW has not even made a pretense of opposing job cuts, which have also occurred at the nearby Sterling Stamping Plant in June. Will Lehman with Warren Stamping workers in August 2022 [Photo: WSWS] There have been over 150 layoffs in the plant since 2021, a veteran Warren Stamping worker told the WSWS. Theyve done it incrementally. We got a letter from the local union president claiming all the laid off workers were placed in other plants. We dont know if that is true, but the president said that meant the company could fill their spots with SEs [supplemental employees]. Before the SEs could only work on Mondays and Fridays to fill in for absent workers. The auto companies, with the full backing of the UAW, are seeking to purge the workforce, particularly at the stamping plants, of more experienced, better-paid legacy workers, and replace them with low-paid at-will employees. The way the SEs are exploited must change, a young temp at Warren Stamping said. I agree with Will, we need our own committees in the factory to stand in solidarity with each other, SEs and full-timers. They cant run this place without us. We get paid $15.87 an hour and pay union dues, but we get no protection. At the Warren Truck plant next door, another SE said, They treat us like dogs. They can force us to work 12 hours at any given time. We work full-time hours and get part-time wages and benefits. If I am going to work 40-60 hours a week, I should get full-time pay. I have to work two jobs to survive. I work at a parts plant making seats for Mustangs. Then I work here. Its crazyI work 80 hours a week and have no time to sleep. I pay UAW dues twice and get no representation for it. I agree with Wills campaign. An SE at Toledo Jeep told the WSWS, One of the biggest reasons I support Will is to get rid of the tier system, which they use as a divide-and-conquer tactic. This election is big. Were going into a contract next year and things are going to get worse, not better. They are going to be asking for more concessions and are going to close plants. All the Big Three want to go to electric vehicles. If you look at Tesla, they pay their employees a lot less, they give them fewer benefits, and they use a lot fewer workers to build cars. Thats the model the Big Three is going after. If we dont do something about this in this contract, it is not going to be just SEs who are going to lose their jobs, it will be full-time, seniority, everybody. Thats why I am going to vote for Will and do what I can to build rank-and-file committees. In the final primary contests before the November midterms, the Democratic Party once again spent millions of dollars to help fascistic Trump acolytes and stolen election liars defeat more moderate Republican opponents and advance to the general election. The final three primaries were held Tuesday in New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Delaware. Attention was focused on New Hampshire, where the states two House seats and one of its Senate seats, currently held by Democrats, are considered vulnerable. In the narrowly divided House of Representatives, the Republicans need to pick up only five seats to win the majority. The Senate is currently split 50/50, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting a tie-breaking vote. It will take only one seat changing hands there to tip the balance to the Republicans. Trump did not endorse any of the Republican primary candidates in the three states races, unlike earlier contests in states such as Pennsylvania, Maryland, Michigan, Illinois, Arizona, Ohio, Washington, Wyoming, Nevada and West Virginia, where Trump-endorsed candidates were victorious. Trump-endorsed candidates lost their primaries in Georgia, Alaska and Wisconsin. However, in New Hampshire, Republicans who ran as full-bore MAGA Republicans and promoters of the lie that Bidens election was the result of massive vote fraud defeated more moderate candidates who were backed by Republican Governor Chris Sununu, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell or House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. In at least two of three critical races, the most fascistic Republicans benefited from TV ads paid for by Democratic political actions committees or other Democratic campaign groups. The most intensely watched contest was for the US Senate nomination. Donald Bolduc, a retired Army brigadier general, narrowly defeated Chuck Morse, the president of the New Hampshire State Senate. Bolduc, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for US Senate in 2020, has called Sununu a Chinese Communist sympathizer, called for abolishing the FBI following the document search at Trumps Mar-a-Lago compound, and advocated shutting down the Education Department. Bolduc served 10 tours in Afghanistan and was a Special Operations commander in charge of a village stability program. He was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. He was well ahead of Morse in the polls until Sununu endorsed Morse last Thursday and stepped up his attacks on Bolduc, saying he was not a serious candidate and a conspiracy theorist. The White Mountain PAC, which is linked to McConnell, spent millions on ads to promote Morse, considering him a stronger challenger to the incumbent Democratic Senator, Maggie Hassan. She won her race in 2016 by only one point, and has positioned herself on the right wing of the Democratic Senate caucus, vocally opposing Bidens order, subsequently quashed, to lift the Title 42 ban on asylum seekers first imposed by Trump. The White Mountain ad sought to attack Bolduc from the right, stating: Bolduc lost his first race. He accused President Trumps team of election-rigging [in his 2020 Senate primary defeat] and said no person of honor could work for Trump. Bolduc endorsed Joe Bidens disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan and said the US should team up with the Taliban. In the battle of campaign ads, the Senate Majority PAC, a group aligned with Democratic Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, spent $3.2 million on ads calling Morse another sleazy politician propped up by Mitch McConnells Washington establishment. In the race for the House of Representatives 1st Congressional District nomination, Karoline Leavitt, a 25-year-old assistant in Trumps White House press office, defeated Matt Mowers, another former Trump administration aide. Leavitt ran as an America First insurgent against the Washington establishment. She is a full-throated election denier. Mowers talks of vote count irregularities but stops short of saying the election was stolen. Mowers was backed by McCarthy, while Leavitt was supported by Rep. Elise Stefanik, the House Republican Conference chair. Leavitt will face Democratic incumbent Chris Pappas, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, in the November general election. In the 2nd Congressional District Republican primary race, Robert Burns, a far-right local businessman, defeated the better-funded, more establishment George Hansel, the mayor of Keene. Burns campaigned on anti-China protectionism and opposition to gun control, pandemic restrictions and the alleged teaching of critical race theory. Burns acknowledges that Biden won the 2020 election, but claims that tons of other elections were rigged. Hansel, who supports abortion rights, was endorsed by Sununu. Burns will face Democratic incumbent Annie Kuster, who is seeking a sixth term in the House. Kuster is saying the central issue in November is abortion rights. Burns supports a national ban on abortion but says it is not practicable and is pushing for a fetal heartbeat bill, which would allow abortions up to 12 weeks. Kusters talk, and that of the Democratic Party as a whole, of defending abortion rightsand democratic rights more generallyis belied by the fact a group called Democrats Serve plowed $100,000 into ads designed to boost Burns campaign, far more than Burns was able to spend on his own campaign, and defeat a more moderate Republican who opposes further restrictions on abortions. While Biden and the Democratic leadership as a whole either tacitly or openly support the policy of boosting fascistic Trump Republicans against more moderate candidates in the Republican primaries, scattered voices in the party establishment are denouncing it as a disastrous policy that plays into the hands of Trump. Former Indiana congressman Tim Roemer, who headed up a letter from former Democratic lawmakers criticizing the party for using the tactic, said: This is a deeply, deeply precarious and dangerous strategy to deploy. It risks elevating these liars and giving them a platform for another three or four monthseven if they end up getting beatto drumbeat their message into the electorate and further erode trust. In fact, it thoroughly exposes the fraud of the Democrats claims to be defenders of democratic rights and the Constitution against the openly fascist politics of the Republican Party under Trump. The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that the Democratic Party has spent $53 million in Republican primaries this year. It has intervened in nine states and at least 13 primaries to boost the most far-right MAGA candidates, many of them Trump-endorsed. These include criminals such as Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano, who was present at the White House and the Capitol on January 6, 2021 and personally participated in the events that culminated in the attack on Congress. The Democratic Party long ago abandoned any commitment to the defense of democratic rights. It is a party of war and austerity, no less subservient to the American corporate oligarchy than the Republicans. Its overriding concern is suppressing the growth of working class resistance at home and establishing a modus vivendi with a section of its Republican colleagues so as to pursue its agenda of escalating war against Russia and military provocations against China in pursuit of American imperialist global hegemony. On Wednesday, the Post reported on a Brookings Institution study of this years primary elections by Elaine Kamarck, a veteran of the Clinton administration who teaches at Harvard. It showed that only 28 percent of Democratic candidates approvingly used left-wing phrases on their websites or received endorsements from either Bernie Sanders, a member of the Squad of left members of the House of Representatives, or left-wing groups. By contrast, 41 percent of Republican candidates approvingly mentioned Trump, MAGA or America first, or posted a Trump endorsement or Trump photo on their websites. The so-called lefts and progressives within the Democratic Partywho are, in reality neither, but rather pro-war and pro-capitalisthave been completely marginalized. The results of the primariesnearly 20 months after January 6demonstrate that the Republican Party is being transformed rapidly into a fascist organization and the Democratic Party is lurching ever further to the right. The defense of democratic rights proceeds entirely through the mass, independent and revolutionary struggle of the working class in opposition to the capitalist system. On Tuesday, a group of former prime ministers, foreign ministers and other high-level officials from NATO countries published a document effectively proposing a formal alliance between Ukraine and NATO countries that, if adopted, threatens to transform the proxy war in Ukraine into a full-scale conflict between NATO and Russia. The document, titled the Kyiv Security Compact, was formally presented to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who endorsed it, called for its adoption and published it on the website of the Ukrainian presidency. High-level former western officials meet to discuss the proposed alliance. (Credit: Office of the President of Ukraine) The document calls for the US, UK, Canada, Poland, Italy, Germany, France, Australia, Turkey, and Nordic, Baltic, and Central European countries to make legally and politically binding agreements to ally with Ukraine in its ongoing war against Russia. The document affirms the intention of Ukraine to join NATO and the European Union, declaring, Both NATO and EU membership will significantly bolster Ukraines security in the long-term. However, Ukraine needs security guarantees now, the document says. It adds, Ukraine needs iron-clad security guarantees. These will come predominantlythough not exclusivelyfrom NATO countries. The document was drafted by the Working group on security guarantees for Ukraine, which included senior politicians from all of the imperialist powers. The group, co-chaired by former Danish Prime Minister and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, includes former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of Australia, former Prime Minister of Sweden Carl Bildt, former UK Foreign Secretary Lord William J. Hague of Richmond, as well as former ministers from Germany, Italy, Poland and France. Fully aware of the inflammatory character of the document, the groups communications stressed that members [of the working group] are taking part in a personal capacity, not as representatives of their organisations. The document hints at the creation of a no-fly zone in Ukraine, pointing to a set of agreements, between Ukraine and countries producing anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense equipment to provide Ukraine with modern and effective air defense and anti-missile defense systems in sufficient quantity to ensure a closed sky from air attacks. The publication of this document helps clarify the timetable for the events in Ukraine over the past month. The current offensive was preceded by extraordinarily provocative strikes on Russian military bases on Crimea and the assassination of Daria Dugina, the daughter of the far-right Russian ideologue and war proponent Alexander Dugin. All of these provocations were aimed at escalating the war and bore the imprint made in Washington. On Tuesday, the New York Times revealed that the latest Ukrainian military offensive, which has produced a collapse of Russian troops in northeastern Ukraine, was proposed to the Zelensky government by the United States. Together Britain, the United States and Ukraine conducted an assessment of the new plan, trying to war game it once more, wrote the Times, This time officials from the three countries agreed it would workand give Mr. Zelensky what he wanted: a big, clear victory. It is clear that the political purpose of this big, clear victory was to create the political conditions for a massive escalation of US-NATO involvement in the war, in which this document plays a critical role. Announcing the proposal, former NATO Secretary General Rasmussen said, Just now Ukrainians are demonstrating on the frontline that, with the necessary resources, they can defeat Russia on the battlefield. Ukrainians demonstrate the will to fight, and the democratic world must continue to provide them with the means to fight. Russian officials responded to the publication of the document with a combination of blood-curdling threats and appeals for the imperialist powers to come to their senses. Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, wrote on Telegram, The Kiev camarilla has drafted security guarantees which are a prologue to a third world war. Of course no one will give any guarantees to the Ukrainian Nazis. After all, this is almost the same as applying Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty (the Washington Treaty) to Ukraine. For NATO, its the same s**t, only from a side view. Thats why its scary. If Medvedev believes that no one will give any guarantees to Kiev after over eight years in which the imperialist powers built up the Ukrainian army for precisely this war, he is delusional. Medvedev himself, after this self-reassuring declaration, threatened the NATO powers, Everything will catch fire around them as well. Their people will be devastated. Their earth will literally burn, and concrete will melt. We too will suffer a lot. It will be very bad for everyone. After all, it is said: By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed, by the fire and smoke and sulphur coming out of their mouths (Rev. 9:18). Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, declared, A total commitment to supporting the Kiev regime would simply mean immolation [for the EU]. As evidenced by these statements, the Russian government has no response to the systematic plans to escalate the war outside of threats to destroy the world in a thermonuclear exchange and renewed appeals to the imperialist powers to come to their senses. The publication of this document, coordinated at the highest levels of the state of the leading NATO powers, makes clear that the US and its NATO allies are committed to a massive escalation of a war whose continued prosecution entails sweeping dangers for all of humanity. On the evening of June 10, 2022, 22-year-old Christian Glass called emergency services after he experienced car trouble while driving through the Rocky Mountains in Silver Plume, located in Clear Creek County, Colorado, west of Denver. Within two hours of calling 911 for help, Glass was executed by police as he sat in the front seat of his vehicle, having never committed a crime. Christian Glass sitting in his car before police murdered him After three months of lies and evasions from the police, on Tuesday the Glass family and their lawyers held a press conference demanding the police involved in the killing of Christian be charged. During the press conference, lawyers and Christians parents denounced the police for issuing lying statements meant to demonize their son and questioned why the killer cop was still out on patrol with a gun in his pocket. Prior to the news conference, Qusair Mohamedbhai and Siddhartha Rathod, lawyers for the Glass family, released hours of police body camera footage, radio dispatches, autopsy reports and police statements, illustrating that the cops have lied since the day of the shooting in an attempt to cover up their criminality. This includes releasing false statements and tampering with police body camera audio footage filmed during the investigation of Glass killing by police. At the press conference, Simon and Sally Glass explained that their son was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. The family moved to the United States when he was 10, and they all eventually settled in Boulder County, Colorado. Speaking on his sons behalf Tuesday, Simon Glass said his son was gentle and polite he worried a lot about what other people thought of him. He was stuck on a small pile of rocks on the side of the road and called 9-1-1 for help. It was dark, and he was really worried. He trusted the police would come and help him, Simon said. Instead they attacked and killed him. The killer struck Christian five times to make sure. Christians mom Sally, said Christian was sensitive and that he saw beauty in nature. He took long drives up into the mountains where he liked to draw and paint. A self portrait and another painting by Christian Glass. [Photo by Christian Glass] She explained that Christian was an athlete, an artist, a chef and an amateur geologist who was recently diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), for which he was prescribed Ritalin. He also suffered from depression and occasionally smoked marijuana, which is legal in Colorado. After apparently becoming stuck while attempting a U-turn on a rural road at night, Glass called for help. While he was speaking with emergency services, Glass relayed to the dispatcher that he was scared, terrified and that he thought other vehicles or people were coming to kill him. Speaking honestly to the dispatcher, a seemingly paranoid Glass said he was trapped in a bush. Asked by the dispatcher if he had any weapons, Glass said that he had a pair of knives, a hammer and a rubber mallet in the vehicle, which he used in his geology expeditions. Glass told the dispatcher, Im not dangerous. Ill keep my hands completely visible. I understand this is a dodgy situation. Glass offered to throw the small hammer, rubber mallet and knives out the window of his vehicle when the police arrived, if it made the police feel safer, but that he did not want to get out of the vehicle himself because he thought he was in danger. This information was forwarded by the dispatcher to the police. However, when the police arrived at the scene, body camera footage confirms that they never took Glass up on his offer to have him throw his weapons, all perfectly legal to own, out the window. Instead the footage shows Glass with both of his empty hands outside the window and two deputies with Clear Creek County, escalating the situation by yelling at him and demanding that he adhere to their every command, including exiting the vehicle. Glass responded by telling the police that he was terrified, that he did not want to be shot, and that he would throw the knives out the car. He requested that police help push his car free from the ditch. The police refused his offer and did not help him push his car. Instead the police demanded that Glass take the keys out of the ignition and exit the vehicle. Glass did take the keys out of the ignition and place them on the dashboard, however he did not exit the vehicle, repeatedly telling the cops that he is scared and does not want to be shot. Within three minutes of arriving on the scene, Clear Creek County Deputy Andrew Buen, the cop who would go on to murder Glass, threatened to break the windows of Glass car and drag him out multiple times. Less than six minutes after contacting Glass, Buen drew his gun and pointed it at the frightened driver. For over an hour as more police arrived on the rural road, they continued to go back and forth with the young man demanding he exit the vehicle while alternately threatening him. Throughout the encounter, Glass remained in the front seat the entire time and never attempted to attack the police, who were seen laughing and joking around. In a video produced by the law firm, Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC, it is revealed that 45 minutes into the encounter as Glass remained in the vehicle, unwilling to leave, a Colorado State Police officer questioned over the radio if there was any reason for the police to be even engaging with Glass seeing as he had committed no crimes and is simply sitting in his motionless car. By this time police officers from Idaho Springs, Georgetown, Clear Creek County, Colorado State and the Colorado Division of Gaming were all on the scene. If there is no crime, and he is not suicidal, homicidal or a great danger, then there is no reason to contact him, one Colorado state cop said over the radio. Is there a medical issue were not aware of? he asked. No, responded another cop. Despite this exchange, Clear Creek County and the other police officers continued to engage with Glass. Eventually police decided that it was necessary to break the windows of Glasss car. After breaking a window, sending Glass into a panic, two different cops deployed their tasers and zapped Glass, causing him to scream in pain. As he was being tasered another cop yelled, Impact, impact, impact and fired six bean-bag rounds at Glass. One of the rounds hit with a such force that it blew out the rear drivers side window. Police moments before shooting and killing Christian Glass As Glass flailed from the barrage of bean bag rounds and electric shocks, he is seen holding a small knife in his hand which he was swinging back and forth in panicked motion. Clear Creek County Deputy Buen, who at this point was standing on top of the hood of the vehicle and in no danger from being stabbed by Glass, proceeded to shoot six rounds through the windshield of the vehicle striking Glass multiple times. As Glass was dying from the gunshot wounds, he began to stab himself with the knife he was holding. As he bled out, Glass dropped the knife and police smashed the window, unlocked the drivers door and dragged his limp body out of the car. Police dragging Christian's corpse out of the vehicle after murdering him. In a terse, lying police statement issued on July 11, the police claimed that Glass was argumentative and uncooperative and that he had armed himself with a knife. The statement said nothing about Glasss multiple attempts to disarm himself. The statement also claimed that the deputy who shot Glass would be put on administrative leave until the end of the investigation. However, in a press conference on Tuesday, Mohamedbhai and Rathod revealed that, within days of murdering Christian, Deputy Buen was back out on the streets, facing no charges or punishment. Rathod also revealed during the conference that Clear Creek Officer Gould muted his body camera during the initial police investigation of the shooting. Rathod surmised, based on police radio traffic, that Gould was the watch commander, and it appears he was one of the officers who gave the command to breach the window of Glasss car even after police established that there was no reason for them to continue to be on scene. Rathod said that after the shooting, Gould arrived on the scene to conduct his investigation. Before Gould began to question two police officers who witnessed the shooting but did not have body cameras, Gould, like eight Akron police officers who murdered Jayland Walker, went blue and turned off the audio recording capability on his camera. Mohamedbhai and Rathod estimated that Gould silenced over 24 minutes worth of audio during his initial investigation while talking with police. The brutal murder of Glass exposes the fact that the police are the front-line soldiers of capital, not defenders of the community or neutral guardians who should be looked upon by workers to provide help in times of need. They are not given billions of dollars and military-grade weaponry from the Democratic and Republican parties alike to provide mental health services or safety but to eliminate anyone or anything that impedes profit accumulation or threatens capitalist rule. Glasss murder also exposes the racialist lie advanced by the Democratic Party that police killings in the US are the result of racism. White males like Glass constitute the largest share of the victims of police killings every year. The fact that more than three months after the fact there have yet to be any charges much less arrests of the police involved in Glass death tragically confirms that the police are given extreme leeway to operate ruthlessly and violently in suppressing the working class. As Sally Glass noted in Tuesdays press conference, the police escalate at every opportunity, its like they are spoiling for fight. No other industrialized nation comes even close to the amount of police killings that happen in this country. They carry guns, and they are licensed to kill with impunity and, in large part, with no accountability, she added. The latest statistics from Mapping Police Violence show that as of September 12, 2022, 828 people have been killed by cops in the United States this year. This is 22 more people compared to this same time last year. Fighting broke out between Azeri and Armenian forces during the night of September 12-13, as Azeri forces crossed the border into Armenia and attacked Armenian positions around the towns of Vardenis, Goris, Sotk and Jermuk. Clashes continued yesterday between the two former Soviet republics, after a cease-fire brokered by Moscow on September 13 immediately broke down. Yesterday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reported that 105 Armenian servicemen had been killed so far in this months fighting. Azerbaijan reported 50 fatalities among its troops. On September 13, Armenian and Azeri officials blamed each other for starting the conflict. The Armenian Defense Ministry reported intensive shelling from Azeri troops as well as drone attacks, announcing: Armenias forces have launched a proportionate response. The Azeri Defense Ministry for its part accused Armenia of large-scale subversive acts along their joint border and claimed that it was repelling an Armenian attack. Armenian civilians reported that heavy fighting prevented them from evacuating the area, as well as extensive damage to civilian infrastructure. The entire village is being bombed, we cant even evacuate the children, we managed to evacuate only part of them, an inhabitant of the village of Geghamasar told Radio Free Europe. The fire is very intense in the area, the roads are also under shelling, we are hiding. Sevak Khachatryan, who lives in Sotk, posted a report on Facebook with pictures of burnt-out buildings that stated: After night-time shelling in Sotk, the community building has been damaged, several houses have burned, roofs and windows are damaged. The full extent of the damage remains unclear. Currently, fighting is ongoing. Though Moscow had brokered a cease-fire to halt the fighting, which by most accounts was launched by Turkish-backed Azerbaijan, US officials tried to blame Russia for the conflict. Whether Russia tries in some fashion to stir the pot, to create a distraction from Ukraine, is something were always concerned about, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared. At the same time, the US State Department released a statement declaring, We urge immediate steps to reduce tensions and avoid further escalation. State Department spokesman Ned Price reported that Blinken had called Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, stressed his deep concern and urged Aliyev to cease hostilities against Armenia. Price said Blinken had called Pashinyan to tell him that Washington would push for an immediate halt to fighting and a peace settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. French President Emmanuel Macron released a statement reporting that he had contacted Azeri President Ilham Aliyev to demand that he end hostilities and return to respecting the cease-fire. Macron also said he had spoken to Pashinyan to stress French support for respecting Armenias territorial integrity. The resurgence of the Armenian-Azeri conflict points to the growing danger that NATOs war on Russia in Ukraine could spread into a broader war across the Caucasus and the Middle East. Yesterday, Pashinyan appealed to Russia and to the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to intervene militarily against Azerbaijan. We asked support from CSTO, including military support to restore Armenias territorial integrity and ensure the withdrawal of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces from the territory of Armenia, Pashinyan told the Armenian parliament. Pashinyan also spoke with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who declared that a new war would be unacceptable and called to ensure that Iranian trade routes with Armenia remain open. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a bellicose statement of support for Azerbaijan yesterday. We hope that Armenia will turn away from this wrong path as soon as possible and devote its time and energy to strengthening peace. Of course, this attitude will have consequences for the Armenian side, he said. The current fighting is the poisoned product of the Stalinist dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, as well as the eruption of NATO wars in the region over the last three decades. Fighting broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan in 1988 over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh enclave which was inside Azerbaijan, but had a majority Armenian population. The fighting escalated into a full-scale war after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, as both Armenia and Azerbaijan became independent and Armenia seized Nagorno-Karabakh. This fratricidal war between forces who had until then all been Soviet citizens lasted from 1992 until an uneasy ceasefire in 1994, claiming 30,000 lives. NATOs wars in the Middle East, and especially its war for regime change in Syria that began in 2011, blew apart the precarious balance between Armenia and Azerbaijan. As ethnically Turkic Azerbaijan built ties to Turkey, Armenia relied on close ties with Iran and support from Russia which has a military base in the Armenian city of Gyumri. Tensions erupted amid the NATO war in Syria, as Turkish troops faced off against Iranian and Russian troops fighting to prevent the toppling of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a new war erupted between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as Azeri forces reconquered most of the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave. It cost nearly 7,000 lives, with Azerbaijan reporting 3,006 fatalities including 100 civilians, and Armenia 3,910 fatalities including 85 civilians. Azerbaijans fielding of Turkish Bayraktar drones, which are now playing an important role in Ukrainian fighting against Russia, helped tip the balance in favor of Azerbaijan. After the 2020 war, Russia deployed a contingent of several thousand peacekeepers along the front lines between Armenian and Azeri troops. These forces have failed to halt repeated Azeri incursions into Armenian-held territory, which have escalated since the outbreak of the NATO-Russia war over Russias special military operations in Ukraine. Several officials in Europe linked the new outbreak of fighting in the Caucasus to the war in Ukraine. The French daily Le Figaro wrote: Two factors seemed to have motivated Azerbaijan. First, the Russian defeat in Kharkov. Russia is less able to dissuade Azerbaijan, said Florence Parmentier, secretary-general of the Center for Political Research at the Institute for Political Studies in Paris. Second, there is Europes dependency on natural gas imports. In July, European Union (EU) Commission President Ursula von der Leyen traveled to the Azeri capital of Baku to negotiate a deal to obtain Azeri gas as a partial replacement for Russian gas that EU countries are refusing to pay for amid the war in Ukraine. The Azeri-Armenian conflict is now intertwined with conflicts inside the EU over how to handle massive energy shortages and a likely economic collapse in Europe this winter. I think there is a feeling in Azerbaijan that now is the time to deploy its power, its military advantage and to extract the maximum that it can get, said Laurence Broers of the Chatham House think-tank in London. I think the risk is of the establishment of sort of new buffer zones, security zones, a kind of a fragmentation of at least the southern part of Armenia and a powerlessness among outside actors to stop that from happening, he added. The very real danger that the NATO war with Russia in Ukraine could escalate across the Eurasian landmass must be taken as a warning by workers not only in the Caucasus but around the world. The only way forward to prevent such an escalation is the revolutionary mobilization of the working class internationally against capitalisms drive to war. This in turn requires a return to the Marxist-internationalist traditions of the October 1917 Revolution, defended by the Trotskyist movement against Stalinism, that led to the foundation of the Soviet Union a century ago. The following statement was issued by the Koggala Free Trade Zone Workers Action Committee (KFTZWAC). Initiated by several employees from the Esquel and Aura Garment companies and other plants, the committee was formed on August 28 to fight escalating job cuts and attacks on working conditions in the FTZ garment and other manufacturing plants. Within days of the action committee being formed the Brandix Garment plant announced on September 2 that it was temporarily closing. While workers were told that it would reopen after 10 days, it remains closed. Brandix employs about 50,000 workers in different facilities across Sri Lanka. On September 6, Fashion Garments, which employed about 200 people, shut down. Koggala Free Trade Zone workers protest on 28 April 2022 [Photo: WSWS] The KFTZWAC statement below was discussed and adopted unanimously by its members. It makes clear that the trade unions have taken the side of the companies and are operating against the workers. We call on garment workers in Sri Lanka and internationally to support the Koggala workers demands and build their own workers action committees, independent of the unions, to take forward the struggle to defend all jobs and conditions. About 1,600 Koggala Free Trade Zone (FTZ) workers have lost their jobs following the closure in March of two factories owned by the Esquel (formerly Politex) company. Free Trade Zone and General Workers Union (FTZGWU) general secretary Anton Marcus urged us to sign a company voluntary resignation letter. He falsely told us that the factories would be reopened within three months, and we would be reinstated. Esquel gave us an utterly inadequate compensation payment. We now face disastrous social conditions, with many of us forced to pay between 12,000 and 15,000 rupees ($US34$US42) in monthly instalments on bank loans and because of the skyrocketing cost of living. Esquel closed its Everbest factory at Yakkala on June 29 last year and recently shut down its facilities at Ja-Ela Ekala and Kegalla, destroying about 4,000 jobs. These workers have also only received a pittance in compensation. This multinational company has also closed factories in Malaysia and Vietnam, wiping out thousands of employments in those countries. Hundreds more jobs have been axed in the Koggala FTZ. Aura Garments closed in June this year, with management claiming it would reopen in September. It has now been shut indefinitely. Fashion Garments, which fired 108 workers in August, announced its closure on September 6, eliminating the jobs of over 200 workers on September 6. The Brandix factory announced a 10-day closure on September 2, and workers from Unichela, Lanka Garment and Koggala Garment have told us that their factories will be shut in a similar manner. While Esquel and other companies claim that they face a crisis in the world market, they make massive profits by increasing exploitation when the market is booming. Workers who are involved in producing these profits are not responsible for the crises of these capitalist corporations. We recognise that the capitalist system in Sri Lanka is mired in a deepening crisis, but this is part of an economic disaster engulfing the entire world, deepened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine. The government of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the capitalist class have thrown the workers into this social disaster. Now the government is accelerating a wider attack by implementing the austerity program of International Monetary Fund (IMF). According to IMF diktats, the Wickremesinghe government plans to axe around 850,000 public sector jobs, that is, 50 percent of an estimated 1.7 million positions. Hundreds of thousands of other jobs are to be axed through the restructuring and privatisation of government institutions. The government and employers are imposing the burden of this economic crisis on workers with the complete support of the trade unions. Anton Marcuss FTZGWU has played a treacherous role by supporting the shutdown of Esquel factories and the axing of hundreds of jobs. The FTZGWU has refused to organise any struggle to defend these jobs, despite accepting in advance that these factories would be closed. When Everbest workers in Yakkala began a struggle to safeguard their jobs, the union betrayed it, opening the way for management to fire the workers. We strongly denounce the treachery of Anton Marcus and the FTZGWU in facilitating the job cuts. When COVID-19 first hit Sri Lanka, all the private sector unions, including the FTZGWU, Sri Lanka Nidahas Sewaka Sangamaya, Ceylon Mercantile and General Workers Union, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-controlled Inter Company Employees Union and the United Federation of Workers, supported the government and companies, forcing employees to work without proper health facilities. Under the pretext of the COVID-19 pandemic, they also supported wage and job cuts. The public sector unions have followed the same line. They all now support the new round of IMF attacks. We understand from our own experiences that the trade unions have been transformed into agents of the employers and the government. The only way to defend and win our rights is through the mobilisation of our own strength. That is why we have decided to organise ourselves in action committees, independent of the trade unions and to call for the support of the workers in Sri Lanka and internationally. To forge our unity with the international working class we are ready to coordinate our work with the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees. We present the following demands: * The right to a job for all fired Esquel Workers or payment of full compensation! * Other companies in the FTZ must immediately lift their bans on hiring Koggala Esquel garment workers! * Abolish the debts of all garment workers, including those from Esquel, who cannot repay them because they have lost their jobs! * The immediate reopening the Aura Garment factory and guarantee the right of all workers to jobs! * The unconditional reinstatement of all Fashion Garments workers! * Increase the minimum basic monthly salary of all garment workers to 75,000 rupees! Raise all wages in line with the cost of living! Pension rights and fully paid medical leave for all! * The provision of decent housing, health and education facilities with piped water, electricity, and a safe environment for all! We urge all workers who have lost their jobs at Esquel, Fashion Garments, Aura and other garment workers in Sri Lanka to support this struggle for jobs, wages and other social rights. We must also fight to end the brutal working conditions of workers in Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and other countries. The Socialist Equality Party, which helped us establish our action committee, has pointed out that our problems cannot be solved under the capitalist system. It is fighting for a Democratic and Socialist Congress of Workers and Rural Masses based on delegates from action committees in the struggle for a workers and peasants government to nationalise the big corporations, large banks and estates under workers democratic control. We accept that this program is necessary to overcome the life-and-death questions now facing workers and the poor, and will do everything we can to help you build action committees at your workplace, factory or working-class neighbourhood. The 74th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony, broadcast live this year on September 12 from Los Angeles, resulted in victories for some of the more serious shows currently on television. The latter medium has undoubtedly produced more intelligent and socially critical work of late than the Hollywood film studios, dominated by bombastic comic book and superhero movies. HBOs Succession and The White Lotus received the most nominations and earned awards for outstanding drama series and a limited or anthology series, respectively. Apple TVs Ted Lasso took home awards for outstanding comedy series. Other notable shows that received honors included Dopesick, The Dropout, The Squid Game and Abbott Elementary. Michael Keaton arrives at the 74th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. [AP Photo/Jordan Strauss] Succession effectively dramatizes the power struggle between monstrous, Murdoch-esque media mogul Logan Roy (Brian Cox) and the rest of his dreadful family. The vicious infighting at the corporate empire has a tragi-comic character. The series sharply satirizes the American ruling elite and the upper echelons of society in general, which it shows to be veering toward authoritarianism. The WSWS noted about the show, Treachery, power, abuse, corruption, backstabbing, betrayals and outright fascist conspiracy are portrayed powerfully and sharply criticized and satirized in Succession. Jesse Armstrong, the lead writer and showrunner for Succession, took home an award for outstanding writing in a drama series. In interviews with HBO and other media outlets, the talented Armstrong has referred to numerous artistic influences on his work, including Balzac, Fitzgerald and others. Rupert Murdoch and family was Armstrongs initial source of inspiration, but there are clearly traces of various corporate dynasties, including the Trumps, in the portrayal of the Roy family. For his performance in Succession, English actor Matthew Macfadyen won an award Monday night for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series. Macfadyen plays Tom Wambsgans, an outsider who tries to rise within the Roy familys internal power struggles, doing whatever he can to placate the Lear-like Logan Roy. Tom suffers a number of setbacks in the Roy household, including in his relationship with Logan Roys daughter, Shiv Roy (Sarah Snook). In turn, Tom punches down on the buffoonish Greg Hirsch (Nicholas Braun), a Roy cousin and another social climber. Tom and Greg often provide the comic relief in the shows generally tragic arc, but Tom has been played especially deftly and amusingly by Macfayden for all three seasons. Dopesick powerfully dramatizes the opioid crisis in the United States and how Purdue Pharma, owned by the billionaire Sackler family, pushed the drug OxyContin on the population. Michael Keaton deservedly won outstanding lead actor for the show as Dr. Samuel Finnix. We wrote that the series is unusual in its unvarnished hostility to the legal pill mill, presided over by the Sackler family and the three Purdue executives who realized OxyContin was being abused early in the crisis. Equally deserving, Amanda Seyfried won an award for her excellent performance in The Dropout, which chronicles the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of Theranos, a biotechnology startup that turned out to be a major fraud. The WSWS commented that the mini-series says an immense amount about the parasitical, swindling and openly thieving character of contemporary American capitalism. The drama brings to life the brutal reality of doing medical research within contemporary capitalism. The White Lotus portrays the clash of classes in a hotel resort in Hawaii with a degree of sensitivity and intelligence. Wealthy and upper middle social layers collide with the hotel staff with tragic results. Mike White, who wrote and directed The White Lotus, collected an award for outstanding writing in a limited series. White previously directed the perceptive television show Enlightened and a critical film about the rich, Beatriz at Dinner. The social picture offered by White in The White Lotus is sharply drawn as well, particularly in poking fun at the money-obsessed layers in the show who harass their inferiors in the hotel staff. Murray Bartlett won outstanding supporting actor for The White Lotus in his role as the hotel manager Armond, the Tennyson-quoting figureshades of Basil Fawlty (John Cleese) from Fawlty Towers! Armond is caught between his selfish guests, on the one hand, and the hotel workers, on the other. Bartlett is excellent in his role. The talented Jennifer Coolidge also won for outstanding supporting actress as Tanya McQuoid, a sad and lonely wealthy tourist. Lee Jung-jae received an Emmy for outstanding actor in a drama series for his strong performance in Squid Game, a series about a dystopian survival game that gained a wide audience. The WSWS observed that the show is clearly a critique of capitalist society, and generally deals with the issues confronting the characters in a humane wayin spite of the brutal and violent premise. Sheryl Lee Ralph earned an award for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series for her role as Barbara Howard in the perceptive Abbott Elementary, which portrays with varying degrees of success the comedy in the tragedy of public education. We remarked, To the shows credit, its humor is never drawn from situations that ignore the social context. Ted Lasso also took home awards. The show is a sports-comedy drama with a certain amount of warmth and humor, but it more often than not ends up being a formulaic feel-good comedy with believe-in-yourself cliches. The warmth of the show at times veers into sentimentality. Without idealizing anyone or anything, television in the US is currently demonstrating that it is possible to create intelligent works that draw wide audiences. Specifically, the success of a number of series (Succession, Dopesick, The Dropout) proves that hostility to the corporate oligarchy strikes a chord with millions of people. Hollywoods argument that it merely gives the public what it wants, as though the public had any choice in the matter, is proven once again to be hollow and false. Of course, even in television, there is much that is mediocre and insubstantial. But there are signs that some artists are seeing things with a clear and steady eye. That trend needs to deepen, and extend itself to the very premises of the social order. A flock of red-crowned cranes in Tram Chim National Park in 2016. Photo by Nguyen Van Hung Dong Thap Province in the Mekong Delta is working on a plan to save red-crowned cranes from extinction by creating a new flock with eggs imported from Thailand. Le Quoc Phong, Dong Thap's Party chief, said within this month, a delegation from the province will travel to Thailand to continue an ongoing discussion on a plan to transport red-crowned crane eggs to Vietnam. If an agreement is reached, Dong Thap could get the eggs within this year, he said. The eggs will then be hatched at Tram Chim National Park in the province. The park, which spans 7,500 hectares as a designated wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, will be prepared to raise and train the hatchlings following guided protocol. After a few years, the cranes will be released to live on their own to breed and reproduce naturally to create a new population. The plan aims to release 10 young cranes into the park each year for 10 years. It will mark the first time that Dong Thap plans to hatch red-crowned cranes. The park in Dong Thap Muoi, or the Plain of Reeds, a wetland straddling Long An and Dong Thap provinces, is famous as a natural habitat for the large East Asian red-crowned crane, one of the rarest in the world and classified as "endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The birds usually arrive from Cambodia in December and stay until May, when it is the dry season in southern Vietnam. They come to forage and mate prior to the onset of rain and floods. Until 1980, thousands of them used to arrive every winter, but in recent years that story has changed with only a couple dozens visiting the park at most each year. In the past decade, fewer and fewer cranes have visited the park, with 14-23 arrivals recorded each year in 2014-2016, three in 2017, nine in 2018, and 11 in 2019. So far this year, none have arrived, just like in 2020, according to data from the park. Tran Triet, director of the Southeast Asia Program at the International Crane Foundation (ICF), said 50 years ago, the red-crowned cranes disappeared in Thailand completely and this nation has spent as long as 30 years to recreate the flock. Thai experts have spent almost two decades studying the process of incubating the cranes as well as cultivating an organic rice field to feed them. Some of them had traveled to the U.S. to learn about artificial insemination. Two experts check on a crane in Thailand. Photo by the International Crane Foundation "It is more difficult for incubated cranes to reproduce compared to those born and raised in nature. Artificial insemination will ensure the cranes are created from the healthy genes to create healthy cranes," Triet said, adding that the insemination process costs up to tens of millions of U.S. dollars. Until now, Thailand's project to raise cranes has been successful. In the past 10 years, almost 200 incubated cranes have been released into nature and these days, they are able to reproduce on their own. "The issue is whether Vietnam could have the determination to stick to the plan because it might take up to 10 years or longer to establish a healthy herd of cranes in nature," said Triet. For the plan to work, experts said the first task that needs to be done is for Tram Chim to stop storing water all year round. For years, the park has stored water to fight forest fires. Nguyen Huu Thien, an expert on Mekong Delta's ecology, said the park needs to have its seasonal hydrological regime maintained as it is. "Storing water throughout the year like that leaves no living environment for the cranes," said Thien. In the three years from 2009 to 2011, Dong Thap applied a pilot regulation on hydrological management for Tram Chim with the support of the World Wide Fund. The organization recommends maintaining the right water level during the dry season in the park, which has allowed grasslands (including reeds, the main food of cranes) to recover from 800 hectares to 2,700 hectares. The measure had helped bring the number of cranes from 48 in 2001 to 84, 85, and 94 in those years. In the three-year period of piloting the plan, there were six to nine fires in the park that destroyed 15-388 hectares of grasslands and cajuput forests each year, but in all cases, they recovered quickly. But after the trial phase, the project was stopped due to barriers in hydrological management for wetland ecosystems in a special forest system. Duong Van Ni, an expert on biodiversity in the Mekong Delta, said that it is urgent to preserve and restore the inherent habitat of cranes in Tram Chim, in addition to making plans for cultivating organic rice fields in surrounding communes. "The top priority is recovering the living environment for Tram Chim," he said. Ni added that the cooperation program with Thailand will succeed if Dong Thap can maintain a large ecological area and enough food for the cranes to live and reproduce. According to the ICF, there are around 15,000-20,000 red-crowned cranes in the world, 8,000-10,000 of them in India, Nepal and Pakistan and the rest in mainland Southeast Asia. In Vietnam and Cambodia, their numbers have fallen from 850 in 2014 to 179 in 2020. More than six months after the first of this years devastating floods in eastern Australia, over a thousand residents of Lismore and other northern New South Wales (NSW) communities remain homeless. In this photo provided by the Fraser Coast Regional Council, water floods streets and houses in Maryborough, Australia, Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. (Queensland Fire and Emergency Services via AP) [AP Photo] Government promises of housing, even temporary tiny portables, have gone widely unmet. Many people are camping in their damaged homes or elsewhere, still waiting for possible buy-back or relocation schemes from yet to be officially-designated flood-prone areas. This is another demonstration of government indifference to the victims of the disaster, who were left to rescue themselves in February, and of the underlying failure of the capitalist profit system to protect working-class people from the increasing severity and frequency of such climate change-related catastrophes. An inquiry into the floods by a multi-party NSW parliamentary committee has documented a string of failures by successive state governments to adequately prepare for, and respond to, the disaster. Largely as a result of these failures, the floods claimed 13 lives across northern NSW in February and March, and left 4,055 homes unhabitable. In the report, Dr Hanabeth Luke of Southern Cross University described the plight of flood victims: People who are doing better have got mobile homes. Those who arent doing so well are in dome tents in the mud some people arent getting any support from their insurance a lot of people are being told we need to wait until the outcome of [a] CSIRO study. That delayed federally-funded Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) research project into possible government flood mitigation measures is not expected to produce a final report until May 2024. Despite the critical picture the parliamentary report provides, it is a political whitewash designed to ensure that no one in the state or federal governments is held accountable for the suffering that the floods have caused. The inquiry received 90 submissions, 120 responses to an online questionnaire, and held six short public hearings in the towns of Windsor, Ballina, Lismore and Murwillumbah and at parliament in Sydney. The report includes nightmarish accounts from flood victims, and also outlines the inability of the states volunteer-dependent disaster recovery agencies to rescue and shelter survivors after years of government cuts. In one eyewitness account, a Lismore resident described how her property was deluged after escaping flooding for 100 years. A Woodburn resident recounted how floodwaters tore a water tank from its foundations and moved it by 360 metres. A farmer said her farm was lost because the road nearby was inundated despite never meaning to flood. Revelations about the response of authorities were damning. Not only was the NSW government unprepared for and unable to comprehend the unfolding floods, but treated the events as if they were a 9-to-5 business operation. The report concluded that two key government agencies, the NSW State Emergency Services and Resilience NSW, did not provide sufficient leadership and coordination during the floods. The centralisation of the SES and a lack of resources hindered that agencys response. Resilience NSW failed to engage affected communities and still lacked a clear role in disaster recovery despite being established in 2020 by the state Liberal-National government. The SES issued out of date, inaccurate and confusing flood warning and evacuation messages, made worse by chaotic information channels. According to the Lismore Citizen Flood Review Group, each emergency information service had its own communication system, forcing residents to use multiple applications and web sites to access emergency information. As a result, some communities received inaccurate information about the extent of flooding to expect in their towns, while others received no warnings at all. A resident from Bogangar in the Tweed Shire said 300 houses in the town were damaged by floodwaters because no warning was received. While thousands of individuals, families and businesses depended on recovery centres during the floods, some centres were either not planned or being operated effectively, hindered by inadequate supplies and a lack of coordination. Applicants for state government grants experienced the stonewalling of their applications due to complex application processes and had to repeatedly recount their experiences, to the detriment of their mental well being. Yet for all these failures and the crisis still being faced by flood-devastated communities, the reports recommendations show that for Australian capitalism, it will be business as usual, with crumbs for the victims. Of the 37 recommendations, one called for the NSW government to bolster its caravan accommodation program instead of providing temporary high-quality housing for displaced residents. Another called for a service agreement with a private firm to manage and receive donations during natural disasterssuggesting that working people would pay out of their own pockets for future recovery efforts. There were no demands for concrete flood mitigation measures, such as dam upgrades, flood barriers or the cessation of property building on flood plains. Despite references to climate change, the report made no call for firm action to counter it, declaring instead that residents would be at the mercy of increased and more intense flooding. One ominous recommendation was for the appointment of a senior law enforcement officer with combat experience to oversee future disaster recovery efforts, based on the experience of installing a police deputy commissioner as the northern NSW recovery coordinator during the floods. This is another warning that the ruling class, faced with mounting social discontent, is turning increasingly to authoritarian methods to suppress unrest. As the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) said in its March 6 statement, Australias floods: An indictment of capitalism, the floods, coming on top of the 201920 bushfire catastrophe and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, exposed the contempt of governmentsCoalition and Laborfor the health, lives and livelihoods of ordinary working people. Every aspect of the floods crisisfrom the lack of preparation and warnings to people, to the inadequacy of basic infrastructure and support services, and the lack of assistance offered to the hundreds of thousands of flood victimsis the direct result of the subordination of society to the dictates of private profit, the statement explained. While governments left residents to fend for themselves, however, ordinary people came together, as they did in the bushfire calamity, to rescue victims and provide food, shelter and assistance to those in need, using social media platforms to organise independently. As the SEP statement outlined, this embryonic self-organisation by working people needs to be informed by a socialist perspective and developed into a mass movement fighting to take political power in Australia and internationally. The statement called for working-class people to establish their own rank-and-file committees in workplaces and working-class areas, independent of the pro-capitalist parties and trade unions, to fight for the necessary measures to protect the population and for the total reorganisation of society on a socialist basis to protect health and lives, and meet social need, not corporate profit dictates. The World Socialist Web Site interviewed a rail worker of more than three decades on the ongoing national strikes in Britain and the struggle of railroad workers in the United States. He told our reporter, We send solidarity and urge a joint struggle against these global railway companies. Thats the only way forward. To be able to organise such an international struggle, its necessary to organise independently of the trade union in both countries who are doing everything they can to delay and sabotage the struggles. The trade unions in the UK used the death of the queen to call off strikes for an extended period. The majority of rail workers are very angry about this decision. Its the same kind of thing that the trade unions on the railways in the United States are doing by appealing to the railroad companies and state forces to try and head off a strike. Network Rail workers on the line at Clapham Junction, London [Photo: WSWS] Asked about the strikes in the UK, the worker explained, The strike was sparked over here by an all-out assault on every aspect of working life from pay to the most basic safety maintenance, to a complete privatisation of what remains of Network Rail and handing the entire setup over to private companies. Speaking on the disastrous safety conditions rail workers in America are facing, he said, With anybody whos working 80 to 100 hours a week, the railroad companies are forcing them into situations where everything is dangerous. And theres been a lot of instances of safety incidents here. Lots of workers have left the industry for this reason because its dangerous. What theyre trying to do in the UK is cut 50 percent of safety inspections, which, as someone who has been on the railways for 35 years, I know that that means that most of the journeys that we'll be making, were not going to know the condition of the track underneath, when were going 110 miles an hour! And that is not only putting rail workers in danger, but its putting the travelling public in serious danger. Its going to be as ruthless and as brutal as what our American brothers and sisters are facing, which is provoking the current national strike. The WSWS asked what the rail worker thought of the brutal conditions suffered by American rail workers, including the lack of sick leave. Well, its obviously been disastrous, especially during COVID. Workers coming into work ill or losing pay. Its like a choice between a bullet and poison. Either way, it increases pressure on workers to come in while they're ill. As a railwayman, I know that has implications not only for your colleagues, but how you actually do the job, how you keep the track safe. Its criminal in the extreme and it bears no regard to the lives of workers, what impact this has at home, on the track and on the railway. Its a ruthless drive for profits at the expense of lives. I once had to work 60-hour weeks after the union agreed to it. We forced a strike over it and the union had to overturn this arrangement they made. It almost destroyed my family life, for an extended period. I couldnt see the children. I was going to sleep, getting up, going to work, going to sleep, getting up, going to work and everyone at work looked as white as a ghost. It got to a point where we couldnt take it any longer. I cant imagine what another 20 to 40 hours on top of that is doing to our American brothers and sisters. It does explain the intensity of the fight they want to wage. Asked if the employers were driving towards the same regime in the UK, he warned, That would be the result of the current strikes being defeated. Were not doing 80 to 100 hours a week, we are able to take days off for appointments and so on. But if they get this Great British Railways project through, theyre talking about tearing up all our conditions so that we face the same issues that are present in the United States. And so we have a common cause to not only drive back, but resist every assault, and that requires the international organisation of railway workers. One of the statements of the incoming ministers [in Liz Trusss Conservative government], Jacob Rees-Mogg, was that there is no entitlement to paid leave. This is the kind of government that has been brought in. One of its main aims is to remove the right to strike and jail workers who seek to defend themselves against such attacks. The situation in the UK and US he said was incredibly similar. What we face in Britain is the same as railworkers in the United States. There is a state threat to the most basic democratic rights that have been achieved in both countries. In the States they aired moving to ban the strikes and in the UK they are trying to pass legislation making it illegal not to run a service during a strike. Our reporter asked the workers opinion of the rank-and-file meeting of US rail workers sponsored by the WSWS and the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees. We cant rely on the unions in the US or the UK or anywhere else. We have to build rank-and-file committees. Even the most basic forms of action can only take place outside the outdated trade unions organisations. The meeting was a big step forward. This has to be publicised among strikers in the UK. Were all becoming increasing frustrated by the way the rail strike is being conducted here by the unions. The feeling for a general strike to confront this government and defeat it is very widespread. We have to let everyone know about this critical event and it should be repeated across the world. On the significance of the resolution passed by the meeting he said, The US rail workers have made a stand against the collaboration of the union to destroy their living standards and democratic rights. Theyve drawn a line in the sand and this is what they are going to fight on. There is a sense that is growing everywhere in the working class that you cant take a step back because theres a cliff behind you and real dangers; that everything is threatenedaccess to food, shelter, heath care and welfare. They are trying to push us over a cliff, but the US workers have made a big stand and it should be popularised all over the world. I would say when the deadline passes, mount pickets and bring your colleagues out. If the US railroad workers do take this action it will have an impact on the working class everywhere. As with the rail strikes in the UK, they began a whole wave of industrial action. It unleashed the immense tension there is everywhere, and demands for a struggle against the assault on living standards. Whats very important in the resolution is that it lays out the basis for a conflict with the trade union bureaucracy which has led rail workers to the point where they are doing 80 and 100-hour weeks. Its laid the basis for a struggle against these organisations and to break free from their control. There is now the possibility of uniting this struggle across the United States, across the world. Its a tremendous advance for the international working class. On September 1, 26 chapters of Black Lives Matter Grassroots filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court accusing the top executive of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF) of illegally siphoning $10 million in donation money. In addition to denunciations of much of the BLMGNF leadership, the suit accuses Shalomyah Bowers, the head of BLMGNF, and his Bowers Consulting Firm of funneling millions of dollars from BLMs coffers, using the organization as his own personal piggy bank. The day after the lawsuit was filed, Melina Abdullah, co-founder of the BLM Los Angeles chapter and co-director of BLM Grassroots, held a press conference announcing the lawsuit, at which she claimed that Bowers pays himself upwards of $2 million a year. Following Abdullahs press conference, the BLMGNF Board of Directors released an official statement denying the allegations against Bowers and other leaders and labeling the lawsuit another round of struggle for control of BLM. It called the allegations slanderous and devoid of reality. The Board of Directors brought forward counterclaims against Abdullah and other BLM Grassroots leaders, alleging that they have been taking $10,000 per month in personal stipends, going on secret retreats to Jamaica, and docking the pay of BLM operatives forced to take leave because they or a family member had contracted COVID-19. The BLMGNF statement includes excerpts from a January 2022 letter from BLM Grassroots leaders detailing countless allegations of Melina Abdullahs financial malpractice, unprincipled decision making, and a leadership style rooted in retribution and intimidation. The controversy surrounding the lawsuit is only the latest in a long line of scandals involving BLMs finances. Amid the popular protests against the brutal murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in 2020, the bourgeois media and the Democratic Party promoted Black Lives Matter and its leaders as the official voice of the millions of all races and ethnicities demonstrating against police brutality. This promotion was accompanied by official endorsements and large donations of cash from corporate America to BLM. The families of victims of police brutality and many local activists, however, soon questioned BLMs financial secrecy: Three months after 10 local BLM chapters published a November 2020 statement demanding greater financial accountability from BLMGNF directors, the organization publicly released information about its finances for the first time. It reported that BLMGNF had raised more than $90 million in 2020, incurred $8.4 million in operating expenses, distributed $21.7 million in grants to more than 30 organizations, and retained some $60 million. In March 2021, Lisa Simpson, the mother of 18-year-old Richard Risher, killed by Los Angeles police in 2016, and Samaria Rice, the mother of 12-year-old Tamir Rice, killed by Cleveland police in 2014, released a statement demanding that BLMGNF stop exploiting the deaths of their children to make money. They wrote: We dont want or need yall parading in the streets accumulating donations, platforms, movie deals, etc. off the death of our loved ones, while the families and communities are left clueless and broken. Dont say our loved ones names, period! Thats our truth! In April 2021, the New York Post revealed that Black Lives Matter co-founder and nominal head Patrisse Cullors and her wife had purchased four properties worth approximately $3 million between 2016 and 2021. Less than two months after the news became public, Cullors resigned as executive director of BLMGNF, claiming she wanted to concentrate on other projects, including books and a production deal with Warner Bros. In April 2022, a New York Magazine report revealed that BLMGNF had purchased a $6 million luxury home in southern California with donation money. According to the report, BLMGNF bought the 6,500 square-foot property, complete with seven bedrooms and bathrooms, a sound stage and music studio, a pool, and parking for almost 20 cars, in October 2020 to serve as a safe-house and headquarters for BLM leadership to create social media content. In June 2021, Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza and Melina Abdullah recorded a video outside the mansion to mark the first anniversary of George Floyds murder. In May 2022, the Associated Press published tax documents showing that BLMGNF paid out millions to entities controlled by relatives and close associates of then-Executive Director Cullors. BLM paid out $25,997,945 in grants, including a $2,167,890 payout to the Bowers Consulting Firm, owned by Shalomyah Bowers. Melina Abdullah, a professor of Pan-African studies at California State University Los Angeles and co-founder of Black Lives Matter LA, was featured in a Levis jeans Beauty of Becoming marketing campaign, despite the news that Levis contractor worked to kill a minimum wage bill in Haiti. With each revelation, the fraudulent character of Black Lives Matter has become clearer and clearer. The organization lost credibility among millions of Americans whod previously supported BLM under the impression those at the helm were genuine about a fight against police violence. The parasitic layers in the leadership were sent into crisis, prompting Cullors to resign as executive director in June 2021. Since then, virtually every news story about Black Lives Matter has involved a scandal. According to the lawsuit filed by Black Lives Matter Grassroots, Bowers was originally hired by Cullors to help run BLMGNF in 2020. Melina Abdullah claims that when Cullors decided to step down as executive head of BLMGNF, she left Bowers with a transition plan to hand over control of the BLMGNF to the BLM Grassroots leadership. According to the lawsuit, Cullors appointed two BLM members, Monifa Bandele and Makani Themba, as co-senior executives to oversee the transition, while Bowers remained in his administrative role. But Bowers allegedly failed to follow Cullors transition plan and BLM Grassroots was denied access to BLMGNFs social media accounts. This is the case of a rogue administrator, a middleman, turned usurper, who was hired to collect donations and account for expenditures of the Black Lives Matter movement, the lawsuit reads. While claiming that Bowers sees BLMGNF as his personal piggy bank, the suit further alleges that Bowers activities were the catalyst for the series of fraud investigations launched by state and federal authorities into BLMGNFs finances, which BLM Grassroots claims paved a path of irreparable harm to BLM in less than eighteen months. As part of its counterclaims against Abdullah and BLM Grassroots, BLMGNF cited letters that BLM Grassroots allegedly sent in January over concerns about Abdullahs leadership. One complaint alleging Abdullahs mishandling of a $7 million budget reads: Im writing to you today with some serious concerns about the management and operations of Black Lives Matter Grassroots It is my view that the Black Lives Matter Grassroots team, of which I am a part, is ill-equipped at this time to run and manage a multi-million dollar organization. In an article discussing BLMs multiple financial scandals, the World Socialist Web Site explained the true character of the organization: The facts that have emerged demonstrate that Black Lives Matter is largely a creation of the corporate media and the Democratic Party, not a genuine expression of insurgent popular opposition to the pervasive brutality and social inequality of American society. The revelations illustrate the venal and privileged social layers whose interests are expressed by the elevation of race, rather than class, as the essential dividing line in society. Beyond exposing the venal and selfish character of the BLM leadership, the latest allegations lay bare the reactionary character of racial politics and the right-wing social interests it serves. For all of their talk of the fight for Black liberation, the layers behind BLM have nothing in common withand are hostile tothe masses of workers and youth of all races who are coming into struggle against capitalism. Japan is engaging in the militarization of the East China Sea while increasing the ability of its military to launch offensive, first-strike attacks amid preparations for war with China by the US and its allies. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stands with Japan's Minister of Defense Yasukazu Hamada at the Pentagon, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, in Washington. [AP Photo] In an interview with Nikkei Asia on September 6, Japans Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada stated that the ministry would radically strengthen the defense capabilities we need, including our capacity for sustained and flexible deployment To protect Japan, its important for us to have not only hardware such as aircraft and ships, but also enough ammunition for them. Tokyo intends to construct an ammunition depot on Amami Island in the Ryukyu Island chain that is part of Kagoshima Prefecture. The depot will be located at the current site of a Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) base. The GSDF is the formal name of Japans army. The government is also examining building additional port facilities and fuel tanks in the region, which also includes Okinawa Prefecture. Hamada claimed in the interview that the decision is based on a potential crisis over Taiwan and the militarys need to shift resources into the region. At present, approximately 70 percent of the Japanese militarys ammunition is stored on Hokkaido, in the north, while only 10 percent is stored in Kyushu and Okinawa. Tokyo also intends to conclude the scheduled deployment of surface-to-ship and surface-to-air missiles to islands in the region. The deployment of the missile batteries, with a range of 300 kilometers, was announced in 2016. They have subsequently been installed on Amami Island in 2019 and Miyako Island in 2020. A third deployment to Ishigaki Island will be completed by next March. Miyako and Ishigaki are further south of Amami and are a part of Okinawa Prefecture. Tokyo also intends to send electronic warfare units to at least three locations in the Ryukyu Island chain, including Yonaguni Island next year. These units are used to jam an enemys communications and radar and would target Chinese vessels that use the sea routes around the islands to access the Pacific Ocean. Yonaguni Island lies just 110 kilometers to the east of Taiwan. The Ryukyu Islands, also known as the Nansei Islands, stretch from Kyushu in an arc down to Taiwan. For the past decade, Tokyo has exploited and inflamed tensions over the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islandsclaimed by Tokyo and Beijingin the East China Sea in order to justify militarizing the Ryukyus. In 2015, Tokyo also announced it would deploy hundreds of additional troops to the islands of Ishigaki, Yonaguni, Miyako, and Amami. Hamadas statement that Tokyo is planning for a sustained and flexible deployment violates Japans constitution, specifically Article 9, known as the pacifist clause. The article explicitly states land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized. However, Tokyo has exploited both the US/NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine as well as the US manufactured tensions over Taiwan to further dispense with the constitutional restraints on the Japanese military and to push through remilitarization in the face of widespread anti-war sentiment. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has regularly stated that Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow, claiming that Beijing may invade Taiwan in the near future. In reality, the United States, backed by allies like Japan and Australia, have denounced China over phony human rights concerns; accused Beijing of being responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic; and dangerously challenged the One China policy, which states Taiwan is a part of Chinese territory. Both Washington and Tokyo acknowledge the One China policy and have no formal diplomatic relations with Taipei. This has not stopped the US from agreeing to massive arms deals with Taipei and conducting provocative visits to the island, including a trip last month by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In line with this agenda, Japans Defense Ministry recently requested its largest-ever military budget for the 2023 fiscal year, surpassing last years record budget. The Defense Ministry submitted its request for 5.59 trillion yen ($US39.19 billion) on August 31, which will likely grow in the future when supplementary budgets are added. The latest increase, which is sure to pass with little to no opposition, comes as Tokyo plans to raise military spending over the next five years to two percent of GDP, a doubling of the current budget. This would make Japan the third-largest spender on the military in the world. There are seven pillars to the new budget, which the Defense Ministry states are necessary efforts to drastically strengthen Japans defense capabilities within five years. This includes the development and mass production of longer-range missiles, which would give Japan the ability to launch offensive strikes on distant targets. Tokyo also intends to produce the upgraded Type-12 missile with a range of up to 1,000 kilometers that will also be deployed to the East China Sea region. Another significant item includes additional funds to further modify Japans two helicopter carriers, JS Izumo and JS Kaga, to convert them into full-fledged aircraft carriers capable of handling F-35B fighter jets. In the past, Japan has avoided the acquisition of nakedly offensive weaponry such as aircraft carriers so as to maintain the pretense of abiding by Article 9. The conversion of the Izumo and Kaga would make the two vessels the first new aircraft carriers in Japans fleet since World War II. The other pillars in the budget request include improving air and missile defense capabilities, the use of drones, the improvement of intelligence-related functions, sustainability and resiliency, deployment capability, and the improvement of capabilities in space, cyberspace, and electromagnetic fields. In an indication of how far Japan may go in acquiring offensive weaponry, in February, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe seized on the war in Ukraine to raise the possibility of Japan hosting US nuclear weapons as part of a weapons sharing program. Before his assassination in July, Abe had been one of the most belligerent anti-China voices in Tokyo. With the issue raised, it has already become an open debate in the Japanese establishment. Calls for help come day and night from people sold into slavery: Vietnam envoy in Cambodia A group of Vietnamese workers returns to Vietnam from Cambodia through a border gate in An Giang Province, September 1, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Khanh The sheer number of people traveling from Vietnam to Cambodia's Sihanoukville and sold into modern slavery is a major challenge to rescue efforts. Since the beginning of this year the Vietnamese consulate in Sihanoukville has collaborated with Cambodian authorities to carry out 50-60 searches and rescued over 600 people from forced labor. Since last year over 800 Vietnamese have been rescued from Preah Sihanouk Province alone. But consul general Vu Ngoc Ly says the actual number of Vietnamese victims of illegal labor gangs in Cambodia is much bigger, and rescue efforts face several challenges. The biggest is the sheer number of people coming from Vietnam to Cambodia, resulting in large numbers of victims, and every day the consulate receives dozens of requests for rescue, he says. "Recently calls have been coming day and night and constantly. We don't dare turn off our phones." In April the consulate received calls for help from some Vietnamese who said they were being held as forced laborers, he says. "The consulate cooperated with the local police and rescued 270 workers trapped in the facility. All of them were Vietnamese, but only around 50 of them had papers, while the rest had traveled to Cambodia illegally." He says all have returned safely to Vietnam. Another challenge rescuers face is that information sent to the consulate is often not comprehensive and very difficult to be verified. "Many messages only have names and ages, along with pictures of personal ID cards. Family members only know that they traveled to Cambodia or were residing in Sihanoukville, but do not know where exactly they are. "Some do send GPS data, but they only show an area with five or six buildings; we don't know for sure in which building they are." The Cambodian police require exact information such as room numbers, floors and addresses before they send in officers, and they are admittedly spread thin since they have to deal with multiple cases at the same time, he says. More and more illegal workers are coming from Vietnam to Cambodia, and the number is rising fast, he says. "Every time we get one person out, another two or three get in." The issue of Vietnamese sold into slavery in areas like Sihanoukville and Preah Sihanouk has been on the rise since late last year, when Covid-19 restrictions were relaxed in the two countries. The gangs use social media to lure Vietnamese, promising them "easy jobs with high pay." The victims are usually people aged 20-30, though sometimes as young as 14-15. Ly says almost everyone who comes to Cambodia illegally eventually becomes a victim of forced labor. Once they arrive in Cambodia, they are asked to sign contracts in Khmer, English or Chinese, and a majority of them sign them without exactly knowing their contents, he points out. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, forced labor facilities mostly masquerade as online businesses or casinos. The victims realize too late their "dream jobs" are not what they had seemed, and are forced to work with low pay and suffer from fines for contract breaches. "Bosses give them quotas, like how much money one has to defraud people out of in a day, or even how many Vietnamese one has to lure to Cambodia," Ly explains. "If the quotas are not met, bosses make people work 16-17 hours a day, withhold salaries or sell employees to others." There are numerous cases of victims being beaten and ordered to pay compensation for contract breaches. The consulate says the ransom amounts needed to get victims out have been increasing in the last two years from around $1,000 in 2020-2021 to $2,000-5,000 since the end of last year. There are cases of ransoms of $20,000. Some people call their families to seek help, even threatening to commit suicide as they "might as well be dead" rather than live the way they did. Many families sell everything they have or borrow money to pay the ransom. Families who simply cannot raise the money seek help from Vietnamese and Cambodian authorities. Ly says an important measure to stop this problem is to educate people about the promises of "easy jobs with high pay" in foreign countries, especially those living near borders with other countries. The consulate says education should happen in families and at schools and be aimed at young people and those who lack access to information. Ly says: "The number of rescued people seems to be fewer than it actually is. But I believe that in one or two years there will be no such issue in Sihanoukville." He points to the anti-crime campaigns by Cambodian authorities to stamp out human trafficking and modern slavery. Xi calls for more concrete results in China-Tajikistan relations EditorLin Congyi Time2022-09-15 20:46:58 Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Sept. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- China and Tajikistan need to continue to provide solid support for each other and bring about more concrete results in bilateral ties, said Chinese President Xi Jinping while meeting with his Tajik counterpart, Emomali Rahmon, here on Thursday morning. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 30 years ago, China-Tajikistan relations have achieved leapfrog growth, Xi said. China firmly supports Tajikistan in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and security, Xi said, adding that China is always a neighbor, friend and partner that Tajikistan can trust and rely on. As international and regional situations are undergoing profound and complex transformation, China and Tajikistan need to continue to provide solid support for each other and bring about more concrete results in bilateral ties, Xi said. Xi underscored China's readiness to enhance practical cooperation with Tajikistan, expand import of quality Tajik agricultural products, elevate the scale and level of bilateral trade, advance cooperation in such areas as infrastructure, water management and transportation, discuss cooperation in green technology, digital economy and artificial intelligence, and assist Tajikistan in promoting cross-border transportation capability. China is ready to work with Tajikistan and other Central Asian countries to enhance the China+Central Asia (C+C5) Meeting mechanism and other cooperation, deepen counter-terrorism cooperation, and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in this region, Xi said. For his part, Rahmon noted that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Tajikistan and China, adding that over the past three decades, bilateral relations have made significant progress. He reaffirmed that Tajikistan unswervingly abides by the one-China principle, firmly maintains that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and will continue to firmly support China's stance on issues concerning its core interests. Noting that China is not only a good friend, but also an important strategic partner of Tajikistan, Rahmon said Tajikistan is ready to develop closer high-level interactions with China, learn from China's development experience, promote practical cooperation with China in areas such as economy and trade, agriculture, transportation, production capacity and green economy, and raise Tajikistan-China relations to a new level. He said Tajikistan is ready to strengthen coordination with China in the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and the C+C5 framework to deepen security cooperation and jointly safeguard regional security and stability. Rahmon wished the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) a full success. The two presidents also exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan. The two sides signed cooperation documents in digital economy, green development, transportation and other fields. Ding Xuexiang, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee; Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee; State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi; He Lifeng, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and head of the National Development and Reform Commission, and other officials attended the meeting. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Sept. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) Survivors recall do or die experiences after karaoke parlor fire "Either jump or die," Phuc told himself on turning around to see a blaze sweeping through the glass window of the restroom he was standing inside. Phuc is one of the 30 survivors of a deadly fire that took place last week at the An Phu karaoke parlor in the southern province of Binh Duong. From the ventilator window of the restroom, he tried to locate the metal roof of the house next door and jumped down. Smoke goes up from inside An Phu karaoke parlor in Binh Duong Province at around noon on September 7, 2022, 16 hours after a fire broke out at the bar and killed 32 people. Photo by VnExpress Caught in the deadliest fire to occur in Vietnam in the past 20 years, survivors have lived to the tale of confronting imminent death an unforgettable experience. Nguyen Trong Phuc started his night shift at the karaoke parlor at 6 p.m. on Sep. 6. The 18-year-old was new to the place, having worked at the parlor in Thuan An Town, around 50 km from Ho Chi Minh City, for less than a month. "My parents divorced when I was a kid. I grew up with my maternal grandmother and still live with her. I had an accident several months ago and broke my arm. She had to take care of me. Now I must work and earn money to make it up for her." An Phu was one of the most popular venues for partying in Thuan An. It covered a floor area of more than 1,500 square meters on three stories. The rooftop of 500 square meters had been modified to provide accommodation for female employees. The walls in each of the parlors 30 karaoke rooms were designed with three layers: soundproof foam mattress, plywood and decorative plastic panels. Male employees like Phuc were in charge of allocating guests first into the 10 rooms on the third floor, then the 13 rooms on the second, and finally, seven rooms on the ground floor. On the evening of Sep. 6, Phuc received the first group of customers soon after he started his shift. The next customers arrived in groups of four to seven each. Together, they filled up half the rooms on the third floor. "Most of them were already quite drunk when they got there," Phuc recalled. Apart from allocating customers, male employees at An Phuc are tasked with receiving orders for drinks and food and cleaning up the karaoke rooms later. "Only female employees stay in the rooms to serve the customers. Their number is equivalent to the number of customers," Phuc said. That night, everything was "normal," with all customers singing and dancing passionately and some rooms ordering a second box of beer. There was no customer on the second and ground floors. The normalcy was broken rudely with the sound of someone screaming, Phuc said. "Smoke! Theres fire in the room," two customers screamed as they rushed out of room No. 303 and ran downstairs. At that moment, Phuc thought it was probably an electrical short, so he went in with the intention of switching the room for those customers. But the smoke spread out quickly and started to seep out from the gap on the door of that room. Phuc and another male employee got in to inspect the situation, but "we were hit in the face by the smoke even though the fire could not been seen." By then, black smoke was also rising along the two stairs leading to the third floor. He yelled into his walkie-talkie: "Anyone there? Theres fire up here!" There was no response, just screams and chaotic sounds. Fire engulfs An Phu karaoke parlor in Binh Duong Province at around 8:40 p.m. on September 6, 2022. Photo by VnExpress At that moment, on the ground floor, Ngoc, the cashier, saw a tall, thin, topless man rushing down the stairs with his shirt hung on his shoulder. "Fire. Fire. Too much smoke!" he screamed. Panicking, Ngoc grabbed the fire extinguisher at the foot of her table, pressed it into the hand of another employee. She continued to run to the corner of the hall to get more fire extinguishers and take them upstairs, but she could only reach the stairs. Smoke was all over the place. She had to turn back. She then saw some people running down from the third floor and fled the bar immediately. She also saw guards trying to get to the second and third floors but to no avail. She heard the manager urging people to call 114 -- the firefighters hotline. At that time, the second floor was engulfed in flames, completely cutting off the third floor from the rest of the building. Phuc and another male employee knocked on the doors of rooms on the third floor and tried to scream as loud as possible to inform them of the fire but they kept singing. The power was cut shortly after, leaving the entire parlor dark and filled with smoke. "Usually, when the power goes off, female employees serving customers would reassure them, saying the power will come back after a while," Phuc said, guessing that might be the reason the customers did not get out. Phuc tried to reach the stairs and go down, but the smoke suffocated him. He went into a room on the third floor that had no customers inside, got into the restroom, and shut the door to escape the smoke. He washed his face to compose himself and then rushed out, only to see that the flames had grown even stronger and was about to spread to the restroom. He made a quick decision: take a risk and jump down. Standing on the toilet, he climbed through the ventilator window and jumped down from a height of around 10 m. He fell onto the metal roof of the house next to the parlor and broke his right leg. Nguyen Trong Phuc is treated with a broken leg at An Phu Hospital in Binh Duong Province, after jumping from the third floor of a karaoke parlor where he worked to escape a fire, September 7, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Dinh Van As Phuc tried his best to save himself, on the rooftop, female employee Truong Kim Nhi, 27, and two of her colleagues "heard people downstairs screaming about the fire." The three women planned to run downstairs, but the fire, heat, and smoke coming up from below did not allow them to do so. They rushed to the balcony of the rooftop. Telling each other that they have to jump down now or get burned to death, they climbed through the balcony. Looking down, Nhi, a single mom, was so scared that she wanted to get back yet she quickly changed her mind as by then, she could already feel the heat of the floor beneath her feet. The three women jumped down on to the same metal roof as Phuc. The leap left Nhi stunned. She tried to use the remaining strength she had with the support of local people to climb down from the roof. Two ankle bones were broken, but she was alive. As she heard a fire siren howling in the distance, Nhi looked up at the waves of fire blazing from the third-floor window and wondered how many of her friends had managed to escape. All a bit scared At 8:40 p.m., fire-fighter trucks of the Thuan An police department were dispatched to the scene. All the firefighters in the province were also mobilized and they brought with them several vehicles to rescue people and put the flames out. In his decade-long career as a firefighter, Senior Lieutenant Le Quang Tuan, 34, had never dealt with a fire at a karaoke parlor before. "As soon as I heard the news, I thought about the fire at a Hanoi karaoke parlor that claimed the lives of three firefighters [on August 1]. This one had the same number of floors. We were all a bit scared," Tuan said, adding that most fire incidents in Binh Duong have to do with factories and companies, with wide floor areas but casualties were rare. At the site, the flames were raging and licking all over the building, like a lighthouse in a sea of darkness. Black columns of smog and fumes spread around the premises, threatening anyone who dared to get too close. "The front of the store has been covered with LED lights and wallpapers. There were no balconies on the sides of the building. The parlor itself was narrow and led deep inside, with multiple enclosed rooms. The moment I arrived, I knew this was going to be trouble," Tuan said. Lieutenant Colonel Bui Trong Hieu, deputy head of the Binh Duong firefighting police department, split the forces into specialized teams and approached the site. The foremost priority was rescuing the ones trapped on the roof. "It was as if they were in a cage made of fumes," Hieu recalled. He saw hands reaching out of the metal bars and heads bobbing up and down as swirls of black smokes enveloped them. The women inside were screaming and catching their breaths at the same time. Many of them were still in their pajamas. Hieu and Tuan got into a truck and tried to use ladder to get to the victims. As they got closer, they began to make out the faces amidst the smokes faces painted with black soot and desperation. "Please save us! I cant breathe anymore!" one screamed. "Everyone remain calm! Whoevers at the front will get out first, and no pushing! Everyone will be rescued!" Tuan shouted out. He proceeded to tear down several bars, making enough room for one person to slide in. Hieu turned himself into a human scaffold for those inside to get out. 12 people were rescued, many of them suffering from severe burns and asphyxiation. They were taken to the An Phu Hospital just 500 m away. When the screams began to die out and the flames at the parlors signpost were put out, Hieu hoped everyone inside had managed to get out. It was 9 p.m. "I wish everything had ended there." Parlor of death Survivors recall do or die experiences after karaoke parlor fire Police recall rescue mission in Binh Duong's deadly karaoke fire Police recall the rescue mission in Binh Duong's karaoke parlor fire. Video by VnExpress/Tuan Viet, Nguyen Diep, Phuoc Tuan "There are still 5-6 people trapped on the second floor!" a male employee shouted at the firefighters. Hieu realized that they could not accurately determine how many people were still left inside. A rooftop check revealed that it could not be used to gain access to lower floors due to the flames and heat. The teams had to change course and try to get inside from the ground and the sides of the building. As the first team to head in, staff sergeant Nguyen Huu Tinh, 26, led his group towards the third floor. The last one on the line was in charge of putting out surrounding flames with a fire hose, and also wetting the clothes of the team to reduce the heat. The moment they stepped onto the second floor, Tinh could see embers flashing on the walls of the hallway. The fumes got into their noses and their eyes. Everyone had to crawl on the floor as closely as possible, unable to see ahead of them. It only got worse once they reached the third floor; the water almost instantly vaporized once they made contact with the walls. "It was like a boiler room," Tinh said. Through his protective glasses, Tinh strained his eyes to look for any light coming from three flashlights the team brought with them. The only sounds he heard were of their own footsteps and water bouncing off objects in the hallway. The heat was unbearable, yet Tinh felt chills running down his spine. Tinh pushed away a door leading into the first karaoke room he found. Stumbling in the darkness, he tried to make sense of the void around him so he could lead the entire team behind him. His hand laid on something soft. It was a man in short jeans with a naked torso. He was in fetal position. He was dead. "Despite wearing gloves, I could still feel the immense heat coming from his body," Tinh said. He gathered his strength and lifted the body up with his team, trying to find their way back to the ground floor. It was the first victim they found in room 301. By this time, over 100 firefighters had been dispatched to the fire site. The residual heat on the third floor was still too great however, making rescue efforts very difficult. Scouts could only go in for around 15 minutes before having to run out to replace oxygen tanks. Hieu said the karaoke parlor was designed as an enclosed space, so there was no way for the smoke and heat to escape. Efforts to breach the walls and the roof to put out the fire inside also proved very difficult, as there were soundproof sponges and other objects in the way. Twelve hours after the fire had broken out, smoke was still coming off the roof and holes in the walls. Firefighters spent the entire night trying to put out the flames. Ambulances went in and out constantly and the number of casualties kept going up by the hour. As of September 7 afternoon, all karaoke rooms had basically been scouted. The scouting team led by Tuan was tasked with breaking doors down. "I hoped we wouldnt find anybody." There was something blocking the door to the restroom. Three firefighters had to push at the same time to even budge it. A slight crack opened, and an indescribable smell came pouring out. Soot and burned fat. "That smell haunts me even now," Tuan said. The team soon realized what was blocking the door: eight bodies stacked on top of one another. "It was too painful. That image will follow me for the rest of my life," Tuan said, adding that the restroom was where most of the bodies were found. The search for victims lasted 23 hours and a total of 32 bodies were found. It was the most tragic fire in Vietnam in the last 20 years after a fire at the ITC building in Ho Chi Minh City claimed the lives of 60 people in October 2002. In all his 22 years as a firefighter, Hieu had never seen such a devastating incident. "Just 400 square meters caught fire, yet 32 lives were lost... It was truly a parlor of death." Where the bodies were found in Binh Duong's karaoke parlor fire. Graphics by VnExpress/Khanh Hoang By Dinh Vui, Thu Hang, Le Tuyet A South Korean court has issued an arrest warrant for Do Kwon, the primary developer of cryptocurrencies Luna and TerraUSD, whose spectacular collapse in May roiled crypto markets around the world. Kwon, also the founder of blockchain platform Terraform Labs, has been accused of fraud by investors in the wake of the collapse. "An arrest warrant has been issued for a total of six people, including Do Kwon, who are currently residing in Singapore," a spokesperson for prosecutors said on Wednesday without elaborating on the reason. Kwon did not immediately reply to a Reuters email seeking comment. The Singapore Police Force also did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The arrest order comes after months of investigation and amid public outrage in South Korea over the collapse. Globally, investors in the two coins lost an estimated $42 billion, according to blockchain analytics firm Elliptic. TerraUSD, a so-called stablecoin that was once among the top 10 cryptocurrencies globally by market value, broke its 1:1 peg to the U.S. dollar in May, plunging in value and sending paired token Luna plummeting with it. Unlike most other major stablecoins which are backed by other assets, TerraUSD's value was derived by complex algorithmic processes. The market turmoil that ensued led to the failure of several major crypto companies including U.S. crypto lender Celsius and Singapore-based crypto fund manager Three Arrows Capital. In an August video interview with crypto media platform Coinage, Kwon said he had moved to Singapore because of concerns about his family's safety and rejected suggestions that the relocation was due to the crash or an attempt to evade investigators. Worldwide, several cryptocurrency developers have been arrested on a range of charges. Dutch authorities last month arrested a 29-year-old man believed to be a developer for the crypto mixing service Tornado Cash on suspicion of money laundering. In May, Arthur Hays the co-founder and former chief executive of the cryptocurrency exchange BitMEX was sentenced to six months of house arrest after pleading guilty to violating the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act. ELKO A man who evaded law enforcement three times and committed multiple crimes is now believed to be in southern Oregon. The unidentified suspect fled west from the Elko area on Interstate 80, driving a pickup that was stolen Wednesday morning in Ryndon. Law enforcement called off the chase in Humboldt County when the driver exceeded 100 mph into head-on traffic, according to the Elko County Sheriffs Office. The 2001 Dodge pickup was seen Wednesday night at Denio Junction where the driver attempted to get fuel. The Humboldt County Sherriffs Office responded to the remote area while the Elko County Sheriffs Office coordinated with multiple agencies in an attempt to apprehend the armed suspect. The stolen pickup was seen in the area of Lakeview, Oregon and again the vehicle began to elude police, stated the Elko sheriffs office. As of 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Oregon State Patrol, Lake County Sheriffs Office and authorities from Lakeview, Oregon were actively engaged in the search for the suspect. The pickup and small trailer had been stolen shortly after 8 a.m. Wednesday from a residence on Durango Drive in Ryndon, a day after the suspect fled from state troopers. The trailer was later recovered in Elko. The manhunt began Tuesday after Nevada State Police troopers began a pursuit of a suspect driving a white van with unmatched Utah plates, both of which were determined to have been stolen. The suspect abandoned the van near River Ranch, then stole a gray ATV and burglarized a couple of residences in that area, stated the sheriffs office. It is believed that he discharged a firearm into a parked, abandoned vehicle on Interstate 80 near mile marker 31. The suspect is described as a white male with a beard, last seen wearing a white shirt and dressed in camo. He fled on the ATV before deputies could arrive. Despite a widespread search he was not located overnight. A couple hours after the pickup was reported stolen Wednesday morning, it was spotted in Humboldt County. A pursuit began but was called off because it was getting too dangerous, Elko Undersheriff Justin Ames said. We believe its the same guy based off the proximity of where the vehicle was stolen, he said. LAS VEGAS A Great Basin College students is one of four Nevadans to be awarded the Kenny C. Guinn Memorial Scholarship in 2022, according to the Nevada State Treasurers Office. Jessica Dyk of GBC and Cameron Emerson of the University of Nevada, Reno were the two Northern Nevada recipients. Alana McCall and Jade Tobler of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas were the Southern Nevada winners. In the future, as an educator, I hope to teach children to love to read, said Dyk. The ability to read and comprehend is a life skill that will benefit you no matter what path you choose in life. Reading can open up a world of adventure and experiences. The Kenny C. Guinn Memorial Scholarship awards up to $5,000 each to two students in northern Nevada and two students in southern Nevada who are majoring in elementary or secondary education with the intent of teaching in Nevada. Students must meet eligibility requirements including a minimum grade point average of 3.5, a record of community service, and a commitment to teaching in Nevada upon graduation. Senate Bill 220 SB 220 established the Kenny C. Guinn Memorial Scholarship Award and was unanimously passed by both houses of the 2011 Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Brian Sandoval. It created a scholarship fund from collected donations in the late Governor Kenny C. Guinns honor. A virtual celebration will be held later this year to further honor the four Memorial Scholarship recipients. We would like to congratulate these four incredible students on receiving the Kenny C. Guinn Memorial Scholarship, said Nevada State Treasurer Zach Conine. We cant wait to witness the impact these future educators will have in the great state of Nevada. For more information on the Memorial Scholarship, visit nvigate.gov/programs/kenny-c-guinn-memorial-scholarship/ or contact the Millennium Scholarship office at millenniumscholars@nevadatreasurer.gov or call 1-888-477-2667. ELKO The Elko City Council unanimously approved financial director Jan Baum as the new city manager effective Feb. 1. Baum, who has worked with the City for nearly three years, told the council on Tuesday she was ready to get going with the transition. Current City Manager Curtis Calder, who is retiring on Baums first day, said he would prepare her for the job as well as conduct a search for a new financial director. That wont be an easy task, he said about replacing Baums position. It will take a couple of months. Jan Baum meets all the qualifications listed in the job description, and my recommendation hasnt changed, he added. I think Jan will make a great city manager for the city council. I would recommend the council appoint her to the city manager effective Feb. 1, 2022. It will be a very smooth transition, he added. Mayor Reece Keener said he supported Baums appointment, stating that he has all the confidence in the world in Jan. Born and raised in Montana, Baum made her home in Elko after graduating from Montana State University with a degree in accounting in 1991. She said all of her family in Montana has since relocated to the area. Her husband is a native of Nevada, and they have two children. After becoming a CPA, she worked for McMullen McPhee. Baum also managed Elko Veterinary Clinic and McMullen Insurance, working with the company during its acquisition phase to LP Insurance. She also did the same with Eklund Drilling and brought them through their acquisition to Boart Longyear. Looking back over her career, she said all of her jobs in the private sector helped as she transitioned to overseeing the Citys finances, having some prior background in governmental accounting. At McMullen McPhee, she was working as an auditor and doing taxes. It was a great learning experience, she recalled. I was developing budgets and going through audits. In July, Calder announced his retirement after nearly 24 years as city manager, concluding a career of three decades in public service in Nevada. He promised the city council he would oversee the transition for the next city manager. Calder suggested three options for his replacement: a direct appointment of an internal or external candidate, an internal/competitive recruitment process, or an open/competitive recruitment process. Calder recommended Baum at that time, adding that the appointment would provide an additional few months of training before his official retirement date. She sees the financial side of it, but not the operational side of things, he said, pointing to her experience with higher-level finances, airport grants, audits and budgets. Keener said he agreed with Calders judgment, which keeps the Citys best interests in mind. In an email to the City, former City Councilman Robert Schmidtlein also offered his support for Baum, noting that five department heads supported the choice. Jan has some very strong skills being the city manager, he wrote. Curtis being able to train and mentor her for the next six months will be very beneficial, not only for her but for the entire city staff to help with the transition period. The council, including Clair Morris, Giovanni Puccinelli, Mandy Simons and Chip Stone, all supported the decision to have Baum replace Calder and for Calders recommendation. Morris praised Baum for her knowledge and good people skills, with Puccinelli stating that his support was in line with his belief in promoting from within. Baum said she was excited about the new job but acknowledged it would be a very challenging position. Working for the City for the past three years as financial director, she explained she had gained perspective of all the departments at City Hall. Im constantly visiting with all the managers and directors, sitting down with them in person to learn about their challenges and their staffing. It gives you the perspective of where the challenges and opportunities are in the City and gives you the insight into every single department, Baum continued. I think it gives you a good base, and I think it also helps with problem-solving. She said those three years also gave her insight into state regulations and statutes that must be followed: I dont know all of them, but I have some exposure in that. Baum said she is looking forward to starting as city manager for the place she has called home for 21 years. Ive always enjoyed calling Elko my home, she said. Its been a wonderful place for me to raise my family. Like a Dragon: Ishin! What you need to know Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the developers behind the popular Yakuza franchise have recently announced three new titles that will be released between 2023 and 2024. Like a Dragon 8, the next mainline JRPG entry starring Ichiban Kasuga and Kiryu Kazuma. Like a Dragon: Ishin!, a spin-off title set during 1800s Japan following Ryoma Sakamoto. And, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, a side-entry that follows Kiryu Kazuma's story after Yakuza 6: The Song of Life. Recently, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios, the development team behind the popular Yakuza franchise, unveiled three new upcoming titles for the franchise. These games are Like a Dragon: Ishin!, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, and finally, Like a Dragon 8. All these games are planned to hit Xbox consoles and PC over the next two years, adding to the sizeable upcoming games line-up for 2023 and beyond. Here's what we know so far. Like a Dragon 8 Like a Dragon 8 is the next mainline entry in the Yakuza series. Not much is currently known about this title except that it will again star Ichiban Kasuga, the protagonist from Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and that it will be another turn-based JRPG adventure. Except for this time, Kazuma Kiryu, Ichiban's predecessor, will be featured as a dual protagonist with a new hairstyle, and he will get his own party members to fight alongside him. Like a Dragon 8 is scheduled to be released on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam and Windows in 2024. Like a Dragon: Ishin! Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a remake of a 2014 spin-off released only in Japan on the PlayStation 3 and 4 called Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin! Set in a fictionalized version of mid-1800s Japan, you play Sakamoto Ryoma (played by Kazuma Kiryu), a real-life samurai on a quest for vengeance to find the assassin who murdered his master. Like the original game, Like a Dragon: Ishin! will be an action-adventure game with a beat'em up combat system. The remake will feature updated graphical enhancements and several characters from the Yakuza series taking the roles of historical figures from this tumultuous time in Japan's history. Story continues Like a Dragon: Ishin! is scheduled to be released sometime in 2023 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam and Windows. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is an upcoming side-story focusing on Kazuma Kiryu, the long-time protagonist of the franchise before Ichiban. Not much is currently known about this title other than it will be another action-adventure game, and it will shed on what Kiryu has been up to after Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, eventually leading up to his next big appearance in Like a Dragon 8. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is scheduled to launch in 2023 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam and Windows. Expect to see more info on these new Yakuza titles at the Tokyo Game Show, starting this week on Sept. 15, 2022. Lost Judgment and Judgment are also coming to PC Yakuza spin-off titles Lost Judgment and Judgment which follows on the side of law enforcement are also confirmed to be coming to Windows PC for the first time. A federal appeals court ruling from Wednesday means that lawsuits filed against Ohio State University over its handling of sexual abuse by Richard Strauss can move forward. A federal appeals court ruling Wednesday revived unsettled lawsuits against Ohio State University over decades-old sexual abuse by former university doctor Richard Strauss. Judge Michael Watson, of the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Ohio in Columbus, had dismissed most of the unsettled cases in September 2021, acknowledging that hundreds of young men were abused by the late doctor who died by suicide in 2005 but agreeing with the university's argument that the statute of limitations had expired. The plaintiffs had argued that the clock didn't start until the allegations first came to light in the spring of 2018, when Ohio State announced an investigation into Strauss. Two of the three judges on the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that heard the case agreed with them, saying in a ruling issued Wednesday that the men "plausibly allege a decades-long cover up," and "adequately allege that they did not know and could not reasonably have known that Ohio State injured them until 2018." "This alone provides sufficient grounds to delay the accrual of their Title IX claims," Judge Karen Nelson Moore wrote in the decision. Steve Snyder-Hill, a former Ohio State athlete who said he was sexually abused by Strauss decades ago, said the thousands of students who attend the university are "just a little bit safer" as a result of the ruling. "Because I can guarantee, I know if another Richard Strauss was there today how OSU would act,'" Snyder-Hill said in an email. "They successfully covered it up, silenced us, lied to the court, lied to the public, broke public records laws, and waged a war on survivors all while calling us brave. "Today was a good day. But this has been a five-year fight," he said. Judge Ralph B. Guy Jr. dissented with the decision, writing that the clock on the claims ran out decades ago and that the courts decision effectively nullifies any statute of limitations for Title IX claims based on sexual harassment. Story continues Title IX actions do not have their own statute of limitations and thus defer to the state statute of limitations for personal injuries, which in Ohio is two years. Ohio State is reviewing the ruling, university spokesman Benjamin Johnson said by email. While employed at Ohio State from 1978 to 1998, Strauss abused at least 177 male students, according to a report issued in May of 2019, about 13 months after Ohio State first announced the allegations against Strauss. The 230-page investigative report from Seattle-based law firm Perkins Coie concluded that university officials were aware of complaints against Strauss. Investigators found that university personnel knew about Strauss' "sexually abusive treatment" of male student-patients as early as 1979, but "complaints and reports about Strauss' conduct were not elevated beyond the Athletics Department or Student Health until 1996." Strauss abused students under the guise of medical examinations. Dr. Richard Strauss has been accused of sexually abusing hundreds of former students while he worked for Ohio State University from 1978 to 1998. This photo was included with his 1978 application to Ohio State's medical staff. Most plaintiffs alleged in their lawsuits that they did not know they were abused until 2018, Moore said in the recent ruling. "At the time of the abuse, they were teenagers and young adults and did not know what was medically appropriate," Moore wrote. "Strauss gave pretextual and false medical explanations for the abuse." "Although plaintiffs differ as to whether they knew at the time that Strauss abused them, all allege that they could not have known about Ohio States responsibility for the abuse. They did not have reason to know that others had previously complained to Ohio State about Strausss conduct, let alone how Ohio State had responded to any previous complaints." Ohio State has so far settled with nearly 300 survivors, representing more than half of the outstanding plaintiffs. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Monroe Trombly covers breaking and trending news for The Dispatch. mtrombly@dispatch.com @monroetrombly This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Strauss victims win appeal, can go ahead with case against Ohio State Floridas Week 3 depth chart confirmed what many fans had feared since the conclusion of the Kentucky game last weekend: starting linebacker Ventrell Miller and starting right tackle Michael Tarquin are out with lower body injuries and no public timetable for a return. Billy Napier left things at they wont play this week when asked about the severity of the injuries, but he did name their replacements on the weekly depth chart that is provided each Wednesday night before a game. Redshirt freshman Austin Barber is taking over for Tarquin on the right side of the line with Kamryn Waites serving as his backup. Waites was previously starting left tackle Richard Gouraigaes backup, but Josh Braun has moved into that role for now. Braun is best served as a backup guard, but Napier decided that hes the best option to come in at left tackle with Barber now in a starting role. The new addition to the offensive line rotation is freshman Jalen Farmer at right guard. For Miller, Jeremiah Scooby Williams is his listed backup, and the expectation is to see true freshman Shemar James get some more snaps as well. As far as the other injured players go, the same five from last week are still listed with just one exception. Cornerback Jaydon Hill has been upgraded from Out to Questionable, which is an encouraging sign for a player that missed all of last year following ACL surgery. Hill could be back in the next few weeks, which would give the Gators another weapon in the secondary to work with. Related College Wire staff predict the winner from each SEC game Pat's POV: Week 3 predictions for the top matchups Former Gators tennis champ to serve as honorary Mr. Two Bits vs. USF USA TODAY Sports sees Florida in this bowl game after Week 2 loss Nike releases Special Edition Florida Gators Air Zoom Pegasus 39, here's how to buy List Pat Dooley's Six Pack: 6 quick takes from Florida's gut-punch loss to Kentucky List 5 key things we learned about Florida in underwhelming home loss to Kentucky Story continues List Sunday Hash: Pat Dooley breaks down Florida's stinging loss to Kentucky List Good, Bad and Ugly: Best and worst from Florida's brutal loss to Kentucky Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions. Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today! Story originally appeared on Gators Wire WEST JORDAN A jury found a Taylorsville man guilty of manslaughter after a four-day trial, deciding that he killed his girlfriend by putting methamphetamine in her drink over five years ago. Joshua Ryan Bridgewaters, 40, who has been held in the Salt Lake County Jail for almost five years, was charged in December 2017 with murder, a first-degree felony; obstructing justice, a second-degree felony; and tampering with a witness, a third-degree felony. The jury was given the option to convict Bridgewaters of a reduced charge of manslaughter instead of murder, meaning he recklessly caused his girlfriend's death but did not show indifference to human life or knowingly create a great risk of death. The jurors found Bridgewaters guilty of manslaughter and tampering with a witness, but not guilty of obstructing justice. Stacey Buchanan, 33, died on May 29, 2016. Bridgewaters told police the two were drinking wine when Buchanan started to feel sick. According to police, Bridgewaters sought help from a neighbor who is a paramedic, but the neighbor later told investigators that by the time he saw Buchanan she was not breathing and her lungs were full of vomit and fluid. Police said Bridgewaters had not called 911, despite his girlfriend's condition. Police affidavits said that earlier that day, Buchanan called her mother "and told her someone had poisoned her drink." When the mother called back a short time later, she said she could hear Buchanan tell Bridgewaters to "stop it" and "stop grabbing my phone" before Bridgewaters took the phone and told Buchanan's mother that everything was fine, according to the court documents. Bridgewaters contacted a friend who was with them earlier that day and asked what he had told police so their stories would match, the charges state. This made the friend suspicious and prompted him to confront Bridgewaters about what had happened. The jury trial was first scheduled for October 2018 but was delayed multiple times as different attorneys represented Bridgewaters. Bridgewaters is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 29. Photo credit: ANDRZEJ WOJCICKI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY - Getty Images Photo credit: Hearst Owned New research suggests that using gravitational waves from the collisions of distant black holes could solve one of the most troubling aspects of cosmology the rate of expansion of the universe, known as the Hubble constant. There are two standard ways of measuring the Hubble constant. The global method involves the use of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) fossil radiation left over from the Big Bang that uniformly fills the universe and reveals the expansion of the universe at earlier times in history. On a local scale, type Ia supernovasalso known as standard candles due to their uniform energy outputare used to measure the Hubble constant and the more recent expansion rate of the universe. The problem? Using different methods for measuring the Hubble constant delivers different results. The value of the Hubble constant provided by standard candles is much higher than the value CMB observations have given. This sounds like it should have a simple solution. One method must be giving an inaccurate result, surely? But, that isnt the case. Perfecting these methods hasnt closed this gap, but has instead further widened the chasm. This problem has become known as the Hubble tension. Astrophysicists from the University of Chicago suggest a new method for measuring the Hubble constant and the expansion rate of the universe, with the hope it could resolve the Hubble tension. This new technique doesnt use the cosmic microwave background or supernovas, but instead capitalizes on gravitational waves launched by distant black holes as they clash together. The expansion of the universe has always been concerning to physicists, especially since it was discovered that rather than slowing down, it is accelerating. The mysterious force that is driving this acceleration has been given the placeholder name dark energy. If the matter in the universe is finite, physicists expected that its expansion would eventually stop and the universe would re-collapse, astrophysicist Luz Angela Garcia of the Universidad ECCI in Bogota, Colombia, tells Popular Mechanics. In 1998, two independent groups that used two sets of supernova type Ia found that the universe was not only expanding, but it was doing so at an accelerated rate. Story continues She adds that this means other galaxies are speeding up their movement away from us ... and each other. And the further they are away, the more rapidly they recede. In the more recent era of cosmic history, the universes expansion is accelerating, University of Geneva cosmologist, Lucas Lombriser, tells Popular Mechanics. If we measure the current expansion rate using observations of closer objects like supernovas, therefore, testing the more recent universe, we end up with a Hubble constant that is significantly larger than its counterpart inferred from the early universe and the CMB. The tension between the two measurements is now at a significance level that can no longer be ignored. Photo credit: Hearst Owned Why the Expanding Universe Is a Growing Problem Photo credit: MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY - Getty Images To picture why the accelerating expansion of the universe is so troubling, picture a mundane and everyday analogy: pushing a child on a normal playground swing. As time from the initial single push passes, the childs swing reaches lower points. Then as the swing comes to a stop, it suddenly begins swinging again, without a push, reaching higher and higher points. Thats similar to the universe slowing after its period of early rapid expansion which we call the Big Bang only to begin rapidly expanding again and speeding up. This accelerating expansion is only predicted by our model of gravity if there is something that was overtaking the strength of gravity at large scales and causing a negative pressure, Garcia says. That is dark energy. Dark energy cant be ignored because to keep the expansion of the universe speeding up, it has to account for at least 68 percent of all of the matter and energy in the universe. The community is puzzled by the results. We can either claim the techniques could be further refined to get closer values for the Hubble constant, or we could improve the models we use to calibrate the observations, Garcia adds. There is a third possibility that could be considered a variable Hubble rate at different epochs of the universe, implying that the contribution of dark energy is not a constant, but it varies over time. And one way of looking back in time is by studying gravitational waves launched by distant events. Photo credit: Hearst Owned Black Holes as Standard Sirens to Measure the Hubble Constant When black holes collide, they merge to produce an even larger black hole, but these events have another effect on the universe; the merging of black holes is so powerful that the event sends ripples out through the very fabric of spacetime as gravitational waves. Sensitive and massive laser interferometers like the U.S-based Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), and the Italian version , Virgo, can measure these ripples here on Earth. Just like observing light from a distant source shows objects as they were when that light left them so a star three light years away is seen as it was three years ago, and so on the observation of gravitational waves reveals events and objects that occurred in the universes distant past. In a paper published last month in the journal Physical Review Letters , astrophysicists Daniel Holz and Jose Maria Ezquiaga suggest that these gravitational waves from colliding black holes could be used to test if the Hubble constant was the same in the universes relative infancy. Black Hole Central When thinking about ways of using gravitational waves to measure the expansion of the universe, colliding black holes are advantageous over binary neutron stars because their current detection rate is much higher and they can be observed further away, NASA Einstein Fellow at the University of Chicago, Ezquiaga, tells Popular Mechanics. In other words, they allow us to probe the rate further back in time allowing us to measure the Hubble constant and also the abundance of dark energy and dark matter. This would hinge on researchers being able to determine how the expansion rate of the universe affects gravitational wavesand changes thembefore they are measured here on Earth. And this should in turn reveal if the expansion rate of the universe is changing over great distances and thus time. Different expansion rates affect both the amplitude of the gravitational waves, in other words, how loud or quiet they are, and the merger rates, because the volume of the universe also changes, Ezquiaga says. The advantage of this method is that, though it depends on non-local events, by observing black holes closer to home, the researchers suggest that cosmologists could calibrate their measurements. Photo credit: MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY - Getty Images Local black holes allow you to have a census of the typical masses of binary black holes. Then, you can look back in time to see if black holes that merged earlier have the same spectrum, Ezquiaga adds. Changes in the cosmological model should only shift the detected masses. By comparing the shift between both spectrums, the one in the local universe and the one back in time, one can learn how much the universe has expanded. That means this technique to measure the expansion rate of the universe and define the Hubble constant could then shed light on a problem that has troubled researchers for decades without relying on troubling existing methodologies. Both Garcia and Lombriser, however, have their own ideas that could explain where the disparity in the Hubble constant comes from. Photo credit: Hearst Owned Looking Back in Time (And Across Space) to Resolve the Hubble Tension Garcia has worked on a so-called Early Dark Energy (EDE) model which suggests that dark energy was a factor in the universe before it began its domination over gravity, leaving no trace on the cosmic microwave background, hence why measurements of the Hubble constant with this fossil radiation yields a small value. EDE models are theoretical prescriptions we have explored recently to describe a dark energy component whose energy is not constant over time, Garcia says. These kinds of models allow dark energy to vary with distance. Thus, the expansion rate would be impacted by a variable energy density from the dark energy. The inclusion of early dark energy could explain why we are measuring different values of the Hubble constant at early and late times, Garcia explains. This is because early dark energy would change the expansion rate before the time when the CMB is observed and then cease its effect leaving a Hubble constant that we detect with the local universe standard candles when the structure has long evolved. Meanwhile, Lombriser has an idea that involves changes across space, rather than across time. He thinks that our local universe the Milky Way and surrounding galaxies may be in a pocket of low density within the universe. Calling this pocket a Hubble Bubble, Lombriser says that the consequence would be the local space expanding more rapidly than the rest of the universe in the dense region outside of the bubble. That would explain why looking at close-by supernovas results in a larger value than that delivered by distant measurements of the CMB yields, thus resolving the Hubble tension. Photo credit: Joe McNally - Getty Images The fact that the conformal Hubble Bubble does not invoke any new physics is an appealing feature that invites for a closer inspection, Lombriser says. One option to test this would be to resolve the CMB temperature in our very nearby cosmic structure to test for a drop to a lower temperature locally. If the use of gravitational waves to measure the Hubble constant is to resolve the Hubble tension, instruments like LIGO will need major sensitivity upgrades to see ripples in spacetime from more distant collisions. Garcia isnt necessarily concerned about the Hubble tension if it cant soon be resolved. Instead, she sees it as an opportunity to test the limits of physics. Future experiments focused on the nature of dark energy and the large-scale structure of the universe will have a huge impact on how we settle this crisis in cosmology, she concluded. But, if the tension persists, we will have to think harder about how gravity works on other scales, and thats pretty exciting! You Might Also Like Story at a glance Despite employees expressing they want companies to commit more to a sustainable future, many doubt corporations will do so. This is in part thanks to a lack of qualified individuals to fill sustainability roles and few resources and training for existing workers to better incorporate sustainable actions into their jobs. A new survey from Salesforce details some ways employers can boost workers confidence in company efforts to address climate change. The imminent threat of climate change along with huge opportunities to address the global crisis have led workers to pressure employers to act on sustainability and environmental goals. However, a shortage of qualified talent at companies to help meet climate commitments largely inhibits widespread progress at the corporate level. Thats according to a new report from Salesforce that found more than 80 percent of workers want to help their companies meet these goals, but feel they do not provide adequate roles, training and tools to help fight climate change. Researchers conducted a double-blind survey of 1,297 workers across Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States in August 2022. America is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news. Climate change is the single greatest threat to humanitys future, and it will take an army of qualified individuals from carbon accountants to scientists to ecopreneurs working together to reach a net zero future, authors of the report wrote. But without the qualified talent to fill the roles, an already daunting task is nearly impossible. One potential solution to this problem lies in the already-employed workforce. Survey results showed 3 in 5 workers are eager to incorporate sustainability into their current role. However, respondents also felt additional challenges impede corporate progress, including the complex sustainability reporting landscape and low investment in sustainability training. Story continues Three in 5 individuals said theyre skeptical their employers will meet sustainability goals in time, while the vast majority of respondents were skeptical companies in general will do so. But implementing simplified sustainability reporting, training existing employees and hiring new ones with sustainability skills could help boost workers trust in companies commitments. Language in the sustainability field is very technical there is a language gap. People understand personal sustainability but not corporate sustainability, a sustainability leader told Salesforce when interviewed about the findings. Despite 70 percent of workers reporting its important their company operates with net-zero emissions, over half did not know whether their company does so, underscoring the need not just for skilling, but for ensuring overall education for employees around company sustainability commitments and climate goals, authors said. Meanwhile, half of respondents said they would leave their current company if they learned it did not follow through on sustainability commitments. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. PLEASE DON'T EAT THE DAISIES, Mark Miller Everett Collection Actor Mark Miller has died. He was 97. Daughter Penelope Ann Miller confirmed the news on Twitter: "My Papa's beautiful soul left this earth 9/9/2022. He loved deeply & was loved by all who knew him. He touched many lives." "He was funny, fun, & always creating," continued The Artist star. "He cherished this life and saw the glass half full! I was blessed to call him my dad." Miller died in Santa Monica, California, on Sept. 9 from natural causes, according to a report by the New York Post. Miller starred in the NBC sitcom Please Don't Eat the Daisies from 1965 to 1967. In the series, which lasted for two seasons and 58 episodes, Miller played college professor Jim Nash. RELATED: Celebrities Who've Died in 2022 My Papas beautiful soul left this earth 9/9/2022. He loved deeply & was loved by all who knew him. He touched many lives. He was funny, fun, & always creating. He cherished this life and saw the glass half full! I was blessed to call him my dad pic.twitter.com/mbhgOpW19t Penelope Ann Miller (@PenelopeAMiller) September 15, 2022 Miller's other TV acting credits include Guestward Ho!, college-set soap Bright Promise in 1970, two episodes of General Hospital in 1965, 17 episodes of Days of Our Lives from 1975 to 1976 and guest appearances in '60s and '70s series including I Spy, The Andy Griffith Show, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Patty Duke Show, The Twilight Zone, That Girl, Adam-12, Cannon, Emergency!, Barnaby Jones, Kung Fu, The Waltons, Marcus Welby and The Streets of San Francisco. He also starred in movies including Blonde in Bondage, The Hook, Youngblood Hawke, Dixie Dynamite, Mr. Sycamore, Ginger in the Morning and Christmas Mountain. Story continues PLEASE DON'T EAT THE DAISIES, Mark Miller, Everett Collection Miller also wrote and starred in 1982's Savannah Smiles. The movie featured two of his daughters and was inspired by youngest daughter Savannah, per Deadline. In 1995, Miller stepped behind the cameras as one of the screenwriters for the romance film A Walk in the Clouds starring Keanu Reeves. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer. In his final years, Miller who had relocated to New Mexico in the '90s moved back to California and created Gypsy Moon Productions, per The Hollywood Reporter. According to his family, Miller was working on a remake of Savannah Smiles at the time of his death. The actor was married and divorced twice, the Post reported. He is survived by his four children and six grandchildren. Ben Hall, a Fox News journalist critically wounded in a Ukraine attack fox news Fox News correspondent Ben Hall made an emotional return to work albeit virtually, delivering remarks to his colleagues in a town hall meeting held six months after he survived a deadly attack while covering Russia's invasion of Ukraine on the ground. Hall, now 40, has stayed mostly out of the spotlight during his recovery at Brooke Army Medical Center outside of San Antonio, Texas. Now, he tells the Fox News staff that he's finally back home in London, reunited with his wife and children. "I remember thinking [after the attack] when I was lying there that there was one thing I needed to do and that was to get home, try somehow to get home and see my family," Hall said. "Just a few weeks ago I managed to do that." Hall said leaving the San Antonio facility on Aug. 19 marked a victory for all of Fox News, as it was a recovery milestone only possible through "so much support, so much goodwill, so much help from everybody." Fox News correspondent Ben Hall, who was injured in Ukraine four months ago and is now recovering Fox News Ben Hall With few health updates since March, the journalist's speech a surprise facilitated by Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott during her quarterly address to employees served as a reassurance that he's getting better by the day. He noted that through hard work, he is now able to walk again and, more excitingly, pick up his children. RELATED: Fox News Journalist Ben Hall Is Recovering 'Remarkably' After Ukraine Attack as He Prepares for 40th Birthday On March 14, Hall and his crew were caught in a violent attack outside Kyiv, Ukraine. Two of his colleagues Pierre Zakrzewski, a longtime cameraman for the network, and Oleksandra "Sasha" Kuvshynova, a young Ukrainian journalist were tragically killed. But Hall survived, launching a prompt, Herculean effort to get him back to the States for medical attention. As PEOPLE earlier reported, that extraction was carried out with the help of the Pentagon and a team of seasoned extraction experts. Story continues RELATED: 'The Stuff of Movies': How Fox News Rushed to Help Its Journalists After They Came Under Fire in Invasion Before sharing a word about Zakrzewski and Kuvshynova during Wednesday's conversation with coworkers, Hall noted that it's been "six months to the day" since the attack and that it's still "difficult to think about." "But when I think back to Sasha, I think of someone who worked so hard, who went like we did to try to find the stories. And she did that each and every day that we worked with her," he said at the company town hall. "When I think of Pierre this is someone who I traveled the world with, who many people at Fox News traveled with. To the tunnels of ISIS, to the front lines in Turkey, to the funerals and the great victories around the world, I was there alongside Pierre," Hall recalled. "And he taught us one thing, one thing that everyone needs to remember: that you must love this job, that you must fight every day to do it in the best way you possibly can." On a more personal note, Hall remembered Zakrzewski as a man with "a smile on his face no matter where he went." Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free weekly newsletter to get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hall has not yet resumed work, but has been assured that he'll have a job waiting for him whenever he is ready. "I can't wait to be back," he said. The gravitational constant can be used to calculate the gravitational pull between two objects. An illustration of the gravitational fields of the Earth and Moon distorting the fabric of space-time. The gravitational constant describes the intrinsic strength of gravity, and can be used to calculate the gravitational pull between two objects. Also known as "Big G" or G, the gravitational constant was first defined by Isaac Newton in his Law of Universal Gravitation formulated in 1680. It is one of the fundamental constants of nature, with a value of (6.6743 0.00015) x10^11 m^3 kg^1 s^2. The gravitational pull between two objects can be calculated with the gravitational constant using an equation most of us meet in high school: The gravitational force between two objects is found by multiplying the mass of those two objects (m1 and m2) and G, and then dividing by the square of the distance between the two objects (F = [G x m1 x m2]/r^2). Related: Why is gravity so weak? The answer may lie in the very nature of space-time Keith Cooper Keith Cooper Keith Cooper is a freelance science journalist and editor in the United Kingdom, and has a degree in physics and astrophysics from the University of Manchester. He's the author of "The Contact Paradox: Challenging Our Assumptions in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence" (Bloomsbury Sigma, 2020) and has written articles on astronomy, space, physics and astrobiology for a multitude of magazines and websites. The gravitational constant The gravitational constant is the key to measuring the mass of everything in the universe. For example, once the gravitational constant is known, then coupled with the acceleration due to gravity on Earth , the mass of our planet can be calculated. Once we know the mass of our planet, then knowing the size and period of Earth's orbit allows us to measure the mass of the sun . And knowing the mass of the sun allows us to measure the mass of everything in the Milky Way Galaxy interior to the sun's orbit. Measuring the gravitational constant The measurement of G was one of the first high-precision science experiments, and scientists are searching for whether it can vary at different times and locations in space, which could have big implications for cosmology. Story continues Arriving at a value of 6.67408 x10^11 m^3 kg^1 s^2 for the gravitational constant relied on a rather clever eighteenth-century experiment, prompted by surveyor's attempts to map the border between the states of Pennsylvania and Maryland . In England, the scientist Henry Cavendish (17311810), who was interested in calculating the density of the Earth, realized that the surveyor's efforts would be doomed to failure because nearby mountains would subject the surveyors' 'plumb-bob' (a tool that provided a vertical reference line against which the surveyors could make their measurements) to a slight gravitational pull, throwing off their readings. If they knew the size of G, they could calculate the gravitational pull of the mountains and amend their results. So Cavendish set about making the measurement, the most precise scientific measurement made up to that point in history. The English natural philosopher Henry Cavendish (1731-1810) built a torsion balance to measure the gravitational force between two large masses, so that he could make the first calculation of the mass of the Earth. The English natural philosopher Henry Cavendish (1731-1810) built a torsion balance to measure the gravitational force between two large masses, so that he could make the first calculation of the mass of the Earth. (Image credit: Science & Society Picture Library/Getty Images) His experiment was referred to as the 'torsion balance technique'. It involved two dumbbells that could rotate around the same axis. One of the dumbbells had two smaller lead spheres connected by a rod and hanging delicately by a fiber. The other dumbbell featured two larger 348-pound (158-kilogram) lead weights that could swivel to either side of the smaller dumbbell. When the larger weights were positioned close to the smaller spheres, the gravitational pull of the larger spheres attracted the smaller spheres, causing the fiber to twist. The degree of twisting allowed Cavendish to measure the torque (the rotational force) of the twisting system. He then used this value for the torque in place of the 'F' in the equation described above, and along with the masses of the weights and their distances, he could rearrange the equation to calculate G. Can the gravitational constant change? It is a source of frustration among physicists that "Big G" is not known to as many decimal points as the other fundamental constants. For example, the charge of an electron is known to nine decimal places (1.602176634 x 10^19 coulomb), but G has only been accurately measured to just five decimal points. Frustratingly, efforts to measure it to greater precision don't agree with one another . Part of the reason for this is that the gravity of things around the experimental apparatus will interfere with the experiment. However, there's also the niggling suspicion that the problem isn't simply experimental, but that there could be some new physics at work . It is even possible that the gravitational constant isn't quite as constant as scientists thought. Back in the 1960s, physicists Robert Dicke whose team was scooped to the discovery of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) by Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson in 1964) and Carl Brans developed a so-called scalar-tensor theory of gravity, as a variation of Albert Einstein 's general theory of relativity . A scalar field describes a property that can potentially vary at different points in space (an Earthly analogy is a temperature map , where the temperature is not constant, but varies with location). If gravity were a scalar field, then G could potentially have different values across space and time. This differs from the more accepted version of general relativity, which posits that gravity is constant across the universe. Motohiko Yoshimura of Okayama University in Japan proposed that a scalar-tensor theory of gravity could link cosmic inflation with dark energy. Inflation occurred fractions of a second after the birth of the universe, and spurred a brief but rapid expansion of space that lasted between 10^36 and 10^33 seconds after the Big Bang , inflating the cosmos from microscopic to macroscopic in size, before mysteriously shutting off. Illustration of the expansion of the universe. Illustration of the expansion of the universe. (Image credit: MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images) Dark energy is the mysterious force that is accelerating the expansion of the universe today. Many physicists have wondered if there could be a connection between the two expansionist forces. Yoshimura suggests that there is that they are both manifestations of a gravitational scalar field that was a lot stronger in the early universe , then weakened, but has come back strong again as the universe expands and matter becomes more spread out. Related Stories: Gravity: What is it? What is the Standard Model? Stronger gravity in the early universe may solve a cosmological conundrum However, attempts to try and detect any significant variations in G in other parts of the universe have so far found nothing. For example, in 2015, the results of a 21-year study of the regular pulsations of the pulsar PSR J1713+0747 found no evidence for gravity having a different strength compared to here in the Solar System. Both the Green Bank Observatory and the Arecibo radio telescope followed PSR J1713+0747, which lies 3,750 light years away in a binary system with a white dwarf . The pulsar is one of the most regular known, and any deviation from "Big G" would have quickly become apparent in the period of its orbital dance with the white dwarf and the timing of its pulsations. In a statement , Weiwei Zhu of the University of British Columbia, who led the study of PSR J1713+0747, said that "The gravitational constant is a fundamental constant of physics, so it is important to test this basic assumption using objects at different places, times, and gravitational conditions. The fact that we see gravity perform the same in our solar system as it does in a distant star system helps to confirm that the gravitational constant truly is universal." Additional Resources A review of the laboratory tests on gravity conducted by the Eot-Wash group at the University of Washington. A review of attempts to measure 'Big G' and what the results might mean. Britannica's definition of the gravitational constant. Bibliography "Precision measurement of the Newtonian gravitational constant." Xue, Chao, et al. National Science Review (2020). "The Curious Case of the Gravitational Constant." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2022). "Henry Cavendish." Britannica (2022). Follow Keith Cooper on Twitter @21stCenturySETI. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Once upon a time, the late, great Boston Celtics broadcaster, coach and champion forward Tommy Heinsohn legendarily compared Celtics reserve big man Greg Stiemsma to his friend and Hall of Fame Boston teammate Bill Russell for the formers shot-blocking ability. While that comparison MAY have been a bit over the top even for Heinsohn, Stiemsma still holds a place in the hearts of Celtics fans from that era. Unselected in the 2008 NBA draft, Stiemsma played overseas and in the D League (as the G League was known then) before injury created an opportunity with the Celtics for the Wisconsin product. While he never turned into a star or even a starter, he forged a nice if short NBA career on the strengths of that opportunity. Take a look at this short clip of his story with Boston as told by the good folks over at the Celtics Reddit podcast. Take a look at the clip embedded above to see it for yourself. Listen to the Celtics Lab podcast on: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi Related What potential Danilo Gallinari replacements might the Boston Celtics consider? Celtics legends Bill Russell and Red Auerbach give a lesson on getting rebounds Italy survives Nikola Jokic, sends Serbia home with 94-86 win, help from Celtics alum Luigi Datome Which players might the Boston Celtics lose in an expansion draft? Celtics president Brad Stevens makes honorable mention for Bleacher Report all-time best coach list of the modern NBA Celtics Lab 140: Does the NBA have enough talent to expand, and how might it affect the Boston Celtics if they did? List Celtics alumni Kevin McHale, Shaquille O'Neal make 'Filthiest signature moves of the modern NBA' list List Boston Celtics ranked just third in Marc Stein's latest NBA power rankings List Recent Bleacher Report trade proposal sees the Boston Celtics look west to replace Danilo Gallinari's minutes List PHOTOS: All of the Boston Celtics' draft picks since 2000 Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire This post contains spoilers for The Handmaids Tale Episode 2. Proceed accordingly. Well, the widow won this round. More from TVLine Episode 2 of The Handmaids Tales fifth season the second half of a two-episode premiere; read an Episode 1 recap here found Serena Joy Waterford somehow bending the American, Canadian and Gileadian governments to her will and pulling off a grand funeral in Gilead for Fred. Though Commander Waterford definitely didnt deserve the pomp and circumstance, greater forces were at work. Gileads ruling council considered the event, which would be televised abroad, an impressive postcard for the nascent republic. And Serena saw it as a way to stick it to her former handmaid/Freds killer, now free and living in Canada. To wit: After June and Luke had a date-day at the ballet, they shared a romantic kiss in Torontos city center and then looked up to see Freds funeral procession being broadcast on every giant screen in their proximity. And if that werent enough, Serena made a point of stopping by a group of school-age girls to accept a white bouquet from one of them. That girl? June and Lukes daughter, Hannah. Serena kissed her on the forehead and then looked directly into the camera, giving viewers a barely perceptible smile. We talked a lot about that final and we have a number of takes but that final image through that black veil, of Serena Joy and just how much that mouth curves into the slightest smile, executive producer Warren Littlefield tells TVLine. Yes, she wants to honor Fred, but this is Serena Joys stepping in and getting on the throne, and shes masterful. Shes powerful. Shes a great chess player. Meanwhile, in Toronto, an aghast June and Luke are thinking, Shes got her hand on my kid!' showrunner Bruce Miller notes, chuckling. Story continues The EPs add that Serena and Junes twisted relationship is at the center of the new season, which will offer insight into both the womens past and their future. And so it begins! Littlefield says. Season 5 is all about that gamesmanship. These are two people who hate each other, want at times to kill each other, have the ability to, and then theres also this fascinating respect that comes into play. What did you think of Serenas masterstroke in Episode 2? Sound off in the comments! Best of TVLine Get more from TVLine.com : Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Newsletter Click here to read the full article. One of the breakout stars of the 2020 election cycle was a young dad from Louisville, Kentucky: progressive representative Charles Booker, who took on the Democratic establishment candidate, Amy McGrath, in the primary. Both McGrath and Booker hoped to unseat Mitch McConnell, who happened to be up for re-election that year, a man whose been in the Senate for as long (37 years) as Charles Booker has been alive. With McGrath already raking in millions of dollars in donations thanks to a campaign ad highlighting her experience as a fighter pilot, Booker undertook a socially-distanced bus campaign, a journey not just to win the primary, but also to unite Kentuckians across racial boundaries, with the common goal of ending poverty in the state, one of the poorest in the nation. That journey is depicted in Pat McGees documentary From the Hood to the Holler, which takes its title from one of Bookers campaign slogans. Its also the title of his memoir and organization. Its the Charles Booker brand and a catchy one, too. Also Read: U.S. Senate Candidate Charles Booker Wears Noose in Pain of Our Past Campaign Ad (Video) McGees film follows the traditional political campaign documentary template: There are the fly-on-the-wall observations of tense election-night war-room confabs, and MSNBC appearances conducted via Skype on a smartphone from a moving bus, as well as the soaring drone shots of Kentuckys rolling green hills that make the film feel a bit like an expanded campaign ad. But then, Bookers allies and colleagues start weeping in the talking-head interviews, and it becomes clear that this is not just a shiny piece of campaign propaganda for Booker, who is running again, in 2022, this time against Rand Paul. From the Hood to the Holler is a surprisingly emotional film. Its not just that Kentuckians feel sold out by McConnell, who is an institution in the state, and its not just that Louisville became one of the epicenters of the Black Lives Matter movement after the death of Breonna Taylor. Its not just about the voter suppression that McGees cameras capture on election day in June 2020, voters literally pounding on the locked doors of the polling center to make their voices heard. Story continues Also Read: Disney to Allow Political Issue Ads on Hulu After Democratic Outcry Over Claims of Censorship Its about all of that, and ultimately, the movie, and the movement it captures, is a reckoning with what Kentucky means and a direct address of the assumptions and misconceptions about the state. Fundamentally, it is a searing soul-search for a new Kentucky whose interests might actually be represented in the Senate. And it is all wrapped up and represented by this kid from the West End of Louisville whom no one thought would make it through law school. McGees doc is structured so that it picks up momentum as Bookers campaign does. Booker got a later start than McGrath, who is tapped by establishment Dems to take on McConnell, but he quickly picks up steam in the wake of his leadership during the charged Black Lives Matter protests in Louisville (which McGrath fumbles) and thanks to his passionate, forthright speeches, seen early on in an address from the floor of the Kentucky House of Representatives as he speaks out against a bill to ban abortion in 2019. Bookers raw emotional power comes forth, and throughout the film we watch as he hones his personal storytelling to connect with voters on the campaign trail, from Louisville to Corbin, a former sundown town. The film tumbles giddily though a montage of late-breaking endorsements, from Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (truly the model for what Booker is doing in Kentucky), Elizabeth Warren and Hollywood power players like Ava DuVernay, Kerry Washington, Regina King and Kentuckys own Jennifer Lawrence. Also Read: Jennifer Lawrence Gets Candid on Gender Pay Gap and Roe v. Wade: I Cant F With People Who Arent Political Anymore Some of the transitions are a bit stilted, and the films present-tense presentation feels awkward (the news itself is a spoiler). We know how the primary ends, but it is a nail-biter to the very end, nevertheless, from a last-minute injunction called in to beg judges to allow polls to stay open longer for those voters caught in traffic to the weeklong process of counting the mail-in votes. The drama provided in the last hours of Bookers campaign is a true gift to the films climax, including an emotional and teary speech that he delivers to the voters on election night. But despite the ending, which subtly argues that Booker was the inspiring and class-conscious candidate who might have the grassroots power to unseat McConnell, From the Hood to the Holler ends on a high note. Its not just one film, or one election, or one win its a movement, as the energized subjects keep repeating. Justice is not a destination, its a journey, is one of the many resonant quotes shared by one of Bookers advisors and friends, and its a reminder that the fight is never-ending. What comes through clearly is that, while Booker may have traveled from the hood to the holler, his goal is to bring those two places together, to erase those stereotypes, to find common ground. Its not actually about the gulf between the hood and the holler, but what the hood and the holler might accomplish together that makes this moment, and this movement, so powerful. From the Hood to the Holler opens in U.S. theaters Sept. 16 and on demand Sept. 30. Lauren Boebert has been mocked for warning of wonton killings during a reading of a Bible passage. The GOP Representative was reading a passage from Romans that in The Message edition of the Bible refers to wanton killing. But video of the event shows the lawmaker from Colorado getting the phrase mixed up with the Chinese dumpling. I dont know what a wonton killing is, she said in the footage posted on Twitter by Patriot Takes. Im gonna have to look that one up, but it sounds interesting. Twitter users were quick to poke fun at the right-wing politician. Wonton killing is a shameful abuse of our civil rights by the gazpacho police, one user tweeted. Everyone should download the hit song Wonton Violence by the Notorious MSG to show solidarity. https://t.co/mJTfOmNRdi Denver Riggleman (@RepRiggleman) September 14, 2022 The thing about wonton killings is that you have to be careful where you dumpling the bodies, joked another. Another wrote: Everyone should download the hit song Wonton Violence by the Notorious MSG to show solidarity. It is not clear when the video was recorded, and The Message refers to itself as the Bible in contemporary language. Ms Boebert has been accused of holding extreme religious views and earlier this year called for an end to the separation of church and state in the US. Her view was condemned by Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger, who compared them to the Taliban. There is no difference between this and the Taliban. We must oppose the Christian Taliban. I say this as a Christian, he tweeted in June. A detective is torn between suspicion and attraction when he meets a mysterious and beautiful murder suspect in the first trailer for Decision to Leave, South Korean auteur Park Chan-wook's forthcoming noir. In the Oldboy director's first feature film in six years, Park Hae-il (The Host) stars as Hae-joon, a detective tasked with investigating the death of a businessman who plummets to his death from a mountain peak in South Korea. Hae-joon soon suspects that the businessman's wife Seo-rae, played by Tang Wei (Lust, Caution), may know more than she lets on. As seen below in EW's exclusive first look at the trailer, the enigmatic widow does not show outward signs of grief as she's questioned by police. A moment of laughter during the interrogation further perplexes detectives. As Hae-joon digs deeper into the investigation, he finds himself "trapped in a web of deception and desire, proving that the darkest mysteries lurk inside the human heart," per the film's official synopsis. The seductive romantic thriller, which features nods to Alfred Hitchcock's 1958 noir Vertigo and old Hollywood, is South Korea's entry for best international feature film at next year's 95th Academy Awards. Decision to Leave won Park the prestigious Best Director award at this year's Cannes Film Festival. It premiered at the Toronto Film Festival this month ahead of its Oct. 14 theatrical release. EW can also share a first look at the poster, below. Decision to Leave Mubi 'Decision to Leave' key art "Decision to Leave is a story for adults," Park says in a press release for the film. "It's a love story, and also a detective drama. But what I really want to emphasize is that it's a story about loss, that any adults will be able to relate to. Rather than treat it as a solid tragedy, I tried to express it with subtlety, elegance, and humor." Watch the trailer for Decision to Leave above. Related content: A Winnemucca man pleaded guilty Wednesday to assaulting law enforcement officers at the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Josiah Kenyon, 35, injured an officer with what appeared to be a table leg. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 15. Kenyon was dressed up as Jack Skellington, a character from the movie The Nightmare Before Christmas, when he attacked police. More than 870 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Jan. 6 riot. Approximately 400 of them have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors, and over 250 have been sentenced. A former Massachusetts town official also pleaded guilty after she organized a bus trip to Washington, D.C., for fellow members of a right-wing group called Super Happy Fun America. Before her guilty plea, Suzanne Ianni had argued in February that federal authorities had selectively targeted her for prosecution based on her political beliefs. Prosecutors said her political views played no role in charging her with crimes for her conduct at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. A judge rejected Iannis request to dismiss the case before she pleaded guilty. Ianni, 60, of Natick, Massachusetts, faces a maximum sentence of six months of imprisonment and five years of probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct in a Capitol building. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols is scheduled to sentence her on Dec. 2. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) launched a billboard campaign in several red states on Thursday, touting access to abortion in the Golden State. Just launched billboards in 7 of the most restrictive anti-abortion states that explain how women can access careno matter where they live, Newsom said in a tweet. To any woman seeking an abortion in these anti-freedom states: CA will defend your right to make decisions about your own health. The billboards going up in Texas, Indiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota and Oklahoma advertise the states new reproductive health website. The website, abortion.ca.gov, provides information about accessing abortion in California, including traveling to obtain an abortion. Newsom announced the websites launch on Tuesday, just hours after Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) unveiled new legislation for a 15-week national abortion ban. Newsoms new billboard campaign features slogans like Texas doesnt own your body. You do. and Need an abortion? California is ready to help. One billboard quotes the Bible typically cited by anti-abortion activists saying Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these. This is not Newsoms first foray into other states politics this election year, fueling rumors of a potential 2024 presidential run. The California governor, who is running for reelection this year, ran ads in Florida in early July, slamming Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and encouraging Floridians to move to California. Later that same month, Newsom ran ads in several Texas newspapers, criticizing Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on abortion access and gun violence. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A small community in rural North Dakota is searching for answers after a farmer was found dead in his wheat field along with three other men in what authorities described as a murder-suicide. The Towner County Sheriff's Office said its deputies were dispatched to a wheat field south of Cando on Monday, after receiving a report of four unresponsive individuals. All four men had died from apparent gunshot wounds and a .357-caliber revolver was found near one of the bodies, according to the sheriff's office. "Evidence from the scene indicates that this incident was a murder-suicide and there is no known threat to the public," the sheriff's office said in a statement Tuesday. MORE: 3 children, mother found dead in apparent murder-suicide, police say On Wednesday, the sheriff's office released the identities of the deceased: Douglas Dulmage, 56, of Leeds, North Dakota; Justin Bracken, 34, of Leeds, North Dakota; Richard Bracken, 64, of Leeds, North Dakota; and Robert Bracken, 59, of Cando, North Dakota. Related video: New 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is here Dulmage owned the property and lived with his wife and two daughters in nearby Leeds, a town of about 500 people. The other three men, who authorities believe are related, worked for Dulmage and were helping him harvest the wheat, according to Fargo ABC affiliate WDAY. Dulmage's body was found in his combine harvester, according to his close friend, Pat Traynor. "He was a pillar of the community; it's a total devastating loss," Traynor told WDAY. "He epitomized what it was like to be in the country, in terms of friendliness, kindness, empathy, people helping each other." MORE: Wyoming struggles for answers amid growing suicide rate Dulmage was also a volunteer firefighter in his hometown and a longtime member of the North Dakota Farm Bureau. He currently served as the president of the Benson County Farm Bureau. "It is hard to understand why something like this would happen in a rural farming community," NDFB President Daryl Lies, president of the North Dakota Farm Bureau, said in a statement Wednesday. "When evil presents itself, it can be devastating but we must remember there is more good than evil in our world. Doug's dedication to agriculture and love for his family will forever be remembered." Story continues The community is planning on helping the Dulmage family with harvesting the rest of the crop. "If we could all be a bit more like Doug, the world would be a much better place," Traynor told WDAY. North Dakota community shaken after farmer among 4 dead in suspected murder-suicide originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Marianite Sister Suellen Tennyson Peter Finney Jr./Clarion Herald Sister Suellen Tennyson A New Orleans nun is speaking out for the first time after she was kidnapped and held captive for five months in Africa. Marianite Sister Suellen Tennyson, 83, returned to Louisiana on Aug. 31 after being abducted by at least 10 armed men in Burkina Faso in April, according to the Clarion Herald, the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Sister Suellen was serving a mission at a convent in Yalgo when the pre-dawn attack took place, the Herald previously reported. Five months later, Sister Suellen was "freed peacefully" without ransom to the FBI, U.S. embassy and Air Force personnel in Niger, per the Herald's latest report. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free weekly newsletter to get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday. Sister Suellen told the outlet that she is deeply grateful to have survived the ordeal, and thankful for everyone who helped her return home safe and sound. "I am truly humbled by all of this," she said from the Archdiocese. "And the only way I can say thank you is 'thank you.' My heart is filled with gratitude." Sister Suellen was kidnapped from the medical mission residence in Yalgo, which she shared with two other Marianite sisters and multiple employees since 2013. Marianite Sister Suellen Tennyson, who was kidnapped from the convent of her educational and medical mission in Yalgo, Burkina Faso, Africa, in early April, has been found alive and is safe after nearly five months of captivity, Marianite Sister Ann Lacour, congregational leader of the Marianites, said Aug. 30. FBI Sister Suellen Tennyson After she was blindfolded and gagged, the attackers sat Sister Suellen on a motorcycle and drove for hours through West Africa before passing her off to a second group, the newspaper reported. RELATED: Mom 'Begging' to Have Journalist Son 'Home Before His Next Birthday' 10 Years After He Was Kidnapped in Syria While being held captive, the nun used paper and a red pen she was given to mark the days. She was not given any books, and relied on her memory to recite prayers and recall Bible verses. The nun had no clue where she was. Per the Herald, he recalled telling a captor at one point, "I can't run away I can't run, and I don't know the way!' " Story continues "Prayer sustained me," Sister Suellen told the outlet. "I went through my Mass every day. I did each part of the Mass and received spiritual Communion. During the day, at least three or four times a day, I would do a spiritual Communion. That was the thing that kept me going because I had nothing." Freedom came suddenly in August, when Sister Suellen was handed off to a new group of men in Niger, per the Herald. Initially, she was concerned that she was being traded off to another group of captors, but soon learned she was finally free. "One of the men came to me and said, 'You can take that jacket off.' And he turned to me and he said, 'You're free!' I said, 'What? I'm free? Who are you?' " Sister Suellen was medically transported back to Louisiana and has remained at a safe haven in the Archdiocese for the last two weeks. Marianite leader Sister Ann Lacour previously told the Herald that Sister Suellen was "totally worn out" following the ordeal. RELATED: She Was 8 When a Man Kidnapped Her and Killed Her Family. Now Shasta Groene Shares How She Survived It All "I told her how much people love her, and she doesn't have anything to worry about," Sister Ann said at the time. "I told her, 'You are alive and safe. That's all that matters.' " In recent years, Burkina Faso has seen a surge in what Human Rights Watch describes as "abuses committed by armed Islamist groups, state security forces during counterterrorism operations, and pro-government militias" that have led to the deterioration of human rights in the region. "Of particular concern are the gravity and number of armed Islamist group attacks against teachers, students, and schools," the organization says on its website, adding, "Few efforts have been made to hold those responsible for these abuses to account." Queen Elizabeth II Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth's personal glove maker is remember special moments with the monarch. Genevieve James the daughter of the late Cornelia James, whose namesake brand has designed the Queen's gloves since the 1940s told Hello! magazine that she was "quite sad and humbled" by the monarch's death on September 8. "I found out the news of the Queen's passing whilst on holiday in Greece on a boat," she recalled to the outlet. "I was in touch with a lady at home who helps me, who said that the Queen wasn't very well and that doctors had been called." "Then about an hour later, she phoned and told me the Queen had died. It was so strange two days before the prime minister was sworn in, and then suddenly she was gone," she continued. RELATED: Queen Elizabeth's Best Outfits: Her Most Iconic Looks of All Time Queen Elizabeth II Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty James also recalled a personal encounter with the Queen at a Buckingham Palace Christmas party, where she had the opportunity to sell goods to palace staff. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! "The Queen approached my stand, and I bowed and said, 'Your Majesty, I'm your glove maker.' She replied, 'I know exactly who you are,' and it was the best moment of my life," she remembered. "I was nothing to her, but she made me feel like I was quite important." For more on Queen Elizabeth, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day. "That's the sort of knack that she had. She was so much a people's person," James told Hello!. "When you talked to her, she made you feel like you were the only that counted. I don't think there will ever be a Queen like her again. I think we all thought that she was going to live forever. She was on the ball till the end." Queen Elizabeth II Alastair Grant/WPA Pool/Getty Queen Elizabeth II RELATED: Inside the Life and Death of Queen Elizabeth II: 'She Will Be Missed by So Many' Story continues James also reflected on the Queen's thoughtful nature during her mother's final days, sharing, "I always remember that when my mother was dying (my mother had cancer and was in a hospice), the palace rang up and said the Queen wanted to know how my mother was." She added, "I thought that was really quite thoughtful. We were just making her gloves really, but she wanted to know how my mother was doing. She cared about people. She had no airs or graces; she was very humble." RELATED VIDEO: Queen Elizabeth's Funeral Date and Details Announced by Buckingham Palace RELATED: Queen Elizabeth, the Longest-Reigning British Monarch, Dies at 96 James said it was "quite an honor" for the Queen to wear the company's gloves. "I felt immensely proud when I saw her wearing our gloves," she explained. "I remember when she went to London Fashion Week and sat next to American Vogue Editor Anna Wintour two Queens together and all the pictures were about the Queen. She was above everybody. She wasn't trendy, not anything, simply the Queen." Over the course of her 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth had a few fashion staples, from her signature handbag and gloves to pearl jewelry and her brightly-hued ensembles the monarch wore every color in the rainbow, and it was for a good reason. In the documentary, The Queen at 90, the Queen's daughter-in-law, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, said: "She needs to stand out for people to be able to say 'I saw the Queen.' Don't forget that when she turns up somewhere, the crowds are two, three, four, 10, 15 deep, and someone wants to be able to say they saw a bit of the Queen's hat as she went past." The devilishly-named Satanic Hispanics (watch the trailer above) is a new horror anthology movie which was inspired by a conversation between two of its directors, Mike Mendez (Big Ass Spider!) and Alejandro Brugues (Juan of the Dead). Satanic Hispanics Epic Pictures Satanic Hispanics "Alejandro jokingly said, 'When are we making Satanic Hispanics, the all-Latino horror anthology?' " Mendez recalls. "When he said it, it just resonated with me so hard. All I could think was, yeah, when are we making Satanic Hispanics, the all-Latino horror anthology? There's been so many different types of anthologies, it just seemed to make sense. From that moment, we paired up and said, let's do this. We gathered some of our favorite Latino indie-horror filmmakers we felt kick ass and we said, come join us." Satanic Hispanics Epic Pictures Satanic Hispanics In addition to Mendez and Brugues, Satanic Hispanics features the directorial talents of Eduardo Sanchez (The Blair Witch Project), Demian Rugna (Terrified), and Gigi Saul Guerrero (Culture Shock). The film's cast includes Efren Ramirez, Greg Grunberg, Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Jacob Vargas, Hemky Madera, Patricia Velasquez, Demian Salomon, Luis Machin, and Ari Gallegos. Satanic Hispanics will receive its world premiere at the upcoming Fantastic Fest in Austin, TX. "We were really happy with the people that we were able to get on board," says Mendez. "Then Epic (Pictures, the film's backers) green-lit it immediately, and here we are, racing to the finish line to premiere at Fantastic Fest in just over a week." In the film, police raid a house in El Paso, full of dead Latinos, and with only one survivor: The Traveler. When the cops him to the station for questioning, he tells them about the horrors he's encountered in his long time on this earth. Satanic Hispanics Epic Pictures "What we wanted to focus on were myths and legends of Latin America, because we felt like so many Hispanic projects are about cartels and the border," says Mendez. "But I do want to make this clear: it is a movie for everybody. It is an English language film. I wanted to make a fun horror movie that just happened to be about Latin lore and I think we've done that." Story continues From Epic Pictures and Dread, Satanic Hispanics is produced by Mendez, Brugues, and Patrick Ewald. The film is written by Alejandro Mendez, Demian Rugna, Adam Cesare, and Lino K. Villa Exclusively watch the trailer for Satanic Hispanics at the top of this post and see the film's poster below. Satanic Hispanics movie poster Epic Pictures Satanic Hispanics poster Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more. Related content: Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty The surge of emails began two weeks ago. The messagessome anonymous, others containing identical text but from four different people, still more from a person in New Jerseywere addressed to the town clerk of Shutesbury, Massachusetts, population 1,700. Each of the dozen-odd missives had a hostile tone and requested non-existent records from the 2020 election. They, and similar requests sent to other locales, have left election workers scratching their heads and wringing their hands. Shutesbury is a very small town, and as is the case in many rural communities, my elections office has only one employeeme, Shutesbury clerk Grace Bannasch told The Daily Beast. I am the resource. The more time I spend responding to requests for documents that dont exist, sent by strangers on the internet, the less time I have to spend addressing the needs of my neighbors. The impact these kinds of requests can have on small election offices can be overwhelming. Local clerks and election officials across the country are facing similar deluges of paperwork. In recent weeks, prominent election deniers have encouraged their followers to send unwieldy records requests to local officials, demanding documentation on the 2020 election. Conspiracy theorists like MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell claim those documents will reveal widespread election fraud. Instead, the latest effort to overturn the 2020 election has seen local clerks scrambling to find obscure or nonexistent documents, sometimes for out-of-state emailers who threaten them with legal action. Nicole Mickley, an elections worker in Carroll County, Ohio, said her office began receiving the copy-pasted emails this summerso many that she can break them down into 10 recognizable form letters. The first ones we started receiving in July had 12 different things they were looking for, all pertaining to the 2020 election, Mickley told The Daily Beast. They wanted our poll book records, ballots, absentee envelopes, correspondence between us and the state, things like that. Story continues Some of the requests, received in Ohio and elsewhere, included threats of lawsuits. Many of these requests appear to have originated from conspiracy podcaster Terpischore Tore Maras, who posted a form letter for records requests on her Telegram channel. I am an aggrieved citizen of the United States and of the state of [NAME OF STATE], and I am contemplating filing a lawsuit against the relevant parties pertaining to the continuing concerns I have regarding the integrity of all elections that took place after December 31, 2019, reads the document, which instructs officials to preserve all election-related documents from 2020 and beyond. The threat of a lawsuit is important. In Ohio, where Mickley and Maras live, elections officials are instructed to retain certain documents for 22 months, after which they may be destroyed unless they are part of a pending court action or order. Other states have similar 22-month deadlines, with some jurisdictions like California requiring the records be destroyed after the deadline passes. Sept. 3 was the 22-month deadline for records on the 2020 presidential electionhence the mountain of late-summer paperwork as Stop The Steal influencers rallied their fans to meet the deadline. Michael Henrici, a commissioner of elections in New Yorks Otsego County, said the legal threats could further complicate the process and slow down local offices. People who are just getting this in their inbox blind, I know that has upset people, Henrici told The Daily Beast. Depending on how your office works, it can gum things up because then it becomes a back-and-forth where you go to your county attorney about Do we have to answer this? Can we answer this? But even after the 22-month deadline, conspiracy theorists like Maras have encouraged followers to request documents in bulk. It seems that ELECTION OFFICIALS are upset people are demanding they hold on to records, respond to records and answer questions, Maras wrote on Sept. 7. It's hard to WORK for the peopleand now that they have to WORK - they complain. IF THEY WERE TRANSPARENT then people wouldnt be demanding records or retainment .. . So instead they seek to silence the people either by BULLUYING them or demanding the LAW stop them? LOL It's becoming super fun. GUM up the system? Maybe they should do their jobs. Maras, who is fighting a personal battle with Ohio election officials, did not return a request for comment. This year, she attempted to run for Ohio secretary of state, but did not receive enough signatures to earn a spot on the ballot. In August, she took her case to court, where a judge upheld the decision to keep her name off the ballot. Maras said she would appeal the ruling. On the morning of the court date, she encouraged her followers to send record requests in her stead. While I am in my hearing please do this and tell your friends to do it. Mail it off and emailcall and assert your rights, she wrote on Telegram. Records requests are part of the job, and Mickley said she takes each one seriously. But responding takes time, which is particularly short during the election season. Working these requests into our already tight and busy schedule is extremely burdensome, she said. The broad nature of some of the requests exacerbates the problem. If its just a data cache, then its just a matter of putting it on a disc and sending it out, Henrici, the Otsego commissioner said. Others are asking for copies of just everything; theyre blanket requests. They want every scrap of paper, a copy of your ballot, the tapes from the machines, which can be 10 feet long, so then its interesting as to how you put that onto a copier. Bannasch, the Shutesbury clerk, said many emails referred to documents that dont even exist in her jurisdiction. In the past two weeks, shes received nearly a dozen requests that she describes as predatory, which she defined via email as requests that are 1: it is implicitly or overtly hostile, 2: it is submitted simultaneously or successively to multiple election offices, 3: it is asking for records that either wholly or partially do not exist. A recent, popular form letter requests cast vote records, an obscure tabulation document that varies with jurisdictions voting laws and technology. Lindell, who has repeatedly pushed false conspiracy theories since the 2020 election, has called on followers to request the cast vote records from local election offices. Reached by phone, Lindell told The Daily Beast that those records would finally prove voter fraud. All of them are coming through criminal. Ninety-seven percent of the cast vote records show election crime, Lindell said. This is objectively untrue. Lindell said he wasnt asking followers to request other documents. Its called the Freedom of Information Act, the pillow magnate said. I cant help what other people ask for. Election workers, meanwhile, said theyve spent years trying to make the vote more transparent. I think the thing thats bothered me the most about some of these emails is that theyre implying that, by us not jumping on their requests right away, or simply because were election workers that were somehow not being transparent or were hiding things from our voters. That couldnt be further from the truth, Mickley said. Before every election, her office holds public tests of voting procedures, which people are free to observe. We advertise it, I personally invite people, she said. In the three years Ive been here, I believe Ive done seven public tests. Ive only ever had one person show up to one. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. David Byrne and Lexi Perkel in John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch John Mulaneys 2019 Netflix special John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch brought together a variety of celebrity guests to make the childrens musical spectacular, including Jake Gyllenhaal, Natasha Lyonne, and Richard Kind. On account of his admitted lack of musical ability, the comedian also recruited David Byrne to help out with the song Pay Attention and make a papier-mache volcano. The legendary Talking Heads frontman leaned into the shows whimsical tone, gamely donning neon novelty sunglasses and an Elsa from Frozen costume while performing alongside one of the Sack Lunch Bunchs young stars. There is, however, one thing he wouldnt do: wear an oversized suit in the style of Stop Making Sense. Byrnes appearance in the 1984 concert film became an enduring part of the bands iconography, but a new interview with the Washington Post notes that he turned down Mulaneys request to revisit the fit. Read more The multi-hyphenate is currently launching a lightly autobiographical immersive theater installation called Theater Of The Mind, but Byrne has often been hesitant to engage with his previous work. He is known for seeking out varied opportunities for his art, whether that be a color guard show or a duet with Selena. John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch ended up compromising by putting Byrnes pint-sized scene partner Lexi Perkel in an adults suit to mimic the memorable look. I wanted my head to appear smaller, and the easiest way to do that was to make my body look bigger, Byrne described while promoting Stop Making Sense. Because music is very physical, and often the body understands it before the head. Byrne mostly wore his own more contemporary wardrobe in John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch, and considering that involved regular suits in eye-catching shades of pink and blue, hes still having plenty of fun with clothes without looking to his past. Theater Of the Mind is now open at the Denver Center Of The Performing Arts through December 18. Donald Trumps outside spending arm has paid $3 million to cover attorney Chris Kises legal work representing the former president, according to three people familiar with the arrangement. The $3 million paid by Save America PAC is a significant sum, and comes as Trump faces a number of federal and state probes that will require substantial legal help. It may not cover all the work Kise will do for Trump. Kise is representing the former president on both the Justice Departments probe of the Jan. 6 attack and on the investigation of the sensitive documents Trump brought with him to Mar-a-Lago after his presidency ended. Kise was previously Floridas solicitor general, and has won multiple victories at the U.S. Supreme Court. He has close ties to Florida Republican politicians and is viewed as a competent and serious lawyer. Trump has long struggled to build strong legal teams, given his history of stiffing attorneys who represent him. Kises decision to represent him was viewed as a significant boon for the ex-president. Its unclear if the sum paid by Save America PAC is going directly to Kise or if it has been placed in an account that Kise will bill as he works for Trump. Kise left the firm Foley and Lardner and set up his own firm, Chris Kise & Associates, in order to take Trump as a client. Save America made the payment as he was going through that complex process, so its unclear if the payment went to a financial vehicle controlled by his brand new firm or one controlled by another entity. A spokesperson for Trump and Save America did not respond to requests for comment. Kise did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Save America itself is facing scrutiny from the Justice Department. Last week, numerous grand jury subpoenas asked people in Trump world about the PACs fundraising and spending activities. The language in those subpoenas was broad, according to reports, and also asked witnesses for information about a host of people linked to Trumps efforts to reverse the outcome of the 2020 presidential contest. Story continues Trump set up Save America on Nov. 9, 2020 two days after Election Day and has used it as a key post-presidential fundraising vehicle. Since its launch, Save America PAC has brought in more than $135 million. And its work has become a focus of the Jan. 6 select committee. In the panels second public hearing, as NPR detailed, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) noted that Trump urged donors to support an Official Election Defense Fund. She said the committee learned that the fund did not exist, and that instead much of the money Trump raised in the wake of the election went to Save America. Two organizations helmed by former top Trump White House aides have received checks for $1 million from Save America, according to the Jan. 6 committee. Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows heads one of the groups, and former White House aide Brooke Rollins is the president and CEO of the other. The PAC also paid $5 million to the company that ran Trumps rally on the morning of Jan. 6, according to the committee]. Throughout the committee's investigation, we found evidence that the Trump campaign and its surrogates misled donors as to where their funds would go and what they would be used for, Lofgren said at the committees second hearing. So not only was there the Big Lie, there was the Big Rip-off. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suffered no serious injuries from a car crash early Thursday morning in Kyiv, his press secretary said in a statement. According to Sergii Nykyforov, another car collided with the presidents car and his escort vehicles. The president was examined by a doctor, no serious injuries were found, the statement said. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suffered no serious injuries from a car crash early Thursday morning in Kyiv. (Photo: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suffered no serious injuries from a car crash early Thursday morning in Kyiv. (Photo: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) The driver of the other vehicle received emergency aid from Zelenskyys medics and was transferred to an ambulance. Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the incident. Earlier on Wednesday, Zelenskyy visited Izium, a city in the northeastern Kharkiv region that Ukraine recently retook from Russia during a counteroffensive. As Zelenskyy sang the national anthem, the Ukrainian flag was raised in front of the blackened city hall. Much of the area was left devastated during the nearly six months of Russian occupation. Zelenskyy aims to virtually address the United Nations General Assembly next week. Russia is seeking to block his speech. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a soldier in newly retaken Izyum, published on Zelenskyy's Telegram on September 14 2022. Office of the President of Ukraine/Telegram Zelenskyy's motorcade was in a crash but he escaped without major injury, his spokesman said. The Ukrainian president was in Kyiv, after visiting from a newly recaptured city. Police are investigating the circumstances, the spokesman said. A car crashed into Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's motorcade but the president did not have any serious injuries, Zelenskyy's spokesman said early Thursday morning local time. A doctor accompanying the Zelenskyy examined him after the crash and found "no serious injuries," Sergii Nykyforov, the president's press secretary, said in a statement. Medics who were travelling with Zelenskyy gave "emergency aid" to the driver of the car that crashed into the motorcade and put him in an ambulance, Nykyforov said. Nykyforov did not clarify exactly when the crash happened, but said that it happened in Kyiv, Ukraine's capital. Zelenskyy said after Nykyforov's update that he had returned to Kyiv from his trip to visited newly retaken territory in Kharkiv. Ukrainian police will look into the circumstances of the crash, Nykyforov said. He did not speculate as to any cause. Zelenskyy visited the newly retaken city of Izyum on Wednesday, which was retaken as part of Ukraine's massive counterattack in the region. Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that Ukraine has retaken around 1,500 square miles (4,000 square kilometers) of the country back from Russia. Zelenskyy shared a video address early on Thursday, in which he did not mention the crash. He said he had returned from his trip and thanked the soldiers he had met on the front line. He said in the address: "As of today, almost the entire region is de-occupied. It was an unprecedented movement of our warriors." He shared further posts of him greeting troops and visiting public spaces. His trip to Izyum is the latest in a series of his risky trips to greet Ukrainian troops, which stand in a marked contrast to President Vladimir Putin, who has not been documented visiting any of the fighting. Story continues The crash will have been a jarring event to the president's security team. He made the trip despite having said, at the outbreak of war, that he was Putin's "No.1 target." According to the Times of London, 400 mercenaries were dispatched to hunt him down in Kyiv in February. And in April, when Russian forces neared Kyiv, the president and his staff feared both a missile strike and even a deadly gas attack. Read the original article on Business Insider Harriet Hageman is the environmental lawyer who defeated incumbent Rep. Liz Cheney by a landslide in Wyomings much-watched Republican House primary. Hageman, who will surely trounce token Democratic opposition in the general election, is now getting ready to take office. She was in Washington last month not for that preparation, but to argue in a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency over its disastrous actions causing the Gold King Mine disaster in Colorado in 2015. Thats the kind of thing she does in her life as a lawyer. While in Washington, Hageman sat down for an interview about the race against Cheney how she won, what it means, and what she plans to do when she takes office. How did she beat Cheney? Two reasons. One is, Im a good candidate, and Im going to be a good member of Congress, Hageman said. The other was: Hageman ran a race centered on Wyoming. She discussed her 30-plus years as an attorney working on water and natural resources issues, property rights, constitutional rights, representing the states ranchers, farmers, energy producers and more. I have been fighting for Wyoming, Hageman said. I wasnt just running against Liz Cheney, which I think is what some people, especially back in D.C., might think. I was running for Wyoming. I was running to address the issues that are important to us. Thats how to win in Wyoming. Cheneys biggest problem, as Hageman saw it, was that many voters believed she had become disconnected from Wyoming. Cheney was seldom in the state, Hageman said, and never answered for her votes, never answered for the decisions she made. Cheney, Hageman concluded, simply abandoned Wyoming, [and] I think what it exposed was that she had used Wyoming for the last six years as a mechanism to get power, but she didnt actually represent Wyomings interests. Thats how you lose races, when voters become convinced that you have gone Washington, that you are focused inside the Beltway, that you have forgotten the people who sent you there. So Hageman won. Now what? A conversation with her reveals the depths of her feelings about her home state, especially its natural resources, and a broad suspicion about the motives and competence of federal regulatory agencies that routinely tell Wyomingites how to use those resources. The state is the largest producer of coal in the nation more than three times as much as West Virginia and six times as much as Pennsylvania and one of the largest producers of oil and natural gas. It has huge deposits of uranium and is a major cattle producer. Hageman likes to say that Wyoming puts food on your table, gas in your car, a roof over your head, and it paves your highways, too. The problem is, a lot of people involved in those industries coal, oil and gas, mining, beef feel under attack from the Democratic administration and the liberal activist groups that support the administration. They feel that way, of course, because they are under attack. Wyoming is one of the largest targets of the Biden administration in terms of attempting to destroy our economy, Hageman says. So her goal in Congress is to stop that, or at least fight back. Ask her for specifics, and she goes into detail not just about coal and oil and gas, but about things like the Roadless Rule, by which the government bans timber cutting and most other uses of federal land. (Forty-eight percent of Wyomings land is owned by the federal government.) She speaks at length about BLM, by which she means not Black Lives Matter but the federal Bureau of Land Management. She can discuss in great detail the issue of RFID ear tags devices that federal regulators want to require for every head of cattle in Wyoming. These are not flashy, sexy issues that attract news coverage in Washington, which has instead been consumed by the made-for-TV episodes of Cheneys Jan. 6 committee. But they are issues about which many Wyomingites have strong feelings. For years, Hageman has given a speech she calls Regulation Without Representation. Congress has abdicated its lawmaking role to the federal regulatory agencies, she says. It is time to cut down and pull back those agencies power and reach, and have Congress return to its proper role of making laws that are then enforced by the executive branch. Its a classic conservative critique of the regulatory state and government overreach. And that is a very popular view in, among other places, Wyoming. Harriet Hageman talked about it a lot in the recent campaign. Liz Cheney talked about Jan. 6. As for Hageman and Donald Trump, she certainly benefited from the former presidents endorsement. The last time the two talked was the day after the election He was pretty happy, Hageman says. Asked if she wants Trump to run for president in 2024 remember that he won Wyoming with 70% of the vote in 2020 Hageman said, If he chooses to do that, I would support him. Asked again if she wants that to happen, she said, I miss President Trump. His policies were really incredible for the United States, and they were especially incredible for Wyoming. Those are obviously controversial comments outside the 70% of Wyomingites who voted for Trump. But Hageman saw, and sees, Trump in terms of issues, not controversy. She recalled that when she first met and talked to Trump when he was president, they talked about regulatory reform and energy independence. Those were, of course, two big priorities of the Trump administration, and they are two big priorities, probably the biggest priorities, of Harriet Hageman the lawyer, congressional candidate and, come next year, Wyomings next member of the House of Representatives. A child and his grandmother were seriously injured by a pair of pit bulls that attacked them in a backyard in Colorado on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said. The incident occurred at approximately 3:35 p.m. local time in the city of Golden, a former gold rush town at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The Golden Police Department said it received a 911 call about a 12-year-old boy who had been attacked by dogs but managed to escape and run to a neighbor's house. "The young male was at a neighbors house, where he sought help from neighbors and emergency services were called," police said in a statement on Wednesday. MORE: Deaf dog named Hobo falls 100 feet into ravine, has life saved by 5 rescuers in hourslong rescue Upon arriving on scene, the officers found blood leading into the residence where the incident took place. They entered the backyard, where they saw two pit bulls attacking an older woman, according to police. "During the rescue, Golden Police Officers placed themselves between the dogs and the victim," police said. "Officers challenged both dogs verbally and ultimately utilized tasers and less lethal shotguns to attempt to create distance between the victim and dogs." MORE: Man left 3-month-old Husky puppy with mouth taped shut inside hot car while he gambled at Las Vegas casino The officers repeatedly tried to approach the victim, but the dogs circled the officers each time, according to police. "Additional officers arrived on scene and were able to hold off the dogs while rescuing the victim from the backyard to awaiting paramedics that were staged in the kitchen of the home," police said. MORE: Man dies after reportedly chasing dog into traffic, being hit by car The 89-year-old woman was immediately transported with critical injuries to St. Anthony's Hospital in Lakewood, about 10 miles southeast of Golden. Her grandson was transported with serious injuries to St. Anthony's Hospital but ultimately airlifted to Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora, about 15 miles east of Lakewood. Story continues Police said the dogs involved in the attack are known to the two victims. The animals "are currently contained and are not a threat to the public," according to police. The incident remains under investigation. 2 pit bulls attack boy and grandmother, police say originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Thousands in London wait in line to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II, who is lying in state in Westminster Hall, and people across the world have joined to remember and honor the ruler as a strong female figure for her service and duty during her reign. But some argue the celebrations of the queen's life have obscured the lingering and debilitating consequences of Britain's colonial past, as well as the monarchy's failure to properly own up to this history. Across the Commonwealth nations, her death has prompted the lowering of flags and mourning while also reigniting longstanding calls for a formal apology, reparations, and even independence from the monarchy. It has also raised questions over how to reconcile the contradiction inherent in the queen's symbolism as a "moral leader of a corrupt regime," according to Dr. Niambi Hall-Campbell Dean, who chairs the Bahamas National Reparations Committee. MORE: Death of Queen Elizabeth II prompts debate about the monarchy's legacy, future "I think people recognize that she has died, and honor and give respect to that mourning," Hall-Campbell Dean told ABC News. "But I think that her legacy is complicated because the legacy of colonization is complicated." The legacy of British colonial rule, which brought on centuries of slavery, continues to pervade daily life in its former colonies. PHOTO: Bert Samuels, who identifies as a Pan-Africanist, is an attorney at law and member of Jamaica's National Council on Reparations. (ABC News) Bert Samuels, an attorney and member of Jamaica's Reparations Council, said there is a direct line between slavery in the Caribbean and the intergenerational poverty and systemic underinvestment in health and education that still plague its populations. After slavery ended in Jamaica, formerly enslaved people, including Samuels' great, great, great grandfather, left the plantations with no property to their name. "We left the plantation on the first of August 1838, without any land, without education, and without any money," he told ABC News. "That is how nation building began in this impoverished island of Jamaica." Story continues "Yes, slavery is 184 years in the past, but we are still feeling the effects," he added. Samuels also pointed to the royal family's alleged treatment of Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, who is biracial, as a modern instantiation of racism in the British monarchy. The duchess accused The Firm, as the British Royal Family is known as, of ignoring her pleas for help when she suffered suicidal ideation and claimed an unnamed royal had concerns about her unborn baby's skin color in a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey. "How can I as a self-respecting African Jamaican, celebrate the life of someone who headed an institution which practiced racism not only in the past but in the present?" Samuels said. In response to the allegations, Buckingham Palace said in a statement last March that the royal family was saddened to learn the "full extent" of Harry and Meghan's experiences. The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately," the palace wrote. The queen never formally apologized for British colonialism. At the ceremony in November marking the end of the queen's status as Barbados' head of state, Prince Charles, who is now king, acknowledged "the appalling atrocity of slavery" in the former British colony but stopped short of a formal apology. MORE: Anger over past, indifference meet queen's death in India With King Charles III now on the throne, however, historians say the monarchy has the opportunity to chart a new path by seeking atonement for past injustices. "In the course of the last 70 years we have seen our society become one of many cultures and many faiths. The institutions of the State have changed in turn," King Charles III said in his first speech as king. Multiple Commonwealth nations, including Jamaica and the Bahamas, have demanded reparations from Britain and signaled their intentions to remove the British monarch as their head of state, which would require a referendum. PHOTO: Millicent Barty pretests designs for Kastom Stori Taem (Story Time), a project she founded which aims to preserve Indigenous storytelling traditions and pass on national stories to younger generations through oral and pictorial techniques. (Courtesy Millicent Barty) "We are no longer in a time where visiting school children and shaking hands is sufficient," Hall-Campbell Dean said. "[The queen's] passing does not really serve to move the reparations movement forward or backward, because the movement is not necessarily about her as an individual, but about the monarchy and the regime that she was in charge of," she said. Millicent Barty who lives in the Solomon Islands, a former British colony, and has spent years working to preserve Indigenous storytelling traditions said the work of decolonization requires a "systemic lens" and not "personifying" the system. While acknowledging Britain's history of colonial violence towards Indigenous peoples, Barty said she deeply admired the queen as an individual and even met her as a Queen's Young Leader in 2018. "If you truly understand Indigenous perspectives around connection and relations, it's not about individualizing things. It's all about the collective. It's all about the whole," she said to ABC News. "I think that helps in separating the individual, the queen, from the monarchy, which is the system," she added. "I'm not a great fan of that system, but I am a great fan of Her Majesty, our late Queen, just because of the service that she embodies and the symbol that she represents for a lot of us." People in former colonies conflicted over Queen Elizabeth's legacy, Britain's colonial past originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Telfar fans were sent into a frenzy recently after it was announced that the brand was taking over a Rainbow store location in Brooklyn during New York Fashion Week. The unisex fashion label announced that it would be filling the Fulton Street store in Downtown Brooklyn with thousands of bags in every size and every color for one day only -- all available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The popular tote being sold was Telfar's signature Shopping Bag, which has become one of the fashion industry's most in-demand designer bags in recent years. While bags sold out at the Rainbow pop-up in a matter of hours, the designer surprised everyone by announcing a second online Rainbow drop, scheduled for Sept. 23. PHOTO: Designer Telfar Clemens chats with ABC News' Janai Norman to discuss his road to success as well as his brand's recent Rainbow pop-up shop takeover in Brooklyn. (ABC News) Celebrities such as Gabrielle Union-Wade and Zoe Kravitz have been spotted flaunting the "It" bags. It's also been listed as one of Oprah Winfrey's "Favorite Things" as well as referenced on one of Beyonce's latest tracks from her album "Renaissance." The designer behind the highly acclaimed bag, Telfar Clemens, spoke to ABC News' Janai Norman about seeing celebrities such as Beyonce wearing his products. "I'm a huge fan of Beyonce, a huge fan of the Knowles family in general," he said. While he happily accepts the celebrity love, Clemens also said there isn't any validation that someone else could give him that he also wouldn't give to himself. "I don't have any kind of role model that's like, 'Oh, I want to be that,' " he said. "You know, if anything it's like, I don't want to be like anyone else, you know?" "For a long time," he added, "people weren't clapping for what we were doing." PHOTO: Fashion designer Telfar Clemens acknowledges the applause of the audience at Telfar fashion show during Pitti Immagine Uomo 97 at Fortezza Da Basso, Jan. 9, 2020. in Florence, Italy. (Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) Born in Queens to Liberian immigrant parents, Clemens didn't initially think he would end up in the world of fashion. He pointed out that he isn't a trained designer and thought he'd have a career as an accountant. "I always was interested in fashion," said Clemens. "I didn't know a fashion designer was an actual job that I could be." Clemens launched his eponymous line in 2005. He said his signature logo was inspired by a first-grade teacher who gave him a monogram of his initials. Story continues The logo now appears on everything from clothing to outwear. However, it was the Shopping Bag that he debuted in 2014 that took his brand to new heights, surging in popularity during the pandemic. The inspiration behind the bag came from Clemens seeing people during the holiday season carrying lots of different shopping bags and thinking how happy they looked. "One bag that was specifically just so beautiful was the Bloomingdale's shopping bag," he said. PHOTO: Gabrielle Union is seen filming 'The Perfect Find,' June 30, 2021, in New York. (Bauer-Griffin/GC Images via Getty Images) Clemens' version of the timeless shopping bag is made from vegan materials with prices that range from $150 - $257. Keeping prices accessible has been a priority for the designer. "I'm like the customer. At the end of the day, I'm like, 'I know what someone between a certain age group has in their pocket,' " he said. MORE: Anne Hathaway channels 'Devil Wears Prada' character during New York Fashion Week Living by the brand's motto, "Not for you -- for everyone," Clemens often showcases his brand's diehard fans by often featuring them on Telfar's social media and digital TV channels, which he sees as a way to directly speak to them and unveil his latest collections. PHOTO: A guest wears a royal blue shiny leather Telfar large shoulder bag, during the Bluemarble show, during Paris Fashion Week Menswear Spring Summer 2023, June 21, 2022, in Paris. (Edward Berthelot/Getty Images) Clemens' empire has in recent years collaborated with companies like UGG, Eastpak, Moose Knuckles and more, and his label was the one responsible for fast food chain White Castle's uniforms. The designer has also created looks for the Liberian Olympic team, which gave his unisex line a platform to be seen on the world stage. Telfar bags take over Brooklyn at Rainbow pop-up shop during New York Fashion Week originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com FORT WALTON BEACH A Fort Walton Beach High School student is accused of sending a photo of himself holding a knife in a group chat and threatening to kill another student. The 15-year-old is charged with sending a threat to kill or injure, a first-degree felony, according to an Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office news release. Student at Choctaw High arrested: Choctaw High School student arrested after classmate says he threatened her with pocketknife More about school safety: Okaloosa school resource officers trained to not 'hesitate' in active shooter situations The Sheriff's Office began investigating Tuesday after receiving a tip from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Deputies said the 15-year-old directed the message at another student who he said was being disrespectful toward a female classmate. The 15-year-old admitted to sending "threatening messages" to a group chat but refused to provide the name of the student he was threatening or the name of the female classmate he claimed to be standing up for, according to his arrest report. "I want to again emphasize that any threat involving students or school safety is taken seriously and thoroughly investigated, and substantiated threats will result in an arrest," Sheriff Eric Aden said. "I also want to thank students who come forward to make sure these situations are reported and checked out. If you see something, say something." This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Fort Walton Beach High School student charged with sending threat Sep. 14MEXICO Alexa von Holtz broke through another barrier for the Mexico High School girls swimming team before starting her senior season. The Section 3 standout recently verbally committed to swim for Division I Ball State University next year, making her intentions known early this summer well in advance of her sixth and final varsity season. Entering with a slew of records and milestone achievements already accrued, von Holtz will guide the new combined Mexico/Oswego girls swim team into its season opener on Sept. 13 at Skaneateles. She is believed to be the first girls swimmer from Mexico to secure a Division I athletic scholarship, according to athletic director Andrew Gates, though the program has produced past walk-ons and multiple Division II scholarship athletes. Alexa von Holtz and her father, Dave, spent months researching offers from a variety of college teams at different levels before she ultimately decided to join the Cardinals of the Mid-American Conference. "It was definitely a stressful time, and I just hope that I can make it easier on the girls coming up knowing what I know now," Alexa von Holtz said. The von Holtz family created a spreadsheet as recruiting offers started coming in, accounting for each school's conference, proximity to home, acceptance rate, and graduation rate, among other key factors. After narrowing down to a final three choices, they further dissected each program and sifted through record boards to find the ideal situation to be challenged while having a chance to contribute to team scoring. "It was definitely tense at times, just trying to figure out what is the best choice from all the offers that were out there," said Dave von Holtz, who is also entering his first season as Mexico head coach after six years as an assistant. "I think ultimately between the financial incentive and the conference, and the program overall, Ball State just stood out. As a father, it was the farthest one from home, so that was the only hard part." Story continues Alexa von Holtz plans to study pre-med and the academic program she will enter played a prominent role in her decision. She pointed to the appeal of the campus community in Muncie, Ind. Von Holtz also quickly identified a strong fit with Ball State head coach Jeremy 'J.' Agnew, comparing him to former Mexico coach, Shawn Parkhurst, who stepped down at the end of last season. "They have a beautiful campus, and the coach is awesome," von Holtz said. "He reminds me a lot of (Parkhurst). One of the things he told me was that no matter what, he's always going to be rooting for me, and that was kind of like that: 'A ha. This is the coach for me.'" Alexa von Holtz has an aunt living less than an hour from her soon-to-be new home and will coincidentally be joined by a former Section 3 competitor, Kayla Newman. The fellow verbal commit from the same recruiting cycle began her varsity swim career at Syracuse Christian Brothers Academy before moving out of the area. Newman now competes for Highland Park High School in Illinois. "We swam opposite events, but we'd always talk on the deck, and she is such a great person to be around," von Holtz said. "I'm excited to finally be on a team with her." The Mexico senior enters the upcoming season with five Section 3 Class B records in her possession, per the marks listed at section3swim.com. She tops the all-time lists for for the 100 butterfly (55.4 seconds), 200 freestyle (1:52.63), 200 individual medley (2:04.20), 100 free (52.12), and 100 backstroke (58.37). Her record in the 100 fly stands atop Section 3 for all combined classes. Alexa von Holtz became the first girls swimmer in school history to advance to the state championships during her inaugural varsity season as a seventh grader, and she has reached every state meet conducted since. As a junior last season, von Holtz finished third in the 200 IM and sixth in the 100 fly to reach two podiums at the state Class B meet. She identified returning as a state place finisher and garnering All-American status after narrowly missing the cut last year as individual objectives for the upcoming season. She is also aiming to contribute to another team relay at states after the Tigers sent at least one relay squad to back-to-back state meets in 2019 and 2021. "I'd love to be an All-American," von Holtz said. "Last year I made the consideration cut, but I was a little off from making All-American. I definitely want to make that list this year and I think I'll have a chance in multiple events to hit it." Jason Momoa didn't shave his whole head, but he did lose enough of his long locks to rock a new scalp tattoo. In a video posted to Instagram Wednesday, the "Aquaman" star wears a top hat as he gets ready to board a flight on Hawaiian Airlines, which serves his aluminum-bottled Mananalu Water instead of plastic. The actor teased last week in a Instagram video that he was shaving his head to make a statement on the importance of eliminating single-use plastics. He never revealed the final look until now. "I got something special for ya," Momoa said before taking off the hat to show off the left side of his head shaved from front to back and adorned with a traditional Hawaiian tattoo. The rest of his hair was pulled back into a ponytail. The actor, who founded the bottled water company, said in his video he was "proud to be Hawaiian" and praised Hawaiian Airlines for supporting his environmental mission. "I love you for this," he said while holding up his bottled water. "Chief of war coming baby!" he added as people off-camera cheered on the new look. Momoa is set to write and star in a new Apple drama series called "Chief of War," Variety reported in April. The series will tell the story of the unification and colonization of Hawaii from an indigenous point of view. Jason Momoa haircut: Actor shaves his signature long locks to make a statement: 'Hand me those braids' In his caption, Momoa tagged traditional tattooist Sulu'ape Keone Nunes, and noted the artistic piece was "a true honor." The tattooist also shared a picture with Momoa and wrote: "I have known Jasons father Joe since high school and started talking to Jason over 20 years ago on doing work on him. With family and friends to support him, yesterday was the first step in his journey." Related video: Jason Momoa visits Hawaiian protestors blocking massive telescope in 2019 Fans seemed to like his new look, and were thankful he didn't lose it all. Story continues "Dope!! Thought the whole hair was cut off," wrote one fan. More Momoa: Jason Momoa thanks fans for giving his family 'space' and 'privacy' following split from Lisa Bonet Jason Momoa attends the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, California. Last Monday, Momoa caused quite the buzz when he posted a clip of a hair stylist taking an electric razor to his long, wavy hair a signature look for the 43-year-old actor. In the clip, Momoa winced as the hair fell off. "Hand me those braids," he said as someone off camera passed over two braided ponytails for the actor to show off. The stunt was the "Games of Thrones" star's latest effort to create awareness for the overuse of plastics. "Im tired of these plastic bottles, weve got to stop, he said in the earlier video. "Plastic forks. All that (stuff) just goes into our land, goes into our ocean." "It's just so sad," he added. "Please do anything you can do to eliminate single-use plastics in your life. Help me." Momoa previously shaved off his signature goatee to make a statement about plastics in 2019, when he launched Mananalu Water. In a YouTube video, the actor took a razor to his face and displayed a bare look for the first time in seven years. Today, the company promises to remove a plastic bottle bound for the ocean for every bottle of Mananalu a consumer drinks. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jason Momoa reveals haircut, tattoo: 'Chief of war coming baby!' This spring, chef Johnny Spero was awarded a Michelin star for his tasting menu restaurant, Reverie, in Georgetown. As often happens after these things, reservations became scarce at the Scandinavian- and Japanese-inspired restaurant. And the timing was perfectSpero was only weeks away from opening his second project, the highly anticipated Bar Spero in Washington, DCs East End. Bar Spero was going to be a departure from the three-hour-long intellectual experience at Reverie, though. Bar Spero was, well, a bar. Housed in a glass-encased, multi-story building, it was going to be lively and loud and bold, inspired by the cuisine of San Sebastian, much like Spero himself. More from Robb Report It feels good to be able to tell more than just one side of my story, Spero explained to Robb Report about Bar Spero in July. Yes, we received a Michelin star and I do a tasting menu [at Reverie]. But Im more than that. I dont define myself by one style of cooking or experience and I need to be able to express myself in different ways. I need this just as much as I need the other [Reverie]. It completes me. Then, in mid-August, Reverie went up in flames. The cause of the fire was unknown. Most importantly, everyone is safe, Spero posted on Instagram at the time. The fire and smoke damage is extensive and we will have to completely rebuild. Although it will take time, we are confident that we will come back even stronger than before. Not only did he lose his newly Michelin-starred restaurant, his first solo project, but Spero also lost all of his personal belongings he kept therehis book collection, his knives, his recipe notebooks. And his wife, Alexis, was preparing to give birth to their third child. And there was still Bar Spero to think about. Story continues Its a weird feeling sorting through the rubble and rebuilding one restaurant while bringing life to another, Spero posted on Instagram in early September. One cant exist without the other. Yet one had to. The outpouring of support was tremendous. Chef Jose Andres welcomed the Reverie staff into the kitchen at Minibar, where Spero was the executive chef for years, so they could continue to work. Spero kept his head down and chin up, and on Sept. 14, after understandable delays, he opened Bar Spero in the Capitol Crossing development. The opening could be called a triumph considering the circumstances, but it was always Speros vision to start fresh at Bar Spero. It is not an a la carte Reverie, although it is obviously from the same thoughtful and ambitious mind; it is a dynamically different restaurant, as Spero calls it, and it has been in the works since 2020. Johnny Spero The wood-fired, seafood-focused concept is inspired by Speros experience working at Mugaritz in Basque Country when he was in his late 20s. (The chef also spent time working at Noma.) On his one night off a week, he would trek downtown San Sebastian and eat steak and tomato salads and drink Pacharan (sloe berry liqueur) at high-energy bars until 3 am. Man, Im smiling thinking about it now, he said. I want to bring that feeling, that emotional connection, in here. Its less about a style of food; Ill never say that I cook Spanish food. But that open fire cooking, that celebration of where youre from and where you are, the liveliness of that If you cant laugh when youre eating dinner, theres something wrong. Bar Spero is experiential, stimulating, unexpected. The 120-seat restaurant has 25-foot ceilings and is built around a 26-seat bar that should be packed every night. The music is boisterous, the servers move quickly, the banquettes are close together and the plates are meant to be shared. We take our food seriously, but not so much ourselves, Spero said. When our guests see that were here to have a good time, theyre more likely to do the same. The menu highlights Mid-Atlantic seafood and produce from the same purveyors, farmers and fishermen who supplied Reverie. The raw bar will feature seasonal oysters, sea urchins, live scallops and mollusks cooked on the hearth and finished with lardo and cream. Other items with limited availability will pop up as well, like live spider crabs from Maine. Maine scallops with olive oil and preserved citrus A whole grilled lobster is dissected and prepared in pieces. Even the roe is transformed into a butter sauce. A whole roasted Spanish turbot will be sauced with olive oil, garlic, chilies, kombu and herbs. Shenandoah Valley pork and steak will also be available at times. His Basque cheesecake dessert is actually a playful optical illusion. He starts with Basque cheesecake, turns it into ice cream, encapsulates it inside a caramelized mousse, covers it in sugar, torches it, then slices it like a cake. He serves it on cooked dough that resembles a piece of burnt parchment, the same visual you would get if you ordered a piece of the real thing in Spain. When people walk out, I want it to be that thing that they cant get out of their head. It just leaves you wanting more, he said. This was the same goal Spero had for Reverie, although the experience was very different. And the Michelin star? It did not make him second-guess where he was going with this. It made him confident that he was doing something right and unique, that he should trust his own unruly instincts. Next, he rebuilds Reverie. Into something even better. Losing those physical items dont matter that much, he posted on Instagram about the fire. The memories will always be there. Every single person who walked through that door has had a lasting imprint on that restaurant that cant be taken away. It was hard seeing a shell of a space, demolished and dirty, but Im looking at it as a blank slate to make it into the best version of itself, what it was meant to be. Click here to see more photos of Bar Spero. Bar Spero lobster Best of Robb Report Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Tamarra Wieder spoke as protesters gathered in front of the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort over House Bill 3, which would restrict abortions in the state. Wieder is with the Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocacy group. March 29, 2022 Kansas voters shocked many across the country last month when they resoundingly defeated a ballot referendum to declare there was no right to an abortion in the red state, following $22 million of spending by opposing groups on the issue. Could that happen in Kentucky? A similar constitutional amendment is on the ballot this fall, while two groups for and against the amendment have already raised millions of dollars for the fight ahead with one side taking a significant early fundraising lead. Also in this week's newsletter, a look at the political effects of Kentucky's natural disasters, a face off between the chief justice and attorney general, and federal raid at the local Hardee's. Abortion rights group takes big fundraising lead Protect Kentucky Access, a coalition of abortion rights advocates, has now raised $1.75 million in its campaign to defeat the constitutional amendment four times greater than their anti-abortion adversaries, Yes For Life. With a key fundraising deadline passing Tuesday, we examined how this group was able to pick up such a large lead in fundraising, and why the example of Kansas likely means there is much more money coming Kentucky's way in this fight, which could determine whether the state's near-total ban on abortion remains in place. We also looked at the fundraising numbers in Kentucky Supreme Court races, a record-smashing amount of contributions in the Franklin Circuit Court race between Judge Phillip Shepherd and Joe Bilby, and how GOP committees are in a good position to make Republicans' legislative supermajority even more dominant. If you want to get all the political news from The Courier Journal and a whole lot more, you'll want to check out this great deal for new subscribers! Abortion policy in Kentucky, D.C. While Kentucky's abortion ban remains in place, so do its effects, as a woman described at an anti-amendment panel last week that her pharmacy hesitated to fill a prescription from her doctor to ensure her early miscarriage was complete. Story continues Also from reporter Debby Yetter, she examined how 34 girls aged 15 or younger received abortions in Kentucky including two who were just 9 years old before the new ban took effect, which has no exceptions for rape and incest. On the national level, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina proposed a bill to ban abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy at the national level which did not receive enthusiastic buy-in from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, with less than 60 days to an Election Day that will determine which party controls the Senate. Natural disasters, schools and Beshear Governor Andy Beshear, center, visited the home of Elisa Cook, right, as State Rep. Angie Hatton looked on following the widespread destruction caused by flooding in Whitesburg, Ky. on July 31, 2022. The floods devastated the region which resulted in the deaths of over 20 people. Tornadoes in the west and flooding in the east have taken not just a deadly toll on Kentuckians, but a devastating impact on schools and their students, with reporter Olivia Krauth breaking down the overwhelming challenges that remain ahead for them. And how about the political ramifications of the natural disasters? Morgan Watkins talked to several political experts and consultants who say Gov. Andy Beshear's empathetic handling of the crises may just help him overcome the political headwinds of the heavily GOP-trending state in his reelection bid next year. Minton v. Cameron? Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr. listens as S. Chad Meredith, Kentucky solicitor general, makes arguments before the Kentucky Supreme Court at the state Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., on June 10, 2021. The state's highest court heard arguments in a case that will decide whether the state legislature can limit the governor's emergency powers. A case before the U.S. Supreme Court involving North Carolina's congressional redistricting maps has drawn opposing amicus briefs from two of Kentucky's top legal officials: Attorney General Daniel Cameron and state Supreme Court Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr. Cameron agreed with the state's GOP legislature that its state courts had no authority under the federal constitution to throw out their congressional maps, while a committee chaired by Minton of the Conference of Chief Justices maintained that state courts may review whether laws comply with state constitutions. Expect the ongoing challenge to Kentucky's redistricting maps to be appealed up to the state Supreme Court by the end of the year. Bigger than Jesus John Lennon once created on uproar by suggesting The Beatles had become "bigger than Jesus." No such uproar took place at the Trump-worshiping "Freedom Fest" in Northern Kentucky this past weekend, including when the former president's son told the thousands in attendance that there is no one who has done more for Christianity than Donald Trump. Columnist Joe Gerth attended the MAGA party and gave his take on the alternate reality of its speakers and attendees, who universally cling to the falsehood that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump. Hardee's Har Har Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams has certainly drawn the ire of election fraud conspiracy theorists over the past year, but last week he became the focus of one of the biggest (and most-sued for defamation) My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell. In a six-minute video posted by a GOP legislative candidate who lost her primary recount, Lindell rants about Adams' alleged crimes and calls for his followers to "bombard" the secretary of state's office with open records requests about Dominion voting machines of which there are precisely zero operating in Kentucky's elections. Wednesday a day after Lindell said FBI agents seized his phone at a Hardees restaurant Adams tweeted this simple reply: Reach reporter Joe Sonka at jsonka@courierjournal.com and follow him on Twitter at @joesonka. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Money pours into ballot referendum on abortion rights The Belt and Road cooperation, following the guiding principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, has grown into a global platform where countries along the routes work together to promote people's wellbeing and give a further boost to global development amid daunting challenges. Nine years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road successively in Kazakhstan and Indonesia. This is how the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aimed at building a trade, investment, and infrastructure network that connects different regions along the ancient trade routes, took shape. Nine years on, the BRI has achieved more than connectivity. The Belt and Road cooperation, following the guiding principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, has grown into a global platform where countries along the routes work together to promote people's wellbeing and give a further boost to global development amid daunting challenges. GREATER CONNECTIVITY After years of Belt and Road cooperation, a general connectivity framework consisting of six corridors, six connectivity routes and multiple countries and ports has been put in place. Landmark accomplishments include the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway in Africa, China-Laos Railway in Asia, the new Haifa port in Israel, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, among others. Besides infrastructure projects, a new logistics channel between Asia and Europe has been established through China-Europe freight train services. With 82 routes, the trains now reach 200 cities in 24 European countries, forming a transport network covering the whole of Europe. Connectivity means fewer barriers, whether in terms of policy coordination, road travels, trade, financial flows or people-to-people exchanges. It also entails more resilience to uncertainties. The China-Europe freight train service has acted as "a passage of life" when sea and air transportation was hit hard during the pandemic. With such connectivity, the Belt and Road cooperation has scored growth despite global economic recessions. From 2013 to 2021, the total volume of trade of goods between China and countries along the BRI routes amounted to nearly 11 trillion U.S. dollars, while two-way investment exceeded 230 billion dollars, according to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. In Central Asia, with the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway and the China-Tajikistan expressway, road transport has been largely improved. And the Central Asian countries are expected to unlock greater transit potential through the upcoming China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project. The BRI gives the Central Asian region an opportunity to fulfill the strategic task of direct access to seaports and turn the region into a transportation hub of transcontinental highways from east to west, and from north to south, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov has commented. POVERTY REDUCTION In the eyes of Lewis M. Ndichu, a researcher at Nairobi-based think tank Africa Policy Institute, one of the BRI's contributions to the African continent is on poverty alleviation and agricultural development. China has set up poverty reduction projects, sent agricultural experts to Africa and facilitated modern agro-technology exchanges between the two sides, which is significant to regional development, he pointed out. Burkina Faso is among the countries that have witnessed the changes brought by the BRI. Chinese experts have helped increase its rice production, which in the past could barely meet the population's needs. With their assistance, rice production in the demonstration area, Nariou village, has doubled or even tripled the output in previous years, and the rice quality has also been significantly improved. This is just a miniature of how the Belt and Road cooperation improves people's wellbeing around the globe. By the end of 2021, China has built 79 zones for economic and trade cooperation in 24 countries along the BRI routes, investing 43 billion dollars and creating 346,000 local jobs, according to China's Ministry of Commerce. More projects focus on basic needs of people in developing countries are prioritized under the BRI framework. In Senegal, a rural well-drilling project, consisting of 251 wells and 1,800 km water pipelines that China had pledged to fund, has brought clean water to one-seventh of Senegal's population. While in Argentina, the photovoltaic plant in the country's northern province of Jujuy powers some 160,000 homes. A World Bank report has predicted that BRI transport projects could, by 2030, help lift 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million people out of moderate poverty globally. CLOSING DEVELOPMENT DIVIDE The world today is undergoing a sea change amid a lingering COVID-19 pandemic, sluggish global growth, a changing climate and escalating tensions. Great strides have been made towards global prosperity, but the gap between the richest and the poorest countries continues to widen. Reducing destitution is not enough. To improve equity and social justice, countries need to be equally entitled to development opportunities. Upholding that spirit, the BRI offers an open platform and a win-win mechanism. By the end of July 2022, China had signed more than 200 BRI cooperation agreements with 149 countries and 32 international organizations, according to China's National Development and Reform Commission. "Through the Belt and Road Initiative, it has therefore brought new thinking about development -- from being mere loan recipients to actual projects on the ground that bring development through trade and enterprises," said James M. Njihia, dean of Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, University of Nairobi. "This will have great multiplier effects in future by increasing local, regional and international integration," he said. Echoing that view, Khairy Tourk, professor of economics with the Stuart School of Business at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, has said the China-proposed BRI puts developing nations on the right track to achieving their long-term development goals. Infrastructure has not been the main focus of post-1945 multilateral institutions. "The BRI has drawn world attention to the importance of infrastructure as an essential pillar of economic development," Tourk said. For decades, these countries couldn't modernize their antiquated infrastructure, he said. "Now China is providing them funds, the construction expertise to build modern infrastructure, and this is the basis for sustained development, and bodes well for the economic future of developing nations." Catastrophic floods in Pakistan have submerged large swaths of farmland, swallowed whole villages and turned some communities into islands and the water likely wont be gone anytime soon. Floodwaters will take an estimated three to six months to fully recede, Sindh provinces chief minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said in a statement, according to CNN. As of late August, the southern province had already gotten almost six times as much rainfall as its 30-year annual average. Those rains combined with glacial melt have caused the flooding that has devastated the country. We are living on an island now, cotton farmer Muhammad Jaffar told The New York Times in a story published this week. Filthy water had completely drowned his fields, along with the well he used for drinking water. Victims of flooding from monsoon rains carry belongings salvaged from their flooded home in the Dadu district of Sindh Province, of Pakistan, Sept. 9, 2022. (Photo: AP Photo/Fareed Khan) Victims of flooding from monsoon rains carry belongings salvaged from their flooded home in the Dadu district of Sindh Province, of Pakistan, Sept. 9, 2022. (Photo: AP Photo/Fareed Khan) Pakistans National Disaster Management Authority said the floods have killed at least 1,314 people, including 458 children, according to The Guardian. Around 33 million others have been affected by the flooding. Many have had to flee their waterlogged homes to stay in shelters or tent encampments. Internally displaced flood-affected people take refuge at a makeshift camp in Dadu district of Sindh province on Wednesday. (Photo: AFP via Getty Images)) Internally displaced flood-affected people take refuge at a makeshift camp in Dadu district of Sindh province on Wednesday. (Photo: AFP via Getty Images)) And those who have been able to stay in their homes contend with lack of access to food, clean water and medicine. One woman told the Times that her teenage cousin has to swim 20 minutes through snake-filled floodwaters to get to a village and buy food for his family. Disease-carrying mosquitoes also thrive in stagnant floodwaters. Sindhs capital, Karachi, is facing an outbreak of the mosquito-borne virus dengue, with hundreds of thousands of cases, Pakistans climate minister Sherry Rehman said. A man pushes his auto-rickshaw through a flooded street after heavy rains in Karachi on Tuesday. (Photo: RIZWAN TABASSUM/AFP via Getty Images) A man pushes his auto-rickshaw through a flooded street after heavy rains in Karachi on Tuesday. (Photo: RIZWAN TABASSUM/AFP via Getty Images) Story continues Earlier this month, Pakistans foreign minister Bhutto Zardari called the flooding a climate disaster of biblical proportions in an interview with CNBC. Climate change fueled the floods in multiple ways. Intense heat waves earlier in the year caused the air to hold more moisture, and meteorologists at the time said that would lead to above normal rain in the monsoon season, Islamabad water-resources engineer Zia Hashmi told the journal Nature. That same heat melted glaciers in the north of the country, swelling the rivers that lead to the south. Pakistan at this point in time, are paying in their lives and in their livelihoods for a climate disaster that is not of their making, Zardari told CNBC. The network noted that while Pakistan contributes to less than 1% of the worlds carbon emissions, its one of the top 10 countries hit hardest by rising temperatures. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... The 8-foot-wide home is priced at $1.95 million and its captured the ire and fascination of many TikTok users. Keven Trudel; TikTok; @realtor.nero TikTokers are shocked by a skinny $1.95 million Toronto home that went viral on the app. Realtor Nero Naveendran filmed a tour which offered views of a bedroom with a toilet in the corner. Commenters expressed confusion over the "three-story hallway" house. An eight-foot-wide $1.95 million Toronto property which includes a bedroom with a toilet in the middle of it is eliciting confusion, outrage, and mass schadenfreude across the internet. Realtor Nero Naveendran's TikTok tour of the Little Portugal property quickly garnered more than 2.5 million views from bewildered viewers fixated on the home's unusual design and narrowness. In the video, Naveendran walks quickly through one unit in the three-story, three-unit building. Its sunlit kitchen has trendy open shelving, one very small sink, and what appears to be only a microwave and detached electric radiant cooktop as the room's functional cooking appliances. The bedroom offers what is arguably the apartment's most questionable feature: a solitary toilet installed out in the open in the corner of the room. Keven Trudel, who is managing the listing, did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, but Naveendran told Insider it's the only toilet in the unit. "The toilet in the bedroom was a shocker for me as well! I've never seen that before in a home, and I've seen hundreds," he said. The toilet is just a few steps from the bed. Keven Trudel On TikTok, users carried on a de-facto roast of the unit. Some pointed out that the open-area toilet was reminiscent of a prison cell, while others were aghast at the price-per-square-foot: $1,151. "Bro thinks someone would pay 2mil for a staircase," read one popular comment, with others describing the listing as "almost 2 mil for half of a house." Naveendran told Insider the house is unusually narrow for the area, and noted that his video only showed one unit in the building while there are actually three. Story continues According to the property listing the 1693-square-foot home is "divided into three separate residential units, each with its own private entrance but could easily be converted back into a single-family home." The property includes three refrigerators, three electric radiant cook tops (though it doesn't specify if they're all detached plug-in devices), three microwaves, a parking spot, and a single laundry machine. The kitchen has a microwave and electric radiant cook top. Keven Trudel The median selling price of a home in the millennial enclave of Little Portugal is $748,000 according to Canadian real estate site Zolo. But for detached units, Naveendran says, properties average around $1.5 million. According to RE/MAX Canada's 2022 Housing Inventory Report, home prices across Canada are on the rise and are projected to hit a crisis point soon, as housing inventory continues to decline. "Population growth and household formation have played a significant role in depleting inventory levels from coast to coast over the most recent decade, triggering chronic housing shortages in large urban centers that resulted in mini 'boom' and 'bust' cycles," Christopher Alexander, President, RE/MAX Canada, said according to the report."If we don't move now to build more housing in the current lull, it's expected that this same scenario will continue to resurface over and over again." Despite the competitive market, the property has been on the market for 20 days. That's not surprising to Naveendran, who says the home may be a hard sell. "The owner could have done it differently, but I don't think it mattered to him that much," he said, of installing a toilet in the middle of the bedroom. "Personally, that was a dealbreaker for me." Read the original article on Insider Kevin Dietsch/Getty Florida and Texas plan to transport migrants to leftist cities culminated in a pair of cruel publicity stunts in a 12-hour span this week, with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordering two busloads be dropped off outside the official residence of Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday morning. The buses that arrived in Washington, D.C. carried about 100 migrants, Fox News reported, most of whom were nationals from Venezuela, Uruguay, Colombia, and Mexico. Video circulating online from the scene showed a group of young men, women, and children carrying backpacks, pillows, and blankets as they chatted outside Harris residence with nowhere to go initially. As word spread of their arrival, however, local immigrant organizations went into action. A representative from a charity called Sanctuary DMV came later in the morning and announced that the migrants could temporarily be sheltered at a local church. Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty The buses were sent without warning, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser told DC News Now, leaving the city unprepared. She said she became aware of the buses only after a reporter called her office, and a city task force was being sent to provide help. A representative from SAMU First Response, which delivers humanitarian assistance to asylum seekers in D.C., told The Daily Beast at the scene that aid groups were expecting the migrants to be dropped at Union Station, similar to other recent arrivals. They were very confused, said Tatiana Laborde, the organizations managing director. One thing is being dropped off at Union Station, you know, where it is a bigger, more open space. Another one is the sidewalk we have by the [Naval] Observatory, fully guarded. Its much more challenging. Laborde said the buses have become more regular recently, with the next known arrival coming via Arizona on Friday. She said the influx is straining her organization. Buses are constantly coming, she said. I wouldnt be surprised if were going to get more buses tomorrow morning here. Story continues Migrants from Central and South America wait near the residence of Vice President Kamala Harris. Kevin Dietsch/Getty DC News Now spoke with one migrant named Wilder Alberto Pinto Sosa. He said he made the journey to the U.S. with his son through eight countries and they hoped to eventually make it to New York. Pinto Sosa said they were bused from Texas and were happy to be in the U.S., telling DC News Now theyd been treated much better than any other country theyd passed through. Thursdays stunt was just the latest from Abbott and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who have both shipped potential refugees north and flagged conservative media outlets before alerting their arrival cities. I Was Lied to: A Nightmare Trip on Greg Abbotts Bus Sideshow On Wednesday night, DeSantis ordered a pair of charter flightsbooked using $12 million of taxpayer moneyto carry around 50 migrants to Marthas Vineyard, a posh Massachusetts island that doesnt have proper facilities to care for a migrant influx. The migrants involved were flown from Texas to Florida, where they spent no time on the ground, before being flown north, NPR reported. The flights arrival sent local officials scrambling, while DeSantis confirmed he was the instigator. Yes, Florida can confirm the two planes with illegal immigrants that arrived in Marthas Vineyard today were part of the states relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations, a spokesperson for DeSantis told CBS Boston. The migrants, meanwhile, deplaned confused. One migrant told NPR she was told the flight was headed to Boston so she could get expedited work papers. Venezuelan migrants were dumped on Marthas Vineyard on Wednesday evening. Ray Ewing/Vineyard Gazette via Reuters A person named Perla was walking around a San Antonio, Texas, facility to recruit people to fly north, the migrant said, all the way up until the flights departure. The flight then left Texas for Florida, where it had a brief layover, before stopping again in South Carolina en route to Marthas Vineyard. The town administrator for Edgartown, where the migrants are staying, said he's not worried about the politics of the situationhes just focused on how his town of 5,200 can help. I have 50 individuals that we have to take care of and need services, and we need to coordinate efforts and make sure its done effectively, James Hagerty told The Daily Beast on Thursday. And make sure its done to the best of our abilities. Thats what we owe the citizens of the town. Hagerty said many of the migrants didnt know where they were when they deplaned. For now, theyre being sheltered in a church, he said, while state officials figure out a long-term plan. Using migrants, many of whom have escaped violence, as political pawns enraged officials and advocates who called the stunts immoral and fiscally irresponsible. Massachusetts State Rep. Dylan Fernandes, a Democrat who represents the island, told the Marthas Vineyard Times the was disgusting and inhumane. These governors or whoever it is, all they care about is scoring some political points on Tucker Carlson and Fox News, he said. These people claim to be Christians? This is about as unChristian a thing as you could be doing. Its evil. Venezuelan migrants stand outside St. Andrew's Church on Marthas Vineyard. Ray Ewing/Vineyard Gazette via Reuters Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) called the move repulsive and cruel, while Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) said the decisions should disqualify DeSantis and Abbott from holding public office. Somebody who would round up Venezuelans, who have fled one of the most brutal dictatorships in the world, and then use them for a political stunt, has no business ever holding any political office, he said. Venezuelan migrants stand outside St. Andrew's Church on Marthas Vineyard. Others, like Florida Rep. Anna V. Eskamani, have called the governors human traffickerslying to vulnerable migrants and promising them help, then shipping them unannounced over state lines. And doing so at a significant expense. DeSantis stunt reportedly cost $12 millionmore than $200,000 per migrantwhile Texas has spent $14 million since Sept. 7 on busing migrants, KXAN reported. Florida is spending $12 million to fly innocent migrant children out of our state when that money could be spent on fighting to help Floridians and lower costs, tweeted Charlie Crist, a Democrat running to become Floridas governor. This is just another political stunt that hurts our state. DeSantis office, meanwhile, has proudly touted its expensive endeavor, with the governor declaring in a press conference Thursday morning that he was sending migrants to greener pastures. His deputy press secretary, meanwhile, perhaps unwittingly compared his boss work to that of drug cartels. Do the cartels that smuggle humans call Florida or Texas before illegal immigrants wash up on our shores or cross over the border? tweeted Jeremy Redfern. No. Welcome to being a state on the Southern border, Massachusetts. with additional reporting by Eileen Grench Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The Brooklyn-based designer honors his Jamaican roots. Photo: Arturo Holmes/Getty Images Conga drums reverberated through the room as an epilogue to Theophilio's Spring 2023 "Homecoming" runway. They transported attendees far from the New York City sounds of relentless car horns before the show opened with a colorful ensemble: a satiny, sky-blue shirt paired with a daisy-yellow miniskirt. The music intensified as models walked fiercely in colors and fabrics that were anything but dull. The next look was a shiny leopard jacket with snakeskin pants. In his second New York Fashion Week presentation, the Brooklyn-based designer and CFDA's 2021 Emerging Designer of the Year Edvin Thompson toyed with color, texture, iconography and silhouette. The result is incredibly generative. Thompson tells a story of place and time. Beyond their allure, the looks feel new and dynamic. Theophilio debuted a two-colored, silhouette-altering leather pant in green, red and yellow, the colors of Jamaica. Cropped, rhinestone-embellished "I <3 TP" shirts dazzled down the runway, reminiscent of city feels and the iconic "New York" version. Ruffle details on jeans animated a walk. Oversized suit sets brought drama. A bikini top and regal headpiece, inspired by the West Indian carnival celebration J'ouvert, garnered unyielding attention, gasps and applause. Theophilio Spring 2023. Photo: Arturo Holmes/Getty Images Photo: Arturo Holmes/Getty Images View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article The show didn't just transport its viewers visually and sonically, but also temporally. The peculiar newsboy hats enlarged, reimagined in unexpected colors and worn in different directions caught my eyes and are still on my mind as a must-have for next spring. Miniskirts, sequins and graphic tees took us back to the 2000s, perfectly aligned with the recent Y2K trend resurgence. "There's a big trend of Y2K fashion right now, but I think it's also because that time was full of creatives, and I'm just happy to be part of that coming back," he said in an interview with Vogue. "It's New York bringing that back; that energy has to be lasting and filling." Story continues When he won the CFDA Award, Thompson gave a speech saying he was "speaking to you all as still this young boy from the dirt roads, blue lagoons, sunny skies and yard food Kingston, Jamaica." From the first look to the closing one, the colors of home and this essence is infused in the Spring 2023 collection. Crafted in honor of his roots, sending a love letter to Jamaica and to the aesthetic of two decades ago, Theophilio's Spring 2023 offering is true to the designer's language while coining motifs and ramping up opulence. As one of New York's buzziest fashion design talents, we are not alone in our excitement for whatever fiery collection comes next from him. See the full Theophilio Spring 2023 collection in the gallery below. Theophilio Spring 2023. Photo: Imaxtree View the 31 images of this gallery on the original article Never miss the latest fashion industry news. Sign up for the Fashionista daily newsletter. President Donald Trump and King Abdullah II walk the colonnade of the White House on June 25, 2018 in Washington, DC. Olivier Douliery/Getty Images Trump once offered Jordan's king the occupied West Bank, per a new book. The king told a friend he thought he was having a heart attack after Trump made the offer, the book said. The US government has no authority over the West Bank, and therefore can't give it to anyone. President Donald Trump in January 2018 offered to give the occupied West Bank to Jordan's King Abdullah II, saying he would give him a "great deal," according to a forthcoming book, "The Divider: Trump in the White House 2017-2021," which was obtained by The Washington Post. The occupied West Bank was not Trump's to give away. The US government does not have the authority to offer the occupied West Bank to another person, country, or entity. The territory is at the heart of the one of the most contentious, enduring, and complicated disputes in the world the Israel-Palestine conflict. Abdullah II told an American friend that when Trump made the offer, "I thought I was having a heart attack," according to the book, written by Peter Baker, chief White House correspondent for The New York Times, and Susan Glasser, staff writer for The New Yorker. "I couldn't breathe. I was bent doubled-over," the Jordanian monarch added, per the book, which is set to be released on September 20. A Trump spokesperson did not return Insider's request for comment. The West Bank, a chunk of land between Israel and Jordan, is a Palestinian territory that has been occupied by Israel for decades. From 1950 to 1967, the West Bank was governed as part of Jordan. Israel seized the West Bank in the Six-Day War in 1967 and Israeli forces have occupied it ever since. Since the occupation began, groups of Israelis have been moving into the West Bank to establish communities known as settlements. The Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under international law by much of the world. The US government has close ties with Israel, but it has long pushed for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict and expressed opposition to settlements. Story continues Trump repeatedly undermined this goal by adopting an overwhelmingly pro-Israel stance that included controversial moves such as moving the US embassy to Jerusalem. The Trump administration also broke from years of precedent in 2019 by announcing that the US would no longer view settlements as inconsistent with international law. In 2020, the Trump administration released its "peace plan" for the Middle East. Palestinian leaders swiftly rejected the plan, given they were not included in the discussions surrounding it. The Biden administration has largely returned to the policies the US followed regarding Israel and Palestine prior to the Trump era, including by condemning the expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank. Read the original article on Business Insider When Donald Trump floated the controversial idea to buy Greenland in 2019, it was not because of conversations with administration officials, as he said at the time. It was the by-product of a suggestion posed by one of his billionaire friends, a new book reports. In August 2019, the former president compared the purchase of Greenland to a large real estate deal, stating that the notion had been planted in his head after ongoing conversations with members within his cabinet. The concept came up and....strategically its interesting, he told a group of reporters on board Air Force One at the time. Later, a report from The Wall Street Journal would claim that the former real estate mogul became fixated on the semi-autonomous territory of Denmark after learning about its vast natural resources and geopolitical importance. First we have to find out whether or not they have any interest, he said. Despite the negative press, behind the scenes, Mr Trump reportedly continued to press forward. At one point, The Times reported, the former president even floated the idea of taking federal money from Puerto Rico to finance the endeavour. At another, he floated the USs own island territory outright in exchange for Denmarks. A new book from New York Times chief White House correspondent Peter Baker and New Yorker staff writer and CNN global affairs analyst Susan Glasser, set to publish on Tuesday, however, offers up an about-face on those previously believed order of events. Ronald S Lauder, the heir to the New York cosmetics company Estee Lauder who has known Mr Trump since the pair attended the University of Pennsylvania together, was the one who reportedly put the Greenland bug in his fellow alumnis ear. I said, Why dont we have that? You take a look at a map. Im a real estate developer, I look at a corner, I say, Ive got to get that store for the building that Im building, etc. Its not that different, Mr Trump told the pair of reporters last year, claiming that the inspiration was a personal one not a sourced one, for their forthcoming book, The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021. Story continues Mr Lauder, estimated to be worth $4.6bn, has been known for not staying in his lane of inheriting family empires, often veering into politics either intentionally such as when he served as ambassador to Austria under Ronald Reagan or by proxy of the powerful figures he kept in his company such as when his brother, Leonard, hosted business lunches where figures like Trump and the ambassador to Russia would be among the attendees. According to the pair of veteran reporters, the cosmetics heir told his long-time college friend that to get Greenland was not only savvy, but within the realm of possibilities for the then-commander in chief. A friend of mine, a really, really experienced businessman, thinks we can get Greenland, Mr Trump reportedly told John Bolton, his national security adviser at the time. What do you think? Mr Bolton, who would go on tender his resignation just a few months after the Greenland optioning began, reportedly tapped his aide, Fiona Hill, to create a special team for the president who would assess the merits of the purchase and who would go on to draft a lease proposal that the authors say seemed to be akin to a New York real estate deal. Mr Lauder had even offered himself as a back channel to discuss the purchase with the Danish government, but Mr Bolton opted to keep it within his department, viewing it as an opportunity to push back against Chinas growing influence in the Arctic rather than one to outright buy the Scandinavian territory. When news of Trumps attempt at mixing geopolitical relations with real estate came to light after the Wall Street Journal broke the news, the pushback was swift and determined: the Danes did not want to be bought. We are open for business, but were NOT for sale, said Greenlands foreign minister Ane Lone Bagger, in a note to Reuters at the time the story began circulating. #Greenland is rich in valuable resources such as minerals, the purest water and ice, fish stocks, seafood, renewable energy and is a new frontier for adventure tourism. We're open for business, not for sale learn more about Greenland on: https://t.co/WulOi3beIC Greenland MFA (@GreenlandMFA) August 16, 2019 No thanks to Trump buying Greenland! tweeted Aaja Chemnitz Larsen, a Greenlandic politician representing one of two seats for the island in the Danish parliament. Nej tak til at Trump skal kbe Grnland! Tvrtimod br et bedre og mere ligevrdigt partnerskab med Danmark vre vejen frem for et strkere og pa sigt mere frit Grnland Aaja Chemnitz Larsen (@AajaCL) August 16, 2019 Those efforts, much to the relief of his bewildered cabinet, ultimately failed. When it became public, they lost their political courage, Trump said in the interview with the two journalists last year. Mr Bolton, seeing his opportunity to hedge US security in the global north against China and Russia lost, cast the blame for the failure of the Greenland affair solely at his former bosss feet. If Trump had just kept his mouth shut, Mr Bolton told others, according to the book, we could have found out. But it was just gone, just completely gone. The forthcoming book is due out on bookshelves on 20 September. The wild blueberries were smaller this summer in the barrens of Maine, where the sweet crop expanse dominates treeless plains of sandy soil. Some of the lowbush berries started shriveling or ripened too quickly, hitting the dry ground before harvest season began. The drought-stressed plants were speeding up their production process. Lobster and blueberries go hand-in-hand when people think of Maine. The state's iconic wild blueberries are one of only three fruits native to North America, and they're loaded with twice the antioxidants than their ordinary crop equivalent. There are 36,000 acres of commercial wild blueberry land in the state, and the crop's total value reaches tens of millions of dollars each year. But climate change-induced drought is threatening the superfood fruit, particularly the native lowbush species in Maine where irrigation systems are few and far between. Meanwhile, in other parts of New England where farmers grow highbush blueberries, the crop proved more adaptable this summer with help from irrigation. In this August 2018 file photo, a worker pours wild blueberries into a tray at a farm in Union, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File) With climate change creating a world of extremes in New England longer and more frequent dry spells punctuated by deluges of rain within shorter periods of time the region's blueberry farmers face the task of adapting. What we've learned: How a summer of extreme weather reveals a stunning shift in the way rain falls in America Calling all leaf peepers: Drought to impact this year's fall foliage in New England. "In every season, there are all of these different weather events that can happen that can increase or decrease the crop," said Lily Calderwood, extension wild blueberry specialist and assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Maine. "Every year is a new adventure. And because of climate change, we have seasonal droughts that occur more frequently now." Blueberries ripe for the picking on a bush at Tougas Family Farm in Northborough, Mass., on July 6. Some New England blueberry growers more impacted by drought than others It was a "hard year" for blueberries in Maine, said Calderwood, but the drought impacts were not felt equally among all of New England's growers this summer. Story continues In Massachusetts and Rhode Island, where drought conditions raged and reached "severe" designations in some parts, growers reported a good harvest season that's typically late July through August. Ticks, mosquitoes: How climate change will bring more pests and disease to New England Calderwood explained the major difference is lowbush versus highbush blueberries. Growers in southeastern New England harvest highbush blueberries, the species typically found in grocery stories. Highbush blueberries have always been irrigated because they are grown in rows, said Calderwood, while wild blueberries, or lowbush, are grown across large fields. Until recently, the wild blueberries had received the water they needed from rain. Ideal growing conditions for lowbush berries includes one inch of rain per week, Calderwood said. During drought, that's when irrigation systems can come into play, but she noted most small- to mid-sized farms in Maine don't have irrigation because they can't afford it. The Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine has said it is working to increase farmers' access to sustainable irrigation solutions in the face of drought. Despite drought, good blueberry season in Massachusetts and Rhode Island Highbush blueberry growers said they were able to combat the drought with irrigation and still see a rewarding season. In East Dennis, Massachusetts, Hokum Rock Blueberry Farm owner Stephen Spear said there weren't any berries left when they closed for picking a hallmark of a busy season. Their harvest this year was "generally pretty good because I irrigate." "The volume of the crop was as good as I could expect given a whole lot of factors," he said. "There aren't many blueberry farms on the Cape, but the ones I know of are all irrigated." Audrey Randall, 2, of Holden, Mass., searches for blueberries at Berries & Blooms on the first day of business in July at the small pick-your-own blueberry and raspberry patch. Spear noted the berry size was smaller this summer compared to last season, which he attributed to the extreme heat that swept the region for much of July. The dry summer brought some unexpected positives. Spear said there was less pressure from invasive pests and less fruit disease that typically come with more rain. Can you feed your dog blueberries?: The fruit can make a healthy treat for your dog. Heather Faubert, agricultural extension agent at the University of Rhode Island and member of the Rhode Island Fruit Growers Association, said Ocean State growers reported "a terrific blueberry crop" this summer. "If they had dry soil, they were irrigating," she said. Faubert noted the timing of drought influences how blueberry bushes are affected. In 2020, she said, when drought conditions extended through August and further into September, plants were affected because September is a month when they produce buds for the following year. "Hopefully we'll have good weather this fall," she said. Rhode Island Food Fix: 7 best pick-your-own blueberry farms Bon Appetit: Best ways to use local blueberries for savory dishes A blueberry galette is just one of countless baked goods people can make with blueberries. Maine blueberry farmers working on solutions to combat drought A study published last year in the journal Climate looking at 71 years of wild blueberry land in Maine concluded that while drought had not significantly increased during that time, "the temperature has been increasing significantly in the major wild blueberry production region of Maine." Between accelerated warming and a projected decrease in soil water content, there may be an increase in drought impact on agricultural systems in the future, the study said. Nugget the cow: Seaweed-munching bovine chews on solution to methane problem Amid the changes, Maine's blueberry farmers are just as resilient as their crop, said Calderwood, but there's no question it's challenging. The USDA recently awarded nearly $560,000 in specialty crop block funding to Maine, and at least two of the projects receiving funds are focused on wild blueberry drought management and climate resilience. A University of Maine Extension team is pictured in blueberry fields measuring plant health and berry quality for a USDA CARE grant in Appleton, Maine. Pictured are Brogan Tooley, Mara Scallon, Abby Cadorette, and Erica Carpenter. It's far from the first time varying weather conditions have impacted the blueberry harvest. In 2018, state agriculture officials said farmers collected about 57 million pounds of the wild blueberries, down nearly 11 million pounds from the previous year, because of late frost. The state reported summer drought each year from 2013 to 2018. During drought seasons, the plants quicken their ripening process due to stress. Farmers are trying to adapt by starting their harvest early to "catch as many high-quality blueberries as possible," Calderwood said. Leading the way: Thanks to this pioneering woman, the blueberry farming industry began Mulching is becoming a more common practice, too, where farmers apply softwood or pine woodchip mulch to their fields to increase the soil moisture. Using the USDA funding, Calderwood will look at irrigation timing in partnership with Wyman's of Maine, as well as mulching and biochar practices compared to irrigation. "There is lot of research at UMaine in partnership with the industry occurring around climate change," she said. "It's all hands on deck. A lot of us are working on this." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: How did the summer drought affect New England's blueberry growers? A Columbus woman pleaded guilty Thursday morning to involuntary manslaughter and endangering children in connection with the 2019 death of her 2-year-old-son, who the Franklin County coroners office concluded died from blunt-force trauma. Tina Dayton, 24, who initially eluded local authorities when she relocated to Florida, admitted in court to her role in causing the death of her son, Clifford A. Stark III. In exchange for her plea, Franklin County prosecutors dropped a murder charge. Franklin County Common Pleas Judge David C. Young found Dayton guilty and subsequently sentenced her to a minimum prison sentence of 18 years, following the joint recommendation made by prosecutors and defense attorneys on the case. As required by the state's controversial Reagan Tokes Act, Young gave Dayton an indefinite sentence length. Dayton could serve up to five years and six months of additional time if the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction determines she is a continued threat to society. Leon Sinoff, Daytons defense attorney, said at her sentencing that they would be filing a formal objection to the constitutionality of an indefinite sentence. Dayton has spent more than two years in jail already, which will count toward time served. More:Columbus woman charged with murder in death of 2-year-old son captured in Florida On Oct. 7, 2019, Columbus police and paramedics were called to Daytons apartment on Refugee Road on the Southeast Side on the report of an injured boy, Franklin County Assistant Prosecutor Daniel Lenert said during Thursday's hearing. Dayton told police that Clifford was playing in another room with her three-year-old child when the injury occurred and that she was unaware of how her son suffered an internal injury, Lenert said. Dayton, the sole adult in the house, denied ever striking her child, he said. Clifford was transported in stable condition to Nationwide Childrens Hospital, where doctors discovered he had internal bleeding, said Lenert. Story continues Clifford also had a broken right arm, a bruised forehead and a lacerated liver, Lenert said. Clifford died on Oct. 8. The Franklin County coroners office concluded in February 2020 that the boys death was a homicide and that he died from blunt-force trauma. This led to authorities charging Dayton with murder in early March 2020. Florida law enforcement arrested Dayton a month later in the Jacksonville area. Sinoff said he and Dayton disagreed with some of the facts Lenert presented, but said there was enough to proceed with the plea and sentencing. Dayton did not speak during the hearing beyond answering questions from the judge while fighting back tears. Court news: Columbus man sentenced to at least 20 years for fatally shooting girlfriend in 2019 Court news:Family present pictures of slain father at sentencing of shooter jlaird@dispatch.com @LairdWrites This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus mother pleads to involuntary manslaughter in toddler's death Former judge Beth Lewis Maze Criminal charges have been dismissed against a former circuit judge whose case produced the allegations that Eastern Kentucky prosecutor Ronnie Goldy Jr. traded favors with a defendant in exchange for nude images of her. Special Judge Phillip Patton dismissed forgery and tampering charges against former Judge Beth Maze, who had been publicly reprimanded by the Kentucky Supreme Court for improperly intervening when her ex-husband, with whom she was still close, was charged with possession of controlled substances and other offenses. Maze was also charged with crimes for making it appear that public officials, including Goldy, had approved her order for testing her former husbands blood at a hospital. But Patton found that the Supreme Court, in the disciplinary case against Maze, in effect acquitted her when it found her conduct would not have justified her removal from the bench. She could only be reprimanded because she had already resigned as a judge, the high court found. Related:Association expels 2 Kentucky prosecutors over nude image controversy, misconduct Patton said Maze could not be criminally charged because the Supreme Court had already considered the same issue against her and exonerated her. Mazes Louisville attorney, Thomas Clay, said he and his client were elated by the dismissal. Facebook messages between Goldy and Misty Helton surfaced when Goldy indicated he might testify in the criminal case against Maze. Clay obtained the messages 230 pages of them from an intermediary and provided them to The Courier Journal, which published many of them. They appeared to show Goldy ordered to get warrants withdrawn and cases continued for Helton in exchange for nude photos and videos. A Kentucky bar inquiry commission has moved to temporarily suspend Goldy from practicing law because it says he is a danger to the public. Testifying on that petition at a hearing last Friday in Clark Circuit Court, Goldy said he didnt remember the messages but didnt deny that he may have exchanged them. Story continues Others are reading:As Michael Carneal seeks parole, school shooting victim says forgive but don't forget Helton confirmed the messages and also said she and Goldy had sexual relations. Clay acknowledged he made the Facebook messages public to damage Goldys credibility should he take the witness stand. He said Goldy pushed for the criminal prosecution of Maze, a political rival in the 21st Judicial Circuit, which includes, Bath, Menifee, Montgomery and Rowan counties. Goldy denied that and ultimately three special prosecutors in succession were appointed Brian Wright, the most recent, who is based in Liberty, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the dismissal. Throwing out the case, Patton cited a legal principal known as issue preclusion, which holds that an issue shouldnt have to be re-litigated if the facts in two related cases are similar. Goldys fate could be determined Oct. 8, when a hearing officer files findings and recommendations to the Supreme Court. The bar is separately exploring whether to permanently disbar Goldy. Andrew Wolfson: 502-582-7189; awolfson@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @adwolfson. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Charges dropped against judge in prosecutor's request for nude images Rep. Vincent Dixie, D-Nashville, speaks in 2019. On Thursday, he called on the legislature to fully fund TBI's crime labs. Top Tennessee Democrats including the party's gubernatorial nominee on Thursday called on lawmakers to provide the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation with enough funding to process sexual assault evidence in a timely manner. "We need to fully fund our forensic laboratories," House Democratic Caucus Chair Vincent Dixie, D-Nashville, said at a news conference in Nashville. "Republicans have preached their truth-in-sentencing laws, but they take no responsibility for lack of funding for TBI." Dixie's comments come after TBI released data showing it takes its crime labs an average of 34 weeks to test sexual assault evidence. Authorities say Cleotha Henderson, the Memphis man accused of kidnapping and killing Eliza Fletcher, was linked by DNA evidence to a September 2021 sexual assault. The Jackson lab, which processed the sexual assault kit, first tested the evidence in June and didn't receive results until late August. Days later, Fletcher disappeared on an early morning jog in Memphis on Sept. 2. Dixie said he plans to sit down with TBI leadership to discuss what the department needs to reduce those wait times. "Just this last session, TBI requested funding for 40 forensic scientists," Dixie said. "They received exactly half." Related:Tennessee crime labs take more than 34 weeks to test sexual assault evidence, data show More:Man connected to abduction, killing of Eliza Fletcher pleads not guilty in 2021 rape House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, said the TBI process wait times were not acceptable. "I know the General Assembly will be supportive of adding more forensic personnel and work on making this process more efficient to reduce times from 350 days to 30 days or even less," Sexton said in a statement. Sexton and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, continue to highlight that Henderson previously served two decades in prison for another kidnapping. Henderson served 20 years of a 24-year sentence. Sexton and McNally said he should not have been released. Story continues The House and Senate leaders led the passage of a "truth-in-sentencing" law earlier this year, which required persons convicted of certain violent offenses to serve 100% of their sentences. The list of felonies that required full sentences served was reduced in the final bill compared to the original legislation. Sexton and McNally created an ad hoc committee to study and recommend possible steps "to provide additional safeguards to protect the public from those who repeatedly violate criminal laws," following Fletcher's killing and another shooting spree in Memphis earlier this month. Martin pushes for more TBI funding Meanwhile, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jason Martin, standing on the steps of Shelby County Courthouse with a blindfolded Lady Justice behind him, criticized Gov. Bill Lee and Tennessee House Republicans for the backlog of rape kits at the TBI crime lab. Gov. Lee can't say he's tough on crime while predators are allowed to walk around our community simply because there's a backlog at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation crime labs, Martin said Thursday afternoon. I implore them to put their money where their mouth is. Let's give the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation The resources that they've asked for ... so that we start attacking this problem. Martin used the backlog to repeat his frequent criticisms of the Lee administration a lack of Medicare expansion, issues at the Department of Human Services and rural hospital closures. In the wake of the high-profile crimes in Memphis, Lee has said the state should not be soft on crime but smarter instead. Lee had opposed aspects of the "truth-in-sentencing" bill and allowed it to take effect without his signature. "There's a way to do both of those, and I think that's what we will do going forward," Lee recently told reporters. Martin also connected the rape kit backlog to the states full abortion ban, which has no exceptions for rape or incest. You live in a state where you could be forced to have your rapists baby before your rape kit comes back from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation crime lab. That is Gov. Bill Lees Tennessee, Martin said. Ruby Powell-Dennis, the Democratic nominee for state Senate District 31 in Memphis, also spoke at Martins rally Thursday. She said she had been the victim of sexual assault when she was 11 and it had taken years of therapy for her to be willing to talk about it.She said the delays in rape kit testing only compounded victims' mistrust of government and public officials. Melissa Brown contributed to this report. Adam Friedman covers state government and politics. Reach him by email at afriedman@tennessean.com. Samuel Hardiman covers Memphis city government and politics. He can be reached by email at samuel.hardiman@commercialappeal.com or followed on Twitter at @samhardiman. Want to read more stories like this? A subscription to one of our Tennessee publications gets you unlimited access to all the latest politics news, plus newsletters, a personalized mobile experience and the ability to tap into stories, photos and videos from throughout the USA TODAY Network's Network's daily sites. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Democrats vow to 'fully fund' TBI More than 100 demonstrators gathered Saturday at Goodale Park in the Short North and marched toward the Ohio State University campus, expressing their anger and grief at body camera footage that shows a Columbus police officer fatally shooting Donovan Lewis, 20, in the Hilltop neighborhood. At Goodale Park, Dejuan Sharp, 39, of Hilltop, said to the crowd that the march along High Street and later through campus would attract attention to Lewis' death. Donovan Lewis shooting:Columbus officials call for peace, highlight reforms in Urban League forum "I know we was supposed to be sitting here (at Goodale Park), where nobody cares when we out here, nobody cares when we yelling at buildings, buildings that's empty, but they're going to care when we walk down that street," Sharp said. Dejaun Sharb chants while walking ahead of the Justice for Donovan Lewis protest and march Saturday in Columbus. As the group marched along High Street, they chanted and called for justice for Lewis, and the group grew in numbers as some onlookers joined the march. At West 12th Avenue, the group marched toward the OSU campus and then back onto Neil Avenue toward Goodale Park. Driver attempts to drive van through crowd of protesters of Donovan Lewis shooting As the group headed up High Street, toward OSU, they sometimes blocked traffic in both directions, occasionally blocking entire intersections. At one point, the driver of a van tried driving into the crowd before backing up, out of the way of the protestors. It didn't appear anyone was injured, and Columbus police later pulled the van over, giving the driver what appeared to be a traffic ticket. While some onlookers heckled the marchers, others honked their cars in support or chanted alongside the marchers. This driver tried to drive his van into the crowd of protestors on High Street demonstrating against the fatal police shooting. It did not appear anyone was injured but police officers pulled the driver over pic.twitter.com/qtD6xZFK0o Cole Daniel Behrens (@Colebehr_report) September 3, 2022 Lewis was shot in his home by Columbus police officer Lewis died early Tuesday morning after Columbus police officer Ricky Anderson fired a single gunshot into the 20-year-old's bedroom almost immediately after opening the bedroom door. Story continues Anderson, a K-9 handler and 30-year veteran who is on paid leave per division policy, and several other officers were trying to arrest Lewis on multiple warrants. Court records show Lewis was wanted on a felony charge of improper handling of a firearm, a misdemeanor probation violation and misdemeanor charges of domestic violence and assault involving his pregnant girlfriend. Lavenia Lewis, of Columbus, said she felt the need to participate in Saturday's demonstration after seeing the body camera footage and being "really shook up" by what she saw, including officers handcuffing Lewis after he had been shot. "The way they treated him, he was a human being; nobody should be treated like that," Lewis said. "I just want everyone to come together. When someone gets arrested, I want them to be treated right." Ramon Obey II speaks to a crowd of more than 100 people who gathered Saturday at Goodale Park in Columbus for the Justice for Donovan Lewis protest and march. Ramon Obey II, one of the event organizers, called for Anderson's arrest, an end to late-night arrest attempts, and for a meeting between city officials and Lewis' family. "We've given them chance, after chance, after chance," Obey said. "How many more chances are we going to give them? Y'all want to reform (Columbus police)? We've always been reforming (Columbus police)." Also present at the protest were Columbus police's blue-vested dialogue team, which formed earlier this year. Sgt. Steve Dyer said the goal was to repair relationships between demonstrators and police. Obey and several other organizers urged demonstrators not to interact with the dialogue officers. Dyer said the dialogue team does not do any investigations and are there to help facilitate the demonstration but said he can understand why the protestors may mistrust the officers. "We're still police officers and our community has been hurt by some police officers," Dyer said. "We believe in what we're doing." Saturday was the second day of planned protests throughout the Labor Day weekend. On Friday, a crowd of more than 150 demonstrators gathered outside the Columbus Division of Police headquarters Downtown, where Lewis' parents publicly spoke about their 20-year-old son, remembering him as someone with a kind heart. Another protest is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday outside the Ohio Statehouse. JUST Columbus offers Hilltop neighborhood community aid in wake of Donovan Lewis shooting Also on Saturday, JUST, which stands for Justice, Unity and Social Transformation, held its regular community service event in partnership with other groups, during which participants distributed fresh produce and hot food, as well as clothing, hygiene supplies and other goods only a few blocks from Lewis' apartment on Sullivant Avenue. Although the event has been held every other Saturday for two years, JUST co-founder Faith Edwards said Saturday's event was held in honor of Lewis. Dozens of people attended the event either to help, get access to supplies or both. "He's a member of the (Hilltop) community," Edwards said. "A lot of the people who are helping and unloading cars are just people from the community. So we're trying to show that through tragedy, we can still try and uplift each other." Edwards said racial justice protests and community aid are two sides of the same coin in making a difference, and that Saturday's community service event was a way to "express love to each other" compared to the "grief and anger" of protests. "We support both you're going to the police headquarters that's reactionary and it's about what happened," Edwards said. "We can push for defunding (the police) and abolition, but those aren't going to happen overnight. What can happen overnight is really trying to be in the community and help uplift each other." @Colebehr_report Cbehrens@dispatch.com This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Donovan Lewis protests continue in Columbus with march to OSU campus The pictures are hard to look at. Images of bewildered looking men and women and children, even, shipped off to posh Marthas Vineyard and dropped off outside the gates of the U.S. Naval Observatory that is home to Vice President Kamala Harris. Some are carrying all that they have in garbage bags. Most had no idea where they were, having been herded onto airplanes and assured they were headed to Boston where they could find jobs and help. Strangers in an exceedingly strange land. The stunt was all the rage on Fox News and the subject of high fives among Republicans from sea to shining sea. Red-state governors, sticking it to those liberal elitists. If they refuse to go to the border, bring the border to them, Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs tweeted. It's surprising that Ducey isn't in on this Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis kicked off the big joke on Wednesday, luring 50 mostly Venezuelan adults and children outside a San Antonio, Texas, shelter onto planes, assuring them theyd be taken someplace where they could get help as they awaited their asylum pleas to be heard. Imagine their surprise to land on a small island playground for the rich, dumped, unannounced, at the airport with no one to meet them and no one even to tell them where they were. Next up, courtesy of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, came 100 or so Venezuelans dropped not at the Washington D.C. shelter set up to receive them but several miles away at the gates of Vice President Kamala Harris' residence. Im only surprised that Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, who also has been busing immigrants to D.C., didnt get in on this weeks comedy routine. Do shipping containers work?: Ducey says they're an effective border tool DeSantis, gearing up for his presidential run, seemed quite proud of his stunt to stick it to the Democrats. We are not a sanctuary state, and its better to be able to go to a sanctuary jurisdiction, and yes, we will help facilitate that transport for you to be able to go to greener pastures, DeSantis said on Thursday. Every community in America should be sharing in the burdens. It shouldnt all fall on a handful of red states. Story continues Never mind, apparently, that the immigrants in question here werent even in Florida. GOP has a point. But why treat people like props? Immigrants gather with their belongings outside St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Wednesday Sept. 14, 2022, in Edgartown, Mass., on Martha's Vineyard. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday flew two planes of immigrants to Martha's Vineyard, escalating a tactic by Republican governors to draw attention to what they consider to be the Biden administration's failed border policies. (Ray Ewing/Vineyard Gazette via AP) Still, DeSantis is correct about a couple of things. The border is being overrun, and the Biden administration continues to be in denial about the scope of the problem. It doesnt help when you have a vice president who goes on Meet the Press to assure us the border is secure. (The border is secure, but we also have a broken immigration system, in particular, over the last four years before we came in, and it needs to be fixed.") But to treat these people as props? To score cheap political points off their plight? Arizona Republican Party Chairwoman Kelli Ward was clearly delighted. She retweeted: Why is Marthas Vineyard so upset about becoming enriched by diversity?" So was Biggs. Busing illegal aliens to Barack Obamas Marthas Vineyard and Kamala Harris residence in Wasington had to happen, he tweeted. Democrat leaders must step down from their ivory towers and get with reality. Our nation is facing an invasion and it requires acknowledgement and action. Speaking of getting with reality, what really should be required of our leaders is an acknowIedgment of why people are flooding the border the reasons they are willing to make the dangerous, often fatal trek to America. Not all migrants are drug dealers, rapists Kari Lakes plan, should she become Arizona's next governor, is to declare them invaders and send them packing, ignoring the fact that they have the legal right to seek asylum. Wouldnt it be nice for Republicans to acknowledge that right, then work with Democrats to fix the clearly broken immigration system, to streamline the process and eliminate the court backlogs that result in immigrants being freed into the country to wait literally years for their asylum hearings? Wouldnt it be nice for Democrats, similarly, to acknowledge that a border fence is not an act of racism, that it is reasonable to try to control who and what comes into our country? And for all of us to acknowledge that these people are not aliens? They are not, as Kari Lake would have you believe, all drug dealers and rapists and criminals. Mostly, theyre just human beings, doing as you or I would certainly do were we unlucky enough to have been born in their shoes. Instead, they're folks like Andres and Yesica They are like people like Andres Duarte. The 30-year-old Venezuelan told NPR he recently crossed the border into Texas and was staying at a shelter in San Antonio. He was among the 50 people DeSantis dumped in Marthas Vineyard. He, like others, told reporters that a woman approached him outside of the Texas shelter and offered to take him someplace where he could get help. We got on the plane with a vision of the future, of making it , he told a reporter. Look, when you have no money and someone offers help, well, it means a lot. People like Yesica, who was too afraid to offer her last name. I dont know what is going to happen to us, she said, speaking in Spanish. The truth is, I am worried. It will be whatever God wishes, no? Were here now and theres nothing we can do. Yeah, DeSantis and his pals were just laughing about that. Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LaurieRoberts. Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: DeSantis pulled a cheap stunt with migrants in Martha's Vineyard Location managers help find and secure the right places to shoot each scene in a film or television show. (Juliette Toma / For The Times) In Lori Baltons career working in locations in Hollywood, she has scouted for 1992s A River Runs Through It, 2002s Catch Me If You Can and 2022s Top Gun: Maverick. She found the site in Hawaii that would become the kingdom for the antagonist mermaids Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. She helped pinpoint the best location in Yellowstone National Park for the live-action Lion Kings Elephant Graveyard. And she traversed the Amazon River, from Brazil to Peru, to provide research for Disneys Jungle Cruise. But just as often, shes surveying alleys in downtown L.A., stepping over dead rats, cigarette butts and used condoms, she said. The first half of the job as a location manager is very creative, said Alison Taylor, veteran location manager and vice president of the Location Managers Guild International. This is the scouting part, where youre working with the production designer and director to find the right locations, she said. What does this character's home look like? What does this restaurant look like? What kind of street do they need in this scene? Once the locations have been found, the second half is logistics. It's like planning an event, she said. You have to contract with each location. You have to arrange for parking and figure out where catering is going. We arrange for all the tables, chairs, tents, air conditioning. You're hiring police and fire safety and security. Theres a lot of pride that comes from finding and securing the backdrop or canvas of a film or television project, she said. Taylor ("A Wrinkle in Time," "Insecure,""Shang-Chi"); Balton; veteran location manager Gregory Alpert ("Minority Report," "Frost/Nixon," "Big Little Lies"); and Whitney Breite ("Truth Be Told," "Prey," "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty"), an assistant location manager who recently started working in film and television, share their advice on how to get into location management. Who becomes a location manager? Curious people make wonderful scouts, Taylor said. People who are just out there in the world, looking around, driving." Story continues They know why a neighborhood looks a certain way, she said. They know about all these nooks and crannies that other people wouldnt know. It also helps to be a skilled photographer, to learn how to analyze a script, to understand lighting and to visualize how a film camera would move through the location. When Balton worked on Seabiscuit, she heard the cinematographer tell the director, Do you realize that everywhere we put the camera at every location is exactly where Lori Balton took her pictures from? I said to him, That's what I want it to say on my tombstone, she said. Though the job involves exploring new places on your own, it helps to be a people person. "You can't be shy," Balton said. You have to knock on doors. You have to persuade people to let you film in places. You have to be able to negotiate. Most people on a film or television set can exist in a Hollywood bubble, Taylor said, because their job is to be hyper-focused on helping the director or showrunner make the best product. But locations is the one department where its also their job to think about how the production is affecting the rest of the community. The moment you leave the backlot, the location manager is the principal liaison between the studio/production office and the outside world, Alpert said. He said that people often joke that he should be the mayor, because hes dealing with everyone from politicians to residents sometimes introducing neighbors who haven't met yet to business owners to unhoused people. Locations is also the department that handles a lot of the complaints, so you have to have thick skin and good communication skills, Taylor added. How you deal with angry, frustrated people is a big deal, she said. You cant take it personally when a merchant is yelling because they feel that the production has caused them to lose money or a neighbor doesnt like that theyre being held up by the police so the crew can get the shot. When youre dealing with the outside world, how the movie goes is not their lives. They dont care. They're not making any money off your movie. Theyre going to be late for work. Balton who has previously done location management but since built a career where she can focus on location scouting thinks location management is the hardest job on the set. If anything goes wrong, no matter what department, they trace it back to the location manager, she said. And if anything goes right, there are five producers standing in line to take the credit. So you have to really have the right kind of personality for the job where you are confident enough that you don't constantly need somebody patting you on the back. How do you get started? There arent any formal pathways to get into location work, Alpert said. But the job you want to land is the assistant location manager. Thats who we call the closer, because theyre the last ones there every day, Taylor said. Theyre the person on the walkie-talkie when people are calling for locations. But Balton recommends getting a job as a production assistant first. Because you get a sense of how a movie set works and whether location work is actually what you want to do. There are other ways to get on set. Balton started working in craft services and was an assistant production coordinator in the 80s before discovering her knack for location scouting. Breite, who previously worked as a union stage manager and ran a DJ company, entered the film and television industry in 2020 through a job on-set with the COVID team. She met Alpert on the set of the television show "Mom." He mentored her and helped her get into the union. Taylor used to sell pharmaceuticals by day and do event planning by night. One day, she visited a friend who worked as an assistant production coordinator on a set, and she was intrigued by the location department. Her friend later introduced her to a location manager, and she was at the right place at the right time when someone dropped out and she was able to fill in as an assistant location manager. It helps to have connections, but if you dont have any, Taylor and Alpert recommend walking up to a movie or TV set and asking the security guard to direct you to the location manager. I wouldn't recommend that for other departments, Taylor said, but I would recommend it for our department. We are the people who interface with the community. ... We would come, we'd give them a card and say, Send me an email, and we'll set up a time to talk. Taylor also recommends getting involved in the Location Managers Guild International. They host events and have volunteer opportunities, she said, and its a good way to meet people. It can be tricky to get into the union, which is where you need to be to get regular work, she said. You need 30 days on union projects in order to join the union. But most of the time, people can only join the union if everyone else on the unions availability list is not suitable or available for the role. But its good to be on other location managers radars when entry-level opportunities pop up. People hire who they know," Taylor said. "That's the truth. And they only go to the people that they don't know when they need more people. One other strategy to get experience in the film industry is to start with unpaid or nonunion work. If you have the flexibility of being all over the country, then you may want to start someplace like Atlanta, Cleveland, Detroit, Pittsburgh or other markets that have a lot of filming now, she said. Other cities have different location practices, she explained. For example, some productions that film on the East Coast hire location production assistants, which is not a common job in Los Angeles. In New York, there can be a whole team of production assistants specifically for parking, she said. When you get international, there's a unit team, she said. Someone is a unit manager, and its a group of people handling equipment" fans, space heaters, random tables and extra chairs. And lastly, the biggest learning curve is familiarizing yourself with the different parts of the city, Taylor said. It helps to know that Pasadena has different filming rules from the city of Los Angeles, or that Granada Hills has a pocket of Eichler houses. Location managers who have been doing it for a while, we have a collective history and knowledge base," said Alpert. "Over the years, you build up this Rolodex in your head. What are the career paths? There are three main positions: assistant location manager, key assistant location manager and location manager. Within that, you have people who focus on scouting, said Alpert. You have commercial location managers who work on commercials. You also have people who work as location department coordinators to help the location manager in the office. Theyre like the hub, said Balton, of location department coordinators. There are some people who love that. Theyre very organized, and they deal with papers and budgets. When you progress from assistant location manager to key assistant location manager, youre expected to know how to manage your own locations, Taylor said. The location manager hires the team, works with the location scout and reports the best options to the director and production designer. And on larger projects, there are supervising location managers, who manage other location managers. As a newbie in the industry, Breites goal is to try as many jobs within the location department as possible. When she talked to The Times, she was working as a coordinator, processing contracts. On a previous project, she was the opener on set. She has also done prep work, which involved knocking on neighbors doors and getting them comfortable with the fact that there was going to be filming on their street. Next, she wants to get more experience in scouting. Balton said her time working as a location manager also made her a better location scout. I understood the logistics of what needs there are on set, she said. Its not very effective if you find the perfect location, and you can't physically get the crew there. How do you make money? (And what kind of money?) Once you get into the union, Hollywood Teamsters (Local 399), there are benefits and minimums. For example, the minimum for an assistant location manager whether they're working on studio films, television shows (half-hour or hour) or made-for-DVD movies starting July 2022 is $1,715 per week and will be raised to $1,820 effective July 30, 2023. Location managers and key assistant location manager minimums vary, depending on the medium. Location managers of studio films make a minimum of $3,491 per week; the key assistant location manager's minimum is $2,215. And veterans are able to negotiate for much more. "Additionally we get $91 per day for our car," said Balton. "Back in the day, the car rental was a way to get studios to pay us more in general, as we average a 60-hour workweek over five days." And one of the benefits of working in locations is that once you get booked onto a project, you're often there from pre-production to the end of production, Taylor said, which provides more stability than other departments where people are hired for shorter-term duties. How is this career different than it was 10 or 25 years ago? On his most recent project, Alpert had 23 people in his department. But: Back when I started doing this, there'd be one location manager and one assistant," Alpert said, "and I look back and go, 'Oh, my God, how did we do some of these giant films with just the two of us?' And this was prior to cellphones. Technology also changed things. Before, it was either 24 or 36 exposure [film], right? he said. So you really gave a lot of thought. ... How do I capture this in a handful of pictures to show the director and the production designer? You didn't just take your cellphone or SLR and go click, click, click, click, click, click. Balton has recently started taking virtual scouting jobs. This may be a new sort of job that's coming to fruition, someone who is just a location researcher, she said. I did it on the live action Little Mermaid, where they asked me to start scouting really early on, before the director was ready to get into it, just to know what their possibilities were . And then when the director was ready to pick it up, they took the results of my scouting, and they hired a team in Europe. What advice do pros always hear that is wrong? The professionals say that its less that they hear advice thats wrong, but more that most people even their fellow cast and crew members dont understand what they do. The maps the cast and crew get when they enter a set, the yellow signs to tell people where to go, the filming notifications for residents those are made by the locations team. Checking the environmental impacts in the places filmmakers want to shoot that work is also done by locations. Shutting down a street for one day to shoot a one-minute Jaguar car crash scene in "Erin Brockovich" took six weeks to plan, said Alpert. Shutting down a stretch of the California 73 toll road to shoot a two-minute scene in "The Hangover Part III" in which Zach Galifianakis buys a giraffe and tows it in a trailer behind his car required numerous permits, 35 California Highway Patrol officers and four months to plan. People just think this magically happens, Taylor said. Whats some good advice? Learn about architecture. If you have a designer saying, I want a mid-century modern house, you have to know what theyre talking about, Taylor said. Start in jobs with transferable skills. Though Breite is new to locations work, she came into the job with a lot of relevant experience, which she used to petition to get into the union. She had worked with vendors and site reps when she did weddings as a DJ. She had worked with union crews when she was a stage manager. Coming from theater, I understand the nature of having to just keep the ball rolling and going with it, she said. So the ability to pivot and logic through things ends up being an asset. If you can, be a mentor. Because there arent formal pathways into their roles, the professionals The Times talked to try to go out of their way to educate potential newcomers about their profession. I'm always happy to help people, Balton said, encouraging interested parties to DM her on Instagram. I would suggest that people not so much look at the pictures that I take, but to look at the different things that I follow. Different places in Europe, different abandoned building sites and historic building sites. Learn how to deal with frustrated people. Its a lot of relationships to manage, Taylor said. Youre trying to be respectful to the people and places youre filming, while accomplishing what the production needs. If anyone has a legitimate complaint, I'm gonna hear them out, Briete said. I had a guy say that someone was walking on his grass, and we put some caution tape up. He came up to me later to say, 'Thank you. You addressed my concern, and you showed me you weren't brushing me off.' It just takes a little work. All we did was put caution tape up in his yard. Alpert said he always has the same goal for each of his projects: I always want to leave a neighborhood and for them to want us back. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Photo credit: Chris Jackson - Getty Images The entire royal family rushed to Queen Elizabeth's side this week as doctors supervised the monarch's health. Buckingham Palace confirmed in a statement Thursday morning that doctors were "concerned" for Her Majesty, and hours later, sadly confirmed her death. Reporters and mourners dressed in all black have since surrounded Balmoral Castle, the monarch's residence in Scotland, where she passed. Ahead, everything we know about Operation LONDON BRIDGE, the United Kingdom government's multistep plan for what is to be done now that Queen Elizabeth II has passed away. D-Day Immediately upon the queen's death, her private secretary will reportedly call the prime minister to inform her of the news, perhaps with the message, "London Bridge is down," per documents obtained by Politico. The royal household will issue an official statement informing the staff, civil servants, and the public of the queen's death, and the news will be announced via an alert on the Press Association wire. Then, flags across Whitehall will be lowered to half-mastideally within 10 minutes, Politico reported. The Ministry of Defence will arrange for gun salutes to take place, and a national minute of silence will be announced. A service of remembrance will also be arranged at London's St. Paul's Cathedral. The prime minister will be the first member of the government to make a statement on the death. Then, the PM will hold an audience with Prince Charles, who will deliver a broadcast to the nation. The royal family's website will be changed to a black background, with a small message confirming the queen's death, and the U.K. government website will display a black banner, as will all government departmental social media pages. Internally, the day of the queen's passing will be referred to as "D-Day," and each day after, until the funeralwhich will take place on day 10will be referred to as "D+1," "D+2," et cetera. D-Day+1 The morning after Queen Elizabeth's death, Charles will be sworn in as the new sovereign by the Accession Council. Story continues D-Day+2 The queen's coffin will be carried to Buckingham Palace. Since she died at Balmoral Castle, in Scotland, Operation UNICORN is activated, per Politico, meaning her coffin will be transported to London via royal train. If that is not possible, Operation OVERSTUDY will come into effect, and the coffin will instead be transported by plane. The prime minister and ministers will welcome it upon arrival. There is an entirely different plan if she had passed away at Sandringham. D-Day+3D-Day+5 Charles will receive the motion of condolence at Westminster Hall and later start his tour of the United Kingdom as its new monarch. When he arrives in Northern Ireland, he will attend a service at St. Anne's Cathedral in Belfast. Meanwhile, a rehearsal will take place ahead of Operation LION, when the queen's coffin will be carried from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster. A service will be held in Westminster Hall upon the coffin's arrival. D-Day+6D-Day+9 Queen Elizabeth II will lie in state at Westminster Hall in the Palace of Westminster for three days in what is being called Operation FEATHER. For 23 hours per day, visitors will be able to pay their respects. Tickets will be issued to VIPs for designated time slots. Charles will travel to Wales to receive another motion of condolence and attend a service at Liandaff Cathedral in Cardiff ahead of the queen's funeral, which will take place the following day. You Might Also Like DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran has no preconditions in its talks with Saudi Arabia, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said on Monday, calling on Riyadh to adopt a "constructive approach" to improve ties. "Iran will respond proportionately to any constructive action by Saudi Arabia," Kanaani told a televised news conference. Tehran and Riyadh, the leading Shi'ite and Sunni Muslim powers in the Middle East, severed ties in 2016 with both parties backing opposite sides in proxy wars across the region, from Yemen to Syria and elsewhere. Last month, Tehran said a delayed sixth round of talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran in Baghdad would take place when the conditions are right in Iraq. In May, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said there had been some progress in the Iraq-mediated talks with Iran but "not enough". (Writing by Parisa Hafezi; editing by Philippa Fletcher) Police shot and killed a man Monday during a standoff at a home day care south of Springfield, during which he allegedly threatened to kill a woman he had taken hostage, the Lane County Sheriff's Office reported. Police on Monday shot and killed a man during a standoff at a home day care south of Springfield, during which he allegedly threatened to kill a woman he had taken hostage, according to the Lane County Sheriff's Office. The deceased man was identified Wednesday as 50-year-old Robert Harris, according to Lane County District Attorney Patricia Perlow. The two county deputies placed on leave after firing their guns during the standoff were identified as Lukas Thomas and Arik Schenfeld, who have been with the department since 2017 and 1999, respectively. A report of a man assaulting a woman at the residence on South Ash Street near Second Street came in a little before 4 p.m. Monday, with the caller saying his stepfather was assaulting his mother, Sgt. Thomas Speldrich said in a news release. Deputies evacuated seven children ages 1 to 11 from the home. Officers learned the man had barricaded himself with a woman hostage in the basement. Just before 4:30 p.m., deputies heard the man state he had a gun and was going to kill the woman, Speldrich said. The Lane County Sheriffs Office special response and crisis negotiation teams, Springfield Police Department SWAT team and Oregon State Police negotiators responded. Police made contact with the barricaded man over the phone and verbally, and negotiations continued for several hours, Speldrich said. Just after 9:30 p.m., deputies said shots were fired and the man was down. Deputies administered first aid to the man and rushed the woman out of the residence to be taken to the hospital, Speldrich said. Early reports found the woman suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to her abdomen, Speldrich said. Deputies tried to save the man but he did not survive. The two deputies reported they had fired shots during the incident, Speldrich said. Both Thomas and Schenfeld have been placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with the policy for deadly force incidents. The Lane County Interagency Deadly Force Investigation Team is investigating the incident. Perlow's office did not have additional information Wednesday, including whether the deceased male fired any shots during the incident. Louis Krauss covers breaking news for The Register-Guard. Contact him at lkrauss@registerguard.com or 541-521-2498, and follow him on Twitter @LouisKraussNews. This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Police identify man killed during standoff at home day care near Springfield A Richland Parish jury convicted a Rayville man on Sept. 9 for a brutal 2018 home invasion that left a man severely injured. James Tabb, 33 of Rayville, was convicted of attempted second degree murder, attempted aggravated burglary and attempted army robbery. The verdict was unanimous on all counts following a two-week trial. On Aug. 9, 2018, Richland Parish Sheriff's Office responded to a call on Louisiana 425 south of Rayville around 6 a.m. after receiving a 911 report of a home invasion involving injuries. A male victim, identified as Joshua Butler, was critically injured in the attack and transported to an area hospital and then Shreveport for treatment. A female victim sustained minor injuries and refused ambulance transportation. Judge gavel Richland Parish Assistant District Attorney Doug Wheeler served as lead prosecutor in the case. According to Wheeler, evidence established that Tabb shot Butler with a compound bow, stabbed, and proceeded to beat Butler's head against a culvert at the victim's residence on Louisiana 425 south of Rayville on Aug. 9, 2018. District Judge Will Barham presided over the trial and has scheduled sentencing for Nov. 3, 2022. Tabb currently faces up to 144 years in prison. Follow Ian Robinson on Twitter @_irobinson and on Facebook at https://bit.ly/3vln0w1.Support local journalism by subscribing at https://cm.thenewsstar.com/specialoffer. This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Rayville man convicted of attempted second-degree murder for 2018 home invasion This combination of pictures created on February 16, 2021 shows US President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, October 27, 2020 and US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on February 5, 2020. Saul Loeb/Mandel Ngan / AFP via Getty Images Trump almost sank an economic relief deal that his administration negotiated out of spite for McConnell. The episode was chronicled in "The Divider," a new book obtained by Insider ahead of its publication. Trump grew enraged at McConnell for not backing up his lies that the 2020 election was stolen. Former president Donald Trump nearly sank a $900 billion coronavirus rescue package out of spite at then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell at the end of 2020, according to a forthcoming book from Peter Baker of The New York Times and Susan Glasser of The New Yorker. Trump had grown furious at McConnell for accepting the results of the 2020 presidential election and declaring it a settled matter. But Trump doubled down on his lies that he won the election, challenging the results publicly and in the courts and lashing out at anyone who didn't agree with him. The targets of Trump's frustration apparently included McConnell. After a grueling stretch of Christmas negotiations on Capitol Hill that yielded a federal COVID-19 rescue plan with $600 stimulus checks, Trump threatened to reject the plan unless it had $2,000 stimulus payments for most Americans. It caught most in Washington by surprise, given that the Trump administration had helped assemble the legislation behind closed doors. "The veto threat was a jab at Mitch McConnell, who had drawn the president's ire for declaring the election over," Baker and Glasser wrote in "The Divider," obtained by Insider ahead of its Sept. 20 publication. "By demanding $2,000 payments, Trump was embracing a proposal long resisted by McConnell's Republicans." A McConnell spokesperson declined to comment. The legislation was in limbo for two days until David Perdue then a Republican senator from Georgia locked in a tight election runoff visited him at Mar-a-Lago on Christmas Day. He pleaded with Trump to sign the bill. "'If you don't sign this bill, I'm going to lose,'" Perdue told Trump, as he recounted to a colleague, Baker and Glasser write. Trump budged and signed it, ending the standoff. The long-running political brawling between McConnell and Trump shows no signs of fading anytime soon. Trump has repeatedly attacked McConnell and urged GOP senators to depose him as the chief Senate Republican. McConnell, for his part, has only sporadically criticized Trump, and said he would endorse him if Trump were the 2024 Republican nominee. Read the original article on Business Insider A 21-year-old Wilmington man was convicted Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, of two counts of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor in New Hanover County. Following a three-day trial, a New Hanover County jury found a 21-year-old man guilty of two counts of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. According to a news release from the New Hanover County District Attorney's Office, Brayden Walker was sentenced to serve roughly seven to 12 years in prison for his crimes. Related:Sixth man charged in Carolina Beach sexual assault of a minor case found in Georgia According to past StarNews reports, Walker was arrested and charged along with five other men following a two-and-a-half year investigation by the Carolina Beach Police Department into Oct. 13, 2018, incident in which a 14-year-old girl was allegedly assaulted by multiple men. According to Thursday's news release, evidence in Walker's trial showed he and other men filmed the assault. Walker will have to register as a sex offender for 30 years following his release. Jamey Cross is the public safety reporter at the StarNews. Reach her at jbcross@gannett.com or message her on Twitter @jameybcross. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington man convicted of child sex crimes following jury trial Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was involved in a car accident early Thursday morning in Kyiv but suffered no serious injuries, his press secretary said. Another car collided with the presidents car and his escort vehicles in Ukraines capital city, Zelenskys press secretary Sergii Nykyforov said in a statement. The president was examined by a doctor, no serious injuries were found, Nykyforov said. The driver in the other car was treated by medics accompanying Zelensky and transferred to an ambulance, according to Nykyforov. Law enforcement officials are investigating the circumstances of the accident, he added. Zelensky visited Izyum in northeastern Ukraine on Wednesday, after Ukrainian forces retook the city from Russian forces as part of a major counteroffensive over the weekend. The Ukrainian leader is seeking to address the U.N. General Assembly via video next week; however, Russia is looking to block the virtual speech. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. China firmly opposes a bill named "Taiwan Policy Act of 2022" approved by the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and urges the U.S. to cease the consideration, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at Thursday's regular press briefing, noting that the bill has heavily violated the promises the U.S. made on the Taiwan question, as well as the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques. It also interferes with Chinese internal affairs and goes against the international law and principles of international relations, sending a wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, Mao said. There is only one China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, Mao said, adding that China will keep pushing for national reunification steadfastly, and no country, force or people should underestimate the Chinese government and Chinese people's determination, willpower and ability to safeguard China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The bill, if advanced or even passed, will tremendously shake the China-U.S. political base and result in severe consequences for bilateral ties and the peace across the Taiwan Straits, the spokesperson said. China urges the U.S. to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques and cease advancing the bill, as U.S. leaders promised not to support "Taiwan independence" separatists, Mao said, adding that China will keep following the progress of the bill and do whatever it takes to safeguard the national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a bill called the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022 on Wednesday to increase the U.S. military provision for China's Taiwan region, authorizing $6.5 billion over the next five years, according to CNN. Sep. 15Nearly a dozen women who support abortion rights told Lebanon City Council that its revised anti-abortion ordinance is still unconstitutional. The revised ordinance was given a first reading Tuesday. After the U.S. Supreme Court recently reversed the Roe v. Wade decision with the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, it required a new legal framework to include a "rational basis" in local laws. Vice Mayor Adam Mathews said the revised ordinance "is the same policy as before" but clarifies the ordinance's language. Mathews said the revised ordinance makes it clear that a woman can leave Lebanon to seek out abortion services without penalty because the city cannot control people coming or going. The Sanctuary City for the Unborn ordinance makes it unlawful to provide or aid an abortion within city limits, which includes providing money, transportation or instructions for an abortion. Anyone convicted of the misdemeanor offense faces up to to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Lebanon has had no arrests, and the city has no abortion services providers. Earlier this year, ACLU Ohio filed a lawsuit against the city concerning its Sanctuary City for the Unborn ordinance. The ACLU litigation remains pending in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati. In late May, Lebanon officials signed a stipulation signaling that the city would amend its law that criminalizes those who assist people in accessing abortion care, according to the ACLU of Ohio. A message for comment was left at the ACLU's Columbus office. At Tuesday's meeting, abortion rights advocate Alecia Lipton thanked council for the revision, adding "However, it is unfortunate that it took a lawsuit for you to realize that the law borrowed from a Texas pastor would not hold up in court... Your revision remains unconstitutional as your rules cannot override the laws of the State. As we know Ohio has one of the strictest laws on abortion in the U.S." Story continues Lipton also objected to the title of the revised ordinance, "An Ordinance to protect unborn and newly born children against abortion and abortion related infanticide." "The revision includes new language referring to last term abortion as infanticide," Lipton said. "Infanticide is not now nor has it ever been legal. You are using this word to shame and scare those individuals who may be faced with a very real healthcare crisis that could result in a late term abortion." She also indirectly attacked Mathews, the GOP candidate for the 56th Ohio House District seat; and former mayor Amy Brewer, saying their campaigns have used abortion as a running platform for higher office. While council did not respond to the comments as they were made, resident Peter St. Jean, thanked council for the action taken. "You're the choices we made and I'm proud of Lebanon," he said. "Council members made a stand and they are representing the vast majority of Lebanon." On Wednesday, Mayor Mark Messer told the Dayton Daily News that due to scheduling conflicts among council members, a second reading and final vote will be taken at the Sept. 20 council work session. (Bloomberg) -- A fire in Northern California grew overnight after dry winds Tuesday fanned flames, making the blaze the largest in the state so far this year. Most Read from Bloomberg The Mosquito Fire, which started Sept. 6, spread nearly 10,000 acres (4,046.9 hectares) and now covers a footprint of 58,544 acres in El Dorado and Placer counties, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire. The blaze was 49,761 acres Tuesday. Burning east of Sacramento, the fire had forced 11,277 people to be evacuated and was 20% contained as of Tuesday morning, according to Cal Fire. It has destroyed at least 64 buildings and threatens nearly 6,000. A record heat wave and deepening drought left much of Californias forests and hillsides bone dry ahead of whats traditionally been the peak of fire season when hot winds can quickly whip a spark into fast-moving flames. Fire activity has been muted so far this year with a total of 335,682 acres burned, far below the nearly 2.5 million acres that were charred over the same period a year ago, according to Cal Fire. Winds cleared away smoke and fire fighters managed to hold the flames back overnight along the southern edge of Foresthill and Todd Valley, according to Cal Fire. The fire area remains a dynamic situation that may change at any time, as evidenced by the fire activity on Tuesday afternoon, Cal Fire said. Evacuation orders remain in force. Last week, PG&E Corp. said one of its power lines near the start of the fire experienced a fault close to the time the blaze was reported but showed no signs of damage. The US Forest Service had placed caution tape around the base of a PG&E pole area, the utility said. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation. Story continues (Includes number of evacuations in third paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Canal+, Frances leading pay TV group, has signed distribution deals with Universal and Sony to ramp up its programming of U.S. movies. Under the pact, Canal+ now has access to the studios new films six months after their releases, a spokesperson told Variety. Sonys Spiderman : No Way Home is currently being broadcast on Canal+s linear pay TV channels, along with its transactional VOD platform, My Canal. More from Variety The news was teased by Maxime Saada, Canal+ Groups chair and CEO, during the companys upbeat press conference on Sept. 14, which was held at their posh headquarters in Paris. Saada, who recently joined the management board of Vivendi, Canal Plus Groups parent company, said the outfit already boasts partnerships with Fox, Disney and Warner, as well as Paramount. Canal+ also has a six-month window on French movies. The company previously had to wait 9 months after the films theatrical releases and was able to reduce it by three-months under the new windowing rules last December. Sadda pointed out Canal+ had been allowed to show the best of French cinema only six months following their release in cinemas after signing a milestone agreement with Frances film guilds to invest nearly $200 million per year in French and European films. He cited as an example Cedric Jimenezs hit cop thriller The Stronghold which began airing on Canal+ in February. Canal+ is positioned way ahead of Netflix which has a 15-month window on new releases in France. The windowing rules will soon be up for re-negotiation and Netflix, like Disney and other platforms, are pushing to have an earlier access to movies. Disney went as far as to forgo the French theatrical release of its animated film Strange World to protest against Frances strict windowing guidelines. Story continues During the presser, Saada said were about the only group to champion theatrical releases () and what we want is fairness. The contribution of platforms is around 40 million ($39.9 million) per year and Canal+s is about 200 million per year so we think each must have the place reflecting its contribution, he continued. Saada said if platforms wish to have shorter windows, Canal Plus+ move up as well, if not more. While it clashes with streamers over windowing in France, Canal+ has become a major aggregator of platforms through deals signed with Netflix, Disney+ and Starzplay. Paramount+ will be the fourth U.S. platform to launch on Canal+ by the end of the year. Saada said Canal+ was looking to sign with three more platforms. The executive was referring to AppleTV+, Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max/Discovery+s streaming platform which is expected to launch in France in 2024. The jam-packed press conference was hosted at the companys new headquarters called Canal+ One, which Saada said brings together for the first time teams who produce and distribute content, regrouping Canal+ and Studiocanal. During the presser, the banner showed clips of its upcoming original Canal+ shows, for instance Desordres, the TV series debut of Florence Foresti, one of Frances best known stand-up comedian. Foresti, who was at the event to present her anticipated show to journalists, plays a semi-autobiographical version of herself in the series. In the clip shown during the presser, Foresti pays tribute to Sex and the City with a hilarious French parody. While on stage, she said she wanted to make people laugh and also explore a wide range of topics, from loneliness to anxiety, parenting every other week and the difficulties in finding love. Canal Pluss Creation Originale unit, which is now headed by Olivier Bibas (head of drama), also presented a teaser of Marie-Antoinette, a lushly lensed period drama created and co-written by Deborah Davis (The Favorite), starring Emilia Schule who was also on the ground at the Canal+ event. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. SEATTLE, September 14, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CloudMoyo Inc. has announced its support for OnProcess Technologys Project Shelter, an initiative that provides aid for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war for neighboring countries like Bulgaria. In June 2022, OnProcess Technology launched a global six-month donation campaign aimed to provide financial aid to Ukrainian refugees. Project Shelter not only works to provide accommodation, allowance, and 3 meals per day, but this initiative also helps fund education for children and work opportunities for adults in these families. OnProcess Technology has engaged with its vendors, customers, and partners including CloudMoyo to contribute to the cause. CloudMoyo will be donating 5% of its July invoice to support Project Shelter. In line with CloudMoyos Four Rings of Responsibility, CloudMoyo seeks to #TakeCareofCommunity by participating in this initiative. CloudMoyos CSR program CMSankalp also includes other initiatives which have been dedicated to the betterment of communities globally. From setting up COVID-19 vaccination clinics in Pune, India to partnering with OneTreePlanted to fight against climate change, CloudMoyos donation to Project Shelter is another addition to building a better world, not only technologically, but also for future generations. CloudMoyo is a digital engineering firm and global partner of choice at the intersection of Cloud and AI. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Bellevue, WA, they are a leading Icertis Partner as well as a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner with expertise across technologies and industries. OnProcess Technology is one of CloudMoyos partners, focused today on applying analytics, AI, and machine learning to improve the way enterprises manage service supply chains. They are a global pioneer, powering the worlds circular service value chains. Their technology, OnProcess Agora offers a fully-integrated stack of critical insight-deriving, problem-untangling tools that allow full control and visibility across the entire service supply chain. Story continues "Were inspired by the work OnProcess Technology has done to give back to communities, especially for those fleeing violence and leaving behind their homes and livelihoods. This war has taken a toll on many people around the world, especially those who are in the midst of chaos. CloudMoyo is constantly seeking to improve the communities were a part of, so our contribution to Project Shelter is just one way we hope to take care of the community our partners community. Were proud to be a part of this initiative and are excited to be a part of Project Shelters impact," says Manish Kedia, co-founder, and CEO of CloudMoyo. If you would like to donate to Project Shelter, please visit https://fundly.com/project-shelter-2 or email OnProcess Technology at shelter@onprocess.com for Project Shelter bank account details or any questions you may have. All donated funds will go directly to helping Ukrainian families stay sheltered and safe. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220914005985/en/ Contacts Sejal Patil Senior Manager Marketing +1 (425) 885-5800 sejal.patil@cloudmoyo.com The following story contains spoilers about the second episode of The Good Fights current sixth season proceed at your own peril. Eli Gold didnt just bring his pent-up potty mouth to this weeks The Good Fight he came armed with some juicy Good Wife intel, too. More from TVLine As we recently teased, Episode 2 of the Paramount+ legal dramas sixth and final season finds Alan Cummings Eli providing Diane (Christine Baranski) with a present-day update on Alicia and Peter Florrick, the legacy Good Wife characters originated by Julianna Margulies and Chris Noth, respectively, both of whom were last seen in the series 2016 finale. According to Eli, Alicia has since relocated to New York City, where she has started her own law firm. During the scene, Diane notes that she has remained estranged from her former colleague and friend in the wake of that slap heard round the world. Peter, meanwhile, has not fared nearly as well. Eli confirms to Diane that Alicias estranged, corruption-addled husband who was forced to step down as Governor of Illinois in the final episode of The Good Wife is back in an orange jumpsuit. Although Eli does not detail the specific scandal that led to Peters latest stint in the pokey (in a somewhat awkward parallel to Noths current woes, a sex scandal landed Peter in jail the first time around), series co-creator/EP Robert King explains to TVLine, Because of what was happening with governors in Illinois and so many of them ending up in prison it felt organic. Regarding Alicias move to the Big Apple, King says, It felt like once she broke up with [Peter] that she would remake her life, and that might be in New York [especially] given that Julianna lives in New York. It didnt seem like a stretch to think thats what Alicia was doing. (And, yes, King confirms that Peter and Alicia are now officially divorced.) Story continues Eli and Dianes catch-up was actually a last-minute addition to the episode, King reveals. We were going through the episode and we realized there werent enough scenes with Eil and Diane, because Elis [storyline] was much more about his daughter [Marissa], he shares. So we thought about what theyd talk about if they sat down together, and theyd talk about what they have in common and where those people are. Best of TVLine Get more from TVLine.com : Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Newsletter Click here to read the full article. Warning: This article contains spoilers about Wednesday's episode of The Challenge: USA. Pole Wrestle is one of the most brutal eliminations in the history of The Challenge. Ever since it first debuted on The Duel in 2006, the physical wrestling match has produced some of the most epic elimination battles in the franchise's history. But when it appeared as the last elimination of the season on The Challenge: USA, the pole was thicker than normal, which led to Big Brother alum Alyssa Lopez's downfall after she was voted in against her ally Angela Rummans and couldn't get a proper grip on the pole. Two short rounds later, Rummans beat Lopez and sent her packing, right before the final began. But sitting in her hotel room with EW the morning after her elimination in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Lopez was still in high spirits and also a little bit of pain. "My rib is bruised," she says with a laugh. "Does it at least look like I tried?" she asks, "because I didn't last long. I knew as soon as I gripped it, my hands could only grip half of it. The pole was so thick and my hands are small. I knew I lost, so I was like, I'm just going to have fun." Below, Lopez breaks down her elimination loss, why she has no hard feelings towards Rummans, and more. THE CHALLENGE: USA Jonne Roriz/CBS ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Usually I interview players about their exit when the episode airs months later, but this is the morning after your elimination it's all still fresh. How are you feeling about leaving so close to the final? ALYSSA LOPEZ: I'm totally fine with leaving. I feel like this is the best time to leave, even though obviously the final would be good. But I feel like I went really far. For me, like, what the hell?! Did you know Sarah and Dom were going to vote you in? Yes, I knew Sarah was going to put me in. I didn't even care enough to engage in it. I knew Tyson had my back. I was surprised with Dom because he was telling everyone that I was the weakest female competitor that was still there and that's why he wanted me in, but he was telling me it was because of friendships he had in the house. Either way, I just took it as a huge insult because of how well I've been playing the game. I was a little shocked by that, but I think Dom just plays a very individual game. Story continues Were you prepared to go in or did you think someone else was going against Angela? I thought it was between me or Cayla, and then I wasn't sure since there was three people, maybe if they all can't agree, then it's a house vote I don't really know what would happen. But I pleaded my whole case to Dom basically on why I should be here and why I'm a good competitor. He was just rambling on any possible excuse to say why he wants to put me in so I was kind of prepared because he never had another conversation with me to say I'm good. I kind of figured it was me, even though I was working with Dom in alliance with him the past few weeks. And when Ben was in power, Ben wanted to put in Dom and I went to bat for him to make sure Dom wasn't put in. I really had his back so he's going to feel kind of s---ty about putting me in. I think he didn't realize how much I did I should have let him know sooner. But either way I feel like he would've decided on what he decided on, no matter what. When you walked into the Arena and saw the pole in the sand, did you know immediately what the elimination was going to be? Yes, I've watched The Challenge a few times, so I know Pole Wrestle, and I knew that was coming. I knew I was probably going in and I was going against Angela who is the best female competitor here, so I wasn't feeling very confident. The pole was a lot thicker than it normally is during Pole Wrestle what was your strategy going in? Once I grabbed the pole, I realized that it's way thicker than I thought. When I gripped, my hand was only halfway on the pole so I literally had no strong grip on it. I immediately felt not very confident because I barely even had a grip. At that point, I figured I was going to lose, and I just wanted to hold on as long as I could. What was it like battling Angela and getting thrown around like that? I don't remember it. I don't remember any of it. I just held on. All my strategy went out the window. I blacked out and because I didn't have a grip on it, I wasn't able to really pull it towards me, and Angela is so strong she's a beast. She's an Olympic pole vaulter against little old me. I really don't think I had a chance, but I think if I went in more confidence and didn't feel so insulted by Dom before and then also not going against Angela, I think I would've had more fire and more determination. But I was kind of checked out. Angela was my No. 1 as far as the women's side, so it was really hard to go against her because if I won then I would feel so s---ty that I was the reason why she went home. Even though I lost, I'm really happy because she's still there. After the elimination was over, I was shocked that Angela was the one crying and you were smiling. Angela does not show emotions, so the fact that Angela was crying, I thought there was something wrong. I thought she was injured or something. It just showed how she felt so guilty that not only did she send me home, but it was something so physical that she really had to completely throw me around the pit. She felt super guilty about it and it was really nice to see that she got emotional because it shows that she really cared. I just wanted to make sure she knows it's okay. I don't take this game as seriously as maybe I should. THE CHALLENGE: USA Jonne Roriz/CBS How did it feel when you found out that you're the last player to be eliminated before the final? I'm still very proud of myself because I thought my ass was leaving week one. The fact that I made it this far and I played the way I wanted to play I made big moves, I didn't play scared, I competed my heart out every single time even though I didn't make it to the final, I'm literally just one vote short of being able to make it to the final. I wouldn't have changed anything. No regrets maybe minor things, like I should have more conversations about this and that, but I didn't want to play Big Brother as far as over promising and being fake to people and sucking up to people I don't need to. I wanted to be loyal to the people I wanted to be loyal to, and not have to play like Big Brother, and I'm happy I did that. What was your favorite part of competing on The Challenge? [Laughs] Not the people. My favorite part was probably the eliminations. The first time when I won was such a cool feeling your ass is on the line and you could probably go home and it's something so brutal and it's physical and you're pushing your mental toughness. That win was incredible. It was kind of s---ty when me and Leo lost that challenge because it was literally like anyone could have lost it, but I was excited to go into elimination because if I'm going to go on The Challenge, I want that full experience. I went in very positive and I think that helped me compete. Before the elimination began, you ran off to the side to puke. What was happening there? Were you sick? [Note: this moment didn't make it into the episode but happened right before the Pole Wrestle began.] I suffer with anxiety. I take medication for it. I suffered with it a little bit on Big Brother, and surprisingly, I didn't suffer with it too much on The Challenge. Basically anytime I'm anxious, excited, nervous, overwhelmed, I get a stomachache and I end up vomiting. It didn't affect me until the last challenge when I did my swim. I don't know why I blacked out and I got a little bit of my anxiety, but basically I have to throw up and then I feel better. I was just feeling very overwhelmed, insulted by Dom, and having to go against Angela, feeling very drained, very sore from the last challenge, and feeling very discouraged, I think that is what got my anxiety to act up. But as soon as I puked I was ready to go. After your time on The Challenge: USA, would you want to return for another season or go on another show? I think the only two TV shows I would go on is Big Brother or The Challenge. I would do Big Brother again, I would do The Challenge again. You will not see my ass on any type of dating show. I'm too awkward for that. I literally puke when I'm nervous. No thanks. Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more. Related content: Jeffersontown mayor and Louisville republican mayoral candidate Bill Dieruf, left, talks with supporters at his watch party at O'Shea's Irish Pub on Baxter Ave. May 17, 2022 Louisville mayoral candidates Bill Dieruf and Craig Greenberg held back-to-back news conferences this week that focused on different issues, with the Republican zeroing in on the looming U.S. Department of Justice investigative report into Louisville and its police department and the Democrat covering his "Day One" priorities. Dieruf spoke to reporters Tuesday afternoon in Jefferson Square Park, the hub of 2020's racial justice protests. The sole purpose of his presser was to demand the DOJ release its "pattern-or-practice" findings concerning Louisville Metro Police and Metro Government "as soon as possible." Last week Mayor Greg Fischer and LMPD Chief Erika Shields made the media rounds to share how the DOJ's report on the Louisville investigation, which Attorney General Merrick Garland announced in April 2021, is expected "within weeks". They stressed that the city and police department have "not waited" on implementing over 100 reforms. Another Kansas?Kentucky abortion amendment fight brings millions for opposing groups "They know this report from the Department of Justice will be a damning indictment of their leadership and that of their predecessors," Dieruf said Tuesday. "This is nothing more than a last-minute attempt to distract us from their failures by pointing to changes that have done nothing to address the root cause of the problem." In addition to calling for the report's release, he asked Fischer, Shields and their administration to publicly release "all briefings and communications theyve received from the Department of Justice concerning the reports preliminary findings." "It is absolutely imperative that the report be released to the public before the election on November 8, so that the voters may be fully informed," added Dieruf, the mayor of suburban Jeffersontown. "Its clear that Mayor Fischer will attempt to do as he has done so many times in the past stonewall, stall, cover up and blame others for the critical findings of the Department of Justice. Only by doing so can he protect Craig Greenberg, his hand-picked successor." Story continues Fischer's spokeswoman, Jessica Wethington, told The Courier Journal the DOJ "will release their report when they are ready to do so." "We have not seen the report or any findings, and as has been shared with the public, the Mayor and the Louisville Metro Police Department have not waited on the Department of Justice to begin implementation of 150+ accountability and improvement measures," Wethington wrote in an email. Greenberg, the Democratic nominee who co-owns Ohio Valley Wrestling and is the former CEO of 21c Museum Hotels, focused primarily Wednesday on his "Day One" priorities if elected mayor but described Dieruf's remarks as "conspiracy theories." "I heard wild, unhinged allegations," Greenberg said at his own press conference that morning. "What I didn't hear was any solutions or any actions. I'm not focused on my opponent's rants. I'm focused on solutions and actions to move Louisville forward in a new direction, to improve public safety with real policies and real plans." Bourbon news:He learned to make bourbon on YouTube. Now this Kentucky distiller is making big moves When Garland announced the DOJ's investigation into Louisville, he did not say if it was prompted by LMPD officers fatally shooting Breonna Taylor in March 2020. Instead, the attorney general said the Justice Department would focus on whether Louisville police: Used unreasonable force, including during peaceful protests; Engaged in unconstitutional stops, searches and seizures, including unlawful search warrant executions on private residences; Discriminated against people based on race; and Failed to provide public services in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. DOJ investigations into other cities and their police departments often result in consent decrees that can take years to enforce. Greenberg said he plans on using any consent decree "as a framework for moving forward in a new direction." Dieruf, who earned the endorsement of the various Fraternal Order of Police lodges in Jefferson County, said Tuesday he would follow any consent decree in place if elected. "You have to. Thats the law. I would follow the law," Dieruf said. "I will not tell the officers not to follow the law. Reporter Joe Sonka contributed to this story. Reach Billy Kobin at bkobin@courierjournal.com. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville mayor election 2022: Bill Dieruf demands DOJ release report Sep. 15The union representing 2,000 nurses at Maine Medical Center has reached a tentative agreement with hospital management on the union's initial contract, with the two sides agreeing on 15 percent raises over three years. The three-year tentative agreement comes weeks after an Aug. 18 vote to decertify the union failed 76 percent to 24 percent. The union was formed in May 2021. If ratified by union members as expected, nurses will get a 7 percent wage hike in the first year, and 15 percent over the life of the contract. The new contract also would settle issues on "workplace safety, wages, benefits and working conditions," the Maine State Nurses Association said in a statement. "The momentum from our huge recertification victory gave us the final push we needed to get this deal done," Nadine Kern, a member of the union bargaining team and a Maine Med critical care nurse, said in a statement. "Nurses are more engaged and unified than ever. It's our unity that makes us strong." Devin Carr, Maine Medical Center's chief nursing officer, said in a statement that the hospital is "pleased to arrive at a tentative contract agreement with the union representing nurses at its Bramhall, Brighton and Scarborough campuses. We are looking forward to a quick ratification by members of the bargaining unit." Nurses represented by the union work at Maine Medical Center on Bramhall Street in Portland, the hospital's satellite campus on Brighton Avenue in Portland and its Scarborough Surgery Center. The nurses will hold a contract ratification vote next week. The agreement includes guaranteed breaks and mealtimes, and ends mandatory rotations between day shifts and night shifts. "After more than 30 bargaining sessions over the course of 13 months, we are excited about the positive changes our first union contract will bring to nurses and patients alike," said Mary Kate O'Sullivan, a bargaining team member and medical-surgical nurse at Maine Med. California crews continued battling the states largest wildfire of 2022 on Thursday despite a setback in containment levels. The Mosquito Fire ignited Sept. 6 and ballooned to just over 100 square miles Thursday in Placer and El Dorado counties. The massive blaze surpassed the size of the McKinney Fire that burned more than 93 square miles in California, in July and August. The growing blaze, fueled by critically dry vegetation, put over 9,200 structures at risk as of Thursday, Cal Fire reported. So far, the blaze has destroyed over 70 structures, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The Placer County Sheriff's Office reduced the blazes containment to 20% Wednesday, down from 25% the previous day. Thousands have been ordered or warned to evacuate as the fire burned east of Foresthill, California. Firefighter Christian Mendoza manages a backfire, flames lit by firefighters to burn off vegetation, while battling the Mosquito Fire in Placer County, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) One firefighter has been injured with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Cal Fire information officer Scott McLean. Here's what to know about the Mosquito Fire. MOSQUITO FIRE: Massive wildfire becomes California's largest blaze this year, scorching over 63K acres What areas were evacuated? Cal Fire reported more than 11,000 were evacuated from communities near the Mosquito Fire in Placer County, including Michigan Bluff, downtown Foresthill and Todd Valley; as well as Volcanoville, Canyon Creek and Bald Mountain in El Dorado County. Ninety people refused to evacuate, said Placer County Sheriff's Office Lt. Josh Barnhart at a community meeting Wednesday night. Several animal shelters were also forced to evacuate, according to Cal Fire. There were no new evacuation orders issued as of Thursday, McLean said. A firefighter hoses down hotspots along Foresthill Rd. as the Mosquito Fire burns in the Foresthill community of Placer County, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) Is the Mosquito Fire contained? Approximately 3,600 firefighters were working the Mosquito Fire by Thursday, according to McLean. The fire's containment dropped to 20% Wednesday as its size increased by more than 12 square miles in the Foresthill area. Story continues "The fire made some significant runs, so it increased in size and they ended up stretching the line out a little bit farther, so the containment went down accordingly," McLean said. "It's something that definitely can happen, especially the last few years with such volatility of the vegetation," he said. HURRICANE SEASON CONTINUES: Tropical Storm Fiona forms in Atlantic, headed toward Puerto Rico Crews were running burning operations to remove fuel from the front of the fire, but the fire is expected to burn into the Eldorado and Tahoe National Forests, according to McLean. "There are a lot of efforts, a lot of heavy equipment, a lot of personnel out ahead of it on the east side," he told USA TODAY. How is weather impacting the Mosquito Fire? Cooler weather, a lack of extreme winds and high daytime humidity levels of 30% has helped firefighters battle the blaze, according to McLean. Winds Thursday and Friday weren't forecast to be "all that strong," AccuWeather senior meteorologist John Feerick said. "Hopefully, (firefighters) can make a little bit of inroads over the next couple of days because it does look like over the weekend, there's going to be a storm moving in to the West Coast," Feerick told USA TODAY. 'DEVASTATING': World is 'heading in the wrong direction' on climate change, new UN report warns Conditions could turn windy ahead of the storm, causing problems for firefighters, he said. Any rain arriving with the storm would "certainly help matters," he added. Smoke from the Mosquito Fire lowered air quality in the Sacramento region, including Placer and El Dorado counties, to unhealthy levels Thursday, according to the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District. "The last couple of days, it's been really smoky in the Reno area and western Nevada, and if anything, that's probably going to get worse the next couple of days," Feerick said. Scientists say climate change has made the West warmer and drier over the past three decades and will continue to increase extreme weather events and more frequent, destructive wildfires. Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mosquito Fire in California is now state's biggest wildfire in 2022 New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - September 14, 2022) - Restaurant chain Champion Pizza is pleased to announce its plans to expand its retail footprint beyond the New York City area by opening new locations in Nassau County, New York, and in College Station, Texas. A spokesperson for the company said, "We have begun executing the first phase of our retail expansion plan. We are in the process of opening additional stores in New York and Texas, and are looking into markets in Florida, Virginia, DC, and New Jersey." The company is known for its classic New York style thin-crust pizza, utilizing in-demand ingredients such as organic tomato sauces from Naples, Italy, and unbleached and unbromated flour. Champion Pizza puts an emphasis on offering customers healthier pizza options and providing memorable customer service. Founder and CEO Hakki Akdeniz states that the company is ready for significant expansion due to increased demand for product. "We are always trying hard to make our business operations more efficient to deliver the best prices to our customers and want to make environmentally conscious choices with every business decision we make," he says. "We will not stop working on improving our pizza and our friendly service and continue to focus on being a good member of the communities that we serve." The customer base for Champion Pizza has expanded significantly since the first location opened in 2019. The company's Instagram account has over 26 million followers, and CEO Hakki Akdeniz is frequently invited to appear on various television programs to talk about his personal story as well as the success of Champion Pizza. A major cable television network has recently finished filming a documentary about his life, and a motion picture of the Champion Pizza story is also underway. While the entire team at Champion Pizza is excited about these developments, the focus continues to be on the brand - constantly improving in every area - and focusing on the new locations opening this year. The company believes that the new locations will help enhance brand recognition and draw in a new customer base. A larger operation with a more significant retail footprint will allow the company to expand the scope of its products and service, as well as offer special events, unique customer experiences, and community service opportunities. Story continues While the pizza industry is huge, with a current global market value of $160 billion, Champion Pizza has found throughout its history as a company that healthy competition makes all related businesses improve. The company plans to use the opportunity of the new locations to research and improve its recipes and offer new options to customers. Along with preparing to open new locations, Champion Pizza is working on schedule several community-focused events in the New York City area, including events designed for local children, such as pizza cooking classes. The company routinely supports charities that help the homeless, and plans to continue their charitable work by donating pizzas from the new locations to those in need. CEO Hakki had this to say about the growth of Champion Pizza: "We welcome all our customers and industry colleagues to join us in celebrating life by donating their time and effort to serve those in need around us. Our impact may be small and local today, but with everyone's help we can make a meaningful difference." He finishes up with this: "Have fun with pizza and be kind for no reason today." Website: http://championpizzanyc.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hakkiakdenizz/?hl=en Hakki Akdeniz Phone: (212) 226-3777 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137110 A summer trip to New England charged up a prodigious passion for seafood long held by Four Seasons Palm Beach executive chef Jose Gamez, who grew up in Boston. Visiting Bostons famed Faneuil Hall Marketplace and nearby greenmarkets reminded Gamez of years ago when I would line up for 45 minutes just to get a fresh lobster roll on any ordinary day. Florida snapper ceviche son will be offered at the Four Seasons' Seaway, which currently features a lychee ceviche (pictured). Recalling his time in New England surrounded by the freshest local seafood, Gamez now is fine-tuning new seafood dishes in Palm Beach, where were blessed with the Atlantic as our backyard. Dinner time: Seaway now serving dinner Inspired by his Boston sojourn, the new dishes will be added to the fall menu at the Four Seasons oceanfront Seaway restaurant. Among them: house-cured mahi crudo with pickled jalapeno, Florida orange-chili reduction, avocado mousse and puffed rice crackers. A Maine lobster frittata also is planned, plus Florida snapper ceviche with coconut aguachile, pickled Fresno chiles, cucumber and radishes. Four Seasons executive chef Jose Gamez. Theyll reflect how Gamez and his team seek to elevate every effort. Whatever we create, its going to look great and taste amazing. Gamez isnt the only chef in Palm Beach drawing inspiration from summer travel to create new dishes or even libations. And it isnt only chefs; restaurateurs on the island are doing the same, including Trevini co-owner Gianni Minervini. Since returning from an August trip to his native southern Italy, Minervini has been experimenting with ingredients his hometown of Bari in the Puglia region is known for: orecchiette pasta, rapini and octopus. Trevini's new orecchiette dish with rapini, octopus, garlic olive oil and basil pesto. The result? Trevini now offers an orecchiette pasta dish ($30) with rapini, octopus, baked cherry tomatoes, garlic-accented olive oil and a touch of basil pesto. The inspiration is definitely Puglia and visiting family there for a few weeks this summer. Trevini special: Black truffles are the shade of the moment For Cucina executive chef Kent Thurston, a summer trip to Hawaii namely Maui and Kona led to his perfecting a native Hawaiian dish he has long appreciated: poke (pronounced PO-kay). Story continues The dish of diced and usually raw seafood is most typically concocted using locally caught tuna and local markets offer many variations and styles, which we enjoyed immensely, Thurston said. While he and his family tried poke dishes with surf clams, crab, octopus, mussels and scallops, his favorites employed tuna. Cucina plans to start featuring a new tuna poke dish in early October. Cucina will start offering a new tuna poke dish in October, using line-caught yellowfin tuna caught in local waters, Thurston said. Ingredients such as barrel-aged Japanese soy sauce, sweet onion, sesame, kukui nuts and some Pacific seaweeds also are part of the dish. Summer time: Seasonal specials are on the menu Meanwhile, Tom Whitaker, executive chef at The Colony, traveled over the summer to Hexham, England, where he grew up. It was definitely a trip about seeing family more than anything else because it had been eight years since I had been back, Whitaker said. I mostly consumed a lot of British-style sausages my favorite being Cumberland coiled-sausage bangers and mash with caramelized-onion gravy and English peas. And, of course, he added, I had to get some fish and chips with mushy peas and batter bits. That has inspired plans to feature a slight twist on a fish-and-chips dish Whitaker has featured in the past at The Colonys Swiftys. Fish and chips at Swifty's will soon feature grouper or halibut cheeks. This fall, he plans to offer at Swiftys a grouper- or halibut-cheek fish-and-chip appetizer. He and his team will start testing recipes in the coming days, he said. Signature versions: Avocado toast is an island staple Elsewhere in Palm Beach, a summer trip to Greece didnt inspire Almond co-owner Lee Felty to create a new dish; instead, a new cocktail. Its called Sunset in Milos and includes ouzo, Amaro Nonino, pineapple juice, simple syrup, Angostura Bitters and a touch of sparkling wine. Inspired by a trip to Greece, a "Sunset in Milos" cocktail now is offered at Almond. The cocktail ($16) is offered at Almond and it reminds Felty of how evenings in Milos found people basking in the picturesque views of the sun setting, he said. Afterwards, people would stroll down the hilltops into town and to the local tavernas. Simple, local and delicious cuisine with an unmatched, unspoken code of true hospitality was everywhere. The servers and staff truly cared about your experience and happiness. This cocktail is a nod to that energy. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Palm Beach chefs find inspiration in summer travels When a 20-year-old Hampton woman refused to get an abortion in July, police say her U.S. Naval officer boyfriend killed her and dumped her body on a quiet residential roadway north of Richmond. Emmanuel Dewayne Coble is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Raquiah Paulette King. But Hanover County prosecutors say theyre also planning to charge him in the slaying of his girlfriends unborn 12-week-old baby. Chief Deputy Hanover Commonwealths Attorney Shari Skipper told the Daily Press that we plan to indict a charge in regard to the death of the fetus after a December probable cause hearing on the murder charge. Under state law, anyone who deliberately, maliciously and with premeditation kills another persons fetus is guilty of a Class 2 felony akin to first-degree murder and punishable by up to life in prison. If theres no premeditation, its punishable by up to 40 years, akin to second-degree murder. Skipper said she will decide after the probable cause hearing which of those sections to charge under. ___ A rare charge Thirty-eight states have fetal homicide laws on the books, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Virginia lawmakers adopted the killing a fetus statute in 2004. But the charge is a rare one in Virginia, according to local prosecutors. Thats even as a 2017 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found pregnant women account for 15% of female homicide victims between the ages of 15 and 44. The state judiciary was unable to provide data this week detailing the number of times the charge has been filed statewide since the laws inception. But Norfolk Commonwealths Attorney Ramin Fatehi said Norfolk prosecutors havent charged anyone under the statute since it hit the books 18 years ago. Likewise, Hampton Commonwealths Attorney Anton Bell said he has never been presented with facts to bring the charge since he became the citys top prosecutor in 2012. Williamsburg-James City Commonwealths Attorney Nate Green said his office hasnt had a pregnant woman slain since he began with the office in 2001. Story continues The push for such laws began in the 1990s and was often wrapped up in the ongoing debate on when life begins. These were part of the so-called fetal personhood movement, Fatehi said. The idea was to demonstrate that life begins at conception and therefore to afford protections to a fetus in the same way that you would a real live baby. But the Virginia law references the killing the fetus of another. It dodges the question of whether the fetus is a person, Fatehi said. Even at the time of the change in law, Virginia had other laws on the books designed to protect pregnant women and their offspring. Theres the producing an abortion or miscarriage charge a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison if someone administers drugs or uses other means on a woman to destroy her unborn child. A 22-year-old Hampton man was charged under that law in 2007 after he slipped drugs into a glass of his girlfriends drinks and caused her to miscarry. He pleaded guilty to malicious wounding and adulteration charges and was sentenced to five years behind bars. Moreover, Virginia has a separate aggravated murder statute carrying a mandatory life term for the premeditated killing of a pregnant woman with the intent to cause the involuntary termination of her pregnancy. (That was a capital murder charge before the states abolition of the death penalty two years ago). But though politics likely played a role in the 2004 law being adopted, Fatehi said he doesnt think prosecutors have shied away from bringing the charge for political reasons. When we have somebody who commits a bad act, it doesnt matter what our political philosophy is, Fatehi said. If that is the cleanest, best charge to bring, I have a very hard time thinking of any prosecutor who wouldnt bring it ... When youre talking about serious, aggravated violence like that, I dont think any prosecutor is going to be worried about the fetal personhood implications. Green, the president of the Virginia Association of Commonwealths Attorneys, said the fetal killing statute hasnt been actively discussed within the organization in recent years. He said hes heard a lot more discussion about whether civil wrongful death laws should apply to the unborn. ___ A womans slaying The investigation into Kings death began July 21, when her nude body was found by a passerby in the brush in a wooded residential area on Winns Church Road in Hanover. She wasnt immediately identified, but an autopsy showed the woman was 12 weeks pregnant and shot once in the back. There were no large areas of blood, no clothing, no signs of struggle and no cartridge casings in the area, said the search warrant affidavit filed by the Hanover County Sheriffs Office. It wasnt until a week later, July 28, that Kings mother, Rachel Pender, called Hampton Police to report her missing. Shortly thereafter, investigators were able to use Kings tattoos and photo confirmations to link the cases. Pender told investigators that on July 20, King sent her a sonogram image showing her pregnant with a 12-week-old baby, according to search warrant affidavits filed in Hampton Circuit Court The mother also told deputies that her daughter was having problems with her boyfriend, who did not want to be a father to Raquiah Kings baby. The affidavit said King also told Pender that if something was to happen to her, that Emmanuel Coble was responsible. She texted her mother Cobles name, date of birth, addresses and phone numbers. Kings father, Gregory King, told a news station in South Florida that his daughter a hairstylist and tattoo artist attended high school near Miami and moved to Virginia after Coble was stationed here. Coble, 27, a Navy lieutenant junior grade from Ohio, was stationed aboard the USS John C. Stennis, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier now undergoing a major mid-life refueling and overhaul at Newport News Shipbuilding. The Navy said Coble began in the enlisted ranks in 2013 and was commissioned as an officer in 2019. He held jobs in information warfare and served in Italy, San Diego and Hampton Roads. He also was a pistol marksman. When police interviewed Coble by phone on July 28, he told them that King rented an apartment from him on North King Street in Hampton but moved out a couple weeks earlier. The affidavit said Coble initially failed to mention that he and King were in a relationship, that she was carrying his child, and that he paid for a July 20 visit to a Planned Parenthood clinic. Coble didnt express any concerns for Kings safety, the affidavit added. ___ Cellphone data key to case Court documents filed in Hampton Circuit Court say investigators used cellphone tracking data to connect Coble to the site in Hanover where King was found dead, and also found blood in the trunk of the Navy lieutenants car. After obtaining warrants for Kings cellphone data, deputies learned King sent her last text message to Coble at 11:40 p.m. on July 20 about six hours after the couple left the Virginia Beach clinic. Her phone went out of service about nine minutes later. Police interviewed Coble a second time on Aug. 5. He admitted to driving King to the Virginia Beach Planned Parenthood on July 20, with the plan to get an abortion that day. But though Coble paid for the office visit, he said he learned later she opted not to proceed with it. While Coble acknowledged he was frustrated by Kings change of heart, he told investigators he drove her back to Hampton. He said he then went back to his apartment in Newport News, where he contended he had slept until daylight on July 21. But that story contradicted a police surveillance system that tracked Cobles Chevrolet Cruze sedan driving in Newport News at 4:44 a.m., before sunrise, the affidavit said. Investigators impounded Cobles car, spraying a chemical into the trunk to detect blood. It reacted on contact, the affidavit said, indicating the presence of blood. The affidavit said investigators also found a hairband in the trunk with a human hair attached with the hairband matching one found on Kings wrist at the crime scene. Investigators then got Cobles cellphone tracking data from T-Mobile. The affidavit said it shows that Cobles phone left the area of Kings apartment at 1:24 a.m. on July 21 and arrived at Winns Church Road in Hanover County at 2:54 a.m., the affidavit said. It left the area about 12 minutes later and was back in Newport News at 4:47 a.m. Coble was arrested on Aug. 12. His lawyer, Richard Quitiquit, could not be reached for comment. Though investigators believe King was killed in Hampton, prosecutors say theres no solid proof of that. There were no bullet holes, shell casings or other evidence of the slaying found in homes on the Peninsula. But while its unclear exactly where a homicide took place, Virginia law allows the case to proceed in the jurisdiction where the body was found. A probable cause hearing is slated for Hanover General District Court on Dec. 6 on charges of first-degree murder and using a firearm in a felony. Peter Dujardin, 757-247-4749, pdujardin@dailypress.com Dubai, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PUML Better Health, one of the original Web3 fitness and wellness companies from Gold Coast Australia, is sponsoring the Token 2049 conference in Singapore from the 28th to the 29th of September. Token 2049 Token 2049 is the leading crypto event across Asia, bringing together the global crypto industry and enabling entrepreneurs, investors and industry professionals to unite annually to create unique networking opportunities and shine a light on international developments. Other sponsors of Token 2049 include Huobi, Coinbase, Polygon, Wemade and more huge names in the crypto industry. PUML CEO Damien King will be attending the event alongside investors and advisors. Singapore has been a key territory for PUML since launching its unique B-2-B Move to Earn for Corporates in 2021. Now the team returns to prepare to launch its consumer PUMLx coin and WearX watch NFTs. Keep an eye out for an upcoming joint announcement with ByBit that will take place over the Token 2049 event. PUML to launch Ambassador Programme The sponsorship comes after PUML announced their new ambassador programme. Users from around the world can apply to join the ambassador community and gain access to exclusive rewards and NFTs, whitelist opportunities, merchandise as well as engage with crypto enthusiasts and help other users become familiar with the benefits of the app. Ambassadors will help to further grow the PUML ecosystem by taking part in campaigns, attending events and engaging in important Move to Earn conversations. About PUML Better Health PUML Better Health is one of the original Web 3, Move-to-Earn, Fitness, and Wellness companies from the Gold Coast, Australia. PUML specialises in the Move-To-Earn industry, where users can get rewarded with their cryptocurrency token $PUMLx on the Ethereum blockchain for completing health challenges such as steps and meditation. PUML successfully launched Move-to-Earn for Corporates in 2021 by signing with major corporations such as Singapore and Malaysias Western Union, Deloitte, LVMH, and many more, generating substantial revenue and growth. Story continues Visit PUML at https://puml.io/ or https://twitter.com/pumlhealthio MONTREAL, Sept. 15, 2022 /CNW/ - Quadbridge Inc. (Quadbridge), a leading North American provider of hardware and software IT solutions, headquartered in Montreal, is pleased to announce it has added to its customer offering the capabilities of Able-One Systems Inc. (Able One), a prominent end-to-end IT solutions provider, based in Ontario, through a recently concluded acquisition. Customers of the newly expanded company can now count on 130+ employees, in four offices across North American time zones, to provide them with expert technology consulting and acquisition services, Professional Services for IT projects, and Managed Services for IT operations. The additional technology expertise and deep experience brought by Able One's seasoned staff also broaden the options available to their customers. Quadbridge Logo (CNW Group/Quadbridge) "The Able One team and portfolio are a perfect complement to our existing business, giving our growing company a deep-rooted presence in Ontario, as well as in Quebec and British Columbia. With our office in Arizona, we are now better able to meet all the IT needs of companies the length and breadth of Canada and the USA," said Nelson Pacheco, President of Quadbridge. Since its inception in 2007, Quadbridge has built a strong reputation in the IT industry and has grown quickly, repeatedly ranking on the Canadian Business Growth 500 list. In April 2021, it acquired Vancouver-based DTM Systems Corp., to expand its reach in Canada, and bolster solutions delivery and managed services capabilities. Today's acquisition of Able One builds on that momentum. "Just as with DTM, we're looking at this acquisition as a union," said PJ Emam, Quadbridge Founder and CEO. "There's great synergy and tremendous opportunity here. We're thrilled to join the executive leadership and teams together and bring the combined power of both organizations to solve our customers' IT challenges and drive success through technology," he added. Founded in 1988, Able One began as a technology reseller, and is now known for its end-to-end, cross-platform IT solutions. Its broad range of expertise and outstanding client satisfaction have ensured its continuity for the past 34 years. Story continues "We're excited to begin this new chapter in our story, contributing our experience and know-how to the further development of Quadbridge, and gaining from the recognition they enjoy with a number of additional partners to benefit our existing and future customers," said Mark Ciprietti, President of Able One. As a combined entity, Quadbridge and Able One will be able to offer more access to a wider and deeper range of expertise, expanded and enhanced solution offerings, cross-border, cross-platform capability, and even stronger account management and client experience. Both the Quadbridge and Able One portfolios will be available to all customers immediately. The two organizations will integrate over the coming months. ABOUT QUADBRIDGE Expanding fast through organic growth and acquisition since 2007, Quadbridge is a single-source provider of IT solutions tailored to simplify and facilitate the technology journey of a wide range of medium and large companies in both Canada and the United States. From offices in Montreal, Quebec; Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario; Phoenix, Arizona; and Vancouver, British Columbia; Quadbridge's 130+ employees expertly advise, engineer, implement, and manage the perfect mix of technology to fit each customer's business needs and constraints. Learn more at quadbridge.com SOURCE Quadbridge Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2022/15/c6570.html Underberg in production Agencja Fotograficzna Caro / Alamy Stock Photo When it comes to stocking up on bar cart staples, an eenie weenie bottle of bitters might not be the first thing you gravitate towards. But good things come in small packages, and as Alex Cuper, the beverage director of Chicago's El Che Steakhouse puts it: "Underberg may be the best-kept secret in after-dinner drinks." While only 20 milliliters in capacity, the miniature bottle is loaded with flavor. "It is one of the most ideal ways for me to round out an evening," he says. What is Underberg? Identifiable by its miniature size and signature paper wrapping, Underberg is an alcoholic bitter digestif founded in 1846 by Hubert Underberg in Rheinberg, Germany. While similar in flavor and style to an amaro (think bracingly bitter), it's technically a boonekamp a subcategory of German bitter liqueurs. "Underberg is made with a unique blend of herbs and spices from 43 countries that are then aged in Slovenian oak," says James 'KP' Sykes, owner of The Armory in Brooklyn. Which ones? Best of luck figuring that out "the exact process is a highly protected family secret," he adds. Only five people know the exact recipe (though it does live in a digital vault if anything goes awry.) What Does Underberg Taste Like? Expect your first sip of Underberg to be hugely herbal, slightly spiced, and lightly licorice-y, with underlying notes of gentian, clove, and anise. Sykes finds that the flavors of Underberg feel somewhat akin to Fernet in terms of herbaceous notes, which makes it a key Amaro-esque alternative. "Upon the first sip, you get a bold rush of flavors reminiscent of Christmas a pirouette on the palate," he says. Does Underberg Bitters Have Alcohol? Yes! Underberg sits at 44% ABV, or 88 proof. Despite being a boozy bottle through and through, Sykes notes that it can be sold without a liquor license, because the FDA considers Underberg to be non-potable bitters. "This technically makes it a food product." Its categorization as a food product allowed it to continue to be imported and sold in the United States, even during prohibition. Today, it is often found on grocery store shelves as well as stocked in liquor stores. While the FDA may declare it non-potable, it's no more harmful to drink than any amaro end your meal with a good glug. Story continues How to Drink Underberg "Some purists wholeheartedly believe that Underberg should be consumed directly from the small brown paper wrapped bottles in a single sip," says Sykes. Some swig it back, others sip it from a straw. Some bartenders will even perch the teeny bottle on top of a cocktail, a la a Bulldog. "We always enjoyed the ritual with guests and staff of placing the bottle gently clenched in your teeth and tossing your head back no hands! allowing the intensely aromatic liquid to empty into your mouth," says Charles Joly, co-founder of Crafthouse Cocktails. The spirit has earned a cult-like following from fans, to the extent that Underberg offers a robust loyalty program. After you empty the bottle, save the caps the brand will let you trade them in for Underberg merch. Joly, for example, has an Underberg bandolier a little belt complete with Underberg-sized holsters worth 480 caps. "I've worn it more than once behind the bar, doling out wee nips of the digestif," he laughs. Other swag includes hats, surprisingly tasteful branded dinner plates, pocket watches, and picnic blankets. When Should You Drink Underberg? "The digestive properties of Underberg can't be understated it aids in digestion after a meal," says Sykes. "It has also been known to double as a stomach settling remedy that can help in a pinch." He finds the bottle's smaller size makes it highly portable "It can serve as an on-the-go remedy." Joly notes that Underberg's slogan 'after a good meal' about sums it up. "Like other bitter liqueurs, Amari, fernet and other digestifs (particularly traditional in Europe), these highly aromatized, infused tipples are said to settle the stomach after a meal." The brand touts that Underberg promotes digestion by stimulating gastric juices and supporting the breakdown of nutrition in the stomach. "I am not sure if it is scientifically proven or just a placebo," muses Cuper, "but it really does soothe your stomach after a night of eating rich foods! In Germany, it's all that sausage and schnitzel. For me, it is after indulging in giant cuts of grilled beef, bone marrow, and grilled prawns." "Essentially, it's a quick little drink to put an exclamation point on your evening," he concludes. Gianluca Scamacca scored a cracker but West Ham made hard work of a 3-2 victory at Danish side Silkeborg in the Europa Conference League. The Italy striker, a 30million summer signing from Sassuolo, scored with a stunning strike in between a penalty from Manuel Lanzini and Craig Dawsons header. But it was not all plain sailing for David Moyes side as, just as they had against Romanian side FCSB a week ago, they conceded the first goal. And they were hanging on for the final 15 minutes after Soren Tengstedt pulled one back before eventually making it two wins from two in Europe this season. Silkeborg, fourth in the Danish Superliga and managed by former Aston Villa defender Kent Nielsen, stunned the Premier League team by taking the lead after just five minutes. The ball was pulled back for Kasper Kusk to sidefoot past wrongfooted Hammers keeper Alphonse Areola from the edge of the area. With West Ham struggling to get to grips with the artificial pitch at Silkeborgs modern JYSK Park stadium, Lukas Engel almost doubled the advantage with a shot which flew across goal and wide. However, the lead lasted only six minutes before Maxwel Cornet was pushed to the ground by Tobias Salquist and Lanzini hauled the Hammers level from the penalty spot. After 25 minutes the visitors had the lead through a Scamacca special. Cornet intercepted a loose pass and played in the Italian, who let fly from 20 yards with a scorcher which flew high into the net. Silkeborg should have equalised when Nicklas Helenius headed home from a corner but it was ruled out for a foul, with no VAR in operation to overturn what looked to be the wrong decision. Then Dawson, who has been out injured since West Hams first pre-season friendly, marked his return to the side with the third goal, a trademark header from Aaron Cresswells corner, eight minutes before half-time. With a trip to his former club Everton on Sunday in mind, Moyes gave Declan Rice, Lucas Paqueta and Scamacca a breather, with Tomas Soucek, Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen sent on. But when Bowen gave the ball away and Lanzini mistimed a challenge, Silkeborg broke clear and halved the deficit through Tengstedt. And the Hammers were almost pegged back when the ball landed at the feet of Tonni Adamsen, but Areola denied him an equaliser with a fine save. Deficit of state budget 2023 of about $38 bln planned to be financed mainly through US, IMF, EU assistance Ukrainian PM The deficit of the state budget of Ukraine, according to the draft approved by the government on September 13, is estimated at about $38 billion, and the main sources of its financing are planned to be the United States $18 billion, the IMF and the EU up to $12 billion each, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said. "About $38 billion is the budget deficit next year, which we will raise from our international partners and through war bonds. These are two sources, in addition to tax revenues, which we see next year," he said at a press conference in Kyiv on Wednesday. Shmyhal recalled that the IMF agreed at an informal meeting this week to provide Ukraine with another $1.4 billion under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI). "We agreed that we will continue to work with the IMF more actively this year in order to have an IMF program next year. The program, of course, will be special for Ukraine, because we have special circumstances that have not been in the past 80 years for European continent," the prime minister said. Speaking about the end of this year, he added that another $8bn of EU macro-financial assistance will arrive: $5bn in a long-term soft loan for 18 years this month and $3 billion, possibly in the form of a grant, at the end of October-November. "The final decision has not yet been made," Shmyhal said. According to him, Ukraine also expects to receive an additional $4.5 billion from the United States by the end of this year as part of a recent proposal by President Joseph Biden: $1.5 billion per month. The prime minister said that in 2023 it is planned to receive monthly EUR 1 billion from the EU and $1.5 billion from the United States, as well as a total of $12 billion for the year from the IMF. "Next year we are talking about three sources of financing our deficit. The European Union we are asking for EUR 12 billion macro-financial assistance: EUR 1 billion each month, the IMF, which should provide $12 billion under the program next year, and the United States $1.5 billion per month. This will together finance $3.5 billion per month, which will completely cover our budget deficit," Shmyhal said. He added that there is also an additional "safety cushion" in the form of war bonds for emergencies or to finance gaps in the flow of international aid. A senior Armenian official says Armenia and Azerbaijan negotiated a cease-fire to end a flare-up of fighting that has killed 155 soldiers on both sides Prince William has told well-wishers that walking behind the coffin of his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, brought back memories of the funeral of his mother, Princess Diana Police in southwest Washington say a man arrested after a business burglary is also a suspect in a fire set Monday outside the home of the Vancouver mayor This WA National park is named best for bright fall colors. When leaves will change in WA A group is working on plans to build a new $750,000 food bank behind the Grocery Outlet in Selah. So far, they've raised half the funds needed, with plans to open in spring 2023. The quirky Zillah Teapot Visitor's Center is open for the season again, and big fan Tony Eglet recently answered some questions about its history and shared memories of the years when it was a gas station he managed. Ukraine's power system is unlikely to be able to ensure export of electricity to Europe without ZNPP PM Europe's demand for the supply of Ukrainian electricity in anticipation of the most difficult heating season ranges from 1,000 to 4,000 MW, but without work in the power grid of the Zaporizhia NPP, it will be extremely difficult to provide it, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said at a press conference in Kyiv on Wednesday. "If ZNPP is not in the power grid of Ukraine, of course, we will provide for ourselves, but will we have the volume for export to Europe? In fact, the question today is ambiguous. We have enough opportunities with Zaporizhia, without it, let's say, it is unlikely," the prime minister said. Shmyhal recalled that ZNPP has 6 units with a total capacity of 6,000 MW, but now all of its units are not operating or are in cold shutdown mode. "If it is in the Ukrainian power grid under Ukrainian control, it will work safely, in which case we will be able to fulfill all our obligations to export and support Europe," the head of the Ukrainian government said. He pointed out that with accession to the European power system, Ukraine this summer got the opportunity to additionally export first 100 MW, then 200 MW, and now 300 MW, which it supplies to Romania, Slovakia and Poland. In addition, it exports 265 MW to Poland via the Dobrotvir-Zamosc line and over 150 MW to Moldova, with a capacity of 600 MW. "We want to expand our export capabilities to a maximum of 2,700 MW: now 300, but we can and want to have 2,700 MW," Shmyhal said. He said that even limited exports allowed the state-owned company Ukrenergo to earn UAH 3 billion in net profit in two months. Ukraine received the first payments of EUR 500 million of immediate assistance to address the country's urgent needs under the second package of Ukraine Solidarity Urgent Response from the European Investment Bank (EIB) totaling EUR 1.59 billion. "The disbursed financing of EUR 500 million will help the Ukrainian government cover priority short-term financing needs, and ensure urgent repairs of damaged roads, bridges and railway infrastructure," the bank said on Thursday. According to the bank, it will also support strategic state-owned companies Ukravtodor, Ukraine's roads agency, and Ukrainian rail company Ukrzaliznytsia. Repairs to the train network, roads and bridges will help Ukraine keep people, goods and grain moving. With Ukraine being one of the biggest exporters of grain in the world, these vital interventions will help its economy recover and improve connectivity with the European Union. The EIB recalled that the first emergency support package of EUR 668 million was fully disbursed within a month of the beginning of Russia's unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine. The EUR 1.59 billion package of support under the EIB Ukraine Solidarity Urgent Response, backed by guarantees from the EU budget, consists of two blocks of interventions: EUR 1.05 billion of immediate assistance, of which half a billion was fully on September 14, 2022, further payments are scheduled over the coming days; and EUR 540 million for resuming EIB-financed projects in Ukraine where the EIB is continuing its support to Ukraine by funding its existing projects as they progress. "This emergency package was prepared jointly with the European Commission, to assist Ukraine in facing urgent investment needs, from infrastructure networks to the delivery of basic services to the population. We are working closely with the government of Ukraine to ensure that the country can maintain and resume its most critical functions in the face of such enormous challenges and suffering," EIB President Werner Hoyer was quoted as saying in the release. Minister of Finance of Ukraine Serhiy Marchenko thanked the EU and the EIB for their solidarity with Ukraine. The subcommittee cited NIAR's findings in its final report to support the claim that on April 10, 2010, the Russian city of Smolensk was the site of an assassination attempt on a Polish Tupolev Tu-154 aircraft, resulting in the deaths of President Lech Kaczynski, his wife, and 94 other people, including MPs, senior military officers, and high-level government officials. Katastrofa w Smolensku Fot. Filip Klimaszewski / Agencja Wyborcza.pl However, recent revelations by the TVN24 journalist Piotr Swierczek show that NIARs report did not confirm Mr. Macierewiczs thesis in the slightest. In his video report aired on Monday night, Mr. Swierczek - who has been investigating the Smolensk air disaster for years, revealed how Antoni Macierewicz's subcommittee deliberately falsified experiments and test results and hid unfavorable information in an effort to prove the assassination thesis. American expertise leaves no doubt On April 10, 2022, the 12th anniversary of the Smolensk air disaster, Antoni Macierewicz announced the findings of his subcommittee. Conclusion: there was an assassination attempt. Allegedly, two bombs exploded on board the presidential aircraft - one on the wing and the other in the passenger cabin. According to Macierewiczs subcommittee, the explosives were most likely planted while the aircraft was being overhauled in the Russian Samara. For the ruling camp, it was a day of great victory. Since then, Law and Justice party politicians led by Jarosaw Kaczynski have been saying that the assassination theory has been officially confirmed, and that Smolensk "was the site of a terrible crime" committed by Vladimir Putin's Russia. REKLAMA NIAR's research played a key role in Macierewicz's presentation accompanying the release of the subcommittee's report. Both in the report and in a supplementary video, NIAR is cited repeatedly as the scientific authority confirming the assassination thesis. However, NIAR's findings were quite different from those presented by Mr. Macierewicz. TVN 24 showed that the subcommittee left out parts of the research that were inconvenient, and falsified others. The most prominent example being the fact that the plane, descending at excessive speed in very dense fog, crashed after hitting a birch tree with its left wing. Macierewicz and his people claim that the collision with the tree and the loss of several parts of the left wing did not happen at all, and that the plane flew over the tree and crashed as a result of an explosion. The big lie Piotr Swierczeks 77-minute-long video report reveals a whole list of lies. Claims about explosion marks on the wing, explosives found in the passenger compartment and the alleged sound of an explosion recorded on the black box were all based on false evidence. REKLAMA The video features experts who dropped out of the subcommittees investigation because they refused to sign off on false information. - Inconvenient evidence is [in the subcommittee's report] either ignored or interpreted inconsistently. We couldn't put our names next to something like this- one of the experts, Marek Dabrowski, says in the video. - I wanted to make it clear that I did not identify any sound of an explosion. There was a selective use of the preliminary results of my research and the formulation of unauthorized conclusions- emphasizes Mirosaw Tarasinski, who, according to the subcommittee's report, confirmed that he could identify an explosion recorded on the black box. Piotr Swierczek's findings show that the Macierewicz-led team even manipulated the results of its own experiments to prove that a bomb was planted in the aircrafts wing. The photo used in the report was cropped in such a way as to make it impossible to see that the damage to the wing torn off by the explosion is different from that on the wing that tore off the presidential plane. Katastrofa prezydenckiego samolotu TU-154m w Smolensku. Rosja, 10 kwietnia 2010 Fot. Filip Klimaszewski / Agencja Wyborcza.pl It turns out that the subcommittee ignored at least four expert reports (commissioned and paid for) by foreign entities because they showed that the cause of the air disaster was not an assassination plot, but a simple crash. Moreover, the subcommittee simply removed its members, who at various stages would not agree with the false information. Before the video report was aired, TVN 24 sent the subcommittee multiple questions. The response reads, among other things: "in connection with the systematic reporting of false information by some media outlets regarding the Smolensk crime (...) the Subcommittee for the Re-examination of the Air Disaster kindly informs you that ignoring the true causes of the Smolensk tragedy, contained in the official position of the Polish State, means de facto support of disinformation perpetrated by the Russian side". Mistakes were made In 2011, Jerzy Miller's government investigative committee, composed of prominent civilian and military specialists, published its report on the causes of the presidential plane crash. It ruled out an assassination attempt (there are no traces of it in the examined wreckage of the aircraft or on the black boxes) and concluded that what led to the crash was organizational negligence and inadequate training. The crew violated basic safety procedures, descending the plane in terrible weather conditions. REKLAMA It did not choose an alternate airport despite receiving a clear message from air traffic controllers that landing the plane in such poor weather conditions would be very risky. The controllers made some mistakes on their part, and the rather dated equipment at the former military airport failed to communicate the exact location of the descending aircraft. After coming to power in 2015, the Law and Justice party mobilized the entire state apparatus - including setting up a special team in the prosecutor's office - to prove the bombing thesis. It even led to the forced exhumation of all uncremated victims of the crash. Examination of the corpses showed that the injuries were typical for an air traffic crash. This did not prevent Jarosaw Kaczynski from stating that the Smolensk disaster was an "unheard-of crime". Despite accusing Russia of a political assassination, the right-wing government did nothing to bring it to justice, although it announced it would take the case to the International Court of Justice. "If the prime minister and minister of defense fail to respond to the evidence of Macierewicz's fraud and manipulation revealed by TVN 24, they will share the responsibility for these crimes. All the materials concealed by the subcommittee (including analyses from US experts) should be made public in their entirety"- Tomasz Siemoniak, former head of Polands Ministry of National Defense, now a Civic Coalition MP, wrote on Twitter. *** Every day, 400 journalists at Gazeta Wyborcza write verified, fact-checked stories about Polish politics and society, keeping a critical eye on the ruling camps persistent assault on democratic values and the rule of law; the growing cultural tension between religious fundamentalism and human rights; and the ongoing Russian invasion in Ukraine. Our journalists are on the front lines in 32 Polish cities, reporting from the streets, hospitals, and courtrooms about issues that move public opinion. We decided to make our service available to everyone free of charge in order to provide access to high quality journalism for expats and English speakers interested in Polish affairs. The access to information should be equal for all. The biggest picnic party of the year awaits visitors on Saturday at the Kopaszi Dam. The close-to-nature atmosphere, top street food, refreshing drinks, and the best local Tech House DJs will ensure a special picnic experience. And after sunset, the evening continues in the Cinema Hall in the form of a large-scale afterparty. At the picnic, apart from your favorite local Tech House acts, you can meet none other than Reelow, who travels straight from Barcelona to spin records in Budapest. This is the third year they have organized this all-day outdoor Tech House party. You can have a picnic with your friends with music, dancing, delicious food and your favorite drinks. After: You dont have to worry, because after the days experiences, we continue into the night with a huge after party in the Cinema Hall, with big international names playing. What can you expect? delicious drinks, mixed by professional bartenders increased counter surface to reduce queuing Street Food and other delicacies Lounge tent rental option if you would like to picnic comfortably. Backstage VIP option with separate drinks counter. After party with foreign names Picnic: Start: 12:00 Ends: 22:00 After (Cinema Hall): Start: 22:30 End: 05:00 Line up: Reelow Nick Curley (After) Antique B&E Cordero Feeder Nova Spanti x Ben-C T:maniacs Xandra Me.s Friday syndrome Location: Andalgo street 15. (end of Kopaszi Dam) Date: September 17 Time: 12:00-5:00 Tickets: oneticket.hu A series of in-depth interviews with some surprising members of the community: Caroline Bodoczky: 55 years in Hungary, written by Marion Merrick. It was in 1958 that Caroline Griffin was asked by a friend at her English boarding school whether she would like to become the penfriend of a fifteen-year-old Hungarian boy living in Kecskemet. Istvans English was not so good, but enough for basic communication, says Caroline, who still has some of their early letters. He used to send me cards with scenes of Budapest and other places they had a 45rpm disc embossed into the card which you could actually play, with the music of Bartok and Kodaly. Their correspondence continued even as Caroline moved to Canada to work for some years. Upon her return, she and a friend made the decision to hitch-hike around Europe; it was January 1966. Somewhere on our way towards Vienna, I thought: well, why dont we see if we can get into Hungary? she recalls. By this time, I knew quite a lot of things about Istvan and he about me. Visas were very expensive and you had to convert $18 a day in Hungary we were doing Europe on a frugal $2 a day! But there was a cheap 48-hour visa, so we got that. The journey eastwards was difficult with hardly any traffic in that direction. The border was horrendous, Caroline remembers with a shudder, all barbed-wire fences and machine guns. It was pretty grim. To their good fortune, an unlikely lift was offered by a German travelling to Budapest in a Mercedes. It was January, the depths of an eastern-European winter and fog had descended, shrouding the entire landscape. It was rather beautiful, everything was white: there was thick snow; we went through the villages and all the women were wearing black clothes, long dresses and shawls it was very eastern European. There were white geese being herded about.it was all black and white with the trees black against the fog and snow. Luckily, the driver left us on the Pest side of Margaret Bridge not that we knew what it was and Istvan was living in Pannonia Street just nearby. But it never occurred to me that it wouldnt be his own flat. Istvan was, typically, living in a shared flat in which the landlady and her family also resided. Caroline and her friend found a student hostel for their one night in the city. You couldnt even see the river they burnt brown coal in those days and the smog was terrible; everything was filthy and people were morose. All the buildings were full of bullet holes, so it was a bit grim. It was very different from western Europe.no-one seemed to wear any colours. The next day we decided to go to Kecskemet to meet Istvans parents. We took the HEV [suburban train] out to Soroksar and then at the barrier over the railway we walked along the row of vehicles to see if we could get a lift to Kecskemet. Eventually, they were offered a lift in a lorry on condition they were willing to ride with a group of country people in the back. We got into the back under the canvas, it was dark so we couldnt see anything at all, but we knew there were other people there. They were passing round a palinka [fruit brandy] bottle which we all had a swig of With Istvan interpreting, Caroline was quizzed about farming life in Canada, including the price of a pig. It then transpired that the lorrys driver, Jozsi, had failed to sell his pig at market in Budapest and that it was there amongst them in the back. It was at some point then that something came towards us out of the gloom, the size of a Shetland pony! It was huge! It was a mangalica boar and it had long ginger hair, curly hair all over it I couldnt get over it, Id never seen anything like it. The following day, Caroline and her friend waited in vain for a lift on the main road to Belgrade but other than the odd horse and cart, there were no cars travelling in that direction. They returned to Budapest taking the night train out of the country their visas had expired but with no language in common, the border guards let them pass. In the meantime, Istvan and I had fallen in love, laughs Caroline. So, he actually asked me to marry him on that last evening, and I said yes. It was really very romantic. Caroline returned to Hungary three more times that year (by train) and then in 1967 she obtained a visa to stay three months. Istvan was in his final year at the Academy of Fine Arts, as Caroline started to grapple with daily life in Budapest. The ABCs [small food shops] were not very clean and there was this terrible thing about nincs [there isnt any]. You asked for something very ordinary and back came the automatic and unapologetic response: nincs! The other thing that really struck me was that people didnt smile. After my three-month visa expired, I got another three months, but then they said I either had to get married and stay or leave. We got married here, but not before MI6 had visited my father in England asking questions about us. We were still in the rented room when I got pregnant and the landlady chucked us out, Caroline continues. If Id had the baby there, Id have had a legal right to stay. They subsequently moved to the castle district, where their first son, Nicky, was born, and from there to Zuglo. But on inheriting some money they decided to try and buy a small house, opting for Budakeszi. People thought we were mad because if you moved out of Budapest you couldnt move back unless you had a job there. Even then, youd have to wait ten to fifteen years for a council flat. There were at that time a very few other British people living in Budapest: Charlie Coutts, who had arrived in 1956 and worked at the radio, and two Englishwomen Judy and Liz who had also married Hungarians and arrived just prior to Caroline. The concept in those years of an expat was unknown, and none existed. Liz and I both had western cars, says Caroline. I had a Beetle and Liz had a small Austin. And we had private number plates, so we used to get stopped by the police all the time, especially as we were the only women drivers. The first two letters of car number plates at that time denoted the ownership of the vehicle: A was Allami (state-owned), B was Belugy (Home Office), while R was Rendorseg (police) and H was Hadsereg (army). Privately-owned cars began with a C. While Istvan won art scholarships to support them, Caroline began teaching and then working at Hungarian radio writing and acting in Galaxy X, a series for teenage learners of English. Meanwhile, her sons Peter and Tony were born, but the radio work continued for fifteen years. Galaxy X shot me to fame, says Caroline, I once went into the National Bank and the woman said: are you really Caroline Bodoczky? In fact, Carolines name soon became synonymous with English and English teaching in Hungary since original materials could not be purchased from abroad, thus giving rise to locally published books and cassette recordings. Her voice became instantly recognisable since she participated in practically every such recording. Offers of English-teaching posts also emerged, including at Budapest Universitys faculty of Natural Sciences, and then in one of the burgeoning number of language schools. Their growth was made possible by an increasing interest in learning English, and the changes to employment law it had previously only been possible to employ one person, this was now increased to ten. Following the change of regime in 1989 and the suspension of compulsory Russian lessons in schools, there developed a desperate need for good English teaching. It was at this point that Caroline was recruited to the newly-founded Centre for English Teacher Training where she worked for seven years, and it was here that she completed an MA in Teacher Education and focused primarily on teacher training and mentoring. Her final teaching years were spent at the International Business School. It is now fifty-five years since Caroline settled in Hungary. Looking back she says, I think the only time I was homesick was at Christmas, but we quickly established English Christmases. And we used to celebrate Guy Fawkes on November 5th, but as Hungary was still celebrating November 7th [anniversary of the Russian revolution] we were careful to burn the guy where no-one could see us in case they thought we were burning an effigy of Lenin! Caroline recalls a visit of Brezhnev to Budapest. I was shopping with Tony at Astoria and there was going to be a parade down Rakoczi Avenue. They were bringing children along with red flags to wave so I decided to stay and watch. Standing under one of the trees that then lined that road, Caroline was joined by an old peasant woman who put her baskets on the ground, also stopping to see the parade. Suddenly a huge flock of sparrows flew into the tree above us, and the old lady turned to me and muttered drily: even the sparrows have been told to come. Looking back at her life in those first years, Caroline says, I think it was that the challenges of those early days were new and interesting, and any difficulties we had were compensated for by the fact that we were newly married and having children perhaps the highlight of anyones life. If you saw a queue, youd join it and only then ask what you were queuing for (it was probably oranges or bananas). When you saw things you wanted, you bought lots of them. We didnt have a fridge for a long time, we didnt have a television or a washing machine and I had to wash the childrens nappies by hand. I think the worst thing was the telephone when we moved to Budakeszi there werent even any telephone lines. We had to wait eighteen years for a phone, we didnt get one until 1994! But we had a lot of fun we didnt have much money, no-one did but food and wine were cheap, and we had plenty of time for friends and family. All in all, they were good years. Marion Merrick is author of Now You See It, Now You Dont and House of Cards and the website Budapest Retro. YORK A convicted felon from Lincoln was allegedly caught with methamphetamine while in York County. Pedro Morales, 24, has pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance. He was taken into custody by a trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol after a traffic stop on Highway 34 in York County. According to the affidavit filed with the court, the trooper stopped a vehicle, in which Morales was a passenger, for speeding. While Morales was being searched, he allegedly told the trooper there was an open container of Captain Morgan and a BB gun in the passenger door, as well as a bong under the seat. Morales also said due to his ankle monitor, he needed to be back in Lincoln by midnight. The trooper also found a bag, in which contained (along with Morales wallet and identification) K2, methamphetamine, marijuana THC wax and small empty baggies. A criminal history check, according to court documents, showed Morales was on parole through the Omaha Correctional Center. It also showed he has a history of possession of cocaine and methamphetamine, possession with the intent to deliver, possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person/defaced firearm. Now that Morales arraignment proceedings have been held in York County District Court, a jury trial has been scheduled for mid-December. Heres a look at how APs general news coverage is shaping up for select Nebraska stories. For up-to-the minute information on APs complete coverage of Nebraska and the rest of the world, visit Coverage Plan at newsroom.ap.org Questions about coverage plans are welcome and should be directed to the Des Moines Bureau at 515-243-3281 or apdesmoines@ap.org. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477. This information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change. Expected stories may not develop, or late-breaking and more newsworthy events may take precedence. Coverage Plan will keep you up to date. All times are Central unless specified otherwise. TOP STORY: RAILROAD CONTRACT TALKS OMAHA, Neb. Members of one union rejected a tentative deal with the largest U.S. freight railroads Wednesday while three other unions remained at the bargaining table just days ahead of a strike deadline, threatening to intensify snarls in the nations supply chain that have contributed to rising prices. By Josh Funk. SENT: 360 words, photos. Will be updated. LOCALIZATION RAILROAD CONTRACT TALKS-LOCALIZE IT The nations largest freight railroads are negotiating contracts with their 12 unions ahead of Fridays looming strike deadline. The 13 contracts being negotiated cover roughly 115,000 workers at Union Pacific, CSX, Norfolk Southern, BNSF, Kansas City Southern and other railroads that carry thousands of carloads if imported goods, packages, chemicals, cars, coal, grain and other raw materials across every state in the nation. The Association of American Railroads trade group estimates a railroad strike would cost the economy some $2 billion a day and disrupt businesses and passenger traffic nationwide. We offer some tips and resources for localizing the story. Find the latest Localize It guides here. BACK TO SCHOOL-LOCALIZE IT American children have returned to classrooms for the start of another academic year the fourth to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit when this years seniors were first-year high school students. As worries about the virus begin to recede along with quarantines and the staffing crunches they cause, educators hope schools are confronting the legacies of the pandemic. Theyre staring down strains on mental health, large numbers of students who are behind academically, threats to school safety and heightened political tensions around how and what they teach. We provide a look at some of the top stories to follow this school year, along with tips on how to cover them locally. Find the latest Localize It guides here. VIDEO AUDIO U.S. STORIES ELECTION 2022-ABORTION GOP Sen. Lindsey Grahams legislation creating a national abortion plan is putting Republican candidates across the country in a tough spot in the final stretch of the midterm campaign. UPCOMING. IOWA TRAFFICKING VICTIM-Q&A Supporters of 17-year-old Pieper Lewis, who was ordered to pay $150,000 to the family of a man she stabbed to death after being repeatedly trafficked to him for sex, have raised most of the restitution money in less than a day. Lewis was sentenced to probation, but the payment order struck many as outrageous, even as the judge said Iowa law gave him no choice. What are the rules in Iowa and other states for restitution? And as a crime victim, why was Lewis not protected from prosecution? UPCOMING. BIDEN Car guy Joe Biden will showcase his administrations efforts to promote electric vehicles during a visit to the Detroit auto show. SENT: 610 words, photos. Developing from 1:45 p.m. EDT remarks. R KELLY Jurors deliberate for a second day at R. Kellys federal trial in Chicago on charges of producing child pornography, enticing minors for sex and rigging his 2008 child porn trial. SENT: 500 words, photo, video. Developing. STORYSHARE EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS: AP StoryShare allows news organizations to access content from other outlets while also sharing their own content and giving it expanded reach. With active networks covering 18 states as well as topic-based networks already up and running, weve just launched our newest network, Education. Its free of charge if youve got an interest, please reach out to your AP representative or email us at storyshare@ap.org ... and find more information on StoryShare at https://www.ap.org/storyshare If you have photos of regional or statewide interest, please send them to the AP state photo center in New York, 888-273-6867. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477. YORK COUNTY Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested one person after locating 10 pounds of suspected methamphetamine during an encounter at an I-80 rest area near York. At approximately 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, a trooper made contact with the driver of a Hyundai Accent at the eastbound Interstate 80 rest area near York. During the encounter, the trooper detected the odor of marijuana. A search of the vehicle revealed a small amount of marijuana and 10 pounds of suspected methamphetamine. The methamphetamine was located concealed inside a suitcase in the trunk of the vehicle. Troopers also located a handgun in the vehicle. The driver, Monica Morales, 31, of Mount Prospect, Illinois, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm during a drug violation and possession of marijuana less than an ounce. She was lodged in York County Jail. With road safety being the hotly-contested topic in the debate world after Cyrus Mistrys death, Nitin Gadkari, Union Road Transport and Highways minister, has asked automotive OEMs to be quality-centric and not cost-centric. At the 62nd annual session of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Gadkari addressed the presentees and said that automotive brands should focus on reducing the cost of manufacturing with the use of new-age technologies. He further said that they must develop automotive solutions that offer comfort and also help the brands to cut down on importing vehicles. Nitin Gadkari said, "I tell my friends in the automobile sector that you should be quality-centric, not cost-centric. Because the choices of people are changing." Referring to the vehicle scrappage policy, Gadkari said transport and steel ministries will again urge the finance ministry to consider reduction in Goods and Services Tax (GST). Also read - iPhone vs Android mobile users: Drivers with THIS smartphone are better than others, study reveals! "Yesterday, I had a meeting with Steel Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. Again both of us are going to meet the finance minister and request her to give GST concession for new purchase of vehicles against scrapping of old ones," Gadkari said, adding that it can be a win-win situation for all. The minister also suggested that automobile manufacturers can offer some discounts to people for new purchases of vehicles against scrapping of old ones. "I don't want to make it mandatory...Is it possible for automobile manufacturers to offer some discounts for purchase of trucks, for four wheelers, buses against scrapping of old ones. "It ( discounts) may be Rs 50,000 for trucks and buses, for small vehicles it may be less, then that can be an incentive," he said. The vehicle scrappage policy has come into effect from April 1, 2022. Announced in the Union Budget 2021-22, the policy provides for fitness tests after 20 years for personal vehicles, while commercial vehicles will require it after the completion of 15 years. Also read - India-spec Maruti Suzuki Jimny 5-door spotted: Top 5 takeaways about it, CHECK PICS Noting that high logistic cost is making Indian manufacturers uncompetitive, Gadkari said that he is confident that the country's logistic cost will come down to 10 per cent of GDP in the next two years from 14-16 per cent currently. According to Gadkari, logistic cost in China is 8-10 per cent, while it is 10-12 per cent in the case of the European Union. The minister admitted that automobile companies are facing shortage of semiconductors. Gadkari said that on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, which is likely to be completed by March 2023, space is available for setting up bullet train project and he would willingly consider such a proposal. "I have 120 meter of width available on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. If anyone is interested in investing in a bullet train project, I can offer the land tomorrow morning to him and he can start the work," he said. The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is being built as part of the first phase of the Bharatmala Pariyojana. The 8-lane expressway will cover Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. With inputs from PTI Delhi Traffic Police on September 14 launched a drive to intensify road safety awareness in the national capital. As a step to push people to wear rear seat belts, Delhi traffic police issued a challan to a total of 17 people with a penalty of Rs 1,000. On the first day of the special drive, the traffic police conducted checks on Barakhamba Road near Connaught Place in central Delhi to ensure compliance. The drive comes after former Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry (54) died in a road accident in Maharashtra's Palghar district on September 4. According to police, Mistry, who was sitting in the rear, was not wearing a seatbelt. "A total of 17 court challans were issued during the drive from 11 am to 1 pm under Section 194B (use of safety belts and the seating of children) of the Motor Vehicles Act," a senior police officer said. The offenders were fined Rs 1,000 each, the police said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi Traffic) Aalap Patel said, "The legal provisions were already there but it has become a topic of discussion after the recent incident (Mistry's death)." "The Delhi Traffic Police is already running a campaign to spread public awareness regarding (the importance of) wearing seat belts. We are also taking legal action," the officer said. Last week, the Delhi Police took to Twitter to urge citizens, not to over-speed and always wear seat belts. Also read: Pagani Utopia hypercar unveiled with V12 engine producing 864 hp, details here According to official data, more than 1,900 people died in Delhi last year in road accidents involving negligence on the part of drivers or passengers of vehicles. The Delhi Traffic Police issued over 1.2 crore notices last year to offenders for not wearing seat belts, improper parking, jumping red lights, and speeding. S Velmurugan, chief scientist, Traffic Engineering and Safety Division, Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), appreciated the traffic police's special drive. "This is an excellent move by the Delhi Traffic Police. The Motor Vehicles Act, 2014 mandates that people sitting in the rear seat have to wear seat belts. This enforcement can lead to a reduction in fatalities by 10 percent. Usually, people tend to speed during the lean traffic hours, which leads to crashes," Velmurugan said. However, Atul Goyal, president of United Residents Joint Action Of Delhi, said mandating rear seat belts may not be a feasible move. "Pushing for safety norms is a good step but Indian families are bigger. Generally, more than two people sit in the back seat. Either there should be a provision for a third seat belt in cars or mandating it would not be feasible. So the government should come up with an alternative. Provide alternatives before making rules," he said. Separately, the Delhi Traffic Police also launched a drive to check vehicles with tinted windows. "Starting today, #DelhiTrafficPolice shall be penalising those who have tinted glass/glass films beyond permissible limits. Also, we will keep a check on minors indulging in driving without a license and penalise the vehicle owners," the police said in a tweet. A police officer said, "We urged people to follow the traffic rules and cooperate with the traffic personnel. The commuters are also being sensitised about the traffic rules and their safety." (With inputs from PTI) To reduce accidents, Union road, transport minister Nitin Gadkari has urged automakers to adopt global safety norms for cars in India. Gadkari stated that the majority of automobile manufacturers in India are already exporting cars with six airbags, and there is a need to adopt similar safety norms for cars in the country, stressing that they should also think about the safety of people using small economy cars. Addressing the annual session of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), Gadkari pointed out that every year, some 5 lakh road accidents kill 1.5 lakh people and injure over 3 lakh. "Majority of automobile manufacturers in India are exporting cars with 6 airbags. But in India, because of the economic model and cost, they are hesitating," he said. Gadkari wondered why automobile manufacturers are not thinking about the lives of people using economy cars in India. Mostly, lower-middle-class people buy small economy cars. An airbag is a vehicle occupant-restraint system that interferes between the driver and the vehicle's dashboard during a collision, thereby preventing serious injuries. The minister said the need of the hour is to reduce accidents in the country. "We need the cooperation of the automobile industry in reducing accidents. There should be healthy competition among manufacturers to produce safer cars," Gadkari said. The government is trying to make it mandatory for carmakers to provide at least six airbags in eight-seater vehicles for enhanced safety of occupants from October. Also read: Delhi traffic police launches special drive to mandate rear seat belts, fines 17 violators Gadkari's remarks assume significance as it comes against the backdrop of the automobile industry raising concerns that high taxation and stricter safety and emission norms for vehicles have made their products expensive. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in a statement said that to enhance the safety of occupants of the motor vehicle against lateral impact, it has been decided to enhance safety features by amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989. "A draft notification has been issued on January 14, 2022, which mandates that vehicles of category M1, manufactured after October 1, 2022, shall be fitted with two side/side torso airbags, one each for the persons occupying front row outboard seating positions, and two side curtain/tube airbags, one each for the persons occupying outboard seating positions," it had said. According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, over 1.55 lakh lives were lost in road crashes across India in 2021 -- an average of 426 daily or 18 every single hour -- which is the highest death figures recorded in any calendar year so far. According to the report titled 'Road accidents in India -- 2020', more than 11 percent of deaths and injuries were caused due to non-usage of seat belts. Gadkari said road safety is on the highest agenda for the government. Also read: SHOCKING! Viral video shows man getting crushed trying to repair car Responding to demands of automotive component manufacturers for reduction of GST, he said this sector is giving 'maximum revenue' to the government and that is the reason no finance minister is ready to compromise on that. Gadkari asked automobile manufacturers to start manufacturing flex fuel engine vehicles. "On the 28th of this month, I am going to launch the Toyota flex-engine car in Delhi," he said. Last year, the road ministry issued an advisory to carmakers to introduce flexible-fuel engines in vehicles. Flex-fuel, or flexible fuel, is an alternative fuel made of a combination of gasoline and methanol or ethanol. The minister emphasized the need of encouraging people to use the mass rapid transport system. "We need to discourage people from purchasing more cars... ..How is it possible to increase the width of the road," he said. (With inputs from PTI) The European Parliament approved a proposal of the European Commission, previously politically supported by EU finance ministers, to allocate EUR 5 billion to Ukraine as the second tranche of new macro-financial assistance totaling EUR 9 billion. The corresponding decision was voted on under an urgent procedure on Thursday in Strasbourg as part of the plenary session of the European Parliament. There are 534 votes for the allocation, 30 votes against and 26 abstained, with 590 deputies voting. Earlier, on September 9, EU finance ministers politically supported the proposal of the European Commission to provide Ukraine with the second tranche of macro-financial assistance in the amount of EUR 5 billion out of 8 remaining. Commenting on the decision, Zbynek Stanjura, Finance Minister of the Czech Presidency of the EU, noted that the new loan of EUR 5 billion will go to the daily activities of the state and ensure the operation of critical infrastructure in the country, such as offices, schools or hospitals. Further, the decision still has to be formally approved by the EU Council, after which a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed between Kyiv and Brussels. Cheetah Reintroduction Project in India: As part of the first-of-its-kind transcontinental mission, a special plane landed in Namibia to get a total of eight Namibian Cheetahs back to Indian territory after being extinct for over 70 years. Five female and three male cheetahs will head for India in a customized Boeing 747-400 jumbo aircraft from Namibia's capital Windhoek, travelling overnight and reaching Jaipur on the morning of Saturday, September 17. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release eight cheetahs being brought from Namibia into the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. PM Narendra Modi will release Cheetahs on his birthday on September 17. The large carnivore got completely wiped out from India due to their use for coursing, sport hunting, overhunting, and habitat loss. "A special bird touches down in the Land of the Brave to carry goodwill ambassadors to the Land of the Tiger," the High Commission of India in Windhoek tweeted. A special bird touches down in the Land of the Brave to carry goodwill ambassadors to the Land of the Tiger.#AmritMahotsav #IndiaNamibia pic.twitter.com/vmV0ffBncO India In Namibia (@IndiainNamibia) September 14, 2022 The government declared the cheetah extinct in the country in 1952. Starting in the 1970s, the efforts of the Indian government to re-establish the species in its historical ranges in the country led to the signing of a pact with Namibia, which is donating the first eight individuals to launch the Cheetah reintroduction programme, on July 20 this year. They will then be flown to their new home -- Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh -- in helicopters. According to the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), an international not-for-profit organisation headquartered in Namibia and dedicated to saving the cheetah in the wild, the five female cheetahs are aged between two years and five years, and the male cheetahs are aged between 4.5 years and 5.5 years. According to the CCF, the aircraft bringing the cheetahs to India has been modified to allow cages to be secured in the main cabin but will still allow vets to have full access to the cats during the flight. Also read: Aviation regulator DGCA mandates Breath analyser test for all pilots, cabin crew from THIS day The aircraft is an ultra-long range jet capable of flying for up to 16 hours and so can fly directly from Namibia to India without a stop to refuel, an important consideration for the well-being of the cheetahs, it said. The mission has been designated as a Flagged Expedition by the Explorers Club, an American-based international multidisciplinary professional society to promote scientific exploration. Eight officials and experts will oversee the Namibian cheetahs during the mission, including Prashant Agrawal, High Commissioner of India to Namibia, Yadvendradev Vikramsinh Jhala, chief scientist for Project Cheetah and Dean of Wildlife Institute of India; Sanath Krishna Muliya, veterinarian, Union Environment Ministry; Laurie Marker, CCF Founder, and Executive Director; Eli Walker, CCF conservation biologist and cheetah specialist; Barthelemy Batalli, CCF data manager and Ana Basto, CCF veterinarian. At the KNP, the prime minister will release the cheetahs, aged four to six years, into smaller quarantine enclosures where they will be kept for 30 days. They will then be released in a six-sq km predator-proof holding facility with nine compartments. (With inputs from agencies) New Delhi: Delhi High court has ordered Amazon to delist a drink product thats manufactured by a Pakistani firm under the name Rooh Afza from its platform in India. Rooh Afza is a popular refreshment drink in Northern India and has long been using in households to protect against Summer heat. (ALSO READ: Monthly Income Scheme: Invest Rs 50,000 in post office scheme to get THIS much) High court passed the order on September 7 after receiving the plea by the Indian social welfare NGO Hamdard National Foundation. The petitioner argued that some of the Rooh Afza listed on the Amazon Indian platform site arent manufactured by Hamdard Laboratories (India), but by Pakistani firms. And the most important thing is that details arent mentioned on the packaging. (ALSO READ: India plagues with Ghost Mall problem, causes THIS much whopping loss: Report) The court said, "Rooh Afza is a product which has been consumed by the Indian public for more than a century now, and its quality standards have to comply with the applicable regulations prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Act and Legal Metrology Act. It is surprising that an imported product is being sold on Amazon without complete details of the manufacturer being disclosed. What is Rooh Afza? Rooh Afza, which is a household name in Northern India, is a popular refreshment drink used to protect against the scourge of summer heat. This Syrup was first invented by Hakim Hafiz Abdul Majeed who was a Unani healing practitioner. It was first sold in 1907 in Old Delhi. Once the united India was divided into India and Pakistan, Majeed one son stayed in India while the other went to Pakistan. Both brothers set up factories in each country - Hamdard foundation in India and Hamdard Laboratories in Pakistan. Both of them produce the same product Rooh Afza. Today Hamdard National Foundation manufacturers Rooh Afza in India while Hamdard Laboratories has produced the same product Rooh Afza for Pakistan. The Issue with Rooh Afza According to the Hamdard India, the company earns a substantial amount of its revenue through sales of the product under the Rooh Afza name. Allowing listing of the Pakistan-manufactured Hamdard Rooh Afza would siphon off a large part of the revenue from Hamdard India. Thats a huge loss of revenue. Besides, Pakistan-manufactured products under Rooh Afza brand lack the contact details of the manufactures, which makes it difficult to contact the owner in times of the need. Moreover, customers get confused to distinguish between the Indian and Pakistani manufacturers. If customers see the Pakistan made Rooh Afza on Amazon India, they will buy it inadvertently intead of India-made Rooh Afza. New Delhi: The trend of crude oil supply to India will continue, and bilateral trade will strike new records, said Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, in an interview with ANI. "India being a consumer, quite naturally is looking for the cheapest offers and Russia being deprived of its traditional markets in Europe, for example, is looking for new markets, so this meeting between best available options and best available offers is driving the trade and our relationship in the energy sector, it is natural we think this trend will continue in a structured manner," the Russian envoy said. (ALSO READ: Rating agency Fitch cuts global growth forecast, sees RECESSION in UK close) "No one knows the situation how energy markets look like by the end of the year, we are looking to further expanding our relationship in this area at promoting the ongoing dialogue and cooperation based on long-term arrangements and agreements," he added. (ALSO READ: India plagues with Ghost Mall problem, causes THIS much whopping loss: Report) According to an estimate, there is a steep jump in Russian oil export to India, as it has increased ten times this year and Russian crude oil is now fulfilling almost 10% of India's imported oil consumption. "The volumes (of trade have reached USD 11.5 billion already in half of the year. We will make and strike possibly a new record in our trade by the year, as we did in the previous one when our trade stood at USD 13.6 billion," the Ambassador said. The Russian envoy said that India and Russia are looking to further expanding the relationship in the energy sector as the situation in future is unpredictable. Europe and US had expressed reservations about the quantum jump in Russian exports to Asian giants India and China. The envoy also spoke about the position taken by India on oil imports He lauded the recent remarks made by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and slammed West for practising double standards. "I believe that these are the same double standards, hypocrisy and geopolitics. Jaishankar was very clear to articulate the imperative to satisfy the needs of the Indian people, essentially we can put it like that West continues to plausibly ignore India's legitimate national interest just like it did so most of the time at the time of colonialism," he said. The Russian envoy termed the G7's plan to put a cap on the rates of Russian oil prices as narrow-minded and unrealistic, which according to him will definitely affect the global supply chains. "I believe that this ill-intended initiative to put a cap on the price of Russian oil by administrative measures is both narrow-minded and unrealistic and it will definitely affect the global supply chains consequently will increase the energy rates, galloping projection if this whim is implemented. Russia will simply stop selling oil to those countries which decide to join this initiative as simple as that we will stop the supply of gas. It affects Russia substantially but ultimately it will be Europe who will feel the pain," the Russian Ambassador said. Speaking on the war in Ukraine, the Russian envoy said India is aware of the complexity and origin of the conflict. He said "We appreciate India's approach has been very consistent, very well balanced, India is well aware of the origin of crisis, we don't have anything against the Ukrainian people we are brothers with Ukrainian people but the current regime in Kyiv has become a very explicit anti-Russia project, President Zelenskyy let down the Russian-speaking population in the Donbas region labelling the people there as species and launching a military campaign against them, it has now effectively become a western proxy war against Russia and NATO proxy war against Russia." "We on our part exercise long-term approach with our neighbourhood which we wanted to remain peaceful, stable and free of threats; we have been accused of the unjustified, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, the argument which we will not accept. We regard it wrong on both accounts so India is well aware of the complexity of Ukrainian conflict and acts in its own national interest," he said. New Delhi: The trailer of Prime Videos new web series Hush Hush has finally been released and since then everybody is talking about it. The buzz around the trailer and its mysterious, suspenseful, and dramatic plot line has kept the audience and the film fraternity intact with everybody hailing the storyline. The show features a stunning, all-women cast of Juhi Chawla, Soha Ali Khan, Shahana Goswami, Kritika Kamra, Karishma Tanna, and Ayesha Jhulka. It focuses on how a group of friends face grave danger and odds stacked up against them. Now that the trailer is out, some of the most popular celebrities from Bollywood are sharing their views about it. The film personalities took to their social media handles to express their excitement. Look at the reactions - Kareena Kapoor Khan says Looks super exciting Vidya Balan writes Cant wait to watch Hush Hush Nikkhil Advani said,Congrats to a host of friends and collaborators. Looking good @vikramix @sakpataudi @Kritika_Kamra So good to see @iam_juhi on the platform scene. Well done #TanujaChandra @Abundantia_Ent @PrimeVideoIN #HushHushOnPrime. Actress Tanishaa Mukerji tweeted, "Always so fab! Love u @iam_juhi." Watch the trailer The 7-episode series is helmed by acclaimed director Tanuja Chandra, who also double-hats as the executive producer of the show. 'Hush Hush' follows the lives of four friendsa powerful lobbyist, Ishi Sanghamitra (Juhi Chawla), an ex-investigative journalist, Saiba Tyagi (Soha Ali Khan Pataudi), a housewife, Dolly Dalal (Kritika Kamra), and a fashion designer, Zaira Shaikh (Shahana Goswami). After being involved in something horrible one fateful night, their previously picture-perfect lives are turned upside down. Produced by Vikram Malhotra-led Abundantia Entertainment, Hush Hush will be available to stream for prime members across the world from September 22. New Delhi: The Cheetah Reintroduction Project, which aims to restore the population of cheetahs in the country, will formally take off on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 72nd birthday - September 17, 2022. The last spotted feline died in 1948 in the Sal forests of Chhattisgarh's Koriya district. Starting in the 1970s, the efforts of the Indian government to re-establish the species in its historical ranges in the country led to the signing of a pact with Namibia, which donated the first eight individuals to launch the Cheetah reintroduction programme on July 20 this year. Here are 10 important facts about cheetahs: 1) Eight cheetahs, five female and three male will be brought to Jaipur in Rajasthan on September 17 2) A specially customised B747 jumbo jet is going to bring the cheetahs as part of an inter-continental translocation project. 3) They will then be flown from Jaipur to their new home - Kuno National Park in the Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh - in helicopters. 4) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release these cheetahs into the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh on his birthday on September 17. 5) Cheetah will have to spend their entire air transit period empty stomach, a senior Indian forest department official said, reported PTI.This is done because long journeys can create nausea-like feelings in animals leading to other health complications. 6) The aircraft bringing the cheetahs to India has been modified to allow cages to be secured in the main cabin but will still allow vets to have full access to the cats during the flight. 7) The aircraft in which the cheetahs are travelling has been painted with the image of a tiger. High Commission of India in Windhoek, Namibia tweets the visual of the Indian aircraft which has reached Namibia to receive cheetahs to be brought to Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park. PM Narendra Modi will be present in the park on Sept 17 for the reintroduction. pic.twitter.com/jl3Rk4bigS ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2022 8) The aircraft is an ultra-long range jet capable of flying for up to 16 hours and so can fly directly from Namibia to India without a stop to refuel, an important consideration for the well-being of the cheetahs. 9) The government of India declared the cheetah extinct in the country in 1952. 10) Under the Species Recovery Program of the Government of India, species that become extinct are restored in their historic natural habitat. Bengaluru: The Enforcement Directorate has issued a summon to Karnataka Congress chief D.K. Shivakumar in connection with a money laundering case. Reacting to the ED move, the senior Congress leader, who is currently busy making arrangements for the arrival of Rahul Gandhi`s `Bharat Jodo Yatra` in the state, questioned the timing of the summon. "Amid the Bharat Jodo Yatra and the ongoing Assembly session, they have again issued me a summon to appear before the ED. I am ready to cooperate with the probe, but the timing of this summon and the harassment I am made to go through is coming in the way of discharging my constitutional and political duties," Shivakumar, who is in Mysore, tweeted on Thursday. In the midst of the #BharatJodoYatra and the assembly session, they have again issued me an ED summon to appear. I am ready to cooperate but the timing of this summon and the harassment I am put through, is coming in the way of discharging my constitutional and political duties. September 15, 2022 Even as the Karnataka Assembly session is underway, Shivakumar has been busy making preparations for the arrival of the Bharat Jodo Yatra in the state. In August this year, a Delhi court granted bail to Shivakumar and other accused persons in connection with a 2018 money laundering case registered by the ED. Also Read: CM chair is for sale: Congress takes a dig at BJP ahead of polls in Karnataka According to the financial probe agency, Shivakumar, who was a minister in Karnataka during the Congress regime, had generated a huge amount of illegal and unaccounted cash and a criminal conspiracy was hatched with other co-accused persons for tax evasion and the tainted cash was transported from Bengaluru to Delhi. The Income Tax Department had conducted search and seizure operations on August 2, 2017 at various properties in Delhi belonging to the accused persons, seizing unaccounted cash to the tune of Rs 8,59,69,100, the probe agency had said. Hyderabad: Union Home Minister Amit Shah would inaugurate the 'Hyderabad Liberation Day' celebrations and attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday fest on September 17 here. Shah would be the chief guest at the 'Liberation Day' (the day erstwhile Hyderabad State under Nizam rule merged with the Indian Union in 1948) celebrations being organised by the Centre at the Parade Grounds in the city on September 17 morning. "In 1948, Sardar Patel unfurled the Tricolour after Hyderabad merged with the Indian Union. Now, 75 years later, Hon Home Minister @AmitShah ji will hoist the national flag and kick off Hyderabad Liberation celebrations as we shed the vestiges of our colonial past & baggage," Union Tourism and Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy tweeted. In 1948, Sardar Patel unfurled the Tricolour after Hyderabad merged with the Indian Union. Now, 75 years later, Hon Home Minister @AmitShah ji will hoist the national flag and kick off Hyderabad Liberation celebrations as we shed the vestiges of our colonial past & baggage. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/7qSmMZQmaT September 15, 2022 Also Read: Hyderabad State Liberation 2022: UGC asks universities in Telangana, Marathwada and Karnataka to take part in commemoration- Details here After the Liberation Day event, Shah will have a meeting with key leaders of BJP in Telangana, a party release said here on Thursday. Later, Shah will participate in Modi's birthday celebrations in Secunderabad, it said. Recently, the union government decided to organise year-long celebrations to mark 75 years of 'Hyderabad State Liberation'. The erstwhile State of Hyderabad, which was under Nizam's rule was annexed to India following military action called 'Operation Polo' that culminated on September 17, 1948. Ottawa: Unknown miscreants vandalised and painted anti-India slogans on the walls of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan (BAPS) temple in Canada on Tuesday. The Indian High Commission in Canada condemned the incident and has raised the issue with the Canadian authorities to investigate and take prompt action against the perpetrators. "We strongly condemn the defacing of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Toronto with anti-India graffiti. Have requested Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take prompt action on the perpetrators," tweeted India in Canada. A video of the incident went viral on social media, where Khalistani slogans were seen scribbling on the walls of the temple. The mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown expressed disappointment over the incident, "Very disappointed to hear of the vandalism that occurred at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto. This type of hate has no place in the GTA or Canada. Let`s hope those criminals responsible are brought to justice quickly," he tweeted. Also read: DNA Exclusive: Arshdeep Singh termed Khalistani - BIG Pakistani conspiracy exposed! Indian-origin Member of Parliament of Canada, Chandra Arya said that the event is not the only such incident but Hindu temples have been targeted in the recent past by such events. "Vandalism of Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir by Canadian Khalistani extremists should be condemned by all. This is not just an isolated event. Canadian Hindu temples have been targeted in the recent past by these kinds of hate crimes. Hindu Canadians are legitimately concerned," Arya tweeted. Also read: Pro-Khalistan slogans raised ahead of CM Bhagwant Mann's visit to Jalandhar "I am distraught by the act of vandalism that has taken place at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto. We live in a multicultural and multi-faith community where everyone deserves to feel safe. Those responsible should be located to face the consequences of their actions," Brampton South MP Sonia Sidhu said. New Delhi: It's February, spring is around the corner. It's that time of the year when officially the winter season is over. To be precise, Basant Panchami marks the occasion of onset of summers. This year, the festival would be celebrated on Tuesday, February 16. Basant Panchami is celebrated across north India in different ways and moods. Also known as Saraswati Panchami, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on this day. She is considered a goddess of knowledge, virtue, music and fine arts. Children's books and study material are kept under the portrait of Saraswati. The day is also celebrated as a big event across schools and colleges. Students are often heard singing Saraswati Vandana while offering prayers and flowers to the goddess. Saraswati Puja 2021 muhurat: Panchami tithi would begin on Feb 16 at 3:36 am and would end at 5:46 am the next day. Why is Goddess Saraswati worshipped? Saraswati is considered the goddess of knowledge and arts. Seeking her blessings during this time of the year is believed to be auspicious. She is depicted in a white sari, sitting on a lotus symbolizing truth and purity. These are some virtues which everyone wants to imbibe, hence Goddess Saraswati is worshipped. Significance of Saraswati Puja According to Hindu mythology, when Lord Brahma created the universe he wanted to see it with his own eyes. He later set out on a journey, where he found everyone lonely and silent. He then sprinkled some water from his kamandal, and played an instrument at the request of an angel. This angel was believed to be Goddess Saraswati, who blessed the people of Earth with her music. Spring is considered an auspicious time for marriages, griha pravesh and other such occasions. Yellow-coloured clothes are worn by people, while yellow coloured food like khichdi is eaten as a meal. Kohima: The northeast has now become insurgency-free in the wake of the various accords signed with militant groups of the region, BJP national president J P Nadda said on Thursday. Addressing a party rally at Old Riphyim Village here, Nadda also said the Centre's goal is to resolve all disputes in the northeast. The Karbi Anglong Agreement was signed in 2021. It is in synergy with the vision of an insurgency-free and prosperous northeast. The Tripura Agreement was signed in August 2019. For permanent settlement of Bru families, the Bru Accord has been signed, he said. Also Read: Will end N-E border issues by 2024: Amit Shah calls peace accord with Assam tribal outfits milestone Noting that Nagaland is home to 16 tribes, Nadda said if anyone has truly recognised the problems and issues of the tribals, it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nadda's maiden visit to the state after assuming office as the BJP was delayed due to inclement weather. Ukraine urgently needs to form an economic Ramstein group to coordinate international financial assistance, as well as its increase and acceleration, by analogy with the established Ramstein Contact Group for Defense of Ukraine, Alternate Board Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Artem Shevalev has said. "A question of coordination. In fact, the concept of economic or financial Ramstein has been brewing somewhere since May and, to be honest, I don't see much progress," Shevalev said at a discussion organized by the Centre for Economic Strategy (CES) on Tuesday. He added that in this regard, the weak level of responsibility, first of all, on the part of European colleagues is rather "shocking and upsetting." As examples, Shevalev cited the impossibility to reach the declared level of financing of the Ukrainian budget of $5 billion in five months, or the inability of the Ministry of Finance of one of the G7 countries to prepare documents for the provision of $50 million in financing within four months. "It's all from the same chain the inability to transform political slogans into the final executive work. We urgently need to form the economic Ramstein group, we must move to constant contacts with our colleagues from the G7 and other key European countries," the representative of Ukraine to the EBRD said. Vladyslav Rashkovan, Alternate Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who participated in the discussion, supported the idea of the economic Ramstein group. "In principle, I am not opposed to the IMF or the World Bank being such an economic Ramstein. But it seems to me that the G7 should be the center because it, through its representatives in the IMF, the World Bank, and the EBRD , can influence not politically, but through the system of (making) decisions in these institutions," Rashkovan said. Another argument in favor of the G7, he called the fact that the EBRD, the World Bank, and the IMF provide loans, while Ukraine, taking into account the required amount of financing, needs not loans, but grants. Shevalev from the EBRD, commenting on the idea of the leading role of the G7, indicated that these are seven countries, and taking into account the European Commission actually eight players, which again creates risks. "For example, the United States sees the situation from its side, and the European Commission sees it from its own. Berlin, Paris or London have their own agenda I still don't know how to bring everything together. It seems to me that Ukraine cannot do without a certain level of leadership. And we should, perhaps, raise this issue more strictly, but there should be a certain professionalism," the representative of Ukraine in the EBRD said. According to him, it is necessary for everyone to think together how to bring this coordination to a new level. Shevalev said that the next timeline is an international expert conference on the restoration of Ukraine scheduled for October 25 in Berlin, which will, to a certain extent, be a continuation of the conference in Lugano, held in early July. "We have a little more than a month, we need to gather everyone and say that there should be absolutely specific expectations and results. In Lugano, problems were voiced, as if everyone had said the right things. Unfortunately, in many areas there was no progress, as a rule, from our Western partners," the Alternate Board Director of the EBRD said. Social media users had a field day on Twitter after the German luxury carmaker BMW said on Wednesday (Sept 14) that it has no plans to set up a manufacturing unit in Punjab. The development came after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government claimed that BMW agreed to set up a manufacturing plant in the state. As soon as BMW issued a clarification on the Punjab government's claim, not only opposition parties but even Twitter users took a dig at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which soon led to a meme fest. Congress party's Twitter handle 'Congress Sevadal' hit out at the ruling party saying 'AAP's gutter gas technology-laden BMW is taking Punjab to the gallows'. AAP's gutter gas technology-laden BMW is taking Punjab to the gallows.@AamAadmiParty pic.twitter.com/NfjLYwP3RY Congress Sevadal (@CongressSevadal) September 15, 2022 A Twitter user who goes by the handle @vinodhoshiarpur shared a photo of a bus with 'B.M. Dablu' written on it. Arey aap BMW Car ki baat krtey ho.. hamarey punjab mein toh BMW buses chalti hai .. woh b BMW walo ki bina madad k ..khud k banayi huyi.. pic.twitter.com/olO6c0Rsd0 vinod hoshiarpuri (@vinodhoshiarpur) September 15, 2022 Another user shared a photo of a donkey with a BMW sticker and said, "#AAP CM should try hard ...' BMW is a very Tough & Hard working Brand world wide ..... But it refused to set up in #Punjab. As promised. But #AAP C M should try hard ... pic.twitter.com/07FLHoP1o1 ????????? (@Rajoo_Bhau) September 14, 2022 Another user wrote, "BMW (Bhagwant Mann Works) will be starting a joint venture with Punjab Govt." BMW ( Bhagwant Mann Works) will be starting a joint venture with Punjab Govt. But some politicians are misquoting this statement ! ???? #AAP #BMW #BhagwantMann September 15, 2022 CM Bhagwant Mann is on a visit to Germany and he met BMW officials there. AAP (Punjab) chief spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang said that Mann had spoken to officials of BMW head office and offered them to set up a unit in Punjab to which they agreed. Kang added that there is a procedure for any agreement and it takes time. Lucknow: Expressing shock over the heartbreaking incident that took place in Lakhimpur Kheri, where two Dalit daughters were abducted and raped and their bodies were hanged from a tree, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Thursday slammed the Uttar Pradesh government over the law and order situation in the state after the bodies of two minor sisters, belonging to the Scheduled Caste community, were found hanging from a tree in Lakhimpur Kheri district. Taking to Twitter, the BSP chief condemned the incident stating that criminals are roaming free in Uttar Pradesh because the priorities of the government are wrong. The BSP chief tweeted in Hindi, "The heartbreaking incident that took place in Lakhimpur Kheri where two Dalit daughters were abducted and raped in front of their mother and their bodies were hanged from a tree is in discussion everywhere because the condemnation for such heinous crime is less. Criminals in UP are roaming fearlessly because the priorities of the government are wrong." - , 2/2 Mayawati (@Mayawati) September 15, 2022 Mayawati further urged the state government to make necessary reforms in its policy, methodology and priorities, adding "This incident has exposed the law and order situation in the state and the false claims made by the ruling government on women`s safety etc. in UP. Government is busy hiding the truth about such heinous crimes including Hathras and the criminals are fearless. The UP government should make necessary reforms in its policy, methodology and priorities." Expressing her grief over the incident on Wednesday, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slammed the state government and said, "The incident of murder of two sisters in Lakhimpur (UP) is heart-wrenching. The relatives say that those girls were abducted in broad daylight. Giving false advertisements in newspapers and TV every day does not improve law and order. After all, why are heinous crimes against women increasing in UP?" Six people arrested, post-mortem examination by panel of doctors Meanwhile, six people were arrested today in connection with the rape and murder of two Dalit teenage sisters in Nighasan, according to police. Lakhimpur Kheri Superintendent of Police (SP) told reporters, "We have arrested Junaid, Sohail, Hafizur Rehman, Karimuddin, Arif and Chottu in an overnight operation," adding that Junaid and Sohail were in a relationship with the two sisters. "As per the preliminary investigation, the two sisters left their home on Wednesday afternoon on the persuasion of Junaid and Sohail. Junaid and Sohail have confessed that they strangulated the girls after raping them," the SP said. Also read: 2 Dalit minor girls found hanging from tree in UP's Lakhimpur Kheri; 6 held "The men took advantage of the fact that they were friendly with the girls and raped them. As the girls then started saying they would have to marry them, the men got angry and strangled them with their dupattas. They later called two of their friends, who helped them hang the girls so that it looked like a suicide," IANS quoted SP Sanjeev Suman as saying. The SP further said that the main accused Chotu had allegedly introduced the girls to three others but was not at the scene of the crime. The three, who carried out the crime, and the two, who helped them in a coverup attempt, are from another village close to the girls, adding that one of the men was caught this morning in an encounter with the police, who shot him in the leg. All six have been booked for murder and rape, under the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The SP, however, said that the girls were `not forcibly abducted`, adding that the post-mortem examination is being conducted by a panel of three doctors. He added, "It will be videographed, and some members of the victims` family will be inside as they wanted to be sure. We will do everything that the family wants. That is important, we understand." Notably, the bodies of the two Dalit minor sisters, aged nearly 14 and 17 years respectively, were found allegedly hanging from a tree outside a village in the Nighasan area of Uttar Pradesh`s Lakhimpur Kheri district on Wednesday. The mother of the girls reportedly said that her daughters were kidnapped by three bike-borne men at nearly 3 pm on Wednesday and were later found hanging from a tree in a cane field. On Wednesday evening, local villagers and the family of the girls lodged a protest as they marched and blocked the road demanding justice for the victims. The family of the deceased staged a demonstration at the Nighasan crossing, a few kilometres from the village. (With Inputs from Agencies) New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday conducted searches at six locations in Delhi and Kolkata at the premises of two software firms in connection with the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) scam. CBI conducts searches at six locations of a software firm in Delhi and Kolkata, in connection with West Bengal SSC recruitment scam: CBI sources ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2022 According to CBI sources, it is alleged that two software firms "manipulated the records'' to favour candidates in the appointment of teachers which has brought their role under the scanner. The central probe agency believes these software firms manipulated the result of the exam which was taken by Ankita Adhikari, the daughter of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and former Minister of State for School Education Paresh Adhikari. Ankita Adhikari subsequently got selected as a basic teacher. The Calcutta High Court, however, cancelled her appointment later and asked Paresh Adhikari to return the basic salary for the time till she was appointed as a teacher. The CBI on May 18 had filed an FIR against the then West Bengal Minister of State for Education Paresh Chandra Adhikary and his daughter Ankita Adhikary on the directions of Calcutta High Court in connection with a case of alleged illegal appointment of his daughter as a teacher in a state government-aided school. Adhikari and his daughter were booked under sections 420 (cheating and dishonesty) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Washington: The US will be a key partner in India's growth journey over the coming 25 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, as he expressed hope that the celebration of 75 years of India's Independence at the US Capitol would become an important milestone in friendship between the two nations. "The word India represents many things simultaneously - a modern democratic republic, a diverse nation, an ancient civilisation and a cultural consciousness not limited by geography or time," Modi said in a message to the Indian-American community as they gathered here to celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava. The global Indian is an excellent example of how one can connect with India through many of these dimensions at the same time, he said in his message on Wednesday. "As India aims high and pursues important goals in its Amrit Kaal over the coming 25 years, the United States of America will be a key partner in this journey. I am positive that this celebration will become an important milestone in the wonderful friendship between our two nations," he said. "India is celebrating 75 years of freedom. This freedom was won in a unique way, championing the best of human values. India has, therefore, been a source of inspiration for anyone who loves the ideals of peace and freedom," Modi wrote. Lauding the Indian diaspora, Modi said that the community has spread the fragrance of Indian values by living them. "Members of our diaspora have always been admirable ambassadors for our nation. They have spread the fragrance of Indian values by living them - respecting all cultures, mingling seamlessly and enriching societies with their unique contributions," Modi said. As many as 75 Indian American organisations have come together to observe the historic milestone of India's journey after 1947. Prominent among these organisations include US India Relationship Council, Sewa International, Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, GOPIO Silicon Valley, US India Friendship Council, and Sardar Patel Fund for Sanatan Sanskruti. Also read: President Biden nominates Indian American Arun Venkataraman to a key administration post "Among the many values that bind our two great nations, love for freedom and commitment to democratic values are the most important. A celebration of freedom by the world's largest and oldest democracies is a beautiful gesture," Prime Minister Modi said. Also read: 8 Namibian cheetahs coming to India on PM Narendra Modi's birthday - 10 points It is heartening to note that 75 Indian diaspora organisations have come together to showcase India's diverse culture and also to strengthen cultural ties between India and the United States of America, Modi said. Mansukh Laxmanbhai Mandaviya, India's Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemical and Fertilizers, in his live web address congratulated the Indian-Americans for celebrating 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava' at the US Capitol. Indian-Americans, he said, have played a great role in the India-US relationship. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and US President Joe Biden, the bilateral relationship has touched new heights, Mandaviya said, adding "The US has been a key partner in India's growth story." India's Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said that the India-US relationship is as old as India's Independence. "I want to tell you that this is a time we are celebrating 75 years of establishment of our diplomatic relations between independent India and the United States of America," he said. "It's also indeed a special occasion for me to be celebrating this at the US Capitol. Congress has played a special role in cementing this fantastic relationship, which we are celebrating today. I have seen this for the last 25 years," he said. Senior BJP leader Aman Sinha congratulated Indian-Americans for celebrating the event at the US Capitol. "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav embodies the spirit of new India," he said, adding "Let me tell you the spirit of new India is not only restricted to the welfare of Indians or betterment of India but Indians all across the globe." New Delhi: Cheetah is the world's fastest hunter that attacks its prey at a speed of about 100 kilometres per hour. These fast hunters, which existed in India once, were declared extinct in the year 1952. The Indian government is reintroducing the big cat in the country after 75 years of its extinction. It is bringing eight African cheetahs from Namibia, a country that is over 8000 km away. The plan at present is that a civilian plane will bring the Cheetahs to Jaipur from where the Indian Air Force`s Chinook helicopters will fly them to the Kuno National Park. Prime Minister Modi will release them into quarantine enclosures the same day as part of the cheetah reintroduction programme. In today's DNA, Zee News' Rohit Ranjan will analyze the historic reintroduction of Cheetah in India after 75 years. Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh was chosen as the home of these cheetahs based on the climate conditions. Also, the trees, temperature and weather of the park are very similar to the forests of Namibia. Apart from this, there is an ample amount of hunting and water arrangements for them in this national park. There is also a good number of chital, reindeer and other herbivorous animals that cheetahs like to hunt. A total of 8 cheetahs are coming from Namibia, including 5 female and 3 male cheetahs. Cameras have been installed in the National Park to monitor them along with other surveillance equipment. A tracker band connected to a GPS will be fitted around the neck of these big cats. All the preparations have been done to welcome these guests coming from Namibia to the Kuno National Park. The cheetah will once again roam on the soil of India after 75 years on September 17. Please watch tonight's special edition of DNA for more in-depth information and other details. Nationalist Congress President Sharad Pawar has targeted the state Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the Shinde group in power under his leadership and the BJP government. When Sharad Pawar was asked a question about the affairs of the Shinde government in a press conference in Pune, Sharad Pawar answered in very few words. The Eknath Shinde-led government in the state has been completed two months. How do you see the overall performance of this government? This question was asked to Sharad Pawar in a press conference. To this question, Sharad Pawar replied in his unique style, "I did not see any governance". Eknath Shinde Claims Maharashtra politics continues to intensify as Vedanta and Foxconn's joint project moves to Gujarat instead of Maharashtra. Now the statement of senior Maharashtra leader Sharad Pawar has also come out in this matter. He took a jibe at the statement made by Eknath Shinde on this matter, in which he said that PM Narendra Modi had given him the assurance of a bigger project. Sharad Pawar said that to say that a project bigger than Foxconn will be given is like convincing a child. He said that big industrial projects have always been coming up in Maharashtra, but now they are being snatched away. Sharad Pawar Reacts Sharad Pawar said about the conversation between Eknath Shinde and PM Narendra Modi, "There are two small children in the family. One is given a balloon and the other starts crying. In this, the parents console the other child by saying, don't cry, will give you a bigger balloon than that. That's what is happening." Along with this, Sharad Pawar advised that now this matter should be closed. Now let's see what new can be done. Not only this, but he also denied the allegation that Uddhav Thackeray was not able to deal properly with this project. He said that Eknath Shinde and Uday Samant were ministers in the same government. Speaking to the media in Pune, Sharad Pawar said, "The Foxconn project should have taken place in Talegaon, Pune. Talegaon was the right place for the project. But it is really unfortunate that it went to Gujarat. The project which came to Maharashtra was not supposed to go to Gujarat, but now the project has left. There is no point in talking more about it." New Delhi: Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday (September 14, 2022) reacted to Maharashtra losing the Vedanta-Foxconn project to Gujarat and slammed the previous Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government for not "cooperating" on the Rs 1,54,000-crore semiconductor plant. Shinde, who took oath as the chief minister on June 30, said that he did not want to get into the blame game over Gujarat bagging the project and asked the Opposition to introspect. "My government came to power only one and a half months ago. I didn't want to get into a blame game over the development. But I think the Opposition should introspect," he said, adding the previous MVA government didn't cooperate and the company didn't know the government will change. Vedanta group has said it will set up an iPhone and TV manufacturing facility in Maharashtra, he said. He also said that Maharashtra had offered incentives worth Rs 39,000 crore for the project. MVA members Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Congress have severely criticised the Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government over the project, which was earlier proposed in Maharashtra, going to Gujarat. Amid the Opposition criticism, Shinde said, "The Vedanta group has said that it will set up an iPhone and TV manufacturing facility in Maharashtra. Even PM Modi has assured a bigger project in the state as it has good potential". Vedanta, an oil-to-metals conglomerate, and Taiwanese electronics manufacturing giant Foxconn will make one of the largest-ever investments of Rs 1.54 lakh crore in setting up India's first semiconductor plant in Gujarat. The 60:40 joint venture of Vedanta-Foxconn will set up a semiconductor fabrication plant, a display unit and a semiconductor assembling and testing facility on 1,000 acres of land in the Ahmedabad district. (With agency inputs) New Delhi: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday greeted all hardworking engineers on Engineer's Day and saluted them for their innovations and paramount role in the development of the country. Engineer's Day is observed to mark the birth anniversary of engineer statesman Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, a diwan of the erstwhile Mysore kingdom, who is credited with pioneering engineering works. "Engineers Day, my greetings to all our hardworking engineers and salute them for their innovations and paramount role in the development of our nation. I pay homage to the most outstanding Engineer of all times, Bharat Ratna Sir M Visvesvaraya Ji on his birth anniversary," Shah tweeted. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also greeted engineers on the occasion, and remembered the pathbreaking contribution of Sir M. Visvesvaraya, saying India is blessed to have a skilled and talented pool of engineers contributing to nation-building. Also Read: Engineers Day 2022: History, significance and why this day is celebrated in India Every year India celebrates National Engineer's day on September 15 to recognise and honour the achievements of the great engineer Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya. Along with India, Visvesvaraya's great works are also celebrated in Sri Lanka and Tanzania on September 15 as Engineer's day. Born on September 15, 1861, in the Muddenahalli village of Karnataka, Visvesvaraya completed his school education in his hometown and later on went to study Bachelor of Arts (BA) at the University of Madras. He then switched to a different career path and pursued a diploma in civil engineering at the College of Science in Pune. Popularly known as Sir MV, he undertook several complex projects and delivered remarkable infrastructural results during his engineering career. He patented and installed an irrigation system with water floodgates at the Khadakvasla reservoir near Pune to raise the food supply level and storage to the highest levels known as the 'block system' in 1903. The irrigation system was later installed at Gwalior's Tigra Dam and Mysuru's Krishnaraja Sagara (KRS) dam, the latter of which created one of the largest reservoirs in Asia at the time. Engineers Day 2022: It's not for nothing that there has been an age-old craze to become engineers, especially in India. As the world evolved and civilization progressed, mankind's problems expanded and it was the engineer's ground-breaking solutions that came to the rescue. From the world of technology to constructions and instrumentation, engineers are of different kinds and have contributed immensely to the world. In India, National Engineering Day is celebrated every year on September 15 to mark the birth anniversary of Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, one of the greatest engineers of India. Engineers' Day 2022: History In 1968, the Indian government announced that the birth anniversary of M Visvesvaraya will be marked as National Engineering Day. A great scholar and a statesman, he was born on September 15, 1860, and grew up in a Telugu Brahmin family. He was the Diwan of Mysore from 1912 to 1919 and served as a civil engineer. Visvesvaraya's most famous projects include the development of the Krishna Raja Sagara dam in Mysore, the implementation of the irrigation system in the Deccan Plateau, the flood protection framework for Hyderabad, among others. In 1955, he was awarded India's highest civilian award- the Bharat Ratna. Visvesvaraya founded many industries like the Mysore Soap Factory, Bangalore Agricultural University, State Bank of Mysore, Mysore Iron and Steel Works, Government Engineering College, and many more. In recognition of his talent and achievements, King George V knighted him as a Knight Commander of the British Indian Empire. He is referred to as the Father of Modern Mysore." Engineers' Day 2022: Significance Engineering Day 2022 is the 55th National Engineering Day that is being celebrated. The day is observed to honour and celebrate Visvesvaraya's contributions as well as recognise the contribution of engineers in our society. The aim is also to encourage the country's young engineers so that they are further encouraged to achieve greatness. SRINAGAR: Former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad has received threats allegedly from a terrorist group linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) ahead of his Kashmir rallies. The threat to Azad came from a terror organisation 'The Resistance Front', an offshoot of LeT. He responded to the threat in a rally at south Kashmir's Anantnag district by saying that he had not met NSA Chief Ajit Doval and Home Minister Amit Shah before coming to Kashmir. Threat posters that have appeared on social media platforms said Azad was a ''traitor'' and accused him of being a 'political chameleon'. Azad, who is in Jammu and Kashmir, is busy preparing to float his new political party. He has been continuously rallying in various districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The threat letter, which has been widely circulated on social media, stated that ''The entry of political chameleon GH. Nabi Azad into JKs state politics is not an abrupt move but a well-planned program/move which was discussed and planned way back during his tenure in his previous political party. Before changing guards and moving to the Valley this Political chameleon Azad had a detailed close-door meeting with Amit Shah and some reliable sources also say that NSA Doval was also called in another close-door meeting.'' ''I just heard that there is a threat letter against me from militants. They have said that before coming to Kashmir, I met with Amit Shah and Doval, I have never met Doval in my life, I swear by Allah. When I was in the parliament, I met all the Political leaders,'' Ghulam Nabi Azad, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said. Azad also appealed to terrorists to give up their arms and join the mainstream. He said guns are not the solution to any problem. ''Those who have picked up the gun, I appeal to them that guns are not the solution. It only destructs. India is the biggest democracy. We are the nation of Gandhi. Those who bang their heads with the mountains, they will crush the heads, and nothing will happen to the mountains,'' said Azad. While speaking over the issue of Article 370, Azad recently said that there are three ways of bringing back the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. ''There are 3 ways to get article 370 back, the first is if someone convinces PM Modi, '' said Ghulam Nabi Azad, Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky called the allocation of EUR 100 million for the restoration of schools in Ukraine an important result of the visit to Brussels of First Lady Olena Zelenska. "There will be diplomatic news from Kyiv President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen is visiting. It was almost a Ukrainian day in Brussels the day before. For the first time in the history of the European Union, at a special meeting of the European Parliament during the annual address on the state of a united Europe, in fact, a state outside the EU was represented this is our state," he said in a traditional video message on the night of Wednesday to Thursday. "The First Lady of Ukraine was present during this annual report of the President of the European Commission. There is an important result of this visit EUR 100 million to restore 74 schools in Ukraine under the Fast Recovery Plan," Zelensky stressed. According to him, "we will do everything to make a large-scale social initiative a success the abolition of roaming fees for our people in the EU and for Europeans in Ukraine. This will be a strong signal of our rapprochement." "Thank you Mrs. Ursula von der Leyen, we are grateful to all our friends in the European Union for their continued support," he also said. Mumbai: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said speaking Hindi gives her "shivers" and she speaks the language with hesitation. Speaking at an event organised by the Hindi Vivek Magazine, Sitharaman referred to a previous speaker's announcement that her speech will be in Hindi. "Addressing an audience in Hindi gives me shivers," a candid Sitharaman said, explaining the circumstances that have led to this condition. Sitharaman said she was born and attended college in Tamil Nadu which was in the midst of agitation against Hindi and also witnessed violent protests against Hindi. Students opting for either Hindi or Sanskrit as the second language, even those who stood on merit lists, did not get scholarships given by the state government because of their choices of languages, the Union Cabinet minister claimed. Sitharaman said while it is difficult for a person to learn a new language after attaining adulthood, she could pick up her husband's mother tongue Telugu but could not take up Hindi may be due to past happenings. "I speak Hindi with a lot of 'sankoch' (hesitation)," she said, admitting that the fluency with which she can speak is affected. The finance minister, however, continued speaking in Hindi and finished the entire speech which lasted over 35 minutes in Hindi. Sitharaman said India could have achieved the position as the fifth biggest economy in the world earlier itself, but for the imported philosophy of socialism which depended on centralised planning. She termed the 1991 economic reforms undertaken by the then Congress government as "aadhe-adhure reforms" (half-baked reforms), where the economy was not opened in the right way but as per the strictures imposed by the IMF. No progress happened till the BJP's Atal Bihari Vajpayee took on the PMship and his focus on infrastructure building, roads and mobile telephony helped us a lot. Ten more years were lost after the corrupt UPA government came to power, where the focus was making personal gains and the country's interests were left behind, she claimed. UPA regime left the economy in the mess and India became part of the fragile five, she said. The other economies part of the fragile five were--Turkey, Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia. After his ascent to the PM's post, Narendra Modi initiated fundamental path-breaking reforms which also include the direct benefit transfer scheme that has ensured transparency in public delivery without leakages, Sitharaman said, adding that benefits of up to Rs 2 lakh crore have occurred as a result of the scheme. The policy decisions have also laid the foundations for the emergence of a big lender like SBI which can serve the credit needs of the economy quickly, she said. The Modi regime has also taken the right decisions to be away from businesses where the government should not be, Sitharaman said, pointing out that Air India was facing losses of Rs 20 crore per day till it was privatised. In addition, she said, the government also took some tough decisions such as abrogating provisions of Article 370 and Article 35A. On August 5, 2019, the Centre revoked the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution. The erstwhile state was also bifurcated into two Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. She further said that 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anushandhan' and 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas' are going to be mantra for the next 25 years and this spirit would make India a developed economy by 2047. New Delhi: While a commercial civil plane will bring eight Cheetahs from Namibia, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is ready to deploy its Chinook heavy lift helicopters which will ferry the felines from the Jaipur airport to the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the "Reintroduction of the Cheetah" project at the Kuno National Park in the Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh on September 17." The plan at present is that the civilian plane will bring the Cheetahs to Jaipur from where the Indian Air Force`s Chinook helicopters will fly them to the Kuno National Park," government officials said here. The officials, however, also said they were still considering some airfields which are closer to the national park where they can be brought directly from Namibia. PM Modi will also release cheetahs being brought from Africa into the dense Madhya Pradesh forests. The big cat species will be reintroduced in India after 70 years since being declared extinct in 1952. A customised jet arrived in Namibia on Thursday to bring cheetahs to India`s Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh where they will be re-introduced. The High Commission of India in Windhoek, Namibia had tweeted the visual of the Indian aircraft. "A special bird touches down in the Land of the Brave to carry goodwill ambassadors to the Land of the Tiger," the High Commission of India in Windhoek said on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Indian Oil Corporation Limited has decided to contribute Rs 50.22 crore over five years for the transcontinental relocation of Cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa to the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Earlier, Indian Oil on August 2, 2022, signed an MoU with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for the transcontinental relocation of Cheetah in its historical range in India. Under the ambitious project of the Indian government - Project Cheetah - the reintroduction of wild species, particularly cheetah is being undertaken as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines. Project Cheetah Project Cheetah is an ambitious project undertaken by the government which aims to re-establish the species in its historical range in the country. India has a long history of wildlife conservation. One of the most successful wildlife conservation ventures `Project Tiger` which was initiated way back in 1972, has not only contributed to the conservation of tigers but also to the entire ecosystem. The release of wild cheetahs by the Prime Minister in Kuno National Park is part of his efforts to revitalise and diversify India`s wildlife and its habitat. The cheetahs were declared extinct from India in 1952. Hyderabad: BJP state president and MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Thursday called CM K Chandrashekhar Raos decision to name the new secretariat after B R Ambedkar a "good decision" but added that if there was love for weaker sections, a Dalit should be made the chief minister. "Naming the new secretariat of the Telangana government after Ambedkar is a good decision. But, what happened to KCR`s promise that he would be beheaded if he did not keep his word? If there is love for Dalits then a Dalit should be seated as Chief Minister permanently as long as TRS is in power. A Dalit should be seated in the CMs new seat in the new secretariat," Bandi said. He also attacked the CM by asking why is the government not giving three acre of land to Dalits. Dalit society will not approve of if you just name Secretariat (after Ambedkar) and do votebank politics. Not just naming Secretariat, but a Dalit should be installed as Chief Minister in that Secretariat, he told media reporters. State Ministers and other TRS leaders hailed the decision. The TRS leaders and activists performed 'milk abhishekam' to Rao's posters at some places. Welcoming Rao's move, Owaisi tweeted: "Excellent decision by @TelanganaCMO to name new Secretariat building after #BabasahebAmbedkar. I thank him for considering my suggestion. KCR has worked hard to improve socio-economic conditions of BCs, SCs, STs & minorities. This is a befitting reflection of his dedication." Excellent decision by @TelanganaCMO to name new Secretariat building after #BabasahebAmbedkar. I thank him for considering my suggestion. KCR sb has worked hard to improve socio-economic conditions of BCs, SCs, STs & minorities. This is a befitting reflection of his dedication pic.twitter.com/LeIEH8aFzV Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) September 15, 2022 It is a matter of pride for Telangana people to name the new Secretariat building after Ambedkar, a CMO release quoted Rao as saying. The Telangana government is moving forward with Ambedkar's philosophy that all people should get equal respect in all sectors, he said. A separate State of Telangana became a reality as Ambedkar incorporated Article 3 (which deals with formation of new States) in the Constitution with his farsightedness, he said. Also Read: Amit Shah to attend Centre's 'Hyderabad Liberation Day' event on Sep 17, meet Telangana BJP leaders The State government is implementing Ambedkar's Constitutional spirit by providing humane governance to SC, ST, BC, minorities, women and also the poor in "forward castes," he said in the release. Telangana which has become a role model in the country by making progress in all sectors with vision once again stands as a model in the country by naming the Secretariat after Ambedkar, he said. KCR's decision to name the Secretariat after Ambedkar comes close on the heels of the State Legislative Assembly passing a resolution proposing to the Centre to name the newly-constructed Parliament in Delhi after Ambedkar. Rao said he would soon write a letter to the Prime Minister about the Assembly resolution. He reiterated his demand that the new Parliament building be named after Ambedkar. (With ANI/PTI inputs) New Delhi: AAP MP Vikramjit Singh has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi that a chapter on the Battle of Saragarhi and the bravery of Sikh soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice be included in school textbooks. Speaking at a function to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the battle here on Tuesday night, Singh said the bravery of the soldiers cannot be summed up in words. He requested the prime minister and the Union education minister to include a chapter on the Saragarhi Battle in the curriculum in all Indian languages. The Rajya Sabha member also announced allocating Rs 50 lakh from his MPLADS fund for the renovation, beautification and development of the Saragarhi Memorial in Ferozepur Punjab. Eminent historians, defence experts and people from every walk of life paid tributes to the 21 Sikh soldiers who fought the Saragarhi Battle with immense valour and courage. Addressing the event, Uttarakhand Governor Gurmeet Singh said, "Sikhism has taught us what we should do for the nation and society. The world should learn humanity from Sikhs and it becomes our duty to make everyone across the globe aware of the bravery of soldiers who fought the Battle of Saragarhi." Former Army chief General (retired) J J Singh said this battle was an epitome of valour, courage and a display of fearlessness. It is a lesson for all leaders at every level, he said. Islamabad: Afghanistan's Taliban government firmly rejected media reports about the presence of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar in the war-torn country, saying such terrorist organisations can operate on Pakistan's soil - and even under official patronage. The Taliban's interim Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid made the strongly-worded remarks after a section of Pakistani media reported about Azhar's alleged presence in Afghanistan. They claimed that Pakistan has also sent a letter with a demand to hand him over to Islamabad. "We have written a one-page letter to the Afghan foreign ministry, asking them to locate, report and arrest Masood Azhar, as we believe that he is hiding somewhere in (eastern Nangarhar province) Afghanistan," The News reported on Tuesday, quoting a top Pakistani foreign ministry official. Mujahid in an interview with Afghanistan's ToloNews said that he has seen the news in the media. "But this is not true. Nobody has made such a demand from us," Mujahid said. "Jaish-e-Mohammad chief is not in Afghanistan. Such organisations can operate on Pakistan's soil, and even under official patronage," Mujahid said, adding "We'll not allow anyone to use Afghanistan's soil against any other country." Also read: Where is Masood Azhar? Pakistan writes to Afghanistan seeking JeM chief's arrest In a separate statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Taliban government also rejected media reports that JeM chief had sought refuge in Afghanistan. "We reiterate that the IEA (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) does not allow any armed opposition in its territory to operate against any other country," said Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Taliban government. "Also, we ask all parties to refrain from making baseless claims in such cases without documents and evidence," he said, warning that such media claims can negatively affect bilateral relations. Azhar is a fugitive released by India in exchange for passengers of the hijacked Indian Airlines plane IC-814 in 1999. He was serving a prison term in India for kidnappings of Western tourists in the country. After his release in 1999, Azhar formed the JeM and scripted many audacious terror strikes in India. Pakistan has banned the JeM which is accused by India of several terrorist attacks, including the Pulwama attack in February 2019, which brought Pakistan and India to the brink of a nuclear exchange. In May 2019, the United Nations designated Azhar a "global terrorist" after China lifted its hold on a proposal to blacklist the Pakistan-based JeM chief, a decade after New Delhi approached the world body for the first time on the issue. The UN committee listed Azhar on May 1, 2019, as being associated with Al-Qaeda for "participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing, or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf of, or in support of", "supplying, selling or transferring arms and related material to", "recruiting for", "otherwise supporting acts or activities of", and "other acts or activities indicating association with" the JeM. Srinagar: Two terrorists affiliated with the terror outfit Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH) who were involved in the killing of migrants, were killed in an encounter by Jammu and Kashmir Police in the Nowgam area of Srinagar late Wednesday night. After getting specific input on the presence of terrorists, a joint operation was launched by Jammu and Kashmir Police and Indian Army in the Nowgam area on Wednesday evening. According to Police, the neutralized terrorists were affiliated with the terror outfit Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH) and were identified as Aijaz Rasool Nazar of Pulwama and Shahid Ahmad alias Abu Hamza. Also Read: JeM chief Masood Azhar not in Afghanistan: Taliban govt asserts 'We'll not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against any other country' The neutralized terrorists were involved in the recent terror attack on an outside labourer namely Muneer ul Islam from West Bengal on September 2 in Pulwama,' said Additional Director General of Police, Kashmir Vijay Kumar. Police recovered an AK Rifle, two pistols, and other war-like stores from the spot. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha took stock of the security situation during his visit to the forward areas of Jammu and Kashmir`s Poonch on Wednesday. The Lt Governor, who is on a two-day visit to Poonch, undertook a first-hand assessment of the situation at the Line of Control (LoC) and forward areas at the border village Degwar Terwan in Poonch. He was accompanied by Chief Secretary Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Brigadier Rajesh Bisht, ADGP Jammu, Mukesh Singh, DIG, and other senior officials of civil administration and the army. Sinha was briefed on the overall security situation prevalent on the Line of Control, development works in the border villages by the army, counter-infiltration grid, and operational preparedness. While interacting with the officers and personnel of the Armed Forces, the Lt Governor, commended them for their selfless service in challenging situations. He appreciated the excellent synergy between civil administration, J-K Police, the army, and other security agencies. Bengaluru: Amid the ongoing fracas, the Karnataka government tabled the anti-conversion bill in the Karnataka Legislative Council, said the officials on Thursday. The bill was earlier passed in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. Leaders of both the ruling party and the opposition party have been debating this matter in the House. Karnataka Minister of Law JC Madhu Swamy highlighted that the act restricts forceful conversions. "We haven`t made any amendments which can prevent volunteer conversion. We have made amendments to restrict forceful conversions. We are protecting our religion, we have brought this bill to stop forceful conversion. Nowhere we have restricted anybody`s desire," said Swamy in the council today. Earlier in the day, Bharatiya Janata Party MLA CT Ravi said that the anti-conversion bill will be passed in the Karnataka Legislative Council as no one supports conversion. However, Congress MLC Nagaraj termed religious conversion a "private matter" and a person`s right of choice. Also Read: Death of 2 ICU patients due to 'power cut' rocks Karnataka assembly, govt rejects claims by victims' families "The (anti-conversion) bill will pass in the numbers game as well. No one supports conversion and we will not be scared of the mafia. The bill should pass," Ravi said. "It is unfortunate as there are so many issues in state after floods. What is the urgency of doing such things? They want to polarise... this is not acceptable to people as they want to live in brotherhood. It is their right of choice, is a private matter," Congress MLC Nagaraj had said. Earlier, BJP MLC DS Arun had expressed his confidence that even the Congress and JDS would support this and everything shall go smoothly. "Even Congress and JDS must support this bill introduced. Everything should go smoothly. It was passed in the lower house, doing it in the upper house now. We`re all enthusiastic it will be passed and it is one of the most awaited bills," DS Arun had said. Last year in December, amid a ruckus by the opposition, the Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021 or anti-conversion Bill was passed in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly but due to the lack of majority, the Prohibition of Conversion Bill was not presented in the Council. The government has decided to present the proposal in the Karnataka Legislative Council today and Congress is likely to oppose the bill but since BJP has a majority, the possibility of passing the bill has increased. Anti-Conversion Bill The Bill will provide for the protection of the right to freedom of religion and prohibition of unlawful conversion from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or any fraudulent means. The bill introduced by the BJP government gives the right to any person to file a complaint against religious conversion, protecting the right to freedom of religion in the state. It proposes imprisonment of up to 10 years for forced religious conversion and the offence is made to be non-bailable and cognizable. According to the new law, in the case of any converted person, his or her parents, brother, sister, or any other person who is related by blood, marriage, adoption, or in any form associated, or colleague may file a complaint of such conversion. Also Read: Karnataka aims to have 35,000 electric buses by 2030: Transport Minister B Sriramulu The bill has the purpose of prohibiting unlawful conversion of religion, providing protection to those who were forced to convert from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement, the promise of marriage, or by any fraudulent means and for the matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. "No person shall convert or attempt to convert, either directly or otherwise, any other person from one religion to another by use or practice of force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means or by any other means or promise of marriage, nor shall any person abet or conspire such conversion," the Bill stated. Notably, the bill was introduced by the BJP government in the Karnataka Assembly last year after which it sparked controversy and was opposed by Opposition parties in the state. Lakhimpur Kheri: The post-mortem reports of the two Dalit minor sisters who were found hanging from a tree in Uttar Pradesh`s Lakhimpur Kheri district confirmed that they were raped and strangulated, the police said on Thursday. Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Suman said citing the report that the two minors were murdered after being raped. The girls` post-mortem report stated, "death due to asphyxia as a result of ante mortem strangulation." This comes a day after the two girls were found hanging from the tree in the Lakhimpur Kheri district on Wednesday. Protests broke out after the news came to light with the father of the deceased demanding justice for his daughters stating that the "culprits should be hanged". He also demanded compensation of Rs 1 crore and a government job for one of the family members. My daughters were abducted from the house and then they were raped and murdered. I demand justice, and the culprits should be hanged," said the father of the victims. He has also questioned the police action and demanded compensation. Notably, six people have been arrested in the case and they are identified as Chotu, Junaid, Sohail, Hafizul, Karimuddin and Arif, said Sanjeev Suman, Superintendent of Police, Lakhimpur Kheri. The accused have been booked under Sections 302, 376 of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Act. According to the SP, the accused Junaid was nabbed in an encounter where he was shot in the leg. The SP disclosed that the accused were "friends of the deceased girls". "The girls were yesterday lured to farms and raped by Sohail and Junaid. After the girls wanted the accused to marry them, Sohail, Hafizul, and Junaid strangulated and killed them. They then called Karimuddin and Arif and hanged the girls to eliminate any proof," SP Sanjeev Suman said. As per Suman, all the accused persons other than Chotu hailed from Lalpur village in Lakhimpur Kheri. Chotu, who was a neighbour of the girls, had introduced the two girls to these boys and he too has been arrested, the SP added. Uttar Pradesh`s Deputy Chief Ministers also assured strict action against the culprits in the rape and murder of two Dalit girls in UP`s Lakhimpur Kheri and urged the opposition to `console the family instead of politicising the matter. On Wednesday evening, the bodies of two minor sisters were found hanging from a tree in Lalpur Majra Tamoli Purva village under the Nighasan police station of Lakhimpur Kheri district. Local villagers and the family of the two girls lodged a protest as they marched and blocked the road demanding justice for the victims. Lakhimpur Kheri: The father of two minor Dalit sisters, who were allegedly raped and murdered and their bodies found hanging from a tree in Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh, has demanded justice stating that the "culprits should be hanged." My daughters were abducted from the house and then they were raped and murdered. I demand justice, and the culprits should be hanged," said the father of the victims. He has also questioned the police action and demanded compensation. #WATCH | "I demand justice, the culprits should be hanged," says the father of the victims in the Lakhimpur Kheri murder case pic.twitter.com/1A7Vtg5WZL ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) September 15, 2022 Meanwhile, a post-mortem of the victims has been done and the report will be submitted to court and copy will be handed over to the Superintendent of Police (SP). "A panel of doctors in presence of a videographer conducted the post-mortem. The report will be submitted to court and copy will be handed over to the SP," said CMO Arunendra Tripathi on the post-mortem of the girls. Post-mortem conducted Additional Director General (law and order), Prashant Kumar said that the post-mortem has been completed and the body has been handed over to the family members, who will perform the last rites according to their customs. "We received info that bodies of 2 sisters were found hanging on Sept 14. All accused were arrested within 24 hrs; one of the accused got injured during police proceedings. Post mortem done, bodies handed over to the family," said Kumar. #WATCH | Lakhimpur Kheri incident: We received info that bodies of 2 sisters were found hanging on Sept 14... All accused arrested within 24 hrs; one of the accused got injured during police proceedings. Post mortem done, bodies handed over to family: UP ADG (L&O) Prashant Kumar https://t.co/QoNlxHFwYq pic.twitter.com/WYimNYqo0H ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) September 15, 2022 Six arrested in minors' rape-murder case Notably, six people have been arrested in the case and they are identified as Chotu, Junaid, Sohail, Hafizul, Karimuddin and Arif, said Sanjeev Suman, Superintendent of Police, Lakhimpur Kheri. The accused have been booked under Sections 302, 376 of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO) Act. According to the SP, the accused Junaid was nabbed in an encounter where he was shot in the leg. The SP disclosed that the accused were friends with the deceased girls. "The girls were yesterday lured to farms and raped by Sohail and Junaid. After the girls wanted the accused to marry them, Sohail, Hafizul, and Junaid strangulated and killed them. They then called Karimuddin and Arif and hanged the girls to eliminate any proof," SP Sanjeev Suman said. As per Suman, all the accused persons other than Chotu hailed from Lalpur village in Lakhimpur Kheri. Chotu, who was a neighbour of the girls, had introduced the two girls to these boys and he too has been arrested, the SP added. Harshest punishment for culprits: UP govt Uttar Pradesh`s Deputy Chief Ministers also assured strict action against the culprits in the rape and murder of two Dalit girls in UP`s Lakhimpur Kheri and urged the opposition to console the family instead of politicising the matter. On Wednesday evening, the bodies of two minor sisters were found hanging from a tree in Lalpur Majra Tamoli Purva village under the Nighasan police station of Lakhimpur Kheri district. Local villagers and the girls' family lodged a protest as they marched and blocked the road demanding justice for the victims. A passenger car collided with the car of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, press secretary of the head of state Serhiy Nykyforov said on Facebook. "In Kyiv, a passenger car collided with the car of the President of Ukraine and escort vehicles. The doctors accompanying the head of state provided emergency assistance to the driver of the car and handed him over to an ambulance. The President was examined by a doctor, no serious injuries were found. Law enforcement officers will find out all the circumstances of the accident," he wrote. New Delhi: The BJP on Thursday stepped up its attack against TMC over violence in its protest march in Kolkata saying that the ruling party in the state works with a fascist and dictatorial mindset. BJP spokesperson Zafar Islam accused the TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of trying to suppress the peaceful march against corruption with use of police force. Addressing a press conference at BJP headquarters with BJP leaders Anirban Ganguly and Saumitra Khan, Islam said as the country runs according to the constitution Bengal cannot be a dictatorship of TMC and its leader Mamata Banerjee. Ganguly showed a video of the protest during the press conference and alleged that the Kolkata Police were authorised to pelt stones on a peaceful political protest. Referring to Abhishek Banerjee's remarks that had he been present at the spot where the vandals set ablaze a police vehicle he would have shot the attackers in the head, Ganguly said that the remark showed the extent of the extra constitutional authority in West Bengal. Also Read: 'I would have shot them in the head': TMC's Abhishek Banerjee on Nabanna Cholo March violence "We have never heard such things from an elected member of the parliament. This shows his and his aunt's mindset. They have a fascist and dictatorial mindset with no regard for the constitution. "They can't tolerate any democratic opposition, he said. "Under Mamata and Abhishek, TMC government is working as fascist and dictatorial government," Ganguly added. Echoing similar sentiments, Khan, BJP MP from West Bengal, dubbed TMC as a "mafia party" involved in several scams. He alleged that the TMC used its workers to instigate violence and attack BJP workers during the rally. The BJP had on Tuesday carried out Nabanna Abhijan' (march to secretariat) protest march against the ruling Trinamool Congress' alleged corrupt practices. The opposition party in West Bengal claimed that more than 1,000 of its workers were injured by the police. Mumbai: Former Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik, arrested in a money laundering case, was dealing with fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's sister Hasina Parkar and there was no question of him being innocent, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) told a special court here on Wednesday. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Anil Singh, appearing for the ED, made this submission while presenting arguments on Malik's bail plea and seeking its rejection. The 63-year-old Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, currently in jail under judicial custody, was arrested on February 23 under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) by the ED in connection with a probe linked to the activities of Ibrahim and his aides. The ED's case was based on an FIR (first information report) filed recently by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against Ibrahim, a designated global terrorist and key 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts accused, and his aides under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), an anti-terror act. Among other grounds, Malik has sought bail pleading there was no predicate (or scheduled) offence against him to prosecute him for money laundering. A predicate offence under the PMLA is the crime that gives rise to the "proceeds of crime", which are then laundered. Responding to the claim, the ASG submitted in the special PMLA court that the case registered by the NIA against Ibrahim and his close associates was considered a predicate offence. The anti-money laundering agency has claimed Malik had usurped a property at Goawala Compound in suburban Kurla in active connivance with members of the D-gang (Dawood Ibrahim gang), including Parkar. The ASG further submitted that as per the NIA case, Ibrahim is a terrorist and all his criminal activities were being handled by his sister Parkar after he left India. "In the case against Malik, Parkar was involved. The business of Parkar was to settle property disputes and make money out of them. She entered Goawala Compound to settle matters and her own son has said in his statement that she owned the property (that was later acquired by the former minister)," Singh said. Sardar Khan, an eyewitness in the case, has mentioned in his statement about Malik meeting Parkar and giving money to her, Singh argued to back his claim of the NCP leader having links with the sister of Ibrahim. "Malik was dealing with Parkar so there was no question of him being innocent. He knew this was tainted property. They still had a meeting with her and reflected on property worth crores in lakhs, to cover up, and execute certain documents," he said. Merely because some document was executed it does not make the tainted property untainted, the ASG argued while praying for rejection of Malik's bail plea. New Delhi: People not belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Schedules Tribes (STs) earn Rs 5,000 per month more than those from the two communities, while non-Muslims earn Rs 7,000 per month more than Muslims on average, according to a new report by Oxfam India. According to the 'India Discrimination Report 2022', which highlights bias in accessing jobs, livelihoods and agricultural credits among others, 15.6 per cent of the urban Muslim population aged 15 and above were engaged in regular salaried jobs whereas 23.3 per cent of non-Muslims were in regular salaried jobs, in 2019-20. "The lower employment for urban Muslims attributes 68 per cent to discrimination. In 2019-20, 70 per cent of the difference between Muslim and non-Muslim engaged as salaried workers was due to discrimination," it said. The report said self-employed SC/STs earn Rs 5,000 less than non-SC/STs and discrimination accounts for 41 per cent of this gap. The rural SC and ST communities are facing a rapid increase in discrimination in casual employment, the report showed. The data said unequal income among rural SC and ST casual wage workers was majorly -- 79 per cent -- because of discrimination in 2019-20, a sharp increase of 10 per cent from the previous year. In rural areas, Muslims saw the sharpest increase in unemployment -- 17 per cent -- in the first quarter of COVID-19. "For salaried workers during Covid, Muslims emerge as the most affected group for which the percentage figures went up from 11.8 to 40.9 in rural areas, the corresponding increase for SC/ST (5.6 to 28.3) and general category (5.4 to 28.1) being less than that," it said. Muslims, in rural areas, recorded the maximum decline in earnings of 13 per cent, while it was close to 9 per cent for others, the report said. In rural areas, in the self-employed category, Muslims had the highest fall in earnings by about 18 per cent against that of below 10 per cent for the SC/STs and others, it said. In 2017, people belonging to the bottom 20 per cent income group, who were from SC and ST communities got 1.7 times lesser hospital care compared to OBCs and others in the same income group. Historically, oppressed communities such as Dalits and Adivasis along with religious minorities such as Muslims also continue to face discrimination in accessing jobs, livelihoods, and agricultural credits, the report said. The mean income for SCs and STs in urban areas, who are regular employees, is Rs 15,312 as against Rs 20,346 for those belonging to the general category. "This means the general category is earning 33 per cent more than SCs or STs according to the report. The average earning of self-employed workers is Rs 15,878 for non-SCs or STs and Rs 10,533 for SCs or STs. The rural SC and ST communities are facing an increase in discrimination in casual employment," the report said. "Self-employed non-SC/ST workers earn a third more than their SCs or STs counterparts. Caste also acts as a major barrier while accessing credit for agriculture despite many agricultural labourers being from SC or ST communities. STs and SCs receive less than a quarter of the credit shares that the forward castes receive," the report said. Muslims continue to face multidimensional challenges in accessing salaried jobs and income through self-employment as compared to non-Muslims. The lower employment for urban Muslims was largely -- 68.3 per cent -- due to discrimination, in 2019-20. The report showed that discrimination faced by Muslims in 2004-05 was 59.3 percent, indicating an increase in discrimination by nine per cent over 16 years. Regular-salaried non-Muslims in urban areas earn Rs 20,346 on average, which is 1.5 times higher than Muslims who earn Rs 13,672, the report said. "This means non-Muslims are earning 49 per cent more than Muslims in regular employment," the report noted. "Self-employed non-Muslims earn Rs 15,878 on average, while self-employed Muslims earn Rs 11,421 despite the community's overrepresentation in urban self-employment. This means non-Muslims are earning a third more than Muslims in self-employment," it said. Amitabh Behar, CEO of Oxfam India, said the fallout of discrimination in society is multi-faceted, not just social and moral but also economic, leading to adverse consequences. Gender discrimination reason behind employment gap between men and women Gender discrimination is the reason for 98 per cent of the employment gap between males and females in India, the Oxfam India report said. The report highlighted that women in India despite their same educational qualifications and work experience as men will be discriminated against in the labour market due to societal and employers' prejudices. Oxfam India's 'India Discrimination Report 2022' shows that discrimination causes 100 per cent of employment inequality faced by women in rural areas in labour market and 98 per cent in urban areas. The report said self-employed males earn 2.5 times more than females, 83 per cent of which is attributed to gender-based discrimination and 95 per cent of the gap between the earnings of male and female casual wage workers is due to discrimination. According to the report, gender discrimination is the reason for 98 per cent of the employment gap between males and females. "Women in India despite their same educational qualification and work experience as men will be discriminated in the labour market due to societal and employers' prejudices," it said. The report further said that 93 per cent of the gap in earnings of males and females is due to discrimination. "Rural self-employed males earn twice of what females earn in rural areas. Male casual workers earn Rs 3,000 per month more than females, 96 per cent of which is attributed to discrimination," it said. As high as 91.1 per cent of the gap in earnings between males and females is explained by discrimination. The academically recognised statistical model applied in the report is now able to quantify the discrimination women face in the labour market. The lower wages for salaried women are due to 67 per cent of discrimination and 33 per cent due to lack of education and work experience, the report said. Oxfam India called on the government to actively enforce effective measures for the protection and right to equal wages and work for all women. The Government of India should also incentivise the participation of women in workforce, including enhancement in pay, upskilling, job reservations and easy return-to-work options after maternity, the report said. What the report finds is if a man and woman start on an equal footing, the woman will be discriminated against in the economic sphere where she will lag behind in regular/salaried, casual and self-employment, said Amitabh Behar, CEO of Oxfam India. "The inequality in the labour market for gender and other social categories, the report finds, is not just due to poor access to education or work experience but because of discrimination," he said. These findings are based on the government data on employment and labour from 2004-05 to 2019-20. The Oxfam India report refers to unit level data from 61st round National Sample Survey (NSS) data on employment-unemployment (2004-05), the Periodic Labour Force Survey in 2018-19 and 2019-20 and All India Debt and Investment Survey by the government. New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday (September 14, 2022) quipped that the disengagement between India and China at the Patrolling Point 15 in eastern Ladakh is "one problem less on the border". Jaishankar's remarks came during a joint press interaction with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna. The Indian and Chinese armies carried out a joint verification of the disengagement process at PP-15 in the Gogra-Hotsprings area in eastern Ladakh after withdrawing their troops and dismantling temporary infrastructure from the friction point on Monday. During a media briefing, Colonna was asked how she sees India's concerns about China's aggressive posturing along its border, a question that she let Jaishankar reply. "I do not think I will say anything new today except I would recognise that we have had disengagement at PP-15 (Patrolling Point 15). The disengagement as I understand was completed. That is one problem less on the border," Jaishankar said, in response to the question. To a question on China's military muscle-flexing in the Indo-Pacific, Jaishankar said that it is important for "like-minded countries" to work together to contribute to ensuring peace, stability, security and prosperity in the region. "It's important for likeminded countries, countries which have a similar view, who can work together to contribute to ensuring peace, stability, security, prosperity, progress there, and we consider France very much an Indo-Pacific player and also a country which has a longstanding presence in the Indian Ocean," he said. Jaishankar also took an indirect pot shot at China while replying to a question on "one country" blocking proposals at the UN Security Council to designate Pakistan-based terrorists and said that the listing is done as terrorists are a threat to the entire international community. "Regarding the listing where India and France have cooperated for many years, I think the listing of terrorists is done because the terrorists are a threat to the entire international community," he said. "So it is not something which countries necessarily do in pursuit of a narrow national agenda. If somebody blocks listing particularly in cases where the merits of going ahead are very apparent, I think they do so frankly at peril to their own interests and their own reputation," he added. Earlier last month, China blocked a move at the UN Security Council to designate Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) deputy chief Abdul Rauf Azhar as a global terrorist. China put a technical hold on the joint proposal by India and the US to designate the JeM leader, who is the younger brother of the outfit's chief Masood Azhar. All other 14 member states of the top UN body supported the proposal. The Chinese action came less than a month after Beijing blocked a similar joint proposal by India and the US to blacklist Pakistan-based deputy leader of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba Abdul Rehman Makki. S Jaishankar holds meeting with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna Earlier on Wednesday, Jaishankar also hosted visiting French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna for bilateral talks at Hyderabad House in Delhi. During the meeting, both Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening the India-France Strategic Partnership in view of continuously evolving geopolitics, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, where both countries are resident powers. The two leaders also appreciated the progress in other existing areas of cooperation, including defence, civil nuclear, space, among Warm and comprehensive discussions with FM @MinColonna of France today. The exchange of perspectives on the international situation was particularly valuable. Watch our joint press conference here: : https://t.co/tFtLut4suL Remarks : https://t.co/xtAHNS6cvw pic.twitter.com/gAzYnDlZDx Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 14, 2022 Jaishankar and Colonna also discussed a number of regional, global and multilateral issues including the current conflict in Europe, the forthcoming UN General Assembly, the ongoing close cooperation between the two countries in the UN Security Council, and India's priorities for the upcoming G20 Presidency. Colonna also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and conveyed French President Emmanuel Macrons message of friendship and cooperation. PM Modi fondly recalled his recent meetings with President Macron in Paris and Schloss Elmau, Germany, and conveyed his desire to welcome the President to India at an early opportunity. Happy to have met French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs @MinColonna today. We discussed cooperation on bilateral, regional and global issues. Conveyed warm regards for my friend @EmmanuelMacron. pic.twitter.com/W1yJESAE0u September 14, 2022 (With agency inputs) Samarkand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday left for Samarkand in Uzbekistan to attend the 22nd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Member States (SCO-COHS) summit on Sept 15-16. The SCO summit will also see the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iran's Ebrahim Raisi, among other top world leaders. The Prime Minister is visiting Uzbekistan at the invitation of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, "Leaving for Samarkand, Uzbekistan to attend the SCO Summit, which will witness the exchange of views on a wide range of regional and global issues" Leaving for Samarkand, Uzbekistan to attend the SCO Summit, which will witness exchange of views on a wide range of regional and global issues. https://t.co/pmA3n8JsKQ Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 15, 2022 PM Modi will attend the summit on Friday. He is expected to have bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand. PM Modi will review the activities of SCO and discuss prospects for future cooperation. "At the SCO Summit, I look forward to exchanging views on topical, regional and international issues, the expansion of SCO and on further deepening of multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation within the Organization," read Prime Minister's Office departure statement ahead of his visit to Uzbekistan. Also Read: SCO Summit: Suspense remains on PM Modi and Chinese President Xis meeting in Samarkand The 22nd Summit has hogged much limelight due to the ongoing turbulence in geopolitics, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and tensions over Taiwan. The SCO Summit is taking place at a time when there are sharp differences between the West, China and Russia on the issues of sovereignty, democracy, human rights and economic sanctions, to name a few, and the prevailing flux on who is with whom. India is well-placed to be a neutral arbiter among the highly-divided factions in the emerging global order because it has always fielded for the common good, rather than partisan strategic objectives. (With agency inputs) Maharashtra Politics: With the Vedanta-Foxconn project moving out of the state, a good deal of tension is being seen between the ruling party and the opposition. As this project has gone from Maharashtra to Gujarat, the opposition has started criticizing the BJP. However, it is also being alleged that the ruling party allowed the project to go to Gujarat to please Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After NCP President Sharad Pawar targeted the state government in this regard in a press conference held in Pune this morning, Union Minister Narayan Rane has now responded to it. Sharad Pawar Reacts Sharad Pawar, speaking in a press conference, claimed that there is no favorable environment for industries in the state. "This project was supposed to come to Talegaon. It was discussed. But later, this changed. I don't see any alternative to it now. Some people said that this decision should be changed and brought to Maharashtra. This will not happen. This should not have happened. The project should not have gone out of Maharashtra. But it went out. There is no point in discussing it now", said Sharad Pawar. Also Read: 'Don't CRY, will give you a BIGGER balloon...', Sharad Pawar MOCKS Eknath Shinde over Vedanta-Foxconn DEAL Rane Counter-Attacks Referring to the same statement of Sharad Pawar, Narayan Rane has replied to him. "In two and a half years, Sharad Pawar's three-party rule did not have a conducive environment for industry. So there is no point in wringing your hands now that the industry is gone. We will see what is to be done now. We are capable", said Rane. Rane further added, "He was Chief Minister four times. After that, was there an industrial revolution in Maharashtra? Why was his chief minister sitting in Matoshree for two and a half years? Don't brag too much. Shut up, we are capable of managing the state and making industrial progress", said Narayan Rane. The Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises also alleges that Uddhav Thackeray stayed at Matoshree for two and a half years and ran the government from there. He claims, "These industries have gone because of compromise. Industries have gone because Uddhav Thackeray made compromises for personal gains." Eight Congress MLAs, including former Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday. Angered by the rebellion in the party, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh fiercely targeted the rebel leaders. Talking about the defection of Goa Congress MLAs, Jairam Ramesh on Thursday said that only two types of people leave the Congress. He said that the first category includes those who have got everything from the party. Citing the example of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ramesh said, "The first category includes those who have benefited immensely from the party. Ghulam Nabi Azad is an example. He got everything from the party. From Youth Congress President to PCC President, Union Cabinet Minister, General Secretary etc." Jairam Ramesh, referring to the second type of people, said, "The second category is those who are in the grip of investigative agencies. They will leave the Congress and join the BJP. As soon as they join the BJP, they will be cleared." Look at the Chief Minister of Assam. He is the best example. There is not even a single case against him. But when he was in Congress, BJP used to attack him everyday. Now he has become Chief Minister and BJP is completely silent." The Congress MP said that Goa MLAs who left the party also belong to this second category. Jairam Ramesh said, "These 8 MLAs went into BJP's washing machine. They are the most corrupt leaders I know." Addressing a press conference in Kerala, Ramesh said that he agrees that the Congress made a mistake by bringing them (8 MLAs from Goa) into the party. Jairam Ramesh said, "As they are now the part of BJP's washing machine, they will be as spotless white as my kurta." The Congress has started the 'Bharat Jodi Yatra' from Kanyakumari on 7 September. The entire BJP including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is questioning this 'Yatra'. Assam CM recently said that Congress should make its journey to Pakistan as India is already united. Earlier, Jairam Ramesh had said that Sarma has to say something derogatory every day to prove his allegiance to the BJP. Baghpat (UP): Uttar Pradesh's Fisheries minister Sanjay Nishad has called for the removal of all mosques located near temples. Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Nishad said a religious frenzy has spread in India, and the mosques, which are located near temples, should be removed. On the survey of madrassas in the state, Nishad said that madrassas have been found to have been connected with terrorism, and terrorists have been caught there a number of times. Hence, the Muslim religious leaders should support the survey of madrassas to clear their image, he suggested. He also accused the opposition of spreading a religious frenzy and triggering riots in association with the 'maulanas'. Despite that, incidents of riots have come down since the Yogi Adityanath government has come to power in Uttar Pradesh and Narendra Modi at the Centre, he said. Also Read: UP government harassing us: Muslim-centric parties to protest against Madrasa survey The Nishad party leader also said that the 'maulanas' have increased the poverty in the country, and it is because of them that Muslim children are deprived of education. Nishad added that the 'maulanas' do not want Muslim children to be educated and become aware. Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh`s Deputy Chief Ministers on Thursday assured strict action against the culprits in the rape and murder of two Dalit girls in UP`s Lakhimpur Kheri and urged the opposition to `console the family instead of politicising the matter`. "Lakhimpur incident is sad and unfortunate. Harshest action to be taken against all criminals. I`d expect the Opposition, whether Akhilesh Yadav, Priyanka Gandhi or Mayawati that instead of politicising, they console the family. But the rule of law has prevailed in UP," said Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya. UP | Lakhimpur incident sad, unfortunate. Harshest action to be taken against all criminals. I'd expect oppn, whether Akhilesh Yadav, Priyanka Gandhi or Mayawati that instead of politicising, they console the family. But the rule of law has prevailed in UP: Dy CM KP Maurya pic.twitter.com/QqAPStbXmA ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) September 15, 2022 Assuring justice to the Dalit girls, state Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak said "the government will take such an action that the souls of their (culprits`) coming generations will also shiver". "Justice will be given; proceedings via fast-track court," Pathak added. #WATCH | Junaid, Sohail, Hafizul, Karimuddin & Arif involved. Girls were strangled to death & then hanged. Govt will take such an action that the souls of their coming generations will also shiver. Justice will be given; proceedings via fast-track court: UP Dy CM Brajesh Pathak https://t.co/QoNlxHFwYq pic.twitter.com/dDqAtdxQ2o ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) September 15, 2022 Lakhimpur Kheri`s Superintendent of Police, Sanjeev Suman informed on Thursday that a total of six persons, identified as Chotu, Junaid, Sohail, Hafizul, Karimuddin and Arif were arrested in the case. According to the SP, the accused Junaid was nabbed in an encounter where he was shot in the leg and disclosed that the accused were friends with the deceased girls. "The girls were yesterday lured to a farm and raped by Sohail and Junaid. After the girls wanted the accused to marry them, Sohail, Hafizul, and Junaid strangulated and killed them. They then called Karimuddin and Arif and hanged the girls to eliminate any proof," SP Sanjeev Suman said. As per Suman, all the accused persons except Chotu hailed from Lalpur village in Lakhimpur Kheri. Chotu, who was a neighbour of the girls, had introduced the two girls to these boys and he too has been arrested, the SP added. He further said that this was a preliminary probe and the post-mortem will start in about 2-3 hours. On Wednesday evening, the bodies of two minor sisters were found hanging from a tree in Lalpur Majra Tamoli Purva village under the Nighasan police station of Lakhimpur Kheri district. Local villagers and the girls` family lodged a protest as they marched and blocked the road demanding justice for the victims. The family of the deceased had accused three men of rape and murder and staged a demonstration at the Nighasan crossing, a few kilometres from the village. New Delhi: Netflix recently unveiled the trailer of its upcoming and much-anticipated Tudum fanfest. The video that released on YouTube saw several actors from across the world, teasing the fans about the event. The fanfest will be held on September 24 this year across the globe. While it features some of the most celebrated actors from Netflix shows and films across the world, this year, actors Alia Bhatt, Rajkummar Rao and Adarsh Gourav were seen representing India. While Alia Bhatt acted in Netflix film Darlings, Rajkummar Rao was seen in Hit - The First Case and Adarsh Gourav played the lead role in The White Tiger. Alia Bhatt was seen with her Heart of Stone co-star Jamie Dornan in the trailer in which she said, Are we ready?, as they spilled the beans on the event. Apart from them, the trailer also featured Stranger Things actors Gaten Matarazzo, Sadie Sink and Finn Wolfhard. Money Heist actor Pedro Alonso aka Berlin also made an appearance in the teaser. Thor actor Chris Hemsworth was also a part of the trailer. Netflix completed 25 years of its incorporation last month. It organises this fan event every year to tease the fans about upcoming projects and shares updates on them. This year, the Tudum event will share updates about popular shows like Stranger Things, Bridgerton, Squid Game, The Crown, Money Heist, Emily in Paris, The Witcher, Alice In Borderland, Manifest, Glitch, Heartstopper Lupin, , You, /the Umbrella Academy, Never Have I Ever, Money Heist: Korea-Joint Economic Area, Dead To Me, Elite, 1899 and Berlin among others. Among movies, it will spill the beans about Millie Bobby Browns Enola Homes 2, Gal Gadot and Alia Bhatts Heart Of Stone, 20th Century Girl and Slumberland among others. In the Indian context, it will share updates about upcoming films like Khufiya, Chor NIkal ke Bhaga, Irrfan Khans son Babil Khan debut film Qala among others. AFU repel enemy attacks in areas of eight settlements, 12 air strikes carried out against enemy, four aircraft destroyed by air defense General Staff Over the past day, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) repelled the attacks of Russian invaders in the southeast direction in the area of 8 settlements. As a result of 12 air strikes, the enemy's manpower, two platoon strongholds and four positions of anti-aircraft missile systems were destroyed, as well as four aircraft were destroyed by air defense, the General Staff reported. "Defense forces continue to successfully repulse enemy attacks, in particular, in the areas of the settlements of Spirne, Soledar, Mayorsk, Zaitseve, Odradivka, Vesela Dolyna, Vodiane and Novomykhailivka," the General Staff said in its morning report on Facebook. During the past 24 hours, in order to support the actions of the land groupings, the Air Force of the Defense Forces carried out 12 strikes on the places of concentration of the enemy's manpower and equipment. It was confirmed that six areas of concentration of the enemy's manpower, two platoon strongholds and four positions of anti-aircraft missile systems were hit. Enemy losses are being refined. In addition, our air defense units destroyed four aircraft of the occupiers in different directions: three Su-25 and one Su-24M. At the same time, the enemy continues to focus its efforts on attempts to fully occupy Donetsk region, hold the captured territories and disrupt the active actions of our troops in certain areas. "The enemy is shelling our positions along the contact line, tries to take measures to regroup troops in separate directions, and conducts aerial reconnaissance. There remains the threat of air and missile strikes throughout the territory of Ukraine," the General Staff said. The enemy continues to attack the homes of civilians and civilian infrastructure objects, violating the norms of International Humanitarian Law, the laws and customs of war. The infrastructure of more than 30 settlements was damaged by air strikes, missile strikes and the use of MLRS. These are, in particular, Kryvy Rih, Kharkiv, Kramatorsk, Vovchansk, Kostiantynivka, Lozova, Siversk, Bilohorivka, Mykolaivka, Verkhniokamianske, Soledar, Bakhmut, Bakhmutske, Vesela Dolyna, Zaitseve, Yuryivka, New York, Pervomaiske, Kamianka, Vremivka, Stepove, Mali Scherbaky, Suhy Stavok, Kostromka, Bila Krynytsia and Myrne. Over the past day, the enemy launched eight missile strikes, 19 airstrikes and fired 86 MLRS strikes at military and civilian targets on the territory of Ukraine. The situation in Volyn and Polissia directions has not changed significantly. In other directions, the enemy is shelling the infrastructure with tanks, mortars and artillery, namely: in Siversky direction in Halahanivka district of Chernihiv region; in Kharkiv direction in the areas of the settlements of Baranivka, Hoptivka, Vysoka Yaruha, Neskuchne and Kupiansk; in Kramatorsk direction Tetyanivka, Kryva Luka and Bilohorivka; in Bakhmut direction Vesele, Yakovlivka, Bakhmutske, Bakhmut, Vesela Dolyna, Zaitseve and Sukha Balka; in Avdiyivka direction Avdiyivka, Pervomaiske, Vodiane, Krasnohorivka, Maryinka and Novomykhailivka; in Zaporizhia direction Vilne Pole, Zelene Pole, Novopil, Velyka Novosilka, Pavlivka, Orihiv, Mala Tokmachka and Bilohiria; in South Buh direction Bila Krynytsia, Olhyne, Liubomyrivka, Ternovi Pody, Pravdyne, Myrne and Ivanivka. In addition, the enemy constantly conducts aerial reconnaissance by UAVs. According to available information, the destruction of a significant number of servicemen and military equipment of units of the 137th Parachute Regiment of the 106th Parachute Division of the Russian Armed Forces in Bakhmut direction has been confirmed. Significant losses do not allow the specified unit to continue combat operations without additional measures. In order to hold the temporarily captured territories, the enemy is trying to strengthen the first line of defense in Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions it is moving reserves from the units of the 3rd Army Corps, as well as the remnants of units that were withdrawn from Kharkiv direction. At the same time, due to the breach by the Defense Forces of the logistical support of the occupiers, units of the Russian armed forces performing tasks along the contact line have problems with the lack of certain types of ammunition for rocket launchers and artillery. New Delhi: Ayan Mukherji dropped a picture featuring Ranbir Kapoor from their visit to Somnath Temple on Thursday, on social media. Taking to his Instagram handle, the `Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani` director treated fans with a new picture. In the picture, he was seen posing with the `Shamshera` actor dressed in ethnic attire. Ranbir was seen wearing a white kurta-pyjama that he paired with a navy-blue Nehru jacket. On the other hand, Ayan opted for a yellow-white kurta set. Sharing the picture, he wrote, "Somnath Temple. Shri Someshwaray Jyotirlidaay Maharudray Namah My Third Jyotirling Visit this year. Had told myself I would come here after Brahmastra releases, and am so happy and energised that we made it here! #gratitude." Here is the post shared by the filmmaker: `Brahmastra` team including Alia Bhatt, the trio recently headed to Ahmedabad for the film promotion.Recently, Ayan announced that `Brahmastra` unreleased songs would be out on Dussehra. He shared the video with a glimpse of songs including `Kesariya,` `Deva Deva` and `Dance Ka Bhoot.` Along with the caption, "Some News on The Music Album Of Brahmastra. There is a lot of Music in the movie which we haven`t released, yet. Like... Rasiya... our Shiva Theme... other versions of our Main Songs... other Themes...The main reason is that we needed to focus on finishing the movie properly pre-release, and couldn`t do justice to launching these tracks properly." He added, "This is just a general shout-out to say that we are resuming this Journey with focus and excitement now... that we plan to launch Rasiya and other tracks starting early next week...And we plan to have our entire Brahmastra Music Album complete and released - by DUSSEHRA, Oct. 5th ! #musicofbrahmastra." `Brahmastra` is helmed by Ayan, along with Ranbir and Alia. The film also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Mouni Roy and south actor Nagarjuna in the lead roles. New Delhi: Kriti Sanon, a young and gifted actor, has won the coveted "Best Actress" award at Filmfare, which she is now proudly celebrating. With plaudits flowing in and an extensive schedule ahead, the self-made actress of the profession is still unstoppable. Recently, Kriti's mother posted a sweet picture of her daughter holding her award while on a video call with her proud parents. Along with other images of the entire Sanon family, Kriti's mother jotted down an emotional note in the caption. She wrote Distance could not stop us from sharing the happy moment of having another black lady in your hand, this time for the Filmfare best actress . Im so so happy and proud my girl. Surely many more of such glorious moments will come your way .lets celebrate this with the much needed vacation and family time in France kritisanon @nupursanon @rahulsanon". Here is the post shared by actresses Mom: Kriti's upcoming line-up of films shows enormous promise for continuing her lucky streak after she established her mettle as a performer with a game-changing performance in Mimi. Bhediya, Shehzada, Ganapath, and Adipurush are some of the most anticipated movies in recent memory. Kriti will play a completely different character in a movie with Anurag Kashyap, which is also in the works for the star. New Delhi: Actor Jacqueline Fernandez and conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar`s aide Pinky Irani engaged in a war of words during the ED interrogation, as per the sources. According to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) sources, while the two were being interrogated face to face, they kept arguing and accusing each other of lying for around two hours. Pinky accused Jacqueline of accepting gifts from Sukesh, despite knowing that he is behind bars on charges of cheating people of 200 crores. On the other hand, Jacqueline accused Pinky of lying. She said she had no idea about Sukesh`s background. Both of them reportedly also abused each other, after which police had to intervene. The questioning ended after 8 hours. Jacqueline has not been called for questioning tomorrow and will be called by EOW when the need arises, the sources said. It is to be noted that, Pinky Irani had apparently introduced Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez to conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar. Jacqueline joined the questioning by the EOW of Delhi Police in the alleged 200 crore scam. Pinky Irani also joined the investigation earlier today. The questioning started at 11:30 am and Delhi Police prepared a questionnaire of 100 odd questions to ask Jaqueline. Jacqueline Fernandez arrives at EOW office in Delhi in connection with the conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar money Laundering case https://t.co/XFDrF8xDaB pic.twitter.com/qzkIfe9Tzh ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2022 Jacqueline Fernandez Money Laundering case | Pinky Irani who introduced Jacqueline Fernandez to Sukesh Chandrashekhar, arrives at EOW office in Delhi pic.twitter.com/TdHODnXyOG ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2022 This was Jaqueline`s third summons by the Delhi Police. Previously, she has been summoned twice but she did not turn up on both dates - August 29 and September 12. ED had earlier stated that Fernandez`s statements were recorded on August 30 and October 20, 2021, where she admitted to having received gifts from Sukesh Chandrashekhar. ED also said that Fernandez had used proceeds of crime and valuable gifts bought using it for herself and her family members in India and abroad and that this amounts to an offence of money laundering under section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002. Sukesh Chandrashekhar has been accused of running an extortion racket worth Rs 200 crore when he was lodged in Rohini jail, from Aditi Singh, the wife of jailed former Ranbaxy owner Shivinder Singh, posing as officials from the union law ministry and the PMO, on the pretext of getting her husband out on bail. Sukesh Chandrashekhar, a native of Bengaluru in Karnataka, is currently lodged in a Delhi jail and faces over 10 criminal cases registered against him. New Delhi: Controversial film personality Kamaal R Khan always manages to stay in the limelight no matter what! Recently, he was arrested for making hateful comments on late film actors Rishi Kapoor and Irrfan Khan and in another case for asking sexual favours from an actress. Now, days after coming out of jail, he has something new to say. KRK took to his Twitter account and said that filmmaker Karan Johar, Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Aamir Khan and Ajay Devgn are not behind his arrest. Many people are saying that @karanjohar was behind my arrest. No, its not true. #Karan #SRK #Aamir #Ajay #Akshay etc have nothing to do with my arrest, he tweeted. People on social media started taking a jibe on the statement as soon as it was released. One user asked if it was Salman Khan since he did not mention his name. Another user said that Ranbir Kapoor might be behind his arrest as his review could have destroyed Brahmastra. Well, no one takes KRK seriously! Earlier, he had made a shocking statement that he survived 10 days in jail with just water and lost has lost 10 kgs! If this is less, his son even compared him to actor Sushant Singh Rajput and said that he doesnt want his father to die like him. I was surviving with only water for 10 days in lockup. So I have lost 10 kg weight. September 13, 2022 According to the police, KRK was arrested over FIR against his controversial social media posts back in 2020. The FIR was lodged on the basis of a complaint by Yuva Sena leader Rahul Kanal on April 30, 2020, where he alleged that KRK`s tweets on the late Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor allegedly spread "hatred". Rahul had said in the FIR that a person named Kamal R Khan regularly spreads hatred on social media. "He came into Bollywood with a movie named `Deshdrohi` and is really acting like one. Even when the world is going through a pandemic, I can`t understand his inhumane behaviour and spreading hatred in all spheres of life." The complainant said KRK was making hateful comments against late actors Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor. "After Irrfan Khan, who is India`s pride, passed away, he was making poor claims and statements on him. He was also talking crap about senior actor late Rishi Kapoor also," he said in the complaint. On September 5, KRK was arrested by Versova Police for allegedly demanding sexual favours from an actress and holding the complainant`s hand in the first week of January 2019. He later got bail in this case. He got bail in both cases. Mumbai: Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh, who recently got enmeshed in controversy after posing nude for a magazine photoshoot, has told Mumbai Police in a statement that someone has tampered with and morphed one of the photos of him. Ranveer recorded his statement with the Mumbai Police last month over an FIR filed against him in a nude photo shoot case. As per information accessed from Mumbai Police, the actor in his statement has claimed that someone has tampered with and morphed one of the photos of the actor. The FIR had been registered against Ranveer on July 26, on a complaint filed at the Chembur Police Station. Reportedly, the case was filed after receiving the complaint by an office-bearer of the NGO who had alleged that the actor hurt the sentiments of women with his nude photos. On August 29, the `Padmaavat` actor got his statement recorded at Mumbai`s Chembur Police station. The Mumbai Police filed the FIR under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code like 292 (sale of obscene books, etc), 293 (sale of obscene objects to young people), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and provisions of the Information Technology Act. Ranveer's controversial photo shoot images were posted online on July 21. Ranveer is seen wearing no clothes in those photos. In one of the images, he was seen lying on a rug naked recreating Burt Reynold`s famous photograph. Meanwhile, on the work front, Ranveer was recently seen in Netflix`s interactive special `Ranveer vs Wild with Bear Grylls` which received a positive response from netizens all over the globe. As far as films are concerned, he will next be seen in Rohit Shetty`s next directorial film `Cirkus` with Jacqueline Fernandes and Pooja Hegde. The film is slated to release on the occasion of Christmas 2022. Apart from that, Ranveer also has `Rocky aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani` with Alia Bhatt, Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi and Jaya Bachchan. The film is all set to hit the theatres on February 11, 2023. New Delhi: India's most significant mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion, collaborates with Disney+ Hotstar starting from its 10th edition which is set to take place later this year. This collaboration between the two was facilitated by Rakhee Mehta of Ideashop and Salil Acharya of SS Productions and now the team is looking forward to ending the year with a bang. "I am absolutely thrilled to be associated with Disney+ Hotstar for MFN. We look forward to a great and mutually beneficial collaboration. Thank you, Disney+ Hotstar, for your belief in this awesome sport and our athletes. Lets go break some records together," Ayesha Shroff, Founder, MFN, said. MFN also revealed that as part of the digital streaming deal, Disney+ Hotstar would soon begin streaming the previous editions of the MMA event. This series starts from MFN 7, which was held at the Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad in December 2021. MMA fans in India will also witness the thrilling MMA action that took place at MFN 8 and MFN 9 in New Delhi this year. Since its inception in 2019, Matrix Fight Night has held nine mega shows across India and the UAE. The shows have garnered much attention among MMA fans in India, with fighters like Jojo Rajkumari from Manipur and Shyamanand from Bihar becoming overnight viral sensations, said Alan Fenandes, CEO, MFN. MFN has a plethora of content on the struggles and awe-inspiring journeys of the Indian MMA athletes. There are unseen and unheard stories of fighters who made it to the biggest Indian MMA stage from humble backgrounds across the country, he added. New Delhi: Urvashi Rautela is a self-made star in Bollywood and has come a long way ever since her debut. The actress, who has done multiple films at this point and was last seen in the big budget Tamil film 'The Legend' has already become busy on her next project. Urvashi is the girl who's got a handle on her global fame and international brand. With 55 million followers on Instagram, she's the most followed and youngest Asian actress on social media. She has become a force to reckon with internationally. As an actress, Urvashi Rautela is working on a crime thriller series 'Inspector Avinash,' alongside Randeep Hooda. Speaking about her character, Urvashi stated, "The character is inspired from a real-life Poonam Mishra, and I play the wife of Randeep Hoodas character, the 'Super Cop' Avinash Mishra. Biopics are a great challenge for actors because, instead of creating a character from nothing, they have to portray a version of a real person on screen. Bringing someone else's story to life is a big responsibility, but one that also helps a real-life person's story be told." Urvashi had shared a photo on her Instagram page. She captioned the post, " It's an honor to play this super special role." Here is the post shared by the actress: An announcement will be made soon for her upcoming web series 'Inspector Avinash' opposite Randeep Hooda, which is being produced by Jio Studios and will be released on Netflix. New Delhi: The film Siya, directed by Manish Mundra, will premiere on September 16th, 2022. Actor Vicky Kaushal has send its director Manish Mundra, who also created Vicky's claim to fame, Masaan, his best wishes before the film's debut. Elated Vicky with some great reviews for the movie took to his social media and wrote, "My best wishes to Manish Mundra for his first directorial. Releasing in cinemas on 16th September, hearing some great reviews... Looking forward to watch it, #Siya." Here is the post shared by the actor: Director Manish Mundra on receiving appreciation during promotions said, "It is really endearing to receive so much of love from the audiences. I'm really looking forward to their response once our film releases theatrically and I'm glad to have been blessed with such warm words, support and best wishes for this project. The promotions have been great and we are really hoping for more love to pour in. This movie is extremely close to my heart and the actors have translated my vision exactly how I wished to portray it. The movie will instantly strike a chord with your heart and the support we have received has only made us more confident of our movie." The makers of cinematic gems like Masaan and Newton bring yet another impactful story to the screen with Siya. The film tells the story of a small-town girl who, despite all odds, decides to defy oppressive patriarchy and fight for justice. Siya is a film that tells the tale of a teenage girl and her struggle for justice against a heinous crime and the toll it takes on her mentally, physically, and on her family. Producer Manish Mundra makes his directorial debut with this picture, which, like most of filmmaker Drishyam's work, is located in one of India's northernmost states but speaks to a global audience. Drishyam Films is the film's producer, and Vineet Kumar Singh and Pooja Pandey, who is making her acting debut, play the key characters. The movie will open in theatres on 16th of September. New Delhi: Maintaining economical balance in today's era calls for careful financial planning. For an economically secure future, one needs to invest at the time of earning as after retirement it will give economical support. Investing somewhere has also become the go-to method. There are many investment options available in the market. No doubt, you are looking for the option from where you can get a safe, secure, and maximum return. So, here's the government's scheme Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana. Here are the complete details including each and every pro and con of the plan. (Also Read: Public Provident Fund: Invest Rs 100 per day in PPF, get Rs 25 lakh at the time of retirement; Check details here) What is Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana? Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana is a social security scheme. Under which the beneficiary will get a monthly pension. It has been brought by the Government of India on May 26, 2020, while the scheme is being operated by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). Those who have crossed 60 years of age can invest a maximum of Rs 15 lakh. (Also Read: LIC Saral Pension Yojana: Pay single premium, get every month Rs 50,000 for a lifetime) Earlier the investment limit was Rs 7.5 lakh, which has now been doubled. Compared to other schemes, senior citizens get more interest in this scheme. In this scheme, people of 60 years or above can choose a monthly or annual pension plan. Investment plans Under the scheme, you will get 7.40 percent annual interest. Accordingly, the annual interest on the investment will be Rs 111000. If it is divided into 12 months, an amount of Rs 9250 is formed, which you will get as a monthly pension. If you want to take a monthly pension of 1000 rupees, you will have to invest 1 lakh 50 thousand rupees. Amount refund This plan is for 10 years. A monthly pension will continue to be received on your deposited money. If you remain in the scheme for 10 years, your invested money will be returned to you. You can surrender this scheme at any time. South Africa: W Cape crime levels 'a concern', says Cele Police Minister Bheki Cele has decried the harrowing levels of crime plaguing the Western Cape. The Minister expressed his concerns during a media briefing on Thursday. Despite the province having recorded the lowest murder percentage increase in the crime statistics released in August, extreme violence and brutality stalks the province, he said. The Western Cape recorded an increase in contact crimes cases, between April and June 2022. He said: So it is clear that there are glimmers of hope in this province and equally pockets of concern that are receiving immediate intervention. In the past week, 83 people were killed Western Cape between 5 and 11 September. Cele said the majority of the murders took place in and around the Cape Town Metropole and Cape flats. Arguments, robberies and gang violence remain the top causative factors for these deaths. As the Police Ministry we are encouraged that the South African Police Service [SAPS] in the Western Cape under the leadership of Lt General [Thembisile] Patekile, continues to respond to crimes and make arrests and recover stolen goods, he said. From the 1 April to 11 September 2022, courts in the region handed down 21 life sentences to perpetrators of murder and rape. During this period, the 118 people were convicted for serious crimes. Among these were 27 people convicted of murder, 84 for rape, two for attempted rape and another two for robbery with aggravating circumstances. The remainder were convicted on charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and assault GBH [grievous bodily harm]. These individuals are collectively serving 1 401 years imprisonment, he said. Firearms In a majority of murder cases, Cele said firearms were three times likely the weapon of choice in all reported murders in the country. As per the last released national crime statistics, the Western Cape has the third highest gun related murders. The removal of 33 firearms and 538 rounds of ammunition in a week, from the streets of the Cape flats by the police is welcomed. This includes three homemade firearms, 29 revolvers/ pistol and one rifle. We are clear that removing these guns from communities, goes a long way in saving lives. Keeping in line with the SAPSs mandate of protecting and securing the inhabitants of this province and their property, police in the province have Vhutu Hawe operations. The Anti-Economical Task Teams are in place and focusing on tracking and tracing undocumented foreigners [and] non-ferrous metals. This is over and above the Anti Gang Unit (AGU) members and additional 200 SAPS officers deployed from other provinces, saturating the identified high crime hot-spots, he said. The Minister said cumulative deployment of thousands of officers of the SAPS, supported by other forces from the city, metro and province each week conduct crime combating and prevention operations. He said such operations include community awareness operations, roadblocks, vehicle control points, stop and searches, tracing wanted suspects as well as foot patrols. Maximum deployment of officers is seen on weekends and is guided by threat analysis and crime prevention patterns, he said. The SAPSs Operation Restore which consists of integrated operations to the Top 10 police stations - also continues to obstruct extortion rackets and related crimes. Khayelitsha and Gugulethu shootings A total of 16 people were arrested for their alleged roles in the multiple shootings in Khayelitsha and Gugulethu that claimed 58 lives. Cele said this includes three suspects arrested in July for the multiple murder case of eight people shot and killed in Gugulethu during a traditional cleansing ceremony in June 2021. Police investigations have resulted in three suspects from Phillipi East and Gugulethu namely, Thabo Dyasi, Sivuyile Matoti and Lundi Zweni, answering to the courts. They remain in custody. Kidnapping The Western Cape police are investigating 32 cases of kidnapping since 1 March to September 2022. It remains encouraging that the SAPS in the province continue to make inroads regarding kidnapping cases. A total of 15 kidnapping suspects have been arrested, he said. This includes the court appearance of five suspects who appeared at the Wynberg Magistrates Court on Monday, 12 September 2022. The five-member gang appeared on charges of conspiracy to commit a kidnapping and other charges related to the failed kidnapping of a businesswoman. Trucks and cars Police in the Western Cape, he said, had pounced on carjacking syndicates responsible for the theft of vehicles worth millions of rand which have been recovered. Police operations have also resulted in the recovery of 16 trucks that were also highjacked in the past five months. These trucks seized by the police are believed to be worth over R40 million. Drugs Cele said local police continue to remove illicit goods such as alcohol and illegal drugs off the streets of the Western Cape. Police have intercepted and seized crystal meth, cocaine and heroin including R33 million rand worth of mandrax in recent months, he said. In this regard, the Hawks had intercepted over R400 million worth of cocaine en route to Cape Town from Gauteng. Four people have been arrested and are before the courts. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-09-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Lithuania will send two batches of armored personnel carriers to Ukraine, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has said. "Just today, the Lithuanian government has announced that we will send an additional batch of armored personnel carriers. Two batches. One of them should arrive in Ukraine very soon," Landsbergis said at a press conference in Odesa on Wednesday. He stressed that the Ukrainian army knows where to use them. "On the other hand, we have tried to be a lawyer, in many cases reminding our partners and allies both in the EU and in NATO that this is still not enough," Lansbergis said. New Delhi: Nowadays people get paid either for doing their job or for investing somewhere. It means people get money instead of their hard work or they are making money from money. If you are also planning to make money from money, this is a good opportunity for you. You can get good profits by investing in the Monthly Income Scheme of the Post Office. Wondering to know what is special in this government scheme? Here is what approach you to invest in this plan. This scheme also gives good returns to investors. If you want a fixed interest every month, then you can invest in the Monthly Income Scheme of the Post Office. Let's understand the whole process. Investment amount Under this scheme, you can deposit money in Rs 100 multiples of at least Rs 1000. If you have a single account, you can deposit money only up to Rs 4.5 lakh. On the other hand, if you have a joint account, you can deposit up to a maximum of Rs 9 lakh. Age limit You must be at least 18 years of age to invest in the Monthly Income Scheme. Number of the account holder In this account, at least one and a maximum of 3 persons can open the account simultaneously. Maturity period Under the monthly scheme of the post office, you can open your account for up to 5 years. You cannot withdraw money till at least 1 year after depositing money here. If you withdraw money between 1 to 3 years, you will be deducted 2% of the principal amount. On the other hand, after withdrawing it after 3-5 years, one percent of your principal amount will be deducted. Investment plans Under this scheme, you will get an interest of 6.6 percent every month. If you deposit Rs 50,000 rupees in your account in one go, you will get about 275 rupees every month and 3300 rupees annually. In 5 years, you will get a total of Rs 16500 as interest. The IRCTC expressed concerns in two letters in August and September about a potential passenger conflict between the Tejas Express and the soon-to-be-launched Vande Bharat train on the same route between Mumbai and Ahmedabad with similar timings, as per PTI's report. The IRCTC claimed that the timing conflict would "defeat" the very purpose of the Tejas Express' introduction as the Railways' premium corporate train. The Railway Board has been informed by the IRCTC that the introduction of the Vande Bharat Express will negatively affect the operation of the Tejas Express on the same route, according to sources, despite the fact that no one from the Rail PSU was available to comment on the situation. Fearing a potential loss in passenger numbers, the IRCTC has told the Railways that with "lots of efforts" and tweaking in both train fare and services that it has built up a clientele for the train. While the Tejas Express departs from Ahmedabad at 6:40 am and arrives at Mumbai at 1:05 pm, in the other direction, it departs Mumbai Central at 3:45 pm and reaches Ahmedabad at 10:10 pm. According to the proposed timings, the new Vande Bharat Express will depart from Ahmedabad at 7:25 am and reach Mumbai at 1:30 pm. In the other direction, it will depart Mumbai Central at 2:40 pm and arrive at Ahmedabad at 9:05 pm. The margin of the two trains will be 45 minutes to 75 minutes in both directions, and the run time of the Vande Bharat Express will also be lesser, as compared to the Tejas Express, which takes about 6.25 to 6.50 hours both ways, thus further affecting the latter, sources said. Also read: Kashmir to get its first electric train on Banihal-Baramulla corridor rail link on THIS day IRCTC, in the two communications, said the introduction of the Vande Bharat Express having similar timings in the sector and competing with the already running Tejas Express shall "defeat the very purpose of introduction of a premium Corporate train through IR," which in the very first place intended to showcase the high standards of punctuality and comprehensive onboard service of catering, security and housekeeping norms in the passenger segment. "Since the Vande Bharat rake will be introduced in this section for the first time, it will further erode the novelty of Tejas, which has already been dented by the operation of the Rajdhani Tejas rake," the IRCTC said in one of the letters to the Railway Board. It also said the Tejas Express is already competing against the low-cost AC Double Decker and the well-established and popular Karnavati Express on the same route. The Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a rail subsidiary, operates the Indian Railways' two private trains -- Lucknow - New Delhi Tejas Express, which was inaugurated on 4 October 2019, and the Ahmedabad - Mumbai Tejas express, which was inaugurated on 17 January 2020. The Tejas trains have not been profitable since the pandemic, while the Lucknow- Delhi Tejas train had made a profit of Rs 2.33 crore in 2019-20 but incurred losses of Rs 16.69 crore and Rs 8.50 crore in 2020-21 and 2021-22. Similarly, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Tejas train incurred losses of Rs 2.91 crore, Rs 16.45 crore, and Rs 15.97 crore in 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2021-22 respectively. The outgo to Railways from IRCTC for the Tejas Express works out to be more than Rs 16.75 lakh on days of operation and more than Rs 5.15 lakh on days of non-operation, amounting to approximately Rs 52.64 crore annually, officials said. With inputs from PTI New Delhi: Garena Free Fire releases redeem codes on everyday basis. The 12-digit redeem code consists of alphabets and numbers. Players can get rewards such as skins for in-game weapons and characters to improve their gaming experience. (Also read: BEWARE! Fraud can be done in the name of making Ayushman card; Check details) Garena Free fire is banned in India. However, if you are located outside India, you can access the reward codes and redeem them. For that you will be required to visit official Garena Free Fire reward site and log in to your Facebook, Google, Twitter IDs to access the Free Fire redemption page. Check out the Garena Free Fire Redeem Codes for September 15, 2022 BN34 JSIU W7Y6 TGBT NYHB O98V 7DS6 YTAR FQV2 B3N4 JKR5 T9YH OJ9I 8UGJ F9RM 45TL 6Y7P UJ0O N9IH BUGJ FNR5 MT6K YLHO UJ98 7UVY 6CTX RSFE VB45 N6MY 74UL JO9B 8V7C Y6DT XGSE BR5N T6MY KULJ OH9B I8FU (Also read: WhatsApp users to soon have 'search old messages by date' feature; Read detail) How to Redeem Garena Free Fire codes for today, September 15, 2022 Step 1: Go to the official Garena Free Fire redemption portal Step 2: Log in on the portal with either your Facebook, Twitter, Apple, Google, VK, or Huawei ID. Step 3: Enter a redeem code in the designated text box. Step 4: Click on the Ok button to get free rewards in your game account. (Disclaimer: Garena Free fire is banned in India. Hence we advise people to adhere to government rules) New Delhi: Meta-owned photo and video-sharing platform Instagram is internally testing a new tipping feature for creators on the platform, media reports say. The test feature called Gifts" would enable creators to earn money through Reels, reports TechCrunch. This feature is an internal prototype and not testing externally," a company spokesperson was quoted as saying in an email to the website. The feature was first spotted by app researcher Alessandro Paluzzi back in July, when Instagram was developing the feature under the name content appreciation". According to screenshots posted by Paluzzi, the feature would allow creators to toggle an option that will enable their fans to send them Gifts". Creators would also be able to check if they are eligible for the feature under a new Gifts tab in their settings. The screenshots also suggest that users would be able to send Gifts via a button displayed at the bottom of Reels. In 2020, Instagram launched Badges, a feature that allows users to show support to creators during a live video. Badges can cost $0.99, $1.99 or $4.99. When users purchase a badge during a live video, a heart icon appears next to your name in the comments, the report said. Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putins limousine was allegedly attacked in an assassination attempt amid the raging war between Russia and Ukraine. According to reports released on Wednesday, the left front wheel of Vladimir Putin's limousine was hit with a loud bang followed by heavy smoke. However, the Presidents car was quickly driven out to safety as smoke emerged from it. According to the reports, the incident happened when Vladimir Putin was returning to his official residence. The date of the mishap is unknown. However, a number of arrests have been made in connection with the assassination attempt. "The head of the Presidents bodyguard and several other people have been suspended and are in custody since only security servicemen knew about Putins movement in this cortege," media reports say. After the incident, three of them disappeared. These were exactly the people who were in the first car of the motorcade. Also Read: SCO Summit: PM Narendra Modi likely to meet Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin in Uzbekistan - Details here "Their fate is currently unknown. The car on which they were travelling was found empty a few kilometres from the incident," according to media reports. Russian President Vladimir Putin is said to have survived five assassination attempts and is reportedly now so fearful for his life that he has surrounded himself with an elite team of snipers. New Delhi: Sixty Afghan Sikhs who were scheduled to arrive in India on September 11 were stopped by the Taliban regime from leaving the country as they were carrying holy scriptures with them. Following the incident, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Thursday condemned the Taliban move and asked the Centre to intervene and ensure that the community`s sentiments were not hurt or disrespected in landlocked Afghanistan. SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami strongly condemned the ban on taking the "holy body of Sri Guru Granth Sahib" out of Afghanistan by the Taliban regime, according to a statement issued by the committee. He said that according to the information received by the committee, a group of 60 Afghani Sikhs were supposed to come to India on September 11, but they could not arrive because they were prevented from bringing the "holy image of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji". The Shiromani Committee President termed it a "direct interference" in the religious affairs of the Sikhs by the Taliban regime, according to the statement. Advocate Dhami said that on the one hand, attacks were being carried out against Sikhs and holy Gurudwaras inside Afghanistan while on the other hand they were being prevented from bringing the holy scripture with them to India. Advocate Dhami said that the Sikhs in Afghanistan were leaving the country because "they are not safe and when the Sikhs do not stay in the country, then who will take care of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji?" Also Read: JeM chief Masood Azhar not in Afghanistan: Taliban govt asserts 'We'll not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against any other country' "That is why Sikhs bring the holy Guru Granth Sahib with them when they come to India," he explained. Dhami said the Taliban regime should not take decisions against the sentiments of Sikhs. The SGPC chief also made an appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the matter and stop the actions being taken by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan against the religious sentiments of the Sikhs. Religious minorities in Afghanistan, including the Sikhs, have been victims of repeated targeted attacks after the Taliban took control of the country. There was a spate of attacks on Sikhs in Afghanistan recently. On June 18 this year, Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) attacked the Karte-Parwan Gurdwara in Kabul which claimed the lives of about 50 people. There have been other attacks as well. In March 2020, a deadly attack took place at Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Gurudwara in Kabul`s Short Bazaar area in which 27 Sikhs were killed and several were injured. Islamic State terrorists claimed responsibility for the attack. There were just about 700 Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan in 2020, but a large number of them left the country following the Taliban`s takeover on August 15, 2021. Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been involved in a car accident but he is "not seriously injured", reported Ukrainian media portal The Kyiv Independent quoting Zelenskyy`s spokesman Serhii Nykyforov, who in a Facebook post on September 15 said that a car collided with the presidential car and motorcade. Zelensky was examined by a doctor after the accident and is said to be not seriously injured, said the media portal, adding that medics accompanying Zelensky also provided his driver with medical assistance and transferred him to an ambulance. Nykyforov further said that law enforcement will thoroughly investigate the crash. According to reports, the war between Russia and Ukraine appears to be entering a new phase after Kyiv dealt a big blow to Moscow`s grip on parts of the east with a fast-moving offensive that saw Ukrainian troops enter the strategic city of Izium after six months of occupation. When Ukrainian forces entered the city of Izium on Saturday, it indicated that the Russian troops are scrambling to hold onto the territory they captured over the past six months, according to a CNN report. Russian forces were also forced to evacuate the strategic eastern city of Izium just five days after Ukrainian forces began a new offensive eastward through the Kharkiv region. "Russians escaped and left weapons and ammo behind. The city centre is free," a spokesperson for the Bohun Brigade of the Land Forces of Ukraine last week stated. Also read: SCO Summit: Xi Jinping and Putin to discuss Ukraine war Earlier on Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram that Ukrainian forces have liberated the settlement of Chkalovske in the Kharkiv region of Russian troops, adding "Another freed settlement! Thanks to the 14th separate mechanized brigade named after Prince Roman the Great, the Ukrainian flag returned to Chkalovske, Kharkiv region." In his daily video message late on Friday, Zelenskyy said the Armed Forces of Ukraine had liberated and taken control of more than 30 settlements in the Kharkiv region. The last few days have seen the most ambitious ground assaults by the Ukrainians since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in late February. UN chief Antonio Guterres, President Putin discuss war in Ukraine UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that he spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday about exporting Russian fertilizer through Ukraine's Black Sea ports to address a growing global food crisis that threatens multiple famines. The UN Chief said they also discussed security at Europe's largest nuclear plant, where he said bombing has stopped for the past three days, and prisoners of war, said an AP report. Guterres told a news conference that Putin said a fact-finding mission he appointed at the request of Russia and Ukraine to investigate killings at the Olenivka prison in a separatist region of eastern Ukraine on July 29 will be able to go there "through whatever way we choose, and that is a very important aspect." Also read: Blackout in Kharkiv and Donetsk regions: Zelenskyy denounces Russia attack on power stations The warring nations reportedly accuse each other of carrying out the attack in which separatist authorities and Russian officials said 53 Ukrainian prisoners of war were killed and 75 were wounded. Guterres said the call to President Putin was a follow-up to his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Lviv on Aug. 18, and regular calls to the head of Zelenskyy's office, Andriy Yermak. On the issue of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine, Europe's largest, the head of the UN Nuclear watchdog agency said on Monday that he has started consultations with Ukraine and Russia on his call for a "nuclear safety and security protection zone" around the facility, and the two sides appear to be interested. The Zaporizhzhia plant was reconnected to Ukraine's electricity grid over the weekend, allowing engineers to shut down its last operational reactor in an attempt to avoid disaster as fighting raged in the area. (With ANI/AP Inputs) Kryvy Rih again subjected to missile attack Vilkul Kryvy Rih was again subjected to missile attacks by Russian invaders on Thursday, head of the military administration of Kryvy Rih Oleksandr Vilkul said. "Kryvy Rih is under a missile strike. Stay in shelters," Vilkul wrote on Telegram. He urged citizens "not to film or post anything on social networks." President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Kyiv on Thursday, the presidential press service reported. The first part of the negotiations was held in a one-on-one format. It is expected that the meeting will continue in the format of delegations. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has held a meeting with representatives of analytical centers in Europe and the United States on Thursday. "I am grateful to them for the courage to come to Kyiv during the war and the assistance provided, because thanks to it, Ukraine has already won a number of victories over the occupiers and will be able to win the war with Russia," he wrote on the Telegram channel. "I think it is important not to reduce the pressure on the occupiers regarding the demilitarization of the Zaporizhia NPP, strengthen defense support for Ukraine, including air defense systems, and still recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. This is very relevant and necessary both for our country and for the whole civilized world," he said. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukraine and Europe should jointly respond to the energy challenges of the upcoming winter. "We discussed the issue of energy challenges. We see how now the Russian enemy is striking at our thermal power plants, at the energy infrastructure. And there will be many challenges throughout the winter. Here we all need to work and work together. Because the EU countries also have difficult challenges. And we understand that we all have to help one and one," Zelensky said at a press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Kyiv. He also thanked the EU for the opportunity to connect Ukraine's power grids to the EU's power grids. "This is really a help. We are all interested in this. EU countries can get cheap electrics from Ukraine. This will help the EU people. Ukraine will be able to earn money for its budget. This will help us pay salaries and pensions in such a difficult period," the president said. AMIC Energy appeals against ESBUsarbitrary arrest of the corporate rights and property of its enterprise in Ukraine Austria's AMIC Energy is appealing in the appeals court against the seizure of the corporate rights of its enterprise, which owns a large chain of gas stations on the territory of Ukraine (AMIC UKRAINE CFI). This was announced by AMIC Energy Managing Director Gunter Maier at a press conference hosted by the Interfax-Ukraine news agency on Thursday, September 15. "We appealed to the Court of Appeal to overturn the decision of the previous instance regarding the seizure of our assets in Ukraine," Maier said. According to him, AMIC Energy will defend its rights at the national level, and if necessary, will also turn to international institutions, such as investment arbitration and the European Court of Human Rights. Maier also denied accusations against AMIC Ukraine CFI made by the prosecutor's office regarding tax evasion by the company via overestimation of operating costs, as well as accusations by the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine about alleged illegal payments of dividends by the company to individual non-residents. Regarding operating expenses, Mr. Maier noted that the exact opposite happened after the purchase of the asset: operating expenses were optimized and reduced, and efficiency was increased. "We have never paid dividends to anyone in principle. During several years of our presence in Ukraine, we did not have enough profit to pay dividends, as we covered the losses of past periods. We reinvested most of the funds that accumulated from our activities in Ukraine in the improvement of gas stations and service," the managing director clarified. Also, as Mr. Maier assured, AMIC Energy does not have any corporate ties with any organizations of the russian federation or individuals of this country, and the owners and beneficiaries of AMIC Energy are market professionals from Austria and Ireland. Mr. Maier noted: Our only connection with russia is the fact that we purchased an asset from Lukoil. Just like MOL, Slovnaft and Olerex did in other countries when Lukoil sold off its assets in Eastern Europe. "The bodies responsible for economic security work in extreme conditions, perhaps this explains the fact that the Bureau of Economic Security, when making its accusations against us, did not, as it seems to us, have the opportunity to get acquainted with our financial statements, as well as tax declarations and therefore made a mistake," Maier summed up. In turn, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Austria to Ukraine Arad Benko, who also took part in the press conference, expressed full respect for the right of Ukrainian competent authorities to investigate cases within their jurisdiction. "However, the Austrian Embassy also appeals to these authorities with a respectful request to ensure the adoption of those restriction measures under criminal proceedings that would meet the principles of reasonableness and proportionality and would not lead to the blocking of business in the circumstances when guilt has not been proved. The Austrian Embassy will continue to closely monitor the progress of this investigation," the ambassador emphasized. At the end of the conference, Larysa Antoshchuk, a senior lawyer of Asters, who is a legal adviser to AMIC Ukraine, emphasized: "In terms of issues related to intentional tax evasion, there is no proper evidence from a legal point of view in the case file. Regarding the accusations of ties to the aggressor state, there is also no evidence in the case file. The only thing there is a 2017 article from a questionable source. It is this "evidence" that is examined by pre-trial investigation bodies, and from it, a conclusion is made about the existence of a connection with russia." As was reported, in August 2022, at the request of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, a seizure was imposed on the corporate rights of AMIC Ukraine CFI, which owns a large network of gas stations on the territory of Ukraine for a total amount of over UAH 50 million, which previously belonged to the russian oil company Lukoil. According to the information from the Prosecutor General's Office, 308 real estate objects of this enterprise were also seized, including gas stations, warehouses, and land plots. According to the information of the prosecutor's office, pre-trial investigation in criminal proceedings on the facts of tax evasion and legalization of property obtained through criminal means is carried out by detectives of the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine in cooperation with the State Tax Service of Ukraine (part 3 of article 212, part 3 of article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). As was reported, in April 2015, Lukoil and AMIC Energy announced the closing of the agreement on the sale of 100% participation in Lukoil-Ukraine CFI, which owned about 240 gas stations and six oil depots on the territory of Ukraine. Lukoil-Ukraine CFI changed its name to AMIC Ukraine CFI, the gas stations were also rebranded. 100% of AMIC Ukraine CFI belongs to AMIC Energy Management GMBH, controlled by AMIC Energy Holding (both Austrian). AMIC Ukraine CFI in January-September 2021 received a net profit of UAH 630.2 million, revenue of UAH 7.9 billion, while in 2020 - a net loss of UAH 1.7 billion and a revenue of UAH 7.4 billion. In addition to Ukraine, AMIC Energy successfully operates in Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland and has its headquarters in Austria. We, the mayors of the Ukrainian mining communities, strive to become active participants in the recovery processes in Ukraine and see our communities potential to become real examples of sustainable recovery. Just like all Ukrainians, since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion, in our communities we have faced numerous challenges related to military actions. During the last six months of the full-scale war, some mining communities have come under fire and their critical infrastructure was damaged. In the eastern regions, there are significant problems with water and gas supply. For instance, in the Donetsk region, gas pipelines are destroyed, which is why it will not be physically possible to provide heating in towns and villages this winter; the Karlivka filtering station is cut-off due to constant shelling. Another major safety and environmental challenge is the shutdown and flooding of mines, as has already happened in Vuhledar (Donetsk region), which is on the front line. At the same time, there is a large outflow of people from communities located in the east of Ukraine, as well as an increase of internally displaced persons in the western regions. However, we look forward to a post-victory future in which our cities are transformed. We understand the global trend towards decarbonization, which Ukraine is also involved in. A number of actions by the government and international partners of Ukraine before the full-scale invasion testified to the inevitable transformation of the energy sector and the gradual phase-out of coal. These actions include the ratification of the Paris Agreement in 2016; the signing of an energy partnership between Ukraine and Germany in August 2020; the start of the Initiative for coal regions in transition in the Western Balkans and Ukraine in 2020; the announcement of Ukraines coal phase-out date for the state-owned power plants at the international climate conference COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021. We supported the creation of the Coordination Center for the Transformation of Coal Regions in 2020 and the adoption of the Concept of the National Program for the Just Transition of the Coal Regions of Ukraine in 2021. These steps confirmed the systematic approach and strategic nature of the actions of the Ukrainian authorities in matters of the socio-economic development of mining communities and the early transition to the use of renewable energy sources. Even now, amid the war, we see that this course remains unchanged. Presented at the beginning of July this year, the Ukraine Recovery Plan Blueprint explicitly includes the goal of moving away from the use of coal in energy in the post-war reconstruction and the just transition of mono-functional communities. Recent years have also shown the great relevance and activation of this topic at the local level. In 2019, the mining towns of the Donetsk region united and created a Platform for Sustainable Development of Coal Towns of Donetsk region. Currently, it includes 9 coal communities, 3 local NGOs and Donetsk Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In 2021, with the support of international partners, work was completed on the Strategy for the Transformation of the Donbas Coal Communities that are part of the Platform. Visions and strategic directions were defined; a tree of goals and an action plan were developed to ensure a just transition of the Platforms communities. Unfortunately, the adoption of the Strategy was prevented by the full-scale Russian invasion. Also last year, within the framework of the German-Ukrainian energy partnership, a project was launched to transform pilot mining communities, namely Myrnohrad (Donetsk region) and Chervonohrad (Lviv region). Mining communities have for some time been looking for solutions to problems that had existed before the full-scale invasion and had only intensified with the current challenges. These are the issue of water supply, mine water management, heating and electricity generation. We studied the process of transformation of the coal regions of other countries, exchanged experiences at meetings with the EUs Platform for Coal Regions in Transition, and were and still are active participants in a special Initiative for the countries in the Western Balkans and Ukraine. It should be noted that representatives of the coal communities of the Donetsk region already have developed project concepts for reforming educational programs for local educational institutions, installing and using renewable energy sources on municipal buildings, and reusing coal mine water. The mining communities of the Western Donbas have developed Economic Diversification Programs in the context of a just transition, reflecting the changes in the economic profile of these territories. The programs formed the priorities for the development of coal communities in the Dnipropetrovsk region after the closure of mines and a list of investment projects. For example, a new industrial direction in the Mykolaivka community of the Synelnykove district is the construction of 2 enterprises in the field of waste management, i.e. a waste sorting and processing complex and a waste neutralization station at the industrial site of the liquidated Pershotravneva mine. And the planned projects for the development of agricultural business, the so-called Community Grain Bank, are considered today as the basis of the food security of the region. Even after the outbreak of a full-scale war, we continue to participate in international events and remind the world of our intentions to move towards a just transition. In particular, the mayors of Myrnohrad and Chervonohrad joined the Annual Political Dialogue of the EU initiative for coal regions in transition organized by the European Commission and the Energy Community Just Transition Forum. World experience reminds us that the transformation of coal regions can be successful only with the involvement of all levels of government, public associations and businesses in the formation of appropriate plans. Therefore, we, the mayors of the mining communities of Ukraine, 1. Expect the involvement of local self-government representatives in the development of recovery plans; 2. Strive for a transparent and effective mechanism for drafting recovery plans and plans for the development of mono-functional mining towns; 3. Propose to resume regular consultations, following the example of the Coordination Center for the Transformation of Coal Regions; 4. Propose to start a dialogue on the following areas of transformation: Energy security: development of the decentralized generation of renewable energy sources in communities, decarbonization of heating by gradually replacing gas and coal with renewable energy sources (for example, heat pumps), reuse of coal mine water for energy needs, etc. development of the decentralized generation of renewable energy sources in communities, decarbonization of heating by gradually replacing gas and coal with renewable energy sources (for example, heat pumps), reuse of coal mine water for energy needs, etc. Economic development: diversification of the economy through the creation of special programs, funds and conditions that will promote the development of small and medium-sized businesses in mining towns and regions, as well as the implementation of pilot projects. diversification of the economy through the creation of special programs, funds and conditions that will promote the development of small and medium-sized businesses in mining towns and regions, as well as the implementation of pilot projects. Education: the development of education can include both the creation of new educational institutions, research and innovation centers at the regional and local levels, as well as changes in educational programs and the reshaping of existing vocational schools. the development of education can include both the creation of new educational institutions, research and innovation centers at the regional and local levels, as well as changes in educational programs and the reshaping of existing vocational schools. Environmental safety: the operation of mines, especially their closure, causes and exacerbates a number of environmental problems associated with contamination of surface and underground water reservoirs, soils, mine water pumping, etc. Currently, the negative consequences of enemy shelling and its impact on the environment were added to this list. SIGNATORIES: The Egyptian State Security Prosecution ordered on Wednesday the release of Ahmed El-Nagdy, a journalist at the Qatari-based Al-Jazeera TV channel, who was detained in 2020 on charges including spreading false news. Yasmine Fouad, Egypts environment minister and envoy for the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27), reiterated to the world that Africa bears the brunt of the climate change crisis despite accouting for a tiny fraction of global greenhouse emissions. Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat will fly to Lebanon on Thursday to participate in the Arab Regional Forum on Climate Initiatives to Finance Climate Action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sameh Shoukry, Egypt's foreign minister and president-designate of the UN Climate Change Conference 2022 (COP27), praised Indias updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to reducing emissions, in a telephone call on Monday with India's Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav. As per the updated NDC, India now stands committed to reducing emissions by 45 percent by 2030. During the call, Shoukry stressed Egypt's appreciation of India's important role in climate change negotiations, and its enhanced efforts to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid said. Shoukry also highlighted Egypt's interest in coordinating with India on various climate issues, taking into account India's upcoming presidency of the G20 next year. For his part, the Indian minister praised the efforts of the Egyptian preparations for the conference, expressing his confidence in the countrys ability to lead future international climate action as well as predicting the success of the conference. Additionally, Shoukry expressed his aspiration for Indias expected participation in the conference at the highest possible level. The conference is set to be held from 6-18 November in the Egyptian Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt is putting in place a broad and comprehensive health safety plan for the thousands who will be attending the COP27, slated to take place in the Red Sea city of Sharm El-Sheikh in South Sinai 6-18 Novemebr. The plan includes operating fixed and mobile clinics at quarantine facilities at airports, at hotels that will host guest delegations, and at conference halls, Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar told the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Egypt has been making round-the clock preparations to host the 27th UN Climate Change Conference that will see the participation of deleagtions from countries around the world, in addition to hundreds of environmental and other NGOs, as well as thousands of individuals. About 35,000 worldwide have registered on the UN website for COP27, putting the upcoming UN climate change conference in Sharm El-Sheikh on track to possibly become one of the most attended COPs, according to a recent report by the Egyptian Earth's Climate for Sustainable Development Foundation (EC4SDF). The health safety plan for COP27 includes mobilising ambulances that are equipped with intensive care units to provide emergency medical services, the minister added. Meanwhile, Sharm El-Sheikh International Hospital (SSIH) will be ready to deal with any cases that require medical attention immediately, will also to receive any patients, he stressed to the Cabinet. The hospital has been equipped with a cardiac catherisation unit to treat any cases, he added. In mid-August, the Chairman of the General Authority for Healthcare (GAH) Ahmed El-Sobky had announced that work is underway to upgrade SSIH in order to become the first green medical facility in Egypt and Africa ahead of the COP27. The hospital has been registered as the first Egyptian entity at the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH), an international network of medical facilities using eco-friendly tools, according to El-Sobky. Abdel-Ghaffar stressed during the Cabinet meeting that all hospitals in the South Sinai Governorate will be ready to receive any medical cases. He also noted that the ministry has set aside 1.5 million rapid coronavirus test packages to administer to those who request them. Egypt has continued to see dwindling numbers of coronavirus infections and pandemic-linked deaths, according to recent figures released by the health ministry. The sharp decline in coronavirus cases in the country has contributed to the decrease in occupancy rates at isolation and triage hospitals affiliated with the health ministry in recent months. The ministry has recently announced that100 percent of the target population received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, 78.4 percent received a second dose, and 32.3 percent received a booster shot. Search Keywords: Short link: Leading US tech company IBM announced on Wednesday that it has been named technology partner for the 2022 UN Climate Change Conference (COP27), set to take place in November in Egypt. At the conference, IBM will showcase how technology and consulting can help business and government leaders align sustainability goals to organisational objectives, responding to regulatory demands and without compromising profitability, the company said in a statement. IBMs chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna said she believes in the role of technology in turning the ambitions of sustainability into action. At IBM, we combine technology and expertise to help some of the worlds largest public and private organisations achieve their sustainability goals, in addition to setting our own strong environmental commitment, Krishna stated. In August, Egypt, the president of COP27, signed an MoU with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), naming the American global management consulting firm the exclusive partner for the conference. Also, Egypt and Vodafone signed an MoU last month, under which the British multinational telecommunications company will be the principle partner for communications for the conference. Egypt is preparing to host COP27 in the Red Sea city of Sharm El-Sheikh from 6 to 18 November with ambitions to turn climate pledges into actions as per the Paris Agreement in coordination with international partners. Search Keywords: Short link: The management of the 12th edition of Theatre Without Fund Festival (TWFF) revealed that the event will be named after the renowned late Egyptian actor Samir Ghanem. Ghanem (1937-2021), one of Egypts favourite comedians, performed memorably in dozens of theatre works, television series and films over over the span of a half-century long career. Among his best known roles are the titular comic character of Fatota, a famous TV classic from the 1980s. He was also a member of Tholathy Adwaa El-Masrah, the 1960s standup comedy trio, along with George Sidhom and El Deif Ahmed. Ghanem received numerous awards during his career. In 2017, he received the Faten Hamama Honourary and Excellence Award during the Cairo International Film Festival, as testament to the vital role he played in the film scene and his immense contribution to Egyptian cinema. The TWFF will take place 23-29 September across numerous stages of Alexandria including Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Lycee El-Horreya theatre, Jesuite Cultural Centre of Alexandria, Al-Horreya Creativity Center and Anfoushi Culture Palace Theatre. The management also revealed the jury of the TWFFs upcoming edition. The names include artists from Egypt, the Arab region and international scene: film director Ahmed Khaled (Egypt), composer Karim Arafa (Egypt), scenographer Wael Abdallah (Egypt), actor and director Idriss Rokh (Morocco), actor and director Ihab Zaheda (Palestine), critic Nayef Al-Baqami (Saudi Arabia) and choreographer Nina Traber (Switzerland). Over the past editions, the festival hosted numerous troupes from all around the world, focusing on low-budget and student productions. In July this year, the management revealed that 20 performances from 14 countries have been chosen to participate in the upcoming edition. The detailed programming is yet to be revealed. The festival was founded in 2008 by theatre director Gamal Yakout. For many years, the festival was presided over by Yakout, with Ibrahim El-Forn serving as its artistic director. With Yakout being appointed president of the Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre (2021 and 2022), El-Forn took charge of the Alexandria festivals presidency with artistic directors being Ahmed Samir and artist Islam Wassouf. The TWFF is organised by the Ministry of Culture in cooperation with several bodies linked to the ministry including the General Authority of Cultural Palaces, headed by Ahmed Awad; the Artistic House of Theatre, headed by Ismail Mokhtar and affiliated to the Cultural Production Affairs Sector, headed by Khaled Galal; and the Alexandria Library (Bibliotheca Alexandrina), headed by Mostafa El-Feki. Search Keywords: Short link: The Egyptian vision of five major regional forums ahead of COP27 reflects confidence that common regional work can overcome obstacles to financing and implementing climate projects amid current global challenges, said UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for Egypt and UN Special Envoy on Financing 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda Mahmoud Mohieldin. Mohieldin's remarks came during his participation in the opening session of Arab Regional Forum to Fnance Climate Action held by ESCWA in Beirut, with the virtual participation of Egyptian Minister Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry, who is also the president designate of COP27, Minister of Planning Hala El-Said, Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait, and Amina Mohamed, UN deputy secretary-general. In Beirut attending the forum are the Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat, Rola Dashti, UN undersecretary-general and ESCWA executive director, and a number of Arab ministers. The forum in Beirut is the fourth in regional meeting launched by Egypt's presidency of COP27, UN regional commissions, high-level Champions, and GFANZ to prepare for the COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh from 6 to 18 November. Mohieldin said cooperation between Arab countries can result in overcoming challenges and achieving climate targets, expecting that the Arab forum will result in effective and applicable regional projects that can be financed. He said that the results of the previous three regional forums confirmed the importance of climate action on a regional level. The Africa forum resulted in 19 applicable projects in the sectors of transportation, energy infrastructure, agriculture, blue economy, and carbon markets, he noted. He added that the Asia and Pacific forum resulted in 20 projects to finance NDCs, make PPPs, develop finance markets and cooperate in the energy sector, The Latin America forum in Santiago resulted in four giant projects in the fields of transportation and energy, he said. The climate champion highlighted the existence of climate financing initiatives such as GFANZ to finance climate action by $130 trillion, with the most important now being to set applicable and bankable project pipelines to start negotiations about financing them. Mohieldin stressed that financing these projects should take the shape of partnerships and investments rather than debts that represent 62 percent of climate financing methods. He expected that the Arab forum will result in projects that are qualitatively different and vary in different sectors. He noted that the Egypt International Cooperation Forum and Development Financing (Egypt-ICF 2022), which that took place in the New Administrative Capital (NAC) in September, focused on discussing the nexus of water, food, and energy projects and their most suitable financing tools. "COP27 that will take place in Sharm El-Sheikh next November will be a conference for solutions for climate action problems, especially financing." Mohieldin said, adding that the current climate financing is insufficient, where private sector participation doesn't exceed three percent. "Climate financing is insufficient, inefficient and injustice, insufficient because we need doubles of current amount of financing; inefficient because it takes too long to be negotiated until it reach the actual implementation; unjust because the most climate change vulnerable countries are asked to pay for a crisis that they don't contribute to it, and they get the little share of finance to achieve their climate goals." Mohieldin concluded his speech by requesting the Beirut forum to agree on effective, applicable, and bankable climate projects, and enhance cooperation between all stakeholders including governments, private sector, investment banks, and development partners in order to implement climate projects with a holistic approach that achieves all SDGs together. Search Keywords: Short link: It has been 21 years since the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001. These attacks are remembered by Americans with sadness and sorrow, as they took away the lives of thousands of innocent people who happened to be at the World Trade Centre in New York, in Pennsylvania, or at the Pentagon building in Washington. A recent visit to Washington DC coincided with the commemoration of the attacks. I had the chance to exchange with people who could recall the day of the attacks and remember where they were during them. People in Washington spoke of their personal memories of the attacks. I visited the memorial built to honour the 184 people whose lives were lost as result of the attack on the southwest corner of the Pentagon building. "We will forever remember our loved ones, friends, and colleagues, it reads. The 2001 attacks changed the course of history. They also created an interest in the study of terrorism in universities around the world and on the agendas of think tanks and other organisations. As a result of the attacks, terrorism has been the main threat to national security in many countries around the world over the past two decades, leading to the emergence of counter-terrorism professionals and security practitioners distinguished from their peers working on other types of security threats. Countries have also become keener to strengthen collective collaboration on the regional and international levels in order to weaken terrorist entities and their transnational networks. The outcomes of these developments have been multifaceted. On the one hand, security institutions have become more interested in strengthening their interactions with experts in the field to strengthen the resilience of society against terrorism and to develop multidimensional counterterrorism strategies that include various military, legal, security, socio-economic, and communication policies. On the other hand, they have also led to the emergence of capacity building programmes related to counterterrorism that consultancy firms and private security companies have been leading. But what about terrorism itself? Have the terrorist organisations themselves been weakened? The threat of terrorism is evolving, and the landscape of active terrorist entities is becoming more diverse and complex. According to the US State Department 2002 report on Patterns of Global Terrorism, the 2001 attacks immediately directed international counterterrorism efforts mainly against Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. Twenty years later, the threat has become more geographically dispersed in other regions around the world. Apart from the groups in Afghanistan, there are now also Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, Al-Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent, the Al-Shabaab Movement in Somalia, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Boko Haram in Nigeria, and the Islamic State (IS) group and its affiliated entities in many parts of the world. There are also new forms of terrorism, including that carried out by lone wolves, black widows, small terrorist cells and virtual plotters. Terrorist organisations also proved their resilience during the Covid-19 pandemic. IS has been taking advantage of the pandemic, especially in Iraq and Syria, to promote its activities, and it remains a threat to regional and global security. It has redefined its strategy in three major directions, during the pandemic itself shifting its priorities to strengthening the loyalty of its remaining members and doing its best . Its operations have also been following a "hit", andit had been aiming to e its membersup in Al-Hol Camp and other prisons in Syria and Iraq. It has introduced new types of jihad, including so-called second-linejihad and mediajihad. The first has been defined in 24 points in a text in Arabic available on the Akhbar al-Muslimeen platform entitled "Jihad for those who did not attend Jihad. These points include sharing information with IS, collecting donations for the group in the form of Bitcoins, and supporting those who practice "first-line jihad" on the battlefield. Media jihad, according to IS, means supporting the group using various media tools and technologies. It says that this type of jihad should be practiced with vigilance, in order that it is not detected by enemy governments. It urges "media jihadists" to follow the security procedures published by its "Afaq agency for cyber-security. Lastly, IS has been attracting a newfrom residents of , especially women and children, young people from a low socio-economic background, and European Muslims spending many hours online as a result of restrictions. The latter are thought to have lost their usual s during the pandemic and to have found themselves. They have thus become moregroup and in some case have developed sympathies for it. According to the 2022 Global Terrorism Index, terrorists are also now using more advanced technologies, including drones, GPS systems, and encrypted messaging services, with these developments making countering the threat of terrorism more challenging. * The writer is head of the security research unit at Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies and a visiting professor of political science at Cairo University. Search Keywords: Short link: Norway's trade surplus surged to a new record in August, fuelled by a jump in natural gas prices as the Nordic country is now Europe's biggest supplier after Russia slashed exports. The data released Thursday comes as the soaring prices have put Oslo in an awkward position with the European Union, with some EU countries seeking a price cap on natural gas. Norway's trade surplus reached close to 20 billion euros ($20 billion) last month, according to the country's SSB statistics office. SSB expert Jan Olav Rorhus said gas prices increased sharply in August in part because Russian deliveries to the EU via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline were reduced. "This resulted in export volumes of natural gas from Norway, which were already elevated, reaching a record value," he added. Russian energy giant Gazprom has completely stopped deliveries via Nord Stream since August 31 in what has been seen as retaliation to European sanctions against Moscow over the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin has said that sanctions prevent the maintenance of the pipeline. Norway has been partially filled the void, becoming Europe's top supplier. Last week, European energy ministers said at crisis talks in Brussels that they were in favour of a series of measures aimed at combatting soaring gas and electricity prices, with some calling for a cap on the price of gas imports in the EU. While the European Commission has proposed a price ceiling on Russian gas, several member states called for price cap on all gas bought by EU states. Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said he was "sceptical" about the idea following a phone call with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. Search Keywords: Short link: The Biden administration said on Wednesday that it will provide Egypt with much of the $300 million tranche of annual military aid that has been conditioned on human rights improvements, according to the AP. The move came as Cairo had made progress by releasing some 500 prisoners, according to the AP, which quoted anonymous senior US officials who disclosed the move by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The US officials cited the release of some 500 political detainees and what they said were Egyptian government efforts to foster national dialogue, the AP reported. Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi launched in September 2021 the first homegrown National Strategy for Human Rights 2021-2026, labelling 2022 as the Year of Civil Society. In October, he revoked a national state of emergency that had been in place for the past several years. The two steps were followed by the reactivation of the Presidential Pardon Committee in April and the start of preparations for the National Political Dialogue called for by the president in May. El-Sisi has since pardoned a number of high-profile political activists who had received final sentences such as Hossam Mones, Yahia Abdel-Hady, Hisham Fouad and others. Also since May, Egypt's Public Prosecution has ordered the release of hundreds of pretrial detainees as the government and various political forces prepare for an extensive National Political Dialogue that will discuss pressing political, economic and social issues. The US has been providing Egypt with foreign aid, including military assistance, since Cairo's 1979 peace deal with Israel. Each year, Egypt receives approximately $1.3 billion in US military aid, as well as an annual economic assistance package, which amounted to $150 million in 2016, according to the website of Egypt's foreign ministry. In late January, the US administration announced massive military sales to Egypt comprising 12 Super Hercules C-130 transport aircraft and related equipment, in addition to air defence radar systems. The deal, worth $2.2 billion, was approved by the US Senate in March. In July, the US government pledged $50 million (EGP 947 million) to support Egypts food security as well as the smallholder farmers in the country to help offset the severe global consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. According to US embassy in Cairo, US President Biden made the pledge during his bilateral meeting with President El-Sisi in Jeddah on the sidelines of the GCC+3 summit. Search Keywords: Short link: How do you stop a disease you cannot catch? This might sound like a trick question, but millions of lives could be saved around the world each year if more attention were given to answering it. The COVID-19 pandemic reminded us all about the basics of public health and infectious diseases. Messaging on handwashing, mask-wearing and social distancing helped to stop the spread of the virus by minimising its chance of passing from one person to the next. However, a serious and deadly gap remains in our public awareness around stopping the spread of non-infectious diseases, known more commonly as noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs are the leading cause of death and disability in the world, accounting for 71 per cent of deaths worldwide, including 15 million premature deaths. They tend to be long-term illnesses and are caused by genetic, physiological, or behavioural factors among others. They are not transmitted from one person to another, which can make them harder and more expensive to identify, prevent and treat. As leaders and policymakers in the Middle East and Africa prepare health systems for the post-pandemic world, now is the opportune time to rethink how healthcare strategies approach NCDs. Firstly, driving better messaging around how to avoid and identify NCDs could go a long way, especially if those messages are delivered across a variety of channels and aimed at all demographics, rather than focussing on older people where the interventions are still important but less impactful. Social media has the potential to play an important role in this, allowing for up-to-date, targeted messages at the national, regional, and even global levels. For example, Sehtak Hayatak is a digital campaign that targets Facebook users across the Middle East and North Africa with preventative messages around NCDs. Secondly, shifting health systems to better handle NCDs at the primary health care level allows more patients to access care, enables illnesses to be identified at earlier stages and can help patients to avoid catastrophic health care costs that can be associated with chronic disease. This is especially relevant for many African countries, where NCDs are treated at tertiary health facilities, which are mostly in large cities and out-of-reach to most rural and lower-income patients, who can often only easily access district hospitals and local health centres. The benefits of this approach have been demonstrated by the Healthy Heart Africa programme, which is tackling the growing burden of cardiovascular disease, specifically hypertension, in Africa. Nigeria recently became the ninth country in the continent to join the initiative, which has already reached millions of at-risk people. Finally, measures to tackle NCDs are more powerful when they bring the public, private and non-profit sectors together and put health workers front and centre of their design. Many governments across the Middle East and Africa were struggling to invest adequate resources in their health systems even before the pandemic, and the last two and half years have made the situation more precarious. Working across sectors can help to relieve some of that pressure and introduce innovative, more cost-effective methods of health care delivery that benefit patients and government budgets. The NCD Alliance estimates that for every US$1 spent tackling NCDs in low- and middle-income countries there is a projected return of US$19 equating to a global benefit of US$2.7 trillion by 2030. In Egypt, AstraZeneca has partnered with 7keema, a digital health care service provider specialized in home nursing services and patient counselling with fully trained and certified nursing staff. This partnership aims to enhance access to healthcare through enabling home nursing services for the first time to support oncology patients in Egypt. Moreover, decreasing the disease burden and mitigating healthcare crisis by the provision of care at home for breast cancer patients through tele-nursing services. Such programmes are making a demonstrable impact, but we need stakeholders across the whole healthcare ecosystem to drive collective action at pace in order to address the NCD burden in the Middle East, Africa and beyond. Only then can we create sustainable health systems and ensure equitable access that will benefit the health of people, society, and our planet now and for generations to come. I urge leaders in every country and every sector to join me in reaffirming our commitment to putting these diseases at the centre of post-pandemic healthcare. * The author is the AVP MEA Area, AstraZeneca Search Keywords: Short link: The Egyptian State Security Prosecution ordered on Wednesday the release of Ahmed El-Nagdy, a journalist at the Qatari-based Al-Jazeera TV channel, who was detained in 2020 on charges including spreading false news. The authorities arrested the Egyptian journalist, who is in his seventies, in August 2020 when he visiting Egypt, according to Al-Jazeera. El-Nagdy faced charges of joining an outlawed group that seeks to obstruct the constitution and laws and prevent state authorities from fulfilling their duties. He also faced charges of disseminating false news with the aim of disrupting public peace in accordance with the goals of the Muslim Brotherhood group, which has been designated by the Egyptian authorities as a terrorist organisation since 2013. The release of El-Nagdy comes against the backdrop of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisis two-day visit to Doha his first to the Gulf country since assuming the presidency in 2014 upon the invitation of the Qatari leader. El-Sisis visit saw talks between El-Sisi and Qatars Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral relations. The visit comes a few months after the emir visited Egypt for the first time since Cairo and Doha agreed in January 2021 to resume diplomatic relations as part of the Al-Ula Declaration, which was made after an over three-year-long diplomatic rift. Three Al-Jazeera journalists Hisham Abdel-Aziz, Bahaa El-Din Ebrahim, and Rabie El-Sheikh are still detained in Egypt, the Qatari channel said last month. Also, Al-Jazeera presenter Ahmed Taha received a final 15-year prison sentence by the Emergency Supreme State Security Criminal Court in May for disseminating false news. The release of El-Nagdy comes more than a year after authorities released Egyptian journalist Mahmoud Hussein, a correspondent at Al-Jazeera, in February 2021 after being detained pending trial since 2016 on charges of spreading false news. The authorities have recently released dozens of pretrial detainees as the government and various political forces prepare for an extensive National Political Dialogue that will discuss pressing political, economic and social issues. Since the launch of preparations for the national political dialogue in May and the re-activation of the Presidential Pardon Committee in April, President El-Sisi has pardoned a number of high-profile political activists who had received final prison sentences, including journalist Hisham Fouad as well as Hossam Mones, and Yahia Abdel-Hady. In July, Dialogue Coordinator Diaa Rashwan said more than 700 prisoners had been released by the prosecution or given a presidential pardon since El-Sisi called for the National Dialogue in April. Seven members of the Journalists Syndicate remain behind bars, with the same number of imprisoned journalists who are not syndicate members, said Rashwan, who is also the head of the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate. Search Keywords: Short link: Egyptian authorities ordered on Thursday the release of a new group of 46 pretrial detainees, including prominent leftist activist and lawyer Haitham Mohamadein. The release came per a decision by the Public Prosecution, according to human rights lawyer Tarek El-Awady, who is a member of the Presidential Pardon Committee. Mohamadein was arrested in May 2019 on charges related to spreading false news and joining an illegal group. Since May, the Public prosecution has ordered the release of hundreds of pretrial detainees in groups as the government and various political forces prepare for an extensive National Political Dialogue that will discuss pressing political, economic and social issues. Last week, the prosecution ordered the release of 33 pre-trial detainees in various cases. Since the launching of preparations for the national political dialogue in May and the re-activation of the Presidential Pardon Committee in April, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has also pardoned a number of high-profile political activists who had received final sentences such as Hossam Mones, Yahia Abdel-Hady, Hisham Fouad and others. The re-activated pardon committee, which was first formed in 2016, receives the names of prisoners for presidential pardon consideration from: various parties and political forces, the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR), the Human Rights Committee of the House of Representatives and families, as well as directly through its own official website. The scope of the work of the re-activated committee has been expanded to include imprisoned male and female debtors. The pardon committee includes MPs Tarek El-Kholy and Mohamed Abdel-Aziz, human, and Egypt's former manpower minister Kamal Abu Eita. Search Keywords: Short link: Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat will fly to Lebanon on Thursday to participate in the Arab Regional Forum on Climate Initiatives to Finance Climate Action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event is one of five regional forums organised by the Egyptian Presidency of the 27th session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27), the UN climate change high-level champions, and the five UN regional commissions. Al-Mashat will participate in high-level discussions meant to rally climate finance and hold a meeting with officials of the Institute of International Finance. The forum gathers Arab public and private sector parties to discuss the means to accelerate the finance of climate work. It will tackle Arab countries' financial needs to secure water, energy, and food in light of changing climate circumstances. The forum will facilitate contact between partners and stakeholders to accelerate public and private investment mobilisation for projects and initiatives. The event is set to connect institutional investors, private sector financiers, and development partners with governments around co-creating investment opportunities in support of regional priority actions. Search Keywords: Short link: This is the first time regional preparatory forums are held ahead of a United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, stated UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for Egypt Mahmoud Mohieldin. Mohieldin was speaking to the Middle East News Agency (MENA) on the sidelines of the Arab Regional Forum on Climate Initiatives to Finance Climate Action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), held in Lebanon, as Egypt gears up to host the 27th session of the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27) in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh from 6 to 18 November. He explained that this is the first time in the history of the climate summits where the host focuses on the regional dimension of preparation. The Egyptian Presidency of COP27 in cooperation with the UN via UN regional committees and UN high-level climate champions launched the initiative to hold five regional forums on several continents to prepare for the conference in Sharm El-Sheikh in July. The first forum was held in Addis Ababa, the second in Bangkok, the third in Santiago, the fourth, on Thursday, in Beirut, and the fifth is slated to be hosted in Geneva. The outcomes of the five meetings will be announced during COP27. Mohieldin said that he will focus during the Lebanon forum on reviewing databases and listening to proposed projects, especially in the field of reducing emissions and adaption to their harmful impacts. The Lebanon forum gathers Arab public and private sector parties to discuss the means to accelerate the finance of climate work. It will also tackle Arab countries' financial needs to secure water, energy, and food in light of changing climate circumstances. Egypts Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat is participating in the forum in Lebanon. More to follow ... Search Keywords: Short link: Ten people have been killed in two days of clashes between herders and farmers in southern Chad, a local governor said Thursday. Tensions between semi-nomadic Arab herders and sedentary indigenous farmers is a traditional problem in central and southern Chad. They often arise when farmers accuse herders of allowing their animals to eat or trample on their crops. The latest deadly clash began on Tuesday as an altercation between a farmer and a herder in Marabe, a small village some 700 kilometres (435 miles) south of the capital N'Djamena. The trouble spread to two neighbouring villages on Wednesday, said Ali Ahmat Akhabache, governor of the Moyen-Chari province bordering the Central African Republic. "Ten people died and 20 were injured," he told AFP by phone, adding that police had managed to restore calm "and the situation has been fully under control" since Wednesday. Last month, 22 people were killed in clashes between farmers and herdsmen in an area 500 km south of N'Djamena. Violence between the two communities has become common in central and southern Chad, where many of the inhabitants are armed. Thanks to southern Chad's relatively mild climate for the Sahel, its vegetation is lush, and for centuries it has drawn in migratory herders from arid areas, many of them Arabs, for seasonal grazing. The nomads generally come from the arid Sahelian zones of northern Chad and increasingly want to settle in more fertile land where they can raise their camels and sheep. Search Keywords: Short link: Qatars Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani stated on Wednesday that there are no active members of the Muslim Brotherhood or related organisations on Qatari soil. The Qatari Emirs remarks came in an interview with the French Le Point Magazine published Wednesday on the last day of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisis first-ever two-day visit to Doha. In a question about the relationship between the Gulf state and the Islamist organisation outlawed in several Arab countries including Egypt Emir Tamim stated that Qatar deals with states and their legitimate government and not with political organisations. This relationship does not exist, and there are no active members of the Muslim Brotherhood or any related groups on Qatari soil. We are an open country and a large number of people with different opinions and ideas pass through it, but we are a country and not a party, and we deal with countries and their legitimate governments, not with political organisations, the magazine quoted Emir Tamim as saying. Egypt designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation in 2013, the same year Egypts late Islamist President Mohamed Morsi was ousted from power. Since then, bilateral diplomatic and political relations between Egypt and Qatar had been strained over the latters alleged support for the Brotherhood. President El-Sisi said in May 2022 that the Brotherhood had repeatedly threatened to target the army and sow chaos across Egypt, adding that the Brotherhoods Deputy Supreme Guide Khairat El-Shater who is currently in prison after having been found guilty in several cases had threatened him personally when the group ruled the country. In 2017, Egypt along with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain cut ties and transport links with Qatar, accusing Doha of backing radical Islamist groups chief among them the Brotherhood and cooperating with Iran as well as interfering in other countries affairs. Such accusations have been denied by Qatar. Since January 2021, the three Gulf states along with Egypt have resumed diplomatic ties with Qatar after signing the Al-Ula Declaration, which ended the three-and-half-year diplomatic and economic boycott the four Arab states had placed on Doha. In the wake of Al-Ula Declaration, Cairo and Doha have agreed to move beyond their disputes and work towards settling all their outstanding issues, forming an Egyptian-Qatari follow-up committee that has held seven rounds of negotiations over the past year, the last of which was in Doha last September. The course of the follow-up committee has seen the signing of a number of bilateral deals to bolster ties between the two countries, which eventually formed the Egyptian-Qatari High Joint Committee headed by the two foreign ministers in March. According to the Egyptian Presidential Spokesperson Bassam Rady, El-Sisis visit to Doha this week was a culmination of the intensive discussions held recently between the two countries with the aim of strengthening bilateral cooperation on all levels. El-Sisis visit to Doha comes after Emir Tamims visit to Cairo in June, which was his first since the two countries resumed diplomatic ties following the Al-Ula agreement. I do not want to talk about the past. We want to look to the future. We have entered a new phase; things are moving in the right direction. We recognise that sometimes, we disagree, Tamim said when asked by Le Point about the boycott of the four countries, stating that the Gulf Cooperation Council was focusing on the future and is in the process of healing after great shock and turmoil. We are now on the right track, Tamim added. Search Keywords: Short link: Pope Francis is studying a possible visit to Bahrain in November and said Thursday he is looking to reschedule his trip to South Sudan and Congo for February. Francis told reporters en route home from Kazakhstan that his strained knee ligaments still hadn't healed and that travelling was ``difficult.'' But the 85-year-old pontiff said he would undertake a next trip _ a reference to a three-day visit to Bahrain in early November that is currently under study by the Vatican, spokesman Matteo Bruni said. Francis had to cancel a planned July trip to South Sudan and Congo after his doctors said he needed more time to undergo therapy on his right knee. Francis has been using a wheelchair and cane for months since he strained the ligaments, and he was in visible pain during the three-day trip to Kazakhstan to participate in an interfaith conference. Francis has declined to undergo surgery, saying he had a bad reaction to anesthesia when he had a chunk of his large intestine removed in July 2021. The South Sudan leg of the Africa trip was supposed to have included the Archbishop of Canterbury as well as the moderator for the Church of Scotland. Francis said Thursday he had recently spoken with Archbishop Justin Welby ``and we saw a possibility of going to South Sudan in February. And if I go to South Sudan, I'd go to Congo.'' Other papal trips expected in 2023 are closing out World Youth Day, scheduled for August in Lisbon, Portugal. Search Keywords: Short link: Google is cooperating with the Egyptian Tourism Authority (ETA) on a new project to use real-time weather monitoring ad techniques to promote tourism in the country to British audiences, the American multinational technology company announced in a statement on Thursday. Egypts abundant sunshine is something not every country is lucky enough to have, so we wanted to make it the star of the show. But for our campaign to be impactful, it had to do more than just showcase why sunny Egypt is the perfect destination for UK audiences to visit. It had to also reflect the British travellers real-world experience in a relatable way, Amr El-Kady, the CEO of ETA, said according to the statement. Ahmad Khwileh, a technical expert on ads and data science at Google, explained in the statement that the company tailored its campaign to a British audience by enabling and disabling ads based on the current weather at the user location automatically. Thus, for example, if it was snowing in London, that specific ad group was automatically enabled to show only ads referring to snow. The UK weather content in each ad was offset by visuals of Egypts sunny skies and historical sights, inspiring travellers to follow the sun and explore a warm escape to the country, according to Khwileh. ETA turned to video reach campaigns to guide the 20-second video ads to the right potential travellers in each British city, allowing brands to choose how to reach people in their target audience, Google said. Meanwhile, bumper ads, unskippable six-second videos, help brands boost their remarketing efforts - advertising based on previous behaviour online - towards the end of the campaign. Creative automation is simple to develop, and we especially loved how British travellers related to our campaign. The personalised creatives really helped create a strong sense of attachment to our brand, El-Kady noted. The campaigns incredible success is one of the main reasons we plan on working with the same creative and media teams on another similar campaign later this year, El-Kady says added. Egypt has historically been a popular destination for British tourists. From 2010 to 2015, it was ranked as between the second and fourth largest source of tourists headed to Egypt. Over the past winter, it was estimated that 500,000 tourists from the UK would visit Egypt. This spring, the UK's Daily Mail named Egypt one of the best holiday destinations in 2022. Search Keywords: Short link: We have received the cabinet's approval to release a new EGP 2 coin to save several coin denominations," Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait announced on Thursday. "We will continue the production of other coin denominations and plan to increase them," Maait added. Egypt currently mints 25 piastres, 50 piastres and one pound coins. Maiit explained that the country plans to become a regional hub for producing, minting, and exporting coins to regional markets - with plans to establish an Egypt-UK mint house in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) with total investments of EGP 2 billion and an annual production of 500,000 coins. He added that the move is part of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's instructions to localise metal industries using the latest international experiences. The minister said the country plans to export 50 percent of its projected production, adding that the mint house will bank on local inputs instead of importing raw coins. The project will strengthen the partnership between the British Royal Mint house and Egypts Public Treasury Authority (PTA) to cover the technical, production, and operational aspects and provide hundreds of job opportunities, he said. Meanwhile, Hossam Khedr, the head of the PTA, said that Egypt has coin reserves that cover a year and half of the market's needs. Khedr added that the authority has the capacity to produce more coins to meet the local market needs and facilitate selling and purchasing processes for the people. The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has recently issued its first-ever plastic polymer-made banknote in the denomination of EGP 10. The measure came under the CBE's clean cash policy, which aims to uplift the quality of the outstanding banknote in the local market and reduce the cost of printing older ones especially the most actively traded over the long term. Search Keywords: Short link: Climate change will have ominous repercussions for the stability of Africa and the Arab world, said participants at the Environment and Development Forum this week. The two-day Environment and Development Forum: The Road to the Sharm El-Sheikh COP27 Climate Change Conference closed on 13 September in Cairo. Its main aim was to provide a platform for organisations participating in the UN COP27 Climate Change Conference that is scheduled to be held in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh in November. Participants at the Environment and Development Forum (EDF) encouraged the use of modern technologies and innovative solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change on different sectors and find more ways for adaptation. The forum was held under the sponsorship of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry and in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and other partners. Clean and renewable energy were discussed, along with sustainable development, the preservation of the environment and biodiversity, limiting carbon emissions, food and water security in the light of climate change, and transportation and sustainable cities. The participants said that innovative solutions should be found to make the best use of agricultural systems with the aim of securing food and eradicating famine and malnutrition. For these new solutions to work, there should be strong institutions, wise governance, political will, and robust regulatory frameworks, they noted. The attendees tackled the need to establish green cities with infrastructure that can withstand climatic and natural disasters. According to Ahmed Abul-Gheit, secretary-general of the Arab League and speaking at the EDF, the Arab worlds contribution to greenhouse-gas emissions is meagre, yet the region is highly affected by the repercussions of climate change. More attention should be paid to the region, which suffers from water scarcity that makes it difficult to secure enough food for its people, he said. The Arab world is also lagging behind on development issues, he added, with this having been made worse by the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and disruptions in supply chains. In addition to rising rates of unemployment, the increasing population is putting more pressure on natural resources, he said. Cooperation on the optimal use of natural resources, the strengthening of security, and the doubling of allocations to bridge the food gap were much needed, Abul-Gheit said, adding that Egypt had come up with a comprehensive strategy that would be presented at the next Arab Summit meeting in Algeria. The Egyptian strategy focuses on increasing production, reducing food waste, mitigating the repercussions of climate change, and making more room for the private sector, he said, adding that these factors should top the list of priorities for joint action. Abul-Gheit explained that the food crisis in the region cannot be resolved without improving the efficient use of water resources, which requires providing clean, inexpensive sources of energy, addressing water, food, and energy problems, and abandoning traditional policies that focus on separate solutions for each sector for the sake of a more comprehensive view. Also speaking at the EDF, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri said that the COP27 was meant to transform pledges made earlier by the international community into action on the ground, pointing out that it provides an opportunity to discuss adaptation efforts and water and food security amid the global rise in the prices of food commodities. Africa and the Arab world, Shoukri commented, were facing a host of political, economic, and social crises that threaten security and stability. Climate change was the tip of the iceberg, he said, heightening tensions over water, agricultural land, and limited resources. The Russia-Ukraine war had intensified global food disruptions, causing a sharp rise in energy prices and increasing the prices of food and its transportation costs. The Arab countries were particularly affected by the war, Shoukri added, since they import one-third of their grains. The food crisis in the Arab world will likely be exacerbated in the coming years, as will water scarcity, overpopulation, and rural-to-urban migration, Shoukri said. He noted that in the next three decades it is expected that the population of the Arab world will double to reach 800 million. In Egypt, the population will increase to 150 million, adding more pressure on available natural resources. Mahmoud Abu Zeid, president of the Arab Water Council, said the sixth assessment report of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued in 2021, as well as several other studies, had indicated that changes to the natural water cycle and increases in evaporation and decreases in precipitation had resulted in droughts in the Horn of Africa, Europe, the US, and China in addition to floods and torrential rains in Sudan, Yemen, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. This imbalance in the water cycle, Abu Zeid explained, was the result of human activities causing alterations to the climate and leading to wild fires, deforestation, desertification, the deterioration of biodiversity, air pollution, urban expansion at the expense of rural development, and the impeding of the natural flows of rivers and lakes by building dams. The latter are expected to change the flow of 93 per cent of the worlds rivers by 2030, he added. Abu Zeid warned that regional conflicts would likely erupt as a result of the lack of the sustainable management of transboundary, underground, and superficial water sources, especially in the light of the absence of cooperation among the parties. Annual per capital water use is estimated at 560 cubic metres in Egypt at present, which is way under the water poverty line, said Hani Sweilam, minister of irrigation and water resources, at the EDF. Egypt, he added, is already being seriously affected by climate change, with a rise in sea-water levels affecting the Delta and decreasing the quality of its soil by increasing the salinity of the underground water. Climate change has also affected the sources of the Nile, which provides Egypt with 97 per cent of its water, Sweilam said. Meanwhile, Egypt is working on mega-projects in water treatment and recycling, such as the water treatment station in Bahr Al-Baqar, with a capacity of 5.6 million cubic metres, that will irrigate land in northern and central Sinai, and the Mahsama station, with a capacity of a million cubic metres, that will irrigate land east of the Suez Canal. Other projects being implemented include the Hammam water treatment station, with a capacity of 7.5 million cubic metres, as part of the New Delta project, he added. These projects, besides making use of every precious drop of water, provide thousands of job opportunities, Sweilam concluded. *A version of this article appears in print in the 15 September, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: Everything is now in place for the national dialogue to begin. The 19-member Board of Trustees overseeing the national dialogue proposed by President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi in April held a meeting on 10 September. The national dialogue will kick off very soon to usher Egypt into a new beginning, the General Coordinator and head of the Press Syndicate Diaa Rashwan said. No date for the start of the dialogue has been set. The 10 September meeting ended with the selection of Hossam Badrawi as consultant to the national dialogue. Badrawi, 69, is a politician, physician, educator, and businessman who graduated from Cairo Universitys Faculty of Medicine in 1974. He joined president Hosni Mubaraks ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) in 2000 and was named its secretary-general in February 2011, days before Mubarak was ousted from office and the NDP dissolved. Badrawi said the national dialogue proposed by President Al-Sisi is mainly a political forum that aims to gather views from participants about Egypts future direction, and where the country should be in 2030. Egypts 2030 vision is based on two pillars justice and sustainable development and the national dialogue is an opportunity to discuss these two issues which are vital to Egypts future. As a consultant, I will help present different views on the two issues to the National Dialogue and make sure they serve the future of this country, said Badrawi. Badrawi said the rapporteurs and assistant rapporteurs selected by the Board of Trustees this week possess the requisite political, social, and economic credentials. We will be working together during sessions to translate constitutional principles and Egypts 2030 Vision into facts on the ground, he added. Human rights activist Negad Al-Borai, a member of the Board of Trustees, said the selection of rapporteurs and assistant rapporteurs for the dialogues subcommittees reflects the diversity of opinion and political positions. From a list of 550 nominees we chose 44 rapporteurs and assistant rapporteurs and ensured that they represented the spectrum of political tendencies. They will be responsible for running the dialogues political, economic, and social debates, said El-Borai. The national dialogue is not a debate between the government on one hand and opposition forces on the other, argued Al-Borai. Rather, it is a dialogue among different political forces, loyalist and opposition, and will also include social and economic experts. The expectation is that together they will reach a consensus on national priorities for the next decade. The list of rapporteurs includes 23 independents and 21 party affiliates. The independents include Mustafa Kamel Al-Sayed, a professor of political science at the American University in Cairo (AUC). Al-Sayed is a liberal-oriented academic who has called for the process of democratisation to be given more impetus. The parliamentary majority party Mostaqbal Watan dominates the list with seven leading members selected as rapporteurs or assistant rapporteurs. The list also includes members of the Tagammu, Wafd, Reform and Development, Adl (Justice), Dostour (the Constitution), Egyptian Liberals, and the Free Socialists parties. Rashwan insists the Board of Trustees has worked to the best of its abilities to create a favourable climate ahead of the dialogue launch. The board has been responsive to proposals submitted from opposition forces, he said, including the Democratic Civilian Movements suggestion that the number of political subcommittees be increased from three to five. The Democratic Civilian Movement faced sharp attacks from pro-regime parties when it issued a statement on 7 September calling for the release of greater numbers of secular activists to create a favourable climate ahead of the launch of the dialogue. Two days later, however, Prosecutor-General Hamada Al-Sawy ordered the release of 33 so-called political prisoners. Hamdeen Sabahi, a former presidential candidate and the founder of the Popular Current opposition grouping, said on his Facebook page on 9 September that the release of 33 political prisoners today is a step that renews hopes that Egypt is moving in the direction of greater political openness I thank the president, the prosecution-general, and security forces for this step. Sabahi went on to express his hope that the national dialogue will discuss legislative amendments limiting the period of pre-trial detention. Sabahi also thanked President Al-Sisi for his decision to extend ration card subsidies to millions of Egyptians. During the dialogue we will stress the need for stable and long-term social justice policies that help the poor live honourable and decent lives, said Sabahi. Sabahi also noted that while some regime loyalists have claimed the [Democratic Civilian] Movement is allied with the Muslim Brotherhood the truth is that we were clear from the beginning that the Brotherhood must be excluded from the dialogue. Farid Zahran, chairman of the Socialist Democratic Party, described the boards 10 September meeting as a major step. We hope the dialogue itself will begin soon, said Zahran. Alieddin Hilal, a prominent political analyst and former minister of youth and sports, was named rapporteur for the dialogues political track. Hilal said he agrees with opposition forces that the national dialogue is a must in a new era of political openness. *A version of this article appears in print in the 15 September, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: One of Britains most important historical chapters came to an end this week with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II who died at the age of 96, leaving an unprecedented legacy and amidst widespread sadness within the British population. Queen Elizabeth II ruled for longer than any other monarch in the history of the United Kingdom. Her rule extended from February 1952 to September 2022, making a reign longer than most other rulers in any other country. Her son Prince Charles, now King Charles III, was proclaimed as the new king a day after her passing. Contrary to popular belief, Elizabeth IIs life was never smooth sailing. Part of her youth was spent sheltering from Nazi Germanys targeted bombardments of Britain, which reached Buckingham Palace in London, the official residence of the British Royal Family. It was targeted by the German Luftwaffe on 8 September 1940, ironically the same day Elizabeth II passed away 82 years later. As a teenage princess, she was seen visiting the wounded in hospitals and visiting bomb shelters when the German bombardment of British cities was at its height. These actions increased her popularity among the British public more than a decade before she was pronounced the countrys queen. The Nazi bombardment literally levelled cities such as Coventry in the centre of the country as a result of the 196 tons of bombs dropped on it. The Nazi propaganda machine even coined a new word, Coventieren, which means to devastate or raze a city to the ground. For the young Princess Elizabeth, this was hardly the story of a fairytale princess. Instead, she was familiar with calamities from her earliest years. On the day of her coronation, she was tasked with the uphill battle of keeping what was left of a once mighty empire stretching to all four corners of the world from entirely crumbling. She felt she had to make concessions to keep the UK intact as well as to placate those countries wishing to stay under British sovereignty. The inevitable independence of dozens of states across the world was eventually conceded. The UK was reeling under huge economic strain following World War II, and this continued into the 1970s. Its meddling in international affairs, such as during the Suez Crisis or Tripartite Aggression against Egypt in 1956, proved to be extremely costly and a last straw for the ailing British Empire. It confirmed the US and former Soviet Union as the new superpowers of the post-War era. Elizabeth II realised that the era of the British Empire was coming to an end, but this did not mean that Britain would become irrelevant or wither away like other bygone empires. The British monarchy attempted to contain the remaining states within the Empire, whether those that had declared full independence or those that had chosen to be symbolically ruled by the British, in the shape of the new Commonwealth of Nations in 1949. British cultural life during Elizabeths rule was unmatched except by that of the US. Since the 1960s, British cultural products have been prevalent all across the globe, introducing pop groups like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Depeche Mode and countless others who have influenced the world of music and pop culture. Film series such as James Bond became a global phenomenon. Book series such as Harry Potter became the worlds most successful in recent decades and presented a different outlook on British culture for newer generations who became fans of this fantasy world set in Britain. Britain is now mourning its beloved queen, who was a symbol of the countrys unity in the face of many challenges. The first prime minister during Elizabeth IIs long reign was Winston Churchill, who served four years of his second term in office under her. Churchill was born in 1874, while the countrys current prime minister, Liz Truss, was born in 1975, 101 years later. Elizabeth II thus witnessed many generations of politicians. When she was proclaimed queen in 1952, historical figures such as king Farouk was still king of Egypt, while president Harry S Truman and premier Joseph Stalin were at the head of the US and former Soviet Union. Maintaining an exemplary constitutional monarchy in the UK is one of Elizabeth IIs greatest legacies. At no point was she seen to be partisan nature or show favouritism to either of the two leading parties. No matter how a prime minister from the Conservative Party or the Labour Party acted, she kept the same distance from both and left parliament free to handle all political matters. The same thing was true of the politics of other countries in the Commonwealth, among them Australia or Canada. The monarchy is one of the most important factors that shielded the UK from challenges from World War II to the final minutes of Elizabeths life. Its stability enabled London to become the biggest financial centre in the world, even surpassing New York. That said, Queen Elizabeth may not be viewed with the same loving eye by some across the world for a variety of reasons. Many still view her as representing a once-loathed Empire or as a reminder of British international policies. However, for many across the world and for most of her British subjects, she was a great monarch who steered the country to safety during the hardest of times while remaining grounded and close to the people. She is credited with making the Royal Family accessible to the public, something which would eventually be replicated by other monarchies across the world. Her famous sense of humour was known to break the ice in other royal families. Messages of condolences have poured into Britain to mourn the former queen who visited over 100 countries during her reign. Some of the most heartfelt condolences came from Germany, where millions mourned her passing. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his deep sadness at the death of a woman who played a major role in the German-British reconciliation after the horrors of World War II, as he described it. This began with the queens visit to Germany in 1965, marking a new era between the once warring sides. The Elizabethan era that stretched from the early 1950s all the way to the second decade of the 21st century will be remembered in history as one of the greatest in British history despite its challenges, thanks to the wisdom of Elizabeth II. That wisdom spared the UK the fate of other monarchies in Europe, such as the Italian or Greek ones. Queen Elizabeth II will always be an iconic figure of both the 20th and the 21st centuries, and she passes the task of continuing the traditions she lived by to her son King Charles III. * The writer is a political analyst and author of Egypts Arab Spring: The Long and Winding Road to Democracy. *A version of this article appears in print in the 15 September, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: In July, the UN health agency designated monkeypox as a global emergency and appealed to the world to support African countries so that the catastrophic vaccine inequity that plagued the outbreak of COVID-19 wouldn't be repeated. But the global spike of attention has had little impact on the continent. No rich countries have shared vaccines or treatments with Africa, and some experts fear interest may soon evaporate. ``Nothing has changed for us here, the focus is all on monkeypox in the West,'' said Placide Mbala, a virologist who directs the global health research department at Congo's Institute of Biomedical Research. ``The countries in Africa where monkeypox is endemic are still in the same situation we have always been, with weak resources for surveillance, diagnostics and even the care of patients,'' he said. Monkeypox has sickened people in parts of West and Central Africa since the 1970s, but it wasn't until the disease triggered unusual outbreaks in Europe and North America that public health officials even thought to use vaccines. As rich countries rushed to buy nearly all the world's supply of the most advanced shot against monkeypox, the World Health Organization said in June that it would create a vaccine-sharing mechanism to help needy countries get doses. So far, that hasn't happened. ``Africa is still not benefiting from either monkeypox vaccines or the antiviral treatments,'' said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO's Africa director, adding that only small amounts have been available for research purposes. Since 2000, Africa has reported about 1,000 to 2,000 suspected monkeypox cases every year. So far this year, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified about 3,000 suspected infections, including more than 100 deaths. In recent weeks, monkeypox cases globally have fallen by more than a quarter, including by 55% in Europe, according to WHO. Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, head of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control, said the lack of help for Africa was reminiscent of the inequity seen during COVID-19. ``Everybody looked after their (own) problem and left everybody else,'' he said. Adetifa lamented that monkeypox outbreaks in Africa never got the international attention that might have prevented the virus from spreading globally. Rich countries have stretched their vaccine supplies by using a fifth of the regular dose, but none have expressed interest in helping Africa. WHO's regional office for the Americas recently announced it had struck a deal to obtain 100,000 monkeypox doses that will start being delivered to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean within weeks. But no similar agreements have been reached for Africa. ``I would very much like to have vaccines to offer to my patients or anything that could just reduce their stay in the hospital,'' said Dr. Dimie Ogoina, a professor of medicine at Nigeria's Delta University and a member of WHO's monkeypox emergency committee. Since WHO declared monkeypox a global emergency, Nigeria has seen the disease continue to spread, with few significant interventions. ``We still do not have the funds to do all the studies that we need,'' Ogoina said. Research into the animals that carry monkeypox and spread it to humans in Africa is piecemeal and lacks coordination, said Mbala, of Congo's Institute of Biomedical Research. Last week, the White House said it was optimistic about a recent drop in monkeypox cases in the US, saying authorities had administered more than 460,000 doses of the vaccine made by Bavarian Nordic. The US has about 35% of the world's more than 56,000 monkeypox cases, but nearly 80% of the world's supply of the vaccine, according to a recent analysis by the advocacy group Public Citizen. The US hasn't announced any monkeypox vaccine donations for Africa, but the White House did make a recent request to Congress for $600 million in global aid. Even if rich countries start sharing monkeypox tools with Africa soon, they shouldn't be applauded, other experts said. ``It should not be the case that countries only decide to share leftover vaccines when the epidemic is declining in their countries,'' said Piero Olliaro, a professor of infectious diseases of poverty at Oxford University. ``It is exactly the same scenario as COVID and it is still completely unethical.`` Olliaro, who recently returned to the UK from a trip to Central African Republic to work on monkeypox, said WHO's emergency declaration appeared to offer ``no tangible benefits in Africa.'' In Nigeria's Lagos state, which includes the country's largest city and is hard hit by monkeypox, some people are calling for the government to urgently do more. ``You can't tell me that the situation wouldn't have improved without a vaccine,'' said Temitayo Lawal, 29, an economist. ``If there is no need for vaccines, why are we now seeing the US and all these countries using them?'' he asked. ``Our government needs to acquire doses as well.'' Armenia on Wednesday said Azerbaijan's forces were occupying 10 square kilometres (almost four square miles) of its territory as result of border clashes that have killed dozens of soldiers on both sides. Turkey is a key regional broker with close ties to Azerbaijan and historically poor relations with Armenia. Erdogan blamed the latest escalation on unspecified violations by Armenia of a Russian-brokered agreement that brought an end to the 2020 war. The deal allowed Azerbaijan to take control of large parts of Nagorno-Karabakh it had lost in a 1990s war. "We find the situation we are in, which is the result of violations of the deal reached after the war ended with Azerbaijan's victory, as unacceptable," Erdogan told a public rally. "It will, of course, have consequences for Armenia, which did not fulfil the agreement's conditions and constantly displayed an aggressive attitude." Armenia has confirmed the death of more than 100 soldiers and Azerbaijan has reported 50 fatalities. The toll could still mount due to reports of continuing exchanges of fire. Turkey is Azerbaijan's main weapons supplier and a backer of Baku's cause on the diplomatic stage. The violence threatens to derail a nascent effort by Turkey and Armenia to strike a reconciliation agreement that could bolster trade and travel between the neighbouring states. Turkey's relations with Armenia, which relies on diplomatic and military backing from Russia, have been effectively frozen because of Ankara's refusal to recognise the genocide of Armenians by the Ottomans during World War I. Erdogan is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin at a regional summit in Uzbekistan on Friday. Twenty-eight effective projects in the fields were discussed during the regional forum from the Arab region that was held on Thursday in Beirut, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for Egypt and UN Special Envoy on Financing 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda Mahmoud Mohieldin said. The project covers fields of climate action priorities such as transportation, energy, agriculture, desertification and water management, Mohieldin added during the closing session of the forum. The forum is well organised by ESCWA, Egypt's presidency of COP27 and [high-level champions (HLCs)], while [Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ)], investment banks and development partners participated, and this reflected the interest of all stakeholders to get involved in climate action, he added. The forum in Beirut is the fourth in a series of regional meetings organised by Egypt's presidency of COP27, UN regional commissions, HLCs and GFANZ to prepare for the COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh from 6 to 18 November. Egypt, the host of COP27, had previously announced the launch of the five regional roundtables in Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Santiago, Beirut, and Geneva to catalyse climate investments in different climate sectors. Geneva is set to host the last roundtable on 20 September. "Climate financing and encouraging investors and finance entities to participate requires the existence of applicable and bankable projects; that is the goal of the five regional roundtables initiative," Mohieldin said. "It is necessary for Arab governments to link public budgets to [sustainable development goals (SDGs)] as public finance can be considered the cornerstone of financing development and climate action including adaptation measures," Mohieldin pointed out. Climate financing, he noted, should take the shape of partnerships and investments rather than debts, especially with having feasible projects on the table. He explained that debts could represent investing opportunities in case the Arab states reached deals with lenders to activate debt swaps, referring also to the importance of blended finance as a method to implement climate projects. At the end of his speech, Mohieldin confirmed the importance of investing in development and climate action as an investment in human capital in order to build capacity and enhance the skills of dealing with new technologies that development and climate projects depend on. Hopes are pinned on COP27 to turn climate-related pledges into action to help facilitate the transition to green energy in order to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change as per the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement adopted at COP21 and signed by over 190 states including Egypt came into effect in 2016 with the aim of limiting the rise in temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Climate finance has been debated at every COP meeting since, as developed countries have failed to meet their promise to mobilise $100 billion annually by 2020 to help developing nations with mitigation and adaptation measures. Search Keywords: Short link: A Senate committee took the first step Wednesday toward the United States directly providing billions of dollars in military aid to Taiwan and making ties more official, ramping up support following soaring tensions with Beijing. The United States has for decades sold weapons to Taiwan but the new legislation will go further by providing US security assistance to the tune of $4.5 billion over four years, a move that has infuriated Beijing. It also lays out sanctions on China should it use force to try to seize the island. With support from both parties, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the Taiwan Policy Act, billed as the most sweeping upgrade of the relationship since the United States switched recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979. US lawmakers moved ahead on the act amid heightened worries for Taiwan after Russia invaded Ukraine and following a visit to Taipei by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, which prompted China to stage major military exercises seen as a trial run for an invasion. Senator Bob Menendez, who leads the committee and is a member of President Joe Biden's Democratic Party, said that the United States "does not seek war or heightened tensions with Beijing" but needs to be "clear-eyed." "We are carefully and strategically lowering the existential threats facing Taiwan by raising the cost of taking the island by force so that it becomes too high a risk and unachievable," Menendez said. Senator Jim Risch, the top Republican on the committee, said it was "imperative we take action now to bolster Taiwan's self-defense before it's too late." The bill still must clear the full Senate and House. The White House has not said whether President Joe Biden will sign the bill, although the strong support it has may mean Congress could override any potential veto. China slammed the bill on Thursday, saying it had lodged "solemn representations" with Washington over legislation it claimed "violates the one-China principle" and "sends serious wrong signals to Taiwan independence and separatist forces." If the bill continues to move forward, "it will greatly shake the political foundation of China-US relations, and will have extremely serious consequences for ... peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," China's foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a briefing. The office of Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen on Thursday said it expressed "sincere gratitude" to the United States "for once again demonstrating its bipartisan friendship and support for Taiwan." Less ambiguous relationship Under the act, the United States will still not diplomatically recognize Taiwan. China considers the island -- where the mainland's defeated nationalists fled in 1949 -- to be its territory and strongly opposes any international legitimacy for Taipei, which has transformed into a vibrant democracy and major economic power. But the new law would shed many of the runarounds and codewords that have been in place so as not to anger China by implying recognition. The de facto US embassy -- now officially the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office -- would be renamed the Taiwan Representative Office and the US government would be instructed to interact with Taiwan as it would with any government. The top US envoy in Taipei, now called the director of the American Institute in Taiwan, would be renamed the "representative" of the office and need confirmation by the Senate, as would a US ambassador. The act would also designate Taiwan a "major non-NATO ally," a status for the closest US military partners outside of the trans-Atlantic alliance. And in a reflection of changing dynamics since the landmark 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, the bill says the United States will provide weapons "conducive to deterring acts of aggression" by China rather than simply "defensive" weapons. In addition to the $4.5 billion in funding to Taiwan, the act would authorize $2 billion in loan guarantees for Taiwan to buy US weapons. Earlier this year, Biden appeared to end decades of US ambiguity when he said the United States would directly help Taiwan if it is attacked. But his aides later walked back his remarks and the White House quietly discouraged Pelosi from her visit, fearing it would provoke President Xi Jinping ahead of a key Communist Party meeting. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said only that the Biden administration was in touch with lawmakers about the legislation. "We appreciate the strong bipartisan support for Taiwan and want to work with Congress to strengthen that," she said. Search Keywords: Short link: The United States said Wednesday it is setting up fund in Switzerland to manage $3.5 billion of Afghan reserves to be used to help stabilize Afghanistan's economy. A board of trustees will manage the Afghan Fund. The U.S. Treasury said the fund will "protect, preserve and make targeted disbursements" of the Afghan money. The funds could go toward items such as electricity imports, debt payments to international financial institutions and ensuring Afghanistan remains eligible for development aid. Actor Ryu Jun-yeol and actress Jeon Yeo-been will host the opening ceremony of this year's Busan International Film Festival to be held in the southern port city next month. Both have been active on the small and big screens. Ryu, who made his debut with "Socialphobia" released in 2015, has gained popularity with a number of hit dramas and films. Most recently, Ryu appeared in the first installment of director Choi Dong-hoon's two-part action fantasy "Alienoid," which was released in July this year. Beyond opening the fest, Jeon will also meet with fans of Netflix's Korean sci-fi series "Glitch," which was invited for screenings at the festival along with eight other most anticipated series. The mystery series, slated for release on Netflix on Oct. 7, deals with the story of a woman who tries to find her missing boyfriend, who suddenly disappears, with the help of UFO watchers. The festival, which marks its 27th year this year, fully returns without COVID-related restrictions after being scaled down for about three years and is scheduled to start its 10-day run on Oct. 5. The U.S. Navy has released photos of flight training aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, which arrives in Busan next week. The photos on the Pentagon website on Tuesday show F/A-18E Super Hornet fighters of Strike Fighter Squadron 195 (VFA-195), also known as the "Dambusters," taking off from and landing on the aircraft carrier in the Pacific. The squadron earned the moniker after its fighter jets disabled the heavily defended Hwacheon Dam held by North Korean troops with aerial torpedoes in May 1951 during the Korean War. It was the last aerial torpedo attack in history. But they may be restricted to certain menial back-of-house jobs if their Korean is not good enough to wait at tables. Currently only ethnic Koreans from China and former Soviet republics on H-2 visitor visas can work at restaurants, but the new policy would free up workers from 16 other countries such as the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam to work in hospitality. The government wants to allow foreigners to work in hospitality to help alleviate a labor shortage brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. That would mean foreigners on E-9 non-professional employment visas can work in restaurants from the second half of next year. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Chung Hwang-keun announced the policy on Wednesday. The ministry will add restaurants to worksites for E-9 visa holders after consultations with the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Justice Ministry. It also plans to increase the quota for the service sector. Of 59,000 job openings earmarked for E-9 visa holders this year, a mere 100 were allotted to the service sector, far fewer than the 44,500 for manufacturing, 8,000 for agriculture and 4,000 for fisheries. Lockdown brought on a dire shortage of hospitality staff because many who were laid off or furloughed found alternative work in the gig economy, and now restaurants are struggling to keep up with resurgent custom. Korean Chinese can also now get better pay at home. "I've removed menu items that need a lot of work because it's difficult to find staff," said a 67-year-old man who has run a restaurant in Seoul's Songpa district for more than 20 years. "Nobody answers job ads these days." According to the Labor Ministry, the hospitality sector had a shortage of 26,911 workers in the first half of 2021, which increased 2.8-fold to 74,361 in the first half of this year. In 2020, 1.92 million workers worked in the sector, accounting for 7.7 percent of all workers. The hospitality industry welcomed the decision. Lee Chul of the Korea Food Service Industry Association said, "Even Korean-Chinese workers are in short supply recently as restaurant jobs are regarded as dirty, difficult and demeaning." KYODO NEWS - Sep 15, 2022 - 20:14 | World, All Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday witnessed the opening session of the Bangsamoro parliament, signaling his government's commitment to seeing through the largely Muslim region's transition to self-rule. Marcos also inducted a fresh set of members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, an interim regional government dominated by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, or the MILF, which is the largest Muslim rebel group in the southern Philippines. The interim body, known by its acronym BTA, is tasked to ensure the region's readiness to hold a regular election for self-rule in 2025. "As your president, I assure you, the BTA and all the Bangsamoro people, of this administration's full and unwavering commitment to the peace process and to BARMM," said Marcos, clearing early doubts on how he will tackle armed conflict in Mindanao. BARMM refers to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Under the 2018 Bangsamoro Organic Law, which paved the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, the transition period should have ended this year. But the Philippine government decided to extend it by three years to give more time for the passage of crucial legislation such as on election and revenue generation. The decommissioning of about 20,000 remaining MILF combatants is also expected to be completed during the transition. In a separate event in Manila last Tuesday, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa said "it is highly encouraging that the Marcos administration is prioritizing the peace process." The Japanese government recently gave a $5 million grant to BARMM to help decommission MILF combatants and smaller armed groups. A former MILF combatant said Marcos' visit was "historic" as it was also the first time he had set foot in Bangsamoro's seat of government since he ran for president. In the May election, the MILF supported Marcos' closest rival and former vice president Leni Robredo. The Moros had a history of atrocities committed against them by the country's military during the martial law of Marcos' namesake father and late dictator. But Ahod Ebrahim, who was reappointed by Marcos as interim BARMM chief minister, expressed his commitment to Marcos' government. "The peace process started during your father's time and it would be a fitting end to this long journey if we could complete the process during your administration," Ebrahim said. KYODO NEWS - Sep 15, 2022 - 23:55 | All, World Trade ministers from the Group of Seven advanced economies agreed Thursday to bolster supply chain resiliency for vital products, including critical minerals, amid Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. The ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union, said in a statement after their meeting in Germany that recent crises have drawn attention to "systemic vulnerabilities to chronic risks and acute supply chains shocks" that hamper economic growth and security. "We, the G-7 Trade Ministers, underline that diversifying trade and expanding trading relations on a mutually beneficial basis is key to ensuring well-functioning supply chains and to improving the resilience and sustainability of our economies." Factories in Europe and elsewhere began reporting production problems in the early months of 2020 following the spread of the coronavirus in China, and disruptions spread along global supply chains, compounded by the restricted movement of logistics. The situation was made worse by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in late February this year. The statement criticizes Russia's war, including its attacks on Ukraine's production and exports, as causing particular concern about food security for developing and least-developed countries. "We continue to condemn Russia's brutal, unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine," said the G-7 ministers, adding they will expand coordinated efforts to prevent Moscow from profiting from its aggression and stemming Russia's ability to carry out the war. Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine's first deputy prime minister and minister for economic development and trade, was present at the meeting, and she asked for support to realize a safe living environment and stable employment for Ukrainians. "We need to create a financial framework, which collects and guarantees private capital, so that private-sector money can go into Ukraine," German economy minister Robert Habeck told reporters through an interpreter after the meeting in Brandenburg near the German capital Berlin. Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told reporters after the meeting that strengthening supply chain resiliency needs the involvement of emerging and developing economies, suggesting it will be necessary to expand cooperation beyond the existing G-7 framework. The ministers also said supply chains should promote their climate goals and the sustainable use of resources, as G-7 nations have committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Meanwhile, the ministers expressed concerns over some trade practices such as intellectual property theft, market-distorting actions of state-owned enterprises, and harmful industrial subsidies, among others. The statement did not mention China by name, but concerns about the country's trade practices were evident. "In order to fight attempts at economic coercion, reaffirming the G-7 leaders' commitment, we will enhance cooperation and explore coordinated approaches to address economic coercion both within and beyond the G-7 in relevant fora," the statement said. During the meeting at Neuhardenberg Castle, the ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to reviving and reforming the World Trade Organization, often criticized as being mired in dysfunction, and modernizing its rulebook. Japan will take over the G-7 chairmanship from Germany next year. KYODO NEWS - Sep 15, 2022 - 21:21 | World, All Chinese and Russian naval vessels have begun joint patrols in the Pacific region, the Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday, signaling deepening cooperation as the leaders of the two countries held talks in Uzbekistan. The mission, which follows the first such joint patrolling conducted last October, will include tactical maneuvering and artillery shooting drills, the ministry said, according to Russia's Tass news agency. "The tasks of the patrolling mission are to strengthen naval cooperation between Russia and China, maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, monitor sea waters, and protect Russian and Chinese maritime economic activity facility," the agency quoted the ministry as saying. Later Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, according to the Tass news agency. It marked the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February. The Chinese military recently joined Russia's "Vostok" exercises that involved over 50,000 military personnel from 14 countries including India, Mongolia, Belarus and Tajikistan, sending its ships to the Sea of Japan. KYODO NEWS - Sep 15, 2022 - 20:56 | All, Japan Japan's welfare ministry on Thursday began sharing with local municipalities information on baby sitters who have been subjected to administrative action for sexual assault or abuse, to prevent a similar incident from happening amid a spate of such malicious cases. Although the municipalities currently publish the names of baby sitters and disciplinary actions on their respective websites, that information is generally not shared. Such information is slated to become available to the general public by next summer at the earliest. Baby sitters in Japan who work freelance are required to register at their local governments as "unlicensed day-care facilities" and they can be subjected to disciplinary action for any malicious behavior. However, the lack of information sharing had previously raised criticism that such baby sitters may be able to continue abusing children in other localities. Under the new system, municipalities will report to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare the name, address and type of disciplinary measure of baby sitters who have been penalized. A list will then be uploaded on a special website accessible for the relevant local officials. People can currently view the names of registered baby sitters on a website operated by the government called "Koko de sa-chi." The move comes after a former baby sitter was sentenced in August to a prison term of 20 years over forcible sexual intercourse and other indecent acts on 20 boys aged 5 to 11. According to the Tokyo District Court ruling, he had committed the acts in areas including Tokyo, the nearby prefectures of Ibaraki, Shizuoka, Yamanashi, as well as in Hiroshima in western Japan. Related coverage: Japan sees record high 207,000 child abuse cases in FY 2021 Ex-baby sitter appeals 20-yr prison term for sexually abusing 20 boys KYODO NEWS - Sep 15, 2022 - 14:47 | All, Japan Japanese entities experienced 114 damage-causing ransomware attack cases in the first half of this year, up 87 percent from the year before, the National Police Agency said Thursday. Of the reported ransomware cases, in which attackers demanded payment in exchange for restoring access to company data made unavailable via encryption, 59 targeted medium- and small-sized companies and 36 were large corporations. They included 37 manufacturers, 20 service companies and five hospitals, according to the agency. In one of the cases reported in the six months through June, Toyota Motor Corp. was forced to suspend operations at all 14 of its domestic plants for one day after parts supplier Kojima Industries Corp. was hit by a ransomware attack on Feb. 28. So-called double-extortion ransomware attacks, in which attackers demand a ransom payment to de-encrypt data they accessed while threatening to disclose the attack publically if the target does not pay up, comprised 53 of the 81 cases in which the police were able to confirm the type of attack. A survey of targeted companies and organizations showed that in a majority of the 49 cases for which responses were received, victims spent 10 million yen ($70,000) or more investigating the extent of damage and recovering data. In at least 36 of the 48 cases in which the companies had backed up their data, they were still unable to recover their records. The agency warns that even backed-up data can be encrypted in attacks, and the damage can go beyond causing company operations to be suspended. Emotet, a powerful ransomware that spreads through emails containing files and links, was temporarily neutralized in January 2021 in a coordinated operation involving U.S. and European authorities, but it again began causing increased damage from around February, with a new iteration designed to steal credit card information stored online. The agency said the number of cyberattacks and other suspicious access attempts detected at police internet connection points stood at an average of 7,800.3 per IP address per day, with 70 percent originating in the United States, Britain, China and Russia. Police forces nationwide have also taken action on 5,889 cases of cybercrimes during the six months, up 492 from the year before, with 233 cases involving alleged violations of the law prohibiting unauthorized computer access. KYODO NEWS - Sep 15, 2022 - 19:39 | All, Japan South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in New York next week, the first summit of the two Asian neighbors in more than two years, the presidential office said Thursday. Yoon and Kishida will meet on Tuesday or Wednesday on the fringes of an upcoming U.N. General Assembly meeting. Issues related to wartime history have soured ties between the countries, with the last bilateral summit held in December 2019. The South Korean president will also meet with U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday or Wednesday in New York, the presidential office said. "For now, we have agreed to hold the South Korea-U.S. summit and South Korea-Japan summit, though the exact times have yet to be fixed," Kim Tae Hyo, deputy national security adviser, said at a press briefing. The meeting between Yoon and Kishida was "gladly agreed," according to the office, and is expected to last about 30 minutes with the detailed agenda of the talks to be decided. South Korea and Japan have seen signs of improvement in their relations recently, with newly elected President Yoon repeatedly calling for a meeting with the Japanese prime minister. Bilateral ties have soured over a number of issues including a South Korean Supreme Court ruling in 2018 on wartime labor compensation, with Seoul looking to avoid a diplomatic row. Related coverage: Japan, South Korea stress need for better ties before key court decision South Korea foreign minister meets Japan wartime labor plaintiffs Volunteers distribute flood relief packages to flood-affected people on the outskirts of Peshawar, Pakistan, on Sept. 14, 2022. The total death toll in Pakistan from this season's monsoon rains and floods since mid-June has risen to around 1,481 along with 12,748 injured, the NDMA said on Tuesday. (Photo by Saeed Ahmad/Xinhua) ISLAMABAD, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 54 people were killed and six others injured in heavy monsoon rain-triggered flash floods in the last 24 hours in Pakistan, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said. According to a report released by the NDMA on Tuesday evening, 18 children and 10 women were among those who lost their lives in separate flood-related incidents. The country's southern Sindh province was the worst-hit region with 44 killed, followed by the southwestern Balochistan province which reported eight deaths with six others injured, the report said. Moreover, 4,453 houses were destroyed and 24,869 livestock animals perished in different parts of Pakistan, it added. The total death toll in Pakistan from this season's monsoon rains and floods since mid-June has risen to around 1,481 along with 12,748 injured, the NDMA said. Additionally, 1,755,281 houses have been destroyed, while an estimated 908,137 livestock animals have perished in the rains and subsequent floods across the country, it said. The NDMA further added that 179,281 people have been rescued and 541,134 others are currently living in camps. Rescue and relief operations by the NDMA, other government organizations, volunteers and non-governmental organizations were underway in the flood-hit areas. Flood-affected people leave after receiving flood relief packages on the outskirts of Peshawar, Pakistan, on Sept. 14, 2022. The total death toll in Pakistan from this season's monsoon rains and floods since mid-June has risen to around 1,481 along with 12,748 injured, the NDMA said on Tuesday. (Photo by Saeed Ahmad/Xinhua) Flood-affected people sit next to flood relief packages on the outskirts of Peshawar, Pakistan, on Sept. 14, 2022. The total death toll in Pakistan from this season's monsoon rains and floods since mid-June has risen to around 1,481 along with 12,748 injured, the NDMA said on Tuesday. (Photo by Saeed Ahmad/Xinhua) Flood-affected people leave after receiving flood relief packages on the outskirts of Peshawar, Pakistan, on Sept. 14, 2022. The total death toll in Pakistan from this season's monsoon rains and floods since mid-June has risen to around 1,481 along with 12,748 injured, the NDMA said on Tuesday. (Photo by Saeed Ahmad/Xinhua) Markus Hofmuller (L) and Uwe Brutzer work at Bach's Bakery in Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province, May 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge) CHANGSHA, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Bach's Bakery in Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province, ushered in a moment of leisure in the afternoon. The new manager Markus Hofmuller was in a heated discussion about the upcoming test of new bakers scheduled in a week. Yet the room is strangely quiet, as most employees here are deaf and mute, and the manager is communicating in sign language. Bach's Bakery, situated on a small lane in the city, was founded by a German couple Uwe Brutzer and Dorothee Brutzer. The couple came to Changsha in 2002 to work for a charitable project for deaf-mute children funded by a German non-governmental charitable organization. "It's better to teach someone fishing than give them a fish," the couple said. So, they turned their attention to German pastry, and in 2011, the "silent bakery" was born, opening its doors to provide the deaf-mute community with a new means of financial independence. "We named the shop after Johann Sebastian Bach, a well-known German composer. We hoped to make the best-baked goods, just like Bach composed the best music," said Uwe Brutzer in a previous interview with Women of China. Over the past 11 years, Bach's Bakery trained 25 hearing-impaired bakers, many of whom have graduated and pursued careers as bakers. Due to their old age, the couple chose to return to Germany late last year and published a shop transfer notice. A relay of love began here. Markus Hofmuller, 45, who is also a German, officially took over the bakery in May this year. Markus Hofmuller has a doctorate in Sinology from Leipzig University in Germany, and his wife is from north China's Tianjin Municipality. In 2019, the couple, along with their two daughters, settled down in Yinchuan, capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. When the notice was released, Markus Hofmuller had just finished his teaching work at a primary school in Yinchuan. "I've always been more interested in food and crafts, and it made perfect sense to teach hearing-impaired people how to make bread," he said. After getting in touch with Uwe Brutzer and traveling to Changsha for an on-site visit, Markus Hofmuller decided to move to Changsha with his entire family in March. "As soon as I walked into the bakery, I was attracted by the warm, cozy atmosphere of the shop and decided to take it over," he said. The torch has now been transferred to Markus Hofmuller and he has to learn to make pastries from scratch, sign language and run a store. "I'm actually the student, and even the two current apprentices came to the bakery before me," Markus Hofmuller said on a lighter note. The bakery will continue to hire and train deaf-mute bakers in order to provide them with new career opportunities. "We have to train a few new bakers every year, which I think is the core work of our shop," said Markus Hofmuller, noting that he considers himself a manager rather than the owner of the bakery. "There are now many vocational education schools in China that specialize in training people with disabilities, and once they've mastered their skills, they have equal job opportunities as any other able-bodied people," Uwe Brutzer said. Bach's Bakery has not expanded over the years, and Markus Hofmuller intends to continue running the bakery in this current form. "Although it's small, Bach's Bakery is now a brand for the hearing-impaired community," he said, adding that it is also a role model for other companies that hearing-impaired employees are focused, efficient and have great potential. "That's what it is all about running the shop, it brings more possibilities to the lives of people with hearing difficulties, and allows society to have more awareness and acceptance of the disabled," he added. Hearing-impaired bakers communicate in sign language at Bach's Bakery in Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province, May 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge) Markus Hofmuller (L) and Uwe Brutzer make pastries at Bach's Bakery in Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province, May 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge) Hearing-impaired bakers make pastries at Bach's Bakery in Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province, May 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge) Markus Hofmuller (R) and Uwe Brutzer pose for a photo in front of Bach's Bakery in Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province, May 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge) Markus Hofmuller (L) and Uwe Brutzer work at Bach's Bakery in Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province, May 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge) The remains of Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War are casketed in Incheon, South Korea, Sept. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang) INCHEON, South Korea, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The remains of 88 Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War were casketed in South Korea on Thursday to be sent back to their homeland. The ceremony to lay the 88 remains in coffins was held in Incheon, west of the capital Seoul. The Chinese delegation led by Vice Minister of Veterans Affairs Chang Zhengguo, officials with the Chinese embassy in South Korea, officials with the South Korean defense ministry as well as personnel responsible for the excavation and identification of the remains attended the ceremony. A flower basket was laid at a temporary settlement for the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs. All members of the Chinese delegation bowed three times to the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs and presented flowers before the South Korean side placed the remains in coffins. This year's repatriation ceremony, the ninth of its kind, is scheduled to be held at the Incheon International Airport on Friday. China and South Korea have successfully carried out the handover of the remains of 825 Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs in South Korea for eight consecutive years from 2014 to 2021, following humanitarian principles and in the spirit of friendship and practical cooperation. Photo taken on Sept. 15, 2022 shows belongings left behind by Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War in Incheon, South Korea. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang) The remains of Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War are casketed in Incheon, South Korea, Sept. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang) The remains of Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War are casketed in Incheon, South Korea, Sept. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang) The remains of Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War are casketed in Incheon, South Korea, Sept. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang) Photo taken on Sept. 15, 2022 shows belongings left behind by Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War in Incheon, South Korea. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang) Photo taken on Sept. 15, 2022 shows coffins containing the remains of Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War in Incheon, South Korea. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang) A teacher shows a woodblock printing work during a cultural exchange activity held between the young people of Egypt and China's Shandong province via video link, in Cairo, Egypt, on Sept. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) by Mahmoud Fouly CAIRO, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Woodblock printing, making thread-binding notebooks and dying and block-printing fabrics, some Egyptian students from different universities created their own souvenirs by experiencing traditional Chinese handicrafts in a cultural exchange activity. Entitled "China in Classic Books," the activity held on Wednesday between the young people of Egypt and China's Shandong province via video link, was organized by the Foreign Affairs Office of Shandong Provincial People's Government in cooperation with the Chinese Bridge Club in Cairo and the Egyptian Chinese University (ECU). Adham Ehab, a student in the Chinese department at Cairo University, was making the thread-binding notebooks in the same way it's traditionally made in Shandong. "Such activities make us know more about the Chinese culture and love the Chinese language more," the Egyptian student told Xinhua during the event. The participating Egyptian students and graduates came from different universities including Cairo University, Ain Shams University, Al-Azhar University and the Egyptian Chinese University (ECU). Jiao Xinyue, a Chinese teacher at Cairo University who also teaches at the Confucius Institute of Cairo University, said that the increasing Chinese economic power and the growing cooperation between China and Egypt provide more opportunities for students learning Chinese. The number of students in the Chinese language at Cairo University is on the rise every year, she added. ECU vice-President Rasha El-Kholy said that "the event aims at connecting between the Egyptian and the Chinese cultures through learning about some traditional Chinese ways of printing and handicrafts, which resemble some of their counterparts in ancient Egypt." "Connecting ancient civilizations can push us forward towards a future of innovation, research and development," he added. Gianna Xu, head of the Chinese Bridge Club in Cairo, said "the cultural exchange between the youths of the two countries will deepen the friendship among future generations," hoping that such cultural activities will nourish "the tree of friendship and cooperation between China and Egypt." Students pose for group photos during a cultural exchange activity held between the young people of Egypt and China's Shandong province via video link, in Cairo, Egypt, on Sept. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) Students take part in a cultural exchange activity held between the young people of Egypt and China's Shandong province via video link, in Cairo, Egypt, on Sept. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) Many high school students in Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salaam have expressed their love for the Chinese language and culture. Produced by Xinhua Global Service NUR-SULTAN, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday afternoon received the Order of the Golden Eagle, or "Altyn Qyran" Order, awarded by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace in Nur-Sultan. In the splendid marble hall of the palace, national flags of China and Kazakhstan lined up neatly, filling the room with a warm and dignified atmosphere. Tokayev delivered remarks before awarding the order. He noted that the visit of Xi today, the great Chinese president, is a tremendous honor for Kazakhstan. President Xi is a genuine great leader who has the wholehearted support of the Chinese people, Tokayev said, adding that under the remarkable leadership of Xi, China has made enormous development progress, eradicated extreme poverty, and built a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and the Chinese nation is marching on a new journey toward great rejuvenation. He said he believes that under the wise leadership of Xi, China will realize the grand goal of fully building a modern socialist country as scheduled. Xi put forward the great initiatives including Belt and Road cooperation and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and has made outstanding contribution to building a new type of international relations, Tokayev said, adding that the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative put forward by Xi are of particular strategic significance in resolving risks and challenges faced by today's world. Tokayev highly commended the historic role and extraordinary contribution of Xi in consolidating friendship between the two peoples and in promoting Kazakhstan-China relations, and noted that Xi's visit today will go down in the history of Kazakhstan-China relations. Kazakhstan is ready to work with China to advance shared prosperity and development of the two countries, deliver for the wellbeing of the two peoples, and join hands to create an even brighter future, he said. Tokayev awarded the Order of the Golden Eagle to Xi. The two heads of state took pictures together. Delivering remarks upon receiving the order, Xi described Tokayev's awarding him the order as a demonstration of the great importance Kazakhstan places on China-Kazakhstan ties and the reservoir of goodwill of the people of Kazakhstan towards the people of China. Over the past three decades since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-Kazakhstan relations have kept growing on a high level, Xi said, adding that the two sides have cemented political trust, cooperation has flourished in various fields, efforts to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation have delivered fruitful results, and the two sides have also engaged in close coordination in international affairs, all of which have provided strong support to the development and rejuvenation of both countries and injected strong impetus into regional peace and stability. A bright future lies ahead for the lasting friendship, win-win cooperation and shared prosperity between the two countries, Xi said. Xi said that he deeply cherishes the order, which symbolizes the friendship between the two peoples, and shared his conviction that with the concerted efforts of both sides, China-Kazakhstan relations will soar high and fly far like a golden eagle and deliver more benefits to the people of the two countries. The Order of the Golden Eagle is the highest order of Kazakhstan awarded to individuals in recognition of their significant contribution to Kazakhstan's national development and friendly external relations. Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi and He Lifeng, among others, attended the ceremony. Chinese President Xi Jinping receives the Order of the Golden Eagle, or "Altyn Qyran" Order, awarded by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Sept. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) Chinese President Xi Jinping receives the Order of the Golden Eagle, or "Altyn Qyran" Order, awarded by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Sept. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) BEIJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- A cohort of 50 winners of the 2022 Xplorer Prize, which honors young scientists working full-time in China, was unveiled Thursday, with the youngest awardee born in the 1990s. This year the field of medical sciences has been newly included in the award category, and five clinical researchers were honored. Each winner will be awarded a total of 3 million yuan (about 430,000 U.S. dollars) over the next five years by the Tencent Foundation, according to the organizers. The Xplorer Prize was jointly initiated in 2018 by Tencent Chairman and CEO Pony Ma and 14 scientists to support full-time science professionals under the age of 45, based in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, in 10 areas of fundamental science and cutting-edge technologies, including mathematics and physics, advanced manufacturing, and energy and environmental sciences. Wang Guangyu, an awardee in the category of Information and Electronics Technologies, is the first prize winner born in the 1990s. Her research work focused on translating Artificial Intelligence tech into medical treatment. Mai Peiran (Pui In Mak), a semiconductor scientist, is the first awardee from Macao. Material scientists Yin Xiaobo and Fan Zhiyong from Hong Kong were awarded for their contributions to advanced interdisciplinary studies. As of 2022, the Xplorer Prize has funded 200 promising young scientists, according to the organizers. GAZA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Thursday said it would continue building and developing solid ties with Syria, signifying a possible restoration of relations between the two sides after ten years of estrangement. In a press statement, the Gaza ruling faction said that building and developing ties with Syria "will serve our nation and just causes, with the Palestinian cause at its core, especially in light of the accelerating regional and international developments." The movement's relationship with Syria hit rock bottom in 2012 when it closed its headquarters in Syria's capital over its stance on the Syrian civil war. "Hamas has a constant strategy and keenness to develop and strengthen its ties with its Arab and Islamic surroundings, and all those who support the Palestinian cause and the resistance factions in the Palestinian territories," the Hamas statement said. Hamas also strongly condemned in the statement "the repeated Israeli aerial attacks on Syrian territory, especially the recent bombing of the Damascus and Aleppo airports, adding that the movement supports Syria in the face of this aggression." It called for reconciliation and understanding among the Arab world through serious dialogue so as to serve Palestine's interests and causes. In June, a Hamas source revealed to Xinhua that significant progress had been made to restore the relationship between the movement and the Syrian leadership after great efforts made by the Lebanese Hezbollah leadership over the past months. VIENTIANE, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Lao, Vietnamese and Cambodian armies completed five-day disaster rescue exercises in Lao capital Vientiane on Thursday, Lao News Agency (KPL) reported. The rescue exercises by the three countries have given priority to preventing and responding to threats by natural disasters and climate change challenges, including floods, storms, tsunamis, earthquakes, landslides, droughts and others. The operation aimed to build capacity and expertise in responding to natural disasters in any circumstance, but also provides an opportunity for the three sides to step up experience and cultural exchanges, contributing to strengthening solidarity and trust among them. This is the first drill organized under an agreement inked at a defense ministers' meeting among the three countries in Hanoi in 2019. The file photo, taken on Nov. 12, 2015, shows 100-yuan banknotes in Beijing, the capital of China. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Growing Sino-Kenya trade is driving the uptake of the Chinese currency yuan among financial institutions, said the CEO of the Kenya Bankers Association. NAIROBI, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) said on Wednesday that growing Sino-Kenya trade is driving the uptake of the Chinese currency yuan among financial institutions. Habil Olaka, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KBA, told Xinhua in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that the use of yuan will help reduce the transaction cost of trade between Kenya and China. "As Kenya-China business grows, banks are becoming more aware of the opportunities of using Chinese yuan," Olaka said on the sidelines of the KBA banking research conference. Staff members celebrate the departure of the first batch of fresh avocados grown in Kenya and destined for the Chinese market at Sunripe factory in Limuru Town, Kiambu County, Kenya, on Aug. 2, 2022. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) He said that China is now the leading source of imports for the east African nation and is also a growing destination for Kenyan exports. The KBA official revealed that banks have traditionally relied on the U.S. dollar to settle financial transactions between Kenya and China, adding that the Chinese yuan provides a viable foreign currency to settle transactions between the two countries. The growing Chinese role in infrastructure projects and local manufacturing has also attracted local banks to open Chinese desks in order to serve their increasing clientele from the Asian nation, Olaka noted. SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev here on Thursday. The two heads of state said that bearing in mind the long-term development of China-Uzbekistan relations and the future welfare of their people, the two countries will expand mutually beneficial cooperation, cement their friendship and partnership, and implement the vision of a community with a shared future at the bilateral level. NANJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- East China's Jiangsu Province reported a 10.6 percent increase in foreign trade in the first eight months of the year to 3.63 trillion yuan (525 billion U.S. dollars), official data showed. Exports rose 13.6 percent year on year to 2.31 trillion yuan, while imports went up 5.7 percent to 1.32 trillion yuan, according to Nanjing customs. During the period, Jiangsu's major trading partners were the European Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the United States. The province's trade with countries and regions along the Belt and Road increased 14.8 percent to over 954 billion yuan. In the January-August period, Jiangsu's exports of mechanical and electrical products reached 1.51 trillion yuan, up 13 percent year on year, customs data showed. An Indonesian business leader says the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement forms a complete circulation of regional economic cooperation while integrating all kinds of resources. Abdul Alek Soelystio, general chairman of Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association, said in an interview with Xinhua that he expects RCEP to exert a positive overall effect in promoting the continuous growth of world economy. Speaking of ASEAN-China cooperation, Alek Soelystio said that as close neighbors, ASEAN countries and China should join hands to seek common development. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Sept. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- China and Tajikistan need to continue to provide solid support for each other and bring about more concrete results in bilateral ties, said Chinese President Xi Jinping while meeting with his Tajik counterpart, Emomali Rahmon, here on Thursday morning. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 30 years ago, China-Tajikistan relations have achieved leapfrog growth, Xi said. China firmly supports Tajikistan in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and security, Xi said, adding that China is always a neighbor, friend and partner that Tajikistan can trust and rely on. As international and regional situations are undergoing profound and complex transformation, China and Tajikistan need to continue to provide solid support for each other and bring about more concrete results in bilateral ties, Xi said. Xi underscored China's readiness to enhance practical cooperation with Tajikistan, expand import of quality Tajik agricultural products, elevate the scale and level of bilateral trade, advance cooperation in such areas as infrastructure, water management and transportation, discuss cooperation in green technology, digital economy and artificial intelligence, and assist Tajikistan in promoting cross-border transportation capability. China is ready to work with Tajikistan and other Central Asian countries to enhance the China+Central Asia (C+C5) Meeting mechanism and other cooperation, deepen counter-terrorism cooperation, and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in this region, Xi said. For his part, Rahmon noted that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Tajikistan and China, adding that over the past three decades, bilateral relations have made significant progress. He reaffirmed that Tajikistan unswervingly abides by the one-China principle, firmly maintains that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and will continue to firmly support China's stance on issues concerning its core interests. Noting that China is not only a good friend, but also an important strategic partner of Tajikistan, Rahmon said Tajikistan is ready to develop closer high-level interactions with China, learn from China's development experience, promote practical cooperation with China in areas such as economy and trade, agriculture, transportation, production capacity and green economy, and raise Tajikistan-China relations to a new level. He said Tajikistan is ready to strengthen coordination with China in the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and the C+C5 framework to deepen security cooperation and jointly safeguard regional security and stability. Rahmon wished the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) a full success. The two presidents also exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan. The two sides signed cooperation documents in digital economy, green development, transportation and other fields. Ding Xuexiang, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee; Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee; State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi; He Lifeng, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and head of the National Development and Reform Commission, and other officials attended the meeting. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Sept. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) A teacher shows a woodblock printing work during a cultural exchange activity between Egypt and China's Shandong Province, in Cairo, Egypt, on Sept. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) Egyptian students who are learning Chinese at different universities created their own souvenirs by experiencing traditional Chinese handicrafts in a cultural exchange activity in Cairo. by Mahmoud Fouly CAIRO, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Woodblock printing, making thread-binding notebooks and dying and block-printing fabrics, some Egyptian students from different universities created their own souvenirs by experiencing traditional Chinese handicrafts in a cultural exchange activity. Entitled "China in Classic Books," the activity held on Wednesday between the young people of Egypt and China's Shandong province via video link, was organized by the Foreign Affairs Office of Shandong Provincial People's Government in cooperation with the Chinese Bridge Club in Cairo and the Egyptian Chinese University (ECU). Students pose for group photos during a cultural exchange activity between Egypt and China's Shandong Province, in Cairo, Egypt, on Sept. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) Adham Ehab, a student in the Chinese department at Cairo University, was making the thread-binding notebooks in the same way it's traditionally made in Shandong. "Such activities make us know more about the Chinese culture and love the Chinese language more," the Egyptian student told Xinhua during the event. The participating Egyptian students and graduates came from different universities including Cairo University, Ain Shams University, Al-Azhar University and the Egyptian Chinese University (ECU). Jiao Xinyue, a Chinese teacher at Cairo University who also teaches at the Confucius Institute of Cairo University, said that the increasing Chinese economic power and the growing cooperation between China and Egypt provide more opportunities for students learning Chinese. The number of students in the Chinese language at Cairo University is on the rise every year, she added. ECU vice-President Rasha El-Kholy said that "the event aims at connecting between the Egyptian and the Chinese cultures through learning about some traditional Chinese ways of printing and handicrafts, which resemble some of their counterparts in ancient Egypt." "Connecting ancient civilizations can push us forward towards a future of innovation, research and development," he added. Gianna Xu, head of the Chinese Bridge Club in Cairo, said "the cultural exchange between the youths of the two countries will deepen the friendship among future generations," hoping that such cultural activities will nourish "the tree of friendship and cooperation between China and Egypt." Aerial photo taken on Aug. 28, 2022 shows a view of Qinzhou Port in Qinzhou City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Launched in 2017, the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor is a trade and logistics passage jointly built by provincial-level regions in western China and ASEAN members. (Xinhua/Zhang Ailin) ASEAN-China economic cooperation will further promote peace, stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and provide a buffer for the region to withstand possible global shocks in the future. PHNOM PENH, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- China is an important trade partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and greater ASEAN-China economic cooperation could further promote peace and stability in region, Asian Development Bank (ADB) country director for Cambodia Jyotsana Varma said Wednesday. As the global economy gets more intertwined over time, China has become a major contributor to trade and investment growth for the region, according to Varma in an interview with Xinhua. China is also a key driving force in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) with growing contribution in the creation of various hubs for regional transportation, communication and energy systems, and in fostering competitiveness to drive the economic development of this region, she added. "Therefore, ASEAN-China economic cooperation is important to maximize the opportunities and manage the cost of this growing economic interdependence between ASEAN and China," Varma said. "In the future, greater ASEAN-China economic cooperation could also help promote greater peace and stability in the region. This is important as peace and stability is an important regional public good that can help promote the growth of commerce, trade and investment between ASEAN and China," she added. A worker arranges durians at a durian processing factory in the Chanthaburi province, Thailand, May 5, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Teng) Varma's comments came as Cambodia is hosting the 54th ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting (AEM) and related meetings, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) ministers' meeting, the East Asia Summit (EAS) economic ministers' meeting and the AEM-Dialogue Partners Consultations, in the province of Siem Reap in northwest Cambodia from Sept. 14 to 18. Varma said the full and timely implementation of the RCEP free trade agreement is the key to its contributing to ASEAN's economic growth. Coming into force in January 2022, the mega regional trade deal comprises 15 Asia-Pacific countries including 10 ASEAN member states, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, and their five trading partners, namely China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. "It would take some time before we can actually measure its actual economic impact on the region," she said. "The main anticipated impact of the RCEP is its ability to manage some of the challenges presented by multiple FTAs (free trade agreements) in the region and further liberalization of economic cooperation," she added. Varma said the RCEP has provided better access for trade in goods, and delivered other benefits in trade in services, investment and e-commerce. She also said the ASEAN economic cooperation has been an important ingredient for the region's economic success. "Through its open trade and investment policy, the ASEAN region has become a key player and important hub in global trade and production network," she said. "This has supported the region's outward-oriented growth strategy based on exports." People visit the exhibition area of Thailand at the 18th China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhou Hua) According to Varma, through the strong macroeconomic fundamentals of most ASEAN economies, supported by large foreign direct investment inflows, and with strong participation in regional trade agreements, the region has managed to position itself as one of the most competitive regions for global value chains, achieving immense development benefits. She said most of the ASEAN economies have created stronger manufacturing and export bases, generated more and better-quality jobs, fostered innovation, technology, and knowledge diffusion, and reduced poverty rates. "Going forward, regional cooperation in the region is becoming even more entrenched as crisis forge stronger cooperation among ASEAN economies," she said. "This stronger regional cooperation in the future will build the region's resilience as it provides a buffer for the region to withstand possible global shocks in the future," she added. CHICAGO, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. state of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is signing a disaster proclamation to secure resources for the migrants bused to Illinois from Texas, Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday. The governor's office said the disaster proclamation enables coordination among state, city and county governments to provide assistance including transportation, emergency shelter, food, health screenings and medical treatment. Speaking at a news conference, Pritzker further announced that he had deployed 75 National Guard members to assist with the logistics of receiving the migrants. Pritzker criticized Texas Governor Greg Abbott for failing to coordinate or communicate with Illinois and Chicago officials. "The governor of Texas is forcing on New York and (Washington) D.C. and Chicago and potentially other places a needlessly last minute and complex process that is a heartless display of politics over people," Pritzker said. Pritzker said the Illinois Attorney General and Chicago city attorneys, among other agencies, are investigating whether there is "criminal liability" for Abbott's actions. He also raised the idea of suing the Texas government in federal court. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot called the situation a "manufactured crisis by ambush" and accused the Abbott administration of tricking the migrants into boarding the buses. Since Aug. 31 when the first busload of migrants arrived, about 500 migrants had arrived in Chicago, Lightfoot said. She expects number will grow. While Pritzker said he would seek all available federal assistance, Lightfoot suggested federal assistance should be diverted from Texas to other places who are welcoming the migrants. Despite the complaints, Abbott vowed the waves of asylum seekers would continue arriving at cities like Chicago, the local newspaper reported. YANGON, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 12 people were killed and many others injured in a crash involving three vehicles in Kyaukpadaung township of central Myanmar's Mandalay Region on Wednesday night, local police told Xinhua. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital. An investigation into the cause of the road accident is underway, according to the police. UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths speaks at a Security Council meeting on Syria at the UN headquarters in New York on Sept. 14, 2022. Griffiths on Wednesday called for more funding for Syria to meet humanitarian and livelihood needs. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths on Wednesday called for more funding for Syria to meet humanitarian and livelihood needs. The UN humanitarian response plan for Syria requires 4.4 billion U.S. dollars for 2022. In addition, the regional refugee and resilience plan, which caters for refugee needs in the region outside Syria, amounts to 6.1 billion dollars for this year, bringing the total up to 10.5 billion dollars, he said. "Quite high amount of money. But the amount reflects the severity of humanitarian needs in Syria and in the region following this decade of crisis," he told the Security Council in a briefing. To date, only a quarter of the humanitarian response plan is funded. The 6.1-billion-dollar regional plan only has 20 percent funding, he said. Engagement with regional donors indicates that the United Nations may not even reach half of the funding requirements for the humanitarian response plan by the end of this year. That obviously has a direct impact on the plight of many Syrians, he warned. Some 14.6 million people in Syria, more than half of them children, need humanitarian assistance. This is the highest level of need since the crisis began, said Griffiths. "We seem to fail the people in Syria more each year. As each year comes and each year passes, the needs grow, the gap increases and the stress and the suffering of the Syrian people from this crisis continues to be exacerbated." He expressed the hope that funding for early-recovery and resilience programming and livelihood programming will also be increased. Airstrikes have disrupted operations of the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), at Aleppo airport. UNHAS is a critical service for the humanitarian operation. It is the basis on which staff deploy, staff move and occasionally also supplies, he said. "Ensuring continuity in the provision of aid and basic services and protection during those kinds of operations is of critical importance. It is not being the case. We would like to see all humanitarian activities resume as soon as possible." In the past two weeks, hostilities in Syria have continued. Airstrikes and shelling along front lines have caused civilian death, injury, and interrupted livelihoods, said Griffiths. Particularly devastating, three children were reportedly killed and four other people injured when an improvised explosive device, attached to a motorcycle, detonated close to a medical facility in a camp near Al-Hasakeh City on Monday, he said. Griffiths expressed particular concern over news of a cholera outbreak in northern Syria. "This cholera outbreak is a stark reminder of how critical our continued support remains to the people of Syria, given that the health system is devastated by these 10 years of conflict. This outbreak is also an indicator of severe shortages of water throughout Syria resulting from the low water levels in the Euphrates ... and the extent of destruction of water infrastructure," he said. "And of course, I call on all relevant parties to facilitate reliable access to safe water. Otherwise, we'll see more of those cases of cholera, we will see more damage to the health system, we will see more problems arising out of the absence of reliable electricity," he added. Photo taken on Sept. 14, 2022 shows a UN Security Council meeting on Syria at the UN headquarters in New York. UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths on Wednesday called for more funding for Syria to meet humanitarian and livelihood needs. (Jaclyn Licht/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's permanent representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, on Wednesday called for efforts to advance the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. "Our world today faces many challenges. To address both the symptoms and root causes, we must further advance Belt and Road cooperation," he said at the release of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs' progress report on BRI in support of the 2030 Agenda. "The BRI meets the needs of our times, the expectations of peoples, and the shared interests of all countries." Belt and Road cooperation is by no means a solo of China, but a symphony performed by all partners. Active participation, support and contributions by partners are indispensable for the BRI's continued progress. China looks forward to working with all partners to discuss together, build together, and share the benefits together, and strive for high-quality development of the BRI, so as to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and make greater contributions to the common development of all countries, said Zhang. The world is now close to the halfway mark on the timetable for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. But countries, especially developing ones, are still facing multiple crises and challenges. The progress has apparently fallen short of expectations, he said. The BRI offers China's wisdom and solutions to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The BRI is committed to enhancing policy, infrastructure, trade, finance, and people-to-people connectivity among countries. The initiative is highly compatible with the 2030 Agenda in terms of visions, goals and measures, and provides strong support and impetus for its implementation, he said. The BRI offers a path of solidarity for global partnerships. The initiative is a global public good that practices true multilateralism. Over the past nine years, China has signed over 200 Belt and Road cooperation documents with more than 140 countries, and more than 30 international organizations. The BRI offers a path of win-win cooperation on connectivity, said Zhang. Leveraging the pace-setting role of major projects, the BRI continues to make new progress in infrastructure construction. According to World Bank data, BRI infrastructure projects, if fully implemented, could increase trade between countries along the routes by 2.8 percent and boost gross domestic product (GDP) by 3.4 percent. It will lead to a 1.7 percent increase in global trade and a 2.9 percent increase in global GDP, he said. The BRI offers a path of hope for global sustainable development, said Zhang. The initiative has always been development-oriented, and consistent efforts have been made to ensure that it is high-standard, sustainable and people-centered. The World Bank estimates that the infrastructure investment in the BRI could lift 7.6 million people worldwide out of extreme poverty and 32 million people out of moderate poverty, he said. Thanks to the concerted efforts from all parties, the BRI has become the biggest and widest-ranging platform for international cooperation. The 200-plus documents signed on Belt and Road cooperation are the vote of confidence cast by the international community, he said. "However, some individual countries refused to increase their input for development cooperation, but are obsessed with fabricating and spreading lies in an attempt to undermine Belt and Road cooperation. Facts have fully proved that their behaviors are purely politically motivated. They have seriously poisoned the atmosphere of international cooperation, which serves no one's interests," said Zhang. Video: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sept. 14, 2022 that next week's General Debate of the General Assembly must be about hope. (Xinhua) "This year's General Debate must be about providing hope and overcoming the divisions that are dramatically impacting the world," says UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday that next week's General Debate of the General Assembly must be about hope. "This year's General Debate must be about providing hope and overcoming the divisions that are dramatically impacting the world," he told a press conference ahead of the high-level week of this year's General Assembly session. "That hope can only come through the dialogue and debate that are the beating heart of the United Nations and that must prevail next week against all divisions," he said. People need to see results in their everyday lives, or they will lose faith in their governments and institutions, and they will lose hope in the future, he warned. Guterres said his opening speech on Tuesday to the General Debate will address the urgent issues with concrete recommendations and a call to action. "As fractures deepen and trust evaporates, we need to come together around solutions," he said. The General Assembly is meeting at a time of great peril. Geostrategic divides are the widest they have been since at least the Cold War. They are paralyzing the global response to the dramatic challenges the world faces, he said. "Our world is blighted by war, battered by climate chaos, scarred by hate, and shamed by poverty, hunger, and inequality." Conflicts and unrest continue to rage. The conflict in Ukraine is devastating a country and dragging down the global economy. Global hunger began to rise before the COVID-19 pandemic and has never recovered. The cost-of-living crisis is hitting the poorest people and communities hardest, with dramatic effects. The rights of women and girls are going into reverse. Most developing countries have no fiscal space, and no access to the financial resources needed to recover from the pandemic and protect their people from the devastating impact of climate change, he noted. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (rear) speaks at a press conference ahead of the high-level week of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Xie E) "The solidarity envisioned in the UN Charter is being devoured by the acids of nationalism and self-interest -- by a shocking disregard for the poorest and most vulnerable in our world; by politicians who play to people's worst instincts for partisan gain; by prejudice, discrimination, misinformation and hate speech that pit people against one another; by a global financial system that penalizes those with the least; by fossil fuel corporations killing the planet to rake in the most," said the UN chief. Guterres said he was shocked by the destruction caused by floods in Pakistan during his recent trip, and called for climate action. What is happening in Pakistan demonstrates the sheer inadequacy of the global response to the climate crisis, and the betrayal and injustice at the heart of it, he said. "Whether it is Pakistan, the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, small islands or least developed countries, the world's most vulnerable, who did nothing to cause this crisis, are paying a horrific price for decades of intransigence by big emitters." The Group of 20 (G20) countries are responsible for 80 percent of emissions. They are also suffering the impact of record droughts, fires and floods. But climate action seems to be flatlining. If one-third of G20 countries were under water today -- as it could be tomorrow -- perhaps they would find it easier to agree on drastic cuts to emissions, he said. All countries -- with the G20 leading the way -- must boost their national emissions reduction and must limit the world's temperature rise to 1.5 degrees. Pakistan and other climate hot spots need flood-resilient infrastructure now. And those most responsible for emissions must step up with the funds for adaptation, he said. At least half of all climate finance and climate resilience should go to adaptation so as to protect people and economies. Unless action is taken now, unless funds are disbursed now, these tragedies will simply multiply, with devastating consequences for years to come, including instability and mass migration around the world, he warned. "So my message to world leaders gathering here (for the General Debate) is clear: Lower the temperature -- now. Don't flood the world today; don't drown it tomorrow," said Guterres. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Sept. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to constantly push forward the development of relations with Turkmenistan for the benefit of the two peoples, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a meeting with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov here Thursday morning. Xi said that since China and Turkmenistan established diplomatic relations 30 years ago, the two countries have enjoyed sustained, sound and steady growth of bilateral relations, and the strategic partnership has reached a high level. China always views China-Turkmenistan relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, respects Turkmenistan's independently chosen development path that suits its own national conditions, and opposes any external interference in Turkmenistan's internal affairs and process of stability and development, Xi said, adding that China will continue to work with Turkmenistan to firmly support each other. Xi emphasized the need for the two sides to increase the size and scale of natural gas cooperation and inject new impetus into the development and revitalization of the two countries. He noted the need to accelerate cooperation in non-resource fields and to synergize the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Turkmenistan's strategy to revive the Great Silk Road. The two sides need to deliver on mutually setting up cultural centers as soon as possible to provide a new platform for people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries, Xi said. The Chinese side is ready to set up a Luban workshop in Turkmenistan at an early date and continue to strengthen COVID-19 response cooperation with Turkmenistan, he said. The Chinese side is ready to strengthen cooperation with the Turkmen side within the China+Central Asia (C+C5) Meeting mechanism, implement the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative, enhance international coordination, uphold the converging interests of the developing countries, and contribute to world peace and development, said the Chinese president. Berdimuhamedov wished the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) a full success and expressed his conviction that under the wise leadership of President Xi, the 20th CPC National Congress will draw a blueprint for China's future development and guide China toward more great achievements. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and China 30 years ago, bilateral relations have developed smoothly and cooperation in various fields has been expanding, said the president. Turkmenistan, Berdimuhamedov said, highly values its strategic partnership with China, and is ready to further deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with China in various fields including economy and trade, natural gas, cross-border transportation, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Turkmenistan firmly supports the one-China principle and firmly supports China in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the president said. Turkmenistan supports a series of major initiatives put forward by China, which are conducive to maintaining international peace and security and achieving the sustainable development goals of the United Nations, he said. Turkmenistan is ready to work with China to build stronger synergy between the BRI and Turkmenistan's strategy to revive the Great Silk Road, and closely cooperate with China within multilateral frameworks of the United Nations, the C+C5 Meeting mechanism and so on. Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and other officials attended the event. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Sept. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) DAR ES SALAAM, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's National Environment Management Council (NEMC) on Thursday destroyed 44 tons of banned plastic bags that were seized during a special crackdown. Samuel Gwamaka, NEMC director general, and other senior government officials oversaw the burning of the seized plastic bags by the Tanzania Portland Cement Company Limited, a cement manufacturing company in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam. Speaking after the destruction of the plastic bags, Gwamaka said the exercise to eliminate plastic bags is sustainable throughout the country. He urged manufactures of banned plastic bags to stop immediately before they faced the full force of the law. Gwamaka said banned plastic bags are dangerous for human beings and other living organs, and urged Tanzanians to stop using them to protect themselves from health hazards. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa announced a ban on the use of plastic bags in May 2019 to protect the environment and natural resources. A staff member monitors the operation of wind turbines at the control center of the 100-MW Zhanatas wind farm near the city of Zhanatas in the Zhambyl Region, Kazakhstan, Sept. 13, 2022. The wind farm, with 40 wind turbines and a combined capacity of 100 megawatts, is jointly-held by China Power International Holding and Visor Kazakhstan. As central Asia's largest wind farm built by a Chinese firm, the wind farm was put into operation in 2021, capable of generating 350 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. It alleviates the power shortage in southern Kazakhstan and has brought the once quiet industrial city back to life. Compared with a thermal power plant with the same capacity, this wind farm is expected to save about 110,000 tons of standard coal per year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Photo by Dmitry Vasilenko/Xinhua) Photo taken on Sept. 13, 2022 shows some wind turbines at the 100-MW Zhanatas wind farm near the city of Zhanatas in the Zhambyl Region, Kazakhstan. The wind farm, with 40 wind turbines and a combined capacity of 100 megawatts, is jointly-held by China Power International Holding and Visor Kazakhstan. As central Asia's largest wind farm built by a Chinese firm, the wind farm was put into operation in 2021, capable of generating 350 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. It alleviates the power shortage in southern Kazakhstan and has brought the once quiet industrial city back to life. Compared with a thermal power plant with the same capacity, this wind farm is expected to save about 110,000 tons of standard coal per year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Photo by Dmitry Vasilenko/Xinhua) Photo taken on Sept. 13, 2022 shows some wind turbines at the 100-MW Zhanatas wind farm near the city of Zhanatas in the Zhambyl Region, Kazakhstan. The wind farm, with 40 wind turbines and a combined capacity of 100 megawatts, is jointly-held by China Power International Holding and Visor Kazakhstan. As central Asia's largest wind farm built by a Chinese firm, the wind farm was put into operation in 2021, capable of generating 350 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. It alleviates the power shortage in southern Kazakhstan and has brought the once quiet industrial city back to life. Compared with a thermal power plant with the same capacity, this wind farm is expected to save about 110,000 tons of standard coal per year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Photo by Dmitry Vasilenko/Xinhua) Photo taken on Sept. 13, 2022 shows a view of the control center of the 100-MW Zhanatas wind farm near the city of Zhanatas in the Zhambyl Region, Kazakhstan. The wind farm, with 40 wind turbines and a combined capacity of 100 megawatts, is jointly-held by China Power International Holding and Visor Kazakhstan. As central Asia's largest wind farm built by a Chinese firm, the wind farm was put into operation in 2021, capable of generating 350 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. It alleviates the power shortage in southern Kazakhstan and has brought the once quiet industrial city back to life. Compared with a thermal power plant with the same capacity, this wind farm is expected to save about 110,000 tons of standard coal per year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Photo by Dmitry Vasilenko/Xinhua) Photo taken on Sept. 13, 2022 shows the entrance to the 100-MW Zhanatas wind farm near the city of Zhanatas in the Zhambyl Region, Kazakhstan. The wind farm, with 40 wind turbines and a combined capacity of 100 megawatts, is jointly-held by China Power International Holding and Visor Kazakhstan. As central Asia's largest wind farm built by a Chinese firm, the wind farm was put into operation in 2021, capable of generating 350 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. It alleviates the power shortage in southern Kazakhstan and has brought the once quiet industrial city back to life. Compared with a thermal power plant with the same capacity, this wind farm is expected to save about 110,000 tons of standard coal per year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Photo by Dmitry Vasilenko/Xinhua) Shang Meihan spends time with local children at a flower field in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Town of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Shang Meihan sings a Hezhe song at a folk exhibition hall in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Town of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) Shang Meihan displays a fish-skin handicraft to children in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Township of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) Shang Meihan (2nd R) rehearses a dance with other performers in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Township of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei) Shang Meihan (1st R) performs a dance with other performers at a folk exhibition hall in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Township of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Shang Meihan (1st L) performs a Hezhe dance at a folk exhibition hall in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Town of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) Shang Meihan, dressed in folk costume, poses for photos in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Township of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Shang Meihan (R) performs a Hezhe dance at a folk exhibition hall in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Town of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Shang Meihan (1st L) performs a Hezhe dance in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Town of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei) Shang Meihan (2nd L) spends time with local children at a flower field in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Town of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) Shang Meihan (1st R) performs a dance with other performers at a folk exhibition hall in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Township of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Shang Meihan (R) takes a rest during a rehearsal in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Township of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Shang Meihan (L) learns to make a traditional fish-skin handicraft from an experienced artisan in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Town of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) Shang Meihan (L) makes a handicraft together with an experienced artisan in Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei) Shang Meihan instructs children to make handicrafts in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Township of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei) Shang Meihan (R) does figure exercises at a folk exhibition hall in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Township of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Shang Meihan (2nd R) rehearses a dance with other performers in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Township of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Shang Meihan (4th L) does figure exercises with other performers at a folk exhibition hall in the Hezhe ethnic village of Zhuaji in Wusu Township of Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 4, 2022. The Hezhes are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China. They live mainly by hunting and fishing in the plains in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Shang Meihan is a young woman from the Hezhe ethnic group. While working as a public servant at the Wusu Town, the 25-year-old is also a part-time "cultural ambassador." In her spare time, she volunteers as a folk exhibition guide and a folk art performer in a Hezhe ethnic village. Meanwhile, Shang embraces a dream of inheriting the Hezhe ethnic culture. She not only teaches Hezhe songs and dances to children, but also learns traditional fish-skin handicraft from experienced artisans. "We Hezhe people don't have a written language so we count on non-verbal inheritance of the culture," says Shang Meihan. "My dream is to contribute as much as I can to the preservation of my own culture." (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) BEIJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- China's commercial banks reported a net forex settlement surplus of 25 billion U.S. dollars in August, the country's forex regulator said Thursday. Forex purchases by banks stood at 233.5 billion dollars, while sales reached about 208.4 billion dollars, data from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange shows. China's foreign exchange market has shown strong resilience, with banks' net forex settlement surplus last month higher than the average monthly level since the beginning of this year, said Wang Chunying, deputy director and spokesperson of the administration. The official also underlined stable market expectations, as well as rational and orderly trading in the foreign exchange market. NUR-SULTAN, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said that the unbreakable friendship between China and Kazakhstan will contribute to the growth of positive and progressive forces in the world and to the building of a community with a shared future. Mourners carry the body of Palestinian teenager O'udai Sallah during his funeral in the West Bank city of Jenin, on Sept. 15, 2022. O'udai Sallah, 17, was killed on Thursday during clashes with Israeli soldiers near the northern West Bank city of Jenin, Palestinian medics and eyewitnesses said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) RAMALLAH, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian teenager was killed on Thursday during clashes with Israeli soldiers near the northern West Bank city of Jenin, Palestinian medics and eyewitnesses said. The Palestinian Health Ministry said in a press statement that O'udai Sallah, 17, was killed after Israeli soldiers shot him in the head during clashes in the village of Kafr Dan, adding that two other Palestinians were injured. Palestinian eyewitnesses said fierce clashes broke out in the village after an Israeli army force stormed the homes of two Palestinians who were killed on Wednesday in an exchange of fire that killed an Israeli army officer. The eyewitnesses added that the Israeli soldiers questioned the families of the two and detained two Palestinians before leaving the village. An Israeli army spokesman said that the Israeli army force stormed the homes of the two Palestinian attackers, who killed the Israeli officer on Wednesday. In response to the shooting attack, the Israeli army closed the al-Jalama checkpoint near Jenin and halted the travel of cars and individuals until further notice, according to Israeli media reports. Overnight and on Thursday morning, the Israeli army arrested 14 Palestinians from their homes in several towns and villages near Jenin and Hebron, according to the West Bank-based Palestinian Prisoners' Club Association. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, around 100 Palestinians have been killed since January 2022, including 34 from Jenin. Relatives of Palestinian teenager O'udai Sallah mourn during his funeral in the West Bank city of Jenin, on Sept. 15, 2022. O'udai Sallah, 17, was killed on Thursday during clashes with Israeli soldiers near the northern West Bank city of Jenin, Palestinian medics and eyewitnesses said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) Relatives of Palestinian teenager O'udai Sallah mourn during his funeral in the West Bank city of Jenin, on Sept. 15, 2022. O'udai Sallah, 17, was killed on Thursday during clashes with Israeli soldiers near the northern West Bank city of Jenin, Palestinian medics and eyewitnesses said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- China and Uzbekistan on Thursday issued a joint statement on promoting their comprehensive strategic partnership and advancing all-round cooperation. The two sides said that since China and Uzbekistan established diplomatic relations 30 years ago, the people of the two countries have marched forward hand in hand as brothers, writing a glorious chapter in the history of bilateral friendship for generations. The two sides agreed that since China and Uzbekistan established the strategic partnership 10 years ago, the two countries have maintained candid, open and constructive high-level communication, and have built efficient collaboration mechanisms in such areas as politics, diplomacy, economy and trade, as well as people-to-people exchanges. Uzbekistan said it firmly adheres to the one-China policy, and reiterated that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The two sides agreed to actively push forward the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the development strategy of "New Uzbekistan" for 2022-2026. Uzbekistan said it supports the Global Development Initiative (GDI) put forward by China and believes that the initiative will actively contribute to the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as planned. Both sides are willing to actively build greater synergy between the GDI and programs on improving the environmental and socio-economic situation in the Aral Sea region within the framework of the UN Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region. Uzbekistan said it supports the China-proposed Global Security Initiative (GSI), and is willing to carry out exchanges and cooperation with the Chinese side within the GSI mechanism, so as to jointly promote regional and global peace and security. Both sides reaffirmed that a peaceful, stable, developing and prosperous Afghanistan serves the common interests of Afghanistan and other regional countries. Underlining their respect for the independence, sovereignty, territory integrity and ethnic unity of Afghanistan, the two sides stressed non-interference of the country's domestic affairs and noted that they will uphold the "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned" principle. The two countries said they are ready to work with the international community to continue to provide humanitarian and development aid for Afghanistan, strengthen pragmatic cooperation on Afghanistan-related issues and help the country integrate into regional economic cooperation. Both sides agreed to enhance coordination on Afghanistan-related issues within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the coordination and cooperation mechanism among neighbors of Afghanistan and other frameworks, with the aim of advancing peace and reconstruction of Afghanistan. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, addresses the launch ceremony for the mass entrepreneurship and innovation week at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2022. He also announced the launch of the week. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) BEIJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday stressed continuous efforts to promote mass entrepreneurship and innovation, and pool wisdom and strengths to nurture market entities and foster new economic drivers. Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when addressing the launch ceremony for the mass entrepreneurship and innovation week in Beijing. He also announced the launch of the week. Speaking highly of the booming development of entrepreneurship and innovation in China, Li noted that new market entities and startups create the majority of the 13 million new urban jobs every year. Coupled with reforms to streamline administrative procedures, China's push for mass entrepreneurship and innovation has nurtured market entities, Li said. The country's market entities have topped 160 million in number, nearly tripling from a decade ago and underpinning China's market-oriented economy, Li said. Mass entrepreneurship and innovation have promoted the integrated development of large, medium-sized and small enterprises, and prompted the growth of new economic drivers, Li said. He also noted that emerging industries, new business models and new business forms have seen their share in China's total economic output continue to increase in recent years. Noting that entrepreneurship and innovation require a stable economic environment, Li said China introduced timely a policy package this year and made full use of its policy toolkit to steer the economy back on track. "China's tax refunds and tax and fee cuts this year clearly exceeded those of 2020," he said. He urged more efforts to continue protecting market entities' property rights and legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the law, and to fully implement tax and fee cuts, rent reduction and exemption and other favorable measures. Li also inspected several companies' entrepreneurship and innovation projects via video link, and encouraged them to make new achievements in innovation. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, addresses the launch ceremony for the mass entrepreneurship and innovation week at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2022. He also announced the launch of the week. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, communicates with representatives of entrepreneurs at the main venue in Hefei of east China's Anhui Province via video link during the launch ceremony for the mass entrepreneurship and innovation week at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2022. Li addressed the launch ceremony for the mass entrepreneurship and innovation week in Beijing. He also announced the launch of the week. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) Chinese President Xi Jinping receives the Order of Friendship conferred by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the International Conference Center in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Sept. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping received the Order of Friendship conferred by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev here on Thursday. In his remarks delivered before conferring the Order, Mirziyoyev described the day as one of historic significance and said that he was deeply honored to confer the first Order of Friendship, the highest honor awarded by Uzbekistan to foreign individuals, on President Xi. Mirziyoyev said Xi has made major contributions to deepening Uzbekistan-China friendship, cementing mutual trust and enhancing bilateral cooperation, and that the people of Uzbekistan have high regard for him. President Xi is the greatest statesman and a preeminent leader in today's world, Mirziyoyev said, noting that under Xi's wise leadership and personal guidance, China has made proud achievements in economic and social development, particularly its victory of the battle against extreme poverty and completion of the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, which have won extensive respect and recognition from the international community, and China's international status and influence has been on the rise. President Xi is without doubt the core of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the core of all Chinese people, he said. Mirziyoyev expressed his conviction that under the strong leadership of President Xi, China enjoys not only a bright today, but also an even brighter tomorrow. The Uzbek president wished friendly China peace and prosperity, and the Chinese people happiness and good health. Under the personal care and guidance of President Xi, Uzbekistan-China relations have become increasingly mature and full of vitality, and have reached an unprecedented height, he said. Referring to a joint statement signed with Xi on Thursday, he said it will surely elevate the Uzbekistan-China comprehensive strategic partnership to a new height and further benefit the two countries and peoples. Mirziyoyev then conferred the Order on Xi. The audience burst into a long applause. In his remarks delivered upon receiving the Order, Xi underscored that President Mirziyoyev's awarding him the Order of Friendship speaks volumes for the great importance Uzbekistan places on China-Uzbekistan ties and the profound friendliness of the people of Uzbekistan towards the people of China. As the renowned Uzbek poet Alisher Navoi wrote, "Live in friendship with each other -- There is no better lot," Xi said that as early as over 2,000 years ago, the two great peoples of China and Uzbekistan had exchanged goods and learned from each other through the Silk Road. Thirty years ago, the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Uzbekistan started a new chapter of friendship between the two peoples, Xi said, noting that the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries has achieved leapfrog growth with fruitful outcomes in cooperation in various fields. This has boosted the development and rejuvenation of the two countries and injected positive energy into the peace and stability in Central Asia and the world, he said. Xi noted that he and President Mirziyoyev agreed to deepen the China-Uzbekistan comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era and build a China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future. China stands ready to work with Uzbekistan to usher in a new chapter of China-Uzbekistan friendship, he added. The Order of Friendship is the highest honor conferred by Uzbekistan on foreign individuals in recognition of their special contribution to growing friendly relations with Uzbekistan, resolving international and regional hotspot issues or supporting the national development of Uzbekistan. This is the first time of awarding the Order. Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi and He Lifeng, among others, attended the ceremony. MOGADISHU, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Somali government on Thursday called on al-Shabab militants to surrender to the security forces to avoid being killed and vowed to step up offensives against them. The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, that the militants who denounce extremism will be assisted to rehabilitate and rejoin members of the public. The ministry said the Somali National Army (SNA) troops will continue the offensive operations to hunt down the militants across the country with the support of local communities. The statement came hours after the SNA's elite forces Danab killed 18 al-Shabab militants during an operation conducted Wednesday night in Buq-Aqable town in central Somalia. Early this week, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called on citizens to stay away from areas controlled by the militants ahead of major offensives against the al-Qaida-allied terror group. Mohamud said the militant group will be confronted on all fronts, noting that they will be subjected to airborne attacks including raids in a bid to weaken its presence in Somalia. The extremist group still controls some parts of rural southern and central Somalia and continues to carry out high-profile attacks in Mogadishu and elsewhere. The allied forces, however, have intensified military operations into territory formerly controlled by al-Shabab after driving the insurgents out of Mogadishu in 2011. JOHANNESBURG, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The National Health Department on Thursday confirmed the detection of a new sub-variant of COVID-19 Omicron called BA.2.75 but said that the new sub-variant has not had any impact at present. Health department spokesperson Foster Mohale said that this sub-variant was first detected in July in one sample in Gauteng and since then, it was yet to be detected in other areas again. "It is of interest, and not of concern. Thus, it has not had any impact and severity as compared to the dominant sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5," Mohale said. Mohale told Xinhua that BA.4 and BA.5 continued to be the most dominant sub-variants in South Africa but they were less severe due to higher levels of immunity. The department called on the public not to panic. With South Africa having lifted all major COVID-19 lockdown restrictions as new cases continued declining, the health department, however, said the pandemic was not over. Mohale encouraged those who remained unvaccinated to get the vaccines and receive booster shots to protect themselves. More than 50 percent of the population in South Africa has been vaccinated. JUBA, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan said Wednesday that it will offer 14 new oil blocks to investors in a bid to increase production to pre-war levels of 350,000 barrels a day. Chol Deng Thon Abel, Managing Director of South Sudan's state-owned oil consortium, the Nile Petroleum Corporation Limited (Nilepet), told this to journalists in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, during the closure of the 5th annual oil and power conference. "We have 14 oil blocks that are not been taken, and we invite international companies that are here to seize the opportunity to apply for these blocks. South Sudan is actually very busy nowadays attracting international companies to come and invest in the oil industry and this conference is a very good platform to exchange ideas with international companies," Thon said. South Sudan is currently producing 175,000 barrels a day in blocks 1, 2 and 4 and blocks 3 and 7, and block 5A in Unity state. "We have a lot of countries now saying that we actually need to increase production because there is a huge need for crude because you have the sanctions on Iran, Venezuela and of recent Russia and this is where South Sudan is positioning itself to do production enhancement," Thon said. Nilepet is among 15 entities sanctioned in 2018 by the U.S. State Department on allegations of funding the conflict that broke out in December 2013. However, Thon disclosed plans by Nilepet to take over blocks 3 and 7 by 2027. He said the consortium would be operated by Nilepet, South Sudan's Ministry of Petroleum, and the South Sudan National Petroleum and Gas Commission. "The current Exploration Production Sharing Agreement, especially in blocks 3 and 7 will actually come to an end, and so we are actually approaching financial entities to step in, and also companies with new technologies which can come and help us realize the vision 2027 when Nilepet becomes an operator," Thon said. KINSHASA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed and 16 seriously burned in a fuel tanker explosion late Wednesday in the province of Kongo Central, located in the western Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Guy Bandu, the provincial governor, announced Thursday. Late Wednesday, a fuel tanker exploded in the locality of Mbuba of the province. The cause of this accident remains unknown, the governor announced on his Twitter account, adding that operations are already underway to clear the road. In October 2018, a fuel tanker exploded after a collision at the same location, killing 53 people. LUSAKA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government on Thursday refuted media reports that the country has run out of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs meant for people living with HIV. Lackson Kasonka, the Permanent Secretary in Charge of Technical Services in the Ministry of Health, said contrary to the reports, the country has enough ARV drugs with 98 percent of 1.2 million people living with HIV receiving the new, safe and easier-to-take Dolutegravir, a combination drug. He said the only drug which was in short supply was an old drug, Zidovudine, which was currently facing low global demand due to its side effects. He, however, said that the ministry, working with other stakeholders, was working on modalities to transition people living with HIV and using the old drug to better, safer and easier-to-take ARVs. "The Ministry of Health wishes to inform members of the public that there is no shortage of antiretroviral drugs in Zambia. In the quest to provide safer and more efficacious drugs, the optimization of antiretroviral therapy has since started," he said in a release. The ministry, he said, remains committed to ensuring that people living with HIV have adequate access to quality and efficacious ARV drugs for a longer and healthier life. He further said guidance has been provided to health workers to fast-track the transition from the use of the old drug to the new combination therapy. CANBERRA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Australia's trading relationship with China is very important and the economic conditions in China are strong, said Australian business leaders. Recognizing the difficulties of the global economy following the COVID-19 pandemic, Andrew Robb, former Australian federal minister for trade and investment, told Xinhua that he believed the "underlying economic conditions are strong enough" in China. "What we've heard from some experts has been encouraging, because when you look at it for the last 20 years, the growth in China has led to the growth in the world," said Robb, who had been participating in the Networking Day of the Australia China Business Council (ACBC) on Wednesday. The former minister signed the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement on behalf of the Australian government in 2015. He noted that since the free trade agreement entered into force in December that year, the trade between the two countries has grown significantly. "It's our biggest trading relationship," he said. "It really is a significant foundation on which to build economic recovery." Describing Chinese and Australian economies as "complementary," Robb was happy to see the relationship between both countries improving. "It injected some enthusiasm and optimism about the relationship. Hopefully, it will continue to improve." The ACBC Canberra Networking Day takes place from Tuesday to Thursday. Warwick Smith, chair of the Global Engagement Committee of the Business Council of Australia, said the atmosphere at the meeting was "strong and positive." Smith underscored that China and Australia have a long and deep relationship, saying that "the Chinese people and the Australian people have a deep understanding and abiding interest in each other's culture and their future." "In a period ahead when there is no pandemic and travel can commence again in both directions, we will see people-to-people links increase and improve," he added. Tim Ford, chief executive officer of Treasury Wine Estates, told Xinhua that the role of businesses was to "continue the relationships we have between Australia and China businesses and continue to nurture those notwithstanding difficulties." China is a big market for Ford's company, which began to produce the wine sourced and made in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region earlier this year. "We look forward to working with the wine industry in China," he said. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Australia. Noting that China and Australia working together will prosper for both countries, Ford said "We think it's fantastic for another 50 years to come." CANBERRA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Australia's unemployment rate has risen for the first time in 10 months as more people search for work. According to labor force data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Thursday, the official unemployment rate in August was 3.5 percent - up from 3.4 percent in July. It represents the first month-to-month increase since October 2021. ABS data showed the economy added 33,000 jobs between July and August but the increase was offset by the participation rate growing from 66.4 to 66.6 percent. In order to be counted towards the ABS's unemployment measure, a person must be actively looking for work. The participation rate in August was 0.7 percent higher than before the pandemic. There were 13.6 million Australians employed in August - including 9.5 million on a full-time basis. The monthly hours worked by Australians increased by 0.8 percent in August following a similar fall in July due to school holidays and higher coronavirus case numbers. "COVID-19 and other illness-related worker absences continued to be reflected in hours worked in August," Lauren Ford, head of labor statistics at the ABS, said in a media release. "The number of people working reduced hours due to being sick remained elevated in August, at around 760,000 people. This is around double the number we typically see at the end of winter." The underemployment rate - which measures the proportion of those with jobs who want to work more hours - fell slightly from 6 to 5.9 percent. JEJU, South Korea, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- A symposium has been held among China, South Korea and Japan on cooperation for an age-friendly society at the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity in the South Korean resort island of Jeju. The Trilateral Cooperation for Smart and Inclusive Solutions Towards Age-Friendly Society symposium was hosted Wednesday by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), a Seoul-based international body, together with World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) and UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat). In her opening remarks, TCS Secretary-General Ou Boqian pointed out the common challenge of digital divide amid the growing aged populations and rapid urbanization and digitalization in the three leading Asian economies. Underscoring that China, Japan and South Korea account for world's largest aged population, she called for an easy, equal and universal access to digital economy by aged group, so as to develop a shared community with inclusiveness and equity. WeGO Secretary-General Park Jung-Sook advocated an incorporation of empowerment for digital access, improvement of public policies and reduction of social conflicts in the smart city solutions to address the aging society issue. UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif, in her video speech, stressed cities' pivotal role in addressing socio-economic issues, adding that the adoption of people-centered smart solutions and digital technologies at local level would be critical to ensuring a strengthened participation and inclusion. With an online-offline audience of over 150 people worldwide, the symposium was the first of its kind to gather experts from China, Japan and South Korea to share the best practices of the three countries in building up age-friendly societies via smart approaches and shed light on future directions of smart urbanization with emphasis on age-inclusiveness. WELLINGTON, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Books and paintings lovers in New Zealand indulged themselves in the over 2,000 books from China and more than 200 paintings drawn by Chinese and New Zealand children at a China-theme book exhibition in New Zealand's Waipa on Thursday. As one of a series of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and New Zealand, the book exhibition, which coincides with A Better Eco-village International Youth Art Exhibition, included 217 pieces of artwork that have been collected from 40 cities in China. There are also 15 paintings from New Zealand-based artists. All the artwork has been completed by children, said organizer Jackson Rao, chair of New Zealand Culture and Arts Foundation. Dandi Wang, curator of the book exhibition and president of Prime Media New Zealand, said the exhibition included more than 2,000 English language books with themes ranging from political theory, medical information to Chinese traditional cultural practices. Dave Bromwich, former president of the New Zealand China Friendship Society, has been to China for over 50 times. He said these two exhibitions represented "a very very good insight into Chinese culture." "The wisdom of China has been expressed in the books there and you can easily trace it through from 2,000 years ago to the wisdom that has been expressed in China today." Bromwich encouraged New Zealanders to pick up one of those books and and start to understand it. "Because it's become more and more important that New Zealanders do make an effort to understand China, not from a western perspective, but from a Chinese perspective, and then we will truly have a mutual respect and mutual understanding," he added. The exhibition also included a range of children's books and a selection of poems. Xiao Yewen, acting Chinese consul-general in Auckland, noting that China is a publishing powerhouse in the world, said "China and New Zealand enjoy good momentum in literary exchanges and cooperation. Both national libraries established efficient cooperative mechanism in organizing exhibitions, digital library cooperation, ancient books protection and resource sharing." "As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, I believe there will be nothing better than a well-organized book exhibition that will further promote understanding and friendship between the Chinese people and Kiwis," Xiao said. Ye Su, minister-counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand, said he was deeply impressed by the works on display by the young talents. They used their painting brushes to describe the world in their eyes, and the vision for a more beautiful, friendly and sustainable future of the global village, said Ye. "In this particular way, they transcend the geographical and language barriers, and set up a new bridge of friendship between China and New Zealand, which make them young ambassadors of the new era," he said. Ye believed the wide variety of books at the exhibition will enable more New Zealanders to better feel, read and understand China, which will help enhance mutual understanding between the two countries. Jim Mylchreest, mayor of Waipa District Council, believed the exhibitions will serve as a culture bridge between China and New Zealand. "The 50-year celebration of our joint relationship is a milestone and something that we do need to work on together to make sure that we have got mutual understanding and with that understanding I think will grow a better relationship, and not only with China but across the world," said the mayor. Both exhibitions will run until Sept. 19. The books will be donated to local libraries and schools, and the paintings will be given to local children's hospitals and children's rehabilitation institutions. NEW DELHI, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- India's federal commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday asked the International Dairy Federation (IDF) to direct focused efforts toward finding relevant, contemporary, practical and cost-effective solutions to make small dairy farms in developing nations more productive, sustainable, eco-friendly, quality oriented and profitable. The minister made the comments while addressing the IDF World Dairy Summit 2022 (WDS 2022) held in Greater Noida on the outskirts of Indian capital New Delhi. Goyal urged the IDF to explore the possibility of stationing a small team of experts in India to carry out research at the farm level, study India's varied climatic conditions and come up with solutions that will help India align with the global standards and global emission norms. "I can assure you that India wants to be a part of the solution and not the problem," Goyal said. The minister expressed confidence that with greater international engagement and the strong initiative taken by the government, the cooperative sector and the farmers, India's share of the global dairy market will see significant growth in the years to come. Goyal reiterated that India would very much like to become a part of the global efforts to bring down the impact of farming on global emissions. The IDF WDS 2022 was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. The four-day-long summit that concluded on Thursday was a congregation of global and Indian dairy stakeholders including industry leaders, experts, farmers and policy planners. Representatives from 50 countries and regions participated in the event. ZAGREB, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- A woman and two children died Thursday morning when a train collided with a car in northern Croatia, police told reporters. The accident happened at 9:30 a.m. (0730 GMT) at an unprotected railroad crossing in the village of Bolfan. Police said the train crashed into the car, which had not stopped at the stop sign. It said the car driver, a 27-year-old woman, and two four-year-old kids were killed, while another person, unidentified, was landed in hospital with injuries. Police said there was no barrier at the level crossing. This is the second train accident in Croatia in less than a week. On Sept. 10, three people were killed and 11 were injured when a passenger train collided with a freight train in central Croatia. BRUSSELS, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission presented on Thursday a proposal for Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), a new European Union (EU) law aiming at guaranteeing cyber security in connected devices and software sold on the single market. "The Cyber Resilience Act will ensure the connected objects and software we buy comply with strong cybersecurity safeguards," Margrethe Vestager, executive vice president of the European Commission for a Europe fit for the digital age, said. "Computers, phones, household appliances, virtual assistance devices, cars, toys... each and every one of these hundreds of millions of connected products is a potential entry point for a cyberattack. And yet, today most of the hardware and software products are not subject to any cyber security obligations," European Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton explained. Based on the principle of "security by design," the new law will address three areas of action to ensure the safety of users: cyber security will become mandatory; the manufacturer will remain responsible for their product's cyber security throughout its life cycle; and consumers will be better informed about these parameters while choosing a product with digital elements. Producers will be able to self-assess 90 percent of their products. These include photo editing, word processing, smart speakers, hard drives and games. The remaining 10 percent -- critical products such as password managers, firewalls, operating systems, microcontrollers and industrial firewalls --will be assessed by a third party. The CRA will be enforced through a progressive set of measures, according to Breton. The Commission will first ask the producer to comply with the CRA, then the product will either be recalled or permanently withdrawn, and finally a fine equivalent to 2 to 5 percent of the company's global turnover will be applied. The Commission's proposal for the CRA will now be examined by the European Parliament and the Council. If adopted, EU member states and companies will have two years to transpose the regulation into national law. GUATEMALA CITY, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- At least nine people were killed and about 20 were injured early Thursday morning after a stampede at the end of a concert celebrating Guatemalan Independence Day in the western city of Quetzaltenango, the local Red Cross confirmed. According to its reports on social media, the Guatemalan Red Cross and volunteer firefighters "stabilized more than 20 injured people and nine died at the scene." The stampede occurred at one of the exits of the fairgrounds at the end of the outdoor concert, and Guatemalan authorities are investigating the causes. Sept. 15 marks the 201st anniversary of the independence from Spain of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. USA: United States: The Biden administration has seen unprecedented migration flows at the US-Mexico border, triggering a crisis that has turned into a political obligation for the Democratic president. Republicans attribute the full border chaos to Biden's determination to "undo what former President Donald Trump did." According to Reuters, which cited US and Mexican officials, Joe Biden's administration is pressuring Mexico behind its back to accept more immigrants of three specific nationalities. Additionally, the White House is attempting to remove them under the COVID-19 Health Order, also known as Title 42, for migrants entering the US from Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, according to sources. In the light of increasing numbers. Title 42, which was first used by then-President Donald Trump and allows border officials to repatriate migrants to Mexico or their home countries because of the pandemic, has been publicly pushed to be repealed by the White House. has gone. Democrats who believe "there is no public health benefit to harming asylum seekers" have backed Biden's plan to reverse the "inhumane Trump policy." Earlier this year the Biden administration was prevented from repealing the order by a federal judge in Louisiana. Despite Biden's "open borders mentality," as Republicans characterized by his tenacity to reverse every decision made by former President Donald Trump, some Biden officials are reportedly singing a different tune behind closed doors. Huh. According to a US official, they continue to use extended evictions as a deterrent to unauthorized border crossings. When US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Mexico City on September 12, he raised the issue of migrants from those three countries, but according to the report, Mexico did not make any concrete commitments. One of the cited sources referred to the effort to persuade Mexico to bear the burden as "an uphill battle". reinstatement of accountability Currently, Mexico accepts US repatriation of migrants from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador; In this fiscal year, an estimated 299,000 migrants from those countries have already been deported at the border. The number of migrants returning from Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela was far less at around 9,000. Most immigrants from these three states entering the US are allowed to stay to submit asylum claims. US border agents have already detained 1.8 million migrants at the southwest border, setting a record. About a quarter of those detained were from Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. This is a significant increase, compared to the 8% recorded in 2021. Most of them were allowed to pursue immigration matters within the United States. Citing Mexican officials, Mexico is hesitant to accept citizens of Cuba, Nicaraguan and Venezuela who have been expelled from the United States because those countries are also against receiving deportation flights from Mexico. Washington is reportedly doing everything possible to shift a significant portion of the burden of returning these arrivals, taking into account the "cold" relations it has maintained with these three countries. According to a source inside Mexico, the country has decided to increase internal migration from its northern border to its southern border rather than succumbing to pressure from the Biden team. The action is believed to be seen as a lightening of the load on the shared border. Additionally, Mexico has expressed US willingness to ease its economic sanctions against Venezuela. Sources claim that this could prevent exodus from Venezuela and make it easier for immigrants to find legal employment in the United States. According to the report, Biden officials are reportedly also considering how to transfer the burden of the migrant crisis to countries other than Mexico. According to two US officials, Panama is being considered as a potential destination for deported Venezuelans who traveled to the US via that Central American country. Neither Mexico's foreign ministry nor representatives of the government of Panama have made any public statements regarding the report. A spokesman for the White House National Security Council declined to comment on "diplomatic talks", despite saying that countries in the region "have begun to take collective responsibility for managing migration flows, including repatriation". " Biden's "open border policies" The ongoing border crisis is one of the many difficulties a democratically elected president is grappling with ahead of the November midterm elections. Several Republican lawmakers have accused Joe Biden of stifling the migrant crisis at the US-Mexico border by removing several restrictive measures imposed by the late President Donald Trump to curb illegal immigration. 'Will you be in pain only when Muslims die': BJP attacks CM Nitish Asean have to choose peace to stop the escalation of US-China tensions into war Giriraj Singh's another big statement on Begusarai firing incident North America: Today, September 15, Guatemalans commemorate their independence. A noteworthy Google Doodle has been created in honour of the Republic of Guatemala. On this day in 1821, this Central American nation proclaimed its freedom from 300 years of Spanish colonial domination. The independence of Guatemala is commemorated by festivals, concerts, parades, and public murals. Flags of Guatemala, like the one flying in the image of today, are white and blue and fly high over the entire nation. Additionally appreciated and shared among community members are traditional meals including tacos, tostados, and tamales. In Guatemala, the first signs of human occupation date back to 12,000 BC. As early as 18,000 BC, according to archaeological evidence like obsidian arrowheads discovered across the nation, there may have been a human presence. On June 3, 2020, the researchers revealed their finding of Aguada Fenix, the oldest and largest Maya site, in an article in Nature. It has impressive architecture and is made up of a raised plateau with a rectangular shape that is nearly 400 metres wide and 1,400 metres long. Spanish troops invaded the region in the sixteenth century, claiming it for New Spain (now recognised as Mexico). It turned into a New Spain administrative state at this time. The American and French Revolutions served as an inspiration for Central Americans as they fought for state sovereignty. Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala all formally proclaimed their independence from Spain on September 15, 1821. The Captaincy General of Guatemala joined the First Mexican Empire under Agustin de Iturbide after gaining independence from Spain. The day offers the ideal chance to appreciate Guatemalan culture in all its glory. The delicious regional cuisine and exquisite Mayan artwork on exhibit on Guatemala Independence Day have grown to be a top draw for tourists from other nations. Google mulls moving some production of Pixel phones to India Google records 1,37,657 user complaints in India in July Korean Govt YouTube channel hacked to stream crypto Elon Musk video Russia strikes dam near Kryvyi Rih, Hodges warns of Russian dissolution, and atrocities discovered in Kharkiv 15 September, 03:25 PM Newsletter by Romeo Kokriatski, Managing Editor, New Voice of Ukraine Thursday, September 15th, 2022 Russia strikes a dam near Kryvyi Rih, causing extensive damage. Sources in the city, which is in southeast-central Ukraine, said seven cruise missiles slammed into the east end of the dam at around 5.05 p.m., just as air raid sirens began to wail. Later reports updated the number of missiles to eight. Video of the results of the strike was soon posted on social media, showing extensive damage to a building and part of the dam structure. President Zelenskyy also visited the front lines in Izyum, and took part in a ceremony to commemorate the liberation. 80% of the liberated town of Izyum has been destroyed. The destruction in the city is appalling, said Izyum City Council head Maksym Strelnyk.Almost 80% (of the city) is destroyed, mostly the residential buildings and high-rise buildings. An examination will show whether this figure is higher. Now, on the eve of winter, we must carry out a number of measures to ensure the city is livable during the heating season. He said that at least 1,000 people in the city had been killed by the Russians. Nine EU member states have stopped accepting visa applications from Russian nationals. Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands have implemented this visa ban, following months of prompting from the Ukrainian government. Italy, Spain, France, Greece, Hungary, and Cyprus are still accepting applications for their respective national visas, although the process now takes up to two months. Retired U.S. general Ben Hodges warns the world to prepare for Russias dissolution. It is becoming increasingly clear that Ukraine is going to win this war and that the Kremlin faces a historic crisis of confidence, Hodges said. Indeed, I now believe it is a genuine possibility that (Russian dictator) Vladimir Putins exposed weaknesses are so severe that we might be witnessing the beginning of the end not only of his regime, but of the Russian Federation itself. The UN plans to renew the partial blockade lift deal, but Russian objections may scupper the initiative. The deal to unblock the shipment of grain from Ukraines ports, which were under Russian naval blockade from February to July, gave hope to millions by increasing the global food supply and pushing down surging prices. But Russian discontent with its share of benefits from the deal sanctions relief on its fertilizer exports could put the breakthrough deal at risk. Ukrainian astronomers observe bizarre, unidentified aerial phenomena over Kyiv. Astronomers from Ukraines National Science Academy have observed unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) in the skies over Kyiv. According to the article, a team of three researchers were using facilities in Kyiv and nearby Vynarivka to observe meteors when they observed the unknown objects. Ocean Plaza, one of Kyivs largest and well-known malls, may reopen after it was seized from its Russian co-owner. The Ukrainian company UDP, which owns 33% of Ocean Plaza mall in Kyiv, said it could now reopen the seized property for business, directing much of the profits to the state, UDP said in a statement on Sept. 14. Ocean Plaza has been under the management of Ukraines Agency for Investigation and Management of Assets (AIMA) since February, as the rest of the mall is owned by entities linked to Russian oligarchs. The days long-read: Evidence of shocking Russian army atrocities coming to light in liberated Kharkiv Oblast Even as Ukraine continues to secure the liberation of around 6,000 square kilometers of land in Kharkiv Oblast, evidence of numerous atrocities committed by the formerly occupying Russian Army is coming to light. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News Home Politics Nepal to decide about participation in Indian Armys Agnipath after Nov elections only File: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kathmandu, September 15 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Nepal will decide if it will join the Indian Armys Agnipath scheme after the federal and provincial elections in November. The ministrys spokesperson Sewa Lamsal at a press conference informed that a decision would not be made anytime soon. Since this is a delicate issue, Lamsal said that a decision would only be made after everyone at the national level discussed the matter. This governments term is ending soon, so the newly elected government will make a decision regarding this, she said. Agnipath scheme, under which only 25 per cent of the personnel will be retained as the permanent force after four years, has turned controversial in India also. As Nepal has been sending its citizens, popularly known as Gurkhas, to the Indian Army historically, New Delhi earlier had asked Kathmandu to decide if it wants to be a part of the scheme. In August, Nepals Foreign Affairs Minister Narayan Khadka held a meeting with the Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Shreevastav and asked him to wait until the government discussed the issue with stakeholders here. Kathmandu, September 15 Global IME Bank Limited and Global Money Express have organised an interaction programme in Seoul, South Korea, recently urging the South Korean investors and the non-resident Nepali community there to invest in Nepal. Speaking at the programme, Finance Minister Janardan Sharma said that foreign direct investment and remittances are of great importance to save the countrys economy at present when the foreign exchange reserves have decreased significantly. Foreign currency reserves have decreased in the country now. The bank and financial sector is facing liquidity problems. In this current situation, you should facilitate for the foreign investment into Nepal and help to receive remittances through formal banking system opening of accounts in Nepali banks in foreign currency, he said. Informing Global IME Bank has recently opened a branch in Korea, Chandra Prasad Dhakal, the bank chair, urged non-resident Nepalis to invest in Nepal with confidence and to open foreign currency accounts in Nepali banks. Home Lifestyle Health & fitness Period delay tablets are popular during festivals in Nepal. Are they okay for womens health? Have you ever wondered what if the lady selling puja materials is menstruating and she is the sole breadwinner of her household? While she is well aware of the practice that women on their periods are barred from touching anything for worship, does she continue her business during the period? Maybe she ignores that idea of impurity and continues working. However, there are people like Rupa Thapa who take period delay tablets to delay their periods so that there are not any obstacles while performing religious tasks. As it is Sohra Shraddha, a fortnight dedicated to deceased family members, her family has to mandatorily perform a function after a few days. Being the only daughter-in-law [of my deceased father-in-law], I have to do all the puja-related work myself. If menstruation occurs at such a time, it is not possible to do shraddha. File: Sohra Shraddha The Hindu culture in Nepal believes a menstruating woman is impure. Hence, she becomes untouchable till the fourth day of her menstruation as far as religious functions are concerned. There are many women like Thapa in Nepal who believe that one should not touch religious materials during their menstruation. And, they end up using period delay tablets. But, while they prove helpful in letting women participate in their cultural activities, many have failed to realise their long-term impact on a womans body. Stakeholders say this is a cause for concern. The popular pills Women say they are even encouraged by their family members to take period delay tablets to delay menstruation. Bimala Sapkota from Kathmandu says, My period and the time to visit the Bhimsen temple in Dolakha collided once. So according to my mothers advice, I took the medicine to delay my menstruation for a few days. The festive season is starting now. Pharmacies say this is the time when period delay tablets sell more. During festivals or family gatherings, women are forced to take care of the kitchen in Nepali society. Therefore, in addition to staying sober, they take some medicines to get rid of the pain of being impure during celebrations and postpone menstruation for some time. Photo: Pexels/ Anna Shvets Kusum Gurung of Revathiraman Polyclinic, who is in the pharmaceutical business for a long time, says, Many women come to buy this medicine with the start of Sohra Shraddha and the sales increases even more before the festivities like Dashain and Tihar. Imminent impacts Sapkota says her whole body ached and she felt weak after taking the medicine. She also got bored very often. She was not aware of such side effects. According to Dr Deepa Chudal, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, period delay tablets can cause hormonal imbalance. A womans period depends on two hormones, estrogen and progesterone. One has to take pills against these hormones to prevent menstruation. But, there is a risk of heavy bleeding during the period afterwards. Then, there are chances that menstruation cycle may be disturbed and one can get unbearable whole body ache, says Dr Chudal. Dr Chudal informs, Since menstruation is a natural process, it is better not to take medicine at all. During the time of compulsion and taking it occasionally wont harm you, but it is not advisable to take it just to delay the menstruation cycle without knowing the aftereffects. According to experts, there is a possibility of heart attack, ulcer, and problems in womens kidneys, liver and intestines if period delay tablets are consumed regularly. File Image Dr Jyoti Agarwal, an IVF specialist working at Ishan Children and Womens Hospital, says, One should take the doctors advice on how many period delay tablets to take and at what time. It is a hormonal medicine; it will not cause much harm if you understand how much you should take when you take it occasionally. Who should and should not take period delay tablets? But, this does not happen with all women. It is better for people with the blood-thickening issue, obesity, high blood pressure, and migraine to not take this medicine as much as possible, says Dr Chudal. Those who voluntarily take period delay tablets come to the doctors with complaints of menstrual disturbances. Dr Agarwal says. People who take such drugs think that they will menstruate after a certain period. But, it doesnt happen like that. Menstruation can occur only a few days after you stop consuming the medicine. One should be careful because how much you take the medicine affects menstruation. According to her, doctors generally divide women into three categories about whom to give period delay tablets and to whom not: low-risk, medium-risk, and high-risk. Photo: Pexels/ Karolina Grabowska Women with no heart disease, no history of stroke and paralysis, non-drinkers, non-smokers, and those with healthy weight are considered to be at low risk. Patients with high blood pressure and migraine come under the moderate-risk group. They are allowed to take them only after considering how many days and how much. Similarly, those patients with heart disease, patients with a history of stroke and overweight people should avoid taking the pills, says Dr Agarwal. But, if possible, it is best not to take period delay tablets in the name of festivals, she says. This story was translated from the original Nepali version and edited for clarity and length. Our business ethos is to nurture talents across boundaries and bridge the urban-rural gap. Our fundamental driver in negligible attrition is that the way we configured our workplace, our culture to attract, retain and grow people in the face of changing IT Services business product expertise in each of the verticals they operate in. This helps deliver superior business and operational process enhancements to their clients. The product upgrades for the clients are easy and seamless. Tigma also provides extensive training on newer product versions in the Data Analytics and Business Intelligence space, which is a key benefit to clients. Tigma has established a center of excellence in all the service lines, staffed by senior product specialists. The specialists provide delivery oversight and ensure the quality of services delivered to the client. The clients benefit from a low-cost operating model and access to the best global talent.Clients approach Tigma with a variety of problems, all of which draw on the technical expertise of the company. An example is the healthcare client who needed an admin module developed to not only manage users but manage their role-based security. Tigma solved this problem using TIBCOs WebFOCUS, even though the problem was outside the scope of BI. The solution was seamless to the client as no new technology stack was added. For another client in the Professional Services industry, Tigma embedded a .NET application in the BI platform with a view to make them interoperable and to bring in the features provided by the .NET application in one single see-through window.Clients also approach Tigma on their initiative to consolidate and rationalize the services of multiple vendors into a strategic few. This effort could also include the launching of new projects to niche vendors, moving work from onsite to offshore, and price negotiations. Tigma with its technical skills can help clients in making the right choices to optimize costs while driving efficiencies and effectiveness. The global delivery model perfected by Tigma also helps clients in making us the right choice.Clients also approach Tigma to takeover complex projects that are ongoing with a view to remove any roadblocks, provide technically superior solutions and implement them successfully. Tigma, having a stellar reputation for its delivery excellence, does not look at projects only with a contractual lens, but is focused on the spirit of partnership, and flexible in finding right solutions for its clients.Tigma headquartered in Texas opened offices in Chennai 12+ years ago as an offshore center. Dr. Srinivasan Vaidyanathan, PhD, a C-Suite executive and an industry veteran, is the CEO of the company and has 28 years of experience in IT Industry. The company has expanded from DWBI to managing data in its entire lifecycle with offerings in Data Science and Data Analytics and expects revenues of 100 crores by 2025. The company has 75 employees and has seen negligible attrition in the past. While establishing Chennai as a major delivery center, Tigma is looking for ways to source employees from tier3 and tier4 cities. Tigma is looking to grow in U.S. and Europe and this will be supported by a consolidated delivery center in Chennai with 500 employees. Tigma is also on the lookout for compelling competitively priced M&As with a good strategic fit. Over the years, the role of a CFO has seen a strategic shift. CFOs traditionally used to be number crunchers who worked silently behind the scenes. Today, the role has undergone a colossal paradigm change. A CFO comes with a deep understanding of all aspects of an organisation, not limited to finance or aspects such as capital allocation, business agility, and resilience, mitigating operational risks, but across a wide spectrum including supply chain management, macro trends, digital adoption, and even ESG. Given that they work in tandem with the CEO, providing critical insights and advice on the potential outcome and growth opportunities for business initiatives, CFOs are well-positioned to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of their respective industries.Within the insurance sector particularly, the role of a CFO has seen a remarkable evolution from merely heading financial operations to building and heading strategic corporate imperatives for insurance providers. In this sector as well, CFOs are actively driving decisions for business, reinsurance, enabling capital optimisation, bringing in analytical thinking, and more. This is also largely due to the digital transformation witnessed by insurers, coupled with growing regulatory demands, compliance and data-governance benchmarks, etc. Since CFOs are at the center of it all, they can stay at the forefront of leading the shift in the ecosystem, and helping insurers navigate the changing landscape.With their understanding and real-time view of the companys finances, market scenario, and regulatory climate, CFOs can act as strategic advisors, leveraging the right data and insights to tap newer opportunities that can help businesses scale. Here are a few of the redefined imperatives of CFOs in the insurance sector today:Technology, analytics, and big data have changed the landscape of insurance companies. They can achieve significant competitive advantages by driving operational agility to respond to changing customer needs. With the rapidly growing insurance market and changing customer sensibilities driving this demand, insurance providers are driven to automate their processes and bring in efficiencies to improve turnaround time and cost efficiency. The acceleration of digitalization has had an impact not only on front-office areas such as product development and customer interaction but also on finance. CFOs can lead technological transformation while keeping the companys balance sheet healthy by being imaginative, agile, and forward-thinking. This will increase efficiency and enable optimal utilization of resources.: Along with technology, integration of CSR and ESG compliances into the value chain has also become more mainstream than before. Assessing key imperatives to make the business more sustainable is a boardroom priority today. CFOs are taking the lead in devising the sustainability strategy of organizations, designing models to link ESG priorities to operations, both in India and globally.: Today, there is a need to create an intentional organizational culture that is truly interlinked with the long-term vision of the company. CFOs can leverage their financial expertise and familiarity with the companys business objectives and align these imperatives with the employer branding strategy. Building a strong employer brand is the main driver for employee acquisition, productivity, and retention. A CFO can bring these elements together, while also leveraging analytical capabilities to optimize HR metrics for human capital decisions.Economies and markets will continue to grow, and roles will continue to evolve. The importance of risk management, consumer safety, and well-being will increase. Understanding how our customers' expectations and needs are changing will help insurers develop better products and enhance customer interactions. Hence, the CFO will continue to serve as a strategic advisor particularly when it comes to handling highly turbulent markets and macroeconomic conditions, while also leading change and transformation so that the organisation can adapt for the future. Hong Kong: CE commends teachers Chief Executive John Lee paid tribute to more than 1,500 teachers for their dedication to the teaching profession at the Salute to Teachers 2022 - Teachers' Day & Commendation Certificate Presentation Ceremony today. The number of teachers commended this year was the second highest on record. Addressing the event, Mr Lee expressed gratitude to all the teachers for nurturing talent and being selflessly dedicated to their students. He said that the success of education hinges on the quality of teachers, which is the crucial cornerstone for building a rich and strong nation, contributing to national rejuvenation and creating a greater sense of fulfilment among people. The Government will help strengthen teachers' proper concepts concerning the Constitution, the Basic Law, the "one country, two systems" principle, national security and the spirit of the rule of law in a holistic manner, the Chief Executive emphasised. Moreover, a series of initiatives has been implemented to enhance teacher professionalism, with a view to cultivating a sense of national identity among students and enhancing their national pride and sense of being the masters. The measures include the requirement for newly appointed teachers in all public sector schools to pass the Basic Law Test and the formulation of guidelines on teachers' professional conduct. Mr Lee added that the Government will continue to invest in education, step up training for teachers and pool efforts of various stakeholders to meet President Xi Jinping's expectation of providing a better education for children. It will also create more development opportunities for young people to give full play to their strengths and leverage on Hong Kong's roles as an international cosmopolitan city under the principle of "one country, two systems" to serve the best interests of the country and Hong Kong. Organised by the Committee on Respect Our Teachers Campaign, the Teachers' Commendation Scheme is in its 27th year. Over 34,000 teachers have been commended so far. This story has been published on: 2022-09-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. (Adds no comment from U.S., Pelosi's office) By Josh Smith SEOUL, Sept 15 (Reuters) - China's top legislator, Li Zhanshu, is set to arrive in Seoul on Thursday and meet South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who has sought to assure Beijing that his push to deepen ties with the United States is not a threat. On Wednesday, Yoon's office said that it was seeking to arrange a meeting with Li for Friday, but that final details were being worked out. Li, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee and currently ranked No.3 in the Chinese Communist Party, is also scheduled to meet the speaker of South Korea's national assembly. Seoul is trying to manage its alliance with the United States and its relationship with China, South Korea's top trade partner, amid their intensifying rivalry. Yoon has made strengthening ties with Washington a cornerstone of efforts to deter North Korea, but has insisted that none of its steps exclude or oppose Beijing. Yoon's expected meeting with Li comes after the South Korean president was criticised, including by lawmakers in his ruling party, for not meeting U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during her trip last month that included a stop in self-ruled Taiwan to the fury of China. Pelosi met the leaders of Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Japan during her trip. Yoon, who was in Seoul but on vacation, had a phone call with her instead. His office said that the decision was made in consideration of national interests, and that there was no pressure from China, which welcomed the first high-level delegation from Yoon's administration days later. Pelosi's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The White House declined to comment and the State Department referred queries to the South Korean government. "I think the South Korean government is moving carefully to ensure that it ticks all of the appropriate protocol boxes with Li's visit, especially with China-South Korea relations at such a delicate stage," said Evans Revere, a former U.S. diplomat who has served in Seoul. Yoon is making the effort to meet Li because of strong ties with the United States, not despite them, said Zhao Tong, a security scholar with Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "The Yoon administration prioritises substantive strategic cooperation with the United States but at the same time seeks an image of maintaining a balanced relationship between Washington and Beijing," he said. (Reporting by Josh Smith; Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by Gerry Doyle and Raju Gopalakrishnan) (Updates with woman rejecting murder allegations) By Soo-hyang Choi SEOUL, Sept 15 (Reuters) - South Korean police arrested a woman on Thursday charged with murdering what is believed to be her two children whose remains were found in suitcases in New Zealand last month. The 42-year-old Korean-born New Zealand woman is suspected of fleeing to South Korea in 2018 after allegedly killing her then 7-year-old and 10-year-old children in Auckland, authorities said. The woman, who denied the murder allegations, was arrested after global police agency Interpol issued a red notice, the Korean National Police Agency said. "I did not do it," she told reporters as she was escorted from a police station in the southeastern city of Ulsan. New Zealand has to formally seek extradition of the suspect within 45 days for a South Korean court to review whether to send her back, the Ministry of Justice said. New Zealand police launched a homicide inquiry in Auckland after the remains of the children were found by a family going through the contents of a storage locker they had purchased unseen. The family who found the bodies were not connected to the deaths. (Reporting by Soo-hyang Choi and Hyun Young Yi; Editing by Michael Perry) WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) awards $2.6 million to 1,723 scholars for the 2022-2023 academic year. Grants and scholarships range from $500 to $5,000. We realize there is a student loan debt crisis in our country, said AFAS CEO, retired Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright. We remain committed to helping to ease the financial burden for so many of our military families through our education program. Without the grants and scholarships we offer Air and Space Force dependents, many would graduate with debt that could take years to repay. Grants awarded each year are based on financial need and take into consideration the familys income and the students educational costs, while merit scholarships are given only to a select group. To be considered for a merit scholarship, freshman students must first complete the General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant application. Because the scholarships are merit-based, only freshman applicants with a 4.0 GPA are invited to apply. Since launching the education program, AFAS has awarded over $186 million in General Henry H. Arnold Education Grants and $1.3 million in merit scholarships. Applications for the General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant open each year in January. To learn more about eligibility requirements or application details, visit www.afas.org. About Air Force Aid Society The Air Force Aid Society is a 4-star Charity Navigator-rated nonprofit organization. Founded in 1942, the Air Force Aid Societys mission is to help relieve financial distress of Air Force and Space Force members and their families and assist them in achieving their educational goals and improving their quality of life by providing proactive programs. In 2021 alone, the Air Force Aid Society provided over $13.5 million in assistance to more than 19,000 Airmen, Guardians, and their families, through emergency assistance, education and community programs. Headquartered in Arlington, Va., the Air Force Aid Society administers assistance through Airman and Family Readiness Centers around the world and maintains cross-servicing agreements with the Army Emergency Relief, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief, the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance and the American Red Cross to offer emergency assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. To learn more about the Air Force Aid Society, please visit www.afas.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn. Story continues # # # CONTACT: Latoya Crowe Air Force Aid Society 703-972-2643 latoya.crowe@afas-hq.org Amundi Press Release AMUNDI and CACEIS accelerate Fund Channels growth CACEIS becomes minority shareholder of the fund distribution platform London, 15 September 2022 - Today Amundi, the leading European asset manager, and CACEIS, the asset servicing banking group of Credit Agricole and Santander, announce the strengthening of their strategic agreement to accelerate the development of Fund Channel, the B-2-B fund distribution platform. CACEIS will purchase 33.33% of Fund Channels share capital while Amundi remains the majority shareholder. Fund Channel is the fourth-largest European B-2-B fund platform, highly-rated by Platforum for its quality of service1. It offers access to over 600 fund managers and connects with more than 100 distributors in Europe and Asia. CACEIS clients will benefit from the wide array of fund-distribution related services of a well-recognised leading platform. The partnership will enable Fund Channels clients to benefit from a fully-fledged execution services offering. In addition, the two partners will continue to expand their fruitful long-term cooperation in other growth areas of fund services and data. This project is part of the 2025 Strategic Ambitions Plan recently announced by Amundi to investors in June 2022 with a target of more than 600 billion of assets intermediated by year-end 2025 for Fund Channel. Fund Channel aims at capturing the major trends in the open-architecture distribution market in Europe, as distributors increasingly turn to outsourcing certain services in order to reduce costs, gain scale, and improve services for their clients. For the fifth consecutive year, fund distribution platforms have grown at a higher rate than the European fund market and now represent over 25 per cent of UCITS funds distributed2. The closing of the transaction is expected to be completed by the end of 2022, subject to prior approval of the relevant regulatory authorities. Valerie Baudson, CEO of Amundi, commented: I am convinced that this industrial and commercial partnership will create value for both companies and for distributors, which are increasingly looking for services across the entire investment and savings value chain. It will also enhance Fund Channel's position as a major player in a fast-growing market. Story continues Jean-Francois Abadie, CEO of CACEIS, added: This joint venture will significantly boost Fund Channels profile as a fund distribution platform in Europe and Asia. By joining forces with Amundi, we have created a strategic partnership which enhances the fund distribution support offering of both CACEIS and Fund Channel, while meeting the demands of our current and future clients in the most efficient way. About Amundi Amundi, the leading European asset manager, ranking among the top 10 global players3, offers its 100 million clients - retail, institutional and corporate - a complete range of savings and investment solutions in active and passive management, in traditional or real assets. With its six international investment hubs4, financial and extra-financial research capabilities and long-standing commitment to responsible investment, Amundi is a key player in the asset management landscape. Amundi clients benefit from the expertise and advice of 5,400 employees in 35 countries. A subsidiary of the Credit Agricole group and listed on the stock exchange, Amundi currently manages more than 1.9 trillion of assets5. Amundi, a trusted partner, working every day in the interest of its clients and society www.amundi.com About CACEIS CACEIS is the asset servicing banking group of Credit Agricole and Santander dedicated to asset managers, insurance companies, pension funds, banks, private equity and real estate funds, brokers and corporate clients. Through offices across Europe, North and South America, and Asia, CACEIS offers a broad range of services covering execution, clearing, forex, securities lending, custody, depositary and fund administration, fund distribution support, middle office outsourcing and issuer services. With assets under custody of 4.6 trillion and assets under administration of 2.4 trillion, CACEIS is a European leader in asset servicing and one of the major players worldwide (figures as of 31 December 2021). www.caceis.com About Fund Channel Fund Channel is a B2B fund distribution platform operating across Europe and Asia. Fund Channel is a fully-owned subsidiary of Amundi, the leading European asset manager. Since 2005, Fund Channel provides innovative services to facilitate fund distribution, strengthens transparency and improves processes for asset managers and fund distributors with the aim of enhancing their relationships with clients, partners, and regulators. Fund Channel has more than EUR 300 billion of assets under intermediation providing a one-stop-shop solution for 600 asset managers and more than 100 distributors. Fund Channel is headquartered in Luxembourg and has offices in Italy, Singapore and Switzerland. Press contacts: Amundi Nathalie Boschat CACEIS Claude Michaux Tel. +33 1 76 37 54 96 Tel. +352 47 67 27 92 nathalie.boschat@amundi.com claude.michaux@caceis.com Investor contacts: Amundi Anthony Mellor Thomas Lapeyre Tel. +33 1 76 32 17 16 Tel. +33 1 76 33 70 54 anthony.mellor@amundi.com thomas.lapeyre@amundi.com 1 Platforums 2022 report ranks Fund Channel best institutional platform in Europe (European Fund Distribution, May 2022). 2 Ibid. 3 Source: IPE Top 500 Asset Managers published in June 2022, based on assets under management as at 31/12/2021 4 Boston, Dublin, London, Milan, Paris and Tokyo 5 Amundi data including Lyxor as at 30/06/2022 Attachment Graphical Research Major cybersecurity market players in Asia Pacific region include BAE Systems, Check Point Software, Cisco, CyberArk Software, F-Secure Corporation, F5networks, FireEye, Fortinet, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, McAfee, Microsoft, Oracle, Palo Alto Networks, Proofpoint Inc. Rapid7, RSA Security, Sophos Group plc, Splunk, Symantec Corporation, and Trend Micro. Pune, India, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As per a recent industry report put forward by Graphical Research, the Asia Pacific cybersecurity market is forecast to register its name in the million-dollar fraternity down the line of seven years, by exceeding a revenue of USD 150 billion by 2026. Escalating demand to reduce the potential loss from cyberattacks across advanced and emerging economies is fostering Asia Pacific cybersecurity market revenue. Service providers are expected to focus on anticipating threats and leveraging continuity of operations. Cybersecurity solutions will be sought to protect personally identifiable information (PII), sensitive data, industry information systems and personal information, among others. Access sample pages of the report, Asia Pacific Cybersecurity Market Forecasts 2026 in detail along with the table of contents (ToC) @ https://www.graphicalresearch.com/request/1570/sample With the emergence of cloud computing, mobile technology and social media, reports on cybersecurity breaches have become prevalent in Asia Pacific countries. For instance, in July 2021, the Five Eyes countriesthe U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, New Zealandalong with NATO, expressed concerns over a series of malicious cyberattacks, such as the Microsoft Exchange Hacks and cyberattacks that shook medical research institutes and universities. Symantec, a security firm, claimed at least four infrastructure organizations in a Southeast Asian country were targeted from November 2020 through March 2021. The intrusion is believed to have targeted a defense organization; a power company; a water company; and a communications company. With the changing landscape, enterprises are expected to prioritize state-of-the-art cybersecurity solutions. According to an estimate, Asia Pacific cybersecurity market size would surpass USD 150 billion by 2026. Story continues Strong demand for advanced security services The applications of security services, including managed security services, hardware support and consulting and training will be catalysts across the region. With surging economic costs, regulatory costs and reputation costs associated with cyberattacks, there is no sign that the trend for cybersecurity services will slow. Besides, the average cost of a security breach surged to USD 2.71 million per organization across ASEAN, according to IBM Security findings. Significant uptake in the number of ransomware cases and escalating costs have fueled the demand for robust services. Security services accounted for more than 65% share of Asia Pacific cybersecurity market in 2019 and could witness a similar trend during the forecast period 2020-2026. Government agencies seek cybersecurity solutions With Asia Pacific emerging as one of the most targeted regions in terms of ransomware and other cyberattacks, government agencies have upped efforts to overcome these threats. Several APAC countries are gearing to impose data breach notification and data protection laws. In May 2021, Microsoft announced its contemplation to unite APAC governments with the cybersecurity council. They stressed the significance of governments collaborating with technology companies to bolster cyber-defense strategies. Moreover, according to the Allianz Risk Barometer 2020, India and Malaysia were among the top 5 countries witnessing cyber incidents. Government segment is forecast to contribute more than 25% share of Asia Pacific cybersecurity market by 2026. Request for customization of this report @ https://www.graphicalresearch.com/request/1570/customize-this-report The banking sector exhibits increased demand The trend for cybersecurity solutions has become more pronounced in the banking sector with the penetration of digitization. Surging connectivity has opened up entry points for cybercrimes, reinforcing the need for strong cybersecurity solutions for banks. Soaring cases of denial of service (DoS), phishing and malware have challenged banking technologies and triggered the demand to curb the prevailing threat. Asia Pacific cybersecurity market share from banking industry could grow at a healthy CAGR of over 25% up to 2026. As enterprises collate and use greater volumes of personal data, sophisticated data breaches have become rampant. Consulting and training could be effective forms of reducing the possibility of a cyber event. Also, cloud migration and skills shortages could leave organizations struggling to keep up with the speed of security developments. Prominently, cybersecurity awareness has motivated enterprises to invest in security services. Considering that cyberattacks tend to target several organizations across continents, governments and companies are likely to join hands with security solution providers. Brouse Related Report: North America Cybersecurity Market Size, By Organization (SMEs, Government, Large Enterprises), By Product Type (Identity, Authentication and Access Management (IAAM) [Access Management, Identify Access Management], Infrastructure Protection [Endpoint Protection, Email/Web Gateway, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Vulnerability Management, Cloud Security, Data Loss Prevention (DLP)], Network Security [Internet Service Provider Equipment, Virtual Private Network (VPN), Unified Threat Management (UTM), Firewall], Security Services [Implementation, Managed Security Services, Consultancy & Training, Hardware Support]), By Industry (Banking, Government, Manufacturing, Transportation, IT & Telecom, Insurance, Securities), Industry Analysis Report,, Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada), Growth Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2020 2026 https://www.graphicalresearch.com/industry-insights/1247/north-america-cybersecurity-market Europe Cybersecurity Market Size By Industry (Banking, Government, Manufacturing, Transportation, IT & Telecom, Insurance, Securities), Industry Analysis Report,, Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (Germany, UK, France, Spain, Netherlands, Norway, Italy, Ireland, Sweden), Growth Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, By Product Type (Identity, Authentication and Access Management (IAAM) [Access Management, Identify Access Management], Infrastructure Protection [Endpoint Protection, Email/Web Gateway, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Vulnerability Management, Cloud Security, Data Loss Prevention (DLP)], Network Security [Internet Service Provider Equipment, Virtual Private Network (VPN), Unified Threat Management (UTM), Firewall], Security Services [Implementation, Managed Security Services, Consultancy & Training, Hardware Support]), By Organization (SME, Government, Large Enterprises), 2019 2025 https://www.graphicalresearch.com/industry-insights/1246/europe-cybersecurity-market About Graphical Research: Graphical Research provides a large collection of market research and industry analysis reports covering healthcare, automotive, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, IT, agriculture, chemicals, and many other sectors, across diverse regions like North America, Europe, Asia Pacific , Latin America, and others. The comprehensive reports we provide are aligned with the key industry trends and insights in specific regional markets. The data we deliver helps our customers make better strategic decisions. Our goal is to offer competitive and quality customized market research reports. CONTACT: Contact Us: Parikhit B. Corporate sales, Graphical Research Phone: 1-800-986-6917 Email: sales@graphicalresearch.com Web: https://www.graphicalresearch.com Meticulous Market Research Pvt. Ltd. Biodiesel Market by Blend (B100, B20, B10, B5), Feedstock (Vegetable Oils {Rapeseed Oil, Palm Oil}, Animal Fats {Poultry, Tallow}), Application (Fuel {Automotive, Marine, Agriculture}), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2029 Redding, California, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a new market research report titled, Biodiesel Market by Blend (B100, B20, B10, B5), Feedstock (Vegetable Oils {Rapeseed Oil, Palm Oil}, Animal Fats {Poultry, Tallow}), Application (Fuel {Automotive, Marine, Agriculture}), and Geography - Forecast to 2029, the biodiesel market is projected to reach $51.47 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period 20222029. Download Free Sample Report Now @ https://www.meticulousresearch.com/download-sample-report/cp_id=5347 Biodiesel is a non-toxic, clean-burning, biodegradable fuel made from renewable resources, such as vegetable oils and animal fats. It is an oxygenated mono-alkyl ester fuel manufactured from natural, renewable sources, including new or used vegetable oils and animal fats. Moreover, it is a sulphur-free, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly alternative automotive fuel. Its use does not require any major modifications to the existing diesel engine. Some of the major advantages of biodiesel over petroleum diesel fuel include its high cetane number, higher heating value, low smoke and particulates, and low carbon monoxide & hydrocarbon emissions. According to US EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency), biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 57% to 86% and has low toxic and carcinogenic aromatic carbon content. Compared to petrodiesel, biodiesel reduced soot and smog (50% less than diesel fuel), carbon monoxide (48% less), cancer-causing agents (80% less), sulfates, components of acid rain (90100%), and GHG more than 50% compared to petrol. The rising concern regarding greenhouse gas emissions using fossil fuels is driving the growth of the biodiesel market. Consumers across the globe are more likely to opt for environment-friendly biodiesel fuel because of its ability to reduce the effect of greenhouse gas. The rising awareness about environmental issues and safety contributes to the growing popularity of renewable and clean energy sources, attributing to the growth of the global biodiesel market. Story continues Impact of COVID-19 on the Biodiesel Market The COVID-19 pandemic adversely hit many economies. Complete lockdown and quarantine to curb the spread of the virus adversely impacted many industries globally. Manufacturing facilities worldwide were shut down during the initial stages of the pandemic. The automotive industry was among the most affected industries during the pandemic. There was a fall in demand for the automotive industry. Along with logistics and freight transportation, the biodiesel market registered interruptions in the value chain, from raw materials supply to government shortages and distribution. The movement restrictions of workers during the pandemic declined the demand for biodiesel from the automotive industry, resulting in the closure of production facilities. The production and trade movements were also affected due to the repeated lockdowns. The decline in business for a few initial months in 2020, coupled with lower demand from a few major markets, put pressure on the profitability of biodiesel manufacturers and vendors. Speak to our Analysts to Understand the Impact of COVID-19 on Your Business: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/speak-to-analyst/cp_id=5347 The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on this market were felt in the Latin America region, starting in 2020. The region is one of the largest biodiesel consumers. In Argentina, Peru, and Colombia, in 2020, biodiesel consumption was low due to the reduced demand from the COVID-19 pandemic economic slowdown. In Malaysia, the pandemic affected biodiesel consumption and delayed the implementation of the B20 mandate. In Middle East Africa, the COVID-19 outbreak resulted in the declined demand for biodiesel due to a temporary ban on the production of non-essential items and limited mobility of goods and personnel. A complete halt in the transportation and logistics industry and reduced production in some countries due to lockdowns adversely affected the global biodiesel market in terms of volume sales in 2020 and 2021. However, with the ease of lockdown restrictions, there has been a sudden demand for industrialization activities, likely to boost the biodiesel market's growth Key Findings in the Global Biodiesel Market Study: The global biodiesel market is segmented by blend type (B100, B20, B10, and B5), feedstock (vegetable oils, animal fats, used cooking oil (UCO), and others), and application (fuel, power generation, and others). The study also evaluates industry competitors and analyzes the regional and country-level markets. Based on the blend, the B20 segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of this segment is mainly attributed to the increasing government initiatives to adopt B20 in the transport sector, approval for the B20 blend by the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in various engines, and the rising environmental concerns. In addition, various developing countries are adopting B20 biodiesel, one of the major factors driving the demand for B20 in the market. For instance, the Malaysia Palm Oil Board plans to adopt the B20 palm oil biofuel program nationwide by the end of 2022. Quick Buy Biodiesel Market- Global Opportunity Analysis And Industry Forecast (2022-2029), Research Report: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/Checkout/79187556 Based on feedstock, in 2022, the vegetable oils segment is expected to account for the largest share of the global biodiesel. However, the UCO segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The fast growth rate of this segment is attributed to the increasing food service industry and the growing use of cooking oil in the production process of biodiesel. Furthermore, the growing awareness about environmental welfare and sustainable energy resources and the high use of UCO in China and India are expected to boost the demand for UCO in biodiesel production. Based on application, the power generation segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The fast growth of this market is mainly attributed to the increasing use of generators to reduce poisonous carbon monoxide and particulate matter. Moreover, the increasing government attempt to adopt renewable energy sources to generate power is expected to offer significant growth opportunities for players in this market. Based on geography, in 2022, Europe is expected to account for the largest share of the biodiesel market. The large share of this regional market is attributed to the increasing government support and the growing preferences for renewable energy sources. Moreover, the growing demand for biodiesel from end-users, including automotive, power generation, marine, railway, and agriculture, is expected to boost the biodiesel market growth in Europe .However, Asia-Pacific is slated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The fast growth of this regional market is attributed to the increasing government blend mandates and environmental concerns over petroleum diesel usage. Furthermore, the growing preference for replacing fossil fuels related to higher greenhouse gas emissions is persuading demand for biodiesel in the Asia-Pacific countries. Some of the key players operating in the global biodiesel market are Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (U.S.), Ag Processing Inc (U.S.), Avril Group (France), Biodiesel Bilbao S.L. (a subsidiary of Bunge Limited) (Spain), Cargill Inc (U.S.), Emami Agrotech Ltd (part of Emami Limited), FutureFuel Chemical Company (U.S.), G-Energetic Biofuels Private Limited (India), Louis Dreyfus Company (Netherlands), Munzer Bioindustrie GmbH (Austria), Renewable Energy Group (U.S), VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG (Germany), Wilmar International Limited (Singapore), and World Energy LLC (U.S.). To gain more insights into the market with a detailed table of content and figures, click here: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/biodiesel-market-5347 Scope of the Report: Biodiesel Market, by Blend B100 B20 B10 B5 Biodiesel Market, by Feedstock Vegetable Oils Animal Fats Used Cooking Oil (UCO) Other Feedstock Biodiesel Market, by Application Fuel Power Generation Other Applications Biodiesel Market, by Geography North America U.S. Canada Europe Spain France Germany Italy U.K. Netherlands Poland Austria Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific (APAC) China India Indonesia Thailand South Korea Malaysia Rest of APAC (RoAPAC) Latin America Brazil Mexico Argentina Colombia Rest of Latin America (RoLATAM) Middle East & Africa Download Free Sample Report Now @ https://www.meticulousresearch.com/download-sample-report/cp_id=5347 Related Reports Green Chemicals Market by Type (Bio-alcohols, Bio-polymers, Bio-organic acids, Bio-ketones, Others), Application (Industrial & Chemical, Food & Beverages, Pharmaceuticals, Packaging, Construction, Automotive, Other Industries) - Global Forecasts to 2029 https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/green-chemicals-market-5008 About Meticulous Research Meticulous Research was founded in 2010 and incorporated as Meticulous Market Research Pvt. Ltd. in 2013 as a private limited company under the Companies Act, 1956. Since its incorporation, the company has become the leading provider of premium market intelligence in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. The name of our company defines our services, strengths, and values. Since the inception, we have only thrived to research, analyze, and present the critical market data with great attention to details. With the meticulous primary and secondary research techniques, we have built strong capabilities in data collection, interpretation, and analysis of data including qualitative and quantitative research with the finest team of analysts. We design our meticulously analyzed intelligent and value-driven syndicate market research reports, custom studies, quick turnaround research, and consulting solutions to address business challenges of sustainable growth. Contact: Mr. Khushal Bombe Meticulous Market Research Inc. 1267 Willis St, Ste 200 Redding, California, 96001, U.S. USA: +1-646-781-8004 Europe : +44-203-868-8738 APAC: +91 744-7780008 Email- sales@meticulousresearch.com Visit Our Website: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/ Connect with us on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/meticulous-research Content Source: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/pressrelease/573/biodiesel-market-2029 CONTACT: Mr. Khushal Bombe Meticulous Market Research Inc. Direct Lines: +1-646-781-8004 (North America) +44-203-868-8738 (Europe) +91 744-7780008 (Asia-Pacific) Email- sales@meticulousresearch.com Visit Our Website: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/ Meticulous Research Blog: https://meticulousblog.org/ Connect with us on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/meticulous-research WASHINGTON, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Brazil airline GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA will pay more than $41 million to resolve parallel bribery investigations by criminal and civil authorities in the United States and Brazil, the U.S. Justice Department said on Thursday. GOL entered into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement with the Justice Department in connection with a criminal information filed in Maryland charging the company with conspiracy to violate anti-bribery legislation, the department said in a statement. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler) California's attorney general, Rob Bonta, has filed a lawsuit against Amazon for allegedly anti-competitive pricing in violation of the California Unfair Competition Law and the Cartwright Act, California's primary antitrust law. The complaint, filed in San Francisco Superior Court, accuses the company of contractually prohibiting third-party sellers from offering lower prices on platforms other than Amazon, forcing customers to pay artificially inflated prices online. According to the lawsuit, which cites interviews with sellers, competitors and industry consultants conducted over several years, Amazon often removes buttons like "Buy Now" and "Add to Cart" from product listings if it spots the products listed cheaper at a competitor site, like Walmart or Target. Because those buttons are a top driver of sales, third-party merchants are incentivized to raise prices at other marketplaces rather than risk losing their sales on Amazon, the lawsuit says. The attorney general is seeking a court order blocking Amazon from continuing the alleged practice as well as fines. California represents a relatively small portion of Amazon's 76.6-million-strong customer base; an estimated 25 million customers live in the state. But as The New York Times notes, it could have a broad impact across the country if it succeeds. Amazon controls roughly 38% of online sales in the U.S., -- more than that of eBay, Walmart, Best Buy, Apple and Target combined, according to the research firm Insider Intelligence. Other legal efforts against Amazon's contractual terms haven't moved the needle too much. A lawsuit similar to California's brought by Karl Racine, the attorney general for the District of Columbia, was thrown out this spring after a judge found it lacked sufficient evidence Amazon's policies were anticompetitive. (Racine intends to appeal.) Similar to the D.C. attorney general -- whose complaint was dismissed by the courts -- the California attorney general has it exactly backward," Alex Haurek, an Amazon spokesman, told The New York Times in a statement, responding to the allegations. "Sellers set their own prices for the products they offer in our store." Other investigations are in the works, however, including one spearheaded by Federal Trade Commission chairwoman Lina Khan that seeks to uncover instances of antitrust violations by Amazon and whether the company's Amazon Prime membership cancellation process is deliberately confusing. Overseas, Amazon has long been the subject of antitrust scrutiny from the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, which has said that the company boxes out competitors, develops first-party products using proprietary third-party seller data and pressures merchants to use its logistics services. Aeson implants expected to resume in October 2022 Strong demand from hospitals Cash position of 47 million, providing cash runway until March 2023 PARIS, September 15, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: CARMAT (FR0010907956, ALCAR) (Paris:ALCAR), the designer and developer of the worlds most advanced total artificial heart, aiming to provide a therapeutic alternative for people suffering from end-stage biventricular heart failure, today reports its results for the first half of the year to June 30, 20221 and issues an update on its latest progress and main strategic objectives. Stephane Piat, Chief Executive Officer of CARMAT, commented: "In the first half of 2022, we focused our efforts on our primary goal of resuming implants of Aeson hearts in October. Thanks to the work undertaken by our teams and our suppliers, who I would like to thank, we were able to restart production at the end of March following the implementation of the necessary changes in our supply chain. At the same time, we have made good progress in our discussions with the various regulatory stakeholders in Europe (DEKRA), France (ANSM) and the United States (FDA), whose approvals are required for us to resume implants commercially and as part of clinical trials. In order to meet the strong demand from physicians and prepare for the resumption in implants, our teams have also intensified the training provided to European medical centers, taking the number of hospitals ready to perform Aeson implants in Germany, France and Italy to 17. Finally, I would like to thank our longstanding and new shareholders for their vital support as we raised 40.5 million back in April. Given our progress, we are in a good position to resume Aeson implants during the final quarter of this year, as planned, and are more confident than ever in our ability to make Aeson a benchmark treatment in end-stage heart failure over the coming years". 2022 half-year results Story continues Simplified income statement ( millions) 30/06/2022 (6 months) 30/06/2021 (6 months) Sales 0.0 0.0 Net operating income (expense) -25.1 -25.5 Net financial income (expense) -1.9 -1.5 Net non-recurring income (expense) 0.0 0.0 Research and innovation tax credit +0.9 +0.7 Net profit (loss) -26.0 -26.4 CARMAT did not record any sales during the first half of 2022, as a result of its decision to suspend implants voluntarily and temporarily on December 2, 2021. The Company is building up inventories of implantable prostheses with the objective to resume implants in October 2022, provided that regulatory approvals are granted by relevant authorities. During the first half of this year, CARMATs efforts and resources were predominantly focused on: - defining and implementing preventive and corrective actions to address quality issues that occurred in late 2021; - resuming production following the implementation of these actions both at its Bois-dArcy plant and with its suppliers; - working with regulatory bodies and preparing the regulatory filings necessary to resume implants; - working with suppliers to increase production volumes; - and supporting hospitals and physicians with training, education and reimbursement support so they are ready to resume implants. The Company kept operating expenses under control even as extensive resources were deployed to make the prosthesis more reliable and secure the supply chain, leading to an operating loss of 25.1 million for the first half of 2022 (compared to a loss of 25.5 million for the first half of 2021). Taking into account the net financial loss (-1.9 million) and the Tax Credit (+0.9 million), the net loss amounted to 26.0 million in the first half of 2022 (compared to a loss of 26.4 million for the first half of 2021). Cash position and financial structure The Company had a cash position of 47.4 million as of June 30, 2022, compared to 39.2 million as of December 31, 2021. The 8.2 million increase in cash in the first half of 2022 was a result of the following cash flows: ( millions) 30/06/2022 (6 months) 30/06/2021 (6 months) Cash flow from operating activities -30.5 -29.4 Cash flow from investment activities -1.1 -1.0 Cash flow from financing activities +39.8 +52.3 Change in cash position +8.2 +21.9 In terms of financing, in the first half of 2022 the Company: - raised 40.5 million, of which 36.5 million via a private placement for strategic and specialized investors and 4.1 million from individuals via the PrimaryBid platform; - obtained 0.7 million by drawing on the equity financing line put in place with Kepler-Cheuvreux, which expired on March 27, 2022. CARMATs financial resources2 should allow the Company to finance its operations, according to its current business plan, until March 2023. The Company is confident that it is well positioned to raise additional funding needed for future development and commercialization. H1 2022 highlights and recent events Preparations for the resumption of Aeson implants planned in October 2022 On December 2, 2021, following the occurrence of quality issues affecting certain components of its prosthesis, CARMAT decided to voluntarily and temporarily suspend all implants of its Aeson artificial heart, both commercially and in clinical trials. Based on ongoing interactions with regulatory bodies, the Company expects to resume implants in October 2022 following approvals by regulators. The Company is actively manufacturing new prostheses that incorporate improvements to avoid past quality issues from recurring. Implementation of corrective and preventive actions and resumption in production From December 2021, the Company focused on characterizing identified quality issues. Corrective and preventive actions were defined and implemented at Bois-dArcy plant and by relevant suppliers and subcontractors with oversight from CARMAT. Production with implementation of all corrective and preventive actions resumed by the end of the first quarter of 2022. Each of these actions is the subject of an assessment that is continuing. Progress with regard to regulatory processes CARMAT submitted in early August 2022 a notification of change to its notified body (DEKRA). Based on usual review timeframes and current interactions, the Company is reasonably confident that regulatory approval will enable the Company to resume commercial implants of Aeson in October in the European Union and countries that recognize CE marking. Regarding the EFICAS clinical study in France, CARMAT submitted in early September 2022 a request to the ANSM (French National Agency for Medicine and Health Product Safety) to resume this clinical trial. Given usual review timeframes, the Company expects to receive the ANSMs approval by October, which would pave the way for the first Aeson implants in this study of 52 patients, the aim of which is to collect medico-economic data to support Aesons value proposition and reimbursement in France. Lastly, CARMAT is working with the FDA to resume implants in the US Early Feasibility Study. CARMAT submitted two regulatory submissions to the FDA in July 2022, and plans to submit the last one in September. After their review, the Company expects to file an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) Supplement request to the FDA, that would enable enrollment of the second cohort (7 patients) of this study involving 10 patients. Training, education and reimbursement support for hospitals In response to the substantial hospital interest in Aeson, and in order to allow for strong momentum in implants in the months following their resumption, the Company has continued and accelerated training provided to medical centers since the beginning of the year, in particular in Germany, Italy and France. At the end of June 2022, 17 centers had been trained (10 in Germany, 1 in Italy and 6 in France in preparation for the EFICAS study), and more will be trained during the second half of this year. At the same time, CARMAT also continued to support the various medical centers in their attempts to secure reimbursement for therapy from the various paying agents. Changes in governance Board of Directors & management The Annual General Meeting of May 11, 2022 approved the reduction of the term of office of the Companys directors from 6 to 3 years. The Board of Directors chaired by Jean-Pierre Garnier currently has 11 members, including 7 independents directors. Their terms of office will expire in 2025 at the end of the Annual General Meeting called to approve the Companys accounts for the year ending December 31, 2024. On July 1, 2022, Mr. Francesco Arecchi, previously Director of Global Market Development, expanded his responsibilities to include all of the Companys marketing, sales and training activities. This development follows the scheduled departure of Eric Richez, Sales Director, at the end of the first half of this year. Severance payments and non-competition commitment During its session of September 13, 2022, the Board of Directors, on the recommendation of the Appointments and Compensation Committee, decided that Mr. Stephane Piat, Board member and Chief Executive Officer of CARMAT, would benefit from a severance payment representing up to 18 months of pay (fixed and variable)3 should he be forced to stand down from his duties4. An agreement has been signed to this effect by the Company and Mr. Stephane Piat. This contract also imposes various exclusivity, non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality, and intellectual property commitments on Mr. Piat. Mr Piat could be paid a monthly compensation representing 40% of his fixed monthly remuneration with respect to the non-competition commitment for a period of 12 months following his departure from the Company5. The Company believes that the amount and terms of these payments are appropriate given the highly sensitive and risky nature of its activities. Strategy and outlook The Companys primary objective for the second half of 2022 is the effective resumption in implants from October 2022, in line with its action plan that aims to: - ramp up production following the resumption process initiated in the first half of 2022; - obtain the regulatory approvals required to resume implants; - train hospitals and support them to seek reimbursement, which will generate demand and allow strong momentum in implants once resumed. Given the improvement in the COVID-19 situation, CARMAT is not anticipating any major adverse impact in the second half of 2022, but it is closely monitoring the situation both in France and in other countries where the Company, its suppliers and customers operate. CARMAT could have to adjust its outlook should the situation deteriorate. About CARMAT CARMAT is a French MedTech that designs, manufactures and markets the Aeson artificial heart. The Companys ambition is to make Aeson the first alternative to a heart transplant, and thus provide a therapeutic solution to people suffering from end-stage biventricular heart failure, who are facing a well-known shortfall in available human grafts. The worlds first physiological artificial heart that is highly hemocompatible, pulsatile and self-regulated, Aeson could save, every year, the lives of thousands of patients waiting for a heart transplant. The device offers patients quality of life and mobility thanks to its ergonomic and portable external power supply system that is continuously connected to the implanted prosthesis. Aeson is commercially available as a bridge to transplant in the European Union and other countries that recognize CE marking. Aeson is also currently being assessed within the framework of an Early Feasibility Study (EFS) in the United States. Founded in 2008, CARMAT is based in the Paris region, with its head offices located in Velizy-Villacoublay and its production site in Bois-dArcy. The Company can rely on the talent and expertise of a multidisciplinary team of more than 200 highly specialized people. CARMAT is listed on the Euronext Growth market in Paris (Ticker: ALCAR / ISIN code: FR0010907956). For more information, please go to www.carmatsa.com and follow us on LinkedIn. Name: CARMAT ISIN code: FR0010907956 Ticker: ALCAR Disclaimer This press release and the information contained herein do not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe to, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe to, shares in CARMAT (the "Company") in any country. This press release may contain forwardlooking statements that relate to the Companys objectives and prospects. Such forwardlooking statements are based solely on the current expectations and assumptions of the Companys management and involve risk and uncertainties including, without limitation, the Companys ability to successfully implement its strategy, the rate of development of CARMATs production and sales, the pace and results of ongoing and future clinical trials, new products or technological developments introduced by competitors, changes in regulations and risks associated with growth management. The Companys objectives as mentioned in this press release may not be achieved for any of these reasons or due to other risks and uncertainties. The significant and specific risks pertaining to the Company are those described in the Universal Registration Document ("Document dEnregistrement Universel") filed with the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF, the French stock market authorities) under number D.22-0332. Readers and investors attention is, however, drawn to the fact that other risks, unknown or not deemed to be significant or specific, may or could exist. Aeson is an active implantable medical device commercially available in the European Union and other countries that recognize CE marking. The Aeson total artificial heart is intended to replace the ventricles of the native heart and is indicated as a bridge to transplant in patients suffering from end-stage biventricular heart failure (INTERMACS classes 1-4) who are not amenable to maximal medical therapy or a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and are likely to undergo a heart transplant within 180 days of the device being implanted. The decision to implant and the surgical procedure must be carried out by healthcare professionals trained by the manufacturer. The documentation (clinician manual, patient manual and alarm booklet) should be read carefully to understand the characteristics of Aeson and information necessary for patient selection and the proper use of Aeson (contraindications, precautions, side effects). In the United States, Aeson is currently exclusively available within the framework of an Early Feasibility Study authorized by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). 1 First-half results were approved by the Board on September 13, 2022 and have been the subject of a limited review by the statutory auditor. The 2022 half-year report was published today and is available on the Companys website. 2 Primarily including the cash position at June 30, 2022 (47.4 million), the Research Tax Credit relative to 2021 that will be received by the end of 2022 (1.9 million) and the 13 million in financing obtained from the French State to partially fund the EFICAS study (this sum will be gradually received as patients are enrolled in this trial, which is due to begin in the final quarter of 2022). 3 The maximum compensation that could be paid corresponds to 75% of the remuneration (fixed and variable) due to or received by Mr. Stephane Piat for the two financial years preceding the termination of his duties. Of this maximum amount, two thirds are unconditional. The remaining third could be fully or partly paid to Mr. Stephane Piat, at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, on the basis of its appraisal of the Companys performance over the previous two years, as well as of Mr. Piats personal contribution to this performance. It is specified that the maximum termination compensation includes any legal and statutory allowances that may be due, and the amount of this severance pay plus any non-competition compensation due with respect to Mr. Stephane Piats non-competition commitment, will be capped at two years of remuneration (fixed and variable). 4 Except if Mr. Stephane Piat is dismissed as a result of serious misconduct or gross negligence. 5 The Board of Directors could, when the time comes, decide to waive this non-competition commitment, in which case no non-competition compensation would be due. No compensation will be due if Mr. Stephane Piat retires, nor once he reaches 65. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220914005648/en/ Contacts CARMAT Stephane Piat Chief Executive Officer Pascale dArbonneau Chief Financial Officer Tel.: +33 1 39 45 64 50 contact@carmatsas.com Alize RP Press Relations Caroline Carmagnol Tel.: +33 6 64 18 99 59 carmat@alizerp.com NewCap Financial Communication & Investor Relations Dusan Oresansky Quentin Masse Tel.: +33 1 44 71 94 92 carmat@newcap.eu ReportLinker Major players in the chronic disease management market are Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc, ScienceSoft USA Corporation, Siemens Healthcare Private Limited, Infosys Limited, MINES & Associates Inc, TriZetto Corporation, Cognizant, IBM Corporation, Harmony Information Systems Inc, EXL Healthcare, Altruista Health, HealthSmart Holdings Inc, Health Catalyst, Epic Systems Corporation, and Casenet LLC. New York, Sept. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Chronic Disease Management Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06319487/?utm_source=GNW The global chronic disease management market is expected to grow from $5.87 billion in 2021 to $6.95 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.45%. The market is expected to reach $15.38 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 21.97%. The chronic disease management market consists of the sales of chronic disease management solutions and services by entities (organizations, partnerships, and sole proprietors) that refer to software and tools used to manage the symptoms of long-term conditions and delay the advancement of chronic conditions to ensure the safety of life. An integrated care strategy for illness management includes screenings, check-ups, treatment monitoring and coordination, and patient education. The chronic disease management solutions are deployed through on-premise, cloud-based or web-based platforms.The on-premises deployment of chronic disease management solutions and services refers to software solutions and tools that are implemented in-house and as part of an organizations IT infrastructure where the solution, as well as any connected procedures, are the responsibility of the enterprise. They are used for the management of different diseases which includes cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders.The services in chronic disease management include consulting services, implementation services, and educational services. Chronic disease management services are utilized by both providers and payers. North America was the largest region in the chronic disease management market in 2021.Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the chronic disease management market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The chronic disease management market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides chronic disease management market statistics, including Chronic disease management industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a chronic disease management market share, detailed chronic disease management market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the chronic disease management industry. This chronic disease management market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry. The rise in the geriatric population is significantly driving the growth of the chronic disease management market.The geriatric population refers to people above the age of 65 years. Geriatric people have the highest chance of suffering from chronic diseases.Chronic illness often results in an increased need for medical care and supportive long-term care services, increasing the need for the chronic disease management solutions. According to report published in October 2021 by WHO, the proportion of the worlds population over 60 years old would nearly double from 12% to 22% between 2015 and 2050. Thus, an increase in the geriatric population will propel the chronic disease management market. Technological advancement is a key trend gaining popularity in the chronic disease management market.Advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) is being adopted to treat chronic diseases. By utilizing AI, medical personnel can witness advances in early intervention and patient outcomes for patients suffering from heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.For instance, in February 2022, Biofourmis, a Boston-based startup specializing in artificial intelligence-driven virtual care and digital pharmaceuticals, has developed Bioformis Care, a service that provides high-quality remote care to patients suffering from chronic diseases. Biofourmis Care will concentrate on increasing provider adherence to care recommendations and spotting patterns of clinical deterioration to allow for early treatments. In March 2022, Phablecare, an India-based chronic disease management company, acquired Fused Training for an undisclosed amount.Through this acquisition, Phablecare will expand and strengthen its Type1 diabetes verticle. Fused Training is an India-based diabetes management company that provides support to people living with diabetes. The countries covered in the chronic disease management market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, and USA. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06319487/?utm_source=GNW About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Story continues CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 FORT BRAGG, Calif., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Long-time North Coast Brewing Company Co-brewmaster Chuck Martins has been named Brewmaster! Martins has been instrumental in helping the company win numerous awards for their delicious craft beer since 1992. NCBC Brew Team In August of this year, Co-brewmaster Pat Broderick retired to pursue his lifelong dream of owning and operating his own taproom in Fort Bragg. North Coast Brewing Co. (NCBC) is thrilled for Broderick and wishes him much success in his new endeavor. For the past thirty years Martins has worked closely with one of the craft industry's most respected brewers, NCBC Founder Mark Ruedrich. As leaders in the craft beer industry, Ruedrich and Martins have created exceptional beers that stand the test of time, and the tradition continues. "We have been brewing exceptional beers from day one with Red Seal Ale," says Martins. "As we move forward, we are excited to welcome Obed Salazar as the company's new Assistant Brewmaster. Obed comes to us from Anheuser Busch in Los Angeles, and before that Golden Road Brewing, so he has a wealth of experience in the industry." After growing up in Fort Bragg, California, Salazar earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry with (high) honors from Cal State University, Los Angeles in 2013. He also worked for NCBC from 2013-2015, which makes his return feel like a homecoming. "The opportunity to return to my coastal hometown with my wife and two-year-old son, while brewing world-class award-winning beers for North Coast Brewing truly is a dream come true. I look forward to developing new and exciting beers alongside Chuck Martins and Samuel Blanco, while upholding the brewing practices that have made North Coast Brewing a true leader in the industry." Martins has also promoted Samuel Blanco to the role of Head Brewer. This new team is focused on continuing the craft of making delicious beer for a thirsty world. CEO/CFO Jennifer Owen stated, "It is a new day at North Coast, and we are all extremely excited about the changes and new possibilities that are before us. Chuck, Obed, and Samuel are infusing new energy into the whole brewing team at North Coast. These are exciting times for our company and craft beer lovers!" Story continues CONTACT: Debra De Graw, Director of Marketing North Coast Brewing Company P: 707.964.2739 E: Debra@northcoastbrewing.com NC- Brewing Logo (PRNewsfoto/North Coast Brewing Company) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chuck-martins-named-brewmaster-at-north-coast-brewing-co-301625871.html SOURCE North Coast Brewing Company By Valerie Volcovici WASHINGTON, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Formosa Plastics Group still intends to build and operate a massive plastic and petrochemical plant proposed for Louisiana, the company said on Thursday, despite a judge's decision to revoke its state air permits. FG LA, a unit of Formosa, said in a statement that it "intends to explore all legal options" and continue to pursue permitting of its proposed "Sunshine Project," a $9.4 billion industrial complex in Louisiana's St. James Parish, where local Black residents have waged a years' long battle to block construction on what they consider sacred land. Baton Rouge District Judge Trudy White on Wednesday canceled Formosa's permit, ruling in favor of environmental and local community groups, who appealed the decision by Louisiana's Department of Environmental Quality to issue air permits to Formosa Plastics (1301.TW) because the company failed to demonstrate that its emissions would not "cause or contribute to" violations of the federal air standards. FG spokesperson Janile Parks said it disagrees with the opinion. "We believe the permits issued to FG by LDEQ are sound and the agency properly performed its duty to protect the environment in the issuance of those air permits," she said in a statement, adding that it intends to "construct and operate it to meet all state and federal standards." Local campaigners like Sharon Lavigne, founder and president of RISE St. James, an organization that has fought the plant for years, said the decision shows that local communities - often comprised of marginalized minorities - cannot be ignored in decisions to build major industrial projects. The judges decision sends a message to polluters like Formosa that communities of color have a right to clean air, and we must not be sacrifice zones, she said. (Reporting by Valerie Volcovici; Editing by Aurora Ellis) SINGAPORE, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- International digital asset-management platform brixie is aiming to raise $3 million to $5 million in its upcoming seed fundraising round after successfully raising $500,000 in pre-seed capital earlier this year. The seed funding will assist the Singapore-registered company to increase its speed to market and launch its game-changing solution to the wider market within the first half of 2023. The company is founded by three well-known executives and investors in Cambodia's rapidly developing Fintech sector: Chairman and Group CEO Tomas Pokorny, Vice-Chairman Pablo F. Alonso Caprile, and Chris Wray. Several leading Fintech players from around the world invested in the pre-seed funding. The group stated they have the ambition to become the world's first and largest fully tokenized real-estate investment vehicle. To read more about the pre-seed investors in brixie, click here. Strong potential for investors that purchase an equity stake brixie is looking for global investors that share its vision to democratize real-estate investments and build a game-changing platform. Chairman and Group CEO Mr. Tomas Pokorny explained there is very strong potential for investors in the venture as the company has been launched by experienced, repeat entrepreneurs with multiple exits, and supported by a world-class Advisory Board and global Investors. "The structure of the company has been placed in reliable and reputable jurisdictions and the value of the investment made is both scalable and future-proof with growing technological value, with which we expect to challenge the status quo of real assets tokenization as we know it," Pokorny said. "While from a user's perspective, brixie's users are investing via a proof-of-stake Near chain based blockchain platform with decentralized finance principles, allowing them to make decisions in a democratized, transparent, and fully secure way," he added. Story continues Allows users to tokenize real estate assets from countries worldwide brixie aims to provide an easy-to-use and highly secure platform that allows its users to tokenize real-estate assets from countries worldwide with its first assets under management to be located in Cambodia, South Africa, Nigeria, Malaysia, Indonesia, UK, Czech Republic, Colombia, Brazil, Australia, and Spain. Users will then be able to trade these tokens from within the platform or crowdsource funds to acquire them. As a whole, brixie's aim is to allow its users to access global investment opportunities, invest in non-speculative digital assets and manage their funds easily. Looking to the future, brixie's team will focus on its soft-launch initiatives which include an addition of a Climate Change Fight Fund Initiative, to tokenize and protect large swathes of forested land. The initiative, among other company's efforts, is aimed at lowering barriers of entry of both B2B and B2C users into the brixie platform, monetizing climate change projects and removing liquidity challenges. According to the group, this diversity of asset class portfolio as well as a truly international focus, backed by a unique approach to licensing and assets holding, is brixie's key recipe for scale. Contact: email: info@brixiegroup.com Telegram: @hellobrixie SOURCE Brixie Group European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX: ERE.UN, ERES) is pleased to announce that the trustees of ERES have declared the September 2022 monthly cash distribution of 0.01 per Unit and Class B LP Unit (the September Distribution), being equivalent to 0.12 per Unit annualized. The distribution will be payable to holders of the Units and Class B LP Units (the Unitholders) of record on September 30, 2022, with payment on October 17, 2022. The Euro-denominated distribution will be paid in Canadian dollars based on the exchange rate on the date of payment (estimated C$0.01308 per Unit and Class B LP Unit). Registered Unitholders will be provided with an option to elect to receive such distribution in Euros rather than Canadian dollars. If no such election is made, registered Unitholders will be paid the distribution in Canadian dollars based on the above exchange rate mechanism. Beneficial Unitholders will not have an option to elect to receive the distribution in Euros. The final cash distribution in respect of August 2022 was C$0.01308 per Unit and Class B LP Unit. To encourage participation and reward our loyal Unitholders, investors registered in our Distribution Reinvestment Plan will continue to receive an additional amount equal to 5% of their distributions paid in the form of additional Units. ERES intends to continue to make regular monthly distributions, subject to the discretion of the ERES Board of Trustees. ERES continues to target an AFFO payout ratio in the range of 80% to 90%. ERES Limited Partnership will make corresponding cash distributions to holders of Class B LP Units. About ERES ERES is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust. ERESs Units are listed on the TSX under the symbol ERE.UN. ERES is Canadas only European-focused, multi-residential REIT, with a current initial focus on investing in high-quality, multi-residential real estate properties in the Netherlands. ERES owns a portfolio of 158 multi-residential properties, comprised of 6,900 suites and ancillary retail space located in the Netherlands, and owns one office property in Germany and one office property in Belgium. Story continues ERESs registered and principal business office is located at 11 Church Street, Suite 401, Toronto, Ontario M5E 1W1. For more information, please visit our website at www.eresreit.com. For further information ERES ERES Mr. Phillip Burns Ms. Jenny Chou Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer 416.354.0167 416.354.0188 p.burns@eresreit.com j.chou@eresreit.com A general view shows the Tesla logo on the Gigafactory in Gruenheide BERLIN (Reuters) -German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Thursday he had no information on any changes to Tesla's plans in Germany after a Wall Street Journal report that the electric carmaker was suspending plans to produce battery cells in the country. The WSJ report on Wednesday said this was because Tesla was looking to qualify for electric vehicle and battery manufacturing tax breaks in the United States. The U.S. e-car maker's plans to expand its factory outside Berlin have been shelved for the time being, local German radio broadcaster rbb reported. Asked whether he had any indication that Tesla was suspending investments in Germany or more broadly any plans in Germany, Habeck replied: "No, I don't have." He said he had been focused on the Ukraine issue, adding of Tesla: "So I haven't really looked into that. But as you know and maybe remember, Tesla said they didn't want to have state aid, so in a way this is private business." "I have no deeper information right now," he added. Tesla did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on Wednesday. (Writing by Rachel More and Christian Kraemer; Editing by Paul Carrel and Alexnder Smith) Company Logo Global Market for CBRN Defense Global Market for CBRN Defense Dublin, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "CBRN Defense - Global Market Trajectory & Analytics" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. With Market Size Valued at $20.8 Billion by 2026, it`s a Healthy Outlook for the Global CBRN Defense Market Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for CBRN Defense estimated at US$16.7 Billion in the year 2022, is projected to reach a revised size of US$20.8 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% over the analysis period. Chemical, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 6.7% CAGR, while growth in the Radiological segment is readjusted to a revised 6.1% CAGR. Biological warfare is real and a perplexing threat for the world as various countries, including the US, Russia and China, have been perceived to be silently working on biological weapons and even maintaining an inventory. Depending on the causative pathogen, route of inoculation, size and immune system of affected person, these microorganisms hold an incubation period of few days to few weeks. Biological weapons can result in catastrophic, large-scale epidemics and serious medical complications or deaths. Biological warfare holds serious concerns as the technology linked with production of these weapons is comparatively affordable and is easy to access. In addition, microorganisms required for development of majority of biological warfare means are easily available. The acquisition along with dissemination of some of the restricted organisms such as Variola major is possible. It is extremely challenging to keep a tab on development of biological weapons across countries as production units associated with the approach require little space as well as are difficult to identify. Biological weapons have attracted various countries, entities, groups and individuals over the last several decades. Various countries have reported a number of acts associated with biological terrorism over the past decades, including a sarin nerve gas attack in Japan in 1995 along with failed attempts intended to kill thousands of people. Story continues Countries like the US and Russia are expected to hold frozen stocks of highly contagious biological warfare agents known to cause incurable diseases, such as anthrax. An intentional or accidental access to these biological weapons by terrorists or rogue politicians can result in disastrous consequences. There are serious concerns pertaining to specific inventories of traditional biological agents such as Ebola, anthrax and typhus. On the other hand, various countries have dedicated research and other resources towards development of genetically-engineered organisms. While several countries like Iraq are perceived to possess bioweapons, there is a serious threat from terrorist organizations that can misuse these weapons for unleashing an uncontrollable epidemic. Anthrax remains the most popular choice for majority of programs targeting biological warfare as the bacteria is capable of generating lethal spores. Inhalation of these spores in specific quantities can result in a medical condition that is fatal in nature and requires urgent treatment with significant doses of a certain penicillin-type antibiotic. While traditional biological agents such as smallpox and anthrax hold serious threats, various countries are looking beyond these options and exploiting black biology. The concept of black biology revolves around development of genetically-engineered microorganisms that can be used as biological weapons. The technology focuses on inserting specific genes into the DNA for good or malicious purposes. The concept holds serious implications as genetic maps of various deadly microorganisms like bacteria and viruses are available within the public domain and can be exploited for development of biological weapons. Researchers have recently published the whole genetic code related to cholera pathogen. In addition, the researcher community is making efforts to map genomes of a large number of microbes such as the bacteria associated with plague, anthrax and typhoid. The information can be exploited for developing clones of highly virulent species of viruses and bacteria. Moreover, misguided microbiologists can be exploited by unscrupulous clients for development of incurable designer options like penicillin-resistant anthrax and viruses capable of causing infection while remaining silent. Russia has alleged that Ukraine and the US are working with pathogens known to cause serious infections in various laboratories. Ukraine has several public health labs engaged in R&D to find solutions for dealing with dangerous infections. A number of these laboratories receive financial and other assistance from the EU and the US. Russia`s claims are partly based on the Biological Threat Reduction Program set by the US during the 1990s for mitigating the risk associated with biological weapons left in various countries such as Ukraine. The program offers financial assistance from the US towards equipment and modernization. In addition, the US Department of Defense has been collaboratively working with Ukraine for improving public health labs since 2005. The US also offers technical assistance to Ukraine and other countries for dealing with outbreaks of several infectious diseases. The US claims that these efforts are intended to mitigate the serious threat of proliferation of biological weapons, rather than development of such weapons. On the other side, Russian officials are claiming that Ukraine is trying to conceal the evidence regarding prohibited activities while making efforts to destroy bio-agents in various laboratories. Despite questions pertaining to authenticity of these claims, such allegations are perplexing and have brought back focus towards chemical and biological warfare. The presence of biological weapons could escalate the conflict further and pose serious concerns regarding misuse of such weapons. The scenario is presenting lucrative opportunities for growth of CBRN Defense which is defined as defensive equipment and technologies used against chemical weapons or biological pathogens. CBRN surveillance and countermeasures include the advancement of sensing technologies to cover airborne agents and deposited contaminants. CBRN draws expertise from information and computing systems, engineering, physics, and chemistry allowing end-to-end technology advancements. What`s New for 2022? Global competitiveness and key competitor percentage market shares Market presence across multiple geographies - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial Online interactive peer-to-peer collaborative bespoke updates Access to the digital archives Complimentary updates for one year Key Topics Covered: I. METHODOLOGY II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. MARKET OVERVIEW As the Threat of Biological and Chemical Warfare Becomes Real, CBRN Defense Spirals Into the Spotlight on the Back of Increased Focus on Preparedness and Response Russian Allegations of Biological Weapons Activities in Ukraine Brings this Hidden Yet Ever-Present Threat Back Into the Spotlight Worries Over Geopolitical Conflicts & Galloping Inflation Overtakes Concerns About the Now Receding COVID-19 Pandemic Competition Competitive Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial for 83 Players Worldwide in 2022 (E) What Are Biological, Chemical & Radiation Weapons? How Do We Prepare to Protect Against Them & What's the Role of CBRN Defense? Pandemic Fails to Deter Global Military Spending, Which Spirals to All Time High in 2021, a Sign of Good Times to Prevail for CBRN Defense Recent Market Activity Innovations 2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS (Total 83 Featured) AirBoss of America Corp. Argon Electronics Ltd. Avon Protection Systems, Inc. Blucher GmbH Bruker Corporation Chemring Group PLC Cristanini Spa Environics Oy FLIR Systems, Inc. Karcher Futuretech GmbH MSA Safety, Inc. Smiths Group PLC Thales Group 3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS As the World Steps Up Military Spending in the Wake of the Russia Ukraine War, CBRN Defense Solutions are Poised to Benefit from the Unfortunate State of Global Geo-Political Affairs Accusations Over Alleged Use of Chemical & Biological Weapons in the Russia Ukraine War Brings This Dirty Battle Strategy Back Into the Spotlight Rising Conflicts in the South China Sea to Spur Growth in the Asian Market Increased Activity on the Nuclear Decommissioning Front Drives the Need for Radiation Protection & Emergency Response Training During Decommissioning of Nuclear Installations Limited Success of Global Efforts in Curbing the Proliferation of Biological, Chemical, Radiation Weapons Drives the Need for CBRN Defense for Preparedness & Response A Review of the Many Reasons Why the Military is Stepping Up Focus on Equipping the Infantry With CBRN Training Tools Radiation Safety Training Storms Into the Spotlight Special Focus on CBRN and HazMat Training COVID-19 Steps up Focus on Using Simulators for CBRN Training Emphasis on Safety in CBRNE Training Grows Stronger 4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE III. REGIOINAL MARKET ANALYSIS IV. COMPETITION For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2wo2ks Attachment CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 Harvard Business School released its new MBA class profile on Thursday (September 15) showing fewer applications but a slightly larger class. File photo Its not magic that enabled Harvard Business School to enroll its largest-ever MBA class this fall for the second year in row, despite failing to evade the application decline that afflicted most of the leading business schools in the United States in the 2021-2022 cycle. No its something far more mundane: deferrals. Harvard on Thursday (September 15) announced a class that exceeds 1,000 students for the second straight year and, at 1,015, exceeds even last years record of 1,010. It happened because of deferrals from the pandemic year of 2020. Like last years class, the new MBA class bigger by nearly 40% than the record-low pandemic intake of two years ago is comprised of about 10% students who took deferrals. When we allowed people to defer for any reason with the onset of the pandemic, over 200 did, Chad Losee, managing director of MBA admissions and financial aid, told Poets&Quants last year, adding that half of those enrolled in the Class of 2023 and half were expected to enroll this year. (Losee confirmed this years deferrals number in a brief blog post.) But with coronavirus deferrals now expended, such large class sizes will become a thing of the past, Losee added: We will enroll a little over 1,000 (in 2022) and then after that will go back to our normal size of just over 900 students. SOMEONE WITH A 540 GMAT GOT INTO HARVARD The deferrals and large class size might deflect attention from the fact that, like its peers and other leading B-schools in the United States, Harvard's MBA applications were down big this year. Apps to HBS declined by 15.4%, a drop-off of more than 1,500 apps from 9,773 last year, and down more than 20% since the Class of 2019 set a record with 10,351. Harvard's year-to-year application decline is on the larger side among those top B-schools that have reported a number so far this year. At Michigan Ross the loss was 9.3%; at NYU Stern, 10%; at the Wharton School, about 14%; and at UCLA Anderson, steepest among all schools that have so far reported, 20%. Harvard's decline was much higher than Duke Fuquas (6%), Georgetown McDonough's (5.4%), and Virginia Dardens, which was just 3.5%. So far one top-25 B-school, Cornell Johnson, has reported actually growing its apps this year. Story continues Despite the drop in applications, Harvard maintained its 730 median Graduate Management Admission Test score for the class, with a median of 42 on the verbal (up from 41) and 48 on the quant portion of the exam (down from 49). Verbal scores ranged from a low of 29 to a high of 51, while quant scores ranged from 34 to 51. Overall, scores ranged from a low of 540 50 points lower than last year's lowest score to a high of 790, just ten points shy of a perfect score. Two years ago the lowest score from a successful applicant was 620. Meanwhile, the percentage off those who opt to submit a Graduate Record Exam test score continued to grow, up to 30% from 29% last year, a new record. The median GRE score for this years class was 326, down 1 point from 2021, with a 163 average on both the verbal and the quant. The verbal range went from a low of 147 to a high of 170, same as last year, while the quant score ranged from 146 to 170. Last year's quant range was 150-170. 2022: BEST YEAR FOR WOMEN MBA ENROLLMENT? Harvard's 46% women fits right in with the group of schools that all others look to as trailblazers, and makes 2022 potentially the best year ever for women's MBA enrollment. Last year among the top 25 U.S. B-schools, 15 reported 40% or more women in their full-time MBA classes, including all but one of top 10 schools. This year the leading B-schools appear poised to repeat the feat, if not improve on it. Among the schools that have so far reported, Wharton stayed in the hallowed land of parity at 50% (from 52% the previous year); Dartmouth is at 45% women; and Columbia Business School is at 44%. UC-Berkeley Haas School of Business the only top-10 U.S. B-school below 40% women in 2021 reports a school-record 46% this year. In terms of international students, Harvard's 38% is the most for the school in recent history, up from 37% last year and in 2019. While most of its Class of 2024 students hail from the U.S. (62%), the number is down 5 percentage points in two years; meanwhile 14% of the new class comes from Asia, up 3 points in two years, and 9% from Europe, up a point from last year. See the next page for more data from the new Harvard MBA class profile, including data comparisons with previous years. File photo ONLY SMALL CHANGES IN PRE-MBA INDUSTRY BACKGROUNDS OF THE NEW CLASS Very little significant fluctuation occurs in the background industry makeup of Harvard MBA students year to year, and that appears to be the case again in 2022. Last year, students with consulting experience represented 17% of the class, while those with government/nonprofit backgrounds were 8% both sectors saw 2 percentage point gains from the previous class. This year, the latter reverted back to 6% while the former dropped back by half to 16%. In 2021, as in previous years, the largest industry represented in the class was financial services, at 27%, unchanged from the year before. This year, counting those in "finance" and those in "venture capital and private equity," the number drops to 26%, with finance folks making up 10% of the total. Students with tech backgrounds accounted for 11% of last years entering cohort, but jumped to 14% this year, the biggest total in four years. Healthcare/biotech was also up, by 1 percentage point to 8%, a new high. In consumer products, 9% comprised last year's class, and that was unchanged this year. In manufacturing and energy, the total decline to 9% from 11%. MBA students from the military accounted for 5% of the entering class each of the last two years but dipped to 4% this year. Average years of work experience came to 5.0 years 60 months for the second year in a row. Two years ago it was 4.7 years. GROUP WITH SIGNIFICANT GROWTH: HISPANIC/LATINX STUDENTS Last year's MBA class at Harvard may well have been the school's most diverse ever, with White students, by federal reporting standards, representing less than half (47%) of the class, down from 53% the previous year. The more inclusive multidimensional accounting pushed up the percentage of White students to 59%, still below the 66% of the previous year. This year, the school can claim to have maintained most of its gains in diversity, with the White student population growing only slightly, to 48% and 60%, respectively. Last year, Asian Americans composed 24% of the class by federal guidelines, up from 19% a year earlier; that number stayed the same this year. Black and African-American students, however, accounted for 12% last year by federal standards, up a single percentage point, and 14% by multi-dimensional reporting, also up a point; this year Black students dropped slightly 11% and 13%, respectively. But where Asian and Black representation flattened or reversed, Hispanic and LatinX students have increased, from 11% of the class in 2021 (up from 9% the previous year on both metrics) to 13% this year in both calculations. And Harvard maintained progress in another area: 13% of the Class of 2024 are first-generation college students, same as the Class of 2023. CLASS GPA TICKS UPWARD In 2021, the largest single chunk of MBA candidates majored in economics or business in their undergraduate degree: 41%, exactly the same as in 2020. Some 21% majored in business or commerce, while 20% had studied economics in college. Students who majored in the arts and humanities (4%) and social sciences (13%) total 17%, down one percentage point from 18% the previous year. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) majors made up 41% of the Class of 2023. This year, 43% of the class majored in economics or business in undergrad, with business/commerce majors accounting for 24%. Arts and humanities majors grew to 5% and social sciences slipped to 10%; STEM majors make up 42% of the class. And they are a bright bunch of scholars: hailing from 134 domestic U.S. universities and 160 international ones, they report an undergraduate grade point average of 3.70, up from last year's 3.69. DON'T MISS WHARTON'S MBA CLASS OF 2024 PROFILE and DARTMOUTH TUCK'S MBA CLASS OF 2024 PROFILE The post Harvard Business School MBA Class Profile: Apps Down 15%, But HBS Again Enrolls Largest-Ever Class appeared first on Poets&Quants. By Nidhi Verma and Sudarshan Varadhan NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India and other members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will discuss energy security at the regional security bloc's meeting in Uzbekistan, India's foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Thursday. The two-day summit in the Silk Road city of Samarkand will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese Premier Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, among others. It coincides with a sharp rise in Indian imports of Russian oil, coal and fertiliser, a vital outlet for Moscow as it seeks to secure new markets after Western sanctions were imposed following the invasion of Ukraine. "When we talk about economic cooperation in the context of SCO, then questions about energy security and other issues ... will be a part of the discussions," Kwatra said when asked if energy security and currency swaps would be discussed during Modi's trip. The SCO originated in the 1990s with a security agreement between Russia, China and ex-Soviet states in central Asia. India and Pakistan joined five years ago, making it the world's biggest regional organisation, comprising 40% of the world's population and more than half of the Eurasian land mass. Discussions at the two-day summit from Thursday will involve "topical, regional and international issues, reform and expansion of SCO, the security situation in the region ... strengthening connectivity as well as boosting trading and tourism in the region," Kwatra added. The Kremlin has said Putin and Modi will meet on Friday and discuss trade, including food, as well as sales of Russian fertilizer. Refiners in India, who rarely bought Russian oil before the Ukraine war, have boosted imports to a record 757,000 barrels per day in April-August compared with 20,000 bpd a year earlier, data from industry sources showed. Russia, the biggest oil producer in the SCO bloc, has also overtaken the United States to emerge as India's fourth largest coal supplier. Story continues Indian imports of coal surged to 9.35 million tonnes in the six full months since the invasion, nearly double the 4.83 million tonnes during the same period in 2021, data from Indian consultancy Coalmint showed. For fertilisers, India's imports from Russia rose to $1.03 billion in April-July 2022 compared with $150.28 million in the same period last year, according to the Indian commerce ministry's website. The Reserve Bank of India in July introduced a mechanism to settle international trade in rupees to stave off the impact of the depreciation of global currencies, a move seen as aiding trade with Russia. A prominent trade body estimates the use of rupees could boost India's exports to Russia to about $5 billion in 2022/23, up from $3.3 billion in the last fiscal year. However, India's exports to Russia have slowed since the Ukraine conflict began. In April-July, they fell by about a third from the same period in 2021, according to government data. (Editing by Florence Tan and Peter Graff) LONDON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- International Game Technology PLC (NYSE:IGT) ("IGT") today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary IGT Lottery S.p.A. has completed the sale of its Italian proximity payment business to PostePay S.p.A. Patrimonio Destinato IMEL for 700 million. IGT (NYSE:IGT) is a global leader in gaming. We deliver entertaining and responsible gaming experiences for players across all channels and regulated segments, from Lotteries and Gaming Machines to Sports Betting and Digital. Leveraging a wealth of compelling content, substantial investment in innovation, player insights, operational expertise, and leading-edge technology, our solutions deliver unrivaled gaming experiences that engage players and drive growth. We have a well-established local presence and relationships with governments and regulators in more than 100 countries around the world, and create value by adhering to the highest standards of service, integrity, and responsibility. IGT has approximately 10,500 employees. For more information, please visit www.igt.com. The negotiated sale price represented an enterprise value of 630 million and approximately 70 million of net unrestricted cash. The business held approximately 140 million in unrestricted cash at the closing. The increase in unrestricted cash is primarily attributable to timing of vendor payments and operating cash flows generated since December 31, 2021. IGT will use the proceeds from the transaction primarily to pay transaction expenses and reduce debt. UBS AG acted as lead financial advisor and fairness opinion provider to IGT, UniCredit S.p.A. acted as financial advisor to IGT. Advant-Nctm acted as legal advisor to IGT and KPMG acted as financial due diligence and tax advisor to IGT. About IGT IGT (NYSE:IGT) is a global leader in gaming. We deliver entertaining and responsible gaming experiences for players across all channels and regulated segments, from Lotteries and Gaming Machines to Sports Betting and Digital. Leveraging a wealth of compelling content, substantial investment in innovation, player insights, operational expertise, and leading-edge technology, our solutions deliver unrivalled gaming experiences that engage players and drive growth. We have a well-established local presence and relationships with governments and regulators in more than 100 countries around the world, and create value by adhering to the highest standards of service, integrity, and responsibility. IGT has approximately 10,500 employees. For more information, please visit www.IGT.com. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements (including within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning IGT and its consolidated subsidiaries (the "Company") and other matters. These statements may discuss goals, intentions, and expectations as to future plans, trends, events, dividends, results of operations, or financial condition, or otherwise, based on current beliefs of the management of the Company as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, such management. Forward-looking statements may be accompanied by words such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "could," "would," "should," "shall," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "future," "guidance," "intend," "may," "will," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project" or the negative or other variations of them. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the Company's control. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those predicted in the forward-looking statements and from past results, performance, or achievements. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include (but are not limited to) the factors and risks described in the Company's annual report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended December 31, 2021 and other documents filed from time to time with the SEC, which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on the investor relations section of the Company's website at www.IGT.com. Except as required under applicable law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider these factors and other risks and uncertainties that affect the Company's business. All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to International Game Technology PLC, or persons acting on its behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Story continues Contacts Phil O'Shaughnessy, Global Communications, toll free in U.S./Canada +1 (844) IGT-7452 and outside U.S./Canada +1 (401) 392-7452 Francesco Luti, Italian media inquiries, +39 06 5189 9184 James Hurley, Investor Relations, +1 (401) 392-7190 Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/international-game-technology-plc-announces-completion-of-sale-of-italian-commercial-payment-business-to-postepay-spa-301624837.html SOURCE International Game Technology PLC TSX Venture Exchange: LITH For Immediate ReleaseOTC-BB: LTMCF CALGARY, ALBERTA, September 14, 2022, Sept. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CALGARY, ALBERTA, September 14, 2022 Lithium Chile Inc. (Lithium Chile or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has field tested 340 mg/l from the first hole of its Phase Two development program at Salar de Arizaro (Arizaro) - and that all aspects of the development program are progressing well. The Phase Two development program is designed to increase the Companys previously announced 1,420,000 metric tonne lithium carbonate resource and to expand the commercial potential of the Arizaro project. PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: 340 mg/l in the first exploration hole is 14% higher than the resource grade used in the Companys maiden resource report; Completed two of four planned exploration holes with a third hole underway; First of three planned production holes has commenced; Critical fresh water well completed encountering 100 metre fresh water aquifer; Metallurgical studies underway to determine best lithium extraction process. Exploration Holes - Highlights: The Company has completed the first two holes of its planned four-hole diamond drill program and is 250 metres into the third hole (See Figure 1 for hole locations). The first hole was drilled approximately 5 kilometers away from the initial production test well yet encountered the brine aquifer at 357 metres, 25 metres deeper than the initial hole. The formation was still open in coarse black sands when drilling stopped at 465 metres as a result of the drilling rig capacity. Industry accepted field sampling was done using the Companys Turbospec lithium analyzer and returned assays of 340 mg/ litre of lithium. This grade was 14% greater than the 298 mg/l lithium grade used in the initial 43-101 report. Assay results are pending from the laboratory which will ultimately form the basis of an updated NI 43-101 resource report. The second hole had a thicker halite cap then encountered in the first hole and drilling was suspended at 400 metres. The hole will be completed using our larger rotary rig which is capable of drilling to 800 metres. Story continues The third hole, located on the northern extension of the Companys Arizaro claims, is currently at 250 metres. The halite cap appears thinner on the northern claims and consists of broken halite, mixed with sands and was encountered at shallower depths. Sampling has begun using a double packer system to ensure the most accurate results. Production Holes - Highlights: The large rotary drilling rig arrived on site two weeks ago and is currently drilling the first of the three production wells planned for this program (See Figure 1 for hole location). As this rig is capable of deeper drilling, the Company plans to drill an 18 inch diameter well to accommodate a 16 inch down hole pump, to a significantly deeper depth of 800 metres. Drilling is presently proceeding through 160 metres depth on this initial production well. The Company is completing a concurrent baseline environment impact study for a 5,000 metric tonne-per-year production facility for the three production wells that will be available after completion of the Phase Two development program which are expected to be completed early in the first quarter of 2023. Metallurgical Studies: The Company is conducting metallurgical studies on 2,000 litres of brine collected from the first production well completed in the First Phase Program. These tests include advanced chemistry studies at the Companys recently established lab in Jujuy Province to determine best production processes for lithium extraction, conducting evaporation tests to determine concentrations that will yield optimum recovery of lithium. Evaporation tests will also allow for the precipitation of impurities associated with these brines. The Company has also delivered 150 litres of brine to Chengxins DLE facility in China for production tests. Lithium Chile is also in the process of shipping brines to Summit Nanotechs facility in Calgary, Alberta for initial analysis. Water Well: The Companys first, fresh water well has been drilled, completed, and cased on the southern border of the Salar de Arizaro. Over 100 metres of freshwater aquifer was identified. Testing has now begun on flow rates and recharge rates and this data will be submitted to the Salta Provincial Water Ministry in support of a future application to use a percentage of the water for lithium carbonate production. Mobile Camp: The Companys camp on the Salar de Arizaro has been expanded to accommodate 50 employees as a result of significantly expanded operations currently underway. The camp is complete with a kitchen, dining room and health & safety modules. The on-site camp allows for non-stop operations and significantly reduces the Companys travel costs. On-site camp at the Salar de Arizaro Steve Cochrane, President & CEO comments, I am very pleased with the progress we have made to date expanding our Arizaro project and its potential resource, on time and on budget. I am also very proud of our team on the ground in Salta and on Arizaro; they have accomplished everything we could have asked for in developing the Arizaro project and proving it has the potential to be the next big lithium resource in Argentina. CHILEAN UPDATE Pursuant to the recent NO vote on the proposed new constitution for Chile having occurred a week ago, Lithium Chile has already seen an increased interest in their Chilean assets. The Company has recently designed a 74-kilometer TEM geophysical program on its Llamara lithium prospect in Chile. The contract has gone out for tender, and the program is planned to get underway in the next month. Llamara has historic drill results showing lithium brines on the property with lithium grades up to 343 mg/l. The Company announces that it has implemented an Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan is a "fixed 10%" security-based compensation plan under TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") policies, pursuant to which 19,612,185 awards may be granted. The Company received disinterested shareholder approval for the Plan at the Company's annual general and special meeting held on June 28, 2022, and approval from the Exchange on August 23, 2022. The Company has granted an aggregate of 4,000,000 restricted share units (each, an "RSU") to two executive officers of the Company. The RSUs vest one year from the date of the grant, and each RSU will entitle the holder to receive one common share of the Company for a period of five years. Qualified Person, QA/QC Statements: Michael Rosko, MS, PG, of Montgomery and Associates (M&A) of Santiago, Chile, is a registered geologist (CPG) in Arizona, California and Texas, a registered member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME No. 4064687), and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Rosko has extensive experience in salar environments and has been a qualified person on many lithium brine projects. Mr. Rosko and M&A are completely independent of Lithium Chile. Mr. Rosko has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical content of this news release. About Lithium Chile Lithium Chile is advancing a lithium property portfolio consisting of 81,300 hectares covering sections of 11 salars and 2 laguna complexes in Chile and 23,300 hectares in Argentina. Lithium Chile also owns 5 properties, totaling 21,329 hectares that are prospective for gold, silver and copper. Exploration efforts are continuing on Lithium Chiles Carmona gold/silver/copper property which lies in the heart of the Chilean mega porphyry gold/ silver/copper belt. Lithium Chiles common shares are listed on the TSX-V under the symbol LITH and on the OTC-BB under the symbol LTMCF. To find out more about Lithium Chile Inc., please contact Steven Cochrane, President and CEO via email: steve@lithiumchile.ca or Michelle DeCecco, Vice President of Corporate Development via email michelle@lithiumchile.ca or at 403-390-9095. Forward Looking Statements NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. NOT FOR RELEASE IN THE UNITED STATES This news release may contain certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expected", "anticipated", "aims to", "plans to" or "intends to" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Such forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions and factors that may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, factors and assumptions with respect to: the general stability of the economic and political environment in which the Company operates; the timely receipt of required regulatory approvals; the risk that the new lithium exploration tender processes does not yield the anticipated benefits to the Company; the ability of the Company to obtain future financing on acceptable terms; currency, exchange and interest rates; operating costs; the success the Company will have in exploring its prospects and the results from such prospects and the COVID-19 pandemic. LFG. You are cautioned that the foregoing list of material factors and assumptions is not exhaustive. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors on which such forward-looking statements are based upon are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct or that any of the events anticipated by such forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive there from. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Attachment CONTACT: Steve Cochrane Lithium Chile steve@lithiumchile.ca FREDERICK, Md., September 14, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Maryland Life Sciences, a division of the Maryland Tech Council, is pleased to announce the first slate of speakers for its 2022 Bio Innovation Conference. The Bio Innovation Conference will be held Monday, October 3rd and Tuesday, October 4th, 2022 at the Bethesda Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. As keynote speaker, Dr. Tara Schwetz, Acting Principal Deputy Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will discuss innovation at NIH; establishing the Advanced Research Project Agency for Health (ARPA-H), the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics initiative and the Cancer Moonshot 2.0. Additional moderators and panelists include: Silvia Taylor , Senior Vice President, Global Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations, Novavax John Trizzino , Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Business Officer, Novavax Dr. Geoffrey Lynn , Senior Vice President, Synthetic Immunotherapies William Rees , Vice President, Translational Sciences, Horizon Sally Allain , Regional Head, JLABS @ Washington, DC and Interim Head, JLABS North East - Johnson & Johnson Innovation Matt Schwee , Associate and Lila Inman, Associate, Cooley Peter Reczek , Executive Director, Standards Coordinating Body Scott Lloyd , Principal, Offit Kurman Lili Portilla , Director of Office Strategic Alliances, NIH NCATS OTT Tim Clay , Vice President, Head of Discovery Performance Unit Vaccines US, GSK Lesley Eschinger , Director of Market Development, MaxCyte Dr. Cartier Esham , Chief Scientific Officer, Biotechnology Industry Organization Kevin Gordon , Chief Digital Officer, OriBiotech Jeffrey Hung, Ph.D. , Subject Matter Expert, Cell and Gene Therapy Nina Hunter , Vice President of Regulatory and Science Policy, REGENXBIO Chris Jewell , Minta Martin Professor of Engineering (Endowed), University of Maryland Anne Khademian , Executive Director, The Universities at Shady Grove Craig Malzahn , Senior Vice President, Technical Operations, REGENXBIO Dr. Milos Miljkovic , Chief Medical Officer, Cartesian Therapeutics Cenk Sumen , Chief Scientific Officer, MaxCyte Colin Werth , Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy Eric Wu-Nagy , Senior Automation Engineer, Takeda Bruce Yu, Professor, UMD, Professor and Director of the Bio- and Nano-Technology Center The Bio Innovation Conference is the regions premiere forum for professionals from industry, academia, and government to exchange ideas, make new professional connections, and explore trends in this booming industry. To register, visit www.marylandlifesciences.com/conference. "Our speakers are at the center some of the most important life science and public health innovations happening today," said Marty Rosendale, CEO of the Maryland Tech Council. "Bio Innovation Conference attendees will benefit from a broad spectrum of insights from leaders in the public sector, private sector, and academia." "We are excited for all of our Bio Innovation Conference speakers and look forward to their insights into the present and future of life sciences innovation in our region," said Brad Stewart, Chair of Maryland Life Sciences. About Maryland Life Sciences The Maryland Life Sciences, a division of the Maryland Tech Council, is a collaborative community, actively engaged in building stronger life sciences companies by supporting the efforts of our individual members who are saving and improving lives through innovation. We support our member companies who are driving innovation through advocacy, education, workforce development, cost savings programs and connecting entrepreneurial minds. Maryland Life Sciences represents biotechnology, clinical and research data, therapeutic, genetic, medical device, pharmaceutical and service companies that support Marylands thriving industry. The valuable resources we provide to our members help them reach their full potential making Maryland a global leader in the life sciences industry. Learn more at www.marylandlifesciences.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220914005712/en/ Contacts Media: Henry Fawell Campfire Communications henry@campfirecomm.com The House of Remy Martin and The MICHELIN Guide Continue to Team Up with International Partnership to Promote the Taste of Excellence Across the Globe NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- For almost three centuries, the House of Remy Martin has teamed up with vintners to infuse the taste of the terroir in its Cognacs. The MICHELIN Guide has shined a light on regional specialties and gastronomic talent worldwide for over one hundred years. As icons of fine dining and spirits, Michelin and Remy Martin continue to celebrate sustainable excellence and exceptional know-how across continents, expanding the two-year partnership into Canada with the MICHELIN Guide Toronto, its first Canadian destination. Remy Martin and The MICHELIN Guide An exclusive partner of the MICHELIN Guide, Remy Martin is honored to be part of the culinary celebrations and discovery of chefs and restaurants paving the way in exquisite gastronomy in the vibrant city of Toronto. Similar to the passion seen in MICHELIN Guide honorees, the work mirrors the commitment of the Cellar Masters at Remy Martin, with their unwavering vision of excellence and craftsmanship to the land and the Cognac Fine Champagne they produce. "Remy Martin is extraordinarily proud to team up with the MICHELIN Guide as global partners and to support the work of the accomplished chefs and restaurant teams of Toronto." said Baptiste Loiseau, Remy Martin Cellar Master, "We're inspired by their dedication to strive for excellence in their craft and create unique gastronomic experiences. Similar to the craftsmanship of blending a Cognac Fine Champagne, this precision and attention to detail connects Remy Martin and the MICHELIN Guide to create joint excellence." The inaugural edition of the MICHELIN Guide Toronto was announced this September 2022, with a selection of incredible restaurants receiving honors, following the MICHELIN Guide's historical methodology, based on 5 universal criteria, to ensure each destination's selection' equity. Story continues An international event partner for the MICHELIN Guide Remy Martin and the MICHELIN Guide share an unwavering vision of excellence passed down by the masters at Remy Martin and the inspectors at the MICHELIN Guide for generations. To illustrate the alliance, Remy Martin is participating in MICHELIN Star Revelation ceremonies in 19 destinations across Europe, Asia and America. Remy Martin becomes MICHELIN Green Star Supporter Since the launch of the MICHELIN Green Star in 2020, the MICHELIN Guide highlights restaurants in its international selections that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to more sustainable gastronomy. A true source of inspiration for the public and the industry, these Green Starred restaurants withhold exceptional purpose-driven initiatives and demonstrate how sustainable gastronomy can lead to a more responsible future. Since 1724, Remy Martin has been cultivating Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne to create exceptional cognacs. The House continues to implement a Sustainable Exception strategy to protect its terroir, promote biodiversity, minimize its impact on the environment and encourage its partner-growers to commit to sustainable agriculture. From the terroir of cognac to the terroirs of the world: an exploration of exceptional international know-how Driven by a mutual desire to discover, encourage and celebrate the best culinary talent across the globe, the MICHELIN Guide and Remy Martin have organized immersive journeys to explore exceptional know-how in the terroirs of the world. Inspired by a shared passion for excellence, this program will shed light on outstanding Masters and creations related to fine dining and spirits. Remy Martin's emblem perfectly expresses the ambition of this partnership: the Centaur always has its head in the Stars and its feet on the ground. About the Michelin Group Michelin, the leading mobility company, is dedicated to enhancing its clients' mobility, sustainably; designing and distributing the most suitable tires, services and solutions for its clients' needs; providing digital services, maps and guides to help enrich trips and travels and make them unique experiences; and developing high-technology materials that serve a variety of industries. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 177 countries, has 124,760 employees and operates 68 tire production facilities which together produced around 173 million tires in 2021. (www.michelin.com) About Remy Martin Since 1724, the House of Remy Martin has produced premium spirits that consistently appeal to the world's most discerning connoisseurs. A profound love of the land, a continuity of family ownership, and a passionate commitment to excellence have sustained Remy Martin for nearly three centuries. As a result of its masterful production and generations of tradition in Cognac, the House of Remy Martin today produces Fine Champagne Cognacs, including Remy Martin XO, Remy Martin Tercet, Remy Martin 1738 Accord Royal, and Remy Martin V.S.O.P. For additional information, visit www.RemyMartin.com. SOURCE Remy Martin Microsoft might want to abandon the hope of a speedy merger with Activision Blizzard. The UK's Competition and Markets Authority is referring the takeover for an "in-depth" (Phase 2, in CMA lingo) investigation. The regulator is still concerned the buyout could lead to a "substantial lessening" of competition in the country after launching a basic inquiry in July. The Authority signalled its intention to launch a deeper investigation on September 1st. It gave Microsoft until September 8th to propose acceptable concessions. Microsoft declined, and the CMA stepped up its scrutiny. In a statement to Engadget, Microsoft President Brad Smith said his company was "ready" to work with the CMA and that it wanted people to have "more access to games, not less." You can read the full statement below. The investigation won't necessarily block the deal. It could significantly delay the proposed union, however, and might demand more compromises on Microsoft's part. With that said, both Microsoft and Activision Blizzard previously said they'll cooperate with regulators. Microsoft gaming lead Phil Spencer said his company would keep Call of Duty on PlayStation consoles, for example. Unless the CMA has strong objections, it may be more a question of when the merger completes than whether it happens at all. "Were ready to work with the CMA on next steps and address any of its concerns. Sony, as the industry leader, says it is worried about Call of Duty, but weve said we are committed to making the same game available on the same day on both Xbox and PlayStation. We want people to have more access to games, not less." VIENNA, Austria & NEW YORK, September 15, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MOSTLY AI, who pioneered the creation of AI-generated synthetic data, will simultaneously participate in InsureTech Connect in Vegas and TestBash UK in Manchester, both taking place the week commencing 19 September, to ensure their industry-leading synthetic data generation platform is further promoted to prospects in both the enterprise segment, in this case insurance, and mid-market businesses who run software testing. "Driving a synthetic data driven future requires a sense of urgency and being in the right place at the right time, talking to the right people. Next week, well have one team in Vegas, for the largest InsureTech event where Ill be proudly demoing our synthetic data generator and whats to come, and another team in Manchester to talk to software testers about how they can create healthier test data habits by switching to synthetic data," says Tobias Hann, MOSTLY AI CEO. "These are two very different offerings, but equal in benefit when it comes to getting tangible business value out of synthetic data. For insurers, our pioneering synthetic data platform can boost their machine learning performance by up to 15%, while for mid-market businesses it can speed up test data automation by up to 50%," adds Hann. Gartner predicts that by 2024, 60% of the data used for the development of AI and analytics projects will be synthetically generated, and that by 2025 20% of test data will be synthetically generated. Market signals like this are helping to accelerate the adoption of synthetic data, but its still the responsibility of businesses like MOSTLY AI to help decision makers and potential users across sectors to understand what AI-generated synthetic data is and why its so important. At the same time, they need to enable them to create, use, and share synthetic data of their own - to experiment and see for themselves the value when it comes to privacy security, innovation, and efficiency. "This is why in July we made our state-of-the-art synthetic data platform available for free, primarily aimed at mid-market businesses wanting to improve the quality, velocity, productivity and security of their software testing. Weve had some keen interest, and were engaged with our new users to ensure our platform is easy to use and does what they need it to do," says Hann. At TestBash UK, Mario Scriminaci, Chief Product Officer at MOSTLY AI, will be hosting the post-TestBash Meetup and taking the audience through the worlds first guided meditation on test data automation. "Yes, you heard that right! Were a dynamic team who like to have fun, and we know the importance of getting creative when it comes to unpacking whats still considered a relatively abstract topic - for now at least - and helping people to make the much-needed shift to synthetic data," says Scriminaci. To learn more, visit mostly.ai About MOSTLY AI MOSTLY AI pioneered the creation of synthetic data for AI model development and software testing. MOSTLY AIs synthetic datasets look just as real as a companys original customer data with just as many details, but without the original personal data points helping companies comply with privacy protection regulations such as CCPA and GDPR, and ensuring models are fair and unbiased. The fast-growing company currently works with multiple Fortune 100 insurers and banks in North America and Europe, and has the deepest expertise in helping companies get business value out of synthetic data. Learn more at mostly.ai. # # # View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915005637/en/ Contacts Leanne Jory Brand and Communications Manager MOSTLY AI leanne.jory@mostly.ai John Locher / AP Adam Laxalt, 44, is an American lawyer, Naval officer and Republican politician currently running as a Senate candidate in Nevada. Hed previously won the Republican primary in June 2022 Explore: How Much is Sen. Ron Johnson Worth? More: How Much is Blake Masters Worth? During his campaign for a Senate seat, Laxalt hasnt been as successful in achieving donations as his Democrat opponent, incumbent Senator Catherine Cortez Masto. But time will yet tell if this costs him the vote come November. In addition to co-managing the 2020 re-election campaign of former President Donald Trump in Nevada, Laxalt also served as the attorney general of the state from 2015-2019. He even unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2018 and works in a private law practice. In terms of Lexalts net worth, a financial disclosure filed in the month of May showed he earned $1.5 million from law firm Cooper & Kirk in 2022, according to reporting by The Nevada Independent. An initial disclosure from the previous year showed hed taken in $2.2 million from the high-profile Washington, D.C. firm during a brief exit from electoral politics following his 2018 loss in the governors race. Adam Paul Laxalt was born to Pete Domenici and Michelle Laxalt in Reno, Nevada on August 31, 1978. He comes from a political family, as his father was a former New Mexico senator, and his grandfather was both a senator and governor of Nevada. Laxalt attended prep school in Virginia, and graduated with honors from Georgetown University in 2001. Four years later, he obtained his law degree from Georgetown Law Center. He has since worked in Washington, D.C. for John R. Bolton and Virginia senator John Warner. He also spent five years serving in the U.S. Navys Judge Advocate General Corps during the Iraq War where he served abroad and held the rank of lieutenant. Laxalt briefly taught law at the U.S. Naval Academy, as well. See: How Rich is Jared Kushner? Find: How Much is Ted Budd Worth? Laxalt and his wife Jaime currently reside in Reno along with their four children, according to the Senate hopefuls official website. Story continues More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Much Is Adam Laxalt Worth? TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2022 /CNW/ - Ontario's doctors have recommended to government three timely solutions for some of the most pressing issues in health care. Ontario Medical Association Logo (CNW Group/Ontario Medical Association) (CNW Group/Ontario Medical Association) Comprehensive repairs to Ontario's health-care system will not be quick or easy. The Ontario Medical Association has a detailed roadmap for what needs to be done over the next four years, Prescription for Ontario: Doctors' 5-Point Plan for Better Health Care . But there are some steps we can take now that will make a difference to patient care in the short-term, by dealing with the supply of health-care workers, shortening wait times and expanding access to palliative care. The OMA's "three solutions" government could implement now are: Licensing more foreign-trained physicians, through increased residency spots and a government practice-ready assessment program Moving ahead urgently with the creation of Integrated Ambulatory Centres for less complicated outpatient surgeries and procedures to ease the burden on hospital and reduce wait times. The OMA is ready to work with the government now to create a centralized referral system so that patients, regardless of where they live and those in most need of high-demand surgeries and procedures, are distributed among all available doctors Creating more hospice beds and palliative care services to improve the patient experience, support caregivers and reduce pressures on emergency departments "These are solutions that can be implemented now and will have system-wide impact and improve patient care," said OMA CEO Allan O'Dette. "Bigger reforms are needed and we have to start somewhere." The shortage of physicians and other health-care workers, many of whom are suffering from burnout after three years on the front lines of the pandemic, has contributed to long waits and closures of emergency departments this summer. In addition, too many Ontarians lack access to a family doctor. The OMA supports measures to give temporary licences to physicians from other provinces. But more can be done. Mechanisms exist for licensing U.S.-trained family physicians and specialists who want to work in Canada and family physicians educated in countries such as Ireland, Britain, New Zealand and Australia, whose training is similar to Canada's. Story continues But there are many other qualified doctors anxious to practice here. The OMA recommends that doctors from other countries who are landed immigrants and who have completed the examination program of the Medical Council of Canada be allowed to practice under the supervision of another family doctor for three or four years. This could also be a solution for Canadian physicians trained overseas who have not completed their residency. Both groups should then be allowed to compete for an expanded number of medical residency spots for internationally educated physicians. Ontario's doctors say we must also reduce the backlog of care created during the pandemic and reduce wait times, many of which were too long even before COVID. Integrated Ambulatory Centres have been shown to have faster recovery times, lower infection rates and efficiency gains ranging from 20 to 30 per cent compared with inpatient hospital care. These centres would operate on a not-for-profit basis within the Canada Health Act and provide publicly funded OHIP-insured surgeries and procedures. The third OMA solution is to make palliative care available when it is needed by increasing the number of hospice beds and providing consistent funding to operate them. Of the more than 100,000 people who died in Ontario in 2017-18, only 61 per cent received palliative care in their final year. Ontario should have about 945 to 1,350 palliative-care beds province-wide, but there are only 271. We also need to enhance supports to allow people to receive palliative care where they need it, including at home. That means having access to on-call palliative specialists who are available when patients most need them. And we need to integrate palliative care within long-term care homes. The OMA would also like to see more training to increase the number of palliative care health professionals and workers. Ontario spends more than $208 million a year on dying inpatients who are waiting for a bed in a more appropriate care setting. Ontario's doctors think this money could be better spent on the beds and resources these individuals were waiting for beds in long-term care, hospices and hospital-based palliative care units, or home care. About the OMA The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario's 43,000-plus physicians, medical students and retired physicians, advocating for and supporting doctors while strengthening the leadership role of doctors in caring for patients. Our vision is to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario's health-care system. SOURCE Ontario Medical Association Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2022/15/c1326.html OTC Markets NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced EverGen Infrastructure Corp. (TSX-V: EVGN; OTCQX: EVGIF), a Renewable Natural Gas Infrastructure Platform, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market. EverGen Infrastructure Corp. upgraded to OTCQX from the OTCQB Venture Market. EverGen Infrastructure Corp. begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol EVGIF. U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com. The OTCQX Market is designed for established, investor-focused U.S. and international companies. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. Graduating to the OTCQX Market marks an important milestone for companies, enabling them to demonstrate their qualifications and build visibility among U.S. investors. During this milestone rich quarter for EverGen, we are pleased to provide increased access & liquidity for investors in the US who seek to participate in the energy transition, said Chase Edgelow, CEO of EverGen. An upgrade to the OTCQX in the United States is a natural progression for EverGen allowing us to introduce our RNG infrastructure platform to a broader audience as we continue to execute on our growth plans with clear visibility to deliver over 1 million gigajoules of RNG annually. About EverGen Infrastructure Corp. EverGen, Canadas Renewable Natural Gas Infrastructure Platform, is combating climate change and helping communities contribute to a sustainable future. EverGen is an established independent renewable energy producer which acquires, develops, builds, owns and operates a portfolio of Renewable Natural Gas, waste to energy, and related infrastructure projects. EverGen is focused on Canada, with continued growth expected across other regions in North America and beyond. About OTC Markets Group Inc. OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities. Our data-driven disclosure standards form the foundation of our three public markets: OTCQX Best Market, OTCQB Venture Market and Pink Open Market. Story continues Our OTC Link Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs) provide critical market infrastructure that broker-dealers rely on to facilitate trading. Our innovative model offers companies more efficient access to the U.S. financial markets. OTC Link ATS, OTC Link ECN and OTC Link NQB are each an SEC regulated ATS, operated by OTC Link LLC, a FINRA and SEC registered broker-dealer, member SIPC. To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com. Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed Media Contact: OTC Markets Group Inc., +1 (212) 896-4428, media@otcmarkets.com TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2022 /CNW/ - Porter Aviation Holdings Inc.'s (Porter) wholly-owned subsidiary, Porter Aircraft Leasing Corp., has entered into sale and leaseback and pre-delivery payment (PDP) financing agreements for 12 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. TrueNoord, and certain funds managed by affiliates of Apollo (NYSE: APO) and serviced by Merx Aviation, are participating in separate transactions for six aircraft each. Porter secures sale and leaseback for 12 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. (CNW Group/Porter Airlines) Porter has now secured lease agreements with five leasing companies for a total of 26 E195-E2s. These aircraft are part of Porter's original order for 30 E195-E2s. Aircraft deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2022. "There is continuing strong interest in the E195-E2 from the leasing community, with TrueNoord and Merx/Apollo being the latest partners to join our strong lessor group," said Jeffrey Brown, executive vice president and CFO, Porter. "We anticipate being able to complete transactions for the remaining aircraft in our initial order and look forward to them entering service." Garry Topp, TrueNoord Sales Director Americas, explains that Porter operating E2 aircraft in North America is an inspiring collaboration. "Porter is deeply experienced and know their market well, having successfully operated for more than 15 years. They are blending this experience with great enthusiasm, innovation and creativity to build a successful business around the new E195-E2. This aircraft has the potential to be disruptive to the market and Porter understand the opportunity this creates. They are a great customer to work with and we are proud to be supporting their expansion plans in the region." Gary Rothschild, CEO of Merx and Head of Aviation Finance at Apollo, said: "We are pleased to partner with Porter as the airline continues to expand its fleet and execute on its growth strategy. We look forward to introducing the Embraer E2 to the Merx/Apollo portfolio, and are excited to announce this transaction as the first Apollo-funded PDP facility to date. This transaction further underscores our ability to act as a dynamic liquidity and capital solutions provider for our airline customers and we look forward to working with the Porter team and building a long-term relationship." Story continues Porter Airlines is the North American launch customer for the E2. The aircraft will operate from Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax and Toronto Pearson International Airport, to destinations across the continent. Seabury Securities LLC acted as advisor and placement agent to Porter for these transactions, with Parr Brown Gee & Loveless acting as Porter's lead legal counsel. About Porter Porter Airlines provides a warm and effortless approach to hospitality, restoring glamour and refinement to air travel. Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline in the World Airline Star Rating. The airline currently offers flights to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Fredericton, Moncton, Halifax, St. John's, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, Windsor, New York (Newark), Chicago (Midway), Boston and Washington (Dulles), and has seasonal flights to Mt. Tremblant, Que., Muskoka, Ont., and Myrtle Beach, S.C. More information on Porter, including a downloadable multimedia library, is available at the Media Centre . Details of growth plans to provide North America-wide service are available at flyporter.com . Visit www.flyporter.com or follow @porterairlines on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. About Apollo Apollo is a high-growth, global alternative asset manager. In our asset management business, we seek to provide our clients excess return at every point along the risk-reward spectrum from investment grade to private equity with a focus on three investing strategies: yield, hybrid, and equity. For more than three decades, our investing expertise across our fully integrated platform has served the financial return needs of our clients and provided businesses with innovative capital solutions for growth. Through Athene, our retirement services business, we specialize in helping clients achieve financial security by providing a suite of retirement savings products and acting as a solutions provider to institutions. Our patient, creative, and knowledgeable approach to investing aligns our clients, businesses we invest in, our employees, and the communities we impact, to expand opportunity and achieve positive outcomes. As of June 30, 2022, Apollo had approximately $515 billion of assets under management. To learn more, please visit www.apollo.com . About Merx Merx Aviation is a global aircraft leasing, management and finance company based in New York, Dublin and Singapore. For more information, visit www.merxaviation.com . About TrueNoord TrueNoord is a fast-growing regional aircraft leasing company with offices in Amsterdam, Dublin, London, and Singapore. It is a full-service platform providing leasing and lease management services supported by extensive knowledge of aircraft finance to operators and investors worldwide in the regional aircraft sector. TrueNoord exclusively invests in latest technology turboprops and regional jet aircraft, with a deep understanding of the critical role of regional aircraft in linking remote locations to larger urban areas, providing a feeder service to major hubs, and fulfilling carriers' lower demand off-peak services in a growing global market. TrueNoord is supported by cornerstone investors Freshstream, BlackRock, Aberdeen Standard and others. TrueNoord's fleet of new and young in-production aircraft covers different models in the 50 150 seat class, including: Embraer, Airbus, ATR, MHI-RJ, and De Havilland Canada. See www.truenoord.com SOURCE Porter Airlines Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2022/15/c2345.html VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 15, 2022 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of a new interview with Westhaven Gold discussing their latest news. The Power Play by The Market Herald provides investors with a quick snapshot of what they need to know about the company's latest press release through exclusive insights and interviews with company executives. Westhaven (TSXV:WHN) arranges financing package with Franco-Nevada Corporation (TSX:FNV) The Market Herald, Thursday, September 15, 2022, Press release picture Westhaven Gold Corp. (WHN) has signed a financing arrangement with Franco-Nevada Corporation (FNV), a leading gold-focused royalty and streaming company. Shaun Pollard, CFO & Director of Westhaven Gold, sat down with Sabrina Cuthbert to discuss the financing. For the full interview with Shaun Pollard and to learn about Westhaven Gold, click here. Interviews for The Power Play by The Market Herald are released daily. To learn more about the companies featured in The Power Play or to explore our other interviews visit The Power Play by The Market Herald. About The Market Herald The Market Herald Canada is the leading source of authoritative breaking stock market news for self-directed investors. Our team of Canadian markets reporters, editors and technologists covers the entire listed company universe in Canada. We cover over 3,985 businesses, their people, their investors, and their customers. We write the stories that move the Canadian capital markets. DISCLAIMER: Report Card Canada Media Ltd. ("Report Card") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market Herald Limited, an Australian company ("Market Herald"). Report Card is not an advisory service, and does not offer, buy, sell, or provide any other rating, analysis or opinion on the securities we discuss. We are retained and compensated by the companies that we provide information on to assist them with making information available to the public. All information available on themarketherald.ca and/or this press release should be considered as commercial advertisement and not an endorsement, offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities. Report Card is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority in any province or territory of Canada, will not be performing any registerable activity as defined by the applicable regulatory bodies and do not provide nor claim to provide investment advice or recommendations to any visitor of this site or readers of any content on or originating from themarketherald.ca. Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees may from time to time acquire, hold or sell securities and/or commodities and/or commodity futures contracts in certain underlying companies mentioned in this site and which may also be clients of Market Herald's affiliates. In such instances, Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees will use all reasonable efforts to avoid engaging in activities that would lead to conflicts of interest and Market Herald and/or its affiliates will use all reasonable efforts to comply with conflicts of interest disclosures and regulations to minimize any conflict. All the information on this document and/or the website - themarketherald.ca - is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. Report Card does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this document and/or website (themarketherald.ca) is strictly at your own risk. Report Card will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone 'bad'. Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their "Terms of Service" before engaging in any business or uploading any information. Story continues CONTACT: The Market Herald marketing@themarketherald.ca themarketherald.ca SOURCE: The Market Herald View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/716199/The-Power-Play-by-The-Market-Herald-Releases-a-New-Interview-with-Westhaven-Gold-Discussing-Their-Latest-News The fund is redefining venture capital from an Indigenous perspective to drive economic inclusion and prosperity among Indigenous Peoples in Canada VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 15, 2022 /CNW/ - Raven Indigenous Capital Partners, North America's only Indigenous-led and owned venture capital intermediary, launched its second fund today (Raven Fund II) with an initial close of $46M, and a target size of $75M. Raven Fund II invests in innovative, scalable Indigenous enterprises at the forefront of advancing the well-being of Indigenous Peoples. Investors include BDC Capital, Farm Credit Canada, the TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good, Vancity, Bank of America, and others. Raven Indigenous Capital Partners Logo (CNW Group/Raven Indigenous Capital Partners) "Indigenous entrepreneurs cannot, or do not want to, access traditional capital, which limits opportunities to scale their businesses. Our mission is to empower Indigenous entrepreneurs with the capital and expertise they need to succeed, while recognizing progress moves at the speed of trust," explains Stephen Nairne, Chief Investment Officer, Raven Capital. "We want to transform the concept of money as power and extractions, to money as medicine, paving a path to healing, community empowerment, and economic reconciliation. That's why every dollar we invest is explicitly linked to elevating Indigenous Peoples and communities." There are an estimated 325,000 Indigenous-owned companies in North America, including about 50,000 in Canada according to the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Businesses. Most struggle to access the required capital, capacity building support and networks to fulfill their potential. "At BDC, our role is to create more inclusive prosperity in Canada by supporting the creation of innovative businesses," says Alison Nankivell, Senior Vice President, Fund Investments and Global Scaling, BDC Capital. "Raven is redefining venture capital from an Indigenous perspective. They're demonstrating it's possible to create a fund anchored in Indigenous culture and traditions, with a mandate to make a positive impact in Indigenous communities and deliver competitive financial returns." Story continues Raven's first fund, launched in 2019, set an initial goal of $5M and closed at $25M. To date, it has made 20 investments in 11 companies, including OneFeather, a company developing Indigenous banking solutions, who are in the process of raising a Series B. Lawrence Lewis, a member of the We Wai Kai Nation, is the Founder and CEO of OneFeather and says Raven is empowering Indigenous innovation and tradition: "At OneFeather, we strive every day to provide digital solutions to Indigenous Peoples that unlock wealth, build strong communities, celebrate our sovereign identity, and lift our People up. Raven shares this philosophy and is providing a culturally safe pathway to scale and success." "Raven truly supports Indigenous entrepreneurs who are creating meaningful change and driving impact in their communities, which is a core part of our investment thesis at the TELUS Pollinator Fund," said Blair Miller, Managing Partner, TELUS Pollinator Fund. "Having the opportunity to complete a second investment in Raven is a testament to the potential we see and believe in for these Indigenous-led organizations to create real economic growth and social change." Raven provides late seed and early-stage capital to innovative, scalable, purpose driven Indigenous enterprises. Companies are screened through a unique, Indigenous impact framework that both expresses, and reflects, Indigenous ways of knowing and being. "FCC venture capital investments, led by vice-president Rebbecca Clarke and her team, provides another way for Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities to gain access to the capital they need to grow and flourish in Canada's food and agriculture industry," said Shaun Soonias, director of FCC Indigenous Relations. "This investment in Raven Capital will help close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses throughout Canada's economy, as well as promote economic equality and diversity in our agriculture and food industry." Based on investor interest in Raven Fund II, Raven expects to reach its final closing target soon. The team is also continuing to build a strong pipeline of Indigenous enterprises as it works to revitalize the Indigenous economy. About Raven Indigenous Capital Partners Raven Indigenous Capital Partners uses existing structures - impact investing and strong relationships in the Indigenous community - to breathe life into the re-emergence of entrepreneurship as a pathway to self-determination and economic sovereignty. Its namesake, the Raven, is central to rebirth and transformation in Indigenous cultures. Transformation is a key element in all its work, creating an equitable and prosperous future for Indigenous peoples in Canada and the United States. SOURCE Raven Indigenous Capital Partners Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2022/15/c7236.html TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2022 /CNW/ - RBC Global Asset Management Inc. (RBC GAM Inc.) today announced September 2022 cash distributions for unitholders of RBC ETFs, as follows: RBC (CNW Group/RBC Global Asset Management Inc.) FUND NAME FUND TICKER CASH DISTRIBUTION PER UNIT RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Canadian Bond ETF RLB $0.040 RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Corporate Bond ETF RBO $0.040 RBC Target 2022 Corporate Bond Index ETF RQJ $0.020 RBC Target 2023 Corporate Bond Index ETF RQK $0.039 RBC Target 2024 Corporate Bond Index ETF RQL $0.039 RBC Target 2025 Corporate Bond Index ETF RQN $0.038 RBC Target 2026 Corporate Bond Index ETF RQO $0.024 RBC Target 2027 Corporate Bond Index ETF RQP $0.040 RBC Canadian Discount Bond ETF RCDB $0.017 RBC PH&N Short Term Canadian Bond ETF RPSB $0.032 RBC Short Term U.S. Corporate Bond ETF RUSB $0.040 RBC Short Term U.S. Corporate Bond ETF (USD Units)* RUSB.U $0.030 RBC Canadian Preferred Share ETF RPF $0.087 RBC Quant Canadian Dividend Leaders ETF RCD $0.085 RBC Quant Canadian Equity Leaders ETF RCE $0.260 RBC Vision Women's Leadership MSCI Canada Index ETF RLDR $0.260 RBC Canadian Bank Yield Index ETF RBNK $0.085 RBC Quant U.S. Dividend Leaders ETF RUD $0.080 RBC Quant U.S. Dividend Leaders ETF (USD Units)* RUD.U $0.061 RBC Quant U.S. Dividend Leaders (CAD Hedged) ETF RUDH $0.070 RBC U.S. Banks Yield Index ETF RUBY $0.050 RBC U.S. Banks Yield Index ETF (USD Units)* RUBY.U $0.038 RBC U.S. Banks Yield (CAD Hedged) Index ETF RUBH $0.045 RBC Quant U.S. Equity Leaders ETF RUE $0.140 RBC Quant U.S. Equity Leaders ETF (USD Units)* RUE.U $0.107 RBC Quant U.S. Equity Leaders (CAD Hedged) ETF RUEH $0.190 RBC Quant European Dividend Leaders ETF RPD $0.070 RBC Quant European Dividend Leaders ETF (USD Units)* RPD.U $0.053 RBC Quant European Dividend Leaders (CAD Hedged) ETF RPDH $0.090 RBC Quant EAFE Dividend Leaders ETF RID $0.080 RBC Quant EAFE Dividend Leaders ETF (USD Units)* RID.U $0.061 RBC Quant EAFE Dividend Leaders (CAD Hedged) ETF RIDH $0.100 RBC Quant EAFE Equity Leaders ETF RIE $0.170 RBC Quant EAFE Equity Leaders ETF (USD Units)* RIE.U $0.130 RBC Quant EAFE Equity Leaders (CAD Hedged) ETF RIEH $0.250 RBC Quant Emerging Markets Dividend Leaders ETF RXD $0.060 RBC Quant Emerging Markets Dividend Leaders ETF (USD Units)* RXD.U $0.046 RBC Quant Emerging Markets Equity Leaders ETF RXE $0.130 RBC Quant Emerging Markets Equity Leaders ETF (USD Units)* RXE.U $0.099 * Cash distribution per unit ($) amounts are USD for RUSB.U, RUD.U, RUE.U, RUBY.U, RPD.U, RID.U, RIE.U, RXD.U, and RXE.U Unitholders of record on September 22, 2022 will receive distributions payable on September 29, 2022. For further information regarding RBC ETFs, please visit www.rbcgam.com/etfsolutions. Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investments in exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"). Please read the applicable prospectus or ETF Facts document before investing. ETFs are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. ETF units are bought and sold at market price on a stock exchange and brokerage commissions will reduce returns. RBC ETFs do not seek to return any predetermined amount at maturity. Index returns do not represent RBC ETF returns. RBC ETFs are managed by RBC GAM Inc., a member of the RBC GAM group of companies and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada. About RBC Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 92,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our 17 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com. We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/community-social-impact. About RBC Global Asset Management RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM) is the asset management division of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and includes money managers BlueBay Asset Management and Phillips, Hager & North Investment Management. RBC GAM is a provider of global investment management services and solutions to institutional, high-net-worth and individual investors through separate accounts, pooled funds, mutual funds, hedge funds, exchange-traded funds and specialty investment strategies. The RBC GAM group of companies manage approximately $540 billion in assets and have approximately 1,500 employees located across Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia. SOURCE RBC Global Asset Management Inc. Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2022/15/c8474.html Anthony Scaramucci signed the paperwork for his recent deal with crypto billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried the only way "The Mooch" could at an Andrea Bocelli concert in Italy. Last week, FTX Ventures and SkyBridge reached an agreement that saw the venture arm of Bankman-Fried's crypto exchange take a 30% stake in SkyBridge, Scaramuccis alternative investment firm. The financier is heading to the Bahamas this weekend to meet with Bankman-Fried and lay out the goals for SkyBridge and FTX's partnership, Scaramucci told Yahoo Finance in a sit-down interview at the SALT conference on Wednesday. I definitely want to have a cryptocurrency focus for SkyBridge, Scaramucci, a founder and managing partner of SkyBridge said, adding that one third of the managers assets are allocated to crypto funds. But I dont want to lose sight of some of the traditional core aspects of the firm, so I am not going to eliminate that stuff. Anthony Scaramucci speaks at the Exclusive Resorts Luncheon hosted by Anthony Scaramucci and Steve Case at Ci Siamo on September 13, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images) Scaramucci and SBF had worked on previous ventures together, including the launch of a cryptocurrency conference in the Bahamas earlier this year. SkyBridge also holds stakes in FTX across its funds. The SkyBridge executive initially proposed FTX take a 15% position in his firm, but Bankman-Fried insisted on the 30% they eventually settled on. SkyBridge also provided Bankman-Fried with a three-year option to expand his stake to 85%, Scaramucci told reporters during a press conference at this year's SALT event. SkyBridge deployed $40 million of Bankman-Fried's cash into crypto upon the deal's closing. The Financial Times reported the investment was made on the condition $40 million be allocated to digital assets. Scaramucci disputed that characterization in his interview with Yahoo Finance, saying SkyBridge proposed funneling the assets into cryptocurrencies and Bankman-Fried made recommendations. Scaramucci said his firm intends to hold the purchased assets on its balance sheet for the next 3-5 years. "Ive been humbled by life, and Ive been humbled by markets," he said. "We can be right or we can be wrong, but I think we'll be right." Story continues As of June 30, digital assets comprised about $800 million of $2.5 billion in assets managed by SkyBridge, according to the firms website. Scaramucci told Yahoo Finance he is interested in expanding the firms stake in digital assets but envisions SkyBridge having more robust private equity funds and a broader hedge fund practice in the coming years as markets heal and performance gets stronger. 'An appropriate alibi' Scaramucci initially met with Bankman-Fried over lunch at Costa a Mexican restaurant at the Rosewood Baha Mar resort in the Bahamas where he ordered a meat-free meal in solidarity with SBF, who is a vegetarian. The initial goal of the meeting was to escape a water park day during the Disney cruise he was on with his family. "I thought, 'I have to get out of this water park,'" he told Yahoo Finance. "I have to find someone in the Bahamas I can talk to, and I knew my wife would accept Sam as an appropriate alibi." After they discussed the general framework for an FTX investment into SkyBridge, Scaramucci ordered his team to send a term sheet to the 30-year-old cryptocurrency billionaire. The two sides met over a Zoom call the next day to hash out the details. Scaramucci was attending a performance by his daughter and Andrea Bocelli in Italy when he received the final paperwork and signed it through Docusign, he told Yahoo Finance. Bankman-Fried wired the money on Thursday, September 8, one day before Scaramucci revealed the partnership in an interview with CNBC, where he is a contributor. Scaramucci, who also served an 11-day stint as the White House communications director under former President Donald Trump, remains optimistic about the long-term future of digital assets even as a rout in cryptocurrency markets this year sent SkyBridge Capitals flagship fund of funds down 25% in 2022 through the end of July. When the market is going from $69,000 to $17,000 in crypto, you do get a fight or flight response to that, Scaramucci said, referring to the plunge in Bitcoin (BTC-USD) this year. Im concerned, but Im also a long-term thinker." Alexandra Semenova is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @alexandraandnyc Click here for the latest economic news and economic indicators to help you in your investing decisions Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Download the Yahoo Finance app for Apple or Android Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, and YouTube South Dakota will receive over $10 million in federal funds to help build electric vehicle charging stations across 680 miles in the state, according to a press release from the federal Department of Transportation on Wednesday. The infusion of funding is part of President Joe Biden's Infrastructure Law that establishes the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program, meant to further the future of electric vehicle use in the nation. Nearly $10.6 million will come to South Dakota over the next two years for the state Department of Transportation to use in a plan to expand electric vehicle charging stations across the state, according to the announcement. South Dakota was one of 35 states in the country to have its plan approved Wednesday. More: TenHaken's $646M budget passes without much fuss, but arts coordinator position gets axed SD DOT in their plan to the feds acknowledged the challenges facing the state when it comes to electric vehicles. Currently, there are 1,429 electric vehicles in the state, or .12% of all passenger vehicle registration, according to SD DOT. That number is expected to grow to roughly 22,000 in 2026. President Joe Biden smiles at the media while touring the 2022 North American International Auto Show flanked by local officials at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit on Wed., Sept. 14, 2022 "While there is no doubt that there will be national build-out and adoption of EVs over the next several years, adoption in South Dakota will likely lag behind the national curve and remain relatively modest even under the most aggressive growth projections," according to the report. Where will the charging stations be? So far, there are four "alternative fuel corridors" in the state that include Interstate 29, Interstate 90, Interstate 229 and Interstate 190 (a brief section of interstate that goes into Rapid City), according to the SD DOT plan. But at least 13 fast charging stations will need to be built in those areas before the corridor is considered ready by the federal government. There are already 59 charging stations in the state, including one federal compliant location in Wall. The other stations tend to be in Sioux Falls and Rapid City. Story continues More: Man fatally shoots woman before turning gun on himself in southwestern Sioux Falls, police say Fast charging stations are planned for Vermillion, Chamberlain, Yankton, Pierre and Mitchell. The charging stations that comply with the federal standard will be built on private property at various interstate interchanges in accordance to federal law. SD DOT is not expecting to use state highway funds to build out the charging stations. Instead they will rely on federal and private sector funding. Follow Annie Todd on Twitter @AnnieTodd96. Reach out to her with tips, questions and other community news at atodd@argusleader.com or give her a call at 605-215-3757. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota to get $10 million in funding for electric vehicles Seongnam, the 12th most populated city in South Korea, is planning to recreate the city in the metaverse and will issue non-fungible token (NFT) citizenships to give access to municipal information, according to local media reports. See related article: South Koreas capital city launches first stage of Metaverse Seoul Fast facts The city will finalize plans for the service by April 2023, and aims to start operations in the metaverse around May or June next year. The NFT citizenships, issued to promote the metaverse city, will grant citizens access to more municipal information. The Seongnam city government told Forkast more details on the platform and the NFTs will be decided in an upcoming meeting in October. The countrys capital city Seoul is also building a virtual city in the metaverse. It held a test opening of its virtual presence last month. With a population of nearly one million residents, Seongnam is a satellite city of the countrys capital Seoul. See related article: S.Korea to set up securities market for crypto tokens BOSTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Stealth BioTherapeutics Corp (NASDAQ: MITO), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel therapies for diseases involving mitochondrial dysfunction, today announced that the company is participating in upcoming events to discuss challenges and opportunities in ultra-rare disease drug development. Stealth BioTherapeutics Logo (PRNewsFoto/Stealth BioTherapeutics) (PRNewsfoto/Stealth BioTherapeutics) Reenie McCarthy, Stealth's CEO, will be participating in "Rare Disease Research: A Prescription" hosted by STAT which will take place on Thursday, September 15th from 5:30 p.m.9:00 p.m. ET at Convene located at 600 14th Street NW, Washington, DC. Ms. McCarthy will also participate in a discussion on "Incentives, Investments & the Way Forward for Ultra Rare Disease Drug Development" at The Business of RARE Biotech Summit on Tuesday, September 20 from 9:00 a.m.4:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill located at 400 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, DC. A copy of the presentation will be available on the Investors & News section of Stealth's website at https://investor.stealthbt.com/. These discussions are expected to include Stealth's clinical and regulatory development experience with Barth syndrome, an ultra-rare disease of cardiolipin deficiency. Stealth has recently met with the Division of Cardiology and Nephrology at the FDA to discuss data from Week 168 of its SPIBA-201 Part 2 open-label extension, which was the last visit completed by all SPIBA-201 Part 2 trial participants. At that time point, after over 3.5 years of chronic elamipretide therapy, a >40% mean improvement from baseline in left ventricular stroke volume (p=0.007) and end diastolic volume (p=0.003) was observed. Also, subjects continued to show improved exercise tolerance on the six-minute walk test (>90-meter mean improvement from baseline; p=0.003), muscle strength (>60 newton mean improvement from baseline; p<0.0001) and other functional endpoints. The company has requested an additional meeting with the FDA to gain further clarity on a regulatory path forward. Story continues About Stealth We are a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel therapies for diseases involving mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria, found in nearly every cell in the body, are the body's main source of energy production and are critical for normal organ function. Dysfunctional mitochondria characterize a number of rare genetic diseases and are involved in many common age-related diseases, typically involving organ systems with high energy demands such as the eye, the neuromuscular system, the heart and the brain. We believe our lead product candidate, elamipretide, has the potential to treat ophthalmic diseases entailing mitochondrial dysfunction, such as dry age-related macular degeneration, rare neuromuscular disorders, such as primary mitochondrial myopathy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and rare cardiomyopathies, such as Barth syndrome. We are evaluating our second-generation clinical-stage candidate, SBT-272, for rare neurological disease indications, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia, following promising preclinical data. We have optimized our discovery platform to identify novel mitochondria-targeted compounds which may be nominated as therapeutic product candidates or utilized as mitochondria-targeted vectors to deliver other compounds to mitochondria. Forward-looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include those regarding Stealth BioTherapeutics' expectations for elamipretide clinical data and development efforts. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Stealth BioTherapeutics' beliefs, plans and expectations, are forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate," "expect," "hope," "plan," "potential," "possible," "will," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "may," "predict," "project," "would" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Stealth BioTherapeutics may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in these forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements as a result of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors, including: Stealth BioTherapeutics' ability to obtain additional funding and to continue as a going concern; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the ability to successfully demonstrate the efficacy and safety of Stealth BioTherapeutics' product candidates and future product candidates; the preclinical and clinical results for Stealth BioTherapeutics' product candidates, which may not support further development and marketing approval; the potential advantages of Stealth BioTherapeutics' product candidates; the content and timing of decisions made by the FDA, the EMA or other regulatory authorities, investigational review boards at clinical trial sites and publication review bodies, which may affect the initiation, timing and progress of preclinical studies and clinical trials of Stealth BioTherapeutics product candidates; Stealth BioTherapeutics' ability to obtain and maintain requisite regulatory approvals and to enroll patients in its planned clinical trials; unplanned cash requirements and expenditures; competitive factors; Stealth BioTherapeutics' ability to obtain, maintain and enforce patent and other intellectual property protection for any product candidates it is developing; and general economic and market conditions. These and other risks are described in greater detail under the caption "Risk Factors" included in Stealth BioTherapeutics' most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), as well as in any future filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements represent management's current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Except as required by law, Stealth BioTherapeutics does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements made by us to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Investor Relations Kendall Investor Relations Adam Bero, Ph.D. abero@kendallir.com IR@StealthBT.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stealth-biotherapeutics-to-participate-in-upcoming-ultra-rare-disease-events-301625829.html SOURCE Stealth BioTherapeutics Inc. By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) - Tesla Inc was sued on Wednesday in a proposed class action accusing Elon Musk's electric car company of misleading the public by falsely advertising its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features. The complaint accused Tesla and Musk of having since 2016 deceptively advertised the technology as fully functioning or "just around the corner" despite knowing that the technology did not work or was nonexistent, and made vehicles unsafe. Briggs Matsko, the named plaintiff, said Tesla did this to "generate excitement" about its vehicles, attract investments, boost sales, avoid bankruptcy, drive up its stock price and become a "dominant player" in electric vehicles. "Tesla has yet to produce anything even remotely approaching a fully self-driving car," Matsko said. The lawsuit filed in federal court in San Francisco seeks unspecified damages for people who since 2016 bought or leased Tesla vehicles with Autopilot, Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features. Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It disbanded its media relations department in 2020. The lawsuit followed complaints filed on July 28 by California's Department of Motor Vehicles accusing Tesla of overstating how well its advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) worked. Remedies there could include suspending Tesla's license in California, and requiring restitution to drivers. Tesla has said Autopilot enables vehicles to steer, accelerate and brake within their lanes, while Full Self-Driving lets vehicles obey traffic signals and change lanes. It has also said both technologies "require active driver supervision," with a "fully attentive" driver whose hands are on the wheel, "and do not make the vehicle autonomous." Matsko, of Rancho Murieta, California, said he paid a $5,000 premium for his 2018 Tesla Model X to obtain Enhanced Autopilot. Story continues He also said Tesla drivers who receive software updates "effectively act as untrained test engineers" and have found "myriad problems," including that vehicles steer into oncoming traffic, run red lights, and fail to make routine turns. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has since 2016 opened 38 special investigations of Tesla crashes believed to involve ADAS. Nineteen deaths were reported in those crashes. The case is Matsko v Tesla Inc et al, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 22-05240. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis) Adroit Market Research During 2022-2029, North America is accounted for the leading revenue share. Over the anticipated period, revenue growth in the non-cash payment segment is projected to be quite strong. Dallas, Texas, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rapid growth in population has led to transportation issues rising the need of mass transportation system and prompt initiation of advanced ticketing procedure. Additionally, the latest trends of automatic fare collection systems is driving the Global Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Market. The global Ticket Vending Machine market is expected to reach close to $1.3 Bn by 2030 with an annualized growth rate of 4.5% through the projected period 2022-2030. The Latest Innovations in Global Ticket Vending Machine Market: A Snapshot India recently started its first Regional Rapid Transit System. The Regional Rapid Transit System line has incorporated TVM systems and QR code tickets. Technological trends, increasing ratio of smart technology users, smart technology becoming routine practice in more and more consumers especially youngsters, growing literacy, developers working on redesigning training videos that include graphical icons such for illiterate and untrained travellers, growing efficiency of TVM are driving the adoption of ticket vending machine globally. Ticket vending machine provides several benefits. The benefits are precise performance, faultless reliability, efficiency, reduced processing time as opposed existing solution such as human based token booth. Hence, the ticket vending machine is experiencing rapid adoption thus fostering remarkable progress of global ticket vending machine market. Request a pdf brochure @ https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/3274 Global Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Market Scope Metrics Details Study Period 2019-2030 Market Size in 2030 USD 1.3 Billion Segment Covered By Type, by Application, BY Region, By Type Covered Non- Cash Payment Type, Cash Payment Type and Others by Application Covered Subway, Railway Station, Railway Station and Others Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and South America Key Players Profiled Parkeon, Scheidt & Bachmann, IER, Ducati Energia, Sigma, Potevio, and Shanghai Huahong Co, Ltd., Omron, Genfare, ICA Traffic, GRG Banking, AEP are among the leading companies operating in the global ticket vending machine market However, challenges in acquiring ticket or tokens, many people being unfamiliar and non-proficient using modern technologies are limiting the adoption of ticket vending machine. Also, the modern technologies further pose challenges to the people who have less aptitude thus gradually getting cut off from modern society. This is hampering the global ticket vending machine market. Story continues On the other hand, the advantages such as improved purchasing process, saving resources, user satisfaction, possibility of customization, increased productivity, cost-effective, efficient, affordability and convenience, precise and dedicated service, autonomous and more interactive contributing to the development of smart cities are collectively influencing thumping growth of ticket vending machine. This is driving the global ticket vending machine market. Furthermore, lack of training for TVM users, illiteracy eliminating optimal use of TVM, unfriendly user interface of TVM and its design, higher rejection ration comparative to other systems, insufficient classification for returning money in shape of coins are other key reasons hampering the global ticket vending machine market. Currency note rejection and difficulties in using the interface and complicated design of the TVM are major concerns limiting the use and adoption of ticket vending machine. Purchase a single user copy @ https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/researchreport/purchase/3274 On the other hand, rapid usage of computer based technologies, growing literacy and technology knowledge making it easier to use enhanced design and interface like ticket vending machine, faster operations, growing trend of acquiring TVM, overall technology awareness, rising number of travellers are expected to escalate the demand of TVM. This is likely to drive the global ticket vending machine market. The global ticket vending machine market is classified into smart card, near field communication, and others on the basis of input type. Among these, the smart card segment accounted for highest market share and is expected to witness highest sales revenue in upcoming years. The market is classified into amusement parks, theaters, car parking, train stations, and others on the basis of application. The train station segment experienced largest demand for ticket vending machine. Important Points from Table of Contents: 1.Introduction 2. Research Methodology 3. Market Outlook 4. Ticket Vending Machine Market by Type, 2019-2029 (USD Million) 5. Ticket Vending Machine Market by Application 2019-2029 (USD Million) 6. Ticket Vending Machine Market by Region 2019-2029, (USD Million) 7. Competitive Landscape 8. Company Profiles Parkeon, Scheidt & Bachmann IER Ducati Energia, Sigma Potevio, and Shanghai Huahong Co, Ltd. Omron Genfare ICA Traffic GRG Banking AEP 9. Appendix Looking for DISCOUNT? If yes, then request for discount at https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/contacts/discount/3274 Access research repository of Upcoming Reports @ https://adroitmarketresearch.com/upcoming.html About Us: Adroit Market Research is a global business analytics and consulting company incorporated in 2018. Our target audience is a wide range of corporations, manufacturing companies, product/technology development institutions and industry associations that require understanding of a markets size, key trends, participants and future outlook of an industry. We intend to become our clients knowledge partner and provide them with valuable market insights to help create opportunities that increase their revenues. We follow a code Explore, Learn and Transform. At our core, we are curious people who love to identify and understand industry patterns, create an insightful study around our findings and churn out money-making roadmaps. Contact Us: Ryan Johnson Account Manager - Global 3131 McKinney Ave Ste 600 Dallas, TX 75204 Email ID: sales@adroitmarketresearch.com Phone No.: +1-9726644514, +91-9665341414 Connect with us: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn U.S. Senate Banking Committee holds hearing to examine the Securities and Exchange Commission on Capitol Hill in Washington By Pete Schroeder and Michelle Price WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler defended his agency's position on cryptocurrencies and its push to include climate risks into public company disclosures before the U.S. Senate Banking Committee on Thursday. Gensler appeared before the panel for its regular oversight duties, but the hearing comes at a time of Republican frustration over his agenda. They claim he has overstepped his authority with a broad assault on U.S. capital markets and adopted a hostile stance toward the financial industry. But in prepared testimony released ahead of the hearing, Gensler insisted his new rules are critical to ensuring the U.S. capital markets remain the global "gold standard." Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown applauded Gensler's ambitious agenda. "If Wall Street and its allies are complaining, it probably means youre doing your job," he said. Republicans are especially concerned about a draft SEC rule requiring public companies to disclose climate-related risks, including greenhouse gas emissions. Corporate groups say it is onerous and exceeds the agency's authority. "The cost of compliance will be more material to the investor than the information itself," the committee's top Republican Pat Toomey said in his opening remarks. He also warned that the SEC should be "nervous" about legal challenges in light of a recent Supreme Court decision to curb the Environmental Protection Agency's power, which some legal experts say undermines the SEC's authority on its climate rule. Jon Tester, a Democratic U.S. Senator from Montana, also raised concerns about the potential impact of the climate rule on small business owners like farmers who could be ensnared by its requirement for public companies to disclose emissions in their supply chains. But Gensler, in his testimony, said the rule would provide needed clarity and consistency to an issue important to investors and being disclosed by some companies under disparate frameworks, and later added the agency was considering all feedback. Story continues CRYPTOCURRENCY CRITICISMS Republicans also pressured Gensler on what they see is his increasingly hawkish stance on cryptocurrency oversight. Gensler made headlines last week when he said crypto companies may need multiple SEC registrations and split their operations into separate legal entities. Gensler said such "disaggregation" could enhance investor protections and guard against conflicts of interest. He added that SEC staff was working with traditional market intermediaries interested in entering the crypto market, and urged Congress to not inadvertently undermine existing investor protections while crafting cryptocurrency legislation. Toomey, though, said the SEC has failed to provide regulatory clarity in the crypto market and accused the SEC of being asleep at the wheel as crypto lending platforms Celsius Network and Voyager Digital collapsed this summer, leaving thousands of retail customers unable to access their assets. Gensler also struck a cautious tone on a recent deal between U.S. and Chinese officials on auditing U.S.-listed Chinese firms, noting the accord is meaningful only if U.S. officials actually are permitted to fully investigate Chinese auditors. If not, roughly 200 companies would still face the prospect of trading restrictions in the United States, he warned. (Reporting by Michelle Price and Pete Schroeder; Editing by Josie Kao and Diane Craft) The United States is expected to account for the largest market of US$ 110.4 Mn by the end of 2032. The use of personal handsets and gadgets for corporate and commercial demand to promote staff productivity is one of the key reasons for the rising demand for VMI. NEWARK, DE / ACCESSWIRE / September 15, 2022 / The Virtual Mobile Infrastructure Market revenues were estimated at US$ 134 Mn in 2021 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% from 2022-2032, according to a recently published Future Market Insights report. By the end of 2032, the market is expected to reach a valuation of US$ 316.6 Mn. The Market value to Grow by Almost US$ 145.9 Mn in 2022. Future Market Insights, Inc., Thursday, September 15, 2022, Press release picture Some of the factors driving the growth of the global Virtual Mobile Infrastructure Market include improved information security, cheaper hardware and running costs, and simplified services of the flexible work environment through a single control center. Virtual Mobile Infrastructure is a method of storing the working configuration of a portable device in the cloud. When virtualized infrastructure is installed, the application begins to run on a virtual machine in the central server. Over the forecast period, the market for mobile virtual network operators is likely to be driven by the increased usage of data and value-added offerings such as online broadcasts and M-commerce-based services. Increased smartphone adoption and the resulting increase in mobile subscriber base are expected to significantly boost to industry development. Request for a Sample Copy of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-15537 Mobile virtual network providers offer a wide range of consumer demands, however, they do not control the whole infrastructure or radio frequency license. It improves security by removing the need for employees to download a mobile app or keep sensitive company data on their mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. Furthermore, virtual mobile infrastructure enables administrators to centrally set up and deploy multiple mobile workplaces to their employees, making mobile workplace administration simple and efficient. Story continues "The increased usage of data and value-added services such as online broadcasts and M-commerce based services is boosting the market for services in Virtual Mobile Infrastructure." comments a Future Market Insights analyst. Competitive Landscape Lebara Group, Lyca Mobile, TalkTalk Group, Giffgaff, Poste Mobile SpA, Virgin Mobile, and TracFone Wireless Inc. are the key players in the virtual mobile infrastructure market. Some of the key developments in the virtual mobile infrastructure market include: In October 2021, Avast Safe Browser PRO, a premium edition of their safe browser, has been introduced by Avast, the company behind one of the most popular antivirus programs. In September 2021, Trend Micro Incorporated, launched a new safe room for Indian cloud users. To be sovereign and private, will assist the country in storing data securely within it. Report a Customization for any Query @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/customization-available/rep-gb-15537 More Insights Available Future Market Insights, in its new offering, presents an unbiased analysis of the Virtual Mobile Infrastructure Market, presenting historical market data (2015-2021) and forecast statistics for the period of 2022-2032. The study reveals extensive growth in Virtual Mobile Infrastructure Market in terms of Component (Platforms, Services), Deployment Type (Cloud, On-premises), and Vertical (BFSI, Healthcare, Manufacturing, IT and Telecom, Government, Others), across five regions (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa). Market Segments Covered in Virtual Mobile Infrastructure Market Analysis By Component: Platforms Services By Deployment Type: Cloud On-premises By Vertical: BFSI Healthcare Manufacturing IT and Telecom Government Others Request a Report Methodology @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/request-report-methodology/rep-gb-15537 Table of Content 1. Executive Summary 1.1. Global Market Outlook 1.2. Summary of Statistics 1.3. Key Market Characteristics & Attributes 1.4. Analysis and Recommendations 2. Market Overview 2.1. Market Coverage / Taxonomy 2.2. Market Definition / Scope / Limitations 3. Market Risks and Trends Assessment 3.1. Risk Assessment 3.2. Key Trends Impacting the Market 3.3. Formulation and Product Development Trends 4. Market Background 4.1. Virtual Mobile Infrastructure Management Market, by Key Countries 4.2. Virtual Mobile Infrastructure Management Market Opportunity Assessment (US$ Mn) 4.3. Market Scenario Forecast 4.4. Investment Feasibility Analysis 5. Key Success Factors 5.1. Manufacturers' Focus on Low Penetration High Growth Markets 5.2. Banking on with Segments High Incremental Opportunity TOC continued..! Top Reports Related To Technology Market Insights Advanced Mobile UX Design Services Market Size - The global advanced mobile user experience (UX) design services market is estimated to create an incremental opportunity of US$ 2.5 Bn by the end of 2032. The sales of advanced mobile UX design services are expected to rise at a robust CAGR of 7% over the forecast period 2022-2032. Intelligent Virtual Store Design Solution Market Share - The major factor driving growth of the global intelligent virtual store design solutions is the reduction in costs of infrastructure, labour and saves travel time which ultimately boosts the bottom line. Virtual Machine Market Trends - The global virtual machine market is expected to reach a valuation of US$ 119.89 Bn by 2031. Increasing adoption of heavy applications among organizations and rise in cloud computing technologies across the globe has fuelled the demand for virtual machine systems and solutions. Virtual Prototype Market Outlook - A virtual prototype is a digital simulation of a physical product that can be used to visualize its behavior under real-world operating conditions. The designing and testing of a virtual prototype is called virtual prototyping. Virtual Event Platforms Market Demand - Demand for virtual event platforms is projected to rise at an astronomical CAGR of 16.6% from 2022 to 2028. The global virtual event platforms market stands at a valuation of US$ 6.78 Bn, and is predicted to surge to US$ 17.05 Bn by the end of 2028. Virtual Customer Premises Equipment Market Forecast - This methodology of delivering network services through software is termed as virtual customer premises equipment (VCPE). The virtual infrastructure enables enterprises to reduce organizations' dependency on hardware. Virtual Workspace Solutions Market Sales - The global virtual workspace solutions market is projected to secure a fast-paced CAGR of 13.3% during the forecast period. The market is likely to be valued at US$ 14,931.4 million in 2022, and is predicted to have a valuation of US$ 51,898.9 million by the end of 2032. Mobile Application Market Type - The global mobile application market is anticipated to acquire a market value of USD 96,128.2 million by 2026, expanding at a CAGR of 9.6%. Mobile Application Stores Market Value - The mobile application stores market size is anticipated to rise from US$ 165.9 Bn in 2022, and it is projected to surpass US$ 1027.21 Bn by 2032. The sales of mobile application stores are projected to increase at a CAGR of 20% during the forecast period. Mobile Payment Transaction Market Analysis - The global mobile payment transaction market share is anticipated to be valued at US$ 54.47 Bn in 2022 and is projected to reach US$ 1055.36 Bn by 2032. The adoption of mobile payment transactions is projected to rise at an average CAGR of 34.5% during the forecast period. About Future Market Insights, Inc. Future Market Insights, Inc. is an ESOMAR-certified business consulting & market research firm, a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and is headquartered in Delaware, USA. A recipient of Clutch Leaders Award 2022 on account of high client score (4.9/5), we have been collaborating with global enterprises in their business transformation journey and helping them deliver on their business ambitions. 80% of the largest Forbes 1000 enterprises are our clients. We serve global clients across all leading & niche market segments across all major industries. Contact Us: Future Market Insights Inc. Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive, Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA T: +1-845-579-5705 For Sales Enquiries: sales@futuremarketinsights.com SOURCE: Future Market Insights Inc. View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/716107/Virtual-Mobile-Infrastructure-Services-with-over-81-CAGR-to-Trigger-the-Market-Growth-Mentions-Future-Market-Insights MONTREAL, Sept. 15, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - The 8th edition of Women in Governance's (WiG) Annual Recognition Gala is being held today at Le Palais des congres de Montreal to celebrate the largest cohort of renowned organizations to date to have been awarded its Parity CertificationTMBronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum levelrecognizing their exceptional commitment to gender equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. Despite the pandemic, a record number of organizations have submitted their application to obtain the Parity CertificationTM in 2021. To celebrate this remarkable success, WiG is holding its prestigious Annual Recognition Gala today at Le Palais des congres de Montreal. After a 2 year absence in Montreal, this long-awaited in-person edition presented by the Canadian Bankers Association and held under the honorary co-presidency of Ms. Anik Trudel, CEO of Lavery and Mr. Denis Giangi, President of Rolls-Royce Canada brings together Canada's top executive leaders and political figures to pay tribute to the latest 64 renowned organizations that achieved the Bronze to Platinum levels of its Parity CertificationTM and celebrate the 5th anniversary of the program! The Honorable Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, Mr. Pierre Fitzgibbon, CAQ candidate in Terrebonne riding, incumbent MNA and Quebec's Minister of Economy and Innovation, and Ms. Valerie Plante, Mayor of Montreal, are attending. WiG's Parity CertificationTMthe first of its kind in North America, built in 2017 with the pro bono support of McKinsey & Companyhelps organizations increase the representation of women in sectors where they have historically been underrepresented, as well as in senior management positions. Evaluation partners Accenture, Mercer, and WTW support the WiG team in the assessment of applications. Its robust questionnaire evaluates parity at every level of an organization and particular attention is paid to intersectionality, to create a diversified and inclusive pipeline of female talent. More than 700,000 employees in Canada work for an organization that has been Parity certified! After our successful 2020 launch in the United States, we are now proudly preparing our expansion across the Atlantic. Story continues "With the great challenges of today's market, allowing women to progress without glass ceilings or sticky floors is more essential than ever. But pledges don't mean action, hashtags don't equal change: progress is not made by paying lip service, but through consistent and deliberate action. This is where WiG's Parity CertificationTM comes in! In the current labour shortage, parity and diversity are key when it comes to recruitment, and a more inclusive culture increases employee engagement. Thankfully, there is still a few weeks left for organizations to join our 2022 Parity Certification!" Caroline Codsi, ICD.D., Founder and Chief Equity Officer of Women in Governance. The following 10 organizations are honored for having obtained a Platinum Parity CertificationTM: Accenture | Bell Canada | CBC/Radio-Canada | Intact Financial Corporation | JLL | Mercer Canada | National Bank of Canada | Sodexo Canada | Sun Life | Ville de Montreal. The following 54 organizations are honored for having obtained a Bronze, Silver or Gold level Parity CertificationTM: ABB | Accor | Air Canada | Alithya | Autorite des marches financiers | BDC | Bishop's University | BNP Paribas Canada | Bombardier | Bristol Myers Squibb | CAE | Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec | Canadian Coast Guard | Canadian Commercial Corporation | CAPREIT | Cascades | CNESST | Concordia University | CPP Investments | Danone Canada | Desjardins Group | Ecole de Technologie Superieure | Export Development Canada | Fairstone Financial | FedEx Express Canada | Gildan | Ivanhoe Cambridge | Kruger Products | Loto-Quebec | McGill University | McKesson Canada | Medicago | Muskoka Brewery | National Film Board of Canada | Norton Rose Fulbright | Palais des congres de Montreal | Paysafe | Pfizer Canada | Polytechnique Montreal | Pratt & Whitney Canada | PSP Investments | Randstad Canada | Reseau de transport de la Capitale | Rio Tinto | Rolls-Royce Canada | Sandoz Canada | Sanofi Canada | Schneider Electric | Societe de transport de Montreal | Sollio Cooperative Group | Telefilm Canada | Telus | TMX Group | WTW. ABOUT WOMEN IN GOVERNANCE Women in Governance (WiG) is a non-profit organization founded in 2010 to support women in their career advancement and access to decision-making bodies, as well as progressive organizations striving to close the gender gap in the workplace. The organization pursues its mission with its Parity CertificationTM, inspiring events, as well as governance training and mentoring programs. More about Women in Governance: https://womeningovernance.org More about the Parity CertificationTM: https://paritycertification.org/ SOURCE La Gouvernance au feminin Cision View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2022/15/c2532.html XCPCNL Business Services Corporation Charlotte, North Carolina, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XCPCNL Business Services Corporation (OTC Pink: XCPL), a venture development business that leverages knowledge, skill, and experience in the consumer products industry (the Company) today issues a letter from CEO Tim Matthews. Dear Shareholders, For those of you who missed it, yesterday I presented at the Emerging Growth Conference at a live, interactive online event. To view a recording of my presentation, please visit https://youtu.be/L50JNgGCWms . After seeing a lot of misinformation being spread on social media platforms about myself and XCPNL, I wanted to take the opportunity to address several topics and questions that are being consistently asked. Although I am quite new to the OTC, I take all shareholder inquiries to heart and use them as an opportunity to not only learn, but also grow the company in the best way possible. I sincerely thank everyone who tuned in to the conference, and asked questions. Thank you for being patient during the journey and evolution of our company. We look forward to being more communicative with our shareholder case and upholding transparency with our company. Sincerely, Tim Matthews CEO XCPCNL Business Services Corporation (OTC Pink: XCPL) encourages shareholders to visit their corporate Twitter account at https://twitter.com/RealXCPCNL . Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer: This press release may include, and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company may include, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements regarding possible business combinations and the financing thereof, and related matters, as well as all other statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as anticipate, believe, continue, could, estimate, expect, intend, may, might, plan, possible, potential, predict, project, should, would and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management team, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Companys management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in the Companys filing with the Over the Counter Market (OTC). All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law. Story continues About XCPCNL: Charlotte, NC-based XCPCNL Business Services is a venture development business that leverages its knowledge, skills, and experience in the consumer products industry. Our primary mission is to provide marketing, technology, and other business services to fast-growing consumer product companies and big-box retailers. XCPCNL is a minority-owned and controlled firm. To learn more about our businesses, services, and opportunities, please contact: info@xcpcnl.com To learn more about XPCNL, visit www.xcpcnl.com For Inquiries: Email: ir@xcpcnl.com With an extra 1,000 feet of runway at Stafford Countys regional airport, Dave Ellis cant wait to try it out Friday, when he will pilot his 1940 Stearman PT-17 down the new asphalt. Theres so many things you see happening around the airfield, this is just another piece of progress that will be great for Stafford County and for Fredericksburg, Ellis said. Ellis will be the first pilot to try out the new runway during a 4 p.m. ceremony Friday to celebrate the completion of a project that lengthened the countys regional airport runway from 5,000 feet to 6,000 feet. The extra length will allow pilots to fill their aircraft to capacity with passengers and fuel to fly a longer distance. Work on the extension began almost a year ago, when the airport received federal grant money to launch the first phase of the project. Three months after being awarded that grant, the airport received another $464,000 from the Virginia Aviation Board to continue the work. Airport Manager Jim Stover said the initial idea to extend the regional airports 5,000-foot runway actually came about 15 years ago, when members of the airport authority saw an opportunity to sell additional jet fuel. Thats our primary source of revenue, Stover said. Last year, the airport sold 100,000 gallons of Jet A fuel that on Tuesday was selling for $4.44 per gallon. Stover expects to sell an additional 40,000 to 50,000 gallons per year with the runway extension. With 1,000 feet of additional runway now at their disposal, pilots can travel greater distances than they could before. The extension also puts Staffords airport in line with other regional airports, which built 6,000-foot strips as a standard when they were initially constructed. Stover said a longer runway would have come in handy earlier this week. On Monday, Stover said a small jet was slated to depart the Stafford airport carrying a full load of passengers and their luggage. The pilot of the aircraft had hoped to depart on the trip with a full load of fuel to make his destination nonstop, but he could not top off the tank due to weight, weather and the short length of the field. With a full load of fuel on a warm day, they didnt have enough runway to take off, Stover said. Stover said the new extension will allow a midsized jet such as a Bombardier Challenger 605 to depart Stafford with a full load of passengers and fuel to travel 1,200 miles farther than it could with a 5,000-foot runway. These guys dont like to make hops to get somewhere, Stover said. That increased range increases the desirability to use Stafford airport, so that airplane can now make the West Coast or even Europe. Stover said several other airport projects are underway, including the construction of a 16,600-square-foot hangar. That structure is scheduled to open next month and includes nine T-type parking areas, along with a single jet pod. Stover said more T-hangars are coming to the airport in the future, as are box hangars used for business aircraft maintenance, painting, avionics work and parking. Stover said there are 26 airplane owners on the waiting list for T-hangars and five more for jet pods. Rental fees to park in a hangar are $425 per month, and $65 per month to park a plane outside on the tarmac. Other long-range plans at the airport, which opened in 2001, include new pavement for the runway, minus the 1,000 feet of new asphalt that will be dedicated Friday. Runways last about 20 years, Stover said. Three years from now, I expect a new runway. Stover said the entire runway extension project that included a five-year environmental study in and around the 566-acre complex, came after the airport authority first passed a resolution approving the project in 2007. Last year, the airport received nearly $5.8 million in funding from the Federal Aviation Administration for the runway, taxiway, lighting and other items associated with the extension project. Stover said work on the runway, hangars and other infrastructure on the property is mostly paid for by state and federal dollars and grants. Any money borrowed to pay off loans for new structures such as hangars is paid for with revenue collected from hangar rentals. Earlier this week, workers at the airport said they expected the new extension will be ready Thursday, ahead of the ceremony. On Tuesday and Wednesday, pavement stripers were busy applying bright, reflective white lines on the surface of the new pavement and other technicians were busy running cables and testing equipment ahead of the grand opening. We put such energy into this project, Stover said. Im hoping the jet pilots will see this as a viable option for them regardless of the conditions that theyre flying in. A consultant hired by the Virginia Department of Aviation in 2016 to study the economic benefits from the 66 regional airports in the state reported that Staffords airport had a total economic impact of $23.3 million annually, with 203 jobs created and a payroll of $7.9 million. According to the report, those economic benefits are created by businesses, tenants, and visitors who travel through those airports, as well as the companies that rely on the airport to support their businesses. The Virginia Board of Education on Thursday approved granting a superintendents license to former Spotsylvania County Administrator Mark Taylor, thereby clearing the way for the School Board to officially give him the job of division superintendent and work out a contract. Board of Education members mainly cited their belief in the role of locally elected school boards to make the best decisions for their local school systems. We are not confirming anybody, said BOE member Andy Rotherham, an appointee of Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Were saying, do they meet a baseline standard under the law to be on this list (of candidates eligible to obtain a superintendents license)? The board determined that Taylor qualifies for a superintendents license based on Option IV of the Virginia Codes licensure regulations, which lays out the requirements for obtaining a superintendents license without a background in education. Candidates must have a masters degree or equivalent, three years of successful senior leadership experience and a recommendation from a Virginia School Board interested in hiring them. Two BOE members, Anne Holton and Tammy Mannwho were appointed by former Gov. Ralph Northamvoted against granting Taylor a license. Virginia Administrative Code section 8VAC20-23-750 cites a number of reasons for denying a license, ending with Other good and just cause in the best interest of the public schools of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Holton cited this reason as supporting her belief that the Board of Education could vote against granting Taylor a license. She referred to posts that appear to have been made to Taylors personal Facebook page, and described them as racially and socially insensitive. It does not reflect well on the public schools of Virginiait does not serve the school children of Virginiato have somebody who posts not one, not two, but numerous racially bigoted and offensive memes, Holton said. Among other things, if these posts are accurate and true, they just reflect a significant lack of judgement about communications and what a public officials role in the world would be. Several of the board members who voted to grant Taylor the license agreed that the posts would have disqualified him from a leadership position if they had been doing the hiring. On a local board, I would consider these a disqualification, said member Alan Siebert, a Youngkin appointee. Rotherham said that, assuming that those posts are legitimate, if I were on a local board, I would not vote to hire, either. But thats not our role, he continued. Were not on a local board. Thats for the people of Spotsylvania, speaking through a local school board. They have to make these decisions. Thats fundamentally the civics lesson of this entire episode. Taylor suggested during an interview Wednesday with ABC7 that the social media posts were the result of his profile being hacked. Those posts were discussed by many of the two dozen Spotsylvania parents and teachersincluding School Board members Nicole Cole and Lorita Daniels, speaking as parents of schoolchildrenwho addressed the BOE during public comments, asking them not to grant the license. They asked board members to consider Taylors lack of public school teaching or administration experience, his personal friendship with School Board Chair Kirk Twigg and the fact that his application for licensure last month was sent to the Virginia Department of Education without the School Board having held a public vote to recommend him. Parent Rich Lieberman argued that Taylor does not meet the qualifications for school division superintendents as enumerated in Virginia Administrative Code section 8VAC20-390-10, which states, The applicant shall have had at least five years of satisfactory and full-time experience in administration or supervision, or both, in public schools. About a dozen community membersincluding School Board members April Gillespie, Lisa Phelps and Rabih Abuismailattended the meeting to speak in support of Taylor. They described those who spoke against him as being part of an activist group with ties to a teachers union, described Taylor as an ethical leader with extensive experience managing budgets, and asked the BOE to respect the local boards decision to go with an out-of-the-box candidate for superintendent. Let Spotsylvania County move on to take care of Spotsylvania County, Phelps said. The Free LanceStar has reached out to Taylor to ask about his goals for Spotsylvania County Public Schools should he become superintendent and to ask if he would comment on the social media posts. MONTPELIER has been the subject of much news coverage since March, when a long-simmering debate over who controls the board of trustees that oversees James Madisons home and plantation burst into public view. That battle shone a spotlight not only on race relations (the struggle at Montpelier was over whether descendants of slaves would get equal voice on the board of trustees), but also on the changing way we interpret history. In this case, the advocates for telling the totality of the story at Montpelierboth the glory of Madisons achievements, and the ugly reality of human slaverywon the day and again set this historic site in Orange County at the forefront of places providing visitors a more complete telling of Americas past. Not everyone is impressed. The Washington Examinera leading conservative newspaperon Sept. 9 published an expose claiming that Montpelier is being destroyed from within by radical activists who, as the Examiner puts it, see the nations founding [as] a sinister event, and they seek to co-opt the father of the Constitution to tell their warped tale of American evil. Who to believe? Montpelier has dedicated the entire month of September to celebrating the Constitution, and is inviting anyone who can travel to Orange, or who has an internet connection, to come see for themselves what is taking place. Though there are events throughout September, we call readers attention to those occurring this Saturday. On this day, tours and lengthy discussions about the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and the central role that Madison played in their establishment, will allow visitors to both appreciate and think more deeply about these extraordinary accomplishments. There will also be discussions about the slaves who lived at Montpelier and the enormous contributions they made to the founding of this nation. The Libation Ceremony, which begins at 9:30 a.m. at the slave cemetery, is a half-hour event that the website describes as: While Madison and his contemporaries conceptualized the structure of a new government, enslaved Americans built the nation through their knowledge, expertise, and labor. The Constitution Tour, which begins at 10:30 a.m., takes visitors into the heart of our founding document. James Madison did more than any other single person to create, secure and perpetuate our revolutionary system of government, says the website. And it was here at Montpelier that he found inspiration and conceived many of his initial ideas. Theres also an opportunity to meet and talk with the Montpelier Foundation and the members of the Montpelier Descendants Committee about power-sharing at Montpelier and how it is shaping the future of this historic site. Theres much more, of course, and we encourage you to explore all the activities by visiting montpelier.org/events/constitution-month. Make no mistake. Changes are happening at Montpelier. For some, these changes are challenging. The Washington Examiner piece reflects a paranoia that has gripped many who are worried about changing the way the story of Americas founding is told. In one way, the worry is understandable. We as a nation have accomplished a lot over the past 80 years in removing the barriers that have long kept Black Americans from the halls of power and denied them access to wealth-building. We have ended Jim Crow and redline laws. We have ended legal segregation. We have ended separate-but-equal. This is good. But it isnt enough. As Black Americans have risen economically and politically, they are bringing their stories to us, and rightly insisting that they stand alongside the stories of people like Madison. These stories are what frighten many. The truth of American slavery is uglier than many want to believe. And for too long, Americans have had their eyes and minds shielded to the horrors that were everyday occurrences in Charleston, South Carolina; the Mississippi Delta; and in Spotsylvania, Stafford, Fredericksburg, and Orange. Montpelier is leading the way in helping us contend with the totality of early American history. Its not always easy to see. But now that Montpelier has given equal voice to both the Madisons and those they enslaved, we can begin to honestly debate the complexity of our history and those traditionally deemed founders. Montpelier is inviting us all in to see first-hand what whole-truth history is. This Saturday, set aside the opinion writers, and experience it first hand. Then, let the debates begin. From left, Brenda Jackson-Williams, Tracy Jackson, Earnest Jackson, and Remee Greer. (Courtesy of the Jackson family) LINCOLN An Omaha man seeking to gain his freedom from prison for a murder he maintains he didnt commit has gained new allies the girlfriend and son of the man Ernest Jackson was convicted of killing. The son and girlfriend of Larry Perry have submitted letters in favor of Jacksons release to the State Pardons Board. Its the first time the family of the alleged murder victim have spoken out. Jackson, who has spent 22 years behind bars, is seeking a hearing from the Pardons Board that could lead to his release. A hearing by the three-member board on his request is scheduled Monday at the State Capitol. Greatest miscarriages of justice It is the latest twist in a case called one of the greatest miscarriages of justice Ive ever seen, by Jacksons attorney, Daniel Gutman of Omaha, on Thursday. The son, Mike Hatcher, now 23 and living in Council Bluffs, said he holds two other men responsible for the slaying who admitted being at the 1999 gunfight in which his father was murdered. Hatcher said after meeting and talking to Jackson, he considered him a remarkable man who deserves to have a second chance at life, and to be released from prison. Release is right thing to do I am speaking up and asking for a commutation of Earnests sentence because it is the right thing to do, Hatcher wrote in the letter to the Pardons Board. Perrys former girlfriend, Elizabeth Smith, said she didnt know Jackson, but that another man, Shalamar Cooperrider, has admitted to shooting her former boyfriend, and he was acquitted by a jury because Cooperrider acted in self defense. Another man at the North Omaha gunfight, Dante Chillous, was also acquitted due to Cooperriders confession. Jackson, meanwhile, was tried in court before the other two men, and did not have the benefit of Cooperriders statements. Jackson, then 17, was found guilty of being an accessary to first-degree murder, despite his insistence that he wasnt present at the shooting. Treated unfairly The ex-girlfriend, in her letter to the Board of Pardons, said she now believes that Jackson was treated unfairly and was not responsible for the murder of Larry Perry. I did not understand how Earnest was convicted of shooting Larry, when the co-defendants tried after Earnests conviction were acquitted on self-defense grounds, Smith wrote. Gutman, Jacksons attorney, said he believes his client is innocent, but even if he isnt, theres no such offense as being an accessory to self-defense. The letters become part of the record to be considered Monday by the State Pardons Board, which consists of Gov. Pete Ricketts, Attorney General Doug Peterson and Secretary of State Bob Evnen. A Change.org petition for Earnest Jackson supporting a pardon had garnered over 61,000 signatures as of earlier this month. Community activists have held several marches and rallies in support of Jackson, and State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, an attorney, has sought legislation to lead to his release. In a recent interview in the Nebraska Examiner, Jackson said that the boy incarcerated in 2000, although unjustly, is not the man that I am today. Co-defendants both dead He has unsuccessfully sought a new trial, and, when he was resentenced for his conviction because he was a minor, he received a sentence of 60-80 years in prison. One problem that Jackson has faced in seeking a new trial or a reduction in his sentence is that both Cooperrider and Chillous were shot dead about a year after Jackson was convicted, so they cant testify on his behalf. The Pardons Board has been reluctant to grant requests for commutation for convicted murderers after doing so in 2013 for Laddie Dittrich. Shortly after Dittrich reportedly a model prisoner was released, he was arrested and convicted of sexual assault. No further mistakes Ricketts later said the board doesnt want to make any further mistakes. Still, Jackson, in the recent Examiner story, expressed optimism. Im not someone who is coming out there to tear down anything in our community, Jackson told reporter Jazari Kual. My thing I want them to understand about me is that Im coming out with a heart filled with love, compassion, understanding, and resolve to want to help everyone. A jury began deliberations Tuesday evening in a medical negligence case in Council Bluffs seeking upwards of $15 million to $30 million in damages. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner) COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA Pottawattamie County Sheriff Andy Brown said Wednesday that reviewing and improving jail medical care has been a top priority following a 2018 incident in which a county inmate had to have both legs amputated. Brown said the case of inmate Kevin Pittillo was tragic and that since he took office in 2020, he has restructured county jail leadership, putting it under a sworn sheriffs captain, rather than a civilian. He added that the quality of medical care at the jail has been reviewed, and will continue to be examined, so it meets all appropriate standards going forward. Feel horrible I obviously feel horrible about what happened to him, Brown said of Pittillo. I ran for sheriff in 2020 because I want to help the people of Pottawattamie County. I certainly do not want anyone to come out of our jail worse off than when they went in, he said. He issued the comments after the Nebraska Examiner revealed that Pottawattamie County had reached an out-of-court settlement with Pittillo and his court-appointed Nebraska public guardian back in November. The county agreed to pay $4.5 million to be dropped from a negligence lawsuit alleging lack of proper medical care. County officials had not previously revealed the monetary settlement, saying that it could have prejudiced jurors during trials over other parties being sued. The jails supervising doctor, Dr. Jon Thomas, also agreed to an out-of-court settlement, but the amount that was awarded was not disclosed in court records. Jury deliberated two hours On Wednesday, a jury of six men and two women found a different party who was sued not liable for the injuries suffered by Pittillo, jail psychiatrist, Dr. Ivan Delgado. The jury deliberated about two hours on Wednesday. The not-liable verdict meant jurors didnt have to go through the technical process of determining potential damages due or the percentage of liability. Delgados legal team, led by the Omaha firm of Lamson, Dugan & Murray, said it appeared that the jury agreed that the incident was a physical medicine issue and not a psychiatric issue, and that Dr. Delgado had met the reasonable standard of care for psychiatrists. Brought to delirious, almost naked Pittillo, now 66, was brought to the Pottawattamie Jail in July 2018 on suspicion of disturbing the peace. He was reported to be delirious and paranoid, was nearly naked, and babbling about being a former Russian KBG agent or a present member of the U.S. military. He was examined by medical staff as well as Dr. Delgado, who prescribed a psychotropic drug, Seroquel, commonly given to treat schizophrenia and other mental illnesses, to quell his strange behavior. While in jail, Pittillo regularly refused to take the drug, and refused to take showers. He laid stinking and naked on the floor of his cell, and was mostly nonverbal. Guards had to pick him up and clean him up, and expressed that Pittillo needed to go to a hospital or mental facility. They found a painful rash in his pelvic area, which was treated with medicated lotion. One leg appeared dead Nine days after entering the jail, guards, sensing his physical deterioration, called for an ambulance. Eventually, Pittillo was transferred to CHI Healths Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, where he was diagnosed with profound ischemia, a clotting of blood vessels that had blocked the flow of blood to his legs. A surgeon testified that one leg appeared dead. Both his legs had to be amputated. He now lives in an Omaha independent living facility that has 24-hour aid available to help him get in and out of bed. He spends most of the day watching television, Chaffee said. Pittillos attorneys had argued that his legs could have been spared, or his amputations could have been less extensive, had Delgado recognized his physical and mental deterioration earlier and ordered him sent to a hospital. But Delgados lawyers said it was the jail nurses job to ensure that Pittillo was taking his medication, and that they had failed to alert the psychiatrist that he wasnt doing so until a week had passed. Like a sudden heart attack Pittillos physical ailments, Delgados attorneys also insisted, came on suddenly, and were caused by life-long poor health and smoking. They maintained that the clotting occurred like a sudden, surprise heart attack. While Delgados attorneys accused Pittillos lawyers of seeking Cadillac care for their client, the plaintiffs attorneys said it was about human dignity, and getting his diapers changed without his having to wait hours in his wheelchair. Michelle Chaffee of the Nebraska Office of Public Guardian said she filed the lawsuit a first for her 8-year-old office after Pittillo became a state ward and she learned of what had happened. Public guardians are appointed to manage the affairs of people with disabilities or elderly individuals who cannot manage their affairs on their own, and have no family or friends able to do so. The Nebraska office, established in 2014 through the State Supreme Court, manages about 300 state wards. The office bills itself as protecting Nebraskas most vulnerable, and often intervenes in instances of financial exploitation or medical mistreatment. Chaffee said Pittillo was disappointed the jurys verdict, and most disappointed that jurors might have felt the amputation was somehow his fault. Pittillo had testified earlier during his six-day trial, but wasnt present for closing arguments on Tuesday, Chaffee said, because its painful for him to be in his wheelchair too long. Chaffee said she was disappointed, but not surprised, given that the system of treating those with mental illnesses is broken. This whole situation is a horrible example of how individuals with mental illness are blamed, ignored and treated differently compared to individuals with physical illnesses, she said. If a person was found lying on the sidewalk, with beginning signs of a potential heart attack, I do not think they would be taken to jail for loitering, Chaffee added. And, most assuredly, if the individual was in jail and physical symptoms progressed to heart failure, they immediately would be sent to a hospital. Native American and activist Gregg Deal's new show, "Esoo Tubewade Nummetu (This Land is Ours)," opens with a free reception from 5-8 p.m. Thursday in Marie Walsh Sharpe Gallery at Ent Center for the Arts. He's the artist behind the 66-foot-tall mural, "Take Back the Power," featuring his daughter on the side of a downtown building. The business portfolio of Steve Kaczmarek, founder and owner of Borealis Fat Bikes, just got bigger. Started in Kaczmarek's garage, Borealis Fat Bikes produces, manufactures and sells fat-tire bikes with a mission to create the highest quality carbon fiber fat bikes possible. The Colorado Springs-based company made the Inc. 5000 list two years in a row as one of the fastest growing companies in the nation with three-year growth of 147R. After several years of "exponential" gains, Kaczmarek said he decided to boost his business further by acquiring the tire company that supplied his fat bike tires Terrene Tires a move Kaczmarek said was instigated by shrinking supply chains. It was not only an opportunity, but it was really strategic ... to secure our supply chain with tires because another one of our major tire suppliers had announced to us that they were no longer going to make fat bike tires, Kaczmarek said of the July deal. And so we were getting very, very nervous about, where do we buy tires? By purchasing Terrene Tires, which sells fat-bike tires worldwide, Kaczmarek said he not only boosted Borealis' supply chain but made purchasing tires more cost effective. The tires cost less because we're ordering directly from the factory where they're made, Terrenes president, Dave Miller, said. Versus ... being somewhere kind of in the middle in terms of sales channels. Previously based in Minneapolis with a warehouse and operations in Montana, Terrene's headquarters moved to Colorado Springs after Kaczmarek acquired the company. But he emphasized that Terrene Tires remains a separate entity from Borealis, a distinction he said is key in helping supply tires for competitors in the fat bike industry. We are interested in selling to anyone who's excited to work with the company, Miller said about Terrene. Miller noted that other fat bike companies will often own their own tire business but restrict their tire sales to other fat bike competitors, but Kaczmarek wants to be an equal opportunity supplier. Our goal at Borealis is to make the best fat bikes in the world, Miller said. Our goal at Terrene is to have the best fat bike tires in the world. With 30,000 combinations of specs, Borealis sells its specialized bikes for anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000. While Borealis demand is leveling out compared to a boom during the pandemic, Kaczmarek believes his business is more equipped to weather economic instability after his acquisition of Terrene. I think its going to be definitely different going forward post-COVID for every company because ... if you have any hiccup, you get shut down, Kaczmarek said. So I think almost all companies are going to say, Hey, we need a buffer stock. Come fall in Colorado, aspen gets all the love. But yellow isnt the only color in the hilly palette. However short lived and uncertain the display, its all the more reason to appreciate the underappreciated native that is Gambel oak. Says Andy Schlosberg of the Colorado State Forest Services Woodland Park office: Anywhere along the Front Range where youre looking up and see those pretty oranges and reds, thats almost always that oak. Quercus gambelii is the scientific name, after an adventurous naturalist whose life was cut all too short, like those lobed leaves against the wind and nighttime chill. William Gambel died of typhoid fever in 1849 at the age of 26. Scrub oak is the common name, unflattering. Its been treated almost like a pest or a weed because of its root-sprouting capability, and its shrubby nature kind of gets in the way, says Stan Kitchen, who previously studied the species with the Rocky Mountain Research Station. For Colorados most famous photographer, its more than welcome. Otherworldly, John Fielder calls it. When Gambel oak turns its maximum red, that crimson-blood red, and it backlights, its just outrageous, he says. Even more so, he says, in those rare frames that blend it with shiny aspen in the higher elevations. The trees are different, of course. One is defined by a thin, white trunk, the other dark and rough. One might be called regal, the other gnarly with its nonconforming branches and twigs. Ones leaf is smooth and petite, the other a bit hairy on the backside. But they are more similar than meets the eyes. The chemical makeup is different, explaining the different colors. But the process by which the leaves turn on the way to shedding is the same. The nutrient-giving days become shorter, the nights cooler. The chlorophyll drains, and the leaves change color, Schlosberg says. And their process of cloning is similar. Gambel oak is prolific thanks to a deep root system that sends shoots up fast after fire, like aspen. Thanks to those deep, water-absorbing roots and xeromorphic, water-storing leaves, oak is strong, too, against drought. It lives just fine on the Wests dry, hardscrabble ground where the sun shines. It is an important contributor to our states biodiversity, reports the Colorado Native Plant Society. The thick groves provide shelter and habitat for birds and mammals big and small, especially in winter. Bears fatten up on the acorns before hibernation, sharing with deer, elk and turkey. Oak serves as the lifelong home of the Colorado hairstreak, the state butterfly. And it serves as watershed protection in many places, such as where Kitchen lives near Utahs Wasatch range. Pretty steep slopes, he says. And so one of the things that helps hold that slope in place are those oak clones that hold the soil and intercept both snow and rain. Kitchen co-authored a 2016 report on Gambel oak with scientists around the southern Rockies. Although it is ubiquitous in Colorado and Utah, they wrote, surprisingly little research has been devoted to understanding Gambel oak or mixed mountain shrub stands. The lack of knowledge could be detrimental, they found, considering changes in climate, increase in drought, changing forest conditions and health, and the dramatic spread of homes and structures in the wildland-urban interface in Gambel oak habitat. The report cited devastating, oak-fueled fires like the Waldo Canyon fire in Colorado Springs. From his station in Woodland Park, Schlosberg says mitigation has been a priority. You dont want that carpet of oak that we tend to see right up against a house, he says, while in the forest we try to get rid of those ladder fuels that can carry flames up into the canopy. Its a tricky balance between protecting infrastructure and conserving ecosystems, Kitchen says. How to properly manage oak as part of a conifer forest, it needs work, he says. In the meantime, its nice to look at. Dont tell Fielder otherwise. And dont tell him bluebird days go best with fall colors. Not necessarily, the photographer says. Just as he values oak, he values gray skies as well. Even in cloudy light, it becomes an extraordinary subject, he says. Teachers, parents and activists implored the State Board of Education to consider reinstating LGBTQ+ references in the social studies standards during a Wednesday board meeting in Colorado Springs The boards regular meeting room in Denver is being renovated to include, among other things, extra space for two additional board members who will be elected in November, bringing the total number of state board members to nine, according to Education Commissioner Katy Anthes. The meeting included recognition of Colorado Springs School District 11s 150th anniversary, a discussion on literacy training for K-12 teachers, and a 6-1 vote to reinstate Adams School District 14s accreditation, which the board voted to revoke in May. But the overwhelming majority of the public comments revolved around the Social Studies Standards Review and Revision Committees withdrawal of its plans to add, in its revision of state standards, references to the queer community in classes below fourth grade. The committee, composed of social studies teachers and professors from across the state, presented the first draft of revision recommendations to State Board of Education in November. The provisional changes were made in accordance with House Bill 19-1192, Inclusion of American Minorities in Teaching Civil Government, which states, in part, that social studies and civics classes should include the history, culture and social contributions of American Indians, Latinos, African Americans and Asian Americans, and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals within these minority groups. But when the revisions were made available for public feedback, numerous concerns were raised about the appropriateness of referencing LGBTQ people in lower grades. In April, the committee decided against including any references to queer people in social studies curriculum below fourth grade. At Wednesday's meeting, attendees who in the past had raised concerns about the lower grades did not make public comments. Speakers at the Wednesday meeting pointed out that about half of the 4,499 pieces of negative feedback reviewed by the committee came from just six respondents. Do not be intimidated by voices of fear that think by not mentioning race or LGBTQIA+ people we can somehow prevent the world from changing, and blind students to the world around them, said Jen Williamson, a church pastor and education advocate. Be on the right side of history. Angelica Givler, a fifth grade teacher in District 11, said she was encouraged a few years ago when she noticed a marked increase in diverse and inclusive literature across the country. Removing queer references from the social studies standards would be a step in the wrong direction, she said. It was clear (in 2016) that the world realized the importance of including all communities, Givler said. It is astonishing to me that we are going backwards rather than continuing to grow as a community. Studies have shown that young readers feel a greater connection to the books they read when they can see themselves within the text, Givler said. Students that are not represented in text have a higher dropout rate. It seems to me that making sure we include all students in our textbooks and libraries would help with engagement, comprehension and increased graduation rates. This needs to be true at all ages and grade levels. Jessie Pocock, CEO of Inside Out Youth Services, said diverse and inclusive historical references are crucial in helping young people be proud of who they are, regardless of skin color, ethnic background or sexual orientation/identity. It is so critically important that we have standards that are inclusive so that young people can see whats possible for them, said Pocock, a 2000 graduate of Palmer High School. Please consider reinstating the (original) standards that were offered up by the commissioners who did that really, really important work. The state board plans to finalize the social studies standards by the end of the year. In accordance with its policy, members did not respond to public commentary at Wednesdays meeting. The State Board of Education will meet in Greeley in October and in Thornton in November as the renovation of its Denver meeting room continues, according to the board's website. . A small-business owner and political outsider, Andrew Dalby, is running for mayor of Colorado Springs, promising to focus on public safety, roads and parks. Dalby joins five other candidates running to replace Mayor John Suthers, who is term-limited in April and cannot run again. He is facing some well-known political names in town, including El Paso County Commissioner Longinos Gonzalez, City Councilman Wayne Williams, City Council President Tom Strand and former City Councilman and County Commissioner Darryl Glenn. Political newcomer Yemi Mobolade, another small-business owner, joined the race in April. Dalby is a Colorado Springs native and a former information technology consultant. He got into the race, he said, because he was unhappy with the current slate of candidates, including some who have been in public office for years. "There is a lot of demand for somebody who is new," said Dalby, who owns an RV storage business. If elected, he said he would focus on running an efficient small government focused on basic services. For example, to improve public safety he would staff up the Colorado Springs Police Department. Suthers announced at the State of the City address last week the department will likely need 200 new police officers in the coming years as the community grows. Dalby said he would focus on recruitment and ensuring the police feel valued in their community and within the department. He would also like to encourage residents to be empowered to participate in ensuring their community is safe, through efforts like neighborhood watch programs. "Getting people, particularly in more crime-ridden areas, to feel like they are participants in, rather than subjects of, policing is critical," he said. On roads and public infrastructure, Dalby would like to see efficient spending. "I do have a problem with the allocation of money where we neglect the road, but we are tearing out chunks of sidewalk," he said. In some cases, he has seen city construction make sidewalks worse, he said. He would also like to prioritize parks maintenance and ensure particularly in poorer areas of town that parks are well cared for to provide spaces for families who cannot afford many extracurricular activities for their children. He does not want to see such parks with weeds and shuttered public restrooms. If selected, Dalby said he would bring his experience as the leader of an IT consulting team that worked with large organizations such as Honda, the New Jersey Department of Corrections, Hennessy and Colorado Springs Utilities to the job. "I know how to run a large organization efficiently," he said. All mayoral candidates are unofficial at this time because they cannot begin collecting signatures to get on the ballot until January. A pair of El Paso County men were arrested last week after they attempted to pay an undercover El Paso County detective to engage in sexual acts with a 14-year-old girl, according to arrest affidavits obtained by The Gazette. According to the affidavits, the men, Michael Veil and Stephen Paul Greisen, both made contact with the undercover El Paso County Sheriff's Office detective on a website where individuals can connect to pay for sexual acts. The investigation was a joint effort between the Colorado Springs Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations and the El Paso County Sheriff's Office to target "individuals attempting to pay money to have sex with children," according to the affidavit. The undercover detective posed as a mother looking to offer her 14-year-old daughter up for sexual acts. Veil, 37, was the first of the two to make contact with the undercover detective on Sept. 6, according to the affidavit. Despite Veil being informed several times over text that the girl in question was 14 years old, and even himself stating "that seems real young," at one point in the conversation, Veil and the detective reached an agreement to pay $150 for "full sex for half hour," according to the affidavit. The affidavit states that Veil arrived at the agreed location the evening of the next day and was subsequently arrested by law enforcement. Following his arrest, Veil said he was just "lonely and looking for someone to talk to," but also could not provide a reason for why he inquired about the price of sexual acts. Veil admitted to detectives after his arrest that he had previously been arrested on charges relating to prostitution, according to the affidavit. Court records additionally show that Veil pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in 2020 and received a deferred probation sentence of 36 months. Greisen, 68, made contact with the undercover officer on Sept. 7, and despite being informed twice that the age of the girl was 14, he agreed to pay $170 for sex, the affidavit states. "K, I can be there in 20 min?" Greisen wrote to the detective to confirm. After arriving at the address given by the undercover detective, Greisen was arrested by authorities with $180 in his pocket, according to the affidavit. Court records show that both men were arrested on suspicion of three charges: inducement of child prostitution, patronizing a prostituted child and sexual assault on a child. The most serious of those charges, inducement of child prostitution, is a Class 3 felony that could result in four to 12 years in prison, per Colorado statutes. Court records show that both Veil and Greisen posted the $35,000 bond to be released from the El Paso County jail. Greisen will appear in Colorado's 4th Judicial District Court on Friday for his first appearance, while Veil will make his first appearance on Tuesday. Following the recent return of her mental health evaluation, Letecia Stauch is set to return to Colorado's 4th Judicial District Court on Thursday afternoon. In Stauch's most recent court appearance on Aug. 25, Judge Gregory Werner stated that Stauch was found sane in a mental health evaluation conducted by the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo. A new evaluation by an out-of-state doctor was requested by the defense at the hearing; the defense also requested to have Stauch remain at CMHIP while the new evaluation is being conducted. Thursday's hearing will discuss the issue regarding Stauch's residency at CMHIP and the new scheduled evaluation. Stauch has been awaiting trial for more than two years on charges of killing her stepson, 11-year-old Gannon, in January 2020 Delays have occurred, in part, due to the need for the mental health evaluation; initially, Stauch pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against her, but in February she was granted permission by Werner to change her plea to not guilty by reason of insanity. In addition to a murder charge, Stauch faces charges of child abuse and tampering with evidence. If convicted of first-degree murder, she faces life in prison. Stauch also faces a second case in which she is accused of attempting to escape from the El Paso County jail. Stauch was arrested in South Carolina in March 2020 and has been in jail since then after she was extradited back to Colorado. An August shooting at The New Havana bar and restaurant on Colorado Springs' east side stemmed from a confrontation over an vehicle crash in the parking lot, according to an affidavit. Oscar Yamil Palomares Jovet and Jose Noriega DeMarco are accused of shooting Juan Gutierrez outside The New Havana in the early morning hours of Sunday, Aug. 21, according to the affidavit. The incident began just after 2 a.m. as DeMarco, 28, and his girlfriend were attempting to leave The New Havana and a black BMW driven by Gutierrez backed into the front of DeMarco's car, the affidavit said. DeMarco positioned his car to block Gutierrez from leaving and then he and his girlfriend confronted Gutierrez, 21, who was driving "recklessly" in the parking lot, according to a statement by DeMarco. While out of the car, DeMarco's girlfriend claimed she was hit in the hip by Gutierrez's car, and shortly afterward DeMarco and Jovet, 30, a friend who had been at The New Havana with him, shot at Gutierrez, the affidavit said. A friend of Gutierrez's who had been at the bar with him said he witnessed the two men, later confirmed to be Jovet and DeMarco, "empty the clip" at Gutierrez. DeMarco was detained by a security guard at the scene while Jovet left, according to the affidavit. During an interview with detectives after the shooting, summarized within the affidavit, DeMarco said he fired into the vehicle of Gutierrez three times because "he felt in fear for his life as well as (his girlfriend's life)." However, a security guard who was a witness to the shooting, told police Gutierrez was unarmed and attempting to flee the area, according to the affidavit. DeMarco's girlfriend told police her boyfriend "always carries a gun in case of incidents and was also drinking during the evening," the affidavit said. According to the affidavit, Gutierrez's injuries left him with "substantial risk of death." The injuries suffered by DeMarco's girlfriend when she was hit by the car were considered not to be "serious bodily injury." The specifics of both injuries were redacted from the affidavit. When Gutierrez was released from the hospital on Sept. 2 he told detectives he could not recall any details of the incident except for leaving New Havana, according to the affidavit. The Aug. 21 shooting at The New Havana was the second shooting there that weekend. At around 2 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 19, 37-year-old Glenn Fruster was shot and killed outside bar and restaurant. Carnel Davis, 41, was arrested in the shooting and faces first-degree murder charges in 4th Judicial District Court. Jovet and DeMarco are both facing first-degree attempted murder charges in the shooting. Attempted first-degree murder is a Class 2 felony and carries a prison sentence of 16 to 48 years when serious bodily injury comes as a result, according to Colorado statutes. According to court records, Jovet was arrested Sept. 13 and was released when he posted a $50,000 bond. Court records show that a warrant remains active for DeMarco. Jovet is scheduled to make his first appearance in court on Sept. 22. There are no court dates scheduled for DeMarco. REVILLA: "WE WILL NEVER TOLERATE CRIMINALITY!" Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. denounced the spate of reported kidnappings. During the investigation of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, the lawmaker deplored the increasing incidents of such crimes, as many people including Filipinos, Chinese, women, and POGO workers have reportedly been victimized and tortured. "Hindi tayo papayag na patuloy na dungisan ng sinuman ang ating bayan sa kanilang paghahasik ng gulo at takot sa ating mga kababayan. Hindi natin bibigyan ng puwang sa ating bayan ang mga taong tila ba mga walang kunsensya at halang ang mga kaluluwa.", Revilla said. Sen. Revilla reiterated to the public that "no one is above the law", which serves as a strong reminder to perpetrators that the government will never turn a blind eye whenever laws are violated. During the discussion, Sen. Revilla questioned the Philippine National Police (PNP) whether the identified suspects were already charged after they claimed that the cases presented were already solved, noting that identifying suspects is not enough especially if it does not lead to prosecution. In a memorandum circular released by the National Police Commission titled "Adopting a Uniform Criteria in Determining When a Crime is Considered Solved", a case shall be considered solved if: 1. the offender has been identified; 2. there is sufficient evidence to charge him; 3. the offender has actually been taken into custody, and 4. the offender has actually been charged before the prosecutor's office or court of appropriate jurisdiction. Sen. Revilla further remarked that criminality was never and will never be tolerated. "We are conducting this hearing today to weed out those who commit these crimes with brazen impunity. Galit tayo sa mga naghahahari-hariang mga kriminal sa ating bansa. Lalo na sa mga nagsisiga-sigaang dayuhang kriminal. Silang mga walang pakundangan sa paglapastangan sa kaayusan at kaligtasan sa ating bansa", the solon said. In closing, he called the law enforcement instrumentalities act on their mandate to protect the Filipino people. Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country Sign Up View all of our newsletters. FILE PHOTO: Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows speaks to reporters following a television interview, outside the White House in Washington, U.S. October 21, 2020. REUTERS/Al Drago/File Photo A view of the New York City skyline of Manhattan and the Hudson River during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York City, as seen from Weehawken, New Jersey, U.S. April 18, 2020. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon FILE PHOTO: Local residents cross a damaged bridge, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in the town of Izium, recently liberated by Ukrainian Armed Forces, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine September 14, 2022. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich Joe Barrera, Ph.D., is the former director of the Ethnic Studies Program at UCCS. He teaches Mexico/U.S. Border Studies and U.S. Military History. He is a combat veteran of the Vietnam War. Mamuka Mdinaradze has responded to the letter of the MPs, who left "Georgian Dream", regarding the interview of Evelyn Farkas, an executive director of the McCain Institute with "Radio Tavisupleba":"The direct call from the executive director of the McCain Institute to open a second front in Georgia is really disturbing. When we talk about the fact that this is a threat to Georgia, someone may think, and there may be a sign of objectivity in this, that all this can help Ukraine against Russia. But what will happen to Georgia in this case, these people don't think about it"."It is understandable that some people, including the person who made this statement, do not think about it, but the fact that the citizens of Georgia, the Georgian opposition forces, do not think about it, confirm all this, do not criticize and do not isolate themselves, this is particularly disturbing.So what if Georgia gets involved in the war and receives a blow and military actions from Russia - then what does it mean? What will be the result for Georgia, should someone think about it? Who wants to separate within the country and say that no, we separate from this position? When the basis of this position is not in Georgia, some representatives of our partner country or some representatives of the country of Ukraine will take up such calls", Mdinaraze said at the briefing.According to the deputies' assessment, Farkas openly called on the Georgian authorities to impose sanctions on Russia, "which the American ambassador, Kelly Degnan, still does not dare to say openly."With the changes planned in the current year's budget, 80 million GEL is added to the Ministry of Defense.According to the project of amendments to be introduced in the 2022 state budget, the allocations of the Ministry of Defense increase by 80.0 million GEL and are determined in the amount of 1,082.4 million GEL.As the government explains, the increase is mainly related to the development of defense capabilities and the smooth financing of logistics costs.The government has already submitted the project of changes in the 2022 state budget to the parliament. The Bureau of the Parliament approved the schedule for considering the budget changes, according to which all parliamentary committees and factions will consider the draft budget.The process of committee discussions will start on September 15. The Finance and Budget Committee of the Parliament will hold a summary session on September 28, and the amendments will be submitted for approval during the session week of October 3. Cerro Gordo County Democrats have officially opened a campaign office in downtown Mason City. "I know two years ago, we didn't have an office but we did establish a sign station here so people could stop in and get yard signs," said Cerro Gordo County Democrats chair JoAnn Hardy. The office is located at 219 North Federal Ave, next door to Oak Leaf Comics & Collectibles. Hardy says the organization has been working out of the space for past election cycles, but now it is official. "We thought about going other places but our people know that we come here," said Hardy. The office is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hardy said the office is starting to add staff, since it has been run by volunteers up until this point. Individuals who come into Cerro Gordo County Democrats' office are able to pick up buttons, literature on candidates, and learn about opportunities to volunteer. People can also receive help getting registered to vote and filling out absentee ballot request forms. "We've had lots of people want to be active in this campaign and there's a lot of excitement about it," said Hardy. The office also serves as an event venue when candidates visit Mason City. Cerro Gordo County Democrats held a grand opening of the office on Tuesday, featuring special guest U.S. Congressional candidate and current state senator Liz Mathis. Over 30 attendees, which included several hopefuls running for local spots, came to hear the candidate speak. Mathis' message was focused on educating the Cerro Gordo community about the new district maps this election and who is running in the districts. "The maps were cut last October. For a full year, we should have been communicating this with people," said Mathis. "Let's hope they don't go and see the ballot for the first time and say 'where's Randy Feenstra?'" On 2nd try, lawmakers OK new election boundaries The Iowa Legislature moved toward approval Thursday of a redistricting plan for the next decade. Volunteers and Cerro Gordo County Democrats leadership hopes the office space can serve individuals before the election and answer questions. "I invite people to come and stop in our headquarters, get some yard signs, talk to our volunteers," said Hardy. "There's lots of opportunities here." "I feel like the main thing is for people to do their due diligence and look at the issues and then plan their vote accordingly," said Democrat volunteer Susan Bangert. Summertime this year was a busy season for Cerro Gordo County Democrats. The group organized a float for North Iowa Band Festival and for the Fourth of July parade, along with being present at Thursdays on Main in Clear Lake. Their big fundraiser was also held this summer at the Surf Ballroom. "(Our goal) of course is to win the elections, register more voters, and get more people to vote early. They can do that starting Oct. 19. You just need to walk into the auditor's office and then be done," said Hardy. Cerro Gordo GOP chair revels in new offices, party strength Cerro Gordo County GOP has announce the opening of a new office in downtown Mason City. South Africa: Energy security critical for economic recovery Mineral Resource and Energy Deputy Minister, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, says energy security is critical for economic reconstruction and recovery, particularly for a developing economy. We are implementing the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019 and driving required policy reforms to increase investment and ascertain energy security of supply, Nkabane said. Addressing a media briefing in Cape Town on the forthcoming Southern Africa Oil and Gas Conference to be held on Friday and Saturday, Nkabane said hydrocarbons, including oil and gas, will remain part of the global energy mix, including South Africas energy mix, into the foreseeable future. We are implementing the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019 and driving required policy reforms to increase investment and ascertain energy security of supply, Nkabane said. Nkabane said in retrospection within the energy space, the department has been placing emphasis on the development of indigenous oil and gas resources to reduce major dependencies on the imports of petroleum products, which contributes towards worsening South Africas economic status on the balance of payment. The IRP 2019 provides for gas as a transition fuel to support large penetration of renewable energy into the grid. Although combustion of gas as a fossil emits relatively less greenhouse gas emission, it is comforting to realise that there is now growing global consensus on the role of gas in the energy transition, Nkabane said. She said the Africa Energy Outlook 2022 by the International Energy Agency supports the argument of gas as a transition fuel. There is growing consensus supported by technical studies that for South Africa to achieve its targets to reduce emissions in the electricity sector through the deployment of renewable energy, gas is part of the options necessary to support the network and ensure security of supply. We are following closely on developments that are happening globally and in our continent on oil and gas discoveries, Nkabane said. Nkabane said multinational gas companies have been placing their focus on Southern Africa as a geological exploration hot spot for oil and gas resources. There are several gas discoveries in the country that are either in development or near development, offshore and onshore. These discoveries include Brulpadda/Luiperd, Renergen Virginia Gas, Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas and Lephalale Coal Bed Methane. Gas is one of the significant milestones in the countrys drive to reduce carbon footprint, Nkabane said. Nkabane said there is ongoing Gas Commissions between South Africa and Mozambique, as well as Namibia. It will be of paramount importance to expand the Gas Commissions between South Africa and either Tanzania or Angola to increase energy coordination, cooperation and trading patterns within SADC, she said. The Gas Commission serves as a platform for collaboration to exchange knowledge and experience regarding the provision, access, use and management of natural gas resources in an environmentally responsible manner as well as for social and economic development, Nkabane said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-09-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. State licensing officials have sanctioned pharmacies in nine of Iowas Walgreens stores for a variety of alleged violations, including missing narcotics, a lack of qualified personnel and issues that caused some Iowans to lose access to their medications. Two of the nine stores were sanctioned earlier this year for their hiring practices. The store hit with the most serious penalties is the Walgreens pharmacy located at 1251 Fourth Street SW in Mason City. The Iowa Board of Pharmacy charged with the store with six separate regulatory violations: practicing in a manner that is harmful to the public; failure to employ an adequate number of qualified personnel; failure to ensure that the perpetual inventory record for all Schedule II controlled substances is accurate and matches the actual on-hand inventory; failure to transfer prescriptions to another pharmacy upon the request of a patient; failure to adhere to regulations pertaining to a change in status of the pharmacist in charge; and failure to create and maintain complete and accurate records. According to the board, the Mason City pharmacy underwent an inspection in December 2021 in response to a complaint received by the board. During the inspection, the boards compliance officer observed inadequate staffing and noted that the store experienced a high level of staff turnover. The compliance officer also noted that after three different Schedule II controlled substances were counted, the tallies for all three showed discrepancies between the written, perpetual inventory count and the actual on-hand inventory of those drugs. In addition, the stores permanent pharmacist in charge had vacated that position in March 2021, but the board did not receive notification of the temporary person in charge who was appointed, and the board did not receive an application naming a new permanent pharmacist in charge until late December of that year. Also, during the week of Jan. 17, 2022, the Mason City store was intermittently closed during regular business hours due to the lack of pharmacist coverage. When the pharmacy was able to find coverage and reopened to the public, the pharmacists on staff were unable to transfer prescriptions elsewhere when patients asked them to do so. As a result, some patients were unable to access their medications. The board has placed the Mason City stores license on probation for 18 months and imposed a $20,000 civil penalty, although payment of $10,000 of that penalty will be stayed depending on compliance with other conditions established by the board. In addition, if the stores pharmacy is unable to be open during normal business hours due to a lack of adequate staffing, it must notify patients and prescribers of the closure in a timely manner, both through signage and a recorded message that provide a telephone number that patients can pass on to another pharmacy of their choosing, allowing the other pharmacy to directly call and request the transfer of prescriptions. West Des Moines store fined $4,500 In addition to the charges levied against the Mason City store, the board also charged the Walgreens store at 1999 Grand Ave. in West Des Moines with violating state rules requiring pharmacies to employ and place in charge a professionally competent, legally qualified pharmacist; rules that pertain to changes in the status of the pharmacist in charge; and rules that require pharmacies to perform an accurate inventory of all controlled substances immediately after terminating a pharmacist in charge. Specifically, the board stated the stores pharmacist in charge vacated the position on Sept. 7, 2021, and the store operated without a temporary or permanent pharmacist in charge for seven weeks, until Oct. 28, 2021. In addition, the store allegedly failed to submit to the board an application identifying the new permanent pharmacist in charge until Nov. 9, 2021. That application was reportedly incomplete, and the store then failed to promptly respond to board requests for additional information, the board alleged. Also, the store was accused of failing to complete a controlled-substances inventory until Nov. 4, 2021, almost two months after the previous pharmacist in charge had been terminated. The store denied the allegations but agreed to a settlement that entails a $4,500 civil penalty. Other stores face $10,000 penalties At its August meeting, the board also imposed sanctions against seven other Iowa Walgreens stores, most of which faced an identical set of charges and penalties. The seven stores are located at 15601 Hickman Road in Clive; 12753 University Ave. in Clive; 901 N. Ankeny Blvd. in Ankeny; 3140 SE 14th St. in Des Moines; 2545 E. Euclid Ave. in Des Moines; 4555 Fleur Drive in Des Moines; and 111 W. Ridgeway Ave. in Waterloo. The store located at 3140 SE 14th St. in Des Moines faced a set of charges different from the other six. That store was the target of a complaint alleging that patient counseling was not provided to a patient given a new prescription for prednisone. The stores security video recordings confirmed that counseling was not provided. In September 2021, the store was inspected. At that time, the stores on-hand count of hydrocodone was short 247 tablets, after which a board compliance officer requested a full audit of all Schedule II controlled substances. That audit identified a shortage of 44 tablets of oxycodone, and a shortage of 60 capsules of dexmethylphenidate. The six remaining Walgreens stores were each charged with failing to maintain accountability of controlled substances and records, and with failing to create and maintain complete and accurate records of all controlled substances on hand. According to the board, each of the six pharmacies reported losses of controlled substances to the board in November 2020, which Walgreens attributed to employee theft. The available documents made public by the board do not disclose the full scope of the theft. The board later asked Walgreen Co. to perform an audit of all controlled substances at the six stores, from June 2019 through June 2021. The audit reports for each of the pharmacies showed a large number of drug products which were found to have losses or overages, the board alleged, and Walgreen Co. was unable to definitively determine what led to the loss of so many controlled substances. According to the board, the audit indicated that many of the inventory quantities that showed zero controlled substances on hand must have been inaccurately entered at the time of the annual inventory, although its not clear from the board records what that means with regard to actual losses versus inaccurately reported losses. The license of each of the six pharmacies, as well as the license of the Des Moines store on Southeast 14th Street, have been placed on probation for one year, and each store has been fined $20,000, although only $10,000 of that needs to be paid depending on compliance with other board requirements, with the remaining $10,000 in penalties considered stayed. In addition, all permanent pharmacists and technicians employed at the seven stores must complete two hours of additional education on inventory management and commit to implementing a new inventory management system by the end of October. Also, any discrepancies between the actual and expected counts of controlled substances shall result in a $500 civil penalty, and delays in implementing the inventory-control system shall result in $1,500 penalties, with both to be drawn from the $10,000 in stayed penalties. In March, two of the sanctioned Walgreens stores were among three that were penalized by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy for violations related to hiring practices. The Walgreens store at 12753 University Ave., Clive, was fined $1,500 for operating for 12 days last spring without a designated pharmacist in charge, and the store at 3140 SE 14th St. in Des Moines was fined $750 for hiring two pharmacy technician trainees who were not registered with the board. In addition, the store at 3030 University Ave. in Des Moines was fined $1,500 for employing a person to assist a pharmacist with technical work in October 2021, even though the employee would not become a registered pharmacy technician until the following month. Episode 55: We are weeks away from elections that could affect control of Congress, along with the political futures of states across this nation. Some issues such as differences on tax policy or school budgets are relatively easy to discuss, but when the topic turns to the health of one of the candidates, things quickly get tricky. Rick Kyte and Scott Rada discuss how much voters should know about the health of the candidates who appear on the ballot, and whats the ethical way for a challenger to bring up the medical challenges facing an opponent? Links to stories discussed during the podcast: John Fetterman has lingering speech issues after his stroke. What's the impact on his Senate run?, by Julia Terruso, The Philadelphia Inquirer A worrying phone call adds to concerns about Sen. Dianne Feinstein's cognitive health, by Amina Kilpatrick, National Public Radio About the hosts: Scott Rada is social media manager with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 4:30 P.M. UPDATE: A missing Danville woman has been located. Naomi Willis, 62, was found at about 2:45 p.m. Thursday following an extensive search including members of the Danville Police Department, Danville Life Saving Crew, Danville Fire Department, Blairs Volunteer Rescue Squad, Ringgold Volunteer Fire Department, Campbell County Sheriff's Office K9 and members of Virginia Emergency Management Center Rescue Teams including Angel Search and Rescue, Blue and Gray Search and Rescue Dogs and Commonwealth Search and Rescue, according to a news release. She was alive, but in need of medical assistance. She was transported to Sovah Health-Danville for medical treatment. ORIGINAL STORY: Danville police are searching for a missing 62-year-old woman. Naomi Willis was reported missing Thursday morning by her family, authorities said in a news release. She was last seen Thursday morning on the Danville Riverwalk Trail near Dan Daniel Park wearing green pants and a tan shirt. Willis is reported to have early stages of dementia and could possibly be lost, police said. As of noon, a search was underway with help from the Danville Life Saving Crew and the Danville Fire Department. If anyone has seen Willis or knows her location, they are asked to call 911 immediately. The Virginia Employment Commission had reduced the backlog of potentially fraudulent cases to less than 142,000 at the end of last month and recovered $291 million in improper payments, although not all were due to fraud. Former Vice President Mike Pence spoke Wednesday at Liberty University's convocation, telling students, You must be the freedom generation. Today I tell you to prepare your minds for action. Take time in these years of study to understand what made this country special and unique, Pence said. This is the third visit for Pence, who served as the 48th vice president of the United States from 2017 to 2021 under President Donald Trump. Pence was a convocation speaker in October 2006 and a keynote speaker at LU's commencement in May 2019. Pence was met with a warm welcome from students, faculty and guests present in LU's Vines Center. He began his speech by discussing his early political influences, saying his biggest inspiration was former President Ronald Reagan. Pence said he felt drawn to Reagan when he heard the former presidents vision for the country: a strong national defense, limited federal government and traditional moral values. The former vice president said he joined the "Reagan revolution" and never looked back. President Reagan was before your time, but let me be clear, President Reagan was one of a kind, Pence said to the students. Pence described Reagan as the great disruptor and said his victory in 1980 changed the course of history because he was a conservative outsider who vigorously opposed the moderate Republican establishment of his day. He compared the election in 1980 to former President Donald Trumps victory in 2017. He too disrupted the status quo. He challenged the establishment, and now theres no turning back, Pence said. On June 24, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade the landmark legislation that made access to abortion a federal constitutional right in the United States. Pence said because of that decision by the Supreme Court, "We've been given a new beginning to life." In light of that, he urged the rising generation to continue to be champions for life. "Truly we've only come to the end of the beginning. The battle for life continues," Pence said. Pence gave a call to action to the current generation of college students at the university, saying American freedom is under attack like never before. The former governor of Indiana urged students to let the Constitution be their guide to understand it, to study it and to learn it. The truth is, your generation may be the last line of defense for the Constitution of the United States, Pence said. Emily Huseman, a junior pre-law student, said it was special to have the former vice president visit LU. She appreciated how Pence challenged students to learn the Constitution. To be able to articulate that and to defend that and to be passionate about that is very crucial right now, Huseman said. Liberty University junior Gabriel Spencer said he took from Pences speech the idea of remaining faithful to the Founders' intent for the country. Theres a lot of people that are trying to deteriorate our Founders' intent of the Constitution, Spencer said. There is an emphasis that the former vice president made on being involved, voting and trying to protect our Founders' intent. Pence closed out his speech with a challenge. Renew your commitment to become men and women of integrity. The nation does need it, Pence said. The supply chain bottlenecks and challenges hiring people that weigh on business are also slowing Virginias efforts to move some $4.29 billion of federal COVID-19 relief funds into the programs it wants to launch. As of June 30, state agencies had spent $1.49 billion, or 35%, of that total, according to the Virginia Department of Accounts. And theres a ticking clock that House Appropriations Committee chairman Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, is watching closely. If the state doesnt obligate make binding legal commitments, such as contracts for services or equipment or construction for all its American Rescue Plan funds by 2024, it will have to give unobligated funds back. As of June 30, some $1.67 billion is obligated, a total that includes sums actually spent. Supply chain issues, workforce shortages, changing reporting requirements, and the capacity of state agencies to manage federal grants appear to be contributing to delays in the rollout of funds," K. Joseph Flores, the senior policy adviser at the Virginia Department of Accounts who tracks the spending, told the Appropriations Committee on Tuesday. Supply chain bottlenecks have also been a challenge for the states push to tackle ventilation issues at schools an urgent early priority for containing the coronavirus virus by slowing delivery of new HVAC equipment, Knight said. I think were going to have to take a second look, at some of the allocations the General Assembly approved at its August 2021 and June 2022 special sessions, Knight said. Ive heard from my members that education spending is a concern, he said. That may mean shifting funds from the HVAC work to other programs to tackle learning losses students suffered during the pandemic, he suggested. Of the $250 million of American Rescue Plan funds budgeted for state aid to school boards to address school ventilation, only $2.1 million has been spent, Department of Accounts data shows. The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services hasnt spent or obligated any of the $50 million set for HVAC work at state hospitals, although it has spent $24.5 million of the $121.9 million budgeted for increased pay to attract and retain direct care staff, where it has seen critical shortages in recent years, made worse by the pandemic. The Department of Environmental Quality has neither spent nor obligated any of the $125 million the General Assembly directed for work on combined sewer and storm drain systems in Richmond, Lynchburg and Alexandria, or $100 million meant for improvements at wastewater treatment plants or the $75 million budgeted for sewer and septic system improvements. On the other hand, the Virginia Employment Commission spent all of the $862 million the General Assembly budgeted to boost the states unemployment insurance trust fund, while the State Council of Higher Education has spent all of the $111 million the legislature allocated it for undergraduate financial aid. In addition to wanting to keep tabs on state agencies spending, Knight said hes concerned about the $2.91 billion of American Rescue Plan funds that went to local governments. Hes asking the Department of Accounts to remind them of the deadline for obligating funds. If they have to give money back, I dont want to hear about coming to the Appropriations Committee and asking us to backfill, he said. Former Virginia state employee gets 6-plus years for swindling $1.2 million in COVID relief funds A former state employee who used her position to defraud Virginia and the United States out of $1.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds was sentenced Tuesday to nearly seven years in prison. Virginias push to help active-duty military personnel find work as they leave the service and to connect veterans with employers has done just that for 100,000 over the last decade. The Virginia Values Veterans Program offers grants for companies that go through its certification process up to $1,000 for each eligible veteran hired and up to $10,000 in all. It started in 2012 with the basic philosophy that Virginia businesses will be better with more veterans working for them, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Wednesday at an awards luncheon at the Greater Richmond Convention Center to honor employers in the program. At the core of the Virginia Values Veterans program is a course that teaches employers about what often unfamiliar military specializations really mean in terms of civilian skills. The program shares nationally recognized best practices for recruiting, hiring and retaining veterans, too. Translating military expertise into civilian credentials has been a major push of Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., through his work with the Capitol Hill Career and Technical Education Caucus. More than 2,100 companies in the state have earned Virginia Values Veterans certifications. The 100,000 veterans and departing military personnel who have found work through the program over 10 years account for a healthy portion of Virginias 700,000 veterans and more than 150,000 active-duty military. It is so exciting to see so many of them start the next chapter of their life here in the commonwealth, Youngkin said. This is the beginning, he added. We know there is more work to do, taking care of our veterans and veterans families, taking care of our active duty heroes and their families, making sure they want to stay here. North Carolinas two virtual charter schools remain continually low performing, but officials say their performance is not as bad as it appears. The N.C. Charter Schools Advisory Board on Monday reviewed a new state report showing that the N.C. Virtual Academy and N.C. Cyber Academy both received D performance grades and didnt meet academic growth targets on state exams for the 2021-22 school year. But the new report says the performance gap is narrowing between the virtual charters and the states brick-and-mortar public schools. They are getting closer to being on par with the state, Ashley Baquero, director of the N.C. Office of Charter Schools, told the advisory board. Id think we want the full state average to be higher, but its not as big a gap as we might think when we just look at the fact that theyre low performing. Last school year, the passing rate on state exams for N.C. Virtual Academy was 44.8% 6.6 points below the state average of 51.4%. The school was as much as 16.7 points below the state in the 2016-17 school year. Last school years passing rate for N.C. Cyber Academy was 41.2% 10.2 points below the state average. The gap used to be just 4.4 points below the state average. But its now less than the 12.6-point gap in 2019. Continually low-performing Charter schools are taxpayer-funded schools that are exempt from some of the rules that traditional public schools must follow. In addition to the brick-and-mortar charter schools, state lawmakers had required the State Board of Education to approve two virtual charters. Both virtual schools opened in 2015 in what was originally supposed to be a four-year pilot program. The new state budget will let them stay open through the 2024-25 school year, at which point theyll be able to ask the State Board of Education to renew them. Schools are labeled as low performing if they have a D or F grade and dont exceed growth targets on state exams. Schools are labeled as continually low-performing if theyre low performing for two of the past three years. The percentage of schools statewide labeled as low performing surged to 34% last school year as academic performance still hasnt recovered to pre-pandemic levels. But, with the exception of two years when the state didnt grade schools, both virtual charters have been low performing since they opened. As good news though, Baquero pointed to how the growth scores for both schools are improving on state exams. Both schools are still recording a negative growth index, but its been worse in prior years. Members of the Charter Schools Advisory Board, which consists of charter school supporters, said they want additional data comparing how the virtual charters did against virtual students in traditional public schools. Enrollment growth Despite the low-performing status, both schools have remained popular. Since 2015, enrollment has soared 143% to 3,116 students at N.C. Virtual Academy and 91.8% to 2,595 students at N.C. Cyber Academy. Both schools especially expanded during the pandemic, when the General Assembly waived their enrollment cap. Both schools continued to accept more students this school year even though state lawmakers didnt extend the enrollment waiver. The state board voted in August to let them keep the additional students because of how close it was to the start of classes. State board members warned though that any future requests for enrollment waivers would be weighed against the latest state results. GREENSBORO Marcus Shields, appointed a District Court judge in 2018 and elected to the bench by Guilford County voters in 2020, has returned to private practice two years before the end of his term. The current president of the Greensboro Bar Association and North Carolina Central University law school graduate started practice at the firm Ellis & Winters this week. Before being appointed in 2018 by Gov. Roy Cooper to fill the unexpired term of Avery Crump, Guilford Countys current district attorney, Shields served as a local public defender. In replacing Shields, Coopers office said he is awaiting input from the local bar, which can nominate up to five candidates for him to consider. The 35-year-old Shields says a new opportunity presented itself and that it was his own decision. He is practicing civil litigation and various law specialties. Chief District Court Judge Teresa Vincent could not be reached for comment. I had weighed accepting an offer for a few months, Shields said on Wednesday. Ultimately, the firm made an offer that I couldnt refuse. He said the timing wasnt unusual. I left at a time when someone could be appointed and make a reputation before they had to run for office, Shields said. His term ends in December 2024. Earlier this year Shields was named in the 2022 40 Under 40 Most Influential African Americans in the Triad by the Black Business Ink publication. He has served as an adjunct professor at the Elon University School of Law. Being in state government for nine years was the best experience of my career just because you impact so many people on a daily basis, Shields said of being on the bench and as a public defender. He was turning 31 when he started hearing cases. Being in private practice, he says, allows him to be more creative in his advocacy for people. Shields worked for the nonprofit North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services early in his career. I never saw being on the bench, ultimately, an end game for me, Shields said. I felt as though I had more to give in a different way. A Cary woman accused of killing her two small daughters was investigated for alleged neglect three times in the past three years, the most recent case weeks before the girls died, public records show. Launice Shanique Battle, 27, is charged with murder in the deaths of her two children Aug. 27. The girls were 3 and 2. Records from the Wake County Department of Health and Human Services obtained by The News & Observer show the family was investigated three times by Child Protective Services since 2019. The most recent visit occurred on July 8 of this year. Two of the three investigations involved concerns about the parents not taking a child to medical appointments or follow-up on medical appointments. In the first case, reported July 23, 2019, services were provided and the case was closed Oct. 1, 2019, records show. In the second case, reported June 4, 2020, the department found services were needed and provided home visits and parenting education among other measures, records show. The case was closed April 8, 2021. The most recent CPS case, reported July 7, 2022, followed another accusation of neglect, but this time the departments decision was services not recommended. It was confirmed that mother was taking child to medical appointments, child was gaining weight, medical collaterals reported no concerns, and family members reported no concerns, CPS said in the report. Mother appropriately responded to medical needs of the child, according to the report. Mother reported using verbal redirection as a method of discipline for all children. Family received 40/week of Home Health Services to assist the mother in caring for child who was disabled. CPS closed this case July 27. One month later, police responded to what a 911 caller described as the suspicious deaths of two children at Duke Raleigh Hospital. Battle was arrested soon after. Police have not yet said how the girls died. Battle made her first court appearance Aug. 29, and she is due back in court Monday. She is being held without bail in the Wake County jail. RALEIGH Nearly six years after flood damage from Hurricane Matthew displaced Thad Artis from his home in Goldsboro, he has still not been placed in permanent housing. Living alone in a motel for the past two years, growing increasingly frustrated with what he considers empty promises of swift action from government officials, the 68-year-old spends every penny on his wifes health care after a stroke left her unable to walk. Before he moved his wife into an assisted living facility, the two lived in their decaying house, roughly an hour southeast of Raleigh by car, for several years after the storm both developing respiratory illnesses as mold spores grew in the ceiling and bird droppings spattered atop their leaking roof. Roaches and other creepy crawlies inhabited the kitchen floorboards. The back of the house was so rotten, Artis said, that the washroom was about to fall through the floor. We stayed sick for a year, he said in an interview. The house and all the furniture, its gone, its rotten. We aint got nothing. I take everything I can get right down the road to see her, to take care of her. I dont give up because I got to help my wife. Waiting on an unfinished modular home in nearby Pikeville, Artis is among hundreds of low-income homeowners enrolled with the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency who are living in temporary accommodations years after the 2016 storm and Hurricane Florence in 2018. A bipartisan General Assembly committee tasked with investigating these delays in disaster relief held its first meeting Wednesday the four-year anniversary of when Florence made landfall in North Carolina. Co-chair Rep. John Bell, a Wayne County Republican whose district along the Neuse River incurred some of the worst flood damage statewide, said hes seeking accountability on behalf of displaced constituents like Artis. We had to deal with multiple hurricanes, tropical storms and a pandemic, but those are the realities, not the excuse, Bell said in an interview. Weve been back and forth on this issue for years now. Weve made some headway, and then we take a step backwards and then politics gets thrown into it. It never shouldve gotten to this point. While meteorologists say the Atlantic hurricane season has been quiet this year a record-tying zero storms formed in August residents of storm-prone Southeastern states remain vigilant. Still working through long-term repairs from Matthew and Florence, North Carolina officials say recent labor shortages and supply chain issues have exacerbated the existing challenges. Laura Hogshead, the recovery agencys director, said in an interview that complications brought on by COVID-19, compounded by rising prices and high demand for contractors, have slowed efforts to make homeowners whole. Construction holdups have left some funding recipients like Artis in short-term lodging for months or even longer. Hogshead said that is partially the result of two manufactured housing vendors pulling out of contracts with the state in 2021 and 2022 as unit prices soared. Taking full responsibility for the recovery delays at Wednesdays meeting, Hogshead outlined several recent policy changes designed to improve efficiency. In the last six months, she said, NCORR simplified its program requirements and brought case management services in-house to streamline communication with homeowners. This recovery is not going as you want it to go, it is not going as I want it to go, it is certainly not going as the families sitting behind me and out in eastern North Carolina want it to go, and that is on me, she said at the meeting. Several lawmakers and displaced homeowners criticized Hogshead and another top official Wednesday, calling their disaster recovery system broken. Co-chair Sen. Brent Jackson, a Sampson County Republican, questioned whether NCORR will even be able to complete the projects it started before time runs out. Under a government mandate, federal funds allocated for the recovery must be spent by June 2026. Now were in a hole so deep that, quite frankly, I dont think you or your staff can dig yourself out of it, Jackson said, instructing Hogshead to return in about three months with significant progress updates. North Carolinas legislature created NCORR in 2018, in part to distribute what became $778 million in federal recovery funds awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Matthew in 2017 and Florence in 2020. The agency, under Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers control, has committed more than 60% of these funds to support homeowners, with about $231 million actually spent so far. Funds are used to make major repairs or replace homes owned by low-income families in counties battered by both storms. They also support affordable and public housing projects that are less susceptible to flooding. Homeowners must navigate an eight-step process designed to ensure they qualify for these funds and havent already received similar disaster money. It includes an environmental review of their damaged property, followed by a grant award, contractor selection and construction. Of the nearly 4,200 Homeowner Recovery Applicants since Matthew money arrived, nearly 800 projects are completed, according to NCORR. But Hogshead said additional applicants now more than 1,100 are either waiting to find a contractor willing to take on a government-funded project with its additional paperwork, or for the contractor to begin work. I dont care how many (contractors) you have, Sen. Jim Perry, a Lenoir County Republican, told Hogshead at the meeting. I did notice that you said youve had a consistent number. Well, weve had pretty consistently bad results. As of Tuesday, 294 applicants currently waiting for repairs or a replacement manufactured home were living in temporary accommodations often a rental property or hotel. Shiletha Smith, 68, has inhabited her damaged home in Fremont a five-minute drive north of Pikeville since Hurricane Matthew flooded the property in 2016, wiping out her insulation, destroying the central air conditioning unit and damaging the roof. This week, Smith said in an interview, she is finally moving into a hotel so construction can begin. Finally, after two years of waiting, theyre supposed to start construction on my home, Smith said. I almost got flooded out of my house and had to repair the whole side of my house that was from the water damage. Smith described the relief application process as extremely frustrating and said her award determination was so minimal, she felt like she had no choice but to appeal, further delaying repairs. With another hurricane season in full swing, Hogshead said shes always checking the tropics for developing storms that could cause further damage or delays. The thing I really worry about is another storm, she said. Upsetting this apple cart in the middle of construction is the X-factor that none of us can control. Health is one key reason Chris Riccardo is resigning as executive director of the Holter Museum of Art Oct. 15. Another is art having time to make it. I love this place, he said, sitting in his office, which is often overflowing with work projects and fascinating art objects. Resigning is one of the toughest decisions Ive ever made. He started at the Holter as an education assistant in 2014, became interim director in 2015 and executive director in 2016. Since the pandemic, the Holter has pretty much been on his mind 24/7. Stress can kill you, he said of why he needs time to focus on himself and his own health. Im an artist and I want to do that, and I havent really had the chance. Id really like to commit one solid year and just be in my studio focusing solely on my work. In the future, he would like to step in periodically to help the Holter. The Holter is planning to hire an interim director for six months, while it launches a search for a permanent director, said Holter board president Corey Palmer. Riccardo is the third Helena arts director to step down in recent months Steven Lee at the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts stepped into being Bray special projects manager this summer, and Grandstreet Theatre Managing Director Kal Poole announced his resignation in July. All three departures are amicable. And all three directors say the pandemic was a factor in their decision. Riccardo took over as director during a very rocky time, when it looked like the Holter might have to shut its doors. We did a lot in six years, he said. The Holter is more financially stable, its expanded its education and outreach programs and built the new W Wiegand Creativity Center, offering a venue for all sorts of art and community events. Its generating income, he said. It's bringing in people whove never been to the museumand theyre being exposed to art. Initially, the Holter was planning a capital campaign to launch Holter Re-Imagined in 2018-2019, but scaled down that ambitious vision once COVID hit, focusing on the W. Riccardo also threw himself into rebuilding trust and close relationships with community members, businesses and donors. Some other accomplishments include: launching two popular youth art programs the After-school Teen Arts Council and Art for Survival; installing a new membership database and growing membership; revamping the Holter website; initiating the Healing Arts Program with St. Peters Health; initiating a resident artist program; and exhibiting dynamic, thought-provoking shows like the interactive CAVE exhibit and Speaking Volumes: Transforming Hate. Im super proud of the exhibits weve brought in," he said. During the pandemic, the Holter shared the exhibits and artist talks online, which it will likely continue to do. Riccardo sees now as the perfect time to leave, so a new leader can take the Holter to the next level. The past six months have definitely taken a toll, Riccardo said. People are tired. Board president Corey Palmer said the board is planning a farewell event for Riccardo and a celebration of his accomplishments, but the date hasnt been set. Im excited for Chris," Palmer said. Its been a hard few years, for him especially. Hes been facing the most pressure. I want to thank the community for helping us navigate through these tumultuous times. Chris really stepped in and stabilized the Holter and stabilized the finances, said Palmer, building a strong staff. He particularly credited Riccardo for creating the healing arts program, setting a compelling vision for the Holter and overseeing the creation of The "W." Hes ensured the Holter is a place for the community to come together to experience unique artistic voices. The bigger picture Last Wednesday, Steven Lee spent the whole day in his studio and one could hear the smile in his voice even over the phone. Time to make art is one of the reasons Lee stepped down as director of The Bray. He doesnt think whats happening on the art scene in Helena is unique. Hes seeing nationwide changes in leadership in the ceramics world, he said. A lot of people have moved on. For Lee, who announced his job change last November, it was the right time to pass on the leadership. He had just headed up a successful multi-year capital campaign and campus renovation and oversaw receiving The Brays biggest endowment gift ever a $15 million gift from the Windgate Foundation. A new director can bring a different energy and ambition to the organization, he said. The pandemic was a really scary time for The Bray. Although it has an established international reputation, it all could have disappeared in a minute. People dug in and did everything they could to keep it afloat moving classes, art auctions and sales online. Government and foundation funding and donors provided a huge relief. Both the state and federal government and foundations changed their rules to make themselves more flexible and responsive. He sees the pandemic as an opportunity for nonprofits to take a fresh look at themselves and how theyve always done things. It allowed us to look at things with a new light. In July, Kal Poole announced his resignation. Ive had my dream job and its been awesome. I love, love, love Grandstreet, he said. But I think it will be good to have someone with a different skill set step in. He wants a break from stress and is looking forward to more time with his family. We had to reinvent the wheel 12 times, he said of reacting to COVID. Grandstreet had to close its doors for months. So, it took plays and theater classes online, helped the city build an outdoor stage in Hill Park, produced shows with all the cast masked, and installed a new heating and air conditioning unit that purifies air. The main problem arts organizations are facing, he said, is people fell in love with their couches. People are buying streaming services instead of tickets. People need to break up with Netflix, he said, and get back to going to live shows, museums and galleries. He sees stepping down from Grandstreet as a time to grow. Ive got a ton of things that interest me. Im excited to see whats next. Ive been working in theater 30 years. News from around the state Montana Arts Council Executive Director Tatiana Gant said not-for-profits have been particularly at risk during the pandemic. They tend to run really close to the line. Theres been some turnover at Montana arts nonprofits, but its not something theyve tracked the numbers on. There are a lot of job openings at nonprofits in general, noted deputy director Kristin Han Burgoyne, but thats also true in state government and the private sector. For a lot of arts directors, navigating COVID was one of their legacy accomplishments, Burgoyne said. But Helenas three arts directors have all built an amazing legacy of accomplishments, she noted. I dont think COVID got the best of them.It will be exciting to see what they do next. Gant added, Ive heard people say, were not going back to prior times, its a portal. Were going to come through in a totally different place. Since Russia renewed its siege on Ukraine in February, thousands of Ukrainians have died and millions have fled their homes. Why should we Montanans care? Because Russias war of destruction has grave implications for our national and economic security as well as our role in the global world order. Ukraine is similar to Montana in size, latitude and topography, but one of our most notable commonalities is a critical export of wheat. While this year Russias wheat yield is at a record high, Ukraines is down 38%. The heaviest costs of decreased wheat production in Ukraine may not be felt here in Montana, but the increased prices of wheat cultivation and transportation are. While prices per bushel for wheat have exceeded $10, Montana farmers are struggling through devastating droughts, and the high oil prices caused by the war in Ukraine have made planting, harvesting and transporting wheat double in cost. Montana and Ukraine both export about 80% of their wheat crops. While this years wheat yield in Montana is much higher than last years due to increased rainfall, Montanas production is still well below average, and farmers are struggling to bear the burden of increased production costs due to the war. Russian oil and Russian and Ukrainian wheat are crucial to global supply chains that, when interrupted, cause great detriment to us in Montana. These consequences are not lost on Russia. Since 2014, the U.S. and many of its allies have imposed sanctions on Russia in response to its illegal annexation of Crimea, to minimal results. Now Russia has the geopolitical power to deprive much of Europe of the oil and gas needed to survive winter. Russia also holds one-fifth of the worlds freshwater and more than one-fifth of the worlds remaining forests, and has the power to leverage these resources against nations that depend on them. Ukraine and Montana are also linked by nuclear issues. Montana is a high-value target for attack because of its permanent nuclear stores, though it is unlikely that Putin will resort to nuclear warfare. At the same time, a critical concern in the war in Ukraine is fighting around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The risk to Zaporizhzhia has raised corollary fears of a nuclear catastrophe. While Russia has consistently confronted fledgling and established democracies alike, the promotion of democracy is a U.S. foreign policy priority. While we cannot protect all democratic nations, we have one of the strongest militaries in the world linked with the power of NATO. Since its founding, NATO has incorporated 18 new member states and expanded east. Since Russia attacked Ukraine, more states have considered joining NATO, such as the historically neutral Finland and Sweden. Much of the western world is allied against Russia, but these alliances do little to tamper Russias aggression. While Ukraine is not part of NATO, four of its bordering nations are. War on Ukraine is war on the 21st-century status quo, and war on any NATO power in uncomfortably close proximity with Ukraine becomes our war. For the sake of security, resource preservation, democracy, geopolitical leverage, and basic human decency, we in Montana ought not forget about Ukraine in this time of war. To learn more, join Iuliia Mendel, former press Ssecretary to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, on Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. in a Mansfield Zoom Dialogue, where she will discuss her experience on the ground during Russias invasion as well as prior events including attending meetings between Zelenskyy and Putin and fielding press inquiries after the infamous calls between Donald Trump and Zelenskyy. Register at mansfieldcenter.org. The Montana GOP changed its platform recently and removed an important passage, hoping Montanans wouldnt notice: We support the individual rights of Montana tribal citizens as guaranteed by the Montana constitution. Within weeks of the removal of this passage, and issuing the new authoritarian approved State Platform, leaders within the MT GOP started saying the quiet part out loud. At a North Central Pachyderm meeting, Ed Butcher, the developer of the legistats loyalty scorecard that is now mandated by the MTGOP in its new platform, publicly expressed his disdain for Native Montanans who happen to be American Indian. According to the Havre Daily News, Butcher remarked American Indian legislators always vote for welfare, and said while there were two he respected very much, most legislators from reservations are unintelligent. "I won't mention the other names that are room-temperature IQs," he said. "The reservation doesn't necessarily always send their best and brightest." This from a guy lovingly embraced by the MTGOP as a leader in determining whether a Republican legislator is Republican enough to serve Montana under the Republican brand. According to Butcher, American Indians, by virtue of being American Indians, are dumb. He believes and is flanked by the MT GOP through the deliberate deletion of any acknowledgement of the constitutional guarantees afforded our Native American population, that American Indians are not worthy of serving in the Montana Legislature because of their race. Supported in this endeavor to eliminate American Indians from our ranks is Brad Tschida, the current MT GOP Executive Committee secretary and former Republican House majority leader. Tschida publicly told the Montana Redistricting Commission (notably chaired by a Montana American Indian woman) that Native Americans are over-represented in the Montana Legislature. Of course, the fact that this statement is patently false did not dissuade Tschida from proclaiming it, now that the MT GOP gave the authoritarians among us permission to spew their racist vitriol publicly. The truth is, Native Montanans both American Indian and those of us born and raised here are grossly under-represented in the Montana Legislature and in leadership of the Montana GOP. This gross under-representation of people who know Montana, embrace her history, and love this state reflects the infiltration of out-of-state authoritarians wishing to change who we are and discard our history. We shouldnt be surprised. Montana GOP leadership exalted the defaming rants of charlatan Jordan Hall through his blog the Montana Daily Gazette, going so far as to award Hall with a truth in journalism award at a Montana GOP statewide event. It follows that since it was an American Indian that successfully sued Hall for defamation, that in solidarity with Hall the Montana GOP would strike back by removing its acknowledgment of the constitutional guarantees given Montana Native Americans. This intentional rescission of traditional Republican values from the State Platform comes notwithstanding the fact that the National Platform condemns racism in all forms and the last Republican president did more to reduce the inequities in race-based incarceration than any Democrat president has. As a Republican woman, I used to think the MT GOP leaderships silence on these shenanigans was simply cowardice. But we now know its worse than cowardice. The intentional removal of a key passage is consent to racism. The desecration of Republican and Montana values is literally happening before our eyes; when the MT GOP alienates American Indians, they alienate all Montanans, including Republicans who adhere to traditional Republican principles. What used to be the party of the Constitution is now a shell of its former self, shunning Montanas constitutional guarantees afforded Montana Native Americans. The new Montana GOP has assured the departure of run-of-the-mill conservatives including American Indian conservatives by eschewing traditional Montana Republicans for racist authoritarian charlatans. At the rate the Montana GOP is going, the Democrat Party, which has no message and no bench, could run a paper bag for office and be assured its election. TAYLORVILLE A Taylorville man has been charged in Christian County with the possession of child pornography. According to the Illinois State Police, Todd E. Daugherty, 54, was located and arrested Wednesday at his residence by agents from the State Police, the Taylorville Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. State Police officers became involved with the investigation of Daugherty in August, the release stated. According to online court filings, bond was initially set at $250,000 but later modified to $125,000, requiring that he post $12,500 to be released. If Daugherty is released, he is required to have no involvement with social media, no unsupervised contact with minors and no unsupervised internet use. A preliminary hearing set for Oct. 7. DECATUR The Decatur Public Schools board has approved a contract with BLDD Architects for a design for a new American Dreamer STEM Academy. The new building, to be constructed on the site of the former Oak Grove School, is budgeted to cost $37 million, which will be paid for through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds. BLDD Architects will be be paid $2.2 million for design work. BLDD's design will facilitate the receipt of bids and the firm will represent the district through the construction process. At the board's meeting Tuesday, members also approved a contract with Larry Gray to fill the position of P-12 director of teaching and learning. His contract is for the period of Sept. 19 through June 30, 2024 at a salary of $105,510. Board member Regan Lewis said she was going to vote against the contract because it is a multi-year contract, not due to any objections to Gray. In the last several months, she said, the district has bought out multi-year contracts for three employees, including Marques Stewart, the former P-12 director of teaching and learning, Jason Hood, former director of human resources, and Geneka Gully, former principal of South Shores School, and she would rather see one-year contracts in the future in case new employees aren't a good fit. "While I am going to vote no to this, it's not a statement as to Dr. Gray and qualifications," Lewis said. "I'm objecting to the term of the contract." She and Kevin Collins-Brown voted "no," but the rest of the board voted in favor of the contract, so the motion passed. Assistant Superintendent Jeff Dase announced a new video series that will be posted to YouTube with the first segment due on Sept. 22. The first segment will be curriculum sources and the home-school connection, with explanations for families on how to access the district's curriculum online so that adults will be equipped to help their students at home. Upcoming segments will focus on writing, winter break activities and creating healthy lifestyles, among others. Search DecaturPublicSchools61 on YouTube to find the videos. During public participation, parent Mary Jo Fromme, accompanied by her daughter, Heaven, pleaded for the necessary medical aides to allow her daughter to attend school in person. Heaven is entering her fourth year of not attending school, Fromme said, due to the lack of trained aides, and is missing out on spending time with her peers and with her teachers. Fromme has asked to be allowed to volunteer as her daughter's aide since she already knows the signs of an impending seizure, and when her daughter's breathing apparatus needs to be suctioned, but she was told she can't do that. "I understand short staffing," Fromme said. "But my child deserves education just like the next child." While the board does not typically reply to public comments, board President Andrew Taylor asked that Fromme leave her contact information with the board secretary, Melissa Bradford. Watch now: Families, co-workers plunge into Lake Decatur for Special Olympics With the water sitting at a cool 35 degrees, plungers from all over Macon County attended the 21st annual Decatur Polar Plunge to take a dip in the frigid water. DECATUR Millikin University is planning several events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15-Oct. 15. Events open to the public include The Walk of the Immigrants with Saul Flores, from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, in the University Commons Banquet Rooms, hosted by the Office of Campus Life and Office of the Provost. The James W. Moore Lecture will be followed by a meet and greet with students. Flores walked 5,328 miles through 10 countries to document the journey of immigrants to the United States and raise money for an elementary school in Atecingo, Mexico. The Centro for Hispanic and Immigrant Community Opportunities (CHICO Decatur) will hold a community celebration from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, in Fairview Park Pavilion 1 with live music, food and craft vendors, and raffles. La Fiesta, a cultural celebration of Hispanic and Latinx culture, will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, in the University Commons Banquet Rooms with food and music for students. Attire for the event is "dress to impress." Tango Del Cielo, a theatrical music and dance program, will be 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, in Kirkland Fine Arts Center. The program features tango, flamenco, Spanish classical and Latin jazz, award-winning musicians and world-champion dancers. Tickets are required for this event. For information, visit tangodelcielo.com. The singer is currently on trial for federal charges of child pornography and enticement of sex from a minor, Billboard reports. The current trial also seeks to fix his 2008 state trial, in which he was acquitted from child pornography charges. Judge Harry Leinenweber asked Kelly on 1 Septem DES MOINES Donations are pouring in to help a 17-year-old sex trafficking victim who was ordered by a court to pay $150,000 to the family of a man she stabbed to death after he raped her. A GoFundMe campaign set up for Pieper Lewis has already raised more than $200,000 just one day after the restitution order was handed down by an Iowa judge. Lewis also received a deferred 20-year prison sentence on Tuesday that will be expunged if she successfully completes five years of closely supervised probation. Prosecutors described the sentence as merciful for a teen who had been horribly abused -- and the judge said the law compelled him to order the $150,000 payment -- but it struck many observers as unnecessarily harsh. Lewis pleaded guilty last year to involuntary manslaughter and willful injury in the June 2020 killing of 37-year-old Zachary Brooks, a married father of two. Lewis was 15 when she stabbed Brooks more than 30 times in a Des Moines apartment. Lewis has maintained that she was trafficked against her will to Brooks for sex multiple times and stabbed him in a fit of rage. Police and prosecutors have not disputed that Lewis was sexually assaulted and trafficked. The Associated Press does not typically name victims of sexual assault, but Lewis agreed to have her name used previously in stories about her case. Heres a look at how Lewis ended up facing criminal charges in an Iowa court and what's next for her: WHAT'S THE BACKSTORY OF THE GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN FOR LEWIS? The account was set up late last year for Lewis by one of her former high school teachers. Initially the goal was set at $150,000 to cover the restitution payment. All additional money raised will help Lewis pay for college or start her own business, and help other young victims of sex crimes. Pieper has five years of probation ahead of her; five years that she will be required to be nearly perfect to avoid facing 20 years in prison, Leland Schipper, a math teacher at Des Moines Lincoln High School, said on the GoFundMe page. Piepers path to true freedom will not be easy, and she is still a teenager that has experienced a lot of trauma. The vast majority of donations came in increments of less than $50. Almost every donor offered words of encouragement or outrage over the teen's prosecution and sometimes both. Pieper, from one survivor to another, life gets better," one $20 donor wrote. I am disgusted you spent a second in jail, but dont look back. Use whatever funds are left to move on and move up. WHY WAS LEWIS ORDERED TO PAY $150,000 TO THE ESTATE OF HER ATTACKER? Iowa law mandates that anyone convicted of a felony that leads to the death of another person must pay at least this much to the victim's estate. The payment cannot be discharged through bankruptcy, and it does not preclude a victim's family from suing for more damages. But there is nothing in the law that would appear to bar someone from using donations to pay the restitution, said Grant Gangestad, a criminal defense attorney who helps lead the Iowa Association for Justice, a trade group for trial lawyers. Lewis lawyers argued that as a victim of human trafficking and sexual abuse, she should be spared from making any payment at all. They argued that Brooks was partially responsible for what happened and that such restitution would be cruel and unusual under the circumstances. The judge rejected those arguments at Tuesday's sentencing hearing, noting that the Iowa Supreme Court has upheld the state's restitution law even in the face of some of those same arguments. It is not clear whether Lewis lawyers will appeal; they said Wednesday they are still weighing their options. WHY DID PROSECUTORS CHARGE LEWIS FOR KILLING A MAN WHO RAPED HER? Dozens of states have so-called safe harbor laws that give trafficking victims at least some level of criminal immunity. Iowa is not one of them. Iowans can avoid being convicted of violent crimes, however, if they can prove that they faced imminent'' serious injury. While nobody disputed that Lewis was sexually assaulted and trafficked, prosecutors successfully argued that Brooks was not an immediate danger to Lewis because he was asleep at the time he was stabbed. Prosecutors said that their goal in seeking charges against Lewis was twofold: To ensure the protection of the public from someone capable of stabbing another person to death, and to ensure that Lewis receives the rehabilitative help she needs. HAS THE MAN LEWIS ACCUSED OF TRAFFICKING HER BEEN CHARGED? No. Lewis has said she lived with a man for more than two months in 2020 after she had run away from an abusive home. The then-28-year-old man told her she was his girlfriend, but told others she was his niece, Lewis said. The man told her she couldnt live with him for free, she said, and created a dating profile for her on websites and arranged for her to have sex with other men for money, which occurred seven or eight times when she lived with him. It was this man who took her to Brooks beginning in May 2020 to have sex, she said. When she resisted going back to Brooks apartment another time, the man held a knife to her neck and cut her with it. Lewis names the man in court documents, but The Associated Press is not releasing his name because he has not been charged with a crime. Polk County Attorney John Sarcone on Wednesday gave few details on why. No charges have been filed," Sarcone said. "The matter is under investigation, and our office will not comment further. WHATS NEXT FOR LEWIS? Lewis' five years of supervised probation will be spent at the state's Fresh Start Women's Center in Des Moines, a low-level prison facility that allows convicts some level of freedom to work and make some trips outside the facility. Lewis' whereabouts will be monitored through a GPS-enabled ankle bracelet. She was also ordered to conduct 600 hours of community service, to be carried out by speaking to other young people about the dangers they face and the importance of making responsible choices. You have a story to tell, Polk County District judge David M. Porter said at her sentencing. You should be willing to tell it to other young women. Lewis, who earned her GED diploma while being held in juvenile detention, has said she would like to go to college and dreams of being a fashion designer. At Tuesday's sentencing hearing, she expressed both hope and fear for her future. I know that I am being watched by a million eyes. The reality is, I will make mistakes, even with the courts pressure," she said, reading from a prepared statement. I refuse to fail," she said. "I refuse to let the system fail me. Commuters, food producers, refineries and others could all be affected if there is a nationwide rail strike at the end of this week. The Biden administration was putting pressure on railroads and unions Wednesday to settle their differences and avert a strike. But just in case that doesn't work, the administration was also working on a plan to use trucks and planes to move goods that are normally carried by freight railroads. Business groups are telling Congress to step in and block a strike. Here are key things to know ahead of a possible strike this Friday. ___ HOW DID NEGOTIATIONS GET TO THIS DIRE POINT? The nation's biggest freight railroads began negotiating with a dozen different unions representing about 115,000 workers in late 2019, but talks were slowed by the pandemic, which limited face-to-face meetings. Many of the unions have reached tentative agreements with the railroads, but two large unions representing engineers and train conductors have held out for better terms. Government mediators tried to broker agreements, but that didn't work. President Joe Biden then appointed a presidential emergency board, which held hearings and issued recommendations last month that included 24% pay raises and thousands of dollars in bonuses. ___ WHEN CAN WORKERS STRIKE? By federal law, the unions can't legally strike until after Friday morning, just after midnight. That's when a 30-day "cooling-off" period ends, under terms of a law called the Railway Labor Act, which governs contract talks in the railroad and airline industries. ___ COULD A STRIKE BE BLOCKED? Congress could intervene and impose settlement terms, as it has done in previous nationwide rail-labor disputes. Lawmakers could adopt the recommendations of the emergency board, or they could order additional negotiations or arbitration to settle the standoff. Congress is widely expected to block a strike if it comes to that, but it is not clear how quickly lawmakers would act. ___ WHAT ARE THE BIG ISSUES? Rail workers stayed on the job throughout the pandemic but have not received a raise since 2019. The unions sought raises of 31% over the five-year term of the new contracts, while the railroads offered 17% before the emergency board's recommendations. The largest railroads endorsed the board's middle-ground proposals, and most of the unions have reached tentative agreements based on those details. However, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, and the transportation division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, which represents conductors, have held out in hopes of better terms. They want railroads to increase staffing the major railroads have cut nearly one-third of their jobs in the last six years and to ease strict attendance policies that make it difficult to take time off. ___ HOW WOULD A RAIL STRIKE AFFECT THE COUNTRY? Railroads such as Union Pacific, BNSF, CSX and Norfolk Southern carry cars, coal, chemicals, grain, imported goods and other products and raw materials throughout the country. A shutdown even a brief one would delay critical shipments and ripple across the economy. The Association of American Railroads trade group estimates that a strike would cost the economy $2 billion a day. About 300,000 barrels of crude oil is shipped by rail every day, and refineries might have to slow production if deliveries are delayed, according to the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers. Analysts warn there could be shortages of gasoline and diesel in some places such as the Northeast. ___ WHAT ABOUT NEW CARS? Most new vehicles are shipped from the factory or dock by rail, and analysts say there is not enough truck capacity to handle all those vehicles in case of a strike. That would mean even longer wait times for dealers and motorists to get their hands on new cars. A strike could also interfere with production because automakers receive some parts and raw materials by rail. ___ WILL SOME STORE SHELVES BE BARE? The railroads have announced plans to stop shipping refrigerated items ahead of the strike deadline, so there could be disruptions in deliveries of produce, meat and other items. Food producers could be affected too, leading to longer-lasting effects. Agricultural groups say that even a brief strike would interrupt shipment of feed to livestock and poultry producers. ___ COULD A FREIGHT STRIKE AFFECT PASSENGER RAIL? Disruptions are likely because many passenger railroads operate on tracks owned by the big freight railroads. Amtrak uses its own track in much of the corridor from Washington to Boston, but relies on freight track most everywhere else. Earlier this week, Amtrak suspended the California Zephyr and Empire Builder lines that run from Chicago to the West Coast, and planned to stop several other long-distance lines on Wednesday. The Chicago area's Metra commuter line said Wednesday that if there is a strike it will suspend operations on four of its 11 lines Friday. ___ COULD THERE BE POLITICAL FALLOUT? The White House is clearly worried that any disruption in supply chains just weeks before the November midterm elections could anger consumers, who are already facing the highest inflation in 40 years. That could hurt Democrats, who are trying to protect razor-thin control of the Senate and House. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the administration has told the railroads and unions that American families, business and farms would suffer. She said a strike is "not acceptable." What happened to the school librarians in the Decatur School District? Decatur School District #61 has a long history of having a certified school librarian in each elementary, middle and high school. For years the district was a model for all districts in Central Illinois. In the early 2000s, library assistants replaced librarians. Why are certified school librarians no longer in any building in the district? Reading is a basic life skill, and exposure to literature is part of teaching children to read. A certified librarian develops a collection, implements a plan of instruction, and exposes students to the magic of books. As they mature, students learn to express themselves through thoughtful reading, writing, and research. Teaching students to think independently, verify sources, and form opinions on a wide range of subjects, are important roles for a school librarian. Partnering with the classroom teacher, librarians develop lessons which improve a students ability to find materials, use them to complete assignments, and successfully finish their schooling. We bear witness that we had a positive influence on students lives, made the library a place of learning, and served as an integral part of the faculty. Multiple studies have shown that school librarians contribute to the achievement of students. Therefore, it is our hope that certified school librarians will again be added to schools staff. What will it take to return certified librarians to the Decatur Schools? Where are the leaders that at one time saw the importance of the school librarian to the total success of the school and the students? It is possible. These district librarians, now retired, would like to see it happen. Sarah Wachter, MLS, John Hill Magnet School Nancy Curran, EED, District Coordinator if Libraries Patricia Barr, MLS, Roosevelt Middle School Karen Penn, MLS, Eisenhower High School New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. A few clouds. Low 72F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. A few clouds. Low 72F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. ABINGDON, Va. Residents of Abingdon, Virginia, and the surrounding region enjoyed spending time with their families and friends, eating funnel cakes, fried Oreos, and trying out the rides during the fourth day of the Washington County Fair Wednesday. Brady Johnson from Glade Spring, Virginia, who was at the fair with his wife Angela, said for him, the Washington County Fair is a special place with a lot of cherished memories. He explained he loves seeing younger generations having a good time. Ive been coming here ever since I was a child. Its never really left. Its rooted in me to come here regardless of if I do anything, buy anything or just walk around. I just like being here, Johnson said. Growing up in an area like this, theres not a lot of stuff here for children... Seeing all the children, watching them get to do stuff that we didnt get to do as a child, its just a really cool thing to have. Johnson hopes to bring his newborn daughter to the fair one day so that she can enjoy it the same way he has. At the end of the day, the younger generation, thats where your change is going to come from. Its always good to see them running around happy with their parents, Johnson said. My little one is not big enough to be running around yet, but shell be up here soon. Karen Wheeler, who was at the fair with her friends, was trying out the rides, such as the Himalayan, for the first time and explained that in previous years she had only attended the concerts. We only came here for the concerts really, so like literally after the concert, itd be like 10 oclock, 11, and so by that time we had to head home because its a school night, Wheeler said. My sister thought it would be best if we came out and just did a day where we did the rides all day long. For Heriberto Olivo, who moved to Abingdon with his family two years ago, the fair has already become an annual tradition where they relax and have fun with their kids. Weve lived in town for the past two years, and its a tradition already, Olivo said in Spanish. We bring the kids here, so they can have some fun. It gets them out of their school routine. For us, its also our day off work. BRISTOL, Va. The four candidates vying for three seats on the Bristol Virginia City Council shared generally similar views about whether the positions of city manager and city attorney should be held by separate individuals during a candidate forum hosted by the Bristol Virginia Democratic Committee Wednesday. The first candidate to take the question was Jake Preston Holmes, who said that when the city combined the two roles, it was in a very dire financial situation. With the better outlook that we have currently, I think it is time that we find a way to separate those roles for two individuals, Holmes said. Holmes, however, did add that the city will need to be smart about where the funding comes from in order to do so. Incumbent Neal Osborne did not state his stance precisely on the matter, but he did say that the city needs to be very careful with how it moves forward on the item, calling it a hard road to get the funding back. Once you cut a large line item out of a budget, its very hard to get that money back, Osborne said. Michael W. Pollard said that when City Manager Randy Eads took on both roles, it saved the city a significant amount of money, but Pollard also brought up cases where the two roles may present conflicts with one another. At the time, the city was experiencing few legal challenges, so it seemed to make a lot of sense at the time, Pollard said. Since then, the city has started having a few additional legal challenges, and those have required a lot of outside legal counsel. Pollard concluded that it would be best if the city could find a way to split up the roles. Incumbent William T. Hartley agreed that the positions should be separated, but he also shared some of the same sentiment as Holmes and Osborne with regards to the fiscal repercussions of a decoupling of the two all-important positions. Once you take something out of the budget, it is extremely difficult to put it back in, Hartley said. This is a cost that youre looking (at) probably easily a couple hundred thousand dollars, whether its an individual or a firm. Voters in Bristol, Virginia can cast a ballot in early voting at city hall from Sept. 23 through Nov. 5 prior to Election Day Nov. 8. Donald Hodges is 6 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 275 pounds. For five months, this man has eluded Conover police and U.S. Marshals. He is wanted in connection to the shooting death of his wife in May. Conover Police Chief Erin Loftin said on Tuesday that the department is still actively searching for Hodges, who is charged in the shooting death of Tinikia Hodges. Loftin said the department has not located the vehicle Donald Hodges was last spotted in. Austin Acheson, senior inspector with the U.S. Marshals Service, said it is unknown if Donald Hodges is still using the vehicle, but investigators are searching for it. The U.S. Marshals began assisting in the investigation roughly a month after Tinikia Hodges was found. Acheson said the U.S. Marshals are following up on every lead and tip that is received. Acheson said Hodges was last seen in North Carolina shortly after the body of Tinikia Hodges was found. The U.S. Marshals have looked for Donald Hodges in other states. Acheson did not disclose which states the U.S. Marshals were searching in. Tinikia Hodges was found shot and killed in her Conover home. Her mother, Diane Bender, discovered her daughters body on May 5. Bender was checking in on Tinikia Hodges after she had missed work, which Bender said was unusual. Tinikia Hodges family and friends raised a $5,000 reward for the safe capture of Donald Hodges in early June. The reward was doubled to $10,000 by the U.S. Marshals Service later that month. The reward money is still being offered, Acheson said. Acheson said investigators learned that Donald Hodges has a sociable personality. Acheson said Donald Hodges should be considered armed and dangerous. If anyone sees Hodges they are advised to not approach him and to call law enforcement. Donald Hodges was last known to be operating a black 2010 Nissan Altima with chrome wheels and license plate ALL-5945. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Donald Hodges can call the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-877-926-8332, submit email tips via usmarshals.gov/tips or call the Conover Police Department at 828-464-4698. How hopeful are you that technology will help reduce emissions? Business leaders and politicians are looking to the technology sector for ways to reduce carbon emissions, mitigate the effects of climate change, and provide the jobs of the future, a new survey has found. More than 85 per cent of respondents to a YouGov survey for Salesforce's Trail to Net Zero for Australia report said they believed technology will play an important role in helping achieve a net zero target by 2050 62 per cent said technologys role will be very important. The effects of climate change are already being felt by our Pacific neighbours who are urging Australia to do more to reduce emissions and provide financial support for people in countries like Fiji or the Solomon Islands who produce far less CO 2 but have rising tides lapping at their doors. Technology and communications was up there with energy, and transport and logistics, as the parts of Australias economy doing the most to cut carbon emissions as we head to net zero. That sentiment was echoed on Wednesday by Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic whose government legislated a carbon emissions target of 43 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, with a view of reaching net zero by 2050. Speaking at the Australian Information Industry Associations Tech and Sustainability Conference, Husic picked out the manufacture of battery and storage systems as a space in which Australia can be globally competitive. Energy storage systems will require your insight to develop the software and battery management systems to enable effective and sustainable operations, he said. The thriving tech sector needs a large skilled workforce equipped to solve the problems of today and tomorrow, including global challenges like the ones that bring us here today with respect to climate change and the energy transition. Better tech, more jobs Shifting the economy toward sustainable energy production and use is believed to be an opportunity for job creation, according to the Salesforce survey, with a majority of Australian business leaders saying they thought a net zero economy would result in more jobs though the Baby Boomer generation was less likely (just 25 per cent) to share this belief. While talking up the importance for tech jobs in sustainable industries, Husic said technology was filled with opportunity for Australia and Australians. The tech industry has experienced huge growth in the past decade alone, creating a hundred tech companies valued at over $100 million, has become the seventh largest employer one in 16 Australians work in tech sector jobs, he said. And this is a fact that we should all be pressing a lot more in the minds of people outside of this area that weve got such a deep interest and passion in. Even basic digital transformation efforts like cloud migration can help the environment with Salesforce publishing estimates that moving to the cloud could come with a reduction of carbon emissions. Assuming a steady growth rate of Australian data centre usage and capacity, and technological advancement allowing cloud providers to offer more energy efficient services, Salesforce estimates cloud migration would see a reduction in 32 million metric tonnes of CO 2 by 2030. Sustainable technology Not all technology use is equally energy-efficient, however, and there is a growing movement urging technologists to be more eco-conscious when developing software something we should keep in mind when mentoring next generation of IT workers. The Green Software Foundation, which is an affiliate of the Linux Foundation and has a board comprising representatives from Microsoft, Intel, and consultancy firm Accenture, is working on standardising a method for calculating the carbon emissions of a software system. An alpha release of its Software Carbon Intensity (SCI) Specification is available on Github. SCI is a rate of carbon emissions per unit be it an API call, machine learning job, or extra user on a platform calculated by adding the combined energy a software product consumes, multiplying it by the local carbon cost of energy, and adding the amount of carbon emitted by creating and disposing of hardware. The Green Software Foundation is focused on reduction, not neutralisation so a systems carbon costs can't be offset by the likes of carbon credits. One tonne of carbon not emitted into our atmosphere is not the same as one tonne of carbon that has been offset, it wrote. By far the more preferable goal is never to have emitted the carbon in the first place. When you consider the carbon cost of storage, computation, networking, backups, and everything else that contributes to software creations it can start to add up. But there have been some debunked claims about how much energy digital services use. In late 2020, the International Energy Authority (IEA) published a takedown of sudden media outrage about how much carbon video streaming uses after a report was published claiming the data storage, processing, and transmission of streaming services accounted for one per cent of global emissions. IEA resolutely dismissed the numbers behind that claim, saying most of the carbon produced from watching Netflix was dependent on the device used TVs chew up a lot of power and had little to do with the energy cost of data processing and transmission. Constitution Day, which commemorates the signing of the United States Constitution in 1787, will be celebrated at the Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society in Mount Pleasant on Saturday, Sept. 17. At 4 p.m., the public is invited to gather on the lawn in front of the ECHS Museum, at 1145 N. College St., as representatives from ECHS and the Daughters of the American Revolution ring the museum bell. Educational materials about the Constitution will be available from the DAR. This event is free, as is admission to the museum, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution by 39 brave men on Sept. 17, 1787, recognized all who are born in the U.S. or by naturalization, have become citizens. William Blount, Richard Dobbs Spaight and Hugh Williamson were the signers from North Carolina. Housed on the campus of the former Mount Pleasant Collegiate Institute and its predecessors, Western Carolina Male Academy and North Carolina College, the Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society is a nonprofit organization committed to restoring and preserving the rich history of eastern Cabarrus County. Communist Party of India New Delhi, September 15, 2022 Press Release Undemocratic Practice of Chhattisgarh State Government Condemned The National Secretariat of the Communist Party of India issued the following statement today (on September 15, 2022): The National Secretariat of the Communist Party of India has strongly condemned the action of Chhattisgarh government to refuse permission to a Padayatra organized by Communist Party of India under the leadership of our national executive member Manish Kunjam. This action of the state government is highly undemocratic and unconstitutional. Suppression of democratic movement is the reason for people to adopt non-democratic methods of resistance which is not in the interests of progress and development. We appeal to the government to withdraw its decision and allow the padayatra to go ahead. We must remind that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is on padayatra with a slogan Bharat Jodo but CPI yatra is not allowed. Sd/- Roykutty Office Secretary SPENCER On Saturday, Sept. 24, the town of Spencer, Healthy Rowan, Rowan Moves, and Rowan County Public Health will be partnering with Salisbury Rowan Runners to host the first Race to the River 5K and Fun Run. This is in celebration of Rowan Countys Creek Week and the importance of keeping our waterways clean. Before the race, starting at 3:30 p.m., there will be a reception and a Medication Take Back event at the new Spencer Town Hall (460 South Salisbury Ave., Spencer), along with other booths representing various organizations. The Pedal Factory will also be hosting a bike ride to the old North Carolina Finishing Company, starting at 4:45 p.m. from this same location. The Race to the River 5K, which begins at 5 p.m., will start from behind the Spencer Town Hall and will end at the old site of the North Carolina Finishing Plant at the Yadkin River, which is the future site of Spencers Yadkin River Park Trailhead. Following the 5K, a half-mile fun run will be held starting at the Yadkin River Park (1212 Wil-Cox Way, Linwood) on the Davidson County side of the Wil-Cox Bridge. Runners will run across the Wil-Cox Bridge toward Rowan County to complete the event. Following both races, a 2-mile kayak ride with Row Co River Adventures will start at 7 p.m. For more information on equipment rental or the Sunset Paddle, visit or call 704-433-1066. Other sponsors of this event include the following: Garver; HOPE Rowan (formerly known as PORT); Miller Davis; Ro Co River Adventures; Rowan County Governments Soil and Water Conservation, Rowan County Sheriffs Department, Spencer Police Department; The Forum; The Pedal Factory; and Yadkin Riverkeeper. For more information and/or to register for the 5K or the Fun Run, visit the Salisbury Rowan Runners website: https://salisburyrowanrunners.org/ or call Kristen Estepp at 704-216-8944. CHICAGO - Felony charges will be announced soon against a Chicago police officer and a sergeant in connection with a July shootout between police and two men, both of whom were wounded in the citys Pilsen neighborhood, officials said Thursday. More information will be released Friday during a 10:30 a.m. news conference at 69 W. Washington St., said a news release from Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxxs office. The shooting happened July 22 just after 6:50 a.m. the 1000 block of West 18th Street, when two major accidents unit officers who were driving to the police academy for training saw four people wearing masks loitering in front of a closed business, police said earlier. After one officer identified himself as a Chicago Police Department officer, one of the people in the group pulled out a handgun, sparking an exchange of gunfire, police said. After the exchange of gunfire, both officers got out of their vehicle and the shooter, while running away, continued to fire shots at the officers, police said. Two men were shot: a 35-year-old, who suffered a graze wound and who police called an innocent bystander, and a 23-year-old man, who was initially left in serious condition. At the time, police Superintendent David Brown said it was not immediately clear if it was the officers or the gunman who had shot the two men. IFB Solutions said Wednesday it has promoted Dan Kelly to be its next president and chief executive, effective in January. IFB, founded in 1936, is the largest employer of individuals who are blind or visually impaired in the country. It has about 1,000 employees overall and 639 locally. Kelly, 46, has been with the Winston-Salem nonprofit since 2007, currently as executive vice president of strategy and programs. Kelly was chosen following a national search that yielded 50 applicants and six finalists. Kelly will be the nonprofits first top executive who is blind. He will succeed David Horton, who announced in September 2021 his plans to retire at the end of 2022. Horton has been with the nonprofit since 2001 and has served in two leadership roles since 2015. Its an incredible honor to serve as (IFB Solutions) next CEO and to continue the legacy of excellence established by David Horton, who Ive had the opportunity to work alongside for 15 years as a mentor, friend and colleague, Kelly said. IFB board member Bob Newell, who chaired the search committee, said that Kelly has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to creating opportunities for people who are blind to pursue their careers of choice. He is an exceptional professional and an inspiring individual. IFB has three manufacturing facilities, including a large optical laboratory in Winston-Salem supplying Veterans Affairs optical centers across the Eastern Seaboard. The other two manufacturing facilities are in Asheville and Little Rock, Ark. It also operates a call center in California, and more than 20 supply stores serving various government locations nationwide. In March 2020, IFB opened its Twenty200 Eyewear optical store at 631 Coliseum Drive NW in Winston-Salem. Under Hortons leadership, IFB saw its sales more than double from $80 million to $200 million. David has been a transformational leader in our organization, Newell said. He has led us through periods of great change, including adding new locations and opening new businesses, all while keeping the mission intact of creating life-changing opportunities for people who are blind. Horton has worked closely with National Industries for the Blind and served on the board of the National Association for Employment of People Who Are Blind. In North Carolina, Horton served until very recently as Board Chairman of the NC State Commission for the Blind, which is a governor-appointed position and serves as an advisory council to the NC Division of Services for the Blind. A panel discussion at Bookmarks Festival of Books and Authors this weekend will focus on the state of food in North Carolina. Marcie Cohen Ferris, the editor of the recent book Edible North Carolina: A Journey Across a State of Flavor (UNC Press), will be on the Sept. 24 panel along with the books associate editor, K.C. Hysmith, and contributor Sandra Gutierrez. Local cookbook author Belinda Smith-Sullivan will moderate the discussion. Ferris is a professor emeritus of American Studies at UNC-Chapel Hill. She also is the author of Matzo Ball Gumbo: Culinary Tales of the Jewish South and The Edible South: The Power of Food and the Making of an American Region. Edible North Carolina consists of about 20 essays by N.C. chefs, food writers and others who collectively provide a snapshot of the state of contemporary food in North Carolina. The book, Ferris said, grew out of American Studies classes she taught, and the contributors she chose reflect the diversity of food now found in the state. The focus I knew the book needed to take was the contemporary food landscape, Ferris said in an interview. I wanted writers who could help us understand why we eat what we eat. Ricky Moore, recently named 2022 Best Chef of the Southeast by the James Beard Foundation, talks about how his Durham restaurant, Saltbox Seafood Joint, pays homage to the N.C. tradition of fish camps and how he has become an advocate or evangelfish for eating N.C. Seafood. Saltbox not only serves a lot of N.C. seafood, but also introduces diners to some lesser-known types, including sheepshead, triggerfish and dogfish. Gutierrez, born in the United States to Guatemalan parents, is the author of The New Southern Latino Table and several other cookbooks. In Edible North Carolina, she writes of being part of the invisible Latino generation who sought professional degrees in America noting the subtle racism of people surprised to learn that she is a published author, Because what Latinx could be that? Part of her message is that Latino in North Carolina means much more than Mexican, and she also has written about how many Latinos are creatively combining Southern food and Mexican traditions at the table. Food writer Andrea Weigl wrote about the rise of pasture-raised pork in a state previously known for its large industrialized pork farms. Cheetie Kumar, an Indian-born chef in Raleigh, chronicles the emotional and financial turbulence she and so many restaurant owners and employees endured because of the coronavirus pandemic and how it awoke the political activist in her. Ferris herself contributes a thorough history of North Carolina "foodways" from pre-Colonial days to the present. Despite challenges, Ferris is optimistic about the contemporary food landscape. Its very vibrant, she said. The rise of small-scale farming witnessed weekly in countless farmers markets across the state is one factor that has produced a thriving, diverse local food movement. The growth of the small-scale farm is really exciting, she said, and there is more infrastructure now to support small-scale farmers. In particular, programs at N.C. State and N.C. Central universities provide a lot of help to farmers across the board from choosing what to grow to how to market a small food business. The food movement also has benefited from an influx of people of different ethnicities and the foods they bring with them. For an outsider coming to Winston-Salem, they may think its all Southern cuisine, Old Salem and barbecue, but its more complex than that, Ferris said. For example, part of Winston-Salems story now involves its sizable Hispanic population and the explosion of authentic Mexican restaurants. Similar things are happening all across the state. Kathy Clune wrote in the book about the influx of Laotian families and restaurants in Morganton, Raleigh and other cities. Its a complex story. Its a layered story. But I think North Carolinians recognize that through their neighbors, Ferris said. The minute you start to look at your plate in North Carolina, you start to see that diversity. The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation said Thursday it has responded to the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade abortion protections by awarding a total of $180,000 to six organizations in North Carolina. The foundation said the organizations support advocacy, organizing, awareness, coordination and legal and practical support related to reproductive health, rights and justice, and family well-being. A $30,000 grant has been awarded to Carolina Abortion Fund, El Pueblo Inc., Equality NC Foundation, MomsRising Education Fund, NARAL ProChoice NC Foundation and SisterSong. Given the Foundations decades-long history of supporting organizations that focus on reproductive health, rights and justice, these rapid-response grants are a recognition of how critical it is to continue pushing back on efforts to strip North Carolinians of their rights to choose what is best for them and their families, and to live healthy, thriving lives, Maurice Mo Green, the foundations executive director, said in a statement. The foundation prioritized the grants toward smaller organizations with more limited fundraising capacity and access to resources. The foundation also said it focused on some of the organizations that elevate the voices of those disproportionately impacted by lack of access to reproductive health care. Abortion is still legal in North Carolina, and clinics are open and providing care to patients. However, in August, a federal judge ruled that North Carolinas general ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy can be enforced. Further legislative proposals are expected, the foundation said. In the meantime, states around North Carolina have seen six-week bans go into effect and North Carolina is experiencing a surge of patients traveling to the state to seek care. In May, the Meredith Poll found not surprisingly a significant partisan divide among North Carolinians on abortion rights. The poll found that 52.6% of participants want North Carolina to pass a state law keeping the current provisions of Roe or expanding abortion access further. Just under 40% of respondents want a law that severely restricts access to abortion or makes it illegal in all circumstances. David McLennan, the polls director, said abortion rights is one of the most partisan findings in the survey. More than 75% of Democrats want to keep Roes provisions or expand abortion access, while almost 70% of Republicans want to restrict access to abortion or make it illegal. Digging a little deeper, more than 67% of the youngest respondents (18-24 years of age) want to keep Roes provisions or expand access to abortions, with older voters being more evenly split between maintaining access to abortion vs. restricting or eliminating access. The decision by the conservative Supreme Court to overturn Roe will eventually lead to a very divisive fight over abortion law in North Carolina, McLennan said. During the 2021 session, a group of hard-right Republican legislators introduced House Bill 31, which would ban abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected except for a medical emergency. The bill was not heard in committee. The same legislators introduced House Bill 28 during the 2019 session that would prevent abortions after 13 weeks. It also was not heard in committee. Currently, the Republicans cannot overturn a veto from Gov. Cooper, McLennan said. But, if they pick up a few more seats and get a veto-proof majority, we may see North Carolina go the way of Texas or other states and immediately try to restrict abortion rights even if most of the states citizens favor protecting abortion rights. I expected the Irish schadendfruede. Although I generally identify as Italian (primarily because of the food, family and temper) my father had red hair, freckles and some relatives in County Somewhere. But I didnt anticipate the level of vitriol triggered by the passing of the worlds longest-reigning monarch. It never occurred to me that people I knew, and liked, would be posting memes about dancing jigs and the potato famine (which occurred, um, almost two centuries ago and in which Elizabeth Windsor, old as she was, didnt have a hand). I was surprised to see some otherwise sensible friends post diatribes about the colonization of their wee bit of earth by this vandal queen. Worse, though, was the thinly veiled defense of the Irish Republican Army. When I mentioned that the IRA had murdered Lord Mountbatten and his innocent 12-year-old grandson in a bombing back in the 1970s, the ones who chose to engage with me tried to do that whataboutism that I myself have fallen into on some regrettable occasions. Lets be clear: The British have been brutal in Northern Ireland, but that does not excuse the murder of an innocent child (or other innocent children that the terror group targeted). And when I say terror group, I mean terror group. To call the IRA freedom fighters is to fall into the same trap set by Rashida Tlaib, who refers to the PLO with that same sort of terminology, or Ilhan Omar who has a very hard time condemning the folks who kidnap and behead Christians. Terror has no passport, no nationality. But to be honest, the worst comments werent from what theyve called Irish Twitter, but rather from people who like to appropriate the misery of ancestors they never met, and grievances they never suffered. You have the typical comments like this one from a professor at Carnegie Mellon, someone named Uju Anya, who tweeted, I heard the chief monarch of a thieving, raping genocidal empire is finally dying. May her pain be excruciating. The university issued a statement condemning the comments, but she wont lose her job. Imagine if a white professor deliberately used the wrong pronouns of a prominent trans activist. Theyd be suspended. They actually have (Google it). But a Black woman can make despicable comments about a (then) dying monarch who never harmed her, who never even met her and who likely had nothing to do with whatever phantom terrors Anyas great-great-great-grandmother suffered, and she earns the applause of thousands. This is the world in which we live. After my mother died, I received some lovely expressions of sympathy from my political adversaries. The vast majority of the people were kind, because in the moments of our deepest sorrow most human beings follow their better angels. There were, however, some people who emailed to gloat. I can only imagine what the British royal family is feeling just now, if they make the mistake of actually checking social media and reading the things from mediocre creatures like the Carnegie Mellon professor, people so insensate and narcissistic that they have no room in their hearts for grace. There has been such a hardening of discourse, fueled by the aggravating factor of social media anonymity, that its rare to find true, pure, kind sentiment when a public figure dies. Even someone as universally beloved and uncontroversial as Elizabeth triggers anger and resentment in those who live to find fault, who mine grievance like the Molly Maguires mined coal, who abandon any pretense of decency to feed the gods of their cult of victimization. Frankly, at this moment, Im as interested in the evils of the British Empire as I am of those perpetrated by the Roman Empire. The recent nature of the alleged atrocities doesnt distinguish them, for me, from the massacre of Christians by Diocletian, and the bones of the persecuted in Africa bear the same weight as the bones sealed into the walls of the Roman Catacombs. History is replete with evil, and some of it was committed in the name of the empire headed by Elizabeths ancestors. But she did none of this. Her legacy is one of service, duty, obligation, decency and honor. She deserves recognition for what she did, and not for what she bears on her shoulders through some historical proxy. Shame on those who dont get it. Lincoln's B&R Stores has completed its largest-ever acquisition and expanded into a new state. The owner of Super Saver, Russ's Markets and other brands bought C&R Market, a chain of 10 rural grocery stores in central Missouri. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. C&R Market co-owner Mark Thomas told the NEMOnews Media Group earlier this month that B&R Stores approached him about buying the stores, which had been owned by his family for 65 years. Marty Jarvis, B&R marketing director, said he didn't know the exact details of the company's interest in C&R Markets, but CEO Pat Raybould "has always been interested in looking for opportunities to grow the company." For most of its existence, B&R Stores concentrated on expanding its footprint with new stores, mostly in Lincoln, but over the past several years, it has purchased small grocery stores in smaller towns, including Waverly, Beatrice and Glenwood, Iowa. The C&R Market purchase grows B&R Stores' footprint from 22 stores in Nebraska and Iowa to 32 stores in Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri. Han Zheng, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, will attend the opening ceremony of the 19th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) on September 16. AFP: According to reports, President Xi Jinping will meet with President Vladimir Putin this afternoon. Can the foreign ministry share anything about the meeting? Will the two sides exchange views on the Ukraine crisis? Mao Ning: We will release information if theres any. Please follow our updates. CCTV: President Xi Jinping made a state visit to Kazakhstan yesterday. Can you share more information on the visit? Mao Ning: At the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of the Republic of Kazakhstan, President Xi Jinping made a state visit to Kazakhstan on September 14. President Tokayev received President Xi at the airport and held a warm welcome ceremony for him. The two Presidents toured an art exhibition titled Kazakhstan-China: A Dialogue Across Millennium. President Xi held formal talks with President Tokayev, attended the welcoming banquet, and received the Order of the Golden Eagle, the highest order of Kazakhstan, awarded by President Tokayev. President Xis visit is highly productive and fruitful. The two heads of state signed and issued the Joint Statement Between the Peoples Republic of China and the Republic of Kazakhstan on the 30th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, and announced that China and Kazakhstan will work for the goal and vision of building a community with a shared future defined by lasting friendship, a high degree of mutual trust and sharing weal and woe. Relevant departments of the two sides signed bilateral cooperation documents in such areas as economy and trade, connectivity, finance, water conservancy and the media. The two sides also decided to set up consulates general in Xian and Aktobe respectively. Going forward, the two sides will continue to support each other on issues concerning each others core interests such as sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. The Kazakh side said it will continue to firmly support the one-China principle and oppose all forms of Taiwan independence. The two sides will fully leverage the important role of head-of-state diplomacy in providing strategic guidance and have regular strategic communication on major issues of common interest. The two sides will advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and seek synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Kazakhstans new economic policy of the Bright RoadInitiative. The two sides will actively follow the new vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, jointly combat terrorism, separatism and extremism, and uphold political security and the security of political authority. The two sides will firmly abide by the UN Charter and principles of international law, practice true multilateralism, expand cooperation under such multilateral frameworks as the UN and the SCO, implement the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative, jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, and make our share of contribution to fostering a more equitable and reasonable global governance system. China is ready to work with Kazakhstan to follow the guidance of the important common understanding reached by the two Presidents during this visit, follow the spirit of mutual respect, good neighborliness, friendship, mutual assistance, mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and move the China-Kazakhstan relationship into the next 30 golden years. The Paper: It is reported that on September 14 local time, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022, which now heads to the Senate floor. Do you have any comment? Mao Ning: The bill seriously breaches the USs commitment to China on the Taiwan question, and violates the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques. It constitutes an interference in Chinas internal affairs, violates international law and basic norms in international relations, and sends a seriously wrong signal to the Taiwan independence separatist forces. China is firmly opposed to this and has lodged serious demarches with the US side. There is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinas territory. China will unswervingly advance the complete reunification of the country. No country, no force and no individual should ever misestimate the firm resolve, strong will and great capability of the Chinese Government and people to defend state sovereignty and territorial integrity and to achieve national reunification and rejuvenation. The one-China principle is the political foundation of China-US relations and is at the core of the three China-US joint communiques. If the bill continues to be deliberated, pushed forward or even become law, it will greatly shake the political foundation of China-US relations and cause extremely serious consequences to China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We strongly urge the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, earnestly act on the commitment made by the US leadership of not supporting Taiwan independence, stop playing the Taiwan card and using Taiwan to contain China, and stop advancing the deliberation of the relevant bill. China will take all necessary measures in light of the bills process and final outcome to firmly safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Shenzhen TV: The US government announced on September 14 that the $3.5 billion of Afghan central bank reserves it had frozen will be transferred to a newly-established Afghan Fund in Switzerland. Wally Adeyemo, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, said no money would go to the Afghan central bank, until it is free of political interference. Whats Chinas comment? Mao Ning: I noted relevant reports. These assets of the Afghan central bank frozen by the US are the national property of Afghanistan and the life-saving money of the Afghans. They should have been returned to Afghanistan in full at once, should have been handled independently by Afghanistan itself and should have been used to improve peoples livelihood and advance peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan without hindrance. We call on the US side to fully unfreeze the assets and lift unilateral sanctions on the country as soon as possible, take concrete actions to fulfill its primary responsibility for Afghanistans peace and reconstruction and show accountability to the world. Yonhap News Agency: Goguryeo-related content is missing from the exhibition of Ancient Bronzes of China, Korea, and Japan. According to ROK media reports, the Chinese and the ROK governments are having consultations over this. Can you share with us Chinas position? Mao Ning: I shared Chinas position the day before yesterday. Let me stress again that views regarding academic issues can be shared and discussed in a professional way within the academic sphere. It is hoped that the institutions responsible for organizing the exhibition can resolve the issue through friendly consultation. China is ready to work with the ROK side by following the understanding reached by the two sides in 2004 and continue to properly handle Goguryeo-related issues in line with the principle of separating historical issues and current ones and separating academic issues and political ones. AFP: The Iranian government said the other day that it is working to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). What is Chinas take on this? Mao Ning: The appeal and influence of the SCO have kept growing. China looks forward to having discussions and reaching consensus on the organizations expansion during the SCO summit. Any update on this will be released on a timely basis. Please stay tuned. China News Service: It is reported that on September 14, China and Pacific Island Countries (PICs) held a dialogue and exchange meeting on climate change in Beijing. Could you give us more details on the meeting? Mao Ning: Yesterday, Chinas special envoy on climate change Xie Zhenhua, together with diplomatic envoys from Tonga, Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa and Vanuatu, held the China-Pacific Island Countries climate change dialogue and exchange meeting. Participants had an in-depth exchange of views on policies and actions to address climate change, expected outcomes of the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and South-South cooperation on climate change. The meeting has produced positive outcomes. It deepened the parties understanding of each others strategies, plans, efforts and policies on climate change, and achieved the goal of enhancing mutual trust and promoting cooperation. The envoys from the participating PICs highly appreciated Chinas climate actions and the results, and thanked China for providing valuable support to PICs efforts in this regard. They expressed the readiness to further strengthen dialogue and consultation with China and jointly make positive contributions to the multilateral climate process. As a responsible major country, China takes very seriously the special difficulties and concerns of PICs in addressing climate change. Over the years, China has provided PICs with material assistance and capacity-building training and other support to enhance their capacity to cope with climate change. China is ready to stay in close communication and cooperation with the PICs. We hope to help PICs better address climate change and achieve sustainable development through bilateral channels and South-South cooperation, including by making full use of the China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Change Cooperation Center and other platforms. This is also part of the joint effort to build a China-PICs community with a shared future. Bloomberg: The European Union is proposing a forced labor product bans act. So this proposal, while it doesnt single out China, it does mean that the EU would be able to withdraw or ban any product that was found to have used forced labor at any stage of production. So this is something that could potentially impact Xinjiang-made goods in the future. My question is, does the foreign ministry have any comment on the European Unions proposed forced labor product ban? Mao Ning: The Chinese government follows a people-centered development philosophy and attaches great importance to protecting the rights and interests of workers. We protect the equal right of workers from all ethnic groups to seek employment, to participate in economic and social life, and to share the dividends of socioeconomic progress. In recent years, Xinjiang has enjoyed sustained economic development, social harmony and stability, continuous improvement of peoples livelihood, unprecedented cultural prosperity and religious harmony. Theres no so-called forced labor in China. We firmly oppose using the so-called forced labor or any Xinjiang-related issue to interfere in Chinas internal affairs. Reuters: What is President Xi Jinping planning on telling Vladimir Putin in Uzbekistan? Mao Ning: I just answered a similar question. We will release information in due course. Lincoln Sen. Suzanne Geist announced her bid for mayor on Wednesday, becoming the first candidate to officially enter the field for the 2023 race. A Republican state lawmaker who has represented District 25 in the Legislature since 2016, Geist made the announcement in a packed room full of family, friends and supporters at MoMo Pizzeria and Ristorante Wednesday afternoon. I imagine leading an administration that serves the city of Lincoln, Geist said during a short speech kicking off her campaign, an administration that works for the people; not an administration that the people work for. Geist said shell also work to bring all voices to the table, and would place value on diversity of thought, listening to everyone from large business executives to small business owners, factory workers to land developers. Though she did not name Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird the incumbent mayor is expected to announce a bid later this fall to seek a second term Geist identified several positions where she said her experience would be a better fit for the city than the Democratic leader. That could be a tall task in Lincoln, however, which has become a reliable blue dot in a conservative-majority state in recent years. Even though voters chose to implement term limits keeping Democrat Chris Beutler from seeking a fourth term as Lincolns mayor, they chose Gaylor Baird as his replacement on a 54.5%-45.3% margin in the 2019 city election. The last time a Republican was in the mayors office was Mike Johanns, who served from 1991 to 1998. Democrats have also expanded their majority on the Lincoln City Council, and now occupy six of the seven seats. But Geist has also seen electoral success in Lincoln. In her 2020 reelection bid, Geist won 66.7% of the general election vote. In 2016, she won her initial term over Jim Gordon by a margin of 12,899-10,258 votes. Geist said she believes voters in the city want new leadership that would operate in a less divisive way she did not say what the source of division was and said she believes she can bring unity to the city. Governmentwise, were going a direction Id like to see be different, otherwise I wouldnt be running, she said. A wife, mother, and grandmother, as well as a business owner and volunteer, Geist said Lincoln has a reputation as a city thats hard to do business with, and said she would work to make Lincoln a city that says yes to companies looking to locate and expand here. Geist also said she would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with law enforcement, firefighters and EMTs, and touted her support for those groups in her work as a state senator. I will not waver or cower in my support for them, she said. A member of the Legislatures Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, Geist also said she would work on ensuring Lincoln has safe and smooth streets and thriving infrastructure. Lincoln voters approved a quarter-cent sales tax in 2019 to collect more revenue for street repair and construction; Geist said she would study how that money was being spent and other budget priorities to see if money could be reallocated to speed up that work. While she did not have specific proposals on Wednesday, Geist said she would study the citys budget in the coming months as the campaign heats up: Citizens deserve an administration who prioritizes their quality of life in these specific ways. Even before her announcement on Wednesday, Geist was already facing attacks, albeit from an unexpected direction. The Nebraska Freedom Coalition, which ousted several members of the Nebraska GOP at the partys state convention in July, criticized Geist for not being conservative enough in a news release on Tuesday. Specifically, the coalition criticized Geist for not supporting a bill (LB773) that would have allowed Nebraskans to carry a concealed weapon without a permit, calling it an absolute slap in the face to essentially every true conservative. The so-called constitutional carry bill fell two votes short of breaking a legislative filibuster in April; Geist was among six senators who did not cast a vote. On Wednesday, Geist said she told the bills sponsor, Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, that she would not support the bill unless an amendment backed by both the Lincoln Police Department and the Omaha Police Officers Association was included. The amendment, which would have maintained a limited handgun registry, failed to be attached to LB773. Since I worked so closely with (law enforcement), I couldnt in good conscience vote for something that makes them less safe, Geist said. So that was my hesitation, and I was clear that if that was not added, I would not vote for the bill. Geist, who has sponsored or co-sponsored several pieces of anti-abortion legislation as a state senator, said she has been and remains a solid Republican. I have a record that Im proud of, she said. In my perspective, we dont have to agree on everything, and yet I think we should still support each other. State Sen. Julie Slama was present at Wednesday's event with her husband, former state Sen. Andrew La Grone. Other prominent Republicans, including Secretary of State Bob Evnen, Attorney General Doug Peterson, Speaker Mike Hilgers, Nebraska GOP Chairman Eric Underwood and Lancaster County GOP Chair Samuel Lyon, were also at the announcement. Geist, who has two years left as a state senator, will be running for mayor while continuing to serve the residents of southeast Lincoln and Lancaster County at the Capitol. The citys primary election is scheduled for April, while the general election will take place in May. The Legislature will meet for a 90-day session beginning in January that could continue into June. While legislative sessions require an immense amount of work, Geist said shes ready to tackle both challenges, and looks forward to meeting with voters in Lincoln. I believe if we can imagine it, we can accomplish it, she said. We can accomplish all these things better if we accomplish them together. RACINE Blood left on a cash register led to the arrest of a Racine man suspected of robbing the Park Inn diner. John Richmond Jr., 53, of the 3700 block of 10th Avenue, was charged with a felony count of burglary of a building or dwelling and misdemeanor counts of criminal damage to property and theft. According to a criminal complaint: At 12:14 a.m. on May 21, officers were sent to the Park Inn at 2312 Douglas Ave. for a burglary. Officers arrived and located a shattered window. Two cash registers were missing, and the value of the window was around $500. The cash registers were found down the street and were damaged by the thief attempting to open them. One had fresh, wet blood which was swabbed and sent to the Wisconsin State Crime Lab for analysis. A neighboring business had video of the suspect walking away from where the registers were and got into a vehicle. An investigator was investigating Richmond for being involved in additional burglaries. It was learned that his girlfriend drove a vehicle that matched the one seen in the surveillance video. The investigator then learned the DNA from the blood matched Richmonds. Richmond was given a $400 cash bond in Racine County Circuit Court on Tuesday. A preliminary hearing is on Sept. 28 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, online court records show. MOUNT PLEASANT A 58-year-old Milwaukee woman has been accused of stealing more than $1,300 worth of items from Kohls. Robin D. Pitt was charged with two felony counts of retail theft intentionally taking between $500-$5,000 and eight misdemeanor counts of bail jumping. According to a criminal complaint: Officers of the Mount Pleasant Police Department conducted an investigation concerning thefts by Pitt from Kohls at 5500 Washington Ave. On Aug. 24, officers were sent to Kohls for a shoplifting that occurred on Aug. 17. Surveillance video showed Pitt steal $714.99 worth of merchandise. On Tuesday, officers were sent to the same Kohls for a shoplifting done by Pitt again. She stole $672.99 worth of merchandise. A sergeant then saw her run out of the Kohls with two bags and arrested her. A marijuana pipe was later found in her car. The total value of the merchandise she stole from the two thefts was $1,387.98. Pitt was given a $500 signature bond and a $200 cash bond in Racine County Circuit Court on Wednesday. A preliminary hearing is on Sept. 28 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, online court records show. Preventing is cheaper than rebuilding The relentless cycle of disaster, rebuild, repeat has many coastal residents feeling numb and helpless. And climate scientists say we can expect more frequent, more powerful storms in the future, journalist Bill Whitaker of CBS's "60 Minutes" reported after Hurricane Florence ravaged the Carolinas in fall 2018. But in the Netherlands, a country where about one-third of the land is below sea level, there has been mass investment in flood prevention thats been so successful that residents largely dont bother getting flood insurance. By investing in prevention rather than rebuilding with little new defenses, Hollands coastal communities tend to be a much safer place than American cities prone to be in the paths of hurricanes. The equivalent of more than $1 billion per year is spent by the Netherlands per year on its flood infrastructure alone. When Whitaker asked the Dutch Water Ambassador Henk Ovink about why the country invested half-a-billion dollars in the 1990s to build two mobile storm surge barriers each the size of the Eiffel Tower near the mouth of the Port of Rotterdam that are activated less often than once a decade, Ovink replied: $150 billion were lost in New Orleans (after Hurricane Katrina in 2005). I dont think I need to say more. How many people were killed? We (in the Netherlands) dont have those damages. Nobody in the Netherlands has died from flooding since thousands perished during a massive North Sea flood in 1953. In Rotterdam, the Netherlands's second-most populous city, even underground parking garages are designed to become reservoirs for storm runoff in dire situations. That level of planning is rarely seen in the U.S. A new privately funded get-out-the-vote initiative in Wisconsins largest and most Democratic city has the support of Milwaukees mayor, but Republicans say its an attempt by Democrats to improperly bolster turnout in the narrowly divided battleground state. The controversy over the Milwaukee Votes 2022 initiative echoes concerns raised by Republicans in 2020 when a Mark Zuckerberg-funded group distributed millions of dollars in grants to support local elections offices in Wisconsin and throughout the country as COVID-19 complicated the presidential election. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson helped fuel Republican skepticism when he suggested that the city may be assisting with the new get-out-the-vote initiative funded by private grants. The mayors office later clarified that he was only voicing support for the efforts, which are being funded and carried out without government assistance, although Johnson did say the city would add a widget to its website promoting it. That hasnt stopped Republicans from raising alarms. Several Republican state lawmakers submitted open records requests for communications between Milwaukee officials and groups involved with the initiative. There is no question that third-party partisan money continues to be used in collusion with election officials in heavily Democrat areas to help Democrat candidates win elections, said state Rep. Janel Brandtjen, chair of the Assemblys Elections Committee. She has been one of the leading supporters of decertifying President Joe Bidens victory over Donald Trump in 2020, a move that Republican leaders have said would be unconstitutional and wont happen. Johnsons office stressed that Milwaukee Votes 2022 is entirely made up of nonpartisan efforts to register voters and encourage voting. There is no indication that it supports partisan efforts, and I have no indication that anything thats underway is illegal in any way, said Jeff Fleming, a spokesperson for the mayor. Fleming said it was a mistaken impression for anyone to think the mayor implied the city was financing or receiving money as part of Milwaukee Votes 2022. The citys posture is any nonpartisan effort to encourage people to vote is welcome in Milwaukee, he said. Private grant money for elections administration has been the focus of many conspiracy theories since 2020, when the Chicago-based Center for Tech and Civic Life, with funding from Zuckerberg, Facebooks founder and CEO, distributed grants to Democratic and Republican areas across the state and country. Milwaukee Votes 2022 is essentially Zuckerbucks 2.0. This must stop now, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, Speaker Pro Tempore Tyler August, Assistant Majority Leader Kevin Petersen and Wisconsin Elections Commission chair Don Millis said in a joint statement Tuesday. The group also accused Democrats of allowing suspicious activity and partisan meddling in elections. Milwaukee received more than $1.1 million from the Center for Tech and Civic Life in 2020, which it used to pay poll workers and purchase long-term investments such as high-speed voting tabulators. Wisconsin elections offices received a total of more than $3.3 million, mostly in small grants of $5,000 to local clerks. The grants have withstood several legal challenges in state and federal courts. The states Republican-controlled Legislature last year approved a proposal for a constitutional ban on election grants. Their choice to pursue a constitutional amendment means Democratic Gov. Tony Evers cant veto the proposal, which would also have to be passed during next years legislative session and in statewide vote before it could become law. In conversations with The Associated Press, most clerks from Wisconsin cities that received large private grants in 2020 said they werent worried about funding elections without that assistance in 2022. We certainly have hopefully a more normal election to run in November, and we definitely have had a lot more time to prepare for it than 2020, Claire Woodall-Vogg, executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission, said in June. Harm Venhuizen is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. 1. Yes. COVID isnt over. Killeen and Cove ISD had 851 cases combined in August alone. 2. Yes. Parents should always be able to track cases in the schools on a daily basis. 3. No. The state isnt requiring school districts to post the numbers; it isnt necessary. 4. No. COVID isnt surging, but if it does, the website dashboards could be reinstated. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say whether the information is needed with the low threat level. Vote View Results Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 5:16PM By Abe Friedtanzer As one of the most-nominated countries yet to actually take home the Best International Feature Oscar, Israel tends to offer up some very interesting choices. Its top contenders for the Oscar submission are always initially up for the Ophir, Israels Academy Awards which will be held on September 18th this year. The winner becomes the countrys official submission. Among the Ophir nominees weve already seen Karaoke, which played at Tribeca, and the animated film Where Is Anne Frank, which bowed at Cannes last year. Now another Ophir nominee, Valeria is Getting Married, makes its North American premiere in Toronto. For all the political content that Israeli films often contain, this one has less to do with Israelis and more to do with a disadvantaged immigrant population... Christina (Lena Fraifeld), who comes from Ukraine, is married to Michael (Yaakov Zada Daniel) and living a seemingly happy and comfortable life. Her sister Valeria (Dasha Tvoronovich) arrives in Israel for an arranged marriage of her own, a deal set up by Michael. Valeria's intended Eitan (Avraham Shalom Levi) seems nothing but kind and thoughtful, learning a few Ukrainian phrases so that he doesnt need to communicate with her only in English. While she is initally excited, she soon begins to panic as the reality of her situation sets in. This life, as several people tell her, may be much rosier that what awaits her back home, but that doesnt mean that its the fate she wants. Writer-director Michal Vink previously wrote the script to the Ophir-winning Working Woman, a powerful showcase of sexual harassment in the workplace, in addition to her directorial debut, Blush. She demonstrates yet again a keen ability to recognize every person in the room, particularly the women who are often talked over or for by the men. As much as this is Valerias story, its equally fascinating to watch Christinas face in each scene that they share. She can remember what it was like to be in Valerias position, albeit without her own sister there to provide a source of comfort. She's done a remarkable job of assimilating, learning to speak Hebrew and finding a place for herself in what used to be a new home. And now she's watching it happen all over again. Valeria is Getting Married features four very strong performances from actors playing people trapped in less-than-ideal circumstances. While Michaels issues are less sympathetic because of the nature of what he does to make money and how he responds to the situation, Eitan does seem well-intentioned even if he is utilizing a service whose very existence is problematic. There is potent drama to be found in this involving, claustrophobic film, and anyone looking to the title for guidance should think of similarly serious marriage-themed projects like Rachel Getting Married or Margot at the Wedding that probe the darker side of what for many others may be the happiest day of their life. B+ Valeria is Getting Married is screening in the Contemporary World Cinema category at TIFF. EDGARTOWN, Mass. Republican governors are escalating their partisan tactic of sending migrants to Democratic strongholds without warning, including a wealthy summer enclave in Massachusetts and the home of Vice President Kamala Harris, to taunt leaders of immigrant-friendly sanctuary cities and stoke opposition to Biden administration border policies. The governors of Texas and Arizona have sent thousands of migrants on buses to New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C., in recent months. But the latest surprise moves which included two flights to Marthas Vineyard on Wednesday paid for by Florida reached a new level of political theater that critics derided as inhumane. Upon arrival in Martha's Vineyard, where former President Barack Obama has a home, the migrants who are predominantly from Venezuela were provided with meals, shelter, health care and information about where to find work. The vacation island south of Boston, whose year-round residents include many blue-collar workers, appeared to absorb the dozens of arrivals without a major hitch. Elizabeth Folcarelli, chief executive of the nonprofit Martha's Vineyard Community Services, was wrapping up work when she saw 48 Venezuelans with luggage and backpacks approach her office. They carried red folders with brochures for her organization. They were told that they would have a job and they would have housing, said Folcarelli, who described the scramble for shelter as a huge challenge. Migrants played soccer and hung out in small groups on the porch of their temporary shelter Thursday while meeting visiting attorneys who gave free advice and other service providers. Well-wishers dropped off donations, and volunteers signed up to provide whatever help they could offer. There were no signs of protest. The president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, Domingo Garcia, said that some of the migrants sent on buses from Texas to Washington, D.C., were tricked an allegation that The Associated Press has not confirmed and that officials in Texas and Arizona have denied. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the flights to Martha's Vineyard were part of an effort to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations. The Florida Legislature has earmarked $12 million to transport unauthorized aliens out of state. DeSantis office didnt answer questions about where migrants boarded planes and how they were coaxed into making the trip. Massachusetts state Sen. Julian Cyr told The Vineyard Gazette that one plane originated in San Antonio, raising questions about whether migrants ever set foot in Florida. Flight tracking data shows a flight originated in San Antonio, stopped in Crestview, Florida, and Charlotte, North Carolina, before landing in Marthas Vineyard. The two buses of migrants from Texas that arrived early Thursday outside Harris residence at the United States Naval Observatory carried more than 100 migrants from Colombia, Cuba, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama and Venezuela. The Biden-Harris administration continues ignoring and denying the historic crisis at our southern border, which has endangered and overwhelmed Texas communities for almost two years, said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has poured billions of taxpayer dollars into making border security a signature issue. After migrants seeking asylum cross the U.S.-Mexico border, they spend time in a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility along the border until they are generally released into the U.S. to wait out their cases. Republicans say Bidens policies encourage migrants to vanish into the U.S.; Democrats argue the Trump-era policy of forcing migrants to wait out their asylum cases in Mexico was inhumane. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that federal officials were not told in advance by the Republican governors who sent the migrants to Massachusetts and Washington. Were talking about children, were talking about families who were promised a home, promised a job, put on a bus and driven to a place that they do not know, said Jean-Pierre, who called the governors actions a cruel, premeditated political stunt. Abbott has bused 7,900 migrants to Washington since April, later sending 2,200 to New York and 300 to Chicago. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has bused more than 1,800 migrants to Washington since May. Passengers must sign waivers that the free trips are voluntary. DeSantis appears to be taking the strategy to a new level by using planes and choosing Marthas Vineyard, whose harbor towns that are home to about 15,000 people are far less prepared than New York or Washington for large influxes of migrants. Texas and Florida have infuriated officials in destination cities by failing to provide passenger rosters, estimated times of arrival and other information that would make it easier to prepare. In contrast, Arizona has coordinated with officials in other cities. President Joe Biden is facing the same challenges that dogged his predecessor, former President Donald Trump: a dysfunctional asylum system in the United States, and economic and social conditions that are prompting people from dozens of countries to flee. U.S. authorities stopped migrants crossing from Mexico about 2 million times from October through July, up nearly 50% from the same period a year earlier. Many are released in the United States to pursue their immigration cases because U.S. authorities have struggled to expel them to their countries under a pandemic-era rule that denies them a chance to seek asylum. Stephen Miller, a chief architect of Trumps immigration policies, said bringing a few million migrants to Marthas Vineyard should transform the island of about 15,000 people into a modern Eden. Florida Democratic gubernatorial nominee Charlie Crist said DeSantis is treating the migrants inhumanely. Its amazing to me what hes willing to do for sheer political gain, Crist said. A federal grand jury in Madison has indicted a 44-year-old Tomah man for misrepresenting his business as veteran-owned to obtain federal contracts for work at Fort McCoy. Jonathan Walker was charged Wednesday in U.S. Federal District Court in Madison with 10 counts of wire fraud and two counts of making false statements. Prosecutors allege that Walker, owner and operator of Walker Investment Properties, LLC, sought and obtained federal contracts under the false pretense that his business was a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. Federal contracting rules give preference to such businesses. The Department of Defense awarded two contracts to Walkers business totaling $1,927,536 for HVAC services and fire alarm installation at Fort McCoy from July 2015 to June 2019. The federal government paid invoices to Walker totaling $482,577. The indictment alleges that Walker is neither a veteran nor did he suffer a disability incurred in the line of duty while active in the U.S. military. If convicted, Walker faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each wire fraud charge and a maximum of 5 years on each false statement charge. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the General Services Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Graber is handling the prosecution. Zoe de Boer started struggling with body image issues when she was 17. Five years later, the 2017 Onalaska High School graduate admits she hasnt totally overcome the struggles with body image. But as the 2022 Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest, de Boer plans to talk openly about her challenges while supporting others experiencing similar disorders. I want to encourage people to celebrate all of the wonderful parts of themselves both inside and out, she explains. I want to be a cheerleader for those who are struggling with body dysmorphia and eating disorders. The topic is so important to de Boer that she has selected the issue as her social impact initiative during her year-long reign. Its titled, Imago Dei: Breaking Free of Body Shame. Part of my motivation for entering the Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest pageant was to finally say, No, to the part of me that has always thought I was not small enough, or not pretty enough, to run for a local title, she says. Instead, I am saying, Yes, and chasing a dream Ive had for more than 10 years and sending a message that I am going to do this exactly as I am. De Boer has thought about running for a Miss America-affiliated scholarship program since middle school, but she didnt take the leap toward doing that until meeting a member of the 2021 Oktoberfest Royal Family. Rylee Beahm, the 2021 Special Fester who is also a student in the Onalaska United Methodist Church youth program where de Boer works, was the new title holders inspiration. Seeing how much Rylee got out of this past year as the Special Fester inspired me to take a leap of faith and run for myself, says de Boer. De Boer says it has been incredible to see the love and support Beahm has received from the Oktoberfest family. Now as a royal family member herself, shes excited about the upcoming year. During the talent portion of the competition last Saturday, de Boer turned to something she has done since about five minutes after I was born sing. She sang Kelly Clarksons Breakaway, which, she says, describes her journey with self-love and acceptance. The song says, Ill spread my wings and Ill learn how to fly; Ill do what it takes til I touch the sky, and that is how I feel about my own journey, explains de Boer. I am finally at a place where I am learning to let go of my insecurities and the weight they were having on me. While earning the title, de Boer also won the top talent, interview, social impact and academic transcript awards, along with Miss Congeniality among five other contestants. And she earned $12,600 in scholarships, which will help her fund a masters in servant leadership, which she is pursing at Viterbo University. De Boer says this first Miss America competition has helped her grow. I have gained friends, mentors and family, she says. I have learned a lot about how to think on my feet and speak eloquently about things going on in the world. I have learned to believe in myself and say yes to opportunities. The 2021 graduate in religious studies and theology from Viterbo University reached into her strong Christian faith while running for the title, confident that wherever she placed, she knew it was part of her creators plan. I am overjoyed and blessed to have won on Saturday, and I am even more happy knowing that it is part of Gods will, she says. De Boer is excited to experience a whole different side of Oktoberfest as part of the royal family. I am excited for our trip to Canada, and I am only freaking out a little about Miss Wisconsin next summer, she says. I am perhaps the most excited for the chance to speak about breaking free of body shame to as many people as I can. As Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest, de Boer will represent the community at the Miss Wisconsin competition in June. Nearly seven decades after the first successful organ transplant occurred in Boston, the U.S. has marked its one millionth transplant, the most of any country. Last Friday, the United Network for Organ Sharing reported the milestone operation, which follows 2021s record breaking 40,000+ transplants in a single year. I think its absolutely amazing. Its wonderful, says Anja Drogseth, ICU nurse and donation liaison for Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse. Organ donation only started in the 1950s and only really ramped up in the early 2000s. There are more people in need every day, so I think its really great we continue to escalate the number of donors we have. According to organdonor.gov, nearly 106,000 people are on the U.S. waitlist for a donated organ, with another person added every nine seconds. Each day, 17 people will die from not having a transplant in time. The need is huge, says Drogseth. (At Mayo in La Crosse), we mostly deal with the donation side of things, the people who are willing to give that gift of organs, that gift of life, Drogseth says. And its hugely emotional. One donor can save eight lives. ... Its humbling and a beautiful thing. Actual transplant operations through Mayo are performed at its Rochester hospital, or at Mayo locations in Arizona and Florida enterprise wide, 1,742 transplants were completed in 2021. Recovery and rehabilitation programs for post-op patients are available at Mayo La Crosse. Gundersen Health System also works with donors and in May was honored by the University of Wisconsin Organ and Tissue Donation with the Bronze Award of Hope, which measures the percent of medically eligible donors who ultimately donate (true conversion rate) and the number of organs per donor that are recovered and suitable for donation. The bronze award is bestowed on hospitals that reach an organs transplanted per donor rate of 3.25. To achieve gold, that metric, plus a 75% true conversion rate, must be met. Gundersen was further honored with the Donn Dexter Physician Excellence Award, given to surgeon Dr. Christine Waller for her advocacy on behalf of donors and their families, and an Excellence in Tissue Donation award, which is given to Versiti partner hospitals that have a 60% or greater consent rate. The tissues of one person can improve 75 lives. While kidneys are the most commonly transplanted organs followed by liver, heart and lung faces, hands and more can potentially be transplanted. We save lives, but we also enhance lives. There are millions of people on dialysis (for whom) a kidney can mean they can go back to work, Drogseth says. We can do skin, tendon and bone grafts that can help athletes, that can help anyone get back on the field or back on their feet. At Mayo, Drogseth says, donor families are invited to attend donation ceremonies, participate in honor walks or have the donation flag raised. To pay our respects and say thank you for that gift the biggest gift anyone can give. And its just selfless and humbling and really we aspire to be like that to make the choices that these families and patients make, Drogseth says. Having worked with donor recipients, Drogseth says the gratitude is immense. If both parties consent, patients can converse with the family of their donor. They are there because someone else isnt, Drogseth says of recipients. (For them) its just appreciation and thankfulness. Individuals can register as organ donors at the DMV, or via registerme.org or https://www.organdonor.gov/sign-up. A UW-La Crosse Music Department gala will feature a local trio while raising funds for the departments aspiring musicians. Helping students grow in the music profession is the theme for this years Department of Music Seventh Annual Scholarship Gala. Thats why we loved the graphic for this years gala: it was the No. 7 but formed from photos of students making music at UW-L, says associate professor Mary Tollefson, chair of the department. The gala features the Druzhba Trio: Michelle Elliott, violin; Busya Lugovier, viola; and Derek Clark, cello. The trio has been performing in La Crosse for many years, but starting this fall, all are teaching at UW-L. Its an exciting extension to our full-time faculty, says Tollefson. To have these performers model for our students on a more regular basis has been an exciting growth to our department. The gala is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, in Annett Recital Hall in the Center for the Arts, 333 N. 16th St. Online access is also available. Registration is a $25 suggested donation per person. Register at https://www.uwlax.edu/alumni/events/music-gala/. People may also sponsor a UW-L student musician to attend the event for a $25 donation. This years event is dedicated to the Music Scholarship and Development Fund, one of the UW-L Foundation funds that provides scholarships, but also helps students attend conferences and other professional development events. Last year, we had a record number 11 students attend the Wisconsin State Music Conference, Tollefson reports. Knowing that we can encourage professional experiences for our students through this fund is invaluable. Through the fund, the department provided travel support for the students to attend the conference. That support was matched by the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities. The Music Scholarship and Development Fund is also used to help bring guest artists to campus. Attending concerts is great for the listening experiences and providing musical artists to the community, but when students have the chance to interact with a guest artist through clinics, master classes and questions and answer sessions, you have really provided a depth to the experiences beyond any traditional classroom experience, notes Tollefson. She says the guest artists impact faculty, too. I can remember an oboe guest artist presenting a master class, recalls Tollefson. He made one of the most transformative observations: When you (the performer) strive to achieve technical perfection, thats what you achieve technique. But, when you strive to make music, the technique will elevate to achieve a greater result. The fund can also be used to award scholarships to music minors. The department is so grateful for all of our new scholarships dedicated to music majors, but we have a healthy number of music minors who contribute to the department, says Tollefson. We could not present the awesome ensemble performances we do without their participation and dedication to completing the minor. The Music Scholarship and Development Fund allows us to recognize those outstanding minors. ...45 dollar 50 now 50 dollar 50 dollar 50 dollar 50 dollar give me a hollar 50 dollar. Who will bid it at a 50 dollar bill? 50 dollar 55 55 make it 55 and a 55 make it 55 and sold that horse for a 50 dollar bill...Song Auctioneer, Leroy Van Dyke, 1956 Theres a sense of urgency and expectancy in the air at the Charles H. Wiswell Center at the Walworth County Fairgrounds in Elkhorn this sunny late summer day. The 173rd annual Walworth County Fair is in full swing and a standing-room-only crowd fills the permanent floor-to-ceiling bleachers that encircle the large central show ring in the octagon-shaped Wiswell Center. The crowd is abuzz with excitement and expectancy. A ginormous overhead fan lazily stirs a light breeze for the comfort of curious spectators and deal-seeking bidders that fill the Wiswell Center, billed by the Walworth County Fair as a great facility for different events that desire a 360-degree view, such as livestock shows and auctions. Today, the facility is home to the fairs 2022 Meat Animal Auction as Walworth County farm kids 4-H Club or Future Farmers of America (FFA) members, or sometimes both parade their pride-and-joy ag market project beef steers, sheep and swine through the show ring, one-by-one, before a stadium full of bidders looking to support area kids and also stock their freezers. The popular annual Meat Animal Sale, held on the Friday before Labor Day, supports area 4-H and FFA youth participating in the Walworth County Fair, the largest in Wisconsin and one of the states oldest, dating its founding to East Troy in 1849. The urgent, fast-talking voice of auctioneer Gary Finley, in fine traditional auction chant cadence, fills the air at the Wiswell Center, a rapid-fire combination of numbers, words and sounds that keeps the auction action clipping along. Two dollars here. Wholl give me a two dollar bill? Trying to get two dollars. Two, two, two. Two and now three And so it goes. I cant keep up with Finleys lighting-fast auction chant, but evidently the crowd can. Subtle hand signals and flicks of signs and auction flyers, shouts out, and even looks and imperceptible nods of heads, catch Finleys finely-tuned attention as he scans the 360-degree crowd around him, his arm a-waving with accompanying hand signals as he acknowledges the bids as they pop up here and there in the Wiswell Center crowd. The cross-bred steer currently being paraded around the ring eventually fetches a $4 a pound from a winning bidder. It doesnt sound like much until you factor in the fact the animal weighs 1,390 pounds and you realize $5,560 will soon be deposited into some farm kids college savings account. Curiosity piqued Born and raised in Milwaukee and still later in Racine, where the urban wilds were cattail-filled drainage ditches and weedy former cabbage and soybean fields awaiting the construction of subdivision development homes, questions filled my boggled mind as I watched the proceedings. I literally have no idea how this all works. If I bid and bought a pig, sheep or cow, just exactly what happens next? Do I just leave the fairgrounds with the animal, walking out the main gate as I puzzle how to fit a steer into the back of my Ford Escape? Or does the animal go straight to a meat processor or maybe to market for resale. My inquiring mind wanted to know. Thankfully there were helpful people in the know at the Wiswell Center, people like Walworth County Fair Foundation Secretary Bill Thompson, a past president of the Meat Animal Auction. When you are successful in buying an animal, these kids runners will come with a sheet you have to sign, Thompson explained. It has a choice of what you want to have happen to that animal. You can have it shipped to market and youll get the money for it, or you can have it taken to one of the local meat processing plants and theyll take care of it. You dont have to do anything. You just have to contact the processing plant and let them know how you want it processed. Local meat processors working in tandem with the Meat Animal Auction are Country Pride Meats, Lake Geneva Country Meats, Pinn Oak Ridge Farm, Sorg Farm Packing and Wilson Farm Meats. All sale animals were removed from the fairgrounds and taken to locker plants or to market by Madaus Trucking of Burlington. Thompson said there were 320 head of livestock being sold at auction Sept. 2 and well over 100 potential bidders in attendance at the 2022 Meat Animal Auction, including both local businesses and individuals, all with an interest in supporting local youth and having some meat in their freezer. Incoming 2023 Fairest of the Fair Lillienne Cauffman greets 2022 Meat Animal Sale attendees Incoming 2023 Walworth County Fairest of the Fair, Lillienne Cauffman, of Elkhorn, greets 2022 Walworth County Fair Meat Animal Auction attend Marty Speth, 7-year Meat Animal Sale chairman, 30-year sale committee member, and an agri-science teacher at Delavan-Darien High School, said youth participants in the Meat Animal Sale typically deposit their earnings into college funds. The 2022 Meat Animal Sale would go on to set a new record, raising $986,000 for participating area youth. The auctioneers are really energetic, Speth said. We have one of the better sales in the state usually as far as county fair support sales go tremendous community support. Often overlooked behind the scenes, Speth said, is the behind-the-scenes work that goes into raising the animals being auctioned. A lot of people dont appreciate the work that goes into the animals that are here, he noted. The beef animals are probably worked with 2-5 hours a day. Pigs similar, maybe a little less time. Its every day, twice a day mornings and evenings. Its basically a part-time job. Its commitment by these kids. The knowledge, the skill set, the work ethic of having to get it done, the commitment to it, pays off for the kids down the road because theyre learning by doing. A lot of work also goes into making the magic happen for the youth participating in the fairs Meat Sale Auction, which Speth said is planned and overseen by an organizing committee of 6-10 and a small army of volunteers to facilitate the sale immediately around and on auction day, including auctioneers, youth runners that coordinate paperwork with winning bidders, and members of the Walworth County Business Association that clerk the auction event, registering bidders before the auction and processing payments of the winning bidders after. This doesnt happen last night, he said of the Meat Animal Sale, which began at 10 a.m. with the sale of beef animals, then sheep and then swine, followed at approximately 3 p.m. with the sale of Grand and Reserve Champion live and carcass animals. Maggie Dutton of Darien returned from auction with the cross-bred steer Class of 2022 Delavan-Darien High School graduate Maggie Dutton was all smiles after a successful auction of her crosss-bred steer Sept. 2 at A really good opportunity Maggie Dutton of Darien, a Class of 2022 graduate of Delavan-Darien High School and an alumnus of the schools FFA program, was among the 175 Walworth County 4-H and FFA members participating in the fairs Sept. 2 Meat Animal Sale. showing a cross-bred steer at auction. The 2022 Meat Animal Auction was her tenth year showing. The process of getting to the Wiswell Center is a long one. Its a lot of work, Dutton said of raising her steer since last December for its eventual auction at the Meat Animal Sale. I got up at 5 every morning to rinse him and blow him and then I put him in the barn under fans and I fed him and I did the same thing at night. I do it twice a day every day. Its a lot of work, but fun. Making her appearance in the auction ring with her steer, she said, is an adrenaline rush and a lot of fun. Proceeds from the sale of her steer will be used for college costs. It (the Meat Animal Auction) is a really good opportunity for kids to have this money in their bank accounts, she said, noting some will put it into college savings and others will use the funds for their next market animal ag project. Its a great opportunity for everyone. While not looking at a career in farming, with her sights set on going to cosmetology school, Dutton said she would definitely like to raise cattle and be involved in the agriculture industry on the side. Landon Rehberg of Elkhorn auctioning his cross-bred steers at the 2022 Walworth County Fair Landon Rehberg, of Elkhorn, was among area youths auctioning steers at the Sept. 2 Meat Animal Auction in the Wiswell Center at the 2022 Walwo Making his eighth appearance at the Meat Animal Auction was Landon Rehberg of Elkhorn, an Elkhorn Area High School junior and Spring Prairie 4-H Club member who was showing two cross-bred steers at this years sale. Its a great experience, he said. Its always a very cool experience Its really cool to see the local businesses support the youth. The months-long process of getting from farm to auction, he said, requires a lot of commitment of between 4-6 hours a day, seven days a week. Rehberg said proceeds from the sale of his two steers will be put into his college fund, and also toward the purchase of a project steer for next year. I plan to pursue a career in mechanical engineering and try to get back into the agricultural field, he said of his career plans. Another longtime Meat Animal Auction participant was Kyle Allsworth of Elkhorn, an Elkhorn Area High School senior who showed his 18-month-old AOB Shorthorn steer, a fourth overall champion, in the auction ring this year. Allsworth is a member of Elkhorn Area High Schools FFA Club, as well as the Spring Prairie 4-H Club. Its cool to see all the people filling the Wiswell Center and bidding on all the animals in support of our projects, he said, noting hes saved all of his cumulative auction earnings for college with plans to pursue a career in agriculture. I plan to continue raising cattle when I grow up. I live on a beef farm currently and we have 30-40 head of cows that we raise calves off. Allsworth plans to attend UW-Platteville and earn an animal sciences or agribusiness degree. Ive grown up around it and Ive always loved working with the cows, doing farm work and being on the farm, he said of his longtime interest in, and passion for, agriculture. Among those posting winning bids at the Sept. 2 Meat Animal Sale was Jonathan Pease of Genoa City. I come to support the kids, he said, noting the fairs Meat Animal Auction and foundational programs like 4-H and FFA provide participating area youth with lessons in life and business, including ethics, hard work, commitment and responsibility. As for me, the Walworth County Fairs Meat Auction Sale proved to be an enlightening educational experience, shedding a light on the farm-to-table continuum and putting a variety of faces to Walworth County agriculture. As the old adage says, you learn something new every day and I most definitely did. People who work hard deserve to make more than a decent living; we deserve to have a decent life. Unfortunately, some elected officials only look out for themselves and their friends to get richer off the work we produce. And thats why a majority of WisconsinitesDemocrat, mainstream Republicans and Independentswill be voting for Gov. Tony Evers on Nov. 8, 2022. Because he looks out for all of us. Wisconsin is undoubtedly better and stronger than when Gov. Evers first took office. Wisconsin has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, the lowest in state history, and the largest budget surplus ever in Wisconsin. But theres no doubt that rising cost of living is hurting working families. So, what does Gov. Evers want to do with that budget surplus? Give every person a $150 tax rebate. The Republicans in the Legislature blocked that, though, because they believe the greedy corporations keeping costs artificially high deserve more of your money than you do. Gov. Evers cut taxes for working families by 15%meaning we have more money in our pockets to pay bills, get ahead, and achieve the economic security we deserve. We have to do right by our kids, so every child can be set off to a good future and pursue their dreams. Thats why Gov. Evers signed the first increase in special education funding in a decade and restored the states funding commitment to public schools for the first time in 20 years. He expanded mental health services, keeping our schools and communities safer. Hes also made investments to freeze tuition at UW schools, because students and families shouldnt have to worry about the rising costs of education. Wisconsins education system is now ranked 8th best in the nationup from 18th under the previous administration. Hes made good on his promise to fix the roads, repairing nearly 5,000 miles of highways. When he took office, we had some of the worst roads in the countrynow Wisconsins roads are ranked 8th best in the nation. Holy mackerel! Gov. Ever has prioritized broadband$3,352,314 has been invested right here in Walworth County, benefiting 1,134 businesses and 2,299 households. And thats not all he has done to help small businesses! Thanks to his Main Street Bounceback program, 38 small businesses in Walworth County have opened or expanded, and 2,035 of our neighborsRepublicans and Democrats alikerunning small businesses have received grants to help pay bills, stock shelves and hire employees. Because of Tony Evers, farmers have the tools they need to succeed, including grants for dairy processors and a new program to grow the states meat processing industry and create new markets for Wisconsin products. Evers directed $100 million to support more than 20,000 Wisconsin farmers through the Farm Support Program, which helps farmers pay bills, invest in equipment, and continue feeding and fueling the world. Gov. Evers has protected our freedoms. Some extreme right-wing politicians are waging a deliberate disinformation campaign to attack our freedom to vote. Wisconsin is #1 in legislative efforts to overturn the will of the people. 38 bills were proposed in the last legislative session to overhaul a free, secure, and certified election. In an attempt to overturn the will of the people, the legislature proposed bills that would control election outcomes, punish trusted election officials for doing their jobs, and give partisan poll watchers the ability to harass and intimidate voters. But Gov. Evers believes every Wisconsinite should be able to vote free from additional politician-made barriers, so he vetoed those bills. Now its up to us to protect our freedom to decide what happens in our lives by rejecting attempts to sabotage our elections and voting in record numbers. Finally, Gov. Evers believes that wenot the governmentknow the best time to start or grow our families. He is protecting the freedom of Wisconsin women to determine, with their medical provider, the healthcare options that are best for them. Hes protecting our freedom to choose. In short, Gov. Evers is creating a Wisconsin that works for everyone, not just the uber wealthy or connected few. Here in Walworth County, we work hard for our families, look out for our friends, and want our neighbors to enjoy healthy and prosperous lives. Some politicians like Tim Michels dont get that, but Gov. Evers does. And his record proves it. Tony Evers is doing the right thing for Wisconsin. By Azernews By Ayya Lmahamad Moldova is in talks with Azerbaijan and Romania on gas supplies, the countrys President Maia Sandu said, Azernews reports. It is not difficult to find alternative gas sources but to find gas at a reasonable price. The government is holding talks with Azerbaijan and Romania. Technically, the gas reaches all regions of Moldova. But again, it all depends on price, she said. Earlier, Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spinu said that Moldova is considering the possibility of signing a long-term gas supply contract with Azerbaijan. With the completion of the TAP (Trans-Adriatic Pipeline) construction on December 31, 2020, Azerbaijan began commercial gas supplies to Europe via the Southern Gas Corridor. Last year, TAP transported 8.1 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe. By late 2022, Azerbaijan plans to increase gas supplies to Europe to 9.1 billion cubic meters, and in 2023, the volume of gas supplies is expected to reach 11 billion cubic meters. Ukrainian Defense Chief Demands West To Preempt Alleged Russian Plans To Use Nukes in Ukraine Sept. 14, 2022 (EIRNS)In a 7-page article published on the Ukrainian news site Ukrinform on Sept. 7, commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Gen. Valeriy Zaluzhnyi and co-author Lt. Gen. Mykhailo Zabrodskyi, the First Deputy Chairman of the National Security, Defense, and Intelligence Committee of the Verkhovna Rada, argue that to be defeated, Russia must be robbed of its sense of impunity to act as it wishes in Ukraine and that requires a global war. The publication of the article on the day before the Sept. 8 Ramstein air base meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, makes it likely that the document in fact originated with NATO. The most shocking part of the article, Prospects for Running a Military Campaign in 2023: Ukraines Perspective, was its demand that the West preemptively attack Russia in order to stop what might be Moscows plan to launch tactical nuclear weapons. It is hard to imagine that even nuclear strikes will allow Russia to break Ukraines will to resist, they boast. But the threat that will emerge for the whole of Europe cannot be ignored. The possibility of direct involvement of the worlds leading powers in a limited nuclear conflict, bringing closer the prospect of World War 3, cannot be completely ruled out either. As a forced step, which is still extremely necessary, we must return to the source of Russian confidence, which is impunity. Any Russian attempts at practical steps in the use of tactical nuclear weapons must be preempted by employing the entire arsenal of means at the disposal of world powers. After all, starting from this moment, the Russian Federation will become not only a threat to the peaceful coexistence of Ukraine, its neighbors, and a number of European countries, but also a truly global-scale terrorist state, Zaluzhnyi and Zabrodskyi conclude. In our opinion, it is precisely taking into account such a complex and ambiguous combination of factors that the prospects of the 2023 military campaign should be considered. Only their full and comprehensive consideration will create the prerequisites for Ukraine to defeat the aggressors army and put to an end the destructive war that is raging in Europe, they end. Since Zaluzhnyi and Zabrodskyi expect the war to last well into 2023, they demand Ukraines backers continue to provide military support to Ukraine, to include long-range strike systems to overcome the 20 to 1 range advantage that Russia currently has. Comprehensive efforts to equip and re-equip the Armed Forces of Ukraine with weapon systems of the appropriate range, with a proper long-term vision of the objectives, should become the long-sought game-changer, they write. If Ukraine succeeds in receiving the appropriate weapons, operational and strategic prospects for 2023 will look totally different. EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 London Ventriloquists Have Ukrainian Generals Call for NATO Preemptive Nuclear Strike on RussiaYes, a Nuclear Strike Sept. 14, 2022 (EIRNS)Over the last week, global NATO has shifted into operational high gear in their plan for war and world dictatorship, in an effort to stop those countries and political forces internationally that are organizing to replace the bankrupt trans-Atlantic financial system with a just, new world economic orderand whose alternative is also now quickly becoming operational. The shift occurred around the Sept. 8 meeting of NATO and allied countries at the U.S.s Ramstein Air Base in Germany, the now-monthly meeting of the so-called Ukraine Defense Contact Group, whose purpose is to coordinate the war Global NATO is waging against Russia on Ukrainian territory. In preparation for that meeting, the chief of the Ukrainian armed forces Gen. Valeriy Zaluzhnyi co-authored an article published on the Ukrainian news site Ukrinform on Sept. 7, which claimed that there were indications that Russia was preparing for a nuclear strike in Ukraine, and that it is therefore extremely necessary ... [that] any Russian attempts at practical steps in the use of tactical nuclear weapons must be preempted by employing the entire arsenal of means at the disposal of world powers. Preempted by employing the entire arsenal of means?! Be clear: such an outrageously dangerous and provocative article could never have been written, let alone published, without the prior approval of the U.S., U.K. and NATO forces running the war. In fact, on Sept. 13 Kiev released a document specifying its security wish-list in the form of a Kiev Security Compact, drafted by a working group on security co-chaired by Ukraines Chief of the Presidential Office Andrii Yermak and former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. The document demands NATO Article 5-type guarantees for Ukraine, meaning direct deployment of NATOs full military might on Ukraines behalf, against Russia. Russian former President and current Security Council Deputy Chair Dmitry Medvedev slammed the Kiev Security Compact as little more than a prologue to a third world war. Schiller Institute founder Helga Zepp-LaRouche today reiterated the warning she issued yesterday in an interview with Radio China International, that these developments bring us really one step closer to world war.... I think people have to wake up: This present policy of confrontation against Russia, and by implication against China as well, is bringing the world very close to a possible world war. She again stressed the import of the Sept. 12 statement by Russias Ambassador to Berlin Sergey Nechayev, that Germanys decision to send advanced weapons to Ukraine is a red line that the German government ... should not have crossed. All of this, on the eve of the Sept. 15-16 meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, which will pull together heads of state and government representing 40% of the worlds populationincluding China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran and many others. Their discussions will center on the current crisis as a turning point to bring into being a new security and development architecture for their region and the world, broadly centered on Chinese President Xi Jinpings Belt and Road Initiative and its associated Global Development Initiative. This is more than evident to the Western financial Establishment. Bloomberg yesterday published an annoyed article under the headline Xi Returns to World Stage with Putin To Counter U.S. Dominance, which grumbled that Xi will be reemerging this week alongside Russias Vladimir Putin to showcase his vision for a viable alternative. That viable alternative is required in short order, if the Wests current economic collapse and war drive are to be defused and defeated. But fortunately there is one at hand. The outspoken and highly respected Russian economist Sergei Glazyev hit the nail on the head in a video-message he sent to Helga Zepp-LaRouche on the occasion of the centenary of the birth of her husband, Lyndon LaRouche: This year progressive people around the world are observing the centenary of the birth of the brilliant thinker and, I wouldnt hesitate to say, prophet of our time, Lyndon LaRouche.... If the leaders of the worlds nations had listened to the voice of Lyndon LaRouche, then perhaps we might have managed to avoid the social upheavals we confront today as a result of the collapse of the world financial and economic system.... If Lyndon LaRouche had been elected President, the world today would be developing in a stable fashion. There would not be the growing chaos, there would not be the worldwide wars and provocations.... In practically all the major countries in the world that today are developing successfullyabove all India, and Chinathere are partisans of LaRouche. They have used his thoughts and ideas, for creating their economic miracles. It is the principles of Physical Economy championed by LaRouche, that today underlie the Chinese economic miracle and are there in the foundations of Indias economic development policy.... Lyndon LaRouche turned out to be right. Today we rely on his work, his writings, in composing proposals for a very rapid transition to a new world economic paradigm.... As we can see, countries that are taking this path are enjoying success.... We have to muster all our forces to fight that evil [of war], and the creative legacy of Lyndon LaRouche helps in this. May his memory live forever. Glazyevs full 14-minute video message, which is posted on the Schiller Institute of Germanys YouTube channel. By Azernews By Ayya Lmahamad Asian Development Bank (ADB) is ready to further expand cooperation with Azerbaijan and support the priorities of the countrys economic development, the banks Chief Economist Albert Park said, Azernews reports. He made the remarks during the meeting with Azerbaijani Finance Minister Samir Sharifov. Expressing satisfaction with the long-term and strategic cooperation between Azerbaijan and ADB, Albert Park stated that the economic reforms carried out in the country in the context of combating global economic threats are successfully continuing. During the meeting, the parties discussed the current state and future directions of cooperation, including the priorities of the partnership strategy between Azerbaijan and ADB. Samir Sharifov spoke about the governments measures taken under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the priorities of socio-economic development of Azerbaijan until 2030, and the large-scale restoration and reconstruction work in the liberated lands. He noted the importance of ADB support in projects implemented by the government to achieve the goals of the countrys economic development. Azerbaijan has been a member of the Asian Development Bank since 1999. Since then, the bank has committed $4.4 billion in loans, and $32.28 million in technical assistance projects, including ADB-administered co-financing for Azerbaijan. By Azernews By Laman Ismayilova The International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation has released a statement on Armenia's fresh provocation, Azernews reports, citing the foundation. The International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation strongly condemns the large-scale provocations committed by the Armenian armed forces on the Azerbaijani- Armenian state border on the night leading to September 13, 2022, and considers the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan as a gross violation of the fundamental norms and principles of international law as well as provisions of the trilateral statements, signed between the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia. The foundation expresses deep condolences to Azerbaijan and the families of martyrs, who lost their lives in Armenia's military provocations. The Armenian armed forces carried out large-scale provocations along the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border in the Dashkasan, Kalbajar, and Lachin directions during the night of September 13. At night, Armenian sabotage groups mined land and supply roads linking the positions of the Azerbaijani army units in different directions, taking advantage of the area's steep topography and existing ravine gaps. The clashes between the sides ensued as a result of the urgent efforts made by the Azerbaijani armed forces to quell these activities. As a result, Azerbaijan sustained 50 military losses, military infrastructure was damaged as well. American researchers have created a technology tool that aims to identify and re-create different smells. The system is powered by artificial intelligence (AI). The tool was developed and tested by researchers at Google, universities and the Monell Chemical Senses Center. The team recently released results of their method and described the process in an article in the publication Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The researchers said smells, also called odors, are produced by molecules released into the air. Those molecules then enter our noses and are processed there by sensory receptors. Those receptors send signals to the brain to help us recognize smells. The team said smells are identified in a way similar to how we identify and measure colors using sensory maps. For example, maps like the traditional color wheel can show many different colors. Such maps present color combinations and show how the colors blend with each other. But the researchers said that historically, useful maps for smell have been missing. This is because the molecules related to smell are much more complex. They depend on more than photon particles used to see colors. In addition, the researchers said that while the human eye has just three sensory receptors for color, the human nose has more than 300 for smell. The scientists built on past research to produce a neural network model that aims to create a map to identify molecules related to smells. A neural network is a computer processing system built to act like the human brain. The team from Google AI calls the newly developed tool a principal odor map. The main purpose of the map is to predict the odor properties of molecules, the researchers said. The neural network models were also trained to identify which molecular characteristics were needed to make correct smell predictions. The researchers reported that the AI-powered map permits them to predict and discover new odors and the molecules that produce them. The team said their research suggests there are probably billions of molecules that are likely odorous, but have not yet been smelled. Since the mapping tool was shown to recognize an odorous molecule from its structure, this guides us to discover new classes of odorants the researchers said. For the experiments, the researchers said they collected the largest ever set of data on odor descriptions for different molecules. For comparison purposes, they used human subjects to identify the smells of 400 molecules using 55 different descriptions. The team said that when compared to the human odor identifications, the neural network model repeatedly performed better than the human subjects. The team said such a tool can be used across many different fields, including the health care, food and fragrance industries. The researchers reported that the tool can be used to help fight one of the worlds biggest health problems diseases spread through insects. They said the system can measure how effective a molecule is at keeping mosquitos away from humans. The team said it discovered a series of new molecules that can repel mosquitos with at least the same effectiveness as DEET, a chemical commonly used in insect repellants. This discovery, the researchers said, can lead to the development of less costly, longer lasting, and safer repellants than those containing DEET. Such repellants could be used to reduce the worldwide incidence of diseases like malaria, potentially saving countless lives, the team added. Im Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from Google AI and PNAS. Quiz - AI Tool Seeks to Identify and Recreate Smells Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz _________________________________________________________ Words in This Story artificial intelligence n. the development of computer systems with the ability to perform work that normally requires human intelligence blend v. to mix two or more things together photon n. a single unit of light characteristic n. a typical or noticeable quality that makes one person or thing different from others fragrance n. a sweet of pleasant smell repel v. to force away something unwanted incidence n. the number of times something happens What do you think of this story? We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 1. Write your comment in the box. 2. Under the box, you can see four images for social media accounts. They are for Disqus, Facebook, Twitter and Google. 3. Click on one image and a box appears. Enter the login for your social media account. Or you may create one on the Disqus system. It is the blue circle with D on it. It is free. Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here. The Chinese government bars 1.4 billion Chinese citizens from using the social media service Twitter. But, its local officials spend money on worldwide advertising on the service. China has become the services fastest-growing foreign advertising market and one of its largest non-U.S. providers of income for the service. Reuters reporters found that local government officials and Chinese Communist Party propaganda offices were buying advertising over the past two years. They bought the ads for cities and local governments aiming to increase visitors. Ads aim to support local economies Twitter said it does not usually permit advertising from state-run media. But it has made exceptions in some cases. The advertisements from Chinese state media show local places for visitors and cultural and economic interests. Twitter's dealings in China became a subject of public discussion recently. Twitter's former security chief Peiter Zatko spoke in a U.S. Senate Judiciary committee hearing. He said that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) told Twitter there was a Chinese agent working at the company. Zatko told the senators that the agent was said to be from China's Ministry of State Security, the country's main spy agency. Twitter denies this. Endangered users Zatko also said that "Twitter executives knew that accepting Chinese money risked endangering users in China." Zatko said others at Twitter told him the money coming in from China was too important to stop. However, Reuters said it could not independently support those claims. People who asked not to be identified told Reuters that Twitter's sales of advertising to Chinese groups are estimated to be in the "hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Zatko also told the Senate committee that some Twitter employees had been troubled about the situation. They were worried that, while Twitter is banned in China, the service was still taking money from organizations linked with the Chinese government. Information imbalance Sinead McSweeney is Twitters vice-president of worldwide public policy. She wrote in a March social media message that when governments that block access to Twitter within their state continue to use it for their own communications, there is an information imbalance. There have been many ads for Chinese local governments, as well as for state media themselves, published on Twitter since March. During the pandemic closure of Chinas borders, local Chinese officials continued buying advertising on foreign social media. It is not clear why they placed these advertisements. Accounts belonging to city officials in Chongqing, run by the Communist Party's official People's Daily, all continued to advertise on Twitter until as recently as last month. Court records and media reports say that Chinese courts have sentenced many people in the past three years for using Twitter to criticize officials. At the same time, state-run organizations have continued to purchase ads on Twitter. Im Jill Robbins. Fanny Potkin, Eduardo Baptista and Tony Munroe reported on this story for Reuters. Jill Robbins adapted it for VOA Learning English. _______________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story endanger v. put someone or something in a situation where they might be harmed or destroyed access n. a way of being able to use something What do you think of the claims the former employee made about Twitter? We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: Write your comment in the box. Under the box, you can see four images for social media accounts. They are for Disqus, Facebook, Twitter and Google. Click on one image and a box appears. Enter the login for your social media account. Or you may create one on the Disqus system. It is a blue circle with D on it. It is free. Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Scientists in Spain have mapped the genetic code of a sea animal that is the only known creature able to go back in its life cycle. The research involves a kind of jellyfish. The researchers' goals were to try to understand the secret of the jellyfishs unusual long life and find new areas for future aging research. The scientists published their study recently in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Maria Pascual-Torner, Victor Quesada and others at the University of Oviedo mapped the genetic code of Turritopsis dohrnii. It is the only known species of jellyfish able to repeatedly change back into a larval stage after sexual reproduction. The scientists said that means it could be biologically immortal. Like other jellyfish, T. dohrnii goes through a two-part life cycle. It lives on the sea floor during an early part of life where its main goal is to survive during times when there is not enough food. Then, when conditions are right, the jellyfish enters another part of its life to reproduce sexually. Many kinds of jellyfish have some ability to reverse aging and go back to a larval form. But most lose this ability once they reach sexual maturity, the scientists wrote. Not so for T. dohrnii. Monty Graham is a jellyfish expert and director of the Florida Institute of Oceanography. Graham was not involved in the research. "We've known about this species being able to do a little evolutionary trickery for maybe 15-20 years," he said. In this case, trickery means an unusual behavior or manner. This trick earned the species the nickname, the immortal jellyfish. Graham admits the nickname is a little hyperbolic, meaning it overstates the truth. The study aimed to understand what made this jellyfish different. It compared the genetic code of T. dohrnii to a close genetic relative that does not have the same ability. Researchers found that T. dohrnii has differences in its genes that may make it better at copying and repairing DNA. Such differences, or variations, also appear to make the jellyfish better at taking care of the ends of chromosomes called telomeres. In humans and other species, telomere length has been shown to shorten with age. Graham said the research has no immediate financial value. "We can't look at it as, hey, we are going to harvest these jellyfish and turn it into a skin cream," he said. The research has more to do with understanding the processes that help these jellyfish live so long. Graham explained, "It's one of those papers that I do think will open up a door to a new line of study that's worth pursuing." Im John Russell. Julie Steenhuysen reported on this story for Reuters. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English. _______________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story code n. a set of instructions for a living organism or a computer life cycle -- n. the series of stages through which a living thing passes from the beginning of its life until its death species n. biology : a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants : a group of related animals or plants that is smaller than a genus larval adj. a very young form of an insect or other creature immortal adj. not capable of dying ; living forever pursue v. to make an effort to find out more about some subject or issue LEXINGTON Testimony from state witnesses continued for a second day in the trial of Francisco Hernandez-Corona, who is accused of killing 23-year-old Marcus Keyser in a drive-by shooting on July 6, 2021. Hernandez-Corona is charged with first degree murder, a Class 1A felony with use of a firearm to commit a felony, a Class 1C felony. Dawson County Attorney Elizabeth Waterman is prosecuting the case. Brian Davis of Cozad is representing the defendant. Yesenia Rodriguez, the girlfriend of Keyser at the time of the shooting, started her testimony on Monday and continued on Tuesday. During the early hours of July 6, Rodriguez, who worked at the Caseys location on North Adams St., took her break outside with Keyser. They both noticed a dark colored vehicle drive by at a slow rate of speed. Rodriguez noticed a man in the back passenger seat with a neck tattoo staring at them. She later became concerned when a Lexington police officer came into Caseys asking if anyone had heard firework-like noises. Rodriguez messaged Keyser via cell phone but never received a response. She left Caseys around 3 a.m. and walked the short distance to her home on 9th St. where she discovered Keysers body in the driveway. She said there was a lot of blood. She would mention the male with the neck tattoo to Lexington police later in the day. During cross examination, Davis asked Rodriguez if she knew of cocaine that had been in her home. At the time, Rodriguez said I did not know anything about the cocaine in my house. Rodriguez returned home after Keysers death and found an amount of cocaine on a TV stand in her house. She later said she knew of Keyser pulling a gun on a her ex-boyfriend when purchasing cocaine a few days before the murder. Rodriguez later said it was a thought of hers that the cocaine was related to Keysers murder. The substance believed to be cocaine was later acquired by the Lexington Police Department and field tested, showing it was not cocaine. Under cross examination, Davis said Rodriguez had said the vehicle that drove by slowly on her break was different colors at different times. When shown a picture of Hernandez-Corona's gray Nissan Ultima, she said it wasnt that vehicle. During the states opportunity to redirect, Rodriguez identified Hernandez-Corona as the person she knew as Frankie. She also said that when describing the vehicle it was, like an Impala, and said it was a dark colored. Lexington Police Department Investigator Erik Rowan was called next. He testified that, on scene, he and the other officers looked extensively for shell casings, but found none. He and other officers walked 9th St. and took walks up 13th St., to Airport Road and Highway 30 but never located any casings. Rowan said he conducted the search of Hernandez-Coronas Nissan Ultima and found rifle shells and magazine in the vehicle. There was also a bullet hole through the floorboard in the rear passenger area behind the driver. Also near the bullet hole was a Caseys wrapper containing the remnants of a donut. Hernandez-Corona had been recorded on Caseys video surveillance prior to the shooting purchasing pizza and a donut. The Caseys bag had been shot through and there were plastic fragments strewn over the floorboard. The jury were also shown several autopsy photos of Keysers body, including photos of an abrasion to his left forehead and left shoulder. There were also photos of the entry and exit wound of a single bullet on Keysers head. Upon cross examination, Davis asked Rowan about investigative techniques used when Hernandez-Corona was questioned a second time. The investigators told Hernandez-Corona that co-defendant Aldaberto Seanz-Gonzalez had said everything was his fault. Davis noted Hernandez-Corona did not confess when presented with this. When asked about the bullet hole in Hernandez-Coronas Ultima, Rowan said he could not say for sure how long it had been there. During the states redirect period, Rowan said the bullet hole in the floorboard was not rusty and that the donut in the damaged plastic wrapping did not have mold on it and appeared to be fresh. An expert witness called by the state was Kent Weber, a forensic scientist at the Nebraska State Patrol crime lab. Weber conducted tests on the weapon located in Hernandez-Coronas bedroom, a Radical, RF-15 semi-automatic rifle, chambered for .223 rounds. He also received bullet fragments recovered from the house. After testing, Weber said he couldnt exclude Hernandez-Coronas rifle but could not determine it was the exclusive source of the rounds fired. During cross examination, Weber reiterated that matching the rifle in question to the bullets fired was inconclusive. He also noted there are differences in the types of ammunition produced by manufacturers that could lend to differences when fired. The next expert witness was Amanda Neely, who was also working at the NSP crime lab in July 2021. She is also a forensic scientist and deals with trace evidence, including gunshot residue. She said it is possible to test for the presence of primer gunshot residue (PGSR), or the materials that can be found when a primer that fires a bullet is activated and discharged. She said people who use a firearm or pick one up that has been recently fired can come into contact with PGSR. It remains on the hands for 4-8 hours and can linger on surfaces indefinitely until removed. Both Hernandez-Corona and Seanzs hands were sampled for PGSR and sent to the crime lab. Neely said Hernandez-Coronas kit contained five particles of PGSR while Seanz contained one particle. Neely noted she cannot draw conclusions about the number of particles found on each mans hand due to the amount of factors involved. During cross examination, Neely said PGSR could be transferred from surface to surface and a recently fired weapon could transfer onto a surface such as a blanket or sweater if it came in contact with the weapon. Neely also said she needs to know about the hobbies of those tested for PGSR, those who shoot weapons often could come into contact with particles more often. The next expert was Dan Warrington, with the Kearney Police Department. He said he handles digital investigations, which includes mobile forensics. Warrington said he examined the iPhones owned by Hernandez-Corona, Seanz and Keyser. He said he obtained location data from Saenz and Keysers phones, while Hernandez-Coronas location services had been turned off. The accuracy of the GPS location of the phones depends on how many satellites the phone can connect with. It can vary from a one to five meter radius to a 150 meter radius, the maximum law enforcement rely on in investigations, Warrington said. Keysers phone was also recording information with the health application and tracked significant movements by the person carrying the phone. At 1:29 a.m. the health data showed him traveling 300 meters, then at 1:44 a.m., Keyser traveled 200 meters. Warrington said the health data suddenly stopped until law enforcement recovered the phone from his body later during the morning of July 6. Upon cross examination, Warrington said a phone could be anywhere within the radius indicated by the GPS data, it could be in the center or at a far edge. He also noted the iPhone health app tracks movement along the horizontal and vertical axis, indicating Keyser had been traveling some distance. The lion share of Tuesdays testimony was provided by Lexington Police Department Investigator Michael Baker. Baker arrived at 800 W. 9th St. around 3:30 a.m. and observed Keysers body, a large pool of blood and a handgun tucked into his waist. There were several bullet holes on the lower garage door, as well as in a neighboring house and vehicle on the street. Baker said around 8-10 rounds appeared to have been discharged. One round that passed through the garage had impacted a Dewalt drill and fragments were recovered from it. He also noted it was unusual that no bullet casings were found, given the amount of rounds discharged. The jury was shown photos of Keyser body as it was discovered on scene and its relation to the garage, driveway and house. Baker created a diagram of where the bullets impacted along 9th St. and it was his conclusion the rifle was traveling as it was being fired. After documenting the scene, Baker spoke with Hernandez-Corona in the Dawson County Jail, as he was being held on the minor in possession charge. Baker would interview Hernandez-Corona twice. After the second interview, Baker said he learned four notable details, Hernandez-Corona was adamant he and Seanz had been together all evening, he owned an AR-style rifle, it was equipped with a casing catcher bag and it was located either in his house or his car. The jury was also able to view video evidence from Caseys showing Hernandez-Corona and Seanz entering the store and purchasing pizza and a donut. The brief glance between Hernandez-Corona and Keyser was seen in the surveillance video. Bakers testimony would continue on Wednesday. By Azernews By Sabina Mammadli Azerbaijan is ready to unilaterally transfer the bodies of up to 100 Armenian servicemen to Yerevan, Azernews reports per the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons. According to the commission, adhering to its commitment to international humanitarian law and human values, Azerbaijan is appealing to Armenia for a ceasefire and declares its readiness to unilaterally hand over the bodies of about 100 Armenian servicemen, who died as a result of the provocation against the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, on September 12-13, 2022. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was informed in this regard. To recap, units of the Armenian armed forces carried out large-scale provocations along the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border in the Dashkasan, Kalbajar, and Lachin directions during the night of September 13. At night, Armenian sabotage groups mined land and supply roads, linking the positions of the Azerbaijani army units in different directions, taking advantage of the area's steep topography and existing ravine gaps. The clashes between the sides ensued as a result of the urgent efforts made by the Azerbaijani armed forces to quell these activities. As a result, Azerbaijan sustained 50 military losses, and the military infrastructure was damaged, the ministry detailed. The Azerbaijan military units stationed in these areas took decisive retaliatory measures to suppress the provocations of the Armenian armed forces and military threats to Azerbaijan's territory and sovereignty, as well as to ensure the safety of military personnel, including civilian workers involved in infrastructure construction in Kalbajar and Lachin districts, the ministry emphasized. Merchant, which opened off the Capitol Square in late 2010 and became known for its extensive, creative cocktail menu, closed a year ago for renovations, and reopened in early June. Being back for the summer was key since its a prime beneficiary of Madisons lifesaving Streatery, a popular pandemic program that lets some restaurants and bars expand their outdoor dining. Merchants seating in what used to be parking stalls on South Pinckney Street joins Settle Down Tavern and Merchants sister restaurant, Lucille, to form a European-like al fresco atmosphere on the block thats hard to top. Also hard to top were the crab fritters ($15), a pleasant spin on crab cakes, with six crisp, lightly battered balls sitting on a bed of tartar sauce, and topped with frisee. Merchants burger ($19) is popular with its double patty, meat the restaurant gets from Englewood Grass-Fed Beef Farm in Fall River. It came on a brioche bun with gruyere, Dijonaise, bibb lettuce, and bread-and-butter pickles. The medium-cut, skins-on fries, served with a black pepper aioli for dipping, were perfectly salted and just, well, perfect. The roasted half chicken ($32) was another worthy splurge with a huge amount of tender, juicy, perfectly seasoned meat. Buried underneath were beautiful carrots coated with a nicely spicy harissa sauce. The grilled eggplant ($28) had a lot going on with four slices of eggplant artistically arranged on a rectangular plate of spinach dressed in tahini. A couple of leaves of mint were hidden in there, too. Generous pockets of thick, whipped feta went well with the eggplant as did pomegranate seeds and roasted pine nuts. Most interesting were little kataifi balls, a Middle Eastern vermicelli pastry that added texture and novelty. A lemon tart ($12) for dessert was at the same high level. It was wonderfully sweet and tart with an outstanding shell. Merchants menu is concise, and as you may have picked up on, pretty spendy. Two friends and I didnt plan to be there in time for happy hour, we just made a 5:30 reservation to guarantee an outdoor seat, so getting 20% off our cocktails and wine was a nice surprise, and brought our drinks to a more reasonable level. Our server made a good recommendation with the Hello, Goodbye cocktail ($13), which had vodka, lime, pineapple juice, bell pepper and habanero honey. It was garnished with a strip of red bell pepper across the top of the glass and a piece of dried pineapple. My friend and I werent as crazy about the blueberry sour ($14) with vodka, blueberry syrup and lemon. The foamy egg white head was hard to drink through, as was the strange sage and lavender powder on top. The other member of our party was happy with a glass of red wine ($11), Dolcetto dAlba, 2020, from Piedmont, Italy. Younger set The music being piped outside in the early evening was lively with accents of hip-hop. The crowd was mostly young, and Merchant is open until 1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday to attract those same customers. You cant beat the setting, said one of my friends, to which I pointed out that I had a view of the major construction project where the parking garage next to Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. used to be. The site will eventually be home to the final hotel and housing pieces of the massive Judge Doyle Square project. Merchants executive chef is Matt Schieble, formerly of Harvest, Fresco and Osteria Papavero, which explains the quality of the food. Chef Jon Nodler, who was nominated for a James Beard Award while working at a restaurant in Philadelphia, is the culinary director for Rule No. One Hospitality Group, which runs Merchant and Lucille. The groups third restaurant, Amara, is set to have its grand opening Oct. 25 at Hilldale in the former Pasquals spot, Joshua Berkson, Rule No. Ones founder and president, said Wednesday. Nice upgrades One of the biggest renovations at Merchant is its giant windows around the entire restaurant that open entirely. The windows can fold off the screens, and you get to really enjoy the outside atmosphere and ambience, but avoid the bugginess of it, said James Juedes, a former co-owner of Casetta Kitchen and Counter, and once a sommelier at LEtoile, who joined Rule No. One 1 years ago as wine director and director of hospitality. Its really pretty spectacular what we can do nowadays with that sort of technology, he said. Another innovation is a glassed-in kitchen where you can see the cooks busily working. Juedes said the kitchen had some visibility before, but is now like a giant fish bowl, which he said is fun for kitchen staff and for visitors to look in and see the action. As you walk towards the bathrooms there, all the oysters are up in the raw bar, which is really cool. He said Merchants renovations and refocus of the brand have gone well. Its more dining-focused while still holding on to what we do at Merchant, which is a little more bar-oriented. Merchant is back better than ever. It will be exciting to see what Amara brings. Diner's scorecard Restaurant: Merchant Location: 121 S. Pinckney St. Phone: 608-259-9799 Website: merchantmadison.com Hours: Happy hour Tuesday through Sunday 4 to 6 p.m.; dinner to 10 p.m.; brunch Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; late night Thursday through Saturday 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. Prices: Appetizers $9 to $26, burger $19, entrees $28 to $32 Noise level: Medium Credit cards: Accepted Accessibility: Yes Outdoor dining: Yes Drinks: Full bar Gluten-free: Handful of items, can modify others Vegetarian offerings: A few Kids menu: No Reservations: Yes Parking: Street parking, nearby garages Service: Excellent Bottom line: One of the more pleasurable places to dine outdoors in Downtown Madison. A man who Madison police say killed his wife Sunday before killing himself suffered from serious mental health problems for many years, the mans sister said. The Dane County Medical Examiners Office on Wednesday said Jessica K. Wray, 45, died from blunt force and sharp force trauma, while her husband, Jason R. Wray, also 45, died from injuries he sustained when he stepped into the path of a semitrailer on Interstate 90. Police say Jason Wray killed his wife earlier that day in the home they shared on the citys Far West Side. Friends of the Wray family set up a GoFundMe page Tuesday to cover funeral expenses and help support the Wrays three young children. As of Wednesday night, it showed donations of more than $60,000. Police say that after killing Jessica Wray, Jason Wray stepped in front of a vehicle on the Beltline near Old Sauk Road but was not seriously injured and then drove onto the interstate, stopping near Buckeye Road and stepping into the path of the semi sometime after 3:30 p.m. He died at the scene. Jason Wrays sister, Jess Schaack, said Wednesday the couples three children will be surrounded by family and close friends who will support them through the rest of their lives. Her brother had suffered from depression since his early 20s that had worsened in recent years, Schaack said. His actions were a direct relation to his depression, she said. I would love to focus more on the need for more mental health resources, Schaack said. This system does not work for the millions of people affected by depression and mental illness every day. Research has long found that people who are mentally ill are statistically more likely to be victims of violent crime than perpetrators of it. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said police had no record of prior calls to the Wray home at 6 Darien Circle and the couple was not previously known to them. Both were physician assistants at UW Health who graduated from the University of Iowa, according to their UW Health pages. We are devastated by the news of this unspeakable tragedy and our hearts are with the family and friends suffering this terrible loss, UW Health spokesperson Sara Benzel said in a statement Wednesday. The well-being of our staff and providers is a top priority, and we will continue to provide emotional support to them as they grieve. We urge the community to respect the privacy of all who are grieving and to show support through the fund established for the family if you are able. State Journal reporter Lucas Robinson contributed to this report. Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne said he will likely release a decision next week on whether two Wisconsin Department of Justice agents will face charges for shooting an unarmed Black man who was wanted by authorities in a drug investigation earlier this year. Ozannes decision on the shooting of Quadren Wilson by state agents Nathan Peskie and Mark Wagner comes more than seven months after the incident and an investigation that has faced criticism from top county officials for a lack of transparency. Peskie and Wagner were among 21 law enforcement officers from five agencies who moved in on Wilsons car on a Far East Side roadway on Feb. 3 as part of a crack cocaine and fentanyl delivery investigation while Wilson was wanted on a Department of Corrections warrant. The agencies involved in Wilsons arrest included the Division of Criminal Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Agency, Madison police, the State Patrol and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Wilsons family has maintained that he was shot five times in the back by the two agents theyve described as white. The Dane County Sheriffs Office, which led the investigation into the incident, has refused to say how many shots Peskie and Wagner fired or how many times they shot Wilson. Wilson, 38, was sentenced to three years in prison in May under a plea agreement for delivery of fentanyl and misdemeanor cocaine possession. At a Dane County Board meeting on Wednesday, Ozanne said he has made a charging decision for Peskie and Wagner, adding that information will likely become public next week. The Sheriffs Office turned over its investigation in early June. In late July, Ozanne told the County Board he had received follow-up from the Sheriffs Office and expected a decision in the next couple of weeks. Ozanne has not responded to two messages from the Wisconsin State Journal since late August seeking information on when a decision would be released. I dont believe this community wants me to make a decision without having all the information, the district attorney told county supervisors in July. Sups. Tim Kiefer, 25th District, and Heidi Wegleitner, 2nd District, have been the boards most vocal critics of Ozannes handling of the case. In an interview, Wegleitner said she hopes Ozannes timeline pans out since he had already floated an impending decision nearly two months ago. I dont know whats taken so long, she said. Even with Ozannes announcement, Kiefer remains frustrated by the lack of a decision after so many months. I am at a loss to figure out any legitimate reason that it should take as long as it has, said Kiefer, who is a criminal defense attorney and a former Dane County assistant district attorney. Kiefer said the lack of a resolution is just as unfair to Peskie and Wagner as it is to Wilson. Theyve been in this state of not knowing what the situations going to be for them, Kiefer said. I think theyre entitled to know. Are they going to be accused of wrongdoing or not? When the Sheriffs Office was still investigating the shooting, County Executive Joe Parisi made a rare rebuke of law enforcement for not providing more information about the shooting. Court documents unsealed in June have shed some light on the moments leading up to the shooting. As Peskie and Wagner approached Wilsons 2016 Hyundai Tucson, they thought they had been shot at, the documents state. A ballistic shield used by one of the agents showed damage that may have come from bullets, a Dane County detective wrote. Wilsons attorney, Stephen Eisenberg, has speculated that the ballistics shield was hit by a ricocheting bullet. South Africa: Number of people employed in agriculture increases South Africa has seen a large increase in the number of people employed in agriculture during the first quarter of 2022. This was revealed during an Economic Sectors, Investment, Employment and Infrastructure Development (ESIEID) Cluster briefing held on Thursday. The Economic Sectors, Investment, Employment and Infrastructure Development Cluster, led by Human Settlements Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, and Mineral Resources and Energy Minister, Gwede Mantashe, briefed media on Thursday on the progress of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP). The ERRP is a collaborative initiative between government and social partners, aimed at boosting post pandemic economic recovery. The report focused on eight pillars implemented by various government departments from 2020 to up to end of June 2022. According to the report presented by Kubayi, the number of people employed in the agricultural sector increased by 6.6% in the first quarter of 2022, from 792 000 people in the first quarter of 2021 to 844 000 people in the same quarter of 2022. The report shows that of the 52 000 jobs created, 31 000 and 21 000 jobs were created for males and females, respectively, between the two quarters. During the same period in total, the agricultural sector has 249 000 females and 595 000 males, compared to 228 000 females and 564 000 males, Kubayi said. A total of 37 414 out of 300 000 smallholder farmers (SHF) were supported by the first quarter of 2022/23. Tourism sector Achievements were also realised in the tourism sector, which is one of the eight areas covered in the ERRP. The report noted a substantial increase in international tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the first quarter of 2021. Total tourism international arrivals increased by 162% in first quarter of 2022, compared to first quarter of 2021, Kubayi said. The e-Visa system was also implemented in 14 countries, including China, India, Kenya and Nigeria, amongst others. Other achievements Other achievements of the ERRP include the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme, which has benefitted 960 972 beneficiaries, with 84% being youth and 58% female. A total of 726 638 (83% of target) jobs were also created, including 235 92 (75% of target) livelihoods supported, and 40526 (67% of target) jobs retained. Kubayi emphasised that while government has made good progress in implementing what was agreed, the full impact of the implementation can only materialise if all the social partners play their role. - SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-09-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. By Azernews By Sabina Mammadli The Czech Foreign Ministry has expressed concern over the fresh fighting along the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, which regrettably is resulting in losses of lives, Azernews reports, citing the ministry. No military clashes can bring sustainable peace to the South Caucasus. It is essential to continue negotiations, the ministry said. Similarly, Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan George Deek expressed his condolences to the families of the Azerbaijani victims following Armenia's large-scale provocations. To recap, units of the Armenian armed forces carried out large-scale provocations along the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border in Dashkasan, Kalbajar, and Lachin directions on the night of September 13. At night, Armenian sabotage groups mined land and supply roads linking the positions of the Azerbaijani army units in different directions, taking advantage of the area's steep topography and existing ravine gaps. Clashes between the sides ensued as a result of the urgent efforts made by the Azerbaijani armed forces to quell these activities. As a result, there were 50 losses among the military personnel, and the military infrastructure was damaged, the ministry detailed. An increasing resident population and inadequate staffing at Wisconsins juvenile correctional facilities in northern Wisconsin continue to have a profound impact on daily operations, a court-appointed monitor wrote in her latest assessment of conditions at the schools. It was the second report in a row in which the monitor, Teresa Abreau, appointed to assess compliance with court orders and make an ongoing assessment of conditions at Lincoln Hills School for Boys and Copper Lake School for Girls in Irma, found that the facilities are understaffed. For the second time, the Monitor observed firsthand the lack of available staff at LHS/CLS, the report states. LHS/CLS was in a staffing crisis during this reporting period. Staff vacancies and leaves continue to be high during this reporting period at LHS/CLS and across (the state Department of Corrections.) DOC, in a statement, highlighted the recent addition of five teachers and three youth counselors, and the graduations of seven counselors from the state Division of Juvenile Corrections Academy. DOC has also expanded efforts to recruit staff, the agency said. The monitors report, the 14th since 2019, was filed Sept. 9 in U.S. District Court in Madison as part of the settlement of a class action lawsuit brought by the ACLU of Wisconsin, the Juvenile Law Center and Quarles & Brady law firm that highlighted dangerous conditions and abuse faced by teens at Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake. The report covers a period between April and the end of July. The schools are slated to be closed and replaced by a facility in Milwaukee County under a bill signed into law in April by Gov. Tony Evers. Last month, the Milwaukee Common Council gave initial approval to a site for the facility on the citys north side. The city must still approve zoning changes, and the state will conduct an environmental impact study. The monitors report notes that while the new facility will be an improvement, its still years away. In the meantime, inadequate staffing levels in the living units present very significant problems for youth and staff, states the report. The current staffing situation is having a profound negative impact on daily operations. Stuck in rooms Daily schedules were adjusted to keep the ratio of staff to youth at an effective level, but that led to more youths being confined to their rooms due to staffing levels, not because of behavior problems. Its also resulted in changes to educational settings and overall programming, along with reduced recreation and increased idle time, the monitor said. The confinements are not ideal, the monitors report concluded, but given the staffing crisis during this reporting period, it does appear to be necessary in many instances. Still, the ACLU of Wisconsin and Juvenile Law Center said in a statement they are deeply concerned about the room confinements. This type of prolonged room confinement is at the heart of our original lawsuit against the facilities and cannot reoccur, Kate Burdick, senior attorney at JLC, wrote in a joint statement for JLC and the ACLU. As we know, because their emotional, social and behavioral development is incomplete, confining youth alone in a room can exacerbate pre-existing mental health disorders, causing trauma, depression, anxiety, and increased risk of suicide and self-harm. Burdick wrote that its expected the situation will abate this fall as staff vacations end and more staff are hired. We believe the facility staff are working hard to remedy this issue, and we will continue to closely monitor conditions at both facilities and hope to see dramatic improvements by the October site visit, Burdick wrote. Hopeful outlook In a statement, DOC, which operates the facilities, said the report reflects improved youth attitudes, a positive and engaged staff, and an increase in hires that led to August data showing significantly reduced use of operational room confinement, increased recreation time and more education activities taking place in the school building. It has certainly been difficult on the youth in our care and a challenge for our staff, DOC Secretary Kevin Carr said in the statement. Thankfully, weve been able to ease the burden a bit with recent hires and we have more staff reinforcements on the way. While the teacher vacancy rate at the schools is lower than in the previous reporting period, the monitor wrote, the vacancy rate for social workers is very high at 75%. Nine of 12 social worker positions were vacant. This is a critical role that should be made a recruiting priority, the report states. Recruiting in general is still a challenge due to the location of LHS/CLS, uncertainty as to when/if LHS/CLS will close, and for educators, the year-round school calendar and thus, hiring needs to continue. The population at the schools remained high, reaching 85 inmates in mid-August after a steady climb during the period from April through July. As of Sept. 9, the combined population at the two schools was 83 inmates, according to DOC. Despite these challenges, leadership, and staff at LHS/CLS continued to remain positive during the site visit and committed to improving conditions of confinement for youth and staff, the monitor wrote. A man shot and killed by an Adams County sheriffs deputy earlier this month was wanted on felony warrants and brandished a firearm before being shot, the Wisconsin Department of Justice said Thursday. Bryon Childers, 61, was shot at about 7 p.m. Sept. 6 after Deputy Jacob Bean was dispatched to a call about a person walking along Cumberland Avenue in the town of Strongs Prairie. DOJ said in a news release that Bean discovered Childers was wanted on the warrants, Childers brandished a firearm, and Bean shot him. Childers died at the scene. Authorities had not previously released the deputys or the dead mans names. DOJ said Bean has been with the Sheriffs Office for six years. A firearm was recovered at the scene, and Bean was equipped with a body-worn camera, DOJ said. Bean has been placed on paid leave pending an investigation of the incident. Childers has a criminal record in Wisconsin dating back to 2016, according to online court records, and at the time of his death had pending cases for violation of the states sex offender registry, third-offense intoxicated driving and battery, among others. Religious and cultural groups are asking UW-Madison to investigate pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel messaging chalked on the sidewalk that targeted Jewish student groups last week that university administrators have decried as antisemitic yet an expression of free speech by a registered student group. A coalition of groups which includes Christian churches, Jewish groups such as the Anti-Defamation League, Asian, Sikh and Latino organizations and labor groups said the chalking, found in seven different spots on campus, falls outside the bounds of dialogue, a rebuke of the universitys argument that it is protected free speech. A photo posted to Twitter shows that some of the chalking read: Zionism is racism. Zionism is genocide. They have blood on their hands. In its statement last week, UW did not include that the chalking referred to Israel or Zionism but said it labeled the Jewish students groups as racist, genocidal and having blood on their hands. The coalition of groups said in a statement that they reaffirm that we stand against antisemitism. The demonization of the Jewish community, and specifically Jewish students and their Jewish organizations is a direct assault on Jewish identity, the coalition said in response to the incident. Kelly Tyrrell, director of media relations for UW-Madison, said the campus group Students for Justice in Palestine took responsibility for the incident. The group said on Instagram that we affirm the chalking was strictly a comment on Zionism. The group had not responded to an email asking to clarify whether it is actually taking responsibility for the chalking. Students for Justice in Palestine describes itself as a diverse group of students and community members who support justice, human rights and liberation for the Palestinian people. It was the Zionist organizations and the Chancellors that chose to equate Zionism and Judaism, and that is their mistake, the group said on Instagram. Furthermore their statements were unfair and insensitive to all Jewish people who oppose Zionism. Debate over criticism of Israel and its policies in Gaza and the West Bank has become a common flashpoint on college campuses in recent years, with groups on both sides clashing over when criticism of the country veers into antisemitism. In the joint statement, the coalition of groups singled out the phrase blood on their hands as an antisemitic trope. The main authors of the statement, the Jewish Federation of Madison and the Wisconsin Jewish Conference, did not respond to requests for comment. Last week, UW-Madison called on the campus community to assess how it wants to approach civic engagement going forward. Here at UW, we believe in sifting and winnowing and a robust commitment to free speech, the university said. Just because something isnt prohibited doesnt make it a good idea, it said. Tyrrell gave a link to the universitys previous statement in response to a question on whether the university would reverse course on investigating the chalking. UW Police spokesperson Marc Levicott said the agency wasnt investigating the chalkings because they were protected speech and a crime hasnt been committed. The joint statement pointed to a recent increase in antisemitic incidents at the university and throughout the country. Earlier this year, UW-Madison administrators criticized antisemitism on campus after a swastika was etched on a dorm bathroom stall, a student was called antisemitic slurs and someone said they were harassed for looking Jewish. Hatred towards any identity group has no place on campus, and hatred targeting Jews is no exception, the joint statement said. A Waukesha County judge should declare that a federal voter registration form is illegal in Wisconsin because it omits questions and disclaimers required by state law, according to a lawsuit a conservative group filed Thursday against the Wisconsin Elections Commission. The so-called National Voter Mail Registration Form breaks state law by not asking applicants whether they have felony convictions and doesnt state that falsifying information on it is a felony, according to the lawsuit. Beyond declaring the voter registration application illegal, a voter represented by the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty wants a Waukesha County Circuit Court judge to require the Elections Commission to rescind its approval of the form. The lawsuit claims the application to register also violates state law because it doesnt ask whether residents have resided in their election district or ward for 28 days. Failure to comply with statutory requirements around the creation and use of voter registration forms in Wisconsin hinders uniformity and predictability around the administration of elections and increases the risk of error, the lawsuit states. The lawsuit doesnt request any action against people who already registered with the form. The voter registration form in question is made available by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, a federal agency. Many states are required to use the application, but Wisconsin is exempt from that requirement because it has same-day voter registration. The Elections Commission in its election administration manual lists the form as one of several options available to residents seeking to become voters. Wisconsinites can register to vote online, at the polling place, in their clerks office or by mail through the contested form and other registration forms. A spokesperson for the Elections Commission declined to comment for this story. The spokesperson did not say about how many people have registered to vote using the form. The lawsuit claims the form illegally omits a space for election officials to accept the form, a space to list the registrants ward and aldermanic district, an area to specify how election officials received the form and a space to record the serial number on the registrants voter identification card. Before filing the lawsuit, Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty attorney Anthony LoCoco asked the Elections Commission to provide information about the form. He requested an explanation in July for why the commission used the form, saying it wasnt required and violated state law. Absent a legally sufficient explanation for why the commission used the form or the withdrawal of its use, LoCoco said he would commence legal action. The commission didnt respond substantively until Wednesday, according to the lawsuit, and the response didnt answer LoCocos questions, including when the agency approved the form. A commission attorney responding to LoCoco said Wednesday that the form has been accepted since at least 2000 and that the Government Accountability Board the commissions predecessor discussed the form in 2008. The email acknowledged that this information was not directly responsive to WILLs request, LoCoco said. UPDATE: Madison Ald. Gary Halverson said late Wednesday that he was resigning from the City Council after receiving threats and having his home vandalized, a week after news broke that he briefly belonged to the Oath Keepers. Halverson said his wife suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder from past trauma and that the harassment was triggering for her. "For anyone who has PTSD, or lived with someone who does, knows that when something happens that is triggering, it is absolutely terrifying, and that terror can last for days or weeks or longer. I am unwilling to put her or my family through this any longer," he said in an email. Halverson has said he did not properly vet the right-wing extremist group and that he quit shortly after he joined. After news broke about his affiliation with the group, he was criticized by Council President Keith Furman and Vice President Jael Currie. Oath Keepers has been accused of playing a key role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. "I am deeply saddened that our current state of politics is filled with fear and intimidation tactics. The ends do not justify ANY means," Halverson said in the email. "I started out on this journey to help my community because that is who I am. I am proud of my accomplishments and have been honored to work with so many great people who live and work in this city." ORIGINAL STORY: Madison Ald. Gary Halverson in an email to City Council members on Wednesday said he received threats and his home was vandalized after news broke that he had briefly joined a right-wing extremist group in mid-2020. Halverson also asked council President Keith Furman, who with council Vice President Jael Currie had publicly condemned Halversons association with the Oath Keepers, to denounce attacks on his family and property. Given that your statement was inciteful, I asked you please denounce the physical attacks and vandalism directed at my home and family, he said. Your words, like Donald Trumps leading up to January 6th 2021, have moved others to violence. Founded in 2009, the Oath Keepers is a loosely organized conspiracy theory-fueled group that asks its members to vow to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, promotes the belief that the federal government is out to strip citizens of their civil liberties and paints its followers as defenders against tyranny. The group has been accused of playing a key role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Halverson has said he joined without a full understanding of what the group was. In response to Halversons email, Furman sent an email to him and the rest of the council saying threats and vandalism are unacceptable but that our statement wasnt the cause of your troubles its your past actions. Your desire to deflect is disappointing. Madison Police Department spokesperson Hunter Lisko said police responded to a vandalism complaint at Halversons property on Wednesday morning, but no further information was available and an investigation was continuing. Lisko had no information available on any threats made against Halverson, who had not responded to a request for comment Wednesday from the State Journal. On Sept. 7, the Anti-Defamation League Center on Extremism identified Halverson as one of six elected officials from Wisconsin whose names appeared on leaked Oath Keepers membership lists. Halverson, elected to serve the East Sides 17th District in April 2021, responded by saying he joined without vetting the organization and is no longer a member. I thought I joined an organization that welcomed veterans who cared about our democracy, he said in an email on Sept. 7. I was misled and I terminated the membership two months later in Aug 2020. A day later, Furman and Currie condemned Halversons association with the group and said it was up to him to decide if he can continue to be a council member with this secret now being public. They also said the information calls into question the motivation behind Halversons public votes and that voters will have a chance to decide who will represent them in April 2023. Halverson issued an additional statement later that day saying he quit the Oath Keepers four months before the 2020 presidential election and was further disgusted by the abhorrent attack on our democracy on Jan. 6. On Sept. 12, Halverson posted a note on his city webpage saying it had been a difficult week for him and his family, and thanking constituents for overwhelming support. I made a mistake when I joined a group that deceived me and other veterans. I quickly corrected it. I apologize for the embarrassment, distraction, and pain this has caused, he said. Statements and comments from other elected officials referring to me as a white supremacist or associating me with it are abhorrent, extremely offensive, and possibly defamatory. In his Wednesday email to the council, obtained by the State Journal, Halverson called the statement from Furman and Currie misleading and cruel and said it led to threats against me including vandalism at my home. I do not expect you to recognize or appreciate that I disavowed and left the organization before the 2020 presidential election and the events of January 6, he said. Furman shared two emails in response, one sent to Halverson and all council members and a second to Halverson. In the first email, Furman said he wouldnt engage in a back-and-forth via emails to all council members, called threats and vandalism unacceptable, and accused Halverson of deflecting. In the email to Halverson, Furman reiterated, Im sorry you experienced vandalism and are receiving threats. No one deserves that and its completely unacceptable. He also asked if Halverson could point to any parts of the joint statement that were inaccurate, and that he would be happy to correct it. You were entitled to join that group and Im certainly entitled to be disgusted by it, he said. Furman also sent Halverson the Wikipedia page on Oath Keepers from May 2020. Currie had not responded to requests for comment. A Madison City Council member has stepped down, citing harassment after revelations that he briefly belonged to a right-wing extremist group tied to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Gary Halverson, who represented the East Sides 17th District, announced his resignation late Wednesday after notifying fellow council members that he received threats and his home was vandalized. Halverson has said he didnt properly vet the anti-government group which recruits police, first responders and military service members before joining and quit two months later in August 2020. I made a mistake when I joined a group that deceived me and other veterans, Halverson said in a statement on his city webpage. I quickly corrected it. I apologize for the embarrassment, distraction, and pain this has caused. Neither Halverson nor police have revealed the nature of the threats or vandalism, but Halverson said the harassment has been painful for his wife, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. For anyone who has PTSD, or lived with someone who does, knows that when something happens that is triggering, it is absolutely terrifying, and that terror can last for days or weeks or longer, Halverson wrote in an email. I am unwilling to put her or my family through this any longer. Halverson did not respond to an interview request Thursday. In a joint statement, council President Keith Furman and Vice President Jael Currie, who previously said they were disgusted to learn of his affiliation with the group, thanked Halverson for his service. Threats and vandalism are not productive or democratic ways of engaging public officials and we are very disappointed that Alder Halversons family is experiencing this, they wrote. Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said Halversons decision to step down is clearly the right thing for him and his family. Having experienced something similar myself, I understand how upset they must be by having their home targeted, Rhodes-Conway said. While elected officials must embrace feedback from, and disagreement with, our constituents, I do not believe that graffiti or protests at our homes are an appropriate form of engagement. The mayors office had not responded to questions about what harassment the mayor experienced. Names leaked On Sept. 7, the Anti-Defamation League Center on Extremism identified Halverson as one of six elected officials from Wisconsin whose names appeared on leaked Oath Keepers membership lists. The next day Furman and Currie condemned his association with the group and said it was up to him to decide if he could continue to be a council member with this secret now being public. They also said the information called into question the motivation behind Halversons public votes and that voters would have a chance to decide who would represent them in April 2023. Prior to his resignation Wednesday, Halverson accused Furman and Currie of inciting violence against him and called their previous statements misleading and cruel. In response, Furman sent an email to Halverson and the rest of the council saying threats and vandalism are unacceptable but that our statement wasnt the cause of your troubles its your past actions. Your desire to deflect is disappointing. Ties to Jan. 6 Founded in 2009, the Oath Keepers is a loosely organized conspiracy theory-fueled group that asks its members to vow to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, promotes the belief that the federal government is out to strip citizens of their civil liberties and paints its followers as defenders against tyranny. More than two dozen people associated with the group, including founder Stewart Rhodes, have been charged in connection with the Jan. 6 attack. In a statement on his webpage, Halverson condemned those on the far right who instigated the assault on the Capitol but also said threats to democracy come in many forms. I cant equate those attacking me with the same poison or same threat level, he said. But the seeds of toxicity come from (a) similar desire (to) shut down discourse and demonize opponents. Halverson decried statements and comments from unnamed elected officials calling him a white supremacist abhorrent, extremely offensive, and possibly defamatory. Let me say this very clearly, he said. White supremacy is a cancer in our society that must be eradicated wherever it is found. Care and compassion Since being elected in April 2021, Halverson pointed out he has been an advocate for the disadvantaged and people of color, voting to fund the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park, a language access line for those who dont speak English to access local government, and a program to subsidize water bills for low-income families. I have consistently voted with care and compassion for our most marginalized communities and I have stood in solidarity with my BIPOC colleagues time and time again, Halverson said, referring to the acronym for Black and Indigenous people and other people of color. Madison Police Department spokesperson Hunter Lisko said police responded to a vandalism complaint at Halversons property on Wednesday morning, but no further information was available and an investigation was continuing. Police have not released any information on any threats made against Halverson. As council president, Furman will oversee the process to appoint a new council member to serve out the remainder of Halversons two-year term, which expires in April. Applications are reviewed by the councils Executive Committee, which will make a recommendation to the full council. Furman said the council will begin accepting applications once the Executive Committee figures out a schedule in the near future. State Journal reporter Dean Mosiman contributed to this report. Grants The Center for Tech and Civic Life said it didn't turn down requests from any Wisconsin community that asked for money to support election efforts amid COVID-19 in the leadup to the 2020 presidential election. However, the state's five most-populous cities all of which consistently vote largely for Democrats generally received disproportionally large amounts from CTCL. According to reporting from the Wisconsin State Journal last year: "Marathon County, for example, went solidly for Trump in November but also had the most communities 56 receiving CTCL grants. Marinette, which had the second most, at 20, also went for Trump by 35 percentage points. Neither county, however, has anywhere near the number of voters as the cities of Madison or Milwaukee." The state's five largest cities Racine, Kenosha, Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee received $11.26 per voter from CTCL. Of the five, Racine received the most per capita: $21.83. The tiny towns of Marshall (population 540), Mount Hope (282) and Harrison (312), in Marathon County, collected $18.52, $17.73 and $16.03 per capita, respectively. For all Wisconsin cities, the average grant was $2.33 per capita, while for villages it was $5.01, and for towns it was $4.97. The statewide average among all 177 counties and municipalities was $4.21 per person. BUHL The school board is exploring the option of holding classes four days per week as an increasing number of rural school districts make the switch from the traditional five-day week. Buhl School Superintendent David Carson shared information and fielded questions about the process at a meeting Tuesday at Buhl High School. Carson hopes to get feedback from parents, school staff and students through upcoming surveys and board meetings. Im not here to advocate one way or another, Carson said. This meeting, the intent is to just get some basic information. The superintendent presented details about the possible change, then spent more than an hour listening to a community conversation about how it might affect the school district as a whole. The school board will begin gathering surveys from parents, students and staff through October before holding a public hearing in November. Ultimately, the decision is up to the board, Carson said. After evaluating community interest in the change, the board is expected in late November to make a decision on whether to change the long-held class schedule. It's a complicated prospect for any school. Several Buhl parents, staff and administrators raised questions about how lengthier school days might impact family time, as the rural geography already has some kids catching the bus at 6 a.m. and returning home at 6 p.m. Some parents expressed concerns that the one weekday with no school would create a need to arrange for childcare for many families. Still others mentioned concern that, with 81% of kids in the district below the poverty line, there would be an extra day with no food for many kids. Others touted the benefits of the four-day class schedule, citing increased teacher and student satisfaction and more family time for both. One of the incentives to switching to four days, the district said, would be greater recruitment and retention of good teachers. Anecdotal evidence reflects that teachers in such districts feel well compensated, and in many cases would opt to take a job in a four-day week district over a similar job in a district with the traditional five-day class schedule, if everything else was equal. According to a story from Idaho Ed News, 81 out of Idaho's 126 school districts and charter schools have switched to a four-day week, with still more evaluating the switch. Castleford, Bliss, Gooding, Shoshone and Wendell are just a few of the 15 neighboring school districts that have already gone to a four-day week. Hansen switched to a four-day schedule more than a decade ago but later changed back. The district has since returned to a four-day schedule. Buhl, Twin Falls, Jerome and Filer districts remain on a five-day schedule. OAKLEY Finally, it feels like potato-harvesting weather. After seeing record high temperatures in August and early September, temperatures have moderated, with highs forecast in the 70s through Sept. 24 in Twin Falls. I think the harvest will start going steady from here on out, said Shawn Boyle, president and general counsel for the Idaho Grower Shippers Association. But the looming question is, What will the crop look like when all the potatoes are in the cellar? Late summers hot weather could affect potato size, said Oakley farmer Randy Hardy. Potatoes dont like that kind of heat, Hardy said, adding that he still thinks yields will be good. Despite a potentially smaller size, Travis Blacker, industry relations director for the Idaho Potato Commission, said quality looks really good. Boyle said that the extreme temperatures will have some effect. All in all, we feel good about the crop, he said, but whenever you have an extreme variation in temperature, it will have an impact. As of Sunday, harvest was 10% complete, compared to 16% last year, according to USDAs National Agricultural Statistics Service. The 5-year average is 15%. Once more of the harvest comes in, there will be a better assessment of crop condition, Blacker said. Restaurants often like the 40-50 count boxes of potatoes, but they might have to adapt to the 50-60 boxes, he said. Everyone involved with the industry is looking forward to a better harvest than in 2021 when early heat caused quality problems and low yields. It was hot early last year, Boyle said. At that time, plants hadnt developed enough canopy to shade the growing potatoes. Hardy said he has seen each potato plant producing more potatoes this year, which could also be a factor in reduced potato size. Last year there were two, three or four and this year sometimes 10 or 12, he said. Despite a prospect of smaller potatoes, he said yields statewide could still be good. Farmers, eager to harvest, welcome the recent cooler temperatures. Potato harvest is not optimal during hot temperatures, Boyle said, as issues can arise if potatoes are put into storage at a high temperature. A couple of weeks ago, what little potato harvesting there was going on in southern Idaho was done mostly in the morning. No smoke One positive aspect of the 2022 growing season is that skies remained relatively smoke-free until the last couple of weeks. Smoke from wildfires received some of the blame for last years poor potato harvest. A two-year study by Boise State University and the University of Idaho is examining how wildfire smoke affects potato crops and seeks to identify smoke-resilient potato varieties. Many farmers, including Hardy, have reported that potato crops grown during seasons of heavy, extended wildfire smoke generally have smaller yields and lower quality. Past studies have identified some smoke components, such as ozone, that could impair potato growth, but limited research has largely left the underlying chemical relationships unexplained. These tests, done in controlled environments, will help find some answers. Observations from industry started all of this, Mike Thornton, a professor in U of Is Department of Plant Sciences, said. When we have had bad, smoky years, yields are down and processing quality is down. Our hypothesis is smoke exposure causes that. Thornton and BSU Chemistry Department Chair Owen McDougal are analyzing smokes chemical effects on potatoes. The study also evaluates if certain potato varieties are more immune to smoke damage. Researchers will present preliminary findings this winter at potato industry meetings. Full results are expected for release after the 2023 harvest. The existing understanding of smokes influence on potatoes points to a mixed bag. Several smoke components are suspected to affect potato crops, such as brown and black carbon, volatile organic compounds and even disease spores. Smoke reduces available light and raises nighttime humidity worsening environmental conditions for potato growth. But other parts of smoke, such as carbon dioxide, may be advantageous for plants. This is the first time, at least in our review of academic research, that anybody has tried to do this on a large scale, Thornton said. Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry President Alex LaBeau was right when he castigated GOP Chairwoman Dorothy Moons demagogic campaign against the weekend Pride Festival at Boise. He was spot on about the ethics. Moon, who whipped up opposition to the festivals drag show for kids, did not have the moral compass to challenge anybody about anything not after she defended convicted rapist and former state Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger, R-Lewiston, LaBeau said. For Dorothy to come out and have any sort of say in this obviously this is coming from a woman who blamed a rape victim and said its OK for legislators to sleep with a teenage intern, LaBeau told the Idaho Capital Sun. LaBeau was also correct about the details. Before that portion of the event was canceled, it featured children acting with their parents permission and for whom finding a venue for self-expression in a culturally conservative state is by no means easy or even safe. I would like to see everybody take a deep breath, perhaps for Dorothy to go over and have a conversation with the Pride people and talk about what the event is to reduce the hate, LaBeau said. That is the very thing that all Idaho companies and all of our members want to do is be a welcoming state. But to sit there and fan the flames in the way that she is is not acceptable, and I challenge her to go have that conversation. LaBeaus forthrightness stands in contrast to a handful of firms that pulled their support for the event. But when it comes to the future of Idahos commerce and industry including those same businesses LaBeau knows what hes talking about. Moons message is not the kind of image Idaho wants or needs. For the sake of argument, say youre considering a career change that might bring you to Idaho. Before you make a move, you Google: Idaho and diversity You readily will find an Idaho Freedom Foundation claim that diversity on the states college campuses is creating unprecedented pressure for ideological conformity and its successful efforts in the Legislature to withdraw financial support from those programs. Idaho and school quality It doesnt take long to find the Gem State ranked along the bottom tier. Or to learn about attempts by right-wing lawmakers to airbrush American history and prosecute librarians for keeping the wrong books on the shelves. Idaho and abortion Among your findings will be news accounts of attempts to criminalize not just elective but therapeutic abortions needed to save a pregnant womans life. Idaho and the LGBTQ community Youll learn discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is legal throughout much of the state. LGBT people in the state of Idaho face some legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT people, says one website. Idaho and white supremacy If the history lesson about the Aryan Nations northern Idaho activities in the 1980s doesnt grab your attention, news accounts about a resurgence among these groups who hope to transform Idaho into an ethnic enclave no doubt will. Now, if youre a female engineer of childbearing years, are you going to take a job at the Idaho National Laboratory near Idaho Falls or accept a position in another state where your reproductive rights are secure? If youre Black or Hispanic, which will be more attractive working at a semiconductor manufacturing plant in Idaho or someplace not associated with the Aryan Nations or the Proud Boys? If youre a health care provider with children at home, are you going to take a chance on Idahos chronically underfunded schools or find a job in a state that shows a greater commitment to educating your kids? And if youre a member of the LGBTQ community, are you going to help operate an agricultural processing plant in a state that does not safeguard your civil rights or are you going to move on? There isnt a lot of middle ground. You cant operate a nuclear facility remotely from California. You cant make semiconductors remotely from Connecticut. You cant run an agricultural processing plant remotely from New York. This runs both ways. Idaho must draw talent from outside its borders. And in a state that exports its products nationally and internationally, it needs people who are conversant with that broader community. So Idaho has a problem. Alex LaBeau knows that. Hes trying to help. And Dorothy Moon is making it worse. M.T. By Azernews By Sabina Mammadli Turkish Grand National Assembly Speaker Mustafa Sentop expressed his support for the state and people of fraternal Azerbaijan in connection with the provocations committed by the Armenian armed forces on the border with Azerbaijan. He made the remarks in a phone conversation with Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Sahiba Gafarova on September 13. Further, Sentop expressed condolences in connection with the deaths of Azerbaijani servicemen while preventing the Armenian provocation. In turn, Gafarova informed her colleague in detail about the provocation committed by Armenia. She noted that the Azerbaijani people always feel the fraternal support of Turkiye. Similarly, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay expressed solidarity and support for Azerbaijan in a phone call with Azerbaijani counterpart Azerbaijan Ali Asadov. Oktay offered condolences to Asadov and the entire Azerbaijani people over the death of the country's military servicemen as a result of the large-scale provocations committed by Armenia. Asadov stressed that Azerbaijan always feels fraternal support from Turkiye, adding that the provocative actions of the Armenian armed forces along the inter-state border were resolutely suppressed. Moreover, the Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States expressed serious concern and condemned the military provocation of the Armenian Armed Forces along the state border between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The OTS reaffirmed its adherence to the principles and norms of international law and recalled the importance of the normalization and peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the South Caucasus. Further, the organization reiterated its support for the territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of its member state Azerbaijan and called on Armenia to comply with the ongoing agreements reached between the two neighboring countries. The secretariat expressed condolences to the families of the martyrs, the brotherly people, and the government of Azerbaijan over the loss of lives and wished for a speedy recovery of the injured. To recap, units of the Armenian armed forces carried out large-scale provocations along the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border in the Dashkasan, Kalbajar, and Lachin directions during the night of September 13. At night, Armenian sabotage groups mined land and supply roads linking the positions of the Azerbaijani army units in different directions, taking advantage of the area's steep topography and existing ravine gaps. The clashes between the sides ensued as a result of the urgent efforts made by the Azerbaijani armed forces to quell these activities. As a result, Azerbaijan sustained 50 military losses, and the military infrastructure was damaged, the ministry detailed. The Azerbaijan military units stationed in these areas took decisive retaliatory measures to suppress the provocations of the Armenian armed forces and military threats to Azerbaijan's territory and sovereignty, as well as to ensure the safety of military personnel, including civilian workers involved in infrastructure construction in Kalbajar and Lachin districts, the ministry emphasized. TWIN FALLS A 22-year-old man is facing charges of lewd conduct with a child under 16, court records say, after an incident that occurred more than a year ago. Samuel Philip Morlan is accused of having sex with a girl at a party in July 2021. The then 13-year-old girl, told police she fell asleep watching videos on her phone in the backyard of a residence and woke up on a bed, not knowing how she got there, and that Morlan engaged in sex with her. The girl didn't think she had been drugged, she told police. She told her mother about the incident in June, court records say. When confronted by police, court records say, Morlan said he didn't remember having sex with the girl, but later admitted there is a chance he did. He also said he didn't know the age of the girl. A $150,000 bond has been set, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 30. RUPERT A police lieutenant was appointed as the new chief Tuesday during the city council meeting. Mayor Mike Brown appointed Jeff McEwen as the new police chief to replace former Chief James Wardle, who retired July 30. I talk with Wardle once in a while and he seems to be enjoying the heck out of retirement, Brown said. Three applicants filed for the chief position, and a committee of five people, which included neither Brown nor City Administrator Kelly Anthon, interviewed the applicants and scored them on criteria. Brown made the appointment and the council approved it unanimously. Jeff had the highest score but two of them were relatively close, Brown said. Brown said Wardle had been grooming McEwen for the position and he had been involved with administrative work and preparing the budget. We also like to promote from within when we can if the person is qualified, Brown said. McEwen had also been the acting chief since Wardle retired, Brown said. Im looking forward to continuing the community policing Chief Wardle started, McEwen said. And of course as a new chief, I have ideas that Id like to bring to the office. One area McEwen is eager to work on is officer retention. Retaining officers is also a good use of taxpayers money because of the expense involved with training new officers, he said. The department has 14 sworn officers and one support staff, but the office is in the process of hiring an employee for a second support position. We are in a political situation that makes it very hard to keep officers, he said. I want to make the Rupert Police Department a place people want to come and stay. McEwen will be sworn into office at 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at 624 F St. in Rupert. McEwen served on the Acequia City Council for 14 years and has a bachelors degree from Central Christian College of Kansas along with a law enforcement degree from the College of Southern Idaho. He has Idaho Peace Officer and Training Standards certificates in management, advanced law enforcement and as an arrest techniques instructor. He has worked as a security supervisor, a reserve dispatcher, and a detective, and has performed administrative duties in the rank of lieutenant. He also owns Valhalla Honey and has served on other local boards. When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, effectively allowing Missouri and other red states to immediately outlaw abortion, many who supported that decision scoffed at warnings that same-sex marriage and even interracial marriage rights could be next. Now, as congressional Democrats and some Republicans push legislation to protect marriage at the federal level, opposition from Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley and other conservatives shows that there is, in fact, a genuine threat to existing marriages. In overturning Roe earlier this year, the courts conservative majority rejected Roes constitutional underpinning, which was that the 14th Amendment provides a right to individual privacy from intrusion by the federal government or the states. The problem is, thats the same legal theory the court attached to separate rulings guaranteeing other rights to same-sex relationships and marriage, to interracial marriage, to contraception. To deny one on that basis is to put the others in jeopardy. Justice Samuel Alito stressed in his majority opinion that overturning Roe didnt affect those other rights. But Justice Clarence Thomas suggested in a concurring opinion that it should lead to reconsideration of rights to same-sex marriage and contraception. (Notably, Thomas didnt mention the right to interracial marriages like his own.) That threat is why Congress is moving now to approve the Respect for Marriage Act. Contrary to the misinformation that opponents have been spreading about it, the measure wouldnt legalize polygamy, infringe on individual religious beliefs or even force states to legalize gay marriage in their statutes. It would require the federal government and state governments to provide the same recognition and benefits to same-sex couples who were married in states that allow it as they do to other married couples. That includes things like earned Social Security, Medicare or disability benefits for spouses, the right to visit ill spouses in hospitals and decision-making rights on medical issues. The protections would also apply to interracial marriages. Missouri is among the states that still have now-unenforceable same-sex marriage bans on their books bans that would go back into effect if the Supreme Court ever reverses its 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges that made such marriages a constitutional right. Thats why its urgent that Congress codify that right into federal law rather than relying on the word of conservative justices who have already shown a willingness to trash precedent in service to partisan ideology. If Hawley and other opponents succeed in preventing passage of the measure, and Obergefell later falls, it would mean devastating real-world impacts on hundreds of thousands of American same-sex married couples committed unions that, in places like Missouri, would suddenly find no recognition in law. The fact that a majority of congressional Republicans are willing to risk that injustice rather than ensure it doesnt happen is the clearest argument for passing this law. The Fayette Area Historical Initiative (FAHI) has selected DeShanta Hairston as its new executive director and even though she hasnt officially started yet, she has many ideas to help the museum thrive. FAHI was established in 2004 with the help of the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities (VFH) to express the rich history of the Fayette Street quarter, FAHI Board Vice Chair Faye Holland said. FAHIs first executive director, Linda Dillard, worked very hard to set the museum up and get it started. Dillard was over FAHI for only 4 years until, in June 2008, she was in a car crash that left her in a coma. She died in 2019. Holland said that it was tough to find a replacement and FAHI did not get another director until Chauncey Adams took up the title on a volunteer basis in 2014. She really guided us and kept us on track, Holland said. When Adams retired, FAHI did not have enough funding for a full-time executive director until FAHI received a 3-year grant of $254,468 from The Harvest Foundation. The grant, announced last week, is to grow the capacity of the museum to develop and implement a targeted strategic plan. The museum also plans to invest in board development and training while creating a marketing and business plan. The grant allowed FAHI to hire Hairston. Bringing on Ms. DeShanta is going to be kind of a God send getting us moving again and being at the point where this museum should be, Holland said. We have such great exhibits and we have such great local people. This history is extremely rich. FAHI has been in its current building, the old Imperial Savings and Loans Bank at 211 Fayette St., since 2011 but before that it was in different locations on Fayette Street. We had kind of declined a little bit in activity over the years, Holland said. FAHI has always been resilient in what we do Im just very excited to see all the great things and the new heights that FAHI is going to rise back to. The mission of FAHI hasnt changed, FAHI Board Chair Joyce Staples said. The goal is still to collect, preserve the cultural African American history in Martinsville-Henry County and beyond. Hairston said that she wouldnt describe what she plans to do at FAHI as being different from what has been done in the past, but that her addition to the team would be bridging the gap between connecting the history, and the people who actually experienced the rich history, and the passing that along to the younger generation. She said that she is familiar with a large part of local history because she was raised by her grandparents, Melvin and Gloria Carter, and she grew up in the area. I know not everyone my age, or even younger, knows half of the history that comes from the Fayette area, Hairston added. Other things she plans to do is: add a social media presence, bring in more rotating exhibits, plan events for fundraising, have expanded hours for the museum that will cover different times of the day and use her community connections to build partnerships with other local organizations, Hairston said. FAHI Building and Grounds Chair Henry Foster, who said he came in on the ground floor of the creation of FAHI, said that FAHI has recently acquired the space in the building next door to its current location, but that theyre not quite sure how they will fill that space yet. This area is just so important to Black culture and America, Hairston said. One of her goals is to boost FAHI to not just locally or state-wide recognition, but nationally as well. FAHI Board Treasurer Deborah Mitchell, who has been on the board for 7 years, said that she is glad to see that FAHI has a new executive director. Im sure that she will take us to the future and make FAHI shine like it should be, Mitchell said. I want FAHI to be the premiere African American museum in the United States, Staples said. I think were on the right path and were just excited about the new executive director. More information about FAHI and its current exhibits can be found at https://fahimuseum.org and www.martinsville7initiative.org. First Banks Project Launch contest has selected North Cove Elementary School in Marion to be awarded $8,000 to equip classrooms with AirTame technology. Principal Adam Wiseman submitted North Cove Elementary for the grant in order to fit each classroom in the school with screen-casting devices that allow both teacher and students the ability to share and model their learning. Wiseman, new to the school as principal, said he is excited for the beneficial technology to be added to classes. Our students and teachers will all benefit, he said. Students will be able to visualize learning being modeled and have their ability to share their own learning with others. Teachers will have mobility to present material, model lessons and more. This will help bridge the learning gap created by the pandemic and will benefit our community as they visit our building, seeing the awesome work our students are doing each day. The screen-casting devices can serve as digital display boards while inactive, which can additionally help show student celebrations, achievements, and more. David Wooten, city executive for First Bank in Marion, talked about the initiative. We are so excited for North Cove and Principal Wiseman to receive this grant, he said. Our Project Launch initiative is working throughout the entire Carolinas and for North Cove to receive, right here in Marion, is special. Our community is near and dear to us and supporting the students and teachers in this way makes us very happy. The funds awarded are a part of First Banks Project Launch, a year-long initiative which chooses winners monthly based on their entries to www.localfirstbank.com/projectlaunch. Winners are committee-selected and are based on an idea, movement, project, or initiative that helps improve or support learning and creates more educational opportunities in communities within the Carolinas. Through July 2022, $175,969 has been given to individuals or organizations with creative and inspired ideas to help solve educational challenges. A mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) arrived in Guinea Bissau to analyze, along with the authorities, the salary bill of the Public Administration and the total number of public employees, including teachers, the Guinean Finance Ministry announced today. According to the statement, sent to the press, the IMF technical mission will analyze salary sheets, the results of the census of public administration employees and know the total number of teachers in Guinea-Bissau, from primary education, through secondary and higher education. It is in this context that the IMF mission has scheduled meetings with technicians and senior officials from several national institutions, namely the ministries of Finance, Public Administration, National Education, the Interior, Health, Justice and Human Rights, and the Court of Auditors, the statement noted. The Finance Ministry also indicated that the technical mission would discuss the employment issue with the Ministry of Public Administration, specifically the legal framework for hiring, dismissals, promotions, as well as the remuneration of civil servants and the process of negotiating salaries. The International Monetary Fund announced in June that it would soon resume financial assistance to Guinea-Bissau under the Extended Credit Facility and stressed in the Article IV consultations that sustainable fiscal management is a priority and that fiscal consolidation should continue in 2022 to contain the high risk of increasing public debt. In April, the IMF estimated that economic growth in Guinea-Bissau had accelerated to 5 percent, but the outlook for 2022 is more uncertain due to price increases caused by the war in Ukraine. The Cabo Verde Ministry for Culture and Creative Industries will support the 28th edition of the Mindelo International Theatre Festival (Mindelact) with 800,000 escudos (7,200 euros), according to a protocol signed Wednesday. The protocol for the allocation of the amount was signed in the city of Mindelo, between the Minister of Culture and Creative Industries, Abraao Vicente, and the president of Mindelact Artistic and Cultural Association, Joao Branco, for the edition that will take place in November and will feature over 40 shows. For the minister, the festival is an experience and a way of feeling Mindelo and Cape Verde from art, which gives rise to artistic and theatrical partnerships, being an added value that has no price. This is the seventh funding agreement to Mindelact since 2016, because when we took over the government in April 2016 we were still in time to fund it for the first time. Mindelact is a Mindelo brand and a Cape Verde brand and that is why we try to maintain constancy and consistency in funding, Abraao Vicente stressed. The minister underlined that next to the Baia das Gatas festival, also in Sao Vicente, there is no other event of the same dimension and strength as the theater festival, due to its consistency, which is why it continues to deserve Government funding. For the president of the festival, the support of the Government is proof of confidence in the cultural event. The proof of the trust that has existed for a long time between the Mindelact artistic association and the Ministry of Culture and Creative Industries is that I have just signed a protocol that I have not read and do not need to read. It was discussed, a day and time was set to be here and the signature was done, said Joao Branco. Considered one of the most renowned performing arts events on the African continent and the biggest in Cape Verde, the 28th edition will be held from 4 to 13 November in Mindelo and once again with an extension to the city of Praia. The event will feature over 40 shows, with performances by artists and companies from 12 countries, considered by the associations president as a moment of celebration. It is the second consecutive year of the event, after the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, since last year there were many restrictions because of safety regulations and in 2020 it was held in an online way. Filipe Nyusi on Wednesday said it was relevant to expect a resumption of activity at future natural gas production sites in the countrys northeast, which has been plagued by jihadist violence for nearly five years. Attacks by armed groups in the poor but gas-rich province of Cabo Delgado, which has a Muslim majority, have killed nearly 4,000 people since October 2017, according to the NGO Acled, which collects data in conflict zones. The violence has also caused 820,000 people to flee. A major attack in 2021 in the coastal town of Palma forced French giant TotalEnergies to suspend its 16.5 billion project. We consider it relevant to consider the possibility of resuming the development of construction work, President Filipe Nyusi said at a gas and energy summit in the capital Maputo, assuring that the security situation is now more stable. The head of state mentioned in particular the sites hosting the TotalEnergies project and those in the Rovuma basin, where one shutdown project is run by the American ExxonMobil; and another run by Italys Eni, which has maintained its production target from this half-year. We will have more specific meetings with the operators to discuss other support measures needed to maintain safety, Nyusi added. When contacted, TotalEnergies said its position remained unchanged at this stage: work will resume once security and safety conditions are restored in the region on a permanent basis. After the Palma attack, the violence subsided but sporadic attacks continued, also affecting neighbouring provinces of Cabo Delgado. For patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), minocycline as add-on to antidepressant treatment as usual does not reduce depressive symptoms, according to a study published online Sept. 14 in JAMA Network Open. Julian Hellmann-Regen, M.D., from ChariteUniversitatsmedizin Berlin, and colleagues conducted a trial involving patients with TRD who were randomly assigned to receive adjunct minocycline or placebo in a 1:1 ratio for six weeks (84 and 89, respectively). The participants (mean age, 46.1 years), recruited from January 2016 to August 2020 at nine university hospitals, had failed to adequately respond to an initial antidepressant standard medication as per the Massachusetts General Hospital Antidepressant Treatment History Questionnaire. The researchers found that compared with placebo, minocycline treatment did not alter the course of depression as assessed by a Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale score over six weeks of treatment (1.46; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.04 to 3.96; P = 0.25). Minocycline treatment also had no significant effect on secondary outcomes, including response, remission, and other clinical rating scales. "Our results from this large randomized clinical trial of a pleiotropic anti-inflammatory drug in this difficult-to-treat patient population are of great clinical importance, robustly demonstrating that minocycline add-on treatment does not outperform placebo," the authors write. Several authors disclosed financial ties to the biopharmaceutical industry. Explore further Antibiotic may improve outcomes for depression in people with low level inflammation More information: Julian Hellmann-Regen et al, Effect of Minocycline on Depressive Symptoms in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression, JAMA Network Open (2022). Journal information: JAMA Network Open Julian Hellmann-Regen et al, Effect of Minocycline on Depressive Symptoms in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression,(2022). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.30367 Copyright 2022 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Credit: JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2022.06.006 A study published today in the JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging shows that artificial intelligence tools can more rapidly, and objectively, determine calcium scores in computed tomographic (CT) and positron emission tomographic (PET) images than physicians, even when obtained from very-low-radiation CT attenuation scans. These calcium scores found within the heart provide an accurate measure of atherosclerosisa buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances found in the artery walls that can lead to serious cardiac conditions. Assessment of coronary artery calcium (CAC) by CT imaging provides an accurate measure of atherosclerotic burden. Coronary artery calcium is also visible in CT attenuation correction scans, always acquired with cardiac PET imaging. The novel deep learning model, originally developed for video applications, was adapted to rapidly quantify coronary artery calcium. The model was trained using 9,543 expert-annotated CT scans and was tested in 4,331 patients from an external cohort undergoing PET/CT imaging with major adverse cardiac events. Same-day paired electrocardiographically gated CAC scans were available in 2,737 patients. The CT attenuation maps were obtained with PET/CT scans and could be processed by artificial intelligence techniques for rapid and objective determination of coronary calcium score without additional scan and radiation. Using these artificial intelligence and deep learning techniques requires less imaging, less radiation and lower costs, says senior author of the study Piotr Slomka, Ph.D., a research scientist in the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai, director of Innovation in Imaging and professor of Cardiology and Medicine in the Division of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine. Explore further Coronary artery calcium may help determine patients' risk of cardiovascular events during radiation treatment More information: Konrad Pieszko et al, Deep Learning of Coronary Calcium Scores From PET/CT Attenuation Maps Accurately Predicts Adverse Cardiovascular Events, JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging (2022). Konrad Pieszko et al, Deep Learning of Coronary Calcium Scores From PET/CT Attenuation Maps Accurately Predicts Adverse Cardiovascular Events,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2022.06.006 By Trend The Armenian servicemen are fleeing from the battlefield leaving their combat positions as a result of the strikes of the Azerbaijani Army units, Trend reports. In three of the 21 cases Joshi Alumkal and his team studied, the gene expression of the prostate tumors changed after receiving enzalutamide and no longer had the androgen receptor (shown in red) as an engine. Credit: Joshi Alumkal Drugs like enzalutamide that inhibit male hormones from activating the androgen receptor have been used to treat advanced prostate cancer for more than a decade. While successful in most cases, these drugs can eventually stop working, but there is a limited understanding about how this change occurs. A new study from the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center suggests androgen receptor inhibitors can fundamentally rewire and reshape how prostate tumors function, and in certain cases even make them more aggressive. These findings will be published in Nature Communications on Sept. 15. Male hormones function as fuel, turning on the androgen receptor that acts as the engine of prostate cancer cells. For the past 80 years, treatment for patients with advanced prostate cancer has focused on interfering with these hormone levelsnow typically done through hormone lowering shots and drugs like enzalutamide. Eventually, nearly all tumors develop workarounds and escape treatment, and in most cases, tumors remain dependent on male hormones to power their growth. Other examples of treatment resistance remain poorly understood. "The greatest unmet need in the clinic right now is understanding the workarounds in a tumor that becomes resistant to androgen receptor targeting drugs so we can determine how best to treat the patient whose tumor has begun to grow," said Joshi Alumkal, M.D., Wicha Family Professor of Oncology and Professor of Internal Medicine, whose team led this research in collaboration with the Zheng Xia laboratory at the Oregon Health & Sciences University Knight Cancer Institute. Thomas Westbrook, M.D., hematology-oncology fellow, was the study's co-first author along with post-doctoral fellow Xiangnan Guan, Ph.D. "Once enzalutamide stops working, there are limited options. We don't know how or why most tumors become resistant." Alumkal wanted to understand what was present in these tumors to begin with and what happened after tumors started to grow on enzalutamide treatment. He and colleagues recruited patients to a longitudinal study to obtain metastatic biopsies before enzalutamide treatment and at the time the tumor became resistant to treatment. His team collected serial biopsies from 21 patients, enabling them to understand the workarounds in the tumor from each patient. Alumkal says this is the largest collection of matched metastatic biopsies before and after enzalutamide. "To understand resistance to drugs, researchers often collect samples from some patients before treatment and from a different group of patients whose tumors are treatment resistant. However, that approach is much less precise because there could be other significant differences between those patients. You can't pinpoint if the differences have anything to do with drug exposure or have more to do with the tumors just being different to begin with." Alumkal's sequential sampling method provided a much clearer picture of how enzalutamide resistance might emerge. When they compared the baseline sample to the progression sample from the same patient, most tumors showed no significant gene expression changes. "That the gene expression program of a tumor prior to treatment looked very similar at progression while on enzalutamide is quite remarkable," Alumkal says. "It speaks to how well most of the tumors were able to adapt and keep the androgen receptor engine on despite enzalutamide treatment." But that wasn't the only surprise. In three of the 21 cases, Alumkal and his team saw a profound shift in the wiringor gene expression programof the tumors. "We knew that sometimes tumors become fuel-independent and no longer rely on the androgen receptor. These tumors instead turn on a gene expression program more common in nerve cells, rather than prostate cells, and shift to an aggressive form called neuroendocrine prostate cancer." But Alumkal found that in 15 percent of cases, the tumors also became fuel-independent for another reason. "These tumors were wired in a unique way and were most consistent with a subtype of prostate cancer called double-negative prostate cancer, meaning the tumors no longer had the androgen receptor as an engine. But they also did not become neuroendocrine prostate cancer." Alumkal uses vehicles to describe this change. "Initially, nearly all prostate tumors are gas guzzlers: very fuel dependent and powered by the androgen receptor as the engine. When treated with hormonal treatments, most tumors remain fuel-dependent but become more fuel efficient, able to go farther with less gasoline. "Our work showed that the majority of the tumorseven after receiving enzalutamideremain very fuel-dependent, which suggests that continuing to target the androgen receptor could make an enormous difference in these tumors," Alumkal continued. Alumkal found that three tumors converted to become double negative prostate cancerakin to an electric vehicle. "The gasoline engine was replaced by a completely distinct set of machinery that allowed tumors to grow and survive," Alumkal explained. The DNA mutations found in the baseline and progression biopsies from these converter tumors were the same, which strongly suggests that enzalutamide completely rewired the engine of the original fuel-dependent tumor to become fuel-independent at disease progression. "It's a dramatic shift to wrap your head around." Although the baseline tumors appeared similar under the microscope, Alumkal's team identified specific genes that were highly expressed in those that eventually became double negative prostate cancer. This result suggests that certain tumors exist in a hybrid state, initially dependent on fuel but at risk for becoming a fuel-independent double negative prostate cancer during enzalutamide treatment. Alumkal says results from the sequential sampling method suggest that enzalutamide is causing tumors to adapt, in some cases dramatically. Alumkal notes that the gene signature he identified is preliminary, and the team has more work to do. "Still, the fact that the DNA looks similar in the converters strongly indicates that enzalutamide is reprogramming tumors. We have more work to do, but it may be possible up-front to identify patients at greatest risk of having their tumor become fuel-independent after treatment with drugs like enzalutamide," he said. Explore further New clues about why some metastatic prostate cancers don't respond to enzalutamide More information: Transcriptional profiling of matched patient biopsies clarifies molecular determinants of enzalutamide-induced lineage plasticity, Nature Communications (2022). Journal information: Nature Communications Transcriptional profiling of matched patient biopsies clarifies molecular determinants of enzalutamide-induced lineage plasticity,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32701-6 People in the Best Care program become active partners in their care, taking back control over their lives. Credit: Shutterstock In Ontario, nearly 900,000 people live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). People with this condition account for 24 percent of hospitalizations, 24% of emergency department visits and 21% of ambulatory care visits. Because of difficulty in managing care, patients with COPD have hospitalization rates that are 63% higher than the general population, as well as rates of emergency department and ambulatory care visits that are, respectively, 85% and 48% higher than the general population, all of which contribute significant financial costs to Ontario's health care system. Health care sustainability has made headlines as emergency rooms around Ontario have closed due to staffing shortages, COVID-19 infections and burnout of frontline workers. Ontario's Health Minister Sylvia Jones has said that the province should embrace innovation to help solve challenges within the health care system. Arguably, one of the most effective solutions would be to divert patients away from the emergency room and hospital in favor of more cost-effective primary care. Innovations in treatment of patients with COPD in primary care has the potential to alleviate a significant strain on the health system by reducing emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Fortunately, there is an existing program in primary care, called Best Care, that has been demonstrated to be cost-effective, improve patient and provider experience and reduce emergency department visits and hospitalizations. The opportunity for Best Care Best Care is an innovative integrated disease management program (IDM) for managing high-risk, exacerbation-prone patients with COPD in a primary care setting. It was designed by a collaborative team of frontline health-care providers and administrators, supported by Ontario Health. The Best Care IDM program involves embedding a certified respiratory educator, who is also a case manager, within the primary care practice where the patient normally receives care. In collaboration with the patient's primary care provider, the certified respiratory educator delivers or supports access to all 14 of Ontario Health's COPD quality standards, including diagnosis, assessment, care planning, patient education, medication management and specialized respiratory care. People in the Best Care program become active partners in their care, taking back control over their lives. The efficacy of Best Care has been empirically demonstrated to improve patients' quality of life and to help avoid emergency department visits and reduce hospitalizations. Over the past three years, 7,000 Ontarians affected by severe COPD have benefited from the program. Three Ontario health regions implementing Best Care have shown dramatic reductions in COPD-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Evaluating cost-effectiveness Recently, with a team of health economists from the University of Ottawa, we evaluated the cost-effectiveness of the Best Care integrated disease management program for high-risk, exacerbation-prone patients in a primary care setting. In this research we used data from our earlier clinical study and the best available evidence to evaluate if investment in the Best Care program was cost-effective from the perspective of the Ontario health system. Our results show that Best Care is not just cost-effective, but is dominant in comparison to standard care in Ontario. Best Care integrated disease management program was cost-effective in 85.3% of our simulations. When evaluating programs in terms of health economics, a program is dominant when it improves patient outcomes and costs less than the alternative standard of care: in other words, better care at a lower cost. With a modest up-front investment in primary care, the Best Care program is expected to dramatically reduce demand for acute health services. In fact, our modeling anticipates a 1.5-fold return on investment in the first year of implementation. Continued health system savings are expected for at least 10 years by reducing the number of urgent care and emergency room visits and the frequency of hospitalization. We also ran several different scenarios to test the assumptions we made within our economic analysis. The results consistently demonstrated that Best Care integrated disease management program was cost-effective and dominant in comparison to the usual standard of care. When we assume that a patient's quality of life should only improve with access to a certified respiratory educator/ case-manager (i.e., the patient's quality of life should remain the same or increase, but not decrease), the probability that Best Care IDM is cost-effective increases to over 96 percent. Sustainable health care investment The Ontario health system seeks to invest in sustainable, innovative solutions that will maximize health care capacity. This includes reducing avoidable hospitalizations and emergency department visits; improving patient, caregiver and provider experience; and enhancing patient outcomes while containing costs. Prior peer-reviewed publications and health system data have confirmed that the Best Care integrated disease management program improves patient outcomes as well as patient, caregiver and provider experience. Our robust health economic analysis confirms that Best Care is economically attractive compared to the current provincial care standard. Best Care in COPD is a sustainable health care investment and delivers on all of the goals of the quadruple aim approach to health care: optimizing patient experience, improving health at the population level, reducing costs and supporting the well-being of health care providers. Explore further Primary care physicians need optimized treatments and better support for patients with COPD This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Graphic showing digital masking process. Credit: Professor Haotian Lin's research group Scientists have created a 'digital mask' that will allow facial images to be stored in medical records while preventing potentially sensitive personal biometric information from being extracted and shared. In research published today in Nature Medicine, a team led by scientists from the University of Cambridge and Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China, used three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and deep learning algorithms to erase identifiable features from facial images while retaining disease-relevant features needed for diagnosis. Facial images can be useful for identifying signs of disease. For example, features such as deep forehead wrinkles and wrinkles around the eyes are significantly associated with coronary heart disease, while abnormal changes in eye movement can indicate poor visual function and visual cognitive developmental problems. However, facial images also inevitably record other biometric information about the patient, including their race, sex, age and mood. With the increasing digitalization of medical records comes the risk of data breaches. While most patient data can be anonymized, facial data is more difficult to anonymize while retaining essential information. Common methods, including blurring and cropping identifiable areas, may lose important disease-relevant information, yet even so cannot fully evade face recognition systems. Due to privacy concerns, people often hesitate to share their medical data for public medical research or electronic health records, hindering the development of digital medical care. Professor Haotian Lin from Sun Yat-sen University said: "During the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to turn to consultations over the phone or by video link rather than in person. Remote healthcare for eye diseases requires patients to share a large amount of digital facial information. Patients want to know that their potentially sensitive information is secure and that their privacy is protected." Professor Lin and colleagues developed a 'digital mask', which inputs an original video of a patient's face and outputs a video based on the use of a deep learning algorithm and 3D reconstruction, while discarding as much of the patient's personal biometric information as possibleand from which it was not possible to identify the individual. Deep learning extracts features from different facial parts, while 3D reconstruction automatically digitizes the shapes and movement of 3D faces, eyelids, and eyeballs based on the extracted facial features. Converting the digital mask videos back to the original videos is extremely difficult because most of the necessary information is no longer retained in the mask. Next, the researchers tested how useful the masks were in clinical practice and found that diagnosis using the digital masks was consistent with that carried out using the original videos. This suggests that the reconstruction was precise enough for use in clinical practice. Compared to the traditional method used to 'de-identify' patientscropping the imagethe risk of being identified was significantly lower in the digitally-masked patients. The researchers tested this by showing 12 ophthalmologists digitally-masked or cropped images and asking them to identify the original from five other images. They correctly identified the original from the digitally-masked image in just over a quarter (27%) of cases; for the cropped figure, they were able to do so in the overwhelming majority of cases (91%). This is likely to be an over-estimation, however: in real situations, one would likely have to identify the original image from a much larger set. The team surveyed randomly selected patients attending clinics to test their attitudes towards digital masks. Over 80% of patients believed the digital mask would alleviate their privacy concerns and they expressed an increased willingness to share their personal information if such a measure was implemented. Finally, the team confirmed that the digital masks can also evade artificial intelligence-powered facial recognition algorithms. Professor Patrick Yu-Wai-Man from the University of Cambridge said: "Digital masking offers a pragmatic approach to safeguarding patient privacy while still allowing the information to be useful to clinicians. At the moment, the only options available are crude, but our digital mask is a much more sophisticated tool for anonymizing facial images. "This could make telemedicinephone and video consultationsmuch more feasible, making healthcare delivery more efficient. If telemedicine is to be widely adopted, then we need to overcome the barriers and concerns related to privacy protection. Our digital mask is an important step in this direction." Explore further Transparent face masks protect while facilitating communication More information: Feng Xu, A digital mask to safeguard patient privacy, Nature Medicine (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s41591-022-01966-1 Journal information: Nature Medicine Feng Xu, A digital mask to safeguard patient privacy,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41591-022-01966-1 Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Gay men are more than twice as likely to develop inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) than heterosexual men when both populations engage in high-risk sexual activity, according to new research from the Digestive Health Research Institute at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center (UH). The study was published this month in the journal Gut. "To our knowledge, this is the first large population-based study that demonstrates a higher prevalence of IBD in men who engage in high-risk same-sex sexual activity," said Emad Mansoor, study lead author and assistant professor at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine and UH. "Our study is expected to open a new field of research into gastrointestinal inflammatory conditions." "Studying the cause of IBD in this underrepresented patient population in comparison to other patient groups," said Fabio Cominelli, corresponding study author, professor at the School of Medicine and chief scientific officer at UH, "will allow us to further investigate the cause of disease development in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients and develop personalized precision medicine and treatment strategies, while also reducing stigma." The study's impact is significant, as more than 7.1% of the United States population identifies as LGBTQIA+, an increase from 5.6% in 2020, according to Gallup. The findings The team evaluated self-reported data from patients treated at 58 health care organizations in the U.S. between 2002 and 2022. The data showed that in patients with a diagnosis of high-risk same-sex sexual activity, 0.8% were diagnosed with Crohn's disease and 1.26% with ulcerative colitis. These findings were compared to men who engage in high-risk heterosexual activity, of which, 0.49% had Crohn's disease and 0.52% had ulcerative colitis. High-risk sexual activity as defined in this study includes sexual contact without barrier protection as well as having multiple sexual partners. The team also further analyzed the data in relation to Crohn's disease and found men who engaged in high-risk same-sex sexual activity were more likely to have peri-anal disease including peri-anal abscess, rectal abscess and stricturing disease of the colon or small intestine. Among those with severe manifestations of ulcerative colitis, men who engaged in high-risk same-sex sexual activity were more likely to undergo partial colectomy. The findings will be further evaluated by the teamincluding investigation into the potential role of the gut microbiomeduring a long-term study that allows investigators to track participants over time. Explore further Heavy antibiotic use tied to development of Crohn's, colitis More information: Emad Mansoor et al, Epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease in men with high-risk homosexual activity, Gut (2022). Journal information: Gut Emad Mansoor et al, Epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease in men with high-risk homosexual activity,(2022). DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-328218 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain During the COVID-19 pandemic hospice care across the West Midlands fell below the "gold-standard" despite the best efforts of frontline health care professionals. The findings were revealed in a report from the end of life charity Marie Curie and based on research from the University of Sheffield and University of Warwick, which is the first of its kind to examine the direct experiences of hospice patients, caregivers, hospice staff and senior managers during the pandemic. It found that personalized, holistic care for patients and families was compromised at times despite the best efforts of hospice staff to maintain it. This was due to guidance being updated frequently, personal protective equipment (PPE) making patient care challenging and the suspension of volunteers who were in patient facing roles. Dr. Catriona Mayland, senior clinical research fellow at the University of Sheffield, said, "During the pandemic, hospices had to adapt rapidly to changing circumstances, and embrace new approaches to care. "Going forward, it is important to retain some of these novel initiatives and partnerships especially with primary care and community colleagues. The specialist skills provided within hospices remain vitally important but widening connections with health and social care providers to help serve local communities is also imperative." The report also found that changes to rules about visiting resulted in many friends and family not being with loved ones at the end of their life, which caused emotional distress for the people being cared for and hospice staff. Despite these challenges, local hospices played a vital role in caring for people dying at home by sending their staff into patient's homes and care homes and using technology to stay in touch with the people they were supporting. The research said bereavement during the pandemic was extremely challenging for caregivers. Hospice staff were also left exhausted, leaving some at risk of long-term burnout and in need of specialist bereavement and mental health support. Given the population of the West Midlandswith one in three people being from an ethnic minority group and its level of deprivation being above the national averagethe report's findings could help shape national end of life care policy as the U.K. recovers from COVID-19. The report makes several recommendations, including the need for 24/7 palliative care services, improved mental health and bereavement support, and more flexible care for people with English as their second language and for people with dementia. In addition, Marie Curie is calling for Integrated Care Bodiesthe NHS bodies responsible for commissioning local health servicesto prioritize palliative and end of life care in their plans for local health services in the West Midlands and nationally. Dr. Sarah Wells, Medical Director at the Marie Curie Hospice, West Midlands, said, "The day after the first lockdown was the worst day of my career. That was the day that we had to ask all the visitors to go home. Everyone had to say goodbye to their loved ones. "Some knew they wouldn't see them again. It was devastating. It went against every instinct of mine as a palliative care doctor, but the friends and relatives of patients understood why we were having to do this. They were selfless and stoic in the face of unprecedented challenges." Julian Knight, Member of Parliament for Solihull, said, "I pay tribute to the people of the West Midlands who went through so much during the COVID-19 pandemic and especially to local hospice staff who made heroic efforts to care for people with a terminal illness and their families in very challenging circumstances. "The Government has just introduced the first ever legal duty to commission palliative care services in the history of the NHS. I hope this will help hospices continue their vital work to ensure local people and their families have all the care and support they need at the end of their lives." Marie Curie Associate Professor John MacArtney from the University of Warwick, who led the study, added: "For many people with a terminal illness, contracting COVID-19 results in the reduction of both time and quality of life they have left. "When we spoke with people across the West Midlands, it became clear that for more than two years the pandemic, and the protections put in place to mitigate the virus, had challenged hospices' gold standard of providing personalized and holistic care at the end of life. "But we also found that hospices had worked hard to find new ways to support people towards the end of life, while also balancing the new challenges the pandemic brought. This study has numerous lessons to share that can help shape the COVID recovery for end of life care across the whole country." The research comprised 70 interviews across seven hospices in the West Midlands. Researchers conducted analysis of over 225 documents of guidance, procedures, and data. The Act on the Safety of Regenerative Medicine (ASRM) targets to regulate medical practices that aim to achieve the reconstruction, repair, or formation of human body structures or functions or the therapy or prevention of human disease or illness and that use processed cells (excluding blood transfusion, hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation, and assisted reproductive technology). Credit: KyotoU ASHBi Many nations around the world, including Japan, are making significant investments in regenerative medicine. This is largely due to its potential to cure people of spinal injuries and help with recovery from strokes, among other various anticipated benefits. However, it is growing increasingly difficult for patients to unambiguously distinguish regenerative medical therapies that are medically proven from those still undergoing scientific investigations. To overcome these issues, Japan passed the Act on the Safety of Regenerative Medicine (ASRM) in 2014. However, a new study in Cell Stem Cell by Professor Misao Fujita and colleagues investigated the types of regenerative medicine being performed under the ASRM in Japan and found that revisions are necessary if it is to effectively prevent patients from mistakenly selecting unproven treatments. Among regenerative medicines, applications of cell therapies have generated the most interest. Japan's strength in stem cell research has pushed the country to aggressively fund many types of cell therapies in the hope of curing intractable diseases and putting Japan at the forefront of this potentially revolutionary patient care. Indeed, many countries have seen extraordinary promise in cell therapies, but so too have many unethical clinics, which has led to serious complications and even death in more than a dozen countries, including Japan. "The ASRM requires any provision plan for a therapy be accompanied by explanatory and informed consent documents. In 2017, revisions to the act required these documents be published on the MHLW (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare) website," said Fujita. In the study, Fujita and colleagues referred to the MHLW website for information about clinics offering cell interventions in Japan, collecting explanatory and informed consent documents on 3,467 provisional plans in total. Alarmingly, the study found there were treatments on the website that would be subjected to international criticism. The study cautioned about three structural issues in the ASRM: the absence of a scientific verification requirement, the failure to distinguish research from treatments, and the absence of any clear definition for medical innovations and unproven interventions. "The ASRM does not prohibit interventions so long as they follow the procedures stipulated by law," said Fujita. In other words, even if a treatment is scientifically unproven, it can be administered. Moreover, she worried, its presence on the MHLW website may provide what she calls a "seal of approval" that the treatment is safe and effective even when it actually is not. Moreover, 2% of the examined plans failed to include the required explanatory documents, putting further doubt on the quality of the review process. For Fujita, the study shows that the ASRM should address at least these three points before patients can be confident about the cell therapies provided under this law. "The ASRM has already undergone revisions. We hope our study will guide more changes to strengthen its quality," she said. Explore further Financial risks posed by unproven stem cell interventions in Japan More information: Misao Fujita et al, Current status of cell-based interventions in Japan, Cell Stem Cell (2022). Journal information: Cell Stem Cell Misao Fujita et al, Current status of cell-based interventions in Japan,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2022.08.003 Variability of strain engraftment and retention across disease, antibiotics use and clinical success. a, Distribution of the fraction of donor strains and the fraction of retained strains present in the post-FMT samples for all FMT triads, showing a separation between higher fraction of donor strains and higher fraction of retained strains that associates with antibiotics administration and disease category. Small points represent individual FMT triads and large labeled marks represent per dataset averages. b, Variability of strain engraftment rate by disease category, antibiotics usage and route and amount of administered feces, highlighting the complex association between these variables and strain engraftment rates. The horizontal line is the median of per dataset medians. The statistical tests are performed by permuting the variables associated with datasets (two-tailed permutation test route of administration mixed versus lower or upper P = 0.0093, antibiotics and infectious disease versus no antibiotics and noninfectious disease in datasets employing single route of administration P = 0.02, amount of feces P = 0.32). c, Association between clinical success of FMT and strain engraftment rates for the 13 studies in which the information on clinical success was available and for which at least one recipient was in each group. The definition of clinical success for each study is reported in Supplementary Table 1. Permutation tests with success labels permuted within each dataset pointed at an overall significant association of strain engraftment with clinical success (two-tailed P = 0.017), that was significant in only 1 of the 13 datasets when considered individually (VaughnB_2016 MannWhitney U-test with two-tailed P = 0.039). Boxplots plots report the median and upper/lower quartiles, whiskers are at 1.5 times higher/lower of the upper/lower quartiles. Credit: Nature Medicine (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41591-022-01964-3 From incurable intestinal infections to metabolic syndrome, from melanoma to chronic inflammatory bowel disease to Tourette's syndrome: Many diseases can potentially be cured by Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT), and researchers from the Catholic University, Rome and the University of Trento have shown that the greater the level of engraftment of the transplanted microorganisms, the greater the chances of success of the therapy. This is the core of the study published in the journal Nature Medicine. "Microbiota transplantation," Antonio Gasbarrini, full professor of Internal Medicine at the Catholic University explains, "is a new therapeutic frontier that embraces different fields of medicine, not only gastroenterology, but even, for example, oncology." Transplantation is done by isolating and purifying donor microbiota collected from feces and transferring it by various ways (in capsules or during a colonoscopy) to the donor patient. What is not really clear about this therapeutic procedure is how well the transplanted microorganisms engraft in the recipient patient's intestine. Experts have analyzed with sophisticated genomic sequencing and computer analysis techniques a total of more than 1,300 gut microbiota samples (collected from feces) from donors and recipient patients with as many as eight different diseases (C. difficile, infections with intestinal multi-resistant bacteria, metabolic syndrome, melanoma, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, chemotherapy diarrhea, Tourette's syndrome). "Thanks to the ability of the analysis based on genomic sequencing techniques to identify the different bacterial strains present in the microbiota, which have a specific pattern for each person, we were able to understand whether a particular strain was transmitted from the donor to the recipient," Segata explains. "We have seen that patients with higher levels of microbiota engraftment achieved a better clinical response; also that engraftment is greater in patients with infectious diseases (who have a less severe microbiota imbalance -dysbiosis) than in those with chronic diseases (who have more complex and radicate dysbiosis)," Ianiro says. "We also found that patients treated with antibiotic therapy prior to the transplant procedure had higher engraftment, and that infusion of the microbiota via multiple routes of administration (e.g., capsules along with colonoscopy) promoted engraftment. It was also found that some microbial species (particularly Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria) engraft better than others (e.g., the phylum Firmicutes)." "We have shown that by using artificial intelligence we can predict with relevant accuracy the composition of the donor microbiota after transplantation, and this could then lead to identifying the best donors whose feces are more successful in increasing the diversity of the microbiota (which is a parameter of microbiota health) post-fecal transplantation," say Ianiro and Segata. "This study is the result of a fruitful collaboration and years of study by our research group on gut microbiota transplantation. It is thanks to these advances in knowledge about the conditions that maximize the success of transplantation that we will increasingly be able to exploit the procedure in clinical practice for the treatment of many diseases," says Giovanni Cammarota, Associate Professor in Gastroenterology at the Catholic University. Explore further Study provides clues to improving fecal microbiota transplantation More information: Nicola Segata, Variability of strain engraftment and predictability of microbiome composition after fecal microbiota transplantation across different diseases, Nature Medicine (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s41591-022-01964-3 Journal information: Nature Medicine Nicola Segata, Variability of strain engraftment and predictability of microbiome composition after fecal microbiota transplantation across different diseases,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41591-022-01964-3 Provided by Universita di Trento Monkeypox cases continue to fall in the United States, but public health officials now are concerned that the virus is wending its way into communities of color. New case numbers are down by nearly half since early August, White House monkeypox response coordinator Bob Fenton said in a Thursday media briefing. Fenton credited the decrease in new cases to vaccinations and education efforts around the nation, noting that a pilot program targeting large Pride events has delivered nearly 11,000 doses of vaccine. "In places like Atlanta, where we've worked closely with the public health community to surge vaccines and information around events like Black Pride, the rate of new cases has steadily declined," Fenton said. "In D.C., the new cases have declined 20%, on average, per week since they peaked in mid-July." As of Sept. 14, there have been nearly 23,000 cases of monkeypox identified in the United States, out of more than 59,600 cases detected globally in 103 countries, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said during the White House briefing. But while the growth in new cases has declined overall, "over the past several weeks we have also seen the racial and ethnic makeup of this outbreak evolve," Walensky added. Monkeypox cases are now "concentrating in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men of color," causing case counts to actually rise in certain parts of the United States even as they fall nationwide, said Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, deputy coordinator of the White House monkeypox response. "While monkeypox cases were first seen predominantly in non-Hispanic white men, in the last week, among the cases for which we have race and ethnicity data, non-Hispanic Black men represented 38% of cases. Latino or Hispanic men represented 25% of cases, and non-Hispanic white men represented 26% of cases," Walensky said. More than 540,000 doses of monkeypox vaccine have been administered so far, Walensky said, but white people have received the most doses. "Those who are white represent about 47% of people who received their first dose. Those who are Hispanic represent about 21% and those who are Black represent about 12%," Walensky said, noting that those numbers are disproportionately lower than the race and ethnicity of new cases. In response, the White House has opened up a new monkeypox vaccine equity pilot program, aimed at expanding vaccine access to communities of color in places being hit hardest by the virus, Daskalakis said. "It is critical that education, vaccinations, testing and treatment are equally accessible to all populations, but especially those most affected by ... this outbreak," Walensky said. U.S. scientists are also continuing to research monkeypox, in terms of transmission, testing and vaccines, said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. "As we implement the interventions that we have, simultaneously we still pursue some unanswered questions," Fauci said. One clinical trial is focusing on intradermal administration of the Jynneos vaccine, he said. By injecting the vaccine into the skin, doctors are able to stretch one vial into five doses. But this trial is also testing to see if one vial could stretch to as many as 10 doses, Fauci noted. "If in fact one to 10 works, that will immediately double the amount of doses available on an international scale," he said. Explore further US data reveals racial gaps in monkeypox vaccinations More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about the The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about the Monkeypox Vaccine Equity Pilot Program Copyright 2022 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Shiprock rock formation near Denetclaws hometown in New Mexico. Credit: San Francisco State University "I was raised in the traditional Navajo way of living and I grew up learning how to be a sheep herder and a farmer. But now I'm a cell and molecular biologist," said San Francisco State University Associate Professor of Biology Wilfred Denetclaw. "But the people that I come from are still living that way." Seeing initial reports of COVID-19 in his community, Denetclawwho normally studies embryonic muscle developmentpivoted to studying COVID-19. His findings were recently published in PLOS ONE. "When the outbreak occurred in March 2020, it just seemed like more and more cases were popping up all around the Navajo Nation area on the New Mexico and Arizona side of my reservation," explained Denetclaw, who grew up in Shiprock, New Mexico. The Navajo Nation is a Native American reservation covering 27,000 square miles across portions of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. Despite its size, there's been a lack of studies about COVID-19 cases and deaths in this community. Denetclaw set out to do something about that with study co-leader Kala Mehta, a biostatistician and epidemiologist at the University of California, San Francisco. Several San Francisco State students in Denetclaw's lab and SF BUILD students mentored by Mehta also participated in the study. The team analyzed publicly available data from the first year of the pandemic that was collected from 11 counties that intersected with the Navajo Nation. Their study showed that early in the pandemic, the number of COVID-19 cases on the reservation doubled nearly every 10 days but slowed down to every 32 days by March 2021. The percentage of Navajo people in a county correlated with the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in a county's population. The percent of Navajo population in a county was a predictor of COVID-19 deaths, even after considering access to health care. As expected, cases and deaths decreased in early 2021 with the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine. Many homes in the Navajo Nation are multigenerational with families clusteringsomething that was not ideal early in the pandemic. Like his own Navajo home, Denetclaw explains, nearly a third of Navajo homes lack running water, electricity and internet. Poor infrastructure, such as for roads, can make access to good health care difficult. "[The Navajo Nation] is now the largest federal Indian Reservationas big as West Virginia in sizebut it's lacking these modern kinds of infrastructure that we take for granted off the reservation," he said. However, he shares that this research is a story about the Navajo Nation's resilience. They have their own government separate from the state, so they could close reservation borders to non-Navajo travelers at the height of the pandemic, instigating a 57-hour curfew on weekends. When vaccines became available, the Navajo president advocated strongly for vaccinations using Navajo culture, like the Navajo creation story, to emphasize the larger importance of vaccination as a protective shield against COVID-19. The community took the message to heart and now vaccination rates are among the highest across the US. "It's not the individual, but it's the people, it's the tribe. That's what matters," Denetclaw said about his community's response to COVID-19 protocols and vaccination. "And just like our historical or cultural teachings, we were going to have to do battle here with coronavirus and we needed a protective shield," he explained. "That protective shield is vaccination." Though he's a cell biologist, this is not Denetclaw's first time doing epidemiological research. He went to Dine College, tribal college in his hometown, and applied for a research program simply to have a job. He studied a common but potent bacterial pathogen in his community that led to high rates of strep throat and rheumatic heart disease. That NIH programa precursor to the NIH RISE program offered at SF Statehooked him on cell biology and set him on his current trajectory. "[It is why] I always like to promote the kinds of programs we have in the Student Enrichment Office here at SF State that are designed to introduce students to research," he said. Explore further Video: Researching wildfire with the Navajo Nation More information: Wilfred F. Denetclaw et al, Dine Navajo Resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic, PLOS ONE (2022). Journal information: PLoS ONE Wilfred F. Denetclaw et al, Dine Navajo Resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic,(2022). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272089 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Findings from a pilot study published today in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) suggest that portable thermal imaging cameras might provide a new approach to assessing and improving hand-hygiene practices among health care professionals (HCPs). "Effective hand hygiene is recognized as the single most important act to prevent the transmission of potentially pathogenic microbes in the health care setting, but there is no widely adopted method for assessing the effectiveness of health care professionals' hand hygiene technique," said John Boyce, MD, a private consultant at J.M. Boyce Consulting, LLC, and a study author. "Our study shows that thermal imaging shows promise as an approach that warrants additional research to determine if it can be used for routine monitoring of hand hygiene technique to improve patient care." The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) both recommend the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer (ABHS) in their hand-hygiene guidelines. ABHS application technique, including the quantity of liquid used and length of hand rubbing, has a substantial impact on antimicrobial effectiveness. Several studies have documented that HCPs often fail to apply ABHS to their thumb and fingertips. Based on a previous study demonstrating that transient reductions in skin temperature occur following topical application of ABHS, Dr. Boyce and his colleague, Richard A. Martinello, MD, sought to determine whether thermal imaging with a portable infrared thermal camera could reveal whether ABHS had been appropriately applied by HCPs, including to their fingertips and thumbs. Using an infrared camera attached to an iPhone, they obtained thermal images of 12 HCPs' dominant hands, recording baseline readings of the mid-palm area, the tips of the third finger and thumb before and then at multiple time points after the study participants performed hand hygiene with ABHS (immediately after hands felt dry, and at 1 minute and 2 minutes later). The images revealed significant decreases in mid-palm, finger and thumb temperatures after the participants performed hand hygiene (p < 0.01 for all sites), confirming that the infrared camera was capable of detecting color changes that reflected drops in temperature. The researchers also found that when participants performed ABHS without including their thumbs, a lack of colorimetric change in the thumbs was visible in the resulting thermal images. One volunteer with large hands did not have decreased temperatures at the palm, finger, or thumb after applying ABHS, suggesting that thermal imaging could also help measure the amount of ABHS needed based on HCP's individual hand surface area. "The findings from this pilot study are exciting, because they are the first to evaluate a new tool that might help infection preventionists assess the quality of hand hygiene technique during educational sessions, periodic competency evaluations, and routine patient care," said Linda Dickey, RN, MPH, CIC, FAPIC, 2022 APIC president. More information: Pilot Study of Using Thermal Imaging to Assess Hand Hygiene Technique, American Journal of Infection Control (2022). Journal information: American Journal of Infection Control Pilot Study of Using Thermal Imaging to Assess Hand Hygiene Technique,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2022.07.015 Provided by Association for Professionals in Infection Control President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has arrived in Samarkand for a visit at the invitation of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Heads of State Summit, Azernews reports. A guard of honor was lined up for President Ilham Aliyev at Samarkand International Airport. President Ilham Aliyev was welcomed by Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and other officials. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The COVID-19 pandemic has had many deleterious consequences for health care workers, including the challenges of caring for severely ill patients. Resident physicians, in particular, may have been affected by physical as well as psychological consequences of the pandemic. At present, data are sparse on the perceptions, coping strategies and mental health of residents during COVID-19. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Schmidt College of Medicine explored these issues through data from its community-based academic residency programs in the southeast United States. They administered multiple-choice online anonymous surveys to assess resident perceptions, coping strategies and self-reported levels of depression, anxiety and stress experienced during the early phase of the pandemic. Results of the original research, published in the Southern Medical Journal, showed that 88.1 percent of residents felt they were likely or very likely to become infected with COVID-19. If infected, 28.8 percent felt that their illness would be serious or very serious. With respect to depression, anxiety and stress, all the mean scores were in the normal range. For depression, residents in emergency medicine and surgery reported higher levels. The trainees' top three strategies to cope with COVID-19 included acceptance, self-distraction, and use of emotional support. The three least used strategies included behavioral disengagement, substance use and denial. "The residents we surveyed in our programs reported effective coping strategies during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Allison H. Ferris, M.D., director, internal medicine residency program, and chair, Department of Medicine, FAU Schmidt College of Medicine. "It seems important and timely to continue to explore perceptions, coping strategies and mental health of residents as they play essential roles serving our patients and communities. Such information may be helpful to future residents and residency program directors as our trainees are the pipeline of future physicians and inevitably will face many challenging circumstances as they serve on the frontlines of health care." The survey included FAU residents in four specialties: internal medicine, surgery, emergency medicine and psychiatry. Researchers used the Brief COPE questionnaire, which included 28 items to assess coping strategies. They also measured dimensions of depression, anxiety and stress using the validated 21-item Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (formally recognized as the DASS-21). "Further research is needed to better understand the challenges that residents face and the resources they need as new members on the frontline of the health care workforce, so that program leaders can proactively support them in an evidence-based and thoughtful manner," said Sarah K. Wood, M.D., senior author, professor of pediatrics, vice dean for medical education, and chair of the Department of Women's and Children's Health, FAU Schmidt College of Medicine. The authors note that this survey was conducted in May 2020 at the time when U.S. deaths from COVID-19 surpassed 100,000. In Florida, however, the first peak was in July 2020, a second peak was January 2021, and a third and highest peak was August 2021. The authors note that it is plausible that the responses may have been different had the residents been surveyed at a later time when cases and deaths were peaking in Florida. "We believe the most plausible interpretation of the data to be that, during the U.S. epidemic of the COVID-19 pandemic, these residents reported effective coping strategies, namely, acceptance, self-distraction, and use of emotional support," said Michael DeDonno, Ph.D., first author, a research psychologist and an associate professor in FAU's College of Education and Schmidt College of Medicine. Explore further Emergency residents lacking in rural areas of United States More information: Michael A. DeDonno et al, Perceptions, Coping Strategies, and Mental Health of Residents during COVID-19, Southern Medical Journal (2022). Michael A. DeDonno et al, Perceptions, Coping Strategies, and Mental Health of Residents during COVID-19,(2022). DOI: 10.14423/SMJ.0000000000001439 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A global report released today highlights massive global failures in the response to COVID-19. The report, which was convened by The Lancet journal and to which we contributed, highlights widespread global failures of prevention and basic public health. This resulted in an estimated 17.7 million excess deaths due to COVID-19 (including those not reported) to September 15. The report also highlights that the pandemic has reversed progress made towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in many countries further impacting on health and well-being. The report, from The Lancet COVID-19 Commission, found most governments were ill-prepared, too slow to act, paid too little attention to the most vulnerable in their societies, and were hampered by low public trust and an epidemic of misinformation. However, countries of the Western Pacificincluding East Asia, Australia and New Zealandadopted more successful control strategies than most. This had resulted in an estimated 300 deaths per million in the region (around 558 per million in Australia and 382 per million in New Zealand to September 12). This is compared with more than 3,000 per million in the United States and the United Kingdom. The report also sets out 11 key recommendations for ending the pandemic and preparing for the next one. Cooperation lacking The report is the result of two years' work from global experts in public policy, health, economics, social sciences and finance. We contributed to the public health component. One of the report's major criticisms is the failure of global cooperation for the financing and distribution of vaccines, medicines and personal protective equipment for low-income countries. This is not only inequitable but has raised the risk of more dangerous variants. The report highlighted the critical role of strong and equitable public health systems. These need to have: strong relationships with local communities; investment in behavioral and social science research to develop more effective interventions and health communication strategies; and continuously updated evidence. 11 recommendations The report made 11 recommendations to end the pandemic and prepare for future ones. 1. Vaccines plus other measuresestablishing global and national "vaccination plus" strategies. This would combine mass immunization in all countries, ensure availability of testing and treatment for new infections and long COVID, coupled with public health measures such as face masks, promotion of safe workplaces, and social and financial support for self-isolation. 2. Viral originsan unbiased, independent and rigorous investigation is needed to investigate the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, including from a natural spillover from animals or a possible laboratory-related spillover. This is needed to prevent future pandemics and strengthen public trust in science and public authorities. 3. Bolster the World Health Organization and maintain it as the lead organization for responding to emerging infectious diseases. Give WHO new regulatory authority, more backing by national political leaders, more contact with the global scientific community and a larger core budget. 4. Establish a global pandemic agreement and strengthen international health regulations. New pandemic arrangements should include bolstering WHO's authority, creating a global surveillance and monitoring system for infectious disease outbreaks. It would also include regulations for processing international travelers and freight under global pandemic conditions, and the publication of an annual WHO report on global pandemic preparedness and response. 5. Create a new WHO Global Health Board to support WHO decision-making especially on controversial matters. This would be composed of heads of government representing each of the six WHO regions and elected by the member states of those regions. 6. New regulations to prevent pandemics from natural spillovers and research-related activities and for investigating their origins. Prevention of natural spillovers would require better regulation of domestic and wild-animal trade and enhancement of surveillance systems for pathogens (disease-causing micro-organisms) in domestic animals and humans. The World Health Assembly should also adopt new global regulations on biosafety to regulate international research programs dealing with dangerous pathogens. 7. A ten-year global strategy by G20 (Group of Twenty) nations, with accompanying finance, to ensure all WHO regions, including the world's poorer regions, can produce, distribute, research and develop vaccines, treatments and other critical pandemic control tools. 8. Strengthen national health systems based on the foundations of public health and universal health coverage and grounded in human rights and gender equality. 9. Adopt national pandemic preparedness plans, which include scaling up community-based public health systems, investment in a skilled workforce, investment in public health and scientific literacy to "immunize" the public against dis-information, investment in behavioral and social sciences research to develop more effective interventions, protection of vulnerable groups, establishment of safe schools and workplaces, and actions to improve coordinated surveillance and monitoring for new variants. 10. Establishment of a new Global Health Fund wherewith the support of WHOthere is increased and effective investment for both pandemic preparedness and health systems in developing countries, with a focus on primary care. 11. Sustainable development and green recovery plans. The pandemic has been a setback for sustainable development so bolstering funding to meet sustainability goals is needed. Unlock a new approach To improve the world's ability to respond to pandemics we need to unlock a new approach. The key component to any meaningful transformation is to collaborate and work towards a new era of multilateral cooperation. Governments in Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and elsewhere have talked about "building back better." We need to take the lessons learnt from the failures of the past few years and build a stronger framework. This will not only help reduce the dangers of COVID-19 but also forestall the next pandemic and any future global crisis. By reassessing and strengthening global institutions and co-operation, we can build and define a more resilient future. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The images in different segments of lymphatic vasculature within mouse lymph nodes showed the vast majority of LYVE1+ cells co-expressed CD41. Credit: Jiang Liwei Recently, a research team led by Prof. Jiang Liwei from the Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), collaborated with Professor Reza Abdi from Harvard Medical School in the United States to study the Characterization of CD41+ cells in the lymph node. In Frontiers in Immunology, they described how they proved that CD41+ cell subsets in mouse lymph nodes predominantly expressed stromal cell and mast cell surface marker molecules. Lymph nodes are critical sites for immune responses, and the stromal cells of lymph nodes are critical for their function. In this research, scientists conducted an in-depth analysis of non-traditional stromal cells in the stroma of lymph nodes and identified two distinct stromal cell subsets, CD41+ (platelet surface membrane protein integrin), Lyve1+ (lymphatic endothelial receptor) and CD41+ Lyve1-. The CD41+ Lyve1- cell subset mainly appeared in the lymph node stroma in the later stages of aged mice and highly expresses surface marker molecules of stromal cells, which provided a microenvironment for immune cell interaction. "This subset was also identified in human lymph nodes," said Dai Li, first author of the paper. The CD41+ Lyve1+ cell subset, on the other hand, resided mainly in the lymphatic fluid of the thoracic duct and was recycled throughout the body to replenish the subset in the lymph nodes. This study further confirmed that the different stromal cell subsets in the lymph node have a clear division of functions, thereby ensuring the integrity and coordination of the entire lymph node function. Explore further New players in the immune response identified More information: Li Dai et al, Characterization of CD41+ cells in the lymph node, Frontiers in Immunology (2022). Journal information: Frontiers in Immunology Li Dai et al, Characterization of CD41+ cells in the lymph node,(2022). DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.801945 David M. Ficker, MD, right, and his colleagues at the Epilepsy Center have piloted the implementation of UCGNI's Learning Health System. Credit: Photo/UC Health. How does a health care team deliver the best care to its patients and tangibly improve their physical and mental health and quality of life? That is the motivating question that has led the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute to the process of transforming into a Learning Health System (LHS), a new approach to medical research, clinical care and education. Data-driven approach Anne Paul, director of the LHS at UCGNI, said the concept of a Learning Health System has been around for about 20 years as an alternative to the current standard care model most popular in American health care. In a LHS, the health care organization decides to learn from every single data point they can gather about their patient population, she said. "They are hospital systems that have developed an infrastructure, processes and a culture that puts learning at the core of everything they do," Paul said. "What it translates into is that when patients come for a visit, or when patients contribute data in between visits, that data is captured and is used for two purposes: quality improvement and research." With data that is tracked closely and easy to visualize and compare across time, LHS teams can identify gaps in care and then track if the changes they make tangibly improve patient care. "If we do see an impact, then we make that change a best practice and then we start scaling and spreading that best practice," Paul said. Research application According to Paul, on average, it takes about 17 years for research findings to reach widespread application with a majority of patients, and even then there is variation in how new research is applied in real-world settings compared to the strict design of a study. In an LHS, researchers and doctors collaborate more closely together to accelerate the transition of knowledge from the laboratory to the exam room. Rather than coming up with solutions looking for a problem, the team will identify real issues that are hindering patient improvement that will then form the basis of new research questions. "When the researcher comes up with a possible solution that might work, then the clinical care team can take that and more quickly adapt that, because it's been done in the context of the reality of their clinic," Paul said. "It doesn't mean that in a Learning Health System you can't do clinical trials and your more traditional research, but what we are interested in developing at UCGNI is research that can quickly translate back to the care side because it's been done in collaboration with the issues that the clinicians are facing." Patient-centered approach Joseph Broderick, MD, said the Learning Health System approach is a continuous process of providers and patients working together to determine the most important factors to improve patient health, and having the right components in place to address these factors. "You need dedicated people and processes in our UC Health system to look at how patients are doing, make the appropriate changes and monitor success," said Broderick, professor in UC's Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine in the College of Medicine, director of UCGNI and a UC Health physician. "And you don't just stop after one success. You continue the process, working hand-in-hand with the patients." An LHS prioritizes close collaboration between health care professionals, patients and their families in a process called coproduction. Paul said patients and caregivers are treated as equals, as they bring their own expertise on their condition from their own experiences. "In an LHS, the patients and caregivers are not this kind of external group that you go to on an annual or quarterly basis as a way to get feedback on already predefined ideas," Paul said. "To coproduce with patients and caregivers means that you invite them into your clinical team's quality improvement and research work." Paul said patients and caregivers in an LHS meet more regularly (sometimes weekly) with their care team to review data, identify gaps in care, brainstorm solutions, implement solutions and test effectiveness. "They are the ones that are telling us what works and doesn't work for them," Paul said. "They are the ones that are connecting us to other patients and caregivers that they know of, because often those patients know each other." For example, if the data shows newly diagnosed patients are overwhelmed and forget much of what they are told during initial visits, the team might decide to create a notebook where patients can refer back to information they may have forgotten. "You could have a nurse navigator write the entire notebook from cover to cover and then go to one of those patient groups and have them review and edit," Paul said. "Or you could go to your patients and caregivers and say, 'We need your help. Can you work with us in putting together a document that would really reflect what you wish you had known when you were newly diagnosed?'" Paul said LHS research projects could include patients helping to write study protocols and consent forms that are easy to understand and serving as ambassadors in the community so more people are aware of the research. Brett Kissela, MD, said a Learning Health System provides an infrastructure that requires a "massive investment," but is worth it to help make tangible improvements in the lives of patients with the patients being directly involved. "As clinicians, we are always trying to get the best outcome for our patients, but we rarely have systems in place that allow us to actually obtain real-world outcomes and to enfranchise the patient and their loved ones in determining how to best provide systematic care for all patients with a particular illness," said Kissela, the Albert Barnes Voorheis professor and chair in the Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, executive vice dean and senior associate dean for clinical research in the UC College of Medicine and UC Health chief of research services. First steps in epilepsy care Over the last year, UCGNI's Epilepsy Center has piloted the implementation of a Learning Health System. David M. Ficker, MD, said his team was already involved with LHS efforts at the national level led by the Epilepsy Foundation, which gave them a good foundation. In coordination with national efforts, UC's epilepsy team has focused on controlling seizures and reducing patient barriers to medication. Ficker said nationwide data showed a patient's seizure frequency was only accurately documented during doctor visits about 45% of the time (UC's rate was about 60% before implementing improvements), and about half of epilepsy patients did not track their seizures themselves at all. "When we're treating the patient, whether we're looking at a change in treatment or offering some of the advanced epilepsy options like surgery, we need to know if the patient's seizures are controlled or not," said Ficker, professor in the Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine in UC's College of Medicine and a UC Health physician. Paul said 30% of epilepsy patients were found to have at least one barrier to medication from a list of 17 identified issues, including access or cost, forgetting to take the medication or not taking the medication due to its side effects. Only about 2% of patients were asked if they had any barriers to taking their medication at doctor's appointments, Ficker said. To remedy these problems, the team has encouraged patients to keep a seizure diary and gives questionnaires about seizure frequency and barriers to medication at each visit. A digital dashboard helps the team document and assess the data to look for patterns and potential interventions to reduce the number of seizures and barriers to medication. "We now can assess what our seizure control rate is across our epilepsy population, which we've never been able to do with a quick click of a button," Ficker said. "So we can look at trends over time, are we seeing gradual improvement in seizure control or are things not changing?" Care coordination Ficker said the team is beginning to look at other potential areas of improvement between patient visits to the doctor. "We're looking at care coordination efforts like pre-visit planning and what resources are available to patients in between visits that might help them," he said. "We are also going to develop a strategy to identify patients that we would consider higher-risk whose seizures may not be controlled, who might be having issues with their medications, who might have some psychosocial issues and focus some resources on those patients." Care coordination has been developed in primary care and for conditions like diabetes, but Ficker said there has not been much advancement in the area of epilepsy. "This is an opportunity to do some groundbreaking work here that translates into some research questions as well," he said. "Even just the strategy used and looking at some outcomes after implementing the strategies, we clearly have a research component there." To that end, UC has received a grant from the Epilepsy Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to pilot a program that will equip community health workers within Greater Cincinnati to consult with and help high-risk patients with epilepsy between their doctor's visits. "I'm excited to see what's going to happen with this and how this can play a role in our everyday care of patients with epilepsy," Ficker said. "Our clinical staff, our medical assistants, our nurses have been involved with this, and I've been really impressed with how they've embraced this." Next steps The work in epilepsy has laid a solid foundation of Learning Health System infrastructure, Paul said, that will continue to be implemented across each of UCGNI's centers of excellence, with neurotrauma, headache, stroke and cognitive disorders being the next centers slated to transition to an LHS. "A Learning Health System, as far as we know, hasn't occurred to this point for patients with neurologic and psychiatric diseases," Broderick said. "We want to be the national leader in this area and eventually find other health systems who will join our efforts to improve our patients' health. We have made tremendous progress in just a year with our epilepsy patients and look forward to including all of our other UCGNI centers of excellence over the next five years." "In my mind, we currently do important work in all three missions of clinical care, research and education here at UC/UC Health," Kissela added. "But if we build a Learning Health System correctly, it will be truly transformational for our patients, our community and our organization." Explore further AI model may help epilepsy patients become seizure-free Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Mental illness is a growing public health problem. In 2019, an estimated 1 in 8 people around the world were affected by mental disorders like depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. While scientists have long known that many of these disorders run in families, their genetic basis isn't entirely clear. One reason why is that the majority of existing genetic data used in research is overwhelmingly from white people. In 2003, the Human Genome Project generated the first "reference genome" of human DNA from a combination of samples donated by upstate New Yorkers, all of whom were of European ancestry. Researchers across many biomedical fields still use this reference genome in their work. But it doesn't provide a complete picture of human genetics. Someone with a different genetic ancestry will have a number of variations in their DNA that aren't captured by the reference sequence. When most of the world's ancestries are not represented in genomic data sets, studies won't be able to provide a true representation of how diseases manifest across all of humanity. Despite this, ancestral diversity in genetic analyses hasn't improved in the two decades since the Human Genome Project announced its first results. As of June 2021, more than 80% of genetic studies have been conducted on people of European descent. Less than 2% have included people of African descent, even though these individuals have the most genetic variation of all human populations. A roadmap to increase diversity in genomic studies. Sincere, concerted global efforts toward genomic equity to ensure the benefits of genomic & #precisionmedicine are accessible to all are urgently needed @NatureMedicine @OncoAlert https://t.co/GEuO0sp4QV pic.twitter.com/dY6dNrJtPq Vivek Subbiah, MD (@VivekSubbiah) February 13, 2022 To uncover the genetic factors driving mental illness, I, Sinead Chapman and our colleagues at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard have partnered with collaborators around the world to launch Stanley Global, an initiative that seeks to collect a more diverse range of genetic samples from beyond the U.S. and Northern Europe, and train the next generation of researchers around the world. Not only does the genetic data lack diversity, but so do the tools and techniques scientists use to sequence and analyze human genomes. So we are implementing a new sequencing technology that addresses the inadequacies of previous approaches that don't account for the genetic diversity of global populations. Ethically and equitably expanding the diversity of genomics data can help improve care and reduce disparities. Global partnerships for global data To study the genetics of psychiatric conditions, researchers use data from genome-wide association studies that compare the genetic variations between people with and without a particular disease. However, these data sets are mostly based on people of European ancestry, largely because research infrastructure and funding for large-scale genetics studies, and the scientists conducting these studies, have historically been concentrated in Europe and the United States. One way to close this gap is to sequence genetic data from diverse populations. My colleagues and I are working in close partnership with geneticists, statisticians and epidemiologists in 14 countries across four continents to study the DNA of tens of thousands of people of African, Asian and Latino ancestries who are affected by mental illness. We work together to recruit participants and collect DNA samples that are sequenced at the Broad Institute in Massachusetts and shared with all partners for analysis. Prioritizing the voices and priorities of local communities and scientists is foundational to our work. All partners have joint ownership of the project, including decision-making and sample and data ownership and control. To do this, we build relationships and trust with the local communities we are studying and the local university leaders and scientists with whom we are partnering. We work to understand local cultures and practices, and adapt our collection methods to ensure study participants are comfortable. For example, because there are different cultural sensitivities around providing saliva and blood samples, we have adapted our practices by location to ensure study participants are comfortable. We also freely share knowledge and materials with our partners. There is a two-way exchange of information between the Broad Institute and local teams on study progress and results, enabling continual learning, teaching and unity between teams. We strive to meet each other where we are by exchanging practices and training scientists to support the development of locally grown and locally led research programs. Our collaboration with African research groups provides a prime example of our model. For example, our African research colleagues are co-leaders on the grants that fund the lab equipment, scientists and other staff for projects based at their study sites. And we help to support the next generation of African geneticists and bioinformaticians through a dedicated training program. Different types of sequencing methods have pros and cons. Analyzing variation Collecting samples from more diverse populations is only half of the challenge. Existing genomic sequencing and analysis technologies do not adequately capture genetic variation across populations from around the world. That's because these technologies were designed to detect genetic variations based on reference DNA from people of European ancestry, and they reduce accuracy when analyzing sequences that aren't derived from the reference genome. When these tools are applied to genetic data from other populations, they fail to detect much of the rich variation in their genomes. This can lead researchers to miss out on important biomedical discoveries. To address this issue, we developed an approach to genome sequencing that can detect more genetic variation from populations around the world. It works by sequencing the exomethe less than 2% of the genome that codes for proteinsin high detail, as well as sequencing the 98% of the genome that does not code for proteins in less detail. This combined approach reduces the trade-offs geneticists often have to make in sequencing projects. High-depth whole genome sequencing, which reads through the entire genome multiple times to get detailed data, is too costly to do on a large number of DNA samples. While low-coverage sequencing reduces costs by reading smaller segments of the genome, it may miss some important genetic variation. With our new technology, geneticists can get the best of both worlds: sequencing the exome in depth maximizes the likelihood of pinpointing specific genes that play a role in mental illness, while sequencing the whole genome less in depth allows researchers to process large numbers of whole genomes more cost-effectively. Personalizing medicine Our hope is that this new technology will allow researchers to sequence large sample sizes from a diverse range of ancestries to capture the full breadth of genetic variation. With a better understanding of the genetics of mental illness, clinicians and researchers will be better equipped to develop new treatments that work for everyone. Genomic sequencing opened a new era of personalized medicine, which promises to deliver treatments tailored to each individual person. This can be done only if the genetic variations of all ancestries are represented in the data sets that researchers use to make new discoveries about disease and develop treatments. Explore further Scientists set out to map the world's genomic diversity This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Some survivors of sexual assault may face a further trauma after seeking medical care: a huge emergency room bill. That's the finding of a new study that analyzed U.S. emergency department charges for care related to sexual assault. Researchers found that survivors without health insurance could end up with thousands of dollars in medical bills. In 2019, the study found, the average ER charge for care related to sexual assault topped $3,500. Survivors without health insurance could be expected to foot that entire bill, the researchers said. Even those who are insured could still face high out-of-pocket costs. "This can be re-traumatizing for many survivors," said lead researcher Dr. Samuel Dickman, a physician with Planned Parenthood of Montana. In addition, he and his colleagues said, the prospect of a huge ER bill could further discourage people from seeking care in the first place. It's already known that only around 20% of sexual assault victims in the United States get medical care. Efforts to address the issue date back to 1994, when the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) placed an important requirement on states: If they want to be eligible for certain federal grants, they must cover the costs of medical forensic exams for sexual assault victims. Those exams, often called "rape kits," are done to collect evidence of the crime. The law does not, however, mandate coverage of medical services beyond the forensic exam: Hospitals can still charge for things like injury care, counseling, emergency contraception and medication to prevent HIV due to possible exposure. In the absence of federal requirements, many states have stepped in and do cover additional medical services, said Janine Zweig, associate vice president for justice policy at the Urban Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based research organization. "But it really does vary state to state," Zweig said. In cases where a sexual assault survivor receives a big medical bill, she said, it will typically either be in a state that does not cover services outside the forensic examor when a hospital's billing department makes a mistake. There have been cases, though, where hospitals have charged survivors for the rape kit exam. In 2018, the New York state attorney general's office settled with seven hospitals that had illegally billed patients for forensic rape exams. And even when medical services are billed to victims' insurance plans, there may still be hefty out-of-pocket costs. A 2017 study found that female rape victims with private insurance had to pay 14% of their ER costs, on averageor just under $1,000. The new studypublished Sept. 15 as a research letter in the New England Journal of Medicinelooked at a government database with information on annual ER visits nationwide. In 2019, nearly 113,000 visits were related to sexual assault. Most victims88%were women, and 38% were children under 18. Average cost of each visit: $3,551. Most victims had either private insurance, or Medicaid or Medicare, but just under 18,000 were uninsured and could be expected to foot the bill themselves. Insured or not, it's not clear how much victims actually ended up paying, Dickman said. Like Zweig, he said that policies vary state by state, and that is a core problem: Access to free care depends on where victims live. Since its passage in 1994, VAWA has been reauthorized several times. "And each time, they've done some tweaking around the edges to improve it," Zweig said. For example, the law was clarified to say that victims do not have to cooperate with law enforcement in order to receive a free forensic exam. But, Zweig said, a broader change would help make victims' care more equitable: Expanding the federal definition of what medical services must be covered by states. "That's what we needexpanded financial protections for survivors," Dickman agreed. A lack of coverage for emergency contraception is particularly worrisome, he and his colleagues noted, given that many states have now outlawed abortion. Explore further New law expands care for rape victims Copyright 2022 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain A new tool is being heralded by experts as a game-changer for children's mental health by reducing stigma, detecting those who are struggling and linking them to early support services. The Children's Wellbeing Continuum, designed by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute and recommended in the National Strategy for Child Mental Health and Wellbeing, is an evidence-based tool created to start conversations around children's well-being and assist in identifying those who are struggling at an early stage where intervention may prevent progression to more serious mental health problems. Murdoch Children's Professor Frank Oberklaid said the tool, a first in the child mental health space, provided a snapshot of a child's social and emotional well-being at a point in time. "A continuum-based model recognizes that children's mental health and well-being is dynamic and often changes over time," he said. The model destigmatizes child mental health issues, builds bridges between the education and health sector and addresses some of the barriers in seeking help before problems become more severe." National Mental Health Commission Executive Director Alex Hains said, "Using the continuum focuses on a child's functioning rather than whether they meet certain diagnostic criteria. This approach will help promote a system that intervenes earlier and is more approachable for children and their families." Professor Oberklaid said the tool was already being used as a successful conversation starter in classrooms, households and GP clinics and hoped it would be widely adopted across Australia. "The feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive and the tool has been described as a real game changer," Professor Oberklaid said. "The creation of a shared language has given teachers and parents the confidence to promote and nurture good mental health, recognize emerging problems and access appropriate support in a timely manner." Professor Oberklaid said the terminology for the continuum, designed for children aged two to 12 years, had been carefully considered and tested by health workers, educators, parents and caregivers. The four anchor points of the continuum range from "Good" through to "Coping," "Struggling" and "Overwhelmed." About one in seven children experience a mental health diagnosis in any 12-month period and another 10 percent are struggling with symptoms that impact everyday activities. Half of all mental health conditions start in childhood, with COVID-19 lockdowns exacerbating or triggering symptoms. Professor Oberklaid said, "The language used to describe a child's mental health and well-being has an important effect on how mental health is understood," he said. For many families mental health is not an easy topic to discuss, so tools that help to open up a conversation about how a child is feeling shifts the dialogue to a focus on the child and not a diagnosis. Normalizing conversations about children's well-being provides an opportunity to move the pendulum towards prevention and early intervention." The tool was recently introduced in schools involved in the Mental Health in Primary Schools Program (MHIPS). The program embeds a child mental health and well-being coordinator within classrooms to help identify and manage emerging mental health issues. By 2026 it will be expanded to every government and low-fee non-government primary school in Victoria. Thomastown West Primary School Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator Gita Peterson said her school had found the tool to be extremely helpful, giving them the confidence to better identify when students may be struggling or feeling overwhelmed. Ms. Peterson said many Prep to Grade 2 students, in particular, were displaying stress and anxiety symptoms due to a lack of social awareness, largely due to the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns. Many students from all grade levels also struggled with work stamina when on-site classes resumed, she said. "The tool has been a great resource to alert teachers to when they should be concerned about a student and take the next steps," Ms. Peterson said. "It can take months before a child is medically assessed and diagnosed but this resource is user-friendly, giving non-mental health experts the ability to track a child's mental state." Ms. Peterson said several students had been identified as struggling and overwhelmed through using the continuum. "With teachers as busy as they are many students are at risk of falling through the cracks," she said. However, we have now been able to tailor classroom support and make referrals to external agencies for the students who aren't coping." Ms. Peterson said she highly recommended other schools adopt the tool, which had become the cornerstone of their school's mental health plan. Rachel Smith said the tool helped with initial conversations when explaining her son's mental health problems to pediatricians and teachers. Her son, 8, has challenges with regulating his emotions, negative thoughts about himself, trouble with sleeping and learning in a classroom environment. "It's hard when your child is struggling and having to articulate this to others can be overwhelming," Rachel said. "But I found the tool incredibly helpful to describe and unpack what he is going through. Rather than being vague and unsure, we could clearly explain his challenges, which meant we could get the right support for him." More information: For more information on the Children's Wellbeing Continuum, see mhips.org.au/resources The festival of the book is back. The Montana Book Festival takes place Sept. 15-18 at venues around Missoula, primarily at the Missoula Public Library, the Zootown Arts Community Center and the Roxy Theater. There are more than 50 authors and even more events, spanning local writers, genre, poetry, fiction and fan-fiction. Here are some highlights of the days ahead. Go to montanabookfestival.com for more information and a complete schedule. Thursday, Sept. 15 Festival opening with Debra Magpie Earling 11 a.m.-12 p.m. MPL, Cooper Room B The festival kicks off with a reading from Earling, whose celebrated novel, Perma Red, has been reissued by Milkweed Editions. The Territories: A literary grudge match 8-9 p.m., Ole Beck VFW Post 209 Local authors throw down on some shared-universe wrestling fiction. Participants include Dan Brooks, who's published work in the Missoula Independent and the New York Times Magazine, and the city's two local professional MMA journalists/podcasters, Chad Dundas and Ben Fowlkes. $5 w/o all-access button. Gentrification in the Mountain West 4-5 p.m., MPL, Cooper Room A Jump into one of the most pressing issues in the region with this panel. Ryanne Pilgeram, a Montana native, is a professor of rural sociology whos published a book on the subject. Also hear from Butte-based reporter/author Kathleen McLaughlin, Metis poet/essayist Chris La Tray and local playwright/actor Ken Grinde of the Missoula Tenants Union. Friday The Picture, or the Thousand Words 10-11 a.m., MPL, Cooper Room A You dont have to choose, necessarily, with this lineup. Author Shann Ray collaborated with photographer Craig Hergert on a publication, Montana Panoramic: Transparent in the Backlight based on years of the latters pictures from around Montana. Also hear from David Overturf about his collaborative work, Project 1:1000. Emme Lund reading 7-8 p.m. 121 S. Higgins Ave. The Portland, Oregon-based transgender authors novel, The Boy with the Bird in His Chest, was described as a symbolic tale of growing up queer in the early 2000s by Kirkus Reviews, which concluded, embrace magic and suspend your disbelief and this novel may just take you on a beautiful, necessary journey. Saturday, Sept. 17 10 am.-2 p.m., Exhibitor Fair, Zootown Arts Community Center Peruse the books at the ZACC during the Exhibitor Fair. The Chinese Experience of Montana 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., MPL, Cooper Room A Learn more about a group whose place in state history has largely gone unexplored. Teow Lim Goh, a poet, essayist and critic, works to "recover the stories of Chinese immigrants in American West," per her website. Historian Mark T. Johnson wrote "The Middle Kingdom Under the Big Sky," recently published by University of Nebraska Press. They'll be hosted by Paul Kim of the ACLU of Montana, who studied human geography for his doctorate through the University of London. The Making of Thunderous with ML Smoker and Natalie Peeterse 3-4 p.m., Missoula Art Museum Smoker, the poet laureate, and fellow Helena-based author Natalie Peeterse, will discuss their Indigenous graphic novel for young adults, Thunderous. $5, or free with all-access button or student ID An Evening with Candice Carty-Williams 6:30-7:30 p.m., MPL, Cooper Room The London-based author published an award-winning debut novel, Queenie. Her recently published follow-up, People Person, was called a delightful, uplifting and emotionally satisfying novel about building new connections in the face of deep-rooted abandonment wounds and hideous disappointment by the Guardian. An Oral History of Fargo (with a screening) 7:30 p.m., Roxy Theater Coen Brothers fans can dive even deeper into the classic crime drama with the expertise of Todd Melby. The Minneapolis journalist (audio and print) wrote a book, A Lot Can Happen in the Middle of Nowhere: The Untold Story of the Making of Fargo. Melby will be on hand to talk about the film in addition to a screening. For tickets, go to theroxytheater.org. Sunday Ted K. screening and talk with Jamie Gehring 2 p.m., Roxy Theater Ted Kaczynski was recently the subject of a feature film, Ted K., starring Sharlto Copley, that was shot in western Montana. Watch the film and hear from Gehring, who wrote Madman in the Woods: Life Next Door to the Unabomber, about her experience growing up next door to the Unabomber. For tickets, go to theroxytheater.org. "An Evening with Jamie Ford" 7-8 p.m., Zootown Arts Community Center The best-selling author of "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" is coming down from Great Falls to talk about his latest novel. In "The Many Daughters of Afong Moy," Ford revisits the story of the first Chinese woman in America and branches outward, imaging generations of descendants' and the inherited trauma they carry. $5, or free with all-access button. Jamie Ford knew what book he wanted to write, he just wasnt sure how risky it would be. Its a more complex book than Ive ever tried to write, said Ford, whose best-selling debut, Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet made the Great Falls author into a household name. IF YOU GO Jamie Ford will read on Sunday, Sept. 18, at the ZACC Show Room at 7 p.m. as part of the Montana Book Festival. Admission is included with an all-access button, or $5 for a single entry. He thought that if The Many Daughters of Afong Moy didnt connect with editors or readers, it could be the end of my career he said recently. Or perhaps it might be a serious detour to nowhere. The book revisits the tragic story of the first Chinese woman in America and spirals forward in time, imagining her descendants six generations into the future, and how theyve been affected by inherited trauma. While it has futuristic elements, its central character shows the historical research that flavored his prior novels, with an eye toward the Chinese-American experience. I like turning over rocks, and looking at the squishy things underneath when it comes to American history, the things that never make their way into high school history books. The stories that are lesser known are always intriguing and fascinating and things that even if I'm not going to write about them, I'll often just go down that research rabbit hole to see to see how much I can learn and discover in the process. Sometimes there's a story, sometimes there isn't. Fords great-grandfather, Min Chung, came to the U.S. from China in the 1860s, took the last name of Ford, and became a miner in Nevada. Following through on the elements of speculative fiction led to Ford switching publishers and editors, and gambling that readers whove known him since Hotel in 2009 would stay with him. Theyve followed along, though, and hes found a whole new audience that I never reached before, which is really cool. Ford was invited onto the Today show last month as part of co-host Jenna Bush Hagers book club. Her production company has also optioned the rights to the book, which has enough plot threads to fill three seasons. A big box of crayons In his acknowledgements, Ford refers to the book as his big box of crayons, and he draws on myriad sources. The title character is Afong Moy, a real person. Ford had read about her years ago, and while hed wanted to adapt her story, he wasnt sure that there was enough material for a book. She was brought to America from China and exploitatively shuttled around the U.S. as an attraction. She was covered extensively in newspapers as a celebrity, and treated as a human novelty show, but died in poverty, according to some sources. There is a historical nonfiction account, The Chinese Lady: Afong Moy in Early America, by Nancy E. Davis, to draw on, but little in the way of diaries or direct recollections. We never hear Afong in her own voice, Ford said. Her story probably had a very tragic ending, and in writing this book I wanted to give her a voice, and a legacy and try to redeem that story a little bit, and her journey a little bit, he said. Hed also gone down a rabbit hole reading about epigenetics and the questions it raises about why we are the way we are. There are studies on the descendants of Holocaust survivors, women who were pregnant during Sept. 11, 2001, and their children. People in Native American communities have been talking about that intergenerational trauma for 100 years or so, its something thats been out there and around us. Its just now entering the cultural zeitgeist from a bunch of different directions, he said. Bringing the ideas together How did these stories end up in one novel? About three years ago, he was at a residency outside Illinois called Ragdale. He was hitting a wall on a project, and a fellow writer told him that it was obvious. Why not try something else? That's where I realized if I combine the two, I can give her fictional descendants. And I can tell her story in a broader, different way, he said. And hed also make a book-length move into a combination of historical and speculative fiction. While hes known for his historical novels, hes published short stories in a variety of genres. I often say that speculative fiction is my mother tongue, he said, and counts it as his first love in reading. Regarding speculative work, he became close friends with Harlan Ellison, the legendary writer who won Nebula Awards for his work. (Ford even bought Ellisons typewriter.) In the year 2045, her descendant, Dorothy Moy, is raising a young daughter while coping with her own mental health issues, which have derailed her career as the poet laureate of Washington. She undergoes an experimental epigenetic treatment, based on the idea that inherited trauma is passed onto offspring. In exploring the idea, Ford cross-cuts between timelines, starting with Afongs in 1836 and Dorothys daughter, Annabel in 2086, for a total of seven. Four are historical, one is somewhat contemporary (2014) and two are decades into the future. While the book doesnt lend itself easily to a short description, the writing style is accessible, hewing closely to each of the womens perspectives through struggles, tragedies and triumphs. There were plenty of opportunities to indulge in his love of research, including things that had caught his eye but had also eluded him as the subject of a full book: the Summer Hill School in England in the 1920s, which was like a precursor to modern progressive alternative schools; an epidemic in San Francisco in the late 1800s. (He said his office resembles a conspiracy theorists, with stacks of books, note cards, interviews and scientific papers.) No spoilers, but theres also an important plot thread about the creation of a feminist dating app and the media and funding environment that sink it. Another genre of literature that Ford folded into the story: poetry. Dorothy is the Washington poet laureate, and frequently quotes other, real-life poets that Ford admires. Hes been a fan of poetry since his parents sent him to a camp in fourth grade. He feels that its misunderstood that people who would likely be interested in contemporary poetry had bad experiences in school with older work that they just couldnt connect with. Moving to Montana to write Before hed published his first book, Ford, a Pacific Northwest native, had spent almost six years living in Hawaii. He added up the amount of time he was spending in traffic. The tally was more than three weeks a year. He wanted not only to get back to the Pacific Northwest, where he grew up, but find someplace quieter, where he could redirect all that commuting time toward writing. In 1999, he found a job in Great Falls at an ad agency. I wasn't sure if I would ever finish a book, let alone sell a book, let alone have a book do reasonably well, he said. But its been a fun journey. Hes built a family here, although they lived in Belgrade for a few years recently. Theyre now back in Great Falls due to career opportunities for his spouse. Ford believes living here has been motivational weirdly motivational because I do think writers write about what they lament. We often write about what we miss, and so often Im living here in central Montana writing about Seattle. The books are a place for all of those thoughts and feelings to go. Several of the timelines in his new book take place in Seattle, for instance. He also brought up the fact that Ivan Doig, one of the most celebrated of Montana writers, moved to Seattle and wrote about the Treasure State. Besides that, he loves the quality of life, and as someone who grew up blue-collar, he likes being in a working-class town. The peace and quiet really helps. It also helps keep me grounded, he said. One day, hes talking about his book on the Today show. The next week, Im gonna be picking up dog poop in the backyard. Its just normal life. It wasn't until I was in New York City and walking through Times Square with my agent. And there's a billboard in Times Square with my book. And I turned to my agent, I said, 'OK, I think this book might be OK, he said. While the positive reception to Afong Moy has pleased him, he said that the success of Hotel was a double-edged sword, too. It had so much success that it created a shadow that took me forever to get out from under, he said. Each book is different, he said, and compared them to climbing Mount Everest. If you climb it again, the mountain doesnt get any shorter." Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has paid homage to the memorial complex of the first President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov in Samarkand. On the marble slab, set at the entrance to the complex, is embossed in Uzbek and English: This is a sacred and eternal place where the First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the great statesman and politician, the respectable and honorable son of Uzbek people Islam Karimov rests. During the design and construction of the mausoleum, great care was taken not only to ensure that the structure complemented the Hazrat Khizr mosque but also to preserve the historical appearance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. President Ilham Aliyev laid flowers at the grave of the first President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov. The verses from the Holy Quran then were recited. A former University of Montana student accused of attempted sexual assault and kidnapping pleaded not guilty to all charges on Thursday. Cole L. Levine, 23, is charged with three felonies: attempted kidnapping, attempted sexual intercourse without consent and aggravated assault causing reasonable apprehension. He is also facing one misdemeanor charge: criminal destruction of or tampering with a communication device. Levine is currently in custody at the Missoula jail on $200,000 bail. Missoula County District Judge Shane Vannatta presided. Charging documents filed with Missoula County last Friday allege Levine attacked a woman in a downtown Missoula alley on Aug. 18. Witnesses said they heard a woman scream please help me. They yelled at the suspect, who reportedly ran from the scene. Police contacted the survivor, who was interviewed on Aug. 25. The woman told investigators she was downtown on Aug. 17. She left one bar to head to the next when she encountered two men, one of whom was Levine, at the 300 block of Ryman Street. Levine started abruptly engaging with her verbally and then forced himself on her, she told detectives. As she tried to run away and call 911, charging documents state Levine chased, grabbed and tripped her and took her phone. Levine's phone then fell onto the ground, she told police. At Levines initial court hearing on Thursday, his defense attorney Dwight Schulte requested the judge reduce Levines bail amount, contending that conditions of release exist to give the community security and ensure Levines appearance in court. Schulte asked for a $100,000 bail. He indicated Levine is willing to execute a waiver of extradition, and wants to return to his familys home in New Mexico, adding he has no ties to the Missoula community and does not have a passport. Missoula Deputy County Attorney Brittany Williams objected to Schultes request. It's clear that this defendant has behavior that is indicative of a deeper issue, one that knows no bounds of relationships with females, Williams said. There's no evidence that this defendant has any sort of ties with this victim. Williams noted Levine was in Missoula for law school orientation. She also said witnesses reported hearing Levine making possible plans to flee the country in the days prior to his arrest. Vannatta maintained the $200,000 bail, citing concerns over Levines potential for flight risk. UM spokesperson Dave Kuntz said as of Monday afternoon, Levine was no longer a registered UM student. If Levine does post bail, he is prohibited from having contact with the survivor and witnesses in the case. He will also be monitored via GPS. Levines next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 27 in Missoula County District Court. We should have seen it coming a lawless, unprincipled presidency. From Donald Trumps execrable TV reality show The Apprentice, to his spearheading of the birther movement, displaying his racist denigration of Barack Obama, insisting he was born in Kenya, not in Hawaii, as Obamas birth certificate proves, we saw that much of Trumps life and business was not just nasty and spiteful, but unlawful. We learned that parts of his empire of businesses were fraudulent, and under investigation by the New York attorney general. Word came out about the huge fraud his Trump University was. The phony non-university bilked hundreds of students out of millions of dollars, and ultimately Trump was required to pay $25,000,000 in settlements. As a candidate for president in 2016, Trump refused to release his tax returns, though it became common knowledge that he had taken his three New Jersey casinos and one hotel into bankruptcy six times (how do you bankrupt a casino?!). Notwithstanding his criminal escapades, the Republican Party warmly embraced Trump in the 2016 election, and enough of the electorate was fooled that he was elected president without winning the popular vote, but eking out a small margin in the undemocratic Electoral College. Once in office, Trumpss first appointed Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, former CEO of Exxon Mobil Corp., described Trump as a moron. Too true, but aside from his ignorance and incompetence, Trump demonstrated almost daily that he is a monumentally dishonest man, deserving of no trust. According to Yahoo!News, fact checkers chronicled over 25,000 false statements by Trump before the end of his presidency. His skulduggery eventually earned him two well-deserved impeachments (needing no explication here), for both of which he was acquitted by a cowardly and unprincipled Republican senate majority, freeing him up to continue his one-man crime wave. Heres where it stands now: On Aug. 8, the FBI executed a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago, the part-time residence of ex-president Trump in Palm Beach, Florida. This occurred after nearly a year of Trumps refusal to return government records to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), which he had unlawfully taken with him when he left the White House. The search warrant application was authorized by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and approved by Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart, as part of an investigation into Trump relating to three federal criminal statutes: Violations of the Espionage Act regarding unauthorized retention of national defense information; Destroying or concealing records "with the intent to impede, obstruct, or influence" federal government activity; Illegal removal or destruction of federal government records (without respect to cause) In their search, the FBI retrieved hundreds of documents, held insecurely at Mar-a-Lago, over one hundred of which were classified Secret, and of which some contained Top Secret evaluations of one or more foreign countries nuclear capabilities. Make no mistake: If any other American were guilty of these federal violations, they would already be indicted and in prison awaiting trial. But Trump has taken recourse to District Judge Aileen Cannon, whom he had appointed in the last months of his presidency, apparently using the same criteria he had used in appointing his three intellectual sloths to the Supreme Court. Thus far, she appears to be giving Trump his expected special treatment with delaying orders, etc., but the Justice Department has told her that it will appeal her orders if she does not modify them within days. Meantime, legal experts and scholars have heaped scorn on Judge Cannons uneducated and uninformed orders, which, whether intentionally or not, have stymied the critical national security investigation. So stands the impending end of Donald Trumps ignominious career, as we await AG Garlands decision whether or when to indict Trump. Flighty Senator Lindsey Graham has a case of the vapors and cries, If Trump is indicted, there will be rioting in the streets! Perhaps, but if so, law enforcement will simply need to do its job to keep the peace, and assure theres plenty of room for the multitudes of Americans who will turn out rejoicing that the criminal is at last brought to justice. During my law enforcement career, I served in many capacities. The last seven years were spent as an administrator serving as Patrol and Administrative Captain. It was during these years that the Jail Diversion Master Plan (JDMP) was developed, something that we at the sheriff's office are proud to have been part of. Jail diversion was created out of necessity. It was something wanted by the public, needed for overcrowding issues and became essential when COVID was at its peak. The purpose of jail diversion is to provide alternatives to incarceration for first-time offenders in non-violent cases. This keeps the offender able to work and/or care for their family while freeing up room in the jail and reducing costs to Missoula taxpayers. Jail diversion is essential to Missoulas criminal justice system, and these practices/principles should remain in place, but it has not always been implemented as intended. Too often, violent/repeat offenders are being released back into our community without bond or monitoring. This means offenders arent reported to any entity, nobody is monitoring activities, and there is no bond to revoke if an offender violates conditions of release. Essentially, they are free to continue committing the offenses that they were arrested for in the first place. Aug. 3, a man was arrested burglarizing a home near the Wye. He had already been arrested for committing three other burglaries in July but was repeatedly released by Justice Court without bond or monitoring. Six days after being released, he was apprehended burglarizing another home and is suspected of committing at least six other burglaries during that time. So far, the sheriffs office has recovered about $200,000 worth of stolen property, something that has been widely reported in the media. If you are wondering, burglaries are still felonies, have the potential for extreme violence and should have disqualified him for this type of release. The attempted kidnapping at the Western Montana Fair is another example of an incident that shouldnt have happened. The suspect in this case had been in jail two days prior to the incident, charged with numerous crimes including assault with a weapon. The felony was eventually dropped to a misdemeanor sending the case back to Municipal Court. Even though the suspect is a violent offender with a history of violent offenses who was brought into jail after committing a violent act, he was released without bond or monitoring. It only took two days for him to get caught committing another violent crime, the attempted kidnapping of a 3-year-old child. Judges at all levels should have a deep measure of empathy/compassion for everyone and I believe we have that obligation when it comes to crimes against property or society, such as disorderly conduct, obstructing justice, trespassing, shoplifting, etc. and the offenders are not having frequent interactions with law enforcement. Judges should seek alternatives to incarceration for minor offenses, look for opportunities to reduce recidivism, provide rehabilitation opportunities contributing to reduced costs to taxpayers by keeping non-dangerous first-time offenders out of jail. However, when the crime involves a person, especially a child, empathy and compassion must be placed with the victims first. Judges have a substantial public safety responsibility to the communities they serve. These examples demonstrate that this is not happening in Missoula, especially in Justice Court. My law enforcement background provided me with hands-on experience dealing with criminal and social issues. I know what it is like to be in the middle of a domestic dispute among family members, a fatal car crash, robbery, or assault. I have frequently interacted with people suffering from mental illness, drug and alcohol addictions, and any other crime you can imagine. I have the experience to make appropriate decisions with emphasis on public safety first. I humbly ask you for your vote this coming November to effect the change desperately needed to bring safety and security back to Missoula. Tony La Russa planned to watch Tuesdays game against the Colorado Rockies from a suite at Guaranteed Rate Field. Hell do likewise Wednesday as the Chicago White Sox continue on without their manager, who hasnt received medical clearance to return. Hell be watching in person and obviously wont be managing and not in uniform, Sox general manager Rick Hahn, who is recovering after testing positive for COVID-19, said in a video conference Tuesday. As for if and when that may occur, we simply dont have that information at this point and in the end were going to understandably follow the advice of medical experts on this one. So far, for this series and over the foreseeable future, were preparing the way we have over the last two weeks. So far its going well and (acting manager Miguel Cairo) and the coaches deserve a ton of credit, as do the players. The Sox won 4-2 on Tuesday for their 10th victory in 14 games since Aug. 30, when the team announced La Russa would not manage at the direction of his doctors. The next day, the team said he was out indefinitely. Eloy Jimenez hit a three-run homer in the first inning, and Jose Abreu added a solo shot in the eighth. Michael Kopech allowed two runs on three hits in five innings as the Sox remained three games behind the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Central. Its just how were playing, to be honest, Sox closer Liam Hendriks said. Its nothing that has really changed too much in here. We all still believe in every single person in this clubhouse, we trust everybody in any role and thats something that hasnt changed. If I dont get it done, the guy behind me gets it done now. And thats the difference. Its those rallying cries of one swing here and there thats falling in for us now but wasnt earlier in the year, and where weve kind of run with that like (Friday) in Oakland when were down by three were able to score (five) in the ninth and be able to get that victory. That was something we didnt do earlier in the year. Story continues After a 9-7 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Aug. 30 at Guaranteed Rate Field, Cairo made clear what was needed in a discussion with the team, which was first reported by USA Todays Bob Nightengale. I saw something that I didnt like that game and I couldnt let it pass, Cairo said. I just let them know how I felt about it and are you in or are you out? If you are out, let me know. If you are in, lets go for it. Hahn said of the recent run: The team obviously has been playing very well and for an extended period now playing up to its potential. Youve seen a great deal of energy, a great deal of fight and some of that swagger weve talked about in the past. And most importantly playing good baseball and playing as a team and fulfilling a lot of potential many of us saw in this club. (Cairo) obviously deserves a great deal of credit, but Id be remiss if I didnt also point out the effort of the other coaches there. The communication between the coaches has been outstanding, the communication between the front office and the coaches has been very strong. And the players have stepped up and taken responsibility and put forth an effort to fill the void left by Tonys absence. Its really been enjoyable to watch not simply because of the results on the field, which has been great, but also because of the unity and commonness of purpose weve seen and the intent of players and coaches alike. Asked if other factors besides medical clearance would be involved with La Russas potential return, Hahn said: Its a conversation once we get to that point. But were not at that point. So for now, its just taking it day by day and following the lead of the medical professionals and talking to Tony. I talked to Tony five minutes before (Hahns video conference with reporters). Talked about how he was, and he was happy to be around, pointed out that the one game hes been to in the last couple weeks, (Sunday) in Oakland, we lost. He was taking that hard. And I tried to point out theres a little difference between causation and correlation. Hahn also said its too soon when asked if the situation would affect evaluations going into 2023. Look, weve been trying to navigate the last few weeks under unique circumstances, and the team has done very well, Hahn said. And obviously everyones noted that. But as for what lies ahead for next year, its simply too soon for that. Tim Anderson ramping up baseball activities All-Star shortstop Tim Anderson, who is on the injured list after suffering a sagittal band tear in his left middle finger Aug. 6, has been cleared to ramp up baseball activities. He can take grounders, play catch and dry swing, Cairo said. In terms of likely return date, we dont have that in place yet, Hahn said. Its going to be a function of how quickly and painlessly hes able to ramp up. But its possible for him to return at some point during next weeks homestand. Prosecutors say a Butte man sexually assaulted a young teenage girl at a house in Butte 10 to 12 years ago and admitted to some of the allegations during an interview with police. But 45-year-old Benjamin Alexander DeWeert pleaded not guilty Wednesday to sexual intercourse without consent and an alternative felony charge of sexual assault. Both carry a maximum penalty of 100 years in prison and fine up to $50,000. A woman told police about the alleged incidents in February and after investigations by police, prosecutors said the chargeable offenses occurred from January 2010 to July 2012 when the girl was 13 or 14 years old. They are within the statute of limitations for such crimes under Montana law. During an interview in March, the alleged victim told police that DeWeert followed her into the bathroom in a house, put his hands down her pants, penetrated her with a finger and touched her breasts. She said she left crying and he told her he was sorry. Prosecutors say when DeWeert was interviewed by a Butte police detective, he denied vaginally penetrating the girl but admitted to rubbing her privates and touching her breasts. He said it lasted several moments and he stopped when she said, No. When asked about another incident, he denied filming the girl while she was in the shower. DeWeert went on to explain that he had placed an old-style flip phone on a shelf used for towels in the bathroom and was going to try to film (the girl) but it didnt work, prosecutors wrote in charging documents. There was no video captured but he did try to video (the girl) without clothes. DeWeert had attorney Jeff Dahood of Anaconda with him during the interview with police. DeWeert described himself as being disgusted with himself and did not know how it could have ever happened, the charging document states. DeWeert posted $100,000 bond after his arrest in late July and remains free for now. District Judge Robert Whelan set the next court hearing for Oct. 12. Butte police reports Stolen emission devices Catalytic converters seem to be a hot commodity in Butte and throughout the country. This week, a Conlins delivery truck at 1600 Holmes Ave., was missing that particular part. Four cars parked at Highlands College were also missing the exhaust emission control device. Easy to steal, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, these devices contain sought-after precious metals rhodium, palladium and platinum. Four years ago, the Bureau reported nearly 1,300 insurance claims were filed nationwide on stolen catalytic converters. That number skyrocketed by 2020, at nearly 14,500 and continues to rise. The reason for the upsurge is not too hard to figure out. The online metal price chart at www.dailymetalprice.com currently lists rhodium at $14,200 an ounce. Palladium is at $2,138.18 and platinum is going for $905.32 an ounce. Criminal endangerment Late Tuesday night, Vanessa Marie Whitford, 44, of Butte was driving near the intersection of Platinum and Colorado without any headlights. When a cop got close to the car, the officer noticed that Whitfords front-seat passenger was a 2-year-toddler without a seat belt. Whitford initially gave a fictitious name to the officer and then switched it up and gave a different name. Another officer arrived on the scene and recognized Whitford and knew she had warrants out for her arrest stemming from a July incident. She was booked into the jail just after 1 a.m. Wednesday for a felony out-of-jurisdiction warrant and a felony warrant for criminal endangerment. She was also arrested for the misdemeanor offenses of resisting arrest, obstructing a peace officer and possession of drug paraphernalia. The toddler was released into the care of a relative. Arrest warrants Claude Brooks Vail, 51, of Butte was arrested around 6:15 p.m. Tuesday in the 200 block of South Arizona Street on warrants for felony possession of dangerous drugs and misdemeanor criminal trespass to a vehicle. Woman groped It is alleged that Willie Liegeois, 38, of Butte stopped a woman he knew on the street Tuesday afternoon and groped her. He was arrested for misdemeanor sexual assault. Booked into jail Alexis Jade Williams, 18, of Butte was booked into the jail just after midnight Thursday for misdemeanor partner or family member assault. It is alleged that Williams punched another woman and pulled her hair at a residence in the 900 block of South Washington Street. Dangerous drugs While investigating a disturbance in the 900 block of California Street late Wednesday night, Daniel Robert Woodbury, 32, of Butte was arrested on warrants for felony theft and two counts of misdemeanor criminal contempt. During the booking process, Woodbury reportedly was in possession of dangerous drugs, too. Suspicious man On Wednesday night, a call came in about a suspicious man in the 900 block of South Arizona Street. The suspicious man turned out to be Cory Joe Speelman, 38, of Anaconda, who had misdemeanor warrants out for his arrest for criminal contempt and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was taken to jail. MHP arrest A trooper with the Montana Highway Patrol arrested Johnathan Bradley Horner, 34, of Butte around 4 p.m. Wednesday on a felony out-of-jurisdiction warrant. Billings to Butte Robert Todd Kelsey-Campbell, 43, of Butte was picked up at the Yellowstone County Jail in Billings and brought to Butte where he was booked on warrants for felony burglary and four misdemeanor counts of theft. More reports A trailer hitch was stolen from a vehicle parked at Butte High School. Tools were stolen from a truck parked on Blue Bird Trail. Some items were taken from a camp trailer parked near OKeefe Drilling. Two women were fighting near the intersection of Grand and Harrison. When officers arrived, the dueling duo decided to go their separate ways. Someone living in the 700 block of South Main Street claimed to have heard three gunshots, one after the other. Officers arrived and talked to neighbors, but no one else heard or seen anything. Seven from Tech awarded scholarships Each year the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) Foundation awards academic scholarships to occupational safety and health students and related degrees working toward their educational goals. Scholarships are possible due to the donations of the safety community. The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) Foundation has awarded $250,000 to 133 individuals in scholarships and grants in 2022. Of those, $8,500 in scholarships were awarded to the following seven members from Montana Techs Safety, Health and Industrial Hygiene and Civil Engineering programs who were members of the Montana Tech ASSP student chapter: Jaden Cleveland, Civil from Butte; Brie Birkenbuel, OSH, from Butte; Sadiq Inuwa, IH, from Abuja, Nigeria; Royce Bird, OSH, from Soldotna, Alaska; Lindsey Wooley, IH, Kennewick, Washington; Logan Reed, Civil from Oakesdale, Washington; and Layne Willis, IH, from Laurel. Public lecture set for Oct. 5 at Tech Montana Techs Public Lecture Series will host Dr. W. J. Jim Lewis, professor of mathematics and chair of the Department of Mathematics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, in the Montana Tech Library Auditorium. His presentation is titled, STEM Education and the Role of the Mathematics Department: Nebraskas Story and Opportunities Supported by the National Science Foundation. For more than 30 years the Department of Mathematics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has made a major investment in mathematics education, emphasizing the mathematical education of teachers and active learning in the undergraduate mathematics classroom. New members join Butte Hibernians The Mens Ancient Order of Hibernians recently had a Shamrock Ceremony to induct new members into the Butte chapter. The inductees include Theodore Bartoletti, Padraig Dennehy, Sean Dennehy, Robert Haggerty, Michael Harrington, Jeffery Hartwick, and Sean Peterson. John "Timmer" Reeves will sign his book "Giant Rams of Montana" at Copper Village Museum and Art Center, 401 E. Commercial Ave. in Anaconda, Friday through Sunday as a part of the Anaconda Wildlife Expo. Reeves, of Butte, is preparing his next book, "Rocky Mountain Goat Hunters." Signings will be 10 am to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. By Trend Armenia is not ready for peace and does not want peace. Rufiz Hafizoglu, Deputy General Director of Trend, said this in an interview with the Qatari Al-Jazeera TV channel, Trend reports. He noted that Armenia continues to receive political support from a number of states, which creates conditions for the activation of revanchist forces. "Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, during his speech at a forum in Vladivostok, actually announced a new military confrontation, which in turn indicated Armenia's preparation for war," Hafizoglu said. He noted that Armenia impedes peace and stability in the region. By Kala Allen-Dunn | Sep 15, 2022 Headshot of this years Sid Easley lecturer, Dr. Melanie Beals Goan MURRAY, Ky. The sixth annual Sid Easley Lecture will be held Thursday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. in the Curris Center Ballroom. This years lecture, titled A Simple Justice: Kentucky Women Fight for the Vote, will be delivered by Dr. Melanie Beals Goan. Kentucky was ahead of its time in 1838 when it became the first state to allow women to vote in school-related elections over 80 years before the nineteenth Amendment was ratified by Congress. In spite of this early victory on the educational front, womens suffrage in Kentucky was a hard-fought battle. Goans lecture, which is based on her most recent book of the same title, explores the complexities of the womens suffrage movement in Kentucky including the racial hostility that arose during and after the struggle. Educators, community leaders, and those interested in womens history are especially invited to attend this event. The Easley lectures in the past have been great successes. This years lecture will be no exception, said Dr. Jim Humphreys, professor of history at Murray State. Professors, students and members of the Murray community are lucky to have a lecture series that brings top flight scholars, such as Dr. Melanie Beals Goan, to the Universitys campus to discuss historical topics of contemporary significance. A professor at the University of Kentucky, Goan specializes in twentieth century United States history with specific interests in gender, Appalachia, Kentucky and medical history. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Arts at the University of Kentucky, and she earned her Bachelor of Arts from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. In her current position, she focuses on undergraduate teaching and serves as director of undergraduate studies for the history department. In addition to her most recent book, she is the author of Mary Breckinridge: The Frontier Nursing Service and Rural Health in Appalachia, as well as many articles, book chapters, essays and reviews. She has received numerous awards and honors, notably including the Teachers Who Made a Difference Award in 2018 and the University of Kentucky Provosts Outstanding Teaching Award in 2017. She is a member of the Southern Association for Women Historians, the American Historical Association and the Kentucky Historical Society. The lecture series honors the memory of Murray State alumnus Sid Easley. Easley was a former Murray State University Board of Regents chair, the first recipient of the Golden Horseshoe Award and a long-time supporter of the Murray State University Department of History. Thanks to the generosity of the Easley family, the lecture is free and open to the public, with a book signing to follow. Gifts to support the lecture fund may be made online at murraystate.edu/giving or by check made payable to the Murray State University Foundation and mailed to the Murray State Office of Development at 200 Heritage Hall, Murray, KY 42071. Its a good thing Craig and Marcia Canfield thrive on doing projects because its been one after another since they bought their home in Davenports historic Gold Coast neighborhood 30 years ago. Consider the 200-plus hours Craig spent salvaging, piece-by-tiny-piece, the vestibule tiles from a home on Main Street and re-laying them in their own entrance. Or the removal of aluminum siding from their homes exterior, scraping the old paint down to the bare wood, and then re-painting in historical colors. Or the cedar shingles Craig installed himself because the couple couldnt find a contractor willing to bid on the high, steep roof. And theyre not finished. I need projects in my life, said Craig, whose day job is in information technology. Marcia works in accounts payable. The public can see the couples work for themselves on Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 17-18, when their home will be one of five open for tours during the 2022 Gold Coast-Hamburg Historic District Home Tour, along with the German American Heritage Center and the former Christian Jipp home and grocery, now the Architectural Rescue Shop. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. both days. Tickets are $15; children under 12 will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets will be sold on the days of the tour at all the tour homes, the German center and the Jipp. The Canfields were a young couple moving back to the Quad-Cities from the Chicago area in 1992 when they found the Queen Anne style house built between 1880 and 1890. They werent particularly looking for a historic property, but the house designed by noted Davenport architect Frederick George Fritz Clausen appealed to them. It had been occupied in its early days by two families of German descent, the Karlowas and the Rohwedders; Otto Rohwedder is known for his invention of a bread-slicing machine. The Canfields didnt know any of this at the time, though. What they saw was a house that had been turned into apartments and boarding rooms, allowed to deteriorate to the point of threatened demolition, then pulled back to single-family life by owners who flipped it and were looking to sell. People on the tour will want to pause at the outside of the home to take in all the details: a sun ray carved into the peak of the roof, an eyebrow window, two rows of fish scale siding, the curved roof over the front door and the front door itself the oak part was crafted by Carver Custom Millworks, Milan, but Craig inlaid the walnut. The steps are limestone and the metal railing was fashioned by Boylers Ornamental Iron, Bettendorf. Stepping in the vestibule, youll see the mosaic tile Craig painstakingly salvaged and re-laid. Beyond that is the foyer with an open oak staircase ascending to the second floor and to your left, an original curved stained glass window. Youll also immediately see the Canfields havent spent their whole lives doing projects. On the walls and set all around the home are objects pictures, tapestries, three-dimensional art picked up in extensive travels. Ask Craig, and he will tell you that the two tapestries on the staircase wall were purchased in Morocco and Turkey and that the pictures hail from Cambodia; Prague, in the Czech Republic; Mongolia; Uruguay; Italy; Ecuador, and Thailand. Other items are from family or auctions. Through a set of pocket doors into the parlor youll see framed menus from various restaurants, including Charlie Trotters in Chicago and various colorful glass pieces from the Blenko Glass Co. of West Virginia, acquired during pledge drives for Iowa Public Television. Theres also a corner fireplace for which Craig crafted an over mantel. Through a second set of pocket doors is the dining room with early wallpaper carefully preserved and imagine this a warming oven built into one of the radiators. The kitchen is a contemporary departure from the rest of the house; the Canfields designed and built it to serve their love of cooking and baking. The Canfields like to mix up looks, so there are lots of different materials in the kitchen including a copper range hood and sink, a stainless steel stove, three different patterns of granite countertops, a walnut floor and cabinets all built by Craig using birds eye maple, oak, walnut and cherry. I like overkill, he said. The wonders continue outside, too. The first feature youre likely to notice is a new 18-feet-by-20-feet deck set on the hillside that the Canfields made themselves from steel and black locust wood. Craig said he expects the wood to last as long as he and Marcia own the property, as it is of the type that farmers used to made fence posts very durable. To the left is a brick oven that Craig designed and built in 2008 from bricks salvaged from their homes chimney replacement. The Canfields are known throughout the Gold Coast for their bagels which taste nothing like those available in mainstream grocery stores. They also make bread and pizzas for an annual neighborhood party. To the right is a 24-feet-by-22-feet, two-story carriage house designed by an architect in a style that blends with the neighborhood. The lower level is for their cars; the upper level is Craigs workshop. We were the first in the neighborhood to build a carriage house, Craig said. We started a trend. The couple had to secure variances from the city to build it, and it still irks them that they were not allowed to install plumbing. The city was concerned the Canfields were trying to sneak in a building that could be rented as an apartment. Subsequent carriage houses were allowed to install plumbing. They built the structure mostly themselves, laying the blocks; installing the roof, siding and electrical service and building screens for the windows. Only the concrete and framing were contracted out. The carriage house and other projects described in this story dont cover everything they did in 30 years, but you get the idea. MUSCATINE The famous Golden Rule sailboat a symbol that supports the banning of nuclear weapons is expected to sail all around the United States this year in what is being called its Great Loop trip. Following the Golden Rules stop in Dubuque, it will stop in Muscatine on Monday, Oct. 17, staying at the Muscatine Riverfront for the rest of that evening as well as all day Tuesday, Oct. 18. To prepare for the visit, a free public meeting that will include a brief presentation on the Golden Rules history and background will be held at the Musser Public Library at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 27. This meeting will include presenters from the Iowa City chapter of Veterans for Peace, as well as a short film about the boat. The film that theyre going to show is really well done, and it even includes historical footage from the 1950s, Daniel Clark said. Clark is one of four people the other three are military veterans who are the most active in the arrangement of the Golden Rule and where it visits, according to him. He elaborated that the main focus of the cruise is to not only visit places that the boat has never stopped, but to also continue sharing the idea of banning nuclear weapons. Probably any sane person in the world is going to say, Yeah, anything we can do to get rid of these not-militarily useful and just horrible things that we could accidentally find ourselves using. There is a big effort in the project to say that this is a concern that everybody shares, and we all need to raise our voices, he said. Clark went on to clarify that the boat is not meant to be a partisan thing, nor is it meant to symbolize what some may call anti-war ideals. Clark also showed admiration for what he thought of the boats amazing history that stretches back to the 1950s, which saw it sail through the Pacific Ocean, leading to the people on board getting arrested for their protests of the nuclear testing that was going on in the Marshall Islands. Clark shared he was excited to know that the famous boat is going to stop in Muscatine. It just kind of goes with all the other boats, like the cruise boats that are coming, and its just exciting that Muscatine is on the map in the place where we are. I think people will turn out for it. Whatever they think about the nuclear weapon issue, its still just a neat old sailboat, he said. Plans are still being discussed for the boats Oct. 17 and 18 visit, but with Hawaiis Captain Kiko Johnston-Kitazawa sailing the Golden Rule during this leg of the Great Loop tour, Clark said he hoped to have him briefly speak to the Muscatine community when the boat arrives, wanting him to share and talk about his experiences sailing the boat from Hawaii to the West Coast. He also hoped to welcome both the captain and the boat with a happy community welcome, which could potentially involve a greeting from Muscatines mayor, Dr. Brad Bark, as well as a performance from the Muscatine High School bands brass section, although neither of these has been confirmed yet. Either way, Clark said hes hoping for a good turnout when the Golden Rule arrives. I would say (to people) to just come out and learn, if youre at all curious about it. If you have feelings one way or the other about the nuclear weapon issue, I hope we can all just look around and say, Gosh, this isnt an argument about war and peace and whether youre a realist or a pacifist, this is something we all care about. I hope thatll be the spirit of what happens, he said. WAPELLO Most of Tuesdays Louisa County Board of Supervisors meeting dealt with public hearings, which included holding three hearings on separate issues. Among the trio of hearings held by the supervisors was one to consider an ordinance that would allow reserve officers of the Louisa County Sheriffs Office (LCSO) to live outside of Louisa County. LCSO Chief Deputy Brandon Marquardt had originally presented the proposed ordinance during the supervisors Aug. 16 meeting. At that meeting, Marquardt explained the county currently did not have a residency ordinance for its reserve officer force. He said one of the departments reserve officers had recently moved, but wanted to remain on the force. Under the ordinance, which the supervisors approved Tuesday following the public hearing, the Louisa County Sheriffs Office (would be) authorized to waive the residency requirement for Reserve Deputy Sheriffs on a case-by-case basis, as defined (by the Iowa Code). There were no public comments presented during the hearing. The supervisors also held a second public hearing on the sale of a county-owned tax sale certificate for a land parcel in the unincorporated town of Marsh in the western part of the county. Officials indicated the certificate would be sold for the delinquent taxes to an adjoining property owner. There were also no public comments during the second public hearing. The third and final public hearing held by the supervisors involved the sale of several undeveloped parcels of the Hoover Nature Trail corridor to McDonald, Ltd. The Louisa County Conservation Board had previously approved a recommendation to the supervisors to sell the parcels, which total 9.82 acres, following negotiations with Ron McDonald. Under the resolution approved by the supervisors, the price per acre for the parcels was set at $3,130.75 for a total cost of $30,744. Supervisor Randy Griffin read a note from Max Totemeier stating he felt any county property that was not being used should be sold and returned to the tax rolls. According to discussions during the hearing and at earlier meetings, McDonald is planning to hold a land auction for the McDonald, Ltd. property, but the actual auction date could not be set until the county land negotiations and action was finalized. That final action to sign the transfer documents will be delayed a few more days until supervisor chair Brad Quigley, who also serves on the conservation board, returns from a trip. Quigley attended the supervisors meeting on Tuesday through Zoom. In a final public hearing action, the board set a Sept. 27 public hearing to consider the sale of another undeveloped section of the trail corridor to Blacks Bluff, Inc. The board also met with veterans affairs service officer Adam Caudle for his monthly department update. He reported the department workload was steady, with 147 contacts since the last briefing. He also reported Muscatine County Veterans Affairs Service Officer Eric Sanders was nearing completion of his certification. Caudle has been assisting the neighboring office while Sanders went through his certification process. Caudle also reported a Veterans Appreciation Meal had been tentatively set for Sunday, Oct. 23, at the Briggs Civic Center in Wapello. He said notices would be published asking participants to make reservations so he could determine the number of meals needed. County Engineer Adam Shutt also provided his weekly report to the supervisors. He notified the board that work on the Louisa County G44X bridge was nearly complete and the structure could be open by Wednesday afternoon. The board also accepted a $114,759 bid from Columbus Construction for sidewalk and other concrete work at the courthouse and county annex sites. In final action, the board: Approved a Class C Liquor License for LDs Bar & Grill. Approved a delayed Sept. 10 fireworks permit for Ladonna Hartsock. South Africas estimated launch date for SpaceXs high-speed, low-latency satellite Internet service Starlink has been changed from 2023 to unknown. MyBroadband regularly checks the Starlink coverage map to see whether the company has made any updates to its rollout plans. The map includes the estimated launch date for Starlink in countries around the world. As late as August 2022, the map showed South Africa would get the service in 2023. The same message would be presented when the user attempts to place a pre-order. But by Wednesday, 14 September 2022, we noticed Starlink had changed this to Service date is unknown at this time, as shown in the screenshot below. South Africa is not the only country now presenting this message instead of the previous 2023 date. Numerous other African and Asian countries show either Service date is unknown at this time or Pending regulatory approval instead of a set date. Interestingly, several African countries now also show a more specific Q1 2023 launch date for the service including Angola, Eswatini, Gabon, Kenya, and Malawi. They will be the first African countries to get Starlink after Mozambique and Nigeria, where rollouts are set for the last quarter of 2022. When SpaceX opened global pre-orders for Starlink in February 2021, it estimated the service would be available in South Africa by 2022. Around November 2021, it shifted the availability dates for several countries and locations in the US, which also saw South Africas ETA pushed back to 2023. In that instance, South African customers who had already placed their pre-orders reported the availability dates on their accounts remained 2022. With the latest update, MyBroadband forum members who placed pre-orders said their accounts now showed Starlink expects to expand service in your area in 2023. It was unclear what was behind the most recent change in availability dates. Starlink already has more than 3,000 satellites in orbit and has rapidly expanded to countries where its coverage is available over the past few months. After exiting beta in late 2021, it launched in 25 countries by February 2022, reached 32 by May, and was available in 40 at the time of writing. Possible regulatory hurdles One possibility is that SpaceX has not been able to clear the necessary regulatory hurdles to proceed with rollout plans in the countries that now have unknown launch dates. The company previously said that besides having enough satellites in orbit, it would have to get regulatory approval in each country it wants to operate in. The map changes suggest that SpaceX has made progress with regulators in countries that have been given a more specific launch date or have continued to remain at 2023, while those discussions might not have gone as well in those that now have an unknown ETA. South Africas telecoms regulator the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) previously told MyBroadband it would not issue any new licences to companies that are not 30% black owned, in line with new legislation for Internet service providers (ISPs). SpaceX requires an Individual Electronic Communications Network Service (IECNS) and Individual Electronics Communications Service (IECS) licence to offer its services in South Africa. Furthermore, it needs a radio frequency spectrum licence to enable Starlink to communicate on spectrum bands designated for satellite broadband services. While Icasa confirmed it had early discussions with SpaceX over the licencing requirements, the company had not yet applied for them. Icasas list of licensees has not been updated since 2015, so there is no way to know whether SpaceX has applied without input from either Icasa or SpaceX. Despite several queries since first confirming it was in discussions with SpaceX, Icasa has remained mum on any further progress. MyBroadband asked SpaceX why it had changed the availability date for Starlink in South Africa and other countries and what the progress on its local regulatory approval was. However, we did not receive feedback by the time of publication. Now read: Apple had talks with SpaceX over iPhone satellite features President Cyril Ramaphosa has asked for more patience from South Africans regarding Eskom and load-shedding. South Africans experienced a load-shedding-free run between Thursday, 18 August and Tuesday, 6 September 2022. However, the country has been subjected to varying levels of load-shedding since. There is progress. Lots of positive things are happening in our economy, and I know its too much to ask for patience from our people, but at the same time, all I can say is that the problems are being addressed, Ramaphosa said. On the issue of stage 4 load-shedding, Eskom continues to face considerable challenges, and as I said, we need it to get about 4,000MW of power, which is in the process of being obtained as we speak. He explained that until it can add more capacity to the grid, Eskoms challenges will continue to impact South Africans. Fortunately, they are not continuous. They keep recovering some of the units that fail from time to time, he added. He explained that South Africas investors understand the countrys challenges regarding its power supply. They understand where we are, but they also are appreciative of the measures and steps we are taking on an ongoing basis to repair Eskom, he added. Ramaphosa said the country would have to bear the impact of load-shedding on South African businesses and livelihoods until progress is made on his plan to fix Eskom and end rotational power cuts. Of course, the unfortunate part is that it affects livelihoods. It also affects our companies, and what we can say is that the problems are being addressed within the strategy that I announced. That strategy is being implemented. Its unfolding, and we will soon see progress. Ramaphosa was responding to questions from an eNCA reporter at the launch of the Sappi Saiccor Mill upgrade and extension project in Umkomaas. The investment that we have just launched here was an investment that was proposed in 2018, he said. Many people never believed that this would really be realised, and today it has been realised. He added that the upgrade and expansion project had created a good number of jobs. Code red at Eskom Eskom splits its load-shedding outlook into two risk levels: a base scenario of outages (planned risk level), where unplanned outages reach 15,200MW and a second outlook accounting for further unexpected breakdowns (likely risk scenario) where losses reach 17,200MW. The power utilitys outlook for the year paints a bleak picture for South Africans, with the possibility of load-shedding being implemented for 49 weeks, or 94% of the year. It shows that Eskom could likely be more than 2,001MW short of meeting demand and reserves, meaning South Africans could experience at least stage 2 load-shedding for the 49 weeks, according to the power utilitys likely risk scenario. After an almost three-week power cut-free run in August and early September, Eskom implemented Stage 2 load-shedding on Tuesday, 6 September. Eskom initially scheduled load-shedding to run between 05:00 and 22:00. However, the power utility extended rotational power cuts to run through the night on Thursday that same week. Further breakdowns and the need to replenish emergency reserves led to Eskom increasing power cuts to stage 4 on Saturday, 10 September. Although initially scheduled to decrease to stage 2 during the week, Eskom announced on Wednesday that load-shedding will remain at stage 4 until Saturday. Eskom said there is a possibility of lower stages from Saturday morning. Power utility Eskom has updated key assumptions in its revenue application to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), proposing a 32.02% electricity price hike from 1 April 2023. Nersa is currently consulting on Eskoms Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD) 5 revenue application for the 2024 and 2024 financial years. According to the methodology, Eskom must provide any updates on changes in conditions and environments that impact various cost elements of the revenue requirements. Changes are made within the cost items as required with an offset in the return on assets, Eskom explained. Despite the amendments, Eskom said its total revenue as applied for in June 2021 R335 billion for the 2024 financial year and R365 billion for the 2025 financial year remained roughly the same. As a result, the price increase of about 32.66% that Eskom originally wanted from April next year has been reduced slightly to 32.02%. Eskom said the primary drivers of the required increase included depreciation of 10.67% due to Nersa overvaluing Eskoms assets in its 2023 price adjustment decision, particularly assets in its generation business. In addition, Eskoms primary energy costs are anticipated to increase by 7.8%, the majority of which is due to increased diesel and fuel oil prices and higher usage of these products for Eskoms open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs). Lastly, Eskom said its cost to procure electricity from independent power producers (IPPs) would increase by 9.05% due to more reliance on private power, including for emergency generation. If Eskom gets the price increase it is hoping for in 2024, the hike for 2025 should be 9.74%, with IPPs contributing 5.39% of this. Nersa is set to hold public hearings on Eskoms MYPD5 application with in-person and online sessions between 19 September and 23 September 2022. The regulator has interpreted Eskoms price increase differently, stating the hike is 38.1% over the previous financial year when using the cost items as calculated under Eskoms previous application. It has included an additional R15 billion in its calculation, part of a R59-billion amount which Eskom is set to recover after Nersa incorrectly deducted it as equity support between the 2020 and 2022 financial years. The table below shows how Nersa determined the effective price hikes. Nersa has opened public comments on the proposed tariff increase. The fundamental changes from Eskoms previous update on the revenue application in January 2022 include increases in primary energy costs. These are driven by a combination of costs related to the diesel price increase and a higher volume of diesel to be used. In addition, Eskom has removed the arrear debt-related costs in line with Nersas decision for the 2023 financial year where other customers do not contribute to the gap created by non-paying customers. Eskom has also removed carbon tax-related costs after finance minister Enoch Godongwana announced impending legislative changes to postpone carbon tax liability beyond the 2025 financial year. Other cost items changed include independent power producer (IPP) costs, which have increased due to emergency IPP procurement, a slight increase in expected sales volumes, and a further reduction in average energy availability factor for Eskom power stations to 59%. Eskom last month also submitted a proposal to Nersa to restructure tariffs. It believes a new approach is needed to calculate the allowable revenue to better reflect the unbundled costs for Eskoms future separate divisions and better account for fixed and variable expenses in electricity supply. This ensures that customers are more aligned to the actual costs they impose on the system, Eskom argues. It also maintains the new structure will address certain customers using the electricity system as a battery and backup and effectively being subsidised by more consistent users. John Kerry, the USs special presidential envoy for climate, said progress in completing an $8.5 billion (R148.55 billion) financing deal to help South Africa shift to cleaner energy is dependent on that countrys president, Cyril Ramaphosa. The funding to reduce South Africas use of coal was pledged by the US, UK, France, Germany and the European Union at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow last year. It is dependent on South Africa producing an investment plan that would need to be agreed to by the partners. It depends on President Ramaphosa, were waiting for the South African government to put some things on the table, Kerry said in an interview at an environment ministers conference in Dakar, Senegal, on Thursday. It would be great to have it done by COP27 in Egypt in November, he said. Thats what I am hoping but Im not saying we will. Under the agreement, South Africa would use the money to decommission coal-fired plants, partially replace them with cleaner energy, expand its transmission grid and compensate coal-dependent communities. The worlds 13th-biggest source of greenhouse gases is also pushing for financing to help it kick-start green hydrogen and electric-vehicle industries. The climate-deal funding is expected to come in the form of concessional loans and grants. Now read: Ramaphosa asks South Africa to be patient with Eskom South Africas former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo will head an independent panel that will recommend whether or not to initiate a process to impeach President Cyril Ramaphosa after allegations that he concealed a burglary at his farm. Ngcobo, Thokozile Masipa, a former judge of the Gauteng Division of the High Court and Richard Calland, associate professor of public law at the University of Cape Town, were appointed to the panel on Wednesday by Parliament Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, parliament said in a statement. The panel will start its work on a date to be determined after administrative processes have been concluded, parliament said in the statement. The decision comes as Ramaphosa is under pressure from opposition parties to step aside over the burglary two years ago at a game farm he owns. He has refused to answer opposition lawmakers questions about the incident, in which the nations former spy boss said $4 million was stolen. Now read: Home Affairs back online after power outage knocks ID and passport issuing offline By Azernews By Vugar Khalilov The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry held another briefing on September 14 to inform the military attaches in the country about the recent developments on the state border with Armenia, Azernews reports, citing the ministry. The meeting was organized at the ministrys International Military Cooperation Department. Maj-Gen Huseyn Mahmudov, Chief of the International Military Cooperation Department under the Defense Ministry, briefed the foreign representatives on the current situation in the wake of the Armenian armed forces' large-scale provocation in the Dashkasan, Kalbajar, Lachin, and Zangilan directions. The official underlined that Armenia used various caliber weapons and artillery pieces to target units of the Azerbaijani army and civil infrastructure. Following the Azerbaijani army's retaliatory actions, the large-scale provocation was decisively crushed. Mahmudov emphasized that Azerbaijan is committed to its obligations under the trilateral statement, signed on November 10, 2020, by the Azerbaijani, Russian, and Armenian leaders, adding that the Armenian military-political leadership bears full responsibility for the tension, confrontation, and losses caused by the large-scale provocation. To recap, units of the Armenian armed forces carried out large-scale provocations along the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border in the Dashkasan, Kalbajar, and Lachin directions during the night of September 13. At night, Armenian sabotage groups mined land and supply roads linking the positions of the Azerbaijani army units in different directions, taking advantage of the area's steep topography and existing ravine gaps. The clashes between the sides ensued as a result of the urgent efforts made by the Azerbaijani armed forces to quell these activities. As a result, 50 armed forces personnel, including 42 Azerbaijan Army servicemen and 8 State Border Service personnel were killed, the ministry detailed. The Azerbaijan military units stationed in these areas took decisive retaliatory measures to suppress the provocations of the Armenian armed forces and military threats to Azerbaijan's territory and sovereignty, as well as to ensure the safety of military personnel, including civilian workers involved in infrastructure construction in Kalbajar and Lachin districts, the ministry emphasized. As of September 14, the Armenian government reported 105 losses among military personnel. Its becoming a trend. The California Legislature, at times dominated by progressive Democrats, and Gov. Gavin Newsom enact legislation that targets specific industries and the industries respond with ballot measures to overturn or modify what the politicians have wrought. It happened twice in 2020. Legislation was passed in 2018 to eliminate cash bail for criminal defendants. The bail bond industry immediately launched a referendum campaign to put the issue to voters, but it could not go onto the ballot until 2020. Advocates of the no-bail legislation raised and spent more than $15 million on the campaign, a third of it coming from one man, billionaire businessman and philanthropist John Arnold. It condemned bail as biased against poor and non-white defendants. The bail bond industry and its insurers countered with a $10 million-plus campaign, arguing that eliminating bail would put more criminals on the street, and scored a win when voters, by a hefty margin, rejected the legislation. In 2018, the state Supreme Court imposed strict limits on classifying workers as independent contractors, rather than payroll employees, giving unions a huge win. The Legislature took up the issue in 2019, haggling for months over which industries would be exempted from the Supreme Courts standards. Most notably, legislators refused to exempt drivers for delivery and ride-share companies such as Uber and Lyft. In response, those and other similar companies qualified a 2020 ballot measure to carve out an exemption for themselves and spent a record $204 million on a successful campaign to pass it, more than 10 times what unions spent to oppose it. Were about to see a third ballot clash over progressive legislation and it could be even more expensive. On Labor Day, Newsom signed California labor unions highest priority bill, creating a 10-member Fast Food Council to regulate working conditions in fast food outlets and raise workers wages to as high as $22 an hour with cost-of-living adjustments thereafter. Newsom said it empowers our workers. A day after Newsom signed the legislation, Assembly Bill 257, a coalition called Protect Neighborhood Restaurants filed paperwork with the attorney generals office to place a referendum on the ballot that, if successful, would overturn the law. Two Washington-based groups, the International Franchise Association and the National Restaurant Association, co-chair the coalition. It is only right for Californias voters to have a voice before harboring the burden of a bill that has widely been heralded as a massive step in the wrong direction, the coalition said in a statement. The battle could begin with a legal clash over the measures title that will be written by attorney generals office because Democratic attorneys general tend to slant ballot titles in favor proposals from unions and other Democrat-friendly groups and negatively toward those from business and/or conservative sponsors. Whatever the title, proponents will have until Dec. 4 to submit 623,000 signatures of registered voters on petitions and thus place their referendum on the 2024 ballot a tight time frame but doable if they are willing to spend a few million dollars on professional signature-gathering. If the measure qualifies, AB 257s provisions would be suspended until voters determine its fate. Sponsors will contend that the law undermines local business owners and will ultimately lead to much-higher fast food prices for consumers. Opponents will say that that the law protects low-income workers from exploitation. The stakes are high. If the law survives the industry challenge, it could have far-reaching effects on other franchised industries by establishing a new assumption that franchises are merely outlets for their parent companies, not stand-alone businesses. Fred Franzia, the California wine magnate best known for creating Two Buck Chuck, died on Tuesday, at age 79 at his home in Denair in Stanislaus County. Family members confirmed the death but did not name a cause. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Franzia was a lifelong champion of inexpensive wine and a tenacious critic of California's elite wine culture in Napa and Sonoma counties, frequently proclaiming that no bottle should cost more than $10. He was outspoken and unabashedly ambitious, building a vast empire of vineyards, production facilities and bottling plants throughout California. Ultimately, he grew Bronco Wine Co., the business he co-founded in 1973, into one of the 10 largest wine companies in the U.S., incorporating dozens of brands. "Who says we're lower-priced? We're the best price. The others, I think, are overpriced," Franzia told the San Francisco Chronicle in 2009, in a characteristic remark. Many familiar cheap wines fall under the Bronco umbrella, like Crane Lake and Red Truck, though the company became largely synonymous with its most famous brand, Charles Shaw, colloquially known as Two Buck Chuck. The wine, sold exclusively through Trader Joes since 2002 and originally priced at $1.99 a bottle in California, earned that nickname for its affordable price that undercut its tonier competitors. "Take that and shove it, Napa," he once said in an interview. Core to his vision was a belief that wine should be enjoyed and consumed on every American table," Bronco's said in announcing Franzias death. When asked how Bronco Wine Company can sell wine less expensive than a bottle of water, Fred T. Franzia famously countered, They're overcharging for the water don't you get it? He did not own the boxed-wine brand that bears his name, Franzia; his parents, also winemakers, sold that company to the Coca-Cola Co. in 1973. (Today, the beverage company named the Wine Group owns the Franzia wine brand.) Franzia was no stranger to controversy. He pleaded guilty to fraud charges in 1994 after falsifying the grape varieties on his wine labels, and had to abandon his role as the company's president for five years. At a time when the California wine industry was pushing for tighter labeling laws around appellations, Franzia pushed for looser regulations, which made him plenty of enemies. He campaigned in the end, unsuccessfully for the right to use the word "Napa" on the labels of wines that were grown and produced in the Central Valley. Those bumps never seemed to shake Franzia's confidence in his lifelong mission. It didn't matter, he told The New Yorker magazine in 2009 of the guilty plea. Bronco's 'last gasp' to topple Napa labeling law fails The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday put an end to Bronco Wine Co.'s latest effort to buck a state law that requires wine with a Napa name on the His son Joey Franzia, Broncos national sales and marketing director, said in an email that his father would have wanted his legacy to be great wine at a great price on every American table, and that Charles Shaw, of which Bronco has sold more than a billion bottles since the brands debut two decades ago, was the best embodiment of that ideal. Fred Franzia was born in 1943 and grew up in the Central Valley, a scion of the California wine industry's first family. His uncle by marriage was Ernest Gallo, one of the founders of E. & J. Gallo Winery, today the country's largest wine company. He attended Santa Clara University and worked in sales for his family's Franzia Brothers Winery, which was already one of the most successful wine producers in the Central Valley. The same year that his parents sold the family business, in 1973, he co-founded Bronco Wine Co. with his brother Joseph and cousin John. Bronco amassed large swaths of vineyard land Franzia himself said he owned over 40,000 acres at one time and became a major player in the bulk wine market. Eventually, the company began expanding from its home base in Stanislaus County into the more well-heeled regions of Napa and Sonoma. In 1992, Franzia bought four wineries in Sonoma: Hacienda, Laurier, Grand Cru and Lyeth. Soon afterward, Bronco became embroiled in legal troubles. The company admitted to misrepresenting the grape varieties in some of its wines, passing off a less expensive melange of grapes for the higher-priced Zinfandel. Franzia famously referred to the scheme as "the blessing of the loads": He had instructed workers to scatter a few clusters of Zinfandel grapes on top of a bin to give the impression that the entire bin contained Zinfandel. The grape variety had been rapidly rising in popularity, and fruit prices jumped from $180 a ton in 1985 to over $1,000 a ton in 1988, according to Chronicle reporting at the time. According to the indictment, about a million gallons of wine that Bronco produced between 1987 and 1992 were involved in the scheme. Bronco agreed to pay a $2.5 million fine, and Franzia personally paid a fine of $500,000. Although he had to relinquish his title as president and voting rights on the company's board for five years, he remained the company's chief financial officer during that time. Then came Franzia's wine labeling crusade. For decades, Bronco had benefited from a legal loophole: Although federal law requires a wine carrying a geographical name like Napa Valley to be composed primarily of grapes from that locale at least 85% for a viticultural area or 75% from a county or state any brands created before 1986 had been exempt. That had allowed Franzia to sell Central Valley wines with names like Napa Ridge, Napa Creek and Rutherford Vintners. (All three brands had been created prior to 1986 and were grandfathered in, although Franzia purchased them later.) But in 2000, the Napa Valley Vintners successfully pushed the California Legislature to close that loophole. Franzia fought back, filing a series of appeals that argued his brands should be protected by the 1986 provision. The state Supreme Court sided with the Vintners; the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case in 2006, letting the law stand. Few California vintners sympathized with Franzia, who came to be seen as someone working against the principle of truth in labeling, seen as crucial for an industry that was trying to develop a global reputation for quality. I think it is quite wonderful, and the vintners should be congratulated for taking this important issue on, Andy Beckstoffer, a leading Napa Valley grapegrower, told the St. Helena Star shortly after Franzias courtroom defeat. ... It's a win-win situation, both for the consumers and the valley. We're telling them the truth and protecting the Napa brand. Despite the lengthy joust between Napa Valley winemakers and Bronco, at least one well-known local wine producer took a glass-half-full attitude toward Franzias drive for lower prices. I think Two Buck Chuck has helped to make people aware that wine is not just for special occasions, Michael Mondavi, son of the Napa Valley wine pioneer Robert Mondavi and a longtime friend of Franzias, told The Associated Press in 2007 although he quickly added: I also believe that the vast majority of the people who originally start buying Two Buck Chuck, within a period of a year, trade up to better wines. He says no wine is worth over $10, Mondavi said of Franzia. I say, Yeah, youre right, Fred, unless theyre my wines, because Ive seen you buy em. In 2008, he faced further scrutiny after Maria Vasquez Jimenez, a pregnant 17-year-old employee of a farm labor contractor, died while working in a vineyard owned by a Bronco subsidiary in what an autopsy determined was a case of heat stroke, according to The New Yorker. Three officials from the contractor were later charged with involuntary manslaughter. No one from Bronco was implicated legally. Franzia pushed back on a claim that water was not available in the vineyard on the day Jimenez died, but nonetheless funded a labor-contractor association to uphold rules on providing adequate water, shade and working conditions for farmworkers, The New Yorker reported in 2009. Nothing, it seemed, could deter Franzia. Into his final decade, he talked about his ambitions to grow Bronco to a 100-million-case production (it's unclear whether he achieved that goal). He continued to advocate for the widespread availability of sub-$10 wines, even as the cost of doing business for California wineries soared. The price of Charles Shaw, however, has risen from its longtime $1.99; it's now $2.99 at many Trader Joe's locations. In many ways, Franzia remained an old-school Central Valley farmer in the tradition of his parents and grandparents. In a 2016 keynote address at an industry conference, he claimed that 85% of the grape growers from whom Bronco purchased fruit do not have a written contract it was all about informal handshake deals. That keynote address was a sold-out event. To the end, his peers wanted to hear what Franzia had to say. Fred Franzia is survived by his children Renata, Roma, Joseph, Carlo and Giovanna; his siblings Joseph, Joellen and Catherine; and 14 grandchildren. With reports from San Francisco Chronicle reporter Esther Mobley, CNN reporter Jordan Valinsky, and Napa Valley Register city editor Howard Yune. This story has been modified since the original posting to clarify the federal rules for the minimum percentage of locally grown grapes required in a wine carrying a geographical description. The word icon is an oft-overused term that has resulted in its devaluation. But underneath the buzz, there is a such thing as an iconic wine. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. It is a wine that is a benchmark of quality; it is a wine that has become the standard-bearer for a grape or a region; it is a wine that has received critical acclaim and in turn has altered the course of its field. The Chilean wine Sena is one of those iconic wines, as exemplified by looking back at the past 25 years. Winemaking in Chile dates to the 1500s. In the 19th century, the industry was thriving as French winemakers brought their modern technology to Chile. By the start of the 20th century, having remained free of phylloxera, the Chilean wine industry continued flourishing until political instability and high taxation affected exportation. The free market reopened in 1974 and outside winemakers introduced new technology. Vineyards were replanted by the mid-1980s, and international investment started to flow into Chile in the 1990s. One of those investors was Robert Mondavi. In 1991 Mondavi traveled to Chile, looking for a partner. Eduardo Chadwick came from Chiles most important winemaking family, who can trace their grape-growing roots back to 1870. Chadwick took Mondavi on a tour of Chiles top wine regions, and they began to talk about the potential of fine wine in Chile. The idea was to model the wine on first-growth Bordeaux. To do this, they had to find the ideal site. They selected a hillside vineyard in the Ocoa coastal mountain range in the mid-section of the Aconcagua Valley. This valley is one of Chiles four main producing regions. It is 60 miles north of Santiago and 25 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The Aconcagua Valley is a hot region, but the Antarctic Humboldt Current flows up the west coast of Chile and sends a daily breeze into the valley. In addition, due to the altitude, the hot air rises in the east and sucks in the cool air from the west, cooling down the land in the evenings. Allison Levine, Please the Palate: Epokale Gewurztraminer: Aged in a silver mine in Alto Adige Deep in the old silver mines in the Alto Adige region of northern Italy, Epokale Gewurztraminer from Cantina Tramin is aging. Sena planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Today the own-rooted vines are 30 years old. To preserve the land, they farm the land following biodynamic principles and were certified biodynamic in 2008. 1995 was the first vintage of the singular wine brand Sena. Eduardo Chadwick became the sole owner of Sena in 2004. The name Sena, which means sign, was chosen because the brand would communicate to the world that Chile could develop world-class wines. This message was established in 2004 when Chadwick organized a blind tasting and master class in Berlin led by Steven Spurrier. The 2001 Sena, as well as the Vinedo Chadwick 2000, were blind-tasted alongside first-growth Bordeaux and 100-point-scoring Super Tuscan wines. The Chadwick 2000 came in first place and Sena 2001 came in second, confirming Chilean wines place in the fine wine world. Sena now celebrates its 25th anniversary with the release of the 2019 vintage. And thanks to Senas Michel Couttolenc, vice president of sales and marketing for North America, and David Parker, CEO of Benchmark Wine Group, the Napa-based rare wine retailer, I was able to taste eight vintages across three decades from the winerys library and Benchmarks cellar. It was an opportunity to see how the wine has changed over time, as well as how the style has changed through the years. Sena Valle de Ocoa, Aconcagua 1996 In the beginning, Sena was made with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and had lots of oak influence. With more than 15 years of age on it, the 1996 has aromas of cassis, black olive, graphite, coffee and menthol and still has a freshness on the palate. Sena Valle de Ocoa, Aconcagua 1997 1997 was a warm, dry growing season and this wine underwent extended barrel aging. Ripe red cherries, cassis, chocolate, and spice aromas open to a velvety wine with ripe tannins. Sena Valle de Ocoa, Aconcagua 2009 The 2009 Sena came in first place, ahead of Ornellaia, Chateau Margaux, Sassicaia and Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, in a blind tasting in Zurich in 2012. The nose offers aromas of ripe black fruits, tobacco, cigar box and spice, and on the palate the wine is round and dense. Sena Valle de Ocoa, Aconcagua 2011 A Cabernet-based wine with a lot of oak, this is a beautiful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon with floral and fruit aromas, followed by chocolate and herbal notes. After 10 years, the wine has fine tannins and a long, fresh finish. Sena Valle de Ocoa, Aconcagua 2013 A cooler vintage, the 2013 has notes of red fruits and coffee. On the palate, the wine is structured yet elegant with sandpaper tannins. Sena Valle de Ocoa, Aconcagua 2014 2014 was a warm vintage. The wine has a layer of aromas including red and purple fruits, cocoa, cedar, spice and vanilla. The palate is concentrated and rich with drying tannins. Sena Valle de Ocoa, Aconcagua 2015 2015 was an important vintage in which the style of Sena changed. Instead of being 70% to 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, it was 50% to 60%. In addition, this is the wine that received 100 points from James Suckling. A cool year, the wine has an intense nose with red and black fruit, leather, tobacco, black olive and spice aromas. Concentrated on the palate, the wine has a lovely balance between acidity and tannins. Sena Valle de Ocoa, Aconcagua 2019 2019 is the 25th anniversary wine and has a special label with the blue hue of lapis lazuli, Chile's national stone, on it. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon with Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Carmenere, the wine spent 22 months in French oak, 60% new. With less oak than previous wines, the aromatics are more pronounced. Lavender from the Cabernet Franc, deep red and blue fruits, leather, pepper, and spice from the Carmenere shine, and the wine is smooth and elegant with soft tannins. Sena was born in 1995 and through more than a quarter century, the brand has truly established itself as Chiles iconic wine. The Armenian authorities have not signed any document (on the settlement of relations with Azerbaijan - ed.) and do not plan to do so, the official statement of the National Security Service of the republic stated, addressed to the population. The agency assured that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's speech was distorted and deliberately falsified by various media outlets. The NSS urged the Armenian population not to succumb to manipulations and confirmed that no document on the settlement of relations with Azerbaijan had been signed or was being prepared for signing. The structure maintains that the Prime Minister spoke in parliament solely about the readiness to sign a document ensuring Armenia's security, sovereignty and lasting peace. It should only be noted that the media simply quoted the words of the head of the Government himself: "We want to sign a document, because of which many people will start criticizing us, cursing us, and calling us traitors. Even if the people decide to remove us from power, we will still be happy and grateful. Especially if, as a result, the Republic of Armenia of 29,800 square kilometers finds lasting peace and security. I am saying very clearly: I will sign the decision that will ensure that. And I am not interested in what will happen to me afterwards. I am interested in what will happen to the Republic of Armenia," Pashinyan said. In response to this statement thousands of citizens began a spontaneous rally near the parliament. The NSC hastened to accuse the media of distorting Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan's words. By Trend The Armenian Armed Forces were forced to retreat with numerous losses, Azerbaijani State Border Service said, Trend reports. In order to suppress large-scale provocations of the Armenian armed forces in the sections of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border passing through the territory of the Zangilan region, units of the State Border Service of Azerbaijan dealt crushing blows to the enemy and neutralized their firing points on September 12. The enemy, who suffered numerous losses among personnel and in military equipment, was forced to retreat. The servicemen of the State Border Service having shown personal courage and heroism in battles became martyrs as a result of suppressing the threat of the armed forces of Armenia, the territories and sovereignty of Azerbaijan: Captain Farid Mehbali Senior ensign Azer Mammadov Senior ensign Nahid Mammadov Junior ensign Ulvi Nasirov Junior ensign Farid Rustamov Junior ensign Elshan Babazada Senior sergeant Tabriz Rahimov Senior sergeant Shamistan Sadigov "We express our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the soldiers," said the service. The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden is considering imposing sanctions on organizations linked to Iranian authorities for inciting an assassination attempt on British writer Salman Rushdie, The Wall Steet Journal reported, citing sources. The material said that such organizations could be restricted from accessing the global financial system for allegedly offering a reward for the assassination of the writer. The administration believes that the offer itself may have already motivated the attackers. The U.S. believes that organizations linked to the Iranian authorities may be responsible for supporting the fatwa (religious injunction) of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khomeini calling for Rushdie to be punished for blasphemy. The Hordad Foundation-15, a charitable organization allegedly controlled by the Iranian leadership, could be subject to restrictions. The foundation put a $2.5 million bounty on Rushdie's head in 1997, an amount that was increased to $3.3 million in 2012, while the organization has remained silent since the assassination attempt, The Wall Stet Journal noted. The publication also wrote that some Iranian media outlets, including the Fars news agency, which is considered a semi-official government resource, were willing to contribute $600,000 to the reward for the murder of the British writer. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani Chafi earlier said that the attack on British writer Salman Rushdie was solely his fault, as well as those who supported him. By Trend The Armenian armed forces have committed large-scale provocations in the Dashkasan, Kalbajar, Lachin, and Zangilan directions of the Azerbaijan-Armenia border since the night of September 12, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan told Trend. The Azerbaijani Army dealt crushing blows to Armenia's army positions, concentration areas of its troops and weapons in response to the opposite side's aggressive actions. Thus, 71 Azerbaijani servicemen have been killed while suppressing the Armenian provocation. Residents of the Kazakh capital supported the proposal to return the city's name Astana, according to a broadcast of a public hearing that was broadcast on social media by the maslikhat (local representative body of power). City officials this week asked voters to voice their opinion on the renaming of the capital city. Nur-Sultan residents and members of the public took part in the hearings. For example, Burkitbay Ayagan, deputy director of the Institute of State History, said the role of the first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, in the establishment of Kazakhstan was invaluable, but renaming the capital in his honor proved hasty. According to Maslikhat Secretary Yerlan Kanalimov, the new renaming of the city will cost much less than it did three years ago, when Astana became Nur-Sultan. He explained that in 2019, the mayor's office spent about 30 million tenge (more than $63,000) on changing signs, letterheads and seals, but this year's costs will be much lower, given the transition to digital document management. The capital of Kazakhstan became Nur-Sultan in March 2019. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who succeeded the first president Nursultan Nazarbayev, who resigned, came up with the idea of renaming. On the same day, the parliament adopted relevant amendments to the constitution. By Azernews By Vugar Khalilov The whole world should know once again that the Turkish people and state stand by Azerbaijan, Turkic World reports, citing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans Chief Advisor Yalcin Topcu. Topcu stressed that the Armenian authorities should refrain from steps that undermine the peace talks with Azerbaijan. He emphasized that Armenia, which has declared its desire to mend relations with Turkiye, must first and foremost cease the targeted attack on the brotherly Azerbaijani state and its people. To recap, units of the Armenian armed forces carried out large-scale provocations along the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border in the Dashkasan, Kalbajar, and Lachin directions on September 12, 2022, starting late at night. The Armenian sabotage groups mined land and supply roads linking the positions of the Azerbaijani army units in different directions, taking advantage of the area's steep topography and existing ravine gaps. The Azerbaijan military units stationed in these areas took decisive retaliatory measures to suppress the provocations of the Armenian armed forces and military threats to Azerbaijan's territory and sovereignty, as well as to ensure the safety of military personnel, including civilian workers involved in infrastructure construction in Kalbajar and Lachin districts. Necessary measures are being taken to suppress the firing points of the Armenian armed forces and to prevent the expansion of the scale of the confrontation. There are losses among the manpower and combat equipment of the Armenian armed forces involved in sabotage operations, the ministry stressed. The clashes between the sides ensued as a result of the urgent efforts made by the Azerbaijani armed forces to quell these activities. As a result, 71 armed forces personnel were killed, the ministry detailed. The ministry added that over the past month, the Armenian armed forces, using various calibers of weapons, periodically and systematically fired on Azerbaijani military positions in the districts of Lachin, Gadabay, Dashkasan, and Kalbajar on the state border. At the same time, Armenia was seen concentrating offensive weapons, heavy artillery, and military forces around the Azerbaijani border. All these once again prove that Armenia is getting prepared for a large-scale military provocation, the ministry said, adding that by resorting to provocations, Armenia is seeking to slow down the large-scale civil infrastructure projects carried out by Azerbaijan in the liberated border areas, as well as to raise tensions along the Azerbaijani borders. As of September 14, the Armenian government reported 105 losses among its own military personnel.